[Nirvana In Fire II]
[Episode 44]
All right, go ahead.
Yes, Master.
I've kept Your Highness waiting.
Not at all.
So many have submitted their visiting cards for Lunar New Year
in the hope of being summoned by Master Xun.
I thought that you'd be too busy to have any time for yourself.
Otherwise, I'd have brought An Ru back here to greet you.
Although it's important to make social calls during Lunar New Year
the current situation is unlike the previous years.
The conflict with Eastern Sea State is not yet concluded.
I'm not in the mood to have any visitors.
You don't have to be concerned about it.
As the Cabinet Minister, you're different from an idler like me.
Naturally, you have to worry about state affairs at all times.
You mustn't regard yourself as an idler.
A few days ago when I went to greet His Majesty in the palace
he mentioned that the huge responsibility of recovering
those three provinces east of Huai River might still be entrusted to you.
Whenever I sent someone to visit you
they were always told that you will recover after recuperation.
I actually believed that.
What are your symptoms?
Why would it take such a toll on you?
It's not a serious illness.
I just wake up often in the night.
Don't I know you well enough?
You've always slept very well.
When did you ever have insomnia?
Be honest with me.
Do you feel aggrieved being married to the prince?
I had thought that both your personal maids were witty.
They should be able to look after you well.
Who would have known that Pei... would have such an accident?
Pei...
You don't have to sell yourself short.
When you volunteered to fight in the battle
how many in the Imperial Court thought well of you?
However, you returned in victory.
Master Xun, you should know that I did so out of passion and courage.
I didn't consider much.
Didn't General Yue of Qian Province say
that Eastern Sea was going to retreat anyway?
I was just lucky.
You should just dismiss such words.
Don't take it to heart.
I might be a civil official
but I do know that on the battlefield
it's all true combat with real blades and spears.
Can anyone fake that?
Master Xun, thank you for your comforting words.
I know that I'm still inexperienced.
It's inevitable that others would comment on me
since His Majesty rewarded me handsomely.
If I were to say that I don't mind
I'm more or less uneasy with it deep down.
However, if I were to defend myself
no one actually said anything right to my face.
Master Xun, you've led the administration for years.
You're very knowledgeable.
I hope that you can offer me some advice.
Should His Majesty wish to entrust such a huge responsibility to me again
should I accept it or not?
Your uncle and I never had any children.
Fortunately, we have enough offspring in the clan.
Fei Zhan and you were raised in our household.
You're both like my own children.
There are no outsiders here.
What can't be said between the two of us?
Auntie, you truly love and care for me.
I know that all too well.
I always thought that Pei's accident seemed strange.
There are fences and windows at Lake Agila.
How could she possibly trip and fall into the lake?
Pei had always been a good swimmer.
Even if she really did fall into the lake
could she not manage to swim out?
Who else was there?
Why was I told that not even Min was at the scene?
Even if it was an accident, there should be a process.
You must tell me the truth.
Only then can I help relieve you of your troubles.
Am I right?
Auntie...
I really don't know what to do...
Madam, the Commander General is here.
Auntie!
Why didn't anyone inform me that An Ru was visiting?
Cousin.
An Ru, I didn't make it to your wedding.
I'm really sorry.
An Ru?
What's wrong? Why do you look so ashen?
Could someone have mistreated you?
Fei Zhan...
Yuan Qi hasn't treated you well?
If he mistreats you, you must let me know.
I won't let him off whether he's a prince or not.
An Ru!
- An Ru! - Young Mistress.
- An Ru, what's wrong? - Are you ill?
Madam, you needn't worry.
The doctor said that Miss An Ru doesn't have severe morning sickness.
Morning sickness?
An Ru, you're with child?
Why didn't you tell us sooner?
This is your first child!
It's no wonder that you told me you don't know what to do.
Wait here. I'll make you a bowl of sour broth.
Your Highness made a name for yourself
with the battle against Eastern Sea State.
If you can follow that up by recovering the three provinces
east of Huai River
those officials who still doubt you will then be convinced.
Certainly, Eastern Sea State owns a powerful navy.
It's only reasonable that you have your concerns.
How about this?
General Yue Yin Chuan of Qian Province is a talent.
We can have him promoted as your deputy general.
