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 30]

All right. It is all my fault.

I have made you sad.

A’Wu,

I heard your mother still hasn’t returned to the prime minister’s manor to this day.

That’s correct.

My mother said that she will never forgive my father.

She also said that she is forever the daughter of the imperial family,

the younger sister of Your Majesty.

Then, A’Wu, what about you?

I am my mother’s daughter. I am Xiao Qi’s wife.

Your husband is indeed not bad.

The worst mistake of my life

was to have conjectures about him.

Otherwise, I wouldn’t be in such a difficult position today.

A’Wu,

I want you... to promise me something.

Can you do it?

I will do all that I can.

Remember this. I have left a testamentary edict.

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

Reporting to Princess Consort. Her Majesty asked for you.

I got it.

Your Majesty, this is the calming medicine that the imperial physician prescribed for you.

Is my insomnia an illness?

It is not. It is that female ghost pestering me.

I am not drinking it. Take it away.

Reporting to Your Majesty. Princess Consort Yuzhang has arrived.

Replying to Prince Yuzhang. Princess Consort just went to see the empress.

Please wait a moment.

Auntie.

A’Wu.

Bring a cup of tea for Princess Consort Yuzhang.

Yes.

Come sit with me.

Auntie, why have you summoned me?

You just came from seeing His Majesty.

Did he say anything to you?

Emperor Uncle...

did not say much.

He just drew me a painting as a birthday present.

These days have gone by too quickly.

In the blink of an eye, it’s your birthday.

I will surely prepare a grand present for you.

Thank you, Auntie.

Speaking like that to me, it seems as though we are strangers.

What I’m gifting you is affection.

There so many things that have to be said,

even if there’s affection.

Auntie, please speak freely.

His Majesty wants Zitan to replace the crown prince.

In your heart, what do you think about that?

Auntie, what do you mean by that?

I am merely Princess Consort Yuzhang,

how could I intervene with great state affairs?

A’Wu, you’re wise and resourceful.

You’ve worked with His Majesty to ruin the plans that Zilu spent years preparing.

He tried to seize imperial power and authority as well as to kill his siblings.

This time it was Zilu who tried to seize the throne.

Perhaps it will be Zitan next time.

Back then, in order to save Zitan,

you willingly married Prince Yuzhang, a boorish man.

On that day, Zitan blocked and saved you from the sword.

Seeing that made even me shocked.

Auntie, you know about my relationship with Zitan very well.

I also remember how you had me cut this relationship off, Auntie.

I am now Xiao Qi’s wife.

He and I have already drunk the nuptial wine and I will be his until we’re old. (Referenced from the poem “The Lady Says” from the “Book of Songs • Airs of Zheng” translated by Arthur Waley.)

As for...

“I will set your zithers before you; all shall be peaceful and good.”

We should have let go of our childhood feelings long ago.

What did you say?

Perhaps you would

understand what I am saying, Auntie.

“I will set your zithers before you; all shall be peaceful and good.” (The poem “The Lady Says” from the “Book of Songs • Airs of Zheng” is translated by Arthur Waley.)

“The youthful Wen and Huanxi must shoot the wild-ducks and wild-geese.” (The scriptwriters have altered the poem slightly)

Auntie, rest assured.

The Zitan I know is not a minister.

He’s a Confucius scholar.

Even if Zitan doesn’t want to become emperor,

His Majesty has the intention to make him so.

In my eyes,

the current emperor uncle is just an old man.

Now that the overall situation has been settled,

and the imperial power is in the Wang Clan’s hands, what are you still worried about, Auntie?

A’Wu, I just want to hear one thing from you.

Auntie, I have already said everything that I should.

Your Highness, we found Madam Dou.

- Where? - In the capital.

- Bring me there. - Yes.

Tell Princess Consort that I have urgent matters and have her return to the manor herself.

Yes!

Princess Consort, please have tea.

My husband is still waiting outside. I shall take my leave.

Your Highness.

It’s so late already, who is it?

Reporting to Princess Consort. His Highness had work matters to take care of and hurriedly left.

He will return a bit late today.

- Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress. - Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress.

No one is allowed to come in.

Yes!

Why have you come?

I have served you for so many years.

What is it?

In the end, you are not even willing to see me once?

You and that highly ambitious elder brother of yours

have already harmed me to this extent.

I want to see...

exactly how you are going to face the ancestors

once you have passed away.

