Original subtitles

SAY NO TO PIRACY, SUPPORT ORIGINALS

ADAPTED FROM JIA JIN CHAI, ORIGINAL NOVEL BY XIAOJIAREN ON JINJIANG LITERATURE CITY

Deadly trials?

What if she can't get through it?

Bloodshed and death hang over her.

If she cannot get through it,

then I'm afraid her death is fast approaching.

She will not live past her twenties.

How dare you!

How dare you curse my daughter?

Yi Jiang,

how dare you speak such nonsense?

Apologize to Her Ladyship at once.

I spoke frankly.

Please forgive me, Your Ladyship.

It's nothing.

Nuwa and Fuxi wanted to take me to paradise.

I told them I wouldn't go.

I have another 80 years to live.

Yi Jiang, watch closely and see for yourself.

I won't settle for even one day less.

I spoke out of turn. Please forgive me, Your Ladyship.

Fortune-telling is just for fun.

You needn't take it to heart.

Hualou, is your painting finished?

Lady Zheng, it's finished.

No wonder you're famed throughout the capital for your talent.

It really captures the spirit,

remarkably so.

Attendants, reward her.

Thank you, Your Ladyship.

AUSPICIOUS DAYS, JOYOUS GATHERINGS

I invited Noble Lady Wu'an here today to discuss another important matter.

The Crown Prince is nearly 30 and still childless.

I hear your foster sister is gentle and virtuous.

I'd like her to become the Crown Prince's secondary consort,

so she may bear him children and continue his line.

Your Ladyship, what do you think?

My sister cannot speak. I'm afraid she cannot serve His Highness.

Hongxian wasn't born mute.

After some treatment from the imperial physicians,

she'll recover.

Hongxian,

your sister can't bear to part with you.

But you mustn't be ungrateful.

Come now.

Thank Lady Zheng for this honor.

Lady Zheng,

Hongxian is already betrothed.

Who would dare offend the heir to the throne?

Have him call off the engagement.

Good girl,

it's time to give thanks.

Go on.

Stop!

I won't allow it!

Noble Lady Wu'an,

an imperial offer of marriage cannot be refused.

Do you plan to defy imperial authority

for a girl of common birth?

Lady Zheng,

Rao and Hongxian share a deep bond.

Rao has settled Hongxian's marriage.

Why put her in such a difficult position

by insisting on taking her as a consort?

Because the Crown Prince has taken a fancy to her

and insists on taking her as a consort.

Hualou,

if the Crown Prince wanted you as his consort,

how would you react?

I would simply obey.

Did you hear that?

When a man of higher rank wants a lowborn woman,

she must simply obey.

Even if you take this to His Majesty,

His Majesty will never permit anyone to defy their betters

and disobey the imperial family.

That is the law.

That is propriety.

I wouldn't dare offend you.

Please forgive me, Your Ladyship.

Noble Lady Wu'an,

at least you know how to behave.

I have something to tell Your Ladyship.

May I come closer to speak?

A mother rises in status through her son.

The mother of the Crown Prince is traditionally made Empress.

Yet you still haven't been given that title.

So who are you to act like you're already Empress?

How dare you!

Rao!

Rao!

You…

What have I done to offend Your Ladyship that you had to strike me like that?

I… I didn't even…

You vile woman! How dare you hurt my daughter?

How dare you hit me?

Mother!

Stop!

-Stop! -Mother.

What is all this racket?

Greetings, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty,

Lady Zheng attacked my daughter without cause.

I beg Your Majesty for justice.

Did this really happen?

Come on. Get up.

All of you, rise.

Your Majesty,

the Crown Prince has taken a liking to Noble Lady Wu'an's foster sister

and wishes to take her as a secondary consort.

Lady Zheng kindly offered to arrange the match, but she…

Your Majesty,

Wu'an spoke insolently and humiliated me.

All I did was tell Lady Zheng that Hongxian was already betrothed,

and she slapped me.

I've been wronged.

I beg Your Majesty to judge fairly.

-You clearly said… -Said what?

Lady Wang heard our conversation.

Lady Wang, please tell us what you heard.

Your Majesty,

I was present.

I certainly

didn't hear anything offensive.

For reasons I don't know,

Lady Zheng lost her temper

and struck Noble Lady Wu'an on the right cheek.

Xie Hualou, you were there too.

