Original subtitles

♪Flower petals have fallen, piling as high as mortal mercilessness♪

♪Gone with the wind, as if it has never existed♪

♪I ask for more time♪

♪To rewrite our stories♪

♪We travel together in joys and woes♪

♪Blood bathes this entangled destiny♪

♪For the next reunion in the troubled times♪

♪We tread a treacherous path♪

♪To find each other♪

♪Wars and bleakness, the bright moon shines upon the city♪

♪I will offer my bravery♪

♪Fighting relentlessly♪

♪All for no regrets♪

♪In this life-and-death battle, I will not back down♪

♪Withstand enduring time♪

♪Someone at the end of the world never leaves♪

♪I brave the grim haze to be with you once again♪

=Love of Nirvana= (Based on Xiao Lou's novel of the same name)

=Episode 31=

(Even if it's only one night,)

(as long as she can relax.)

This is the first time I have seen you so happy, Miss Dong.

Any good news?

No joy or worry.

This moment is the best.

Fragrant sachet! Fragrant sachet for sale!

Come and have a look.

Anything troubles you, Mr. Cui?

I'm simply overwhelmed

by the idea

of predestined fate.

An encounter as brief

as clouds scattering.

A like-minded friend is hard to come by.

Am I not that friend?

Miss Dong.

Well.

I only understand your paintings

but not your thoughts.

I never expected the gentle Miss Dong

to have a playful side.

Mr. Cui, you have discerning eyes.

Not anyone can notice that.

Great time flies.

Let's continue to stroll.

Have a nice day.

You are here, Your Lordship.

Are you alone again today?

Soon.

Please wait a moment, Your Lordship.

Soon.

Very soon.

Mister and Miss,

come and have a look

to see if there's anything you like.

Is there anything you fancy?

Miss,

is there anything that catches your attention?

Clay cat?

Mister,

how did you know about this?

I couldn't remember.

Perhaps I learned it somewhere.

This looks quite similar to yours.

Mister,

I want this.

All right.

Here you go.

No. Please, no.

This is too much.

Just take it.

You deserve this.

Thank you, mister.

I will repay you the money later.

No need.

It's a gift for you.

Anyway, you owed me something.

I also wanted the clay cat back then.

We are even now.

What else do you want?

I can buy it for you.

Commander Wei, why have you become so generous?

It's far from getting even.

Candied hawthorn for sale!

Have a look.

I want candied hawthorn.

Candied hawthorn for sale!

Sure.

I will buy one for you.

Wait here.

Are you closing?

Yes.

This is the best noodle store in Qingkang.

It seems

you have to miss out on it.

We will come next time.

Anyway,

there's always a chance.

Mister,

I will take her with me

to eat your mutton noodles next time.

Sure.

I will wait for you every day.

When next spring comes,

these scholars will have to attend the imperial examination.

Once they make it to the honor roll,

they'll be able to realize their ambitions,

bring honor to their families,

and marry ladies from noble families.

Mr. Cui, you are full of talent.

Have you considered becoming an official?

To me, civil service

means being bound by shackles.

It's more carefree to travel

among famous mountains and rivers.

Mr. Cui, you should've set up a stall tonight.

You'll get to sell a lot of calligraphy and paintings.

You are right.

There are acrobatics performances on the left

and snack stalls on the right.

However, there may be

some people who can't get through the crowd

to see my calligraphy and paintings.

Then forget it.

I might be squeezed out of the crowd

when you become famous.

Miss, you never have to do that.

Miss Dong,

you have some insights into nature landscapes.

I wonder

if I'm fortunate enough to travel with you.

Mr. Cui, do you mean

leaving Qingkang?

Your Lordship?

Why are you here together?

Do you know Miss Dong, too?

We met once before.

Right?

Right.

Miss Dong is the daughter of my mom's friend.

We met once before.

Mr. Cui, how do you know His Lordship?

I'm a protege of His Lordship.

