A NETFLIX ORIGINAL SERIES
ADAPTED FROM TIANXIA GUIYUAN'S NOVEL HUANG QUAN
EPISODE 37
He's the great Prince of Jinshi.
He admires you, and this is how you treat him?
Who would want to be admired by someone who looks like him?
How shall one look like
to deserve
this beauty I see in your face?
Hua Gongmei pays respect to Prince of Chu.
Qiu Yuluo pays respect to Prince of Chu.
What was Your Highness talking about?
You look happy.
What's your answer?
Lady Hua,
Prince of Chu and I are comparing looks.
I believe that Prince of Chu
is not only more beautiful than me, but most women.
Do you agree with me, ladies?
You're hideous,
but you know how to talk. It's music to the ears.
As for your looks,
you're hideous,
but you're still much prettier than those women with makeup on in the palace.
Lady Hua,
that Feng Zhiwei is very shameless.
One time, Prince of Chu came to Qiu Residence.
That shameless Feng Zhiwei tried to seduce him.
My mother kicked her out.
I can't believe she has the nerve to attend the banquet.
With a face like hers,
how dare she covet Prince of Chu?
How outrageous.
You probably don't know,
but she's being ugly on purpose.
On purpose?
Why would a woman want to be ugly on purpose?
I heard that she came to the palace with Prince Helian of Jinshi.
My guess is that
she wanted to come see Prince of Chu, but she doesn't like Prince Helian.
So...
I see she is quite cunning.
Yuluo, tell me quickly.
What is she good at?
What could she be good at?
She never even went to school when she was young.
Really?
Yilan Palace.
Ning Yi.
-Mother? -Over here.
Mother?
Where are you?
Who's there?
Who are you?
Why are you here in Yilan Palace?
You...
You're Lingying.
I'm Ning Yi.
You're still alive.
You're still here.
Lingying.
I'm Ning Yi.
Mother must be nearby.
She helped Lingying and me reunite here.
What's wrong with your eyes?
Aunt.
I'm just a maid.
I don't know anything.
How many times do I have to say that?
Have there been many people who came here to question you?
What did they ask?
Lingying, I'm Ning Yi.
What happened before my mother died?
My mother didn't die of an illness, did she?
I'm just a maid.
I don't know anything.
Lingying,
how can I make you believe that I'm Ning Yi?
When I was a child, I loved the snacks you made.
I only had the snacks that you made.
I'm Ning Yi.
Lingying.
I'm really Ning Yi.
I'm your Ning Yi.
Where have you been these 18 years?
If you were alive, why didn't you come to see me?
It's you. It's really you.
It's me, Ning Yi.
Lingying.
It's you.
You want to know
how Consort Yan died, don't you?
Listen to me.
She didn't die of an illness.
I know.
I know she didn't die of an illness.
Someone killed her.
Who was it?
The person who caused her death
was you!
Consort Yan died because of you.
She went through all the hardships because of you.
Can't you see it?
Look around you.
Yilan Palace is the truth.
Everything here is fake!
This place has always been hell for Consort Yan!
Lingying.
Lingying...
No.
It's not true.
It can't be.
From now on,
close Yilan Palace.
Whoever trespasses shall be killed!
Mother.
What did I do wrong?
You lied to me.
You lied.
Ning Yi?
YILAN PALACE
Ning Yi.
What's wrong?
It's raining. You should go inside.
Ning Yi.
Go away.
Go!
Ning Qi pays respect to Father.
You may rise.
Why aren't you with your mother?
Why are you here?
Father,
I have a request.
I hope you will grant it.
Tell me.
I know
that ever since you announced
that the name of the heir to the throne is locked in the golden box,
people in the palace have been talking about it.
Since you mentioned this matter,
I'd like to know what you think.
Father.
If I said that I wasn't curious at all,
it would be a lie.
But in my opinion,
this is good for Father.
It's good for the society.
Both rewards and punishments are granted by the grace of the Emperor.
As long as the name in the box is who Father wants to be the heir,
that's also who I want to be the heir.
