Original subtitles

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Nirvana in Fire

Episode 03

You've caused trouble again? Look at that clumsiness.

Today I'm going to beat you to death.

Who told you to cause trouble?

You even dare to steal books.

You're a child born from the servants' prison, and you even want to learn to read?

Let me tell you. Don't think that just because Prince Jing likes you, you will be protected.

In this large Palace, there are many sponsors.

Prince Jing has no power to protect you.

-I'll beat you! -I dare not, Eunuch Zheng!-Stop it!

I will not dare to anymore.

Whether I have power or not, it's not for you, a servant, to decide.

I deserve to die, Your Highness.

This bad servant

has always been lazy and talks back.He also steals books.

This time, I had to punish him because I had no choice.

Prince Jing, Noble Consort Yue told me to supervise this area.

Please consider the Noble Consort

and forgive my foul mouth...

Full of rubbish.

You dare to use Noble Consort Yue's name?

Prince Jing may be forgiving, but I am not.

Princess, have mercy.

Hurry and leave.

Thank you, Princess.

Let's go.

Princess, I understand your good intentions.

It was only a servant, I can deal with it.

-Does it hurt? -Yes.

Because of Prince Qi, you are in a difficult situation.

The other Princes treat you as a joke.

If you can, avoid these petty people within the Palace.

What is your name?

Tingsheng.

How old are you?

Eleven years old.

Eleven years old.

Tingsheng.

Good! Good!

Xie Bi, go find out why they aren't back yet.

Yes.

Earlier, the Princess said she had something to ask Sir Su.

They might be a while.

Furthermore, Sir Su's health is poor. If he's tired,

he might have already left and gone back to rest.

-Yes. -What Yujin said is right.

Even if Sir Su comes back, he might be tired.

We will bother him another day.

Take care, Your Highness.

Who are you?

This is Su Zhe, Sir Su.

Xiao-Jingrui's friend. He's here at the Capital to rest.

I'm but a commoner,it's natural that you don't recognise me.

You are able to come into this Palace and be accompanied by the Princess. How can you be a commoner?

I've probably not heard as I haven't beenin the Palace for a long time.

From what the servant said, you often come to see this child.

Who is he?

His mother is a minister's scroll bearer,

who became a servant because of a crime. He is a good-natured boy who is interested in learning.

He looked pitiful, so I came to visit him

Tingsheng, can you understand everything in this book?

Reading is like building a house. You need a good foundation.

You have to pick something simple at the beginning.

You should first learn the principles of life.

This is a good book, but you are still young.

You might not be able to read it all. If you don't have someone to explain,

you won't be able to understand its meaning.

I have many books at home. If you want, I can teach you to read.

Sir Su probably does not know.

Tingsheng is from the servants' prison.

Even if he is old enough to be let out,

he will be sent to the other places as a servant.

You don't have to think too much. You just need to tell me

if you are willing for me to teach you.

Go back first today. After a while,

I'll find a way to bring you out.

Sir Su must not know that servants from the servants' prison

are not normal servants.

Unless the Emperor allows, they cannot leave.

Furthermore, the Emperor doesn't like peoplehelping these servants,

or else, with Prince Jing's identity,

he would have already taken this child out.

There are many things where you won't know the result until you try.

There's no harm in trying.

There are many servants like Tingsheng in the Palace.

What is so special about him

for you to notice him?

Since you asked Sir Su, I want to ask you.

Are you looking after this child

because you pity him?

Prince Jing is often away fighting,

so it may be difficult to deal with things within the Palace.

If I can bring Tingsheng out, isn't it good for everyone?

What ideas do you have?

Where there's a will, there's a way.

Okay, I'll be waiting.

I'll be waiting, too.

Prince, this is what I just saw.

A scholar?

You mean, my sister treats him differently from others

and the two of them were strolling and chatting in the Palace?

This I don't know.

But they were there by themselves and strolled for a long time.

-Lao Wei.-Yes.

Since he hasn't left, go see what kind of person he is.

