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[Episode 4]

[Novoland Inn, Cage Combat Hall] It's finally the last match!

Please place your bets!

Princess Jing's slave fighter!

He's the leader of Han Prefecture's Shuofeng Clan!

Shuofeng He Ye!

Madam Ping's slave fighter!

Tang Che!

Open the cage!

- Kill him! - Kill him!

- Kill him! - Kill him!

Scumbag! Aren't you the Iron Wielder?

Get up!

Get up!

- Kill him! - Kill him!

I, Shuofeng He Ye... I'm the warrior of the Shuofeng Clan!

I am the king!

Hey!

Come here.

What are you yelling for?

I have an offer.

Ask him if he'll take it.

You?

You dare to hinder your boss from making money?

Then you'll have to keep me company.

This round, the bets are doubled!

It's three-man combat.

Bets are placed only on the winner!

What are you doing here?

I'm here to see how you'll die.

This guy is quite interesting.

He seems to know some strategies.

[Muyun Han, the eldest prince]

Han Shan?

You know him?

Not exactly.

Not exactly?

If you do, you do. If you don't, you don't.

Your Highness, please don't probe any further.

- Kill him! - Kill him!

Squat down!

Head back to the manor!

- Kill him! - Kill him!

It's now your turn.

Well done!

Princess Jing's slave fighter, Shuofeng He Ye of Han Prefecture wins!

Han, Han Shan, what do you think of my judgment?

I prefer the one that collapsed.

- Take him away! - Yes!

Where are you taking him?

Why are you taking him away?

Han Shan, why is your family taking that child away?

Princess Jing, allow me to go find out.

[Empress's quarters, Royal Tian Qi City]

Lady-in-waiting, Nanku Yue Li, greets the empress.

You're here?

Rise.

Little Yue Li has grown up to be so beautiful already?

She is indeed Your Highness's niece.

She is somehow reminiscent of you in her gestures.

Your Highness, please don't be angry.

A-Shan has spoken out of turn.

You've been my wet nurse since I was born.

You've been living in the palace for years.

Do you not know when you should or should not speak?

Yes.

You may go now.

Auntie, don't get mad at a servant. Your health should come first.

Have a taste of it quickly to see if I've braised it well.

Speak, what is it?

I just wish to know what the mistakes are

that could get ladies-in-waiting expelled.

Or even... killed.

You can't stand Su Yu Ning.

Astrology and divination remain a strong belief in Novoland.

The Royal Divination Sect has been in power for 1,270 years.

Ling He Qing is the Holy Mentor of the Royal Divination Sect.

His Majesty trusts him completely.

No one would dare refute the results of his divination.

Su Yu Ning is the future empress.

It's destined. Nothing can be changed.

I just can't accept that.

Why would someone be born with such great luck?

It's not luck, but fate.

Luck brings forth only benefits.

As for fate... it might not be entirely so.

I'll change it for her then.

It still doesn't resemble her.

Auntie, why are you always drawing the same person in here?

Who is she?

I once thought that I could also change her fate somehow.

But in the end, I still lost to her.

Could it be...

Consort Yin Rong?

However I draw her, I can never portray Yin Rong's beauty.

A woman...

If any woman has her looks

it's even more terrifying than any weapon in the world.

If anyone can be as beautiful as she was

there's nothing and no man that she can't have.

She won't make any mistakes either.

No one would see it as a mistake even if she made one.

If she even spares you a glance...

it makes you reflect on yourself if you're worthy of that one glance.

If she smiles at you...

you'll be willing to offer her anything, even your life.

Even if she toys with you within her hands...

I am a woman.

Yet she had made me think of her in such a way.

Not to mention what those men would think.

Auntie.

Even so, His Majesty made you his empress, not Yin Rong.

In the end, you're still better than her.

You're still too young.

You don't understand which is more heartwarming.

Winning a title or a man's heart.

I happen to want both.

Who isn't greedy when they're young?

Who doesn't assume that they can get whatever they want?

One day, you'll understand.

If you want life to go easy on you, you have to admit defeat.

I'm too much in awe of Auntie's breadth of mind.

All I know is that I was born a daughter of the Nanku family.

The Nanku family isn't one to admit defeat, is it?

You should head back now.

I take my leave.

She's right.

A lifetime spent resisting my destiny...

That also is fate.

Why can't I stay here?

I haven't offended you.

I'm worried about offending you.

Empress.

I'm frank and outspoken.

If I were to spend my days right under your nose

I'm worried that you might bear a grudge against me

should I say or do anything wrong.

How will I have any good days?

Your Highness, can you be kind enough to let me off?

Why would I bear a grudge against you?

Your Highness, you're truly generous.

Sadly, I'm blessed with little luck.

Your generosity is too much for me to bear.

Look around to see which other lady is fortunate enough.

Yu Ning, what is the matter?

If you don't mind, come with me.

My quarters are quite spacious.

You don't trust me?

Why do you treat me kindly?

Since I was a child, my parents had wanted to send me into the palace.