Please tell us the truth.

I…

I couldn't hear clearly.

What exactly have I done wrong? Please do let me know, Lady Zheng.

You…

Your Majesty,

all I said was that a mother's status rises with her son's.

-The Crown Prince… -A mother's status rises with her son's.

Once Hongxian enters the Crown Prince's household and bears a child,

His Majesty will reward her handsomely.

Noble Lady Wu'an will share in that honor too.

What's wrong with that?

The Crown Prince has taken a fancy to Wu'an's foster sister?

Where is she?

Raise your head.

Your Majesty, my sister is already…

Father, forgive me.

This happened because of me.

It's entirely my fault.

I often visit my sister, and I've long had my eye on Hongxian.

But since I haven't taken a principal wife,

my sister feared you'd think me young and reckless.

So she did all she could to conceal it and dared not comply.

Oh, you. That really was unacceptable.

How could you let your sister take the blame?

Your Majesty,

well…

You little rascal.

You're reckless and out of control.

From now on, discipline yourself and conduct yourself with dignity.

If you get out of line again,

I won't let you off lightly.

Yes.

As for this girl…

Your Majesty…

The Crown Prince should cherish his brothers

and treat them with courtesy.

only then can he be a model for the realm.

It's only one woman.

Find him another suitable girl.

And you.

If your daughter has been wronged, come to me for a fair judgment.

You shouldn't have acted rashly

and disgraced the imperial family.

Your punishment…

Both of you were at fault.

You'll each lose a year's allowance

and remain in your palace for a month to reflect.

Your Majesty is wise.

Was everything you said at the banquet true?

Noble Lady Wu'an's features foretell a noble destiny.

No, more than that.

Her authority will grow, and the people will rally to her.

Wherever she directs her banner, none will dare disobey.

Even the reigning Empress Dowager

doesn't have features like hers.

But her ear rims turn outward,

and she has a fiery temper.

A flame that burns too fiercely consumes its wick.

How can a candle like that last long in the wind?

The fiercer the flame, the sooner it burns out.

She may enjoy great glory for a time,

but will never see past her blossoming years.

Exactly.

The Crown Prince wanted a common girl.

She should have let him have her. But she refused.

She's rebellious by nature.

Now that you've seen her for yourself, I can rest easy.

Marked for an early death

with the makings of a tyrant.

And she's a woman, no less.

What a pity.

SILKS AND FINE FABRICS

Hualou, please don't be angry.

I have a few things to say. I'll leave once I've said them.

Grand Tutor Xie enjoys an honorable reputation,

but your father holds only the rank of viscount.

I'll ask Father to make him a marquis,

give 3000 jin of gold as a betrothal gift,

and expand the Xie family's fief by a hundred li.

You truly want to marry me?

Then why did you ask for Hongxian?

Only to save her.

You come from a distinguished family,

act with sound judgment, and carry yourself with grace.

Surely you can see beyond petty matters of love, right?

You can take as many concubines as you like.

It's just…

what if Hongxian becomes another Yi Jiang,

and you lose your head over her one day…

I'm not Prince Fu.

By custom, an emperor's son who takes a principal wife

can be granted a princely title.

You'll have the status of a prince's wife,

with all the honor and dignity that entails.

I'll cherish you and treat you well for life.

No other woman will take precedence over you.

There.

I've said what I came to say.

Please, think this through.

Stop the carriage!

Wait.

Alert your sister to be careful with the Crown Princess.

She's been in contact with some of the displaced from Ancheng.

All right.

Once I've spoken to Father,

I'll visit your family at once to ask for your hand.

SONGYUE HALL

-My Lord. -Has Her Ladyship returned?

She has, but…

What's wrong?

Finished with military business?

I came back early after inspecting the troops.

What happened at the palace?

Nothing much.

Prince Fu's favorite concubine, Yi Jiang, who is skilled at reading faces,

said I would face trials.

All that mystical nonsense and fearmongering

was quite upsetting.

Is that what she said?

What else did she say?

Is Yi Jiang really that accurate?

Prince Fu dotes on her.

His travel dates, clothes, carriages, and routes

all depend on her divinations.

He treats her like a fortune-teller.

Prince Fu really is foolish.

No wonder Xie Hualou wouldn't marry him.

He isn't foolish.

Yi Jiang must have some extraordinary ability.

