Subtitles brought to you by Bu Bu Jing Xin Team @ Viki
Episode 5
We must pick a good horse
Great!
Crown Prince,
let's bet on this, what do you say?
Let's do it!
Alright, place your bet!
Let's begin
Check that one out
Wow Great!
Let's go with that horse
Yes, that one!
14th brother, do you know
what 'equal rights' are?
What is it? Never heard of it
That is
everyone is born
without class differences
without discriminating other ethnicities
Everyone is born equal
Everyone can live as they want
Even the Emperor
cannot control other people's lives
Impossible
We have monarchs and their subjects.
A person's status
is determined at birth
You and I were born princes
So we live as princes
Besides,
how can you not obey the Emperor?
That is high treason.
There would be no order nor decency.
Well..perhaps it might be
an unexpected utopia
Everybody can speak their minds freely
without any fear
People love freely, and choose their own life companions
oh, 13th brother, what "Equal Rights"? what "democracy"?
That would mean disregarding the very basis of our societal structure
And going against all of our Confucian teachings
This is completely unorthodox!
I don't want to listen to this stuff
Well, Ruoxi said
that is how "modern people" think
"Modern people"?
Oh look, here comes our unorthodox "modern person"
Good day, sister-in-law
Greetings, 13th prince
Greetings, 14th prince
Rise Good day, Princes.
Did Ruoxi go on again
about her unorthodox beliefs?
Just now 13th brother and I were discussing
what the meaning of "democracy" is.
We're not judging or criticizing
Only...
Ruoxi, what is a "modern person"?
A "modern person" is...
Great! Wonderful!
Jie'jie, who is that?
Great!
Why is it her?
I never would have thought that her horseback riding skills were so good
The riding skills of the Guoluoluo sisters are famous in the palace
Didn't you know?
you're just saying that because you like her
What?
10th brother, I didn't know sister-in-law's riding skills were so good
better than yours!
Better than mine?
Want me to get on a horse and show you?
Go ahead!
I...
10th brother
look at the hard work your Di'fujin is doing, why don't you go help her off the horse?
Hurry Get on it!
Trilling!
Today's horse racing has been simply thrilling
Too bad 4th brother couldn't make it
Such a shame
Imperial Father has always said
The ge'ges of the Guoluoluo family
best exemplify our Manchurian horseback riding style
You have definitely proved
it today
Crown Prince is exaggerating
Imperial Father was praising my sister when he said that
I wouldn't dare accept the praise in her place
Although your sister's skills are very good
I think you are even better
Thank you, Crown Prince
I heard that General Maertai's daughters
were all raised in the barracks
Everyone can ride
Why don't you take the opportunity
and show us something amazing?
Good idea
Put on a show for us
Maertai Ruoxi
You are dressed to ride
why don't you go show off a little?
Mingyu!
Don't tell me...
you don't know how to ride
Looks like the rumors were simply just rumors
and I thought that everyone in General Maertai's army
were skilled horsemen
with outstanding capabilities
But it looks like
there's not a bit of truth in those rumors
Crown Prince
I was once trained in Father's army
So
I can perform for everyone if it please Your Highness
Jie'jie is amazing...
Breathtaking.
A valiant heroine!
It's truly "Riding Horse as Flying Yan[Bird]"
Sure is!
Unlike someone who rides like a flying bear on horseback
What's a "flying bear on horseback"?
Hey, what the heck!
8th Consort is an extraordinary talent
Yes So Cool!
Well done! (x3) What skills!
Amazing! Great! Such a thrill!
Simply amazing! Good!
Jie'jie!
Impressive! Too cool!
Jie'jie!
Jie'jie
You preserved our Maertai family's reputation!
Today you were simply amazing!
It's nothing. Everyone else is just as good.
Splendid! Come here!
8th Consort rode very well
Thank you, Crown Prince
I never knew Jie'jie had such extraordinary skill
But..why does her expression seem
so depressed?
8th brother, your Consort rides much better than you do
Yes Yes
Quite outstanding
And the 8th prince as well...
His smile...
seems bitter no matter how you look at it.
what's the truth behind all this?
Greetings Bei'le
Rise
All these years, you won't even go near the stables
let alone horseback riding
But just now,
you were able to perform at your highest level
Ruolan, did you know?
no one was able to take their eyes off you just now.
Your beauty and charisma are most captivating
when you are on horseback
But I'm tired.
Exhausted, mentally and physically
I never want to ride a horse ever again
Ruolan
There's only the two of us here
Are you willing to speak with me frankly?
Bei'le, it's getting late
We should return to the estate and rest
Ruolan, the past, no matter how painful, it's all in the past
It's time to let go
There can still be
many happy days ahead for us.
We can have a child together again and raise the child together
Though
we have once lost..
