Original subtitles

♪See the price paid in blood♪

♪Binding half a lifetime of fate♪

♪Watch her tear apart with her own hands♪

♪The cold haze of a humble life♪

♪Trading it for robes of splendor♪

♪Every step is on a blade♪

♪To the eyes of the world♪

♪She's a bird, a flower, a plaything♪

♪But with one sweep she scatters the clouds♪

♪Till bones and all fade into smoke♪

♪A game within a game, a fate beyond fate♪

♪Who makes the move? Who listens?♪

♪Behind this mask♪

♪She plays out every soul♪

♪Each encounter and each step fraught with danger♪

♪Set a wild fire ablaze♪

♪Burn away these chains♪

♪Let this frost flower fulfill its fate♪

♪Take a single chess piece♪

♪And wager heaven and earth♪

♪Pierce through hypocrisy's false mask♪

♪Stir up a mighty storm♪

♪Watch her break free and stun the world♪

[Adapted from the novel Where the Mask Ends on Jinjiang Literature City]

[Original Author: Xiao Jiaren]

[Where the Mask Ends]

[Episode 29]

Get lost!

The world can change in an instant.

Once, we fought to the death.

Going forward, we might share the same goal.

Even bitter enemies

can become allies.

Since when does a snake have good intentions?

General Qi, you care nothing for wealth

or power.

The only thing you desire

is a certain woman.

You know she's your friend's wife,

yet you can't stay away from her.

Why? You simply can't help yourself.

You know exactly what I mean.

Who do you think you are?

You think you can read my mind?

Because I was on the city wall that day, too.

Such breathtaking beauty...

[Hengcheng Gate]

Brighter than gold or jewels.

More tempting than power itself.

Enough to make a man's very soul tremble.

Qi Zhongkai.

No one in this world understands you better than I do.

Everything in this world

has its price.

If a deal falls through,

the offer simply wasn't high enough.

Well, General Qi?

I wonder if Noble Lady Wu'an

is tempting enough for you.

[Zhaoyang Palace]

Your Majesty, those elixirs are poisoning you.

You're worrying over nothing.

Brother!

Don't stop me!

Brother!

I need to see Father!

The evidence hasn't been verified yet.

Don't make a public accusation

and tarnish the Crown Prince's reputation.

Father!

What's with all this pushing and pulling?

Have you no sense of decorum?

Your Majesty's health is at stake.

I was beside myself with worry.

Forgive my disrespect, Father.

Father.

A palace maid from Furong Hall has reported

that Lady Zheng replaced Solomon's seal

with poisonous gelsemium in the ginseng soup.

What's gelsemium?

Gelsemium

is also called poison root. It resembles Solomon's seal.

But Solomon's seal nourishes, while gelsemium is poisonous.

It's especially deadly with cinnabar.

Father has been taking elixirs for years.

The ginseng soup makes the poison stronger.

Within days,

you'll bleed from every orifice.

And no medicine can save you!

Your Majesty, this ginseng soup

strengthens the body and restores vitality.

You really should drink more of it.

The medicinal smell is too strong.

I simply can't get used to it.

Father!

I truly knew nothing about this!

Please believe me, Father!

Your Majesty!

These accusations are lies!

Prince Fu resents my son becoming Crown Prince.

He's been plotting to frame him!

Which wretched maid in my palace accused me?

Does she dare confront me face-to-face?

Your Highness.

His Majesty is rewarding you with

ginseng and Solomon's seal soup, and a golden elixir.

Your Majesty, don't make things hard for Shou.

He's always been your favorite son.

He may have his faults,

but they're merely romantic indiscretions.

He'd never risk his life over them.

This is all my fault.

I couldn't stand

watching that woman Zhou Fu grow so arrogant!

She's nothing but a lowly wet nurse's daughter,

yet she dared claim equal standing with me, the daughter of a Grand Commandant!

I was humiliated in public before,

and Your Majesty believed only her side.

You mistreated me

and humiliated me like this!

How could I possibly bear it, Your Majesty?

Your Majesty.

What has Shou done to deserve this?

Prince Fu is trying to frame the Crown Prince.

He wants to take his place, Your Majesty!

Are you really going to have another son killed?

Your Majesty!

Father, I'm innocent!

I've been falsely accused! I'm innocent!

Father!

- What has Shou done wrong? - I'm innocent!

- What has Shou done wrong? - Guards!

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

What has Shou done to deserve this?

What has Shou done wrong?

Go back.

You should be grateful to your mother.

She may be foolish and shortsighted,

but when your life was on the line,

she was willing to die for you.

She was right.

I...

I don't want to lose another son.

From now on, know your place

and be grateful for what you have.

[Crown Prince's Residence]

Perhaps tomorrow.

Perhaps next month.

His Majesty will strip you of your title

whenever the mood strikes him.

