Original subtitles

The late emperor has died

Your highness should

immediately take the throne

and take on the burdens of the kingdom.

During this national crisis,

how could your highness not look after

the state of affairs and the people?

In time,

Your highness will shame the late emperor

and become the criminal of Shu Kingdom.

Xing er

Did you hear the Tutor's words?

Stop acting like a child

Take the throne

Get up

I don't want to be emperor

I don't want to fight a war

Mother has spent a lifetime of effort

all on you!

I didn't think

I would raise

such an unambitious wimp like you!

I don't want to be emperor. Is that not all right?

I don't want to die, is that not all right?

You all want me to die

I'd rather die in the palace

and leave a full corpse.

You want to leave a full corpse?

Fine, Mother will grant your wish

Are you going or not?

Mother, Mother don't kill me

I don't want to die!

Mother! Mother doesn't love Xing er anymore

Mother won't ever love Xing er again

Mother doesn't love Xing er anymore

You get up! You disappointment!

Stop laughing

Especially now,

we can't arouse any suspicion.

Otherwise our many years of hard work

will fall short of success.

How could I not laugh?

We're about to have our great revenge

That old dog is finally dead

His death was well deserved

Even death was too good for him

And that person

who made me lose my child

should not be alive either.

She thinks her son

by becoming crown prince,

can ascend to the throne.

Then she can rule the kingdom through a screen

Now her bucket is empty (efforts are wasted)

Since our wishes

have been accomplished,

let's quickly leave this place.

The palace

is now in a mess.

We can't stay here for long

Messy messy messy...the messier the better

I want to see

how that woman dies.

I want to see her go to hell

I have another wish

To see you assume the throne

I don't want that throne!

If you don't take it who will?

Qi Xing?

Or Qi You?

Don't think that

Meng Qi You and Du Fei Hong

don't know

who killed that old dog.

Now, only because of the approaching enemy troops,

they don't have time to deal with us.

If we retreat,

our outcome

will be everlasting hell.

I don't want our

half lifetime of pain

and incessant scheming

to result only

in our deaths.

Sister

First Prince has been outside

waiting for you for an hour.

Even if you don't see him,

you should tell him something.

It's so windy and rainy outside

If your heart doesn't ache, mine does

Ye Ye

Let him go

You're really not seeing First Prince?

His deep love for you...

For you

he almost lost his life

How could you be so cruel?

You won't see him once?

Eat

Eat more, talk less

Go stand over there, go

Eat it all

I won't leave any for you

You scared old servant

Hua Gong Gong, sorry

Let me go inside

First Prince, you should go back

Don't put Princess in a tough spot

Hua Gong Gong

We have struggled to make it to today

Living is also a great happiness

I don't care about anything else

What

What do you think is holding her back?

What she dreads

and feels tormented by

is her personal vow.

Vow?

If she violates the vow

and joins you,

her father's

spirit in the afterlife

will suffer torment

and will not be reincarnated.

Your future children

will die early

and end your bloodline.

How could my father do this?

So, Princess

is unable to face you now.

She cannot leave with you

Don't put her in this difficult position anymore

No!

I will not give up on Fu Ya

First Prince, are you sure?

Ya Ya's personality...

That I know

This

Fu Ya has done so much for me

sacrificed so much

I will definitely not let

this vow

consume her for life.

I must face it with her

All men, good and bad, rarely mistreat their children

Imperial Father

Why do you treat me thus?

Don't hate your father

Don't you hate him?

Even I, his son,

hate him.

Death is like an extinguished light

Actually, while he was alive,

he was lonelier and more pitiful than anyone.

He was the Emperor

He had a harem of 3000 beauties

How could he be lonely?

He had supreme power

and controlled

the life and death of everyone.

How could he be pitiful?

He's lived in fear his whole life

He doesn't trust anyone

Even his own relatives

he feared would harm him.

Living like this

is worse than death.

This is

the sorrow of a sovereign.

It's unavoidable

Imperial Father has gone, and been absolved

But the kingdom affairs he leaves behind

will certainly cause all the living

to fight savagely over it.

If Father's spirit in heaven

knew this,

it would be like

his last moment,

laughing convulsively.

Qi You

Actually your father was poisoned to death

and the one who offered him the poisoned wine

was me.

Didn't you say Father

died of extreme happiness and sorrow

attacking the heart?

It was the poison I gave myself

I wanted to end my own life

end everything

but your Father

took the cup of wine in my hands.

I didn't want to kill him

I don't want you to hate me

No, like you said,

my father's death

was his own doing.

You don't blame me?

Of course not

Father was suspicious by nature

How could he believe

that you were sincerely willing

to become his concubine?

So instead he took your wine

He went on this path

of no return himself.

