Original subtitles

[Episode 19]

You've heard the news too.

Yes, I heard Prince Ding traced Yuan Fang's murder to the Eastern Palace

and Mo Jing Li set himself on fire.

What do you think?

Eight years ago, the Crown Prince hounded you and sought your death.

If it weren't for your great fortune, you wouldn't have today's peace.

You showed mercy, let his son live and be honored as a prince.

Yet Mo Jing Li is wolf-hearted and ambitious.

Instead of being grateful,

he plotted in secret to commit such treason.

If such evil isn't uprooted, the realm will be in peril.

You two sound incredibly alike.

What do you think, Your Majesty?

As you decide, Mother.

Then start the investigation.

Marquis Muyang.

Immediately order Dali Court to control the city gates and main roads.

If there is any movement, execute them without mercy.

Anyone suspected of being Mo Jing Li's or the Eastern Palace remnants,

along with all letters, documents, and witnesses, must all be seized.

The palace guards shall strictly guard the palace gates.

No one enters or leaves without my personal order.

Yes.

I told her years ago that we couldn't keep the Eastern Palace remnants.

She insisted on showing benevolence.

Can benevolence conquer the world?

But benevolence can rule the world.

Marquis Muyang.

If you don't change your ways, you'll eventually drift apart from Her Majesty.

In this world, the one who understands her the best is probably only me.

Do you think the fire in the Eastern Palace started on its own?

The matter is settled.

Any loose ends?

It was just an accident.

Rest assured, Your Majesty.

But from now on, Dali Court will investigate this case thoroughly.

If you want to root them out, the position of Chief Minister of Dali Court...

Of course, Minister Zhou, you are fit for this post.

The Eastern Palace has been eliminated.

Your Majesty will soon have absolute power.

Even if she is now the Empress Dowager,

whether she agrees with my methods or not,

only I can give her what she wants.

On the path to power, every step is stained with blood.

Guards, listen up!

Anyone involved with Mo Jing Li or the Eastern Palace remnants shall be captured.

Better to arrest the innocent than to let a single criminal go.

If they resist, kill them on the spot.

Yes!

- Don't move! - Be careful.

- What's going on? - This is serious.

This way. Hurry!

- Go away! - How dare you break into an official's house!

Let me go! Which department are you from?

- Dali Court is investigating under orders. - Move!

Hurry!

You guys, go over there.

- Get up! - What are you doing?

Move!

- Let go of me! - Move!

[Prince Li's Mansion]

Listen up!

From now on, Dali Court is taking over here.

- Move! - Yes!

Disperse!

Your Highness. Many guards from Dali Court have arrived outside.

They've surrounded the entire mansion!

What right do you have to arrest me?

- Move! - Let go of me!

Move!

- Don't touch me! They're arresting people! - Move!

Hurry up!

They're arresting people!

Anyone whispering will also be detained!

Still thinking about Prince Li?

Prince Li's Mansion has been thoroughly inspected.

The fire spread extremely fast.

Several key points were ignited at the same time.

There was a large amount of kindling.

It doesn't seem like a spur-of-the-moment decision.

It was well-prepared.

He probably knew that his secrets were about to be exposed.

So he did it on purpose.

When the Eastern Palace fell, as the late Crown Prince's only bloodline,

there was no doubt he'd be killed.

But he survived such a desperate situation back then.

Now, the case is still under investigation, and he was far from a dead end.

Why would he burn himself alive?

That's not like him.

Li.

If you have something on your mind, you can tell me.

I'm fine.

You've been busy lately.

Does your leg hurt?

No.

I had Qing Yu prepare a salt pack for a hot compress.

Qing Yu, is it ready?

Yes, Your Highness.

Bring it here.

Your leg injury has just healed.

You must avoid the cold.

I added mugwort to the salt pack.

It's perfect for a hot compress.

Don't think that just because you can stand and walk now,

you've fully recovered and can be reckless.

You can't stand for too long, run fast, or engage in fights.

Yao.

Please do it for my sake and for this family's sake.

Sister-in-law, Wu You, and I are all counting on you.

Does this feel better?

Much better.

You're already so tired.

Stop worrying about me.

Get some rest today, okay?

[Jingzhao Prefecture]

- Stop the carriage! - Your Highness!

Your Highness!

You're finally back. Something terrible has happened.

What?

Prince Ding, do you also want to meddle in this mess?

It's not a good time.

I am acting on Her Majesty's decree.

Anyone related to Mo Jing Li or the traitors of the Eastern Palace is subject to investigation.

How many times must I say it?

I have no ties to the Eastern Palace!

Shut up!

How dare you keep denying it?

Your own fourth uncle was a former buyer for the Eastern Palace.

He was in contact with them every day.

