Nirvana in Fire (2015–…): Season 2, Episode 5 - Episode #2.5 - full transcript
Ping Jing exposes Duan Tong Zhou's accomplice and is upset when he learns that the truth was kept from him.
Nirvana in Fire 2: The Wind Blows in Chang Lin
[Episode 5]
If you are that worried, just send someone to pick him up.
I'm worried about the last night before they enter the capital.
This is the most crucial night. I reckon that
Pingjing will choose to set up camp here too.
Where?
Here, Qi Zhu creek.
Are you saying Qi Zhu creek?
That's right.
There is nowhere nearby to stay. We need to set up camp here tonight.
We have four hundred excellent soldiers. If our enemy wants to take actions,
they definitely wouldn't dare to storm in. They can only do a surprise raid.
I suggest we set up camp at the eastern valley of Qizhu Stream.
There are cliffs on both sides here.
We only need to focus on guarding both sides.
It will definitely be foolproof.
I agree. With four hundred soldiers guarding both sides,
even if they have a Langya martial expert leading them, they will never be able to breakthrough.
I really don't quite understand this.
Pingjing, you don't agree?
It's not that. This is an extremely well chosen place.
I just feel that
before we return to the capital, we wouldn't be able to capture Duan Tongzhou.
I feel a bit uneasy.
Second Son, it's more important to guarantee the safe return of the witness to the capital first.
As long as we are able to get rid of the important person behind this, a hired mercenary like Duan Tongzhou,
won't be able to escape sooner or later.
What General Ji said is right. We must know to prioritize things.
Let's set off immediately then.
The mountain and water landscape here is the best around Jingling.
Unfortunately, I'm not in the mood now.
Once our task is completed, I will take you to the places where most people are unaware of.
Thank you for your nice gesture. I'm only accompanying Physician Cheng to the capital.
I will leave after staying a few days.
Why?
I remember that Ji Feng Hall has a large store in the capital.
Don't you need to take care of it?
Master wants to escort the prince to the capital.
He will take care of it.
Miss Lin.
We will be reaching the capital soon.
Lord Zhang, do you really plan to keep quiet?
Whether he speak or not, he's already doomed.
I wonder what kind of benefits
these kind of people who work behind the scene will get.
That's right. He is so tight-lipped.
I wonder how it will benefit him.
- Second Son.
- Uncle Shu.
Uncle Shu, I will keep guard here. Take a rest.
Who are you?
Men, take him down.
Don't let him get away.
How could this be?
So how? The Second Son didn't expect this too, right?
Frankly speaking, I did.
When did Second Son move him?
I didn't even know.
It was when I figured it out why he killed Qian Canling.
You figured it out?
The only ones who can recognize that name
are only Prefectural Magistrate Zhang and Qian Canling.
Sister Yun told me that Qian Canling was an orphan in Datong Prefecture and he has no family members.
This kind of person, once he discovers that he's going to die,
I think there is no way that he will keep defending the person behind him.
Hence, the only way for him is to kill Qian Canling first.
He also left the weaknesses of Prefectural Magistrate Zhang, his wife and children, for his companion to handle.
Companion? Who is his companion?
Am I right,
General Ji?
I thought there were no flaws in my behavior.
When did you started to suspect me?
From the start, I totally didn't have any suspicions of you.
It's just that there were certain things which I didn't understand.
But once I figured it out,
everything naturally pointed towards you.
For example, you once asked me,
I think he couldn't have momentarily thought of this.
Who is the person who is manipulating from behind the scene?
Did he say anything?
Of course, I wanted to make sure that he didn't confess.
Otherwise, what you wrote in the letter for the capital,
will become meaningless.
After you have confirmed that he didn't confess,
you needed to keep him silent.
He is different from Qian Canling.
He has a few people that he can't let go off.
Since Duan Tongzhou has decided to take actions to get out as soon as possible,
he should get rid of Prefectural Magistrate Zhang who is more of threat to him.
But he insisted on killing Qian Caning.
This plan was to remind you
to get rid of Prefectural Magistrate Zhang's weaknesses, his wife and children.
You are doomed but not for your wife and children yet.
Hence, on your journey to the capital, think about this very carefully.
If I were you,
I wouldn't open my mouth that easily at the last moment.
Just like Magistrate Zhang and Leader Qian are different, you and Duan Tongzhou are also different.
As a distinguished Level 3 general, you can't bear to lose the bright future ahead of you.
You have to silence us but you must be careful not to expose yourself.
Your actions must not be rough like him.
I think that throughout our journey to the capital, you have been looking for the right opportunity,
So that is the case.
Good thing that it was Uncle Yuan who guarded the witnesses all throughout this journey.
He didn't have the chance to make his move. Until now...
Enough!
If a person is too smart, he will not live long.
If Second Young Master didn't see through it, then it will only be Magistrate Zhang who will die today.
Too bad, you were able to see through it so well. That's why today, all of you must die with him!
You think that if you kill us, Prince of Chang Lin and His Majesty will just let this matter go?
Of course, I know the consequences.
But the crime of being unable to adequately perform one's guarding duties is way better than the a crime punishable by death, right?
Crime punishable by death?
You are stationed far in Qizhou. It was because it is unlikely for you to connive with the Datong Prefecture
that's why you were sent to escort us! How then did you have a crime that is punishable by death?
Second Young Master,
he doesn't know but you surely know, right?
I just understood it just a moment ago.
I also didn't understand why you must cooperate with Duan Tongzhou.
But that words of Yuanqi earlier about you being far in Qizhou finally caused me to understand it.
Why?
