Original subtitles

♫ Those people, those affairs, those palace doors ♫

♫ One step into the commotions of this world ♫

♫ Listen to the wind, listen to the rain, listen to the endless ups and downs of life ♫

♫ Destiny indeed loves us ♫

♫ Look at the dreams sealed by the kiss of time ♫

♫ Remember half the life that’s already been lived ♫

♫ In these red walls, remains one person ♫

♫ Wait for the dead of the night, wait for eternity ♫

♫ If the world is a storm, then everything in it must take refuge ♫

♫ I’ll go with you ♫

♫ Traveling across thousands of mountains, don’t be afraid of the wasteland ♫

♫ There’ll be flowers on the side of the path ♫

♫ Love and hate are too messy; simply coming and going ♫

♫ The winds and clouds have not dissipated ♫

♫ Spring and fall are long; I can finally wander this mortal world with you ♫

[Rebel Princess]

[Episode 22]

Eldest Brother.

It is as we expected. The Wen family is also involved in Xie Yuan’s affairs.

Now that we’ve cut off that old emperor’s right and left-hand men,

I believe the opportunity has arrived for us.

I have made my own arrangements regarding the grand ceremony of the Nine Bestowments. (The Nine Bestowments were awards given by emperors to the officials, rewarding them for their accomplishments)

Eldest Brother, we’ve... waited for such a long time.

Now, we are finally about to succeed.

How is the empress’ mental state these days?

The women in the Wang family always experience great ordeals.

After two days of being unwell, it looks like she is fine now.

She was even concerned for that person who is locked up in the imperial prison.

Timing and Subtitles brought to you by The Emperor’s Conquests@ Viki.com

Older Brother? It’s so late.

Why are you here?

All of you, leave for now. I have something to say to the prime minister.

- Yes. - Yes.

Older Brother, why have you come to visit me so late at night?

Recently, there has been a lot going on in the imperial court.

I’ve just gotten some free time, so I came to check on how your health was.

I keep having palpitations.

If I knew this was going to happen, I shouldn’t have been softhearted

and killed Xue Dao’an much sooner.

Empress, I heard you went to the imperial prison a few days ago.

I wonder why that is.

It was all for the sake of the nation. Wen Zongshen is an advisor.

He is well-respected and revered by others at court.

If we can garner his support,

wouldn’t we be like a tiger that has grown wings once the crown prince ascends to the throne? (T/N: one whose power has doubled)

Is that the only reason?

Older Brother, what other reason could there possibly be?

It would be best if there aren’t any other reasons.

Your Majesty, I would like to advise you

not to take those old affairs to heart.

The Wen Zongshen of today has long regarded us, siblings, as rebels and traitors.

He would be more than delighted to see us decapitated.

You may have affection for him, but he may not have good intentions towards you.

You and I have planned for so long.

Do not lose your sense of propriety during this time.

What I think is different from you, Older Brother.

As the saying goes, “A just cause attracts much support; an unjust one finds little.”

He’s a nostalgic person.

This is but your own wishful thinking.

“Like a tiger that has grown wings?”

You are “luring a tiger into the home” and “raising a tiger that will bring trouble later on.”

Ask yourself, is it really for the crown prince?

Or is it for that shameful,

ill-fated relationship you had with him back then?

Prime Minister, you have overstepped your boundaries!

Your Majesty, please quell your anger!

Loyal advice does jar on the ears.

Since Your Majesty does not wish to listen, then I will say no more.

I shall leave now.

Older Brother!

I was being too anxious.

I am indeed winning him over for Zilong’s sake.

There are certainly no other thoughts.

Give me a few more days. I’ll definitely be able to realign Wen Zongshen’s allegiance.

Okay.

Let’s hope Wen Zongshen will do as you say.

Your Majesty.

Follow him. See where he goes.

Yes.

Advisor Wen, you have indeed kept your composure.

You’re sleeping so soundly even though you’ve been thrown behind bars.

How admirable.

When one acts justly, he can sit upright.

Naturally, I am unafraid of feral ghosts knocking at the door.

Unlike some people

who have committed too many evil acts,

causing everyone to ridicule them.

