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[Kill My Sins]
[This is a work of fiction]

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[Years ago]
Fire!

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Put it out quickly!

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The case files...

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The case files are burning!

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Help put the fire out!

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The case files!

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Save the files!

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Hurry!

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[Episode 9]

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[Braving the Wind and Snow.
All for Some Fleeting Fame]

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Wu Ankang, Grand General
of the Left Imperial Guard,

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has long safeguarded the frontier,

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[Wu Ankang, Grand General]
repelling countless incursions

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from the northern
and western barbarians,

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standing as a steadfast protector
of the realm.

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[Wu]
His hard work speaks volumes.

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In the second year of Shengxi,

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when the Shuodan forces
invaded our borders,

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[Dingding Gate]
General Wu led his army into battle,

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crushing the enemy in Mobei

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with overwhelming force

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and securing a decisive victory
in the Battle of Jinyuan.

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Now, as he returns in triumph,

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Her Majesty bestows upon him
the Azure Dragon Golden Mace

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and the Golden Radiant Armor.

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The Kangping Mansion is granted
a thousand liang of silver

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and five hundred pi of silk.

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Every soldier under his command
shall receive five pi of silk

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and ten thousand copper coins.

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Thus the imperial decree.

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Thank you, Your Majesty.

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General Wu,

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we convene today
to discuss state affairs.

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If you have any sound strategies,

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do not hesitate to share them.

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Yes, Your Majesty.

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Ministers, is there any matter
that requires my attention?

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I have an important issue
to bring to Your Majesty's attention.

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Go ahead.

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The Longmen Battle is a brutal show

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where lowborns kill each other
for the amusement of the spectators.

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For the sake of a mere document
freeing them from their lowly status,

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brothers turn against each other,

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families are torn apart,

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and countless lives are lost.

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Your Majesty, I earnestly implore you

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to issue a decree
to shut down Longmen Arena

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and abolish this inhumane practice.

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What baseless fearmongering!

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Longmen Arena

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has granted many lowborn individuals

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the chance to break free
from their status,

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and change their fate.

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This is clearly

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[Lu Qi, Minister of Works]
an act of great benevolence and grace,

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yet you slander it so.

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If I recall correctly,

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Mr. Yuan himself elevated his status

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through the Longmen Battle.

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What?

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You've benefited
from this policy yourself,

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but now you want to abolish it

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and prevent others
from having the same opportunity?

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[Zhang Quan, Minister of Justice]

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The Longmen Battle was personally
approved by Ruler Wen,

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yet Mr. Yuan branded it as flawed.

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Is he implying
that Ruler Wen is unjust?

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Such remarks by Mr. Yuan
betray malicious intent

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and cannot be overlooked!

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That is an unfair argument.

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The Longmen Battle was intended

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to provide the lowborn

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with a chance to change their fate.

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But it was limited

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to wrestling matches

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that avoided serious injury.

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[Xian Guangping]
Yet over time,

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[General of Left Yulin Royal Guard]
some have turned it

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into a bloodstained gambling den
where human lives are discarded at will.

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Mr. Yuan's claims are factual,

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yet you keep tying this matter
to Ruler Wen.

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Should we not question

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your intent behind such statements?

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How could this kind of contest

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be held without any injuries?

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Some with ulterior motives

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exaggerate the facts

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and now seek
to ruin a well-intended policy.

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Is that not laughable?

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Mr. Mei,

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what is your opinion?

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Each reign has its own ruler

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and its own system of governance.

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[Mei Bowen, Left Chancellor]
Since this policy

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has not yet been enshrined in law,

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whether it is altered or maintained

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is entirely up to Your Majesty.

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Previously, Minister Lu
and Minister Zhang

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often had significant disagreements.

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Today, however,

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they are in rare agreement.

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A chance to change their fate.

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I think what you've said is spot on.

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Does anyone else share the same view?

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- I do.
- I do.

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Someone,

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bring it up.

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Since this policy

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is so great,

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I will put it to the test myself.

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You two,

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in front of the ministers,

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will fight here

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in this cage.

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The winner

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will be awarded

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the position of Right Chancellor.

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How does that sound?

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- Your Majesty, please calm your anger.
- Your Majesty, please calm your anger.

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Why all the fuss about Yanqing Lane
being ominous?

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Why are so many of you
asking me not to go?

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What are you really afraid of?

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Minister Cui,

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did you enjoy

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the Longmen Battle yesterday?

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[Cui Yi, Vice Minister of Justice]

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Back in the day,

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there were those who deceived

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both their superiors
and their subordinates.

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Now,

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some still dare to use Ruler Wen's name
to justify their actions.

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All beings deserve to be treated
with compassion.

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Despite the gruesome nature
of the bloodshed,

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many noblemen

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eagerly flocked to the scene.

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What lies beneath their masks,

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man or demon?

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- Your Majesty, please calm your anger.
- Your Majesty, please calm your anger.

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Since I ascended the throne,

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I've decreed

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lighter taxes

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and returned wealth to the people.

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Yet, there are still areas

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plagued by refugees and fugitives.

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The barbarians eye our borders,

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and though I intended
to allocate funds for the military,

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I discovered a deficit
in the national treasury.

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Every matter I just mentioned,
big or small, is a national concern.

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Some individuals,

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living off their family's past merits,

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occupy their positions
without fulfilling their duties.

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Instead of focusing
on the well-being of the nation,

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they are obsessed
with preserving Longmen Arena,

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a place that treats human lives
as entertainment,

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nitpicking over petty details.

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Cui Yi.

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Yes, Your Majesty.

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As the Vice Minister of Justice,

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even before Minister Ji
arrived in the capital,

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it was already uncovered

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that you allowed your followers
to seize people's land

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and engage in corruption.

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Are you deserving

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of this official regalia?

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I am deeply ashamed for betraying
Your Majesty's trust.

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No punishment
could ever atone for my sins.

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I implore Your Majesty

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not to let my transgressions

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affect your well-being.

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Your Majesty.

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Your Majesty!

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By imperial decree,

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from this day forward,

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no one

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is to use coercion, bribery,
or any other means

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to force commoners to fight each other.

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Anyone who defies this order

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will receive eighty strokes

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and be exiled three thousand li away.

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Your Majesty,

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many have been placed in the lower ranks

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due to the mistakes of their ancestors,

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even though they themselves
are blameless.

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I humbly request that,

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those with two generations
or more in the lower class

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should be allowed

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to compete in scholarships,

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and those who excel be granted

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freedom from their low status.

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[Li Muyuan, Vice Minister]

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[of the Department of State Affairs]
It is out of the question.

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The imperial exams

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offer virtuous citizens

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the chance to serve the nation.

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It is inconceivable to extend
this opportunity to the low-born.

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If that happens,

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class distinctions will cease to exist,

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and the entire imperial system
will crumble,

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destabilizing
the very foundation of the state.

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00:08:07,483 --> 00:08:08,843
Mr. Li makes a valid point.

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While Mr. Yuan's concern
for the people is commendable,

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such reforms may be too extreme

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and counterproductive.

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Mr. Mei,

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Mr. Li,

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you two are right.

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There's no need
to discuss this matter further.

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Minister Yuan,

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00:08:27,533 --> 00:08:28,283
please rise.

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00:08:29,013 --> 00:08:29,573
Yes, Your Majesty.

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00:08:35,843 --> 00:08:36,413
Your Majesty,

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I have an idea

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00:08:38,813 --> 00:08:39,523
regarding Longmen Arena.

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00:08:40,123 --> 00:08:41,053
But I am not sure if it is feasible.

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Do tell.

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Whether a sword is used to inflict harm

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or provide salvation

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depends on the one who wields it.

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Treating the lives of the lower class
as a form of entertainment

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is a sin.

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00:08:51,093 --> 00:08:51,843
But Longmen Arena itself

225
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bears no fault.

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00:08:54,483 --> 00:08:56,453
It was built
under Ruler Wen's personal decree.

227
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To seal it off and abandon it

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would be a great loss.

229
00:09:00,363 --> 00:09:00,973
I propose

230
00:09:01,453 --> 00:09:02,213
that we allow

231
00:09:02,453 --> 00:09:03,573
skilled martial artists
to compete there,

232
00:09:04,053 --> 00:09:05,933
using it as a platform
to discover and promote talent.

233
00:09:10,643 --> 00:09:13,053
You truly are a seasoned general.

234
00:09:14,293 --> 00:09:15,483
Your proposal

235
00:09:15,603 --> 00:09:18,333
aligns perfectly with my idea
of establishing

236
00:09:18,813 --> 00:09:19,723
a military examination system.

237
00:09:20,333 --> 00:09:21,173
In that case,

238
00:09:21,523 --> 00:09:22,883
let's use Longmen Arena

239
00:09:23,093 --> 00:09:24,053
as a trial run.

240
00:09:24,693 --> 00:09:25,363
Issue a decree

241
00:09:26,523 --> 00:09:28,763
to change Longmen Arena
to a Martial Arts Examination Ground,

242
00:09:29,243 --> 00:09:30,453
with two officials
assigned to oversee it.

243
00:09:31,123 --> 00:09:31,973
Those who stand out

244
00:09:32,453 --> 00:09:35,003
will be included
in the military officer selection list

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for further evaluation.

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00:09:37,883 --> 00:09:39,813
- Your Majesty is wise.
- Your Majesty is wise.

247
00:09:47,523 --> 00:09:49,053
Her Majesty went to Longmen Arena,

248
00:09:49,333 --> 00:09:50,693
and you did Yuan Shaocheng
a great favor.

249
00:09:51,573 --> 00:09:52,843
He surely owes you a proper thanks.

250
00:09:56,603 --> 00:09:57,243
What's wrong?

251
00:09:58,483 --> 00:09:59,003
Are you hurt?

252
00:09:59,243 --> 00:09:59,793
Let me take a look.

253
00:10:00,033 --> 00:10:00,723
I'm all right.

254
00:10:01,363 --> 00:10:02,323
I used too much force

255
00:10:02,443 --> 00:10:03,323
and strained my wrist.

256
00:10:03,553 --> 00:10:04,873
Why were you so dramatic then?

257
00:10:05,123 --> 00:10:06,083
You scared me half to death.

