EPISODE 1
DACHENG
During the last year of Dacheng Empire's reign,
Emperor Ai's eldest grandson, Ming De, was violent and lacked discernment.
He associated himself with corrupt instead of upright officials,
causing great pain to the people.
The famished and homeless were everywhere.
The states were all rebelling against the government.
Minhai's leader, Ning Shizheng,
wanted to save the people of the land.
Under the command of Colonel Chang Yuan and his comrades, the Minhai Army,
after many years of struggle,
finally managed to overthrow the Dacheng Empire
and build the Tiansheng Empire.
Thus was the fall of the Dacheng Empire.
Kill them!
-You can choose only one. -Not long after,
the Emperor of Tiansheng
sent his eldest son, Ning Chuan, and sixth son, Ning Yi,
to track down the Dacheng spies and annihilate them,
including the ninth son of Emperor Ai, who was still an infant.
What happened that night
remains a mystery to everyone.
Ning Chuan, taking credit for the murder of Emperor Ai's ninth son,
has since then ascended to the throne as the Crown Prince.
For Ning Yi however,
it was a different story.
Ning Yi.
-Mother? -Over here.
Mother?
Where are you?
I'm coming for you.
Right here, Ning Yi.
-Mother! -Come.
Mother.
Mother!
They all died because of you.
You do not deserve to live such a happy life.
They all died because of you.
You do not deserve to live such a happy life.
To death with you!
Kill him!
-Kill him! -Kill him!
In the 18th year of Tiansheng, a plague befell Yanzhou.
Minhai began to approach Yanzhou. The leader of Minhai issued a blockade.
One can leave, but not enter.
The plague carried by the people spread into areas around the capital.
The Emperor of Tiansheng, Ning Shizheng, was desperate for a solution.
This is the Emperor's order.
There will be a meeting at noon today.
Everyone should strive hard and work together
to resolve the plague situation.
-We'll obey the Emperor's order. -We'll obey the Emperor's order.
The western areas in Xiuping
is the best location to contain the plague.
Does anyone know why that's the best location?
Your Majesty.
Ning Yi, Prince of Chu, provided the fund
for us to send people and build a charity clinic in Xiuping region,
enabling us to timely quarantine the plague.
Simultaneously, we are burning a large mass of mugwort
to stop the spread of the epidemic.
Ning Yi?
Where did he obtain such wealth
to pull off such a feat?
Your Majesty mustn't have known.
Ever since Prince of Chu entered Zongzheng Temple,
he has been researching how to make silk brocade.
This time, he donated all the silk brocade he made throughout the years.
That was how he obtained the fund to build the charity clinic.
Silk brocade?
That explains the funds.
Silk is very expensive.
Your Majesty.
I don't think this is a good idea.
Even though the crisis has been averted,
the son of the Emperor is still making silk brocade.
He'll become a laughingstock.
I order an amnesty
to stop the epidemic.
Your Majesty loves his people like his own children.
Your kind heart will move the entire empire.
-Your Majesty is brilliant. -Your Majesty is brilliant.
-Long live the empire. -Long live the empire.
Ning Yi is a goner.
He is but a weaver.
You're right.
If this is why the Crown Prince called us for a discussion late at night,
he may be making a fuss over nothing.
As a convict, Ning Yi
has been locked up in Zongzheng Temple for many years.
He managed to lessen Father's burdens
just by weaving fabric and doing embroidery.
Considering that we are held in high regards by Father,
shouldn't we feel ashamed of ourselves?
He is just earning money by selling fabric.
That's a woman's job.
I feel ashamed just talking about it.
I'm not willing to do such things meant for women.
Ning Yan.
How could you talk to your brother that way? Apologize.
Forgive me, Your Royal Highness.
However, Ning Chuan,
even though his words weren't music to our ears,
he does have a point.
Ning Yi has been in Zongzheng Temple since he was 18 years old.
The Royal Court hasn't heard from him since.
We don't need to be concerned whether the officials will side with him.
Who among them has really seen him?
Left alone with no power to command,
what can he ever accomplish?
Apart from weaving fabric and doing embroidery,
how can he compare to you?
You're now at the summit of your power.
And you have the support of the leader of Minhai.
Why must you waste your time on that loser?