Why did my brother worked hard to defend the city and refused to retreat even if he has no reinforcements?
The citizens of Great Liang are behind us!
We, men of Chang Lin, swears to never withdraw!
After Ganzhou, there are no more important fortress.
If my older brother was unable to guard the borders, the fires of war will rapidly spread southwards.
Spreading deeply into the interior of my Great Liang. Along the way, there will not be any military strength that can stop them.
Until...
Until the Qizhou of your Shanliu Military Camp.
You think that your intentions were not noticed by Prince and heir?
[Qizhou]
No one knows about the defense formation of the northern border more than you and me.
That's why, you suspect the Shanliu Military Camp in Qizhou?
When Great Yu's forces reach Qizhou, it will be like a strong arrow already at the end of its flight.
And Ji Cheng is quite good in governing his forces. The military strength of Shanliu Military Camp is quite superior.
If their two armies battle, he naturally can come out sailing across the sky,
able to turn a desperate situation around, and stop the southward movement of the enemy army.
Five regions of lands,
more than a hundred citizens,
you just abandoned them to the hands of the enemies like that?
The Chang Lin Army will suffer defeat while you will gain merit for protecting the empire.
This the plot that you and that person from the capital has connived to do.
Am I right?
My older brother was able to defend Ganzhou. You had no chance to do anything and looked as if an outsider.
But conniving is conniving. I can understand the fear and uneasiness you are feeling right now.
Don't know if that time, as a military person,
did you ever regret it?
While a man is living, it is just right for him aim to achieve great merits.
Must all military merits of Great Liang
just belong to the House of Chang Lin?!
If you think
that my House of Chang Lin protects the northern border just for the words 'achieving merits',
then I am afraid that you will never be able to understand
the strength of character that my father has adopted.
So what if you have guessed everything right?
Look very clearly. Surrounding you are all soldiers that I have trained for so many years.
Today, none of you should think of escaping.
Mr. Duan, make your move.
Mr. Duan, make your move!
I think...
Mr. Duan has already sensed what's really going on, am I right?
Sister-in-law.
The Chang Lin army was ordered by His Majesty
to capture the general of Shanliu Military Camp Ji Chen.
Whoever dared to go against the imperial decree, will be dealt as committing the crime of rebellion!
Pingjing, are you alright?
Thank you for sister-in-law's concerns. Other than being treated as an idiot and played for this long, I am quite fine.
Greetings, wife of heir apparent.
The situation earlier was really dangerous. Good thing wife of heir apparent came to rescue us.
But there is one thing that I do not understand.
How did the capital knew that something is happening here and even came just in time?
Yuanqi, do you still not understand?
This matte, from the start, was all planned by that old sly fox--
Were all set up by my father. With the world being this big, why did he especially choose Shanliu Military Camp?
- Wife of Heir Apparent.
- Uncle Yuan.
The areas south of Ganzhou did not really fall into enemy hands. Ji Chen actually did not do anything yet.
But he knew that he committed a crime and got scared about it. But that is his matter. But from the point of view of father and brother,
it is hard to make any conclusions. Am I right, Uncle Yuan?
Yes. All are people from the military. Accusing anyone will not sit well.
Prince also thought about it for a long time.
Although thinking about makes one sad, but the one with the greatest suspicion
is Ji Chen of the Shanliu Military Camp.
This person has the ability and the ambition.
I have always been secretly evaluating him, hoping that he can bear great duty in the future.
No matter how huge the probability is, a deduction is still not reality.
What if we are wrong, are we not destroying the future and life of someone?
Let us give him a chance to prove his innocence then.
Prince sincerely wanted to handle this matter carefully and not rashly make any conclusion.
- That is why--
- That is why
he came up with a suitable excuse of coincidentally passing by and told you to take the command seal to Shanliu Military Camp, am I right?
Actually...this idea still mainly--
This is actually a very good idea.
If Ji Chen is innocent, he just took on a mission and escorted as back to the capital.
But if he is involved in this matter--
If he is involved in this matter, then there surely will be traces left during their communications, that's why he stared to be scared.
Even if he really is afraid, we are still beyond the scope of his power. But the heaven suddenly blessed him. My father really gave him this chance.
I, Yuanqi, the witnesses, and the material evidences got all wrapped together and handed to him by my father.
If he was able to really endure it and not help out,
then that would have made him a person with exquisite character.
Looks like Second Young Master understands it very well. Why then are you still being mad?
If you guys planned to set Ji Chen up, I don't have any objections. But why must you all hide it from me?
We didn't really hide it from you. You already left that time.
It's also not convenient to relay things like this through letters. So--
Beforehand, it was indeed hard to communicate it. But when you arrived, you still did not tell me the truth. Do not think that I do not know
that he is using this to train me. He wants to know how I am going to respond.
Isn't it my father is really scheming? Was he not afraid that I would fail to understand any aspect and foil his plan?
Next time, I will deliberately foil things for him to see.
- Second Young Master!
- Let's go!
Second Young Master!
Say, this Second Young Master, why does he keep thinking that all of these were set up by Prince?
All these were clearly the idea of heir apparent.
It is because Prince was very strict all the time. Unlike his older brother who is very good in amusing him.
I heard from mother that when Pingjing was just starting to walk, his older brother spoiled him so much that he will frequently play with ink and paper.
See that?
These were all thanks to my father.
- I already wanted to ask you this before, who is that lady?
- If my sister-in-law didn't come, the one locked up in the prisoner carriage would have been me.
Tell me, was I not treated unfairly?
[Prince of Chang Lin's Manor]
Hurry up.
