Original subtitles

[Episode 29]

Xi, we have no way out anymore.

As long as the Eastern Palace rises, everything will be fine.

Fine? How?

Do you really think he'll reward you with a title when he's Emperor?

You know very well how many shady things you have done for him.

If he wants to rule clean, you will be the first one he silences.

His Highness is not that kind of man.

- Dier and I believe-- - Don't mention her again.

That woman has you completely bewitched.

Let me tell you, she framed Ye Li.

I will kill her for it.

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?

I never get involved in their business.

I see.

You never did before, and you never will.

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

Ye Li.

Do I still have a chance?

Why don't you put it in the pond?

Let it adjust to mixed river and pond water first.

Give it time to get used to the water.

Then it'll do better in the pond.

You've thought it through.

It's going to live in our mansion now.

Of course we should treat it well.

It's like when people leave home,

they need the moonlight of home to feel whole.

Do you miss Li Mountain?

If there's a chance, I'll take you there to see the moon.

Isn't the moon the same everywhere?

What's different between the moon there and the one here?

Completely different.

The moon at Li Mountain is huge.

Lying in the courtyard every night, you'd feel as if it were embracing you.

Lying in the courtyard?

Did you watch the moon every night?

What about your fellow disciples?

They... I don't know.

I'd watch it rise through the branches.

Sometimes, it'd be draped in wisps of clouds.

And, the moon at Li Mountain is very bright.

When it snows, the moonlight and snow light blend together.

Walking through it is like walking in heaven.

Then... we'll go this winter.

Under the snow and the moon, we'll be like a pair of immortals.

[Xiangqi House]

Are you hungry?

A new place just opened nearby. Their mutton dumplings are superb.

Want to try some?

What about the noodles? Have a bite while it's hot.

You have an appetite? Well, I don't.

Why? Full from drinking water?

I'm full of anger.

Li Fei Bai! Hero Li!

You're really something.

Let me ask you, at Xihua Theater last night,

do you know how big the venue was and how many eyes were on me?

Even the Vice Minister of Revenue, just back from Qinzhou, was there.

The show was at its climax, but you...

Without a word, you carried me off the stage like a sack of grain!

Do you know what the consequence is?

What is it?

Someone else will play the zither?

Li Fei Bai!

Stop shouting.

If you ask me, you shouldn't have learned to dance.

With a voice like yours, you should have learned to sing instead.

All right.

Don't use this incense next time. It's too pungent.

None of your business. Who are you to me anyway?

Who am I to you? What do you think?

Fei Bai.

What you did just now has ruined my reputation and broken the House's rules.

What decent venue will hire me now?

I won't be able to earn any money.

That's easy.

I'll pay you back.

Pay me back?

You can cover this once, but can you cover me for a lifetime?

Fine.

Then a lifetime it is.

Anyone can talk big.

Redeeming my freedom requires a lot of money.

How much?

A lot, anyway.

Besides, I'm expensive to maintain.

You don't even have a house right now.

In the future, where would I live with you?

You can't expect me to roam the Jianghu with you.

And if you want me to be your concubine,

I might consider it.

But your future wife must be someone easy-going.

If she bullies me, I won't stand for it.

Why are you only thinking of being a concubine?

What?

Don't tell me you'd marry me as your wife.

Li Fei Bai. When I was little, I suffered enough for a lifetime.

From now on, I won't suffer even a little bit.

I'm not going anywhere except for the Capital.

And I can't do any work except for dancing.

If you expect me to live a life of hardship with you, no way.

Unless you prove yourself, don't expect me to follow you.

Well, that's no longer up to you.

You stink! You stink! Go wash up, quickly.

Do I smell that bad?

Yes. Go, now.

Qin Cang, you served Marquis Muyang and assisted his crimes.

By law, you should be executed.

However, you repented in time,

testified against your accomplices, provided a detailed confession,

and submitted evidence of Marquis Muyang's crimes.

The court acknowledged your service.

Therefore, your sentence is commuted.

By imperial grace, your life is spared.

Your assets are to be confiscated, and you are exiled to Qianchuan.

Qin Cang accepts the decree with gratitude.

The Empress Dowager asks if you have anything else to say, Marquis Muyang.

Since Her Majesty has treated me as a discarded pawn,

I have nothing more to say.

Only Tian Yang...

I hope he remains safe and sound.

After all, over these years, I never failed Her Majesty.

Keep up.

Qin Cang?

You're alive?

Sorry to disappoint you.

I'm hard to kill.

I'm still alive.

Marquis Muyang.

Qin Cang has confessed that Chen Long Xiang is still alive,

and that the evidence Gongshu Yang found on the Huaixi Armory Case is real.

I never expected to be defeated by my own hands.

May I have a few last words with Marquis Muyang?

Then... have a good talk.

I grew up outside with my mother.

At fourteen, you brought me home.

You hired a master to teach me martial arts.

The old servants told me

that I was also a young master of the house and your son.

But you never once treated me as your son.

You sent me to Cangbei to smuggle weapons across the border.

You made me kill for you,

eliminate your enemies, amass wealth, collude with foreign powers,

and do every dirty deed imaginable.

