Original subtitles

TEN YEARS AGO

I'm useless.

Other than hate,

I am unable to do anything.

JINGBEI MANSION

You beggar.

Who sent you here?

100,000 souls of Qingzhou.

You're from Qingzhou.

You weren't burnt to death in Qingzhou.

If I can't kill you today,

Murong Jinghe,

remember,

the souls of Qingzhou will send you to Hell.

I am in hell.

Look.

Here.

Here.

And there.

They are all your relatives.

Can you see them?

I originally intended

to leave you with a whole body.

But I have changed my mind.

Why should I send you to hell

to join your family?

The lord ordered to let her go.

It's not so easy

to seek death.

Living is a torture.

You Qingzhou people

broke my legs.

I want you to know

how it feels to be disabled.

Father.

My lord!

Don't move!

I live

to kill you.

You can't take revenge

just with your hatred.

Weibei Army.

Murong Jinghe.

Blood for blood.

WEIBEI

JINGBEI MANSION

My lord, are you done? Be quick. I can't hold on.

Besides, it's embarrassing if others see me like this.

It's rare that you are in a good mood

and want to paint me.

This isn't me. It's Zhong Kui.

I stood there for such a long time.

It is Zhong Kui.

What's wrong?

You can use it to repel the ghosts.

After we return to Zhaojing,

there will be more and more ghosts and demons.

Ask Liu Zhong to come.

Let's take care

of the small ghost from last night first.

Mei Lin, follow me.

I will surely help you seek justice.

Don't be afraid. Come.

Prince Jing,

you are being overly bullying.

Bullying?

Who is bullying? Who is bullied?

He said it.

Without the ceremony, he wouldn't summon the Beauty.

Yet he forced Mei Lin to stay in his mansion last night.

Great Yan falsely claims to be a land of etiquette.

My lord, last night, the one who served you at the medicinal spring

was the Xiyan Beauty?

Miss, did I bully you?

Your Highness,

I served him willingly.

Your Highness…

She dares not to deny it.

Don't be afraid. I'll take you away.

Wait.

On my way,

without the Beauty as my company,

I will feel quite bored.

You haven't recovered from your old injuries.

Take care not to harm yourself.

Please don't, my lord!

I heard all Xiyan Beauties could shoot arrows with a bow.

How about the Beauty play a round with me?

If she wins,

to go or to stay,

it's up to her.

Okay. You're on.

You,

come here.

-My lord. -Demonstrate it for the Beauty.

This jade pendant is the target.

If you hit it, you'll be rewarded.

If you miss it,

you'll be punished.

My lord, I don't dare.

This is an order.

I'm willing to accept punishment.

Punishment.

How to punish you?

The punishment is your life.

My lord. My lord, please spare my life.

It is due to my lack of skill.

Since it's due to your lack of skill,

why should I keep you?

Execution.

Do you understand…

the game rules now?

She is mine. Who dares to touch her?

Please calm your anger, my lord.

It'll be inappropriate for us to kill a Xiyan Beauty.

Boring.

Escort the princess back to the relay station.

Once the princess has rested and prepared,

depart immediately for the capital.

Yes.

Eunuch Liu,

look,

that is the assassin you were looking for.

JINGBEI RELAY STATION

Mei Lin, he truly is a murderous demon.

People all say the mass murderer general killed 100,000 innocent people.

I didn't believe it at first.

Now it seems it was true.

He could kill his guard at will.

He is a demon who kills for fun.

That man is the assassin from last night.

My brother is right.

We should stay away from him.

Stay away from the mass murderer.

Mei Lin,

take this.

If he bullies you again, stab him with this.

Your Highness.

Stab him in the fourth rib.

That's where the heart and lung are.

A fatal blow in one strike.

No.

That's where the cows' and sheep's heart and lung are.

How about in humans?

Here?

No. Here?

Or here?

Your Highness, don't worry.

I can protect myself.

Forget it. If you kill him, you can't survive.

How about this?

On our way to the capital, you stay with me.

I am the princess. I can surely protect you.

Thank you, Your Highness.

You don't have to thank me.

Since it's the Beauty my third brother is interested in,

you must investigate her thoroughly.

EASTERN PALACE GARDEN

Don't let him be fooled by the Xiyan people.

Rest assured, Your Highness.

I've asked someone to investigate her.

