The Princess Royal (2024) s01e32 Episode Script

1
[The Princess Royal]
[Adapted from Mo Shu Bai's novel,
The Princess Royal on jjwxc.net]
[This is a work of fiction.]
[Episode 32]
Mother handed this token to me.
She told me to kill Li Chuan
at the soonest.
It would be better
if we could get Li Rong killed.
Kill the Crown Prince?
Uncle,
Mother can't be saved now.
The only way out now
is to kill Li Chuan as soon as possible.
In this way,
Cheng will be the only prince.
He will also be the only successor.
Father is near death.
Once he dies,
Cheng can ascend the throne immediately.
When that time comes,
you will be the Emperor's uncle
and I will be the Princess Royal.
Look how prestigious
the Shangguan Family is now.
Uncle.
This is the only way
to save Cheng and Mother.
When Li Chuan ascends the throne,
do you think
he and Li Rong will let us go?
The Shangguan Family
has long been hostile to us.
Are you going to sit idly by
and wait for our demise?
Are you just going to
watch Mother die and do nothing?
Even if we kill Li Chuan,
we can't save your mother.
It's not that I refuse to help you.
I'm just thinking of a foolproof plan.
How about this?
Go back and have some rest.
Let me think it over.
But time is pressing.
I don't know if we can wait
until this year's Winter Festivity.
That would be a good opportunity.
All right. I'll wait for your decision.
But you must make haste.
See the Princess out.
Take a seat.
What was Her Highness thinking?
She actually told Princess Huayue
to assassinate the Crown Prince.
It's so ridiculous.
If the Crown Prince were that easy
to assassinate,
would he still be alive today?
Being hard to assassinate doesn't mean
there are no opportunities.
Opportunities are created by people.
They just fear the cost.
My sister has come this far,
which shows she isn't foolish.
Do you really think she believes
Huayue can kill Li Chuan?
She just found a scapegoat
for those who have the intention.
There are quite a few
who want Li Chuan dead.
If Huayue is willing
to take the fall for that,
I think
many would be willing to help her.
Then,
is Her Highness planning
to abandon Princess Huayue?
Sacrificing a daughter's life
to secure a son's throne
isn't a bad deal in her eyes.
After Prince Su ascends the throne
in the future,
he can confer a posthumous title
to Princess Huayue
as a comfort.
This family doesn't have
a single decent person.
Look at Huayue.
She constantly mentions
the position of Princess Royal.
The Princess Royal's title is far
more important than her mother's safety.
A daughter wants
her mother to die
so she can take
the position of Princess Royal.
A mother wants
her daughter to die
to secure the position
of Empress Dowager.
How interesting.
So,
are you going to sit by and watch?
After all, Consort Rou
and the Xiao Family
share their woes and fortunes.
Of course, I can't just do nothing.
Find someone to enter the palace
to pass a message to His Majesty.
Tell His Majesty
that Huayue is experiencing agitation
and intends to assassinate Li Chuan.
Remember.
This message must only reach
His Majesty.
No one else around him should hear it.
Who knows whose side they are on?
I'll take care of it right away.
Go.
Your Highness,
His Majesty is waiting for you there.
Do you know
why Father suddenly wants
to see me?
Your Highness,
I think you should
ask His Majesty this question yourself.
This way, please.
Your Highness,
I'll say something that I can say.
You and His Majesty are family by blood.
If you have kept things in your heart,
it would be better to speak openly.
Your Highness,
this is as far I can walk you.
Father.
Skip the formalities.
Chuan,
come forward
so I can get a good look at you.
Come on.
I never thought
you were now
much taller than me.
It is
because I haven't been
this close to you for a long time.
That's why you didn't notice.
Are you willing
to get close to me?
I never thought
of keeping a distance from you.
After all, you're my only father.
But
I am not your only son.
I never thought
you would think this way.
Do you always think
that I've been
seizing the throne from you?
Isn't that so?
I never thought of that.
I have no interest
in the throne.
