Original subtitles

[Episode 3]

[Governor of Jingzhao Prefecture, Gongshu Yang] Governor Gongshu.

[Huaixi Military Commissioner] [Yuan Fang]

Yes.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

I deserve death.

I received Commissioner Yuan on the outskirts of the capital a few days ago.

I didn't expect...

I didn't expect to encounter assassins right after that.

They kidnapped Commissioner Yuan.

I...

I sent men to search for him for two days.

Finally, in a shabby house

on the outskirts of the capital,

we found Commissioner Yuan.

But... he's dead.

- You... - I have already reported it

to the Jingzhao Office.

Your Majesty.

Now that Commissioner Yuan is dead,

the most important thing

is Huaixi.

The Huaixi Armory Case is crucial to me.

I am nearing the age to rule independently.

But Marquis Muyang's faction keeps obstructing me.

The Empress Dowager's attitude is ambiguous.

He enjoys her favor

and has deep-rooted influence at court.

Without a major offense, his foundation cannot be shaken.

Marquis Muyang dared to smuggle our dynasty's swords and crossbows

to Cangbei for personal gain.

This is a sin that even Her Majesty cannot forgive.

Yes.

That's why she has not interfered with the investigation.

But I still need concrete evidence.

With Commissioner Yuan dead,

the evidence might be gone.

The most urgent matter now

is to never let Marquis Muyang's men

infiltrate Huaixi.

Otherwise, the truth of the Armory Case will never come to light.

If Marquis Muyang is not eliminated,

my path to independent rule will be fraught with difficulties.

Your Majesty.

We must plan ahead.

Since Yuan Fang is dead,

we must find someone reliable for Huaixi.

Today is the birthday of the Immortal Emperor.

My master said

we should bless your lantern on this auspicious day.

Did Madam Lv just finish offering her lantern?

Exactly.

Yesterday, she made a scene

over the size of her lantern.

Just now, she insisted on placing it at the highest spot.

What kind of place does she think this is?

The highest spot is reserved for royalty and nobility.

How could she qualify?

How was it handled in the end?

Her lantern was placed in the center of the second-tier shelf.

May Lord Wenchang guide your fate.

I heard that this shrine master is very effective.

May heaven record your merits.

May blessings...

- Master, it's my turn. - It's my turn.

Master Ye.

You're here.

Take a look at the lanterns I have.

Feel free to choose what you'd like to offer.

We have Seven-Star Lanterns

and Nine-Luminary Lanterns.

Is there any difference?

The Nine-Luminary Lanterns

are like everlasting lanterns.

They are mainly used to ward off misfortune.

The Seven-Star Lanterns are for making wishes to the gods.

How do I make a wish?

Write your wish

upon these lanterns.

Then consecrate it for 81 days

on the wooden shelf there.

After that, cast it into the Han River.

Your lantern will follow the current

and drift up to the heavens.

When the Immortal Emperor sees it,

he will grant your wish.

That's an interesting tale.

Master, I want to pray for my son's career success.

- May he rise rapidly. - Very well.

- Please wait a moment. - Come, come.

It's finally my turn.

Master. Hurry up.

- All right. - I can't wait any longer.

Alright. I'm ready.

Your Highness, here are the brush and ink.

Write the name of the person to be blessed

on the bottom of the lantern.

Then place it in an auspicious spot.

Does it have to be the real name?

Of course.

What if there are two names?

Then... use the birth name

that is registered in the ancestral hall.

- Move! - Please don't make things difficult for me.

General Lu! Please don't.

[General of Jinwu Guard] [Lu Chang Fu] Stop!

Governor Gongshu.

Why are you all here?

Alive, Yuan Fang was under Huaixi's rule.

Dead, he's under the Jinwu Guards' care.

Does the Jingzhao Office have nothing better to do?

Don't force me to use violence.

Carry out Yuan Fang's body.

Astrologer Lv,

are you trying to interfere in this?

I wouldn't dare.

I just happened to run into General Lu.

I'm just here to observe.

Don't waste your breath on him.

Commissioner Yuan was ordered to inspect Huaixi,

but he died unexpectedly on his way back.

As for the Marquis Muyang,

he is related to the Zhou family of Huaixi.

In this court,

everyone knows you, Lu Chang Fu, are his confidant.

If the Jinwu Guards take over this case,

how can you avoid suspicion?

I...

will never hand over the body.

How dare you!

The Marquis Muyang is a hero of the pacification.

The heads he's taken from rebels could form a hill.

