01x23 - Episode 23

[bunniefuu]

♫ Flowers falling by the river again ♫ ♫ Turning the clear waves red ♫

♫ Sparrows singing in celebration ♫

♫ Calm years pass by the silent bustling city ♫ ♫ Sitting at home ♫

♫ No one knows love's outline like I do ♫

♫ If one day the river breeze blows again ♫

♫ I won't be a mere reflection in the mirror ♫

♫ Dreams can shatter; Memories remain ♫

♫ Rich fragrance A*DS; Light ink writes ♫

♫ In the deep red windows lies mundane dust ♫

Are You the One

[Episode 23]

So, Ziyu didn't send you here.

You're here for the silver.

How did you have it?

This dagger?

-Ziyu gave it to me, so I have it.
-Impossible.

- I've already...
- You've already taken it away.

Since you can find where I am,
I can find you too.

Then, I'll take back what's mine,

like what I did to Cao Duo.

He's repaid what he owes me.

So you k*lled Cao Duo, not Lord Huaiyang?

True.

Cao Duo remained loyal to you until his death.

Yun'er,

you truly raised
a well-behaved lapdog.

But now, I dare not act against you.

One must consider the master
when hitting the dog.

After all,
when I found this dagger in the mansion,

I saw a remarkable man.

Prince Sui.

Once the young master succeeds,

Prince Sui will be the most powerful person.

He'll remove the roots then.

But if you beg him, he will generously

bury you with 20 people from Pingyuan Escort Agency.

- Why are you laughing?
- You're stupid.

Look at this dagger.

Is it the same as before?

You fooled me.

- You knew nothing.
- Now,

I know everything.

My Lord.

My Lord.

My Lord. We've found a cave over there,
with clay marks at the entrance.

Some of you, follow me. Others, follow Huang Gui.

- Check for other routes to the cave.
- Yes.

I thought you'd at least
be loyal to Mount Yang.

Do you enjoy being a commoner?

The young master is trapped here
due to bad luck.

Do you really think he likes it here?

Does he know it was Prince Sui's order
to k*ll his brothers in Xizhou?

When Prince Sui came to ally with us,
we all knew he had ulterior motives.

Sister's actions were truly for
the young master's benefit.

For his benefit?

Because of your good intentions,

the young master hesitated,

and never took decisive action.

Engaged in a dangerous game, so what?

Do you really think he has no courage at all?

Then does he know exactly

what happened
on Shangsi Festival?

At that night, you faked the orders to attack

Zhenzhou troops, causing them to retaliate.

Your provocation drove Mount Yang
into a desperate battle,

severely weakening them,
and forcing them to ally with Prince Sui.

You wanted to take over the iron mine,

so you had Cao Duo sever my tendons,
trying to k*ll me.

Does Ziyu know all this?

You care about Ziyu so much.

If he knew all this,

how would he treat you?

Liu Miantang,

do you think
he truly knows nothing?

At the end of the day,
you and I are both equally pathetic.

k*ll her!

Go get her!

Save me...

[Sui]

Go ahead. I'll meet you at the old spot.

Miantang!

-Go.
-- Sister.

Go.

Let's go.

These bags hold kerosene.

If you take another step,

I'll sh**t
through them, and drench you all.

Let the Zhenzhou troops see

their lord turn to charcoal.

I'll do what I said.

My Lord!

- My Lord!
- Soldiers, listen up. Retreat to the base.

- My Lord...
- Now.

- Yes.
- Retreat.

Retreat now.

When did you find out?

You didn't seem surprised to see me.

You stayed because you knew
the Zhenzhou troops were here.

You wanted to buy time for your men, right?

Yes.

Even if it meant I'd k*ll you?

Yes.

Then what about you?

You knew my identity and that it was a trap.

Why did you still come here?

I find it ridiculous too,

but I wanted to see if you would relent.

Liu Miantang, tell me.

When the fire burned,

did you have any regret?

You did regret.

Because when Huang Gui arrived,

you had a chance to k*ll me.

Cui Xingzhou,

why do you think I would regret it?

Perhaps the old me gave you
the wrong impression.

Let me tell you a secret.

The Liu Miantang from Lingquan Town

is not the real me.

Your wife, who only had eyes for you, does not exist,

just like your lies.

And your love only moved you.

To me,

it means nothing.

I don't...

love you.

I hate you.

