Original subtitles

How was I to know?

She is old and ailing like a candle in the wind

sometimes having meals, sometimes not

how long can she live?

Who would have thought that

these travelling merchants would suddenly appear?

Based on an unidentified news

one month ago, Shu Jian

sent a secret report to the Emperor

regarding me and all the officers of Shanxi

At that time, the Emperor

was busy with the matters of Premier Oboi

That is why he put aside this issue

Now Premier Oboi is jailed under the Emperor’s orders

It seems like the Emperor

has made up his time

to clear out corruption in the government

Could it be that those mysterious merchants

are secret emissaries from the Capital?

What?

What does that mean...

Come... What did they come here for?

What are you panicking about?

I’m telling you, the officials of Shanxi

is a monolithic block

As long as Shu Jian dies

no one can find out anything

It is easier said than being done. When is Shu Jian going to die?

When is he going to die?

Even if it is his last breath

when is he going to take it?

He will not live past tonight

Sir Long

you accompany Miss Li Bin

to visit Sir Shu

I will lead the men

to search the area inside out

and lay some safety measures

All right, go ahead

Yes

Let’s go

Miss Li Bin, Sir Long

this way, please

Miss

Young master...

My Lord has woken up!

Infinite graciousness to the Royal family

Miss Li Bin and the Imperial Commissioner have just arrived

then Sir Shu has awakened

What I said is true

Sir Shu must have known

that Miss Li Bin was coming to visit him

and invoked his will to live

that is why he has woken up

Thank you for your good words

This is all thanks to the Emperor’s good luck

Young master, please lead the way

Yes

Miss, Sir Shu is recuperating in this room

Right, the Emperor has a secret message

that he wants me to give to Sir Shu alone

I request that young master

leave for a moment

All right

Then I shall take my leave

You all can leave as well

Yes

Yi Huan, the three of you

wait at the door to keep watch

All right

Wan Xin

when you see with your father

you need to control your emotions

Don’t be too agitated

or too upset

Or else, you might agitate your father

This way, his wounds

might worsen

Yes

I understand

Let's go in

Father...

Father

Shu Ai Qing...

Brother Zhu, what should we do?

Do you think Shu Jian will recognise

that Sister Xue is not Wan Xin?

No one would have thought that Shu Jian would still awaken

Now that things have changed

we have to adapt

What are you both discussing in private?

We didn’t say anything

I saw with my own eyes, you two discussing something...

You must be planning something

I can tell you now

I have been in the palace for over 30 years

It is not easy for me to have come to this point

You two better not be the reason

why I am not able to return to the Forbidden City

Uncle, don’t worry

I promise, you and Kang Xi

will return safely to the Capital

Your Majesty...

Don't rush to get up

Please lie down

Shu Ai Qing

It is not only me who has come to see you

Have a look

who else has come here

Father

You...

You are...

I am Wan Xin

Wan Xin

Why are you still wearing the mask?

I am elated and worried at the same time

I forgot

You...

Are you Wan Xin?

Are you really Wan Xin?

Why are you here?

Shu Ai Qing

I know you only have one daughter

So

I purposely brought her along to visit you

Before leaving the palace

I have made Wan Xin as Li Bin

Forever with the palace

Thank...

thank you for Your Majesty's grace

Wan Xin

Now that you are given the name as Li Bin

you are my superior

From today onwards

you don’t need to come and see me anymore

You need to serve the Emperor well

Wan Xin

Have you forgotten what I said to you before?

Stop crying

Your Majesty

I can’t help it...

All right, then excuse yourself for a while

and control your emotions

I will talk to your father for a while

All right

Shu Ai Qing

I’ve rushed over quickly through thousands of miles

it is all because

of a few matters in your secret report

Secondly, I come here to investigate myself in regards to your stabbing

Who actually stabbed you?

Why do they want to stab you?

Did they find out

that you sent me a secret report

and want to silence the witness?

No

Not to silence the witness

They want the golden key

The assassin is highly skilled

It is not a normal thief

It was I

who wanted to protect the golden key

that is why... that is why I was badly injured

Then based on what you are saying

the assassin must have known

about the secret of the golden key

Can you recognise

where their skills

come from?

I don’t know

I only know

the night before the incident

Ping Xi Government

secretly

sent someone over

Shu Ai Qing

Wan Xin, quickly pour a cup of water

- Yes - Shu Ai Qing...

Shu Ai Qing

Shu Ai Qing, rest first

Relax, and take a deep breath before continuing

Father, here

Have a sip, here

Be careful

Another sip

How is it? Are you feeling better?

