The Princess Royal (2024) s01e08 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 8]
Pei Wenxuan,
it was you
who personally presented your beloved
to Chuan.
Your Highness.
Your Highness.
Take it easy.
Your Highness.
Ever since then,
from Crown Prince to Emperor,
Chuan has always favored her greatly,
and she, in turn,
has not failed his love.
Even when Chuan was imprisoned later on,
she fought her way out alone
with just a sword,
evading pursuers,
climbing snow-covered mountains,
and journeying to the northern border,
returning with reinforcements.
In the palace, under great favor,
one not only receives love
but also sharp blades.
The second year
after Chuan ascended the throne,
she gave birth to Li Ping,
but shortly afterwards,
she died in the palace.
Your Highnesses,
His Majesty has not eaten
or drunk anything for several days now.
Chuan, always prioritize state affairs
and avoid being too emotional.
Your Majesty.
Go away!
Your Majesty, please don't be like this.
You can all leave now.
Calm down.
Qin Zhenzhen has already passed.
Rong.
Zhen has passed.
I know.
Chuan,
let her rest in peace.
Rong,
could we bury Zhen
with the honors of an Empress
and inter her in my imperial tomb?
Your Highness.
Let's follow
His Majesty's wish this time.
Chuan seems to have changed drastically,
becoming more and more aggressive.
The Crown Prince, once renowned
for his kindness
and virtue in his youth,
has gradually stepped onto a path
similar to that of our father,
resorting to militarism,
exploiting the common people,
and indulging
in self-destructive behavior.
Our paths have diverged
as he distances himself from me.
So this time,
I suppose you won't let her
enter the palace.
Why are you so quiet?
It's up to you.
You mean
if I let you intervene, you will.
And if I don't want you to,
you won't.
Yes.
What's this supposed to mean?
I shouldn't have interfered back then
and I shouldn't now.
Everyone has their own web,
and this web can entangle others
if what they do exceeds their limits.
Any slight leaning towards one side
causes pain to those on the other.
She should have taken responsibility
for her own life,
and outsiders' meddling
is not a good thing.
Besides,
I have my responsibilities.
Now that I have agreed to marry you,
I will restrain myself according
to a husband's code of conduct.
Until the end of our contract?
Maybe.
If you had this insight earlier,
maybe
we could have grown old together.
Say,
with your forty years of life experience
and your current looks,
how many young women
would be attracted to you
if you went out now?
Li Rong, be honest with me.
What did you think of me back then?
Actually, back then,
you were a good person.
You were just too stubborn
and couldn't let things go.
What made you say that?
Back then, you promised
to take care of Qin Zhenzhen
and held yourself to the principle
that a gentleman's word is his bond,
no matter the circumstances.
You were determined to help her.
You also thought
you had feelings for her,
but then you suddenly fell for me.
This caused an internal struggle,
making you question
how you could be so fickle.
So,
your intentions were never the problem.
It was just that you
couldn't let things go.
Are you saying
that back then you already knew
I liked you?
What else could it be?
If you didn't like me,
why would you treat me so well?
Back then, I was just shy.
I felt you liked me
but wasn't sure.
Besides, who could resist my charm?
What? Am I wrong?
Not exactly wrong.
It's just that besides
not wanting to admit
that I could quickly fall
for someone else,
there was another reason.
What reason?
I guess
liking you
would mean bowing down
to royal power.
If I admitted I liked you,
it would feel like a form of surrender.
Li Rong,
I couldn't see myself clearly back then.
Since you understood everything so well,
why didn't you wait for me?
What you said is amusing.
I'm not a junk collector.
Why should I wait for you?
Can you please
be a bit gentler with your words?
So here's the thing.
In my entire life,
I've never truly hated Qin Zhenzhen.
For a woman,
hating her romantic rival
is simply feeling
like she doesn't stand a chance
in the competition for affection.
Thus, she wishes
the rival
to be as repulsive as possible,
believing her beloved must be blind.
But I don't need such consolation.
I, Li Rong,
born of noble blood
with imperial lineage,
though not strikingly beautiful,
hold renown in the capital.
Intelligent
and well-versed in etiquette,
wealth and power
are but embellishments to me.
