The Princess Royal (2024) s01e02 Episode Script
Episode 2
1
[The Princess Royal]
[Adapted from Mo Shu Bai's novel,
The Princess Royal on jjwxc.net]
[This is a work of fiction.]
[Episode 2]
[Yang]
What a magnificent scene we have today.
[Cui]
Mr. Zhang, you are here too.
It's really been a while.
I've heard that the Princess
is using the Spring Banquet as a pretext
for selecting a husband.
No wonder my young master
is paying so much attention
to his appearance today.
It's the Su Family's carriage.
It's Second Young Master Su's carriage.
The Su Family's carriage?
It's said he's strikingly handsome
and extraordinarily charming.
[Su]
We'll get to feast our eyes this time.
He is Second Young Master
of the Su Family,
the second most prominent family
in the capital.
[Pei]
Is this the Su Family's carriage?
Yes, it is.
Second Young Master Su
is indeed handsome
and has an extraordinary temperament.
Please come down.
How do I look?
You look great.
- Mr. Su.
- Mr. Su.
Greetings, everyone.
- Greetings, Mr. Su.
- Greetings, Mr. Su.
Greetings.
Why is he here?
Look at his appearance, temperament,
and that carriage.
He truly is the finest gentleman
in the world.
The finest gentleman in the world?
He's nothing.
[Tong Meng]
Your Highness.
Your Highness, wake up.
All the young masters have arrived.
Tell them to wait.
I want to sleep a little longer.
Second Young Master of the Su Family,
Su Rongqing, has also arrived.
Su Rongqing?
The Su Family has not provided
a definite answer.
I thought he was not coming.
Since it's an invitation
from Your Highness,
of course, those young masters
will show some respect.
Hurry up
and help me get dressed.
Also,
keep a close eye on everything today.
This Spring Banquet
isn't just held for me.
Many people are eagerly waiting
to see what unfolds.
Please rest assured.
Hurry.
Please wait here, sir.
It's okay.
I will wait here for Her Highness.
Yes.
Rongqing.
Back then, you were eighteen
and I was twenty.
That year
is the most beautiful memory of my life.
From this day forth,
Su Rongqing is an honored guest
of the Princess's Mansion
and should be treated politely.
Since we are seemingly in harmony
but actually at variance,
let's set each other free.
We should request an audience
with His Majesty
and seek his permission
for our divorce.
Your best ally can only be me.
You want a divorce?
Only if I die.
If this is a dream,
then what has changed
and what hasn't?
Previously, there was no Su Rongqing
among the candidates
for the Prince Consort.
Greetings, Your Highness.
Greetings, Your Highness.
Rumor has it that you are
the finest gentleman in Huajing.
As I've seen for myself,
you truly deserve the reputation.
Your Highness, I'm flattered.
I appreciate the flattering words,
but it's all just playful banter.
How is it just banter?
Upon meeting you today,
I've found that you have
an extraordinary temperament.
I think no one else in Huajing
deserves to be called
the finest gentleman.
You didn't reply to me
which made me think you wouldn't come.
I'm honored
to receive your invitation,
Your Highness.
It's just that I was hesitant.
He mentioned hesitancy.
So,
Rongqing is already?
I was worried that I might disturb you,
Your Highness.
Since it's the Spring Banquet,
why would I worry about being disturbed?
I simply wish to enjoy
the festivities with everyone.
While young,
you know no grief you could not bear.
Do you realize His Majesty
already has someone in mind?
If you choose a noble family
like the Su Family,
what awaits you
is either a marriage alliance
in a faraway land,
or worse, being executed.
You've got some nerve showing up here,
you rascal.
Greetings, Your Highness.
I wish you
a year as bright as the moon
and an appearance as radiant
as spring blossoms, Your Highness.
Spare the formalities.
Thank you, Mr. Su,
for your gracious presence.
How about we have a private conversation
in the inner courtyard?
I originally planned to leave
after just one glance
at the eighteen-year-old you,
but I never expected
that you, at eighteen, would be
so easily attracted by men's looks.
Rongqing.
The Rongqing in front of me
has no knowledge
of our past.
I saw an insect on your cuff.
It has already flown away.
Thank you, Your Highness.
Mr. Su,
are you aware that I'm holding
this Spring Banquet
for another purpose?
The young Rongqing is actually so shy.
Back then, due to our status,
we had little interaction.
I never imagined
he could be so charming in this way.
Mr. Su, you seem a bit nervous.
How come I didn't know
you were so proactive back then?
Meeting Rongqing
in advance this time
is really great.
Your Highness. Young Master Su.
The auspicious time
for the Spring Banquet is approaching.
You should get changed now.
Mr. Su, please wait in the garden.
I'll be back after I get changed.
Yes, Your Highness.
Young Master,
that's the Princess.
No matter how attractive she is,
you shouldn't look at her like that.
It could cost you your life.
Shut up.
Who said I was looking at the Princess?
Are you suggesting
that you admire Young Master Su?
Get lost.
The Spring Banquet starts now.
Please welcome Her Highness.
- Greetings, Your Highness.
- Greetings, Your Highness.
- Long live the Princess.
- Long live the Princess.
You may rise.
- Thank you, Your Highness.
- Thank you, Your Highness.
Please be seated.
Her Highness says
that she wants to play
a different version
of the traditional game,
passing the parcel.
In a moment, a hibiscus cup
will float down the winding stream
in front of you.
When the drum is being sounded,
Her Highness will call out when to stop.
Whomever the hibiscus cup
stops in front of
must drink
and then present a talent show.
Any of the Six Arts are acceptable.
Stop.
[Lu Yu, son of Marquis Ningguo]
What talents do you possess,
Young Master Lu?
