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)

=Episode 10=

Your Majesty,

those assassins would've gotten rid of me

had Marquis Pei not saved me.

Marquis Pei,

let me offer you a toast.

It's all thanks to His Majesty's grace.

I barely

did the minimum.

Today,

it was fortunate

that the envoys of Wei State were saved.

Once the peace treaty is officially signed,

I will hold a grand celebration

on Qinghui River.

Your Majesty is wise.

Your Majesty is wise.

Your Majesty is wise.

Pei Yan,

you should be in charge of the signing ceremony.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Sanlang.

How are your ears doing?

Your Majesty,

please stop teasing me.

That old woman almost

bit half of my ear off.

It was so embarrassing.

I was negligent.

That's why Sanlang was wounded by that crook.

I'll drink three cups as punishment.

Lord Pei.

You shouldn't blame me for being angry

and punish them by the law without permission.

You got caught off guard and failed, huh?

Don't be upset.

Drink up.

Today's a joyous occasion.

Your Majesty, you're right.

At this moment,

we should drink

and enjoy sword dances.

Since today's a joyous occasion,

allow me

to perform a dance.

♪The wind sighs as catkins fill the city♪

♪The cuckoo cries as it longs for home♪

♪Home is nowhere in sight on the difficult path♪

♪As melancholic as the layers of sand♪

♪The rain pours as if it's weeping♪

♪The long goose has nowhere to land♪

♪Drinking with the moon with a cup of sorrow♪

♪Lost in a drunken slumber before the third watch♪

♪Every night and day♪

♪I can only turn my endless yearning♪

♪Into countless stars across the sky♪

♪Can you see♪

♪My distant homeland♪

♪Teary eyes that are shining for you♪

♪Flipping through those unforgettable scenes♪

♪In my dreams♪

♪Splendor is fleeting♪

♪Like rootless leaves spiraling in the wind♪

♪Drifting in the sea of memories♪

♪The place where the moon sets♪

♪Must be where home is♪

♪Whenever I gaze at the horizon♪

♪And the lonely phases of the moon♪

♪Past events resurfaced again♪

♪Can you see♪

♪My distant homeland♪

♪Beneath the same moon♪

Congratulations, Your Lordship.

How have you been doing?

How is your family doing?

Lord Liang, thank you for the concern.

Let's go.

(He, Madam He)

(Jun)

(Guiquan, Jing, Yanxin, Zhao Wanyi, Jun, Yang, Qingpo)

My Lord.

These are Mr. He's belongings

that I've brought back from the scene.

(He, Madam He)

I was negligent.

I should've brought Madam He here

at all costs.

She did the right thing.

You did the right thing too.

You should get up.

My Lord.

That Teng crook has been rescued.

Will he rat us out

and cause trouble for us?

No.

He doesn't want people to know

that he's Wang Shiquan.

I should've let Mr. He and Madam He killed him

had I known this would happen.

My Lord.

You...

You should stop being upset.

Mr. He and Madam He

sacrificed themselves for the greater cause.

I'm sure they understand your feelings.

It's all that lass's fault.

We wouldn't end up in such a sorry state

had she not meddled time and time again.

My Lord.

Allow me to get rid of her.

Your Lordship.

Your Lordship.

Mother, I've made you worried.

I deserve to die.

I'm glad that you're fine.

You may rise.

Thank you, Mother.

Come.

Have you dealt with all the matters?

I've rescued Teng Rui.

His Majesty is very pleased.

He ordered me to proceed with the peace treaty.

But you have to remember this lesson.

You wouldn't even need

to end up like this

had you not miscalculated your steps.

Yes, Mother.

And,

you have too many vulnerabilities now.

Yes, Mother.

I could've done

a better job.

It's late now.

I'm also sleepy.

You have plenty of official affairs to deal with.

You should return and rest early.

An.

An.

Listen.

- I've suffered so much. - Ci.

Are you okay?

It's all thanks

- to Xu Jun - I'm fine.

It's all thanks to His Lordship's brilliance.

I'm sure everyone was startled today.

Return to your room and rest.

Your Lordship, you've been busy for the past few days.

Aren't you going to rest?

I'm fine.

I'll head to the study room first.

Your Lordship.

Let me join you.

All right.

Did you make this for me?

Sorry about that.

I wasted your effort.

I think I can still drink this.

Your Lordship,

it has already gone cold.

You shouldn't drink it.

I'll pour it away.

Ci,

I have a question for you.

Do you blame me

for causing the death of that old couple?

Sorry.

I had duties to fulfill.

Back then,

I couldn't act.