How can a pedantic official like you

make such baseless accusations?

General Lu, do you intend to start an armed fight in the Capital?

So what if I do?

I'm taking Yuan Fang's body with me today.

How dare you!

Disregarding the law and inciting a mob...

I shall report you to His Majesty today!

Governor Gongshu.

We've been colleagues for years.

Why make things so ugly?

General Lu,

both you and Governor...

were promoted by the Empress Dowager.

Everything can be discussed.

Report me if you want.

Do you think I'm afraid of you?

Do you think I won't do it?

Is that a newly offered lantern?

Yes. Madam Lv just offered it.

Prince Ding is of noble status.

Your Highness, you may place the lantern at the highest spot.

So the Immortal Emperor can notice it at once.

No need.

The center position is fine.

His Highness and I do not seek the highest position.

Master,

I'd like to pray for my mother's longevity and health.

The Southern Dipper bestows life.

[Mo Xiu Yao]

May he be safe and sound.

Official Lv.

Official Lv Bo Ying.

What did you call him?

Official Lv Bo Ying.

Don't you recognize me?

You have the wrong person.

Maybe I am mistaken.

Excuse me.

Your Highness.

Are you worried about His Highness?

Qing Yu.

Let me tell you a story.

There was a minor official in the Bureau of Astronomy.

He was an expert at fawning.

To curry favor with the Empress,

he claimed a tree in a concubine's yard was planted in an unlucky position

and would bring disaster.

Then what happened?

To be safe, the Empress ordered it to be cut down.

But the official went further.

He claimed the concubine's palace faced due west,

aligning with the Seventh Palace of the Dui trigram.

No part of her courtyard was fit for trees.

After that, there was no more shade in her courtyard.

Then, was the relationship

between that concubine and the Empress

already quite strained?

Qing Yu, you're getting smarter every day.

But that official was short-sighted.

He never expected that the concubine

would later become the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager?

The current Empress Dowager?

You're so timid.

You're not destined for high office.

Perhaps he thought of another way.

For example,

changing his name.

[Lv Bo Ying]

I, Gongshu Yang,

pay my respects to Your Majesty.

Rise.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

You look so pale.

What is it?

Your Majesty,

Commissioner Yuan was ordered

to investigate the arms-smuggling case in Huaixi.

But now, he has died suddenly

in the Capital's outskirts.

The evidence mentioned

in his report has vanished as well.

Since Huaixi is the home

of the Marquis Muyang's family

and is adjacent to Cangbei,

the smuggling must be related to him.

The Marquis Muyang

even sent General Lu Chang Fu today

to storm the Jingzhao Office,

seize the body,

and snatch the case files.

It is utterly preposterous!

Her Majesty has had no appetite.

I finally managed to restore Her Majesty's appetite.

Governor Gongshu,

why must you report matters at this hour

and ruin Her Majesty's mood?

I deserve ten thousand deaths.

But today's event

is a grave violation of the law.

I had no choice but to report it.

I am now aware of this matter.

You may rise.

Your Majesty is wise.

Is there anything else?

There's one amusing matter

I'd like to share with you.

A few days ago,

the Jingzhao Office took a strange case.

The imperial plaque of Ye Wen Hua's family

vanished into thin air.

This is a misfortune

that could cost one's life.

What happened then?

Later,

that plaque

mysteriously emerged from water.

They said

it was fished out of the pond of his estate.

I wonder if the Water Dragon Deity

borrowed it to use as a mirror

and returned it afterward.

Today,

the Ye family sent someone with a gift

to the Jingzhao Office to thank us.

Who knew the messenger turned out to be an acquaintance of Astrologer Lv?

He even called Astrologer Lv

by another name.

What name?

Lv Bo Ying.

Lv Bo Ying?

[Lv's Mansion]

- Let go of me! - Move!

Let go of me!

Why are you arresting me?

It's a misunderstanding.

Grand Eunuch Shunxi.

It's a misunderstanding.

Is it?

- Take him away. - Yes.

Grand Eunuch, it's a misunderstanding!

Grand Eunuch!

[Beneath Moonlit Pavilions]

[Lv Cheng is brought down.]

Marquis Muyang,

[Marquis Muyang, Dali Court] [Zhou Jing] the Empress Dowager invites you in.

Your Majesty.

I was negligent in my supervision

and was unaware of Lv Cheng's past.

I beg for your forgiveness.

Gongshu Yang visited me yesterday.

He said he wanted to resign and retire.

Pushing a scholar

who is usually so calm and composed

to such a desperate state

is quite an achievement.