It's just that there are some people
I want to protect.
It's Rong and Mother.
Do you know your mother
has always prioritized the interests
of the Shangguan Family?
She is not just your mother.
She also represents
the Shangguan Family's interests
in the entire Great Xia.
Can't you and Mother be of one mind?
No.
Why?
Because I am the ruler
of all the people on this land,
not just the ruler
of the noble families.
Those noble families
rely on their immense power
and don't care about the lives
of the common people.
Even if you inherit the throne,
you will be nothing more
than a puppet of the noble families.
This is not what I wish for.
Then why did you summon me
today?
I just need to know your stance.
Will you choose me
or your mother?
Father.
I'm the only son my mother has.
She has no other choice.
Think about this carefully.
I am offering you
this whole country
and the rightful throne.
But I care more
about whether I can keep my sister
and mother safe.
Have you thought it through?
Father, thank you for raising me.
The Winter Festivity will take place
in ten days.
Why is this year's Winter Festivity
scheduled so hastily?
I fear that His Majesty has big plans.
You saw
His Majesty's attitude yesterday.
He is clearly very reluctant
to give the Inspectorate Office
back to you.
I fear he wants to get rid of you.
On the day of the Winter Festivity,
they will probably take action.
Have you made up your mind?
If Father truly intends to kill me,
then Huajing will certainly
face a mutiny.
Right now, Father can only rely
on Xiao Su's army.
Xiao Su comes from the Northwest.
Before he arrives in Huajing, he will
first meet the Sus and Xies.
If he brings the two families' armies
to Huajing,
Chuan will surely die.
If they join forces with Su Rongqing,
do you think
Do you think Chuan will act
against Father
to protect me?
If he is unwilling
to risk his life for me,
I will die.
Like Consort Rou,
who will die for the position
of Crown Prince.
Sit down first.
Sit.
For now,
we can only have Lin Feibai
replace Xie Chunhe
as the master of the Xie Family
and take control
of the Xie Family's military forces.
Then we might stand a chance to fight.
There are two thousand soldiers
under my family's command in the city.
We have also a thousand mansion guards.
I also have my private forces
all over Huajing.
If the Crown Prince cannot protect you,
I can escort you out of the city.
Once you're out of the city,
you can head to Qingzhou
to join your stationed troops.
By then, people will focus on the fight
for the throne in Huajing.
No one will pay attention
to your whereabouts.
If the Crown Prince wins,
you can come back.
If the Crown Prince loses,
you should abandon Qingzhou
and head to Yamato or the South Sea.
You don't believe me either?
I
I just
suddenly feel particularly insecure.
Forgive me.
It is all right. It is not your fault.
It's living in this turbulent world,
you have to trust no one.
No worries.
Whenever I close my eyes
these days,
I always think of something
that happened in the past.
I remember
the last time I met Chuan,
he invited me to play weiqi.
He didn't ask
about anything related to me
or care about my health.
He just said
he had obtained an elixir
that could grant eternal life.
He also talked
about the issue of the heir
and asked my opinion about Li Ping.
At that time, he cared about nothing.
Everyone was nothing but pawns to him.
Pei Wenxuan.
They are my family.
I love Chuan and Mother very much.
But deep down,
I am still very scared.
I'm scared
they don't love me that much.
I'm also scared
I don't love them that much.
It is all right.
I understand.
Rong.
What you fear
is that they will disappoint you.
But you must know
if you don't give them a chance
to prove themselves,
you will never know
that you can still trust someone
in this world.
I know
you don't trust Li Chuan.
You also don't know what he will choose.
But, Rong, trust me.
As long as I am alive,
I will ensure you get out of the city.
We had
such a tough life in our past life.
This time,
I will not let you live
a life of despair.
It will be fine.
Do you think
we both had a bad time in our past life?
Yes.
So we must not live like that
in this life.
Are you really not afraid of death?
Yes.
I'm more afraid
of losing you than of dying.
[Qionghua Palace]
So after this,
we are bound
to face Father's wrath.
