Original subtitles

Xiao Wuyi?

Where did he hide the divorce papers?

What were you and Mao doing just now?

Archery match.

Between you two?

Why the archery match?

So who emerged victorious?

What do you think?

Well...

Who do you hope ended up winning?

As the Commander of the Beifu Army, you competed with Mao in archery.

You must've won unfairly.

Where is my hairband?

W-What hairband?

The hairband I gave you

for you to cover your eyes during the match!

I threw it away.

You threw it away? Who allowed you to do it?

Didn't Xiao Wuyi say he had thrown it away?

[Key to the Phoenix Heart]

[Episode 14]

Xiao Wuyi has gotten you the travel permit.

You only need to sign it.

I wonder when I will be able to come back here again.

Actually, I quite like this place.

[Palace of Eternal Peace]

Brother, why do you want to keep them?

Is it for

that dancer named Chan?

She does

look somewhat

like Jiayu.

Take them to the Directorate of Attendants.

Understood.

Brother,

are you really willing

to let Jiayu leave?

Yaoyao loves freedom.

Right now, I

can't keep her.

Wuyi also said that

if I can bring peace and prosperity

to Ye

and turn the places Yaoyao loves

into a paradise,

that would also be a way of loving her.

As long as I can seize the supreme power

in this Jiankang Palace...

she will definitely return to my side.

[A few months later]

[Beifu Army Barracks, Northern Border]

How could I ever kill Xiuxiu?

I grew up with her.

I was waiting to save enough

military pay to propose to her.

[Guo Jiu, Beifu soldier]

How could I possibly kill her?

I can't control myself.

I want to kill people.

I want to hack people.

I want to bite people!

I've been consumed by a curse.

Yes, a curse!

This is a curse on the Beifu Army.

Beifu shouldn't have reformed!

God cast a curse.

This is retribution!

This is retribution!

Including last night's incident,

there have been 9 cases

of soldiers going nuts and hurting people.

Everyone says that

this curse is aimed at the Beifu Reform.

Nothing happens without a cause.

Get Ruisheng over quickly.

This is the cause of the disease.

Stray dogs that eat this rice

will end up this way.

Berserk, out of control, and bloodthirsty.

The onset time varies.

Some fall ill right after consuming it.

Others take 3 to 5 days.

It's the rations allocated by the imperial court from Guazhou.

It's dark in color

but not moldy.

It looks like it was soaked in water.

I once saw it in one

of Jiayu's books about mining methods.

Some people who drink water from the mines

would fall into a coma and become delirious.

Long-term consumption

would greatly affect one's lifespan.

Although what's happening now is not exactly the same,

it's quite similar.

But does Guazhou

have any mines?

No, I guess? I haven't heard of any.

Guazhou.

The Cui family.

It's time to investigate the Cui family

Empress Wenxi was born into.

By the way.

Your cure.

Cure?

Ruisheng, is everything going well in the Northern Border?

I heard winter is coming, so remember to wrap up warm.

My master and I improved the steelmaking method recently

and forged a new set of medical needles for you.

They should be thinner and tougher

than those you usually use.

I also made a mirror for Yuanji.

It's not as good as a bronze one, though.

My master is determined to make caltrop fireballs.

I plan to leave Jiankang with him to look for ore.

We'll go to Mount Tugao first, and then head southwest.

It's said to abound with bandits.

It's a good chance to test my lightness skill.

She's messing around.

How heartless.

Do you think caltrop fireballs really exist?

[Outside of Lingfeng Fort, Guazhou]

Could the things recorded in these ancient texts

just be made up?

How could there be such a powerful ore?

Once set aflame, it can't be extinguished by water,

blocking out the sun

and leaving nothing alive.

It definitely exists.

Well...

Please enjoy your meal.

Thank you.

If it didn't exist,

why would the ancients record it in books?

Would they just play a joke on us later generations?

Besides,

as vast as the world is,

how much of it have you actually seen?

Speaking of which,

I've traveled further and wider

-than... -Than

my White ever has.

Who is W-White?