258
00:10:06,793 --> 00:10:07,873
It's just a sprained wrist,

259
00:10:07,913 --> 00:10:08,793
yet you screamed so loud.

260
00:10:09,483 --> 00:10:10,673
You really can't handle pain, can you?

261
00:10:12,443 --> 00:10:13,203
Now that I think about it,

262
00:10:14,153 --> 00:10:15,393
I have no idea how a certain someone

263
00:10:15,443 --> 00:10:16,273
managed to survive in prison.

264
00:10:16,843 --> 00:10:17,553
If it were me,

265
00:10:17,873 --> 00:10:18,843
I would have confessed
everything right away.

266
00:10:20,443 --> 00:10:21,153
Did you hear that?

267
00:10:21,603 --> 00:10:22,913
Don't put Cailian in charge.

268
00:10:23,443 --> 00:10:24,273
She'll spill everything

269
00:10:25,003 --> 00:10:26,153
the moment she's tortured.

270
00:10:26,633 --> 00:10:27,673
What do you mean?

271
00:10:34,003 --> 00:10:34,603
Cailian,

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is something

273
00:10:36,083 --> 00:10:36,913
on your mind lately?

274
00:10:39,913 --> 00:10:41,633
Let us know if anything's bothering you.

275
00:10:42,033 --> 00:10:42,483
No.

276
00:10:45,513 --> 00:10:47,753
If you don't tell me, I'll just guess.

277
00:10:49,083 --> 00:10:50,513
Is it something related to us?

278
00:10:52,633 --> 00:10:53,363
No.

279
00:10:54,203 --> 00:10:55,633
Is it related to another woman?

280
00:10:59,633 --> 00:11:01,443
Does it have something to do with a man?

281
00:11:05,513 --> 00:11:06,553
A man?

282
00:11:07,633 --> 00:11:09,363
Who's the man
that dares to bully you?

283
00:11:09,753 --> 00:11:10,673
He didn't bully me.

284
00:11:13,273 --> 00:11:14,603
I'll just tell you.

285
00:11:16,083 --> 00:11:17,793
Yuan Shaocheng's subordinate,

286
00:11:18,913 --> 00:11:19,963
Gu Wenyu,

287
00:11:22,443 --> 00:11:23,323
has feelings for me.

288
00:11:27,443 --> 00:11:28,603
That's great news.

289
00:11:29,443 --> 00:11:30,443
Do you have feelings for him?

290
00:11:31,873 --> 00:11:33,363
Whether I have feelings for him
isn't important.

291
00:11:34,153 --> 00:11:35,323
What matters is that those villains

292
00:11:35,363 --> 00:11:35,963
still haven't paid for what they did.

293
00:11:36,323 --> 00:11:37,603
How could I have time
for a relationship?

294
00:11:42,673 --> 00:11:44,843
Gu Wenyu has worked
for Yuan Shaocheng for a long time.

295
00:11:45,633 --> 00:11:46,483
You can tell

296
00:11:46,633 --> 00:11:47,913
he's thorough and diligent.

297
00:11:48,483 --> 00:11:49,443
He's a reliable person.

298
00:11:50,633 --> 00:11:51,723
We'll get our revenge,

299
00:11:51,793 --> 00:11:52,913
but we still have to live on.

300
00:11:53,363 --> 00:11:54,273
We can't live

301
00:11:54,843 --> 00:11:56,363
only for vengeance.

302
00:12:08,323 --> 00:12:09,843
If I were to be with him,

303
00:12:10,603 --> 00:12:11,243
wouldn't I

304
00:12:11,273 --> 00:12:12,153
have to be honest about my past?

305
00:12:12,483 --> 00:12:13,483
After learning about my past,

306
00:12:13,513 --> 00:12:14,553
will he truly be free
of any reservations?

307
00:12:14,873 --> 00:12:15,673
If he has doubts in his heart,

308
00:12:15,723 --> 00:12:17,153
in the end,
won't I be the one who gets hurt?

309
00:12:18,873 --> 00:12:19,603
Cailian,

310
00:12:20,153 --> 00:12:21,793
what hurts me more
than those unfortunate pasts

311
00:12:23,033 --> 00:12:24,003
is what happened

312
00:12:25,203 --> 00:12:26,843
after I escaped
from that abandoned house.

313
00:12:30,273 --> 00:12:30,843
Think about it.

314
00:12:31,003 --> 00:12:31,843
Doesn't it make sense?

315
00:12:32,323 --> 00:12:33,323
Why were these women abducted

316
00:12:33,603 --> 00:12:34,723
and not others?

317
00:12:35,123 --> 00:12:36,963
They must have been targeted

318
00:12:37,243 --> 00:12:38,123
because they were improperly dressed.

319
00:12:38,513 --> 00:12:39,843
I've heard a lot of people say

320
00:12:39,963 --> 00:12:41,483
that Yu Qian gave them money.

321
00:12:41,633 --> 00:12:42,243
They were greedy

322
00:12:42,273 --> 00:12:43,843
and ended up becoming house courtesans.

323
00:12:44,753 --> 00:12:45,393
I think

324
00:12:45,793 --> 00:12:47,243
they were from pleasure houses,

325
00:12:47,513 --> 00:12:49,243
lured by money to serve men.

326
00:12:49,363 --> 00:12:49,873
But in the end,

327
00:12:50,033 --> 00:12:51,873
they got burned to death
by that old rogue Yu Qian.

328
00:12:54,603 --> 00:12:55,723
That's why I say

329
00:12:55,753 --> 00:12:58,003
women should adhere to
the female virtues.

330
00:12:58,273 --> 00:12:58,753
Exactly.

331
00:12:58,753 --> 00:12:59,633
They ought to behave themselves,
don't you think?

332
00:12:59,633 --> 00:13:00,203
Indeed.

333
00:13:03,723 --> 00:13:04,673
I often wonder,

334
00:13:05,793 --> 00:13:07,083
what's the point of surviving?

335
00:13:07,913 --> 00:13:08,873
We'll forever bear

336
00:13:08,913 --> 00:13:09,793
these stigmas,

337
00:13:10,393 --> 00:13:11,843
enduring tremendous pressure,

338
00:13:12,003 --> 00:13:13,203
too afraid to reunite with our family.

339
00:13:14,273 --> 00:13:15,033
I don't want

340
00:13:15,083 --> 00:13:16,033
to take any more risks.

341
00:13:18,483 --> 00:13:19,033
Ping'an.

342
00:13:20,843 --> 00:13:21,633
What's wrong, Ping'an?

343
00:13:26,443 --> 00:13:27,123
It's nothing.

344
00:13:28,273 --> 00:13:29,363
The wound is hurting a little.

345
00:13:32,633 --> 00:13:34,003
Love is love, and hate is hate.

346
00:13:34,363 --> 00:13:35,123
Why mix

347
00:13:35,163 --> 00:13:36,043
the two together?

348
00:13:36,363 --> 00:13:37,443
The ones who bullied us are villains,

349
00:13:37,843 --> 00:13:38,883
and the ones who slandered us are fools.

350
00:13:39,563 --> 00:13:39,923
In the end,

351
00:13:39,963 --> 00:13:41,323
we're only torturing ourselves.

352
00:13:42,443 --> 00:13:43,843
It brings pain to those who love us
and joy to those who hate us.

353
00:13:44,563 --> 00:13:45,683
Isn't that just as foolish?

354
00:13:46,923 --> 00:13:48,003
But what can I do?

355
00:13:48,283 --> 00:13:49,203
From the previous dynasty
to Great Feng,

356
00:13:49,243 --> 00:13:50,083
while the people are open-minded,

357
00:13:50,323 --> 00:13:51,203
as soon as you mention a woman

358
00:13:51,243 --> 00:13:51,763
who has lost her chastity...

359
00:13:51,803 --> 00:13:52,283
Rubbish!

360
00:13:53,123 --> 00:13:53,563
Chastity is nothing

361
00:13:53,603 --> 00:13:54,843
more than a shackle
that restricts women.

362
00:13:55,163 --> 00:13:55,883
Have you ever heard a man

363
00:13:56,123 --> 00:13:57,483
mention chastity throughout history?

364
00:14:04,683 --> 00:14:06,123
Did you give Gu Wenyu an answer?

365
00:14:08,403 --> 00:14:09,363
Go meet him.

366
00:14:11,163 --> 00:14:12,003
You can decide

367
00:14:12,763 --> 00:14:14,163
on what you want to say to him

368
00:14:14,723 --> 00:14:15,723
and whether to accept or reject him.

369
00:14:17,043 --> 00:14:17,763
But at least

370
00:14:18,523 --> 00:14:19,403
you can't avoid it.

371
00:14:20,163 --> 00:14:22,043
You must face your feelings honestly.

372
00:14:27,773 --> 00:14:30,843
[Zhanlu Hall]

373
00:14:31,323 --> 00:14:32,043
Recently,

374
00:14:32,603 --> 00:14:33,683
Shuodan has sent a letter.

375
00:14:34,283 --> 00:14:36,563
The Khan's eldest daughter
has reached marriageable age.

376
00:14:37,123 --> 00:14:38,243
I have given my consent

377
00:14:38,483 --> 00:14:40,203
to select a prince from Great Feng

378
00:14:40,483 --> 00:14:42,243
to marry the Shuodan princess,

379
00:14:42,723 --> 00:14:45,603
thus strengthening our alliance.

380
00:14:47,883 --> 00:14:48,443
Your Majesty,

381
00:14:48,963 --> 00:14:49,883
throughout history,

382
00:14:50,163 --> 00:14:51,963
only princesses
have been married off for alliances.

383
00:14:52,163 --> 00:14:53,003
There has never been an example

384
00:14:53,163 --> 00:14:54,843
of a prince marrying for such purposes.

385
00:14:55,083 --> 00:14:57,403
If we were to send a prince over,

386
00:14:57,803 --> 00:14:59,603
it would become a laughingstock.

387
00:14:59,923 --> 00:15:02,323
I implore Your Majesty to reconsider.

388
00:15:03,363 --> 00:15:05,883
- I implore Your Majesty to reconsider.
- I implore Your Majesty to reconsider.

389
00:15:08,683 --> 00:15:09,363
A laughingstock, you say?

