Original subtitles

(The Shadow Sovereign)

(Episode 15)

Censor Shen.

Zhao Yang.

Are you all here?

(Linglong Pavilion)

Anyone else want to come up and join the fun?

How did they get out?

- How'd they manage to get out? - They escaped in less than 30 minutes.

That's awesome.

How'd they get out from there?

(It was just a kiss, right?)

(Why am I freaking out?)

Your Highness, you finally got out.

Your Highness, what's this about?

Pay up.

I wrecked the door.

I see. Your Highness escaped in a panic without thinking.

Say one more word, and I'll dock your whole monthly salary.

Go on.

Recluse Le Sheng wants to see you.

Next time, start with what's important.

Your Highness, your pulse is racing.

That means you care about me.

Censor Shen, looks like your key wasn't needed after all.

The real point of this test

was never about keys or doors.

It's about having the guts to open that door.

So, every door here is the right one.

The test is about the courage to make a choice together.

Censor Shen.

Honestly, after seeing you today,

I knew right away

that things aren't simple between you and Zhao Yang.

Thank you, County Princess, for making this possible.

Why thank me?

Watching the ever-calm Princess Zhao Yang

completely lose her cool,

and the proud Top Scholar caught up in love

and boldly demanding affection.

I'm honestly loving every second of it.

This is way more fun than anything in a storybook.

But the show's over now.

I should head out too.

Censor Shen.

If Zhao Yang faces her true feelings someday

and ends up with you,

I'll be the first to send my congratulations.

Then, I will be waiting for your congratulations, County Princess.

The Yellow River's levees are broken.

According to the latest report,

it's been pouring nonstop in Jingren County for days.

The new Yongtong Canal collapsed.

Floodwaters are rushing into the nearby counties.

Homes are collapsing, fields are underwater.

A lot of people are trapped in danger.

Some have even been swept away by the flood.

Locals are flooding the government office for help.

But they're all being chased off.

All to keep the flood news under wraps.

Sister, you've always told me to wait for the right moment.

Looks like it's finally here.

- We'll present this letter to His Majesty. - Hold on.

This is a serious matter.

- Head back first. - But...

Let me think it over.

Sure.

Your marriage to Princess An Le

has already been reported to Father.

It's already set in stone.

Your Highness.

I have no plans to marry at the moment.

Your first priority

of going to Jingren County is to keep the flood news under control.

Secondly...

You'll take charge of my 30,000 private troops along the river

to secure my path to the throne

without a hitch.

That 500,000 piculs of grain got exposed

Father's even more guarded against me now.

I need to make plans early too.

An Le.

(Jingren County)

Step back! Back up!

Don't push forward!

Back up! Step back!

(Zhao Sheng, Magistrate of Jingren County)

How long have those people been causing a commotion?

It has already been three days.

I've sent officers to drive them away.

But there are just too many people.

Drive them away?

Managing people is like managing water.

Block it, and it'll burst.

Guide it, and it'll flow.

You mean...

Open the granary and distribute grain.

Just say the court knows about the disaster

and is sending relief.

Let everyone get their grain and go home to wait.

No more causing a scene.

But the granary's grain

was falsely reported as depleted last year and diverted in many ways.

Less than 30% is left now.

If we open the granary...

Then, use your family's grain to fill the gap.

If you can't make up the difference,

you'll jump into the Yellow River to atone.

You and I both know how the levee collapsed.

Money from the Eastern Palace isn't easy to get.

Either keep it contained in Jingren County

or I'll report it right now

and accuse you of embezzling river repair funds,

deceiving the emperor, and inciting rebellion.

I understand.

I'll take care of it right away.

Right away.

Jingren County's levee collapsed.

The Crown Prince sent Cui Jin Zhi to handle it.

If this gets exposed, it'll only make the Crown Prince suffer.

That's nowhere near enough.

Since he wants to suppress the flood in Jingren County,

I'll lend him a hand.

When the flood can't be held back anymore,

let's see how he explains himself to everyone.

Go tell Le Sheng.

Yes.

Jingren County is suffering from a flood?

You should be with Jin Cheng right now.

Not here.

This is a matter of life and death.

The Crown Prince knew and kept it quiet.

This should be reported to His Majesty.

The Crown Prince's been in the Eastern Palace for years.

He has a solid foundation.

The current disaster isn't enough to make him lose power.

We have to wait.

Wait for the disaster to spread.

Wait until he can't cover it up anymore.

I've arranged for people to quietly help the victims.

I'm doing my best to avoid casualties.

Do you even hear yourself?

Just because of your waiting,

the people along the Yellow River have to flee with their families,

watch their farmland get flooded,

and live in constant fear waiting for the disaster to end.

I know that.

Which is why I have to wait.

If you won't go,

I'll go.

Shen Xiao.

I'm not going to bring down the Crown Prince for personal revenge.

It's for the countless people of Ye.

If the Crown Prince takes the throne someday,

he'll let the noble families exploit everyone.

Ye's farmland will become their private property.

