01x29 - Episode 29

[bunniefuu]

[Pursuit of Jade]

[Episode 29]

Is the Imperial Eldest Grandson
still alive?

Yes.

He's now

Lord Changxin's eldest son.

Sui Yuanhuai.

Who allowed you
to light a fire in this courtyard?

Are you blind?

Gouge your eyes out.

Spare me, Eldest Young Master!

Get lost now!

I'll leave at once.

How dare you hit me?

For a lowly maid?

In your heart, am I

worth less than a lowly maid?

I just don't want you to k*ll again.

She is a pitiful person, and so are you.

After the Jinzhou m*ssacre back then,

Lord Changxin's wife took her eldest son,

Sui Yuanhuai, to the palace

to keep the widowed Crown Princess
company.

But unexpectedly,
a fire broke out in the Eastern Palace.

The Crown Princess
and the Imperial Eldest Grandson

both perished in that fire.

Lord Changxin's eldest son
was severely burned.

He went into seclusion after that

and never saw anyone again.

So the real Sui Yuanhuai...

He probably died 17 years ago

in that fire at the Eastern Palace.

You say I am pitiful?

Aren't you?

You are selfish, cruel,

insidious, and temperamental.

Everyone who serves you
has to walk on eggshells.

One wrong move, and they die.

But all of this is your disguise.

You're just hiding your fear.

You are a pitiful person.

You also say I am pitiful.

That year when my mother

pressed me into the brazier,

she also said I was pitiful.

Mother!

Min.

Mother!

Only this way can you survive.

Mother!

[Virtuous and Meritorious]

Min.

Live on.

So, for all these years,

Lord Changxin has never suspected

that his eldest son has been switched?

He always said

he couldn't get close
to the Eldest Young Master.

But who would suspect their own son?

The Eldest Young Master's temperament
changed drastically after the burn.

That's only natural.

It was precisely a father's instinct

that made him dislike
the Eldest Young Master from a young age.

The position of Heir Apparent

was also given to his second son,
Sui Yuanqing.

So,

Sui Yuanqing's appearance in Lin'an

was also a setup
by the Imperial Eldest Grandson?

The Imperial Eldest Grandson
knew you were in Lin'an

and wanted to use you

to get rid of Sui Yuanqing.

The Chongzhou Army
was not yet defeated back then.

If they had taken Jizhou,

they could have marched south,
attacked the palace,

and likely forced the Emperor to abdicate.

But Sui Yuanqing is the Heir Apparent.

He'll be the only one
to inherit the throne in the future.

Therefore,

the Imperial Eldest Grandson
is bent on his death.

My mother toiled all her life
for the Eastern Palace,

but met a tragic end.

Qi Min even wanted to k*ll his own son.

Crown Prince Chengde, known to the world
for his loyalty and righteousness...

His descendant

is actually such an imposter,

a cold-blooded and cruel animal.

What's with Lin'an's feng shui?

First, it kept the Marquis of Wu'an,

then it hid the heir
of the Eastern Palace.

That Yu Qianqian,

don't tell me she's someone important too.

Your Lordship and Mr. Gongsun
guessed correctly.

The proprietress of the Yixiang Restaurant

is indeed his runaway concubine.

Yu Bao'er

is the Imperial Great-Grandson.

You don't know

what pain and t*rture I have endured

to survive until today.

So you inflict your pain

onto others?

I was born a noble,
unparalleled chosen one.

The throne of Great Yin

should have belonged to me.

But now,

I live under a disgusting identity,

barely surviving in this world.

If Qi Min inherits

the throne one day,

the people will surely suffer.

Your Lordship, you're a peerless hero.

If you are

willing to support
the Imperial Great-Grandson's ascension,

it'll be a blessing for the common people.

Regarding the Jinzhou m*ssacre



how much more do you know?

I don't know much.

Qi Min

might know the truth.

Back then,

Crown Prince Chengde, who died in Jinzhou,

was your father?

Yes.

