WEBVTT 00:08.480 --> 00:14.200 [Accumulate Merit and Virtue] 00:14.200 --> 00:20.480 The abbot has said that if you have come to burn incense and worship Buddha, this temple welcomes you. 00:20.480 --> 00:22.800 But if you seek answers to worldly affairs from the past, 00:22.800 --> 00:28.200 he will not create more karmic entanglements, nor should you torment yourself further. 00:35.200 --> 00:38.000 You fool! 00:38.800 --> 00:42.680 You fool! How could you be so foolish? 00:42.680 --> 00:44.480 Brother. 00:52.080 --> 00:55.280 I only just learned that Father kept a mistress here. 00:58.600 --> 01:00.840 This is none of your business! 01:00.840 --> 01:02.000 Father... 01:02.000 --> 01:05.160 Father, I know you're hurting and upset, just take it out on me instead. 01:05.160 --> 01:06.920 There have been too many misunderstandings between you and Brother. 01:06.920 --> 01:08.640 I don't want the hatred between you to grow deeper. 01:08.640 --> 01:11.960 Just blame everything on me instead, for the sake of our family. 01:13.120 --> 01:14.920 You... 01:18.320 --> 01:20.120 Your Grace! 01:20.920 --> 01:24.080 Your Grace, we found this in the woman's room. 01:30.000 --> 01:32.920 The tassel on my belt went missing, so I had a maid to make one for me. 01:32.920 --> 01:36.040 But it turned out terrible, so I am burning it. 01:39.040 --> 01:43.720 The tassel you burned was her gift. 01:43.720 --> 01:45.120 Father... 01:45.120 --> 01:47.200 Father brought me here once to learn the flute. 01:47.200 --> 01:49.800 She gave me the tassel to curry favor. 01:49.800 --> 01:51.320 You caught me when I was trying to burn it that day. 01:51.320 --> 01:53.840 I didn't mean to lie, I just... 01:54.680 --> 01:57.480 Brother, you can read facial expressions. 01:57.480 --> 02:00.080 You must know I'm not lying. 02:02.040 --> 02:06.280 You've always been the person I respect most. 02:06.280 --> 02:08.680 Every family has its skeletons. 02:08.680 --> 02:12.760 I just don't understand why you insist on digging up all this muck and are making it worse. 02:12.760 --> 02:18.160 The Duke of Ying's household isn't just skeletons and muck. 02:23.440 --> 02:25.960 Do you think that now this woman is dead, 02:26.800 --> 02:33.720 I'll stop digging, pretend nothing happened, and reconcile with him? 02:33.720 --> 02:36.120 But he's still our father! 02:39.000 --> 02:42.160 Guards, escort the second son back to Yizhi Hall. 02:42.160 --> 02:44.400 - Take him away. - Brother... 02:44.400 --> 02:46.200 Brother! 02:47.240 --> 02:49.320 I... 02:49.320 --> 02:51.600 - Come on. Walk! - Brother! 02:51.600 --> 02:53.720 Brother! 02:53.720 --> 02:56.800 Mother was your wife for twenty years. 02:56.800 --> 03:00.720 You didn't even shed a tear when she died. 03:00.720 --> 03:04.280 It turns out your heart belonged to someone else all along. 03:04.280 --> 03:07.480 Makes sense. You're selfish and cowardly. 03:07.480 --> 03:09.600 If you hadn't really loved her, 03:09.600 --> 03:13.040 you would never have dared to secretly keep a woman tied to a family with a criminal past. 03:22.560 --> 03:24.840 So what if she's from such a family? 03:24.840 --> 03:27.800 I found someone I loved and kept her outside. 03:27.800 --> 03:31.320 Who are you, as my son, to pass judgment? 03:31.320 --> 03:34.160 I feel sorry for Mother. 04:09.240 --> 04:14.080 Fate and karma unfold as they will, yet you insist on defying destiny. 04:17.200 --> 04:22.200 Please inform the abbot that Ji Yong requests an audience. 04:25.120 --> 04:28.600 [Accumulate Merit and Virtue] 04:28.600 --> 04:30.320 The abbot asks, years ago, 04:30.320 --> 04:35.760 Emperor Taizong ascended to the throne through a bloody purge in the capital. 04:35.760 --> 04:40.560 Later, he commissioned this temple to pray for the souls of the departed. 04:40.560 --> 04:43.680 To the world, it seems he did a great service to future generations. 04:43.680 --> 04:45.480 What do you think? 04:46.240 --> 04:50.120 Emperor Taizong simply sought to ease his own conscience. 04:50.120 --> 04:54.040 Regardless of his original intent, 04:55.240 --> 04:58.240 ultimately, he did something good for the people. 04:58.240 --> 05:01.280 A century passes in the blink of an eye. 05:01.280 --> 05:07.440 Does the original motive truly matter to those living today? 