For a woman like myself,
the question
shouldn't be why I didn't wait for you,
but rather
why I should.
Even if you are handsome,
I wouldn't allow myself
to be so blindly infatuated.
You should know
that some wounds, once inflicted,
are hard to heal,
especially for one born into royalty,
with stringent demands
for fidelity.
[Hanqiu Palace]
The foreign enemy's large army
is approaching the border,
yet the Yang Family insists on disarming
and returning to the capital.
They clearly intend to embarrass me.
Your Majesty, the actions
of the Yang Family
are indeed inappropriate.
If the Yang Family
withdraws their troops,
which of you, my dear ministers,
is willing to step forward
and fight on my behalf?
Crown Prince, can you?
I
Your Majesty,
currently, our troops are facing
successive defeats, and morale is low.
The Crown Prince is young
and lacks practical combat experience.
Sending him to the front lines
will not only fail
to win the trust of the soldiers
but may burden us further.
I am asking the Crown Prince.
Are you the Crown Prince?
Forgive me, Your Majesty.
I've overstepped my authority.
Crown Prince, answer me.
I
My knowledge
in military matters is limited,
and doubt my ability
to handle such a task.
If you can't handle such a task,
then I think your time as Crown Prince
may soon come to an end.
Father is pressuring me.
Uncle.
Chuan.
I'm heading to battle
without soldiers or funds.
Can you provide some assistance?
Your Highness, you may be unaware
that if you go to the front lines now
and achieve victory,
His Majesty will ensure
Prince Su claims military glory.
Xiao Su is already stationed
at the border,
and your involvement would aid him.
However, should you fail,
His Majesty
will likely not favor you again.
Therefore, whether victorious
or defeated,
now presents a crucial opportunity
for Prince Su
and his loyalists to ascend,
while for us,
it poses only risks with no benefits.
Given the two evils,
I have no choice but to go.
And I must win the battle.
This is our best option.
Your Highness is right.
The Shangguan Family
and Your Highness are in the same boat.
We will surely lend our full support.
Thank you, Uncle.
Lin, we're here.
- Greetings, Young Master Qin.
- Please don't.
Your Highness, this makes us uneasy.
I am thanking you both on behalf
of the soldiers guarding the border
and the people of the Great Xia Dynasty
for coming down the mountain to help.
With your talents as commanders,
this recognition is well deserved.
I am most flattered.
I heard Your Highness
is setting out for battle tomorrow.
Do you have any arrangements
for the two of us?
Wait a minute.
Are you just going to stand here
and discuss things like this?
Thanks for reminding me, Zhen.
My bad.
Your Highness, please.
Please.
I have yet to thank you for your help.
By the looks of it,
everything is in place now?
Yes. I'll set off tomorrow.
So soon?
This is
This sword is named Zhilian.
[orchid]
It was forged by my father and me
back in the day.
Now, I give this sword
to Your Highness,
hoping that you can use it
to fulfill your and my father's wishes
and bring about
a peaceful and prosperous era.
The ancients say
that true friendships
are like the orchid.
I will not disappoint your expectations,
even if it means
dying on the battlefield.
What I anticipate is a hero,
not a martyr.
I hope that Your Highness,
while protecting the myriad of subjects,
will also take care of yourself.
Otherwise, everything will be in vain.
May you both return alive.
But we have no swords.
Didn't His Highness
give you anything in return?
I
[The Ministry of Justice]
Rong.
When did you start
doing exercises for wellness?
I can even perform
the Five Animals Qigong.
Watch closely now.
Don't laugh.
No, I mean
when did you start learning the things
that the Grand Empress Dowager
liked to do.
Okay, it's never too early
to start exercising to keep fit.
You did a good job.
I just felt
that it was too stuffy
inside the prison,
so I came out to get some fresh air.
So?
Is there's anything
you'd like to tell me?
Father issued a decree today,
appointing me to oversee
military affairs in the Northwest.
Did that person go?
He did.
They split into two groups for the trip.
I've secretly prepared
their undercover identities.
Good.
Once you arrive,
find the Yang Family's account books
immediately.
Got it.
Don't worry, I'm here.
Does Pei Wenxuan treat you well?
