Original subtitles

After his death,

I'd tell everyone that

it's the bandits at Niutou Fortress who did it.

Sir.

Don't you realise that

Niutou Fortress is located in Shanxi?

Even if the Emperor believe that Long San

and Noble Lady Li were killed by the bandits at the fortress,

but as the provincial governor for Shanxi,

you'd be held responsible for being negligent as well.

Negligent?

Xiang He.

Listen here.

After investigation,

I found that Long San worked with an officer of the former dynasty

not only to fake the imperial decree

but also to steal the silver with other bandits from Niutou Fortress.

The valuables they stole were distributed unevenly.

So they fought

and killed each other.

In response to that, I sent out troops

to destroy the group at Niutou Fortress.

Given that, do you think the Emperor would consider me as being negligent?

Moreover, it's Long San who faked the decree in the first place.

It is an offence with a death penalty.

Sir, you already plan to let the bandits take the blame.

Did you say the Imperial Commissioner is faking the decree?

Let me show you.

Can you see?

Since knowing Long San is the one responsible

for the missing silver,

I ordered the butler to keep an eye on him.

He managed to steal an opportunity

to sneak into Long San's room.

These are what he found in his room.

When we looked carefully, we found defects and know that

these seal and decree are fake.

Impossible.

The Imperial Commissioner is holding a secret decree

asking him to investigate the murder case of Shu Jian.

I've read that decree carefully,

so there's no way it's a fake one.

He was ordered to investigate the murder case of Shu Jian.

Yet he still wanted to meddle in Shanxi's government affairs,

so he came out with the fake imperial decree and seal.

What does it mean?

Rather than doing the job given,

he's digging his own grave.

Qiu Gui.

The characters on your faces were written

in the hope that you would reflect

and correct your mistakes.

Unfortunately you never repent.

Nonsense!

Long San is nothing to me.

He's just a sly, petty hypocrite.

He's just a sly, petty hypocrite.

Despite being a government official for more than ten years,

you're still deceived by a little trick like this.

People only connive when they have the same interests.

You're just seeking death yourselves for attempting

to kill Sir Long just because he doesn't want

to be involved in your dirty business.

Sir.

Don't make your life more difficult

with more wrongdoing.

Sir.

Whatever.

I've promised my father

to protect you for ten years.

Now the ten-year-promise has come to an end.

So this cannot be considered as betraying you.

Liu De Zhao.

My life is already in your hands,

you can do whatever you want with it.

Xiang He.

You have been following me

for ten years working as my bodyguard.

You saved my life several times,

and I am really grateful for it.

But how could you force me

into taking this step just because of a woman?

My whole family has been cornered because of you!

Xiang He.

Don't blame me.

Don't blame me for being heartless.

Lock him up.

Go!

It only gets dark after 12 hours.

I hope nothing bad would happen.

Leader.

What happened to Songgotu?

Something terrible happened.

We found one of his bodyguards at the foot of a cliff.

He was severely injured, dying actually.

He said they were attacked on the way

by two groups of unknown people.

Even so, Songgotu and Nasai were able to escape

with the help of the bodyguards.

But the bodyguards were injured

and thrown off the cliff.

So Songgotu now...

Suffers from a heavy injury.

We don't know where he is.

I wonder if he has arrived at Wei Ba Zan's camp,

so I'm sending two of our men

to the camp.

But without your gold plaque,

I wonder Wei Ba Zan would believe them

and come to our rescue.

Leader,

you can send me there.

Wei Ba Zan knows me.

He should believe me

if I explain the situation to him.

Sorry to trouble you to make another round of trip.

Not at all.

It's not that I need to travel with a lot of stuff.

I'm leaving now.

I'll send a eunuch and two bodyguard to go with you.

Okay.

Brother Long...

Brother Long, the counterfeit seal and decree have gone missing.

They were there yesterday.

Where could they be?

It looks like someone in the Shu Residence is acting as a spy.

It must be in Liu De Zhao's hands already.

No way.

The old servants of Shu Residence

can't be bought by the enemy of Shu Family.

Nothing surprising actually.

The Shu Family has lost its master

after the death of Shu Jian.

- Someone must have betrayed. - In that case,

our secrets could have possibly known by others.

It's not a possibility anymore,

but a matter of fact.

Liu De Zhao would use the counterfeit seal and decree

as a weapon to attack our master.

What do we do?

We better run then.

Or we can sneak out of this place.

Since we haven't had news from Songgotu,

it seems that leaving Taiyuan is the only way for us.

It's too late.

Don't worry, my brother and I will protect you.

Everything will be okay.

Someone is here.

Sir Long.

The governor has invited you to go to his residence

to discuss the disaster relief.

Qiu Gui.

Stop roaming nonstop before me.

I'm dizzy already.

I'm no better either.

Brother-in-law.

Look at this character on my face.

It hasn't faded yet.

I'm so angry at Long San!

