1
00:00:13,560 --> 00:00:15,080
Look at the pinwheel drums!

2
00:00:15,080 --> 00:00:18,500
(Premium Medicinal Herbs)

3
00:00:27,520 --> 00:00:28,800
What's wrong with the child?

4
00:00:28,816 --> 00:00:29,930
What's wrong with the child?

5
00:00:30,120 --> 00:00:31,070
Quick, take a look!

6
00:00:31,710 --> 00:00:33,670
He suddenly collapsed
while he was walking.

7
00:00:33,670 --> 00:00:34,840
Whose child is this?

8
00:00:35,470 --> 00:00:36,470
Poor thing.

9
00:00:46,620 --> 00:00:49,060
(Baicao Herb House)

10
00:01:13,680 --> 00:01:14,920
Thank you all for saving me.

11
00:01:15,310 --> 00:01:16,560
If the opportunity ever arises,

12
00:01:16,920 --> 00:01:18,710
I'll surely repay your kindness one day.

13
00:01:19,510 --> 00:01:20,400
It was nothing.

14
00:01:20,480 --> 00:01:21,648
There's no need to repay us.

15
00:01:22,560 --> 00:01:23,200
Zhen Zhu.

16
00:01:23,760 --> 00:01:24,710
Leave him some money.

17
00:01:25,710 --> 00:01:26,760
I'm not a beggar.

18
00:01:26,760 --> 00:01:27,680
I don't want charity.

19
00:01:31,790 --> 00:01:32,560
My father

20
00:01:32,640 --> 00:01:33,920
was once a military commander.

21
00:01:34,350 --> 00:01:35,680
He died in battle two years ago.

22
00:01:36,640 --> 00:01:38,150
My mother was heartbroken

23
00:01:38,310 --> 00:01:39,400
and followed him in death.

24
00:01:40,150 --> 00:01:40,870
After that,

25
00:01:40,870 --> 00:01:42,640
I was sent to Gudu Garden.

26
00:01:42,656 --> 00:01:44,760
The wages I earn carrying cargo
at the docks are enough

27
00:01:45,040 --> 00:01:46,230
to support myself.

28
00:01:47,310 --> 00:01:48,510
What's Gudu Garden?

29
00:01:48,640 --> 00:01:51,280
It's a place that takes in the
orphaned children of fallen soldiers.

30
00:03:12,820 --> 00:03:13,570
=Blossoms of Power=

31
00:03:13,584 --> 00:03:16,420
(Adapted from the novel, After My
Bloom, All Flowers Wither by Jin Huang)

32
00:03:16,500 --> 00:03:19,460
=Episode 7=

33
00:03:19,860 --> 00:03:22,140
(Gudu Garden)

34
00:03:30,190 --> 00:03:31,630
Liang, let me help.

35
00:03:31,800 --> 00:03:32,870
Pack that a little tighter.

36
00:03:34,240 --> 00:03:34,840
Well done.

37
00:03:34,912 --> 00:03:36,320
You'll make a fine soldier someday.

38
00:03:39,560 --> 00:03:40,430
Bring two more.

39
00:03:40,520 --> 00:03:41,000
Come on.

40
00:03:41,000 --> 00:03:42,120
Lay it a little thicker here.

41
00:03:42,120 --> 00:03:44,320
Don't let the storm
leave the children out in the cold.

42
00:03:44,336 --> 00:03:44,992
All right.

43
00:03:51,710 --> 00:03:52,800
Spread it out evenly.

44
00:03:52,800 --> 00:03:53,430
All right.

45
00:03:53,520 --> 00:03:54,240
Yes, over here.

46
00:03:54,240 --> 00:03:54,680
Got it.

47
00:03:54,960 --> 00:03:55,430
Pull.

48
00:03:56,784 --> 00:03:57,630
I'll get that for you.

49
00:03:57,664 --> 00:03:58,560
Tie it down securely.

50
00:03:58,680 --> 00:03:59,240
There.

51
00:04:00,310 --> 00:04:01,080
Go get some rest.

52
00:04:06,400 --> 00:04:06,840
Come here.

53
00:04:07,536 --> 00:04:08,280
Let me take a look.

54
00:04:12,750 --> 00:04:13,630
Careful.

55
00:04:15,910 --> 00:04:16,680
Slowly.

56
00:04:17,310 --> 00:04:18,000
Your Highness,

57
00:04:18,390 --> 00:04:19,480
please let me do it.

58
00:04:19,480 --> 00:04:20,740
These children are badly injured.

59
00:04:20,750 --> 00:04:21,800
Your status is too noble.

60
00:04:21,800 --> 00:04:23,296
No need
for you to do this yourself.

61
00:04:27,088 --> 00:04:28,510
Have you forgotten why these children

62
00:04:28,510 --> 00:04:29,480
became orphans?

63
00:04:30,336 --> 00:04:32,176
If their fathers
hadn't fought so bravely,

64
00:04:32,180 --> 00:04:34,160
defending our nation
and laying down their lives,

65
00:04:34,310 --> 00:04:35,720
they could have lived carefree lives.

66
00:04:37,264 --> 00:04:39,024
What right do I have
to shrink from this?

67
00:04:39,830 --> 00:04:41,000
I spoke out of turn.

68
00:04:41,248 --> 00:04:42,656
I'm willing to accept punishment.

69
00:04:42,830 --> 00:04:44,160
Report back for twenty strokes.

70
00:04:44,272 --> 00:04:45,216
Yes, Your Highness.

71
00:04:48,120 --> 00:04:48,510
Come.

72
00:04:49,040 --> 00:04:50,192
Let me put some ointment on it.

73
00:04:51,390 --> 00:04:51,750
No.

74
00:04:51,750 --> 00:04:52,510
I don't want to.

75
00:04:52,510 --> 00:04:53,136
It hurts.

76
00:04:53,184 --> 00:04:54,144
You're a brave young man.

77
00:04:54,176 --> 00:04:55,470
A real man doesn't cry over blood.

78
00:04:55,480 --> 00:04:56,340
What's a little pain?

79
00:04:56,360 --> 00:04:56,800
Hold still.

80
00:05:00,310 --> 00:05:01,560
I don't want to!

81
00:05:10,560 --> 00:05:11,600
Putting on ointment hurts.

82
00:05:12,160 --> 00:05:13,600
That's why I brought candied fruit.

83
00:05:14,630 --> 00:05:17,040
The bravest child gets three pieces.

84
00:05:17,800 --> 00:05:20,040
The ones who aren't
as brave only get one.

85
00:05:20,630 --> 00:05:21,510
So,

86
00:05:21,600 --> 00:05:22,950
are you the bravest child?

87
00:05:27,360 --> 00:05:28,680
I'm the bravest.

88
00:05:30,040 --> 00:05:30,510
Come on.

89
00:05:49,310 --> 00:05:50,040
Go play.

90
00:05:54,768 --> 00:05:56,000
Thank you for your help today.

91
00:05:56,560 --> 00:05:57,920
Think nothing of it.

92
00:05:58,240 --> 00:05:59,680
I still owe you

93
00:05:59,830 --> 00:06:01,390
my thanks for the Anxi Defense Map.

94
00:06:02,270 --> 00:06:03,190
However,

95
00:06:03,630 --> 00:06:05,680
I have another favor to ask today.

96
00:06:05,680 --> 00:06:06,480
Please, go ahead.

97
00:06:15,480 --> 00:06:17,160
This child is exceptionally gifted.

98
00:06:17,310 --> 00:06:19,070
Though still young,
he's proud and unyielding.

99
00:06:19,080 --> 00:06:20,320
He refuses to be bent by poverty.

100
00:06:20,336 --> 00:06:21,480
He's a born soldier.

101
00:06:21,870 --> 00:06:23,160
I'd like to ask you

102
00:06:23,160 --> 00:06:25,070
to take him to
the army camp for training.

