Original subtitles

[Ziji Palace]

Empress Dowager,

you must seek justice for us.

Why are you crying?

Xiao Wuyi is back.

Didn't he die in battle at Jiuzhang Plain?

The news is fake.

He is perfectly alive.

This morning, he even led troops to my Lantai gathering.

Adjutant Chen and Vice Minister Wei

just refused to write poems praising his achievements,

and he had them killed on the spot.

Xiao Wuyi brought troops into the capital without an edict

and wrongfully killed court officials.

This is treason!

This is treason!

Did he bring his army back too?

Not quite.

It's fine if he didn't bring the army back.

After all, Xiao Wuyi's wife, the Crown Princess,

is my niece.

I'm sure that Lord Xiao and his son remain loyal to His Majesty.

Aunt,

can a mere marriage prove loyalty?

Xiao Wuyi can kill officials at will now,

with no regard for the law.

His wild ambitions are obvious.

Now that His Majesty is unwell,

the court is unstable and people are panicking.

If at this time,

Xiao Wuyi commands his troops and declares himself ruler,

you and His Majesty will be sitting ducks.

Then in your opinion,

what should we do?

Give me the imperial guards so we can prepare early.

Let's strike first

and get rid of Xiao Wuyi.

Aunt, there is no time to hesitate.

We are family after all.

Empress Dowager!

Empress Dowager!

His Majesty has coughed up blood and fainted again.

My son!

Summon the royal physician!

This old fox

refuses to name me Crown Prince

and won't even give me military authority.

She's only ever used me as a shield.

So you all want to use me as a pawn?

Then don't blame me for flipping the board.

[Key to the Phoenix Heart]

[Episode 2]

The Crown Princess doesn't like to go out.

She likes to read.

Her favorite is Mencius,

she doesn't like Laozi and Zhuangzi,

and she is quite familiar with Buddhist scriptures.

If you want to know more about her,

you can start with the books she likes.

You haven't been back

for these years.

The Crown Princess doesn't say it,

but she misses you very much.

She's always in Jinyi Courtyard

praying for your safety on the battlefield.

Although Ziqi

is Madam Rui's son,

the Crown Princess has always taken good care of him

and taught him carefully.

You should thank her properly.

Your Highness, I found out.

The stalls of the Young Master of Miraculous Craft at the Lantai gathering

were all set up by the Grand Tutor's Mansion.

Grand Tutor Xie?

That lady is Grand Tutor Xie's daughter.

If Grand Tutor Xie only has one daughter,

then it's her.

There is a rumor in the capital

that Prince Changsha is about to marry the Grand Tutor's daughter.

The betrothal gifts have been sent to the Grand Tutor's Mansion.

Does the Grand Tutor also support Prince Changsha?

I am looking forward to this wedding more and more.

Wuyi, I am talking about the Crown Princess!

Since you know the Crown Princess so well,

why didn't you marry her yourself back then?

You!

Crown Princess.

Greetings, Your Highness.

So you are the Crown Princess?

Yes, I am.

Nice to meet you.

Thank you for your efforts today.

The Beifu pretended to be defeated

and lured the enemy into the city,

then surrounded them and wiped most of them out.

The entire Eastern Army of Northern Qin has been wiped out,

and the Five-City territory has been reclaimed.

The remaining enemy forces fled in defeat.

Here is the roster of meritorious soldiers,

awaiting Your Majesty's reward.

I want to impeach Xiao Wuyi, the Heir of Prince Jing'an.

At yesterday's Lantai gathering,

Xiao Wuyi blatantly disregarded the laws of the state

and murdered Chen Guangtong, the Military Advisor,

and Wei Qianli, the Household Department Adjutant.

I second that. I second that.

I second that!

Empress Dowager,

Chen Guangtong leaked military intelligence,

delayed military operations, and held up provisions.

Vice Minister Wei, who oversaw military equipment,

passed off inferior goods and embezzled military funds.

The two men were guilty of countless crimes.

Unable to face punishment, they took their own lives.

Here are years of

correspondence

and records of embezzlement.

Please investigate thoroughly, Your Majesties.

Shameless!

Everyone in the court

knows you killed Adjutant Chen and Vice Minister Wei yourself

at the Lantai gathering!

