Original subtitles

♪By the riverside♪

♪I sow a seed of karma♪

♪Forlorn fates intertwine♪

♪Written in the stars♪

♪Should your passion smolder out♪

♪Will you give up on your ideal world?♪

♪Our past can only be entrusted to memories♪

♪I'm mooning over you♪

♪Amidst loneliness♪

♪Berthed in sleepless nights♪

♪You're my desire♪

♪That teems underneath♪

♪I'm drowned in your beautiful eyes♪

♪I'm mooning over you♪

♪Next to the Three-life Stone♪

♪I cross the Bridge of Forgetfulness♪

♪Gazing at moonlit nights♪

♪The moon appears brighter because of you♪

♪Leaning against the tower, it returns my gaze♪

♪Gazing at moonlit nights♪

♪The moon appears brighter because of you♪

♪Leaning against the tower, it returns my gaze♪

[The Legend of Anle] [Adapted from a novel by Xing Ling]

[Episode 10]

This hand is so long and bony.

Yuanshu?

What do you want with me so early in the morning?

Ren Anle.

I can't hold my drink well.

I hope you won't be mad at me

if I was disrespectful after getting drunk yesterday.

You disappointed me

last night.

If you'd

crossed the line a little,

I wouldn't have to work so hard

to be the Crown Princess.

What's that supposed to mean?

What do I mean?

I came here for that.

Ren Anle.

With your talent,

will you

create a prosperous world with me if possible?

Just like the Founding Emperor

and the head of the Di family.

Your Highness.

There will never be another

Founding Emperor Han and Di Shengtian.

I was talking nonsense.

Anle.

I think

we should discuss

where the river workers and the internal ledger went.

That's the crown prince I admire,

who also

hands all the problems to me.

(Han Ye and Ren Anle successfully passed the first round.)

We should

pave the way for them next.

Yes, and it's the right time now.

Qianyue Pavilion looked into Jiangnan

and found out Zhong Liwen is good at bribery and blackmail.

Records of corruption are kept in an internal ledger.

We investigated the internal ledger before.

But because Zhong Liwen was too careful

and Jiangnan isn't our territory,

we had trouble succeeding.

Sir, don't worry.

We have a lead on the lotus silver pendant.

The pendant appeared in Mutian Prefecture.

It is said to have been pawned by a man surnamed Zhong.

It's just that the man's whereabouts are currently unknown.

Linlang.

I've always been satisfied with how you handle things.

Thank you.

Did the rice shop owner

describe it wrongly?

It's not a big town.

How come nobody has seen this person before?

Coming from the army,

he should have strong anti-reconnaissance capability.

The Di family's coin is no ordinary thing after all.

Maybe he disguised himself

when he went to the rice shop.

We're not going to find anything

with this portrait.

I'm starving.

Yuanqin.

Why don't we get something to eat first?

Sir.

Two bowls of beef noodles, please.

Alright.

Disguising can only change your appearance

but not your features.

Jiangnan people are petite

with delicate facial features.

But this person is tall and has defined features.

Tall?

Defined features?

Your noodles are ready.

Thank you.

Eat more meat.

Sir.

I'll pay for these ladies' noodles.

Go away!

-Where did he go? -Sir.

I'll pay for this beautiful lady's meal.

Is the man on this portrait

someone you like?

-It's Yuanshu's brother. -It's none of your business.

Yuanshu's

brother?

Yes.

Why did Yuanshu come to Jiangnan to find her brother?

I...

Yuanshu's originally from Jiangnan.

She was separated from her brother as a child.

Yes, I'm here to look for my brother.

Yuanqin.

Wangjiang Terrace is the largest restaurant in Jiangnan.

I'll treat you to a meal there some other day.

I'm bringing Yuanshu with me.

You can bring whoever you want.

I recognize these.

This is what Yuanshu and the rest found.

But it's not Zhong Liwen's internal ledger.

The internal ledger is a fixed object.

But river workers are living humans.

Do you mean...

Living humans are hard to hide.

Zhong Liwen would go after these 500 people

if we pushed him too hard.

Even so,

we haven't found

their hideout yet.

I found out yesterday by accident

that Mutian Prefecture had recruited 500 miners

in just three days.

