Original subtitles

[Episode 38]

Someone, help!

Guards!

Your Majesty, what's wrong?

Someone, help!

Your Majesty.

Your Highness. I heard a noise from Her Majesty's chamber.

Guards!

Hurry!

Vile creature, get out!

Drive it over there!

Get out!

Move aside!

What are you waiting for? Get it out of here!

Hurry!

Thank you, Your Highness.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

That vile creature flew in from nowhere and startled Your Majesty.

I have sent people to check every crack in the palace and added extra patrols.

This will never happen again.

That's enough.

It was just seeking warmth and wandered in by mistake.

You may leave.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Please, have a seat.

When I was young, I lived through a severe drought.

At that time, the court's heavy taxes took away our very last grain seed.

We had no choice.

Grass roots and tree bark were all eaten up.

Birds and beasts in the mountains, snakes, rats, and insects...

anything edible at all was hunted down.

I've heard that since His Majesty ascended the throne and Your Majesty took the regency,

the "Disaster Tax Relief Act" was implemented.

Whenever there was a disaster,

relief was sent, taxes cut, and granaries opened, saving countless lives.

Your Majesty's rule is truly benevolent.

I often think back to the drought that year.

Though it was a natural disaster, the people died in droves.

Was it not also a man-made disaster?

Farmers worked all year round, yet they couldn't fill their bellies.

They paid their taxes, but received no protection in times of crisis.

Where exactly did the root of the problem lie?

Your Majesty, you see clearly.

The hardships of the people stem from the unpredictable nature,

but even more from systemic flaws and a corrupt bureaucracy.

After you reformed taxation, purged corruption,

and improved water conservancy, you brought peace to the people.

However...

No matter how great the achievements,

they cannot replace the innocent lives lost,

or the pain of losing loved ones forever.

Merits and faults are always distinct.

Justice in this world is never as simple as offsetting faults with merits.

A few days ago, Duke of Huaguo came to the Palace.

He questioned if the tragedy at Li Mountain was by my hand.

Could it be that you think so too?

The people of Li Mountain did die of acute illness,

and of their own stubbornness.

But after three years of blockade, food and medicine were indeed scarce.

Are you blaming me?

Everyone has their own path.

So it was with Li Mountain.

Since they chose that path, they had to bear the cost.

You should know that your mother was my dear friend.

And Master Qing Yun was also my mentor.

After leaving Li Mountain,

I was full of hope, longing to cleanse this world.

However in this vast world,

where was there space for a woman to spread her wings?

Since the court offered no path, I entered the Palace directly.

I was determined to forge a new path at the pinnacle of power.

Your Majesty, your ambition is truly admirable.

Forging a new path requires great courage.

But between what's gained and lost, I'm afraid it's not easy to judge.

What do you think I have lost?

Only your own heart can answer that.

My grandfather once said

everything we do in life and every step we take carry both gains and losses.

Before Master Qing Yun passed away, did he leave any last words?

He fell ill suddenly and didn't have time for last words.

But I remember one Mid-Autumn Festival,

Grandfather had a few drinks too many.

He wandered under the moonlight, repeatedly reciting two lines of poetry.

"May the pure moonlight divide the universe,

and all people rejoice in peace."

That is a poem I wrote in my youth.

Yes.

Grandfather once said that this poem had an extraordinary spirit

and showed a heart for the people,

and it was truly a masterpiece.

But he also said the ultimate truths were always easier said than done.

Like the moon in the dark sky, its pure light shines everywhere.

But across the vast world, light and shadow still vary everywhere.

If the original intention cannot be kept,

the vision in the poem will be just a tower in the air,

a moon reflected in the water.

Your Highness.

Li Duo has committed suicide.

Soon after the battle began, Mo Jing Li fled with his elite troops.

If they remain in hiding, it will be difficult to find them soon.

He won't stay hidden forever.

Send out orders. He must be found.

Yes.

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty! A great victory!

A great victory at Luoxia Pass!

Prince Ding set an ambush at Jueyun Ravine,

wiping out Mo Jing Li's main force.

The rebel leader, Mo Jing Li, is at large. We are in hot pursuit.

How many men do we have left?

Your Highness, only three or four hundred of our elite troops remain.

But many of our scattered soldiers are still out there.

If we can regroup them, our numbers will increase.

Your Highness, Prince Ding has captured many of our men.

He is leading a massive manhunt.

Our spies report that their search perimeter is closing in on this area.

I'm afraid...

Gather our remaining men.

Prepare to move out.

Yes, Your Highness.

Your Highness. Right there.

Are you all right?

The conditions are meager. But you should eat something at least.

Your Highness, this taro is delicious.

You should try some too.

You eat it.

I still have more here.

One summer, it was so hot.

Grandfather took us out to play.

