Episode 11
-Why don't you just come at me? -What are you saying?
If you like Zi Jian so much, why don't you just poison me?
-Why did you do that to my friends? -It wasn't intentional.
I just wanted to take care of them for you.
I didn't expect them to look at me directly.
I didn't expect an outcome like this.
But, this is the case now!
There were just the few of us that day.
Who told my father about it?
Did my friends reveal it themselves?
You suspect me?
Am I a person like that to you?
I thought that even though...
...we were forced to marry each other...
...we can at least respect each other...
...and become family members.
It looks like I was wrong.
Zi Huan, listen to me. It's really a misunderstanding.
Misunderstanding? Don't bring up this word again.
Our relationship is a huge misunderstanding itself!
Zi Huan!
I'm pregnant with your child.
You did a great job. You need to be extra careful.
Here's your reward. Remember to come back...
...and report on Cao Pi's actions. Go.
Yes.
Brother Yang, you're brilliant. On top of...
mexposing Cao Pi's mistake, you got rid of Cao Pi's aides.
You killed two birds with one stone.
That's not true. An academician like us...
...will only use such dirty tricks...
...out of no choice. I will avoid doing this again.
But, I'm not the only one to be blamed.
Cao Pi himself is responsible for this.
The prime minister is angry with him...
"because of the matter of the Post of Honour.
He just made it worse. It's such a pity that...
...Sima Zhong Da escaped.
I can't believe he didn't look at her.
Cao Pi will drag him down. He will get into trouble one day.
Brother Ding, if you were present, would you look at her?
The answer is obvious.
Brother Gong Gan, please take this bottle of wine with you.
It's been hard on you.
Thank you, Zhong Da. -It's all my fault.
I was rude to Lady Zhen. I deserve this.
Please don't blame yourself.
We all know that I'm the one my father intends to punish.
But, you bore the brunt for me. Don't worry.
I'll find ways to save you. -Farewell.
I can't even help my best friends.
What else can I do?
Sir, I'm sure Brother Liu and Brother Wu...
...won't blame it on you.
Please remember to avoid expressing dissatisfaction...
...in front of the prime minister.
Aren't you afraid? You might be the next.
I'm a coward. I feel afraid every day.
That's why you're so cautious.
So, you pretended to be drunk. -I was really drunk.
Sir, I have another extra comment.
You might have misunderstood Lady Zhen.
In my opinion...
...it was one of Lady Zhen's maids...
...who disclosed the information.
I'll investigate. But, don't you think...
...I need someone trustworthy by my side?
Zhong Da, your wife has a godsister, Ms. Guo.
Can you ask her if she is willing to serve me?
I just want you to ask her. If she says no...
...I'm fine. -Alright.
No. I disagree. Ah Zhao is a girl.
You can't get her involved. -I know.
General Cao Pi is wary because of Liu and Wu's case.
He just wants someone trustworthy. But, you are right.
I don't want her to go. But... -Ah Zhao is young.
Even if she is attracted by a nobleman like Cao Pi...
...we can't allow her to get herself burnt.
Besides, General Cao Pi is married.
Does he want to make my sister his concubine?
Go and give him our answer. - Alright. I'll do as you said.
Sister Chun Hua!
Sister Chun Hua. Brother Yi. I'm willing to go.
Ignore her. Go.
Alright. -I'm really willing to go!
You...
I won't let you recklessly ruin your life!
I'm not being reckless. - His future is unpredictable.
Even if he becomes the prime minister's successor...
...you'll get involved in conflicts and schemes.
Isn't it the same for you and Brother Yi?
The two of you always get into trouble too.
But, you still love him.
Why can't I do the same?
He's not like Zhong Da. - The feeling is the same.
This has nothing to do with his identity.
Sister Chun Hua, I became homeless at a young age.
I thought I have no control over my fate in this era of war.
But now, after seeing how he takes charge in his own life...
...and tries to change the world...
...I want to be with him.
Ah Zhao, this is just your one-sided imagination.
Marriage isn't like that. -I only know...
...the wonderful feelings of liking a person.
It feels like something I cling to in life...
...and my hope in despair.
Even his hardship feels noble to me.
I want to help him.
This is the kind of life I want.
I still can't let you go to him.
I can't let you make a bad decision.
Cao Pi is focusing on realising his ambition.
You won't matter to him. You should marry...
...a man who will love you. -He is the one.
He is the one because I believe it.
Sister Chun Hua, let me go to him.
Sister Chun Hua.
Sister Chun Hua, you can't lock me up!
Sister Chun Hua!
Ah Zhao really said that?
Chun Hua won't approve of it. You can go and talk to her now.
I'll handle General Cao Pi.
No, Brother Yi.
I pity Ah Zhao because she is all alone.
So, I wanted to take care of her. But now...
...she has found her own happiness.
Why should I force her?
