Original subtitles

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Subtitles brought to you by The Scintillating Team @ Viki.com

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~ Moonrise by Lu Hu & Huang Yali ~

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♫ The moonlight shines brightly

on the strings of the zither that night ♫

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♫ You and I are teetering on the edge of loneliness ♫

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♫ Softly reciting the bygone days we cannot return to ♫

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♫ Also floating in the air is a kite with a string that has snapped ♫

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♫ The yearning stirs my heartstrings that night ♫

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♫ Love and hate whimper quietly and unrestrainedly ♫

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♫ To meet or not to meet, both are similarly on the edge of pain ♫

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♫ That umbrella that shielded me from the rain

was badly damaged ♫

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♫ At moonrise, I meet with you ♫

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♫ At moonset, I could not see you anymore ♫

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♫ At moonrise, I endlessly yearn for you ♫

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At moonset... at moonset... ♫

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♫ A millennium passes by rapidly... ♫

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The Legend of Hao Lan

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Episode 16

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Go in!

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Why are you here? Are you hurt?

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I'm fine.

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Let me have a look!

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- Let me have a look!

- Don't touch me!

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Aren't you here to save me?

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I was caught while trying to run away.

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I am not here because I want to save you, so stop your wishful thinking.

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Really?

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Why are you laughing?

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I am laughing because you don't act like a man.

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You are always so secretive and cautious, acting as if you are the most extraordinary person.

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acting as if you are the most extraordinary person.

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Do you really think I can't live without you?

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Say it again, Li Haolan.

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I told you a long time ago. I am not a woman who will only say yes to you.

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I'm definitely not someone who would submit to your demands.

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Did I beg for your love?

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Did I ask you to come and save me?

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Are you afraid that I would wrap myself around you and hinder you from your pursuit of grand causes?

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You should just change your name.

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From Lü Buwei to... Lü the Coward.

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Why are you glaring at me?

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Am I wrong?

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Glaring at me doesn't make you right.

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You are a man brave enough to rescue a royal descendant of Qin who's imprisoned here,

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and brave enough to stab a hole in the sky.

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Why is it so difficult, more difficult than taking your life, for you to confess your feelings?

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They imprison us together in the same cell;

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it is obvious that they plan to sentence us to death without any specific reason.

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Could it be that you are really too scared

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to tell me the truth even though you are about to die?

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Shut up.

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I just won't!

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What can you do about it?

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I told you to shut up.

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No!

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Lü Buwei.

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I am here to save you,

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yet you just yelled at me.

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You abandoned me first!

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I got injured and almost died because I tried to save you.

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Is this is how you treat the one you love?

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Didn't you just say that it was just my wishful thinking?

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Quickly, let me see your injury.

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Apologize to me, first.

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Even if I am confined, I cannot be untruthful to myself.

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Apologize.

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I'm sorry.

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Hurry and let me see!

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Greetings to Royal Mother.

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Your Royal Father has been ill.

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Yet you two have been too busy to visit him.

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Is this really right?

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We are wrong.

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Mother, Lu Buwei charged into the prison and tried to save Li Haolan.

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Whether Haolan is the murderer or not, Older Brother is too reckless.

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Why do you try to protect Lü Buwei all the time?

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What advantage did he give you to make you try so hard to cover for him?

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I think Older Brother has a personal vendetta against him.

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That's why you try to drag him into issues again and again.

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Mother, Li Haolan attempted to assassinate Royal Father, and Lü Buwei attempted to rescue an assassin.

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These are all crimes punishable with death.

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Please send an order with their death penalty immediately.

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Haolan is the person your Royal Father loves.

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Your Royal Father hasn't woken, yet you are so eager to convict her.

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Is that right?

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But, she tried to assassinate Royal Father. The evidence is undeniable!

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Even if it were so, we must still wait until your Royal Father wakes up before further discussion.

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- Your Highness is clever.

- But–

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It's all right. Let's imprison her first.

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We'll discuss it again when your Royal Father has recovered.

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Mother.

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We'll do as you bid. I take my leave.

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I take my leave.

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Lü Buwei is really a smart person.

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I really thought you two hid within the wooden barrels.

