The Blossoming Love (2025) s01e31 Episode Script
Episode 31
1
[Episode 31]
This Graceful Palace is beautiful, no doubt,
but I haven't seen Zhao Ming
for several days.
Is he really that busy?
The Saint Emperor's time belongs to the people.
Of course, he's busy.
Didn't you say
you're the one he can't live without?
Why are you so free, then?
I
I have important duties to attend to!
What important duties?
Well
important duties
can't be casually spoken about.
Don't you understand?
If you're bored,
I've got a way to entertain you.
What's the new game this time?
Dice betting.
It's all about the thrill.
The rules are simple.
Do you understand them?
One round, and you'll get it.
However,
you need to bet something valuable.
This is my most precious possession,
yesterday's peach blossom pastry.
I've been saving it until now.
Then,
I'll bet it.
This is far too precious.
Just use something ordinary to bet.
For instance,
the jewelry box
that the Saint Emperor gifted you a few days ago.
Your Majesty,
you haven't slept in days.
Why not rest for a while?
It's fine.
He Zhou visits the Graceful Palace daily.
The Chaos Pearl shows nothing unusual
or any strange activity.
Although it is an ancient artifact,
it has taken human form now
and should be treated as such.
Understood.
Pearl is pure,
and He Zhou is loyal.
They're a good match as companions.
Come on,
a little gambling is harmless fun.
Bet big, win big. Bet small, win small!
Small it's definitely small!
- Quick, open it!
- Three, two, one, open!
You bet small, but it's big.
These hairpins
are mine now.
How about it?
Still playing?
One more round!
One more round!
I love your straightforward style!
Don't lose heart.
Play a few more rounds,
and I'll teach you properly.
Why not teach me, too?
Your Majesty
Zhao Ming!
Pearl.
- Sit.
- Why is the Saint Emperor here?
Why didn't you warn me?
Let's begin.
Your Majesty,
is this really appropriate?
Just go ahead.
This is my bet.
Is it sufficient?
Don't blame me for being weak-willed.
Your Majesty bet too much!
Let's begin.
It's all gone.
I'm done playing.
Pearl,
have you learned it?
Pearl hasn't learned it.
So, let's continue.
Your Majesty,
this isn't fair.
I've already lost everything.
It's fine.
Next month's allowance
can be advanced for your bets.
Didn't you say a little gambling is harmless fun?
I still want to learn.
A gamble is a gamble.
Big or small, it's harmful!
Pearl, don't pick up bad habits.
I, He Zhou,
swear off gambling starting today.
I'll never involve Pearl again.
Yan,
issue the order:
From today onward,
gambling is banned in the palace.
Understood.
You may leave now.
Understood.
Pearl,
keep these winnings safe.
Don't let He Zhou trick you again.
It's not He Zhou's fault.
These days,
he's always been keeping me company.
When I was still a pearl,
I could see you anytime.
But now that I'm human,
it's hard to even catch a glimpse of you.
It's something I'm not used to.
That's my oversight.
You've just taken human form.
There must be many things you're adjusting to.
But if you stick with He Zhou for too long,
he could misguide you.
I'll find you a teacher
to teach you reading and writing.
How does that sound?
A teacher?
The essence of sunlight and moonlight
is indeed beneficial for refining spiritual pills,
but the process is lengthy.
Recently, I've discovered
another kind of vital energy in this world
that can accelerate the process of refining spiritual pills.
Sir,
I'm sorry for being late
and keeping you waiting.
It's fine.
A brief wait is nothing,
as long as you've arrived.
Zhao Ming said you're the most learned scholar
in all of Dongze.
What's more, you offered
to teach me yourself.
Thank you, Sir.
No need for such formality.
It makes us seem distant.
Hearing this from you puts me at ease.
It's all He Zhou's fault for scaring me,
saying I must act with utmost respect
or risk getting my palms struck
with a ruler by the teacher.
But I think
you make me feel very approachable.
What's the saying for that?
Like meeting an old friend at first sight.
Like meeting an old friend at first sight?
Did you recall
an old friend
or a familiar place?
Sir, you must be joking.
I'm just a pearl of Zhao Ming.
How could I have old friends?
Let's begin the lesson.
Today,
we'll start with some basic characters.
[Human]
This character is pronounced as "ren" (human),
which is also your current identity.
"Ren."
[Human]
This character is simple
and easy to remember.
This character is pronounced as "tian" (heaven).
[Heaven]
Here's how you can remember it:
"Heaven" has two extra horizontal lines compared to "human."
One line stands above "human,"
[Heaven]
and the other confines "human."
