Original subtitles

[Episode 36]

Your Highness, the bed is ready.

Throwing out the rouge is one thing, but that bedding was perfectly fine.

What exactly is Matron Xu trying to do?

Is His Highness back?

He is.

Yao. Are you in there?

I am.

Why is the door locked?

I'm fine. You can go back.

Your voice sounds off. Did you catch a cold?

Go back to sleep first. I'll be there soon.

Why lock the door just to read?

And without a lamp?

It's so hot. Let me check your pulse.

No need. I'll be fine after some water.

Aphrodisiac incense?

Who gave this to you?

You've been married for almost a year.

You and Yao are at the right age.

Aren't you anxious?

Sister-in-law?

I only had one sip. It's no big deal.

Go back for now.

Come with me.

We are husband and wife. Whatever it is, it can wait till tomorrow.

This bird's nest is rare.

Steam it and send it to Li later.

Madam, I've already prepared everything.

The tonic recipe is with the cook.

Every meal from now on will be carefully planned.

Madam, you can rest easy.

Your Highness.

Sister-in-law, why did you do this?

Why did I do this?

Yao, you should know why.

You're going to Suixue Pass, and I can't stop you.

You're serving the court and protecting the realm.

With such a duty, who would dare to stop you?

But before you leave, you must give Li a child.

Li is still young.

So you know that.

But war is unpredictable.

She lost her family a long time ago.

Li Mountain Academy is gone too.

Without a child...

what if...

What if something happens to you?

How can she cope all alone?

I'm not doing this for the Mo family.

I'm doing it for Li.

As long as there's a child,

Li and I will raise the child together and life will go on.

Then you can serve the court without any worries.

Didn't you bring Li down the mountain for this very day?

Yao.

Are you done talking to Sister-in-law?

You know everything.

Sister-in-law isn't overbearing.

Given her actions and how you were after Gongshu Yang visited you that day,

it wasn't hard to guess.

When will you leave?

I haven't agreed yet.

General Xiong Yi Song was murdered at Suixue Pass.

His deputy is currently in charge.

The Emperor and Gongshu Yang want me there.

- But I... - Yao.

Do you know why I got so sick when I was at Li Mountain?

Because I wanted to live.

I was too young then to handle that situation.

That's why I fell so ill.

I was saving myself.

I survived even that.

What is there to fear now?

Sister-in-law worries about me and you should understand.

Besides, there's no war at Suixue Pass.

If you go, you'll just guard the border and train the troops.

You're a high-ranking official. What's there to worry about?

If I miss you, I'll write to you.

If I miss you too much, I'll go see you.

Suixue Pass is far away. How will you get there?

I'll ride a horse. I've been there before, remember?

I remember. You were almost caught by bandits.

They can't catch me. I'm as skilled as Master Zhu now.

Thank you, Li.

These officials can't offer any candidates.

But after Gongshu Yang named Prince Ding,

they all submitted petitions, advising me not to send him.

Please calm your anger, Your Majesty.

Prince Ding knows the frontier well and excels at command.

He's the best candidate.

Your Majesty, don't mind them.

What about the Duke of Huaguo?

He is advanced in years.

He's long retired and rarely handles state affairs.

I visited him yesterday.

His old injuries flared up due to the rain.

He's suffering greatly from the pain.

He's truly not a suitable candidate.

Your Majesty, I'll be frank with you.

No one in our realm surpasses Prince Ding in battle.

But to guard Suixue Pass, hold military power,

deter Cangbei, and command the army,

he is absolutely not an option.

Why?

Because the court once broke his heart.

Mo Xiu Wen was killed by Marquis Muyang,

but who was behind the Marquis?

Back then, Mo Xiu Wen led his army to the Capital.

If the Eastern Palace hadn't burned, and Crown Prince hadn't died,

what would have been the outcome?

Li Duo! You have no proof.

How can you make such malicious claims?

Prince Ding's loyalty is as clear as day!

Military power rivals imperial power.

I certainly hope Prince Ding has no ulterior motives.

I hope that despite being wronged for years,

he remains loyal to Great Chu and Your Majesty.

I don't wish to slander a fine general.

I only wish to remind Your Majesty

that human hearts are treacherous and unpredictable.

We cannot afford to gamble.

Then do you have anyone in mind?

Your Majesty, I've studied military strategy since I was young.

I once served as Left Army Colonel

and wrote "Frontier Defense Strategy."

I have led troops in battle formations.