I heard that scholars are the best at lying. If he's not good enough, don't think about lying to my sister.

Yes.

Who are you?

When you say you don't have the heart for fame, who would believe it?

-What is your name? -Tingsheng

-How old are you?-Eleven years old.

Xiao-Shu

Come to Great-grandmother.

You are Su Zhe.

General Wei, this scholar is here on the Grand Empress's order.

This is none of your business, leave.

Yes.

Even though you look like a weakling,

you must have some ability since you were summoned by the Grand Empress.

If you don't mind, then please introduce yourself.

Don't hurt him.

Stop.

General.

The Palace is a sacred place. How dare you fight here?

General, it's a misunderstanding.

-I just wanted to... -Wanted to do what?

Mu Qing wants to cause trouble, and you are letting him?

I have no power over him, so?

-Are you going to bring the Princess over, too? -No, of course not.

I acted rashly, but I had no ill intentions. Please,

you must not tell the Princess.

Go. What are you waiting for?

Yes.

I need to leave soon. I'll send Sir Su. You can go back.

Yes.

Fei Liu. Move away.

Twelve years.

It's been twelve years.

You finally came back.

Yes, I finally came back.

I'm finally back.

I've mentioned many times in my letters

that you should not come back. Why didn't you listen?

If someone finds out who you are,

nobody can help you.

Now that I've become like this,

who would believe

that I'm the criminal from twelve years ago?

Even though you said in your letters

that your face changed greatly due to your illness,

I would have never thought

that you had changed so completely.

There are no traces of the past.

But the other day at the Marquis of Ning's house, you recognised me in one glance.

I am Su Zhe.

Why are you staying at the Marquis's home? You know what kind of person Xie Yu is.

If he finds out, there will be trouble.Hurry and move out. Move to my house.

You know why I came back to the Capital.

Since I am able to live at his place, it means he hasn't figured out my identity yet. However,

nobody can know that we know each other.

I understand your determination,

but the two most powerful Princes are fighting.

Everyone is too busy picking a side. Who has time to help you?

Who doesn't know that it's a severe crime?

I have prepared for many years,

so my plans are set.

If things don't change, meet me at Snow cottage.

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I didn't do much. I just wanted to test him.

What if he was a weakling?

How many times have I told you?

So rash all the time. Do you know what his identity is?

Do you even know why I met him? Do you have a brain?

What is his identity? Isn't he Xiao Jingrui's friend?

So you don't want to watch any more of the tournament?

I just need to appear once.

If anything interesting happens in the tournament,

you and Yujin will tell me.

That's true. The battle stage is rowdy.

Sir Su should rest peacefully.

You're up tomorrow, so sleep early tonight.

Then, Sir Su, you rest early too.

The chief of the Jiangzuo Alliance?

So what? The house of Mu and the Jiangzuo Alliance have no relations.

Did you become friends with him becausehe is the chief of a sect?

Do you still remember two years ago,

the Southern Chu army,

the battle at Qingming river.

We could not break the enemy's chain-of-boats technique.

How could I forget?

That time, they had a chain of boats and were inching closer to our boundary.

You tried so hard, yet you couldn't solve the problem.

Sis, if we are forced back anymore,we can't keep the Qingming area.

Reporting.

Princess, there's a man outside, with the last name Yun.

He said he has a way to break the chain of boats.

A way to break the chain of boats?

Even you didn't know the person who gave us the strategy,

he used a fake identity.

So, you asked someone to follow him when he left.

I sent a skilled tracker. He never realized he was being tailed.

I chased him all the way to Jiangzuo border, and then he suddenly disappeared

without a trace.

So you mean...

At that border,

who could lose our tracker so cleanly

without the help of the Jiangzuo Alliance?

However if this person was unrelated to the Jiangzuo Alliance,

why would they help him?

So did Mei Changsu send this person?

This Mei Changsu

looks like another person of the Pugilist world

who has no relation with the Yunnan House of Mu,

yet helped me solve the danger at the Southern border.