"Tian"
Why is it so domineering?
That's the order of the world.
Heaven is always above humanity.
Humanity is subjected to heaven.
Then I don't like heaven.
It makes people suffer,
and it keeps Zhao Ming too busy to spend time with me.
Companionship among humans
lasts just decades at most.
Only those from the heavens
can share eternity with heaven.
That kind of companionship
is truly everlasting.
But even if the time together lasts long,
what's the point?
If two people stay together
but feel unhappy,
isn't that kind of companionship
a source of pain?
Sir.
I made these pastries with the kitchen staff.
I brought them over just for you to try.
Sir,
why are you upset today?
Is it because I'm too slow at learning characters?
Or do you think I'm stupid?
I'm not upset.
You have a sharp mind
and grasp things quickly.
How could you be stupid?
I'm glad you're not upset, Sir.
So tomorrow,
will you still teach me characters?
Now that you're human,
finding simple and pure happiness
is a blessing in itself.
Open this.
This jade pen is for you.
Heaven controls humanity,
but with a pen in hand,
one can write their own destiny.
Thank you, Sir.
Well then,
I'll take my leave.
Don't forget to try the pastries.
Why did you gather these items?
What are they for?
Why do people use flowers
on so many different occasions?
Weddings, funerals,
and offerings to the deities
these seemingly unrelated events
are all connected by flowers as tokens of emotion.
Flowers
to us, they are either black or white,
with only slight differences in form.
But in the eyes of mortals,
flowers are vastly distinct,
vividly colorful,
each carrying its own meaning.
Every time I look down from the sea of clouds,
I see children's faces light up with joy
just from eating one.
A simple pastry
can bring them happiness.
Yet, we cannot feel that.
To us,
all food is tasteless.
We've never experienced all kinds of flavors
or the longing tied to them.
Why, then, should we feel sorrow?
The logic is clear:
if we've never had it,
there's no longing tied to it.
We, as divine artifacts,
may share heaven's longevity
and enjoy the respect of the deities,
but we are no more than tools of Hao Tian.
Our lives are less colorful than those of mortals.
Hao Tian bestowed divine power upon us,
but it came with absolute fairness.
We are forbidden to favor anything.
What we gain
is destined to come at a price.
Yet,
we can't taste flavors,
see colors,
smell the fragrance of flowers,
or understand emotions.
For tens of thousands of years,
every day has been the same.
Fate,
don't you find it boring?
All things in this world
are bound by cause and effect.
This is the price of being an artifact.
Will the next ten thousand years
or even a million years
be the same?
It's fate.
We must remain loyal to Hao Tian.
Sir,
just now, outside the hall,
Miss Pearl said
this was her first time making pastries.
How do they taste?
Very sweet.
But,
Miss Pearl said
today's batch
was supposed to be savory.
Is that so?
The recipe for these pastries is unique.
It's a tradition from my homeland.
So, it's something from your homeland.
No wonder you treasure it so much.
Come,
have a taste yourself.
Thank you, Sir.
Tasting this pastry
has made me suddenly homesick.
Luckily, there are people from my homeland
in the palace to keep me company.
Zi Chen,
I'd like to consult you on a question.
I don't dare.
How could I deserve to be consulted
when you know everything?
Please, just ask.
If you had someone from your homeland,
and you were supposed to take her back there,
but that place was full of restrictions,
cold and desolate.
There's no freedom,
and no joy.
And she faced
the constant threat of being sacrificed.
If that were the case,
would you still take her back?
Homeland is supposed to bring happiness.
If returning
meant misfortune,
then don't go back.
Sir
Did I
say something wrong?
It's nothing.
You may go now.
Understood.
Oh, and
the pastries
Thank you, Sir.
[Graceful Palace]
Zhao Ming,
you're here.
It's been a few days.
I came to see how your studies are progressing.
Of course, I've been diligent.
Here's a new character I've learned.
The teacher said,
"Sun on the left, moon on the right,
both bring light, making "ming."
He teaches well.
But my understanding
is a little different.
Like the sun's brilliance,
like the moon's gentleness,
"sun" and "moon" together
make the "ming" in Zhao Ming.
Your interpretation
is also reasonable.
[Ming]
How do you think my writing looks?
Your writing is good,
but
the parts are a bit distant.
Distant?
Then I'll make it closer!
Zhao Ming,
am I considered a beauty?
Does that mean I'll have a tragic fate?
I heard they say beauties have tragic fates.
No.
You will live a long, long life,
longer than mine.
Longer than yours?
What's the point of that?
I'm your pearl,
so I should always stay with you.