Just now you mentioned Ping Xi Government

Who did they send over?

What did they send someone for?

Miss... Miss Li Bin

Why are you so skinny now?

Your chin has gotten sharper

Father

I missed you

Although the Emperor treats me exceptionally well

but I think about you all the time

You are getting older

and there isn't anyone

familiar around you

I can't stop

worrying for you

But

your eyes

look different from before

Father, you are confused

I have been in the palace for a few months

how would I be the same person

as I was when I was at home?

Your colour is off too

These few days of travelling

I have caught a cold

After eating some medicine I’ll be all right

Father, don’t worry

- Father... - Shu Ai Qing...

- Father... - Physician Li...

- Leader, what’s wrong? - Have a look

Shu Ai Qing has fainted

Leader

Sir Shu’s pulse is weak

I'm afraid he could anytime...

Can he be saved?

I can try my best

But

Sir Shu is heavily injured

His vitality is compromised

It is not easy for him to see you

and Miss Li Bin

he must be agitated

He wouldn’t be able to hold on

if he talks too much

It is best that in these three days

he mustn't get provoked in any way

and don’t let him talk

If he uses up his energy

he might not be able to make it

I understand

Why don’t you go prepare the medicine?

All right

Miss Li Bin

Leader, why don’t we go out first?

Let Sir Shu rest well here

in peace and quiet

Li De Fu

You stay here

and take care of Shu Jian yourself

Yes

Let's go

I really didn’t think

that even after being wounded so heavily

he still can recognise

the difference between me and Wan Xin

Luckily I put in his water

some drowsy medication

to make him pass out

Wan Xin, quickly pour a cup of water

- Yes - Shu Ai Qing...

Shu Ai Qing

Or else, if he asks me a few more questions

even if I can answer it

Kang Xi

will be suspicious of it

I am not sure

if the Sixth Master has found Shu Wan Xin yet

We cannot slip up on both sides at all

Or else, Qing Cheng’s identity will be revealed

If it is just my identity that is revealed, it is still fine

What if Kang Xi is being meticulous

if he thinks back to the details of what we’ve done in the palace

he will be suspicious of you two as well

Leave Shu Wan Xin

to the Sixth Master

Regarding Shu Jian

we must not let him wake up

What do you mean?

Are you planning to kill Shu Jian?

No, I disagree

Shu Jian is not like Oboi

and Liu De Zhao

When Oboi was in power

he risked his life

to send a secret report to the Emperor for the sake of the citizens

Why do you want to kill such a good officer like him?

I don’t understand the matters of the country

I also don’t understand why

the masters keep saying they want to return the glory of the Ming Dynasty

but I understand

that in this world

you and the masters are my closest relatives

Since you say that we are the children of the Ming Dynasty

then I have the responsibility to join you

to return the glory of Ming Dynasty

But if returning the glory of Ming Dynasty

means killing the innocent

then I will not agree to it

- Sister Huan - Stop, I don’t want to hear it

If you really are going to kill Shu Jian

I won’t talk to you anymore

Eldest Senior

even if Yi Huan doesn’t disagree

I also feel that...

In front of so many eyes in this inn

to kill Shu Jian

this risk is too big

Anything out of the ordinary

will be discovered by Kang Xi

Won’t all our hard work go to waste?

How about this?

I’ll try to add to Shu Jian’s medicine

something to mess with his mind

Temporarily causing him to lose his mind

Once the coast is clear

I will return him to normal

Then

we don’t have to lock Shu Wan Xin

back in Pearl Valley

Both father and daughter

can be reunited

I can agree to this

Look

if we actually give some thought to our actions

and think for the sake of others

we now have two good plans

But to make Shu Jian be like Oboi

causing him to lose his mind

and not be discovered by anyone

is harder than killing him

But for the sake of not letting you down

I am willing to give it a try

Young master

I heard from Sir Shu

that the night before the incident

Ping Xi Government sent someone to look for you

That is right

The night before the incident

my father did send someone to look for me

It was because right after I left Yunnan territory

I was ambushed by a group of bandits

Some of my father’s imported goods from Yunnan

and some valuables

were taken away by the bandits

My father was enraged

so he sent someone over to clarify the issue

Me and Lieutenant General Shi

detailed the incident to the officers

then they returned to Dian City to inform him

What is wrong?

Sir Long

do you have any uncertainties?

