The Princess Royal (2024) s01e38 Episode Script
Episode 38
1
[The Princess Royal]
[Adapted from Mo Shu Bai's novel,
The Princess Royal on jjwxc.net]
[This is a work of fiction.]
[Episode 38]
I will safeguard this nobleness
on your behalf, Father.
Father.
Please simmer down.
Rongqing.
I'm glad you have figured it out.
No matter what,
you must remember this.
The Crown Prince is the monarch
and we are his subjects.
As long as the Crown Prince
doesn't violate ethics
I
I lose my sight.
Rongqing
Hurry.
Send for a physician.
Father,
there is only one way
to safeguard the nobleness
of the Su Family.
That is to support
a ruler who listens to us.
Otherwise
our family will be eliminated.
Father, have a rest.
I will return once everything is done.
No.
Rong No.
No.
Grandfather, I wonder
if I could make a request.
According to the ancestral rules,
the patriarch token is inherited
by the legitimate firstborn son.
Second Uncle,
please hand it over to me.
I can't. You are still too young.
If I were to hand
over the patriarch token to you,
I'm afraid something might happen.
Don't worry.
I didn't ask for it
to compete with you
over the family property.
We are facing desperate times as it is
and our family needs a leader.
If I don't take control of these things,
will you, Second Uncle?
I'm not here to joke around.
At any rate,
someone must be chosen
to lead our family.
We won't choose anyone.
Choosing no one
means everyone
has the right to step in.
Second Uncle,
you need to think it through.
Our family and Princess Pingyue
share a deep bond.
If you don't choose anyone to lead,
do you expect the foundation
of our family to sustain
or
do you want to lead us to our demise?
What you are doing now
is bringing destruction to our family!
I know what you are up to.
News from the palace says
that Prince Su is in one piece.
As you have always assisted
the Crown Prince,
you fear His Majesty might dethrone him.
So what you are doing now
is usurping the throne.
Wenxuan.
What will you do
if you are not given
the patriarch token today?
Grandfather,
the Crown Prince is my brother-in-law
and I will not abandon him.
If so,
how confident are you?
Father.
Grandfather.
Prince Su is dead.
And the one in the palace
He's an impostor.
Besides me, many people
are aware of this.
They can't hide that for long.
The diabolical consort ruined
the pureness of the imperial bloodline.
How high is the chance
do you think that fake Prince Su stands?
Liming, how will you choose?
Father.
I trust Wenxuan.
Pei Liming!
Give him the patriarch token
and the warehouse keys.
Father, he's only a young man.
This isn't his decision.
It's mine.
Give him the patriarch token!
Father, we can't allow him
to repeat past mistakes.
Give him now!
Our family
must stay out of this matter.
As of now, it's imperative
to tie Pei Wenxuan up
and send him to the palace.
Someone!
Pei Lixian,
you use violence
in the ancestral shrine.
What are you trying to do?
To discipline this unworthy descendant
on behalf of our ancestors.
Third Uncle, never mind.
Grandfather.
Second Uncle uses violence
in the ancestral shrine.
Please allow me to ease your burden.
What are you waiting for?
Take him down.
Second Uncle, look around.
Who are their swords pointing at?
Here's the patriarch token.
I shall see
who dares lay a finger on me.
Reporting!
The front and back yards
have been surrounded by our men.
Tong Ye.
Second Uncle, this liquor
is what you gave my father back then.
He finished it all.
Today,
I return it to you on his behalf.
Wenxuan.
If you insist on taking
the patriarch token,
you can have it.
Pei Wenxuan.
Father.
Wenxuan!
Wenxuan!
My father is seriously ill.
I will be the acting master
of the Su Family.
- Yes, sir!
- Yes, sir!
Seal off the inner courtyard.
Do not allow anyone to approach.
- Yes, sir!
- Yes, sir!
Mu Hong.
Yes.
Find the First Young Master
and ground him.
Escort the irrelevant clansmen
out of Huajing in batches.
Gather all troops of the Su's Mansion
to stand guard at the South Gate.
Send a messenger to Tianshou Pass
to inform Su Ping about the coup here
and ask him to bring back
8,000 elite soldiers.
Yes, sir.
Your Highness,
His Majesty summons you.
A war is looming,
but at least the people in Huajing
can be informed in advance.
Unfortunately, some cities
will desperately
resist the attack yet fail
and the commanders can't
organize evacuations in time.
That's the worst.
Some may lose their lives
the very next day.
[Huajing]
Let's go.
- Your Majesty!
- Your Majesty!
You all leave now.
Be careful.
Your Majesty, I will summon
the imperial physician.