I exist because you exist,
right?
No,
you don't exist because of me,
and your purpose
isn't tied to me either.
Time is long,
with gains and losses coming and going.
Someday,
you'll find your own path
and your own purpose.
My own path,
my own purpose
It's okay.
There's no rush to figure it out now.
The future is long.
I may not know
what my path is,
but I know yours.
You're the Saint Emperor,
with the world on your mind.
[Heaven]
So your path is the Emperor's Way.
The Emperor's Way is not what I seek.
What I want
is to be a man of courage,
unbound by heaven,
protecting humanity,
and breaking through heaven itself.
[Man]
The teacher said
"heaven" has two extra strokes over "human,"
firmly trapping it beneath.
But under your pen,
humanity can break through heaven?
Man makes his own destiny.
Zhao Ming,
I don't fully understand.
What exactly
is humanity?
Humanity is both simple
and complex.
[Human]
It seems weak at first glance,
but it can possess great strength.
Just looking at it on paper won't reveal its essence.
To understand humanity,
you must use your heart.
Heart?
To understand a person,
you can't only look at their appearance.
You must also see their inner self.
Look at what they say,
and at what they do.
See their strengths,
but also their weaknesses.
See how they treat themselves,
and how they treat others.
Observe their grace in good times,
and their choices in adversity.
Humanity
cannot be explained in a few words.
If you wish to understand it,
I will take you to see it carefully in the future.
Your Grace,
we've searched the human realm for a long time
but still haven't found the divine child.
The prophecy gives limited clues,
making the search
like finding a needle in a haystack.
If you ask me,
even if the prophecy is true,
are we, so many deities,
unable to defeat a single divine child?
The Book of Fate governs all cause and effect.
If it reveals a prophecy, it will become destiny.
Failing in your task
and now trying to argue?
Your Grace, calm your anger.
Our travels across the nations
have not been entirely fruitless.
Dongze stands as the world's leader,
with all nations and tribes
under its governance.
The ruler of Dongze, Zhao Ming,
is exceptional,
a man of unparalleled brilliance.
If we can bring Zhao Ming under your command,
the search for the divine child
would greatly benefit.
Regarding the prophecy of the divine child,
I suddenly have a theory.
The so-called birth of the divine child
might have occurred ten years ago,
at the very moment when the Book of Fate
revealed the prophecy.
Why not
start searching
among the children born at that time?
That makes sense.
Continue searching the lower realms,
and send another divine edict to Dongze,
instructing Zhao Ming
to offer up the children.
But Your Grace,
so many children were born at that time.
What if
what if we can't identify the divine child?
Then kill them all.
Leave no one alive.
In the year of Cang Hao,
three thousand children
were born.
Summon them as divine servants.
Sir,
is this a newly descended divine edict?
The year of Cang Hao
Isn't that ten years ago?
That year,
the heavens were torn open.
Placing humanity on the brink of extinction.
The late emperor
also perished in that crisis.
Sir,
what should we do now?
As an advisor,
upon receiving a divine edict,
it is my duty to report it to the Saint Emperor.
How to decide
is up to the Saint Emperor.
Nonsense!
The deities now even target children.
They use the guise of divine servants
to force humanity into sacrificing those children.
With just a so-called divine edict,
they want to take three thousand lives.
As long as I, Zhao Ming, live,
I will never bow to the deities.
Sir, please destroy the tortoise shell.
From today onward,
Dongze will no longer accept any divine edicts.
Your Majesty,
have you made your mind?
The deities are merciless,
and their oppression worsens.
Now,
we must hasten to find a way to resist the deities.
The power gap between humans and deities
makes resistance
like bringing a knife to a gunfight.
But I believe
humanity can triumph over heaven!
Then may Your Majesty
achieve your wishes.
What are you doing here?
Bad He Zhou,
you scared me again!
Did you already buy
the new storybooks for me?
I got these rare editions
through countless connections
and Herculean efforts!
So,
don't you think I deserve a little extra for the trouble?
I think
your bracelet looks pretty nice.
I already paid you for the storybooks.
You're trying to trick me again.
Well, it's your fault for learning so quickly,
reading three books a day!
I might run my legs off
to keep up with your demands!
Besides,
this batch of storybooks
is different from the mythology you've been reading.
These ones
are about love stories.
Love stories?
Don't tease me.
Have you all had your fill?
How about a story?
- Yes!
- Let's hear it!
Today's story
is perfect for all of you.
It's about
a poor fisher girl
falling in love with a prince in disguise
and eventually becoming a royal consort.
