1
00:00:56,321 --> 00:01:02,535
(The Shadow Sovereign)

2
00:01:02,797 --> 00:01:05,440
(Episode 17)

3
00:01:19,745 --> 00:01:22,166
- Why are you here to attend to me?   - Father.

4
00:01:26,250 --> 00:01:28,240
What did you make me drink?

5
00:01:29,125 --> 00:01:30,325
It's...

6
00:01:30,417 --> 00:01:31,660
It's...

7
00:01:31,917 --> 00:01:33,840
It's medicine, Father.

8
00:01:34,375 --> 00:01:36,440
You're ill. It's medicine.

9
00:01:39,603 --> 00:01:42,740
Did the Crown Prince send you here?

10
00:01:44,771 --> 00:01:46,450
No... It's not.

11
00:01:46,530 --> 00:01:47,751
No...

12
00:02:00,792 --> 00:02:03,240
The Crown Prince was exactly the one who told me to come.

13
00:02:06,646 --> 00:02:07,867
Father.

14
00:02:08,356 --> 00:02:09,577
Outside the hall...

15
00:02:10,291 --> 00:02:11,512
No.

16
00:02:14,257 --> 00:02:15,899
The whole palace

17
00:02:18,208 --> 00:02:20,250
is full of Cui Jin Zhi's troops.

18
00:02:24,171 --> 00:02:25,492
Did you know?

19
00:02:25,699 --> 00:02:26,982
You brought

20
00:02:29,522 --> 00:02:31,164
all of this on yourself.

21
00:02:32,091 --> 00:02:33,853
You brought this on yourself!

22
00:02:38,587 --> 00:02:39,808
What

23
00:02:42,027 --> 00:02:44,040
wonderful children

24
00:02:44,618 --> 00:02:47,800
I have raised.

25
00:03:13,193 --> 00:03:14,414
Father.

26
00:03:16,771 --> 00:03:18,240
It's not like that.

27
00:03:27,417 --> 00:03:29,680
His Majesty suddenly collapsed.

28
00:03:29,850 --> 00:03:32,000
There may be traitors plotting in secret.

29
00:03:32,130 --> 00:03:34,732
Starting today, the palace gates will be tightly guarded.

30
00:03:34,931 --> 00:03:37,650
Crown Prince Li Chong will temporarily rule the nation.

31
00:03:37,753 --> 00:03:40,996
No outsiders are allowed inside.

32
00:03:43,250 --> 00:03:44,572
(Did you know?)

33
00:03:44,881 --> 00:03:46,404
(You brought)

34
00:03:47,170 --> 00:03:49,080
(all of this on yourself.)

35
00:03:50,147 --> 00:03:52,520
(You brought this on yourself!)

36
00:03:53,042 --> 00:03:55,801
What wonderful children

37
00:03:55,946 --> 00:03:58,668
I have raised.

38
00:04:05,859 --> 00:04:07,123
(Father.)

39
00:04:07,251 --> 00:04:08,853
(I never wanted any of this.)

40
00:04:11,131 --> 00:04:14,612
(But I'm clearly the rightful princess with the highest status.)

41
00:04:15,050 --> 00:04:18,040
(I should be the one you cherish most.)

42
00:04:18,912 --> 00:04:20,133
(But you...)

43
00:04:20,387 --> 00:04:22,839
(You only care about that wretched Zhao Yang.)

44
00:04:22,989 --> 00:04:24,550
(It's all your fault!)

45
00:04:24,691 --> 00:04:26,280
(You're the one to blame!)

46
00:04:57,036 --> 00:04:58,920
The Crown Prince is about to take the throne.

47
00:04:59,240 --> 00:05:01,882
You'll just have to stay here for now, Your Highness.

48
00:05:02,292 --> 00:05:03,934
Once things settle down,

49
00:05:04,116 --> 00:05:06,077
I'll find somewhere for you to go.

50
00:05:07,482 --> 00:05:08,703
Eat something first.

