1
00:01:31,500 --> 00:01:32,256
=Blossoms of Power=

2
00:01:32,256 --> 00:01:35,140
(Adapted from the novel, After My
Bloom, All Flowers Wither by Jin Huang)

3
00:01:35,140 --> 00:01:38,100
=Episode 17=

4
00:01:38,160 --> 00:01:41,456
(Duke of Wei's Manor)

5
00:01:41,536 --> 00:01:43,300
Father, you've only
been here for three days.

6
00:01:43,319 --> 00:01:44,400
And you're leaving again.

7
00:01:47,040 --> 00:01:48,480
Things can change in an instant

8
00:01:48,799 --> 00:01:49,959
on the battlefield.

9
00:01:50,599 --> 00:01:51,799
There's not a moment to waste.

10
00:01:57,040 --> 00:01:58,230
Let me help you put this on.

11
00:02:14,000 --> 00:02:15,319
I made this

12
00:02:15,479 --> 00:02:16,639
silver fox cloak myself.

13
00:02:17,072 --> 00:02:18,848
The journey ahead will be bitterly cold.

14
00:02:18,896 --> 00:02:20,190
Use it to keep yourself warm.

15
00:02:22,240 --> 00:02:23,919
With such a wonderful daughter,

16
00:02:24,352 --> 00:02:26,400
I'll be sure to find you
an excellent husband.

17
00:02:28,639 --> 00:02:31,280
The Crown Prince is truly fortunate.

18
00:02:31,719 --> 00:02:33,719
I haven't even had the chance
to test his skills,

19
00:02:33,919 --> 00:02:35,039
and now I have to leave.

20
00:02:36,080 --> 00:02:36,960
Tell him

21
00:02:37,520 --> 00:02:38,520
this isn't over yet.

22
00:02:44,360 --> 00:02:45,280
My good daughter,

23
00:02:45,759 --> 00:02:47,039
once I've won this battle,

24
00:02:47,280 --> 00:02:48,560
I'll send you the good news.

25
00:02:49,120 --> 00:02:50,039
Take care, Father.

26
00:03:19,260 --> 00:03:21,060
(Shen)

27
00:03:30,960 --> 00:03:32,319
Archers, fire!

28
00:03:37,632 --> 00:03:38,560
Raise your shields!

29
00:03:38,560 --> 00:03:39,319
Form ranks!

30
00:03:39,479 --> 00:03:40,159
- Yes!
- Yes!

31
00:03:40,520 --> 00:03:41,599
- Hurry!
- Hurry!

32
00:03:56,280 --> 00:03:56,800
Fire!

33
00:04:08,840 --> 00:04:10,759
Duke, the arrows are poisoned!

34
00:04:13,879 --> 00:04:14,960
Hold the formation!

35
00:04:15,400 --> 00:04:16,480
I'll lead the charge!

36
00:04:16,600 --> 00:04:17,879
Duke, you mustn't!

37
00:04:17,879 --> 00:04:18,600
You mustn't!

38
00:04:18,600 --> 00:04:20,319
Are you going to disobey my orders?

39
00:04:20,319 --> 00:04:20,959
Move aside!

40
00:04:20,959 --> 00:04:22,680
Duke, you are marching to your death!

41
00:04:22,680 --> 00:04:24,540
If you go, we'll spill
our blood here and now!

42
00:04:24,550 --> 00:04:27,540
- We'll spill our blood here and now!
- We'll spill our blood here and now!

43
00:04:51,000 --> 00:04:53,639
- Protect the Crown Prince!
- Protect the Crown Prince!

44
00:04:55,399 --> 00:04:55,920
Duke!

45
00:04:56,199 --> 00:04:57,839
I am here to escort you.

46
00:04:58,080 --> 00:04:59,800
They're nothing but Northern Di cowards.

47
00:04:59,840 --> 00:05:02,160
There was no need
for Your Highness to come in person.

48
00:05:03,199 --> 00:05:04,439
I've come today

49
00:05:04,496 --> 00:05:06,736
to make good on the promise
I made that day.

50
00:05:11,279 --> 00:05:11,959
Good!

51
00:05:12,600 --> 00:05:14,519
Let me see whether Your Highness

52
00:05:14,959 --> 00:05:16,399
is worthy of becoming my son-in-law.

53
00:05:17,399 --> 00:05:18,600
Charge!

54
00:05:32,279 --> 00:05:33,160
Fire!

55
00:05:43,160 --> 00:05:44,279
- Charge!
- Charge!

56
00:07:41,536 --> 00:07:44,016
You led the charge
and broke through the enemy ranks alone.

57
00:07:44,360 --> 00:07:45,160
I truly admire you.

58
00:07:46,600 --> 00:07:47,560
Your Highness,

59
00:07:48,040 --> 00:07:49,120
you've got some real skill.

60
00:07:58,879 --> 00:08:00,199
To be honest,

61
00:08:00,199 --> 00:08:02,560
I wasn't too pleased
with Your Highness before.

62
00:08:02,839 --> 00:08:04,000
But today,

63
00:08:04,000 --> 00:08:06,480
I've seen your
martial skill and courage.

64
00:08:07,759 --> 00:08:08,879
I have nothing more to say.

65
00:08:10,399 --> 00:08:12,240
But when it comes to Xihe,

66
00:08:12,600 --> 00:08:13,920
you're so determined.

67
00:08:13,920 --> 00:08:15,720
Is it because she
agreed to this marriage,

68
00:08:15,720 --> 00:08:17,560
only to have the wedding postponed,

69
00:08:17,560 --> 00:08:18,920
and you couldn't let it go?

70
00:08:19,079 --> 00:08:20,079
My feelings for Xihe

71
00:08:20,144 --> 00:08:22,320
have nothing to do
with a man's desire to conquer.

72
00:08:22,600 --> 00:08:25,160
I sincerely wish to spend
the rest of my life with her.

73
00:08:27,319 --> 00:08:29,519
Your Highness came here in person today

74
00:08:29,759 --> 00:08:31,000
and risked your life to help me.

75
00:08:31,680 --> 00:08:32,559
I believe

76
00:08:33,039 --> 00:08:33,720
your sincerity.

77
00:08:34,639 --> 00:08:35,559
But a person's heart...

78
00:08:39,039 --> 00:08:40,120
How can you promise

79
00:08:40,320 --> 00:08:42,279
that you'll always remain true to Xihe?

80
00:08:45,440 --> 00:08:47,519
If I stood here and swore to you

81
00:08:48,800 --> 00:08:50,320
that my heart would never change

82
00:08:50,416 --> 00:08:51,630
and I'd never regret my love,

83
00:08:52,048 --> 00:08:53,600
I'm sure you wouldn't believe me.

84
00:08:53,840 --> 00:08:54,440
I wouldn't.

85
00:08:57,559 --> 00:08:58,559
The truth is,

86
00:09:00,159 --> 00:09:01,240
I don't even know why.

87
00:09:03,840 --> 00:09:05,279
I only know I've fallen for her.

88
00:09:06,720 --> 00:09:07,759
I can't control myself.

89
00:09:09,840 --> 00:09:10,720
I can't break free.

90
00:09:18,399 --> 00:09:19,600
"I've fallen for her.

91
00:09:20,799 --> 00:09:24,080
I can't control myself.
I can't break free."

92
00:09:24,759 --> 00:09:26,080
Those words

93
00:09:28,919 --> 00:09:29,799
somehow

94
00:09:30,799 --> 00:09:32,320
sound even more sincere.

95
00:09:36,360 --> 00:09:37,240
To be honest, Duke,

96
00:09:37,360 --> 00:09:38,639
even now,

97
00:09:38,704 --> 00:09:40,752
I still haven't won
the Commandery Princess' heart.

98
00:09:42,720 --> 00:09:44,672
The Commandery Princess
postponed the wedding

99
00:09:45,000 --> 00:09:47,200
because she still has doubts
about this marriage.