- Housekeeper Zhou, leave these here. Take these to the study.
- Okay.
Housekeeper Zhou. Second Son is coming back. Will he stay long for this time?
No matter what, he will stay till after the New Year, right?
Come, leave in in there.
Prince. Wife of the Prince.
Are they still talking?
It has been for quite a while. The Second Son is waiting for you to rescue him.
I'm not saying that you can't be earnest but when you do anything,
you should be organized too. I heard that when you were in Datong Perfecture,
Each step was unconventional methods, stubbornness, and mischievousness.
If you were not slightly smart and have good luck,
it will be hard to predict what kind of trouble you would get yourself into today.
Father.
Pingzhang, why are you working and not lying down?
Xiao Xue is in control.
The physician also doesn't allow me to step out from the courtyard.
Why is Pingjing kneeling down when he's back?
Weren't you happy yesterday and praising about him to me?
Didn't you say that he did a good job of running errands?
He did a good job.
The magistrate of Datong Prefecture has already been imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice.
He confessing will surely happen in 1 to 2 days.
What use is it to keep praising you?
There were many irregularities. If I don't mention them,
you wouldn't know.
Father, it's not that I want to be defiant.
After all this while, you didn't even praise me. You keep mentioning these points.
Enough. Get up now.
Thank you, Older Brother.
Go and take a rest now. Come and have dinner with me tonight at my place.
I still want to hear the details about Datong Prefecture.
It's agreed then.
- Sister-in-law will cook.
- Okay.
Why have you been gone for such a long time?
I have not returned for so long. I have caused you to worry.
If you know that I will be worried,
you shouldn't have gone to do all those scary stuff.
Mother.
There are only the two of us.
Just play it safe.
All those struggles in the Imperial court,
what do they have to do with you?
I shouldn't refute your teachings
but as a member of the royal clan,
how could this be irrelevant to me?
Yuanqi.
You are a member of the royal clan of the Emperor
but you can't be compared to him.
Even more so, you can't be compared to the sons of the Prince of Changlin mansion.
There are certain things they can do
- and which you can't. <,br>- Then...
No matter what, you must remember this.
Letting others to just forget about our Laiyang Manor here in the capital
is for the best.
Okay, I know I was wrong. I will listen to you in the future.
Mother, don't be sad.
- Take care.
- Thank you.
You have worked hard, Miss.
When Master said you were coming back, everyone was looking forward to it.
Come, let's go to the back.
After hearing what the Head said about Datong Prefecture,
did you know that my heart was in suspense?
- Was your journey smooth?
- Yes.
Home is still more comfortable.
Yes. Be careful. Home is still better.
Unfortunately, Physician Cheng is a witness.
He can only stay in the manor of the Commandant of Justice and cannot come back with us.
It's okay. The Emperor is personally supervising this case. The investigation shouldn't take that long.
This way, please. Watch the steps.
Physician Du, where is Master?
Didn't you know that Master left two days ago?
He has left?
Not only did he leave, he also brought Brother Xu along with him.
I told master that I am unable to handle our branch here in the capital by my own.
He comforted me and told me not to be anxious and that you will be here soon. You will manage this place.
I was then relieved and look forward to seeing you every day.
Are you saying that Master wants me to stay and manage this place in the capital?
Not only that. Master also said that
the illness of the heir of Chang Lin has relapses on his way back to the capital.
Since he is your patient, it will be better that you do his follow-up treatments.
The Commandant of Justice ordered me to come here to ask Minister Song to cooperate with the investigation of the sinking of ships in the Datong Prefecture.
Lord Song, please co-operate.
Greetings, Emperor Father.
Why are you pretending?
Come here.
Thank you, Emperor Father.
Emperor Father, I heard that Brother Pinging has returned to the capital.
Why didn't he come to visit me?
Do you miss him and want him to come here to play with you?
Wait for a while. He has many important tasks to attend to.
He will be busy for a few days before he has the time.
How are your writings?
The tutor praised me a few days ago.
- Is that so?
- Yes.
Write something for me.
Older Brother, when you were recuperating, you didn't know how extreme Father was.
Uncle Shu was very carefully in escorting the witness. He was clearly aware of it
but he didn't tell me anything at all.
He even dared to do this. Father must have instructed him to do so.
But ultimately, nothing escaped your eyes.
Isn't this a good feeling?
I really, really only reacted at the last moment.
I was so nervous along the way that I couldn't even think, sleep or eat well. I was awakened by any movements.
Every day, I was afraid of missing out any details and things would get chaotic.
But he was great. He has already assessed and taken control of the overall situation. It's also a great experience for me.
Older Brother, take a look.
It has only been two days and I have a few strands of white hair.
I have also lost weight. Is he really my biological father?
You have really lost weight. Thus, I told your sister-in-law to cook some dishes for you.
Treasure your time by making up for this at home. Regarding father,
I will find a suitable time to persuade him
not to treat you as a kid and lecture you again.
Older Brother, you are still the one who treats me the best.
But Sister-in-law, your cooking skill is really good.
I can't help but to come home every year and stay for a few days just to eat your food.
Of course, I miss my older brother too.
Eat more.
Father, I still miss you the most.
Stop pretending. It must be Housekeeper Zhou who is patrolling tonight.
Father wouldn't come here at this time.
Move.
After Song Fu and Ji Chen got imprisoned,
the Commandant of Justice will be tasked to try the case. Tomorrow will be the first day of the official trial.
Father thinks that the House of Chang Lin should avoid arousing any suspicion.
Whether it is openly or covertly, he does not want to ask about any information.