I believe I'm capable of leading an army.

Li Duo. What do you mean by this?

I am volunteering to go to Suixue Pass.

Li Duo is going to Suixue Pass?

Yes. The imperial decree has been issued.

Li Duo will take office tomorrow.

Suixue Pass is a vital border fortress, the northern gateway of Great Chu.

With Suixue Pass standing, Cangbei must cross mountains to invade, camping all along the way.

Without Suixue Pass, Cangbei can invade through the Hukou Plain

straight to the Capital of Great Chu.

I know.

Since Your Majesty knows, why did you send Li Duo to take the post?

He's never been on a battlefield.

Yet he's taking office at a critical fortress like Suixue Pass.

I believe it is highly inappropriate.

Then tell me, Cousin, who should I send?

My family has guarded Suixue Pass for generations.

- Had my brother not fallen-- - Cousin.

Does Your Majesty doubt my loyalty?

I just don't want you to suffer at the border anymore.

The border is cold and harsh.

Your legs have just healed. What if the injury relapses?

You've only been married for a year. You have no children yet.

Suixue Pass is full of unpredictable dangers.

If something happens to you, how would I face your wife and your sister-in-law?

Li Duo may be inexperienced in battle,

but he reads situations well and manages people with skill.

I'm sending him to make good use of capable officials and maintain peace.

I don't expect him to lead the charge or win a glorious battle.

Cousin, I'm not a child anymore.

I can tell when outsiders try to drive a wedge between us.

But this decision is my own.

Over the years, Li Duo has served me with devotion.

Since he volunteered, why not give him a chance?

Military power is of grave importance.

If Your Majesty trusts him, then so be it.

I'll send Gao Wen Huan as army supervisor.

Rest assured, Cousin. Nothing will go wrong.

Jin told me the imperial decree has been issued.

You don't have to go to Suixue Pass.

Aren't you happy?

I just feel that something is off.

What's off?

I don't know.

I just feel uneasy.

The decree is set.

It means His Majesty has made up his mind.

We can only wait and see.

Look on the bright side. Now you can stay with me.

Brother, are we leaving today?

They've made their move.

Patrols will be tighter for the next few days.

They killed Xiong Yi Song?

What are they trying to do? Is a war about to break out?

Not yet.

Once their man takes office, the fighting will begin.

But for the next few days, they will stay hidden.

So even if they notice we're missing, they won't dare to act rashly.

The problem now is how to get out of the city.

Their man?

Just eat.

Where is Han Ming Yue?

I was told he's on a mission.

A mission? How come I didn't know?

Your Highness. What mission did Han Ming Yue go on?

Didn't we agree we'd do nothing before Li Duo takes office?

He didn't come back last night. Could something have happened?

Your Highness.

Brother, how did it go?

Where did you get this?

It's a fake.

Be careful when we leave the city.

There are so many guards on patrol now. What if we're caught?

Since we've decided, let's bet our lives on it.

Okay.

As long as I'm with you, Brother, I'm not afraid of anything.

Master Feng, something happened at Suixue Pass.

Do we really have to go to Cangbei now?

What if something happens?

We've been asking for days.

I wonder how Cangbei dealt with Su Zui Dier.

She killed the sister of Cangbei's Emperor.

She should be executed publicly, right?

Maybe Cangbei does things differently.

Maybe she hasn't been executed yet.

All the more reason for us to find out.

That way, we can give Ling Yun an answer.

Eat up. We'll head out after eating.

Okay.

Are you leaving?

Answer me.

Dier, we can leave together.

Why?

Why are you leaving?

Have you forgotten our plan for revenge?

Have you forgotten what we've been through together?

How many times will you repeat this?

You only saved me once, yet my brother saved you countless times.

Isn't that enough?

Brother, let's go.

Tell me. Are you really leaving?

Yes, I'm leaving.

Fine.

Then go.

As long as you can get out of here alive.

Su Zui Dier, you're a lunatic!

Did you hear that?

What?

Brother!

Han Ming Xi?

Su Zui Dier! I'll kill you!

This strike is for Ling Yun!

Master Feng.

Ru Yi!

Master Feng! Hurry, kill her!

This strike is for Great Chu.

Ru Yi.

Ru Yi.

Ru Yi!

Brother.

Brother!

Xi, go now. They will be back.

You promised you'd take me with you.

Xi, listen to me.

Go live the life you want.

Brother.

Brother!

Brother!

