Original subtitles

The Scholar and the Emperor

This smell...

is exactly the same as twenty years ago.

Ling Yunfei.

Are you going to talk or not?

I, Ling Yunfei,

hate informers more than anything.

Execute him.

-Kill him! -Kill him!

-Good! -Good!

Good riddance!

The traitor has been executed.

Let's report back to His Majesty.

Meng Tinghui fulfilled her military pledge on time

and destroyed the Tiger's Roar Gang.

She has not disappointed me.

As for the rest,

proceed as you proposed.

I obey.

Shen Zhishu.

At your service.

In capturing the Tiger's Roar Gang

and investigating the Blood Moon Society, you rendered repeated service.

I hereby promote you to fourth-rank Censor.

You will take charge of the Blood Moon Society case.

I also grant you a frontier mobilization order

to reinforce Qingzhou.

If you find proof of treason,

you may execute first and report afterward.

I thank Your Majesty for this great favor.

I will devote myself completely

and not fail Your Majesty.

Rise.

Your Majesty, I have completed my investigation.

The Blood Moon Society, founded by Zhongwan loyalists,

has operated under the cover of Huiyin House

and lain hidden in the capital for years,

drawing many high officials and nobles to its side.

Its ambition to restore Zhongwan is plain.

We are now pursuing its remaining members.

Your Majesty.

I once campaigned against Zhongwan with the late Emperor.

I beg Your Majesty

to let me lead elite troops

and eradicate the remnants of Zhongwan.

At my age,

if I can die in battle serving Your Majesty,

I will have no regrets.

Blindly suppressing them by force

will only deepen the hatred.

Besides, Qingzhou's northern border adjoins Beijian.

If that sparks both internal and external unrest,

the people will be the ones who suffer.

Your Majesty sees far ahead.

According to my investigation,

the Beijian royal court once proposed

jointly mining Wanshan iron ore near Qingzhou's border.

If Beijian joins forces with the Blood Moon Society,

the consequences could be grave.

Your Majesty.

I have a plan.

It requires no large military campaign

and could eliminate the foreign threat.

Your Majesty.

Beijian has sent a marriage proposal.

They wish to send their Divine Maiden for an alliance.

The Divine Maiden of Beijian understands the stars

and can even divine a nation's fortunes.

Her status is exalted.

If this marriage takes place,

relations between our two states will be secured.

Then even if the Blood Moon Society harbors ambition,

it cannot use Beijian to stir up trouble.

Absurd!

The Empress's seat in Daning

cannot be occupied by a foreign woman.

Beijian masses troops at our border

while sending envoys to propose marriage.

Is that sincerity or a threat?

Your Majesty.

If a marriage alliance buys ten years of peace on the border,

it is not a bad strategy.

Daning and Beijian already have a trade treaty.

Why seek peace through marriage as well?

Peace between nations

rests on strength.

Your Majesty is absolutely right.

When the Emperor of Daning appoints an Empress,

the court ministers must make nominations.

The Empress's seat has remained vacant too long,

which has invited Beijian's designs.

I beg Your Majesty

to appoint an Empress as soon as possible

and end those barbarians' delusions.

Beijian's ruler has already sent envoys to seek a marriage.

If we mishandle this,

it may bring trouble to the border.

My two ministers, enough arguing.

I will consider the matter carefully.

Meng Tinghui.

About the memorial you just submitted,

I still have one comment.

Take a look

and see if anything is unclear.

Regarding the marriage alliance,

Beijian may be willing, but I am not.

There is only one person in my heart—you.

Your Majesty.

I understand.

-Your Majesty... -Enough.

All of you may withdraw.

Meng Tinghui, you stay.

-I take my leave. -I take my leave.

-About just now... -Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

This old servant has an urgent matter to report.

What is it?

Your Majesty has been on the throne for three years

and is still unmarried.

Appointing an Empress and consorts

is a matter of state and the foundation of the realm.