So, Lord Huaiyang,

how do you plan to deal with Lu Wen?

I'll give you one more chance.

Don't you have a dagger?

Don't you hate me?

I lied to you before.

I'll repay you with my life.

The feud between Lu Wen and Lord Huaiyang

was settled in that fire.

It was fate.

What about Cui Jiu and Liu Miantang?

It's settled now.

From now on,

we owe each other nothing.

Let's part ways peacefully,

and find our own happiness.

♫ With spring flowers and autumn moon ♫

♫ I searched the yard thoroughly ♫

♫ Before the wind comes,
they've already withered ♫

♫ In this world ♫

♫ We read each other's mind for nothing ♫

♫ But no fate ♫

♫ Too young to appreciate the moon Too full to suffer from lacking ♫

♫ Never parted With the fleeting breeze ♫

♫ And people ♫

♫ A glance that lingers ♫

♫ I wander alone in the wilderness with many years ahead ♫

♫ Just waiting for you to see me ♫

♫ Knowing this longing Why do I write so resolutely ♫

♫ Deceiving myself
by cutting a red thread ♫

♫ If the knot in my heart Waits for you to untangle ♫

♫ The fallen leaves of memory
wait for you to pick up ♫

Okay.

I'll listen to you.

♫ Why do I wander alone in the wilderness Waiting through the years ♫

♫ Only to wait for you to see me ♫

♫ How much snow have I shaken off How many poems have I written ♫

♫ And how many times have I asked myself ♫

♫ Even if you go through a thousand dangers Love cannot be perfect ♫

♫ Lies and promises
are separated by a thought ♫

♫ If my dreams fade It's because ♫

♫ We spoke too easily of ♫

♫ Forever ♫

Let's go.

Yes.

[Three months later]

[The capital city changes. Wu is deposed.
New Emperor rises, enacting new policies.]

Your Majesty. Please try on the auspicious attire.

His Majesty moved to another place.

He has issued an oral edict.

The country is exhausted,
in need of rebuilding.

Simplify the coronation ceremony
and palace expenses.

His Majesty will consult the ministers soon.

As the saying goes, the weather in June
changes suddenly.

Yesterday, he was a boor living
in a remote area.

Today, he is a legitimate member
of the royal family.

One is a lord, like a hidden dragon,
who will achieve great things.

The other is a remarkable woman, intelligent
and unparalleled in the mundane world.

They are like a fated couple

straight out of a storybook.

But we still need a villain.

A lord would be best.

Aren't you a lord?

You should join us, and cause some trouble.
That will be enough.

You see, the story is over.

Just enjoy your chestnuts and be a spectator.

Leave me alone.

His Majesty has ascended.

Even the deepest wounds
should have healed by now.

I'm not sure if your pain
is internal or external.

She and I have long parted ways.

You better.

The new emperor has summoned
the regional lords to the capital.

If you can't let go of the past,

consider how awkward

a meeting might be.

What's your plan for going to the capital?

I've made arrangements in the capital,
to protect my elder sister and my mentor.

What do you mean?

Are you not going?

My Lord, a report from the capital.

Traces of Qiulin Xian have been found.

Ms. Liu should be there too.

We don't know much about the new emperor.

The vassal lords are all watching.

Xingzhou is cautious
and he won't act recklessly.

But the court has issued the edict.

If we don't go, we'll be defying the emperor.

Consort Dowager, don't worry.

The new emperor's foundation is unstable,
and he wouldn't dare offend Zhenzhou.

When the Wu family took the throne
and issued an edict,

didn't the old lord also refuse to go?

And in the end, what could they do to us?

Moreover, with Xingzhou's temperament...

He is naturally more prudent
than elder brother.

Consort Dowager.
His Lordship has gone to the capital.

What?

[Treasure as Desired]

Goodbye, esteemed lady.

Bring the catalog items to Prince Sui's
mansion for the princess to pick.

Thank you.

Thanks to Uncle for traveling all over, and
doing business with neighboring countries.

Or, how could you have found such rare items
to please the princess?

Come on, Uncle Qiao.

You only have a few pieces.

But Princess of Sui has checked
the whole catalog.

You're an honest man, aren't you?

For a first visit to Prince Sui's Mansion,
a few items are enough.

The key is to pique the interest
of Princess of Sui.

Gradually,

once we make it into his inner backyard, and bribe the servants,

it won't be hard to track
Prince Sui's movements.

