Original subtitles

♪The spring breeze outside the window moves the stream♪

♪Who is disturbed by the williow catkins?♪

♪You're there when I look back, toying with my heart♪

♪Everything has become an ornament♪

♪A pair of lovebirds are flying under the roof in the drizzling rain♪

♪Whose secrets have drifted to the chamber?♪

♪The night when the moon shines, I'll have a drink with you♪

♪Let's keep each other company for the rest of our lifes♪

♪The mountain and water carry me through my lifetime relationship♪

♪Oh, wind and rain, you're as romantic as spring♪

♪Like the star and the moon, I wish you all well♪

♪Don't think about him, I'm right by your side♪

♪Oh, my dream keeps changing because of you♪

♪I'm still waiting for you to look at me♪

♪It's hard to let go once one falls in love♪

♪My life is not wasted while being with you♪

=Choice Husband=

=Episode 15=

For an eternity their marriage shall last,

to a greater height their offspring shall reach.

With this union, a great love story will be born.

A long and joyful life they will live.

The incense burns

and the candles shine brightly.

The bride and the groom present themselves in this hall.

First bow to heaven and earth.

Second bow to your ancestors.

♪There are many devoted lovers in the mortal world♪

Heaven and earth can attest

my feelings.

I'll never break my promise

to you before our marriage.

♪All I wish is for you to be well♪

♪Don't ask me if this is worth it♪

♪However, love is♪

♪Turning into lovesickness when it deepens into your heart♪

♪Even life and death can't frighten me♪

♪I've been through the good times and bad times♪

Bow to your spouse.

♪There's an unfinished story between you and me♪

♪How am I supposed to continue my life?♪

♪The sun rises and sets, a day has passed♪

Bow to your spouse.

♪And make a vow about you♪

♪I'm willing to be obsessed with you♪

Official Pei.

Bow to your spouse.

If our love is real and unyielding,

there will be no need for any romantic antics.

Wait a few more days for me.

Can you?

♪Don't ask me if this is worth it♪

♪However, love is♪

♪Turning into lovesickness when it deepens into your heart♪

♪Even life and death can't frighten me♪

♪I've been through the good times and bad times♪

♪But the person I've been waiting for is not aware of it♪

♪There's an unfinished story between you and me♪

♪How am I supposed to continue my life?♪

Miss Qin.

Sorry.

We

are not getting married today

or ever.

How dare you!

Why?

Because my heart belongs to someone else.

It is against the social moral

and I was rejected by her too.

But we cannot always have what we want to have.

Therefore,

I do not wish for many things.

As long as I can admire her from afar,

it's more than enough.

If I remarry,

I'm afraid

I'll have to relinquish

this yearning for her.

Official Pei,

defying the edict of marriage warrants a death sentence.

Please reconsider.

What good does

a loveless life do?

I

would rather die.

Has he gone insane?

A marriage mandated by Her Highness.

If he refuses to get married, he is defying Her Highness.

He'll be given a death sentence!

He stays true to his feelings.

I feel sorry for Miss Qin now.

Qin family tried to force this...

Pei Yanzhen, he...

He...

Insolence!

An imperial marriage

is not the subject of your gossip!

Du Xi.

Why are you panicking?

Official Pei has a death wish.

We will grant it.

I am the daughter of the General.

I don't want to force anyone.

Someone!

Miuzhen.

It's a festive day.

Why would you bring arms and blades

here?

My dear cousin.

Pei Yanzhen defied the imperial edict in public.

That brings dishonor to Her Highness and the royal family.

Why are you chastising me?

Since when do we need it to look dignified?

I...

Move now.

Stop.

This is unnecessary.

I have made up my mind.

Lock him up then.

He will be sent to the capital tomorrow

to receive judgment from Her Highness.

Official Pei, come with us.

- Zhen! - Zhen!

♪Don't ask me if this is worth it♪

♪However, love is♪

♪Turning into lovesickness when it deepens into your heart♪

♪Even life and death can't frighten me♪

- Zhen! - Zhen!