If he doesn't treat you well
while I'm away
I don't need him to treat me well.
I can take care of myself.
Now, don't worry
and don't waste any more time.
Hurry up and go.
If I don't make it back, you
What are you talking about?
You will definitely come back.
I'm here
and I'll always protect you.
Do you believe me?
I do believe you.
Wait for me to come back.
After I return, I'll protect you.
Okay, I'll wait for you to protect me.
Go now.
I'm leaving.
Miss Qin,
Young Master Qin and Mr. Cui
have already set out
with the vanguard troops.
I know.
When I bid them farewell earlier,
they told me
that you had urgent matters
to discuss with me.
I have something to give you.
What is it?
This lamp was made by me personally.
The fireflies inside
were also caught by me recently.
This is for you.
Thank you.
Your Highness, you must stay safe.
You must return home safely.
I'll return home safely.
Your Highness.
Lift up your heads.
Where is Ronghua?
Still not found?
Lounging around all day, idling away,
and engaging in gambling activities,
he's truly a disgrace!
It's infuriating.
Father,
calm down.
That older brother of yours
doesn't look like a gentleman
from a Noble House at all.
Father,
my brother enjoys a carefree life.
You should let him be.
If you don't mind,
you can rely on me
whenever there's something important
coming up.
I am willing to do everything I can
to assist you,
alleviate your worries,
and solve your problems.
If only your elder brother
had half of your qualities.
Father, you shouldn't say that.
My elder brother and I
have different aspirations.
I only wish for peace
and happiness for our family,
with each person
living their preferred life
and having their dreams come true.
Recently, you seem quite preoccupied
with Princess Pingyue's affairs.
I understand what's on your mind,
but currently, His Majesty's suspicion
towards the Noble Houses
led him to appoint
those four individuals for the princess.
Father,
things are achieved through hard work.
We don't need to rush anything.
I know what I'm doing.
Good.
That's good.
You've always been a sensible child
who knows your limits
and understands
when to advance and when to retreat.
These days, Tuoba Yan
seems to have vanished into thin air.
We've searched all over Hua Jing,
but there's no trace of him.
Useless.
All of you are useless.
Now that Li Chuan
has gone to the front lines
to supervise the troops,
and Li Rong's case remains undecided,
His Majesty is probably determined
to completely eradicate my Yang Family.
Your Highness,
if that is the case,
why not send word
to the head of the family
and ensure that the Crown Prince
never returns from the battlefield?
[City Lord's Mansion]
His Highness is weary
from the trip.
You may all leave now.
- Yes.
- Yes.
Your Highness, we
are about to take over the Yang Family.
What are your plans moving forward?
Of course, we must first repel
the enemy troops
before capturing the Yang Family.
However, the Yang Family is cunning.
I'm unsure how to get a hold over them.
It seems to me
that we should wait for them
to fall into our trap.
Since the Yang Family is collaborating
with the enemy
and betraying the country,
we might as well use
their own tactics against them.
Uncle, after careful consideration,
I've decided to accompany you
back to the capital.
No, you must stay here.
Since the Emperor
has sent the Crown Prince over,
that means he wants to help Xiao Su
in taking over the Northwest.
Our Yang Family is probably not safe.
That's why I need you to stay here,
and use the enemy's hand
to eliminate the Crown Prince.
The Great Xia actually sent
a fair-skinned scholar like you here?
Shut up.
General Qin.
Kill him.
[The Ministry of Justice]
Your Highness, His Highness
dealt a heavy blow
to the enemy in his first battle,
annihilating thousands of them
and achieving a complete victory.
Aren't you happy for His Highness?
No, I am very happy.
Your Highness,
this is a popular novel of late.
You can take a look later.
Also, I've prepared
some refreshments for you.
I'll leave them here.
Your Highness, if there's nothing else,
I'll take my leave.
Mr. Su.
Thank you.
Why so generous today?
No snarky remarks?
I'm busy. I have no time for that.
I have some refreshments here.
But I guess you probably won't have time
to eat them.
Heed my command.
Kill!
- Kill!
- Kill!
Report.
Your Majesty, the frontier reports
that His Highness
has stabilized the front lines.
That's great.