That was because I valued you!

Valued me?

Then why try to kill me?

Marquis Muyang.

I just want to ask you one thing.

If it hadn't been me, but Zhou Tian Yang instead, what would you have done?

Would you also have killed him to protect yourself?

Even though you never regarded me as your son,

in my heart, you were always my father.

Marquis Muyang, all these years,

you gave me life, raised me, and taught me.

I, Qin Cang, thank you for everything.

Father.

Take care.

They're here.

Hurry, hurry. Go.

What are you doing?

We are Young Master Qin's family.

It's a long, tiring journey.

Thank you for looking after him, officers.

Don't mention it. We'll see he suffers no hardship on the road.

We've prepared some food.

Please eat before setting off.

All right.

Just don't miss the scheduled time.

Young Master, we've prepared some money and goods here.

Take them with you.

Where is Zhou Tian Yang?

He's at the mansion.

Tell him this for me.

Stop making pointless attempts.

He should leave the Capital at once and go to Lingnan to find his mother.

Yes.

I will pass on your words.

Young Master, it's an arduous journey to Qianchuan.

Please take care.

Thank you.

Young Master, leave it to us.

My room is over there.

This Prince Ding's Mansion of yours is nothing special.

It doesn't even have a decent plaque.

Isn't your Li Mountain Academy prestigious?

Didn't the masters even give you a calligraphy as your wedding gift?

This little fish is shorter than my fingernail.

What is this place used for?

So you can fish here?

What refined tastes you have.

Ye Ying, what exactly did you come here for?

Prepare some tea.

Yes.

Your Highness, I'll go help her.

Ye Li, there's something I don't know who to ask.

After thinking it over, I still want to hear your opinion.

You actually want to ask for my advice?

That's a first.

Don't interrupt.

I'm being serious.

Go on.

His Highness passed away so suddenly, without leaving an heir.

He was the late Crown Prince's only blood.

Now that he's gone, won't the line end with him?

Lately, some people have suggested

that I could adopt a bright child from his close relatives as our heir.

That way, we'd have a child to carry on Prince Li's line.

Do you think this is feasible?

Say something. Will it work?

Ye Ying.

You're still young.

Why decide your whole life so soon?

Living alone in an empty house and raising a child who isn't your own...

Is it really worth it?

His Highness is gone.

But life must go on.

Life must go on, yes,

but how you live it is never just one choice.

The world is more open-minded these days.

Women can divorce their husbands,

take the women's civil exams, engage in business,

study and write books, or even serve as officials.

Look at Lady Lin, the author, or Madam Yu, the wealthy silk merchant.

They all live wonderful lives.

Besides, you know very well

that Mo Jing Li's blood ties to the Crown Prince have always been a shackle.

Over the years, the Empress Dowager and Emperor have feared him.

If you adopt a child now, from the moment he enters Prince Li's Mansion,

he will bear the same shackle.

He won't be free to pursue a career and will live on thin ice.

He might even become others' pawn,

being enticed, exploited, and finally dragged into a deadly whirlpool.

History repeats itself.

You won't be able to protect him.

Think about it. Life is long.

There's no rush to decide.

You always have so much to say.

Doesn't what I say make sense?

Young Master Qin.

Have a drink.

Thank you.

The carriage behind us has been following us for a while.

It looks like a wealthy family's carriage.

Still, stay alert. Let's not invite any trouble.

Here, everyone, have a taste. Homemade meat.

When traveling, we look out for each other. Give it a try.

- Give it a try. - All right.

Thank you very much.

Everyone, where are you headed?

We are going to Qianchuan.

Qianchuan?

What a coincidence! We're going to Qianchuan too.

What a stroke of fate.

- Sit, sit. Eat up. Tell me if you want more. - Sure.

My name is Lin Ting Lan.

"Ting" as in to listen. "Lan" as in waves.

Try some.

Melons cut with a triangular blade taste sweeter.

I told you it was sweet.

You're awake.

Wake up, now. We're setting off.

I'll have to trouble you to put this on.

All right.

My Lady, why don't we travel with them?

We could look out for each other.

And Young Master Qin would suffer a bit less.

He broke the law. Isn't it only right that he suffers a bit?

Then are we still going to Qianchuan?

Yes.

Qianchuan has beautiful scenery.

Of course we are going.

As for him and me...

If it's meant to be, we will meet again.

Let's go.

Excuse me.

Master.

Excuse me.

Liu San Lang went through many hardships to marry Lady Meng.

He didn't expect that after the wedding, she would be despised by Liu's mother.

She was called undisciplined and rude,

and then criticized for ignorance of country life.

The old lady was incredibly picky,

tearing this ill-fated couple apart.

Lady Meng was sent home with a divorce paper.

By the Willow Pavilion, Liu San Lang led his horse to see her off.

The two walked side by side.

When reaching the fork in the road, they were overcome with grief.

Liu San Lang said,

"My wife, go home for now.

I will surely bring you back soon.

Once I have appeased my mother, I will go to the Meng residence to bring you home."

Lady Meng looked at her husband, her eyes brimming with tears.

She forced a smile and said,

"Please remember your words today.

