Original subtitles

[English subtitles are available]

As long as I can take over Ning'an Palace,

I'm willing to pay any price.

Cleanse the court of traitors and sycophants.

The cinnabar imperial brush determines one's life and death.

Everything

is like a dream.

I once was indebted to a lot of people.

Zhang Zhe, help me.

I'll be a good person after this.

I'll marry the one I spoiled.

There are things

you can't give me.

But he can.

To keep my life,

only you, Sir, can help me.

Everyone in the world is entitled to escape.

But I'm the only one who can't.

I want to do my best to make up for

my past regrets and wrongdoings.

Mr. Zhang, do you believe in predestination from the previous life?

I'd rather believe in what's in front of me.

Welcome, Your Highness.

Welcome, Your Highness.

Congratulations on returning to the capital of our homeland.

Ning'er, what are you afraid of?

But in the unfathomable,

there's always an invisible hand

that puts everything back to its original place.

You've taken revenge and paid your debts.

At the end of the day, who are you?

A bustling place, or a battleground.

A life of absurdity, a story of mistakes and regrets.

[Story of Kunning Palace]

[Episode 37]

Are you angry?

If it were you, you'd be angry too.

What are you hiding from?

You didn't answer me yesterday.

So,

you avoided me because you didn't want to

hear an answer you didn't like?

My plan was

to calm down a bit more

and think carefully

before talking to you about the future.

Look at you.

You ran away early in the morning.

I haven't figured out

whether I'm more at a disadvantage

or you.

So,

do you have the answer today?

Love is one thing.

Marriage is another thing.

I'm not prepared

to be in a marriage with you.

What do you need to prepare?

A marriage is a promise for a lifetime.

It's responsibility, a bond, and restraints between two people.

How could I forget

that people like you

yearn for a life of freedom?

How can you be bound?

That's not what I meant.

I just

need time to think it through.

Let's wait until you've made up your mind.

Mr. Zhang has arrived in Yuzhou.

His Majesty's decree has also been delivered.

If Xie Wei and Yan Lin really return to the capital,

what do you plan to do with them?

If everything goes well,

they will return to the capital to admit their fault

and give the people an explanation,

and I will pardon them.

Your Majesty, you are truly magnanimous.

Are you really not afraid

of Xie Wei's deviant behavior?

After all, what the court needs now

is someone who can really do things.

As long as he can continue to be loyal to the State of Qian,

why can't I

use him?

I don't know why

I've been feeling unwell

and coughing non-stop recently.

I think I can only

rest a little when I’m with you.

This means you trust me.

Rest assured.

I'll accompany you.

Throw away these desserts.

Also,

bring a message to Duke Xue.

Tell him we can't wait any longer.

It's time.

Yes.

Madam Lyu.

We are like old friends.

Don't be nervous.

You see it too,

but

I really don't want to hurt you.

How about this? Tell me

what Miss Jiang has told you about Xie Wei.

What's the plan?

I'll send you home as soon as you tell me.

How can you do this

to the lady?

Why are you talking about this?

Yes, I admit

that I have been indebted to the Second Young Lady,

but isn't everything

about using each other to get what we want?

I know you've been through a lot,

so I sincerely advise you

to choose a path that will benefit yourself.

Don't go against the Xue family.

Don’t protect those rebels.

If they are rebels,

then you can detain me in prison and interrogate me

according to the law.

Why are you hiding me in the Xue family for interrogation?

It's clearly a conspiracy.

Madam Lyu, you are quite smart this time.

I'll be frank then.

Duke Xue wants to find incriminating evidence of Xie Wei's side.

if you can provide anything,

I'll keep you alive.

I said

I know nothing.

Why can't you understand?

It doesn't matter whether you know or not.

It doesn't matter whether you're telling the truth or not.

As long as you're willing to say it,

as long as you're willing to testify,

you can make up any crime

with your status as Jiang Xuening's best friend.

Do you understand?

You won't cooperate if I speak nicely to you, right?

Let's try another way.

Don't force me.

Have you really decided to return to the capital?

I arranged for the Yan family to be exiled before

to help them avoid the scheming.

I sent them to the border to take over the military power

to save the princess and pacify the State of Yue,

preventing Xue Yuan from stirring trouble.

Fighting Lord Pingnan

was also to prevent Lord Pingnan

from cunningly escaping again.