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So that's why I fiercely protected it.

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Who knew that it was Gongsun Qian in the barrel!

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Even I didn't know about it beforehand.

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I caused you trouble. Please forgive me.

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It's all right. If more people know about it, the more dangerous the plan will be.

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It's because you tried every possible way to obstruct, that we were able to safely arrive at the ferry crossing.

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In the end, it was still all for naught.

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Even if you don't say anything, I know what you're thinking of.

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Ya'er is very detail-oriented.

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I guess she found something.

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It's all in the past. Let's not talk about it anymore.

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Just now, I wanted to use the excuse of seeking medical advice to see Ye Xiaochun.

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Who knew that she had disappeared.

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After Haolan had gotten in trouble, she'd been on the run.

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I am worried that her disappearance is related to Haolan.

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This doesn't only concern Haolan, but the lives of everyone in my family.

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Rest assured, I'm going to look immediately. I take my leave.

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What? Yin Xiaochun and Gao Haoyang are both missing?

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After clearing out the big fire, the workers discovered that they have both disappeared.

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Now that you mention it, it was weird how the big fire started.

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It's probable Lü Buwei had started the fire to divert attention.

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Think before you speak.

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Deliberately using the waste cart as a front and setting fire to expose his plan?

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Is he an idiot?

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This Yin Xiaochun had been running clandestine errands everywhere with her connections.

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It probably has something to do with her.

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Search. Thoroughly search the whole Mount Mafu for them.

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I will go immediately.

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Wait.

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What other orders do you have, Your Highness?

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If you find Gao Haoyang, bring him back safely.

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If you find Yin Xiaochun, kill her immediately.

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Yes.

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What are you planning to do?

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If you keep moving, when the poison reaches your heart, I won't be able to treat it then.

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That was powder to lure snakes.

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You wanted to kill me as well as save me. Are you crazy?

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The lineage of the Yin family consists entirely of physicians.

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It's not possible for us to see someone dying and not save them.

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Even if you are a murderer, I have to save you before you are executed.

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You are a dedicated physician.

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Why are you helping Li Haolan? What benefits can she give you?

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What about differentiating between kind versus evil; white versus black; and right versus wrong?

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What kind of nonsense is that?

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I forgot, only humans can differentiate between black and white (right versus wrong) in this world. Animals can't.

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Even if I am hurt, I can still kill you.

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Don't act rashly. Be careful as the sword doesn't have any eyes.

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I have followed my father to war since young, my sword had killed countless people.

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It's contaminated with blood, aren't you afraid?

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I have stuck my needles into countless patients deep into their hearts, livers, kidneys, lungs and spleens. I'm not even afraid of that.

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Why would I be scared of a lousy sword?

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What are you hiding?

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Who is there?

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General Longxiang!

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Save me! Your Highness, save me! I am Yin Xiaochun.

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Yin Xiaochun, get on the horse. Hurry!

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General, we finally found you.

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- Capture her!

- No need to go after her.

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Singing Phoenix Palace

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His Majesty is awake.

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Your Majesty, are you awake?

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Haolan...

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Haolan...

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Physician Wang, why can't His Majesty talk?

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Your Highness, please don't be angry.

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As I have said, Physician Yin's cooling medication was too strong.

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It's hindering His Majesty's health from getting better.

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After two more dosages of medicine, he will be better.

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When they are talking, one sounds better than the other.

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When we actually have to use it, it's all useless!

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Your Highness, please forgive us.

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Mother, we can't keep this matter about the assassin in suspension without making any decision.

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The people in the palace are anxious.

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Since Royal Father is already awake, Mother, you have to make a decision quickly.

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Why are you in such a hurry?

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Since Royal Father is in this state, even if we cut the assassin in thousands of pieces,

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it still wouldn't be enough to dissolve my hatred.

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All right, bring Li Haolan and Lü Buwei here.

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I will interrogate them personally.

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- Hurry and go!

- Yes.

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Speak.

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What happened that night?

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Reporting to Your Highness.

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That night, when I charged into the room,

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I ran into the assassin right at that time.

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I screamed for help and the assassin escaped through the window.

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In order to save His Majesty, I used his scarf to bandage his neck.

