WEBVTT

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Those who passed the literary exam may now enter.

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[The Sounds of Bell Tolls and Cauldrons Being Struck]
(Idiom which means the extravagant life of nobles and high officials)

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In the literary exam, Second Young Master Song barely came out ahead,

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while Young Master Mu just muddled through.

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Who knows what strings Minister Mu pulled to get him to pass?

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The imperial examination is the only chance for commoners to rise in rank.

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If even this fairness is lost, how could the people not be disheartened?

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Bow before His Majesty.

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- Greetings, Your Majesty.
- Greetings, Your Majesty.

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Rise.

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Let the martial arts examination begin!

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Awesome! Yes!

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Recruiting such a talent as our own would be like gaining an unbeatable chess piece,

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an immense advantage for our cause.

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My son is also quite good at martial arts.

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As for his true capabilities, let's just wait and see.

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Carry the young master out of here!

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Yes, sir!

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The martial exam values precision and restraint.

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Such a reckless pursuit of victory has revealed his true intentions for all to see.

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I never expected the Song family to produce

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not only Song Yantang, who consistentlyranked first in the imperial hunt,

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but also a talent like you, proficient in both academics and martial arts,

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scoring perfectly in every category, and with exceptional insights in your policy essay.

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Top scorer Song Han, is there anything you wish for?

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Your Majesty, my martial skills were taught by my brother,

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but compared to him, I still have much to improve.

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Today, I humbly request a chance to spar with him, and test our abilities against each other.

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Please grant me that wish.

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Your Majesty, Song Han's request is far too audacious.

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The martial arts exam is over.

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Even as the top scorer, he should not make such personal demands.

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This is not your family's backyard!

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Your Majesty.

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Madam reminded me that your current health condition

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does not permit you to overexert yourself.

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- Yes,
- Let's turn the duel down.

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That's right.

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I know my limits. Don't worry.

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Your Majesty, Song Han is young and impulsive.

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If he has spoken out of turn in your presence, I beg for your forgiveness.

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It's fine.

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Since he is the top scorer in the martial arts exam,

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I am curious to see his skills.

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Yantang, you shall personally test him.

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Yes, Your Majesty.

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You have the duration of one incense stick.

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The one who captures the flag wins.

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Let's use blades, Brother.

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Sure.

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If you can't defeat me today,

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all of Minister Dou's efforts will have been in vain.

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I want to earn my rank and title through my own abilities,

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and yet you want to stand in my way.

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You might as well just kill me in front of His Majesty then.

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You've taught me this Sun and Moon Reversal move many times.

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At last, I've put it to proper use.

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Looks like you've learned more than just swordplay.

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It is rare for someone to turn defeat into a draw against Yantang.

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Proclaim my decree!

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Song Han of the Duke of Ying's household, courageous and strategic,

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is hereby declared the top scorer of the martial arts examination.

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He is appointed to the position of Tengxiang Guard, and awarded the Pine Crane Sword.

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I humbly dare to request one more favor.

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Speak your request.

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Both my parents have passed,<

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leaving me alone and desolate in my youth.

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I humbly request your favor in bestowing a marriage,

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allowing me to wed a princess, and form a harmonious union for life.

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I will carefully consider your marriage request.

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Thank you, Your Majesty.

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Hold still.

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It doesn't hurt.

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If the wound were any deeper, it might have scarred your face.

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A little scar is nothing.

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Besides, with you as my doctor, I'm not afraid of any injury.

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A scratch it may be,

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but Song Han deliberately injured you to secure the top rank in the martial arts exam.

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You should be careful around him.

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What's more, his outstanding performance, coupled with Prince Qing's growing ambitions...

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Is Song Han trying to pledge his allegiance to him?

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Song Han has always been diligent and hard-working,

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skilled in archery and horsemanship.

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Given the state of this family,

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it's understandable he wants to secure a future for himself.

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But he shouldn't have chosen Prince Qing.

