1
00:00:13,240 --> 00:00:16,450
They fought south of the city,
and died north of the wall.

2
00:00:14,300 --> 00:00:16,770
[Yongzhou]

3
00:00:16,480 --> 00:00:19,710
Left out in the wild, unburied,
for the crows to peck and gnaw.

4
00:00:19,710 --> 00:00:23,160
Tell the crows for me: eat well,
feast your fill.

5
00:00:23,280 --> 00:00:28,120
Left in the wild, surely unburied—
how could rotten flesh escape your beak?

6
00:00:28,120 --> 00:00:29,670
Well, Xiao Wuyi...

7
00:00:30,350 --> 00:00:31,950
After all these years of war,

8
00:00:32,580 --> 00:00:35,040
you still haven't earned
a good reputation.

9
00:00:35,380 --> 00:00:38,360
[Yang Yi's Mansion, Armory Director]

10
00:00:41,110 --> 00:00:43,620
[Li Mao, Prince of Qi, styled Yizhi]

11
00:00:48,110 --> 00:00:48,880
This family

12
00:00:49,320 --> 00:00:51,450
seems to have been gone for a long time.

13
00:00:52,000 --> 00:00:52,560
Da.

14
00:00:53,430 --> 00:00:54,430
Everyone is gone.

15
00:00:54,710 --> 00:00:55,970
How am I supposed to look into this?

16
00:00:55,970 --> 00:00:59,030
[Da, guard to the Prince of Qi]

17
00:01:00,430 --> 00:01:02,290
I need to tell Wuyi about all this.

18
00:02:41,860 --> 00:02:45,230
[Key to the Phoenix Heart]

19
00:02:45,610 --> 00:02:48,130
[Episode 3]

20
00:02:54,800 --> 00:02:55,560
Yizhi!

21
00:03:00,960 --> 00:03:01,470
Wuyi.

22
00:03:03,240 --> 00:03:03,840
Wuyi.

23
00:03:05,150 --> 00:03:06,480
What are you doing here?

24
00:03:06,560 --> 00:03:07,760
I was waiting for you.

25
00:03:09,470 --> 00:03:10,800
Xiao Wuyi!

26
00:03:12,430 --> 00:03:13,960
How did you know
I was coming back to the capital today?

27
00:03:13,960 --> 00:03:15,400
In your letter, you said
you were coming back by water.

28
00:03:15,400 --> 00:03:16,800
Counting the days, it had to be today,

29
00:03:16,800 --> 00:03:17,960
so I came here to wait for you.

30
00:03:17,960 --> 00:03:20,190
I heard the battle at Jiuzhang Plain
was especially brutal.

31
00:03:20,190 --> 00:03:20,850
How are you?

32
00:03:20,910 --> 00:03:22,240
Let me have a look at you.

33
00:03:23,710 --> 00:03:24,240
I'm fine.

34
00:03:25,190 --> 00:03:26,190
You've been traveling day and night
this whole way.

35
00:03:26,190 --> 00:03:27,390
You must be starving.

36
00:03:27,400 --> 00:03:29,000
I brought your favorite taro pastries.

37
00:03:29,000 --> 00:03:30,060
Hurry and try some.

38
00:03:31,560 --> 00:03:32,620
You really know me.

39
00:03:32,710 --> 00:03:35,250
I've been sick of dry rations
this entire journey.

40
00:03:35,250 --> 00:03:38,510
I've been saving my appetite
for getting back to Jiankang.

41
00:03:43,750 --> 00:03:44,880
Watch your manners.

42
00:03:45,190 --> 00:03:46,800
Look at you,
eating like a starving ghost.

43
00:03:46,800 --> 00:03:48,910
How are you supposed to be
the elegant Prince Qi from the rumors?

44
00:03:48,910 --> 00:03:50,750
That's a bad habit
from back when we were on the run.

45
00:03:50,750 --> 00:03:51,840
If you eat too slowly,

46
00:03:51,840 --> 00:03:54,040
your food gets snatched and you starve.

47
00:03:54,280 --> 00:03:56,280
I still haven't managed to shake it.

48
00:03:59,240 --> 00:03:59,820
Yizhi,

49
00:04:00,430 --> 00:04:03,230
thank you for helping
with the matter in Yongzhou.

50
00:04:03,710 --> 00:04:04,400
Wuyi,

51
00:04:05,280 --> 00:04:06,410
is something wrong?

52
00:04:06,680 --> 00:04:08,140
I waited here for you today

53
00:04:08,590 --> 00:04:11,000
because I want you
to stay out of the capital for now.

54
00:04:11,000 --> 00:04:13,400
Something is about to happen
in the capital.

55
00:04:13,400 --> 00:04:14,630
Don't tell me it's Prince Changsha again.

56
00:04:14,630 --> 00:04:15,190
No.

57
00:04:16,269 --> 00:04:16,950
It's me.

58
00:04:17,630 --> 00:04:18,560
What did you do?

59
00:04:20,000 --> 00:04:21,800
I'm taking a secondary consort.

60
00:04:22,000 --> 00:04:22,950
Again?

61
00:04:24,040 --> 00:04:25,370
Isn't that a good thing?

62
00:04:25,390 --> 00:04:26,590
I'll be your best man.

63
00:04:26,720 --> 00:04:29,000
This marriage was arranged
by the Empress Dowager.

64
00:04:29,000 --> 00:04:30,830
The whole city is bound to be watching.

65
00:04:30,830 --> 00:04:32,600
And Prince Changsha has been planning
for this for a long time.

66
00:04:32,600 --> 00:04:34,600
There's no way he'll willingly
let me marry this lady.

67
00:04:34,600 --> 00:04:35,730
When the time comes,

68
00:04:35,920 --> 00:04:38,190
chaos is bound to break out
in the capital,

69
00:04:38,190 --> 00:04:40,120
and bloodshed will be inevitable.

70
00:04:40,390 --> 00:04:42,270
It will be safest for you to return

71
00:04:42,800 --> 00:04:43,560
only after everything has settled.

72
00:04:43,560 --> 00:04:44,560
Now I'm curious.

73
00:04:45,240 --> 00:04:46,870
Just which family's daughter

74
00:04:46,870 --> 00:04:49,040
has both you and Prince Changsha
fighting to marry her?

75
00:04:49,040 --> 00:04:50,830
The daughter of Grand Tutor Xie—

76
00:04:50,830 --> 00:04:51,630
Xie Jiayu.

77
00:04:57,950 --> 00:04:58,950
Prince Qi is back!

78
00:04:59,430 --> 00:05:01,000
It's been more than half a year.
You finally made it back.

79
00:05:01,000 --> 00:05:01,720
Master has really missed you.

80
00:05:01,720 --> 00:05:02,310
Come on, let's go drink now
that you're back.

81
00:05:02,310 --> 00:05:03,160
Alright, alright.

82
00:05:03,160 --> 00:05:03,480
Master.

83
00:05:03,480 --> 00:05:05,190
You should all head back first.

84
00:05:05,190 --> 00:05:06,120
Head back first.

85
00:05:06,240 --> 00:05:07,270
Master, I heard—

86
00:05:07,270 --> 00:05:08,130
I already know.

87
00:05:09,630 --> 00:05:11,120
I remember you once told me

88
00:05:11,430 --> 00:05:13,290
that during the unrest in Qizhou,

89
00:05:13,480 --> 00:05:15,560
you ran into danger
on your way back to the capital.

90
00:05:15,560 --> 00:05:17,790
It was Young Master Xiao
who saved you and escorted you

91
00:05:17,790 --> 00:05:20,360
and the Princess of Pingning County
safely back to the capital.

92
00:05:20,360 --> 00:05:22,600
You've known each other since then?

93
00:05:22,830 --> 00:05:23,270
Yes.

94
00:05:23,870 --> 00:05:25,800
Have you been in contact recently?

95
00:05:26,630 --> 00:05:28,120
It is a friendship of gentlemen.

96
00:05:28,120 --> 00:05:29,070
So in your eyes,

97
00:05:30,480 --> 00:05:32,880
Young Master Xiao is actually a gentleman?

98
00:05:33,430 --> 00:05:35,159
When we were young,
he once told me

99
00:05:35,159 --> 00:05:36,630
that, for the sake
of protecting the realm,

100
00:05:36,630 --> 00:05:37,190
he wanted

101
00:05:37,560 --> 00:05:40,090
to become the greatest general
under heaven.

102
00:05:40,430 --> 00:05:42,430
But after returning to the capital,

103
00:05:42,870 --> 00:05:45,830
he killed court officials
and intimidated the entire court.

