01x04 - Episode 4

[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 4]

I had calculated every move,

yet the one I held dearest
threw it all into ruin.

Had she not interfered,

we'd never have endured
such indignity.

No.

I should thank her

for making one thing clear.

Even the most masterful stratagem

cannot withstand

a sudden turn of fortune.

Just like this game,

I thought victory was all but assured,

and yet I forgot

that the opponent

does not always play by your script.

I had accounted for everyone,

except her.

Who would have thought

that the little girl

who once wept in public

would dare

to take the pieces in hand
amid such chaos?

But

one such mistake

is all it takes.

Your Majesty,
please accept the offering.

The Divine Bird descends to the shrine

as ancestral might protects the land.

The divine aura soars
like swirling clouds,

bestowing grace to nourish the realm.

Chu Zhao has put Deng Yi and Xie Yanfang

in charge of all ancestral rites,

even the shamans' invocations

included.

Will this compromise our plan?

Tomorrow,

once the herbs are lit,

Xiao Yu, standing nearest to the censer,

will inhale

the poisoned smoke.

She will surely guard
against every possibility.

Yet

once the smoke rises,

her days as Grand Princess

are over.

What's wrong?

Yu.

Yu.

Yu.

Yu!

Are you alright?

Your Majesty.

- Your Majesty. - Yu.

- Your Majesty. - Your Majesty.

Wake up.

Yu.

Dark omens shadow the throne

as the Grand Princess's fate...

Yu.

Collides with the Emperor's.

Wake up.

It is as if the heavens seek
to sever the imperial lifeline!

The Grand Princess has plotted
against His Majesty.

Seize her at once!

Whoever dares to touch Her Highness

answers to my blade.

How insolent you are

to draw steel before His Majesty!

None shall presume!

Summon the Imperial Physician

to tend to His Majesty.

Seal the palace gates.

None shall leave

without express command.

Mr. Deng,

please forgive me.

His Majesty's pulse

shows no irregularity.

Then why does he remain unconscious?

I cannot find the cause.

But His Majesty's condition,

falling unconscious

after inhaling the smoke,

is strikingly similar

to the Crown Prince's poisoning.

Have you identified the toxin?

The Crown Prince's death

was never truly probed in time,

so the source remains a mystery.

Keep digging.

Yes.

What should we do?

Everyone involved in the poisoning

is right here.

Why not ask them outright?

How is His Majesty?

What is the condition? I must go in.

His Majesty is being attended to.

No one is permitted to enter.

Your Highness.

By law,

the implicated
must be held for questioning.

Leaving your palace unbidden now

will only make things

harder to resolve.

It wasn't me.

What has become of Yu?

He has yet to awaken.

Acupuncture and herbs

have been administered.

What...?

Yet when His Majesty was poisoned,

you were the only one

by his side.

Zhao.

The Imperial Physician said

his symptoms

are identical to those of his father.

Mr. Xiao,

do you know what poison
His Majesty took?

How strange you should ask.

Given it was

the Third Prince's doing,

how should I know?

The shaman

has branded her a jinx.

I was skeptical at first.

But with His Majesty at death's door,

rather than pursuing

the true culprit,

you stand here questioning me?

Xiao Xun,

I am the Grand Princess,

not some jinx you claimed.

Very well.

Perhaps you find me

an eyesore

and wish to pin the blame on me

just to have me out of the way.

Nonsense.

Your Highness has quite the nerve,

pinning

this atrocity on me

without any proof.

This is outrageous.

Your Highness is the one

who owes an answer

for this.

The shaman

has divined an ill omen.

Your Highness

ought not to remain here any longer.

If Your Highness has nothing to hide,

you might as well step aside

and let the truth run its course.

Indeed.

- That's right. - Yes.

Enough.

Everyone, calm yourselves.

Something is amiss here.

It concerns the stability of the realm.

Please remain in your palace

until the truth

comes to light.

Someone.

I'll do it.

His Majesty requires rest,

and I shall not disturb further.

I shall depart.

We should leave too.

- Let's go. - Let's go.

His Majesty needs rest.

What a scene.

You seem unbothered leaving your brother

to keep watch over her.

If you're worried,

you can take his place.

- That's right. - It has been a while.

When will His Majesty wake?

Jiu,

stay here and keep watch.

I will go find Yu.

Alright.

