01x01 - Episode 1

[bunniefuu]

♪Trapped in this tiny world♪

♪I'm crushed into dust♪

♪I meddle around without any mercy♪

♪I'm my own pawn♪

♪I sigh at my fate♪

♪Numerous people are under my control♪

♪All the sand is washed away♪

♪An old dream fades♪

♪A bumpy path lies ahead♪

♪Traps within traps,
I never make mistakes♪

♪I take a risk at every step♪

♪Even in disputes,
I break through with my life♪

♪Schemes within schemes,
I prison myself♪

♪Each link swaps bluff and truth♪

♪The world is my Weiqi game board♪

♪Everything's just fleeting♪

♪The play begins♪

♪No return is expected♪

♪The flame is gone,
whether we win or lose♪

♪The wind never ceases.
I hold the reins♪

[Ashes To Crown]

[Adapted from Xixing's novel,
Empress of the State of Chu]

[Episode 1]

That day, blood stained
the crimson walls.

Only then did I realize

within these deep palace halls,
there is no true emotion.

If fate grants me another life,

I would tell you

how, step by step, I went astray

and fell beyond redemption...

[Yunzhong Prefecture]

Stop! Stop there!

My horse!

I'm Chu Zhao.

I grew up

in Yunzhong, a desert prefecture.

This is part of the frontier.

Foes from the Northern Desert
often invade.

My mother died when I was little.

I've been living with my father.

He's a frontier general

who has served for over a decade.

My impression of Mother is just

what Father told me

in my childhood.

[The Capital]

The Capital is

where my mother used to live.

I longed so much

to visit it.

But my father forbade me

to leave Yunzhong.

Now, I've grown up.

I can gallop on a horse, too.

He, all alone,

stands against thousands of troops.

That's how he subdued
the Northern Desert all alone!

Brilliant!

Miss.

You're so pretty. Want a flower?

Carriages constantly move.

People walk around.

The city is crowded and bustling.

When the scenes here

became vivid in front of me,

I finally realized something.

How I wish my mother were still alive.

How I wish she could stay by my side,

choosing hairpins
for my coming-of-age ceremony,

and see what I've become.

Beat him! k*ll him!

Beat him!

k*ll him!

Hit him hard.

In broad daylight,

how can you lynch him?

Who are you, girl?

Go away!

He's terrible.

Last night, he burned the Wei Village

and k*lled 46 people.

Death is too good for him.

Let's k*ll him.

By law,

lynching is no different from m*rder.

I've finally found you.

Come on.

Be good, will you?

[Zhong Changrong,
deputy general of frontier troops]

Sorry for this.

- Mr. Zhong. - Sorry.

They're k*lling him casually!

Behave.

Why do you stop me?

They're in the wrong.

You...

Without interrogation,

they convicted him

and were trying to lynch him.

Oh, you don't understand.

Just stay out

of the intricate affairs

of these big clans.

Your father

gave me an order.

I must take you back.

Let's go.

Excuse me.

Please let us through.

Leave. Leave now.

Go away. Mind your own business.

After less than a day in the Capital,

I was taken back to Yunzhong
by Mr. Zhong.

As expected,

[Military Camp of Yunzhong Prefecture]
My father, over my sneaking away,

flew into a rage.

Yunzhong is so far away

from the Capital.

Do you know how many bandits

and enemies are out there?

What if...?

What?

Am I not standing here

safe and sound?

Why do you always want

to trap me in here?

[Chu Ling, the Guard General]

When I was in the Capital,

I visited my uncle and my cousin.

I also experienced local customs there.

How ignorant you are!

You only know
the Capital is your mother's hometown.

Do you know it's also a devouring cage?

Father, don't scare me.

I just missed my mother.

I didn't grow up by her side.

So I wanted to take a look.

To look at the sights she saw

and walk the lanes she walked.

I wanted to find

even the slightest trace

of my mother's existence.

How dare you bring her up?

If she knew

you were being so willful,

she would be heartbroken!

I just try to live on my own terms.

Does it make me willful?

If Mother were still alive,

she wouldn't want me

to be an obedient girl.

She wouldn't be as arrogant as you.

She would care about my feelings.

Yeah.

You're the undefeated God of w*r.

You're the esteemed Guard General.

But have you ever asked

if I wish to be a general's daughter?

Since childhood,

other girls have had parents around.

What about me?

I've always been neglected.

Have I ever cried

or complained to you?