104
00:05:45,830 --> 00:05:46,920
Do you still think

105
00:05:46,920 --> 00:05:48,980
he's the same young man
you once knew?

106
00:05:49,560 --> 00:05:51,120
"How shall it be said
that you have no clothes?

107
00:05:51,120 --> 00:05:52,360
I will share my long robes with you."

108
00:05:52,360 --> 00:05:53,159
It is his name,

109
00:05:53,720 --> 00:05:55,120
and also his aspiration.

110
00:05:56,310 --> 00:05:57,040
Yes.

111
00:05:57,560 --> 00:06:00,040
Perhaps when Xiao Sheng chose the name
"Wuyi"—"No Clothes" — for himself,

112
00:06:00,040 --> 00:06:01,570
he truly meant those words.

113
00:06:01,720 --> 00:06:02,680
But power...

114
00:06:05,190 --> 00:06:07,600
Power changes people.

115
00:06:08,070 --> 00:06:09,510
Perhaps he is no longer

116
00:06:09,510 --> 00:06:11,160
the person you once knew.

117
00:06:15,270 --> 00:06:16,430
I'll go see him myself.

118
00:06:16,430 --> 00:06:17,720
I'll tell him that I like Yao Yao,

119
00:06:17,720 --> 00:06:18,870
and ask him to call off the marriage.

120
00:06:18,870 --> 00:06:19,950
The Empress Dowager herself
arranged this marriage.

121
00:06:19,950 --> 00:06:21,040
How could it possibly be withdrawn?

122
00:06:21,040 --> 00:06:22,360
Then I'll go beg the Empress Dowager.

123
00:06:22,360 --> 00:06:24,920
Jiankang Palace is not somewhere
you can simply barge into.

124
00:06:24,920 --> 00:06:25,510
I know.

125
00:06:26,120 --> 00:06:26,680
Master,

126
00:06:27,240 --> 00:06:28,360
before I returned this time,

127
00:06:28,360 --> 00:06:30,120
I prepared a betrothal gift for Yao Yao.

128
00:06:30,120 --> 00:06:31,850
Please help me pass it on to her.

129
00:06:35,430 --> 00:06:37,030
I've already made up my mind.

130
00:06:37,040 --> 00:06:38,560
No matter how difficult it is,

131
00:06:38,560 --> 00:06:40,560
even if it means
going into Jiankang Palace,

132
00:06:40,560 --> 00:06:41,620
I'm willing to try.

133
00:06:42,480 --> 00:06:43,270
For Yao Yao,

134
00:06:44,560 --> 00:06:45,490
I'd do anything.

135
00:06:49,390 --> 00:06:51,510
[Grand Tutor's Mansion]

136
00:06:52,830 --> 00:06:54,310
Mao brought this for you.

137
00:06:58,120 --> 00:06:59,650
It's black iridescent ore.

138
00:07:00,950 --> 00:07:02,830
In her last letter, Yao Yao mentioned

139
00:07:02,830 --> 00:07:06,090
that Yongzhou produces
a rare kind of black iridescent ore

140
00:07:06,120 --> 00:07:08,320
that can forge the toughest black iron.

141
00:07:08,560 --> 00:07:09,630
Since I'm already there,

142
00:07:09,630 --> 00:07:11,000
I'll look for some on her behalf.

143
00:07:11,000 --> 00:07:14,600
It'll make an auspicious gift
when I ask for her hand in marriage.

144
00:07:15,000 --> 00:07:16,390
I only mentioned it once,

145
00:07:16,390 --> 00:07:18,720
and Mao went out of his way
to find it for me.

146
00:07:18,870 --> 00:07:19,480
Yao Yao,

147
00:07:20,240 --> 00:07:21,770
Mao has entered the palace.

148
00:07:22,480 --> 00:07:24,310
He wants to ask the Empress Dowager

149
00:07:24,310 --> 00:07:26,570
to revoke the imperial marriage decree.

150
00:07:27,070 --> 00:07:27,830
I knew it.

151
00:07:28,070 --> 00:07:29,400
Mao would never give up.

152
00:07:35,360 --> 00:07:38,220
You want me to revoke
the imperial marriage decree?

153
00:07:39,040 --> 00:07:40,630
I humbly ask
that Your Majesty grant us your blessing.

154
00:07:40,630 --> 00:07:42,130
Young men are naturally drawn to beauty.

155
00:07:42,130 --> 00:07:43,190
I understand that.

156
00:07:43,390 --> 00:07:43,870
But

157
00:07:45,070 --> 00:07:46,390
the decree has already been issued.

158
00:07:46,390 --> 00:07:47,990
I beg Your Majesty for mercy.

159
00:07:48,120 --> 00:07:50,050
In this life, I ask for nothing else

160
00:07:50,070 --> 00:07:51,560
but Lady Xie alone.

161
00:07:51,830 --> 00:07:53,230
You ask for nothing else?

162
00:07:54,510 --> 00:07:56,040
Your Majesty once promised

163
00:07:56,560 --> 00:07:59,070
that if I could find a miraculous doctor
for His Majesty,

164
00:07:59,070 --> 00:08:01,070
you would grant me another fiefdom.

165
00:08:01,680 --> 00:08:02,720
After enduring countless hardships,

166
00:08:02,720 --> 00:08:03,920
I finally succeeded.

167
00:08:04,140 --> 00:08:06,800
But now, I can forgo

168
00:08:06,890 --> 00:08:08,870
the land, the title, and the wealth.

169
00:08:08,870 --> 00:08:12,270
I ask only that Your Majesty take pity
on my sincere feelings.

170
00:08:16,800 --> 00:08:17,600
You can give up

171
00:08:19,680 --> 00:08:20,510
your land,

172
00:08:23,040 --> 00:08:23,920
your title,

173
00:08:24,310 --> 00:08:25,430
and your wealth?

174
00:08:26,920 --> 00:08:28,000
It seems

175
00:08:29,750 --> 00:08:32,549
I've played the part
of a gentle and virtuous woman

176
00:08:33,080 --> 00:08:35,840
for so long that some fools
have actually started to believe it.

177
00:08:35,840 --> 00:08:37,440
My son sits upon the throne,

178
00:08:37,870 --> 00:08:39,270
yet even he struggles just to survive,

179
00:08:39,270 --> 00:08:40,470
living like a puppet.

180
00:08:40,750 --> 00:08:42,200
And what are you?

181
00:08:43,390 --> 00:08:45,440
What is your sincerity worth?

182
00:08:45,600 --> 00:08:47,670
How dare you come here
and bargain with me?

183
00:08:47,670 --> 00:08:49,150
Everything you have now

184
00:08:49,750 --> 00:08:52,150
was bestowed upon you
by His Majesty and me.

185
00:08:53,120 --> 00:08:54,520
If I decide not to give it,

186
00:08:55,080 --> 00:08:56,680
then you shall have nothing.

187
00:08:57,750 --> 00:08:58,390
He Tian!

188
00:08:59,480 --> 00:09:00,360
Your servant awaits.

189
00:09:00,360 --> 00:09:01,720
Prince Qi trespassed
into the inner palace

190
00:09:01,720 --> 00:09:03,270
and spoke insolently
to the Empress Dowager.

191
00:09:03,270 --> 00:09:04,600
Punish him with the rod!

192
00:09:22,120 --> 00:09:22,630
Da.

193
00:09:25,410 --> 00:09:27,070
It's nothing. What happened?

194
00:09:29,270 --> 00:09:29,840
Lejun?

195
00:09:31,630 --> 00:09:32,360
Fainted?

196
00:09:35,080 --> 00:09:35,720
Lejun.

197
00:09:39,840 --> 00:09:40,440
Princess.

198
00:09:40,910 --> 00:09:42,270
As soon as Lejun passed out,

199
00:09:42,270 --> 00:09:44,550
her maids came straight to
the Grand Tutor's residence to fetch me.

200
00:09:44,550 --> 00:09:45,750
What happened to her?

201
00:09:46,200 --> 00:09:47,670
Don't tell me her old illness
has flared up again?

202
00:09:47,670 --> 00:09:48,530
She'll be fine.

203
00:09:49,080 --> 00:09:49,750
She's fine?

204
00:09:50,200 --> 00:09:50,840
What,

205
00:09:51,630 --> 00:09:53,360
Your Highness doesn't believe me?

206
00:09:53,360 --> 00:09:54,290
I wouldn't dare.