Yesterday's poetry gathering was hosted by Prince Changsha.

Everyone knows

that Prince Changsha is the future Crown Prince.

How would I dare commit murder in front of His Highness?

That would only embarrass His Highness.

Your Highness, were these two killed by me

or did they commit suicide out of guilt?

They took their own lives out of guilt.

Thank you, Your Highness,

for clearing my name.

I naturally believe in Young Lord Xiao.

Young Lord Xiao has worked hard defending the territory over the years.

With numerous military achievements,

he should be well rewarded and promoted.

You...

Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty.

I dare not decline the rewards meant for the soldiers.

I don't seek promotion for myself;

I only ask for one person.

Please grant me permission to marry, Empress Dowager.

I am willing to marry the daughter of Grand Tutor Xie

with the rites of a principal consort.

Grand Tutor.

The Empress Dowager is unwell

and will not see anyone today.

She has sent you a food box

and asked you to return early.

Eunuch He,

please deliver another message to the Empress Dowager for me.

Grand Tutor,

I cannot take any more messages for you today.

Is this the Empress Dowager's intention?

The Empress Dowager often says: Enemies surround us on all sides.

Within the court, there is Prince Changsha;

beyond it, there is the Beifu Army.

Young Lord Xiao holds military power

and his achievements shake the realm.

Only the Beifu Army can defend the northern border.

The Emperor and I sit on the throne helplessly,

with no way out.

Mind your words, Eunuch.

Grand Tutor,

the Empress Dowager understands a father's love for his child.

She only hopes the Grand Tutor

might also understand a mother's love for hers.

I understand.

I

accept the imperial edict.

Thank you for the grace.

But this jade must be quite valuable.

Fine jade suits a gentleman.

Mao is the best gentleman in the world.

He naturally deserves the best jade.

Don't frown.

Didn't Mao say he'd be back soon?

You should be happy.

True.

Brother said he had prepared surprises for all of us.

Father,

Mother.

I didn't do anything wrong, did I?

I really didn't do anything.

I made this myself.

Lady Xie, receive the imperial decree!

I'm really going to hang myself.

-No, no, no. -Don't try to stop me, anyone.

-My Lady, come down. -I'm going to hang myself.

My Lady, stop making a scene and come down.

Darling, this...

Father,

Xiao Wuyi killed two courtiers

in front of so many people

at the Lantai gathering.

If I marry him,

in a few days,

you'll have to collect my corpse.

If that's the case,

I might as well hang myself right now.

I'm really not joking.

I'm hanging myself now!

I'm hanging myself.

My Lady!

Why not switch to a hemp rope?

It's sturdier.

This is your favorite white porcelain teacup,

given by Lejun.

This is the incense burner you made yourself,

which was fired for three days.

This is a treasure box

made of golden-thread nanmu wood.

This is nice.

The palace has issued the imperial edict.

Do you want to defy it?

Yao Yao,

the Empress Dowager has long known that Prince Changsha

wants to marry you, and she knows I have always refused.

With Young Lord Xiao stepping in,

the Empress Dowager agreed to the marriage without hesitation.

Do you know why?

The fiercer the fight between Prince Jing'an's Mansion and Prince Changsha gets,

the safer it is for the frail

Emperor and the Empress Dowager.

When the snipe and the clam grapple,

the fisherman profits.

Your marriage is nothing

more than a pawn in the struggle for power.

Then let whoever wants to be that pawn take their place.

I won't.

The Empress Dowager's own niece

has been married into Prince Jing'an's Mansion for years,

and Young Lord Xiao doesn't even recognize her.

If I marry into that family,

and end up like the Crown Princess,

then every day I...

Isn't that perfect?

You don't like him anyway.

Young Lord Xiao is away on expeditions,

and you'd be alone in the manor every day.

By then,

you can build waterwheels if you want,

or fire white porcelain if you want.

No one will control you anymore.

Isn't this the life you've dreamed of?

Since it's a foregone conclusion,

stop letting your imagination run wild.

Who you marry doesn't make much difference.

No, Mother.

I want to marry Mao.

I...

Father,

I want to marry Mao.

