01x36 - Episode 36

[bunniefuu]

♫ The falling snow ♫

♫ Is bitter cold ♫

♫ My sigh ♫

♫ Misted the path in front of me ♫

♫ The moonlight knows my intention ♫

♫ I just want to make a place for me
in your heart ♫

♫ I laugh and I cry ♫

♫ Quietly building a pond in my heart ♫

♫ I accept all the gifts from sorrow ♫

♫ I can't let down my regrets ♫

♫ I won't admit defeat ♫

♫ I slowly chew
on the bitterness of life ♫

♫ The fragrance remains the same
after the bleak winter ♫

♫ Awaiting spring
to color the way back home ♫

[The Double]

[Episode 36]

The Eldest Princess' marriage
is supposed to be a major event.

Why is it organized so sloppily?

Dingzhou suffered from disasters.
[Court of Judicial Review]

The Eldest Princess wants a simple wedding

so the people know the imperial family's
heart is with the people.

Do you believe in the imperial family?

We are wondering if the Eldest Princess
is carrying an illegitimate child.

It is not Mr. Li's.

The Li family is just acting as a cover.

It seems like
the Eldest Princess's pregnancy is true.

The imperial family rushed the wedding
[Li's Residence]

To stop people from spreading rumors.

I feel dizzy.

I feel so dizzy.

Eldest Princess, please drink
the wedding wine with the Prince Consort.

Prince Consort.

Interesting.

How dare you!

You dare throw my wine away?

Meixiang, I'm tired.

Yes.

Prince Consort, didn't you hear what I say?

♫ Time flies, who cares for the youth with
no desire to chase the fleeting beauty? ♫

♫ A dream is not enough to make life
less bitter and less lonely ♫

♫ I thought I would walk alone
in the ups and downs of life ♫

♫ Not afraid
of being loved or humiliated ♫

♫ Not waking from the dream unexpectedly ♫

♫ The bustle becomes a mirage ♫

♫ Wasted a life of wisdom ♫

♫ Yet not clearly seeing
the beautiful scenery ♫

♫ Giving away my life just to find out
that love and hate are both emotions ♫

♫ I hope for peace ♫

♫ And a calm life ♫

♫ My life has been destined
to not have any peace ♫

♫ The trouble never stops ♫

♫ Wasted a life of wisdom ♫

♫ Yet not getting back
the beautiful scenery ♫

♫ Following my life just to find out
that love and hate are heartlessness ♫

What's wrong with your brother?

Maybe it's because he doesn't need to
worry about the Eldest Princess

that he is feeling much more relaxed.

Eat. What are you waiting for?

Yes. Let's eat.

Yurong, I heard

His Majesty has granted the marriage
between the Eldest Princess and Mr. Li.

What's your plan?

Can you still become the Prince Consort?

Prince Consort is just a title.

Is it that important?

What do you mean?

Eat.

[Duke Su's Residence]

How do you feel? Better?

You should stop visiting me so often.

I'm still alive. I'm satisfied now
that I can meet you, and Father.

Not only do I want to save you,
but I also want you to live on.

I heard people say
the Eldest Princess is married. Is it true?

It's true.

Not to Shen Yurong?

It's a part of my plan.

Anyway, everything is going as planned.

That's great.

When your plan succeeds,
I want to return to Huaixiang with you.

I want to visit Qiongzhi.

I wonder if she has cleared her debts.

Do you still remember Qiongzhi?

Of course.

Perhaps she has forgotten about me.

She still remembers you.

When I went to Luyang, she was the one
who told me that Father was still alive.

Why would you go to her?

When I first arrived in Luyang, I didn't know
where to go, and thought of her.

She was grateful for your help.

You suffered and helped her
find her father's whereabouts.

Did she ask you why I didn't go
and look for her after that?

She cried badly
when she found out you were dead.

How is she now?

She married a good man,
and went to a faraway place.

No one will mistreat her again.

Good. That's great.

She's living a good life now,
and she still remembers me.

That's good enough for me.

The medicine is ready.

Zhao, who are you making it for?
You're putting a lot of effort into it.

The person I love.

When we first met,
I was still a lady with virtue.

He is probably disappointed in me.

That's why he stopped coming to see me.

