A NETFLIX ORIGINAL SERIES
ADAPTED FROM TIANXIA GUIYUAN'S NOVEL HUANG QUAN
EPISODE 11
What? Where did this come from?
Your Royal Highness.
This bird can talk.
Too bad it has no eyes.
His Royal Highness is over there.
It's still a strange sight.
Is this something Ning Yan prepared for our gathering tonight?
No, it's not.
Your Royal Highness.
This is the first time I have seen this bird.
It's...
Go over there.
His Royal Highness is over there.
I wish you good health and happiness, Your Royal Highness.
This bird is quite odd.
It seems to think
that Prince of Zhao is the Crown Prince.
Bastard. Get off me!
Your Royal Highness.
This is really the first time I have seen this bird.
What a strange thing to happen.
If something like this gets out,
it would be very strange indeed.
A mysterious bird comes and calls Prince of Zhao the Crown Prince.
How interesting.
Your Royal Highness.
You shouldn't believe what is said by a creature.
Ning Yan, take that wretched thing away.
Yes, right away. I'll kill it and make soup with it.
Servants!
Capture that...
-Capture that creature. Hurry! -Yes, Your Highness.
Jump!
Get it!
Over there!
Hurry!
Get it now! Hurry!
Find it!
Have you found it yet?
Your Highness,
it's a bird.
Do you think that I don't know it's a bird?
If a bird can fly, it can land too.
Find it!
-Yes, Your Highness. -Yes, Your Highness.
Fools.
It's already strange
that a creature can talk like a human.
-Why did it come to me? -Your Royal Highness.
Who are you?
How did you get the bird?
What are you trying to do?
Your Highness, please don't be mad.
My name is Wei Zhi. I work at House of Lanxiang.
As for where I got this bird...
Well, men die for money,
birds die for food.
So,
it's not your bird?
How would I have the talent?
I was just trying to help you.
As for what I'm trying to do,
I just hope that in the future,
I'll have other chances to help you.
I'm willing to do anything for you, even sacrifice my life.
That's good.
You may leave now.
Wei Zhi from House of Lanxiang, right?
I'll remember you.
Here.
There you go.
You may leave now.
Thank you, Your Highness.
What a beast.
You caused me a lot of trouble.
I'm going to pluck your feathers and make soup out of you.
Forgive me, Your Royal Highness.
Are you still spouting nonsense right before your death?
Forgive me, Your Royal Highness.
That's enough.
You're just a bird.
Then...
I, the Crown Prince,
forgive you.
Fly away now.
Your Highness.
Is this your bird?
Your Highness,
this is a powerful sorcerer from Mount Jiumu.
A sorcerer?
This sorcerer is good friends with my master.
My master once said,
even though he calls himself Tian Jizi,
all he knows in this lifetime is how to use earthly methods
to figure out the fate of men.
He has yet to learn the heavenly methods.
Yet this sorcerer, who is a powerful one,
excels at sorcery.
He has dabbled in the heavenly methods.
That is why he is someone my master profoundly respects.
Heavenly methods?
If using earthly methods to see a man's fate
isn't one of the heavenly methods, what is?
The heavenly methods--
The heavenly methods are for an empire's fate.
An empire?
What?
Just because he has learned the heavenly methods,
he doesn't have to answer me,
and has his creature chirp at me instead?
Your Highness, please come with me.
Forgive me, Your Highness.
Divine bird, forgive us.
Your Highness, you can't talk like that.
That's a divine bird.
Even the sorcerer is just the bird's servant in this world.
The sorcerer serves the bird?
I don't understand sorcery. You don't either. Nobody understands it.
But my master said,
the bird is a heavenly creature.
Your Highness, you can't talk to the bird like that.
It's not good for you.
The bird is spouting nonsense.
He is acting all mysterious.
He called me the Crown Prince.
He called me "Your Royal Highness" many times.
Isn't this bird...
What did you just say?
What did the divine bird call you?
The Crown Prince.
Were you alone?
I was with the Crown Prince and Ning Sheng.
-The three of you? -Yes.
And it called you the Crown Prince?
-It's just a bird. -No.
Excuse us.
Headmaster Xin.
-Please explain it to me. -This...
Your Highness.
Think about it.
The Crown Prince, Prince of Yan and you were in that room.
If the divine bird called only you the Crown Prince,
it'll get killed for this.
It revealed the fate of the empire. It...
