Original subtitles

[Episode 30]

Prince Ding.

I want to make a deal with you.

A deal?

Yes.

But I want you to make a promise here.

As long as you're alive, you have to make sure my son Tian Yang stays safe.

Her Majesty spared your family for old times' sake.

I have held power for many years.

I have defeated countless enemies.

Do you think that if I sign the confession, this will be over?

No.

The calamity of our Zhou family of Huaixi has only just begun.

So my son, Tian Yang, cannot die.

Why should I help you?

Because I'll tell you a big secret.

Back then, your brother and the Heiyun Cavalry

entered the Capital without an imperial decree and were charged with treason.

But actually, that decree did exist.

And you finally brought me down with that decree.

Don't you want to know

who swindled that decree from your brother?

Naturally, it was you who instigated Consort Dowager Qin to trick the decree away.

Your brother was not an ordinary man.

He knew it was his only protection.

He wouldn't give it to Qin Zheng or me that easily.

The one who tricked him out of the decree was someone else.

That person won your brother's absolute trust

and tricked the decree away, immediately hiding it.

Then your brother was left to be framed and executed.

That person just let the Heiyun Cavalry fall apart with heavy casualties.

Well?

Don't you want to know who that person is?

Your Majesty.

Zhou Jing has confessed.

He met Prince Ding today.

After that, he signed and sealed his confession.

What did he say?

He requested that everyone be dismissed.

Except for one of Prince Ding's attendants, there was no one else.

There is one more thing.

Zhou Tian Yang is still kneeling outside the palace gate.

It has been two days.

Father.

Father.

Tian Yang.

Why are you here?

I came to see you, Father.

How are you?

Are they treating you poorly? You...

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

Why are you still in the Capital?

You are in danger, Father.

How could I leave?

It's useless for you to stay here.

Says who? Look.

I've been kneeling outside the palace for two days to beg for Her Majesty's mercy.

Shun Xi gave this to me in person today.

I've checked. It's full of fine food and wine.

Father, Her Majesty is still concerned about you.

At the next hearing, you must confess everything and admit to it all.

Don't resist.

Perhaps for the sake of your service and contributions, Her Majesty will forgive you.

Father, what's wrong?

Are you feeling unwell?

No.

That's good.

Tian Yang, listen to me.

My case involves many people.

It won't be resolved anytime soon.

Your mother is in poor health.

If she hears about this, I'm afraid she won't survive the shock.

Go back to Lingnan immediately.

Take good care of her.

It's more useful than staying here. Do you understand?

Father.

But what about you?

Tian Yang.

Since you were a child, your mother has always spoiled you.

You are too simple-minded.

It's my fault for not raising you better.

That's not true.

Before, I always thought that as long as I was there to protect you,

it didn't matter if you were always reckless.

But from now on...

Let's not talk about that. Father.

We haven't reached the end of the road yet.

I wrote a letter to Qin Zheng.

Her Majesty trusts her word the most.

She can definitely save you after she comes back...

Enough!

Time's up. You should go.

- Do as I say. - Father.

- I will definitely get you out of here. - Okay.

After I rescue you, we'll go back to Lingnan and settle down together, alright?

I've grown up. I can take care of you and Mother.

The three of us will live happily together. Alright?

- Go! - Okay.

- Father. - Go!

Father. Father.

Father.

Father.

Wait for me.

- Wait for me. - Go.

- Wait for me. - Go! I'll be waiting for you.

Your Majesty. Marquis Muyang is dead.

Your Highness. Did you make this straw figure?

Yes.

It's getting late.

Why don't you go to bed first? Don't wait up.

What time is it now?

A quarter past midnight.

- Li. - Sister-in-law.

Li.

Why the rush? What happened?

Yao...

Yao sent word.

He said... He said Zhou Jing is dead.

He's dead.

Li.

We took our revenge.

He's dead. Li.

He's dead. He's dead.

It's over.

It's over.

Yes.

It's over.

It's over.