I do not know what information they can get from tying these people.
Father exactly has such kind of personality. I have already guessed that this will happen.
Older brother, what do you want to know? I will go ask.
It is fine.
Older brother, your injuries are healing so slowly. You really are making people worry.
That old hall leader is really something. He actually just left you here alone.
Good thing, Lin Xi came back to the capital with me. I will let her examine you tomorrow.
You should address her as Miss Lin. How could you just casually call her by her name?
Have you not offended her enough?
You did not try to learn about the good stuff in Langya Court and instead learned to become this frivolous.
I am so respectful of Miss Lin Xi.
Unlike you, when Sister Meng Jia got adopted by mother, you forced His Majesty to grant her to you when she was just 14 years old.
And you even dared to say that I am being frivolous.
So disrespectful.
Song Fu is a Level two minister. He has served the court for more than 10 years.
Yet i was not able to see that he is this kind of person.
It is really hard to fully know a person.
Song Fu has achieved a lot of merits while he was in office. Your Majesty favoring him
does not really seem to be a wrong move.
For dark and evil thoughts like those, who really can say
that they are able to see it very clearly?
But it is still because my experiences for these past years were not enough.
Imperial brother is at the front line bleeding while I am not able to give you thorough support at the back.
Since the several dynasties and generations before us, it can't be helped to have some evil ministers in the court.
If Your Majesty must insist in saying such words,
you are making me feel uneasy.
Did you not say that your coughing has improved?
For these past years that Empress asked High Priest Puyang to help nurse my health, I indeed got better.
It's just that I recently got a bit depressed so my illness recurred.
No matter what big matter happens, your health still comes first.
This case will be handled by the Commandant of Justice. Your Majesty should just wait for the trial to end and look at the report.
Please stop thinking about it.
Okay.
Since the former emperor died, only imperial brother dares to care about my life like this.
Your Majesty, you have said it too seriously.
I do not have that guts.
You just did.
I received the verbal decree of Your Lady Highness.
I dare not make any delays.
I have already prepared the offering cauldron, changming lamps, and special lamp oil.
Once the time has come, we can start the offering ceremony. May Your Lady Highness not worry.
It was too rushed. Have caused High Priest to work hard.
I dare not.
It was also my negligence.
I should have reminded Your Lady Highness about it earlier.
The special attention given by His Majesty to the House of Chang Lin is not inferior to the East Palace (Palace of the Crown Prince).
He naturally will make a fuss on your attitude as the head of the inner palace.
These past years, there were a lot of things
that I have relied on High Priest to remind me.
From now on, I fear that I might need you to spend more effort on it.
I surely will do my best.
Your Lady Highness, when the Second Young Master of Chang Lin returned to the capital this time,
he set off quite a huge case.
Senior Grand Secretary Xun has a lot of students and advisers that have become part of the government.
He hopes that most of them will not get involved in this.
The case of Song Fu is a grave matter.
Your Majesty is very concerned about it.
Since I got tasked to handle it, I dare not be idle even for a day.
Right now, initial details of the case has been clarified.
It is just there are some conflicting details
that still needs to be meticulously investigated.
I temporarily cannot close this case yet.
What conflicts did you encounter? Tell me about it.
Regarding the sinking of the ship by the Datong Prefecture, we have both witnesses and hard evidences.
Song Fu has already admitted to all of it.
But regarding conniving with Ji Chen for him to achieve military merits,
he kept denying it.
What about Ji Chen's testimony?
Ji Chen admitted that it was Song Fu who initiated their partnership of scheming
to garner military merits
and even sent a private assistant from his manor to contact him.
The exchanges between them was verified by Li Dan from the manor of Song Fu.
Have you let the two confront each other?
I plan to
interrogate first that Private Assistant Qin who was tasked to do the communications.
Once I have some inkling of what the matter really is, I will then let the two face each other.
In my opinion, this Song Fu already know that he will be executed.
He just wants to delay the time.
He would not have been able to do this without an accomplice.
Did he identify anyone during the interrogation?
He did.
I have a list of names here.
Your Majesty, please read the report.
Subject Xun.
♫ The long, slow song rises like wind flowing through the corridors reaching the imposing, opulent and bright Imperial Hall
♫ Memories of that certain year, when far-away borders blazed with fires of war, in vast fields of ice and snow ♫
♫ From this world, the many slanders pass through the vermilion gates, over the palace walls ♫
♫ Beneath iron armor, together with silken skirts and silver spears, hair grows hoary as though with early frost ♫
♫ Hoping for the day when we can sincerely join hands in a faraway place without a second thought ♫
♫ Fiery liquor consumed at the end of the world, at the limits of exhaustion, is a feast! ♫
♫ There is little intention to return the real men to the war in the north, though willing, they are not given free rein
♫ Discussions about their heroism led them to be questioned, and suffer dismal complaints around them, unable to clear their names
♫ Good bows hoarded; likewise, so as not to injure, sigh against the way of heaven when stored indefinitely ♫
♫ Clouds of fear calm shameful waves, the night air stops their bickering by starlight ♫
♫ There is little intention to return the real men to the war in the north, though willing, they are not given free r
♫ Discussions about their heroism led them to be questioned, and suffer dismal complaints around them, unable to clear their names
♫ Good bows hoarded likewise so as not to injure, sigh against the way of heaven when stored indefinitely ♫
♫ Clouds of fear calm shameful waves, the night air stops their bickering by starlight ♫
♫ There is little intention to return the real men to the war in the north, though willing, they are not given free rein
♫ Discussions about their heroism led them to be questioned, and suffer dismal complaints around them, unable to clear their names
♫ Hoping for the whole world to remain at peace, quench the fires of war ♫
[Episode 5]
If you are that worried, just send someone to pick him up.
