01x11 - Episode 11

[bunniefuu]

Your Highness, it's
time for your medicine.

Your Highness?

Your Highness, it's time
for your medicine.

Your Highness, wake up.

Your Highness!

Your Highness!

Somebody!

Somebody!

Somebody! Get help!

Somebody!

=Blossoms of Power=

[Adapted from the novel, After My
Bloom, All Flowers Wither by Jin Huang]

=Episode 11=

Your Majesty,

Consort Liang died of
blood stasis syndrome.

The illness progresses rapidly.

It can turn fatal within hours.

Your Majesty,

blood stasis syndrome can spread miasma.

We shouldn't stay here any longer.

Choose an auspicious day.

Lay her to rest in the imperial
mausoleum with full honors.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Father.

I ask for your permission

to let me keep vigil
at my mother's tomb.

Your mother came from a distant land.

You're the only child she left behind.

If she's watching from the afterlife,

she would not want to see
you waste away like this.

Stay here

with your grandmother and me instead.

Thank you for your concern, Father,

but I have no other wish in life

than to fulfill my filial
duty at Mother's tomb.

Please grant me this wish, Father.

I never would've expected this.

Mo Yuan was investigating
Consort Liang's crimes,

and now she's suddenly dead.

I originally thought

she was taking revenge
on me for her brother, Ye Qi.

But now that she's died so suddenly,

someone must've silenced her.

Your Highness, are you saying

this wasn't a coincidence?

Your Highness,

I'm back.

There's no one even in charge

of Consort Liang's Yilan Palace now.

It's complete chaos.

The Sixth Prince is rather strange, too.

You could say he's a devoted son,

but he didn't shed a single tear.

Yet you can't call him unfilial either,

since he volunteered to guard her tomb.

Was there anything unusual

before Consort Liang's sudden death?

Yes.

She was scratched by a cat.

She applied a certain hand balm.

I secretly brought some back.

This balm contains cold fern.

It smells sweet to humans,

but it drives cats and
dogs into a frenzy.

Consort Liang was scratched

because she was wearing this balm.

Someone must've

coated the cat's claws with poison.

Your Highness, who do you suspect?

Noble Consort Rong.

She once ordered Lady Hu to harm you.

Noble Consort Rong and
Consort Liang both have sons.

Naturally, they saw
each other as rivals.

Everyone in this palace

hides behind layer
upon layer of deception.

One careless mistake,

and you're finished.

It's impossible to
guard against everyone.

Fortunately, you and the Crown Prince

have decided to stand together

through whatever comes.

I really should thank him for that.

Tian Yuan,

don't you think

there's something suspicious
about Consort Liang's death?

Your Highness,

the imperial physician said
it was blood stasis syndrome,

but I think

she was more likely poisoned.

There aren't many poisons that
could fool the Imperial Medical Office.

It reminds me of the person
who poisoned me.

You mean the person
who k*lled Consort Liang

and the one who poisoned you

could be the same person?

Their methods are similar,

and both culprits are hidden
deep within the palace.

That's exactly what I suspect.

There's something else strange, too.

That foreign merchant
who sold the poison

seems to have vanished into thin air.

There's no trace of him anywhere.

Send all the clues
related to Consort Liang

to Zhao Zhenghao,

Cui Jinbai, and Hua Fuhai as well.

Yes, Your Highness.

Speak.

I heard

Commandery Princess Zhaoning's brother,
Shen Yun'an,

has asked permission
to come to the capital.

He and the Duke of Wei

don't seem to approve of
your marriage to Her Highness.

Good. Let him come.

Then he can see for himself

exactly what kind of man I am.

He's bound to like me.

Young Master will be arriving
in the capital soon.

Everyone, be on your best behavior.

- Yes.
- Yes.

Your Highness.

I haven't seen my brother in so long.

I wonder what his
temper's like these days.

Your Highness,

you said it yourself.

Young Master's always
been straightforward,

a true man of the northwest.

You've only been in
the capital for a while.

His temper couldn't
have changed that quickly.

That's true.

Zhen Zhu,

you know my brother's habits well.

Keep a close eye on them.

