1
00:00:17,060 --> 00:00:21,100
(Prince Xin's Manor)

2
00:00:45,260 --> 00:00:49,900
(Memorial Tablet of the Late Lady Gu)

3
00:01:06,140 --> 00:01:08,580
(Memorial Tablet of the Late Lady Gu)

4
00:01:21,430 --> 00:01:22,710
Your Highness, my condolences.

5
00:01:22,816 --> 00:01:24,576
On the anniversary
of my late wife's death,

6
00:01:24,640 --> 00:01:27,024
you accepted my invitation
to pay respects with me.

7
00:01:28,150 --> 00:01:29,400
I am immensely grateful.

8
00:01:31,150 --> 00:01:32,480
When I was far away in northwest,

9
00:01:33,200 --> 00:01:34,230
Qingzhi

10
00:01:34,510 --> 00:01:36,430
was my only dear friend
in the imperial capital.

11
00:01:36,840 --> 00:01:38,200
Of course, I wouldn't refuse.

12
00:01:38,224 --> 00:01:39,840
Now that I've paid my respects
to Qingzhi

13
00:01:40,040 --> 00:01:41,150
and fulfilled my wish,

14
00:01:41,232 --> 00:01:42,400
I should be heading back.

15
00:01:42,688 --> 00:01:44,920
Would you perhaps join me
in the study for some tea?

16
00:01:45,712 --> 00:01:47,280
Even just to keep Qingzhi company,

17
00:01:48,000 --> 00:01:49,230
please stay a little longer.

18
00:01:50,120 --> 00:01:50,760
Won't you?

19
00:03:15,540 --> 00:03:16,280
=Blossoms of Power=

20
00:03:16,290 --> 00:03:19,140
(Adapted from the novel, After My
Bloom, All Flowers Wither by Jin Huang)

21
00:03:19,220 --> 00:03:22,180
=Episode 18=

22
00:03:32,680 --> 00:03:33,870
(Hexiang Grass?)

23
00:03:39,190 --> 00:03:40,750
(Mixing Hexiang Grass with tea leaves)

24
00:03:41,800 --> 00:03:43,000
(can enhance the aroma.)

25
00:03:44,150 --> 00:03:45,470
(But for Xiao Changqing,)

26
00:03:45,870 --> 00:03:46,910
(once he drinks it,)

27
00:03:47,504 --> 00:03:49,430
(he will suffocate and die
within moments.)

28
00:03:53,960 --> 00:03:54,520
Your Highness,

29
00:03:55,400 --> 00:03:55,960
please.

30
00:04:17,270 --> 00:04:18,750
Thank you for the tea, Your Highness.

31
00:04:19,040 --> 00:04:21,936
I just remembered I have urgent matters
to attend to at my residence.

32
00:04:22,032 --> 00:04:22,800
I'll take my leave.

33
00:04:37,440 --> 00:04:39,480
Your Highness,
the road is slippery from the snow.

34
00:04:39,480 --> 00:04:40,750
Let me help you walk slowly.

35
00:04:40,750 --> 00:04:42,240
Your Highness, what happened?

36
00:04:42,240 --> 00:04:43,360
Why are you in such a hurry?

37
00:05:41,830 --> 00:05:42,360
Quickly!

38
00:05:47,120 --> 00:05:48,040
No one

39
00:05:49,310 --> 00:05:50,510
knows about this matter.

40
00:05:52,830 --> 00:05:54,160
Except for Qingzhi.

41
00:05:54,950 --> 00:05:56,120
How did you know

42
00:05:57,120 --> 00:05:58,360
the antidote is here?

43
00:05:59,000 --> 00:06:00,040
Save your life first.

44
00:06:00,120 --> 00:06:01,040
I won't take it.

45
00:06:04,240 --> 00:06:06,120
Not unless you tell me

46
00:06:07,600 --> 00:06:09,120
that you are Qingzhi.

47
00:06:46,480 --> 00:06:47,630
If you save me,

48
00:06:49,750 --> 00:06:50,920
that's an admission.

49
00:06:51,310 --> 00:06:52,480
You're being unreasonable.

50
00:07:08,040 --> 00:07:09,390
Do you still remember this?

51
00:07:18,360 --> 00:07:21,000
This is the jade waist pendant
you used to love.

52
00:07:27,504 --> 00:07:29,750
Before, you were determined
to marry the Crown Prince.

53
00:07:32,000 --> 00:07:33,950
It was because he was
of the legitimate line,

54
00:07:34,920 --> 00:07:36,190
yet frail and sickly.

55
00:07:37,390 --> 00:07:39,190
You believed marrying such a husband

56
00:07:39,200 --> 00:07:41,270
would allow you to use his influence
to pave the way

57
00:07:41,280 --> 00:07:42,400
to protect the Shen family

58
00:07:42,510 --> 00:07:43,750
and to protect yourself

59
00:07:44,160 --> 00:07:46,310
because you had suffered
the excruciating pain

60
00:07:47,120 --> 00:07:48,630
of being powerless
over your own fate.

61
00:07:51,150 --> 00:07:52,912
Now, you've seen
through the Crown Prince's

62
00:07:52,928 --> 00:07:54,270
manipulative nature.

63
00:07:56,360 --> 00:07:57,360
Against him,

64
00:07:59,360 --> 00:08:00,680
no one stands a chance.

65
00:08:02,512 --> 00:08:04,480
That's why you want
to postpone the wedding.

66
00:08:05,270 --> 00:08:06,920
You want to refuse this marriage.

67
00:08:16,224 --> 00:08:18,016
I don't know what you're talking about.

68
00:08:18,430 --> 00:08:19,800
Every single word I say,

69
00:08:20,560 --> 00:08:22,000
you know exactly what it means.

70
00:08:24,560 --> 00:08:25,870
You are Gu Qingzhi.

71
00:08:31,630 --> 00:08:32,270
Aren't you?

72
00:08:39,670 --> 00:08:41,150
When Qingzhi was alive,

73
00:08:43,030 --> 00:08:44,840
you were truly sincere towards her.

