WEBVTT 00:06.720 --> 00:08.360 Madam. 00:09.960 --> 00:14.000 There's no place to hide it. No place... 00:14.000 --> 00:17.040 Yes, we can't hide it. 00:17.040 --> 00:22.520 Go now. Put it up for me. The more visible, the better. 00:32.520 --> 00:34.240 Come on. 01:14.320 --> 01:16.400 I remember everything now. 01:16.400 --> 01:20.800 Madam asked me to hide it. She wanted you to have it. 01:27.640 --> 01:30.040 What happened back then? 01:30.800 --> 01:35.960 This letter was a painting. 01:38.080 --> 01:39.880 Madam! 01:41.760 --> 01:43.560 Madam! 01:44.480 --> 01:48.080 Madam! There is a letter from the Duke of Ding! 01:52.200 --> 01:54.120 [From Meisun to Huisun] 02:09.240 --> 02:12.800 Meisun is playing guessing games with me again. 02:14.120 --> 02:17.640 Bring me a brush. Dip it in some water. 02:33.880 --> 02:35.360 My dear sister, please don't worry. 02:35.360 --> 02:38.560 His Majesty's summons for me to enter the capital will not bring trouble. 02:38.560 --> 02:41.440 The typhoon disaster in Futing stemmed from the seawall, 02:41.440 --> 02:43.720 and the corruption involves many high-ranking officials. 02:43.720 --> 02:46.600 I will present these matters to His Majesty in person upon my arrival. 02:49.880 --> 02:52.080 [Dou Shishu, Song Yichun, Dou Shiying] 02:57.080 --> 02:59.840 Your Grace, you're coughing up blood! 03:00.560 --> 03:04.600 Qixia, dry the painting and hide it. 03:04.600 --> 03:10.280 Don't give it to anyone, and don't tell anyone about it. Only tell Yantang. 03:10.280 --> 03:12.800 - Yes, Madam. - Go. 03:16.600 --> 03:21.760 Where should I hide it? Your Grace, where should I hide it? 03:25.120 --> 03:27.320 Nowhere is truly safe. 03:27.320 --> 03:29.120 Qixia. 03:31.160 --> 03:36.520 Put it up in plain sight, somewhere as conspicuous as possible. 03:36.520 --> 03:39.400 Don't worry, Your Grace. I'll make sure His Grace gets it. 03:39.400 --> 03:42.280 - Go! - Yes, Madam! 04:12.120 --> 04:16.280 Father, how could you do this? 04:16.280 --> 04:19.520 - She's my mother! - She was never your real mother. 04:19.520 --> 04:23.920 With Shuyao, we three are a true family. 04:23.920 --> 04:27.480 I've owed your mother for so many years. 04:27.480 --> 04:30.160 I don't want her to compromise any longer. 05:51.360 --> 05:54.400 It's all becoming clear. 05:54.400 --> 05:58.600 With this list in our hands, we have Prince Qing by the throat. 05:58.600 --> 06:02.880 He has tampered with the foundation of the nation. The evidence is irrefutable. 06:04.840 --> 06:06.560 His Majesty is a wise ruler. 06:06.560 --> 06:09.000 But His Majesty's health is deteriorating by the day. 06:09.000 --> 06:12.240 What if this follows the same path as the Duke of Ding's downfall? 06:12.240 --> 06:17.160 And the law rarely punishes the majority. How this will play out remains uncertain. 06:17.160 --> 06:20.560 Why is my father's name on this list? 06:20.560 --> 06:23.960 Uncle Shishu has long been part of Prince Qing's faction. 06:23.960 --> 06:28.400 Could it be he's trying to drag my father into it? 06:50.120 --> 06:51.920 [Dou Residence] 06:51.920 --> 06:55.920 What brings you by? You didn't even send word ahead. 06:55.920 --> 07:00.200 Wait a moment. Gao Sheng, brew some of the After Rain Longjing tea I just brought. 07:00.200 --> 07:04.160 - Yes, Master. - Leave us. There's no need to serve us. 07:06.560 --> 07:08.560 I have something to tell you as well. 07:08.560 --> 07:10.400 Gao Sheng. 07:16.400 --> 07:18.200 Seventh Master. 07:27.520 --> 07:31.560 Father, these houses aren't exactly cheap. 07:31.560 --> 07:35.600 These houses are something I specifically set aside for you to have as assets. 07:35.600 --> 07:38.040 A while back, I put some spare money 07:38.040 --> 07:40.480 into the new Yunfei Jewelry Pavilion that opened in the capital. 07:40.480 --> 07:42.480 The profits have been excellent. 07:42.480 --> 07:46.720 I'm using the returns from the shop to pay the installments on the houses. 07:46.720 --> 07:49.640 I know most of the capital's jewelry and jade shop owners, 07:49.640 --> 07:52.560 but I've never heard of Yunfei Jewelry Pavilion. 07:54.760 --> 07:58.400 Father, you're an honest man, but you're also easily swayed. 07:58.400 --> 08:00.360 Be careful with your investments. 08:00.360 --> 08:04.840 Don't let the lure of small profits end up draining your assets. 08:04.840 --> 08:08.800 I worked in the Ministry of Revenue, after all. I've checked the accounts thoroughly. 08:08.800 --> 08:13.200 This jewelry shop's craftsmanship is excellent, and it has a steady clientele. 