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Prince Qing failed to use Yantang to his advantage,

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so he's turned to Song Han instead.

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But don't worry.

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Once Song Han is engaged and establishes his own household,

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we can use the opportunity to formally distance ourselves from him.

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By the way, I heard Song Han petitioned His Majesty for a royal marriage.

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His Majesty has only one princess, Jingyu.

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She's been headstrong and willful since she was young.

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Things might not go as he hopes.

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[Zuixian Tower]

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You've been favoring your son-in-law's family,

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deliberately arranging for Song Han to challenge my son,

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which has now left him crippled.

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You've misunderstood.

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If I really had such intentions, why would I use such an indirect approach?

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Your son's injury is the doing of Song Han.

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It has nothing to do with me.

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You've climbed the ranks by cozying up with Princess Shude,

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forcing Wang Xingyi out, everyone knows that.

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We haven't even achieved the great cause yet,

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and you've already schemed against me.

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You've been paying too much attention to idle gossip.

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Or are you just looking for an excuse to steal my position as Secondary Grand Secretary?

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Well then, I'd love to see what other tricks you've got up your sleeve.

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Fine! Since it's come to this, let's see how this plays out.

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[Contentment and Happiness]

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This way, please, Brother Han.

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What a grand occasion! Isn't it?

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Truly a rare sight.

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Congratulations! It's such a joyous event!

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Let's give Brother Han the celebration he deserves!

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Yes, let's make sure Brother Han is well taken care of.

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Back during the hunt, I already knew it.

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Not only has Brother Han become the top scorer and received a sword bestowed by His Majesty,

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he's even going to become a royal consort, too.

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Such a bright future lies ahead!

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Lord Song, we have a problem.

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[I'm not marrying you, by Zhu Rongying]

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[I'm not marrying you, by Zhu Rongying]

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Song Han is a shameless, hypocritical scoundrel despised by all!

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You absolutely cannot marry Rongying to him!

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Better than marrying her off to Lizhen, isn't it?

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Besides, this has nothing to do with you.

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Why are you so worked up?

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I'm just worrying about my friend.

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You're such a good friend, huh?

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Are you implying that I'm cold-hearted toward Rongying?

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She's my only daughter.

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Do you think I'd push her into a pit of fire?

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At least Song Han is a martial champion.

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What about you?

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You're the one despised by all,

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dragging the imperial family's dignity through the mud.

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Your Majesty, please calm down.

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Yu'er has been close with Rongying since they were children.

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They're just looking out for each other.

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Your Majesty, what is your decision?

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I'm trying to figure something out.

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Rongying flat-out refuses the marriage, and now he's here to add to the trouble.

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Since the founding of this dynasty, it's been customary for the top scorer

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of the imperial examination to request a favor.

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There has never been a precedent for denying their request.

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Song Han carries an innate defiance in his demeanor.

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Moreover, his background is hardly a match for Rongying'er.

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Why not designate another princess to marry him?

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Designate another princess?

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I've heard that the Miao family of Futing is a collateral branch

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of the late Noble Consort Miao.

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After the consort's passing, the Miao family withdrew from officialdom

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and fell into the merchant class.

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Their eldest daughter, Miao Ansu, is reputed for her virtue

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and is the sworn sister of the Duchess of Ying.

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Why not confer the title of princess upon Miao Ansu

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and grant her in marriage to Song Han?

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This way, it would remain within the Duke of Ying's extended family,

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drawing them even closer.

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That's an excellent idea!

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Shut up!

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Go and issue the decree.

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Yes, Your Majesty.

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Song Han has some audacity.

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A love child dares to dream of marrying a princess?

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He's clearly aiming for the stars.

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But Miao Ansu and the Duchess of Ying are close friends. I'm worried...

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Dou Zhao was just a powerless young girl,

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yet now she has connections that span the entire court and commands instant support.

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This wouldn't have been possible without Miao Ansu

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earning money and smoothing things over for her.

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Director Su.