Don't worry, Your Highness.

Young Master has an old leg injury.

It flares up whenever he gets cold.

This quilt's too thin.

Bring a thicker one.

- Yes.
- Yes.

Young Master likes
to take big gulps of tea.

This cup's too small.

Bring out the jade tea set

with the evergreen pine
design from the storeroom.

Young Master enjoys
reading military texts.

Place those books on warfare

somewhere within easy reach in his room.

Three,

two,

one,

run!

Yun'an,

I won!

Your Highness.

Your Highness.

What's wrong?

I miss my brother a little.

Don't worry, Your Highness.

I'll take care of everything here.

Your Highness,

why don't you think about
how to thank the Crown Prince?

His Highness seems to be quite
fond of experimenting with pastries.

Every time you visit the East Palace,

he has snacks prepared in advance,

and they're never the same.

He must be quite the foodie.

He should eat something
that's easy to digest.

I'll make him a bowl
of delicate wontons.

You're thinking about Crown Prince
more and more these days.

Your Highness, you helped
me solve Consort Liang's case.

I didn't know how else to repay you.

You made these wontons yourself?

You're still in poor health.

Eating too much could
upset your stomach,

so I only served you a small portion.

I never expected

I'd be lucky enough
to taste your cooking.

[Auspicious Blessings]

They're tender and silky,

with a wonderful lingering flavor.

Whenever anyone else makes them,

I always find them too greasy.

But yours

are just right.

Three wasn't nearly enough.

I'll have the kitchen
prepare the same filling.

Would you

make them for me again?

All right.

There's a legend in northwest.

Hundun was once a vicious ancient beast,

bloodthirsty and cruel,
bringing suffering to the world

and leaving the people no peace.

It's said that eating wontons
named after it

can ward off evil and misfortune,

and bring peace,

good fortune, and safety.

Thank you for such
a thoughtful gesture.

Speaking of northwest,

Your Highness, what do you think

of the Northwest Army?

Why do you ask?

Some say

the Northwest Army is the pillar
that keeps the realm secure.

Others say

the Duke of Wei holds enough power

to carve out a kingdom of his own,

so civil and military authority
should be divided.

What do you think?

To govern the northwest,

you need a strong army
to repel foreign enemies,

and sound governance
to keep the rear secure.

Every one of those tasks

requires civil and military
power to work as one.

If they're divided,

they'll only hold each other back,

and the northwest will never be stable.

You're a Crown Prince of great insight

and ambition.

When you take the throne,

Daxing will surely enjoy
lasting peace and prosperity.

I'll remember

everything that matters to you.

Your family

will remain safe,

and the northwest

will know peace.

Can you promise me that?

I can.

But I don't trust anyone else,

nor will I place my family's lives

in someone else's hands.

What a coincidence.

Neither will I.

Then let's choose to trust ourselves.

If we succeed, it'll be
because we were more capable,

and we'll have nothing to regret.

If we fail, it'll be
because we were outmatched,

and we'll accept the consequences.

[Sixian Hall]

It's windy outside.

You needn't see me out, Your Highness.

Take care, Your Highness.

Xihe.

I can see colors now.

That's wonderful.

Congratulations, Your Highness.

Now that my eyes have healed,

are you

even a little happy for me?

[Sixian Hall]

[Shen Yun'an, Heir to the Duke of Wei]

Who is that young master?

He carries himself with such poise.

Young Master Shen.

[Duke of Wei's Manor]

He's here.

- Greetings, Young Master.
- Greetings, Young Master.

Yun'an.

Let me get a good look at you.

My little sister's even prettier now.

And you've

gotten a little tanned.

You little tease.

Uncle Qing,

it's been a long time.

Greetings, Young Master.

Yun'an,

your room is ready.

Let's go inside and talk.

All right.

[Duke of Wei's Manor]

You've been in the capital
for quite some time now.

Father's been worried
sick about your marriage.

When the Anxi defense map went missing,

I heard Prince Lie used
it to ask for your hand.

That left Father with a
poor impression of him.

But I think

the fact that he risked execution for
deceiving the emperor to help our family

proves how deeply he cares for you.

