Original subtitles

Timing and subtitles brought to you by ⚡ Team of The Gods ⚡ @Viki.com

[Investiture of the Gods]

[Episode 11]

When my mother was dying... Father! Listen to me!

My mother, when she was dying, was tightly holding my hands,

telling me, "Daughter, hurry and go find your father.

Your father is living in Number 3, Jia, in the Crooked Alley."

After she finished talking, she held my hand

and slowly closed her eyes...

You see? She was just like this, holding my hands tightly, and closed her eyes.

Miss, don't hurt your delicate white hands.

If you have something to say, say it nicely. Don't force your hand!

You, the thing that never dies! Quickly think of a solution.

Miss, listen to me. Okay? I'm an old geezer.

I was even unable to count half an ant, how could I be fit to be your father?

Then, who is my father? Where is he?

For what you asked, how would I know?

Then, you are just my father.

Miss, you're robbing.

If you rob people of their wealth, whatever. But here you are, trying to take a dad.

That is the sign of a hero! Nice!

Did you hear, Dad? Even Brother just said that you're my father.

Yet you're still ashamed.

Miss, I'm not ashamed, I'm only afraid.

I truthfully am not your father.

Father! Father, did you forget me?

- Dad... Dad... - Divine Lord, you can't torture me like this.

Who's the Divine Lord? Where is this Divine Lord?

Father!

Your daughter really wants a father!

She really wants one!

Miss...

Miss, if you have something to say, speak clearly. Don't stubbornly pinch me. You've pinched my heart to pieces.

Your daughter has been talking to you reasonably this whole time.

All right, Father! Why don't I say it in a different way?

Quickly, say it differently.

When my mother was dying, she also told me

that, "After you see Dad, give him a huge slap for me."

Right! Asshole! Hit him! You must hit him! This was your mother's will.

If you don't hit him, you'll be unfilial. Greatly unfilial. Hit him!

Ma Xiaohong, I don't think that's a good...

Dad, my mom's wish has finally come true.

She can rest in peace now.

Father! Father, I have decided. From today on, I will move over and live with you.

What? Live together? You are– What is this? What type of crap are you saying?

No matter what you say, she is still Father's daughter. You can't just force her to leave.

You old geezer! Where's my broom?

- Aye.. Aye.... - Father!

Divine Lord, please stop torturing me!

Dad! Dad! The heavens are useless to you but I am helpful.

From now on, I will be filial to you.

Father!

Mother, you are boiling noodles? For my father?

Him? He's been stuffed to death from secret romances.

Then, who are you boiling noodles for?

Now, we are a wealthy family. In any case, we have to value proprieties.

Those two beautiful princes who came are our guests.

What if one of them takes a liking to you?

- Mother! - I am saying,

I should hurry and marry you off. Then, I won't be living with that thing that never dies anymore.

She isn't dad's illegitimate daughter. She came here while she was trying to look for someone.

- She wants to be his step-daughter no matter what. - You stupid girl, why do you talk nonsense?!

Didn't we just hear? She's your father's daughter.

Mom, I have a thought. Don't get angry after hearing it.

I've already had a lifetime's worth of anger. This one more time won't make a difference!

- Our family's noodles are the best on this street, right? - Right!

But our price is the lowest. Isn't that an injustice?

- An injustice - Why are the best noodles sold at the lowest price?

It's because we don't know how to promote ourselves, create shows, or make an attracting commotion.

But look! Now, a source of easy money has fallen from the heavens. (T/N: lit - a tree that drops coins when shaken)

- Who? - Dad's god-daughter! Look at her lowly appearance,

casting flirty looks, talking big, and acting as refined as a precious jade.

If she goes on the streets for you and shouts, "Minced meat noodles!"

Wouldn't that be like selling a miracle medicine?

Women will be jealous and refuse to come while men will break the door trying to come in.

Women will be jealous and refuse to come while men will break the door trying to come in?

The noodles will still be the same noodles and the minced meat noodles will be the same minced meat noodles.

