Original subtitles

[Episode 27]

She has bewitched my elder brother into doing many evil deeds.

Who exactly are you?

Tianyi Pavilion.

You work for Mo Jing Li?

Prince Li?

No way!

After you fell off that cliff, they took me.

They gave me a severe beating.

There was an order and they were to flay me alive.

But they didn't do that.

Oh, right.

They saw the Tianyi Pavilion mark on me.

They also called him "Your Highness."

Where were you imprisoned back then?

Southwest of the Capital's outskirts.

Not far from where you fell.

Oh, right.

There was also a lot of bamboo.

Mo Jing Li...

Princess Ling Yun is dead. Cangbei will be filled with wrath.

It will be impossible to make peace.

It may immediately lead to a war.

The secret letter to Zhang Heng Yuan to kill Zhong Xing Tong was meant to provoke conflict.

Mo Jing Li.

Are you truly so determined to walk this path to the very end?

Put the people out of your mind for now.

Let's think about how to escape first.

Otherwise, we'll be the first ones to die.

My Lady.

Don't be afraid, Qing Shuang.

Su Zui Dier is the killer.

If we can find her, there might be a way.

But we're trapped here, and Prince Ding is far outside the city.

The Code of Chu states:

"Any official who denies prisoners food, clothing, or medical care,

or who refuses their families the right to visit,

shall be punished by sixty strokes."

This...

What does this mean?

I mean, let me figure out what we should do.

Something's wrong with him. Jin, after him!

Wang Su Wu.

- Stay here and keep an eye on Chen Long Xiang. - Yes.

The Jingzhao Office is working on a case. Stop for inspection!

Governor, we found this.

Princess Ling Yun was killed by the Chu people.

Report to the Emperor immediately.

How many messengers did you send?

What are you doing? Open your mouth!

Open up!

Spit it out!

Your Highness.

He had a poison capsule in his molars.

He committed suicide.

What should we do next?

No matter how many men they send,

they only have two routes to take and send a secret letter

from the Capital to the Cangbei Emperor without being noticed.

First, go north along the Yellow River and use part of the waterways.

This route saves some effort,

but it involves land and water routes, so they need reliable boatmen for supplies.

This route has already been intercepted by us.

Second, go via the northeast through Yan Mountain.

This route is long and circuitous.

But because it's remote, no one will expect them to take this route.

If a messenger travels alone on horseback,

he will have to switch horses and rest on the way.

Wang Su Wu.

Hurry and take your men to Yan Mountain.

Keep an eye on the passes, in case anyone crosses the border to report.

- Yes. - Jin.

Send my order and mobilize our secret agents at the border.

Help Wang Su Wu guard the essential paths near the passes.

Strictly check anyone trying to cross.

Yes.

If even one secret letter reaches the Cangbei Emperor,

the consequences will be unimaginable.

I entrust everything to the two of you.

- Yes. - Yes.

Your Highness. Where are you going?

I'm returning to the Capital.

I have an idea.

It might get you out of here.

If I confess to the crime, will they let you go?

Han Ming Xi.

That's a capital offense.

I still owe you two lives, right?

Consider this the first life I repay.

If my brother knows I'll die, he'll surely bring Su Zui Dier to save me.

If he doesn't help me,

I'll go to the underworld and complain to our parents.

This case is of great importance.

Without concrete evidence, they won't believe you.

The priority now is to find Su Zui Dier.

Do you know where she might be hiding?

I never get involved in their business.

I see.

You never did before, and you never will.

Come here.

Turn around.

Someone!

Someone! Hurry!

Princess Ding is coughing up blood!

- Go get a physician! - Yes!

It's the Zhenyuhong Poison.

Without an antidote within four hours, I'll bleed to death.

An ordinary physician can't save me.

Go find Gu Zheng.

He has the antidote.

Princess Ding. What do you mean by this?

Princess Ding!

The Code of Chu states:

"Any official who denies prisoners food, clothing, or medical care,

or who refuses their families the right to visit,

shall be punished by sixty strokes."

This...

What does this mean?

I mean, let me figure out what we should do.

Hurry up! If she dies here, you can't afford the consequences!