I'm lucky to have received his appreciation and help.

I see.

This lantern...

I gave it to Miss Dong.

It suits her very much.

Please continue.

I will take my leave.

Since both of you are acquainted,

why don't you join us, Your Lordship?

It has been quite a while since I try their food.

Let's try it this time.

Where are you going?

Let go.

I want to go find my master.

His Majesty has already learned of your identity.

You are giving him the opportunity.

I can stay here,

but my master can't be trapped here.

Qingkang is not safe at all for the time being.

Staying in the Guangming Bureau is the best option.

That sounds caring,

but you keep her here for your own purpose.

Yes.

As long as the old case hasn't been resolved,

she can't leave.

Even if she gets out of Guangming Bureau,

she will step into a bigger danger.

Do you wish to live

on the run?

It will only become riskier

and more complicated

if you two meet.

I promise you

I will put all of this to an end.

Ci?

Cui.

Our last farewell was in Nanling.

Have you been faring well, Ci?

Thank you for your concern, Cui.

Greetings, Your Lordship.

Are you

the second daughter of the Prime Minister?

Yes, I am.

We are good friends.

Nice to meet you.

I'm Jiang Ci.

Nice to meet you, Miss Jiang.

It's rare for us to get together.

Why don't we gather at Lanyue Parlor?

I never expected to see you again

after that happened, Ci.

Ci,

even if you feel cornered,

do remain composed and collected.

Thank you, Cui.

No matter what has happened,

we are still good friends.

Cui,

would you mind introducing her?

This is Miss Dong.

I met her through paintings.

Cui is a good painter.

I believe you are talented, too, Miss Dong.

Miss Jiang, you are insightful

and virtuous.

We shall have a drink for our meeting

and enjoy a good chat.

Tonight is a rare opportunity for us.

I will give you a toast.

Ci, how did you get out of the palace tonight?

Are you from the palace, Miss Jiang?

Miss Dong, you may not know about this.

Ci is soon receiving the princess title.

Ci, your status is noble now.

It's too dangerous

to leave the palace recklessly.

I brought her out.

Sanlang, you know her identity.

All the more reason you should follow the rules as subordinates.

In front of Her Highness,

we both are subordinates.

You have overstepped the line

when you criticized Her Highness.

Please continue.

Thank you, Miss Jiang.

Cui.

Thank you, Ci.

I know you like the bustling marketplace.

You can inform me next time.

I will request permission from His Majesty

to take you out for some fun.

I appreciate that, Lord Pei.

But there are only

disappointing things and people

when I'm out here.

I didn't know you were a princess, Miss Jiang.

The past is unchangeable,

and the future is unpredictable.

Let's live in the present

and enjoy this moment.

Miss Jiang,

I will drink to you.

I didn't belong to the palace in the first place.

Love, hatred,

gain, loss,

grace, and grudges

are all willed by fate.

Follow the natural course of where it leads us isn't a bad thing.

What I fear is when losing something after gaining it,

when love turns into hatred,

and when grace and grudges intertwine.

How beautiful.

Destiny is like fireworks.

We are sparks

that collide with each other.

At best, we bloom splendidly.

At worst, we vanish like a puff of smoke.

You are right, Miss Dong.

Obstacles are nothing to fear.

We shall drink and sing freely

when life is short.

Cheers.

Tonight,

let's forget everything.

Cheers.

Let's forget about superiority

and hierarchy.

Let's forget about stances

and grudges.

Are you Minister Dong's daughter at the birthday banquet that day?

Thank you for not exposing me just now.

Do you have feelings for Ziming?

Everything has a beginning,

but few can see the desired ending.

As long as you have feelings for each other,

there's no need to be constrained by social status.

People of different statuses are incompatible.

Even if I hate to admit it,

still, such a mindset is beyond my control.

Miss Jiang, do you have someone you hold dear?

It's all the past.

By the way,

why did you suddenly become a princess

from a maid?

I only found out my identity recently.