I have already briefed

the guards at his door.

Yu,

wake up.

It's alright.

Zhao,

how was my performance?

I even fooled the Imperial Physician.

Once you have had your pastries,

the physician

will report that you have come to.

You must keep it up a while longer.

I'm sorry.

Don't be.

We are catching the villain together.

I can play my part.

But if something goes wrong,

you could be in danger.

You risked your life

to save me among the rebels.

I trust

you will keep me safe.

Rest easy.

It will not be long

before I catch

the culprit.

And

once this is over,

remember to build me

a grand swing.

I promise I will.

Your Highness.

What is it?

Word has come

His Majesty is awake.

Impossible.

Golden Finch Venom

has no antidote.

How could they have cured him?

The Imperial Physician says

the two toxins

are identical.

That poison is ours alone.

Is it possible

they'd link it to us?

There is no hard evidence.

Do not lose your nerve.

Go

investigate.

The Emperor's guards

have been replaced by Xie Yanlai

and reinforced.

Deng Yi has ordered

that no one is to visit.

No one?

As his uncle,

I should call upon him.

Concerned for His Majesty, I've come

to pay my respects.

Please wait. Mr. Deng ordered

that all visitors

must first go through him.

His Majesty and I

are of the same lineage.

Does that count for nothing here?

It is so grave

that we have to stay on guard.

Please understand. Your Highness.

Against the culprit,

or me?

What is it

that has displeased you so?

Is the medicine ready?

Don't be so rigid.

He is only worried

about His Majesty.

Let him through.

But...

What?

My word is just as valid

as Mr. Deng's.

There is no need for such a temper.

They are merely following orders.

Please follow me.

Your Majesty.

It has been but a few days,

yet you've grown so frail.

Your Highness,

I am afraid this is not proper.

The poison
is indeed difficult to counter.

Fortunately, His Majesty

is blessed,

and Her Highness

has found the antidote.

The remedy is complex, however,

and must be taken for nine days

before it takes effect.

Then give His Majesty the medicine

at once.

By Mr. Deng's command,

you two lords must depart immediately.

Presumptuous.

I'm here to call on His Majesty.

Who is he to interfere?

How did you know

that the poison he used at the ritual

was the same one

that k*lled the Crown Prince?

I didn't.

You didn't?

Then

why did you tell him

Yu had awakened?

I was baiting him.

Moving against Yu

proves

he k*lled the Crown Prince, too.

You were using

His Majesty as bait.

That is why I needed you

in the shadows.

To catch him

red-handed

when the time comes.

But what if he does not come?

Your brother will help.

He has seen my devotion

to Yu.

He will assist me.

Why are you so set

on sending Xiao Xun to his grave?

Because he deserves no less.

If you make a mistake...

Then ensure

no such thing happens.

Xiao Xun, what do you think
you are doing?

Yu.

Yu.

Yu.

Yu.

Yu.

Yu.

Yu.

Zhao.

I am fine.

I just fell asleep.

Xiao Xun, heir to the Lord of Xiaonan,

attempted to poison the Emperor.

This crime is unforgivable.

With nothing

but bare words,

Your Highness would charge me

with poisoning?

What's your proof?

Summon the Imperial Physician.

Test the medicine.

Summon the Imperial Physician.

Your Highness,

Mr. Deng,

it's

non-toxic.

Impossible.

I saw him do it.

Zhao,

your little trap

was far too rushed.

In that case,

I'll prepare a gift for you.

What?

A trap?

Golden Finch Venom

has no antidote.

And after the coup

that day,

no one ever examined

the Crown Prince's body.

So

the news

must be false.

Have the Imperial Physician

decant a calming draft

into this vial.

Your Highness is clearly

the prime suspect

for the poisoning.

Yet you're framing me

for

regicide.

So, you must be certain

I tainted this tonic.

And yet,

you left me alone with His Majesty.

What

is your true intent?

Have you no regard

for His Majesty's life?

Exactly.

Indeed.

We shared

a deep bond for many years.

Even when our betrothal ended,

I knew

feelings

cannot be swayed.

Yet,

to my dismay,

you spurn

our past

and seek my very life.

Whatever our grievances,

you had no right to use His Majesty

as a bait to frame me.

Such treachery

is unforgivable.

Your Highness,

how

could you be so reckless?