103
00:06:25,190 --> 00:06:26,430
If you think so highly of him,

104
00:06:26,720 --> 00:06:28,070
he must be exceptional.

105
00:06:29,560 --> 00:06:30,040
Very well.

106
00:06:30,310 --> 00:06:31,270
I'll take him in.

107
00:06:31,480 --> 00:06:32,830
A soldier without a strategy

108
00:06:32,830 --> 00:06:34,000
is nothing more than a brute.

109
00:06:34,360 --> 00:06:35,750
Besides teaching him martial arts,

110
00:06:35,750 --> 00:06:37,240
please also teach him to read and write

111
00:06:37,250 --> 00:06:38,370
and study military strategy.

112
00:06:38,600 --> 00:06:39,870
I won't let you down.

113
00:06:39,904 --> 00:06:41,390
Since you've been blessed with talent,

114
00:06:41,390 --> 00:06:42,560
make the most of it.

115
00:06:42,640 --> 00:06:44,448
Study hard
and master every skill you can.

116
00:06:44,680 --> 00:06:45,630
When you grow up,

117
00:06:45,630 --> 00:06:47,680
become a soldier like your father,

118
00:06:47,680 --> 00:06:49,344
standing tall with unwavering resolve.

119
00:06:49,560 --> 00:06:50,040
Yes.

120
00:06:50,096 --> 00:06:51,240
Rest assured, Your Highness.

121
00:06:51,240 --> 00:06:52,240
I'll study hard.

122
00:06:53,560 --> 00:06:54,600
Go pack your things.

123
00:07:02,270 --> 00:07:03,240
It's getting late.

124
00:07:03,310 --> 00:07:04,240
I should be going now.

125
00:07:06,390 --> 00:07:07,000
Your Highness.

126
00:07:09,264 --> 00:07:10,560
There's something I'd like to ask.

127
00:07:11,510 --> 00:07:12,630
Please, go ahead.

128
00:07:16,016 --> 00:07:18,270
Gudu Garden, which shelters
fallen soldiers' orphans,

129
00:07:18,600 --> 00:07:20,360
has always been funded by the military.

130
00:07:22,070 --> 00:07:22,830
Today,

131
00:07:23,024 --> 00:07:25,792
I saw with my own eyes how neglected
and run-down this place has become.

132
00:07:26,270 --> 00:07:27,310
It made me wonder...

133
00:07:27,680 --> 00:07:29,600
If even the meager funds for Gudu Garden

134
00:07:29,600 --> 00:07:30,992
have been embezzled to this extent,

135
00:07:31,328 --> 00:07:34,304
What about military supplies, which cost
hundreds or thousands of times more?

136
00:07:34,640 --> 00:07:36,480
Could they have also been embezzled?

137
00:07:37,088 --> 00:07:38,600
You have been thinking about this too?

138
00:07:40,512 --> 00:07:42,190
A few coins
in a corrupt official's pocket

139
00:07:42,360 --> 00:07:44,190
could mean several lives lost in battle.

140
00:07:45,720 --> 00:07:47,190
But this is only my suspicion.

141
00:07:47,480 --> 00:07:48,920
So I'd like to ask your brother

142
00:07:48,976 --> 00:07:51,360
to secretly investigate
the military supplies in northwest.

143
00:07:51,720 --> 00:07:53,190
I'll also conduct

144
00:07:53,216 --> 00:07:54,640
a thorough inspection of my own camps.

145
00:07:54,720 --> 00:07:55,630
It's a worthy cause.

146
00:07:56,070 --> 00:07:57,950
I'll write to my brother
as soon as I return.

147
00:07:58,390 --> 00:07:59,750
I won't let you down.

148
00:08:00,950 --> 00:08:01,750
Thank you.

149
00:08:12,830 --> 00:08:13,480
Your Highness,

150
00:08:13,950 --> 00:08:15,240
don't you think

151
00:08:15,240 --> 00:08:17,560
the heavenly maidens in temple murals

152
00:08:17,950 --> 00:08:18,680
must look

153
00:08:18,800 --> 00:08:20,240
just like the Commandery Princess?

154
00:08:23,310 --> 00:08:24,680
To most people,

155
00:08:25,040 --> 00:08:26,390
the children of Gudu Garden

156
00:08:26,480 --> 00:08:27,830
are as insignificant as ants,

157
00:08:27,872 --> 00:08:29,520
deserving contempt more than pity.

158
00:08:29,792 --> 00:08:31,504
The Commandery Princess
is not only kind,

159
00:08:31,750 --> 00:08:33,240
but also sees talent beyond status.

160
00:08:33,870 --> 00:08:36,080
She has never looked down on
those of humble birth.

161
00:08:38,120 --> 00:08:39,270
I truly admire her.

162
00:08:39,664 --> 00:08:42,080
The Noble Consort always says
she wants to find Your Highness

163
00:08:42,080 --> 00:08:44,630
the finest noble lady
in the imperial capital.

164
00:08:45,840 --> 00:08:47,080
But if you ask me,

165
00:08:47,360 --> 00:08:50,120
only the Commandery Princess
is worthy of Your Highness.

166
00:08:56,670 --> 00:08:58,600
I'm the one
who must become worthy of her.

167
00:09:04,750 --> 00:09:05,840
Vice Minister Cui said

168
00:09:06,270 --> 00:09:08,200
he thoroughly investigated Ye Qi.

169
00:09:08,640 --> 00:09:09,990
(Auspicious Radiance)
He found the Hexi Army

170
00:09:10,000 --> 00:09:10,860
under Ye Qi's command

171
00:09:11,270 --> 00:09:12,910
had top-quality weapons

172
00:09:13,440 --> 00:09:14,480
and warhorses,

173
00:09:15,120 --> 00:09:16,600
on par with the Imperial Guard.

174
00:09:18,480 --> 00:09:19,670
With an army this strong,

175
00:09:20,390 --> 00:09:22,440
it's no wonder he wants
to replace the Duke of Wei.

176
00:09:23,550 --> 00:09:25,960
But as Commander-in-Chief of Hexi,

177
00:09:27,120 --> 00:09:28,550
where did he get so much money?

178
00:09:29,240 --> 00:09:30,320
More than ten years ago,

179
00:09:30,480 --> 00:09:32,030
Ye Qi rescued a minor official

180
00:09:32,030 --> 00:09:34,120
in charge of the local
horse administration in Anxi.

181
00:09:34,192 --> 00:09:36,630
The man was exceptionally capable
and rose through the ranks.

182
00:09:36,750 --> 00:09:38,360
With Ye Qi's backing,

183
00:09:38,670 --> 00:09:40,840
he rose from
a horse administration official

184
00:09:41,480 --> 00:09:42,840
to Minister of Revenue.

185
00:09:43,390 --> 00:09:44,750
Minister of Revenue...

186
00:09:46,510 --> 00:09:47,270
Dong Biquan?

187
00:09:51,720 --> 00:09:53,270
If Ye Qi amassed that much wealth,

188
00:09:53,344 --> 00:09:54,910
he most likely embezzled military funds.

189
00:09:55,080 --> 00:09:56,240
Dong Biquan

190
00:09:56,240 --> 00:09:57,600
would naturally turn a blind eye.

191
00:09:59,270 --> 00:09:59,790
Your Highness,

192
00:10:00,670 --> 00:10:01,720
I've long heard

193
00:10:01,910 --> 00:10:04,304
that officials
in local horse administration

194
00:10:04,310 --> 00:10:06,260
often lend horses
to foreign merchants in secret

195
00:10:06,270 --> 00:10:07,510
to transport tribute goods.

196
00:10:08,150 --> 00:10:08,960
It seems

197
00:10:09,360 --> 00:10:10,360
Dong Biquan

198
00:10:10,416 --> 00:10:12,240
must have had
plenty of dealings with them.

199
00:10:12,848 --> 00:10:14,352
If we're investigating the poison,

200
00:10:14,480 --> 00:10:15,720
that's another lead to follow.