207
00:09:54,510 --> 00:09:56,120
Your Highness
is highly skilled in medicine,

208
00:09:56,120 --> 00:09:58,360
and it was you
who cured Lejun's chronic illness before.

209
00:09:58,360 --> 00:09:59,030
However,

210
00:09:59,670 --> 00:10:00,910
if she is truly fine,

211
00:10:00,910 --> 00:10:02,240
then why did she suddenly faint?

212
00:10:02,240 --> 00:10:04,390
She merely ate some wild fruit
by mistake.

213
00:10:04,390 --> 00:10:06,510
She'll recover naturally in a few days.

214
00:10:06,510 --> 00:10:07,360
However...

215
00:10:10,750 --> 00:10:12,150
something about this is strange.

216
00:10:12,150 --> 00:10:13,120
To fall unconscious

217
00:10:13,120 --> 00:10:14,450
from eating that fruit,

218
00:10:14,750 --> 00:10:16,790
one would have to eat
at least an entire basketful.

219
00:10:16,790 --> 00:10:17,910
The fruit is sour and bitter—

220
00:10:17,910 --> 00:10:19,030
difficult to swallow.

221
00:10:19,030 --> 00:10:20,830
Why would Lejun eat so much of it?

222
00:10:22,360 --> 00:10:24,550
Go check
whether the medicine is ready yet.

223
00:10:24,550 --> 00:10:25,080
Yes.

224
00:10:33,150 --> 00:10:35,210
I'll go check on the medicine as well.

225
00:10:41,550 --> 00:10:42,080
Yao Yao.

226
00:10:43,550 --> 00:10:44,080
Mao.

227
00:10:45,630 --> 00:10:47,360
My mother wouldn't let me
leave the residence,

228
00:10:47,360 --> 00:10:48,390
and I wanted to see you.

229
00:10:48,390 --> 00:10:49,720
Lejun said she had a way—

230
00:10:50,300 --> 00:10:52,560
I didn't expect this to be what she meant.

231
00:10:54,390 --> 00:10:55,320
Are you alright?

232
00:10:57,120 --> 00:10:58,870
Mao, you're finally back.

233
00:10:59,390 --> 00:11:00,120
I thought

234
00:11:00,400 --> 00:11:02,120
I was really going to
end up marrying someone else.

235
00:11:02,120 --> 00:11:03,250
The Empress Dowager

236
00:11:05,600 --> 00:11:07,730
still refuses to withdraw the decree.

237
00:11:08,750 --> 00:11:10,030
Then I won't marry him either.

238
00:11:10,030 --> 00:11:11,390
You're going to defy the imperial decree?

239
00:11:11,390 --> 00:11:11,910
Mao,

240
00:11:12,790 --> 00:11:14,190
I dare to defy the decree.

241
00:11:14,670 --> 00:11:15,330
Do you dare?

242
00:11:16,720 --> 00:11:17,850
Why wouldn't I dare?

243
00:11:20,870 --> 00:11:23,000
Father always says
I know nothing about court politics.

244
00:11:23,000 --> 00:11:24,000
Maybe he's right.

245
00:11:24,550 --> 00:11:25,240
But I do know

246
00:11:25,240 --> 00:11:26,720
he has no intention
of siding with Prince Jingan.

247
00:11:26,720 --> 00:11:28,750
And besides, the Empress Dowager
only ordered me to marry Xiao Wuyi.

248
00:11:28,750 --> 00:11:31,150
She never said I had to spend my life
in loving harmony with him.

249
00:11:31,150 --> 00:11:32,630
So as long as I complete the ceremony
on the wedding night

250
00:11:32,630 --> 00:11:33,960
and run away afterward,

251
00:11:34,270 --> 00:11:35,030
it won't count

252
00:11:35,030 --> 00:11:36,290
as defying the decree.

253
00:11:39,390 --> 00:11:41,240
I plan to go to Northern Qin,

254
00:11:41,510 --> 00:11:42,370
change my name,

255
00:11:42,600 --> 00:11:43,460
and start over.

256
00:11:44,150 --> 00:11:44,680
Alright.

257
00:11:45,480 --> 00:11:45,960
Yao Yao,

258
00:11:46,600 --> 00:11:48,200
no matter how powerful the Emperor
and the Empress Dowager are,

259
00:11:48,200 --> 00:11:50,600
there's no way they can reach
into Northern Qin to arrest anyone.

260
00:11:50,600 --> 00:11:51,400
It's just that

261
00:11:51,960 --> 00:11:53,720
the road ahead will
be fraught with danger—

262
00:11:53,720 --> 00:11:55,920
you must think this through carefully.

263
00:11:56,440 --> 00:11:57,240
To be honest,

264
00:11:57,870 --> 00:11:59,000
I am a little afraid.

265
00:11:59,670 --> 00:12:00,720
The world outside

266
00:12:00,870 --> 00:12:01,960
is full of killing,

267
00:12:02,150 --> 00:12:03,410
deceit, and betrayal.

268
00:12:03,630 --> 00:12:05,080
But I can't let fear condemn me

269
00:12:05,080 --> 00:12:05,840
to spending the rest of my life

270
00:12:05,840 --> 00:12:07,370
trapped in Jingan Mansion.

271
00:12:07,720 --> 00:12:08,270
Yao Yao,

272
00:12:08,910 --> 00:12:10,480
no matter how disastrous this may become,

273
00:12:10,480 --> 00:12:12,080
if you want to go through with it,

274
00:12:12,080 --> 00:12:14,140
I'll be with you every step of the way.

275
00:12:18,790 --> 00:12:20,030
What about Lejun?

276
00:12:20,150 --> 00:12:21,120
What will happen to her?

277
00:12:21,120 --> 00:12:22,600
Of course she's coming with us.

278
00:12:22,600 --> 00:12:23,330
Don't worry—

279
00:12:23,360 --> 00:12:24,000
she likes you

280
00:12:24,000 --> 00:12:25,750
far more than she likes me,
her own brother.

281
00:12:25,750 --> 00:12:26,360
Besides,

282
00:12:26,360 --> 00:12:27,790
back when we were fleeing
for our lives,

283
00:12:27,790 --> 00:12:31,120
we already promised
that we'd face life and death together.

284
00:12:31,840 --> 00:12:32,900
Wait here a moment.

285
00:12:37,200 --> 00:12:37,930
What's this?

286
00:12:42,670 --> 00:12:43,390
This...

287
00:12:43,720 --> 00:12:45,250
can be our token of promise.

288
00:12:55,200 --> 00:12:57,260
I didn't expect things would still be

289
00:12:57,390 --> 00:13:01,390
so lively and carefree at Wuyi's place
with the wedding so close at hand.

290
00:13:15,240 --> 00:13:16,480
Is this for your cousin?

291
00:13:16,480 --> 00:13:17,340
Don't touch it.

292
00:13:20,030 --> 00:13:22,150
Mao, coming by this late at night...

293
00:13:23,670 --> 00:13:25,630
you must have something important to say.

294
00:13:25,630 --> 00:13:27,630
I assume you've already guessed it.

295
00:13:28,360 --> 00:13:31,080
Lady Xie is the woman I love.

296
00:13:33,360 --> 00:13:34,240
Is that all?

297
00:13:34,390 --> 00:13:35,550
She loves me too.

298
00:13:36,870 --> 00:13:38,510
A gifted man and a beautiful woman—

299
00:13:38,510 --> 00:13:40,110
you are indeed well matched.

300
00:13:40,360 --> 00:13:42,620
I hope you will call off this engagement.

301
00:13:44,600 --> 00:13:45,840
And if I refuse?

302
00:13:47,320 --> 00:13:48,600
You pressured the Empress Dowager
into issuing the marriage decree

303
00:13:48,600 --> 00:13:50,910
for no reason other than
to disrupt Prince Changsha's plans.

304
00:13:50,910 --> 00:13:52,310
But Xie Jiayu is a person.

305
00:13:53,270 --> 00:13:54,360
She has feelings

306
00:13:54,360 --> 00:13:55,200
and a life of her own.

307
00:13:55,200 --> 00:13:56,400
She shouldn't have to

308
00:13:56,750 --> 00:13:58,790
become an innocent sacrifice
to your schemes.

309
00:13:58,790 --> 00:13:59,510
Mao,

310
00:14:00,840 --> 00:14:03,240
there are no innocent people
in this world.

311
00:14:06,320 --> 00:14:07,980
The other day, Master asked me

312
00:14:08,080 --> 00:14:09,210
whether, in my eyes,

313
00:14:10,150 --> 00:14:11,950
Xiao Wuyi was still a gentleman.

