Original subtitles

♪Flower petals have fallen, piling as high as mortal mercilessness♪

♪Gone with the wind, as if it has never existed♪

♪I ask for more time♪

♪To rewrite our stories♪

♪We travel together in joys and woes♪

♪Blood bathes this entangled destiny♪

♪For the next reunion in the troubled times♪

♪We tread a treacherous path♪

♪To find each other♪

♪Wars and bleakness, the bright moon shines upon the city♪

♪I will offer my bravery♪

♪Fighting relentlessly♪

♪All for no regrets♪

♪In this life-and-death battle, I will not back down♪

♪Withstand enduring time♪

♪Someone at the end of the world never leaves♪

♪I brave the grim haze to be with you once again♪

=Love of Nirvana= (Based on Xiao Lou's novel of the same name)

Can you tell me

who this shameless cat is?

Sir,

you've got the wrong person.

Really?

You look exactly like

a little thief who stole my belt a few days ago.

That little thief looked timid,

but was full of clever tricks.

However,

I gave her a small punishment in return.

I left a little mark

on her body.

What's wrong?

Does it hurt?

I did it to myself.

If it hurts, I deserve it.

Sir,

I don't know you,

and I've never met you.

Your skills and bravery

are unmatched.

Please let me go,

and I'll help you catch that thief.

Once you catch her,

what do you plan to do?

I'll make her return your belt,

and you can give her a new lease on life.

You sure talk tough,

and you have thick skin.

I take my hat off

to you.

Sir,

you've roamed the martial world for many years,

and have seen it all.

If I could

impress you,

it would be an honor for me.

But you and I

belong to

two different worlds.

I promise

you will never see me again.

I beg you, sir, to spare my life.

Spare your life?

Isn't climbing trees more fun?

You're just afraid I'll reveal your secret.

But if I really wanted to,

why would I allow myself to be bait

and get caught by you?

Bait?

The marquis has already set up a trap,

there's no way you can escape.

You're quite the storyteller.

How do I know this isn't a ruse to lure me in?

I don't even know you.

I don't know what kind of grudge you have.

What good would it do for me to tell on you?

Since you're a nobody,

I'll just kill you and leave.

Fine,

even if you kill me,

the marquis will avenge me.

Brilliant.

Using the crab banquet as bait,

and sure enough, it worked.

Your Lordship,

are you going to find Miss Jiang?

Of course.

The river flows fast at night,

and she's been drinking.

She might be in danger.

Make sure she's safe.

Yes.

How much longer

until the troops arrive?

They've already been dispatched from the envoy quarters.

They'll be here soon.

What is the assassin doing?

It's too far away

to hear what they're saying.

Why do you think

Pei Yan would avenge you?

The Marquis and I are strangers,

yet he's willing to use

the best medicines to save my life.

He takes care of me in every way.

And you?

You're nothing but a despicable villain.

Since you didn't expose me,

there's no reason for you to stay alive.

You really have a strong will to survive.

You just won't die.

Fine.

I'll let you write a farewell letter

so you can ask someone to avenge you.

This is between you and me,

I won't involve innocent people.

I must say, you've got guts.

I know I'm no match for you,

and I know killing me would be as easy as lifting a finger for you.

But let me tell you,

even if I die,

I will never let you off.

How so?

I curse you,

in life and in death,

to be condemned by all

and spat on by thousands.

Your Lordship,

An has arrived.

Proceed.

The one thing I fear least in life

is a curse.

Miss Jiang.

Your Lordship.

We've ordered a search within ten li.

Curses,

he got away again.

Apologies for my late arrival.

You must be frightened, miss.

Why are you here?

I drank too much and wandered off,

then I was caught by that scoundrel again.

Your Lordship,

this is the second time you've saved me.

How can I ever

repay you?

It was my fault.

I shouldn't have

brought you out tonight.

I failed to protect you.

I apologize.

Miss Jiang,

that assassin

has tried several times to kill you,

it must be because

you know something about him.

That's why he wants to silence you.

You've come to such a remote place,

yet he still found you.

This shows how determined

he is to get to you.

If you wish to leave,

I won't force you to stay.

However,

you must be careful.

The assassin may have failed this time,

but he will surely try again.

The next step...