How do you plan to deal with it?
I am the Empress.
I can't leave.
When that happens,
I'll face imprisonment
or whatever comes my way.
As for you,
if something truly happens,
you can escape
through the secret passage in the city.
Secret passage?
Go to the owner of the rouge shop
in the east of the city.
Show her my token
and tell her your identity.
She will help you escape.
Once you are out of the city,
head straight to Qingzhou.
Wait until Chuan ascends the throne,
then come back.
What about you?
If I leave, what will you do?
So long as you and Chuan are safe,
I will be at ease.
Mother
You don't have to worry about me.
After all, I am your mother.
I have my ways to save myself.
You will be fine.
[Inspectorate Office]
You haven't been back in a while.
How are you settling in?
- Your Highness.
- Your Highness.
Your Highness, everything is stable
in the Southwest.
Half of the troops are already
under my command.
That's excellent.
I knew I had chosen the right person.
You handle the coordination with him
for the matters in the capital.
Yes, Your Highness.
Take care, Your Highness.
I will leave everything to you.
Yes, Your Highness.
After staying in the military camp
for so long,
you seem to speak less after returning.
It seems military life is quite boring.
It's all right.
The wooden cards you gave to me
are quite interesting.
The Xie Family's rules are strict.
It would be too difficult
to gain their recognition
with just my military power.
Miss Shangguan, how about his?
Take advantage of your status
to help me.
I won't interfere
in any of your matters.
My military power
will be your military power.
Help me gain control of the Xie Family
and I'll become your support.
If you don't ever want this marriage,
we can divorce.
Think about it.
I'll go and settle down first.
I shall take my leave.
Your Highness.
What happened?
He told me
military power alone won't gain
the Xie Family's recognition.
He wants
He wants to take advantage of my status.
Take advantage of your status?
How is he planning to use it?
Your Highness,
I am the young lady
of the Shangguan Family, after all.
If Lin Feibai marries
the young lady of the Shangguan Family,
he will earn more respect
in the Xie Family
even if he is an illegitimate child.
He is insane.
Your Highness.
A mere Xie wants to marry you?
Who does he think he is?
Your Highness,
the Xie Family is one of
the Great Xia's top seven noble families.
They're not as insignificant as you say.
What I mean is
that compared to Chuan,
I really don't think much
of the Xie Family.
If you truly wanted to marry
for family status,
why didn't you just join the harem?
It's just an alliance.
After all, each takes what they need.
The most important thing is
that it has to be valuable.
What about Su Ronghua?
The Su Family intends
to plot a rebellion.
They have already reached a dead end
and will surely meet their downfall.
I can't bear to see the Shangguan Family
get implicated
because of my selfishness.
I've said all I can.
I'll leave now.
And you
You should think it over.
[Inspectorate Office]
Ya.
You're finally out.
Where do you feel like going today?
I'm a little tired.
I would like to go home.
I'll walk you home then.
Sure.
[Shangguan's Mansion]
The road
has come to an end.
Go back and rest.
I'll come again tomorrow.
Su Ronghua.
Why don't you want to become
the master of the Su Family?
Why do you ask that all of a sudden?
I'm just curious.
You are the eldest son of the Su Family.
You are supposed
to be the master of your family.
How come Su Rongqing becomes the heir?
It's a long story.
Anyway, I wasn't cut out
to be the master since I was young.
Most importantly, I don't want to.
Then what do you want to do?
I haven't decided.
I think it's pretty good like this.
Rongqing and Father
can take care of everything.
I can just gamble, play with the birds,
and enjoy my life.
Isn't that very pleasant?
But if you were the master,
the Su Family's fate would be different.
All right. You should go back.
Su Ronghua.
Don't ever come
to see me again in the future.
I'm not young anymore.
I can't keep idling around
with you like this.
Go home.
Wait.
What do you mean, Ya?
- Mr. Su, please go back.
- Ya!
Ya! Ya!
Let me through!
I just want to ask her something!