Wait.
What time is it now?
It's almost the Xu hour.
We are running out of time.
The Crown Prince is on his way here.
[Hanqiu Palace]
Greetings, Your Majesty.
Stop!
The carriage, stop!
Stop!
Stop!
Stop.
Yes.
Your Highness.
Why are you here?
May I have a word?
Su Ronghua just came to me
and said Su Rongqing rebelled.
Now, the Su Family is under his control.
The Su Family and other noble families
have conspired with Consort Rou.
They mobilized 8,000 elite soldiers
from Tianshou Pass.
Has he taken any action yet?
Not yet.
Not yet?
He's waiting for Chuan to act.
Once Chuan initiates a coup,
he will have a rightful reason
to kill Chuan.
If noble families in the capital
join him,
Su Rongqing has nearly 10,000 soldiers
in Huajing alone.
If more troops of the Su Family
and the Wang Family
from around Huajing
are mobilized tonight,
he can gather
20,000 soldiers altogether
to Huajing within tomorrow.
In that case,
Chuan will definitely lose.
There is only one way left.
That is to agree with Father
to suppress the Shangguan Family
and collaborate with him
if we want any chance of success.
Your Highness,
what should we do now?
Please make your decision.
Your Highness,
if I die in the palace today,
what will you do?
I will go back.
I will return to the palace
and get Li Chuan out.
Don't alert anyone.
Yuan Feiyu.
Head back to see Pei Wenxuan.
Tell him
something happened to me halfway
and ask him to come to my rescue.
Then,
escort as many members
of the Shangguan Family
and the Pei Family as possible
out of the city.
Go.
Yes, Your Highness.
Ya, you have to leave Huajing too.
Your Highness, I
We must preserve our strength.
As long as the Crown Prince stays alive,
we still have a chance.
Once Xun Chuan arrives,
you will attack the city immediately.
What about you, Your Highness?
I need to stay in the palace
to command the attack.
If no one commands in the palace,
Su Rongqing will soon realize
that Chuan is gone.
Besides, even if he finds out
that I'm inside there,
I still can stall for some time.
That's it.
Make haste. Stop hesitating.
Your Highness, I will return
and notify Lin Feibai
to meet you near the palace
and support you.
All right.
Consort Rou commits treason,
intending to overthrow the throne.
[Token]
Her Majesty takes over the palace
and the imperial guards
at the order of His Majesty.
You shall obey.
We will be at Her Majesty's command.
Mr. Pei.
What are you doing here?
Her Highness is in trouble
at an inn outside the city.
She asks you to go there immediately.
Tong Ye.
Lead the troops and stand guard here.
I need to leave the city.
I will be back soon.
Enter the palace now.
Your Majesty.
Mother.
Eunuch Fu,
you have been in the palace
for a long time.
The majority of imperial guards
of His Majesty
have been replaced
by the Shangguan Family.
As of now,
the Hanqiu Palace is under my control.
You should know what to do
to protect yourself, I suppose.
I shall
follow your orders, Your Majesty.
Why are you still standing here?
Go in
and make him surrender
the imperial jade seal.
You will ascend the throne
during tomorrow's morning court.
Mother
I have taken action on your behalf.
If you don't go in now,
he will kill you,
make Li Cheng the Crown Prince,
and execute me, Rong,
and the entire Shangguan Family.
[Hanqiu Palace]
I wanted to give you a chance to choose.
But you ignore it
and show me your answer.
Do you know
you will be thrown into infamy
in history
if you kill me?
That doesn't matter to me.
You are not even scared of that.
It seems
you want the throne so desperately.
No.
Not you.
It's your mother, sister,
and the Shangguan Family.
All of you want my throne!
Father.
The throne means nothing to me.
What baffles me is,
why you can't accept me?
You are my child.
It's not you that I don't accept,
but your mother
and the Shangguan Family.
The Shangguan Family is greedy.
They see my Li Family as their puppets
and intend to rule the country with us
by marriage alliance.
They have no feelings.
Do you think
your mother truly loves you?
Do you think the Shangguan Family
regard you as their family?
No,
they don't.
You are only a tool
they use to control the Great Xia.
What are you doing here?
I'm here to see you for the last time.
Li Ming,
more than half of your guards
have been replaced by people
from the Shangguan Family
at the order of my brother.
Your Hanqiu Palace and the entire palace
are under my control.
I should have predicted
that the Shangguan Family would rebel.
It's just that I didn't expect you
to be so heartless.
When you sent people
to build Beiyan Pagoda for me,
I thought the feelings between us
were genuine.
Because you once said
you would show me
the prettiest stars in the universe.
