I'm almost well.
I know.
When the curfew is lifted,
we'll meet up with Master on Mount Wu.
We've investigated Gu Yu's doing.
It's not related to the Tianshuang Sect.
Dismissed.
-Yes. -Yes.
Dismissed.
Thank you.
We know the truth now.
The murderer who took Gu Yu's life in prison has been found.
Thank you.
May we retrieve my martial brother's remains?
Gu Yu murdered an official.
The Ministry of Justice buried his body in the mass grave.
I understand.
Prince Yongping awaits you at the Lanyun Restaurant.
Prince Yongping?
I need to go out.
Pack your things.
We'll go to Mount Wu tomorrow.
We're all set.
Just how big is your stomach anyway?
Your cooking
has improved significantly.
Not bad.
It's delicious.
Is it all right for you
to be a cook here?
What if people found out?
The Lanyun Restaurant
is my asset.
Not bad, Black Fox.
The Lanyun Restaurant…
"Lan" is taken from your name, Lanxi.
As for "yun"…
Is it from the name Xiyun?
It is indeed.
I'm surprised.
Your love for Princess Xiyun is deeper than I have expected.
You've never met her,
but you're so in love with her.
What's got into you anyway?
We had met in the past,
but we were still children.
Even if we were to meet now,
I'm afraid I wouldn't recognize her.
You met her?
Where?
During a Six States banquet.
IMPERIAL CITY OF DADONG EMPIRE
Mother.
You said you'd take me to the Seven Founders
and pay respect to the late Emperor Weilie.
We never had the chance.
But today, I came by myself.
Consider the wish fulfilled.
MEMORIAL TABLET OF EMPEROR WEILIE OF DADONG
If Emperor Weilie was alive,
what would he think about the present Imperial Family
and the Six States?
But fear not.
The blood of the imperial family flows in me.
If the world falls apart,
I shall rebuild it with my own strength.
Watch over me, Emperor Weilie.
BLESSED BY HEAVEN
Who are you?
TEENAGE FENG XIYUN
I'm First Prince's reading partner.
Who are you?
You are not worthy of knowing my name.
Your Highness.
This is forbidden ground.
Why would a reading partner be here?
His Highness told me
the pictures of the Founding Fathers are here.
I came here out of curiosity.
Your Highness claims this is forbidden ground,
but why are you here?
I was just as curious about the pictures.
If you rat me out,
I'll have my brother behead you!
Since we both sneaked in to see the pictures,
perhaps we should keep each other's secret.
Deal.
The only female general in the Six States,
the founder of Qingzhou, Lady Feng.
History records say she is a person of poise.
Some say she was the greatest beauty the world has ever seen.
You're slightly
inferior to her.
She was the greatest beauty.
I'm only slightly inferior,
so I was the second greatest beauty.
Now that she is gone,
I'm taking her place as the greatest beauty.
My name is Fengxi.
What is your name?
Fengxi?
My name is Xiyun.
I've seen the pictures. I should get going.
LADY FENGSU
Since that day,
I've never seen her again.
The Lanyun Restaurant
is a memento of my spirit in my younger days
and my great ambition.
You're eating too fast.
You're a weird person.
You treat me to a meal,
so why do you even care?
May I have the ladle?
Thank you.
Thank you for today.
Don't mention it.
Everything you did today
was to give me closure.
The scandal may have been solved,
but everyone wants me to set aside my frustration
for the greater good.
Only you
truly care about my thoughts.
You didn't tell me
who you truly were.
You feared your status
would get in the way of our friendship.
You also knew how much I hated the court
and preferred to live freely as a vagabond.
I thought you were too calculating.
But after these days,
it seems that was necessary.
Given the power struggle,
you're not the kind
that would settle with only having Yongzhou.
When that day comes,
I wonder if we could still remain friends.
You're different.
You still have your status.
If you somehow lost everything
except for your identity as Black Fox,
I wouldn't mind having a fight with you
over the title of Bai-Hei Fengxi.