Only then did I decide on the roundabout plan to pretend to attack the city.

This was just a temporary plan.

The Yan family can't and shouldn't

carry a criminal name forever.

Only by going back as soon as possible

can everything be settled.

That's all?

It has nothing

to do with Miss Jiang?

it's not fair to her

for us to loiter here.

She shouldn't be mistaken as a rebel

with us.

If we can send her home secretly,

she and the Jiang family will be safe.

Your You Fangyin too.

If my relationship with you

and her relationship with Ning'er are exposed,

it won't be safe either.

Sir,

there's a problem.

What happened?

I received a message from the spies in the capital.

Miss You was captured by the Xingwu Guards.

What happened?

According to the spy,

Zhou Yinzhi took people to Lyu Mansion.

They didn't report a crime

or show a warrant

and just took her away.

After investigation,

Miss You

wasn't taken to the prison.

Instead, she's imprisoned in the Mansion of Duke Xue.

It's my fault.

I should have brought her out that day.

Instead of blaming yourself,

you should think of a solution.

Let's go back to the capital first.

The battle with the Xue family has begun.

I’d like to see

who will live

and who will die.

Mr. Zhang,

I’ve decided to go back to the capital to see His Majesty.

Please send a letter to the capital

and inform His Majesty.

That's great.

How will you go back to the capital?

We will split up into three groups.

One will return to the border,

one will stay in Yuzhou with Marquis Yan,

and the third

will return with Viscount Yan and I.

This is the bottom line.

Junior Preceptor Xie, you should know

that even if one group returns to the capital with you,

the army

can't enter the capital according to the law.

This is also the bottom line of the imperial court.

I know.

Okay.

I’ll write a letter to report to His Majesty now.

-Mr. Zhang and I... -You are not my caged bird.

You don't have to explain to me,

even if you purposely came to see him.

Don't...

You Fangyin is in trouble.

Zhou Yinzhi.

It’s my fault.

I knew his temperament.

I should have gotten rid of him.

Then this problem wouldn't exist today.

Ning'er, you're not a bad person.

Because of this,

you wouldn't have removed someone

for the mistakes he may make in the future

before he made them.

This is an unsolvable problem.

Does Lyu Xian know? What did he say?

We've discussed it.

I planned to return to the capital in a few days.

Since this incident has occurred,

we'll depart tomorrow.

After entering the capital,

Yan Lin and I will tell His Majesty

everything that happened.

As for You Fangyin,

I'll ask Dao Qin to accompany Lyu Xian

to the Xue family.

-As for you, go back first. -I’ll go with them to the Xue family.

You know how important Fangyin is to me.

I'll go with them.

Don't worry. I'll be fine.

You, on the contrary...

The palace will be full of danger.

Yan's troops are all outside the city.

They might not be able to send reinforcements in time.

You need to bring something to protect yourself.

I don't want anything to happen to you.

Is this how badly you want to return this to me?

I have no reason to take back

what I gave away.

Stop being petulant.

Ning'er,

you're the one who said I'll never lose,

but you're also the one who worries about me now.

You're the one who promised me the future,

but you're also the one who can't give me an answer now.

What do you want me to do?

We're here to bid farewell to His Lordship.

You're busy. There's no need to see us off.

You must be careful

in the capital.

Don't worry, General Yan.

This time,

His Majesty will first summon Junior Preceptor Xie and Viscount Yan

to ask about everything before discussing with the officials.

He won't let you all be wronged.

It's getting late.

Let's go.

Ju'an.

You've always been smart.

These words should be unnecessary,

but I thought about it for a long time last night.

Your path has been difficult

for the past 20 years.

Now,

we're only one step away from revenge,

but

if your mother were still alive,

she wouldn't want to see you

be blinded by hatred.

Do you understand?

Don't worry, Uncle.

I understand.

At the time, His Majesty

was only a child.

He didn't know about many things.

Since the beginning,

my target

has only been Lord Pingnan and the Xue family.

Returning this time

is also for the sake of the world.

The Xue family is ambitious.

Sooner or later,

they will harm His Majesty.

If something happens, the world will be in chaos.

War will be everywhere and the people will suffer.

No matter what,

you must keep the situation under control.

Of course,

you must also protect yourself.

Okay.

But Uncle,

Yan Lin and I will return to the capital,

while you will stay here alone to guard Yuzhou.

You must be careful.

