Original subtitles

♪The falling snow♪

♪Is bitter cold♪

♪My sigh♪

♪Misted the path in front of me♪

♪The moonlight knows my intention♪

♪I just want to make a place for me in your heart♪

♪I laugh and I cry♪

♪Quietly building a pond in my heart♪

♪I accept all the gifts from sorrow♪

♪I can't let down my regrets♪

♪I won't admit defeat♪

♪I slowly chew on the bitterness of life♪

♪The fragrance remains the same after the bleak winter♪

♪Awaiting spring to color the way back home♪

[The Double]

[Episode 38]

Yurong,

why are you suddenly telling us

to pack up and go back to our hometown?

It's just to lay low for a while.

Tell everyone we're going back to manage the family estate.

Besides me,

don't communicate with anyone.

Yurong, what happened?

Just do as I say.

This old hometown is remote and poor.

We're going back to suffer much.

And you're not even telling us what's going on.

Do you look down on us and want to drive us away?

Do you really want to know what's happening in the capital?

I dare say it, but do you dare to listen?

Yurong, you...

Since you refused to tell us, it's fine.

I'll pack up the things with your sister.

- Mother... - By the way,

be careful while you're here.

Come on. Let's go.

But Mother...

Hurry up.

Presumptuous!

[Govern the People, Serve Heaven]

Lord Cheng is bringing so many troops back to the capital.

Is he planning to rebel?

This memorial is well written.

He's using the ceremony of presenting captives as a reason

to increase the number of troops escorting the captives.

It's reasonable.

You have to approve this memorial, Your Majesty.

But this doesn't seem like a plan

that Lord Cheng and the Eldest Princess could come up with.

There's a mastermind behind them?

It's hard to tell.

Whether I approve this is another matter now.

According to the report,

Lord Cheng's troop is already on the way here.

Are we just letting them march back to the capital

and camp their troops outside the capital?

Should we strike first

and capture Lord Cheng during the grand sacrificial ceremony?

No, we cannot.

If we do this,

Your Majesty will be accused

of persecuting loyal officials and soldiers.

Lord Cheng's troops are just outside the capital.

When the time comes, the capital will be in chaos.

I'm afraid the court will likely become unstable.

Are we just going to sit and wait for death?

[Five Days Later]

Official Ye,

please review

to see if we missed out anything.

Thank you for your hard work.

The grand sacrificial ceremony concerns the fate of the nation.

I'm very anxious

about taking on this responsibility for the first time.

Fortunately, I have your full support.

Before the ceremony tomorrow,

I will inspect each location again

to ensure everything is perfect.

We will strive for excellence

and leave no room for error.

All right.

[Outside the Capital]

Your Highness, someone from the capital requests an audience.

Let him in.

Everyone else, leave us.

- Yes, Your Highness. - Yes, Your Highness.

Your earlier plan was excellent.

Now, with my army pressing in.

The capital is within our grasp.

No wonder Wanning is so fond of you.

Upon meeting today,

you are indeed extraordinarily talented.

Your Highness flatters me.

Now, Your Highness only lacks a just cause for launching the campaign.

Do you have any brilliant ideas?

That depends on how Your Highness is willing to go.

The best justification for war

would be to kill the princess and frame the emperor.

Aren't you afraid

that I might kill you right now for proposing such a plan?

Your Highness has managed the Northern Borders for many years.

Success or failure hinges on this moment.

I trust that Your Highness

is not someone with a soft heart.

Wanning is, after all, my own sister.

I can't bear

to exchange her life for this.

However,

if she were to fake her death,

that might be acceptable.

So, Your Highness already has a plan?

With your brilliance,

the plan you propose is certainly more thorough than mine.

All right.

The moment we do this,

the Eldest Princess

will not be able to appear before the public.

But with her temperament,

she certainly wouldn't agree to this.

Therefore, I don't plan to inform her in advance.

At that time, I will have her take the fake death potion

and finish the act.

Once it's done,

I ask that Your Highness speak

on my behalf to the Eldest Princess.

My sister

would never agree to something

that humiliates her.

Very well.

If she blames you afterward,

I will speak on your behalf.

Thank you, Your Highness.

However, for helping Your Highness to accomplish this,

I daringly request

one thing from you.

What is it that you want?

[Harmonious Governance] Lord Cheng! Lord Cheng! Lord Cheng!

Greetings, Your Majesty.

Please rise.

No need for formalities.

With you guarding the northern borders,

it ensures the security of our Great Yan's borders.

