Original subtitles

♪The tempestuous northern wind, the tempestuous martial arts world♪

♪Blades and bows drawn♪

♪What is youth without bravado?♪

♪With a wave of my hands, the world flows through my fingertips♪

♪Traveling the world with a damsel♪

♪The wind blows, the moon's reflection on the water♪

♪The night has been cut short♪

♪Who there is hiding in the shadow?♪

♪Oh, the long journey. Fate wills if we live or die♪

♪But let's give our shot at this world♪

♪Fight together as two♪

♪Right or wrong, I'll brave the storm, watching as things rise and fall♪

♪Black and White, as the drum sounds, it's for passion and justice♪

♪The fury, the wavering blades♪

♪I catch a glimpse of the divine beauty♪

♪How can we determine if the soul is flawless?♪

♪Let's see who can rule the world♪

=Who Rules The World=

=Episode 22=

There is only one way for you

to become the heir of Lord.

You must make His Lordship become wary of Prince Lanxi.

His Lordship understands the importance of balance above all.

He would never allow his heir

to outshine him.

Your Highness.

I will give Your Highness a sachet

that contains the methods to use against Prince Lanxi.

However, it can only be opened

after he leaves the capital of Yongzhou.

Why?

Your Highness will know when the time comes.

One more thing.

I will need Your Highness to put up a performance with me.

Your Highness,

I have investigated the situation in Liangcheng.

Please take a look.

Liangcheng is located at the borders between Yongzhou and Qingzhou.

It is surrounded by rapid waters too.

It may be a secret military training ground,

but it is occupied by the military commissioner,

Yu Ming, all year round.

Even if a royal decree is issued,

it's hard to say if things will go smoothly.

To control the city,

Yu Ming suggested

that a dam should be built above the rapid rivers.

However, my people have reported

that the progress of the construction had been extremely slow.

It is simply a front.

If Your Highness leaves for Liangcheng,

we'll have to get rid of him first.

Thank you, Mentor.

I made the decision to go to Liangcheng.

No matter how difficult the journey is,

I will have to carry on.

However, the rules

forbid princes

from forming vassal states or leaving the capital.

Have you thought about how you will get there, Your Highness?

The spring tide should be coming soon.

Yu Ming claims he is building the dam.

The spring tide will be our chance.

Your Highness.

Prince Ju went to Yu Wuyuan's residence

right after the court meeting.

However, he didn't stay for long

before he was led out by Yu Wuyuan's servant.

But when he left,

he didn't look happy.

He might have had a fallout with Yu Wuyuan.

Yu Wuyuan left the capital with his servants

right afterward.

He left?

Was he not the mastermind

behind the scheme?

Perhaps he realized he was no match for His Highness

and ran away?

Yu Wuyuan is not someone who admits defeat easily.

There were many loopholes

in the treasury theft case.

It didn't seem like his style.

However, Ju is persistent.

That's why he had no choice but to leave the capital of Yongzhou.

That should be the case.

What will we do about Prince Ju then?

Continue to keep an eye on him.

He won't give up easily.

Yu Wuyuan has left,

but I'm afraid Ju will come up with something else.

Yes, Your Highness.

Sirs.

This is the leader of the Tianshuang Sect,

Bai Jiande.

Like us,

he is a Token Keeper as well.

This is the Head of Escort of the Jiuhai Security Escort of Jizhou,

Zeng Jiuhai.

This is the owner of the Xiangyun Wares of Beizhou,

Qian Henian.

Greetings.

These are the two Token Keepers

that I know.

Token Keepers

are not to meet in secret.

For what reason did you have Master Wang

ask us to come to the capital of Yongzhou?

I am aware of that.

However, something bad has happened,

and I am injured.

That is why I had Master Wang ask both of you to come here.

Sirs.

Please look at this.

T... This token is fake.

It does look incredibly similar to the real thing, however.

Master Bai,

where did you get this?

I acquired it by chance.

Miss Fengxi from Master Bai's sect

once acquired a fake token as well.

