Original subtitles

FANGHUA PALACE

BROTHER

I am so useless.

I promised my brother I'd protect Mei Lin.

Your Highness, this is not your fault.

She insisted on leaving. How could we stop her?

But General Yin said Prince Jing took her.

Chagu,

what if Mei Lin got eaten by a black bear?

Your Highness,

His Majesty has already sent people to search for her.

Maybe she's still alive.

Mei Lin doesn't seem like an ordinary girl.

She won't get killed so easily.

Right.

She's just missing. She's not dead.

No,

I can't tell my brother.

He's having a hard time in Xiyan too. I can't make him worry.

Chagu,

His Majesty will find Mei Lin alive, right?

Your Majesty, please take your medicine.

Has the search started?

Remember,

search for her under Concubine Yan's name.

Once Mei Lin is found, I want to be the first to question her.

Keep this from Concubine Yan.

Your Majesty, do you suspect Mei Lin?

With secret guards around Jinghe,

this accident seems suspicious.

Many from Qingzhou have always resented the court,

and Mei Lin is an orphan from there.

I'm worried she has other plans.

In any case, I want her found,

alive…

or dead.

Yes, Your Majesty.

How are the preparations…

for Jinghe's funeral coming along?

According to your instructions,

everything is being handled as a state funeral.

His Highness has taken care of it all.

MEMORIAL TABLET OF PRINCE MURONG JINGHE

Kneel!

TINGYUN PAVILION

Prostrate!

Return to the capital immediately and prepare for my funeral.

For my safety, make it convincing.

Rise!

TINGYUN PAVILION

Your Highness, we've been watching for days.

Qingyan hasn't sent anyone to look for his master.

Could Prince Jing really be dead?

The two of them always put on a show.

In any case, I must see Jinghe's body myself.

Send more men to search,

claiming the target is Mei Lin, Jinghe's greatest love,

to avoid raising Father's suspicions.

Understood.

By the way, where is General Yin?

Of all the officials, only General Yin hasn't paid respects

or sent offerings.

It seems she hasn't accepted Jinghe's death.

You've caught a chill.

Go home and brew some Tianjing Grass soup.

Got it.

Sir, could you take a look at her?

You're awake, young lady?

I told you she'd be fine,

but you didn't believe me.

Honestly, she looks better than you.

Give her Tianjing Grass for quicker recovery.

Sir,

please check on my brother too.

I don't need checking.

Your brother is quite weak.

He needs proper rest and care.

You should have some Tianjing Grass too.

Is this Tianjing Grass a cure-all?

You outlanders don't understand.

Tianjing Grass boosts energy, enhances circulation,

and keeps people and livestock healthy.

I'm better at medicine than he is.

If you're unwell,

let me treat you. Luckily, Qingyan left me some medicine.

Since when did you become a physician?

-Illness makes one a doctor. -Futian's father!

Hurry! Save him!

Wei is dying!

-Hurry. -Be careful.

When did he get sick?

We were hunting in the mountains

and found him unconscious by the stream.

He…

He looks like he has the plague.

The mountain stream?

It's by the path near Sunset Cliff.

Is the stream water contaminated?

Hurry! Tie up these two outlanders!

They're carrying the plague!

Everyone who got sick was infected by them!

They were poisoned from drinking the mountain stream water?

Wei is in critical condition.

He may not survive without an antidote.

This poison, developed by the Xiyan,

was used to contaminate upstream water

and kill many Yan soldiers.

I never thought the Crown Prince would scapegoat the Xiyan.

Can we save him?

Thunder Duke Vine and Qingyan's medicine can neutralize the poison.

There's Thunder Duke Vine in the mountain.

Wait until nightfall.

If we leave now, we won't have an explanation.

Alright.

What about the other villagers?

The mountain stream water reaching the village is much less toxic.

They should be fine.

It's always like this. The common folk, clueless as ever,

always get caught in the crossfire.

They went into hiding to escape disaster,

yet still, disaster found them.