201
00:10:18,752 --> 00:10:20,688
The autumn grain shipment is due soon.

202
00:10:21,480 --> 00:10:22,750
If we're going after Dong Biquan,

203
00:10:23,960 --> 00:10:25,270
let's send this year's grain

204
00:10:25,750 --> 00:10:27,030
to the right place.

205
00:10:33,600 --> 00:10:35,200
Prince Lie asked my brother

206
00:10:35,200 --> 00:10:37,152
to investigate
the military supplies and payroll.

207
00:10:37,390 --> 00:10:38,750
He wrote back

208
00:10:38,960 --> 00:10:40,840
that only half
of this year's military funds

209
00:10:40,910 --> 00:10:41,910
ever reached northwest.

210
00:10:42,840 --> 00:10:44,670
I wonder how things are in Shunan.

211
00:10:45,150 --> 00:10:46,200
The same as every year.

212
00:10:46,550 --> 00:10:47,960
The military budget has been skimmed.

213
00:10:48,080 --> 00:10:49,120
The grain and cloth

214
00:10:49,120 --> 00:10:50,384
are always inferior substitutes.

215
00:10:50,480 --> 00:10:51,750
Why not report it to the court?

216
00:10:52,000 --> 00:10:53,840
Everyone knows what's going on.

217
00:10:53,840 --> 00:10:54,840
It's the same every year.

218
00:10:55,200 --> 00:10:56,510
Losses in transit,

219
00:10:56,510 --> 00:10:58,030
and poor-quality supplies.

220
00:10:58,030 --> 00:10:59,540
They have no shortage of excuses.

221
00:10:59,550 --> 00:11:01,630
If you accept them,
they'll deny everything afterward.

222
00:11:01,630 --> 00:11:03,720
But if you insist on checking
everything before accepting it,

223
00:11:03,720 --> 00:11:05,232
they'll drag it out until you give up.

224
00:11:05,440 --> 00:11:06,750
And if you make too much of it,

225
00:11:06,750 --> 00:11:07,360
they might even

226
00:11:07,600 --> 00:11:08,790
turn the blame on you.

227
00:11:09,870 --> 00:11:11,320
Now that the realm is at peace,

228
00:11:12,128 --> 00:11:13,670
the damage from embezzled military funds

229
00:11:13,910 --> 00:11:15,360
isn't obvious.

230
00:11:15,720 --> 00:11:17,790
But if disaster or war breaks out,

231
00:11:17,960 --> 00:11:19,000
and the treasury runs dry,

232
00:11:19,408 --> 00:11:20,840
it will become the root of chaos.

233
00:11:21,240 --> 00:11:23,320
In truth, every military camp
wants to investigate.

234
00:11:23,960 --> 00:11:25,910
But the Ministry of Revenue is airtight.

235
00:11:25,910 --> 00:11:27,080
There's simply no way in.

236
00:11:28,000 --> 00:11:29,030
Then...

237
00:11:29,030 --> 00:11:30,360
let's start with Gudu Garden.

238
00:11:31,870 --> 00:11:32,670
Gudu Garden?

239
00:11:33,776 --> 00:11:35,960
Gudu Garden is also funded
by the military budget.

240
00:11:36,150 --> 00:11:37,480
And it's the least noticeable

241
00:11:37,480 --> 00:11:38,910
and most overlooked branch.

242
00:11:39,600 --> 00:11:41,080
Prince Lie and I both believe

243
00:11:41,270 --> 00:11:42,510
it's full of loopholes,

244
00:11:42,510 --> 00:11:44,512
making it the easiest place
to uncover evidence.

245
00:11:44,630 --> 00:11:46,080
A fine idea.

246
00:11:48,670 --> 00:11:49,390
However,

247
00:11:50,150 --> 00:11:52,750
since when did you and Prince Lie

248
00:11:52,750 --> 00:11:53,630
start working together?

249
00:11:55,320 --> 00:11:57,320
Prince Lie may seem hot-tempered,

250
00:11:57,670 --> 00:11:59,200
but he's an honorable man at heart.

251
00:11:59,750 --> 00:12:01,960
We're not close.

252
00:12:02,720 --> 00:12:03,720
We just happened

253
00:12:03,870 --> 00:12:05,360
to work on the same case.

254
00:12:05,510 --> 00:12:08,270
You're closest to the Crown Prince.

255
00:12:10,090 --> 00:12:12,670
You see that he's frail
and want to find a backup.

256
00:12:12,670 --> 00:12:14,032
You're playing both sides.

257
00:12:15,480 --> 00:12:16,790
Never mind playing both sides.

258
00:12:17,240 --> 00:12:19,720
What if I were to explore
a few more options?

259
00:12:21,750 --> 00:12:24,030
That's what I like about you.

260
00:12:24,270 --> 00:12:25,630
Any other young lady,

261
00:12:25,630 --> 00:12:26,910
if she had such thoughts,

262
00:12:26,910 --> 00:12:28,150
would keep them to herself.

263
00:12:28,150 --> 00:12:29,200
But you're different.

264
00:12:29,200 --> 00:12:31,536
You don't hide a thing.
You're completely open about it.

265
00:12:38,480 --> 00:12:40,720
Why haven't you
changed your Spring Snow Fragrance?

266
00:12:44,630 --> 00:12:46,000
My mother passed away young.

267
00:12:46,120 --> 00:12:47,150
It was

268
00:12:47,630 --> 00:12:49,200
her favorite fragrance.

269
00:12:51,480 --> 00:12:53,870
I know you keep wearing it
to remember her.

270
00:12:54,440 --> 00:12:56,030
But your mother

271
00:12:56,510 --> 00:12:58,870
would never want you
to expose yourself because of her

272
00:12:58,870 --> 00:13:00,150
and bring death upon yourself.

273
00:13:01,390 --> 00:13:02,630
I have an idea.

274
00:13:03,360 --> 00:13:05,550
I can use Spring Snow Fragrance
as the base note

275
00:13:05,870 --> 00:13:07,790
to create a fragrance for men.

276
00:13:08,440 --> 00:13:09,120
That way,

277
00:13:09,240 --> 00:13:10,960
you can wear it openly from now on.

278
00:13:14,440 --> 00:13:15,910
Thank you, Xihe.

279
00:13:17,480 --> 00:13:18,320
Don't thank me.

280
00:13:19,000 --> 00:13:21,120
Just send me
those 3000 elite troops sooner.

281
00:13:28,688 --> 00:13:29,392
Your Highness,

282
00:13:29,400 --> 00:13:30,670
the Commandery Princess's people

283
00:13:30,670 --> 00:13:32,320
have started looking into Gudu Garden.

284
00:13:34,960 --> 00:13:35,870
Gudu Garden?

285
00:13:43,000 --> 00:13:44,240
Dong Biquan

286
00:13:45,088 --> 00:13:47,168
keeps the Ministry of Revenue
under tight control.

287
00:13:47,184 --> 00:13:48,700
No matter how thorough my arrangements,

288
00:13:48,720 --> 00:13:50,448
there are always
things I can't account for.

289
00:13:51,270 --> 00:13:52,960
An overlooked place like Gudu Garden

290
00:13:52,960 --> 00:13:54,790
is the perfect place
to follow the trail.

291
00:13:56,390 --> 00:13:56,840
Wait.

292
00:13:59,240 --> 00:14:00,960
Quietly let Dong Biquan know

293
00:14:02,000 --> 00:14:03,510
that Gudu Garden is being investigated.

294
00:14:04,840 --> 00:14:05,870
Only when cornered

295
00:14:05,904 --> 00:14:07,120
will he take desperate measures.

296
00:14:07,390 --> 00:14:08,000
Go.

297
00:14:09,504 --> 00:14:10,544
Yes, Your Highness.

298
00:14:16,550 --> 00:14:19,030
First someone hijacked
the military supplies,

299
00:14:19,440 --> 00:14:22,000
and now they're
investigating Gudu Garden.

