Original subtitles

I had a very strange dream.

- Demon Queen, Demon Queen. - Demon Queen, Demon Queen.

Demon Queen, Demon Queen.

Demon Queen! [Peace and Prosperity | East Gate]

She deserves it!

Overthrow the Demon Queen!

Demon Queen! Demon Queen!

An unfamiliar woman on the city tower

seemed to be inextricably linked with me.

I couldn't see her clearly,

but she seemed to notice me.

It even seemed that her gaze could pierce right through me.

Timing and Subtitles brought to you by 🕒 The Time Travelers 🕒 Team @Viki.com

[An Ancient Love Song] [Episode 1]

A Knowledge Zone's vlogger, Setting Sun, famous for his interesting stories about the Nine Kingdoms, [History of the Nine Kingdoms in Ten Minutes | The Legendary Tiger and Leopard Battalion | The Secret History of Lu Yuan]

has mysteriously disappeared for more than four months. [Setting Sun | Level 6 | Super Annual Subscription Member]

The fans urging for updates have different opinions about his whereabouts.

But Setting Sun has vanished into thin air, leaving no trace. [The Secret History of Lu Yuan]

Remember to like, comment, and subscribe.

I will make a thorough analysis for you.

It all started from the argument he had with the chief editor

at the new book promotion event of the "History of the Southern Sheng Dynasty"

four months ago.

All right, Editor-in-Chief Lin. [History of the Southern Sheng Dynasty | New Book Promotion Event]

I don't expect you to care much about the book, "History of the Southern Sheng Dynasty."

But can I ask you to at least

print Lu Yuan's name correctly? [Demon Queen Lu Yuan]

It should be the "Yuan" referring to the hawk flying in the sky. (The other "Yuan" refers to the Mandarin Duck)

My apologies for the oversight.

Our intern made a small mistake.

I'm really sorry.

Isn't it just a typo?

You made it sound like a big deal.

You are always so inflexible.

Editor-in-Chief Lin, I think we should have a serious talk about the future direction.

Let's talk about it later.

I am leaving now. I still have something to do.

- See you, Xiaoxue. - Goodbye, Editor-in-Chief Lin.

Mr. Shen, were you angry just because of a typo?

Maybe you also think Lu Yuan was not a demon queen who brought disaster to her country?

Elderly Madam, I only judge based on the circumstances of the matter itself.

Writing someone's name correctly shows basic respect.

But evidences suggest Empress Lu murdered the virtuous prime minister, [History of the Southern Sheng Dynasty]

undermined imperial power, and lived an extravagant life that emptied the treasury.

Based on what she did throughout her life, the title of Demon Queen is certainly well deserved.

That's probably what people want to believe.

Are you so sure about it, Mr. Shen?

I've always paid attention to the truth rather than personal feelings.

I heard that this ancient tree is effective, especially for marriage.

Even if a couple fails to have a happy ending in this life, they'll be able to continue their love in the next life.

Why would we not have a happy ending?

Make a wish.

It is a custom passed down from the Nine Kingdoms period.

Come on, beautiful girl, make a wish.

One wish for five yuans.

Mr. Shen, do you want to make a wish too?

No, I don't believe in these things.

Elderly Madam,

where did you get these pieces of broken jade?

Mr. Shen, are you interested?

There's always a cause that results in a consequence. [Qing Dynasty Calligrapher Zheng Banqiao: There is no need for a large room for it to be elegant; there is no need for a big number of flowers for them to be fragrant]

How is it possible that I dreamed of the jade pendant before I saw it?

[Editor-in-Chief Lin]

Editor-in-Chief Lin, I overreacted today.

No worries.

Focus on the sequel of the "History of the Southern Sheng Dynasty."

What?

A television company contacted me saying they wanted to buy the filming rights to the "History of the Southern Sheng Dynasty."

They think the Demon Queen Lu Yuan, the virtuous prime minister Li Yong, and the God of War Lu Shi [Demon Queen Lu Yuan | Virtuous Prime Minister Li Yong | God of War Lu Shi]

are characters very suitable for a TV drama.

They just want you to write a trilogy and film the series together.

Editor-in-Chief Lin, I told you there are limited historical materials of the Southern Sheng period.

