1
00:00:56,220 --> 00:01:02,524
(The Shadow Sovereign)

2
00:01:05,755 --> 00:01:07,186
As Your Highness knows best,

3
00:01:07,541 --> 00:01:09,834
my greatest strength is that

4
00:01:10,596 --> 00:01:13,512
I'm a quick learner.

5
00:01:22,835 --> 00:01:25,060
Do you know what else Miss Zhang is into?

6
00:01:27,166 --> 00:01:28,780
She likes

7
00:01:33,214 --> 00:01:36,347
watching the losers strip off their clothes one by one

8
00:01:39,301 --> 00:01:41,835
until they're totally naked.

9
00:01:54,549 --> 00:01:56,962
Are you worried I won't get the hang of it, Your Highness?

10
00:02:06,404 --> 00:02:08,163
There's nothing

11
00:02:08,323 --> 00:02:10,500
you can't learn, Censor Shen.

12
00:02:17,005 --> 00:02:18,738
You sure know how to bend and adapt.

13
00:02:18,940 --> 00:02:21,380
For someone you care about, you're willing to learn anything.

14
00:02:21,532 --> 00:02:23,292
Too bad all this flattery and pleasing

15
00:02:23,445 --> 00:02:25,018
won't stay exciting for long.

16
00:02:25,230 --> 00:02:27,190
Miss Zhang will probably get bored in a few days.

17
00:02:28,564 --> 00:02:29,671
Yes.

18
00:02:30,445 --> 00:02:33,766
You are quick to push me away because you are bored.

19
00:02:33,997 --> 00:02:35,410
When did I ever say I was...

20
00:02:45,508 --> 00:02:48,195
You didn't finish your sentence. That means you like me.

21
00:02:49,565 --> 00:02:50,819
Who likes you?

22
00:02:52,813 --> 00:02:54,494
You don't like me anyway.

23
00:02:54,605 --> 00:02:55,860
I have no choice.

24
00:02:56,124 --> 00:02:58,756
I guess I'll just pick someone random.

25
00:02:59,605 --> 00:03:01,280
Life goes by fast anyway.

26
00:03:04,045 --> 00:03:05,282
How dare you?

27
00:03:07,101 --> 00:03:09,035
Of course I wouldn't dare with you here.

28
00:03:09,804 --> 00:03:11,301
Your heart is full of twists and turns.

29
00:03:11,325 --> 00:03:12,859
You always keep things hidden inside.

30
00:03:13,212 --> 00:03:15,577
I'm already used to you keeping things from me.

31
00:03:16,029 --> 00:03:17,884
After all, you've kept

32
00:03:18,293 --> 00:03:19,827
plenty of secrets from me.

33
00:03:21,460 --> 00:03:24,259
So, it doesn't really matter.

34
00:03:25,573 --> 00:03:26,986
What are you getting at?

35
00:03:28,028 --> 00:03:29,323
When do you plan to tell me

36
00:03:29,844 --> 00:03:31,859
about the Seventh Prince, Your Highness?

37
00:03:35,124 --> 00:03:36,556
The Seventh Prince.

38
00:03:37,500 --> 00:03:38,834
How did you find out?

39
00:03:40,004 --> 00:03:42,018
You already knew who Le Sheng really is.

40
00:03:45,444 --> 00:03:48,658
The Ye Dynasty Illustrated Almanac that His Majesty can't stop praising.

41
00:03:50,204 --> 00:03:51,888
I once saw it at Le Sheng's place.

42
00:03:55,394 --> 00:03:56,898
I even know

43
00:03:57,379 --> 00:03:59,414
that the noble who's supporting those from humble families

44
00:03:59,438 --> 00:04:00,931
is actually you, Your Highness.

45
00:04:05,261 --> 00:04:06,820
I can't hide anything from you, can I?

46
00:04:06,995 --> 00:04:08,555
But I'm not as noble as you imagine.

47
00:04:08,672 --> 00:04:10,446
Raising useful people

48
00:04:10,601 --> 00:04:12,985
is just keeping my options open.

49
00:04:13,644 --> 00:04:15,564
A true gentleman judges actions, not intentions.

50
00:04:15,693 --> 00:04:18,100
Helping those from humble families

51
00:04:18,294 --> 00:04:19,828
is a good deed.

52
00:04:20,036 --> 00:04:21,770
I only figured it out recently.

53
00:04:22,284 --> 00:04:24,580
You're not in the Crown Prince's faction,

54
00:04:25,117 --> 00:04:26,700
and you don't care about the Second Prince.

55
00:04:26,724 --> 00:04:28,018
Everything you've done

56
00:04:28,405 --> 00:04:30,418
has been to support the Seventh Prince.