Woof, woof.

Seriously,

are you sure your mother is in Lingfeng Fort?

This is the fief of the Cuis,

Empress Wenxi's maternal family.

-You old wretch, -Around here...

do you want to die?

Please don't.

No monthly payment, no stall here!

Hurry!

In broad daylight...

Take it out!

I really don't have any.

Madam, are you okay?

I'm fine.

You caused trouble again.

Let's go! Run!

Hey, what's wrong with me fighting for justice?

I don't want to do this either.

I have no choice.

You guys...

Come on, smell it.

Here, smell it.

Let's go. Run quickly. Hurry!

Who exactly are they after?

Are they Northern Qin spies here to catch you?

Me?

We agreed to go to Mount Tugao

and only came here after receiving your mother's letter.

Who do you think they are after?

Hurry! Let's go!

Mother...

My mother is in danger.

Nanxing, hurry.

Go find Xiao Wuyi immediately. Hurry.

My Lady, I'm going then.

Quickly!

Let's go. We should run now. Hurry!

[Cui Shi]

I...

Take them away.

[Lingfeng Fort]

Young Master.

The Young Lady still refuses to try on the wedding dress.

[Cui Shao'an]

You may leave.

Foot.

The other one.

[Cui Lingyi]

Do you really plan to stay in the Cui family's place forever?

This is Cui Mansion,

my home.

If you have a share, I should have one as well.

What do you mean?

Do you insist on finding a matrilocal husband?

Cui Shao'an,

all you want is to drive me

out of the Cui Mansion,

so you can hold sway over the entire Cui family.

Since childhood,

be it studying or managing affairs,

you're nowhere near as good as me.

We are both Father's children.

Why are you the Young Master?

Lingyi,

you are already going to marry Prince Qi.

What else are you dissatisfied with?

What's there about

the Cui family that you're holding onto?

There is nothing worth holding onto.

I just don't want you

to ruin the Cui family.

Young Master.

We have caught the person.

Cui Shao'an, who did you catch this time?

A beauty, of course.

Cui Lingyi, the imperial edict for your marriage has been issued.

You have to leave whether you want to or not.

Where is she?

She definitely hasn't run out of Lingfeng Fort.

I'll lead our men to search immediately.

Go!

Where did Yuan Xiaoliu go?

Follow me out of the Fort!

Search the entire Guazhou

for her!

Don't look so gloomy.

Since you are already here,

just settle down.

In the future,

you will all enjoy lives of wealth and privileges.

So be smart, all of you.

Being chosen to serve the Young Master

is your blessing.

Cheer up, everyone!

Stop pulling a long face!

You'll be the one.

So useless!

Why did she faint from fright?

It's said that those chosen by the Young Master will suffer greatly.

But working in the mines in the back mountain is different.

Lingfeng Fort provides food and clothes.

And there's even a monthly allowance to send to our families.

Lingfeng Fort is indeed running illegal private mines.

Are all these girls going to work in the mines?

But why choose girls?

Could Mother also be there?

Why the long face?

You'll be the one.

Take the rest of them to the workshop.

Young Master,

she's the prettiest among this batch of girls.

I was just about to take her to your room.

Turn your head this way.

She is not much to look at,

but I'll take her.

Take her to my room.

Understood.

I'm Yang Zhang, the County Sheriff. Greetings, Your Highness.

[Hall of the County Sheriff's Mansion, Guazhou]

What brings you to Guazhou, Your Highness?

Is it official business?

Weird illnesses have been breaking out across Guazhou,

yet you didn't report to the Imperial Medical Bureau.

Instead, you murdered witnesses and destroyed corpses.

[Yang Zhang, Guazhou County Sheriff]

Yang Zhang,

if I were on official business here,

you would've already been executed.

I have no idea.

I really don't know.

How long are you going to keep covering for the Cuis?

I really have no idea!

I'm only making a guess.

The Cui family is Empress Wenxi's maternal family,

the top noble family in Ye,

with deep roots.

I'm merely a lowly County Sheriff.

