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 40]

Are you saying that Wang Qian entered the palace and directly went to Zhaoyang Hall

instead of going to Yong’an Palace?

Replying to Empress Dowager. That is correct.

Okay.

Very well.

She really is beyond hope.

Do they really believe that the Xie family would help a daughter of the Wang Clan?

Empress Dowager, you are right.

Madam Xue is quite calculative.

How did she birth such a daughter?

Exactly.

Then... if Wang Qian comes to Yong’an Hall again...

Chase her away.

- Qian’er! Qian’er! - Madam!

- Madam, you have finally come back. - Where did Qian’er go?

Miss, she... Once you left,

she made a fuss about wanting to enter the palace.

The servants couldn’t stop her, so they just went with her.

I stayed here to inform you.

If she causes trouble, then there’s really no return for us later.

Let’s go. Let’s enter the palace immediately.

- Qian’er! - Mother?

Where have you been?

You scared me to death. You didn’t cause any trouble, right?

At this point, this is the worse case.

Mother, what is there for you to be afraid of?

Yes.

I went to beg your older sister A’Wu.

If she and her husband can help,

then there may be a chance to turn things around.

As if she’d be willing to help me.

The empress has actually given me a way out.

Way out?

What do you mean?

Mother, let’s talk about it inside.

This matter is very serious.

The empress’s surname is Xie after all. We must keep our guard up with her.

However, Mother, the empress has said that

this is the only way out for me.

What plan is it exactly?

Then I will speak frankly.

Unless, you give yourself to someone.

Give myself to someone? Who?

Prince Yuzhang, Xiao Qi.

- Prince Yuzhang? - Yes.

Right now, that is the only way to save you from fire.

Mother.

To me, this really is my only way out.

Qian’er.

Mother, think about my older brother who died at the border.

Then look at Brother Wang Su who is enjoying the luxury of the capital.

Perhaps this really is our best choice.

Younger Sister, you are beautiful and have a pleasant temperament.

Ordinary men surely cannot resist you.

However, this Prince Yuzhang maybe someone who doesn’t know what is for his own good.

In order to guarantee success, I have another trick up my sleeve.

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

Older Sister, this is...

Your Majesty.

I am not sure what urgent matter Your Majesty has called me for this late at night.

Xie Shouzheng has already been executed.

Your Majesty is wise.

Prince Yuzhang, with the names and numbers in this ledger,

I know it is enough to kill that Xie Shouzheng 10 times.

But I kept hesitating.

Do you know why?

The empress.

Although I am the eldest son of the late emperor,

I never received his love.

This throne, as well as this empire,

did not come easily.

I cherish it more than anyone.

I want to do everything better than the late emperor!

However, now that I sit here,

I finally realize how difficult taking each step is.

I know they are corrupt and broke the law.

I also know they’ve formed a faction to suit their personal interests.

However, I have only myself.

Now I know what it means to be an isolated ruler;

what it means to have good intentions, but be powerless.

I am not afraid of killing a few noblemen.

I am also not afraid of the empress getting mad.

What am I afraid of?

I am afraid there is no one to serve my Great Cheng!

You, Xiao Qi, are loyal. I know that.

However, in my dignified Great Cheng, in the great imperial court,

there’s only you who is a loyal servant. Is that still called an imperial court?

I know Xie Shouzheng deserves to die.

So I placed the order to kill him.

However, I cannot continue to kill and you cannot continue to investigate.

Let’s it end here.

At times, when you talk back to me,

I really want to kill you.

But if I... if I really lose you,

then I really am an isolated ruler.

Do you understand now?

I...

understand now.

How long will it be until we reach the capital?

Replying to Master. Tonight.

- Eunuch Lin. - How is Prince of Anping’s illness?

As you know, Prince of Anping has suffered from an arrow injury before.

His injury was deep, so whenever it is cold he will have a severe cough.

His everyday needs are attentively taken care of by us.

It’s just that a few days ago, he coughed up blood again.

He really cannot get out of bed.

- What are you doing? - What?

Did you want to barge into Prince of Anping’s chamber?

I am under orders from Empress Dowager and His Majesty to take care of Prince of Anping’s everyday needs.

I haven’t seen Prince of Anping in days, so I am worried about him.

Can I not greet him?

Do Empress Dowager and His Majesty want you to take care of Prince of Anping

or to put his life in danger?

You dare to talk bad of Empress Dowager and His Majesty. Do you not want to live?

You’re behaving like this, yet you’re afraid of what I have to say?

You clearly know that Prince of Anping is severely ill.