Mr. Su,
our young lady is a lady, after all.
Please restrain yourself.
Ya.
Ya!
[Qingmei Restaurant]
Greetings, Mr. Su.
Then I'll get straight to the point.
I understand your difficulties,
Your Highness.
You can't accomplish this
with your strength alone.
However,
I can help you.
That's great.
What are your conditions?
[Inspectorate Office]
Miss Ya,
Mr. Su has been waiting at the entrance.
Please continue
to keep an eye on him for me.
I need to avoid him for a while.
Yes.
Your Highness.
What are you doing here?
I'm waiting for Miss Ya.
Ya?
Didn't she leave a long time ago?
In that case
I'll come again tomorrow.
So Ya has made her decision.
What about the plan
against the Xie Family?
It's decided.
We're planning to kill Xie Chunhe
on the Winter Festivity.
Once he's dead,
Lin Feibai can take his place
and take control of the Xie Family.
But
Xie Chunhe was also involved
in the assassination at Butterfly Gorge.
To reach this point,
Xie Chunhe deserves his fate.
In that case,
along with the marriage to Ya,
Lin Feibai's position as the master
of the family should be secure.
What are you thinking?
I just feel sorry
for a certain lovestruck man.
Do you mean Su Ronghua?
Although he
and we have different positions,
he is a man who is true to himself.
Once he falls in love,
he remains loyal.
[Inspectorate Office]
Be careful.
Thank you.
Thank you, sir.
Greetings, Your Highness.
You're here.
Yes.
Your Highness.
I
I would like to request a few days off.
Request a few days off?
What for?
I'm invited to meet with Lin Feibai.
Is that all right?
You
I know.
You've agreed.
I shall take my leave.
Listen.
That stall's baozi
is particularly delicious
because the spices used
to make its fillings
are from the Western Regions,
making them unique in Huajing.
I shall try it with you sometime.
The tea here is also very good.
The secret lies not
in their tea,
but in the water they use.
It is collected from dew every morning.
Nuts! Nuts for sale!
Our nuts are all plump,
crunchy, and fragrant.
I know this.
Wait for me.
[Wolong Nuts]
Welcome.
I will have one.
All right.
Take care.
- Cheers.
- Cheers.
Cheers.
To live our lives together.
Cheers.
I've bought the nuts.
I remember you like this too.
Thank you.
Isn't that Lin Feibai,
the illegitimate son of the Xie Family?
The point is,
isn't the person next to him
Miss Shangguan?
Have some too.
Does that mean
the Shangguan Family
has chosen this lad?
Come on.
Let's go.
During tomorrow's Winter Festivity,
His Majesty will arrange
for a lion dance.
At that time,
Lin Feibai will take the stage.
If you're worried
about Su Rongqing making any moves,
have Lin Feibai challenge him
and force him into the arena.
When everyone's eyes are on the arena,
Mr. Pei can take action.
Let's do that.
[Wenxuan's Abode]
Young Master,
staying up late is bad for your health.
Have some pear soup.
Look at you,
the metropolitan examination
has occupied you
What's wrong?
Nothing.
We're repairing the Wenxuan's Abode.
It gives me a backache.
I've suffered from it for a long time.
It's no big deal.
Young Master.
Listen to me.
Even though you and Her Highness
are divorced,
you used to be a married couple.
You should go to see her more often.
I know.
You know?
You know nothing.
I've been reading ancient books recently.
Like the touching poem
of "The Peacock Flies Southeast."
They even look back and forth
at each other every five li.
They look up and sing to each other.
They exchanged soft endearments
all night until dawn.
You did read some books.
Your language is getting more refined.
Of course.
That's because I'm by your side
every day.
It's called
Uh
Influenced by what you constantly
see and hear.
Yes, influenced by what you constantly
see and hear.
Come on, sit closer.
All right.
Come on.
Bear with it. Why are you laughing?
I'm not. I'm just ticklish
and you know that.
Just bear with it.
I can't help it.
Keep quiet.
Listen.