♪I've been through the good times and bad times♪

♪But the person I've been waiting for is not aware of it♪

Pei Yanzhen.

Pei Yanzhen.

Miaomiao.

Do not act recklessly.

Let's not stay here.

We'll speak when we're home.

Sir.

After this marriage debacle,

I'm sure you can only proceed upon informing the capital.

We are just

merrymakers.

Perhaps we can leave first?

(Complementing Beauties)

Miaomiao.

I have to see him.

He is now imprisoned.

You won't be able to see him even if you're there.

Pei Yanzhen put up an act of great resistance.

Who knows

what rumors they are spreading now.

If I just watch on

as he is tortured to death

in prison,

the rest will mock the Shen family and me

for our inaction and indifference.

Since when did other people's thoughts

bother you?

Pei Yanzhen is a scholar.

He can't fight at all.

I'm angry because of this injustice.

He can't fight?

Miaomiao.

For three years,

he ignored you and your son.

He humiliated you in public

with your confession at the port.

If he likes you,

why would he hurt you?

And even if we assume

the feelings he expressed today are true,

power is still his utmost priority.

Where do you think you rank in his heart?

Why are you taking risks for him?

Third Master Song.

I admit that it's hard to read his mind.

But all I can think about now

is to save him.

Whether he was referring to me just now

and regardless

of my ranking

in his list of priorities,

I want him to live.

Humans are compassionate.

You know

what I've done for you

and you feel nothing at all?

Miaomiao.

In the past three years,

was there a moment

when you developed some feelings...

No.

Not even some.

Just an ounce of feeling for me?

Third Master Song.

Perhaps I didn't make myself clear.

I am grateful for what you've done

for Xiao and my family.

And if you

are in danger today,

I will sacrifice my life to save you.

But there's only friendship between us.

No romantic feelings.

As for Pei Yanzhen,

perhaps

I do take a liking to him.

Miao.

You can save him

but this is a complicated matter.

I have sent the housekeeper out

to the capital with a few letters to gather intel.

Return to your room first.

(Shen's Residence)

Guard Zhan, I need your help.

Pei Yanzhen is a cautious person.

Did he leave you any instructions?

He did.

You could have told me earlier.

Pei Yanzhen is now in prison.

Qin Miuzhen sure is getting bolder.

She ignored my intervention

and took Pei Yanzhen away.

Once I'm back to the capital,

I'll be sure to report her behavior

so that Mother can punish her.

Say something!

He did leave some instructions but...

- But what? - But what?

He said you could only see it

once the dust settles.

Once the dust settles?

He will have been dead by then

so what's the purpose of seeing it?

I see.

Come with me, Miss Shen.

Miss Shen.

♪Holding hands while watching the falling blossoms in the misty rain♪

♪I'm waiting for the wind and you to share a simple happiness♪

♪People change as years go by♪

♪The bond grows again under the moonlight♪

♪For whom am I waiting this relationship for?♪

♪The tangling love becomes the river under the sky♪

♪The years are long. The night is short. The clear spring wine is warm♪

♪The passing of time goes on and on♪

♪Who plays the zither? How many times the strings have broken?♪

♪How many times did my heart call for you♪

♪Grant me a life where we grow old together♪

♪Who sends the love letter while leaning at the railing♪

♪At the river of lovesickness?♪

♪Grant me happiness for the rest of my life together with you♪

Good boy.

There, there.

All right now.

Miss Shen.

The Qin family is powerful

and has eyes everywhere.

To protect you and your son,

Yanzhen cut himself off from you and feigned indifference.

For three years, he trod carefully

on thin ice,

but he told me to stay in Lingzhou

to protect you and your son.

The Qin family then began targeting the Shen family.

He was forced to grovel to them

because he didn't want you to be harmed.

He planned to dismantle them from the inside.

If he already had a plan,

why did he refuse the marriage

sacrificing his life?

You

already know the answer.

I didn't foresee this either.

He vowed to marry into

the Qin family and dismantle it.

But he forgot

about them all when he saw you.

