Original subtitles

(A Journey to Love)

(Episode 17)

This way.

His Highness is still unconscious.

If you wish to meet His Highness,

just pay your respect here.

Fan Dong Ming, the minister of Honglu Temple from An,

pays respects to Lord Li.

Judging from the appearance, his features resemble those of Emperor Wu.

It's unlikely he's here just for show.

However, I cannot determine whether he's truly unconscious.

Now that you've paid your respects to His Highness,

you may leave now.

How can we leave when His Highness is unwell?

I am also skilled in medical arts.

Allow me to check His Highness's pulse.

How presumptuous!

His Highness' noble body is not to be insulted by the likes of you.

Who are you?

Princess Hu Yang from Wu.

I've been ordered to accompany Lord Li to An

in the capacity of a female official.

You shall pay respects to Her Highness.

Master?

Master!

I'm Jiu.

Do you not recognize me?

What did he say?

Who is Jiu?

His mother is also from a royal family?

Isn't that similar to Jiu?

It's me.

- I'm Jiu. - Mind your manners.

I'm Marquis Chang Qing now.

His Majesty bestowed the royal surname upon me.

Master, I'm no longer a child without a surname.

Right, Zhu Yin!

This is the personal attendant you assigned to me back then.

Don't you remember?

(Six years ago, Capital of An)

I won, Master.

Not bad.

What reward will you offer me?

The Qingyun Sword is yours.

Only this?

Her Majesty gave it to me.

It's made of meteoric iron from the previous dynasty.

Is it not enough?

Really?

Thank you, Master.

Don't talk so much.

Your voice is like that of a drake.

It sounds really bad.

I disagree.

Master, I still haven't understood a move you used just now.

That one...

Starting tomorrow, you don't have to come anymore.

Don't have to come anymore?

What's that supposed to mean?

Since you have defeated me,

you just need to practice on your own in the future.

Her Majesty has arranged a reputable teacher for you.

You will study at the Imperial Academy from now on.

The attendant named Zhu Yin in the Princess's Residence,

Liu Li has been testing him for a year.

He's good.

I'll let him follow you in the future.

I won't go.

I want to follow you, Master.

Your martial arts have reached a high level.

Apart from martial arts, there's nothing more I can teach you.

You should learn military strategy from the master at the Imperial Academy.

Only then will you be able to become an official.

I don't want to become an official.

I just want to follow you, Master.

Be it reconnaissance or assassination,

I'm willing to do anything.

Nonsense.

You're the son of Princess Qing Ning.

Her Majesty is kind-hearted.

She will take care of you.

You'll surely hold a position in the court in the future.

I don't want any position given by Her Majesty!

I...

I only want you.

Are you like my mother?

You've already planned to get rid of me long ago.

You would just say a few words to abandon me and leave.

Am I right?

Your mother didn't abandon you.

She has been seriously ill all these years.

She's been staying in the imperial residence for treatment.

I don't care.

All I know is that you don't want me.

Do as I say.

I don't want to.

I just want you, Master.

Master.

I beg you.

Can you please don't abandon me?

I'm not abandoning you.

It's just that I have received a decree

to assassinate the provincial governor of the Phoenix Army in Chu.

If I don't make arrangements for you in advance,

how can I leave with peace of mind?

Can't you not go?

I'll plead with His Majesty.

I'll ask him to assign it to someone else.

From the time of your birth until now, how many times have you met him?

Ma'am, the horses are ready.

I have to go now.

Study well.

If you don't do as I say, I won't spare you when I come back.

Master!

Master.

You're back.

Right?

You're still alive, right?

- Step back! - Get out of the way!

Marquis.

Marquis, calm down. Please calm down.

Master!

Do you really not recognize me?

I'm really Jiu.

I carry the Qingyun Sword that you gave me every day.

I've never let it go for a single day. You see.

I told you to step back.

I don't know you, and I'm not your master.

You got the wrong person.

You're not my master?

I'm not.

I apologize.

I have lost my composure.

It seems that the fengshui in He County is really bad.

Not only did it make Lord Li seriously ill,

but even I lost my composure.

Please forgive me, Your Highness.

Indeed.

Travel fatigue is inevitable.

Since you are feeling unwell,

please go back and get some rest.

How about we meet again after His Highness recovers?

If you insist.

Let's go.