The imperial physician has asked to wipe the whole room with alcohol.

Those who enter, too.

Moreover, the Prince of Anping’s lingering illness leaves him lethargic, so he lies in the sickbed all day long.

How does he have time to see you?

Forcing your way inside... If you aren’t trying to harm Prince of Anping, then what are you trying to do?

Since you’re behaving this way, can I not call you out on it?

Ling Chun, who is being so noisy outside?

Replying to Prince of Anping.

I am Eunuch Lin. I have come to pay my respects to Your Highness.

For now, I won’t be dying. Don’t come to bother me.

If you don’t want to die, quickly scram!

Prince of Anping, don’t be angry! Don’t be angry!

I shall scram. I shall scram.

A phoenix who has fallen is as inferior as a chicken.

Let’s see how long Empress Dowager will let you live.

- You may also leave. - Yes.

Get up, get up. Stop pretending.

He’s already left.

Ling Chun, I want to eat meat today.

Have them quickly bring some chicken, duck, and fish here.

You’re still playing around?!

We don’t know how long Master will be gone this time.

If we slip-up, then we’ll be in trouble.

I hope Prince of Anping’s trip this time goes smoothly and that he will return soon.

[Prince’s Manor]

If you don’t want to marry to Hulan, remember

what I told you. Act according to the circumstances.

You must not be reckless and willful.

I know Mother.

Aren’t I just apologizing to Wang Xuan? It’s not like I am losing a piece of flesh.

I will treat it as being bitten by a dog.

Contain your spoiled temper.

Do you hear me?

I got it.

Why is this Madam Xue as sticky as an herbal plaster? She just can’t be shaken off no matter how hard we try.

Then I will reply to them now.

Let them inside.

Yes, Princess Consort.

Princess Consort, you just value sentiments too much and are soft-hearted.

This mother-daughter pair is not to be taken lightly.

That day, in front of you, she was crying and screaming all over the place.

Now there is an addition of a willfully, spoiled daughter.

They might cause some kind of trouble once again.

Senior Maidservant Xu, this involves Qian’er’s life.

Aunt must be as strong as a mother.

It’s reasonable for her to be worried about her daughter.

Seeing her, I will think of my own mother.

Think about it.

If one day I become a mother,

I’m afraid I will do everything I can for my child.

Then, will you tell them

about them socializing with the Hulan envoy?

There’s no sign of anything happening yet with regards to that.

If I tell them and it does not happen,

then they’ll be even more heartbroken.

Older Sister Yuxiu! Older Sister Yuxiu!

A’Yue.

Why are you running around instead of recuperating?

I just can’t keep still. I want to make something delicious for Princess Consort.

I wonder if the kitchen has prepared it yet or not.

Madam Xue. Miss Qian’er.

Why is it you again?

It really is easy to meet your enemy.

Qian’er, what did I teach you?

What is there to fight over with these lowly servants?

It would only lower your own status.

Miss, didn’t Her Highness say that in a few days, the conferment will be bestowed?

Then you will officially become His Highness’s younger sister,

Princess Consort’s sister-in-law, a first-ranked general’s fiancé,

and an imperial court official’s future madam.

Didn’t Princess Consort also ask a seamstress to make your clothes?

Let’s not be delayed.

Hey, stop right now! Did I not hit you enough?

Qian’er! Have you forgotten our intentions in coming here today?

As long as we succeed, no matter what general that lowly servant marries,

would you be afraid that you cannot get revenge?

I am so pissed!

Look at her face! I am happy just thinking about it.

Now, Miss Qian’er hates me to death!

Let her. She’ll be marrying afar to Hulan soon anyways.

As for you, you’ll be enjoying your blessings at General Song’s manor.

From then on, we will have nothing to do with them two.

Let’s see what they can do to you.

Older Sister!

It is all my fault.

I beg you to save me.

I beg you to save me, Older Sister.

Princess Consort, this kid has been making a fuss, saying she wants to die.

She kept saying that only Older Sister A’Wu can help her.

Older Sister, I know I was wrong.

Older Sister, don’t blame me. Forgive me.

What happened that day is already in the past.

Don’t mention it anymore.

Older Sister...

Older Sister, Mother said you went to see the emperor.

What did the emperor say?

The emperor is the monarch after all.

How could he so easily change what has already been said?

I understand.

Let me think about it some more to see if there’s another way.

Perhaps there’s a chance to turn things around.

Even you don’t have a way.

Then who can change the empress dowager’s and the emperor’s minds?