05:07.440 --> 05:09.400 Are you suggesting that since Li Yaoniang has been 05:09.400 --> 05:13.200 worshiping Buddha here for over a decade, regardless of her reasons, 05:13.200 --> 05:16.240 everything from back then should just be buried and forgotten? 05:16.240 --> 05:22.520 Li Yaoniang entrusted her secret to this temple to avoid further bloodshed. 05:22.520 --> 05:25.880 And for someone like you, Dou Zhao, with a kind heart, 05:25.880 --> 05:28.200 you must know that the truth can harm others and yourself. 05:28.200 --> 05:31.040 Some things from the past are better left unasked. 05:31.040 --> 05:36.000 There's an old saying, "To do good with intent may go unrewarded, 05:36.000 --> 05:38.760 and to do evil without intent may go unpunished." 05:38.760 --> 05:43.120 By your reasoning, Emperor Taizong's redemption lays in 05:43.120 --> 05:47.920 his willingness to acknowledge his past actions, repent for the lives lost, 05:47.920 --> 05:52.880 and bring peace and prosperity to his people as atonement. 05:52.880 --> 05:58.240 But if someone deliberately buries the truth under the guise of repentance, 05:58.240 --> 06:04.640 while the innocent continue to suffer, where is the justice in that? 06:10.440 --> 06:13.960 Your Grace, we've got the entire estate under control. 06:13.960 --> 06:16.280 Li Yaoniang's death was supposed to be handled by the Office of State Affairs 06:16.280 --> 06:17.960 or the Ministry of Justice. 06:17.960 --> 06:20.320 Keeping them confined in Yizhi Hall might not be appropriate. 06:20.320 --> 06:23.640 Your uncles have gone to the palace to seek help. 06:25.120 --> 06:31.280 They're quick to act, which only proves the truth is worth me stepping out of line for. 06:31.280 --> 06:35.880 If people from the palace come, they can serve as witnesses. 06:39.640 --> 06:44.560 18 years ago, Li Yaoniang and my mother were both pregnant. 06:44.560 --> 06:47.760 She frequently visited Wanfo Temple, and as fate would have it, 06:47.760 --> 06:51.120 my mother was startled into premature labor there. 06:52.280 --> 06:57.320 Li Yaoniang is Song Han's real mother, isn't she? 06:58.320 --> 07:00.880 You've lost your mind. 07:00.880 --> 07:03.080 This is baseless nonsense. 07:03.080 --> 07:05.560 It's written clearly on the records. 07:05.560 --> 07:07.920 Li Yaoniang was from an official's family in Futing. 07:07.920 --> 07:11.160 During that time, you were stationed in Futing with the army. 07:11.160 --> 07:15.720 When her entire family was imprisoned, there are records of you visiting her twice in jail. 07:15.720 --> 07:20.560 If she wasn't Song Han's biological mother, why would she have the same style of tassel as him? 07:21.160 --> 07:24.080 You two clearly had a history. 07:28.720 --> 07:30.520 Song Mo, 07:32.000 --> 07:36.520 you're just afraid that Han'er might take your place as the heir, aren't you? 07:36.520 --> 07:39.280 That's why you're fabricating such slander against him. 07:39.280 --> 07:43.320 Don't forget, he's your brother. 07:43.320 --> 07:45.760 Do you think this is what your mother would have wanted? 07:47.120 --> 07:51.240 You're spewing such lies in front of Mother's memorial tablet. 07:51.240 --> 07:54.000 Don't you feel even an ounce of shame? 07:56.920 --> 08:00.040 Your argument is compelling. 08:00.040 --> 08:01.840 However, what transpired today 08:01.840 --> 08:05.440 may not have stemmed entirely from Li Yaoniang's intentions. 08:13.960 --> 08:17.920 What is right for one may be wrong for another, such is the nature of all things. 08:17.920 --> 08:21.680 Your measure of intent may differ from mine, 08:21.680 --> 08:24.840 yet it doesn't diminish that our intentions are both good. 08:25.800 --> 08:31.040 I implore you to tell us the truth, and bring justice to both families. 08:41.080 --> 08:48.240 Since you insist, perhaps fate has chosen you to resolve this grievance. 08:48.240 --> 08:51.680 18 years ago, on the day of Jingzhe, 08:51.680 --> 08:56.080 Madam Li and Lady Jiang were indeed at Wanfo Temple. 08:56.080 --> 09:02.080 Li Yaoniang came with a one-month-old infant, 09:02.080 --> 09:05.280 claiming she wished to pray for blessings. 09:05.280 --> 09:09.320 Meanwhile, the Duchess of Ying, Lady Jiang, gave birth prematurely in the temple. 09:09.320 --> 09:14.080 The Duke of Ying announced that she delivered a son, 09:14.080 --> 09:22.800 but I saw clearly, that she gave birth to a daughter. 