♪The white sail came too late♪
♪Where did he go?♪
♪Snow veils the mountains♪
♪Love endures beyond life and death♪
♪A black chess piece♪
♪Whose game did he stumble into?♪
♪All his life, there's no escape♪
♪In ten thousand years, what will still remain?♪
♪Will anyone still love with an unchanging heart?♪
♪I will remember♪
♪Those days long past♪
♪As the wind drifts with the white sail♪
♪Ten thousand years ago♪
♪Did you once walk this shore?♪
♪Why can't our bond be severed in this life?♪
♪I am lost yet willing♪
♪Still I love you with a steadfast heart♪
♪Until all things fade away♪
♪The stars will remember us♪
[Love & Crown]
[Adapted from the novel "My Queen" by Xie Lounan]
[Episode 3]
She must be Ling Cangcang.
Huan always moves with a goal in mind.
So he is after her.
I've long admired Miss Ling, your sect's leader,
and always wished to meet her,
but official duties
kept me too busy.
Busy with official duties?
Aren't you known for being quite idle?
You've actually met Miss Ling.
She was the one who tattooed you last time.
With your sect's
leader and you
both so brave and clever,
Mr. Bai here
must be
no ordinary man either.
Naturally.
Then why not have Mr. Bai
perform a sword dance
to enliven this gathering?
Your Highness,
I don't think that's necessary.
We're swordsmen,
not...
Since Your Highness wishes to be entertained,
I shall oblige.
Has Mr. Bai lost his mind?
How dare he swing at His Highness?
Does he have a death wish?
Do they have some kind of grudge?
His Highness is Empress Dowager Liu's only son.
Even the Emperor treads lightly around him.
Who would dare offend him?
Then Bai must be a man of integrity
who fears no authority.
You came all the way to Southern Chu.
You've made quite the effort to marry
the Grand Tutor's daughter.
I'm merely traveling incognito.
You're overreacting.
Traveling incognito?
And you just happened to come to my territory
and join Fenglai Pavilion?
All under heaven belongs to the Emperor.
If you've done nothing wrong, Qianqing,
why the unease?
Or have you just realized
there's corruption festering
in your domain?
Why is the cold poison flaring now?
Due to my clumsy swordsmanship,
I damaged Your Highness's flowers.
Please forgive me.
Miss Zhong,
Mr. Bai,
goodbye.
Your Highness,
the mine incident was the Lingbi Sect's doing.
Please
look into it.
Rest assured, Miss Zhong.
[Prince of Yuzhang's Manor]
I'll investigate
this matter thoroughly.
If there's any progress,
Fenglai Pavilion will be the first to know.
Good.
Thank you, Your Highness.
If I manage to wipe out the Lingbi Sect entirely,
I wonder how you will
thank me, Mr. Bai.
Your Highness already rules over Chu
and has everything one could desire.
Surely there's nothing I can offer.
What if I do have a request?
What did he mean by that?
You're awake?
Where's Cangcang?
She's safe and sound.
The mine has been forced to shut down.
The Lingbi Sect suffered heavy losses.
The Grand Tutor is not pleased.
I failed to live up to Father's trust.
Fortunately, the mine owner is dead.
They won't be able to trace anything useful.
But that man
won't give up so easily.
If he...
if he uses Cangcang...
Focus on your recovery.
I'll take care
of the rest.
[Pure Integrity]
Shi Yan,
do you think slipping in and out unseen is the only way
to live up to your title as a Xiaoxing Guard?
Your Majesty, how did the cold poison flare up?
Hasn't Preceptor Du's medicine
always kept it under control?
Take this.
The medicine's run out.
You're out of medicine?
Why didn't Li Hongqing send someone back to fetch more?
How is he doing his job?
It's not his fault.
Things have been hectic.
Have the miners been properly settled?
Li Hongqing and I
have already sent people to escort them home.
But
the number of miners we found
doesn't match the number reported missing.
Could some
have died in the mine?
We've counted all the bodies,
but the total still falls short by many.
Perhaps some escaped.
No one's been found returning home on their own.
Then something else
is going on here.
I'll keep investigating.
What about that masked young man in the forest?
Any leads?
I never saw him in my past contact
with the Lingbi Sect.
Despite several attempts
to investigate,
I found no trace of him.
