Original subtitles

"The Killing of Three Thousand Crows"

"Episode 18"

Judging by your tone,

their dancing and faces mean nothing to you.

Beauty...

is a matter of perspective, I will comment on it.

But their dancing skill...

is far beneath the dancers of Li.

And in terms of guts,

theirs are nowhere near yours.

Master Zuo, are you enjoying this?

You are a renowned prodigy,

even a I have heard tales about you when I travelled.

But I am surprised,

you do enjoy admiring the beauties.

That is natural.

Prodigy and beauty.

Those mean to be together.

-Isn't that right? -Master Master Qi, I am flattered.

I am in charge of the pageant.

-Of course I need to pay attention. -Yes.

Master Zuo.

You are such a righteous man.

I heard...

you started writing poems when you were three,

and you started writing literature work at seven.

And what's even greater about your talent in poetry...

must be your musical talent.

It's all right.

All right?

I need to hear...

how you changed...

the verses of Eastern Peach Blossom Song...

that I wrote back then.

Let's hear it out so I could learn a thing or two.

Master Master Qi.

Please return to your seat.

Great performance, great show.

Thank you for your time.

You shouldn't have messed with him.

I am having your back.

After all, he is your rival.

I don't have any rival.

No?

Think about it.

Delicate skin and features,

polite and gentle in his speech.

If I were Qin Chuan,

I would fall for Zuo Zi Chen as well.

It's been a while, which of these girls is she?

These are mediocre.

None of them is her.

Look at that mature tone on your cute face.

How adorable.

That is her.

I announce,

for the national day anniversary...

Pageant of Consort tonight,

the winner is...

Who do you think won?

It's hard to say.

-Who do you think will win? -I think number three would.

Candidate 101, foreign lady of Persia!

Great!

Great!

Take off the veil!

Take off the veil!

Take off the veil!

Take off the veil!

Let us see her face!

Take off the veil!

Take off the veil!

Take off the veil!

Take off the veil!

Take off the veil!

Orders from the Crown Prince.

He is taking this lady from foreign land.

His Highness must see her face.

It's a night to remember.

The Pageant of Consort ends.

It's over?

She hasn't taken off her veil.

Let's go home.

Master Zuo, you are still here.

Well,

that foreign lady is a remarkable dancer.

If it were me,

I wouldn't want to leave either.

You may stay if that what you wish.

I must leave now.

The familiar sensation from the peach blossoms,

the new bulbs and branches accompany me as I sing.

The wonderful scenery ends as April approaches,

it's a pity the cherries now has all the attentions.

But now there are so much more in my heart.

We...

can never be the same again.

I am talking about myself.

I enjoy the fragrance of the wine...

as the embrace of a beauty.

Goodbye.

It's not easy to make up a poem.

-Dismiss. -Yes.

Princess Xuan Zhu.

Prince Ting Yuan.

Our last parting was at Mount Xiangqu,

and now you are almost my sister-in-law.

You...

If you want to stay in this palace,

we shall keep this a secret between us, okay?

What are you whispering?

Brother.

Congratulations on selecting a bride.

The foreign lady is gorgeous.

Why? Are you interested in getting married now?

Is that why you are bothering Princess Xuan Zhu?

I wouldn't dare.

I merely told her that...

my big brother likes women with rounded figure.

Princess Xuan Zhu is too slim.

And?

And...

I wish to see the real face of that foreign lady.

In your dreams.

-Dismiss. -Yes.

What? Not even I can see your face?

Your Highness chose me.

So Your Highness is the only person who gets to see my face.

However,

the wine you just drank was called the Drunken Sage.

The drug is starting to take its effect.

I wonder if the wine was a little too strong for Your Highness.

It feels like nothing to me.

Spirit Lantern?

The murderer of Chancellor Zuo...

was you?

You can't kill me.

Assassin!

Stay safe, Your Highness. I will hunt her down.

I killed your father.

Qin Chuan.

Don't ever let me see you again.

What's with that look?

I find you funny.

Who was the man who said...

he didn't care if she is in deep trouble,

that he didn't care if she died?

And now,

he ordered me to get Zuo Zi Chen to save the girl...

and he also summoned...

these chirping little creatures to his aid.

Thank you.

If you wish to thank me,

you should be more sincere about it.

My thanks...

are for the birds.

Ingrate.

-There is a crowd here. -Let's go.

Assassination attempt on the Crown Prince.

Who would be so bold?

She doesn't look like a local.

-She has a good look. -She looks like a foreigner.

She is easy to recognize.

The handsome bounty award will soon become mine.

The thought of it is so exciting.

Stand aside, you are blocking my view.