Go to Jingzhao Prefecture at once and fetch someone.

Have the messengers to His Highness left yet?

As you ordered, two groups of elite men have left the city by different routes.

I hope they make it in time.

Officer Gu, please wait first. There will surely be news.

Go back to work.

Yes.

Officer Gu.

Are you Officer Gu Zheng?

That's me. And you are?

I am Li Fei Bai, a disciple of Zhu Yun from Li Mountain Academy.

I am Princess Ding's senior brother.

The steward of Shende House can verify my identity.

I have an urgent matter I need your help with.

What is it?

I heard Li was imprisoned in the prison of Dali Court.

I want you to help me see her.

I'd like to help, but I can't enter the prison of Dali court now.

Officer Gu! An urgent report from Dali Court!

They said Princess Ding vomited black blood and lost consciousness!

The Chancellor said Princess Ding was poisoned with the Zhenyuhong.

She said you have the antidote and asked you to bring it to save her now.

I have the antidote to the Zhenyuhong Poison.

[Prison of Dali Court]

Princess Ding.

What exactly is going on?

I'm fine.

But it was just a digestive pill.

It worked quite well.

How is Qingfeng Mingyue Tower?

It's been sealed off since Princess Ling Yun's death.

No one is allowed inside.

- Princess Ding, what's wrong? - Send someone to the guest house for Cangbei.

Keep a close eye on Su Zui Dier.

Don't worry.

I'll find Prince Ding as soon as possible.

Thank you, Officer Gu.

I'm fine now. You can leave now.

Princess Ding, do you feel better?

You must know how serious this matter is.

Princess Ling Yun of Cangbei was assassinated.

Our diplomatic relations are hanging by a thread.

If we can't find the killer in three days,

we'll inevitably go to war with Cangbei.

Even if Prince Ding can make it back, I'm afraid he can't help.

Chancellor, I know how serious this is.

But I didn't kill Princess Ling Yun.

But at the moment, there is no evidence in your favor.

If you have any clues, could you please tell me?

[Marquis Muyang's Mansion]

Marquis Muyang. Su Zui Dier of Cangbei requests an audience.

- Let her in. - Yes.

You may all leave.

Yes.

Marquis Muyang, you're in a good mood.

Even now, you're still so at ease.

Who are you?

Marquis Muyang, you don't recognize me?

I know you're Princess Ling Yun's maid.

But now, Princess Ling Yun has been murdered.

You shouldn't have come swaggering before me like this.

So, who are you?

What do you want?

Who are you working for?

Marquis Muyang, it seems you really don't recognize me.

What a pity.

They all say I look just like my father.

Eight years ago, in that fire at the Eastern Palace,

you killed him with your own hands.

Don't you remember?

You're from the Eastern Palace?

So it was you who killed Princess Ling Yun.

You want to provoke a war between the two nations,

so you'll benefit from it.

Do you know that you're committing treason?

Don't make it sound so ugly.

Besides, when it comes to treason,

we're no match for you, Marquis Muyang.

Every March and September,

the Zhou family of Huaixi uses the delivery of supplies as a cover

to secretly go through Suixue Pass and deliver military weapons to Cangbei.

The winter before last, under the guise of disaster relief medicine

you smuggled 500 Shenbi crossbow mechanisms out of the pass.

The following year, you smuggled eight mountain-splitting crossbows.

The Cangbei soldiers have mastered the techniques to make these crossbows.

So, for such a great contribution,

did you receive what you wanted?

Get to the point.

Why are you here today?

Marquis Muyang, you are a wise man.

I'm here today to give you a grand gift.

What is it?

A piece of news.

Chen Long Xiang has disappeared.

So what?

He faked his death to escape.

For all these years, he's been working for you in secret.

He went to Cangbei several times to deliver military weapons.

So, Marquis Muyang, if Chen Long Xiang falls into Mo Xiu Yao's hands,

with their noses as sharp as bloodhounds, how much will they uncover?

Can you keep everything you've built

and the lives of your entire family?

However, there is a perfect opportunity right now.

Princess Ling Yun is dead.

All the evidence at the scene points to Prince Ding's family.

The Cangbei envoys are furious.