Of course

they would not be able to sleep peacefully and soundly at night.

Advisor Wen, you’re the same as when you are at court.

Your tongue spares no one.

It’s a pity. One is called a king if one is successful and one is called an invader if one is defeated.

You and I are only separated by a gate,

a distance of a few steps, but the outcome of the battle has already been decided.

Wang Lin! The principles of Heaven are very clear.

You may be arrogant for the time being,

but you will certainly die a miserable death in the future.

- Well? - Your Majesty, I have done as you ordered

and followed Prime Minister very cautiously.

He did not return to his manor,

but went to the imperial prison instead.

What?

Prime Minister went to the imperial prison?

Just by himself?

There were also two eunuchs.

You and I are both friends and enemies.

Advisor Wen, I consider you one of the few whom I greatly admire.

Today, we will only drink, chat merrily, make small talk, and recite poetry.

We will not discuss state affairs.

How about it?

This poisoned wine...

is to kill me, that’s all.

What is the point in saying all these lies?

Does it look like I, Wen Zongshen, am mortally afraid of death?

You aren’t even afraid of being decapitated,

so why would you be afraid of a cup of poisoned wine?

Listen to me. The emperor has become muddle-headed.

He is neither as good of a person as the late emperor, nor is he our rival when it comes to wits.

Trouble brews internally and aggressions are being galvanized on the outside. Fire beacons are lit in all four directions.

As a stately Secretariat Minister,

are you only going to cling to the reputation of being a loyal official and do nothing but sit back to watch?

Wang Lin,

everyone knows that you have the ambition of wild wolves.

Don’t use all this gibberish to evade the truth.

Wen Zongshen, I admire talent,

which is why I said such things with sincerity.

Otherwise, do you think I had a need to make a trip here?

Please.

Wang Lin, I already pledged that I would never associate myself with tigers and wolves.

I will be watching what happens to you from the netherworld!

Don’t drink it!

Older Brother,

didn’t you already promise me?

What did I promise you?

I’m just having a drink and chatting with Advisor Wen.

Why is Your Majesty nervous?

No matter what, you cannot kill him.

Okay. Okay.

Okay.

Advisor Wen is indeed formidable.

Even in prison,

you can still make my younger sister, the current empress,

be in a lost state of reverie and lose her composure.

Formidable.

Older Brother!

Some people don’t know good wine.

What a shame.

Princess Consort, hurry and run. Hurry and run.

Hurry and run!

When I thought I was abandoned by my family,

Yu Xiu was actually sincere to me.

Letting me know that in this world,

besides imperial power, wealth, and deception amongst each other,

there is still the affection, loyalty, and protection of people outside my family.

I lost some, but gained some, too.

I won’t give up on you, Yu Xiu.

- General Hu. - Where’s His Highness?

His Highness hasn’t really slept these past few days. He just finished patrolling the barracks.

Now he has been asleep for less than two hours.

Go and tell His Highness,

the provisions sent by Duke Huan have arrived. the envoy who came wants to see him.

- Brother. - What? - Let His Highness sleep a little longer.

A guest from far away.

They have escorted the provisions from far away to here.

I should see them.

Let’s go.

General, you have worked hard.

Your Highness.

Greetings, Prince Yuzhang.

In accordance with Duke Huan’s orders, I have delivered the provisions to Your Highness.

You have delivered so many provisions to us, General. You have truly helped us in a time of need.

Duke Huan is generous and I’m extremely thankful.

Prince Yuzhang, Duke Huan still has some important matters he wants to tell you in private.

Okay.

That means that Duke Huan is acting on behalf of the prime minister.

That is correct. Duke Huan is rushing here from the capital now.

The Huan Clan’s great army is ready and waiting.

They will carry out orders at any time.

Are there any personally written instructions from His Majesty?

Prince Yuzhang, His Majesty has not recovered

ever since he was poisoned the last time.

These days, he’s suffering from dementia,

so the crown prince is supervising the nation as the prime minister serves as regent.

This edict was drafted by the crown prince and the prime minister.

It is a secret imperial edict.

Princess Consort. Princess Consort.

Princess Consort!

You’re awake, Yu Xiu?

You’re finally awake?

How do you feel?