57
00:04:31,525 --> 00:04:33,538
Since you already know,

58
00:04:34,124 --> 00:04:36,379
are you willing to help Le Sheng out?

59
00:04:36,644 --> 00:04:39,920
If it's for Le Sheng, I'll definitely give him my full support.

60
00:04:40,133 --> 00:04:41,370
But Your Highness...

61
00:04:43,124 --> 00:04:46,003
You've gone through so much to support the Seventh Prince.

62
00:04:46,444 --> 00:04:49,086
Is it really for the glory of serving the future king

63
00:04:49,227 --> 00:04:52,083
or do you have your own motives?

64
00:04:56,123 --> 00:04:57,538
Of course I have my own motives.

65
00:04:58,252 --> 00:05:00,220
I want people like me

66
00:05:00,909 --> 00:05:02,602
to stop living under someone else's mercy

67
00:05:03,045 --> 00:05:04,762
like drifting weeds.

68
00:05:05,984 --> 00:05:07,221
I believe

69
00:05:07,845 --> 00:05:09,418
Le Sheng will be a wise ruler.

70
00:05:13,244 --> 00:05:14,481
What you want

71
00:05:14,917 --> 00:05:17,163
is what countless people like Shen Xiao want.

72
00:05:17,429 --> 00:05:18,666
If that's the case,

73
00:05:19,405 --> 00:05:21,536
I will give you my full support.

74
00:05:21,845 --> 00:05:23,685
The Crown Prince's granary is located

75
00:05:23,812 --> 00:05:25,346
30 miles east of Qianfo Mountain.

76
00:05:25,558 --> 00:05:27,878
- Do you still dare to steal from it? - I wouldn't dare.

77
00:05:28,845 --> 00:05:30,820
This time, we need a safer plan.

78
00:05:31,204 --> 00:05:33,913
Then I'll wait for your good news, Censor Shen.

79
00:05:40,349 --> 00:05:41,586
(Your Highness.)

80
00:05:42,165 --> 00:05:44,018
(I've already learned your motives.)

81
00:05:44,588 --> 00:05:46,003
(But when will you ever)

82
00:05:46,484 --> 00:05:48,318
(notice my motives?)

83
00:05:58,244 --> 00:06:00,619
Hurry. I have urgent news for the Crown Prince.

84
00:06:04,085 --> 00:06:05,123
What is it?

85
00:06:05,981 --> 00:06:07,471
The granary in the western suburbs was attacked.

86
00:06:07,495 --> 00:06:10,426
Last night, Shen Xiao raided it with men from the Ministry of Revenue.

87
00:06:19,804 --> 00:06:23,724
There were a full 500,000 bushels of grain in this unclaimed granary!

88
00:06:23,827 --> 00:06:27,186
Even the grains meant for the Yongtong Canal were hidden there.

89
00:06:27,509 --> 00:06:28,949
People are barely surviving.

90
00:06:29,068 --> 00:06:31,282
But some are still pocketing the profits.

91
00:06:31,644 --> 00:06:33,778
Tell me! Who stole the grains?

92
00:06:45,326 --> 00:06:46,563
Crown Prince.

93
00:06:46,644 --> 00:06:49,205
Why are the grains given by the Ministry of Revenue

94
00:06:49,301 --> 00:06:50,715
to Yongtong Canal in that granary?

95
00:06:55,845 --> 00:06:57,082
Father.

96
00:06:57,220 --> 00:06:59,901
This is suspicious. The grains might not have come from the canal.

97
00:07:00,005 --> 00:07:02,205
Maybe it was a mistake made by the Ministry of Revenue.

98
00:07:02,283 --> 00:07:03,843
Please investigate this matter, Father.

99
00:07:04,594 --> 00:07:07,275
Father, the grains were signed off by Lord Cui.

100
00:07:07,378 --> 00:07:09,378
It has nothing to do with the Ministry of Revenue.

101
00:07:09,684 --> 00:07:10,921
Enough!

102
00:07:11,045 --> 00:07:14,218
You two just keep blaming and attacking each other!

103
00:07:20,244 --> 00:07:21,481
Your Majesty.

104
00:07:25,985 --> 00:07:28,163
I am willing to investigate these unclaimed grains

105
00:07:28,244 --> 00:07:30,820
to give the people an explanation.

106
00:07:35,062 --> 00:07:36,299
Good.

107
00:07:36,804 --> 00:07:39,853
I'll now promote you to a fifth-rank Secretarial Censor.

108
00:07:39,965 --> 00:07:42,525
Assist the Three Judicial Offices in investigating this case.

