A NETFLIX ORIGINAL SERIES
ADAPTED FROM TIANXIA GUIYUAN'S NOVEL HUANG QUAN
EPISODE 16
I've been tolerating you, but enough is enough.
Being a princess doesn't mean you can do as you please.
Since you know I'm a princess, let go.
Your Highness, you're abusing your power to bully people.
Is there no right or wrong in this world anymore?
When did I abuse my power to bully people? Did I bully you?
-This doesn't concern me. -How could it not?
Did she hit you? Did she scold you?
I deserved to be treated like that.
You were pushing a wheelbarrow and got humiliated for no reason.
You didn't deserve that.
-He's merely a servant. -A servant? So what if he's a servant?
He's still a human being.
A servant doesn't deserve to be treated badly.
Is this what Qingming Academy teaches you about virtues?
No, I fell on my own.
Mencius said, "People before the country, and the country above the ruler."
What you did betrays all virtues and ethics.
You should apologize to His Majesty.
I'm sorry.
I fear that I don't deserve it.
Wei Zhi.
Are you satisfied now?
Your Highness, I admire that you're a person of principle.
RESIDENCE OF PRINCE OF CHU
Official Wu, let me help you settle down first.
Thank you, Ning Cheng.
From your accent, I'm guessing that you came from the south.
You are very perceptive.
I entered the palace when I was eight years old.
-I didn't expect that my accent-- -Ning Zhuo.
What is going on?
His Royal Highness has sent some things over.
But His Highness has fallen asleep again.
What is the matter with His Highness lately?
Perhaps it's because of the weather.
His Majesty has been like this recently.
He often falls asleep while reading reports.
Official Wu, if I may ask, when did it begin?
I'd better settle down first.
You're right.
Ning Zhuo, give me those things.
Take Official Wu to his room to get some rest.
Yes, Your Highness.
Official Wu, this way, please.
Your Highness.
-Did I fall asleep again? -Yes.
Official Wu said that His Majesty has been like this too.
What are those?
His Royal Highness told his man to bring them over.
Tea again?
TEA
Don't drink them.
Yes, Your Highness.
Help me out.
Thank you, sir.
Why did you thank me? I caused this mess.
I should help you clean up.
Thank you.
For what just happened?
It's the first time I've received an apology.
You deserved that apology.
Thank you.
There is no need to thank me.
Are you
a stableman or a cook?
I'm a stableman.
Hurry up and go back. Don't keep them waiting.
Nanyi, did you secretly help me?
If it weren't for you, my face would've been disfigured by that unruly princess.
I didn't. It was him.
Him?
That stableman is a martial arts expert.
An expert?
Assassin!
There's an assassin!
-Assassin! -Protect His Majesty.
-Protect His Majesty.
What's the matter?
Protect His Majesty, hurry up!
-What's wrong with His Majesty? -Official Zhao.
There was no assassin.
It was His Majesty...
Your Majesty.
-Summon the imperial doctor! -Yes, my lord.
Summon the imperial doctor!
Your Majesty.
Assassin!
Your Majesty.
There's no assassin.
It's me, your loyal servant.
Your Highness.
Why did you sleep here?
I don't remember.
You don't remember?
How could you not remember?
You.
Bring the tea the Crown Prince gave me.
Ask Xin Ziyan to examine it.
That's right. That little raccoon said the Crown Prince wanted to poison you.
We must summon the imperial doctor right away.
Don't panic.
Follow my order.
But...
-Yes, Your Highness. -By the way,
don't let the little raccoon know about this when you go to Qingming Academy.
I understand.
All right.
Come here.
So?
Do you notice anything?
Look.
Enough.
Get back to work.
They're all experts.
It hurts.
Get your hands off me!
What are you two doing?
I'm a princess. Why do you hit me every time you see me?
There are no princesses who sneak around like you.
Sneak around?
You were the one peeping at the servants, all right?
I love horses. That's all.
I came here to look at them.
Just to get closer with the horses.
Stableman, this is quite a great horse.
It's Headmaster Xin's favorite horse.
I take care of it for Headmaster Xin.
It's Headmaster Xin's?
What a great horse.
You like horses?
I was certain that you were--
What are you doing?
Why are you pulling me?
Let go of me.
Just let go!
Men and women should keep a distance. Don't you have manners?
Should they? Then why are you always stalking me?
When did I stalk you?
I just think that you and the idiot next to you are strange.
You don't look like good people.
Yes, we're not good people.
That's why we automatically avoid you when we see you coming.
No one dares to treat me like this.
Your Highness.
You've finally shown up, Your Highness.
Tie me up when I sleep from now on.
This is not a good idea.
We'll take turns keeping watch during the night.