And he's a brat anyway.

He won't know much about the rules as government officials.

You don't have to prepare all these for him.

When he's here, just take him down right away.

Torture him to get the information we want, then kill him.

Calm down.

Don't act rashly.

We're giving him another chance.

Another chance for ourselves as well.

Qiu Gui, to be honest,

even after working with Long San all this time,

I still haven't got a grip on

who he actually is.

I still feel uneasy about it.

And what if he yields to us

And what if he yields to us

after knowing we have the proof of him

killing another government official,

counterfeit the imperial seal, and faking the imperial decree?

Even if he does concede,

how about Noble Lady Li?

In fact,

we killed her father.

Noble Lady Li must die.

Also,

if Long San really yields to us,

he'd help cover up many things that we did.

If not...

If not, he'd have to die too.

He's late.

Sir Long, please come in.

Is Noble Lady Li in?

Yes.

She just ordered everyone to gather in the living room

so that we can pray together for her late father.

Have you done the task I asked of you?

Don't worry.

I've already added the medicine into the soup.

It won't take long to work.

I'm going to the living room.

You guys wait for my cue.

When this is over,

my lord will surely reward you.

Be careful.

Sir Long...

You're here.

Sir Long...

- Here... - Come on in....

The reason I invite you

to come over today

is because I have something to show you.

Sir Long.

Have you seen

these two objects?

Sir Liu.

Where did you get them from?

It doesn't matter

where I get them.

More importantly, I want to remind you that

the offences you committed

may cause the lives of your whole family.

What do you want?

Right.

Why don't we get straight to the point?

I'm aware that you get hold

of my secrets as well.

Okay, what do you want?

Either we kill each other and die together,

or we work with each other and live on.

Being alive is always preferable.

Of course I'd choose to live on with you guys.

Smart choice...

As expected,

Sir Long is a smart person.

Yes.

A wise man always acts based on practicality.

Then, we're now in the same boat.

Great.

Come.

From now on, we'll work together.

Come, to our alliance.

For this alliance,

let's toast.

Come...

Cheers.

Good wine.

Sir.

Since we're family,

I have a favour

to ask of you.

What is it?

Look at this character on my face.

Please help me

to remove it.

Boss Qiu.

This character was written

using a special ink prepared by my assistant.

It takes more than a month

to fade.

There's nothing I can do about it.

Boss Qiu.

Why don't you wait for a couple of days more?

Okay, no rush...

No rush.

I'm sorry...

Sir Long, you don't have to feel sorry.

- Here. - We don't have to be too formal.

Come here.

Come.

Sir Long, here.

You're really

a passionless person.

How could you resist the temptation from someone

as beautiful and talented like Lady Wan?

Sir Liu.

I do like beautiful ladies.

- Yes. - It's just that before this,

we hadn't become friends.

I couldn't show my interest for her

worrying that it was actually a trap

set up by you.

It's all good now.

From now on, we're family.

So you don't have to worry.

You may spend

as much time as you want with Lady Wan...

Life is short,

so go out with as many girls as you want.

Thank you for your support.

It's nothing...

Sir Long.

Since we're family,

there's one thing I need to ask for your help.

What is it?

We received news that

Noble Lady Li is pregnant with the Emperor's baby.

Yes.

But then we learned that she couldn't recover

from the grief of losing her father.

As a result, she had a miscarriage which caused massive blood loss,

and she has passed away.

Sir Liu.

What do you mean?

Noble Lady Li was looking all right

not long ago.

Sir Long.

There's a saying which goes,

things can happen suddenly without warning.

Sometimes accidents do happen.

You're a smart person.

Why don't you draft a letter to report this news

to the Emperor?

We can sign the letter together.

- Hurry. - Hurry up.

How sad.

I'm sure the Emperor would be upset

learning the news.

Yes.

It's true that the Emperor would feel sad

after learning the news.

But as you know it,

there are thousands of beautiful ladies living in the palace.

His Majesty

will be all right

after some time.

Come...

Actually, this incident isn't entirely bad either.

She can now reunite with her late father

and keep each other company in the afterlife.

Following their passing,

we can finally heave a sigh of relief.

Here.

Sir Liu.

Instead of staying here for a drink,

I'd rather go to another room with Lady Wan

so that I can spend

some private time with her.

Do you think it's a good idea?

You really know how to enjoy life.

Right, go and have fun.

This...

I'll take charge of Noble Lady Li's funeral.

But remember to draft

the letter to the Emperor

as soon as possible.

Don't worry.

I shall excuse myself then.

Send Sir Long off.

Sir Long.

Please.

Lady Wan.

Be nice to Sir Long.

All right.

I'll behave

and treat him nicely.

Anyway, I have a request.

Say it.

I heard that your bodyguard Meng Xiang He

has been locked in the prison

for having offended you.

I beg you to forgive him.

Lady Wan.