109
00:07:42,644 --> 00:07:44,497
Make sure to get to the bottom of it.

110
00:07:45,124 --> 00:07:47,018
As your command, Your Majesty.

111
00:07:48,884 --> 00:07:50,978
As your command, Your Majesty.

112
00:08:06,644 --> 00:08:08,019
Father wants an investigation.

113
00:08:08,685 --> 00:08:10,125
How are you planning to investigate?

114
00:08:14,212 --> 00:08:15,780
How are we supposed to investigate this?

115
00:08:15,804 --> 00:08:17,099
We can't investigate it.

116
00:08:17,924 --> 00:08:19,161
I...

117
00:08:20,778 --> 00:08:23,584
Your Highness. Right now, all we can do is stall.

118
00:08:23,665 --> 00:08:25,797
The Three Judicial Offices will take turns investigating it. It'll...

119
00:08:25,821 --> 00:08:26,849
We can't stall.

120
00:08:26,961 --> 00:08:29,621
Have you forgotten how angry His Majesty was today?

121
00:08:29,717 --> 00:08:32,384
If we keep stalling, His Majesty will only get angrier.

122
00:08:32,483 --> 00:08:33,523
This...

123
00:08:33,644 --> 00:08:34,881
Come in.

124
00:08:42,516 --> 00:08:43,702
Your Highness.

125
00:08:44,493 --> 00:08:46,053
I'm the one in charge of grain affairs.

126
00:08:46,319 --> 00:08:49,062
If you hand me over, this case will be closed.

127
00:08:49,845 --> 00:08:52,858
My only wish is that my family can be treated kindly.

128
00:08:56,210 --> 00:08:57,447
Alright.

129
00:08:58,286 --> 00:09:00,446
The Eastern Palace will take good care of your family.

130
00:09:01,916 --> 00:09:03,153
Everyone.

131
00:09:03,725 --> 00:09:05,776
Learn from Jin Zhi.

132
00:09:06,823 --> 00:09:08,859
Yes, we should.

133
00:09:09,099 --> 00:09:10,794
As your command, Your Highness.

134
00:09:16,394 --> 00:09:18,772
(Ministry of Justice Prison)

135
00:09:26,188 --> 00:09:28,268
Why didn't you come to the Princess Residence today?

136
00:09:29,445 --> 00:09:32,600
Grain Supervisor Cai from Yongtong Canal turned himself in.

137
00:09:32,725 --> 00:09:33,962
I need to interrogate him.

138
00:09:34,549 --> 00:09:36,429
He's just the scapegoat for the Eastern Palace.

139
00:09:36,524 --> 00:09:39,042
If you interrogate him now, what can you even get out of him?

140
00:09:40,604 --> 00:09:41,964
If he implicates the Crown Prince,

141
00:09:42,044 --> 00:09:43,779
the Crown Prince can't escape blame.

142
00:09:43,925 --> 00:09:45,418
He won't talk.

143
00:09:45,852 --> 00:09:47,092
Even if he does,

144
00:09:47,207 --> 00:09:49,328
one confession can't bring down the Crown Prince.

145
00:09:49,445 --> 00:09:50,827
I have my own way.

146
00:09:52,116 --> 00:09:54,930
The heir to the throne embezzled 500,000 bushels of grains

147
00:09:55,045 --> 00:09:56,868
and treats people's lives like they're nothing.

148
00:09:56,892 --> 00:09:58,132
I'll get to the bottom of this.

149
00:09:58,205 --> 00:10:00,924
The grains are back in the national treasury, enough to save many.

150
00:10:01,004 --> 00:10:02,484
The Crown Prince has lost some favor.

151
00:10:02,524 --> 00:10:04,340
We've done everything we needed to do.

152
00:10:04,453 --> 00:10:06,020
This case can be closed now.

153
00:10:06,332 --> 00:10:09,527
If we keep pushing, you're forcing the Crown Prince to go after you.

154
00:10:10,956 --> 00:10:12,836
I'll investigate this case even if it kills me.

155
00:10:17,836 --> 00:10:19,116
(Shen Xiao.)

156
00:10:19,205 --> 00:10:21,380
(Do you think I don't want to take down the Crown Prince?)

157
00:10:21,404 --> 00:10:22,740
(I want it more than anyone.)

158
00:10:22,852 --> 00:10:24,867
(But what I want even more is to strike true.)

159
00:10:24,948 --> 00:10:28,002
(I'm waiting for a chance to completely bring down the Crown Prince.)

160
00:10:32,204 --> 00:10:34,889
Now, we have nothing left to worry about.

161
00:10:34,988 --> 00:10:36,946
- Yes. - As expected of Prince Consort Cui.

