A NETFLIX ORIGINAL SERIES
ADAPTED FROM TIANXIA GUIYUAN'S NOVEL HUANG QUAN
EPISODE 44
Does Qiu Mingying, your brother Gu Heng's widow,
still have some members of Bloody Pagoda around her
who vow their loyalty to Dacheng?
Your Highness, please investigate thoroughly.
My...
My sister-in-law refuses to acknowledge me as her family.
But based on what I know about Bloody Pagoda,
Qiu Mingying cannot be the leader of Bloody Pagoda.
If there really are remnants in my brother's group
who still protect my sister-in-law's family,
I think it's quite understandable.
You see, weapons don't matter.
What matters is the people who use the weapons.
To me, Bloody Pagoda
is just a weapon.
I can hide Qiu Mingying's identity.
I can also pretend that the remnant of Dacheng doesn't exist.
But I'd never allow anyone
to destroy Tiansheng's peace and stability.
You do understand what I mean, right?
I understand, Your Highness.
I'll investigate immediately.
Today, I met Feng Zhiwei on Tianshui Street.
I'm sure she doesn't know anything.
Chief Gu,
please tell Qiu Mingying
that I don't want Feng Zhiwei to know
that there are spirits hiding in the dark.
All right?
Yes, Your Highness.
-Go. -I'll take my leave.
WEI RESIDENCE
Mother.
Master Zong.
I'm back.
After this near-death experience,
I finally understood all of Mother's fears and worries.
I studied all those books in vain.
I didn't understand your good intentions, Mother.
I was not filial.
Stand up.
You don't need to say anything.
As long as you're back.
Come.
Stand.
Come here. Sit down.
Come here.
Mingying has gotten old indeed.
She's not like how she used to be.
She can't take the pain of losing a family member again.
By the way, Master Zong,
Mother,
there's something that has been bothering me.
I'm not sure if I should ask about it.
What is it?
I saw the situation that day at Tianshui Street.
Who were those men that came to save me?
Is there anything you're hiding from me?
Zhiwei.
That's all in the past.
Had I not been worried sick about your safety,
I would've long forgotten that I was once a martial artist.
Those people were just my former peers.
It's such a shame that you don't practice martial arts anymore.
Since you've mentioned the past,
there is something I want to ask you.
Where did that Overview of Dacheng come from?
And why did you ask me to study that forbidden book?
I found that book by accident and thought it imparted good knowledge.
That's why I asked you to study it. That's all.
Zhiwei, mind your manners.
Master Zong always has good intentions.
How could you doubt him?
Wouldn't that hurt Master Zong's feelings?
I was wrong.
All right. Go organize your things and go home with me.
Mother.
His Majesty gave me the title of Royal Inspector of Minhai.
I'm going to Minhai in a few days.
Sorry, Mother.
I can't go home at the moment.
You're going to Minhai?
No.
-Resign from your post. -Madam Mingying.
His Majesty has already accepted that Zhiwei is a woman
and appointed her as the Royal Inspector.
This is considered a first in history.
I think you should let Zhiwei gain some experience.
Master Zong.
You know what Chang Yuan is like.
Over the years,
how many officials who went to Minhai were able to come back safely?
This job
puts you in between His Majesty and Chang Yuan.
You can't satisfy them both.
If Zhiwei goes there, won't she be in peril?
Mother.
His Majesty pardoned me for my grave crime.
He is sending me to Minhai to make up for it.
I can't disobey him.
Mother.
Don't worry.
I won't be going alone.
Prince of Chu will be going with me.
Nothing will happen to me.
Zhiwei.
Do you remember what you promised me?
I, Feng Zhiwei,
swear by the name of my deceased father,
I will never,
under any circumstances,
marry Ning Yi.
If I break my oath,
my mother,
Qiu Mingying's soul will never rest in peace
and will never reincarnate.
Never forget that.
Your Highness, do you mean Bloody Pagoda is hiding in the capital
because they have bigger plans?
I'm not very sure.
But investigate thoroughly.
Tell me once you find any clues.
-Yes, Your Highness. -Also,
watch Qiu Mingying carefully.
Qiu Mingying?