That's right. His mother died young.
He has no one in the palace to rely on.
The only one who could protect him, our third brother, is dead.
Your Royal Highness.
What I meant was,
why must you fear him?
He doesn't have anything.
Your Majesty, Prince of Chu has arrived.
He says he would like to thank you personally.
Thank me?
FENGYUN PALACE
Father.
Father!
Father, I have come to pay my respects.
-Summon him. -Yes, Your Majesty.
I was in awe of you.
I never thought I'd be able to come out.
So I had dinner with some alcohol.
Father.
I am in no condition to pay my respects today.
I shall do so again tomorrow.
I will take my leave my now.
I will take my leave.
Your Majesty.
Prince of Chu...
He's drunk.
I think I hear voices in the darkness.
Like the start of a gentle breeze,
people turn a deaf ear to it.
Yet it signifies...
an impending storm brewing.
Since we're brothers,
if Ning Yi is willing to become an idle king when he's released,
I won't be too hard on him.
Ning Yan.
You should learn from Ning Chuan.
He deserves to be the Crown Prince.
His character befits an emperor.
I hope Ning Yi can understand Your Royal Highness' efforts,
and be like us,
who try our best to assist Your Royal Highness
and ensure that the empire lives long and prospers.
That's for sure.
I agree with Ning Sheng.
For the sake of Your Royal Highness,
I can lead the battle and die for our empire.
Yanzhou.
Mingzhou.
These are lands of beauty and abundance.
Once I ascend to the throne,
I'll let you return to your homelands and enjoy a life of peace and prosperity.
-Thank you, Your Royal Highness. -Thank you, Your Royal Highness.
That's enough.
It's getting late.
Both of you should go home and rest.
That's it for tonight, begone.
I shall take my leave.
Take care.
Your Royal Highness.
You seem to have forgotten something.
Please stay behind, Ning Yan.
I'd like to speak to you about supervising the repairs of the ditch.
I shall take my leave.
Crown Prince.
Do you think you need to remind me about that again?
I'll start the preparations after the Royal Court meeting.
Fret not, it'll be like last time.
I've already arranged for the funds needed for the matter.
See to it.
I want to see every penny from the funds
go to the repairs of the ditch.
What do you mean, Your Royal Highness?
Why are you so slow, Ning Yan?
Must I spell everything out for you?
I understand.
I'll do as you say.
Your Royal Highness.
If you have no other orders,
I shall take my leave.
His Royal Highness does this
for your sake, Ning Yan.
-For me? -Have you forgotten?
When Prince of Chu was convicted and imprisoned in Zongzheng Temple,
you were the main contributor.
Now, he has already been released.
If I were you,
I would've been worried
about sleeping soundly tonight.
Your Majesty.
A few days ago, I went to Yongtai Lane
to investigate how the funds were being used,
only to encounter civilians standing in the way,
cheering Your Majesty's kind deeds.
Upon further investigation, I found out that
when you were overseeing the repairs of the ditch,
you saw how impoverished
the people in Nancheng were due to the plague.
Acting on behalf of Your Majesty,
you distributed food and medications to the people.
You are truly benevolent.
You are a role model to us all.
You are too kind.
Your praise is excessive.
Father.
When it comes to being a role model,
no one compares to the Crown Prince.
He was the one who led us
in the efforts to comfort the people with whatever we could do.
And he didn't take credit for it.
The Crown Prince is a good leader indeed.
He's as virtuous as the two wise rulers, Yao and Shun.
The Tiansheng Empire is lucky to have him.
-That's right. -That's right.
-He is our pillar. -The Tiansheng Empire is blessed.
He is really our role model.
Great.
-How fortunate. -Yes.
Where is Ning Yi?
Why isn't he here at the Royal Court?
Your Majesty,
His Highness, Prince of Chu, believes he's a sinner.
He's not fit to see Your Majesty in the Royal Court unless he is summoned.
He's waiting outside at the moment.
He is promising and has potential.
Summon him.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Summon forth Prince of Chu, Ning Yi.
Your Highness.
Your Highness...
Didn't you want to express your gratitude last night?
Did you spend so much time in Zongzheng Temple
that you've forgotten the rules of the palace?
Disrespectful.
Preposterous.