Next,
let's invite the palace's well-read
and story-loving Pearl
to share this tale with us.
- Yes!
- Great!
Listen closely now.
A long, long time ago,
there was a kind-hearted fisher girl.
While out fishing,
she accidentally rescued
a badly injured man.
The fisher girl's elder sister
found out about this
and warned her,
"Never pick up men randomly
from the roadside,
especially injured ones.
They'll bring misfortune."
But the fisher girl thought it over
and said,
"I didn't pick him up by the roadside.
I fished him out of the sea!"
Pearl always brings laughter and joy.
What do you think?
Since she was here,
this once-quiet Everbright Palace
has become full of life.
Indeed.
The servants all adore her.
Would you like to go in and see?
If I go in,
they won't enjoy themselves as much.
Let's take care of business first.
Over the years,
I've traveled far and wide,
researching ways to resist the Divine Clan.
It is said that only something greater than them
can suppress them.
One such thing are two ancient artifacts,
the Book of Fate and the Chaos Pearl.
The other
is the Jun Tian Sword,
born of the energy of the chaos.
You've searched three times yourself
following this map,
and every time, the end leads to an empty void.
There is no sword at all.
Could it be
that the map is wrong?
No,
the map must be true.
Each time I reach the destination,
I can feel the intense sword energy.
Perhaps my approach is wrong,
so the Jun Tian Sword remains hidden.
Yan,
seek out the best swordsmiths.
See if they might uncover something new.
Understood.
If the Jun Tian Sword cannot be found,
won't you truly consider
using the Chaos Pearl against the Divine Clan?
The Chaos Pearl has already mended the heavens,
bearing the weight of the world once.
Now that it's no longer functional,
I'd rather let it
live a simple and happy life as Pearl.
As for opposing the Divine Clan,
that is my responsibility.
Besides,
if the Divine Clan descends to the human realm,
their divine power will be restricted.
Even in direct confrontation,
I can still match them
with my power.
But you've already lost a drop of your blood essence,
and the methods you seek only weaken you further.
It's just a single drop of blood essence.
I'm far from weak.
How dare Zhao Ming
destroy the divine edict!
I might as well kill him outright!
If it were so easy to kill him,
why wait until now?
Zhao Ming was born with divine channels.
He's the only human capable of cultivating divine power.
He is the leader of the human race,
respected and supported by all.
He carries an endless flow
of sovereign fortune,
making it impossible to kill him directly.
Moreover,
the divine order must be upheld.
If you use divine power in the human realm,
your strength will be significantly reduced.
Mortals are driven by desires and emotions.
Zhao Ming
must have a weakness.
His weakness isn't within himself.
It's in maintaining the peace of the world.
If he refuses the divine edict,
do you think the other nations
will also dare to defy it?
It's better to stir chaos in the human realm
and send him a warning.
When unrest shakes the world,
I want to see how Zhao Ming
remains above it all.
Exactly.
You and I are deities of desire,
masters of manipulating the human heart.
If we descend divine edicts upon the nations
and tempt them to fight over resources,
war will inevitably break out.
Countless mortals
will perish in battle.
Zhao Ming
will have no choice but to submit!
Then get it done at once.
I want to see
Zhao Ming weakened,
his sovereign pride shattered.
Within half a month,
all the nations have gone to war.
Something suspicious is at play.
Indeed.
Even Xilin State, which has always been wary of war,
has suddenly fallen into chaos.
What is the situation on the borders?
After your orders,
the border soldiers have raised their guard.
However, many refugees are running to Dongze,
placing significant pressure on us.
The world is meant to be united,
with no divisions between us and them.
He Zhou,
issue an order
to take good care of these refugees.
Additionally,
starting today,
beginning with Everbright Palace,
all living expenses shall be kept simple,
Use the savings to support the refugees.
Understood.
Yan,
investigate this chaos immediately
and uncover the cause behind it.
Understood.
[Everbright Palace]
Come in.
Sir.
What brings you here?
Can you tell me
about Zhao Ming's past?
Why do you ask?
Although Zhao Ming is warm and kind,
there's always a mysterious feeling
about him.
Lately,
even his smiles carry a hint of sorrow,
as if there's
an invisible chain holding him down.
That's why I want to know
what he has been through
and what burdens he carries.
[Dongze]
This contains the story of Dongze's current dynasty,
which is also Zhao Ming's biography.
Ten years ago,
Dongze's former emperor perished in a heavenly crisis.
Zhao Ming, still a youth,
took on the immense responsibility
of the entire realm.
Born with divine channels,
he is brave and skilled in battle.