I've never dared

to ask you for a little concern.

Because you've always been busy.

You're busy

protecting frontier people.

You're busy forging your fame.

You're too busy

to ask your daughter

what she really wants!

Alan,

I'm sorry.

I failed to take good care
of our daughter.

All I can do now

is grant her wish.

[Chu Mansion]

What I said to Father

must have broken his heart.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have sent me

to the Capital as I always wished,

to the Chu Mansion granted
by His Majesty.

I tried hard to learn manners,

expecting to be a true noble lady

in the Capital

as my father described my mother.

I'd behave gracefully

and smile with lips closed.

However, these things

were far harder than I ever imagined.

The way I wanted to be

turned out to be ridiculous.

It was at that moment

that I met Xun.

How are the stars here,

compared to those in the desert?

Zhao.

They're as beautiful.

That was the first time

he called my name.

And just because of that,

I finally felt

that the Capital had accepted me.

Because someone here cared for me,

thought of me,

and cherished me.

Shortly after that,

Xun went to Yunzhong to propose.

Zhao.

The desert scenery is

far grander than that of the Capital.

It's been three years.

You must have missed your hometown.

Not really.

Sand always swirls across the sky here.

Seeing it too often

makes it dull instead.

You there, listen up!

Give me

all the valuables!

Your Highness,

we're ambushed.

Be wise enough,

and I'll let you live!

Otherwise,

I'll k*ll you all!

Young man,

who are you?

[Fu Jiu, Chu family's retainer]

How noisy.

Lads, go get him.

Your Highness,

I've never seen

such fierce swordsmanship.

Every strike is fatal.

I'm Fu Jiu,

working for General Chu.

He sent me

to k*ll the bandits.

Help me, my lord!

Stay back!

Or I'll k*ll her.

Are you insane?

She's innocent.

Foolish.

Her bracelet

and the chief's necklace

belong to the same set.

Rare in the market.

Just now, she deliberately

rushed out from behind.

So, the bandit managed to seize her.

Xun,

before departure,

did you verify

the identity of your attendants?

The other day, I did notice

some unfamiliar servants.

But in a hurry,

I didn't scrutinize.

You were careless.

[Yunzhong Prefecture]

I've sincerely come here

to propose to your daughter.

Betrothal gifts are ready.

Here is the list.

Please review it.

My daughter

isn't good enough for a noble gentleman.

Your Highness,

I suggest you go back.

Father,

Xun and I love each other.

What's wrong with his origin?

If I can't marry him,

why did you marry my mother,

a noble young lady

from far away?

She stayed with you

and wasted her life here.

Shut up.

Your mother...

You have no right to judge.

Then don't interfere with mine!

Zhao,

don't be angry with General Chu.

General Chu,

I know

what you're worried about.

Anyone who commands



would be worried

that I pursued Zhao

with ulterior motives.

But I do not

have any other motives.

I only have a true heart.

What's the value

of a so-called true heart?

Five years ago,

I went to the Capital as a hostage.

His Majesty gave me a mansion.

To me,

that is a reward

as well as a shackle.

I'm kept alive

to counterbalance Xiaonan Prefecture.

My father sent me there

to protect our clan.

I have no say in any of these.

General Chu, you're right.

No one would care

about my heart.

All these years,

rumors in the Capital

have never ceased.

I'm used to tolerating them

and not arguing back.

But it's different now.

I love Zhao.

I don't want my love for her

to be misunderstood.

If I ever betray you,

you could k*ll me now.

Who are you trying to embarrass?

Heir to the Lord of Xiaonan?

Or my husband?

If he really

k*lled himself to prove it,

would you be satisfied?

We'll stop here on this matter!

Your Highness,

I suggest you go back.

But General...

General.

Zhao!

Where's my father?

He's on a mission.

He sent me to see you off.

No need.

You're like him.

You both despise Xun.

When you don't mean it,

you don't need to pretend.

Whatever you think.

But if one day you regret it,

come back anytime.

Master said that.

Then please

take my message to General Chu.

I won't regret it.

Nor will I come back here.

After I parted from my father,

we never met again.

[The 19th year of Tianshu.]

After I returned to the Capital,

I never stopped missing my father.

It's not that he doesn't love me.

He's just not good at showing his love.

So, I often made

his favorite jujube cakes

and had them sent monthly to Yunzhong.

Hang the red silk

and your wish will come true.

But still,

Father didn't approve of this marriage.