There are only a few unearthed pages of the Imperial Daily Notes.

I really can't write more about it.

If you can't write about it, you can just make it up.

You are not writing a textbook.

As long as the characters are well written, who cares about whether it is based on history?

Make it up?

Why can't you make up stories when there are limited relics?

Don't forget about the clauses in the contract.

If you break the contract, you won't be paid a single penny.

You'll even need to pay the penalty for breaking the contract.

Then I'll pay. Anyway, I don't need this money.

Shen Buyan, no matter what, I'm making it clear today.

I must release the sequel of the "History of the Southern Sheng Dynasty."

If you won't write it, I'll find a writer to make it up.

If you insist on violating the contract, I'll suspend your Bilibili account.

Am I... dreaming again?

Who is there?

The Tiger and Leopard Battalion of the Great Sheng?

Quick, catch him!

- What's happening? - Don't let him get away!

The Tiger and Leopard Battalion is an army formed by the God of War, Lu Shi.

It's swift as a leopard and ferocious as a tiger.

He ran over there!

Hurry, this way!

- Catch him! - That way!

Don't let him get away!

Where am I?

The Royal Study in the Great Sheng's palace.

Imperial Daily Notes?

With the full version of the Imperial Daily Notes, I'll be able to write the sequel of the "History of the Southern Sheng Dynasty."

Imperial Daily Notes, Imperial Daily Notes.

Imperial Daily Notes, Imperial Daily Notes.

Imperial Daily Notes.

[Imperial Daily Notes]

[Book of Piety]

Who are you?

Don't be afraid, Young Master.

It's me, Yi Hua.

Yi Hua?

My Lady said, if you come, you will definitely come here first.

I'm here to pick you up.

Lady? Who is your Lady?

Let's get on our way.

Where to?

To meet My Lady.

She has been waiting for you for a long time.

What about that book? [Imperial Daily Notes]

About your urgent matter at hand, My Lady said there is no answer to be found in the Imperial Daily Notes.

She has the answer.

Let's go.

Miss Yi Hua, I am sorry for your loss.

The deceased probably wouldn't want to see you grieving for a lifetime.

How did you know?

There are numerous infatuated people in Southern Sheng.

They would wear mourning clothes for their deceased loved ones for over ten years.

I see.

May you also not disappoint the one who loves you.

You are here.

I have been waiting for you for a long time.

Are we acquainted?

Not now,

but we will later on.

- What are you doing? - What are you doing?

Demon Queen, Lu Yuan.

How do you know it's me?

Your maid brought me over from the Royal Study unstopped along the way.

I could tell that her master boasts a high position.

I heard that Emperor Yuanqi favored only one person and stayed away from other concubines for her.

I see you are well dressed.

You can show up here in a dignified manner.

So you must be the Demon Queen, Lu Yuan.

Don't come near.

You may leave, Yi Hua.

I don't care what you want to do, I want to get out of here.

It's the first time you meet me. Are you going to kill me?

What are you doing?

If I really want to hurt you, you won't be my match. Isn't that right?

Imperious and domineering.

You are indeed the Demon Queen.

Yi Hua, what time is it?

It's the Hour of Xu. (Dusk: 7 pm to 9 pm)

Young Master Shen, we are running out of time.

I know you have a lot of doubts.

How about we make a deal?

Do three tasks for me, and I will answer your three questions truthfully in return.

If she can answer my questions, I'll be able to write more about the History of the Southern Sheng Dynasty.

Young Master Shen, don't worry.

The three tasks conform to morality and are within your capabilities.

Do I have a choice?

Yes, you do.

If you are unwilling—

No, I mean, how about I do a few more tasks for you and you answer a few more questions for me?

Only three tasks, and only three questions.

Fine.

How do you know my surname is Shen?

What exactly is the Demon Queen scheming?

The first task she asked me to do is to... change clothes!

I didn't expect such a realistic wig in ancient times.

Do you need help?

No.

I am a grown-up. I can change clothes on my own.

This Demon Queen is really weird.

How did she know my size?

Imperial Mother.

Could this be Lu Yuan's adoptive son,

Chu Tongchang, the future Emperor Shengwu, who would rule the Nine Kingdoms in the future?