Your Majesty, if you do not want this marriage alliance,

I can select several more

noble ladies of both beauty and talent...

Are you trying to make me run away from the palace?

I would never dare.

Leave.

I'll withdraw at once.

Were you angry just now?

Jealous, perhaps?

Of course not.

Your Majesty is ruler of the realm.

If I grew jealous of every woman you met,

I fear I would overstep my place.

You are overstepping.

But I like it.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

What are you afraid of?

The courage you had that day in Wangxian Valley—

where did it go?

Your Majesty.

Please restrain yourself.

Zhili.

I'm going to Qingzhou on an imperial assignment,

not being exiled to the far north.

If you pack this much for me,

won't people laugh at me?

Qingzhou is bitterly cold.

Frost in the sixth month is nothing unusual.

Brother.

You always care more about appearances than warmth.

But this trip is for serious business.

Forget looking elegant for once.

Taking care of yourself matters most.

You've thought of everything.

You're starting to sound like my older sister.

Fine by me.

Then call me Sister from now on.

No, thanks. Anian is your one good little brother.

I wouldn't dare compete with him.

Don't take anything else out.

I'll see how Father's meal is coming along.

I'll call you when it's ready.

Brother.

Let your little brother say one more thing.

The border is nothing like the capital.

You'll be out there alone.

Open attacks are easy to dodge; hidden ones are not.

So

I prepared this especially for you.

You must wear it at all times.

Fine. Put it in for me.

I know you too well.

You agree readily to my face,

then forget the moment you turn around.

Today,

I'm putting it on you myself.

Mind your manners.

I'm already spoken for.

I have to preserve my virtue for Fuzhi.

Fine.

Spoken for, preserving your virtue.

I'll leave it right here.

Anian.

Before I leave,

there are some things I need to tell you.

I don't know when I'll return.

What worries me most

is this family.

Father and Mother are getting old.

Zhili is still unmarried.

You must take good care of them for me,

especially Zhili.

Don't worry, Brother.

I'll protect her.

Protection alone isn't enough.

Those feelings you have for Zhili...

I noticed them long ago.

I...

You don't need to hide anything from me.

Zhili grew up with you from childhood.

The way she cares about you

even exceeds how she cares for me, her own brother.

I can see that too.

You brat, you're no innocent.

You set your sights on our Zhili long ago.

But

if I entrust Zhili to you,

I can rest easy.

I have told her how I feel.

But in her heart...

Don't worry.

Whatever there is between her and the Right Chancellor

is no more than a student's

admiration and respect for her teacher.

It is not romantic love.

Even you know about this?

There are some things

I wanted to tell her myself.

But somehow,

between brother and sister,

some subjects are hard to bring up.

While I'm away,

you must keep an eye on her for me.

Don't let the Right Chancellor mislead her

and lead her astray.

Because of the Right Chancellor,

we've had many arguments.

Even now...

she keeps avoiding me.

You, of all people,

are carefree and unrestrained all day,

yet around Zhili you're always so cautious.

You value her too much,

so you overthink every move.

When it comes to love,

you need a little reckless courage.

Otherwise, once you miss your chance,

you may regret it for life.

Besides,

you're young and in your prime,

with a bright future ahead.

How are you inferior to the Right Chancellor?

Even if we take the worst-case view,

you're more than twenty years younger than he is.

As for my future brother-in-law,

you're the only one I'll accept.

I understand.

When it comes to Zhili,

I won't yield even an inch.

That must be Father's...

sweet-and-sour ribs.

-Let's go. -Let's go.

Stop pushing me.

His Majesty has permitted Bofeng Tavern to reopen.

Fine dishes await every guest.

All wine is half price.

-Please come in! -Please come in!

Sir, right this way.

The Blood Moon Society operates in secrecy.

On this trip,

you must be extremely careful.

If anything unusual happens,

send word back immediately.

I have the imperial order with me.

Your Majesty needn't worry.

