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 31]

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

Mother.

When will you be willing to stop?

Jinruo, hurry and return to Ci’an Temple.

What you told me that day,

was it your real feelings or was it false?

I meant every single word I said from the bottom of my heart.

Since that’s the case, fine.

You and I have been married for many years now.

I have finally repaid my debt to you from all these years.

From today on, I am Ma Jinruo,

the Grand Elder Princess of the Imperial Court.

I want to cut all my martial ties to you.

I regret not listening to my imperial brother.

In a moment of softheartedness, I let you go.

Since you want to ruin the empire my Ma Clan built,

I shall be buried with my imperial brother.

I want you to know the pain of bereavement for a family member.

- Jinruo! - Mother!

A’Wu.

A’Wu.

Imperial Father,

at the very end, you did acknowledge me.

A’Wu!

The hot water is here. Hurry and come get it.

[Testamentary Edict]

Your Majesty, oh, Your Majesty.

Since you have long granted my wish,

why didn’t you tell me?

Why didn’t you give it to me?

You did that on purpose.

You purposely wanted to torment me!

You created such chaos today.

This can’t be put in order and turned around.

You want to add on to my sins

and make them more sinister.

What caused you to become like this?

Just because I’m a daughter of the Wang Clan?

♫ Flowers at the front of the court; snow on the steps ♫

♫ Thousand-curtain lantern; insomnia at night ♫

♫ Reminiscing the past, or merely old thoughts ♫

♫ A handful of tears; a disheartened thought ♫

♫ Sorrow is pity; anger is sadness ♫

In the ninth month of the second year of Yin, Emperor Chengzong passed away.

The world was in mourning.

The ministers in the imperial palace and the women who were given titles by the emperor gathered together from the ends of the earth.

They wept from morning to night.

It’s just that my tomb will be bigger when I die.

Those who will truly grieve for me

might be fewer than the those who weep

for a farmer.

The fifth day of the tenth month was a very auspicious day.

The great enthronement ceremony of the new emperor took place in Taiji Hall.

Crown Prince, Zilong, ascended to the throne.

Xiao Qi, Prince Yuzhang, was appointed to assist in the governance of political affairs.

Advisor Wen Zongshen was restored to his position.

The succeeding emperor came out of the Eastern Palace in his court attire.

Hundreds of officials in the royal palace knelt outside in welcome.

The rites and music were suspended due to the mourning period.

The crack of the whip resounded thrice at the foot of the stairs.

The auspicious bell chimed constantly.

Hundreds of officials bowed their heads below in the vermilion courtyard.

After the new emperor was enthroned,

he issued an order honoring Empress Wang as the Empress Dowager.

He conferred the Crown Princess as Empress.

After hundreds to thousands of years, what’s recorded in the annals

are just these few lines of words.

May Your Majesty live for thousands and thousands of years.

And I...

will never forget that shocking day.

Even more so, I cannot forget

that on that day I lost my mother

as well as my child.

My tears seemed to flow until they were used up on that day.

This woman, who used her life to protect me,

will never smile again nor call me “A’Wu.”

[Spirit Tablet of the Dignified Grand Elder Princess]

My little A’Wu has finally grown up.

Mother!

[Spiritual Tablet of the Dignified Grand Elder Princess]

Grand Elder Princess,

please rest assured.

From now on,

I will surely stay by Princess Consort’s and Heir Apparent’s side, protecting them.

You must protect them from above in Heaven.

Your body hasn’t fully recovered yet.

You shouldn’t stay out for too long.

Let’s head back.

Princess Consort,

don’t let Grand Elder Princess worry.

Let’s head back, all right?

Mother,

please forgive me

for not protecting you well.

Please rest assured,

I will surely take good care of A’Wu in this lifetime.

She is as precious to me as life itself.

It was I who didn’t protect Mother well.

How is the Imperial Court right now?

His Majesty issued a secret decree

to kill all the imperial physicians and officials in Shiqian Hall.

He’s ordered the final judgment behind the truth of the late emperor’s death to be passed only after everything is over.

What about him?

How will he be punished?

His Majesty and Empress Dowager, taking into consideration that they were from the same clan,

will not sentence him with the crime of rebelling.

They will only sentence him for colluding with others for personal and selfish gain

and imprison him.

