Hope this helps you in understanding Ep 1. I can't guarantee I can continue the transcript for the other episodes as it is really time-consuming. I only did a fast read through so there are probably some mistakes I didn't catch.
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Royal Nirvana Season 2
Ep 1 Transcript (By Bluehibiscus. Pls do not repost without my permission)
Recap of previous events.
Xu: The twelfth day of the first lunar month was his birthday. Yanzuo Palace was his Dong Gong (the residence of the Crown Prince). The Crown Prince Woods has the tree he planted.
He was once the Crown Prince, this country's monarch-in-waiting...and also my father.
Black iron melts
A phoenix emerges
Golden bell hangs
Bronze mirror is cast
The beauty looks back
Who does she favour/choose?
Subtitles: Xiao Ding Quan. Current CP. The monarch-in-waiting caught between his father the Emperor and his uncle.
Empress Zhao: CP Min's name was Duo which stands for bell. His Majesty's name was Jian which stands for mirror. The name of a person really...the one called Duo was really given death by hanging by a length of white cloth. The one called Jian...
Xu: Official, Xu Chang Ping, pays respect to Your Majesty.
Emperor: How old are you?
Xu: I am 23. My ancestors hail from Yue Yang.
Emperor: A great place. A great age. [You have] Great looks too.
Xu (Off-screen): My uncle, Xiao Rui Jian, is unaware of my birth. Naturally he doesn't know that my entering Yan An Palace and standing before him is to prove my existence.
Emperor: Come, come, come. (Placing Xu's hand over CP's) In future, you can interact/compare notes more with CP. [You] will be more beneficial for him than other people will be.
There is an awkward moment before Xu carefully withdraws his hand and salutes CP.
Xu: My slow-witted self (a modest way of referring to himself) will do my utmost until my death.
CP (courteously): I very much look forward to it.
Xu (Off-screen): My cousin Xiao Ding Quan. Although we share the same royal bloodline and are more suited to become enemies, I never expected him to appear at the viewing tower above the city wall. To protect the group of young scholars, he threw down a jade fish that symbolises the authority of the Son of Heaven and roared out a promise that's the complete opposite of the royal edict. He was shouting so hoarsely with all his might, staking everything on one throw. Seeing him standing erect in his robe of red above the high city walls, his figure so aloof, clean, and resolute...In that instant, it felt like I was seeing the father I had never met. If he were to become Crown Prince and stand in a dangerous tower, he would probably also make the same choice.
—
Dian Shuai: Your Majesty, they are outside.
Emperor: Who are they?
(Cut) A group of officials from Yu Shi Tai are kneeling before Dan Feng Gate.
Emperor: What do they want?
Dian Shuai: They are requesting for the immediate release of the Crown Prince and for the Three Legal Divisions to take over the case.
Emperor: Are they requesting or requiring?
Dian Shuai (after a moment of hesitation): Requesting.
Emperor: Chong Kui, what do you say? Are they doing this to uphold the country's laws or are they followers of the Crown Prince?
Xu pauses in the motion of placing a lid over a box.
Xu (Off-screen): Thankfully, Xiao Rui Jian is cold-blooded and suspicious by nature.
(Cut) The doors of Dan Feng Gate swing open to reveal Xu Chang Ping delivering an edict accompanied by two attendants.
Xu (Off-screen):
In the past, he relied on the Gu Family to ascend the throne but now he is worried about them becoming too arrogant and challenging his authority because of the military power they hold and harming the country.
Xu (Off-screen): With Gu Silin as his uncle, treacherous official Zhang Luzheng as his father-in-law and ambitious Prince Qi as his elder brother, he and the Emperor can only be sovereign and subject, not father and son.
Xu: The Son of Heaven declares, Zhan Shi Fu* and Liang Chun Fang* cannot excuse themselves from blame for the Crown Prince's error. Twenty-six officials are hereby removed from office.
The Son of Heaven declares, Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Justice, Du Heng, confessed to fawning over the Crown Prince and playing with judicial laws. He will be imprisoned and investigated.
The Son of Heaven declares, Deng Hua Palace Noble Consort Zhao has served me for twenty years. She is kind and virtuous and has never committed any wrong. In view that Zhong Gong (Empress' residence/position)has been vacant for years which is not beneficial to my family, she is hereby conferred Empress!
