Original subtitles

♪First sight with suspicion♪

♪A test for two young hearts♪

♪The road is rocky♪

♪The world becomes silent when you are by my side♪

♪Have two pots of tea together♪

♪The game of go is hard to settle♪

♪Play the zither and hear the song♪

♪Who is as beautiful as a painting♪

♪Why look at the flowers outside the window alone♪

♪Have a peaceful life and another summer passed away♪

♪Hope we can stay together forever♪

♪Appreciate the elegance together♪

♪It was misty and rainy that day♪

♪Hold the jade cup to you♪

♪Let’s have a drink and play the game of go♪

♪But the wind blows outside the window♪

♪It disturbs my dream♪

♪It’s just a flash in the pan♪

♪The flowers smother the window♪

♪The leaves fly into the sky with the cloud♪

♪We will meet in the end in the cloister♪

♪We hold hands with tears in eyes♪

♪You whisper to me under the moonlight♪

♪We never have to part again♪

=Rebirth For You=

=Episode 4=

Hey,

District Princess Qingyi,

is that a cricket on your shoulder?

Your Majesty,

I have to go to the Empress Dowager’s quarters

to find my grandfather.

Excuse me.

Baoning,

you’re not mad at me for forcing you to marry me, are you?

I know

I’ll have to marry you in the end.

It’s just my mind wasn’t made up.

I’m not prepared

to share my husband with other women.

However, Grandmother has made the decision for me.

So I’ll try my best to learn

to be a good empress.

Baoning,

no one will be a better empress than you.

Your Majesty,

the cricket trainers

use their index and middle fingertips a lot.

But that man doesn’t have calluses

on his middle fingertip.

Instead, he has calluses on the joint,

which means he writes with a paintbrush a lot.

So he’s not a cricket trainer.

You have an agile mind.

I won’t lie to you then.

He’s Yan Huanian, a former councilor of the Office of Grand Council.

Since my mother took over the state affairs,

he resigned in a rage.

I invited him back to the palace

to be my consultant.

You just told me like that?

Does my uncle assign him to you?

I don’t mind telling you.

My mother

has put all kinds of restrictions on me.

Even the scholar

teaches me superficial knowledge.

He instructs me what is what

but not how or why.

Luckily, I have Yan Huanian to teach me in secret.

Since he’s my uncle’s man,

you’d better work hard.

By your words, my dear cousin.

Grandpa, have some water.

Grandpa,

your illness...

It’s old trouble.

I’m fine.

Tongxin,

your parents passed away young.

I wish someone would give you a happy home.

You don’t know much

about things in the palace.

The Empress Dowager is in charge of the court.

His Majesty has no real power.

Even if you can marry His Majesty,

you’ll become the Empress Dowager’s pawn.

I want

to give the best to you and I’m worried about you.

Grandpa,

I won’t marry any men

other than the man I like.

If I can’t marry the man I like,

but I can live a peaceful life,

what’s the meaning?

Even if you can marry His Majesty,

there will be so many concubines.

How much do you think His Majesty will love you?

Don’t forget Commandery Princess Jia’nan.

She grew up with His Majesty.

I know.

His Majesty is surrounded by beautiful women.

But Grandpa,

a man is not a stalk of grass or a tree.

As long as I love His Majesty

with all my heart,

I believe

that he’ll realize I’m his true lover.

Tongxin,

do you really want to marry His Majesty?

Grandpa.

Alright.

With my beauty, wisdom

and the identity of Lord Jian’s granddaughter,

I’m sure I’ll win the honor

in the palace.

Tongxin,

I’ve learned what you mean.

I’ll let the Empress Dowager know.

Your Highness,

(Application for the permit in and out of Luo Pass. Granted.)

The Machinist Contest

I was ordered to investigate

is nothing but a game His Majesty held

to amuse the Princess

with interesting gadgets.

His Majesty

isn’t a child anymore.

This is ridiculous.

Your Highness, there’s one more thing.