But if that fox lady sways them, whatever price you want to sell it at,

- we can sell it at. - Really?

- 100%. - Good. Good!

Also, in the backyard, Wuji and Yang Jian will do the work for you.

In front of the hearth, Father will make the fire for you.

And on the streets, that fox lady will promote your business for you.

Then our family only lacks an owner to receive the money. Who will that be?

- Me! - That's how a wealthy family should be.

Everyone, please enjoy them slowly. We have lots of noodles at home.

- Jiang... Jiang... - Ziya.

Jiang Ziya, the taste of your manor's noodles is really second to none.

Manor? Later, say these words again. (T/N: manor = home of wealthy people)

Say it to my wife.

Is Mom stupid? Do you think she'll be that easily satisfied with just "manor?" It has to be "grand manor."

Jiang Ziya, I have never tasted deliciousness filled with such warmth in my whole life.

Is it even more delicious than the royal delicacies of the palace? (T/N: lit - liver of dragons and gall bladders of phoenixes)

Of course! It's definitely more delicious than the royal delicacies of the palace.

How do you know? Unless you've tasted those before?

I⁠— I'm just saying so. Why are you investigating me to the ends?

- You don't have even one relative? - None.

- You don't have a single one on your mom's side either? - No.

- You've been alone all along? - That's right.

Alone by myself! No relatives or anyone who cares about me.

Then, you must be very lonely.

Not at all! I have a family now, don't I?

Are you not eating anymore?

It's her again.

Bi De, we've had a joyful day today, haven't we?

I've had no energy this whole day. We could have enjoyed a very relaxing day today.

It's all because of that woman's clinging. It's seriously so annoying.

Rob from the poor and give to the rich. She's been alone her whole life.

She finally found her birth father, yet had not a single word of complaint.

Not only does she have wonderful internal qualities, but she's also self-cultivated.

Such a great girl!

Do you not understand the palace rules? Why on earth would you wear such obscene clothing to come and see me?

Because when I got up in the morning, all of my clothes had disappeared.

I only had these clothes I'm wearing right now. And at that time, Your Highness called for me.

His Majesty gifted you with plenty of clothes, how could they have all disappeared?

As for this, I do not know whether it's a human's doing or a demon's doing.

- Han Shanggong. - Yes.

Retrieve some clothes and help Consort Su change.

Your Highness, the clothes you are referring to are...

Are there anyone else's clothes here in the Virtue Palace?

- Your Highness. - Hurry up and go.

Yes.

- Your Highness. - I'm about to change clothes,

can I rise now?

Since you already understand,

why are you still asking me about these rules?

Your Highness.

Your Highness, how could you let Consort Su wear the clothes of the empress?

Even if you cut off my head, you must not do so!

Then, what should I do? Let her wear the clothes of servants?

Then, where would the dignity of the royal family remain? Quickly go and change into them.

Your Highness, you mustn't.

If you insist on letting Daji wearing your imperial robes,

then why don't you cut off my head.

Your Highness, behead me as well.

What exactly is it that you all want to do?

Let's get dressed. In your eyes, I am lower than a palace maid.

There's nothing wrong with wearing the clothes of servants.

I'll wear them. Are you satisfied?

Your Highness, you must be worrying about what will happen if His Majesty found out about today's events.

- What do you have to be worried about? You are the empress after all. - Daji.

- Do you see these flowers? - I see them.

Are they beautifully bloomed? Are they alluring?

They are beautiful and alluring.

Those palace maids that passed away are all buried underneath these flowers.

So, these flowers are especially beautiful and alluring.

They are so colorful; blood seems to drip from them. What do you think?

Does Your Highness mean to say that I am the demon?

What? Until now, do you still believe that?

Daji, I heard that His Majesty entertained you with a feast last night.

That's right.

Then, His Majesty did not rise for the morning court.

- Yes. - Then, will he not also rise for the morning court tomorrow

for the sake of having a lewd relationship with you at Longevity Palace?

A lewd relationship?

If you say it like that, aren't you calling all of His Majesty's consorts prostitutes?

