Original subtitles

Your Highness, it's time for your medicine.

Your Highness?

Your Highness, it's time for your medicine.

Your Highness, wake up.

Your Highness!

Your Highness!

Somebody!

Somebody!

Somebody! Get help!

Somebody!

=Blossoms of Power=

(Adapted from the novel, After My Bloom, All Flowers Wither by Jin Huang)

=Episode 11=

Your Majesty,

Consort Liang died of blood stasis syndrome.

The illness progresses rapidly.

It can turn fatal within hours.

Your Majesty,

blood stasis syndrome can spread miasma.

We shouldn't stay here any longer.

Choose an auspicious day.

Lay her to rest in the imperial mausoleum with full honors.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Father.

I ask for your permission

to let me keep vigil at my mother's tomb.

Your mother came from a distant land.

You're the only child she left behind.

If she's watching from the afterlife,

she would not want to see you waste away like this.

Stay here

with your grandmother and me instead.

Thank you for your concern, Father,

but I have no other wish in life

than to fulfill my filial duty at Mother's tomb.

Please grant me this wish, Father.

I never would've expected this.

Mo Yuan was investigating Consort Liang's crimes,

and now she's suddenly dead.

I originally thought

she was taking revenge on me for her brother, Ye Qi.

But now that she's died so suddenly,

someone must've silenced her.

Your Highness, are you saying

this wasn't a coincidence?

Your Highness,

I'm back.

There's no one even in charge

of Consort Liang's Yilan Palace now.

It's complete chaos.

The Sixth Prince is rather strange, too.

You could say he's a devoted son,

but he didn't shed a single tear.

Yet you can't call him unfilial either,

since he volunteered to guard her tomb.

Was there anything unusual

before Consort Liang's sudden death?

Yes.

She was scratched by a cat.

She applied a certain hand balm.

I secretly brought some back.

This balm contains cold fern.

It smells sweet to humans,

but it drives cats and dogs into a frenzy.

Consort Liang was scratched

because she was wearing this balm.

Someone must've

coated the cat's claws with poison.

Your Highness, who do you suspect?

Noble Consort Rong.

She once ordered Lady Hu to harm you.

Noble Consort Rong and Consort Liang both have sons.

Naturally, they saw each other as rivals.

Everyone in this palace

hides behind layer upon layer of deception.

One careless mistake,

and you're finished.

It's impossible to guard against everyone.

Fortunately, you and the Crown Prince

have decided to stand together

through whatever comes.

I really should thank him for that.

Tian Yuan,

don't you think

there's something suspicious about Consort Liang's death?

Your Highness,

the imperial physician said it was blood stasis syndrome,

but I think

she was more likely poisoned.

There aren't many poisons that could fool the Imperial Medical Office.

It reminds me of the person who poisoned me.

You mean the person who killed Consort Liang

and the one who poisoned you

could be the same person?

Their methods are similar,

and both culprits are hidden deep within the palace.

That's exactly what I suspect.

There's something else strange, too.

That foreign merchant who sold the poison

seems to have vanished into thin air.

There's no trace of him anywhere.

Send all the clues related to Consort Liang

to Zhao Zhenghao,

Cui Jinbai, and Hua Fuhai as well.

Yes, Your Highness.

Speak.

I heard

Commandery Princess Zhaoning's brother, Shen Yun'an,

has asked permission to come to the capital.

He and the Duke of Wei

don't seem to approve of your marriage to Her Highness.

Good. Let him come.

Then he can see for himself

exactly what kind of man I am.

He's bound to like me.

Young Master will be arriving in the capital soon.

Everyone, be on your best behavior.

- Yes. - Yes.

Your Highness.

I haven't seen my brother in so long.

I wonder what his temper's like these days.

Your Highness,

you said it yourself.

Young Master's always been straightforward,

a true man of the northwest.

You've only been in the capital for a while.

His temper couldn't have changed that quickly.

That's true.

Zhen Zhu,

you know my brother's habits well.

Keep a close eye on them.

Don't worry, Your Highness.