Go ahead.

His Majesty takes a fancy in cricket fighting recently

and even had Du Sheng get a cricket trainer

to the palace.

Since it’s someone outside the palace,

I want you to find out for me

if this man is fishy.

Yes, Your Highness.

I’ll see to it.

(Agriculture in Mu’an)

What is this book?

I forgot to give it back to him.

(Waterfowl Ship Diagram)

A few steps to build waterfowl ships

is the same as the last two levels

of the Machinist Contest.

So Zhao Yi didn’t hold the contest

to find me

some interesting gadgets,

but to finish

the making of waterfowl ships.

Send this to His Majesty.

Sneak it in a food box.

Yes.

Use your connections.

I need to write a letter to The Archduke’s Mansion.

Yes.

Close the door.

(Qinzheng Hall)

My mother cannot see that thing.

I didn’t let anyone in today.

Nothing must go wrong

before that plan is carried out.

Keep looking.

Your Majesty,

the Princess’s maid, Qingke seeks your audience.

Go, go, go.

Where is it?

Your Majesty.

It’s snacks from the Princess.

She’s extraordinarily nice to me recently.

(Agriculture in Mu’an)

Your Majesty, it’s...

Here it is!

It seems Baoning

had hidden it

from Tongxin’s eyes.

Wow!

Take a look. Don’t miss it.

Check it out.

Flowers!

Fresh vegetables!

(Piping Time of Peace) Pancakes!

(Piping Time of Peace) Take a look at the flowers.

These flowers are beautiful.

Yes, you bet.

Baoning,

in your letter, you rushed me

to take you back to our mansion.

Is something wrong?

I have some guesses.

Come and take a look.

But I have to confirm it

with my uncle.

Oh,

your uncle isn’t in town lately.

I’m afraid he won’t be back

until the night.

What about Lyu?

I haven’t seen him in the palace for a long time.

To the public, we said

your cousin has been ill at home.

In fact,

your uncle sent him to Zhuo’an.

But as for the purpose of his trip,

I don’t have a clue.

(Li’s Mansion)

Be careful.

Sure.

So many chests!

Wei Shu.

Yes.

What are these?

They are Master’s presents for Empress Dowager’s birthday.

By the way, young master.

When I left for Bingzhou to pick up the presents,

I found the Archduke’s son rode out of town

in plain clothes with a squad of soldiers.

I found it strange,

so I followed him for a day

and found out they went to Zhuo’an

via hidden paths.

I asked around when I came back.

The Archduke claimed

that his son has been taken sick at home.

The Archduke sent his son

to Zhuo’an?

Yes.

Zhuo’an is the level-one garrison

that’s the closest to Longevity Hill,

where Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet is going to be held.

But the Archduke is His Majesty’s henchman.

It seems the capital

is going to see a tremendous change.

Young master,

if it happens,

will Commandery Princess Jia’nan

be able to get The Book of Supreme Weapons for you?

Welcome back, Duke.

Baoning, you’re back.

Uncle.

We have

lost count of the cups of tea we had.

Your uncle is finally back.

Baoning.

How have you been in the palace?

You’re in such a hurry to see me today.

Are you in some kind of trouble?

Uncle.

Are you and His Majesty planning

to make Empress Dowager step down

at her birthday banquet on Longevity Hill?

Come.

How did you know?

I found out by chance that Zhao Yi

is learning governance from Yan Huanian.

I didn’t think much of it

until I found he’s building waterfowl ships.

There’s no need for a waterfowl ship in the palace.

But there’s a need on the lake of Longevity Hill.

Are you trying to ship strong fighters

to Longevity Hill?

We do intend to do so.

I think I understand.

Zhao Yi

did everything

to win my grandmother’s sympathy

and make Empress Dowager approve our marriage.

The reason he’s so eager

to marry me is that

he needs our family to help him stabilize

the court without Empress Dowager.

And I

am just someone

to help him assure the officials.

What about you, Baoning?