I'm worried about the last night before they enter the capital.
This is the most crucial night. I reckon that
Pingjing will choose to set up camp here too.
Where?
Here, Qi Zhu creek.
Are you saying Qi Zhu creek?
That's right.
There is nowhere nearby to stay. We need to set up camp here tonight.
We have four hundred excellent soldiers. If our enemy wants to take actions,
they definitely wouldn't dare to storm in. They can only do a surprise raid.
I suggest we set up camp at the eastern valley of Qizhu Stream.
There are cliffs on both sides here.
We only need to focus on guarding both sides.
It will definitely be foolproof.
I agree. With four hundred soldiers guarding both sides,
even if they have a Langya martial expert leading them, they will never be able to breakthrough.
I really don't quite understand this.
Pingjing, you don't agree?
It's not that. This is an extremely well chosen place.
I just feel that
before we return to the capital, we wouldn't be able to capture Duan Tongzhou.
I feel a bit uneasy.
Second Son, it's more important to guarantee the safe return of the witness to the capital first.
As long as we are able to get rid of the important person behind this, a hired mercenary like Duan Tongzhou,
won't be able to escape sooner or later.
What General Ji said is right. We must know to prioritize things.
Let's set off immediately then.
The mountain and water landscape here is the best around Jingling.
Unfortunately, I'm not in the mood now.
Once our task is completed, I will take you to the places where most people are unaware of.
Thank you for your nice gesture. I'm only accompanying Physician Cheng to the capital.
I will leave after staying a few days.
Why?
I remember that Ji Feng Hall has a large store in the capital.
Don't you need to take care of it?
Master wants to escort the prince to the capital.
He will take care of it.
Miss Lin.
We will be reaching the capital soon.
Lord Zhang, do you really plan to keep quiet?
Whether he speak or not, he's already doomed.
I wonder what kind of benefits
these kind of people who work behind the scene will get.
That's right. He is so tight-lipped.
I wonder how it will benefit him.
- Second Son.
- Uncle Shu.
Uncle Shu, I will keep guard here. Take a rest.
Who are you?
Men, take him down.
Don't let him get away.
How could this be?
So how? The Second Son didn't expect this too, right?
Frankly speaking, I did.
When did Second Son move him?
I didn't even know.
It was when I figured it out why he killed Qian Canling.
You figured it out?
The only ones who can recognize that name
are only Prefectural Magistrate Zhang and Qian Canling.
Sister Yun told me that Qian Canling was an orphan in Datong Prefecture and he has no family members.
This kind of person, once he discovers that he's going to die,
I think there is no way that he will keep defending the person behind him.
Hence, the only way for him is to kill Qian Canling first.
He also left the weaknesses of Prefectural Magistrate Zhang, his wife and children, for his companion to handle.
Companion? Who is his companion?
Am I right,
General Ji?
I thought there were no flaws in my behavior.
When did you started to suspect me?
From the start, I totally didn't have any suspicions of you.
It's just that there were certain things which I didn't understand.
But once I figured it out,
everything naturally pointed towards you.
For example, you once asked me,
I think he couldn't have momentarily thought of this.
Who is the person who is manipulating from behind the scene?
Did he say anything?
Of course, I wanted to make sure that he didn't confess.
Otherwise, what you wrote in the letter for the capital,
will become meaningless.
After you have confirmed that he didn't confess,
you needed to keep him silent.
He is different from Qian Canling.
He has a few people that he can't let go off.
Since Duan Tongzhou has decided to take actions to get out as soon as possible,
he should get rid of Prefectural Magistrate Zhang who is more of threat to him.
But he insisted on killing Qian Caning.
This plan was to remind you
to get rid of Prefectural Magistrate Zhang's weaknesses, his wife and children.
You are doomed but not for your wife and children yet.
Hence, on your journey to the capital, think about this very carefully.
If I were you,
I wouldn't open my mouth that easily at the last moment.
Just like Magistrate Zhang and Leader Qian are different, you and Duan Tongzhou are also different.
As a distinguished Level 3 general, you can't bear to lose the bright future ahead of you.
You have to silence us but you must be careful not to expose yourself.
Your actions must not be rough like him.
I think that throughout our journey to the capital, you have been looking for the right opportunity,
So that is the case.
Good thing that it was Uncle Yuan who guarded the witnesses all throughout this journey.
He didn't have the chance to make his move. Until now...
Enough!
If a person is too smart, he will not live long.
If Second Young Master didn't see through it, then it will only be Magistrate Zhang who will die today.
Too bad, you were able to see through it so well. That's why today, all of you must die with him!
You think that if you kill us, Prince of Chang Lin and His Majesty will just let this matter go?
Of course, I know the consequences.
But the crime of being unable to adequately perform one's guarding duties is way better than the a crime punishable by death, right?
Crime punishable by death?
You are stationed far in Qizhou. It was because it is unlikely for you to connive with the Datong Prefecture
that's why you were sent to escort us! How then did you have a crime that is punishable by death?
Second Young Master,
he doesn't know but you surely know, right?
I just understood it just a moment ago.
I also didn't understand why you must cooperate with Duan Tongzhou.
But that words of Yuanqi earlier about you being far in Qizhou finally caused me to understand it.
Why?
Why did my brother worked hard to defend the city and refused to retreat even if he has no reinforcements?
The citizens of Great Liang are behind us!
