Original subtitles

♪If not for you♪

♪I wouldn't have wanted to make a name for myself♪

♪Only when I have your love♪

♪Is my invincibility not in vain♪

♪The towering peaks I've conquered♪

♪Leave me♪

♪Feeling empty♪

♪I've given everything♪

♪Just to follow you♪

♪Through life and death♪

♪Could it be that love♪

♪Is the true end of this life♪

♪Why does every battle♪

♪Bring deeper pain♪

♪I never got it♪

♪You once promised me♪

♪You'd give me ordinary days♪

♪Then I'd rather♪

♪Face blades and fall♪

♪Into your arms instead of the clouds♪

♪I'll pass through layers of fog♪

♪And barriers♪

♪The world's rights and wrongs, wins and losses♪

♪Who's to weigh their worth♪

♪Only love♪

♪Gives me a sky as wide as the sea♪

♪I only want to be your hero♪

=The Prisoner of Beauty=

=Episode 28=

Stop.

My Lord.

Yan.

Zhonglin, you're here.

You can tell everyone

why I'm protecting these spies,

why Bianzhou wants me as a hostage,

and whether I belong to Wei or Bianzhou.

Release them.

- Yes. - Yes.

Wherever you belong,

you are always my cousin.

But in this world,

a cousin should never love his cousin-in-law.

This isn't the time for that.

I'll find out who started the rumor

and I will clear your name.

Then, I'll tell everyone

I'm the son of Chen Pang from Bianzhou.

What?

I'm Shiyuan of the Chen Clan.

From this day forth,

I'm no longer your cousin Shiyuan, Lord of Wei.

After more than twenty years of brotherhood,

I ask but one thing.

Let me go.

Yan...

Lord of Wei.

Today, I'll leave

Yujun,

and return to Bianzhou.

No need to see me off.

(Yujun)

(Yujun)

(Yujun)

Hyah!

Hyah!

Yan!

Whoa.

Yan.

My mind is set.

Zhonglin, don't try to stop me.

Please trust me,

I'll find out

who started the rumor.

Even if you do, so what?

Some will never believe the truth.

Only by taking all the blame myself

can you and Lady Qiao remain honorable.

You're my family.

You don't have to take the blame.

But what if I want to

return to my other family?

Don't say that to me.

Say it to Grandmother.

Are you afraid that

if I'll go back to Chen's

I'll stand against you?

Is that why you refuse to let me go?

Wei State fears no such thing.

Zhonglin,

I beg you,

let me walk my own path.

I've served the Wei family

for over twenty years.

I have ambitions.

Now, the chance lies before me,

I must seize it.

You truly believe

that once you return,

you'll get everything you desire,

and you'll rule a region?

If I succeed,

it is my fortune.

If I fail, it is my fate.

Even if I die,

I'll have no regrets.

Yan!

I swear,

so long as Lady Xu draws breath,

I shall never raise a hand with Bianzhou

to invade the Wei State.

I swear on my severed finger.

This wine is called

"Yearning for Home".

I planned to take it with me.

But now,

my life is like driftwood.

What home do I have?

Let this be

our farewell wine, Cousin.

Don't cry!

Take care of Grandmother for me.

♪No regrets through it all♪

♪I stayed true to my heart♪

♪So what if we part again and again♪

♪All the rain and wind, they're all worthwhile♪

Yan!

♪Leaving no regrets♪

♪I'll always remember you in the years to come♪

♪Etched deep in the bones♪

♪Bravery won't fail me♪

♪Even in extreme danger♪

What happened last night?

How did she suddenly hit her head?

Last night, Mr. Wei came to say his farewells.

Farewells?

My Lady, the city has been restless lately.

But how could Grandmother allow him to leave?

She couldn't stop him.

Think of something.

We have to cheer up Grandmother.

It won't be easy.

Since last night,

she has been not well.

Not well?

How is she not well?

Where was she hurt?

She... She hit her head.

Head?

Mother. Mother...

That's really bad!

- Ma'am, slow down. - Mother...

When have you ever taken to bed, Mother?

Mother!

Why are you not well?

How could just a bump to the head make you like this?

- Mother? - Am I too late?

Quick.

Go to my chambers.

Bring me that important item.

What item?

The gold-jade burial suit!

Grandmother is only in low spirits.

Low spirits, is it?

Mother,

what would you like to eat or drink?

I'll have it prepared at once.

Sorry to trouble you.

It was just

a bump on my head.

You even went so far as to prepare a coffin?