Your Lordship,

perhaps it's because I've lost too much blood

or am too shaken.

I'm afraid

I need to stay at your residence for a few more days.

If that's the case,

Miss Jiang, from now on,

please don't wander off after drinking.

Your Lordship, you are truly a good man.

Young Master,

Pei Yan dispatched all the Changfeng Guards

to Lanyue Restaurant just to catch you.

The night patrol soldiers on Teng Rui's return route

have been diverted.

You have half an hour to act.

Miss Jiang.

Come over here.

Miss Jiang.

What's wrong?

He could have killed me easily,

so why did he toy with me?

What do you mean?

He hesitated to kill me.

One moment he tried to turn me against you,

the next

he wanted me to write a will.

I've always admired the splendor and scholarly atmosphere

of Qingkang.

Especially Yu Shrine in the east of the city,

they say there's a piece of calligraphy by Master Yu there.

I've long yearned to see it.

It's all because of my third brother,

he wrote songs and poems for Miss Suyan.

He excitedly invited me to listen.

Then someone told him

that Master Yu's calligraphy had been discovered at Yu Shrine.

So he rushed off to Yu Shrine.

It was his ploy to lure us away.

An Cheng.

Yes.

Mobilize the troops.

Let's go.

Young Master.

You audacious scoundrel!

Your Lordship,

must I go?

This concerns Lord Teng's safety.

If Lord Teng dies,

neither of us will survive.

You...

You audacious scoundrel!

Who are you?

Miss Jiang.

Come on.

Why does this assassin repeatedly try to kill Teng Rui?

After him!

Easy.

Easy.

Lie him down properly.

Get the medicine.

Liu.

Yes.

Liu!

Get some water.

Hang in there.

I'll go.

Here's the medicine.

Apply the medicine.

Give me the medicine.

Xiao Haitian,

you pretended to negotiate peace and imprisoned King Qi.

You've committed an unforgivable crime.

The things people say

to condemn an innocent man.

Such insolence.

Traitor Xiao Haitian,

you've betrayed your word,

and allied with the enemy.

You've been executed on the spot by this general.

People of Yueluo,

if you surrender your weapons,

I will consider

that you were deceived by a traitor,

and let you off.

If not, you will be killed.

Quickly!

Go!

Hurry!

Mother!

Go quickly!

Mother!

Don't look back.

Let's go together.

Mother, let's escape together.

Go!

Young Master,

why didn't you wait for me to apply the medicine?

How is Liu?

His hand is broken,

but at least he's still alive.

Take good care of him.

When you get the chance,

send him back to Yueluo.

Yes.

All these years,

you've been secretly looking after the Yueluo people in Qingkang.

I understand.

Last time, you told them to burn the bodies,

because it's easier to return ashes to Yueluo.

It doesn't matter.

The former city lord

was falsely accused of colluding with the Wei,

and imprisoning King Qi.

To this day,

he is still branded as a traitor to Yueluo.

But all of us former subordinates know that

the former city lord was not a traitorous man.

To clear his name,

you rose to power

through the Guangming Bureau,

and formed the Shadow Sect.

You've endured years of humiliation.

How much have you suffered?

Get up quickly.

You...

You are the children of Xiao Haitian.

Hit them!

Hit them!

Hit them!

Ah Di!

Come on.

Brother.

Here,

have this.

Be careful, it's hot.

Look,

I added sugar.

Now the porridge doesn't taste bitter anymore.

Sister...

I'm not hungry.

You drink it.

Sister,

I want to change my name.

To what?

I want to protect you,

and clear Father's name.

From today on,

my name will be Wei Zhao.

Alright,

I'm with you.

Now finish your porridge,

okay?

Arrest everyone.

Take the men back to the camp.

Send the women to Qingkang.

Brother.

- Brother! - Sister!

Back then,

you and Young Lady hid your identities

and fled to Bingzhou.

You encountered a famine,

and then ran into the Zhenyuan army,

who were capturing slaves in various provinces.

They took you away.

At least

I am still alive.

Sister

saved me from Yueluo,

but I couldn't protect her.

But, Young Master,

you endured slander at court

for Young Lady's sake.

Young Master,

Young Lady's obstructed labor

was an accident.

Please don't blame yourself anymore.

It's that girl Jiang Ci,

she keeps ruining our plans.