314
00:14:12,080 --> 00:14:13,080
Of course I'm not.

315
00:14:13,840 --> 00:14:14,840
Nor do I want to be.

316
00:14:15,360 --> 00:14:16,360
In an age of chaos,

317
00:14:17,550 --> 00:14:19,360
gentlemen either fade into obscurity

318
00:14:19,360 --> 00:14:21,120
or die with their ambitions
buried in the dust.

319
00:14:21,120 --> 00:14:22,030
I will be

320
00:14:23,960 --> 00:14:25,490
the one who holds the blade.

321
00:14:26,240 --> 00:14:27,030
Xiao Wuyi...

322
00:14:27,870 --> 00:14:28,960
are you still the same young man

323
00:14:28,960 --> 00:14:30,720
who once saved me from danger?

324
00:14:42,150 --> 00:14:44,150
This alliance cannot be called off.

325
00:14:44,390 --> 00:14:46,590
The wedding must proceed as scheduled.

326
00:14:51,150 --> 00:14:51,750
Fine.

327
00:14:52,390 --> 00:14:53,450
On the wedding day,

328
00:14:53,670 --> 00:14:55,670
Xie Jiayu and I will leave together.

329
00:14:55,670 --> 00:14:57,270
Where could you possibly go?

330
00:14:57,320 --> 00:14:58,360
To the ends of the earth.

331
00:14:58,360 --> 00:14:59,030
Anywhere.

332
00:14:59,160 --> 00:15:00,840
Then you shouldn't
have told me.

333
00:15:00,840 --> 00:15:03,840
I'm telling you
because I still consider you a friend.

334
00:15:04,230 --> 00:15:05,430
If you want to stop me,

335
00:15:07,000 --> 00:15:07,870
then just do it.

336
00:15:09,860 --> 00:15:11,520
You're just as naïve as she is.

337
00:15:25,800 --> 00:15:28,060
Mao actually managed to bring this back.

338
00:15:28,630 --> 00:15:29,240
With this,

339
00:15:29,380 --> 00:15:32,240
we won't get lost when we run away
on the wedding day.

340
00:15:37,240 --> 00:15:37,840
Mother...

341
00:15:46,150 --> 00:15:47,080
you already

342
00:15:47,850 --> 00:15:49,380
knew all along, didn't you?

343
00:15:54,200 --> 00:15:54,790
Mother,

344
00:15:55,870 --> 00:15:56,510
thank you.

345
00:16:00,200 --> 00:16:00,800
Mother...

346
00:16:02,790 --> 00:16:04,960
What are you bowing for out of nowhere?

347
00:16:06,240 --> 00:16:06,960
I know

348
00:16:07,670 --> 00:16:08,670
that the last time

349
00:16:09,200 --> 00:16:12,060
I had Lejun eat those wild berries
to get you to come,

350
00:16:12,270 --> 00:16:13,480
you had already noticed

351
00:16:13,480 --> 00:16:15,240
I was hiding among the maids.

352
00:16:15,790 --> 00:16:17,520
You just chose not to expose me.

353
00:16:17,630 --> 00:16:19,270
Later, you even went along with it

354
00:16:19,270 --> 00:16:21,080
and took me to Prince Qi's residence.

355
00:16:21,080 --> 00:16:23,910
And these past few days,
there's no way you wouldn't

356
00:16:23,910 --> 00:16:25,790
have noticed everything I've been
secretly preparing in the residence.

357
00:16:25,790 --> 00:16:27,550
You simply turned a blind eye

358
00:16:29,120 --> 00:16:31,180
because you intended to let me leave.

359
00:16:32,790 --> 00:16:33,440
Mother,

360
00:16:34,480 --> 00:16:35,480
I have failed you.

361
00:16:36,440 --> 00:16:38,900
I've always upset you ever
since I was young,

362
00:16:39,120 --> 00:16:42,180
and now I'm forcing you
to make such a difficult choice.

363
00:16:46,270 --> 00:16:47,080
You're wrong.

364
00:16:52,320 --> 00:16:53,550
The daughter I want

365
00:16:54,440 --> 00:16:57,030
is not some puppet
who only knows how to obey me,

366
00:16:57,030 --> 00:16:57,960
but a young woman

367
00:16:58,550 --> 00:17:00,210
who truly knows what she wants

368
00:17:00,870 --> 00:17:02,720
and what she ought to do.

369
00:17:03,910 --> 00:17:06,040
You've been through quite a bit by now.

370
00:17:06,069 --> 00:17:09,109
You should understand that the world
outside and the Grand Tutor's residence

371
00:17:09,109 --> 00:17:11,109
are two entirely different worlds.

372
00:17:11,240 --> 00:17:13,440
Now that you know
how cruel the outside world can be,

373
00:17:13,440 --> 00:17:14,900
you still intend to leave?

374
00:17:17,310 --> 00:17:18,109
I do.

375
00:17:27,440 --> 00:17:28,310
Then go.

376
00:17:29,350 --> 00:17:30,410
But remember this:

377
00:17:30,640 --> 00:17:33,170
make absolutely sure
you're fully prepared.

378
00:17:39,110 --> 00:17:40,730
Mother, don't worry.

379
00:17:41,270 --> 00:17:43,130
Lejun and Mao will both be with me.

380
00:17:43,480 --> 00:17:44,400
Mao said

381
00:17:44,590 --> 00:17:46,320
he'll take care of everything.

382
00:17:46,510 --> 00:17:47,070
No.

383
00:17:48,590 --> 00:17:49,480
What I mean is

384
00:17:50,270 --> 00:17:52,870
that you yourself
must also be fully prepared.

385
00:17:54,550 --> 00:17:55,410
Remember this:

386
00:17:56,200 --> 00:17:57,110
no matter when,

387
00:17:58,110 --> 00:17:59,640
the one you can truly rely on

388
00:18:00,310 --> 00:18:01,570
is never your parents,

389
00:18:01,620 --> 00:18:02,420
your husband,

390
00:18:02,450 --> 00:18:03,450
or your children.

391
00:18:04,920 --> 00:18:06,000
It is yourself.

392
00:18:19,070 --> 00:18:20,800
Over here, over here! Hurry up.

393
00:18:21,780 --> 00:18:22,820
Make sure you wipe it properly.

394
00:18:22,820 --> 00:18:23,480
Alright!

395
00:18:29,590 --> 00:18:31,440
Xiao Wuyi did indeed
risk returning to the capital.

396
00:18:31,440 --> 00:18:33,270
There are at most 100 household guards
inside Jingan Mansion,

397
00:18:33,270 --> 00:18:34,880
and everything outside the city
remains normal as well.

398
00:18:34,880 --> 00:18:36,720
The Beifu Army
is still stationed at the border.

399
00:18:36,720 --> 00:18:39,720
As for the border garrison—
he wouldn't dare make any rash move.

400
00:18:39,720 --> 00:18:40,780
A bride-stealing?

401
00:18:41,440 --> 00:18:42,480
It's nothing more than an attempt

402
00:18:42,480 --> 00:18:44,590
to stop me from securing the support
of the noble clans.

403
00:18:44,590 --> 00:18:46,870
The Beifu Army suffered heavy losses
at Jiuzhang Plain.

404
00:18:46,870 --> 00:18:50,330
We must not wait for the border forces
to regroup before we act.

405
00:18:59,370 --> 00:19:01,420
[Prince Qi's Mansion]

406
00:19:35,110 --> 00:19:35,830
Father.

407
00:19:36,880 --> 00:19:37,480
Mother.

408
00:19:42,450 --> 00:19:45,870
♪ A dying memory glimmers low ♪

409
00:19:44,750 --> 00:19:45,310
Father.

410
00:19:46,170 --> 00:19:49,850
♪ You appear, but I can't hold you so ♪

411
00:19:46,240 --> 00:19:47,680
I prepared a gift for you.

412
00:19:49,960 --> 00:19:54,320
♪ Time itself comes to a sudden halt ♪

413
00:19:54,680 --> 00:19:57,380
♪ So desolate ♪

414
00:19:55,920 --> 00:19:57,890
It's for massaging your shoulders.

415
00:19:57,890 --> 00:19:58,400
Look,

416
00:19:57,960 --> 00:20:01,620
♪ I traded obsession for this loss ♪

417
00:19:59,310 --> 00:20:00,170
Just like this.

