Original subtitles

♪ The white sail came too late ♪

♪ Where did he go? ♪

♪ Snow veils the mountains ♪

♪ Love endures beyond life and death ♪

♪ A black chess piece ♪

♪ Whose game did he stumble into? ♪

♪ All his life, there's no escape ♪

♪ In ten thousand years, what will still remain? ♪

♪ Will anyone still love with an unchanging heart? ♪

♪ I will remember ♪

♪ Those days long past ♪

♪ As the wind drifts with the white sail ♪

♪ Ten thousand years ago ♪

♪ Did you once walk this shore? ♪

♪ Why can't our bond be severed in this life? ♪

♪ I am lost yet willing ♪

♪ Still I love you with a steadfast heart ♪

♪ Until all things fade away ♪

♪ The stars will remember us ♪

[Love & Crown]

[Adapted from the novel "My Queen" by Xie Lounan]

[Episode 34]

You think that beating me

means you can rule the Lingbi Sect?

You're celebrating way too soon.

On the night of the full moon,

the Ghost King returns to his tomb.

If you want to end this before then,

you'll have to kill me!

Guards!

Lock her up.

Keep her under strict watch!

Understood!

Zhong... Zhong Lin?

Xiao Qianqing,

things have come to a point

that's far worse than we ever imagined.

This is Aunt Chan's written confession.

She blamed Princess Ying's death on Du Tingxin,

not the emperor.

Because of that, everyone from Xuanguang Hall was hunted down.

After Mother's funeral,

all the maids in Xuanguang Hall

were dismissed.

I sent men to look into it.

Those maids all died mysteriously,

only Aunt Chan disappeared without a trace.

She must have been poisoned and fled.

But the poison still took her life.

I found this letter on her body.

The last witness is gone,

gone!

There's also a eulogy

the Empress Dowager wrote for Princess Ying.

[I'll repay you in the next life.]

[The tenth day of the second month in the ninth year of Yongxi]

The tenth day of the second month...

That was the day before Ying died.

When Ying was still alive,

why was Mother already mourning her?

Zhong Lin,

the only explanation

is that Mother knew Ying would die

and that she was involved.

No, that can't be...

She raised Ying herself.

She...

she could never kill her.

Right?

Then...

why did Mother kill herself?

Was it really just to force me into rebellion?

Your imperial brother

tortured Princess Ying to death

and drove the Empress Dowager to suicide.

I choose

to back Your Highness for the throne.

Du...

Ting...

Xin!

So Your Highness had been wary

of me all along.

Tell me the truth.

Did you

push my mother to kill Ying?

You already have all the evidence.

Can you really not put it together?

Then let me tell you.

Xiao Huan drew the poisonous insect out of Xiao Ying.

Your mother then went to see Princess Ying off.

Except...

she used Seven-Star Powder.

Just a tiny dose of it was enough

to end her life.

Mother...

- My head hurts. - So...

Ying!

Your mother

personally killed Xiao Ying.

Impossible!

Basically, you have only yourself to blame.

Born into the imperial family,

yet always putting on that fake show of brotherly love.

Naturally, your mother was angry.

All her painstaking scheming

was only

to push you onto this throne.

So...

you goaded the Empress Dowager into killing Princess Ying,

then pinned it all on the Emperor,

just to turn Prince of Yuzhang against him

and force him into rebellion.

Du Tingxin,

what a vicious scheme!

You flatter me.

That little three-birds-with-one-stone scheme

even I must say was quite brilliant.

Watching you all

dance in the palm of my hand,

that feeling

is simply delicious.

Shut up.

Shut up!

My mother might hate His Majesty,

but she'd never harm Ying.

You're lying.

You're lying!

Fine, I'll tell you another truth.

At first, she and I planned a fake death.

Unfortunately for her,

why would I give her the antidote?

Letting her pay for her own stupidity

is so much more fun.

She wanted power in life and a good name after death.

All I did

was help her fulfill that image

of a devoted mother!

You evil woman!

Xiao Qianqing,

do you still think

you and Xiao Huan are innocent?

Xiao Huan can't even tell right from wrong.

He'd rather trust outsiders

and throw away all the loyalty I gave him!

Empress Dowager Liu is even more despicable.

I only dropped a few hints,

and she rushed over eagerly

to kill her own daughter!

As for Xiao Ying,

blame her imperial birth,

blame her ties to Xiao Huan and to you!

But she's lived as a princess long enough.

That's hardly a wasted life.

Early or late, she'll be dead anyway.

I'm evil?

Why not blame your mother

for being ruthless and blinded by greed?

