Original subtitles

[Episode 24]

Prince Ding, Princess Ding.

What are you doing here?

Waiting for you to open the door.

Please come in.

Sorry about the mess.

Why are you staying here?

The accounts kept me so late. I figured I'd just stay.

Why are you here so early?

Is something wrong?

Nothing's wrong.

I'm here to pick something up.

Pick something up?

Help me take it down.

There. Let's go home.

You still haven't answered me.

About what?

About whether you fell for me when we first met.

Didn't I already answer you?

- When? - Just now.

No, you didn't.

I clearly did.

I wasn't sniffling.

- Would you believe me if I said yes? - No.

See? If I say it, you don't believe me. And if I don't, you sulk.

Dier.

You're still recovering. You should rest more.

Don't overexert yourself.

Lady Wen, I'm fine.

I like spending time with you.

I'd like to walk around a bit and visit His Highness.

All right. Have a seat.

Lady Wen, I heard His Highness's marriage was bestowed by the Empress Dowager.

So His Highness and the Princess were strangers before?

His Highness has a reserved personality.

It must be hard for him to get along with her.

Those two are doing quite well.

If you want to look around, I'll show you around after we finish our tea.

Sure.

Your Highness, let me do it.

It's crooked.

A little to the left.

A little to the right.

Still not right.

No, that's not it.

Back left a little.

Are you messing with me?

What made you want to hang the wind chime all of a sudden?

Well, I brought it down from Li Mountain.

Come down now.

Let go. Everyone's watching.

I couldn't find you all morning.

Weren't you worried I'd panic?

I left you a note.

Don't do this again.

This morning, I happened to spot a wooden box on your dressing table.

You went through it?

I was indeed curious, so I looked inside.

But I didn't open the letters.

They're personal. I shouldn't read them.

It's fine. I'll show you.

These are all...

Why did you send him so many music scores?

He couldn't leave the mountain back then.

I knew he always loved the zither.

So, whenever I found a new piece,

I'd copy it and send it to him.

You two must have been very close.

Indeed.

Closer than you and Lady Su.

I was once betrothed to her,

but at that time, we were both very young.

We barely even met.

Then things changed, and we lost touch.

Are you jealous?

No, I'm not.

Mo Jing Li may still be alive.

I found a hidden passage in Prince Li's study.

It passes through Dehua and Ziyun Wards to a river outside the city.

I later checked with the boatmen.

On the night of Mo Jing Li's incident,

a boat was docked by the riverbank and didn't leave until midnight.

It hadn't rained, so I found tracks when I went there.

You don't seem surprised.

You already knew.

I had guessed as much.

There was a body, and the scars matched,

but the face was too badly damaged to confirm it was him.

Besides, after the incident, I looked into him.

Mo Jing Li's secret network is vast.

He has many informants across all six ministries.

He's even in contact with Tianyi Pavilion.

Aside from assassinating Yuan Fang, he has been pulling strings everywhere.

His ambition to restore the Eastern Palace is no longer a secret.

A man like him,

as long as there's a glimmer of hope, will never accept death.

But the case is with the Dali Court. I can't directly interfere.

Are these all music scores?

What are these two letters?

Not just music scores.

Didn't you say you'd show me?

- I changed my mind. - Let me see.

No.

You promised you'd show me.

- I changed my mind. - Don't blame me if I make you show me.

Sister-in-law, you usually nap around this hour.

What's going on today?

The weather is too hot.

The cicadas are so noisy that I can't sleep.

Dier has been here for a few days now and is feeling much better.

She wanted to come see you both, so I came along.

Dier.

Didn't you say you wanted to thank Yao and Li?

Now you're here, and you've gone quiet.

I've spent many years adrift, with nowhere to call home.

I never thought I'd find my way back here,

let alone see Lady Wen and Your Highness once more.

That day, I was out on an errand when my old illness suddenly hit.

Luckily, I ran into Lady Wen.

Otherwise...

It seems Heaven was not yet ready to take my life.

I'm here to thank Lady Wen

and also to Your Highness for taking me in.

Don't mention it.

Everyone falls on hard times.

You are my sister-in-law's old friend and no stranger to me.

A few days' stay is nothing. No need for such gratitude.