*Offices under Dong Fu. Dong Fu was the name of the residence of the Crown Prince and a term that could also be used to refer to the Crown Prince. In feudal times, to consolidate the centralisation of power as well as to secure the country's stability, a set of offices/official posts was established whose mandate are to educate, guide and protect the Crown Prince.
Emperor: The Crown Prince requests me to be a sovereign with principles but the principles in my heart, how can he understand? He doesn't understand!
Emperor: As long as the blood of Gu flows in him, no matter whether he is willing or not, he can only become the chip in the standoff between the Xiaos and Gus. In this way, generation after generation, the same situation will continue in a never-ending vicious cycle. How can we jump out of this? After Li Baizhou, no one must be able to compete against the power of the Emperor. After Gu Silin, Gu Feng En must not be allowed to set up a separatist regime. Regardless of his willingness, I will not allow these to continue.
Emperor: "Impartial ruler obedient official/subject, kind father filial son." I don't need such empty words. I want future rulers, no matter who they are, to be able to tread on the path I have cleared. In future when they stand here facing my portrait, I want their hearts to be filled, not with resentment but with gratitude. I want to consolidate/secure the power.
Xu (Off-screen): First the jade fish then the seal to supervise the country. Each time Xiao Rui Jian delegates his power, it is a form of test for the Crown Prince and a form of torture for his son's heart. However, the Crown Prince constantly touches his ni lin (a scale that grows in the reverse direction, the equivalent of a raw nerve) with no sign of giving up. He continues to yearn for affection from his exceedingly cold-blooded Emperor father.
Xu (Off-screen): The Crown Prince studied under renowned teachers and possesses exceptional intelligence. After only a few rounds, he perceived I had intentions that were impossible to guess at and easily estranged me and the Emperor with a piece of handwritten letter.
Xu: Your Highness did not copy the contents, but submitted the handwritten letter as is [to the Emperor].
CP: And then?
Xu: And then the former Secretary returned from his mourning period and I could only hand over all the duties.
CP: So you've come here to accuse me after losing your post. (Gesturing) You may pour yourself a cup.
CP: (Sighs) But Zhang Lu Zheng got off lightly.
Xu (Watching CP's expression covertly): Did Zhang Lu Zheng really get off lightly?
CP turns his head and gives Xu an enigmatic look, neither confirming nor denying.
Xu: Like the crouching tiger and the hunching racoon (they assume these postures before attacking/grabbing), Your Highness was not afraid but conserving your energy and enduring until the end before making your move in public. Not only did it leave His Majesty with no room to refuse, but by taking first before giving, showing kindness and power in equal measures, Minister Zhang must have broken into tears of gratitude.
CP: He did break into tears but I'm not sure if it was in gratitude.
Xu: Is it to protect the General?
CP: You guessed wrongly. Punish yourself by drinking a cup of wine. It's not for the General; it's for Uncle.
Xu (Off-screen): Thinking back, my heart must have attached itself to him then. After all, we have the same bloodline and a heart full of passions that refuse to be extinguished by darkness. I declined to be recruited by him. Also, we could not become bosom buddies. Separating us will always be the wide gulf of blood and hatred between our fathers. I even despised myself for that moment of weakness and confusion. I could not wait to return to my hometown. I needed to figure out once again who I am and my return path.
Xu (Off-screen): This time, my trip home changed everything. My long-confused mother miraculously became lucid and told me about the long-buried matters of the past. I finally found out my birth mother and his birth mother, Xiao Jing Empress, had deep affinity. He is indeed the son of my enemy, but he is also the descendant of my benefactor. Like the flowers of Tang Di (oriental bush cherry) blooming vividly(the flowers grow in clusters reminding the poet of brothers), there is no bond closer than brothers. We aren't enemies. It turns out we are brothers.
Xu: The newly appointed registrar of Zhan Shi Fu, Xu Chang Ping, has come to pay respects to Your Highness.
Xu (Off-screen): In this way, I attempted to make amends, to provide checks and balances. I also tried to gain his trust. On Mid-Autumn night, that folksong related to my father was unexpectedly sung during the banquet in the Palace. Faced with the Emperor's wrath, the Crown Prince once again put himself forward. However, I discovered that the uncle he wanted to protect at all cost was the one to cast him into the marsh of sin. Wu De Hou left the city, watching and waiting to see what happened, his intentions to rebel as clear as day.