-Little raccoon's mother? -You don't know her?
Congratulations, Your Highness.
You finally got your wish to leave the capital.
In my opinion, you should get married
before you leave for the capital
to avoid any complications in the long journey.
What's the matter with you today, Headmaster Xin?
You're acting weird.
What do you mean? Your master is going to have a big event.
Go and make preparations.
Hurry!
Yes, sir.
What an extremely big event.
Choose an auspicious day.
See which day works.
All right.
Then wait until I come back from Minhai.
From where?
-Minhai. -Minhai?
Can you even return?
I bet I can.
You think you can?
You're really treating Feng Zhiwei as your world.
Everything you're doing revolves around her.
You're betting your life on her.
As if that's not enough,
even her mother...
Your Highness.
Let me ask you one thing.
Go ahead.
Does that dream in your heart
still exist?
-Of course. -All right.
Then who am I to you?
A teacher.
A friend.
A talented assistant.
That's great.
Then I should thank Your Highness.
Thank you for recognizing my talents.
Since your dream to unite the empires still remains,
I want to ask you this.
Now that you're going to Minhai and away from the Royal Court,
how can you achieve your goal?
I am your friend and teacher,
so why do you always disregard my advice?
Actually,
I want to ask you that as well.
Ziyan, what's your dream?
Who am I to you?
My dream is,
"Men should have the indomitable spirit to achieve great things
and the goal to become a top official from young."
All right.
Who is Your Highness to me?
That's very simple.
"A hundred birds are not as good as one osprey."
Ziyan.
From the first time we met,
you have had a great demeanor.
Your personality matches mine.
Your ideas are very good.
You're moved when you see good people. You hate those who do evil.
It's like
I've known you for so long. I've never forgotten that.
However,
you're my friend.
Why do you need to ask what my dream is?
My dream is the same as yours.
To unite the empires.
But if an emperor's position makes friends fight
and eliminate one another in Tiansheng,
I'm not willing to do that for my own desires
and let the world fall into chaos.
I can't bear it.
I can't do it.
I can't allow it.
Your Highness.
You're righteous and magnanimous.
I admire you from the bottom of my heart.
But you should understand that the current Tiansheng
is in a situation in which old habits die hard.
If we don't take extreme measures, how can peace be restored?
To protect Feng Zhiwei, you and I have already let Ning Qi get away.
Now, you're letting yourself be responsible for this.
Do you really think you're invincible?
Unlike Prince of Wei, you'll die in front of that crook,
Chang Yuan.
And I had carefully planned everything
to save Feng Zhiwei's life.
How else can we force Lord of Minhai to revolt?
I don't want him to revolt!
I don't want him to revolt.
It'll hurt the people.
I'd rather
use my life and bet on it.
I believe Father will give me authority over the army.
I believe
I can save Feng Zhiwei's life.
I believe I can kill that crook, Chang Yuan.
I believe I can get Minhai back. What do you think?
It's great.
It cannot get any greater.
But I want
to hear from you
how you'll achieve all that.
We'll make a risky move.
We'll use my life
to gamble with destiny.
I can return.
I definitely can.
Since Your Highness doesn't want to discuss this further,
I won't ask any more questions.
I hope it will go as you said.
That you can come back safely.
Hit four birds with one stone.
In that case, I'll wait for your successful return
here in the capital.
I'll take my leave.
Ziyan.
I can't even protect the one I love.
How can I protect the people?
Who's there?
Mingying.
It's me.
I'm afraid you have gotten lost.
Our place is very shabby.
We can't accommodate the head of the Royal Guards.
I don't dare hope for your forgiveness.
It's just that this happened so suddenly.
I hope you can give me a moment for old time's sake.
I'll go when I'm done.
Old time's sake?
Do we have any good old times?
This is
Tiangsheng's 19th year.
This is Tiansheng Empire.
And you...
You have already turned from your old ways and become the head of the Royal Guards.
While I, Qiu Mingying,
am still Dacheng's Bloody Pagoda,
the widow of Gu Heng.
You're right.
Where we are now
is already Tiansheng's capital.
And Dacheng's capital is unrecognizable from back then.
And humans,
as long as they can live,
they can only move forward
and not turn back.