There's a fire.

There's a fire.

Mei Lin! Our house is on fire!

We need to go.

-Let's go! -Mei Lin…

Come on!

They jumped out the window! Help!

Stop running! You two, stop!

-Stop right there! -Stop!

Why are you running?

You're infected with the plague,

so we're burning herbs to ward it off.

If you don't get treated, you'll endanger yourselves and others!

We can't let you spread it!

Exactly! You can't leave!

Listen to me. My sister and I aren't infected.

Wei and the villagers got sick from the mountain stream water.

I know how to cure them.

Are you a physician?

My sister and I caught the same illness while we were fleeing.

A traveling physician saved us with Thunder Duke Vine.

I'm sure it can save them too.

-Can Thunder Duke Vine work? -Why…

Why should we believe you?

I can go up the mountain to gather the herbs.

I'll go with you.

Let your sister go.

You're too weak. Stay here as a hostage.

I'll go with them.

-Let's go. -Alright, this way.

-Come on. -Let's go gather the herbs. Let's go.

WEST SUBURBS BARRACKS

Luomei, remember,

protect the nation.

And keep Great Yan safe!

Your Highness.

General Yin, I'll practice with you.

I've lost.

If we were on the battlefield,

my dagger slipping

would have meant death by your sword.

Longer weapons have the advantage.

I fought your short dagger with my long sword.

My victory has no honor.

A defeat is a defeat.

Everything is already decided.

Indeed. Everything is already decided.

Luomei,

these past years,

Jinghe didn't have it easy.

He wanted to be buried in Qingzhou with the Weibei Army.

Perhaps this way

is a release for him.

I'm just sad

Prince Jing didn't die on the battlefield.

Forget it.

Let this dagger be buried with him.

That dagger was actually a gift from me.

It pairs with this one.

When we were younger,

I knew of your feelings for him and didn't dare compete,

so I gave it to you through him.

I never thought I'd get to say this

or that these two daggers would reunite.

Luomei,

in fact,

it's not just Jinghe

who can fight by your side. I can too.

I can stand with you through life and death.

Will you

keep this dagger for my sake?

I've already decided to bury it with Prince Jing.

Though it was a gift from Your Highness,

it holds

many memories of my time with him.

Let it carry those memories and be buried with him.

I hope Prince Jing

can once again be a great general in his next life.

Strike the drums for the general

and send his heroic soul off to battle!

Luomei,

I hope this is the last time you grieve for him.

Farewell, General!

Farewell, General!

Why aren't they back yet?

They've been gone too long.

Is that them over there?

Why aren't they back yet?

I don't know.

It really is them!

They're back!

They're back!

We found it.

Here.

Boil the Thunder Duke Vine with this medicine.

It'll work faster.

Come on. Let's get to it.

-Right. -Let's go.

That's his sleeping powder.

It really worked!

-Thank you so much, miss! -What a relief.

Thank you.

Futian's father.

What happened to me?

You were poisoned.

They saved you.

Thank you, miss.

Avoid heavy labor for the next few days.

Madam Wang, we'll head back now.

Alright.

Who are they?

They're siblings who fled to our village.

They're really kind, especially the girl.

You've got your eye on her, haven't you?

No, I haven't.

No? Who would believe that?

Miss Mei Lin!

-Miss Mei Lin. -Madam.

There's something I'd like to ask you.

Are you engaged?

-No. -Yes.

She was engaged,

but her fiance

died while we were fleeing.

Now, it's just the two of us.

After all this time, as her brother,

I'm reluctant to let her go.

All women eventually marry, right?

You wouldn't want to hold your sister back.

Miss Mei Lin,

there are plenty of good men in our village.

Take your time to pick.

I'm sure both you and your brother will be satisfied.

It's up to my brother.

Madam Wang, here's the thing. Once Mei Lin gets better,

we'll be on the road to find our relatives.

It's dangerous out there.

Why don't you stay here?