08:13.200 --> 08:16.080 It was Minister Mu who introduced us to it. Your uncle and I have invested some money. 08:16.080 --> 08:18.160 It's trustworthy. 08:25.000 --> 08:27.360 My Lord, I've found out everything. 08:27.360 --> 08:31.320 The owner of the jewelry shop is the Duke of Jing, the Zhang family. 08:32.760 --> 08:36.360 Which officials or nobles in the capital have invested in it? 08:36.360 --> 08:38.760 The shop workers are tight-lipped, 08:38.760 --> 08:44.480 but according to the neighbors, most of the visitors are high-ranking officials. 08:45.080 --> 08:47.080 The Zhang family has money to burn. 08:47.080 --> 08:49.400 They spend tens of thousands of taels just to renovate a courtyard. 08:49.400 --> 08:52.240 With them backing it, and so many colleagues eager to invest, 08:52.240 --> 08:54.600 that tells us it's reliable. Doesn't it? 08:55.520 --> 08:59.680 You work in the Ministry of Revenue. So you know the current state of the court. 08:59.680 --> 09:02.040 The treasury collects three million taels of silver in annual taxes, 09:02.040 --> 09:04.200 but expenditures reach six million taels. 09:04.200 --> 09:07.120 The court is drowning in debt, and the people are barely scraping by. 09:07.120 --> 09:10.480 How is it that the Zhang family can easily spend tens of thousands of taels? 09:10.480 --> 09:11.760 What is the Duke of Jing's salary? 09:11.760 --> 09:15.240 How can he afford such properties? How can he back such ventures? 09:18.760 --> 09:23.000 Maybe he has other businesses outside his official duties. 09:23.000 --> 09:25.240 Money makes money, that's all. 09:25.240 --> 09:28.480 Public funds and private wealth shouldn't be lumped together. 09:28.480 --> 09:31.880 Father, the Zhang family is the empress's maternal family. 09:31.880 --> 09:34.200 Their money comes from the Liaodong horse markets. 09:34.200 --> 09:36.360 Prince Qing and the crown prince are now openly at odds. 09:36.360 --> 09:39.920 Those profits are being used to win over court officials. 09:40.880 --> 09:43.880 T-These are separate matters. 09:43.880 --> 09:46.880 Business is business, and court politics are court politics. 09:46.880 --> 09:50.440 The Duke of Jing has always stayed out of politics. 09:51.240 --> 09:54.840 You believe they're separate matters? 09:54.840 --> 10:01.760 Then let me ask you this. Did you sign your name on the investment contract? 10:10.720 --> 10:13.520 Prince Qing is getting prepared to seize the throne. 10:13.520 --> 10:16.880 That signed contract ties you directly to him. 10:16.880 --> 10:20.880 Whatever he does in the future, you'll either have to support him, 10:20.880 --> 10:24.640 or pretend you know nothing. 10:24.640 --> 10:26.880 I never intended to form factions. 10:26.880 --> 10:28.880 Fifth Uncle has long been part of his faction. 10:28.880 --> 10:32.120 He is dragging you into this now, so he could take advantage of your identity 10:32.120 --> 10:35.240 as Yantang's father-in-law and coerce him into obeying them. 10:39.080 --> 10:42.080 Getting involved in a succession battle and forming factions for personal gain 10:42.080 --> 10:44.360 will get the entire family executed. 10:44.360 --> 10:45.840 This won't do. 10:45.840 --> 10:48.040 I have to withdraw from the business. 10:48.720 --> 10:51.120 Father, let me handle it. 10:51.120 --> 10:53.280 I'll go to the jewelry shop now. 10:53.280 --> 10:55.080 Shougu... 11:00.400 --> 11:03.120 What should I do, Yantang? 11:03.120 --> 11:05.520 Should I take a leave of absence? 11:05.520 --> 11:07.640 Maybe I'll just resign. 11:07.640 --> 11:10.480 Father, even if you resign, 11:10.480 --> 11:14.840 it doesn't change the fact that you are Shougu's father and my father-in-law. 11:15.520 --> 11:19.280 I made a promise to keep Shougu's family safe. 11:19.280 --> 11:22.800 Their target is me. I'll take care of this. 11:23.880 --> 11:25.400 Assemble our dormant soldiers. 11:25.400 --> 11:30.360 My Lord, Prince Qing and his people are investigating our men. 11:30.360 --> 11:33.800 If they set a trap, we might walk right into it. 11:34.760 --> 11:37.600 When it comes to deploying forces in the capital, 11:37.600 --> 11:43.200 who is the trap and who is the prey won't be for him to decide. 11:51.920 --> 11:53.800 Dormant soldiers? 12:00.200 --> 12:02.680 [Yunfei Jewelry Pavilion] 12:02.680 --> 12:04.960 Please come in, Young Master Wang. 12:04.960 --> 12:06.760 Welcome, welcome. 12:15.760 --> 12:17.480 Duchess of Ying. 12:17.480 --> 12:20.480 Her Grace has some big business to discuss with your master. 