I I'm good at
I'm good at eating eggs.
Mr. Lu's talent is indeed unique.
Bring over the eggs.
[Mingyue Palace]
[Huayue, daughter of Consort Rou]
It's so funny.
[Xiao Rou, Consort Rou]
Mother, what kind of men
has Father chosen for Pingyue?
If she ends up
picking that fool, Lu Yu
Huayue,
regarding Pingyue's marriage,
your father has his own considerations.
If she marries a fool,
I'm really afraid that when I see her,
I won't be able to help
but laugh out loud.
Behave yourself.
With Pingyue's temper,
if you annoy her,
she'll definitely have a row with you.
That's exactly the point.
I want to make her angry.
When people get angry,
they tend to make mistakes.
Once she makes a mistake,
it'll be easier to deal with her.
Your Majesty,
these are all urgent memorials.
Inside,
they are either proposals for marriage
to Princess Pingyue
or related to affairs
of the border regions.
Please give written instructions
or comments.
Is the Yang Family
on the northwest border
demanding military funds again?
When was the last time this happened?
His Majesty,
it's only been less than a month.
The noble families
all have their own fiefdoms,
and now that there's a war,
they're all asking me for money.
I might as well
not read these memorials.
Let me guess what else
is on the memorials.
These candidates
probably all come
from the seven major noble families.
What if Pingyue
doesn't choose the one
I want her to choose?
If I recall correctly,
the late Emperor
did the following
with two disobedient princesses
back then:
one was sent far away for marriage,
and the other was executed.
The Young Master of the Su Family
attended the banquet after all.
Did Pingyue invite him
because she doesn't know
or did she do it intentionally?
Stop.
Please bring a bow and arrows.
Your Highness,
I apologize for any offense.
He's nothing but a pretty face.
Reward him.
This is carefully selected
by Her Highness.
Thank you, Your Highness.
Li Rong,
you are playing with fire here.
[Hanqiu Palace]
Your Highness, His Majesty says
that he is preoccupied
with state affairs
and cannot meet you.
Thank you.
Wait.
Your clothes seem a bit worn out.
I have some fine fabric at my place.
I'll send it over to you another day.
[Yang Wan, Consort Ning]
Serving His Majesty
means you should be concerned
about appearances all the time.
Yes, Your Highness.
I just want to see His Majesty briefly.
I won't cause any trouble for you.
Then please go back, Your Highness,
and wait for my news.
Thank you.
Find a way to send a message
to the young master.
Tell him to win the favor
of the Princess at all costs.
Yes, Your Highness.
It's a disgrace to the educated class.
[Cui Yulang from a humble background]
It's no different from those male escorts
in those pleasure houses.
[Yang Quan,
Consort Ning's younger brother]
It seems like Li Rong
wants to test all the candidates
for the Prince Consort
selected by His Majesty.
The game continues.
Stop.
I'm done here.
Let's go.
She's intentionally trying to prevent me
from showcasing my abilities.
Her Highness wants to see you.
Li Rong is meeting
with Su Rongqing alone.
No, I can't let this happen.
May I ask, miss,
what Her Highness
has summoned me here for?
Her Highness has heard
that you love reading.
This place houses only rare editions
from the royal collection.
If you are willing
to join the Princess's Mansion,
these will belong to you.
You don't need to answer immediately.
I have brought some refreshments.
When you have decided,
you can go to the pavilion on the lake
to meet Her Highness.
That was quite some fun I had today.
Normally,
it's women who go to great lengths
to please men.
But today, watching those men
down there,
trying their best to win my heart
and showing off in front of me,
is quite entertaining.
Your Highness,
what are you talking about?
You see that Yang Quan?
It's as if "Pick me"
is written on his forehead.
Go make a pot of tea for me.
Yes, Your Highness.
What's wrong?
Earlier, Young Master Pei stopped me
and said something.
What did he
say to you?
He said
if you insist on choosing
Young Master Su,
you'll end up
in either of the following endings.
One is to marry to a distant land,
and the other is
The other is execution.
Does Pei Wenxuan think I'm stupid?
But it's unexpected
that at such a young age,
he has such insight.
He's quite talented,
but it's a pity
that he offended me.
Mr. Lu,
Her Highness wants to see you.
She summoned Lu Yu.
It seems she's heeded my advice.
Cui Yulang is lascivious by nature
and won't catch Li Rong's eye.
How wonderful!
Your Highness's husband-to-be
will be a handsome scholar.
But
if she really chooses Lu Yu,
how will the people
in the palace think of her?
She's such a proud person.
It's almost like
sentencing her to death.
Greetings, Your Highness.
Why are you here, Lu Ting?
Young Master.
Master asked me to send you a message.
It's
It's all wet.
What
What should I do now?
Please forgive me, Your Highness.
Please forgive me.
Do you mind if I go help
my young master get changed first?
Go ahead.
Thank you, Your Highness.
Your Highness, bad news.
Major General Yang
and the young lord
of the Shangguan Family, Shangguan Yu,
got into a fight.
They're forcing me to show up.
Your Highness,
I heard that Young Master Lu fainted
as soon as he left his residence.
I guess he won't come back then.
Rong.
Rong.
- Your Highness.
- Rong.
You have to get justice for me.
Only Mr. Yang would dare to hit him.
Take the young lord away
for treatment first.
Yes, Your Highness.
You you ignoramus!
Major General Yang,
are you implying
that my hospitality is inadequate?
Your Highness's hospitality is,
of course, impeccable.
Since it's impeccable,
why are you causing such trouble?
I just wish to have a few words
with Your Highness.
Go ahead.
I come from a military background
and am not skilled in fancy words,
but Heaven bears witness,
my desire to marry
Your Highness is sincere.
