Original subtitles

♪We are both dim light♪

♪Will time erase us?♪

♪Those who fade away in the shadows silently♪

♪Also crave a life under the bright sun openly♪

♪How can I break free from the chains of fate?♪

♪Who whispers in my ear♪

♪That I'm bound to fall?♪

♪Then burn me♪

♪Burn my stubbornness♪

♪The surging bitterness♪

♪The hot tears♪

♪Nobody knows♪

♪Entangling in the past♪

♪Silence in the darkness♪

♪The dim light finally turns♪

[Kill Me Love Me]

♪Into the fire of rebirth♪

[Episode 7]

[Nishang Courtyard]

Hold the needle steady and firm.

It's all in the wrist strength.

If you want to hold an embroidery needle well,

you must first be able to lift a heavy stone.

Those who want a future,

don't be lazy.

Strength comes from the arm,

not the wrist.

What's going on?

This..

It doesn't seem new?

Yes,

I burned myself a few days ago by accident.

Fine.

Go and rest for now.

Learning skills takes time.

Don't let this scar

affect your attribution.

Yes.

Take her to rest.

Yes.

She took her own life in fear of punishment

for damaging the late Empress's embroidery.

Remember,

the job must be done well.

No loose ends.

Go inside.

Your Highness?

Shh, stay quiet.

How dare you!

Your Highness.

Your Highness.

This embroidery

was the final masterpiece

of Empress Dejia,

A flaw on such a piece

is a grave disrespect to the late Empress.

I

will surely see the culprit

severely punished.

Attendant Shang,

how do you plan to punish her?

This woman holds a grudge

against Your Highness,

and that's why she damaged the late Empress's work.

She deserves nothing

less than execution.

Really?

But I saw with my own eyes

a stray cat leaping at the embroidery.

The beauty tried to stop the cat, and in doing so,

accidentally damaged the piece.

Luckily, I was there.

The beauty

wouldn't have to bear this guilt.

Your Highness, you are wise.

I would never dare disrespect.

Cat?

A stray cat?

Yes.

A stray cat.

They were there too.

They can bear witness.

If it wasn't a cat,

then you mean I'm wrong.

Or could it be

that you deliberately damaged the embroidery?

- It was a cat. - It was a cat.

- Your Highness. You judged correctly. - Your Highness. You judged correctly.

These two servants were tasked with guarding the piece,

but they were neglectful.

Thirty lashes for them.

Thank you, Your Highness.

Since it was an accident on the beauty's part,

she will be confined to my mansion.

I will personally

supervise her

as she repairs the embroidery.

Once it's fixed,

her offense will be forgiven.

Your Highness.

It is essential

that the screen be repaired,

However,

it is too valuable

to be moved again.

It's better

to confine her here at the Court of State Ceremonial

and have her repair it on-site.

I am responsible

for overseeing the studies here.

The beauty's mistake

is also my responsibility.

If the Emperor or Crown Prince seeks accountability,

I will take full responsibility.

Since you are willing to bear the responsibility,

then I'll leave both the beauty

and the screen in your care.

If anything goes wrong again,

I will

come directly to you.

No need to worry, Your Highness.

This is my duty.

Very well,

everyone can disperse.

Thank you, Your Highness.

Thank you for saving me.

I will do my best to fix it.

Repairing it is just an excuse.

You don't need to concern yourself with it.

Stay here peacefully,

and if needed,

I will come to take you away.

Continue.

Yes, Your Highness.

I thought it was only Mei Lin,

but it turns out there are ten beauties,

all of whom burned their wrists recently.

One case could be considered an accident,

but ten beauties dying

would be impossible to cover up.

I couldn't bring myself to do it.

Please forgive me, Your Highness.

Attendant Shang,

you've worked hard.

Here,

take this.

The affairs at the Court of State Ceremonial are complicated,

so I appreciate you running this errand for me.

Now, return and rest.

Thank you, Your Highness.

Thank you, Your Highness.

See you.

Since she didn't finish the job,

find her a good burial spot.

I'll take care of it.

It seems the woman who fled from the Wenhua Pavilion is Mei Lin.

But the Imperial Guards at the Court

are loyal to my father.

We can't act recklessly there.

She can't hide in the Court forever, can she?

We

can't afford to wait.

You mean we assassinate Mei Lin?

Jinghe

used poison

to frame us once.

We'll use his own tactic against him.

I've had an arrow ready

and no target.

Let's make the most of this opportunity.

Gan Ning from the Ministry of Defense has long coveted Zhang Yin's position.

Have him submit a memorial.

Yes.

How could he not care?

My lord.

My lord.

The Imperial Household Department is deliberately making things difficult.

They don't want to lend us Empress Dejia's embroidery guide at all.

You and I are from Xiyan.

The fact that they allowed me

to copy the guide

was already a rare exception.

But there's so much content,

you won't sleep tonight.

I'll prepare some food for you.

No need.

You've only just recovered

from a cold.

Get some rest early.

As long as you don't sleep,

neither will I.

Alright.