If you continued to not wake up, the Princess Consort would have stayed up until her health was ruined.

Princess Consort has been here looking after you personally for a few nights now.

I, as a servant, have never seen such a master.

Princess Consort, I am not worth that.

Don’t say whether you’re worth it or not.

I’ve thought it through.

From now on, you are no longer my maidservant.

I want you to be my younger sister.

I do not dare.

When you saved me, why did you dare to do anything?

Princess Consort, you have not slept well in days.

It’s best if you returned to Fengchi Palace to rest.

I have already talked to the empress.

You will stay here and recuperate in peace.

Once your injury is healed, I will take you back to the manor.

Princess Consort, quickly go rest.

I will listen to you.

(Maps of various provinces, cities, nations, and origin of the various clans.)

(Top Left Corner is Ningshuo)

Your Highness.

Your Highness, Tang Jing wants to ask when our troops will set out.

- It was Hu Guanglie! Your Highness, it was Hu Guanglie who wanted to ask. - Be off with you! Be off with you!

- Getting impatient? - No.

We just feel that we have sufficient provisions and high morale right now.

Your Highness, what are we still waiting for?

Can you guarantee our victory if we set off with our troops now?

When has our Ningshuo army ever lost with Your Highness leading us?

Where are Duke Huan’s reinforcements now?

They have just crossed Hanmeng Pass. They are not far from us now.

Hanmeng Pass?

(Maps of various provinces, cities, nations, and origin of the various clans.)

Your Highness, must we wait for Duke Huan’s reinforcements?

He’s right, Your Highness. If we continue to hesitate and Prince Jianning’s troops surround us

then we’ll be in trouble.

Prince Jianning is in the west,

Hanmeng Pass is in the east,

and we are in the middle.

Duke Huan and I usually do not interact.

If he is not sincere about helping us on this trip here,

then we will have no way to escape.

This... This Duke Huan was sent by the prime minister to provide reinforcement.

The prime minister is Your Highness’s father-in-law.

- There’s no rationale for him to harm you. - He’s right, Your Highness.

That Duke Huan has already sent us provisions. That’s a fact.

If he truly wanted to harm us, then why did he deliver so many provisions here?

Your Highness, I must say this.

You haven’t been as resolute and decisive ever since you were conferred the Prince of Yuzhang.

When it comes to battles, it’s just a burst of energy.

- Your Highness, I think we should— - Relay my order.

Our army will advance 40 kilometers towards Xiaofeng Pass

to directly battle with Prince Jianning.

- Yes! - Tang Jing.

I want you to immediately report the situation here to the imperial court.

Hand this letter over to the princess consort on my behalf.

Don’t worry, Your Highness. I will certainly deliver it to her.

What are you smiling about?

I-I didn’t smile.

Let’s go! Let’s go!

Duke Huan, Prince Yuzhang has already mobilized his troops 40 kilometers west.

They are across Mount Xiaofeng and are in a stand-off

with Prince Jianning’s troops.

It looks as if a great battle is on the verge of taking place.

This lad Xiao Qi has finally lost his patience.

The moment he moves forward, he will be taking steps towards the gates of hell.

Are the men we sent to deliver the provisions still within Xiao Qi’s army?

They are still there. According to your plan, they have become moles.

What Prince Yuzhang?

He’s nothing but a child from a poor and humble family who is full of reckless courage.

I will make sure he suffers a crushing defeat

and is beheaded.

Consort of the Heir Apparent, I’ve retrieved it.

Second Prince said that it is hidden inside.

Wife.

Husband, why are you here?

What?

As the consort to the heir apparent, have you decided to not even let me enter the room?

Why would I?

Just that you usually spend the night at the side court

and seldom come here.

Coming here suddenly, I am a bit surprised.

If I did not know that we had no feelings between us,

hearing what you said, I would have thought that you were jealous.

- You must be joking! - Stop.

What?

Are you reluctant to even share some pastries with me?

That’s not it, Husband.

This pastry has some sour apricot in it.

You usually don’t like to eat sour things, isn’t that right?

You still remember that I don’t like to eat sour things?

This is rare.

However, sometimes, people’s tastes change.