Starting tomorrow,

take Zhao Song and Zhao Bai whenever you go out.

You believe her too?

Your safety is at stake.

I'd rather take the warning seriously. It's settled.

My Lord, you have a visitor.

Who's here?

It's probably military business.

I'll be right back.

Aman.

Pack some valuables and money.

At the Zi hour tonight…

I've arranged a place for you to hide.

Xiao will be waiting there.

You'll leave the city at the Yin hour.

Don't ask questions.

Get in the carriage.

Hurry.

Don't move.

Stop!

Zhao Bai, put away your sword.

Hongxian, get in.

His Majesty has approved.

Hongxian must marry the Fourth Prince.

Otherwise, if the truth comes out later,

Lady Li and Liu Shuo will both be implicated.

Don't worry about that. Get in.

Why won't you listen?

I'm telling you to leave!

Wei Rao!

Fine.

Have it your way.

I'm done looking after you.

We're not related by blood, yet you've caused me so much trouble.

I should never have meddled.

I should have sent you away long ago.

From now on, I won't concern myself whether you live or die,

Liu Shuo will take a wife from a suitable noble family.

Even if he favors you for my sake,

you'll still be a lowly concubine.

Think of Madam Ge in the tenement.

Simply because of her beautiful eyes,

the principal wife grew jealous and blinded her.

You can't even cry out in pain. How can I possibly not worry?

You worked yourself to the bone to feed our family.

I always thought that once I grew up,

I'd be willing to become a concubine,

even a slave or a prostitute,

so you wouldn't have to work so hard again.

Hongxian…

As a prince's concubine,

I won't go hungry again.

That's a good thing.

I don't want to leave.

Those who trampled on me must pay for what they did.

I have to see it.

Until then, even in death,

I won't rest in peace.

Are you sure?

Very well.

Do you know why I provoked Lady Zheng today?

First, to get us out of there quickly.

Second,

who do you think

most longs for the Emperor's death?

The Crown Prince and his mother.

The more impatient they are,

the more likely they are to make mistakes.

An ant can hardly topple a great tree,

but termites can hollow it out.

Don't worry.

I won't forget what they did to you.

I won't forget those girls he abused.

Why did avoid your sister?

My sister and I have only recently become family.

She's far closer to Hongxian than to me.

I only asked to marry Hongxian to save her,

but she may think I have an ulterior motive.

You really have feelings for Hongxian?

In this palace, there's every kind of beauty you can imagine.

My sister has always kept me at a distance.

Hongxian is her foster sister.

I approached Hongxian to learn more about my sister's past.

I also wanted to understand

why my sister cared for her so much, so protective of her.

By chance, it ended in a marriage arrangement.

Lord Lu, I'll be direct.

I came to say just two things.

First, there's something uncanny about Yi Jiang.

Her readings are never wrong.

You must warn my sister to be careful.

-I will. -Second, the Crown Prince…

He's about to make a move. We should be on our guard.

Forgive me, Your Ladyship.

Get out!

All of you, get out!

BLOSSOMS NESTLED IN DEW

Mother, let me do it.

Wei Rao is arrogant, but she wasn't wrong.

His Majesty's affection has faded.

You've long been out of favor.

Becoming Empress is now an impossible dream.

You'd do better to support the Crown Prince.

How dare you!

Who are you to say such things?

In this world,

the Crown Prince is the only one you can rely on.

Is His Majesty still taking medicine?

Why do you ask?

Wu'an's insolence has made you ill with distress.

To silence the gossip,

His Majesty will surely visit you often.

When the late Emperor died,

the lives of his consorts

were entirely at the Empress Dowager's mercy.

Lady Li is in favor only because of her beauty.

How long can her good fortune last?

Your Ladyship, just keep your composure

and be patient.

Say no more.

Let me think it over.

Are you sure you can persuade Mother?

Who could resist the chance

to wield power in Weiyang Palace

and hold all of Chang'an in their grasp?

HENGCHENG GATE

Lord Han,

what did the Empress Dowager say?

She deeply resents all three of the Zhou family.

The plan will certainly work.

However…

Once we succeed,

the Crown Prince will strip the Lu family of military power,

promote you to General-in-Chief,

and give your family back its lands and title.

Good.

The Han family will serve the Crown Prince

and gladly give our lives for him.

How do you plan to deal with Wei Rao?