100
00:09:49,600 --> 00:09:51,240
You're certainly honest.

101
00:09:51,240 --> 00:09:52,159
But I know

102
00:09:53,159 --> 00:09:54,519
when two strong-willed people

103
00:09:55,200 --> 00:09:56,360
truly choose each other,

104
00:09:56,879 --> 00:09:57,799
their love

105
00:09:58,159 --> 00:09:59,279
will never waver.

106
00:09:59,720 --> 00:10:01,240
Your Highness,

107
00:10:02,399 --> 00:10:05,639
it won't be easy to melt
my precious daughter Xihe's

108
00:10:06,039 --> 00:10:06,919
icy heart.

109
00:10:07,679 --> 00:10:09,440
So I advise Your Highness

110
00:10:09,879 --> 00:10:11,200
to walk away while you still can.

111
00:10:13,184 --> 00:10:14,720
I won't back down even half a step.

112
00:10:16,240 --> 00:10:17,120
With perseverance,

113
00:10:17,504 --> 00:10:19,200
even metal and stone can be carved.

114
00:10:35,000 --> 00:10:35,879
Finish it,

115
00:10:37,480 --> 00:10:39,240
and I'll never oppose
the two of you again.

116
00:10:39,399 --> 00:10:40,120
But

117
00:10:40,759 --> 00:10:42,320
to win Xihe's heart,

118
00:10:42,320 --> 00:10:43,840
you must rely on your own abilities.

119
00:10:44,000 --> 00:10:45,799
I won't say another word.

120
00:10:48,840 --> 00:10:49,960
Thank you, Father-in-law.

121
00:10:51,072 --> 00:10:52,440
You're not even married yet.

122
00:10:52,799 --> 00:10:54,399
And in front of all these people,

123
00:10:54,919 --> 00:10:56,279
you called me Father-in-law?

124
00:10:56,600 --> 00:10:58,120
Calling you Father-in-law

125
00:10:58,208 --> 00:10:59,456
is my way of winning you over.

126
00:10:59,559 --> 00:11:02,440
It's only right for a son-in-law
to win over his father-in-law.

127
00:11:03,279 --> 00:11:04,120
Father-in-law,

128
00:11:04,440 --> 00:11:05,600
I'll drink to you first!

129
00:11:06,919 --> 00:11:11,840
- Good!
- Good!

130
00:11:19,240 --> 00:11:20,440
Excellent.

131
00:11:21,120 --> 00:11:21,720
Good.

132
00:11:23,679 --> 00:11:24,759
Men,

133
00:11:25,200 --> 00:11:25,919
raise your cups!

134
00:11:27,320 --> 00:11:28,000
Come, drink!

135
00:11:28,360 --> 00:11:30,600
- Come!
- Come!

136
00:11:31,000 --> 00:11:31,840
Together!

137
00:11:32,399 --> 00:11:33,080
Bottoms up!

138
00:11:33,080 --> 00:11:35,639
- Drink!
- Drink!

139
00:11:35,639 --> 00:11:36,080
Drink!

140
00:11:36,279 --> 00:11:39,039
- Congratulations, Duke.
- Congratulations, Duke.

141
00:11:44,159 --> 00:11:46,840
His Majesty and Her Majesty
really dote on you.

142
00:11:46,880 --> 00:11:48,336
Every time you come to pay respects,

143
00:11:48,384 --> 00:11:50,200
they beam with joy
the moment they see you.

144
00:11:50,544 --> 00:11:52,750
Crown Prince wasn't in
the palace the past few days.

145
00:11:52,879 --> 00:11:54,360
Do you know what he went to do?

146
00:11:54,544 --> 00:11:56,670
I have no interest in
inquiring about his business.

147
00:11:57,440 --> 00:11:59,759
The Crown Prince went
to catch up with the Duke.

148
00:12:02,320 --> 00:12:03,799
Why did he go after my father?

149
00:12:04,639 --> 00:12:07,159
The scoundrels of Northern Di
intended to harm the Duke,

150
00:12:07,240 --> 00:12:08,879
so the Crown Prince
rushed to assist him.

151
00:12:09,312 --> 00:12:10,672
Please do not worry, Your Highness.

152
00:12:10,799 --> 00:12:12,080
They were just a disorderly mob.

153
00:12:12,080 --> 00:12:13,184
It's not worth mentioning.

154
00:12:13,232 --> 00:12:14,992
My father is a veteran
of the battlefield.

155
00:12:15,039 --> 00:12:16,159
If they were just a mob,

156
00:12:16,176 --> 00:12:17,720
would it require Crown Prince to go?

157
00:12:17,720 --> 00:12:18,960
According to Tian Yuan,

158
00:12:18,960 --> 00:12:20,000
the Crown Prince thought

159
00:12:20,000 --> 00:12:21,536
this was a good opportunity to show off

160
00:12:21,552 --> 00:12:22,880
in front of his father-in-law.

161
00:12:25,360 --> 00:12:27,279
The Crown Prince is thick-skinned.

162
00:12:27,312 --> 00:12:29,088
Knowing I want to break the engagement,

163
00:12:29,120 --> 00:12:31,152
he still calls
my father his father-in-law.

164
00:12:54,200 --> 00:12:56,039
Standing out here
despite the bitter cold,

165
00:12:57,056 --> 00:12:58,600
is Your Highness trying to show off

166
00:12:58,759 --> 00:13:00,240
your newly acquired cloak?

167
00:13:03,240 --> 00:13:05,559
My father-in-law pitied my frail health,

168
00:13:05,968 --> 00:13:08,240
so he specially gifted me
this cloak to ward off the cold.

169
00:13:11,240 --> 00:13:12,679
I heard you helped my father

170
00:13:12,679 --> 00:13:14,039
repel the ambush from Northern Di.

171
00:13:14,064 --> 00:13:15,710
Fathers and sons
fight together on the battlefield.

172
00:13:15,720 --> 00:13:18,240
A father and son-in-law
joining forces counts as the same.

173
00:13:18,519 --> 00:13:20,480
I make all the decisions
regarding my own affairs.

174
00:13:21,159 --> 00:13:23,559
Even if you do everything
to please my father and brother,

175
00:13:23,799 --> 00:13:24,559
it's useless.

176
00:13:25,919 --> 00:13:26,759
What a coincidence.

177
00:13:27,664 --> 00:13:30,240
I don't care for arranged
marriages by parental command either.

178
00:13:30,639 --> 00:13:32,399
All I want is your heart.

179
00:13:33,720 --> 00:13:35,000
It is really warm to wear,

180
00:13:35,000 --> 00:13:36,080
and the size is just right.

181
00:13:37,159 --> 00:13:38,159
I shall take my leave.

182
00:13:41,328 --> 00:13:43,360
My grandmother
is hosting a banquet tomorrow,

183
00:13:43,360 --> 00:13:44,720
so I will get to see you again.

184
00:13:59,320 --> 00:14:01,879
Hit to eat.

185
00:14:19,536 --> 00:14:21,270
Father has already decreed our marriage.

186
00:14:21,879 --> 00:14:22,720
We are now

187
00:14:23,080 --> 00:14:24,399
an engaged couple.

188
00:14:51,559 --> 00:14:52,480
Let me try.

189
00:15:10,320 --> 00:15:12,759
Hit to eat.

190
00:15:16,960 --> 00:15:17,720
I'll try, too.

191
00:15:37,600 --> 00:15:40,000
Hit to eat.

192
00:16:07,919 --> 00:16:10,639
The Chief Imperial Physician
examined the powder

193
00:16:11,120 --> 00:16:12,879
and found that it
contained an extra herb

194
00:16:13,200 --> 00:16:15,639
that accelerates blood circulation.

195
00:16:16,480 --> 00:16:17,799
When normal people eat it,

196
00:16:18,039 --> 00:16:21,000
their mood instantly becomes cheerful.

