01x13 - Episode 13

[bunniefuu]

[The Princess Royal]

[Adapted from Mo Shu Bai's novel,

The Princess Royal on jjwxc.net]

[This is a work of fiction.]

[Episode 13]

What are you thinking about?

I might need

to trouble you with a favor.

When you say it like that,

it doesn't sound good.

Could you arrange a meeting

with Su Rongqing

at the bureau later?

[Hanqiu Palace]

You want me to arrange a meeting

with Su Rongqing?

Why?

Can't you do this one little favor?

Aren't we close friends?

If you're unsure

about the time and place,

I can help you choose.

How about you recommend a place

for me then?

How about Tingfeng Restaurant rooftop?

You can enjoy the moon and the breeze.

It sounds quite refined.

That sounds great.

Then drinks at Tingfeng Restaurant

at dusk tomorrow would be delightful.

You can dream about it.

That place is so popular

that you must book a month in advance.

With Su Rongqing

You can just meet him at a tea house.

What's the need for some place refined?

That's not right.

Your Highness.

Mr. Pei.

His Majesty requests your presence.

How dare you.

You dare walk in front of me.

Your Highness,

we just received an urgent report.

Miss Qin has appeared

at the Princess's Mansion.

Let's go.

Your Highness, please reconsider.

If you go now

and the noble families learn

you care about Miss Qin,

they will intensify their efforts

against the Qin Family.

Father,

what I lack now is

an official position.

You want power?

How much power do you want?

That depends on what Your Majesty wants

Her Highness to do.

Tell me

what you can do for me.

If I truly give you power,

can you hold onto it?

That's what I'm here for.

After all, I am Her Highness's husband.

It seems you two have plans already.

They're all in the memorial

I presented to Father.

All right.

Let me think about it.

Take Pingyue back now.

- I shall take my leave, Your Majesty.

- I shall take my leave, Father.

Come, let me carry you.

How confident are you?

Judging by His Majesty's attitude,

it shouldn't be a big problem.

I'll direct all the issues to myself

and make him think it was my idea.

That way,

he won't consider you too clever

and will feel more at ease.

You're really smart.

Could you stop hitting my head?

What's the problem?

At least, don't do it here.

Can't you wait until we get back?

I prefer doing it here.

What can you do about it?

Your Highness,

Eunuch Fu has arrived.

Eunuch Fu.

Greetings, Your Highness.

Greetings, Prince Consort.

What brings you here?

Your Highness,

His Majesty has approved your memorial.

However, we still need a justification.

His Majesty said

if you can come up

with a good justification,

he will not only allow you

to establish the Inspectorate Office

but also grant you three more fiefs.

Currently, His Majesty has given you

a double-edged sword.

Be careful not to put yourself

in danger.

I understand.

Thank you, Eunuch Fu.

Greetings, Your Highness.

Miss Qin, please rise.

Thank you, Your Highness.

[Memorial Tablet of Noble Consort Zhenjing

of the Qin Clan]

Who placed this sword here?

I did.

Your Majesty,

this sword is inappropriate

for the occasion.

I've made it clear

that no one should touch it.

Your Majesty.

Since you and the Empress

have already seen her.

Someone,

close the coffin.

As for you,

you are not suitable for Huajing

or for marriages within noble families.

After establishing

the Inspectorate Office,

I will use extreme measures

to investigate the Qin Family case.

I need a skilled martial artist

to assist me.

Do you want me to be that person,

Your Highness?

Yes.

But once we make our move,

the noble families will take revenge.

They won't dare come after me directly.

But they will target my subordinates.

So, after the Qin's case is settled,

you cannot stay in Huajing.

I will send you to the Northwest.

The Yang Family has fallen,

and the Northwest is in chaos.

I need you to establish

an Inspectorate Office branch there,

assist Qin Lin

in controlling the military power,

and stabilize the region.

Later,

when I am more established,

I will make other arrangements.

I shall await Your Highness's command.

You should know this.

To prevent your actions

from implicating the Qin Family,

you cannot bear the Qin surname

or be part of the Qin Family

from now on.

Have you thought this through?