Du Tingxin,

Xiao Huan has always treated you as his right hand,

and he has never treated you badly.

My mother

and Ying

have never done you any wrong.

So why are you so cruel?

Today,

since I heard the truth from your own mouth,

if I don't kill you,

I don't deserve to live!

Well?

Are you going to rebel too?

The show's over,

time for the curtain to fall.

Prince of Yuzhang has colluded with a heretical sect

and is plotting treason!

Prince of Yuzhang is plotting treason!

Prince of Yuzhang is plotting treason!

What exactly are you trying to do?

Zhong Lin...

She bears Heartbane.

A princess personally titled by His Majesty,

and future consort of Prince of Yuzhang,

turns out to be from the Lingbi Sect.

How amusing.

Are you still going to resist in vain?

Why not kneel and beg me now?

Maybe I'll even show you mercy.

I,

Prince of Yuzhang,

am the only heir of the Xiao dynasty.

Du Tingxin,

think very carefully.

If you kill me,

what will happen to you?

The only heir?

You'd better think instead

how to hand Great Qi over to me properly.

Dream on!

Let her go,

and I'll give you...

Xiao Qianqing, you're far too naive.

What right do you have to bargain with me?

- Zhong Lin... - Move!

- Xiao Qianqing! - Zhong Lin!

Xiao Huan...

Now the whole Xiao clan is in my hands.

Do you know

how long I've waited

for this very day?

Lately, disasters have kept striking Great Qi.

So I plan to hold a Heaven-worship ceremony

in three days

to offer sacrifices

and welcome a new beginning.

How dare you harbor such ambition!

Offer sacrifice

and welcome a new beginning...

what are you really after?

Without a rightful emperor,

how can any ceremony be held?

Haven't you already guessed?

You wouldn't dare!

Why wouldn't I?

Because...

I also carry the Xiao bloodline.

So of course I can.

Nonsense!

That father-emperor you all revere

is nothing but scum.

Xiao Huan is dead,

and you

are bound by my Prison of Thousand Threads.

Now, in the Xiao clan,

only I can shoulder the weight of this realm.

Isn't that so?

You...

Once the ceremony is over,

I'll return Zhong Lin to you.

But by then,

whether she'll still want

to be with a heartless puppet like you

is another question.

[Taiji Hall]

Do you think resisting the Moon-Eclipse's fusion

will keep it from eating you alive?

You're celebrating way too soon.

It's useless.

Only I can undo the Moon-Eclipse inside you.

You'll never escape my grasp.

Around twenty years ago,

were you ever in the Central Plains?

Around twenty years ago,

were you ever in Great Qi?

You were soft-hearted toward your enemies.

This is the price you pay!

But you're my mother.

Mother?

Who are you calling your mother?

Looks like the Moon-Eclipse

has ruined your brain.

I have nothing to do with you at all.

The Moon-Eclipse in my body

is being dispelled...

It's the king of poisons,

fed on the lifeblood of Saintesses.

I'm using my inner force

to help purge your poison.

Why escaped?

You don't want it removed?

The Moon-Eclipse

cannot be removed.

Why not?

Even if

I have to endure its torment forever,

I can't let my mother

trade her life for mine.

How do you know that?

The Moon-Eclipse

was fed on a Saintess's lifeblood.

There's no other way.

And curing it

naturally means life for life.

So you knew?

You knew everything?

Yes.

I also know

you've long regained all your memories.

You wouldn't acknowledge me

because you'd already resolved

to sacrifice yourself

to cure my poison.

Mother...

seeing you again

is life's greatest kindness to me.

If curing the poison

means losing you again,

I'd rather live my whole life with it.

Huan,

it's been twenty years.

Have you been well?

I've missed you so much.

Mother,

you finally accept me.

Silly child...

It's my fault

you suffered so much.

If I could start all over again,

I would never let any of this happen.

Twenty years ago,

I wandered in the Central Plains.

He saved my life.

Back then I had no idea who he really was,

so we travelled the martial world together.

Not long after,

I broke my sect's rules

and pledged my life to him.

He said he would marry me

and take only me.

But I never expected

he was actually the Emperor of Great Qi.

When I was carrying his child, I was framed.

My child

was born with a cold illness.

From that moment on,

I had nothing but disappointment

in the palace

and in your father.

All I wanted was to leave the palace

and find a cure for your cold illness.

But later, the Lingbi Sect's secret arts

made me forget everything.

So much has passed.

One wrong step

leads to another.

With the late Emperor,

our end was tragic,

but my conscience is clear.

Only with you,

I failed to protect you

and that is my deepest regret.

