Original subtitles

BUSTLING AND CROWDED

Over the last three years,

the Princess has been looking for

her love behind the Dowager Consort's back.

Is she already in love with someone?

Yes.

The Marquis doesn't want to marry her either.

The two of them have never liked each other.

When they were young, the Princess beat him from the front hall to the back.

He thought she was too violent

and added something non-harmful to her incense.

She took that chance to fake an illness.

You found out about that?

I was worrying for nothing.

The Astronomical Bureau knew the truth but said nothing. Why?

Because of Marquis Zhao?

No, not exactly.

He's young and naive.

We aren't afraid of him.

So who are you afraid of?

You might be excellent cultivators,

but in terms of politics,

you're inexperienced.

Their marriage concerns the honor of the Dowager Consort's family,

the Zhao Family.

It cannot be impaired no matter what.

If we couldn't solve the problem,

we'd look useless at most,

but we could still keep our jobs.

However…

You were afraid of the higher-ups.

You're smart.

We work to make a living.

It's not worth it to get ourselves killed.

Not at all.

They say the capital and the court are a deep sea with sharks.

Clearly, it's true.

The Dowager Consort might trust you,

but if you expose the trick of two nobilities,

it'll bring you more harm than good.

Take my advice.

Tell them you can't do it.

You think that'll help us?

Yes.

I gave you that information for free.

You already know that, though.

But you can tell I'm helpful, right?

We aren't of the same kind. Goodbye.

Wait. Hold on.

If you leave,

when Her Highness asks tomorrow, I can't cover for you.

If she means to give us a hard time, she can try.

Bring it on.

She used the Jade Token.

I'll deliver on my promise.

I'll report back to her tomorrow.

Wait. Calm down.

Listen to me, please.

I asked you to come over for a favor, actually.

I'm working as a chief at the Astronomical Bureau

only to find out what happened at Qilin Mountain.

Qilin Mountain?

The hometown of that Water Demon from the Mitu Valley?

Yes.

Dowager Consort Zhao had it leveled

and all the demons there killed,

including the weakest Dust Demons.

Yes, that place it is.

Qilin Mountain…?

Mother, I don't like this place.

When can we go back to Qilin Mountain?

Sheng…

Ziqi…

I'll go.

Did I say anything wrong?

What's up, Ziqi?

That place

was…

was my home, I think.

That woman…

who I dream about repeatedly

might really be my mother.

You remember it?

So… So where is she now?

I don't know.

I faintly remember a few fragments.

But why…?

Why are they coming back to me?

I forgot everything.

Hey, try to relax.

This is good.

Are you recovering the things that happened before you were seven?

Can you recall anything else?

I don't want that part of my memory.

I'm an orphan.

I don't care about the past.

The massacre ordered by Dowager Consort Zhao

does seem strange.

Whatever was hidden there must be a top secret.

It all led to Qilin Mountain.

But given her noble status,

even if you can prove her guilty,

what can you do?

There's nothing I can do.

I only want to know the truth.

My master, all my fellows,

and the civilians in Zhijing Town all died.

As the sole survivor,

I have to at least find out

what led to their tragic deaths.

What happened at Qilin Mountain?

When I join them in the underworld,

I'll be able to tell them.

I will help you

only if you do something for me.

What is it?

I heard a decade ago, that Xingshan Hall was on fire.

Did that fire have anything to do with Dowager Consort Zhao?

Peiyun, what to do? I'm nervous!

Did you make a mistake?

You'll trust me when you see him.

No one else in or out of the palace owns such charm.

I'm sure of it.

It's him. It really is him!

Peiyun, he's the Young Master Liu who saved me!

Greetings, everyone.

I'm glad to see you.

I meant to go to the Astronomical Bureau for a trivial matter.

Now that you're here, do you mind helping me out?

Is this about the Princess again?

She's still the same.

It's the Imperial Garden.

Crabapple trees usually blossom in March,

but not this year.

It's the end of April.

There aren't even any buds.

Even the best gardener doesn't know the cause.

I wonder if it has something to do with demons.

It is a trivial matter.

We're quite busy too.

Maybe you can ask others for help.

You probably don't know.

His Majesty adores those trees,

and he entrusted them to me.

He's returning from the border.

If he sees them sick,

I can't imagine the consequences.

Weed Demons are

most active at this time of the year.

We're going to see Dowager Consort Zhao.

Maybe we can check them for you later.

I understand.

Mr. and Miss Mu have important things to do.

Young Master Liu, can you help me?

The Imperial Garden is right over there.

