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 14]

What happened with His Highness and Di Cheng'en

at Caiwei Pavilion has spread all across the capital.

The people are moved by her ten years of confinement

and His Highness' decade-long persistence.

They lament the two's unwavering devotion amidst hardship.

She is now

the favorite in the bet.

What's going on with that new batch of antiques then?

It was Mu Qing

who released the news.

You may go.

Didn't you say that the more Di Cheng'en gains attention,

the easier it is for us

to keep a low profile in the capital?

Things should've been going smoothly.

So why do you look so troubled?

The problem is,

this wasn't in my plan.

She's escaped my grasp.

She's merely an orphaned girl.

She won't be changing anything.

But in Han Ye's eyes,

she's the Di family's only heir.

With Han Ye's wits, do you think

he wouldn't notice the problem

after some time?

However,

that's not entirely a bad thing.

After the cheating case and flood in Jiangnan,

Gu Yunnian's standing in the capital has fallen drastically.

If he wants to regain his power,

getting a seat in the Eastern Palace is his only option.

Since the Princess of Northern Qin isn't here yet,

Di Cheng'en is the most popular.

Coupled with what happened ten years ago,

Gu Yunnian must have his doubts.

I think we should take this chance

to get rid of Di Cheng'en.

And we'll blame it on Gu Yunnian.

No.

We should target the enemies,

not innocent people.

No one is innocent when they're already in the game.

If Di Cheng'en is capable of plotting against Han Ye now,

she'll be going after you for the position of the Crown Princess.

She was an unrelated figure.

We were the ones who implicated her.

If she wants to fight for the position of Crown Princess,

that's only because

we forced her to take that step.

But humans are unpredictable.

Remember how the Di family

gave up their power to the Han family?

But they ended up getting beheaded.

A single general achieves fame on the rotting bones of ten thousand.

You feel bad for her?

Then who'll take pity on the 80,000 Di members who were killed?

If I sacrificed innocent lives

just to get what I want,

how am I any different from Han Zhongyuan, then?

Even if it meant I could get my revenge,

my father

would not be happy.

Fine.

I won't do anything this time.

But if she continues

to do things that will ruin our plan,

I will not spare her.

Don't worry.

With Mingxi

and Re Anle together,

our plan

will not be easily wrecked

by a trivial Di Cheng'en.

[Refined and Dignified]

(My name is Ren Anle.)

(I'm here to become the Crown Princess.)

♪I wish I could live a normal life♪

(Who knows how long)

Official Ren can last?

As long as it takes for me to become the Crown Princess.

♪This never-ending journey♪

Then, am I a little bit closer to here?

♪Let's overthrow the world and protect each other in the next life♪

♪As promised, I will love only you♪

♪May one hug be exchanged for one hundred years of loneliness♪

♪This is my life's♪

Your Majesty.

Looks like faith can really

move mountains.

I see you're almost done

with that important painting.

If you can grasp this much,

then you should be in your room

reading.

Go.

I thought maybe you were in a bad mood,

-so I came here to cheer you up. -Go on.

Did you have to push me?

I just wanted to keep you company.

Go study.

I finished reading.

Let me stay for a while.

Just a while.

Just go.

I almost drew her.

Too bad.

She's not Ziyuan.

[Ten days later] [Jingxin Hall]

Your Highness.

The Princess of Northern Qin has arrived in the capital.

His Majesty asked Princess Anning

to welcome Princess Mo Shuang tomorrow.

Anning used to be close to me when young.

But since she fell gravely ill ten years ago,

she's become more detached.

She is a princess.

She shouldn't have to guard the borders.

She likes freedom.

Let her be, then.

As long as she's good and well,

that's good enough.

The Princess of Northern Qin just arrived

and she's already run off to the market.

Supposedly, the Princess heard

that the market square in the Jing State

is particularly bustling.

That's why she wanted to check it out.

Looks like you took what I said to heart.

You went out of your way to find out.

We don't know the real intention

behind Northern Qin's courtship.

It's my duty to find out more.

When we meet her,

we'll feel her out.

Lengbei.

I was unprofessional.

I deserve to be punished.

General?

Well...

Are you Princess Anning?

Who are you?

I am Mo Shuang.

[Princess of Northern Qin, Mo Shuang] If I knew Princess Anning was coming,

I wouldn't have gone out.

Princess Anning.