I...

You've long been waiting

for this day, haven't you?

No...

I misunderstood the servants' words.

They said you hit your head.

I thought something terrible had happened,

and... I was so panicked I didn't know what I was saying.

Please don't take offense, Mother.

That item is complicated to prepare,

so I had it readied in advance...

for myself, actually.

Mother, you won't be needing it.

Fine.

You're filial.

Mother, please keep Grandmother company.

I'll take my leave.

Alright, alright.

You may all leave as well.

Mother, please rest well.

Ma'am, let's go.

I've calmed Grandmother down.

In the end,

I couldn't make him stay.

I wonder

do the ones I care about

always end up leaving me?

I understand.

I've been away from home too,

and my heart aches with longing.

But you still have me,

Grandmother,

and Mother.

We are all your family.

We'll always stay by your side.

Rumor has been swirling,

forcing Mr. Wei to leave.

Grandmother fell gravely ill.

It feels like

someone's pulling all the strings.

But don't worry, My Lord.

We will find the one behind all this

and restore Wei's honor.

Good.

(Yujun, Wei State)

Lord of Wei summoned you all of a sudden.

Did he find something out?

Zixin hasn't returned from

dealing with Lan?

I've come this far,

no turning back now.

I'd rather risk it all

than fall short.

What Lady Qiao has,

I can have as well.

(Peace and Prosperity)

Lord of Wei, you summoned me.

Is there something I can help with?

There's an old case still unsolved.

I'd like your opinion.

Do you know this woman?

She looks

a bit like Lady Qiao.

Oh, right.

I heard a rumor a few days ago.

Perhaps

it's connected to her.

Nothing else?

Zhonglin,

I don't know what you mean.

She's confessed.

She said you asked her

to bring me to the painting.

And then you spread rumor

about my cousin and my wife.

You'd believe her over me?

What do you think?

That's right.

I was the one behind it.

But everything I did was for the Wei Clan.

Yanzhou sent a beauty,

using Lady Qiao to divide you and Shiyuan.

How could you accept that?

Wei Liang.

Zixin...

Zixin.

At first, he refused to speak.

I had him whipped ten lashes.

Then he admitted to switching the wheat seeds

at Grandmother's birthday banquet.

I gave him ten more lashes.

He admitted to framing Qiao Ci.

With another ten lashes,

he admitted the rumor

involving my cousin and my wife

was entirely his doing.

Thinking of Yan's pain from

losing his finger,

I cut off his as payback.

Zixin?

- Zixin. - It wasn't me.

Zixin.

It was her. She's behind it all.

She did everything.

She came here

to marry the Lord of Wei.

To marry Lord of Wei,

she'd do anything.

Anything!

She's behind it all.

Drag these two out.

Execute them at once.

Yes.

Lord of Wei, spare me.

Lord of Wei, spare me.

- Ehuang! - Lord of Wei.

- Ehuang, save me! - I don't want to die.

- Ehuang! - Lord of Wei!

- It wasn't me. - Please spare me!

- Ehuang! Ehuang! - Lord of Wei, have mercy!

Don't take my life!

Lord of Wei!

Zhonglin,

I've always acted for you,

and for the Wei Clan.

My conscience is clear.

A clear conscience, you say?

During the wheat seed incident,

I was still the Lady of Bianzhou.

Every move I made

was under Chen Xiang's control.

He feared the Qiao-Wei alliance,

and worried that the canal construction

would threaten Bianzhou.

So he ordered me to come here and sow discord.

We were on opposite sides.

I had no other choice.

Her Ladyship and I stood on opposite sides,

but she never stooped

as low as you did.

How can I compare to Lady Qiao?

She was born in Yanzhou.

Her family has loved her since birth.

The people support her.

But for me?

I've been a pawn of the Su Clan since birth,

cast aside by my own family.

My life is adrift.

My suffering...

My suffering is far worse

than Lady Qiao's!

It is your own delusions that have

brought you to this wretched state.

If you'd returned to Wushan earlier,

you wouldn't have fallen into my hands.

My delusions?

If I had Lady Qiao's good fortune

of having a man who truly cherishes her,

why would I be plagued by such delusions?

Why me?

Why am I the one marked with the peony?

Why must I be separated from Bogong forever?

Why did I marry Chen Xiang

but not grow old with him?

Am I the one with delusions?

All I ever wanted was to find a place where I belong!

Zhonglin,

remember how I lived

in your home as a child?

We were meant to be family.