Also,

they exempted your Wang Clan from being implicated in his crime.

Will they spare his life?

He will be beheaded outside the city in three days.

Go see him.

After all, he is your father.

Your Highness.

How is she today?

She is always in a deep slumber.

Other than being urged by Senior Maidservant Xu to drink the medicinal soup and tonics,

she has not left her room all day.

Make sure the imperial physician takes her pulse every day

to avoid any mishaps.

Yes, Your Highness.

Go on.

At the same moment of when I lost my mother,

I lost my child.

I had just found out of its arrival.

I hadn’t even had the time to tell Xiao Qi.

This child once went against Zilu together with me.

The child also accompanied his father in galloping on a horse that treaded on the imperial palace and experienced adversity.

But in the end...

Imperial Mother.

You all are dismissed.

Imperial Mother, why won’t you let me continue to thoroughly investigate?

Long’er,

the Wang Clan has been the leader of the gentry for almost two hundred years.

It represents not only our maternal clan

but, more so, the rich and powerful gentry.

- But— - There are no buts!

Empress Mother, but I am the Emperor!

You think your son does not have the knowledge and ability to be a wise ruler, is that right?

To act like a child on all matters, listening to all your decrees. Right?

I’m now the Emperor of this empire.

If I can’t make the decision on big or small matters then—

Then you might as well...dethrone me.

You!

Congratulations, Empress.

You are pregnant.

Congratulations, Your Majesty.

Imperial Physician Shen, is this really true?

Of course, I am sure.

I...

Why would I dare say nonsense?

Great. Thank you, Imperial Physician Shen.

I will reward you handsomely.

Thank you, Empress.

Then, I will take my leave now.

Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Majesty! This is great news.

Your Majesty’s heart’s desire has been fulfilled.

This is imminent.

This child has come at just the right time.

It is hope for me and the Xie family.

Long’er! You make me so deeply hurt!

Even if you’ve now ascended to the throne, you need to remember,

no matter who you distrust, you cannot distrust your Dowager Empress Mother!

But Imperial Mother, this matter is of great importance. Uncle—

No. It’s the guilt official Wang Lin.

He was the prime minister of the court for many years.

His power was entangled and complicated.

If we don’t take advantage of our victory, continue attacking,

and arrest those people who are secretly plotting, I can’t sleep.

It’s hard for me to fall asleep!

Imperial Mother, the palace has successively changed twice.

It has changed twice!

If Xiao Qi hadn’t come out to save me twice...

Long’er, don’t be bewitched by this Xiao Qi.

Could it be that I should plot against Xiao Qi for this kindness of saving my life?

You are the Emperor.

Subjects protecting their emperor is their duty.

Why talk about debts of gratitude and grudges?

Prince Yuzhang accomplished great meritorious service this time.

I am thinking about what to confer on him as a reward right now.

Bestow him with a gold pardoning medal.

Gold pardoning medal?

Your Majesty, you have profoundly good fortune, unlike some people.

I heard that Princess Consort Yuzhang lost—

Are you saying that Wang Xuan miscarried?

Yes.

No matter. Her child will naturally be unlucky.

How can it be compared to my imperial child?

Your Majesty is absolutely right.

Emperor. Dowager Empress. Her Majesty the Empress has come to pay her respects.

Come in.

Greetings, Your Majesty the Dowager Empress.

Rise.

After becoming Empress, Wanru has become even more pampered.

Empress, is your body feeling unwell?

I am indeed feeling a bit unwell.

But no worries, it’s good news.

I have just received the news,

so I immediately came over to tell Your Majesty and Dowager Empress.

Good news?

What good news?

Could it be...

Could it be you’re expecting?

That means that I’m going to have a prince?

- I’m going to have a prince, is that right! - Your Majesty!

Your Majesty be careful! Your Majesty be careful!

Imperial Mother,

this is my first prince.

It’s my first great treasure since I ascended the throne.

Empress, oh, Empress, you’re giving me such a great gift.

I will heavily reward you.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

It really is very auspicious. I will also bestow many rewards.

You are newly pregnant, so you cannot over-exert yourself.

I will manage the harem for you, for the time being.

- But Dowager Empress— - Empress,

just behave and listen to Imperial Mother.