51
00:05:14,530 --> 00:05:15,751
You're not going to eat?

52
00:05:21,042 --> 00:05:22,840
Trying to starve yourself to prove a point?

53
00:05:23,555 --> 00:05:27,077
Or are you waiting for someone?

54
00:05:30,850 --> 00:05:32,932
If you want to talk about Shen Xiao,

55
00:05:33,651 --> 00:05:34,932
just say it.

56
00:05:35,084 --> 00:05:37,240
You really do care about him.

57
00:05:39,410 --> 00:05:40,631
Fine.

58
00:05:40,891 --> 00:05:42,213
I'll tell you.

59
00:05:42,344 --> 00:05:44,106
Shen Xiao is dead.

60
00:05:46,370 --> 00:05:47,591
I killed him.

61
00:05:53,642 --> 00:05:55,925
Show me proof that he's dead.

62
00:05:56,064 --> 00:05:58,834
I won't believe in your empty talks.

63
00:05:58,915 --> 00:06:02,236
Didn't you stir up the Crown Prince's fears with empty talks, too?

64
00:06:02,530 --> 00:06:03,751
Zhao Yang.

65
00:06:05,114 --> 00:06:07,234
I know you better than anyone else.

66
00:06:07,370 --> 00:06:09,932
The Crown Prince will never forgive what you've done.

67
00:06:12,642 --> 00:06:14,005
From now on,

68
00:06:14,530 --> 00:06:16,533
if you just do as I say,

69
00:06:17,235 --> 00:06:18,716
I'll make sure you're safe.

70
00:06:24,338 --> 00:06:26,020
You helped the Crown Prince plot treason.

71
00:06:26,177 --> 00:06:27,939
You'll never die in peace.

72
00:06:28,500 --> 00:06:30,222
Shen Xiao is loyal to the throne and the nation.

73
00:06:30,610 --> 00:06:32,049
He won't die so easily.

74
00:06:32,170 --> 00:06:33,932
He's the one who won't die in peace.

75
00:06:36,715 --> 00:06:39,080
A nobody from a poor family like him wants to control the court,

76
00:06:39,234 --> 00:06:41,277
covet the princess, and rival the noble clans.

77
00:06:41,514 --> 00:06:43,875
Someone that arrogant deserves to die.

78
00:06:45,290 --> 00:06:46,692
You probably don't know yet.

79
00:06:48,451 --> 00:06:51,293
He came back to the capital with evidence against the Crown Prince.

80
00:06:51,859 --> 00:06:55,061
I killed him by the Yellow River with a single strike.

81
00:06:59,402 --> 00:07:01,323
You actually killed Shen Xiao?

82
00:07:04,458 --> 00:07:05,679
I did

83
00:07:06,792 --> 00:07:08,155
kill Shen Xiao.

84
00:07:09,045 --> 00:07:10,566
But you can't blame me for it.

85
00:07:12,211 --> 00:07:13,560
What do you mean?

86
00:07:19,019 --> 00:07:20,195
You helped him rise

87
00:07:20,276 --> 00:07:21,757
and gave him power.

88
00:07:22,323 --> 00:07:23,763
Putting him right in the middle of the storm

89
00:07:23,867 --> 00:07:25,587
and making him the Crown Prince's biggest threat.

90
00:07:25,691 --> 00:07:26,932
Wasn't that all you?

91
00:07:27,867 --> 00:07:29,088
It was you

92
00:07:29,290 --> 00:07:31,573
who destroyed him step by step.

93
00:07:34,891 --> 00:07:36,112
Father.

94
00:07:36,249 --> 00:07:38,252
A Top Scholar steps into the Emperor's hall for the first time.

95
00:07:38,374 --> 00:07:41,694
Sending him to Lingnan feels like he's being treated unfairly.

96
00:07:41,850 --> 00:07:43,400
Why don't you

97
00:07:43,554 --> 00:07:45,274
make him an eighth-rank Supervising Censor

98
00:07:45,403 --> 00:07:46,602
and let him stay in the capital?