If Father in the underworld knew,

he would be comforted

by today's stability in Great Yan.

Serving you and the nation

is only natural.

Your Majesty's benevolent rule blesses

the people.

Today's prosperity in Great Yan

is a result of Your Majesty's care for the people.

I dare not claim credit.

You don't claim credit or become complacent.

I will make sure to reward you generously.

Eunuch Su, issue the decree.

Edict!

By imperial decree,

Lord Cheng, Zhao Sheng guards the Northern Borders.

He diligently,

contributing to the state's welfare.

He is granted a Seven-Star Longyuan Sword,

two chests of jewels,

two golden and jade Buddhas,

two Ancient Sea Night Pearls,

and a pair of iron decree.

By the words of the emperor.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

You deserve all these.

I have also found twenty chests of treasures in the Northern Borders,

which I present to Your Majesty.

I wish Your Majesty good health

and Great Yan's long-lasting peace.

Excellent.

You're very thoughtful.

How about staying in the capital

after tomorrow's ceremony?

Father in heaven

wouldn't want you to be away from home for long.

Honestly,

I plan to return to the Northern Borders

after tomorrow's ancestral ceremony.

Although the border is peaceful now,

we cannot underestimate the situation in the northern region.

In my absence,

those from the Dai Country may cause trouble.

I ask for Your Majesty's understanding.

Sheng, you are truly a blessing to our Great Yan.

Please come inside.

Your Majesty, after you.

It's been a long time.

You've lost weight.

I feel sorry for you.

During your absence from the capital,

I've been concerned about you.

But you always ignore me.

Don't you think it's unfair?

Wanning,

drop the act.

Sheng,

I've heard that His Majesty has given you many rewards.

Leave us.

I want to talk to the Eldest Princess alone.

Those worldly possessions

are just reminders of His Majesty's grace,

urging me not to act recklessly.

I've endured in the north for so many years,

not for those rewards.

Sheng,

are you planning to take action now?

You were easily deceived with a fake pregnancy potion.

Having a child doesn't make one foolish.

If our relationship with Li Zhongnan breaks,

how will our grand plan succeed?

Sheng, you are heroic and exceptional now.

Now, you dare to blame me.

As if you've forgotten

how you fled the city in disgrace.

If it weren't for Xiao Minghan's interference back then,

the one sitting on the throne today

wouldn't be Zhao Ye.

A remarkable figure like Xiao Minghan

has surprisingly raised such a devoted son

who loves beautiful women but not power.

Let's go pay respects to Mother.

[Yong'an Pavilion]

[Tablet of Consort Li Yunxian]

Mother, wake up.

Mother, I will behave in the future.

[Consort Li] Mother.

[Young Wanning. Young Lord Cheng] Mother, you'll be fine.

I don't come from a prestigious family,

nor am I your father's favorite consort.

Although I was titled as the Imperial Consort

since I gave birth to you,

I still had to be cautious

and vigilant.

I fear that a single misstep

would lead to being plotted against.

In this palace,

I've seen coldness and malice

[Tablet of Consort Li Yunxian] and how heartless people can be.

After I'm gone,

you must support each other

and take care of yourselves.

Understand?

Understood.

Sheng. Jing.

Remember.

Survival in the palace is about survival of the fittest.

Only through competition can you survive.

[Tablet of Consort Li Yunxian] Only supreme imperial power

can truly protect yourselves.

Grand Chancellor Li?

Lord Cheng,

Eldest Princess.

Tell me your plans.

The uprising will be at tomorrow's evening banquet.

We need to divide our forces into four.

[Imperial Court]

You are wise, resourceful, and give great contributions.

I will definitely reward you generously.

It's all thanks to the Eldest Princess's strategic planning.

Official Li, I don't understand these matters.

Sheng, let me introduce someone to you.

You have a military advisor?

Sheng,

this is Shen Yurong, whom I mentioned to you before.

Greetings, Lord Cheng.

Mr. Shen is wise and resourceful.

What position are you currently ranked at?

A scholar at Hanlin Academy, Fifth Rank.

My younger brother really doesn't know how to judge people.

Rest assured.

After this is done, I will ensure your success.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Long live Your Majesty.

[Imperial Court]

Is everything ready?

I have been waiting for eight years.

Finally, this day has come.

It feels somewhat surreal.

Li,

do you remember the question you asked me

in the Court of Judicial Review prison?

I didn't answer that day.

Now, ask me again.

Duke Su,

do you have anyone who died unjustly?