Your Highness, you haven't returned yet?

Your Highness.

Marquis Muyang is dead.

The injustice your family, the Heiyun Cavalry, and the late Prince Ding suffered

will soon be revealed to the world.

Justice will be served. And truth will prevail.

Your Highness. Congratulations.

You've endured for eight years.

I know how much you've suffered.

From now on, Your Highness and all of us can truly live for ourselves.

On this joyous day, I planned to have a drink with Your Highness.

But it's late now.

You should head home, Your Highness.

After all, Princess Ding has suffered a lot this time.

It hasn't been easy for her, living in constant fear.

Now that everything is settled--

Officer Gu.

Your Highness and Princess Ding will live a good and happy life from now...

Officer Gu!

Officer Gu.

It's getting late. Why don't you head back first?

Though Marquis Muyang has fallen, there are still rotten apples at Dali Court.

We'll be busy tomorrow.

You're right.

Then, Your Highness, I'll have a proper drink with you next time.

You can't turn me down by then.

I shall take my leave.

Your Highness.

Are we returning to the mansion?

I'll go prepare the carriage.

Your Highness. The carriage is ready.

Your Highness.

Your Highness!

Physician, how is he?

Let's talk outside.

If not for that person,

your brother could have made it until the Duke of Huaguo returned.

Who was it?

Xu Wan Zhou of Li Mountain Academy.

Say that again.

The one who tricked your brother, Mo Xiu Wen, out of the decree, caused his tragic death,

and made the Heiyun Cavalry and your family suffer a grave injustice

was your princess's mother, Xu Wan Zhou.

Nonsense from a dying man.

You know very well if it's nonsense.

In such a critical situation back then, apart from Li Mountain Academy,

who else could have made him willingly hand over that life-saving decree?

Your brother might even see her as his great savior.

But it's understandable.

After all, Li Mountain Academy is renowned literary institution.

They have never been involved in political disputes.

Their status is transcendent.

If it were me, I'm afraid I would have been fooled by her, too.

What?

Didn't your princess tell you any of that?

I thought you were so generous.

It turns out you just had no idea at all.

Ever since your princess married into your family,

you must have been living a comfortable life.

You just got married, and you were full of passion and love.

She even cured your legs, which had been crippled for years.

Have you ever wondered if she truly wanted to marry you,

or if she just felt guilty and wanted to make it up for you?

Prince Ding, you are smart.

Have you ever taken a good look at your wife?

Is the look in her eyes full of true love or atonement?

Shut up!

After all, her mother owes your family a life

- Shut up! - and the 30,000 lives of the Heiyun Cavalry.

Just wait for your death!

Yao.

Did I ever tell you that after leaving the mountain,

I'll have many things to do?

What things do you have to do?

I want to eat lots of delicious food,

take back my mother's shops,

find my senior brother,

And...

And help your senior brother to cut his tree.

It's already done.

And help you stand up again and make you happy.

They took something very important from my mother.

Have you found it yet?

I have some leads.

Your Highness.

You didn't sleep all night?

Has His Highness not returned yet?

Not yet.

Didn't they say Marquis Muyang commit suicide in prison?

It's a big deal, so he must be very busy.

No matter how busy he was before, he'd always send word to let us know.

Well. Perhaps he's just so busy that he couldn't find the time.

Is that so?

It must be.

That makes sense.

Jin? You're back.

Didn't His Highness return with you?

No.

His Highness is busy with official business. He sent me back to fetch some things.

Why do you smell so strongly of medicine?

Do I?

I don't smell anything.

Did His Highness say when he'd be back?

- No. - Then I'll go find him.

Your Highness.

It's better for you to wait at the mansion.

His Highness will return when it's the right time.

Hey! You...

When you're with me, I'll feel much braver.

Then I'll be with you.

It's a deal then.

Through storm and sunshine, through smooth roads and thorns,

I will always be with you, and you will never be alone again.

I'll be with you forever.

But Qing Shuang is always with me.