Please grant me a new name,

Your Highness.

Will you not regret it?

Your Highness is leading the Qins

through dangerous paths.

How could a woman like me

seek personal happiness?

I wish to be a blade

in Your Highness's hand,

aiding you in your endeavors.

From this day forth,

you shall be known as Xun Chuan.

As for Qin Zhenzhen,

I will arrange

for a fitting end for her.

Yes, Your Highness.

Rongqing.

Father.

Leave us.

Rongqing,

I am puzzled

by the Qin Family's affairs.

Why did His Majesty send you?

Because I represent the noble families.

His Majesty sent me

to carry out his orders

and few dared to defy him.

His Majesty's move is quite strategic.

I wonder if he aims to control

or divide the noble families.

What do you think, Father?

Rongqing,

you are my proudest son.

I believe

you will never betray the Su Family.

If that is true,

His Majesty will surely reconsider.

Both His Majesty

and the Shangguan Family won't allow

the Su Family to remain uninvolved.

Our only option is

to leverage their strengths

to achieve our goals.

Rong.

I am afraid he already found out.

You can leave now.

Yes, Your Highness.

Rong.

Chuan.

Are you here because of Miss Qin?

Yes.

Is Miss Qin all right?

I heard she is injured.

I brought some excellent medicine

for her wounds.

Can you please pass it on to her?

Don't worry.

Miss Qin is fine.

Rong,

can I see her?

It's not the right time.

What plans do you have now?

Chuan,

you must know nothing right now.

Only when you don't know anything,

then Father won't find anything amiss.

If Father finds out

that all this is our joint plan,

you know

the consequences, right?

I can tell you

that I have decided

to establish the Inspectorate Office.

I have already submitted the memorial.

As for the matter of the Qin Family,

I will have it arranged.

Chuan.

From now on,

you must trust me wholeheartedly.

Can you do that?

All right.

I trust you.

Chuan asked me

to pass this on to you.

Your Highness,

I know your feelings.

Why wasn't I braver earlier?

♪ A dream takes me through eternity ♪

♪ Waking up to the warmth of the sun ♪

♪ Only wrinkles on one's sleeves ♪

♪ Then, you wave to me ♪

♪ I follow the breeze ♪

♪ And I see your eyes ♪

♪ Parasol trees by the garden ♪

♪ With a pen, one weaves a view ♪

♪ To talk and laugh

about the vastness of the world ♪

♪ I'm glad to have you in my world ♪

♪ By my side ♪

You're back.

Tuck in the blanket.

Pei Wenxuan,

did you pass on my message?

What message?

What?

Have you forgotten?

I'll pass it on tomorrow.

Don't you usually have good memories?

I've had a lot on my plate today.

But tell me,

why did you suddenly want

to see Su Rongqing?

Is that hard to understand?

I need manpower if I want

to establish the Inspectorate Office.

Su Rongqing is

the Vice Minister of Justice

and is also involved in handling

the Qin Family's case.

If he cooperates with me,

won't this help us infiltrate

the Ministry of Justice?

It's not just Su Rongqing.

I need to visit the Ministry of w*r,

the Ministry of Revenue,

and the Censorate.

I need to find time

to visit all these places.

Is that what you really think about?

What else could I think about?

Of course,

it's also good to make some contacts

along the way.

It wouldn't hurt

to have some conversation

during the investigations.

Isn't that what you said?

To revisit

and see different scenery.

If I look at Su Rongqing

from a different perspective,

maybe I'll discover something new.

Li Rong,

you're learning

to speak like me pretty quickly.

Tell me.

Have you never considered taking

a different path?

Which path?

Not establishing

the Inspectorate Office.

What then?

I can protect you too.

I will just put it this way.

I don't like

to leave my fate in the hands of others.

I want to control my destiny.

With power,

I can protect

more innocent families like the Qins.

I can protect Chuan

and even you.

Enough talking.

I am sleepy.

Tomorrow will be a busy day.

Li Rong,

you're the one

who needs the most protection.

Rongqing.

Yes, Mr. Pei?

Rongqing,

I have a few words to say to you.