Before coming of age,
he led armies to the battlefield,
defeating invasions from other nations
and stabilizing the state.
Zhao Ming governs diligently for his people,
earning deep love from his subjects.
The world aligns with his rule.
The people honor him
as the Saint Emperor.
With humanity oppressed by the Divine Clan,
Zhao Ming swore an oath
to protect the people,
even if it meant sacrificing his life.
So,
what binds Zhao Ming
is not a single chain,
but the weight of all the people in the world.
Everyone calls him the Saint Emperor,
but behind that noble title
lies their admiration and reliance.
They all depend on him,
but who can he depend on?
He must be so tired.
Rather than calling him Saint Emperor,
I'd rather call him Zhao Ming,
his true self.
Everyone should
bear the consequences of their choices.
This is the destiny he chose for himself.
Destiny?
Today,
I will teach you the character "Zhao."
"Zhao,"
on the left is the "sun,"
[Zhao]
shining like the noonday sun,
bringing light to all beings.
Above is a "blade,"
and below is a "mouth,"
symbolizing the danger
of living on the edge of death.
Sir, are you saying
that Zhao Ming will die?
The Saint Emperor was born with divine channels
and is destined to share heaven's longevity.
How could he die?
I've spoken too much today.
Fate is mysterious,
not something we can easily reveal.
You scared me!
As long as Zhao Ming is fine, I'm relieved.
You're so knowledgeable,
always saying things too profound for me to understand.
I have one more profound question
to ask you, Sir.
Go ahead.
What is love?
In storybooks, the woodcutter and the Divine Saintess fell in love.
Even when they turned into stone,
unable to be together,
they felt no regret.
I want to know, what exactly is love?
Is love a desire or a driving force?
In your opinion,
what is love?
Why is it that when humans have love,
their lives become bustling
and full of warmth?
If we could also have love,
wouldn't the divine realm
be less cold and desolate?
You and I were created as divine artifacts,
meant to follow Hao Tian's will.
To question love
is to begin the path to destruction.
Alright,
then I won't ask anymore.
Anyway, you're by my side.
As long as the sun rises and sets
and the universe endures,
Fate,
we will always be together.
I don't know what love truly is.
All I know is that love
belongs only to humans
and not to the Divine Saintess.
If a divine saintess loves,
she will be punished by the heavens.
So,
even being a divine saintess isn't easy.
What if
you're also a celestial pearl
that fell from the heavens?
How could I be a celestial pearl?
I'm just an ordinary pearl
in Zhao Ming's hands.
As long as I can see him every day,
stay with him every day,
I'm happy.
But you're a pearl,
and he's human.
You're destined to be separated one day.
No, we won't.
Look,
in the storybooks,
the woodcutter may have turned to stone,
but his heart still loved the Divine Saintess.
Nothing can truly separate them.
Just like me and Zhao Ming,
as long as I keep him in my heart,
we will never be apart.
No matter what happens,
I will stay by his side, forever.
Forever
I lift my gaze for a moment, your eyes shine like rivers of light ♪
[Everbright Palace]
It feels as though we loved in a past life ♪
If not ♪
Why do our gazes recognize each other? ♪
In the vast wildness, we sing and enjoy the moonlight ♪
I hope we can spend our lives together ♪
Your face turns to me ♪
It's like a gentle kiss from warm winds ♪
Love blooms across mountains ♪
My heart belongs to you ♪
Join me to savor the world's dazzling fireworks ♪
Here, the lights shine bright every night.
Affairs of state
never seem to end.
Even when you find rest,
nightmares haunt your sleep.
Zhao Ming,
is this your path as the Saint Emperor?
Even a good night's rest
is a luxury.
In the vast wildness, we sing and enjoy the moonlight ♪
I hope we can spend our lives together ♪
Your face turns to me ♪
It's like a gentle kiss from warm winds ♪
Love blooms across mountains ♪
My heart belongs to you ♪
Join me to savor the world's dazzling fireworks ♪
You make my heart bloom with thousands of peach blossoms ♪
Your Majesty.
Because our hands remain entwined ♪
Because you've stayed the same ♪
The brilliance endures ♪
For some reason,
as long as you're by my side,
no matter how overwhelming life gets,
I can still
find peace and focus.