I set up the trap

to force Lord Changxin to rebel,

just to seize the opportunity

to take back the empire
that belongs to me,

making Wei Yan

and everyone who k*lled my family

all die.

But after defeating Wei Yan,
there's the Marquis of Wu'an.

What makes you think you stand a chance?

Even if I lose,

as long as I can
make the Xie and Wei families

and Lord Changxin destroy each other,

even if I die,

someone will die in my place.

What do you mean?

I have leverage over Lord Changxin.

This Tiger Tally

is the irrefutable proof
of the Jinzhou m*ssacre.

This Tiger Tally doesn't match.

It's fake.

Your Highness, this Tiger Tally is real.

Please send troops immediately.

Crown Prince Chengde and General Xie
can't hold on much longer.

Jinzhou is in danger!

Why are you telling me these?

Aren't you afraid I'll betray you?

Because I know

you are my woman.

You definitely won't betray me.

Come.

Uncle Yan,

I really miss my mother.

But I know,

now is not the time to save her.

Don't worry.

I've sent someone to look for her.

We will find her.

Once I find your mother,

I'll send you to reunite with Changning.

How do you say?

Changning has returned safely to Jizhou?

What about Auntie Fan?

They are both fine.

Don't worry.

They will make it back to Lin'an safely.

Go on.

Hyah! Hyah!

My Lord.

We must head to Lucheng immediately.

Lord Changxin's army

is likely approaching the Lucheng border.

Pass on my order.

Break camp immediately

and march for Lucheng.

Yes, My Lord.

Guards!

Find the Madam.

Eldest Young Master,

Her Ladyship is missing.

I was just about to report this to you.

But I couldn't wake you up.

That b*tch.

She didn't dare to poison me,

but I don't know what drug she gave me.

[Lucheng Border, Jizhou]

Lucheng.

Ahead is the border of Lucheng.

Someone's there.

Qianqian!

[Lucheng Border, Jizhou]

Changyu!

Changyu.

How did you get out?

We were just about to go look for you.

Did you think
I'd just sit and wait to die?

Let's go, quickly.

Qi will catch up any second.

Trying to run?

Where do you think you're going?

Fan Changyu.

I can't believe you found your way here.

It's foolish,

but I admire your courage.

k*ll everyone except the Madam.

He Jingyuan?

General Qi,

why are you here?

His Lordship ordered me
to protect you in secret.

He feared danger at the Lucheng border,

so he asked General He to meet us here.

Drop your weapons.

Surrender now.

He Jingyuan.

Do you think I'm afraid of you?

Eldest Young Master Sui,

do you intend to fight outnumbered?

If you want me to let her go,

you'll have to k*ll me first.

Retreat immediately,

or I'll k*ll myself right now!

Retreat!

It's okay now.

Everything is fine.

Changyu,

I thought I'd never see you again.

I thought about
how to escape every single day.

I didn't think I'd actually succeed.

You're truly amazing.

Where is Bao'er?

Nanny Lan took Bao'er away.

But Nanny Lan is already...

General.

Sui's shadow guards
are all martial experts.

Although we had many men,

we couldn't gain any advantage.

Later, the Chongzhou Army
came to support them

and covered their escape.

This man is cunning.

He must have had a backup plan.

I don't know

where Bao'er is now either.

Bao'er is blessed.

He will be safe.

Lucheng is just ahead.

Since we are already here,

there are some things

we can discuss after we return to Lucheng.

Thank you for your help, General He.

[Peace at the border]

[He]

General.

You're here.

Greetings, General.

Thank you for saving me yesterday,
General.

No need to thank me.

The whole army is saying

that you k*lled Shi Hu
with 3 hammer strikes.

Is it true?

Two strikes.

I have always loved martial arts.

Would you spar with me for a few rounds?

My skills are amateurish.

[Qinwen Hall]

I can't compare to you.

Whether you can compare or not,

we'll know after we fight.

Come on.

Give it your all.

Don't hold back.