Yes.

My father led the Longwu Army all his life,

only to be abandoned outside the capital

by Lord Cheng for his own gain,

causing his death at the border.

I have also beaten the Dengwen Drum outside the capital for him.

But I couldn't clear his name at that time.

For these eight years, I've been wondering.

What was my father thinking

before his unjust death?

Did he regret believing

in such ambitious and treacherous people?

My father also loved the people like his own children.

If General Xiao were still alive,

they would surely share a drink and talk.

Xiao Heng,

you once told me

to look back at the cause,

seek justice and uphold righteousness.

I've done that.

The heavens are clear.

Karma will not be unjust.

I believe in the heavens.

General Xiao's spirit in the heavens will bless you.

You've never believed in the heavens.

You only believe

in yourself.

No.

I also believe in you.

Please believe in me too.

Lord Cheng framed loyal ministers and virtuous generals

for his own selfish gain.

Wanning tolerated corrupt officials

for the so-called power.

In their hearts,

it's not about the people,

but about power.

Regardless of whether it's divine will or human nature,

it won't favor them.

Also,

I will not abandon you

no matter what.

[Jiang's Residence]

This morning, Ruoyao sent me a letter.

She said she's doing well in Yongzhou.

This child

also reminded me

not to overwork myself

and to delegate household matters to Li.

Unbelievable.

Mother,

I've been thinking a lot lately.

If I hadn't agreed to be the Secretariat Director

for the late emperor back then,

would our Jiang family

be in a different situation now?

You are Ye's teacher.

All his knowledge comes from you.

His character can truly benefit the people.

Now,

I'm about to place him

in the most dangerous position.

As for your position,

I

need to consider it too.

I will follow your edict.

I will appoint you as the Secretariat Director.

After my death,

help him grow up

and help him stabilize

the imperial power.

Your Majesty,

I actually...

Accept it.

Old man,

continue your loyalty to him

as yours to me.

I am grateful

for your grace.

The higher the position, the harsher it gets.

If I, as the Secretariat Director,

fail to protect the young emperor

and lead to a change in the throne,

it will bring disaster upon us.

If one becomes too domineering

and makes the monarch wary,

they will eventually have no place to bury themselves.

So after the emperor could handle state affairs himself,

I deliberately loosened my grip

and transferred power to Li Zhongnan and others.

We target each other,

but also cover for each other.

It is all to stand firm and safely

in this capital.

I'm not blind

to what's happening in the family.

I just lack the ability

and time to manage it.

Leaving that aside,

even these younger generations at home,

with their losses

and injuries,

are ultimately my fault.

As long as you can understand that, it's fine.

However,

you suddenly bring up the matters of the court with me.

Does Lord Cheng return to the capital

with ill intentions?

What would you do

if

he rebelled?

I have long made a choice.

The late emperor entrusted me with his legacy.

I won't let him down.

My visit today

is to let you prepare in advance.

In case

I am unable to withdraw from this.

Please take care of the Jiang family for me.

With me here,

you can rest assured.

You've suffered

over the years.

Seeing you like this now,

I am reminded of someone.

Who's that?

My dear husband,

your son has finally inherited your spirit.

Are you sure you heard it right?

There's going to be a rebellion.

How could I have misheard?

So

if Lord Cheng rebels,

whose side should we be on?

Lord Cheng's military achievements in the northern regions are illustrious,

and he commands a strong army.

If a real conflict breaks out,

His Majesty stands no chance.

If His Majesty falls,

the first to suffer will be our Jiang family.

No.

Quickly pack up

and go to your mother's house to hide.

Get rid of the Jiang family?

Excuse me.

Start packing!

Your Majesty,

Official Ye have arranged all the preparations.

Tomorrow, Your Majesty will only need to rise from sleep

and depart from Taiji Hall at the hour of Yin.

[Govern the People, Serve Heaven] Perform sacrificial rites at Wu hour,

review the troops at Wei hour,

and return to the palace for the banquet at the hour of Xu.

Eunuch Su,

how many years have you been with me?

[Govern the People, Serve Heaven] Since you ascended the throne,

it's been over ten years.

After tomorrow night,

I will reward you handsomely

if I'm still sitting in this chair.

[Govern the People, Serve Heaven]

I only wish for Your Majesty's well-being and peace.

Your Majesty, Consort Li...

- Your Majesty. - She...

I insist on coming back.

Eunuch Su, step back first.

Your Majesty, don't hide anything from me.

Will Lord Cheng and others act tomorrow?