418
00:20:01,650 --> 00:20:05,190
♪ If I could lay my heart bare and cross ♪

419
00:20:05,380 --> 00:20:10,710
♪ Would you once more have pity on me ♪

420
00:20:11,350 --> 00:20:14,790
♪ If the heavens should change
and fate tear me apart ♪

421
00:20:13,080 --> 00:20:14,030
I understand

422
00:20:14,820 --> 00:20:18,810
♪ Yet still cannot undo one beat
of my heart's art ♪

423
00:20:15,750 --> 00:20:18,550
this is your way
of showing filial devotion.

424
00:20:18,950 --> 00:20:22,660
♪ I've traveled so far—
the day I find you again ♪

425
00:20:22,680 --> 00:20:25,980
♪ I fear you might have forgotten me ♪

426
00:20:23,920 --> 00:20:25,160
My dear Yao Yao...

427
00:20:28,590 --> 00:20:30,190
you look so beautiful today.

428
00:20:37,400 --> 00:20:37,960
Father,

429
00:20:39,920 --> 00:20:42,250
if I am no longer by your side
in the future,

430
00:20:42,960 --> 00:20:44,960
you must take good care of yourself.

431
00:20:45,790 --> 00:20:47,200
Silly child,

432
00:20:51,000 --> 00:20:52,070
why are you crying?

433
00:20:53,350 --> 00:20:54,610
I am not crying either.

434
00:20:55,110 --> 00:20:56,750
We'll see each other again someday,

435
00:20:56,750 --> 00:20:57,350
won't we?

436
00:21:02,550 --> 00:21:04,000
It's my fault

437
00:21:05,960 --> 00:21:08,490
for letting you be burdened
by the Xie family.

438
00:21:09,130 --> 00:21:10,860
If you hadn't been my daughter,

439
00:21:13,160 --> 00:21:14,270
your life

440
00:21:16,070 --> 00:21:17,530
would have been far freer.

441
00:21:20,240 --> 00:21:21,970
Please don't say that, Father.

442
00:21:23,480 --> 00:21:24,880
Being born your daughter

443
00:21:26,750 --> 00:21:28,010
has made me very happy.

444
00:21:39,920 --> 00:21:40,590
Mother.

445
00:21:46,880 --> 00:21:49,310
The auspicious hour has arrived.

446
00:22:05,960 --> 00:22:07,020
Young Master Xiao,

447
00:22:07,440 --> 00:22:08,640
it's been a long time.

448
00:22:11,110 --> 00:22:12,440
When have I ever met you?

449
00:22:13,510 --> 00:22:14,000
Fine.

450
00:22:14,590 --> 00:22:16,480
It doesn't matter
if you don't remember me.

451
00:22:16,480 --> 00:22:17,640
After tonight,

452
00:22:18,070 --> 00:22:20,200
I'll make sure you remember me deeply,

453
00:22:20,310 --> 00:22:21,710
for the rest of your life.

454
00:22:21,750 --> 00:22:22,880
I look forward to it.

455
00:22:24,110 --> 00:22:25,170
Alright, alright.

456
00:22:25,550 --> 00:22:28,240
Don't say things like that in public.

457
00:22:29,440 --> 00:22:30,440
Off you go now—

458
00:22:31,240 --> 00:22:33,040
don't miss the auspicious hour.

459
00:22:59,480 --> 00:23:00,160
Xiao Wuyi,

460
00:23:00,480 --> 00:23:03,140
a daughter of the Xie family
is not so easily won.

461
00:23:03,310 --> 00:23:04,720
You—get down here.

462
00:23:19,850 --> 00:23:20,910
It's not straight.

463
00:23:37,350 --> 00:23:38,830
Xiao Wuyi, let go of me!

464
00:23:39,140 --> 00:23:39,900
Xiao Wuyi,

465
00:23:40,110 --> 00:23:41,270
let go of me!

466
00:23:47,680 --> 00:23:49,270
Xiao Wuyi, let go of me!

467
00:23:49,400 --> 00:23:50,110
Xiao Wuyi,

468
00:23:53,350 --> 00:23:54,440
let go!

469
00:23:57,110 --> 00:23:58,310
Lord Li, Madam Li.

470
00:23:58,480 --> 00:24:00,740
-Congratulations.
-Congratulations.

471
00:24:03,430 --> 00:24:04,080
Mr. Zhang, please come in.

472
00:24:04,080 --> 00:24:05,490
Xiao Wuyi, let go of me!

473
00:24:05,920 --> 00:24:07,030
You jerk! You villain!

474
00:24:07,030 --> 00:24:07,880
Put me down!

475
00:24:09,830 --> 00:24:11,680
Xiao Wuyi, let go of me!

476
00:24:11,980 --> 00:24:13,980
Let go of me! Put me down!

477
00:24:14,640 --> 00:24:15,270
Xiao Wuyi,

478
00:24:16,550 --> 00:24:17,510
put me down!

479
00:24:19,640 --> 00:24:21,640
Xiao Wuyi, put me down.

480
00:24:23,160 --> 00:24:24,160
Xiao Wuyi, you...

481
00:24:24,350 --> 00:24:24,880
Yan Yue.

482
00:24:25,000 --> 00:24:26,200
-Yes.
-Take her to the bridal chamber.

483
00:24:26,200 --> 00:24:27,400
Don't give her any food

484
00:24:27,400 --> 00:24:28,350
or water.

485
00:24:29,200 --> 00:24:30,600
Xiao Wuyi, just you wait.

486
00:24:30,610 --> 00:24:33,030
Tonight, I'll make you regret this
for the rest of your life.

487
00:24:33,030 --> 00:24:34,920
Is this meant to be a show of force
against the Xie family?

488
00:24:34,920 --> 00:24:35,920
More than that.

489
00:24:36,000 --> 00:24:38,930
The one being humiliated
is Grand Tutor Xie himself.

490
00:24:41,200 --> 00:24:43,350
Take good care
of my secondary consort.

491
00:24:43,350 --> 00:24:45,920
I don't want to hear a single sound
from her tonight.

492
00:24:45,920 --> 00:24:46,480
Yes.

493
00:24:47,230 --> 00:24:50,690
Your Highness, the wedding rites
haven't been completed yet.

494
00:24:51,440 --> 00:24:52,700
Since you're all here,

495
00:24:52,960 --> 00:24:55,720
drink with me tonight until we're
completely drunk and no one leaves sober.

496
00:24:55,720 --> 00:24:57,050
None of you are leaving.

497
00:24:57,270 --> 00:24:57,750
Wuyi,

498
00:24:58,110 --> 00:24:59,590
tonight is the wedding
bestowed by the Empress Dowager.

499
00:24:59,590 --> 00:25:00,550
-Let's go.
-Don't—

500
00:25:00,550 --> 00:25:01,750
Come on, let's drink!

501
00:25:07,590 --> 00:25:08,270
Your Highness,

502
00:25:08,270 --> 00:25:09,960
most of the court officials invited to
the wedding banquet have already arrived.

503
00:25:09,960 --> 00:25:12,960
The remaining senior ministers
are also on their way.

504
00:25:13,160 --> 00:25:14,690
Proceed according to plan.

505
00:25:15,550 --> 00:25:19,080
My life and death, my honor and disgrace—
all depend on tonight.

506
00:25:19,350 --> 00:25:19,920
Yes.

507
00:25:23,000 --> 00:25:23,550
My Lady,

508
00:25:23,550 --> 00:25:25,010
Xiao Wuyi is going too far.

509
00:25:25,440 --> 00:25:27,680
He actually had you carried
all the way back to the mansion—

510
00:25:27,680 --> 00:25:28,680
and on top of that…

511
00:25:28,720 --> 00:25:30,000
on your wedding night,

512
00:25:30,000 --> 00:25:32,430
he's drinking and making merry
with dancing girls.

513
00:25:32,430 --> 00:25:33,490
It doesn't matter.

514
00:25:33,640 --> 00:25:37,300
In any case, the one who will be
utterly humiliated tonight is him.

515
00:25:44,270 --> 00:25:44,920
One at the door,

516
00:25:44,920 --> 00:25:46,450
and two outside the window.

517
00:25:47,480 --> 00:25:49,830
Even the numbers line up exactly
with the map.

518
00:25:49,830 --> 00:25:51,110
Heaven is helping me!

519
00:25:52,270 --> 00:25:53,270
Are you all ready?

520
00:25:54,200 --> 00:25:55,930
A top-grade sleeping draught.

521
00:26:00,160 --> 00:26:01,160
Is anyone outside?