It’s delicious.

Why exactly have you come today, Husband?

Feel free to tell me directly.

A’Wu’s birthday is almost here.

We initially didn’t plan to do anything grand.

However, considering that my mother is living at Ci’an Temple now,

I want to use this opportunity to save whatever relationship is left between my father and mother.

I specially came here to tell you so that you could prepare everything well beforehand.

I understand, Husband.

I will certainly prepare everything for A’Wu’s birthday beforehand.

Then, that’s good

Also...

are you willing to have a meal with me?

I’m not hungry.

What did you say?

Not hungry?

Yes.

You’re not hungry.

Forget it.

Zhu Yan and Fei Se are waiting for me in the side court,

so I won’t stay.

Farewell, Husband.

That was close. So close.

♫ There’s a lonely heart in everyone’s heart ♫

♫ Yet fate has closed the door of escape ♫

♫ Hopelessness swallows me up with disdain ♫

♫ Could it be that I must bow my head and serve another? ♫

♫ How should I co-exist with the past me? ♫

♫ There’s a scar hidden in my heart ♫

♫ I’ve been fighting against it all my life ♫

What’s wrong?

You’re crying?

♫ Yet who can simply get away? ♫

♫ Putting down roots in society bitterly entraps us ♫

♫ May I dare ask, why does this world hurt me so deeply? ♫

You’re not willing to marry me. Then you...

Then why did you agree to it?!

♫ Even if reality is devastating ♫

♫ I will still go to extreme lengths ♫

♫ After all, my heart once had a dream ♫

The Heir Apparent remembers his own sister’s birthday so clearly,

yet how is it that he forgets that your birthday is tomorrow?!

Making the comparison, indeed, Second Prince—

Shut up!

You have such a loose tongue.

We almost lost our lives.

I was wrong.

[Mi’er, you must come tomorrow on your birthday.]

I’m finally leaving the palace.

My birth date and time must be incompatible with the palace.

They clash with each other.

I just entered the palace and I almost lost my life.

I do not dare come here in the future.

Turns out that this palace is indeed a place that takes people’s lives.

I’ve lived here ever since I was a child,

yet I did not notice that.

Also, when I think about the fact that the mother of the nation, Her Majesty the Empress living next door,

my heart...

I have not slept well in days.

Princess Consort, look at my eyes.

Farewell, Princess Consort.

The outside is so lively. I really want to go down there and play.

Silly girl, your injury hasn’t fully healed, yet you want to go out and be wild.

These days, while I was laying in bed,

I was clothed and fed by others.

I felt uncomfortable all over.

All right. Once your injury is healed, I’ll take you out.

Sister-in-Law?

This carriage isn’t from Prime Minister’s manor.

- What’s wrong, Princess Consort? - Stop the carriage!

- Pang Gui! - I am here.

You follow the carriage in the front on the right.

Find out where the people inside are going.

Yes, Princess Consort.

Princess Consort, you are back?

[Prince’s Manor]

Miss Yu Xiu, how is your injury?

It is fine now. Thank you for your concern, General Song.

- You do not even know. If it were not for Her Highness that night, you would— - You’re wrong.

If it were not for Yu Xiu, I would not be here.

Yes.

Jin’er, you’re back?

Greetings, Princess Consort.

I have returned to the manor and waited many days for you.

It’s good that you are back.

Mi’er.

Zilu.

Come.

Your Highness, this is a letter that His Highness had delivered.

General Song,

when I was not around, was everything well here at the manor?

Everything has been well. It’s just that everyone has been very worried about Your Highness and Miss Yu Xiu.

The current palace is beset with murderous plots.

Fortunately, we were only frightened but not harmed.

Yu Xiu also managed to dodge a calamity.

If you have time, go see her often.

She’ll surely be happy.

Yes.

I will take my leave now.

- Jin’er. - Yes?

You came back just in time.

I shall rely on you for the manor’s affairs.

That is part of my duties.

You must have suffered a lot out there.

I did not suffer much.

His Highness the Third Prince...

treated me very well because of you.

You may go now.

Yes.

Miss Yu Xiu.

General Song.

Miss Yu Xiu, you did what I should have done.