Two years later,

Xiao Xun begged his father
to submit a memorial.

They renounced their fief and troops.

Finally, His Majesty granted
the marriage.

I just made a divination for you.

A pair of phoenixes fly

and flap their feathers.

Great luck.

The 8th day of next month,


will be a rare lucky day.

Everything will go smoothly.

And anyway,

even if His Highness dared to hurt you,

General Chu wouldn't let that happen.

Look.

Fu Jiu said he was sent

to deliver your dowry.

But we all know.

Your father sent him

to stand up for you.

Twenty five days later, it was

the 8th day of the 8th month,
the 19th year of Tianshu.

On my wedding night with Xiao Xun,

rebels invaded the Capital.

The whole city

was ravaged by w*r.

What happened?

I heard the Third Prince
k*lled the Crown Prince

and led a rebellion.

Where's Xun?

His Highness orders

your protection.

Please stay in the Chu Mansion.

By order,

you should stay here.

Xun k*lled the Third Prince

and ended this rebellion.

An urgent message!

The Emperor passed away!

The Third Prince rebelled
and was ex*cuted!

The Crown Prince
and the eldest imperial grandson died!

Xiao Xun, heir to the Lord of Xiaonan,

suppressed the rebellion!

He'll take the throne,
by the late emperor's will!

The Crown Prince died.

The Third Prince was ex*cuted.

The imperial grandson Xiao Yu
died in the mutiny.

The late emperor died.

In the royal clan,

only Xiao Xun was left for the throne.

Three days later,

he ascended the throne

and began his reign of the Anping era.

This bloody fight for the throne

came to an end.

It was known as Anping Rebellion.

Your Majesty,

may you have longevity

and a prosperous reign!

Your Majesty,

may you have longevity

and a prosperous reign!

Your Majesty,

may you have longevity

and a prosperous reign!

Your Majesty,

may you have longevity

and a prosperous reign!

Your Majesty,

may you have longevity

and a prosperous reign!

I returned without a command.

I know I'm guilty.

Please punish me, Your Majesty.

Don't say that, Father-in-law.

You traveled day and night.

Your love for your daughter

is as clear as day.

I...

I'm quite gratified.

I won't blame you.

You once asked me

about the value

of my true heart.

I was once a hostage.

I know the pain of family separation.

For Zhao,

I request that you stay

in the Capital.

As for the border,

I'll have everything arranged.

I wonder

if you will agree to my request.

Your Majesty,

I've devoted my life to ending the w*r.

I have only one daughter.

I treasure her more than

my own life.

Your Majesty,

please take good care of my daughter.

My 200,000 frontier troops

will also devote themselves

to the good

of our nation.

Of course.

Jiu,

from this day on,

you'll stay here to protect Zhao.

This is an order.

After Xun's enthronement,

Father hurried back to Yunzhong.

He didn't attend my wedding.

My marriage with Xun

went against Father's will after all.

Take a look.

Satisfied?

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Yesterday,

you suggested lower textile taxes.

Can you explain that more clearly?

As a thank-you for what I just did.

Xun respected and loved me.

An emperor like him

often talked to me about state affairs.

And he often carried out my suggestions

to pacify the people.

People praised him

and their lives improved.

I thought

Father might feel a little relieved.

[Everything is well. No need to worry.]
Every month, I wrote a letter to Father.

Yet he never wrote back.

I wanted these letters of reassurance

to soothe Father's worries.

The Spring Equinox
in the third year of Anping

was my 22nd birthday.

Because I missed Father too much,

Xun allowed me
to invite Father for my birthday

and promised he'd be welcomed
as the Empress's father

and get a corresponding residence.

I was nervous.

I was also eagerly anticipating it.

Soldiers, disarm.

General,

will we really disarm?

It's Zhao's birthday.

Let's do it.

Chu Ling, the Guard General,

is summoned for an audience!

Go, Zhao.

Later,

I have a surprise for you.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Greetings,

Your Majesty.

Father.

You had a long trip, General.

Read the edict.

Edict for Chu Ling, the Guard General!

Upon investigation,

Chu Ling, the Guard General,

coerced the Emperor

and colluded with northern enemies.

His brother Chu Lan

poisoned the eldest imperial grandson
in the first year of Anping.

The Chu clan shall be

ex*cuted.

Impossible!

My father has always been loyal

without any improper desires.

My uncle has been timid.