He's appeared here in the middle of the Princes' fight for the crown.

Yet he has not chosen a side.

This person is a mystery.

The whole house of the Marquis did not realize I was here,yet you noticed me.

Fei Liu, let him in. He's my guest.

Go, close the door.

It is not winter yet.

You already need a fire for warmth.

Your wounds must not have healed.

Why did you return so quickly?

You didn't even tell me you were coming. I was not prepared at all.

How do you want me to help you?

Brother Meng.

You are now the Commander General,

you have the love of the people.Don't let yourself be bothered by me.

You just need to pretend you don't know me.

That's already a big help.

What are you saying?

What kind of person do you think I am?

Brother Meng, I know better than anyone

how loyal you are.

But as you said earlier,

I don't have full confidence in what I'm doing. I don't want to drag you into this.

If I fail, the good reputation of the Meng family

will be ruined.

Loyalty is in the heart, not in reputation.

Although I was in the Chiyan army for only one year,

I completely trust the loyalty of the Lin familyand I trust you.

Tell me, from the war at Meiling,

how many people are still alive?

Apart from me,

the only person you know is Wei Zheng.

70,000 people.

Xiao-Shu.

What exactly happened twelve years ago?

For the Chiyan army,

live on.

Father, Father.

Father!

70,000 Chiyan warriors.

Nearly all died.

Brother Meng,

when the time is right,

I'll tell you all the details.

Okay. Okay.

Tell me, what do you want me to do?

You're saying that Sir Su won't be going to the Yinfeng Tower, even if we are competing?

Maybe on the last day, he will go.

There's already people bringing gifts so early?

If it was winter, the two Princes would be personally tending the fire.

That'd be a great scene.

Brother, are you going to fight?

These are the gifts from Prince Yu.

Okay.

-Xie Bi. -Hey, what's it to you?

Xie Bi is the one in charge of the Marquis's household matters.

Let's go.

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The winner of the 19th battle is Yan Yujin.

Jingrui, how was it?

You could have won in 58 moves,

yet you waited till 65 moves to show your Falling Petals technique.

-Right? -You know me well.

Please.

Good.

-His martial arts are good, but his looks aren't great.-Yeah.

I think after a few days, the Princes will personally come.

You don't need to worry about this.

Tomorrow is the last day of the tournament.

You and Yujin are in the top ten. The written examination shouldn't be a problem, right?

I'll have no problems,

but I'm not sure about Yujin.

After tomorrow, the top ten contenders for the written examination will be confirmed.

Mostly, they are from Da Liang.

You can rest assured, Your Majesty.

Good.

We didn't embarrass ourselves.

Picking a husband for the Princess is important. You aren't the only one worried.

Even the Crown Prince and I want to find

the best people for the Princess to choose from.

Yesterday when the Crown Prince came, he told me some things.

Apparently, Sima Lei from the Royal Guard

has good background, looks and personality.

He hasn't lost yet.

My advice

is that the written examination is not as important.

Since you can choose, then young men like Sima Lei

can be put at the front for the Princess to pick.

I understand what you mean.

It's rare that the Empress has the same thoughts as you.

Except the one she's going for

is the Marquis of Zhongsu's Liao Tingjie.

The person the Empress is going forwill not be bad.

But...

I am old now, my concentration is not great.

I don't plan to personally look at

the paper for the written examination.

Then who are you giving the job to?

The Princess has suggested someone -

a man with no position, a man of the Pugilist world.

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The Emperor wants me to look at the written examination for the Princess?

The order has been given, and the eunuch bearing the message is on his way.

How does the Emperor know about me?

You are a famed scholar. Maybe it was Prince Yu's idea.

The 10th battle, Da Liang's Qin Shangzhi versus North Yan's Baili Qi.

Your Highness, out of all the fighters, Qin Shangzhi is the strongest.

When he gets in, will the Princess like him?

This one is alright.

Please.

Only one move, he's too good.

North Yan's Baili Qi wins.