Noble Lady Wu'an saves those in peril and is widely revered.

Zhuyu Estate has become a haven.

But branches can grow too heavy for a tree,

and an estate too large to control.

Her greatest strength

will also be her fatal weakness.

ZHAO

Nice!

Go, General Qi!

-Nice blow! -Go, General Qi!

Go, General Qi!

-Come on. -Go, General Qi!

Yes!

-Go, General Qi! -Go, General Qi!

-General Qi! -Well done!

Go, General Qi!

Keep it up!

Nice!

General Qi!

-Go, General Qi! -Wonderful!

-Nice blow! -Keep going!

-General Qi! -General Qi!

-I'll spar with you! -Go, General Qi!

That's our General Qi!

-Victory! -Victory!

General Qi will win!

-You'll win! -You'll win!

General Qi will win!

Victory!

Great moves, General Qi!

-Nice! -Fantastic!

Victory!

Great moves, General Lu!

Victory!

What are you staring at? Don't you have drills to do?

Move along! Break it up!

-Let's go. Come on. -Let's go. Come on.

-That was quite a fight! -It was.

-They're far better than us. -They are.

General Qi was incredible.

Qi Zhongkai, what's wrong with you?

You smell like her incense.

You're clearly showing off.

I should've hit you a few more times.

I'm not.

Perhaps the maids used it to scent my clothes.

Who do you think you're fooling?

Qi Zhongkai.

Zhongkai!

How long are you going to stay angry?

My Lord, Zhuyu Estate is taking in refugees this morning.

Have the horses prepared.

ZHUYU ESTATE

Keep moving.

Give us your name.

-All right, go ahead. -Move along. Go ahead.

-Move along. -Go ahead.

-Move along. Come on. -Line up!

Step up here. Line up!

Once you've registered, move ahead. There's food up front.

Off you go.

-Don't rush. One at a time. -There's enough for everyone.

Here you are.

Keep moving at the back.

-Lodgings are over there. -All right, next.

-Thank you. -Thank you.

-Keep moving. -Here.

-Here you are. -Thank you!

-Thank you. -Be careful. It's hot.

Here you are.

-There's enough for everyone. -Here.

Keep moving at the back.

Here.

-Give me some. -Here's yours.

Is the child ill?

Your Ladyship, my granddaughter is sick.

Those at the back!

Please bless her.

-There's more over here. -Don't believe the rumors.

I'm only human.

If your child is ill, take her to a physician.

Don't touch her!

A spring epidemic has broken out in Ancheng.

Countless people have fallen ill or died in the past half month.

Prince Fu ordered the city gates shut. These people fled from Ancheng.

That's not true! No!

What's wrong?

What happened?

Wake up!

Take them away.

Some great savior you are!

My granddaughter is dying,

yet you heartlessly turn us away!

What kind of living saint are you?

You're a murderer, a demon who brings death!

Look, everyone! She's a murderous demon!

There's nothing kind about her!

-And people think she's a living saint. -Zhao Song.

She makes me sick!

She's cruel and vicious.

-Don't let her fool you! -You monster!

You let infected people in. Are you trying to kill everyone?

-Who told you to do this? -Qi Zhongkai,

this isn't the place.

Take him away.

I… I don't know anything!

I really don't!

The illness comes on quickly and hits hard.

Ancheng is so far away.

How could they have made it here on foot?

Someone clearly brought them in carriages.

Detain them.

Check everyone again.

Look for anyone with a pale or bluish face, trembling hands or feet,

fever, or convulsions. Don't miss a single one.

Have them leave.

Yes.

-Murderous demon! -Hurry!

-Murderous demon! -Move! Hurry!

Out! Get out!

-Hurry! -Get out!

-Hurry! -Out!

Move!

Hurry!

-Murderous demon! -Get out!

Move along!

Move!

-Hurry! -Move!

-Move! -Why aren't you stopping her?

You can't stop her.

Just stay out of her way.

Don't cry.

I'll buy you some sweets.

Everyone, stay calm.

Anyone who's ill must have their symptoms recorded accurately.

I'll set up quarters for the sick,

provide food and water every day, and send physicians and medicinal herbs.

With proper care, everyone will be well again.

-Thank you, Your Ladyship! -Thank you, Your Ladyship!

Now that you've come here,

you're my people and deserve my protection.