-I'll keep a lookout too. -That's not necessary.
I heard that His Majesty is suffering from the same symptoms too.
Last night,
he drew a sword and almost killed a guard.
Wu Ying.
Has His Majesty had these symptoms before?
Well...
I had never heard of it before I left the palace.
It seems like His Majesty and I have both fallen ill only recently.
Well, I have no idea about that.
The first day you got here,
didn’t you say that His Majesty would fall asleep unwittingly?
It happens to me too.
It seems
that His Majesty and I fell ill at the same time.
I...
Your Highness.
I'm in no position to pry about the health of His Majesty.
-I beg you to forgive me. -All right.
You're dismissed.
I want to get some rest.
Yes, Your Highness.
It has been more than two weeks.
He should've developed signs of hysteria by now.
Instead, it's His Majesty who has fallen sick.
I'm confused as well.
Perhaps it's a psychic connection between father and son.
Your Royal Highness and Uncle.
Your Highness.
Father said that he is tired.
You should all go home.
My dear sister.
I really miss Father.
Can't you--
Father has already said that he is tired. Just go home.
-He doesn’t want to see anyone. -I--
Don't go in there. Go home.
I really miss Father though.
Why? Are you jealous, Your Royal Highness?
Yes, I'm jealous.
Let me tell you.
I, Shaoning, am Father's favorite person.
So it's useless even if you send 100 messages to him.
What you should do is be nice to me.
You mischievous girl.
Tell me. What do you want?
It's nothing.
I just want you to pay a visit to Qingming Academy,
so that I can ruffle that jerk's feathers.
He made fun of me for not being the Crown Prince.
I'm going to show him the real Crown Prince and terrify him.
Who is this bold person?
How dare he upset our princess.
Uncle, tell me.
Doesn't everyone who studies at Qingming
wish to enter Chengming Palace
to assist His Majesty in managing the state one day?
Therefore, everyone treats me with the utmost respect.
Except this jerk.
He always ignores me but follows around the servants of Qingming Academy.
Shaoning.
Who are the servants that you have just mentioned?
The servants.
The stablemen, the cooks, and the janitors.
He always peeps at them.
Don't you think he's weird?
That's kind of weird indeed.
It's strange.
I've carefully examined the tea that the Crown Prince gave you.
I didn't find any toxic substances.
But His Majesty has suddenly become fatigued
and even started to sleepwalk. It's too suspicious.
What's even more confusing is,
why did you and His Majesty fall ill at the same time?
There's something dubious about this.
Every time I was sick,
Zhao Yuan would show up at my residence right away.
At first, we thought His Majesty had planted an informer at your place.
But last time, when you got wounded while rescuing Feng Zhiwei,
Zhao Yuan had been waiting for you for hours before we got back here.
And Zhao Yuan was truly concerned
about my health.
Your Highness.
Do you have any other symptoms?
What do you mean?
You described the symptoms in detail.
Is there someone you know who's also suffering from these symptoms?
No.
It's me.
I haven't been able to sleep well recently.
It seems that
my health concerns someone who is very important to him.
Son.
-Yes, Father. -Where did you set up the trap?
-The pheasant trap. -I forgot.
We have probably caught one.
-Did you set it up yesterday? -Yes.
Let's look for it later.
Okay.
-We can make some soup later. -Sure.
Son, is it over there?
I think so.
Let's have a look.
What are you doing here?
I'm just taking a walk.
It's so hot.
I'm just teasing you.
Try it.
Isn't it sweet?
Yes, it is.
You're so familiar with this place.
Yes. I grew up here.
Were you born in Qingming Academy?
Yes.
How old are you?
I'm 18 years old.
Try this one too. It's also very sweet.
-Were you born in the Year of Changxi? -Yes.
Me too.
I'm also 18 years old.
Do I not look like it?
Since you can fight so well, why are you just a stableman?
I don't know how to fight.
You've got it wrong.
I'm sorry.
Sorry, I didn't mean it.
I thought you would retaliate.
I told you, I don't practice martial arts.
Son.
Come here.
Remember, I don't know any martial arts.
Or else, you're going to die.
I'm coming.
Let's go.
Your Highness.
You may be dismissed.
Imperial Doctor Quan.
I'm going to cut to the chase.
I want to look at His Majesty's medical records.
I'm afraid that I can't commit such a defiant act.
Please forgive me
-for not obeying your order. -Okay.
All right.
I will have to rake over the ashes.
Your Highness.
Are you on duty now?
His Majesty needs to take his medication at midnight.
It's about time, isn't it?
Your Highness.
How may I help you?
Seven years ago,
Noble Consort developed erythema.
She couldn't find a cure.
Then, you stepped in and the treatment worked immediately.