162
00:10:38,292 --> 00:10:40,762
Censor Shen, you came at the perfect time.

163
00:10:41,404 --> 00:10:44,419
Supervisor Cai has confessed to the corruption he committed.

164
00:10:45,043 --> 00:10:46,540
After confessing,

165
00:10:46,693 --> 00:10:48,547
he took his own life out of fear.

166
00:10:50,237 --> 00:10:51,460
This case

167
00:10:52,375 --> 00:10:53,428
is closed.

168
00:10:53,644 --> 00:10:54,698
Yes.

169
00:10:54,843 --> 00:10:56,075
It's closed.

170
00:10:56,166 --> 00:10:58,525
Tomorrow I'll submit the case file to His Majesty.

171
00:10:58,616 --> 00:11:00,539
Censor Shen, you've worked hard today.

172
00:11:00,733 --> 00:11:02,398
Go home and get some rest.

173
00:11:06,468 --> 00:11:08,003
One life lost.

174
00:11:10,261 --> 00:11:11,794
One confession.

175
00:11:12,805 --> 00:11:14,858
Are you investigating a case

176
00:11:15,713 --> 00:11:17,286
or just silencing him?

177
00:11:36,012 --> 00:11:38,611
(I, Secretarial Censor Shen Xiao, )

178
00:11:38,702 --> 00:11:40,142
(am risking my life to report this.)

179
00:11:40,245 --> 00:11:41,699
(Supervisor Cai turned himself in, )

180
00:11:41,924 --> 00:11:44,019
(but died in prison before being questioned.)

181
00:11:44,357 --> 00:11:45,715
(There are many suspicious points.)

182
00:11:45,739 --> 00:11:47,499
(It seems like someone wanted him silenced.)

183
00:11:50,045 --> 00:11:52,765
(The Three Judicial Offices handled the case slowly and carelessly.)

184
00:11:53,325 --> 00:11:55,685
(They can't escape blame for negligence or even collusion.)

185
00:11:56,046 --> 00:11:57,777
(This case concerns the foundation of the nation.)

186
00:11:57,801 --> 00:12:00,321
(It's not something a single supervisor can take the fall for.)

187
00:12:03,789 --> 00:12:06,060
(I beg His Majesty to investigate this case thoroughly.)

188
00:12:06,525 --> 00:12:07,898
(Please get to the bottom of it)

189
00:12:08,124 --> 00:12:09,421
(so that the people can be at ease)

190
00:12:09,445 --> 00:12:10,940
(and restore order in the court.)

191
00:12:23,683 --> 00:12:25,261
By the imperial decree,

192
00:12:25,342 --> 00:12:27,485
Secretarial Censor Shen Xiao is ordered

193
00:12:27,565 --> 00:12:29,694
to lead the investigation of the unclaimed granary case

194
00:12:29,718 --> 00:12:31,757
and Supervisor Cai's suicide case.

195
00:12:31,848 --> 00:12:35,100
The Three Judicial Offices may assist without overstepping their authority.

196
00:12:35,234 --> 00:12:37,784
If anyone obstructs, they will be investigated as well.

197
00:12:37,875 --> 00:12:39,929
As you command, Your Majesty.

198
00:12:43,164 --> 00:12:44,401
As you command, Your Majesty.

199
00:13:00,445 --> 00:13:02,652
This is rebellion!

200
00:13:02,989 --> 00:13:04,764
That lowborn Shen Xiao.

201
00:13:05,500 --> 00:13:08,500
He submitted three memorials in a row to accuse the Three Judicial Offices.

202
00:13:09,325 --> 00:13:10,562
It's clear

203
00:13:11,404 --> 00:13:13,425
that he's targeting me!

204
00:13:14,605 --> 00:13:15,804
Why not just...

205
00:13:15,941 --> 00:13:16,986
No.

206
00:13:17,067 --> 00:13:18,788
His Majesty is furious right now.

207
00:13:18,932 --> 00:13:22,026
If you kill him, you'll bring trouble to the Eastern Palace.

208
00:13:26,764 --> 00:13:29,819
Didn't he say Supervisor Cai wasn't powerful enough?

209
00:13:31,044 --> 00:13:32,281
Then I

210
00:13:34,188 --> 00:13:37,042
will give him someone who holds more power.

211
00:13:42,387 --> 00:13:44,500
(The Unclaimed Granary)

212
00:14:04,466 --> 00:14:07,579
Censor Shen, the suspect in the granary case has turned herself in.

213
00:14:41,605 --> 00:14:42,842
Why are you here?

214
00:14:42,985 --> 00:14:44,959
Aren't you investigating the case?