Or else why would you suddenly want me to leave the palace?

That's not true.

Listen to me. You go first.

I won't leave.

I won't feel at ease if you don't go.

If even I am absent,

won't Lord Cheng become suspicious?

I must stay.

Do you know

what it means to stay at tomorrow night's banquet?

It's precisely because I know

that I want to stay by Your Majesty's side

and face it together.

I won't allow that.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty, if I fall into enemy hands,

I would rather die

than bring trouble to Your Majesty.

[Govern the People, Serve Heaven] My dear.

[Govern the People, Serve Heaven]

[Tomb of the Great Emperor Xiao]

In the spring,

with solemn ceremonies,

we offer sacrifices and libations,

respectfully presenting offerings at the ancestral temple

to express our admiration and longing.

We pay our respects,

perform ablution rituals, offer incense, and honor the ancestors.

Since Father passed this throne to me,

at any time,

I will not allow anyone

to snatch this position away.

You old man,

you must carefully watch

who this world truly belongs to.

[Tomb of the Great Emperor Xiao]

It reads!

Establishing the way of heaven, called Yin and Yang.

Establishing the way of earth, called softness and firmness.

The teachings of saints and sages, venerating heaven and earth.

A perpetual lamp in the long night.

Achieving great unity under heaven.

All of you, leave.

Yes, Your Highness.

[Late Emperor]

Father.

You've returned.

I'm glad.

Are you comforting me

or comforting yourself?

Do you know what kind of days I experienced

when you sent me as a hostage to the Dai Country?

Don't you know that?

I live in a sheep pen every day,

enduring humiliation,

going hungry, barely clothed.

Me?

A princess?

Father,

I'm not even worthy of being called a human.

I'm just the dirt in the sheep pen.

My dear Jing,

you've suffered so much.

Actually, I think of you all the time.

I spent in the Dai Country.

I fantasized every day that one day,

you would come to the Dai Country to take me home.

I fantasized every day

that you would love me, cherish me, and hold me

like you did when I was little.

Your daughter has returned.

The Eldest Princess Wanning has returned.

I have

let you down.

Father, I also want to ask you this.

Besides loving yourself

and your son,

have you ever loved me for a day in your life?

Jing, don't say anything anymore.

When they made such demands back then,

they put me in a difficult situation.

I had no choice.

Father, I asked

if you have ever loved me.

Father,

you should take your medicine.

After taking the medicine,

you will naturally recover.

The pillow is dirty.

Let me change it for you.

Here.

Jing. Please, Jing.

Father.

Father,

you were the one who wronged me first.

All of you owe me this.

I heard that your northern army is incredibly brave

and renowned far and wide.

The people welcomed you on your way into the capital.

With the northern army,

our Great Yan can continue for generations.

Thanks to Your Majesty's protection.

We're one, be it the northern army or the Zhongyuan army.

There is no distinction.

Sheng, go back and rest for a while.

Don't leave until you're not drunk at the banquet tonight.

Duke Su.

It has been almost nine years since we last met.

I can't believe you're this tall now.

I remember when I left the capital,

you were only this tall.

If your parents are still alive,

they would feel comforted

to see you now.

My father had bad luck

and couldn't survive on the battlefield.

If he could see your achievements now,

he would also be very pleased.

I have to thank General Xiao.

If he hadn't come to support from the southern border back then,

I wouldn't have been able to make amends

and reclaim lost territory.

It's a pity.

He died with an arrow piercing his heart

in the valley.

I'm also

deeply saddened by it.

It's all old history.

There's no need to bring it up.

Master wouldn't listen to advice.

I always said not to pursue the defeated enemy relentlessly.

He clearly had the chance to turn back.

But he insisted on going to the end.

It's truly regrettable.

I hope

you won't repeat

my master's mistakes.

I don't like taking risks.

Stability is the most important thing.

Why fight with oneself?

At the banquet,

I will humbly seek advice from you again.

I hope to see you again later.

Of course.

Fate has never been kind to me since I was young.

As they say, surviving a great calamity brings great fortune.

I escaped death once before.

If there's good fortune to come,

please give that fortune to Xiao Heng.

[Duke Su's Residence]

I need some of you to keep watch at the west court.

The rest keep watch at the east court.

- Yes, sir! - Yes, sir!

Is something going to happen?

Why is the residence heavily guarded?

Mr. Xue, please rest assured.

It's just a regular drill in the residence.

It's about preventing problems before they occur.

