01x30 - Episode 30

[bunniefuu]

♪ Pink hands so fine ♪

♪ Gold-branded wine ♪

♪ Spring paints green willows
palace walls cannot confine ♪

♪ East wind unfair ♪

♪ Happy times rare ♪

♪ In my heart sad thoughts throng ♪

♪ We've severed for years long ♪

♪ Wrong, wrong, wrong ♪

[Si Jin]

[Adapted from Si Jin,
by Dong Tian De Liu Ye]

[Episode 30]

[Count of Dongping's Mansion]

[In Memory of Su Ke,
the Countess of Dongping]

Today,

I want all three of you

to take a vow

in front of your mother's tablet,

that you will abandon
any thoughts of vengeance

and never, under any circumstances,
provoke the Princess Royal.

Is that clear?

I refuse.

Si has found out

that the Princess Royal
ordered Madam Xiao

to k*ll Mother.

I'd fail as a son

unless I avenge her.

Insolence!

Zhan.

Who do you think you are?

How are you supposed to avenge her?

Father.

I know you want us to be safe.

The Princess Royal's power is unrivaled.

You are worried

we could lose our lives fighting her.

Am I right?

Yi.

As the eldest sister,

and now a mother yourself,

you understand my worries

as no one else could.

Today,

if Yan was the one

in grave peril,

wouldn't you risk everything

to keep her safe?

I only ask

that the three of you

can live out
the rest of your life in peace.

I failed

to protect your mother.

And now,

I must do everything I can

to stop you
from throwing your lives away.

You'll be the first to take the vow.

Very well.

I promise.

Yi!

Since you were a child,

you were the most obedient.

You never made me worried.

Father!

As for you...

If you are stubborn enough

to risk your life for revenge,

I shall banish you from this house!

Your name will be deleted

from the family genealogy!

I, Jiang Ancheng...

I

Might as well pretend
you were never my son.

Father!

If you still see me as your father,

then take the vow now!

Very well.

I won't take revenge.

I won't cause any trouble.

Are you happy now?

Is this what you wanted?

Si.

Your brother and sister took the vow.

What about you?

Father.

Do you really think silence

can earn you peace?

My mother endured it all

to have peace,

but the Princess Royal
spared no mercy for her!

Now that we know

who the culprit is,

why can't we take revenge?

Why should we let her

get away with the crime?

I will never

take that vow.

Delete my name

from the family genealogy

or banish me from this family
all you like.

My mother's m*rder is unforgivable!

The Princess Royal shall pay

with her life!

Stop it!

Si!

Father!

You are still young.

The idea

of her overwhelming dominance
eludes you.

His Majesty favors her
more than any living soul.

Her power is second
only to the Emperor's.

How are we supposed
to stand against her?

Even the smallest effort
can challenge the mightiest force.

We never tried.

How can you be certain we'll fail?

What will you do?

What can you possibly do?

Tell His Majesty?

Before you even strike

the petition drum,

the Princess Royal can level

a thousand charges against you

with just a flick of her finger.

Or are you

going to poison her

or assassinate her?

You are

a helpless girl
who can barely hold a weapon.

What do you expect to do?

Oh, Si!

What must I tell you

to talk you out of it?

Father...

Father...

I have already

lost your mother.

I can't lose you too.

I can't!

Father.

Come on, Jin.

Let's have a match.

Sure.

Jin.

Supervisor Yang
from the Directorate of Astronomy

sent a letter yesterday.

He insists

that if you marry a woman

with a fate of desolation,

it will bring harm

to the family and the realm.

There will be chaos.

Do you believe him?

The officials do.

An idea can rise or bring down anyone.

I may be the ruler,

but I have

no power over what people say.

Jin.

If there is a calamity,

I don't want you

to be the scapegoat.

The woman with a fate of desolation

that Supervisor Yang mentioned

was Jiang Si.

Correct.

But you gave me the permission
to marry her.

A promise is a promise.

He also predicted

that Cui Mingyue's birth date

complements Jiang Si's.

If you marry both of them,

the ill fate can be neutralized.

I inquired about the Princess Royal.

She prioritizes the big picture.

She is willing to let Mingyue
share a husband with Jiang Si.