390
00:15:10,283 --> 00:15:11,963
But in the past, Princess Wencheng

391
00:15:12,003 --> 00:15:13,123
traveled far to wed in a distant land.

392
00:15:13,563 --> 00:15:14,683
With herself alone,

393
00:15:14,923 --> 00:15:16,723
she preserved peace
between the two regions for many years.

394
00:15:17,043 --> 00:15:18,083
Who among you

395
00:15:18,203 --> 00:15:19,443
can match such a feat?

396
00:15:20,043 --> 00:15:21,203
You keep saying there was no precedent.

397
00:15:21,603 --> 00:15:22,763
Since my ascension,

398
00:15:23,443 --> 00:15:24,683
I have grown weary of hearing such talk.

399
00:15:27,083 --> 00:15:28,523
My very reign

400
00:15:29,763 --> 00:15:30,883
is a precedent.

401
00:15:31,683 --> 00:15:32,963
The female officials in the court

402
00:15:33,803 --> 00:15:34,803
are a precedent.

403
00:15:36,003 --> 00:15:37,363
Allowing a prince
to marry for an alliance

404
00:15:37,803 --> 00:15:39,283
can also be a precedent.

405
00:15:39,883 --> 00:15:40,363
Well...

406
00:15:41,243 --> 00:15:41,843
Hmm.

407
00:15:45,403 --> 00:15:46,043
Ankang,

408
00:15:47,043 --> 00:15:47,963
what do you think?

409
00:15:49,923 --> 00:15:50,563
Your Majesty,

410
00:15:51,763 --> 00:15:52,443
I believe

411
00:15:53,043 --> 00:15:53,883
that whether it is a princess

412
00:15:54,203 --> 00:15:54,843
or a prince,

413
00:15:55,283 --> 00:15:55,963
sacrificing oneself

414
00:15:56,323 --> 00:15:57,123
for the peace of the people

415
00:15:57,363 --> 00:15:58,043
and the safe return of the soldiers

416
00:15:58,203 --> 00:16:00,163
is no less worthy of honor
than that of generals.

417
00:16:00,843 --> 00:16:02,683
They'll all be the pride
of our great empire.

418
00:16:07,843 --> 00:16:09,163
I was too shallow in my understanding.

419
00:16:09,803 --> 00:16:11,443
General Wu is absolutely right.

420
00:16:12,083 --> 00:16:13,043
A prince marrying for an alliance

421
00:16:13,083 --> 00:16:14,923
should indeed be the pride
of Great Feng.

422
00:16:16,283 --> 00:16:17,443
In just a few days,

423
00:16:17,643 --> 00:16:20,283
the Shuodan envoys
will arrive in the capital.

424
00:16:21,043 --> 00:16:23,203
While Shuodan demonstrates goodwill,

425
00:16:23,843 --> 00:16:25,243
we must value peace

426
00:16:26,123 --> 00:16:29,043
and at the same time
assert the might of Great Feng.

427
00:16:30,203 --> 00:16:32,163
- Your Majesty is wise.
- Your Majesty is wise.

428
00:16:36,023 --> 00:16:39,293
[Yanqing Lane]

429
00:16:44,763 --> 00:16:45,963
[Li. Offering congee]
The "Li" character on the congee stall

430
00:16:46,323 --> 00:16:47,443
seems to have quite a background.

431
00:16:47,883 --> 00:16:48,483
You are right.

432
00:16:48,523 --> 00:16:50,083
That congee stall is run by Li Zongxu,

433
00:16:50,483 --> 00:16:51,723
the Prince of Langyang,

434
00:16:51,963 --> 00:16:53,243
a great philanthropist.

435
00:16:53,563 --> 00:16:54,683
During the flood in Yangzhou last year,

436
00:16:54,883 --> 00:16:56,123
he made the largest donation.

437
00:16:57,403 --> 00:16:58,523
But if you ask me,

438
00:16:58,843 --> 00:16:59,683
he's just doing all this

439
00:16:59,803 --> 00:17:00,883
to win people over

440
00:17:00,923 --> 00:17:01,763
for the Li family.

441
00:17:02,123 --> 00:17:03,243
Regardless of his motives,

442
00:17:03,923 --> 00:17:05,163
as long as it benefits the people,

443
00:17:05,443 --> 00:17:06,283
it's a good thing.

444
00:17:06,683 --> 00:17:07,803
As for Yuan Shaocheng

445
00:17:08,163 --> 00:17:09,123
in the court today,

446
00:17:09,483 --> 00:17:10,123
I remember

447
00:17:10,403 --> 00:17:11,603
he was once just a minor official.

448
00:17:11,883 --> 00:17:12,563
How did he suddenly

449
00:17:12,763 --> 00:17:13,723
become the Vice Minister?

450
00:17:13,963 --> 00:17:14,883
With his background,

451
00:17:15,363 --> 00:17:16,643
it's only natural that he's risen

452
00:17:17,243 --> 00:17:18,563
to this position by currying favor

453
00:17:18,603 --> 00:17:19,323
and attaching himself to the powerful.

454
00:17:20,083 --> 00:17:21,123
People like him

455
00:17:21,363 --> 00:17:22,883
are not uncommon in the capital.

456
00:17:23,043 --> 00:17:23,803
It seems

457
00:17:24,843 --> 00:17:25,963
that the darkest place

458
00:17:26,123 --> 00:17:27,043
isn't the battlefield,

459
00:17:27,683 --> 00:17:29,483
but rather this bustling city.

460
00:17:29,883 --> 00:17:31,003
You are finally back to the capital

461
00:17:31,203 --> 00:17:32,243
to enjoy your life for a bit,

462
00:17:32,963 --> 00:17:34,243
why do you seem so burdened?

463
00:17:34,843 --> 00:17:35,803
My return this time

464
00:17:36,043 --> 00:17:37,003
is not for pleasure,

465
00:17:37,883 --> 00:17:38,963
but to collect a debt.

466
00:17:40,043 --> 00:17:40,803
Whose debt are you collecting?

467
00:17:40,923 --> 00:17:42,363
Xu Qing, the Granary Magistrate

468
00:17:42,563 --> 00:17:43,323
of Bianzhou five years ago

469
00:17:43,563 --> 00:17:44,763
and the current Chief Secretary

470
00:17:45,003 --> 00:17:45,563
of the Ministry of Revenue.

471
00:17:46,243 --> 00:17:46,883
Oh, it's him.

472
00:17:47,563 --> 00:17:48,363
I know what debt

473
00:17:48,803 --> 00:17:50,003
you're collecting now.

474
00:17:53,083 --> 00:17:54,003
How come Father

475
00:17:54,403 --> 00:17:55,443
wasn't present in the hall today?

476
00:17:56,883 --> 00:17:58,283
Father has been suffering
from heatstroke recently

477
00:17:58,683 --> 00:17:59,443
and has been ill for some time,

478
00:18:00,083 --> 00:18:01,363
but he's feeling much better
these past two days.

479
00:18:02,163 --> 00:18:03,163
Knowing you were coming
to the capital today,

480
00:18:03,803 --> 00:18:04,843
he ordered the house to be cleaned

481
00:18:04,883 --> 00:18:06,043
and tidied up early this morning,

482
00:18:06,363 --> 00:18:07,363
all in anticipation of your return.

483
00:18:15,073 --> 00:18:18,143
[Wu Youjing, the Prince of Kangping]

484
00:18:24,843 --> 00:18:25,403
Father.

485
00:18:28,883 --> 00:18:29,323
Look,

486
00:18:30,083 --> 00:18:30,763
I carved

487
00:18:30,923 --> 00:18:32,323
this evergreen tree for you myself,

488
00:18:32,443 --> 00:18:33,083
using

489
00:18:33,123 --> 00:18:34,323
your favorite rosewood.

490
00:18:38,123 --> 00:18:39,803
Looks like you're following in
my footsteps.

491
00:18:42,163 --> 00:18:43,603
You look well and taller

492
00:18:43,883 --> 00:18:44,763
now that you've slimmed down.

493
00:18:45,763 --> 00:18:47,003
Maybe it's not that you've grown taller,

494
00:18:47,363 --> 00:18:48,563
but that I'm getting older.

495
00:18:48,603 --> 00:18:49,483
Father, you're still in your prime years

496
00:18:49,683 --> 00:18:50,443
and at the height of your strength.

497
00:18:50,923 --> 00:18:51,723
The old age label

498
00:18:52,123 --> 00:18:52,963
doesn't fit you at all.

499
00:18:53,323 --> 00:18:54,843
Wood carving requires patience.

500
00:18:54,923 --> 00:18:56,003
It's all about controlling

501
00:18:56,083 --> 00:18:57,643
your restless nature.

502
00:18:57,843 --> 00:18:58,363
Not bad,

503
00:18:59,043 --> 00:19:00,643
your craftsmanship has really improved.

504
00:19:00,923 --> 00:19:01,483
I grew up

505
00:19:01,923 --> 00:19:03,283
watching you carve wood,

506
00:19:03,483 --> 00:19:04,323
and through that constant exposure,

507
00:19:04,603 --> 00:19:05,843
I picked up a few basics.

508
00:19:06,803 --> 00:19:07,283
Xian'er,

509
00:19:08,523 --> 00:19:09,203
what nice gift

510
00:19:10,043 --> 00:19:11,403
has your elder brother given you?

511
00:19:16,323 --> 00:19:18,083
This is the Wanchuan Sword
forged by Zhang Yajiu,

512
00:19:19,083 --> 00:19:19,603
and from now on,

513
00:19:19,883 --> 00:19:20,963
it will be my sword.

514
00:19:22,283 --> 00:19:23,203
As expected of her elder brother,

515
00:19:23,883 --> 00:19:24,643
you know how to cater
to her preferences.

516
00:19:25,243 --> 00:19:26,643
Her Majesty had kept

517
00:19:26,803 --> 00:19:27,763
the Shuodan marriage proposal
under wraps,

518
00:19:28,123 --> 00:19:29,603
only making it public

519
00:19:29,643 --> 00:19:30,723
once you came back to the capital.

520
00:19:31,083 --> 00:19:31,883
Do you understand

521
00:19:33,043 --> 00:19:34,443
the reasoning behind this?

