A NETFLIX ORIGINAL SERIES
ADAPTED FROM TIANXIA GUIYUAN'S NOVEL HUANG QUAN
EPISODE 35
Your Highness,
I think I saw someone spying on you from outside.
Who dares to spy on me? Go and find out.
Yes, Your Highness.
Come.
Play Go with me.
Director Wei.
Your Highness.
Director Wei.
His Highness is one of us. You can say whatever you want.
I just saw Princess Shaoning leaving from this direction.
She looked anxious.
It doesn't matter.
I think His Highness stole the Princess' candy.
She got mad.
She might be looking for someone to air her grievance at now.
She never thought that was part of His Highness' plan.
Huaishi.
The royals are feuding.
A nobody like me
can only play along and suffer the consequences.
You should pack your bags and return to Minhai,
so that I won't drag you with me when I die.
You worry too much.
Who is Prince of Chu?
If something happens to you, His Highness won't just ignore it.
It seems the Ultimate Scholar is not as good as Yan Huaishi.
Huaishi, you are very smart.
Never mind.
I'll take my leave.
Forgive us for not walking you to the door.
There's no need.
RESIDENCE OF PRINCE OF CHU
Your Highness.
We just received news that
Princess Shaoning went to Prince of Yan's residence after leaving Qingming.
Then she returned to the palace hastily.
Seems like she's getting impatient.
Monitor Shaoning and Ning Sheng's movements.
Yes, Your Highness.
Your Highness' trick to draw the snake out of the hole is effective indeed.
Headmaster Xin.
You know about my mother's case, don't you?
I have a pretty good guess.
Eighteen years ago,
His Majesty, who was Lord of Minhai back then,
attacked the capital.
He sent Chang Yuan to the border of Dayue.
Before Chang Yuan left,
he arranged for the Crown Prince to get His Highness' army
and ordered Chang Hai to guard the capital and assist the Crown Prince.
Colonel, please tell us what to do with Zhanbi.
Release him.
Yes, my lord.
Wait.
Tell Chang Hai immediately
to do everything he can to use Zhanbi to eliminate Consort Yan.
Yes.
Chang Hai informed Father that Dayue's spy got into the capital.
-He also gave a fake notice to Zhanbi -Yale.
saying that my mother will go to the royal temple.
Don't move.
Noble Consort Chang is very powerful in the palace.
She asked someone to plant the evidence of enemy collusion
in my mother's residence.
She sent my mother a fake notice
that Zhanbi was going to be executed for being a spy.
Mother was desperate and released Zhanbi in secret.
EMPEROR'S SEAL
Later, Chang Yuan received the news at the border.
Based on the prisoner's statement, Zhanbi was the one who sent the message.
Chang Yuan immediately informed His Majesty regarding this.
So they followed the clues and found the planted evidence
at Consort Yan's residence.
Consort Yan couldn't get out of it.
That was how it went.
Even though we were able to guess what happened,
we never found any evidence.
Another thing.
Who gave my mother the fake notice and plant evidence to harm her
on behalf of Noble Consort Chang
It must've been someone in the palace.
If not,
based on His Majesty's affection for Consort Yan,
it wouldn't have been easy for outsiders to enter Yilan Palace.
Since Shaoning and Ning Sheng are working together,
I believe Ning Sheng will make a move.
Let me help him out.
Ning Cheng.
Yes, Your Highness.
Invite the Head of Court Affairs Department
to come here for a gathering.
Tell him I'm going to investigate the sealed evidence in Consort Yan's case.
Yes, Your Highness.
ZHAOQING PALACE
Aunt.
I told you all about it earlier.
Ning Sheng also asked me to come and ask for your opinion.
Why are you so indifferent, and eating bird's nest?
It's just Lady Wang.
Do you have to act this way?
Eighteen years ago,
I released her because she was insignificant.
Eighteen years after, she was released from that cold palace.
If it wasn't because of me,
could she have a place in this palace?
Aunt, you don't understand.
We don't need to worry about Lady Wang.
But if Ning Yi tracks the old clues
and catches on to Lady Wang,
do you think she won't tell him about it?
Aunt, I think this is what we should do.
Find a fault with Lady Wang
and just kill her.