Director Meng even made pastries herself to see me off.

I'm truly moved by such affection.

Who said they were made for you?

Director Meng and I were chatting last night

and mentioned this thousand-layer cake.

Last night?

I entered the palace last night

to report my itinerary to Your Majesty.

I never saw Director Meng there.

Lord Shen,

isn't Fuzhi here to see you off?

Zhizhi.

I brought some loose silver and banknotes.

-Zhizhi. -And withdrawal seals for Yan banks.

Zhizhi, you're far too good to me.

We'll have a long, tiring journey.

We can't exactly make ourselves suffer, can we?

We?

Zhizhi.

I'm going this time on official business.

What a coincidence, then.

His Majesty has allowed Bofeng Tavern to reopen.

Merchants from every prefecture have sent calling cards.

The head of the Qingzhou Merchants' Guild sent three.

I have to inspect things there in person.

Zhizhi.

I'm going on a confidential mission.

You can use visiting relatives as a pretext

and travel with Miss Yan.

it will help conceal your movements.

-Wonderful! -Wonderful!

Zhizhi, let's switch to a roomier carriage.

We'll line it with snow-fox blankets.

and bring your favorite pastries.

Zhizhi, you're so thoughtful.

Zhizhi, you're still the best.

No, no. You're much better.

No, you are.

What are you two doing?

What are you doing?

I'm returning to the palace now.

I can see you part of the way. Let's go.

I also need to return to the Office on business.

-Let's go. -Wait.

The palace and the Office

are in opposite directions...

Zhizhi, let's go.

Don't forget your big sword.

Mengmeng, take care of yourself while I'm gone.

And remember to write to me.

Zhizhi, when I return, I'll follow every formal betrothal rite

and come to your home to ask for your hand myself.

At the execution ground that day,

Gu Qin looked uneasy.

He must have something to hide.

Today, I want to see

whether that cat's-eye pendant is really here.

Madam Chancellor,

we're only trying to uncover the truth.

If your spirit can hear us,

please haunt the true murderer and claim his life.

Spirits above and spirits below,

ancestors, protect us.

Let this coffin open without trouble.

Madam Chancellor,

forgive us.

Spirits above...

We'll run out of time if we delay.

Forgive us...

Someone's coming, my lord.

Just one last step. Hurry and search.

Quickly.

Chancellor, this...

Starting tomorrow,

send more monks to chant sutras for Madam.

They are to chant around the clock

so no wandering spirits

disturb her.

Yes.

Your Majesty.

The Right Chancellor claimed his cat's-eye pendant was buried with his late wife.

But Yin Qing and I opened the coffin to inspect it

and found no trace of it.

More suspicious still,

he sent men to check the grave that very night.

That proves he has something to hide.

The Right Chancellor's act of being a devoted husband

is quite convincing.

But even if we expose his lie now,

we still have no hard evidence.

He was the hidden protector behind Ling Yunfei.

We still cannot touch him.

I considered that too.

If I confront him,

he can simply claim the cat's-eye pendant

was stolen by grave robbers.

Then we still couldn't do anything to him.

I want to use purging corruption from court as our pretext.

On the surface, we'll investigate all officials.

In truth, we'll focus on clues tied to the Right Chancellor.

What I want

is not merely to expose one lie,

but to make sure that in this court,

no one dares deceive the Emperor again.

Your Majesty is killing two birds with one stone.

What happened to your hand?

I may have knocked it while opening the coffin.

It's nothing.

Is the Light Cavalry I assigned you merely for show?

For something like entering a tomb and opening a coffin,

only Yin Qing was suitable to accompany me.

Why mobilize the Light Cavalry?

I'll apply medicine for you.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

What is it?

I saw you staying up late reading again.

Your health has been poor.

I'm truly worried about Your Majesty's health.

So I specially prepared

a bowl of restorative tonic for you.

Your Majesty, what is it now?

I've been staying up late reading these past few days,

and my health is indeed suffering.