I'll go kill her right now.

Young Master.

- Careful. - Miss Jiang.

I will prepare a bath and fresh clothes for you.

Miss Jiang,

thanks to your calm action,

you saved Lord Teng.

Please accept

my bow of gratitude.

It's nothing.

I was saving myself as well.

Miss Jiang,

does your wound hurt?

Your Lordship,

I...

Maybe it was the crabs I ate,

now I've caught a cold.

You should go back.

I can manage myself.

Alright.

If you need anything,

let Shuxia know.

Don't push yourself,

understand?

Thank you.

Your Lordship,

Lord Teng has been sent back to the envoy quarters.

We've tightened security.

I underestimated him.

He knew from the start that Jiang Ci was bait.

He took the bait on purpose,

pretending to fall into my trap,

when in fact

I was the one who was getting tricked.

Who exactly is this assassin?

He is after Teng Rui,

so he must have another motive.

I need to keep Teng Rui close to me.

That way, I'll have a chance

to capture him in one swoop.

By the way,

no one must know

that we used the envoy's men

to set up a trap tonight.

If anyone inquires,

tell them

I was out for a stroll with my maidservant

and ran into bandits.

Maidservant?

It's normal for a young man to do wild things.

It'll also stop the emperor from worrying about me.

But this Miss Jiang

seems like a shrewd person.

Can you really trust her?

She barely survived tonight.

Let her rest and recover for now.

Why does it hurt so much?

Miss Jiang,

that assassin

has tried several times to kill you.

It must be because

you know something about him.

That's why he wants to silence you.

Shuxia!

Shuxia!

What's wrong, Miss Jiang?

Quick, get the Marquis!

That assassin...

He...

What about the assassin?

Go quickly!

Okay...

So you had it all planned out.

Once that girl dies,

Pei Yan

won't be able to use her

to track you down.

But if Pei Yan steps in to save her again,

this person

might become the most important variable

in my fight against Pei Yan.

Did you find anything

by the lake outside Fanglin Manor?

Yes.

Just as you expected.

We found this

in the bushes by the river.

Look, Young Master.

She's quite a strong-willed girl.

Have someone

keep a close eye on Pei's Residence.

Understood.

Who goes there?

Yan.

Long time no see.

Qiao.

How have you been?

I'm fine.

If it weren't for the two of you,

I would have died long ago.

I never thought I'd see you again.

Don't cry.

Your Majesty,

a message from the Internal Affairs Bureau.

The Yan sisters have escaped.

We've dispatched people to search

along the Liang'an area.

Look at me,

I'm so happy to see you again

after so long.

By the way,

where is Wan?

She's been gone for 20 years now.

In life,

we are always guided

by an invisible hand.

We never know where we're going.

And when you finally see where you're going,

life

comes to an end.

I came back to Qingkang

because I have

a favor to ask of you.

Do tell.

The Internal Affairs Bureau found me.

You don't know how dangerous the world is.

What's wrong?

Perhaps

the heat has affected my appetite.

When I was returning to the village earlier,

I saw some watercress growing at the village entrance.

Can you go pick some for me?

Sure,

I'll go right now.

The Internal Affairs Bureau.

You're from the court.

The village is no longer safe.

If Ci follows me,

I fear she'll be discovered as well.

Master,

I'm going away for a few days.

Would that be okay?

Master,

I asked you, didn't I?

I'll take your silence as a yes.

Master, don't be mad.

I'll be back soon.

Only by muddying the waters

could I make my escape.

What do you want me to do?

Spread a rumor to the palace.

About what?

The Pei family of Nanling.

Who is this Zhao Wu?

The emperor is so afraid of the Pei family?

I'll stoke the flames

and let them fight each other.

Well?

It's the Heart Corroding Powder of Miao.

Is there an antidote?

There is a way,

but we still need one main ingredient.

It's also from Miao, called Crane Grass.

The Miao tribe did offer Crane Grass as tribute,

and the Imperial Medical Bureau used it to make Heart Elixir.

But last year,

someone in the palace used Crane Grass to perform witchcraft.

The emperor was furious

and destroyed all the Crane Grass.

He also banned the Miao tribe from offering more.

Now, I'm afraid you won't find even a strand

in the whole city of Qingkang.