The stars on the ground
are the prosperous nation you give me.
And the stars in the sky
would be within my reach
when I stood at Beiyan Pagoda.
I thought
I was so close to the love
that everyone yearned for.
But then,
you favored one consort
after another
to keep your power in check.
Beiyan Pagoda
actually became a joke that mocked me.
When I thought
you were at least Chuan's father,
you supported Li Cheng wholeheartedly
and tried to dethrone Chuan!
What are you waiting for?
Do it now.
Li Chuan.
Many people are waiting for you outside.
A slight delay in your ascension
can change everything.
Hurry.
Shangguan Yue.
He is my son.
Do you think killing his own father
is that easy?
Do it right now!
Foolish woman!
Had I known this day would come,
I would've torn down the Beiyan Pagoda!
Once I kill you,
I will raze it to the ground personally!
I will do it!
Mother!
You are so indecisive.
How can you be the Crown Prince
or even the Emperor?
Kill him
and you will become the Emperor.
The whole country will be yours.
Kill him now!
Put your sword down.
Chuan, put it down.
Why are you back here, Rong?
Rong, you
Mother.
He poisoned Li Cheng to death too.
What did you say?
The Li Cheng in the palace
is an impostor?
That's right.
He didn't trust Li Cheng
and intended to control him with poison.
Am I right?
Yes.
Cheng was poisoned by me.
But my intention of controlling him
is somehow for your sake, Chuan.
Li Ming, you don't love anyone.
You only love your throne.
Mother.
Su Rongqing and Xiao Rou
have joined hands
and are waiting outside the city
with their troops now.
Once Chuan commits regicide,
they will kill him
with the excuse of rebellion
and put the fake Li Cheng on the throne.
What? Then
Chuan and you must
leave the palace right now.
I will stay here.
You are staying here alone?
Yes. You must go now.
- Chuan.
- Chuan!
Chuan.
The chance I offered still counts.
If you help me eliminate
the Shangguan Family,
I will give you the throne right now.
I can also give you the entire nation.
I won't surrender Rong and Mother
to keep myself alive.
I may not be qualified as a crown prince
or even a monarch,
but I don't want to be someone like you.
I want to protect my family.
I want to be with someone I like
and do anything I like.
I won't sacrifice anyone's lives
for my own gain.
I want to be indecisive.
I want to be naive and kind.
I want to hold no grudges.
You are really stupid!
Scold me if you want. I don't care.
You never liked me anyway.
Whatever case it is, Father,
I won't kill you.
That will taint my heart.
Rong, let's leave.
Mother.
Chuan.
Chuan!
Chuan.
Chuan.
Listen to me.
I can't leave.
I have to disguise myself as you
and stay in the palace
to avoid Su Rongqing's suspicion.
Rong, I'm not leaving.
Either we leave together
or I will stay here with you.
If the troops of the Su Family
and the Xiao Family combine,
we have no chance of winning.
You must leave the city and return
only after gathering reinforcements.
No.
As I said,
I will stay to protect you
What are you doing? Chuan!
Mother, leave now.
Otherwise, all of us
would be trapped here.
What about you?
Rong! Rong!
Where is Her Highness's carriage?
What's going on here?
Where is Her Highness?
She's in the palace.
Why did she go back there?
Su Rongqing may have
led an army of 300,000 soldiers
to ambush in Huajing.
Her Highness is stalling
to send the Crown Prince
out of the palace.
She was also concerned
you might be trapped there,
so she sent me to lure you out.
What's this?
Her Highness told me
to give you her handwritten letter
upon your arrival at the inn.
You love me more than your life,
so do me,
and I have no regrets.
By Li Rong.
Sir,
Her Highness is doing this
for the big picture.
Who did Su Rongqing contact?
The Wang Family, the Zheng Family,
the Gu Family,
and the Xiao Family
under Consort Rou's lead.
Try every possible means
to track down these families.
Arrest those who have left the city.
As for those who remain,
besiege their mansions.
They probably would bring troops
to surround the palace tomorrow morning,
leaving fewer soldiers
in their mansions.
By then,
capture everyone there,
especially the Su Family
and the Wang Family.
You might get a bad reputation for this.
Just do as I say.
You are afraid of me?
I'm not.
You are not afraid of Chuan,
but you fear me.
Why?
You think I will kill you?
And you think he won't do that?
Isn't that true?
He's not like you.
Don't worry.
I can easily kill you now.
I don't need to use poison.
Why have you returned?
Did you come back here to die for Chuan?
Where are Consort Rou and Li Cheng?
Why are you asking this?
Honestly, I'm always confused
about what you want.