♪ The world is vast ♪

♪ The storm is rising ♪

♪ Day and night ♪

♪ We strive to save the world ♪

♪ All people ♪

♪ Are part of the past ♪

[Qinwen Hall]

[Loyalty and Fortitude]

[17 years ago]

♪ What's the date today? ♪

♪ How lamentable ♪

♪ What's the date today? ♪

[Loyalty and Fortitude]

♪ How lamentable ♪

[Qinwen Hall]

Do you know where the flaw was

in that move just now?

Please enlighten me, General.

You've practiced

this blade technique for too long.

Your strikes are too rigid.

You just follow one move with another.

But on the b*ttlefield,

the enemy's moves change in an instant.

If one strike fails,
just switch to another.

Don't lose your cool

just because someone
sees through your move.

Thank you, General.

But my father taught me
this blade technique.

My father never revealed his skills

in front of outsiders.

But General,

why are you so familiar with it

and able to counter every move?

Your father and I

were old friends.

He.

Your spear technique has improved a lot.

You are just as good.

Do you have a successor?

Wei.

You are mocking me
for being all alone again.

How can I compare to you?

You have a virtuous wife
and a filial daughter.

Are you planning
to pass your blade technique

to that little girl of yours?

Whether my little girl
inherits my blade technique

is unknown.

However,

my little girl's stride

is so full of vigor.

She's got my style.

She's got your style?

She's doomed, totally.

If she's like you,

how will she ever get married?

She's like her mother,

very pretty.

But she has my build.

If she can inherit my blade technique,

then in this world,

no man will be worthy of her.

My father never mentioned it to me.

Besides, my father was just

a butcher in Lin'an.

How could he be friends with a general?

It's a long story.

Once the siege of Lucheng is lifted,

I'll tell you.

General.

Since there have never been
female generals in the camp,

I thought,

those suits of armor might not fit you,

so I had a suit custom-made for you.

May it accompany you

to gain fame and glory.

Thank you, General!

The last time I gifted armor to someone

was 30 years ago.

It's a pity

that he is no longer with us.

Your old friend

must have been a hero

who died on the b*ttlefield.

Although he didn't rest eternally

on a sandy b*ttlefield,

he stopped an unjust army.

For the sake of the common people,

he sacrificed his life for righteousness.

In the end,

only his loyal bones remained.

My father said,

everyone dies eventually,

but if one can benefit the living,

their life is not in vain.

Don't be too sad, General.

Please restrain your grief.

Master, I heard you were

sparring with the heroine
who k*lled Shi Hu.

I couldn't make it in time
to watch and learn.

Lord Menkan.

I knew it was you from your voice.

I guessed it was you.

How did it go?

Finished so soon?

What's the result?

When has your courtesy name

changed to Menkan?

Don't laugh at me, Master.

Life is either inside
or outside the threshold.

It's just a name.

Did I say something wrong?

Say whatever you want.

It's up to you.

Li Huai'an.

Li Menkan.

Captain Li.

Educated people sure have many names.

But my godfather just gave me
a courtesy name too.

You mean Grand Tutor Tao?

Grand Tutor Tao?

When did he become your godfather?

Just a few days ago.

He even gave me a courtesy name.

It's...

It's Shanjun.

It means tigress.

From now on, you can call me Fan Tigress.

Have you gotten used to life
in the camp recently?

I didn't expect you to be so skilled.

You've achieved so much in the camp.

I'm afraid you'll outshine
the Marquis of Wu'an in the future.

Is he coming to Lucheng too?

This is a military matter.
Naturally, I know.

General Xie,
to avoid the enemy's surveillance,

likely took a detour.

But he should be arriving
in a couple of days.

General He just told me

that he and my father were old friends.

Do you know what this is about?

I wanted to ask for details,

but he wouldn't say much.

Grandfather once told me

that my father

borrowed Fan Erniu's identity

to survive in Lin'an.

But the Jizhou records clearly state

that my father was just a butcher
k*lled by bandits.

Why do I feel like

everyone is lying?