09:28.440 --> 09:32.080 Father, am I really not Mother's son? 09:32.080 --> 09:33.800 That's absurd! 09:33.800 --> 09:36.680 Han'er was recorded as Huisun's legitimate son in the family registry. 09:36.680 --> 09:41.960 And you're basing this nonsense on a mere tassel? 09:42.560 --> 09:47.720 Have you heard of a bone blood test? 09:47.720 --> 09:51.040 A drop of living blood placed on the bones of the deceased, 09:51.040 --> 09:55.840 if it seeps in, it confirms a blood relation. 10:03.680 --> 10:06.440 Huisun has already been laid to rest. 10:06.440 --> 10:07.920 Are you going to exhume her now? 10:07.920 --> 10:10.800 You think I would desecrate my mother's grave for you? 10:10.800 --> 10:12.600 Bring her in. 10:20.680 --> 10:22.400 Don't touch her! 10:22.400 --> 10:24.080 Where should I cut? 10:24.080 --> 10:26.320 - The skull? - Don't touch her! 10:26.320 --> 10:27.680 Or the leg bone? 10:27.680 --> 10:30.000 Leave her alone! 10:31.320 --> 10:35.920 Look at these hands, so elegant from playing the zither. 10:36.840 --> 10:38.760 You wouldn't dare! 10:40.800 --> 10:42.880 What wouldn't I dare? 10:43.680 --> 10:45.440 Stop! 10:45.440 --> 10:47.440 I didn't betray your mother. 10:47.440 --> 10:51.360 The only person I've ever wronged in my life is her. 11:06.200 --> 11:10.520 Li Yaoniang was her stage name at the Bureau of Music. 11:10.520 --> 11:14.520 Her real name was Li Shuyao, daughter of the prefect of Futing. 11:14.520 --> 11:18.960 Back then, I was merely an illegitimate son stationed outside the Duke's estate. 11:19.960 --> 11:25.200 I first met her by the seaside in Futing. 11:26.400 --> 11:30.440 I played the sheng*, and she accompanied me with her flute. (A hand-held free-reed mouth organ made from a dried gourd and 13 or more bamboo pipes) 11:30.440 --> 11:33.960 Our harmony was perfect. 11:33.960 --> 11:36.800 We promised to be together forever. 11:37.840 --> 11:44.640 But everything was destroyed by Jiang Meisun. 11:44.640 --> 11:50.960 He led troops to raid the Li family, and ruined Shuyao's life. 11:53.120 --> 11:56.280 Fate plays cruel tricks. 11:56.280 --> 12:02.320 During the imperial hunt, His Majesty decreed that I marry the sister of my enemy. 12:02.320 --> 12:07.120 The titles, career, and wealth I had pursued for years, 12:07.120 --> 12:10.080 I gained it all in an instant. 12:10.080 --> 12:14.680 Yet, despite it all, I met her again in the Bureau of Music... 12:16.520 --> 12:21.000 and we had a child together. 12:24.480 --> 12:26.400 I've reviewed the case file. 12:26.400 --> 12:31.640 The Li family was punished for embezzlement in accordance with the law. 12:31.640 --> 12:38.200 You claim guilt toward her, but what about my mother? 12:40.920 --> 12:47.000 She died without ever holding her own child. 12:51.360 --> 12:53.280 Where is that child? 12:58.680 --> 13:00.480 Tell me! 13:02.520 --> 13:04.840 That child died long ago. 13:04.840 --> 13:07.160 That child was Jiang Meisun's debt to me! 13:07.160 --> 13:09.800 If he hadn't led a raid against the Li family, 13:09.800 --> 13:12.640 would I have ended up in this wretched state? 13:12.640 --> 13:17.240 Han'er should have been my legitimate heir! 13:18.240 --> 13:20.680 My uncle acted according to the law, and my mother treated you with sincerity. 13:20.680 --> 13:22.840 You owe them two lives. 13:22.840 --> 13:25.720 No, three. 13:25.720 --> 13:28.080 Brother, Father was just speaking out of anger. 13:28.080 --> 13:30.080 Family ties can't be severed. 13:30.080 --> 13:34.560 Besides, His Majesty himself wished for our family to live in harmony. 13:34.560 --> 13:38.040 If you have even a shred of conscience left, tell me the truth. 13:38.040 --> 13:41.440 Who rescued Li Yaoniang from the Bureau of Music for you? 13:41.440 --> 13:43.200 I got her out myself! 13:43.200 --> 13:44.600 Still lying! 13:44.600 --> 13:47.800 You got a courtesan out of the Bureau of Music, and hid her in the capital for years. 13:47.800 --> 13:50.680 Such a scheme couldn't succeed without powerful assistance. 13:51.360 --> 13:56.080 You killed my mother because she discovered Li's existence. 13:56.080 --> 13:58.040 She was my wife. 13:58.040 --> 14:00.160 How could I possibly kill her? 14:00.160 --> 14:01.840 She died of illness! 