The Princess Royal (2024) s01e05 Episode Script

1
[The Princess Royal]
[Adapted from Mo Shubai's novel,
The Princess Royal]
[on Jinjiang Original Network]
[This is a work of fiction.]
[Episode 5]
I heard you saved Pingyue last night.
Why aren't you saying anything?
Your Majesty.
Please save my life.
What's going on?
Why would you say that?
Your Majesty.
It's only a matter of time
before my head rolls.
Who'd want your head?
You must've heard
what happened last night.
While I saved Her Highness,
because of circumstances,
we spent the night alone together
and it taints her honor.
Please punish me with death.
Well
That's not punishable by death.
No.
There's another reason
for my imminent death.
Explain.
The situation was urgent.
I should have come to you first,
but the Empress came to me first.
She wanted me
to hide the fact that I spent the night
with Her Highness
and even wanted me to vouch
it was Yang Quan who saved the princess.
You're worried about the Empress?
If I may make a daring guess,
Her Majesty has long decided to form
marital ties with the Yangs.
What happened last night
was an act put up for the princess
to be impressed by Yang Quan
who saved her in times of distress.
Yet I ruined their plans.
With how petty Yang Quan is
and how brazen the Yangs usually are,
the moment I exit the palace gates,
only death awaits.
Rest assured.
The Empress will not kill you
for something this insignificant.
Get up.
Your Majesty, do you really see
their potential alliance
as no cause for concern?
You may be young,
but you know plenty.
Say,
have you truly decided on Pei Wenxuan?
Well, Queen Mother
wants you to choose Yang Quan.
He has command over the troops.
But you must understand.
If the Yangs are seen as
aligning with the Crown Prince,
they military command they hold
will soon change hands.
Then why did you put Yang Quan's name
on the Consort list?
Lay it out for me.
Why is it a significant thing
if the Yangs ally with the Crown Prince?
Your Majesty.
They Yangs has guarded
the borders for years,
earning great renown.
Yet late last winter,
when the enemies attacked again,
the Yangs lost two cities in a row
losing against 20,000 enemies
with 50,000 troops.
Have you considered?
The Yangs have guarded
the borders for years.
Why would they crumble like that?
So you know?
If I dare assume,
you do, too.
Over the years,
the Yangs have been bribing the enemies
with army rations.
The yearly battles
was just a show
put up by the Yangs and the enemies.
Pei Wenxuan.
How many heads do you have?
You make bold claims.
Your Majesty.
These people are ruthless and ambitious.
If they cling to the Noble Houses
and mislead the Crown Prince,
the country will be compromised.
If I chose Yang Quan,
Father would learn
I'm after the Yang Family's
military command
and wants to betray him.
He may have secretly collected evidences
of the Yang Family's wrongdoings.
Then, when he deals with the Yangs,
he'll deal with us too.
I see.
I do not think
the Yangs account to much.
And now,
this is the best time
to deal with the Yangs.
Then what about the borders?
Force them into revolting?
In today's imperial court,
there aren't many who would dare
stand up against the Yangs.
Pei Wenxuan.
If I make you my blade
and tell you to kill Yang Quan
as your betrothal gift to marry Pingyue,
would you dare to do it?
I don't understand.
We're both his biological children.
Why is he doing this to us?
Would things have turned out differently
if I'm not the Crown Prince?
Chuan.
I hope you can maintain
this purity always.
As for the others,
leave it all to me.
Okay?
I've made you fret over my matters.
What pertains to you
pertains to the entire Yang family.
We cannot afford a single misstep.
How did the audience
with His Majesty go?
He said he'd consider
the waved me away.
However,
he then summoned Pei Wenxuan privately.
Her Majesty too summoned Pei Wenxuan.
I'm afraid
His Majesty, Li Rong, and the Empress
have all chosen Pei Wenxuan.
What should we do?
I did everything I could. Father, he
Quan.
Over the years,
our father and brother
led our people to battle.
Meanwhile, I stayed in the palace
and painstakingly maneuvered
every careful move
before the Yang Family
could flourish like so,
earning our repute in the Northwest.
I cannot stand by and watch
everything fizzle into nothing.
Li Ming.
He has thoroughly humiliated me.
Sister.
What do we do now?
Since they'd like to choose Pei Wenxuan,
we'll just erase that man
from this world.
Why do you trust Pei Wenxuan?
Anyhow, I don't.
You don't need to trust him.
Just trust in me.
I won't harm you.
But
I need your help.
Okay.
Everything you say.
Okay.
I should get going.
Pei Wenxuan should be almost done.
This is a nice sword.