You're right.
We can't go back.
It's a shame that I, Qiu Mingying, am long dead.
I died that night when Gu Heng jumped from the cliff.
I died the day Dacheng Empire was overthrown.
Gu Yan.
They're the hope of our empire.
I order you and your brother to take away the ninth prince immediately.
Bloody Pagoda and I are willing to protect the ninth prince with our lives.
My ghost was left in Dacheng.
How can I move forward?
Get out.
Mingying.
Listen to me.
This is important.
I came today to confirm something.
Are the ones who appeared on Tianshui Street
Bloody Pagoda?
You have to tell me the truth.
Or else, there will be big trouble
because Prince of Chu is now suspicious.
How will you handle the consequence?
How would you handle it?
Are you going
to use my life and the lives of my children
in exchange for a higher position?
Mingying.
You've misunderstood.
That's not what I meant.
I just want to do my best to protect the Gu family's descendants.
-You must believe me, okay? -Mother.
Mother.
Mother, why are you...
You're home.
We have a guest?
He's from our hometown.
He's leaving now.
If you have anything you miss from back home,
please tell me.
I'm right here.
It's just that the children in our hometown
may have already forgotten
the way home.
Very well, Mingying.
I'll take my leave.
Forgive me for not walking you out.
Mother, where's our hometown?
Silly child.
Your Highness, you're leaving me behind?
You know I've never left you for more than three days since I was little.
I was with you even when I was sick.
Your chances of survival are bleak on your journey to Minhai.
I cannot be at ease.
I want to protect you.
If you don't let me come with you, I'd rather die.
Besides, what's more important than serving you?
You must stay in the capital
and be my contact here.
If Xin Ziyan encounters any trouble,
you have to bring the guards here to assist him.
Ning Cheng.
You're all grown up.
I'm putting the whole residence in your hands.
It's because I trust you.
I understand.
It's not that you don't want me anymore.
You're letting me be your eyes and ears
to watch the capital for you.
But if anyone starts anything,
you must come back immediately.
Didn't I tell you you've grown up?
Why are you crying?
Ning Qing and Ning Zhuo are protecting me.
You don't need to worry.
But I want to tell you
that no matter what you do, you have to take it easy.
Don't make unnecessary moves.
All right.
Yes, Your Highness.
Ning Qing, Ning Zhuo.
You must take good care of His Highness.
If anything happens to him,
I'll kill you both.
-Yes. -Yes.
Pack your things.
I've been scared here in the capital day and night.
Now that I'm leaving this dangerous place,
I'm feeling a little reluctant.
I want to make a speedy return.
I miss home.
How about you?
Are you reluctant to leave too?
I'll go wherever you're going.
Director Wei.
Are my eyes fooling me?
Are you really that Director Wei who gambled with me?
Director Wei?
I can't believe it myself.
-Pinch me. -Director Wei.
Cut it out.
Did I really change that much?
Not really.
You'll always be our director.
Why are you here?
His Majesty has orders.
He ordered Qingming Academy's students to go with you to Minhai and protect you.
So that we'll gain some experience.
We'll be able to get an actual position when we get back.
Will you protect me or the other way round?
It doesn't matter.
-We don't care. -I care.
It would be a troublesome journey to bring you to Minhai.
Feng Zhiwei.
Your Highness.
Your Highness, why are you here?
Seeing you alive
makes me feel alive too.
Your timely help is something I won't ever forget.
-When I return from Minhai-- -No need to wait for that.
Borrowing Gu Nanyi's words, I'll go wherever you go
-from now on. -No.
I really can't let you do that.
What if something happens to you? I won't be responsible for that.
I don't need you to be responsible.
I can take care of myself.
From now on, the world is my playground.
His Majesty would not allow that.
You should give up on that idea.
Zhiwei.
Father allowed me to study in the capital for a year to gain experience.
You also know how awkward my position is here in the capital.
Going with you to Minhai will also lessen His Majesty's headache.
Has His Majesty permitted it?
Of course.
His Majesty's head doesn't ache.
Mine does.
Zhiwei.
He's gone.
There's no use being sad.
How can I be as open-minded as Your Majesty?