Everything changed

overnight.

Honestly, I haven't had a good sleep in the palace.

I always think I'm alone.

Meeting you today

has brought peace to my restless mind.

How wondrous it is when we meet and imbibe.

If you weren't the prime minister's daughter,

what would you do the most?

I would like to read

and travel

and not be confined to a boudoir.

I want to be free.

I also want to explore every corner

and try all the delicious food in this beautiful world.

But I don't want to read.

Well, I'd also like to find

someone who truly understands me

so that I can have wonderful times

and admire great views.

I also want to travel with my beloved

through lush mountains

and long rivers.

Miss Dong,

your dream will surely come true.

Miss Jiang,

yours too.

♪Last through time, we never leave each other♪

♪My love sees♪

♪The sun rising and the moon setting♪

♪Your face stays vivid in my mind♪

♪Two hearts♪

♪Bound to each other♪

♪Like flowing water, love and hate continue♪

♪I only wish♪

♪For your unwavering heart♪

♪You are still there when I turn back♪

♪As passionate as we first met♪

♪I hold your hands through eternity♪

♪Time cannot separate us♪

♪Our longings go on♪

(Changle Hall, Eastern Palace, Palace of Qingkang)

Shaojun.

Your Highness.

You are generous and supportive

that you hold this flower banquet

to celebrate Princess Yong'an's conferment.

You are thoughtful.

Shaojun,

I heard you requested Father for a marriage decree with Yong'an.

You can't do this

to the Dong's Residence.

Please forgive me, Your Highness.

There's someone I hold dear,

and I have already told my mother

about my feelings.

Your mother made this decision for your own good.

Besides,

if Dong's Residence is humiliated due to this,

how will you resolve it?

Rest assured, Your Highness.

I have made proper arrangements.

It won't hurt the reputation of Dong's Residence

and Miss Dong.

As long as you have thought about it.

It's a shame.

I have always wanted you to be my brother-in-law.

I'm deeply sorry

for letting you worry.

Princess Yong'an is your cousin,

and I have always been close to you.

This change won't diminish my loyalty to you.

I will take your word

for it, Shaojun.

Your Highness,

His Majesty

hasn't made the decision yet.

I hope

you will keep it secret.

Don't worry, Shaojun.

You should hold a banquet

to inform everyone of such great news.

I would like to drink a lot at your wedding.

Your wish will come true soon.

My cousin who has entered

the palace may soon leave.

Sanlang, you have arrived.

Your Highness.

You may take your seat.

Sanlang, Shaojun,

let's go.

Greetings,

Your Highnesses.

Young'an, you are beautiful

and elegant.

Please be seated.

Today, the Eastern Palace gathers

all the great people here

to celebrate the joy with Sanguan and me

for welcoming back my cousin, who loves flowers and plants,

Yong'an,

welcome home.

Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness.

As for a flower banquet,

we should be composing poems of flowers

after the banquet.

How about this?

Sanlang, Shaojun,

Sanguan, and I will compose poems,

while Yong'an and my sister-in-law will choose the correct flowers.

What do you think?

I already knew Yong'an was good at recognizing flowers.

So this time,

I will be the audience.

Are you running out of ideas

when it comes to composing poems?

Che, don't expose me.

As people say, charming talents.

You'll play the talent part,

and I will admire the charming beauty picking flowers.

Behave.

Thank you for your appreciation, Your Highness.

I can choose the flowers to match your poems alone.

Miss Dong,

you may join them in composing poems.

You can write poems, Miss Dong?

Let's try.

Nowhere to be seen deep in the forest,

but their fragrance reveals their beauty.

Begonias.

They may not be bright,

but they carry a warm, vernal scent.

Also known as the understanding sweetheart.

Not ostentatious,

but undeniably captivating.

Thank you.

Very well.

I will take over.

I wish to turn into the wind and blow the flowers afar,

ushering in spring to thousands of households.

Morning glories bloom in the small hours

and grow upwards without stopping.