Where did the disease originate?

Lingfeng Fort.

The Cui family's granary is located right in Lingfeng Fort.

The mines are also in Lingfeng Fort.

Since the Cui family is Empress Wenxi's maternal family,

when you took me to flee back then,

why did you seek help from the Xiaos

instead of turning to the Cuis?

Why have you even hidden my existence

from the Cui family over these years?

Empress Wenxi was forced into it.

She had just given birth

when she heard of His Majesty's death.

But she didn't intend to give up the Capital.

The noble families

deliberately delayed sending troops.

When the army reached the city gates,

Cui Jun submitted a secret memorial,

hoping that the Empress would sacrifice her own family

for the bigger picture.

What bigger picture?

To win over the noble families,

she had to dispatch the remaining Imperial Guards

to escort these noble families as they fled south.

The Empress was left alone,

with His Majesty's child,

defending the Capital by herself.

The nobles abandoned the Empress

to save the Ye Empire.

From then on,

the Cui family rose to become the head of the noble families.

Your mother, Empress Wenxi,

died at that time.

Qing Long,

report the news about Guazhou to Jiankang immediately

and send a secret letter to the Eastern Palace—

the Cui family is suspicious,

and the marriage needs to be reconsidered.

Find an excuse to put it off.

Understood.

Nanxing?

Your Highness,

please save our Young Lady.

The Cui family tricked her into coming here

and caught her.

Weren't she and Yuan Xiaoliu supposed to go to Mount Tugao?

Why did they end up in Guazhou?

That was the original plan.

But Her Ladyship received a letter from the Princess.

The Princess said

there were black-radiance ores here that she once looked for

and invited her to take a look.

Yet she fell into a trap

after arriving here.

What did the Cuis capture Xie Jiayu for?

The Cuis not only run illegal mines

but also kidnapped the Princess and Xie Jiayu.

They must be up to something else.

You two get ready and follow me

into Lingfeng Fortress right away.

Your Highness, you must be careful.

The nobles' forts are always heavily guarded.

How will we get in?

We'll walk in aboveboard.

What's your name?

My name is...

Forget it.

It doesn't matter what your name used to be.

From today on,

you'll be called

Yueniang.

Singing, dancing, or whatever—

just show me something.

I don't know how.

I've always hated composing poetry or couplets

just to put on airs.

And I abhor "Admonitions for Women" even more.

How about...

I do a magic trick for you?

I've never seen any woman,

no, anyone,

solve the Nine-Linked Rings faster than you.

It's nothing.

I know a lot more.

If you have anything else you want me to solve,

just bring it on.

You're so much better than those noble ladies.

When I send you to the imperial palace,

you can compete with my sister.

Hold on, hold on... The imperial palace?

You want me to go to the imperial palace with your sister?

Aren't you hurting her this way?

It's her own fault for always going against me.

She has to meddle in everything I do.

It's nice to have someone care about what you do.

Unlike me, no one keeps me in check.

I have suffered so much in my life.

Given your status,

who would dare to make you suffer?

Pardon?

Do you know, in these troubled times,

how much money it costs to maintain

such beautiful black hair like yours?

It symbolizes a life of abundance only someone who's never

suffered from cold or hunger could live.

You're a girl raised in wealth and luxury.

Yet our Lingfeng Fortress only takes in refugee girls,

who know nothing about singing, dancing, or Nine-Linked Rings.

They can't even afford food.

Someone as versatile

and healthy as you

is the first we've ever had.

Tell me.

Who are you?

I...

I'm indeed not a refugee.

I am...

C-Come closer.

I am the envoy from the Eastern Palace,

Da, the Right Imperial Guard.

Greetings, Prince Qi's Consort.

I'm not married yet.

You can just call me Lady Cui.

Lady Cui,

these are

all gifts from His Highness.

Hope they are to your liking.

There's no trace of Lady Xie.

I haven't found her either,

nor have I found the dungeon.

The new concubine the Young Master took

is way too demanding.

She even asked us to split a bamboo

into 100 bamboo strips.