I'll gift this to Pei Wenxuan
on your behalf.
When he succeeds,
he'd be your ally.
Halt.
Mr. Pei.
This is for you.
Consider a token of thanks
for saving my life.
I got it from the Crown prince for you.
Do you dare accept it?
You've dared to bring it.
Why wouldn't I dare to accept?
I've also sent you some men.
Good luck.
Thank you, Your Highness.
Let's go.
Fu Lai.
Your Majesty.
If Pei Wenxuan succeeds,
ensure that I can see him immediately.
If he fails,
get rid of him.
I've never seen him today.
Yes, Your Majesty.
[Ministry of Justice]
Su received intel.
There will be a disturbance
in the city today.
The Ministry of Justice
must bring in the culprit at once.
Yes, sir!
Young Master, didn't you say
it'd be dangerous?
Why did you come to such a remote place?
Shut it.
You can disappear now.
Disappear?
Hide well.
Your Highness!
Still no news from the hidden guards?
Yes, Your Highness.
You'd better survive.
How dare you kill me!
Colluding with the enemy,
holding the princess hostage,
and killing important officials.
You Yangs dare to do it all.
Why wouldn't I
dare to kill you then?
Young Master! Are you alright?
I came under the princess's orders
to protect you, Mr. Pei.
For Her Highness to lend a hand,
I am grateful.
I will visit another time
to thank her personally.
No need, Mr. Pei.
Her Highness insisted
there is no need for such hassle.
She sure treats you well.
Her Highness said
you can simply kowtow
to her portrait three times
to thank her for saving your life.
That wouldn't be appropriate.
She's making me
kowtow three times to a portrait?
Sure.
Young Master.
As the saying goes
- Get me a brush.
- A man's knees
Get me a brush.
Okay.
I'm done kowtowing.
[Pei Wenxuan kowtows thrice]
Mr. Yuan,
you can bring this back to Her Highness.
Good work, Mr. Pei.
Let's go.
Much thanks!
Alright, let's hurry.
To the palace.
What palace?
That Yang Quan gave me
quite the startle.
I'll lodge a formal complaint
to His Majesty.
Young Master.
After you got to know the princess,
you sure have been
getting ahead of yourself.
We should run.
Pei Wenxuan.
Ministry of Justice? Great timing.
I'd like to make a report.
Make a report?
Arrest them all!
Yes, sir!
He's arresting us!
Run!
Tong Ye.
Take this.
It's raining money!
Young Master!
It's raining money!
Young Master!
This won't do.
This won't do!
Move!
Freeze!
It's raining money!
Pei Wenxuan!
My salary for the year!
We're leaving!
Move, move!
Your Highness.
We have received word.
It is done.
Yang Quan is still too impatient.
Head to the Imperial Study first.
Just say
I'll be presenting
some flowers to father.
Yes, Your Highness.
How is it?
We chased Pei Wenxuan
all the way from the crime scene,
but we still lost him.
Intercept him at the palace gates.
Deepest condolences, Your Highness.
How dare you, Pei Wenxuan.
I'll bury you alongside my brother Quan!
Inform the family immediately.
Pull out of Huajing at once.
Also
Send an urgent letter to my father
at the border.
In addition,
send someone to keep an eye
on His Majesty.
Report anything that happens
to me immediately.
Yes, Your Highness.
Eunuch Fu.
Your Highness.
[Hanqiu Palace]
His Majesty is still in discussion.
A moment, please.
No hurry.
Please get me a chair then.
I'll wait here.
I am familiar with your ways,
Your Highness.
Thank you, Eunuch Fu.
Not at all.
Pei Wenxuan has arrived.
Bring him over.
I'll inform His Majesty.
Yes, sir.
I'll get going then, Your Highness.
Please do.
Tell them to set down another chair
and a teacup.
Yes, Your Highness.
Young Master Pei.
I belong to the Hanqiu Palace.
You have been summoned.
I'll keep an eye out on my way back.
See if I can pick up some of my money.
What money?
Stay here and wait.
Please wait, Mr. Pei.
Mr. Pei.
Your Highness.
I just saw you leave the palace.
Why did you return?
Do you perhaps miss me?
You jest, Your Highness.
I wouldn't dare!
I simply ran into some matters
on the way
and came back to report it
to His Majesty.
That darned man.
He's not only acting naive,
but he's also acting pure!
My father is still in discussion.
Let's sit and wait.
Bring the tea, Jinglan.
That should calm Mr. Pei.
Yes, Your Highness.
So she likes to read
this kind of random books
long before she got married.
Your Highness.
Mr. Pei, His Majesty has summoned you.