What do you need?

Her Highness wishes to speak with you.

He declined?

Why?

What?

Do you think you are a fairy?

Why would he accept your invitation?

We had a deal not to hit my head.

You said we can do it at home.

So tell me

the reason he declined.

I know what Her Highness wants

to discuss with me.

But the Qin's case involves too much.

I ask Her Highness not to interfere.

What's so funny?

I admit it.

You do seem

to understand me better

than I do myself.

What do you mean?

I do have some sentiments

for Su Rongqing.

Otherwise,

I wouldn't have overlooked it.

We're dealing

with the noble families this time.

How can he help me?

I was confused.

I let my emotions take over.

Well,

you don't have to feel down.

People learn from mistakes.

Just remember you were never close

with him in the first place.

Everything starts from self-interest.

Isn't this common?

Do you think such a trivial matter

can stop me?

You're even comforting me now.

Are you free this afternoon?

Why?

I'm planning to visit Shangguan Ya.

If you're free, come with me.

I may not have time.

I have contracts with several shops

to negotiate.

I may have to excuse myself

this afternoon.

All right, then.

[Jucai House]

This place doesn't bring me luck at all.

Your Highness,

you seem to be having a good time.

Not at all.

What are the odds?

Me too.

I came to have fun.

But instead of having fun,

you had to come after me.

Speaking of which,

That Prince Consort is not bad.

He is handsome and talented.

I like him.

Bold and shameless.

If you want one,

you can find someone you like.

I just don't know

how the Shangguan Family will stop you.

Have you heard

about the Qin's case?

Do you also think

the noble families meddle too much?

I've taken to heart

what you said last time.

It's just that I don't have control

over the Shangguan Family.

I can't make decisions.

If the Shangguan Family were

under your control,

how would you handle it?

Completely loyal to you,

assist you in supporting

the Crown Prince's ascension.

Then gradually withdraw from the court,

leaving a few people to save face.

The rest will return to Youzhou.

Why not withdraw now?

You already know the answer to that.

His Majesty has been oppressed

by the Shangguans for over a decade,

he's full of resentment.

Can the Shangguan Family even withdraw?

If the Shangguan Family withdraws,

there is only a dead end.

The only way is

to establish a relationship

of mutual prosperity

with the Crown Prince and you.

When the Crown Prince ascends

the throne,

The Shangguans will naturally withdraw.

It seems you've long thought

about becoming the master

of the Shangguan Family.

Have you really thought it through?

I'll follow your orders, Your Highness.

All right.

Here you are.

Your Highness.

Please help me find the best troupe.

I want them to perform

the injustice of the Qin Family.

Go.

Yes, Your Highness.

[Taiji Hall]

Your Majesty,

there's something I need to report.

Speak up.

After the Ministry of Justice

and the Censorate reviewed it,

the Qin family was found guilty

of treason,

and embezzlement of military funds,

with clear evidence.

According to our laws,

the entire clan

should face annihilation.

- Awesome!

- Marvelous!

Good!

Bravo!

General Qin Lin has triumphed

and returned victorious!

Great!

- Well done!

- Fabulous!

Sir, what troubles you so much?

The Qin Family comes

from a humble origin.

They even dared to vie

for military merit with me.

It's truly vexing.

Sir, you do not need to worry.

Listen to me.

If it's not you,

there's no room for argument

when discussing merits.

When someone from humble origins tries

to stand out,

it often leads to trouble.

We will just accuse them

of embezzling military funds

and colluding with the enemy.

What

This is outrageous!

Please listen to me.

Cry out to the heavens!

Things are about to change.

Don't you all think

these noble families have gone too far?

Most importantly,

these accusations are baseless.

That's right.

In my opinion,

the Qin Family must be wrongly accused.

Don't you agree?

The Qin Family must be wrongly accused.

Don't you agree?

The show has only just begun.

It seems everything in the play is true.

[Injustice]

Exactly!

Didn't Miss Qin escape already?

Why has she returned?

She is here to plead innocence.

[Princess's Mansion]

Here comes the Princess.

I, Qin Zhenzhen, and my family

are wrongly accused.