Yun'an,

Prince Lie isn't the
man I want to marry.

Such a spirited young man,

willing to risk everything
to protect you...

You truly don't have feelings for him?

Then, among all the princes,

who exactly have you chosen?

The Crown Prince.

Everyone knows he's been frail and
sickly since childhood,

as fragile as a willow branch.

He's hardly an ideal husband.

Why him?

His character and temperament

are exactly what I admire.

And precisely because he's frail,

he won't try to dominate me.

Compared to a capable, forceful man,

I'd rather have a husband who's
obedient and easy to handle.

That way, life will be
much more peaceful.

So you've chosen him

because he's frail and easy to control?

Did someone hurt you?

If someone had,

do you think I'd still be
sitting here safe and sound?

That wicked servant Ling Long

pushed you into the river
on Xiao's orders.

Father and I were beside
ourselves with worry.

We only felt relieved
when we heard you were unharmed.

You faced such danger
the moment you arrived.

After coming to the capital,

did all the scheming
here frighten you so much

that now you only want
security, not true love?

If that's the case,

you should return to northwest.

I'll stay in the capital
and marry a princess.

No.

I know you want to protect me.

But if you marry a princess,

you'll have to surrender
your military command.

You were born to be a great general.

The lives of tens of thousands
in northwest depend on you.

You can't let your talent go to waste.

I only want you to live well

and be happy every day.

You've had a long, exhausting journey.

Get some rest first.

I'll go to the kitchen

and make a few of your favorite dishes.

Xihe.

You've changed.

You're not as timid as you used to be.

There's a spark in your eyes now

that I never saw back in northwest.

Could it really be because
of the Crown Prince?

Of course. It's because I'm in love.

[East Palace]

Your Highness.

Please take a seat.

I grew this tea myself.

I hope it's to your liking,
Young Master Shen.

A man should set his
sights on greater things,

yet you have time to grow tea.

I'm a straightforward man,

so forgive me for asking,

but do you have consumption?

Seriously?

I only suffer from coughing
and shortness of breath.

If I had consumption,

do you think

they'd still let me
remain in the palace?

Though some time ago,

I did develop an eye condition.

Thankfully, Commandery Princess
went to great lengths

to find treatment for me.

So you're not only frail,

but you had trouble with your eyes, too?

Don't worry, Young Master Shen.

Her Highness found a physician for me,

and I've recovered.

Here in the palace,

everyone else avoids me.

Only Her Highness

is willing to stay close to me.

She worried I'd be
sensitive to the cold,

so she blended an incense
to keep me warm.

She worried I had no appetite,

so she made me wontons.

She even comes to
the East Palace often

to visit me.

Why aren't you eating?

Do you think my pastries

aren't any good?

Youyou has always been like this.

She can never turn her
back on someone in need.

So Her Highness's childhood name

is Youyou.

We must be destined for each other.

My childhood name

is Luming.

How did I never know

His Highness had a childhood name?

As for whether you're
destined for each other,

it's far too soon to say, Your Highness.

I believe persistence will be rewarded.

I'm in love with Youyou.

Your Highness,

you should call my sister Zhaoning.

Otherwise, your declaration of
love may seem rather frivolous.

I've never been in love before.

All I know is

the moment I wake up,

I want to see her right away.

Even in my sleep,

I dream of her.

Whenever I see something wonderful,

I want to give it to her at once.

It's only been a month or two.

You couldn't have loved her so deeply.

Love begins before you even realize it,

and then grows deeper and deeper.

By the time I noticed,

it had taken root in my heart.

And what if my sister
has no feelings for you?

I'd swear on my life

to protect her forever.

You'll have no regret or resentment

even if your love is unrequited?

It would only mean I hadn't done enough.

Even then, I'd have no regrets.

Darn it.

How could I have

let Xihe's childhood name slip?

Now he's using it to get close to her.

He's glib, shamelessly cheesy.

The more I look at him,
the less trustworthy he seems.

My innocent little sister

must've been fooled
by that handsome face.

No. I can't allow this.

[Prince Ding's Manor]
Hurry up.