You want to demote me from being a servant to a prostitute, right?

Isn't that perfectly fitting?

Your Highness, I never thought that you would be able to say these words.

- Daji. - It's Consort Su.

Daji, no matter whether you want to listen today or how you will feel afterward,

I must thoroughly teach you the rules of the palace.

Then, please teach me, Your Highness.

His Majesty governs over the empire, and I oversee the harem.

The inner and outer palaces support each other just like yin and yang. This is heaven's rule as well as a royal rule. (T/N: inner palace/back court = emperor's harem)

Although your crimes will not result in death,

you will be flogged thirty lashes or have one eye gouged out.

These are rules set by the ancestors of Great Shang.

Of course, you can also choose one of them.

Daji, if it were you, which would you choose?

A flogging or to have an eye gouged out?

Your Highness, I confess to my mistakes.

I won't do so again. If I commit these crimes again,

there will not be a second time.

Remember what you said, that there will never be a second time.

Do you not understand palace rules? Did I allow you to get up?

Why must you harm me?

Are you talking about your disappearing clothes?

I just knew that it was you, a demon's meddling. You forced me to see the empress in sleepwear.

You wanted her to hit me and insult me on the spot. What on earth do you want to do?

- It's fun. - It's fun?

- You're using me for entertainment? - Without "entertainment" in this word, will I still be a fox demon?

You demon, do you think this is entertaining?

This...

This is really meaningless. The palm print will fade soon.

If you want to insult me for entertainment, you don't have to borrow the hands of the empress. You can hit me yourself.

You stupid woman! I had her hit you to help you.

To help me?

If it weren't so, how would you be able to develop hatred in your heart against Empress Jiang in the midst of humiliation?

Without the death of the empress, how would you be able to isolate Emperor Shang?

How will you destroy his glory and his land of 600 years of ruling?

To a military king, what will make his life worse than death

is to become the monarch of a destroyed and vanquished nation.

Wait!

That's not enough!

Hit me! His Majesty will call for me soon.

- This is the first time that I thought you were pitiful. - I want to be even more pitiful.

I want that tyrant to completely lose his ability to reason.

Lan Ying, watch closely and remember this.

- If there's a tiny bit of seasoning missing, the taste won't be the same. Understood? - Okay.

Lan Ying, there isn't enough seasoning. I prefer a more fragrant taste.

Who asked you to comment on the taste? I just wanted you to see what she put in it and know the taste.

Only if you know the taste can you attract customers.

I think that we should establish who's the boss and who's the underling.

If we don't differentiate between superior and inferior, that won't do.

Do it according to seniority, according to the rules.

I am the boss of this family.

Do you want me to straighten that boastful leg of yours?

I don't care if you're a dog or a human.

As long as you don't put your head on straight, I'll whack you until your legs are in the sky.

So right! I'll go attract customers to bring in more money.

Did I get it right?

She spoke so well. Mom, look!

She's perfect for this. Now you won't be unhappy about this in the future, right?

I won't listen to those who only say they'll earn money. Understand?

- I understand. - Also, our Lanying, she wasn't ordinary even when she was in my womb.

In my dream, she was a phoenix.

I don't care if you call her younger sister or older sister. You can't look down on her!

Otherwise, you're out.

Understood!

Also, although we are an ordinary noodle shop on the side of the road,

we are a family with dignity and important identities.

You hear me?

I'm asking you! Did you hear me⁠—

Where is she?

Master, I think Wuji hasn't come back yet.

Is it okay if we leave like this? Should we wait for him?

Even if we wait for him, if he won't come,

he still won't come. What's meant to come will come sooner or later.

Elder Brother Wuji will come back.

Even though his natural disposition is to wander;

nonetheless, he already bowed to you as his master so he will definitely come.

Then, what is there to worry about?

We should, at the very least, tell Lan Ying where we will be practicing.

When Elder Brother comes, he can then find us with the news.

Just tell me!

Where are you going?

Why is it you? When did you come here?

Did you hear us talking earlier?