99
00:07:46,683 --> 00:07:48,885
There's people you can use, Li Yan.

100
00:07:49,035 --> 00:07:50,476
Why make things harder for yourself?

101
00:07:50,557 --> 00:07:51,778
Do you mean

102
00:07:52,292 --> 00:07:53,513
Shen Xiao?

103
00:07:53,750 --> 00:07:57,272
Do you think Shen Xiao dares steal grain from Wannian County?

104
00:08:01,017 --> 00:08:02,238
Transport the grain.

105
00:08:02,451 --> 00:08:04,251
Your Highness, the Ministry of Revenue brought soldiers,

106
00:08:04,353 --> 00:08:05,810
stormed the manor and grabbed the grain

107
00:08:05,890 --> 00:08:07,290
with the Emperor's grain requisition decree.

108
00:08:07,386 --> 00:08:10,468
I'm the one who took the grain!

109
00:08:10,802 --> 00:08:13,122
I request to investigate this ownerless grain

110
00:08:13,250 --> 00:08:15,890
and give the people a proper explanation.

111
00:08:15,984 --> 00:08:17,205
You're asking for trouble.

112
00:08:35,865 --> 00:08:37,228
From now on,

113
00:08:38,417 --> 00:08:39,979
I'm all you've got.

114
00:08:41,010 --> 00:08:42,231
Get out.

115
00:08:43,171 --> 00:08:44,533
You'll come around.

116
00:08:45,677 --> 00:08:46,898
I'll wait for you.

117
00:08:53,250 --> 00:08:54,760
When you finally come around,

118
00:08:55,451 --> 00:08:56,672
come find me.

119
00:09:15,730 --> 00:09:17,253
Where's Cui Jin Zhi?

120
00:09:20,171 --> 00:09:21,451
If Your Highness has something to say,

121
00:09:21,531 --> 00:09:22,770
I can deliver the message.

122
00:09:22,915 --> 00:09:25,400
Tell him that I've come around.

123
00:09:26,058 --> 00:09:28,980
Please help me give something to Cui Jin Zhi.

124
00:09:44,738 --> 00:09:45,959
Eunuch.

125
00:09:47,626 --> 00:09:48,847
Your Highness.

126
00:09:49,000 --> 00:09:51,202
You are finally here, Your Highness.

127
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Your Highness is His Majesty's only hope now.

128
00:09:58,970 --> 00:10:00,690
The palace is under tight security now.

129
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You must be careful, Your Highness.

130
00:10:03,167 --> 00:10:04,388
Don't worry, Eunuch.

131
00:10:21,659 --> 00:10:24,780
Cold Palace. That's the only way out now.

132
00:10:28,594 --> 00:10:30,727
Over there! Go check over there!

133
00:10:58,208 --> 00:10:59,968
Take my token and go after her.

134
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Yes!

135
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Wait! Don't hurt her.

136
00:11:07,041 --> 00:11:08,262
She's over there!

137
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- Hurry!   - Stop right there!

138
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- There!   - Stop!

139
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Hurry!

140
00:11:21,746 --> 00:11:23,200
Don't let her get away!

141
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- After her!   - Yes!

142
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Stop!

143
00:11:58,708 --> 00:11:59,929
Stop!

144
00:12:00,042 --> 00:12:01,440
She's over there!

145
00:12:56,259 --> 00:12:57,920
You're still alive.

146
00:12:58,323 --> 00:12:59,720
You survived.

147
00:13:01,049 --> 00:13:03,610
That's great.

148
00:13:03,801 --> 00:13:05,280
I'm back.

149
00:13:08,171 --> 00:13:09,920
I still have the military token.

150
00:13:10,292 --> 00:13:12,175
Why are the Shence Camp soldiers here?

151
00:13:13,826 --> 00:13:15,360
We had to improvise in an emergency.

152
00:13:16,051 --> 00:13:17,600
On my way back to the capital,

153
00:13:17,810 --> 00:13:20,693
I saw Cui Jin Zhi leading his private troops into the Imperial City.