Find a secluded place

and k*ll him.

Sister, your headpiece is too plain.

I want to get a better one for you.

It's fine.

We just arrived in the capital.

It's better to keep a low profile.

People's nature is serene,
but their hearts are troubled.

While their hearts may seem calm,
desires drive them.

If one can dispel desires,

their hearts will naturally be calm.

With a clear heart,
the spirit will naturally be pure.

Then...

Then... Then the six desires will not arise.

The three poisons will be eliminated.

Those who cannot achieve this

have not yet cleared their hearts

or dispelled their desires.

Those who can achieve this...

What about those who can achieve this?

I've taught you three times.

Why aren't you paying attention?

Sorry, I'm dull-witted.

Since you know that,

you should work harder to make up for it.

If you can't even memorize a few scriptures,

how am I going to tell Minister Shi?

Do you know which palace
the Empress should reside in?

Chonghua Palace.

And are you living in Chonghua Palace now?

Although you are betrothed to the Emperor,

the marriage is not yet consummated.

With the new emperor ascending,
anything could happen.

Whether the Empress will be
from the Shi family

is still unknown.

Grand Empress Dowager loves Taoist scriptures.

Miss Shi, even if you must stay up all night,

you must memorize these scriptures.

I understand.

I will memorize them today.

I'll check on you tomorrow.

- Miss Shi, you're working hard.
- Miss Shi, you're working hard.

Have some fruit.

For those who can achieve this,
their inner hearts...

I thought Miss Shi had finally turned her
fortune around, and was about to soar high.

But after entering the palace, nothing changed.

And why did His Majesty delay the designation
of the Empress,

- making Miss Shi suffer in vain?
- Stop talking nonsense.

His Majesty just ascended,
and must be facing many issues.

The day before yesterday,
he cut palace extravagance.

Yesterday, he pardoned 800 palace servants,
sending them home.

The designation of the Empress
is only slightly delayed.

He's busy, busy tending to crab apple trees.

Zhuwen.

I'm sorry.

I was just thinking of Ms. Sun.

She suddenly fell ill,
and has been recuperating in Qingzhou.

What will Miss Shi...

Songhua. Do you think she should be punished?

- Yes.
- You heard that.

Get out...

and fetch me some snacks.

I'll be right back.

His Majesty is here. Please enter the hall, My Lord.

I am Cui Xingzhou. Greetings to Your Majesty.

Minister Cui, no need for formality.

There is no outsider here.

Your contributions are invaluable.

Even without your ancestral glory,
I would not force you to kneel.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

I have invited you to
this temporary palace first.

Do you know why?

This was the former Crown Prince's residence.

Do you want to remind me

that your ascension is the rightful succession
of the royal family,

restoring order and justice?

It is both out of nostalgia,

and a reminder to myself that,

even as Emperor,

I must remember
those dear ones lost,

the days and nights fleeing
from the Zhenzhou troops,

and my missing loved one.

Your Majesty, are you intending to settle
old scores,

and avenge the Qingzhou affair?

In the past, I couldn't do anything to you,
but things are different now.

You meeting me today without surprise

suggests you've already investigated,
and considered everything thoroughly.

Given that, the vassal lords have yet to act,

why did you take the lead,

and arrive at the capital so soon?

I was summoned by the imperial edict,

so naturally, I was the first to arrive,

also to show the vassal lords how Zhenzhou's fate will unfold
before they decide

how to pledge their loyalty to the new emperor.

You're afraid

afraid that in the capital,

she'll make her decision
.

Given how things are now, you remain
a pillar of the kingdom,

and I'm the supreme lord.

Between you and me, everything from
our past can be let go,

and must be let go.

Is that an imperial edict

or a command
from Ziyu?

Though I have deceived her and I can't deny it,

Mr. Ziyu has no right to judge me either.

When I first found Liu Miantang, her tendons
were severed,

lying in the cold pool, bloodied.

Even if you didn't know this,
you indulged your old followers.

As for our past, even if I can let it go,
she certainly cannot.

I know what happened in Zhenzhou.

She has nothing

to do with you anymore.

But as ruler and subject, our future is long.

Minister Cui, please rest well...

after your long journey.

Be careful. Don't bump into anything.

- Yes.
- Yes.

You arrived so suddenly. But that's good.

Everyone in here is at ease now.

Afraid I'll rebel?

Sister,

when did you plant
these crab apple trees?