All right.

Go ahead.

Let me do it.

You?

Watch me.

That's beautifully written.

Bull's-eye!

- Good!
- Good!

Is this how things are
always done in the capital?

The chrysanthemums have merely bloomed,

yet they're holding
such a lavish banquet

and inviting so many guests.

Prince Ding's chrysanthemum
garden is quite famous.

They hold a viewing banquet every year.

- Greetings, Your Highness.
- Your Highness.

Your Highness, you're here
for the banquet, too?

Staying cooped up in the palace
all day is terribly dull.

Changtai invited me,

so I came out for a change of scenery.

This entrance is
reserved for the ladies.

The male guests enter over there.

Your Highness,

let's go in together.

With my health...

I've never really fit
in with the other men.

I've always preferred
spending time with the ladies.

You go ahead, Young Master Shen.

I'll go in with Her Highness.

Unless...

you'd rather go in with the ladies, too?

Then the three of us can go together.

No need.

After you, Your Highness.

Please wait,
Commandery Princess Zhaoning.

[Gu Qingshu?]

Greetings, Your Highness.

Greetings, Commandery Princess Zhaoning.

County Princess Liyang,

how may we help you?

Your Highness,

my brother-in-law told me

that before my sister passed away,

she and Her Highness were
close friends who exchanged letters.

My sister was quiet by nature

and rarely socialized with anyone.

I'm truly grateful to you

for being such a dear friend to her.

She's gone now.

There's no need to thank me,
County Princess Liyang.

Your Highness,

it gets very windy in the capital
this time of year.

I happen to have a hand warmer with me.

Please take it,

if you don't mind...

I've overstepped.

Zhaoning,

of course His Highness
would take good care of you.

Let's go in together.

His Highness is rather
particular about cleanliness.

He's not used to Her Highness
using other people's things.

Please don't take offense,
County Princess Liyang.

The Gu family's second daughter

isn't someone to be underestimated.

Look at this one.

It's beautiful.

This one's such a lovely color.

And it smells wonderful.

There are all sorts
of people here today.

Be sure to watch everyone carefully.

Thank you for the warning,
Your Highness.

Let's go look over there.

All right.

Take a look.

Xihe.

That's Prince Ding's Consort,

Li Yanhui.

Please take your seat
first, Your Highness.

I'll be right back.

I'll wait for you.

Greetings, Your Highness.

Greetings, Your Highness.

Greetings, Your Highness.

Greetings, Your Highness.

A grown man,

openly mingling with the ladies,

grinning from ear to ear.

Has he no sense of propriety?

Young Master Shen.

Prince Lie.

Young Master.

I'm a straightforward man,

so I'll speak plainly.

When it came to choosing a husband
for my sister,

Father and I originally favored you.

But after what happened
with the defense map,

Father became
somewhat displeased with you.

I acted rashly

and offended Her Highness.

I let both the Duke of Wei and you down.

You needn't dwell on it, Your Highness.

At court,

you risked your life for our family.

How could I not know
your feelings are sincere?

You're brave and
accomplished, Prince Lie.

You're far more impressive

than that sickly weakling.

I still think

you and my sister

are the best match.

I haven't won Her Highness's heart.

That only means I haven't
done nearly enough.

Don't worry, Your Highness.

As long as Xihe agrees,

Father will never stand in your way.

If you still wish to marry her,

I...

Her Highness is the only lady I love.

My resolve to marry her

is unshakable.

Good.

Let's have another drink.

All right.

Try this one.

It's quite good.

Come on, have another drink.

It really is good.

Greetings, Princess Ding.

[Li Yanhui, Princess Ding]

There's no need to stand
on ceremony with me.

I'm not one
of your empire's noble ladies.

I've no patience for all
your rules and etiquette.

Commandery Princess Zhaoning
is of noble birth.

His Majesty is personally
choosing a husband for her.

What other lady could
receive such an honor?

Princess Ding,

why are you treating her this way?

You've only just gone from
death-row prisoner to titled lady,

and already you're rushing
to curry favor with everyone?

The Gu family produced a daughter

as proud and unyielding as Gu Qingzhi.