She married a good man,
and went to a faraway place.

No one will mistreat her again.
[Zhao]

I'm lucky today. I got a big one.

Xiao Heng, you can take a part of the credit.

How long are you going to do this?
I'm dying from the heat.

Let's go. I'm almost done.

Thanks for accompanying me today.

It's rare for you to thank people.

What? You only allow Li to thank you
but not me?

Are you still angry?

Why should I be angry with her?

She didn't offend me.

Besides, even if I get angry,
will you defend me?

No.

Cut the nonsense, then.

When are you leaving?

Tomorrow.

The discussion fell through?
Did my brother give you a hard time?

Not really. He only proposed some conditions.

Since returning to Zhao,
Jiuyue has had no appetite.

It felt like she had become another person.

But ever since you came here,
it felt like she was alive again.

Even if I'm dull, it's hard for me
not to notice a girl's intention.

Xiao Heng, you know that.

Jiuyue is the last family member I have
in this world.

I want her to be well.

What do you mean, Your Majesty?

A marriage alliance.

I hope you can become
a prince consort in the Great Zhao.

You are the confidant of the Emperor of Yan,
and Jiuyue is my sister.

If you two get married,
we will become a family.

No promise is more reliable than this.

Jiuyue is at an age suitable for marriage.

As far as I know, you are not engaged
as well, Duke Su.

And with the current situation
between Zhao and Yan,

I think this is a match made in heaven.

What did you say?

Naturally, I told him
it would all depend on you.

- If I say...
- Jiuyue,

His Majesty seeks peace now,
but Lord Cheng is totally different.

Lord Cheng is ambitious and prefers w*r.

Even if he obtains the Great Yan,
he won't be satisfied easily.

- When Yan and Zhao have a w*r, it will...
- Stop.

You know I don't understand all this.

I'm sure you know what I want to hear.

All right. I'll tell you honestly then.

One, I must borrow your troops.

Two, I can't agree to the marriage.

Three, if you won't say yes
to my first two conditions,

I will await my death in Yan.

You said it would all depend on me.

I want you to reject your brother, of course.

You wish! No wonder you
came to accompany me today.

Turns out you have an ulterior motive.

I can't believe myself.

Why would I fall for a scoundrel like you?

Flattery is what a scoundrel does.

Isn't it good to tell you honestly?

Forget it if you won't save us.
I'll await my death in Yan.

Come back!

This is the last time.

After this,

I don't care where you will die.

Go away! All of you!

Prince Consort.

What's wrong?

Eldest Princess said
breakfast made her feel sick.

Leave.

Yes.

Your Highness, I heard them say
the food did not suit your taste.

They make me feel sick.

The food

was prepared by my mother especially for you
after she asked the physician.

There's a lot of variety.

It's normal if you don't like some of them,

but I don't think you will hate all of them.

Every person has a different taste.

I find it disgusting.

Are you going to force me to eat it?

I dare not.

I'll ask the kitchen to prepare
some new dishes with various flavors

and send them to Your Highness.

Haitang, how is it?

- Lady Jiang.
- Fangfei.

Zhao?

Sit.

Why did you come out?

Duke Su is coming back.

I want to welcome him too.

I feel bad for being taken care of
at Duke Su's Residence, for so long.

How is Father doing today?

He is asleep.

Father is getting better.

He looked at me and called my name today.
I felt so emotional that I almost cried.

I think Magistrate Xue will soon
a clear state of mind again.

What's wrong?

Where are you going?

The meat is ready.
It can be served after slicing.

We won't disturb you and my brother-in-law.

He's coming.

You...

Who are you?

Who are you?

I'm asking who you are.

I'm Jiang Li, Second Lady Jiang.

The Jiang family.

Tortoise Jiang, right?

- Tortoise Jiang?
- Yes. He does things like a coward.

Isn't he Tortoise Jiang?

But his daughter is quite energetic.

General, I was going to pick you up.

Why didn't you wait for me?

You don't want me here
at Duke Su's Residence, right?

Can't I visit my grandson's place?

General, you misunderstood.

Duke Su hasn't returned yet.

I wanted to inform you when he arrived.

Inform me? My hair is grey from waiting.
Is he back yet?