But I am not willing.

Mingyue is a Princess.

Her background

matches yours better than Jiang Si's.

Father, I've made up my mind.

Why would I want the trouble?

Jiang Si is my first

and only love.

Jin, think it through

before deciding.

That won't be necessary.

I've given you the answer.

If there's nothing else,

I'll take my leave.

If the other princes

had my permission

to marry two consorts at the same time,

they'd be thrilled.

He is as stubborn as a rock.

I admit my mistake.

I never ate or drank.

I've been kneeling for one whole day.

Your Highness,

please have mercy on me.

When you were little,

you had night terrors.

I had to hold you in my arms every night

to calm you down.

I never had a good night's sleep

until you were three.

From then on, I got a habit

of oversleeping.

I am advanced in my years.

They sounded the gongs and drums

to keep me from sleeping.

I couldn't take it anymore.

I slipped up.

How have I treated you over the years?

So many in this palace know

you abuse my gratitude
to gain influence.

Yet, I turned a blind eye to it.

But now, you betrayed me.

I'm sorry, Your Highness!

I only mentioned

that Su Ke

was a woman of questionable morals

who enticed men.

A death by poison

was what she deserved

in the end.

What about Nanwu?

I never

said a word about Nanwu.

Your Highness. I have a report.

Come in.

Your Highness.

Prince Yan turned down
His Majesty's proposal

to marry Princess Mingyue.

I admire those devoted to their love.

I shan't let them get what they want.

Since Jiang Si

refused to go down

like her mother Su Ke,

then I shall employ another method.

Yes, Your Highness.

Prince Yan left yesterday

to meet the two officials

of the Directorate of Astronomy.

But we dealt with those loose ends

beforehand.

Very wise indeed.

Did you mention something?

Otherwise,

why would he go out at night
to seek answers?

I was careless

and mentioned to his guard

about the incident 20 years ago.

I was careless!

You fool!

Your Highness, I deserve punishment!

My sin is unforgivable!

Your Highness.

There are no witnesses left.

When I told them,

I was very vague.

Prince Yan won't find any evidence.

They would never tell His Majesty

what you did.

Seriously?

My brother has many children.

A prince who never lived in the palace

has no power here.

He wouldn't dare snitch on me.

As for the witnesses...

You reminded me of something.

Bring it here.

What now?

Why wouldn't you drink

the tea I prepared?

Your Highness.

Your arm was once injured, and I worry

our servants might be too clumsy
to care for it properly.

If you find their care lacking,

and you think of this old servant,

then I'd feel my efforts
were worthwhile.

Nanny, what do you mean by that?

You were my wet nurse.

I am giving you a second chance.

Had you assumed

that I would take your life yesterday

and not come back,

then I really would've

wiped your very existence
off this earth.

This cup of tea is a reward
and a punishment.

If you make one more mistake,

no amount of mercy

can keep you alive.

I am eternally grateful
for Your Highness' mercy!

Nanny Xu

slipped up

when we were alone.

Her Highness targeted you

twenty years ago.

Really? XXX二十年前

The Directorate of Astronomy predicted

I'd have an ill fate

due to her involvement?

Chief,

we received a letter

from Mr. Xiao of Lingshui.

"Observatory Director
Jiang Ancheng knows."

[Jiang]

Father.

Do you really think silence

can earn you peace?

My mother endured it all

to have peace,

but the Princess Royal
spared no mercy for her!

Now that we know

who the culprit is,

why can't we take revenge?

Why should we let her

get away with the crime?

- Your Highness.
- Mr. Jiang.

You asked to meet at night.

What is this about?

Take a seat.

Are you aware

I am against your marriage

with Si?

I know.

I wanted her to have

a safe and peaceful life.

I'd rather her

have a normal life

than let her...

I know you want to keep Si out of

this power struggle.

I want the same thing.

There's more.

I've kept this secret with me
for so many years.

I've never mentioned it to anyone.

The matter

greatly concerns Your Highness.

Twenty years ago,

I once served
at the Directorate of Astronomy.

I know.

I met Mr. Chu

and Mr. Xiao.

I was wondering

how I should break it to you.

To my surprise,

you're willing to come forth.

