02x06 - Episode 6

[bunniefuu]

Subject Xun.

I am here.

Song Fu is already sure to be ex*cuted.

Hence, his testimonies cannot be fully trusted.

To prevent him from randomly ratting people out,

these names still must be carefully verified.

You are the court's head minister. This matter will then be handled by you.

I will accept the decree.

You! Send someone who is eloquent to the manor of the Prince of Chang Lin

and report the results of the initial investigation to the Prince.

But...Prince kept saying...

When Pingjing arrived here in the capital, Imperial Brother immediately handed over all the witnesses and material evidences.

He didn't ask about it anymore afterwards because he believed that I will be just in dealing with this matter.

He was not willing to interfere with the interrogations and trial but it does not mean that he does not care about this case.

Do you not understand the difference between the two?

I was quite slow. May Your Majesty forgive me.

And also, that what...that private assistant,

you must also immediately interrogate him.

Yes.

Miss, there is a guest outside. The wife of the heir of Chang Lin wants to see you.

Who?

Wife of the heir of Chang Lin.

If you compare the testimonies of Song Fu and Ji Chen when they were interrogated separately,

it looks a bit strange.

Isn't that right?

Despite facing so many evidences, Song Fu still refused to admit that he was conniving with the Shanliu Battalion.

But Ji Chen instead admitted it without much prying. It is unreasonable that any of them is lying.

What if...

both are actually saying the truth?

What brother mean is...

Although Ji Cheng believes that he is allying with Song Fu,

at the bottom of everything, the gifts, the letters, and the promises

were all relayed through the private assistant.

Song Fu and Ji Cheng are miles apart. I'm sure that they never have talked face to face.

If Song Fu's private assistant went to Qizhou to contact Ji Chen without the permission of Song Fu,

is that possible?

It might not be possible with the other private assistants, but with this private assistant...

That's right.

That is not an ordinary hired thug. It is Duan Tongzhou, one of the top ranked martial artists.

Maybe the person ordering him around is not just Song Fu

but someone else.

Although the House of Chang Lin cannot interfere with the trial, we can let Minister Wu,

the Commandant of Justice, know about it.

For Pingzhang to have successfully retained his life in Ganzhou, it was all thanks to you. I still haven't formally thanked you

and I am already disturbing you to come to our manor to do a follow-up treatment.

From Ganzhou to the capital, heir apparent is my patient. It is just right for me to check on him.

You actually do not need to personally come fetch me.

Your hall leader and my father have known each other for more than 30 years. There is no need for us to be such a stranger to each other.

Next time, stop calling me wife of heir apparent anymore. It makes us seem so distant.

I am older than you by a few years. Just call me older sister.

We can go now.

I am sure that older brother is very busy with government matters.

It has been long since you visited my palace.

I indeed have neglected

visiting Your Lady Highness and Crown Prince. May you forgive me.

I heard that after the Second Young Master of Chang Lin returned to the capital,

the court has been quite not peaceful.

Do you have anything that you want to tell me?

May Your Lady Highness be at ease. I have no relations

with this matter at all.

Really?

For Your Lady Highness and the Crown Prince, I will not be that careless.

Minister, you just got out of the palace and you already are rushing to interrogate this private assistant, you are really working too hard.

This case is an important court case. Who cares about working hard?

Of course, I must hurry to interrogate him.

Where is he?

Where is the criminal?

Minister, I really do not know.

How come things turn out like this?

[House of Chang Lin]

Stop for a while.

[ Gan Tian Court ]

[House of Chang Lin]

- I, your disciple--
- Hurry and pull it backward.

I was reckless. I hope I did not scare wife of heir apparent.

I am fine. High Priest need not put it to heart.

Thank you for your mercy.

Commander Xun.
[Xun Feizhan, commander of the Imperial Jin Guards of Great Liang]

High Priest Puyang, wife of heir apparent.

Senior brother.

Did something bad happened?

A prisoner has escaped from the Heaven's Prison. We got information that he was spotted around here. We are barricading the streets to search for him.

Hope wife of heir apparent can take another route.

What does a prisoner escaping from the Heaven's Prison got to do with the Jin Guards? How come you are the one going after him?

When His Majesty heard about it, he was very mad. The criminal is also highly skilled in martial arts.

Usual people will not be able to capture him so he especially sent me to help.

- It is Duan Tongzhou?
- Yes.

Disciple, hurry and move out.

Yes.

Thank you, High Priest. Senior, I will get going now.

I have disturbed you.

High Priest.

Where are you going that you are rushing like this?

Her Lady Highness has ordered me to go to the palace.

High Priest, please hurry and go.

