Original subtitles

"The Killing of Three Thousand Crows"

"Episode 20"

I am merely a lowly...

daughter of a duke...

from a perished nation who entertains the royal family.

I have lost everything.

There is nothing left.

There is nothing left.

Xuan Zhu.

You must not marry the Crown Prince no matter what.

You have the right to your own happiness.

Happiness?

What is happiness?

You saw how those concubines treated me just now.

They couldn't wait to get rid of me.

But none of these are your concerns.

Don't you think I want to have a decent life?

Don't you think I wish to grow old with the man I love?

I tried so hard for so many years.

-But in the end... -Xuan Zhu.

Zi Chen.

Do I even hold a place...

in your heart?

If the answer is no,

you and I,

we go our separate ways.

Overseer Zuo, listen closely.

Whether I cry or smile,

and whether I am suffering in my life, it's not your concern.

Even if I have to jump into a fiery pit,

it will have nothing to do with you.

Xuan Zhu.

I know you don't want to marry the Crown Prince.

We can leave this place.

Just you and me.

What?

Yes, you heard it right. Let's leave.

We'll leave Tian Yuan and Gao Capital.

Yes, I mean it.

We can leave all of this mess behind.

We can settle down for good.

Xuan Zhu.

Stop sulking, you know you don't want to marry the Crown Prince.

I can't let you marry him.

Zi Chen, I am...

You don't need to say it, I understand.

Let us forget everything that has happened here.

From now on,

there will only be you and me.

Will you come to Icefield City with me?

Sure, as you wish.

But...

you are one of the personal officers working for Li Yuan.

How do you leave?

What about my mother?

If we leave now, Li Yuan will torture her.

Don't worry about those.

I'll make the arrangement.

Wait for me.

Sure.

I'll wait for you.

People say Mei Shan can't live a day without touching wine.

But he is actually pouring tea for me.

How are you in the mood for joke right now?

I shouldn't have break the seal and let you go insane.

You came back all ill and pale.

Your fever lasted one whole day.

What about me? My head hurts the whole night.

Bai, if I remember correctly,

I promised you a painting.

I have some time today.

Help me up and I'll draw you some painting.

Forget about it.

I will make her pay for my injury.

It's all that cursed Chuan's fault! She was...

Yes, it's all Chuan's fault.

I will be sure to remind her the next time I see her.

She can't smash thing out of anger.

Even if she does, she can't smash a magic mirror.

Jiu Yun.

You found her?

The Demon Lord has declared war on me.

It's time to get this over with.

But we are in no hurry.

Of course we are, how can we not be?

Stop standing there.

Have some tea.

Come on.

We can leave this place.

Just you and me.

Stop sulking, you know you don't want to marry the Crown Prince.

I can't let you marry him.

Let us forget everything that has happened here.

From now on,

there will only be you and me.

Will you come to Icefield City with me?

Sure, as you wish.

Xuan Zhu?

Xuan Zhu?

My dear daughter.

Overseer Zuo brings us the decree from the Crown Prince.

Where is Zi Chen?

I told him he may leave first.

The Crown Prince is very fond of you.

His Highness will go hunting in Nanlu after Ghost Festival.

His Highness even prepared a personal lodge for us.

He even ordered Overseer Zuo to arrange for us to be there.

We'll be setting out soon.

I think...

you will surely become his consort.

Are even listening to me just now?

Yes, you are right.

I understand what's at stake now.

I will have my happiness.

You finally understand my effort.

Trust me.

I didn't get to be the empress,

but you certainly will.

I want all of these crude and hideous paintings...

disposed of and burned.

Yes.

Overseer Zuo.

I need you to do a favour for me.

Your wish is my command. I am at your service.

Ever since the moment I met Miss Xuan Zhu,

I am charmed by her beauty.

All I think about day and night is her.

So I asked my father for permission.

And he has allowed me...

to marry Miss Xuan Zhu as my rightful consort.

Once we fixed a date for the wedding,

she will officially become my wife.

Zi Chen.

You have always been close with Miss Xuan Zhu.

You were both from Li.

I think you should be in charge...

of this wedding for me.

How do you think?

Congratulations to Your Highness.

I accept the order.

I am counting on you.

Wedding of a consort is no child's play.

I couldn't trust the others with this task.