He must be ready to

face death when he was sent to prison.

He hates to see you

misunderstand his feelings

after his death.

So he said

I could only bring you here

once the dust has settled.

It seems like

we misunderstood him.

If he knows that everything is a trap,

why did he happily walk into it?

He can die without a regret

but what about me?

Does he want me to take my own life

once I learn about this?

How selfish of him.

Well...

What should we do now?

If Yanzhen doesn't have a plan,

then he

will definitely die.

Tell Pei Yanzhen

that he will not have my forgiveness

with all this.

He wants to end it like this

but I will not allow that.

Shen Miao!

Miss Shen.

I came from a modest background of a low-ranked official.

I was selected to enter the palace

and was lucky enough to earn the late emperor's favor.

But soon,

he abandoned me.

Consequently, he didn't like you.

During those years,

we were looked down upon by many others.

Fortunately, First Prince died of the sickness.

Third Prince fell from a tree and passed away.

Sixth Prince went missing.

Your uncle and I

worked hard to fend for ourselves in the imperial court.

That is why

you have your current position.

Have you forgotten?

No, I have not.

Yes, you have.

Pei Yanzhen

refused the marriage

and disrespected the royal family.

He has committed an egregious crime

and should be killed to set an example.

I have sent others to deliver my judgment.

He is to be beheaded

tomorrow noon.

Mother.

Pei Yanzhen is nonetheless the head of a ministry.

He's an important member of the imperial court.

You can't possibly kill him like that.

I'm sure he has a reason

to turn down the marriage.

- So... - Your Majesty.

A good sword is only complete

with a good scabbard.

It is true

that Pei Yanzhen has contributed a lot

to the capital.

And he also returned the power to govern to you.

You want to keep him alive.

Is it because there is more to be done

or because you want my head

and the Qin family's demise?

General Qin!

Enough.

I have made up my mind.

Son.

Do not let one person ruin

the harmony of the royal family.

(Lingzhou Prison)

You have a visitor.

Pei Yanzhen.

If I'm not mistaken,

His Majesty and you planned

to marry Qin Miuzhen first

before dismantling the Qin family from the inside.

But

why would an astute person like you

turn himself in?

How foolish.

Say whatever you want.

Once I'm dead,

please take good care of Miao and her son.

I will do that

with or without your reminder.

The Qin family is the one

stirring up trouble in Zhezhe Tavern.

You are too weak

to fight against them.

Now that I'm jailed,

the Qin family will try to entice you to join them.

I'm about to meet my end.

But before I do that,

I want to work with you one last time.

Go ahead.

I might not agree to it though.

But I know

your feelings towards Shen Miao.

Please be a spy

in the Qin family.

Tell His Majesty what they plan to do and what they are doing.

Only by getting rid of the Qin family,

the Shen family

can be saved.

Thank you.

Pei Yanzhen has committed a huge crime.

No one can visit him.

Sir.

Help yourself to it.

Sir.

I am Official Pei's ex-spouse.

Because of me,

he is stuck in this precarious situation.

I know very well

that seeing him is a luxury for me, sir.

Official Pei is a respectable

and loyal man.

I'll be frank

with you.

Someone told me

that regardless of how much you bribe me,

as long as I refuse your entry,

I will be paid double your bribery.

- So... - Who asked you to do that?

I...

Please, sir.

Third Master Song.

Song Xiyuan?

I...

You can have them all.

A peek.

Just one peek.

He only promised you that,

but he might refuse to deliver it when you actually ask for it.

Do you know how others describe him

outside of Lingzhou?

Petty and stingy.

Besides,

he won't know,

will he?

You think so?

Miaomiao.

I'll ask you again.

Is he worth it?

It's a life nonetheless.

I thought you would give up

if you see him

get married.

We can talk

once I'm back.

(Miaomiao.)

(I won't give up.)

Pei Yanzhen.

Miao.

They...

How can they do this to you?

Sorry.

It's all my fault.

I should have known.

I should have seen it...

Miao.

I don't need your tears

or pity.