His Majesty and Her Majesty are at their wits' end.

They just want to give them an explanation as soon as possible to appease their anger.

This is a totally perfect chance.

What do you intend to do?

What do I intend to do?

I want to pin the blame on Princess Ding, Ye Li, once and for all.

I'll drag Prince Ding's entire family down with her.

I want people to believe that they murdered Princess Ling Yun and provoked war.

Once Mo Xiu Yao and his family are finished,

the Jingzhao Office will be ruined, and everyone will leave.

No one will have time to investigate the death of Chen Long Xiang.

No one will cling to your affairs, Marquis Muyang.

Marquis Muyang, this is the best opportunity right now.

It's also your only way to save yourself.

Or do you want Mo Xiu Yao to come here

with Chen Long Xiang's confession?

It seems I have truly underestimated you.

Sister Guo.

Is the death of Princess Ling Yun truly related to Ye Li?

What is your opinion?

If it were me, I wouldn't leave myself severely wounded

and stay at the scene, waiting to be caught.

Princess Ding doesn't seem like such a foolish person.

You don't like her, do you?

Why are you speaking up for her?

She is Xu Wan Zhou's daughter, after all.

Sister Guo.

I've come to say goodbye to you today.

The Capital is full of endless turmoil.

I am truly exhausted.

My father is getting old and weak.

I've been away for many years and haven't fulfilled my duties.

He says he misses me dearly in his letters.

I want to go back to see him and help him with household matters.

How long will you be gone?

I'm not sure yet.

My father's health has been poor in recent years.

If he doesn't find me annoying and thinks I can be of use,

I'll stay for a while longer.

You have plenty of company anyway, so I can rest easy and leave.

Go ahead.

Shun Xi.

Prepare a pot of orchids for Consort Dowager Qin to take with her.

Yes.

It'll be a long journey.

Take the flowers from the Capital as a memento.

Thank you, Sister Guo.

Please wait, Consort Dowager Qin.

These are the orchids from Her Majesty.

Consort Dowager Qin.

Do you think Princess Ding really killed her?

If they can find the real killer, then it's not her.

If they can't, then it has to be her.

Inside this palace, no one lives by the truth.

After you leave, will you ever come back?

Her Majesty will miss you.

The wisteria on these palace walls blooms beautifully.

But no one remembers they used to be begonias when the late emperor was alive.

People are the same.

New people. New flowers.

[Xian Kun Miscellany]

Consort Dowager Qin.

The posthumous works of Master Xian Kun, have been compiled into seven volumes.

Along with the unedited manuscripts, transcriptions, and proofread drafts,

there are 27 boxes in total.

They are all here.

Burn them down.

Marquis Muyang. Consort Dowager Qin has left.

She brought many carriages and horses.

Judging by the direction, it seems she's returning to Nanyi.

She is Prince Nanyi's precious daughter.

She controls three states and eighteen counties in Lingnan.

She has a powerful army at her command.

Of course, she can leave whenever she wants.

But where can I go?

Marquis Muyang, you have great influence in the court.

We'll always follow you, Marquis Muyang.

I am well aware of your loyalty.

But throughout history, the founding of a dynasty relied on the ruthless ones.

With heavy methods, they dealt with deep-seated corruption and purged the court.

However, once the birds are all shot, the bow is laid aside.

Now, to protect His Majesty's empire,

she already sees me as a major threat.

Over the years, she has favored Yuan Fang and Gongshu Yang

just to weaken my power step by step.

When the time is right, she will kill me.

Marquis Muyang.

That woman was right.

Prince Ling Yun died because of Prince Ding's family.

If the war breaks out, no one will have time for us or make things difficult for us.

What are you trying to say?

Prince Ding's family plots treason, and Ye Li is the killer.

I am willing to risk my life to close this case once and for all.

You guys, prepare the horses and search the city to find Su Zui Dier.

- Yes. - Now!

Officer Gu.

Is she alright?

Her life is not in danger.

She deliberately made herself vomit blood, so she could see me.

Li knows martial arts, so she shouldn't have been framed so easily.

But Her Highness said she doesn't know martial arts.

She had Master Zhu to help her before.

But he went back to Li Mountain, so there's no one to help her now.

