Original subtitles

You're adaptive

yet attentive to details.

I'm amazed.

Talking about experience in the underworld,

you beat me hands down.

I'm flattered.

I'm a commoner,

growing up in the underworld.

You have a prominent background,

making decisions related to country policy.

We're very different.

Don't be so humble.

You have your strengths.

And in this regard, I really should learn from you.

Leader.

Let's get on the boat.

- Come. - Chase them!

Over here!

They're coming. Go ahead.

I'll join the bodyguards to distract the pursuers.

Leader, I'll distract the pursuers with Imperial Physician Li.

No! Wan Xin, I can't leave you here!

But I don't think the boat can carry all of us.

Moreover, I don't know how to swim.

If an accident happens, all of us would be in danger.

- But... - Leader, don't hesitate.

Your safety is our priority.

Yi Huan, protect our Leader.

All right, let's go!

Go.

We're leaving, be careful.

Over there, go after them!

The men sent by Liu De Zhao and Wu San Gui

can track us down no matter where we go,

they're just like a shadow.

Is it possible that there's a spy among us?

Impossible.

The bodyguards are specially chosen by you.

My brother and I can't be the spies either.

I can't think of any.

I hope so.

But too many assassins have been sent out.

They've been going after us all this time.

What are you doing?

- I... - Noble Lady Li,

so you do know martial arts!

Be careful!

I've looked everywhere.

No enemy spotted.

All right, I got it.

Please excuse me.

Boss.

Boss.

Why are you pushing it away?

What if your brother couldn't find us

after escaping?

Brother Long.

Don't be a fool.

If we leave the boat here,

the enemy would know our whereabouts.

Do you swim?

No, I grew up in the palace,

I had never swim before.

As an Emperor,

you should be ashamed of yourself.

My brother is better than you in this regard.

Not only does he know how to swim,

he can also stay

in the water for a long time.

But that won't help.

He needs to protect Wan Xin.

How is he going to swim across the river?

My brother won't do that with Noble Lady Li.

My brother knows a lot of things.

He has many skills.

He can even chop down the trees

and use the barks to build a canoe

within an hour.

That way, they can easily cross the river.

What's more,

I'm sure he'd think of a way to see us

when he realises the boat is gone.

He knows what to do.

I used to be very proud.

For being knowledgeable in literature and military at the same time.

But now I realise that knowledgeable people are everywhere.

I'm just lucky.

Your brother might be better than me

as an Emperor.

Brother Long, this is not

something to be made fun of.

Not everyone can make fun of this matter,

but I can.

Right... don't talk nonsense.

Let's get out of the forest and go somewhere safe.

Let's go.

Wait.

You get scared too easily.

It's just a bird.

I'm just careful

because I need to protect you.

Even though you're the Emperor,

that doesn't mean you can fly.

When it comes to martial arts,

I'm better than you.

We're ambushed.

Leader, go ahead.

- All right. - Let's go.

You're so heavy, like a pig.

It's tiring to carry you like that.

That was dangerous.

Your bodyguards are too inexperienced.

They didn't even realise that we were ambushed.

We have to leave this place as soon as possible.

Brother Long!

Brother Long.

Brother Long, are you okay?

Darn it. The gas must be poisonous.

Brother Long.

Brother Long, you're awake.

Are you all right?

Boss.

I had a dream.

What dream was that?

I dreamt about a beauty kissing me.

How rude.

You're rude even in such condition.

Boss, I can't breathe.

What's wrong with you?

Seriously? Or are you just pretending?

Don't scare me.

Brother Long.

Brother Long.

You...

You made a fool of me again.

I didn't...

I'm serious.

I'm really feeling unwell.

Please do it one more time.

Darn you.

Is this real or are you just pretending?

Brother Long, stop kidding me.

Brother Long.

Brother Long...

Brother Long, wake up.

Qing Cheng.

Are you okay?

I'll treat the wounds

when we find a safe place.

I'm all right.

Thank you.

You are injured because you tried to save me.

Don't say that.

I'd be in danger

if it wasn't for you.

If I can be of help to you,

I don't mind

sacrificing my life.

I know.

Because of that,

you would rather follow me instead of Kang Xi.

Actually, you don't have to worry about me.

Those pursuers are just

useless rats of the Qing government.

They can't beat me.

Eldest senior.

I know you are good at martial arts.

So, I wouldn't be worried normally.

But this time,

you've been fighting for days and nights

since the day you saved Meng Xiang He.

If you are not paying attention,

bad things could happen.

At least you're worried about me.

Unlike someone,

she just worries about others.

Don't get upset.

It's not that she doesn't worry about you.

It's just that

you're too competent

and she doesn't have to worry about you.