12:20.480 --> 12:23.000 Please ask Lady Wei to come here now. 12:24.280 --> 12:27.840 I'm known for my impatience and ill-tempered. She'd better hurry, 12:27.840 --> 12:34.360 or the Duchess of Ying causing trouble here might sabotage your business. 12:36.520 --> 12:38.600 I'll notify Master immediately. 12:38.600 --> 12:40.680 Please make yourself comfortable here. 13:03.480 --> 13:05.280 Duchess. 13:06.000 --> 13:08.280 My master is ready to see you. 13:12.240 --> 13:15.360 I'll pay ten times the principal and interest my father invested. 13:15.360 --> 13:18.480 The Miao family's client network and the craftsmen from Zhaowen Bookstore 13:18.480 --> 13:20.000 can all be negotiated as part of the deal. 13:20.000 --> 13:25.920 In exchange, release my father's contract, and nullify the agreement. 13:26.840 --> 13:31.600 This deal is as good as free money falling from the sky. 13:31.600 --> 13:34.760 Duchess, our shop has a strict rule, 13:34.760 --> 13:40.200 once a contract is signed, no matter life, death, profit, or loss, it cannot be voided. 13:40.200 --> 13:44.880 So the rules of this shop override national laws, huh? 13:44.880 --> 13:50.240 It might appear as an investment, but they've actually signed a slave contract. 13:50.240 --> 13:53.800 Lady Wei, you've always been profit-driven, yet now you suddenly change your ways? 13:53.800 --> 13:59.040 It seems the hidden profits of this shop far outweigh anything I could offer. 14:00.160 --> 14:02.960 The audacity of you to say that. 14:02.960 --> 14:07.240 What benefits have I ever gotten from you? 14:07.240 --> 14:14.520 You have bled my family dry, leaving us ruined and broken! 14:15.120 --> 14:20.720 Allowing your father and uncle to invest was a favor to you. 14:20.720 --> 14:26.120 And now you dare to demand annulment? 14:26.120 --> 14:28.400 Go ahead, smash everything if you want. 14:28.400 --> 14:34.880 I refuse to believe the Office of State Affairs will let you get away with it. 14:34.880 --> 14:39.000 Wei Tingzhen, I've shown you courtesy before resorting to force. 14:39.000 --> 14:40.880 Today, I've offered you respect. 14:40.880 --> 14:45.200 Tomorrow, it won't be so easy to come by. 14:46.480 --> 14:48.080 Tomorrow? 14:48.080 --> 14:51.520 When the throne changes hands, forget about respect, 14:51.520 --> 14:56.000 you and your husband might not even make it alive. 15:11.960 --> 15:17.000 [Dismantle the Beizhen main family and you will be promoted to Military Justice Officer...] 15:17.000 --> 15:19.440 They say once you gamble, you're hooked for life. 15:19.440 --> 15:22.400 Do you know why? 15:25.760 --> 15:30.160 It's because once someone gets a taste of turning pennies into fortunes, 15:30.160 --> 15:33.000 of the rush of striking it rich overnight, that rush is unforgettable, 15:33.000 --> 15:36.880 even if it costs them broken bones or severed fingers. 15:36.880 --> 15:42.200 Prince Qing's game is no different; borrow a little, owe a fortune. 15:42.200 --> 15:46.240 The bigger the stakes, the bigger the reward. 15:49.240 --> 15:52.000 I gave up gambling a long time ago. 15:52.000 --> 15:55.760 I'm afraid I'll have to decline His Highness's offer. 15:55.760 --> 15:58.880 Fine then. Something was stolen from His Highness's residence today. 15:58.880 --> 16:01.080 And you've just been caught in the act. 16:01.080 --> 16:03.200 What are you going to do now? 16:04.040 --> 16:08.080 Prince Qing's recommendation for you as a Military Justice Officer has been issued. 16:08.080 --> 16:10.320 Do you think Song Mo will still save you? 16:10.320 --> 16:16.080 If you don't want to play, plenty of others are eager to take your place. 16:18.240 --> 16:19.840 Oh, right! 16:21.240 --> 16:24.000 Don't forget about Young Lady Zhao. 16:29.520 --> 16:31.280 Dou Shishu had Zou Er deliver an invitation, 16:31.280 --> 16:35.480 asking you to meet him tomorrow at midnight at the jewelry shop to discuss the contract. 16:35.480 --> 16:38.480 Our men are ready. 16:38.480 --> 16:42.040 Dou Shishu is ruthless and selfish to the core. 16:42.040 --> 16:46.080 Unless you pledge your allegiance, he won't hand over the contract. 16:46.080 --> 16:49.200 I think you should avoid this trap. 16:49.200 --> 16:51.520 Let us investigate the secrets behind this jewelry shop first. 16:51.520 --> 16:53.320 No. 16:53.320 --> 16:56.480 During the martial competition, Prince Qing and I made our stances clear. 16:56.480 --> 16:59.040 He won't give me time to stall. 16:59.040 --> 17:00.480 Haven't you noticed? 17:00.480 --> 17:04.080 Imperial Physician Lu has been visiting less and less frequently. 17:05.080 --> 17:10.800 Imperial Physician Lu attends only to you and His Majesty. 