Young Master has an old leg injury.

It flares up whenever he gets cold.

This quilt's too thin.

Bring a thicker one.

- Yes. - Yes.

Young Master likes to take big gulps of tea.

This cup's too small.

Bring out the jade tea set

with the evergreen pine design from the storeroom.

Young Master enjoys reading military texts.

Place those books on warfare

somewhere within easy reach in his room.

Three,

two,

one,

run!

Yun'an,

I won!

Your Highness.

Your Highness.

What's wrong?

I miss my brother a little.

Don't worry, Your Highness.

I'll take care of everything here.

Your Highness,

why don't you think about how to thank the Crown Prince?

His Highness seems to be quite fond of experimenting with pastries.

Every time you visit the East Palace,

he has snacks prepared in advance,

and they're never the same.

He must be quite the foodie.

He should eat something that's easy to digest.

I'll make him a bowl of delicate wontons.

You're thinking about Crown Prince more and more these days.

Your Highness, you helped me solve Consort Liang's case.

I didn't know how else to repay you.

You made these wontons yourself?

You're still in poor health.

Eating too much could upset your stomach,

so I only served you a small portion.

I never expected

I'd be lucky enough to taste your cooking.

(Auspicious Blessings)

They're tender and silky,

with a wonderful lingering flavor.

Whenever anyone else makes them,

I always find them too greasy.

But yours

are just right.

Three wasn't nearly enough.

I'll have the kitchen prepare the same filling.

Would you

make them for me again?

All right.

There's a legend in northwest.

Hundun was once a vicious ancient beast,

bloodthirsty and cruel, bringing suffering to the world

and leaving the people no peace.

It's said that eating wontons named after it

can ward off evil and misfortune,

and bring peace,

good fortune, and safety.

Thank you for such a thoughtful gesture.

Speaking of northwest,

Your Highness, what do you think

of the Northwest Army?

Why do you ask?

Some say

the Northwest Army is the pillar that keeps the realm secure.

Others say

the Duke of Wei holds enough power

to carve out a kingdom of his own,

so civil and military authority should be divided.

What do you think?

To govern the northwest,

you need a strong army to repel foreign enemies,

and sound governance to keep the rear secure.

Every one of those tasks

requires civil and military power to work as one.

If they're divided,

they'll only hold each other back,

and the northwest will never be stable.

You're a Crown Prince of great insight

and ambition.

When you take the throne,

Daxing will surely enjoy lasting peace and prosperity.

I'll remember

everything that matters to you.

Your family

will remain safe,

and the northwest

will know peace.

Can you promise me that?

I can.

But I don't trust anyone else,

nor will I place my family's lives

in someone else's hands.

What a coincidence.

Neither will I.

Then let's choose to trust ourselves.

If we succeed, it'll be because we were more capable,

and we'll have nothing to regret.

If we fail, it'll be because we were outmatched,

and we'll accept the consequences.

(Sixian Hall)

It's windy outside.

You needn't see me out, Your Highness.

Take care, Your Highness.

Xihe.

I can see colors now.

That's wonderful.

Congratulations, Your Highness.

Now that my eyes have healed,

are you

even a little happy for me?

(Sixian Hall)

(Shen Yun'an, Heir to the Duke of Wei)

Who is that young master?

He carries himself with such poise.

Young Master Shen.

(Duke of Wei's Manor)

He's here.

- Greetings, Young Master. - Greetings, Young Master.

Yun'an.

Let me get a good look at you.

My little sister's even prettier now.

And you've

gotten a little tanned.

You little tease.

Uncle Qing,

it's been a long time.

Greetings, Young Master.

Yun'an,

your room is ready.

Let's go inside and talk.

All right.

(Duke of Wei's Manor)

You've been in the capital for quite some time now.

Father's been worried sick about your marriage.

When the Anxi defense map went missing,

I heard Prince Lie used it to ask for your hand.

That left Father with a poor impression of him.

But I think

the fact that he risked execution for deceiving the emperor to help our family

proves how deeply he cares for you.