Please sit.

After all these years,

Your Highness has become awfully formal.

Indeed. Don't be so formal.

Why are you standing? Please sit down.

Your Highness.

It's hot. Have some shaved ice to cool off.

Right. It really is hot.

What month is it already?

How is it still this hot?

When I visited with my mother,

Yao's mother was still with us.

On a scorching summer day,

she also brought me shaved ice.

The manor's chefs were skilled.

They could carve patterns on the ice.

I liked butterflies,

so Her Highness ordered them to carve butterflies all over for me.

The butterflies were so lifelike.

I couldn't bear to eat it, so I just held it in my hands.

But the tighter I held it,

the faster the ice melted.

In the end, only a puddle of water remained.

I couldn't keep anything.

There you go, talking about the past again.

The physician told you not to brood.

If you stay this sentimental, how can you recover?

You're always so caring.

Actually, my health doesn't matter.

The sooner I go, the sooner I'll reunite with my parents.

You're talking nonsense.

A fleeting glimpse captures the light.

Life is like chess, ever-changing.

Ask not when we shall meet again.

The wind scatters clouds across the sky.

Meetings and partings in life are Heaven's will.

Your Highness. The office sent someone to look for you.

If there's business, you should go.

Official matters come first.

Indeed. Go to the office.

We should be leaving too.

Why are these cicadas so noisy?

Lady Su.

I had some time on my hands,

so I had someone look into things.

You still have relatives out there.

After the Su family was exiled,

your brother, Su Huai Zhong, went to Huaizhou.

Now, he is a very reputable silk merchant.

Your sister married early and was spared the exile.

Her husband made Prefect of Caizhou the year before last.

He has a good reputation and is valued by his superiors.

Also, your maternal uncles and aunts are doing the tea business in Jiangzhou.

They are quite wealthy.

What are you getting at, Your Highness?

What I mean is,

you are not all alone with no one to rely on.

If you don't want to, you don't have to serve others as a maid.

But Princess Ling Yun has been kind to me.

Is that so?

Then you should serve her well.

Lady Wen, I've bothered you for the past few days.

I'll be heading back now.

Li, I...

Sister-in-law, if she has other motives, there's nothing you can do for her.

Take a look!

Get your fill for just one wen!

Freshly baked steamed buns!

New style from Yangzhou.

Come and get it!

You are not all alone with no one to rely on.

If you don't want to, you don't have to serve others as a maid.

You're being unreasonable.

Look at your cart. Completely dilapidated.

What's wrong with my cart?

- You wrecked it! - Me?

Lady Su, the road is blocked. We can't get through.

You should have come from that way.

Are you going to pay for it or not?

Why should I pay? I'm not paying.

Move it inside.

Okay.

It's fine. I'll just walk back.

Move aside, you little wench!

[Marquis Muyang's Mansion]

Why aren't you eating?

Where is Qin Cang? Father, where is he?

Don't mention Qin Cang again!

Tian Yang.

Listen to me.

I've taken care of everything.

You can't stay in the Capital anymore.

Go back to Lingnan, back to your mother.

Tian Yang.

Do as I say.

Set off as soon as possible.

By the time you return to Lingnan, the pomelos will be in season.

Weren't pomelos your favorite when you were little?

You'll be just in time to enjoy them.

Wasn't he your son too, Father?

Mother told me you and his mother grew up together.

Back then, you insisted on keeping him home over Mother's objections.

All these years, you let him handle all the affairs of the household.

I always thought he was the son you valued most.

Father.

If one day I get in your way, would you kill me too?

Pack your things and leave soon.

Tian Yang said this thing looks like a Futou hat.

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

It's perfect for planting flowers.

What's going on?

Open the door.

Master Feng booked the whole place tonight. Come back another day.

I'm sorry.

- Let's go elsewhere. - I'm sorry.

The lady on the stage is Lady Yu Sheng.

She's the most popular dancer right now.

Since she debuted last year, business at Xiangqi House has been booming.

I pulled some strings today to book the entire place

just so we could watch her graceful dance.

Good posture, solid footwork.

But her eyes wander a bit.

She lacks a little refinement.

Brother Yun, you're an expert!