The Xue family also has private soldiers.

You must be careful of their surprise attacks.

When everything is settled in the capital

and the Yan family's name is cleared,

I will

welcome you back to court.

This farewell...

Uncle,

take care.

Take care.

Your Majesty,

I have received a message from Zhang Zhe

saying that Xie Wei

and Yan Lin have left the military camp

and will escort the princess to the capital according to your order.

Yan Mu is staying in Yuzhou with Yan's troops for now.

Nothing unusual has happened.

Zhang Zhe did his job well.

I see now.

After he returns...

Reward him.

Your Majesty,

what should we do with this group?

Your Majesty,

have you made up your mind?

Although Xie Wei forged the imperial edict,

this action

pacified the State of Yue

and eliminated Lord Pingnan,

a long-time concern of the court.

He made great contributions,

while I'm afraid that the Yan family's crime

of going against the imperial decree

may have been reported by the Xue family for private reasons.

On the contrary,

with all the evidence of guilt found in the Xue family,

the Mansion of Duke Xue

might have long become corrupt.

External troubles have just been settled and internal troubles are about to begin.

It's easy to punish Xie Wei and Yan Lin,

but

what should we do with tens of thousands of Yan's troops?

What should be done

with the Xue family in the court?

I understand what you mean.

During my years as the emperor,

there have been few achievements,

but I've tolerated the Xue family

because of the unrest when I was young

and Mother's mutual protection.

This is what led to today’s disaster.

Now,

if this incident

causes unrest again,

I'm afraid

I won't be able to face

the ancestors of the Shen family in the afterlife.

Your Majesty.

Forget it.

As long as Xie Wei and Yan Lin are loyal to the court,

why can't I tolerate them?

Your Majesty is benevolent.

Your Majesty.

Eunuch Wang, summon the Imperial Physician.

His Majesty had already recovered,

and he has been in your palace these days.

Do you dare say it has nothing to do with you?

Aunt, what do you mean?

I'm just a consort.

I'm not a physician.

How would I know how exactly His Majesty's health is?

Didn't you tell me

that when I'm by His Majesty's side, I only have to make him happy

and I shouldn't say or ask anything extra?

How dare you talk back?

Guards!

Slap her!

Your Majesty.

You came at the right time.

Take a look at your good daughter.

I will take my leave now.

Your Majesty,

the Imperial Study sent news

that His Majesty is fine now.

However, His Majesty

is weak inside and his strength has been exhausted.

I'm afraid he won't live for much longer.

You did it?

Xue Yuan,

I warned you

that you must not do this.

You are assassinating the emperor.

Your Majesty,

His Majesty has not

been in good health for a long time.

I'm just helping His Majesty

be free from sickness as soon as possible.

This has nothing to do with you.

You...

Guards!

Your Majesty,

the imperial guards have been replaced with my men.

Do you know what the consequences would be

if you spread this news?

Are you threatening me?

I dare not.

Your Majesty and I were born from one mother.

We are related by blood.

Others may harm you,

but I would never,

so please listen to me.

You've committed the serious crime of assassinating the emperor.

What’s there to say?

Xue Yuan,

are you going to rebel?

Your Majesty, you are wrong.

It is only a rebellion when you change

the dynasty and empire,

but everything I am doing is for the Xue family.

Do you know

who Junior Preceptor Xie Wei

truly is?

I was only suspicious of him,

but

I happened to receive a secret letter from Lord Pingnan.

Only then did I know

that Xie Wei

is the real Xue Dingfei.

Isn't he...

The one who came back is fake.

Xie Wei is the real Xue Dingfei.

He hid his identity for 20 years,

bewitched His Majesty in court,

and secretly helped the Yan family

to fight against the Xue family.

Now, His Majesty is obedient to him

and even wants to forgive a heinous crime

like forging the imperial decree.

If he returns to the palace,

please think about

who the tens of thousands of Yan's troops

will aim their swords at.

Even so,

you shouldn't have hurt Lang.

He’s my son.

Your Majesty,

you're being too kind.

There are no true fathers and sons in imperial families.

Your Highness,

your hesitation now

will lead to

the future death of the Xue family.

So,

I will have soldiers lay in ambush.

When Xie Wei returns to the capital to meet His Majesty,

he and Yan Lin will be killed within the palace.

Twenty years ago

and 20 years later,

I'm even willing

to sacrifice my own son for the Xue family.

