A NETFLIX ORIGINAL SERIES
ADAPTED FROM TIANXIA GUIYUAN'S NOVEL HUANG QUAN
EPISODE 57
Your Majesty.
Was I right?
Bring the fragrance maker to the palace to see me.
Your Majesty,
I have asked her, but the fragrance maker said
she doesn't want to come to the palace.
I'm the Emperor.
I can see whomever I want to see.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Go to the palace tomorrow?
This deal is more profitable than what I had promised.
You should give me a cut, don't you agree?
Yes. That's how business is done.
Every month on the 15th,
go to my mother's palace to get the antidote.
Thank you, Your Highness.
FENGYUN PALACE
Are you the Emperor?
Why?
Is something wrong?
You don't seem terrifying at all.
How dare you? What nonsense!
Are you saying I'm not stately enough?
Speak!
I thought you didn't want to come to the palace.
Why are you here now?
What do you want? Tell me the truth!
I'll tell you the truth.
I didn't do anything bad.
Everyone says you're a good emperor.
You won't punish a good person.
I came to give this to...
To give this to Your Majesty.
Now, you can make the fragrance whenever you want.
You won't have to ask anyone else.
Your Majesty, now that we have the recipe for the fragrance,
I'll send this rude maiden, Yueling,
-back to where she came from. -No rush.
Let me see the recipe.
-Zhao Yuan. -Yes, Your Majesty.
Look at this handwriting.
This is Wei Zhi's...
Your Majesty, I think
that the handwriting looks like that of Princess Shengying,
who married Prince of Jinshi.
Yueling.
Are you willing to stay by my side?
I'm just a woman. If I stay by Your Majesty's side,
what can I do?
I heard that there was a female Royal Inspector.
Stop the nonsense.
Do you think anyone can be a Royal Inspector?
You can stay in the Palace Management Department
-and be a court lady. -Your Majesty.
A court lady? Will I be paid?
Thank His Majesty right now.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
Prince of Chu, you're very energetic. Why did you suddenly want to hunt?
I've been in Jinshi for a while now.
Yet, the fight over the throne still hasn't been concluded.
I can't return to the capital, so I might as well have some fun.
Your Highness, that can't be right.
Who's fighting over the throne?
It's just Helian Zheng daydreaming.
Please.
I don't believe he's here for fun.
Helian Lie, Helian Tu, and I are all here at the hunting grounds.
What is Ning Yi trying to do?
What do you think, Zhiwei?
I don't know either.
But I think your brother is acting kind of weird.
Why?
Helian Tu.
It's as if he doesn't recognize his mother.
He's closer to the wet nurse.
Children start to recognize faces around three years old.
Helian Tu has probably not been around the Queen Dowager for a while.
Do you mean
that Helian Tu was kidnapped by Helian Lie to threaten the Queen Dowager?
It's possible.
We have to save him.
Then the Queen Dowager will tell us the truth.
Helian Lie has control of the army.
Helian Tu is his disguise.
If you take the disguise away, he'll show his real intentions.
Get the troops.
I'm going to capture the fugitive of Jinshi myself.
Yes, Your Highness.
Everyone, come with me.
You're leaving?
A scout found Si Xian hiding in the Si family temple.
I have to capture the fugitive myself.
He's just a nobody.
Does the King Regent have to capture him personally?
You're pinning the blame of killing the prince and princess of Tiansheng
on me alone.
Do it if you want.
But if you miss this good opportunity,
you'll probably have to watch them be a happily married couple.
Fine.
After I kill Ning Yi and Feng Zhiwei,
you'd better be true to your word
and let Helian Zheng and me leave.
So you thought of me again?
Actually, nobody asked you to follow me, right?
The truth is you like me.
That's why you used such an excuse to get close to me.
Didn't you want to meet the head of my family and my brother?
Come.
Drink with me, and if you make me happy,
I'll take you to them.
Did Ning Yi have to drink with you to meet your brother?
Yes.
So, are you going to drink with me or not?
That's Jinshi's strongest wine.
Are... Are you all right?
I finished the wine. Take me to him.
You want to see him? Sure.
Come here.
Come closer.
Gu Nanyi. You should marry me.
On our wedding day,
you'll see not only our head and my brother,
but also everyone else in my family.
-Don't go. -You're full of nonsense.
Nothing you say is true.