These people are stingy.

They treated river workers like miners.

[Mutian Prefectural Government Office]

Sir.

They're already investigating the flood.

Are they really going to start with the flood?

It's true.

At this rate,

we can't keep the miners anymore.

Tonight, bring someone to...

Sir.

That's 500 lives.

What are you scared of?

But...

Jiangnan has always been plagued by bandits.

Bandits are raiding Zhao Manor tonight.

None of the 500 miners

survive the disaster.

Yes.

So what you mean is

that Zhong Liwen is really

Marquis Zhongyi's killer weapon.

This ledger

records the location of the copper mine.

It's at Zhao Manor in the south of the city.

We found the miners.

What about the internal ledger?

I'll meet Zhong Liwen later.

As for the letter...

You've indeed learned to fool others.

[From Han Ye]

Jian Song.

Your Highness.

[To Minister of Justice, Luo Mingxi]

Send this letter to the courier station.

Remember.

[The Crown Prince's bodyguard, Jian Song]

It must be delivered to Minister of Justice, Luo Mingxi,

within two days.

Yes, Your Highness.

[To Official Luo: We found the internal ledger for Zhong Liwen's embezzlement of dam funds.]

[We can convict them in a few days. Han Ye.]

Sir.

Did they really find the internal ledger?

Impossible.

They can't be that fast.

This internal ledger

concerns you and the marquis' fortunes and lives.

If they did find out it,

then...

No way.

I must check it out.

You seem to be in a hurry, Official Zhong.

Looks like I came over at a bad time.

I didn't expect you to visit me all of a sudden, Your Highness.

Please forgive me.

Save the etiquette.

This way, please.

Enjoy.

I wonder why you're here,

Your Highness.

I came to Jiangnan

just to solve the flood.

It's inevitable that I need to rely on you.

So I would like to ask you for more help.

In the future,

I can report back to His Majesty.

I, Zhong Liwen,

and the 25 staff of Mutian Prefecture under me

are at your disposal.

We're at your beck and call.

Alright.

Sit.

Thank you, Your Highness.

Official Zhong.

The source of Jiangnan's flood

is the weak dam.

I've tracked down

the river workers who built the dam last year.

Your Highness, these...

If I hadn't found out about it,

for how long did you plan to hide this from me?

What do you mean, Your Highness?

Official Zhong.

Your tea looks good.

Come on.

Tell me

where you got it.

Sit.

I want to know more about Jiangnan

from you.

You'll tell me, right?

Yes.

I will

tell you everything I know.

[Zhao Manor Copper Mine]

Sir.

Have we been set up?

Sir.

It's rare to see bandits

attacking an imperial mine.

Bandits versus pirates.

Yuanqin.

Who do you think will win?

Yuanshu.

Why don't you give it a shot?

Get ready!

-Miss! -Miss!

Don't shoot.

We're not bandits.

We're officers of Mutian Prefecture.

You're officers?

That makes us

heavenly troops sent by the Jade Emperor.

Fire!

Miss!

Miss!

Miss!

We-We're really officials from Mutian Prefecture.

Nonsense.

Why would officers dress like bandits

and come to Zhao Manor?

I'm not talking nonsense.

Miss.

I'm a private adviser of Mutian Prefecture.

Our governor received a tip-off

that bandits are going to rob Zhao Village tonight.

That's why we came in disguise.

It's a misunderstanding.

It's a misunderstanding, miss.

Yes.

Really?

Are you really officers?

General.

If you don't believe us,

you can follow us back to Mutian Prefecture

and ask Official Zhong.

Yuanshu.

Get someone to go to Mutian Prefecture and ask.

Your Highness.

We caught a gang of bandits

in Zhao Manor in the south of the city.

Official Ren doesn't know what to do,

so she asked me to ask you.

Official Zhong.

It's a surprise to me

that there are bandits in Jiangnan.

I-I'm sorry.

These bandits have shown up

because of the recent flood.

These bandits usually...

Official Zhong, in your opinion,

what should we do with them?

These bandits

burned, killed, looted, and commit all sorts of crimes.

We should

get rid of them.

Alright.