The butterfly is not a dirty thing. Let it fly around here.

This will do for one pot. Boil water. Use pine charcoal.

Yes.

Your Highness, I have something to report.

You've come just in time.

This is Bamboo Cloud Dragon Tea. Care to try this with me?

Let's talk while drinking.

Your Highness,

I am but a simple warrior.

I don't understand the art of tea. I'm afraid…

Mr. Zhang,

I don't understand the art of tea, either.

But I know

only two tins of Cloud Dragon Tea were produced this year.

His Majesty bestowed

one of them to His Highness.

Good tea requires good water.

The spring water from Tianshou Mountain is filtered through bamboo conduits

and then boiled with pine charcoal

before it is used to brew tea.

Pine charcoal, with its gentle and slow-burning nature,

is what allows the spring water to be thoroughly heated.

Mr. Zhang, please wait a moment.

Your Highness,

do you know the other tin of Cloud Dragon Tea

was sent to Prince Jing's Mansion in Jingbei?

Thank you, Your Highness.

Zhang Yin, you're getting bolder and bolder.

You actually placed a spy by my father's side.

I wouldn't dare.

The news comes from my scout in Jingbei.

I've told you when you are handling anything related to Prince Jing,

you must be very cautious.

Sir, hold it steady and drink.

Your Highness,

I know I was wrong. I'm willing to accept punishment.

I'm just worried that when Prince Jing comes back to the capital,

he might re-investigate the old Qingzhou case.

If he finds some new evidence…

That's why I sent a scout.

Did he find anything?

I don't know.

The scout was killed by Prince Jing.

So, what do you want from me today?

I hope Your Highness can tell me what to do.

This butterfly was flying just fine.

If it hadn't acted rashly,

it wouldn't have been caught by the wing.

I don't get it.

Please enlighten me.

My third brother's act of killing indicates

that he believes the timing is not right and that he lacks evidence.

If you make a false move,

you may face dire consequences.

Mr. Zhang, remember that.

I will keep your instructions in mind, Your Highness.

Since you are not familiar with the art of tea,

I shall not insist on your staying.

I'll take my leave.

A hard reputation to live up to.

The Cloud Dragon Tea is nothing special.

A disgraced prince actually still receives favors.

WANG QUAN

It seems His Majesty now is ready to forgive Prince Jing.

My father still favors my third brother.

There can be two tins of Cloud Dragon Tea.

But there can be only one Crown Prince in Great Yan.

Your Highness is the true long incarnate.

No matter what,

the position of the Crown Prince cannot possibly go to a prince

who massacred civilians.

I heard the peace-making princess was Mr. Yue Qin's sister.

Marriage alliance with the Xiyan princess.

We will enjoy peace from now on.

It seems there will be no more wars.

Mr. Yue Qin's sister must be very beautiful.

Come here.

The Beauties behind the carriage are also so beautiful.

Yeah.

I heard the wedding envoy this time was Prince Jing.

The former General Weibei.

That mass murderer general.

Exactly.

Has His Majesty forgiven him?

The mass murderer is unfit to be the wedding envoy.

He certainly doesn't deserve it.

A crow perches on a withered tree

The pale moon at the second watch Shines on decayed bones

Troops enter the city by candlelight…

-What's that? -I don't know.

Surveying the land Turned into scorched earth

A disabled guide leads the way

The people look around anxiously

Injustice cries out To the nine heavens for redress

Summoning 100,000 lost souls To kill the mass murderer

A crow perches on a withered tree

The pale moon at the second watch Shines on decayed bones

Troops enter the city by candlelight

Surveying the land Turned into scorched earth

A disabled guide leads the way

The people look around anxiously

Injustice cries out To the nine heavens for redress

-Summoning 100,000 lost souls to kill -The people did not forget the grudge.

How could my father forget it?

Kill the mass murderer!

Avenge the 100,000 wronged souls of Qingzhou.

Blood for blood!

Kill him! Kill him!

Blood for blood!

Kill him! Kill him!

Who dares to curse again?

-A life for a life! -Qingyan.

Kill him!

Whoever does it again

will be buried with the Qingzhou people.

WEIBEI

WEIBEI

Enough. Don't blow things out of proportion.

Yes.

Go. Be quick.

My lord, they are the ones who sang the nursery rhyme.

Who taught you that nursery rhyme?

I will teach you a more interesting one.

