A NETFLIX ORIGINAL SERIES
ADAPTED FROM TIANXIA GUIYUAN'S NOVEL HUANG QUAN
EPISODE 50
Headmaster Xin, it's getting late now.
I need to head back and report to His Majesty.
Ziyan, don't you always tell your students
to work hard and serve the Emperor in the Royal Court?
Now, I, Dahua, got into the palace without your guidance.
I think when I get there, His Majesty will appreciate me.
Maybe I can stay there and work.
I won't need to come back to this tiny house.
So Ziyan, you should start finding a new wife.
You can stop that nonsense now.
With your looks and personality,
I am the only person in the world who would treat you like a treasure.
His Majesty?
Do you know who he is?
His Majesty has 3,000 women in the Imperial Harem.
Do you think you'd stand out?
So just go there
and have a good look for yourself.
Then come home and keep me company.
Throughout my lifetime, I have never been lucky.
I'm stuck with this ill-tempered woman.
Are you all right?
You hurt my body and my heart as well.
Dahua, remember this.
Being in the palace is different from being at home.
You must be polite.
Watch your mouth.
If you're really bored,
go to the royal kitchen and learn how to cook there.
When you come back, you can cook for me.
We'll sit and drink together. Wouldn't that be nice?
Ziyan.
Take care.
Your Highness.
I pay respect to Prince of Wei.
Greetings, Headmaster Xin.
I've been waiting for you.
Have you eaten yet?
Headmaster Xin, I have no appetite.
Father wants you and me to interrogate criminals from the previous empire.
I am so scared.
You're a brave man.
It's a great deed to find the remnant of Dacheng.
This is all because you were wise and decisive.
Why are you afraid?
Please stop teasing me.
I regret my actions.
If I knew that you had a plan,
I would have talked to you and followed your plan.
Then we would have already discovered the Bloody Pagoda's headquarters.
I'm always too hasty.
It has already happened, so there is no use regretting.
Now we must find a way to make them confess,
or else Bloody Pagoda will panic and cause more trouble.
You are right.
That's why I think you should be in charge.
You'll be the chief interrogator. I'll follow your orders.
Me, the chief interrogator?
-I can't do that. -Of course, you can.
Very well.
This is a serious issue. I guess I'll have to overstep my bounds.
I think that we should first interrogate Qiu Mingying.
Sure.
I've arranged everything.
This way, please.
Headmaster Xin, please.
Your Highness, please.
I'll stay outside. Call for me if you need anything.
All right.
-Xin-- -You brought this upon yourself.
Forgive me.
I am a little thirsty.
Could you get me a cup of water?
Kneel.
Yes, I'll go immediately.
Qiu Mingying.
You must answer my questions honestly and truthfully.
If you do so, not only will you get water,
but you'll also get to live an opulent life.
I do not dare ask for such an opulent life.
I just beg you to be kind
and punish only me.
Let the Qiu family live.
Do you know your crime?
I, Qiu Mingying...
I am...
I am the wife of Bloody Pagoda's leader, Gu Heng.
After my husband died,
I moved into my brother's house.
All I wanted was to raise my children.
It was my fault that I concealed my identity.
My children do not know.
Please understand this.
According to you,
your children are just the children of Gu Heng.
Or are they something else?
Sir, what do you mean?
Who is
Zhangsun Hao?
ADMIT IT
His Majesty has all the evidence.
Are you sacrificing yourself and the Qiu family
for someone you're not even related to?
His Majesty rules the whole empire.
Within the borders,
everyone is his subject.
Do you think the Qiu family,
as well as Feng Zhiwei in Minhai,
will be able to live
once the Emperor bursts into a fit of rage?
Feng Hao...
He is Zhangsun Hao.
He is the ninth prince of Dacheng.
If you're the remnant of Dacheng,
I bet there's someone protecting you.
Would you be willing to tell me
whom your mother usually talks to?
I don't know.
I really don't know.
My mother rarely leaves the house.
I really don't know.
I really don't.
Don't!
Zhangsun Hao.
Your body looks very delicate.
You probably won't be able to take these punishments.
You'd better reconsider.
Just confess and get it over with.
I'll confess! I'll tell you! I'll tell you everything!
Take it away!
I'll confess!
I'll confess.