I will take my leave.

Here. This way.

Once a Laiyang martial arts expert escapes,

I fear that it will be hard to find him again among a vast sea of people.

I heard that wife of heir apparent earlier...

I heard how you addressed Commander Xun earlier. He must be a disciple of Lord Meng.

Yes, he was personally trained by my granduncle.

But because he was too young, we officially made him a disciple of my father, instead.

We then call each other as brother and sister.

Elder Meng had previously obtained the top spot in the Langya charts.

Being under his personal tutelage, he must be very skilled.

I just remember that granduncle was biased towards boys.

He didn't teach me as seriously as he taught him.

Afterwards,

I was married off.

He then got conferred a government position and had been busy with official work.

We rarely meet ever since and now, we have become like strangers.

Okay already. Stop servicing me. You two can leave.

Yes, Master.

You really are so bold. Are you not afraid that I will call for people to take you into custody?

What benefit will it bring you if I get caught?

Minister Song got interrogated so many times

but he never mentioned you.

Are you not going to be appreciative of that?

I have never been involved in these matters.

There is nothing to be grateful about.

Minister said before

that the person who can understand the most why he did all these

was only you, Senior Grand Secretary. He even instructed me before

that if anything bad happens to him, I should serve and listen to your orders instead.

I do not have any orders for you. The Jin Guards are currently searching for you.

This is not a place that you should come.

Hurry and leave.

I also don't want to bring you trouble.

I only came today to notify you.

Once this scandal has passed, I will then serve you.

Master, Commander Xun is here to see you.

Uncle.

Feizhan, why are you in such a hurry?

An important criminal has escaped from the Heaven's Prison. The Jin Guards and the Patrol Guards are currently intensely searching.

I came to tell uncle to be careful for your manor's safety.

Okay. I will tell them to make preparations.

Go back to your work.

I will take my leave.

It was so hard for us to catch that Duan Tongzhou! Even sister-in-law had to interfere.

But what? In the end, he just escaped without a trace like that!

I even reminded Commandant of Justice Wu

that a Langya martial arts expert is not an ordinary people and that he must be more careful. Did he not hear it or he did this deliberately?!

Slap your mouth! So unruly!

You can even casually say such words?!

Father, calm down. Pingjing is just young.

Just teach him what his mistakes are. Father, please don't be angry.

Pingzhang, sit down.

Thank you, father.

Talk reasons with this unruly little brother of yours.

Yes.

It is easy to blame others than to blame oneself. Regarding the level of Duan Tongzhou's skills,

everyone was just able to hear some rumors.

Even a person who has fought with him like you may not be able to fully grasp the immensity of it.

The more it will be hard for Minister Wu who is just a scholarly minister.

Grumblings can be just light or grave. But if we seriously evaluate

the words you said earlier, the words 'deliberately'

can be considered as you accusing him.

What strong basis do you have that you are able to hurt people like this with your speech?

I know now.

I was making unreasonable guesses and said the wrong words.

It is good that you know. Hurry and get up.

Father, His Majesty already sent Xun Feizhan to lead the capture of the criminal.

In the capital, there is no one else more suitable than him.

As long as Duan Tongzhou will leave even a bit of tracks,

Feizhan will surely not let him go.

Good thing that Duan Tongzhou isn't the mastermind.

Although he has escaped, Song Fu is still around.

He did not really cause too much effect on the case.

Replying to Your Majesty,

the escaped prisoner is a jianghu martial arts master. It will not be easy to capture him. It is hard to have any results that fast.

Other than posting his portrait all over the city, I also ordered that the Jin Guards and Patrol Guards to help in

doing long term inspections. As long as the criminal is still in the capital's vicinity,

I believe that he will eventually fall into our net one day.

How is the checking of the names that Song Fu submitted going?

Your Majesty, I have already finished verifying them.

After investigating, some of the people there were just used

while some got tricked and fooled. But...

there were indeed 5 people who are accomplices.

Which also means that even if their reasons were different,

the degree of their involvement are different,

they are still all involved.

I think that since their reasons for getting involved is different,

we cannot punish all of them the same way.

In my court...

there were actually so many ministers...

who are greedy for wealth and status, lusting for power.

They even do not care about the safety of our state anymore.

Your Majesty, there are just a few them and their scheme did not really succeed,

Your Majesty, do not feel bad about it.

Subject Xun, you and the Commandant of Justice discuss it among yourselves and come up with a way to handle this matter.

Send it to the manor of the Prince of Chang Lin first.

Listen to the opinions of Imperial Brother and Pingzhang.

I will abide.

Your Majesty...

Hurry and call for the imperial doctor!