Noble Consort was very pleased and she rewarded you generously.
However, what she didn’t know
was that this powder case
was the cause of her skin infection,
and that you conspired with a palace maid to swap this powder case with hers.
You plotted the entire incident.
You made Noble Consort sick, then cured her.
What would happen to you if Noble Consort found out the truth?
I was only trying to help my sister who was serving Noble Consort.
My sister was extremely ill, but Noble Consort wouldn't treat her.
I had no choice but to do that.
Your Highness, where did you get this?
Come on. Get up.
When Prince of Yan was investigating the incident,
he didn't find this powder case.
Thus, you were able to keep your position and save your sister's life.
Your Highness, please show mercy.
Imperial Doctor Quan, are you there?
It's time for His Majesty to take his medication.
Imperial Doctor Quan, should I get the door for you?
I have nothing to do lately.
Since I'm in the palace now,
why don't I tell them
the story of this powder case?
The medical records that you'd like to access
are on the innermost shelf.
I hope that everything is where they belong
when I return.
Thank you, Imperial Doctor Quan.
You may leave.
What are they talking about?
What do you want to hear?
The times that His Majesty fell ill
unbelievably match the times that I had relapses.
Imperial Doctor Quan.
Why does His Majesty suffer from chest pain and vomit blood?
We haven't been able to find the cause.
It's indeed strange.
Every time His Majesty falls sick, the time and the symptoms of his illness
match Your Highness'.
It's as if
you and your father share the same illness.
The same illness?
It's more like we share the same fate.
I don't know what it was that linked my fate
and His Majesty's together.
I don't know either.
When did it first start? Is there a record of it?
I went through all of His Majesty's medical records.
It started
around 18 years ago.
Eighteen years ago?
Ning Yi.
-Come look for me. -Eighteen years ago.
Ning Yi, come on.
YILAN PALACE
Don't worry. You've still got me.
I, Ning Qiao, will protect you.
-Kill him. -Kill him.
RESIDENCE OF PRINCE OF CHU
Your Highness.
Your Highness, wake up.
Your Highness.
Your Highness, wake up.
Something bad has happened.
I found Bloody Pagoda.
Your Highness, can you hear me?
Your Highness!
Save him, quickly!
Your Highness!
Your Highness.
Your Highness, what's the matter?
Your Highness.
Don't scare me, Your Highness.
I had a dream.
A dream?
Was Feng Zhiwei here?
Your Highness, didn't you say it was a dream?
It was a dream.
Why?
Why did this happen
over and over again?
Where's the rope?
Didn't you tie me up last night?
Where's the rope?
Was it a dream or was it real?
Was Feng Zhiwei here?
Or was she not?
Your Majesty.
I took it upon myself
to summon the astronomical official.
I was thinking
since the imperial doctor couldn't figure out the problem,
we could perhaps let the astronomical official give it a try.
Maybe there's something greater than us at play.
All right.
Let him in.
Yes, Your Majesty.
If your heart isn't in it,
what's the point of sitting in front of the weaving machine?
There's nothing to worry about.
Perhaps, nothing happened.
It was only a dream.
If I go looking for her rashly,
she might laugh at me.
Your Highness, when did you become so preoccupied with things like that?
When did you care about what others think of you?
You're right.
I shouldn't be bothered by her.
Huo Laosan,
bring me a jug of good wine.
I'm going to bring the wine
to Xin Ziyan at Qingming Academy.
Right away.
Your Highness.
A man from the palace is here.
The astronomical official is going to perform a blessing ritual.
All princes must go to the palace now.
I've got the wine.
I'm not going.
Say that I'm sick.
Yes, Your Highness.
-Did you wrap it? -Yes.
Where is Ning Yi?
Even Ning Ji hurried back from Qingming Academy.
Why is he absent?
I've been told that he's sick.
He couldn't even get out of his bed.
Is that so?
Your Highness.
Your Highness, why are you here?
Did something happen?
Let's drink.
Huo Laosan's got the best wine in the world.
Your Highness, tell me now. Don't leave me hanging.
Something serious must have happened.
You wouldn't have come here during the day otherwise,
to drink Huo Laosan's wine.
I came here to ask you
-about the poison. -What about it?
I was going to report it to you today.
You suddenly showed up and had me worried,
so I completely forgot about it.
Here.
Wumei?
That's right.
According to the description in this book,
it matches your symptoms.
It is a deadly poison that takes one's life slowly.
"It depletes one's qi and blood, spreads throughout,
and ruins his meridian system, then his consciousness.
He becomes exhausted, gets haunted by nightmares,
and gradually loses his mind.
He can't discern between dream and reality."
Was it a dream or was it real?
I really couldn't tell them apart.
"Eventually, he dies in hysteria."