[Hanyu Pass]
Charge!
- Charge!
- Charge!
Report.
His Highness pursued the enemy
for three hundred li,
captured three cities in a row,
and achieved a complete victory.
Great.
Wonderful news!
Follow me.
The goods are here, where's the money?
I'd like to ask you first.
Where's the money that was paid for
with the blood of our fellow countrymen?
You're from the Great Xia.
Take them down!
All of you, stop!
Such audacity! We are the Yang Family.
I am the Crown Prince of the Great Xia,
heir to the throne.
The Yang Family has been caught
selling weapons privately,
colluding with enemies,
and committing treason.
The evidence is conclusive.
Take them back to Huajing immediately
and await judgment.
Have you finalized the list for rewards?
Yes.
Some are loyal to the Noble Houses,
some to His Majesty,
and some
are just pawns used
by His Majesty as diversions.
Alright,
mix them together
and send them to the capital
to seek rewards from His Majesty.
Yes, Your Highness.
Make way.
[The Censorate]
Please make way.
Tuoba Yan?
I thought he was dead.
Who are you?
Why are you beating the drum?
What is the matter?
I am Tuoba Yan,
here to accuse
the General's Manor of the Yang Family
of embezzlement,
abuse of power, treason,
framing innocent civilians,
and ordering assassinations.
Come on. Let's go in.
What a Crown Prince.
After just a few victories,
he thinks he's invincible.
Gathering support and forming factions,
he even dares to seek rewards
and recognition.
He sure is my good son.
With frequent reports of victories
from the border,
seeking recognition now
is a common practice
to boost the morale of the troops.
Your Majesty, please do not be angered
and harm your health.
Pei Wenxuan.
Wake up.
Time to get moving and get to work.
Your Highness,
His Majesty requests
that you and Mr. Pei enter the palace
to assist with the investigation.
Your Highness,
I have brought your attendants
to serve you.
May they come in?
Mr. Su, that's very considerate of you.
Come in.
Mr. Zhao.
His Majesty has decreed
that Mr. Pei
can have an audience directly.
Judging by Pei Wenxuan's expression,
he's likely up to something.
Your Highness, is there nothing
you would like to say to me?
No, I'm not interested.
But I have a few words
to say to Your Highness.
I knew it.
Go ahead then, or you might go crazy.
I really am going crazy.
Maybe you'd like to remain quiet.
I think this Su Rongqing
has ulterior motives towards you.
Is that so?
That makes me happy.
No, Li Rong.
I'm telling you seriously.
Don't you think Su Rongqing
is being overly friendly towards you?
That day at Tuoba Yan's mansion,
he even pretended to be drunk
and asked if you would consider him.
Don't you find it strange?
Pei Wenxuan,
do you know what the greatest difference
between you and Su Rongqing is?
He is more ruthless than you.
Family, honor, and legacy.
These are the lifelong burdens
he carries.
Faced with such a burden,
he has been taught from childhood
to exercise restraint,
remain calm,
endure pain,
and not exhibit the emotions
you might anticipate.
Li Rong, oh, Li Rong.
After all these years,
you're still so adorable.
- Greetings,
- Greetings,
- Father.
- Your Majesty.
You may rise.
- Thank you, Father.
- Thank you, Your Majesty.
Pingyue.
Pei Wenxuan.
Yes, Your Majesty.
A few days ago, someone accused you
of murdering
the wealthy merchant Tuoba Yan.
However, recently,
Tuoba Yan appeared alive
and went to the the Censorate
to file a complaint,
alleging that the Yang Family
had sent people to assassinate him.
Do you know much
about the details of this case?
After I initiated
a thorough investigation
of the Yang Family,
someone covertly wrote a letter
mentioning
that the Yang Family
has been colluding with the enemy
and betraying the country
for many years.
That's complete nonsense.
But the secret letter also states
that to secure their own status,
the Yang Family
had long ago reached agreements
with foreign enemies.
Over these years,
most of the reports of victories,
big and small,
were actually deals
where the enemy took money
and put on acts in collusion
with the Yang Family.
How dare you!
Kneel!
Father.