522
00:19:35,643 --> 00:19:37,123
Her Majesty desires a marriage alliance
with the Wu family

523
00:19:37,523 --> 00:19:38,963
to showcase the legitimacy
of the imperial authority.

524
00:19:39,403 --> 00:19:40,163
This is the first reason.

525
00:19:40,363 --> 00:19:40,923
The second reason

526
00:19:41,443 --> 00:19:42,203
is the principle of balance.

527
00:19:42,563 --> 00:19:44,003
Akin to drawing water from a barrel,

528
00:19:44,163 --> 00:19:45,443
the planks of the Li and Wu families

529
00:19:45,603 --> 00:19:47,043
must be of equal length

530
00:19:47,323 --> 00:19:48,083
for the water

531
00:19:48,243 --> 00:19:49,923
to stay steady.

532
00:19:50,163 --> 00:19:51,243
This move by Her Majesty

533
00:19:51,443 --> 00:19:52,843
is meant to retrieve my control
over the military.

534
00:19:53,203 --> 00:19:54,363
Since you've figured it out,

535
00:19:54,763 --> 00:19:55,883
give back the military command

536
00:19:56,083 --> 00:19:58,123
and return to the capital
to find a suitable post.

537
00:19:58,243 --> 00:19:58,723
Father,

538
00:19:59,003 --> 00:20:00,043
I'm used to leading troops.

539
00:20:00,963 --> 00:20:01,683
I don't belong in the capital,

540
00:20:02,563 --> 00:20:03,243
and I'm not fit

541
00:20:03,643 --> 00:20:04,483
for the work here.

542
00:20:06,723 --> 00:20:07,363
Do you know

543
00:20:07,683 --> 00:20:09,243
why I love wood?

544
00:20:10,563 --> 00:20:11,803
When a tree dies, the wood lives on.

545
00:20:12,003 --> 00:20:13,723
Every sixty years,

546
00:20:13,763 --> 00:20:14,763
life resets,

547
00:20:14,963 --> 00:20:16,243
much like the growth rings of a tree.

548
00:20:16,523 --> 00:20:17,603
These cycles represent
both the universal law

549
00:20:18,003 --> 00:20:19,043
and the path of humanity.

550
00:20:19,483 --> 00:20:20,043
My son,

551
00:20:20,483 --> 00:20:21,643
you still haven't fully grasped

552
00:20:21,723 --> 00:20:22,963
the concept of flexibility.

553
00:20:25,203 --> 00:20:25,883
Spend some time

554
00:20:26,083 --> 00:20:27,723
to explore the capital properly,

555
00:20:28,403 --> 00:20:29,923
it might change your perspective.

556
00:20:30,563 --> 00:20:30,963
Xian'er,

557
00:20:31,163 --> 00:20:32,403
I've prepared some rock sugar cakes.

558
00:20:32,723 --> 00:20:33,523
Take them up

559
00:20:34,083 --> 00:20:35,163
the mountain to your mother today.

560
00:20:36,043 --> 00:20:36,883
I have some matters to attend to.

561
00:20:37,683 --> 00:20:38,283
I'll send someone

562
00:20:38,683 --> 00:20:39,603
to deliver the cakes.

563
00:20:40,043 --> 00:20:40,963
Since you've just started to get better,

564
00:20:41,163 --> 00:20:42,563
my brother and I will
not keep you any longer.

565
00:20:42,643 --> 00:20:43,803
All right.

566
00:20:46,083 --> 00:20:48,483
One of you
is Her Majesty's favored official,

567
00:20:48,563 --> 00:20:50,803
the other a mighty general.

568
00:20:51,483 --> 00:20:52,483
Now that you've both spread your wings,

569
00:20:52,763 --> 00:20:53,603
you no longer listen to me.

570
00:20:54,003 --> 00:20:55,083
Fine, go on.

571
00:20:55,283 --> 00:20:55,643
Leave.

572
00:21:05,283 --> 00:21:06,403
Ankang, ever since your return,

573
00:21:06,723 --> 00:21:08,203
the household has received
over ten invitations.

574
00:21:08,923 --> 00:21:09,603
But I guess

575
00:21:09,723 --> 00:21:10,883
you won't be visiting any of them.

576
00:21:11,923 --> 00:21:12,723
How about I host

577
00:21:12,803 --> 00:21:13,843
a welcome feast for you tonight?

578
00:21:14,403 --> 00:21:16,043
I'll also introduce you

579
00:21:16,083 --> 00:21:16,923
to someone rather interesting.

580
00:21:18,243 --> 00:21:19,803
Few people are ever deemed

581
00:21:19,923 --> 00:21:20,603
interesting by you.

582
00:21:20,763 --> 00:21:21,523
I wonder what makes

583
00:21:21,723 --> 00:21:22,403
this person so special.

584
00:21:22,883 --> 00:21:23,323
She

585
00:21:23,563 --> 00:21:24,603
is known as a witch psychiatrist,

586
00:21:25,003 --> 00:21:26,843
and not long ago,
she was involved in a perplexing case.

587
00:21:28,363 --> 00:21:33,043
[Archives]

588
00:21:57,483 --> 00:21:58,283
Who are you?

589
00:21:58,763 --> 00:22:00,363
This is the Vice Minister
of the Court of Judicial Review.

590
00:22:00,883 --> 00:22:01,603
He wishes to check some case files.

591
00:22:03,003 --> 00:22:04,523
Which year's files do you need?

592
00:22:05,283 --> 00:22:06,083
The second year of Zhaofeng.

593
00:22:06,403 --> 00:22:07,003
The censor case.

594
00:22:09,083 --> 00:22:09,723
I'm sorry,

595
00:22:10,323 --> 00:22:11,043
but there are

596
00:22:11,243 --> 00:22:12,083
so many case files.

597
00:22:12,323 --> 00:22:13,083
It'll take at least a month or two

598
00:22:13,483 --> 00:22:14,003
to find this one.

599
00:22:14,243 --> 00:22:15,963
The files are stored by year and month.

600
00:22:16,523 --> 00:22:17,483
How is it so hard to find them?

601
00:22:18,203 --> 00:22:19,883
You're probably hiding something.

602
00:22:20,403 --> 00:22:20,803
Wenyu,

603
00:22:21,003 --> 00:22:21,363
take him away.

604
00:22:21,723 --> 00:22:23,483
Don't!

605
00:22:25,323 --> 00:22:25,843
Vice Minister,

606
00:22:26,243 --> 00:22:27,483
let me be honest with you.

607
00:22:27,723 --> 00:22:29,123
When I took office a few years ago,

608
00:22:29,243 --> 00:22:30,723
I did go through the case files
of previous years

609
00:22:31,003 --> 00:22:31,683
and checked the access records.

610
00:22:32,803 --> 00:22:33,803
After the censor case, however,

611
00:22:34,283 --> 00:22:35,203
the files

612
00:22:35,483 --> 00:22:36,563
were moved

613
00:22:36,643 --> 00:22:37,443
by then Vice Minister

614
00:22:37,643 --> 00:22:38,843
of Personnel,

615
00:22:38,923 --> 00:22:39,763
Mr. Hai Yiping,

616
00:22:40,283 --> 00:22:40,763
and they were

617
00:22:41,003 --> 00:22:42,083
never returned.

618
00:22:42,483 --> 00:22:43,523
I didn't dare

619
00:22:44,003 --> 00:22:45,003
to ask about it.

620
00:22:45,283 --> 00:22:46,643
Sometimes, it's wiser

621
00:22:46,803 --> 00:22:47,643
to ask less and think less.

622
00:22:57,483 --> 00:22:58,083
Why are you here?

623
00:22:58,563 --> 00:22:59,123
So?

624
00:22:59,483 --> 00:23:00,003
Did you get it?

625
00:23:01,283 --> 00:23:02,443
That clerk hasn't been managing
the archives for long.

626
00:23:03,443 --> 00:23:04,123
The files are missing,

627
00:23:04,763 --> 00:23:05,363
and there's no record

628
00:23:05,443 --> 00:23:06,363
of them being accessed.

629
00:23:07,243 --> 00:23:08,723
This person is cautious and cunning.

630
00:23:09,323 --> 00:23:10,563
It's no surprise

631
00:23:11,043 --> 00:23:12,003
that he would tamper with the files.

632
00:23:13,043 --> 00:23:14,283
On the contrary, it only confirms

633
00:23:14,803 --> 00:23:16,003
my suspicion that there's something

634
00:23:16,403 --> 00:23:17,323
unusual in them.

635
00:23:18,203 --> 00:23:18,643
Oh,

636
00:23:19,483 --> 00:23:20,363
and about the Longmen Arena matter,

637
00:23:20,723 --> 00:23:21,163
thank you.

638
00:23:23,163 --> 00:23:23,793
I'm off.

639
00:23:28,443 --> 00:23:29,003
Vice Minister,

640
00:23:29,723 --> 00:23:30,793
why didn't you tell her

641
00:23:30,833 --> 00:23:32,113
that Mr. Hai took the files?

642
00:23:33,033 --> 00:23:34,353
Are you trying to keep her
from opposing Mr. Hai

643
00:23:34,643 --> 00:23:35,683
and standing against you?

644
00:23:36,553 --> 00:23:37,403
That's not the reason.

645
00:23:38,353 --> 00:23:39,513
It's a matter of timing.

646
00:23:40,513 --> 00:23:41,483
I need to use the Mei alliance

647
00:23:41,923 --> 00:23:43,033
to counter the Li family.

648
00:23:43,763 --> 00:23:45,513
The issue of salt price manipulation
is still unresolved.

649
00:23:46,003 --> 00:23:47,963
I can't let her disrupt my plans.

650
00:24:02,683 --> 00:24:03,203
Any news

651
00:24:03,283 --> 00:24:04,073
from Nichang?

652
00:24:04,593 --> 00:24:05,113
She got

653
00:24:05,483 --> 00:24:06,753
that old man
from the Ministry of Personnel

654
00:24:06,793 --> 00:24:07,353
drunk,

655
00:24:07,593 --> 00:24:08,273
and only then did he reveal

656
00:24:08,483 --> 00:24:10,273
that the clerk in charge
of the archives back then

657
00:24:10,723 --> 00:24:11,723
was dismissed for dereliction of duty.