I'll be the one with you from now on.

Okay?

Okay.

Zhou Jing, Marquis Muyang, formed factions for private gain,

stole military equipment, colluded with Cangbei, and committed treason for glory.

He even hid the late emperor's decree,

made the righteous wronged, and left the nation in turmoil.

His crimes are heinous and too numerous to record.

He committed suicide out of fear, bringing about his own destruction.

Considering his family's past merits,

those who were unaware and not involved in the conspiracy

shall be exempt from collective punishment.

Only the assets from treason shall be seized.

His family shall be stripped of all titles and ranks, demoted to commoners,

held in lifelong contempt, and never be employed again.

The Heiyun Cavalry, loyal and brave with outstanding military service,

are fully exonerated and their honors restored.

The late Prince Ding, Mo Xiu Wen, performed his duties with utmost loyalty,

shall have his title restored to honor his loyalty and valor.

Your Highness.

Your Highness.

What is it?

The First Madam said that in two days, it will be the death anniversary of the First Master.

She wants to visit his grave and asks if Your Highness would join her.

- The day after tomorrow? - Yes.

Tell her that I will go.

Yes.

Also, the First Madam asked when Your Highness will return to the mansion.

No matter how busy you are with office work, you must not forget to come home.

The Princess has been waiting for you these days.

She cannot eat or sleep, and she has gotten noticeably thinner.

Tell her not to worry.

I'll return once I finish my work.

Yes.

[Tomb of Mo Xiu Wen]

Xiu Wen, we're here to see you.

We have some good news.

That hidden edict was found.

Prince Ding's Mansion and the Heiyun Cavalry have been cleared of all wrongdoing.

Zhou Jing is dead too.

Justice is served in the end,

though it came a little slow.

You must have waited long and worried down there all these years.

The soldiers of Heiyun Cavalry also had their names cleared.

Those still in the army got their ranks back.

Those who had left received silver as compensation.

For those no longer with us, their families can report to the officials

and receive relief money for their parents, wives, and children.

Mother, Father has been cleared.

Why are you still unhappy?

I'm not unhappy.

But you keep crying.

One can cry out of happiness.

I just feel that eight years is so long.

Everything has changed.

Some people waited and made it,

while others waited but never did.

Wu You, go with Jin and Steward Cui to the nearby stream to fetch some water.

- Yes, Mother. - Yes.

Let's go.

This matter is finally over, I suppose.

Yao.

Did you have a fight with Li?

She has not looked well these days.

She eats little and has lost so much weight.

She has no close family here to support her.

And not long ago, she went through so much hardship and suffered so greatly.

Please don't be hard on her, alright?

I understand.

When I married your brother, I was young.

He was always away leading the army, and we saw each other only a few times a year.

He was quiet and did not talk much.

Back then, I didn't like him.

I was sure he did not care for me either.

I went home several times and cried to my mother, asking to divorce him.

Then, soon after, he got into trouble.

From his arrest to his execution, it was only two months.

It felt like a dream.

Before I could even react, he was gone.

After he died, I received a letter from him.

It turned out to be a letter of divorce.

He could never speak his heart.

The last thing he wanted to tell me was to set me free.

He didn't want to drag you down.

Yes. That was when I finally understood.

He did care for me.

But it was too late.

Yao, your brother and I ended up like this.

But you and Li are still young. Do not be like us.

Say what you need to say.

Do not wait until it is too late to realize what you had.

Lady, you're here.

Yes.

The seat you asked for last time is ready.

- Are you here for the storytelling too? - Yes.

- Coming! - Quick.

- Lady, your dishes. - Just in time.

Call me if you need anything.

Your Highness, please have some food.

You haven't eaten well these days.

Your Highness, what are we coming here for today?

For the storytelling.

- It's about to start! - Grab a good spot!

You're so carefree, Your Highness.

His Highness hasn't been home for days, yet you still have the mood for storytelling.

Last time we left off,

Liu's mother forced Liu San Lang to divorce Lady Meng,

and the loving couple were forced apart.