I didn't expect the assassin to poison the dagger.

No wonder he was in no hurry

to kill Miss Jiang.

It was all calculated in advance.

I thought it was a diversion.

Turns out it was a plan to kill two birds with one stone.

Shuxia said

that before Miss Jiang fainted,

she mentioned something about an assassin.

If she dies just like that,

we'll lose our only clue.

There's no Crane Grass,

but what if we can find a Heart Elixir?

The Heart Elixir is made from Crane Grass,

so it should have a similar effect.

Deputy Commander Tong's trip wasn't in vain.

The medical records say

there's still one elixir left.

It's just that

Marquis Pei must personally enter the palace

to request the medicine from His Majesty.

Forgive me for asking,

who in your residence is ill

and urgently needs the Heart Elixir?

I assume

the condition must be very serious.

I won't hide it, Doctor.

The poisoned woman is a key witness.

She was just about to reveal the truth of the case to the Marquis

when she was suddenly poisoned.

It's a confidential matter.

The Marquis has his own arrangements.

I won't trouble you further, Doctor.

I'm going to report back now.

My Lord,

news from the palace,

Pei Yan has sent someone to the Imperial Medical Bureau to request medicine.

He's trying to save the girl.

Such a great effort.

According to the tip,

the girl seemed to recall something about the assassin.

But before she could say anything, the poison took effect.

Who said

that?

Pei Yan's guard, Tong Min,

told the doctor.

The assassination of Teng Rui

hasn't been made public yet.

It shows how cautious Pei Yan is.

But the leak

came from the honest Tong Min.

Do you think it was intentional

or accidental?

Could it be

another trap set by Pei Yan?

Pei Yan wanted me

to receive this news on purpose.

He wants to put me in a difficult position.

What do you mean

by a "difficult position"?

If I take the bait

and try to stop him from getting the elixir,

I will reveal myself.

If I see through the trap

and do nothing,

Pei Yan will easily get the Heart Elixir

and save Jiang Ci.

Either way, it's a dilemma for you, sir.

What should we do now?

Pei Yan is in the open,

we are in the shadows.

Finding us is like finding

a needle in a haystack.

Let's play

a game.

No one shall have

the elixir.

I remember Prince Zhuang has a favored concubine,

Madam Zhou.

She's known for her gluttony.

Send word to Mr. Ping.

Invite Madam Zhou

to try some Miao delicacies.

Make Prince Zhuang request the medicine.

We must not let Pei Yan get the elixir.

That hurts.

I hit your arm,

why are you holding your head?

This is serious.

Who's going to make you tea and pour you wine now?

There, there.

It's not a big deal.

You don't think it's a big deal?

Calm down,

I'll get you some snacks.

Thank you, Sister-in-law.

Sanguan, oh Sanguan,

when will you start paying more attention?

If Teng Rui wants to visit Yu Shrine,

take him there.

Don't you know

that this is a critical moment in the peace talks between our two nations?

What if something

goes wrong?

But nothing happened, right?

If it weren't for Pei Yan's quick thinking,

the trouble you caused

would've been catastrophic.

Alright.

I was wrong.

It won't happen again.

Father doesn't know about this, does he?

I've spoken with Pei Yan.

He made some mistakes last night too.

He will handle it.

I'm sure Teng Rui

won't say anything either.

Right.

Everyone made mistakes.

I'm just worried for your sake,

Brother.

I don't mind if Father breaks my legs.

But if those hounds at the Censorate find out

that you went out at night to Lanyue Parlor,

they won't stop biting you.

You're telling me?

I only went to Lanyue Parlor because of you.

Right...

Greetings, Crown Prince.

Your Highness,

bad news.

What is it?

Tell me.

News from the palace,

Madam Zhou has been poisoned!

What?

Marquis Pei,

His Majesty is resting.

Unless it's urgent,

I suggest you return.

Then I

shall wait here.

Once His Majesty is awake,

please notify him.

Very well.

Then...

As you wish, Marquis Pei.

I'll take my leave.

What is it?

Your Majesty,

the Marquis of Jianding is still waiting outside the palace.

Is it about that maid and the medicine again?

Yes.

Your Majesty, last time you were

planning to make him the Prime Minister.

Yet this time, you leave him waiting outside.