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At that moment, General Gao arrived with his soldiers and that caused a misunderstanding.

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Gao Haoyang?

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Where is Gao Haoyang?

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Last night, General Gao went to investigate the big fire and has not returned yet.

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Your Highness, I was with General Gao that night

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and saw Lady-in-waiting Li attempted to kill His Majesty.

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I said that I was trying to save a person.

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You said the assassin escaped through the window.

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We searched the whole palace.

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Why could we not find a trace of the assassin?

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It was you who attempted to assassinate Royal Father and tried to make everyone confused!

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The assassin was dressed like a soldier.

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It was chaotic that night.

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As long as he blended in with the soldiers that were searching, he would have escaped safely.

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Then why were you the only person who saw him that night, and no one else di?

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There was.

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His Majesty is a witness.

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Royal Father favored you very much.

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You and Lu Buwei colluded as traitors and concocted a sinister plot.

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Prince, you speak without any evidence.

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Don't make any slanderous charges.

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I have the evidence.

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Let me ask you. Before Li Haolan entered the palace, was she a dance performer at Lu Manor?

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Not only did Li Haolan enter the Lu Manor, she entered the Prime Minister's manor, too.

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Are you also saying that we colluded with the Prime Minister, too?

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After she entered the palace, you did the same. What was the intention?

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I dedicated a deer to His Majesty and received his appreciation.

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Naturally, I rose from the lower social status and was promoted to an official.

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After she was arrested, you took the risk and killed an imperial guard,

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just because of a woman who is unrelated to you?

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Li Haolan saved His Majesty...

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It's a merit.

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Today, the innocent party is being falsely accused and unable to convincingly defend herself.

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I deemed it an injustice and helped her out of a sense of upholding justice.

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You are full of nonsense!

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Mother, if news of the assassination attempt on Royal Father spreads out,

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the country will suffer from shock and the Qin people will be happy.

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I assert that Lu Buwei and Li Haolan

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must be spies for the Qin State

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and are here to topple Zhao State.

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- Your Highness...

- Enough. No further talking is needed.

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- Drag them out. - Yes.

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Lu Buwei, are you going to revolt?

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I have the evidence.

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Prince.

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Greetings, Your Highness.

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This matter happened suddenly and I was unable to report to you earlier.

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Please forgive me, Your Highness.

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When I heard that Physician Yin was missing, I went to the back of the mountain to search for her.

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I finally found her among a group of killers.

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What? Someone wants to assassinate you? Why?

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It's because a very important evidence is in my hands.

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What is this?

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This is a bag of sediments of the medicines that I took from the palace.

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The imperial emblem is on it.

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Physician Wang, is there pinellia herb in your prescription?

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Yes, there is.

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His Majesty has been coughing, has a lot of phlegm, and has tightness in his chest.

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Of course, I used pinellia herb.

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Pinellia herb is a common medicinal ingredient.

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Physician Yin, didn't you mix it often in your prescriptions, too?

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Doing too much is just as bad as doing too little, especially when it's about herbs.

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Taking too much pinellia herb will cause difficulties in breathing, and the hands and legs will twitch.

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It will even cause paralysis and death from poisoning.

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As a physician, do you really not know about this?

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Physician Wang, what is your motive?

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Your Highness, there's definitely a poison element in pinellia herb.

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But if one wants to cause a state of unconsciousness, it will need a daily dosage of five qian (each unit is one tenth of a tael in weight).

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I only use a mere two qian worth of dosage every day.

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Moreover, there's a medical record, and it's also under the supervision of two palace staff.

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This is simply a joke.

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Physician Yin, is Physician Wang telling the truth?

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You did this on purpose.

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Don't think just because you studied medical skills for a couple of days, you can act and move about unhindered.

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For sure, you will hit a wall some day.

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Ignorant kid.

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I believe Physician Yin.

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If you win, I will live with you.

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If you lose, I will die with you.

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Mother, Li Haolan and Yin Xiaochun are very close friends.

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They would not hesitate to lie to overturn the charge.

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If Physician Wang wasn't proficient in pharmacology, he would have been blamed by this wench.