It was later handed over to the heir of Lord of Jizhou, Huang Chao.

That means

the token that was robbed

when Prince Huang Chao was escorting it to the Imperial City

was fake too.

Precisely.

Someone is using the fake tokens to stir up chaos.

As Token Keepers,

we know

just how important the Empyrean Token is.

That is why I've been secretly investigating the matter.

I asked

Mr. Fengxi of the Fountain Abode for help.

A few days ago,

he informed me that the Gongye Zhi, an ironsmith

who is also a Token Keeper like us, was missing.

I suspect that he was the one

who forged the fake tokens.

And the person who conspired with him

is very likely

a Token Keeper as well.

This is a grave matter.

Did you ask us to come here

because you suspect us?

No.

I seek your help to assist me in finding out

who else is a Token Keeper.

That will allow me

to solve the case sooner as well.

Please be assured, Master Bai.

We will not sit idly by.

Thank you,

everyone.

Your Highness! It's the first snow!

The first snow!

The first snow?

You mean

this is a suitable scenery to do it?

Your Highness.

The first snow to bring spring and scenery of snow-white.

It's the perfect time for you to confess, Your Highness.

Your Highness,

you don't have to be so nervous.

Think about it.

You've known Miss Fengxi for so long,

and both of you have been through life-and-death situations together.

I'm sure Miss Fengxi harbors feelings for you too.

I don't think

it will be as difficult as you imagine.

Do I look nervous?

Tell me

what you think of me.

Well... Of course, you're a man among men, Your Highness.

You are dashing, remarkable,

and dignified.

You would stand out

even among a sea of people.

Nice flattery.

Your Highness.

If we go by the stories,

this is how it would go...

The first snow of the new year drifts profusely and disorderly.

A beautiful sight indeed.

Are you talking about the snow

or me?

Both.

It's a bit dull

just to gaze at the snow.

Why don't we play a game?

Let's see

which of us can find these three things within the capital of Yongzhou.

The first item.

Something whiter than snow.

The second item.

Something warmer than the furnace in winter.

The third item.

Something colder than the stones buried beneath the snow.

How about it?

Whiter than snow,

warmer than fire,

and colder than stone.

All right.

You're on.

Don't be a sore loser if I win.

Of course.

What?

Are you already trying to cheat?

No.

I have already won.

I know.

You must have already prepared the three items,

right?

Show them to me.

What I am looking for

is right

before me.

I will always be by her side.

It's you.

Well, tell me

how I am whiter than snow.

Even amidst the falling snow,

your plain robes

stand out.

Naturally, you are whiter than the snow.

Why am I warmer than a furnace, then?

♪I hope to see you when the next spring arrives♪

It's your gaze.

You try your best

to restrain it,

but I can still sense your feelings.

Your feelings

are warmer than the fire.

♪The Moon can't find blames in the stars♪

♪The fluttering is easily shown♪

♪But not as intense as I've known♪

Why is your face so hot?

Was I wrong?

Since you claim that my gaze is piercingly hot,

how am I colder than stone then?

♪Yet the beauty of your eyes cannot be matched♪

The beauty stands

in the snow,

yet her lips are sealed.

♪The chaos of this land shall not be forgotten♪

I'm sure her lips must be cold, and that's why she finds it hard

to express her feelings.

♪The glow in your eyes lights up my day♪

One cannot expect a lady

to make the first move.

♪Whether in memories forgotten, or uncertainties of future♪

♪With your hand in mine, we shall weather through the changes♪

So I did.

♪Even with the love forsaken, the right and wrong obsessions♪

♪The glow in your eyes lights up my day♪

If you do that,

you will surely win her heart.

Why are you still standing here?

Go on.

Invite her over.

Right away.

Qiwu, Qingzhou's hot pot

is the perfect dish to have

on a cold day like this.

I've heard that Qingzhou's hot pot is

particularly spicy.

I'm used to a light diet.

I don't dare to try this.