But I'm also relieved,

because you are far more courageous

and responsible than I imagined.

Huan,

all these years,

you've suffered so much.

Mother,

I'm not suffering.

I've been doing very well.

You were born with this cold illness.

Left alone in the palace,

Empress Liu must've tormented you in every way.

You had no one to turn to.

Just to protect yourself,

you had to seek refuge with Grand Tutor Ling.

I can imagine

how bitter and miserable

that must have been.

How could you be doing well?

But now,

I'm back.

You don't have to bear it all alone anymore.

I know

about Du Tingxin's rebellion.

Leave it to me.

Mother,

this matter

should still be handled by me.

All these years,

as the Saintess of the Lingbi Sect,

I've done many wrongs.

Huan,

you should give me a chance

to atone.

Mother,

you were trapped by their secret arts.

None of this

was what you truly wanted.

Huan,

are you hiding something from me?

Du Tingxin has taken away

all of the Heartbane from the Heartless Willow.

Since I made her Imperial Preceptor,

it is my responsibility

to restore peace to Great Qi.

You plan to unleash the Moon-Eclipse's full power?

You must not!

Huan,

your body simply can't take it.

The Moon-Eclipse will shatter your heart

and invade your mind.

Even if you keep your life,

you'll lose your senses

and know only killing!

Mother,

I've already made up my mind.

Huan,

I know you carry Great Qi

and its people in your heart.

But what about yourself?

Have you ever thought of yourself?

This elixir is refined from Ice Lotus.

It can bring you back to life.

It'll save your life

in a critical moment.

Madam,

everything for the ceremony is ready.

Prince of Yuzhang and Zhong Lin are both in my hands now,

but that Ling Cangcang

keeps ruining my plans.

And the ceremony

is the most important day of my life.

Xiao Huan...

How could I hold it

without Her Majesty?

We've spread

the news that Zhong Lin was captured.

The Empress will show herself soon enough...

But I can't wait another moment!

Our dear Princess Zhong Lin

was personally titled by His Majesty

and is the Empress's closest friend.

Hang her on the city gate.

Let's wait for Ling Cangcang

to show up.

Prince of Yuzhang has been bound by Prison of Thousand Threads.

And Princess Zhong Lin

is accused of colluding with the Lingbi Sect

and displayed on the city gate.

She knows I'll show up.

Well, I'll do as she wishes.

Your Majesty,

they're doing this

just to lure you into their trap.

Let's see

who ends up in whose trap.

[Suqing Gate]

Even your imperial brother

can't possibly make it back alive!

[Suqing Gate]

Someone's rescuing her!

Zhong Lin, are you all right?

Go find Xiao Qianqing.

Tell him

Xiao Huan is still alive.

Go, now!

We go together or not at all.

Don't worry.

I have my own plan.

Cangcang...

Get her out of here!

- Move! - Cangcang...

- Hurry! - Cangcang!

Cangcang!

Madam, bad news!

Speak.

Ling Cangcang has rescued Zhong Lin.

She also sent people to raid the secret treasury.

They robbed the Lingbi Sect's funds and grain?

Ling Cangcang is asking for death!

Find her.

Yes.

Your mother is dead.

Your sister is dead.

Even your imperial brother

can't possibly make it back alive!

Anyone poisoned with this

will slowly lose consciousness within ten days.

Tell me,

isn't that clever?

Xiao Qianqing!

Are you all right?

It's just a scratch.

It's nothing.

What about you?

How are you?

I'm fine too.

What is it?

What happened to you?

What's wrong?

Take care.

Zhong Lin...

Lately,

I keep dreaming about Xiao Huan,

about when we were children.

In the dream he asks me...

why I didn't trust him.

No matter how I cry,

apologize,

and beg him not to go,

he still throws himself off Phoenix Terrace.

I've never hated myself this much.

I'm the killer...

I killed him with my own hands.

No, you didn't.

His Majesty isn't dead.

What did you say?

Cangcang told me.

It's absolutely true.

I knew it.

There's no way he'd die that easily.

He must be planning to strike back.

When he returns...

Prison of Thousand Threads...

Du Tingxin planted it in you!

She means to control you!

Zhong Lin...

It has already reached my heart.

I'm afraid I'll hurt you.

I once wanted you close,

but now I'm setting you free.

Go far away,

and never come back.

You fool...

Zhong Lin,

I have one last request.

Will you

help me once more?

Even a thousand times,

I'd still say yes.

All right.

Greetings,

Your Majesty.

You've suffered too.

Your Majesty,

I came here

to return this to you.