Why can't you?

You're assassinating the emperor.

If others find out—

Then, you must not let anyone know.

Anyway, it's Consort Xian who who did it.

She's no longer a member of the Xue family.

After the princess returns to the capital,

you can issue an imperial decree

to let Ye marry the princess.

At that time, His Majesty will die of illness.

Noble Consort Qin will hold vigil for His Majesty

and I will help Lord Linzi ascend the throne.

By then,

no matter if it's the palace, the capital,

or the world,

all of it would be under your control.

[Long History]

Empress Dowager has agreed

not to interfere with our plan.

Before Xie Wei and Yan Lin enter the palace,

we must set up an ambush in the palace.

We trained our troops just for this one moment.

The success and failure of the Mansion of Duke Xue

depends on this.

Ye,

give the orders.

Yes.

Duke.

Xie Wei and Yan Lin

will arrive in three days.

According to the law,

their army can only wait outside the city.

This is good for us,

but to make sure nothing goes wrong,

we still need Consort Xian

to stop the news from His Majesty.

Don't worry.

The medicine has been taken.

His Majesty won't last three days.

When the matter is settled,

I need a justifiable reason

that can appease the public.

So,

create incriminating evidence of Xie Wei's group as soon as possible.

Understand?

Yes,

I understand.

Greetings, Your Highness,

Mr. Xie, Mr. Zhang, and General Yan.

His Majesty knew you all would arrive today,

so he ordered me to wait for you here.

Thank you.

The Empress Dowager is at Tai'an Hall.

She wants to see the princess.

As for the two sirs and General Yan,

His Majesty has ordered

for you to go to the Imperial Study.

We will do as His Majesty says.

It is forbidden

to bring weapons into the palace.

This is the rule of the palace.

General Yan, you should know that, right?

Inform the Duke and Mr. Xue immediately.

My Lady, Xie Wei and the others have entered the palace.

The princess has gone to Tai'an Hall.

Mr. Zhang Zhe

is taking Xie Wei and Yan Lin to the Imperial Study.

His Majesty has taken the medicine.

He won't last long.

Bring some men to guard the Imperial Study.

Once the poison takes effect,

bring His Majesty to Jingyue Hall immediately.

Tell him

that Jingyue Hall is the closest to the Imperial Hospital.

It's so he can be treated in time.

Yes.

Have Xie Wei and the others arrived?

Your Majesty,

Mr. Zhang has brought Junior Preceptor Xie

and General Yan to the palace.

I think they will arrive soon,

but

your health is not well.

You should take a rest.

Did you have a relapse after the long trip?

Why don't we go to the Imperial Hospital first?

It's nothing.

We are returning to the capital by His Majesty's order.

We should see His Majesty first.

Official Gu,

they are still waiting for a meeting in Taiji Hall.

I will only rest assured

after seeing Xie Wei

and asking him.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty!

Help! Help!

Help!

Mr. Xue,

His Majesty summoned us to meet him.

What are you doing?

You still want to see His Majesty?

Try in your next life.

Arrest them all!

Xue Ye!

You're brandishing weapons in the palace.

Are you rebelling?

His Majesty is in critical condition.

My father has received the will to pass on the throne to Lord Linzi.

He is now going to Taiji Hall to discuss with the officials.

The Xingwu Guards are protecting the palace.

How is it a rebellion?

The Xue family dares to assassinate the emperor?

How dare you!

Junior Preceptor Xie, you are wrong.

After everything is settled,

the Yan family

will be the one who attacked His Majesty and started the rebellion,

while the Xue family

are the loyal ministers who came to save His Majesty.

Guards!

Arrest these rebels.

If they dare resist,

just kill them.

Yes.

Jian Shu,

take Mr. Xie and Mr. Zhang away.

Be careful. Don't linger in battle.

Jian Shu,

let's go.

Yes.

Let's go.

Don't let them escape.

Kill him!

Mr. Gu,

something is wrong.

I'm afraid a crisis will happen in the palace.

Sirs,

His Majesty had an emergency

and has passed away.

This...

Before he died,

he left a will to pass on the throne to Lord Linzi

and sentence

Xie Wei and the Yan family to death for treason.

Here is the imperial edict.

Aren't you going to accept the edict?

Nonsense!

Although His Majesty is unwell,

the Imperial Physician has been taking care of him.

How could he suddenly pass away?