154
00:13:20,849 --> 00:13:22,955
I had to detour and find General Yuan.

155
00:13:23,077 --> 00:13:24,961
I urged him to enter the capital and protect His Majesty.

156
00:13:25,042 --> 00:13:26,923
If we waited for the token, it would've been too late.

157
00:13:27,322 --> 00:13:28,605
Regardless,

158
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I've made you suffer.

159
00:14:17,770 --> 00:14:20,120
Since I ascended the throne,

160
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I've worked tirelessly day and night.

161
00:14:22,067 --> 00:14:24,866
But now, I'm gravely ill and can't recover.

162
00:14:25,040 --> 00:14:27,282
I'm afraid I've failed my ancestors' trust.

163
00:14:27,664 --> 00:14:31,015
Crown Prince Li Chong's virtue shines bright.

164
00:14:31,157 --> 00:14:32,667
His rule brings peace and wisdom.

165
00:14:32,750 --> 00:14:34,319
Everyone in court and the realm looks up to him.

166
00:14:34,400 --> 00:14:36,082
That brings me comfort.

167
00:14:36,239 --> 00:14:38,752
- I hereby pass the throne to...   - You traitorous son!

168
00:14:41,331 --> 00:14:43,640
Arrest the traitors! Nobody move!

169
00:14:43,811 --> 00:14:45,840
Who's there? Who?

170
00:14:48,172 --> 00:14:50,153
Who's there? Let go of me!

171
00:14:59,603 --> 00:15:00,920
Zheng Shu.

172
00:15:01,850 --> 00:15:03,400
You betrayed me.

173
00:15:07,130 --> 00:15:08,351
Li Chong.

174
00:15:08,970 --> 00:15:10,480
This ridiculous farce

175
00:15:11,343 --> 00:15:12,720
needs to end now.

176
00:15:21,171 --> 00:15:23,332
Cui Jin Zhi commands 30,000 elite troops.

177
00:15:23,691 --> 00:15:25,253
He has already taken control of the palace.

178
00:15:25,408 --> 00:15:27,010
Father, you are old and senile.

179
00:15:27,186 --> 00:15:28,829
You should retire and enjoy your remaining years.

180
00:15:29,051 --> 00:15:30,272
I,

181
00:15:30,914 --> 00:15:32,312
Li Chong,

182
00:15:32,619 --> 00:15:35,341
am the rightful new ruler of Ye by Heaven's will!

183
00:15:35,890 --> 00:15:37,133
Where's Cui Jin Zhi?

184
00:15:37,331 --> 00:15:38,650
Where's Cui Jin Zhi?

185
00:15:38,730 --> 00:15:39,770
Where is Cui Jin Zhi?

186
00:15:39,874 --> 00:15:41,095
Protect me, the emperor!

187
00:15:42,051 --> 00:15:44,692
Come and protect me!

188
00:16:07,208 --> 00:16:09,193
Cui Jin Zhi, all your men are dead.

189
00:16:09,297 --> 00:16:10,720
Just surrender.

190
00:16:11,004 --> 00:16:12,225
Dream on.

191
00:16:45,130 --> 00:16:46,680
Protect the general!

192
00:17:16,826 --> 00:17:18,920
Cui Jin Zhi, surrender now.

193
00:17:26,174 --> 00:17:27,920
No way.

194
00:17:41,675 --> 00:17:43,240
Wipe out the remaining enemies.

195
00:17:43,427 --> 00:17:44,920
Guard His Majesty!

196
00:17:51,456 --> 00:17:54,138
Zheng Shu, I've treated you well.

197
00:17:54,674 --> 00:17:56,360
You wicked woman!

198
00:17:59,000 --> 00:18:00,959
I've kept my promise to you.

199
00:18:01,175 --> 00:18:03,186
The Zheng clan has nothing to do with this rebellion.

200
00:18:03,355 --> 00:18:04,837
His Majesty has already made his decision.