They can be found in the places around the common folks.

Your Highness, you are dedicated,

amiable, and generous

in serving your people.

From now on, morning glories will always remind me

of your advice, Yong'an.

Shaojun,

your turn.

Ask not when spring comes or leaves,

for it blooms on winter's sprigs.

Roses suit both plain or bright appearances

and bloom in either spring or autumn.

Lord Pei, you are blessed with abundance,

there is no need to seek more.

Let nature take its course.

Sanlang,

it's your turn.

Fallen petals chase the water for miles on end,

the bright moon outshines the emerald ridges on high.

Why are you

not picking any?

Commander Wei and I met each other through Dou Grass

and then this Allamanda.

It's an interesting fate.

Although this flower is beautiful and fragrant,

it's also poisonous and easily withers.

Beautiful things are often like this.

Ephemeral,

unapproachable,

and indistinguishable.

It seems you favor

Shaojun more than us.

"Suit both plain and bright appearance

and blooms in either spring or autumn."

What a compliment.

Your Highness, please don't tease me.

Sanguan, don't tease her.

I'm not teasing her.

In the near future,

Shaojun

will be marrying

all the fine ladies in the garden.

You must be joking, Your Highness.

I won't take concubines.

I will only marry

the woman I hold dear.

Shaojun is always a gentleman.

I believe

you won't defy someone's will.

I think

Commander Wei composed the best poem

and it matches the flower.

Why don't you

pick a flower for Princess Yong'an?

If so,

I will do as you say.

Flowers bloom and wither

in a recurring cycle.

Even if they die,

they will be reborn.

Excellent.

That's impressive, Sanlang.

Serve the liquor.

Everyone, please.

Hold on.

What's it, Sanlang?

How could it be called a flower banquet

if we don't put the flower on Her Highness?

You have a point.

You first, Sanlang.

Since

I chose the flower for Her Highness,

naturally, I will

put it on for Her Highness.

What are you trying to do?

Very well.

Let's consider this an early celebration for the spring season.

Everyone, please.

You requested

a marriage decree with Jiang Ci?

I have made up my mind.

Pei Yan,

are you aware that she's in deep waters now?

If you care for her,

why don't you ask what she truly wants?

I won't let her walk on eggshells

like you do.

She will only be safe

when she's with me.

Safe, you say?

She almost took the poisonous liquor

right in front of us just now.

You call this safe?

I will make you pay

if you ever land her in danger again.

Your Lordship.

Monitor Ms. Du's movements.

Find out what she has been doing

for Mother.

Yes, Your Lordship.

I can't eat with ease

when you are standing in front of me.

Liu Cui,

stay here.

The rest of you will leave.

Yes, Your Highness.

What's your order, Your Highness?

Sit down and eat with me.

I wouldn't dare, Your Highness.

Why not?

You follow my orders, don't you?

Eat up.

Where are you from?

I'm from Shou County.

Shou County?

I'm from Liang'an.

Our hometowns are quite near,

so we are considered hometown friends.

Your Highness is of a noble status.

I can't associate myself with you.

I'm only a guest here.

Look at the stuffed tofu.

In the palace, the fillings are made of prawns.

It's fresh and delicious.

But I still prefer

meat fillings like ours.

Do you also like stuffed tofu, Your Highness?

My sister also likes that, too.

She always wants me to make it for her.

I wonder how tall she has grown now

and if she's still craving food.

Did you enter the palace as a maidservant for your sister?

My family is poor.

I had no choice.

Please forgive me, Your Highness.

I shouldn't have told you this.

It's fine.

When I was in the village,

I always ran around the mountains.

People called me an outgoing girl.

I find that this palace

is not as free as our hometowns.

But I believe those who seek a living here

have someone

they prepare to sacrifice for.

You have your sister,

and so do I.

Thoughts of them

are how we push ourselves through the days here.

Here.

I can't accept this, Your Highness.

Take it.