Are you begging me because of Meng Xiang He?

Do you know him?

Sir Liu.

I would like you

to release Meng as well.

I can have him walking us to another room.

Sir Long.

I don't mind releasing him.

But I don't get it.

Lady Wan, how did you know Meng Xiang He?

And how did you know

that he's been imprisoned?

I...

He has been kind to me no matter where I stay,

whether it is your place

or Boss Qiu's.

I'm grateful to him.

Lord...

Something has happened.

Calm down, tell me slowly.

Something has happened at the Shu Residence.

What is it?

Noble Lady Li is dead?

No...

Noble Lady Li...

She has gone missing.

What?

How come?

We... we were praying at that time...

Where is Noble Lady Li?

Give me the medicine.

Please don't blame me.

This is the only way out for me.

The lives of my family members lie in the hands of the governor.

You can only blame our lord for having offended the governor.

Butler Huang.

Servant Guo, why are you here?

Butler Huang.

We've been caring for Noble Lady Li since she was a little girl.

How could you do this soon

after the death of her father?

Is she not your master?

She's my master's servant.

Where is your master?

Go.

Search everywhere... here...

Look carefully.

Go.

- How was it? - No luck...

I'm sure I saw her walking to the back of the divider.

From the divider, you can reach the backyard.

But the door to the backyard is locked already.

She can't go anywhere.

It's weird.

Go, keep on searching.

Useless!

You failed to watch even a woman!

Sir... please forgive us.

I've tried my best.

I've been caring for her since she was a little girl.

She indeed is a feeble lady.

I don't understand

how could she get over the wall

without climbing gear?

Maybe... maybe she could fly?

This...

Enough.

Can't you see?

This has been planned!

Sir Long.

You should know better

where Noble Lady Li is.

I told you I have no idea.

Would you believe that?

Do you think I'd believe it?

Come out!

Hurry...

Sir,

now you can tell

whether I believe it.

Even so,

I still respect you a lot

for being so calm in such situation.

You must have seen many cases like this.

But I still don't understand.

Why do you want to fight against me?

Do you think after rescuing Noble Lady Li,

she would speak highly of you

in front of the Emperor?

And that would spare you from the offences of killing other officials,

counterfeiting the imperial seal, and faking the imperial decree?

You...

Sir.

The governor has invited you to go to his residence

to discuss the disaster relief.

Right, got it.

I'll head there after changing my clothes.

I’ll get the carriage ready then.

Is it possible that this person has been bribed by Liu De Zhao?

Maybe, but we have no time to investigate who's serving as the spy

in the Shu Residence anymore.

Master, you leave with Yi Huan and Noble Lady Li first.

I'll dress up as you and

make sure the situation at Liu Residence is under control.

- What? - Brother Long.

Don't hesitate anymore.

You should trust him.

He's a martial arts master.

We shouldn't be there to obstruct him.

When he's alone, nothing could stop him.

Our physiques are similar,

so it's easy to dress up.

Yi Huan, I'm helping him to dress up.

Inform Noble Lady Li

to get ready to run away.

Okay.

Take care, Leader.

Do you need more bodyguards?

I'm fine.

You guys need them more than I do.

At the Liu Residence,

I'll distract Liu De Zhao's followers.

Use the opportunity to leave the city.

Wait.

Be careful, don't engage in a prolonged fight.

Make sure you retract safely.

Thanks for the concern.

Li Jian Qing, why are you here?

- Lord. - Don't act recklessly!

Don't move! Go!

Li.

Let go of my brother-in-law,

or else I'll kill her.

I have no relation with Lady Wan,

do you think you can threaten me with her?

Liar.

Self-proclaimed moralists

like you and Long

can go as far as violating the law

in order to help the victims,

so you can't possibly let a lady be killed because of you.

Let her go!

Lady Wan.

Due to safety concern,

I strived to help you leave the place.

But you were hesitant because of Meng Xiang He.

Never mind it.

Qiu Gui,

let go of her

I'll let go of your brother-in-law.

Stop fooling me.

Let go of my brother-in-law

and surrender,

then I'll let her go.

Otherwise,

I'll kill her and Meng Xiang He.

Right.

I agree.

Hey, be careful with your knife.

Hey, be careful with your knife.

Are you Qing Cheng?

That's right.

I'm Xue Qing Cheng.

No, sister.

I can't follow you guys.

Someone in your residence has betrayed you.

Our plan has been exposed.

Given we still don't have news from Meng Xiang He,

that means something had happened to him.

I'll stay.

I want to rescue Meng Xiang He

and Shu Wan Xin with him.

Sister Xue, don't worry.

Brother Zhu has promised that he'd rescue Brother Meng

whenever he can.

Although eldest senior is good in martial arts,

Liu De Zhao and his subordinates are heartless,

I can't leave him

fighting them alone.

Sister Xue.

You really care for Brother Zhu,

you are often keeping him in mind.