It's such a waste of time talking to you.
I'm not full of nonsense.
Everything I say is true.
Let's sit down and talk.
I promise I'll tell you the truth.
Fine. Tell me this.
What are Ning Yi and the Si family planning together?
Ning Yi?
Who is Ning Yi?
Now I can't even ask questions?
He helped Si Xian escape from prison, and you say you don't know him?
You're just lying to me.
I remember now.
Ning Yi is Prince of Chu from Tiansheng, right?
He did meet my brother, Si Yinlun.
What did they talk about?
Well, I wasn't there. How would I know?
Gu Nanyi, listen to me.
Gu Nanyi. Wait for me.
They didn't let me in, but I eavesdropped.
What did you hear?
I... Nothing.
Gu Nanyi. This is all your fault.
No one can hurt you when I'm here.
I knew it. You're my hero.
-Let go. -What did you hear?
I heard...
I didn't hear anything.
If you didn't, then stop talking about it.
Are you playing a joke on me again?
What do you think?
If I trust you again, I'm indeed a complete fool.
Ning Yi.
What are you planning with the Si family?
Today, Si Xian suddenly appeared at their family temple.
Therefore, Helian Lie sent someone to capture him.
On the same day, you invited everyone out to hunt.
If the Si family assassins are waiting nearby,
we'll all be killed here.
I heard that Jinshi women are all skilled archers.
It's easy for them to kill two birds in one shot.
Prince Helian.
If you can beat me,
I'll tell you what we're planning.
Come.
Meiduo, I have something to ask you.
What is it?
I know you like Helian Zheng.
How about I set you up together?
You're very smart, Your Highness.
How about we drink together and have a chat?
Please.
-The hunters are back. -They're back.
What do you mean by this?
I'm sorry. I was distracted.
-Sorry about that. -I'll do it myself.
Let go.
Let go of me!
Helian Lie ordered you to kill Ning Yi and me, right?
Your Majesty, stop crying.
Good boy. Stop crying.
Helian Tu, stop crying.
Your mother is here.
-Your Majesty. -He's not here.
Show us some sympathy.
-You can hold him for a while. -No.
Si Yinlun?
You recognize me?
Helian Tu!
Ning Qi, you are my good brother.
Father, Ning Yi,
all relatives and family members
are people I've bonded with in this lifetime.
Now, all I want to do is study Buddhism.
I want to redeem myself and enjoy good fortune in my next life.
What you said is very enlightening to me.
But you're not here
just to talk about Buddhism, are you?
That's true.
-But not true. -What do you mean?
I mean,
I do have something to ask of you.
Yet,
this favor I'm about to ask you
will end the fate I have with my mother in this lifetime.
We're brothers.
You can tell me anything.
I want to ask you to plead with Father for me
to allow me to pray for my mother in Zhaoqing Palace.
That's what a good son should do.
You're such a thoughtful son.
I am ashamed of myself.
But your favor is not easy to fulfill.
Father doesn't like anyone mentioning the late Noble Consort Chang.
But Ning Sheng, you pray at Qinglong Temple.
That shows your sincerity as well.
To be honest,
my mother died because of me.
Before she died, we weren't able to see each other.
She hasn't been able to rest in peace.
She comes to my dreams every night.
I've been asking Father, but he hasn't responded to me.
I don't think he has forgiven us yet.
I have no choice, but to come and ask you.
Please do me this favor.
Any word of the Queen Dowager and Helian Tu?
When Father died,
I wasn't in Jinshi. I couldn't help.
That's how I've been comforting myself.
But today,
Helian Tu was taken away right in front of my eyes.
I'm such a useless man.
I still remember how the Tiansheng princes fought over the throne,
by fighting and plotting against each other.
Helian Tu has stolen the throne from you,
yet you still care about the safety of your younger brother.
You must be the kindest person in the world.
How would you be useless?
What are you doing?
I'm going to see Ning Yi.
He planned this and captured the Queen Dowager and Helian Tu.
That's right.
The hunting event was also his idea.
It's not a coincidence that the Si family assassins were hiding there.
He helped Si Xian escape from prison.
Ning Yi does seem suspicious.
But if he planned this whole thing,
-what could be his goal? -How would I know?
Maybe it's to capture Helian Tu
and conquer Jinshi.
Or maybe like you said,
he thinks I could be so cold-blooded,
that I would kill Helian Tu for the throne.