Sure.

Who was that?

Who cares? Let's look at this.

It took me a while to find you.

Well done.

You have no chance to win the pageant with your sorry look.

You've been following me all along...

just to tell me that?

Why did you break your promise?

Didn't you promise not to show up in our life?

I am not here because of you.

Indeed.

But your assassination failed.

You were almost captured.

Worthless fool.

Yes.

I never understood...

why Zi Chen chose to be his overseer.

Now I realize he did it for you.

How long do you plan on putting him in harm's way?

He chose that path.

I only ever have one goal in this life.

I never wanted to get anyone else involved.

Xuan Zhu, it's time for you to grow up.

There are more to this world than just Zi Chen and I.

Don't be so childish.

Stop living in the past.

Don't make me look down on you.

But your assassination failed.

You were almost captured.

Worthless fool.

He chose that path.

I never wanted to get anyone else involved.

What?

Watch the road.

Chuan!

You are back!

Where have you been all night?

We were looking for you!

The boss is so worried!

I went out of the city for personal matter.

Come with me now!

You need to start working!

-What is it? -We have a customer!

Pick up your pace!

The bunch of you, find Chuan now!

Find her or forget about getting any food today!

-Yes. -Off you go!

Let's go.

Sir.

-What is it? -Start preparing the food.

The boss is mad at you!

She's been waiting all day for you.

Chuan, you are finally back!

Chuan.

Chuan, great news.

Master Master Qi is here.

He wants you to prepare his order.

Show him what you have.

Show him the best you can do.

What?

We met just recently,

and now you act like you don't know me.

I even came all the way just to pay you a visit.

Boss.

Is this really the cook that sent me her food on that day?

Why does she look so filthy?

Are you sure she can even cook?

Sir, your memory serves right.

Chuan is an amazing cook.

Clean up your face.

Don't smudge his sight with this lousy appearance.

Are you sure she would want a handkerchief...

without some osmanthus oil on it?

I'll start preparing your order.

Good.

We'll eat before we get to business.

It'll take a moment. The food will be here soon.

Thank you.

Why don't you...

join me for the meal?

No, enjoy it yourself.

Chuan.

It's a great honour to sit next to Master Qi!

People would die for this chance.

Go on, just sit.

Sir, do you like the food?

Not bad, I like it a lot.

I could taste the passion of my lover in it.

Boss.

I am very fond of this cook.

Are you willing to let me have her instead?

Of course, in return...

I offer you this golden flower as a token of sincerity

I am fine with the offer. But Chuan...

She is right.

Chuan is very fortunate to have your attention.

But Chuan is already in love with someone else.

I think he was called...

Dear Hua Hua or was it Dear Dou Dou?

He is a painter.

Dear Dou Dou?

He gave up on being a sage and turned to art?

He said being a sage has no promising future.

He changed his career.

In that case,

take me to your Dear Dou Dou.

-But... -I could also...

enlighten him on his painting skills.

It's a long journey, I don't know where he is.

Travelling through long distance is my speciality.

Boss.

I am taking this cook with me.

Thank you for looking after her.

Boss! Madam Guo!

No, I don't want to!

-Let go of me! -Yes, you want to.

How fortunate of her.

Let go of me!

-Move along! -Walk!

-It wasn't me! -Move along!

-Move! -Let go of me!

-What do you want? -Move along!

Let go of me!

Let go of me, Fu Jiu Yun.

My lady, who is this Fu Jiu Yun?

My name is Master Qi.

Let go of me!

I know you sent those birds.

But you need to let go of me now!

I am Master Qi, my lady.

Stand aside!

Stand aside.

That foreign girl is hiding herself well.

No amount of troops could find her.

That's right.

They will kill her if she ever gets caught.

You should just come with me and be my cook.

If you really must,

you can be my servant too.

I won't have a cook to prepare my food without you.

However,

I have a dress and hairband taken from the foreign lady.

Perhaps I could get some rewards if I send them to the authority.

The contact lens you used were well made.

I've seen many beauties throughout my life.

But I was mesmerized nonetheless.

Think about my offer.

You can make the decision.

You went lying on the bed the moment you entered?

Listen to me.

I am an upright person.

I hired you to be my cook, not to sleep with me.

Since you are upright and you have the money,

why do you need me as your cook?

I...

You drew this?

I drew that.

But it's an item of the past.

It's rather funny.

The Crown Prince of Tian Yuan offered me to stay here,

but my silly student dug out this thing from the collection.

You should thank him for the mistake.

No.

I am here to catch up with you.

I'll make this clear again.

You are here to be my cook.

You are not here to sleep and admire the painting.