-Fine. -I...

I understand.

No, you don't.

I want to marry Mao.

I hear that the daughter of Grand Tutor Xie Huaigui,

from a distinguished family,

has been granted in marriage by the Empress Dowager

to Young Lord Xiao of Prince Jing'an's Mansion.

The wedding will be held on an auspicious day.

-Yes, Your Majesty. -Yes, Your Majesty.

Congratulations, Your Highness.

Congratulations, Your Highness.

Thank you for your hard work, Eunuch.

You flatter me, Crown Princess.

The Empress Dowager said

that you are one of the family.

Please rest assured.

May the Empress Dowager enjoy good health.

I understand.

Lady Xie will also be part of our family in the future.

I will take my leave now.

You've worked hard, Your Highness.

Then the details of the wedding...

Please don't worry.

It is my duty.

Great.

Wuyi,

where are you going?

I heard there's a hot spring in the western suburbs.

It's rare for me to return to the capital,

so I want to enjoy the hot spring.

Are you interested too?

Since it's your first meeting with the Crown Princess today,

are you already leaving?

Crown Princess, could it be

that you want to come along?

Are your clothes packed?

Ruisheng has prepared them.

Then,

farewell, Your Highness.

[Grand Tutor's Mansion]

Nanxing!

The Young Lady ran away!

[For Lejun, to be opened personally]

Is Granny, who is half-blind, feeling better?

Thank you for your concern, My Lady. She's still in good shape.

Then I'll leave the trip to Yongzhou in your hands and Granny's.

I thought you were really here for the hot spring.

Is everything arranged?

Rest assured, Your Highness.

Madam Rui has taken the dancers to the hot spring villa.

With all the singing and dancing,

even if someone asks,

I guarantee no one will know where you are.

Your Highness,

something is wrong with the two villages near the ferry.

What's suspicious?

Their accents.

The villagers don't sound like they are from the suburbs.

And the fields are abandoned.

The crops haven't been watered for days.

More men or women?

More able-bodied adults, or more elderly people and children?

More able-bodied men.

I haven't seen many women.

That makes sense.

But in this world,

how can a village only have strong men?

Qing Long,

how is your reading going lately?

I haven't read much.

Do you know what

"replacing the old with the new,

moving things under cover,

and swapping the heavens and the earth" means?

You mean these villagers are all impostors?

What about the original villagers?

Were they all killed?

Who would do this?

It's Prince Changsha.

-He's trying to seize control of the river transport routes. -Prince Changsha...

Then the nearby granaries must be controlled too.

Prince Changsha's appetite

goes far beyond the ferry and granaries.

What he wants is the entire capital.

The entire capital?

If I am not mistaken,

the villages, mountains, forests,

ferries, and granaries

are already filled with his troops and assassins.

He is even faster than I expected.

Slow down. The things inside are very expensive.

Okay.

Be careful.

Why does this lady look so familiar?

Put this one in there.

It's the one from the Xie family.

It's Consort Xie.

Why is she getting on a boat?

Isn't she getting married?

A hidden dragon lingers in quiet grace,

a soaring wild goose echoes in the distance.

Above the thin sky…

What comes next?

Above the thin sky, I feel ashamed like drifting clouds;

by the riverbank, I stand humbled before the deep abyss.

In pursuing virtue, I lack the wisdom for it.

As for retreating to farming, I lack the strength for that either.

Miss, you recited the poem incorrectly.

This poem is about Xie Lingyun recovering from a long illness,

climbing a tower and gazing afar, expressing his feelings.

It vents his frustration over his political failure.

Since you are not an official,

it's inappropriate for you to recite this poem.

You think you know everything.

Such a pretty face,

and yet you can't keep your mouth shut.

Who are you?

You don't know me?

You have a lot of nerve.

Why should I know you?

So she doesn't know me yet.

May I know your surname, miss?

Where are you going?

None of your business.

Such a pretty face,

and yet you can't keep your mouth shut.

What did you say?

Boatman, who is this man?

Why is he on the boat I chartered?

You!

Why did you pull your hand back?

Men and women should not have physical contact.

Then why did you reach out in the first place?

Saving one life is worth more than building a seven-story pagoda.

