The Princess Royal (2024) s01e34 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 34]
Since it was discovered back then,
why wasn't I investigated at that time?
How could he investigate you?
You're the Princess Royal representing
the noble families,
the powerful regent Princess Royal.
If he were to make a move
against you openly,
how certain could he be of success?
So
So
he chose to poison you.
Later,
you went to the palace
once every seven days
and played weiqi with him.
The Poison of the Fragrant Beauty
was on the weiqi pieces.
Over time,
it penetrated your bones and organs.
After the eighteenth year of Dexu Era,
you started feeling unwell all the time.
That's the time
you knew
I was poisoned?
Yes.
I put the antidote in sachets
and asked everyone to carry them
to slow the poison's effect.
Why didn't you save me?
Why didn't you save me?
Tell me.
Tell me.
At this point,
what else is there to hide?
Shangguan Ya
and I made the decision together.
We knew
the noble families
never mattered to you.
Whenever we had a conflict
with Li Chuan,
you would certainly
switch sides immediately.
So we decided to wait and see.
With the antidote in my hand,
I could cure you at any time.
Killing you
was with no difficulty as well.
And then?
Who finally decided
to kill me?
Later
as Li Chuan's illness worsened,
on the morning of your death
Your Majesty.
You're here.
Do you want to leave a message?
Depose the Crown Prince Li Xin
and let the Eldest Prince Li Ping
inherit the throne.
I have already prepared everything
on my way here.
[Depose him
from the position of Crown Prince]
Since the founding of the Xia,
power has always been in the hands
of the noble families.
Although my Li Family is royalty,
we are merely puppets
of the noble families.
My father tried
to break free from their control.
I've taken over his unfinished business
and fought until now.
It is only when facing death
that I realize my eldest sister,
Princess Royal Li Rong
is the most powerful one
among all the noble families.
After my demise,
if the Princess Royal plots a rebellion,
how should you, her nominal husband
and the representative of people
from humble backgrounds, respond,
Grand Chancellor Pei?
Your Majesty.
The Princess Royal is your sister.
She will never do such a thing.
Keep going.
Fengming.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Poison
Poison the Princess Royal to death.
Yes, Your Majesty.
What is the situation in the palace?
He is dying.
Now is the best time
to get rid of Li Rong.
You can take the chance
to take control
of the Princess's Mansion.
Otherwise, if Pei Wenxuan
realizes what's going on,
both you and I will die.
Is there no other way?
Then tell me,
how should I choose?
You had supported
Pei Wenxuan wholeheartedly.
Pei Wenxuan and Qin Lin,
one in civil and one in military,
opposed you, supporting the commoners.
Think about it, Your Highness.
If Li Chuan died,
would this balance still hold?
Why not?
Pei Wenxuan was the head
of the commoners.
But what if you decided to kill him?
Your Highness.
For twenty years
what had Pei Wenxuan felt towards you?
When he told Li Chuan
that you were Li Chuan's sister
and that you would never rebel,
you should know about his feelings.
He had disagreed with you on politics
for so many years.
Yet, never did he think
you would plot a rebellion.
Pei Wenxuan wouldn't kill you.
But Shangguan Ya and I
were behind you.
If you wanted to kill him,
it'd be so easy.
One weiqi piece against another.
In Li Chuan's mind,
keeping you in check
was never Pei Wenxuan's role.
It was his own role.
If he died yet you were still alive,
the game would be imbalanced.
He left Pei Wenxuan and Qin Lin
to support and assist Li Ping
to against the noble families
led by Li Xin.
Only being through the bloodshed
and struggle,
could this weiqi game be balanced.
The next emperor
wouldn't be hindered by any party
as he was when he ascended the throne.
As long as you were alive
and as long as you ordered
to kill Pei Wenxuan,
the commoners would be unable to resist.
As the Princess Royal
with high position and power
the new emperor wouldn't tolerate you.
And you couldn't tolerate
a new emperor
who would control you either.