658
00:24:12,483 --> 00:24:13,243
Who authorized this?

659
00:24:14,553 --> 00:24:15,243
Hai Yiping.

660
00:24:23,543 --> 00:24:31,973
[Hai Mansion]

661
00:24:37,833 --> 00:24:38,353
Mr. Hai.

662
00:24:40,793 --> 00:24:41,753
You are here, Miss Ye.

663
00:24:43,043 --> 00:24:43,963
How

664
00:24:44,243 --> 00:24:44,923
is your health?

665
00:24:45,443 --> 00:24:46,443
Thank you for your concern.

666
00:24:46,833 --> 00:24:48,113
I've nearly recovered.

667
00:24:49,073 --> 00:24:50,203
I've been cooped up inside for too long,

668
00:24:50,483 --> 00:24:51,203
so I thought I'd come out

669
00:24:51,723 --> 00:24:53,163
and check on Hai Yan.

670
00:24:54,553 --> 00:24:56,313
I didn't expect that you'd be set up

671
00:24:56,513 --> 00:24:58,003
right after taking office.

672
00:24:59,643 --> 00:25:01,203
What is this person's agenda?

673
00:25:02,753 --> 00:25:03,883
Is it because of your past dealings

674
00:25:04,553 --> 00:25:05,353
with Du Liang?

675
00:25:06,273 --> 00:25:08,033
This is likely the work

676
00:25:08,073 --> 00:25:09,273
of someone close to Du Liang.

677
00:25:10,403 --> 00:25:11,483
The good thing is,

678
00:25:11,883 --> 00:25:13,313
if this person tries to target me again,

679
00:25:13,683 --> 00:25:14,353
it will surely draw

680
00:25:14,403 --> 00:25:15,403
the attention of Her Majesty.

681
00:25:16,313 --> 00:25:17,353
I'll need to be alone

682
00:25:17,483 --> 00:25:18,723
with Hai Yan for the diagnosis today,

683
00:25:19,243 --> 00:25:20,313
which will take some time.

684
00:25:20,793 --> 00:25:22,113
If you trust me...

685
00:25:22,403 --> 00:25:23,003
Miss Ye,

686
00:25:23,353 --> 00:25:24,243
I have complete trust in you

687
00:25:24,593 --> 00:25:25,723
to take care of Hai Yan.

688
00:25:26,513 --> 00:25:28,353
If you need anything, just let me know.

689
00:26:32,313 --> 00:26:33,753
Do you remember this pattern?

690
00:26:41,403 --> 00:26:42,273
You drew it

691
00:26:42,683 --> 00:26:43,793
on that woman's arm

692
00:26:43,833 --> 00:26:44,643
last time.

693
00:26:46,403 --> 00:26:48,033
Was she brought back
by your elder brother?

694
00:26:52,553 --> 00:26:53,163
No,

695
00:26:53,963 --> 00:26:55,273
it wasn't my brother.

696
00:26:55,643 --> 00:26:56,273
So,

697
00:26:57,163 --> 00:26:58,723
do you know that woman?

698
00:26:59,593 --> 00:27:00,793
Do you know her name?

699
00:27:04,753 --> 00:27:05,963
I don't know her.

700
00:27:06,793 --> 00:27:08,113
I only know

701
00:27:08,203 --> 00:27:09,353
my brother,

702
00:27:10,353 --> 00:27:11,243
my mother,

703
00:27:14,203 --> 00:27:15,643
and

704
00:27:19,243 --> 00:27:21,483
you, An.

705
00:27:42,163 --> 00:27:43,273
Little glutton,

706
00:27:43,793 --> 00:27:44,403
come here.

707
00:27:45,273 --> 00:27:46,443
Have some more.

708
00:27:48,073 --> 00:27:49,073
Are you full now?

709
00:27:49,683 --> 00:27:50,203
Mother,

710
00:27:53,593 --> 00:27:54,593
Miss Ye is here.

711
00:27:56,483 --> 00:27:57,443
Where is she?

712
00:27:57,643 --> 00:27:59,003
Invite her in.

713
00:27:59,513 --> 00:28:00,513
She went to the backyard.

714
00:28:01,073 --> 00:28:01,643
Then,

715
00:28:02,073 --> 00:28:03,313
I'll go check on her.

716
00:28:27,943 --> 00:28:30,393
[The Hai Mansion's Archive]

717
00:28:41,513 --> 00:28:43,073
You must be Mr. Hai's guest.

718
00:28:44,033 --> 00:28:44,643
Sir,

719
00:28:45,723 --> 00:28:46,883
is this the archive?

720
00:28:46,923 --> 00:28:47,443
Yes,

721
00:28:47,753 --> 00:28:48,683
I'm airing them out

722
00:28:48,793 --> 00:28:49,723
since the weather's good.

723
00:28:49,923 --> 00:28:50,723
It helps keep the pests away.

724
00:28:51,003 --> 00:28:52,753
This library looks newer

725
00:28:53,403 --> 00:28:54,963
than the buildings in the front yard.

726
00:28:56,483 --> 00:28:57,793
You're quite observant.

727
00:28:58,243 --> 00:29:00,033
This used to be

728
00:29:00,353 --> 00:29:01,443
a guest room.

729
00:29:01,963 --> 00:29:03,003
But years ago,

730
00:29:03,113 --> 00:29:04,833
it was destroyed in a fire

731
00:29:05,443 --> 00:29:07,113
and has since been rebuilt.

732
00:29:07,403 --> 00:29:08,273
A fire?

733
00:29:10,553 --> 00:29:11,963
What happened that caused the fire here?

734
00:29:12,443 --> 00:29:12,833
Well,

735
00:29:14,113 --> 00:29:14,833
that's a bit of a tricky subject.

736
00:29:15,073 --> 00:29:16,753
It's nothing to be secretive about.

737
00:29:19,273 --> 00:29:20,113
- Madam.
- Madam.

738
00:29:20,513 --> 00:29:22,003
It's been many years,

739
00:29:22,403 --> 00:29:23,683
yet my son still keeps

740
00:29:23,753 --> 00:29:26,163
the books given by Yu Qian.

741
00:29:26,313 --> 00:29:28,513
Others avoid talking about the past,

742
00:29:29,003 --> 00:29:29,833
but I

743
00:29:30,643 --> 00:29:32,203
have nothing to hide.

744
00:29:32,963 --> 00:29:34,113
The fire in the guest room

745
00:29:34,513 --> 00:29:35,923
is related to the censor case

746
00:29:35,963 --> 00:29:37,313
from over a decade ago.

747
00:29:39,793 --> 00:29:40,833
I've heard of

748
00:29:41,833 --> 00:29:43,353
this case before,

749
00:29:43,833 --> 00:29:45,033
but I never thought

750
00:29:45,443 --> 00:29:48,003
Mr. Hai would know Yu Qian.

751
00:29:50,553 --> 00:29:51,353
Back then,

752
00:29:51,593 --> 00:29:54,113
my son, Yu Qian, and Sun Xizheng

753
00:29:54,553 --> 00:29:56,163
were close friends and classmates,

754
00:29:56,403 --> 00:29:58,003
all passing the imperial exams together.

755
00:29:58,403 --> 00:30:00,643
Who would have thought
that more than a decade ago,

756
00:30:01,003 --> 00:30:02,883
Yu Qian's entire family

757
00:30:03,033 --> 00:30:04,593
was executed due to the censor case.

758
00:30:05,033 --> 00:30:06,073
My son couldn't believe

759
00:30:06,113 --> 00:30:07,203
that Yu Qian could commit

760
00:30:07,243 --> 00:30:08,923
such heinous acts.

761
00:30:09,273 --> 00:30:10,483
After his passing,

762
00:30:11,313 --> 00:30:13,113
he fell into deep sorrow.

763
00:30:13,833 --> 00:30:14,513
Later,

764
00:30:14,593 --> 00:30:16,203
someone came to our residence

765
00:30:16,403 --> 00:30:17,203
claiming

766
00:30:17,683 --> 00:30:19,513
to be a relative
of the woman who perished.

767
00:30:20,163 --> 00:30:21,113
What is this person's name?

768
00:30:22,243 --> 00:30:23,353
I can't quite recall,

769
00:30:23,643 --> 00:30:25,793
but he said
there was injustice in the case

770
00:30:25,923 --> 00:30:27,073
and sought my son's help,

771
00:30:27,273 --> 00:30:28,963
requesting to view the case files
of the censor case.

772
00:30:29,513 --> 00:30:30,923
My son thought

773
00:30:31,113 --> 00:30:32,593
he could clear

774
00:30:32,643 --> 00:30:33,753
his late friend's name

775
00:30:34,073 --> 00:30:35,643
and rushed to retrieve the files

776
00:30:35,683 --> 00:30:36,513
of the censor case,

777
00:30:37,313 --> 00:30:39,833
bringing them to this guest room
for him to see.

778
00:30:42,593 --> 00:30:43,793
But unexpectedly...

779
00:30:44,403 --> 00:30:45,723
Unexpectedly,

780
00:30:46,483 --> 00:30:48,073
[Sun Xizheng, the Manic Poet]
Mr. Hai invited me

781
00:30:48,723 --> 00:30:50,403
and a few friends over that day

782
00:30:51,113 --> 00:30:52,443
to discuss the ambiguities

783
00:30:52,753 --> 00:30:54,273
of the censor case.

784
00:30:54,793 --> 00:30:56,243
He told us

785
00:30:56,513 --> 00:30:58,403
that a family member of a female victim

786
00:30:58,443 --> 00:30:59,243
had come

787
00:30:59,593 --> 00:31:00,793
to check the files,

788
00:31:01,243 --> 00:31:02,163
and just as he

789
00:31:02,483 --> 00:31:03,963
was about to introduce us,

790
00:31:04,243 --> 00:31:05,113
the person

791
00:31:05,483 --> 00:31:07,513
accidentally knocked over a candle,

792
00:31:07,553 --> 00:31:08,793
setting the files on fire,

793
00:31:09,273 --> 00:31:11,003
and even the guest room

794
00:31:11,203 --> 00:31:13,203
was completely consumed by flames.