We, men of Chang Lin, swears to never withdraw!
After Ganzhou, there are no more important fortress.
If my older brother was unable to guard the borders, the fires of war will rapidly spread southwards.
Spreading deeply into the interior of my Great Liang. Along the way, there will not be any military strength that can stop them.
Until...
Until the Qizhou of your Shanliu Military Camp.
You think that your intentions were not noticed by Prince and heir?
[Qizhou]
No one knows about the defense formation of the northern border more than you and me.
That's why, you suspect the Shanliu Military Camp in Qizhou?
When Great Yu's forces reach Qizhou, it will be like a strong arrow already at the end of its flight.
And Ji Cheng is quite good in governing his forces. The military strength of Shanliu Military Camp is quite superior.
If their two armies battle, he naturally can come out sailing across the sky,
able to turn a desperate situation around, and stop the southward movement of the enemy army.
Five regions of lands,
more than a hundred citizens,
you just abandoned them to the hands of the enemies like that?
The Chang Lin Army will suffer defeat while you will gain merit for protecting the empire.
This the plot that you and that person from the capital has connived to do.
Am I right?
My older brother was able to defend Ganzhou. You had no chance to do anything and looked as if an outsider.
But conniving is conniving. I can understand the fear and uneasiness you are feeling right now.
Don't know if that time, as a military person,
did you ever regret it?
While a man is living, it is just right for him aim to achieve great merits.
Must all military merits of Great Liang
just belong to the House of Chang Lin?!
If you think
that my House of Chang Lin protects the northern border just for the words 'achieving merits',
then I am afraid that you will never be able to understand
the strength of character that my father has adopted.
So what if you have guessed everything right?
Look very clearly. Surrounding you are all soldiers that I have trained for so many years.
Today, none of you should think of escaping.
Mr. Duan, make your move.
Mr. Duan, make your move!
I think...
Mr. Duan has already sensed what's really going on, am I right?
Sister-in-law.
The Chang Lin army was ordered by His Majesty
to capture the general of Shanliu Military Camp Ji Chen.
Whoever dared to go against the imperial decree, will be dealt as committing the crime of rebellion!
Pingjing, are you alright?
Thank you for sister-in-law's concerns. Other than being treated as an idiot and played for this long, I am quite fine.
Greetings, wife of heir apparent.
The situation earlier was really dangerous. Good thing wife of heir apparent came to rescue us.
But there is one thing that I do not understand.
How did the capital knew that something is happening here and even came just in time?
Yuanqi, do you still not understand?
This matte, from the start, was all planned by that old sly fox--
Were all set up by my father. With the world being this big, why did he especially choose Shanliu Military Camp?
- Wife of Heir Apparent.
- Uncle Yuan.
The areas south of Ganzhou did not really fall into enemy hands. Ji Chen actually did not do anything yet.
But he knew that he committed a crime and got scared about it. But that is his matter. But from the point of view of father and brother,
it is hard to make any conclusions. Am I right, Uncle Yuan?
Yes. All are people from the military. Accusing anyone will not sit well.
Prince also thought about it for a long time.
Although thinking about makes one sad, but the one with the greatest suspicion
is Ji Chen of the Shanliu Military Camp.
This person has the ability and the ambition.
I have always been secretly evaluating him, hoping that he can bear great duty in the future.
No matter how huge the probability is, a deduction is still not reality.
What if we are wrong, are we not destroying the future and life of someone?
Let us give him a chance to prove his innocence then.
Prince sincerely wanted to handle this matter carefully and not rashly make any conclusion.
- That is why--
- That is why
he came up with a suitable excuse of coincidentally passing by and told you to take the command seal to Shanliu Military Camp, am I right?
Actually...this idea still mainly--
This is actually a very good idea.
If Ji Chen is innocent, he just took on a mission and escorted as back to the capital.
But if he is involved in this matter--
If he is involved in this matter, then there surely will be traces left during their communications, that's why he stared to be scared.
Even if he really is afraid, we are still beyond the scope of his power. But the heaven suddenly blessed him. My father really gave him this chance.
I, Yuanqi, the witnesses, and the material evidences got all wrapped together and handed to him by my father.
If he was able to really endure it and not help out,
then that would have made him a person with exquisite character.
Looks like Second Young Master understands it very well. Why then are you still being mad?
If you guys planned to set Ji Chen up, I don't have any objections. But why must you all hide it from me?
We didn't really hide it from you. You already left that time.
It's also not convenient to relay things like this through letters. So--
Beforehand, it was indeed hard to communicate it. But when you arrived, you still did not tell me the truth. Do not think that I do not know
that he is using this to train me. He wants to know how I am going to respond.
Isn't it my father is really scheming? Was he not afraid that I would fail to understand any aspect and foil his plan?
Next time, I will deliberately foil things for him to see.
- Second Young Master!
- Let's go!
Second Young Master!
Say, this Second Young Master, why does he keep thinking that all of these were set up by Prince?
All these were clearly the idea of heir apparent.
It is because Prince was very strict all the time. Unlike his older brother who is very good in amusing him.
I heard from mother that when Pingjing was just starting to walk, his older brother spoiled him so much that he will frequently play with ink and paper.
See that?
These were all thanks to my father.
- I already wanted to ask you this before, who is that lady?
- If my sister-in-law didn't come, the one locked up in the prisoner carriage would have been me.
Tell me, was I not treated unfairly?
[Prince of Chang Lin's Manor]
Hurry up.
- Housekeeper Zhou, leave these here. Take these to the study.
- Okay.
Housekeeper Zhou. Second Son is coming back. Will he stay long for this time?