215
00:14:45,292 --> 00:14:47,131
The guard of the unclaimed granary

216
00:14:47,222 --> 00:14:48,942
is registered under the Princess Residence.

217
00:14:49,044 --> 00:14:51,770
So, I have become the suspect in this case.

218
00:14:52,630 --> 00:14:54,270
Is he going to use you as the scapegoat?

219
00:14:54,445 --> 00:14:56,218
I've always been just a pawn.

220
00:14:57,445 --> 00:14:59,199
Why not tell His Majesty?

221
00:14:59,445 --> 00:15:00,682
Where's the evidence?

222
00:15:01,173 --> 00:15:03,066
No evidence means it's just a false accusation.

223
00:15:03,565 --> 00:15:05,925
Those 500,000 bushels of grain have nothing to do with you.

224
00:15:07,565 --> 00:15:10,020
Since you are sure it has nothing to do with me,

225
00:15:10,156 --> 00:15:11,676
looks like you have nothing to ask.

226
00:15:11,805 --> 00:15:13,099
Then I'm going to bed.

227
00:15:22,004 --> 00:15:23,539
(How did it end up like this?)

228
00:15:38,404 --> 00:15:40,762
This bed is so hard. How am I supposed to sleep?

229
00:15:43,365 --> 00:15:45,748
I brought this from home. It's clean.

230
00:16:01,316 --> 00:16:04,251
Your Highness, please rest first. I have important matters to handle.

231
00:16:04,844 --> 00:16:06,307
Did I say you could leave?

232
00:16:23,764 --> 00:16:25,001
Stay and help me sleep.

233
00:16:27,236 --> 00:16:28,473
Now?

234
00:16:29,045 --> 00:16:30,658
Just do as you're told.

235
00:16:37,924 --> 00:16:39,161
Stop!

236
00:16:40,964 --> 00:16:42,201
Stop right there!

237
00:16:42,629 --> 00:16:43,980
You, stop right there.

238
00:16:44,365 --> 00:16:45,585
Xiao Que.

239
00:16:48,180 --> 00:16:49,274
Censor Shen.

240
00:16:49,365 --> 00:16:51,604
This kid says she works for Princess Zhao Yang.

241
00:16:51,685 --> 00:16:52,922
I...

242
00:16:55,093 --> 00:16:56,174
Xiao Que, why are you here?

243
00:16:56,301 --> 00:16:57,794
I'm here to see you.

244
00:16:57,964 --> 00:16:59,832
Jian Xin is worried you can't sleep well.

245
00:16:59,947 --> 00:17:02,881
She asked me to bring some things here to keep you company.

246
00:17:04,836 --> 00:17:07,340
Why are you so mean?

247
00:17:07,444 --> 00:17:10,019
You took my money but refused to let me in.

248
00:17:16,917 --> 00:17:18,380
Hello, Censor Shen.

249
00:17:20,477 --> 00:17:22,656
I'll keep the things here. You should head back first.

250
00:17:22,971 --> 00:17:24,212
Censor Shen is busy.

251
00:17:24,316 --> 00:17:25,531
But I have plenty of time.

252
00:17:25,684 --> 00:17:27,858
Why can't I stay here?

253
00:17:34,045 --> 00:17:35,884
The Princess is precious.

254
00:17:35,964 --> 00:17:37,865
Make sure nothing happens to her.

255
00:17:37,981 --> 00:17:40,020
Not even a scratch.

256
00:17:40,162 --> 00:17:42,124
Or lose even a bit of weight.

257
00:17:42,315 --> 00:17:45,042
Otherwise, I won't forgive you!

258
00:17:45,620 --> 00:17:49,299
Censor Shen, Jian Xin told me to tell you this.

259
00:17:50,325 --> 00:17:51,562
Got it.

260
00:17:56,404 --> 00:17:59,098
Oh, right. There's something really important.

261
00:17:59,428 --> 00:18:02,900
When the Princess sleeps alone, she always has nightmares.

262
00:18:03,204 --> 00:18:06,819
Jian Xin said she'll be fine if Censor Shen is there.

263
00:18:07,727 --> 00:18:11,461
Make sure to stay by the Princess's side at night.

264
00:18:13,404 --> 00:18:15,019
I'll definitely stay by her side.

265
00:18:17,884 --> 00:18:19,121
Enough.

266
00:18:19,644 --> 00:18:21,977
When did you get as chatty as Jian Xin?

267
00:18:22,108 --> 00:18:24,707
Copy some calligraphy 100 times as punishment. Do you hear me?

268
00:18:24,816 --> 00:18:27,100
Once you're done, I'll come and check on your work.

