Original subtitles

Episode 23

I will first tell Imperial Father

that Ma Fu Ya is in the Shu palace.

How do you think

Imperial Father will handle it?

Exterminate the problem

Exactly

My Father will send someone

to find Ma Fu Ya first

and kill her.

First,

my Chu Kingdom

will not have to worry about future trouble.

Second, let Lian Cheng give up hope on her.

If I really

let her save Ma Fu Ya,

wouldn't I fail through a final lack of effort?

Son, swords are blind

On the battlefield,

be extra careful.

Do not advance prematurely

Don't worry Mother

Son is sure this battle will result in victory

We're fortunate that the Empress has written to Emperor of Chu

that he is allowing us passage through Chu territory.

He also dispatched General He Lian Xiong

to attack Shu Kingdom with us.

This comradery

must be remembered.

Yes, I will remember

I wish the Emperor

quick success, instant victory

and an early triumphant return.

Wish the Emperor instant victory

and an early triumphant return.

Mother

Son is leaving for battle. Mother take care

Off to battle!

Your majesty, it's late. You should rest.

No

We've already reached the Shu Kingdom border

I can't

allow any slack.

But you, General Hai

must rest and build up energy

to lead the troops.

Go rest, don't worry about me

Thanks Emperor

Emperor, please have some calming soup

Put it down

How dare you! You...

Lian Si?

You're really bold

You dare dress as a man

and infiltrate the camp?

Who do you think you are?

Hua Mulan or Hong Funu?

I don't care

You're here fighting a war

I want to follow you!

Don't make trouble. The battlefield is not a game

There is constant danger

I'm sending you back tomorrow morning

Don't!

Don't!

It wasn't easy

to slip away.

I don't want to go back

Lian Si!

Emperor brother

Please let me stay

Let me follow you

Besides

I just wanted to

gain some experience here.

I won't cause trouble for you

Won't cause trouble?

What is this?

Isn't this trouble?

If I didn't destroy that map,

would you be able to

sleep well tonight?

Yes

You're here to manage

my eating and everday life?

Fine. Never mind

Since you're here,

behave yourself.

Rest in my tent tonight

Tomorrow you'll get your own tent

Remember

Stay away from the battlefield. You hear?

Yes! Thanks Emperor for your kindness!

Greetings Emperor

How are conditions inside Shu Kingdom?

Shu Kingdom is in disorder

Shu Emperor Meng Zhi Xiang

is fighting with his three sons over the same woman.

Soon,

he will hold a grand ceremony conferring her a title.

Hold a grand ceremony?

We cannot be late in attacking Shu

What should we do?

Don't be in a rush

I've already arranged everything

Don't worry

Brother

I can't contact you frequently

If you have any news,

how will I know?

I've already found a trusted messenger

In the future,

he will

deliver messages between us.

Come out!

This is your new master

From now on, listen to his commands

No mistakes allowed

Du Nu greets his new master

Lian Si?

Lian Si?

It was you eavesdropping?

I...

What's happening to her?

She's been poisoned by my needle

She will die soon

so no need to know.

Quickly give her the antidote!

In your Liu family,

I only acknowledge you.

Besides,

she's the lonely Empress Dowager's daughter.

She should die!

Lian Xi, I'm begging you!

She is my only sister

Quickly save her! Quick!

Du Nu

Quick! Quick!

What are you doing?

He is saving you

If you don't want to live,

then never mind.

Let him save you, quick

Du Nu, save her!

Quick

The Emperor has assumed the throne for a while

Why haven't you announced an imperial decree

making me Empress?

This

Let's talk about it later

Later, later?

So much time has already passed

I think that the Emperor

is purposely putting it off.

You...

How could you say that?

Fine

Then tell me directly

today

When

will you make me Empress?

You...you're putting me in a difficult situation

Difficult situation?

Now

You are the Emperor. Your words are worth the weight of nine sacred cauldrons

The Emperor's words are taken seriously

What you've already agreed to,

can you go back on?

Fine

You've forced me

Don't blame me for not saving you face

It's not that I don't want to make you Empress,

but of everyone in court

no one approves,

saying you're of lowly birth

and the imperial concubine of the last emperor.