I ask Your Highness to seek justice

on my behalf!

Father,

I have come to seek justice.

Whose injustice do you seek to right?

The Qins from Liangzhou.

What injustice do they suffer?

The Qin Family is loyal and righteous.

They are falsely accused

of committing treason with the Yangs.

When foreign enemies invaded,

my uncles and brothers were k*lled

on the b*ttlefield.

Now, the border is secure.

For rewards and titles,

the noble families falsely accused

the Qin Family

of colluding with the Yangs

to betray the country.

I earnestly ask Your Highness

to seek justice on my behalf.

Miss Qin, don't be like this.

We cannot take a serious matter

like this lightly.

Even you dare not take this case?

- Miss!

- What?

Why didn't she go

and find the Crown Prince?

The Crown Prince is in cahoots

with those noble families in the court.

How could he possibly manage?

Would Princess Pingyue take on this?

Her Highness took the blood letter.

Your Highness,

you must take on this matter!

- Good!

- Well done!

We will support you, Your Highness!

You have our support!

This case was examined

by the Three Judicial Offices.

There was no mistake.

Your Highness, you don't know the truth.

I am afraid

the villains have misled you.

Mr. Shangguan,

would someone risk their life

to mislead me?

This

Father,

this is the letter of grievance

from the daughter of the Qin Family.

Bring it over here.

I remember her dying wish.

She must have suffered great injustice.

If the Qin Family were falsely accused,

it would be an unprecedented injustice.

Father,

you cannot allow matters like these

to tarnish your lifelong reputation.

How could this happen?

Shangguan.

The petition presented by the Qins

differs greatly

from what you reported to me.

Your Majesty,

don't just listen

to their one-sided words.

Then you are not one-sided words too?

Your Majesty.

That's enough.

I don't want to hear your excuses.

Replace the personnel in the Qin's case

and re-examine it.

Investigate the officials involved

in the previous review thoroughly

to see if there was deliberate framing.

Yes, Your Majesty.

I am willing

to review this case personally.

Father,

he cannot.

This case involves many people.

Many of them are noble family children

related by marriage alliances

and close relationships.

If this case is handed over

to Mr. Shangguan,

I cannot trust it.

Your Majesty,

I ask that

I do not trust him either.

If you cannot trust anyone here,

what exactly do you want?

Father,

the daughter of the Qing Family

died in my arms.

I promised her

to thoroughly investigate this case.

Please allow me

to investigate this personally.

How can this be?

A princess is a woman of the harem.

The court matters

Have I never intervened before?

In Great Xia, there are no restrictions

on princesses participating in politics.

Besides,

I solved the Yang's case.

Now, the Qin's case is implicated

by the Yang's case.

So why can't I investigate?

Your Highness,

according to seniority,

I'm also considered your elder.

You should listen to my advice.

According to official ranks,

Her Highness is

His Majesty's eldest daughter.

You still have to bow

when you meet Her Highness.

Can't you listen

to Your Highness's advice?

Know your place!

Is there a place for you to speak here?

What do you mean by that, Mr. Shangguan?

I don't quite understand.

As the Censorate,

do I not even have the right

to speak in court?

You

Your Majesty.

If this case is indeed

as Her Highness says,

it may involve

all the review institutions

in the court.

It should indeed be reviewed

by a third party.

Crown Prince,

what do you say?

I think

we should let Rong try.

Your Highness.

Uncle,

what fear do we have of an investigation

if we have a clear conscience?

The Crown Prince makes some sense.

Let's do it this way.

The Qin's case will be reopened

and re-examined by Pingyue.

You oversaw the Yang's case before.

I know your capabilities.

If you can handle this case well too,

I will establish a bureau specifically

for you,

called the Inspectorate Office,

to oversee matters

of monitoring court ministers

in the future.

Pingyue, you've grown up.

You want to share my burdens.

So, I'll give you this opportunity.

How about this?

Go to the city barracks

and select five hundred elite soldiers.

If you do well,

there will be rewards for you.

Thank you, Father.

All right.

That's settled then.

[Taiji Hall]

Let's go back together.