Eunuch Fu.
I'm been sitting here for half a day.
Why does he get an audience first?
Mr. Pei said he had urgent matters.
What urgent matters could he have?
Bring them both in.
Your Highness, Mr. Pei.
This way.
Your Majesty.
Wenxuan.
- Your daughter,
- Your subject,
- hereby greets you, father.
- hereby greets you, Your Majesty.
Rise.
Why have you come, Pingyue?
I guess I'll come later then.
You're already here. Stay.
Come here first.
Pei Wenxuan,
haven't you left?
Why did you return?
Right after I left the palace,
I was ambushed
by Second Young Master Yang.
In panic,
I accidentally
killed him!
What did you say?
WWho did you kill?
Mr. Shangguan.
Young Master Pei is just a young man.
He also went through such an ordeal.
If you scare him like that,
how can he explain what happened?
This
Young Master Pei.
Don't be afraid. Recount it slowly.
Who did you kill?
Your Majesty.
I killed Yang Quan,
the Second Young Master of the Yangs!
You
Just what exactly is going on?
Queen Mother.
Greetings, Queen Mother.
Do you know Yang Quan's been killed?
Yang Quan's been killed?
Good riddance.
Serves him right for coveting my sister!
If only I got my hands on him first.
Now's not the time.
I received information.
Your sister's hidden guards
were involved also.
Looks like
She's chosen Pei Wenxuan as her consort.
That's
Why didn't she discuss with my first?
Your sister has acted
without considering the greater picture.
It'll bode trouble.
But I have faith in her choice.
So long as she's happy.
Do you know about this?
Even if you did,
you must pretend you don't.
You must remember.
Your Highness.
I am well aware of my wrongdoing.
Although Second Young Master Yang
had ambushed me,
but I know
how much the Yangs
have contributed to Great Xia.
Moreover,
we are at the brink of war.
Even if Second Young Master Yang
wishes to kill me,
for the sake of the nation,
I should not have retaliated.
But Your Majesty,
it's true that I only committed
such a grave mistake
because I didn't want to get killed.
Your disgraced subject deserves death,
Your Majesty!
His life is worthless.
I just wanted to let you know
before disaster happens.
Disaster has fallen upon us Peis!
Pei Wenxuan,
you reckless fool!
The Yangs have long commanded
the border troops.
They garner immense power.
Even if he did commit a crime,
the punishment must be calibrated.
With the borders now strife with war,
if we aggravate the Yangs,
who could we send
to fend off our enemies?
Answer me!
Scoundrel.
You've caused great trouble!
Pei Lixian.
Please calm down.
This deed was done by Pei Wenxuan,
that ignorant fool, alone!
The Pei Family knows nothing
about this, Your Majesty!
Your Majesty!
Why are you so jittery?
You are an official of Great Xia.
Yang Quan tried to assassinate you
in broad daylight.
If he's killed, so be it.
There's nothing to fear.
But Your Majesty,
the borders
Or would the Yangs revolt?
They hardly put up a fight
when the enemy invaded.
They've utterly shamed the Great Xia!
50,000 soldiers
failed to hold off 20,000 enemies.
Yet they dare kidnap the princess
in Jinghua,
and assassinate an imperial official!
The Yangs seem to think I'm dead!
Please calm down, You Majesty!
Your Majesty.
Wins and losses are commonplace in war.
With the enemy's sudden assault,
even the Yangs are taken by surprise
and was caught off guard.
With the Yangs still at the frontlines,
to deal with this
Enough!
I have decided to pursue this.
The tyranny of the Yangs over us
have gone too far!
Not only will I pursue this,
but I will also pursue this thoroughly!
My subjects.
Who would be willing
to investigate this for me?
Very well.
Very well indeed!
All of you are intimidated by the Yangs.
In that case,
Pei Wenxuan.
You already have the guts to kill him.
I'll give these cases to you.
Do you dare accept them?
Your Majesty, no!
Wenxuan is still but a child.
He is not fit to take on
such a major case!
Did I ask you?
Answer.
I am willing to share your troubles,
Your Majesty.
Good. From this day on,
you'll be an Inspector Censor
at the Censorate.
Investigate the case of the Yangs
alongside the Ministry of Justice.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty.
Please allow me.
Pei Wenxuan said it himself.
He is a victim of the case.
If you put him up
to investigate the case,
then we might as well give the case
to Mr. Shangguan.
How does that sound?
Father.
Why don't I be the Chief Judge?
Mr. Pei may assist instead.
After all, this started because of me.
If we wish to investigate the Yangs,
my rank
would be suitable as well.
Anyhow,
a suitable candidate
has not been selected.