14:01.840 --> 14:05.800 If it wasn't your intent, it must be the one backing you who ordered it. 14:05.800 --> 14:09.560 They killed my uncle, fearing the power of the Jiang family supporting my mother. 14:09.560 --> 14:12.640 - Am I wrong? - Nonsense! 14:12.640 --> 14:16.240 You want revenge so badly that you've lost your mind! 14:19.080 --> 14:21.160 You're right about that. 14:25.280 --> 14:27.240 Bring it in. 14:36.080 --> 14:41.120 The licorice candies conflicted with the spurges in Mother's prescription. 14:41.120 --> 14:42.680 You're the one who bought them. 14:42.680 --> 14:45.760 You're the one who killed her! 14:46.600 --> 14:48.080 I'm not a doctor. 14:48.080 --> 14:51.160 How would I know the two would conflict? 14:51.160 --> 14:53.000 They were just sweets. 14:53.000 --> 14:57.400 As the head of the household, how could I possibly oversee every detail? 14:58.120 --> 15:01.080 - So you deny it? - I have no crime to confess! 15:03.400 --> 15:04.840 You saw it. 15:04.840 --> 15:06.840 He left me with no choice. 15:07.440 --> 15:09.080 Take him to the main hall! 15:09.080 --> 15:10.800 - Yes, Your Grace! - Brother! 15:10.800 --> 15:12.080 - Brother... - You... 15:12.080 --> 15:13.880 - Walk! - Walk! 15:16.000 --> 15:19.000 This is an old case buried in the past, tied to the secrets of a noble family. 15:19.000 --> 15:21.080 Intervening now will only breed resentment. 15:21.080 --> 15:23.040 Why don't we stay here? 15:23.040 --> 15:26.840 I'll warm some tea, and we can discuss a proper strategy. 15:27.720 --> 15:31.160 Yantang is blinded by hatred now. 15:31.160 --> 15:33.160 He's going to kill Song Yichun. 15:33.160 --> 15:35.720 I have to stop him. 15:35.720 --> 15:37.920 Arrows soaked in blood, vengeance left hollow, 15:37.920 --> 15:39.920 and betrayal tearing apart the family. 15:39.920 --> 15:42.280 Song Mo killed his father and brother in one night, turning his hair white overnight. 15:42.280 --> 15:46.000 Could it all have started with Li Yaoniang's death? 15:51.040 --> 15:52.880 What's done is done. 15:52.880 --> 15:54.600 Even if you stop him now, 15:54.600 --> 15:57.520 you might stop this now, but you can't change the course of destiny. 15:57.520 --> 16:01.240 Even if my efforts are insignificant, even if I can't change fate, 16:01.240 --> 16:03.960 I'll stay by his side and face it with him. 16:16.760 --> 16:20.920 That mantis is so fortunate to have you. 16:22.320 --> 16:24.080 Brother... Brother! 16:24.080 --> 16:27.320 All I know is that Jiang Huisun is the mother who raised me, 16:27.320 --> 16:31.160 Song Yichun is our father, and you are the brother I've always admired most. 16:31.160 --> 16:34.280 This family is etched into my very bones. 16:34.280 --> 16:35.880 You're still pleading for him. 16:35.880 --> 16:37.560 I'm thinking of you. 16:37.560 --> 16:42.400 If your hatred runs that deep, I'll take my own life right now without saying more. 16:45.960 --> 16:50.360 If you really think of me as your brother, tell me the truth. 16:50.360 --> 16:52.920 When did you realize the truth? 16:53.760 --> 16:55.960 Today. 16:55.960 --> 16:58.080 I had felt something was off before, 16:58.080 --> 17:02.440 but after Mother was gone, I was scared you'd abandon me, too. 17:02.440 --> 17:04.920 So I pretended nothing was wrong. 17:09.320 --> 17:11.240 Brother! Stop this. 17:11.240 --> 17:13.480 Please. 17:13.480 --> 17:15.360 Do you remember this? 17:16.680 --> 17:20.400 You gave me this dagger and said you'd take me to the battlefield one day. 17:20.400 --> 17:22.320 This is a dagger confiscated from the pirates. 17:22.320 --> 17:24.480 It's yours now. 17:24.480 --> 17:25.560 Thank you, Brother. 17:25.560 --> 17:26.760 I know you love roasted venison. 17:26.760 --> 17:29.520 I was planning to hunt a deer for you tomorrow. 17:29.520 --> 17:30.600 That's nice. 17:30.600 --> 17:32.320 If I get to eat the deer you hunt, 17:32.320 --> 17:36.600 I promise to ask Father to take you to Futing and earn some military merits next year. 17:36.600 --> 17:39.160 Deal! You better keep your word! 17:39.160 --> 17:42.920 - Mother was still around at that time. - Don't you dare bring up Mother! 17:42.920 --> 17:45.120 Uncle was killed before he could see His Majesty, 17:45.120 --> 17:47.600 Mother was betrayed and insulted. 