Your Lordship,

is locating the assassin

more important to you than anything else?

That's right.

I'll head out first.

Ci.

Your Lordship.

Your Lordship.

What's wrong with Miss Jiang?

It's nothing.

By the way,

Ci and Wei Zhao visited you in the cell back then.

Was Wei Zhao

behaving strangely?

No.

Everything was normal.

When the residence was sealed off,

Commander Wei also guided us through the process.

If he was the assassin,

he had plenty of chances

to kick us while we were down during the case.

But he didn't do so.

Today,

judging from the crooks' attitude

and Commander Wei's ruthlessness,

it didn't seem like he was their leader.

Have you found out the identities of the two youngsters

who escorted Teng Rui?

They're the servants of General Lu's eldest son.

That's why

they could transport him out via the Lu's Residence backdoor,

causing An Cheng to witness the process on purpose

and prompt me into reporting it to His Majesty.

General Lu,

was he in cahoots with the Yueluo people?

I'm afraid the spies of Yueluo

have infiltrated every corner of the state.

Ziming,

what do you think?

Did Teng Rui

tell you anything about his kidnappers?

It seemed as if he was hiding something.

He remained silent about everything.

But since Teng Rui has been rescued

and the peace talk has been restored,

His Majesty

doesn't plan to delve into it for now.

Right now, the peace treaty

is more favorable.

I assume His Majesty won't stir up any additional trouble.

Are we going to let them off just like that?

Now, we don't have any evidence.

If I keep on pressing the matter,

I'm afraid it'll create a rift between me and His Majesty.

You guys must be cautious lately.

Make sure the peace talk proceeds smoothly.

We can't afford

to let anything go wrong again.

As for Teng Rui's case,

I'm afraid we have to plan for it some other time.

Yes, Your Lordship.

Xu Jun,

you should return early as well.

Remember,

do not tell anyone about this

so that people cannot make an issue out of it.

I understand.

Ziming.

Thank you for looking after the family

while I was gone.

Your Lordship, you're too courteous.

But for Ci...

What's wrong with her?

Everything happening at the moment

is an unexpected disaster for her.

I thought she would be safe.

It was fortunate indeed.

Who will protect her if something like this

happens again?

Ziming,

seems like you don't trust me.

Your Lordship,

everyone has their own aspirations.

Some people want to be high-ranking officials

while some people want to be martial artists who roam the world.

We can talk about that

next time.

It must've been tough on you guys lately.

You guys should return and rest.

Yes, Your Lordship.

(Wei Zhao, Li of Yueluo, Li Tingye, Wang Huanzhang)

I never expected this conflict

to end up hurting both parties.

I truly hope

that you aren't the one.

(To Marquis Pei.)

(Actually, I've found out about Silver Masked Man's identity long ago.)

(He's the commander of the Dawn Guards,)

(Wei Zhao.)

(Before this, he coerced me into doing his bidding.)

(Because of that,)

(I dare not expose him.)

(It was because I had no evidence as well.)

(And now, I have the evidence to prove it.)

(This is the Dark Night Orchid.)

(It'll leave a trace behind if one steps on it.)

(I've made him step on it before this.)

(Your Lordship, you'll find out once you investigate the case.)

(From Jiang Ci.)

Why are you looking for me?

I've checked the surroundings.

There's no one here.

Are you hungry?

I made some Bitterless Congee.

You should try it.

What exactly are you trying to say here?

A few years ago,

I reared a cat.

I loved it.

It was my best friend.

I spent time with it every day.

But it contracted feline distemper.

The village physician couldn't cure its condition.

I searched the entire mountain

to gather all kinds of herbs for it.

Even so, Master still said

that I couldn't save it.

I was heartbroken back then.

I cried for a few days.

But after I had enough of crying,

it became weaker and weaker

when I visited it.

When I looked into its eyes,

it was as if I knew what it was trying to tell me.

After that, I could only beg Master

to make its departure less painful.

Did you look for me

just to tell me this crap?

I understand how it feels to see off a loved one personally.

I know how it feels.

Is that so?

Do you understand the feeling of causing their deaths, then?

Do you understand how it feels to see your loved ones

leave you one by one

while you can't do anything about it?

Not only can you not protect them,

but you also have to use them as your shield to stay alive.

Do you understand that kind of feeling?

This isn't your fault.

It isn't my fault?

Whose fault is it, then?

Is it yours?

That's right.

It's your fault.

I would've sent Teng Rui

out of Qingkang successfully if it weren't for your meddling!

Zheng and Jun should be celebrating the occasion now.