Besides,

if anything happened to His Majesty,

why are you the one reporting it,

instead of the imperial court?

A few days ago, His Majesty said

that Xie Wei and the Yan family can be pardoned.

How could he have issued such an imperial edict?

Xue Yuan,

what are you up to?

Minister Gu is correct.

We want to see His Majesty.

We want to see the Empress Dowager!

See the Empress Dowager and His Majesty.

Charge!

What are you doing?

Mr. Gu.

This is...

Sirs,

the Empress Dowager is in grief

and mourning for His Majesty.

Why are you all

still being unreasonable?

I was authorized by His Majesty's will

to be the auxiliary minister.

I am responsible for handling the court

and stabilizing the palace.

Before everything is settled,

no one

is allowed to leave Taiji Hall.

He won't let us leave.

What is this?

You stay here

and watch over the sirs.

The rest, follow me.

Looks like this conspiracy has been planned for a long time.

What do you want?

Hand You Fangyin over.

Who is You Fangyin?

I've never heard of her.

This is the Mansion of Duke Xue.

How dare you!

Guards! Arrest them!

Let's see who dares to move.

I am the wife of a first-rank official.

What do you want?

You know the answer.

Where is You Fangyin?

If you harm me,

the Duke will never forgive you.

I took the life of Lord Pingnan.

I can even kill a prince and royalty.

So what if I add you to the list?

I'll ask you one last time.

Where is You Fangyin?

It says that your husband

helped Xie Wei and the Yan family collude with Jinling.

All these years,

he used his powers for personal gains and rebellion.

Put your fingerprint here

and come with me to the Ministry of Justice to testify.

I'll set you free right away,

okay?

Madam Lyu is not afraid of death.

I admire you,

but I'm afraid.

I'll die if I can't get the evidence.

Since you don't want to testify,

I'll have to trouble you some more.

Don't come over.

Zhou Yinzhi!

-Fangyin. -Let her go.

Everything is up for discussion.

I've heard about

the martial arts skills of Junior Preceptor's guard.

If I let her go,

I'm afraid I'll be dead, right?

I don't have to kill you.

Let her go.

I don't trust anyone at a time like this.

I only trust myself.

I just want to live.

Don't force me.

Move!

Fangyin.

Move!

Let her go!

Calm down.

Don't come over!

Stop! Don't come over!

Fangyin.

-Don't think about leaving. -Fangyin.

-Fangyin. -Fangyin.

Fangyin.

Fangyin.

Fangyin.

Fangyin.

Miss,

I'm sorry.

In the end,

I still failed to stop Zhou Yinzhi.

I didn't want someone like him

to escape.

Stop talking, Fangyin.

You'll be fine.

You can't die.

Fangyin.

You're not allowed to die.

Miss, don't cry.

If you hadn't saved me back then,

I would have already died in the lake in Mansion of Earl You.

No, you're the one who saved me.

It was true before

and it's still true now.

You're the only one always by my side.

You are the best person.

Better than that person?

Sometimes,

although you look at me,

you seem to be looking at someone else

through me.

I always felt like

I stole the spot next to you from that person.

I was afraid I couldn't compare to her

and couldn't help you.

Miss, I was so scared

that you wouldn't want me anymore.

Silly Fangyin.

You are the only Fangyin.

You are the best Fangyin.

I can't be by your side you anymore.

You must take good care of yourself.

Mr. Lyu.

I'm here.

Thank you

for taking care of me these days.

Unfortunately,

there's no time to sign the divorce agreement now.

I'm sorry for making you carry

the reputation of being a widower.

You Fangyin, listen.

I forbid you to say sorry.

From beginning to end,

I never wanted to divorce you.

I tricked you into being my wife.

I wanted you to stay by my side,

because I knew

that one day,

you would understand my feelings.

I've always known

your feelings.

I believe that

we will be together someday.

We will.

Yes.

-Fangyin. -Fangyin.

Fangyin,

please be fine.

I won't let anything happen to you.

Our happy days haven't started yet.

For yourself,

for Miss Jiang,

for me,

I beg you to hold on.

Please don't leave me, okay?

Then I'll...

-I'll hang in there. -Hang in there.

I'll take you to the physician.

Hang in there.

Fangyin.

Hang in there, Fangyin.

Fangyin.

I'll hold...

Fangyin.

Fangyin.

Fangyin.