You want to suppress the noble families
and the Shangguan Family,
but you can't see
Chuan has the same intention as yours.
You have tried so hard to depose him.
Just why?
Despite knowing Li Cheng is an impostor,
you are still willing
to pass the throne to him?
Stop your nonsense.
Although Cheng was poisoned,
the poison has been cleared.
No imperial physician could detoxify
the Poison of the Fragrant Beauty.
Didn't you know that when you used it?
You haven't answered
my question.
Why did you do that to Chuan?
Because he's not just a lineage
of the Li Family.
He can never get rid
of the Shangguan Family.
Neither can you.
You are also a lineage
of the Shangguan Family
and can never get away from them
We are the lineages
of the Shangguan Family,
but are we not your children?
Forget it.
Enough about these upsetting things.
Father.
I have a child too.
This is my first child
in nearly forty years.
Forty years?
What are you talking about?
Let me tell you a secret.
In fact
I don't know why this happened,
but I have lived twice.
Maybe not.
Maybe it's just a dream.
I'm not sure if you came into my dream
or I came into yours.
Are you insane?
I know you won't believe that.
Honestly, you never knew Li Chuan.
You think he's weak.
Do you think he doesn't want
to suppress the noble families?
He was much crueler than you later on.
He went on expeditions to the North,
slaughtered the entire Su Family,
and reformed
the appointment system for officials.
Close the gate!
Close the gate!
Back off!
Ya.
I will go and stop my cousin
and tell him the truth.
Don't worry about me
and don't push yourself too much.
I know.
Take care.
Take care.
Be careful.
I will.
Can't bear to let him leave?
We will settle the Crown Prince
and the Empress in a safe place first.
Send someone to contact Xun Chuan
to see where she is.
Then, count the forces outside the city.
We can't stay by Her Highness' side,
but we must save her.
Your Highness.
Soldiers from the Inspectorate Office,
Pei's Mansion, and your mansion
are more than 3,000 altogether
and have gathered
around the Hanqiu Palace.
It seems
you are going all out for this battle.
Not really.
If it's meant to lose,
why don't I surrender directly?
If we fight wars for a few more years
to eliminate all the noble families
and let the Great Xia collapse,
perhaps a new dynasty
could change the situation.
Don't you think
this is too cruel?
Cruel?
Neither of us wishes
for the Great Xia's destruction.
That's what the people want.
Pei Wenxuan always says
the desire for powers
is triggered by human hearts.
He says I can't understand human hearts.
If I did,
I would be a good ruler.
It's true that you don't.
If you did,
you wouldn't have forced Chuan
and yourself.
This palace forces people into demons
and makes them believe
that's what the world is all about.
Then they continue to force others.
Pei Wenxuan is right.
Only if I had realized this sooner.
Your Highness.
Your Majesty,
it's time for the morning court.
Rong.
You will go on my behalf.
You haven't taken a closer look
at the golden throne.
Go and have a look.
Fulai, draft a decree.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Rong.
Come and sit here.
This jade seal
You can have it.
What's this?
This belongs to you.
I'm returning it to you.
When you were a month old
I held a Zhuazhou ritual for you.
You grabbed this jade seal.
It symbolizes power.
I was so happy.
I thought my dear daughter
would become a great figure.
Since then,
I have been carrying this with me.
However, as you grew older
and became more opinionated,
I actually began to fear this jade seal.
I also began to fear the power
in your hands.
Sometimes, I wonder
if this jade seal
holds my fear of you
or my love.
That was the first time
I became a father.
When I saw your little hands
grabbing this jade seal tightly
I was elated.
Take it.
Rong.
Don't blame me.
How is the situation in the palace?
Mr. Su, are you really confident
about this?
Together with your troops,
we have 30,000 soldiers available now.
The palace is sealed,
but news continues to come out.
The morning court
hasn't been canceled yet.
Perhaps Li Chuan will
announce his ascension
during the morning court.
If he dares announce it,
it means His Majesty
Young Master.
His Majesty sent Fulai over
with a decree
summoning the Su Family,
the Wang Family,
the Gu Family, the Zheng Family,
and the Xiao Family
to the imperial hall.
Everyone, this is our opportunity.
It seems His Majesty
is being held hostage.
Li Chuan issues a fake decree
to lure us into negotiation.
However,
before my cousin and Mr. Wang
mobilize the troops,
there are only over 10,000 soldiers
in the city.
Therefore,
please deploy all your forces.
Otherwise, not only can't
we attack the palace,
but we might also be captured
during the morning court.
Don't worry.
Since we have decided to ally with you,
we won't hide anything.
Very well.