And, Mr. He and Madam He,

I promised them that I would avenge Lan.

It's all you.

You're the cause of everything.

I should've killed you

when I first met you.

I was presumptuous.

I thought I could use you to restrain Pei Yan.

In the end, they died because of me.

I'm the only survivor.

It's all my fault.

Why didn't I kill you?

Why?

I grew up in the mountains.

To me,

my biggest worry

was that Master didn't allow me to leave the mountains.

I had no idea about the sufferings of the world.

But after I left the mountain,

I even witnessed the sorrow of life and death.

You harmed me thrice.

I should've hated you to the core.

But when I went back,

I burned the letter down.

I don't know why I did so either.

But I remember the expression on Madam He's face when she died.

She reminded me of the cat.

I don't know if you're Xiao Wuxia.

I don't know if you're from Yueluo or not.

But I know

that their deaths

serve to propel you forward.

I don't even know

if the things you're trying to do are right or wrong.

However,

many people would even resort

to sacrificing themselves

to help you achieve your goals.

If so, I guess the things you're doing

at least must be meaningful.

Therefore, I won't stop you

even if I'm doing so for the sake of those who were sacrificed.

The congee you make

is a far cry away from

the true Bitterless Congee.

I know.

It's because I don't have the Lingjiu Flower.

(Everyone has their own aspirations.)

(Some people want to be high-ranking officials)

(while some people want to be martial artists who roam the world.)

(But for Ci,)

(everything happening at the moment)

(is an unexpected disaster for her.)

(Who will protect her if something like this)

(happens again?)

Your Lordship.

Where's Ci?

She was unwell.

She's resting in her room.

What's wrong?

Are you unwell?

It's just stomach discomfort.

If so, you should return to your room and rest.

We'll sign a peace treaty with Wei State soon.

At this moment,

you can't afford to let yourself fall sick.

Yes, Mother.

(Qingkang)

(Liaozhou)

(Zhenyuan Army Military Camp, Liaozhou, Liao State)

Kneel!

My Lord,

I've brought our servants from Qingkang here.

(Lu Yu, Great Frontier General, Liao State)

I provided you guys with a comfortable life

so that you guys could serve

Dalang wholeheartedly.

How dare you guys double cross us?

My Lord!

Everything was normal

in the residence!

We don't know what's going on either!

You think I'll be ignorant

just because I'm not in Qingkang?

Why would the Changfeng Guards

keep an eye on my residence if everything was normal?

Why would

Pei Yan have to swallow grievances

without being able to defend himself in court, then?

Behead them!

Yes, My Lord.

My Lord, please spare us!

My Lord,

if someone did conspire

to plant some spies within the residence,

I assume these servants

would have no idea about it either.

Since they don't know anything,

it's pointless to keep them around.

Drag them out!

(Chun Yuli, Courtesy Name Changzhen, Strategist, Zhenyuan Army, Liaozhou) Behead them!

Yes, My Lord!

My Lord, please spare us!

Get up!

My Lord, please spare us!

Go!

My Lord!

My Lord, please spare us!

My Lord.

I've sent my men

to investigate the residence.

However,

the people who serve First Young Master are...

Changzhen,

you know this too.

I've stood tall and firm

my entire life.

My only regret in life

is my eldest son.

Dalang was born with a weak constitution.

Even so,

I didn't keep him by my side and take good care of him.

My Lord.

What's the matter?

(Zhang Zhicheng, Commander, Zhenyuan Army, Liao State) Nanling Foundry Bureau was asking us

whether they should ship the goods in bulk

or deliver them in batches

through land transport like they usually do?

A lot of people have their eyes on us now.

The power balance between the emperor and I

will be tipped at any second.

There's no time to delay.

(Liu, Servant, Zhenyuan Army, Liaozhou) Speed is of the essence.

Tell them

to ship them in bulk.

Transport them back to Liaozhou

as soon as possible.

Yes, My Lord.

My Lord.

Mr. Si sent us a secret letter.

Mr. Si has infiltrated

the Lu Army Camp for many years.

He wouldn't send us a secret letter if it wasn't vital.

(Young Master, the weapons used by the Zhenyuan Army weren't distributed)

(by the imperial court. They were forged by Nanling Foundry Bureau in secret.)

Nanling Foundry Bureau

is actually forging weapons for Lu Yu in secret?

Isn't Nanling one of the Pei Family's territories?

Why would Lu Yu collude with the Pei Family?

And,

why is he forging weapons in secret?

Could it be

that he truly intends to stage a rebellion?

Write back to Mr. Si.