It was the Qiao Clan who betrayed us.

If not for them,

Bogong would still be alive!

The Qiaos caused Bogong's death!

- Enough! - They ruined everything!

How dare you speak Brother's name?

You say no one ever cared about you,

but Brother loved you

and cherished you.

Even as he lay dying,

he entrusted me to look after you.

Chen Xiang

treated you well.

He built you that pavilion

and indulged your schemes for Wushan.

But you ignored

all their kindness.

Instead of blaming the so-called unfairness,

why not ask yourself why you never saw

the love and care around you?

No.

That's not true. I didn't...

I don't want your excuses.

Now,

you've harmed Wei's interests

and the ones I love.

So you deserve...

My Lord, she's a spy from a foreign state!

She deserves execution!

Zhonglin,

you can't kill me.

I can help you rule the realm.

Zhonglin, look at me.

I have the peony mark.

It's a symbol of fortune.

You can use me to win

the people's hearts

and command all the powers.

Zhonglin.

Zhonglin...

An empress's fate?

Yes,

an empress's fate.

My family doesn't need that.

And Brother knew long ago

that your huadian is fake.

But he still cherished you

and wanted to marry you.

What a pity.

You don't deserve it.

For the sake of my brother,

I'll spare your life.

You all knew it long ago...

By military law, she shall be branded

with the slit nose.

Yes!

Wei Shao.

Kill me. Just kill me.

Kill me now!

But as long as I live,

I'll drag you and Lady Qiao to hell!

You think that Lady Qiao truly loves you?

Every woman's love for a man

is always a game of calculation.

They want either your heart or your power.

But in her heart, what matters most

will always be the Qiao Clan.

I'm waiting for the day she turns on you.

Carry it out.

Wei Shao!

Just you wait.

I'll drag you and Lady Qiao to hell!

(Wei)

(Spirit Tablet of Wei Bao, My Late Brother)

Are you feeling regret for Brother, My Lord?

Yes.

She let down Brother's deep love.

Was the Su Ehuang Brother loved

the same one as now?

Of course not.

Now she's done many wicked deeds

and betrayed Brother's sincerity and kindness.

And to save herself,

she even shamelessly claimed

she admired me.

Shameless.

I believe the Su Ehuang Brother loved

was pure and kind-hearted.

At least back then, she didn't betray him.

Besides,

even if she says she admires you now,

it might not be a lie.

What nonsense are you talking about?

Now, Wei Shao rules the Wei State,

commands millions of soldiers,

reclaimed Xindu,

built the Yongning Canal, and governs

the waterways across the realm.

Su Ehuang admires those in power.

It's no surprise she's taken

a liking to Wei Shao.

You're quite casual calling me

by name, aren't you?

What I want to say is

that people can change.

She's been through hardship

and it shaped who she is now.

So you needn't feel regret for Brother.

At least returning the jade to him

is a good thing.

Yes.

People do change.

What about you?

Will your feelings for me change

one day?

Of course not.

Because I already have

a husband who truly loves me.

What's wrong?

I just saw Lady Yulou's face.

It was horrifying.

We should run while we still can.

Lady Yulou is disfigured.

What noble house would still marry her?

If we keep serving her,

we'll have no future.

She shouldn't have crossed Lord of Wei.

Even that empress's fate is fake.

What should we do now?

Calm down.

Let's find a chance

to take her valuables and leave.

A daughter? Again?

How could she bear the future of the Su Clan from Wushan?

Find her a good husband in the future.

Your huadian almost washed off in the rain.

Be careful.

Without that huadian,

you're nothing!

Once in the Wei family,

you must get along with both young masters.

The future of the Su Clan depends on you.

Chen Xiang, Governor of Bianzhou, is frail.

He needs the blessing of your empress's fate.

Be cautious in your conduct.

Now, we rely on you

to revive the Su Clan.

Lady Yulou is no longer Lady of Bianzhou.

Stay indoors and avoid

bringing trouble to the Su Clan.

But Brother loved you

and cherished you.

Even as he lay dying,

he entrusted me to look after you.

Chen Xiang treated you well.

He built you that pavilion

and indulged your schemes for Wushan.

But you ignored

all their kindness.

You love yourself the most.

Kill me now!

But as long as I live,

I'll drag you and Lady Qiao to hell!

Lady Yulou is disfigured.

What noble house

would still marry her?

If we keep serving her,

we'll have no future.

I'll go take her valuables now.

Let's escape together.

Alright.