197
00:16:21,296 --> 00:16:23,150
This was originally
meant to add to the fun.

198
00:16:23,159 --> 00:16:24,559
It's all because of my frail health

199
00:16:25,120 --> 00:16:26,279
that you were alarmed,

200
00:16:26,759 --> 00:16:28,639
spoiling the fun for my brothers.

201
00:16:29,240 --> 00:16:30,240
Not at all.

202
00:16:30,360 --> 00:16:32,440
Huayong, you mustn't overthink this.

203
00:16:37,320 --> 00:16:38,960
If you feel bored,

204
00:16:38,960 --> 00:16:41,840
I will stay here to keep
you company while you study.

205
00:16:41,919 --> 00:16:43,279
Father, you have to manage affairs.

206
00:16:43,472 --> 00:16:45,120
How can you stay with me all the time?

207
00:16:49,360 --> 00:16:50,960
I would like to have...

208
00:16:56,559 --> 00:16:57,720
Zhaoning.

209
00:17:01,080 --> 00:17:02,399
I understand everything

210
00:17:02,399 --> 00:17:03,840
that is on your mind, Huayong.

211
00:17:04,119 --> 00:17:08,279
I will summon Commandery Princess
Zhaoning to the palace now.

212
00:17:08,960 --> 00:17:09,880
Thank you, Father.

213
00:17:11,119 --> 00:17:11,599
Come.

214
00:17:16,740 --> 00:17:19,220
(East Palace)

215
00:17:28,920 --> 00:17:30,200
Greetings, Crown Prince.

216
00:17:30,640 --> 00:17:32,000
Without consulting you first,

217
00:17:32,720 --> 00:17:33,640
I requested a decree

218
00:17:34,128 --> 00:17:36,160
to bring you to the East Palace
to keep me company.

219
00:17:36,400 --> 00:17:37,440
Are you angry with me?

220
00:17:37,720 --> 00:17:39,039
I come from a family of soldiers,

221
00:17:39,799 --> 00:17:41,000
so my manners are boisterous.

222
00:17:41,264 --> 00:17:43,160
I only fear I might disturb you,
Crown Prince.

223
00:17:43,280 --> 00:17:44,160
It doesn't matter.

224
00:17:44,960 --> 00:17:46,000
I like it lively.

225
00:17:46,110 --> 00:17:48,064
So you are taking
advantage of our engagement,

226
00:17:48,200 --> 00:17:49,319
acting without fear.

227
00:17:49,759 --> 00:17:50,640
Naturally.

228
00:17:51,424 --> 00:17:53,030
I am the one with the official title.

229
00:17:53,136 --> 00:17:54,550
Why shouldn't I act without fear?

230
00:17:54,640 --> 00:17:55,240
I'm not stupid.

231
00:17:59,480 --> 00:18:01,160
I have suffered such a severe injury,

232
00:18:01,519 --> 00:18:02,599
yet you

233
00:18:03,240 --> 00:18:04,640
are so cold to me, my betrothed.

234
00:18:05,279 --> 00:18:06,880
Xihe, can't you treat me a bit better?

235
00:18:07,079 --> 00:18:09,640
How do you want
me to treat you well, Your Highness?

236
00:18:13,400 --> 00:18:14,759
I want to eat the wontons you make.

237
00:18:24,960 --> 00:18:25,960
The wontons are ready.

238
00:18:25,968 --> 00:18:27,200
Please enjoy, Your Highness.

239
00:18:27,440 --> 00:18:28,400
I will take my leave.

240
00:18:29,319 --> 00:18:32,000
His Majesty has arrived!

241
00:18:35,160 --> 00:18:36,200
Greetings, Your Majesty.

242
00:18:37,680 --> 00:18:38,640
Rise.

243
00:18:40,039 --> 00:18:41,160
These wontons

244
00:18:41,359 --> 00:18:43,400
were all handmade by
Commandery Princess Zhaoning?

245
00:18:44,839 --> 00:18:45,480
Indeed.

246
00:18:46,640 --> 00:18:49,039
The wontons made by
Xihe are unique in the palace.

247
00:18:49,104 --> 00:18:51,200
I specially invited you here
to try them, Father.

248
00:18:52,279 --> 00:18:53,119
Very well.

249
00:18:58,528 --> 00:19:01,152
Commandery Princess, your
culinary skills are indeed excellent.

250
00:19:01,440 --> 00:19:02,720
The filling is delicious,

251
00:19:02,720 --> 00:19:04,799
and the soup
is exceptionally rich and fragrant.

252
00:19:04,800 --> 00:19:06,288
You flatter me, Your Majesty.

253
00:19:12,160 --> 00:19:13,000
Useless!

254
00:19:14,160 --> 00:19:16,000
Can you not even serve a meal properly?

255
00:19:17,240 --> 00:19:17,839
Dismissed.

256
00:19:17,960 --> 00:19:18,440
Yes.

257
00:19:20,319 --> 00:19:21,880
Crown Prince, let me...

258
00:19:21,880 --> 00:19:22,559
I will do it.

259
00:19:25,240 --> 00:19:25,880
Alright.

260
00:19:39,079 --> 00:19:40,920
You really know
how to look after people.

261
00:19:41,559 --> 00:19:42,839
For the next few days,

262
00:19:43,039 --> 00:19:45,720
I shall entrust Huayong to your care.

263
00:19:46,976 --> 00:19:48,336
With your trust, Your Majesty,

264
00:19:48,440 --> 00:19:49,880
I will not fail your expectations.

265
00:19:56,440 --> 00:19:58,480
No one has ever been
like the Crown Prince,

266
00:19:58,480 --> 00:20:00,752
who can make Your Highness
angry with just a few words.

267
00:20:00,960 --> 00:20:02,799
I think there is
nothing wrong with this.

268
00:20:03,100 --> 00:20:03,990
What is good about it?

269
00:20:04,112 --> 00:20:05,790
He only knows how
to dig pits for others,

270
00:20:05,800 --> 00:20:07,360
and he has a bunch of twisted arguments.

271
00:20:07,376 --> 00:20:08,352
Where is the good part?

272
00:20:08,359 --> 00:20:09,440
If it were anyone else,

273
00:20:09,440 --> 00:20:10,839
Your Highness wouldn't be angry.

274
00:20:11,160 --> 00:20:12,480
But in front of the Crown Prince,

275
00:20:12,480 --> 00:20:14,039
Your Highness loses
your temper very easily.

276
00:20:14,039 --> 00:20:15,599
Only in front of those close to us

277
00:20:15,599 --> 00:20:16,799
can we reveal our true nature.

278
00:20:16,800 --> 00:20:18,464
Please wait, Commandery Princess.

279
00:20:22,736 --> 00:20:23,712
Commandery Princess,

280
00:20:23,839 --> 00:20:25,039
I have some matters

281
00:20:25,160 --> 00:20:26,440
I wish to speak with you alone.

282
00:20:32,320 --> 00:20:33,110
Commandery Princess,

283
00:20:33,359 --> 00:20:35,920
actually, these words have been
held in my heart for a long time.

284
00:20:36,319 --> 00:20:38,200
But the Crown Prince
never allowed me to speak.

285
00:20:38,759 --> 00:20:39,759
But I feel

286
00:20:40,119 --> 00:20:41,200
that if you do not know,

287
00:20:41,400 --> 00:20:42,839
it is too unfair to him.

288
00:20:43,440 --> 00:20:45,310
Regarding helping
the Duke of Wei this time,

289
00:20:45,599 --> 00:20:47,240
he spoke of it lightly,

290
00:20:47,680 --> 00:20:48,519
but in fact,

291
00:20:48,520 --> 00:20:51,220
the Northern Di crossbowmen
coated their arrows with deadly poison.