This boiling pot of red soup

can be intimidating,

but it has a nice name.

"To Dine On Dusk."

Back then,

people loved to gather their friends

to drink wine and share a meal together.

They could choose whatever they liked and enjoy it with wine.

A wonderful time, indeed.

After that, they would recite poetry about the resplendent sight

of the afterglow of the sunset and the river beneath it.

That is how the name came to be.

You

should put words into action

and give it a try yourself.

Come on.

Try it.

What do you think?

Isn't it spicy and satisfying?

Drink some liquor. Hurry.

What do you think about the aftertaste?

When it first enters my mouth,

I taste how spicy it is.

I can't feel anything else but the spice.

However, there's a lingering fragrance.

It is a unique taste.

This hot pot broth is made

from a stir-fried mix of chili peppers,

peppercorn, and beef.

That is what it tastes like.

Miss Feng.

You know so much about Qingzhou's hot pot.

Are you from Qingzhou?

Of course.

Feng is the national surname of Qingzhou.

Qingzhou must be a place

where heroines are born indeed.

First, there was Lord Feng, the founder,

then came Princess Xiyun,

and now we have you, Miss Feng.

How enviable.

What's there to envy?

All three

of us

were only doing

what we wanted to do.

I believe everyone

should be equal in this world.

Especially men and women.

Everyone should be able

to do what they want to do.

That goes for you too, Qiwu.

What you just said

calls for a toast.

Here.

Oh, right. Qiwu,

let's dress up as men

and go horse riding in the wild

and patronize the courtesan houses someday.

Let's not let ourselves be bound by the constraints they place on women.

All right!

Your Highness.

Miss Fengxi wasn't at the residence.

Where did she go?

Miss Fengxi spent the entire day with Minister Feng.

The whole day?

The servants of Minister Feng's residence said

they left early in the morning.

They browsed the streets,

had Qingzhou-style hot pot,

and went to watch an opera performance in the afternoon.

She only returned after dinner.

Well, she sure had an exciting day.

Don't be troubled, Your Highness.

Even if today didn't work out,

there are still other chances.

If necessary, we still have the Lantern Festival,

Double Seventh Festival, and the Mid-autumn Festival.

I mean,

apart from these festivities,

we can also create the atmosphere ourselves.

You're right. How could I forget?

Do we still have fireworks?

Fireworks?

Yes.

A firework setting is a tactic in novels too.

Tomorrow,

invite her over again.

Miss Feng.

Zhong Li.

Miss Feng,

His Highness invites you to have dinner tonight

at the House of Jade.

Did he need to see me about something?

I have plans today.

If it's just a meal,

could we do it on another day?

You'll know when you get there.

His Highness appeared anxious.

All right. Got it.

Do remember. A quarter after seven in the evening.

I will.

Miss,

you've been smiling

more often.

Really?

Yes.

You've changed quite a bit

ever since you met Miss Fengxi.

Now,

I can understand

what His Highness sees in her.

It's a pity Miss Fengxi is a member of the martial arts world.

If His Highness were to marry her,

I fear...

It might be a problem

if it was someone else.

But if it's her,

I'm certain

neither His Highness

nor Miss Feng

will be stopped.

What about you, miss?

I can only serve

His Highness as a subject in this life.

To compare myself to her

would be to give myself unnecessary trouble.

What is troubling you, Qiwu?

You're here,

Fengxi.

You didn't forget about the promise

we made yesterday, did you?

Let's go out.

I remember our promise.

Xiao.

Prepare three sets of men's attire.

Yes, miss.

Once I get changed and dress up like a man,

I will look as if I am the handsome Pan An.

I hope you won't fall for me

when you see how good I look.

All right.

I will be sure to enjoy and appreciate your looks.

Hurry.

Put it there.

- All right. - Yes.

And you!

Hurry!

Put it over there.

Yes. There's still space there.

Yes, sir.

Quickly!

Your Highness.

Everything is ready.

We're just waiting for Miss Fengxi.