I really do need that restorative tonic of yours.

Your Majesty.

Staying up late to read

will harm Your Majesty's health.

After drinking the tonic

I prepared especially for you,

please retire early.

You may withdraw.

I take my leave.

Has he gone?

Lord Meng is usually so bold.

Why so timid now?

The moment I hear Chief Steward You's voice,

I panic for no reason.

Just now, Your Majesty

was no different from me.

I rarely see you like this.

You're laughing, Your Majesty?

I've just dug up a grave and opened a coffin,

and now I'm hiding behind books.

We hide our private affairs

and conceal our official ones.

Being with Your Majesty

compared with investigating corrupt officials,

is even more nerve-racking.

You may be afraid,

but I like it.

Director Meng.

We found plenty.

Guess what happened.

Deputy Director Yin looks delighted.

You must have found quite a lot.

Let's hear it.

Vice Minister of Revenue Li Xin embezzled funds.

He put all his ill-gotten wealth in his wife's hands.

But behind his back,

she kept several young lovers.

I'll surrender this mansion, the only property I acquired illegally,

to the Office immediately.

As you can see, the place is empty.

I haven't hidden a single coin of the stolen money.

Lord Yin, surely you can see...

-Husband! -You wretch!

-Husband! -You used my money

to keep these beasts!

Lord Li, this has nothing to do with me!

-It has nothing to do with me! -You dared become her kept man?

There's more.

The wife of Director Zhang from the Ministry of Justice

filed a formal complaint with the Office.

Her husband keeps twelve mistresses.

Apparently, more than half of them

are women from Wanxiang House,

sent by Liu Ruyan to serve Director Zhang.

They only care about his money, not the man,

and get along like real sisters.

As long as there's enough money,

there's no need to fight over him.

Then there's Hanlin Compiler Chen Jingyi.

She's educated, courteous and gentle,

and highly regarded by the senior Secretariat officials.

How could she be involved in such a scandal?

I'm nearly seventy.

How could I do anything so vile?

This is outrageous!

Don't be afraid.

If you don't speak up now, you may never get another chance.

Don't be afraid. Speak up.

It was you.

You used your position to make indecent advances toward me.

Then you threatened my career

to force me into silence,

saying you'd make sure I had no place in the capital.

I believe among all of you

there must be others like me

female officials who have suffered at Academician Jiang's hands.

Will you stand with me?

If everyone stays silent,

we allow this kind of

sanctimonious predator to walk free.

Then

more women will suffer in the future.

As female officials,

our path is difficult enough already.

We cannot let this vile conduct spread unchecked.

It was you.

You abused your position to make indecent advances toward me.

Yes, you.

You did it to me too.

You violated me too.

Take him away.

Why are you arresting me?

-Move. -Why are you arresting me?

We also discovered

the Ministry of Personnel has been selling offices.

For now, however,

it appears to be the secret work of lower-ranking officials

and has not yet implicated senior ministers.

All Personnel Ministry officials involved in selling posts

are suspended immediately pending investigation.

Take them away.

-What's going on? -Ah...

Move.

-Move! Hurry! -Why are you arresting me?

So far, we've only caught a few small fry.

The big fish behind Ling Yunfei

is still lurking beneath the surface.

We need to stir up this entire pond

until it's completely turned upside down.

Only in muddy water...

can we catch the fish.

I, Vice Minister of Works Pan Wenhai,

on behalf of the assembled ministers,

impeach Meng Tinghui of the Office for exceeding her authority

and prying deeply into the private affairs of senior court officials,

causing outrage throughout the court

and widespread fear.

It is rare to see all my ministers so united.

I am greatly pleased.

If the Office has truly acted so outrageously,

you may report its misconduct directly.

Expose any corruption

or abuse of law committed there.

I will show no leniency.

Do any of you have anything else to report?

My lords, don't be in such a hurry to leave.

The tea at the Office is getting cold.

Please.