795
00:31:16,833 --> 00:31:17,723
I never would have guessed

796
00:31:18,273 --> 00:31:19,403
that the censor case files

797
00:31:19,443 --> 00:31:20,513
had already become nothing but ashes.

798
00:31:20,553 --> 00:31:21,553
Mr. Hai nearly

799
00:31:22,353 --> 00:31:24,113
couldn't resolve the issue,

800
00:31:24,313 --> 00:31:26,113
but in the end,

801
00:31:26,163 --> 00:31:27,753
we sought the help of his mentor,

802
00:31:28,833 --> 00:31:31,033
Chancellor Mei,

803
00:31:31,513 --> 00:31:33,553
to intervene

804
00:31:33,593 --> 00:31:34,923
and sort things out at the archives.

805
00:31:36,553 --> 00:31:37,593
I never expected that,

806
00:31:38,113 --> 00:31:39,033
back in the day,

807
00:31:39,273 --> 00:31:40,923
Yu Qian had
such righteous colleagues like you.

808
00:31:41,313 --> 00:31:41,793
But

809
00:31:41,833 --> 00:31:43,033
now that you mention it, I'm curious.

810
00:31:43,403 --> 00:31:44,593
Who were the old friends

811
00:31:44,723 --> 00:31:45,683
that came with you to his place?

812
00:31:46,883 --> 00:31:48,163
I truly admire you all

813
00:31:48,793 --> 00:31:49,723
for still believing in

814
00:31:49,923 --> 00:31:51,723
Yu Qian's innocence at that time.

815
00:31:53,403 --> 00:31:54,483
They are...

816
00:32:06,033 --> 00:32:06,513
Mother,

817
00:32:07,483 --> 00:32:08,203
what brings you here?

818
00:32:10,113 --> 00:32:10,963
Has Miss Ye left?

819
00:32:12,443 --> 00:32:13,683
Have a seat, Mother.

820
00:32:15,593 --> 00:32:16,203
Mother,

821
00:32:17,273 --> 00:32:18,033
what happened to you?

822
00:32:18,553 --> 00:32:19,883
Just now, in the backyard,

823
00:32:21,313 --> 00:32:23,033
I saw the books

824
00:32:23,073 --> 00:32:24,353
Yu Qian gave you.

825
00:32:26,003 --> 00:32:27,353
Seeing them brought back memories,

826
00:32:28,113 --> 00:32:29,403
and every time I think of him,

827
00:32:29,833 --> 00:32:32,273
my heart aches with grief.

828
00:32:33,523 --> 00:32:34,443
[Hai Yiping]

829
00:32:34,443 --> 00:32:35,113
Back then,

830
00:32:35,753 --> 00:32:37,443
when you were about
to be promoted to Vice Minister

831
00:32:38,033 --> 00:32:39,883
and Yu Qian was wrongfully imprisoned,

832
00:32:40,203 --> 00:32:41,923
he wrote a letter
and had someone deliver it to you.

833
00:32:42,683 --> 00:32:44,113
You weren't home,

834
00:32:44,243 --> 00:32:46,593
so I took the letter for you.

835
00:32:47,593 --> 00:32:49,353
I knew he was innocent.

836
00:32:49,753 --> 00:32:50,353
[Yu Qian]
My son,

837
00:32:50,753 --> 00:32:52,513
Yu Qian has put his family's lives

838
00:32:52,553 --> 00:32:54,313
and their reputation in your hands.

839
00:32:54,923 --> 00:32:56,683
You must figure out a way to save him.

840
00:32:56,753 --> 00:32:57,513
Mother, rest assured.

841
00:32:58,073 --> 00:32:59,163
Yu Qian is a dear friend of mine.

842
00:32:59,553 --> 00:33:01,003
I will make every effort to rescue him.

843
00:33:02,203 --> 00:33:03,273
How pitiful!

844
00:33:05,033 --> 00:33:07,483
He was so upright and incorruptible,

845
00:33:07,793 --> 00:33:10,963
a truly honest and virtuous official.

846
00:33:12,553 --> 00:33:13,203
But in the end,

847
00:33:13,723 --> 00:33:16,203
he still died with regret.

848
00:33:17,483 --> 00:33:18,033
Mother,

849
00:33:19,963 --> 00:33:20,723
it's all in the past now.

850
00:33:21,353 --> 00:33:23,203
Don't let it upset you anymore.

851
00:33:23,243 --> 00:33:24,003
Your health is more important.

852
00:33:24,883 --> 00:33:26,833
Let me take you back so you can rest.

853
00:33:38,353 --> 00:33:39,073
Has everything been set

854
00:33:39,553 --> 00:33:40,243
with Madam Hua?

855
00:33:41,003 --> 00:33:42,073
All is prepared.

856
00:33:42,243 --> 00:33:43,033
Rest assured, Master.

857
00:33:45,553 --> 00:33:46,163
All right,

858
00:33:47,483 --> 00:33:48,243
you can act now.

859
00:33:48,963 --> 00:33:49,353
Yes, sir.

860
00:33:58,593 --> 00:33:59,793
Apart from Sun Xizheng,

861
00:34:00,243 --> 00:34:01,753
everyone else who witnessed
the files being burned

862
00:34:02,113 --> 00:34:03,203
said the same thing.

863
00:34:03,833 --> 00:34:04,683
Hai Yiping

864
00:34:04,923 --> 00:34:06,403
has indeed been Yu Qian's close friend
for many years

865
00:34:07,723 --> 00:34:08,923
and even defended him

866
00:34:09,193 --> 00:34:10,443
after the censor case.

867
00:34:11,153 --> 00:34:11,763
I think

868
00:34:12,233 --> 00:34:13,193
that the arsonist

869
00:34:13,233 --> 00:34:13,883
isn't at all someone

870
00:34:13,923 --> 00:34:14,803
from the victim's family.

871
00:34:16,233 --> 00:34:17,113
After searching for so many years,

872
00:34:18,193 --> 00:34:19,403
even the final lead related to the files

873
00:34:19,443 --> 00:34:20,003
has been destroyed.

874
00:34:21,843 --> 00:34:22,513
Danxin,

875
00:34:23,483 --> 00:34:24,193
I know

876
00:34:24,963 --> 00:34:25,963
you've always wanted

877
00:34:26,003 --> 00:34:26,843
to clear Mr. Yu's name.

878
00:34:27,643 --> 00:34:29,113
We've been working so hard for so long,

879
00:34:29,713 --> 00:34:31,033
and now we must remain patient.

880
00:34:35,803 --> 00:34:36,713
I understand that.

881
00:34:38,673 --> 00:34:40,043
I just feel sorry for Mr. Yu.

882
00:34:40,713 --> 00:34:42,033
He had risen to the rank
of Vice Minister,

883
00:34:42,713 --> 00:34:44,113
but because he spoke up for the people,

884
00:34:44,153 --> 00:34:45,033
he offended high-ranking officials

885
00:34:45,843 --> 00:34:46,553
and was demoted

886
00:34:47,073 --> 00:34:48,323
to the eighth rank.

887
00:34:49,323 --> 00:34:50,633
He was so upright and incorruptible.

888
00:34:51,633 --> 00:34:52,323
But in the end,

889
00:34:53,593 --> 00:34:55,113
he still fell victim to the malicious.

890
00:34:56,233 --> 00:34:57,883
If all officials were like Yu Qian,

891
00:34:58,323 --> 00:34:59,003
how many injustices

892
00:34:59,243 --> 00:35:00,443
would be avoided in this world?

893
00:35:00,923 --> 00:35:01,883
For someone like Mr. Yu

894
00:35:01,963 --> 00:35:02,923
to focus on his work,

895
00:35:03,643 --> 00:35:04,883
it requires someone like me,

896
00:35:05,043 --> 00:35:06,153
who will stop at nothing,

897
00:35:06,603 --> 00:35:08,113
to clear the obstacles for him first.

898
00:35:20,243 --> 00:35:21,033
Miss Wu.

899
00:35:21,443 --> 00:35:22,003
It looks like

900
00:35:22,443 --> 00:35:23,233
you're almost fully recovered.

901
00:35:24,043 --> 00:35:24,883
Stop staying in the room.

902
00:35:25,403 --> 00:35:25,713
Here,

903
00:35:26,363 --> 00:35:26,963
change into this.

904
00:35:27,483 --> 00:35:28,323
What is this for?

905
00:35:29,043 --> 00:35:30,553
The Grand Genera
has returned to the capital

906
00:35:30,923 --> 00:35:31,593
and is celebrating with the people.

907
00:35:32,003 --> 00:35:33,403
The curfew is delayed by two hours.

908
00:35:33,843 --> 00:35:34,803
There are three indulgences in life:

909
00:35:35,203 --> 00:35:37,003
indulgences in eating, drinking,
and enjoyment.

910
00:35:37,563 --> 00:35:38,233
If we don't indulge ourselves now,

911
00:35:38,523 --> 00:35:39,443
when else will we?

912
00:35:39,963 --> 00:35:41,153
If it's something so enjoyable,

913
00:35:41,523 --> 00:35:43,513
then I shall happily comply.

914
00:35:44,443 --> 00:35:45,713
Then why aren't you getting changed?

915
00:35:46,203 --> 00:35:48,033
Do you need me to help you?

916
00:35:50,403 --> 00:35:52,673
Who else can be like me,
soaring through the clouds

917
00:35:53,113 --> 00:35:54,523
as freely as the swift wind?

918
00:35:54,883 --> 00:35:56,553
Reaching great heights,

919
00:35:57,003 --> 00:35:59,073
with the world in my grasp.

920
00:36:00,633 --> 00:36:01,233
It feels amazing.

921
00:36:02,043 --> 00:36:02,883
Truly amazing.

922
00:36:05,043 --> 00:36:05,923
Miss Wu.

923
00:36:07,403 --> 00:36:07,923
Don't call me that.

924
00:36:08,323 --> 00:36:08,923
You are ruining my mood.

925
00:36:09,483 --> 00:36:10,843
Call me Xian'er from now on.

926
00:36:13,003 --> 00:36:13,633
Xian'er?

927
00:36:14,713 --> 00:36:15,923
You're unrecognizable now,

928
00:36:16,153 --> 00:36:17,323
completely different

929
00:36:17,483 --> 00:36:18,443
from the person I imagined.

