01x33 - Episode 33

[bunniefuu]

[The Princess Royal]

[Adapted from Mo Shu Bai's novel,

The Princess Royal on jjwxc.net]

[This is a work of fiction.]

[Episode 33]

Ronghua,

are you so sure

the Crown Prince will ascend the throne?

Rongqing.

You should know when to stop

and turn back while you still can.

Ronghua, don't worry.

All of this will be over soon.

What did you say?

I said,

when the time comes,

I'll propose to the Shangguan Family

on your behalf.

In previous years,

a winter hunt was held

at the end of each year.

But I think

holding a winter hunt year after year

is too solemn.

That's why I'm doing

something different this year.

I call it the Winter Festivity.

There are many youngsters here.

I propose that we should

hold a lion dance contest

for the Winter Festivity.

What do you all think?

Excellent.

It's been so long

since we've enjoyed such performances.

All right.

Yes, Your Majesty.

This is interesting.

Huayue, don't worry.

Father will protect us.

Since that's the case,

you all have to make it interesting

and competitive.

Is anyone willing to volunteer?

Come out

and show me what you've got.

Your Majesty.

I'm willing to perform first

to entertain everyone.

Are you the son of Xie Lanqing?

Your Majesty,

I was exiled to the southwest border.

During these days,

I k*lled plenty of enemies,

earning military merits

and being promoted

to the fifth-ranked General of the South.

With the cessation of hostilities,

I have been longing for my homeland,

so I've taken a leave

to return to the capital.

I never expected you

to have such favorable turns in life.

Seems like you're not

someone ordinary either.

It's good to turn over a new leaf.

Since you volunteered,

is there a specific one

you want to challenge?

I've heard that Second Young Master Su

is an excellent lion dancer

in the capital.

Since there's a chance,

I hope I can learn a move or two

from Minister Su today.

I knew he was targeting me.

When it comes to lion dancing

my brother isn't the person

you should compete against.

Your Majesty.

I'm willing to have a competition

on my brother's behalf.

General Lin, I assume

you won't mind, right?

I do like

your temperament.

Both you and General Lin

are extraordinary individuals.

I'm looking forward

to this opening match.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty,

I would like to perform as well.

If we do have enough time,

may I compete

against Second Young Master Su?

Sure. This is excellent!

The Winter Festivity should be exciting.

Go and make your preparations.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

What are you fighting for?

I'm fighting for

what you're fighting for.

Cut the crap.

See you on the stakes.

Ronghua has always indulged himself

in gambling and drinking.

I never expected him

to be good at lion dancing.

Well,

he's pretty skillful at lion dancing.

It's all thanks to my teaching.

Their performances are exciting indeed.

Excellent!

Serve us some tea.

Awesome!

Try this.

First Young Master Su is pretty good.

Just look at him.

It's all thanks to my teaching.

Excellent.

With your status,

you can get any of the noble ladies

to be your bride.

Why are you taking offense at this?

You think I'm taking offense at this?

You've been a playboy all along.

Why are you pretending

to be passionately devoted now?

If you truly love her,

why didn't you marry her sooner?

Mr. Pei,

you surely didn't come just to invite me

for a lion dance, right?

Mr. Su, seems like

you know what I'm going to do next.

I guessed it.

You all are trying to help Lin Feibai

take control of the Xie Family.

You're going to k*ll Xie Chunhe.

And I even know

that you all are trying to k*ll him

by using

the Poison of the Fragrant Beauty.

Ronghua!

Su Ronghua, is that all you've got?

You started it.

Bring it on then.

Let's have another round.

Fine by me.

Enough.

Ronghua, are you hurt?

I'm fine.

Bring them away to have some rest.

I'll check on your injury.

Go now.

You should check on Su Ronghua.

He won't give up

unless you clarify things with him.

Mr. Pei,

I'm afraid you all won't be able

to proceed with your plan.

First, you poisoned Xie Chunhe

with the Poison of the Fragrant Beauty.

You wanted to put him

under your control.

But you realized that the Xie Family

wasn't listening to you at all.

Therefore, you put

the catalyst in the tea

so that he would

die from the poison, right?

Mr. Su, you swapped the tea attendant

to make sure Xie Chunhe's tea

wasn't poisoned.

If so, how would you know

if I did change the tea or not?

Mr. Pei, you're truly a firm character

behind a gentle appearance.

However, even if you did put

the catalyst in the tea,

Xie Chunhe wouldn't die from it.

Mr. Xie!

Mr. Xie!

What's going on?

Mr. Xie!