Have you prepared the fireworks?

Of course.

Later,

you need only hold her hand,

and I will set off the fireworks

as planned.

May Your Highness' wishes

come true.

Go and find out

where she is right now.

Understood.

How could you bring my lady to a place like this,

Miss Fengxi?

Don't worry, Miss Xiao.

Nothing will happen

with me here.

Come in, sirs.

Lead the way.

Let's go.

Please have a seat.

Yesterday, the first snow graced the capital...

What's going on here?

Miss Shao Yin has decided on the theme...

They are here

to attend the recital held by Miss Shao Yin.

The winner

will earn the right to spend the night with her.

Please enjoy.

Thank you.

The black tiles stand out

against the white-covered ground.

The cold breeze sends chills.

A partner to share warmth would be a delight.

Miss Shao Yin says

this poem

is a bit too plain and simple.

Fengxi,

what do you think about this poem?

It's as if he is speaking in colloquial language.

It's just like

saying

this pastry is dry.

Feathers of white descend from the skies,

gently landing upon the branches blooming with plum blossoms.

I wish to collect them for you,

but I cannot leave the furnace unattended.

Miss Shao Yin says

that this poem

is average.

It is much better than the previous one, though.

However, while your diction is flowery,

most of them come from late poets.

One mustn't pass off other's work as their own.

In that case,

please recite your poem, sir.

All right.

When I open the windows, I am greeted by a flurry of white.

I ponder if spring has come early.

The streets are filled with laughter

as the young and old make merry in the snow.

- Marvelous. - A wonderful poem.

The streets are filled with laughter

as the young and old make merry in the snow.

Feng...

Mr. Feng.

You've given life to a snowy night.

Sir,

Miss Shao Yin invites you to her chambers.

Just like that?

There are many other gentlemen who haven't recited their poems.

Sir.

Your poem

has convinced me.

Go on,

Sir.

Every moment of pleasure is priceless.

It is almost seven.

Seven?

Do remember. A quarter after seven in the evening.

(His Highness appeared anxious.)

Oh, no.

Qiwu, we have to go.

Hurry.

Wait.

Is my beauty not up to your standards, Sir?

Is that why you are so eager to leave?

Your Highness!

Your Highness.

How is it? Is she here?

Not yet.

Did something happen?

I searched around

and found out that Miss Fengxi and Minister Feng

had dressed up as men

and entered the Xiangle Parlor.

They haven't come out since.

Xiangle Parlor?

Wait here.

I'll go and find her.

Your Highness!

You can think little of us,

but you can't slight Miss Shao Yin.

I am not.

However, I do have urgent matters to attend to.

Please understand, Miss.

If that's the case,

why did you come to the recital?

Did you not come for me?

I did not.

However, you valued talents

over materials.

I admire your character,

and that is why I joined the recital.

I had no other reason.

If I had,

I would've prioritized the wrong things

and let your intentions go to waste.

I was able to please you

with my poem

and added an extra flair to tonight's recital.

That is enough for me.

It is enough to find a kindred spirit through an exchange of poetry.

You are truly a distinguished character, Sir.

I've learned something new from you.

Sir,

the recital is over.

Please come again tomorrow.

Hold on.

What is the meaning of this?

You ought to give Miss Shao Yin

an explanation at least.

- Indeed. - That's right.

Give her an explanation.

Move.

So many strange things happened today.

First, he won the recital, but he won't share the night with Miss Shao Yin.

And now, this?

I often see wives coming here to fetch their husbands,

but it's my first time seeing a man come

to get another man.

Don't tell me...

Since he has left,

let's call it a night.

Miss Shao Yin.

Miss Shao Yin.

Let's leave.

Your Highness!

Black Foxy.

Your Highness!

Black Foxy, listen to me!

Your Highness!

Qiwu!

Your Highness, if you have to punish someone,

punish me!

Miss!

You're too concerned.

His Highness would not make things difficult for Miss Fengxi.