He can pick out generals and train the soldiers for you.
If there are issues on the battlefield, you can have someone to confer with.
What do you think about that?
Yue Yin Chuan...
He is considered quite a good general.
Yue Yin Chuan spoke recklessly on the day he met His Majesty.
I was displeased about that.
However, for the sake of the Imperial Court's plan
I believe that Your Highness won't mind.
Master Xun, why would you say that?
I've also read General Yue's general strategy on the eastern frontier.
He is indeed a great talent.
Good!
If you have no objection
I'll discuss this matter with His Majesty tomorrow.
It seems that His Majesty is very fond of General Yue.
I wonder if Your Highness has heard of deep water docks?
The terrain east of Huai River is very complicated.
It seems to prove General Yue's words right.
Master Xun is still the more meticulous one.
I'm willing to follow your instructions.
I'm very grateful.
Good! Here.
It's the Lunar New Year now so we shouldn't discuss only state affairs.
Here, have a few more drinks.
Cabinet Minister has much to handle every day.
In the Lunar New Year, you're also occupied with work.
I won't stay to impose on you much longer.
Master Xun, is that a letter from Ping Jing?
Indeed.
It's thoughtful of that child to keep me on his mind.
He wrote to greet me for Lunar New Year.
How has Prince of Changlin been doing recently?
I haven't had any news of him for a long while.
He's unlike both of us.
He's been traveling everywhere.
Carefree and happy.
Madam Qi came just for these?
Drafts on ship construction, geography, and hydrology?
People of the Eastern Sea State are so ignorant.
They don't even ask for anything valuable.
What the heck do you know?
Can that scum from Eastern Sea be so simple-minded?
We don't know what exactly they are after.
What benefit is there in that pact Marquis Mo Zi made with His Highness?
Go and make some noise.
We'll lure him out of the room, so I can sneak in.
Understood.
What are you doing?
I'm just going to search for something, not take it away.
Remember, don't get caught.
Don't get into a fight or linger.
Yes.
Search carefully.
What did I just tell you?
I told you not to fight!
I didn't...
General?
Why are there so many documents?
My dear! What exactly are you worried about?
I asked An Ru very carefully, as you instructed.
She didn't say much either!
It was all planned and done without a flaw.
If he has a clear conscience, why would he be so guarded?
Has Prince of Laiyang offended you in some way?
He's our nephew-in-law.
He's usually done quite well with the formal etiquette.
If it isn't too serious
why don't you be a bit more forgiving?
Master, Yue Yin Chuan asks to see you.
Let him in.
Yes, Master.
Your Highness, Commander He is waiting in the study.
I heard you. Step down.
Your Highness.
Although I'm not sure of the reason
that old fellow is now doubting me.
What is he suspecting you of?
How could Xiao Ping Jing possibly write to Xun Bai Shui?
And was it just to greet him for Lunar New Year?
He should be preparing for his wedding with Lin Xi now.
What happened to your face?
I was about to talk to you about this.
Someone attacked me today.
Do you know who it was?
I don't. They only searched through the old records
I took from the Ministry of Public Works, but they didn't take any away.
Was it what I told you to pick up from the ministry?
Yes, two chests full of records.
Your Highness... could someone else also be keeping an eye on this matter?
Go.
Bring Madam Qi here.
Yes.
I've thought it through.
We must get to the bottom of the Eastern Sea State case.
You reported him to me.
The moment you did, there was no turning back.
You've thought it though?
I have made up my mind.
There's not a hint of hesitation.
Have you read through all the records in the Judicial Court of Review?
Master Xun, I discovered in the transcripts
from the Ministry of War
that more than a year ago
someone already searched and collected defense charts
and troop locations of all 10 provinces.
Whoever handled that information either died abruptly or retired.
However, I can confirm that three of them
were Prince of Laiyang's previous subordinates in Gan Province.
One other man is the Patrol Force's commander, He Cheng's deputy commander.
You've alerted He Cheng.
Prince of Laiyang must be on alert now.
Draft a report of the questionable points and statements from witnesses.
Wait for me outside the palace.
We're going to the palace?
General Yue.
You'll come with me to the palace tomorrow.
Yes!
I knew that Your Highness is the true destined ruler.
You surely could understand.
Madam Qi, what you asked for, I already have them.