You are the person I trust the most.

Leaving it in your hand is the wisest choice.

Yes.

Right.

The Ghost Festival is just around the corner.

Miss Xuan Zhu is now the rightful consort of mine.

The customs of royalty applies to her as well.

She will have her fasting in the palace,

and pray with the other concubines.

While making the announcement,

you should escort Miss Xuan Zhu...

to her accommodation in the palace.

I will see to the matter at once.

Prince Ting Yuan.

At ease, Overseer Zuo.

You are a much valued prodigy.

I should treat you like one.

It's an honour, Your Highness.

Overseer Zuo and I have some matters to discuss. Dismiss.

Yes.

Your Highness, I work for the Crown Prince.

I should keep my distance from the other princes.

Don't worry about it, Overseer Zuo.

It's just a heart-to-heart conversation with you.

It will only take a while.

From what I heard,

Miss Xuan Zhu...

will soon become the rightful consort of my brother.

But while I was on Mount Xiangqu,

you were the man she loves.

I am just a lowly overseer working for the Crown Prince.

I am in no place to compare myself to His Highness.

Whatever your relationship with her was,

which I don't want to know,

I must give you a warning.

For you and for Xuan Zhu,

you should stay away from my brother.

Should anything go wrong,

the others will get caught up in it.

Prince Ting Yuan, I don't understand.

I cherish talented people.

I don't wish for you to be harmed.

In times of prosperity granted by our Emperor,

the ever so virtuous and gracious Miss Xuan Zhu...

who is kind and gentle in nature with a ravishing beauty,

has been gladly recognized by His Majesty.

The Crown Prince is now of age for a marriage,

His Highness shall marry Miss Xuan Zhu,

who will be awaiting her wedding ceremony.

The world shall know this couple as a match made in heaven.

For Miss Xuan Zhu's happiness,

His Highness the Crown Prince is allowed to take her as his consort.

A date shall be fixed for their wedding.

The end.

I...

Xuan Zhu is overjoyed.

She forgot her manner.

I hope you wouldn't mind.

It's all right.

The praying ceremony for Ghost Festival is close.

His Highness has order to escort the consort back to the palace.

The carriage is waiting for her outside.

Well...

The customs of royal family are cumbersome

It's too complicated.

Here are some orders from His Highness.

I get it.

Since His Highness has given the order,

Overseer Zuo shall be in charge of the wedding preparation.

That is only natural.

What is the order? May I know too?

I know all about royalty's customs.

Madam Qiu Hua. His Highness said...

the order can only be given to Xuan Zhu alone.

You have my thanks.

I look forward for you to look after Xuan Zhu in the palace.

Madam, we are no strangers.

I hope Xuan Zhu...

I mean Consort Xuan Zhu and Madam Qiu Hua...

to have my back.

I shall be on my way if there is nothing else.

Goodbye.

What happened?

Zi Chen, is there no way for us to escape?

-Calm down. -Madam, goodbye.

Thank you.

Follow the order so Li Yuan won't suspect us.

I will get you out of there when the time is right.

Really?

Believe me.

His Highness's grace is getting better by the day.

He arranged camp for us in his hunt,

and now he wants Xuan Zhu to move into the palace.

My dear Xuan Zhu.

Your life as a glorious consort is guaranteed.

I will be very proud to be your mother.

The carriage is waiting.

Miss Xuan Zhu must depart right away.

Also,

His Highness has other arrangement now, Madam.

let's not talk about the personal lodge again.

Of course.

Don't worry about it, Overseer Zuo.

Move out!

Do you want to get killed?

How dare you disrespect the future consort!

Consort?

How could you be so blur? Haven't you heard?

The news is all over the palace.

They say she is the daughter of a perished duke of Li.

She is marrying the Crown Prince?

What was that?

Nothing, I am simply complimenting her unmatched beauty.

Let's go.

Hurry up.

Go on with out me See you at the wardrobe service.

Sure.

Halt.

What are you doing here?

I am sending ceremonial robes for the other consorts.

Ceremonial robes?

You...

Are you still planning on killing Li Yuan?

What if I am?

Why are you here? You could get yourself killed!

Do you want to avenge your father?

I don't want you to be stupid or rash.

Li Yuan is more than you can handle.

If he found out about your identity, he will have you executed.