Could it be that Ning Yi really contracted
a strange disease at the temple?
Father, why don't you let Ning Yi rest
and send a doctor to check on him?
Ning Yi.
Do you feel unwell?
Crown Prince.
I am truly moved by your brotherly concern.
You've thought too much of me.
I'm in awe of you.
I've committed a grave sin.
I don't dare enter
nor do I deserve to be in Chengming Palace
and speak thoughtlessly in front of Father.
Chengming Palace.
From the great archives on the right, you can reach Chengming on the left.
Ancient manuscripts are archived here,
as are talented men.
People who can stand in Chengming Palace
are men that are both smart and talented in warfare.
Words spoken in Chengming Palace
are all related to peace and welfare of the empire.
It is not a place for you
to laud your accomplishments or those of allies and echo each other's sentiments.
Speaking thoughtless words
in Chengming Palace shall be punishable by death
from this day forth.
Prince of Chu, Ning Yi.
I've already granted you pardon.
You no longer have to live
in isolation as a sinner.
I understand.
Your will
is always a blessing.
Thank you, Father.
You helped relieve the recent disaster by donating silk brocade.
I want to reward you.
Tell me.
What do you want?
Father.
In Zongzheng Temple,
there's a convict named Huo Laosan.
Would you please give him to me?
A convict?
Huo Laosan is adept at weaving silk brocade.
It would be a shame if he were to remain a convict.
Very well.
You've contributed greatly, yet you do not wish to be rewarded.
Fine.
You've now returned to the palace.
You must acquaint yourself with the Royal Court's matters.
You should
go to Qingming Academy first.
Assist in selecting talented individuals to help the empire.
Your Majesty, I'm afraid this is a good idea.
Selecting talents is a major undertaking in our empire.
Prince of Chu has only recently been released from Zongzheng Temple.
He is not knowledgeable about the laws of the empire.
Even the officials who have been here
since the day Chengming Palace was established
do not dare interfere with Headmaster Xin
in selecting talents.
I agree with Duke Chang.
We sincerely ask Your Majesty to rescind your order.
We ask Your Majesty to please reconsider.
-We ask Your Majesty to reconsider. -We ask Your Majesty to reconsider.
Tell me, Xin Ziyan.
Qingming Academy
provides the greatest training in both the arts and warfare.
However, the most important are
loyalty and filial piety.
When Your Majesty established the empire,
you ordered your sons not to leave the capital without your command,
and they might not collude with the troops.
Eight years ago,
Prince of Chu disobeyed your orders.
His Highness left the capital on his own
and met the leader of Huwai Camp, Yuan Chong, in the suburbs in secret.
He even wanted to bring troops back to the capital for unclear reasons.
As a member of your empire,
Prince of Chu was disloyal by disobeying the Emperor's orders.
As your son,
he was insolent for disobeying his father.
Qingming Academy would never accept someone as disloyal...
and unreliable as he is.
Father.
I only wish to weave silk for a living
for the rest of my life.
I hope you will grant my wish.
This guy, Ning Yi.
You'd think being in prison for eight years would've softened him up.
He's just like a nail.
Place him anywhere and he can prick someone and cause bleeding.
I'm only concerned that if I don't place him in the right location,
I will have to bear the consequences.
Your Majesty is a gifted leader.
How would Prince of Chu dare?
It's just that Your Majesty's relationship with Prince of Chu is a bit unique.
If he pricks someone too deeply,
that person might want to pull him out in entirety.
-This nail-- -Pull him out?
He is my son.
Tell me.
Who would dare pull out this nail in its entirety?
Who would dare kill my son?
Nobody...
Nobody would dare do so.
I was being ridiculous.
Since you won't dare say it, I'll say it for you.
This empire belongs to the Nings.
But Chengming Palace is filled with the Changs.
Chang Hai is using his status as the Crown Prince's uncle.
Is there anything he doesn't dare to do?
I've already figured out the perfect plan to protect Ning Yi.
What does Your Majesty mean?
The Qiu household.
The Qiu household?
Colonel Qiu follows Duke Chang.
That's because Qiu Shangqi is lacking a prince.
Now, I shall give him one.
QIU RESIDENCE
"The Emperor's command is from the heavens and remains forever.