201
00:18:07,074 --> 00:18:08,716
I know what you're up to.

202
00:18:09,035 --> 00:18:10,256
I can help you.

203
00:18:11,715 --> 00:18:13,276
Sister-in-law, what are you getting at?

204
00:18:13,833 --> 00:18:17,004
I didn't hear a thing today.

205
00:18:17,730 --> 00:18:19,400
Even if you get the Shence Camp transfer order,

206
00:18:19,626 --> 00:18:21,429
it'll still be tough for the army to enter the city.

207
00:18:21,930 --> 00:18:24,360
The Nine Gates are guarded by families loyal to the Eastern Palace.

208
00:18:24,650 --> 00:18:27,520
But the Western Gate is guarded by my clan, the Zheng clan.

209
00:18:29,790 --> 00:18:31,352
This is my clan's token.

210
00:18:31,433 --> 00:18:33,440
(Zheng)

211
00:18:37,240 --> 00:18:39,631
Zhao Yang, I'm not begging you.

212
00:18:39,890 --> 00:18:42,293
I'm giving you a win-win option.

213
00:18:42,571 --> 00:18:44,453
You can get rid of your biggest enemy.

214
00:18:44,731 --> 00:18:45,952
As for me,

215
00:18:46,930 --> 00:18:48,652
I'm fighting for

216
00:18:50,250 --> 00:18:51,731
my family's future and mine.

217
00:19:05,890 --> 00:19:07,253
Crown Prince Li Chong,

218
00:19:07,802 --> 00:19:10,000
you seized land and grain and raised your own private army.

219
00:19:10,193 --> 00:19:12,424
Now, you plot to seize the throne and poison His Majesty.

220
00:19:12,673 --> 00:19:14,040
Do you admit your guilt?

221
00:19:17,850 --> 00:19:19,612
Me? Admit my guilt?

222
00:19:21,890 --> 00:19:23,773
I am the crown prince.

223
00:19:24,844 --> 00:19:26,445
It's my right

224
00:19:27,792 --> 00:19:30,200
to take the throne.

225
00:19:30,971 --> 00:19:33,332
Someone as twisted as you

226
00:19:33,547 --> 00:19:35,520
think you are worthy to rule this nation?

227
00:19:38,011 --> 00:19:39,232
Me?

228
00:19:40,210 --> 00:19:41,431
Unworthy?

229
00:20:11,810 --> 00:20:14,572
I am unworthy?

230
00:20:15,728 --> 00:20:18,200
What about him? Is he any more worthy?

231
00:20:23,500 --> 00:20:25,422
You're obsessed with alchemy

232
00:20:25,958 --> 00:20:27,840
and drained the nation's strength.

233
00:20:28,291 --> 00:20:31,132
You play power games to control the court.

234
00:20:31,499 --> 00:20:33,240
You stir up factional strife.

235
00:20:33,531 --> 00:20:36,132
You make me, the Crown Prince, live on edge every day!

236
00:20:37,091 --> 00:20:38,312
You.

237
00:20:38,771 --> 00:20:40,693
You distrust every one of your sons.

238
00:20:41,195 --> 00:20:43,677
You give us titles, but you never stop watching your back.

239
00:20:44,850 --> 00:20:47,911
If I didn't fight for power or raise my own troops,

240
00:20:48,583 --> 00:20:51,225
I might be the one who dies tomorrow!

241
00:20:56,650 --> 00:20:58,132
Rather than watch

242
00:20:58,531 --> 00:21:01,533
this great nation fall apart in your hands,

243
00:21:06,291 --> 00:21:07,512
I'd rather...

244
00:21:08,690 --> 00:21:12,533
I'd rather drag you down with me straight to hell!

245
00:21:52,266 --> 00:21:53,627
Crown Prince.

246
00:21:59,594 --> 00:22:01,040
Our score

247
00:22:02,031 --> 00:22:03,400
is settled.