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Yes, Your Majesty.

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When the princess marries, you will accompany her to the household as an attendant.

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Carefully manage their friendship for them.

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Yes, Your Majesty.

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"By the decree of His Majesty,

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Miao Ansu, gifted with natural grace and virtuous character,

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is hereby conferred the title of Princess Anyu.

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She is granted a golden scroll,

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an annual stipend of two thousand bushels of grain,

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and is bestowed in marriage to Song Han of the Duke of Ying's household.

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So decreed."

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You're a princess now!

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This is wonderful, Sister!

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Xing Shuang, bring me another dry cloth.

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It's covered in snow.

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It'll start sneezing again later.

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Yes, Young Master.

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Xing Shuang?

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Greetings, Princess Anyu.

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Get up.

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I don't wish for this either.

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Let's go to the palace now, and ask His Majesty to revoke the decree.

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- Leave us.
- Yes, Young Master.

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Defying an imperial edict will get us executed.

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Or is it that you also look down on my origins and would rather

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risk disobedience, Your Highness?

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That's not what I mean.

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I've admired you for a long time.

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But I know the person you wish to marry is Princess Jingyu.

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His Majesty forcing this match upon us is unfair to both of us.

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You can continue being a princess.

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Don't give that up because of me.

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I've written a petition stating that I've suddenly fallen ill.

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This way, the marriage decree will be nullified.

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If you say that, who's going to marry you in the future?

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I have a cat that's spoiled.

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It knows it has a home, and even if it gets lost, someone will come looking for it.

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So it often wanders off.

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I don't have that kind of luck.

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The people...

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who would search for me,

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who would dry my tears and shield me from the storm,

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are gone.

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I... I'll go to His Majesty and request to cancel the engagement.

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I'll marry you.

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Su Su.

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Su Su, don't worry. We won't let you jump into this pit of fire.

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How about this? You hide outside the city for a few days.

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Shougu has experience with breaking engagements.

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We'll do something to break the engagement.

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I've agreed to marry Song Han.

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All right, we'll...

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Wait, what?

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Are you out of your mind, or have you lost your senses?

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Did you go and see him?

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Song Han has always been good at playing the victim and sweet-talking people.

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I want to marry him.

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With the honor of an imperial marriage and the title of princess,

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this will greatly benefit our business.

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Besides, his parents are gone. He needs my help.

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So, he wouldn't dare mistreat me.

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And with you managing the household,

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sister-in-law relationships will be easier to handle.

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This marriage is actually a good arrangement.

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You made some good points, but have you thought about the most important thing?

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You like him, but does he like you back?

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This man isn't exactly trustworthy.

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He's had a difficult past,

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so it's only natural for him to be cautious and guarded.

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Sister Zhao, remember when we used to transplant rice or flowers?

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Sometimes we'd come across plants with weak roots.

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But with proper care, they eventually thrived and bore fruit.

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A marriage is like transplanting a seedling.

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I believe I can change him.

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Young Master, you've been waiting for four hours.

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Thank you for the test.

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Lord Song, please take a seat.

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This used to be the Duke of Ying's spot.

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Now it's yours.
[Confidential Letter]

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[Duke of Ying's Residence]

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Anping, stop opening up the gifts.

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Noble families care a lot about saving face.

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My sister is a princess.

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Her moving into his residence is already saving him face.

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Keep your voice down! Don't let Song Han hear such remarks,

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or you might bring trouble to your sister.

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All right. Most of these gifts are from business associates.

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He's neither the legitimate heir nor the eldest son. He has no right to complain.

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That's right. What's so special about these cups and jade trinkets anyway?

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Stop opening them.

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I'm sorry about this, Son-in-law.

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Anping had a bit to drink and got carried away.

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Please don't take offense.

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It's fine.

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These gifts were meant for Princess Anyu in the first place.

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Anping is her brother, after all.

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You're absolutely right.