74
00:08:46,390 --> 00:08:48,200
But you always imposed
your kindness on her

75
00:08:48,200 --> 00:08:49,360
in ways you thought were best.

76
00:08:50,320 --> 00:08:52,320
You thought
that if you climbed high enough,

77
00:08:52,790 --> 00:08:54,910
you could shelter her under your wing.

78
00:08:55,720 --> 00:08:57,550
That is why you climb up desperately,

79
00:08:58,910 --> 00:09:01,630
and you will clear every single
obstacle you face away one by one.

80
00:09:02,016 --> 00:09:03,360
And that includes the Gu family.

81
00:09:05,080 --> 00:09:06,910
The reason after the Gu family's fall

82
00:09:07,630 --> 00:09:09,510
that I chose to break ties
with them was...

83
00:09:09,510 --> 00:09:10,750
To save Gu Qingzhi's life.

84
00:09:13,440 --> 00:09:15,440
The fall of the Gu family
was not your fault.

85
00:09:16,320 --> 00:09:18,960
But you were supervising
their execution to save Gu Qingzhi.

86
00:09:19,270 --> 00:09:20,360
Was that what she wanted?

87
00:09:22,320 --> 00:09:23,390
What she wanted

88
00:09:24,440 --> 00:09:27,320
was to face any hardship together.

89
00:09:32,960 --> 00:09:33,960
I was wrong.

90
00:09:37,024 --> 00:09:38,790
I've known for a long time
that I was wrong.

91
00:09:39,910 --> 00:09:41,200
Give me one more chance.

92
00:09:43,480 --> 00:09:44,200
This time,

93
00:09:46,840 --> 00:09:48,080
I will fight with my life

94
00:09:49,000 --> 00:09:50,080
to keep you safe.

95
00:10:01,270 --> 00:10:03,030
Qingzhi once said in her letters

96
00:10:05,600 --> 00:10:06,320
that she

97
00:10:06,640 --> 00:10:07,840
never had feelings for you.

98
00:10:08,960 --> 00:10:10,200
Your marriage to her

99
00:10:11,120 --> 00:10:12,720
was just a marriage of convenience.

100
00:10:15,080 --> 00:10:16,120
But she also said

101
00:10:17,750 --> 00:10:18,720
that even so,

102
00:10:20,192 --> 00:10:22,440
you're the kind of person
who would do anything for her.

103
00:10:23,440 --> 00:10:24,790
So no matter what happened,

104
00:10:26,200 --> 00:10:27,840
she wanted you to live a peaceful life.

105
00:11:07,580 --> 00:11:09,100
(Vibrant and Dazzling)

106
00:11:14,360 --> 00:11:15,390
Xihe.

107
00:11:18,960 --> 00:11:20,016
There are some pastries.

108
00:11:20,390 --> 00:11:21,270
Wash your hands.

109
00:11:31,320 --> 00:11:32,150
What is this?

110
00:11:32,720 --> 00:11:35,000
This is a popular hand balm.

111
00:11:42,550 --> 00:11:43,550
It smells so good.

112
00:11:55,360 --> 00:11:56,510
Did you make this?

113
00:12:06,960 --> 00:12:08,150
It's so beautiful.

114
00:12:09,360 --> 00:12:11,270
Xihe, your needlework is incredible.

115
00:12:12,750 --> 00:12:14,000
What kind of fabric is this?

116
00:12:14,000 --> 00:12:15,030
It feels so smooth.

117
00:12:18,790 --> 00:12:19,600
Xihe,

118
00:12:21,000 --> 00:12:22,240
can you give it to me?

119
00:12:22,440 --> 00:12:23,200
No.

120
00:12:24,240 --> 00:12:25,480
If I gave it to you,

121
00:12:25,600 --> 00:12:27,664
you'd definitely be tempted
to wear it in secret.

122
00:12:27,910 --> 00:12:29,150
Any slip-up

123
00:12:29,168 --> 00:12:31,264
would be a fatal crime
of deceiving the emperor.

124
00:12:42,320 --> 00:12:44,510
Do you have plans
for Chinese New Year's Eve?

125
00:12:46,592 --> 00:12:49,240
Do you want to come to
my maternal grandparents' house with me?

126
00:12:49,790 --> 00:12:50,390
Really?

127
00:12:52,550 --> 00:12:55,030
Xihe, you're the best.

128
00:12:58,140 --> 00:13:02,660
(Pleasant Spring, Great Fortune)

129
00:13:05,750 --> 00:13:06,550
Be careful.

130
00:13:11,136 --> 00:13:12,710
(Tao Residence)
Here, this is for you.

131
00:13:12,720 --> 00:13:13,390
Hold it tight.

132
00:13:13,720 --> 00:13:14,480
For you.

133
00:13:14,480 --> 00:13:15,488
Thank you, Grandfather.

134
00:13:15,504 --> 00:13:15,870
Good.

135
00:13:17,480 --> 00:13:18,360
Xihe.

136
00:13:20,790 --> 00:13:21,870
Greetings, Director Tao.

137
00:13:22,270 --> 00:13:22,960
Grandfather.

138
00:13:23,200 --> 00:13:24,390
Uncle, Aunt.

139
00:13:24,432 --> 00:13:25,740
Happy Chinese New Year, everyone.

140
00:13:25,750 --> 00:13:27,440
- We're all well.
- Happy Chinese New Year.

141
00:13:27,450 --> 00:13:28,320
Happy Chinese New Year.

142
00:13:28,336 --> 00:13:29,152
Young Master Bu.

143
00:13:29,720 --> 00:13:32,630
You're celebrating the Chinese New Year
with us too?

144
00:13:32,656 --> 00:13:34,870
I have no family or relatives
in the imperial capital.

145
00:13:34,870 --> 00:13:36,750
The holidays are quite lonely for me.

146
00:13:37,120 --> 00:13:39,320
I hope I'm not imposing
on your household today.

147
00:13:39,910 --> 00:13:41,200
The more, the merrier.