930
00:36:21,003 --> 00:36:21,883
It's strange, really.

931
00:36:22,513 --> 00:36:23,633
Your skills for healing the mind

932
00:36:23,673 --> 00:36:24,323
should be famous

933
00:36:24,513 --> 00:36:25,593
wherever you go.

934
00:36:26,153 --> 00:36:27,193
How come no one else

935
00:36:27,363 --> 00:36:28,113
has ever heard of it

936
00:36:28,323 --> 00:36:29,073
aside from the capital?

937
00:36:29,443 --> 00:36:30,403
I often travel to isolated places

938
00:36:30,443 --> 00:36:31,803
to cure people,

939
00:36:32,593 --> 00:36:33,803
so it's not surprising

940
00:36:33,923 --> 00:36:34,803
that others haven't heard of me.

941
00:36:36,323 --> 00:36:37,043
Is that so?

942
00:36:37,673 --> 00:36:38,553
I actually think

943
00:36:38,673 --> 00:36:39,803
the more isolated the place,

944
00:36:40,033 --> 00:36:42,033
the more likely they are to see a genius
as someone remarkable.

945
00:36:43,513 --> 00:36:45,003
This is the first time I've ever heard

946
00:36:45,193 --> 00:36:46,553
someone describe me like this.

947
00:36:48,193 --> 00:36:49,113
I sense something

948
00:36:49,443 --> 00:36:50,483
secretive about you.

949
00:36:51,153 --> 00:36:51,963
Would you be willing to tell me?

950
00:36:56,403 --> 00:36:57,483
Now is not the right time,

951
00:36:58,403 --> 00:36:59,233
but perhaps one day,

952
00:37:00,043 --> 00:37:00,963
I will tell you.

953
00:37:02,673 --> 00:37:03,033
All right,

954
00:37:03,883 --> 00:37:05,113
I'll bring the finest liquor to listen

955
00:37:05,153 --> 00:37:06,113
to your story when the time comes.

956
00:37:06,803 --> 00:37:07,513
But you know,

957
00:37:07,843 --> 00:37:08,843
one must always look ahead,

958
00:37:09,323 --> 00:37:10,003
not backward.

959
00:37:12,153 --> 00:37:12,923
Listen to the wind.

960
00:37:13,963 --> 00:37:14,673
How free it is.

961
00:37:24,293 --> 00:37:25,943
[Wanguoxiang]

962
00:37:36,113 --> 00:37:37,363
What do you think of this place?

963
00:37:38,003 --> 00:37:39,153
I've booked the entire place
for ourselves today.

964
00:37:39,593 --> 00:37:41,003
As expected of you, Miss Wu,

965
00:37:41,363 --> 00:37:42,673
generous as always.

966
00:37:43,713 --> 00:37:44,553
Are we

967
00:37:44,923 --> 00:37:45,843
expecting another guest?

968
00:37:46,193 --> 00:37:47,003
He'll be here soon.

969
00:37:47,843 --> 00:37:48,363
Madam Hua.

970
00:37:50,033 --> 00:37:51,323
Coming.

971
00:37:52,713 --> 00:37:53,483
Come on.

972
00:37:56,403 --> 00:37:58,193
Sorry for keeping you waiting, Miss Wu.

973
00:37:59,233 --> 00:38:01,323
Here is the best pipa artist

974
00:38:01,403 --> 00:38:03,363
at Wanguoxiang Tavern,

975
00:38:03,483 --> 00:38:05,323
a singer named Nichang.

976
00:38:06,153 --> 00:38:07,633
It's hard to look away

977
00:38:08,593 --> 00:38:10,633
from someone as beautiful as her.

978
00:38:11,033 --> 00:38:11,883
Honored guests,

979
00:38:12,323 --> 00:38:13,963
what tune would you like to hear today?

980
00:38:14,553 --> 00:38:15,033
Ping'an,

981
00:38:15,443 --> 00:38:16,043
you're the guest.

982
00:38:16,363 --> 00:38:16,963
You choose.

983
00:38:17,713 --> 00:38:18,963
I'll go with whatever you decide.

984
00:38:20,193 --> 00:38:22,403
You two distinguished guests
have such remarkable bearing.

985
00:38:22,593 --> 00:38:23,633
How about a rendition

986
00:38:24,043 --> 00:38:25,963
of "Song of Mulan" today?

987
00:38:26,483 --> 00:38:26,883
Sounds good.

988
00:38:27,593 --> 00:38:29,153
I like this one.

989
00:38:47,673 --> 00:38:50,003
I read the battle roll last night.

990
00:38:50,633 --> 00:38:53,363
The Khan has ordered men to fight.

991
00:38:54,043 --> 00:38:56,003
The roll was written in twelve books.

992
00:38:56,713 --> 00:38:59,553
My father's name was in twelve nooks.

993
00:39:00,593 --> 00:39:02,553
My father has no grown-up son.

994
00:39:03,193 --> 00:39:05,553
For elder brother I have none.

995
00:39:06,363 --> 00:39:08,193
I'll get a horse of hardy race

996
00:39:08,673 --> 00:39:11,883
and serve in my father's place.

997
00:39:15,483 --> 00:39:17,403
She buys a steed at eastern fair,

998
00:39:18,033 --> 00:39:20,153
a whip and saddle here and there.

999
00:39:20,803 --> 00:39:22,403
She buys a bridle at the south

1000
00:39:23,193 --> 00:39:26,443
And metal bit for the horse's mouth.

1001
00:39:27,193 --> 00:39:29,553
At dawn she leaves her parents
by the city wall.

1002
00:39:30,233 --> 00:39:32,923
At dusk she reaches Yellow River shore.

1003
00:39:33,593 --> 00:39:36,043
All night she listens
for old folk's familiar call,

1004
00:39:36,673 --> 00:39:40,323
But only hears the Yellow River's roar.

1005
00:39:41,443 --> 00:39:41,923
Bravo!

1006
00:39:44,963 --> 00:39:45,483
Ping'an.

1007
00:39:56,233 --> 00:39:59,883
For miles and miles
the army march along

1008
00:40:02,233 --> 00:40:05,363
and cross the mountain barriers
as in flight.

1009
00:40:10,843 --> 00:40:14,113
The northern wind has chilled
the watchman's gong.

1010
00:40:18,193 --> 00:40:22,483
Their coat of mail glistens
in wintry light.

1011
00:40:26,713 --> 00:40:29,803
In ten years they've lost
many captains strong,

1012
00:40:33,153 --> 00:40:36,593
but battle-hardened warriors
come back in delight.

1013
00:40:37,923 --> 00:40:40,843
Back they have their audience

1014
00:40:41,323 --> 00:40:44,803
with the Khan in the hall,

1015
00:40:47,003 --> 00:40:47,403
Bravo!

1016
00:40:52,593 --> 00:40:53,153
Bravo.

1017
00:40:56,803 --> 00:40:58,323
What a heroine indeed.

1018
00:40:58,763 --> 00:40:59,633
Miss Ye, your swordplay

1019
00:40:59,843 --> 00:41:00,803
may seem effortless and spontaneous,

1020
00:41:00,963 --> 00:41:02,193
yet when you strike,

1021
00:41:02,363 --> 00:41:03,513
your skills are evident.

1022
00:41:04,033 --> 00:41:04,763
Do you

1023
00:41:05,233 --> 00:41:06,033
know me?

1024
00:41:06,633 --> 00:41:07,513
A talented psychiatrist

1025
00:41:07,553 --> 00:41:08,363
who's been in and out of prison twice.

1026
00:41:09,193 --> 00:41:10,003
When I returned from the border,

1027
00:41:10,363 --> 00:41:11,883
Xian'er told me

1028
00:41:11,923 --> 00:41:12,923
many stories about you.

1029
00:41:13,483 --> 00:41:14,803
So you are General Wu.

1030
00:41:16,003 --> 00:41:16,883
I'm honored to meet you.

1031
00:41:18,673 --> 00:41:19,443
I've already questioned

1032
00:41:19,843 --> 00:41:21,003
the workers who were transferred

1033
00:41:21,033 --> 00:41:22,113
from the capital to Yangzhou last year

1034
00:41:23,073 --> 00:41:23,843
for the dike repairs.

1035
00:41:25,323 --> 00:41:26,323
There is indeed something suspicious

1036
00:41:26,633 --> 00:41:27,403
behind the dike's collapse,

1037
00:41:28,283 --> 00:41:29,003
and it has something to do

1038
00:41:29,033 --> 00:41:29,673
with that philanthropist, Li Zongxu.

1039
00:41:31,483 --> 00:41:32,483
The collapse of the dike

1040
00:41:32,843 --> 00:41:33,963
led to the flooding of the salt fields,

1041
00:41:35,073 --> 00:41:36,483
which drove the salt prices up.

1042
00:41:37,153 --> 00:41:37,923
Ultimately, the only one

1043
00:41:39,193 --> 00:41:40,323
who benefited was Li Zongxu.

1044
00:41:41,923 --> 00:41:42,363
Vice Minister,

1045
00:41:42,803 --> 00:41:43,803
you haven't had a break in a while.

1046
00:41:44,153 --> 00:41:45,033
The matter of rising salt prices

1047
00:41:45,073 --> 00:41:45,713
still requires careful investigation.

1048
00:41:46,003 --> 00:41:47,033
Tonight, with General Wu
returning to the capital

1049
00:41:47,193 --> 00:41:47,843
and the curfew delayed,

1050
00:41:48,233 --> 00:41:49,283
it would be better to relax for a bit.

1051
00:41:50,803 --> 00:41:51,713
I see you

1052
00:41:52,073 --> 00:41:52,763
are eager

1053
00:41:53,363 --> 00:41:54,633
to meet a lady tonight.

1054
00:41:55,803 --> 00:41:56,153
By the way,

1055
00:41:56,553 --> 00:41:57,483
with General Wu
returning to the capital,

1056
00:41:58,033 --> 00:41:59,403
who will host his welcome banquet?

1057
00:41:59,513 --> 00:42:00,283
Many nobles

1058
00:42:00,363 --> 00:42:01,283
have sent him their invitations,

1059
00:42:01,843 --> 00:42:02,673
but the general hasn't gone
to see any of them.