So, Your Highness
whether or not
the alchemist existed back then,
there would be no peace
between you and Li Chuan.
It was just a matter of time.
So
You've returned
for revenge.
I just feel
that even if everything starts over,
Li Chuan will repeat his mistakes.
He craves for greatness and success
and is reckless and stubborn.
Were we unkind to Li Chuan in the past?
He was deposed by Li Ming
and became a miserable crown prince.
It was the combined effort
of the noble families' military
that placed him on the throne.
But what happened next?
He immediately wanted to conquer
the North once he ascended the throne.
But the ministers disagreed.
He insisted,
depleting the treasury.
The next year, the South was plagued
by floods and the court could not offer
any relief funds, leading to famine
and unrest across the land.
He blamed it all on the noble families,
believing it was their fault.
He recklessly reformed the systems,
leading to uprisings
and wars everywhere.
Later,
to promote the commoners,
he exclusively favored Consort Qin
in the harem
and oppressed the ministers
from the noble families in the court.
He wrongly accused
and framed my Su Family.
In the end,
he didn't even spare you, his own sister
for power.
Your Highness.
How can he change?
I know
Li Chuan isn't naturally cruel.
He's just ignorant, incompetent,
arbitrary, and authoritarian.
In the past, you couldn't persuade him.
Now,
how can you persuade him?
Since this ending is inevitable,
how can I just watch him
ascend the throne?
So, from the beginning
your return was to try to depose him.
I've wanted to depose him
from the start.
I initially thought
I wouldn't need to do anything,
just like before.
After Li Chuan is deposed by Li Ming,
I'll prevent the noble families
from accepting Pei Wenxuan's persuasion.
I'll persuade Father
to accept Li Cheng's ascension.
Li Cheng is only fifteen now.
Xiao Su is weak and incompetent.
Consort Rou is greedy and short-sighted.
After Li Cheng ascends,
we can override him as a puppet.
When he has an heir, we'll kill him
and support the young emperor.
By then, I'll have the power.
Then
we can get you back to the capital.
Since
you knew all along
that Li Chuan killed me,
and this time
you've decided to depose him,
why didn't you tell me sooner?
Why admit it
only when I asked
if you were the murderer?
Were you afraid of hurting my feelings?
You've only had Li Chuan
as your family your whole life.
Whether I tell you or not,
you will not turn against him
for this reason.
If that's the case,
why would I say more?
If I succeed
you will hate me.
If I fail
your sibling bond won't be harmed.
Your Highness.
Is there anything else you want to ask?
Li Chuan doesn't trust me
because he thinks
I would kill him and his child
for the noble families.
But what about you and Shangguan Ya?
Why don't you trust me?
Why?
Why watch me die
and then take away my power?
Do you really want to know the answer
to that question?
Tell me.
Because Li Xin
isn't Li Chuan's child.
So
So why did Su Ronghua kill Qin Zhenzhen?
Because he wanted to protect his child
and Shangguan Ya.
Why did Li Chuan use castration
to humiliate the Su Family?
Because he knew
about Shangguan Ya's affair
with Su Ronghua.
Why did you and Shangguan Ya
finally form an alliance?
Because you wanted
to protect your brother's lineage.
After Pei Wenxuan
and I died,
given your and Shangguan Ya's methods,
the throne would be almost
within easy reach for Li Xin.
You
You
All of you were really disgusting.
How evil.
Father and son
weren't real father and son,
siblings weren't real siblings,
couples weren't real couples,
and friends weren't real friends.
Everything in the past
was just a rotting swamp
filled with disgusting pus.
Well.
Very well.
The ruler
showed no mercy to his family.
The successor
wasn't loyal to human relations.
The officials plotted a rebellion.
People's lives were just pawns.
Su Rongqing.
You were willing to do whatever it took.
You outplayed everyone.
I'm impressed.
Since
everything is clear now,
may I dare ask you this?
You'd already sacrificed
a lifetime for Li Chuan.
Are you going to sacrifice
in this life too?
You deserved to die.
I shouldn't have saved you
back then.
