A NETFLIX ORIGINAL SERIES
ADAPTED FROM TIANXIA GUIYUAN'S NOVEL HUANG QUAN
EPISODE 31
I haven't feasted with you lately.
I haven't visited you either.
How could I have poisoned you?
Father, please be discerning.
Ning Sheng, you forgot.
You invited me to Wei Residence for drinks a few days ago.
Scholar Wei.
You have to testify for me.
The food and wine that day
were all from you.
Father.
Please investigate thoroughly.
Your Majesty.
Why would I frame Prince of Chu?
How would I dare comment on royal affairs?
Furthermore,
the old case Prince of Yan mentioned today...
Well...
Your Majesty.
At that time, I...
I was still a baby.
Father.
But the drinks we had that day all came from Wei Zhi.
-Father. -Your Majesty is brilliant.
I was also thinking it must be the drinks.
But I did not know there was something wrong with them.
Father.
Father, please.
You must check the palace.
Today,
they fed this revolting thing to me.
Who knows in whose food they will put it into in the future.
Father.
Ning Sheng, you're so bold.
Aren't you going to confess?
Father.
Please be discerning!
Your Majesty.
I have urgent matters to discuss with you.
Please allow me.
Father.
Maybe Noble Consort really has something urgent to discuss.
Your Majesty.
Noble Consort has been waiting for a while now.
Let her in.
Let Noble Consort in.
Your Majesty.
Are you wearing a veil to recite a poem?
Your Majesty.
I have some food allergies.
I don't dare to corrupt your eyes.
Food allergies?
All right.
Do all of you really think I'm blind?
Prince of Chu drank hangover soup by mistake.
The officials drank tea in the palace by mistake.
Today, I want to see
how you'll end this nonsense.
Guards.
-Remove Noble Consort's veil. -Yes, Your Majesty.
Father.
Does Noble Consort have a relationship with Zhanbi too?
Ning Yi, stop your nonsense.
Your Majesty.
It's all my fault.
I wanted to take some medicine for beautification.
So I also gave them to the princess and Prince of Yan's wife.
I never expected this would happen.
Please forgive me.
The medicine is not toxic.
Father.
I really did not know about such medicine.
I heard from Xu Baiqin
that there were strange, dark spots on Ning Yi's hand.
When I visited Zhanbi,
I found out he had them too.
That's why we had this misunderstanding.
Father.
I was just worried about you.
Your Majesty.
Minister Xu is a government official.
Yet he spread these rumors to deceive people.
He should be punished.
I'll let you handle it, Scholar Wei.
Work with Grand Secretary Yao to learn how to handle government affairs
and expand your knowledge.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Ning Sheng, go home and reflect on yourself.
That's it for today.
Anyone who dares comment on my personal affairs
shall be punished severely.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Go.
-Father. -I'll take my leave.
-I'll take my leave.
Father.
Ning Yi, stay.
Father.
Forgive me for not obeying your orders.
I can't stay.
I need to hurry home
and remove the dark spots from my hand.
So that I won't be a laughingstock.
Father.
I'm afraid of corrupting your eyes.
CHENGMING PALACE
How was Ning Yi able to escape even with such solid proof?
What did I tell you?
Ning Yi came prepared
when he attended the gathering.
Listen to me.
Don't live in hate.
Hate
will cause your demise.
You're the only one who is concerned about me.
But you don't know me.
Feng Zhiwei.
You're getting bolder.
You dared serve me poisonous hangover soup.
Poisonous?
According to what you're saying,
I was also the one
who risked my life earlier and served poisonous tea
to the officials in the palace.
Isn't that even bolder?
So you're saying
you didn't know if the poison in the soup was fatal.
Had you poisoned me to death,
wouldn't that have pleased a lot of people?
Your Highness, you're very fortunate.
You're standing right before me now.
Zhanbi wouldn't commit suicide without a reason.
He died in Tiansheng.
I want an explanation from you.
I won't take it sitting down.
Prince Helian.
It's not my style to investigate cases sloppily.
Furthermore,
Tiansheng is more complicated than you think.
Don't worry.
I'll give you an explanation sooner or later.
I'll trust you this time.
However,
I have one favor to ask.
Tell me.
Your Highness,
please tell me the rules of marriage in Tiansheng.
I want to get another wife.
I have my eye on a girl.
She's not pretty, yet she's bold.
Who is this fortunate girl?
It's Colonel Qiu's niece, Feng Zhiwei.
I will ask His Majesty's permission for the marriage.
The blessing from His Majesty for a marriage is an honor.
Yet you're using it just to get a concubine.
If you have too much luck or success, it'll surely decline.
Be careful. Too much luck might reduce your lifespan.
Lunch?
Did you say, "lunch"?
My horses eat lunch and dinner.
That's why they can carry my heavy weapons.
