♪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 2]
You again.
I just wanted
to greet a friend.
How did you find this place?
Other than the quarry,
I also saw Zhong Lin change her clothes
and met with His Highness's subordinates.
I was bored
so I asked around
and deduced where both of you would be.
Then, I came to pick you up.
I saw you both come out
of His Highness's manor
whilst disguised as tattoo artists.
You also mentioned forging just now.
So, I ran it through my mind
to see what exactly
you need forged
in
Prince of Yuzhang's Manor.
Well,
if you wish to forge His Highness's seal,
allow me to suggest
Wuxi green jade.
Miss Ling,
Wuxi green jade
is indeed the material with which the royal seal is made.
I keep running into you.
What are you after?
I wish to follow you and achieve greatness
to make a name for myself
in this martial world.
Fame and glory
are but an illusion.
I do not share your goal.
We all have different ambitions.
But isn't it beautiful
to share a journey together?
Wuxi green jade
for your perusal, Your Majesty.
Good.
Why are you shaking?
I'm not killing you.
Thank you for clemency, Your Highness.
Have you found
the two fraudsters?
Your Highness,
they
snuck out of the manor stealthily
and disappeared.
But none
of our property is lost.
And you couldn't discern real tattoo artists from the fake ones?
Tattoos have intricate patterns.
But those fraudsters did a good job
replicating the patterns.
So you're saying
that they put in so much effort
into approaching me
so that they could tattoo a bird on me
to humiliate me?
You're an idiot!
You know what?
Re-enact the whole scene with the housekeeper.
Even if you can't figure out the truth,
I will still spare you.
Thank you, Your Highness.
But I'll break your legs
and feed you to the hounds.
Make haste.
Yes.
[Fenglai Pavilion]
Forgive me.
All jades are unique.
This one might be slightly different
from the one used by Prince of Yuzhang.
It can't be helped.
This jade
is more polished than the real one.
And you found it within one night?
You're amazing.
Prince of Yuzhang's seal
is engraved
with four claws that subdue evil.
Just who exactly are you?
I'm
Bai Chifan
of the Xiling region.
Bai Chifan?
Bai Chifan.
You have the name
of a fraudster.
You are mistaken.
I come
from an affluent family,
so I must be discreet.
Are you related to the Bai clan of Xiling?
A distant relative of theirs.
A distant relative?
The Bai clan of Xiling
is a sword-wielding clan.
They were a big name in the martial world for several decades.
Then, they went to the western regions to trade.
It is true that they are rich right now.
So you truly are Bai Chifan?
Yes.
A spoiled heir who forsook martial arts for mercantile skills?
Who's your father?
My origin doesn't define me.
Just like I never asked
who your father is.
Why must you know who my father is?
So you're just a spoiled heir.
Do you even know what makes the martial world?
Everyone has a different take.
Some fight for vengeance.
Some fight for justice
or bonds that cannot be severed.
They all make up the martial world.
In my opinion,
it is enough as long as I possess the will
to wield my sword.
Since you're so insightful,
can you guess
what I'm after?
Expensive robes.
Thumb ring.
Royal seal.
Are you gathering these items
to impersonate Prince of Yuzhang?
It's not that serious.
You'll just get your entire family killed.
Oh.
From what I was told,
Prince of Yuzhang
might seem boisterous,
but he's actually quite observant.
He might
have already seen through your trick.
It seems like I did
underestimate you.
I hope you won't bar me
from joining Fenglai Pavilion
simply because I know too much.
Of course, not.
Fenglai Pavilion never breaks its promises.
My friend,
take a seat.
Don't worry.
We do not renege on our promises.
Give me
a few days.
After I consult the rest,
I'll give you a satisfactory answer.
Miss Ling,
you're committing a crime.
It's against our sect's rules.
He knows too much.
I can't risk letting him ruin our plan.
Luo,
imprison him.
Yes.
Zhong Lin.
Check if someone did leave the Bai clan of Xiling
to go on an adventure in the martial world.
Yes.
[Fenglai Pavilion]
They know Cangcang is after Frostflame Iron.
Something's afoot.
Report back to the capital immediately.
We get in from this side
and you
[Refinement Quarry] will enter from here.
We'll group up here.
Once it's done,
wait for my signal.
Cangcang.
- I need to tell you something. - Oh, you're here.
Luo.
Look.
The royal seal is done.
Everything is in order.
It's up to you now.
Cangcang.
I have to be away for a while.
Are you serious?
I'm serious.
You are?
But
we planned this for so long.
If you leave now, everything will go to waste.