Searching for your face in the cycles of life ♪
If the tears in my heart remain unseen ♪
Can I still remain tireless? ♪
Because my heart holds longing ♪
A devoted soul asks not how far the road goes ♪
For love, braving the storms, crossing the years ♪
Never regretting our meeting ♪
Only wishing for thousands of blossoms ♪
To bloom for you that day ♪
Gazing at that one person, those eyes ♪
I desire nothing else ♪
A life with no worries or regrets ♪
Staying by your side ♪
For love, braving the storms, crossing the years ♪
Never regretting our meeting ♪
Only wishing for thousands of blossoms ♪
To bloom for you that day ♪
Gazing at that one person, those eyes ♪
I desire nothing else ♪
A life with no worries or regrets ♪
Staying by your side ♪
[Episode 31]
This Graceful Palace is beautiful, no doubt,
but I haven't seen Zhao Ming
for several days.
Is he really that busy?
The Saint Emperor's time belongs to the people.
Of course, he's busy.
Didn't you say
you're the one he can't live without?
Why are you so free, then?
I
I have important duties to attend to!
What important duties?
Well
important duties
can't be casually spoken about.
Don't you understand?
If you're bored,
I've got a way to entertain you.
What's the new game this time?
Dice betting.
It's all about the thrill.
The rules are simple.
Do you understand them?
One round, and you'll get it.
However,
you need to bet something valuable.
This is my most precious possession,
yesterday's peach blossom pastry.
I've been saving it until now.
Then,
I'll bet it.
This is far too precious.
Just use something ordinary to bet.
For instance,
the jewelry box
that the Saint Emperor gifted you a few days ago.
Your Majesty,
you haven't slept in days.
Why not rest for a while?
It's fine.
He Zhou visits the Graceful Palace daily.
The Chaos Pearl shows nothing unusual
or any strange activity.
Although it is an ancient artifact,
it has taken human form now
and should be treated as such.
Understood.
Pearl is pure,
and He Zhou is loyal.
They're a good match as companions.
Come on,
a little gambling is harmless fun.
Bet big, win big. Bet small, win small!
Small it's definitely small!
- Quick, open it!
- Three, two, one, open!
You bet small, but it's big.
These hairpins
are mine now.
How about it?
Still playing?
One more round!
One more round!
I love your straightforward style!
Don't lose heart.
Play a few more rounds,
and I'll teach you properly.
Why not teach me, too?
Your Majesty
Zhao Ming!
Pearl.
- Sit.
- Why is the Saint Emperor here?
Why didn't you warn me?
Let's begin.
Your Majesty,
is this really appropriate?
Just go ahead.
This is my bet.
Is it sufficient?
Don't blame me for being weak-willed.
Your Majesty bet too much!
Let's begin.
It's all gone.
I'm done playing.
Pearl,
have you learned it?
Pearl hasn't learned it.
So, let's continue.
Your Majesty,
this isn't fair.
I've already lost everything.
It's fine.
Next month's allowance
can be advanced for your bets.
Didn't you say a little gambling is harmless fun?
I still want to learn.
A gamble is a gamble.
Big or small, it's harmful!
Pearl, don't pick up bad habits.
I, He Zhou,
swear off gambling starting today.
I'll never involve Pearl again.
Yan,
issue the order:
From today onward,
gambling is banned in the palace.
Understood.
You may leave now.
Understood.
Pearl,
keep these winnings safe.
Don't let He Zhou trick you again.
It's not He Zhou's fault.
These days,
he's always been keeping me company.
When I was still a pearl,
I could see you anytime.
But now that I'm human,
it's hard to even catch a glimpse of you.
It's something I'm not used to.
That's my oversight.
You've just taken human form.
There must be many things you're adjusting to.
But if you stick with He Zhou for too long,
he could misguide you.
I'll find you a teacher
to teach you reading and writing.
How does that sound?
A teacher?
The essence of sunlight and moonlight
is indeed beneficial for refining spiritual pills,
but the process is lengthy.
Recently, I've discovered
another kind of vital energy in this world
that can accelerate the process of refining spiritual pills.
Sir,
I'm sorry for being late
and keeping you waiting.
It's fine.
A brief wait is nothing,
as long as you've arrived.
Zhao Ming said you're the most learned scholar
in all of Dongze.
What's more, you offered
to teach me yourself.
Thank you, Sir.
No need for such formality.
It makes us seem distant.
Hearing this from you puts me at ease.
It's all He Zhou's fault for scaring me,
saying I must act with utmost respect
or risk getting my palms struck
with a ruler by the teacher.
But I think
you make me feel very approachable.
What's the saying for that?
Like meeting an old friend at first sight.
Like meeting an old friend at first sight?
Did you recall
an old friend
or a familiar place?
Sir, you must be joking.
I'm just a pearl of Zhao Ming.
How could I have old friends?
Let's begin the lesson.
Today,
we'll start with some basic characters.