He's wrong.
If he doesn't return Helian Tu to me by tonight,
I'll kill him, even if I lose my life.
We don't know where Helian Tu is. If you and Ning Yi both die,
regardless of how Tiansheng will react,
Jinshi will fall into the hands of Helian Lie, who killed your father.
What?
You know how my father died?
Today at the hunting grounds, Liu Meiduo tried to poison me to death.
I caught her and brought her here.
I forced her to tell me the truth.
How evil.
How did you make her talk?
I just told her the truth.
Meiduo,
Helian Zheng and I are a fake couple.
But there is only you in his heart.
But he's not in mine.
That's why we're only a couple on paper.
If you really like him, you should help him.
Tell him the truth when he needs it.
Help him get revenge and the throne.
Show him that you care.
I can't control his emotions,
but I know how kind he is.
You again?
Is this for me?
Why did you take it back?
When you give someone a gift, you don't take it back.
Why are you so stingy?
Give it to me.
Gu Nanyi. Can't you be more like a man?
I know.
You're not done with it yet.
I know that you're just faking it.
You don't really have the skills.
Never mind then.
Look at how considerate I am. I don't want to embarrass you.
I never embarrass myself when it comes to sword-wielding skills.
Is that so?
Let me see, then.
Thank you for your gift. I'll take it now.
Give it back.
Come get it then.
Come and get it yourself.
You're shameless.
What do you mean?
I gave you such a huge gift.
Yet all you give me is a walnut.
And I'm the one who's shameless?
What gift?
You're such an idiot.
A letter?
It's a love letter.
If you don't like it, just rip it up.
If you ruin everything, don't regret it.
"To Feng Zhiwei"?
A gift?
The Jinshi Tiger Token?
QINGLONG TEMPLE
Is Father unhappy with you?
Why did he only make you a court lady?
Or are you
playing a trick on me?
I made a wish in front of Buddha just now.
Do you want to know what it is?
I wished that every time His Majesty sees me,
he can be as happy as when he first met me.
If you're so confident,
I have a favor to ask of you.
Of course, Your Highness.
My brother, Ning Sheng, has asked me
to let him pray for his mother in Zhaoqing Palace.
I'm sure that there's something he wants in Zhaoqing Palace.
Could you persuade my father to let him in the palace?
Don't worry.
I'll persuade His Majesty
and I'll come with Ning Sheng myself to see what is hidden in Zhaoqing Palace.
You're very considerate, Lady Yue.
No wonder my father likes you.
I'll wait for the good news.
I also want to know
what Ning Sheng's secret is.
Back then, I fell into Chang Yuan's hands.
He forced me to write a confession letter and took away my fish amulet.
Do you think the amulet is still in Zhaoqing Palace?
My contacts in Minhai have been looking for it,
but they never found it.
It might be the secret Ning Sheng was looking for.
But I'm not sure how much he knows about it.
Don't worry.
I won't let anyone get that token and threaten you.
Prince of Chu.
You lost.
I told you, you can't get both things at once.
But you didn't win either.
The person who ruined your life, Liu Meiduo, hasn't been punished yet.
It's too soon to say who has won.
Prince of Chu,
I did what you asked me to.
What about you?
Who are you to tell me who won and who lost?
I told you.
If you choose to be your own prisoner,
no matter where you go, you'll always be alone.
Si Yinlun.
Why can't you forgive Liu Mudan, her son, and yourself?
I can help negotiate,
so that Liu Meiduo will be punished. She'll confess to what she did.
Then, you can leave this temple,
leave your nightmare, and put down your shackles.
I am the eldest son of the Si family. I'm the next head,
but Liu Meiduo framed me.
Now people think of me as a lustful bastard.
I was locked up here and my face was ruined.
Innocence?
I don't need that anymore. Do you understand?
Nobody can give me what I've lost.
Nobody can give me my pride and dignity!
Your Highness.
No need to waste time with him. We've rescued Liu Mudan and her son.
Ning Qing and Ning Zhuo escorted them back.
Very well.
Ning Yi!
You're a liar.
You're one of them.
You are all criminals.
I'm going to kill you!
I'll kill you!
Si Yinlun.
Is it worth ruining your whole life because of one false accusation?
Remember,
the light in your heart is more important than hatred.
Do you understand?
Nonsense.