Ye Li and I planned to pick lotus roots in the lake.

There was a huge red carp in the water.

We both rushed to see it.

The boat was rocking so violently that I accidentally bumped into her.

And she actually fell right into the lake.

She stubbornly insisted that I apologize.

I refused. It wasn't like I did it on purpose.

She floated on the water like a duck, swimming and swimming,

until she finally swam ashore herself.

She caught a cold after getting back and sneezed for days.

Why bring this up now?

I'm not smart and I'm not good with words.

I've thought about it for a long time.

In all the time I've been with Your Highness,

it seems only when I mention this will Your Highness look a bit happier.

Then do you remember anything from your childhood with your sister?

I do remember one thing.

One year, we stayed in Hangzhou for a few months.

Hangzhou was so hot then.

We decided to charter a boat together to pick lotus roots in the lake.

There was a huge red carp in the water.

About this big.

Ye Li and I both rushed to see it.

But the boat was rocking so violently that I accidentally bumped into her.

And she actually fell right into the lake.

She looked so pathetic,

floating on the water like a duck.

She wouldn't let it go, insisting that I apologize to her.

And guess what?

She caught a cold after getting back

and sneezed for days.

Your Highness.

It's so good to see you again.

Didn't you say you'd only stay a few days? What took you so long?

The Empress Dowager asked me to stay longer.

Is everything well at home?

Yes. Everything is fine.

As long as you can come back safely, that's all that matters.

Steward Cui, go prepare lunch.

Yes.

You look quite well.

I know, right? The palace life is nourishing.

I feel like I've even gained some weight.

Aunt, now that you're back, you won't leave again, right?

That's hard to say.

Your Highness, you're back.

Li. You have no idea.

The rewards from the Palace have been pouring in.

It's all because Xiu Yao won another great victory at the front.

His Majesty is very pleased.

These days, all these things have been flowing into the mansion.

Look at your room. It's almost full.

Steward Cui has people registering it all.

Look. They can barely keep up.

And look at that fabric. It's so dazzling.

Go wash up first. We'll have lunch in a bit.

Oh, right. Yao's letter to you, I left it here.

Thank you, Sister-in-law.

Wu You. Let's go.

Li, as you read these words, think of me.

Your letter has arrived.

I have read it over and over.

My heart is somewhat comforted.

The frontier is bitterly cold, especially so lately.

A few days ago, there was a light snow.

Although it was not deep,

the roads are muddy and difficult for carriages.

Amidst the campaign's toil, it has added much to my worries.

I wonder how the weather is in the Capital, and if you are doing well.

While chasing the rebels to Cang Ridge,

I saw strange fruits on the branches.

They were as red as blood, and as clear as crystal.

Jin picked some to eat.

The taste was quite unique.

Sour and astringent, with an earthy aroma.

I asked an old local man, who said they are called Red Pearls.

They are often used to brew wine.

Knowing your curiosity for rare things,

and that you might want a taste.

I had Jin find two jars of it.

Once the fires of war subside,

I will send them to the Capital by courier.

Li, I have been away from home for so long.

My longing for you deepens with each passing day.

This feeling is a hundred times stronger than before.

Please take great care of yourself.

I beg of you, please.

Greetings, Your Majesty.

Duke, please.

All right.

Duke, I heard the conversation you had with Mother that day.

Lately, I have been unable to sleep at night.

I keep questioning myself, whether I am truly fit to be an Emperor.

Your Majesty.

The events of the past, no matter how dark or complicated,

are but old wounds and scars.

What Great Chu needs now is not for Your Majesty to dwell

on the past with guilt and self-reproach.

The state cannot withstand another upheaval.

Duke, please.

All right.

But Duke, if I am truly incompetent,

if I am indeed unfit to be an Emperor,

then even with regret, what good does it do for the realm?

I have been so foolish and incompetent.

I listened to Li Duo's slander and lost command of Suixue Pass.

I even grew suspicious of Prince Ding,

chilling the hearts of loyal subjects.

The fact that Your Majesty can say such things

actually makes me feel deeply relieved.

It shows that Your Majesty has a scale in your heart.

You are weighing the state's fate,

and measuring the virtues and failings of a ruler.

Virtues and failings...

But I only see my failings.

I lost a strategic stronghold,

lost the trust of my soldiers,

and lost the clear judgment that a ruler should possess.

Your Majesty.

Do you know that when the late Emperor first took the throne,

he also misjudged the border situation and lost three cities?

At that time, the late Emperor was just like Your Majesty is now.

He confined himself to the Palace and did not attend court for three days.

My father did that?

Indeed.

The late Empress Dowager asked the late Emperor one question.

"Are you willing to spend three days blaming yourself,

or are you willing to spend thirty years

striving to bring prosperity to this land?"