So what does it mean to only save half and then stop?

I realized you weren't going to die anyway.

Rules matter more.

Fine.

You, I...

Boatman, who is this?

Why is he on my boat?

How's today's "fat sheep" doing?

Very good.

Which young lady is this,

traveling alone

with so much gold and silver?

An eloped bride.

The half-blind man said she was going to Yongzhou.

Once she's on my boat,

where it goes

is not up to her.

Boatman!

This is not how you do business.

Is anyone there?

Where did everyone go?

What? It stinks.

Boatman.

Tung oil?

Let me go!

Why are there so many women?

Wait.

You're untying them without even asking?

Ask what?

This is obviously a suspicious boat.

Could they have tied themselves up?

Who is it?

Which blind bastard is this?

Beast!

I'll blow you up!

You!

Wait a minute.

How dare you traffic people!

Go with me to see the officials.

Get up.

Report to the officials?

Which officials?

The Capital Prefect!

And who's the complainant?

Me.

And who are you?

Forget it, I'll go find the ferry officials.

Where are you going?

Little lady,

curiosity

can get you killed.

I do know a bit of martial arts.

Stay behind me.

Such a pretty face.

What a pity.

Where are those martial arts skills of yours?

I only know a little.

Where is your hidden weapon?

Use it.

I'm out. I only had two.

He...

Heroine, spare my life!

Do you surrender?

Spare my life!

Your Highness,

Jiayu ran away.

So she actually got away.

We should hurry and send someone to find Jiayu.

Jiayu most likely went to Yongzhou

to find your brother, Prince Qi.

Why do you want me to bring her back?

Don't you want them to be together?

Of course I hope

my brother and Jiayu can eventually end up together.

But Jiayu grew up in the capital.

The farthest she's ever been is the outskirts of the capital.

If Jiayu goes to Yongzhou alone,

something will definitely happen to her.

Nanxing, come here.

Yes, Your Highness.

I'll do it right away.

I'm a legitimate merchant.

For no reason at all,

I was kidnapped and brought here by this demoness.

My Lord, you must give me justice.

What are you looking at?

This boatman traffics people and abducts innocent women.

You're the ferry official here.

Such a heartless thing has happened,

so you won't be able to escape either.

Who are you?

I am a passenger.

By the way, I also have a few chests.

They were also taken by them.

You have to get them back for me.

And you?

He was fighting with me over the boat.

He took so much of my money

and sold the same boat to two people.

So corrupt.

Who sold it to two people?

I don't even know him!

If you aren't here to fight for the boat,

then what are you here for?

I...

I came to do business with the boatman.

The business didn't go through,

but I got to watch a good show.

You don't need to look at him.

Now I've brought the man to you.

Report it to the authorities if you have to.

Report what?

You just said

someone was seized?

Did someone bully you?

Don't be afraid.

Just tell us

what he did to you earlier.

Someone is here to stand up for you now.

I...

I...

I came of my own free will.

My sister and I both signed contracts.

No one forced me.

No one.

Then what about her?

Her?

She's the human trafficker.

She has hidden weapons and knows martial arts!

Wait, what are you talking about?

I'm a human trafficker?

I just saved...

You have to testify for me.

I was obviously trying to save her.

You...

You're in this together.

Take her down.

Wait.

Since the trafficker has been caught,

it's time to talk about our business.

Okay.

Let's go.

Let me go.

Let me go!

Get inside.

Behave.

Run!

A hidden dragon lingers in quiet grace,

a soaring wild goose echoes in the distance.

Above the thin sky, I feel ashamed like drifting clouds;

In pursuing virtue, I lack the wisdom for it.

As for retreating to farming, I lack the strength for that either.

You're taking credit for my work again.

Cut the crap. How many hidden sentries are left?

There are two left in the northeast.

His Highness is still injured.

A fight might not be to our advantage.

Let's finish this quickly.

If His Highness hadn't insisted on coming himself,

I would have wiped them all out by now.

Stop talking nonsense.

Get to work.

May I know your name, brother?

My surname is Qing,

and my given name is Long.

Qing Long.

That's an uncommon name.

Sounds like

an alias.

Fake or real—

what does it matter?