Silly child.
You're not as good compared to Ning Sheng.
Don't you use your brain?
Killing her is easy.
Finding fault with her is even easier.
But don't forget.
Her son is still acting filial in front of His Majesty.
If Lady Wang dies, Ning Qi will create a fuss.
With His Majesty's support, even if I deny it,
I won't get away with the responsibility of not investigating thoroughly.
I guess you're right.
What should we do then?
Let me deal with her.
Knowing her personality,
she won't betray me even if I abuse her.
You know,
this palace is my turf.
Your Majesty.
The Minister of Divination is here.
Minister of Divination, Dai Mingqi pays respect to Your Majesty.
There's no need for courtesy.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
Colonel Mao of Xichui Army
sent this urgently today.
He said that this was an auspicious sign from the heavens.
Can you interpret this for me?
I'd be glad to, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty.
Based on the pattern of this turtle shell, it should be over 100 years old.
The lucky grain pattern on its back seems to be naturally formed.
This grain has one stalk and seven ears.
It's different from ordinary grains.
Based on Furui Chronicles,
when the former Emperor Guangwu was born, a lucky grain appeared.
I've already been an emperor for so many years.
What is the interpretation for this grain?
Your Majesty.
I've been watching the stars recently.
It seems there's an auspicious sign of five stars being connected together.
I'm guessing it's related to the heir to the throne.
Among my sons,
who is lucky enough to fulfill this auspicious sign from the heavens?
Forgive me, Your Majesty.
I don't dare make a guess.
All right, you may go.
I'll take my leave.
Zhao Yuan.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Ask Gu Yan to investigate this.
-Don't let anyone else know. -Yes, Your Majesty.
QINGMING ACADEMY
Open the gates.
Prince of Jinshi is here to visit Wei Zhi, Director of Studies.
Come out to welcome him!
The first sentence was very articulate.
You can take back the second one.
Then don't come out to welcome him!
Prince Helian.
Prince Helian, I'm very sorry.
You can't go inside.
You dare block my way?
Aren't you afraid of dying?
Prince Helian.
I really don't mean it that way.
This is the new rule set by Director of Studies.
Starting today,
unauthorized personnel are not allowed to enter.
Come here.
Look at me carefully.
Am I an unauthorized person?
-An unauthorized person? -That hurts.
I know Headmaster Xin is very busy.
He let Wei Zhi manage the academy.
If Headmaster Xin were here,
I wouldn't even want to come visit.
Do you know who I am?
I'm Wei Zhi's friend.
Even if Headmaster Xin doesn't let me in,
Wei Zhi will.
Stop!
All right.
I guess you want to do it the hard way.
Prince Helian.
This is Tiansheng's territory.
Don't get yourself in unnecessary trouble.
There are many other ways for us to achieve our objective.
All right.
Since you're with Wei Zhi,
I won't give you a hard time.
I'll be back another day!
I'm stuck. Open the gates.
There's already a suspicion regarding the setup Your Highness prepared.
The Royal Guards are secretly investigating the auspicious sign.
We just need to wait and see.
No.
We are lacking in action.
How can I touch Father's heart?
-Minister Xu. -Yes, Your Highness.
How's the matter in Yanzhou?
Your Highness.
I already have it in my hands.
However, would that endanger Your Highness?
Nothing ventured,
nothing gained.
Gu Nanyi.
I really need to find Wei Zhi.
Let me in.
Overview of Dacheng
is an important classic from the previous dynasty.
The Emperor does not like it.
I do not hope to see the current dynasty
start conducting literary inquisition again.
Huashi.
I lied to Grand Secretary Yao a few days ago.
So what?
What was it about?
I did indeed read Overview of Dacheng.
You trust me. You know I won't tell anyone about this.
But what you said
ends here.
Huaishi, don't worry.
I've told this only to you.
There are two things I'm troubled about, so I wanted to talk to you.
I've only heard about it.
I haven't seen this Overview of Dacheng with my own eyes.
It doesn't matter.
I've only read half of it.
That's why I don't understand why His Majesty dislikes it so much.
Have you heard anything about it?
I just heard that the author of this book is the former empire's scholar.