The Emperor's life is sacred,

not a pawn for you to manipulate

at will.

Should any harm befall him,

even death
could not atone for your guilt.

Indeed.

We cannot allow

such a treacherous villain
to corrupt this court.

Bearing a title of national honor,

yet you are devious

and ruthless.

If this goes unpunished,

where is the sanctity of our laws?

Where is the integrity of this court?

And how can we face the late Emperor?

Save your breath.

The truth is plain as day to you.

Bring her in.

No wonder

Yu's been haunted in dreams lately.

Turns out someone's been playing tricks.

Your Majesty.

- Zhao! - Your Majesty.

What's the matter?

- Zhao! - Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Yu.

Yu.

Come here.

What's wrong?

What happened?

Your Highness,

His Majesty has been waking
from nightmares for nights.

Even the calming soup

is all in vain.

Zhao,

I'm scared.

It's no nightmare.

Any new dishes

on his table lately?

Or any new ornaments

placed here?

The food is the same.

But many tributes

and new pieces have been brought in.

Check them.

Yes.

There, there.

I'm here.

I saw candles flickering within,

shadows rushing about.

What has happened?

The air

reeks of foul play.

This incense...

Let me.

Calming incense

should be fine as dust,

completely pure.

Yet this is

laced with grit.

It seems

someone is trying to poison the air.

The toxins

vanish with the smoke,

destroying the evidence as it burns.

This is

the same way that k*lled

the Crown Prince.

- Xiao Xun. - Xiao Xun.

We should find

the traitor now.

No.

Don't alert them.

To think he could reach Yu

so easily.

The mole will be hard to find.

Yu,

I have an idea.

Since they're disturbing your dreams,

let's play along

and draw them out.

Scared?

Not with you two

here.

Replace the incense.

The Chenxiang incense was too strong.

Change it to a blend

with Fuling and Yuanzhi.

At once, Your Highness.

I've replaced the incense

with Golden Finch Venom.

I knew

you wouldn't leave this matter be.

So, you proposed the sacrifice

in court again.

I

have something to report.

You were certain

Yu would mention the nightmares.

So I played along

with your little show

at the ritual,

to lure you into it.

You poisoned the Chenxiang incense too,

didn't you?

Who

is the mastermind behind this?

His Highness

ordered me to dispose of the ash.​

I truly know nothing.​

Do you think the ash

and a maid's testimony

is enough to pin this on me?

Proof?

Without it,

I could also say

she was coerced

into slandering me.

Does this face look

familiar?

He's from the Office
of the Great Supplicator.

Before the ritual,

I found

that the attendant

preparing the herb wreath

was an impostor.

I intercepted him just in time

and found

a few trinkets on him.

Who sent you?

Speak.

Who is your master?

Talk.

Who ordered this?

Zhao, watch out!

- Yanlai! - Your Highness!

- Your Highness! - Your Highness!

What?

What?

Drawing a blade before the throne.
Insolent fool.

Did you order this?

Overstepping?

Giving orders and drawing swords

instead of His Majesty?

k*lling in the court?

What?

Am I the next?

You're eyeing

the Crown, aren't you?

Please hold your tongue.

That attendant

was k*lled on the spot.

Dead men tell no tales.

You all claim

he was the one who poisoned the herbs,

yet His Majesty is clearly unharmed.

Very well.

If so,

then why did His Majesty feign poisoning

at the ritual

and cause the officials
to worry in vain?

This is outrageous.

His Majesty has been played

by a mere woman.

What becomes of our nation's dignity?

From the coronation
to ruling from behind the curtain,

her ambitions

to seize the throne
could not be clearer.

- Chu Zhao's treason demands her death.
- Chu Zhao's treason demands her death.

- Chu Zhao's treason demands her death.
- Chu Zhao's treason demands her death.

Chu Zhao's treason...

Silence!

The Grand Princess has only ever sought
to ease my burdens.

To say she has given her all
would be an understatement.

To claim she manipulates me
from the shadows

is sheer nonsense.

From the day my incense

was first tampered with,

I knew

there was a traitor

plotting against me.

Feigning the poisoning

was my own idea.

She only acted on my orders

and has done nothing wrong.

If any of you have objections,

lay them before me.

Do not trouble her.

Your Majesty,

you are still young,

unaware of the world's cruelty.​​

I know

who wishes me well.​​

Given our blood ties,

Uncle,

for the days to come,

rest at your estate.