17:10.800 --> 17:13.840 Could it be that His Majesty's condition has worsened? 17:13.840 --> 17:15.560 The arrow is on the string. 17:15.560 --> 17:18.960 If I can't become Prince Qing's weapon, 17:18.960 --> 17:22.200 he will see me as the thorn that he must remove. 17:26.040 --> 17:28.720 - Madam. - Did you retrieve the contract? 17:28.720 --> 17:31.880 Perhaps something even better than the contract. 17:33.200 --> 17:36.600 Our weaknesses are also their vulnerabilities. 17:38.160 --> 17:40.960 The stars are dim and clouds cover the sky. 17:40.960 --> 17:42.840 Gentlemen, don't linger. 17:42.840 --> 17:47.360 It's midnight. Time to pack up! Pack it up! Hurry! 17:49.040 --> 17:54.920 I never thought I'd live to see the day where you would greet me personally, Minister Dou. 17:54.920 --> 17:57.240 I thought you wouldn't show up. 17:57.240 --> 18:00.680 I didn't expect you cared so much about my brother. 18:00.680 --> 18:05.320 Unfortunately, we seem to look out for him in very different ways. 18:06.840 --> 18:08.240 Sir, hold on. 18:08.240 --> 18:10.080 We run a small business here. 18:10.080 --> 18:13.200 If these gold and jade items are damaged, we will suffer losses. 18:13.200 --> 18:16.880 I must ask you to leave your weapons behind. 18:16.880 --> 18:22.160 By His Majesty's special decree, even in his royal presence, we're not required to disarm. 18:22.960 --> 18:28.080 If you see me as an enemy, forget about the meeting then. 18:28.080 --> 18:32.280 This concerns family secrets, and I said I would only meet you alone. 18:32.280 --> 18:34.600 It's just a conversation over tea. 18:38.160 --> 18:40.680 - Wait outside the building. - Yes, Your Grace. 18:52.000 --> 18:56.880 You've been avoiding me, so I had no choice but to trick you. 18:57.520 --> 18:59.800 Don't blame Minister Dou for this. 19:04.560 --> 19:07.280 Minister Dou chose this path himself. 19:08.760 --> 19:10.920 There's nothing to blame. 19:12.640 --> 19:15.040 I really have the Snow Mushroom. 19:15.040 --> 19:19.640 Once you cure the poison, you can live a long and happy life with your wife and child. 19:19.640 --> 19:23.080 With the Dou family for governance, and the Duke of Ying for defense, 19:23.080 --> 19:24.800 my empire would be harmonious and prosperous. 19:24.800 --> 19:27.000 What could be better? 19:27.000 --> 19:30.880 The poison may be cured, but my hatred won't be. 19:32.600 --> 19:38.040 Throughout history, no wise ruler has risen to power without sacrifices. 19:38.680 --> 19:43.040 These are merely means, not the goal. 19:43.040 --> 19:45.400 If it's about your mother's death, 19:46.040 --> 19:52.400 tomorrow, I can send you Song Han's head as a gesture of sincerity. 20:01.160 --> 20:04.280 It's true that your uncle stood in the way of my great cause, 20:04.280 --> 20:06.920 and my mother and I did intend to remove him, 20:06.920 --> 20:09.520 but the Duke of Ding was a peerless warrior. 20:09.520 --> 20:15.240 If His Majesty really trusted him fully, would he have met such an end? 20:16.720 --> 20:20.400 He died because he misplaced his loyalty. 20:20.400 --> 20:22.000 Who do you think his spirit will really resent? 20:22.000 --> 20:26.200 Wang Ge? Me? Or my mother? 20:26.200 --> 20:29.080 The twelve imperial edicts that recalled Yue Fei 20:29.080 --> 20:33.600 were issued by Zhao Gou, not Qin Hui. 20:35.240 --> 20:36.960 That's true. 20:36.960 --> 20:42.640 Zhao Gou should kneel and be scorned before the statue of Yue Fei. 20:42.640 --> 20:47.240 But that doesn't mean Qin Hui should stand tall because of it. 20:51.600 --> 20:53.440 Song Mo! 20:53.440 --> 20:56.560 His Highness has shown you enough respect. 20:56.560 --> 20:58.400 If you refuse to comply, 20:58.400 --> 21:01.920 tonight you'll die here, accused of attempting to assassinate Prince Qing. 21:01.920 --> 21:04.480 Shougu will become a widow. 21:04.480 --> 21:07.600 Will you still get your revenge then? 21:08.520 --> 21:12.840 Your Highness, you certainly have a way of leveraging what people care about. 21:13.720 --> 21:21.280 But the cleverest people often die caught in their own traps. 21:28.720 --> 21:32.200 I told you before, your soldiers are useless. 21:33.080 --> 21:34.360 How dare you, Song Mo! 21:34.360 --> 21:36.600 Do you know the punishment for attempting to murder a prince? 21:36.600 --> 21:40.960 If revenge were as simple as killing him, I could fulfill my wish tonight. 21:40.960 --> 21:42.440 Don't forget, 21:42.440 --> 21:45.440 - you're here for the contract. - It's you who have forgotten it. 21:45.440 --> 21:47.240 I never did. 21:55.200 --> 21:56.480 Don't worry. 