148
00:13:41,200 --> 00:13:43,320
You are more than welcome.

149
00:13:43,600 --> 00:13:44,360
Exactly.

150
00:13:44,360 --> 00:13:45,240
Welcome.

151
00:13:45,240 --> 00:13:48,000
This is Chinese New Year's money
from your elders.

152
00:13:49,270 --> 00:13:52,150
May you have another year
of life and increased fortune.

153
00:13:52,240 --> 00:13:53,320
May you all be well.

154
00:13:53,320 --> 00:13:54,270
Thank you, Grandfather.

155
00:13:55,480 --> 00:13:56,120
Minister Tao,

156
00:13:56,440 --> 00:13:58,600
I won't take your money
for nothing.

157
00:13:58,608 --> 00:13:59,910
In a few days, I'll find a chance

158
00:13:59,952 --> 00:14:01,540
to give the Wang Residence a hard time.

159
00:14:01,552 --> 00:14:03,870
Why give the Wang Residence a hard time?

160
00:14:03,904 --> 00:14:06,030
Wang Zheng is unhappy about your
promotion to Director of Secretariat.

161
00:14:06,030 --> 00:14:07,320
He's been secretly causing trouble
for you.

162
00:14:07,320 --> 00:14:08,240
I'm well aware of that.

163
00:14:08,360 --> 00:14:09,360
I'll just annoy him a bit

164
00:14:09,480 --> 00:14:10,630
to vent your anger for you.

165
00:14:10,870 --> 00:14:12,030
Oh, you.

166
00:14:12,030 --> 00:14:15,790
Every month, you're accused
of dozens of offenses.

167
00:14:16,390 --> 00:14:18,550
You're at the top
of the Censorate's list.

168
00:14:18,630 --> 00:14:20,120
And you still dare to cause trouble?

169
00:14:20,440 --> 00:14:22,840
You are another year older now.

170
00:14:23,000 --> 00:14:25,030
It's time to act more appropriately.

171
00:14:27,000 --> 00:14:28,000
I have learned my lesson.

172
00:14:30,360 --> 00:14:32,510
Alright, let's go inside.

173
00:14:32,510 --> 00:14:34,448
- Let's go in.
- The Crown Prince has arrived!

174
00:14:35,616 --> 00:14:37,840
- Why is Crown Prince here?
- Why is Crown Prince here?

175
00:14:41,270 --> 00:14:43,360
Greetings, Your Highness.

176
00:14:43,792 --> 00:14:45,880
Minister Tao, please,
dispense with the formalities.

177
00:14:47,910 --> 00:14:48,630
Your Highness,

178
00:14:49,120 --> 00:14:51,320
you should be in the palace today.

179
00:14:51,870 --> 00:14:53,960
Why have you come to my residence?

180
00:14:54,000 --> 00:14:55,890
Chinese New Year's Eve
and Chinese New Year's Day

181
00:14:55,900 --> 00:14:57,056
should be spent with family.

182
00:14:57,360 --> 00:14:58,600
The palace has too many rules.

183
00:14:58,600 --> 00:14:59,900
Everything is rigid and formal.

184
00:14:59,910 --> 00:15:01,080
I find it cold and impersonal.

185
00:15:01,480 --> 00:15:04,320
Besides, I couldn't stop thinking
about the Commandery Princess.

186
00:15:04,750 --> 00:15:05,550
I came uninvited.

187
00:15:06,000 --> 00:15:07,080
I hope you don't mind.

188
00:15:08,200 --> 00:15:10,030
We are deeply honored by your presence

189
00:15:10,320 --> 00:15:12,790
in our humble home. It is a great honor.

190
00:15:12,960 --> 00:15:14,720
Then please, come inside.

191
00:15:15,960 --> 00:15:17,440
Happy Chinese New Year, Cousin-in-law.

192
00:15:17,910 --> 00:15:18,600
Uh...

193
00:15:19,030 --> 00:15:20,240
A child's words mean no harm.

194
00:15:20,240 --> 00:15:23,360
- A child's words mean no harm.
- Forgive him, Your Highness.

195
00:15:29,168 --> 00:15:30,360
Out of the mouths of babes.

196
00:15:30,790 --> 00:15:31,480
Say it again.

197
00:15:31,568 --> 00:15:33,120
Happy Chinese New Year, Cousin-in-law.

198
00:15:33,312 --> 00:15:33,960
Take them all.

199
00:15:34,608 --> 00:15:36,550
No, this is...
This is too much, Your Highness.

200
00:15:36,910 --> 00:15:37,240
Well...

201
00:15:37,240 --> 00:15:38,030
Please, come inside.

202
00:15:38,030 --> 00:15:39,390
- Come inside.
- Please, come in.

203
00:15:39,390 --> 00:15:40,736
- Let's take our seats.
- Come inside.

204
00:15:40,910 --> 00:15:41,320
Quick.

205
00:15:41,320 --> 00:15:42,390
Come on.

206
00:15:42,390 --> 00:15:43,150
Please come in.

207
00:15:43,150 --> 00:15:45,550
- Time for Chinese New Year's dinner!
- That's right!

208
00:15:45,550 --> 00:15:46,630
In another hour,

209
00:15:46,960 --> 00:15:48,976
it will be the first day
of the Chinese New Year.

210
00:15:49,000 --> 00:15:51,740
I want to bid farewell to the old year
and welcome the new one with you.

211
00:15:51,750 --> 00:15:53,000
And if I say I don't want to?

212
00:15:53,720 --> 00:15:55,120
Will you back down?

213
00:15:55,840 --> 00:15:56,910
When it comes to you,

214
00:15:56,920 --> 00:15:58,910
I only know how to press forward
against the odds,

215
00:15:58,928 --> 00:16:00,048
not how to back down.

216
00:16:13,320 --> 00:16:14,720
I want to set off firecrackers!

217
00:16:14,840 --> 00:16:15,790
Firecrackers!

218
00:16:15,790 --> 00:16:16,720
Set off firecrackers!