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Men, drag the three of them out to be punished together.

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- Yes.

- Wait!

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It's not possible for me to be wrong.

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Your Highness, there's definitely a problem with this medicine.

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Yin Xiaochun, explain to us again.

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What are the signs of poisoning by pinellia herb?

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Normally, poisoning from pinellia herb will only cause throat ulcers,

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and where food won't be consumed.

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Your Highness, please check His Majesty's throat.

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Mother, don't listen to their nonsense.

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Permitted.

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Your Highness, take a look.

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After taking pinellia herb, ulcers began to fester in His Majesty's throat.

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This is the reason why he could not talk.

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What a joke!

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The dosage for pinellia herb is small.

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How could he be poisoned?

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Isn't it just a coincidence that there are ulcers in his throat?

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Your Highness, please allow me to check His Majesty's medicinal tonic food.

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Permitted.

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Subtitles brought to you by The Scintillating Team @ Viki.com

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This is not chicken soup. It's bamboo chicken. Also known as bamboo partridge.

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That's right.

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Physician Wang, didn't you tell me the usage of bamboo chicken is more effective than medicinal hen?

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That's why we used it for medicinal food tonic.

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That's to say, the potency of pinellia herb wasn't in the medicine.

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Rather, it was in the bamboo chicken soup.

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Nonsense. This bamboo chicken soup was cooked by the imperial kitchen.

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I wasn't involved at all.

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Where did the pinellia herb come from?

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May I boldly ask where's the origin of the pinellia herb?

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Pinellia (plant) likes warm and humid places.

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They can be abundantly found in the wild behind Mount Mafu.

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Bamboo chickens and bamboo partridges feed on pinellia (plants).

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Hence, the numbness in His Majesty and his difficulties in breathing,

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was from the excessive pinellia herbs used in the bamboo chicken soup.

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You are just speculating.

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Have you ever seen bamboo chickens eating pinellia (plants)?

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Are there any bamboo chickens in the other palaces?

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Frankly, it's not that difficult to prove this.

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Once the bamboo chicken is cooked, feed it to the physician daily.

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It will take effect within three days.

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Physician Wang, the medicine has two qian and the bamboo chicken soup has three qian.

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Without anyone's realization, this could cause excessive dosage.

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This is the secret for His Majesty's grave illness.

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I...

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Your Highness, spare my life.

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The real killer bribed Physician Wang and used pinellia herb to poison His Majesty.

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He caused His Majesty to be severely ill and unable to talk.

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I... became your sacrificial lamb.

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What a cruel heart!

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Get up!

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Speak, who's the mastermind behind this?

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Speak!

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He's dead.

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Your Highness, there's a mastermind behind this.

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Do you believe us now?

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Fine. This is great.

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Physician Wang is dead too.

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His Majesty has been poisoned by pinellia herbs.

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What are you all going to do about it?

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Mother, please forgive me.

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Your Highness, fortunately, we discovered this in time.

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As long as I apply acupuncture, and feed him licorice root and fresh ginger,

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it can slowly get rid of the poison from the pinellia herbs.

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Royal Father.

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I know. Release Haolan, right?

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Lu Buwei, how should I deal with you?

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Lu Buwei trespassed the royal dungeon without permission.

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He violated the law, indeed.

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Royal Mother, Lu Buwei did that to investigate the truth.

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Your Highness, please use your discretion to handle this.

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Although there's a reason to forgive you, but you did break the law.

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I punish you with a fine of one thousand gold pieces for your self redemption of your crime.

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Thank you, Your Highness, for being magnanimous.

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Your Majesty.

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Useless creature!

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How did Yin Xiaochun come back alive?

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It was Prince Yu.

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Idiot! What's the use of using you?

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If we didn't get hold of Physician Wang's Achilles' heel, we can't be sure that we won't be incriminated.

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Where's General Gao?

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General Gao is wounded. It's not that grave.

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Just that...

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Speak.

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It's just that when I found him, he was with Physician Yin.

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Subtitles brought to you by The Scintillating Team @ Viki.com

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Yin Xiaochun.

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Your skill is not bad.

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What are you doing here?

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I...

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I'm here to apologize to you.