All I know is that my mother
rarely talks to other people apart from family.
The only one is...
The only one...
Master Zong.
The only one is Master Zong.
Who is Master Zong?
Master Zong...
He runs Private Academy.
Zong Chen.
PRIVATE ACADEMY
Are you Zong Chen?
-I am. -Take him away!
His Majesty sent his orders.
The Royal Inspector of Minhai, Feng Zhiwei,
must return to the capital
with Vice Chief of the Royal Guards, Lu Ming.
Zhiwei.
Hua Qiong.
What's this?
Did you call for me to go somewhere with you?
I need to ask you a favor.
You? Asking for a favor?
That's new.
Sure. Tell me.
What kind of favor is it?
I want to go to Xiayang.
I wondered why the messenger came today.
Prince of Chu must be missing you.
You just came back for a few days.
I suppose hardships are nothing when you're in love.
You're not afraid of the hurdles of traveling.
That's why I need your help.
I can't let anyone know about this, especially Nanyi.
Xiayang is very dangerous right now.
You can't go yourself.
You should let Nanyi protect you.
-Why don't you want him to know? -Hua Qiong, you don't know.
If Nanyi goes to Xiayang with me, he'll follow me everywhere at all times.
How will I meet with Ning Yi like that?
That's true.
If that's the case,
-I'll go with you. -No.
Hua Qiong.
I'm worried about Jiyang's defense.
-You must be in charge while I'm gone. -I...
Don't worry. I'll have guards escort me there.
All right. Take care then.
Hua Qiong.
Jiyang's defense is responsible for the safety of Xiayang.
Please be cautious.
If anything is wrong,
send a messenger to Prince of Chu's camp in Xiayang, understand?
It almost sounds like you're not coming back.
You sound so serious.
Go now. I'll take care of everything.
I am a criminal from the previous empire.
My identity has been exposed.
I will probably never see you again.
You are my own daughter.
Stay alive.
Otherwise, I won't be able to rest in peace.
Catch up!
Inspector Feng, why are you covered up?
Vice Chief, do you not know that the traitor, Chang Zhongxin,
brought the Xiayang epidemic to Minzhou Office?
His Majesty has ordered me to bring you back to the capital.
Unfortunately, I just saw the doctor.
He said
that I still need three days to recover from the illness.
Would it be possible to return to the capital in three days?
My job is only to fulfill His Majesty's orders.
If you insist on it,
I'll go back with you.
Ning Cheng, don't lie to me.
His Majesty sent a messenger. I must take Feng Zhiwei to Jiyang Office.
Why would I lie to you?
Inspector Feng isn't here.
Where could she be?
What is His Majesty's messenger here for?
There was a letter, and then...
Ning Cheng. I need to see Prince of Chu.
Feng Zhiwei!
Where is Feng Zhiwei?
She can't go back to Jiyang Office.
One of you wants to take her back.
One of you doesn't want her to go back.
What's going on?
Where is she?
Come on.
Prince Helian.
Whom did my father send to Jiyang?
Vice Chief of the Royal Guards, Lu Ming.
-Ning Cheng. -Your Highness.
Take my written order and have Lu Ming come see me.
Your Highness. Lu Ming is His Majesty's messenger.
What if he isn't willing to--
Then take him by force.
Bring him here.
Yes, Your Highness.
We are now sure that he is the ninth prince of Dacheng.
We have also brought in the leader of Bloody Pagoda, Zong Chen.
Headmaster Xin and Prince of Wei, you have done well.
I do not dare take the praise.
Thank you, Father.
But there is something I just don't understand.
Qiu Mingying and Zong Chen
are willing to risk everything
just to keep Zhangsun Hao alive.
That sounds like a lack of judgment.
Headmaster Xin, you're very wise.
Explain it to me.
Your Majesty.
Since you came into power,
the people of Tiansheng have lived in peace and prosperity.
They've already forgotten about Dacheng.
Qiu Mingying has a strong moral compass.
Bloody Pagoda has been defeated and dismantled.
Even if they have something precious, they wouldn't dare be reckless.
Now that Zhangsun Hao is caught,
the previous empire, Dacheng, should be left in the past.
You shouldn't let it bother you, Your Majesty.
Headmaster Xin is very wise.
Yet,
I understand where Father is coming from.