Just now, the minister mentioned that

this marquis has quite a good relationship with our emperor after the war.

That's why Emperor An specially sent him as the State Receptionist.

May I know if Miss Ru Yi...

Didn't Ru Yi just say that?

She doesn't know Marquis Chang Qing.

- But Marquis Chang Qing... - Mr. Du.

You've had a long day.

Go back and rest.

Okay.

Get me a messenger pigeon.

I need to contact Mei Niang.

Okay.

Return to the yamen.

Anyone who dares to reveal what happened just now

will die.

Investigate Princess Hu Yang immediately.

I want to see all her files tomorrow morning.

Immediately send a messenger pigeon back.

Tell Liu Li to come over and meet me immediately.

Yes, Marquis.

Marquis.

Are you still suspecting that...

You've also met my master.

Do you think I would make a mistake?

Is she my master?

Is she my master?

Tell me.

I have no such fortune.

I had only seen Madam Ren several times from a distance.

I dare not confirm.

However, I feel that this princess is so arrogant,

and she has a Jiangnan accent.

It doesn't seem to match Madam Ren...

She must be pretending.

But the people of Wu showed genuine respect for her.

Marquis, I know your deep feelings for Madam Ren.

But wasn't it you who

personally dug up Madam Ren's body and buried it secretly?

The bones and injuries matched.

That must be fake.

My master is capable of anything.

Using a random corpse to disguise herself

is a piece of cake for her.

Yes.

My master must be on some secret mission,

that's why she disguised herself.

Yes,

that must be the case.

Oh no.

I just revealed her identity in front of so many people.

No wonder she was so angry.

But she will surely recognize me.

I'm her Jiu.

Yes.

She sure will.

Right,

she told me about the Crimson Guard's signal.

Kongming lantern.

Zhu Yin, get me a Kongming lantern.

Yes, Marquis.

I want to see my master.

Ru Yi.

Come in.

That is the Crimson Guards's signal.

The style is slightly different.

It's not from the Crimson Guard.

It's from Li Tong Guang.

Master, I carry the Qingyun Sword that you gave me every day.

I have a fragment of meteoric iron from the previous dynasty.

I gave the gift just to please you.

I'm really Jiu!

Who is Jiu?

Speaking of which, I haven't heard from Jiu for a long time.

I wonder how he's been doing all these years.

May I know who is Jiu?

Chief Ning, it's better for you to ask her.

Are you really his master?

Yes.

He's the only person I accepted as my disciple.

He was still a child at that time.

I didn't expect that after a few years, he would grow so tall.

Even more surprising, the once little crybaby

is now Marquis Chang Qing, the one who captured Emperor Wu.

He has become someone outstanding.

It was worth all the effort I put into teaching him.

Would you go and see him?

Of course not.

Isn't my current identity the princess of Wu?

Since Ren Xin has already died,

the past has come to an end.

That's good.

What's the matter with you?

Nothing.

I'm thinking,

you used to be the Left Guard of the Crimson Guard,

while I was the Vice Chief of Six Realms Hall.

However, we never met.

If we could meet earlier,

would it be better?

What are you thinking about?

At that time, we were enemies.

If we had met, the only possibility

would have been me assassinating you.

Ru Yi.

Can you promise me one thing?

You need to tell me first before I can promise.

After Her Highness recovers,

you should leave the diplomatic team as soon as possible.

The princess is said to escort Lord Li to An.

Now that we've reached the border, the task is accomplished.

Go back to the Old Ning Residence and wait for me.

Wait until I go back to find you.

Is that okay?

Why?

It's because of Jiu?

No, Li Tong Guang.

Do you think he will affect us?

Li Tong Guang is now an important official of An.

He's also the State Receptionist to greet Her Highness.

Even if you don't admit that you're Ren Xin,

he will surely have suspicions.

Once he discovers your true identity,

Crimson Guards will definitely start hunting you down.

This will also affect the diplomatic team.

Affect the diplomatic team?

How so?

I have good skills in disguise.

Today, I met him in a dimly lit room.

I just need to be more careful in the future

and change my appearance again,

I believe he'll only think that he's mistaken.

Besides, I taught him for many years.

How could I not know what kind of person he is?

Even if he thinks I'm Ren Xin,

I believe he doesn't have the ability to go against me.

But you haven't seen each other for so many years.

You have no idea what he has become now.