Hurry and call for the imperial doctor!

Yuanshi, hurry and go.

Imperial father...

What the gods told me is exactly similar to what the imperial doctor said.

His Majesty is like this because of the cold winds of the winter has entered his body

plus he was quite distraught these past days,

hence, initiating his illness.

Your Lady Highness, do not worry. It is nothing serious.

Crown Prince is still young. He still needs his father's teachings and protection.

How High Priest can exert more effort about it.

I am not worthy to bear such responsibilities.

I surely will do my best regarding His Majesty's precious health.

Heir's injuries are not to be worried about anymore. But the nursing of your blood and Qi,

the recovery of your strength, still needs some time. We cannot be prevented to feel that it is too slow.

This matter cannot be rushed. You must have more patience.

The prescription for the medicinal soup of heir should be changed too.

Miss Lin's medicinal skills is excellent and she acts is such a mature manner. If not because old hall leader mentioned it,

such bearing isn't really like people of the same age as ours.

Thanks.

Little sister,

is it already meal time soon. Can you give me this honor?

Thank you for sister for trying to make me stay. But there are still matters in the pharmacy that I must handle. I have to go now.

Then little sister, it is agreed then. You must not refuse me next time.

I am quite good in making a few dishes. You surely will like them.

Sister, your hands are really pretty.

No such thing. Look, there are calluses all over.

Good thing, my husband do not mind them.

Then sister, do not walk me out anymore.

Hurry and say it. What is it?

What are you suddenly asking me about?

Don't I still know you?

Since you were young, all your etiquette and rites were taught by mother.

Even the Ministry of Rites will not be able to find any faults.

Earlier, in front of her,

you asked for her age.

Usually, you will never speak like this.

What really is the reason. Hurry and say it.

Did I not already say it earlier what it is about?

That was mentioned by old hall leader himself.

I do not understand.

Just like what you said,

the birthday of a lady

is a topic that no one will mention even during casual chats.

Why then old hall leader mentioned it actively?

Why?

Why? I also do not understand.

That is why I casually tested her earlier.

Tested?

But Miss Lin did not have any reaction at all.

That is right.

This Miss Lin is really steady. You are unable to see anything.

Of course, it may also be that old hall leader

is not bothered by these trifle reasons and that I am only overthinking.

You indeed have overthink it.

Let us see if there is anything fun happening lately.

- Second Young Master.
- Dong Qing.

Second Young Master, heir is calling for you.

This early?

Heir even instructed that you must wear your formal clothes.

I know already.

Stomach in.

Was I too rough?

Not rough.

Can your body take it?

I am not really travelling far. What are you being worried about?

Older brother!

Sister-in-law.

- Okay already.
- I'm going.

Pingzhang!

Pingzhang, why have you entered the palace?

How about it? Is your health better?

Although I cannot make any grand movements,

I am able to tolerate entering the palace and giving my greetings.

Pingjing has been back for quite a long time but did not dare to enter the palace.

Is it because you are afraid that His Majesty will scold you for being always away from home?

Brother Xun, His Majesty still has not scolded me

yet you already are starting to lecture me.

Based on proper etiquette, I should be accompanying you to the throne room.

But I just received news from the Patrol Guards concerning Duan Tongzhou.

I will not accompany you two anymore then.

Just get back to your work.

Brother Xun, I had a few exchanges with Duan Tongzhou. I surely will be able to be of help. Once I exit the palace later, I'll go look for you.

Okay.

His Majesty is here!

Pingzhang, no need for formalities. Hurry and get up.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Give the heir of Chang Lin a seat.

- Yes.
- Your Majesty, you must not do this.

Okay already. Given that you are young,

you of course will usually not be given seats.

But I have already asked the imperial doctor about the situation of your current injuries.

Your state is still different from before.

It was not easy that you are finally allowed to leave the house.

You came to the palace to greet me but will get assisted back.

Tell me, how am I going to face your father then?

Sit.

Older brother.

Pingjing, you have been leisurely idling your time away outside this past year.

If not because your brother's life was endangered, you do not plan to return yet, am I right?

Your Majesty, you surely know about what happened to Ganzhou already.

But what happened in Datong Prefecture, I am sure that you only know a bit about it.

Your Lady Highness Empress.

What is Crown Prince doing?

How come I heard that he did not go to the academy to listen to his lessons?

Replying to Your Lady Highness,

yesterday, Grand Tutor said that Crown Prince's interpretation of the Book of Songs was done very well.

He can rest for a day and not attend any lectures.

But His Highness remembers the instructions of His Majesty and will not dare to rest.

He is practicing his writing right now in his room.