Did you say "Heaven bears witness?"
And you say you don't use fancy words?
They are such fancy words
that I don't even know
if I'd ever use them.
If you agree to marry me,
I'll grant you
whatever you desire in this world.
I give you my word.
I didn't know that you were so capable.
I command thirty thousand soldiers
from the northwest troop.
They are at Your Highness's disposal.
How dare you!
Your Highness.
You have quite the nerve, Yang Quan.
Do you think the thirty thousand soldiers
stationed in the northwest
work for your family?
I wouldn't dare. I
Major General Yang,
you should leave now.
Major General Yang,
please.
Ask Mr. Su to head to the pavilion
on the lake.
He's probably finished
reading the books.
Yes, Your Highness.
Tell that scoundrel Pei Wenxuan
to go there too.
I noticed that you don't seem
to like Young Master Pei.
You haven't even glanced at him today.
So why
Pei Wenxuan,
wait to see what I'm going to do to you.
Back then, you claimed
that you were forced to marry me.
Seems like you've
racked your brain for this.
Your Highness,
Young Master Pei has arrived.
Greetings,
Your Highness.
What's the meaning of this,
Your Highness?
It's rare
to meet a kindred spirit.
When we were outside just now,
I didn't get enough of Mr. Su's show.
So I invited him to play the qin here.
Mr. Pei, why don't you also
immerse yourself in the music?
Jingmei,
bring him a futon.
Yes, Your Highness.
Mr. Su, your qin skills
are indeed remarkable.
I'm flattered, Your Highness.
Your Highness, it's getting late.
I'll take my leave now.
Mr. Su, please stay.
I have something more
to discuss with you.
Pei Wenxuan,
I won't allow you
to slander Rongqing in the slightest!
Li Rong,
I also hope you can live a happy life,
but you mustn't choose
Su Rongqing.
You may leave now.
Mr. Pei, I have heard
that you are the youngest
and most favored candidate
in the Royal Selection
in our nation's history,
with unparalleled wit and strategies.
Today,
I have truly known your capabilities.
I'm flattered, Your Highness.
Jump into the lake.
Your Highness,
I don't quite understand.
You tricked Yang Quan
into hitting Shangguan Yu.
What's wrong with you?
Give it back.
That jade pendant is from my mother.
Give my jade pendant back!
Then you lured Lu Yu away.
When you go in
and see your young master,
ask him to pretend to faint.
You did all this
so you could become
my husband, didn't you?
If you want to be my husband,
how come
this small grievance
has gotten the better of you?
How does Your Highness know
that I want to be the Prince Consort?
Drop the act.
Why else would you be here?
I've already investigated
your background and the situation
with the Pei Family thoroughly.
Becoming my husband
is precisely a great opportunity
for you and your family
to turn things around, isn't it?
It seems Your Highness
has misunderstood.
I just want to help
Right,
I seem to be meddling too much.
Even if you wanted to,
there would be no chance now.
I already have someone I fancy.
Who are you referring to, Your Highness?
He's right in front of you.
Mr. Su,
do you like those books?
Would you like to have them?
Please think twice, Your Highness.
Mr. Pei.
I'm talking to Mr. Su here.
It's not your place to interrupt.
Your Highness,
I just don't want you
to ruin your own future
due to a sudden impulse.
That's quite audacious of you
to meddle in my affairs.
I'll do whatever I like.
It's my own path
and my own choice.
Mr. Su.
If Your Highness doesn't mind,
I would like to request to marry you.
Guards.
I'm astonished at how scheming you are
at such a young age.
Throw him into the lake.
- Yes, Your Highness.
- Yes, Your Highness.
Your Highness.
So you were picking
the spot in the lake to fall into?
How about
we talk like this?
I quite enjoy the position
where you're lower than me.
Pei Wenxuan,
you'd better know your place.
Right now,
I can throw you into the lake,
and later, if I wish,
I can make you drown here.
From now on,
whether you get to live or not
depends entirely on my mood.
So think carefully about what you say
and do.
Do you understand?
Pei Wenxuan is just a young kid,
who's just 20 years old.
There's no difference
between bullying him
and bullying a child.
Enough of this.
Fish him out.
Yes, Your Highness.
Mr. Su,
about what I just said
Your Highness, please don't.
Rongqing, here you are.
What's the matter?
Rongqing, if you really can't stand this,
I can divorce Pei Wenxuan.
Your Highness is of noble status,
while I am but a humble sinner.
I dare not request your favor.
What is it?
You don't like
those books?
Your Highness, please forgive me.
Before leaving, my father
repeatedly instructed me
to only attend the Spring Banquet
and not get involved in anything else.
If you don't want those books,
they will become
someone else's tomorrow.
Your Highness,
those books are too precious.
I am but a humble man
with little influence
♪It's like standing on the edge
of a bottomless abyss♪
I'm unworthy
of possessing them just yet.
I should have realized this earlier.
The Su Family has always been neutral
and avoids marrying the royal family.
Su Rongqing currently
doesn't really get to choose.
I understand.
♪How do I shout out the words
I want to say?♪
You may leave now.
♪But the wind in the valley
gently ceases its whispers♪
Thank you, Your Highness.
♪Snow falls silently, petal by petal♪
Your Highness.
♪If we met at the right time,
love wouldn't have been so complicated♪
If one day in the future,
I am able to
♪The wind carries sand and dust♪
♪The moment I see the sunset♪
♪My heart sinks♪
♪My world gradually falls apart
as we fail to understand each other♪
Mr. Pei, don't think
I'm throwing my weight around.
I'm teaching you how to behave properly.
You're lucky it's me who you're facing.
If it were anyone else
from the royal family,
with your behavior today,
you would have been thrown out
to feed the dogs by now.