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Father, Mother, since Brother-in-law said so, as the only son in the family,

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shouldn't I be the one managing my sister's gifts and dowry?

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How insolent!

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- Who is she?
- Who are you?

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How dare you hit me!

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Do you know who I am?

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My sister is a princess by imperial decree, and I'm her only younger brother!

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This is the empress's jade token.

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To see this is to see the empress herself.

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You, a mere commoner, dare to lay claim to the princess's gifts?

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You've openly disregarded the dignity of the imperial family.

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Guards! Drag him out and flog him 20 times.

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Father! Mother!

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Walk!

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Madam! Please have mercy!

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Your Majesty, please forgive him!

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- It's my fault. I failed to discipline my son well.
- Director Su.

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The princess requests your presence.

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Out of respect for the princess, I'll let this matter slide today.

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But if you dare disgrace the imperial family's honor again,

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it won't be as simple as a flogging.

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Thank you, Your Majesty!

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Son!

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- Are you all right?
- My face is swollen, Mother.

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[Overwhelming Spirit]

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The auspicious hour has arrived.

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The bride and groom shall now perform the bowing ceremony.

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First bow, the princess and her husband.

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Second bow.

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A lowly illegitimate son marrying a princess from a merchant family.

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No wonder only the lady official is presiding.

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Even the duke and duchess didn't bother to attend.

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Exactly.

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The Duke and Duchess of Ying

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has come to congratulate the martial champion and Princess Anyu!

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Duke and Duchess.

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Sister Zhao, I knew you'd come.

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Of course I'd come.

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Cover your face.

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Look at that! That's a lot!

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So much gold, silver, and jewelry!

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Just look at it, there's every style imaginable!

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Today is the princess's wedding. Please join in the celebration.

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Thank you all for attending the wedding.

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According to custom,

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those who bear witness to the union must have experienced full blessings themselves.

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Having lost both my parents and faced a life fraught with misfortune,

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I once thought I would never feel the warmth of family.

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But I was fortunate to have someone come into my life.

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Now, I cherish the beauty of a good marriage

24:49.960 --> 24:54.360
and the rarity of finding a true partner more than anyone.

24:55.440 --> 24:57.160
So,

24:58.520 --> 25:03.400
Song Han, I wish the same good fortune for you.

25:03.400 --> 25:07.120
May your union be as harmonious as the zither and lute.

25:07.960 --> 25:14.040
I believe this is also Song Yichun's greatest wish for you.

25:17.920 --> 25:19.560
Brother, thank you for your wishes.

25:19.560 --> 25:20.640
The ceremony is complete!

25:20.640 --> 25:22.360
Yes! Yes!

25:22.360 --> 25:25.480
Congratulations! May the bride and groom grow old together in happiness!

25:25.480 --> 25:27.480
Congratulations!

25:37.320 --> 25:42.240
Since you came to give your blessings to Ansu, why didn't you attend her wedding ceremony?

25:43.480 --> 25:47.600
A crowd of ordinary people making a ruckus. What's the fun in that?

25:49.640 --> 25:54.760
But you, on the other hand, put on quite the show of deep brotherly affection.

25:56.800 --> 25:58.760
What do you want?

25:58.760 --> 26:02.040
I taught you acupuncture to save others.

26:02.040 --> 26:05.800
Today, I'll give you another piece of advice to save yourself.

26:05.800 --> 26:07.280
What do you mean?

26:07.280 --> 26:09.480
Leave Mantis Song.

26:16.920 --> 26:19.200
He's a target for everyone right now.

26:19.200 --> 26:24.200
For your own sake and for the Dou family, you can't follow him into danger.

26:24.840 --> 26:28.760
I just want to break free from this game of chess and gain my freedom.

26:28.760 --> 26:30.760
Do you even know who's controlling the game?

26:30.760 --> 26:34.560
Even His Majesty might be just another pawn.

26:34.560 --> 26:38.120
It's still uncertain who will win in the end.