Yet what everyone says...

also seems like the truth.

Since Master isn't willing to talk deeply,

he must have his reasons.

The fact that he calls your father
an old friend

speaks volumes about

what an admirable man

your father was.

Hearing what you said,

I feel much better.

Lucheng is so beautiful.

Will it soon end up like Lin'an,

suffering from the flames of w*r?

It's about time you returned to Lin'an.

Changning and Mrs. Zhao
are waiting for you at home.

I can go home?

I'll send someone to escort you
out of the city in a couple of days.

Alright.

I observed the stars at night.

Wuqu [the Martial Star] fades its light.

Pojun [the Vanquisher Star]
drags its shadow.

In the Lucheng sector,

there will be bloodshed within 3 days.

Let's feign an attack first

to draw out their main force.

Then we'll use a move

to trap them like rats.

That's what the omens say.

But in my opinion,

we should concentrate our forces

and strike at the heart

to capture that old thief.

As expected of you, Xie Jiuheng.

So direct.

Others might have the ambition,

but they don't have your guts.

Even if Shi Yue dares to think of it,

he won't believe you'd actually do it.

However, this plan

will leave Lucheng's gate wide open.

I fear Lucheng won't be able to hold.

Go inform Old General He.

I have to say,
the fish here are quite big.

Right?

Big, aren't they?

Here.

Here. Add some herbs
to remove the fishy smell. Here.

Are you asking for a kicking, boy?

Godfather,

-how did you know we are here?
-Let's grill for a while.

To get the fish to bite, of course.

Are you going to ask me

if I still want to stay in the army?

Since you asked,

do you regret it?

Do you want me to teach you

the skills to be a match
for ten thousand on the b*ttlefield?

I do.

And I don't.

What kind of nonsense is that?

You're hopeless.

Godfather,

it's not that I don't want
to stay in the army.

It's just that...

I don't want to lead troops
into battle anymore.

I don't want to see anyone else
die in front of me.

Fan just wants to go back to Lin'an

and live a normal life.

Why do you keep pushing her?

Exactly.

You are all good people.

But that is only a small kindness.

Don't you know that no egg is unbroken
when the nest falls?

The m*ssacre of Lin'an Town

is the best proof.

Lord Changxin rebelled

and led his troops south.

It's m*rder.

The Imperial Court besieged Lord Changxin.

It's also m*rder.

Changyu,

think about it.

How are they different?

I only know

that although I k*lled soldiers,

they might have been just like us before,

just commoners
thrown onto the b*ttlefield.

Once w*r begins,

what is the difference
between soldiers and commoners?

Mobilizing an army
incurs huge expenditure.

The cost of one soldier

requires the labor of 10 civilians.

The longer the w*r lasts,

the harder it is for the people.

Corpses of the starved line the roads,

and refugees come one after another.

Therefore, it is said,

"What is essential in w*r is victory,
not prolonged operations."

To end the w*r with the fewest casualties,

even if one kills,

it is still an act of great benevolence.

I'll give you a weapon
to protect yourself.

Your butcher knife is no longer usable.

I melted it down and reforged it

to make these dual blades.

I never properly gave you a gift.

These dual blades suit you perfectly.

You forgot. You did give me something.

The bracers you gave me are great.

Why do I smell blood?

Are you injured?

No.

It's an old injury.

You're lying.

You were fine a few days ago.

How could an old injury relapse today?

Let me see.

Just some minor injuries. I'm fine.

If you don't show them to me,

you should leave now.

How did you get hurt?

Who hurt you?

Well...

I baptized the blade with blood.

Are you crazy?

Have you been reading too many novels?

You think I'd be so touched I'd cry?

If it happens again,

I'll buy 100 blades

and let you cut yourself
as much as you want.

If your arms are not enough,

you can use your butt.

Changyu,

do you remember
back at the Wushan barracks,

when I had you hunt down those 3 scouts?

If you had been merciful then

and let those 3 scouts go,

Lucheng would have been the one to suffer.