Tell him to monitor Lu Yu's movements.

And,

get a team of reliable individuals.

Tell them to make preparations

along Qinghui River

on the day the two states will sign the peace treaty.

We've finally signed

the peace treaty with Wei State.

Your Majesty,

the legacy of our state will surely last forever.

Why aren't you talking?

I find it uninteresting.

On such a joyous occasion,

I'm sure the people will praise you, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty, if I were you,

I would surely blend in with the commoners

and enjoy all of their praises.

Have you not had enough of all those

repetitive compliments?

That's different.

Your Majesty, it's called a compliment

when they lick your boots in court.

But the people won't do such a thing.

They only respect those

who treat them well.

They won't fake anything.

Is that so?

Yes, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Did you forget what I said?

Yes,

Master.

I'll remember that.

This is a great idea.

Taking a stroll like this

feels great.

Hurry!

What's going on?

Please make way!

Mister, excuse me.

What is it?

Mister,

why is everyone running toward the river?

You don't even know that?

We're heading there to see Marquis of Jianding.

I thought Crown Prince was going to attend the boat celebration

on His Majesty's behalf.

Yeah, you're right.

But the peace negotiation only went smoothly

because Marquis of Jianding found the missing envoy of Wei State.

His achievements are truly outstanding.

I beg to differ.

The people won't be able

to lead comfortable lives without His Majesty's grace.

Are you done?

I need to see Marquis of Jianding.

Wait for me!

Master.

Let's go.

Let's go and take a look too.

Lord Teng,

please.

Please.

Marquis of Jianding!

- Your Lordship! - Marquis of Jianding!

In the past, Pan An, a handsome man, was rewarded with carts full of fruit.

Today, Liao State has a hero of our own as well.

Marquis Pei, your boat is filled with incense and admiration.

Your Highness, you flatter me.

Marquis of Jianding!

Marquis of Jianding!

Marquis of Jianding! Over here!

Marquis of Jianding!

Master.

The people don't understand the situation.

Please don't take it to heart.

You said this yourself.

The people only cheer for

the figure they respect.

It was just a random statement.

Marquis of Jianding!

Seems like

everyone desires Pei Yan

to be the Prime Minister.

Pei Yan

excels at making a comeback from dire situations.

It's the same for the case he investigated.

Everyone thought he was in dire straits.

But he managed to create an opening

and turn the tide

in a seeming impossible situation.

Pei Yan said

that Xu Jun encountered a landslide at Mount Hongfeng

and lost the deer, right?

That's right.

It did rain before this.

And, there was a landslide at Mount Hongfeng.

Head to the relay stations along the route

and retrieve the records of Xu Jun

and his party's lodgings and horse exchanges.

Yes, Master.

Let's return to the palace.

Godfather.

Zhao Wu is...

Chief Steward Tao,

I shall take my leave.

All right.

Greetings, Commander. I'm Jiang Yuan.

Commander Wei, do you not remember him?

This is Jiang Yuan.

He joined the palace together with you.

Commander Wei is a busy man.

It's normal for him to forget about me.

See Commander Wei off.

Wei Zhao is one of His Majesty's favorite subjects now.

(Jiang Yuan, Internal Affairs Bureau, Liao State) You shouldn't offend him.

I just can't stand

that arrogant look on his face.

How's your progress?

I was inept.

I haven't found

the person who leaked Zhao Wu's information in the palace.

Jiang Yuan,

no matter how much you hate Wei Zhao,

you can only replace him

by fulfilling your duties.

Godfather, thank you for your teaching.

I vow to dedicate my life and loyalty

to you.

It's good that you're filial.

However, remember this.

His Majesty detests those who harbor ulterior motives.

In the future,

you should hide your intentions

in front of His Majesty

regardless of what they are.

Yes, Godfather.

You may go.

Go and investigate a person named Jiang Yuan

who appears to serve Tao Zizhu.

Yes, My Lord.

(A Peaceful Mind and Heart)

Madam.

Have you found out why His Majesty visited us that night?

I found out

that the Internal Affairs Bureau was secretly investigating

the eunuch on duty when Prince Qi was abducted,

which was Zhao Wu.

Zhao Wu?

Isn't he dead?

Zhao Wu is dead.

But he has a son.

He's been living in Nanling all along.

I actually had no idea

that such a person was hiding in Nanling.

You have to get to the bottom of this.

Yes, Madam.

Greetings, Mother.

His Majesty has high hopes for you

because you're young.

He could help you hone your political skills

so that you could serve Crown Prince in the future.