By the way, why don't I see Emperor Yuanqi?

The Great Sheng's city defense map.

[Purple Light Hall]

Prime Minister, you are soft-hearted after all. You spared the emperor's life.

With this city defense map, Great Sheng is already in Northern Lie's pocket.

With this city defense map as a gift, Northern Lie will definitely treat you well, Prime Minister.

There are many visitors on the night of the Shangsi Festival. It's a great time for us to get out of the capital.

Today is the Shangsi Festival.

I have prepared a gift for you.

It is the gold wire armor sent by a tributary state.

Remember to try it on when you go back.

They appear to have a good relationship.

Why did Chu Tongchang overthrow Lu Yuan when he grew up?

The Demon Queen must be so outrageous that even her adoptive child abandoned her.

Come out if you've changed clothes.

Why should I obey you?

Never mind.

I should hurry up and ask the three questions.

The collar is crooked.

Tell me what else you want me to do. Tell me all at once.

Come and eat.

Is it the second task?

Empress, I don't have time to joke with you. I have a lot of questions for you.

Don't worry.

There is no poison.

Fine.

Your task is simple, but my questions are much harder.

Of course.

So many dishes.

Is it a special day today?

The third month of spring, Shangsi Festival.

They are seasonal home-cooked dishes.

Home-cooked dishes?

What is this dish?

Eggs boiled with shepherd's purse.

Shepherd's purse harvested in the third month can get rid of spring fever.

I think I recall reading about this custom in a book.

You can't just read about it, you have to eat it.

Here.

How is the taste?

The cuisine in the palace is indeed excellent.

Of course.

Empress, what kind of person are you?

I-I'm asking solely for research purposes.

What is the matter?

It takes just a meal to win you over?

You don't think of me as the Demon Queen anymore?

My Lady, there are only two hours left.

It's the Shangsi Festival today. There must be many visitors outside.

Transmit my order.

Declare a curfew throughout the capital.

A curfew?

Yes.

What are you doing?

Young Master, would you like to go on a tour with me?

The third task?

If there are outsiders around, do not take off this mask.

Reporting.

Commander Zhao, Prime Minister, something bad happened.

Speak.

The empress has ordered a citywide curfew.

The city is empty now.

We probably have nowhere to hide.

A curfew...

Let's split our forces and leave the city.

The assassins are standing by.

How about we get rid of Empress Lu?

Where is she now?

She is sightseeing at the Shangsi Festival with a handsome man.

[Zhong Tower]

Mother, I want to go out and play.

Come back now. Don't you want to stay alive?

Empress, you certainly have a grand style.

You ordered a citywide curfew to meet your personal desires.

On the night of the Shangsi Festival, there are only you and me on such a wide street.

Isn't it nice?

Have you considered the feelings of the people?

This capital doesn't belong to you alone.

Then you can treat me like an ordinary person tonight.

I hope to be an ordinary person in my next life.

I'll experience all the trivial pursuits and be a carefree person.

I don't want to be an empress, ever again.

Why?

Think twice. This is your first question.

Am I allowed to ask the three questions now?

Sure.

It's still the same question.

Why?

There are many regrets in the world,

but you have to comply with your destiny.

What regrets?

My regret is I didn't celebrate the Shangsi Festival with someone.

Who is that person?

Is this the third question?

The third question.

You will know next time.

You agreed to answer my questions.

Why do you renege?

I am the Demon Queen, who is imperious and domineering.

I do whatever I want.

I just had a good impression of you.

I even praised you a little. Why do you behave like this now?

As I see it, your reputation as a Demon Queen is by no means unfounded.

What are you doing?

This is the custom of the Shangsi Festival in Great Sheng.

Dew on willow branches can help get rid of disasters.

I don't celebrate festivals.

Such stuff does not mean anything to me.

It will be.

The ritual is complete.

Since I kept you company for this tour

and let you do the ritual to rid disasters,

is this considered celebrating the Shangsi Festival?

Yes.

Then, can I leave after succeeding in my task as a substitute?

When I asked you questions, you gave me ambiguous answers.

So I'll have to find the answers by myself,

Go ahead then.

I'm seriously leaving.

I'm leaving and I'm not coming back.

I know.