269
00:18:27,605 --> 00:18:28,842
Really?

270
00:18:29,245 --> 00:18:31,124
Have I ever broken a promise?

271
00:18:31,204 --> 00:18:33,364
Alright. I'll go and copy them right now.

272
00:18:33,490 --> 00:18:35,305
Make sure to come back soon, Your Highness.

273
00:18:38,957 --> 00:18:41,589
Censor Shen. When the Princess wakes up in the morning,

274
00:18:41,670 --> 00:18:43,820
she likes to wash her face with cold water.

275
00:18:46,045 --> 00:18:48,035
Also, before the Princess eats,

276
00:18:48,116 --> 00:18:49,890
she must have some osmanthus tea.

277
00:18:56,536 --> 00:18:57,708
When the Princess drinks tea,

278
00:18:57,789 --> 00:18:59,617
she needs to eat golden milk pastries with it.

279
00:18:59,641 --> 00:19:03,259
They must be freshly made from Yuyi Pastry House.

280
00:19:04,045 --> 00:19:05,282
Got it.

281
00:19:13,924 --> 00:19:15,338
Your Highness,

282
00:19:15,564 --> 00:19:18,338
I'll go and handle those files.

283
00:19:18,494 --> 00:19:19,731
Wait.

284
00:19:20,325 --> 00:19:22,699
Didn't you hear what Xiao Que said?

285
00:19:23,325 --> 00:19:25,421
You can't let me go hungry, not even a bit.

286
00:19:25,763 --> 00:19:27,058
I'm hungry now.

287
00:19:29,644 --> 00:19:30,881
Alright.

288
00:19:33,851 --> 00:19:35,260
I'm thirsty.

289
00:19:37,541 --> 00:19:38,860
It's too hot.

290
00:19:45,005 --> 00:19:46,242
I don't want it anymore.

291
00:19:46,444 --> 00:19:47,681
I'm sleepy.

292
00:19:59,525 --> 00:20:00,762
Listen to me.

293
00:20:01,629 --> 00:20:02,866
Stop investigating.

294
00:20:04,197 --> 00:20:05,731
I'm afraid I can't protect you.

295
00:20:08,245 --> 00:20:10,378
It's late, go to sleep.

296
00:20:13,725 --> 00:20:15,139
I'll go and get the files.

297
00:20:15,884 --> 00:20:17,404
Then I'll come back and stay with you.

298
00:20:21,444 --> 00:20:23,499
(I knew you'd be like this.)

299
00:20:24,565 --> 00:20:26,259
(Glad you haven't changed.)

300
00:20:27,805 --> 00:20:30,858
(What I liked about you back then was your honesty and courage.)

301
00:20:31,245 --> 00:20:32,858
(But people like you)

302
00:20:33,365 --> 00:20:35,418
(are really a headache sometimes.)

303
00:21:01,141 --> 00:21:02,378
What's wrong?

304
00:21:10,204 --> 00:21:14,057
The Crown Prince pinned the unclaimed granary case all on you.

305
00:21:15,331 --> 00:21:17,860
He even accused us of killing Supervisor Cai

306
00:21:18,049 --> 00:21:19,943
to frame the Crown Prince.

307
00:21:20,549 --> 00:21:22,260
The impeachment memorial against us

308
00:21:22,477 --> 00:21:24,451
will reach His Majesty before dawn.

309
00:21:27,285 --> 00:21:28,602
It has come to this.

310
00:21:29,092 --> 00:21:30,453
He's using you to take the fall.

311
00:21:30,565 --> 00:21:32,338
Will you not step up and accuse him?

312
00:21:32,845 --> 00:21:34,459
Don't you get it yet?

313
00:21:35,204 --> 00:21:36,898
Taking the blame for the Crown Prince

314
00:21:37,688 --> 00:21:39,703
is my role in the Eastern Palace.

315
00:21:40,389 --> 00:21:43,483
If I hadn't always been cautious and humble,

316
00:21:44,097 --> 00:21:45,992
I would've died countless times.

317
00:21:48,404 --> 00:21:49,641
Shen Xiao.

318
00:21:49,805 --> 00:21:51,725
How old were you when you first saw someone die?

319
00:21:54,045 --> 00:21:55,618
I was eight.

320
00:21:57,567 --> 00:21:59,140
My mother was gravely ill.

321
00:21:59,453 --> 00:22:00,826
She was afraid she'd drag me down.

322
00:22:01,541 --> 00:22:03,314
So, she hanged herself in the Cold Palace.

323
00:22:05,794 --> 00:22:07,929
Mother!

324
00:22:08,100 --> 00:22:09,915
That year, the wind and snow were brutal.