17:47.600 --> 17:52.040 If I can't even protect my own family, what kind of son am I? 17:52.040 --> 17:58.600 Even if the world condemns me today, I will demand justice and fairness. 17:58.600 --> 18:00.880 Brother... 18:00.880 --> 18:04.920 For my sake, please spare Father. 18:13.000 --> 18:18.320 If you still see me as your brother, return to Xixiang House. 18:18.320 --> 18:19.560 - Take him away. - Yes, sir! 18:19.560 --> 18:23.720 Brother... Brother... Brother! 18:23.720 --> 18:25.520 Brother! 18:37.120 --> 18:39.040 Release me! 18:41.120 --> 18:43.240 I am the Duke of Ying! 18:43.240 --> 18:45.960 This case falls under His Majesty's judgment. You have no authority to deal with me! 18:45.960 --> 18:51.240 Fine. Then confess everything, who's behind all of this? 18:52.080 --> 18:55.080 So that's what you're after? 18:55.080 --> 18:58.280 All right then, do it. 19:07.720 --> 19:10.480 Even God is helping me. 19:10.480 --> 19:14.720 If your mother were still alive, she would never let you do this! 19:14.720 --> 19:16.080 How dare you bring her up! 19:16.080 --> 19:19.240 Shuyao has always been the only one I love. 19:19.240 --> 19:22.160 Jiang Huisun meant nothing to me, she was just a means to an end. 19:22.160 --> 19:28.520 Having you with her is the biggest regret of my life! 19:30.640 --> 19:33.080 - Your Grace? - Your Grace! 19:33.080 --> 19:34.880 You can't even hold your blade steady. 19:34.880 --> 19:39.280 The more you hate, the more pain you feel, don't you? 19:40.720 --> 19:45.360 Poison... When did you poison me? 19:46.200 --> 19:51.280 When did you notice your first strand of white hair? 19:51.280 --> 19:54.040 That day, I only meant to give you a small punishment, 19:54.040 --> 19:56.520 but Lv Zheng went behind my back and added poison. 19:56.520 --> 19:59.800 As for who's behind all this, you'll never need to know. 19:59.800 --> 20:01.880 The staff was laced with poison. 20:01.880 --> 20:08.000 When the poison seeps into your bones, and turns all your hair white, 20:08.000 --> 20:11.360 your time will be up. 20:14.320 --> 20:17.560 Yantang! Stop right now! 20:18.640 --> 20:21.640 Yantang, don't do anything reckless. 20:22.840 --> 20:26.840 I swore to protect you for the rest of my life, 20:26.840 --> 20:32.000 yet here I am, trapped in a web of lies, unable to even protect my own family. 20:32.000 --> 20:34.040 That's not true. 20:34.040 --> 20:37.000 You can't let cruel fate drive you into darkness. 20:37.000 --> 20:40.160 If the heavens are unjust, I'll claim justice myself! 20:40.160 --> 20:42.280 Do it! 20:45.960 --> 20:50.400 No matter how hard or painful the road ahead may be, 20:50.400 --> 20:53.120 I'll walk it with you. 20:57.880 --> 20:59.680 Yantang! 21:00.360 --> 21:02.160 Yantang! 21:03.400 --> 21:05.200 Yantang... 21:05.920 --> 21:08.840 Orders from His Majesty! 21:08.840 --> 21:15.760 His Majesty commands the Duke of Ying and his son to appear before him in court. 21:15.760 --> 21:17.760 Go ahead, kill me! 21:17.760 --> 21:23.080 If you do it now, you'll be guilty of defying an imperial order, punishable by death! 21:27.160 --> 21:32.880 His Majesty has instructed that if you are injured or ill, you shall be treated in the palace. 21:32.880 --> 21:34.800 Your Grace! 21:38.520 --> 21:41.320 Yantang! 21:41.320 --> 21:46.120 - Yantang! - Madam, until summoned, you are to remain here. 21:48.280 --> 21:50.280 Madam! 21:50.280 --> 21:52.400 Yantang! 21:56.760 --> 22:01.080 Your Majesty, His Grace has been poisoned with Grudgebane. 22:01.080 --> 22:03.880 This poison is exceedingly rare. 22:03.880 --> 22:07.680 At first, there are no symptoms, the pulse remains steady, 22:07.680 --> 22:10.160 but the hair will turn white prematurely. 22:10.160 --> 22:14.240 Once symptoms manifest, the pain is excruciating, as if seeping into the bones. 22:14.240 --> 22:19.240 When the hair is fully white, death is inevitable. 22:22.680 --> 22:25.480 He is barely past his youth. 22:29.720 --> 22:31.880 Is there any cure for this poison? 22:31.880 --> 22:33.600 The poison is called Grudgebane. 22:33.600 --> 22:37.560 A heart free of resentment and hatred could ease the pain. 22:37.560 --> 22:42.280 But with Lord Song in his current state, 22:42.280 --> 22:48.120 even with the finest remedies, he has at most... a year to live. 23:01.200 --> 23:03.600 Your Majesty! When the poison takes hold, the afflicted 23:03.600 --> 23:05.680 will become uncontrollable, violent, and deranged. 