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If you were to apologize to everyone who died in your hands,

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I fear even your head will turn green. [bruised from bowing ]

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This is the pharmacy.

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If there's nothing else, please leave.

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I'm here to let you check my illness.

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I'm not the only physician in the palace.

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But I prefer to be checked by you.

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Didn't you say a physician must treat all patients without bias?

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Sit.

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Is this how you treat a patient?

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You are obviously taking revenge!

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If I let you continue to poke me, I will turn into a sieve!

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This is how the venom of a snake is cleared. Bear with it.

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Yin Xiaochun, I already apologized to you.

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Can't you forgive me?

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Apology is the most useless repentance in the world.

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Other than making yourself feel better, nothing good comes from it at all.

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Especially after having harmed others.

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Look at what you are saying.

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I don't believe that you have never apologized to anyone.

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One must atone for one's mistakes.

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I'm willing to undergo the most severe trials.

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But in my life, I will never apologize to anyone.

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Never.

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Fine... I have already recovered from my injury.

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I don't need this anymore.

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Haolan is here to see Your Highness.

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At all times, you must protect yourself.

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That's how you can save others.

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If I were to lend you a hand this time, I will be entangled in the assassination case.

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At that time, my enemies will capture me in one swoop.

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On the contrary, if I am still the Queen of Zhao, before your head is gone,

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I will still have the opportunity to save you.

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I understand.

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No.

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You don't understand.

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You have one path in front of you that everyone wants to take.

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You can totally rely on your beauty to become the Imperial Concubine of His Majesty,

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give birth to his children and enjoy a luxurious life.

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To everyone, this is the easiest path to take in this world.

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It's also the most logical and rational path to take.

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Tell me. I will forgive you.

398

A long time ago, my mother taught me this.

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As a woman, what's most important is to find a good husband.

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Later, I realized that if I were to put all my hopes on someone else,

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in the end, it will be like drawing water with a wicker basket (in vain).

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Just like the case with my mother and Xiuyu.

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Hence, for my life, I will rely on myself.

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As a maiden, from childhood, your father taught you to be obedient.

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When you are married, your husband will teach you to be able and virtuous.

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When you grow old, your children will teach you devotion.

407

They place all their yearnings as a woman on you.

408

You won't be yourself, but a woman, a wife and a mother.

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They will tell you this is wrong and that is also wrong.

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You cannot possess wealth and power.

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You can't even dictate your own destiny.

412

This is unfair. This is really unfair.

413

But...

414

This is a world in chaos. It does not append to anyone.

415

You...are you really prepared?

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If you want to eliminate problems entirely, you must not regret.

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Your Highness. Women have their restraints. But so do men.

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Who stipulated that men should be brave by disposition?

419

There are those who dislike handling swords.

420

Who stipulated that being a merchant is a contemptible profession? There will be those who would not accept it.

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Living in a world of chaos, in order to live as one who's able to do what one wants to do, and say what one wants to say,

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it is then necessary to possess power, regardless of men or women.

423

You are right.

424

The threshold of life, if you can't pass it, it will be the valley toward the end of your life.

425

If you can tread pass it, it will become the stepping stone of the winner.

426

Your path... There's still a long way to go. Take your time to walk on it.

427

The teachings of Your Highness,

428

I will always remember them.

429

[ Handan City ]

430

My Lady, your typhoid fever is getting worse, you shouldn't be moving around.

431

How can I keep lying down? I must stand up.

432

- My Lady. My Lady!

- What is it?

433

Miss... Miss is gone.

434

What did you say?

435

Miss was accused of eloping with someone. In desperation, she committed suicide.

436

My Lady!

437

My Lady!

438

- Royal Father.

- Jiao'er.

439

I just hunted a deer and would like to add some game meat to your meal.

440

Fine.

441

You have just recovered. Why don't you take a rest?

442

I'm getting older. My health is not getting any better.

443

Royal Father, you must watch your health. This is the basis as the King of Zhao.

444

When I was sick,

445

I heard you undertook a lot of tasks for me.

446

Court officials complimented how efficient you were. I am very comforted.

447

To do the utmost for Royal Father is all that I could wish for.