In that case,

then I shall tell you everything.

You are not a man of ill fate.

It's the opposite.

That night,

I observed the heavenly sign.

It was auspicious.

On the fifth day of the fifth month,

in the third year of the Jingming era.

Mr. Jiang!

[Directorate of Astronomy]
Any anomaly in the sky.

Supervisor Yang ordered us
to take the shift for you.

Come down.

Gentlemen,

this is a full record of my observation.

It's an auspicious sign tonight.

It's not time yet.

You did your job well, Mr. Jiang.

Go home and get some rest.

Well.

Then, I shall take my leave now.

Mr. Xiao.

Why would the Princess Royal

frame

a newborn prince?

Do you know about

the Southern Frontier?

[An auspicious sign]
Nanwu attacked the border.

The border army had

the most devastating defeat ever.

But how does the newborn prince

fit into this?

Cui Xu is the general
of the border army.

The Princess Royal's husband.

Imperial Concubine Xian will soon

be promoted
to Imperial Noble Consort Xian.

The Princess Royal would never

allow that to happen.

The Seventh Prince's ill fate

can take down Imperial Concubine Xian

and salvage Cui Xu's reputation.

Two birds with one stone.

I never thought the Princess Royal

would take my fate so lightly
and change it

just to salvage Cui Xu's career

and take down

Imperial Concubine Xian.

I have failed you.

I was too scared

to make the Princess Royal my enemy.

I kept this a secret.

I was too much of a coward

to stand up for you.

But now, I am cornered.

They took my wife's life.

And now, they are after Si's life.

Mr. Jiang.

Si wouldn't want you to get caught up

in this conflict.

I will gather evidence

of the Princess Royal's crimes.

Your Highness,

the Annals of Fortune and Misfortune

can be concrete evidence.

I wanted to save my own skin.

However, I never wished

to bury the truth forever.

This must be why Father

is against my relationship

with Yu Qi.

The Princess Royal planted her spies

in the Imperial Palace.

She is wary.

You must be extra cautious.

Stay safe while collecting intel.

You too.

The Directorate of Astronomy

is not exactly our ally.

We can find the truth

about the heavenly sign

of your birth.

Do not be impatient

or risk your life.

Very well.

[Tiande Hall]

Ever since His Majesty

betrothed Si to Jin,

Jin has become the laughingstock

of the Imperial Palace.

They say he is a savage

who grew up in the Southern Frontier,

that he is naive,

short-sighted, and unintelligent.

This is outrageous.

Calm down, Mother.

Mother, there's something I'm not sure

if I should bring up.

Just spill it.

Don't beat around the bush.

I think Miss Jiang is indeed

somewhat capable.

She caught everyone's attention
at the Floral Banquet.

She outshone even Princess Mingyue.

She even left

quite an impression on Father.

If she ever goes against you,

and if Prince Yan takes her side...

Do you think she is
too big of a threat to me?

Go to the Count of Dongping's Mansion

and summon Jiang Si to Jinhua Hall

for her etiquette lesson.

Yes.

Your Highness,

Miss Jiang has arrived
at the Jinhua Hall.

She is here to greet you.

Perfect timing.

Send her in.

Yes.

I came by as Commandant

of the Capital Administration Office

to inspect the documents

of the Directorate of Astronomy.

I hope you can do me a favor, Mr. Yang.

[Directorate of Astronomy]

Your Highness,

our documents have always

been kept safely in the archives.

If you want to go through them,

we need to see

the permit

with His Majesty's seal.

Of course.

If my memory serves

this is the very permit

you and Mr. Zhen presented

during the investigation

of the hunting assassination.

There are missing dots.

We must further investigate.

Is there a problem?

His Majesty is impartial.

The Directorate has

weeded out the corrupt officers.

What more is there

to investigate?

Is there an expiration date
on the permit?

No.

Is the case closed?

No.

Your attempt to stop us

raises some suspicion.

It seems I must

inform His Majesty of this.

Please.

Thanks.

Chief.

I have a stomach ache.

Please help him out, Mr. Yang.

Straight down that way.

Thank you, Mr. Yang.

I am Jiang Si,
from the Count of Dongping's Mansion.