When His Majesty became the Emperor,
this scholar made a prediction.
And said...
Said what?
That Tiansheng won't last.
And the way to eliminate it is in that book.
For this reason,
His Majesty once ordered a mass destruction of the book.
Where did you find it?
That's my question too.
Why would my teacher have this book?
And why did he ask me to read it?
I don't believe this!
I have to see Wei Zhi today!
Prince Helian.
Is this also the same as the salt incident,
which is also a form of irreplaceable etiquette in Jinshi?
Director Wei is indeed well-learned.
Jinshi has a tradition of stealing brides.
Jumping this wall
is just one of the necessary means.
Prince Helian.
Qingming Academy is Tiansheng's royal academy.
Such a rash move might displease His Majesty.
If you damage diplomatic relations
because of such a minor thing,
you might not be able to answer to the King of Jinshi when you get back.
Director Wei.
Why do you blame me?
I came here with a sincere heart to study.
But Gu Nanyi kicked me out without any explanation.
That's why I had no choice but to do that.
You're here to study?
Yes.
Then does Your Highness know the rules of Qingming Academy?
Regardless of how many rules you have, I'll be able to follow them.
There are not many.
Only two.
One of them
is to pass the qualifying exam.
That's not a big deal.
I can do that.
What's the second one?
Someone wearing extravagant clothing
needs to take another exam.
What are you doing?
Now I only need to take one exam, right?
Vice Minister.
I pay respect to you.
There's no need for courtesy.
Vice Minister.
There's one thing I don't understand and want to ask you about.
His Majesty is brilliant to arrange for the golden box.
But he didn't have further orders.
How shall we handle it going forward?
What do you mean, Minister Xu?
In my opinion,
we just need to do what we usually do.
His Majesty will handle it.
I shall remember
your advice.
It's just that all types of officials
send reports to the Ministry of Rites
saying that it's difficult to verify the authenticity of the auspicious sign.
With no official heir to the throne, the officials are disturbed
and the regime doesn't have peace.
In this case,
His Majesty's action might not be appropriate.
All right. I'll speak to His Majesty at the Royal Court.
Wang pays respect to Noble Consort.
Please stand, Lady Wang.
In this palace, this kind of courtesy is not required for us sisters.
Noble Consort has a high position in the palace.
Courtesy is required.
I wonder what advice or comment Noble Consort has for me today.
That's not why I asked you to come.
Lady Wang.
I often wake up, scared from a dream.
The dream is about the events when the empire was first established.
Back then, the palace was very volatile.
You did me a favor.
You helped me become stable in my position in this palace.
Yet, you didn't receive His Majesty's affection.
I wasn't able to help you, either.
Thinking about your hardship for the past few years,
I wake up from the dream
with a heart that aches for you.
It's all my fault for troubling Noble Consort.
Please punish me.
Stand up.
Do you want me to help you up myself?
Ying, aren't you going to help Lady Wang up?
Lady Wang.
I really regret it.
Back then, if I had helped you get His Majesty's affection,
you wouldn't have needed to stay in that cold palace all these years
and suffer alone.
I know you have talented hands.
This cloud brocade is a precious tribute
given by His Majesty.
Shaoning asked me to give it to her a couple of days ago.
I was reluctant to give it to her.
I'm even reluctant to use it myself.
It won't go to waste if I give it to you.
I'm giving it to you today
as my way of apologizing.
Your Majesty, your birthday is coming up soon.
The Imperial Harem is handled by Noble Consort.
Regarding your birthday party
that the officials and ambassadors from other kingdoms are preparing,
does Your Majesty have a prince in mind to host it?
Prince of Yan, Ning Sheng, can handle it.
I will comply.
Thank you, Father.
Your Majesty.
Upon your orders, I investigated Colonel Mao of Xichui Army's report
regarding the auspicious sign and it is indeed false.
There must be a motive
for the false report.
Gu Yan, continue investigating.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty.
The Governor of Yanzhou also sent an auspicious sign.
He said that he got a rock from the river with the inscription,
"When all things are gathered for good, Heavens will grant eternal prosperity."
He also said,
"The I Ching states,
'When all things are gathered for good, there will be prosperity and progress.'"