448

But there is one matter that is like fishbone stuck in my throat, I have to say it.

449

Speak.

450

Is Royal Father planning to take in Lady-in-waiting Li as a consort?

451

Haolan saved my life, of course I cannot let her be wronged.

452

After I have fully recovered, I will officially confer her with the noble title.

453

About this...

454

What's wrong? Are you unhappy with Haolan?

455

I wouldn't dare.

456

I'm just thinking about how Lu Buwei once dashed into the palace to save Li Haolan.

457

Others are suspicious of their relationship.

458

Haolan suffered injustice and Li Buwei stood up for her.

459

It was a chivalrous deed.

460

I have already issued the decree to let bygones be bygones.

461

Royal Father, think about this.

462

Lu Buwei painstakingly trained a troupe of dance performers just to bribe influential officials.

463

What exactly is his intention?

464

Businessmen desire to make profits. What else can it be for?

465

There are many enemies among the concubines in my inner chambers too.

466

If he dares to gift her, why wouldn't I dare to accept?

467

Then, who would sacrifice himself for a pawn?

468

I fear that when Lu Buwei enters the palace, troubles will brew in the inner chambers.

469

You are talking too much!

470

I spoke too much. Royal Father, please don't be angry.

471

Leave.

472

I'm taking my leave.

473

[ Protect Peace Palace ]

474

Royal Descendant, why didn't you leave that day?

475

Wasn't I waiting for you?

476

I already instructed you not to wait for me.

477

It's mainly because Princess Ya came too soon.

478

Based on her alone, she can stop you?

479

Or perhaps, you already realized that,

480

when I was prepared to abandon Haolan, your heart wavered?

481

That's why Princess Ya could see through you?

482

Anyway, it's already in the past.

483

It's useless to talk about this.

484

Did you hear about the recent rumors in the palace?

485

Rumors?

486

Everyone is spreading that Haolan and you have a love affair.

487

That's why you disregarded everything to save her.

488

Is that so?

489

As an influential and powerful merchant, your glory comes from your upkeep of a beautiful female entertainer.

490

It's not a big deal that Haolan came from the Lu Manor.

491

But she has already entered the palace and caught the attention of the King of Zhao.

492

His Majesty's fondness for Haolan will definitely cause grudges.

493

Rumors and slanders stab people in the back.

494

Prince Jiao is really disgraceful.

495

Speaking up to clarify will only make things worse.

496

But if nothing is done, I fear lives can't be preserved.

497

Are you concerned about me or Haolan?

498

General Gongsun, where's the new silk I told you to get?

499

Brother Lu, what did you just say?

500

Royal Descendant, I was asking...

501

How do we solve this situation?

502

Previously, Jiao'er hunted a deer.

503

Indeed, it tasted fresh and delicious.

504

I instructed the kitchen to specially prepare a feast.

505

I invite my beloved subjects to try it.

506

Partake the meat.

507

Partake the meat.

508

Take a portion of my deer meat and deliver it to Treasurer Lu.

509

Come, Younger Brother Yu. Here's a toast to you.

510

Thank you, Older Brother.

511

Look, a merchant still loses favor.

512

Without His Majesty's favor, he should scram back to where he came from.

513

Just a minor merchant, it is a joke to come to the court.

514

Where is Lu Buwei?

515

I'm here.

516

I wanted to have fresh deer meat, what is this that you sourced?

517

This is actually freshly received from the hunter this morning.

518

Still dare to talk back?!

519

You thought that I've lost my taste buds due to my illness?

520

This is a dead deer.

521

Men, flog him one hundred times.

522

Yes.

523

Wait! Wait!

524

Royal Father, are you angry at Lu Buwei because of the deer meat or because of the rumors?

525

You mean Lu Buwei's gossip on his licentious acts in court?

526

Royal Father, do you still remember the matter of King Chu Zhuang's tassel cutting banquet?

527

Tell me.

528

At that time, King Chu Zhuang invited his officials to a banquet.

529

He commanded his beloved consort to toast the high officials.

530

At this moment, there was gust of strong wind, blew out all the candle lights.

531

A drunk general took the opportunity to grab the consort's blouse.