21:56.480 --> 22:01.600 Every single one of the contracts in the secret room downstairs will be fine. 22:06.240 --> 22:07.920 I've measured it. 22:07.920 --> 22:11.320 The main hall is 16 steps long and 12 steps wide, 22:11.320 --> 22:14.960 with three rooms and six supporting pillars. 22:14.960 --> 22:16.640 I've cross-checked it. 22:16.640 --> 22:19.760 There's a discrepancy of one zhang between the inner and outer dimensions of the first floor. 22:19.760 --> 22:21.960 There must be a hidden room here. 22:26.280 --> 22:27.640 While you confront Prince Qing, 22:27.640 --> 22:31.320 I'll lead a team to blow open the outer wall and retrieve the contracts. 22:33.400 --> 22:35.200 Your Highness! 22:38.720 --> 22:43.320 Your Grace, all the contracts are here. 22:43.320 --> 22:45.120 Good job. 22:52.440 --> 22:54.240 Song Mo has gone mad. 22:54.240 --> 22:57.280 He set off explosives in the streets and endangered the people. 22:57.280 --> 22:59.200 Execute him on the spot! 23:01.400 --> 23:07.400 I'll present these contracts along with the Duke of Ding's letters to His Majesty. 23:07.400 --> 23:12.400 What do you think His Majesty will do about your crimes of factionalism? 23:13.240 --> 23:15.560 Jiang Meisun amassed troops in the southeast, 23:15.560 --> 23:17.560 and now you're trying to carry out a massacre in the capital. 23:17.560 --> 23:19.440 The citizens are witnesses tonight. 23:19.440 --> 23:23.280 How can the Jiang family claim loyalty and integrity? 23:23.280 --> 23:26.120 You are unworthy of even mentioning our family name! 23:29.560 --> 23:31.360 My Lord! 23:33.760 --> 23:36.320 Song Mo has attempted to assassinate me. 23:36.920 --> 23:40.320 Whoever kills him will be greatly rewarded. 23:41.440 --> 23:43.240 Stop! 23:44.200 --> 23:46.160 Move! Move! 23:46.160 --> 23:47.960 Don't move! 23:56.320 --> 23:58.120 Yantang. 23:58.760 --> 24:00.640 What are you doing here? 24:04.480 --> 24:09.000 Prince Qing, Duke of Ying, and Minister Dou, 24:09.000 --> 24:12.520 please come with me to the palace to meet His Majesty. 24:12.520 --> 24:14.080 You wretched servant, are you blind? 24:14.080 --> 24:15.840 Song Mo set fires and attempted to assassinate me. 24:15.840 --> 24:17.360 He should be executed on the spot! 24:17.360 --> 24:20.960 And that vile woman dared to scheme against me, she should die too! 24:24.400 --> 24:27.040 Yantang! 24:28.920 --> 24:32.560 So she is your weakness. 24:33.640 --> 24:36.160 I am merely carrying out His Majesty's orders. 24:36.160 --> 24:38.880 Please forgive me, Your Highness. 24:51.000 --> 24:54.200 They say it's bad luck for a pregnant woman to see blood. 24:55.440 --> 24:57.560 You shouldn't have come. 25:02.160 --> 25:04.680 Didn't we make a promise to each other? 25:05.320 --> 25:10.400 No matter what happens, we'll face it together. 25:13.480 --> 25:15.560 I'll go to the palace with you. 25:32.000 --> 25:35.520 Father, Song Mo set a trap and started the fire. 25:35.520 --> 25:40.120 If I hadn't drawn my sword to protect myself, I might not be standing before you now. 25:41.480 --> 25:45.080 Do you think that's something a prince should say? 25:46.400 --> 25:51.400 Your Majesty, Prince Qing has formed factions, engaged in corruption on a grand scale, 25:51.400 --> 25:54.720 and used the guise of a jewelry shop to bribe high-ranking officials, 25:54.720 --> 25:57.440 corrupt the bureaucracy, and exploit the common people. 25:57.440 --> 26:00.480 The records of his faction and the contracts are all here. 26:00.480 --> 26:02.840 I request you to make a fair judgment. 26:03.680 --> 26:05.720 Are the high-ranking officials 26:05.720 --> 26:10.080 you're referring to the same ones who recently impeached the crown prince? 26:10.080 --> 26:15.480 You're stirring up discord between me and my brother just to seek revenge, are you not? 26:15.480 --> 26:19.200 Words can be false, but signatures and seals cannot lie. 26:19.200 --> 26:23.680 The ledger tracks millions of taels of silver, with every transaction fully documented. 26:23.680 --> 26:28.280 I petition for a thorough investigation into all implicated officials. 26:29.960 --> 26:31.760 Your Majesty... 26:32.440 --> 26:36.040 Duke of Ying, this matter involves too many individuals. 26:36.040 --> 26:39.280 His Majesty is physically and mentally exhausted. 26:39.280 --> 26:40.680 Your Majesty... 26:40.680 --> 26:42.480 Your Majesty. 26:43.440 --> 26:47.320 Prince Yu'an, Prince Jihuai, and Duke of Jing request an audience. 26:57.760 --> 27:00.240 The princes are all inside, 27:00.240 --> 27:03.640 and outside the Fengtian Gate, several ministers and high-ranking officials 27:03.640 --> 27:05.880 are ready to impeach Song Mo. 27:05.880 --> 27:08.440 He's brought this upon himself. 