One or two jin of wine Without getting drunk

Listening to tunes until the third Or fourth watch without feeling tired

Being a ghost and knowing All the tricks of ghosts

The Ghost General, perfect in every way

Well?

I'm giving you less than him?

He gave us five sticks of candy-coated haws.

This can buy

100 sticks of candy-coated haws.

Go ahead.

Sing the new one loudly.

Let the entire Zhaojing know

I, the Ghost General,

is back.

One or two jin of wine Without getting drunk

Listening to tunes until the third Or fourth watch without feeling tired

Being a ghost and knowing All the tricks of ghosts

The Ghost General, perfect in every way…

The Ghost General?

He'd rather be a ghost than be a man.

The Ghost General, perfect in every way

YANMING PALACE

Thank you, Father.

Jinghe,

I've sent you to Jingbei for ten years.

Do you harbor any resentment?

Father.

In the past, I was too eager for quick success

and committed grave errors,

failing to live up to your earnest care and protection.

You volunteered to escort the marriage delegation.

I thought you had come to your senses.

But you scattered paper money during the wedding procession in Jingbei.

Could it be that you harbored private resentment

and intended to sabotage the marriage alliance?

Father,

if I truly intended to sabotage the marriage alliance,

there would be plenty of covert means to do so.

Why would I make such a public spectacle,

giving the censors ammunition

to file complaints against me?

Then you were venting personal resentment.

I wouldn't dare disrupt your grand plans.

Over these years

of dealing with Xiyan, I have come to understand

that their king is extremely patient and cunning.

How do we know they aren't using the marriage alliance

as a chance to recuperate and regroup?

Therefore, in my view,

we must make a public example of them,

so that Xiyan understands that agreeing

to the marriage alliance

is a great favor we are granting them.

If they dare cause trouble again,

there will be no leniency.

I'm very happy that you understand all this.

Don't make things difficult for Xiyan people,

especially Princess Zigu.

Her brother is still a hostage in Great Yan.

Do not let this create a rift between our countries.

Otherwise, the marriage alliance will be meaningless.

Yes. I will follow your instructions.

Jinghe,

allowing you to return to the capital

has already invited criticism.

The nursery rhyme reflects public opinion.

The public opinion is like water.

Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it.

I understand.

In the 14th year of the Zhaoming era,

you volunteered to reclaim Qingzhou.

You suffered in Qingzhou

and was unable to see your mother for the last time.

I know that you harbor regret and resentment in your heart.

-Father… -Jinghe,

your return to the capital this time

is still about the old matters of Qingzhou, right?

Father, I wouldn't dare.

Father, you've said that the events of Qingzhou

should never be spoken of again.

COURT OF STATE CEREMONIAL

Look.

Zhaojing is so prosperous, so beautiful.

I've never seen these plants in Xiyan.

I just saw someone

selling Whitening Pills at the street corner.

When entering the city yesterday, Your Highness must be frightened.

Upon hearing of this, His Majesty

has ordered Imperial Healer Zhang to prepare a soothing potion for you.

Well…

Do I have to meet His Majesty in the palace at once?

Today is the late Empress' death anniversary.

I'm afraid His Majesty will have no time to meet Your Highness.

Besides, according to the customs of Great Yan,

joyous and mourning events should not coincide.

His Majesty specifically instructed me.

Please forgive us.

Given that Your Highness endured a long and tiring journey,

please first rest at the Court of State Ceremonial

and only enter the palace to meet His Majesty during the alliance banquet.

Mr. Yue Qin is also staying in the Court of State Ceremonial,

not far away from your place.

Well,

can I see my brother very soon?

I will now return to the palace to report.

Chagu, I'll meet my brother soon.

Great Yan places great importance on etiquette.

There are many dignitaries in Zhaojing.

We must be even more cautious in our actions from now on.

After we become dignitaries through marriage alliance,

no one will dare to bully us.

I heard there was no Crown Princess in the Eastern Palace.

The Crown Prince doesn't fancy just any woman.

Ssh, stop talking.

Your Highness, His Majesty has given an order

prohibiting Your Highness from paying respects to Empress Dejia.

RONG'AN PALACE

TEN YEARS AGO

RONG'AN PALACE

MEMORIAL TO EMPRESS DEJIA OF GREAT YAN

Mother,

I have come back alive.