No uncertainties

I just asked casually

I'm not sure if you

have any other questions?

Nothing else

Then I will leave first

All right

Before Wu Ying Qi met Shu Jian

he was ambushed by some bandits

They reported it to the Imperial Court

hence, I sent Shu Jian

to escort them into the Capital

But Ping Xi Government sent someone here

is it really for

some unimportant treasures?

What do you think?

Leader, are you suspecting

that the assassin who stabbed Shu Jian

is related to Ping Xi?

But

if Ping Xi Government

have known about the secret of the golden key from the beginning

then why would he send his own son

to escort the golden key to the Capital

but then send people

to rob them halfway?

Then, who do you have in mind?

I think

that Liu De Zhao

is at his level because of Oboi

Oboi is sneaky and sly

maybe he

informed the Emperor

about the secret of the golden key

then secretly send people

to steal it?

Leader...

Sir Shu, he...

he is dead!

I was following your orders

to keep watch outside Sir Shu Jian’s door

Even a fly couldn’t have flown in

But at midnight

I had a stomachache

I couldn’t wait until someone come to replace me

I went to the toilet

for a short while

When I came back

Sir Shu...

His body is still soft

He just passed away

Father...

Miss...

The Imperial Commissioner is still here

Father

Father

Physician Li

before dinner, didn’t we visit Shu Jian?

His pulse was still stable then

At that time, he seems to be improving

but I’m not sure

why he suddenly...

What is it? What have you discovered?

On Sir Shu’s body

there is a scent of mountain ginseng

But in the medicine that I prepared for him

there isn’t this ingredient

Mountain ginseng?

Is it poisonous?

It is not poisonous

but Sir Shu is heavily wounded

causing his body to be unstable

Using such heavy medication at this time

has ultimately caused his death

So are you saying

that Sir Shu was poisoned by someone?

You can say that

Sir Shu risked his life for his citizens

if someone poisoned him

then this person

is undoubtedly

a lunatic

Leader

I have gathered everyone in

this inn

All right

Interrogate them individually

If there is anyone who is suspicious

bring them to the hall

I will interrogate them myself later

Yes

Brother Zhu

I am so disappointed in you

Sister Huan

I did not kill him

You did not kill him?

If it isn’t you, who would it be?

Do you not trust me at all?

Tonight

I put some laxatives

in uncle’s food

When he left to the toilet

I was getting ready to go into Shu Jian’s room

and feed him some hallucinogens

Unfortunately

I noticed...

Why does my stomach hurt so much?

Why isn’t the replacement here yet?

Forget it, I’m... I’m leaving first

You mean, someone came before you

to kill Shu Jian?

You’re right

And we all know that person

It was the post assistant of this inn

Post assistant?

Why would the post assistant want to kill Shu Jian?

You don't trust me at all

You trust everything that Kang Xi says

but you don't trust me

It is not like that, Brother Zhu

Don't get angry

After hearing your explanation

the stone in my heart is gone

Do you know?

If wanting to return the glory of Ming Dynasty

you become a ruthless

cold-blooded person

then I will be very sad

and disappointed

Don't worry

Returning the glory of Ming Dynasty

is my life’s responsibility

I cannot escape from it

I can only do my best

But I only

have you in my heart

I would rather die

than make you disappointed

or hate me

Brother Zhu

can you not look at me like that?

You telling me these things

is putting a lot of pressure on me

Don't feel pressured

This is my love for you

In regard to your love for me

it is up to you

I will not force you

The post assistant that you mentioned

why does he want to kill Shu Jian?

Not then, not later

why now?

I don’t know either

Kang Xi has ordered Songgotu

to interrogate everyone

Although I cannot

come out and expose the post assistant

but this small inn

is already sealed

by Songgotu’s

bodyguards

No one can enter

Finding

the suspect at night

is not a difficult task

Oh no

Sister Fan and Brother Ye are still in the inn

Will they be considered as suspects by Songgotu?

Little sister

- We are fine, don’t worry - Sister Fan

Brother Ye

It is good that you are fine

Little sister

Eldest Senior

we meet again

Brother Ye

The gold bracelet you gave to Sister Huan is very beautiful

I thank you on her behalf

I wanted to ask her to wear the bracelet

and not waste your efforts

But she is not willing to wear it

So...