Take the child to a physician.

Thank you.

Thank you, Your Ladyship.

Thank you, Your Ladyship.

Her Ladyship acts by Heaven's will,

saving lives and easing the people's suffering.

May Heaven protect Her Ladyship,

and may her kindness bless the entire realm!

May Heaven bless Her Ladyship with good fortune and a long life!

May she live long and bless all the people!

Everyone, get up!

Please stop kneeling! Get up!

Aman, go into the city

and bring every physician skilled in treating epidemics.

Hurry.

Yes.

-Line up! -Form a line!

-Get in line! -Hurry!

-Line up! -One at a time!

Unbelievable.

People keep exploiting her kindness to cause trouble,

only to help her rise even higher.

What's so surprising?

I imagine whoever's behind this must be furious right now.

I don't know whether they're furious.

All I know is you two scared me half to death.

Turning everything to her advantage.

that is who she truly is.

Stop.

You'd better tell the truth

and spare yourself more pain.

I was only trying to help by letting them into the estate.

How was I to know which people had the plague?

I really don't know anything.

I'm innocent!

Stubborn, aren't you?

You won't talk unless we torture you.

Qi Zhongkai!

Don't bother. Take him out.

Lu Zhuo, you're letting him go?

Thank you, Lord Lu, for giving me justice.

I'll never forget your kindness.

Lu Zhuo!

Since we can't get anything out of him, why waste time?

Let the people decide his fate.

Whether he's torn apart by chariots or stoned to death

will depend on his luck.

-Lord… Lord Lu! -Take him away.

Lord Lu!

I really don't know anything!

Lord Lu, I'll talk!

Lord Lu, I'll talk.

Someone gave me two gold pellets and told me

to let them in.

But I didn't recognize him.

I'd never seen him before.

I've told you everything I know.

Spare me, Lord Lu! Spare me!

Give him 50 strokes of the rod and hold him for now.

Lord Lu, I told you everything. Please!

Lord Lu!

I should've known.

Who but that petty Crown Prince, who's unworthy of his position,

would do something so vile?

General Qi, you're no longer angry with me?

I can do the math too.

Falling out with you would cost me two friends.

I won't make such a bad bargain.

I've sworn to find someone better than Wei Rao.

My wife must surpass her in both wit and virtue.

Otherwise, I'd rather never marry than settle for any less.

I'm leaving.

DUKE'S RESIDENCE

Don't worry, Rao. I'll treat Hongxian well.

In three days, I'll bring her back to see you.

When a girl marries,

her brother helps her into the carriage.

Your own brother is good for nothing,

I sent him to the army to be tempered.

Today, let Xiao help you instead.

It's for good luck.

Come here.

Go on.

Hongxian is of humble birth.

She'll have to settle for the rank now.

Once she's had a child in a year or two,

you can ask His Majesty to grant her a title.

Then she'll have a bright future ahead of her.

Don't worry. Let's go inside.

My Lord, why don't you go over?

It's all right. Let's go.

It's beautiful.

You've kept forcing my hand.

Don't blame me for what comes next.

But I mustn't act rashly.

Wei Rao,

stay calm

Did I wake you?

-I wanted to say… -I know.

You know what I want to say?

You want to say, with sick refugees entering the capital,

Grandfather and Grandmother getting on in years,

you plan to move to the estate as a precaution.

And you agree?

I'll move there with you.

We'll tell the elders together tomorrow.

What I meant was…

I joined the army at thirteen

and crossed countless dangerous lands.

I've seen plenty of deadly fevers and plagues.

I have more experience handling them.

That's one reason.

An epidemic spreads rapidly.

From one person,

it can spread to a household, a village, then a whole town

in just two months.

Whoever let infected people into the capital

isn't merely targeting you.

They may have some other scheme in mind.

I must stay vigilant.

Someone wants to throw the capital into chaos?

What's more…

Let's sleep.

You haven't told me your third reason.

I can't bear to be apart from you.

Lu Zhuo, I want to…

Whatever you're planning,

don't tell me.

I serve the Emperor and owe him my loyalty.

There are some things I'm better off not knowing.

Whatever you want to do,

go ahead and do it.

All my men are yours to command.

Really?

Then I'm going to do something

that will shake the realm.

‎NO ANIMALS WERE HARMED ‎IN THE MAKING OF THIS SHOW