Here.

Take it. Hurry up.

Let's go.

What's this?

This is worth a lot.

Quick, hurry up.

Lady Yulou.

Lady Yulou.

Lady Yulou.

You're leaving me too?

You think I've lost my worth

and want to discard me like trash?

Have mercy, Lady Yulou.

Please have mercy, Lady Yulou.

I was born with an empress's fate,

too noble for mere mortals to bear.

Only a golden mask can conceal it.

You chosen to serve me

and I will repay

your loyalty.

Lady Yulou.

Remember,

it's not that I must marry the ruler of the realm.

It's that whoever marries me

will become the ruler of the realm.

At your command, Lady Yulou.

Send out my command.

(Xue Tai, Juejun) Summon General Xue Tai.

Let's go

to Liangya.

There seem to be many documents today.

Guess His Lordship will work late.

Her Lordship is diligent as ever.

If I do it, my head will explode.

If you don't, yours might anyway.

Someone, come in.

Yes, My Lord?

My neck feels stiff.

I'll fetch the physician.

No need.

Come, tend to my neck.

Over here, come on.

Here.

Alright, stop.

Are you trying to kill me?

Sorry, but I don't know how.

That makes sense.

You're not married yet,

no one by your side to look after you.

It's not your fault.

Alright, you may leave now.

I'm leaving.

My Lord, do you want to ask

about the canal construction?

Troops have been sent out.

They'll arrive soon.

Good. I trust you with this task.

Got any pastries?

I'll check the kitchen.

No need.

Just give me what you usually eat.

Dried Meat.

Here, try some.

Curb your hunger.

You can't eat this forever.

Didn't you use to eat this all the time?

I did.

But I don't eat this anymore now.

You know

why you could handle

such a rough life?

Because you weren't married.

Back then, you'd finish a whole pack.

You can go now.

Want more?

No. Get out.

My Lord, Wei Qu said you might be cold

and asked me to bring you a coat.

Alright.

You're dressed too lightly.

It's May, but still chilly

in the mornings and evenings.

I'll go pick up the supplies later.

They made new uniforms for me.

But uniforms are all standard sizes,

none fit you well.

How about this?

I'll have Chunniang

tailor them for you.

That won't be necessary.

I can wear them.

How can you wear them if they don't fit you?

Look at mine.

Her Ladyship tailored all of these for me.

That's what makes it comfortable.

My Lord.

It's getting late.

You should go back.

No rush.

Let me tell you a few things.

- Tomorrow, you... - Her Ladyship

asked you to go back.

Her Ladyship asked?

Didn't you have something to say?

Please, I'm listening.

It's nothing important.

We can talk another day.

You always puts work first, My Lord.

If you return later,

Her Ladyship can wait for you.

I told you,

it's nothing important.

If she can wait, so can you.

Later then.

His Lordship doesn't seem busy with work.

Or maybe he is, but he jokes

with us just for fun.

Are we that funny?

Except you.

He keeps saying "lady this, lady that."

Why doesn't he go back sooner?

Feels like he's showing off.

Maybe even trying to humiliate us.

Now, Her Ladyship and His Lordship

seems to grow closer every day.

Almost like newlyweds.

Her Ladyship's mourning ends soon.

No wonder they're like newlyweds.

You're too young for this.

(Mansion of Liangya's Heir, Liangya State)

If you want to resist Wei State, My Lord,

you must first take Panyi.

To reach Panyi,

you have to pass through Boya,

Xindu,

and Xiaogang,

each heavily fortified,

easy to defend, hard to take.

But Liancheng

lies right on Yanzhou's border,

nestled in the mountains,

and is poorly defended.

My Lord, why not start with Liancheng,

then take move on to Xiaogang,

killing two birds with one stone.

Isn't that the ideal plan?

Lady Yulou, it's easy for you to say that.

Xiaogang is hard

to take,

and between Liancheng and Xiaogang

lies Mount Lian-gang.

Marching through it

will wear out our troops.

If that happens,

our chances of victory will only worsen.

The key to this battle

is Mount Lian-gang.

Once, I disguised myself

and patrolled the borders.

By chance,

I found a hidden path

in Mount Lian-gang.

It connects Liancheng and Xiaogang.

I asked around,

and it turns out General Bi Zhi of Boya

secretly

ordered its construction.

My Lord, you're wise.

Surely, you know

who's behind this.

(Military Map) My cousin

is a scheming woman.

Good thing she married Wei Shao.