-What did you say? -I...
What's wrong, Headmaster Xin?
Goodness.
I suddenly feel ill.
The sorcerer has been here for the past few days.
I've had to entertain him all day and night.
I've been feeling exhausted lately.
Excuse me.
I hope you, the Crown Prince and Prince of Yan will forgive me.
I'm very sorry.
Sir, over here.
Headmaster Xin.
Why is he being so mysterious?
The fate of the empire?
Do they know what it is?
The fate of the empire is Father's fate.
The fate...
The empire?
Your Highness.
Colonel Qiu said
a carriage will be leaving the capital for Dayue tomorrow.
He advised that I go with them to take care of things.
That's very wise of Colonel Qiu.
Have a good trip then, Vice Minister Ge.
You may all leave.
Your Highness.
I've been your follower for decades.
We have a special bond.
Over the years, you've taken good care of me.
I will never forget that.
Thank you.
I thank you, Your Highness.
That's enough, Vice Minister Ge.
When you head out tomorrow, be careful out there.
It's late now. You should get some rest.
Yes, Your Highness.
Wei Zhi.
Stop right there.
You know that you did something wrong, so you're avoiding me.
You're like a child.
Zhu Yin, I...
I'm working right now.
What are you working on?
Tell me, what were you doing this afternoon? Catching birds?
You told me not to go into the room.
I was in the backyard the whole time.
You...
Wei Zhi, tell me honestly.
Why did you come back to House of Lanxiang?
Where is Xinxue?
Lianmeng?
Feng Hao?
Answer me.
Zhu Yin, that's my brother.
Where are the girls?
Where is the wine?
Get me some wine.
I want some wine.
Sir.
You are clearly drunk.
Why don't you come back next time?
Am I drunk?
I'm not drunk.
I am sober.
I am very sober.
You are a girl.
You...
You are not a girl.
But you...
You look a lot like...
Get up.
How about this?
Tell us where your house is.
We'll send a message for someone to take you home.
If I could find my family,
why would I try to get drunk here?
If I can find your family member,
would you give me that fan of yours?
If you can find my sister,
I won't just give you this fan.
I am willing to be your servant.
Here.
You did not take off your outer garment,
yet you are fanning yourself from the heat.
You did not take off your outer garment,
yet you are fanning yourself from the heat.
Tell me.
How much did you spend on this useless thing?
You...
How is Mother?
Zhiwei, what happened?
Who killed Madam Yuhua?
Who were the people who came for us that day?
Why did you leave?
-Why did Mother-- -I killed Madam Yuhua.
I did something wrong. That's why they came for me.
I got you and Mother into trouble.
It's all my fault.
I know that's not true.
You and Mother always lie to me as if I am a three-year-old.
You never tell me anything. You hide everything.
You...
Do you have any silver?
Feng Hao.
You're an adult now. You need to grow up.
You are the Feng family's only son.
The only thing Mother and I want is for you to be safe and healthy.
Do you understand?
-Zhiwei, I-- -That's enough.
If you really care about me
and you are sad that I had to change my name and appearance
and leave home,
then you must study hard and take care of Mother.
Get married, have children and preserve our family name.
Stop coming to a place like this to get drunk.
Do you understand me?
Zhiwei, I understand.
But you are a proper maiden.
Why do you have to stay here?
Is there a reason I'm not supposed to know?
If you're suffering,
how can I, your brother, feel reassured?
Do you know what I'm saying?
That's enough.
I'm not suffering.
It's just because I owe someone a favor.
That's why I'm staying here,
so that I can return the favor.
If I don't,
I wouldn't feel at peace even if I left for a faraway place.
Then...
Enough.
Your Majesty.
Prince of Chu has been kneeling the whole day.
Even if you're not worried about his health,
you should at least worry about your own health.
The reason I released him
was to stir things up in the palace.
Now, it seems like
Ning Yi was just a little pebble who made a tiny ripple in the palace.
Forget it.
I don't want to be angry at him anymore.
Let him go home.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Please have some tea.
Even though Ning Yi hid Qiu Mingying's true identity from the Emperor,
if he finds out what is really going on,
we don't know what he will do.
No matter what,
Ning Yi did well this time.
He followed my orders.
So we shouldn't let him suffer for no reason.
I have prepared a big reward for him.
Your Highness.
You are from East Palace.
Does the Crown Prince have a message for me?
His Royal Highness wanted to give this to you.