It won't take too much of your time.

Go ahead then. We'll be fine.

Alright.

This isn't about trees.

It's a honey trap.

Please lead the way.

I'll join you. I'm not a Mu either.

I'll go with you.

What can you do?

Can you make the trees bloom?

Yes, I can.

Be good.

Don't fool around.

Let's go.

Her Highness has a visitor now.

Please wait in the side hall.

The audience was scheduled at this hour in the letter yesterday.

Are you wasting our time?

The Marquis rushed in earlier for an urgent matter.

We didn't mean to delay it.

Please rest in the side hall.

-This way, please. -Thanks.

We aren't summoned at the moment.

Why not join Brother Liu?

Why?

Because of his love calamity?

Yes. Didn't you see that stewardess, Peiyun,

staring at him just now?

She chose him in particular for such a trifling matter.

That's suspicious.

Fuyi is always kind to others.

You're thinking too much, Miaomiao.

Come on, Sister Mu.

Don't be so naive!

IMPERIAL GARDEN

Stewardess Peiyun, I didn't sense anything evil in this area.

Where are the sick crabapple trees you said?

Right here.

"Apple" is my childhood name.

The Marquis went to see Her Highness before us.

What is he up to?

Is he going to feign innocence and set us up?

Let's listen.

Eavesdroping?

That's unethical.

What? You did it?

Zhao Ruoshi, you crossed the line!

I…

I know I did,

but I never thought the Princess would be haunted.

I put a tiny bit of enchanting incense just to--

To do what? Speak!

To make those in her chamber

think she grew a beard.

You… You went too far!

Only because you forced me to marry her.

Pardon? What did you say?

I cannot marry her!

She beat me through my childhood. I'm scared of her even now.

Do you think I wanted to marry her to you?

She's the fairest and the wisest.

But look at you.

You aren't good at anything.

The Zhao Family took me in and brought me up.

I've long considered myself one of them,

and I share weal and woe with them.

If you weren't their sole heir,

I wouldn't have arranged all this.

You're right.

In terms of knowledge, talent and principles,

I'm way below Father's level.

But never have I ever wanted to live like him.

His name "Qinghuan" means happiness,

but he's been living unhappily.

He possesses unmatched power and wealth,

but Your Highness, he's never happy.

He named me "Ruoshi," meaning loss.

Perhaps he also thought

he had lost something important…

in his life.

Your Highness,

I've always been obedient to you,

but as the wedding approaches,

I can't help but recall my childhood

and such loneliness and a void between my parents.

Back then, I didn't understand.

The three of us were a family, but even though we were together,

it was as if we were distant from each other.

That felt

even worse than being all alone in the world.

Then I said to myself,

if I couldn't marry someone I love in the future,

I'd rather remain single.

He sounds braver than I thought.

Like a manly man.

I'm surprised that he's telling the truth to fight against this marriage.

That's nothing.

I also wouldn't marry a girl I dislike just because of an order.

Ruoshi,

all these years,

I've let you do whatever you want and have your way.

But this marriage is

non-negotiable.

Your Highness, you can ignore my happiness,

but what about the Princess's?

She's your flesh and blood.

You say she's perfect, while I'm good at nothing.

Right? She's way out of my league and deserves a much better man.

Your marriage has been made public.

It's too late to cancel it.

I'm warning you. This is serious.

If you escape,

when His Majesty comes back, he'll ask what happened to Min.

Will he believe you only used some enchanting incense?

Can you take the consequences of murdering a princess?

I swear I didn't…

-Think carefully. -I didn't mean to hurt her!

I didn't do it, Your Highness! I'm telling the truth.

Listen, Ruoshi,

you're my nephew.

All that I've done is for you and the Zhao Family.

If you do what I say,

I'll cover for your wrongdoing. Alright?

It's cold at the border,

but spring still comes.

That's good enough.

What did you say?

I didn't mean to hurt the Princess, but I did drug her.

I'll take any punishment to break free from this marriage.

-You're driving me crazy! -Your Highness.

I'd rather die in exile

than live like my parents!

Fine.

You're tough, huh?

Guards!

If this is your decision, do not regret it.

Throw him in prison!

Hold on!

Who let you in? Get out.

Your Highness, you should hear this.

There was enchanting incense in the Princess's chamber,

but it was harmless.

The truth is--

Mother.

Min.

-Mother, I'm fine now. -Let me see.

-Really? -Yes. It all thanks to Young Master Liu.

When he cast a spell in the garden earlier,

I instantly felt so free and relaxed.

Really?

This is great!

I was so worried!