The ninth prince of Dacheng lived in an official's residence.
He has a sister whom you trust, Feng Zhiwei.
Wouldn't it be too careless
to think that the mother and her children
don't want to overthrow Tiansheng?
Then what do you think we should do, Prince of Wei?
Father,
I think since I was too careless
and ruined Headmaster Xin's meticulous plan,
perhaps we should find another way to continue the original plan.
Tell me how we should proceed.
You could put out an announcement that in 15 days,
you will execute Zhangsun Hao and Zong Chen in public.
If Bloody Pagoda is still active, they will try to save them.
Then I will lead the troops myself and plan an ambush.
I will capture all those who are disloyal.
Your Majesty.
I believe that Prince of Wei's plan shows that he lacks discernment.
Prince of Wei's carelessness
has destroyed my own plan before.
We must take advantage of opportunities.
Otherwise, they won't come again.
If we do the same thing again,
I think not only won't Bloody Pagoda fall into the trap,
everyone will know about Zhangsun Hao.
That will give other traitors an opportunity to gather.
It will also taint your reputation, Your Majesty.
It's not a good plan.
Zhangsun Hao is within Your Majesty's control now.
Why don't you use his life
in exchange for the reputation of a wise ruler?
Of course,
Your Majesty
should make the final decision.
Headmaster Xin knows me well.
Since we share the same thoughts,
go do something for me.
Tomorrow, go to the imperial prison and persuade Qiu Mingying
to bring the ninth prince with her
and bow before me.
They shall also order all remnants of Dacheng to give up.
What do you think?
I will comply, Your Majesty.
I will take my leave, Father.
Your Majesty.
Lady Wang sent a message
saying that Madam Xin has been looking depressed all day.
She doesn't know how to console her.
No need to console her.
Xin Ziyan is getting bolder and bolder.
I'll have to see if he still thinks of me as his master.
If he has someone he wants to protect,
I'll use that to my advantage and get him to do what I want.
That's brilliant, Your Majesty.
I'm not very smart. I couldn't even tell.
I'll take my leave now.
Halt!
Prince of Chu has ordered you to meet him at his camp.
Please come with us.
We are here on the Emperor's orders.
Forgive us, but we cannot go.
Let's go!
Sorry about this.
Stop!
-Stay still! -Stop!
Ning Cheng. What's going on?
We're bringing Lu Ming in. We'll find out soon.
Let's go.
-Move! -Take them all!
-Move it! -Get up. Let's go.
Come on.
Your Highness, that's all I know.
Qiu Mingying was captured?
Did the little raccoon go missing because of this?
Let Lu Ming rest now.
Your Highness.
Forgive me for being bold, but...
But I do not dare go against His Majesty's orders.
Please let me take Inspector Feng back to the capital.
-I won't tell-- -If anything happens,
blame it on me.
Don't worry. You may leave now.
Vice Chief,
please.
This way, please.
Your Highness, what are you going to do next?
The little raccoon didn't disappear.
She's heading to the capital to save her mother.
She'll lose her life. This...
-Ning Cheng. -Your Highness.
Gather the soldiers.
We're heading back.
That's not a good idea, Your Highness.
The war you were ordered to end is still raging.
It's a crime to return without the order.
I have a plan.
Gather the soldiers.
We're leaving.
Yes, Your Highness.
-Get up, everyone! -Get up!
-Get up! Hurry! -Get up!
Get up now!
-Get up! -Get up right now!
-Get up, all of you! -Get up now!
-Get up! -Hurry!
Chief Chang, Ning Yi is leaving.
I was worried it was a trick,
so I sent a scout to Jiyang Office and found out
that the Royal Guards did go to Jiyang.
No one knows where Inspector Feng is now.
-Guards. -Yes, my lord.
Ride through the night to see where Ning Yi is going.
Yes, my lord.
Chang Sen.
Take three battalions and most of the luggage with you.
Leave from North Gate.
I'll take the rest and leave from South Gate.
We will leave Xiayang.
Don't worry, Chief Chang.
I'll try to buy you more time.
Please be careful when you leave Xiayang.
Chang Sen.
You are the person I trust the most.
I believe that no matter what happens,
you will come back to my side.
Yes, my lord.
Your Highness, everyone is ready now.
We can leave as soon as you give the order.