Besides,
how am I supposed
to find another Prince of Yuzhang?
Why don't we
delay it for a few days?
No.
If we miss the timing,
we'll be in danger.
It is an urgent matter
that I must attend to.
Is it my father?
The worst outcome will always happen.
Why must he take you away at this crucial moment?
Just go.
What will you do now?
What can I do?
I'll figure it out.
He left for real.
I...
Cangcang.
He left just like that.
Who can impersonate Prince of Yuzhang now?
How would I know?
Perhaps...
Miss Ling.
How have you been?
What do you think, Cangcang?
It's not good.
What do you mean?
I have the thumb ring
and the fan.
No, it's not good.
You look like a feeble scholar,
and not a prince.
What do we do now then?
Are we just going to give up?
This is bad.
What should we do?
I have an idea.
I was careless.
Miss Ling,
what is the meaning of this?
Speak!
Who exactly are you?
Bai Chifan.
Stubborn, aren't you?
Bring them in.
Fenglai Pavilion has a wide selection of torture tools.
I'm giving you one last chance.
Answer honestly.
If you lie to me,
you'll have a taste of all my torture devices.
Ask away.
Did my father send you here to spy on me?
No one
can order me around.
You can be the first if you let me
join Fenglai Pavilion.
How arrogant.
Who are you? The emperor?
If my father did not send you here,
why do you know
and care about
my whereabouts
and Fenglai Pavilion?
Explain yourself.
One who understands the rules of the five elements
and the nature of humanity
will know all there is to know in the universe.
Enough of your nonsense.
I am not making anything up.
My father did not send you here?
Shouldn't I be more trustworthy
if I were close to your father?
Release him.
He has the looks
and the comportment for it.
Since I have no better option,
I'll just have to use him.
Bai Chifan.
I have a use for you.
[Fenglai Pavilion]
Miss Ling,
can you tell me
why I must impersonate Prince of Yuzhang
and risk getting my entire family
killed?
Don't worry.
Now that you're part of my sect,
you're mine.
Come what may,
I'll protect you.
And if I insist on finding out why?
Right.
Since you're taking the risk,
you earn the right to know.
Give me a moment.
[Frostflame Iron]
Frostflame Iron?
Yes.
Did you know?
One who owns Frostflame Iron
can craft a divine weapon to lead the martial world.
Frostflame Iron
must first endure abyssal flame for a millennium
before being frozen for another millennium
in order to form this distinct pattern.
Also,
a sword made of this iron
is indestructible.
The Great Qi Dynasty has not seen
such material in several centuries.
Several days ago,
they found one in the quarry in Southern Chu.
So you want me to impersonate Prince of Yuzhang
to get this iron ore?
Yes.
Prince of Yuzhang rules
Southern Chu.
If Prince of Yuzhang wants it,
they'll have to turn it in.
You're so naive.
Do you really think a few weapons
with this iron will allow you
to rule the martial world?
What's wrong with that?
In this martial world,
the sharper the blade, the more power you have.
What else?
[Brush and Ink]
Father,
I am telling the truth.
In that case, explain why
Cangcang put in so much effort
for one Frostflame Iron.
She was looking for the hall master
and wanted someone to impersonate Prince of Yuzhang.
If she wanted the iron ore,
she could've come to me.
Perhaps Young Lady
doesn't want to rely on you for everything.
It's not as simple as that.
Cangcang has always been an opinionated kid.
Xianxue.
I know
you are loyal, responsible,
and meticulous.
But you seem to forget to mention
a certain Bai clan member of Xiling
who approached Cangcang lately.
He...
He's Bai Chifan.
He keeps pestering Young Lady.
But she doesn't really take him seriously.
She even thought
you had sent him to spy on her.
Do you know why I summoned you
back here?
Please enlighten me.
Xianxue.
You must know
that Cangcang
is now in Southern Chu,
the territory of Prince of Yuzhang.
Xianxue.
No matter what happens,
you must protect her.
In the meantime,
I need to know
what she's doing.
Yes, Father.
Now return to Southern Chu.
I need you
to do something.
Yes, Sir.
Go now.
Xianxue.
You must know that Cangcang
will be the Empress consort.
So cease whatever wishful thinking
you have now.
Yes.
Let's go.
People have gone missing lately.
Let's hurry up.
We've been foraging for vegetables in the mountains.
I'm so hungry that I can't walk.
A bun!
Don't eat it.
We don't know where it's from.
What if it's poisoned?
Why would anyone
poison a bun?
Wake up!
Get up!
Eat the buns now
or you won't even be able to afford it
in the quarry.
Greetings, Your Majesty.