Let's enter the palace.
♪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♪
[The Princess Royal]
[Adapted from Mo Shu Bai's novel,
The Princess Royal on jjwxc.net]
[This is a work of fiction.]
[Episode 38]
I will safeguard this nobleness
on your behalf, Father.
Father.
Please simmer down.
Rongqing.
I'm glad you have figured it out.
No matter what,
you must remember this.
The Crown Prince is the monarch
and we are his subjects.
As long as the Crown Prince
doesn't violate ethics
I
I lose my sight.
Rongqing
Hurry.
Send for a physician.
Father,
there is only one way
to safeguard the nobleness
of the Su Family.
That is to support
a ruler who listens to us.
Otherwise
our family will be eliminated.
Father, have a rest.
I will return once everything is done.
No.
Rong No.
No.
Grandfather, I wonder
if I could make a request.
According to the ancestral rules,
the patriarch token is inherited
by the legitimate firstborn son.
Second Uncle,
please hand it over to me.
I can't. You are still too young.
If I were to hand
over the patriarch token to you,
I'm afraid something might happen.
Don't worry.
I didn't ask for it
to compete with you
over the family property.
We are facing desperate times as it is
and our family needs a leader.
If I don't take control of these things,
will you, Second Uncle?
I'm not here to joke around.
At any rate,
someone must be chosen
to lead our family.
We won't choose anyone.
Choosing no one
means everyone
has the right to step in.
Second Uncle,
you need to think it through.
Our family and Princess Pingyue
share a deep bond.
If you don't choose anyone to lead,
do you expect the foundation
of our family to sustain
or
do you want to lead us to our demise?
What you are doing now
is bringing destruction to our family!
I know what you are up to.
News from the palace says
that Prince Su is in one piece.
As you have always assisted
the Crown Prince,
you fear His Majesty might dethrone him.
So what you are doing now
is usurping the throne.
Wenxuan.
What will you do
if you are not given
the patriarch token today?
Grandfather,
the Crown Prince is my brother-in-law
and I will not abandon him.
If so,
how confident are you?
Father.
Grandfather.
Prince Su is dead.
And the one in the palace
He's an impostor.
Besides me, many people
are aware of this.
They can't hide that for long.
The diabolical consort ruined
the pureness of the imperial bloodline.
How high is the chance
do you think that fake Prince Su stands?
Liming, how will you choose?
Father.
I trust Wenxuan.
Pei Liming!
Give him the patriarch token
and the warehouse keys.
Father, he's only a young man.
This isn't his decision.
It's mine.
Give him the patriarch token!
Father, we can't allow him
to repeat past mistakes.
Give him now!
Our family
must stay out of this matter.
As of now, it's imperative
to tie Pei Wenxuan up
and send him to the palace.
Someone!
Pei Lixian,
you use violence
in the ancestral shrine.
What are you trying to do?
To discipline this unworthy descendant
on behalf of our ancestors.
Third Uncle, never mind.
Grandfather.
Second Uncle uses violence
in the ancestral shrine.
Please allow me to ease your burden.
What are you waiting for?
Take him down.
Second Uncle, look around.
Who are their swords pointing at?
Here's the patriarch token.
I shall see
who dares lay a finger on me.
Reporting!
The front and back yards
have been surrounded by our men.
Tong Ye.
Second Uncle, this liquor
is what you gave my father back then.
He finished it all.
Today,
I return it to you on his behalf.
Wenxuan.
If you insist on taking
the patriarch token,
you can have it.
Pei Wenxuan.
Father.
Wenxuan!
Wenxuan!
My father is seriously ill.
I will be the acting master
of the Su Family.
- Yes, sir!
- Yes, sir!
Seal off the inner courtyard.
Do not allow anyone to approach.
- Yes, sir!
- Yes, sir!
Mu Hong.
Yes.
Find the First Young Master
and ground him.
Escort the irrelevant clansmen
out of Huajing in batches.
Gather all troops of the Su's Mansion
to stand guard at the South Gate.
Send a messenger to Tianshou Pass
to inform Su Ping about the coup here
and ask him to bring back
8,000 elite soldiers.
Yes, sir.
Your Highness,
His Majesty summons you.
A war is looming,
but at least the people in Huajing
can be informed in advance.
Unfortunately, some cities
will desperately
resist the attack yet fail
and the commanders can't
organize evacuations in time.
That's the worst.
Some may lose their lives
the very next day.
[Huajing]
Let's go.
- Your Majesty!
- Your Majesty!
You all leave now.
Be careful.
Your Majesty, I will summon
the imperial physician.
Wait.
What time is it now?