[Han Ming Yue's Tablet] [Ru Yi's Tablet]

It was my brother who saved that evil woman.

We are the ones who wronged you.

Your brother has paid the price.

I've also avenged Ling Yun.

Everything will pass.

[Han Ming Yue's Tablet]

Rest for two days, then we'll return to the Capital.

I want to stay with my brother for a few more days.

Don't forget what he said.

"Go live the life you want."

Who is the person behind your brother and Su Zui Dier?

They are Mo Jing Li's people.

They killed Xiong Yi Song.

Their man is taking over too.

Once the new appointee arrives, I'm afraid something big will happen.

Where were you this morning? You've just returned.

I went to Qingfeng Mingyue Tower.

Since Feng Zhi Yao left the Capital, there has been no word from him.

I was worried, so I sent someone to his hometown to inquire.

The death of Princess Ling Yun hit him hard.

But he's resilient.

I believe he left the Capital just to clear his mind.

Once he finds his peace, he will return.

Still thinking about Suixue Pass?

Its general died suddenly.

They say he was killed by a groom,

but I feel it's all too coincidental.

I fear someone is pulling the strings.

Moreover, Li Duo is usually cautious, yet he volunteered for this mission.

All these occurrences are truly unsettling.

So, how do you plan to respond?

I have ordered Jin to travel through the night to Suixue Pass to investigate.

I only hope this is a false alarm,

and everyone at the pass is safe and sound.

Congratulations. You'll take office at Ministry of Revenue tomorrow.

Thank you.

If we're talking about talent, Senior Brother Wei is the best among us.

A commoner by birth, yet your gift for numbers earned you Vice Director of Revenue.

Your future is bright and you'll rise fast.

Senior Brother, when that day comes, don't forget us.

Stop teasing me.

If I offer you an office job, would you take it?

With my temper, I can't stay in an office.

The open road suits me better. Free to come and go.

Now that Marquis Muyang is dead, the Empress Dowager has retired,

and the truth of Li Mountain has come to light,

I have no more regrets.

I can finally live a peaceful life.

Live a good life.

By the way, do you know any reliable house broker?

I want to buy a house.

It doesn't have to be big. Two courtyards will do.

But it can't be too remote.

It's best if it's near the market.

With taverns and eateries nearby.

It'll be easier to purchase daily goods.

Why stare at me?

Why are you buying a house?

To live in, of course.

- Something is fishy. - Something is fishy.

What do you mean?

Didn't you always say the world is your home and you're a wanderer?

You just said it yourself.

How do you explain that "free-to-come-and-go" claim?

I...

Who exactly is this house for?

I see.

What do you see?

Senior Brother, have you heard of Lady Yu Sheng in the Capital?

Of course I have.

She's beautiful and talented, with a gentle heart.

What a pity. She happened to fall for a restless wanderer.

But I heard that this wanderer has changed and wants to settle down.

So he must buy a house, right?

All right, all right. Stop making fun of me. Are we drinking or not?

Yes.

This toast is to the future.

May we live well.

To the future.

Feng Zhi Yao has fled to the Capital.

We've sent people after him many times, but he managed to escape.

Han Ming Xi should still be at Suixue Pass. But...

His whereabouts are unknown.

Leave him be.

Your Highness, the Han brothers know a lot about our plot at Suixue Pass,

especially Li Duo's identity.

If Feng Zhi Yao brings the news back to the Capital, we'll lose Suixue Pass.

The armaments of Suixue Pass. Detail them.

Your Highness, Suixue Pass has 30,000 elite infantry and 12,000 cavalry.

All under our control.

In the armory, there are 5,000 crossbows,

and plenty of spears, swords, and shields.

There are also over 8,000 fine warhorses.

That's enough.

Your Highness, do you mean...

With these warhorses, soldiers, and us

can we break the Capital's gate?

Your Highness, you mean to rebel now?

To achieve greatness,

the right time, place, and people are all essential.

I have trusted men of loyalty and wisdom like you.

The right people are with me.

Suixue Pass dominates the north.

We can strike at the Capital or fall back to hold.

The right place favors me.

Now, our plan has leaked.

This is an opportunity from Heaven.

Heaven itself has chosen this day.

The time has come. It's time to risk it all.

Your Highness, what about Army Supervisor Gao?

How should we deal with him?

Kill him.

After that day, Han Ming Xi never returned.

He even said he'd buy me a drink that night.

Who knew he'd never return?

What about his belongings?

They're still here.