Let us return to our residence.

Black Foxy, hear me out.

You have to let me explain!

I know I was at fault.

I shouldn't have dressed up as a man

and gone out.

It's not about that.

I know.

I shouldn't have brought Qiwu along.

That's not it either.

I got it.

It's because I didn't show up on time, right?

That is my mistake,

but...

(I am angry because you did not take my words to heart.)

Don't stay mad.

Let's have a drink.

What has gotten into you, Black Foxy?

I've already waited for so long.

Why would I mind waiting longer?

What was that?

Speak louder.

I waited a long time in the mountains

to hunt a grizzly bear.

Oh, I wondered what was bothering you.

You need techniques when it comes to hunting bears.

For instance,

a bear runs by in a swish before you.

- I'm talking about you! - You need to pull...

Not about a bear!

You're the one who brought up the bear.

I'm giving you ideas here.

Didn't I tell you

the mastermind

might be targeting the Sacred Jade Moon?

They might be lurking in the dark, waiting to ambush us.

But you still went out without a second thought.

What if something happens to you?

The brothel is messy and filled with all sorts of characters.

Aren't you afraid of running into danger?

Do you pay attention

to the things I say?

You yelled at me.

- I... - Did you just yell at me?

Even if I did something wrong,

how could you raise your voice to me?

I...

Have you ever considered my pride?

You didn't.

I did feel a little guilty.

But I've lost all sense of guilt

after what you did!

Reflect on yourself properly.

No...

Now, do you know what you did wrong?

They held hands! Hurry!

Launch the fireworks!

You're sly.

I almost fell for it.

- I... - You...

♪If you're devoted to love♪

♪Moonlight greets you as you lift your head♪

♪Memory floods you as you lower your head♪

♪If you're devoted to a life of wandering♪

♪Clouds and mist, you will cast away♪

♪With a tearful eye, you gaze upon the stars♪

♪Unforgettable freedom♪

This isn't some gentleman's attempt

to confess, right?

This trope you see in novels

is overused.

It won't work.

Not a chance.

So cliched.

Leave!

Don't bother me!

Your Highness.

These

are all the novels I've accumulated over the years.

Please handle them with care.

Got it.

I see you read all kinds of stories.

(The Golden Lotus) This Golden Lotus...

That isn't appropriate, Your Highness.

It's not suitable.

Why do you need these books?

She thought the fireworks were cliche.

I'm trying to find inspiration

from these stories.

Haven't they always said

that one would come to grasp the meaning the more they read?

I thought Your Highness gave up.

Is that the type of man I am?

Your Highness, you're sincere in your pursuit.

I'm sure your confession

will succeed this time.

Miss Fengxi,

I've just about taken all your pieces.

Are you sure you want to carry on?

Why not just tell me

what's on your mind?

Qiwu.

I went back and thought about

what happened that night.

Did Black Foxy prepare those fireworks?

You finally realized.

So...

He wanted to...

If my guess is right,

His Highness

intended to express his feelings for you that day.

This trope you see in novels

is overused.

It won't work.

Not a chance.

So cliched.

But...

But?

Do you not like him?

I didn't say that.

But he has

a lot of flaws.

For example,

he...

is calculative.

He needs to ponder over everything before he does something.

Also,

he is overbearing.

He needs to be in control of everything at all times.

He is cold and distant as well.

He behaves as if everyone owes him.

In short, he is...

one of a kind

in this world.

Why do you chuckle?

Am I wrong?

Do you know

your eyes were filled with glee

when you spoke of his flaws?

People like to gaze at the stars

when the night is dark.

You look at the stars

not only because they glow,

but also because

you can never see them clearly.

I know.

I understand.

I am aware of my own feelings.

But these things

are all about timing.

Besides, last night, he didn't...

Your heart has been swayed.

Do you remember

how we went out together

on the day of the first snow,

and His Highness looked for you all day?

He only found out

you had gone out with me later on.

I've already waited for so long.

Why would I mind waiting longer?