I came today to ask you for one thing.

What do you want?

The testamentary edict.

Zilu asked me for my testamentary edict.

You are asking me for my testamentary edict as well.

I am still alive,

yet every single one of you wants me to die.

I’ll be honest with you.

I have written the testamentary edict long ago.

But unless I have died,

don’t even think about seeing it.

You still want to replace the crown prince at this time?

As to who shall rule the empire,

I make that decision.

Your Majesty probably forgot the predicament that you are currently in, right?

Rule the empire?

Perhaps you once were that.

However, the current you is on your last leg.

Just like that carved dragon on the wall, putting on a fierce look with its fangs and claws.

It is nothing more than a decoration.

During the past years,

the number of children I have has diminished because of you.

My beloved consort also died at your hands.

It is all your fault.

If you still want to pass the throne to Zitan,

then you are forcing him on a path that leads to death.

What exactly do you want?

Simple. Burn the testamentary edict in front of me.

Then, announce to the world

that from today onwards, you abdicate the throne to Zilong

and you, yourself, will become the emperor emeritus.

My testamentary edict

is right there.

I am weak

so you’ll have to retrieve it yourself.

Take a look

to see whether it is the answer you want.

I’ll grant you your desire right now!

I’ll grant it to you!

Open the doors quickly! The palace has an urgent summons!

The prime minister has been summoned to the palace!

Your Highness! Your Highness!

Your Highness, someone from the palace has come, asking to see you.

It’s so late now. Something big must have happened.

Reporting to Prince Yuzhang. Tonight between 1:00 and 3:00 a.m., His Majesty passed away.

Right now, Prime Minister is leading the Imperial Guard into the palace.

Your Highness.

Huai’en, seal off the eastern palace.

Detain all the imperial physicians of the imperial physician hall and strictly keep watch over them.

Guanglie, notify the great army of 100,000 to be on stand by.

- Prepare to enter the city at any time. - Yes! I understand.

[Prince’s Manor]

A’Wu, I left behind a testamentary edict.

It is above this inscribed board in this Imperial Study Room. [Subtle, Profound Knowledge]

Open it after I’m gone.

The imperial physician said that Emperor Uncle could at least get through this winter.

However, out of his expectations, His Majesty has suddenly passed away after just one day.

I have no time to grieve

because I know that there will be a life-or-death struggle in the palace tonight for sure.

And all the people I genuinely love,

will be at both ends of the swords.

Grand Elder Princess! Grand Elder Princess!

Grand Elder Princess!

Grand Elder Princess.

A’Xu.

Grand Elder Princess!

- Grand Elder Princess, were you awakened by the noise? - Yes.

Grand Elder Princess!

- Why is it so noisy in the night? - Grand Elder Princess! Grand Elder Princess!

- Grand Elder Princess! - Grand Elder Princess!

- It is the senior nun? - Yes.

- Grand Elder Princess! - Grand Elder Princess!

Senior Nun.

Your Highness the Grand Elder Princess, someone from the palace is here.

Reporting to Your Majesty. We have arranged everything as you ordered.

If you succeed in this matter,

you will be rewarded with immeasurable wealth, a high rank, and great prospects.

Do not disappoint me.

Do not worry, Empress. I am willing to sacrifice myself

in order to guarantee the success of the task.

[Huaguang Hall]

Prince Yuzhang, the emperor has just passed away and his corpse has not even lost its warmth yet.

The crown prince is mourning his father and is inconsolable in his grief.

The prime minister is currently consoling him in the Eastern Palace.

Prince Yuzhang, why have you chosen to trespass into the Eastern Palace at this time?

Could it be that you want to rebel?

Prince Yuzhang, do not come any further.

If you continue forward, I will no longer be polite to you.

I, Prince Yuzhang, Xiao Qi,

have been ordered by the crown prince to protect the Eastern Palace.

Is His Highness the Crown Prince... well?

Prince Yuzhang! If you keep closing in on us, we will truly cease our civility!

Prince Yuzhang, rest assured!

The crown princess and I are inside the hall, protected by the prime minister.

We are fine!

Prince Yuzhang, do not worry!

Prince Yuzhang, please lead your troops to retreat for now!

The emperor’s corpse is not yet cold

and the palace is in a state of chaos.

I shall continue to stand guard outside the Eastern Palace!

U-Uncle.

I have done what you said.

Can you now let Wanru and I go

to observe mourning for Imperial Father?