Thank you, Your Highness.
You've achieved your goal.
You're the only candidate left
for the Prince Consort.
Get Mr. Pei a change of clothes
and have him cleaned up properly.
Yes, Your Highness.
Your Majesty.
Your Majesty.
What do you want? Tell me.
I have heard
that Princess Pingyue
is holding a Spring Banquet
with the intention
of selecting a husband.
My younger brother, Yang Quan,
has followed my father into battle
since childhood
and has earned numerous merits.
He might be a suitable match
for the Princess.
The Yang Family
is a lineage of generals.
Instead of focusing
on how to win battles at the border,
you're now concerned
with the Princess's marriage.
You're right, Your Majesty,
but as for my brother Quan
I've said it before,
the Princess's marriage
is her own decision.
Whomever she chooses
will be her husband.
Your Majesty.
My family may have made many mistakes.
But I hope Your Majesty can consider
the years of service I have rendered.
Could you give the Yang Family
another chance?
What?
Have I ever said I would do anything
to your Yang Family?
Sit down, then talk to me.
Whatever you want to say,
just say it.
Your Highness, I think
you already know what I want to say.
What's with your attitude?
What?
Do you think the royal family
is not good enough for you?
Not at all.
I come from humble beginnings,
and initially,
I may rely on Your Highness.
However, as a dignified man,
I also aspire to be the one
who is worthy of you, Your Highness.
This way,
when Your Highness is weary,
you can have someone to lean on,
and I won't be just a burden
living off you.
You're just trying
to leverage my influence
to strengthen yourself.
There's no need
to say these high-sounding words.
Men like you
will say anything
when ingratiating yourself
with powerful people.
Mr. Pei,
you are the Prince Consort,
yet now you are holding
the Crown Prince's
secondary consort like this.
Do you know what punishment you'll face?
I heard Consort Qin got into trouble,
so I came to help her. I
The Prince Consort
came here following my order.
How can anyone despise him
and slander him?
You have feelings for her?
I
I am a bit worried about her.
What's your relationship with her?
Childhood friends.
Did she know
that you still care for her?
If she did,
why did she call off the engagement?
My father passed away
because of illness.
Back then,
I was sidelined by my uncle
and not entrusted with any major tasks.
It was her relatives
who canceled the marriage,
which is why we
So you two
loved each other
but couldn't be together,
and I ended up being a hindrance?
Your Highness.
Bring over the citrons.
Your Highness,
citrons will give me rashes
if I eat them.
Seriously?
Take this dish away.
And tell the chefs
to avoid making any dishes
that contain citrons.
Yes, Your Highness.
Eat it.
Your Highness, if I consume citrons,
I'll get rashes all over my body.
You still have to eat it.
That's my order.
I've just eaten something,
so I'll eat it later.
Eat it later then.
Since I have plenty of time,
let's play a game of weiqi.
Get the weiqi board.
Yes, Your Highness.
Playing as black,
the star point opening.
She hasn't changed at all.
So his weiqi strategy
has always been like this.
Dealing with
the twenty-year-old Pei Wenxuan,
I don't need to give full play
to my abilities.
Oh well.
I'll give him a little leeway,
so he won't be as embarrassed.
The eighteen-year-old Li Rong
still plays poorly,
but she's always been arrogant
and mischievous.
How come her tactics
are the same as the ones she used
when she was thirty-eight.
How come his strategies
are the same as when he was forty?
Li Rong may seem arrogant and spoiled,
but she actually acts very methodically.
She doesn't pick a fight for no reason.
However, when I first met Li Rong,
she humiliated me
in front of Su Rongqing.
Guards. Throw him into the lake.
- Yes, Your Highness.
- Yes, Your Highness.
Your Highness.
Back then,
the eighteen-year-old Li Rong
wasn't like this.
I remember
the twenty-year-old Pei Wenxuan
is more or less immature.
On the day of the wedding,
although he appeared calm
on the surface,
I could see from his eyes
that he was already in a state of panic.
Your Highness.
But now, when Pei Wenxuan sees me,
he's not just calm and composed,
he looks at me
like he knows me very well.
This weiqi game
turns out to be the final one we played
before living apart
and it was unfinished.
That unfinished game
was a stalemate.
I just don't want you
to ruin your own future
due to a sudden impulse.
No wonder he dares
to talk back to me like this now.
No wonder she knows
that citrons will give me rashes.
It's either him being truly audacious
Or
Or
- He has lived an extra 20 years.
- She has lived an extra 20 years.
- If so,
- If so,
- everything would make sense.
- everything would make sense.
Li Rong hated me to the core before.
Last time, it was her order
that had me killed.
The fact that she
can still control the urge
to kill me immediately
shows her extreme forbearance.
Fortunately, I have no intention
of entangling with her again
in this lifetime.
I will ask you one more time.
Why did you stop me
from choosing other men?
I
I
Because you felt guilty
about what you had done to me.
♪Who gazes at the sky from afar?♪
♪Who gazes at the sky from afar?♪
♪In the night's chill breeze♪
♪What is she singing for?♪
♪The wind caresses the hills♪
♪The wind causes ripples on calm water♪
♪Moonlight graces passing souls♪
♪Her steps get slower and slower♪
♪She's trod a long path♪
♪Memories lost then found♪
♪Gazing idly as clouds roll by♪
♪She holds a red candle♪
♪To brave the thick fog♪
♪Life can be bitter sometimes♪
♪Experience it with grace♪
♪Like a fleeting dream♪
♪Like a fleeting dream♪
♪Neither warmth nor cold will last♪
♪Like a fleeting dream♪
♪Like a fleeting dream♪
♪The moon is reflected in her eyes♪
♪In her gaze,
the unwavering faith remains♪
[The Princess Royal]
[Adapted from Mo Shu Bai's novel,
The Princess Royal on jjwxc.net]
[This is a work of fiction.]