How heartbreaking it is!

Lady Meng returned home.

Her brother, a man cared only for money,

forced her to marry a rich man in a neighboring village.

With no way out,

Lady Meng sent a message to Liu San Lang through a neighbor.

When Liu San Lang heard this, he was furious and immediately set out to rescue her.

But just then, Liu's mother stopped him

and told him the truth about his father's death.

Liu San Lang then learned that

the wife he cherished so dearly

was the sister of his father's killer.

He stood frozen,

unable to step out of the yard.

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

That was the cause.

Liu San Lang is a devoted son.

He won't disobey his mother.

Their chances are slim.

On the wedding day, Lady Meng waited but Liu San Lang never came.

Instead, she saw a grand wedding

procession of golden carriages decorated with red silk.

Her heart died, knowing their vows were broken.

She took off her hairpin, lifted her skirt, and jumped into the river.

Alas!

She died?

When the news of Lady Meng's death reached Liu San Lang,

he was struck like lightning, coughed up blood,

and staggered to the pavilion where they had parted.

He cried out to the sky,

regretting that fate had toyed with them and kept lovers apart.

He also hated himself for breaking his promise, causing his wife's death.

So he hanged himself from the pavilion with a piece of white silk,

ending his life.

What a tragic couple!

As the saying goes,

"In the underworld, no branch could they share.

In the vast sky, no wingbeat in the air.

Though the heaven is most cruel,

two lonely graves lie beneath the same moonlight."

[Prince Ding's Mansion]

Your Highness, you're back.

His Highness is here, in your room.

Go back to your duties.

- Yes. - Yes.

Haven't you been sleeping well?

You have dark circles under your eyes.

Busy with work. I'm fine.

The Marquis Muyang is dead.

I know.

Before he died, he told me something about your mother.

I want to know if it's true.

What did he say?

If I answer you, will you tell me the truth?

I will.

Back then,

was it your mother who tricked my brother into giving up the imperial edict?

Yes.

But she didn't mean to deceive him.

Back then, the late emperor had just passed.

The Crown Prince died in a fire, and your brother was imprisoned.

The official in charge of his case was Zhou Jing.

Your brother said he'd come to the Capital by order,

but he refused to produce the edict,

insisting on waiting for the Duke of Huaguo.

My mother was misled

and got the location of the edict out of your brother.

She wanted to save him, but she ended up getting him killed.

So, your mother never kept it from you.

You knew the truth all along.

Didn't you?

Yes.

I knew.

Then why didn't you tell me earlier?

I was afraid you'd drive me away.

Before your brother was tortured, I visited him on my mother's behalf.

I promised him that Li Mountain Academy would clear his name

and the names of Prince Ding's Mansion and the Heiyun Cavalry.

I also promised to heal your legs, to pay my mother's debt,

and to make it up to you.

Pay a debt.

Make it up.

My brother was wronged for eight years.

My Sister-in-law became a widow overnight.

Wu You lost his father when he was so young.

The soldiers of Heiyun Cavalry followed my brother to their deaths.

Tens of thousands of soldiers died with their names stained.

How many families were torn apart?

How many parents outlived their children?

I cannot forgive your mother on behalf of all those people.

As for myself, I am very grateful to you.

You healed my legs,

and gave me a chance to live again.

You came to me to repay a debt,

to make up to me.

I should be grateful.

No, it's not like that!

[On the Next Episode]

Only a madman would see himself.

You're just too lonely.

You should let Qing Shuang stay with you.

Quiet!

Everyone, get back to work.

Your highness, are you leaving before eating breakfast?

Did you drive her away?

Did she go back to Li Mountain?

Appoint Prince Ding as Pacification Commissioner of Li Mountain,

grant him the imperial credentials,

and have him take 50 bolts of silk, 100 taels of gold,

and a box of centennial ginseng

to deliver the Emperor's regards to the old associates of Li Mountain,

as a token of imperial grace.