Greetings, Your Grace.

Wishing you happiness and well-being.

Miss Jiang,

this is your first audience
with Her Grace.

You should perform

[Nanny Lin]
the full prostration ceremony.

Has no one in your family
taught you proper manners?

It's my mistake.

Greetings, Imperial Concubine Xian.

May you live long and prosper.

Your bow

seems proper enough.

Thank you.

Her Grace didn't say
you could stand back up.

You should kneel and await your order.

Yes.

From what I heard,

your mother was the daughter
of a merchant.

The Count of Dongping's Mansion
is somewhat low in rank.

But your ancestors
had their glorious days.

They had honorific titles.

Why was your mother allowed
into the family?

Or perhaps

you learned how to move up in the world

from your mother?

I beg to differ, Your Grace.

My mother passed away

as soon as I was born.

I wasn't fortunate enough

to be in the company of my mother.

But from what I learned
from the others,

my mother was a person of great virtues.

She had self-respect.

She was my role model.

She was a better mother

than those who lived

but failed to give their children

a proper upbringing.

How dare you?

You insulted me by implying it was me!

Seize her and slap her!

Don't just stand there!

Let go of me!

Mother.

This is Jiang Si's first visit
to the palace.

Could you

bear with her this time?

If she is hurt,

the Seventh Prince will be upset.

That is bad for your relationship
with His Highness.

Slap her!

If I swallowed it,

I wouldn't live to see the day

of me and Jin getting along.

Nanny Lin.

Yes.

Jiang Si

was engaged to the Duke of Anguo's son.

Then, she was earning the favor
of the Zhen family.

You may

investigate it.

Make sure

whether Jiang Si

has remained untouched.

Your Grace!

How could you do this to me?

Your Highness!

Let go of me!

- Let go of me!
- Calm down.

Mother.

Don't be mad.

Why didn't you tell me

her mother had passed away?

Were you giving Jiang Si a chance

to mock me?

It's my fault for not finding out.

Let go of me!

Shut her mouth!

If you hurt me,

Prince Yan won't forgive you.

Are you worried

we might find out

you've known intimacy?

Is that why you threaten us?

Seize her!

Back off!

Send them out.

Get them out of here.

Leave.

Nanny Lin, you can examine me later.

Feel the cut on your palm.

Does it hurt?

Is it

starting to itch?

What did you do?

You must have heard by now.

I knew
there was Traceless Grass in my ink

during the Floral Banquet.

I even made the buds bloom.

Putting poison

on this broken vase...

shouldn't be hard.

You are lying.

Calling me a liar?

Suit yourself.

When the sun sets,

and you don't get the antidote,

you will die

from excessive bleeding
from your orifices.

It is going to be

a horrendous death.

Miss Jiang.

Even if I obeyed you

and covered it up,

your secret will be known

on the night of consummation.

That is

not your concern.

Yes.

I know

what to tell Her Grace.

Please give me the antidote.

Please.

The antidote can wait.

Nanny Lin.

You've served in the palace for decades.

I have a question for you.

Ask away.

I will tell you anything.

Which consort

is the closest

to the Princess Royal?

Imperial Concubine Zhuang

and Empress Di.

Empress Di?

Indeed.

After Empress Qingrong's passing,

the Princess Royal

recommended her for the position.

Are there any nannies

that have served them

for more than 20 years?

How can I know for sure

how long they've served?

But the nannies serving them

are experienced.

But why do you ask?

Give me the antidote, miss.

Please!

Have patience.

When I leave Jinhua Hall,

you will get it.

[Prince Yan's Mansion]

Mother.

Qian.

Mother!

Qian!

Qian.

I thought I'd never

see you again.

You've lost so much weight.

You look frail.

Qian.

How did you find me?

Mother.

How could you be so foolish?

How could you poison her?

I did it out of pride.

I was always overshadowed

by Madam Su.

Your grandmother allowed us

to fight over everything.

I had no choice.

Now, Jiang Si has been

chosen by Prince Yan.

She will be a consort soon.

When she marries the prince,

our branch

is as good as doomed.

So I had to...

That was foolish.

Why can't we live

our peaceful life

in this family?