325
00:22:10,772 --> 00:22:13,119
She didn't even have a straw mat.

326
00:22:19,949 --> 00:22:21,804
But that's the palace life.

327
00:22:24,788 --> 00:22:26,923
That's how cruel this world is.

328
00:22:28,548 --> 00:22:29,869
It's the same everywhere.

329
00:22:29,982 --> 00:22:32,581
I'm begging you, please help me.

330
00:22:32,724 --> 00:22:34,940
I knelt there for hours with no sense of time.

331
00:22:35,741 --> 00:22:37,380
Just begging for a bundle of firewood

332
00:22:37,805 --> 00:22:39,459
so I could cremate my mother.

333
00:22:40,820 --> 00:22:42,057
That way,

334
00:22:42,238 --> 00:22:45,060
she could return to Earth as dust.

335
00:22:46,997 --> 00:22:48,252
I hope she could

336
00:22:48,797 --> 00:22:50,771
end up somewhere warm in her next life.

337
00:22:52,925 --> 00:22:54,380
Without my mother,

338
00:22:54,717 --> 00:22:56,760
life in the Cold Palace got even harder.

339
00:22:57,204 --> 00:22:59,698
Every day, I woke up to endless chores.

340
00:23:00,205 --> 00:23:01,740
Not just that,

341
00:23:02,403 --> 00:23:05,020
I was bullied by the cruel servants too.

342
00:23:07,605 --> 00:23:09,979
But I always remembered what my mother said.

343
00:23:10,387 --> 00:23:12,013
Live well.

344
00:23:12,204 --> 00:23:14,292
Make it out of the Cold Palace alive.

345
00:23:15,525 --> 00:23:16,762
Back then,

346
00:23:17,293 --> 00:23:20,140
the Crown Prince, who was rising to power, was my only hope.

347
00:23:20,901 --> 00:23:24,406
So I did everything I could to get close to him, trying to please him.

348
00:23:24,781 --> 00:23:27,532
If you can take my whip, I'll let you stay.

349
00:23:29,140 --> 00:23:30,594
The scar on my shoulder

350
00:23:31,124 --> 00:23:32,858
came from that moment.

351
00:23:35,757 --> 00:23:37,330
As long as I survived,

352
00:23:39,963 --> 00:23:41,683
as long as I could leave the Cold Palace...

353
00:23:41,724 --> 00:23:43,251
Awesome!

354
00:23:44,404 --> 00:23:46,819
- Nice hit! - Even if I had to be a dog,

355
00:23:47,124 --> 00:23:48,579
I'd do it.

356
00:23:52,461 --> 00:23:54,634
I didn't get this far by luck.

357
00:23:55,028 --> 00:23:56,443
It was by calculation.

358
00:23:56,804 --> 00:23:58,484
Figuring out everyone's motives.

359
00:23:58,668 --> 00:24:00,404
Weighing the price of every step.

360
00:24:00,831 --> 00:24:03,580
I escaped the Cold Palace not just to die somewhere else.

361
00:24:03,757 --> 00:24:05,251
I want to live.

362
00:24:05,557 --> 00:24:07,171
And I want to live my best life.

363
00:24:09,045 --> 00:24:10,965
Of course I want to bring down the Crown Prince.

364
00:24:11,660 --> 00:24:13,035
But first,

365
00:24:13,174 --> 00:24:15,060
the winner has to be me.

366
00:24:15,444 --> 00:24:17,613
The last one standing has to be me.

367
00:24:18,181 --> 00:24:19,515
Only by staying alive

368
00:24:19,707 --> 00:24:21,242
can I have a shot at winning.

369
00:24:22,245 --> 00:24:23,482
Right?

370
00:24:27,501 --> 00:24:29,276
His Majesty isn't stupid.

371
00:24:29,761 --> 00:24:31,040
He knows everything.

372
00:24:31,171 --> 00:24:32,625
He sent you to investigate

373
00:24:32,757 --> 00:24:34,677
just to put pressure on the Crown Prince

374
00:24:34,800 --> 00:24:36,079
and keep the court balanced.

375
00:24:36,259 --> 00:24:37,995
You, me,

376
00:24:38,127 --> 00:24:39,461
and even the Crown Prince

377
00:24:39,904 --> 00:24:41,883
are just the pieces he uses to balance the state.

378
00:24:42,035 --> 00:24:43,769
As for those 500,000 bushels of grain,

379
00:24:44,045 --> 00:24:46,500
they are just the tip of the Crown Prince's stash.

380
00:24:47,605 --> 00:24:49,858
The real reason he's stockpiling grain

381
00:24:50,328 --> 00:24:51,663
is to raise an army.