She's clearly just torturing us.

What water filtering?

I think she's just fooling the Young Master.

You continue to investigate the defenses in Lingfeng Fort.

Here are the things you asked for.

Where should we put them?

Just put them anywhere here.

You...

It's me.

I know it's you.

How did you know I came to Lingfeng Fort?

The Eastern Palace's envoy, Da, who can speak.

Who else could it be but you?

But I didn't expect

you to be here so soon.

It should take at least 6 or 7 days

to get here from Beifu, right?

A strange disease broke out in Beifu,

and it's related to Guazhou.

I ran into Nanxing

on my first day here.

She said you asked her to find me.

I'm really lucky.

You're already locked up here.

How can you call that "lucky"?

I...

How did you manage to fool Cui Shao'an?

Actually,

I didn't succeed at first.

Since you've found out about it,

I'll just be honest with you.

Have you ever heard about

the position of Tomb-excavating General established by Cao Bao?

We are all descendants of the Tomb Raiders.

I am the 6th-generation successor

of Tomb Raiders.

You don't believe me?

You wouldn't want us to "visit"

the Cui family's graves, would you?

Your grandfather's,

your father's,

or yours?

You know what?

We Tomb Raiders

have nothing

but patience.

I can wait for a few decades,

you know,

and I'll dig up your entire family's tombs.

-All of them... -Enough.

Little girl,

do you think I'm stupid?

F-Fine, alright.

I admit that

I saw your family running illegal private mines.

But I know the rules of the trade.

I won't say a single word

about what I shouldn't reveal.

But we tomb raiders

want a share of what we see,

you know?

Why do you still not believe me?

I...

Has anyone fainted

or become berserk or manic all of a sudden

in your family's mines recently?

How did you know about it?

I know a lot.

It's because of the water.

Do you want to solve it?

I can help you.

And the "concubine"?

What's that about?

It's nothing but an excuse.

I promised to help him filter water.

So I could stall until you came here, right?

Did you

send Nanxing to find me?

Didn't I already tell you that?

Why?

This place is clearly closer to Jiankang.

Because you can use martial arts.

What's wrong, Xiao Wuyi?

It's debilitating powder.

Xiao Wuyi, stop joking around.

If you're affected,

why am I... Why am I perfectly fine?

You can't use martial arts,

so of course you don't feel anything.

Just as expected,

you know each other.

Do you really think I believed

all that nonsense you told me?

I just wanted to see

what tricks you were going to play.

But I have to admit that

I was indeed interested in the water filter

you talked about.

I swear I didn't lie to you about that.

-I can really make the filter... -Hold on.

One at a time.

Let's start with this one.

Impersonating an envoy from the Eastern Palace,

you must have an extraordinary identity.

How should I address you?

Xiao Wuyi.

I've heard a lot about you.

Oh, no.

This is bad. This is really bad.

Even the Beifu Army has been alerted.

Well...

Then wouldn't the secret

about Lingfeng Fort be exposed?

So there's no other way.

I can only silence you.

I...

Take this!

Why is he so talkative?

That's why I sealed his mouth.

He can't move his body either?

I learned this from Ruisheng.

I have sealed off all his meridians.

Now, he's basically frozen

except for his eyes being able to move.

Awesome.

How long have you learned it from Ruisheng?

This is my first time doing it.

I only watched it once.

If I inserted it incorrectly,

he could be paralyzed.

What now? I'm leaving.

Hold on.

Do you know where the Lingfeng Fort's mines are?

In the back mountain.

But for some reason,

all the miners they recruit here are girls.

Statistics of refugees everywhere only count adult males.

Girls

can be very deceptive.

Yeah.

At worst, he'd only be known

as a lecherous Young Master of the Cui family.

How long will this acupuncture last?

No idea.

But when Ruisheng did it,

that chicken lay there all day.

Then we'll leave it to his fate.

Let's go.

Are you okay?

Who is holding up whom?

My bad. I'll hold you up.

Let's go.

Let's go.

Don't be afraid.