Even if the seas dry and rocks decay, do not betray me."

They made a vow to Heaven and parted in tears.

To find out what happens next, please listen to the next chapter.

- Bravo! - Bravo!

- What a story! - Bravo!

- Thank you. - Excuse me, excuse me.

- Excuse me. - Thank you.

Excuse me.

- Excuse me. - Thank you, thank you.

You've been coming here every day lately just to listen to this?

I've never heard this story before. It must be a new one.

Tell me, will Lady Meng and Liu San Lang be together in the end?

Probably not.

Why?

Liu San Lang's father died during corvée labor, and Lady Meng's brother was the supervisor.

That's why Liu's mother doesn't like Lady Meng and is critical of her in every way.

Liu San Lang is a devoted son.

He won't disobey his mother.

Their chances are slim.

Maybe Lady Meng can move Liu's mother.

After all, her brother is her brother, and she is herself.

How can they be lumped together?

If you want, we can pay the storyteller to alter the story the way you like it.

Where is Feng Zhi Yao? Where did he go?

He's been in a bad mood lately.

He left the Capital to clear his head.

Li, I want to discuss something with you.

What is it?

Think about it, Marquis Muyang has fallen,

and my family's name has finally been cleared.

The storm has passed.

You're not Lady Meng, and I'm not Liu San Lang.

From now on, we can truly be together.

You will never be alone again.

So can you let Qing Shuang go home?

Why?

There are many servants in the mansion, and Qing Yu is always by your side.

Let Qing Shuang go back to her family.

She's been with you in Li Mountain for eight years.

It's time she lived for herself.

But Qing Shuang has always been with me.

You'll have me from now on.

All right?

All right.

Since you've agreed, I'll tell Qing Shuang when we get back.

Don't worry about her.

In the future, whatever is on your mind,

or whatever you want to say, just tell me.

All right?

All right. Just don't find me annoying.

Zhou Jing, you've abused your power,

formed corrupt factions, fabricated false cases, framed loyal officials,

trafficked weapons, and committed treason.

Of all these numerous crimes, which one is false?

Even if you refuse to sign a confession,

I can still convict you!

Marquis Muyang.

You should understand that at this stage, being stubborn is of no use.

Do you have any final wishes?

I want to see Mo Xiu Yao.

Prince Ding is not the presiding judge.

What's the use of seeing him?

Even if he were, given what you've done to his family, do you think he'd spare you?

As long as I see him, this case will be closed.

Tanghulu.

- Tanghulu. - Your Highnesses, it was raining just now.

Our carriage is stuck at the crossroads.

- Tanghulu. - It will arrive soon.

Yao.

Tanghulu.

Do you think Liu San Lang and Lady Meng really can't be together forever?

You're still thinking about that? It's just a story.

Just tell me.

I don't know.

Life is unpredictable. Hearts change easily.

Thoughts are like fireflies, flickering in and out.

One thought arises, and another fades.

How they choose their path depends on them.

It's not up to us.

Let's come back in a few days for the final chapter.

All right.

Your Highnesses.

Chen Long Xiang has confessed.

Gongshu Yang and Murong Shen are interrogating Marquis Muyang.

But... Marquis Muyang asked to see you.

Gongshu Yang needs you there.

I'll go then. You go back first.

Let's go.

Stop the carriage!

- Your Highness. - Yes?

Princess Ding is here.

Why are you here?

Did I run fast?

Did something happen?

Let's come back tomorrow.

- What? - For the story.

The story of Liu San Lang and Lady Meng.

Let's come back tomorrow.

All right. Whatever you wish.

Stay out of the rain. Don't catch cold.

Wait for me at home.

I'll be waiting.

[Jingzhao Office]

Your Highness.

Marquis Muyang insists on seeing you.

I'll leave this to you then.

Thank you.

You wanted to see me?

Your Highness, you look radiant.

You must have been doing well lately.

Seeing your current situation, it's hard for me not to be pleased.

The tides of court rise and fall.

Today, you're surrounded by friends.

Tomorrow, you're a prisoner.

Don't celebrate too soon, Your Highness.

Eight years ago,

didn't you once speak to me behind these bars while I stood outside?

Yes.

What a pity.

Now, you're the one inside, and I'm the one outside.

Clouds drift, and fortunes change.

Glory and ruin never last.

Like a deer in a dream, success comes and goes.

Years ago, when I was in Huaixi,

I lived in a room just this size.

A side room made of straw mats.

Whenever it rained, it would be so damp that there was nowhere to step.

Later, I was recommended for the state exams.

My outstanding results earned me an official career.

Step by step, I entered the heart of power,

and then, I reached my current position.

But who would have thought

that I would end up in a pitch-black room like this?

If you want to lament your fate, you've come to the wrong person.

The imperial family is heartless.

And the court is full of fools and scoundrels, a pack of beasts.

Few are worthy of my respect.

You are one of them.

[On the Next Episode]

Aren't you curious about who tricked your brother into giving up the decree?

Shut up!

Just wait for your death.

Was it your mother who tricked my brother out of that decree?

Yes.

Your Highness!

Yao...

He's dead.