Imperial physician!

Chuan.

Go and take a look.

See what's going on.

Yes, Father.

I'll go and check on him too.

Huayue,

do not be impulsive.

- Mr. Xie!

- Mr. Xie!

What's going on?

Mr. Xie!

Mr. Su, seems like

you still lost in the end.

Don't worry, Mr. Pei.

Xie Chunhe won't die from this.

Come and take a look!

Yes.

Your Majesty,

the lion dance is exciting indeed.

Transmit my order.

Tighten the security.

The show has only just begun.

Poison of the Fragrant Beauty?

In my last life,

during my last argument

with Pei Wenxuan,

that was the smell of the sachet

Su Rongqing gave to Pei Wenxuan.

But why hasn't he coughed up blood yet?

Could it be that the dose of the poison

within the sachet isn't enough?

How is he?

What's the situation?

I can't identify the cause for now.

But

Someone, help Mr. Xie out.

Hurry! Carry him away!

- Yes.

- Yes.

Mr. Su.

Miss Shangguan.

Mr. Su.

Is your hand all right?

It's just a minor sprain.

I'm fine.

Young Master, I shall take my leave.

Please have a seat.

No, thanks.

I'm here to tell you something.

Miss Shangguan, are you here

to condemn me

for ruining your plan?

That's right.

If so, I shall get you a cup of tea

and seek forgiveness from you.

Please have a seat.

Please.

I've heard that the Su Family has been

a renowned family for a century

and your family rules are strict.

As expected,

even your servant is sensible.

However, Mr. Su, I don't understand

why you're not sensible at all.

We used to be friends.

But you were trying

to sabotage my marriage.

Don't you think you went overboard?

Friends?

Shangguan Ya.

I don't think you took me for a friend.

You took me for a fool, didn't you?

We've known each other for a long time.

Did you really only take me

for a friend?

I'll be honest with you.

I've never seen you as a friend.

It's the same for you.

We were just using each other

all along.

At first, it was as you said

that we were using each other.

But what about after that?

Do you still dare say

that we were just using each other?

Why not?

If you used me,

why would you head to the prison

and apologize to me?

If you used me,

why would you meet me at the palace gate

when I took the blame for Ronqing?

If you used me,

why would you watch

the sunrise with me and drink with me

when I had a conflict with Rongqing?

We promised

not to let go of each other's hands

That's enough.

I was just having fun.

Mr. Su, you take things too seriously.

Having fun?

If you truly only see me

as a friend who can have fun with you,

I will never pester you again.

Look at me.

Look at me!

Do you dare say that again

while looking into my eyes?

Why not?

I can give you the power you want.

Shangguan Ya.

I know you want

to keep the Shangguan Family safe.

I know you want to be free.

I know you want

to be in charge of the Shangguan Family.

I have my own businesses.

They've been doing great

all these years.

I can provide you

with provisions and forage.

I have a fief in Lan County.

The late Emperor bestowed it on me

some years ago.

You may build your army there.

If you intend to fight your brothers

for the Shangguan Family

and you need the support

of the imperial court,

I can join the officialdom.

If you don't want me

to join the officialdom,

I'll stay in the Shangguan Family

and assist you.

Ya.

I can give you

everything you want

and even more.

I didn't propose to you earlier

because the timing wasn't right.

When will be the right timing, then?

After the Crown Prince

ascends the throne.

Do you think the Su Family

will still be around

after the Crown Prince

ascends the throne?

Don't you know

what Su Rongqing is doing?

Of course, I know

what Su Rongqing is doing.

But have my father and I

taken any action?

Ya.

No matter who ascends the throne,

the Su Family will be fine.

My family has never been involved

in disputes over the throne.

Rongqing

is just one of His Majesty's pawns.

Since he's bound by the family rules,

he'll stop at where he should.

The Crown Prince is supported

by the noble families.

Now, the Shangguan Family

just needs to lie low.

Once His Majesty passes away

and the Crown Prince ascends the throne,

we can get married.

If you're willing,

I will have a grand procession

to marry you

as the wife of the first young master

of the Su Family.

If you're not willing,

I'll tell you the same thing.

I'm willing to leave the Su Family

of my own accord

and marry into your family.

Su Ronghua.

I know all about

your sincere feelings for me.

It's a shame that you don't understand

what Su Rongqing wants.

You don't understand

what I want either.

Why hasn't he coughed up blood yet?

Young Master!

Young Master, what happened?

Young Master?

What are you doing?

Your Highness!

I encountered a soothsayer

on the streets today.