The casualties
would have been far heavier.

I understand.

Thank you for the lesson, Godfather.

My Lady.

It came from the falcon.

His Lordship says
Yu Bao'er has been found.

He's already being sent to Lin'an.

That's great.

Now Qianqian

can return to Lin'an in peace
and reunite with Bao'er.

Let's pack up, too.

We'll leave tomorrow morning.

Yes.

[Lucheng Inn]

I just visited General He.

Manager Yu, knowing you and Mrs. Fan
are returning to Lin'an,

I came specifically to see you.

Changyu told me.

Thank you, Mr. Gongsun,

and His Lordship, for saving Bao'er.

I am endlessly grateful.

Please accept my bow.

No, no, don't.

Manager Yu, you're too kind.

Sit.

I've heard Changyu speak of you.

w*r is imminent.

For you to come all this way, Mr. Gongsun,

it must be for something important.

Yes.

You may leave now.

Lord Changxin's eldest son,

or rather, the Imperial Eldest Grandson
of the former Eastern Palace—

do you know anything about him?

What brought us together

was nothing but a doomed, cursed bond.

I regret that when he was drowning
and near death,

I acted out of kindness

and saved him
with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

I didn't expect to invite trouble.

That is what led to
all the subsequent entanglements.

He holds a Tiger Tally.

He claims it is irrefutable proof
of Lord Changxin's intention to rebel.

But as far as I know,

Lord Changxin
doesn't know his true identity.

Tiger Tally?

They are estranged as father and son.

He hates Lord Changxin deeply.

He is bent on setting a trap
to force Lord Changxin to rebel,

so he can seize the opportunity
to retake the throne.

No wonder he wanted
to k*ll Yu Bao'er.

The Imperial Eldest Grandson
uses Lord Changxin's rebellion

to seize the throne,

so how could he tolerate
the existence of other legitimate heirs?

Thank you for telling me, Manager Yu.

The situation is urgent.

I must go now.

Farewell.

Manager Yu.

The mouth-to-mouth resuscitation
you just mentioned,

what kind of technique is it?

It's just a folk remedy from my hometown.

You pass air mouth-to-mouth

and press on the chest over the heart.

It can save lives in critical moments.

I see.

It is also recorded
in the "Treatise on Cold Damage Diseases."

However,

the mouth-to-mouth method
is slightly different.

It really risks violating the boundaries
between men and women.

Manager Yu, you are righteous.

I have learned something new. Farewell.

Wenkan.

The Marquis of Wu'an plans
to lead the main force of the Yanzhou Army

straight to Lord Changxin's main tent
in Luocheng.

Luocheng is Lord Changxin's base.

It must be heavily guarded.

I don't think the Marquis of Wu'an
can succeed with such forces.

So I want you to personally lead


and split into multiple routes
to provide cover,

helping the Marquis of Wu'an
strike straight at their center.

Only then will there be
a chance of success.

But the Lucheng garrison,

excluding the Yanzhou Army
and the Xie Army,

has no more than 5,000 men.

Master, if you give me 3,000,

how will you defend the city?

Even with the combined force of 5,000 men,

can we hold off
Lord Changxin's army of 50,000?

In the Battle of Lucheng,

we must use surprise tactics.

Don't worry.

I will

defend Lucheng.

I, Li Huai'an,
Martial Commandant of Jizhou,

accept the order.

[Lucheng]

It is so good to have found Bao'er.

It is all thanks to Yan Zheng.

I will remember this favor.

Fan,

look who it is.

Changyu.

Kang Xiaodan, why are you here?

[Kang Xiaodan, Grandson of Granny Kang]

Lord Li heard I was from Lin'an,

so he let me go back with you.

I heard about my grandmother.

Thank you for giving her a proper burial.

We are both from Lin'an.

There is no need for thanks.

It's perfect. Let's go back together.

General,

we are about to depart.

I wish you a great victory, General.

I will wait for your good news.

If we are destined to meet again,

I ask you to resolve my doubts.