In fact, I should thank her schemes

for creating this opportunity for you.

My Lord,

I've placed my winning strategy

in your hands.

Does that show my sincerity?

Lady Yulou, remember

how you refused to travel with me,

enchanted by the beauty of Yujun?

Why do you change your mind?

At the time, my husband had just died.

As one born with an empress's fate,

whoever wins me,

wins the Central Plains.

Everyone sought my fortune,

but only out of lust.

They were not true heroes.

I once thought you were the same.

But after you left, I realized,

Chijun

is where I truly belong.

Your ambition

impresses me, My Lord.

Lady Yulou, do you mean to

follow me in this life?

Please do not misconstrue my intent.

I'm not here to propose marriage,

but to forge an alliance.

An alliance?

What do you stand on? The secret path,

or the huadian

on your forehead,

the possibly fake empress's fate?

I stand on my late husband's will,

the loyalty of General Xue Tai,

and 50,000 elite troops

stationed in Juejun.

My Lord,

relying on beauty to serve is the most degrading way.

I don't serve anyone seeking to rule the realm.

Instead, I'm the one

who decides who will.

The Wei family wronged me.

Lady Qiao wronged you.

Is our alliance

destined by heaven, My Lord?

I heard the Lord of Liangya has rallied his forces

and is ready to march.

So, the first step

is a success.

Lady Yulou?

Lady Yulou,

His Lordship wishes to speak with you.

About the battle plans?

Not exactly.

Someone from the Su Clan of Wushan has come.

His Lordship wants you to meet him.

My Lord.

Lady Yulou,

My Lord,

by order of the patriarch,

I have come to Liangya to arrange

Lady Yulou's marriage.

Governor of Taozhou came in person,

offering one million in silver,

hundreds of duan of silk,

twelve hu of wine,

twelve hu of every grain,

and twenty years of tribute from two counties

all to seek Lady Yulou's hand from Wushan State,

as a concubine.

Outrageous!

I now command 50,000 troops in Juejun.

I will not be a concubine.

Lady Yulou, you may not realize,

but Governor of Taozhou

offers these gifts because of your troops.

That's why he's willing to give up two counties' tribute.

Otherwise, as a remarried woman, how could you

expect such generous betrothal gifts?

But lately, the patriarch learned

that Lady Yulou is residing in Liangya State,

and wondered if His Lordship

wishes to marry you.

But, he hasn't seen the Lord of Liangya

grant Lady Yulou her title.

The patriarch is confused,

so he sent me here to inquire.

His Lordship, if you enjoys Lady Yulou's company,

and speak with no intent

of taking her as a concubine,

then may Lady Yulou

return home with me

and marry as soon as possible.

I do not intend to take a concubine.

Lady Yulou, please

return home with me.

I'll grant two counties

as Lady Yulou's personal fief,

along with double Governor of Taozhou's betrothal gifts,

to present to Lady Yulou

as my formal proposal.

I, Liu Yan,

sincerely wish to marry Lady Yulou

and make her my wife.

♪The moonlight is as silent as the deep sea♪

♪From afar♪

♪It once lit up dreams with a breath♪

♪But vanished with a sigh♪

♪Brushing past my fingertips♪

♪My heartstrings were stirred quietly♪

♪As if we once met before♪

♪Holding back a love so deep♪

♪Love asks for nothing in the end♪

♪Leaving only obsessions♪

♪I've wandered in the world♪

♪Yet cannot have it all♪

♪We meet and part in the fires of war♪

♪Embracing, leaving tender marks of love♪

♪With one breathtaking glance♪

♪How could I ever forget♪

♪I would cross mountains and seas♪

♪To spend time with you♪

♪When we grow old♪

♪Nothing will change♪

♪The misty rains never cease♪

♪Falling gently on your brow♪

♪Lingering in my heart♪

♪I would sever fate's ties♪

♪To protect your smiling eyes♪

♪Even if behind me lies a storm♪

♪No matter the trials♪

♪I carry this longing for the journey♪

♪This life♪

♪Will not be in vain♪

♪I would cross mountains and seas♪

♪To spend time with you♪

♪When we grow old♪

♪Nothing will change♪

♪The misty rains never cease♪

♪Falling gently on your brow♪

♪Lingering in my heart♪

♪I would sever fate's ties♪

♪To protect your smiling eyes♪

♪Even if behind me lies a storm♪

♪No matter the trials♪

♪I carry this longing for the journey♪

♪This life♪

♪Will not be in vain♪