Subtitles by DramaFever
[Scarlet Heart] [Episode 5]
Take your pick.
Crown Prince, let's have a bet.
- Sure. - Let's make a bet.
Look at that one.
- Good. - That's the one.
I'll take that one.
Fourteenth Brother.
Do you know what equality and freedom are?
I've never heard of such things.
It means when we're born
there aren't any differences in status or races.
We're all born equal and can live our lives as we wish.
Even the emperor can't control someone else's life.
How is that possible?
Once we're born, God has already assigned different statuses to us.
If we're born to be princes, then we'll just have to be princes.
How is it possible for anyone to disobey the emperor?
What kind of a joke is that?
Perhaps there's another world.
A place where people can speak freely
and marry people whom they truly love.
Thirteenth Brother, enough of this equality and freedom.
It'll be like overturning everything, including all our past teachings.
I've had enough of such ridiculous nonsense.
Ruo Xi said it's modern thinking.
Modern thinking?
Here comes that ridiculous modern person.
Hello, Sister-in-law.
Greetings, Thirteenth Prince, Fourteenth Prince.
- Hello, princes. - Rise.
Has Ruo Xi been saying ridiculous things to you again?
Thirteenth Brother and I were just discussing what equality and freedom are.
We didn't mean to criticize her.
But can you tell me what a modern person is, Ruo Xi?
A modern person is...
Well done!
Sis, who is it?
Amazing.
It's her?
I didn't know she's such a great equestrian.
The Guoluoluo sisters are well known for their equestrian skills.
Didn't you know that?
That's because you like her.
What was that?
Tenth Brother, I didn't know your wife's such a great equestrian.
- Much better than you. - Better than me?
- You want me to show you what I've got? - Go on.
I...
Tenth Brother, aren't you going to help your wife get off her horse?
- Go on. - Hurry.
That was amazing.
It's been a great day today.
It's a pity Fourth Brother's not here.
What a shame.
Royal Father's already complimented
the Guoluoluo princesses on their superb equestrian skills before.
You've certainly proved him right today.
Thank you, Crown Prince.
That's a compliment that my father always gives my sister, not me.
Your sister's also a good rider
but I think you're even better than her.
Thank you, Crown Prince.
I've heard the Maertai sisters also grew up in an army camp.
So they're also great riders.
Why don't you use this opportunity to show us your skills?
Good idea. Show us what you've got.
Maertai Ruo Xi.
Since you're already changed, why don't you show us your skills?
Ming Yu.
Don't tell me you don't know how to ride a horse.
Then I guess it's probably just a rumor.
I thought everyone's a great rider
and has exceptional riding skills within the Maertai army camp.
Looks like it's just a lie after all.
Crown Prince.
I've received some training in my father's army camp.
So...
I'm willing to perform for everyone.
Sis is amazing.
- Incredible. - She's such a great rider.
She's so fast and agile.
Exactly, unlike someone who almost flattened the horse.
What do you mean by that?
- What are you doing? - Your wife's certainly a superb rider.
- Thank you. - Cool!
- Amazing! - Incredible!
- Well done. - What a great show!
- Sis! - This is unbelievable!
Sis.
Sis, you've earned such glory for the Maertai family today.
You're absolutely amazing.
We're just as good as one another.
- That was incredible-- - Come here.
Well done, Princess Consort Ruo Lan.
Thank you, Crown Prince.
I didn't know Sis was so good at this.
But why does she look so upset?
Eighth Brother, your wife's riding skills are much better than yours.
Exactly, she's such a superb rider.
How come Eighth Prince looks just as sad?
Why does his smile look so bitter?
I wonder what the story is behind this.
- Greetings, my lord. - Rise.
You've never even gone near a stable for the past few years
let alone ridden a horse.
But you still rode with such confidence just then.
Ruo Lan, you know what?
Everyone was mesmerized by you just then.
You looked absolutely stunning on the back of that horse.
But I'm very tired.
I'm totally exhausted.
I never ever want to ride a horse again.
Ruo Lan.
We're the only ones here now. Can you please be honest with me?
My lord, it's getting late. We should get going.
Ruo Lan, I understand you might have had a very painful past.
But it's time to move on.
I'm sure we can be very happy in the future.
We can still have our own children.
Even though we lost it once--
That's enough, my lord.
I don't expect you to do anything for me.
I just don't want to see you so upset all the time.
Did you marry me so that you can live in such pain?
As a prince, can't I even make my wife happy?
Ruo Lan.
What do I have to do to make you happy?
You've already done a lot for me, my lord.