532

She pulled off the party's belt tassel as evidence,

533

and requested King Chu Zhuang to punish the perpetrator.

534

Instead, King Zhuang requested everyone to take down their belt tassel, then relight the candles.

535

Everyone drank happily and returned home.

536

Later on, King Zhuang attacked Zheng, one general risked his life to protect the king.

537

Only after the reward ceremony, King Zhuang found out that this person was that perpetrator from the banquet.

538

Willing to risk his own life to reciprocate the kindness shown to him back then.

539

A respectful King begets loyal subjects. Without King Chu Zhuang's generosity.

540

Perhaps this person would have died long ago.

541

Then King Chu Zhuang's imperial undertaking would not have been attained.

542

That is interesting.

543

What do you want me to do?

544

Even if the rumors were true, there is nothing wrong with admiration for a beautiful woman.

545

Even more so, people usually say that,

546

When the cunning hare is killed, the hound will be boiled.

547

Royal Father, our great goal has not been achieved yet, how can we cut off our own arm?

548

Lu Buwei already donated half of his assets to help prepare for Zhao State's army provisions.

549

Everyone in the kingdom knows that he's a righteous businessman.

550

Royal Father, if you execute Lu Buwei at this time,

551

It will chill all the people's hearts.

552

Younger Brother Yu, you are speaking on behalf of Lu Buwei.

553

Did you receive benefits from him to come forward as his advocate?

554

Older brother, don't make any slanderous remarks.

555

I'm doing this entirely for Royal Father.

556

For the Zhao state.

557

What are you laughing at?

558

Your Majesty.

559

Your Majesty said that this is a dead deer because the meat is too dry and skinny. Right?

560

I've heard that Han State has a kind of deer.

561

It's meat is so flavorful and excellent texture, it is ranked first among the six states.

562

Why don't you offer high prices to buy it?

563

The sneaky Han enemy used Shandan City as bait to provoke the war between the Qin and Zhao states.

564

I haven't even punished him for that, why would I buy anything?

565

Your Majesty, that year, Duke Huan of Qi refined copper coins at Mount Zhuang.

[The Thirty-Six Stratagems of Ancient China Economy: System for Ju and Lai States]

566

That raised the monetary value of Lai State's firewood.

567

Everyone in Lai State no longer needs to farm.

568

All went to collect firewoods.

569

Within two years, Lai State's grain prices shot up.

570

It's people were unable to survive and ran off to the Qin State.

571

Lai State self-destructed itself without any overt attacks. It happened to be timely for plowing the fields in spring.

572

If Your Majesty pays high prices to buy deer meat,

573

the Han people will definitely head to the mountains to hunt deers. If we stopped the buying after three months,

574

the Han people will regret but it will be too late.

575

They can hunt deers to earn money and buy grains from other states.

576

Your Majesty, the Zhao State's grains are already set aside for military use. The Han State can buy grains,

577

but they will have to buy them in prices ten times to a hundred times higher.

578

Other states love to loot a burning house (profit off the misfortunes of others).

579

If the Zhao State raises the prices of the grains, the other states will surely follow. At that time,

580

the Han State will definitely become chaotic.

581

Would that not vent your anger, Your Highness?

582

Foolish, do you think this will really work?

583

What is said as subduing other's army without fighting.

584

This is so.

585

Lu Buwei, you are really a businessman.

586

I like it.

587

I like it.

588

Such a great subject, how can I be suspicious of him.

589

I will leave this to you to handle.

590

- Royal Father is wise.

- Partake in the meat.

591

Respectfully sending out His Majesty.

592

[ Pig Trotters Stew Restaurant ]

593

Prince.

594

Treasurer Lu, why did you suffered those two canings?

595

Your Highness suppressed some anger, If I don't let them vent it out.

596

It's also useless for you to persuade him to cool down.

597

You make sense too.

598

Treasurer, about the matter of buying the deer meat?

599

There is no need for Prince to make a big scene. Only need to release the news.

600

Release the news?

601

Yes, tell the people of Han.

602

Treasurer, in that case wouldn't the plan be ineffective?

603

Han State induced troubles eastward to Zhao State, they are already feeling guilt.