These days, we’ve been rather exhausted.

We have all been shocked and worried.

You just behave and take care of the pregnancy for me.

As for all those troublesome matters of the palace,

we’ll trouble Imperial Mother.

After you have given birth to an imperial child for me,

it won’t be too late for you to take over again, isn’t that right?

Thank you, Dowager Empress.

No need to be polite with me.

Later on, I will assign two

nannies with birthing experience to take care of you.

Yes! Yes!

It won’t be necessary to trouble Dowager Empress for that.

I’ve already asked for two nannies.

They previously took care of Zitan.

Also, they have an understanding of my interests and habits.

They are considered very proficient.

Your Majesty and Dowager Empress, please rest assured.

Then we’ll do that.

Empress, oh, Empress, this is really unexpected.

Then, Imperial Mother,

I will accompany the Empress to return and rest. You should rest well, too.

I will take my leave now.

Guilty subject Wang Lin, announcing the imperial decree.

“The criminal, Official Wang Lin,

surrounded the Eastern Palace with the intention to rebel.

Wild ambitions were clearly shown; the crime is unpardonable.

According to the law, nine generations of the clans should be executed.

Taking into account that the Wang Clan has been meritorious in the founding of the empire

and that its descendants have performed many other meritorious services for the empire, amassing benevolence;

therefore, they have been especially pardoned from guilt by association and will not be charged.

However, Wang Lin’s crime remains unpardonable.

He will be beheaded in two days.”

Empress Dowager invites you to Yong’an Palace for a last meal.

- Guards. - Here.

Put him in chains.

Tonight, there is no Dowager Empress.

There is no guilty subject.

There is just a brother

who dearly loved me 20 years ago.

I didn’t think that

after strategizing for a lifetime,

I made a wedding dress for you in the end. (T/N: given you the advantage)

You lost.

Fortunately, you did not lose to an outsider.

But I’d rather

lose to an outsider,

than lose to a daughter of the Wang Clan.

You did win.

But you betrayed the Wang Clan.

The one who betrayed the Wang Clan is you, not me.

You, the brother I once most respected and depended on.

Do not forget that

my son is also a descendant of the Ma family.

Wang and Ma share the empire.

For generations, the Wang Clan held the position of empress;

thus, had already obtained half the power in the court and in this empire.

And you made the final decisions when it came to everything in the court.

You still weren’t satisfied.

You underestimated how ruthless a woman could be,

whose whole heart is dedicated to protecting her son.

I forgot one thing. Speaking of ruthlessness,

you are hundreds, thousands of times more ruthless than me.

All these years, I always viewed you as a father figure.

On matters big and small, I followed you blindly.

I never thought you’d let my trust in you down.

To actually covet my son’s position as emperor.

That is because your son is useless.

Do you think you can really hand over this empire to him?

Do you think he can recover the lost territories?

Or do you think he can restore the country?

- So you can just seize your own nephew’s position as emper— - Those who accomplish great things,

how can they pity their dearest relatives?

Dearest relative?

Brother, do you still have any dear relatives?

A’Wu, Grand Elder Princess,

and me, your own younger sister,

we are all the dearest relatives in your life.

But now, all of us have turned our backs against you and left.

Have you properly reflected upon yourself?

Fine.

What Empress Dowager says has reason.

Send me off with this cup of wine.

I will give you my blessings.

May you be blessed to protect your son,

that your family is harmonious, that things are joyous and peaceful.

Older Brother, rest assured.

With me here,

the Wang Clan will never decline.

Pour me some wine. Wine for beheading requires three cups.

Relay my order.

No one is allowed to put shackles on the former prime minister from now on.

As long as he doesn’t leave the prison,

give him whatever he wants.

Yes.

How is it? When will the Emperor come?

Reporting to Your Majesty, His Majesty...

His Majesty will not be coming tonight.

Not coming?

It’s all Empress Dowager’s idea.

She said that now that Your Majesty is pregnant,

His Majesty the Emperor must learn how to cherish Her Majesty.

He must restrain himself.

That crazy woman!

I deserve to die! I deserve to die!

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty, don’t get angry.

The walls have ears.

That’s good.

It’s better to trip sooner than later.

I guess I have learned a lesson here.