I did everything

out of my own volition.

Don't blame yourself

and don't do anything stupid.

I won't blame myself

and I won't do anything stupid.

If you're dead...

If you're dead,

I'll remarry.

My bridal march will sprawl ten lis.

The ceremony will be grander

than yours from yesterday.

Much grander.

Don't be silly now.

Your bride was kidnapped once.

You refused a marriage too.

You have done everything, haven't you?

No.

I didn't defy the edict of our divorce.

I let you remarry. I left you.

All of them

are my regrets.

Miao.

I know you hate me.

You hate me the moment you left

the Pei family.

Not at all.

I hate no one.

But I hate myself.

I hate that I did not defy the edict and resign.

What's the point of saying this now?

Pei Yanzhen.

If you die...

If you die,

I'll never ever forgive you.

Miao.

Don't be sad.

I won't allow it.

Why refuse the marriage? Why defy the edict?

You endured everything for three years.

Can't you just carry on for the rest of your life?

Do you know you'll be dead

if you defy the edict?

And if you're dead,

you'll lose everything.

If I carry on,

you might remarry someone else.

I'd rather die than see that happen.

♪The bond grows again under the moonlight♪

♪Who plays the zither? How many times the strings have broken?♪

♪How many times did my heart call for you♪

Pei Yanzhen.

You can't die.

I won't let you die.

♪At the river of lovesickness?♪

♪Grant me happiness for the rest of my life together with you♪

(Lingzhou Prison) What is so good

about this witch

that Pei Yanzhen is willing to give his life away for her?

Who do you just call a witch?

The guilty will know.

Why are you taking offense?

I'm long acquainted with those slanders.

You're just taking your incompetency out on us,

but it does not affect us in the slightest.

So shut your mouth and accumulate some good merits for yourself.

Say that again.

What are you doing?

Pei Yanzhen has fallen from grace.

Get off your high horse now.

Even if Official Pei is imprisoned, I am still a constable.

I am more than enough for the two of you.

Do you think I'm made of paper?

Stop it.

Miss is still inside.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

(Lingzhou Prison)

Miss...

Miss.

Lvying.

(Lingzhou Prison)

You sure have kept me waiting, Third Master.

Why did you come to me

at this hour, Miss Qin?

I would like

to invite you to spectate the execution with me tomorrow.

He is your betrothed spouse.

You would actually do that?

I do not love Pei Yanzhen.

It's just a marriage of convenience.

The Empress Dowager

once said that you're a man

of precious talents.

No way.

Her Highness wants

us to...

Master Song,

what a humorous joke.

It'd better be a joke.

Otherwise, it would lead me

to think

that you have a penchant for divorced men.

Just one after another.

You're funny, Master Song.

Her Highness said you could do better

than being a mere court purveyor.

After all, it's the lowest among the Four Occupations.

After the death of Pei Yanzhen,

the Qin family can recommend you to the Ministry of Revenue

to take over his spot.

You'll be part of the elite. What do you think?

As long as it's not a marriage, it is negotiable.

But I know very well

that everything comes with a price.

Now, name the price.

You will have to serve the Qin family.

Where have you been?

What happened to you?

How is Xiao?

He's all right.

He couldn't see you the entire day

so he cried a lot.

I just put him to sleep.

Miao.

You should rest early too.

Am I useless?

I can't even save the man I love.

Mother.

Xiao, why are you awake?

Sleep now.

Mother, were you talking about Great-uncle?

They asked me to call him Great-uncle.

But every time you see him, you are beside yourself.

Is this what happens when you love someone?

I won't do it again.

Sleep now.

Do you want to save Yanzhen?

(Silence)

(Solemnity)

I

do not understand why you invited me

to spectate the execution.

Third Master, you are a nobleman in Lingzhou.

Inviting you to spectate this execution

will restore honor to the royal family.

It's almost noon.

We await your order.

Bring that irreverent criminal up here.

Noted.

Bring him up.

Your family sure is cruel. You want to kill him

but why this extra torture?