So what if I'm the imperial concubine of the last emperor?

Can't I be Empress?

This...the Empress is mother of the kingdom

Such a precious status

If I grant you the title,

I will anger all the civil and military court officials,

and be the subject of

discussion and ridicule by the people of Chu Kingdom.

Then...

I'm afraid I won't even be able to

keep my throne.

Ma Yi Fang!

I think you want to tear down the bridge after crossing the river!

No...I...I am...

You are ungrateful

fickle and heartless!

Ma Yi Fang, don't forget

that if it weren't for me,

would you be Emperor today?

Now you want to kill the donkey when it leaves the mill?

You've underestimated me

I won't be fooled by

two, three sentences from you!

I'm telling you

Quickly make me Empress

Otherwise

no one will live in peace!

You're...

Reporting to the Emperor

Li Ting Yun asks to see you

Let him in

Yes

Greetings Emperor

Princess Xiang Yun has asked the Northern Han envoy

to bring back a letter.

What does Princess Xiang Yun's

letter say?

Xiang Yun urges me

to join Northern Han in attacking Shu Kingdom.

A married daughter

is spilled water.

Is it her place to interfere in Chu Kingdom's court matters?

I have not been Emperor for long

I haven't settled everything yet

To send troops to war now

would not be a good idea.

Emperor

You should quickly read

the second secret letter.

Ma Fu Ya isn't dead! She's in Shu Kingdom?

Not only is the matchmaker blind,

God is too.

Why don't I discuss it with my brother?

Just think

He is the commander of the imperial army

and you are the deputy general of the imperial army.

If it really doesn't work,

we can fight it.

Your brother won't agree to it

Now I know

that he is only loyal to Han Zhao Yi.

Last time, I wanted to visit the Chu Empress

and he said...

Han Zhao Yi had orders

that I couldn't see her.

Who knows what they're up to

What do you mean?

Han Zhao Yi is my brother's sister

so brother must listen to older sister.

Besides,

why would you go to the harem??

My brother blocking you

is for Chu Empress's own good.

Regardless,

those two are family, but we're all outsiders.

Says who?

Han Ming is my own brother. I just don't believe he won't agree to us.

Han Ming is your own brother?

No..no Hua Ye Ye

No

Tell the truth!

Otherwise I will tell First Prince!

He sent someone like you to take care of Ya Ya?

Hua Ye Ye

Don't tell First Prince

I will tell you everything

Fine, I promise. Tell me everything

Commander Han is actually

not Han Zhao Yi's biological brother.

He's my older brother

It is so

No wonder you're always making strange expressions at him

Hua Ye Ye what are you saying? What strange expressions?

I'm an unmarried virgin

If you say this who will marry me?

This time First Prince

must be worried about Ya Ya.

He doesn't have the time to think about you

Hua Ye Ye

What do you think

if we forcefully send the princess away?

Ye Ye is also thinking

If we could seize by force,

First Prince would have done it already.

I'm thinking

that Han Zhao Yi is holding Empress Chu captive

to hold Princess Fu Ya captive.

First Prince is afraid of harming the innocent in the process,

so he hasn't used force.

Then what should I do?

We will find a way when we get there

Take it one step at a time

For now

we can only look to First Prince.

Take it away

Yi Fei Niang Niang

You haven't eaten in days

Please take care of yourself

and eat some.

Take it away!

Niang Niang

She won't eat?

Then don't force her

Everyone leave

Yes

Refusing food to threaten me

You're too naive!

If I can't handle you,

could I steadily rule this kingdom?

What about Du Fei Hong?

She thinks that she can threaten me with Du Family's control of the military power

I've only devised a small plot

and mother and son are at each others' throats.

Then they will unknowingly be

manipulated in the palm of my hand.

Your Majesty, how could you do this?

They are your wife and son

My wife and son

are Mei Fei and Yun Er only.

I want to see those

who harmed Mei Fei

fight each other and die of misery.

So you let Han Niang Niang enter the palace

to fight the Empress.

You are indeed intelligent

Du Fei Hong is so powerful

and so domineering

Without an intelligent woman entering,

how would the fight for my favor

be exciting?