Laowozi Village is safe from war

and government interference,

with plenty of mountains and streams to keep you fed.

If you stay, you'll have a good life.

Think it over.

We'll think about it.

Think it over, okay?

Madam,

I'm the one who makes the call.

Right, my brother makes the call.

Alright then. I'll go get a bed ready for you two.

A bed?

Oh, right. You're siblings,

so you can't share the same bed.

I'll prepare two beds.

Two.

Do I really get to make the call?

I'm not as good at making up stories,

so you decide.

If only you'd always listen to me.

Come with me.

-Where? -You'll see when we get there.

I saw them while gathering herbs in the mountains.

You brought me here

to watch fireflies with you?

We're here to catch them,

not just watch.

You don't know how to catch fireflies?

Don't move.

You like fireflies?

Don't you like sleeping with the light on?

The villagers don't want to waste lamp oil,

so you can hang this firefly pouch by your bed.

It might help you sleep.

Why are you doing this?

You gave your sleeping powder to the villagers.

Without it, you can't sleep.

I can't knock you out every night, right?

I'm the reason they suffer.

I deserve the consequences.

Hurt your hand breaking the window?

Let's go home and treat it.

It's just a scratch. Don't worry about it.

For a moment, I thought they were going to…

Why were you so panicked today?

You weren't scared at all when Wenhua Pavilion caught fire.

I was afraid you'd end up like my father.

During the Qingzhou fire,

he saved me at the cost of his life.

I watched as he was burned alive but he never let go of the rope.

Mei, hold on tight!

-Father! -Mei!

-Father! -You must…

You must survive!

I used to struggle with sleep.

Even a sliver of light would give me nightmares.

But now, I don't anymore.

Both the Qingzhou fire and Zhongshan poisoning

resulted from the power struggle for the throne.

You, Wei,

the Xiyan Beauties,

and the 100,000 innocent people

don't deserve any of these consequences.

I once valued the honor of the Weibei Army above all,

but now, I realize

the suffering of the people

far exceeds anything the Weibei Army went through.

What's done is done.

We have to look ahead.

We both need to learn to wake up from our nightmares.

Let's go.

It makes the room much brighter.

Sleep well.

Even a lifetime of atonement

may never be enough.

What?

The Crown Prince

is also searching for Mei Lin?

His Highness often says in private

that he doesn't believe

Prince Jing's death

was an accident.

Liu Zhong,

what do you think?

Speak freely.

Your Majesty,

in my humble opinion,

His Highness and Your Majesty

are thinking the same thing.

Both General Yin and Princess Hengyang's son

saw Mei Lin at Lushan Hunting Ground.

I'm afraid the truth behind Prince Jing's death

can only be uncovered when we find Mei Lin.

You sly old fox, you're just circling around!

Send some Imperial Guards

to secretly follow the Crown Prince's men.

We must find Mei Lin

before they do.

Your Majesty, do you mean…?

I suspect the Crown Prince is searching for Mei Lin

to kill her.

Your Majesty,

are you implying that His Highness

was behind Prince Jing's death?

Liu Zhong,

do you think it's my bad karma

that my sons

have come to this?

Your Majesty,

Prince Jing is already gone.

Even if you uncover the truth,

what good would it do?

Jinghe,

Empress Dejia,

don't blame me.

Born into the imperial family,

this is his fate.

I've walked this same path myself.

As long as the Crown Prince

doesn't jeopardize the nation,

I cannot strip him of his position.

But I must

know the truth!

Your Highness? What brings you here?

Where is everyone?

Why didn't you report Her Highness's arrival?

I acknowledge my mistake.

I… I've overstepped my bounds.

I just wanted to bring some ginseng soup to Your Majesty.

The filth and gossip in the palace

are none of your concern.

Don't listen to it,

and don't overthink things.

Yes, I understand.

-Liu Zhong. -Yes, Your Majesty.

-Where's the burn ointment? -I'll fetch it right away.