"Peaches were gifts which to me you gave, and I repay with a piece of jade."
Your Highness, do rest assured.
I surely won't let you down.
Madam, you're so sure of it.
It seems that it isn't a reckless move.
You must have already made plans.
The ones I brought with me are all skilled fighters.
They are also the king's suicide warriors.
In the past month, they already rehearsed exploring, ambush, and assassination.
All plans have been arranged flawlessly.
The one thing we can't be sure of is...
One man.
Xun Fei Zhan.
My dear.
You're already at such an age.
What are you thinking about standing out here in winter?
My dear...
All these years in the Imperial Court
can I be considered as having served His Majesty wholeheartedly?
Everyone knows of your loyalty to His Majesty.
Why would you ask that?
In terms of my mind, I've never defied the principles of a subject.
In terms of matters...
I can't say for sure anymore.
What can't you say for sure?
Have I truly never made any mistakes in the past?
Master.
Bring my cabinet's seal with you to the Metropolitan Governor's Office
and ask for 100 guards to escort me on the way.
Yes, Master.
Uncle!
Fei Zhan.
Uncle.
Uncle, are you heading to the palace?
Isn't it the third day of Lunar New Year today?
According to custom, I should greet His Majesty today.
I was about to ask you along.
Uncle...
Going to the palace with my current identity might be a bit...
Inappropriate?
You're right.
Uncle, I'm thinking about heading out of the capital to visit Ping Zhang.
Ping Zhang?
It's about time to visit him.
Recently, I have been recalling many events from the past.
I remember how you two would compete
in martial arts and play together.
Fei Zhan...
Visit Ping Zhang on my behalf.
Uncle, how about this?
I'll escort you to the palace and then head out of the city.
Don't bother.
I've already asked for the guards at the Metropolitan Governor's Office
to escort me there.
You should get going.
All right then.
Uncle, I'll set out now.
Fei Zhan!
Uncle, is there something else?
Why have I forgotten what I was going to say to you?
Come home early.
We're having dumplings tonight.
Yes, Uncle.
General, did we get here too early?
Instead of getting here early
are you just going to make it in time to meet Cabinet Minister?
Someone did just make it in time... to get to the capital.
[Xun Manor]
Protect Master Xun!
Use the shields for protection!
General, did you get the time wrong?
Certainly not.
Could Cabinet Minister be held up by some matter?
The king of Eastern Sea State greets Cabinet Minister.
Master Xun!
We can never be too careful...
His Majesty...
Changlin...
Prince of Changlin...
Master Xun?
Master Xun!
Uncle!
- Uncle! - An Ru!
- Yuan Qi! - An Ru, not now!
Yuan Qi, how is my uncle?
Don't panic! Mind your health!
Although Uncle suffered such a mishap
the assassins will surely be arrested.
They said that they were assassins from Eastern Sea State!
An Ru, you mustn't be too sensitive.
Allow me to explain it to you.
I have to go to my uncle now!
An Ru!
Princess Consort!
- Summon the imperial physician! - Yes!
An Ru? An Ru!
Uncle, do rest assured...
I won't let you die so wrongfully.
I'll be sure to arrest the murderer alive...
to be executed by the law.
Mother!
What happened out there?
Tell me quickly!
Uncle...
Uncle, he's...
It's all right.
We're still so young.
Once you've recuperated, we can always have another child.
Now that Cabinet Minister Xun is dead...
the cabinet will surely descend into chaos.
The six ministries can't stay consolidated.
To drag down someone like Prince of Laiyang...
I'm afraid it will only become even more difficult.
I really don't understand.
The assassination took place right in the street
so how could that assassin get away without a single trace?
Wasn't the Patrol Force out there as well as the Metropolitan Governor's Office?
I forgot about that again.
Prince of Laiyang has the Patrol Force under his command.
We don't even know who we can trust in Jinling City.
How can the gods' will be seized so easily?
In the end, there's always a price to pay.
As long as my greatest obstacle can be removed
everything will get better eventually.
Your Highness...
Are you certain that no one saw you when you came in?
In the city
there will surely be a serious hunt for the assassin.
I can only guarantee your safety in here.
Your Highness, rest assured.
We have a deal.
My men only carried out my orders.