I wonder why Governor Gongshu

would act this way.

Why?

Do you really not know?

Could it be that

you really killed Yuan Fang?

Your Majesty,

this has absolutely nothing to do with me.

Someone must be framing me.

I hope Your Majesty can see the truth.

The smuggling of weapons from Huaixi to Cangbei

has shocked the entire court.

Yuan Fang's mission

was to find the mastermind behind it.

Yet, a grand Huaixi Military Commissioner

was actually abducted by bandits

and then died in the Capital's outskirts.

Your family's influence in Huaixi

is deeply entrenched.

And your men

forced their way into the Jingzhao Office

to seize the case files.

It is only natural

for Gongshu Yang to suspect you.

Your Majesty,

Gongshu Yang suspects me--

Enough.

From now on,

the Dali Court will no longer handle this case.

Rise.

Yes.

As for Lv Cheng,

that such a petty scoundrel

could hide among your ranks

and stir up such trouble.

It shows

that your inner circle

is full of monsters and demons.

Can you even tell friend from foe anymore?

I...

I have failed in my judgment of character.

When did you arrive?

While you were talking. You seemed occupied,

so I went inside to rest for a bit.

[Consort Dowager] [Qin Zheng] This is from the Cuisine Bureau.

The new croaker spring wraps, right?

The colors look delightful.

Won't you have some?

I have no appetite.

Why is that?

Is it because of Marquis Muyang

or because of the Emperor?

I heard that a few days ago,

you flogged a servant in the Imperial Study.

Was His Majesty being naughty again?

He turned the Imperial Study into a gambling den.

I caught him in the act.

He's only a teenager.

He's at an age where he's still immature

and full of youthful playfulness.

He is not that young anymore.

He should be ruling on his own in a few years.

You are exceptionally capable.

The world submits to you.

It wouldn't hurt to work hard for your descendants

for a few more years.

I want to see Marquis Muyang.

I want to see Marquis Muyang.

I want to see Marquis Muyang.

I want to see Marquis Muyang.

Marquis Muyang!

I deserve death.

No... This lowly one deserves to die.

Back then, I was audaciously reckless.

I offended the Empress Dowager.

Marquis Muyang, please save me!

So you knew it was the Empress Dowager you offended.

All these years,

you've been hiding by my side.

What exactly were you trying to do?

Are you trying to get me killed?

Take him away.

- Yes. - Marquis Muyang!

- Get up! - Marquis Muyang, save me!

- Marquis Muyang! - Move!

- Marquis Muyang, save me! - Hurry up!

Marquis Muyang

Marquis Muyang, save me!

Marquis Muyang.

The Yaoguang Palace.

- I'm not going! - Move!

- I'm not going! - Move!

I'm not going!

- Marquis Muyang! - Move!

Marquis Muyang, save me!

I'm not going!

[Yaoguang Palace] Marquis Muyang!

I wonder why you have summoned me, Marquis Muyang.

This scoundrel has committed a crime.

I intend to punish him.

I'd appreciate it if you'd be the witness, Grand Eunuch.

I-I was blind.

I beg the Empress Dowager for mercy.

Grand Eunuch,

please spare my life.

Please put in a good word for me.

Please spare my life!

Now you know how to be afraid?

When you cut down the ancient locust tree at Yaoguang Palace,

didn't you claim that you were following

a divine mandate?

Yaoguang Palace is quite far from Zichen Palace.

One must pass through three corridors and two Yuehua Gates.

When the Empress Dowager was meditating here,

fetching water alone took half an hour.

Even the oil for the lamps

had to be collected bit by bit from the Palace Administration.

The Empress Dowager has always been merciful.

She spent her days copying scriptures under that tree,

praying for the people of the world.

It was truly a blessing for our realm.

Who would have thought

that such a fine tree at Yaoguang Palace

would be destroyed by a rat like you?

The tree...

I'll replant another one.

A new one exactly like before.

I... No...

Even lusher than before.

In that case,

go ahead and plant it.

It must be even lusher than the last one.

Marquis Muyang!

Who's there?

Your Highness. What are you looking at?

Nothing. Let's go back.

Yes.

What are you doing?

Delivering a letter.

What are you looking at?

Get me a cloth so I can dry myself.

Since you like water so much,

I'll build a pond just for you one day.

[Feng Zhi Yao] That won't be necessary.

[Chief of Qingfeng Mingyue Tower] There is one right here.

If you want to blame someone, blame your princess.

She has such sharp eyes.