Actually, if Han Yu He

were like Mei Fei

devoted to me,

I could leave her a son.

But she has always

been hateful towards me

How could I leave a bad seed?

Your Majesty

Because of your envy and suspicion,

you made a woman lose her ability to bear child

and killed your own child

in the womb?

That's my child

Whether he lives or not is up to me

Besides, these years

I have treated her and her brother well.

But they are ungrateful

and covertly oppose me.

So making me concubine

is also to help you against them?

You're different from them

You're intelligent and kind

I trust you, like you

That's why I'm marrying you

I know you don't like influential officials

But if there's anything you want in this world,

I will fulfill you

at all costs.

The Emperor is so cruel and heartless

to his own relatives.

You trust me,

but I can't trust you.

I'm saying all this

not for you to trust me.

I just want you to understand

that being against me

will only result in death.

If your majesty likes to watch plays,

then I have to take care of myself

to have the energy and chance

to act in this play for your majesty.

You are indeed intelligent

and courageous.

No wonder my First Prince

is so deeply in love with you.

What is your majesty talking about?

Pan Yu does not understand

My First Prince

is really unlucky.

Having Du Fei Hong

as his biased mother

The woman he loves

is going to marry me.

Since history,

no dethroned prince

has had a good outcome.

Perhaps someday,

if he's not careful

he will even lose his life.

Then, that piece of jade you're carrying

will have to be buried with him.

Your majesty

He's your own son

So what?

His life and death

will be decided by you.

Despicable!

You can call me anything

I will say again

I am the son of the heavens

You must give whatever I want

If you dare seek death,

I will make his life more miserable than death.

But don't fear

As long as you vow to follow my conditions,

I can guarantee he will be safe and sound.

Vow?

Yes

How do you want me to vow?

With the Heavens, sun, and moon as witness

I, Pan Yu,

agree to become concubine of Shu

and will not waver in my intentions

or scheme for the throne.

With the Heavens, sun, and moon as witness

I, Pan Yu, agree to become concubine of Shu

and will not waver in my intentions

or scheme for the throne.

If I violate this oath,

my dead parents

will suffer endless torment in the afterlife.

My future children

will also die young.

Vow

If I violate this oath,

my dead parents

will suffer endless torment in the afterlife.

My children will also die young.

Greetings Emperor

Why are you here?

I came to congratulate the Emperor

Congratulations to the Emperor on your success

and fulfilling your wish.

Your majesty seems

unpleased about something.

My displeasure

should please you?

Your majesty is treating me unjustly

I am

wholeheartedly thinking of your majesty.

I heard that girl Pan Yu

has an unyielding personality

so I specially came to persuade her.

Hope I can help accomplish something beautiful.

Your majesty don't worry

We are both women

I understand women's hearts the best

This cannot be forced

Besides Pan Yu is unyielding

like a wild horse.

Your majesty should be patient

Fine, as long as you persuade her to accept me,

then I

will naturally reward you well.

Thanks your majesty

Princess Fu Ya

What are you doing here?

Is my mother...

Your mother is doing great

I came to see if my ally friend

was doing well.

I haven't questioned you yet

Did you intoxicate me on purpose

and bring me to the Emperor?

Yes

I arranged everything

You...

Don't be angry Princess Fu Ya

I came to thank you

Don't think I'll follow in your footsteps

I won't submit to it

Princess Fu Ya you're mistaken

I came to congratulate

not because

you were made concubine,

but because

you will soon receive

the antidote for Nian Nu Jiang.

You can save your mother

What exactly do you want me to do?

If he didn't see you

and trust you,

how would you help me eliminate him?

You want to...

Killing him

will save your mother

Killing him

will save your lover.

During the grand ceremony,

put this in his wine.

Report if you have anything to say, otherwise adjourn court

Imperial Father, son has something important to report

Speak

Imperial Father, please forgive me for being bold

Please take back

the order granting Pan Yu title of concubine.

Son

Why do you want me to take back the order?

Because Pan Yu is my most beloved

What? How could it be?

What did you say?

Father

Son and Pan Yu have known each other for a long time

and have chosen each other for life.