According to palace news,
His Majesty is fond of crab apples,

so the noble families in the capital are
all following suit, making it quite the trend.

He's fond of crab apples.

You're simple-minded.

Serving His Majesty in the capital, you
must always be alert and grasp his intentions.

I've heard this new Emperor is quite different.

He advocates for simplicity,
canceled all grand court meetings, and is nostalgic and traditional.

He's using the former Crown Prince's mansion
as a temporary palace, and staying low-profile.

I wonder if this is out of filial piety,

but even after ascending the throne, he hasn't
appointed the empress or consorts

it's quite strange

Sister, you married into a capital family,

and are interested in kingdom affairs.

His Majesty signed a marriage certificate
with Miss Shi.

But they didn't even live together.

So the official wife's position
is awkward in the palace.

Whether she'll become Empress
is still up in the air.

He also has a concubine surnamed Sun,
daughter of the former Crown Prince's aide.

She was with His Majesty
before he became Emperor.

But until now, she hasn't been summoned
to the capital,

and doesn't seem to be in line
for the empress title.

The new emperor isn't conducting a selection,
and is just waiting.

All my friends believe

His Majesty reserves
the Empress position for someone special,

perhaps his loved one.

But no one knows which noble family she's from.

- Since you're often in the palace,
help me find out more.
- Sure.

Don't laugh loudly; Speak quietly.

- Your Ladyship.
- Mother.

- Honey.
- Brother-in-law.

I was too excited and forgot the rules.

Our Duke Qing's family is a noble one
in the capital.

As the eldest daughter-in-law, you forgot the rules upon seeing your brother,

which is unbecoming.

Yes.

Lord Huaiyang, you look much more mature now.

I heard that Xingzhou
made quite a splash today,

summoned by His Majesty
as soon as he arrived in the capital.

It's embarrassing to say,
but I haven't even met His Majesty yet.

Since His Majesty summoned me, he naturally
remembered my sister,

and in doing so, he also recalled the Duke Qing's.

Brother-in-law, no need to worry.

Yes.

We're family.

I'm tired.

Fu, you must take good care of Xingzhou
these days.

Xingzhou is my youngest brother. I will take good care of him.

Mother, don't worry.

Let's go.

After you, Sister.

Where is it?

Where is what?

Face powder from Scent Store,
in the Moon Mist shade.

What's this?

Face powder from Scent Store in Jiangnan.

For me?

Last year, you said you bought it,
and would send it to the capital.

I've been waiting for a whole year.

- Moru.
- Yes.

Did he give it to a confidante?

A confidante...

Pour me some more tea.

Really?

I'm just curious. Mother's letter said you're not marrying Cousin Lian.

So, you've fallen for someone else.

Good for you, Xingzhou. Giving your girl my gift, that's too good for you.

My Lord. Young Lady. Prince Sui's sent an invitation.

Princess of Sui said they got some
good items from Western Regions.

She invites you to come
and enjoy them tomorrow.

Okay. You can leave now.

Princess of Sui?

I usually have no contact with her. How come...

It's Prince Sui. He wants to see me.

[Inviting Cui Fu and Cui Xingzhou
to Prince Sui's tomorrow.]

Yes. You're invited too.

[Prince Sui's Mansion]

We've been walking for so long. Is this the main hall?

We've only passed a few courtyards.
How could it be the main hall?

This is Prince Sui's conference hall.

This mansion is so big.

Does the prince usually travel by carriage?

Or he would be tired.

You entered through the back door,
so the path is longer.

His Lordship uses the main entrance,
which is closer to the main hall.

Sure. Your Han residences have so many rules.

I heard about "purple east".

The study must be in the east, right?

Actually, the study is in the west.
The wing rooms are on the east side.

Those rooms are for guests.

Miss, may I ask if His Lordship is here now?

Aren't you here to see the Princess of Sui?

Last time, I felt that Princess of Sui
was very affectionate towards Prince Sui.

This time, she might not choosing for herself.

So, we've also prepared some men's accessories,

for His Lordship to try on.

We have guests today. And you can't go to the inner courtyard.

I'll ask Princess of Sui and tell you later.

Okay.

Your Lordship, this way please.

My Lord, Lord Huaiyang is here.

Xingzhou.

My Lord.

We're from different fiefs, far apart.

I've missed you for a long time.

A few days ago, Empress Dowager asked me
to organize a memorial at the imperial tomb.