People won't be able to survive.

But Zhao Yang, have you ever thought about it?

The disaster will keep going.

With disasters and chaos,

no one can truly control people's hearts.

These displaced people

can't wait for your grand plan.

For the sake of more people,

I can only make them wait.

How are you any different from the Crown Prince?

I made your sister sad.

This...

Why do you have this?

I snatched it.

She wants to cover up the flood.

Did you know about this?

So, you two argued because of this secret letter?

It's complicated.

But this letter can bring down the Eastern Palace.

It's also your ticket back to court.

Well played, Shen Xiao.

Turns out you've always been working under Le Sheng.

Le Sheng, you'd better watch out for this dog.

He was Zhao Yang's male companion.

He pledged loyalty to me before.

How do you know he'll truly be loyal to you?

A wise bird picks the best tree.

Look at your own issues and think about why he ditched you.

You, a jinx, dare to compare yourself to me?

Enough nonsense.

Hand over the letter impeaching the Crown Prince.

What if I say no?

Kill them.

Let's go.

Chase. Leave no survivors.

Yes.

Father.

The Crown Prince embezzled funds for the Yellow River levee repair,

causing disaster and chaos.

Also, he deliberately covered it up.

Please investigate, Father.

Father. I have never embezzled

nor have I ever covered anything up.

Maybe the disaster report is still on its way.

It's just delayed by heavy rain.

Crown Prince.

Cui Jin Zhi used your token to suppress the people

and threatened officials.

Everything in this letter is backed by solid evidence.

- Do you admit it? - This is a setup.

I do not admit it.

I'll give you one more chance.

Fine.

I'll send people

to check the flooding situation at Jingren County.

Before it's fully investigated,

the Crown Prince will be confined to the Eastern Palace.

He can't leave without an imperial decree.

Father, you are wise and just.

I'm sure you'll clear my name.

Your Majesty!

Second Prince tried to earn favor by plotting to kill Seventh Prince.

I risked my life to expose this.

- Father. - Father.

If I hadn't arrived in time,

Le Sheng would've been dead.

Please investigate, Father.

Please investigate, Father.

Is this true?

Shen Xiao.

I can give you the letter.

But this is way too dangerous.

You can't go.

Someone else is even more interested in taking down the Crown Prince.

You mean Second Prince?

Just go see Le Sheng.

I'll let Second Brother know.

He won't let this credit slip by.

I take back what I said earlier.

Your Highness and the Crown Prince aren't the same.

Isn't he just a jinx? Is his life really that important?

Didn't everyone used to wish he'd die?

It's not your place to deal with a jinx.

Today, you can kill your brother.

Does it mean you'll kill me tomorrow?

Second Prince, Li Yan,

disregarded family bonds and harmed his own siblings.

From today onward,

he is banished from the capital to guard the royal tombs forever.

He can't return to the capital without an imperial decree!

Why?

It's clearly the Crown Prince's fault.

Why is he only confined,

but I have to guard the royal tombs forever?

Ungrateful son.

Silence!

What did I do wrong?

I never wanted power.

It was you.

You tempted me with the throne!

Guards.

Take him away.

Let go of me.

Let go of me!

Didn't he survive?

He's standing there just fine.

Why does one word from Zhao Yang

decide my fate?

From start to finish,

you never once thought about making me the heir!

I'm just

a pawn to keep the Crown Prince in check.

You're such a disgrace.

Take him away!

Let go of me!

Let go of me!

Why?

Why?

Does anyone have a good plan

to deal with the flood in Jingren County?

Flood control is tricky. Success or failure is hard to predict.

Who dares to take on this impossible task?

Father.

I failed to notice the problem.

I'll reflect deeply in seclusion.

The Yellow River is vital to the nation.

Le Sheng is wise and knowledgeable.

If he leads the flood control efforts,

he'll surely help the people and contribute to the country.

(The Crown Prince keeps his private army at the Yellow River.)

(This is a trap.)

I'm not very capable.

But helping the country

is my duty.

If Father orders it,

I will do it without hesitation.

Father.

Le Sheng hasn't been at court for a long time.

He may be unfamiliar with official duties.

The Yellow River situation is serious.

Without manpower, power, or influence,

the disaster relief could be delayed.

Le Sheng,

I know you're sincere.

I also know this mission will be tough.

Although Zhao Yang makes a fair point,

a prince must protect his land and people.

I appoint you as imperial envoy.

You'll oversee disaster relief in Jingren County

and handle all matters related to the Yellow River flood.

I accept your command.

Ministry of Works, Ministry of Revenue, and Ministry of War

must fully cooperate

and follow his orders.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Summon Censor Shen Xiao!

I, Shen Xiao, greet Your Majesty.

Rise.

Shen Xiao.

You protected the Seventh Prince.

I want to reward you.

Protecting the people,

guarding the princes,

and defending royal authority

is my duty as a subject.

I've heard

that you've been close with County Princess Jin Cheng lately.

She has reached marriageable age.

I will grant her to you in marriage. How about that?