-Right. -Does that mean Ning Sheng?
Father is brilliant.
We cannot simply believe this.
We should ask Chief Gu to investigate this as well.
Everyone who claims false auspicious signs should be removed,
demoted to ordinary citizens, and be imprisoned for two years.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty, I have a report.
The officials are disturbed
because there's still no official heir to the throne.
Your Majesty put the heir's name in the golden box
because of your compassion for us.
So that our empire will have someone to depend on.
In that case, I believe
we should ask an official to guard it so that the citizens will have peace.
Does everyone agree with Vice Minister?
Who can handle such an important task?
I believe
the golden box is an important matter.
Colonel Chunyu is an important official
who is loyal to Your Majesty.
He can handle this.
I don't agree with Grand Secretary Yao.
Colonel Chunyu is responsible for defending the empire.
Whenever there's a war, he must go to the battlefield.
How can he handle such an important task?
Ning Yi.
What do you think?
Father.
I believe
that Director Wei
is the Ultimate Scholar you've personally chosen.
He's loyal to you and is impartial.
He can handle it.
Very well.
I permit it.
-Grand Secretary Yao. -Yes, Your Majesty.
My trusted aide, Grand Secretary Yao,
and Wei Zhi will both be responsible for protecting my imperial edict.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Prince of Chu, Ning Yi.
Bring the Royal Guards to Qingming Academy immediately
to protect the golden box along the way.
Yes, Your Majesty.
QINGMING ACADEMY
Wei Zhi.
What kind of strange question is this?
Are you picking on me?
How am I picking on you?
Qingming Academy is a strange place indeed.
Right?
If you want to study here,
you have to be able to answer strange questions.
Nonsense.
I don't believe it. Ask someone to answer it.
If they get it right, I'll rest my case.
Prince Helian.
If an ordinary student answers it, it will be insulting to you.
Just in time.
Prince of Chu can do it effortlessly.
Prince of Chu.
Prince of Chu, you came just in time.
What's the matter?
Prince Helian cannot answer my question.
Prince Helian is so smart.
-How can he not answer your question? -That's right.
Prince of Chu.
How about you try it?
If you can't answer it, I don't need to embarrass myself.
What did you say?
This is what happened.
The three of them only said a sentence each.
Wei Zhi then asked me to determine who's telling the truth
and which box contains the stone.
And I only had one chance.
Do you see how he's picking on me?
What a strange question.
That's right.
Then let me try.
The stone is not in this box.
The stone is in Yao Yangyu's box.
What did you say?
The stone is in Yao Yangyu's box.
Louder.
The stone is in Yao Yangyu's box.
The stone is not in this box.
Only one of them is telling the truth.
That's so hard.
That's right.
Yao Yangyu looks so honest.
I have to believe him, of course.
Open this one.
Ning Yi, Wei Zhi.
You two colluded to trick me.
All right.
I must get into Qingming Academy today.
I'm not leaving.
Your Highness.
Qingming Academy is special.
But Prince Helian is even more special.
I'm really at my wit's end.
Any good ideas?
Let him stay and torment him well.
Yes, Your Highness.
Nanyi.
Prince of Chu has orders.
Take Prince Helian out from where he came in.
Gu Nanyi, we don't have any enmity with each other or in the past.
What are you doing?
Be careful.
Let me go.
Gu Nanyi.
Wei Zhi, Ning Yi.
Be careful not to harm him.
Gu Nanyi, what are you doing?
Gu Nanyi.
I'll be back!
How bold of you, Wei Zhi.
How could you be so rough?
Thank you for that, Your Highness.
Wei Zhi, accept royal orders.
His Majesty verbally ordered,
"Ask Director Wei Zhi to protect my imperial edict from this day on.
Be careful with it.
That's an order."
I thank and shall obey His Majesty's order.
You may rise.
You have to be careful.
Watch it carefully.
You might lose your head.
Let's go.
Don't worry.
I've already said all that I needed to.
I reminded her
that she got the good life she has now
because of the hardships she suffered for years before.
She has to treasure it.
She should remember
that even though Consort Yan had His Majesty's affections back then,
I was still able to bring her down.
It will be easy for me to bring her down.
Why?