Relax, Mother. I'm all well now.

What happened?

Why is Ruoshi being held by them?

You may leave.

Yes.

Do you remember

I almost got hurt by demons on the trip that year?

Those of the Astronomical Bureau there

were all useless.

Thankfully, Young Master Liu passed by and saved my life.

Or I couldn't have come back.

I never forgot about him and had people look for him everywhere.

And now here he is,

and he's saved my life again.

Mother, what happened to me earlier was probably because

I didn't pay him back for his help. I was punished.

Mother, could you please put off this marriage for now?

I'd like to pay off

the debts I owe Young Master Liu first.

What? You too?

You two really are a handful.

He'd rather give up his title to cancel it.

And you don't care about it either.

I'm out.

Explain it to His Majesty yourselves.

Mother, be careful.

Look at you.

You've never won any of our fights since childhood.

But I should thank you this time.

Fuyi,

why didn't you tell me you and Princess Duanyang were friends?

-Hold on, Young Master Liu. -I…

May I invite you to my chamber for a drink?

That's too nice of you. But I should go.

Wait.

-What about tomorrow? -What's going on?

-Slow down! -She's a princess.

Yao…

How needy!

Hold on, Miss!

Can we have a word?

Thank you

for helping me earlier.

You're welcome.

Uh, for what?

For finding out that enchanting incense was harmless to the Princess

and telling the truth to clear my name.

She didn't say anything at all.

And hadn't it been for you,

I wouldn't have had the courage to speak up before Her Highness.

I felt great.

That had nothing to do with me.

I knew girls like the Princess weren't my type,

but I didn't know what my type was until I saw you…

Our work here is done.

Let's go back to practice.

Miss…

How did it go, My Lord?

The heart is no longer as empty as the yard by moonlight.

I mean whether you're to be punished or not.

Jiu,

I've found my love!

Young Master Liu, if you're busy today, what about tomorrow?

When is it convenient for you?

You saved my life. I ought to thank you.

I don't deserve it.

You weren't haunted. No need to thank me.

I knew I couldn't fool you.

You helped me three years ago at Mount Zixia.

That alone is worth a drink.

Catching demons is my duty.

You don't owe me anything.

Good day.

Young Master Liu…

Your Highness, he seems to care a lot about Mu Yao.

He does.

The way he looks at her is

so sweet and warm.

I wonder if he's in love with her.

But that's fine.

I'll make him look at me alone like that one day.

Yao.

Yao!

Princess Duanyang and I aren't friends.

We met once

a long time ago.

If she hadn't brought it up, I wouldn't have remembered it.

I know.

Honestly, I can barely recall it.

You're always on the way too.

You know we'll help those in need

no matter who they are.

I'm telling the truth.

When we met in the garden,

I didn't recognize her at all.

I…

Fuyi, I trust you.

Although you've never told me about your past,

I know you've never lied to me either.

Uh…

get some rest then.

Oh no!

A rift is growing between them. Things can't go on like this.

I need your help, Ziqi.

Miss, this letter from the Marquis Mansion invites you to see their flowers.

Flowers?

Please apologize for me and tell them I can't go.

Yes.

Ziqi…

What's up with Ziqi lately?

He's being mean to me.

From my experience, he likes you.

Young people do this all the time.

You don't know anything.

Experience? You have none.

Yes, I do.

My grandfather said 900 years ago,

when he was young,

he fell for a cute photinia serrulata.

Hold on.

He was a bamboo but in love with a tree?

Is that the point?

Go on.

He was young and stupid.

He liked her, but he was too shy to admit it.

He pretended he didn't care and said hurtful things.

When she blossomed, he said,

"It stinks!"

It's true.

When you like someone, you tend to say the opposite.

Your grandfather seemed to be pure.

Then what?

Then she turned into a girl

and left with a Bird Demon,

a handsome sweet-talker.

She never came back again.

That girl was heartless.

I know, right?

"All demons have a bitter past."

"All those in love will suffer."

"Be it a human or a demon,

they'll be hurt in love."

My grandfather said so.

Anyway, he's been in pain for over 900 years

and remained single to this day.

If that's the case, who gave birth to you?

Plants don't need to mate for reproduction.

Our love is not that complicated

and much purer than humans.

Fine. Whatever.

I'll watch Ziqi closely in case he'll end up like my grandfather.

He definitely likes you.

That's why he's acting against you

and finding fault with you.

Is that so?

What else could it be?

Speaking of Ziqi, what's his favorability now?

Has it increased without us knowing it?