So heavy.

Blame your big appetite.

You're not a dragon

but a pig.

I'm not a pig, but you.

I stumbled over a stone.

You...

Are you trying to kill me?

You're so heartless.

I am already exhausted.

Stop pretending that you've passed out.

I didn't.

I... I really passed out just now.

Liar, you were just pretending.

No, I really passed out just now.

I regained my consciousness while you were carrying me.

I was thinking to get off too.

I heard you mumbling

and I was curious to know what you were talking.

Never did I expect that you were actually badmouthing me.

After I learned about the truth,

you even threw me on the ground,

despite you're the one to be blamed in the first place.

Right, I'll stay away from you.

Boss...

Don't get mad.

I'll treat you a meal, okay?

Boss...

I can't run fast.

Boss, don't get mad.

Listen to me, I was...

Boss...

I'm injured, try to be more considerate.

Go away.

I'm full.

Now I'm happy.

I wonder if my brother and Noble Lady Li are doing okay.

Don't worry.

I'm sure your brother is capable of ensuring

the safety of himself and Noble Lady Li.

But where do I look for them?

The whole Shanxi is unsafe now.

We can only take the road heading towards Beijing.

I hope we can meet them

on the way back to the palace.

Otherwise,

we can only meet when all of us have reached Beijing.

we have no choice then.

Eldest senior, the wound is not there,

but here.

What's the matter?

Eldest senior.

You're a physician.

And I'm your patient.

When it comes to treating a patient,

it doesn't matter whether I'm a man or woman.

Come.

We've been hunted by Wu San Gui's and Liu De Zhao's men

since the day we left Tai Yuan.

This is suspicious.

Are you saying...

Why are they so familiar with our plan?

Right.

I suspect there's a traitor among us.

It is possible.

I believe the traitor is one of Kang Xi's bodyguards.

Most probably Oboi's follower.

Wu San Gui's follower is also possible,

given he has many spies serving in the government.

In that case,

we can do something so that Kang Xi

and Wu San Gui fight each other.

I have the same idea too.

I wonder how's Yi Huan doing.

You take a rest first.

I'll get some water.

Money?

Boss, please pay the bill.

You have the money, don't you?

I think we dropped the money in the forest.

Sirs.

Which one of you is going to pay the bill?

No.

I mean... sir.

We did have money, but...

But you dropped it, right?

Yes...

How... how do you know that?

It's a common excuse by those who refuse to pay for their food.

I've seen many of them.

That's not it.

I didn’t mean to eat for free.

On the way here, we encountered a group of bandits.

And we...

Encountered a group of bandits?

Dropped the money?

If you intend to deceive others,

- you need to tell better lies. - I... I'm telling the truth.

No one is lying.

I...

How dare you...

Are you trying to scare me?

Not lying? Well then.

Pay the bill.

You get the food, and you pay for it.

Even the Emperor would have agreed

to this principle, right?

This applies even when the Emperor comes.

You're right.

But, sir...

It's not that I don't want to pay...

Then, pay now!

Hurry and pay.

Boss.

Can you take out that gold bangle?

- I'll buy you jade in return... - No...

No way.

That bangle was a birthday present from my friend.

The other day you asked me to pawn it to buy food for the victims.

I did, and I managed to buy it back eventually.

Now you want me to do the same again.

No way.

Sir, how about this?

I'll write you a debt letter.

I'll ask someone to send the money over later.

I'll give you ten times the amount.

No, 100 times.

Nonsense!

Ten times or 100 times payback?

People have been making excuses for not paying for their food.

But you're so far the dumbest of them all.

No one is going to believe the lie you told.

I didn't lie.

I'm really rich.

Not just ten or 100 times,

I can afford a bill 1,000 or 10,000 more expensive than this.

Sir, please make an exception, okay?

I'll reward you afterwards...

Reward?

I'm afraid I can't wait for the day.

Just you wait.

- Waiter. - Here.

Some people refuse to pay for their food here.

- Who is that? - Both of them.

Tie them up and send them to the police.

Wait.

Usually in such situation...

Run!

Hurry!

Don't run.

- Don't let them get away. - Stay put.

I never thought that this would ever happen to me.

Get chased by commoners

for not having money to buy a meal.

Do you really know how to do it?

You've been pricking yourself for many times already.

Don't laugh at me.

This is the first time I take up a stitch work.

I've never done it before.

Does that mean,

I'm your first time?

Of course.

You... as the Emperor of the Qing Dynasty,

how could you flirt with a good girl like me?

You are so annoying.

Don't panic.

Since this is the first time, we can take it slowly.

I can't hear you...

Boss.