If you're

taking the straight path,

there's a price.

If you're taking the shadow path,

there's another price.

Which path are you on, brother?

This item.

The tung oil on it

is used for transporting military equipment.

I suppose those girls being sold

are just a cover for something else.

Your real business is smuggling military equipment.

Should I just run off on my own…

Is that really a good idea?

He did save me after all.

Forget it, forget it.

He probably has a way out anyway.

Where did she go?

Not on my side.

Keep searching. Let's go.

Why

are they all dead?

Those people outside aren't real canal workers, are they?

Who exactly are you?

The real ferry officials and canal workers

were killed by you long ago.

You are Prince Changsha's man.

Were those repeating crossbows that harmed the soldiers of the Beifu Army

all transported from here to the northern border?

Could you be...

Xiao...

Xiao

Wu

yi.

I'm here to save you!

Sorry, I missed.

You're just causing trouble.

You... You know martial arts?

Stop pretending.

Still pretending?

I'm not pretending.

You're not a merchant

and you're not a good person either.

To think I even wanted to save you just now.

-How dare you... -Get up!

I'm telling you,

I poisoned the crossbow.

I have the antidote.

Let me go.

Get up.

If I wanted you dead,

you wouldn't have survived until now.

Tell me, where are you going?

I'll see you off.

Thanks, but no thanks.

I'll go by myself.

I'm going

to Yanzhou.

For what?

I'm going to get married.

Did you see those boxes I brought?

Those are my dowry items.

How did your parents arrange

such a distant marriage for you?

My parents treat me very badly.

They're forcing me to marry some old widower.

You know what he's like—old, ugly,

and never bathes.

And all he does every day is kill people.

There's someone that disgusting?

Of course.

That's why I'm going to Yanzhou to find my cousin.

My cousin is handsome and brilliant.

So,

you are running away from your marriage.

Exactly.

If I really married that old widower,

my whole life would be ruined.

Good.

Very good.

Let's go find a boat.

Are you going to kill people again?

They are not good people anyway.

But those boatmen don't know anything.

They're just here to help.

There are no innocent people in this world.

I believe that in this world,

no one wants to be a bad person.

They were also tricked into coming here.

How do we leave without killing them?

I have an idea.

Follow me.

Wait.

Are you new here?

Yes, we are new here.

By the way, the ferry official is looking for you.

The ferry official is looking for us? Why?

I don't know, but it's urgent.

Go quickly.

Yes, it's urgent.

Let's go.

We have to kill them anyway.

I don't know why Young Lord Xiao

is playing along with this scheme.

He's probably afraid of scaring Lady Xie.

Then what should we do?

Kill them one by one as they come in.

How long will that take?

Is Young Lord Xiao on the boat?

He left.

Then let's kill them together.

Soldiers of Prince Changsha,

your leader has been killed by me!

Come out.

Here is a new one for you.

Consider it a thank-you gift for saving me just now.

This thing is not durable.

If it were used on the battlefield,

it would get people killed.

Who said it's for the battlefield?

It's for noble lords to use as decoration during hunting and banquets.

Decoration?

Yes.

Few young nobles are good at hunting,

but they want to pretend they are,

so they compete to see whose crossbow looks the finest.

That's why I chose this kind of wood.

If it were to be used on the battlefield,

it would require poplar wood

and be reinforced with dark iron and ox horn.

It's a lethal weapon on the battlefield,

but in the capital, it's just for show?

That's what the buyer asked for.

What could I do?

Do you still want it or not?

If not, give it back to me.

Good thing it's not broken.

It's a gift for your cousin?

Don't touch it.

Have you even met the man

your parents picked for you?

He's old, ugly, and a murderer.

I wouldn't want to see him.

Rumors might not be true.

I'm not stupid.

You're not?

I saw him kill many people with my own eyes,

just...

Just like you did earlier.

I did that to save you.

But if I hadn't stopped you,

you would have killed all of them.

You know martial arts,

but martial arts should be used to protect the weak,

not to kill people at will.

I didn't expect someone your age

to have such insight.

Is that why you saved people several times?

You saved that orphan girl,

and even wanted to save me.

Pity.

I failed to save one,

and the other

didn't need my help at all.