Prince of Chu, Ning Yi,
is gentle and well mannered, filial and adept at both the arts and warfare.
Colonel Qiu Shangqi's daughter, Qiu Yuluo,
is young but agreeable, dignified, and beautiful inside and out.
The Emperor is giving his blessing to the two of them.
Therefore, this marriage is granted to Prince of Chu.
Select an auspicious day for their wedding."
Congratulations to Prince of Chu on this joyous occasion.
YONGAN CLOTHING STORE
Greetings, Headmaster Xin.
I'm buying silk with my wife.
What a coincidence.
My lady,
the Crown Prince gives us silk from offerings of various places every month.
You can have any of them.
Why must you come to this commoner's place?
How can these commoner's items compare to those from the palace?
-Just-- -What do you know?
Which top official's wife or daughter
doesn't own at least one silk brocade
made by Prince of Chu himself?
I am doing this for your sake.
-I've done my research. -About what?
Only this silk shop
has four silk brocades left.
Sir.
Bring out all of your silk brocades.
I, Da Hua, will buy all of them.
Yes, ma'am.
A prince is weaving fabric
and making clothes for women.
Isn't that inappropriate?
It's inappropriate to weave fabric and make clothes for women.
But you like to draw eyebrows for women, do you not?
You're the only woman for whom I draw eyebrows, my lady.
I won't do it for others.
What do you think of the eyebrows I drew?
They're like mountaintops from afar and silkworms from up close.
Of course, I owe it to your natural beauty.
Take this and ask them to make you a tailor-made Hu tribe's clothing.
What for?
To match your hat.
To match?
To match.
I'll do as you say.
Lift your arms.
Your Highness wouldn't be serious about making clothes for me, would you?
What do you think?
After five days,
I need you to come back
and try on the clothes.
All right. I shall wear it to the wedding banquet
when Your Highness marries the Qiu family's daughter,
since Your Highness is making it specially for me.
There is no wedding.
QIU RESIDENCE
This marriage cannot happen.
My lord, why do you say that?
If Yuluo marries the prince,
won't my lord become in-laws with His Majesty?
This is surely good news.
What do you know?
This prince and the other princes
are very different.
With some princes, after a few years of marriage,
you may find yourself living a life of honor like a queen.
With other princes, both the prince and princess
may be sent back to Zongzheng Temple
and become prisoners again.
The entire household may be sentenced to death.
Is it that serious?
Why don't you go?
His Majesty
is trying to force us to retaliate against the Chang clan.
Why do you say that, my lord?
How did Prince of Chu end up in Zongzheng Temple?
How did Ning Qiao die?
Although I may not know the facts,
I do have a hunch regarding what happened.
Some people
have way too much blood on their hands.
I fear that their ghosts will come for us.
The Chang clan didn't pull out Prince of Chu completely by the roots.
Now, this root
is budding again.
His Majesty's concern is a reasonable one.
That sly fox, Qiu Shangqi, cannot be trusted.
However, His Majesty has already given his order.
We must think of a way to refuse the marriage.
There's no need for that.
The one who should be worried is Qiu Shangqi.
Who would willingly let their own daughter
marry a prince who is hanging by a thread?
If we proceed with the marriage between our household and Prince of Chu,
the Chang clan will not forgive us.
The influence of the Chang clan is deeply ingrained in the palace.
His Majesty certainly holds me in high regards.
He's giving me
a recently released convicted prince.
He thinks I can beat
the Chang clan, who has the Crown Prince as their backer.
You have a point.
These days, the Crown Prince and the Chang household
regard Your Highness as their enemy.
On the day you returned to the palace, they summoned Ning Yan and Ning Sheng
to discuss how they should deal with you.
Start thinking about how you're going to survive this spring.
Sacrificing my life
to save everyone else's
doesn't seem like a bad idea.
Why are you so eager to meet Ning Qiao in the afterlife?
Ning Yi.
The day I met you was the day I bid Ning Qiao farewell.
I never told you the reason why he entrusted you to me.
For eight years, I have feigned courtesies with the Crown Prince
to set the stage for my plan.
The goal was not only to avenge Ning Qiao and prove his innocence,
but to fulfill his wish
and help you become a competent ruler.
A competent ruler?
The one most befitting of that title
is precisely my brother, Ning Qiao, who was wrongfully convicted.