248
00:22:59,112 --> 00:23:04,120
(Prison of the Ministry of Justice)

249
00:23:36,650 --> 00:23:37,871
You came.

250
00:23:38,331 --> 00:23:39,720
Since you wanted to see me,

251
00:23:39,930 --> 00:23:41,493
I'll see you off myself.

252
00:23:45,208 --> 00:23:46,720
His Majesty showed mercy.

253
00:23:47,625 --> 00:23:50,976
I've already heard the decree to exile me to Lingnan.

254
00:23:55,250 --> 00:23:56,571
It's a long journey.

255
00:23:57,370 --> 00:23:58,812
The snow makes it hard to travel.

256
00:24:00,058 --> 00:24:01,340
So, I won't go.

257
00:24:06,771 --> 00:24:07,992
Sure.

258
00:24:14,771 --> 00:24:15,992
All these years,

259
00:24:17,356 --> 00:24:18,917
I've let you down.

260
00:24:21,331 --> 00:24:23,200
On our wedding day, I shouldn't have...

261
00:24:23,307 --> 00:24:24,528
It's all in the past.

262
00:24:31,208 --> 00:24:32,429
That's right.

263
00:24:33,316 --> 00:24:34,637
It's all over now.

264
00:24:35,683 --> 00:24:36,904
When we were kids,

265
00:24:37,331 --> 00:24:39,253
you bandaged my wounds

266
00:24:41,051 --> 00:24:42,272
and said

267
00:24:43,273 --> 00:24:45,760
a ruler should win people over with virtue.

268
00:24:47,091 --> 00:24:49,211
- That's not right.   - How is it not right?

269
00:24:49,291 --> 00:24:52,050
A ruler should lead with virtue

270
00:24:52,130 --> 00:24:53,491
and win people over with kindness.

271
00:24:53,571 --> 00:24:55,332
You might be the Crown Prince's study companion,

272
00:24:55,930 --> 00:24:57,600
but you are still your own self.

273
00:24:58,650 --> 00:25:00,332
Back then I thought

274
00:25:00,458 --> 00:25:03,400
that little girl saw things clearer than anyone.

275
00:25:11,219 --> 00:25:12,440
But how

276
00:25:14,322 --> 00:25:16,004
did everything change later?

277
00:25:22,609 --> 00:25:24,212
People change.

278
00:25:31,630 --> 00:25:32,989
Everyone changes.

279
00:25:35,300 --> 00:25:36,621
It was my mistake.

280
00:25:38,866 --> 00:25:40,189
I let you down.

281
00:26:01,092 --> 00:26:02,538
I, Cui Jin Zhi,

282
00:26:03,251 --> 00:26:05,532
was born into a wealthy family

283
00:26:05,750 --> 00:26:07,353
and raised among the powerful.

284
00:26:09,244 --> 00:26:10,607
Now, I've lost.

285
00:26:11,458 --> 00:26:13,378
It's fate and destiny.

286
00:26:13,571 --> 00:26:14,792
I accept it.

287
00:26:16,531 --> 00:26:19,533
But to lose to someone like Shen Xiao, a man from a humble family.

288
00:26:19,937 --> 00:26:21,158
I can't accept that.

289
00:26:26,458 --> 00:26:28,140
You're still the same, after all.

290
00:27:17,312 --> 00:27:18,560
Que Nu!

291
00:27:19,793 --> 00:27:21,320
If there's a next life,

292
00:27:22,802 --> 00:27:24,403
don't be a princess.

293
00:27:24,930 --> 00:27:26,493
I won't be a member of the Cui family either.

294
00:27:28,418 --> 00:27:29,639
Will you...

295
00:27:58,089 --> 00:28:02,280
(Prison of the Ministry of Justice)

296
00:28:05,170 --> 00:28:07,852
Oh no! Prisoner Cui Jin Zhi has committed suicide!

297
00:28:16,289 --> 00:28:17,510
(Que Nu.)

298
00:28:25,093 --> 00:28:27,120
(I brought your favorite pastries.)