219
00:16:16,720 --> 00:16:17,390
Come here, quick.

220
00:16:17,510 --> 00:16:18,390
Firecrackers!

221
00:16:33,168 --> 00:16:34,390
Chinese New Year is the best.

222
00:16:34,390 --> 00:16:35,360
- It is.
- It is.

223
00:16:36,150 --> 00:16:37,030
Be careful.

224
00:16:37,030 --> 00:16:39,120
Go on, set off more.

225
00:16:52,200 --> 00:16:54,360
This decorative knot is quite unique.

226
00:16:54,576 --> 00:16:56,064
I happen to be in need of one.

227
00:16:56,390 --> 00:16:58,360
I wonder if you would gift it to me.

228
00:16:59,550 --> 00:17:01,320
I made this knot for my father.

229
00:17:03,150 --> 00:17:04,270
Then, could you

230
00:17:04,720 --> 00:17:06,270
make another one for me?

231
00:17:08,310 --> 00:17:09,000
I'm sorry.

232
00:17:09,510 --> 00:17:10,680
I don't have the free time.

233
00:17:12,510 --> 00:17:13,550
Xihe,

234
00:17:13,550 --> 00:17:14,880
the Crown Prince likes it.

235
00:17:14,960 --> 00:17:16,110
Just give it to him.

236
00:17:19,880 --> 00:17:21,590
Seeing your family reunited

237
00:17:22,480 --> 00:17:23,640
makes me quite envious.

238
00:17:25,590 --> 00:17:27,270
Although I have many siblings,

239
00:17:27,776 --> 00:17:29,890
on Chinese New Year's Eve
and Chinese New Year's Day,

240
00:17:30,310 --> 00:17:31,680
there's no one to keep me company.

241
00:17:32,550 --> 00:17:33,550
And not a single person

242
00:17:34,080 --> 00:17:35,888
gave me a Chinese New Year's gift.

243
00:17:41,310 --> 00:17:42,440
So just give it to me.

244
00:17:43,936 --> 00:17:46,048
I'm going to hang the spring paintings.

245
00:17:50,640 --> 00:17:51,350
I'll go with you.

246
00:17:59,070 --> 00:17:59,920
It's beautiful.

247
00:18:07,860 --> 00:18:10,380
(Noble Sentiment and Lofty Disposition)

248
00:18:11,530 --> 00:18:13,770
♪A wall that collapses at a single push♪

249
00:18:15,100 --> 00:18:17,350
♪Frost that melts at a single smile♪

250
00:18:20,500 --> 00:18:23,580
(Tao Residence)

251
00:18:25,880 --> 00:18:28,820
♪I've hidden so many words♪

252
00:18:29,440 --> 00:18:32,240
♪Too reluctant to tell you♪

253
00:18:33,110 --> 00:18:40,080
♪So never uncover♪

254
00:18:40,270 --> 00:18:42,630
♪The sand that slips away
with one grasp♪

255
00:18:44,200 --> 00:18:46,030
Mother, look! It's so pretty!

256
00:18:47,200 --> 00:18:48,270
So pretty.

257
00:18:49,790 --> 00:18:51,110
It's beautiful.

258
00:18:51,750 --> 00:18:53,110
The more

259
00:18:54,000 --> 00:18:55,980
I look at your knot,
the more exquisite it seems.

260
00:18:58,170 --> 00:19:01,020
♪Was both bittersweet and absurd♪

261
00:19:03,270 --> 00:19:04,680
I don't know when the day will come

262
00:19:06,160 --> 00:19:07,590
that someone will think of me,

263
00:19:09,160 --> 00:19:10,310
and during the holidays,

264
00:19:10,880 --> 00:19:13,160
prepare a handmade gift for me.

265
00:19:15,400 --> 00:19:16,750
And that someone

266
00:19:17,830 --> 00:19:19,440
will wish me blessings and a long life.

267
00:19:19,730 --> 00:19:25,850
♪So brave as if not afraid
of disappointment♪

268
00:19:26,890 --> 00:19:30,190
♪You understand my pride♪

269
00:19:30,480 --> 00:19:33,500
♪It is actually just like yours♪

270
00:19:34,400 --> 00:19:35,310
Are you satisfied now?

271
00:19:40,210 --> 00:19:44,130
♪I've crossed the wasteland of memories♪

272
00:19:44,160 --> 00:19:45,296
An inch of concentric thread,

273
00:19:45,632 --> 00:19:47,070
a flower for a hundred years of life.

274
00:19:47,504 --> 00:19:49,184
There's a saying
in the imperial capital.

275
00:19:49,510 --> 00:19:51,000
If, at the turn of the new year,

276
00:19:51,072 --> 00:19:53,420
one can stay up with their beloved
to see the new year in,

277
00:19:53,440 --> 00:19:55,310
they will live in harmony
for a hundred years,

278
00:19:55,400 --> 00:19:56,624
and be forever united in heart.

279
00:19:59,130 --> 00:20:04,950
♪The flustered mortal world♪

280
00:20:06,290 --> 00:20:12,310
♪Your eyes remain clear and bright♪

281
00:20:47,776 --> 00:20:49,872
Just see me out from here,
Your Highness.

282
00:20:52,496 --> 00:20:54,000
Let me escort you back to your manor.

283
00:20:54,070 --> 00:20:54,976
That's not necessary.

284
00:20:55,160 --> 00:20:56,830
Today is a day for family reunions.

285
00:20:57,088 --> 00:20:58,830
You should also return
to the palace early

286
00:20:58,960 --> 00:21:01,640
to celebrate the festival with
His Majesty and the Empress Dowager.

287
00:21:26,480 --> 00:21:27,110
Your Highness,

288
00:21:27,328 --> 00:21:28,920
Prince Xin is waiting for you up ahead.

289
00:21:29,000 --> 00:21:30,816
Forgive my impertinence, Your Highness.

290
00:21:33,056 --> 00:21:34,350
Where are you going?

291
00:21:34,350 --> 00:21:35,200
Come back here!

292
00:21:35,750 --> 00:21:36,510
Stop shouting.