Who knows who he met with or what he did for the Eastern Palace?

And you coincidentally appeared at the scene of the roundup in Penglai Alley.

Now that Mo Jing Li has committed suicide out of guilt, the trail has gone cold.

I have every reason to suspect that you are deeply involved in this case.

I am a military officer!

I was in Penglai Alley on official business!

A military officer, huh?

Don't rush.

Once we return to Dali Court,

I will hear your defense word by word.

Prince Ding, do you have any objections to what I have said?

Or rather, do you object to Her Majesty's decision?

- This doesn't make sense. - Exactly.

Her Majesty sent you to investigate,

not to lash out blindly and frame loyal officials.

Loyal?

Whether he is loyal or not is not for you to decide.

We'll only know find it out after the investigation.

This Mo Jing Li used to look quite loyal.

Toward Her Majesty and His Majesty,

he was always most respectful, beyond reproach.

Now that his plot is exposed,

I finally realize this rascal has long harbored evil intentions.

He's been playing the fool all along.

Her Majesty is merciful.

But I know very well that evil must be completely eradicated.

We must root out the cause of evil.

If you don't get rid of them, they will eventually become a disaster.

After I finish my investigation, I will find you justice, Prince Ding.

Take him away!

Yes.

Vice Governor Zheng.

Come with me first.

Yes.

Close the door.

You... You...

What?

Do you really think I won't dare to touch you?

Vice Governor Zheng, have you forgotten?

I've fought my way through corpses and blood.

I've killed more people than you have ever known.

You're afraid of Marquis Muyang.

Are you not afraid of me?

This is illegal interrogation.

How dare you treat a court official this way?

Aren't you afraid I'll report you to Her Majesty?

You want to talk to me about the law? Give me the law book!

Open your eyes and look closely.

Any single law in here is enough to convict you.

You're a parasite who neglects his duties.

Over the years, with Jingzhao Office's power, how many filthy deeds have you done?

Do you really think you can hide them?

Do you know?

Even if I kill you today, no one would dare say a word for you.

You were in prison when Qiu Xian was interrogated, right?

You told Marquis Muyang, didn't you?

I know your every move very well.

I didn't get rid of you because I wanted to see what else you were up to.

Now, it seems like you're useless.

Your Highness!

Your Highness!

Since you're colleagues, you should share the same fate.

If Wang Su Wu dies, you won't live either.

Your Highness! Your Highness!

Your Highness, spare me!

I won't do it again.

- Take him away. - Your Highness, spare me! Your Highness!

No, Your Highness! I'll never do it again.

Your Highness! Your Highness!

Your Highness.

Marquis Muyang's arrests this time are meant to set an example.

We can't just sit back and watch.

We must find a way to save Wang Su Wu.

And Zheng Zuo Shi, that treacherous traitor, must also be dealt with.

Don't worry, Your Highness.

We have our people in Dali Court.

I've already told them to keep a close eye on Wang Su Wu in prison.

Any movement will be reported immediately.

One more thing.

I want you to re-examine Prince Li's Mansion,

including nearby places like Jude Building, Dehua Ward, Banruo Temple, and Taiping Ward.

See if there are any secret passages or hidden canals connecting them.

But wasn't Prince Li's body already found in the ruins?

The body was too badly burned.

It's not conclusive evidence.

If he's alive, I have to see him in person.

If he's dead, I have to make sure that's his body.

Since Dali Court took over Prince Li's case, it's hard for us to intervene.

Your Highness.

Your Highness, urgent news from Prince Li's Mansion.

Princess Li attempted suicide.

Princess Li was devastated by Prince Li's death.

In a fit of despair, she tried to end her life.

Fortunately, the servants found her in time and saved her.

But Marquis Muyang, you try to take her for interrogation now.

Do you want her dead?

How is Princess Li's condition?

Marquis Muyang, fortunately, she was found in time.

Her life is not in danger for now.

She just needs rest and recuperation.

Her Majesty's decree only ordered to seal the mansion and investigate the remnants.

When did she say to take Princess Li to prison?

Prince Li committed treason.

His family can't be exempt.

I'm not trying to be exempt.

I want to die with His Highness!

Marquis Muyang.

I know you're ordered to search all the officials for Prince Li's case.

But I bet you haven't obtained any confession or evidence by now.

What?

Now you're trying to drive a prince's wife to her death?

You should know this marriage was personally bestowed by Her Majesty.

Princess Ding, what are you trying to say?

You cannot take her away.

If I leave her here, and anything goes wrong...

If anything goes wrong,

I will go to the palace and ask Her Majesty to punish me.

Fine.

Let's go.

Yesterday, did you see His Highness's body?

The night when I received the decree for our marriage,

I was too happy to sleep.