26:38.120 --> 26:42.320
And even if that day comes, I will accept it willingly.

26:43.960 --> 26:45.800
As expected.

26:45.800 --> 26:49.120
When one is caught up in love, even the wisest become foolish.

26:49.120 --> 26:51.040
Don't say I didn't warn you.

26:51.040 --> 26:54.000
If something happens to Mantis Song again,

26:54.000 --> 26:59.040
the little freedom you've managed to claim will be hanging by a thread.

27:12.280 --> 27:14.080
- Congratulations, Second Young Master.
- Congratulations, Second Young Master.

27:14.080 --> 27:15.880
Thank you.

27:17.840 --> 27:19.920
Congratulations, Second Young Master.

27:21.760 --> 27:24.800
- Wishing you a lifetime of happiness.
- Wishing you a lifetime of happiness.

27:24.800 --> 27:26.680
Look at him.

27:26.680 --> 27:28.080
- Second Young Master.
- Second Young Master.

27:28.080 --> 27:32.240
Wishing you a lifetime of happiness, and the swift arrival of a child!

27:33.240 --> 27:35.360
His father died, and now he relies on his new wife.

27:35.360 --> 27:38.360
- That's right.
- Congratulations, Second Young Master.

27:39.080 --> 27:40.760
Come on.

27:45.960 --> 27:49.080
An illegitimate son managing to rise this far, it's like his ancestors' graves are spewing good fortune!

27:49.080 --> 27:50.400
What more could he want?

27:50.400 --> 27:52.120
When his father was alive, he relied on him.

27:52.120 --> 27:53.800
After his father's death, he relied on his brother.

27:53.800 --> 27:55.800
And now he's relying on his new wife.

27:55.800 --> 27:58.160
What a lucky man!

28:22.120 --> 28:24.920
- Congratulations, Prince Consort.
- Congratulations, Prince Consort.

28:26.200 --> 28:28.120
Thank you, Prince Consort.

28:28.120 --> 28:30.840
- Thank you, Prince Consort.
- You may go.

28:39.520 --> 28:42.280
Congratulations, Prince Consort.

28:43.960 --> 28:46.600
Director Su, you may also go and rest.

28:46.600 --> 28:48.520
Thank you, Prince Consort.

29:22.360 --> 29:23.960
Your Highness.

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I'm not used to having people serve me, so I poured the nuptial wine myself.

30:27.080 --> 30:28.560
Was that improper?

30:28.560 --> 30:31.720
You're worrying for nothing, Your Highness. It's perfectly fine.

30:31.720 --> 30:37.400
I don't like having attendants in the room either, so I dismissed them.

30:38.120 --> 30:41.560
You should just call me Ansu, like before.

30:41.560 --> 30:43.480
Addressing me as Your Highness sounds distant.

30:43.480 --> 30:45.760
You're a princess, Your Highness.

30:45.760 --> 30:47.520
I wouldn't dare to be rude.

30:50.920 --> 30:55.760
According to tradition, shouldn't we start by drinking the nuptial wine?

31:58.880 --> 32:01.800
Muyu, I have a wedding gift for you.

32:01.800 --> 32:04.600
Can you turn around first?

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Muyu!

32:42.960 --> 32:44.840
Your face.

32:48.720 --> 32:53.400
This is the handkerchief I gave you when we first met.

32:53.400 --> 32:55.400
You've been keeping it.

33:07.920 --> 33:11.160
Your Highness! I'm sorry!

33:11.160 --> 33:15.320
This handkerchief was the start of our connection.

33:15.320 --> 33:18.160
I was going to return it to you today,

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as a way to affirm our love.

33:23.520 --> 33:26.200
I've never been comfortable with people serving me closely...

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because I often lose control over myself.

33:30.520 --> 33:33.120
I don't even know why I've become this way.

33:33.120 --> 33:36.200
Your Highness, I'm sorry.

33:36.200 --> 33:40.200
I'll excuse myself for tonight. Get some rest.