Please accept my bow of gratitude.

I do not dare. I do not dare.

If you had been there that day,

the situation would definitely have not been as dangerous as it was.

If you had not bravely stepped forward

and something had happened to Princess Consort,

I would have only been able to take my own life as an apology to His Highness.

General Song, you have overstated.

During this time, Her Highness has been very worried about you.

When she heard you were on the brink of death, Her Highness was so worried she cried.

She rushed to the palace immediately

and stayed by your side all night to watch over you even though she is a noble princess consort.

I will never forget

Her Highness’s kindness to me.

Miss Yu Xiu, hurry and go rest.

[To my wife, A’Wu - A’Wu, A’Wu, A’Wu, A’Wu, A’Wu. A’Wu, A’Wu, A’Wu, A’Wu. A’Wu, A’Wu, A’Wu, A’Wu, A’Wu. A’Wu, A’Wu, A’Wu, A’Wu. - A letter from your husband, Xiao Qi]

Happy Birthday to Her Majesty the Empress.

May you live a long and healthy life.

- Zilu. - Mi’er, bring it up here.

Leave.

Mi’er, today is your birthday.

In a few days,

all of this will come true.

It’ll be the greatest birthday present I shall give you.

You shall legitimately stand by my side with dignity.

No one in this world will be able to separate us again.

- But if— - There is no but.

Mi’er, don’t worry.

We will certainly not fail.

Now, Duke Huan is pretending to ally with Wang Lin

and Prince Yuzhang. But at the final battle,

he will give the final, fatal blow to the Ningshuo army.

Xiao Qi will never expect to be defeated by his own reinforcements.

Enough. Today is your birthday, so we will not speak about that anymore.

Come.

[Letter to the Second Prince detailing the plan to ambush Xiao Qi and his Ningshuo army at Mount Xiaofeng.]

General Song.

- Miss Jin’er. - General Song.

Your Highness, what is it that has you coming here personally?

Have you seen Pang Gui?

No, I have not.

Yesterday on my way back from the palace with Yu Xiu,

I saw a suspicious carriage,

so I had Pang Fui follow it.

Unexpectedly, he has not come back this whole time.

With Pang Gui’s abilities,

- he should come back to the manor to report on the matter. - Your Highness, don’t worry.

Pang Gui is the commander of your covert guards. In terms of martial arts, he is better than I. He will be fine.

But what caused him to not send any news back?

Who did Your Highness have Pang Gui follow?

It’s my sister-in-law, Huan Mi.

She is usually not close to my family

and is always mysterious.

Yesterday, I just saw her getting off a carriage that was not from Prime Minister’s manor.

This matter may not be as simple as we think.

Timing and Subtitles brought to you by The Emperor’s Conquests@ Viki.com

You didn’t find him?

Where are the secret letters between Duke Huan and me?!

♫ The fear of rain and tears stain your plume ♫

♫ Time chases the distance of soldiers ♫

♫ There is still a limit to what you can miss ♫

♫ Why are there guests in this world? ♫

♫ Tears can be deceiving, love is hard to fake ♫

♫ I hear the wind withers and dies as if it’s singing a thousand songs of sadness ♫

♫ In my dreams, I see you smiling like a painting ♫

♫ I’ll be going to you on my horse ♫

♫ Return to your gentleness ♫

♫ I can’t let go of my heart, I can’t let go ♫

♫ Waiting for the sea to changed and wash away the burden ♫

♫ Spend time with you ♫

♫ Because of you, I’ve lived a lifetime of prosperity ♫

♫ Waiting for the sea clouds to fade away ♫

♫ Home at all corners of the earth ♫

♫ We will meet again in spring, autumn, winter, and summer ♫

♫ For us, the moment that we’ve met ♫

♫ With the pace of a lifetime ♫

♫ To struggle, to worry ♫

♫ I will leave the world for your promise ♫

♫ Waiting for the sea to wash away the lead ♫

♫ Spend time with you ♫

♫ Because of you, I’ve lived a lifetime of prosperity♫

♫ When the sea has changed, the universe will already be changed ♫

♫ Home at all corners of the earth ♫

♫ We meet again in spring, autumn, winter, and summer ♫