292
00:20:51,480 --> 00:20:52,440
Once struck by an arrow,

293
00:20:52,759 --> 00:20:54,240
even the deities could not save him.

294
00:20:55,319 --> 00:20:57,540
The Northern Di people also
set many traps on the road.

295
00:20:57,960 --> 00:21:00,599
It was His Highness who accompanied
the Duke of Wei as the vanguard

296
00:21:00,680 --> 00:21:01,880
to clear out those checkpoints.

297
00:21:03,400 --> 00:21:04,039
That day,

298
00:21:04,368 --> 00:21:06,944
you were set up by Princess Pingling
and fell off the cliff.

299
00:21:07,400 --> 00:21:08,559
The Crown Prince already knew

300
00:21:08,688 --> 00:21:11,440
that you agreed to marry him only
because you knew his life was short.

301
00:21:11,664 --> 00:21:13,510
He claimed he wanted
to sever ties with you,

302
00:21:13,888 --> 00:21:15,790
but the moment he
heard you were in danger,

303
00:21:15,872 --> 00:21:18,592
he rushed down the cliff to find
you regardless of his own safety.

304
00:21:20,400 --> 00:21:21,359
Not only that,

305
00:21:21,680 --> 00:21:23,030
for your sake, His Highness

306
00:21:23,040 --> 00:21:25,800
went to the extreme cold region
to find the Extreme Frost Cordyceps.

307
00:21:25,824 --> 00:21:26,656
He fell off a cliff

308
00:21:26,736 --> 00:21:28,510
and remained unconscious
for three nights.

309
00:21:29,456 --> 00:21:31,504
After walking through
the gates of the underworld,

310
00:21:32,119 --> 00:21:34,440
the poison inside his body
became even harder to control.

311
00:21:36,119 --> 00:21:37,839
You see him acting
carefree all day long,

312
00:21:38,319 --> 00:21:39,039
but in truth,

313
00:21:39,408 --> 00:21:42,128
every treatment for the poison
is a thin line between life and death.

314
00:21:42,960 --> 00:21:44,519
This pain of scraping his bones

315
00:21:44,944 --> 00:21:46,510
is something even someone with a mind

316
00:21:46,816 --> 00:21:48,320
as strong as his can hardly bear.

317
00:21:50,319 --> 00:21:52,079
But to stay by your side,

318
00:21:52,519 --> 00:21:54,240
he resolved to endure all the pain,

319
00:21:54,680 --> 00:21:56,880
only hoping that he
could live a little longer.

320
00:21:57,664 --> 00:21:58,590
Commandery Princess,

321
00:21:59,039 --> 00:22:01,599
His Highness has risked
his life for you time and again.

322
00:22:01,920 --> 00:22:02,960
His affection for you,

323
00:22:03,344 --> 00:22:04,880
I have seen it all with my own eyes.

324
00:22:06,079 --> 00:22:07,359
You do not have to love him back,

325
00:22:08,160 --> 00:22:10,200
but his affection for you

326
00:22:10,240 --> 00:22:12,016
is already past the point of no return.

327
00:22:14,080 --> 00:22:15,790
You worry that he has deep calculations,

328
00:22:16,640 --> 00:22:17,680
but what he gives you

329
00:22:17,744 --> 00:22:19,920
has never been
the schemes of the East Palace,

330
00:22:20,000 --> 00:22:22,096
but rather, amidst the foul waves
of the deep palace,

331
00:22:22,240 --> 00:22:24,480
a pure heart that will
never sink to the bottom.

332
00:22:24,700 --> 00:22:27,460
♪You drifted away alone♪

333
00:22:27,820 --> 00:22:32,340
♪Without a single word of goodbye♪

334
00:22:33,580 --> 00:22:36,100
♪Leaving no room to turn back♪

335
00:22:36,100 --> 00:22:40,060
♪I can only stay there forever♪

336
00:22:40,060 --> 00:22:45,340
♪In the coming years, I'll always
remember that year, my graceful lover♪

337
00:22:45,700 --> 00:22:47,900
♪Love hangs on the crest of the waves♪

338
00:22:47,900 --> 00:22:51,900
♪Waiting for regret to swallow me up♪

339
00:22:51,920 --> 00:22:54,080
What is the matter with
the Commandery Princess?

340
00:22:54,240 --> 00:22:56,000
It has been four hours already.

341
00:22:56,319 --> 00:22:58,599
Why hasn't a piece been
played on this weiqi board yet?

342
00:23:23,380 --> 00:23:27,100
(East Palace)

343
00:23:37,488 --> 00:23:39,744
This whole box of northern pearls
has been gathered.

344
00:23:40,160 --> 00:23:42,640
It was meant to be used for
Xihe's bridal phoenix crown.

345
00:23:49,319 --> 00:23:50,039
Your Highness,

346
00:23:50,040 --> 00:23:51,776
Commandery Princess Zhaoning is here.

347
00:23:57,359 --> 00:23:59,039
Quick, help me up.

348
00:24:33,488 --> 00:24:35,000
Your Highness, pretending to be weak

349
00:24:35,040 --> 00:24:37,140
is something you are
getting increasingly adept at.

350
00:24:43,839 --> 00:24:45,200
Today is the first time

351
00:24:45,984 --> 00:24:47,744
you have come to see me
of your own accord.

352
00:24:47,760 --> 00:24:49,520
His Majesty ordered
me to take care of you.

353
00:24:51,079 --> 00:24:52,319
Sharing a room every day

354
00:24:53,240 --> 00:24:54,319
with me, who is so elegant

355
00:24:54,759 --> 00:24:58,799
and graceful, doesn't it please you,
Commandery Princess?

356
00:24:58,800 --> 00:25:00,400
Your act is so improper, Your Highness,

357
00:25:00,416 --> 00:25:01,648
that I shall take my leave now.

358
00:25:06,440 --> 00:25:07,880
If you leave today,

359
00:25:07,968 --> 00:25:09,680
I will fall into a coma again tomorrow,

360
00:25:09,744 --> 00:25:12,224
and you will still have to come
to the East Palace to see me.

361
00:25:24,640 --> 00:25:26,144
Rest assured, Commandery Princess.

362
00:25:26,839 --> 00:25:27,839
I will not offend you.

363
00:25:28,336 --> 00:25:30,400
Your Highness,
you are well-read in the classics,

364
00:25:30,480 --> 00:25:32,352
yet you don't even
know what an offense is.

365
00:25:34,920 --> 00:25:36,119
I only regret now

366
00:25:36,160 --> 00:25:38,192
that I didn't practice
martial arts in my youth.

367
00:25:38,208 --> 00:25:40,370
If I had the martial skills
of my father and brother,

368
00:25:40,576 --> 00:25:42,070
I would teach you a good lesson.

369
00:25:43,820 --> 00:25:50,500
♪It all returns to your fragrance,
unchanging through the seasons♪

370
00:25:50,900 --> 00:25:53,940
♪Like a flower in the mirror,
like a passing dream♪

371
00:25:54,500 --> 00:25:57,900
♪Even drifting with the flowing water,
I will stay with you♪

372
00:25:57,900 --> 00:26:00,220
♪The one who seeks the fragrance
gets the most intoxicated♪

373
00:26:00,220 --> 00:26:04,660
♪And intoxication
perturbs the heart the most♪

374
00:26:05,599 --> 00:26:06,279
Don't rush.

375
00:26:06,920 --> 00:26:07,519
Let me do it.