I'm very glad that you have
such a clear mind.
Tell me.
What does this have to do with the request you mentioned?
As of now, I'm not sure whether it has anything to do with it.
Father.
All I want
is for you to believe
that no matter when or what,
Mother and I will always be loyal to you.
I will always be
the Ning Qi who is obedient to you.
And Mother
will always be Lady Wang, who sees you as her whole world.
Please understand that.
Very well.
I will do as you say.
I...
Thank you, Father.
It seems
I will have to add fuel to the fire now.
Nobody saw you
when you came in, right?
I don't know.
Do you know where this is?
I don't.
This is where my mother lived before she died.
So you lived here as well.
Before I turned eight,
I lived here.
But after I passed out...
After I woke up from passing out, I never came back again.
This is your mother's palace. You shouldn't burn anything.
If you burned something important, you'll regret it.
She's already gone.
These are just things.
-Really? -I'm very sure.
Come. Let's go to Zhaoqing Palace.
-Yes, Your Highness. -Yes, Your Highness.
That's my mother's portrait.
Father drew it himself.
Only someone in love
could paint those strokes
with such love and tenderness.
But why is this portrait...
You're less straightforward
when you wear women's garments.
Didn't I just say it?
She's gone now.
These are just things.
I'm just worried you'll miss her when you see it.
Why...
Why are you not ugly anymore?
You do know
that you could be killed if you lied
about someone going in there, right?
I would never lie to you, Noble Consort.
Noble Consort Chang.
When I heard about it, I was suspicious as well.
Who would have the nerve to do that?
But then I thought about it.
The ladies who came to the banquet aren't all from noble or royal backgrounds.
So it's very possible.
Please investigate, Noble Consort.
Aunt.
Aunt, I see you have visitors today.
This maid just told me someone broke into Yilan Palace.
She wasn't sure who she saw.
She said it might be a woman.
I think she's just making things up.
Really?
Today is Father's birthday.
If someone really did such a thing,
Father would be very angry.
You would get into trouble as well, Aunt.
You're the head of the Imperial Harem.
Servants.
Yes, my ladyship.
Go bring some Royal Guards to go with me to Yilan Palace.
Yes, my ladyship.
The rain has stopped.
After my mother died,
Yilan Palace was sealed.
Father ordered
that nobody come near this place.
Those who disobeyed
would be killed.
You came here so recklessly.
They probably know you're here.
They'll try to make a big deal out of it.
I'm Feng Zhiwei right now.
I'm just a hideous peasant girl.
Your Majesty is lenient. He won't punish an ignorant peasant.
Surround Yilan Palace.
Let no living being out, not even a fly.
-Yes, sir. -Yes, sir.
They're here.
Your Highness.
Find a safe place to hide.
I'll turn myself in.
They'll just whip me a few times.
What I'm worried about is someone recognizing you as Wei Zhi.
You could be killed.
Come here.
Your Highness, you can't go in there.
Have you forgotten His Majesty's order?
You cannot enter Yilan Palace.
You could be killed.
Your Highness, did you forget that lady who entered the palace the year before?
And how she died?
Aunt.
What should we do now?
Court Lady Chen is right.
If that's the case,
get permission from His Majesty to search the palace.
Yes, my ladyship.
YILAN PALACE
Search the palace?
Yes, Your Majesty.
Noble Consort Chang has quite the temper.
Who infuriated her?
Whose palace do they want to search?
Your Majesty,
it's Yilan Palace.
Is this about Ning Yi again?
Very wise, Your Majesty.
Noble Consort Chang had the Royal Guards
surround Yilan Palace completely.
Whoever's inside can't come out and the people outside can't go in.
It's wrong to break the rules,
but those who follow the rules aren't good either.
I need to rest. I'm not seeing anyone.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Ning Yi.
I was wronged.
Noble Consort Chang framed me.
Ning Yi.
I was wronged.
Noble Consort Chang framed me.
I was wronged.
Is it Riluo Tribe dialect?