Besides Her Highness,
you're the second person
to enjoy my massage skills.
You're getting older.
You should leave
this kind of heavy work to the servants.
If it's really too much work,
I'll find a few more helpers.
Don't wear yourself out.
I'm talking to you.
Young Master, all right.
If you don't allow me to speak,
how can I speak?
Also,
when you give Her Highness a massage,
just use thirty percent
of your strength.
Of course I know.
Now, the other side.
No, no.
No, I really can't stand it.
I'm doing this for your own good.
- What's wrong with you?
- Come on.
How can I not feel ticklish
when you poke here?
- You keep poking me here.
- I
No.
How about this?
Young Master. Young Master.
Please. I'm begging you.
Mother.
Huayue, why are you
Mother, everything is ready.
After I kill Li Chuan tomorrow,
I'll rescue you out of here.
Good girl.
You've suffered.
Protecting Cheng
is the most important thing.
This suffering is nothing.
At the military drill ground tomorrow,
Li Chuan will be like a target.
Those protecting him
and those trying to kill him,
their eyes
will all be on him.
It means Li Rong can easily escape.
Focus all your elite forces on Li Rong
and force her into the forest.
Spread the word to Li Chuan
that Li Rong will be killed.
But will Li Chuan save her?
He's not stupid.
He will.
When he comes to her rescue,
kill them both.
People will be useless
when they are dead.
To die
before knowing life's hardships
is a kind of luck.
All right.
Mother, I will take my leave first.
Take good care of yourself.
You must also protect yourself.
Someone just reported
that Xiao Su has mobilized troops
and is heading toward Huajing tonight.
How many soldiers?
Thirty thousand,
leaving twenty thousand
garrisoning the Northwest.
Thirty thousand?
Are you really going
to intercept Xiao Su
as Princess Pingyue instructed?
Princess Pingyue has helped us a lot.
We must repay her.
But Xiao Su is acting
as His Majesty instructed.
If you intercept him,
you will be plotting a rebellion.
So what?
Lin, I am worried about you.
If you're truly concerned about me,
keep an eye
on the twenty thousand soldiers
he left in the Northwest.
Her Highness saved the Qin Family.
I cannot let her down.
Besides,
with the wisdom of Her Highness
and Pei Wenxuan,
I have faith in them.
Qinghe,
don't worry.
If things go wrong,
leave the Great Xia from the Northwest
and head west.
General Qin, forgive me.
- General!
- General!
General!
Don't let him escape!
Mr. Cui, what should we do next?
Return to the camp
and wipe out the traitors.
Yes, sir.
Report!
Ms. Xun, bad news.
General Qin was ambushed
and stabbed at the cliff.
Mr. Cui said
there was an informant
who injured the general.
They've locked down the camp
and are heading our way now.
Ms. Xun, we must leave quickly.
[Attempted assassination on Qin Lin]
Deliver this letter
to Her Highness urgently.
Yes, Ms. Xun.
Cui Qinghe, what is the meaning of this?
Ms. Xun, the general was ambushed.
I am ordered to supervise the army
and arrest the suspects.
Please cooperate with me.
Disarm, drop your sword,
and come with me.
Cui Qinghe, so it was you
who betrayed my brother.
Get her!
Quickly, bring her back here!
[Su's Mansion]
Ronghua.
You never attend those kinds of events.
How many years has it been
since we went out for fun together?
Look at you.
I don't know what happened to you.
You've been in low spirits
these several years.
There seems to be a lot
weighing on your heart.
Are you still thinking
about Princess Pingyue?
Ronghua.
Watch your words.
Are you upset because of Miss Shangguan?
If you like her,
why not tell Father
and ask him to propose marriage
to the Shangguan Family?
Between our families
Ya and I
There are too many family affairs
involved in our relationship.
Once the Crown Prince
ascends the throne
I will propose.
Ronghua,
are you so sure
the Crown Prince will ascend the throne?
Rongqing.
You should know when to stop
and turn back while you still can.
♪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♪