Mining can cause deaths,

but how could so many people end up dead?

After the Beifu soldiers ate

the rice soaked in the mine water,

they instantly went mad, lost their minds,

and wanted to hurt people like beasts.

The mine water does make people go mad and lose their minds,

but this is the first time I've seen it lead to violence.

This is no ordinary iron ore.

Let's get out of Lingfeng Fort first.

Let me help you. Let's go.

Where are you going, General?

Lady Cui?

So she is Mao's future wife.

Fly, come on.

I'm ready.

The drug hasn't worn off yet. I can't fly.

You two, would you like to come back with me for a chat?

Brother, I think this robe is better.

That one is a bit too ornate

and lacks elegance.

You decide.

Brother,

you usually like to wear

light-colored clothes,

but I think you look better in dark red.

It gives you a more dignified air.

Either is fine.

Brother, my sister-in-law is about to enter the imperial palace.

You need to prepare early.

Brother,

I know you are unwilling to accept it,

but if the marriage alliance goes wrong,

it will backfire.

I know you're worried about me.

You don't need to worry.

You should care about your own affairs.

What about your marriage?

Me?

I won't marry anyone.

I just want to stay by your side.

Nonsense.

-Master. -Grand Tutor.

Your Highness.

You may leave.

Understood.

Master.

Your Highness, are you trying on the wedding attire?

I'm tired these days. I'll try it on another day.

It doesn't matter if you don't.

What's this?

The Cui family runs an illegal private mine,

causing a strange disease in the Beifu Army.

Young Lord Xiao has submitted a memorial.

County Sheriff Yang Zhang is the witness.

There's solid evidence.

The engagement with one of the Cuis

is merely a means to prevent the Princess's political marriage.

A pawn is sometimes like a piece of clothing.

After it's used and worn,

it should be thrown away.

The Cui family will fall in a few days.

But the Cui family is the top noble family in Ye.

That was in the past.

I will never allow another woman from the Cuis

to become the future Empress of Ye.

Fine.

I will go seize and seal the Cui Mansion myself.

The Empress Dowager won't allow you to mobilize the Imperial Guards.

Your Highness, you think this alone

can make me mobilize the troops of Prince Jing'an's Household

in the name of the Heir's Consort?

Yes.

Someone at the imperial court is already

using the Beifu curse

to impeach Wuyi.

Not to mention that Wuyi has entered Lingfeng Fort.

This is a life-or-death situation.

I can't command the Imperial Guards as they're

under the Empress Dowager's control.

But tonight, I must seize the Cui Mansion.

But if you can't find evidence of the Cui family's illegal private mines,

you're dragging Prince Jing'an's Household down with you.

We can only take a gamble.

Xiao Wuyi is also gambling on it.

I can lend you the men.

Brother Xiao.

I dare not be addressed so.

I believe

Wuyi never misjudges anyone.

Since he acknowledges you, Your Highness, as Master,

I believe you're of one mind with Wuyi

and the Xiao family.

You can borrow

our troops.

If I ever fail you,

I, Li Yizhi,

will die without a terrible death.

Today,

with the token of the Heir's Consort, I'm ordering you

to follow Prince Qi

and secretly seal the Cui Mansion in Jiankang.

You're all at the command of His Highness, Prince Qi.

-Understood! -Understood!

Your Highness.

I'm giving this token to you.

From this moment on,

these troops are at your command.

-We'll follow your orders, Your Highness! -We'll follow your orders, Your Highness!

Three.

Master,

as you expected,

Prince Qi has obtained the troops of Prince Jing'an's Household

and is heading to the Cui Mansion.

It seems that

Jiankang will be in chaos again tonight.

Master,

is it a bit too late to take out

the betrothal gifts now?

After tonight,

the Cui family and Prince Qi will surely be bitter enemies.

These are betrothal gifts prepared for Prince Qi.

Who said they were for the Cui family?

It has been 22 years.

Cui Jun has hidden so deeply.

Don't worry, they are all following.

Brother,

we should have a death squad of our own.