This Old Yuan really did not tell him about it until the very end?

He really did not.

This imperial brother of mine has always been a meticulous thinker since we were young.

I do not find it surprising tha the was able to deduce that Ji Chen is suspicious.

But to use this opportunity to train you,

it does not sound like his usual style.

You are too rash.

You indeed need to be trained.

I just know that no matter what grudges I complain about my father,

you surely will not side with me.

It is good that you know.

Your Majesty, Crown Prince will be transferring to the East Palace when he reaches 10 years old.

Pingjing still has never went to congratulate him.

Oh, right, right. Pingjing, you indeed should go and visit the Crown Prince.

You rarely even come back in a year.

If you do not go show your face, I fear that Crown Prince might not recognize you, his cousin, anymore.

Crown Prince has always liked me the most.

Your Majesty, I really do not believe what you have just said.

Go and send words to the East Palace.

Yes.

I will take my leave then.

Go now.

Pingzhang,

I heard that you once went to Langya Court to ask for a question.

Your Majesty.

I am just chatting with you leisurely. No need to be this afraid.

Second Young Master.

You are...the high priest?

I am Puyang Ying.

High Priest Puyang.

Second Young Master rarely stayed in the capital before.

We also have met for a few times.

It is normal that you do not remember me.

Looks like, His Majesty was right.

If I still do not go to the East Palace to show my face, that Yuanshi will surely have forgotten about me.

Did he not say that he was going to the East Palace?

The East Palace is not that way, right?

Pingzhang, if you want to know what happened in the past,

why not just directly ask your father?

As long as you ask it, he surely will not hide anything from you.

Langye Court does not let any country rule them.

They have a pair of eyes that is beyond this world. I wanted to borrow them and have a look

so as to prevent the mistakes of someone who is involved in the matter.

Were you able to see clearly then?

I did.

Pingzhang, I will tell you some truths today.

When your father decided to make you the heir apparent,

I indeed was very against it.

Your Majesty prefers that he make Pingjing the heir.

Yes.

I have the same thoughts as Your Majesty.

I also hope that father will choose Pingjing.

You are wrong then.

East Palace...

Which side is the East Palace?

No matter what my initial thoughts were,

I saw you grow up day by day these past years.

I actually quickly understood that your father was right.

You are a child that most elders will be at ease the most.

No one is more suitable than you to obtain the position of heir of Chang Lin.

Pingjing just lacks training. In the future--

No...Pingjing's natural disposition is to soar [carefree].

Unless he encounters a great change.

Or else, no matter how much you train him, his core character will never change.

I admit that I favor Pingjing more.

But it is because I favored him

that is why I'd rather that he enjoys the protection of his father and brother forever.

Do things the way he wants to. Don't you also hope that he can be like that?

But...Pingjing has such good qualities.

I kept feeling that if we do not give him more responsibilities,

just letting him be undisciplined like this,

it is a bit of disservice to father and mother.

Isn't it there is still you?

Pingzhang, you are the favorite child of your father.

In the future, I will only be at ease

if I entrust Crown Prince to you.

Okay already. We two old men are still around.

There is no rush to think about these things.

Pingzhang, I must go rest now.

Go to the East Palace to visit the Crown Prince too.

Go call for a carriage for the heir of Chang Lin.

Your Majesty, in this palace--

The East Palace is far from here.

No need to worry about Pingjing but you cannot tire yourself anymore.

Bring forth a carriage!

Yes.

Thank you for Your Majesty's graces.

Pingjing?

Stop for a while.

Big Brother!

It is just a short distance from here. I want to just walk. You all can leave now.

Yes.

Older brother. Older brother, you are finally here.

Although I grew up in the palace. But it has been long since I went to the East Palace.

What direction must I go?

If you are lost, you could have just find someone to lead you. Why must you go up there?

This is the imperial palace and there is tight security. Who do you think you are

that you can fly on roofs and walk through walls for no reason at all?

Older brother, do not be mad. I just was not able to think that much.

I know that you are not used to being constrained. I also does not want to overly restrain you.

But Pingjing, this is Jinling City, a place where rules are very important.

How many eyes have been watching our House of Chang Lin?

No matter how much we are favored by His Majesty, you must understand this situation very clearly.

Yes.

Come with me then.

Informing Your Lady Highness Empress and Your Highness Crown Prince,

heir of Chang Lin brought Second Young Master and are outside seeking an audience with you.

Hurry and send them in.

Yes.

His Majesty has sent words beforehand and Crown Prince especially waited for him,

yet this Second Young Master of Chang Lin took so long to come here.

He really has such huge heart.