Madam Qi, you're indeed understanding and smart.
Your Highness is still as reliable as you once were.
However, I do have a message for you to relay to your king.
Please do tell, Your Highness.
We fulfilled our promises this time.
From now on, there will be no other collaborations.
Mother, you should have some food.
The murderer is still out there.
How can I possibly have an appetite?
I've already ordered Prince of Laiyang to take the army and search every house.
A handsome reward will be given to anyone with related information.
As long as that female assassin is still in the city, we'll get her!
She's definitely still in the city.
The first priority after an assassination is to lock down the city.
Where else could she go?
According to the guards at the palace
they said that before they were quick enough to respond to the attack
a small group of traveling merchants left the city hurriedly.
They then discovered that their travel permit had been forged.
They are obviously suspicious.
Did they go after them?
Mother, fret not.
I've assigned a troop from the Imperial Guards led by Fei Zhan
to pursue those traveling merchants.
Only those who assisted with the crime were arrested in the city.
The possibility that the female assassin escaped seems higher now.
Wherever she might have escaped to, I plan to arrest her alive
to be executed by the law, so that my uncle can rest in peace.
She assassinated our Cabinet Minister in our country.
Eastern Sea State really has gone overboard.
I might not be serving in the Imperial Court anymore
but as long as I live
I won't allow anyone from Eastern Sea State
to cause any trouble here in Great Liang.
Just see me off here.
As for the search in the city, I'll have to leave that to you.
We're a family now.
Brother Xun, you need not be so polite.
I'll just say a few more words.
Please do tell.
Yuan Qi, An Ru is my only little sister.
You must treat her well.
If not... As her oldest cousin, I surely won't condone it.
Fei Zhan, do rest assured.
I'll surely treat An Ru well.
Judging by how they talked to each other
it seems that Cabinet Minister Xun didn't tell Commander General anything.
Xun Fei Zhan was in charge of the Imperial Guards for so many years.
His loyalty shouldn't... be doubted, should it?
This isn't an issue of loyalty.
Think about this.
Xiao Yuan Qi is not only an old friend
but also a relative by marriage to Xun Fei Zhan.
As for us, we are but a few strangers to him.
If you were Xun Fei Zhan
who would you naturally side with?
What's wrong?
That female assassin is still in the capital.
What?
How would you know?
Xun Fei Zhan is a skilled fighter on Langya Hall's Pugilist ranking.
He's now out hunting the assassin with the Imperial Guards outside the city
but Xiao Yuan Qi isn't worried at all. Why is that?
Well...
He thinks that the world is huge outside the capital.
Xun Fei Zhan might not be able to capture the assassin.
Exactly. It's just that he might not catch her.
After all, the area near the capital is the hinterland of Great Liang.
The former Commander General is out hunting her down.
Whether that assassin from Eastern Sea State
could escape or not is surely uncertain.
Although every house is being searched in the capital
and a handsome reward was posted
this is all being carried out by Xiao Yuan Qi and the Patrol Force.
Here in the capital or out there, which do you think is safer?
With such airtight security
if I were Xiao Yuan Qi, I'd keep my accomplice in a safe place.
I'd keep her in a place where I am in control.
Your Highness.
Attend to the princess consort.
Yes.
Your Highness, the confidential letter from Donghu Division.
He's went to Donghu Division such a long time ago.
General Di finally thought it through.
He's now made up his mind.
Your Highness, congratulations on fulfilling your dreams.
Xun Bai Shui is dead.
We now have the 70,000 Donghu Palace Guards.
With the assistance of such armed forces, Your Highness shall surely succeed.
The authority and fame that I have now can't be compared
to the Royal Changlin Manor just yet.
That was why Xun Bai Shui wanted to make use of me and manipulate me.
But he didn't care much for me.
Perhaps, before he died, he realized his mistake.
What a pity.
He doesn't have a chance to correct his mistake.
Xun Bai Shui was too short-sighted.
How could he have known about Your Highness's great ambition?
No, not at all.
Xun Bai Shui had been in the Imperial Court for decades.
He was no short-sighted man.
He just didn't know the difference
between a deliberate move and an accidental one.
Indeed.
If Changlin Manor had the intention to make a deliberate move...
Changlin...
I'll never end up like Changlin Manor.