It's almost the Xu hour.
We are running out of time.
The Crown Prince is on his way here.
[Hanqiu Palace]
Greetings, Your Majesty.
Stop!
The carriage, stop!
Stop!
Stop!
Stop.
Yes.
Your Highness.
Why are you here?
May I have a word?
Su Ronghua just came to me
and said Su Rongqing rebelled.
Now, the Su Family is under his control.
The Su Family and other noble families
have conspired with Consort Rou.
They mobilized 8,000 elite soldiers
from Tianshou Pass.
Has he taken any action yet?
Not yet.
Not yet?
He's waiting for Chuan to act.
Once Chuan initiates a coup,
he will have a rightful reason
to kill Chuan.
If noble families in the capital
join him,
Su Rongqing has nearly 10,000 soldiers
in Huajing alone.
If more troops of the Su Family
and the Wang Family
from around Huajing
are mobilized tonight,
he can gather
20,000 soldiers altogether
to Huajing within tomorrow.
In that case,
Chuan will definitely lose.
There is only one way left.
That is to agree with Father
to suppress the Shangguan Family
and collaborate with him
if we want any chance of success.
Your Highness,
what should we do now?
Please make your decision.
Your Highness,
if I die in the palace today,
what will you do?
I will go back.
I will return to the palace
and get Li Chuan out.
Don't alert anyone.
Yuan Feiyu.
Head back to see Pei Wenxuan.
Tell him
something happened to me halfway
and ask him to come to my rescue.
Then,
escort as many members
of the Shangguan Family
and the Pei Family as possible
out of the city.
Go.
Yes, Your Highness.
Ya, you have to leave Huajing too.
Your Highness, I
We must preserve our strength.
As long as the Crown Prince stays alive,
we still have a chance.
Once Xun Chuan arrives,
you will attack the city immediately.
What about you, Your Highness?
I need to stay in the palace
to command the attack.
If no one commands in the palace,
Su Rongqing will soon realize
that Chuan is gone.
Besides, even if he finds out
that I'm inside there,
I still can stall for some time.
That's it.
Make haste. Stop hesitating.
Your Highness, I will return
and notify Lin Feibai
to meet you near the palace
and support you.
All right.
Consort Rou commits treason,
intending to overthrow the throne.
[Token]
Her Majesty takes over the palace
and the imperial guards
at the order of His Majesty.
You shall obey.
We will be at Her Majesty's command.
Mr. Pei.
What are you doing here?
Her Highness is in trouble
at an inn outside the city.
She asks you to go there immediately.
Tong Ye.
Lead the troops and stand guard here.
I need to leave the city.
I will be back soon.
Enter the palace now.
Your Majesty.
Mother.
Eunuch Fu,
you have been in the palace
for a long time.
The majority of imperial guards
of His Majesty
have been replaced
by the Shangguan Family.
As of now,
the Hanqiu Palace is under my control.
You should know what to do
to protect yourself, I suppose.
I shall
follow your orders, Your Majesty.
Why are you still standing here?
Go in
and make him surrender
the imperial jade seal.
You will ascend the throne
during tomorrow's morning court.
Mother
I have taken action on your behalf.
If you don't go in now,
he will kill you,
make Li Cheng the Crown Prince,
and execute me, Rong,
and the entire Shangguan Family.
[Hanqiu Palace]
I wanted to give you a chance to choose.
But you ignore it
and show me your answer.
Do you know
you will be thrown into infamy
in history
if you kill me?
That doesn't matter to me.
You are not even scared of that.
It seems
you want the throne so desperately.
No.
Not you.
It's your mother, sister,
and the Shangguan Family.
All of you want my throne!
Father.
The throne means nothing to me.
What baffles me is,
why you can't accept me?
You are my child.
It's not you that I don't accept,
but your mother
and the Shangguan Family.
The Shangguan Family is greedy.
They see my Li Family as their puppets
and intend to rule the country with us
by marriage alliance.
They have no feelings.
Do you think
your mother truly loves you?
Do you think the Shangguan Family
regard you as their family?
No,
they don't.
You are only a tool
they use to control the Great Xia.
What are you doing here?
I'm here to see you for the last time.
Li Ming,
more than half of your guards
have been replaced by people
from the Shangguan Family
at the order of my brother.
Your Hanqiu Palace and the entire palace
are under my control.
I should have predicted
that the Shangguan Family would rebel.
It's just that I didn't expect you
to be so heartless.
When you sent people
to build Beiyan Pagoda for me,
I thought the feelings between us
were genuine.
Because you once said
you would show me
the prettiest stars in the universe.
The stars on the ground
are the prosperous nation you give me.