Your Majesty.

Just now, you asked if you were worthy.

I will give you an honest answer.

The fact that Your Majesty is here today,

worrying for your subjects and feeling guilt toward your officials,

and reflecting on your faults for the sake of the realm...

This is the very foundation of being worthy.

Thank you, Duke.

Your Majesty.

I am young and inexperienced.

I still need the guidance of my elders.

I implore you to stay by my side, to offer me guidance

and help me stabilize the court. Will you?

Your Majesty.

I am deeply grateful for your trust and esteem.

However,

these old bones of mine have grown weary.

I fear I can no longer handle the daily burdens of the court.

There are many capable ministers in the court now.

The loyalty and courage of Prince Ding

and the competence of Gu Zheng can all help ease your burdens.

What Your Majesty must do is to make good use of the virtuous

and gather the wisdom of many.

Only then can we overcome these difficult times.

Your Highness. Look.

Isn't it beautiful?

Where are we?

I was in the carriage the whole way here.

I've completely lost my sense of direction.

This is Qingshi Town.

Qingshi Town?

I've never heard of it.

It's just a small place on the border.

There aren't many households.

The land isn't very fertile either.

Years ago, there was a jade mine here.

It attracted many people.

Later, once the jade was mostly depleted, the place was abandoned.

Even the roads and the post-houses built back then

are now abandoned as well.

How do you know all this so well?

Because this is my mother's hometown.

She was born and raised here.

Because she played the zither well and was quite beautiful,

she was chosen to serve as a palace maid.

By chance, she gained my father's favor, and then she gave birth to me.

She must have been a wonderful woman.

Wonderful?

Honestly...

I don't remember much.

She passed away when I was four.

I grew up in the Eastern Palace.

Although I was a prince,

even the lowest servants could bully me at will.

Later, I thought of a way out.

If I could become the disciple of someone powerful and world-renowned,

with that as my backing, would my life become a little easier?

So, I begged my father to send me to Li Mountain to recover.

In truth, I wanted to study under Master Qing Yun.

But he refused to accept me.

He was such a clever man.

He must have seen through my intentions at once.

Fortunately, I soon found another way: Li.

Li is Master Qing Yun's granddaughter.

If I could marry her, Li Mountain Academy would stand behind me.

At that time, Li was just a naive girl.

With just a little trick, I easily gained her trust.

She treated me very well.

So I wrote to my father to ask for this marriage.

Back then, my father was in a bitter struggle with Guo Jin.

I suppose he also coveted the power of Li Mountain.

This marriage was easily arranged.

All of this Li probably still doesn't know.

You see, I am such a cold-hearted person, full of calculations.

I calculated people's hearts, the benefits, and every move I made.

But I never expected that amidst all these calculations,

I would lose my own heart.

I fell in love with her.

What I never expected was that my father, once above all others,

would perish so early in that catastrophic fire.

It left my entire plan in ruins.

I'm sorry.

Hearing all this only adds to your distress.

No.

I'm glad that Your Highness can be honest with me.

What a silly girl.

You shouldn't have come to my side,

and even less should you have been drawn into this vortex.

I've never been good to you,

and I'm not a good person.

In the end, I've brought you to this state,

yet I can do nothing to compensate you.

No.

Your Highness didn't harm me.

It was my own choice.

I wanted to follow Your Highness.

I don't want wealth or glory,

nor do I want grand mansions, fertile lands, or shops.

I only want to be with you forever.

From now on, we can live here, in your mother's hometown.

We can farm together and run a small business.

I've even learned how to grow flowers.

We can tend to a field of flowers together.

I will always stay by your side.

Always.

Always.

Someone like me was born to fight against fate.

Once I step onto this path, there is no turning back.

Your Highness. Don't make me leave.

- Your Highness, please. - Halt.

- Let me go! - Your Highness.

- What are you doing? - Your Highness! Don't go!

- Let go! - Your Highness!

In the end, I have failed you.

If fate allows it, we may meet again.

If our fate has run its course...

Live the rest of your life well.

I don't want that. Your Highness!

Don't go, Your Highness!

- Let go of me! - Let go!

- Your Highness! - Let go!

- Your Highness! - Your Highness!

Let go!

- Your Highness! - Let go!

- Let go! - Your Highness!

- Your Highness! - Let go!

- Let go of me! - Let go!

- Your Highness! - Your Highness!

- Your Highness... - Your Highness.

Your Highness.

Her Majesty the Empress Dowager arrives.

Qi Er.

I am discussing state affairs. Please return, Mother.

The hour is near. I must attend the morning court.

There is much to handle.

Later, I will pay my respects to you.

Your Majesty, Prince Ding has retaken Yunzhou and Shuozhou.

They destroyed the main rebel forces and will return in triumph soon.