You're right, Your Highness.
Back then
you shouldn't have saved me.
After I help you reach that high place,
then I will give
my life back to you, Your Highness.
So, Your Highness
how will you choose?
Rong!
Rong!
Your Highness, you can
take your time to think about it.
Whether to leave or stay,
you can go to the Su's Perfumery
and have someone inform me.
I
Since you have the upper hand,
why do you still give me a choice?
We've already come to this point,
so what's the point of asking about it?
Your Highness, take your time to think.
Farewell.
Rong.
You finally came.
The carriage is outside the cliff.
Let me carry you out, is that all right?
What's with your tone?
Do you think I'm a child?
I don't want you to act tough
and be stubborn with me.
I'm not a fool.
Why make things difficult for myself
when I can order you around?
Fine.
Keep these words in your heart.
Don't give the runaround.
You little liar.
Get on my back.
I'll carry you.
Come on.
Be careful.
Don't you want to ask me anything?
You'll tell me when you want to.
I won't force you.
[Mingyue Palace]
You useless things!
Mother
It hurts.
Cheng.
It hurts.
Hurry, go and bring your mother here.
Fulai, hurry.
Cheng.
Cheng.
Cheng, hang in there.
It hurts.
Your Highness, you've finally returned.
Everyone was worried sick.
Come on, be careful.
Slowly.
Your Highness,
you have no idea about it.
The Crown Prince sent people
to check on you several times.
Should I quickly inform him
of this good news?
Go. I'll be here.
Yes.
If you want to cry, cry it out.
I'm here.
I'm fine.
I want to be alone for a while.
You don't need to accompany me.
I can manage alone.
Su Rongqing must have
said something to Her Highness.
I need to control Su Rongqing first
and prevent him from acting rashly.
You visited the palace
once every seven days
and played weiqi with him.
The Poison of the Fragrant Beauty was
on the weiqi pieces.
Cheng!
Cheng.
Cheng, how are you?
Mother.
I'm scared.
Cheng, don't be scared.
I am here.
I will accompany you.
Can you ask them all to leave?
I just want Mother to stay with me.
All right.
All of you, leave now.
You too!
Cheng, be strong.
I will find a way to save you.
Cheng.
Cheng, hold on.
Your Majesty,
we will find a way
to keep Prince Su alive.
But we can't delay it for long.
The Poison of the Fragrant Beauty
is dangerous
because in normal times,
it's colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Even a silver needle cannot detect it.
Only when it meets a specific catalyst
and the two medicines interact
with one another,
will the poison be acted up.
This poisonous substance has
always been strictly prohibited
in the palace.
It seems the catalyst
for the poison existed
on the hunting ground today.
And it was a very big dose.
Prince Su is in danger.
Send my secret decree to investigate
who brought the catalyst
to the hunting ground today.
This person must have the antidote.
Your Highness, Miss Shangguan is here.
How is Her Highness?
Miss Shangguan, you may go
and keep Her Highness company.
I'll go to the imperial physicians
to see what can be done.
Okay.
Mother.
It's cold.
You're cold?
Cheng.
I'll hold you tightly.
Does it make you feel a little better?
Are you less cold now?
Is it less cold now?
Huayue! Huayue!
Mother.
From this moment on,
no one is allowed
to enter Mingyue Palace.
Also, send someone to see your uncle
and ask him to come
to the capital immediately.
Mother, don't worry.
I just received an urgent report
that Uncle is already on his way back.
He needs to be faster.
Yes, Mother.
Wait a moment.
Go find Su Rongqing.
He is Cheng's future Prime Minister.
He might have a way.
Yes, Mother.
Make haste!
Cheng.
Cheng.
Cheng, hang in there.
Hang in there, Cheng.
Cheng.
Cheng!
Your Highness,
you really scared me this time.
Were you afraid I'd die?
At this time, you're still joking.
Your Highness,
Mr. Cui Yulang requests an audience.
Your Highness.
I inquired with some acquaintances
at Prince Su's Mansion.