382
00:24:55,949 --> 00:24:58,003
He's the heir, why would he need an army?

383
00:24:58,541 --> 00:25:01,259
Could it be His Majesty has changed his mind?

384
00:25:03,835 --> 00:25:05,770
His Majesty hasn't abandoned the Crown Prince.

385
00:25:06,145 --> 00:25:07,702
But he can't tolerate the noble families either.

386
00:25:07,726 --> 00:25:09,766
The Crown Prince is tied to the nobles too tightly.

387
00:25:10,036 --> 00:25:12,994
So, if he wants to depose the Crown Prince, the only way is

388
00:25:14,709 --> 00:25:16,163
to force him to rebel.

389
00:25:20,039 --> 00:25:22,244
What we're up against isn't just the Crown Prince.

390
00:25:22,589 --> 00:25:24,830
It's a tangled, massive beast.

391
00:25:24,937 --> 00:25:26,990
One wrong move and we'll lose everything.

392
00:25:27,765 --> 00:25:29,220
Do you understand?

393
00:25:29,429 --> 00:25:30,666
I get it.

394
00:25:31,924 --> 00:25:33,819
So what's your next move?

395
00:25:36,029 --> 00:25:37,860
With Father being so furious,

396
00:25:38,181 --> 00:25:40,892
I'll probably lose my title and be punished.

397
00:25:42,404 --> 00:25:44,778
But as long as you and Le Sheng are still in court,

398
00:25:45,245 --> 00:25:46,564
we still have a chance.

399
00:25:46,731 --> 00:25:47,985
We haven't lost.

400
00:25:54,125 --> 00:25:55,821
(Eastern Palace)

401
00:25:56,556 --> 00:25:58,211
You sent Zhao Yang to prison.

402
00:25:59,788 --> 00:26:03,494
Are you going to pin all 500,000 bushels of grain on her?

403
00:26:03,605 --> 00:26:05,835
That's her duty in the Eastern Palace.

404
00:26:06,148 --> 00:26:07,763
Supervisor Cai is dead.

405
00:26:08,164 --> 00:26:09,779
But Shen Xiao refuses to let it go.

406
00:26:10,684 --> 00:26:13,180
No one suits taking the blame better than her.

407
00:26:14,204 --> 00:26:15,728
You know that very well.

408
00:26:15,900 --> 00:26:17,580
- Your Highness. - Enough.

409
00:26:18,668 --> 00:26:21,003
Zhao Yang going to prison is just the beginning.

410
00:26:21,852 --> 00:26:23,220
This fire

411
00:26:24,924 --> 00:26:27,219
needs to burn even hotter.

412
00:26:30,477 --> 00:26:32,007
What do you mean?

413
00:26:32,221 --> 00:26:34,222
If Zhao Yang dies in prison

414
00:26:35,085 --> 00:26:36,860
and accuses Shen Xiao

415
00:26:37,524 --> 00:26:39,578
for murdering her in her last words...

416
00:26:40,572 --> 00:26:43,066
A top scholar from a humble family kills a princess.

417
00:26:43,325 --> 00:26:44,604
What a perfect ending.

418
00:26:44,684 --> 00:26:45,921
Are you going to kill her?

419
00:26:46,229 --> 00:26:49,308
She's served you for years! How could you go this far, Your Highness?

420
00:26:49,439 --> 00:26:50,938
She doesn't deserve it.

421
00:26:51,365 --> 00:26:53,840
But a filthy commoner thinks he can take me down.

422
00:26:54,213 --> 00:26:55,532
I won't allow it.

423
00:26:55,613 --> 00:26:57,983
Your Highness. This is way too risky.

424
00:26:58,900 --> 00:27:01,459
If the Princess dies, His Majesty will definitely investigate it.

425
00:27:01,483 --> 00:27:04,407
So we need to lock everything in place before Father starts digging.

426
00:27:10,955 --> 00:27:12,288
Cui Jin Zhi.

427
00:27:13,005 --> 00:27:16,099
The Cui family has long been tied to the Eastern Palace.

428
00:27:17,565 --> 00:27:19,219
Are you going

429
00:27:19,884 --> 00:27:23,085
throw away a century of your family's legacy for a woman?

430
00:27:24,444 --> 00:27:26,777
Save your useless pity.

431
00:27:27,157 --> 00:27:28,691
After tonight,

432
00:27:29,773 --> 00:27:31,620
there will be no more Zhao Yang.

433
00:27:39,204 --> 00:27:40,441
I understand,

434
00:27:42,005 --> 00:27:43,242
Your Highness.

435
00:28:00,933 --> 00:28:04,380
(The Ministry of Justice Prison)