There is no light in this world.
Let go!
Don't hurt my brother. He's not a bad person.
Si Yinlun, did you know?
You're a sad person.
You really are.
I don't need your pity!
A death row prisoner escaped from prison.
We tried to find him, but there was no sight of him.
The Queen Dowager and the new King were taken away.
There must be traitors in Jinshi right now.
This all started
when Helian Zheng returned.
You are right.
There must be traitors in Jinshi.
Everything did start when I returned.
Because of my return, the traitor started to feel anxious
while sitting on the throne.
Helian Zheng, you and your petty words.
One month is up.
What have you discovered?
I can prove
that the late King was poisoned and killed by you, Helian Lie.
Guards.
Arrest them!
Helian Zheng!
Are you trying to overthrow me?
I have the Jinshi Tiger Token.
If I wanted to assassinate you, it wouldn't be a problem.
But I am not you.
I wouldn't do something so dishonorable.
Helian Lie.
Now,
I will show everyone who you really are in the palace today
in front of all officials and in front of everyone!
Meiduo, carry on.
Prince Helian Zheng
was ordered to go to Tiansheng by the late King.
Soon after he left Jinshi,
the late King was diagnosed with blood and qi deficiency.
The imperial doctor gave him medication to take every day.
I'm sure all the officials know about this.
-Yes. -That's right.
What you don't know
was that the doctor
was bribed by Helian Lie.
He put poison in the medication.
How dare he?
-Helian Lie. -That's treason.
Do you admit your crime?
My father was a kind person.
Since you are his only brother,
I can let you live.
He's like a loose kite.
Do you think he'll come back to you?
That's my business.
If you get rid of Ning Yi and Feng Zhiwei,
I'll let Helian Zheng live.
I'll tell him to take you away and start a new life.
Liu Meiduo
-is falsely accusing me. -I'm telling the truth.
Why do you say that?
The truth?
Very well. Let me ask you this.
Back then, did you frame your fiancé, Si Yinlun?
You twisted the truth and framed him for raping you.
Because of you, his face was scarred. He's still locked up in his family temple.
You ruined his life.
What?
Can't talk now?
Is it true or not?
Back then,
I just didn't want to marry him. I didn't know it would be so serious.
I didn't mean to.
The reason you framed Si Yinlun
and the reason you are framing me right now
is the same, isn't it?
It's because of the person you love,
Helian Zheng.
-Really? -Why are you looking at me like that?
I'm telling the truth.
Why are you looking at me like that?
-I'm telling the truth! -Liu Meiduo!
Is what he said true?
About the rape.
You framed Si Yinlun.
Your Highness,
I did all of it for you.
Your Highness, everything I do is for you.
Did you two also kill
the Queen Dowager and the new King?
Helian Zheng.
You stole the Tiger Token for the throne
and captured the Queen Dowager and the new King.
The heaven sees everything.
My good brothers of Jinshi,
are you really willing
to listen to this disloyal and dishonest thief?
Will you be tricked by the two lovers
who are eyeing the throne of Jinshi?
Helian Lie!
Why are you looking at me like that?
I just made a tiny mistake.
But he...
He killed the late King.
-Liu Meiduo is a liar. -I just made a mistake.
Who would believe her?
Where are the guards?
Capture them!
Stop!
If you don't believe Liu Meiduo's words,
what about my words?
Meiduo.
Tell me.
Was the King killed by Helian Lie?
Tell me.
Why did you hide it from me?
-Mudan... -Why didn't you tell me?
-Why? -Mudan.
I was scared.
Mudan.
I'm scared too.
But I can't make any more mistakes.
When the late King passed away,
Helian Tu was taken away from me.
Helian Lie controls him and threatens me with him.
He faked the late King's royal edict!
-He threatened her and faked the edict? -How could he?
That's terrible!
-Yes. -That's true.
I am weak.
I compromised and gave in.
But now that I know you killed the late King,
I would rather let Helian Tu die
than have him be controlled by the man who killed his father!
Prince Helian Zheng, this is the late King's royal edict.
Please accept the throne.
Prince Helian Zheng,
please follow the royal edict
and take the throne.
You may all rise.
I will choose a suitable date
and follow Father's orders
to take the throne.
-Meiduo. -Meiduo.
-Sansun, capture Helian Lie!
Subtitle translation by Sophie Chang