How did they end up raising a
spineless sycophant like you?

You disrespected
Commandery Princess Zhaoning first,

and now you're mocking me in public.

Li Yanhui,

you don't
still think you're a princess, do you?

Nanzhou has fallen.

If it weren't
for His Majesty's arranged marriage,

and Prince Ding agreed
to take you as his wife,

do you think you would have survived?

I told you,

be careful.

Prince Lie,

did you see how Crown Prince
moved just now?

Wasn't he supposed
to have no martial arts skills?

What's going on?

Make way.

[Xiao Changtai, Fourth Prince,
Prince Ding]

Greetings, Your Highness.

I'm sorry you were
frightened just now, Your Highness.

I failed to look after
my guests properly.

Please forgive me.

Yanyan.

County Princess Liyang

is the lady Father
intends for Changqing.

Your family's affairs
are none of my concern.

She started this,

so I've no reason to let her off.

If I don't

carve a mark across her face today

and let her taste the consequences,

she'll dare to
do worse in the future!

I'm a lady personally
ennobled by His Majesty!

So what?

Enough.

Yanyan,

calm down.

You're trying to stop me?

It's only a face.

Is it really that important?

It's just one cut.

It won't k*ll anyone.

Yanyan!

Your Highness,

why are you doing this?

You used me
to provoke Princess Ding

and cause trouble.

If I had been cut
by these porcelain shards,

would that have been what you wanted?

It was only an accident.

I may be of low status,

but I won't let you

humiliate me like this.

Humiliate you?

I merely told the truth.

And you call that humiliation?

It seems you don't know

what true humiliation feels like.

Mo Yu.

Your Highness,

you're the highest-ranking person here.

You saw everything that happened today.

Please judge this matter

and clear my name.

Commandery Princess Zhaoning is

gentle and sweet by nature.

After what happened today,

she must've been terribly frightened.

You're all well-bred young ladies,

so please look out for her.

Don't let anyone with ill intentions
get near her

and frighten her again.

They have your favorite
peach blossom drink.

Let's go have some to calm your nerves.

Your Highness,

my sister's usually not like this.

Whenever she's with Huayong,

she's always so free-spirited.

So this is what you
people in the capital

call free-spirited?

Your Highness.

How are you feeling?

Any better?

Brother-in-law,

I don't even know

how I offended
Commandery Princess Zhaoning.

She was utterly ruthless.

With the Crown Prince taking her side,
she fears nothing.

Commandery Princess Zhaoning
is as broad-minded as any man.

She'd never hold a grudge
over something trivial.

What exactly did you do?

Brother-in-law,

I'm your sister-in-law,

yet you're taking Shen Xihe's side?

After what she did to me,

aren't you going to stand up for me?

From now on,

stay away from
Commandery Princess Zhaoning.

Saving you

was the last thing I could do

for your sister and the Gu family.

If you think that gives you

the freedom to do as you please,

don't blame me for showing no mercy.

Your Majesty, please bestow
upon him his courtesy name.

Now that the rites are complete,

on this auspicious day,

I hereby bestow upon you

the courtesy name Beichen.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

"To govern by virtue
is like the North Star,

steadfast in its place while all
the other stars revolve around it."

His Majesty has clearly decided

to pass the throne to the Crown Prince.

Rise.

Trying to pledge your allegiance now

is a little premature.

Huayong,

the ceremony is over.

You should return to
the East Palace and get some rest.

I still need to pay my respects
to our brothers.

I appreciate the thought,

but...

given your health,

you may skip

these formalities.

Minister of Rites.

Now that the coming-of-age ceremony
is complete,

tomorrow, all the civil
and military officials,

along with the imperial
princes and royal kinsmen,

shall gather at Qinzheng Hall

to perform the fourfold ceremonial
bow before the Crown Prince.

Xihe,

I'm going to see Grandfather.

Ladies weren't supposed to attend

Crown Prince's
coming-of-age ceremony.

His Majesty gave his permission.

By attending his coming-of-age ceremony,

you've made your relationship
known to everyone.

You're leaving yourself no way out?