This journey to Minhai is extremely dangerous.
What if Prince of Chu...
Won't that affect Your Majesty too?
I'm old.
But Prince of Chu is still very young.
I'm taking a gamble.
I believe he'd be reluctant to endanger himself.
I trust his ambition.
Your Majesty is the Emperor.
Your vision is indeed far and wide.
I'm just a nobody.
I can see only what's in front of me.
Please think of a way
to calm me down, Your Majesty.
Let me think.
This is my first time advising someone.
What a great honor.
I pay respect to Father.
-You may rise. -Thank you, Father.
I can't believe I forgot to summon you.
It's all Zhao Yuan's fault. He took me for a walk.
It's rare for you to do that. You should reward Official Zhao instead.
Of course,
Ning Yi played a part too.
He's going to Minhai to assist you.
That's why you can be at ease.
If you really want me to be at ease,
then do something for me.
Father, please tell me.
Contact the army.
Write an order to Yanzhou.
Let Yanzhou's army be on standby and await Prince of Chu's orders.
-Father, you mean-- -That's exactly what I mean.
I'll do that right away.
I'll take my leave.
Your Majesty, this method is really effective.
My heart
can finally be at ease.
I'm just afraid that some people's hearts
immediately became ill at ease.
Do you mean Prince of Wei?
One is out there. Another is here.
Let's wait and see.
Everyone.
I received news from the capital.
The government is intending to cut off our powers.
They're really discarding us right after we are deemed useless.
Tell me. What should we do?
Well...
We can't agree, of course.
Zhongyi, what about Uncle's wishes?
That's right.
This is very important.
We have to listen to what Lord of Minhai has to say.
Father is old.
He's not as valiant as he used to be.
If we allow them to cut our powers,
it's over for Lord of Minhai.
Father fought valiantly all his life,
yet this is how he'll end up.
Who dares come and cut off our powers?
I'll ensure that he won't be able to return.
We'll risk our lives to protect Lord of Minhai!
Father.
We pay respect to Lord of Minhai.
Thank you, everyone.
I really appreciate it.
There's nothing we can do.
Ever since the beginning of time, whoever fights an emperor
is throwing an egg against a rock.
Zhongyi,
you're right.
I'm old.
So while I'm still alive,
I do not wish to see
the Chang family get consumed by His Majesty's fire
and burn to ashes.
-Father. -You don't need to say more.
Everyone.
I've made my decision.
Prepare to welcome the imperial envoy.
-Yes, my lord. -Yes, my lord.
I saw the situation that day at Tianshui Street.
Who were those men who came to save me?
Is there anything you're hiding from me?
That's all in the past.
Had I not been worried sick about your safety,
I would've long forgotten...
Since you've mentioned the past...
Where did that Overview of Dacheng come from?
And why did you ask me to study that forbidden book?
Zhiwei, mind your manners.
Master Zong always has good intentions.
How could you doubt him?
Wouldn't that hurt Master Zong's feelings?
What's the matter?
Nanyi.
I remember you told me before
that you learned martial arts from Master Zong, right?
Yes.
Instead of interpersonal relations, he said I'm good at learning martial arts.
But now, I've already surpassed his skills.
Then do you remember
when you started learning martial arts with Master Zong?
I don't remember.
He was the first person I saw.
You mean you've been with Master Zong for as long as you remember, right?
Then do you know what he did before that?
Where did he come from?
Master Zong has always been himself.
Then have you ever seen his family or friends?
I'm his family.
What's a friend?
A friend...
A friend is like you and me.
We always help each other.
I'm your family, not your friend.
Yes, we're family.
Feng Zhiwei.
Someone like Prince Helian is considered a friend.
I don't want to be your friend.
I'm a gentleman. You're a lady.
What do you always say in Tiansheng?
"Gentleman likes to pursue beautiful ladies."
That's our relationship, isn't it?
Your Highness, you can be a gentleman.
I, Feng Zhiwei, don't want to be a lady.
Feng Zhiwei.
If I say you're a lady, you're a lady.
That relationship can gradually be established.
We don't have a relationship.
If she says there's none, there's none.
Fool.
Brother.