Wenxi: Golden bell hangs, bronze mirror is cast. The reason we didn't manage to see [the lanterns] last time was because we heard this song, right? The dragon has a ni lin. Whoever touches it dies for sure, what more the ni lin of all ni lin? For the sake of your uncle, even knowing you will die, you still went ahead and touched it. Why? Now I understand. But such an uncle, [despite] knowing the matter carries certain death, is still willing to let Your Highness take sole responsibility. Why?
CP: What do you mean by why?
Wenxi: Just now, I met up with Registrar Xu.
CP: Xu Chang Ping.
Wenxi: Without that song, there wouldn't have been that incident on the night of Mid-Autumn Festival; there wouldn't have been the things that followed— and certainly not the matters of tonight. So all this time, Registrar Xu has been investigating who the initiator is.
CP: Isn't the initiator—?
Xu: I've not managed to find out who the initiator is but I learnt something today which is inexplicable...
Wenxi: He hasn't found the initiator but he learnt from Wu De Hou's personal attendant that he had heard this song the day before Mid-Autumn Festival, before he left the city.
CP: Then why—
Wenxi: Why didn't he mention a single word of it to Your Highness? What does he actually know? What does he wish to keep from Your Highness? In a matter of certain death, he allowed Your Highness to take responsibility all by yourself, leading to the situation today. What is the exact reason?
CP (turns and looks towards the door): Uncle....
CP: You dare to say it again.
Wenxi: Uncle, is he really the uncle you imagine him to be?
(Cut)
Servant: My Lord.
Gu Silin (Mounts a horse): Has the Emperor arrived? (Servant nods in the affirmative) Emperor... (Rides off)
(Cut)
CP: You dare to say it again, you say he—
Konghe Guard: Your Highness, His Majesty has arrived.
CP: Xu Chang Ping, you all, on what basis do you slander—
Konghe Guard: His Majesty summons Your Highness to go to the front court posthaste.
CP (Ignoring the guard): Say it clearly. What did you say Wu De Hou wants to do? Are you aware that slandering the nation's cornerstone is a crime punishable by the death of your clan?
Konghe Guard: Your Highness is defying the edict?
2 Konghe Guards move to grab the arms of CP.
CP: Presumptuous! Let go!
CP: What does Xu Chang Ping know? What grounds does he have to slander Wu De Hou? What do you know to allow you to slander him? Even if you—even if you are—even if—
Wenxi: Who I am, what I say, they are of no use. I understand such an uncle, compared to other people and things, is naturally more important. But what if compared to the teachings of the saints and your teacher? What if compared to the dignity and duties of a monarch, Your Royal Highness, Xiao Ding Quan?
Xu (Off-screen): The survival of the empire of the Xiaos hangs by a thread. A game of life and death. Having learnt of the truth in advance, what I should have done was sit aside on a wall and observe the fight between the dragon and the tiger. However, in the end I still requested Gu Neiren to convey the truth to His Highness.
When the bloody outer garment of affection has been peeled off, a tear is imaginable. But what I'm more interested to know is how he will choose. I come from the world and share the same worries and sufferings as the people. Does he, given his lofty position in court, have a big heart? Is his heart inclined towards the people? His choice is his belief and his belief is the source of my confidence to follow him from now on.
—
Youming: Your Highness, Registrar Xu has travelled to the residence according to your order. Your Highness, what are you—?
CP: Tonight, there is something I have to clear up.
(Flashback begins)
Wenxi: Just now, I met up with Registrar Xu.
CP: Xu Chang Ping.
Wenxi: He hasn't found the initiator but he learnt from Wu De Hou's personal attendant that he had heard this song the day before Mid-Autumn Festival, before he left the city.
(Flashback ends)
Xu: What is the important matter that Your Highness wishes for me to come here to discuss?
CP: I desire to keep Registrar Xu in the Palace for a few days. After much consideration, this is the best place.
Xu (surveying the surrounding): If Your Highness has something to say, just say it. Why is there a need to do this?
CP: Patience, Registrar Xu. First spend a few days here reading at your leisure.
Xu: Your Highness, please hold your steps. I have a request.
CP: Speak.
Xu: On account of my service to you for quite some time, may I implore Your Highness not to send men to Yuezhou to disturb my ailing mother?
CP: If Registrar Xu were my enemy, it would be a terrifying thing (as he can read his mind).