It seems the Lingbi Sect
is still growing stronger.
Shi Yan,
I have
a new mission for you.
At your service.
Strengthen Fenglai Pavilion.
[Fenglai Pavilion]
Bai.
You're up early.
You just promoted me to hall master.
Of course I should set an example
for the other disciples.
Looks like I didn't misjudge you.
Really?
Funny. As I recall,
you used to keep me
well outside the door.
Did I?
Well, life in the martial world
leaves one little room for trust.
You can
never be too cautious.
Bai,
I admit it.
I once suspected you were my father's spy,
so I was wary of you.
Then I tricked you into posing as the Prince of Yuzhang,
and you were injured
and even imprisoned.
That was my fault.
Bai Chifan,
I apologize.
Bai...
no,
Master Bai,
Hall Master Bai,
thank you for not abandoning me in danger
and for sending people to help Zhong Lin rescue those children.
Bai,
I swear,
from now on, I'll see you
as my brother-in-arms at Fenglai Pavilion.
I'll never deceive you
or doubt you again.
Hopeless.
You still won't forgive me?
You'd better find a new bookkeeper.
Here,
take a look.
Since Fenglai Pavilion was founded over a year ago,
we've run a deficit of 3,800 liang.
That's why you sighed?
Of course.
That's no big deal.
I'll just steal a few of my father's paintings or antiques
and make up the loss.
There are plenty.
That's not
a long-term solution.
Relax, Bai.
Fenglai Pavilion
isn't short on money.
Besides,
we've got you, haven't we?
Miss Ling!
Miss Ling,
a big crowd has gathered outside.
They all want to join Fenglai Pavilion!
What?
[Fenglai Pavilion]
What were you two talking about just now?
Nothing much.
Nothing much?
I doubt that.
You used to be so wary of him,
but now look at you,
making him a hall master
and calling his name nonstop.
Cangcang,
what exactly happened between you two?
I'll do all I can
so you won't have to act alone.
Really, nothing happened.
He saved my life.
Then we spent one night together in prison.
One night?
And you call that nothing?
Don't tell me you plan to repay him with your heart.
What are you...?
Well, that doesn't sound so bad.
You...
Don't you think he's
dashing,
charming,
and easy on the eye?
Not one bit.
I think he's
all appearance
and no substance.
Absolutely repulsive.
Why do I feel
like his every move
carries a kind of...
A kind of duplicitous danger?
A kind of fatal charm.
You're hopeless!
My name is Shi Yan.
I specialize in the blade,
especially the 72 Kunlun Swift Strikes.
Cangcang,
that man
is the one who helped us rescue the children last time.
That's right.
Greetings, Miss Ling.
Very well.
You're in.
Miss Ling,
shouldn't you think it over?
What's to think about?
He's Bai's man.
I trust him.
Master,
I led Fenglai Pavilion
to strike a heavy blow against that inhumane Refinement Quarry.
We rescued all the children
who'd been taken there by force.
I know you mean to rid the world of evil,
but do you understand
how tangled the powers behind that mine are?
Of course.
They're all people from the Lingbi Sect.
I even saw
the Ghost King himself.
What is it, Master?
The Ghost King is dangerous.
Yes,
he's committed countless atrocities
and harmed so many people.
And guess what?
They didn't take those children
just to work as slaves.
They were turning them into stone-like creatures.
There must be a greater plot behind it.
I hear Bai never leaves your side.
His ambitions may
well match the Ghost King's.
Did Zhong Lin say something to you?
I've looked into him.
His identity is false.
I knew that already.
And you still trust him?
Everyone has their own burdens
and secrets.
Just because he hasn't told me the truth
doesn't mean he never will.
I can wait.
Besides,
I've kept my own identity from him too.
The human heart is unpredictable.
He's worked hard to get close to you.
He must have his own agenda.
Perhaps
it has to do with your other identity.
Time reveals all.
Whether he cares for me as the Sect Leader of Fenglai Pavilion
or as the Grand Tutor's daughter,
I'll
find out one day.
Cangcang,
I know you've always been kind
and unwilling to see the world through suspicion.
But remember,
the only person
who loves you without reservation
is your father.
Even I, your master,
am not worthy of your full trust.
How could you say that?
If you hadn't saved me back then,
I would've been taken away
and killed.
You saved my life.