Bei'le, please don't go on.
I'm not asking you to do anything for me
I just can't stand
seeing you live miserably day after day
Marrying me
was it to make you suffer?
I am a prince, but I don't
even have the ability to make my wife happy
Ruolan, what do I have to do
to give you happiness?
Bei'le
you have already done a lot for me
Bei'le does not have to do anything more for Ruolan
We are already married!
are we to live the rest of our lives like this?
we are more estranged than acquaintances
If Bei'le is willing,
Ruolan is willing to live like this.
Ruolan, I can't do it
I would rather you be angry at me or hate me. I will do everything I can to make it up to you.
But I cannot bear
your coldness towards me
Or..is it that
you don't feel anything at all for me?
..I understand
you never fight or resist
Because your grief,
your helplessness, and your pain
is the greatest torture you can inflict
on yourself and me
right?
I will never be in your heart again
I'm sorry
I'll leave first
He was married by Imperial Edict
an upright and suitable match
that will bind them together for their entire lives
It's useless to be angry
The pot calling the kettle black
What do you mean?
Do I have to say it?
"A man should take a wife and a woman a husband"
"King Xiang has dream, but the Goddess is unwilling" (proverb from folklore implying a hopeless, forbidden love)
Oh, I see. Someone is arbitrarily match-making and
making the assumption that I'm in love with Mingyu
Are you not?
Well then,
I can honestly tell you
you have also misunderstood
I'm not in love with 10th prince
Then we're even
But
on Mingyu and 10th prince's wedding night
you were clearly very sad
If you don't want to talk about it, it's ok
Yes
I was indeed very sad that night
It was because.. that night
was the anniversary of my mother's death
she died on the same day, many many years ago
Imperial Father has probably forgotten already
But if you don't like 10th brother
why do you do so much for him?
Like singingand folding paper cranes
Do you know what the Lady of Red Dust was doing
(legendary beauty in Tang Dynasty folklore)
when Qiu Ran Ke first met her?
She was... brushing her hair. (the point being the man did not fall for the beauty though he witnessed a beautiful moment)
A relationship between a man and a womancould be like theirs
Care for each other, enjoy each other's company
yet with no intentions of love or lust, only sincerity.
Well said."no love or lust, only sincerity."
Why don't..
we get a drink?
Let's go
Go
13th prince
Come in
Why didn't you tell us you were coming?
No worries.
I'll go tell the lady you're here
so she can get rid of the customer and hurry over
It's okay
I'm just here to have a drink with my friend
Just prepare some wine and food
Yes, I'll get everything ready
your lady bosom friend?
When I'm bored or frustrated
I'll come here for a drink
and to chat a little
she's nice to talk to
Stop "ohh"ing, let's go
This lady
must be a courtesan
Do you look down on such women?
No, everyone is equal
Have you forgotten?
13th prince, Miss Luwu is here
Luwu
This is the Death-Seeking 13th sister I've told you about
I've heard much praise of you, my lady.
I surely don't deserve it
How about the three of us
have a few drinks?
Okay
Just like this
the three of us talked about everything from palace happenings
to interesting stories in history
From the deserts of the North
to the foggy mists of the South
From the poems of mountains and rivers
to philosophers and wise men in history
Cheers
Really?
you are also an admirer of Ji Kang?
Of course!
Ji Kang's "Criticisms of the Famous Princes"
Using your words,
he believes everyone has the right to pursue his/her own happiness
Unrestricted by those wielding power
You called it...something...something..
"Liberalism"?
Correct!
You two,
one was born a prince of the royal family
one a sheltered noble lady
yet neither of you care about your wealth and status
you dare to question the status-quo
truly admirable.
Luwu
aren't you the same way?
you are restricted and confined by status just as we are
and you crave freedom
and individuality just as much as us
Precisely...
Awesome! I never thought that
I would meet two soul mates here
To the three of us,
"ancient people with modern ideas" Cheers!
Cheers!
Greetings 13th prince, Second Miss
Go home
I'll be fine on my own
Don't worry I won't be in trouble
even though I returned late
I'll talk to 8th brother just to be sure
Sorry, I'm home late.
Ruoxi, didn't you say last time
that there won't be a second time?
I notice Jie'jie
often stares at the man on the screen
Jie'jie knows him?
He's the one who taught me how to ride
So..
he's the one you love.
That year, Bei'le
asked Father for my hand in marriage
I married 8th prince as the Imperial Edict decreed
and became his consort
I had knelt and begged Father to not force me to marry
but it was no use. the result was the same.
After I married 8th prince,
I became pregnant with his child
In that case
shouldn't the past be the past?