And the stars in the sky
would be within my reach
when I stood at Beiyan Pagoda.
I thought
I was so close to the love
that everyone yearned for.
But then,
you favored one consort
after another
to keep your power in check.
Beiyan Pagoda
actually became a joke that mocked me.
When I thought
you were at least Chuan's father,
you supported Li Cheng wholeheartedly
and tried to dethrone Chuan!
What are you waiting for?
Do it now.
Li Chuan.
Many people are waiting for you outside.
A slight delay in your ascension
can change everything.
Hurry.
Shangguan Yue.
He is my son.
Do you think killing his own father
is that easy?
Do it right now!
Foolish woman!
Had I known this day would come,
I would've torn down the Beiyan Pagoda!
Once I kill you,
I will raze it to the ground personally!
I will do it!
Mother!
You are so indecisive.
How can you be the Crown Prince
or even the Emperor?
Kill him
and you will become the Emperor.
The whole country will be yours.
Kill him now!
Put your sword down.
Chuan, put it down.
Why are you back here, Rong?
Rong, you
Mother.
He poisoned Li Cheng to death too.
What did you say?
The Li Cheng in the palace
is an impostor?
That's right.
He didn't trust Li Cheng
and intended to control him with poison.
Am I right?
Yes.
Cheng was poisoned by me.
But my intention of controlling him
is somehow for your sake, Chuan.
Li Ming, you don't love anyone.
You only love your throne.
Mother.
Su Rongqing and Xiao Rou
have joined hands
and are waiting outside the city
with their troops now.
Once Chuan commits regicide,
they will kill him
with the excuse of rebellion
and put the fake Li Cheng on the throne.
What? Then
Chuan and you must
leave the palace right now.
I will stay here.
You are staying here alone?
Yes. You must go now.
- Chuan.
- Chuan!
Chuan.
The chance I offered still counts.
If you help me eliminate
the Shangguan Family,
I will give you the throne right now.
I can also give you the entire nation.
I won't surrender Rong and Mother
to keep myself alive.
I may not be qualified as a crown prince
or even a monarch,
but I don't want to be someone like you.
I want to protect my family.
I want to be with someone I like
and do anything I like.
I won't sacrifice anyone's lives
for my own gain.
I want to be indecisive.
I want to be naive and kind.
I want to hold no grudges.
You are really stupid!
Scold me if you want. I don't care.
You never liked me anyway.
Whatever case it is, Father,
I won't kill you.
That will taint my heart.
Rong, let's leave.
Mother.
Chuan.
Chuan!
Chuan.
Chuan.
Listen to me.
I can't leave.
I have to disguise myself as you
and stay in the palace
to avoid Su Rongqing's suspicion.
Rong, I'm not leaving.
Either we leave together
or I will stay here with you.
If the troops of the Su Family
and the Xiao Family combine,
we have no chance of winning.
You must leave the city and return
only after gathering reinforcements.
No.
As I said,
I will stay to protect you
What are you doing? Chuan!
Mother, leave now.
Otherwise, all of us
would be trapped here.
What about you?
Rong! Rong!
Where is Her Highness's carriage?
What's going on here?
Where is Her Highness?
She's in the palace.
Why did she go back there?
Su Rongqing may have
led an army of 300,000 soldiers
to ambush in Huajing.
Her Highness is stalling
to send the Crown Prince
out of the palace.
She was also concerned
you might be trapped there,
so she sent me to lure you out.
What's this?
Her Highness told me
to give you her handwritten letter
upon your arrival at the inn.
You love me more than your life,
so do me,
and I have no regrets.
By Li Rong.
Sir,
Her Highness is doing this
for the big picture.
Who did Su Rongqing contact?
The Wang Family, the Zheng Family,
the Gu Family,
and the Xiao Family
under Consort Rou's lead.
Try every possible means
to track down these families.
Arrest those who have left the city.
As for those who remain,
besiege their mansions.
They probably would bring troops
to surround the palace tomorrow morning,
leaving fewer soldiers
in their mansions.
By then,
capture everyone there,
especially the Su Family
and the Wang Family.
You might get a bad reputation for this.
Just do as I say.
You are afraid of me?
I'm not.
You are not afraid of Chuan,
but you fear me.
Why?
You think I will kill you?
And you think he won't do that?
Isn't that true?
He's not like you.
Don't worry.
I can easily kill you now.
I don't need to use poison.
Why have you returned?
Did you come back here to die for Chuan?
Where are Consort Rou and Li Cheng?
Why are you asking this?
Honestly, I'm always confused
about what you want.