After tonight, we'll be back in the capital.
I hope that Tiansheng will never experience war again.
How long has the scout been gone?
Almost half an hour.
Half an hour.
It looks like Chang Zhongxin
isn't willing to give up.
"Chief Chang, your situation right now is like fish swimming in boiling water.
If you insist on letting pride get in the way and running away,
you will regret it when I defeat your army.
Please consider joining our side and leaving your past behind."
PRINCE OF CHU, NING YI
Ning Yi wants me to surrender?
What do you think?
Chief Chang, we are surrounded by his army.
I'm worried
that we won't be able to escape.
"Won't be able to escape"?
Go.
Tell Ning Yi these four words.
"I would rather die."
Do you all understand what I mean here?
-Yes, my lord. -Yes, my lord.
Chang Zhongxin is neither loyal nor honest.
He betrayed his empire.
Tiansheng is kind to all, except to traitors.
I will lead the army and get rid of this bastard.
Are you willing to follow me?
-Yes, Your Highness! -Yes, Your Highness!
-Kill the traitor! -Kill the traitor!
Your Highness, we don't know the situation there.
-We shouldn't be hasty. -I can't wait anymore.
MINHAI
-Charge! -Charge!
The person you wish to protect
is also the one Prince of Chu wishes to protect.
Please cooperate with me
so that we can end this as soon as possible.
Madam Gu.
It's easy to die, but hard to stay alive.
Think about Feng Zhiwei.
Think about Zhangsun Hao, who's only 20 years old.
Think about the Qiu family.
This one decision of yours can save many people.
Have you thought about that?
Headmaster Xin.
How can you not understand?
If I don't want more people to die,
and if I want to save Zhiwei,
the only way is for my son and me to die.
Please, Headmaster Xin,
grant my wish to die.
"Your wish to die"?
It's not that simple, is it?
Headmaster Xin. Am I right?
Prince of Wei.
This...
Could I have a few words with Madam Gu?
Your Highness, that's not a good idea.
You and I both know
that it's a tough task to persuade Qiu Mingying.
That's why His Majesty had me do it.
I finally got her to talk to me.
She's about to give in.
Now you come here and are trying to ruin my whole plan.
Also, before, I almost got to Bloody Pagoda.
But again, you ruined my plan.
Prince of Wei, you keep getting in my way.
Is that what the Emperor wants?
I am acting upon Father's orders to assist you, Headmaster Xin.
-How am I getting in your way? -Fine.
Talk to her, then.
Thank you, Headmaster Xin.
Madam Gu.
Do you know this person?
You may speak freely.
This is an official from West City, Xing Yi.
I pay respect to you.
I don't.
I knew you would say that.
But he already confessed.
He said he knows you.
And he also knows all the members of Bloody Pagoda.
Madam Gu, how would you explain that?
Are you really going to believe a tortured man's words?
If his words are true, why would I not believe him?
Prince of Wei.
Your Highness.
His Majesty ordered us to have the ninth prince of Dacheng
bow and surrender to him.
Please do not complicate the situation.
Headmaster Xin.
I believe that if we don't get rid of Bloody Pagoda,
even if the ninth prince surrenders,
it's not believable.
Get rid of Bloody Pagoda?
How would you do that?
Who is he?
What does he have to do with Qiu Mingying?
Free the ninth prince.
Then, I, Zong Chen, will do whatever you want.
I won't disobey my Father's orders for anyone.
If you let go of Headmaster Xin, I'll let you live.
-Never. -Don't hurt him.
Headmaster Xin,
if anything happens to you today and you are sacrificed for the empire,
I'll tell Father what happened and make sure your family lives well.
Guards.
Kill this traitor.
Prince of Wei, I'm not ready to die yet!
Prince of Wei, I--
-Help me. You-- -You're the one that should die.
Headmaster Xin. It's all my fault.
You must be mortified.
Take the body away.
Madam Gu.
Even if you insist on disobeying orders
to protect Bloody Pagoda,
I can still get rid of them once and for all.
Headmaster Xin.
We both saw what just happened.
If my son and I continue to live,
even you will be in danger.
Only when we die
will other people be able to live.
QINGYOU GO MANUAL
So there are things that even you, Xin Ziyan, cannot accomplish.
Subtitle translation by Sophie Chang