293
00:21:36,750 --> 00:21:37,880
He's been bribed.

294
00:21:37,952 --> 00:21:39,552
How could he possibly come back?

295
00:21:40,160 --> 00:21:41,830
Your Highness,
let me drive the carriage.

296
00:21:43,310 --> 00:21:43,880
Wait.

297
00:21:45,790 --> 00:21:46,920
If I don't see him,

298
00:21:47,790 --> 00:21:49,160
he probably won't let this go.

299
00:21:50,000 --> 00:21:51,830
Who knows how many more
drivers he'll send?

300
00:22:07,200 --> 00:22:09,296
I have been waiting for you
for a long time.

301
00:22:09,550 --> 00:22:11,550
You've gone to so much trouble.

302
00:22:11,790 --> 00:22:12,830
What is this all for?

303
00:22:13,728 --> 00:22:15,344
Tonight is Chinese New Year's Eve.

304
00:22:15,790 --> 00:22:16,830
There's something

305
00:22:19,160 --> 00:22:20,640
I'd like to watch with you.

306
00:22:41,750 --> 00:22:43,310
Your fireworks

307
00:22:43,720 --> 00:22:45,030
are certainly creative.

308
00:22:52,624 --> 00:22:53,920
On Chinese New Year's Eve,

309
00:22:55,600 --> 00:22:57,792
a husband and wife stay up
to welcome the new year.

310
00:22:58,750 --> 00:22:59,590
It symbolizes

311
00:23:01,880 --> 00:23:03,200
growing old together

312
00:23:04,400 --> 00:23:05,750
year after year.

313
00:23:06,896 --> 00:23:08,608
But in the five years
we had been married,

314
00:23:11,440 --> 00:23:13,680
Qingzhi had never stayed up
with me for the new year.

315
00:23:15,920 --> 00:23:18,790
Every year, I was in the palace with
my father and the Empress Dowager.

316
00:23:19,400 --> 00:23:20,480
After the family banquet,

317
00:23:22,200 --> 00:23:23,440
when I returned to my manor,

318
00:23:27,110 --> 00:23:28,790
she went straight to her room to rest.

319
00:23:32,270 --> 00:23:33,920
She's always so

320
00:23:36,480 --> 00:23:37,680
cold and distant.

321
00:23:38,120 --> 00:23:40,940
♪Time is like a river flowing backward♪

322
00:23:40,940 --> 00:23:43,490
♪The story is sketched anew♪

323
00:23:44,920 --> 00:23:45,640
Qingzhi.

324
00:23:48,480 --> 00:23:49,750
Happy Chinese New Year.

325
00:23:51,270 --> 00:23:54,000
♪Pushing me to converge with you♪

326
00:23:54,000 --> 00:23:58,480
♪Sifting for joy in a sea of sorrow♪

327
00:23:59,120 --> 00:24:01,760
♪I step onto this winding path♪

328
00:24:01,760 --> 00:24:04,100
♪What was swept away?♪

329
00:24:04,290 --> 00:24:08,460
♪Joy and sorrow show no emotion♪

330
00:24:09,500 --> 00:24:12,070
♪The clouds twist into a vortex♪

331
00:24:12,070 --> 00:24:14,820
♪Reaching out to touch you♪

332
00:24:14,820 --> 00:24:19,600
♪Only to find it's just a bubble♪

333
00:24:20,970 --> 00:24:23,240
♪Scene after scene of yesterday♪

334
00:24:23,240 --> 00:24:26,110
♪Lies between the sky and the water♪

335
00:24:26,110 --> 00:24:28,480
♪The stars are sinking♪

336
00:24:28,480 --> 00:24:31,480
♪Like a sunken vow♪

337
00:24:31,970 --> 00:24:34,650
♪You drifted away alone♪

338
00:24:36,350 --> 00:24:37,550
Back then,

339
00:24:39,790 --> 00:24:41,960
I still had the ambition
to rule the world.

340
00:24:43,750 --> 00:24:45,030
I wanted to make my wife

341
00:24:47,200 --> 00:24:49,350
the most honored woman in the world.

342
00:24:50,790 --> 00:24:51,830
I even

343
00:24:53,790 --> 00:24:55,240
deluded myself into thinking

344
00:24:56,750 --> 00:24:58,440
that once I ascended the throne,

345
00:25:02,000 --> 00:25:03,550
I would do everything in my power

346
00:25:05,160 --> 00:25:06,550
to make it up to Qingzhi.

347
00:25:17,480 --> 00:25:18,720
After you appeared,

348
00:25:20,550 --> 00:25:21,960
I sometimes find myself lost.

349
00:25:23,440 --> 00:25:25,400
Was my past with Qingzhi

350
00:25:25,920 --> 00:25:26,960
a dream,

351
00:25:29,070 --> 00:25:30,590
or is all of this before me

352
00:25:33,590 --> 00:25:34,720
a dream?

353
00:25:37,440 --> 00:25:38,200
Perhaps

354
00:25:40,110 --> 00:25:41,590
this is fate's way

355
00:25:43,350 --> 00:25:44,640
of showing us favor.

356
00:25:47,480 --> 00:25:48,590
It has let us

357
00:25:50,830 --> 00:25:52,400
return to the path where we began.

358
00:25:52,860 --> 00:25:55,450
♪A hand I cannot touch♪

359
00:25:55,450 --> 00:26:00,740
♪I hold it for a moment
in the reflection♪

360
00:26:01,960 --> 00:26:03,070
The fireworks are over.

361
00:26:04,200 --> 00:26:04,720
A dream

362
00:26:06,160 --> 00:26:07,400
is fleeting, after all.

363
00:26:15,360 --> 00:26:16,928
The night is late and the wind is cold.

364
00:26:18,480 --> 00:26:19,510
I must take my leave.

365
00:26:35,070 --> 00:26:36,440
I will have the fireworks

366
00:26:38,160 --> 00:26:39,920
light up the sky all night.

367
00:26:49,480 --> 00:26:50,310
Qingqing.