Dust Demons, Dust Demons,

Dust Demons!

Why are you calling them?

I have a question.

Strangely, I haven't seen them since we arrived in the capital.

That's because of the Astronomical Bureau.

It's said that they have the supreme weapon

left by the only Heavenly Demon Catcher

from 900 years ago, Crescent!

It is the most powerful in the world.

With that weapon in the city,

demons can only use one third of their power.

Don't you see that I get sleepy

and tired easily lately?

The weakest demons such as Dust Demons have gone into hiding.

I see.

You, little shoot, are well-informed.

My grandfather is.

Like I said, bamboos are connected by our roots.

My grandfather is 1,000 years old.

He can contact all the bamboos

and certain plants in the world.

In that case,

I can't know his favorability, can I?

Just ask him.

Why can't humans be straightforward?

I… I can't do that.

I'll do it for you.

No, you can't.

Zip it!

Forget about Ziqi.

Business first.

My poor memory!

I can hardly remember what the book says.

Who suffered the love calamity?

I should protect the love between Sister Mu and Brother Liu.

That's my top priority.

Don't be sneaky, shorty.

Or you'll get hurt.

No, don't!

I didn't mean to be nosy,

but bamboos are straight shooters.

We can't stand others hiding their feelings.

What is it?

Do you like Miaomiao?

What…?

What are you talking about?

I knew it!

You're just like my grandfather.

It's been 900 years,

but whenever we bring up that girl,

he'll drop what's in his hand and stutter.

Who…? Who's stut…?

She clings on to me all day with a cute smile.

I… I don't like her!

Listen, don't act like my grandfather.

You have a bad temper and a long face.

You're even meaner than him.

You can't sweet-talk her.

If you keep ignoring her,

if you don't tell her you like her, she'll be with someone else!

Hey, shorty,

don't lecture me.

I'll break you!

That's all I can say.

Sir, there's only one braised meat bun left.

Miaomiao, eat it.

It's yours.

Don't look at me. I don't like it.

You're so sweet!

It's really good!

Do you like Miaomiao?

Our work is done.

Let's go shopping after breakfast.

Sure.

Join us, Brother Liu.

Alright.

Mu Sheng…

I'm not going.

Why?

Come here, Sister Mu.

Let's go.

Pendants!

Check out these new pendants!

Still no interactions.

They clearly like each other.

They're too shy.

There's no time to take things slow. They must be a couple today.

This flower hairpin looks cute.

Do you like it, Sister Mu?

They sell better accessories in the capital.

How much is it?

Three taels of silver.

Forget it. That's too much.

Wrap it up, please.

Yes. That's what I'm talking about.

You like it, don't you?

Hold on. Don't wrap it now.

Sister Mu hasn't tried it on.

How do you know if it'll look good on her?

Uh…

Sir.

Stop.

You're deft, Brother Liu. It's perfect!

Young Master Liu?

What a nice surprise.

The Princess's carriage is over there.

She'd like to give you a ride.

Please tell Her Highness I don't deserve such special treatment.

It's dangerous outside.

Her Highness should go back soon for safety.

He's doing well.

He can say no to other girls now.

Thank you, sir.

Your Highness, Young Master Liu…

said no.

Step aside!

Young Master Liu.

Your Highness.

The sky in my eyes Is always a dazzling blue

The departing ship raises its sails Waiting for the wind

It says breaking Through layers of obstacles

Will lead to the stars and the sea

The fledgling bird at the cliff's edge Spreads its wings

How high must it fly To meet expectations

The waves say The breeze will come naturally

So fly

Even if I encounter storms And crash into flames

Even if the thorns cover me

I was meant to

Embrace every surging wave

This world

Has both spectacular and ordinary moments

Giving it my all is brave enough

The next stop

Is calling me from ahead

A flower breaking through the stone Pure and soft

Open up an umbrella on a long journey

No matter where the wind comes from I'll look forward to it

So fly

Even if I encounter storms And crash into flames

Even if the thorns cover me

I was meant to

Embrace every surging wave

This world

Has both spectacular and ordinary moments

Giving it my all is brave enough

The next stop

Is calling me from ahead

As the wind blows open the folded Crane-shaped letters

The yellowing paper Reflects forgotten wishes

I want to talk to The passionate persistence I had back then

Thank you for not retreating

Thank you for always guarding your beliefs

So fly

Even if I encounter storms And crash into flames

Even if the thorns cover me

I was meant to

Embrace every surging wave

This world

Has both spectacular and ordinary moments

Giving it my all is brave enough

The next stop

Is calling me from ahead