Langhua has recovered.
I promised her
we'd go to Mount Wu tomorrow.
Take care.
So long.
I belong in the court.
You should roam the land freely.
It's best you don't get involved in the power struggle.
Black Fox,
wouldn't it be great if you were just Hei Fengxi of the martial arts world?
Will you miss this place?
Why would I?
I can come here at any time.
What about him?
We are on different paths.
It's better to say our goodbyes
than suffer the pain of separating.
This is for the best.
Does it not hurt when you're apart?
It won't as long as I let go.
Your Highness.
Ms. Feng is leaving today.
Why aren't you seeing her off?
I've been involved in power struggles for so long.
I envy her
for her unshackled life.
The path I take will be one with bloodshed.
We don't belong on the same path.
Therefore, I should let go.
Seeing her off
will give birth to yearning.
Knowing she is pursuing the life she desires
is more than enough for me.
I left the capital as a child
and lived on the frontier with my father.
After I returned,
I got my hands full with family affairs.
Changling is so beautiful,
but I've never been here.
May I know why Your Highness
has brought me here?
Minister Feng, what do you think
of this land?
It's safe to say the land is picturesque.
I've brought you here
to tell you
this is what I'm after.
You want more than just the rule over Yongzhou.
You want the entire Central Plain.
I pledge fealty to you
on behalf of the Feng family.
Since you know my ambition,
you should know that
the one thing I don't need is romance.
I don't want you to waste your precious youth on me.
Can there never be
more than ranks and duties between us?
If you make a great contribution
and improve people's lives,
your deeds will be remembered
for ages to come.
Such fame is more than what a prince's wife can have.
I have no desire for a relationship.
I can't let leave your feelings unanswered.
I consider you my trusted officer.
I hope that
you stay loyal to me
as my aide.
I'll gladly work with you
to protect the people of Yongzhou.
Can Your Highness
really treat everyone equally?
Are you still
holding a grudge against me over the imperial examination?
I wouldn't dare to.
Have a look at this.
Xi'er,
you've always had a brilliant mind.
You should know
the Six States race to seize the throne.
Our priority
is not to be competitive.
This memo
is a secret message for me, sent by the Minister of War,
Yuan Boyan.
To bolster our military reserve,
I ordered Yuan Boyan
to join hands with five generals
to secretly muster more troops.
We ran into some issues with the horse supplies.
The number of horses we have
is 30% below what we need.
How much do you know
about military horses?
There are many farmlands in Yongzhou,
but most of the horses
are used for farming.
They are not meant for war.
For many years
the military horses of Yongzhou
were purchased from the north by the Ministry of War.
Indeed.
The military horse reserve
will directly determine Yongzhou's military strength.
The fate of the nation is at stake.
Each year, we have an ample budget
to purchase horses.
However,
someone is filling their pockets
by purchasing horses that are cheaper
and passing them off as finer horses.
This action has undermined our army.
With the intervention of Beizhou,
our horse trade
was broken off.
At the last court meeting,
you suggested that we should secure more purchasing routes
by trading with merchants.
I want to know the details.
The Ministry of War has been in charge of horse-trading.
The ranchers from the north
have refused to trade with us
because the price we offer was too low.
However, they are not the only people we can trade with.
The eastern frontier produces fine horses
that are on par with those from the north.
Many merchants in the city
use horses from the eastern frontier
to transport cargo.
I think we should use horses from the east
as an alternative.
Xi'er,
can you take care of this matter?
I will try my best.
Very well.
I will give out the order tomorrow.
You will be in charge of procuring the horses.
Yes.
Your Highness,
this is a great opportunity.
Should you succeed,
you are one step closer
to becoming the heir of the Lord.
The Vice Minister of War, Wang Minghai, was charged with that duty.
He used his influence
as Minister Wang's brother
to monopolize the trading.
Not even Minister Yuan Boyan could stop him.
Even if you procure horses
by opening a trade route to the south,
Wang Minghai could still tamper with the inventory.