Brother Ye

My... my current identity

as the Imperial Commissioner’s servant

prevents me from wearing anything valuable

But don’t worry

I have kept

the bracelet safe

It is all right if you don’t wear it

As long as you keep it safe

Eldest Senior

Songgotu has questioned us

but Wu Ying Qi has vouched for us

so he doesn’t dare to deliberately make things difficult for us

That is good

If everything goes as expected

Kang Xi should be able to find out that

it was the post assistant who poisoned Shu Jian

No

the real person who poisoned Shu Jian

is not the post assistant

Shu Jian’s improvement

is not something

Wu Ying Qi and Shi Qing Hong wish to see

It is a coincidence that Sister’s room

is right opposite Shi Qing Hong and Wu Ying Qi’s room

Therefore, tonight

I asked Sister to keep an eye

on them

I was watching the opposite room

then I noticed

Shi Qing Hong quietly leaving his room

The man in black is Shi Qing Hong

Could it be

that tonight besides

me and the post assistant who entered Shu Jian’s room

there was also Shi Qing Hong?

That is right

Eldest Senior

shouldn’t we take advantage of this situation

to create a rift between Kang Xi and Wu San Gui?

This is a good opportunity

Brother Ye

You’ve always been very meticulous

and consider things carefully

If you put all of your thoughts

into returning the glory of the Ming Dynasty

I believe that your father and the masters

will be very happy

I understand, Eldest Senior

I will put aside anything else

and focus on returning the glory of Ming Dynasty

All right

I hope you can keep your promise

This is not the place to chat

Songgotu has gathered everyone in the inn

awaiting Kang Xi’s interrogation

Me and Brother Ye need to get back to our rooms quickly

Why don't the both of you hurry off?

All right, be careful

Let’s go

Be careful

Imperial Commissioner, please listen

I just walked passed Sir Shu’s room

and saw that there wasn’t anyone standing guard

I was worried

so I went in to have a look

Why would I drug Sir Shu?

Do you still have the guts to deny it?

I have already asked clearly

In the medicine prepared by Physician Li

there wasn’t any mountain ginseng in it

The workers at the drugstore have verified

that this afternoon, you went there to buy this medicine

There were people in the inn who saw you

entering the kitchen in the middle of the night

Sir, have mercy

Sir

I saw that Sir Shu’s condition was weak

and I wanted to give him some nourishment

I didn’t know that this medicine

can kill someone

At this point, you still want to deny?

Do you think I am easy to bully?

You are just a small post assistant

why would you have the guts to kill an Imperial Court official?

There must be someone else behind the curtains

You better tell me the truth

I might just spare your life

Sir

I am innocent

I did put the mountain ginseng into the medicine

but Sir Shu’s death is not in my hands

Tonight

I was delivering the bowl of medicine

to give Sir Shu

Shi Qing Hong

It was you

The real killer

was like me

using mountain ginseng to kill him

I heard Sir Shu saying before he died

the name of his killer

It is Shi Qing Hong

You scum!

You are making an unfounded claim!

Imperial Commissioner

the whole night I was in my young master’s room

playing chess with him

This

can be vouched by my young master

That is right

Imperial Commissioner

tonight, Shi Qing Hong

was in my room playing chess with me

until we heard the news of Sir Shu’s death

Only then the both of us came out

Imperial Commissioner

this is not a small matter

Shi Qing Hong is my people

this involves the honour of Ping Xi government

My father has always been faithful to the Imperial Court

faithful to the Emperor

I am also taught well by my father

To the Imperial Court, to the Emperor

I am loyal and devoted

I hope Imperial Commissioner will discover the truth

Young master, please sit

I have my own thoughts on this

Shi Qing Hong

If you are with the young master the whole night

is there anyone else who can vouch for you?

There wasn’t anyone else in the room

If there wasn’t anyone else in the room

then who would know

if you are covering for him?

This maiden

seems to have something against me

Don't be rude

Ping Xi Government is the pillar of the country

The government must be good

there must not be any suspicion

But you, post assistant

although you have the motive

who ordered you to do so?

There isn't anyone ordering me

I have a personal grudge

against Sir Shu

Sir Shu is of high rank

you are just a small post assistant

you don't even have the chance to carry his shoes

Why would you have a personal grudge against him?

I am not going to lie

because of a small issue, Sir Shu

gave me a caning

I kept that grudge in my heart

but I didn't kill him

I hope you interrogate Shi Qing Hong clearly

Enough!

I am part of Ping Xi Government, unlike you a commoner

why do you want to let down

the good name of Ping Xi Government?

I heard with my own ears

Sir Shu calling out your name

before he died

I am not lying

- You... - Shi Qing Hong

Don't be reckless