27:08.440 --> 27:11.280 Do you really intend to die with him? 27:13.280 --> 27:18.000 The explosion in the secret room was your plan, wasn't it? 27:18.000 --> 27:20.160 Do you know the penalty for illegally manufacturing explosives? 27:20.160 --> 27:22.240 A capital offense. 27:22.240 --> 27:24.520 But as the one who controls military power, 27:24.520 --> 27:29.000 you will inevitably be seen as complicit in your niece's actions. 27:29.000 --> 27:30.760 - You... - If it comes to that, 27:30.760 --> 27:36.440 will the empress and Prince Qing sacrifice you to ensure that Song Mo and I go down? 27:36.440 --> 27:39.840 You... You're so devious! 27:39.840 --> 27:41.240 You're going to drag the entire family down with you! 27:41.240 --> 27:43.040 I'm saving our family. 27:43.040 --> 27:46.360 Prince Qing has tampered with the foundation of the nation, and the evidence is irrefutable. 27:50.040 --> 27:51.760 His Majesty is a wise ruler. 27:51.760 --> 27:54.560 With so many people involved, 27:54.560 --> 27:57.160 His Majesty will have no choice but to make a decisive judgment. 27:57.160 --> 28:00.200 Lady Dou, you may excel at managing a household, 28:00.200 --> 28:03.880 but you oversimplify matters of the court. 28:08.040 --> 28:09.640 You've worked hard, Minister Dou. 28:09.640 --> 28:12.680 - Go and take a break. - Yes, Your Majesty. 28:14.000 --> 28:19.280 You're becoming a mother yourself, you should understand a parent's heart. 28:20.160 --> 28:24.320 No matter how justified Song Mo may be, he's still just an outsider. 28:24.320 --> 28:29.680 No matter how grave Youting's mistakes, he remains His Majesty's own flesh and blood. 28:29.680 --> 28:34.960 His Majesty is not just Prince Qing's father, he is the sovereign of all. 28:34.960 --> 28:38.440 As the sovereign, he must prioritize the bigger picture. 28:38.440 --> 28:42.240 If every royal and high official guilty of corruption were to be executed, 28:42.240 --> 28:44.000 could the court still function? 28:44.000 --> 28:47.480 Would the people still trust the court? 28:47.480 --> 28:50.200 The law cannot punish the masses, let alone close relatives. 28:50.200 --> 28:53.040 Prince Yu'an is His Majesty's uncle, 28:53.040 --> 28:56.320 and Prince Jihuai is His Majesty's younger brother. 28:56.320 --> 28:59.840 The contracts may not be undeniable evidence of guilt, 28:59.840 --> 29:03.760 but they are certainly a crushing weight that will bury you and Song Mo. 29:06.720 --> 29:10.000 Song Mo, you've just been appointed Commander of the Warden's Office. 29:10.000 --> 29:12.880 Yet you set fire to a jewelry shop and acted like a bandit. 29:12.880 --> 29:16.680 You are the commander of the Imperial Guards, and yet you assaulted a prince in the street. 29:16.680 --> 29:18.960 Your arrogance and disregard for decorum [Prince Yu'an, Prince Jihuai] 29:18.960 --> 29:20.520 disgrace the imperial favor bestowed upon you. 29:20.520 --> 29:23.920 The people's anger cannot be appeased if you're not punished severely. 29:23.920 --> 29:28.120 According to the laws, royal kin are forbidden from interfering in state affairs. 29:28.120 --> 29:29.560 As for the charges of dereliction and arson, 29:29.560 --> 29:31.760 I stand by my actions and will take responsibility. 29:31.760 --> 29:39.640 But if your name appears on these contracts, will you admit to it? 29:43.120 --> 29:46.000 Your Majesty, the ancestral teachings left by the founding emperor state 29:46.000 --> 29:47.400 that a harmonious family leads to a prosperous nation. 29:47.400 --> 29:51.240 The royal family is the model for all, governing with filial piety. 29:51.240 --> 29:54.440 Nothing is more forbidden than mistrust between father and son or strife between brothers. 29:54.440 --> 30:00.240 As a subject, to sow discord within the royal family is a crime punishable by death! 30:00.240 --> 30:06.040 I held your hand and copied those words, one by one. 30:06.040 --> 30:08.920 Your Majesty, have you forgotten? 30:08.920 --> 30:13.200 Song Mo's accusations are slander, a desperate attempt to absolve himself of his crimes. 30:13.200 --> 30:17.520 Your Majesty, with your wisdom, surely you have seen through his schemes. 30:17.520 --> 30:20.040 - Make a wise judgment, Your Majesty! - Make a wise judgment, Your Majesty! 30:20.040 --> 30:22.960 [Names of all those who signed the contract] 30:34.040 --> 30:36.480 This contract... 30:37.840 --> 30:40.320 is stained with blood. 30:44.360 --> 30:47.240 The names are unclear. 