Isn't that so?
But you're also a victim of this case,
Your Highness.
Then let's get Mr. Su Rongqing
to supervise the case.
Isn't he from the Ministry of Justice?
I've long heard Mr. Su
is a righteous and upstanding man.
If you're still worried,
Right Chancellor,
why not let Mr. Su be the Chief Judge?
You're too kind, Your Highness.
My son is still young.
This case is too huge for him.
That's why I'm asking him to supervise.
What do you think?
I think
Her Highness has a point.
Father.
At this juncture,
we are out of options.
Do as Pingyue said.
Affairs of the court
is no laughing matter.
Pingyue will stay.
the rest may go,
I shall take my leave.
Mr. Pei.
Your nephew is a good one.
Second Uncle, Third Uncle.
You've gotten bold!
You're fearless now!
You're pitting yourself
against all of the Noble Houses!
You're too rash.
You'll ruin the entire Pei Family!
Second brother.
This is no place to talk.
Let's continue at home.
Head home right after you tie up
the matters in palace.
This concerns the family's survival.
You will be punished accordingly!
Father.
Pingyue.
You examined four men this time.
No,
it's just three now.
How do you feel about Pei Wenxuan?
I I feel that
He's pretty decent.
He could be of use to you
in the future too, father.
It's just
It's just that Queen Mother
All you need to consider
if whether if you like this man.
Disregard everything else.
Why the tears?
Father.
I'm just wondering.
We're all family.
Why can't we just be simple and happy?
You and Queen Mother
No need to ask about
your Queen Mother and I.
Treat it as you know nothing.
Pick someone you like.
I'll always respect your choice.
However,
Pei Wenxuan and you
spent a night alone together.
That pretty much
makes you his woman.
As I see it,
Pei Wenxuan is a good choice.
He has the brains
and the looks.
If you marry him,
you won't suffer.
Go back and think about my words.
After we close the case about Yang Quan,
I'll betroth you to him.
As you wish, father.
Your Highness.
There is something else I must see to.
I shall stop here.
As for the rest of the path,
Mr. Pei shall be escorting you.
His Majesty is much more committed
to the act than me.
His acting was convincing, I must say.
He ordered me to kill Yang Quan
as a betrothal gift to marry you,
but he looks like he knew nothing.
You dare gossip about my father?
Why?
Doing his bidding like so.
Do you hate it?
Do I have a choice?
Let's cut to the chase.
After we conclude the case,
I intend to propose
pushing the affairs of the Northwest
to the Crown Prince.
If he manage to find his foothold,
there's no need to worry about
the military.
But what if he fails?
You'd even bet something like that?
How brazen.
If I'm not that brazen,
would I dare to marry you?
I suppose.
Asking for my hand is no easy task.
It's perilous.
The task itself isn't.
You're the perilous one.
And you're the one
who begged to marry me!
Yes, yes, yes.
I was the one who begged.
There is something
I'd like to ask you.
Go on.
Just now, at the Imperial Study,
you requested for Su Rongqing
to supervise the case.
What's the meaning of that?
How would you like Su Rongqing
to supervise the case?
Do you summon him daily
and stare at his face
while he investigates?
Or do you keep him by your side
so you can be together always
while you investigate?
You!
Do you see me as a hindrance
to your investigation?
Alright then.
You can investigate this case
alone with Young Master Su.
Why do I even need to be here?
Can you be more fake?
Look, what's that?
What?
Your pettiness.
I won't deny that I'm petty.
But you're plenty
thick-skinned yourself, Li Rong.
How old are you already?
Su Rongqing is at his best years.
Give up on netting yourself
a younger guy.
Why? Does being called old
make you upset?
I'm old. You're not.
Your mind is too muddied.
I don't want to talk to you.
It's just a friendly reminder.
Don't let him sabotage our plans.
He's ruined you before.
If you let him do it again in this life,
that's just foolishness.
Even so, it's none of your business.
We'll get divorced in two years anyway.
Pei Wenxuan, let's be clear.
If I kill you in this life,
it won't be because of someone's prying.
Head back on your own.
I won't see you off.
You
The Yangs will probably
leave the city tonight.
I need more men.
Alright, alright, I know.
I'll arrange for it.
Why did Young Master Pei leave?
He's sick.
Let's head back too.
It's time for the cleansing.
[Su Mansion]
Wen Bo.
Master.
Is Rongqing around?
I haven't seen him.
Father.
Rongqing.
Great timing.
What happened the Imperial Study
I've heard about it.
How do you feel about the Yangs, father?
We're not trying to save the Yangs,
but the Noble Houses.