Did I scare you?

This is my signature act.

What signature act? You're not embarrassed to show off with your thieves' act?

That's also a skill, okay?

Right, Dad?

Yeah. Miss, didn't I say earlier? Stop calling me dad.

If you call me that and somebody overhears,

my wife will get angry.

Once she gets angry, she'll use the broom to hit me.

It's not just a broom.

What if it's a bamboo stick, a bat, a pan, or a jug and she throws it all at you?

That's right! There are also knives.

No problem, Dad! I'll keep it a secret for you.

- Take me with you. - What are you doing? Take your hands off.

What do you mean, come along?

Do you think this is a child's game that you can tag along so freely as you wish?

Quickly go back.

Yang Jian is right. Miss, I'm sorry.

You should go back to the noodle shop.

Dad. Dad! Dad!

You're messing with us on purpose, right? Stop yelling.

So you're taking me with you, right?

- So you're taking me with you, right? - Fine! Do as you wish.

Then I'll do as I wish!

I don't need you to serve me. You are all too stupid.

I want Daji.

What time is it? How come Daji still hasn't come?

Your Majesty, Daji has come.

Dear.

Your hands make me so comfortable.

As long as Your Majesty is satisfied, then that's good.

Daji, what is wrong with your face?

It's nothing.

What exactly happened? Who hit you?

I am Your Majesty's woman. Who would dare to hit me?

Tell me the truth.

Nobody hit me.

I care for you. There isn't anyone in the palace who doesn't know this.

Who dares to hit you? Who dares to be my enemy?

Your Majesty, please calm down. I...

I really am fine.

Who is it?

Is it the empress?

Servants!

Quickly get yourselves in here!

Did the empress make Consort Su's face like this?

Quickly speak! Otherwise, I will kill you immediately.

Your Majesty, please spare me.

Consort Su told us to not speak about this.

Daji, you are so kindhearted.

This is why others trample on you.

Your Majesty...

Speak. Did the empress do this?

- That... - Speak!

Yes.

You evil woman!

Your Majesty! Your Majesty!

Your Majesty, I did it.

The empress knows nothing about this.

Who do you think you are?

Is there room for you to speak?

- Your Majesty. - Han Shanggong, retreat back.

Your Majesty, if you are to punish anyone, then punish me.

Fine! Speak.

Why did you hit Daji?

Consort Su should have come to Virtue Palace

to greet the empress,

but she still hadn't.

Consort Su took a very long time before coming

and... and she wore sleepwear here.

I was frustrated at that moment, so...

so I hit Consort Su.

Han Shanggong!

You bold servant! Didn't I tell you to leave?

Yet you are still speaking. Quickly leave!

- Your Highness! - Leave!

Yes.

So bold, daring to hit even my beloved consort.

You, as the empress,

have an envious heart. You have colluded with the imperial tutor

to frame my beloved consort. Doesn't this count as losing the virtues of a wife?

Empress!

Answer.

Your Majesty, right now, you protect Su Daji at all costs.

Even if I explain with thousands of words,

you will only hate me for speaking them.

I only want to say one thing.

Your Majesty,

you have changed.

Father! Father.

Although I do not know what has happened, please do not hit Royal Mother.

She is the empress; I'm begging you!

Move aside!

No! I won't move.

If you want to hit Royal Mother, then cut off my head first.

Quickly move aside!

Then behead me.

- Jiao'er! Move aside! - Move aside!

Fine! I'll move aside.

From when I started to remember things, you two would argue whenever you saw each other.

Every time you argued, you would have me move aside.

These years, I never see you two together. I can't even hear the sound of you arguing.

Today, just let the emperor of Shang and the empress of Shang argue to their fill!

Even if the heavens collapse and the earth cracks!

Look!

These are the "rules" you speak of.

He's this grown-up already, yet he still lives in the harem.

What good could he become?

Don't you value respecting superiors the most?

And yet you let him speak to me like this?

Look at you!

I want to ask you.

What do you want me to become?

The emperors of my Shang Dynasty weren't raised in the harem.