It's my fault.

It's all my fault.

Where did you go?

I did what I had to do.

He's my brother, my only family.

I had no choice.

Blame him for staying with Ye Li.

This was the Clan Leader's order.

If we fail, both of us are dead.

The Clan Leader told you to frame Princess Ding?

It was the fastest way.

Dier.

You should know there are people whom you can't touch.

Yeah.

You all have someone you care about, but I don't.

So I can do whatever I want.

As long as I get what I want, I'm happy.

I just went to Marquis Muyang's Mansion.

He'll find a way to make Ye Li confess.

Your brother will be fine.

Stop!

This is a restricted prison area.

No entry without an order.

Sure, I know the rules.

[Prison]

Someone!

- Ye Li! - Someone!

Someone! Someone! Murder!

Beat him up! Aren't you a martial arts expert?

- I don't know martial arts. - Someone!

Where are the guards? Is anyone there?

From now on, just stay at Shende House as an employee or a steward.

Princess Ding, are you hurt?

With solid evidence now,

who would go to all this trouble to sneak in and kill me?

I will investigate this case thoroughly and give you an explanation.

Chancellor, you're a wise man of justice.

You should know that what matters now is not my innocence,

but finding the real killer to uphold the rule of law.

This case is of great importance.

If I can't clear my name, I won't be able to escape.

Who's there?

He actually failed.

What a useless fool.

He?

Who is he?

Is it Marquis Muyang or Mo Jing Li?

Let me take a guess.

In the first year of Xide, your father died because of the Eastern Palace.

You and your sisters were exiled to Luozhou.

In the summer of Xide's third year, the Cangbei cavalry broke into Luozhou.

You were captured during the war.

But it was weird that you weren't on the list of the captives.

In the Cangbei military camp, no one had ever seen you.

Until the spring of the fifth year of Xide, you showed up at the Cangbei hunting grounds

and became a horse servant.

About four months later, Princess Ling Yun met you during her hunting.

She took you in.

No one knew your whereabouts for two whole years.

At first, I thought you had just run into some difficulties.

Now I think the Eastern Palace's former subordinates saved you

and planted you in Cangbei.

You assassinated Princess Ling Yun

to provoke a war between Great Chu and Cangbei, so you'll benefit from it.

You were acting on Mo Jing Li's orders.

But Marquis Muyang was also involved and even sent someone to kill me.

It's because of the Huaixi Armory Case.

He colluded with his former subordinates in Cangbei.

You're very clever.

However, you found it out too late.

Why did you do this?

Many people from the Eastern Palace died in vain because of Guo Jin.

I'll make her pay for every single one of them.

Since Ling Yun is dead, the war between Great Chu and Cangbei is inevitable.

I want to watch them suffer in anxiety day and night.

I want to make them pay the price.

The Eastern Palace lost in the power struggle.

I can understand that you want to take revenge.

But why did you drag me into this?

You don't know why?

Because of Mo Xiu Yao?

I was exiled three thousand miles away.

I had to set out at the Hour of Chen every day and couldn't stop until the Hour of You.

If I walked a bit slowly, I would be whipped.

After I arrived in Luozhou,

I had to wear shackles every day and wash clothes in the freezing river.

In the twelfth month of the second year of Xide,

I couldn't take it anymore.

I tried to escape, but I was caught.

They locked me in a woodshed and burn me with red-hot iron.

Back then, I waited every single day for someone to come and save me.

But what did he do?

I was engaged to him, yet he lived his good life at his mansion.

Mo Xiu Yao didn't have it easy either.

His brother was killed.

The Heiyun Cavalry was dismissed.

He had just won a battle,

but he was escorted back to the Capital in a prisoner cart.

He was finally released later, and his title as Prince Ding was restored.

He could never stand up on his legs again.

He is a victim, too.

A victim?

He deserved it!

He betrayed me, and he betrayed the Crown Prince.

Since Prince Ding's family offers to be Guo Jin's bloodhounds,

you all deserve to die!

Now, you've brought this upon yourselves.

You've got what you deserve.

Did you hear all that?

Chancellor.

I've given you the truth.

Thank you, Princess Ding.

Father!