Under the orders of His Majesty,
we are here to arrest
the Traitorous Yang Family!
Arrest them!
Yes, sir!
Your Highness, it's not like that!
It's not like that!
I'm wronged! I'm wronged!
Your Highness.
We found these ingots when searching her room.
They're not mine! They're not mine!
Your Highness!
You must not know it.
Ingots of the Noble Houses
have their own special mark.
Why did you betray me?
General Yang promised
he'll make me his concubine
after he marries the princess.
Please spare me,Your Highness!
Your Highness!
Please spare my life!
Please spare me, Your Highness!
The worst thing a woman could do
is to pin their hopes on men.
Spare me, Your Highness!
Please spare me!
Your Highness!
No need to kill her.
Send her to the nunnery
for the rest of her life.
Understood.
Your Highness.
Your Highness.
Your Highness.
Your Highness.
It's done.
Don't tell me you haven't slept?
Thanks to you,
I haven't slept at all, actually.
Looks like my men
needs to be more capable.
They spent so much time
arresting this little people.
Exactly. If this continues,
unless you offer to help,
I'd be breaking my back.
They left in batches.
It took some time to get all of them.
Why don't we round them up today?
It'll make the hearing easier.
You can decide.
But leave it to after the court session.
Just a word of reminder.
Don't say anything.
We don't know where he stands.
Greetings,
- Your Highness.
- Your Highness.
Mr. Su. Young Master Su.
I'll give you some space.
Enter the hall!
Young Master Pei,
I'll get going first.
See you after court.
Your Highness, please.
Please.
Li Rong.
One day, I will walk by your side
and protect you.
Your Highness.
An edict from His Majesty.
Your Highness is not a court official.
As such, please await to be summoned.
I can't enter,
and so does Your Highness.
Could it be that
you're waiting specially for me?
That's right.
I am waiting specially for you.
We'll be partners
for a long time after all.
Since we're partners,
allow me to rest a little here.
Cover for me, won't you? Your Highness.
Give an inch and he takes a mile.
His Majesty arrives!
Boundless fortune to the Emperor!
Long live the Emperor!
Please rise.
Thank you, Your Majesty!
The Northwest sent a secret letter.
The Yangs have embezzled
army rations for years
and colluded with the enemy.
I wish to hold a thorough investigation.
What do you think, dear subjects?
Your Majesty.
The Yangs have protected
the borders for years.
They have won many battles.
If you trial and punish them
over some baseless rumors,
I fear it may devastate
our soldiers at the borders.
I implore you to consider it carefully.
Exactly.
You can lie against me.
That way, you won't fall.
They are valiant in battle
and illustrious in their contributions.
All the glory they gained in battle
are from being in cahoots
with our enemy!
They deceived and belittled the emperor,
kidnapped the princess,
and assassinated an official.
Is that enough to put them to trial?
Your Majesty, such severe crimes
require indisputable proof
before a case can be made.
Otherwise, it will be hard
to convince the people!
Convince the people? Sure.
Bring them in.
Summoning Princess Pingyue
and Pei Wenxuan!
Time to get up.
- Greetings, father!
- Greetings, Your Majesty!
You may rise.
- Thank you, father.
- Thank you, Your Majesty.
Pei Wenxuan.
What do you have to report?
Just go ahead.
I, Pei Wenxuan, am lodging a case
against the Yangs!
After failing to win
the princess's hand, they kidnapped her
and when their plans fell through,
they tried to silence me.
Your Highness.
Would you be my witness?
Of course.
Your Majesty, the Yangs
are illustrious in war.
They might be haughty,
but you shouldn't hear
just from Mr. Pei alone.
You claim I provide a biased account.
Do you mean the princess's words
cannot be trusted as well?
I was there.
Mr. Pei spoke nothing but the truth.
Even if Yang Quan
did kidnap the princess
and assassinate Mr. Pei,
Yang Quan is Yang Quan,
he is not the Yang Family.
Mr. Pei,
how could you lump them together?
That is right. Yang Quan is Yang Quan,
while the Yangs are the Yangs.
How could we lump them together?
But if Yang Quan
wasn't backed by the Yangs,
would he dare commit such atrocities?
There's a song in the Northwest.
Xia has two emperors;
Yang of the North, Li of the South.
Rumors along the borders
say they sell weapons to our enemies.
Pei Wenxuan.
This is the imperial court.
How could you use a folk song
as court evidence?
If the rumors are indeed true,
would you let His Majesty be deceived?
If we let tyrants fill the streets
and be revered by the people,
we'd be a joke for millennia to come.
♪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 lengthy 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♪