Both of us have our own desperate situations.

Take this hairpin

to get some money

and buy something good for your sister.

Whether we are inside or outside the palace,

if we support each other,

the bitter winter

will be shorter.

Thank you, Your Highness.

Let's eat.

Commander of the Guangming Bureau has arrived.

Greetings, Commander Wei.

Greetings, Your Highness.

What brings you here, Commander Wei?

I noticed you are fond of flowers and plants

during the flower banquet,

so I specially brought two gardeners

to tend the garden of Yuchun Pavilion.

I hope you can enjoy a beautiful garden.

I appreciate that, Commander Wei.

Liu Cui,

show them around the place.

Yes, Your Highness.

Have you found out who tried to poison me?

I have sent my men to investigate.

If you encounter anything here,

the gardeners will inform me immediately.

You ought to be careful

while I'm away.

We should take care of ourselves.

What's your name?

My name

is Chun Er.

On this handkerchief,

it's the poisonous liquor you have to Princess Yong'an.

Why did you poison Her Highness?

I just

followed orders.

Whose orders?

I followed the order of Chief Steward Tao.

Chief Steward Tao?

How dare you slander Inner Court Chief Steward?

I wouldn't dare to lie in front of you, Commander Wei.

I followed the order of Chief Steward Tao.

Everyone knows

that His Majesty dotes on Princess Yong'an.

Chief Steward is loyal to His Majesty.

Why would he hurt Princess Yong'an?

I don't know.

I only followed the order.

You followed the order?

You followed the order to poison Princess Yong'an,

and I followed the order to keep Princess Yong'an safe.

Do tell me,

should we follow yours

or mine?

Your order, of course.

In that case,

you poisoned Princess Yong'an on purpose

and slandered Inner Court Chief Steward.

This crime warrants the execution of your entire clan.

I'm telling the truth.

My parents are old,

and my brother is less than ten.

Please spare me, sir.

Your destiny is in your hands.

Out with it.

What did Chief Steward Tao tell you?

A few days ago, Chief Steward Tao

gave me a bottle of poison

and ordered me to put it in Princess Yong'an's cup

during the flower banquet.

He promised to let me leave the palace

and return to my parents

once the deal was done.

You serve at the Eastern Palace.

Where did this conversation take place?

It was

at a dark corner behind the palace gate.

What time was it?

Around...

three-quarters past the hour of Hai. [*Hai hour is around 9 PM to 11 PM]

Three-quarters past the hour of Hai?

Yes,

three-quarters past the hour of Hai.

Every day around this time,

His Majesty takes his soothing soup,

served by Chief Steward Tao.

How could he have met you at the palace gate?

Confess.

Who sent you?

It wasn't Chief Steward Tao himself.

It was

someone sent by him.

Who?

It was...

It was...

Ms. Du?

No.

Who is Ms. Du?

I don't know her.

Yi Fei.

Yes.

Take her away.

Sir! Please spare me, sir!

Sir!

My Lord,

why would Ms. Du poison Miss Jiang?

From what I see,

only His Majesty

might hold a grudge against her due to Prince Qi's death.

She answered my questions smoothly.

Someone must've taught her this.

Even though she was well-prepared,

she left out some details.

Are you suggesting

that Ms. Du

intended to frame His Majesty with Miss Jiang's poisoning case?

Judging from the maid's reaction,

it's highly likely

Madam Rongguo planned to slander His Majesty

using Tao Zizhu.

But from what I know,

Lord Pei favors Miss Jiang.

Why would Madam Rongguo...

He likes her,

but that doesn't mean his family feels the same way.

Spread words that the maid has already killed herself.

Look into this maid.

Also,

keep an eye on Ms. Du.

Yes.

Thanks to you, sir.

Otherwise,

Miss Jiang wouldn't be able to escape that.

Cabbage for sale!

Is it fresh?

Have a look at these cabbages.

They are fresh.

We grow them ourselves.

I want this.

Here you go.