You don't have to waste any more time on me.
We're husband and wife.
Are we going to stay like this forever?
Do we have to treat each other like total strangers?
If you'd prefer it that way, I wouldn't mind either.
Ruo Lan, I can't do that.
I'd rather you blame me for it so that I can make it up to you.
But I can't stand to be totally ignored by you.
Don't you have any feelings for me anymore?
I get it.
The reason you're not fighting back
is because your grudge, helplessness, and pain...
are the biggest punishment for me and yourself.
Is that right?
You'll never love me again.
I'm sorry.
I'm leaving.
Their marriage was arranged by the emperor
so they had no choice but to obey the order.
- There's no point being mad about it. - Same to you.
- What do you mean? - What do I mean?
You might like her very much, but she doesn't like you.
Are you trying to be a matchmaker?
What makes you think I like Ming Yu?
Don't you?
But let me tell you something.
You're also mistaken.
I don't like Tenth Prince.
So we're even now.
But on the night of their wedding
why were you so upset?
You don't have to tell me if you don't want to.
You're right. I was very upset that night.
But that's because
it's the day that my mother passed away.
It happened on the same day many years ago.
I guess Royal Father's already forgotten about it.
But if you don't like Tenth Brother
why did you sing to him and made all those paper cranes for him?
Do you know what the Lady in Red was doing
when Curly Beard met her?
She was combing her hair.
So a man and a woman can also become soulmates
and care about each other.
It doesn't always have to be about love and relationships.
That's certainly very well said.
- Let's-- - Go for a drink.
Let's go.
Come on.
Thirteenth Prince.
Thirteenth Prince, please come in.
Why didn't you tell us you were coming?
- Don't make a big fuss. - I'll go and let our lady know
so she can finish up with her customer.
It's okay. I just want to have a drink with my friend today.
- Just prepare a few dishes. - Yes, I'll do that right now.
Your soulmate?
Whenever I get bored and feel like a drink and a chat
I come here and talk to her.
Come on, let's go inside.
This lady must be paid company.
Would you look down on women like her?
No. Everyone's equal, remember?
Thirteenth Prince, here comes Lady Lu Wu.
Lu Wu, she's the tough princess that I've been telling you about.
- I've heard a lot about you. - He exaggerates a bit.
Don't you think the three of us should have a drink?
Sure.
So the three of us talked about things that happened in the palace
as well as ancient poems and jokes.
We talked about massive deserts and beautiful lakes
as well as famous poets and people.
Cheers.
So you're also a fan of Ji Kang's?
Ji Kang's such a great ideologist.
In your words, he believes everyone
has the right to pursue their own happiness.
He never surrendered to power.
It's what you call...
- liberalism, right? - Exactly.
One of you is a royal prince while the other one's a fine lady.
The fact that you're both questioning our tradition regardless of your status
is certainly very admirable.
Lu Wu, you're very similar to us.
You're just as helpless as we are
and also yearn for freedom as much as we do.
You're right.
Good, I never thought I'd meet two soulmates here.
To three ancient people who actually have the thinking of modern people.
- Cheers. - Cheers.
Good evening, Thirteenth Prince, Young Miss.
It's okay, I can go back by myself.
Don't worry, I know it's a bit late.
But I won't get into trouble.
I think I better have a word with Eighth Brother.
I'm sorry that I got back a little late tonight.
Ruo Xi.
I thought you said you won't repeat the same mistake.
Sis, you keep looking at the person in the painting.
Is it someone you know, Sis?
He was the one who taught me how to ride a horse.
So...
do you like him?
When Eighth Prince asked our father for my hand in marriage...
I had to obey the order and become his concubine.
No matter how I begged Father
he still wouldn't change his mind.
Soon after I married Eighth Prince
I became pregnant with his child.
Didn't that put an end to everything?
When I was three months pregnant
I was told
that the general had died in a battle.
I was terribly upset when I heard the news.
So I got really sick
and had a miscarriage.
It was Eighth Prince.
It's him.
He asked someone to find out who the general was.
That's why Father sent him to the front lines.
I didn't do anything wrong
but he still died because of me.
What I did with Thirteenth Prince last night
seems perfectly normal in the modern world.
But in ancient times, people actually find it hard to accept
such an ordinary incident.
I already lost a lot of things since I came here.
I can't let them take away my right to make friends.
Although it might make things a bit difficult for Sis
but I guess she'd understand.
I'm so glad to have found a soulmate in this era.
I wish we could go for another drink right now.
What are you drawing, Young Miss?
A galloping wild horse.