Sure.

So?

I did well today, right?

Princess Pingyue,

please stay.

Greetings, Uncle.

Greetings, Mr. Shangguan.

Your Highness,

can I speak to you in private?

If you want to.

You can wait for me at the palace gate.

Yes, Your Highness.

Uncle,

I'll take my leave.

Let's talk as we walk.

This way, please.

Your Highness,

why did you suddenly decide

to take charge of the Qin's case?

Uncle,

didn't I just say?

Miss Qin came to me.

I couldn't bear to see

the Qins being wrongly accused.

Since you've called me Uncle,

we needn't hide anything.

Your Highness,

why bother so much

now that you're married?

Are you saying

I should stay out of this?

The matter in the Northwest

was originally

a mess handed over to the Crown Prince

by His Majesty.

I was worried about the Crown Prince.

So I contacted some relatives

and tried various ways

to stabilize the Northwest.

But before the great victory,

His Majesty changed the general

at the last minute

and forcibly appointed Xiao Su

as the main general.

Do you know

about the list of rewards reported

by Xiao Su to His Majesty?

I would like to hear the details.

Most of the names on that list are

from humble backgrounds,

while the noble families' sons

who made great sacrifices

were hardly rewarded.

This is why

there has been controversy in the court.

Your Highness wants

to seek justice for the Qin Family,

I understand.

But I wonder how Your Highness plans

to deliver justice on my side?

But

is the Qin Family guilty?

I know

you are concerned about Chuan and me.

In fact, Chuan and I also care

about you.

The court exempts

the noble families from taxes.

The Shangguan Family owns nearly half

of Youzhou's land.

Their annual income even exceeds

the court's taxes.

Besides being tax-exempt,

they also have special privileges

like managing iron smelting.

However, with border disturbances

and natural disasters,

the court is having difficulties

on both fronts.

Father Emperor wanted

to tax the noble families.

It was Chuan

who thought of you,

discussed,

and persuaded Father not to.

Are you hinting at me, Your Highness?

That depends on how you interpret it.

Uncle,

I still remember

when I was little in the palace,

you always brought kites for me.

We flew them together.

Uncle,

you are my family.

I hope all my family can be safe.

When water is full, it overflows.

When the moon is full,

it begins to wane.

This is the way of the sages.

I hope you keep this in mind.

I shall take my leave now.

Mr. Shangguan,

what did Her Highness say?

Her Highness said a lot.

But given her age and experience,

she shouldn't be able

to say such things.

I fear I need to speak to Pei Lixian.

His child is indeed

a bit presumptuous.

Though they have some insight,

they are still young

and too impetuous.

His Majesty personally wrote

this imperial decree.

I shall receive the decree.

Your Highness,

this is a badge

that His Majesty ordered me to give you.

His Majesty said

to use this badge for the investigation.

Seeing this badge is like

seeing His Majesty in person.

Please convey to Father

that I will do everything possible

to handle the case.

Yes, Your Highness.

Your Highness,

use it well.

Thank you, Eunuch Fu.

I shall return to the palace then.

Take care, Eunuch Fu.

Eunuch Fu, let me show you the way.

Your Highness,

now that you have the badge,

what are your plans?

This badge seems

a bit rushed in its making.

The edges are not smooth.

It needs to be polished well.

Did Your Highness summon me to say this?

I need to introduce you to someone.

Your Highness.

I am Xun Chuan,

reporting as ordered.

This is my new personal guard,

Xun Chuan.

Pleased to meet you.

My surname is Shangguan,

with the given name Ya.

You look somewhat familiar.

This is my first visit to Huajing.

Enough with the pleasantries.

Xun Chuan,

the Prince Consort

will bring people over shortly.

These are new recruits

and might not be very cooperative.

If they don't comply,

take the lead.

Yes, Your Highness.

[Ministry of Justice]

Your Highness,

this is the Ministry of Justice.

This is the Ministry of Justice.

Step aside.

Don't move.

What are you doing?

Go and inform Mr. Su Rongqing.

Yes.

What are you doing?

Your Highness.

Your Highness,

what brings you here?