I ran to the courtyard to count the stars.

I told myself,

I would be with His Highness as many years as the stars I counted.

I counted over a hundred.

I was so happy, thinking we'd grow old together.

But we've only been married half a year.

Only a hundred days and nights.

So it turns out one star only counts for a single day.

If I had known, I would have counted until dawn.

You asked me before.

"You barely saw His Highness before the wedding.

Why did you like him so much?"

But love isn't something that only happens after two meet.

I've read the poems he wrote.

I've listened to the music he composed.

Through his words and melodies, I already knew the man.

I also know many other things about him.

Because of all these little things,

he found a place in my heart.

What's wrong with that?

Is one-sided affection not real love?

Should unrequited feelings be considered cheap?

I'm willing to do anything for him.

I truly loved him with my everything.

Actually, I should hate you.

You are arrogant and domineering.

Your mother is greedy and short-sighted.

Though you are not the ones who make me end up like this,

I really should hate you.

Do you understand?

But I don't hate you.

Because you are simply too naive.

I can't stay angry at a fool.

But even as foolish as you are,

Mo Jing Li is not worthy of you.

Loving someone is a beautiful thing.

But you can't fall blindly in love without even knowing who he is.

Mo Jing Li is the son of the late Crown Prince.

He carries the blood of the Eastern Palace.

That means his life could go up in flames at any moment,

ruining him and everything around him.

Ye Ying, you say you love him,

but when he set that fire, did he ever think of you?

When we were children, we studied "Zhuangzi" together.

There is a saying in it.

"Deep desires lead to shallow wisdom."

Have you forgotten?

I have another question for you.

Go ahead.

That night, when His Highness asked me to leave,

he said something strange to me.

What did he say?

He said,

"I'm sorry.

Do as I say and leave.

If God wants us to meet, perhaps we will meet again."

Ye Li, you are smart.

Help me figure it out.

Since His Highness said that, does it mean he is still alive?

Mo Xiu Yao said he and Marquis Muyang arrived at Prince Li's Mansion at the same time.

The guards then surrounded the mansion.

The fire spread extremely fast.

There was a large amount of kindling.

Mo Jing Li couldn't have escaped through the fire.

Li, how is Princess Li?

She is fine now.

I thought you two were not on good terms.

We aren't.

But she is still my sister.

After all, she and her mother didn't do anything heinous.

Then let's return to the mansion.

Let's go.

Okay.

[Marquis Muyang's Mansion]

Father.

Father.

What are you doing?

Look at this. It's good stuff.

This thing is called

- a coconut. - A coconut.

Father, you know about it?

I used to drink it often in Lingnan.

Father, listen.

This coconut is different from the ones in Lingnan.

It came all the way from the South Sea.

There are only a few in the Capital. Hurry and have a try.

I can't drink it. It's too sweet.

They say it relieves internal heat.

It's not sweet. Try it.

- You can drink it. - Just try it. Come on, try it.

- Alright, I'll have a try. - Here.

- How is it? Good, right? - Yes.

Look at this shell.

If you wear it on your head, doesn't it look like a Futou hat?

Marquis Muyang.

Rise.

I heard you've been looking for a place to live lately.

Is there anyone you like?

I haven't found a suitable one yet.

Then you can stop.

There are plenty of empty rooms in my mansion.

Just pick one.

This room is quite nice.

You shall live in this room from now on.

Make yourself at home.

In your spare time, you can chat with me.

Thank you, Marquis Muyang.

Come here. Let me show you something good.

This thing is called a coconut.

Tian Yang brought it back.

I've drunk it before.

It's a bit too sweet for my taste.

I thought young people like you might like it.

So I brought it for you to try.

I've already opened it for you.

Try it.

Young Lord gave it to you.

It wouldn't be right for me to drink it.

It's just food.

What's there to worry about? Come on. Take it.

Take it.

Thank you, Marquis Muyang.

Try it.

Hurry.

I almost forgot.

Tian Yang said to use this bamboo straw to drink the juice inside.

Take it.

Try it.

Drink it.

Yes.

How does it taste?

It is indeed very sweet.

I knew young people like you would like it.

Tian Yang said it looks like a Futou hat.

But if you ask me, it looks more like a flowerpot.

It's perfect for growing flowers.

What do you think?

Drink up.

Look at you, you're covered in juice.

Drink up.

Yes.

A man like Mo Jing Li should be vengeful and cling to life.

Since he hadn't reached a dead end yet,

it's impossible for him to commit suicide.

He must have used the fire as a disguise and escaped.

I've brought you everything that you asked for.

Well, I've even found out those from the bottom of the storeroom.

This is the "Yongzhou Gazetteer."