Xu: I'm ashamed.
CP: Xu Chang Ping, who are you really?
Xu: Why does Your Highness ask such a question?
CP: Previously, in the case of the folksong, you assisted Gu Shi to expose to me that Wu De Hou had knowledge of the song but concealed it. Now, how about you tell me why you betrayed me during the Spring Exams and then secretly helped me in the case of the folksong?
Xu: I have nothing to say.
CP: Cut off his food and drink until he speaks.
—
(Subtitles: Lu Ying's eldest daughter, Lu Wenxi)
Wenxi wakes up to find herself all alone.
Xi Xiang: Sister, you're awake. Are you cold? This place cannot compare to Dong Gong. And it's not yet the charcoal burning season. Why don't I get you some hot water?
Wenxi nods in agreement.
The doors open. Someone enters and closes the doors.
Wenxi: Xi Xiang, you're back so soon—
(Subtitles: Chang He, attendant at the residence of Zhao Wang 5th Prince)
Chang He: I am Chang He. Here to see Gu Guniang.
Wenxi: Are you sent by Wu Dawang?
Chang He: Chang An has been sent by His Highness to Changzhou recently so Wu Dawang got me to come check on you. Wu Dawang told me, to avoid the Dong Gong Guards at the front, I could enter and exit using the backdoor of Lu Residence.
Wenxi: The matter I entrusted to Wu Dawang—
Chang He: The matter you entrusted to Wu Dawang before entering the Palace, Wu Dawang has already deployed men to get it done.
(Flashback begins)
Wenxi: This time when I see the Emperor, I'm afraid it does not bode well. If possible, can I request Wu Dawang to inform His Highness to take good care of my brother, Lu Wenjin? He's currently at Li Cishi's home.
Wu Dawang: That is inadvisable. Li Cishi has been holding Wu De Hou in check for so long. How can he possibly agree to CP's request on this matter?
Wenxi: Then I can only entrust this to Wu Dawang. He is my only relative left.
(Flashback ends)
Chang He: Dawang is aware you are a cautious person so he specially asked me to bring a letter for your perusal.
Wenxi opens the sealed letter and reads it.
Chang He: Have you taken a good look?
Wenxi: It is Wu Dawang's handwriting. The colour of the stamp is also the one we agreed upon.
Chang He: It's good that you've taken a good look. (Holds out his palms to indicate she should return the letter)
Chang He: Wu Dawang has another matter on which he would like you to indicate your response.
Wenxi: What instruction does Wu Dawang have? You may tell me straight.
Chang He: It's no big matter. It's still, "Be it the guest room of [Zhao] Wang Fu or Changzhou, as long as you wish to go, Wu Dawang can make the arrangement." Only....
Wenxi: Only what?
Chang He: When your surname is no longer Gu, what identity will you use to remain by His Highness' side?
Wenxi's eyes widen.
—
CP enters Lu Residence and spies Chang He leaving Wenxi's room. Youming, head of Dong Gong Guards, is about to call out to him but CP stops him. He proceeds to enter Wenxi's room.
Wenxi: Your Highness.
CP: Are you feeling well? Why does it look like—?
Wenxi: It's nothing. Perhaps I caught a chill from last night.
CP: It's my fault. I'll get the Imperial Physician to come and have a look at you. Just nice, I've brought you something. Eating it should bring some relief. (Scooping up a spoonful of the milk) Open your mouth.
CP feeds Wenxi.
CP: When I was young, I loved falling sick the most.
Wenxi: Why?
CP: Because when I was sick, I didn't have to study and there were all these things to eat. My mother usually didn't allow me to eat cooling food.
Wenxi: What happened after that?
CP: If you want to find out what happened afterwards, finish eating first.
Wenxi obediently finishes the bowl of milk. CP takes out a handkerchief and dabs at her mouth.
CP: Then I grew up and realised these were just ways to make a child happy. They could no longer make me happy so I stopped eating. What about you? Will you feel happy after eating?
Wenxi: I know Your Highness is trying to make me happy. But...Thank you, Your Highness.
CP: Prince Qi has departed for his vassal state. If you have any difficulty, you must let me know. Although I may not be the most respectable Crown Prince, I'm still the Crown Prince. As long as you say it, I will think of a way to help you.