He doesn't want to see me, right?

I don't want to see him as well.

I brewed two extra jars.

Keep it for yourself. I'm leaving.

Are you the person who helped
build the late emperor's kingdom

with impressive contributions,
Xiao Dachuan, General Xiao Senior?

Do you hear that?

She is honey-tongued.
She's saying some nice things.

I like that.

I'm going back home.

Let me walk you out!

[Duke Su's Residence]

My Lord, you're back.

Wen Ji, go and get flogged ten times.

I said not to let anyone irrelevant
enter the residence.

But...

Both of you came back at the right time.

Leave them.

I'll ask someone to throw them away later.

- This is from General Xiao Senior...
- I know.

He sends them every year
and I throw them away every year.

Why?

Are you sure my relationship
with the wine sender

is the first thing you want to talk about
after we've not seen each other for so long?

What's that fragrant smell from the yard?

Xue Zhao and Haitang prepared roast meat
to welcome you, Duke Su.

Is Zhao not willing to lend us troops?

They are willing to do it, but...

They want me to marry to Zhao
as a matrilocal son-in-law.

Is that so?

Just go.

Yes. Then...

I think it's still not too late to agree to it.

Haven't you agreed to it?

I should find a fast horse for you then.

Li, do you hope I become
someone else's prince consort badly?

Duke Su, you must be joking.

I dare not tell you what to do.

If I agree to it, you won't forgive me easily.

How so?

I just know.

Do you also know that
Wanning has married Li Jin?

Did this not go as you planned?

It did not, but there is
an unexpected gain too.

Li Jin is arrogant and proud.

I'm sure he doesn't like
seeing Wanning every day.

The Li family seems calm on the surface,
but there's a storm brewing within.

Let's see who will take the blame
when the drug loses its effect.

It's a nice move.

I learned it from you, Duke Su.

What about Zhao? Are you confident now?

I used another method
to make them lend us the troops.

There are no worries now.

When the time comes, the fish
will swim into the trap on their own.

Mr. Shen, I've found the ancient books
with rare herbs recorded on it you want.

I've added bookmarks to the records.

All right. I understand.

I'll be around if you need me again.

My Lord, the remaining soldiers
of the Capital Security Office

have been banished to the borders
according to your orders.

However, one of them wanted to live,
and provided us with information.

He was in charge of guarding
the armory of the Capital Security Office.

He once heard someone saying
that the Capital Security Office

obtained extra weapons exceeding
the applied numbers three months ago.

However, the extra weapons
did not pass through his hands.

The weapons are distributed uniformly.

They are counted by each unit,
and verified by the Armour Department

before a document is sent to the armory.

They'll distribute the number
according to the document.

If extra weapons were obtained
and they weren't stored back,

- that means the extra weapons...
- Lord Cheng took them.

Lord Cheng has been
recruiting soldiers recently.

Weapons are controlled items.

In that case, not only did the Capital Security
Office not control the distribution of weapons,

but it also let Lord Cheng obtain weapons.

That means there is even a traitor
in the Armour Department.

I investigated it. The person in charge
of verifying the weapons

used by the Capital Security Office
at the Armour Department was Cao Bin.

My Lord, do you want to go
to the Armour Department?

Go to Cao Bin's residence
and arrest him directly.

Yes.

Dear, wake up!

Dear!

Dear, wake up!

Dear!

We are late again.

They are using this trick of covering up
a m*rder with suicide again and again.

Dear!

There are traces of paper burning here.

What was Cao Bin burning
before he committed suicide?

Cao Bin's will.

He admitted to colluding
with the Capital Security Office

by going against the law
and verifying extra weapons.

However, he didn't mention
where the weapons went.

They are lies forged meticulously.

Duke Su.

My Lord, he is Official Huang
from the Armour Department.

Official Huang, you are quite well-informed.

Are you here to protect your subordinate?

Please don't make baseless accusations.
[Huang Xiansong]

I just found out and rushed here.

Your subordinate sold weapons privately
by colluding with the Capital Security Office.

Do you know about that?

Of course, I don't.

The verification of weapons
is carried out by the deputy official.

The person who verified the weapons
for the Capital Security Office was Cao Bin.

I never expected
the Capital Security Office to bribe him.