If I can't trust you, who can I trust?
Enough, Cangcang.
Your father
entrusted you to me,
so I must keep you safe.
Promise me
you'll keep your distance from Bai,
all right?
Now rest.
I'll take my leave.
Master...
I received word from the Prince of Yuzhang's Manor
that His Highness released the Emperor
and started investigating the Lingbi Sect.
Sometimes,
I truly wonder
what goes on
in my own son's head.
Please calm down, Your Majesty.
Anger will only harm your health.
How did I give birth to such a stubborn child?
Instead of seizing
the opportunity to deal with Xiao...
he had to provoke the Lingbi Sect.
Does he know how powerful they are in the martial world?
What a troublemaker.
What should we
do with the Emperor?
At this point,
we'll have to take matters into our own hands.
Bai.
[Fenglai Pavilion]
Miss Ling,
we've taken in
73 disciples over the past few days.
I've written down
all their details here
for you to review.
Good.
Bai,
thanks for your hard work.
It's nothing.
Earning your trust is what matters.
I just got my hands on two fine jars of wine.
It's the Lantern Festival.
Let's celebrate.
Celebrate?
[Fenglai Pavilion]
Here.
You're in quite the festive mood today.
Excellent wine.
Does it remind you of your hometown?
It's called Sangluo Wine.
"There we sit, sharing Sangluo Wine
and playing with chrysanthemum branches."
It's brewed by the Bai clan of Xiling.
Do you recognize it?
I suppose
you've figured out
that I'm not from the Bai clan of Xiling,
yet you still treat me as a close friend.
As close friends,
we should be straightforward with each other
rather than play tricks.
Very well.
That's exactly what I wanted to hear.
I do
see you as a close friend.
But I still think you haven't been entirely honest with me.
For instance, I still don't know
who you really are.
What about you, Miss Ling?
Will you tell me
your true identity?
That's not the same.
I have secrets I cannot speak of.
How do you know
I have no secrets I must keep?
I...
Since we both carry secrets we cannot share,
we are
not so different after all.
Someone told me
you got close to me with a plan.
Or perhaps...
Perhaps what?
Nothing.
Who said
I meant you harm?
Someone I trust.
Have I ever harmed Fenglai Pavilion?
Have I ever hurt you?
Then I suppose
my master is suspicious of you
because he doesn't know you well enough.
So it was your master.
As distance tests a horse's strength,
time reveals a person's heart.
You need not trust me now.
Just...
Bold fools,
how dare you break into Fenglai Pavilion?
You go first.
I'll handle them.
We'll fight together.
Look out!
Assassins!
Bai,
are you all right?
Let's go.
Seize them!
Be careful.
Bai.
Bai?
Somebody!
Hurry!
Get a physician!
Go after them!
Stop him!
It was a suicide mission.
They all had poison in their mouths.
Sir,
how is he?
I've never seen such a complicated pulse before.
What do you mean?
The poison has invaded his internal organs.
He won't live long.
Now that he's lost so much blood,
his pulse should be weak.
But...
But what?
But his pulse is still strong and steady.
Then why hasn't he woken up?
That's what
baffles me.
You said the poison had
reached his internal organs. What does that mean?
Judging by his pulse,
he's suffering from cold poison.
It must have been in his body for over ten years.
Impossible.
He seemed perfectly fine,
and his martial skills are extraordinary.
How could that be?
Then it makes sense.
His martial arts training has allowed him
to keep the poison in check with inner force.
That's why his pulse remains strong despite the blood loss.
He must have been taking an antidote regularly.
Antidote?
What is this?
A life-saving medicine.
He gave me his last pill.
Then you must find him another one at once.
Shi Yan must know about the antidote.
Hurry.
Get Shi Yan here.
Got it.
Shi Yan!
Do you have Hall Master Bai's antidote?
What happened to him?
He fainted.
The physician said he needed the antidote.
I'll be right back.
Bai,
you fool.
That antidote was meant to save your own life,
yet you gave it to me.
You risked your life for me again and again,
yet I still doubted you.
Master only grew suspicious of you
because he didn't know you.
But deep down,
I'd already come to trust you.
I shouldn't have tested you.
It was my fault.
You haven't even heard my apology yet,
so you can't die.
Please, wake up soon.
Cangcang,
what's wrong?