But the weak men of Tiansheng
can be carried by your horses by just eating lunch.
It's such a shame
for Tiansheng women to be your wives.
It would be such an honor for that Feng Zhiwei to marry me.
Then on the day of your wedding,
when you thank His Majesty at the palace,
I'll surely bring nice gifts for you.
Scholar Wei.
Scholar Wei, wait.
I still have something to discuss with you.
What is it, Your Highness?
Do you know Feng Zhiwei of the Qiu family?
I'm a man.
How would I know a woman who's refrained from going outside of her house?
I originally wanted you to pass on my message.
Now it seems you can't do that.
Feng Zhiwei is just one of the thousands of women in Tiansheng.
I don't see anything special in her.
Why do you like her so much?
I haven't met any woman who dares to hit me.
How can I let her go easily?
Aren't Tiansheng women submissive?
From now on, she'll submit to me.
She needs to wash my feet if I tell her to.
She needs to massage my legs if I tell her to.
Also, she needs to serve my ten other wives.
She can be fierce all she wants.
No matter how fierce she is, I'll let her know
that she's just a mouse under a Jinshi eagle's claw.
Your Highness.
If you want to torment Feng Zhiwei,
I can help you with that.
Prince of Chu is willing to help me?
I'm close to Colonel Qiu.
It's easy for me to help you with this.
Your Highness.
That's great.
She'll wash your feet.
She'll massage your legs.
Let her serve all ten wives.
You can even save on the maids.
Great. That'll soothe your anger.
-Very nice. -Prince of Chu.
Come to think of it,
I can't ask a blessing from His Majesty
to marry a concubine.
I'll wait for such blessing
when I get a noble consort.
Your Highness is really so understanding, courteous, and humble.
Of course.
Why did you pull my sleeve just now?
Chang Yuan doesn't like Ning Yi investigating Chen Shao's case.
He wants to kill Ning Yi for this.
Yet Ning Yi was prepared.
He let Wei Zhi give out the tea first.
So that everyone would have red marks all over them.
That's how he survived this.
The more Chang Yuan wants to kill Ning Yi,
the more it proves that he's guilty.
Chen Shao's case
involves too many untold secrets.
Your Majesty.
Lord of Minhai is on the way here to report for duty.
He's bringing a big entourage.
He claimed he got sick on the road and got delayed.
He's really taking his time.
Chang Yuan
is trying to diffuse my anger.
He's going to show himself after everything settles down.
He's trying to remind me that he's old and weak.
Because of my urgent orders, he became sick.
He's playing the sympathy card.
What happened to you?
-Wake up, Ning Cheng. -Wake up.
Ning Cheng, are you all right?
What's the matter, Ning Qing, Ning Zhuo?
Your Highness.
He had a lof of lamb that was sent by Henei village.
Your Highness, Ning Cheng secretly drank your wine last night.
He said meat with wine is the best thing in life.
When did I drink wine and eat meat?
You jerks.
Do you want to get beaten up?
-Do you want me to beat you? -All right.
Your Highness.
Don't listen to them.
You had Feng Zhiwei's poisonous soup.
I was worried about your safety.
I don't know how many medications I've tried for you.
My stomach can no longer take it.
I'm almost turning into an herbal medication residue.
Your Highness, can't you be more considerate?
Are you asking me to reward you?
Even if you don't reward me,
do you see that girl's malicious heart now
and how it pales in comparison to my loyalty?
She really wants to harm you.
You want to show your loyalty, right?
Go to Qiu Residence now.
Don't sleep, and watch them all day and all night.
That Jinshi guy will definitely go to Qiu Residence soon.
Go.
Is Your Highness afraid that he'll force her to marry him?
Could it be...
that you're jealous?
What's that?
-Jealous? -Yes.
Being jealous means
seeing someone else propose
to the woman you love.
And you can feel bitterness in your heart.
It seems like you have the experience
based on how detailed you're telling me about it.
I'm so well-acquainted with the ways of the world.
Of course, I know how it feels.
Ning Qing, Ning Zhuo.
-Your Highness. -Your Highness.
Buy ten bottles of good vinegar.
Attend to Ning Cheng and let him drink it in one shot.
Drink it in one shot, and then let me know how it tastes.
-Go. -Yes, Your Highness.
Hurry.
No, Your Highness.
You can't be that cruel, right? Your Highness!
Help! I'm being killed!
Your Highness is killing his own guard!
Jealous?
I'm not jealous of anyone.
QIU RESIDENCE
Madam Qiu pays respect to Prince Helian of Jinshi.
Madam Qiu.
Greetings.
We're honored by your gracious presence,
but my husband is not home today.
We're really sorry.
I came too suddenly.
Colonel Qiu is handling the horse market in Dayue,
which benefits citizens in the borders and favors both countries.