(Flashback begins)
Chang He: Last time, when you begged Wu Dawang to get you into the Palace you didn't mention it was to accuse Guang Chuan Jun (Prince Qi). A former Bao Ben Palace maid joining forces with the younger biological brother of Guang Chuan Jun. Who knows how His Majesty will regard this matter?
(Flashback ends)
CP: You still resent me for what happened to your father and brother?
(Flashback begins)
Chang He: If Guniang assumes your identity of Lu Wenxi, then Wu Dawang will really be proven guilty of deceiving the sovereign. The consequence can be as light as a beating or as heavy as losing his life.
(Flashback ends)
CP: I know you still have a younger brother in Changzhou. What do you think of my getting someone to bring him to the capital so you siblings can reunite?
(Flashback begins)
Guniang should be well aware of how well Wu Dawang has treated you. He has never imposed on your friendship to ask for anything. Today, it is only because his life is in danger that he is asking you to think twice.
(Flashback ends)
Wenxi: I...
CP: Alright, I will get Xi Xiang to prepare you for rest.
He is about to leave but pauses. Turning around, he gives her a hug.
CP: No matter what, you must get well soon. We still have many things to do together. All right?
CP leaves the room. Wenxi buries her head in her arms.
Youming: Your Highness, looks like Gu Guniang does not just have Guang Chuan Jun behind her back. Do you want to investigate the person we saw just now?
CP: It's not necessary.
—
Eunuch Wang bursts into the room.
Wang: Your Highness, this—
CP: He says his mother was originally an attendant of my mother. You served my mother for the longest time so I asked you over to verify his claims.
Wang: Where do we start? Registrar Xu, which attendant was your mother?
Xu: My mother's surname is Song. Twenty-seven years ago, she followed the late Empress when she married into Su Wang Fu. Seventeen years ago, she lost her senses and was granted permission by the late Empress to leave the Palace.
Wang: There was indeed an attendant by the surname of Song serving the late Empress. But how can she be the mother of Registrar Xu? Registrar Xu is older than His Highness by a few years. The [timeline] doesn't fit.
Xu: My mother became pregnant when she was in Su Wang Fu. The late Empress was understanding and hid my mother in the Palace until her labour. I was sent to Yuezhou immediately after I was born and raised by the Xu Family. Later on, my mother lost her mind because she missed me too much and could no longer serve the late Empress.
Wang: I remember now. After the death of Princess Ningguo, all the servants involved were sent to Gong Zheng Si for sentencing. It was only because of the late Empress' kind-heartedness that they were released. Among them were Jiang Shang Gong and Song Neiren.
Xu: After leaving the Palace, my mother was sent to Yuezhou and entered the nunnery as a concubine of the Xu Family. I was then able to perform my filial duties. However, she remained confused and unable to remember the past. It was only several months before when I went home to visit my mother that her mind became lucid. In gratitude for the late Empress' kindness, she ordered me to take a vow to repay the debt. When my mother left the Palace, she took along some old acessories which have been worshipped all this while in the Huiqing Nunnery in Yuezhou. I suppose Your Highness has already located them.
CP: Youming.
Youming enters, bearing a tray of accessories. Wang Wong examines the accessories and gives CP a nod of confirmation.
CP rises and offers a hand which Xu does not take.
CP: You say your mother asks you to repay the kindness. Why then did you not speak of it before?
Xu: Formerly I mistakenly thought that my mother's affliction was because the late Empress tortured her. I worked in secret against Your Highness, which led to my repaying kindness with ingratitude before and after entering officialdom. I even worked in cahoots with Li Baizhou. Although I returned to the correct path later on, the wrong had been committed and I feel a sense of guilt towards Your Highness. My wish is to return home to take care of my mother after repaying the kindness. I did not intend to inform Your Highness of this matter.
Youming: He passed out.
CP: Summon the Imperial Physician.
Wang: Your Highness, should we send him out of the Palace?
Attendant Chang An gives the sleeping Xu a look.
CP: Let him sleep. Give him a bath after he wakes. He can change into my clothes.
Xu (Off-screen): My mother was just an attendant of the late Empress but my father was the brother of the current Emperor. And I should have been....after so many happenings, there are some words I am too ashamed to say. Now my only wish is to assist His Highness to achieve his dreams of a peaceful country. That way, I would have lived up to my father's hopes and not let the late Empress's kindness down. I only hope in future when His Highness finds out the truth, he can understand my reasons for keeping this from him.
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