She spotted me instantly.

Luckily, I know a few evasive maneuvers.

That's how I escaped.

Enough.

To business.

Lv Cheng

has fallen.

The current Lv Bo Ying

is now just a sapling.

Take your hand off.

So, Your Highness,

don't you think he's quite an opportunist?

To flatter the Empress back then,

he cut down Consort Guo's shade tree.

When Consort Guo gained power,

he immediately fled to Lianzhou County.

He even changed his name there.

Later, when he returned to the capital to report on his work,

he tried everything he could

to curry favor with the Marquis Muyang.

This man is devoid of conscience.

He is arrogant and domineering.

Who would've thought he'd be brought down by a mere messenger?

Oh, right.

When I came over just now,

I scratched your wall.

You have to compensate me for that.

No.

So stingy.

You're really stingy, Second Master.

You should be more mature.

Use the door from now on.

That won't do.

A secret agent delivering a letter

without climbing walls?

There'd be no mystery.

I heard the one who exposed Lv Cheng's real name

was a guard from the Ye family.

Prince Ding.

You've come at the right time.

The kitchen made me some hibiscus cakes.

They're still warm.

Would you like to try some?

What are you stepping on?

Nothing.

Have some cake.

Lift your foot.

Let me see.

It's really nothing.

Lift it up.

[Lv Cheng]

Lv Cheng?

He's not a good person.

I hate him.

But since I can't do anything to him,

I can only use this folk magic to deal with him.

This is called "stepping on the villain."

As long as you step on the name

of the person you resent,

it will bring them bad luck.

I know this goes against the natural order

and shouldn't be trifled with.

But that Lv Cheng is truly detestable.

Why do this?

How dare a villain like him insult you?

As your princess,

I must naturally stand up for you.

With this thing?

Don't underestimate it.

I found this method in an ancient book.

It's said to be very effective.

When Earl Zheng attacked Xu,

to punish the one who shot Ying Kao Shu,

he used this very method

to deal with him.

Rest assured, Your Highness.

Within three days,

he will surely fall seriously ill.

Stop doing these things.

It seems the Princess Ding is quite something.

In what way?

Her Highness is quite versed in these tactics.

She even read my fortune once.

Really?

I understand now, Your Highness.

Lv Cheng's misfortune

must be due to the "stepping on villains."

Where is your brain?

Left it in your room?

Your Highness,

you don't really think

Lv Cheng's downfall was her doing, right?

But I think

Her Highness seems very simple.

She's also a very kind person.

Your Highness. The Princess Ding ordered this

to be delivered to you every day.

It's her improved congee recipe.

Would you like to have it while it's hot?

[Marquis Muyang's Mansion]

Over the years,

I have promoted all of you.

Have I ever mistreated you in the least?

If anyone dares to deceive me again,

don't blame me for being merciless.

We won't forget your kindness, Marquis Muyang.

We would never dare forget.

When you went to the palace yesterday,

what were the Empress Dowager's orders?

Lv Cheng is a minor matter.

The key is,

Yuan Fang's case is now with the Jingzhao Prefecture.

Gongshu Yang must be behind this.

Then, Marquis Muyang,

what should we do now?

Yuan Fang's death

was not our doing anyway.

Gongshu Yang is an upright official.

He wouldn't resort to framing us.

The priority now

is Huaixi.

Fair point, Marquis Muyang.

Yuan Fang died at the perfect time.

The Huaixi matter has alerted the court.

We can't let the Emperor plant his own people there.

We must have one of

our own in charge.

I have my own plans.

You may all leave.

Yes.

Chang Fu.

You stay.

Your Highness, what brings you here?

I was just passing by.

Are you writing letters?

Yes.

I'm writing to my grandfather,

my teachers, and my senior brothers at Li Mountain.

I haven't seen them in a long time.

I'm sure

they miss me too.

Your Highness.

Princess, the porridge is ready.

Your Highness, why did you add honey?

Shouldn't it be savory?

Savory or sweet,

each has its own merits.

There wasn't much to eat on the mountain.

We had millet porridge for every meal.

Most of my teachers liked it savory,

using pickles for seasoning.

But Master Zhu was different.

He loved sweet porridge.

He'd secretly add honey to his bowl

and lie to us,

saying it was just salt water.

I learned it from him.

You seem to

really miss your life on the mountain.

You're not going to send me away, are you?

"Prince Ding is a man

who is quite...

dull..."

Why are you peeking at my letter?

It was just lying there.

How can you call that peeking?

Anyway, I can't show it to you.