He won with one move?

Jingrui, can you beat him?

You?

Unless, we work together.

But even then, we can't win.

What did you say? Say it again.

Yes, Father. This Baili Qi was sent by Northern Yan.

His abilities are above our expectations.

These last few days, he was hiding his real abilities.

I don't think the Princess can beat him.

How come Baili Qi is not on

the Langya List of Masters?

Langya Hall had already said,

the list is ranked according to those who have shown their abilities.

If Baili Qi has always been hiding his abilities,

then the Langya list wouldn't have his name.

During the tournament, Commander General Meng was there, too.

Your Majesty,

I have seen his battles.

His techniques are unique.

I don't think the Princess can beat him.

The Princess cannot be married to Northern Yan.

Although we have had good relations with Northern Yan these few years,

it was because we are powerful, so there were no border fights.

If the Princess is married to Northern Yan,

then they will become powerful. I don't even want to think about the consequences.

You... what ideas do you have?

Jie, how can you still sit here?

That Baili Qi really defeated Qin Shangzhi in one move.

I don't even think you can do that.

Baili Qi has practiced strength martial arts.

Why do I have to fight with him about who has more strength?

I'm not joking. Even Commander General Meng says you might not win.

Let's pretend Baili Qi is not from a different clan,

even his looks are disgusting.

When did you learn to judge someone on their looks?

Where have all your studies gone?

I'm serious, Sis.

Think about it. Even if he's last place in the written examination,

he'll still be there. If you try to avoid him, you'll have to pick from the top nine.

Even though some in the top nine are alright,

I don't think anyone is fated for you.

You just became an adult. Do you really know what fate is?

Sir Su, do you have no ideas either?

If you want me to find a way, you have to wait until tomorrow.

When I meet Baili Qi at the feast, then I can start planning.

True, Sir Su, you haven't met Baili Qi.

Thanks for notifying me. At the feast tomorrow,

my Northern Yan group will arrive early.

That's great, please stay now.

As for the Emperor's feast tomorrow,

in name, it's to meet the top ten,

but it's really a strategy.

He will find a reason for us to fight each other again.

If I can use my strength and wound this Baili Qi,

then maybe it'll be easier for the Princess.

Jingrui, your name was given by the Emperor.It was chosen from the Princes' names.

Although everyone in the Capital knows this,

the Northern Yan are outsiders and they might not know this.

If they think the opponent is a Prince, they might be more careful.

Maybe you can find his weakness, and draw some blood.

It might not be as you hope.

The name of those ten people are not a secret.

Won't these Northern Yan people do some research after seeing Jingrui's name?

There's one thing I don't understand and would like to ask you about.

Yes, what is it?

In the top ten from the written examination,

there was one called Xiao Jingrui.

Is he one of the Emperor's Princes?

I've heard about Jingrui's birth,

but I don't know the details.

I know it, I know it the best.

You're younger than me by one year, how can you know?

Of course I know.

When the Grand Princess gave birth to you,

the Capital had a sudden outbreak of the plague.

She had to go to a nunnery on Rui Mountain.

That night, Tianquan Manor's Lady Zhuo also went up the mountain.

She was pregnant with nowhere to go. The Grand Princess was kind

and let her live next door.

I heard Chief Zhuo had recently taken over the villageand was very busy,

so he was not beside his wife.

Not only Chief Zhuo,

but the Marquis of Ning was also busy and outside of the Capital.

The Princess and Lady Zhuo lived next doorand had shared feelings.

Both were about to give birth, so they lived together.

But that night...

Jiejie, does this look nice?

What's wrong?

I think I'm about to give birth,

I'll call the midwife,

-My Lady. -I think I'm about to give birth too.

Ready the hot water and towels.

Careful.

So it was like that.

Two newborns in the dark.

If they were put down in the dark,

when you picked them up again, you couldn't tell the difference.

Which one is Zhuo and which one is Xie.

The worse thing is that the next day, one baby died.

He's the only one left. Then which family does he belong to?