Ru Yi, do as I say.

Do it for my sake.

Is that okay?

Ning Yuan Zhou,

what's wrong with you today?

Are you doubting my abilities?

Doubting that I'll implicate the diplomatic team?

I'm not doubting you.

You are.

Don't forget that I'm an assassin.

My intuition has never been wrong.

Tell me why.

I really didn't doubt anything.

- I'm just worried about you and Li Tong Guang... - Wait.

Your tone...

You said about me and Li Tong Guang.

So, you're jealous.

I'm not jealous.

You denied so quickly.

You feel embarrassed.

Okay.

A little bit.

But the problem is, there's something off

about the way this kid looked at you today.

I'm worried about you.

You're being jealous over a little guy.

He grew up without his mother by his side, so he's a bit clingy to me.

He's not just a little guy.

He's not an ordinary young man either.

He's the Marquis Chang Qing who captured Emperor Wu at the age of 22.

You may think it's just a master-disciple relationship,

so you think it's nothing.

But you don't know what he thinks.

When I saw him today,

the way he looked at you was the way a man looks at a woman.

I'm a man, and I understand.

I understand too.

Maybe I don't quite understand how ordinary couples get along,

but I used to be a White Sparrow.

My understanding of men's desires may not be any worse than yours.

- That's why... - Yes.

When Jiu was young,

he might have had a little bit of feelings for me.

But which man hasn't?

I feel uncomfortable that you were engaged to Official Pei too.

But did I ever ask you to stop contacting her?

If one day in An,

you meet a songstress you used to drink with and have a good time with,

can I also use "I'm worried" or "I hope" as a reason

to make you leave the diplomatic team and return to Wu?

How can you mix these things together?

First, after my engagement with Official Pei was set aside,

I never took the initiative to see her again.

Second, so many things are happening in the diplomatic team.

How can I easily leave?

But Ru Yi, it's you...

Ever since you heard about the key figures in An

from Jin Mei Niang at Jinsha House,

you've been extremely concerned about Li Tong Guang.

And you never told me that you have a disciple.

Just now,

you kept calling him Jiu affectionately.

How can I...

How can I feel at ease?

Ning Yuan Zhou.

I didn't know until now

that your trust in me is only this much.

It's not that I don't trust you.

- Let me ask you. - I...

You asked me to leave the diplomatic team.

Is it to ensure the diplomatic team can operate smoothly,

or is it because you're feeling jealous?

Both.

Yuan Zhou, hurry up.

Mr. Du and Qian Zhao are both in the west wing.

Are you fighting?

Ru Yi, don't be mad.

You won't look pretty if you get mad.

Let me comfort you with my warmth.

No need.

You can tell me anything, I...

Beautiful women like to step on people's toes.

Naughty. Ouch...

What happened?

What happened?

None of your business.

Is having long legs that great?

This isn't even my fault.

Have you heard about it? Today...

- Ru Yi. - Ru Yi.

Ru Yi.

I heard that Marquis Chang Qing

lost his composure when he saw Miss Ru Yi today.

Is he an old acquaintance of Miss Ru Yi?

You didn't see the expression on Chief Ning's face.

I didn't dare to say a word.

When I saw him, I had to avoid him.

Goodness.

Did you not notice?

It must be related to that Marquis Chang Qing.

And I also heard that...

Ru Yi.

I'm leaving.

You've woken up?

Have you eaten?

Have you recovered?

I've woken up, eaten and recovered.

Previously,

when I was helping Chief Ning locate the bandits and gold,

I had already recovered.

I belong to the cat family.

I have nine lives.

You were lucky.

If it weren't for that horse of yours,

we wouldn't have found you either.

I'm a lucky star.

Ru Yi.

Why do you seem upset?

Is it that obvious?

Is it because of Li Tong Guang?

Sun Lang told me just now.

He said that since Li Tong Guang came,

the scent of jealousy from Chief Ning can be sensed from miles away.

Seems like it's true.

Ru Yi.

Are you really his master?

- Are you okay? - I'm fine.

If you don't want to talk about it, I won't ask.

There's nothing that can't be said to others.

Since you've asked, I'll tell you the whole story.

Unlike some people

who know nothing yet act like they know everything.

(Nine years ago, Capital of An)

This is the only son of Princess Qing Ning.

Princess Qing Ning is seriously ill.