This is a victory unlike any in our history.

Prince Ding is truly valiant.

He is a pillar of the state.

Indeed. Prince Ding did not fail Your Majesty's trust.

It is a blessing for the state.

My cousin did not fail me.

He must be rewarded handsomely.

Prince Ding, Mo Xiu Yao, is granted an honorary title.

His sister-in-law, Lady Wen, is granted the title of State Lady.

Mo Wu You is restored to the imperial clan, with a title to follow.

Princess Ding is titled a First-Rank Princess.

A thousand bolts of gold and silk as a reward.

In five days, from Danque Street to the Chengtian Gate,

set up performances and light lanterns to welcome Prince Ding's return.

- Your Majesty is wise. - Your Majesty is wise.

Everyone! Fellow neighbors!

Today is not just a day of joy for our Prince Ding's household.

It is a day of joy for all of Great Chu!

- Well said! - Well said!

Congratulations!

- Hand out the candies. Let's share in the joy. - Come.

Let's all share in the joy.

Here.

Halt.

You may go.

Your Highness.

Is everything ready?

Your Highness. A large amount of oil and kindling materials has been delivered.

Everything has been well hidden.

What about our men in the Capital?

They are on standby.

In three days, the lantern festival for Prince Ding will begin.

And Prince Ding is expected to return to the Capital in four days.

We strike in three days.

Yes.

By then, the city's soldiers will be deployed to keep order on the streets.

Once the Capital is in chaos, we'll take action.

Good.

In three days, we'll take advantage of the chaos,

storm the Palace, and take that little Emperor's life.

We will avenge the blood of the Eastern Palace.

Come catch me!

- What a beautiful lantern! - Got you!

Got you!

Master, are you looking to buy something?

Is Ye Li here?

And you are...?

I used to be a worker here.

A worker?

She isn't here. We're already closed. Come back tomorrow.

My love. Let's go.

Yu Sheng.

My Lady.

Have you been waiting long? Are you hungry?

Let's get something to eat.

Okay.

Chi Hu will lead ten squads of men to set fires across the Capital's streets.

In the shortest time possible, throw the entire city into chaos.

Understood.

Our own men at Changxing Gate will poison the guards there tonight.

They'll ensure the gate stays shut to prevent word of the fires

from reaching the Three Camps for reinforcement.

At midnight, His Highness will lead his death squad

and storm the palace with us.

We'll kill the demon Empress Dowager Guo Jin and the little Emperor Mo Yan Qi.

Victory or defeat, honor or disgrace, it all comes down to this one move.

We might not see tomorrow's sunrise.

None of us may survive.

But we will use their lives to honor my father, my brother,

and the loyal souls of the Eastern Palace.

Your Highness.

Must you really go?

Just take Princess Li and go.

Go somewhere where no one knows you.

Live a good life.

Or if you don't like Her Highness,

just leave by yourself.

The world is vast. There must be a place for you.

Whether you're an Emperor, a prince, or a commoner,

you'll always be my master.

I, Qing Bao, just want you to live.

Please.

Qing Bao, let go. Don't stop me.

I never got to live like a man.

At least when I die, I can die like one.

Then let me stay with Your Highness.

On the road to the underworld, I can carry a lantern for you.

Silly Qing Bao.

You have to collect my body for me.

Also...

Remember to find that girl.

She won't be able to survive on her own.

Take care of her for me. Will you?

Your Highness!

Bravo!

Mother, come. A fire-breathing show over there!

Hurry!

Be careful. Stay away from the fire.

They're amazing!

- Bravo! - Bravo!

- Great! - Great!

That's incredible.

This lantern festival is truly a grand occasion.

It's wonderful.

The last time it was this lively

was when Huaixi was pacified in the first year of Jinghe.

The late Emperor granted a general amnesty

and held a lantern festival to welcome the Heiyun Cavalry.

If only Xiu Wen could see this.

Sister-in-law...

Let's not talk about it. It should be a happy day.

- Bravo! - Bravo!

Yes.

If only they could see this.

Fire!

Get out of the way!

- Move aside! - Move aside!

- There's a fire! - Fire!

Run!

- Impressive! - Impressive!

- Let's go. - That's incredible.

- Fire! Don't go over there! - Fire!

Escort Sister-in-law and Wu You back first.

Aren't you coming with us?

I'll go see what's happening. Don't worry.

The secret guards will protect me.

Then you must be careful.

Go.

Fire!

Fire!

[On the Next Episode]

Do you want to be Emperor that badly?

The city is littered with corpses, and blood is flowing like a river.

Do you, who treat the people as nothing, deserve to rule the realm?

Li.

Run!

As things stand now, nothing in this world can stop me anymore.

Not even you!

Order the vanguard to prepare to enter the city.