But there's one thing I haven't figured out yet.
Wumei is a slow poison.
It needs to be taken daily for a period of time.
This is a rare poison.
Even if the Crown Prince obtained it by chance,
how did he manage
to let His Majesty consume this poison every day?
Your Majesty.
Allow me to pay my respects.
The sunglow has covered the entire sky.
The three princes must've touched heaven with their filial piety.
From now on,
the palace will be free of vile things, and Your Majesty won't have nightmares.
Thank you for your hard work.
I fear that I don't deserve the compliment.
I simply performed my duty.
Your Majesty's health concerns the nation.
It's the well-being of the people.
Health unto Your Majesty,
well-being of the people.
Thank you, my princes.
You may rise.
-Thank you, Your Majesty. -Thank you, Your Majesty.
Please allow me to dismiss myself.
Ning Ji.
Have you learned anything at Qingming Academy?
Your Majesty, Headmaster Xin is known for his sternness.
If I didn't learn anything, I wouldn't dare to wear this garment.
Father...
Shaoning came to visit me the other day.
She told me
how upset it made her
to have to dress in student attire every day.
Xin Ziyan has an interesting way
to discipline his students.
Father, don't drink it!
What's the matter, Ning Chuan?
Father.
I've recently found a master
and learned a new method to brew tea.
Father.
Could you please give me a chance to brew tea for you?
Thank you, Father.
Why are you still kneeling?
I thought you wanted to show me your tea-brewing skill.
How silly I am. I'll do it now.
I'll brew some tea right away.
Come closer, you two.
This is a unique ring. Could you sell it to me?
Your Royal Highness.
This ring was given to me as a gift.
It seems inappropriate to sell it to Your Royal Highness.
It's all right. I don't mind.
-Ten pieces of gold. -No, Your Royal Highness, I can't.
-It's not right, Your Royal Highness. -Zhao Yuan.
Don't just stand there.
The tea is getting cold.
Ning Chuan's effort will be in vain.
Yes, I'll be there right away.
Please excuse me for being absent-minded.
Twenty pieces of gold.
Your Royal Highness.
It has to be taken every day?
It must be someone by his side who is doing it.
Or,
they've found a special way.
Headmaster Xin.
Why are you panicking?
Wei Zhi has disappeared.
-When did it happen? -I haven't seen her for days.
Why didn't you notify me sooner?
Go look for her now.
Hurry up. Go look for her.
Yes, sir.
Come out now.
Huo Laosan has got some good wine indeed.
Did you come here for that?
Is she...
Is she really gone?
Your Highness.
I found this at Qingming Academy.
She did come here.
I went to Qiu Residence.
It seems she didn't go back there.
I also searched House of Lanxiang.
No one has seen Feng Zhiwei.
Where would she go then?
Could someone be hunting her?
Your Highness, be at ease.
Even if she was here to see you,
she might not necessarily be in trouble.
No.
I remember the look on her face.
Something serious has happened. It's related to me.
That's why she came here in the middle of the night to see me.
But I didn't hear her.
I couldn't hear anything.
She seemed to be within reach,
yet she was so far away.
I have lost my mind.
It was me...
I was the one who put her at risk.
-Your Highness. -Your Highness.
Your Highness.
EAST PALACE
Your Royal Highness, how could you be so reckless?
How could you ask Zhao Yuan for that ring
in front of His Majesty and everyone else?
I had no choice.
I really had none.
I'll be sentenced to death for killing my father, the Emperor.
Uncle.
What's done is done. What should we do now?
Why don't I send someone from Qingming Academy
to kill Zhao Yuan and get that ring back?
Nonsense.
Do you know who Zhao Yuan is?
You can't just kill him.
What should I do then, Uncle?
Think of a solution.
The solution is...
to wait and see.
"Wait and see"?
How can I just wait and see?
It has been more than two weeks.
If Father continues to take the poison,
he will die in hysteria within ten days.
Are you saying that I should let Father...
Your Royal Highness.
Would you like some tea?
So, what do you think
I should do with Ning Yan?
Should I do
what I did to Ning Qiao?
As the Crown Prince and an elder brother, I failed to discipline Ning Yan.
That's why he tried to kill his father, the Emperor of Tiansheng Empire.
I deserve to be punished.
-I just feel sorry for Ning Yan. -Father, don't drink it!
No!
Father has been suspicious of me since the wooden figure incident.
When I went to beg him with the wooden figure,
he chose to believe me.
That's because he has love for his child.
As His Majesty's son,
shouldn't I repay his kindness and take good care of him?
Colonel Chang.
Don't ever mention this kind of heinous
and inhumane act to me again.
Otherwise, don't blame me for turning against you.
Subtitle translation by Judy Lu