300
00:14:22,270 --> 00:14:24,320
They're leaving me no way out!

301
00:14:24,750 --> 00:14:25,440
Minister Dong,

302
00:14:25,960 --> 00:14:28,150
the grain shipment was already short

303
00:14:28,150 --> 00:14:29,150
when it left our hands.

304
00:14:29,360 --> 00:14:30,840
If they launch a full investigation,

305
00:14:31,000 --> 00:14:32,440
His Majesty will surely find out.

306
00:14:32,750 --> 00:14:35,270
If we fail to recover it,
we'll be blamed for negligence.

307
00:14:35,870 --> 00:14:37,550
But if they do recover it,

308
00:14:37,910 --> 00:14:39,080
it'll be even worse.

309
00:14:40,630 --> 00:14:43,150
All the embezzlement

310
00:14:43,630 --> 00:14:44,960
will come to light.

311
00:14:45,120 --> 00:14:45,910
For now,

312
00:14:46,720 --> 00:14:48,630
we have to pay for it ourselves

313
00:14:48,870 --> 00:14:50,440
and replace the stolen grain.

314
00:14:50,670 --> 00:14:52,240
Keep people from talking.

315
00:14:53,150 --> 00:14:54,150
Replace it?

316
00:14:54,600 --> 00:14:55,440
We...

317
00:14:55,910 --> 00:14:58,320
can buy grain cheaply from elsewhere

318
00:14:58,576 --> 00:15:00,270
and make up part of the shortage first.

319
00:15:00,750 --> 00:15:02,320
That'll keep the army from unrest.

320
00:15:02,870 --> 00:15:05,670
Once we're through this,

321
00:15:06,120 --> 00:15:07,790
we'll make a long-term plan.

322
00:15:20,670 --> 00:15:21,360
Tian Yuan.

323
00:15:21,870 --> 00:15:23,630
Go find a grain merchant
for Dong Biquan.

324
00:15:23,870 --> 00:15:25,840
Let him buy enough low-priced grain

325
00:15:25,840 --> 00:15:26,992
to cover the shortage.

326
00:15:27,480 --> 00:15:28,510
Once the deal is done,

327
00:15:28,670 --> 00:15:30,750
go to the prison and find two inmates.

328
00:15:31,510 --> 00:15:32,320
Understood.

329
00:15:36,410 --> 00:15:39,168
The Commandery Princess has been
relentlessly investigating Gudu Garden.

330
00:15:39,170 --> 00:15:40,570
Dong Biquan had a guilty conscience.

331
00:15:41,150 --> 00:15:43,200
That gave him the final push.

332
00:15:43,360 --> 00:15:44,870
Speeding up his downfall.

333
00:15:45,600 --> 00:15:47,440
Once again, I've seen firsthand

334
00:15:47,568 --> 00:15:50,976
that your strategies are every bit
the equal of the Commandery Princess's.

335
00:15:54,870 --> 00:15:56,150
As if fate itself,

336
00:15:56,840 --> 00:15:58,840
we're destined to walk the same path.

337
00:15:58,960 --> 00:15:59,600
Your Highness,

338
00:15:59,600 --> 00:16:01,000
why make it sound so complicated?

339
00:16:01,270 --> 00:16:02,000
Just say it.

340
00:16:02,080 --> 00:16:04,032
You think everything
about her is wonderful.

341
00:16:11,500 --> 00:16:13,380
(Taiji Hall)

342
00:16:13,390 --> 00:16:14,440
Your Majesty,

343
00:16:14,790 --> 00:16:15,550
five days ago,

344
00:16:16,030 --> 00:16:19,030
two convicted prisoners escaped
from the prison outside the capital.

345
00:16:19,670 --> 00:16:20,270
In the end,

346
00:16:20,600 --> 00:16:22,630
they were captured
at an abandoned estate

347
00:16:22,630 --> 00:16:23,630
outside the capital.

348
00:16:24,150 --> 00:16:25,080
Not only that,

349
00:16:25,720 --> 00:16:28,320
but several hundred dan
of grain were also found there.

350
00:16:28,960 --> 00:16:30,630
The grain sacks

351
00:16:31,270 --> 00:16:33,000
bore the markings of tax grain.

352
00:16:35,320 --> 00:16:37,390
Who owns that estate?

353
00:16:38,240 --> 00:16:39,488
Our investigation found

354
00:16:39,870 --> 00:16:42,360
it belongs to Dong Biquan,
Minister of Revenue.

355
00:16:48,910 --> 00:16:50,360
Your Majesty,

356
00:16:50,360 --> 00:16:52,464
I do own an estate outside the capital,

357
00:16:52,496 --> 00:16:54,840
but I've been tied up
with official duties all these years

358
00:16:54,840 --> 00:16:56,160
and have no time to look after it.

359
00:16:56,170 --> 00:16:57,670
So I simply let it fall into disrepair.

360
00:16:57,870 --> 00:16:59,030
I believe

361
00:16:59,150 --> 00:17:01,870
someone may have thought
it was abandoned,

362
00:17:01,870 --> 00:17:03,030
occupied it without permission,

363
00:17:03,030 --> 00:17:04,510
and used it for criminal activities.

364
00:17:04,510 --> 00:17:05,830
That is entirely possible.

365
00:17:06,680 --> 00:17:07,440
Your Majesty,

366
00:17:07,920 --> 00:17:09,880
there are countless estates
outside the capital.

367
00:17:10,200 --> 00:17:11,720
Why did those two convicts

368
00:17:11,720 --> 00:17:13,680
just happen to flee to mine,

369
00:17:14,160 --> 00:17:16,680
and expose a stash of tax grain there?

370
00:17:16,680 --> 00:17:17,960
I believe

371
00:17:19,270 --> 00:17:22,000
someone deliberately framed me.

372
00:17:22,510 --> 00:17:24,750
I beg Your Majesty to see the truth.

373
00:17:25,270 --> 00:17:26,400
Vice Minister Cui.

374
00:17:27,328 --> 00:17:28,416
Yes, Your Majesty.

375
00:17:35,030 --> 00:17:36,400
Do you have any evidence

376
00:17:36,680 --> 00:17:39,590
proving the tax grain
is connected to Minister Dong?

377
00:17:41,070 --> 00:17:42,200
Your Majesty,

378
00:17:43,720 --> 00:17:44,960
a grain merchant from Jiangnan

379
00:17:44,960 --> 00:17:47,920
has submitted evidence that Minister
Dong intended to sell him grain.

380
00:17:47,952 --> 00:17:49,632
Every piece of evidence is conclusive.

381
00:17:49,920 --> 00:17:51,110
And the amount of grain

382
00:17:51,110 --> 00:17:53,590
matches exactly what was found
at Minister Dong's estate.

383
00:17:53,790 --> 00:17:54,480
I'm innocent!

384
00:17:54,720 --> 00:17:56,920
I... I truly am innocent!

385
00:18:01,110 --> 00:18:02,880
I wasn't trying to sell grain.

386
00:18:04,160 --> 00:18:06,480
I was trying to buy it.

387
00:18:08,960 --> 00:18:10,270
Why were you buying grain?

388
00:18:11,400 --> 00:18:12,240
Your Majesty,

389
00:18:12,350 --> 00:18:14,160
after the autumn
grain shipment was seized,

390
00:18:14,208 --> 00:18:15,720
I...

391
00:18:16,000 --> 00:18:18,750
I feared... feared Your Majesty
would be worried.

392
00:18:18,750 --> 00:18:19,750
So I thought

393
00:18:20,440 --> 00:18:22,550
I'd first purchase part
of the autumn grain,

394
00:18:23,510 --> 00:18:24,720
allocate it to the military,

395
00:18:25,160 --> 00:18:26,640
and keep morale steady.

396
00:18:27,160 --> 00:18:29,200
The autumn grain was seized.
This is no small matter.