31:00.400 --> 31:03.880 You've been kneeling here long enough. You've fulfilled your duties as a wife. 31:03.880 --> 31:06.080 Now it's time to think of yourself. 31:06.080 --> 31:09.040 Sever ties with Song Mo and return to the Dou family. 31:09.040 --> 31:12.400 Your uncle will ensure your family's safety. 31:12.400 --> 31:15.680 I will also keep a position here for you. 31:15.680 --> 31:21.000 Be the wife of a condemned criminal, or the noble daughter of a prominent family. 31:21.000 --> 31:23.080 It's a simple choice, isn't it? 31:25.240 --> 31:32.920 My choice doesn't depend on whose wife or daughter I am 31:32.920 --> 31:35.720 but on who I am as a person. 31:35.720 --> 31:38.720 A noble person acts according to their principles. 31:39.800 --> 31:43.240 I will stay here and wait for Song Mo to walk out on his own. 31:46.560 --> 31:50.680 The paths of a ruler and subject are distinct by nature. 31:50.680 --> 31:54.760 For Song Mo to walk out of here unscathed today, there is only one way. 31:54.760 --> 31:58.520 He must confess that his actions tonight were instigated by his father-in-law, 31:58.520 --> 32:01.960 shifting all the blame onto Dou Shiying. 32:05.120 --> 32:12.640 The only name I can make out is Dou Shiying. 32:12.680 --> 32:15.560 You went to Yunfei Pavilion for him, didn't you? 32:15.560 --> 32:21.480 He must have made a mistake, leading to the rift between you and Youting. 32:23.240 --> 32:26.600 The events at Yunfei Pavilion were my doing alone. 32:26.600 --> 32:29.160 My father-in-law knew nothing of it. 32:29.160 --> 32:32.760 Your Majesty, if you wish to blame it on someone, blame me alone. 32:32.760 --> 32:35.480 It has nothing to do with anyone else. 32:35.480 --> 32:37.280 Song Mo! 32:38.680 --> 32:40.320 Your Majesty... 32:40.320 --> 32:43.920 Your Majesty cherishes your talents! 32:43.920 --> 32:48.760 Please don't stubbornly take the blame, and throw away your future for nothing. 32:48.760 --> 32:52.400 Your Majesty, Song Mo's actions tonight are unforgivable! 32:52.400 --> 32:54.120 Each offense is a capital crime. 32:54.120 --> 32:56.720 How can you continue to show leniency to this man? 32:56.720 --> 33:00.760 If he's not executed now, are we to wait until he kills off the entire royal family? 33:00.760 --> 33:02.960 Enough! 33:11.640 --> 33:16.960 Should we have the Directorate for Credentials clean and restore it, or burn it? 33:21.240 --> 33:24.080 Keep it for now. 33:24.080 --> 33:25.760 Put it on hold. 33:25.760 --> 33:27.560 Yes, Your Majesty. 33:31.080 --> 33:33.360 You've done well. 33:34.440 --> 33:37.840 Your mother has taught you really well. 33:39.200 --> 33:41.680 If not for tonight's events, 33:41.680 --> 33:48.000 I wouldn't have realized how much my uncle and my brother value you. 33:48.960 --> 33:50.760 Father! 33:53.760 --> 33:59.200 Those who achieve great things must sacrifice and compromise on certain things. 33:59.200 --> 34:04.560 Acting on impulse will only cost you everything. 34:06.400 --> 34:13.080 Dou Shiying incited a court official to frame a prince, plunging the capital into chaos. 34:13.080 --> 34:15.480 - Guards... - Your Majesty! 34:15.480 --> 34:18.720 I cannot play the game of weighing gains and losses, sacrificing others to save myself. 34:18.720 --> 34:22.320 If someone must be held accountable, I will take the blame then. 34:22.320 --> 34:24.120 If my uncle were still alive, 34:24.120 --> 34:32.680 he would never have allowed me to sacrifice those I care about for personal gain. 34:32.680 --> 34:35.600 Preposterous! How dare you invoke the name of a traitor to pressure His Majesty? 34:35.600 --> 34:38.640 Do you even respect the authority of the throne? 34:38.640 --> 34:46.080 Are you trying to continue the rebellion Jiang Meisun failed to complete? 34:46.080 --> 34:47.640 What did you say? 34:47.640 --> 34:49.720 Drawing your blade here, are you trying to commit regicide? 34:49.720 --> 34:53.160 - I'm going to kill you! - Song Mo, have you gone mad? 34:59.520 --> 35:05.160 Staying clear-headed is a hundred times more painful than losing oneself to madness. 35:05.160 --> 35:08.440 Sacrificing justice for family ties... 35:11.240 --> 35:14.760 You've done it more than once. 35:14.760 --> 35:17.680 Why should I put up with it any longer? 35:17.680 --> 35:21.480 Why should I continue to hold any expectations for you? 35:28.880 --> 35:30.880 Your Majesty... 35:32.720 --> 35:34.520 Your Majesty... 35:35.560 --> 35:41.320 You've... been... 35:43.840 --> 35:46.200 resenting me. 36:06.480 --> 36:07.560 Your Majesty! 36:07.560 --> 36:12.400 Your Majesty! Your Majesty! 