Jinshi should also learn from Colonel Qiu.
Since Colonel Qiu is not here today,
then I'll just take a look around your residence.
And wait for him to come back.
-What do you think? -Take a look around?
Will Madam Qiu not allow it?
Of course, I'll be glad to.
It's really our pleasure.
Your Highness.
This way, please.
Mother, that Feng Zhiwei is back again.
I don't want to see her.
She's evil.
-She wants to harm me. -How impudent.
Yuluo.
Pay respect to Prince Helian of Jinshi.
Qiu Yuluo pays respect to Your Highness.
It's Colonel Qiu's daughter.
A beautiful lady indeed.
If someone dares bully you,
that person is an utter fool.
How about letting me take the opportunity to teach that Feng Zhiwei
a lesson?
Your Highness is so righteous.
Mother, ask Feng Zhiwei to come see His Highness.
Stop your nonsense.
Your Highness, I apologize.
That Feng Zhiwei is my husband's niece.
She grew up with Yuluo.
They're just playing around.
Your Highness, please don't take it seriously.
Madam, don't be nervous.
When I first came to the capital,
I heard that Feng Zhiwei is quite talented.
I just want to meet her today.
I hope you'll allow it.
In that case, please wait a moment.
Let me prepare some tea and snacks.
Please go ahead.
Yuluo.
Mind your manners.
I know.
Your Highness.
How do you plan to teach that Feng Zhiwei a lesson?
I'll ask her some questions.
If she cannot answer,
I'll take her back to Jinshi as my concubine.
That way,
she won't bully you again.
Then what kind of question do you plan to ask her?
Don't let her trick you.
I want to let her guess an object.
An object?
What object?
Why?
Do you also want to guess that object?
I don't think there's a need.
I don't think you're well-learned.
Well...
Since you're saying that,
then I will definitely try to answer.
This...
That's a sacred object in Jinshi.
Yes.
It maintains beauty.
It even makes your body fragrant after ingesting.
How amazing.
I think
fate has allowed us
to meet today.
How about I let you taste it?
This is such a rare opportunity.
It seems Your Highness really likes her.
Then, I shall obey.
Isn't this salt?
Prince of Jinshi
is teasing a daughter of a Tiansheng colonel.
Why?
Do you think so lowly of Tiansheng?
I respect Tiansheng very much.
I respect Colonel Qiu even more.
Or else, why would I let his daughter
taste a sacred object?
What are you talking about?
It's just salt.
It's salt indeed.
But I brought it with me from Jinshi to Tiansheng.
It's filled with the sweat
of Prince of Jinshi.
Isn't it Jinshi's sacred object then?
Feng Zhiwei.
Why don't you teach this mean prince a lesson for me?
What did you say earlier?
You said Feng Zhiwei is evil.
She wants to harm you.
Why are you begging her to help you now?
You...
You're all bullying me.
Don't be mad.
I'll help you bully her now.
Feng Zhiwei.
It's your turn now.
Guess what this sacred object is used for in Jinshi.
Prince Helian.
They say,
"Salt plays an important role and assumes a huge responsibility."
Salt must be vital in your country.
I'm guessing
it might be the betrothal gift for marriage.
You're smart indeed.
You're right.
I...
You accepted my betrothal gift.
Go back to Jinshi with me. I want...
What were you saying?
Why don't you become my concubine?
It's not hard to make me do that.
I also have a question.
If you answer it right, I'll go to Jinshi with you
and wash the feet and massage the legs
of your ten wives. What do you think?
You can ask me more than one question.
I have four lines for you.
Salt and plum are required for cooking.
Wine is required for drinking.
Regardless of whether its texture is soft or hard,
it's full of thorns like the puncture vine.
Please tell me these two seasons in Tiansheng.
-What should I tell you? -The seasons.
Since you can't answer,
then I'll go ahead.
What a shame.
What did she say?
Feng Zhiwei.
I didn't say you may leave,
so you may not.
You're asking for a beating.
Tiansheng women truly are frail.
If we get startled and accidentally break something,
this Jinshi hand which you hold your bow with
might become as frail as Tiansheng women.
I remember now.
You're that handmaid who kicked me and hurt my horses.
Why?
-You want to challenge me? -That's fine.
If you win, I'll go with you to Jinshi.
-But if you lose... -Lose?
I was unprepared last time.
How would I lose to a weak and thin handmaid?
What if you lose?
If I lose,
I'll eat all of this salt.
Not only that, you need to call me your aunt.
Fine.
You think I'll lose to her?
Come on.
Your Highness, be careful. It seems she's had some training.
If I use my hands today, then I lose.
You little handmaid.
All right.
If I use my hands today,
then I lose.
Even though you're just a concubine, you're still a prince's concubine.
Don't worry.
We'll prepare your dowry for you.