368
00:26:52,270 --> 00:26:53,400
Happy Chinese New Year.

369
00:27:25,980 --> 00:27:29,060
(Favorable Weather
and Abundant Harvests)

370
00:27:36,720 --> 00:27:38,400
Faced with a Crown Prince like him,

371
00:27:39,510 --> 00:27:41,960
what are your chances of winning?

372
00:27:52,980 --> 00:27:55,780
(Favorable Weather
and Abundant Harvests)

373
00:27:55,790 --> 00:27:56,350
Your Highness,

374
00:27:56,480 --> 00:27:59,104
Commandery Princess watched
the fireworks with the Fifth Prince.

375
00:27:59,440 --> 00:28:00,350
Aren't you jealous?

376
00:28:01,160 --> 00:28:02,240
Why would I be jealous?

377
00:28:03,350 --> 00:28:04,550
I should thank Changqing.

378
00:28:05,200 --> 00:28:06,030
Thank him?

379
00:28:06,510 --> 00:28:07,680
When a person's good qualities

380
00:28:08,160 --> 00:28:09,350
contrast with others,

381
00:28:09,720 --> 00:28:11,030
it would seem even better.

382
00:28:11,744 --> 00:28:13,536
Green leaves
make a red flower stand out.

383
00:28:13,600 --> 00:28:15,376
The red flower
looks even more beautiful.

384
00:28:15,590 --> 00:28:16,310
Your Highness,

385
00:28:16,416 --> 00:28:17,750
when it comes to being cunning,

386
00:28:18,360 --> 00:28:19,890
you don't need anyone as a foil.

387
00:28:20,400 --> 00:28:22,240
You've already mastered the art.

388
00:28:27,740 --> 00:28:31,500
(Residence of the Heir
of the Marquis of Shunan)

389
00:28:39,568 --> 00:28:41,216
- Young Master.
- Young Master.

390
00:28:42,750 --> 00:28:43,790
Be careful with those!

391
00:28:43,790 --> 00:28:45,664
All are famous works
of calligraphy and painting.

392
00:28:46,750 --> 00:28:47,550
Cui Jinbai.

393
00:28:50,176 --> 00:28:52,430
Weren't you supposed
to be on official business in Bianzhou?

394
00:28:52,440 --> 00:28:54,590
Why are you moving into my residence?
Are you insane?

395
00:28:54,920 --> 00:28:56,200
I have no other choice.

396
00:28:56,350 --> 00:28:57,590
I must stay here for a while.

397
00:28:58,680 --> 00:28:59,400
What is it?

398
00:29:03,000 --> 00:29:04,640
What is it? Tell me.

399
00:29:05,536 --> 00:29:07,000
I lost my mother when I was young.

400
00:29:07,104 --> 00:29:09,248
My stepmother
was originally quite good to me.

401
00:29:09,360 --> 00:29:11,160
But ever since my younger brother
was born,

402
00:29:12,070 --> 00:29:12,880
everything changed.

403
00:29:13,880 --> 00:29:14,720
I get it.

404
00:29:15,350 --> 00:29:17,480
All that scheming and backstabbing
in the household.

405
00:29:17,600 --> 00:29:19,456
I wouldn't have minded
putting up with it.

406
00:29:19,480 --> 00:29:21,872
But recently, my younger brother
has been crying constantly.

407
00:29:21,936 --> 00:29:24,176
My stepmother invited a master
to our home for guidance.

408
00:29:24,240 --> 00:29:26,780
He said that my fate clashes
with my younger brother's this year.

409
00:29:26,790 --> 00:29:28,310
And that I needed to move out.

410
00:29:28,310 --> 00:29:29,960
But you're the Deputy Chief of Justice.

411
00:29:29,960 --> 00:29:31,960
You have countless ways to solve this.

412
00:29:32,590 --> 00:29:33,270
That's right.

413
00:29:34,030 --> 00:29:35,480
So I reported it to His Majesty

414
00:29:35,584 --> 00:29:37,350
and requested to stay
at the Bu Residence.

415
00:29:38,310 --> 00:29:39,550
If I didn't come,

416
00:29:39,632 --> 00:29:41,312
wouldn't that be deceiving the emperor?

417
00:29:42,032 --> 00:29:43,550
I'm going to go check on my luggage.

418
00:29:43,750 --> 00:29:46,030
Wait. Is that really
how "deceiving the emperor" works?

419
00:29:46,110 --> 00:29:46,640
By the way,

420
00:29:48,016 --> 00:29:49,880
I've instructed the kitchen
to prepare dinner.

421
00:29:50,192 --> 00:29:51,350
We'll dine together later

422
00:29:51,408 --> 00:29:52,820
to celebrate Chinese New Year's Eve.

423
00:30:07,830 --> 00:30:08,590
Your Highness.

424
00:30:08,800 --> 00:30:10,400
At the very beginning of the new year,

425
00:30:10,448 --> 00:30:11,600
Prince Munuha of the Le clan

426
00:30:11,610 --> 00:30:13,210
came to the capital to present tribute.

427
00:30:13,270 --> 00:30:15,648
And he formally proposed
a marriage alliance to His Majesty.

428
00:30:15,648 --> 00:30:16,550
A marriage alliance?

429
00:30:17,344 --> 00:30:19,440
All the princesses are afraid
of being chosen.

430
00:30:19,720 --> 00:30:22,000
What noble lady would want
to marry so far away?

431
00:30:22,110 --> 00:30:23,696
The living conditions are inconvenient,

432
00:30:23,728 --> 00:30:25,160
there's no one to support you,

433
00:30:25,160 --> 00:30:27,200
and you might not even
understand the Le language.

434
00:30:27,400 --> 00:30:29,030
It's terrifying just thinking about it.

435
00:30:31,000 --> 00:30:32,224
Is this information reliable?

436
00:30:35,400 --> 00:30:36,030
I'm doomed.

437
00:30:36,720 --> 00:30:37,400
I'm doomed.

438
00:30:37,750 --> 00:30:39,030
What am I going to do?