376
00:26:07,740 --> 00:26:12,420
♪I only want to
become a couple with you♪

377
00:26:12,780 --> 00:26:14,940
♪No matter how
winding the road ahead is♪

378
00:26:14,940 --> 00:26:19,140
♪We are worth it.
We won't hesitate or retreat♪

379
00:26:19,140 --> 00:26:20,940
♪It is us♪

380
00:26:20,940 --> 00:26:24,260
♪The breeze blows,
and the flowers bloom♪

381
00:26:24,260 --> 00:26:27,300
♪How could we not be a perfect match?♪

382
00:26:27,300 --> 00:26:31,380
♪Cleaving the waves just to experience♪

383
00:26:31,380 --> 00:26:34,700
♪Embracing the flower bud♪

384
00:26:35,820 --> 00:26:39,020
♪When breaking through
the heavy encirclement♪

385
00:26:40,740 --> 00:26:44,980
♪The wind blows gently once again♪

386
00:26:44,980 --> 00:26:47,088
Your heart is beating so fast,
Commandery Princess.

387
00:27:02,839 --> 00:27:03,440
Young Master.

388
00:27:04,079 --> 00:27:04,799
Young Master,

389
00:27:04,800 --> 00:27:06,910
someone went to
Court of Judicial Review to sue you.

390
00:27:06,920 --> 00:27:08,830
Vice Minister Cui has sent some men over

391
00:27:08,848 --> 00:27:10,590
to ask you to assist
with the investigation.

392
00:27:20,559 --> 00:27:22,079
Sir, the man has been brought here.

393
00:27:22,359 --> 00:27:22,920
Dismissed.

394
00:27:22,944 --> 00:27:24,272
- Yes, sir.
- Yes, sir.

395
00:27:27,480 --> 00:27:28,960
What kind of crime did I commit

396
00:27:28,960 --> 00:27:30,319
for you to make such a big fuss

397
00:27:30,320 --> 00:27:32,288
and send people
to arrest me at my residence?

398
00:27:33,216 --> 00:27:34,350
This is an official document,

399
00:27:34,559 --> 00:27:35,480
with proper procedures.

400
00:27:35,559 --> 00:27:37,100
Even imperial relatives must cooperate.

401
00:27:37,119 --> 00:27:38,799
No refusal or ignoring is allowed.

402
00:27:38,800 --> 00:27:41,088
Otherwise, it is obstructing justice
and defying the law.

403
00:27:41,519 --> 00:27:42,480
If you dare to flee,

404
00:27:42,624 --> 00:27:44,310
that would be a crime
of resisting arrest.

405
00:27:45,279 --> 00:27:46,200
Fine.

406
00:27:50,240 --> 00:27:50,720
Come on,

407
00:27:51,559 --> 00:27:52,319
tell me.

408
00:27:52,400 --> 00:27:53,759
What crime did I commit,

409
00:27:53,760 --> 00:27:55,328
and what did they accuse me of?

410
00:27:58,559 --> 00:27:59,680
On the tenth of last month,

411
00:27:59,839 --> 00:28:01,880
you harassed a lady
at Wanqing Restaurant,

412
00:28:01,880 --> 00:28:02,599
spoke insolently,

413
00:28:02,599 --> 00:28:04,880
and even claimed you would
take her back to be your wife.

414
00:28:04,928 --> 00:28:05,920
Did you or did you not?

415
00:28:06,359 --> 00:28:08,079
That was just a joke from me.

416
00:28:08,480 --> 00:28:08,920
Good.

417
00:28:10,240 --> 00:28:11,504
On the third of this month,

418
00:28:11,519 --> 00:28:12,960
you gathered with a group of playboys

419
00:28:12,960 --> 00:28:14,079
to feast at Ningxiang Garden.

420
00:28:14,079 --> 00:28:15,559
A single table of food
and liquor cost fifty taels.

421
00:28:15,559 --> 00:28:17,599
You all got drunk and left
without paying the bill.

422
00:28:17,600 --> 00:28:18,592
Did you or did you not?

423
00:28:19,519 --> 00:28:20,000
Furthermore,

424
00:28:20,880 --> 00:28:22,200
ten nights ago at the hour of Hai,

425
00:28:22,200 --> 00:28:23,079
while on an official boat,

426
00:28:23,079 --> 00:28:25,079
you snatched someone's crickets
and fighting roosters for no reason...

427
00:28:25,080 --> 00:28:25,728
Wait a minute.

428
00:28:28,400 --> 00:28:29,359
Tell me the truth.

429
00:28:29,839 --> 00:28:30,720
Did you dig up

430
00:28:30,720 --> 00:28:32,200
these old accounts?

431
00:28:32,200 --> 00:28:33,039
Aside from you,

432
00:28:33,264 --> 00:28:35,870
who else could instigate them
to file these complaints against me?

433
00:28:36,440 --> 00:28:37,440
What do you want?

434
00:28:38,320 --> 00:28:40,320
You won't let me visit
you at the Marquis's Manor.

435
00:28:40,448 --> 00:28:42,176
Yet, I want to see you every single day,

436
00:28:42,192 --> 00:28:44,176
so I had no choice
but to resort to this.

437
00:28:51,319 --> 00:28:51,960
I was wrong.

438
00:28:52,880 --> 00:28:54,200
Vice Minister Cui, Master Cui,

439
00:28:54,359 --> 00:28:55,640
I really know I was wrong.

440
00:28:55,640 --> 00:28:57,000
Please let me go, okay?

441
00:28:59,480 --> 00:29:00,200
Sure.

442
00:29:01,079 --> 00:29:01,960
But

443
00:29:02,272 --> 00:29:03,960
you must let me visit you at your manor.

444
00:29:05,319 --> 00:29:06,440
Isn't that just the same?

445
00:29:06,510 --> 00:29:07,968
You're still going to pester me.

446
00:29:09,296 --> 00:29:10,440
If you don't let me leave,

447
00:29:10,440 --> 00:29:11,640
I'll go on a hunger strike.

448
00:29:12,119 --> 00:29:12,640
Fine.

449
00:29:13,599 --> 00:29:15,359
When you're too weak to feed yourself,

450
00:29:15,360 --> 00:29:16,704
I'll feed you with my own hands.

451
00:29:19,200 --> 00:29:21,110
Then I'll turn
the Court of Judicial Review

452
00:29:21,319 --> 00:29:22,680
upside down!

453
00:29:27,140 --> 00:29:30,700
(East Palace)

454
00:29:31,240 --> 00:29:31,799
Your Highness,

455
00:29:31,824 --> 00:29:33,664
word came from
the Imperial Medical Office

456
00:29:33,680 --> 00:29:36,000
that Director Xue Heng
of the Secretariat is gravely ill.

457
00:29:36,440 --> 00:29:37,240
I'm afraid

458
00:29:38,000 --> 00:29:39,039
his days are numbered.

459
00:29:39,400 --> 00:29:40,680
If Director Xue passes away,

460
00:29:41,119 --> 00:29:43,519
it will cause a massive uproar in court.

461
00:29:43,880 --> 00:29:46,079
Wang Zheng has long
been winning over key officials,

462
00:29:46,079 --> 00:29:47,400
hoping to promote his own people.

463
00:29:48,799 --> 00:29:50,000
He is highly calculating.

464
00:29:50,599 --> 00:29:51,960
Given how hard he's scheming,

465
00:29:52,640 --> 00:29:53,400
it seems

466
00:29:53,880 --> 00:29:55,200
he is determined to take

467
00:29:55,232 --> 00:29:57,056
the position of
Director of the Secretariat.

468
00:29:57,680 --> 00:29:58,720
When a cat catches a mouse,

469
00:29:59,680 --> 00:30:01,119
since when does the mouse have a say?

470
00:30:02,592 --> 00:30:05,160
Go invite Tao Zhuanxian to
the East Palace for a discussion.

471
00:30:08,240 --> 00:30:09,599
I wonder,

472
00:30:10,160 --> 00:30:14,200
why has Your Highness summoned me today?

473
00:30:14,839 --> 00:30:16,759
This tea brewed with fresh milk

474
00:30:17,079 --> 00:30:19,079
can dispel the chill with just one sip.

475
00:30:19,079 --> 00:30:20,839
Thank you, Crown Prince.

476
00:30:21,160 --> 00:30:21,799
Have a taste.