Bai,
you're really awake.
You've been crying?
I...
I haven't.
I was just a little scared.
Don't worry.
It'll take more than this to kill me.
I had a dream.
In it, I was wandering near death's door.
Then suddenly, someone called my name.
When I turned around,
I saw that it was you, crying your eyes out.
I couldn't help but laugh.
Then
I woke up.
You're making fun of me at a time like this?
Did I hurt you?
I'm fine.
You were worried about me?
Of course.
When I got sick as a child,
my father would stay up all night by my bedside too.
Are you close
to your father?
My mother passed away when I was very young.
Father raised me on his own.
Then how could he allow you
to wander the martial world alone?
Because I have my master.
No wonder your master's words carry such weight.
Bai,
my master only doubts you
because he doesn't know you.
Don't worry.
I'll make sure
he trusts you
as much as I do,
all right?
Now,
get some more rest.
I'll go check on the antidote.
Did you get the antidote?
The Imperial Preceptor just made it.
Why the rush?
His Majesty's cold poison has flared up.
How could that happen?
It's complicated.
Let's head back first.
You're in this condition
and still planning to go out?
I'm going to take Cangcang away.
In your state,
even if you see her,
what can you do?
Cangcang is naive
and easily deceived.
I'm taking her back to the Capital.
Whether by deceit
or by force,
I'm taking her back.
The Lingbi Sect's affair
is what matters most right now.
If they really uncover something,
how should we answer to the master?
Father ordered me to protect Cangcang.
If anything happens to her,
how will I face him?
Are you doing this for your adoptive father's sake
or for your own?
You know the answer better than I do.
So Your Majesty
gave the antidote to Miss Ling.
I failed to notice
Your Majesty's relapse earlier.
I deserve punishment.
I've had this cold poison since birth.
After all these years,
I'm used to it.
Have you traced the assassins?
I let one escape on purpose
and sent the Xiaoxing Guards after him.
He eventually turned up
at the Prince of Yuzhang's Manor.
The Prince of Yuzhang's Manor?
Your Majesty,
we may have found a clue about the murder thralls at the mine.
What is it?
The Botang Pleasure Boat.
The Botang Pleasure Boat?
The Botang Pleasure Boat
is not that well-known,
but I've heard of it.
Despite its name, it offers no pleasure of that sort.
Rare and valuable items are auctioned there.
It's highly exclusive.
It's said
that one must have
a special invitation to board.
Zhong Lin can handle that.
I want to see it for myself.
[Prince of Yuzhang's Manor]
You still haven't
found the Ghost King?
What have you all
been doing?
At this rate,
when will you catch him
and root out the Lingbi Sect?
Make the Ghost King show himself in three days,
or
bring me your heads!
Understood!
Your Highness,
Bai Chifan from Fenglai Pavilion
just sent word.
What is it?
Three words:
Botang Pleasure Boat.
Why does he
look different today?
Was he always like this?
Good morning, Miss Ling.
Good morning.
Are you feeling better?
Much better.
Thank you for taking care of me last night.
After all, you were hurt because of me.
It's only right that I look after you.
Why do you
seem different today?
So uneasy.
Do I?
Is it because of last night...?
No!
What?
I...
I feel a little dizzy.
Maybe
I'm coming down with something.
I should go.
Your pulse is racing.
That's not quite normal.
But your complexion doesn't look like that of someone ill.
Is something bothering you?
How about I take you out
for some fresh air?
Hurry, honey.
I heard the boat had a Harmony Chamber,
and only couples are allowed inside.
A trip on this boat without a fair lady for company
would be a waste indeed.
It'll be a sleepless night.
A night of romance...
- Wait. - ...is what makes the trip worthwhile.
Why did you bring me here
dressed like this?
Look around.
Isn't it obvious what we're here for?
Then I'm not going.
You can't back out now.
Everything's ready.
Only you're missing.
What?
Yes, I've roamed the martial world and care little for rules,
but I'm not that kind of girl.
What does that have to do
with rescuing missing youths?
What missing youths?
The number of rescued miners didn't match the missing count.
I suspect many were sold here.
That's why I invited you along.
Anything wrong with that?
Nothing.
Let's go, then.
You two look unfamiliar.
First time aboard?
A green haitang blossom?
Distinguished guests indeed.