This is the will of Heaven. It has nothing to do with you

Don't cry anymore

Fu Ya, we are finally free

When this is over,

let's

find a peaceful place

and live happily together.

Plant some acres of land

and raise some chickens and ducks

then

let's have some children.

No, we can't be together

Just because of that vow?

You know everything?

My Imperial Father already died with hatred

I can't let his spirit

suffer more torment.

And the children are innocent

How could I let them

be cursed by the vow from birth?

Do you really believe

those curses will come true?

Better safe than sorry

I don't want to regret it

after things have happened.

Fine, since you took a deadly oath

I can too, one even more deadly

I, Meng Qi You,

vow before my father's deceased spirit

that all of Ma Fu Ya's

suffering and torment in this life,

I will endure alone.

If I violate this,

I will suffer miserably in every possible way,

and die without proper burial.

Don't say anymore

I don't want you to suffer

Fu Ya, do you feel assured now?

You don't need to fear anymore

about harming anyone

or owing anyone.

Remember

I will handle everything

You are finally reunited

Imperial Father, Mother

You are reunited

but you leave me here alone.

No one else will love me, care about me

Imperial Father

Didn't you want

to reunite our family?

Yun er is coming to keep you company

Stop!

Brother, what are you doing?

Here, get up

Big brother

To a prince like me,

who only understands literature

but has no worldly wisdom

or human interest,

this is probably

for me

the best outcome.

Brother

You underestimate yourself too much

You even had the courage to rebel against Father

What are you afraid of?

Big brother

That's only because for Yu er,

you stood up to Father first.

Otherwise,

I wouldn't have dared.

I remember in the past

I would depend on Father's shield.

I thought I could be independent from the world

Outside turmoil

had nothing to do with me.

Now Father has left

leaving me alone.

I have no way of

separating myself from the palace struggles.

No way to resist

Who says you're alone?

Don't you still have me

your older brother?

Big brother, all these years

I have monopolized Father's love and care.

Don't you hate me even a little?

I already said

The past is in the past

What

You don't believe me?

I do, I believe big brother

Don't forget

You also have me as a friend

Thank you

I'm no longer alone

Yes, with us

you won't be alone anymore.

Zhi Xiang, the kingdom affairs are so burdensome

I can't handle it much longer.

Xing er is so cowardly and incompetent

and it's such an

urgent, critical moment of life or death.

I really don't know what to do

Can you tell me?

Niang Niang, bad news

Latest military report

The Chu-Han army

seized two of our cities in one night.

Their army

is already approaching our imperial city!

Niang Niang, the only option now

is to let the crown prince assume the throne

and personally lead the battle!

Otherwise Shu Kingdom will collapse!

Niang Niang

This can't wait

Niang Niang please order the decree

Niang Niang, order the decree

The situation is now irreversible?

At this moment, enemy troops are threatening our border

As prince,

I should come forward

and serve the country.

But Father just passed away

If I actively volunteer,

it may draw criticism

saying I have hidden intentions

ulterior motives

So right now,

going or not are both tough spots.

Big brother, but now

the three of us have no power or status.

Why don't we leave the palace?

Go search for utopia

and live peacefully. Wouldn't that be very nice?

If we were in peaceful times,

withdrawing from the world and living in obscurity would be beautiful.

But Shu Kingdom is in chaos right now

How could I just leave?

But Northern Han has strong troops and horses

How could big brother

go up against such a powerful army alone?

Besides, the people in this palace

do not care about you.

I think big brother

has no need to die for them.

To be honest,

I'm not doing it for them.

Big brother! Big brother save me!

Brother Xing, what happened?

Who's bullying you?

Crown prince, please get dressed and lead the troops

Big brother, you have to save me

I don't want to lead the battle!

How did this happen?

Replying to First Prince

Empress has issued a decree

that the crown prince go to battle.

The officers and soldiers have already assembled

and are waiting for the crown prince's command.

I already said I wouldn't go!

Big brother

You have to help me think

I don't want to fight

I don't know how to fight!

Qi Xing, stop it

As crown prince,

during times of national disaster

you should take the lead.

...Big brother is so cruel...

Before,

big brother would always protect me.

But when faced with imminent disaster,

why does big brother not care?

Normally you enjoy all the benefits,

but when calamity strikes,

you push it all onto big brother.

What benefits have I enjoyed?

I don't want to be crown prince

I'm responsible for everything

Now I don't even have a choice

in my death.

You...

You are all

forcing me to go die.

Enough brother Xing. How about this?

I will lead the troops for you

No, First Prince

The new emperor must personally lead the troops

to lift morale.

How about this?

I will accompany Brother Xing in leading the troops

That should work

No!

I don't want to go on the battlefield

Your highness crown prince

First Prince is highly skilled in martial arts

He will protect you

Uncle has fought a lifetime of wars

Wasn't he also injured?