Qing Yu.

Go prepare some porridge for His Highness as well.

- Yes. - Then...

I'll go help as well.

You seem quite at ease here,

Your Highness.

Coming and going as you please.

Of course.

This is my home.

Since I've married you,

I want to live a good life with you.

It's just that...

you don't know me very well yet.

It's okay.

In time,

we will naturally grow closer.

My refusal to consummate our marriage...

Perhaps

it's exactly what you want.

Look.

This little spider

is an expert at spinning webs.

Because the shape of its web

resembles the Ba Gua in the I Ching.

And it loves to eat pests.

Usually, crops will grow better

if it appears.

Many people at the foot of the mountain

call it the "Lucky Spider."

It brings good luck when it lands on you.

Your Highness,

you're about to get lucky.

Excuse me, could you let this gentleman pass first?

Sure.

Sir.

Wrong way. This way.

This way.

My Lady.

Prince Ding doesn't seem to like us.

But some things must be done.

My Lady, do you miss the mountain?

I do.

But I don't want to go back.

It's too quiet on the mountain.

It makes me feel all alone.

But it's different down here.

It's bustling, lively,

and crowded.

Even if I don't do anything,

and just sit here,

watching the people passing by,

I find it very interesting.

What is there to see?

Don't they all

look the same?

They are different.

Everyone has their own unique scent.

By smelling their scent,

I can see many things.

Then, what does Prince Ding smell like?

I don't know.

He is like he's underwater.

His scent is blocked off.

I can't smell anything.

Cover Young General!

Go, quickly! Go!

I, the criminal Mo Xiu Wen,

entered the Capital without an edict,

causing the border to fall.

Cangbei seized our lands,

killing hundreds of thousands of people

and bringing ruin to the border towns.

Sentenced for the crime of treason,

he shall be beheaded for public display.

My brother would never enter the Capital without an edict.

The edict...

There must have been an edict.

The edict?

I burned it.

The Empress Dowager is displeased with Marquis Muyang,

but Lv Cheng is just a small fry.

Once she vents her anger, it's over.

Marquis Muyang has spent days laying the groundwork.

I expect that in court today,

he'll nominate Lu Chang Fu as Huaixi Military Commissioner.

If that happens,

bringing him down will be even more difficult.

Huaixi is the heart of our realm,

the shield of the Jianghuai region.

The post of Huaixi Military Commissioner

is vital and cannot be left vacant.

I recommend

General Lu Chang Fu

of the Jinwu Guards.

What do you think, Chancellor?

Your Majesty,

I believe this is inappropriate.

[Chancellor] [Murong Shen] General Lu is fit to guard the palace,

but Huaixi is a complex situation.

I'm afraid he's not up to the task.

Your Majesty.

General Lu is a meticulous and reliable man.

I appoint you as the Huaixi Military Commissioner.

I'm sure you can handle

the military affairs there.

In five days,

you shall depart for Huaixi.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

I will not fail the trust of

Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager.

Your Majesty is wise.

Your Highness, everything is packed.

Let's go.

Your Highness, let me take that.

Here. Thank you.

Sis.

Where did you go?

She hasn't been feeling well lately.

We heard Zheng Jiu Zhen is back in town,

so we went to visit him

for treatment.

What did the physician say?

I know a bit about acupuncture myself.

I'm feeling much better now.

Thank you for your concern.

You're back, Your Highness.

Where is His Highness?

His Highness

is still in the study.

He hasn't come out at all?

Not once.

Your Highness.

What brings you here?

Is His Highness inside?

Yes.

He hasn't eaten all day?

No, he hasn't.

Why didn't you go in to check on him?

Before, it was because of Lv Cheng.

What is it this time?

Your Highness.

His Highness gave orders

that no one is allowed to enter.

Step aside.

A Ding.

Your Highness.

Well...

His Highness did give orders.

If you barge in,

His Highness will lose his temper.

Your Highness.

Step aside. If you don't,

I'll bite you.

Your Highness,

please don't make this difficult for me.

Mo Xiu Yao!

Come out!

Go prepare some food

and bring it to His Highness.

Yes.

[On the Next Episode]

If Lu Chang Fu really becomes the Huaixi Military Commissioner,

it will be harder to shake the Marquis Muyang.

Since the Emperor also intends to do this,

Li,

let's proceed accordingly.

There's one more thing.

I found Wei Zhuang,

but I didn't dare to reveal my identity to him.

Mo Xiu Yao,

don't let your life

become a play performed for their amusement.