397
00:18:29,680 --> 00:18:31,750
Yet Minister Dong
tried to cover it up on his own.

398
00:18:32,270 --> 00:18:32,880
May I ask,

399
00:18:33,640 --> 00:18:34,960
where did the money come from?

400
00:18:40,030 --> 00:18:41,000
Your Majesty,

401
00:18:41,552 --> 00:18:43,808
if the Ministry of Revenue
has embezzled public funds,

402
00:18:44,110 --> 00:18:46,160
it will spread panic
throughout the court

403
00:18:46,160 --> 00:18:48,680
and even among the common people.

404
00:18:49,270 --> 00:18:52,030
This is a crime that threatens
the very foundation of the realm.

405
00:18:52,640 --> 00:18:53,960
I request

406
00:18:54,750 --> 00:18:57,030
a full investigation
of the Ministry of Revenue.

407
00:18:58,560 --> 00:19:00,688
- Your Majesty, authorize
- Your Majesty, authorize

408
00:19:00,736 --> 00:19:02,110
- a full investigation
- a full investigation

409
00:19:02,112 --> 00:19:04,110
- into the Ministry of Revenue.
- into the Ministry of Revenue.

410
00:19:06,310 --> 00:19:07,070
Granted.

411
00:19:30,640 --> 00:19:32,680
What brings the Crown Prince here?

412
00:19:32,896 --> 00:19:34,510
The Ministry of Revenue's corruption,

413
00:19:35,880 --> 00:19:37,270
the empty treasury,

414
00:19:38,030 --> 00:19:39,440
and Ye Qi's rise to power

415
00:19:40,400 --> 00:19:42,240
were all brought
about by you, Minister Dong.

416
00:19:43,350 --> 00:19:44,680
Your Highness,

417
00:19:46,070 --> 00:19:49,070
you actually knew
about my connection to Ye Qi.

418
00:19:55,550 --> 00:19:59,000
You planned all of this
from the very beginning.

419
00:19:59,440 --> 00:20:01,110
After the autumn grain was seized,

420
00:20:01,510 --> 00:20:03,590
I thought replacing the missing grain

421
00:20:03,590 --> 00:20:05,480
would be enough to cover it up.

422
00:20:06,200 --> 00:20:08,590
Instead, you turned it
into irrefutable evidence.

423
00:20:10,880 --> 00:20:12,830
Whether it was embezzling
the autumn grain

424
00:20:12,830 --> 00:20:14,400
or siphoning off military supplies,

425
00:20:14,960 --> 00:20:16,400
both are capital crimes.

426
00:20:17,070 --> 00:20:20,270
I underestimated you.

427
00:20:21,110 --> 00:20:21,920
Minister Dong,

428
00:20:22,830 --> 00:20:24,920
what's the point
of dwelling on that now?

429
00:20:26,400 --> 00:20:27,750
Your crimes are beyond forgiveness.

430
00:20:28,270 --> 00:20:29,790
But if you answer my question...

431
00:20:32,550 --> 00:20:34,440
I can spare the rest of your household.

432
00:20:36,960 --> 00:20:38,830
What does Your Highness wish to know?

433
00:20:44,200 --> 00:20:46,030
There is a rare poison
from the Western Regions.

434
00:20:46,790 --> 00:20:49,510
It is made from more than a dozen
poisons from Persia and the Uyghurs.

435
00:20:49,790 --> 00:20:51,030
It is exceedingly rare.

436
00:20:51,640 --> 00:20:53,720
Its effects can only
be suppressed temporarily.

437
00:20:53,720 --> 00:20:54,920
It can never be fully cured.

438
00:20:56,544 --> 00:20:59,120
When you oversaw horse affairs
at the Court of Imperial Stables,

439
00:20:59,184 --> 00:21:00,960
did you ever hear of such a poison?

440
00:21:01,720 --> 00:21:04,310
I once knew

441
00:21:04,720 --> 00:21:07,480
a foreign merchant
who dealt in banned drugs.

442
00:21:07,640 --> 00:21:10,110
He mentioned a rare poison
from the Western Regions.

443
00:21:10,590 --> 00:21:13,480
It sounded very much like
what Your Highness described.

444
00:21:13,720 --> 00:21:14,880
What is his name?

445
00:21:16,000 --> 00:21:17,030
What does he look like?

446
00:21:17,110 --> 00:21:19,550
Which market did he frequent?
Which trade route did he travel?

447
00:21:19,550 --> 00:21:20,790
Tell me everything you remember.

448
00:21:20,920 --> 00:21:22,590
Leave nothing out.

449
00:21:25,750 --> 00:21:30,240
Can Your Highness
truly spare my wife and children?

450
00:21:37,480 --> 00:21:38,030
Believe me,

451
00:21:39,070 --> 00:21:40,550
and there may still be hope.

452
00:21:41,728 --> 00:21:44,070
If not, your entire household
will still face execution.

453
00:21:49,270 --> 00:21:49,960
There's no rush.

454
00:21:52,440 --> 00:21:54,240
Think it over carefully, Minister Dong.

455
00:21:55,620 --> 00:21:58,980
(Duke of Wei's Manor)

456
00:22:00,030 --> 00:22:02,920
I heard His Majesty praised
Crown Prince's benevolence today.

457
00:22:03,750 --> 00:22:04,590
Indeed.

458
00:22:05,510 --> 00:22:06,590
Benevolent to the very end.

459
00:22:07,720 --> 00:22:09,440
That doesn't sound

460
00:22:09,680 --> 00:22:11,750
like your true opinion, Your Highness.

461
00:22:12,440 --> 00:22:13,310
Why not?

462
00:22:13,952 --> 00:22:14,880
Toward his officials,

463
00:22:14,912 --> 00:22:17,440
he argued that the families should not
be punished for their crimes

464
00:22:17,440 --> 00:22:18,780
and spared their wives and children.

465
00:22:18,860 --> 00:22:20,150
A display of mercy and compassion.

466
00:22:20,160 --> 00:22:20,790
(Fucui Pavilion)

467
00:22:20,816 --> 00:22:21,680
Toward the military,

468
00:22:21,760 --> 00:22:24,608
he donated the East Palace's own wealth
to replenish military provisions,

469
00:22:24,640 --> 00:22:26,640
steadying morale and putting
the greater good first.

470
00:22:27,110 --> 00:22:28,030
Toward His Majesty,

471
00:22:28,080 --> 00:22:30,832
he proposed that military supplies
be distributed on schedule,

472
00:22:30,912 --> 00:22:33,100
showing the responsibility
expected of the heir apparent.

473
00:22:33,240 --> 00:22:35,480
From top to bottom, inside and out,

474
00:22:35,590 --> 00:22:37,232
no one has a bad word to say about him.

475
00:22:38,510 --> 00:22:40,000
Nor can anyone find reason to doubt him.

476
00:22:40,640 --> 00:22:41,830
What I cannot tell is

477
00:22:42,240 --> 00:22:43,510
whether all of this

478
00:22:43,790 --> 00:22:45,110
comes from genuine benevolence,

479
00:22:45,720 --> 00:22:47,200
or from a masterfully laid scheme.

480
00:22:48,480 --> 00:22:49,480
Your Highness,

481
00:22:50,110 --> 00:22:51,550
could the Crown Prince

482
00:22:51,550 --> 00:22:53,750
really be that calculating?

483
00:22:54,920 --> 00:22:56,640
Aren't we living proof?

484
00:22:56,976 --> 00:22:58,750
Even now, we still
can't see through him.

485
00:23:00,070 --> 00:23:01,030
Xihe.

486
00:23:03,680 --> 00:23:04,640
Have you heard?

487
00:23:04,750 --> 00:23:05,750
His Majesty has ordered

488
00:23:05,750 --> 00:23:07,030
that military grain supplies
be fully replenished.

489
00:23:07,160 --> 00:23:07,920
I have.

490
00:23:07,920 --> 00:23:08,830
It's good news.