36:12.400 --> 36:13.920 Summon Imperial Physician Lu! 36:13.920 --> 36:15.960 Your Majesty! 36:19.680 --> 36:25.440 By imperial decree, Song Mo is guilty of negligence and dereliction of duty, 36:25.440 --> 36:28.280 resulting in the incident at Changle Street. 36:28.280 --> 36:32.680 In light of his past meritorious service, he is spared from execution. 36:32.680 --> 36:35.160 He is stripped of all official positions. 36:35.160 --> 36:40.880 He is to be immediately escorted to the prison, awaiting further judgment. 36:48.640 --> 36:51.560 It's such a shame, Lady Dou. 37:04.040 --> 37:05.840 Yantang! 37:07.240 --> 37:08.760 Father is safe now. 37:08.760 --> 37:10.160 I'll be fine. 37:10.160 --> 37:12.120 Don't worry. 37:12.120 --> 37:13.800 Yantang! 37:13.800 --> 37:15.600 Yantang! 37:16.360 --> 37:18.160 Yantang! 37:20.200 --> 37:26.160 ​♫ There is no need to hide my heart in the future ♫ 37:26.160 --> 37:28.560 ♫ Covered in frost and snow ♫ 37:28.560 --> 37:30.360 Shougu! 37:30.360 --> 37:32.160 Shougu! 37:36.240 --> 37:38.040 Shougu... 37:40.280 --> 37:41.960 Doctor! 37:41.960 --> 37:44.400 Summon the doctor! 37:46.840 --> 37:53.040 ♫ I don't listen to the advice of the mortals ♫ 37:55.760 --> 37:57.560 Yantang... 37:58.880 --> 38:00.440 Yantang... 38:00.440 --> 38:03.560 I have to save Yantang. 38:03.560 --> 38:05.440 You can't save him. 38:05.440 --> 38:09.760 The Wenqu Star is shining brightly, while the Tianchong Star has grown dimmer. 38:09.760 --> 38:11.760 It is about to fall. 38:11.760 --> 38:13.120 Song Mo doesn't have long to live. 38:13.120 --> 38:16.560 Lord Ji, please stop the carriage and help Her Ladyship first! 38:16.560 --> 38:18.360 We can't stop. 38:18.360 --> 38:20.720 Those from the Duke of Ying's residence must be looking for her. 38:20.720 --> 38:23.680 We have to get Dou Zhao to a safe place first. 38:46.280 --> 38:49.760 His Majesty's health is failing. He has been sick for too long. 38:49.760 --> 38:54.600 I pray for Buddha's blessing and protection. 38:56.520 --> 38:59.760 [A Good Environment Produces Excellent People] 39:10.480 --> 39:12.200 Godfather, you've been running back and forth tirelessly. 39:12.200 --> 39:13.960 It's too much for you. 39:13.960 --> 39:17.600 His Majesty has decreed that I will take over the affairs 39:17.600 --> 39:20.280 and the Imperial Guard for the time being. 39:20.280 --> 39:22.960 You only need to focus on attending to His Majesty. 39:22.960 --> 39:25.160 His Majesty is ill. 39:25.160 --> 39:27.240 How could he have issued such a decree? 39:27.240 --> 39:31.200 When His Majesty is indisposed, Her Majesty often interprets his wishes. 39:31.200 --> 39:36.840 Her Majesty has said that His Majesty cannot go even a moment without your care. 39:40.600 --> 39:42.760 Please come with me, Godfather. 39:54.720 --> 39:58.960 Song Mo, as a high-ranking official, openly set fire and caused chaos in the imperial city. 39:58.960 --> 40:02.880 If he is not executed publicly, the people's anger won't be appeased. 40:21.400 --> 40:23.320 Ji Jianming? 40:23.320 --> 40:26.160 What are you doing here? 40:26.160 --> 40:27.320 How insolent! 40:27.320 --> 40:32.160 His Highness regards me as a teacher, do you think you're worthy of calling me by name? 40:34.080 --> 40:39.680 Dou Zhao is my sister-in-law and the Duchess of Ying. 40:39.680 --> 40:42.760 It's only right for me to bring her back. 40:42.760 --> 40:47.680 But you, an outsider, abducted her while she was unprepared. 40:48.920 --> 40:51.680 Don't think I'm unaware of your motives. 40:51.680 --> 40:54.600 You want to use Dou Zhao to control Song Mo's forces. 40:54.600 --> 40:58.040 The one taking advantage of her unprepared state is you. 41:01.320 --> 41:04.240 If you ruin Prince Qing's plans, His Highness won't let you off. 41:04.240 --> 41:08.720 If His Highness finds out you've rescued his enemy, he'll kill you just the same. 41:10.920 --> 41:14.440 When did His Highness ever instruct you to lay your hands on the Duchess of Ying? 41:14.440 --> 41:18.800 Song Mo's guilt hasn't even been decided, and you're already making your move. 41:18.800 --> 41:22.680 Do you think His Highness doesn't see through your selfish agenda? 41:25.040 --> 41:28.280 Whether he thinks I'm selfish or not, we'll see soon enough. 41:28.280 --> 41:30.080 Search! 41:49.680 --> 41:52.560 ...the grudgebane, will make your suffering unbearable. 41:52.560 --> 41:56.360 Savor the agony as the poison takes effect. 41:56.360 --> 41:57.880 Yantang... 41:57.880 --> 41:59.360 Yantang... 41:59.360 --> 42:01.040 Yantang... 42:01.040 --> 42:04.840 Madam? Please don't scare me. Madam!