Do you want to marry His Majesty?

Of course I don’t.

Well, I don’t want anything to happen to our family either.

Uncle, you can help Zhao Yi to take over.

But for the sake of peace and stability in the palace,

we can’t let Empress Dowager lose all her power.

It’s dangerous to give our family’s fate to either the Emperor

or the Empress Dowager.

It’s easier said.

But it’s too difficult to do.

I’ve found out.

Zhao Yi has a child with a maid.

The child lives outside the palace.

Once the child is in the hands of Empress Dowager,

I’m sure Zhao Yi will be careful with us.

Is it true?

Yes.

Baoning,

our top priority now

is to keep the maid safe.

Zhao Yi has his best men protect her.

Baoning,

you’ve been in the palace all this time.

How did you find out about His Majesty’s affair with the maid?

By chance, I met

Li Qian, son of the Commandant of Bingzhou.

I promised to help him find something in the palace,

and he agreed to help me.

Is he reliable?

He knows about His Majesty’s affair anyway.

So he’s a concerned party.

But,

in a few days, you’ll be made the empress.

Once the edict is issued,

you’ll be the empress,

which will be irreversible.

I won’t just sit here and wait for it to happen.

We still have a few days.

I’m sure I’ll find a way.

As a princess living in the palace,

you shouldn’t have worried about these.

It’s all my fault.

I didn’t take good care of you.

You live in the palace.

I can’t even arrange everything in your life.

Even your marriage

is out of my hands.

Uncle,

our family is my strongest support.

Who is it?

Your Grace.

You’re the son of a commandant.

Where are your manners?

Hey, you...

If you dare...

do something...

I... I...

Your Grace,

you’re not thinking about something indecent, are you?

We’re in the palace.

I don’t have the guts to do that.

I’m sure you don’t.

Alright, what do you want?

Your Grace,

the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet is approaching.

And the Archduke sent his son Jiang Lyu secretly

to Zhuo’an.

Zhuo’an is the level-one garrison

closest to Longevity Hill.

I made a bold guess.

Your family is planning to help His Majesty

force the Empress Dowager to step down

on her birthday banquet.

This is nonsense.

You could be decapitated

for what you said in the palace.

Your Grace,

can you convince the Archduke

to share his plan for the birthday banquet with me

and take me to Empress Dowager

on her birthday?

I’m tired.

Go.

No rush to drive me away.

I’m here to make a deal with you.

I can’t think of anything to trade with you.

That’s not necessarily true.

I’ve been thinking about it.

Your family is loyal to His Majesty.

So it’s not an easy thing

to get The Book of Supreme Weapons

from the Empress Dowager.

So we can work together.

Help me gain the Empress Dowager’s trust,

so I can get The Book of Supreme Weapons

a lot easier.

How do you want to do it?

On that day,

I will support Empress Dowager.

At the birthday banquet,

my family will stand up for Her Highness.

In this case, your family

will not be condemned for offending Her Highness.

What do you think?

This is about my family’s fate.

How can I trust you?

A commitment?

Keep this written commitment.

If we break our promise,

the letter in your possession

can make our family decapitated.

If you want to know

the detailed plan for the banquet,

go to my uncle,

Jiang Zhenyuan with this jade pendant.

If I screw it up,

you can take my life.

What do I need your life for?

It’s true that an equal player

makes the game more interesting.

(Cining Palace)

Greetings, Your Grace.

Greetings, Your Highness.

To what do I owe this honor,

Princess?

I’ll be made the empress in a few days.

So I’m thinking,

when I become the empress,

I’ll need to come to greet you often.

I made the fan for you.

My grandmother likes it so much.

So I thought I should make one for Your Highness.

That’s very kind of you.

My grandmother said

the late emperor also liked such ingenious devices.

Your Highness once found The Book of Supreme Weapons

for him.

I heard it’s in Your Highness’s possession.

It’s about weapon design.

Are you interested in weapons?

Thank you for the fan.