How can a cripple who's lost his favor

ever inherit the throne?

This is all Wu'an's fault.

Your Highness.

His Majesty hasn't deposed you, after all.

You still have a chance to fight back.

Traitors have corrupted the realm.

That's why Heaven sent this plague.

You're the Crown Prince.

You must rid the court of corruption,

save the people from suffering,

and achieve something truly great.

Who are these traitors?

Isn't it obvious?

Lady Li, of course,

and her daughter, Lady Wu'an. They've brought ruin to the realm.

If you want to eliminate these traitors,

you must get rid of Lu Zhuo first.

This is a secret letter from Lord Han.

[Diman, King of Huta]

The last time I allied with the Han family,

I lost many of my men.

So this time,

why should I agree?

Your Majesty has suffered three defeats.

Each time, the Lu family

kept your forces from Yunzhong and Yanmen.

They're your greatest threat.

If this plan succeeds, that threat will be gone.

Take a look, Your Majesty.

Once my master takes power,

he'll let you use the land around Youbeiping Commandery,

with its lush pastures and thriving herds,

to graze your livestock for ten years!

Good. Now that's a fine deal!

[Dai Commandery, Yanmen, Yunzhong]

[Youzhou, Youbeiping, Shanggu]

Urgent military dispatch!

[Hengcheng Gate] Urgent military dispatch!

Make way! Urgent dispatch!

Urgent dispatch!

[Zhao]

The Huta have terrorized our northern border for decades.

Countless people have suffered.

I've had enough!

Lu Zhuo.

I command you to lead our armies

north to secure the border

and crush the invaders.

Do not let me down.

I will do everything in my power

to secure the border and keep our people safe.

The situation is critical.

Leave the capital at once. No delays.

As you command, Your Majesty.

[Zhao]

Lu Zhuo.

I'm entrusting the fate of our dynasty

entirely to you.

If the situation becomes dire,

you have my authority

to act as you see fit.

I'll give my life if I must

to repay Your Majesty's trust.

Shoucheng.

Watch out for those plotting against you.

Han Liao is eager to redeem himself

and restore his family's honor.

He's even willing to serve under you.

Why turn him away?

Who knows?

He might prove quite useful.

Useful?

Han Liao?

Go ahead and enjoy your little triumph.

The one who knows you best

will be your greatest enemy.

I'm off to the battlefield this time,

and I swear I'll earn glory beyond compare.

I'll show the world

Lu Zhuo isn't the only hero in the Lu family!

Your Ladyship, Lord Lu has been ordered to war.

The situation is urgent.

He sent me to apologize for his sudden departure.

♪I've seen this cold and barren world♪

♪And the long uncertain road ahead♪

♪Covered in mud, weathered by wind and frost♪

♪Still I won't yield♪

♪I've seen the falsehoods of this world♪

♪And learned to hide my edge♪

♪Step by step I plan, step by step I fight♪

♪To trade it all for hope♪

♪Why let the mire bind me? Why bow to fate?♪

♪I'll defy life's twists and smile through the gloom♪

♪Grass grows beyond the cold path, proud against the moss♪

♪Never yielding, never giving up till the skies clear♪

♪I rise above the clamor...♪

It's all right.

Forget it.

Go on.

♪Singing as I go, carrying fragrance on my way♪

♪Toward distant lands...♪

Rao.

Don't worry.

My brother will win.

He's never lost a battle in his life.

♪My roots break through the earth...♪

Thank you.

Rao.

He'll come home safe.

Don't worry.

♪Why let the mire bind me why bow to fate...♪

He didn't even say goodbye.

Like I'm worried about him.

I wonder how far the army has gotten.

Have they won yet?

Get back to work.

Like I'm worried about him.

The enemy is gathering east of Longcheng.

At dawn, three days from now,

I'll personally lead our armored cavalry

in an assault on their main forces.

Generals of the Left and Right.

Yes, sir!

Each of you will lead 10,000 cavalry archers

to support our flanks.

Qi Zhongkai.

Take 10,000 soldiers

and set an ambush upstream along this river.

Cut off their escape route to the north.

Yes, General!

Brother.

What about my assignment?

Lu Ya.

This is a military camp,

not a place for you to do as you please.

General!

Grandfather sent me here to gain experience.

But you've given me an empty title!

I want to fight! Give me troops to command!

Lu Ya.

Your brother is looking out for you.

You can't charge into battle recklessly.

Go back and cool off.

Are you afraid I'll win glory

and steal your spotlight? Don't touch me!

Second Young Master. Second Young Master!

He's young. It's only natural he's hotheaded.

After a few battles,

once he's faced life and death,

he'll learn to be more levelheaded.

Pay him no mind.

I need to talk to you.

Perfect.

I have something to tell you, too.

Lu Zhuo is always on guard around me.