604

If they heard that Zhao State is going to use the buying of deer to seek revenge.

605

Will definitely be very panic stricken.

606

Need to consider many factors In order to fight a commerce war in Han State,

607

One mistake in any stage will make a huge impact.

608

Even if the plan worked, will still take three to five years to see result.

609

Can the King wait that long?

610

To add further, the rule of Han is also not a fool.

611

Once the buying deer commands are out, they will understand it all.

612

We are only going to make an act of it.

613

To tell Han people that Zhao King is upset. Since they feel guilty,

614

they will naturally bring gifts and money and apologize. Once your Highness' anger dissipates.

615

Zhao State will gain an ally to fight Qin.

616

Is this not one act multiple gains?

617

That is a great idea. Also easily done.

618

Treasurer Lu, I'm going to do it now.

619

Thanks for Royal Descendant's strategy.

620

You were only stuck in the middle unable to escape.

621

Prince Jiao's hidden attack was hard to guard against.

622

To lightly place one in mortal danger, that is a scheme.

623

Royal Descendant, you advised me to act during an opportune time, and to take advantage when the conditions are right.

624

Firstly, you persuaded the King of Zhao to spare my life.

625

Secondly, you dispelled the rumors that I went bankrupt because of a secret scheme.

626

Thirdly, you warned the Han people to gain the favor of the king.

627

The Han people knew that was a trap, but they have no choice but to jump into it.

628

This is the true method of subduing the enemy without a battle.

629

This is the epitome of scheming.

630

Such a small trick is not worthy to be described as the epitome. It's just an act of bluff.

631

Moreover, when the feud between Han and Zhao is gone and they become allies again,

632

at that time, the Zhao State will gain more power, while the Qin State will have some misgivings.

633

When the war is stalled, I can also save myself.

634

No. Not only are you saving me,

635

saving yourself, but also the people of Han.

636

The King of Han is shortsighted. Right now, he is enjoying the benefits of the outcome.

637

Once Zhao and Qin stop fighting, Han will simultaneously gain two formidable enemies.

638

Letting them bow their heads (give in) now is better than later having their nations conquered and their people in despair.

639

Royal Descendant's concern for your mother's native state and its people's welfare,

640

and solely sacrificing the Qin State's personal gains.

641

You are truly a man of integrity. Please, Royal Descendant.

642

Brother Lu, looks like the cushion is not thick enough. Isn't it?

643

Lu Buwei, power and beauty, you can't have them all.

644

It is time to make a choice.

645

Subtitles brought to you by The Scintillating Team @ Viki.com

646

~ Immortalization by Gao Yu'er ~

647

♫ Where have the surging clouds and the rising winds gone? ♫

648

♫ Do not grieve over the separation

because of being forced to move and wander ♫

649

♫ In this lifetime, we will keep on seeking because of love ♫

650

♫ It’s difficult to reminisce about

the splendid times that slipped away ♫

651

♫ In retrospection with a faint smile,

that beautiful countenance caused the city's downfall ♫

652

♫ And a sweeping upheaval all across the vast nation ♫

653

♫ In a dimming dream of an illusionary bright moon ♫

654

♫ We have given our promises to each other in this lifetime ♫

655

♫ In the complete decline of prosperity,

watching the passing of thousands of sails ♫

656

♫ With affection, perhaps we could wait to be connected again ♫

657

♫ Like the zither and the harp that play in perfect harmony,

let’s grasp each other's hand to stay together ♫

658

♫ Wishing for you and me to be immortalized with the wind... ♫

659

♫ In retrospection with a faint smile,

that beautiful countenance caused the city's downfall ♫

660

♫ And a sweeping upheaval all across the vast nation ♫

661

♫ In a dimming dream of an illusionary bright moon ♫

662

♫ We have given our promises to each other in this lifetime ♫

663

♫ In the complete decline of prosperity,

watching the passing of thousands of sails ♫

664

♫ With affection, perhaps we could wait to be connected again ♫

665

♫ Like the zither and the harp that play in perfect harmony,

let’s grasp each other's hand to stay together ♫

666

♫ Wishing for you and me to be immortalized with the wind... ♫