He's made through wearing armor and killing through his enemies on the battlefield.

He is able to stand while supporting both Heaven and Earth. And he sits with Heaven and Earth in the grasp of his hand.

I know that.

I know you are very disappointed in me.

You are the sun of Great Shang,

shining over all the lands.

Yet, why do you forget me and leave me here

under the shadows of the palace's high walls?

At every grand ceremony, has your gaze ever stayed on me for even one moment?

Father, I am your son.

I am your biological son.

You are the emperor of all the people,

but you are my only father.

Master. Master! I returned.

[Feng ming jiu tian]

[Xing chui si ye]

What are you doing so sneakily? Where have you been wandering around this time?

As a woodcutter, where else could I have gone? I was in the mountains cutting wood.

- What are you writing? - Why are you looking at it?

- Can't I look at it? - Can you even understand it? These are characters.

These are characters? I can't understand it.

- If you don't understand, then why look at it? - If I don't understand, you could teach me.

- You want to learn to write? - Based on the fact I cut wood and lug water for your family,

- just teach me. - Sit next to me.

Listen well.

"Feng," "ming," "jiu," "tian,"

"xing," "chui," "si," "ye."

What does that mean?

"The phoenix is singing in the skies, and the stars fell to the ground."

You must be a diety. Who taught you this?

- My dad. - Master?

Yes. My dad said that someday,

I will fly above the skies like a phoenix.

Do you want to be a phoenix?

My mom said that when she was birthing me, she dreamed that a phoenix flew into her womb.

My dad says that this is called a distinguished talent entering the mind and great fortune.

It means I'll either be a consort or an empress.

That... Do you know what being "the mother of the world" means?

Being the mother of the world? Is that your dream?

Everybody needs to have a dream. Unlike you who cuts wood and carries water every day; unaccomplished.

I can't read! There's nothing I can do about it.

It's scary to be uncultured, but it's even scarier not to have a dream.

So, don't be all master and disciple with my dad all day long

and talk about irrelevant and superficial things.

Look! Every day, it's either eating or playing.

Think about what your dreams are.

Whenever I think of you, I sigh in disappointment.

So this is "ming?"

What bird has a mouth at the back of its body? (T/N: ancient Chinese writing was largely pictographic)

Look carefully!

["Ming"] (T/N: She's written some of the characters incorrectly)

This is "ming," My Little Miss.

Whether or not you can become a phoenix, you have to remember,

one's mouth is at the front of one's face, not at your behind.

Also, this is "chui."

This is how you write "chui." "Xing chui si ye."

It means that the sky and ground are connected, not that the stars fell on the ground.

It's scary to be uncultured, but it's even scarier not to have a dream.

Jeez...

You're so bad!

Brother Wuji, I didn't hit you that hard. Right?

Where are you going all of a sudden?

Move aside! Quickly move aside!

A courier carrying a green flag? There must be a big incident at the frontier pass!

What's going on?

It has nothing to do with me. It has nothing to do with me.

This⁠— This has nothing to do with me.

Leave! Leave. Quickly leave! Quick!

What happened?

Prince Wucheng...

What about Prince Wucheng?

Hey! Hey!

Move aside! Move aside! Move aside!

Who are you?

I am just a lumberjack passing by.

Men! Take him!

Reporting to Prince Wucheng.

While he was rushing, the courier was running towards Zhaoge City.

He was heavily wounded and had already stopped breathing.

I also saw that before he died, he seemed to have said something to that lad outside.

- What did he say? - I do not know.

Change his clothes and send some grains and money to his family.

Yes.

Also, bring that person in. I'll wait in my inner room.

I obey.

Timing and subtitles brought to you by ⚡ Team of The God's ⚡ @Viki.com

Xiqi?

What did you hear earlier?

A fierce tiger.

Did you see that fierce tiger?

I only heard the sound of the tiger roaring.

That fierce tiger was right in front of my eyes.

What color was it?

It's entire body... It's entire body was a golden yellow.

Turn around!