Your Highness, why aren't you fighting?
Don't you want Feng Zhiwei to be your concubine?
Your Highness.
You used your hand.
I lose.
Aunt Zhiwei.
Your nephew pays respect to you.
Eat the salt.
Dear nephew, eat your betrothal gift.
Your Highness, you were too rash.
I really can't help you.
You bet, you pay.
Jinshi men are men of their words.
You really impressed me today.
Aunt Zhiwei.
I finished the salt.
That quickly?
Then go home.
-Yes. -Don't forget to drink water at home.
Aunt Zhiwei, I forgot to tell you.
In Jinshi, we can marry our aunts.
Your Highness.
I was able to fulfill your orders.
I finally have news about the Riluo Tribe.
It's a shame that the whole tribe perished.
There's no more sorceress.
No one in this world
can relieve me from the poison in my body.
Your Majesty.
I've already sent men to search for experts in Dayue.
I hope we can find someone worthy.
I think
Your Majesty and Prince of Chu are both incredibly fortunate.
You'll surely be healed.
Why? I'm blessed by the heavens.
Do I need to depend on Prince of Chu?
Your Majesty.
I was just confused.
Please forgive me.
Go.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
Her name is Yale, the Riluo Tribe's sorceress.
I know you were wronged this time.
There's only the two of us now.
You can tell me
if you have something on your mind.
Your Majesty.
What happened today
made me think about Your Majesty's old residence, Zhiyuan Palace,
which also had a cot.
At that time, Your Majesty was tired from reviewing reports
so you rested on the cot.
And Your Highness was tired from playing
so you lied below the cot.
Every time you fell asleep,
Your Majesty personally carried you
to lie on the cot.
Now,
I can't carry you anymore.
Eight years.
Father.
I spent eight peaceful years in Zongzheng Temple
all because of this memory.
You told me to share my thoughts.
I just want to know
why you never got close with me again
after Mother died.
Could it really be
because the insult
always remained in your heart?
Ning Yi.
You've never been in love.
You won't understand the feeling of losing your loved one forever.
You're too similar to your mother.
Princess Shaoning.
Sit down.
I don't dare to.
What can I do for you, Your Highness?
Since you acted in bad faith that day, you've always avoided me.
I had to ask you to come here today.
I risked my life for you,
yet you don't treat me as your confidant.
"If you doubt a man, don't use him."
Since you don't trust me,
why did you order me to do such a risky job?
I let Prince of Chu take the medication.
I also let the officials have the tea.
But I didn't know what was in them.
That was made clear in the palace.
I guess you're right.
You wouldn't collude with Ning Yi.
I'm loyal to you,
but you don't appreciate it.
I have no one to talk to
regarding the pain in my heart.
Wei Zhi.
Don't be mad.
That cunning Ning Yi must have planted spies beside me.
That's why he knew what was going to happen and came prepared.
Wei Zhi.
Ning Yi is cunning and ruthless. You must help me.
Your Highness.
I don't think I'm able to help you again.
Since Prince of Chu has his spies,
then he must know our plans well.
I can't even protect myself.
How can I fight against Prince of Chu?
What we should do now
is to maintain a low profile.
It won't be too late to make a move when the right time comes.
Knowing that you're loyal to me,
I'm relieved.
Your Majesty.
Please have some tea.
That old louse.
Guess what he said in the letter.
He says he has a problem with his legs.
He needs to rest a couple of days outside the city.
Last time, it was the flu.
Now, it's his legs.
He's reminding me
of his merits in building the empire for me,
and how he got these diseases in return.
Your Majesty.
Please don't be mad.
Doesn't Lord of Minhai always make a big fuss
when he meets you here in the capital?
Now, the former Crown Prince is dead.
Chang Yuan has lost his biggest support.
Yet he's still deliberately showing his strength as a warning.
Chang Yuan
is getting more and more reckless without restraint.
He wants a big parade,
so I'll give him one.
Announce my orders.
Give him a royal procession to enter the city proudly.
-We'll have a grand welcome feast. -Yes.
Ask Gu Yan
to let the Royal Guards set up security in the palace.
If Chang Yuan really wants to betray me,
arrest him on the spot.
I will convey Your Majesty's order.
Move!
Everybody, move!
-Move! -Move now.
-Move now! -Move.
Mother.
It's been 18 years.
I'll finally face that old pig, Chang Yuan, today.
From now on,
I'll battle with the Chang family with all my might
until they are all eliminated.
Mother.
You must look at me from above
and bless me
so I can achieve my dream.
Your Highness.
It's time to go.
Subtitle translation by Coleen Chua
Subtitles downloaded with "Netflix subtitle downloader" UserScript by Tithen-Firion. Subtitles downloaded with "Netflix subtitle downloader" UserScript by Tithen-Firion.