439
00:30:39,440 --> 00:30:40,070
Your Highness,

440
00:30:40,128 --> 00:30:42,200
no decision has yet been reached
as to which princess

441
00:30:42,210 --> 00:30:44,060
should be sent to form
this marriage alliance.

442
00:30:44,070 --> 00:30:45,720
Among the unmarried princesses,

443
00:30:45,880 --> 00:30:46,920
I am the eldest.

444
00:30:47,312 --> 00:30:48,416
According to royal custom,

445
00:30:48,448 --> 00:30:50,560
the eldest is married off
before the younger ones.

446
00:30:50,590 --> 00:30:51,790
Besides me, the first choice,

447
00:30:51,790 --> 00:30:52,750
who else could it be?

448
00:30:53,160 --> 00:30:53,920
What if

449
00:30:54,510 --> 00:30:56,000
we go and beg the Empress Dowager?

450
00:30:56,080 --> 00:30:57,680
Out of respect for the Empress Dowager,

451
00:30:57,750 --> 00:30:58,960
perhaps His Majesty will...

452
00:30:58,976 --> 00:31:01,150
Last time, when we
were discussing the Spring Banquet,

453
00:31:01,168 --> 00:31:02,910
I just said a few things
about that Shen Xihe,

454
00:31:02,920 --> 00:31:03,952
and the Empress Dowager

455
00:31:04,030 --> 00:31:06,160
hasn't been as close to me
as she used to be.

456
00:31:06,400 --> 00:31:07,640
Besides, the three princesses

457
00:31:07,640 --> 00:31:09,000
are all her granddaughters.

458
00:31:09,040 --> 00:31:10,310
I'm afraid the Empress Dowager

459
00:31:10,480 --> 00:31:11,640
won't stand up for me.

460
00:31:12,160 --> 00:31:12,790
Well...

461
00:31:13,160 --> 00:31:13,880
Your Highness,

462
00:31:14,440 --> 00:31:15,790
then what should we do?

463
00:31:16,240 --> 00:31:17,200
I won't marry him!

464
00:31:17,984 --> 00:31:19,696
I refuse to be part
of a marriage alliance!

465
00:31:21,310 --> 00:31:22,550
I must find a way out

466
00:31:23,750 --> 00:31:25,240
for myself.

467
00:31:31,200 --> 00:31:33,952
Your Highness, you climbed the mountain
to offer the first incense.

468
00:31:33,968 --> 00:31:35,024
With such piety,

469
00:31:35,160 --> 00:31:36,720
the Buddha will surely bless you

470
00:31:36,790 --> 00:31:38,400
and keep that Munuha far away.

471
00:31:39,070 --> 00:31:40,400
I hope so.

472
00:31:46,260 --> 00:31:47,220
(Munuha, Prince of the Le Tribe)

473
00:31:47,240 --> 00:31:48,592
Your Highness, wait a moment.

474
00:31:49,640 --> 00:31:50,750
Prince Munuha,

475
00:31:50,912 --> 00:31:52,350
although you are an honored guest,

476
00:31:52,720 --> 00:31:53,920
do you know the consequences

477
00:31:54,350 --> 00:31:55,550
for blocking my path?

478
00:31:56,096 --> 00:31:57,568
Your Highness, please forgive me.

479
00:31:57,830 --> 00:31:59,270
I mean no offense.

480
00:31:59,648 --> 00:32:01,160
I came looking for you so abruptly,

481
00:32:01,160 --> 00:32:03,160
only because we share a common goal.

482
00:32:03,160 --> 00:32:04,576
What nonsense are you talking about?

483
00:32:04,640 --> 00:32:05,640
Between you and me,

484
00:32:05,936 --> 00:32:07,640
what common goal
could there possibly be?

485
00:32:07,640 --> 00:32:09,070
Don't be so quick to refuse.

486
00:32:09,104 --> 00:32:10,720
The wish you prayed to the gods for...

487
00:32:11,240 --> 00:32:12,880
How about I make it come true for you?

488
00:32:26,510 --> 00:32:27,400
What do you mean?

489
00:32:29,456 --> 00:32:31,350
I want the beloved daughter
of the Duke of Wei

490
00:32:32,160 --> 00:32:33,480
to become my woman.

491
00:32:33,830 --> 00:32:34,720
Are you insane?

492
00:32:34,880 --> 00:32:36,440
She is the future Crown Princess.

493
00:32:37,400 --> 00:32:38,240
Are you trying

494
00:32:38,750 --> 00:32:40,350
to start a war between our two nations?

495
00:32:41,360 --> 00:32:42,680
There are rumors in the palace.

496
00:32:42,688 --> 00:32:45,480
The marriage between Commandery
Princess Zhaoning and the Crown Prince

497
00:32:45,480 --> 00:32:46,608
is on the verge of collapse.

498
00:32:47,590 --> 00:32:48,510
And I

499
00:32:49,070 --> 00:32:51,070
am sincerely asking
for her hand in marriage.

500
00:32:52,880 --> 00:32:53,790
Sincerely?

501
00:32:54,790 --> 00:32:55,880
If you marry her,

502
00:32:56,000 --> 00:32:58,816
you'll have a chance to transfer
the Duke of Wei from the northwest.

503
00:32:59,120 --> 00:33:00,960
As long as the Shen father
and son are gone,

504
00:33:01,590 --> 00:33:02,510
the northwest

505
00:33:02,920 --> 00:33:04,480
will no longer be impregnable.

506
00:33:06,448 --> 00:33:08,670
Since you're concerned
about the country and its people,

507
00:33:08,680 --> 00:33:10,510
why not marry me soon
for the sake of Daxing?

508
00:33:10,880 --> 00:33:12,030
Don't be delusional!

509
00:33:12,320 --> 00:33:14,100
If you want to remain
in the imperial capital

510
00:33:14,112 --> 00:33:15,632
as the most distinguished noble lady,

511
00:33:15,830 --> 00:33:17,070
you must join forces with me.