Don't be angry.

You can have this Tanghulu.

I don't like it.

How about this?

There are snack stalls over there.

Let me take you there for a look.

Our general likes to keep to herself.

I hope you don't take it personally, Princess Mo Shuang.

I'm sorry, Your Highness.

I like making friends.

Please lead the way, then.

Okay.

It's really yummy.

Princess Mo Shuang,

you bought so many snacks.

Are you eating them all?

It's not very nice to eat all of them myself, huh?

You can have this.

Anning.

This is for you.

Thank you.

Anning.

You know,

I have a brother

who is about his age.

He's a really strict guy.

Whenever he speaks,

I can't help but obey.

But you're different, Anning.

You keep him in check.

By the way,

Anning,

what else is nice and fun in the Jing State?

In Jing...

You need not bother yourself with Jing's affairs.

Things like flower exhibitions

and lantern festivals

are still some months away.

Anning.

Are you in a bad mood?

What about

I help cheer you up?

General.

Are you in a bad mood again?

I just find it hard to accept

that she's from Northern Qin.

Look, guys.

Which of these two is nicer?

This one.

I specially bought a pair of dragon and phoenix candy art for you two.

A pair of dragon and phoenix?

It's just candy.

[Lingxiang Pleasure House]

Is there an update?

[Crown Princess candidate betting. Someone placed a big bet on Mo Shuang.]

In the Crown Princess bet,

someone placed a big bet on Princess Mo Shuang.

Looks like we have another strong competitor.

We should find a way

to get to know this Princess of Northern Qin.

Brother.

Didn't I tell you to wait for me in Northern Qin?

What are you doing here?

Weren't you the one

who asked me to be married to Jing?

(Could it be that someone impersonated me?)

I just didn't expect you

to come so soon.

This won't do.

I only want to stay by your side.

I might not be able to keep you company at all times,

but I promise to look after you.

I won't let you marry Jing's Crown Prince.

Because the Crown Prince

is very ugly.

All right, then.

I won't marry him.

I'll listen to you.

In politics,

it's all about strength.

A marriage of convenience is usually the last resort.

Never mind.

Political affairs are complicated.

The less you know, the better.

It's true that I don't know politics.

But I do know

that there's a big market tomorrow.

I'm sure it will be lots of fun.

You can't go.

There are too many people.

It's dangerous.

But Anle invited me.

I heard from the storyteller

that she's a pro at catching bandits and solving crimes.

I'm surely in good hands with a capable person like that.

Ren Anle?

What is she up to?

Your Highness.

These are gifts from the imperial court officials.

Really?

Let me see.

This is from the Left Chancellor.

It's beautiful.

-(So the Left Chancellor...) -I love it.

(had planned all this.)

Ren Anle is devoted to the present Crown Prince.

Yet, His Highness's heart is with Di Cheng'en.

Now,

Di Cheng'en had been confined on Dai Mountain for ten years.

Recently, she met with the Crown Princess at Caiwei Pavilion.

The two came together in a tearful embrace.

What a touching sight it was.

But I heard the Princess of Northern Qin has come.

The two states' interest is surely more important than this woman.

Ultimately, it's up to the Crown Prince.

As long as he likes her,

nobody else gets to have a say.

So the Crown Princess selection is a ruse?

Mu Qing,

did you hear?

His Highness only has eyes

for me.

Di Cheng'en.

Not Di Ziyuan.

All I saw was, in His Majesty's eyes,

you're just Di Cheng'en,

not Di Ziyuan.

It doesn't matter.

Right now, I'm the only one His Highness cares about.

I lost ten years of my freedom.

This is what I deserve.

Mu Qing.

I want to be the only person in your eyes, too.

Where are we going now?

To see Princess Anning.

She's in charge of welcoming the Princess of Northern Qin,

as well as a firm supporter of Ren Anle.

If she changes her mind and supports me,

I will be much closer

to becoming the Crown Princess.

[Residence of the Princess]

Anning.

Ziyuan.

I am Cheng'en.

Please don't misspeak.

Cheng'en.

Why are you here?

After being here for so long,

I haven't been able to see you.

Recently, I met His Highness at Caiwei Pavilion,

so I thought of dropping by.

Ye's devotion to you is just in keeping his promise.

You shouldn't read too much into it.

I know.

After ten years,

many things have changed.