No court for now.

Yes,

Your Majesty.

Hear my command.

Anyone else

plotting treason

shall be ex*cuted!

Mr. Deng, Mr. Xie,

do you concur?​​

Your Majesty is wise.

We abide by your will.

- Your Majesty is wise.
- Your Majesty is wise.

Alright.

That concludes today's matter.

Uncle,

you may leave.

Do you find me

ridiculous as well?

You grew up in the desert,

so you must know

the first time a wolf

tears into its prey,

it chokes on the stench of blood.

But it

never lets its prey

see the tremble of its own.

Thank you

for saving me.

It was you

who saved me.

Don't pick up

a blade ever again.

Let me.

No.

No.

If you don't want

to end up dead,

you must strike first.

I told you

I only did it

to survive.

I k*ll

so that more people

may live!

What does Article Three
of the regulations say?

Suspects

must be handed over
to the court-martial.

Why did you attack him?

He snuck into your tent.

He has to be a spy.

The Army Physician told me

he came to beg for medicine

for his sick child.

Do you know you nearly k*lled

an innocent soul?

In such tumultuous times,

innocence is but a cloak we wear.

General,

your military achievements

and the path you tread

are built upon the bodies

of these "innocents."

We both waded

through rivers of blood.

Please spare me your talk of mercy.

Have you seen

this ravaged world

and the lives struggling

through the fires of w*r?

Every campaign I fought

was to safeguard

the hearths and homes of this land.

But if I k*ll the innocent

out of mere suspicion,

then everything

I've sacrificed to protect

loses all meaning.

He's merely a father,

desperate to save his daughter,

who nearly died at your hand.

Tell me.

Is he innocent or not?

Remember.

Amidst this chaos,

our hearts must hold firm.

I wage w*r

so that more

may live!

What was on your mind?

I just found out

you're just like your father.

So dull.

Look who's talking.

Fine.

Bore as he is,

his record on the b*ttlefield

is legendary.

Unlike someone

who can barely hold a sword steady.

My father

taught me horseback archery

and swordsmanship himself.

He must've been

a terrible instructor.

I had my mind set on the Capital

and never truly applied myself.

Let me show you.

Ready to learn?

♪Day after day,
across these ancient hills♪

♪Again and again,
the old city cold and still♪

♪Through dust and battle, I look back♪

♪And find you waiting at journey's end♪

♪Night after night, the hours drift on♪

♪Year after year,
our reunions end too soon♪

♪Love so deep, yet fate so thin,
why must it be so hard?♪

♪Through joy and sorrow,
we have shared it all♪

♪Bound by a knowing no words can name♪

♪I'm holding on alone♪

♪Yet across the vast divide♪

♪You feel the ripple too♪

Why are you sweating so much?

Nice work.

I learned from the best, after all.

Your Highness. You should get some rest.

Put this on,

lest you catch a cold.

Is this cloak

so repulsive to you?

♪断墙枯枝残梢 陷泥沼♪

♪偏要撑云霄♪

♪拆下傲骨 血肉成桥♪

♪星火在缝隙煎熬♪

♪烈焰中咆哮♪

♪把寒夜烧出破晓♪

♪命运困我于囚牢♪

♪也不向深渊低头求饶♪

♪总是幽光渺渺 我自桀骜♪

♪蜉蝣欲渡沧海 不问今朝♪

♪不问结局 我亦行我道♪

♪无惧路遥♪

♪流萤生于腐草 也要燃烧♪

♪执剑 冲破天光一道♪

♪让这满身伤痕成为我♪

♪新的骄傲♪

♪宫阙九重暗礁♪

♪只为一人笑♪

♪纷纷扰扰♪

♪人间惊鸿 伴你朝朝♪

♪星火在缝隙煎熬♪

♪烈焰中咆哮♪

♪把寒夜烧出破晓♪

♪命运困我于囚牢♪

♪也不向深渊低头求饶♪

♪总是幽光渺渺 我自桀骜♪

♪蜉蝣欲渡沧海 不问今朝♪

♪不问结局 我亦行我道♪

♪无惧路遥♪

♪流萤生于腐草 也要燃烧♪

♪执剑 冲破天光一道♪

♪让这满身伤痕成为我♪

♪新的骄傲♪