You need to leave this place now!

There is turning-back for me.

Yan Yan!

My father paid for his sins.

Your revenge should end now.

You don't need to risk your life.

Do you think his death will absolve him of his sins?

I...

and all the people of Li will never forgive him.

I know you can't forgive him.

I can't forgive you either!

After all, he was my father.

I wonder when I lost my memories...

-I was... -I did love you.

I even thought about marrying you.

I mean it.

Those are the truth.

I know.

But time is different now.

The girl you once loved...

is long gone.

The man I once love is dead to me.

That's all.

Do not get into my way.

You still insist on getting revenge?

On the day of Ghost Festival,

stay away from Li Yuan.

If you must avenge your father's death,

your wish will come true soon enough.

We are not married yet, Your Highness. This is inadequate.

Please show some respect.

Don't be so tense, come on.

Your Highness the Crown Prince. Consort Xuan Zhu.

Officer Zuo.

I have good news for the two of you.

My first consort...

very much liked by both of my parents since she came here.

I was thinking...

since the Ghost Festival is around the corner,

and I had been praying all by myself for past years,

perhaps I can take Xuan Zhu with me this year.

I can show the world the customs of royal family,

this can also be seen as my love for my future consort.

I am counting on you.

Since you are in charge of my wedding,

maybe you could prepare for the prayer as well.

I do not deserve such special treatment from Your Highness.

Stop pretending.

Unlike Li, Tian Yuan is not bound by pointless rules.

Overseer Zuo, what do you think?

Your Highness' kind offer...

should not be hindered by merely rules.

I appreciate it, Your Highness.

I am counting on you this time.

Why are you standing there?

The prayer of Ghost Festival is a grand event.

We can't afford to make any mistake.

Understood.

You need to get ready now.

We need to help the Crown Prince change into his ceremonial robe.

Overseer Zuo.

Consort Xuan Zhu.

At ease, Overseer Zuo.

Any order from His Highness?

His Highness has order for you about the prayer ceremony.

Leave us be.

Yes.

Zi Chen, what took you so long?

Everyone will be with the Empress for the prayer.

At dusk, there security detail will be more lax.

When everyone is done with the prayer,

take this pass with you.

Exit from the southern gate.

I have taken care of the guards for you.

A carriage will be waiting for you there.

What about you? How will you leave?

Don't worry, I have a plan.

After I settled one last matter,

I'll go to you.

Okay. I'll be waiting.

Xuan Zhu.

You must get out of this palace tonight.

If I couldn't show up on time,

do not look for me.

No matter what happens...

You must take care of yourself.

What is the time now?

It's just past nine o'clock.

Very well.

All the best in your learning.

Thank you, Father.

Supervisor of the wardrobe service wishes to meet.

At your service, Your Highness.

-At ease. -Thank you, Your Highness.

Help His Highness change into the ceremonial robe.

Overseer Zuo wishes to meet.

Let him in.

Greetings, Your Highness.

Where is my beloved consort?

Your Highness,

Consort Xuan Zhu is waiting in the side hall.

Good.

Praying for the lost souls...

is the most important and grand event of our nation.

Nothing must go wrong.

-Is she not ready yet? -Hurry up!

My apologies, Your Highness.

She is new to our department.

She is a little clumsy.

A new-comer.

Somehow,

I feel like I've seen you before.

Your Highness.

All the servants inside the palace look the same.

I doubt she is as beautiful as the beauties you've seen before.

Perhaps you are right.

Your Highness.

How does the robe fit?

It fits well.

Dismiss.

Yes.

You may go now.

Yes.

Miss.

The gate closes at midnight.

You can't leave after that.

Why isn't Zi Chen here yet?

Miss, you should listen to Master Zuo.

We should leave the palace first.

Sit tight.

This is your plan?

None of your business. Give it back.

The Crown Prince will be praying.

The Eastern Palace will be heavily guarded.

This plan is as good as suicide.

I told you, I am not giving up.

That day in the Eastern Park,

you shot through his heart and he came out unscathed.

What is your plan this time?

Which is why I need to kill him on Ghost Festival.

Stop!

What is this for?

Exit from the southern gate.

I have taken care of the guards for you.

A carriage will be waiting for you there.

What about you? How will you leave?

Don't worry, I have a plan.