Brother!

You must have a death squad of your own,

one that belongs to no one else

but only to you.

Lejun,

are you scared?

Brother,

other noble families will also have

what Prince Jing'an's Household owns.

Today's Imperial Guards are weak.

Otherwise, Prince Changsha wouldn't

have broken through the palace gates so easily back then.

We...

Really?

Since we are joining the game,

we can no longer be pawns.

Don't worry, Lejun.

I am learning to be a player.

I will never be

manipulated by anyone again for the rest of my life.

But tonight,

it's more appropriate to leave it to the men

of Prince Jing'an's Household.

Today, we're luring the Cui family into the trap

and using Xiao Wuyi and the Beifu Army as bait.

I only want to see if the Cui family would

dig their own grave.

Prince Qi?

How come it's you?

It's nothing.

I just thought about how unpleasant my previous visits

to the Cui Mansion were.

Now I want to vent my anger,

so I came here.

The Cui family and your family

are having a marriage alliance.

Now you've raided the Cui Mansion at night.

Aren't you afraid the ruined marriage

will turn you into a laughingstock?

Your Highness!

The Cuis incited rumors of the Beifu curse,

attempting to sabotage the reform.

Their crimes are unforgivable.

Now, seize everyone in the Cui Mansion.

Dead or alive,

no one is allowed to leave the Cui Mansion.

-Understood! -Understood!

Do you have any evidence?

Evidence?

That depends on what we can find

in the Cui Mansion tonight.

I've wanted to do this for many years.

What a pity.

You've survived for over a decade more.

[Lingfeng Fort]

"Tomb Raider"?

Do you really think

I'm as stupid as my foolish brother

and don't know you actually are

Grand Tutor Xie's daughter, Xie Jiayu?

I heard that you are Prince Qi's beloved

and later married the Heir of Prince Jing'an, Xiao Wuyi.

Now,

you are in a secret relationship

with this guard named Da.

You're really something.

Let her go!

Chug down this drug,

and I'll let her go.

What are you going to do?

Are you okay?

This is the strongest aphrodisiac.

As strong and vigorous as he is,

it's perfect for him, I think.

How do you feel?

Tell me.

Who on earth are you?

Where are your two accomplices?

What are you up to in Lingfeng Fort?

Eldest Young Lady Cui,

how long are you going to keep up this show?

If you truly wanted to hurt us,

why didn't you just hand us over to Cui Shao'an?

This aphrodisiac is just a blood-invigorating medicine.

Added with Chuanxiong,

it can cause a temporary surge of qi and blood,

but it also has a detoxifying effect.

You are not a bad person.

Young Lord Xiao, you didn't show your true identity.

So how could you expect me to be honest?

You know who I am?

What exactly do you want?

I want you to destroy the Cui family.

But you are about to marry into the Crown Prince's family.

I assume you have also seen

the girls in the mines.

The crimes committed by my father

will come to light sooner or later.

By then,

the Cui family, the top noble family in the world,

will be utterly doomed.

So I'd like to ask you two

to help our Cui family return to the right path.

Why should we trust you?

It's my mother's jade pendant.

You have met my mother?

Is she trapped here by Cui Shao'an?

I hid Her Highness.

I know you are Xie Jiayu

because I saved Her Highness.

Her Highness discovered the mines and could have escaped,

but to save the girls in the mines,

she ended up in danger

and was hunted down by my father.

Her Highness asked me to write to you.

She said that as long as the letter was delivered to Prince Jing'an's Mansion,

the Heir of Prince Jing'an, Xiao Wuyi,

would figure out that she was in danger in the mine.

I just didn't expect you to come, too.

Since you are already here...

So you want to make a move tonight?

I have spread the news that

the Heir of Prince Jing'an and Lady Jiayu have escaped from Lingfeng Fort.

Now, my brother has recovered from the needle poison.

He will definitely go out of the city to catch you.

Whoever catches Xiao Wuyi and Xie Jiayu

will be rewarded with 100 taels of gold!

That will be the perfect chance to bring down my father.