That's what my father wants me to take care of.
The purchase of the horses was just an excuse.
Father wants me to use this as an opportunity
to stop Minister Wang and limit his influence.
Therefore,
we must fight on two fronts.
Chuanyun and Chuanyu,
inform the House of Jade
to muster the merchant caravans and head to the eastern frontier.
You two are going with them.
Inform me immediately if you run into any trouble.
-Yes. -Yes.
Minister Feng,
I will need your help as well.
Before they make it back,
find evidence of Wang Minghai embezzling the national funding.
Understood, Your Highness.
Minister Wang, have you come here
because of the horse trade?
Yes.
Your Ladyship, as you know,
my worthless brother
has been in charge of the matter.
But just yesterday, His Lordship decided
to charge Prince Yongping with the task.
I fear
he may use this as an opportunity against me.
I came to discuss the matter.
If your brother has done nothing illicit,
why would he be worried about Prince Yongping?
As you know,
the horse trade was very lucrative.
If it wasn't for His Lordship's sudden plan to increase
our military strength,
we would have had
enough horses.
"Would have"?
If His Lordship hadn't sent Yuan Boyan to check the horses,
he would never have known we were still lacking 30% of horses.
Do you have any idea how furious His Lordship was
when he found out?
Your brother was smart enough
to put the blame on a supervisor managing the ranch
and accuse the person of selling off the horses.
And he managed to save his neck.
Prince Yongping is too smart to believe that.
Do you think His Lordship sends him to get the horses?
He is using this chance
to bring you down.
The fate of the nation is at stake.
I can't offer you any help.
Your Ladyship,
I'm not the target,
we are.
About 80% of the money my brother embezzled
has been sent over to Prince Ju.
If my brother was found guilty,
Prince Ju would be in danger as well.
Are you threatening me?
I wouldn't dare.
I merely hope
to overcome this crisis with you and Prince Ju.
What do you want?
Those missing horses
were all secretly sold.
I should investigate where they went.
An investigation?
Are you going to investigate the whole thing?
Indeed.
Therefore,
I will require your help.
Feng Lanxi,
I have another surprise for you
on top of the horse trade.
You will be cornered this time.
Let's see how you overcome this predicament.
My brother,
did Lady Baili
agree to help us?
Of course.
I had to clean up
after the mess you caused.
No, my brother.
I didn't expect His Lordship would check the inventory.
Order your merchants
to head to the eastern frontier
and purchase each horse with ten silver leaves.
Raise the price.
Ten silver leaves?
But that's too much!
To substantially raise the price,
we will need to purchase over 100 horses.
-That's thousands of silver leaves. -Does it matter?
Haven't you
profited enough from the horses?
You're complaining over such a small amount.
Do you have any idea
what's more important?
Is it your life or the money?
Brother,
calm down.
I'll get it done.
Mother.
I've learned from my mistake.
How dare you!
You embezzled from the military horse.
I shall give you a lesson,
so you won't repeat this mistake.
Beat him up.
Your Ladyship…
Do it.
-That hurts! -Hit harder.
Mother!
Your Highness,
my apologies.
Enough.
Thank you, Mother.
Leave tonight for the eastern frontier.
Go to your Uncle Ning.
Borrow 1,000 horses from him.
TO MARQUIS XUN'AN
Borrow?
I started investigating Wang Minghai's misconduct.
Too many are involved in horse-trading.
I'm afraid we won't find any useful clues for now.
If Wang Minghai is embezzling the funding,
he will use some businesses as his cover.
Investigate the merchants
for evidence.
A lot of people are involved.
Your Highness will ruffle a lot of feathers with this.
That's what my father wants.
This is the only way
for him to gain from in-fighting.
He wants to limit Minister Wang's power
and make the people lose faith in me.
A man in his position
won't settle with bringing only one man down.
Understood, Your Highness.
By the way,
when I came,
I heard that Prince Ju had left the city.
I heard it was
for a votive prayer.
It seems my brother
is part of it.