But she bit the hand that fed her and betrayed you.

She was just trying to survive.

You don't resent her?

I'm still perfectly alive,

while she is already dead.

What is there to resent?

You're quite open-minded.

It's different from what I imagined.

What?

We're here.

We're here?

Is Yanzhou this close?

When did I ever say I was going to Yanzhou?

I...

Why am I back in the capital?

Take her back to the Grand Tutor's Mansion.

Yes.

You know me?

Who exactly are you?

Lady Xie,

we will see each other again soon.

Xie?

He...

Who is he?

Why are you still here?

Didn't I tell you to go to Xiyue Pavilion

and the East Gate to look for her?

Hurry, go!

Yes.

What's with these people?

Darling,

you're still drinking tea so leisurely.

Yao Yao is missing.

Why aren't you anxious at all?

When it was time to discipline her,

you spoiled her rotten.

Is it a bit too late

to be anxious now?

If Yao Yao really ran away,

then this marriage...

This is disobeying an imperial edict.

So what?

This isn't my first time.

Marrying you was also disobeying an edict.

Besides,

we won't lose her.

Have you always had someone following her?

Madam!

Young Lady has returned.

She's back?

Someone brought her back.

That's wonderful.

Father! Mother!

-Yao Yao! -Let go of me!

-Yao Yao. -Letl Xiao Wuyi come to me!

Father, Mother.

Yao Yao, did I hear that right?

Did you mean Young Lord Xiao?

Yes.

Who else could it be but Xiao Wuyi?

I should have recognized that

murderous bastard earlier!

And he even told me

that rumors might not be true.

Hypocrite!

How could he pretend for so long?

It seems he's even worse than the rumors.

Grand Tutor. Your Highness.

Young Lord Xiao said

the Empress Dowager's bestowed marriage is a state affair.

If Lady Xie continues to act recklessly,

it will bring disaster to your entire family.

Please think twice.

He dares to threaten my parents?

You tell him,

no way!

Young Lord Xiao said if Lady Xie wants to escape the marriage,

she needs to practice her martial arts more.

He...

Yao Yao!

Yao Yao!

The Prince Changsha's private troops

secretly controlled Jiankang Ferry

and smuggled people and goods.

Later, they were controlled by Prince Jing'an's Mansion's men.

I have been secretly protecting Young Lady.

Recently, it's rumored in the capital

that Young Lord Xiao took beautiful concubines and dancers to his hot spring villa.

He is quite interesting.

You may leave now.

Yes.

Darling!

Who are you talking to?

No one.

Yao Yao is having a nightmare.

Come up and see her.

Come.

Don't kill!

She always feels restricted at home

and thinks the world is vast.

Little does she know, outside the capital, the people are already suffering.

She has a passionate heart,

but she can't even protect herself.

This trip must have been a huge blow to her.

No.

Young Lord Xiao already knows

that Yao Yao ran away from the marriage.

And he even had someone bring her back.

This is a warning.

It seems Yao Yao has to marry him.

With military power in hand,

even the Emperor and Empress Dowager have to avoid his sharp edge.

Wipe it clean.

Your Highness,

al the hidden troops at the warehouse and ferry

have been wiped out.

From today on, everything is as usual.

Nothing has changed here.

I understand.

I won't let the Prince Changsha notice.

From the looks of it,

Lady Xie doesn't seem to be conspiring with the Prince Changsha.

It's more like she's being used.

I also don't think she is

smart enough for that.

No.

I mean Lady Xie is a kindhearted person.

In troubled times,

even kindhearted people can harm themselves and others.

How could he be Xiao Wuyi?

My Lady, just eat a little.

You haven't eaten anything today.

I have no appetite.

You were unconscious for three days.

You are still weak.

If you don't rest well,

you'll be the one to suffer later.

Just let me suffer.

These are sweet cakes with osmanthus honey.

It's Madam Ruan's latest recipe from Miaoshan Bakery.

That's more like it.

Nanxing,

why are you hiding from me?

What's that in your hand?

This is

a gift from the Heir of Prince Jing'an.

Her Highness asked me to bring it to you.

What good things could he possibly give me?

Xiao Wuyi!