[Episode 2]
[Yang]
What a magnificent scene we have today.
[Cui]
Mr. Zhang, you are here too.
It's really been a while.
I've heard that the Princess
is using the Spring Banquet as a pretext
for selecting a husband.
No wonder my young master
is paying so much attention
to his appearance today.
It's the Su Family's carriage.
It's Second Young Master Su's carriage.
The Su Family's carriage?
It's said he's strikingly handsome
and extraordinarily charming.
[Su]
We'll get to feast our eyes this time.
He is Second Young Master
of the Su Family,
the second most prominent family
in the capital.
[Pei]
Is this the Su Family's carriage?
Yes, it is.
Second Young Master Su
is indeed handsome
and has an extraordinary temperament.
Please come down.
How do I look?
You look great.
- Mr. Su.
- Mr. Su.
Greetings, everyone.
- Greetings, Mr. Su.
- Greetings, Mr. Su.
Greetings.
Why is he here?
Look at his appearance, temperament,
and that carriage.
He truly is the finest gentleman
in the world.
The finest gentleman in the world?
He's nothing.
[Tong Meng]
Your Highness.
Your Highness, wake up.
All the young masters have arrived.
Tell them to wait.
I want to sleep a little longer.
Second Young Master of the Su Family,
Su Rongqing, has also arrived.
Su Rongqing?
The Su Family has not provided
a definite answer.
I thought he was not coming.
Since it's an invitation
from Your Highness,
of course, those young masters
will show some respect.
Hurry up
and help me get dressed.
Also,
keep a close eye on everything today.
This Spring Banquet
isn't just held for me.
Many people are eagerly waiting
to see what unfolds.
Please rest assured.
Hurry.
Please wait here, sir.
It's okay.
I will wait here for Her Highness.
Yes.
Rongqing.
Back then, you were eighteen
and I was twenty.
That year
is the most beautiful memory of my life.
From this day forth,
Su Rongqing is an honored guest
of the Princess's Mansion
and should be treated politely.
Since we are seemingly in harmony
but actually at variance,
let's set each other free.
We should request an audience
with His Majesty
and seek his permission
for our divorce.
Your best ally can only be me.
You want a divorce?
Only if I die.
If this is a dream,
then what has changed
and what hasn't?
Previously, there was no Su Rongqing
among the candidates
for the Prince Consort.
Greetings, Your Highness.
Greetings, Your Highness.
Rumor has it that you are
the finest gentleman in Huajing.
As I've seen for myself,
you truly deserve the reputation.
Your Highness, I'm flattered.
I appreciate the flattering words,
but it's all just playful banter.
How is it just banter?
Upon meeting you today,
I've found that you have
an extraordinary temperament.
I think no one else in Huajing
deserves to be called
the finest gentleman.
You didn't reply to me
which made me think you wouldn't come.
I'm honored
to receive your invitation,
Your Highness.
It's just that I was hesitant.
He mentioned hesitancy.
So,
Rongqing is already?
I was worried that I might disturb you,
Your Highness.
Since it's the Spring Banquet,
why would I worry about being disturbed?
I simply wish to enjoy
the festivities with everyone.
While young,
you know no grief you could not bear.
Do you realize His Majesty
already has someone in mind?
If you choose a noble family
like the Su Family,
what awaits you
is either a marriage alliance
in a faraway land,
or worse, being executed.
You've got some nerve showing up here,
you rascal.
Greetings, Your Highness.
I wish you
a year as bright as the moon
and an appearance as radiant
as spring blossoms, Your Highness.
Spare the formalities.
Thank you, Mr. Su,
for your gracious presence.
How about we have a private conversation
in the inner courtyard?
I originally planned to leave
after just one glance
at the eighteen-year-old you,
but I never expected
that you, at eighteen, would be
so easily attracted by men's looks.
Rongqing.
The Rongqing in front of me
has no knowledge
of our past.
I saw an insect on your cuff.
It has already flown away.
Thank you, Your Highness.
Mr. Su,
are you aware that I'm holding
this Spring Banquet
for another purpose?
The young Rongqing is actually so shy.
Back then, due to our status,
we had little interaction.
I never imagined
he could be so charming in this way.
Mr. Su, you seem a bit nervous.
How come I didn't know
you were so proactive back then?
Meeting Rongqing
in advance this time
is really great.
Your Highness. Young Master Su.
The auspicious time
for the Spring Banquet is approaching.
You should get changed now.
Mr. Su, please wait in the garden.
I'll be back after I get changed.
Yes, Your Highness.
Young Master,
that's the Princess.
No matter how attractive she is,
you shouldn't look at her like that.
It could cost you your life.
Shut up.
Who said I was looking at the Princess?
Are you suggesting
that you admire Young Master Su?
Get lost.
The Spring Banquet starts now.
Please welcome Her Highness.
- Greetings, Your Highness.
- Greetings, Your Highness.
- Long live the Princess.
- Long live the Princess.
You may rise.
- Thank you, Your Highness.
- Thank you, Your Highness.
Please be seated.
Her Highness says
that she wants to play
a different version
of the traditional game,
passing the parcel.
In a moment, a hibiscus cup
will float down the winding stream
in front of you.
When the drum is being sounded,
Her Highness will call out when to stop.
Whomever the hibiscus cup
stops in front of
must drink
and then present a talent show.
Any of the Six Arts are acceptable.
Stop.
[Lu Yu, son of Marquis Ningguo]
What talents do you possess,
Young Master Lu?
I I'm good at
I'm good at eating eggs.