Apart from verifying
the Capital Security Office,

which unit did he verify weapons for recently?

I think it was the Imperial Guards' Office.

In that case,

there's also a problem with the use of weapons
at the Imperial Guards' Office.

I just found out that Cao Bin
took all the documents in the office

related to the Imperial Guards' Office
and the Capital Security Office.

He said there was a problem
and wanted to verify them one by one.

So the documents were the items
burned in the fire bucket.

When the Imperial Guards' Office
went to claim weapons from the armory,

was there any proof left?

Yes. Every time weapons were distributed,
the armory would record it.

Wen Ji, go with Official Huang, and retrieve
the records for the Imperial Guards' Office.

Yes. Official Huang, let's go.

My Lord, are you suspecting
that the Imperial Guards' Office also...

Since there's a problem with Cao Bin,

we need to check every place related
to eliminate all future problems.

Should we inform General Xiao Senior?

After all, he was the one

who promoted the commander
of the Imperial Guards' Office, Zhang Wei.

I don't even inform His Majesty when I
investigate someone. Why should I inform him?

Yes.

[Li's Residence]

Your Highness.

Where are you going?

Do I need to inform you about where I'm going?

I'll accompany you.

Are you going to keep an eye on me?

I dare not. When Your Highness goes out,

neither of us can't bear the responsibility
if something happens to the child.

How dare you curse me?

Your Highness, if you insist on
refusing my company, I won't force you.

I hope you return soon, Eldest Princess.

I went through all the ancient books,
but I found nothing.

I heard you were the most knowledgeable
person in the capital, Physician Wang.

I want to trouble you to help me find out
whether this herb exists.

If you can find it, I'll reward you handsomely.

Don't worry, Mr. Shen.

- I will do my best.
- Yurong.

The Eldest Princess is here.

Your Highness, if you need something,
just ask Yurong to go to you.

Why did you come here in person?

This is such an honor for the Shen family.

Thank you, Your Highness.

Mrs. Shen, I have something
to discuss with your son.

I don't want anyone to disturb us.

Yes.

I also hope no one finds out
about my visit to Shen's Residence.

The Eldest Princess
has never visited Shen's Residence.

Let's go, Mr. Shen.

This way, please.

You came here as soon as
you married into the Li family.

People might gossip.

Gossip?

I'm already following your plans.

Are you still afraid of gossip?

I'm just afraid that Mr. Li will have
a grudge against me if he finds out.

Let's see if he dares to do that.

Forget him. You, on the other hand,
are traveling around when you are pregnant.

If something goes wrong, what will I do?

Don't worry.

I'm fine now, right?

However, if I continue to stay at
Li's Residence, it'll be dangerous.

Were you mistreated at Li's Residence?

He dare not mistreat me.

However, I fail to do anything there.

I'm so annoyed.

I'm sure you threw a tantrum again.

I only broke a few bowls, and Li Jin
looked at me with a gloomy face.

Who does he think he is?

It must be tough for you.

Why aren't you taking me away
if you know that?

The day when Lord Cheng succeeds in his
ambition will be the day when we get engaged.

But I want to remind you, Wanning.

No one will treat you like I do.

So, you must control your temper.

Don't act bossy towards Li Jin.

He was born with a golden spoon after all.

He has never experienced
such a grievance before.

For the child, you must see the bigger picture.

Living your life peacefully
is most important for you.

All right. I know.

So long-winded.

Hug me.

Shen, what should we name our child?

You must be a part of the child's name.

I hope his life can be calm and peaceful,
and as pure as snow.

Shen Ningxue.

I'll use the pet name.

Xue.

Sure. As long as you listen to me,
Xue will grow healthily.

[Imperial Guards' Office]

Duke Su, I wonder why you are here.

It's nothing much.

Can't I just come and visit?

Of course, you can.
[Zhang Wei]

However, I see that you've been busy
with the Capital Security Office case.

You shouldn't be free to visit.

I didn't expect Commander Zhang to
know about the Capital Security Office case.

This is about the attempted assassination
of Zhao's princess.

The whole capital was shocked.
It's hard not to know the case.

I heard the case is going to be closed.

It's closed, but it's not at the same time.