Yun'an,

Prince Lie isn't the man I want to marry.

Such a spirited young man,

willing to risk everything to protect you...

You truly don't have feelings for him?

Then, among all the princes,

who exactly have you chosen?

The Crown Prince.

Everyone knows he's been frail and sickly since childhood,

as fragile as a willow branch.

He's hardly an ideal husband.

Why him?

His character and temperament

are exactly what I admire.

And precisely because he's frail,

he won't try to dominate me.

Compared to a capable, forceful man,

I'd rather have a husband who's obedient and easy to handle.

That way, life will be much more peaceful.

So you've chosen him

because he's frail and easy to control?

Did someone hurt you?

If someone had,

do you think I'd still be sitting here safe and sound?

That wicked servant Ling Long

pushed you into the river on Xiao's orders.

Father and I were beside ourselves with worry.

We only felt relieved when we heard you were unharmed.

You faced such danger the moment you arrived.

After coming to the capital,

did all the scheming here frighten you so much

that now you only want security, not true love?

If that's the case,

you should return to northwest.

I'll stay in the capital and marry a princess.

No.

I know you want to protect me.

But if you marry a princess,

you'll have to surrender your military command.

You were born to be a great general.

The lives of tens of thousands in northwest depend on you.

You can't let your talent go to waste.

I only want you to live well

and be happy every day.

You've had a long, exhausting journey.

Get some rest first.

I'll go to the kitchen

and make a few of your favorite dishes.

Xihe.

You've changed.

You're not as timid as you used to be.

There's a spark in your eyes now

that I never saw back in northwest.

Could it really be because of the Crown Prince?

Of course. It's because I'm in love.

(East Palace)

Your Highness.

Please take a seat.

I grew this tea myself.

I hope it's to your liking, Young Master Shen.

A man should set his sights on greater things,

yet you have time to grow tea.

I'm a straightforward man,

so forgive me for asking,

but do you have consumption?

Seriously?

I only suffer from coughing and shortness of breath.

If I had consumption,

do you think

they'd still let me remain in the palace?

Though some time ago,

I did develop an eye condition.

Thankfully, Commandery Princess went to great lengths

to find treatment for me.

So you're not only frail,

but you had trouble with your eyes, too?

Don't worry, Young Master Shen.

Her Highness found a physician for me,

and I've recovered.

Here in the palace,

everyone else avoids me.

Only Her Highness

is willing to stay close to me.

She worried I'd be sensitive to the cold,

so she blended an incense to keep me warm.

She worried I had no appetite,

so she made me wontons.

She even comes to the East Palace often

to visit me.

Why aren't you eating?

Do you think my pastries

aren't any good?

Youyou has always been like this.

She can never turn her back on someone in need.

So Her Highness's childhood name

is Youyou.

We must be destined for each other.

My childhood name

is Luming.

How did I never know

His Highness had a childhood name?

As for whether you're destined for each other,

it's far too soon to say, Your Highness.

I believe persistence will be rewarded.

I'm in love with Youyou.

Your Highness,

you should call my sister Zhaoning.

Otherwise, your declaration of love may seem rather frivolous.

I've never been in love before.

All I know is

the moment I wake up,

I want to see her right away.

Even in my sleep,

I dream of her.

Whenever I see something wonderful,

I want to give it to her at once.

It's only been a month or two.

You couldn't have loved her so deeply.

Love begins before you even realize it,

and then grows deeper and deeper.

By the time I noticed,

it had taken root in my heart.

And what if my sister has no feelings for you?

I'd swear on my life

to protect her forever.

You'll have no regret or resentment

even if your love is unrequited?

It would only mean I hadn't done enough.

Even then, I'd have no regrets.

Darn it.

How could I have

let Xihe's childhood name slip?

Now he's using it to get close to her.

He's glib, shamelessly cheesy.

The more I look at him, the less trustworthy he seems.

My innocent little sister

must've been fooled by that handsome face.

No. I can't allow this.

(Prince Ding's Manor) Hurry up.