It belonged to the abbot of Puhui Temple, Master Huijue.
It is to relieve you from your suffering today.
Thank His Royal Highness for me.
Yes, Your Highness.
Your Highness.
Are you all right, Your Highness?
I'm fine.
You can get up now.
Here.
Your Highness.
His Majesty sent me. You may go home now.
Here. Let me help you.
Get up now.
Thank you.
You must have put in a good word for me.
That is my job, isn't it?
Here.
Your Highness.
Please take this medication.
Once you get home, rub it on your knees.
It should help with the pain.
Thank you.
Your Highness.
This...
This jade ring
seems to be a sacred object of Buddhism.
You know about it?
If I'm not mistaken,
this ring was worn by the abbot of Puhui Temple,
the great Master Huijue.
Master Huijue is a respected monk who travels around the world.
Over the years,
I have made many trips to his temple.
Today, I was fortunate enough to see the ring.
I am truly lucky.
This ring must be a powerful Buddhism object.
Goodness, it's very rare.
Your Highness, be careful.
This is a sacred object,
but I know nothing about it.
It was a gift anyway,
so I am going to regift it.
I'm going to give this to you,
Official Zhao.
No, Your Highness.
You can't do that.
You can't give it to me.
Receiving gifts from a prince in private...
I don't dare do it.
-I... -Official Zhao.
Ever since I left Zongzheng Temple,
every time I felt unwell,
you always came to visit me.
I remember your kindness.
So,
please accept this gift of mine.
I suppose
if Your Highness gifts me this sacred object,
it's almost like creating good karma for yourself.
I'll cherish this gift of yours and pray for your wellness often.
Thank you, Your Highness.
Official Zhao, you can stay here.
Stay.
Your Highness.
How about I send someone to...
Take it slow, Your Highness.
Take it slow.
FENGYUN PALACE
How is he?
Your Majesty.
He is still young. He is fine.
Now, I just need any information, no matter how small.
Even if it leads me to just one member of Bloody Pagoda.
As long as I can have something
to tell the Emperor and get me out of this current situation.
It's not that easy, is it?
The members of Bloody Pagoda don't have words etched on their faces, do they?
Words etched on their faces?
Ning Yan.
That's very wise.
Your Highness,
I'm not smart enough to understand--
You...
Didn't I just say it?
The members don't have words etched on their faces.
They are just bodies lying there.
They can be
-whoever you say they are, right? -Yes.
Do you understand now?
Your Highness, that won't work.
Why won't it work?
When the members of Bloody Pagoda kill,
they use their halberd.
The wounds are specific to the weapons as well.
Even though I used to be a member,
I don't have such a halberd with me now.
How are we going to fake it?
Yes. The halberd.
What are you talking about?
Chief Gu, during the attack that day,
did you see the people who attacked the Royal Guards?
Were they really Bloody Pagoda members?
They were.
I'm willing to swear upon it with my life.
I'm definitely sure that they were Bloody Pagoda members.
Goodness, Chief Gu.
You...
Were they really Bloody Pagoda members?
Yes.
Are you sure?
Don't forget, Your Highness.
I used to be one of the leaders of Bloody Pagoda.
They might be able to fool others,
but how could they fool me?
What is it, my brother?
Nothing.
It's nothing.
We don't know
what Ning Qiao found out about Bloody Pagoda back then,
but he was investigating them before he died.
Now,
will I meet the same fate
as my third brother?
We don't know
what Ning Qiao found out about Bloody Pagoda back then,
but he was investigating them before he died.
Now,
will I meet the same fate
as my third brother?
Where is he?
Your Highness.
Your Highness. Goodness.
The divine bird said we have a distinguished guest.
We do indeed.
How brilliant.
Good day, Your Highness.
Headmaster Xin, how are you?
I'm happier than ever because of your visit.
I'm doing well.
Thank you for coming, Your Highness.
Your Royal Highness.
-Your Royal Highness. -This bird...
Ridiculous.
How ridiculous.
-Ridiculous, indeed. -Your Royal Highness.
Ridiculous.
Your Royal Highness.
How ridiculous.
Ridiculous.
Your Royal...
I mean, Your Highness.
What can I do for you today at Qingming Academy?
I'll do whatever I can for you.
I'll even sacrifice my life if needed.
Your Royal Highness.
Headmaster Xin.
It's all right.
It's fine. It's a divine bird.