Since it was God's will, how can we humans fight it?

The situation was very complicated, even the Emperor couldn't make a decision.

He gave him this name

so that he would be considered a son of both families.

So the relations between the two families are good.

Two years ago, Zhuo family's eldest son Zhuo Qingyaomarried Xie family's daughter Xie Qi.

Now they are even more of a family.

Chief Zhuo is very famous.

He's ranked fourth on the Langya List.

I've also met your brother Zhuo Qingyao.

-He is a very talented person.-Yes.

His Tianquan swordsmanship is much better than mine.

-Prince, I'll announce your presence. -No need.

Prince.

Jingrui, in the battle

don't force yourself. Just do your best.

I know that I can't beat him, but I'll try to wound him,

-so it gives the Princess a chance.-Jingrui!

Prince.

Is this Su Zhe, Sir Su?

-I am Su Zhe. -Ok, no need to be polite.

I want to ask, how are you going to deal with Baili Qi? Do you need help?

So are you saying that I have to deal with Baili Qi?

Of course. You chat with my sis, and are overseeing the written examination.

If you won't deal with it, who will?

-If it's this way, then I'll- -Okay, okay, okay.

No need to be polite, let's go.

If you can't deal with it, then I can only get someone to beat him up.

Summon Su Zhe into the Palace.

Greetings, Your Majesty.

You are the one that the Princess recommended to me?

Yes, I am.

Get up.

The Princess's written examination has been appointed to you.

Although you have no status, you are working for the Imperial Court

and have name of an honored guest.

You no longer need to call yourself a commoner. -Yes.

Come. Set up a seat for Official Su

beside the Princess.

Yes.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

I heard that it's very lively in the Wuying hall today.

Too bad we don't get to see it in person.

That Baili Qi from Northern Yan,

we don't even know how ugly he is.

It really makes one worried for the Princess.

These matters will be dealt with by His Majesty.

Noble Consort, you worry too much.

I heard that the Empress advocated for

Liao Tingjie from the Marquis of Zhongsu.

So I thought we could discuss this.

I didn't think that it's now an outside matter.

I'm not too worried about Baili Qi. He's just a ruffian.

I'm sure my brother can deal with it.

We only need to think about the Princess's dowry.

The Princess's heart is too hard to understand.

After painstakingly picking out ten people,

they have to pass another round under her.

What if the Princess doesn't choose any of them?

Then there's no point thinking about the dowry.

From what I see, the Princess is a girl,

we can't allow her to continue to be capricious.

Isn't that right, Empress?

Okay. It's okay. Sit down.

After three rounds of wine, just sitting here is boring.

Since these ten are all warriors chosen from hundreds,

why not make use of this time

to have a tournament and learn from each other again?

Prince Yu, your words aren't right.

How can we raise our weapons in the Imperial Court?

Furthermore, Father Emperor is here.

I believe that...

I...

Father, I think...

A contest would be most suitable.

My two sons,

your words match what I want.

Everyone, take an opponent.

But remember to watch your actions.

Your Majesty, I am Xiao Jingrui.

I am willing to contest with Warrior Baili.

Please.

Okay.

Your Majesty, Jingrui normally uses the sword.

Catch the sword.

Hold it!

♫ Change, the swirling wind ♫

♫ A chaotic time ♫

♫ The snowy cliffs and our minds ♫

♫ Burning fire, clears grasslands ♫

♫ Sharp swords, brings red ♫

♫Unintended words ♫

♫ The enemy is weak, but the prode remains ♫

♫ An ice heart, breaks a long night ♫

♫

♫ fighting for justice, the iron is cold ♫

♫ A scheme in mind, it's hard to see ♫

♫ Our country like gold, like my heart said ♫

♫ The mountains shrink, who can fix the sky ♫

♫ The long sword, yesterday's youth ♫

♫A lonely shadow, cannot see the smoke♫

♫ A life saved, for the young ones ♫

♫ Wind ♫

♫ Clouds ♫

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