My Lady, it's three quarters of the Hour of Hai. (9 pm - 11 pm)

We are out of time.

Let's go.

What am I thinking?

By treating me to a meal and taking a walk with me, she is not the Demon Queen anymore?

I have to be objective.

Objective...

The third day in the third month...

Could it be the third day of the third month, in the fifteenth year of Emperor Yuanqi?

The Yuanqi Coup!

Demon Queen Lu Yuan is going to hunt down the virtuous Prime Minister Li Yong tonight.

Reporting! Li Yong divided his troops into four groups and fled the city.

Divided troops into four groups.

This man is really cunning.

Empress, which way shall we pursue?

No, I have to find a way to save this virtuous prime minister.

If he is leaving the city...

The North Gate. The North Gate leads directly to Northern Lie.

But there are also many defenders in the Tiger and Leopard Battalion.

Li Yong can't take the risk.

The West Gate?

To go through the West Gate, he needs to pass through the enemy territory of Western Rong.

The route out of the South Gate has many mountainous roads, which means more effort for less gain.

The East Gate.

Empress, are you sure?

The East Gate leads to a waterway.

Li Yong is good at water works and navigation.

The East Gate. I'm sure.

Empress, the water...

Fan Laobie, stop wasting time. Listen to the Empress.

Everyone from the Tiger and Leopard Battalion, listen to my order.

Follow me to catch the traitor Li Yong!

Yes!

Kill them all. Don't leave any of them alive.

Yes!

Prime Minister Li, don't kill me.

- Open the door. - Yes.

Is this the Li Yong I know?

Prime Minister, as soon as we are out of the city, someone will meet up with us.

Prime Minister!

Prime Minister!

Li Yong, you colluded with the enemy and betrayed the country. The evidence is irrefutable.

Surrender now!

Lu Yuan?

A'Yuan, your wisdom and judgment are beyond my imagination sometimes.

But when it comes to the situation of the Nine Kingdoms, why can't you see clearly?

Right now, Northern Lie and Western Rong are pressing us at the borders.

If we don't take the initiative to submit and seek peace,

should we wait until they reach Jiangdu (the capital) and destroy Great Sheng?

A weak country can only survive by being a subordinate.

What a great talk on being a subordinate to survive!

You are inviting the wolf into the house for our own ruin.

Do you really think that I don't know what benefits Northern Lie has promised you?

What you just said are all mere excuses.

Lu Yuan hunts down Li Yong because he wants to defect to the enemy and commit treason.

A'Yuan, you and I have had a deep relationship for years.

Are you so ruthless as to kill me?

Li Yong, you are not qualified to call me by my childhood name.

Tongchang!

Li Yong, let him go!

Imperial Mother. Imperial Mother!

Taking someone else's child as a hostage?

How despicable!

Empress, do you really think I don't know the true identity of your adoptive son?

You think you have the strength to fight me,

so you took him into the palace as your adoptive son.

I allowed it and didn't harm him.

That's because I knew on the outset

that if you and I confront each other like this someday, he would be your fatal weakness.

Li Yong!

All of you, back off!

He stole the city defense map of the Great Sheng. We can't withdraw!

Empress, what do we do?

Back off, all of you!

Everyone, back off.

Back off!

Why is this different from the history that I learned?

Why do I feel that the losing party would be Lu Yuan?

No way.

Let him go!

Prime Minister, kill the child to avoid future troubles.

No, wait. Wait a moment.

Everyone, don't get agitated. Don't get agitated. Allow me to say a few words.

Who are you?

Prime Minister Li, are you not being naive?

Do you know who you're talking to?

Can you survive by being a subordinate?

A country as ferocious as Northern Lie will only use the small countries to feed its own aggressions.

To depend on it is like feeding oneself to a tiger.

Once they obtain the surrender agreement and the city defense map,

they will enter the capital on the pretext of repressing a coup.

What use will you be at that time?

Why would they fulfill their promises to you?

Have we not seen enough of such historical events?

What nonsense are you talking about?

Prime Minister, Northern Lie is totally sincere to you.

You mean you'll sincerely kill him when he becomes useless?

Nonsense!

It's you again.

Me again?

Timing and Subtitles brought to you by 🕒 The Time Travelers 🕒 Team @Viki.com