Your intentions

are so unpredictable.

Your Majesty,

sorry I won again.

What kind of move was that?

I merely took advantage

of your brilliant play.

Your Majesty,

you've only lost to yourself.

Pei Yan is still waiting outside?

Yes

Your Majesty,

he's still waiting outside.

Summon him.

Summon him?

As you wish.

You insist on seeing me

just for this Heart Elixir?

Your Majesty,

someone in my household has been poisoned by a Miao poison.

Only this elixir can cure her.

In order to save her life,

I have no choice but to disturb you.

Please pardon my offense.

Father!

Father!

Help!

Father!

Help!

What kind of behavior is this?

Where's your decorum?

Father, you know why I'm here.

What do you mean?

I have a beloved concubine,

and Father, you know her.

Yesterday, Madam Zhou

ate something unknown,

and has been unconscious since.

The imperial doctor said

it's the Heart Corroding Powder of Miao.

Only the Heart Elixir can cure it.

That's why I rushed here to request the elixir from you, Father.

Saving lives is an urgent matter.

I'll take this.

Wait, Your Highness.

What is it, Young Master?

Someone in my household has also been poisoned by Miao poison.

We, too, urgently need the Heart Elixir.

Someone in your household is poisoned too?

Who?

Last night, in a moment of indulgence,

I took a maid out to Lanyue Parlor.

Unfortunately, at Lanyue Parlor,

she felt peckish

and ate food sold by a street vendor.

When we returned home,

she fell unconscious.

Young Master,

I know

you are a kind master who cares for your servants.

But how can a maid

compare to my beloved concubine?

How about this?

Afterwards,

I'll send 180 maids to your mansion.

Let's not fight over this.

Are you really going to fight over this?

Ridiculous!

What are you two doing?

He started it first.

I was rash.

I deserve to be punished.

But I beg Your Majesty

to grant this Heart Elixir to me.

All this

just for a maid?

Your Majesty,

a maid's life counts

just as much as a concubine's.

You've always treated your people

with love and equality.

You surely won't turn a blind eye.

I believe

if the common folk hear of your righteous deed,

they will surely sing your praises.

Pei Yan,

are you desperate?

I am very worried.

I beg you to grant my request.

You are right.

Life is not measured by status.

As the emperor,

I must treat all equally.

However,

I can't favor either of you.

Father,

there is only one Heart Elixir.

It can't be split in two.

Father,

since both Sanguan and Young Master

are fighting for their loved ones,

it's only fair to let them compete.

How about a match,

and the winner gets the Heart Elixir?

Compete in what?

How about a game of Go?

One move

will decide the outcome.

I disagree.

Father,

I'm terrible at Go.

There's no way I can beat him.

That's not fair.

Then what do you suggest?

I suggest...

Sanlang will help me.

Since it's a fair competition,

it should be between equals.

Sanlang will represent me.

If Sanlang loses,

I won't dwell on it.

Wei Zhao, what do you think?

Your Highness, do you mean it?

If I lose,

you won't blame me?

My word

is my bond.

Young Master, is that okay with you?

I've long heard of your exceptional skill in chess.

It would be my honor

to play against you today.

Alright then.

No matter who wins or loses,

a life will be saved.

♪Pluck a red bean, cherish you♪

♪Deep within♪

♪A flower of affection blooms without fading♪

♪Forever in love♪

♪Fold a kite, let it fly with the wind♪

♪Into sweet dreams♪

♪The beautiful moments we shared last through time♪

♪We never leave each other♪

♪My love sees the sun rising and the moon setting♪

♪Your face stays vivid in my mind♪

♪Two hearts bound to each other♪

♪Like flowing water, love and hate continue♪

♪I only wish for your unwavering heart♪

♪You are still there when I turn back♪

♪As passionate as we first met, I hold your hands through eternity♪

♪Time cannot separate us♪

♪Our longings go on♪

♪My love sees the sun rising and the moon setting♪

♪Your face stays vivid in my mind♪

♪Two hearts bound to each other♪

♪Like flowing water, love and hate continue♪

♪I only wish for your unwavering heart♪

♪You are still there when I turn back♪

♪As passionate as we first met, I hold your hands through eternity♪

♪Time cannot separate us♪

♪Our longings go on♪