Very well.
Keep investigating Wang Minghai.
Yes.
MOUNT WU
Did you bring me to Mount Wu
so I could get Old Taiyin's legacy for you?
The Sacred Jade Moon?
It was said that the technique was divine.
Perhaps it could lift
your family's curse.
The curse has haunted us for a century.
It won't be lifted so easily.
I came
because many from the martial arts world were stranded here.
I came to solve the mystery.
As for Old Taiyin's legacy,
it's best if I get it.
I wouldn't mind
if I don't.
Did you bring me here to rescue lost souls?
Well?
Do you look down on these people?
These people
are not trustworthy.
You are wrong.
The martial arts world and the court
have been inseparable.
Many mighty
and unstoppable heroes
are from the martial arts world.
They may not be of help to you,
but you should be careful
if they come after you.
His Majesty gave you an order.
If you hope to unify the land,
you will need the support from these heroes.
Now that we're here,
we'll follow your plan.
It's her.
Ms. Fengxi.
Prince Huang and Mr. Yu.
Are you here for Old Taiyin's legacy?
My master is on Mount Wu.
We are here for him.
I see.
With your help, Ms. Fengxi,
we can finally solve the mystery of this mountain.
How much do you know about the situation?
There were 30 heroes who came to Mount Wu.
None of them have left.
But from what I've learned,
this mystery is a trial given by Old Taiyin.
No one should die in the process.
When someone passes the trial,
the mystery will be solved.
Old Taiyin
wouldn't lie about it.
My father is safe, right?
If Old Taiyin is overseeing them,
Master and the others will be safe.
Ms. Fengxi,
we are entering the mountain
to rescue the others.
Will you join us?
Of course.
Langhua and Jiurong, come with me.
Lu Shi, you and the rest will wait here.
-Yes, Fengxi. -Yes, Fengxi.
Your Highness,
according to those at Mount Wu,
Ms. Feng has entered the mountain.
Prince Huang Chao from Jizhou is with her,
and so is Yu Wuyuan.
All right.
Stop keeping me posted
about her.
Yes.
FENG CHANG'S RESIDENCE, YONGZHOU
Your Highness.
What is it, Mr. De?
Your Highness.
Lady Baili summons you to her palace.
Your Highness.
Hurry.
Greetings, Mother. May you live well and be blessed.
Greetings, Mother.
May you live well and be blessed.
Chang'er, get up.
I summoned you many times, but you said you were sick.
Are you feeling better now?
Silly child.
Are you trying to spite me?
I wouldn't refuse to meet you, Mother.
You ignored me.
You left for the Buddhist prayer,
but never wrote me any letter.
Did you have a fight with Feng Ju
while I was away?
Unbelievable.
You're an adult.
You should be more patient with your brother.
You sounded like a child when you fought.
I bet
you were never sick.
You were sulking over such a trivial matter
and refused to see me.
Silly child.
You are my son.
Why wouldn't I want to see you?
Speaking of that,
we are both just as stubborn.
You got upset and wouldn't visit me.
But I am a human being too.
I feel upset too.
It was wrong of me
to have made you worry.
Enough about that.
I'm glad to know you're well.
I always care about you and Feng Ju.
I should find each of you a wife
to boss you around.
Perhaps your brother will finally be more sensible
and stop fighting with you.
Look, I prepared some presents for you.
Sit down.
Sit.
Tonic pills, snake jasmine,
and ginseng were gifted by your father.
And these!
They are still warm.
Finish them before they get cold.
I know these are your favorites.
Here.
Here, try it out.
Mother.
I'm right here.
Do you like it?
It's delicious.
That settles the arrangement for your marriage.
Tomorrow, I will summon Duke Qi's wife and daughter.
You shall see for yourself if she is as beautiful as I describe.
Thank you, Mother.
What happened?
Judging by her tone,
she's picked a wife for you, Your Highness.
She lost to Lanxi during the royal examination scandal.
Father has charged Lanxi with horse-trading.