This isn't what you said...
...hen Chun Hua wanted to betroth her to you.
I was the one who said I pity her.
Don't lie to herself.
Ms. Guo should have the final say.
Mr. Sima, what brought you over?
There's no outsider here. You may be frank.
General Cao Pi, will you treat this person well?
He is my trusted aide, best friend and confidant.
Of course I'll treat him well. - I'm talking about Ms. Guo.
I thought you're talking about Sima Yi.
Do you like Ms. Guo too?
I... I treat her as my younger sister.
I just want to know if you will...
...give her a lifetime of security and happiness.
Security? I don't even have it myself.
I don't think Ms. Guo will only want a man...
...who will carefully protect her for a lifetime.
The greatest happiness lies in having a person...
...who understands you and will never leave you.
Every word this person says impresses you.
Every expression in this person's eyes is so attractive.
You should find a person who makes you feel this way.
Mr. Sima, am I right?
I want Aunt Guo! -Come over! Don't run! Eat up!
Sit down. Sit properly.
Your aunt isn't around. She went out.
Eat your food. -I'm not eating.
Will you eat or not?
If you don't eat, you can starve today. What now?
I'll eat.
Sister Chun Hua, let me check on her.
Sister Chun Hua. -This sister of mine...
...is too stubborn.
I'll bring her food. Maybe I can convince her to eat.
Talk to her. Don't be angry with her.
Alright.
She'll understand after a few days.
Alright.
Ah Zhao, it's time to eat.
I don't want to eat.
"A guest came from afar and gave me a pair of carps."
What's the next line?
"I called the boy to cook one of the carps."
"In its belly there was a letter."
Correct.
Eat this fish.
There's a fish for you.
The fish might carry a good news. Try it.
"Though grieved, I dare not forget."
His poem.
If you don't eat, will you have the strength to leave with him?
What do you mean? -He came. He's outside the house.
Go.
Thank you. -Silly girl.
I'm the one who should thank you. Not everyone...
...gets to experience the happiness of liking a person.
Ah Zhao!
Go. -Ah Zhao!
Leave quickly. -Come back!
Sister Chun Hua, I want to make decisions for myself.
Sima Yi told me that your father was the...
...governor of Nan Commandery.
You're considered a lady from an influential family.
But, because of the...
...disaster that struck my family, I became homeless.
I even worked as a maid in a duke's household before.
That duke tried to harass me. So, I beat him.
I escaped on my own. Then, I met Sister Chun Hua.
Don't worry. From now on, I won't let you suffer from that.
Sit down. -Sure.
This essay is excellent.
Who are you? Identify yourself. - Young lady, watch your manners.
Ah Weng, it's alright.
I am your husband.
You can bring your family members over.
I'll take care of them. - My parents and brothers...
...died a long time ago.
I have an elder cousin.
But, it's been over a decade since I last saw him.
I can get the Bureau of Investigation to find him.
It's been 10 years and a child would have grown up.
His looks will surely change a lot.
In case someone impersonates him...
...is there anything to prove his identity?
I have a style name only my family knows.
What? You didn't tell me your style name?
What's your nickname?
Come.
Give me your hand.
This is a secret.
Your style name is Nu Wang (queen).
No wonder you're so good at handling a sword.
I need to be careful in the future.
Else, I might lose. -Of course.
Come. Should we try?
It's the same sword. Isn't it unexpected?
This lethal weapon became our token of love.
Who says it's a lethal weapon?
A prized sword is like a hero.
It has a tough bone that protects a gentleman.
Are you sure?
Do you think a sword like Sima Yi...
...will serve me? -Brother Yi?
I don't know.
From now on, we're husband and wife.
I'll be honest to you.
But, if you know something, you must tell me.
Sir, do you marry me because you like me...
...or because I can spy on Sima Family?
There are many things I love. For example...
...poems, friends and of course, you.
But, the things I pursue are being destroyed one by one.
So, I can't make you my priority in my life.
I must keep myself alive in order to like and protect you.
Do you understand?
So, you mean, you're making use of me...
...to monitor my brother-in-law?
If Sima Yi is loyal, helping me means helping him.
But, if he turns against me one day, I hope you know...
...who you will take sides with.
It's exactly because I like you that...
...I'm being so honest with you.
You can think about it.
You can decide whether to stay or leave.
Are you Sister Guo? I am Zhen Fu.
Greetings, Lady Zhen.
You're new here. So...
...I prepared some clothes and daily supplies for you.
You can see if they suit you.
If you need something, send someone to tell me.
Thank you, Lady Zhen.
But, I haven't made up my mind to stay.
I shall not trouble you.
Is it because of me?
Lady Zhen, do you want me to stay too?
I'm glad that you came. He's under a lot of pressure.
I've been hoping that someone can comfort him.
What about you? -You don't have to worry.