Li Cheng
is almost dying.
He has been poisoned
by the Poison of the Fragrant Beauty.
The imperial physicians cannot
find an effective way to cure him.
Father must have known
about the situation at the time.
It's just unexpected
that Father also doesn't trust Li Cheng.
The one who poisoned him must be Father.
In this way,
the Crown Prince's position is secure.
However, on my way to your mansion,
I saw the Xiao Family's carriage going
to Prince Su's Mansion.
I suspect
there might be
a change of tide in this matter.
The person is already dead.
What more changes could there be?
With Su Rongqing behind the scenes,
Li Cheng won't
die.
I understand.
You may go and rest.
You can't go to Prince Su's Mansion
or return home now.
You come out at this time,
which has definitely aroused
Consort Rou's suspicion.
Just rest here.
Thank you, Your Highness.
Your Highness, with Li Cheng dead,
His Majesty will have only
one son, the Crown Prince, left.
No matter what,
he won't depose the Crown Prince.
Your Highness, what's wrong?
You're right.
No matter what,
the Crown Prince will ascend the throne.
If so, he no longer needs
to be tied to the Shangguan Family.
Your Highness,
what are you hesitating about?
Are you worried
that the Crown Prince will burn bridges
and betray us?
Aren't you worried?
Do you think
the Crown Prince will never betray
the Shangguan Family?
But he's your brother.
He is my brother.
But he is also an unpredictable person.
Don't you think so?
Why are you suddenly saying this?
I just suddenly feel
that from the past until now,
I have never truly understood him.
Then what do you intend to do,
Your Highness?
The beast
in Li Chuan's heart could erupt
at any time,
devouring the Great Xia
and the people I want to protect.
He is too dangerous.
Su Rongqing is right.
Chuan is not suitable to be an emperor.
At present,
joining forces
with Su Rongqing to support
the prudent Prince Su
might be the wisest choice.
Let me ask you.
If the Crown Prince acts
against the Shangguan Family,
what will you do?
With your cautious nature,
you wouldn't tie the honor
and disgrace of your family
to the Crown Prince, would you?
I don't understand.
What are trying to say?
You may speak bluntly.
Why don't we join forces
to put an obedient emperor
on the throne?
What do you think?
Well, who
do you plan to support?
Prince Su.
Li Cheng.
But the Prince Consort and the Princess
have already got divorced.
How do I even say this?
That's right.
Mr. Wang.
Mr. Pei.
How is Her Highness's health?
Her Highness only has minor bruises.
It is nothing serious.
There are no other issues, right?
Also,
Her Highness is
pregnant.
Pregnant?
Yes.
Her Highness suffered severe jolting,
causing fetal instability.
Her Highness needs to rest well
and recuperate from pregnancy
to avoid any mishaps.
Mr. Pei
Do not spread this news.
Do you understand?
- Yes.
- Yes.
Is there anything I need
to pay attention to?
She only has minor bruises.
It is nothing serious.
Write a prescription for her,
including the things she can't do
and the things that are beneficial
for a pregnant woman.
The more detailed, the better.
Yes, I understand.
You can leave now.
All right. Let's go.
Wait.
Is there really nothing I need
to pay special attention to?
She only has minor bruises.
It's nothing serious.
Then you may leave now.
All right.
Are you mad?
Think carefully about what I said.
Everyone is here
for their own interests.
No need to pretend.
Li Rong,
you're so disgusting.
I'm disgusting?
Aren't you disgusting as well?
Abandoning Li Chuan disgusts you,
but abandoning Su Ronghua doesn't?
You assist Li Chuan
because you want to gain power.
You approach me for power.
It's all for power.
What are you pretending
to be innocent for?
Miss Shangguan,
Her Highness is unwell today.
Please visit her another day.
You don't need to persuade me
or ask me anything.
I don't want to talk about it now.
I wasn't trying to persuade you.
Sit down first.
Sit down.
Eat something.
I don't want to eat.