All right.

Go ahead.

Let me do it.

You?

Watch me.

That's beautifully written.

Bull's-eye!

- Good! - Good!

Is this how things are always done in the capital?

The chrysanthemums have merely bloomed,

yet they're holding such a lavish banquet

and inviting so many guests.

Prince Ding's chrysanthemum garden is quite famous.

They hold a viewing banquet every year.

- Greetings, Your Highness. - Your Highness.

Your Highness, you're here for the banquet, too?

Staying cooped up in the palace all day is terribly dull.

Changtai invited me,

so I came out for a change of scenery.

This entrance is reserved for the ladies.

The male guests enter over there.

Your Highness,

let's go in together.

With my health...

I've never really fit in with the other men.

I've always preferred spending time with the ladies.

You go ahead, Young Master Shen.

I'll go in with Her Highness.

Unless...

you'd rather go in with the ladies, too?

Then the three of us can go together.

No need.

After you, Your Highness.

Please wait, Commandery Princess Zhaoning.

(Gu Qingshu?)

Greetings, Your Highness.

Greetings, Commandery Princess Zhaoning.

County Princess Liyang,

how may we help you?

Your Highness,

my brother-in-law told me

that before my sister passed away,

she and Her Highness were close friends who exchanged letters.

My sister was quiet by nature

and rarely socialized with anyone.

I'm truly grateful to you

for being such a dear friend to her.

She's gone now.

There's no need to thank me, County Princess Liyang.

Your Highness,

it gets very windy in the capital this time of year.

I happen to have a hand warmer with me.

Please take it,

if you don't mind...

I've overstepped.

Zhaoning,

of course His Highness would take good care of you.

Let's go in together.

His Highness is rather particular about cleanliness.

He's not used to Her Highness using other people's things.

Please don't take offense, County Princess Liyang.

The Gu family's second daughter

isn't someone to be underestimated.

Look at this one.

It's beautiful.

This one's such a lovely color.

And it smells wonderful.

There are all sorts of people here today.

Be sure to watch everyone carefully.

Thank you for the warning, Your Highness.

Let's go look over there.

All right.

Take a look.

Xihe.

That's Prince Ding's Consort,

Li Yanhui.

Please take your seat first, Your Highness.

I'll be right back.

I'll wait for you.

Greetings, Your Highness.

Greetings, Your Highness.

Greetings, Your Highness.

Greetings, Your Highness.

A grown man,

openly mingling with the ladies,

grinning from ear to ear.

Has he no sense of propriety?

Young Master Shen.

Prince Lie.

Young Master.

I'm a straightforward man,

so I'll speak plainly.

When it came to choosing a husband for my sister,

Father and I originally favored you.

But after what happened with the defense map,

Father became somewhat displeased with you.

I acted rashly

and offended Her Highness.

I let both the Duke of Wei and you down.

You needn't dwell on it, Your Highness.

At court,

you risked your life for our family.

How could I not know your feelings are sincere?

You're brave and accomplished, Prince Lie.

You're far more impressive

than that sickly weakling.

I still think

you and my sister

are the best match.

I haven't won Her Highness's heart.

That only means I haven't done nearly enough.

Don't worry, Your Highness.

As long as Xihe agrees,

Father will never stand in your way.

If you still wish to marry her,

I...

Her Highness is the only lady I love.

My resolve to marry her

is unshakable.

Good.

Let's have another drink.

All right.

Try this one.

It's quite good.

Come on, have another drink.

It really is good.

Greetings, Princess Ding.

(Li Yanhui, Princess Ding)

There's no need to stand on ceremony with me.

I'm not one of your empire's noble ladies.

I've no patience for all your rules and etiquette.

Commandery Princess Zhaoning is of noble birth.

His Majesty is personally choosing a husband for her.

What other lady could receive such an honor?

Princess Ding,

why are you treating her this way?

You've only just gone from death-row prisoner to titled lady,

and already you're rushing to curry favor with everyone?

The Gu family produced a daughter

as proud and unyielding as Gu Qingzhi.