23:05.680 --> 23:08.880 Your Majesty, for your safety, you must not go near him. 23:08.880 --> 23:10.800 Your Majesty! 23:10.800 --> 23:13.960 I want him to live a long life. 23:13.960 --> 23:18.520 If you can't find a cure within a year and he dies, 23:18.520 --> 23:20.920 all of you will share his fate. 23:20.920 --> 23:23.400 As you command. 23:23.400 --> 23:28.160 If word of His Grace's poisoning gets out, you know what will happen. 23:28.160 --> 23:30.920 I understand. 23:37.920 --> 23:41.920 Uncle, I won't let that mistress into our home. 23:41.920 --> 23:45.520 He's the one who switched Mother's child. 23:45.520 --> 23:50.040 There must be someone behind him. Find them. Find them. 23:50.040 --> 23:53.520 - Yantang... - Uncle... 23:53.520 --> 23:57.160 It's my fault. I couldn't protect Mother. 23:57.160 --> 24:01.480 - Punish me. Blame me, Uncle. - Please wake up, Your Grace. 24:01.480 --> 24:05.280 This is His Majesty. Remember your place. 24:05.280 --> 24:09.120 Yantang, you'll be fine. 24:09.120 --> 24:14.320 Your mother and uncle's deaths will not be in vain. 24:15.920 --> 24:22.600 Your Majesty, the matters of the Duke of Ying still awaits your judgment. 24:41.320 --> 24:45.360 Eunuch Wang! Eunuch Wang, please show mercy! 24:45.360 --> 24:47.640 Li Yaoniang took her own life. 24:47.640 --> 24:51.120 Without living witnesses, there's no way to prove these accusations hold weight! 24:51.120 --> 24:53.040 Eunuch Wang! 24:53.040 --> 24:55.240 Eunuch Wang, our family's ancestors risked their lives 24:55.240 --> 24:57.080 to follow the late emperor and secure the foundations of this empire. 24:57.080 --> 25:01.200 That loyalty earned us the Duke of Ying title and generations of honor. 25:01.200 --> 25:06.240 Surely a mistake over an illegitimate child doesn't warrant taking my second brother's life! 25:06.240 --> 25:09.480 Orders from His Majesty! 25:14.000 --> 25:17.800 The Duke of Ying, Song Yichun, is guilty of adultery, 25:17.800 --> 25:21.760 child-swapping, and violating the sanctity of lineage. 25:21.760 --> 25:25.880 He is hereby stripped of his title as the Commander of Warden's Office of the Five Wards 25:25.880 --> 25:30.400 but retains his title to reflect on his misdeeds. 25:31.520 --> 25:38.280 I am deeply ashamed and accept my punishment. 25:38.280 --> 25:44.800 But my son, Song Han, was neither complicit nor aware. 25:44.800 --> 25:48.760 I plead for Your Majesty's mercy 25:48.760 --> 25:52.280 to preserve his place in the family register. 25:54.920 --> 25:59.080 Propriety and ethics are the pillars of the nation. 25:59.080 --> 26:02.240 The distinction between legitimate and illegitimate heirs is the bedrock of familial and societal order. 26:02.240 --> 26:05.560 The switched legitimate daughter of yours remains missing. 26:05.560 --> 26:12.280 What mercy does His Majesty owe to the spawn of an illicit affair? 26:30.160 --> 26:33.800 This one is for calming agitation and stress, and this one is for colds. 26:33.800 --> 26:35.680 Make sure you don't mix them up. 26:35.680 --> 26:39.360 You're clearly frazzled. Brewing each dose individually? 26:39.360 --> 26:41.360 Doesn't the Imperial Academy of Medicine have these medicines? 26:41.360 --> 26:44.960 Did you send Su Lan to ask me down the mountain just for this? 26:46.040 --> 26:49.200 Su Xin, fetch some more spring water. 26:49.200 --> 26:50.800 Yes, Madam. 26:53.960 --> 26:58.560 No matter what happens, things are going to get hectic from now on. 26:58.560 --> 27:03.200 I'll need you and An Su to help keep an eye on things at Zhaowen Bookstore. 27:04.440 --> 27:07.440 I'm only here for you, Dou Zhao. 27:07.440 --> 27:10.720 Don't drag me into Mantis Song's mess. 27:30.520 --> 27:34.960 This is for reducing scars. Apply it daily. 27:38.880 --> 27:43.520 Ever since you got married, your life seems downright dull. 27:43.520 --> 27:47.640 If you ever want to leave, I've got plenty of ways to help you. 27:49.880 --> 27:55.640 Knowing what's to come only makes me more determined to try and change it. 27:55.640 --> 27:58.360 I'll live true to my heart, 27:58.960 --> 28:04.520 and the outcome is not something I need to worry about. 28:14.280 --> 28:16.000 Your Grace. 