I have an unfortunate life.

I might as well accept it and marry to the far away Hulan.

I won’t be able to return to Great Cheng for the rest of my life.

If... If... I die in a foreign land,

Mother and Older Sister, remember to burn some paper for me.

Qian’er! Qian’er!

- Qian’er! - Madam! - Qian’er!

Qian’er! Qian’er!

Madam, our princess consort’s body has been unwell and needs rest lately. Making such a fuss—

Senior Maidservant Xu.

I only cared about being upset

and didn’t notice Princess Consort’s complexion.

Princess Consort, are you ill?

It’s nothing.

It is just that I did not rest well last night.

Princess Consort! I really am at a dead end!

It is all my fault for being greedy.

Originally, I was just an eager mother

who wanted to give Qian’er a bright future.

That’s why I brought her from Langya to here.

I didn’t think that I would take my daughter down a dead-end path.

Princess Consort Yuzhang, if you take pity on us both,

I still have a favor.

Prince, are you really going to see Princess Consort Yuzhang again?

Is whom I’m seeing something you should be concerning yourself with?

I don’t dare.

From what I see,

even though this Princess Consort Yuzhang caused you to lose your arm,

not only do you not hate her but you’ve also gifted her Hulan’s treasure flower.

Are you worried

that I am trapped by my feelings and will ruin our big plans?

I don’t dare.

Let me ask you. Besides forming a marriage alliance, why have we come to Great Cheng?

Naturally, to find a way to eliminate Xiao Qi.

How?

The current Xiao Qi holds immense power.

Will he be easy to eliminate?

If we want to eliminate Xiao Qi, then we must first hold his reason to live.

“Reason to live?”

Wang Xuan is Xiao Qi’s reason to live.

Then will she be your reason to live as well?

Prince, don’t be mad. I have spoken out of line.

Madam, this is probably not appropriate.

Are you two not used to living at or have you two been wronged at my older brother’s home?

How would we?

Su’er treats both of us very well.

It is just that before coming to the capital,

there was a talented person who gave Qian’er a divination reading.

He said that during this trip to the capital,

the west will bring Qian’er blessings, but the east augurs ill for her.

The Wang Clan Manor is located at Wuyi Alley.

It just happens to face east.

No wonder why Qian’er, who was supposed to enter the palace to be a noble consort, encountered disaster.

Doesn’t that correspond to the divination reading?

I’ve thought about it all night.

Prince Yuzhang’s Manor is in the western part of the capital.

This is the place of blessings for her, according to the divination reading.

So, I brazenly ask Your Highness

to let Qian’er and I live here temporarily

in hopes that Qian’er will have a change of fate

and get through this calamity.

Princess Consort, perhaps you think that I’m muddle-headed,

but we really... are at a dead end.

As long as there is a sliver of hope,

I’ll believe even the words of ghosts and spirits.

Princess Consort, please save us!

Please save me and Qian’er!

- Please save us! - Don’t cry, Aunt.

Get up.

Do you agree to it, Princess Consort?

That’s what I thought!

How could this Prince Yuzhang Manor possibly not take us, mother and daughter, in?

Qian’er! Qian’er!

Qian’er, quickly come and kowtow in thanks to Princess Consort!

Senior Maidservant Xu, how about

you have someone find a quiet place of dwelling?

Clean up the place and have them settle in tomorrow.

Princess Consort! Thank you, Princess Consort!

[Prince’s Manor]

[Prince Manor]

Huai’en. Miss Yu Xiu.

She’s great.

Prince!

Say, Huai’en is the type of man who is quiet but accomplished great things.

With a word, he’s settled his marriage.

However, Huai’en, such a pity.

I’ve always looked fondly upon you.

I originally wanted you to be my brother-in-law.

Hu Guanglie, what are you saying?

You’re embarrassed! What are you embarrassed about? Look! He’s found someone who’s fairer than you!

Shut up, you!

You look like that, yet you criticize me?

We don’t want Huai’en.

When you want to get married in the future,

I will certainly find a guy more handsome than Huai’en to serve you.

Why don’t you look at yourself?

With you as a brother, if I want a sister-in-law in this lifetime, it’ll be hard.

Come on, Prince.

Old Hu. Yao’er.

Come on.

Yao’er, go get me some wine.

Did you see that? He’s making an exception just for you.

Your Highness, I am grateful.

Prince, you cannot be biased.

Ask Princess Consort if there are other ladies like Miss Yu Xiu by her side.

There must be.

Those two like each other.

If you have the capability, then you find a lady first.