I have you to thank for this.

It's the least I could do.

- Second Young Master. - Don't follow me!

Second Young Master.

Get lost!

You know what to do, right?

That arrogant, inexperienced fool

can't stand being challenged.

Don't worry. With just a few words,

I'll turn those brothers

against each other.

Sometimes an outsider sees things clearly.

I'll go talk some sense into him.

Someone! Saddle my horse!

If you want to know if she truly loves you,

why not find a chance to test her?

You've seen all my flaws

with your own eyes.

But for some reason,

I want you to remember me

as someone a little kinder,

someone better than I was.

Zhao Song.

Yes.

General, the fog is rolling in.

Sound the drums! Assemble the troops!

All troops, hear my orders!

A thick fog has fallen tonight.

It's the perfect cover for a surprise attack.

Keep silent and secure your armor.

Wrap the horses' hooves to muffle their steps.

Follow me into the enemy's royal camp!

We'll take the King of Huta's head!

Kill ten enemy soldiers,

and you'll earn a promotion and two bolts of silk!

Kill a hundred,

and you'll rise three ranks

and receive a hundred gold pieces!

- Attack! - Attack!

Advance!

So that's your game, Lu Zhuo.

You deliberately spread false intelligence

to raid the Huta royal camp tonight.

General, what do we do?

Bring me my horse! Now!

Yes! Right away!

Go! Hurry!

The King of Huta fled northwest!

Qi Zhongkai.

Don't forget our agreement.

I never agreed to betray my country.

The Huta army must be wiped out!

I haven't forgotten my promise to you.

He wants both glory and the woman.

His greed knows no bounds.

Stick to the plan.

Yes, sir.

Attack!

General!

General!

Deputy General Lu Ya

was hunting down the remaining enemy troops

when he ran into Wuzhu, the King of Huta's eldest son.

He was lured into Iron Scorpion Ridge.

He's surrounded, and his fate is unknown!

Who gave him permission to act on his own?

General Xiao.

Take the prisoners back to camp.

I'll go rescue him at Iron Scorpion Ridge.

Yes, sir!

- Move! - Move!

Move out!

Lu Zhuo, I...

Take everyone

and retreat along the mountain path to the right.

I'm not leaving! I'll stay and cover you!

Lu Ya! Lu Ya, listen to me.

If you don't leave,

neither of us will make it out alive.

I won't!

Go! Hurry!

Get them all home safely!

Go!

Hurry!

Lu Zhuo!

You want to kill me, Lu Zhuo, don't you?

Then come and get me!

[Wuzhu, Eldest Prince of Huta] Kill Lu Zhuo!

Avenge my father!

Kill Lu Zhuo!

General Qi.

I need to get back to the capital with the news.

Tie him up.

General Qi!

Your Ladyship, we've won a great victory.

Our army is returning in triumph!

[Duke's Residence]

Grandfather.

My brother didn't let you down.

He won a great victory.

But he went back to save me,

and got trapped behind enemy lines.

He had no choice but to lead them toward Death Valley.

It's all my fault.

I should be the one who died, Grandfather!

Zhuo!

Zhuo!

He's dead.

Oh, Zhuo!

Zhuo, didn't you promise your mother

you'd come home victorious?

Lord Lu...

Please take Mother with you...

Wei Rao.

I'm sorry.

I couldn't bring him home safely.

Where are you going?

I know you can't accept this,

but you have to.

Lu Zhuo is dead.

We have to arrange his funeral.

You're his wife.

No matter how much it hurts,

you have to pull yourself together

and give him the funeral he deserves.

Wei Rao!

[Zhuyu Estate]

Nothing can bring back the dead.

Your Ladyship, I'm so sorry for your loss.

It's better to cry than bottle it all up.

Xiao.

Your Ladyship.

Gather everyone we can mobilize. Now.

How many can we assemble before sunset?

How many do you need, Your Ladyship?

Zhuyu Estate has 800 strongmen

and 3,000 trained soldiers.

If that's not enough,

over the past two years,

30,000 drought victims have fled to the capital.

With outbreaks and earthquakes growing more frequent,

refugees from the twelve eastern commanderies have fled west.

There are now 80,000 refugees around the capital.

Among them,

at least 30,000 are able-bodied young adults.

Can we mobilize them?

The people believe you're a divine being.

Only a divine being could survive the plague

and save so many lives.

Even the Emperor couldn't rally these people.

But if you call on them, they'll come.

How many troops guard the capital and palace?

Those loyal to the Crown Prince and Zheng family

number around 20,000 to 30,000.

Sick and starving refugees...

How could they stand against elite cavalry?

Prepare 200 carrier pigeons. Write...

Your Ladyship.

Your Ladyship!

Your Ladyship, His Majesty has issued a decree.