He said a disaster

would befall my young master today.

Thus, he gave me this sachet.

He said if something like that

were to happen,

I should immerse this in the tea.

After that, I should serve Young Master

with the tea.

Your Highness,

please make way!

This concerns his life!

Give it to me.

These aren't valuable herbs.

I'll give it a try.

Young Master?

Young Master.

His pulses have been stabilized.

He vomited the poison as well.

That isn't the poison.

That's the antidote.

I need an answer.

I need to know the truth.

Your Highness.

Miss Shangguan wishes to speak with you

at the back hill.

Where's Miss Shangguan?

Oh no!

Rong!

It's an ambush.

Chuan!

Protect Her Highness!

Chuan!

Run!

Chuan!

Escort my sister to leave!

Chuan!

Rong, just leave!

Your Highness, run!

Fengming, let's retreat!

After her!

Young Master.

Thank you, sir.

No!

Cheng!

Cheng!

- Prince Su?

- Cheng!

Prince Su!

Cheng!

Your Majesty!

Cheng!

Imperial physician!

- Imperial physician!

- Imperial physician!

Cheng!

Your Majesty.

Hurry!

Your Majesty, he

He

Speak up!

I think His Highness is poisoned!

By what kind of poison?

Shut up!

Treat him the way you neutralize

the Poison of the Fragrant Beauty.

If you fail, I'll execute you

and your entire clan!

Yes, Your Majesty!

Li Rong!

Pei Wenxuan!

Hurry!

Your Highness!

Hold onto me!

Your Highness,

this time, I finally

won against Pei Wenxuan.

Li Rong!

- Your Highness!

- Your Highness!

Your Highness, calm down!

It's useless

even if you jump after them.

Now, you're Her Highness's last hope.

Our priority right now

is to protect the Crown Prince.

Head to the bottom of the cliff.

Find Her Highness at all costs.

Yes, sir!

The rest of you,

follow me.

Li Chuan, there's no escape.

I'll show you some respect.

You may cut your throat.

Your Highness, you should retreat.

k*ll them!

Fengming!

Your Highness.

Protect His Highness!

Escort His Highness back to the tent.

Your Highness!

Come on.

Your Highness.

Be careful.

Where's Rong?

Where is Rong?

Your Highness, I'll bring her here

once you've fully recovered.

Take His Highness for some rest.

You won't deceive me, right?

I won't. Imperial physician.

Your Highness, please have some rest.

Come on.

Mr. Pei.

Li Cheng isn't dead.

We have to send someone

to keep an eye on the palace.

Regarding Li Chuan's injury,

I want no one else to know it

no matter whether he lives

or dies in the end.

Also,

notify Lin Feibai and his troops

to be ready to enter the capital

ahead of schedule.

Miss Shangguan, I'll be counting on you.

Mr. Pei.

You must bring Her Highness back.

I will.

Don't worry.

I'm not trying to k*ll you.

I still have questions for you.

Therefore, I won't k*ll you.

Your Highness, what questions

do you have for me?

Back then

how did I die?

Your Highness, you asked me

the same question before.

I k*lled you

You're lying.

Today, Pei Wenxuan

poisoned Xie Chunhe by using

the Poison of the Fragrant Beauty.

But Xie Chunhe didn't die immediately

when the poison was taking effect.

There must be something that was

delaying the effects of the poison.

When I rushed there,

I detected an abnormal scent

from Xie Chunhe.

It had the same smell

as the smell I detected

from Pei Wenxuan back then.

At first, I thought that was

the Poison of the Fragrant Beauty.

But after that,

Xie Chunhe's servant added

the ingredients inside the sachet

into the tea and fed him with it.

After that,

the poison was neutralized.

Therefore, I have reasons

to suspect that you didn't

give Pei Wenxuan the poison back then.

You gave him the antidote,

which delayed the effects of the poison.

Am I right?

If so, who exactly k*lled me?

Your Highness.

That's not important.

It's not important?

If so,

let's return together.

We shall assist Chuan together.

Your Highness.

Li Chuan once annihilated my clan.

But the current him

did nothing to your clan.

Why can't you let him off?

We can make a new choice.

Some events

are entirely preventable.

Why can't you let him off?

Let's assist Chuan

and help him ascend the throne.

You can be the master of the Su Family.

I can even be your matchmaker.

You can marry the lady you love.

Don't worry.

With me around,

Chuan won't do anything

to the noble families.

Let's

assist Chuan

and help him become an emperor

who will be remembered for centuries.

This way, all of us can live in peace.