Why are you here?

Didn't I tell you to go back to Lingnan?

Her Majesty brought me back.

She was bored in the palace and wanted me to keep her company.

Listen, Father, Her Majesty likes me a lot.

She said that the palace is much livelier with me around, and she is eating more now.

Father, what's wrong?

Nothing.

Tian Yang.

Find a chance to ask Her Majesty to send you back to Lingnan soon.

Your mother wrote to me, saying she hasn't been well lately.

Mother? Why is she not feeling well?

Father, is Mother sick?

- What happened to her? - Tian Yang.

Don't worry.

Perhaps she just misses you too much.

People always like you, and you are a good boy.

When you tell Her Majesty about this, be careful with your words.

Do not offend Her Majesty.

Don't worry, Father. I understand.

Father, you should also talk to Her Majesty more.

Perhaps because Consort Dowager Qin has left, she is in a bad mood.

I see.

Then, Father, I'll go to the garden to get some flowers for Her Majesty.

I shall take my leave.

Sister Guo.

I've come to say goodbye to you today.

The Capital is full of endless turmoil.

I am truly exhausted.

Your Majesty sits high above.

You have the ultimate power.

Of course, your hands never got bloody.

But what about my hands?

My hands are stained with filth, blood, and all the dirty deeds back then.

By saying times have changed, you think you can wipe everything away?

Shun Xi.

Is the sun the same as that of yesterday,

the day before, or ten years ago?

The sun is still the same sun.

In my humble opinion, they all look equally dazzling.

Then are you the same as you were yesterday?

I am still who I am.

I am still the same Shun Xi who serves you every day, Your Majesty.

When you combed your hair this morning, did any strands fall out?

Any strands?

Yes.

Once your hair falls, it is like dry grass.

Our flesh and blood change constantly.

You of yesterday have been gone with your fallen strands.

Your Majesty, what you said is too profound.

It makes me feel nervous.

It is time for the morning court.

Your Majesties.

The culprit, Su Zui Dier, has confessed.

Driven by an old grudge,

she poisoned and killed Princess Ling Yun, then framed Princess Ding.

She tried to provoke war between Great Chu and Cangbei.

Her intention was truly heinous.

We were reckless.

We fell for that villain's scheme and nearly caused big trouble.

Sorry for offending you before.

We ask for Your Majesties' and your country's forgiveness.

Please rise, General Lei.

Your sincere care for your master proves your loyalty.

The Emperor and I will certainly not blame you.

However, Su Zui Dier is Princess Ling Yun's maid, after all.

She is a person of Cangbei.

Therefore, this person and this case should be handled entirely by Cangbei.

Great Chu will no longer interfere.

General Lei, please take the culprit back

and tell what happened faithfully to your emperor.

I hope there is never a war between our two nations.

Your Majesty is wise and generous.

I will keep this in mind.

I will report everything word by word to our emperor.

I shall take my leave.

Princess Ding.

You especially asked to be here.

Do you want to seek justice for yourself?

Your Majesties.

I'll accuse the Chief Minister of Dali Court,

Marquis Muyang, Zhou Jing.

I'll accuse him of disregarding human life and attempting to kill me.

Princess Ding.

You may rise first.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Your Majesties, please find me justice.

Marquis Muyang has a trusted aide named Zhao Ting.

Last night, he sneaked into the prison and tried to kill me with a sharp knife.

This is extremely outrageous.

It shows utter disregard for the imperial laws.

Princess Ding's words remind me of something terrifying.

A few days ago, Marquis Muyang's confidant, Zhang Heng Yuan, tried to kill Zhong Xing Tong.

Last night, Zhao Ting, tried to kill Princess Ding.

In these two shocking murders,

the killers were both Marquis Muyang's close aides.

This is far too much of a coincidence.

[On the Next Episode]

This is the late emperor's original handwriting and seal.

After you check it, you will know the truth.

Zhou Jing, what else do you have to say?

I, Mo Xiu Yao, submit this petition with tears of blood.

My Lady.

I'm scared.

But if we don't tell him, he will never know.

The truth is the truth.

It cannot be hidden.

If I had read her fortune properly, it would not have happened to her, right?