We realized the Capital Security Office

bribed Cao Bin who was in charge
of verification at the Armour Department.

He obtained extra weapons from the armory,
and sold them privately.

Something like that actually happened?

Apart from verifying the weapons
for the Capital Security Office,

which unit do you think Cao Bin was in charge
of verifying as well, Commander Zhang?

Duke Su, don't worry.

We obtained the weapons
according to the regulations.

We store as many weapons as we obtain.

We will never go against the law!

I requested the records
of the Imperial Guards' Office

from the official at the Armour Department.

If there are no problems, I want to verify it,
for the sake of fairness.

Of course.

Xu Zhi!

Yes.

This is Xu Zhi, our administrator of weapons.
[Xu Zhi]

Greetings, Duke Su.

There's a problem at the Armour Department.

He wants to investigate
the weapons of our unit.

You must work well with him.

Yes.

Duke Su. This way, please.

Someone,

send a message to General Xiao Senior,
and tell him I want to meet him.

Yes.

Duke Su, please take a look.

This is the letter of request when we want to
request weapons from the Armour Department.

This is the receipt after
we obtained the weapons.

Lu Ji.

Yes.

There are two copies for every document.

One copy will be sent to the Armour Department,
and the other copy will be kept by us.

The numbers match the records from the armory.

Can I keep these documents?

Just take them.

However, please return them
when you're done using them.

My Lord, it seems perfect on the surface,
as if they knew we'd come for it.

Cao Bin burned the documents in a hurry.

The suspicion of the Imperial Guards' Office
obtaining extra weapons cannot be eliminated.

However, the records match.

That means extra weapons were brought out,
but the records were tampered with.

My Lord.

Official Huang
from the Armour Department found out

the number of weapons produced
by the Weapons Manufacturing Bureau

exceeds the number of weapons
distributed by the armory.

That means Cao Bin did collude
with the Imperial Guards' Office

to tamper with the records,
and distribute extra weapons.

Surround the place.

Arrest Xu Zhi.

Yes.

Why would Xiao Heng
investigate the Imperial Guards' Office?

It concerns the Capital Security Office.

It is found that the Armour Department
is smuggling weapons.

So, he suspects
that our unit is involved as well.

General.

I'm sure you know Duke Su's temper.

When he is sure of something, he will
do everything he can to find out the truth.

Moreover, his interrogation methods
are ruthless.

So, I...

Did you come to me because you
don't want him to keep investigating?

No.

My unit is not afraid of any investigation.

But he needs evidence to investigate this.

If you arrest my subordinate
without evidence and punish him,

I won't let this slide either.

You helped me advance in my career before,

so I thought about it and figured I should
inform you to avoid any misunderstanding.

I won't tolerate him if he
does unreasonable things.

I'm relieved to hear you say this.

Your Highness, you came back so late.
Where have you been?

I...

No one will treat you like I do.

So, you must control your temper.

Don't act bossy towards Li Jin.

He was born with a golden spoon after all.

For the child, you must see the bigger picture.

I went back to my residence
to pack up some things.

I remember your residence and Shen Yurong's
residence are in two different directions.

You followed me?

Your Highness,
you are still my wife in name right now,

yet you simply went to another man's house.

If someone saw that and asked me about it,

may I know how I should explain that?

Li Jin, don't speak to me in a sarcastic way.

It's a blessing for the Li family
to have me as your daughter-in-law.

After all, this is a collaboration.

If you sincerely help me,
I will reward you well in the future.

If you cause me trouble here,

sorry, I will come for the Li family
to take revenge any time.

I dare not cause you trouble.

I just want to protect you and your child.

After all, if news of you and Shen Yurong
spreads to the public,

all of us will be embarrassed.

Who does he think he is?

I would've ripped your mouth
if it wasn't for my child!

Your Highness, please calm down.
Your child is more important.

If I don't deal with him,
he might think he's superior to me.

Greetings, Xu Zhi.

It's you?

What do all of you want?

Didn't I give you all the documents?

You can go and check the inventory,
and verify the documents.

Do you think after Cao Bin committed suicide...

and burned the documents,

we won't be able to find out about
the tampering and forgery of records?

I didn't take any weapons.
I didn't claim any extra weapons.

We've investigated the Armour Department.