I was made to stay home and study.

Even at this age, I don't have a single friend.

For no reason, I liked you since I first met you.

I think that we're alike.

I wonder what you think about that?

Shall we?

[Tian Qi City, Muru Manor]

Who are you?

Muru Shuo.

Muru Shuo?

The renown Muru Cavalry serves under your command?

As a stray, I've always been arrogant.

There are only two men I respect.

One is my mentor.

The other is you.

Please accept my formal greetings!

- What's your name? - Han Jiang.

Do you know your surname?

I was abandoned by my parents. I know not of my surname.

You hate them?

I've never met them.

I neither hate nor love them.

Although I grew up without a father, I had my mentor.

But my mentor--

Muru Han Jiang.

What did you call me?

You have surname.

It's Muru.

You also have a father.

Me.

I am your father.

Father?

The day you were born...

the person who dumped you in the wilderness outside the city...

It was me.

Is this all true?

You're not lying to me?

I have a father?

I actually have a father!

My father is even a hero!

Those who called me a bastard were all wrong!

Kneel.

Father, what will you have me do?

I want you dead.

Why?

You've brought shame upon the Muru family.

When have I ever been a member of the Muru family?

From the moment His Majesty found out that you're still alive...

you've been regarded as a son of the Muru family.

Do all of your sons have to die?

Of course not.

They are those who will keep the Great Duan Empire safe.

Yes...

They are all important figures.

But why would I... bring shame upon the family?

You only just met me today.

How would you know that I'd grow up to be useless?

On the day you were born

the priest in our manor foretold your future through divination.

He actually said that you...

You'll be the Great Duan Empire's next emperor.

General.

What the Muru family lost 300 years ago...

the newly born young master shall retrieve it for you.

Me?

Do I look like one?

His Majesty has always believed in the Royal Divination Sect.

Whether it is true or not

once His Majesty learns of your foretold destiny

there will be no peace in the Great Duan Empire.

Do you know that although the Muyun family is the reigning monarch

military power is solely in the hands of the Muru family?

This is an oath of brotherhood pledged between

the ancestors of the Muyuns and Murus 300 years ago.

The Muru family can supervise the emperor and regulate the officials.

What a glory and authority this is.

However, at the same time

it also arouses suspicion among the emperors.

The Muru family is already treading on thin ice.

If your destiny to seize the throne is made known

the carefully maintained relationship between both families will shatter

and ignite a war.

It will be most unfortunate for the people of the Great Duan Empire.

So many lives will be lost. So much blood shall be spilled.

Many shall be rendered homeless and desolate.

As the leader of the Muru family...

how could I condemn all lives to suffering

out of love for my own child?

How could I put our family crest of the purple Qilin beast to shame?

My birth itself...

it was a mistake?

Yes.

It was a mistake.

I understand.

Father.

Prince Han has arrived suddenly.

Your blood...

I'll return it to you.

From now on...

we owe each other nothing.

[Royal Tian Qi City]

Great General Muru.

What is this for?

Please punish me for deceiving Your Majesty.

How have you deceived me?

Your Majesty, over 10 years ago

I abandoned a son.

That's personal.

Your Majesty.

This child...

Once he's grown up, he might bring disaster upon Great Duan.

What does that mean?

As Your Majesty strongly believes in divination and astrology

I had all my sons' natal charts foretold

by the priest in my manor upon their births.

It is to see if they could be of assistance to Great Duan Empire.

Only this son was foretold a destiny of...

He was foretold to bring years of war and chaos upon Great Duan.

Why didn't you tell me then?

I...

It was a moment's weakness.

I couldn't bear to end his life then.

Muddleheaded, I threw him out of my manor.

I left him to fend for himself.

But now...

Why are you telling me about it?

I know that Your Majesty is already aware of this matter.

Well done, Muru Shuo!

You know that you can't keep me in the dark anymore

so you confessed everything?

You sure are straightforward.

I'm guilty as charged.

I leave myself at your disposal.

However, this child...

he is indeed a son of Muru family.

In order to protect all lives from harm, he readily took his own life.

I'd like to take a look at him.

Summon the royal physician!

He must be healed.

Your Majesty.

This child must not live!

This child should not live, Your Majesty!

Great General Muru!

I trust you.

But you don't trust me!

I don't care what others think.

Answer me.

Am I the sort of man who would overlook our friendship

for the sake of my empire?

I know that you're aware of that past incident.

That is how you see me.

All of you think that I...

You think that I'm a heartless man.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty made a decree.

No one is to bring up that past incident.

Your Majesty has overstated.

Muru Shuo.

I like this child.

- He'll stay in the palace. - Your Majesty!

You mustn't!

This must not be done!

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

It hurts!

You may leave.

You're really lucky.

But from now on, life won't be easy for you.

His Majesty is keeping you in the palace to study with the prince.

The sixth prince, Muyun Sheng, whom you're accompanying is a freak.

He's never interacted with anyone in the palace.

His Majesty never visits him either.