33:57.280 --> 34:01.000
[Duke of Ying Residence]

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Princess Anyu has arrived.

34:04.200 --> 34:06.920
Did you get a good night's sleep?

34:06.920 --> 34:10.480
Thank you for your concern. I'm feeling much better.

34:12.200 --> 34:14.520
- Greetings...
- Your Highness,

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your noble status requires that everyone should bow to you and offer tea.

34:21.200 --> 34:22.680
That's right.

34:22.680 --> 34:25.600
We are but subjects, and you must take precedence, Your Highness.

34:25.600 --> 34:27.120
We cannot disrupt the proper hierarchy.

34:27.120 --> 34:30.520
Indeed. Your marriage to our family is a great honor bestowed by His Majesty.

34:30.520 --> 34:33.720
Perhaps you should oversee the household affairs, Your Highness,

34:33.720 --> 34:36.800
it would symbolize unity between the royal family and its subjects.

34:36.800 --> 34:38.960
My sister-in-law is the mistress of this household.

34:38.960 --> 34:41.440
It is only right for me to serve her tea.

34:42.480 --> 34:45.960
Your Highness, that would go against the royal etiquette.

34:45.960 --> 34:50.640
Her Grace should bow to you and offer tea.

34:50.640 --> 34:54.200
The dignity of the royal family cannot be compromised.

35:07.840 --> 35:11.400
You're right, Director Su. I was being foolish.

35:11.400 --> 35:13.280
Bring the tea.

35:29.400 --> 35:33.640
Your Grace, please kneel and offer tea to Princess Anyu.

35:47.400 --> 35:49.080
Sister.

35:49.880 --> 35:51.680
- Let me offer you tea.
- Your Highness,

35:51.680 --> 35:54.480
this goes against the royal etiquette.

35:54.480 --> 35:56.480
If this goes against the etiquette,

35:56.480 --> 36:02.080
Director Su, please tell Her Majesty to replace me with another princess.

36:10.400 --> 36:12.680
There's no need for this between us.

36:13.480 --> 36:15.480
Let's keep things as they've always been.

36:15.480 --> 36:18.960
In the days ahead, we'll support each other as equals.

36:34.240 --> 36:36.680
[The Beautiful Sounds of Bamboo and Pine]

36:41.800 --> 36:46.360
Your Highness, you're a noble now. Why are you doing chores?

36:46.360 --> 36:50.880
And that maid, Su Lan, she was ordering you around.

36:50.880 --> 36:52.760
How is that acceptable?

36:52.760 --> 36:56.880
We grew up together like sisters. There's no such thing as master and servant between us.

36:56.880 --> 37:01.240
That was before. You are a princess now.

37:01.840 --> 37:05.480
Every word and action of yours reflects the dignity of the royal family.

37:10.040 --> 37:11.640
Your Highness.

37:12.840 --> 37:15.120
Prince Consort.

37:15.120 --> 37:17.240
This is the most popular shop in the capital right now.

37:17.240 --> 37:19.280
I had someone stand in line to get these.

37:20.600 --> 37:22.600
Try one.

37:28.080 --> 37:29.560
How is it?

37:29.560 --> 37:31.440
It's good!

37:44.160 --> 37:45.880
Yes, it is.

37:49.120 --> 37:52.360
I... I should bring some over to Sister Zhao.

37:56.000 --> 37:57.880
I'll go with you.

38:07.680 --> 38:09.000
Sister, you're slacking off again!

38:09.000 --> 38:11.680
Didn't you say you couldn't find the full opera anthology?

38:11.680 --> 38:13.720
Why don't you ask Ansu to help?

38:13.720 --> 38:15.200
During the previous Double Ninth Festival,

38:15.200 --> 38:17.600
she was always the one organizing these books and miscellaneous items.

38:17.600 --> 38:20.600
She knows better than anyone where each volume belongs.

38:20.600 --> 38:23.000
She's a princess now.