Big Brother Pingjing!

- Big Brother Pingjing!
- Yuanshi!

Pingjing!

- Come. Fly.
- Fly!

Yuanshi.

PIngjing!

Yuanshi!

Greetings, Your Lady Highness Empress, Your Highness Crown Prince.

My little brother has not entered the palace for a long time. He was to happy and forgot about proper etiquette. Hope Your Lady Highness can forgive him.

Greetings to Her Highness, the Empress. Greetings to His Highness, the Crown Prince.

[Prince of Chang Lin's Manor]

Really so sorry. I forgot that today is Pingzhang's day for check-up and caused you to come in vain.

But it is good too. The two of us can drink some tea, eat some snacks,

and have some leisurely chat. What do you think?

Sister, can I look at your cosmetics boxes?

Cosmetics boxes? Of course, you can.

This cosmetics box of sister was made exquisitely.

Do not know where you had this made.

That I am not sure too. This was an additionally dowry given by Her Lady Highness Empress when I got married.

If little sister likes it, I can ask the officers in the inner palace about it and have them make you a set too.

No need to trouble sister anymore.

I usually do not put on make ups do. It is just that there is a woman in our pharmacy that likes different kinds of flowers patterns.

But I have never seen a similar design as the flower pattern in this cosmetics box of yours.

If you do not mind, can I borrow this small one and let her copy it? I will immediately return it to you tomorrow.

That is nothing. This is just a small thing. If not because this was an imperial gift, I would have given it to you already.

Sister, you are being too courteous. Thank you.

Let us go.

You may rise.

Yes, Your Highness.

Heir apparent, you do not be this formal.

The two of them have such a good relationship. Forgetting proper decorum for a moment cannot prevented.

I will not put it to heart.

Although Your Lady Highness is forgiving, His Highness is still a Crown Prince, hence, formal etiquette must not be forgotten.

Pingjing, are you still not going to ask for Her Lady Highness to forgive you?

No need to be this formal.

Before, His Majesty and Prince of Chang Lin also played and grew up like this.

If Heir Apparent insists that Second Young Master make a serious apology,

if His Majesty hears about this, he will again blame me for being so petty.

Imperial Mother, can I go out with Brother Pingjing and play for a while?

You are already not a child. How come you still keep thinking of playing? Have you forgotten what your Grand Tutor said?

But Grand Tutor said that I can rest for today.

Your Highness.

Yuanshi is just 10 years old. It is also good for him to breathe in some fresh air. He shouldn't be always locked up in his room doing homework, right?

Moreover, the former emperor also said that we Xiao descendants should be well verse in both knowledge and martial arts.

Second Young Master already brought out the former emperor, what else can I say?

If Crown Prince wants to go, then go. Just remember not to go out to the front courtyard.

Yes.

Brother Pingzhang, are you coming with us?

I am not feeling well today. Is it okay if I accompany you next time instead?

- Let us go.
- Go.

We are going now!

♫ The long, slow song rises like wind flowing through the corridors reaching the imposing, opulent and bright Imperial Hall ♫

♫ Memories of that certain year, when far-away borders blazed with fires of w*r, in vast fields of ice and snow ♫

♫ From this world, the many slanders pass through the vermilion gates, over the palace walls ♫

♫ Beneath iron armor, together with silken skirts and silver spears, hair grows hoary as though with early frost ♫

♫ Hoping for the day when we can sincerely join hands in a faraway place without a second thought ♫

♫ Fiery liquor consumed at the end of the world, at the limits of exhaustion, is a feast! ♫

♫ There is little intention to return the real men to the w*r in the north, though willing, they are not given free rein ♫

♫ Discussions about their heroism led them to be questioned, and suffer dismal complaints around them, unable to clear their names ♫

♫ Good bows hoarded; likewise, so as not to injure, sigh against the way of heaven when stored indefinitely ♫

♫ Clouds of fear calm shameful waves, the night air stops their bickering by starlight ♫

♫ There is little intention to return the real men to the w*r in the north, though willing, they are not given free rein ♫

♫ Discussions about their heroism led them to be questioned, and suffer dismal complaints around them, unable to clear their names ♫

♫ Good bows hoarded; likewise, so as not to injure, sigh against the way of heaven when stored indefinitely ♫

♫ Clouds of fear calm shameful waves, the night air stops their bickering by starlight ♫

♫ There is little intention to return the real men to the w*r in the north, though willing, they are not given free rein ♫

♫ Discussions about their heroism led them to be questioned, and suffer dismal complaints around them, unable to clear their names ♫

♫ Hoping for the whole world to remain at peace, quench the fires of w*r ♫