Even the way His Highness looks at me

seems distanced, just like you.

Anning.

There's a favor

I'd like to ask.

What is it?

It's the Crown Princess selection.

I wish you could support me.

His Majesty had scorned you.

But you're still thinking about becoming the Crown Princess?

Anning.

I really don't want to go back to Dai Mountain.

I had nothing.

I'd be better dead than alive.

The ten years I spent on Dai Mountain

were insufferable.

I'm sorry.

I can't possibly imagine

what you went through in those ten years.

That's all in the past now.

At least now,

we are able to meet like before.

Ziyuan.

Don't get involved with the imperial family again.

Live your own life.

Mo Shuang has the support of Northern Qin.

Gu Wanying is backed by my grandmother.

Zhong Jing is backed by the nobles of Jiangnan.

As for you,

who's backing you up?

What about Ren Anle then?

She too, comes from nothing.

Ren Anle?

Ren Anle commandeers a 30,000-strong naval force.

She is able to sit

neck and neck with Ye.

Can you?

(Ziyuan.)

(Forgive me for being harsh.)

(I don't ever want to see you)

(be in danger again.)

[Yuanshui Pavilion]

(Anning.)

(If you won't help me,)

(someone else will.)

[Di Cheng'en. Noon at Caiwei Pavilion.]

[Marquis Zhongyi's Residence]

The daughter of a sinner

was locked up on Dai Mountain for ten years.

Just because of a will,

she was able to partake in the Crown Princess selection

and even become a popular candidate.

Don't worry, My Lord.

She no longer has the Di family behind her.

She's just a stray.

Even if she's in the capital,

she won't make it far.

I got the news

that Di Cheng'en often goes out.

The streets are crowded.

It won't be hard to create an accident.

Because of Jiangnan and the metropolitan exam incident,

His Majesty has grown weary of me.

Many of the ministers

also added insult to injury.

If we take action now,

we'd be giving them more hold on us.

You are right, My Lord.

Come and take a look at our rouge selection.

Miss, see anything you like?

Miss.

This really suits you.

Tanghulu!

Let me take you over there, okay?

Okay.

-Tanghulu. -Have you had enough?

If so, let's go back.

Mu Qing.

Look.

Look how happy

the children and young ladies are.

There's no danger here.

If I

hadn't gone to Dai Mountain,

would I also be as happy as them?

No.

I just want to remind you of this.

This place may look nice and peaceful.

But in fact, dangers lurk in every corner.

Mu Qing.

It's rare for us to be out.

Cheer up a little, will you?

I know.

You were confined on Dai Mountain for ten years alongside me.

It must have been hard for you, too.

I try to coax you,

but you never give in.

But I know.

You'll always stay by my side.

Right?

Let's go.

Anning.

Do not be rude to the General.

Where did you go?

I only wanted to give you guys a surprise.

I'm surprised the Princess of Northern Qin is this petite and adorable.

I was also taken aback

when I first saw her.

Tanghulu!

Are you Ren Anle?

You're just like what's described in the huaben.

Steaming hot buns!

"Ren Anle, dressed in striking red,

appears on horseback."

I wonder if my 30,000-strong navy

is comparable to Your Highness' betrothal gift.

The women of the Jing State are truly outstanding,

each one more formidable than the other.

This place is awesome.

As a woman from Northern Qin,

you must be used to desert storms.

I'm guessing you're brave and good at fighting, too.

Actually...

Aside from eating,

I don't know anything else.

My brother is the good one.

Princess Anning.

Young Lady,

we found it.

There's a new wine shop at the merchant street.

The aroma is alluring.

I'm going to get a few vats.

There's still some time before the market starts.

Let's meet up after I'm done buying.

Okay.

Anle, come back soon.

I want to hear

your story in Jiangnan.

See you later.

Hey, Anning.

Let's go over there.

There seems to be fun stuff.

Over there.

[Caiwei Pavilion]

(Why hasn't the person)

(who asked me out here yet?)

Mu Qing.

I heard the snack shop on the right of the street

is the best in town.

But the queue is always long.

I'm a little tired from walking.

Can you help me buy some?

Okay.

Official Ren.

What a surprise to have you visit my humble shop. Please come in.

I'm just taking a look. Please carry on.

All right, please help yourself.

Feel free.

Are you...

Ren Anle?

That's me.

I'm Ren Anle.