We haven't broken any laws.

How can you detain us at will?

-Exactly. -Right.

What gives you the right to arrest us?

Because you fabricated accusations

and maliciously impeached the Office.

I can therefore detain you

for twelve hours on charges of false accusation.

-Take them away. -Yes.

-Your Majesty! -Your Majesty!

Your Majesty, please see the truth!

Your Majesty!

Meng Tinghui twists right and wrong

and frames loyal officials!

-Your Majesty! -Move.

Quickly.

Meng Tinghui!

What right have you to detain us here?

-Exactly! -Yes, why?

Why are you holding us here?

Witch!

Unless you kill me,

I'll submit a memorial every day

to impeach a treacherous official like you!

-Exactly! -Yes!

You are the Daji of this court,

a curse without end!

The court's Daji, a curse without end!

A curse without end!

-Witch! -Get out of the court!

I refuse to serve alongside you.

I merely invited all you ministers

to the Office for a cup of tea.

Why get so worked up?

We will never drink tea served by

a treacherous official like you!

-Exactly! -Right!

We won't drink your tea!

Witch, get out of the court!

During last autumn's provincial examination,

Academician Lin accepted bribes from candidates

and altered thirteen exam papers.

Three of those candidates

could barely write a coherent sentence,

while true scholars who studied for ten years failed.

One even coughed blood and collapsed on the spot.

Send him to the Court of Judicial Review

for punishment according to law.

Meng Tinghui!

You... you're using public office for a private vendetta!

Yin Qing.

-I demand to see His Majesty! -Director Meng.

-Meng Tinghui! -During the heavy rains early this year,

Minister of Works Pan Wenhai

used repairs to the river dikes as a pretext

to embezzle nearly 100,000 taels of disaster-relief funds.

Six downstream villages were destroyed,

with countless people killed or injured.

Yet only three days after the disaster,

he purchased a thousand mu of prime farmland.

-A thou... -A thousand mu?

Nonsense!

-Utter lies! -Here is the evidence of his embezzlement.

You...

You even dared steal disaster-relief money?

Send him and the evidence to the Ministry of Justice.

Remember to remind the Minister

that under the Laws of Daning, this case carries the highest penalty.

I've been framed!

Nonsense!

Utter nonsense!

Lord Pan.

Next.

Meng Tinghui!

You abuse public office for private ends

and attack anyone outside your faction.

His Majesty must have lost his senses

to place such favor in you alone!

-Exactly! -Exactly!

-Witch! -Why?

Silence!

His Majesty's decisions

are not yours to criticize.

The Right Chancellor himself honors the Office with a visit.

Forgive us for not welcoming you sooner.

I hope you'll pardon us.

Everyone says the Office serves terrible tea.

I thought I'd come taste it myself.

Director Meng.

Would you spare me a cup?

Right Chancellor.

Please.

The Office has recently been purging corruption.

As head of the civil officials,

and one whom the realm flatters as a virtuous chancellor,

I should naturally set an example for the court

and cooperate willingly with your investigation.

Right Chancellor.

I heard Pan Wenhai and Academician Lin

were both your students.

Director Meng, mind your words.

We are all servants of the court.

We receive the sovereign's salary and must serve him faithfully.

Even if close followers or old friends break the law,

I will never shield them.

The Right Chancellor is truly principled.

Speaking of close followers and old ties,

does the Gu family have any collateral branches?

I was born into a humble family.

I am the Gu family's only male heir

and the one who restored its standing.

Director Meng may investigate as she pleases.

I only ask that you enforce the law impartially,

neither framing the innocent nor sparing the guilty.

I am willing to let Director Meng's investigation

prove my loyalty and integrity.

Right Chancellor,

are you truly not worried about what we may uncover?

I have always conducted myself uprightly.

I fear no investigation.

These are the account books for my salary over the years.

Please examine them as you wish.

Since the Right Chancellor is so open,

you must surely be beyond suspicion.

so there's no need to investigate further.