After I settled one last matter,

I'll go to you.

Okay. I'll be waiting.

Xuan Zhu.

You must get out of this palace tonight.

If I couldn't show up on time,

do not look for me.

No matter what happens,

take good care of yourself.

Move along.

Stop!

I won't force you to give it back.

I can always make more of these.

-It's just a waste of resources. -Yan Yan.

Why won't you give up?

It's her.

You are still calling her Yan Yan.

You are doing this for her after all.

Qin Chuan.

Why won't you stop pestering us?

If I can't stop you,

I'll plant this paper doll on him.

Only I can get close to Li Yuan.

My family owes you as much.

I owe you as much.

It's your debt to her,

and you wish to pay it with your own life?

What about me?

How will you make up for me?

No!

Xuan Zhu, don't take this wrongly. I am here to retrieve my belonging.

I heard your conversation.

Every sentence,

every word of it.

You told me there was one last matter to settle,

and it turned out to be her.

Zi Chen, have you forgotten?

Who was it that killed your father?

Why would you help her?

Zi Chen, I am staying.

You can't stay, you need to leave.

I knew it all along.

You chose to become an overseer all because of her.

You told me you will leave with me,

I was foolish enough to believe you.

I understand now.

You simply wanted me out of your way...

so she could succeed with her plan!

Xuan Zhu, Zi Chen and I only met just now.

Yan Yan.

You said I had been living in the past.

But the person who lives in the past is you.

If you can't move on,

we will never escape from this cursed fate.

I know I've hurt you.

Give me the paper doll.

No.

Zi Chen, don't you get it?

Unless we kill Li Yuan and she gets her revenge,

we can never have a proper life!

Give me the paper doll!

It's right here.

If you take it,

you will die too.

What's so bad about death?

I am living in hell anyway.

Overseer Zuo.

What is it?

Order from the Crown Prince.

He wants you to check if Consort Xuan Zhu has arrived.

If she has, escort her to the Eastern Palace.

Fine, understood.

I am headed to the Hall of Rites.

Very well.

Tomorrow,

someone needs to carry this paper doll and follow Li Yuan.

I can make it happen.

Ghost Festival is tomorrow. The land will be quiet.

It's also my birthday.

Every time of the year,

I will meditate and pray.

I separate myself from the world.

No outsider is allowed to approach me.

But you are different.

Every Ghost Festival from now on,

you will be here with me.

Your Highness.

Where are we going?

Your Highness.

Wait.

Are you sure we can trust Xuan Zhu for this?

What relationship do you three share?

My whole nation and the throne is at stake!

And we are supposed to put our faith on Xuan Zhu?

What if she betrays us? What if she dies or runs away?

I am doomed.

I waited in hiding for so many years for this.

And it'll all be for nothing!

Xuan Zhu never failed to achieve any of her goals.

Don't worry about it.

What is this place?

Keep walking and you'll know.

Found it!

-He is not in the Eastern Palace. -Indeed.

Just as I expected.

Are you really willing to be my consort?

Being married into the royal family is my greatest honour.

What if someone...

is going through painstaking effort to have me killed,

what will you do?

Your Highness is well respected.

You are born with blessing.

Lowly thugs can try everything they have...

but they will never be able to harm you.

My question was,

what will you do?

I will...

I will definitely...

risk my life to protect Your Highness.

I will give up my life for you.

You will give up your life?

Third lodge from the north, Hao Tian Temple.

Hao Tian Temple?

Yes.

It was once the royal academy.

A crown prince deprived of his status lived there.

But he died in the building.

Hao Tian Temple has been empty ever since.

We need to go.

-Get ready. -Yes.

Commander Zhang.

All that I said earlier,

I hope you remember.

You've been nagging the whole day.

Don't worry, you'll be fine.

She needs to be fine too.

Yes, she will be fine.

You watch your back.

I only care about her and not you.

How does that sound?

Jiu Yun.

You need to be cautious.

I am still hoping to have a drink with you.

A good long drink.

Of course.

Hold on, a patrol.

Let's go.

My beloved consort.

I forgot.

You don't drink wine.

I usually like the place to be merry.

But this time every year,

I must spend my time meditating here.

Without human company,

time could be boring.

I am glad you are here...

to rid me of the boredom.

[Hao Tian Temple]

Let's go inside.