Your Highness.

You recognize me?

No, I don't! It's the fierce tiger that told me, you are Prince Wucheng, Huang Feihu.

- Get up! - Thank you, Your Highness.

I heard the soldiers say you are a lumberjack.

Impressive!

A lumberjack who understands warfare?

I saw the gaze you looked at the military tactics books with.

Speak! Are you really a lumberjack？

Yes.

Yet you understand warfare?

Connected mountains are like a battle array. Flowers and plants are like troops.

Flowing water is like a sword. Flying birds are like bows.

In my eyes, the eyes of a lumberjack, everything in this world is the art of war.

All of these are what my late grandfather became conscious of in a dream after the Great Wu Ding

sent armed forces to suppress the tribes living by the North Sea.

These are the words he etched after waking.

Also, even the weapons you touched earlier

were said to be gifted from the heavens.

According to the imperial tutor, these were the weapons of immortals.

Whatever the imperial tutor says is naturally true.

The weapons of immortals change quickly.

The emperor had only just received these blades and it transformed into a python.

In a blink, everything returned to normal.

The emperor had no way to control it.

Why?

According to the imperial master, the weapons of those above choose their masters themselves.

If it meets its true master, it will reveal its true form

and allow itself to be used by the master at any time.

As long as it was said by an imperial tutor,

then it must be true.

It seems that you truly are an ignoramus.

The blade is clearly right in front of you,

yet you are absolutely indifferent.

Your Highness, I, a peasant, cannot see what is different about this weapon.

Let me ask you.

What did the courier say to you before dying?

Three characters. Prince Wucheng.

- Just that? - Just that.

But it seemed like he was about to say something else.

But he died without saying it.

You dare to read my letter?

No.

The letter is right in your arms. Why didn't you read it?

This letter was sent to Prince Wucheng. What good would a peasant like me do to read it?

Men!

Take him!

Why are you capturing me?

You can read maps, understand warfare, and can discuss rarities.

There's a blade right next to you, yet you have no fear.

Does such a peasant like this exist?

It is true that I am a peasant. What crime did I commit?

Whether you are guilty or not, that's a question to be answered later.

Take him!

What martial arts has the crown prince been learning lately?

Does he frequently not come?

I'm asking you a question.

Reporting to Your Majesty. Prince Wucheng is waiting in Qianming Palace, requesting to see Your Majesty.

What did he say?

There's a danger on the frontier pass.

Instruct the crown prince to come into Qianming Palace.

Yes.

Timing and subtitles brought to you by ⚡ Team of The God's ⚡ @Viki.com

♫ Like water flowing through the years ♫

♫ Bid farewell to life and death ♫

♫ A chaotic world shakes the mist ♫

♫ The divide is love or hate ♫

♫ To fall is foolish ♫

♫ Roaming about and meeting again ♫

♫ Sincerely exiled to a faraway place ♫

♫ What's done is done ♫

♫ You and me have different ways ♫

♫ How do you know heaven and man are forever separated ♫

♫ But when I come back ♫

♫ Dedicated heart and soul. Exchange jades ♫

♫ A moment in this world. To never forget ♫

♫ Seeing through Heaven. Overgrown and flourishing ♫

♫ Who's following? Who's following ♫

♫ It's hard to let go. Happiness and suffering ♫

♫ Only understanding tears after laughter ♫

♫ Just want to be with you ♫

♫ Struggling with the order of impermanence ♫

♫ Promises don't change. Oaths don't change ♫

♫ Coming together and separating is also fearless ♫

♫ Using a lifetime to go in a circle ♫

♫ Is regretful... is remorseful ♫

♫ It's hard to let go. Happiness and suffering ♫

♫ Only understanding tears after laughter ♫

♫ Just want to be with you ♫

♫ Struggling with the order of impermanence ♫

♫ Promises don't change. Oaths don't change ♫

♫ Coming together and separating is also fearless ♫

♫ Using a lifetime to go in a circle ♫

♫ Is regretful... is remorseful ♫

♫ Never regret ♫