38:23.000 --> 38:26.800
Just earlier, when I went to Xixiang House to assign tasks, that lady official rebuked me.

38:26.800 --> 38:29.560
I wanted to talk to Ansu about it, but Song Han stopped me.

38:29.560 --> 38:31.040
Acting all high and mighty.

38:31.040 --> 38:34.600
One day, she might even use us as scapegoats to establish her authority.

38:34.600 --> 38:38.200
If it weren't for Madam, she wouldn't be where she is today.

38:38.200 --> 38:40.640
Never say such things again.

38:44.480 --> 38:48.200
We've been out here all day, and the paintings still aren't dry.

38:51.200 --> 38:54.480
The wind is picking up, hurry and gather them up.

38:56.320 --> 38:58.120
Ansu.

38:59.200 --> 39:01.600
Let's deliver the pastries later.

39:01.600 --> 39:03.320
Let's head back first.

39:03.320 --> 39:04.880
I have a gift for you.

39:04.880 --> 39:07.240
I was going to give it to you during the Double Ninth Festival.

39:07.240 --> 39:11.360
I don't know if you'll like it, but let's go take a look.

39:27.960 --> 39:31.640
This is a room I prepared for you.

39:31.640 --> 39:36.280
You can study soils, manage accounts, or do anything else you want here.

39:47.000 --> 39:50.920
Have you been sleeping here these past few days?

39:50.920 --> 39:52.520
Yes.

39:52.520 --> 39:56.000
I'm afraid that if my illness acts up, I might hurt you again.

39:56.000 --> 40:01.400
Earlier, when I pulled you away from the Yizhi Hall, it was also to protect you.

40:02.840 --> 40:06.920
Some people say things just to vent their emotions.

40:06.920 --> 40:09.320
Don't take them to heart.

40:09.320 --> 40:11.920
They weren't wrong.

40:11.920 --> 40:13.280
When my family fell on hard times,

40:13.280 --> 40:17.560
if it weren't for Sister Zhao treating me like a sister, nurturing and guiding me,

40:19.240 --> 40:21.160
I would've been no different from a servant.

40:21.160 --> 40:22.960
I'm sure Sister-in-law didn't mean it.

40:22.960 --> 40:24.800
She's just used to ordering you around.

40:24.800 --> 40:27.080
Habits like that don't change overnight.

40:32.960 --> 40:35.280
In the world,

40:35.280 --> 40:41.840
having just one person who values you and treasures you is enough.

40:53.800 --> 40:55.280
[Yizhi Hall]

40:55.280 --> 40:59.480
Your Grace and Madam, our spies in Liaodong have sent word.

41:00.720 --> 41:02.120
According to the imperial decree,

41:02.120 --> 41:04.680
ten dans of grain at the horse market should be sold for seven taels.

41:04.680 --> 41:08.720
However, Prince Qing has been secretly raising the price to 20 taels per month

41:08.720 --> 41:10.200
while submitting only 30 percent of the proceeds to the court.

41:10.200 --> 41:12.000
This has caused chaos in Liaodong.

41:12.000 --> 41:15.480
Prince Qing is abusing his power to amass private wealth.

41:15.480 --> 41:18.240
This is a serious matter that requires careful planning.

41:18.240 --> 41:20.360
If we act rashly without a backup plan,

41:20.360 --> 41:24.560
Prince Qing might cover it up and turn it against us.

41:40.960 --> 41:44.800
I'm sorry, Dou Zhao. Please don't blame it on Her Highness and ruin your friendship.

41:44.800 --> 41:48.280
You keep saying we're friends, yet you've painted my husband and me as beasts.

41:48.280 --> 41:50.400
Don't I at least deserve an explanation?

41:50.400 --> 41:53.680
If I hadn't come, were you going to tear Dou Zhao apart?

41:53.680 --> 41:56.120
Today, I sever all ties between us.

41:56.120 --> 41:59.840
The next time we meet, we will be enemies.