[Empress Dejia's Guide to the Art of Interlaced Stitch Embroidery]

[Empress Dejia's Guide to the Art of Interlaced Stitch Embroidery]

Mr. Yue Qin.

This is what I borrowed from the Imperial Household Department.

Empress Dejia's Guide to the Art of Interlaced Stitch Embroidery

[Art of Interlaced Stitch Embroidery]

I hope

it helps you.

Thank you, Mr. Yue Qin.

Watch out.

Is this white vinegar?

There's white vinegar in the water.

Soak the embroidered screen in it.

It'll soften the threads on the back so they won't be as stiff to the touch.

I also brought some food,

in case you get hungry.

You're too thoughtful.

Let's get to work.

[Art of Interlaced Stitch Embroidery]

Are you having trouble sleeping, my lord?

What brings you here?

Mei Lin has requested to see you.

What's the matter?

She didn't say,

just that you must go

to the Court of State Ceremonial.

What is it?

My lord.

Empress Dejia must have had a reason

for embroidering this screen.

I've told you before.

Mind your own business.

There's a hidden pattern on the screen.

There's an invisible thread woven into the design.

If you don't look closely, you won't notice it.

The hidden thread

leads to a secret pattern.

The arrangement is very neat,

almost like a riddle.

It's the Weibei Army flag semaphore.

My...

Son...

My son Jinghe

is good by nature.

He could never have been the butcher of the city.

But the rumor mill is churning.

I made this embroidery

to appease the people's anger,

hoping for a chance of survival for my boy.

Jinghe, my only wish is for you to live on,

to never lose hope.

One day, the clouds will part, and the truth will be revealed.

Though we are separated by life and death,

may you be safe,

then my soul at peace.

So, Her Majesty made this screen

to plead for your life.

Mother,

I was wrong.

If not for saving me,

the screen wouldn't have been damaged...

It wasn't entirely for your sake.

They intended to use Mother's embroidery as a trap.

If I hadn't acted first,

the entire screen might have been destroyed.

Hearing Mother's last words

is enough for me.

A little damage

doesn't matter.

Yes, it does.

The belongings of the deceased are bridges between the living and the dead.

If the screen isn't repaired properly,

won't Her Majesty be unable

to hear what you want to say to her?

Ghosts are nothing

more than the delusions of the living.

They are not to be believed.

I didn't believe in them either.

But after my parents passed,

I started to.

I have many things I want to tell them.

The Dengguo Cakes aren't sweet anymore.

Mother's were always the best.

My stone hairpin is old.

I want Father to make me a new one.

I believe my parents are always by my side.

That's why I keep surviving close calls.

Don't you have anything you want to say to Her Majesty?

It's close.

But this thread's color seems off.

I searched for a long time,

but I couldn't find this color anywhere.

The thread...

The pattern on your clothes is stitched with the exact same thread, my lord.

Did you miss a stitch?

♪The oblivious, still the same♪

Here.

In Interlaced Stitch embroidery,

it's easy to miss a stitch.

♪Why am I the only one left?♪

♪Unable to hold your gaze♪

♪All that remains♪

♪Is silence after fireworks fade♪

You know how to embroider, my lord?

I was mischievous as a child,

often punished

by being made to stand still, watching my mother embroider.

I learned

by watching.

♪When the dream draws to a close♪

♪I face the moon in silent pose♪

♪Only then do I see it clearly♪

♪A thousand words fall to one tear♪

♪I'm fearless and bold♪

♪Living life on the edge♪

♪Taking control of my own fate♪

♪Yet the love I crave, I can't obtain♪

♪Yet the dream I chase, I seek in vain♪

♪Still, I long to keep you by my side♪

Your Highness.

It's getting chilly.

Let's get back.

It's done.

It looks exactly like before.

Whatever you wanted to say,

Her Majesty will hear it now.

Mother,

I have returned.

I...

am doing well now.

My lord,

the screen is repaired.

Can I leave now?

Not yet.

The culprits believe

you are the witness to the Wenhua Pavilion affair.

They'll stop at nothing

to target you again.

The timing of when the screen is fully repaired

is up to me.

You're safest

here.

I'm not afraid of death.

Even if you want to die,

you should make your death meaningful.

Your task is to stay here

and keep their attention diverted,

so I can search for Zhang Yin.

Once I find him,

you'll be free to go.

I'll play my role as a Xiyan beauty well.

When necessary,

you don't need to play a beauty at all.

I mean,

when danger arises,

you can reveal your martial arts and defend yourself.

My father is aware of your Qingzhou origins.

It's not surprising that an orphan from Qingzhou

learned martial arts for revenge.

My lord,

I've found out something.

There's a woman named Meiniang

who frequently buys Whitening Pills at the black market.

She has a peony flower mark on her neck.

I've arranged for her to meet with our contact in three days.

Although Mei Lin has stalled the Crown Prince for now,

this won't last forever.

The Crown Prince won't sit idly by.

Keep an eye on their faction.

Yes, Your Highness.

[Yanming Palace]

Gan Ning's memorial claims

there's a spy among the peace-making beauties.

Xuanlie, what do you think?