My Prince Consort and I wish

to access the scrolls to the Qin's case.

Please lead the way.

Your Highness,

the Ministry of Justice has procedures.

To access the scrolls,

you need a special authorization.

However, the imperial edict states

that I am to investigate the case,

and everyone must cooperate.

Besides,

the Inspectorate Office is not part

of the Ministry of Justice.

Why should we follow its rules?

Your Highness,

you are putting me

in a difficult position.

Are you refusing to provide the scrolls?

Then I can only go

and retrieve them myself.

Your Highness,

this is against the rules.

Do not move.

Blades have no eyes.

Your Highness.

Although I hold a low position,

I am still an official of the court.

Since you are now in charge

of the Qin Family case,

you should follow proper procedures.

Even His Majesty would not allow

such an overbearing manner!

Very well.

I look forward to your memorial

to His Majesty at the morning assembly.

You

Your Highness.

Sir.

Mr. Su.

What is going on here?

I am here under orders

to investigate the Qin Family case

and need the scrolls to the case.

However, he has repeatedly tried

to stop me

and even confronted me,

intending to as*ault me.

My guards acted to protect me.

Xun Chuan, be respectful.

Yes, Your Highness.

Sir,

they tried to access the scrolls

without authorization.

I was following

the Ministry of Justice's procedures.

Her Highness attempted

to take the scrolls by force.

I did not lay a hand on her.

There was no altercation.

Please seek justice for me.

Are you implying I am lying?

I did not want to accuse you.

But this is what he did to me just now.

Given my status,

I wouldn't injure myself on purpose.

Your Highness,

how can you make false accusations

with so many witnesses here?

That's enough, Xuanji.

Don't say any more.

You can leave now.

Mr. Su,

I

I believe you, Your Highness.

You don't need to show me your injury.

Your Highness,

we found the scrolls.

The Imperial Secretary is usually not

at the Ministry of Justice.

The daily affairs of the ministry

are handled by me.

If Your Highness has any issues,

please come directly to me

and do not trouble the subordinates.

Your Highness,

we have the scrolls.

I heard you.

Since you've found them,

I will escort Your Highness out.

No need.

There are so many people here.

We won't trouble you.

We apologize for disturbing the peace

of the Ministry of Justice today.

I hope you can understand.

Her Highness is the head

of the Princess's Mansion.

It is only natural for her to be here.

But I wonder

in what position are you as

to barge into the Ministry of Justice?

Her Highness is new to the court.

She has many ideas

that need guidance from others.

As Her Highness's husband,

if she entrusts me

to assist her here,

what's wrong with that?

Well, if you think there's no issue,

let's see

what His Majesty has to say about it

in court tomorrow.

I look forward to it, Mr. Su.

Let's go.

[Ministry of Justice]

Just look at your temper.

You got this angry

when Su Rongqing wants to impeach you.

Slow down.

My people have yet to keep up with us.

How is your hand?

It is nothing. I did it myself.

Just a small cut from the ring.

Stay still.

What is it?

Hold it.

Don't move.

Let's go.

Pick the handkerchief

and return it to him.

Yes, Your Highness.

Don't pick it up.

♪ Who gazes at the sky from afar? ♪

♪ Who gazes at the sky from afar? ♪

♪ In the night's chill breeze ♪

♪ What is she singing for? ♪

♪ The wind caresses the hills ♪

♪ The wind causes ripples on calm water ♪

♪ Moonlight graces passing souls ♪

♪ Her steps get slower and slower ♪

♪ She's trod a lengthy path ♪

♪ Memories lost then found ♪

♪ Gazing idly as clouds roll by ♪

♪ She holds a red candle ♪

♪ To brave the thick fog ♪

♪ Life can be bitter sometimes ♪

♪ Experience it with grace ♪

♪ Like a fleeting dream ♪

♪ Like a fleeting dream ♪

♪ Neither warmth nor cold will last ♪

♪ Like a fleeting dream ♪

♪ Like a fleeting dream ♪

♪ The moon is reflected in her eyes ♪

♪ In her gaze,

the unwavering faith remains ♪