477
00:30:33,759 --> 00:30:35,640
See if you like it, Minister Tao.

478
00:30:41,680 --> 00:30:43,839
White as snow from the Xing kiln,

479
00:30:46,640 --> 00:30:48,039
thin and lustrous.

480
00:30:49,000 --> 00:30:50,519
What a fine tea bowl.

481
00:30:50,519 --> 00:30:51,990
You are an expert in the art of tea.

482
00:30:52,079 --> 00:30:53,400
Gifting this to you

483
00:30:53,400 --> 00:30:54,688
ensures its value isn't wasted.

484
00:30:57,480 --> 00:30:59,680
Did you have me come all this way

485
00:31:00,519 --> 00:31:02,279
just to give me a gift?

486
00:31:03,712 --> 00:31:04,880
There is indeed one matter

487
00:31:05,248 --> 00:31:06,880
I wish to give you a heads-up about.

488
00:31:09,119 --> 00:31:10,039
Minister Xue

489
00:31:10,920 --> 00:31:12,319
might not be in good health.

490
00:31:15,119 --> 00:31:16,519
Have you ever thought about

491
00:31:16,864 --> 00:31:18,030
joining the Three Departments?

492
00:31:18,559 --> 00:31:20,160
Your Highness,

493
00:31:21,599 --> 00:31:24,079
are you trying to
plan a promotion for me?

494
00:31:27,720 --> 00:31:30,279
Thank you for your support,
Crown Prince.

495
00:31:30,400 --> 00:31:33,279
But you and Xihe are about to wed.

496
00:31:33,880 --> 00:31:37,400
If I seek a key position now,

497
00:31:38,559 --> 00:31:41,039
it will invite gossip.

498
00:31:41,880 --> 00:31:44,000
This must not be done.

499
00:31:46,480 --> 00:31:47,440
In terms of seniority,

500
00:31:48,160 --> 00:31:50,279
you have been an official
in the capital for decades.

501
00:31:50,528 --> 00:31:51,550
In terms of achievements,

502
00:31:52,119 --> 00:31:54,279
you have helped
crack several major cases.

503
00:31:54,799 --> 00:31:55,599
In terms of duty,

504
00:31:56,079 --> 00:31:57,640
you rank just below the Six Ministries.

505
00:31:57,760 --> 00:31:59,200
The Ministers of the Six Ministries

506
00:31:59,359 --> 00:32:00,640
have all just newly taken office,

507
00:32:00,640 --> 00:32:02,680
so promoting them
again would be improper.

508
00:32:02,920 --> 00:32:03,480
Thus, you

509
00:32:04,319 --> 00:32:05,640
are the best candidate.

510
00:32:06,960 --> 00:32:07,640
I...

511
00:32:07,839 --> 00:32:09,799
You are a man of capability,
Minister Tao.

512
00:32:10,384 --> 00:32:11,920
It's just that you are upright,

513
00:32:11,930 --> 00:32:13,670
and the Tao family
is not a powerful clan.

514
00:32:13,680 --> 00:32:14,799
Without anyone's help,

515
00:32:15,039 --> 00:32:16,680
reaching the third rank as Grand Censor

516
00:32:16,680 --> 00:32:17,559
would be your limit.

517
00:32:18,544 --> 00:32:20,070
You disdain political maneuvering,

518
00:32:20,480 --> 00:32:21,559
but that doesn't mean

519
00:32:21,839 --> 00:32:22,720
you have no ambition.

520
00:32:24,720 --> 00:32:25,599
Furthermore,

521
00:32:26,720 --> 00:32:27,799
your granddaughter

522
00:32:28,000 --> 00:32:29,590
is about to become the Crown Princess.

523
00:32:30,519 --> 00:32:32,759
You must want to have greater power

524
00:32:33,880 --> 00:32:35,440
to protect Xihe more, right?

525
00:32:37,160 --> 00:32:40,000
After decades of
drifting in the political sea,

526
00:32:41,319 --> 00:32:45,480
you have seen right through me
at a single glance, Crown Prince.

527
00:32:48,440 --> 00:32:49,400
We are all family.

528
00:32:49,520 --> 00:32:51,248
Whether for public or personal reasons,

529
00:32:51,440 --> 00:32:52,519
I ask you, Minister Tao,

530
00:32:53,079 --> 00:32:54,200
to fight for this future.

531
00:33:07,350 --> 00:33:08,976
Director Tao of the Secretariat is here.

532
00:33:10,319 --> 00:33:12,000
Congratulations.
- Congratulations.

533
00:33:12,000 --> 00:33:13,079
The joy is shared by us all.

534
00:33:13,079 --> 00:33:14,599
- Please support us, Director Tao.
- Please support us, Director Tao.

535
00:33:14,599 --> 00:33:16,039
The joy belongs to everyone.

536
00:33:16,319 --> 00:33:17,240
Congratulations to all.

537
00:33:19,279 --> 00:33:21,039
The joy belongs to everyone.

538
00:33:22,912 --> 00:33:25,350
Director Tao, I hope you will support
us more in the future.

539
00:33:25,359 --> 00:33:26,279
Indeed, Director Tao.

540
00:33:26,352 --> 00:33:27,790
Right after Minister Xue resigned,

541
00:33:28,039 --> 00:33:29,160
the rest of us

542
00:33:29,160 --> 00:33:32,119
hadn't even had time to vie for
the position of Secretariat Director,

543
00:33:32,480 --> 00:33:34,200
yet His Majesty
already issued the decree

544
00:33:34,519 --> 00:33:36,359
appointing Minister Tao to replace him.

545
00:33:37,640 --> 00:33:40,359
I previously thought
Crown Prince wouldn't live long,

546
00:33:40,640 --> 00:33:43,359
so I didn't let the girls in my house
dream of marrying him.

547
00:33:44,720 --> 00:33:48,000
I can only blame myself
for being so shortsighted.

548
00:33:48,000 --> 00:33:48,680
True.

549
00:33:49,584 --> 00:33:51,000
- Minister Tao.
- Minister Tao.

550
00:33:51,000 --> 00:33:51,616
Look at that.

551
00:33:52,200 --> 00:33:54,240
Congratulations, Minister Tao.

552
00:33:54,799 --> 00:33:56,240
The joy is shared by us all.

553
00:34:02,680 --> 00:34:04,680
Why did Your Highness
help my maternal grandfather

554
00:34:04,784 --> 00:34:06,880
secure the position
of Director of the Secretariat?

555
00:34:07,359 --> 00:34:09,079
To please you,
the future Crown Princess.

556
00:34:09,120 --> 00:34:10,064
Do you believe it?

557
00:34:10,272 --> 00:34:11,800
Aren't you afraid that in the future,

558
00:34:11,810 --> 00:34:14,240
the Duke of Wei and the Tao families
will grow too powerful?

559
00:34:15,960 --> 00:34:17,519
You worry that if you and I marry,

560
00:34:17,568 --> 00:34:20,110
we will turn against each other later
over conflicts of interest.

561
00:34:20,440 --> 00:34:21,199
So now,

562
00:34:21,639 --> 00:34:23,000
I am elevating your family

563
00:34:23,599 --> 00:34:24,920
to give you enough leverage

564
00:34:25,072 --> 00:34:26,190
and put your mind at ease.

565
00:34:26,720 --> 00:34:28,230
You're too calculating, Your Highness.

566
00:34:28,480 --> 00:34:29,360
I cannot trust you.

567
00:34:29,600 --> 00:34:31,110
When it comes to my marriage with you,

568
00:34:31,599 --> 00:34:33,119
I don't want any schemes involved.

569
00:34:33,840 --> 00:34:35,199
Strengthening your mother's clan

570
00:34:35,200 --> 00:34:36,912
is a responsibility I ought to take.

571
00:34:46,240 --> 00:34:48,280
Things in the world
are never as easy as you think.