Why make things difficult for yourself

and others?

Back then...

Well,

did something happen then?

Drop it.

It's all in the past now.

Forget it.

I've pondered long and hard lately.

I've made so many mistakes

and done Ancheng's family wrong.

I have a debt to pay.

Talk to your father.

Let me go home.

I'm willing to do anything...

Mother.

I'm afraid that is impossible.

Father might be planning
to make Madam Ruan

the official wife.

After what you did,

your life and death

are no longer his concern.

Mother!

But...

But I have nowhere else to go

except

our home.

Mother, I'm here.

I can provide you with shelter.

You don't need others.

We can have our own home.

But Miss Si...

Don't worry.

It was Si who asked me

to get you out.

Very well.

There are rumors circling in the palace,

saying you seduced men of power.

I didn't anticipate

you'd preserved your honor.

I didn't think

you'd fall for those false rumors.

Judging by the attitude,

you are still defiant.

You lectured me

and examined my body.

Can I leave now?

What do you

take the palace for?

You can't come and go as you please.

Someone,

bring her the Admonitions for Women.

She must copy it
until she learns her lessons.

Has anyone in the family

treated me with respect before?

Who am I?

Do I even have my own name?

I'm just a pawn to you all!

I can only depend on myself!

I alone must strive

to secure my place

in the family!

I didn't mean to k*ll her!

I was deceived as well!

Even the tides of fate turn.

Years fade like dewdrops at dawn.

I never thought the girl

who hated me the most

would give me a second chance

and

a home for my daughter and me.

Mother.

We should always remember her kindness.

If Si ever

needs our help with anything,

we should assist her.

Miss Jiang.

After all the fuss,

you still have to kneel
and copy the book.

It must be difficult.

Quick,

serve Miss Jiang the tea.

Thank you, Your Highness.

I assume you're not used to

copying the book.

Every beginning is hard.

I can show you the rope.

Never mind.

When I first met Mother,

I went through this too.

Before marrying,

I was my parents' precious child.

They always spoiled me

and tolerated me.

I had never been mistreated.

I cried for three days straight at home.

Now, I've endured long enough

to make it all worthwhile.

Si,

you did far better than me back then.

We should be allies.

It's better than enduring it alone.

Your Highness,

my mother died young.

My family

was managed by my aunt.

My aunt

was an interesting person.

She was stingy,

but she wanted people
to see her as generous.

When she gave us some fabric

and coals,

she'd tell the world about it.

She might as well have told

the whole city.

What do you mean?

Do you blame me for not helping you?

Helping is kindness.

Not helping is the right thing to do.

I appreciate

the tea you bring me.

I thank you

for defending me

in front of Imperial Concubine Xian.

But I've spent years in my family

dealing with

my two-faced aunt.

I've learned

what false kindness looks like.

Imperial Concubine Xian
openly humiliated me.

But Your Highness

might also look down on me.

You invited me to a banquet

and put me in the last seat of the hall.

You defended me

only to put up an act.

The kindness

you've made so obvious

is no different from the fabric

and coals

my aunt gave us.

If you intend to earn my trust

with those,

it will be ridiculous.

Si, you misunderstood.

You said so yourself.

There are two daughters-in-law now.

From now on,

we shouldn't shoulder the misery alone.

Given the situation,

your wish came true.

I didn't expect Mother

- to be so upset...
- You need not explain.

As long as you don't plot against me,

I won't cause you trouble.

Please leave.

Take your time.

Did Jiang Si say that?

Yes.

I overheard every word of it

by the door.

Does Jiang Si

know nothing about holding back?

She's only known Zhang's wife for days.

Yet, she spilled

all the thoughts I had about

my daughter-in-law

without any hesitation.

Zhang's wife is such a phony.

Back then, she stood right there.

She wouldn't look at me
when I lectured her.

I mistook her for an obedient one.

But as soon as she left,

she told the Grand Preceptor

to snitch on me to His Majesty.

From that day onward, I've been known

for being a cruel mother-in-law.

If that's what she sees,

I'll be as she wishes.

Greetings.

Prince Yan.

Are you here for Miss Jiang?

She went through a lot

today.

What happened?