I will help you talk to her.

He wants to, but there has to be a lady willing to be with him first.

Pah!

Let’s wish you bear children soon!

- Bear children soon! - Bear children soon!

Your Highness.

I heard brothers who have come back from Ningshuo say

that Helan Zhen got in trouble this time because of the trap Helan Tuo set.

Helan Tuo has been leading his troops to harass the border all these years.

Hulan’s troops have suffered quite a lot.

Compared to him, Helan Zhen is much more clear-headed.

Prince, if this peace negotiation is successful, then there’ll be no more battles in the future.

Then what would we do?

What we must do is prolong the time between battles.

Then the common people will have good days ahead of them.

Urgent report from Jiangnan!

Immediately open the door!

Urgent report from Jiangnan! Urgent report from Jiangnan!

Quickly open the door!

I don’t believe

that such a great, large empire

has only this bit of money in its treasury!

Usually, you all dress and eat lavishly, don’t you?

Now, all of you are crying to me that you’re poor?

Then let me ask you, what should we do about the disaster in Jiangnan?

Do we just let the victims of Jiangnan’s crisis starve to death?

Replying to Your Majesty.

We are not pretending to be poor. We truly do not have money and provisions.

I think that if Your Majesty wants to continue to allocate money for disaster relief,

then we must reduce expenses.

The military expense is greatest.

Since we have signed an agreement for a marriage alliance and have made peace,

then I think

the soldiers guarding the northern border should fall back in order to cut down on expenses.

Everyone, think about it.

If 100,000 soldiers remove their armor to return to the crop fields,

then, firstly, there will be more farmers

and, secondly, there will be fewer military expenses going towards their basic needs.

This give-and-take will result in double the money.

That’s reasonable.

I understand what you are saying.

For the country, for His Majesty,

I would like to ask you this, Prime Minister Wen.

If Hulan breaks the agreement and attacks our northern border,

then, we will be utterly defeated because, firstly, I would have no soldiers and, secondly,

I would have no provisions.

Then, we’ll just be letting Hulan violate our Great Cheng.

Would you be responsible for that, Prime Minister Wen?

That...

Prince Yuzhang, you have thought too much.

The person marrying Hulan is a daughter of the Wang Clan.

Perhaps she will become Hulan’s empress.

Then, Hulan’s princes will be blood-related to Great Cheng.

We’ll be doubly related,

so why would they wreak havoc?

Lord Gu, you have made a very reasonable point.

Indeed, that’s reasonable.

My two lords probably did not understand just now.

What I asked is not what if it happens

but that after it has happened,

who will take that responsibility?

Who can bear that responsibility?

Who can bear that responsibility?

If someone is able to bear that responsibility, I can hand over

not only military power but also

my title of Prince Yuzhang.

Enough!

Today, we are talking about Jiangnan’s flood!

How did we end up discussing Hulan and military power once again?

Since we cannot come up with a solution,

let’s end it here. Adjourn!

Adjourn!

Respectfully bidding Your Majesty farewell.

[Taiji Hall]

Your Highness, we have no grudges with Prime Minister Wen.

Today at the imperial court, why did he continuously—

Come.

[Taiji Hall]

What Prime Minister Wen said

are the thoughts of many people.

Now that we’ve made great contributions,

I’m afraid we’re a danger to many people in the future.

They cannot stand us.

But the military power is in Your Highness’s hands now.

Even if they cannot stand us, what could they possibly do?

Disarmament.

The only thing they care about is the power in their own hands.

But, Your Highness, could it be that you agree to their disarmament?

We have so many brothers who have battled for so many years, what for?

It can be a good thing.

Why don’t we use this chance to take our brothers back to Ningshuo?

We can’t do that.

Are we just going to leave the capital and return to Ningshuo just like that?

All right. Even if we do that, what will the Princess Consort do?

I think you are used to being in the capital and are reluctant to leave.

Or... are you reluctant to leave Miss Yu Xiu?

Prince.

Greetings, Prince Yuzhang.

Empress Dowager asked you to go to Yong’an Palace.

I got it.

Please come in, Madam and Miss.

This is the house prepared for you.

Madam Xue. Miss Qian’er. We, servants, have already tidied up the place appropriately.

We are here to carry out any of your orders at any time.

I got it.

We will take our leave now.

This Prince Yuzhang’s manor

is so much worse than the prime minister’s manor.

It isn’t even as good as our Langya manor.

What time is it now, yet you’re still fussing over these things?