He's allowing the general's coffin into the palace,

where the High Shaman will perform the funeral rites.

Court will be suspended for five days of mourning.

All officials must wear mourning clothes for three days.

He'll be posthumously honored as the Loyal and Valiant.

And buried with the honors of a prince.

Understood.

♪I've seen the falsehoods of this world♪

♪And learned to hide my edge...♪

Once someone's dead, it's all over.

All that's left is an empty shell.

What good does wearing mourning clothes and crying do?

Leave me.

Get out!

♪Grass grows beyond the cold path, proud against the moss♪

♪Never yielding, never giving up till the skies clear...♪

Your Ladyship.

You haven't eaten a thing all day.

Please, have a little soup.

He gave me this.

He picked it out just for me.

Your Ladyship...

♪I stand upon the frozen wilds...♪

As long as Lu Zhuo was alive,

they were terrified of him.

♪Anywhere I can go...♪

But now he's dead.

He's dead.

♪I'll defy life's twists and smile through the gloom...♪

I won't let them get away with this.

Those who hurt Lu Zhuo...

I won't let them celebrate!

Never!

♪Never yielding, never giving up till the skies clear♪

Aman.

Help me get dressed.

Lu Zhuo is dead?

He's really gone?

Good.

Very good!

Word has come from the palace.

His Majesty was so distraught that he coughed up blood and passed out.

The palace is in chaos.

Your Highness.

We must act tonight. There's no time to lose.

I'll take the palace gates.

Your Highness, lead your men into the inner palace.

Grand Commandant Zheng will secure the city gates.

By the time everyone wakes at dawn,

it'll all be over.

Your Highness, shall we march on the palace now?

No.

I'll personally lead my guards

to kill the traitors at His Majesty's side first.

I'll accompany Your Highness to Zhuyu Estate.

[Zhuyu Estate] Use Wei Rao's head as our war offering.

That'll send morale soaring.

Your Highness, we've searched all of Zhuyu Estate.

There's not a soul here.

Lady Wu'an is nowhere to be found, either.

Someone must have leaked our plans.

That's how Wei Rao escaped in time.

Those people...

They've already hidden in the mountains.

Your Highness.

Something's wrong.

Quick!

Get to the palace! Now!

[Hengcheng Gate]

[Hengcheng Gate]

[Prince Jing's Residence]

Your Highness.

I've been ordered to escort you.

Ordered?

By whom?

Are you part of this rebellion, too?

Your Highness.

Please come with us.

I'll go with you.

Leave the women out of this.

Orders are orders.

Forgive my disrespect.

Take everyone

into custody!

This way, Your Highness.

There's going to be unrest in the city.

What should I do?

Hidden rocks lie beneath the deep currents.

And danger lurks beyond the path to safety.

The omen says a trapped dragon faces disaster.

The Crown Prince has marched into the palace.

If he takes the throne,

we'll lose everything we've worked for!

Fate is what we make of it.

Maybe I shouldn't trust your readings.

A dragon waits beneath the waters,

ready to rise when the time is right.

Your Highness,

please be patient.

You're right, my dear.

Gather our men first.

I'll back whoever wins.

[Xuanshi Palace]

I heard my father was unwell.

I've come to check on him, even at this late hour.

Go inside and inform him.

If Father condemns that wicked consort

and her two children to death,

not a single soldier I've brought

will dare enter and disturb him.

Your Highness.

The victors take the throne. The losers pay the price.

There's no turning back now.

We've come this far.

Why not storm the palace?

You're just a woman.

What do you know about affairs of state?

I'm the rightful heir to the throne,

not some treasonous rebel!

My father is old and sick.

He can't live forever, can he?

Once I have an abdication decree bearing the imperial seal,

I'll be the rightful new emperor.

The court officials and the common people,

and the princes throughout the realm

will all willingly bow to me.

Forgive my ignorance.

A wise man knows when to yield.

Father will make the right choice.

You raise an army in rebellion

and still expect the people to embrace you?

How laughably foolish.

If it were me...

♪The candlelight suddenly chills the window♪

♪Whose shadow stirs the ripples in another's heart?♪

♪That sigh is soft yet thunders like a drum♪

♪And leaves the world around us strangely still♪

♪I've grown used to walking through the cold♪

♪I've seen the broken shadows beneath all the splendor♪

♪But like the wind you stir the calm within my eyes♪

♪Until this game of testing has no winner or loser♪

♪We're so close I forget how to breathe♪

♪Your gaze is like fire flickering yet searing my secrets♪

♪The sharpness I've hidden inside my weakness♪

♪Scatters into disarray the moment you lean close♪

♪We're so close I hear my heartbeat break free♪

♪Who lost their plan and who lost their breath in this moment?♪

♪Even if you'll still be far beyond my reach♪

♪At least right now there's only an inch between us♪