Mr. Lu's talent is indeed unique.
Bring over the eggs.
[Mingyue Palace]
[Huayue, daughter of Consort Rou]
It's so funny.
[Xiao Rou, Consort Rou]
Mother, what kind of men
has Father chosen for Pingyue?
If she ends up
picking that fool, Lu Yu
Huayue,
regarding Pingyue's marriage,
your father has his own considerations.
If she marries a fool,
I'm really afraid that when I see her,
I won't be able to help
but laugh out loud.
Behave yourself.
With Pingyue's temper,
if you annoy her,
she'll definitely have a row with you.
That's exactly the point.
I want to make her angry.
When people get angry,
they tend to make mistakes.
Once she makes a mistake,
it'll be easier to deal with her.
Your Majesty,
these are all urgent memorials.
Inside,
they are either proposals for marriage
to Princess Pingyue
or related to affairs
of the border regions.
Please give written instructions
or comments.
Is the Yang Family
on the northwest border
demanding military funds again?
When was the last time this happened?
His Majesty,
it's only been less than a month.
The noble families
all have their own fiefdoms,
and now that there's a war,
they're all asking me for money.
I might as well
not read these memorials.
Let me guess what else
is on the memorials.
These candidates
probably all come
from the seven major noble families.
What if Pingyue
doesn't choose the one
I want her to choose?
If I recall correctly,
the late Emperor
did the following
with two disobedient princesses
back then:
one was sent far away for marriage,
and the other was executed.
The Young Master of the Su Family
attended the banquet after all.
Did Pingyue invite him
because she doesn't know
or did she do it intentionally?
Stop.
Please bring a bow and arrows.
Your Highness,
I apologize for any offense.
He's nothing but a pretty face.
Reward him.
This is carefully selected
by Her Highness.
Thank you, Your Highness.
Li Rong,
you are playing with fire here.
[Hanqiu Palace]
Your Highness, His Majesty says
that he is preoccupied
with state affairs
and cannot meet you.
Thank you.
Wait.
Your clothes seem a bit worn out.
I have some fine fabric at my place.
I'll send it over to you another day.
[Yang Wan, Consort Ning]
Serving His Majesty
means you should be concerned
about appearances all the time.
Yes, Your Highness.
I just want to see His Majesty briefly.
I won't cause any trouble for you.
Then please go back, Your Highness,
and wait for my news.
Thank you.
Find a way to send a message
to the young master.
Tell him to win the favor
of the Princess at all costs.
Yes, Your Highness.
It's a disgrace to the educated class.
[Cui Yulang from a humble background]
It's no different from those male escorts
in those pleasure houses.
[Yang Quan,
Consort Ning's younger brother]
It seems like Li Rong
wants to test all the candidates
for the Prince Consort
selected by His Majesty.
The game continues.
Stop.
I'm done here.
Let's go.
She's intentionally trying to prevent me
from showcasing my abilities.
Her Highness wants to see you.
Li Rong is meeting
with Su Rongqing alone.
No, I can't let this happen.
May I ask, miss,
what Her Highness
has summoned me here for?
Her Highness has heard
that you love reading.
This place houses only rare editions
from the royal collection.
If you are willing
to join the Princess's Mansion,
these will belong to you.
You don't need to answer immediately.
I have brought some refreshments.
When you have decided,
you can go to the pavilion on the lake
to meet Her Highness.
That was quite some fun I had today.
Normally,
it's women who go to great lengths
to please men.
But today, watching those men
down there,
trying their best to win my heart
and showing off in front of me,
is quite entertaining.
Your Highness,
what are you talking about?
You see that Yang Quan?
It's as if "Pick me"
is written on his forehead.
Go make a pot of tea for me.
Yes, Your Highness.
What's wrong?
Earlier, Young Master Pei stopped me
and said something.
What did he
say to you?
He said
if you insist on choosing
Young Master Su,
you'll end up
in either of the following endings.
One is to marry to a distant land,
and the other is
The other is execution.
Does Pei Wenxuan think I'm stupid?
But it's unexpected
that at such a young age,
he has such insight.
He's quite talented,
but it's a pity
that he offended me.
Mr. Lu,
Her Highness wants to see you.
She summoned Lu Yu.
It seems she's heeded my advice.
Cui Yulang is lascivious by nature
and won't catch Li Rong's eye.
How wonderful!
Your Highness's husband-to-be
will be a handsome scholar.
But
if she really chooses Lu Yu,
how will the people
in the palace think of her?
She's such a proud person.
It's almost like
sentencing her to death.
Greetings, Your Highness.
Why are you here, Lu Ting?
Young Master.
Master asked me to send you a message.
It's
It's all wet.
What
What should I do now?
Please forgive me, Your Highness.
Please forgive me.
Do you mind if I go help
my young master get changed first?
Go ahead.
Thank you, Your Highness.
Your Highness, bad news.
Major General Yang
and the young lord
of the Shangguan Family, Shangguan Yu,
got into a fight.
They're forcing me to show up.
Your Highness,
I heard that Young Master Lu fainted
as soon as he left his residence.
I guess he won't come back then.
Rong.
Rong.
- Your Highness.
- Rong.
You have to get justice for me.
Only Mr. Yang would dare to hit him.
Take the young lord away
for treatment first.
Yes, Your Highness.
You you ignoramus!
Major General Yang,
are you implying
that my hospitality is inadequate?
Your Highness's hospitality is,
of course, impeccable.
Since it's impeccable,
why are you causing such trouble?
I just wish to have a few words
with Your Highness.
Go ahead.
I come from a military background
and am not skilled in fancy words,
but Heaven bears witness,
my desire to marry
Your Highness is sincere.
Did you say "Heaven bears witness?"