How did they end up raising a spineless sycophant like you?

You disrespected Commandery Princess Zhaoning first,

and now you're mocking me in public.

Li Yanhui,

you don't still think you're a princess, do you?

Nanzhou has fallen.

If it weren't for His Majesty's arranged marriage,

and Prince Ding agreed to take you as his wife,

do you think you would have survived?

I told you,

be careful.

Prince Lie,

did you see how Crown Prince moved just now?

Wasn't he supposed to have no martial arts skills?

What's going on?

Make way.

(Xiao Changtai, Fourth Prince, Prince Ding)

Greetings, Your Highness.

I'm sorry you were frightened just now, Your Highness.

I failed to look after my guests properly.

Please forgive me.

Yanyan.

County Princess Liyang

is the lady Father intends for Changqing.

Your family's affairs are none of my concern.

She started this,

so I've no reason to let her off.

If I don't

carve a mark across her face today

and let her taste the consequences,

she'll dare to do worse in the future!

I'm a lady personally ennobled by His Majesty!

So what?

Enough.

Yanyan,

calm down.

You're trying to stop me?

It's only a face.

Is it really that important?

It's just one cut.

It won't kill anyone.

Yanyan!

Your Highness,

why are you doing this?

You used me to provoke Princess Ding

and cause trouble.

If I had been cut by these porcelain shards,

would that have been what you wanted?

It was only an accident.

I may be of low status,

but I won't let you

humiliate me like this.

Humiliate you?

I merely told the truth.

And you call that humiliation?

It seems you don't know

what true humiliation feels like.

Mo Yu.

Your Highness,

you're the highest-ranking person here.

You saw everything that happened today.

Please judge this matter

and clear my name.

Commandery Princess Zhaoning is

gentle and sweet by nature.

After what happened today,

she must've been terribly frightened.

You're all well-bred young ladies,

so please look out for her.

Don't let anyone with ill intentions get near her

and frighten her again.

They have your favorite peach blossom drink.

Let's go have some to calm your nerves.

Your Highness,

my sister's usually not like this.

Whenever she's with Huayong,

she's always so free-spirited.

So this is what you people in the capital

call free-spirited?

Your Highness.

How are you feeling?

Any better?

Brother-in-law,

I don't even know

how I offended Commandery Princess Zhaoning.

She was utterly ruthless.

With the Crown Prince taking her side, she fears nothing.

Commandery Princess Zhaoning is as broad-minded as any man.

She'd never hold a grudge over something trivial.

What exactly did you do?

Brother-in-law,

I'm your sister-in-law,

yet you're taking Shen Xihe's side?

After what she did to me,

aren't you going to stand up for me?

From now on,

stay away from Commandery Princess Zhaoning.

Saving you

was the last thing I could do

for your sister and the Gu family.

If you think that gives you

the freedom to do as you please,

don't blame me for showing no mercy.

Your Majesty, please bestow upon him his courtesy name.

Now that the rites are complete,

on this auspicious day,

I hereby bestow upon you

the courtesy name Beichen.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

"To govern by virtue is like the North Star,

steadfast in its place while all the other stars revolve around it."

His Majesty has clearly decided

to pass the throne to the Crown Prince.

Rise.

Trying to pledge your allegiance now

is a little premature.

Huayong,

the ceremony is over.

You should return to the East Palace and get some rest.

I still need to pay my respects to our brothers.

I appreciate the thought,

but...

given your health,

you may skip

these formalities.

Minister of Rites.

Now that the coming-of-age ceremony is complete,

tomorrow, all the civil and military officials,

along with the imperial princes and royal kinsmen,

shall gather at Qinzheng Hall

to perform the fourfold ceremonial bow before the Crown Prince.

Xihe,

I'm going to see Grandfather.

Ladies weren't supposed to attend

Crown Prince's coming-of-age ceremony.

His Majesty gave his permission.

By attending his coming-of-age ceremony,

you've made your relationship known to everyone.

You're leaving yourself no way out?