The Right Chancellor once helped advance my career.

I have complete faith that he is

honest and incorruptible.

Come.

Who says the Office's tea is bad?

I find it quite delicious.

My lords, remain calm.

Come and taste the tea with me.

We are all colleagues.

We should fully cooperate with Director Meng.

-Yes. -Yes.

That Meng Tinghui is like a rabid dog.

She's thrown all Six Ministries into chaos.

Pan Wenhai and Academician Lin

are already panicking.

If she keeps digging like this, then...

Since Meng Tinghui wants to purge the court,

I should naturally cooperate.

Perhaps...

we should give her a few heads.

My lord.

They have been utterly loyal to you.

If the fishing net is cast too tightly,

you must let a few small fish slip through.

Lord Pan

is especially fond of buying land and estates, isn't he?

Have someone leak that to Meng Tinghui.

How much she manages to uncover

will depend on her ability.

Right Chancellor, when it comes to the Office's work,

you have given us such strong support.

I am deeply grateful.

In that case,

I won't impose any longer.

Director Meng, if you encounter any difficulty,

send someone to my residence at any time.

Director Meng, I'll see my teacher out.

Director.

The Right Chancellor clearly came prepared.

How should we respond?

The more he puts on this performance,

the more guilty he looks.

Since he wants to stage this play,

we may as well play along.

Gather and organize

every case file concerning the Right Chancellor.

That old fox

wants to use me to hold up a mirror of virtue.

I'd like to see

whether that mirror reveals the truth

or the blood staining his hands.

The Blood Moon hangs high.

The Black Bird returns.

The Blood Moon hangs high.

The Black Bird returns.

A secret letter from Mr. Shangguan.

Although we failed to take Ying Gua's life this time,

the Princess is now highly valued

and risen swiftly through the ranks.

May Heaven bless Zhongwan.

May we reclaim our homeland.

That dog Emperor seems unwilling to form a marriage alliance with Beijian.

Our Black Feather Guard has successfully intercepted

thirty thousand shi of Daning military grain.

Heaven has handed us the perfect opportunity.

In three days, I will go to Beijian myself

to forge an alliance.

Where the Blood Moon and Black Feather blades point,

Daning's realm will tremble.

May Heaven bless Zhongwan.

May we reclaim our homeland.

May Heaven bless Zhongwan.

May we reclaim our homeland.

Yao'er, come catch me!

Come on! Come on!

Yao'er, come catch me!

Brother Shangguan!

Brother Shangguan!

Brother Shangguan!

Brother Shangguan!

Brother Shangguan!

Where did you go?

Brother Shangguan!

Brother Shangguan!

Brother Shangguan!

Brother Shangguan!

Brother Shangguan!

Brother Shangguan!

Brother Shangguan!

Leyan.

Teacher, I've finished the painting.

The brushwork is exquisite.

But...

it lacks a soul.

Spring Comes Late.

Last night brought tidings of spring.

My heart rejoiced in secret,

and quietly sent its springtime longing.

Only spring knows spring's secrets.

Is this Spring Comes Late?

Since Lingyi died,

every day has felt

like walking on thin ice.

The winter has been long,

and spring seemed impossibly far away.

But that day,

when I laid down the dagger before you,

I suddenly realized

the dead are gone,

and the living must live for themselves.

Leyan.

You gave me another chance at life.

From now on,

I want to live for myself once more.

I'm so glad you can think this way, Teacher.

Some time ago,

I saw how deeply you were grieving,

yet you still helped Director Meng purge corruption.

While I admired you,

I worried about you day and night.

So I painted this spring scene

and wanted to give it to you.

Leyan.

All of this is because of you.

Only when I'm by your side

can I truly be myself.

I know teacher and student must observe proper boundaries.

The road ahead will be full of obstacles.

But if I remain steadfast...

Leyan.

Would you be willing, for my sake,

to be brave just once?