In no way would he poison

the imperial grandson.

You...

You must be mistaken.

Your Majesty.

He is mistaken.

Your Majesty, the other day,

you said you'd give my father a mansion.

Zhao,

colluding with northern enemies

is a grave crime.

Your father did something foolish.

Even if you're the Empress,

I have to

answer to all the people

of my nation.

In the first year of Anping,

Your Majesty ascended the throne.

Northern enemies
invaded Yunzhong at night.

My father led 200,000 frontier troops

to defend the town without retreating!

Now, he's accused
of colluding with enemies!

Who?

Who accused him?

Who offered the evidence?

The truth must be sorted out.

Otherwise, it's a frame-up.

The Empress is delirious

and spouting nonsense.

Bring poisoned wine...

and execute the Empress's father.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

My father is innocent.

He's innocent!

Your Majesty, my father is innocent.

He's innocent!

I said, execute him!

Xun!

Xun!

Xun.

Xun. Xun.

My father is innocent.

Xun.

Please spare my father.

Xun.

Changrong!

You tread on the lives of frontier troops

to appease your people

and secure your nation!

So, this turns out to be

your true heart.

I've never dared to forget

what you said

on my enthronement day.

Rest assured.

Your 200,000 frontier troops

will still devote themselves

to my nation

and me.

General Chu Ling

pulled out his blade
in front of His Majesty,

intending to rebel.

Execute him now!

Father!

Father!

Father.

Are you all right?

Father.

Sorry, Father.

Father.

Father.

Sorry.

I'm sorry, Father.

I'm sorry.

It's my fault.

Father.

Father, I'm sorry.

Xiao Xun, what do you want?

Zhao.

What are you going to do?

No.

This is my surprise for you.

No!

No!

Xiao Xun, let go of my father.

No!

No!

The Empress shall be given poisoned wine

for the sake of her filial devotion.

I know you hate me.

But you know that.

In this case,

if I hadn't convicted Chu Ling,

how could I bring his frontier troops

under my control?

Now, the whole nation

is within my grasp,

except for

your father's troops!

How can I

secure this empire?

Everyone in this nation says

I wouldn't have succeeded

without a woman's help.

They never see my hard reforms

over the past three years!

They never see my diligent governance!

They never see anything I've done!

They can only see

your father

and his 200,000 frontier troops!

But you said

you didn't care.

How could I not care?

These 200,000 frontier troops

were like a festering sore.

Because of them,

I couldn't sleep all night,

tormented by pain.

I know you want to ask me

why I did all this on your birthday.

Because Zhao...

Without your letter,

he wouldn't have come back

or disarmed.

I wouldn't have managed

to accuse him of rebelling

even without his soldiers.

Zhao,

you're so clever.

How could you not know

your letter would make him

let down

his guard?

The 17th day of next month

will be your 22nd birthday.

I drafted a decree

to summon your father.

As the Empress's father,

he'll have a residence
in the imperial city.

Write a letter

to tell him about this.

Why?

Why did you do this to my clan?

Why did you do this to me?

Why?

Actually,

whether he did or didn't disarm,

he'd end up the same.

After I sent him away
on my enthronement day,

I secretly had my men

poison the jujube cakes
you sent to Yunzhong.

From the Capital to Yunzhong,

they were delivered monthly.

Chu Ling would be k*lled anyway.

Not only by my blade,

but also by his daughter's love.

I'm going to k*ll you.

Listen, Zhao.

"In the third year of Anping,

Chu clan was exterminated.

Chu Ling, the Guard General,

was guilty of treason

and was ex*cuted.

His daughter

was so grieved

that she hanged herself."

Father is right.

The Capital is a devouring cage.

I wrongly believed

his fake gentleness.

I wrongly believed his fake loyalty.

And I wrongly believed

his insatiable ambition.

It's him...

♪Trapped in this tiny world♪

♪I'm crushed into dust♪

I once had many choices in this life.

♪I meddle around without any mercy♪

But I was so willful and ignorant.

♪I'm my own pawn♪

I made a wrong choice every time.

♪I sigh at my fate♪

I got my father k*lled.

♪Numerous people are under my control♪

I ruined my whole clan.

Father!

♪All the sand is washed away♪

I got myself k*lled too.

♪Traps within traps,
I never make mistakes♪

♪I take a risk at every step♪

♪Even in disputes,
I break through with my life♪

♪Schemes within schemes,
I prison myself♪

♪Each link swaps bluff and truth♪

♪The world is my Weiqi game board♪

♪Everything's just fleeting♪

A pair of phoenixes fly

and flap their feathers.