512
00:33:18,110 --> 00:33:20,510
This is your only chance
to escape the marriage alliance.

513
00:33:21,952 --> 00:33:23,440
Your true aim is the northwest.

514
00:33:23,720 --> 00:33:25,070
Even I can see that.

515
00:33:25,440 --> 00:33:27,160
How could His Majesty not see it?

516
00:33:30,672 --> 00:33:32,720
This is a secret medicine
from my royal court,

517
00:33:32,720 --> 00:33:33,790
Enchanting Essence.

518
00:33:34,240 --> 00:33:35,440
Just one pill

519
00:33:35,440 --> 00:33:37,160
is enough to arouse even an immortal.

520
00:33:37,632 --> 00:33:39,440
After a man and woman
have been intimate,

521
00:33:39,640 --> 00:33:41,920
even the most skilled physician
won't find any

522
00:33:41,920 --> 00:33:43,030
trace of the drug.

523
00:33:43,400 --> 00:33:44,240
Despicable!

524
00:33:45,640 --> 00:33:46,510
In a few days,

525
00:33:46,592 --> 00:33:48,070
the palace will hold a banquet for me.

526
00:33:48,080 --> 00:33:50,260
Ladies from the imperial clan
and noble families will be there.

527
00:33:50,270 --> 00:33:52,384
Commandery Princess Zhaoning
will attend as well.

528
00:33:52,880 --> 00:33:55,270
Whether or not I can happily
marry the Commandery Princess

529
00:33:55,400 --> 00:33:58,510
all depends on you, Princess Pingling.

530
00:34:01,510 --> 00:34:03,472
If you are truly infatuated with me,

531
00:34:03,536 --> 00:34:05,390
and are willing to marry far from home,

532
00:34:05,750 --> 00:34:06,790
that's also an option.

533
00:34:33,550 --> 00:34:35,000
Will your plan work?

534
00:34:35,280 --> 00:34:38,064
Would she really dare to make a move
on Commandery Princess Zhaoning?

535
00:34:39,440 --> 00:34:40,670
You just wait

536
00:34:41,150 --> 00:34:42,760
for your rendezvous with the beauty.

537
00:34:49,700 --> 00:34:54,260
(Taiji Hall)

538
00:35:16,016 --> 00:35:18,176
I deserve to be punished.

539
00:35:19,070 --> 00:35:20,550
It's all right. Get up.

540
00:35:23,150 --> 00:35:24,400
Let me show you the way

541
00:35:24,550 --> 00:35:26,144
to the side hall to change your clothes.

542
00:35:27,000 --> 00:35:27,590
Let's go.

543
00:35:44,880 --> 00:35:45,710
Strange.

544
00:35:45,760 --> 00:35:47,110
Why does the route to the side hall

545
00:35:47,110 --> 00:35:48,320
have to be such a long detour?

546
00:35:58,800 --> 00:35:59,880
The person leading the way

547
00:35:59,880 --> 00:36:01,000
suddenly vanished.

548
00:36:10,400 --> 00:36:11,536
Your Highness, be careful!

549
00:36:12,510 --> 00:36:13,110
Mo Yu!

550
00:36:14,400 --> 00:36:15,000
Your Highness!

551
00:37:48,590 --> 00:37:49,480
After all these years,

552
00:37:49,480 --> 00:37:50,480
I finally have the chance

553
00:37:50,670 --> 00:37:52,150
to spar with you, Huayong.

554
00:37:55,070 --> 00:37:57,232
I cut his left shoulder.

555
00:37:57,264 --> 00:37:59,490
If you are willing
to remove your clothes to prove it,

556
00:37:59,504 --> 00:38:01,840
all suspicion against you
will vanish completely.

557
00:38:02,150 --> 00:38:03,070
Are you willing

558
00:38:03,440 --> 00:38:04,630
to leave with me?

559
00:38:04,630 --> 00:38:08,880
♪How can you be this wonderful♪

560
00:38:10,831 --> 00:38:13,771
♪I've hidden so many words♪

561
00:38:14,391 --> 00:38:17,191
♪Too reluctant to tell you♪

562
00:38:18,061 --> 00:38:25,031
♪So never uncover♪

563
00:38:25,221 --> 00:38:27,581
♪The sand that slips away
with one grasp♪

564
00:38:28,711 --> 00:38:31,441
♪The flower that withers
after one bloom♪

565
00:38:32,401 --> 00:38:37,741
♪Silently buried deep inside my heart♪

566
00:38:39,501 --> 00:38:42,321
♪Every answer I gave♪

567
00:38:43,121 --> 00:38:45,971
♪Was both bittersweet and absurd♪

568
00:38:46,761 --> 00:38:50,131
♪Hiding my tear-filled eyes
when I hurt you♪

569
00:38:50,391 --> 00:38:53,701
♪How hard it truly was?♪

570
00:38:56,671 --> 00:39:00,111
♪The wounds that healed
with just a little comfort♪

571
00:39:01,101 --> 00:39:03,431
♪The lies made whole
with a single embrace♪

572
00:39:04,701 --> 00:39:10,461
♪Pretending to be brave
as if I'd never been hurt♪

573
00:39:11,871 --> 00:39:15,001
♪It's a shame I never could♪

574
00:39:15,451 --> 00:39:18,461
♪Give you a moon in return♪

575
00:39:18,571 --> 00:39:25,211
♪With the same open heart you loved me♪

576
00:39:25,211 --> 00:39:28,881
♪I've crossed the wasteland of memories♪

577
00:39:29,751 --> 00:39:32,511
♪Never knowing I was lost♪

578
00:39:32,951 --> 00:39:36,081
♪Why don't you take me away?♪

579
00:39:36,521 --> 00:39:42,471
♪Lead me out of this endless game
of hide-and-seek♪

580
00:39:43,871 --> 00:39:47,421
♪You'll never♪

581
00:39:47,701 --> 00:39:57,171
♪Know how much I long to, long to♪

582
00:40:23,341 --> 00:40:26,821
(No animals were harmed
in the making of this film)