I won't compete with you. If you take care of him for me...
...I'll be grateful to you. Alright. Let's go to your room.
Let's go.
You want to plead for Liu Zhen? -Yes.
It's true that Liu Zhen made a mistake.
But, he's a famous scholar after all.
If you spare him, you'll be likened to...
...the forgiving King Zhuang of Chu.
You will be praised.
Besides, Liu Zhen is General Cao Pi's subordinate.
Severely punishing General Cao Pi's subordinate...
...will cause suspicion and rumours to arise.
What kind of rumours?
Rumours about your intention to...
...make your younger son your successor.
You are the only official who dares to say this to me.
Alright. Since you brought up the matter of my successor...
...I'll show you...
...the name of the person Feng Xiao chose that day.
The ink is here, but the person is gone.
Poor Feng Xiao.
You suggested that I appoint the eldest.
I know who you are referring to.
Feng Xiao suggested that I appoint the wisest.
Unfortunately, I can't ask him now.
Who is the wisest one?
Sir, of all your sons...
...Zi Huan, Zi Wen and Zi Jian are the elder and more capable.
As for which is the wisest, even though Feng Xiao is gone...
...I'm sure you'll come to your own conclusion still.
Zi Wen doesn't like to read. He can only be a military leader.
Zi Jian and Zi Huan are both accomplished. If...
...Chong Er did not die young...
...I wouldn't be so vexed now.
As Cao Hong will depart from the south gate tomorrow...
...to attack Wu, the prime minister orders...
...Cao Pi to depart from the east gate tomorrow morning...
...to see Cao Hong off with the prime minister's flag.
If the flag does not arrive by 7 a.m...
...Cao Pi shall be punished for failing a military mission.
Yes, sir.
Here you go.
General Xu, I have a question.
If Cao Hong's army is at the south wing...
...why do I have to go from the east wing? It's a detour.
Because Young Master Zi Jian will depart from the west gate.
The distance to the south wing is the same.
So, it's fair to everyone. Pass it to me.
Zi Jian will go as well? -Yes.
Cao Hong will only accept one flag tomorrow.
He will take the one that arrives first.
Here you go. Alright.
I need to go to Young Master Zi Wen's place next.
Good bye.
So, General Cao Pi received the same order?
Yes.
The only difference is that he will depart from the east...
...while I depart from the west.
Severely punished?
This isn't an order. This is a test.
My father is testing us. -Look.
The same order and the same flag.
Both east and west gates will open at 5 a.m. tomorrow.
The distance to the south wing is the same as well.
Cao Hong will only accept one flag. The other person...
...will be punished for failing a military mission.
Isn't this obviously a test? - It takes only 2 hours to...
...reach the camp in the south wing. My father...
...is not testing our speed.
I'm afraid there'll be obstacles tomorrow morning.
Of course it's not about the speed.
He's cornering both you and General Cao Pi.
Look. He issued this order personally...
...and set up obstacles himself.
This shows that he wants to see how you two...
...adapt to the situation cleverly and bravely.
I am very sure that someone will obstruct us tomorrow.
What should we do?
Kill. -Kill?
You're the prime minister's son. No one will hurt you.
But, if I kill my father's officials...
The prime minister is looking for a king who can conquer the world.
When a king is enraged...
...blood flows.
Do I have to kill...
...just to win in a test?
Zi Jian, it's not about winning or losing now.
It's about survival.
In this world of conflicts, there is no such thing as...
...a road to success with no bloodshed. It's impossible.
Look at me.
Look. Do you know why I like white clothes?
Because I want to remind myself.
I don't want to dirty my heart as well.
I only hope that when everything is over...
...and when you have realised your dream, you can...
...return purity to me and the world!
I fought alongside my father before!
I've seen the slaughter in a battlefield. I'm not afraid.
But, I can't kill an innocent person!
Who in this world is innocent?
I'll go with you tomorrow...
...and lend you a hand.
I'm leaving.
It's not a bad thing. I can't bring myself to...
...ruin a woman like you. - You don't have to say that.
Alright. I'll walk you back...
...since I happen to have something to discuss with Sima Yi.
Why are you doing this to me? -What should I do then?
You gave me hope. You said those words to me.
You waited for me under the flowering tree.
But now, you're telling me that...
...you're just making use of me.
I only want your genuine feelings.
My genuine feelings?
I only think of saving my own life every day.
I don't dare to harbour genuine love.
Are you not being honest with Brother Yi then?
Are you not honest about your ambition?
Tell me. If you can't even do this...
...I'll leave right away.
Let go of me!
What if I am...
...willing to keep these genuine feelings for you?
Of course I'll be willing to stay.
A beautiful jade like this...
...should be matched with a prized sword.
Even if it's not for me...
...you must keep your genuine feelings.
I was...
...just trying it out.
If I try, I will succeed.