491
00:23:09,110 --> 00:23:10,350
I told my father

492
00:23:10,350 --> 00:23:11,310
about it.

493
00:23:11,680 --> 00:23:12,790
He told me to pay my respects

494
00:23:12,790 --> 00:23:14,576
to the soldiers
of Shunan who fell in battle.

495
00:23:14,608 --> 00:23:16,030
Would you like to come with me?

496
00:23:16,032 --> 00:23:17,472
To pay tribute to the fallen soldiers?

497
00:23:17,480 --> 00:23:18,070
That's right.

498
00:23:19,440 --> 00:23:20,928
Didn't the Duke of Wei

499
00:23:20,944 --> 00:23:23,680
also ask you to honor
the fallen soldiers of northwest?

500
00:23:24,160 --> 00:23:25,440
Of course he did.

501
00:23:26,070 --> 00:23:27,160
In that case,

502
00:23:27,400 --> 00:23:28,350
let's go together.

503
00:23:28,590 --> 00:23:29,070
All right.

504
00:23:30,580 --> 00:23:37,340
(Loyal Souls Shine Forever)

505
00:23:51,880 --> 00:23:52,750
Your Highness.

506
00:24:02,030 --> 00:24:03,240
Greetings, Prince Lie.

507
00:24:03,920 --> 00:24:05,110
Greetings, Your Highness.

508
00:24:07,200 --> 00:24:10,510
Are you here to pay tribute
to the fallen soldiers as well?

509
00:24:10,510 --> 00:24:11,030
Yes.

510
00:24:11,240 --> 00:24:12,160
My father always told me

511
00:24:12,160 --> 00:24:14,000
to come here every Qingming and
Ghost Festival to pay tribute to them.

512
00:24:14,070 --> 00:24:15,552
It's the same
for Commandery Princess.

513
00:24:15,584 --> 00:24:18,304
The Duke and the Marquis love their
country as they do their own family

514
00:24:18,310 --> 00:24:20,112
and cherish their soldiers
like their own sons.

515
00:24:20,120 --> 00:24:21,424
I have nothing but admiration.

516
00:24:23,160 --> 00:24:24,240
Why is

517
00:24:24,480 --> 00:24:25,480
this tomb empty?

518
00:24:31,830 --> 00:24:33,790
The soldiers fought bravely
on the battlefield.

519
00:24:34,030 --> 00:24:35,830
Many of them could not
even have their remains

520
00:24:35,830 --> 00:24:36,790
brought home for burial.

521
00:24:37,400 --> 00:24:38,550
All that could be laid to rest

522
00:24:38,960 --> 00:24:40,400
were broken arrows and jade pendants.

523
00:24:43,472 --> 00:24:45,240
They were heroes
who defended our country,

524
00:24:46,048 --> 00:24:48,672
and brothers who fought beside me
through life and death.

525
00:24:49,472 --> 00:24:51,392
Even if all that remains
is a single keepsake

526
00:24:51,830 --> 00:24:52,830
or a letter from home,

527
00:24:54,480 --> 00:24:56,480
I will bring it back
and give them a proper burial,

528
00:24:57,680 --> 00:24:59,712
so future generations
will remember them.

529
00:25:01,400 --> 00:25:02,640
Well said, Your Highness.

530
00:25:06,440 --> 00:25:07,640
Now that Dong Biquan has fallen,

531
00:25:07,776 --> 00:25:10,208
the funds withheld from Gudu Garden
have finally been restored.

532
00:25:11,160 --> 00:25:12,240
We owe it all to you.

533
00:25:12,880 --> 00:25:13,510
On behalf

534
00:25:13,888 --> 00:25:16,384
of the fallen soldiers
and the orphans they left behind,

535
00:25:17,888 --> 00:25:19,110
I offer my deepest thanks.

536
00:25:24,270 --> 00:25:25,400
Your hand is injured.

537
00:25:28,384 --> 00:25:29,270
It's only a scratch.

538
00:25:29,640 --> 00:25:30,160
It's nothing.

539
00:25:31,270 --> 00:25:31,830
Mo Yu,

540
00:25:32,640 --> 00:25:33,720
bring me the medicine kit.

541
00:26:22,110 --> 00:26:22,640
All done.

542
00:26:24,550 --> 00:26:25,480
Thank you.

543
00:26:42,070 --> 00:26:44,590
He's truly a remarkable young man.

544
00:26:45,000 --> 00:26:46,440
Among all the princes,

545
00:26:46,720 --> 00:26:48,960
Prince Lie is a rare military talent.

546
00:26:50,000 --> 00:26:52,440
It's rare to hear you speak
so highly of someone.

547
00:26:52,680 --> 00:26:54,200
Xihe, you may not know this.

548
00:26:54,270 --> 00:26:56,480
Prince Lie's maternal family,
the Rong family,

549
00:26:56,480 --> 00:26:57,776
comes from a family of generals.

550
00:26:57,920 --> 00:26:59,680
His maternal grandfather, General Rong,

551
00:26:59,680 --> 00:27:00,640
fell in battle.

552
00:27:01,030 --> 00:27:02,440
Of his four sons,

553
00:27:02,680 --> 00:27:03,790
two died in battle.

554
00:27:04,030 --> 00:27:04,960
A family of heroes.

555
00:27:05,472 --> 00:27:06,896
The Crown Prince is in frail health.

556
00:27:07,000 --> 00:27:08,240
If he were to die young,

557
00:27:08,240 --> 00:27:09,070
everyone knows

558
00:27:09,070 --> 00:27:10,550
Prince Xin is more than capable.

559
00:27:11,000 --> 00:27:11,880
Otherwise,

560
00:27:11,880 --> 00:27:14,510
His Majesty would never have
let the Rong family and Prince Lie

561
00:27:14,510 --> 00:27:16,240
hold military command for so many years.

562
00:27:20,270 --> 00:27:22,880
I just saw that Xihe seems to admire

563
00:27:22,880 --> 00:27:23,830
Prince Lie quite a bit.

564
00:27:24,070 --> 00:27:25,350
You're from northwest.

565
00:27:25,790 --> 00:27:28,550
Could it be that you prefer
more masculine men?

566
00:27:31,000 --> 00:27:32,480
Do not presume to know another's heart.

567
00:27:33,110 --> 00:27:35,640
Simply wait and see.

568
00:27:49,790 --> 00:27:50,310
Please.

569
00:28:00,288 --> 00:28:02,272
Crown Prince
always keeps his plans well hidden.

570
00:28:02,550 --> 00:28:04,000
He rarely summons all of us together.

571
00:28:04,680 --> 00:28:06,160
Is there something urgent today?

572
00:28:06,750 --> 00:28:07,790
These past few days,

573
00:28:09,472 --> 00:28:12,200
Commandery Princess Zhaoning
and Changying have grown quite close.

574
00:28:12,830 --> 00:28:13,920
And Zhaoning...

575
00:28:15,590 --> 00:28:17,440
It's hard for any man
not to fall for her.

576
00:28:21,000 --> 00:28:21,680
Your Highness,

577
00:28:22,310 --> 00:28:23,070
how about

578
00:28:23,270 --> 00:28:25,550
arranging an unmatched beauty
for Prince Lie?

579
00:28:26,110 --> 00:28:26,960
You mean...

580
00:28:28,440 --> 00:28:29,240
using a honey trap?

581
00:28:31,590 --> 00:28:33,680
I don't like using women
to achieve my goals.

582
00:28:34,790 --> 00:28:35,590
In this world,

583
00:28:36,440 --> 00:28:38,550
life is already unfair enough for women.

584
00:28:39,110 --> 00:28:40,160
I'd rather

585
00:28:40,920 --> 00:28:42,000
make use of men.

586
00:28:42,400 --> 00:28:43,400
A handsome man trap?

587
00:28:47,720 --> 00:28:48,440
Me?

588
00:28:48,576 --> 00:28:49,920
Your martial arts are exceptional.