I returned yesterday, and couldn't
go to the palace to greet you.

- Please don't hold it against me.
- It's okay.

Please have a seat.

- After you, My Lord.
- Come on.

- Please.
- My Lord, please.

Among all the lords,

Lord Huaiyang, you are the one I most wanted to meet.

I used my wife's invitation to Duke Qing's
to invite you.

We need to have a good chat

about the past, the present, and the future.

I have a million things that I want to say.

You've flattered me, My Lord.

Thinking back, when Wu was in power,

you suffered a lot.

I'm happy for you in such good spirits today.

It's not easy for us

to have this nice talk.

We've earned this day.

Turning the situation around
and restoring order,

these are thanks to His Majesty, My Lord,
and Minister Shi's efforts.

I did nothing.

How can you say that?

Lord Huaiyang's dedication to coming
to the capital shows your great mind.

It's a blessing for Qi.

The Cui family has always remained loyal
to the Liu reign.

As for the past events during Wu's rule,

there's no need to talk about them.

No need?

Didn't you just say we
turned the situation around?

The fault lies entirely with Wu.

I know you have some misunderstandings

with His Majesty or with others. But...

Misunderstandings?

With whom?

Like

Minister Shi.

Or some current officials.

Forget about it. That's not important.

As long as you and I serve
His Majesty wholeheartedly,

I guarantee that Zhenzhou

will always belong to the Cui family.

Thank you, My Lord.

Honestly, I didn't have much interaction
with your father,

but his achievements were hard-earned.

He knew how to assess the situation.

The late emperor often said that your family holds a different surname,

- but...
- My Lord.

How dare you. I'm talking to Lord Huaiyang.

What's wrong?

My Lord, Eunuch Fu is here
with an imperial decree.

Come in.

My Lord. Grand Empress Dowager will have lunch with His Majesty.

They'll have burbot, which you like.

Grand Empress Dowager misses you,
and invites you to join them for lunch.

You may leave.

Don't blame me, Xingzhou.

Empress Dowager always misses me

and asks me to accompany her.

I... Well...

My Lord, please go.

I heard from my wife that she also
invited your sister, Young Lady Guo.

Please have lunch with your sister here.

My wife has specially prepared for it.

Very good.

Then I'll take my leave.

This headpiece is called "crimson dawn
and clear day" with the color of fire.

It makes you even more dazzling.

Young Lady Guo, won't you pick one?

I have a yellowish complexion,
so it doesn't suit me well.

It only looks good on you.

Duke Qing's is too plain and conservative.

Doesn't your brother arrive in the capital?
Let him take you out shopping.

It's good for socializing.

It's not that I'm anxious. The noble ladies in the capital are all asking about him.

Three of them have even asked me
to introduce him.

Your Lordship. Young Lady Guo is over there.

Greetings, Your Ladyship. Sister.

Have you finished talking
with Prince Sui already?

He went to the palace for an imperial edict.

Prince Sui is the youngest son
of Grand Empress Dowager.

Naturally, he is favored in the capital.

Never mind.

Lord Huaiyang arrived just in time. Today, I've invited two merchants from the Western Regions

who have brought
rare and valuable items to the capital.

From the Western Regions.

"A Lifelong Promise" by Cai Ziyi

♫ The boat drifts,
bringing back the sunset ♫

♫ When we reunite, we still joke
about the cause and effect ♫

♫ Who passed by, the crab apple
falls with a turn ♫

♫ Loving rightly but choosing wrong With joys, sorrows, partings and reunions ♫

♫ Everyone travels far,
seeing clouds and snow ♫

♫ Always hard to stay, yet easy to part Crossing spring waters and autumn trials ♫

♫ A couple under the moonlight,
can stay together ♫

♫ Long hidden in the eyes,
flickering in and out ♫

♫ Let go of the flowers blooming
in the yard last night ♫

♫ Let go of the waves in the stream
in half a lifetime ♫

♫ Let those dust and chaos go on endlessly ♫

♫ In this lifetime, my wish is to the vast sky There are many more ♫

♫ Everyone travels far,
seeing clouds and snow ♫

♫ Always hard to stay, yet easy to part Crossing spring waters and autumn trials ♫

♫ A couple under the moonlight,
can stay together ♫

♫ Time flows as we dream through four seasons ♫

♫ I wish to journey with you forever Year after year ♫

♫ For many years to come ♫