522
00:26:01,160 --> 00:26:02,360
My Lady is in trouble—

523
00:26:02,400 --> 00:26:03,310
someone help!

524
00:26:04,240 --> 00:26:05,570
Hurry! Come in, come in!

525
00:26:08,770 --> 00:26:09,450
Let's go.

526
00:26:23,510 --> 00:26:25,160
How come there isn't a single soul

527
00:26:25,160 --> 00:26:26,890
in this entire Jingan Mansion?

528
00:26:28,590 --> 00:26:29,450
Ugh… it stinks.

529
00:26:34,110 --> 00:26:34,750
No, no—

530
00:26:34,880 --> 00:26:35,870
this is the outhouse.

531
00:26:35,870 --> 00:26:37,200
The main gate is to the east...

532
00:26:37,200 --> 00:26:38,160
The kitchen's over there.

533
00:26:38,160 --> 00:26:38,890
Hurry, move!

534
00:26:44,110 --> 00:26:45,070
Don't block the entrance—

535
00:26:45,070 --> 00:26:46,200
we're serving food!

536
00:26:46,640 --> 00:26:48,550
Douzi, take the slop out!

537
00:26:48,920 --> 00:26:49,450
Alright!

538
00:26:51,790 --> 00:26:52,320
Let's go.

539
00:26:56,550 --> 00:26:58,080
What are you all doing here?

540
00:27:00,440 --> 00:27:00,970
Let's go.

541
00:27:07,960 --> 00:27:08,560
How was it?

542
00:27:08,880 --> 00:27:10,210
Did we seem real enough?

543
00:27:11,510 --> 00:27:12,770
He was pretending too?

544
00:27:12,890 --> 00:27:16,220
He wasn't.  You still need someone real
in the mix, don't you?

545
00:27:26,590 --> 00:27:28,720
Your Highness, they've already left.

546
00:27:30,160 --> 00:27:30,890
Which route?

547
00:27:31,590 --> 00:27:33,830
As expected,
the bride chose the back kitchen path.

548
00:27:33,830 --> 00:27:36,490
She just took several wrong turns
along the way.

549
00:27:36,750 --> 00:27:38,550
This is the hairpin she dropped.

550
00:27:41,920 --> 00:27:44,050
Even with a map, she can't find her way.

551
00:27:44,240 --> 00:27:45,170
She is so stupid.

552
00:27:47,350 --> 00:27:48,160
It's bad—

553
00:27:48,310 --> 00:27:49,570
the bride has escaped!

554
00:27:53,350 --> 00:27:54,280
What did you say?

555
00:28:12,790 --> 00:28:14,920
In my mansion,
from the guards to the gardeners,

556
00:28:14,920 --> 00:28:16,750
groundskeepers, and stablehands—

557
00:28:16,750 --> 00:28:18,810
every one of them knows martial arts.

558
00:28:19,000 --> 00:28:20,310
The moment she steps out
of the courtyard gate,

559
00:28:20,310 --> 00:28:21,510
she will be detected.

560
00:28:21,550 --> 00:28:22,750
If you plan to escape,

561
00:28:24,300 --> 00:28:25,560
you would need my help.

562
00:28:28,400 --> 00:28:30,200
This is the map of Jingan Mansion.

563
00:28:30,200 --> 00:28:31,960
Xie Jiayu will need it
if she tries to escape the wedding.

564
00:28:31,960 --> 00:28:34,420
But this wedding
must proceed as scheduled.

565
00:28:34,660 --> 00:28:37,110
because this is the day
I have chosen for Prince Changsha

566
00:28:37,110 --> 00:28:38,510
to force the abdication.

567
00:28:38,750 --> 00:28:40,750
All guards of Jingan Mansion,
heed my order.

568
00:28:40,750 --> 00:28:41,200
-Yes!
-Yes!

569
00:28:41,200 --> 00:28:43,000
Search the entire city for Xie Jiayu!

570
00:28:43,000 --> 00:28:44,130
Yes, Your Highness.

571
00:28:45,480 --> 00:28:47,280
-Split up and search.
-Make way.

572
00:28:47,590 --> 00:28:48,270
-Move!
-Make way!

573
00:28:48,270 --> 00:28:49,200
What's going on?

574
00:28:49,350 --> 00:28:50,480
Lady Xie has fled the wedding.

575
00:28:50,480 --> 00:28:53,740
Xiao Wuyi has ordered his guards
to search the entire city.

576
00:28:54,620 --> 00:28:55,770
This Lady Xie

577
00:28:56,070 --> 00:28:57,670
is always full of surprises.

578
00:28:58,240 --> 00:29:00,650
Your Highness, Jingan Mansion
is now lightly guarded.

579
00:29:00,650 --> 00:29:02,380
Should we strike immediately?

580
00:29:04,110 --> 00:29:05,710
A heaven-sent opportunity.

581
00:29:06,750 --> 00:29:08,520
Issue the order
inside and outside the capital—

582
00:29:08,520 --> 00:29:10,000
begin the uprising at once.

583
00:29:10,000 --> 00:29:10,400
Yes.

584
00:29:12,120 --> 00:29:12,720
Attack!

585
00:29:17,160 --> 00:29:18,320
Take Mother and leave, quickly!

586
00:29:18,320 --> 00:29:19,830
Yao, be careful!

587
00:29:19,830 --> 00:29:20,490
Who are you?

588
00:29:20,590 --> 00:29:23,320
How dare you
act so recklessly in Jingan Mansion!

589
00:29:32,640 --> 00:29:33,240
Yuanji!

590
00:29:45,640 --> 00:29:46,310
Today,

591
00:29:47,400 --> 00:29:49,350
I shall cleanse
His Majesty's side of traitors

592
00:29:49,350 --> 00:29:50,550
and seize the rebels.

593
00:29:50,880 --> 00:29:52,790
Among all the ministers
in this courtyard,

594
00:29:52,790 --> 00:29:54,160
which one is a rebel?

595
00:29:54,350 --> 00:29:55,030
Xiao Wuyi.

596
00:29:56,110 --> 00:29:58,640
He brought troops back to the capital
without imperial decree,

597
00:29:58,640 --> 00:30:00,160
slaughtered court officials,

598
00:30:00,160 --> 00:30:01,030
and harbors treasonous ambitions.

599
00:30:01,030 --> 00:30:02,490
His crimes deserve death.

600
00:30:03,270 --> 00:30:03,920
Tonight,

601
00:30:05,070 --> 00:30:07,470
who among you
dare stand as his accomplice?

602
00:30:11,310 --> 00:30:12,070
It seems

603
00:30:12,680 --> 00:30:15,310
the only rebel here is Xiao Wuyi himself.

604
00:30:19,310 --> 00:30:20,880
Your Highness, we've just received word—

605
00:30:20,880 --> 00:30:22,940
the palace gates have been breached.

606
00:30:23,720 --> 00:30:25,030
Surround Jingan Mansion.

607
00:30:25,030 --> 00:30:26,060
With Xiao Wuyi's family

608
00:30:26,060 --> 00:30:27,240
and these court officials

609
00:30:27,240 --> 00:30:27,960
here,

610
00:30:28,240 --> 00:30:29,700
he won't be able to escape.

611
00:30:30,000 --> 00:30:31,590
The rest of you follow me
into the palace

612
00:30:31,590 --> 00:30:33,190
to meet the Empress Dowager.

613
00:30:33,550 --> 00:30:34,030
Yes.

614
00:30:39,270 --> 00:30:40,000
Hurry! Move!

615
00:30:46,000 --> 00:30:47,130
Search thoroughly—

616
00:30:47,270 --> 00:30:48,730
leave no alley unchecked.

617
00:30:48,790 --> 00:30:49,800
Yes.

618
00:30:50,440 --> 00:30:50,900
Search!

619
00:30:57,270 --> 00:30:58,130
Your Highness,

620
00:31:00,550 --> 00:31:03,210
Xie Jiayu's trail has been found
at Wuling Gate.

621
00:31:04,400 --> 00:31:05,530
Guard the city gate.

622
00:31:06,270 --> 00:31:07,160
I want her dead,

623
00:31:07,830 --> 00:31:08,790
not alive.

624
00:31:09,320 --> 00:31:10,320
Yes.

625
00:31:31,400 --> 00:31:32,680
Oh, Xiao Wuyi...

626
00:31:32,960 --> 00:31:34,240
You're certainly ruthless—

627
00:31:34,240 --> 00:31:36,440
but your eyesight isn't all that great.

628
00:31:37,480 --> 00:31:39,790
My Lady, it's just
that you're blessed by the True Deity.