Do you really think Father is old?
Is he really old enough to be cowering in fear?
Father really is old.
You must work harder to control the situation in Minhai from now on.
I heard the imperial envoy sent this time
is Ning Yi, who has a score to settle with us for his mother's death.
I'm afraid he'll eliminate
the Chang family when he comes.
Ning Yi is treacherous.
He doesn't know how strong the Chang army is.
He may come here alive, but let's see if he can go back alive.
Take it easy, Zhongyi.
Once you use the Chang army and the government gets any proof of that,
won't Father's words come true?
Won't the Chang family be burned to ashes by His Majesty?
Don't worry.
I have a plan.
I'll have that Ning Yi killed
before he can enter Minhai.
The Chang family is fortunate to have you.
What's the matter?
Did Your Highness not find your room comfortable?
I never had that thought.
What's this?
Before going to Minhai, I have a wish.
I need you to satisfy me.
I know Your Highness' wish.
You do?
What do you know?
Didn't you want me to help you accomplish something worthy before I die?
Our chances of survival are bleak for our journey to Minhai.
I just want to use you to accomplish
something worthy for me before you die.
That's all.
That's right.
But the prerequisite is that you have to arrive in Minhai alive.
Did Your Highness receive any news?
What's strange is that we haven't gotten any news.
You dare call yourself a gentleman with what you're doing?
Gu Nanyi.
Why do you have to resort to such tricks?
I'm just curious.
They're the ones playing tricks.
If you don't believe me, watch.
What are you two doing?
I'm worried about Inspector Feng.
Our journey to Minhai is like pulling chestnuts out of a fire.
How can there be a foolproof plan?
All right. I've got it.
-Just drink with me. -Ning Yi.
What's the matter?
Why won't you discuss anything with me, and always decide by yourself?
And we always have to follow your plan.
Is it because I am that unworthy in your eyes?
I'm a prince.
I'm Prince of Chu.
You're an official.
Do I need to discuss with you regarding a decision I want to make?
If you want to be worthy,
then drink this.
Drink heartily.
If you make me happy, then maybe I can think about it.
Do you dare?
Your Highness wants to drink, right?
No.
All right. Sure.
Since I need to follow Your Highness' ways,
then shouldn't you let me see your worthiness first?
What worthiness?
Please.
Drink it.
How bold!
How impudent.
How ill-mannered.
Prince of Chu is so unreasonable.
You're good, Feng Zhiwei.
You're good.
Gather the guards to go with me to Minhai.
But Prince of Chu...
Yes, Inspector Feng.
Inspector Feng is right.
Without Prince of Chu, we can all work together
and protect the Royal Inspector.
I think it's great.
Without Prince of Chu to restrain us, we'll be more carefree in our journey.
-Go. -Go. Dismissed.
-Pack up. -Inspector.
-Disperse. Go. -Go.
Inspector Feng.
Before I left,
Father asked me to protect Prince of Chu at all times.
I think I'll stay.
I can also update you with news at all times.
What do you think?
That's fine too.
Let's go.
The Chunyu family has always been loyal.
In the future, you must also be a pillar in the government.
Even though you scholars were ordered to gain experience this time,
His Majesty has deeper intentions.
Please advise, Headmaster Xin.
What should I do?
Minhai is where Chang Yuan stayed for a long time.
In Minhai, the Chang family has the utmost power.
So Prince of Chu cannot bring soldiers in.
That's why you need to protect His Highness
under the guise of gaining experience.
Don't worry, Headmaster Xin.
I, Chunyu Meng, will risk my life to protect His Highness.
Prince of Chu is very careful.
He doesn't trust the people around him easily.
He also dislikes mediocrity.
If you want him to trust you, you must let him see your strengths.
However,
if His Highness doesn't use me,
how can I let him see my strengths?
First, you have to stay by His Highness' side at all times.
Report all his activities to me every ten days.
That way, I can tell you what to do.
If you do that, one day,
Prince of Chu will be able to see
that you are a talented individual.
Thank you for your help, Headmaster Xin.
But you must not let His Highness know about this.
Or else, it would seem like you cheated.
I'll remember that.
Subtitle translation by Coleen Chua