Uncle.

Uncle.

Crown Prince, I have offended you.

Son-in-Law, with this big display of flags and drums

blocking the entrance of the Eastern Palace,

what is the purpose?

His Majesty has passed away.

Prime Minister, instead of presiding over the whole situation in Shiqian Hall,

you stationed soldiers here at the Eastern Palace to hold the crown prince hostage,

what is the purpose?

Son-in-Law, you used the word “hostage.”

It seems that you have misunderstood me, your father-in-law.

I do hope that it is a misunderstanding.

A’Wu is a pearl in my palm. (Idiom – a beloved daughter)

I betrothed her to you

in hopes that you and I would become family.

I think A’Wu probably does not wish to see

her father and husband meeting on the battlefield.

Then we shall see what decision you make, Father-in-Law.

Okay.

Then, Son-in-Law, be careful.

- How is it going? - Replying to Princess Consort.

The prime minister personally led the Imperial Guard into the palace.

All the critical areas of the capital are already being heavily guarded.

His Highness’s 3,000 troops have already surrounded the prime minister’s manor.

I knew this day would come,

yet who knew it would come so quickly.

Princess Consort.

Ready the carriage and enter the palace with me.

- Stop! - You all dare to block Princess Consort Yuzhang’s way? Move aside!

Princess Consort, please stop here.

How is the situation in the palace?

Prime Minister...

The prime minister is holding the crown prince hostage.

Father indeed made the first move.

Indeed, the prime minister managed to get one step ahead of His Highness.

- Where is the empress? - She’s at Shiqian Hall.

Prime Minister has also surrounded Shiqian Hall.

- You cannot, Princess Consort! - Why not?

Princess Consort, you cannot be put in danger.

Even if you must step over my dead body,

I will certainly not let you take a step into this palace.

I will not be stepping over your dead body,

but if either my father or His Highness is met with any mishaps,

you shall be taking my dead body back.

- Let’s head to the Imperial Study Room quickly. - Yes.

Don’t disturb His Majesty.

I want to take another look at Uncle.

His Majesty’s soul is rising to Heaven.

A’Wu, just kowtow to His Majesty here,

and send him on his way.

How did Uncle pass away?

Only the heavens can take the life of the Son of Heaven back.

It was Heaven that asked him to return.

Didn’t the imperial physician say that he could get through this winter?

Heaven’s will cannot be defied.

Is it really the will of Heaven?

So many changes took place here in the palace some time ago.

Emperor Uncle suffered so much.

Was that all Heaven’s will?

If the will of Heaven cannot be violated,

then it should be even harder for the will of the people to be defied.

What you say is right.

The will of the people is much more difficult to defy.

The emperor has just passed away and his corpse is not yet cold,

but your father and husband

have already impatiently led troops into the palace to seize power.

Then, tell me. What intentions do they have?

As to what is on my father’s mind,

I am not clear.

But Xiao Qi

is loyal to Great Cheng.

Right now, I do not trust anyone.

An empire cannot go a day without a ruler.

Whoever objects to Long’er ascending to the throne is a traitor.

Report!

Reporting to Your Majesty the Empress,

Prime Minister Wang’s forces have already forced their way into the Eastern Palace.

They are currently confronting Prince Yuzhang’s troops.

- You are dismissed. - Yes!

I will not stay back and watch your father seize power.

I also will not watch your husband use his army to defy orders from this court,

making himself undefeatable.

Auntie, none of what you are worried about will happen.

Uncle left behind a testamentary edict.

Right now, if we act according to the testamentary edict,

then we’ll be able to pacify the turmoil that’s happening outside.

A testamentary edict?

The testamentary edict is Heaven’s will.

Only Heaven’s will can determine the will of the people.

This is the testamentary edict?

Why is the testamentary edict with you?

You— You—

Even in death, you do not give me the testamentary edict, yet you gave it to her?

She the eldest daughter of the Wang Clan who has already been married off to a humble family!

What is the meaning of this?

Auntie, the priority now is to announce this testamentary edict to the world.

Do you want Zitan to inherit the throne that badly?

No! This is Emperor Uncle’s posthumous decree.

I do not know the contents of this testamentary edict.

A’Wu. Now that your uncle is dead,

just listen to me, all right?

Give the testamentary edict to me.

Auntie, you must not make a grave mistake.

A’Wu, give the testamentary edict to me so that I can destroy it.