And you say you don't use fancy words?
They are such fancy words
that I don't even know
if I'd ever use them.
If you agree to marry me,
I'll grant you
whatever you desire in this world.
I give you my word.
I didn't know that you were so capable.
I command thirty thousand soldiers
from the northwest troop.
They are at Your Highness's disposal.
How dare you!
Your Highness.
You have quite the nerve, Yang Quan.
Do you think the thirty thousand soldiers
stationed in the northwest
work for your family?
I wouldn't dare. I
Major General Yang,
you should leave now.
Major General Yang,
please.
Ask Mr. Su to head to the pavilion
on the lake.
He's probably finished
reading the books.
Yes, Your Highness.
Tell that scoundrel Pei Wenxuan
to go there too.
I noticed that you don't seem
to like Young Master Pei.
You haven't even glanced at him today.
So why
Pei Wenxuan,
wait to see what I'm going to do to you.
Back then, you claimed
that you were forced to marry me.
Seems like you've
racked your brain for this.
Your Highness,
Young Master Pei has arrived.
Greetings,
Your Highness.
What's the meaning of this,
Your Highness?
It's rare
to meet a kindred spirit.
When we were outside just now,
I didn't get enough of Mr. Su's show.
So I invited him to play the qin here.
Mr. Pei, why don't you also
immerse yourself in the music?
Jingmei,
bring him a futon.
Yes, Your Highness.
Mr. Su, your qin skills
are indeed remarkable.
I'm flattered, Your Highness.
Your Highness, it's getting late.
I'll take my leave now.
Mr. Su, please stay.
I have something more
to discuss with you.
Pei Wenxuan,
I won't allow you
to slander Rongqing in the slightest!
Li Rong,
I also hope you can live a happy life,
but you mustn't choose
Su Rongqing.
You may leave now.
Mr. Pei, I have heard
that you are the youngest
and most favored candidate
in the Royal Selection
in our nation's history,
with unparalleled wit and strategies.
Today,
I have truly known your capabilities.
I'm flattered, Your Highness.
Jump into the lake.
Your Highness,
I don't quite understand.
You tricked Yang Quan
into hitting Shangguan Yu.
What's wrong with you?
Give it back.
That jade pendant is from my mother.
Give my jade pendant back!
Then you lured Lu Yu away.
When you go in
and see your young master,
ask him to pretend to faint.
You did all this
so you could become
my husband, didn't you?
If you want to be my husband,
how come
this small grievance
has gotten the better of you?
How does Your Highness know
that I want to be the Prince Consort?
Drop the act.
Why else would you be here?
I've already investigated
your background and the situation
with the Pei Family thoroughly.
Becoming my husband
is precisely a great opportunity
for you and your family
to turn things around, isn't it?
It seems Your Highness
has misunderstood.
I just want to help
Right,
I seem to be meddling too much.
Even if you wanted to,
there would be no chance now.
I already have someone I fancy.
Who are you referring to, Your Highness?
He's right in front of you.
Mr. Su,
do you like those books?
Would you like to have them?
Please think twice, Your Highness.
Mr. Pei.
I'm talking to Mr. Su here.
It's not your place to interrupt.
Your Highness,
I just don't want you
to ruin your own future
due to a sudden impulse.
That's quite audacious of you
to meddle in my affairs.
I'll do whatever I like.
It's my own path
and my own choice.
Mr. Su.
If Your Highness doesn't mind,
I would like to request to marry you.
Guards.
I'm astonished at how scheming you are
at such a young age.
Throw him into the lake.
- Yes, Your Highness.
- Yes, Your Highness.
Your Highness.
So you were picking
the spot in the lake to fall into?
How about
we talk like this?
I quite enjoy the position
where you're lower than me.
Pei Wenxuan,
you'd better know your place.
Right now,
I can throw you into the lake,
and later, if I wish,
I can make you drown here.
From now on,
whether you get to live or not
depends entirely on my mood.
So think carefully about what you say
and do.
Do you understand?
Pei Wenxuan is just a young kid,
who's just 20 years old.
There's no difference
between bullying him
and bullying a child.
Enough of this.
Fish him out.
Yes, Your Highness.
Mr. Su,
about what I just said
Your Highness, please don't.
Rongqing, here you are.
What's the matter?
Rongqing, if you really can't stand this,
I can divorce Pei Wenxuan.
Your Highness is of noble status,
while I am but a humble sinner.
I dare not request your favor.
What is it?
You don't like
those books?
Your Highness, please forgive me.
Before leaving, my father
repeatedly instructed me
to only attend the Spring Banquet
and not get involved in anything else.
If you don't want those books,
they will become
someone else's tomorrow.
Your Highness,
those books are too precious.
I am but a humble man
with little influence
♪It's like standing on the edge
of a bottomless abyss♪
I'm unworthy
of possessing them just yet.
I should have realized this earlier.
The Su Family has always been neutral
and avoids marrying the royal family.
Su Rongqing currently
doesn't really get to choose.
I understand.
♪How do I shout out the words
I want to say?♪
You may leave now.
♪But the wind in the valley
gently ceases its whispers♪
Thank you, Your Highness.
♪Snow falls silently, petal by petal♪
Your Highness.
♪If we met at the right time,
love wouldn't have been so complicated♪
If one day in the future,
I am able to
♪The wind carries sand and dust♪
♪The moment I see the sunset♪
♪My heart sinks♪
♪My world gradually falls apart
as we fail to understand each other♪
Mr. Pei, don't think
I'm throwing my weight around.
I'm teaching you how to behave properly.
You're lucky it's me who you're facing.
If it were anyone else
from the royal family,
with your behavior today,
you would have been thrown out
to feed the dogs by now.