This is the "Huai River Dredging Record."

This is the "Capital Underground Canal Map."

And this one.

It's said to be the survey map for the Capital's reconstruction in the Taizu era.

This is a rare treasure.

But Li, you were still studying celestial phenomena a while ago.

Now it's underground water maps.

What exactly are you up to?

I have my own plans.

Fine. Take your time to read. I'll get back to work.

The Capital has a total of 108 wards.

Wards and markets are connected, with streets crisscrossing.

The three canals,

Longshou, Qingming, and Yong'an, form the backbone.

Branch canals are like a net, densely distributed beneath

West Market,

East Market, Dehua Ward,

Renshou Ward, Chongren Ward,

and all other wards.

Prince Li's Mansion faces Dehua Ward.

Mo Jing Li only needed to dig a secret path leading to the hidden canal under Dehua Ward.

Then he could leave through the canal.

There is a small river to the west of it.

There must be a hidden canal exit leading to the river.

Maybe he went that way.

Dehua Ward?

Why are you following me?

You saved my life once, and I almost got you killed.

Adding it all up, I owe you two lives.

If I don't pay you back, I won't feel right.

I'm always in your debt.

No need.

Stop following me.

Your Highness. Dali Court sent him back.

- Your Highness. - Stay still.

Don't worry.

I, Wang Su Wu, won't die so easily.

Send him home.

Get Physician Guan to treat him.

- Yes. - Yes.

Zhou Jing is a jerk!

What about Prince Li's Mansion?

You didn't find a way to re-examine it yet?

Dali Court is guarding it strictly.

When our men arrived, they used the excuse of preserving the scene to turn us away.

That night, when His Highness asked me to leave,

he said something strange to me.

"If God wants us to meet, perhaps we will meet again."

Ye Li, you are smart.

Help me figure it out.

Since His Highness said that, does it mean he is still alive?

Your Highness. His Highness sent word back.

He said he has a heavy workload tonight, so he won't come back.

I see.

Yes.

Come out.

You've followed me all the way here.

Hurry and come to help.

Didn't you say you owe me your life?

Shall I kill all of them?

Follow me.

Get inside from here.

This height is nothing.

I can get inside. I don't need this.

I need it.

You won't need it either.

It's pitch black in here.

What exactly are you looking for?

Be quiet.

The key to the water mechanism is to use the power of water

to control the balance of objects.

Are you looking for a secret passage?

I'm an expert at this.

For mechanisms and secret doors,

the most important thing is to find its...

Go get a bucket of water.

Water?

Yes. Hurry.

Pour it in.

Slowly. Pour it at a steady pace.

Where are we?

The Capital's underground drainage system.

According to the Ministry of Works' "Water Mechanism Records,"

this was built during the peak of the previous dynasty to drain the Capital's floodwaters

and bring fresh water into the palace.

It cost a fortune and took decades to complete.

This way.

There are several passages here.

Which one do we take?

There must be location markers here. Let's find them.

Jude Building?

[Dehua Ward]

The southwest hidden canal goes from Prince Li's Mansion to Jude Building,

and to Wuwei House, leading straight to the shipping pier.

The middle path is the main flood canal.

It passes Dehua Ward and Ziyun Ward to the Yongding River.

Ye Li.

That way leads to the shipping pier.

The West Market's water inlet and the canal diverge.

It's too crowded there to hide.

The way to the Imperial City is heavily guarded.

If he wants to leave the Capital undetected,

he can only take the main flood canal leading to the suburbs.

I know who you're looking for.

You're looking for Mo Jing Li.

You don't have to hide it from me.

I already know everything.

Days ago, a fire broke out at Prince Li's Mansion, killing Prince Li and some of his men.

But now it seems he didn't actually die.

Not bad. You actually figured it out.

It's nothing.

As a top assassin, finding clues and peeling back the layers

to reveal the truth is a basic skill.

But don't worry. I have my own rules.

For an assassin, keeping the client's secrets is the most important ironclad rule.

Even if I die, I won't breathe a word of it.

Which assassin organization do you belong to?

Or are you self-employed?

I can't tell you that.

When you tried to kill me back then, it was your first mission, wasn't it?

How did you know?

In that case, we're quite destined to meet.

Look, after this is done,

if you ever need anything else, just come to me.

For the sake of our friendship, I'll give you a discount.

Someone's approaching.

There are many of them.

Let's go.

[On the Next Episode]

Your Highness. The person ahead seems to be Her Highness.

Princess Ding interfered with Dali Court's official duties.

I await Your Majesties' wise judgment.

We risked our lives to secure what we have now.

You saw Master Zhu again?

He should have been living in the Capital all along.

But I have already searched every corner of the Capital and found no trace of him at all.