Are my sister and the others doing well?

Don't keep it from me.

With your actions, you can't fool me.

You only need to stay in the residence.

We have made the arrangements regarding Miss Xue.

There are secret guards both inside and outside the residence

to ensure nothing unexpected happens.

Move out!

I'll be counting on you tonight.

Don't worry.

Duke Su has everything arranged.

The secret guards will keep watch outside the Jiang's Residence.

Master.

I was just looking for you. Zhao Ke.

I was away from home for a few days, right?

No one took care of the plants in the garden.

I noticed one of the plants having some issues earlier.

Can you go over and take a look?

Old Madam called for me because she needed something.

I can't get you to help me right now, can I?

I'll go with you.

Look at this.

How can this perfectly good plant look so wilted?

It's such a shame.

This is the only memory my mother left for me.

You must help me save it.

I think I smell something rotten.

Are the roots decaying inside?

Take a sniff.

Based on its appearance,

it's probably been exposed to the sun for too long.

I'll move it to a shady spot,

water it regularly, and add some fertilizer.

It should revive after a few days.

No, that's not it.

It must be the roots rotting.

Come closer and smell.

Come over and smell.

Sir, Old Madam is still waiting for me.

I need to take leave now.

Zhao Ke!

My Lady, a letter from the Duke's Residence.

[Something important to discuss. Make haste to the Duke's Residence.]

My Lady, could something have happened?

The Duke asked me to come to his residence urgently.

He said there's something important to discuss.

Why is he asking to see you at this time?

Maybe you should go tomorrow instead.

At a critical moment like this,

he must have urgent matters

to share with me.

Bai Xue, leave for now.

Yes, My Lady.

Accompany me to the Duke's Residence.

Yes.

I wonder if this is about my father or Zhao.

Zhao Ke, how long until we arrive?

My Lady, we'll arrive in a quarter-hour.

Second Lady Jiang?

My Lady, do you have any instructions?

My Lady.

Could it be this Zhao Ke...

Zhao Ke,

you usually deliver letters from the Duke's Residence.

Why did you give one to Bai Xue today?

I was helping tidy the garden in the afternoon.

Maybe the messenger couldn't find me.

He's indeed suspicious.

Stop the carriage.

Watch your steps.

Zhao Ke, wait here.

I need to buy something.

It looks like you've figured me out.

Let me go! Help!

Help!

Help!

Let me go!

Let me go!

How does it feel to relive your past experience?

Who was he?

Nobody has been able

to see through his skills in mimicking voices and disguising.

But you

are pretty impressive.

What do you want by catching me?

Of course, I need to settle the scores of your plan

about faking my pregnancy.

But I can wait until Xiao Heng arrives.

So he can watch your end with me.

What do you think?

He even handed over the Longwu Army.

He's no longer a threat to all of you anymore.

Why are you still not letting him go?

You're in a perilous situation yourself.

Yet, you're still worried about him.

Your genuine emotions

really make one want to shed tears.

Do you know what it's like to lose a child?

Do you know how painful it is

to have one's hopes shattered?

I don't know.

But I do know what it feels like to be buried alive

by someone I loved and trusted.

Sometimes,

I quite like you, Xue Fangfei.

If it weren't for Shen Yurong,

we could have been friends.

I'll never be friends

with someone as despicable as you.

I know you're trying to provoke me.

But before Xiao Heng arrives,

I won't lay a finger on you.

I only want to see both of you suffer together.

You call me despicable?

If you were in my shoes,

you might be even more ruthless.

You and Shen Yurong are truly a perfect match.

You use the same excuses to justify yourselves.

That's why I like him.

Your once innocent husband

has finally been dragged into the mud by me.

He should have been like me.

♪If there are no happy memories♪

♪How can we traverse the forbidden land of sorrow?♪

♪Two cold and unfeeling bodies♪

♪Holding hands, can we get through the snow season?♪

♪In the cold wind, in the long night♪

♪Embracing the remaining warmth♪

♪The depth of the sea, unfathomable♪

♪Can it bury yesterday's sighs?♪

♪Continue to love, cherishing it with my life♪

♪Continue to live, even with only a glimmer of hope♪

♪Whether in sorrow or joy, I believe in you♪

♪I'd rather be trapped in the world's extremes♪

♪Continue to live, exhausting all courage♪

♪Continue to love, until the breath runs out♪

♪Traversing half a lifetime of loneliness, just to meet you♪

♪After the hardships, never to part again♪

♪After the hardships, never to part again♪