I am hungry.

Prepare my dinner.

Don't take this wrongly.

I've heard about the savoury taste of beef from the West.

And now I have you as my cook.

So I decided to try it out.

You spent the whole day sleeping.

I know you are hungry.

Thank you.

You do owe me your thank.

If I hadn't make the foreign lady looks so striking in the painting,

do you think...

you really have the chance to approach the Crown Prince?

Right.

I've sent that poor girl out of the city.

As of now,

she should be on her way back to the West.

So, how will you repay me?

This beef is delicious.

Assassination of the Crown Prince was a risky move.

But you thought about using a disguise,

that was very smart.

After all, you were my beloved little servant once.

I know what you are trying to say.

Whether it was smart or not,

my fate is nothing of your concern.

Stop trying to persuade me.

Persuade you?

Why would I bother to persuade you?

You tried to carry out your plan.

You also know the outcome of that plan.

You can't kill him.

He is all well and alive.

What could you possibly do to stop him?

I will try again if I failed.

I will keep trying until I succeed.

As long as...

As long as you don't try to get the Spirit Lantern back,

stop trying to persuade me

and stop using lowly tricks to soften me up.

This painting will only remind me...

of who I am and what I must do.

I am living a free life.

I am respected guest here in Tian Yuan.

Why should I meddle with your matter?

However,

since I was once your master,

I need to give you some advice.

There are others who want Li Yuan dead.

You...

should just stay here with me.

Be a little cook like you should be.

Perhaps someday...

someone will get rid of him for you.

Where you going?

What about the beef?

Chuan.

In order to steal the Spirit Lantern,

you spent years working as a servant on Mount Xiangqu.

Why have you lost your patience?

What should I do with her?

We searched every inch of this city.

She is just a girl,

it's not like she could fly over the city walls.

Enough with your ranting.

Figure out a way to explain to our superior.

I need to give you some advice.

There are others who want Li Yuan dead.

People told me this could bring bad luck.

They want me to seal off the House of Blossoms.

But I like that place anyway.

Do you know why I am not afraid?

Your Highness is blessed by fate itself.

No lowly thugs can't harm you.

Tearing down the House of Blossoms mean one less premise for leisure.

That is unwise.

Overseer Zuo knows me the best.

Come.

Princess Xuan Zhu arrives.

So, Miss Xuan Zhu is here.

Welcome her inside.

Your Highness.

May I know why Your Highness summoned me here?

After I saw you that day,

I could neither eat or sleep well.

Of the whole Gao Capital, only you, Miss Xuan Zhu,

is qualified as a true beauty.

I've been waiting...

to enjoy a drink with you...

have a pleasant night together.

Wouldn't that be great?

Wine and beauty,

I insist to feed you the wine myself.

Isn't that correct, Overseer Zuo?

Your Highness is right.

What's the matter, beautiful lady?

Are you in a bad mood?

Or are you upset with me?

I wouldn't dare.

That's more like it. Come.

Come on.

I don't usually drink so much wine.

In that case,

it's all right.

Rest for a while.

We'll continue later on.

Much appreciated, Your Highness.

I take my leave now.

"Royal Manor of Ling Province"

I knew you would come back for me.

Then you should know very well...

why I am here.

The Spirit Lantern?

Chuan,

the Er Meng you knew was a fool,

but stop using a fake...

to trick me again.

Er Meng, open your eyes and see for yourself.

See if this is a fake or a real deal.

-What is this? -Chancellor Zuo's spiritual energy.

Unlike his human form, his energy has a pleasant aura.

Chancellor Zuo was vile.

-Even his energy has a demonic vibe. -What's wrong?

There are three empty slot in this thing.

Do you wish to join him?

Don't forget.

I came from Li.

The royal bloodline of Tian Yuan is my nemesis.

I would never kill my cute Er Meng.

It's the same reason why I didn't kill Madam Zhao who lied to me.

Yes, I knew it.

Chuan.

The Spirit Lantern...

really can collect spiritual energy and defeat demons within the realm?

Of course.

The Spirit Lantern can collect the most powerful spiritual energy.

Especially energy from demons.

Do you really think I didn't know...

what you want with this item?

I've only heard about the tale of Spirit Lantern.

So I wanted it for some fun.

You are Prince Ting Yuan of Tian Yuan.

You went to Mount Xiangqu...

and worked as a servant for months.

It was all for your leisure?

Do you take me as a fool?

Let's get to the point.

I want Li Yuan dead and to take away his spiritual energy.

But you won't even let me touch the Spirit Lantern.

Why should I trust you?

I made a blood pact with it.

I will help you...

accomplish your goal.