Keep them safe. Get back to work.

Yes.

Li.

How did Li Mountain end up like this?

The last time I saw you,

didn't you tell me that Qing Yun was in good health,

writing books every day, fishing and gardening in his spare time?

Back then, I believed that too.

After everyone at Li Mountain passed away, I fell ill.

Perhaps it was how I survived.

I unconsciously buried the truth.

I felt like they were still with me every day,

talking to me, sharing meals, and working with me.

As if nothing had ever happened.

All these years, you've endured this all alone.

Until recently, when Yao came to the mountain for me and stayed by my side,

I was finally willing to face it all.

How could this be?

Back then, I begged your grandfather to seal the mountain.

After the fire in the Eastern Palace, the evidence pointed to Marquis Muyang,

but Guo Jin made him Chief Minister of Dali Court.

The evidence was destroyed, and the case was overturned.

Then came the late Prince Ding's incident. It all paved the way for Guo Jin.

How could such a malicious person rule the realm?

But the court was full of Marquis Muyang's faction.

I had no other choice.

I know.

Duke, please don't blame yourself.

Since my grandfather made this choice, it must have been of his own will.

No one forced him.

Your grandfather devoted his life to the realm.

By sealing off the mountain,

he not only ended Guo Jin's delusions of the throne,

but also ignited scholars across the realm.

But a mere illness...

How could it come to this?

Even Master Helai was helpless?

We'd been under siege for three years.

Food and medicine were scarce.

Even with remarkable medical skills, Master Helai could do nothing.

A siege?

Who would dare to besiege Li Mountain?

The Jinwu Guards.

It was the Empress Dowager's decree.

Lu Chang Fu led the troops in the siege.

Duke, it's all in the past.

It's all my fault.

All these years, I never looked after Li Mountain.

To have caused such a disaster I am truly to blame.

After the late Prince Ding's incident,

you were still ill, yet you guarded the frontier for six years

until the borders were stable.

Because of that, you became bedridden.

The integrity of Li Mountain and my grandfather's choice

were never meant to burden anyone.

We never blamed you.

Because of that siege, your calls for help went unanswered.

I tried to go down the mountain for help,

but my senior brothers forced me back and locked me up.

By the time I broke free, they were all gone.

For this one promise, everyone at Li Mountain gave their lives.

This regret this pain...

cannot be redeemed even by a hundred deaths.

Indeed.

The righteous should never prove themselves in blood.

We'd been under siege for three years.

Food and medicine were scarce.

Even with remarkable medical skills, Master Helai could do nothing.

I tried to go down the mountain for help,

but my senior brothers forced me back and locked me up.

By the time I broke free, they were all gone.

Duke, are you all right?

Duke. Duke!

Is it your heart ailment again?

There's a pharmacy up ahead. Let's have you examined.

This illness of mine cannot be cured.

Let's go back to the manor.

Master Feng?

Master Feng.

Jin.

What happened to you?

I must see His Highness.

All right.

- Fetch a physician. - Yes.

What happened? Who wounded you?

Li Duo, the new commander at Suixue Pass...

is one of Mo Jing Li's men.

I never expected that scoundrel Li Duo to have lurked at Your Majesty's side for years.

Mo Jing Li, that despicable traitor.

He faked his death to plot a rebellion!

Please calm your anger. The military situation is urgent.

We must respond immediately.

What is the current situation?

Your Majesty, the intelligence has been verified.

The cunning rebels have won over several generals at Suixue Pass.

And they took advantage of the troop rotation to slip forces through.

Their vanguard advanced in secret and crossed the Heishui River.

They're marching on Luoxia Pass.

If they take Luoxia Pass, within ten days,

the rebels will reach the gates of the Capital.

Then what should we do?

The opportunity is fleeting.

We must strike them immediately!

I, Mo Xiu Yao, request permission to lead the army.

I will command the army to crush the rebel camps,

cleanse the realm, and protect our Great Chu.

Until the rebels fall, I vow not to return.

Cousin, I shall entrust the Great Chu

and all its millions of people entirely to you.

[Prince Ding's Mansion]

Uncle.

Come.

Let's go home.

[On the Next Episode]

I will return safely.

Then I wish Your Highness a great victory.

Are you crazy?

My heart...

It feels like it's been gouged out and roasted over a fire.

Has His Highness sent any letters home?

There's been no news for half a month.

Rumors are everywhere.

Some say Luoxia Pass has fallen.

Others even say His Highness has defected.