You will not win the people's heart

by doing this.

I do not need the people's heart.

I want

their fear.

Kneel.

Kneel now, criminal!

I have defied the imperial edict.

I might as well defy this order.

How dare you.

- Official Pei! - Official Pei!

The Qin family is ruthless.

They are always like this.

What a pity. Official Pei is a good man.

Indeed.

She is cold-blooded.

No wonder no man wants her.

Exactly.

Official Pei is a romantic man.

Why would this happen to him?

Official Pei!

- Official Pei. - Official Pei.

Pei Yanzhen of Lingzhou City

defied the edict and turned down the marriage.

Per the Empress Dowager's decision,

he is to be beheaded.

- Official Pei. - Official Pei.

- Official Pei. - Official Pei.

(Miao.)

(May we continue our love in the next life.)

Spare him!

Official Pei!

Official Pei!

- Official Pei. - Official Pei.

Official Pei!

Who dares to interrupt the execution?

Pei Yanzhen.

Pei Yanzhen.

- Are you all right? - Shen Miao.

You would

trespass into the execution arena?

I have the Immunity Token bestowed by the Grand Emperor.

Qin Miuzhen, I'm sure the authority of the Grand Emperor

overwrites the Empress Dowager's.

Nonsense!

I grew up in the capital

and never have I heard of such a token.

Capture

this crazy woman for me now.

Miss Qin.

- Official Pei! - Miss.

Miss.

Stop.

Miuzhen.

Shen Miao is a good friend of mine.

Regardless of the authenticity of the token,

you should still hear her out.

If Brother is here,

he won't force the execution

while ignoring the people's outcry.

- Exactly! - Exactly!

- That's right. - That's right.

- Release Official Pei. - Release Official Pei.

Official Pei is a kind official.

Hear, hear.

Release Official Pei.

- Pei Yanzhen. - Miao.

Pei Yanzhen!

Official Pei!

Wake up.

Pei Yanzhen.

Immunity Token does exist?

I have investigated thoroughly.

The token was given

to the Pei family by the Grand Emperor

because they saved his life.

As they settled in Lingzhou

and their power declined,

it slowly faded out of history.

If it exists,

why didn't he use it earlier?

He suffered in jail for nothing then.

Shen Miao came with the token.

He gave this protective item to the Shen family?

Did lust cloud his judgment?

I think

Pei Yanzhen

has an ulterior motive.

He covets

the fortune of the Shen family?

Either way,

Pei Yanzhen is all battered and bruised.

He won't be able to return to the capital.

(Daqing Gate) (Per His Majesty's imperial edict,)

(Pei Yanzhen challenged the imperial authority)

(and defied the edict.)

(Although he is spared from a death sentence,)

(he is no longer a role model among the officials.)

(Shen's Residence) (His title will be revoked)

(and he will be demoted to commoner.)

(He is to return to his hometown)

(and his residence will be sequestrated.)

(Thus concludes the imperial edict.)

Fly. Fly.

Fly already.

Xiao, if it flies away,

it will never come back.

Are you mad now?

Master Song, you are now an esteemed guest of the Qin family.

Why did you come here?

He isn't.

Xiao, listen to me.

Xiyuan,

how can you be a bad guy

and harm Great-uncle?

Mother and I don't want to see you.

It's your bird.

Take it away.

Let's go.

♪There are many devoted lovers in the mortal world♪

♪It's hard to understand love♪

♪If I have another chance, I won't be late again♪

♪All I wish is for you to be well♪

♪Don't ask me if this is worth it♪

♪However, love is♪

♪Turning into lovesickness when it deepens into your heart♪

♪Even life and death can't frighten me♪

♪I've been through the good times and bad times♪

♪But the person I've been waiting for is not aware of it♪

♪There's an unfinished story between you and me♪

♪How am I supposed to continue my life?♪

♪The moon rises and sets, a day has passed♪

♪I just want to protect you until old ages♪

♪And make a vow about you♪

♪I'm willing to be obsessed with you♪

♪I wish we could be together in our next lifes♪