Thank you, Your Highness.
You've achieved your goal.
You're the only candidate left
for the Prince Consort.
Get Mr. Pei a change of clothes
and have him cleaned up properly.
Yes, Your Highness.
Your Majesty.
Your Majesty.
What do you want? Tell me.
I have heard
that Princess Pingyue
is holding a Spring Banquet
with the intention
of selecting a husband.
My younger brother, Yang Quan,
has followed my father into battle
since childhood
and has earned numerous merits.
He might be a suitable match
for the Princess.
The Yang Family
is a lineage of generals.
Instead of focusing
on how to win battles at the border,
you're now concerned
with the Princess's marriage.
You're right, Your Majesty,
but as for my brother Quan
I've said it before,
the Princess's marriage
is her own decision.
Whomever she chooses
will be her husband.
Your Majesty.
My family may have made many mistakes.
But I hope Your Majesty can consider
the years of service I have rendered.
Could you give the Yang Family
another chance?
What?
Have I ever said I would do anything
to your Yang Family?
Sit down, then talk to me.
Whatever you want to say,
just say it.
Your Highness, I think
you already know what I want to say.
What's with your attitude?
What?
Do you think the royal family
is not good enough for you?
Not at all.
I come from humble beginnings,
and initially,
I may rely on Your Highness.
However, as a dignified man,
I also aspire to be the one
who is worthy of you, Your Highness.
This way,
when Your Highness is weary,
you can have someone to lean on,
and I won't be just a burden
living off you.
You're just trying
to leverage my influence
to strengthen yourself.
There's no need
to say these high-sounding words.
Men like you
will say anything
when ingratiating yourself
with powerful people.
Mr. Pei,
you are the Prince Consort,
yet now you are holding
the Crown Prince's
secondary consort like this.
Do you know what punishment you'll face?
I heard Consort Qin got into trouble,
so I came to help her. I
The Prince Consort
came here following my order.
How can anyone despise him
and slander him?
You have feelings for her?
I
I am a bit worried about her.
What's your relationship with her?
Childhood friends.
Did she know
that you still care for her?
If she did,
why did she call off the engagement?
My father passed away
because of illness.
Back then,
I was sidelined by my uncle
and not entrusted with any major tasks.
It was her relatives
who canceled the marriage,
which is why we
So you two
loved each other
but couldn't be together,
and I ended up being a hindrance?
Your Highness.
Bring over the citrons.
Your Highness,
citrons will give me rashes
if I eat them.
Seriously?
Take this dish away.
And tell the chefs
to avoid making any dishes
that contain citrons.
Yes, Your Highness.
Eat it.
Your Highness, if I consume citrons,
I'll get rashes all over my body.
You still have to eat it.
That's my order.
I've just eaten something,
so I'll eat it later.
Eat it later then.
Since I have plenty of time,
let's play a game of weiqi.
Get the weiqi board.
Yes, Your Highness.
Playing as black,
the star point opening.
She hasn't changed at all.
So his weiqi strategy
has always been like this.
Dealing with
the twenty-year-old Pei Wenxuan,
I don't need to give full play
to my abilities.
Oh well.
I'll give him a little leeway,
so he won't be as embarrassed.
The eighteen-year-old Li Rong
still plays poorly,
but she's always been arrogant
and mischievous.
How come her tactics
are the same as the ones she used
when she was thirty-eight.
How come his strategies
are the same as when he was forty?
Li Rong may seem arrogant and spoiled,
but she actually acts very methodically.
She doesn't pick a fight for no reason.
However, when I first met Li Rong,
she humiliated me
in front of Su Rongqing.
Guards. Throw him into the lake.
- Yes, Your Highness.
- Yes, Your Highness.
Your Highness.
Back then,
the eighteen-year-old Li Rong
wasn't like this.
I remember
the twenty-year-old Pei Wenxuan
is more or less immature.
On the day of the wedding,
although he appeared calm
on the surface,
I could see from his eyes
that he was already in a state of panic.
Your Highness.
But now, when Pei Wenxuan sees me,
he's not just calm and composed,
he looks at me
like he knows me very well.
This weiqi game
turns out to be the final one we played
before living apart
and it was unfinished.
That unfinished game
was a stalemate.
I just don't want you
to ruin your own future
due to a sudden impulse.
No wonder he dares
to talk back to me like this now.
No wonder she knows
that citrons will give me rashes.
It's either him being truly audacious
Or
Or
- He has lived an extra 20 years.
- She has lived an extra 20 years.
- If so,
- If so,
- everything would make sense.
- everything would make sense.
Li Rong hated me to the core before.
Last time, it was her order
that had me killed.
The fact that she
can still control the urge
to kill me immediately
shows her extreme forbearance.
Fortunately, I have no intention
of entangling with her again
in this lifetime.
I will ask you one more time.
Why did you stop me
from choosing other men?
I
I
Because you felt guilty
about what you had done to me.
♪Who gazes at the sky from afar?♪
♪Who gazes at the sky from afar?♪
♪In the night's chill breeze♪
♪What is she singing for?♪
♪The wind caresses the hills♪
♪The wind causes ripples on calm water♪
♪Moonlight graces passing souls♪
♪Her steps get slower and slower♪
♪She's trod a long path♪
♪Memories lost then found♪
♪Gazing idly as clouds roll by♪
♪She holds a red candle♪
♪To brave the thick fog♪
♪Life can be bitter sometimes♪
♪Experience it with grace♪
♪Like a fleeting dream♪
♪Like a fleeting dream♪
♪Neither warmth nor cold will last♪
♪Like a fleeting dream♪
♪Like a fleeting dream♪
♪The moon is reflected in her eyes♪
♪In her gaze,
the unwavering faith remains♪