The Imperial Guards' Office
distributed extra weapons.

How do you know they didn't sell it privately?

Very good.

Being stubborn?

I won't be lenient with you then.

Stop!

My Lord, how is the interrogation?

He still won't talk. Let's lock him up for
a night. I think he will confess tomorrow.

Keep interrogating him.
I can't wait until tomorrow.

Yes.

Reporting!

Commander of the Imperial Guards' Office,
Zhang Wei,

is leading his men
to surround Duke Su's Residence.

[Duke Su's Residence]

Commander Zhang, what is the meaning of this?

If you want to visit,
you shouldn't bring so many men.

Visit?

I'm not that close with you, Duke Su.

You took my subordinate
without giving me an explanation.

I want you to hand him over in one hour.

What if I don't hand him over?

Try it.

Stay put, all of you!

What's going on, Zhang Wei?

General, I told you before this.

If he doesn't respect me,
I'll have no choice but to do this.

You must hand over my subordinate today.

Commander Zhang, you are so anxious.

- Are you afraid that Xu Zhi might expose you?
- You...

All of you, don't move!

Zhang Wei, show me some respect.

I'll return him to you within one day.

General, thank you.

Retreat!

[Duke Su's Residence]

[Duke Su's Residence]

Release him.

Confining someone from the
Imperial Guards' Office, and torturing him.

You've become lawless.

I'm doing things
according to His Majesty's orders.

You've overstepped your boundaries.

The Imperial Guards' Office's case
is trialed by the Three Offices.

I will send Xu Zhi
to the Three Offices to be trialed.

You can try him with them, but you
can't have a private trial and t*rture him.

Does this concern you?

Come on. Let's talk inside.

You can speak here.

You've become so arrogant
after you left my tutelage.

Eight years ago,
my father died a bizarre death,

but you didn't even investigate it.

Right now, I want to investigate the person
you promoted, and you came to save him.

Do you know what you're doing?

Your father's death was an accident.

Release him,
and come home with me to talk about it.

I no longer have a home.

Shut the door!

[Duke Su's Residence]

Arresting without approval, confinement,
and using punishment.

Can't you change your methods?

The Imperial Guards' Office
is the imperial army.

They are not literary officials
who are scared of you.

This is the result if you can suppress them.

Your Majesty, why didn't you say

that all of them only dared
complain about me behind my back?

Stop saying this.

The whole incident is clear.

The Armour Department and the Imperial
Guards' Office might have a problem.

Why didn't you choose an easier method,
but go for the hard way instead?

Can't you learn from General Xiao Senior?

It seems like he's complained about me as well.

He has.

He is the only one who pleads for you.

Zhang Wei surrounding your residence
has been the talk of the town now.

Many people already don't like
you arresting people without evidence

and forcing people to confess
by torturing them.

Right now, everyone is using
the Imperial Guards' Office's case

to bring up their hatred for you.

Every one of them is complaining about you.

How can I protect you?

Isn't that great?

You can obviously see how the parties
are split in the imperial court.

This is public opinion.

Release him first.
Go back and rest for a few days.

How can I rest at a time like this?

This is a time
when you should go back and rest!

There's a limit to everything.

It's time to reflect on yourself.

I've issued an imperial edict.

You're to stay at home
to reflect on yourself for two days.

♫ If there are no happy memories ♫

♫ How can we traverse
the forbidden land of sorrow? ♫

♫ Two cold and unfeeling bodies ♫

♫ Holding hands,
can we get through the snow season? ♫

♫ In the cold wind, in the long night ♫

♫ Embracing the remaining warmth ♫

♫ The depth of the sea, unfathomable ♫

♫ Can it bury yesterday's sighs? ♫

♫ Continue to love,
cherishing it with my life ♫

♫ Continue to live,
even with only a glimmer of hope ♫

♫ Whether in sorrow or joy,
I believe in you ♫

♫ I'd rather be trapped
in the world's extremes ♫

♫ Continue to live,
exhausting all courage ♫

♫ Continue to love,
until the breath runs out ♫

♫ Traversing half a lifetime
of loneliness, just to meet you ♫

♫ After the hardships,
never to part again ♫

♫ After the hardships,
never to part again ♫