You want to suppress the noble families
and the Shangguan Family,
but you can't see
Chuan has the same intention as yours.
You have tried so hard to depose him.
Just why?
Despite knowing Li Cheng is an impostor,
you are still willing
to pass the throne to him?
Stop your nonsense.
Although Cheng was poisoned,
the poison has been cleared.
No imperial physician could detoxify
the Poison of the Fragrant Beauty.
Didn't you know that when you used it?
You haven't answered
my question.
Why did you do that to Chuan?
Because he's not just a lineage
of the Li Family.
He can never get rid
of the Shangguan Family.
Neither can you.
You are also a lineage
of the Shangguan Family
and can never get away from them
We are the lineages
of the Shangguan Family,
but are we not your children?
Forget it.
Enough about these upsetting things.
Father.
I have a child too.
This is my first child
in nearly forty years.
Forty years?
What are you talking about?
Let me tell you a secret.
In fact
I don't know why this happened,
but I have lived twice.
Maybe not.
Maybe it's just a dream.
I'm not sure if you came into my dream
or I came into yours.
Are you insane?
I know you won't believe that.
Honestly, you never knew Li Chuan.
You think he's weak.
Do you think he doesn't want
to suppress the noble families?
He was much crueler than you later on.
He went on expeditions to the North,
slaughtered the entire Su Family,
and reformed
the appointment system for officials.
Close the gate!
Close the gate!
Back off!
Ya.
I will go and stop my cousin
and tell him the truth.
Don't worry about me
and don't push yourself too much.
I know.
Take care.
Take care.
Be careful.
I will.
Can't bear to let him leave?
We will settle the Crown Prince
and the Empress in a safe place first.
Send someone to contact Xun Chuan
to see where she is.
Then, count the forces outside the city.
We can't stay by Her Highness' side,
but we must save her.
Your Highness.
Soldiers from the Inspectorate Office,
Pei's Mansion, and your mansion
are more than 3,000 altogether
and have gathered
around the Hanqiu Palace.
It seems
you are going all out for this battle.
Not really.
If it's meant to lose,
why don't I surrender directly?
If we fight wars for a few more years
to eliminate all the noble families
and let the Great Xia collapse,
perhaps a new dynasty
could change the situation.
Don't you think
this is too cruel?
Cruel?
Neither of us wishes
for the Great Xia's destruction.
That's what the people want.
Pei Wenxuan always says
the desire for powers
is triggered by human hearts.
He says I can't understand human hearts.
If I did,
I would be a good ruler.
It's true that you don't.
If you did,
you wouldn't have forced Chuan
and yourself.
This palace forces people into demons
and makes them believe
that's what the world is all about.
Then they continue to force others.
Pei Wenxuan is right.
Only if I had realized this sooner.
Your Highness.
Your Majesty,
it's time for the morning court.
Rong.
You will go on my behalf.
You haven't taken a closer look
at the golden throne.
Go and have a look.
Fulai, draft a decree.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Rong.
Come and sit here.
This jade seal
You can have it.
What's this?
This belongs to you.
I'm returning it to you.
When you were a month old
I held a Zhuazhou ritual for you.
You grabbed this jade seal.
It symbolizes power.
I was so happy.
I thought my dear daughter
would become a great figure.
Since then,
I have been carrying this with me.
However, as you grew older
and became more opinionated,
I actually began to fear this jade seal.
I also began to fear the power
in your hands.
Sometimes, I wonder
if this jade seal
holds my fear of you
or my love.
That was the first time
I became a father.
When I saw your little hands
grabbing this jade seal tightly
I was elated.
Take it.
Rong.
Don't blame me.
How is the situation in the palace?
Mr. Su, are you really confident
about this?
Together with your troops,
we have 30,000 soldiers available now.
The palace is sealed,
but news continues to come out.
The morning court
hasn't been canceled yet.
Perhaps Li Chuan will
announce his ascension
during the morning court.
If he dares announce it,
it means His Majesty
Young Master.
His Majesty sent Fulai over
with a decree
summoning the Su Family,
the Wang Family,
the Gu Family, the Zheng Family,
and the Xiao Family
to the imperial hall.
Everyone, this is our opportunity.
It seems His Majesty
is being held hostage.
Li Chuan issues a fake decree
to lure us into negotiation.
However,
before my cousin and Mr. Wang
mobilize the troops,
there are only over 10,000 soldiers
in the city.
Therefore,
please deploy all your forces.
Otherwise, not only can't
we attack the palace,
but we might also be captured
during the morning court.
Don't worry.
Since we have decided to ally with you,
we won't hide anything.
Very well.
Let's enter the palace.
♪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♪