Before she went to the hot spring to recuperate, she entrusted him to me.

But it's been three days since he entered the palace,

and he hasn't said a word.

I thought of having Shou Ji and Zhen Ye play with him,

but it ended up like this.

After thinking it over,

I summoned you to the palace.

What can I do for you, Your Majesty?

Help me teach him.

Teach him?

Your Majesty, I'm just a Purple Messenger of the Crimson Guard,

not a female tutor in the palace.

Forget about the female tutors.

Four or five male instructors had been bitten by him.

I think this kid is pretty good,

just a bit eccentric

and fond of martial arts.

So, I thought of you.

Do you want me to teach him martial arts?

Not just that.

I also want you

to teach him how to conduct himself.

Xin.

When you're in the Crimson Guard,

you may have

heard about this child's background, right?

I have a low status and so I don't know much.

I only heard that

his father is Princess Qing Ning's

toy boy.

Therefore, he has been deeply ashamed since he was a child.

Young Master, please come back quickly!

Most of the time, the truth remains the truth,

but they are not the kind of truths that people think they are.

Back then, Princess Qing Ning married to Su and became the crown princess.

Later, the two countries fell out.

The crown prince of Su wanted to kill her out of spite.

If it weren't for a Wu musician deeply favored by the empress dowager

who risked his life to protect her,

Princess Qing Ning is just a woman,

how could she possibly return safely from 1,000 miles away amidst chaos?

However, not long after arriving in Capital of An,

the musician passed away due to serious injuries.

Princess Qin Ning was devastated.

Only then did His Majesty and I find out that

she was already bearing the child of that musician.

What does Princess Qing Ning think of this child?

Princess Qing Ning

had complex feelings for this child as well.

She neither dared to approach nor wanted to distance herself.

That's why this child has become what he is now.

Xin.

This child is very stubborn, just like you.

So,

I hope he can be like you when he grows up.

To be as unyielding as a bamboo, as unwavering as a sword.

You're flattering me, Your Majesty.

No matter who the father of this child is,

he is His Majesty's nephew

and my family.

Xin.

Teach him well for me.

I will comply with the decree.

May I know what I should call him?

Jiu.

What's his full name?

Princess Qing Ning has never revealed the name of that musician,

so he still has no surname.

Even his nickname, Jiu,

originates from the Lingjiu Zither

that the musician played during his lifetime.

I'll certainly accomplish the mission.

Who are you?

So, you can talk.

Get lost, or I'll kill you.

With this?

If you don't want to go blind, wash your eyes.

Doesn't it feel unpleasant to have no power to fight back?

Who are you?

Your master.

I don't need a master.

Say it again.

I don't need a master!

If you reject me, you'll end up like the table.

If you follow me, you can become like this sword.

Who are you?

Purple Messenger from the Crimson Guard, Ren Xin.

Come again!

Ma'am, Young Master ran away.

I heard that people in Capital of An

were killed by a wild wolf in the past few days.

Split into three teams and search separately.

If you can't find him, don't come back.

- If you find him, send a Nightingale Order. - Yes, Ma'am.

Don't cry,

or I'll kill you.

Master.

Don't leave me.

Master.

It's just a Lotus Hands, yet you took so long to practice.

The son of a toy boy is truly useless!

Remember this humiliation, and you won't lose next time.

Master,

how great would it be if we could stay like this forever.

Princess Qing Ning is seriously ill and urgently summons your attendance.

Since none of you wants me,

(Princess Qing Ning, An)

then I don't want any of you either.

Jiu.

I didn't want to see you because I didn't know how to treat you.

But before I die, I'll ask His Majesty for his grace.

Young Master, His Majesty has promoted you as Cavalry Lieutenant.

If you don't see Madam Ren for the last time...

- You'll definitely... - Shut up!

I don't want to see her now.

Young Master is too ignorant.

He left without even leaving you a message.

It's all in vain that you rushed back regardless of your injuries.

Never mind.

He's just following a royal decree.

Besides,

he has grown up.

That's the end of it.

That's what happened.

So, you two haven't seen each other in six years.

I heard from Jiang Qiong from Heaven Realm, who escaped from the war,

that Li Tong Guang has extremely high martial arts skills.

It turns out that he was trained by a brilliant master.

Ru Yi.

Does Marquis Chang Qing like you?

I don't know, and I don't care.

So many men were interested in me over the years.