I waited a long time in the mountains

to hunt a grizzly bear.

You're the bear.

What did you say?

Nothing.

Well, I can't exactly bring it up first, right?

Let me ask you this then.

What if His Highness

expresses his feelings again?

Zhong Li,

go and tell Bai Fengxi

that I would like to ask her to go out

for the Lantern Festival with me.

Yes, Your Highness.

(Chancellor Ren's Residence, Yongzhou)

Sir, Miss Huan is asking to see you.

Huan?

Let her in.

Yes, Sir.

Official Ren.

I have something to ask of you.

Huan,

what are you doing?

Get up.

Did something happen to His Highness?

Recently, I learned that Miss Fengxi

was a skilled martial artist,

and His Highness has known her for many years now.

She will probably join

His Highness' household soon.

I know His Highness has fallen for her,

but she has already distracted His Highness

and caused him to lose his focus before she married him.

His Highness has lost all calmness and composure.

If she does marry...

Enough.

His Highness' affairs

are not something a court lady like you

can speculate about.

The late Queen told me to take good care

of His Highness before she passed away.

I dare not go against her wishes.

You think too much.

A royal decree is needed

for His Highness to take her as his wife.

It's not something His Highness can decide on his own either.

But the entire residence now knows

that His Highness wishes to marry a woman of the martial arts world.

I've been serving His Highness since he was young.

I know him the best.

If His Highness decides that she is the one for him,

he will marry her

no matter what stands in his way.

That is why

I ask that you go to her residence

and meet with her master in private.

Dissuade her from doing so.

If we take drastic measures to deal with this problem,

the fire in His Highness

will be extinguished someday.

No.

I can't do such a thing behind His Highness' back.

Just earlier,

I've already sent a formal request for a visit

to Bai Jiande under your name.

He is probably

waiting for you at the Pagoda Tree Estate now.

How dare you!

You are reckless and insolent!

I am at fault.

However,

you were there

when the late Queen said her dying wishes.

I would do anything

for His Highness.

But what about you? Would you do the same?

A loyal subject

is one who dares to criticize and advise their masters

even if it upsets them, right?

Greetings, Chancellor Ren.

Greetings, Master Bai.

I'm sorry I didn't welcome you earlier.

Please excuse me, Chancellor Ren.

I've heard that the Tianshuang Sect

is the leader of the righteous sects.

You've given His Highness

a lot of help as well.

Yet, I only came to see you today.

I should be the one asking for forgiveness, Master Bai.

You're too polite, Chancellor Ren.

Please have a seat.

What brings you here today,

Chancellor Ren?

To tell you honestly,

I came

to discuss the matter of Miss Fengxi.

Xi?

I've heard of the matter

between His Highness and Miss Fengxi.

The Tianshuang Sect may be renowned,

but it is still a sect of the martial arts world.

It would be difficult for Miss Fengxi

to marry His Highness.

Moreover,

I heard she is used

to a carefree life.

I believe

she wouldn't take well to the lifestyle of the royal family.

So you want me

to help separate them.

♪Like the dissipating fog, you become clearer♪

♪Like the hawk that soars freely, you reject the shackles♪

♪Your white silk is as light as a feather and yet it moves my heart♪

♪Ripples come at me but I don't want to dodge♪

♪Wind is just the outline of the cloud♪

♪Black is the lock of the White♪

♪Night is when the Day sleeps♪

♪You are a part of me♪

♪Right or wrong, don't worry about the why♪

♪Pain or joy, they are from our obsession♪

♪If some things cannot be taken apart♪

♪Then let's face the uncertainty together♪

♪Let tears run dry♪

♪Let's stop in another place♪

♪Let love sever all happiness and sadness♪

♪And pierce through the vicissitude of life♪

♪With a merry start, don't worry about a sorrowful end♪

♪A full moon will be more intertwined♪

♪If some things cannot be taken apart♪

♪Then let's face the uncertainty together♪

♪Then let's face the uncertainty together♪