Do you really think

I'm the kind of woman who
changes her affections on a whim?

My feelings for the Crown Prince

will never change.

He could barely make it through
his coming-of-age ceremony.

His health...

I know exactly

what kind of condition
the Crown Prince is in.

You have to let her go.

No matter how hard it is.

You want me to let go,

yet you yourself are obsessed with her.

I can't stand by and watch her

marry someone else.

Including you.

I won't try to talk
you out of it anymore,

and you don't need to
talk me out of it either.

Even if we are brothers,

I won't give up the lady I love.

The Crown Prince isn't just frail.

He's smooth-talking, too.

He's hardly an ideal husband.

I can't stop worrying.

Will you please think it over again?

The men in northwest are too rough,

and the men in the capital
are all smooth talkers.

According to you, none
of them is any good.

Fine then.

Just take me back to northwest.

I'll never marry anyone.

You've never spoken
to me like this before.

See?

You're taking Crown Prince's side.

How has Father been these days?

Ever since you left,

he's carried around

the jade ring you used
to play with as a child.

When he heard His Majesty and Empress
Dowager were choosing a husband for you,

he started preparing.

He brought out the grape
wine he'd been aging for twelve years.

As for your dowry,

he prepared 300 cartloads.

He also reclaimed


along the Shule River.

He said

that when you finally marry,

the sound of the golden
wheat swaying in the wind

would be the finest wedding music

a father could offer his daughter.

He also said

that guarding northwest

is our duty,

the greatest dowry we can give you,

and your strongest protection

and greatest support here in the palace.

There's no one else

in this world

who loves his daughter
as much as Father does.

Xihe,

all we've ever wanted is
for you to live a carefree life

and find someone to grow old with.

But Crown Prince...

I know.

Yun'an,

I'm all grown up now.

I know how to make my own choices

and what I need to do.

Xihe,

you really have changed.

It's because heaven has blessed me,

and because I have a father and brother

who love me so much,

that's why I can walk
the path I choose.

So please don't worry about me.

Whatever I choose for myself,

no matter what happens in the future,

I will have no regrets.

By the way,

Yun'an,

I'm going to Fahua Temple
tomorrow to pray.

I'll go with you.

I've made plans with Young Master Bu.

Don't worry.

That playboy?

You've gotten awfully close to him.

Don't tell me he's
another one of your suitors.

He's my best friend.

[I, Shen Xihe, pray for
peace in northwest.]

[May the people be safe,
and my family protected.]

[And after marriage,]

[may I walk hand in hand
with the Crown Prince,]

[and may we live our
remaining years without regret.]

Your Highness!

Xihe!

I'm fine.

Your Highness,

the wheel has broken.

It'll take some time to repair it.

Your Highness!

An Embroidered Envoy?

So you're the coward who shot
that arrow from the shadows.

Talk.

Who sent you?

Looks like I went too
easy on you last time.

You clearly haven't learned your lesson.

[Qing]
These are among

the few remaining paintings
my wife left behind.

♪A wall that collapses at a single push♪

All burned.

I did it so that you
wouldn't cling to any lingering hopes.

[Qing]
Lest you do something outrageous again.

It's been so long.

♪I've hidden so many words♪

♪Too reluctant to tell you♪

♪So never uncover♪

♪The sand that slips away
with one grasp♪

♪The flower that withers
after one bloom♪

♪Silently buried deep inside my heart♪

♪Every answer I gave♪

♪Was both bittersweet and absurd♪

♪Hiding my tear-filled eyes
when I hurt you♪

♪How hard it truly was?♪

♪The wounds that healed
with just a little comfort♪

♪The lies made whole
with a single embrace♪

♪Pretending to be brave
as if I'd never been hurt♪

♪It's a shame I never could♪

♪Give you a moon in return♪

♪With the same open heart you loved me♪

♪I've crossed the wasteland of memories♪

♪Never knowing I was lost♪

♪Why don't you take me away?♪

♪Lead me out of this endless game
of hide-and-seek♪

♪You'll never♪

♪Know how much I long to, long to♪

[No animals were harmed
in the making of this film]