572
00:34:49,159 --> 00:34:50,920
You clearly have
the vision and the courage.

573
00:34:51,920 --> 00:34:53,880
Why won't you just try to believe me?

574
00:34:53,880 --> 00:34:56,128
Because the fate of the Gu family
serves as a warning.

575
00:35:01,536 --> 00:35:03,376
The Shen family
is just like the Gu family.

576
00:35:04,159 --> 00:35:05,079
The higher we stand,

577
00:35:05,872 --> 00:35:07,650
the more it feels
like walking on thin ice.

578
00:35:08,480 --> 00:35:09,719
I won't let the Shen family

579
00:35:09,719 --> 00:35:10,920
become the next Gu family.

580
00:35:13,519 --> 00:35:14,199
Xihe,

581
00:35:16,624 --> 00:35:18,960
I can't promise that everything
will be smooth sailing,

582
00:35:20,960 --> 00:35:21,920
but I can assure you

583
00:35:23,408 --> 00:35:25,070
that no matter how great the danger,

584
00:35:26,096 --> 00:35:27,840
we will share the same mind and heart.

585
00:35:29,200 --> 00:35:30,352
As long as you are here,

586
00:35:31,320 --> 00:35:32,000
I will be here.

587
00:35:44,540 --> 00:35:47,140
(Prince Xin's Manor)

588
00:35:58,039 --> 00:35:58,599
Mother,

589
00:35:59,000 --> 00:36:00,519
how will Father sentence the Gu family?

590
00:36:00,880 --> 00:36:01,559
Qing,

591
00:36:01,679 --> 00:36:03,239
no matter how your father rules,

592
00:36:03,239 --> 00:36:04,199
you must remember

593
00:36:04,199 --> 00:36:05,500
that everything the Gu family did

594
00:36:05,519 --> 00:36:07,119
has nothing to do with you.

595
00:36:07,119 --> 00:36:08,760
Only by cutting ties with the Gu family

596
00:36:08,760 --> 00:36:10,159
can you protect your own title.

597
00:36:10,400 --> 00:36:10,960
Report!

598
00:36:13,616 --> 00:36:14,990
A decree has come from the palace.

599
00:36:15,079 --> 00:36:15,920
The entire Gu clan

600
00:36:16,079 --> 00:36:17,000
is to be executed.

601
00:36:18,400 --> 00:36:19,159
What about Qingzhi?

602
00:36:20,000 --> 00:36:21,079
What about Qingzhi?

603
00:36:22,719 --> 00:36:25,119
Prince Xin's Consort is
the eldest daughter of the Gu family.

604
00:36:25,639 --> 00:36:26,800
She is also on the list.

605
00:36:30,624 --> 00:36:31,360
Your Highness.

606
00:36:31,360 --> 00:36:31,920
Qing.

607
00:36:31,920 --> 00:36:33,280
Your Highness. Your Highness!

608
00:36:33,400 --> 00:36:33,880
No.

609
00:36:34,119 --> 00:36:34,840
Qing.

610
00:36:34,840 --> 00:36:36,000
Qing, calm down.

611
00:36:52,320 --> 00:36:53,280
Father!

612
00:36:53,679 --> 00:36:55,280
(Taiji Hall)
In my memorial today,

613
00:36:56,119 --> 00:36:57,719
from the northern defense maps

614
00:36:58,360 --> 00:36:59,960
to the southern provisions strategy,

615
00:37:00,039 --> 00:37:01,679
every single word proves the loyalty

616
00:37:02,176 --> 00:37:04,280
that the Gu family sons
paid for with their lives.

617
00:37:06,000 --> 00:37:08,039
The Gu family could never be traitors.

618
00:37:08,159 --> 00:37:11,360
Father, I beg you to order
a retrial for this case!

619
00:37:18,480 --> 00:37:20,599
The Gu family could never be traitors.

620
00:37:22,679 --> 00:37:25,239
Father, I beg you to order
a retrial for this case

621
00:37:26,559 --> 00:37:28,199
and clear the Gu family's name.

622
00:37:31,559 --> 00:37:33,519
The Gu family could never be traitors.

623
00:37:34,400 --> 00:37:35,719
Prince Xin,

624
00:37:36,840 --> 00:37:39,039
His Majesty's decree cannot be defied.

625
00:37:39,039 --> 00:37:40,320
You should go back for now.

626
00:37:44,920 --> 00:37:45,360
This...

627
00:37:47,519 --> 00:37:49,800
The Gu family could never be traitors.

628
00:37:51,960 --> 00:37:54,960
Father, I beg you to order
a retrial for this case.

629
00:38:05,119 --> 00:38:05,920
Father!

630
00:38:09,679 --> 00:38:10,480
Father,

631
00:38:12,079 --> 00:38:13,119
when I wed Qingzhi,

632
00:38:13,400 --> 00:38:15,199
I made her a promise.

633
00:38:18,200 --> 00:38:19,960
I promised to protect her
for all her life.

634
00:38:24,039 --> 00:38:25,519
I beg you, Father,

635
00:38:27,280 --> 00:38:29,239
do not separate me from Qingzhi.

636
00:38:30,920 --> 00:38:31,719
Changqing,

637
00:38:32,679 --> 00:38:34,239
how can everything in this world

638
00:38:35,119 --> 00:38:38,599
always go as you wish?

639
00:38:46,199 --> 00:38:46,960
I am...

640
00:38:49,519 --> 00:38:50,960
willing to trade my life for hers.

641
00:38:53,840 --> 00:38:54,719
Changqing,

642
00:38:55,599 --> 00:38:56,639
do you

643
00:38:56,920 --> 00:38:59,840
want to die for
the daughter of a traitor?

644
00:39:02,159 --> 00:39:03,079
I am

645
00:39:03,559 --> 00:39:05,280
willing to trade my life for hers!

646
00:39:15,000 --> 00:39:15,840
I will

647
00:39:16,599 --> 00:39:17,960
never regret this!

648
00:39:34,039 --> 00:39:36,239
The Gu family could never be traitors.

649
00:39:39,320 --> 00:39:42,280
Father, I beg you to order
a retrial for this case

650
00:39:44,280 --> 00:39:46,159
and clear the Gu family's name.

651
00:39:48,960 --> 00:39:51,039
An imperial decree has arrived!

652
00:40:07,000 --> 00:40:07,719
Come.

653
00:40:09,320 --> 00:40:11,000
Your Highness, what are your orders?

654
00:40:13,936 --> 00:40:16,000
On the anniversary of
Prince Xin's Consort's death,

655
00:40:17,920 --> 00:40:19,719
you must invite
Commandery Princess Zhaoning

656
00:40:23,119 --> 00:40:24,280
to pay respects with me.

657
00:40:25,168 --> 00:40:26,224
Yes, Your Highness.

658
00:40:34,784 --> 00:40:36,192
I heard that many noble ladies

659
00:40:36,208 --> 00:40:38,150
were summoned to the palace
by Her Majesty today.

660
00:40:38,400 --> 00:40:40,752
She probably wants
them to brainstorm ideas

661
00:40:40,800 --> 00:40:42,960
to make the Spring Banquet
more interesting.

662
00:40:42,960 --> 00:40:45,088
On the surface,
this Spring Banquet is a family feast,

663
00:40:45,136 --> 00:40:47,670
but it's for the imperial family
to observe the young ladies.

664
00:40:47,679 --> 00:40:50,020
These ladies are either
descendants of meritorious officials

665
00:40:50,032 --> 00:40:52,144
or daughters of ministers
of the third rank or above.

666
00:40:52,190 --> 00:40:54,000
They are all carefully
selected candidates

667
00:40:54,032 --> 00:40:56,416
to be the Grand Empress Dowager's
granddaughters-in-law.

668
00:40:57,199 --> 00:40:58,840
Zhen Zhu, you are really improving.