Do you really think

I'm the kind of woman who changes her affections on a whim?

My feelings for the Crown Prince

will never change.

He could barely make it through his coming-of-age ceremony.

His health...

I know exactly

what kind of condition the Crown Prince is in.

You have to let her go.

No matter how hard it is.

You want me to let go,

yet you yourself are obsessed with her.

I can't stand by and watch her

marry someone else.

Including you.

I won't try to talk you out of it anymore,

and you don't need to talk me out of it either.

Even if we are brothers,

I won't give up the lady I love.

The Crown Prince isn't just frail.

He's smooth-talking, too.

He's hardly an ideal husband.

I can't stop worrying.

Will you please think it over again?

The men in northwest are too rough,

and the men in the capital are all smooth talkers.

According to you, none of them is any good.

Fine then.

Just take me back to northwest.

I'll never marry anyone.

You've never spoken to me like this before.

See?

You're taking Crown Prince's side.

How has Father been these days?

Ever since you left,

he's carried around

the jade ring you used to play with as a child.

When he heard His Majesty and Empress Dowager were choosing a husband for you,

he started preparing.

He brought out the grape wine he'd been aging for twelve years.

As for your dowry,

he prepared 300 cartloads.

He also reclaimed 100 qing of military farmland

along the Shule River.

He said

that when you finally marry,

the sound of the golden wheat swaying in the wind

would be the finest wedding music

a father could offer his daughter.

He also said

that guarding northwest

is our duty,

the greatest dowry we can give you,

and your strongest protection

and greatest support here in the palace.

There's no one else

in this world

who loves his daughter as much as Father does.

Xihe,

all we've ever wanted is for you to live a carefree life

and find someone to grow old with.

But Crown Prince...

I know.

Yun'an,

I'm all grown up now.

I know how to make my own choices

and what I need to do.

Xihe,

you really have changed.

It's because heaven has blessed me,

and because I have a father and brother

who love me so much,

that's why I can walk the path I choose.

So please don't worry about me.

Whatever I choose for myself,

no matter what happens in the future,

I will have no regrets.

By the way,

Yun'an,

I'm going to Fahua Temple tomorrow to pray.

I'll go with you.

I've made plans with Young Master Bu.

Don't worry.

That playboy?

You've gotten awfully close to him.

Don't tell me he's another one of your suitors.

He's my best friend.

(I, Shen Xihe, pray for peace in northwest.)

(May the people be safe, and my family protected.)

(And after marriage,)

(may I walk hand in hand with the Crown Prince,)

(and may we live our remaining years without regret.)

Your Highness!

Xihe!

I'm fine.

Your Highness,

the wheel has broken.

It'll take some time to repair it.

Your Highness!

An Embroidered Envoy?

So you're the coward who shot that arrow from the shadows.

Talk.

Who sent you?

Looks like I went too easy on you last time.

You clearly haven't learned your lesson.

(Qing) These are among

the few remaining paintings my wife left behind.

♪A wall that collapses at a single push♪

All burned.

I did it so that you wouldn't cling to any lingering hopes.

(Qing) Lest you do something outrageous again.

It's been so long.

♪I've hidden so many words♪

♪Too reluctant to tell you♪

♪So never uncover♪

♪The sand that slips away with one grasp♪

♪The flower that withers after one bloom♪

♪Silently buried deep inside my heart♪

♪Every answer I gave♪

♪Was both bittersweet and absurd♪

♪Hiding my tear-filled eyes when I hurt you♪

♪How hard it truly was?♪

♪The wounds that healed with just a little comfort♪

♪The lies made whole with a single embrace♪

♪Pretending to be brave as if I'd never been hurt♪

♪It's a shame I never could♪

♪Give you a moon in return♪

♪With the same open heart you loved me♪

♪I've crossed the wasteland of memories♪

♪Never knowing I was lost♪

♪Why don't you take me away?♪

♪Lead me out of this endless game of hide-and-seek♪

♪You'll never♪

♪Know how much I long to, long to♪

(No animals were harmed in the making of this film)