All the other princes have already learned all sorts of skills.

He's the only one left out.

You'll have to be careful when you spend time with him.

What does that mean?

Muyun Sheng...

He can't be regarded as human.

His mother is one of...

the Charmers.

The Charmers are a tribe of immaterial fairies.

Only the extraordinarily powerful ones can take on a physical form.

It's just like...

a lunatic with magical powers.

He doesn't even know when he might lose his mind.

The mysterious powers of the Charmers can't be repelled by armed forces.

It's even way out of our imagination.

Muyun Sheng is half-human and half-Charmer.

No one knows what he thinks or likes.

No one even dares to approach him.

Where is this person?

When do we get to study together?

You should nurse yourself to health first.

Madam!

Mother.

His Majesty has made a decree.

You are to remain in the palace from now on.

It will be very difficult for us to see you again.

- Therefore-- - I'll be all alone again.

Don't address me if you can't.

I owe you too much.

[Jin Ning Quarters, Royal Tian Qi City]

Prince Ning Rui, Muyun Sheng, receive the decree.

Prince Ning Rui, Muyun Sheng, receive the decree.

By His Majesty's oral decree...

Prince Ning Rui, Muyun Sheng, is to study with the Muru family's son!

The sixth prince refuses to study.

Why?

His exact words were...

"Since Father regards me as a burden, just let me remain carefree."

"What's the point in thinking of me now?"

You may all leave.

Yes.

Yin Rong...

Even to this day, both you and our son are always on my mind.

Sheng thinks that I've ignored him.

That's because...

If you care too much for someone, you don't know...

how you should treat him.

Greetings, Your Highness!

Your Majesty, the empress is here.

Your Majesty.

Don't come in.

The sweet lotus soup is getting cold.

Hand it to Jin Bing Yi.

This sweet lotus soup was Yin Rong's favorite.

Your Majesty likes it as well.

I'd like to see you have some.

Stop doing this.

You keep drawing portraits of Yin Rong.

You eat what Yin Rong liked.

You wear the outfits Yin Rong liked.

You dab on the scents she used.

You wear the same makeup as she did.

But there's one thing you should always bear in mind.

You can never become her.

I had meant well.

Who knew that I'd upset you again?

Ming Yi... What I meant was...

Yin Rong is Yin Rong.

You are you.

Indeed.

How could I be anything like her?

In your heart, she's irreplaceable.

However hard I try, you only mock me for doing a bad imitation.

You must be wondering right now why I'm always so dumb.

As the empress, you're narrow-minded and unduly humble.

You are indeed dumb.

I might be the empress, but deep down, I find myself as worthless as dirt.

What empress am I?

I am but an aging woman who isn't loved!

Why does it matter if I age?

Why would my looks matter?

What's the point in dressing up day after day?

You can't even see me.

You can't see me even when I stand before you.

Isn't that so?

I'm after all the daughter of the prestigious Nanku family!

Do you think that I like pretending to be someone else?

You'll only notice me if I resemble Yin Rong in some way!

Even if it isn't me who's in your eyes!

You have no idea that even a mere glimpse at me

is enough to make me rejoice over it for a whole day.

A month...

A year...

Several years...

In this palace, by your side...

time has frozen.

It's as if this lifetime will never end.

Or that it has already ended!

There's no difference between a day and a year.

I'm alive but I can't feel a thing.

Apart from the chill.

Spring, summer, fall, and winter...

rain, snow, clouds, sun...

night and day...

They are all the same.

Cold.

But I'm pleased with it.

It's like a nightmare to be by your side.

I can't bear to wake up from it.

It's also like a cage that I refuse to escape from.

I don't hate Yin Rong, but myself.

I should just be an empress.

I should just be satisfied with my authority.

Why?

Why did I fall for no one but you?

I...

I know about it all.

But I...

I can't help it.

I...

How am I not still trapped in a cage?

What about in the future?

You know how I feel.

Can you be nicer to me?

Ming Yi...

After all these years, I finally understand.

You can trade one object for another.

But affection...

It can't be traded with that of another.

I...

Mine is not yours to take.

I refuse to accept this answer!

Jin Bing Yi!

- Hold the empress back! - Yes!

Your Majesty!

- I refuse to accept this! - Hold her back!

I refuse to accept this! Your Majesty!

- Your Majesty! - That's enough!

It isn't that I have no feelings for you.

You should've understood that when I made you my empress.

What am I to understand?

For Yin Rong, you'd have put up with being accused of infamy.

You almost renounced your throne!

However, you would have me humiliated before these servants.

I bare my heart to you.

Yet you have no intention to cherish it at all.

Is it that you don't know it's a basic instinct

for men to protect the women they love?

Yet all I witnessed was your cold-bloodedness.

What feelings do you have for me?

Wu Ru Yi.

Present!

Head back to my quarters.

Yes.

All attendants present at the Sword Chamber today...

kill them all.

Spare us, Your Highness!

Spare us, Your Highness!

Spare us, Your Highness!

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