Why are you
sneaking up this late at night?
It is my duty to make sure
that you are always alert, Your Majesty.
All right, Shi Yan.
Take a seat.
Shi Yan.
Did you find anything about Refinement Quarry
that I told you to?
Your Majesty,
on the surface,
that quarry mines and processes ores.
But in reality, it runs a monopoly
that abducts citizens to be miners
and forges weapons without authorization.
Many people have died.
Many young boys went missing in Southern Chu.
In fact, more than 100 young boys have disappeared.
Southern Chu is an affluent region
that is governed by Prince of Yuzhang.
You must have misheard, Your Majesty.
In that case,
they are behind the missing boys
of Southern Chu.
At this moment, it seems so.
My investigation
reveals that Lingbi Sect is behind the quarry.
And the one running the sect is...
Grand Tutor Ling is quite ambitious.
Southern Chu is Prince of Yuzhang's territory,
and he is committing his crime here.
Isn't Ling Cangcang sabotaging her father's plan
by going to the quarry?
Perhaps
she isn't even aware
of the ties between her father and Lingbi Sect.
Luo Xianxue returned to the capital suddenly.
He might already know that I'm here.
This time, not only must we bring back the Empress,
we must also get rid of Lingbi Sect,
thereby extinguishing his contingency plan.
The marriage is inevitable.
We must now
help Ling Cangcang achieve her goal as soon as possible.
Impersonating me in public?
The audacity of it!
Slow down.
They can't have run far.
Are you sure they headed to Refinement Quarry?
Yes.
Absolutely.
All right.
If you make another wrong judgment,
you'll pay for it.
Hurry up!
Faster!
I'm talking about you! Hurry!
There are only kids
in this cave.
No need to feed them properly.
Just one bun per day.
If that's not enough,
tell them to drink water.
Sir,
the laborers we have
are too swollen to walk now.
Ten kids died last month.
All our men are out there capturing kids.
But we still don't have enough manpower.
There is even a rumor saying
that the ghosts are kidnapping kids.
Besides,
if something bad happens,
what do we do?
We are working for the Ghost King after all!
Right.
He wants the money urgently.
What can we do?
And you.
You talk a lot
and eat a lot.
What now?
Why are you in a rush?
Prince of Yuzhang is here.
Prince of Yuzhang?
What is he doing here?
Greetings, Your...
Are you the owner of this quarry?
Greetings, Your Highness.
What can I do for you?
I was told
that you found Frostflame Iron.
Your Highness, you need not come here
in person for one iron ore.
If you desire it,
just say so
and I will have it delivered to your manor.
What?
Are you doubting my identity?
Of course, not.
Look closely.
Wuxi green jade.
Even a fortune can't buy it.
It is in the right form too.
Frostflame Iron, is it?
Let me retrieve it now.
You, come with me.
You two,
serve His Highness tea.
Yes.
What a delicate chest.
It must have been made by a famous blacksmith.
You know many things, Your Highness.
Precious iron ores must be stored in a precious box.
Please, Your Highness.
How dare you
try to murder Prince of Yuzhang!
Prince of Yuzhang?
The prince's royal seal
has four claws to subdue evil.
But yours has five claws.
Prince of Yuzhang's seal is engraved
with four claws to subdue evil.
If I don't even possess such basic knowledge,
how can I even run my smithing business?
Insolence!
Hold your breath.
Give chase now! Quick!
Hurry!
Over there!
You can escape no more.
Don't you know where you are?
You think you
can steal the Frostflame Iron?
Who says
we're after the Frostflame Iron?
Mister,
you are...
I am Shi Yan.
Mr. Bai Chifan asked me
to assist Fenglai Pavilion.
Bai Chifan...
What is going on?
I think
Quarry No. 2 blew up.
Sir, this is bad!
Sir!
The slaves...
The slaves escaped.
What?
But sir, you said
someone
was impersonating Prince of Yuzhang.
So I dispatched all our men here.
You fled on purpose
to lure us here?
It seems like
I've underestimated you both.
I'm glad you know that.
Bai Chifan.
Zhong Lin already rescued those kids.
Find an opening and flee.
I'll watch your back.
No,
allow me to protect you.
What a tear-jerking pair
of star-crossed lovers.
Unfortunately for you,
my smoke is laced with potent poison.
It won't be long till you fall.
Surrender
yourself now
and come clean.
Then perhaps
I'll spare you.
Kill them all!
Leave none alive.
Kill them all!
Don't be afraid.
I'm here.
Charge!
Run now.
Come!
Don't worry about me.
Just go.
Come.