Originally I wanted to tell Father

and ask Father to grant us marriage

But I didn't expect

that Father would be a step ahead of me

and make Pan Yu Virtuous Concubine.

I sincerely ask Father,

before making a huge mistake,

to consider human principles and take back the order.

Son

Who's supporting you

to humiliate me in public?

Father, no one

Son is truly in love with Pan Yu

Father please take back the order

Father!

Father

Son also fell in love at first sight with Pan Yu

But different from Big Brother in that

I once stated clearly to Father

that as ruler of the kingdom,

Father should not steal his son's love.

Father please take back the order

Let Son and Big Brother fairly compete

Father

If Big Brother and Second Brother

can compete for Pan Yu,

then I also want to marry Sister Yu!

Besides, since Sister Yu entered the palace,

I was the first to know her.

I am also the most suitable for her

She should have been my

Royal Consort from the start.

Father please approve

Preposterous

You three unworthy sons

dare deceive and oppose me!

Father

Shut up!

If you say one more word,

kill immediately without pardon!

Emperor

Your Majesty should give up this woman

We sincerely ask Father to take back the order

We sincerely ask the emperor to take back the order

What a group

of loyal subjects

If I don't take back the order,

won't I be called a corrupt ruler?

Thanks Father for approving

Not so fast

You say again and again

that I'm forcing Pan Yu

But who Pan Yu actually likes

I'm not sure

If I take back the order,

won't it damage her reputation?

Father

Son and Pan Yu are truly in love

If Father does not believe me,

summon Pan Yu to this hall

and ask her.

Fine, I will do as you ask

Come! Summon Pan Yu

Yes

Emperor has orders

Summon Maiden Pan Yu to the hall for an audience with the Emperor

Three princes are fighting over one Pan Yu

The Emperor's face is green with anger

Excellent

Sister

today

you're surely in a leisurely mood

to be drinking tea here.

Seems like

Sister is laying down a chess board in the palace

and putting all your pieces in one place.

I'm afraid

I'm not the only one putting all pieces in one place.

Chess must be played with strategy

Until the last moment,

victory and defeat are hard to distinguish.

I don't believe

that the Emperor would kill his three sons

and everyone in court.

If he did this,

what Emperor would he be?

According to his temper,

do you think he would be willing

to lose to his sons?

The Emperor's is capricious,

as changeable as the moon.

I think Sister

is more clear of that than me.

Then let's see

who wins and who loses this game.

Sister

is only looking at win and loss on the board.

Who knows,

maybe the Emperor will overturn the chess board.

Greetings Emperor

Pan Yu

The entire court

and my three princes

all say that granting you concubine status

goes against the three cardinal guides and five constant virtues.

I don't want to be a corrupt ruler

so I'll let you make the choice.

If you choose

my three sons,

then I will immediately take back the order.

and give you blessing

Yu Er, don't be afraid

What's between us

Just report the truth

Maiden Yu

We three brothers

are risking death to appeal for you.

Do not hesitate to tell the truth

Yes, Sister Yu. Tell us quickly

Pan Yu has no virtue or ability

for the three princes

to trouble themselves so over me.

But my heart belongs to the Emperor

Pan Yu is willing to marry the Emperor as concubine

Yu Er, what are you saying?

Yu Er

Have you been wronged?

Quickly tell me

Is someone forcing you?

No one is forcing me

First Prince

You're only a dethroned prince

but the Emperor is at his prime.

He treats Pan Yu like a treasure

Anyone smart knows to seize the present, to move up in the world

The other two princes

are not even part of Pan Yu's consideration.

Yu Er You must be confused

What are you saying?

Sister Yu! You

I'm giving it back, so it no longer bothers me

No

Yi Fei Niang Niang please return to palace

I am the son of heaven

Whatever I want, you must give

If you dare seek death,

I will make his life worse than death.

Pick an auspicious date

I want to

hold a grand title ceremony for Yi Fei.

Congratulations Emperor

Ya Ya

Why don't you tell First Prince?

What use is it?

If it's really for his good,

then I shouldn't tell him.

Telling him would only conjure up more emotions

Just let him hate me

I've already sent the letter asking for help

Why hasn't Father replied?

Why are you here?