589
00:28:50,016 --> 00:28:51,360
Changying admires martial prowess.

590
00:28:51,440 --> 00:28:53,776
Prince Lie is well-versed
in every style of martial arts.

591
00:28:54,070 --> 00:28:55,680
After no more than five exchanges,

592
00:28:55,904 --> 00:28:57,590
he would figure out where I came from.

593
00:28:57,720 --> 00:28:58,830
I'm afraid...

594
00:28:59,350 --> 00:29:01,030
I could never escape his notice.

595
00:29:05,344 --> 00:29:07,440
I'd like to help ease
Your Highness's burden as well.

596
00:29:07,830 --> 00:29:10,100
It's just that Bu Shulin follows me
around every single day.

597
00:29:10,128 --> 00:29:11,312
Wherever I go, he goes.

598
00:29:11,320 --> 00:29:13,480
If I start meeting with Prince Lie,

599
00:29:13,552 --> 00:29:15,232
he'll definitely come and make trouble.

600
00:29:31,968 --> 00:29:34,010
Why are the three of you
looking at me like that?

601
00:29:34,030 --> 00:29:34,880
Your Highness,

602
00:29:35,790 --> 00:29:37,240
the three of us are all in agreement.

603
00:29:37,720 --> 00:29:38,440
This time,

604
00:29:39,270 --> 00:29:40,590
you'll have to handle it yourself.

605
00:29:43,500 --> 00:29:46,620
(Moyang Martial Hall)

606
00:29:53,160 --> 00:29:53,640
You.

607
00:29:54,350 --> 00:29:55,200
Don't move.

608
00:29:56,000 --> 00:29:56,510
Turn around.

609
00:29:56,750 --> 00:29:57,550
Who are you?

610
00:30:03,750 --> 00:30:05,110
You're just a sickly invalid.

611
00:30:07,000 --> 00:30:08,640
Hand over
everything valuable you've got.

612
00:30:08,784 --> 00:30:09,920
Don't make me do it myself.

613
00:30:09,984 --> 00:30:12,256
It's the imperial capital,
right beneath His Majesty's rule,

614
00:30:12,256 --> 00:30:13,510
and you're robbing me
in broad daylight?

615
00:30:13,510 --> 00:30:14,480
Quit dragging this out.

616
00:30:14,480 --> 00:30:15,240
(Crown Prince?)

617
00:30:15,240 --> 00:30:15,830
Hand it over.

618
00:30:17,640 --> 00:30:18,270
Is that all?

619
00:30:18,480 --> 00:30:19,550
That's really everything.

620
00:30:19,920 --> 00:30:21,200
Just so you won't report me,

621
00:30:21,350 --> 00:30:22,480
I'll send you on your way!

622
00:31:45,510 --> 00:31:47,030
Thank you for coming to my aid in time.

623
00:31:47,640 --> 00:31:49,110
If you hadn't arrived when you did,

624
00:31:49,110 --> 00:31:50,704
I would've been powerless to resist.

625
00:31:53,030 --> 00:31:54,160
There's no need to thank me.

626
00:31:54,500 --> 00:31:56,560
I'll have someone
escort you back to the East Palace.

627
00:31:56,576 --> 00:31:57,340
I'll take my leave.

628
00:31:57,480 --> 00:31:58,070
Changying.

629
00:32:02,350 --> 00:32:03,550
Will you keep me company

630
00:32:05,310 --> 00:32:06,270
and have a drink with me

631
00:32:06,830 --> 00:32:07,590
to calm my nerves?

632
00:32:15,030 --> 00:32:15,680
Huayong,

633
00:32:16,350 --> 00:32:17,310
it's so late.

634
00:32:17,590 --> 00:32:18,750
Why did you come out alone?

635
00:32:18,750 --> 00:32:21,104
I was feeling stifled,
so I came out for some air. Come.

636
00:32:27,030 --> 00:32:28,400
With this frail body of mine,

637
00:32:28,590 --> 00:32:30,000
I can only drown my sorrows in liquor.

638
00:32:30,310 --> 00:32:31,270
Unlike you, Changying,

639
00:32:31,720 --> 00:32:34,030
a young general
galloping across the battlefield.

640
00:32:34,384 --> 00:32:35,904
How exhilarating that must be.

641
00:32:37,360 --> 00:32:39,008
Yet here I am in the imperial capital,

642
00:32:39,040 --> 00:32:40,790
unable to reclaim
our lost lands for Daxing

643
00:32:40,790 --> 00:32:41,750
or expand its borders.

644
00:32:42,960 --> 00:32:44,752
What kind of young general
does that make me?

645
00:32:47,240 --> 00:32:47,880
Huayong,

646
00:32:49,350 --> 00:32:50,350
do you truly

647
00:32:50,416 --> 00:32:52,640
intend to marry
Commandery Princess Zhaoning?

648
00:32:52,864 --> 00:32:54,560
To seek the hand of a lady in marriage

649
00:32:54,750 --> 00:32:55,680
is no trivial matter.

650
00:33:02,688 --> 00:33:05,328
We both seek the hand
of Commandery Princess Zhaoning.

651
00:33:05,400 --> 00:33:06,640
Then let us compete honorably,

652
00:33:07,070 --> 00:33:08,070
open and aboveboard,

653
00:33:08,128 --> 00:33:09,728
each relying on his own merits.

654
00:33:09,744 --> 00:33:11,760
It need not damage
the bond between us as brothers.

655
00:33:12,480 --> 00:33:13,440
A true man

656
00:33:14,000 --> 00:33:15,680
should wield integrity as his sword.

657
00:33:16,680 --> 00:33:18,240
Even if one of us loses in love,

658
00:33:18,640 --> 00:33:20,880
we can still share
a drink beneath the rosy skies

659
00:33:21,280 --> 00:33:22,976
until we're both drunk
on the evening glow.

660
00:33:23,550 --> 00:33:24,310
Well said.

661
00:33:25,680 --> 00:33:26,270
Huayong,

662
00:33:27,070 --> 00:33:28,160
allow me to toast you.

663
00:33:30,000 --> 00:33:30,480
Come.

664
00:33:37,000 --> 00:33:37,720
Changying,

665
00:33:39,070 --> 00:33:40,440
will you accompany me tomorrow

666
00:33:41,000 --> 00:33:41,920
on a hunting trip?

667
00:33:52,440 --> 00:33:52,960
Changying,

668
00:33:53,024 --> 00:33:54,768
let's see which of us comes out on top.

669
00:34:07,400 --> 00:34:08,480
Come, Changying.

670
00:34:09,110 --> 00:34:09,510
Come.

671
00:34:10,710 --> 00:34:11,360
Huayong.

672
00:34:24,432 --> 00:34:25,800
There's an ancestral hall nearby.

673
00:34:25,888 --> 00:34:27,150
Why don't we take shelter there?

674
00:34:27,550 --> 00:34:28,030
All right.

675
00:34:31,030 --> 00:34:31,630
Let's go.

676
00:34:32,260 --> 00:34:38,100
(Loyalty Strong as Gold and Stone)

677
00:34:41,984 --> 00:34:43,800
"I would give my life
to save my country,

678
00:34:44,432 --> 00:34:46,110
and face death
as though returning home."

679
00:34:46,840 --> 00:34:47,760
This inscription

680
00:34:47,856 --> 00:34:49,824
(Meng Fei)
was written by General Meng himself.

681
00:34:50,190 --> 00:34:51,190
Its structure is upright,

682
00:34:51,328 --> 00:34:52,630
with powerful rhythm and flow.

683
00:34:52,640 --> 00:34:54,848
Only one who is truly loyal
to his sovereign and country

684
00:34:55,110 --> 00:34:56,670
could write such calligraphy.

685
00:34:58,150 --> 00:34:59,670
I can almost picture

686
00:35:00,190 --> 00:35:01,760
his brush dancing across the page.

687
00:35:03,440 --> 00:35:04,630
You're a young hero yourself.