I heard that you were a very powerful sorcerer.
I have a friend who has a strange illness.
He went to many doctors, but no one could cure him.
I wonder if you could help him.
YEAR OF BINGWU, TWELFTH DAY OF THE SECOND MONTH, EVENING
Headmaster Xin, this...
Don't worry, Your Highness.
The divine bird is communicating with the heavens.
Liar.
Headmaster Xin, this...
Sir, this is the capital of Tiansheng,
not the faraway Mount Jiumu, where you live.
You shouldn't disrespect our prince.
It's a very serious crime.
Liar.
Sir.
I'm sincerely seeking help,
but you're showing no respect.
Do you think I don't dare convict you?
Sir!
-Liar! -You...
I have treated you respectfully because you are my master's dear friend,
but you keep showing disrespect.
If this is how you're going to treat our prince,
then don't blame me for being impudent.
Guards!
-Yes, my lord. -Yes, my lord.
Take him away.
-Yes, my lord. -Wait.
What are you laughing about, Your Highness?
Headmaster Xin.
Ask the guards to leave.
All right.
You may leave.
-Yes, my lord. -Yes, my lord.
-Headmaster Xin. -Yes.
You may leave as well.
What a fool.
I ask you,
can you tell anything
from this birth card I gave you?
"The aura of the dragon shines,
yet it is covered with dark clouds."
"Dark clouds?"
Sir,
is there a way to get rid of the dark clouds,
so that the dragon may soar into the sky?
So he did go to Qingming Academy.
I feel very sorry for you,
Your Royal Highness.
But don't worry about it too much.
I knew it.
All of them want to replace me.
If I give them a chance,
they'll think that the title of Crown Prince
is something they can steal from me.
If this is what Prince of Zhao thinks, we can't let him remain.
There is another thing I'm worried about.
Tell me.
If Duke Chang
finds out that I secretly set this up,
he will try to punish me.
So from now on,
I'll have to rely on Your Royal Highness to take care of me.
I know for certain
that everyone in the palace
follows my orders and listens to me.
But the truth is,
they are just afraid of the people who support me.
Headmaster Xin, we have the same goals.
When I ascend to the throne,
you will be the second most powerful man in the palace.
Above thousands of others!
Thank you, Your Royal Highness, for your gracious words.
Headmaster Xin, that's enough for now.
You may rise.
Your Royal Highness.
Now, the next step is
to create an opportunity for Prince of Zhao
to come to East Palace.
I'll put you in charge of that.
Yes,
Your Royal Highness.
Wei Zhi.
Don't forget my osmanthus cake.
I won't.
What are you two so happy about?
We have good news, of course.
A few days ago,
Prince of Zhao reserved the whole place for the princes.
Today, the Crown Prince sent a message
saying that tomorrow, we'll be serving them in East Palace.
This time, Prince of Chu will be there as well.
-Prince of Chu will be there? -Of course.
We were thinking about who will sit next to him.
I will, of course.
Fine. I'll allow it.
What do you think of this dress?
HOUSE OF LANXIANG
Prince of Zhao is asking for you.
-Your Highness-- -No need for that.
What do you need from me, Your Highness?
Sir,
where is this pavilion?
It looks quite familiar.
THE YEAR OF RENYIN
Your Highness.
-This... -Wei Zhi.
The empire is going to be in trouble.
Would you be willing to help me for the safety of all people?
I don't understand.
What is going to happen to the empire?
How can I help you?
I can't tell you that much.
You just need to know that an evil dragon is about to hurt the Crown Prince.
I asked a powerful sorcerer to create a spell.
You need to bury this wooden figure here beneath the pavilion in East Palace
without anyone's knowledge.
That's how we can save the Crown Prince.
I'm willing to do this for you.
Whatever it takes, Your Highness.
Zhu Yin, the feast at East Palace tomorrow
is very important to Prince of Chu's plan.
I believe that Ning Yan will surely take action.
I hope you will help Ning Yi.
Don't worry.
-As for-- -Zhu Yin.
Zhu Yin.
I have something important to discuss with you.
What is it?
Prince of Zhao asked me to help him.
He asked for your help? To do what?
There are birth details engraved on this wooden figure.
Do you know whose it is?
I'm worried he is trying to harm Prince of Chu.
This isn't Prince of Chu's birth details.
But this is too dangerous. You shouldn't be involved.
Zhu Yin.
Subtitle translation by Sophie Chang