Second Prince, please save Sister Yu and First Prince

You're using them to get close to me, right?

Su Yao deceived Second Prince

Ten thousand deaths cannot atone for this crime

Second Prince, please trust me once more. I sincerely want to save Sister Yu.

Sincere?

How could a spy be sincere!

For Yu Er's sake,

I will give you one more chance.

If you don't act appropriately and leave,

don't blame me for being heartless!

Second Prince! Second Prince!

Su Yao dare not ask Second Prince for forgiveness

but the matter relates to the life and death of Sister Yu and First Prince

In the palace,

only you can save them now.

Yu Er has already agreed to marry my Father

By Sister Yu's temperament,

she would rather die than give in.

I'm afraid that the grand concubine ceremony

will become a tragedy.

I have no army, no power

How can I help them?

Second Prince has been separated from the world for too long

How could you not know of people

who know not to, but do it anyways?

I understand

Don't worry Second Prince

Su Yao will not deceive Second Prince again

And very quickly,

Su Yao will give Second prince an explanation.

Pan Yu has no virtue or ability

for the three princes to be so troubled over me.

Pan Yu's heart belongs to the Emperor.

Pan Yu is willing to marry the Emperor as concubine

Yu Er

Have you been wronged?

Quickly tell me

Is someone forcing you?

First Prince, First Prince, bad news

The Emperor has sent troops to completely surround us

No one is allowed to leave

First Prince

Why is he doing this?

Father is guarding against me

He's worried I will ruin his grand concubine ceremony

But Maiden Yu has already agreed to marry him as concubine

and broke up with you in public.

The Emperor is still guarded against First Prince

Why?

You don't understand

Yu Er is definitely not a heartless, unfaithful

person who is greedy for wealth and status.

Her doing this

must be because she's being threatened.

It's windy

Does Mother's body feel any discomfort?

My chest

always feels tight

Then I

will help you remove your gloves

Empress

Niang Niang has thin skin on her hands

and wears these gloves for protection.

I understand. I will remember

From now on,

I will be more mindful of Mother.

These days,

I've only been taking care of my own injuries

and have not

paid enough attention to Mother.

Empress, you're so likeable

You should thank Niang Niang

If Niang Niang didn't intentionally fall ill,

the Emperor wouldn't accept you like he does now.

It's not all an act

My body and heatlh

can't compare to before.

Before I always thought

that when Lian Cheng grows up and matures,

and becomes the Emperor,

all will be fine.

But

for this

I've waited so many years

Xiang Yun

I know you've been wronged

Open one eye and close one eye

When he's done fussing

he will settle down.

I know

If I don't let him have that funeral,

I think he'll never be able to forget

his past love.

Perhaps only this way

he will really forget Ma Fu Ya.

How do you know about Ma Fu Ya?

Since your accident,

no one has mentioned Ma Fu Ya.

Empress

Who mentioned this name Ma Fu Ya

to you?

Empress Dowager,

servant mentioned the name Ma Fu Ya to the Empress.

Yes...Yes.

I heard Lu Qiao mention her to me.

Lu Qiao, you won't allow

anyone to mention Ma Fu Ya

before the Royal Consort.

How could you break your own rule?

I...

Xiang Yun

Your history with Ma Fu Ya

you seem to know very clearly.

I

Otherwise,

how could mentioning

Ma Fu Ya these three words

come so naturally to you?

Child, I have crossed more bridges

than the distance you've walked.

You dare tell lies before me

I...I admit my crimes

Mother...I...I

Fine, get up. Get up

I was thinking

if this Ma Fu Ya

is planted so deeply

in Lian Cheng's heart,

that maybe he inadvertently

mentioned Ma Fu Ya to you.

That's possible too

This is not your fault

Yes. Yes, it must have been the Emperor

He unknowingly mentioned it to me

but I forgot in the moment.

Probably

Xiang Yun, you're not well

you're still recovering

Lu Qiao

Yes

Help the Empress back to rest

Thanks Empress Dowager for your kindness

Empress

Empress Dowager

Do you really believe

that the Emperor mentioned it to her?

Believe? I only believe myself.

Then Empress...

Her acting is even

more deceiving than mine.