- The comic version. - What's a comic?
Young Miss, Eighth Prince would like to see you in his study.
It's probably about you drinking with Thirteenth Prince last night.
Please go inside.
Greetings, Eighth Prince.
Rise.
Where did you go with Thirteenth Prince last night?
I thought he told you already.
I asked you a question.
Thirteenth Prince took me out to have a drink.
Come here.
Am I really that scary?
Don't move.
Official Yao will be here soon.
You may go back now.
Yes.
Here, eat more.
- Here you go. - Thank you.
Where did you get this bangle from?
It's such a rare type of bloodstone.
Thirteenth Prince is so nice to you.
He's the most unique prince among all of them.
He seems to have a sense of chivalry that other people don't have.
But having said that
if you can't be the one to take charge of something...
then perhaps you shouldn't even think about it in the first place.
Do you know what I mean?
Yes, I do.
The imperial harem selection.
Men should be ambitious.
So I don't expect you all to stay by my side forever.
Royal Father, in regards to Shandong's river project--
Let's not talk about work during the new year.
Yes.
I heard the imperial harem selection will take place in a few days.
That's right.
Is Ruo Xi also one of the candidates?
Yes, Royal Father.
She's a very clever child.
It seems very likely that Ruo Xi will get selected.
Knowing her character, she'd rather die than be sent to the palace.
The imperial harem selection that takes place once every three years
is every noble young girl's nightmare.
If they get selected by the emperor to become his consorts and concubines
then they'll be trapped in the palace for the rest of their lives.
The Great Qing's rules are already more civilized than past eras'
in that girls who don't get selected only have to stay for a few years
before they get released to go home once they reach a certain age.
However, the most precious and beautiful years of their youth
have already been taken away from them.
No.
I can't just stand there and let that happen to Ruo Xi.
Ruo Xi's a very special girl.
It's a great shame that she was born in such an era
and has such a family background.
Is there anything we can do to help her change her destiny?
The least we can do
is to stop her from becoming the emperor's consort or concubine.
Perhaps...
this is the inevitable destiny of being a woman.
What?
You're spending New Year's Eve at Ruo Lan's loft?
But for as long as I can remember
you always spend New Year's Eve in my loft with me.
Look, I've already got everything ready.
As for Ruo Lan's loft
since her place is always so deserted
she might not even have any decorations.
I'm worried that she's not prepared enough
to bring you good luck for the new year.
It's true that you've done a great job decorating the place.
But I've already told Ruo Lan that I'll be spending the night at her place.
I'm only here to notify you.
I'm going.
Don't slack off.
Make sure everything is in place.
Yes.
[Lan Loft]
Here, eat more.
Here you go, Ruo Lan.
Thank you, my lord.
Young Miss, it's been a really nice New Year's Eve dinner this year.
You know what?
It's been a long time since Madam's been so happy.
That's because both you and Eighth Prince are here.
Qiao Hui, we've been walking for a long time.
I still don't know why we have to walk on these sesame seeds.
It's a tradition.
It's meant to bring us better luck for the new year.
Sis, are we done yet?
Can I go to bed now?
You look like as if you haven't slept for 300 years.
That's because Young Miss was having too much fun just then.
I'm glad you had fun. You may go to bed now.
Thanks.
You can't sleep just yet.
- We always stay up on New Year's Eve. - Stay up?
- Young Miss. - Young Miss, are you okay?
- What happened? - She's tired.
Eat something. That should keep you awake.
I've already had a lot to eat.
Why don't we play some string games?
I'll just get up and move around.
- Young Miss, are you okay? - Did you get hurt?
What's wrong?
You can rest here if you're tired.
Take a rest.
- Bring her a pillow. - Yes, Madam.
Ruo Lan, are you sleepy?
Why don't you take a rest as well?
I'm fine, thank you.
My lord.
I'd like to ask for a favor.
Since Ruo Xi grew up in an army camp since she was young
she's very different from the usual princesses in Beijing.
So I'm worried that she'll get into a lot of trouble after she enters the palace.
So I'd like to ask you
to ask the grannies and friends you know at the palace to look after her.
That's not considered a favor at all.
I'd do the same thing even if you hadn't asked.
Is there anything else you'd like to say to me?
If Ruo Xi can get away with being selected in the palace
then His Majesty would probably arrange a marriage for her.
Since your thirteenth brother gets along quite well with her
if Thirteenth Brother's willing to ask Fourth Brother to do him a favor...
then perhaps Crown Prince will help them as a favor for Fourth Brother.