I specifically asked someone
to make red date and lotus seed congee.
You didn't eat anything last night.
Just have some, all right?
Wait a moment.
Jinglan, take care of Her Highness here.
I'll go to the kitchen
to see if the congee is ready.
Your Highness.
Send someone
to go to Su Rongqing now
and bring him here safely.
Don't alarm the Prince Consort.
Even though
many things have changed
since coming back,
I still meet
the people I should meet
and fall in love with the one
I should fall in love with.
Could it be
that my destiny is predetermined?
Could it be
that no matter how hard I try,
I can't change it?
If the same thing happens again,
what should I do?
No.
I cannot place all my bets
on Chuan.
From now on,
you must oversee everything
in the kitchen yourself.
Ask me about what can
or cannot be eaten.
Never cook anything on this list.
You have to remember what I said.
These are foods
to be avoided during pregnancy.
Do not tell anyone about this.
If you are unsure about anything,
always ask me.
Do not make any decisions on your own.
Yes.
Go now.
Wait.
You have to remember what I said.
Yes.
Do not tell anyone.
Yes.
Go now.
Are there any other things
that cannot be eaten?
Let me think.
Hurry!
Capture him alive.
Rongqing, you go first.
Leave them to me.
These are people all sent
by Pei Wenxuan.
Be careful.
Go!
Rong, take this medicine too.
Here.
One more sip.
Do you want to sleep for a while?
What about you?
I'll stay here with you.
Here. Be careful.
♪If the past was caught
in the turbulent waves of the storm♪
♪Will there be arms to hold me
in this lifetime?♪
♪Memories flash back♪
Don't you want to ask me
what I was arguing about
with Shangguan Ya?
♪Tossed about in the waves,
unable to escape♪
I don't pry into matters
between you girls.
♪Until a pair of hands♪
♪Guides me through the worldly remnants
of old dreams♪
Pei Wenxuan.
♪Wrapped in the wind's embrace♪
♪Hidden in my sleeves♪
When everything is over
let's go to Jiangnan for a rest
♪Eyes like flickering fireflies♪
and have a child.
♪Allowing you and me to dock safely♪
I want to give you and him
the best things
in the world.
♪I'm fortunate to have met you♪
He will be the happiest person
in the world.
♪That makes me willing
to set aside my pride♪
And his mother will be
the most powerful woman in the world.
♪Your eyes would still captivate me♪
♪I'll stay by your side
till the end of time♪
Even if I lose everything
I still have you both by my side.
♪May we stay together in dreams♪
♪With the starry sky as our bed
and our embraces as our quilt♪
♪Regardless of the seasons♪
All right.
Don't think too much. Sleep now.
♪Ever-growing fireworks♪
Put your hand under the quilt.
♪Let time slip by♪
♪For with you, each moment is timeless♪
Mother.
Have you found Su Rongqing?
Not yet.
Your Highness.
Your Highness.
Prince Su
He is gone.
Cheng.
Cheng.
Cheng, wake up.
Wake up.
Cheng.
Cheng.
Wake up.
Wake up!
Wake up! I said, wake up!
I want you to repeat
what you said just now.
Prince Su
is already gone.
Nonsense!
My son won't be dead.
Someone!
Drag these quacks
who are talking nonsense out
and behead them!
- Your Highness, please spare us!
- Your Highness, please spare us!
Please spare me, Your Highness!
Your Highness!
Cheng.
Mother.
Cheng.
Mother.
Mother, Cheng is dead.
What should we do?
Mother.
Mother, please say something.
Please do something.
- Shut up!
- We
You should have died in his place!
Li Chuan and Li Rong are still alive!
But my Cheng is
He's dead.
Mother,
are you blaming me?
You didn't even know
it was Father who poisoned Cheng.
Yet, you're blaming me.
Huayue.
It It was your father?
General Xiao has arrived.
Su, You're finally here.
Rou.
I've heard Cheng is hanging by a thread.
I was worried something bad happened.
So I've specially brought
this person here.
Who is he?
♪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♪