Mother, you were wronged.
That's why your ghost still haunts the palace.
Now that you've met me,
tell me how you were wronged.
I'll make sure that you get revenge, Mother.
Ning Yi.
I was wronged.
Noble Consort Chang framed me.
All right.
I understand.
I'll be sure to restore your good name.
I'll make sure she's punished.
Very well.
Aunt.
Noble Consort Chang,
His Majesty is resting.
He wouldn't meet me.
I'm going back.
If anyone dares bring this up again,
I will punish them severely.
Mother,
you've always been very decisive.
You're smart as a whip.
How could you not know that it was a set up by Ning Yi?
You shouldn't believe in supernatural powers.
No.
I saw her.
I really saw her.
All these years,
I thought I had forgotten what that peasant girl, Yale, looked like.
But now I realize,
her every expression,
her every movement...
She still haunts me.
She's here for my life.
Mother. Trust me.
What you saw was set up by Ning Yi.
He couldn't find any evidence,
so he set up this ruse to scare you.
Don't fall into his trap.
If you let anything slip,
considering how much Father adored Yale,
it will be the end for the both of us.
You must come to your senses.
Yes.
You're right, Ning Sheng.
All I need to do
is get rid of Lady Wang
through His Majesty.
Even if Yale's ghost is still here,
I can intimidate her just like I did before.
Ning Sheng.
Do I look all right?
My mother is the most beautiful woman in this empire.
Mother,
don't forget.
During Father's birthday banquet,
you must mention my desire to find a wife.
I want to make connections this way.
Right.
You're a royal prince from a noble background.
Which official's daughter
wouldn't want to marry you?
Nothing seems to have happened
regarding the search at Yilan Palace.
Do you know why?
Your Majesty,
today is your birthday.
I'm sure that Noble Consort Chang
didn't want to cause any trouble
and make you worry on your big day.
My birthday
is an even better stage for them.
I'm sure that soon,
they'll get on stage and perform.
Prince of Chu.
What are you thinking about?
Nothing.
What's wrong with Prince of Chu?
Isn't it his father's birthday today?
He looks very distressed.
How impudent of him.
Today is his father's birthday,
but also the day his mother died.
No wonder.
Your Highness,
Ning Sheng often mentions
Grand Secretary Yao's daughter, Yao Yangci.
They say she's the most talented woman in Tiansheng.
She is skilled in music, at Go, writing, and painting.
She's gentle and obedient. She's among the best in Tiansheng.
She would be a great match for Ning Sheng.
What do you think, Your Majesty?
The daughter of Grand Secretary Yao?
Very well.
Then, do you agree to let them marry?
Wonderful.
Father, I wish you health, peace, and many more blissful years.
I can't believe it.
My beloved daughter
dances so wonderfully.
Thank you, Father.
I couldn't think of any precious treasure in this world
Father hasn't seen before.
After thinking about it,
my only choice was to perform for you and entertain you, Father.
Very nice, Shaoning.
I'm sure
my brothers have also prepared birthday gifts for you.
I wonder what Ning Yi has prepared for you, Father.
You dance very well, Shaoning.
Father,
I've prepared an instrument my mother used to play.
I would like to use it
to play some music for you.
Will you allow it, Father?
Thank you for your thoughtfulness.
Noble Consort Chang,
about what you just mentioned...
Your Majesty, today is a wonderful day.
Maybe we could make it even better.
Please allow Ning Sheng to marry--
It's my birthday today.
Having my son get married on this day...
is a good idea.
You're very wise, Noble Consort Chang.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
Ning Sheng,
come thank your father.
No need for that.
I don't have enough children.
Prince of Yan's wife died early.
Prince of Chu and Ning Ji have yet to marry.
Ning Qi should have a second wife.
Today,
we have invited many noble ladies.
We should find a suitable wife for each prince.
All five at once.
What do you think, Noble Consort Chang?
Five at once?
Yes. That would be wonderful.
I would never object to your idea, Your Majesty.