The Xiyan factions are complex.

I suspect this is a provocation led by Mingju from the hawkish faction.

They intend to sow discord between you and the King of Xiyan.

As long as the Xiyan royal court remains committed to peace,

we can help the King remove the rebellious tribes.

So, investigating the mastermind

is also for the sake of the King of Xiyan.

Moreover, Mr. Yue Qin is still in Zhaojing.

This investigation

must be carried out in secret.

Who do you think

is suitable for the task?

General Yin has fought many campaigns against Xiyan.

She's familiar with the situation.

I believe

she's the right person for the job.

Your Highness.

Is General Yin still at the West Suburbs Barracks?

Yes.

Let's go to the West Suburbs Barracks.

I may be slow,

but why not send our people to investigate?

What if General Yin sides with Prince Jing?

You don't know her.

When it comes to Great Yan,

she would never show favoritism.

But she's still clinging

to some childhood ties she won't let go of.

It's time for me

to give her a little push.

One!

[West Suburbs Barracks]

Two!

Three!

Four!

Five!

Six!

Seven!

Eight!

One!

Two!

Three!

Four!

Five!

Six!

Seven!

Eight!

One!

Two!

Three!

Four!

Five!

Six!

Seven!

Your Highness.

Your Highness.

Your Highness, be careful!

Protect His Highness! Quickly!

Your Highness.

Give me your hand!

Please, Your Highness, forgive me.

The coachman was negligent and deserves punishment.

This horse was a tribute from Xiyan.

not yet fully tamed, and still they dared to let you ride it.

It's not their fault, I insisted on riding it myself.

I nearly embarrassed myself, General Yin.

I wouldn't dare.

We grew up together,

between you and me, there's no need

for formalities of ruler and subject.

Here's some wound medicine.

This dagger,

did you win it from Jinghe?

This dagger was one he snatched from me long ago.

I didn't expect it would end up in your hands now.

But today, this dagger belongs to me,

so don't think about taking it back.

What's meant to be yours will always be yours.

It's fate.

Your Highness,

let's head back.

Luomei.

I came today not just for a visit.

There's official business to discuss.

Someone has submitted a memorial,

claiming

they've discovered Xiyan spies in Zhaojing.

Father is concerned Xiyan might be planning something.

So, he wants you

to investigate this matter in secret.

Xiyan spies.

They must have infiltrated through the delegation.

I suspect this is linked to Mingju from the hawkish faction in Xiyan.

Are we

investigating this for the King of Xiyan?

I knew I had chosen the right person for this task.

You've fought many battles against Xiyan.

You know the strategies of both armies well.

With you on this,

Father can rest easy.

I will follow your command.

What concerns me most

is Jinghe.

This case is tied to Prince Jing?

You've heard about the assassination during the peace negotiations.

I interrogated the assassin.

She wasn't just any ordinary Beauty.

I fear

there's someone orchestrating chaos behind the scenes,

hoping to use Jinghe

to stir up conflict between the two nations.

Prince Jing may act recklessly at times,

but when it comes to matters of the state,

he understands what's at stake.

[Young Xuanlie]

Big Brother.

This dagger looks like it's part of a pair.

Where's the other one?

There's no such thing as a pair.

It was made from 1,000-year-old cold iron, enough for only one.

If you like it, I'll give it to you.

I'm not really into daggers anyway.

Luomei

would like this much more.

You better make sure she doesn't take it from you.

She'll have to beat me first.

Luomei,

we were destined to be a pair.

[Changxi Pavilion]

What brings General Yin to the Court of State Ceremonial?

Who are you?

Please stop, sir.

The General is conducting an investigation.

This matter has long been investigated.

His Majesty himself decreed it must never be discussed again.

Is General Yin planning to abuse her authority?

Rest assured, sir.

The General knows

what she's doing.

You...

Where is it?

The Travel Permits of the Ministry of Defense. They ensure

[Passport] safe passage through Great Yan.

Meiniang, you won't be

transporting goods

but people.

Otherwise, why would you need two Travel Permits?

In the black market,

we only do business, no questions asked.

You should know this, huh?

I'm just curious.

[Passport]

♪The wind scatters the spring flowers♪

♪The dream was filled with sorrow for the entire night♪

♪Troubled thoughts shatter into a sky full of stars♪

♪If fate is too unbearable♪

♪I am mired in the mud♪

♪Love is helpless, falling into the abyss♪

♪If life is a predetermined sorrow♪

♪Love is an endless wandering♪

♪A place in the heart from which there is no return♪

♪It's a vain hope, it's in imagination♪

♪It's the distinguished light♪

♪If life is a predetermined sorrow♪

♪Love is an endless wandering♪

♪A place in the heart from which there is no return♪

♪It's a vain hope, it's in imagination♪

♪It's the distinguished light♪

♪If life is a predetermined sorrow♪

♪Love is an endless wandering♪

♪A place in the heart from which there is no return♪

♪It's a vain hope, it's in imagination♪

♪It's the distinguished light♪

♪It's a vain hope, it's in imagination♪

♪It's the distinguished light♪