No matter what, he will stay till after the New Year, right?
Come, leave in in there.
Prince. Wife of the Prince.
Are they still talking?
It has been for quite a while. The Second Son is waiting for you to rescue him.
I'm not saying that you can't be earnest but when you do anything,
you should be organized too. I heard that when you were in Datong Perfecture,
Each step was unconventional methods, stubbornness, and mischievousness.
If you were not slightly smart and have good luck,
it will be hard to predict what kind of trouble you would get yourself into today.
Father.
Pingzhang, why are you working and not lying down?
Xiao Xue is in control.
The physician also doesn't allow me to step out from the courtyard.
Why is Pingjing kneeling down when he's back?
Weren't you happy yesterday and praising about him to me?
Didn't you say that he did a good job of running errands?
He did a good job.
The magistrate of Datong Prefecture has already been imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice.
He confessing will surely happen in 1 to 2 days.
What use is it to keep praising you?
There were many irregularities. If I don't mention them,
you wouldn't know.
Father, it's not that I want to be defiant.
After all this while, you didn't even praise me. You keep mentioning these points.
Enough. Get up now.
Thank you, Older Brother.
Go and take a rest now. Come and have dinner with me tonight at my place.
I still want to hear the details about Datong Prefecture.
It's agreed then.
- Sister-in-law will cook.
- Okay.
Why have you been gone for such a long time?
I have not returned for so long. I have caused you to worry.
If you know that I will be worried,
you shouldn't have gone to do all those scary stuff.
Mother.
There are only the two of us.
Just play it safe.
All those struggles in the Imperial court,
what do they have to do with you?
I shouldn't refute your teachings
but as a member of the royal clan,
how could this be irrelevant to me?
Yuanqi.
You are a member of the royal clan of the Emperor
but you can't be compared to him.
Even more so, you can't be compared to the sons of the Prince of Changlin mansion.
There are certain things they can do
- and which you can't. <,br>- Then...
No matter what, you must remember this.
Letting others to just forget about our Laiyang Manor here in the capital
is for the best.
Okay, I know I was wrong. I will listen to you in the future.
Mother, don't be sad.
- Take care.
- Thank you.
You have worked hard, Miss.
When Master said you were coming back, everyone was looking forward to it.
Come, let's go to the back.
After hearing what the Head said about Datong Prefecture,
did you know that my heart was in suspense?
- Was your journey smooth?
- Yes.
Home is still more comfortable.
Yes. Be careful. Home is still better.
Unfortunately, Physician Cheng is a witness.
He can only stay in the manor of the Commandant of Justice and cannot come back with us.
It's okay. The Emperor is personally supervising this case. The investigation shouldn't take that long.
This way, please. Watch the steps.
Physician Du, where is Master?
Didn't you know that Master left two days ago?
He has left?
Not only did he leave, he also brought Brother Xu along with him.
I told master that I am unable to handle our branch here in the capital by my own.
He comforted me and told me not to be anxious and that you will be here soon. You will manage this place.
I was then relieved and look forward to seeing you every day.
Are you saying that Master wants me to stay and manage this place in the capital?
Not only that. Master also said that
the illness of the heir of Chang Lin has relapses on his way back to the capital.
Since he is your patient, it will be better that you do his follow-up treatments.
The Commandant of Justice ordered me to come here to ask Minister Song to cooperate with the investigation of the sinking of ships in the Datong Prefecture.
Lord Song, please co-operate.
Greetings, Emperor Father.
Why are you pretending?
Come here.
Thank you, Emperor Father.
Emperor Father, I heard that Brother Pinging has returned to the capital.
Why didn't he come to visit me?
Do you miss him and want him to come here to play with you?
Wait for a while. He has many important tasks to attend to.
He will be busy for a few days before he has the time.
How are your writings?
The tutor praised me a few days ago.
- Is that so?
- Yes.
Write something for me.
Older Brother, when you were recuperating, you didn't know how extreme Father was.
Uncle Shu was very carefully in escorting the witness. He was clearly aware of it
but he didn't tell me anything at all.
He even dared to do this. Father must have instructed him to do so.
But ultimately, nothing escaped your eyes.
Isn't this a good feeling?
I really, really only reacted at the last moment.
I was so nervous along the way that I couldn't even think, sleep or eat well. I was awakened by any movements.
Every day, I was afraid of missing out any details and things would get chaotic.
But he was great. He has already assessed and taken control of the overall situation. It's also a great experience for me.
Older Brother, take a look.
It has only been two days and I have a few strands of white hair.
I have also lost weight. Is he really my biological father?
You have really lost weight. Thus, I told your sister-in-law to cook some dishes for you.
Treasure your time by making up for this at home. Regarding father,
I will find a suitable time to persuade him
not to treat you as a kid and lecture you again.
Older Brother, you are still the one who treats me the best.
But Sister-in-law, your cooking skill is really good.
I can't help but to come home every year and stay for a few days just to eat your food.
Of course, I miss my older brother too.
Eat more.
Father, I still miss you the most.
Stop pretending. It must be Housekeeper Zhou who is patrolling tonight.
Father wouldn't come here at this time.
Move.
After Song Fu and Ji Chen got imprisoned,
the Commandant of Justice will be tasked to try the case. Tomorrow will be the first day of the official trial.
Father thinks that the House of Chang Lin should avoid arousing any suspicion.
Whether it is openly or covertly, he does not want to ask about any information.
I do not know what information they can get from tying these people.
Father exactly has such kind of personality. I have already guessed that this will happen.