After we get back to the palace,

I'll preserve this piece of clothes as a keepsake.

I'm no good at sewing, but it isn't too bad anyway.

You meant to keep it so that you can laugh at me, right?

Boss.

I'm serious.

As the Emperor,

I have shamed myself for being hunted by my own people.

This trip is very meaningful to me.

That's why I want to make this garment a keepsake.

It will remind me of becoming a good Emperor.

I want to set up an effective system

for selecting government officials

that would ensure the peace and happiness of the nation.

That's a good intention.

Well worth my effort of stitching up the clothes

and had my fingers hurt by the needle.

Boss.

Where are we going for a meal next?

It's been 24 hours since

the free meal we had yesterday.

I'm so hungry.

Don't worry.

I'm here after all.

You won't be left in hunger.

Let's go.

If you're not hungry, could you carry me?

Boss.

Can you see?

There's a wealthy merchant

who plans to give away congee for two weeks

in conjunction with his mother's 80th birthday.

Boss, are you telling me...

to beg for free food?

Is there a problem with that?

Are you thinking of eating for free in a restaurant again?

We were just lucky being able to escape the other day.

With the levels of our martial arts,

there's no way we could beat them.

And how are we going to leave this place without money?

- So... - Let me ask you.

Do you think pride is more important

than your life?

Of course... of course life is more important.

Fortunately, they don't know who I am.

Who knows you? Let's go.

Don't push.

You're the one who is pushing me.

So what?

I'm older than you.

You're just a brat.

Don't fight for food with old men like us.

You've got no shame!

No more...

- No more? - It is finished...

- That's all for today? - Yes.

Come again next time.

Young man, you're late.

That's all we got.

Wait.

Here.

Young man.

Don't be too picky. It has got some rice in it,

it is better than water anyway.

At least it can fill up a little.

Don't you want it? I'll take it.

Was it good?

Barely enough though.

Oh, yes. Boss.

Have you eaten?

I did.

I already had it.

Unlike you,

who are too proud to let go of your dignity,

I joined the people to get free food.

Sometimes, being a gentleman would make you hungry, got it?

Boss.

But your stomach is making sounds.

No, I'm full already.

I had a lot just now.

You can have it.

I don't need it.

I eat a lot usually,

so I've got my spare tyre

to spare me from hunger.

Just take it.

We're brothers.

We need to share good times and bad times together.

Even it's just a bowl of congee,

we can share.

- Sir, give me money please. - Go away...

No way.

I need to return to the palace as soon as possible.

The later I go back,

the more the people would have to suffer.

This place is a thousand miles away from the Forbidden City.

Even if we walk,

say, 100 miles a day,

we'd have to walk more than ten days.

I wish we could get a carriage.

Carriage? I've asked about the pricing.

From here to Beijing,

it'd cost five silver taels

to rent a carriage.

Do you have that much money?

I finally understand

why it's essential

for every man to have money.

Boss, why not we...

Sir, give me a little money.

- I didn't eat for days. - I really have no money.

Thank you...

Boss.

Why don't you let me pawn that gold bangle?

I'll buy it back

after returning to the palace.

No way.

The bangle was given to me by one of my best friends.

He is a very sentimental person.

I'm sure he'd be very upset knowing

the bangle had been pawned for money.

Try to think of some way to earn money yourself.

Don't even think about my bangle, okay?

I know you're trying to give me some hard time.

I'll show you that I can make my own money.

Good then.

Since you know everything, right?

But how are you going to do that?

Boss, where are your earrings?

Here.

We can't pawn your bangle,

but earrings should be okay, right?

Yes.

But earrings don't worth much.

Only a couple of coins.

That's more than enough, let's go.

This isn't right.

I don't think this is appropriate.

We could actually buy some biscuits after selling the earrings.

Why are you buying these writing tools instead?

After I sell these calligraphy works,

I'll buy you ten roast ducks

and let you sit in a carriage on the way back to the palace.

Say whatever you want...

It doesn't cost anything to brag.

Boss.

Don't be so narrow-minded

and underestimate my ability.

I've been learning calligraphy since I was a child.

I wasn't even ten years old

when my works were becoming the target of collection

among the government officials.

It's even harder to get my works outside of the palace.

Given my current situation,

I had no choice but to make money using my writing.

It will make a great family treasure

to those that buy it.

Yes, you're the best.

You're the Emperor, so you're always right.

Here come the customers.

I told you.

There must be someone who likes my calligraphy.

Money to give away...

See?

Your calligraphy isn't worth

even a penny to them.

This calligraphy is characterised

by subtlety and exquisiteness.

It's got the style of Ming Dynasty calligrapher, Dong Qichang.