When I was 3 months pregnant,
I found out
that the General suddenly died in battle
I was so saddened by this news
that I fell extremely ill
and lost the child
It was 8th prince
It was him
He sent his people to investigate the General
That's why Father sent him away to be a frontline soldier
I didn't kill him
But he died because of me
What I did with the 13th prince last night
is commonplace in modern times
but here..
something so ordinary
is seen as unacceptable
I've already lost many things here
I don't want to have to lose my right to make friends too
Even though doing this
will cause trouble for Jie'jie
I think Jie'jie will let me
I found someone on the same wavelength at me in this time period
The more I think about it, the happier I get
I have an urge to find him to go drinking right this minute
Miss, what are you drawing?
I'm drawing horses
Manga version!
What is manga?
Second Miss
Master asked Second Miss to come to the study
Second Miss
It's probably regarding you drinking with 13th prince last night
Please
Greetings, 8th prince
Excused
Where did you go with Thirteenth prince yesterday?
Thirteenth prince didn't tell you?
I want to hear it from you
Thirteenth prince took me somewhere to drink
Come here
Am I really that scary?
Don't move
An Internal Bureau officer will be here soon.
Head back first
Yes
Come. Eat a little more
Here
Thank you
Where did that bangle come from?
This is Phoenix Blood Stone, it's very rare
Thirteenth prince is very good to you
13th prince stands out the most
amongst his brothers
He has a heroic aura the others don't have
But I still have to remind you that...
There are some things
if you cannot control the outcome
best to not think about..
Do you understand?
I understand
the maiden selection...
A man should set his sights afar.
I naturally do not expect you all
to stay by my side forever
Imperial Father
Regarding the Shandong flooding project
It's around New Year's
Let's not talk about work
Yes, Father.
I heard that maiden selections are in a few days
Yes
Your family's Ruoxi will also participate, correct?
Yes, Imperial Father
That child is quite clever
Looking at the current situation,
Ruoxi's chance of getting chosen is very high
With her personality,
forcing her to live like that
will be more painful than death
This triannual maiden selection
is a nightmare for how many girls from the families of the 8 banners?
If she catches His Majesty's eyes
and becomes a concubine,
then she will be trapped in the palace
for the rest of her life
Although Qing Dynasty laws are considered
more liberal when compared to the past
unchosen maidens only serve as servants for a few years
and are released from the palace to marry after a certain age
But those are a woman's most precious
and beautiful years
and they are stolen from her
No!
I cannot stand by and watch Ruoxi
fall to such a tragic fate
Miss Ruoxi is extraordinary
Pity she was born in this era
and with this family background
What can we do
to help her avoid this fate?
At least,
prevent her from being chosen as one of the Emperor's concubines.
Perhaps
this is a woman's destiny.
What?
Bei'le
is going to Ruolan's quarters to welcome the New Year?
But every New Years' Eve
you've always spent it here, welcoming the New Year with me.
Look, I have prepared everything.
But over at Ruolan's
I'm afraid it will be cold and deserted as always.
She might not even have a New Years' scroll hung up
I'm just afraid she won't serve you well
and won't be able to bring fortune and blessings to you in the New Year
Yes
everything is prepared very well here
But I already notified Ruolan
that I would count down the New Year with her.
I just came to let you know
I'll be leaving now
Nobody is allowed to slack off!
Make sure the decorations are placed well
Yes!
Here. Eat a little more
Here. Ruolan
Thank you, Bei'le
Second Miss
this New Years' Eve is so festive!
Let me tell you
Madam hasn't been this happy in a long time
You and Bei'le are both here.
Qiaohui, we've walked for so long
I still don't know
why we need to take a walk on sesame stalks
this is called the "stepping of age"
It is auspicious
"Elevate in prosperity and status."
Jie'jie, this should be enough stepping
Can I go and see my bed?
You look as if
you haven't seen a bed for 300 years
Second Miss had way too much fun earlier
Good that you had fun
Let her go sleep
Thanks
You mustn't sleep so early
Today you have to greet the New Year (stay up all night)
Greet the New Year?
Second Miss
Second Miss, are you alright?
What's wrong?
She's sleepy
If you're sleepy, eat something
If you eat, you won't be sleepy
I already ate a lot
I don't want to eat anymore
How about we keep playing this game?
I think I'll exercise a bit by myself
Second Miss, are you alright?
You didn't fall, did you?
What happened?
If you're sleepy, just rest here, okay?
Rest for awhile
Go get a pillow
Yes, Madam
Ruolan, are you tired?
Why don't you take a rest too?