I have some reports to review.

You may leave.

Min Zhou,

see the Princess out.

Yes.

Your Grace, please.

Looks like we have to follow his plan.

But it’s a dangerous move.

Li Qian, you have to be careful.

(May the state and people be in peace East Market)

Duke Jiang.

Baoning?

Li Qian, son of the Commandant of Bingzhou.

I’ve reached a deal with the Princess

that on the day of the birthday banquet,

my family will back Empress Dowager,

and it’ll prove your family has nothing to do with it.

Baoning told you

about His Majesty’s plan to force

Empress Dowager to step down?

Yes.

I gave the Princess my commitment.

From now on,

the Li’s and the Jiang’s

are on the same boat.

I trust Baoning.

What is your plan?

Except for the plan for the birthday banquet,

I’d also like to ask a favor

to assign me and my men

to Longevity Hill as guards.

(East Market)

(East Warmth Chamber)

Why did Empress Dowager suddenly

summon District Princess Qingyi

to learn from Grand Mentor Xiong in the palace?

Sleepyhead,

still in bed?

You’ll be late for school.

Get up.

No!

(Pure and Gracious) Your Highness,

here are gifts from District Princess Qingyi.

Oh.

This is Unifon clearing cream mask.

(Unifon)

Why is this princess reaching out

to Grandmother?

She’s been pestering Zhao Yi.

Does she want to marry Zhao Yi?

Just in time.

I must help you.

Get up.

Alright.

I’m going to the school, Grandmother.

(Xuanwen Hall)

Grand Mentor Xiong.

Your ladyship,

this is one of the best Duan ink-slab with plum blossoms.

It’s too valuable.

I cannot accept it.

Grand Mentor,

it’s from my grandfather.

He said it’s a small gesture.

I’ve long heard of your profound knowledge

about both the past and the present.

From now on, I will do my best

in the study.

Flattering Grand Master Xiong?

She’s such a fool.

The Empress Dowager summoned you

to be the Princess’s partner in the study.

From now on, I hope you,

the Princess and Township Mistress

can learn more from each other.

Grand Mentor,

I’m here to learn from you,

not to keep the Princess company.

She’s not only stupid,

but also aggressive.

Perfect candidate for the Empress.

Mm-hmm.

Take a seat.

Alright, the class begins.

Today our lecture

is about this bronze mirror.

Grand Mentor,

I know this mirror.

It’s a bronze mirror engraved with sacred beasts and inscriptions.

The inscriptions and pattern on it are excellent.

The dark brown coating by the abraded area

is smooth and shiny.

In fact,

I want you to compare this mirror

with humanity.

What do they have to do with each other?

Princess,

what’s your opinion?

A bronze mirror helps us tidy our garments.

History as a mirror lets us know how a dynasty falls.

People as a mirror

shows us the gains and losses.

All in all, it’s just a mirror, isn’t it?

Not at all.

People as a mirror

means we should listen to others’ advice

and find our advantages and disadvantages,

so that we can improve ourselves.

Your Grace is right.

So much for our lecture.

Do remember

(Xuanwen Hall) to review what we learned today.

Your Grace,

do enlighten me.

How do you take people as mirrors?

Here.

It slipped off my hands.

It’s stained.

You wouldn’t be angry with me, would you?

Your Grace,

the rice paper looks so plain.

When I come to the palace next time,

I’ll bring you some from Jin County.

Their rice paper is as thin and light as cicada wings and snowflakes.

I’m afraid there’s no such good rice paper in the palace.

It doesn’t matter. Just a piece of rice paper.

I have to give my regards to Empress Dowager.

Good day.

Baoning,

District Princess Qingyi is so overbearing.

This paper is from Jin County.

She couldn’t tell.

Xiaoman, let go.

Sure.

Your...

Isn’t this His Majesty’s cricket trainer?

Oh no, there’s Empress Dowager’s eunuch.

Your Grace!

Xiaoman, let’s go back.

Huh?