It won't end that way.

Your Highness,

you should stay out of this.

You should leave Huajing

together with Pei Wenxuan.

I'll bring you back

after one year.

For what?

Is it to witness Chuan's ascension?

He cannot ascend the throne!

Even if you don't tell me

I still know the answer.

I'm sure that I was k*lled

by the Poison

of the Fragrant Beauty back then.

If not, you wouldn't have used

the antidote to it.

And only three people

know about its formula.

It's you,

Pei Wenxuan,

and

And Li Chuan.

If it wasn't you

or Pei Wenxuan,

who else could it be?

I'm not a golden canary

kept in a cage.

I've been through pleasant moments.

I've been through hard times as well.

Su Rongqing.

If you still take me as the Princess,

turn around and look at me.

Look at me.

Tell me.

Who

k*lled me?

It was everyone.

It was me.

It was Li Chuan.

It was Shangguan Ya.

All of us joined our forces

and k*lled you.

So, Your Highness

Now, you know

why I would never allow Li Chuan

to ascend the throne again

even though this might only be a dream.

Now, you know

why I have to sit idly by

and watch you marry another man

even though I've entered your dream

as

a perfectly normal man.

Did you think I didn't wish

to vie for you?

Did you think I dared not do so

or I couldn't win?

It's none of that.

It's all because

I don't have the right to do so.

People like Li Chuan and me

only deserve to live in hell.

I deserve to die.

Li Chuan

deserves to die as well.

Young Master, our men and I

can head down there ourselves.

I'll head there myself.

Wait.

Young Master.

This is too high and too risky.

Can't you just wait here for our news?

Young Master, why are you so stubborn?

What if something happens to you?

If so, I

Enough!

You only care about me.

What about Her Highness?

She fell off the cliff

right in front of me.

But I couldn't do anything about it.

I could've caught her hands

had I been

a little faster, just like Su Rongqing.

I'm the most useless prince consort

in the world.

Young Master,

this isn't entirely your fault.

I must find Her Highness.

I must find Her Highness!

Young Master, you should take a break.

I said, let's continue.

Young Master, wait for me!

Young Master!

Young Master.

Young Master, watch out!

What's the reason?

Why did Chuan k*ll me?

I spent my whole life assisting him.

I was his elder sister.

I was the closest blood relative he had

after our parents had passed away.

Even if he was worried

about my influence and power,

he shouldn't have resorted

to ruthlessness.

It was the tenth year of Dexu Era.

You were traveling around.

Then you encountered an alchemist.

He excelled at making elixirs.

You inquired about him

from various sources

and visited him

in the mountains several times

before you were able to convince him

to leave the mountain.

Then you recommended him to Li Chuan.

Not long after that,

Li Chuan often felt unwell.

He launched a thorough investigation

within the palace.

However, he didn't discover anything.

The alchemist you recommended

to Li Chuan

died because he fell into the lake

after getting drunk.

So, there was something wrong

with the alchemist?

That alchemist

was carefully selected

by the noble families.

Shangguan Ya came up with the plan.

She lured you

into encountering the alchemist.

So

So, that made Chuan think

that I was trying to k*ll him, right?

But why didn't he ask me about it?

If he did

What should he ask you?

Your Highness, what if you were the one

who planted the alchemist

by His Majesty's side on purpose?

Would you admit to it?

Since it was discovered back then,

why wasn't I investigated at that time?

How could he investigate you?

You're the Princess Royal

representing the noble families,

the powerful regent Princess Royal.

If he were to make a move

against you openly,

how certain could he be of success?

So

So

he chose to poison you.

♪ Who gazes at the sky from afar? ♪

♪ Who gazes at the sky from afar? ♪

♪ In the night's chill breeze ♪

♪ What is she singing for? ♪

♪ The wind caresses the hills ♪

♪ The wind causes ripples on calm water ♪

♪ Moonlight graces passing souls ♪

♪ Her steps get slower and slower ♪

♪ She's trod a lengthy path ♪

♪ Memories lost then found ♪

♪ Gazing idly as clouds roll by ♪

♪ She holds a red candle ♪

♪ To brave the thick fog ♪

♪ Life can be bitter sometimes ♪

♪ Experience it with grace ♪

♪ Like a fleeting dream ♪

♪ Like a fleeting dream ♪

♪ Neither warmth nor cold will last ♪

♪ Like a fleeting dream ♪

♪ Like a fleeting dream ♪

♪ The moon is reflected in her eyes ♪

♪ In her gaze,

the unwavering faith remains ♪