1060
00:42:03,233 --> 00:42:04,633
However, I heard someone saw him

1061
00:42:06,033 --> 00:42:06,963
enter the Wanguoxiang Tavern.

1062
00:42:12,323 --> 00:42:13,633
Ankang, you are the invincible general

1063
00:42:14,073 --> 00:42:14,883
who safeguards the borders

1064
00:42:15,113 --> 00:42:16,193
and secures our country's peace.

1065
00:42:16,883 --> 00:42:17,673
Now that you've returned to the capital,

1066
00:42:18,283 --> 00:42:18,923
we must drink

1067
00:42:19,323 --> 00:42:20,513
to our heart's content tonight.

1068
00:42:21,763 --> 00:42:22,233
Why don't you

1069
00:42:23,323 --> 00:42:24,233
join us, Miss Ye?

1070
00:42:29,003 --> 00:42:29,403
Here.

1071
00:42:34,483 --> 00:42:35,443
Honored guests,

1072
00:42:35,883 --> 00:42:36,713
we

1073
00:42:36,713 --> 00:42:38,323
have recently acquired a new dancer

1074
00:42:38,363 --> 00:42:39,553
with remarkable skills.

1075
00:42:39,633 --> 00:42:41,513
Even Miss Wu
has yet to witness her performance.

1076
00:42:42,073 --> 00:42:42,963
Since we

1077
00:42:43,193 --> 00:42:45,113
[Madam Hua, the hostess of Wanguoxiang]
are welcoming the general today,

1078
00:42:45,553 --> 00:42:46,633
how about we call her over

1079
00:42:46,713 --> 00:42:47,713
for a dance?

1080
00:42:47,843 --> 00:42:48,513
I haven't seen her before?

1081
00:42:48,803 --> 00:42:49,673
Now, I'm intrigued.

1082
00:42:50,153 --> 00:42:51,673
I'll go get her now.

1083
00:42:55,233 --> 00:42:56,803
How could I not be
part of the celebration

1084
00:42:57,443 --> 00:42:59,323
of General Wu's return?

1085
00:43:03,363 --> 00:43:04,363
Mr. Yuan, you've had a comfortable life

1086
00:43:04,403 --> 00:43:05,843
in the capital for the past five years.

1087
00:43:06,233 --> 00:43:07,323
Your complexion

1088
00:43:07,483 --> 00:43:08,673
certainly looks much better

1089
00:43:08,713 --> 00:43:09,633
than it did in the barracks.

1090
00:43:10,513 --> 00:43:11,483
I never expected

1091
00:43:11,803 --> 00:43:13,883
that you and Mr. Yuan
are old acquaintances.

1092
00:43:22,713 --> 00:43:24,073
This fine liquor from Wanguoxiang

1093
00:43:24,713 --> 00:43:25,763
is something you could never taste

1094
00:43:26,113 --> 00:43:27,003
at the border.

1095
00:43:27,763 --> 00:43:28,153
Allow me.

1096
00:43:32,593 --> 00:43:34,923
I guess the liquor at Wanguoxiang

1097
00:43:35,073 --> 00:43:36,513
has eroded your integrity

1098
00:43:36,553 --> 00:43:37,483
over the years.

1099
00:43:38,193 --> 00:43:38,633
After all,

1100
00:43:39,403 --> 00:43:40,193
no one succeeds

1101
00:43:40,673 --> 00:43:42,363
in the official world without drinking.

1102
00:43:44,153 --> 00:43:45,633
Speaking of success
in the official world,

1103
00:43:46,323 --> 00:43:46,963
I,

1104
00:43:47,553 --> 00:43:48,963
of course,
am no match for you, Miss Ye.

1105
00:43:49,803 --> 00:43:51,483
The fact that you are able
to sit here with these two

1106
00:43:51,843 --> 00:43:53,073
shows that you are truly remarkable
at making connections

1107
00:43:53,513 --> 00:43:54,443
with influential figures.

1108
00:43:55,963 --> 00:43:56,713
I know

1109
00:43:57,153 --> 00:43:59,113
you dislike me the most, Mr. Yuan,

1110
00:43:59,803 --> 00:44:01,283
but there's no need to pick on me.

1111
00:44:01,763 --> 00:44:03,443
After all, I'm a guest tonight,

1112
00:44:03,593 --> 00:44:05,513
yet you came uninvited.

1113
00:44:05,963 --> 00:44:07,593
Sorry to have kept you waiting.

1114
00:44:08,403 --> 00:44:09,073
Move faster.

1115
00:44:10,153 --> 00:44:10,763
Come on.

1116
00:44:10,843 --> 00:44:11,633
Introduce yourself

1117
00:44:11,673 --> 00:44:12,843
to our esteemed guests.

1118
00:44:14,593 --> 00:44:16,843
My name is Li Ge,

1119
00:44:18,323 --> 00:44:19,403
and I specialize in the Sogdian Whirl,

1120
00:44:19,673 --> 00:44:20,483
long-sleeve dance,

1121
00:44:20,713 --> 00:44:21,513
Lyuyao dance,

1122
00:44:21,673 --> 00:44:22,363
and Zhezhi dance.

1123
00:44:23,073 --> 00:44:24,363
[Li Ge, a dancer of Wanguoxiang Tavern]
May I ask what you

1124
00:44:24,673 --> 00:44:25,553
would like to see?

1125
00:44:26,713 --> 00:44:28,923
The city falls
to the beat of battle drums,

1126
00:44:29,193 --> 00:44:31,363
the Zhezhi dance vivid
in everyone's mind.

1127
00:44:32,153 --> 00:44:33,113
Let's see the Zhezhi dance.

1128
00:44:35,443 --> 00:44:36,403
Excellent choice.

1129
00:44:36,633 --> 00:44:38,033
It's great.

1130
00:44:38,593 --> 00:44:41,363
Everyone, enjoy it.

1131
00:44:50,513 --> 00:44:51,803
General Wu,
you rarely return to the capital.

1132
00:44:53,003 --> 00:44:53,633
Let me

1133
00:44:54,403 --> 00:44:55,443
raise a toast to welcome you back.

1134
00:45:02,233 --> 00:45:03,443
The liquor at Wanguoxiang Tavern

1135
00:45:03,963 --> 00:45:04,803
isn't that great.

1136
00:45:05,673 --> 00:45:06,513
Tomorrow, let's catch up

1137
00:45:08,153 --> 00:45:09,283
at the Martial Arts Examination Ground.

1138
00:45:09,923 --> 00:45:10,403
All right.

1139
00:45:11,633 --> 00:45:12,403
Since you've invited me,

1140
00:45:12,963 --> 00:45:13,713
how could I not go?

1141
00:45:23,233 --> 00:45:24,113
What's going on?

1142
00:45:24,283 --> 00:45:25,033
Let me take a look.

1143
00:45:26,593 --> 00:45:27,553
You useless fool.

1144
00:45:27,763 --> 00:45:28,443
You've ruined

1145
00:45:28,483 --> 00:45:29,283
our reputation.

1146
00:45:29,553 --> 00:45:30,513
Get up now.

1147
00:45:31,713 --> 00:45:32,633
Get up.

1148
00:45:43,963 --> 00:45:44,923
Get up now

1149
00:45:44,963 --> 00:45:45,963
and apologize to everyone.

1150
00:45:46,403 --> 00:45:47,033
Quick.

1151
00:45:49,713 --> 00:45:50,923
Go ahead and apologize

1152
00:45:50,963 --> 00:45:51,553
to the esteemed guests.

1153
00:45:53,363 --> 00:45:54,323
It's my fault.

1154
00:45:55,713 --> 00:45:56,883
I apologize to all of you.

1155
00:45:58,283 --> 00:45:59,283
Take her back for now.

1156
00:45:59,553 --> 00:46:00,883
My apologies.

1157
00:46:01,283 --> 00:46:01,633
Get moving.

1158
00:46:38,243 --> 00:46:45,343
♪Evening mist blurs my sight,
winds shift, and cold dew falls♪

1159
00:46:45,863 --> 00:46:51,643
♪My heart drifts like a lone sail,
with the boundless seas as home♪

1160
00:46:52,343 --> 00:46:59,193
♪The moonlight fades into the night♪

1161
00:46:59,493 --> 00:47:05,313
♪Yet my buried longing never melts away♪

1162
00:47:06,373 --> 00:47:12,353
♪I'd rather wait in sorrow
for fate to turn♪

1163
00:47:13,633 --> 00:47:20,993
♪Than be left with nothing,
forever untied♪

1164
00:47:21,183 --> 00:47:24,373
♪Scattered apart, only sighs remain♪

1165
00:47:24,623 --> 00:47:28,723
♪Regret too deep to mend♪

1166
00:47:28,983 --> 00:47:35,503
♪Stars fall, the moon dims,
and a soul is too broken to rise♪

1167
00:47:35,763 --> 00:47:39,153
♪The night flickers
between light and dark♪

1168
00:47:39,223 --> 00:47:42,743
♪Yet you remain my guiding light♪

1169
00:47:42,933 --> 00:47:48,373
♪Each of us follows our destined path♪

1170
00:47:50,033 --> 00:47:55,473
♪Yet as you turn away,
caught in the whirl of time♪

1171
00:47:56,693 --> 00:48:02,383
♪I, like a drifting petal,
am swallowed by the abyss♪

1172
00:48:02,583 --> 00:48:04,113
♪Bound by destiny♪

1173
00:48:04,563 --> 00:48:07,763
♪Scattered apart, only sighs remain♪

1174
00:48:07,893 --> 00:48:11,923
♪Regret too deep to mend♪

1175
00:48:12,113 --> 00:48:18,833
♪Stars fall, the moon dims,
and a soul is too broken to rise♪

1176
00:48:18,963 --> 00:48:22,483
♪The night flickers
between light and dark♪

1177
00:48:22,553 --> 00:48:25,943
♪Yet you remain my guiding light♪

1178
00:48:26,073 --> 00:48:31,763
♪Each of us follows our destined path♪

1179
00:48:33,363 --> 00:48:40,403
♪Each of us follows our destined path♪

1180
00:48:40,403 --> 00:48:45,403
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1181
00:48:40,403 --> 00:48:50,403
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