Are you worried
that I can't handle things well?
You are all dismissed.
I've never doubted your way of handling things,
but Shaoning said that the golden box
probably contains Ning Yi's name.
It's too late.
Do you have a way to persuade my father
to take back the golden box?
Furthermore,
it's not the same as before.
Father is not who he was back then.
If others can't see the intention of this golden box,
can you?
He wants to shut Uncle's mouth.
Even so,
can other consorts
compare to what I have with His Majesty?
When I married your father,
he was just Lord of Minhai.
How can I not know what he is thinking?
Consort Yan
was the sorceress of the Riluo Tribe.
She was an outsider.
Ning Yi's blood is not pure.
He is just a child out of wedlock.
Mother.
Father is already wary of the Chang family.
You're not aware.
Today, in the Royal Court,
Father gave Wei Zhi orders to protect the golden box.
What?
There are so many government officials.
Why did he give it to that newcomer, Wei Zhi?
Can't you see, Mother?
Father is taking precautions against the Chang family and our allies.
Father trusts Wei Zhi.
During this time,
if Lady Wang reveals any small details and Father finds out,
it's over for you and me.
Just do it.
You have to find a way to eliminate Lady Wang to avoid any trouble.
I want to see whose name is written
in the golden box.
The golden box is with Wei Zhi.
I'm sure he will guard it well.
How can you see it?
Father's birthday party will be an opportunity.
Headmaster Xin.
You're just in time.
This book makes me want to play Go.
How about playing one game with me?
You're so skilled in Go.
How would I dare play with you?
And I have an important thing I need your advice on.
That's good.
If you win,
I'll give you all the advice you need.
Why must you give me a hard time?
How can I beat you?
And the thing I need advice on concerns the safety of Qingming Academy.
Qingming Academy's safety is beyond the horizon.
My desire to play the game
is on the horizon.
Which do you think we should resolve first?
Tell me.
Then let me ask you.
Do you know where this game came from?
"Emperor Shun's son, Shangjun, is not that bright, so..."
"So he taught him Go."
You just need to win one round.
Why? Are you too afraid to take the challenge?
It's just one round. Why should I be afraid?
Whether I win or lose, Qingming Academy is still yours.
Interesting.
I don't want to play anymore.
You're copying my moves. How can that be interesting?
We're playing a game. Isn't the strategy in playing...
What is it?
You're copying my moves.
That's what you mean by "playing a game."
I learned something from you.
All right. Tell me.
What's so urgent?
Do you know that the golden box is in Qingming Academy right now?
Do you know what that means?
Of course I do.
But that is something His Majesty has decided.
You and I can't change that.
So whatever His Majesty asks you to do,
do it.
His Majesty's decision is not appropriate this time around.
How can I guard the golden box well?
Please help me find a way
to get another person to do it.
Wei Zhi.
What are you even asking advice for?
You're trying to avoid your responsibility.
You don't want to do it.
The golden box is very important.
There must be a hidden story.
What do you mean?
I can't tell you now.
Prince of Chu is already at a disadvantage.
Don't cause any more trouble.
He's already under attack from all sides. Do you understand?
Is His Majesty really not choosing an heir?
-Why does His Majesty treat him that way? -Let me ask you.
Why did His Majesty release Prince of Chu from Zongzheng Temple?
Crown Prince and the Chang family have a lot of power in Court.
In order to tame that power,
the Emperor released Ning Yi from Zongzheng Temple.
-You-- -Why Ning Yi?
How can he tame the power of the Crown Prince?
In the palace,
everyone listens to the Chang family.
The Emperor has no one to trust, but Ning Yi.
He became a prisoner before he turned 20 years old.
He has no connections in the palace.
That's why the Emperor trusts him.
He couldn't avoid his fate as a nail.
He really can't act out of his own volition.
Wei Zhi.
In life, things don't always turn out the way we want them to.
Who can really do whatever he wants?
How can I not be concerned about Qingming Academy's safety?
But if I must choose between that and Prince of Chu,
even if Qingming Academy needs to be closed,
I still need to help His Highness.
I understand now.
I shall guard the golden box well.
Don't worry.
I'll protect you as well.
Subtitle translation by Coleen Chua