When Long’er ascends the throne and becomes the emperor,

- I will give you anything you want! - Heaven’s will cannot be defied!

Guards!

Stop right there.

Give the testamentary edict to me! You must give it to me today!

Auntie, do not force my hand!

You are the one forcing my hand!

Whoever opposes Long’er’s ascension to the throne is my enemy!

- Give me! - Auntie!

Princess Consort.

For my Long’er, I’m willing to do anything!

Auntie, you cannot!

No one move!

So you have placed your people by my side.

Auntie, you were in danger last time,

so I left my guard at Zhaoyang Hall to protect you.

Turns out you have taken precautions against me long ago.

I have thought highly of myself all my life,

yet I lost to you.

At this moment,

the victory isn’t between you and me.

It’s outside this great hall.

[Prolonged Blessings]

Stop!

- Stop! - Stop!

Stop!

The late emperor’s testamentary edict is right here!

Who dares to act rashly?

Mother! Mother, hurry and save me!

Long’er! Long’er!

A’Wu, come here.

Come here to me.

Don’t forget that you are the daughter of my Wang family.

The late emperor’s testamentary edict is right here.

Who dares to act rashly?

Testamentary edict?

His Majesty has returned to the Nine Heavens very suddenly.

How could there possibly be a testamentary edict?

A’Wu, stop the nonsense.

Before my Emperor Uncle’s illness acted up,

he personally told me that he left a testamentary edict.

That is the truth.

The emperor has issued this imperial edict:

“Ever since I have ascended to the throne, I have acted upon Heaven’s will.

I have taken on the responsibility of venerating the heavens and giving the people peace.

I regret that my capabilities were weak and meager. In the end, I have failed my original intentions.

Firstly, I must obey the teachings of my forefathers; and secondly, I must submit to public sentiment.

Inherit my legacy and succeed my reign.

After my passing, I decree

that the throne shall be passed on to the Crown Prince,

Ma Zilong.

Let this promulgation

be spread far and wide throughout the whole land.”

Crown Prince! Let me go.

Crown Prince, you are the emperor now!

You are the emperor!

Long’er, it is you!

It is me.

It really is me.

Did you all hear?

I am the emperor now! I am the emperor now!

Did you all hear? I-I—

Empress Mother! Empress Mother!

Stop!

Empress Mother!

Father, the edict is clear.

Please come back to your senses.

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

- Father. - Move aside.

Father, that day, when the four of us reunited again,

do you know what wish

I made in front of Buddha?

I only want for the years to go on as before,

for my parents to love each other, and for love between parent and children.

Father,

I beg you.

Stop acting willfully.

Must you become a man who holds great power, but is lonely?

Love between parent and children?

A’Wu,

if that really was your wish,

then you shouldn’t have taken out that testamentary edict today.

Do you think I still have a way out of this now?

Don’t blame me for being cruel.

Prince Yuzhang,

let me ask you.

Do you think that this Ma Zilong will be able to inherit the throne?

You must know that

he had evil thoughts towards A’Wu before.

So much so that he drugged and violated Xie Wanru at Huaguang Hall.

When Zilu rebelled, he only knew how to cry.

Where does he even have the slightest imposing manner and honorability of an emperor?

Is this kind of person worthy of being a ruler?

I, Wang Lin, assisted the late emperor in this city for over a decade.

I was in charge of all the important internal affairs.

Today, I’m still the Prime Minister of Great Cheng!

Fine. Since the late emperor’s testamentary edict is here,

that is fine. I can assist the crown prince in ruling the empire as before

until this man qualifies to be the emperor.

Thus, Prince Yuzhang, please retreat your troops.

Pacify the chaos of my Great Cheng. What do you think?

Today’s chaos was all caused by you, Prime Minister.

Prime Minister, you already committed

the crime of conspiring to usurp the throne.

Father-in-Law, please forgive me for not obeying.

Prince Yuzhang,

hearing you say that,

are you trying to put me to death today?

I do not dare.

All right. Since it has come to this, I will be honest.

I previously ordered men to place gunpowder throughout this Shiqian Hall.

Father...

Today, if Prince Yuzhang insists on not obeying,

then this Shiqian Hall will turn to ashes.

You, I, and everyone here shall be buried here.

Prince Yuzhang, what do you think?

Father!

What do you think?

Wang Lin.

Jinruo.

Mother.

♫ 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 ♫