Some out of curiosity,

some out of love and fear.

There were also people who wanted to take advantage of my power.

I didn't have the time to deal with each one of them.

Instead of fantasizing about my romantic affairs here,

why don't all of you think about

how to deal with the troublesome State Receptionist, Li Tong Guang?

"All of you"?

It seems like Chief Ning has irritated you.

How do you know?

My parents used to be like this when I was a child.

Every time after fighting, my mother wouldn't talk to my father for days,

but it was always my father's fault.

I never expected that

he would become like a completely different person when it comes to this.

What did you say?

Nothing.

Have you taken candy today?

Not yet.

Ru Yi.

Do you have

even a tiny,

tiny bit of affection for Li Tong Guang?

Are you siding with your Chief Ning

or Li Tong Guang?

Definitely Chief Ning.

I don't like brats.

Okay, story time is over.

Sleep tight.

I have to go check on Her Highness.

Don't like brats?

Li Tong Guang doesn't stand a chance.

Marquis.

Why didn't Master come to me?

Did she not see it?

Why?

Why?

Is it that the Kongming lantern is wrong?

Did I remember it wrong?

Oh no.

Master was once hunted by the Crimson Guards.

But I used the Crimson Guard's Xuanniao lantern to find her.

If the Crimson Guards in He County see this, she will be in danger.

No.

No.

Oh no.

Master is going to be angry again.

She's going to scold me again.

What should I do?

What should I do?

How can I find her safely

and quietly?

Marquis.

Why don't we go back first?

If the Crimson Guards come here, it will be even more difficult to handle.

If Princess Hu Yang is really Madam Ren,

she'll definitely come to you at the right time.

Think about it.

When she taught you before, she always hoped you'd stay calm and composed.

You're already a Marquis.

Do you still want to disappoint her?

You're right.

I should stay calm.

Deploy our men.

Tell the guard of He County, Wu Qian, to get up and work.

I don't want to see any Crimson Guards within a radius of five miles.

Yes, Marquis.

Princess Hu Yang from Wu.

I've been ordered to accompany Lord Li to An

in the capacity of a female official.

I don't know you, and I'm not your master.

You got the wrong person.

Master.

I finally found you.

But please don't ignore me.

Please don't be angry with me.

Please...

How could Master possibly harm Her Majesty?

(Five years ago, Capital of An)

(Outside the prison, Capital of An)

Master!

Master!

Master!

- Calm down, Young Master. - Let go of me!

I want to save my master!

- Young Master. - Master!

- Master! - Young Master.

Master!

Master!

In my heart, Your Highness is the most beautiful woman in the world.

Day and night, I yearn to always be by Your Highness's side.

I'm not dreaming, am I?

Is it really you, Qing Yun?

Ying!

Are you just leaving like this?

Are you going to watch me die?

All our promises and vows,

have you forgotten them all?

Remember,

I've touched every part of your body.

You're mine.

Even if you go back with them, they will still look down on you.

You harmed Yuan Lu and the entire diplomatic team.

You deceived me.

I'm sorry.

You can't die like this.

This is how you can die.

Do you want me to help you?

But if you hang yourself,

it usually takes about half an incense stick's time to suffocate yourself.

In the meantime, your heart and lungs will burn like fire.

Your body will struggle like a dead fish.

In the end,

you have to drag out a tongue at least half a foot long before you can die.

Are you sure you want to die in such an ugly way?

Ru Yi.

I really don't want to live anymore.

I pretended to be Lord Li for the sake of Zheng Qing Yun.

But he actually

teamed up with Lord Dan Yang to deceive me

and kill me.

My life

has become meaningless.

There's no one else here.

I'm not Yuan Zhou either.

I won't talk about

the principles of serving the country and the people.

This life is yours.

If you want to die,

go ahead.

I won't stop you.

But before you die,

you need to know three things.

First,

the gold has been recovered.

Second,

your brother Dan Yang didn't want to kill you.

He just wanted to prevent you from reaching An.

Third,

An sent a State Receptionist to welcome you.

He's the one who captured your brother, Marquis Chang Qing, Li Tong Guang.

He wanted to see you today to assess your intentions.

He gave us a hard time.

Right, there's more.

Yuan Lu finally woke up.

Shouldn't you apologize to him before you die?

After all,

he almost died

because of your lover.

Who is it?