I didn't think I'd bump into Miss Di here.

You know me?

Who doesn't know who you are?

How was your life living on Dai Mountain

the past ten years?

It's lonely up there.

The only things keeping me company

were the morning bells and evening drums,

oil lamps and the Buddha statues.

But thankfully,

I had some neat trinkets

the Crown Princess gifted me.

It helped to keep me entertained.

You've really suffered

the past ten years.

That's all in the past now.

-Are you... -I have something to do

at Caiwei Pavilion.

Official Ren,

I shall take my leave.

Excuse me.

Help!

Come with me.

Protect her.

Are you all right?

Go!

Are you okay?

Thank you for saving my life, Official Ren.

Official Ren?

Thank you for stepping up.

Why exactly did you come to Caiwei Pavilion today?

Within the capital,

Caiwei Pavilion is the only place

I can visit.

Never mind.

This place is dangerous.

Since your bodyguard is here,

you should leave immediately.

Thanks again.

Who sent you?

(Qianyue Pavilion?)

Are you okay?

Why did you suddenly come back?

Someone gave me this while I was on the street.

So I turned around.

[Di Cheng'en is in trouble. Hurry back.]

What's the matter?

I'm coming.

Who wants you dead?

I don't know.

I only know two people in the capital.

My legs feel weak.

We'll get a carriage.

[Crown Prince's Residence]

If you can't draw the face,

you might as well stop.

Why torture yourself?

Official Luo.

Looks like you're not going to change

your bad habit of walking without a sound.

If I were to change too,

you would have no one to reminisce about in the capital.

That would be dull, no?

Luo Mingxi.

I never thought

that after ten years,

the face that I've thought about day and night

is now totally different from before.

I get it.

The hardships of being confined on Dai Mountain,

they're not something

I could fathom as the Crown Prince.

No matter how she looks,

she will always be Di Ziyuan.

Does that mean

you are ready to give up

on Ren Anle's 30,000-strong naval force?

Luo Mingxi.

In the capital,

you're the only person I can be honest with.

It's true that I've fallen for Ren Anle.

But as the Crown Prince,

the hardest thing is to follow my heart.

In this life,

whatever Ziyuan wants,

I shall give it to her.

Her wishes are much more important

than mine.

It's good that you know.

Your Highness.

Bad news.

I heard from Yuanshu

that Anle got hurt.

What happened?

Get the horse.

Yes, Your Highness.

It's cold outside.

You are prone to sickness.

It's better to stay put.

Your Highness.

Let's go.

(Han Ye.)

(At last, you still won't be honest.)

[Yuanshui Pavilion]

Don't go.

I told you the capital is a dangerous place.

From now on, unless absolutely necessary,

you will stay here.

Who could it be?

Who wants to kill me?

We can't let this matter be known.

But no matter what,

while you're in Yuanshui Pavilion,

while you're with me,

I will not let anyone

harm you.

[Ren's Residence]

Greetings, Your Highness.

How did you get hurt in the capital?

That was careless of you.

It's nothing.

I just fell off the horse, that's all.

With your skills,

you would never fall off a horse.

Did somebody do something to the horse?

Yuanshu looked into it.

The horse is supposedly ill.

But seeing how Your Highness is concerned about me

makes me even more sure

about whom it is your heart is beating for.

Nonsense.

Where are you hurt?

My legs hurt so much.

If only

Your Highness could carry me to the couch.

Yuanshu.

Yuanshu?

Yuanshu has gone to get a vet for the horse.

She's not here.

Your Highness.

Ignoring the needy goes against the gentlemen's code.

♪The endless night awaits the break of day♪

♪Blurring myriad obsessions along the way♪

♪Love and hate, in a frantic rush, can't escape♪

♪A heart falls into the abyss♪

♪You can't discern♪

♪Shattering illusions of desolation and dismay♪

♪Carrying the weight of the world, come what may♪

Anle.

I heard you were injured.

How could there be

such a handsome man?

Who knew that getting a little injury

could get Princess Mo Shuang to come running?

Today's been quite rowdy.

Princess Mo Shuang.

I am Han Ye.

You...

You are Han Ye?

The Crown Prince of Jing?

You...

are really full of gentlemanly charm.

Are the men of Jing

all charming gentlemen?

Princess.

You're wrong about that.

Normal men

can't possibly be as handsome as the Crown Prince.