[Human]
This character is pronounced as "ren" (human),
which is also your current identity.
"Ren."
[Human]
This character is simple
and easy to remember.
This character is pronounced as "tian" (heaven).
[Heaven]
Here's how you can remember it:
"Heaven" has two extra horizontal lines compared to "human."
One line stands above "human,"
[Heaven]
and the other confines "human."
"Tian"
Why is it so domineering?
That's the order of the world.
Heaven is always above humanity.
Humanity is subjected to heaven.
Then I don't like heaven.
It makes people suffer,
and it keeps Zhao Ming too busy to spend time with me.
Companionship among humans
lasts just decades at most.
Only those from the heavens
can share eternity with heaven.
That kind of companionship
is truly everlasting.
But even if the time together lasts long,
what's the point?
If two people stay together
but feel unhappy,
isn't that kind of companionship
a source of pain?
Sir.
I made these pastries with the kitchen staff.
I brought them over just for you to try.
Sir,
why are you upset today?
Is it because I'm too slow at learning characters?
Or do you think I'm stupid?
I'm not upset.
You have a sharp mind
and grasp things quickly.
How could you be stupid?
I'm glad you're not upset, Sir.
So tomorrow,
will you still teach me characters?
Now that you're human,
finding simple and pure happiness
is a blessing in itself.
Open this.
This jade pen is for you.
Heaven controls humanity,
but with a pen in hand,
one can write their own destiny.
Thank you, Sir.
Well then,
I'll take my leave.
Don't forget to try the pastries.
Why did you gather these items?
What are they for?
Why do people use flowers
on so many different occasions?
Weddings, funerals,
and offerings to the deities
these seemingly unrelated events
are all connected by flowers as tokens of emotion.
Flowers
to us, they are either black or white,
with only slight differences in form.
But in the eyes of mortals,
flowers are vastly distinct,
vividly colorful,
each carrying its own meaning.
Every time I look down from the sea of clouds,
I see children's faces light up with joy
just from eating one.
A simple pastry
can bring them happiness.
Yet, we cannot feel that.
To us,
all food is tasteless.
We've never experienced all kinds of flavors
or the longing tied to them.
Why, then, should we feel sorrow?
The logic is clear:
if we've never had it,
there's no longing tied to it.
We, as divine artifacts,
may share heaven's longevity
and enjoy the respect of the deities,
but we are no more than tools of Hao Tian.
Our lives are less colorful than those of mortals.
Hao Tian bestowed divine power upon us,
but it came with absolute fairness.
We are forbidden to favor anything.
What we gain
is destined to come at a price.
Yet,
we can't taste flavors,
see colors,
smell the fragrance of flowers,
or understand emotions.
For tens of thousands of years,
every day has been the same.
Fate,
don't you find it boring?
All things in this world
are bound by cause and effect.
This is the price of being an artifact.
Will the next ten thousand years
or even a million years
be the same?
It's fate.
We must remain loyal to Hao Tian.
Sir,
just now, outside the hall,
Miss Pearl said
this was her first time making pastries.
How do they taste?
Very sweet.
But,
Miss Pearl said
today's batch
was supposed to be savory.
Is that so?
The recipe for these pastries is unique.
It's a tradition from my homeland.
So, it's something from your homeland.
No wonder you treasure it so much.
Come,
have a taste yourself.
Thank you, Sir.
Tasting this pastry
has made me suddenly homesick.
Luckily, there are people from my homeland
in the palace to keep me company.
Zi Chen,
I'd like to consult you on a question.
I don't dare.
How could I deserve to be consulted
when you know everything?
Please, just ask.
If you had someone from your homeland,
and you were supposed to take her back there,
but that place was full of restrictions,
cold and desolate.
There's no freedom,
and no joy.
And she faced
the constant threat of being sacrificed.
If that were the case,
would you still take her back?
Homeland is supposed to bring happiness.
If returning
meant misfortune,
then don't go back.
Sir
Did I
say something wrong?
It's nothing.
You may go now.
Understood.
Oh, and
the pastries
Thank you, Sir.
[Graceful Palace]
Zhao Ming,
you're here.
It's been a few days.
I came to see how your studies are progressing.
Of course, I've been diligent.
Here's a new character I've learned.
The teacher said,
"Sun on the left, moon on the right,
both bring light, making "ming."
He teaches well.
But my understanding
is a little different.
Like the sun's brilliance,
like the moon's gentleness,
"sun" and "moon" together
make the "ming" in Zhao Ming.
Your interpretation
is also reasonable.
[Ming]
How do you think my writing looks?