28:17.680 --> 28:22.440 The poison matter must be kept from Dou Zhao. 28:22.440 --> 28:28.040 But if your condition worsens, how can you possibly hide it from her? 28:29.160 --> 28:32.080 I promised to protect her all my life, 28:32.920 --> 28:37.800 and now I've failed her. 28:38.760 --> 28:43.640 The more entangled the case becomes, the sooner I have to eliminate every threat. 28:43.640 --> 28:48.080 If I leave her to face those wolves and jackals alone a year later, 28:48.640 --> 28:53.800 even in the afterlife, I'll never find peace. 28:59.000 --> 29:01.040 Then... 29:01.040 --> 29:04.240 What's your plan now, Your Grace? 29:06.360 --> 29:08.960 Give me a moment alone. 29:58.040 --> 30:01.800 If I can spend my last days with Shougu by my side, 30:01.800 --> 30:04.640 my time in the world won't have been in vain. 30:08.560 --> 30:10.200 Your Grace. 30:10.200 --> 30:13.160 Chen Jia has sent word. 30:14.000 --> 30:16.360 Your Grace, have mercy! 30:16.360 --> 30:19.440 I swear, I didn't know it back then. 30:19.440 --> 30:22.800 I really knew nothing! 30:22.800 --> 30:24.760 You're still lying. 30:28.480 --> 30:32.920 Back then, the duke ordered me to care of a baby girl. 30:32.920 --> 30:36.280 But... But the child was born premature and frail. 30:36.280 --> 30:39.160 She didn't survive more than a few days. 30:42.960 --> 30:45.400 Please, Your Grace, have mercy! 30:45.400 --> 30:47.240 What really happened back then? 30:47.240 --> 30:49.000 Tell me now! 30:49.000 --> 30:56.280 I only remember the baby was brought from the madam's chambers. 30:56.280 --> 31:00.040 Other than that, I really know nothing more. 31:02.680 --> 31:07.680 Strip him of his post, banish him to the barracks. Keep him alive, but just barely. 31:07.680 --> 31:08.640 Yes, sir! 31:08.640 --> 31:10.200 - Come on! - Your Grace! 31:10.200 --> 31:12.560 Your Grace, I made a mistake! 31:12.560 --> 31:14.320 Your Grace! 31:29.040 --> 31:31.520 I've tried to put myself in your shoes. 31:31.520 --> 31:34.440 To escape the constraints of lineage and status, 31:35.440 --> 31:37.920 you married a woman you didn't love. 31:38.560 --> 31:42.840 Regret became your excuse for doing whatever it took. 31:43.280 --> 31:48.200 But those who control you, what did they promise? 31:48.200 --> 31:52.240 Did they guarantee a title for Song Han? 31:54.480 --> 31:59.480 You and your Jiang family have always been so sanctimonious, 31:59.480 --> 32:04.760 acting like saviors of the world. 32:04.760 --> 32:10.200 Let me make one thing clear today, I don't need anyone's terms or favors. 32:11.880 --> 32:14.920 To get Li Yaoniang out of the Bureau of Music, 32:14.920 --> 32:17.240 you needed connections in the Ministry of Justice. 32:17.240 --> 32:19.320 You had help. 32:19.960 --> 32:21.520 I'm a duke. 32:21.520 --> 32:25.720 No one could stop me from getting a courtesan out of a bureau. 32:25.720 --> 32:29.200 You've secretly been serving Liaodong all along. 32:29.200 --> 32:31.080 So, Song Han must be, too. 32:31.080 --> 32:32.240 Han'er isn't involved in this! 32:32.240 --> 32:33.920 So, you're saying you're involved in this. 32:33.920 --> 32:35.640 Enough! 32:35.640 --> 32:39.000 After the bandits stormed the city, you took the opportunity to replace the Warden's Office 32:39.000 --> 32:41.480 and much of the capital's defense with Prince Qing's men. 32:41.480 --> 32:43.120 I'd wager the Six Ministries, the Nine Court Ministers, 32:43.120 --> 32:47.000 and even the Four Bureaus and Twelve Offices in the palace are under his thumb as well. 32:47.000 --> 32:51.640 With such a setup, he's no longer just vying for the successor position, 32:51.640 --> 32:54.880 he's preparing for rebellion. 32:58.760 --> 33:03.440 I have no idea what you're talking about. 33:07.480 --> 33:10.000 Have you thought about Song Han? 33:10.000 --> 33:13.880 Do you really believe that he'll get away unscathed if you die? 33:13.880 --> 33:16.160 He'll be left alone in the world. 33:16.160 --> 33:18.520 Can you really rest easy? 33:19.080 --> 33:20.800 Han'er is innocent! 33:20.800 --> 33:24.680 - If you dare harm him... - It doesn't have to be me. Others will. 33:24.680 --> 33:25.800 What? 33:25.800 --> 33:30.640 You're nothing but a discarded pawn now. 33:30.640 --> 33:38.640 Even if you take every secret to the grave, they won't let Song Han live. 33:47.600 --> 33:50.040 You're on your own now. 34:37.640 --> 34:40.200 [Loving Sister] 34:50.560 --> 34:53.640 [Loving Sister] 35:08.720 --> 35:10.920 How did you know I'd be here? 35:13.800 --> 35:16.480 General Yan told me everything. 