I don't even know how to hold a sword

Even if I don't die, I'll lose half my life

You're the future emperor

What a coward

How will you be emperor?

I...

I know you're trying to trick me into going

I won't fall for it

Your highness, the military situation is urgent

but if your highness leads us,

it will cheer on the entire army

and increase the odds of a counter-offensive.

If your highness refuses to go,

I'm afraid

I'm afraid that Shu Kingdom will perish.

Your highness, the safety of Shu Kingdom

lies in your momentary decision.

Think of the people and the kingdom!

Subjects beg your highness to lead the troops

I beg you not to force me

to go die!

Don't beg him

If he refuses to go,

he is no longer emperor.

Immediately issue my decree

deposing crown prince Qi Xing!

Recrown Prince Qi You

as crown prince, effective immediately!

He will immediately succeed to the throne as new emperor of Shu Kingdom.

You're not willing to lead the troops for our kingdom

and protect our people?

No, I am willing to lead troops for the kingdom

and even sacrifice my own life.

But, I'm not willing to become emperor

You don't want to be emperor?

You've kept a low profile for so many years,

and schemed endlessly

to bring Pan Yu into the palace.

Wasn't that all to become emperor?

Now you're

pretending not to know?

I am very lucky

to have met Pan Yu.

She changed my life

She made me feel

a happiness I never felt before.

I've decided

This life,

I just want to be with Pan Yu.

That's enough

Pan Yu is the most important person to you?

Then what about Mother?

I carried you for 10 months

and suffered giving birth to you.

I'm your own mother

Imperial Mother

You still know you're my mother?

You still remember

that I'm your son?

How did you remember?

At the time,

you insisted

on removing me as crown prince.

But now you clearly know

that the new emperor will lose his life,

so you hurriedly

reinstate me on the throne.

Mother, Mother

What kind

of a mother are you?

Deposing you

was your Father's idea.

You blame me?

Could I have blocked

your father's decree?

But have you ever thought

to persuade Father for me,

or to warmly comfort me?

No?

I know

As long as Mother doesn't add insult to injury,

I should plenty grateful.

I know what you want

You er, Mother begs you

Please save the kingdom your Imperial Father built

Mother begs you

Please save the poor people of Shu Kingdom

Mother begs you

Please save your

shameless mother.

Your Highness

Your Highness is proficient in military strategy

Shu Kingdom's state of affairs

all rely on your highness.

Your highness, please succeed to the throne

and lead the troops in battle.

Seems like I have no choice

To become emperor,

others will fight until their heads are bloody.

But for you to be emperor,

someone has to beg you.

That's giving you plenty of face

I hope you

will not turn your back on us.

Mother don't worry

Your child will not disappoint

Mother only hopes

that after you become emperor,

you can make Shu Kingdom

wealthy and strong, no short of greatness.

Besides this, I have no other demands

Mother is giving me the throne

I understand

not for the people

or for Mother's own life.

This is Mother

This is You er

What do you think?

Mother is giving me the throne

mainly because of

your favorite,

youngest son.

Meng Qi Xing

Qi You is the new emperor of Shu Kingdom?

Yes, it's absolutely true

The empress re-established the crown prince

First Prince Meng Qi You will ascend to the throne

He finally...

He's finally emperor!

Maiden Wen

Hei Zi!

Hei zi, you came just in time!

First Prince

is really going to be emperor?

Although First Prince is emperor,

he hasn't officially been coronated.

Why?

The emperor wants me

to bring you to the palace immediately.

He has important things to discuss

Why?

You think I'm no longer useful?

No longer necessary?

You want me to go?

Of course not

Then why?

Does Fu Ya want you to stay away from me?

Don't worry

I won't cling onto you

Furthermore, I won't

ask you to bring me into the palace.

We are only close friends

Yes

Because you are

a truly close friend,

I can't let you carry

such a heavy burden,

waste so many years.

I don't think it's a waste

Right now

your succession is unsteady, and you're leading the troops to war

Inside and outside court,

everyone either works for your Mother

or for Han Zhao Yi.

You need your own supporters

Jing Ruo, you should calm down

Listen to me

I'll be honest

Leading the war is fraught with peril

Returning in triumph

would certainly be the best outcome.

If not,

I wouldn't want to drag you down with me.

Fu Ya can risk her life for you

But your close friend can not?

Jing Ruo

Fu Ya and I are destined to be together

Our lives and deaths are entirely up to the will of Heaven

But you're different

You should

have your own happiness in life.

My happiness is you!

Jing Ruo

Fu Ya and I always wanted

to live peacefully as commoners.

But we are born into imperial families

She and I

have inescapable responsibilities.

But you can fulfill our wish

Listen to me, go

Go live the life that we wish for but cannot attain.