But now, the people only know about Marquis of Jianding.

They do not know who the Crown Prince is.

Of course His Majesty is worried about his son's future.

I've never harbored such a thought before.

The voices of the people are deafening.

How can His Majesty spare you now?

Back then, Pei Yan's father sacrificed his life for the state's sake.

The Pei Family

had an internal struggle for the position as the head of family.

I was afraid that Pei Yan would get hurt.

Therefore, I took him here and raised him myself.

I remember that.

Marquis Pei

was about seven to eight years old back then.

However, he was already outstanding.

Although he was young,

my sons couldn't compare to him.

Indeed.

He didn't let us down when he grew up.

He revived the Changfeng Guards

and rendered countless merits.

And now,

the people also trust him.

Your Majesty,

Pei Yan can never repay your kindness.

Even so, I'm afraid he never saw me as his father.

If not, why would he hide

that many secrets in Nanling?

Continue your investigation.

We mustn't overlook any clues in Nanling.

Yes, Your Majesty.

And,

instruct Wei Zhao

to investigate the background of the Changfeng Guards.

Yes, Your Majesty.

(Chamber of Silence)

An.

Eat up.

Where did you get this?

The people tossed it to the boat as a gift for His Lordship.

Why aren't you eating?

I kept the largest one for you, you know?

Eating is the only thing you know.

You never paid that much attention during your training.

How can you share His Lordship's burden with him in the future?

An,

you're more long-winded than my mother.

(A Peaceful Mind and Heart) Since it has come to this,

it's time for me

to tell you about something.

Do you know why His Majesty has been suppressing you

and the Pei Family all these years?

Mother, please enlighten me.

It's because of Prince Qi's case.

Back then, His Majesty ordered your father to arrest the Yan Sisters.

But they managed to escape.

Mother, were you referring

to the pair of assassins from Wei State

who came here two decades ago?

Although your father tried his best to prove his innocence after that,

His Majesty

was always paranoid about the Pei Family.

Yan.

We can only dispel His Majesty's doubts

toward the Pei Family

if we find the Yan Sisters.

Understood, Mother.

(Chamber of Silence)

Your Lordship.

Did Madam

punish you?

His Lordship had a glorious day today.

Why would Madam punish him?

You two, head out to investigate

the Yan Sisters,

a pair of assassins from the Wei State.

You must find them.

Yes, Your Lordship.

Yan.

I have some travel money for you.

Please take it.

I cannot.

You already took a huge risk

because of Zhao Wu's case.

How can I take your money?

Sister, your trip to Yuzhou Island will be a long and arduous one.

I can only rest at ease if you take my money with you.

Sister, take care.

Yan,

you should leave with me.

If I leave,

no one will be able

the poor sisters in the parlor.

You should go now.

Take care.

(Government Office)

After Mr. Ping saw that Teng Rui returned and settled down

in Yueluo after

leaving Qingkang together with the other envoys.

Tell our spies in Wei State to monitor Teng Rui.

I'll surely settle my debt with him

for Mr. He and Madam He's sake.

My Lord, not only did your plot

make His Majesty more wary of Pei Yan,

but you're also able to monitor his every move

legitimately now.

This is truly an excellent plot.

Do you have any news related to the Yan Sisters?

I've already sent my men

to search both states extensively.

However, we couldn't find any traces of them.

If this keeps up,

I don't know when we'll be able to locate them.

They've vanished for two decades.

I guess it won't be that easy

to locate them.

(The voices of the people are deafening.)

(How can His Majesty spare you now?)

Regarding the records of Xu Jun

and his party's lodgings

and horse exchanges,

have you gotten rid of them?

I already sent my men there

two days ago.

Two days ago?

Why didn't you get rid of them

right after rescuing Teng Rui?

I've told you this before, haven't I?

These men mustn't be deployed

unless it's a matter of life and death!

I guess I can overlook it this time.

After all, Teng Rui's case

will affect your chances of being the Prime Minister.

That's why I agreed to your request

when you told Crown Prince to deliver the letter to me.

But what took you so long to act?

If His Majesty hears about this,

don't you think

he'll wonder why

the Pei Family had hidden such a large army

in Qingkang?

It was my negligence.

Mother, please punish me.

Negligence?

I think it was because you were bent on delivering the medicine to that girl.

Mother,

that's not the case.

To me,

she's just a pawn.

Really?

Mother, I dare not deceive you.

You know very well

that you're the key to deciding

whether I'll keep her or not.

Yes, Mother.

Your Lordship?

Do you need anything?

Let me take you somewhere.

♪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♪