35:17.440 --> 35:19.000 What did he tell you? 35:19.000 --> 35:22.080 He told me about your late sister. 35:22.080 --> 35:25.440 So, I thought you might come here to mourn for her. 35:31.800 --> 35:37.720 The physician said your fainting spell was triggered by anger. 35:37.720 --> 35:41.280 This medicine should help. 35:44.800 --> 35:47.200 Why do you look so pale? 35:48.760 --> 35:50.600 Let me check. 35:58.360 --> 36:01.880 Does your hand still hurt? 36:04.480 --> 36:05.760 Not anymore. 36:05.760 --> 36:07.560 I'm sorry. 36:08.920 --> 36:10.800 This is all my fault. 36:14.080 --> 36:21.080 Losing someone all over again must make it hurt even more. 36:27.880 --> 36:30.480 I've made you worry. 36:30.480 --> 36:32.480 You did the right thing. 36:32.480 --> 36:37.160 If something like this happens again, stop me no matter what. 36:38.080 --> 36:40.680 I can't lose control like that again. 36:41.640 --> 36:44.320 You've said everything I wanted to say. 36:47.760 --> 36:51.160 Now, drink this while it's still warm. 36:58.280 --> 37:02.680 When I fought my way back to Duke of Ying's residence alive, 37:02.680 --> 37:06.280 I thought I had gone through the worst ordeal in my life. 37:06.280 --> 37:10.680 From as far back as I can remember, Song Yichun obeyed my mother in everything. 37:10.680 --> 37:13.760 They were the picture of respect and harmony. 37:13.760 --> 37:16.560 Whenever he went to the border towns, 37:16.560 --> 37:19.680 he'd always bring back some local specialties for her. 37:20.760 --> 37:23.160 I used to think that was love, 37:23.880 --> 37:28.080 but it was endurance, it was hatred. 37:30.760 --> 37:36.360 My whole life, I don't know if anything has ever been real. 37:38.360 --> 37:43.280 Your mother's love for you, the Duke of Ding's teachings, 37:43.280 --> 37:48.160 the unwavering loyalty of the Duke of Ding's army, they are real. 37:49.640 --> 37:51.560 And so am I. 37:59.080 --> 38:04.280 You shouldn't have to bear this sadness with me. 38:05.280 --> 38:10.080 Husband and wife are meant to share fortune and hardship, joy and sorrow. 38:10.080 --> 38:16.560 From now on, pour all your pain and troubles onto me. 38:16.560 --> 38:21.160 We're not like your parents. 38:30.080 --> 38:36.960 Yantang, I'll pay my respects to your sister, and then, let's go home. 38:38.800 --> 38:40.480 All right. 38:47.680 --> 38:48.880 Look! Fireworks! 38:48.880 --> 38:51.480 They're so beautiful! 38:51.480 --> 38:58.280 ♫ I wish to be like the moon hidden in the sea, like a butterfly in love with the flowers ♫ 38:58.280 --> 39:05.160 ♫ Like a thousand inksticks fading into my heartstrings, blurring my longing ♫ 39:05.160 --> 39:09.080 Do you remember the first time we saw fireworks together? 39:09.080 --> 39:11.360 It was outside the imperial prison. 39:12.880 --> 39:16.880 Dou Shishu and his subordinates had been sending memorials to impeach me. 39:16.880 --> 39:19.760 Yet you sent Gu Yu in there to protect me. 39:19.760 --> 39:21.880 What were you really after? 39:21.880 --> 39:26.080 Even fireworks come in different colors. 39:26.080 --> 39:29.360 He is him and I am me. 39:31.560 --> 39:33.480 At the time, I thought, 39:33.480 --> 39:39.160 if this person could become my strategist, I'd have nothing to fear. 39:39.160 --> 39:43.760 So, that's why you kept Mr. Chen by your side for so long. 39:45.280 --> 39:47.560 You're not much better yourself. 39:47.560 --> 39:49.960 Didn't you lock General Yan in the coal shed? 39:49.960 --> 39:53.680 When I saw him, he was covered head to toe in coal dust. 40:02.680 --> 40:06.320 Time really flies, doesn't it? 40:06.960 --> 40:13.440 Beautiful things are always fleeting, impossible to hold onto. 40:32.360 --> 40:37.480 Beautiful things may be fleeting, but you can hold onto them. 41:06.280 --> 41:09.960 You may be my strategist, but all I need is for you 41:09.960 --> 41:13.080 to live peacefully as the madam of the household. 41:45.680 --> 41:48.760 I will stay by your side, through life and death, without regret. 41:48.760 --> 41:53.000 I had thought I could protect you for the rest of your life, 41:53.000 --> 41:56.760 but now, I know I can't.