629
00:31:39,790 --> 00:31:41,520
Even the heavens can't stand by

630
00:31:42,070 --> 00:31:43,600
and have chosen to help you.

631
00:31:45,380 --> 00:31:46,380
Let's go quickly,

632
00:31:46,480 --> 00:31:48,000
or Mao will be getting anxious.

633
00:31:48,000 --> 00:31:48,530
Let's go.

634
00:31:58,480 --> 00:31:59,160
Master?

635
00:31:59,640 --> 00:32:01,100
His Majesty is gravely ill

636
00:32:01,830 --> 00:32:05,890
and has summoned Prince Qi to enter
the palace at once and attend upon him.

637
00:32:06,920 --> 00:32:08,250
I can't go to the palace.

638
00:32:08,400 --> 00:32:09,600
I need to find Yao Yao.

639
00:32:10,880 --> 00:32:13,080
Guards, escort Prince Qi to the palace.

640
00:32:17,270 --> 00:32:17,720
Lejun!

641
00:32:17,720 --> 00:32:18,250
Brother!

642
00:32:23,680 --> 00:32:24,480
Your Highness.

643
00:32:24,480 --> 00:32:25,720
Are all our men assembled?

644
00:32:25,720 --> 00:32:26,720
Tonight, we suddenly lost all contact

645
00:32:26,720 --> 00:32:27,790
with forces outside the capital.

646
00:32:27,790 --> 00:32:31,250
Several units have been sent out,
but none have reported back.

647
00:32:32,720 --> 00:32:34,270
Lost contact?

648
00:32:39,030 --> 00:32:40,310
We won't wait any longer!

649
00:32:40,310 --> 00:32:42,240
Victory or defeat, honor or disgrace—
it all comes down to tonight.

650
00:32:42,240 --> 00:32:44,720
Enter the palace now.
Kill the Emperor and Empress Dowager!

651
00:32:44,720 --> 00:32:45,350
Yes!

652
00:32:46,110 --> 00:32:53,960
-Kill!
-Kill!

653
00:33:06,960 --> 00:33:07,820
Your Highness,

654
00:33:07,880 --> 00:33:09,440
His Majesty is not in the main hall.

655
00:33:09,440 --> 00:33:10,160
Not there?

656
00:33:11,310 --> 00:33:12,880
That sickly man can't even get out of bed—

657
00:33:12,880 --> 00:33:14,200
where could he possibly go?

658
00:33:14,200 --> 00:33:14,730
Find him!

659
00:33:15,400 --> 00:33:15,790
Yes.

660
00:33:20,050 --> 00:33:23,030
[Xuanzheng Hall]

661
00:33:24,550 --> 00:33:25,160
Tell me—

662
00:33:25,680 --> 00:33:27,160
where have you hidden
that sickly emperor?

663
00:33:27,160 --> 00:33:28,960
My son is the true Son of Heaven.

664
00:33:29,550 --> 00:33:31,410
He is protected by the True Deity.

665
00:33:31,830 --> 00:33:33,240
You think you can find him so easily?

666
00:33:33,240 --> 00:33:34,640
Don't think I'm unaware.

667
00:33:35,480 --> 00:33:37,240
Had you not forged the imperial edict

668
00:33:37,240 --> 00:33:38,550
and poisoned the late emperor,

669
00:33:38,550 --> 00:33:40,880
your son would never have become emperor.

670
00:33:40,920 --> 00:33:42,240
But Heaven sees all.

671
00:33:42,680 --> 00:33:43,680
Ever since he ascended the throne,

672
00:33:43,680 --> 00:33:45,200
he's been bedridden with illness.

673
00:33:45,200 --> 00:33:46,440
This is his retribution.

674
00:33:46,440 --> 00:33:47,240
How insolent!

675
00:33:48,240 --> 00:33:49,310
Utter nonsense!

676
00:33:50,400 --> 00:33:52,130
My son is the true Son of Heaven!

677
00:33:54,680 --> 00:33:55,880
Then let's see tonight

678
00:33:55,880 --> 00:33:57,810
who truly holds Heaven's Mandate.

679
00:33:57,980 --> 00:33:58,680
Guards—

680
00:34:19,550 --> 00:34:21,760
Why didn't you attend my wedding tonight?

681
00:34:21,760 --> 00:34:23,760
Xiao Wuyi, didn't you go find Xie...

682
00:34:25,480 --> 00:34:26,540
It doesn't matter.

683
00:34:27,670 --> 00:34:30,510
Tonight, my 20,000 troops have
already taken control of the capital.

684
00:34:30,510 --> 00:34:32,920
Those who follow me will prosper;
those who oppose me will perish.

685
00:34:32,920 --> 00:34:33,780
Kill Xiao Wuyi!

686
00:34:38,320 --> 00:34:39,480
What are you afraid of?

687
00:34:39,480 --> 00:34:43,679
Whoever kills Xiao Wuyi shall be granted
a fief of ten thousand households!

688
00:34:51,710 --> 00:34:54,030
You mean those forces
outside the capital?

689
00:34:54,030 --> 00:34:55,630
I've already wiped them out.

690
00:34:57,000 --> 00:34:57,930
What do you mean?

691
00:35:00,550 --> 00:35:01,030
Kneel!

692
00:35:01,340 --> 00:35:02,150
-Spare us, Your Highness!
-Please spare us!

693
00:35:02,150 --> 00:35:03,010
Where are they?

694
00:35:03,190 --> 00:35:04,390
Where are the others?

695
00:35:16,150 --> 00:35:19,010
-Please spare us, Your Highness!
-Please spare us!

696
00:35:19,880 --> 00:35:20,810
No… I won't lose.

697
00:35:21,590 --> 00:35:22,840
I absolutely will not lose.

698
00:35:22,840 --> 00:35:24,440
I still have Jingan Mansion,

699
00:35:24,710 --> 00:35:25,910
all those ministers,

700
00:35:26,030 --> 00:35:28,030
and your entire family.  If you dare—

701
00:35:30,440 --> 00:35:31,760
His Highness has given the order—

702
00:35:31,760 --> 00:35:32,400
kill!

703
00:35:32,840 --> 00:35:33,360
Yes.

704
00:35:33,710 --> 00:35:34,960
Who dares take another step forward?

705
00:35:34,960 --> 00:35:36,590
I am the Princess of Jingan Mansion,

706
00:35:36,590 --> 00:35:38,280
the Empress Dowager's own niece.

707
00:35:38,280 --> 00:35:40,540
Let's see who dares
lay a hand on me today!

708
00:35:45,110 --> 00:35:46,030
Did you think I didn't know

709
00:35:46,030 --> 00:35:48,230
you would move against Jingan Mansion?

710
00:35:48,280 --> 00:35:51,230
How dare a useless drunkard from
pleasure-filled Jiankang City like you

711
00:35:51,230 --> 00:35:52,960
play war games with me?

712
00:36:01,020 --> 00:36:02,090
[Xiao Ju, Prince Jing'an]

713
00:36:02,480 --> 00:36:03,000
Father.

714
00:36:03,960 --> 00:36:04,700
Are you alright?

715
00:36:04,700 --> 00:36:05,230
I'm fine.

716
00:36:05,280 --> 00:36:06,110
Your Highness.

717
00:36:06,110 --> 00:36:06,670
My Lady.

718
00:36:07,740 --> 00:36:11,140
Lady Rui, have you not been in the mansion
these past few days?

719
00:36:11,510 --> 00:36:13,280
Due to urgent military matters,

720
00:36:13,280 --> 00:36:15,880
Wuyi asked her to guide me
outside the capital.

721
00:36:16,880 --> 00:36:17,440
Yao.

722
00:36:17,960 --> 00:36:18,760
It's alright.

723
00:36:19,110 --> 00:36:20,440
All of you, listen well!

724
00:36:21,230 --> 00:36:23,760
Prince Changsha
has attempted a palace coup.

725
00:36:24,150 --> 00:36:27,360
The Beifu Army has marched thousands
of miles to suppress the rebellion.

726
00:36:27,360 --> 00:36:28,630
At this very moment,

727
00:36:28,880 --> 00:36:32,710
my son Xiao Wuyi has already captured
Prince Changsha alive within the palace.

728
00:36:32,710 --> 00:36:35,400
Surrender immediately!

729
00:36:37,960 --> 00:36:40,840
or you will all be slain without mercy.

730
00:36:42,840 --> 00:36:44,100
The Beifu Army is back…

731
00:36:44,360 --> 00:36:47,490
Is this truly suppressing a rebellion…
or starting one?