It seems you're a regular here, Brother Feng.

I rarely come here.

Only for occasional social gatherings.

I'm a very decent man.

I don't like brothels and places of ill repute.

Then why are you still unmarried, Brother Feng?

Then why are you still unmarried, Brother Yun?

Do you have someone back in Cangbei?

No.

But I do.

She doesn't seem to like me.

Not exactly.

She's always secretive.

If she's secretive, why do you still like her?

I mean her disguise.

Those who hide behind masks usually have secrets to hide.

Perhaps, once you know what she's hiding, you'll change your mind.

I won't.

All right. You won't.

Eat something.

Crystal shrimp dumplings.

They're the best you can find anywhere.

I remember you don't eat ginger. I had them leave it out.

Eat without worry.

What's that in your hand, Brother Feng?

I carved it for fun.

A bone of a Warding Beast for reading fortunes.

How do you use it?

It's simple.

Just toss it up and see which side lands face up.

Let me divine yours.

Childish.

Let's try it.

You're a businessman. Let's start with wealth.

Blow on it.

"Auspicious." Prosperity is coming your way.

Nothing can stop it.

Good. I'll take that.

Now, for the second round.

Let's divine your marriage.

Will this trip to Great Chu bring you the right match?

Blow on it.

"Auspicious" again!

Brother Yun, your trip is worthwhile.

It seems your match is right here.

Now, for the third round,

let's check for safety.

Still "Auspicious."

You have such good fortune.

Good luck is chasing you. You can't even avoid it.

Both sides say "Auspicious."

Double auspiciousness.

This shows you're destined for this plaque.

It's yours.

All right. Thank you, Brother Feng.

Come, let's drink.

[Qingfeng Mingyue Tower]

Why did you call me here so late?

Help me, Xiu Yao.

Master Feng.

How did you get this drunk?

Tell me, what should I do?

What do you mean?

I'm finished.

Did your father cast you out?

He wouldn't have the heart.

Is Qingfeng Mingyue Tower going bankrupt?

Can you try rooting for me?

Did your sworn brother abandon you?

You understand me.

It's not that obvious, is it?

No way, Master Feng.

How could you still...

You wouldn't understand adult matters.

Get out.

I can walk. Don't touch me.

- Get out. - You're in a dangerous state.

Be careful, Your Highness!

Just as I thought.

When close friends meet after a long separation,

trouble is bound to follow.

You don't understand the situation.

When I first saw her,

she was covered in mud.

She was dark and skinny. I really thought she was a man.

But this time...

why... does she feel so different?

I get it.

You're just smitten by her looks.

You still don't understand me.

Does she know you've seen through her?

I don't think so.

I've been acting very restrained.

So, what do you plan to do?

I'm just very confused.

The first time I met her, she was disguised as a man.

Circumstances forced her hand. It was understandable, right?

But this time, why did she still dress as a man?

Do you think she's hiding from enemies?

Or is her family forcing her to marry, so she ran away?

I don't even know if she likes me.

What kind of men do the women of Cangbei like?

Scholars?

Officials?

Or someone like me,

a charming, witty, and well-versed business genius?

I wish I'd learned some martial arts.

What are you doing?

Going home.

Aren't you going to give me some advice?

If you like her, just tell her.

I...

Thank you for coming, Master Zhong.

I've been calculating the time of an upcoming solar eclipse.

I've estimated it will happen in a few days.

Could you help me determine the exact time

and how much of the Capital will see it?

I've looked into it myself.

The timing of a solar eclipse is determined by the synodic month.

Tomorrow at noon. Your Highness's estimate is roughly correct.

For the exact time, location, and magnitude,

we need to run more calculations.

Here, look.

This is the lunar path.

And this is the ecliptic.

Where the two paths intersect...

Ask her out.

The chrysanthemums on the outskirts are in full bloom.

Or take her to the temple fair in the East Market.

I heard Western merchants have arrived there.

They sell pastries and fruits unlike anything in the Capital.

What exactly are you planning?

Didn't I tell you?

I'm waiting for the right moment.

Now, the time has come.

But how can I ask the Consort Dowager out?

That's beyond me.

Then do you know where she'll be going?

I don't know.

But you can find out.