Don't let me bring

my concern and guilt for you

onto the battlefield.

Is that ok?

You never need to worry about me

or feel burdened by me.

I've already arranged for someone

to take you to Wu state.

At Wu, stay with Uncle Qian Hong

He is my good friend

You should have seen him before

He is a modest, self-disciplined gentleman

gentle and cultivated.

I trust he'll treat you well

You gave me to him?

No, Jing Ruo, I entrusted him with your care

You need someone

who is a lifetime companion

and loves you wholly.

Uncle Qian Hong told me

that in West Lake,

he planted 10 miles of lilies.

It must be

even more beautiful than paradise.

Jing Ruo, living there

you will be very happy.

What?

You want Han Ming to bring 100,000 imperial soldiers

to the frontline and resist the enemy?

Are the 100,000 imperial soldiers all your sons?

Fighting enemies for the kingdom

is completely reasonable.

Why are you anxious for them?

But from what I know,

the specific responsibility of the imperial army is to protect the royal palace.

They should not be transferred at will

The teeth are cold when the lips are lost

If we can't even defend the border,

what's the use in guarding the imperial city?

I think that

you don't wish to transfer the imperial army

for other motives?

The imperial court is facing internal problems and foreign invasion

Both cause anxiety and concern

But Sister is here

playing clever games and calculating.

One should laugh at you with scorn

Fine

I'll be the villain

Let's talk about the ugly truth

Commander Han controlling 100,000 imperial guards

is Shu Kingdom's greatest internal problem.

Transferring him to defend the border

is exactly my plan

to kill two birds with one stone.

Han Ming has protected the palace for many years

through fear and trepidation

If no accomplishments, there are efforts

In Empress's eyes, how could he become

a villain that gathers military power

with sinister intentions?

Zhao Yi Niang Niang

The severe casualties on the frontline

are a fact.

Actually Niang Niang's considerations are right

If Han Ming

insists on staying in the palace,

people will instead mistake me for having ill intentions.

I was momentarily confused

Sister please forgive me

I don't know if you're trimming your sails

or what you're planning inside,

but I'm telling you,

we're all the same boat right now.

When a bird's nest is overturned, no egg can remain intact

If you want to live,

then

you better not cross the line right now.

I didn't want to be the villain

but Du Fei Hong reminded me

She always worried

you would be her internal problem

but unexpectedly,

you will be her son's internal problem.

Then what do you reckon?

I'm asking you

How capable is Meng Qi You?

He's very familiar with military strategy

and highly skilled in martial arts.

calm and level-headed

He's a rare, talented commander-in-chief

In the past, Shu Kingdom

lost

because things happened suddenly

and caught us off guard.

Plus

Du Ru Hai is old

and not hard to defeat.

But now, Shu Kingdom has adequate provisions

and Meng Qi You is leading the war personally.

A strong general leading the troops

plus Shu Kingdom's geographical advantages

Meng Qi You may be

undefeatable.

Is that good, Niang Niang?

Stupid

Meng Qi You is

the emperor's own son.

And when he wins the battle,

he will sit steadily on the throne.

Even Du Fei Hong can't touch him

Then...what?

So this battle must be lost, not won

Du Fei Hong

The knife used to kill your son

you gave me personally

Ye Ye

I'm so worried

What are you worried about?

With his majesty leading the way, what can go wrong?

He hasn't sat on the throne yet

but he's already going off to war.

What kind of emperor is that?

Exactly

When the kingdom was peaceful,

no one thought of First Prince.

Now it's time for war, they all think of him!

What bullies!

When your majesty returns in victory,

we'll do the coronation ceremony and celebration banquet together.

Isn't that better?

I'm afraid that if...

Crow mouth!

What "ifs"?

The emperor will be victorious

and return triumphantly to court!

What is it Yun Zhu?

Have no confidence in me?

No...

If only I weren't so physically weak

and worried about dragging you down,

I should also protect my family and kingdom on the battlefield.

Brother Yun, when I'm on the battlefield,

you will help me manage national affairs in the background,

a different but equally worrisome job.

It will be hard work

Imperial brother don't worry

I will not disappoint you

Good

Come, remember

No matter what

you can't return this to me again.

Take it. Wait for my return.

I want you to give it to me

when you triumphantly return.

Ok, I will definitely come back

Emperor

It's getting late

We should depart

Empress Dowager is not up yet

If we wait for her,

it may delay the troops' departure.

The Chu-Han joint army threatens us

but our great Shu Kingdom has strong soldiers and horses

and a common wish.

We will defeat the enemy troops and return triumphant!

Defeat the enemy troops! Return triumphant!

Defeat the enemy troops! Return triumphant!

Defeat the enemy troops! Return triumphant!