Ren Anle.

Please don't joke around in front of Northern Qin's princess.

Anyway, Anle,

is your injury bad?

Not at all.

I just hurt my hand a little.

Ren Anle.

I'm a bit tired.

Your Highness.

Can you walk Princess Mo Shuang home?

Okay, then.

I'll come and visit you again.

This way, Princess.

As expected of the Crown Prince.

Always a gentleman.

I asked you to send her home and you really do it.

[Lingxiang Pleasure House]

Sir.

I failed.

It's only a scratch.

No big deal.

Do not forget why I gave you your name.

I did not polish you with care

just for you to get hurt.

Don't worry.

I'll say that you have fallen sick.

You can recuperate in peace.

So what happened today?

I got news

that Marquis Zhongyi was planning to assassinate Di Cheng'en.

It was urgent.

So I went ahead to try and stop it

before I could report it to you.

When I got there,

Official Ren was already there.

She protected Di Cheng'en.

Then how did you get injured?

I got hurt while chasing the assassins.

At last,

they killed themselves.

All of them are dead.

In the future, you will not act on your own

without my permission.

If Di Cheng'en dies, so be it.

Is her life worth your sacrifice?

By the way, sir,

there's one more thing.

That can wait till after you're better.

Yes, sir.

Rest well.

I'll handle the rest.

You should be more careful with an injury.

You're not really made of steel.

It's no big deal.

Did you forget how I got knocked around

while learning to ride a horse?

But I was with you at the time.

Well, I can't possibly expect you

to protect me forever.

I asked Yuanshu.

The horse was fine.

So what happened?

In your eyes,

does Di Cheng'en really deserve to die?

What we're trying to accomplish

will fail

with the slightest mistake.

I'm not going to let her

ruin what we've carefully planned.

If Yuanqin hadn't sent the word

that Di Cheng'en was likely in danger,

she would already be

a wandering ghost.

I found this at the scene.

You think I sent someone to kill Di Cheng'en?

I haven't told Han Ye about this.

Because I hope to hear the truth from you.

It's been ten years.

Maybe Di Cheng'en is no longer under our control.

But while I want revenge,

I will not let innocent lives be harmed.

Has there ever been a war in this world

that was won without any bloodshed?

When did you become

so naive like Han Ye?

Mingxi.

Both you and I know very well.

The Di family died aggrieved,

not from spears and swords,

but due to the despicable acts of others.

Even if I wish to redress the grievances suffered by my people,

I will not resort to such methods

to accomplish my goal.

You must be tired.

I'll come and visit you another time.

Young Lady.

What's wrong with Official Luo?

Lengbei.

What are you...

Quiet.

You're such a liar.

When did I lie to you?

You totally lied to me.

The Crown Prince of Jing

is clearly a handsome man.

He's not at all ugly

like what you said.

You've met the Crown Prince?

I think

the Crown Prince is not only good-looking

but also kind.

Now,

I'm no longer that anxious to go back to Northern Qin.

You must not fall for Han Ye.

Why not?

I think he's a good person.

Shuang.

The Jing State is going through a turbulent time.

I'm unable to protect you by myself.

Just listen to me.

You must not like the Crown Prince.

And you must not marry into Jing.

Got it?

Your Di Cheng'en survived unscathed,

while my subordinate got seriously injured.

How will you make up for this?

I was wrong

for not being forthright.

I will give up my own life

to repay it.

Your life?

Your life has always belonged to the Luos.

Moreover, there's someone you care about now.

Your life is worth nothing.

She's just a pitiful girl who is clueless.

An insignificant existence

before you, sir.

Precisely because she's clueless.

That's why I wanted you to keep her in check.

If she can do as she's told,

I shall let her live.

Yes, sir.

Remember.

So long as she behaves,

I can give her

what she wants.

(Once you get involved,)

(you've forfeited any real freedom.)

(As a pawn,)

(there is no way to break free from the strategist's grasp.)

Official Ren.

Linlang.

What brings you here at this hour?

Official Ren.

The assassination attempt on Di Cheng'en

wasn't Official Luo's doing.

It was Marquis Zhongyi's people who were after Di Cheng'en.

This incident happened

because I acted out of line.

Official Luo didn't want to tell you.

But I can't bear to see

the misunderstanding fester between you,

causing more issues.

♪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?♪