Your Grace, wait for me!

(Gate of Divine Might)

Flowers!

Take a look!

Hey, the flowers are so beautiful.

Yes.

Flowers for sale!

Hey,

which palace are you from?

Where’s your pass?

She’s a maid of Cining Palace.

The Empress Dowager ordered me

to go out and buy something with her.

Oh,

Mr. Li.

Flowers for sale!

What are you waiting for?

Go!

Oh.

Flowers!

Umbrellas!

Painted umbrellas!

Why did you sneak out this time?

I’m following a man.

A man who plays cricket fighting with His Majesty.

This man has a princess on his tail.

He’s really something.

Min Zhou is following him.

You and I have to keep him safe.

Why do I feel Your Grace is setting me up?

The flowers are beautiful.

Who is this man?

You’d better not know this.

I don’t even know who this person is.

Better stay out of it.

Good day.

Hey!

Sit down.

Flowers for sale!

Take a look. Don’t miss it.

He’s Yan Huanian, a former councilor of the Office of Grand Council.

He goes to the palace as a cricket trainer

to teach His Majesty governance.

If the Empress Dowager found out

His Majesty is learning governance in secret,

she’d realize he wants to be a real ruler.

So we have to keep him safe.

The Empress Dowager can’t know about it now.

(Blissful Cranes and Clouds) Sachets!

Pretty sachets!

Maybe they’ve left the palace.

No way.

I saw them in the Imperial Garden.

If they leave,

they have to take the path to the Gate of Divine Might.

I came out via an alley in Shoukang Palace.

I’m faster than them.

Take a look, lady.

(Land of Talent and Bliss) Let’s go.

It’s said the teahouse serves great tea.

Really?

It’s just up ahead.

Let’s go.

(Land of Talent and Bliss)

Flowers!

(Blissful Cranes and Clouds)

This is Min Zhou’s carriage.

Do you have any silver taels?

Hurry!

I’ll go distract Min Zhou.

Protect Yan Huanian in the chaos.

Let’s meet up here later.

Wait, but...

Whose horse is it?

It’s mine.

I’ll buy it.

Get out of the way!

Move!

Get away from there!

Watch out!

You’re useless!

Idiot!

You...

Who are you?

Mr. Yan, you’re followed.

Huh?

What a surprise, Your Grace!

What happened to your wrist?

I might have sprained it on the horse.

Thank you.

Or I’d have died.

By the way,

why is Your Grace dressed up like this?

I heard there’s a lion dance today.

So I sneaked out to watch it.

Well, look,

my maid must be looking for me.

I have to go.

Good day.

Your Grace, I...

All done with Yan Huanian?

Rest assured, Your Grace.

I’ve escorted Mr. Yan home safely,

with no one on our tail.

Good.

How did things go with Your Grace?

I thought riding a horse should be easy.

It’s actually quite difficult.

So you don’t know how to ride a horse.

What happened to your hand?

It’s nothing.

I sprained it when I was riding.

Luckily, no harm is done.

You’re a noble.

Allow me to do it for you.

Here.

What do you mean?

You have sprained your right hand.

If you sprain your left hand too,

I’ll be in huge trouble.

Leave it to me.

What are you implying?

Your Grace,

allow me to teach you riding someday.

I don’t need you

to teach me.

Don’t underestimate me, Your Grace.

My horsemanship is unbeatable

in Mu’an.

What a blowhard!

Then it’s a deal.

When I’m free,

I’ll teach you to ride a horse.

(Li’s Mansion)

Your Excellency,

this is my prescription for the Madam.

Take the medicines on time,

and Madam’s illness can be alleviated.

Good.

Thank you so much, Miss Gao.

Mr. Wang.

You are?

You are

Li Qian who saved Empress Dowager from the assassin?

That’s me.

But what brings you here, Mr. Wang?

It’s said Miss Gao is a great physician.

I know she came to the capital,

so I took my long-suffering mother

here for treatment.