If you're also willing to put in a good word for them...
then it'll probably help a lot.
It's still too early to talk about their marriage arrangement now.
But don't worry.
I definitely won't let anything happen to Ruo Xi.
Thank you.
Sis has always been very cold toward Eighth Prince.
But she's actually requesting a favor from him with such gentleness.
I wonder how Eighth Prince really thinks about this.
Sis, it's the new year.
- Yes, it is. - That means I can go to bed.
- Happy New Year. Bye. - Young Miss.
I'm going too.
Eighth Prince, since it's already so late
- why don't you spend the night here? - That's right.
It's okay.
Don't worry. I'll definitely keep my promise to you.
You should get some rest now.
My bed.
Young Miss, you haven't washed your face yet.
I need to sleep.
Luckily Madam stays up for New Year's Eve every year.
If all she ever thought about was her bed like you do
then there'd be no one to wish for good luck for your parents.
Don't fall asleep just yet.
I'll get you some water to wash your face.
The reason we stay up on New Year's Eve is to wish for longevity for our parents.
How could I have forgotten about it?
Dad, Mom.
I miss you so much.
How can I not miss you?
If I keep staying here
I'll probably forget who I really am.
Dear God.
Can you tell me who I am?
Am I Ruo Xi or Zhang Xiao?
- Eighth Prince. - Rise.
You seemed fine just now.
Why are you crying on New Year's Day?
This is so embarrassing.
I'm just angry at myself for falling asleep
instead of staying up to wish for good luck for my parents.
That's just a formality.
You shouldn't get upset and cry on New Year's Day.
I thought you were crying because you made a huge mistake.
Do you feel better now that you've cried it out?
Much better.
I should go back now.
Why aren't you staying here tonight, Eighth Prince?
Your sister needs to stay up tonight
and I need to get ready to go and wish Royal Father Happy New Year.
So early in the morning?
Does that mean you won't get to sleep at all?
Then you better go and start preparing.
I shouldn't delay you.
There's no rush.
You should go back.
Sis.
Happy New Year, Sis.
You came just as I was wondering where you were.
Come and sit down.
Father and Mother kept talking to Tenth Prince.
Even though I couldn't wait to come here
I didn't dare stop Mother from talking to him.
Since it's the first time he visited them on New Year's Day
Father and Mother must have been so excited.
You should forgive them for wanting to talk to him.
Now that you're married, things aren't the same anymore.
Your husband is now your priority.
Sis.
Where's Tenth Prince?
I thought he went to visit Father with you.
He said he still has work to do
so I asked him to go back first.
Look at you.
At least you had Tenth Prince to spend New Year's Eve with you.
I only had Hong Wang to stay up with me last night.
Even until dawn
I still didn't get to see Eighth Prince.
But I thought he always spent New Year's Eve with you.
This year's different.
He spent the night at Ruo Lan's place.
I heard from the maids
that they heard a lot of laughter coming from her place.
Eighth Prince only went back to his room at dawn
to get changed before he went to see the emperor at the palace.
I can't believe it.
Why did he go to her place
when he should have been here with you and Hong Wang?
Ever since Ruo Xi came here
Eighth Prince has been paying a lot more attention to them.
He goes over to their place every now and then.
He also gives them gifts that he finds new and interesting.
Ruo Xi is not a simple girl at all.
She's actually very smart and cunning as well.
All the servants and even those princes are mesmerized by her.
I know.
Actually Tenth Prince really wanted to come here today.
But since I knew it's because he wanted to see Ruo Xi
I had no choice but to ask him to go home.
It'll soon be the imperial harem selection.
I hope everything will get better once she leaves this manor.
Now that you've mentioned the imperial harem selection
I think...
it's going to be another problem.
Remember how Royal Father complimented Ruo Xi
at the Mid-Autumn Festival dinner?
What if she gets selected by him?
Then she'll definitely become even more arrogant.
Good morning, Eighth Prince.
- Greetings, my lord. - Greetings, Eighth Prince.
Rise.
Why are you here alone? Where's Tenth Brother?
He had some work to do, so he's already gone home.
Now that he's married, he's a lot more serious about his work.
Of course not, Eighth Prince.
What work would there be on New Year's Day?
He's probably just tired from staying up last night.
But since he's worried that you'll think he's lazy
he thought he better find himself a good excuse.
Young Miss, come here.
Young Miss.
Look at that.
Young Miss, come on.
Young Miss, you've already been upset for a few days.
Look at all these people here. Can't you try to cheer up today?
Young Miss, look how beautiful it is.
Look at that.
It looks really fun.
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