Uncle, who do you think will...
...arrive with the flag first tomorrow?
On the surface, this is a test for the two young masters.
In actuality, it is a test for Yang Xiu and Sima Yi.
I didn't expect the competition for heirship...
...to start so soon.
There will surely be obstacles at the east and west gates tomorrow.
I'm afraid the prime minister favours Young Master Zi Jian.
Never assume what is on the prime minister's mind.
Since he gave them a test...
...it's fair. We'll just have to wait for the result.
Uncle, you still have 4 hours before opening the gates at 5 a.m.
Why don't you go back and get some rest?
I'll send men to monitor the situation at the gates.
I'll inform you if anything happens.
That's unnecessary.
From today onwards, we will have many restless nights.
Tonight, I will wait here.
Two orders and yet, only one flag will be accepted.
Zi Huan, don't worry. I'll escort you tomorrow.
I'll kill whoever obstructs us.
General Cao Zhen, if the person obstructing us...
...came upon the order of the prime ministen...
...killing the commissioner is a serious offense as well.
This... -Zhong Da.
What should I do tomorrow?
The prime minister is an extremely clever hero.
We need to listen to him and think from his perspective.
But, we also need to understand...
...what he has never said and what he hasn't thought of.
What is it he hasn't said and thought of?
Zi Huan, look. You don't get it too, right?
Can you speak human language?
The prime minister's thoughts are deep as an ocean.
We cannot easily perceive it.
We need to think seriously and avoid creating troubles.
Avoid creating troubles? Sima Yi.
We only have 4 hours before the gate opens.
Yang Xiu must have come up with a plan already.
Yet, you still need to think. Aren't you wasting Zi Huan's time?
It's true that I'm not as quick-witted as Registrar Yang.
Sir, if you don't trust me, I shall excuse myself.
You... -Zhong Da, sit down.
Zi Huan, we only have 4 hours left.
Zi Dan, heat the wine.
“L can only sing the 'Song of Yan' to comfort myself.“
"But the joy does not last long as my sorrow continues to deepen."
"It is late night yet I find myself sleepless."
"I put on my clothes and take a walk outside...
...looking up with moon and stars overhead."
I've 4 hours left.
Uncle, it's daybreak.
I'll send men to the east and west gates.
The prime minister's office sent us this written order...
...and ordered us to close both gates.
No one can enter or exit. -But...
How are they going to deliver the flag?
Uncle, what is the prime minister's intention?
It's me.
Wipe your face. -Alright.
Dear sirs, please wake up and freshen up.
Sima Yi! Why are you sleeping instead of thinking?
Have you thought of anything?
Zi Huan, we're out of time. I'm going to gather my soldiers.
No! That's a bad idea! -Zhong Da, do you have an idea?
Sir, please wait. Zhong Da, please tell us.
Speak! -Zhong Da, please tell us.
I haven't thought of a way.
But, there is one thing lam sure abouL...
...loyalty to the superiors and parents.
What? It took you one night...
...to come up with something even a 3-year-old child knows?
Zi Huan, look! -Something even a child knows...
...can be something even adults cannot do.
Are you saying that instead of trying to win...
...we should try to do the right thing?
Alright. You'll go with me.
Freshen up. My men must look neat...
...even if they are about to die.
Die? Why would we die? -It's a joke.
Greetings, Young Master Zi Jian. Greetings, Registrar Yang.
Do you wish to exit from this gate?
This is the prime minister's order.
Please do me a favour and open the gate earlier.
Forgive me, sir. We cannot open this gate...
...even if it is 5 a.m.
Why? -The prime minister ordered to...
...close all city gates to ensure the army's safe depaflure.
No one is allowed to leave this city.
How absurd! We're acting upon the prime minister's order.
How can you stop us?
Do you want to be punished for obstructing a military mission?
Please forgive me. I dare not stop you.
But, we dare not defy the prime minister's order as well.
If you insist, please talk to the prime minister...
...and request for permission.
No. We don't have time for that.
Open the gate quickly. Else, I'm going to be rude.
How dare you!
Registrar Yang, even if you kill me...
...we cannot open this gate.
Do you want to test my sword? Open the gate!
Open the gate! -Open the gate!
Are we overdoing it, De Zu?
Let's move!
Mr. Xun, Yang Xiu killed a guard at the west gate.
He has left the city with Young Master Zi Jian.
Yes.
He's so cruel.
Why isn't there any news from the east gate?
How come Young Master Zi Jian came first?
Here's the prime minister's order! -Receive the flag!
Open the gate! Else, I'll kill you!
If you kill me, I'll be the only one dead.
But, if I let you pass, my whole family will be killed.
How dare you! -Sir, you can't do that.
Is this your suggestion?
Do you want me to be stuck here forever?
Sir, everyone else is fighting to win.
But, we need to fight for the right thing.