My beloved Mother
has lost her patience.
Duke Qi governs the cities of Ming, Ping, and Yuan.
He and Lanxi never see eye to eye.
If I married his daughter,
Lanxi and I would become enemies.
If Lanxi and I tore each other apart,
Feng Ju would benefit from it the most.
How can she be so cruel?
Perhaps it's all a misunderstanding.
I think she is only doing so
out of her love for you.
Her love for me?
Why would there be shrimp in the buns she gave me?
That's because she doesn't remember
that I get rashes
from eating shrimp.
I've waited for 15 years.
That was all I got from her.
YONGZHOU ARMY BASE
Marquis Xun'an, Prince Ju wants to see you.
Let him in.
Yes.
Greetings, Uncle Ning.
Ju'er.
What brings you here?
Uncle, my mother sent me here to borrow 1,000 horses from you.
Horses?
I barely have enough here. I can't lend you my horses.
This is her letter to you.
This should explain it.
Wait here. My men will check the inventory.
Thank you, Uncle Ning.
Stop right there!
DUKE QI'S DAUGHTER, MS. QI CHENG
You've shown me nothing but a long face.
What is the meaning of this?
What do you mean?
Listen up.
Lady Baili requested for my mother to marry me off to you.
Otherwise, I wouldn't marry a servant's child.
I dare you to say that again.
What's wrong?
Are you going to hit me?
Let me make it clear for you.
My father says
you must be my obedient husband.
Otherwise,
he will make sure the Minister of Rites
never lets you hold any title.
Stop right there!
Come back before I tell Lady Baili about this!
Hey…
How was the conversation with Duke Qi's daughter?
She seems very gentle and caring.
She will be a good wife.
Mother, do you think Duke Qi's daughter
is gentle and caring?
She is young. It's normal for her to be a little temperamental.
Just cheer her up.
More importantly, she comes from a good family.
She is Duke Qi's only daughter.
Once you marry her,
the Qi family will support you.
According to her,
she wants me to obey her every order.
Then perhaps her father
would let me hold a title.
This is insolence.
Duke Qi's spoiling has made her so rude.
Don't worry.
I will tell her father about this.
But for a prince like yourself,
having influential in-laws
will certainly give you an edge.
That is a fact.
That will put my mind at ease.
So I'll fix a date
for your wedding.
Mother, I have only met her once.
I barely talked to her.
Don't you think
we need more time?
Don't take it out on me
just because Duke Qi's daughter scorned you.
Are you going to leave me here?
Chang'er…
After I came to the palace,
you never asked me
if I was actually fond of her.
Your marriage
is to be decided by your parents.
You are royalty.
You don't get to choose who you like or not.
Your father married Yige
despite the fact he was in love with me
at the time.
What about now?
Lady Yige passed away.
You are the lady now!
I know you're an adult,
but don't you dare challenge me!
Your marriage with Qi Cheng is decided.
If you disagree with it,
our bond as mother and son
ends today.
It's up to you.
You're nothing but torment.
A spawn that gets on my nerves.
Your Highness.
News came from the palace.
Prince Chang visited the Lady.
Lady Baili summoned Qi Cheng,
Duke Qi's daughter to her palace.
She means to arrange a marriage for them.
Baili knows Feng Chang and I are close.
She plans
to rob me of my remaining sibling.
The horse-trading made her worry.
She is desperate
to bring me down.
She would even use my brother against me.
Your Highness.
When Prince Chang left the palace,
he seemed angry.
She should never think
about using my brother.
MOUNT WU
Watch out for the leaves!
Stay still.
Our movements stir the air.
The bigger the movement is,
the stronger the leaves are.
-Fengxi! -Fengxi!
Langhua!
They are both safe.
You must press on.
Langhua!
Let go! Let go before we both fall down!
Never!
Are you all right?
Were you out of your mind?
Why didn't you let go?
I don't want you to…
I would rather
die by your side.
You're such a fool.
What is it?
Someone is here.