Today Miss Gao

has proved herself to be an exceptional physician.

I’m flattered, Your Excellency.

I’m just doing my job.

Mm-hmm.

We’ll have to come by someday.

Well, I won’t take more of your time.

I have to take my mother home for some rest.

Sure, let me see you out.

Thanks.

Be careful, Mother.

This way, please.

Sure.

Miaorong,

my friend suffered a sprain on horseback.

Can you make some ointment

for it?

Sure, where is the sprain?

Here.

Alright, I see.

When it’s done,

I’ll deliver it to you.

Thanks.

Baoning, what a surprise!

Grandmother said it’s hot

and asked me to bring some chilled fruit over.

Xiaoman, get it to the kitchen.

Baoning,

you can have a servant bring it over.

You don’t have to come.

You cannot learn from that man anymore.

Empress Dowager had somebody

following the cricket trainer.

What did you say?

I saw Min Zhou following him today.

That means Empress Dowager has become suspicious.

I managed to keep the secret for you today.

But I don’t know if I can next time.

Right.

Baoning, it’s so good to have you.

Anyway,

you might not be able

to invite him over to your quarters.

Mm-hmm.

I understand.

By the way, Baoning.

My mother

has agreed on our marriage.

So I’ll ask the Astrology Office

to pick an auspicious day...

Well,

you’ll probably have to

find another cricket trainer

as distraction

until Empress Dowager is out of disbelief.

Alright.

You’re the smartest.

I’ll do as you say.

(May Everyone Benefit from Your Virtue)

Qian!

Qian.

Miaorong.

I got the ointment you asked for.

Here.

I was just going to find you.

Thank you.

Hey,

it’s late.

And you’re delivering it to your friend?

I’ll be back soon.

Wei Shu.

Miss Gao.

Qian said

he’s going to deliver the ointment to a friend.

Let me ask you.

Who are his friends in the capital?

We don’t know a lot of people here.

Could be his colleagues in the palace.

Oh.

Alright then.

What’s that sound?

Qingke.

I want to go to sleep.

You may leave.

Yes.

Li Qian.

How do you know it’s me, Your Grace?

It’s Shoukang Palace.

No one would break in except you.

You...

What are you doing here in the middle of the night?

Well, you were hurt last time you sneaked out.

I guess you won’t seek an imperial physician’s help.

This ointment is for your sprain.

Why don’t you try it later?

Your Highness.

No, no, no!

There must be a lot of people out here.

Hurry up!

Get on.

Baoning,

you turned in so early.

Are you uncomfortable?

Grandmother, don’t get close to me.

Yes.

Nothing misses your eyes.

I caught a cold.

So don’t come any closer.

I’m afraid I’ll infect you.

How did the Princess catch a cold?

Pardon me, Your Highness.

Grandmother,

don’t blame them.

It’s me.

I played too long in the cold wind.

But it’s just a cough.

I’ve had Liu Xiaoman get some medicines.

Are you feeling terrible?

No.

I’m just

a little drowsy.

Then get some sleep.

Maybe you’ll be better when you wake up.

Yes.

If it doesn’t get better,

you’ll have to get the chief physician.

Sure.

Qingke, escort my grandmother back.

Yes.

Good night then.

Mm-hmm.

They’re gone.

♪Like the bright remote place♪

♪Like the white frost♪

♪Sway in the morning mist♪

♪Yearn for the warm place in my dream♪

♪The joyful time♪

♪Becomes yellow now♪

♪Lost on the road♪

♪Forgot my direction♪

♪Forgive me for being young and frivolous♪

♪I didn’t know what lovesickness is♪

♪It took me years to appreciate it♪

♪The time we spent together♪

♪Even the fate closes every window♪

♪You are still a beam of light♪

♪I’m facing the light and hope is ahead♪

♪Like it never bloomed♪

♪Even the fate tries to stop us♪

♪I’ll still be here♪

♪Missing you until my hair turns white♪

♪I’ll still comb your hair♪