I heard
that in Huajing,
there is a foreign merchant
named Tuoba Yan
who has repeatedly purchased
cultural relics from the Yang Family.
Upon investigation, it was discovered
that the relics sold
to Tuoba Yan by the Yangs
were priced far above market rates,
showing that they
are not normal transactions.
It seems this matter
reached the ears of Concubine Ning,
prompting them to eliminate evidence
by murdering Tuoba Yan
and framing me and Mr. Pei.
Meanwhile, Yang Ye,
upon learning that his family members
in his residence were trapped,
devised a plan to assassinate
the commander on the front line
and then submitted his resignation,
threatening Your Majesty.
You're talking nonsense!
Nonsense?
Let me ask you then, Mr. Yang.
In enemy camps,
where the climate is harsh
and swords are mostly made of bronze,
why are there reports
from the front lines
indicating
a large number of weapons
of our Great Xia
during the attack process?
Your Majesty, please take a look.
Your Majesty,
the account books in the past ten years
from the Northwest front lines,
the Ministry of War's ledgers,
and Tuoba Yan's records
have all been reconciled.
Coupled with Tuoba Yan's testimony
and others',
it's sufficient to prove
that over the years, the Yang Family,
disregarding both Your Majesty
and the welfare of the people,
colluded with the enemy
to deceive our Great Xia.
For such grave crimes, the Yang Family
cannot be allowed to remain.
Yang Ye,
do you have anything else to say?
Whatever Your Majesty says,
that's what it is.
Concubine Ning,
how about you?
With things having come to this point,
what's the point of Your Majesty
asking these questions?
Whether the Yang Family is guilty or not
is entirely Your Majesty's decision.
When Your Majesty
needed the Yang Family,
they had fought at the borders
for half their lives.
Now, when Your Majesty
finds the Yang Family in your way
and wishes to support Prince Su,
you accuse the Yang Family of colluding
with the enemy and deceiving the throne.
Ridiculous.
It's utterly ridiculous!
How audacious of you, Yang Wan!
So you still remember
that my name is Yang Wan?
The Yang Family has achieved
great military feats,
and I, Yang Wan, am renowned
as a loyal and heroic woman
across the seas.
Yet now,
I and my kin have become your cast-offs.
Back then, our Yang Family
must have been blind
to have let me choose you!
How insolent!
I'm insolent?
You have driven me to this point
and won't tolerate my defiance?
Let me tell you all.
The fate of my Yang Family today
will be yours tomorrow.
Get this madwoman out of here!
Li Rong, you fool.
He has long wanted to depose Li Chuan.
None of the men
he recommended for marriage
are good.
He wishes you dead
and wants to marry you off
to some distant land!
Yet you still respect him and love him.
You can't see through
your heartless father.
Kill her.
Kill her for me!
Your Majesty!
Your Majesty!
May your Li Family
all die miserable deaths!
I'll kill you.
Wan!
Let go of me!
Take her out.
Let go!
Wait.
Father,
please ask them to fetch
a stretcher and a white cloth.
Let's at least give her
a dignified exit.
Yang Ye,
do you plead guilty?
I
plead guilty.
The entire Yang Family is to be arrested
and transferred
to the Ministry of Justice.
Considering their ancestors' merits,
they shall be granted a dignified death.
Give him the poison.
Thank you,
Your Majesty.
Don't!
Do you know what you are doing?
It's not easy
to be someone else's sword.
General Yang.
Do you know what you're doing?
I've read the poems from your youth
where you vividly described
leading troops on a white horse,
wielding your sword northward
to sweep through Tian Pass
and repay the nation's grace.
Do those verses still resonate with you?
So, someone still remembers these.
One person alone
cannot clean up the muddied waters.
Officials protect each other
and their relationships are complex.
Young Master Pei,
you come from a humble background.
The Pei Family has worked
for generations to reach
where they are today.
You understand
this truth better than I do.
The aspirations of youth soar high,
but in the end, we often find
that the words of elders hold true.
Mr. Pei, let's part ways here.
There will come a day
when you will understand
the meaning of my words.
What's the point of talking
to a dying man?
Only a dying person
will tell you why they are dying.
You will then know
how to avoid dying like that
and how to help others
avoid dying like that.
♪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♪