I know you're worried about Mei Lin.

I've already sent people to search for her.

If she had nothing to do with Jinghe's death,

I wouldn't harm her.

But if she was involved,

I don't want you to interfere.

Do you understand?

Yes.

Your Majesty.

Did I scare you?

Next time I'm angry,

stay away from me.

We might receive good news

from your brother in Xiyan soon.

No need to be scared.

Go back and rest.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Under the divine envoys' watch,

His Majesty fulfills heaven's will,

blessing Xiyan with peace, prosperity, and abundant resources

through all seasons.

The people of Xiyan give thanks to the heavens and honor our King!

Rise.

The gods revealed in a dream to His Majesty

that the Left Divine Envoy, Sun Kunlun, was born into the royal family of Xiyan.

Today, we have the Second Prince, Yue Chu,

and the Sixth Prince, Yue Qin, both wise and brave.

We beseech the gods for a clear sign to appoint the rightful heir

and bless Xiyan for a thousand generations!

I have seen the will of the gods.

You are the chosen one.

The Second Prince tampered with the altar.

I will set everything back

on the right track.

MINGJU, GENERAL OF XIYAN

It seems the Sixth Prince

is the reincarnation of the Sun Kunlun!

You…!

Father, the High Priest and Yue Qin are colluding.

They've tricked you!

Father, I would never dare interfere with divine will.

The Second Prince disrespects the divine envoys

and will face heavenly punishment.

The Sixth Prince, Yue Qin,

is the reincarnation of Sun Kunlun.

The will of heaven cannot be defied!

Nonsense!

I refuse to accept this!

I'm the Second Prince of Xiyan.

Come nearer if you dare.

The Sixth Prince, Yue Qin,

is blessed by the gods.

He shall ascend to the throne of Xiyan.

Long live the King!

The gods have chosen the true heir!

With divine protection,

Xiyan shall flourish for all eternity!

PRINCE HEIR'S MANSION

Mr. Yue Qin…

no, Your Highness,

news of your ascension as Prince Heir has reached Great Yan.

The princess will hear of it soon.

As per your instructions,

we've transplanted

some Qingzhou crops to the estate.

When Mei Lin moves to Xiyan,

she can tend to these Qingzhou crops

to ease her homesickness.

Farming?

Will Miss Mei Lin enjoy that kind of life?

Madam Wang!

Madam Wang.

The harvest is here!

In a few days, we'll hold a big feast to celebrate.

There'll be so much delicious food!

Madam, we'll help you out.

Yeah.

You stay here.

The physician said

you were still weak and needed rest.

Your sister's quick and capable.

Her help is enough.

Listen to Madam Wang. Don't get in the way.

I'll help too.

I'm all better now.

Thank you, Mei Lin.

Wei,

you still have poison in you.

If you don't rest, you won't do heavy work again.

Without strength, how will you make a living?

Exactly. Listen to my brother. Just rest.

Enough. You two will just make things harder.

Mei Lin's help is all I need.

Let's get to work.

-Let's go. -Let's go.

I'll help once I fully recover, okay?

Just rest.

Mei Lin, let me help you.

It's alright, Wei. I've got it.

It's alright. I can do it.

I'm really fine.

Futian's father said I could work again.

Stop working and go rest.

No worries. Let me help you.

Here, wear my hat.

It's too hot. Put it on.

I don't need it, Wei.

-Just put it on. -I'm not hot. You wear it.

I really don't need it.

Erniu,

see that big guy up ahead?

Tell the big brother Erniu did it!

Erniu!

I'll beat you up!

Is it pretty?

Here.

Did you make these?

I borrowed them from Erniu's mother.

The crops can be prickly.

Better put them on.

They fit perfectly.

Your brother sure is capable.

He can even do needlework!

Miss, you're such a lucky girl!

My brother sure is capable.

Ergou, let your wife take a break.

Look at her. She's exhausted!

Do it like this. Make a clean cut.

Like this?