Now that we got your approval,

it makes things easier for Official Ren and me.

Your Highness.

I'll go to the south of the city and deal with this myself.

It's late.

You don't need to see me off, Official Zhong.

Please take care, Your Highness.

Sir.

I can't believe the crown prince

made me endure this

helplessly.

It seems I can't keep these officers anymore.

Sir.

Where are you going?

We can't hide the river workers anymore.

I need to check

if the internal ledger is safe.

I'll be right back.

Guard the door.

The rest of you are going in with us.

Oh, no. I fell into the trap.

Thank you, Official Zhong.

Your Highness.

Official Ren.

This is my wives' ledger.

Your Highness, Official Ren, are you

interested in this too?

Your Highness, if you don't believe me,

you can check it yourself.

[Ledger]

Wen Shuo, take a look at it.

Arrest Zhong Liwen.

Lock him up for trial.

Yes.

Your Highness.

You can't arrest me.

I'm the governor of Mutian Prefecture.

Let me go!

Let go of me!

Let me go!

I'm the governor of Mutian Prefecture.

Zhong Liwen.

Take a good look

at what this is.

It's the disaster relief letter of me and my colleagues.

What are you trying to say with this,

Your Highness?

The word "Xue" on this letter

and the word "Cui" on this ledger

share an identical writing style.

The tail was extended.

And it was written in a hurry.

And the character "Wen"

is the same one you used

in your invitation to His Highness.

Official Zhong.

How do you explain this?

My wife is illiterate.

I had someone to do the bookkeeping.

What's wrong with that?

Your Highness.

I have ascertained

that this ledger

contains the names of 12 concubines.

And the handwriting of these 12 concubines

is identical to the handwriting of the 12 officials

on the document.

Official Zhong, have you forgotten

what I said yesterday?

This is my brother who has an unequaled memory.

You can only blame yourself for overthinking

and holding that treacherous banquet

at Wangjiang Terrace.

Official Ren.

Ren Anle.

If it weren't for you...

Zhong Liwen.

These 12 people are the same officials

involved in the dam construction last year.

How dare you say it's not your internal ledger!

Take him away.

Yes.

Move.

I can't believe

24 people were sent.

They're heading

to the county magistrate near Mutian Prefecture to arrest them.

Besides Zhong Liwen,

12 other officers are involved.

When they're back,

the jail's going to be full.

Mutian Prefecture isn't a big place,

but there are so many corrupt officials.

When the leader sets a bad example, their followers will follow suit.

Unlike me.

With His Highness as an example,

I can only become a charming man.

Miss Yuanqin.

I brought this for you.

A charming man?

You?

Mr. Wen, you're still young.

After gaining some experience,

you'll make great achievements.

Yes.

I'm just a little young.

But my mind...

But

you're rather naive

and childish indeed.

Wait for me.

The flood receded and corrupt officials have fallen.

I'd like to see

what the people of Mutian Prefecture

wished for.

The flood

has killed and injured many this year.

"May the dam be solid forever, so we'll never suffer again.

The river will always be clear and the world will always be prosperous."

That reminds me of the blood letter written by the people.

Everything is still fresh in my mind.

It's still shocking to recall it now.

Each of these lanterns

was once a living person.

It's a good thing that someone

still remembers and misses them.

There is light

at the end of the tunnel.

But...

Your Highness.

I've only joined Court of Judicial Review for a few months

and already found out many miscarriages of justice.

Mutian Prefecture alone

was already so problematic.

I wonder when

people of the Jing State

get to have an incorruptible country.

It will take many years

to have an incorruptible country.

It doesn't happen overnight.

But Your Highness,

some people are alone for years

and never get their cases cleared.

No one remembers or cares about them.

How long will those people have to wait?

I can't answer your question.

But Anle,

with someone like you getting rid of corruption in the Jing State,

I believe the world

will one day be free of corruption.

Besides,

you're not alone.

No matter when,

you and I are in the same boat.

I don't want to be in the same boat with you.

More like the same bed.

Watch out!

Your Highness.

You're shy.

Ren Anle.

Hit me then.

Hit me.

Hit me...

Ridiculous.

(What are you so happy about?)

Anle.

You're amazing.