Sir and madam,
this way, please.
Sir and madam?
After you,
honey.
The boat is setting sail!
Setting sail?
Why?
You truly are newcomers.
The boat sails to open waters
before trading begins.
Once it's out at sea,
Shi Yan's men on shore
will be of no use.
Sir and madam,
come.
Look at his fan.
I know.
Isn't that...?
He looks
so dignified.
Who would've thought?
What a pity.
- Who would've thought? - Exactly.
Let's go.
Did you see that?
A green haitang blossom!
Did you see it?
Yes, I saw it.
What do the different colors
even mean?
I have no idea.
Everyone's staring at us.
Zhong Lin said she saw an invitation
with a green haitang blossom,
so she made one just like it.
Maybe we should slip away while we can.
Come, honey.
I'm not your honey.
If we're acting, we should make it convincing.
Don't forget why we're here, honey.
Sir and madam,
this way, please.
Let's go, honey.
Please come in.
Come on, honey.
Sit.
Playing the loving couple in the Green Haitang Chamber?
Aren't you tired?
Xiaoyang, mind your tongue.
They're guests.
Serve them tea.
What would you like?
That depends on what you have to offer.
Tiger, snake, and lion parts, dragon pills,
invincibility pills, prepared salt, and stink bugs.
As long as you can pay,
we have whatever you desire.
And how brave you are, sir.
We rarely see male guests
in the Green Haitang Chamber.
Did you see that?
A green haitang blossom!
Did you see that?
He looks dashing.
- Who would've thought? - Exactly.
Such a shame.
You don't understand what's going on.
Keep quiet.
Let me handle this.
Now, that's not very nice to say.
My husband and I share true affection.
I won't despise him
just because he's frail.
No matter what happens to him,
I'll love him all the same.
How touching.
For such devotion,
I'll give you
a discount.
Here's the thing, madam.
Ordinary medicine
doesn't work
on my husband.
Then what are you saying, madam?
I mean,
on a grand pleasure boat like this,
surely there are other chambers that can help him.
The red,
yellow, and blue
haitang chambers.
What are they all for?
Besides medicine,
what else can we try?
Do you look down on my chamber?
Not at all.
I don't doubt the quality of your goods, madam.
It's...
it's my husband's body I don't trust.
Say something, my love.
All these years,
has any medicine
worked for you?
Well,
none so far.
Madam,
you heard him.
Please, help us.
Let us enter the other types of chambers.
Sir and madam,
please leave.
Go that way.
A boat will take you ashore.
Don't you claim to fulfill every wish here?
Why drive us out simply for not buying
your medicine?
That's how the Botang Pleasure Boat operates.
If you refuse to leave,
you'll be thrown overboard to feed the fish.
Don't make this hard.
If we're thrown out now,
this trip will be for nothing.
I know.
As Sect Leader of Fenglai Pavilion,
I won't take this lying down.
Go.
Wait.
Those
animal parts, dragon pills, and whatnot.
We'll buy them.
My love,
get...
get the money.
In that case,
sir and madam,
please follow me.
Sir and madam,
follow me.
Sir and madam,
upstairs, please.
Can't we go in there?
We have an invitation.
Please,
go upstairs
to the Green Haitang Chamber.
This young lady is a distinguished guest.
♪Dust gathers on the lost paths of time♪
♪A red candle keeps the dusk company in solitude♪
♪Blurred words on faded bamboo slips♪
♪Broken speech in twisted time♪
♪The heart still hums its old song of longing♪
♪On Phoenix Terrace, the seasons weave their tales in turn♪
♪Tears fall, nourishing all living things♪
♪Be it cloud or rain, sea or flower♪
♪The annual rings carve deep and shallow scars♪
♪In the end, silence is the only reply♪
♪Oh, broken-hearted one, still you wander the world♪
♪The setting sun listens to the tide's confession♪
♪A beam of moonlight keeps the hesitant poet company♪
♪Amid the swirling mortal dust, love and hate are hopelessly entwined♪
♪Empty cups greet the dawn of parting♪
♪The heart still hums its old song of longing♪
♪On Phoenix Terrace, the seasons weave their tales in turn♪
♪That iridescent soul gleams through the drifting past♪
♪Be it cloud or rain, sea or flower♪
♪Oh, wandering soul, one day you'll find your way home♪