Great luck.

[The 19th year of Tianshu]

Not to mention
the glorious dress and coronet,

you even deserve the twelve ornaments
of imperial Robes.

But I do not have any other motives.

I only have a true heart.

I love Zhao.

I don't want my love for her

to be misunderstood.

Miss.

What year is it now?

You're so rude.

Let go of me.

It's the 14th day of the 7th month,

the 19th year of Tianshu!

Miss, don't do this.

The 19th year of Tianshu?

Don't you dare bully her!

Don't be ridiculous.

Just now,

she almost hurt my hand.

Miss.

- Odd. - Are you fine?

You're real.

I just went away

to fetch red silk.

Miss, what happened to you?

I'm still alive.

Did you lose your mind?

Or are you possessed?

Shall I take you back

and wash you with pomelo leaves?

I'll go get His Highness.

Zhao.

Now I'm the Emperor.

I'll never make you

shed tears

because of farewells.

You only need

to dress yourself up

and make yourself beautiful.

What's wrong, Zhao?

Why are you crying?

I'm going to k*ll you!

You k*lled my father.

I'll k*ll you!

Miss.

I'll k*ll you.

I will.

Thank you, Fu Jiu,

for the dowry.

Recently,

she has been nervous

about the wedding.

So...

The dowry's been delivered.

I'll leave.

Today, Zhao acted strangely

toward me.

What on earth happened

that changed her like that?

The bell in Sanqing Temple

accidentally fell.

Was she scared then?

No.

What she said was...

"You k*lled my father.

I'm going to k*ll you!"

I've never shown hostility

toward Chu Ling.

Why did Zhao suddenly say

something like that?

Could she have known my plan?

How did this happen?

Miss,

what happened to you?

Shall I make a divination

for you?

Oh no.

I'm not capable enough.

I'll send for a Taoist master.

Le,

the 8th day of the 8th month this year

is the wedding day for Xiao Xun and me.

Right?

His Majesty set this date.

So, this is all real.

Oh, you're bleeding.

Don't you feel the pain?

Yeah.

When it hurts, it's real.

It's real.

Oh, dear.

Don't scare me.

What on earth happened?

Could you please tell me?

Why are you crying again?

Le,

go make some calming soup for me.

All right.

Who are you?

I am you.

I'm all your resentment

and all your hatred.

I'm the blade you brought back

from the underworld.

Just like the two sides

of the robe.

How did I come back to life?

It's a heaven-sent opportunity.

You can take your revenge.

It's not easy

to k*ll Xiao Xun.

He's been scheming all the time,

determined to be

a decent gentleman.

I have no chips to bring him down.

My priority

is to stay alive.

Only when I'm alive can I save myself

and save my father.

Rest assured.

I'll get revenge on Xiao Xun

in the same way

he ruined Chu family.

I won't allow

even the slightest

difference.

♪Broken walls and withered branches,
trapped in the mire♪

♪Yet still striving
to reach for the sky♪

♪My pride is torn down
and my body is sacrificed♪

♪The spark smolders in the crack♪

♪And roars in the blaze♪

♪Burning the cold night until daybreak♪

♪Fate imprisons me♪

♪But I won't beg the abyss for mercy♪

♪Even if hope is faint,
I remain proud♪

♪A mayfly will cross the ocean,
however long it takes♪

♪However it ends up,
I'll go my own way♪

♪With no fear of the distance♪

♪Born from decay, fireflies still burn♪

♪With sword in hand,
I'll pierce the dawn♪

♪Let these scars all over me become♪

♪My new pride♪

♪Peril is everywhere in the palace♪

♪Yet I smile to nobody but you♪

♪Amidst the chaos♪

♪I'll always be with you♪

♪The spark smolders in the crack♪

♪And roars in the blaze♪

♪Burning the cold night until daybreak♪

♪Fate imprisons me♪

♪But I won't beg the abyss for mercy♪

♪Even if hope is faint,
I remain proud♪

♪A mayfly will cross the ocean,
however long it takes♪

♪However it ends up,
I'll go my own way♪

♪With no fear of the distance♪

♪Born from decay, fireflies still burn♪

♪With sword in hand,
I'll pierce the dawn♪

♪Let these scars all over me become♪

♪My new pride♪