If I am lucky enough

to survive along with Lucheng,

I will certainly

tell you everything I know.

Thank you.

Let's go.

He,

the Northwest frontier is desolate.

Jinzhou, Chongzhou, and Jizhou

are particularly barren.

You must take care of yourself
on this trip.

A good man should establish himself.

It is better than being in the Capital,

bowing and scraping

to flatter the powerful.

What a pity.

I won't be there for my nephew's birth.

Niece.

You prefer girls.

He,

you are more well-read than I am.

Give your niece a name.

Why not let your lord name her?

The Lieutenant General's rank is too high.

I fear the child can't bear such weight.

What should it be?

What is suitable?

Changyu.

Changyu.

Right.

"Long may I stay by your side,

where jade steps bloom with springtide."

How is that?

Wonderful.

That is a good name.

[Lucheng]

Wei,

you have a good daughter.

She is loyal, righteous, and brave.

I really envy you.

The longer the w*r lasts,

the harder it is for the people.

Corpses of the starved line the roads,

and refugees come one after another.

To end the w*r with the fewest casualties,

even if one kills,

it is still an act of great benevolence.

Since there have never been
female generals in the camp,

I had a suit

custom-made for you.

May it accompany you
to gain fame and glory.

The last time I felt this uneasy

was in Jinzhou 17 years ago.

Beat the drums! Muster the troops!

-Beat the drums! Muster the troops!
-Beat the drums! Muster the troops!

[Lucheng]

Go.

Stop the carriage!

Soldiers of the Jizhou Army!

-Here!
-Here!

If the city stands, I stand!

If the city falls, I fall!

-If the city stands, I stand!
-If the city stands, I stand!

-If the city falls, I fall!
-If the city falls, I fall!

[Lucheng]

Qianqian,

General Qi

will escort you safely to Lin'an

to meet up with Changning and Bao'er.

I must stay here and stand with Lucheng.

Mrs. Fan,

His Lordship is on the b*ttlefield.

With His Lordship
and the Counselor's strategy,

I believe they will surely defend Lucheng.

Besides, Changning
is waiting for you at home.

I've fought in wars.

I know how terrifying the b*ttlefield is.

But I also know

that if Lucheng falls,

Jizhou will be in danger.

If Jizhou is in danger,

the rebels can march straight
to the Capital.

Then, as big as the world is,

where would I hide?

Where would Changning hide?

And where would

the people of Lin'an hide?

I support you.

You are the most capable female warrior
I've ever met.

Follow your heart.

If you want to stay, then stay.

Don't worry about me.

Once I'm back in Lin'an,

I will protect Changning,

Mrs. Zhao, and the others.

If you must go,

then go.

Don't worry. We'll go with her.

Behind us

lies Lin'an that we must protect.

Changyu.

I'll go with you.

We'll go too.

We'll go too.

Changyu, I used to be a coward,

because I wanted to go back alive
to see my grandmother.

But she's dead.

Now I just want to avenge her.

Changyu, you are not alone.

I'll go with you!

I'll go with you too!

Me too!

Me too!

Me too!

Me too!

-Me too!
-Me too!

Soldiers,

today, I, Fan Changyu, give you my word.

I will live or die with Lucheng!

-Live or die together!
-Live or die together!

-Defend Lucheng! Live or die together!
-Defend Lucheng! Live or die together!

-Defend Lucheng! Live or die together!
-Defend Lucheng! Live or die together!

-Defend Lucheng! Live or die together!
-Defend Lucheng! Live or die together!

-Defend Lucheng! Live or die together!
-Defend Lucheng! Live or die together!

[Sui]

[Sui]

[Marquis of Wu'an]

Marquis of Wu'an.

I have been waiting for a long time.

Today, Your Highness,

I will settle the score with you.

You talk big.

Do you have what it takes?

Soldiers, heed my order!

k*ll Lord Changxin with no mercy!

[Marquis of Wu'an]

-Charge!
-Charge!

-Charge!
-Charge!