If we don’t succeed and you marry afar to Hulan,

I will be happy if that place is half as good as this Prince Yuzhang’s manor.

I got it, Mother.

Heavenly god, oh, heavenly god.

Since you’ve let Qian’er enter Prince Yuzhang’s manor successfully,

then you must give her favorable opportunities and ensure her success

so my Qian’er does not need to go to that miserable Hulan.

Greetings, Prince Yuzhang.

Please come inside.

I, Xiao Qi, greet Your Majesty the Empress Dowager.

Quickly rise.

Thank you, Empress Dowager.

I wonder why Your Majesty has summoned me here.

There is indeed something I want to discuss with you.

Please go ahead, Your Majesty.

There are thousands of refugees out there because of the Jiangnan flood.

His Majesty and the other ministers are very concerned.

So much so that there are disputes in court.

I want to recommend someone to you.

I wonder who Your Majesty wants to recommend.

Wang Su.

Empress Dowager,

controlling the water is extremely dangerous.

Recommending the Heir Apparent,

have you really thought it through?

The disaster is the priority.

It’s very reasonable for Su’er, as the Heir Apparent of the Wang Clan, to be brave and set an example.

I... obey.

As for the danger... I have already thought of a plan.

I want to ask you for someone.

Who?

Your beloved subordinate general.

Song Huai’en.

[Yong’an Palace]

Your Majesty the Empress Dowager,

placing Yuzhang Prince’s beloved general from a humble family in such an important position,

letting him earn up merit and advance in his rank,

wouldn’t it make him even more difficult to control?

Dealing with a wolf pack is difficult

because the alpha male is shrewd and cunning.

If we scatter the pack and kill the scattered wolves,

leaving only the alpha wolf,

no matter how outstanding he is, he is just only a wolf.

I know that this Song Huai’en

is very close to you and A’Wu.

You must submit a request

to betroth your adopted sister Xiao Yuxiu to him.

I have found out about the merits of this general.

He is very young, yet he has outstanding military meritorious service.

Together, he and A’Wu also seized back Huizhou.

He is a talent.

If he joins arms with Su’er

to go to Jiangnan,

I think that you would feel much more at ease.

What do you say?

Stop.

[City Post Station]

Leave her.

What is it?

Go inside and relay this to your master.

Our princess consort wants to see him.

Don’t close the door.

As I said before, we would see each other very soon.

I just didn’t expect you to take the initiative to see me.

I have something to ask of you.

Something you want to ask of me?

All right. Sit and we’ll discuss it.

Can you change your mind and choose another princess for the marriage alliance?

Just as I expected.

Su Jin’er.

How do you know my name?

Didn’t your princess consort call you that earlier?

What is it?

Come with me somewhere.

Why?

The empress... has important orders.

I knew you would come for this matter.

Tell me. Why should I choose another?

The Qian’er you’ve chosen is a younger sister of my clan.

Her mother once painfully lost her only son.

If Wang Qian marries afar to Hulan,

she will spend her remaining years alone.

You and I both grieved the loss of our mothers.

This pain...

I believe you can understand.

Understand? I can understand.

However, did you ever think of this?

If another person is really chosen as the princess to be married,

your younger sister may have escaped this fate,

but there will be another girl

who will have to leave her hometown and parents to some far away place.

As for her pain and suffering... who will understand it?

I understand, but I’m not a saint.

I can only do my best to help my younger sister.

Now that’s an honest statement.

All right. Then I’ll also be honest with you.

I came to Great Cheng this time just to choose a girl. That’s all.

I am not getting married myself.

I don’t care who is chosen.

Choosing Wang Qian that day was just on a whim.

It was on a whim for you,

but it easily ruined her entire life.

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

The women of Great Cheng are indeed sweet.

How is it?

To live in fear that someone will find out

that you’re the empress’s spy in Prince Yuzhang’s manor.

That’s right.

I just like your type. On the outside, you’re docile,

but deep down you are restless.

Who are you?

You spy...

Your master told us everything long ago.

Since you know I’m the empress’s person,

how dare you act like this?

Aren’t you the personal maidservant of Princess Yuzhang?

Since you’re the empress’s person,

don’t pretend to be some kind of chaste woman with me.

There has yet to be any woman whom I have set my eyes upon,

I couldn’t get.

I will tell empress.

Go. Go right now.

Your master is begging to work with us right now.

Do you think that she’ll offend Hulan

for a spy?

Su Jin’er, listen to me carefully.

From today on,

if anything occurs at Prince Yuzhang’s mansion,

you must report to me immediately.

♫ 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 ♫