I will not take back

what I've given away.

What are you going to do?

The elite troops from Southern Chu have arrived,

waiting for my command.

You want to kill Du Tingxin?

You're under the Prison of Thousand Threads.

If you kill her, you'll die too!

So what?

There's my mother and Ying to avenge,

and you as well.

Even if it costs me my life,

I still have to kill her.

Do you trust me?

I do.

Then don't act rashly.

Leave this to me.

I don't want you risking yourself again.

What I've hated most

is being born imperial.

I hate that you always outshine me,

still,

I hope we can be brothers again in the next life.

Next time,

I'll be the older brother

and I'll protect you.

Madam,

Fenglai Pavilion's covert base should be here.

But we couldn't find the entrance.

They always act with great caution.

On the surface, it's an abandoned post station.

But underground,

there must be more to it.

Search it.

Yes, Madam!

Search!

Here's a secret tunnel!

Out!

Everyone out!

Freeze!

Move!

Move!

Bring them out.

- Bring them out! - Yes, sir!

Your Majesty,

it's been a while.

You used to be so high and mighty.

But without Xiao Huan,

you're just a rat in the dark,

hiding from the sun.

From the looks of it,

you're here to end it all?

Go ahead.

Ling Cangcang,

[Linghe Hall] you've fallen into my hands after all.

The dignified Empress has become my prisoner.

You really do look quite pathetic.

How does the torture feel?

Kill me or torture me,

do as you please.

You're already my prisoner,

yet you're still so defiant?

I really want to see

how long you can keep that mouth tough.

Lately I've discovered

a most interesting punishment.

You'll be nailed up and burned with incense for seven days,

one stick a day.

And on the seventh day,

I'll reward you with an ice spike.

If you're lucky

and it pierces your heart,

freezing your blood in its tracks,

you'll be stuck between life and death.

No...

to be precise,

you'll live like a walking corpse.

With this lamp's effect,

you'll bleed endlessly.

But don't worry.

Before the final day comes,

I won't let you die.

Come on then.

Do it.

Ling Cangcang,

I don't care at all

what you say now.

Because you're in my hands.

One day you'll beg me

to grant you a quick death!

Your Majesty,

you'd better behave.

Nail her up.

Don't let her die.

I still need her to witness

my moment of glory.

Yes, Madam.

Everyone,

I am

the Emperor of Great Qi,

Xiao Huan.

His Majesty is wise and mighty,

kind and benevolent.

But we have committed grave sins

and must be punished.

[One with Heaven and Earth]

All sect members

shall serve five years of hard labour

to atone for our crimes.

We thank Your Majesty for your grace!

From this day on,

the Lingbi Sect no longer exists.

All of you must return to the right path,

protect the weak

and uphold justice.

From now on,

cut all ties with Nanrong Palace.

No offender

will be forgiven!

Yes, Your Majesty!

[Yaoqing Hall]

Lately I've been busy with the ceremony

and neglected Your Highness.

My mistake.

I heard you left your manor yesterday.

Who did you meet?

You think I had no way to deal with you?

You still dare resist?

Looks like

the Prison of Thousand Threads

are working slowly on you.

Madam.

Madam.

Madam.

Madam,

the Saintess has been deposed,

and the Ghost King now controls the Lingbi Sect.

Seems this Ghost King

really is quite capable.

He...

he's actually...

Out with it!

He is the Emperor of Great Qi.

So you really are still alive!

♪ Who walks lone through storm and snow ♪

♪ Reading every warmth and chill ♪

♪ Of the heart? ♪

♪ Who stands proud against a thousand weights ♪

♪ Grace only a mask he wears? ♪

♪ My blade sweeps the heavens ♪

♪ Blood once drenched ♪

♪ My armor and charging steed ♪

♪ I know what it means to let go ♪

♪ When to step in, when to hold back ♪

♪ A broken blade cuts through ♪

♪ Years of winter and summer ♪

♪ Enemy flags burn to ash like gauze ♪

♪ Yet my heart still bears the scars of rise and fall ♪

♪ I'm willing to wield my sword with you and burn the waning moon ♪

♪ I'm willing to brave all storms with you, boiling with passion ♪

♪ I'm willing to break my wings and become the blade in your hand ♪

♪ I'm willing to write with you this torn, enduring page of history ♪

♪ I'm willing to travel thousands of miles, seeking your ambition ♪

♪ I'm willing to give my life to keep you safe for a lifetime ♪

♪ I'm willing to sing through every farewell and wait for you another thousand years ♪

♪ I'm willing to live and die with you, my one and only wish in this lifetime ♪