669
00:40:59,120 --> 00:41:00,360
You understand the affairs

670
00:41:00,360 --> 00:41:01,679
of the palace better and better.

671
00:41:02,400 --> 00:41:04,480
Having followed you into
the palace so many times,

672
00:41:04,480 --> 00:41:06,199
no matter what happens,

673
00:41:06,199 --> 00:41:07,599
nothing can escape my ears.

674
00:41:14,519 --> 00:41:16,039
Greetings, Your Majesty.

675
00:41:16,896 --> 00:41:18,030
No need for formalities.

676
00:41:18,159 --> 00:41:20,159
Come, sit next to me.

677
00:41:29,639 --> 00:41:32,800
We were just discussing
the Spring Banquet.

678
00:41:32,800 --> 00:41:34,239
I suddenly have an idea.

679
00:41:35,079 --> 00:41:36,679
How about you organize

680
00:41:36,679 --> 00:41:38,079
next year's Spring Banquet?

681
00:41:38,519 --> 00:41:39,400
What do you think?

682
00:41:41,400 --> 00:41:42,280
Grandmother,

683
00:41:42,679 --> 00:41:43,559
palace banquets

684
00:41:43,560 --> 00:41:45,664
should only be organized
by people from the palace.

685
00:41:45,680 --> 00:41:47,670
The Spring Banquet is
especially in the spotlight.

686
00:41:47,744 --> 00:41:50,230
Commandery Princess Zhaoning
is not yet the Crown Princess.

687
00:41:50,320 --> 00:41:52,420
How could she have
the right to overstep and do this?

688
00:41:52,440 --> 00:41:54,719
His Majesty's marriage decree
was issued long ago.

689
00:41:54,880 --> 00:41:56,239
We will be family sooner or later.

690
00:41:56,239 --> 00:41:57,760
Why draw such a clear line?

691
00:41:57,960 --> 00:41:58,360
You...

692
00:42:00,639 --> 00:42:01,440
Zhaoning,

693
00:42:01,559 --> 00:42:03,119
what is your thought on this?

694
00:42:03,424 --> 00:42:05,070
Thank you for your favor, Your Majesty.

695
00:42:05,519 --> 00:42:08,559
However, I have never
managed such a grand feast before.

696
00:42:08,864 --> 00:42:10,360
I am afraid I might not do it well

697
00:42:10,639 --> 00:42:12,000
and spoil your high spirits.

698
00:42:14,159 --> 00:42:16,840
You are smart and quick to learn.

699
00:42:16,960 --> 00:42:19,599
It is just a family banquet.

700
00:42:19,800 --> 00:42:21,119
Moreover, I appointed you myself.

701
00:42:21,280 --> 00:42:24,039
Even if something goes slightly wrong,

702
00:42:24,039 --> 00:42:26,960
they will not criticize you for it.

703
00:42:32,280 --> 00:42:34,639
I have not yet officially
married the Crown Prince.

704
00:42:34,832 --> 00:42:36,480
One should only act within one's role.

705
00:42:36,960 --> 00:42:38,599
I hope you can understand, Your Majesty.

706
00:42:40,320 --> 00:42:41,199
Very well.

707
00:42:42,119 --> 00:42:42,840
Sit here.

708
00:42:44,800 --> 00:42:46,760
She refused to organize
the Spring Banquet.

709
00:42:46,832 --> 00:42:48,576
Could there be a change in the marriage?

710
00:42:49,440 --> 00:42:50,320
Alright,

711
00:42:50,320 --> 00:42:51,920
once you are married,

712
00:42:52,159 --> 00:42:54,599
let's see where else you can hide.

713
00:42:55,472 --> 00:42:57,110
The noble ladies have carefully prepared

714
00:42:57,119 --> 00:42:58,480
prizes for the Spring Banquet.

715
00:42:58,630 --> 00:43:00,688
Please take a look and select them,
Grandmother.

716
00:43:00,960 --> 00:43:01,719
Good.

717
00:43:01,840 --> 00:43:03,400
Bring them forward.

718
00:43:03,559 --> 00:43:07,039
Let me see what
novelties we have this year.

719
00:43:09,519 --> 00:43:11,360
Your Highness, where are we going now?

720
00:43:11,500 --> 00:43:12,440
To Prince Xin's Manor.

721
00:43:12,679 --> 00:43:14,960
Since Prince Xin is being so persistent,

722
00:43:14,960 --> 00:43:16,700
do you still want to see him,
Your Highness?

723
00:43:16,752 --> 00:43:19,120
This time, he used
the anniversary of Gu Qingzhi's death

724
00:43:19,130 --> 00:43:21,104
to send an invitation
for me to join the memorial.

725
00:43:21,159 --> 00:43:22,199
He calculated

726
00:43:22,199 --> 00:43:23,639
that I'd have no reason to refuse.

727
00:43:24,239 --> 00:43:26,079
Things must be resolved one by one.

728
00:43:41,159 --> 00:43:42,440
Every single word I say,

729
00:43:42,679 --> 00:43:43,960
you know exactly what it means.

730
00:43:44,039 --> 00:43:45,360
You are Gu Qingzhi,

731
00:43:45,760 --> 00:43:46,400
aren't you?

732
00:43:46,559 --> 00:43:48,400
That is why you climb up desperately,

733
00:43:48,559 --> 00:43:51,239
and you will clear every single
obstacle you face away one by one.

734
00:43:51,552 --> 00:43:52,920
And that includes the Gu family.

735
00:43:53,079 --> 00:43:53,960
I was wrong.

736
00:43:54,320 --> 00:43:55,360
Give me one more chance.

737
00:43:55,880 --> 00:43:56,920
I will fight with my life

738
00:43:57,519 --> 00:43:58,559
to keep you safe.

739
00:44:03,470 --> 00:44:06,410
♪I've hidden so many words♪

740
00:44:07,030 --> 00:44:09,830
♪Too reluctant to tell you♪

741
00:44:10,700 --> 00:44:17,670
♪So never uncover♪

742
00:44:17,860 --> 00:44:20,220
♪The sand that slips away
with one grasp♪

743
00:44:21,350 --> 00:44:24,080
♪The flower that withers
after one bloom♪

744
00:44:25,040 --> 00:44:30,380
♪Silently buried deep inside my heart♪

745
00:44:32,140 --> 00:44:34,960
♪Every answer I gave♪

746
00:44:35,760 --> 00:44:38,610
♪Was both bittersweet and absurd♪

747
00:44:39,400 --> 00:44:42,770
♪Hiding my tear-filled eyes
when I hurt you♪

748
00:44:43,030 --> 00:44:46,340
♪How hard it truly was?♪

749
00:44:49,310 --> 00:44:52,750
♪The wounds that healed
with just a little comfort♪

750
00:44:53,740 --> 00:44:56,070
♪The lies made whole
with a single embrace♪

751
00:44:57,340 --> 00:45:03,100
♪Pretending to be brave
as if I'd never been hurt♪

752
00:45:04,510 --> 00:45:07,640
♪It's a shame I never could♪

753
00:45:08,090 --> 00:45:11,100
♪Give you a moon in return♪

754
00:45:11,210 --> 00:45:17,850
♪With the same open heart you loved me♪

755
00:45:17,850 --> 00:45:21,520
♪I've crossed the wasteland of memories♪

756
00:45:22,390 --> 00:45:25,150
♪Never knowing I was lost♪

757
00:45:25,590 --> 00:45:28,720
♪Why don't you take me away?♪

758
00:45:29,160 --> 00:45:35,110
♪Lead me out of this endless game
of hide-and-seek♪

759
00:45:36,510 --> 00:45:40,060
♪You'll never♪

760
00:45:40,340 --> 00:45:49,810
♪Know how much I long to, long to♪

761
00:46:15,980 --> 00:46:19,460
(No animals were harmed
in the making of this film)