He was righteous and treated the people as if they were his own children.
Yet he died and was labeled a traitor.
He lost his own life.
And what about those who framed him?
They're at the summit of their power.
And they manipulate others for their own gain.
If we cannot eliminate such pests from the world
and let the righteous
roam freely under the sun, how can we speak
of a competent ruler?
Ziyan.
Where do we get a competent ruler?
Congratulations, my lord.
My lady, stop with the nonsense.
Congratulations, my lord, for getting your daughter back.
What do you mean?
The eunuch from the palace
took the birth card
of Feng Zhiwei.
Eight years ago,
I couldn't save Ning Qiao from death.
Instead...
That wasn't your fault.
It's been eight years.
I have yet to prove his innocence and avenge his death.
I am but a useless and foolish man.
So be it.
A foolish man should do foolish things.
Then let us help them instead.
So that those with power become more powerful,
and the mighty become even mightier.
That's right.
On the surface,
aren't the Crown Prince, Ning Sheng, and Ning Yan
all ambitious?
Who among them are willing to be subservient to the others?
The three of them appear to be tight right now.
That's because some of them don't think their opportunity has come yet.
Now, His Majesty had released you.
And the words he said at the Royal Court yesterday
will make people with ulterior motives think
that their opportunity has come.
The Crown Prince's position is at stake now.
So it might be an opportunity for them.
Ziyan.
It is certainly a good opportunity for us.
That's right.
His Majesty is using you to fight the Chang clan and the Crown Prince.
At this point in time, however,
Your Highness lacks power and authority.
You became a target after you were released.
I fear that they may collude to harm you.
Now, His Majesty has blessed you with marriage to the Qiu household's daughter.
It seems like a great way to protect you from harm.
I think you ought to work this in your favor.
Obey His Majesty's wishes and be thankful.
Zhiwei.
Starting today,
stop attending Master Zong's classes.
Considering your love for studying,
I'll beg your uncle
to let you study at an all-girls class here in the residence, okay?
Why must you spend money unnecessarily?
Feng Hao is too lazy to study anyway.
I'll just take his place instead.
Besides,
that uncle has no respect for you.
I don't want you to ask him for a favor.
I'm just worried about you.
You're a girl and you always go outside.
If people find out,
your reputation will suffer.
Anyway,
did Master Zong mention anything to you in class?
Mother.
I've been taking classes for years.
Why the sudden interest in my studies?
You're 18 years old now.
Feng...
Good day, Zhiwei.
Madam Yuhua.
What's gotten into you today?
Do not speak nonsense.
Mind your manners.
No.
She's not talking nonsense.
Zhiwei is perceptive.
Something has indeed gotten into me.
She's gifted,
witty, and adorable,
-pure in heart-- -Stop.
You can do away with the compliments.
I'd rather you reprimand me like before.
That would put me much more at ease.
Over here.
Put those gifts on the table.
Madam Yuhua.
What are you doing?
These are some gifts for you.
For me?
-That's right. -Madam Yuhua.
Did something happen at the residence?
I heard from the maids
that a eunuch from the palace came by today.
Is this related somehow?
Mingying.
I am but a concubine. I cannot speak of these things.
By the way, the madam summons the both of you.
You two should get going.
Mother.
How much do you think we can sell this for?
My daughter, look.
They seem pretty valuable.
And these ones...
I reckon we could buy a huge residence with these.
What are you talking about?
Run away.
-Run away? -That's right.
Mother, I understand.
You told Madam Yuhua that you needed time to think,
but you were just trying to stall for us.
We should take Feng Hao with us and run away.
The land is far and wide.
Mother.
-Where would you like to go? -Nonsense!
I'm not going anywhere.
I'm staying right here.
You're not considering what she said, are you?
I won't do it.
I won't pretend to be Qiu Yuluo, or marry that Prince of Chu.
This is serious.
You'll be beheaded for saying that.
They don't know how serious this is.
Indeed,
this is a dangerous move.
But sometimes,
only dangerous moves
can break an impasse.
"An impasse"?
Mother, why does it seem
like you're implying something else?
Mother, I'm 18 already.
If you have something on your mind, you can tell me.
Subtitle translation by Jason Emanuel Lee