688
00:35:05,360 --> 00:35:06,840
No wonder you understand how he felt.

689
00:35:08,360 --> 00:35:09,000
Huayong,

690
00:35:09,510 --> 00:35:10,920
you're giving me far too much credit.

691
00:35:12,000 --> 00:35:12,880
How could I

692
00:35:13,200 --> 00:35:15,150
possibly compare myself
to the Martial Saint?

693
00:35:16,480 --> 00:35:17,280
Why not?

694
00:35:18,360 --> 00:35:19,440
Before you were even fifteen,

695
00:35:19,840 --> 00:35:21,110
you could draw a 150 kg bow

696
00:35:21,232 --> 00:35:22,670
and wield an eight-stone crossbow.

697
00:35:22,816 --> 00:35:24,320
The whole realm was astonished.

698
00:35:24,592 --> 00:35:26,368
At seventeen,
you entered the battlefield

699
00:35:26,840 --> 00:35:29,030
and captured or slew
enemy generals time and again.

700
00:35:29,248 --> 00:35:30,510
Before you even turned twenty,

701
00:35:30,560 --> 00:35:32,160
you had already become
your grandfather's

702
00:35:32,208 --> 00:35:33,184
most trusted general.

703
00:35:33,440 --> 00:35:35,000
In the campaign against Wenyu,

704
00:35:35,510 --> 00:35:36,800
you won thirteen major victories

705
00:35:36,896 --> 00:35:38,768
and earned a legendary name
on the battlefield.

706
00:35:39,150 --> 00:35:40,800
I didn't expect you to remember so much.

707
00:35:41,216 --> 00:35:42,000
Far more than that.

708
00:35:42,032 --> 00:35:44,590
Your heroic deeds have long spread
throughout the imperial capital.

709
00:35:45,550 --> 00:35:46,510
Your grandfather

710
00:35:47,480 --> 00:35:48,590
was especially proud of you.

711
00:35:53,200 --> 00:35:54,920
My grandfather devoted his life to war.

712
00:35:56,230 --> 00:35:57,000
I remember

713
00:35:58,000 --> 00:35:59,550
the last time he marched into battle,

714
00:36:01,070 --> 00:36:02,480
he was already sixty-four years old.

715
00:36:02,670 --> 00:36:04,800
He fought to defend our borders
for four full years.

716
00:36:05,960 --> 00:36:07,150
When he lay dying,

717
00:36:08,752 --> 00:36:10,480
he was still filled with grief and fury.

718
00:36:10,768 --> 00:36:12,672
With his last ounce
of strength, he cried out,

719
00:36:13,280 --> 00:36:14,150
"Kill the enemy!

720
00:36:14,880 --> 00:36:15,630
Kill the enemy!"

721
00:36:19,760 --> 00:36:21,630
To honor your grandfather,

722
00:36:21,936 --> 00:36:24,048
Father bestowed
these words upon his epitaph,

723
00:36:24,710 --> 00:36:25,960
"Heroic and Upright."

724
00:36:28,760 --> 00:36:30,070
He truly deserved

725
00:36:31,230 --> 00:36:32,670
those three words throughout his life.

726
00:36:35,510 --> 00:36:36,150
Changying,

727
00:36:36,448 --> 00:36:38,048
you now command the Anlan Army.

728
00:36:38,160 --> 00:36:39,950
If you also marry
Commandery Princess Zhaoning,

729
00:36:40,000 --> 00:36:41,776
more than half
of Great Xing's military power

730
00:36:41,780 --> 00:36:42,800
will fall into your hands.

731
00:36:42,816 --> 00:36:45,360
At court, those noble families
with their own agendas

732
00:36:45,550 --> 00:36:46,960
will surely unite against you.

733
00:36:47,280 --> 00:36:48,510
Under such immense pressure,

734
00:36:48,528 --> 00:36:49,616
Father, to protect you,

735
00:36:49,648 --> 00:36:51,690
will certainly strip you
of your military command

736
00:36:51,696 --> 00:36:53,952
and bring you back to the imperial
capital to serve as a court official.

737
00:36:54,030 --> 00:36:54,752
If that happens,

738
00:36:55,230 --> 00:36:56,760
you'll never again have the chance

739
00:36:56,760 --> 00:36:58,480
to fulfill
your grandfather's final wish.

740
00:37:10,000 --> 00:37:10,590
You're right.

741
00:37:11,190 --> 00:37:12,360
Everything you've said,

742
00:37:12,510 --> 00:37:13,630
I had never considered before.

743
00:37:15,000 --> 00:37:16,110
Thank you for your guidance.

744
00:37:17,424 --> 00:37:19,320
The young should aspire
to soar like great swans.

745
00:37:19,330 --> 00:37:21,340
They should ride swift steeds
across the open plains.

746
00:37:21,350 --> 00:37:22,150
You and I,

747
00:37:22,320 --> 00:37:23,280
shall stand side by side

748
00:37:23,840 --> 00:37:25,960
and fulfill our ambitions together.

749
00:37:42,192 --> 00:37:42,920
Your Highness!

750
00:37:45,480 --> 00:37:46,150
Who

751
00:37:46,360 --> 00:37:47,760
tried to harm Zhaoning?

752
00:37:47,760 --> 00:37:49,264
If she doesn't receive better treatment,

753
00:37:49,280 --> 00:37:51,920
I'm afraid she'll spend the rest
of her life confined to this sickbed.

754
00:37:51,960 --> 00:37:52,480
Your Highness,

755
00:37:52,544 --> 00:37:53,776
are you truly going in person?

756
00:37:53,780 --> 00:37:55,990
The extreme cold will worsen
the poison inside your body.

757
00:37:56,010 --> 00:37:57,248
The danger will be immense.

758
00:37:57,280 --> 00:38:01,420
♪How can you be this wonderful?♪

759
00:38:03,430 --> 00:38:06,370
♪I've hidden so many words♪

760
00:38:06,990 --> 00:38:09,790
♪Too reluctant to tell you♪

761
00:38:10,660 --> 00:38:17,630
♪So never uncover♪

762
00:38:17,820 --> 00:38:20,180
♪The sand that slips away
with one grasp♪

763
00:38:21,310 --> 00:38:24,040
♪The flower that withers
after one bloom♪

764
00:38:25,000 --> 00:38:30,340
♪Silently buried deep inside my heart♪

765
00:38:32,100 --> 00:38:34,920
♪Every answer I gave♪

766
00:38:35,720 --> 00:38:38,570
♪Was both bittersweet and absurd♪

767
00:38:39,360 --> 00:38:42,730
♪Hiding my tear-filled eyes
when I hurt you♪

768
00:38:42,990 --> 00:38:46,300
♪How hard it truly was?♪

769
00:38:49,270 --> 00:38:52,710
♪The wounds that healed
with just a little comfort♪

770
00:38:53,700 --> 00:38:56,030
♪The lies made whole
with a single embrace♪

771
00:38:57,300 --> 00:39:03,060
♪Pretending to be brave
as if I'd never been hurt♪

772
00:39:04,470 --> 00:39:07,600
♪It's a shame I never could♪

773
00:39:08,050 --> 00:39:11,060
♪Give you a moon in return♪

774
00:39:11,170 --> 00:39:17,810
♪With the same open heart you loved me♪

775
00:39:17,810 --> 00:39:21,480
♪I've crossed the wasteland of memories♪

776
00:39:22,350 --> 00:39:25,110
♪Never knowing I was lost♪

777
00:39:25,550 --> 00:39:28,680
♪Why don't you take me away?♪

778
00:39:29,120 --> 00:39:35,070
♪Lead me out of this endless game
of hide-and-seek♪

779
00:39:36,470 --> 00:39:40,020
♪You'll never♪

780
00:39:40,300 --> 00:39:49,770
♪Know how much I long to, long to♪

781
00:40:15,940 --> 00:40:19,420
(No animals were harmed
in the making of this film)