Older brother, what do you want to know? I will go ask.
It is fine.
Older brother, your injuries are healing so slowly. You really are making people worry.
That old hall leader is really something. He actually just left you here alone.
Good thing, Lin Xi came back to the capital with me. I will let her examine you tomorrow.
You should address her as Miss Lin. How could you just casually call her by her name?
Have you not offended her enough?
You did not try to learn about the good stuff in Langya Court and instead learned to become this frivolous.
I am so respectful of Miss Lin Xi.
Unlike you, when Sister Meng Jia got adopted by mother, you forced His Majesty to grant her to you when she was just 14 years old.
And you even dared to say that I am being frivolous.
So disrespectful.
Song Fu is a Level two minister. He has served the court for more than 10 years.
Yet i was not able to see that he is this kind of person.
It is really hard to fully know a person.
Song Fu has achieved a lot of merits while he was in office. Your Majesty favoring him
does not really seem to be a wrong move.
For dark and evil thoughts like those, who really can say
that they are able to see it very clearly?
But it is still because my experiences for these past years were not enough.
Imperial brother is at the front line bleeding while I am not able to give you thorough support at the back.
Since the several dynasties and generations before us, it can't be helped to have some evil ministers in the court.
If Your Majesty must insist in saying such words,
you are making me feel uneasy.
Did you not say that your coughing has improved?
For these past years that Empress asked High Priest Puyang to help nurse my health, I indeed got better.
It's just that I recently got a bit depressed so my illness recurred.
No matter what big matter happens, your health still comes first.
This case will be handled by the Commandant of Justice. Your Majesty should just wait for the trial to end and look at the report.
Please stop thinking about it.
Okay.
Since the former emperor died, only imperial brother dares to care about my life like this.
Your Majesty, you have said it too seriously.
I do not have that guts.
You just did.
I received the verbal decree of Your Lady Highness.
I dare not make any delays.
I have already prepared the offering cauldron, changming lamps, and special lamp oil.
Once the time has come, we can start the offering ceremony. May Your Lady Highness not worry.
It was too rushed. Have caused High Priest to work hard.
I dare not.
It was also my negligence.
I should have reminded Your Lady Highness about it earlier.
The special attention given by His Majesty to the House of Chang Lin is not inferior to the East Palace (Palace of the Crown Prince).
He naturally will make a fuss on your attitude as the head of the inner palace.
These past years, there were a lot of things
that I have relied on High Priest to remind me.
From now on, I fear that I might need you to spend more effort on it.
I surely will do my best.
Your Lady Highness, when the Second Young Master of Chang Lin returned to the capital this time,
he set off quite a huge case.
Senior Grand Secretary Xun has a lot of students and advisers that have become part of the government.
He hopes that most of them will not get involved in this.
The case of Song Fu is a grave matter.
Your Majesty is very concerned about it.
Since I got tasked to handle it, I dare not be idle even for a day.
Right now, initial details of the case has been clarified.
It is just there are some conflicting details
that still needs to be meticulously investigated.
I temporarily cannot close this case yet.
What conflicts did you encounter? Tell me about it.
Regarding the sinking of the ship by the Datong Prefecture, we have both witnesses and hard evidences.
Song Fu has already admitted to all of it.
But regarding conniving with Ji Chen for him to achieve military merits,
he kept denying it.
What about Ji Chen's testimony?
Ji Chen admitted that it was Song Fu who initiated their partnership of scheming
to garner military merits
and even sent a private assistant from his manor to contact him.
The exchanges between them was verified by Li Dan from the manor of Song Fu.
Have you let the two confront each other?
I plan to
interrogate first that Private Assistant Qin who was tasked to do the communications.
Once I have some inkling of what the matter really is, I will then let the two face each other.
In my opinion, this Song Fu already know that he will be executed.
He just wants to delay the time.
He would not have been able to do this without an accomplice.
Did he identify anyone during the interrogation?
He did.
I have a list of names here.
Your Majesty, please read the report.
Subject Xun.
♫ The long, slow song rises like wind flowing through the corridors reaching the imposing, opulent and bright Imperial Hall
♫ Memories of that certain year, when far-away borders blazed with fires of war, in vast fields of ice and snow ♫
♫ From this world, the many slanders pass through the vermilion gates, over the palace walls ♫
♫ Beneath iron armor, together with silken skirts and silver spears, hair grows hoary as though with early frost ♫
♫ Hoping for the day when we can sincerely join hands in a faraway place without a second thought ♫
♫ Fiery liquor consumed at the end of the world, at the limits of exhaustion, is a feast! ♫
♫ There is little intention to return the real men to the war in the north, though willing, they are not given free rein
♫ Discussions about their heroism led them to be questioned, and suffer dismal complaints around them, unable to clear their names
♫ Good bows hoarded; likewise, so as not to injure, sigh against the way of heaven when stored indefinitely ♫
♫ Clouds of fear calm shameful waves, the night air stops their bickering by starlight ♫
♫ There is little intention to return the real men to the war in the north, though willing, they are not given free r
♫ Discussions about their heroism led them to be questioned, and suffer dismal complaints around them, unable to clear their names
♫ Good bows hoarded likewise so as not to injure, sigh against the way of heaven when stored indefinitely ♫
♫ Clouds of fear calm shameful waves, the night air stops their bickering by starlight ♫
♫ There is little intention to return the real men to the war in the north, though willing, they are not given free rein
♫ Discussions about their heroism led them to be questioned, and suffer dismal complaints around them, unable to clear their names
♫ Hoping for the whole world to remain at peace, quench the fires of war ♫