Nanny, do you know

that the person who’s actually made me feel more upset

is not the Empress Dowager,

but the Emperor himself.

Usually, he treats me extremely well, giving in to me about everything,

loving me very much,

yet he listens to whatever Empress Dowager says.

Even the harem is controlled by her.

Your Majesty,

I think you shouldn’t lose your temper with His Majesty over this matter and infuriate him.

On the contrary, you must treat him even better.

I lost this round, but in the next round,

I certainly will not let the women of the Wang family take advantage.

His Majesty the Emperor has arrived!

Imperial Mother.

I’m here to pay my respects.

The Empress specifically instructed them to simmer this ginger soup for you

and deliver it.

Because of her pregnancy, it’s not convenient for her to move around.

She entrusted me with delivering this to you.

Thank her for her consideration.

Take it away. You all can drink it.

All of you leave.

Yes.

Imperial Mother, there’s something I can’t figure out.

Let’s go inside and talk.

What questions do you have?

Imperial Mother,

since you had decided to kill Uncle,

why did you bestow Prince Yuzhang with the gold pardoning medal the day before yesterday?

Right now, Older Brother has lost.

Prince Yuzhang holds the majority of the authority and power.

He also has A’Wu’s assistance in governance.

Others may not know about A’Wu’s capabilities, but I do.

Only by causing cracks in the relationship between the married couple,

can I safely make the next move.

Cracks in the relationship?

Come, Long’er. Sit and we’ll take time to discuss this.

I kind of understand now.

If we let A’Wu know that Prince Yuzhang holds a gold pardoning medal,

she will definitely beg Prince Yuzhang to save Uncle.

Prince Yuzhang and Uncle have always seemed harmonious with each other, but there’s an underlying disagreement.

He will definitely refuse to help.

If that is the case, A’Wu will hate and resent him.

You are only half right.

Prince Yuzhang’s actions are not like an ordinary person’s. He is hard to guess.

Even if he uses the gold pardoning medal to save Older Brother,

that is his own will.

But all of his subordinate generals in the Ningshuo Army will be unhappy with A’Wu.

Empress Mother, you still want to let Uncle live after all?

You are wrong.

Even if Prince Yuzhang saves him,

in the future when he’s banished to the border,

there will be many mountain and water bandits along the journey.

I fear he won’t live for long.

Heir Apparent, please wait. Princess Consort is still sleeping.

I will report to her.

No need. You may leave.

What’s wrong? Didn’t you hear what I said?

Yes.

Older Brother?

I’m here to beg you to save Father’s life.

You can hate or be angry with him. He’s still our father.

Mother has already passed away.

If anything happens to Father,

our family will fall apart.

We can’t just watch our father die.

Who can save him from the crime of rebellion?

Do you want us to rebel and break him out of prison?

Of course, we don’t have this ability, but someone else does.

Xiao Qi is just a minister. How can he save him?

Xiao Qi gained merit by saving the Emperor.

He holds all the military power now.

As long as he wants to save Father, there is certainly a way for him to do it.

A’Wu,

no matter what, he’s also the son-in-law of the Wang family.

Back then, when Xiao Qi first came to the capital,

if Father didn’t recommend him, would he be where he is today?

Father was not wrong to marry off his doted daughter to him.

Yet we haven’t even received a bit of his gratitude.

If it weren’t for Xiao Qi, Father wouldn’t have ended up in this state.

- Nonsense! - I’m speaking the truth!

Are you and I not clearly aware of the truth?

I’m not going to argue with you. Father will be beheaded tomorrow.

If we don’t think of a solution, it will really be too late.

What if he is not willing?

He cares for you in every possible way and takes advice from you. How could he be unwilling?

A’Wu, I’m begging you.

Taking into account how much Father doted on you,

save his life. Huh?

I didn’t expect

you would hate Father this deeply.

I didn’t have any great ambition.

I only wished for our family to be happy and harmonious.

Now Mother has passed away

and Father has encountered a mishap again.

This will be the end of our family.

Forget it.

When it comes to things you are unwilling to do,

I won’t force you.

If you don’t want to acknowledge this father,

I will.

I’m going to save him now.

If this comes to a bad end,

let’s say goodbye here.

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

♫ 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 change 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 ♫