732
00:37:00,550 --> 00:37:01,680
I can't accept this!

733
00:37:02,990 --> 00:37:04,670
I'm unwilling to keep being trampled

734
00:37:04,670 --> 00:37:06,840
under the feet of that useless emperor.

735
00:37:06,840 --> 00:37:07,770
Do you regret it?

736
00:37:10,280 --> 00:37:11,030
Regret?

737
00:37:13,320 --> 00:37:15,760
I have never felt so alive and satisfied.

738
00:37:17,110 --> 00:37:19,280
Xiao Wuyi, do you think killing me

739
00:37:19,590 --> 00:37:21,990
will avenge the Beifu Army
who died in vain?

740
00:37:22,400 --> 00:37:24,550
Don't think you're any different from me—

741
00:37:24,550 --> 00:37:26,360
don't you also want
to kill that useless emperor

742
00:37:26,360 --> 00:37:28,620
and take his place in this Xianyang Hall?

743
00:37:34,590 --> 00:37:35,360
Aunt…

744
00:37:35,920 --> 00:37:36,720
Your Majesty…

745
00:37:37,510 --> 00:37:39,670
Xiao Wuyi will kill you both
sooner or later.

746
00:37:39,670 --> 00:37:40,960
Perhaps even tonight.

747
00:37:45,440 --> 00:37:47,230
How foolish and self-deceived.

748
00:37:47,230 --> 00:37:49,160
You don't even know who is the piece

749
00:37:49,230 --> 00:37:51,160
and who is the player on this board.

750
00:37:53,030 --> 00:37:54,920
I originally believed Prince Changsha

751
00:37:54,920 --> 00:37:56,110
had secretly colluded
with Wonderful Master,

752
00:37:56,110 --> 00:37:58,070
bribing the Armory Director
in my army

753
00:37:58,070 --> 00:38:00,400
to purchase a batch
of defective repeating crossbows.

754
00:38:00,400 --> 00:38:01,760
But it turned out Wonderful Master

755
00:38:01,760 --> 00:38:02,960
didn't even know you.

756
00:38:04,110 --> 00:38:06,370
The real mastermind behind the purchase

757
00:38:07,400 --> 00:38:08,730
is the Empress Dowager.

758
00:38:11,630 --> 00:38:15,000
The one who most wants to see me
and Prince Changsha destroy each other…

759
00:38:15,000 --> 00:38:16,600
is also the Empress Dowager.

760
00:38:28,070 --> 00:38:30,320
Young Master Xiao,
you are indeed perceptive.

761
00:38:30,320 --> 00:38:31,800
The official in charge
of military supplies, Treasurer Wei,

762
00:38:31,800 --> 00:38:33,460
is an ally of Prince Changsha.

763
00:38:33,920 --> 00:38:36,250
As long as you handed him
the design plans,

764
00:38:36,440 --> 00:38:39,360
he would complete the rest
of the scheme with Prince Changsha,

765
00:38:39,360 --> 00:38:42,590
and eliminate both me and the Beifu Army.

766
00:38:43,670 --> 00:38:44,730
Just like tonight—

767
00:38:45,510 --> 00:38:48,150
Your Majesty neither mobilized troops
nor prepared defenses,

768
00:38:48,150 --> 00:38:50,920
betting that even though
I knew this palace entry was a trap,

769
00:38:50,920 --> 00:38:53,850
I would still refuse
to let Prince Changsha succeed.

770
00:38:55,000 --> 00:38:55,660
So tonight,

771
00:38:56,760 --> 00:38:58,030
Your Majesty's target

772
00:38:58,030 --> 00:38:59,630
is not only Prince Changsha…

773
00:39:00,320 --> 00:39:01,440
but me as well.

774
00:39:10,590 --> 00:39:12,720
What a perfect invitation into a trap.

775
00:39:14,360 --> 00:39:15,110
I always thought

776
00:39:15,110 --> 00:39:17,710
you were nothing
more than a useless old woman.

777
00:39:17,880 --> 00:39:19,080
I didn't expect this.

778
00:39:21,190 --> 00:39:21,840
Fine—

779
00:39:23,400 --> 00:39:24,330
I lose this round

780
00:39:25,550 --> 00:39:26,680
without complaint.

781
00:39:36,850 --> 00:39:38,880
Since you already knew
tonight was a trap,

782
00:39:38,880 --> 00:39:40,190
why did you still come?

783
00:39:42,400 --> 00:39:43,510
Because I did not want

784
00:39:43,510 --> 00:39:45,710
Jiankang to run red with blood tonight.

785
00:39:47,150 --> 00:39:47,630
But

786
00:39:49,030 --> 00:39:51,150
I must demand justice
for the 30,000 fallen soldiers

787
00:39:51,150 --> 00:39:52,150
of the Beifu Army.

788
00:39:56,590 --> 00:39:57,630
Brave indeed.

789
00:39:58,110 --> 00:39:59,550
I can spare your life.

790
00:39:59,880 --> 00:40:02,150
If you are willing
to surrender your military command,

791
00:40:02,150 --> 00:40:03,610
I will grant you immunity.

792
00:40:03,630 --> 00:40:04,960
And if I refuse?

793
00:40:08,030 --> 00:40:08,840
Empress Dowager,

794
00:40:08,840 --> 00:40:10,590
I submitted the roster
of our fallen soldiers

795
00:40:10,590 --> 00:40:11,520
half a month ago.

796
00:40:11,710 --> 00:40:13,400
I wonder if you have read it?

797
00:40:14,280 --> 00:40:14,960
Not yet.

798
00:40:15,840 --> 00:40:16,670
Shi Yuchun,

799
00:40:17,710 --> 00:40:18,550
46 years old—

800
00:40:18,920 --> 00:40:21,190
stabbed over 100 times,
yet died without kneeling.

801
00:40:21,190 --> 00:40:22,960
Xie Han, a veteran of the Beifu Army.

802
00:40:22,960 --> 00:40:24,320
He spent his entire life at war,

803
00:40:24,320 --> 00:40:26,110
and could have laid down his armor
and returned home—

804
00:40:26,110 --> 00:40:29,030
but his homeland had
already fallen to Northern Qin.

805
00:40:29,030 --> 00:40:30,360
He said he has nowhere else to go

806
00:40:30,360 --> 00:40:32,630
and wishes to spend the rest
of his life in the army.

807
00:40:32,630 --> 00:40:33,360
This time,

808
00:40:34,840 --> 00:40:35,960
he truly did die—

809
00:40:36,190 --> 00:40:38,940
his body trampled
into a pulp beneath enemy hooves.

810
00:40:38,940 --> 00:40:41,050
Zhang Ji, my most trusted deputy.

811
00:40:41,440 --> 00:40:44,500
He personally set fire
to the vine-armored grain depot

812
00:40:44,840 --> 00:40:46,970
and perished together
with the enemy.

813
00:40:47,150 --> 00:40:49,080
Does Your Majesty know any of this?

814
00:40:49,320 --> 00:40:51,880
Do you, sitting here
in Jiankang, even care?

815
00:40:56,960 --> 00:40:59,360
That is why I will not
surrender my command—

816
00:40:59,400 --> 00:41:00,660
because apart from me,

817
00:41:02,020 --> 00:41:03,590
no one else cares about their lives.

818
00:41:03,590 --> 00:41:04,510
Xiao Wuyi,

819
00:41:06,030 --> 00:41:08,110
the Beifu Army entered the capital
without an imperial decree.

820
00:41:08,110 --> 00:41:09,550
Are you trying to rebel?

821
00:41:16,510 --> 00:41:19,440
But you will end up returning to Jiankang
without the Emperor's decree.

822
00:41:19,440 --> 00:41:21,170
What about mobilizing troops?

823
00:41:22,280 --> 00:41:24,210
Prince Changsha seeks rebellion—

824
00:41:24,590 --> 00:41:25,450
what about you?

825
00:41:27,630 --> 00:41:28,430
Your Majesty,

826
00:41:30,270 --> 00:41:32,270
all I want is peace across the realm.

827
00:41:33,480 --> 00:41:35,610
Is Your Majesty willing to grant that?

828
00:41:41,230 --> 00:41:43,030
Have you ever heard the war drums

829
00:41:43,230 --> 00:41:44,630
of the Beifu Army?

830
00:41:46,840 --> 00:41:48,770
One hundred thousand Beifu troops

831
00:41:49,360 --> 00:41:50,550
are just outside the city now.