-Thank you, Father. -Thank you, Father.
You may rise.
Thank you, Father.
Ning Yi.
Don't you think that Father's idea may not be a good one?
Father,
I am not in the mood
to find a wife today.
Please forgive me.
Today is Father's birthday.
Having five marriages is a way to celebrate.
Yet Ning Yi refuses to cooperate.
He's going against Father's wishes. How disrespectful.
Your Majesty,
Princess Shaoning is right.
It's Your Majesty's birthday today.
Five marriages would be an auspicious sign.
If Prince of Chu does not wish to find a wife,
perhaps I could be the fifth.
It can be considered Jinshi's kind gesture to the Emperor of Tiansheng.
Helian Zheng.
How dare you!
Prince Helian,
you wish to find a wife as well?
Your Majesty,
actually,
I already have a lady in mind.
If you may grant my wish.
Your Majesty,
he's referring to Colonel Qiu's niece.
Your Majesty, you shouldn't grant his wish.
Your Majesty, I have no talent. I do not deserve to marry a prince.
Please take a look at me.
My hideous face
would be an insult to Prince Helian.
Father.
I just...
I just refused to find a wife today because I don't have a lady in mind.
Yet, it's Prince Helian's first time in Tiansheng,
but he has fallen for a hideous lady.
That really impressed me.
I suppose these things are decided by fate.
So please, Father,
you should find us wives through a test.
That way, we can see if the princes
are destined to marry these noble ladies.
Of course.
Prince Helian
and this peasant girl can join as well.
Prince of Chu has an interesting idea.
Let me think about it.
What kind of question should I ask
to determine your fates?
Thank you, Father.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
Marriage
first depends on your fate.
You need a good opportunity from the heavens.
Second is the people.
The two must have the same thoughts.
I'll make the test about this then.
His Majesty has decided
that each Prince should write one character on a sheet.
The question is, "In this vast world,
what is the foundation of a person?"
All the ladies can pick one of the characters.
The prince who wrote the character
shall be the husband
the heavens bestow you.
If the lady is able to explain the character
in the same way
as the prince who wrote it,
then they are truly made for each other.
I, Hua Gongmei, am willing to go first.
This is what Prince of Chu wrote.
I don't know what this means.
I've answered Father's question.
Do you not understand?
But you didn't answer it.
Then it means
we are not made for each other.
Your Majesty, this sheet is blank.
How am I supposed to understand His Highness' thoughts?
Ning Yi.
Tell me.
What do you mean?
Father,
I've answered your question.
It's just she wasn't able to.
Your Highness.
Are you playing a joke on me?
In my opinion,
Prince of Chu
isn't playing a joke on her,
but on His Majesty.
Noble Consort Chang is right.
Father wants to give Ning Yi a wife, yet he is finding excuses.
You asked Father for a test, yet you turned in a blank sheet.
Today is Father's birthday, yet you're going against him.
Ning Yi, what are you trying to do?
The more I look at the blank sheet,
the more it looks like the one used to pray for the dead.
How dare you!
Forgive me, Your Majesty, Noble Consort.
I was just thinking,
Prince of Chu actually has
a great answer to the question.
That's why I choked.
How did he answer it? He didn't write anything.
It's a blank sheet.
Because he didn't write anything
and turned in a blank sheet,
that's why it's the best answer.
Then tell me,
what does he mean?
Your Majesty asked
what the foundation of a person is.
The foundation of music is the absence of music.
The foundation of an image is the lack of an image.
And the foundation of a person...
It's just like this blank sheet.
As they say, "There is no wisdom tree,
nor a stand of a mirror bright.
Since all is void, where can the dust alight?"
In this world, if we can understand this principle,
we will be able to cut out happiness, sadness,
anger, fury,
and live together with nature.
We become one with the world.
I believe
this is how Prince of Chu answered Your Majesty's question.
It's also a blessing for your birthday.
Subtitle translation by Sophie Chang
Subtitles downloaded with "Netflix subtitle downloader" UserScript by Tithen-Firion.