Why did you say that all of a sudden?

Isn't Wen Shuo

the biggest contributor today?

You got Wen Shuo

involved in the first place.

You know he's smart and has a good memory.

So he would be of great help.

So on our trip to Jiangnan,

you set me up to take him with me

and asked Yuanqin to test him.

That's what made him accomplish so many things.

That's because you have nurtured Wen Shuo well.

It's the first time I've seen someone

who can remember

names and handwriting that well.

Actually,

aren't you playing a game too?

Since investigating the river workers,

you've been trying to get Zhong Liwen

to fall into your trap.

It's because I have a smart partner

like you

that I don't have to do a one-man show.

After all, it took you a lot of effort

to pick me and allow me to stay by your side.

No.

Ren Anle.

You're actually

the only accident.

Doesn't the most perfect crown prince

turn every accident

into a win?

Are you happy

that I saw through you?

[Mutian Prefectural Government Office]

Ren An...

Wen Shuo.

Follow me to the court later.

Sure, Your Highness.

Your Highness.

Do you feel like someone's missing?

The trial is about to begin.

Stop grinning.

The ministers have submitted their memorials to His Majesty recently.

And Zhong Liwen haven't sent us a letter for so long.

Did something

go wrong in Jiangnan?

If Crown Prince tracked him down,

would it implicate us?

You never know.

It seems

we can only use that method again.

Dear, please.

Well...

Aren't you afraid he'll show mercy again?

I know him

better than you.

He returned the favor to Crown Prince last time.

If he doesn't get the job done this time,

he won't get to make it out alive and see me.

Yuanqin, why is it so noisy outside?

Why don't you check it out?

I heard from the servants

that His Highness

rebutted the officials into silence.

They started the trial?

Yes.

This morning,

His Highness heard that you refused

to go to the trial with him,

so he stood alone outside for a long time before leaving.

He's doing his job as the crown prince.

Why should I meddle?

If it weren't for you,

His Highness' trip to Mutian Prefecture

wouldn't be so fruitful.

By the way,

how's the investigation with the lotus silver pendant?

Yuanshu and I have been asking around these days.

We eventually concluded

that a man surnamed Zhong pawned it.

But the man surnamed Zhong acted alone.

We don't have any leads on him yet.

It seems one of us

will never get what we want.

No wonder they said

once Zhong Liwen is brought down,

the whole Jiangnan won't starve.

This is no residence.

A corrupt official who extracts money from the people

deserves to die.

According to their servants,

Zhong Liwen never let anyone go near his study.

There's a good chance the name list is hidden in there.

Leave it to me.

Possess the three qualities and let the divinatory symbols overlap...

-It's you? -It's you?

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

It's painful.

Zhong Liwen is a corrupt official.

But he's a man of culture.

I thought he'd have

many out-of-print books in his study,

so I came over to have a look.

What about you?

You don't look like a book lover.

You came here for no reason.

Are you here to find...

She's finding her brother.

Find... your brother?

Yes.

Is...

Is your brother a servant here?

It's none of your business.

You're really vulgar.

The book you're holding...

I've only read this book for a while,

but I find it interesting.

Miss Yuanqin, we indeed share the same interests.

I thought of sharing it with you.

But it's too dark in here.

Why don't we read it outside?

Sure.

I think this is a really good line.

Look.

Those 80,000 men make a long list.

Where can it be?

[Wangjiang Terrace]

Are you done?

Yes.

We have solid evidence of Zhong Liwen's

embezzlement of disaster relief food and river dam funds.

He has been sentenced to beheading in autumn.

The remaining officials have been dismissed and prosecuted.

And the squires' fortunes

are confiscated

to be used for disaster relief.

You worked so quickly.

Anle.

You weren't idle either.

I'm good

at making things easier for you.

The disaster relief fund

is already on its way.

And the disaster victims can have some temporary respite.

If you ask me,

the court doesn't have to

send any relief fund.

You've taken care of everything,

haven't you?

Anle.

It's not me.

It's us.

Speaking of which,

I have something to say.

Since I helped you

solve such a big case,

shouldn't my rank in Crown Prince's Residence

increase by three ranks?

Let me think.

Beauty...