I put the money here.

Have a nice day.

I noticed

Wei Zhao also put a tail on Ms. Du.

He wouldn't do that without a reason.

Your Lordship.

What makes you so hastily

that you overlook your formalities?

Princess Yong'an was almost poisoned in the Eastern Palace.

Mother, please tell me why that happened.

Why did you come to me instead?

What would you do

if it were me?

I couldn't keep Jiang Ci safe before.

From now on,

Mother, if you endanger her again,

I won't show any mercy on you.

I toiled away to raise you

and guide you.

You want to go against me for a mere brat?

His Majesty personally conferred Jiang Ci the title of princess.

She's the royal you have always wanted.

I will request His Majesty for a marriage decree

with Jiang Ci.

I hope you will think carefully before you act in the future.

Pei Yan!

Do you truly want to

ruin everything I have done for you?

Mother, did you plan for my sake

or for yourself?

I will serve you as your son,

but I will also serve the Liang State as a subject.

I wanted to kill two birds with one stone,

and finish that girl.

But I undermined Xie Che.

Yet, it fell through.

His Lordship

appears to believe

that you poisoned her, Madam.

Xie Che gave him what he wanted,

so he lost his mind.

He didn't know

how cruel Xie Che would be afterward.

That brat dodged it at the flower banquet.

Someone must've saved her.

If it wasn't Yan,

who else could it be?

Did Wei Zhao attend the flower banquet?

Yes, he did.

Is Chun Er taken care of?

She has already killed herself.

Guangming Bureau probably hasn't noticed anything.

Keep an eye on Wei Zhao.

I can't let him foil my plan.

Yes, Madam.

Greetings, Your Majesty.

Come over, Pei Yan.

Take a look at the game.

Who wins?

Everything is up to Your Majesty.

You can decide the winner and loser.

As you said,

both of my hands are competing against each other,

and the final outcome is up to me.

Your sovereign covers the entire land.

People of every echelon are your subject.

Under your vast grace,

every small pawn

across the lands

will pledge their loyalty to you.

Very well.

Given what you say,

I will let Black win.

What do you say?

I heard

that Madam Rongguo

is trying to set up

you and the daughter of Minister Dong.

I'm sorry about that, Your Majesty.

I'm of marriageable age,

but I'm not married yet.

My mother is too worried about me,

so she hastily finds me a match.

Does that mean

you're not interested in Minister Dong's daughter?

Not at all.

I

have someone I like.

I shouldn't affect her.

Your Majesty, I dare to ask again

for a marriage decree.

Yong'an again?

I will

marry no one but Princess Yong'an.

Yong'an

has been through

a lot of hardship.

I believe you know that.

How will you

treat her?

I swear to Your Majesty,

I will definitely hold Her Highness dear

and protect her from danger.

I will also dedicate myself to Liang State

to defend the country and serve its ruler.

Please take care of her

on my behalf.

Don't let her dwell on

the distressing past.

Go ahead

and prepare for your wedding.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

♪The slanting sunray refuses to leave♪

♪The moon is fading off♪

♪Frost on the sword, string of the bow♪

♪Bond people together♪

♪The wind heading north and the wild geese returning from the south♪

♪Who can meet again?♪

♪Looking at the mountains far away and seeing everything red♪

♪Immersed in the passing years♪

♪Back then, the road seemed ordinary♪

♪Yet now I am left wandering in this life♪

♪Faint memories of the past♪

♪All tell of parting sorrows♪

♪Back then, the road seemed ordinary♪

♪Amidst the wind, I suddenly look back♪

♪The face that feels so dear to me♪

♪Where are you now?♪

♪Back then, the road seemed ordinary♪

♪Looking back, it seems like a dream♪

♪Don't forget each other even if we're far apart♪

♪Don't waste time♪

♪Back then, the road seemed ordinary♪

♪Taste all the vicissitudes of life in a flash♪

♪Though nothing is permanent♪

♪I wish you well♪