This is the "Xian Kun Miscellany" compiled by her.

She's presenting it to the Empress Dowager tomorrow.

Return it to her at noon tomorrow.

[Shende House]

Where is Wei Zhuang?

Why is he nowhere to be seen?

He went to source some new goods.

Business is slow today, so he left me here alone.

Ye Li, does the shop look different today?

Not really.

Well... What are you trying to say?

I cleaned the shop inside and out this morning.

I even did a full inventory check.

Doesn't it look any different to you?

Have you eaten yet?

I just finished working, so not yet.

Let's go grab something?

If you're too tired to go out, I can bring it back.

There's a pancake shop. The food there is exceptional.

Go eat by yourself.

Your Highness, let's ignore him. Let's go home.

Senior Brother.

Don't look.

Don't.

What's there to see?

Where have you been?

You're so badly injured.

What happened?

Say something.

It's nothing.

I ran into some bandits and got into a fight,

then I took some cuts from falling down a cliff.

You really need to be more careful.

By the way, did you find Master Zhu?

I did.

He has returned to the mountain.

Really?

It's good that he's back.

Li.

Once Li Mountain is unsealed,

what will you do?

What can I possibly do?

I'll just stay with Mo Xiu Yao and live well.

Do you like him?

Of course. He is my husband, after all.

Your wish will surely come true.

All right.

Go back and get some rest.

Have a good sleep.

Li.

No matter what happens in the future, remember, I'm here.

I will always be by your side.

So you will never be alone again.

Senior Brother... why are you suddenly saying this?

It's nothing.

I only want you to be happy.

I will be.

Your Highness, I'll get the carriage.

He's not that good.

I've fought him before.

He's just a street fighter.

He even exploited my injury and struck me from behind.

If we were to fight fair and square now,

I wouldn't lose.

Then go find him.

Go have a fight with him.

I can take him on...

But I'm no match for you.

Who is that man to you?

Aren't you married?

How can you be in a room alone with him?

Aren't you afraid of your husband finding out?

You're right.

My husband is very formidable.

If you keep loitering in my shop, I'll tell him.

I'm not leaving.

I like working here.

Your Highness, the carriage is here.

Suit yourself.

Let's go.

What are you pondering?

Yao, let's make a bet.

On what?

Tomorrow at noon, the sun will disappear.

Your Highness, you're here.

Why didn't you let me know?

It's daylight.

Why are you carrying a lantern?

Why are you dressed so flashily in your own shop?

Well? Do I look good?

The hat is not great.

I just bought it.

Maybe it's the outfit.

I'll go change and tell me what you think later.

She's here.

It's so windy.

Why did the wind pick up so suddenly?

It's a celestial omen.

A celestial omen!

Is it going to rain?

Let's go back. Pack up the stalls!

Something's not right.

Look! What is that?

Mother, look!

The sun is being bitten off!

Hurry home!

Watch where you're going!

The Heavenly Dog is swallowing the sun!

Run!

Pack up the stalls!

Careful!

Your Highness, are you all right?

Your Majesty. I don't know what's going on with the sun...

This...

How did it get bright again?

[Ren'an Clinic] Let me do it.

Don't worry, Your Highness.

I know some medicine.

I will treat the wound properly.

Princess Ding, why were you at that spot?

I have a shop nearby that deals in antiques and calligraphy.

It's not far from there.

Calligraphy business?

Carrying a lantern in daylight?

It was just a coincidence.

A coincidence? That I encountered such a rare sight?

That we happened to meet on the street?

And that you were even holding a lantern?

There are no such coincidences in this world.

There are even stranger coincidences.

Li Mountain Academy has chronicled a thousand years of history.

Read them, and you'll find that if the timescale is long enough,

even the most bizarre coincidences can happen.

Your Highness, it's all treated.

Thank you, Princess Ding.

Take care, Your Highness.

Prepare the carriage. We're going back.

Yes.

[On the Next Episode]

Regarding Master Xian Kun's art of stirring the winds with his brushwork

and summoning rain by painting dragons,

I've gained some insight into it.

Very well.

I'd like to see if the arts of the past

can still be recreated today.

If he knew the truth about the late Emperor's decree,

what would he think of you?

He is my enemy.