Shouldn't I be

Lady of Excellent Beauty now?

It seems

that I'm only one step away from being Crown Princess.

Do you really think so?

No matter what I think,

you still have

someone you need to get rid of, don't you?

[Mutian Prefecture]

[Three days later]

What's on your mind, Your Highness?

Nothing's on my mind.

Let me guess.

You're probably thinking,

"Ren Anle

wants to stay here a few more days.

But I won't give her what she wants.

I'll anger her." Right?

No.

No?

Then you must be thinking,

"After we get back to the capital,

I'll throw Ren Anle

into the battle for the title of crown princess

and watch them fight like crickets.

How fun would that be?" Right?

That's not it.

I got it.

You must be thinking,

"After I get back to the capital,

I'll make Ren Anle Crown Princess."

Or are you

thinking the other way around?

"After I get back to the capital,

I'll get rid of Ren Anle."

You always think I'm thinking about Ren Anle.

Shouldn't you?

Yes.

I tell myself all the time

that I shouldn't.

You don't have to.

Then tell me

why you're in a hurry to go back to the capital.

As you suggested,

I'll take care of that restless person.

Why won't you stay in Jiangnan

and wait for your chance?

The new governor is about to take office.

He could get in trouble

if the assassination happened in Mutian Prefecture.

You've thought of everything for everyone

but me.

Ren Anle.

I really didn't.

I actually...

Your Highness.

His Highness.

Look. It's His Highness and Official Ren.

Look.

-Your Highness. -Official Ren.

-Official Ren. -Your Highness.

-Official Ren. -Official Ren.

Official Ren.

We wish Your Highness a safe journey back to the capital.

We wish Your Highness a safe journey back to the capital.

We wish Your Highness a safe journey back to the capital.

Ren Anle and I

hereby thank everyone.

Long live Your Highness!

Long live Your Highness!

Long live Your Highness!

Long live Your Highness!

Anle.

What's on your mind?

I'm thinking

that it's a blessing

to the Han family and the Jing State

that these people

have a diligent and loving crown prince like you.

The Di family gave up half of their land

to the Han family to end the war.

If Di Shengtian could see this,

I'm sure she wouldn't regret it.

You're right.

There may never be

another Founding Emperor or Di Shengtian.

But we

can usher in a peaceful and prosperous era.

We wish Your Highness a safe journey back to the capital.

Take care, Your Highness.

His Highness and Anle are a perfect match.

One day,

I will also hold the hand of the girl I love

in front of many people.

Do you know

how to be as capable as His Highness

and be admired by millions of people?

Be like His Highness?

Well, I have to...

Dream less and act more.

What's going on?

Why did we go from riding horses to sitting in a carriage?

His Highness has arranged for us to return to the capital first.

He's heading to Cang Mountain with our young lady.

Cang Mountain?

Do you mean His Highness took Anle to Cang Mountain?

Yuanqin, what's Cang Mountain?

Cang Mountain?

It's a place very few people get to go.

[Cang Mountain]

Anle.

This is Cang Mountain.

I come here

every year on this day.

(Han Ye.)

(I never expected)

(myself to come here again in my life.)

[Han Zi'an's Tomb]

Anle.

Bow to the late emperor.

♪If I bet my all on it desperately♪

♪I know my heart will be uneasy♪

♪I give up on my light and hide it under a bushel♪

♪You're the moon in my heart♪

♪I can't dream to own you♪

♪But I'm willing to forsake my life for you♪

♪I'd go the distance for you♪

♪May the light stay with you♪

♪Romance aside♪

♪I fight for your destiny alongside you♪

♪You're my dream from the bygone youth♪

♪Arriving at the end of my life♪

♪I bear no regrets. But when we reunite in our next life♪

♪Will you still remember me?♪

♪I've concealed my yearning for you♪

♪And guarded your smile♪

♪Please don't leave me in oblivion when we part ways♪

♪I'd go the distance for you♪

♪May the light stay with you♪

♪Romance aside♪

♪I fight for your destiny alongside you♪

♪You're my dream from the bygone youth♪

♪Arriving at the end of my life♪

♪I bear no regrets. But when we reunite in our next life♪

♪Will you still remember me?♪