No need, thank you
Bei'le
I have a favor to ask
Ruoxi grew up in the barracks
She can't compare with the young noble ladies in the city
I'm worried that when she enters the palace, she'll cause trouble
so I wanted to beg a favor of you to
have the Momos and Andas in the palace (High ranking maids and eunuchs)
to take care of her
That's not considered a favor
Even if you didn't ask, I would've done it
If you have something else you want to say, say it
If Ruoxi manages to avoid being selected in the maiden selection
Imperial Father would arrange her marriage
I think she gets along very well with 13th brother
If 13th brother asks for help from 4th brother to arrange their marriage
then maybe, Crown Prince
would help as a favor to 4th brother
If Bei'le
also pitches in
perhaps we can make it happen
Regarding the betrothal,
it's still too early to talk about it
But don't worry
I won't let Ruoxi be mistreated
Thank you
Jie'jie is normally cold to 8th prince
But for me
she's willing to speak gently and beg him for help
But in Eighth prince's heart,
what is he thinking of exactly?
Jie'jie
It's New Year
New Year has arrived
Then I've greeted the New Year
I'm going to sleep
You gals can stay here. Second Miss.
Bye bye
I'll leave as well
Bei'le, it's already so late
you should rest here
Yes
No
Don't worry
Whatever I've promised you,
I will accomplish
Rest well
Bed
Second Miss, don't sleep yet
You haven't washed up yet
I want to sleep
It's good that Madam greets the New Year every year
If she was like Miss
only thinking of the bed
Who would ask for fortune for your parents?
Don't sleep too deeply, Miss
I'll go get water for you to wash your face
Children kept awake on New Year's eve night.
So that parents will have long lives
How could I forget that?
Dad, Mom
I miss you so very much
How can I not miss you?
If I stay here any longer
I'm afraid that I'll forget
who I am
Heavens
Just who am I?
Am I Ruoxi or Zhang Xiao?
Eighth prince
Excused.
You were fine earlier
How did it get like this on New Year's?
8th prince is laughing at me
I'm just angry with myself
for wanting to sleep and not being filial
and forgot to pray for my parents
Filial piety
does not depend on these traditions
Is crying by yourself on New Year's
considered filial?
I thought you made an enormous mistake
to cause you to cry so badly
After crying, do you feel better?
Better
I should return
Eighth prince, why aren't you staying for the night?
You sister is not sleeping...
and I have to prepare to enter the palace
and greet Imperial Father
You have to enter the palace this early?
That means that you cannot...
catch a quick nap.
Then 8th prince should rest and prepare
I won't keep you
No hurry
Go ahead
Jie'jie
I wish Jie'jie a happy New Year
I was just wondering why you weren't here yet
and you just came
Come, sit
It's Father and Mother
They pulled at 10th prince and said so much
I was worriedly watching at the sidelines
but I didn't want to ruin Mother's fun
This year
is the 1st time 10th prince went to greet them
Of course Father and Mother would be happy
So they would talk for a while
Don't hold it against them
A married daughter is like splashed water.
You are already someone's wife.
Jie'jie
Where's Tenth prince?
Didn't he come with you to visit Father?
He said he still has work to do
So I let him return first
You
have 10th prince by your side
last night I only had Hongwang
to greet the New Year with
Until dawn
I still haven't seen Bei'le
But in the past,
didn't Bei'le stay with Jie'jie to greet the New Year?
This year is different
Bei'le went to Ce'fujin's wing
I heard the servants say
that there was laughter all throughout the night
until dawn
Bei'le went back to his room
changed his clothes, and entered the palace
That Bei'le is so...
He didn't stay with you and Hongwang to greet the New Year
Why did he go over there?
After Ruoxi came,
Bei'le took especially good care of them
Every 3 or 5 days,
he'll go there
Whenever there's something new,
he sends it there
That Ruoxi
is definitely not benevolent
She's mature and could use tricks
All the servants in the household
and those princes
are all filled with praises for her
Exactly
Actually, today, 10th prince
wanted to run here
I saw him like that,
he definitely wanted to find Ruoxi
So I hurried him back home
Maiden selections are coming soon
I hope that after she leaves Bei'le's estate,
everything will return to normal
But Jie'jie, the maiden selection
About that selection.
That is so troublesome
Remember, at the Mid-Autumn Festival, Imperial Father
has a great impression of Ruoxi
If this time,
she catches Imperial Father's eyes
Then wouldn't her air
be even more arrogant?
Greetings, Bei'le
Greetings to Bei'le
Rise
Why did only you come?
Where's Tenth brother?
He said he still have things to do
So he returned first
Everyone says that a man will be more sensible after marriage.
That seems to be true.
Bei'le is joking
On New Year's what does he have to do?
After greeting the New Year last night
he was tired
So he wants to return to sleep
But he was afraid he'll be scolded by you
So he found a legitimate reason
Second Miss
Come quickly
Second Miss
Look!
Second Miss, come
Second Miss
You've been unhappy for several days
Today, there are so many people
Be happier
Second Miss, look
Look at how pretty that is
Look
So festive