Princess Consort Qi seems soft,

but she is scheming.

From what I've seen,

Miss Jiang may be a bit willful,

but she is candid,

not the trouble-making type.

Your Highness
has kept her here for so long.

Prince Yan might come

looking for her.

Should I

send her back now?

Why should I be afraid of my own son?

Of course you're not.

She must learn her lesson the hard way.

I am a mother-in-law.

I don't care if they are

acting or stubborn.

They must obey me.

Keep her here.

Your Highness, Prince Yan is here.

So soon?

Let him wait outside.

Your Highness, where is Jiang Si?

Jin, are you hungry?

Which filthy hand
did you touch her with?

Please forgive me, Your Highness.

I...

I don't hit women.

Do it yourself.

Enough.

Nanny Lin

was acting on my order.

Are you going to hit me?

A mother-in-law
should lecture the daughter-in-law.

I was taught

the same way by the Empress Dowager.

I taught Zhang's wife

the same way.

If Jiang Si wants to marry you,

she must endure this.

I did this

for

your own good.

Cut the nonsense!

Did you abandon me for my own good?

Where is Jiang Si?

Talk!

Please come with me.

No mother

would be willing

to abandon her child.

Leave.

Long Dan.

You too.

It pains me to see you like this.

Why are you here so soon?

How was the investigation?

We should never

come to this accursed place.

As you say. We'll never come here again.

Your mother...

Imperial Concubine Xian.

Imperial Concubine Xian.

We've met her today.

Let's meet the Empress tomorrow.

No one will suspect us again.

Right?

Oh, right.

I heard

the Princess Royal is very close

with Her Majesty.

She became the Empress

with the Princess Royal's
recommendation.

Does it mean

the two of them

were working together?

If that's the case,

it would make perfect sense
for the Princess Royal

to plant a Nanwu spy

in the Changning Palace.

Oh, right.

Did you find anything
at the Directorate?

Did you find

my father's record?

I got so mad that I almost forgot that.

[Jiang Ancheng]
On the fifth day of the fifth month,

[Observatory Director]
in the third year of the Jingming era.

[of the Directorate of Astronomy]
The Northern Star shines bright,

an omen of great fortune.

The Seventh Prince is born,

a joyous event of harmony.

May His Majesty be informed.

[Jiang Ancheng]
Heaven blesses Zhou.

So this was the true heavenly sign

at your birth.

My father told me

the record

was made of material

that made it impossible

to erase the writings.

This is credible evidence.

Let's present this to His Majesty.

No.

If we did that,

your father would be

the Princess Royal's first target.

That means

our top priority now is

to find the Nanwu spy near the Empress.

The most beautiful face

in this realm

was almost ruined.

My face is fine.

Every slap you endured

pained me deeply.

[The End of Episode 30]

♪ Through endless twists ♪

♪ In the mundane world ♪

♪ The breezy wind blows ♪

♪ The heart grows tender and bitter ♪

♪ I ask the Sun ♪

♪ If the light has taken root ♪

♪ As it prospers ♪

♪ Our love story writes itself ♪

♪ We lock eyes
and promise to stay together forever ♪

♪ After countless challenges,
we are still us ♪

♪ Our inseparable souls ♪

♪ Can weather all storms ♪

♪ We cross paths
and promise to stay together forever ♪

♪ The tapestry of destiny
is filled with our youth ♪

♪ Our blissful time together ♪

♪ Will lead us ♪

♪ To the sea of stars ♪

♪ Our destined paths ♪

♪ The years will hold ♪

♪ A light shines at the tunnel's end ♪

♪ Where happy endings will transcend ♪

♪ We cross paths
and promise to stay together forever ♪

♪ The tapestry of destiny
is filled with our youth ♪

♪ Our blissful time together ♪

♪ Will lead us to what we desire ♪

♪ We lock eyes
and promise to stay together forever ♪

♪ Through frost-kissed trails,
and starry space ♪

♪ Moon-silvered dreams ♪

♪ On love's embrace ♪

♪ Hearts bound as one,
through time's soft grace ♪

♪ Love's tide guides,
beyond our mortal space ♪

♪ A moment kept with your embrace ♪

♪ Where blooms have found their place ♪