MEMORIAL TO EMPRESS DEJIA OF GREAT YAN

Rebel!

How dare you wear a wedding gown?

Jinghe,

today is the day of Mother's burial.

How can you wear a wedding gown?

What's there to celebrate?

Jinghe, you scoundrel!

Great Yan reclaiming Qingzhou

was not for the sake of reclaiming an empty city.

You show no remorse and are disobedient and disrespectful.

You are unworthy to pay respects to the Empress.

Drag him out.

PRINCE JING'S MANSION

Why did Prince Jing confine us as soon as he came back to the capital?

He has killed too many people.

He must fear the vengeful souls of the wronged coming for him.

You are not ordinary people.

Speak.

Who sent you here?

I'll tell you.

I am a guard at the West Suburbs Barracks.

Our superiors ordered us to incite the people to kill the mass murderer.

Your superiors are mass murderers.

It's been ten years,

and you're still using the same means to harm Prince Jing.

WEIBEI

My lord, it's been arranged.

We've asked Lianxiu to take the wedding gown to the Buddhist Hall.

Before you left for Qingzhou,

you promised the Empress that upon your return,

you would lay down your armor and change into wedding attire.

The Empress had been looking forward to it.

Upon hearing that you would return after winning a great victory,

the Empress sought an auspicious day for completing the needlework,

but it ended up

being the day of Her Majesty's funeral.

To fulfill your promise to the Empress,

you wore wedding attire on the day of the funeral.

Why didn't you explain it,

letting His Majesty misunderstand that you were disrespectful to her?

His Majesty even doesn't permit you to publicly mourn Her Majesty.

My father would only believe what he wishes to.

So did my mother.

You may leave.

I want to be alone.

Mother,

your son, the mass murderer,

is back.

I guess you didn't expect it.

The mass murderer could come back.

Do not point blades at the people.

These were your teachings, Mother.

But why,

even until your death, did you refuse to trust me?

You still begged for me. You admitted fault on my behalf.

I was wrong.

My mistake was being merciful.

For ten years…

For ten years,

I have been regretting my mercy.

Who is it?

My lord, it's a wild cat.

If it's a vengeful wild cat,

it would be troublesome.

ZHANG MANSION

My Lord, look.

Your intention to have these guards build support for the Crown Prince

was well-meaning,

but unexpectedly,

Prince Jing managed to use it against you.

Shall we report this to the Eastern Palace?

No.

These bodies do not bear the mark of Zhang Mansion.

Prince Jing merely sent a few corpses to vent his anger,

which proves he can't do much to me.

Why should I seek trouble with the Crown Prince then?

Get rid of these troubles.

Yes. Hurry up.

Who is it?

My lord?

This room is good.

It makes it convenient for me to sneak in at night.

I dare not covet you anymore.

You started this game.

Now, it's not your turn to end it.

Sooner or later, I will be your woman.

Why don't you wait until after the alliance banquet?

I can wait,

but I don't want to.

I see you are wearing little.

I'm afraid you may catch a cold.

So,

I'll warm your bed for you.

It's warm.

When I was little,

I was burnt by fire.

I'm afraid of fire,

but I'm not afraid of the cold.

What about you?

What a coincidence!

The same as you, I'm afraid of fire.

Wild cats are running around.

It's alright they wake you up.

Be careful not to lose your life.

Mother, your son, the mass murderer, is back.

The Weibei Army has strict discipline

and never turns their weapons on the people.

So, they incited ignorant civilians to besiege the military camp

and even broke Prince Jing's legs.

Should those misled civilians be held accountable

and admit their guilt?

WEIBEI

WEIBEI

The noise is different.

Master of the Shadow Works.

Greetings, Master.

You acted on your own

and betrayed the Shadow Works.

You should meet your end.

The alliance banquet tomorrow is your last chance.

Momai poison is about to take effect.

Without the antidote,

you will die in three days.

Yes,

Master.

My lord,

is she the wild cat?

Even if it's not her,

I can't try my luck.

I've been planning for ten years.

It's just based on her hatred for the mass murderer.

We must win.

Only you have cultivated a killer

to kill you yourself.

An attempted assassination in the court will only lead to her execution.

Only the orphan of Qingzhou

is determined to die with me.

After the plan is carried out,

give her a grand burial according to the custom of Qingzhou.

Little beggar,

I will

avenge you.