Take this.
What is it?
A pill to save you.
You don't want to leave any witnesses alive.
Ghost King of the Lingbi Sect?
What a monster reared by Lingbi Sect.
He is invincible.
Prince of Yuzhang?
He's finally here.
Quite late too.
Your Highness,
please capture these unscrupulous scoundrels.
It's you, my dear brother.
You're the unscrupulous scoundrels.
Subdue them!
Yes, Your Highness.
It's not us.
You're mistaken.
We did this because we wanted to rescue...
Let go of me.
Let go!
This is just a misunderstanding.
We did this because we wanted to rescue the slaves.
Let me talk to His Highness!
Don't go!
I'm sorry.
I promised to protect you.
I failed that.
But who knew Prince of Yuzhang would arrive this late?
So you wanted to impersonate Prince of Yuzhang
to lure the culprits away
before you could bring them
to justice?
The miners were abducted off the street.
Many of them
are just teenagers.
Fenglai Pavilion doesn't covet fame and glory.
We just want to help the helpless ones.
So that's why
she refuses to enter the palace.
If the plan fails,
you might die.
Have you thought about that?
My life is precious,
but so are theirs.
I used you as bait today.
I'm sorry.
But it wasn't my intention to get you hurt.
Show me your wound.
It's nothing.
But you...
In this vast world,
it's hard to find someone who will defend those victims.
If this is your goal,
I'll do everything I can
to make sure you're not alone in this.
Speaking of which,
he has saved me several times.
No,
allow me to protect you.
Your pulse is stable
but weak.
It's all thanks to your pill.
It sped up the recovery.
How come you are immune
to the poisonous smoke?
Besides,
you were shot by an arrow too.
I am
immune to all poisons.
It's fine if you don't want to tell me.
I'm serious.
I'll tell you more in the future.
Your Highness.
A missive from the Empress Dowager.
Your Highness!
What if Her Highness wishes
to tell you something important?
Every time Mother wrote to me,
it was about His Majesty.
I know what I'm doing.
I'm leaving now.
Are you not going to see me off?
From now on,
you're a prince who governs a region.
You'll have to think before you act now.
Huan, before I leave, can you please
give me the Great Qi Divination Chart
drawn by Father?
Father left it behind,
and I wish to keep it
as memorabilia.
Father's chart
contains the topography
of Great Qi.
You're asking for this chart.
Does this mean you are still
coveting the throne?
Remember now.
As long as I breathe,
you will not
have the divination chart.
Prince of Yuzhang?
You're finally here.
I did impersonate and deceive you.
But it was to save the kids.
My achievement can offset the crime.
No, it cannot.
Can you be a generous soul
and let it slide?
I hate the word,
generous, the most.
When I see that bird on my back,
it only
fuels my hatred more.
Unless...
Unless what?
Unless the man behind you
can apologize to me properly,
then I may consider forgiving your crime.
Look.
I coerced him into coming here.
It has nothing to do with him.
I'll apologize to you on his behalf.
I am Bai Chifan.
It was not my intention to offend you.
Please forgive me, Your Highness.
Mr. Bai,
you can put your dignity aside when need be.
Are you Bai Chifan for real?
Yes.
If that's the case,
do you know the consequences
of impersonating me?
Wait, Your Highness.
You are the ruler of Southern Chu
yet you did not know that there was an illegal quarry
that refined iron in your feudal land.
If His Majesty learns of it,
you will be beheaded.
We
found the culprit for you.
Your Highness
will not be seen as colluding with them.
And with this achievement,
His Majesty will surely praise you.
By right,
you should reward us.
I'm here to punish you.
Why must I reward you?
Didn't I explain?
Our achievement offsets the crime.
It's even now.
All right now.
We'll be leaving now.
No need to see us off.
Halt.
To reward you two,
I have set up a banquet.
Won't you do me the honor?
You did what you did to save innocent lives.
On behalf of Southern Chu citizens,
allow me to thank you.
Thank you, Your Highness.
I'll dig in then.
Miss Ling, you are still injured.
You shouldn't ingest chilled food.
Pear soup is rejuvenating.
You should drink more.
Here.
Thank you.
Mr. Bai, you seem to care a lot
about this woman.
Forgive me.
How may I address you, miss?
I'm...
Oh.
He's a prince.
Surely, he knows about the marital arrangement.
I should not cause any unwanted trouble.
I'm Zhong Lin, Vice Sect Leader of Fenglai Pavilion.
Oh, Miss Zhong.
She must be Ling Cangcang.
Huan always moves with a goal in mind.
So he is after her.
♪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♪