Your writing is good,
but
the parts are a bit distant.
Distant?
Then I'll make it closer!
Zhao Ming,
am I considered a beauty?
Does that mean I'll have a tragic fate?
I heard they say beauties have tragic fates.
No.
You will live a long, long life,
longer than mine.
Longer than yours?
What's the point of that?
I'm your pearl,
so I should always stay with you.
I exist because you exist,
right?
No,
you don't exist because of me,
and your purpose
isn't tied to me either.
Time is long,
with gains and losses coming and going.
Someday,
you'll find your own path
and your own purpose.
My own path,
my own purpose
It's okay.
There's no rush to figure it out now.
The future is long.
I may not know
what my path is,
but I know yours.
You're the Saint Emperor,
with the world on your mind.
[Heaven]
So your path is the Emperor's Way.
The Emperor's Way is not what I seek.
What I want
is to be a man of courage,
unbound by heaven,
protecting humanity,
and breaking through heaven itself.
[Man]
The teacher said
"heaven" has two extra strokes over "human,"
firmly trapping it beneath.
But under your pen,
humanity can break through heaven?
Man makes his own destiny.
Zhao Ming,
I don't fully understand.
What exactly
is humanity?
Humanity is both simple
and complex.
[Human]
It seems weak at first glance,
but it can possess great strength.
Just looking at it on paper won't reveal its essence.
To understand humanity,
you must use your heart.
Heart?
To understand a person,
you can't only look at their appearance.
You must also see their inner self.
Look at what they say,
and at what they do.
See their strengths,
but also their weaknesses.
See how they treat themselves,
and how they treat others.
Observe their grace in good times,
and their choices in adversity.
Humanity
cannot be explained in a few words.
If you wish to understand it,
I will take you to see it carefully in the future.
Your Grace,
we've searched the human realm for a long time
but still haven't found the divine child.
The prophecy gives limited clues,
making the search
like finding a needle in a haystack.
If you ask me,
even if the prophecy is true,
are we, so many deities,
unable to defeat a single divine child?
The Book of Fate governs all cause and effect.
If it reveals a prophecy, it will become destiny.
Failing in your task
and now trying to argue?
Your Grace, calm your anger.
Our travels across the nations
have not been entirely fruitless.
Dongze stands as the world's leader,
with all nations and tribes
under its governance.
The ruler of Dongze, Zhao Ming,
is exceptional,
a man of unparalleled brilliance.
If we can bring Zhao Ming under your command,
the search for the divine child
would greatly benefit.
Regarding the prophecy of the divine child,
I suddenly have a theory.
The so-called birth of the divine child
might have occurred ten years ago,
at the very moment when the Book of Fate
revealed the prophecy.
Why not
start searching
among the children born at that time?
That makes sense.
Continue searching the lower realms,
and send another divine edict to Dongze,
instructing Zhao Ming
to offer up the children.
But Your Grace,
so many children were born at that time.
What if
what if we can't identify the divine child?
Then kill them all.
Leave no one alive.
In the year of Cang Hao,
three thousand children
were born.
Summon them as divine servants.
Sir,
is this a newly descended divine edict?
The year of Cang Hao
Isn't that ten years ago?
That year,
the heavens were torn open.
Placing humanity on the brink of extinction.
The late emperor
also perished in that crisis.
Sir,
what should we do now?
As an advisor,
upon receiving a divine edict,
it is my duty to report it to the Saint Emperor.
How to decide
is up to the Saint Emperor.
Nonsense!
The deities now even target children.
They use the guise of divine servants
to force humanity into sacrificing those children.
With just a so-called divine edict,
they want to take three thousand lives.
As long as I, Zhao Ming, live,
I will never bow to the deities.
Sir, please destroy the tortoise shell.
From today onward,
Dongze will no longer accept any divine edicts.
Your Majesty,
have you made your mind?
The deities are merciless,
and their oppression worsens.
Now,
we must hasten to find a way to resist the deities.
The power gap between humans and deities
makes resistance
like bringing a knife to a gunfight.
But I believe
humanity can triumph over heaven!
Then may Your Majesty
achieve your wishes.
What are you doing here?
Bad He Zhou,
you scared me again!
Did you already buy
the new storybooks for me?
I got these rare editions
through countless connections
and Herculean efforts!
So,
don't you think I deserve a little extra for the trouble?
I think
your bracelet looks pretty nice.
I already paid you for the storybooks.
You're trying to trick me again.
Well, it's your fault for learning so quickly,
reading three books a day!
I might run my legs off
to keep up with your demands!
Besides,
this batch of storybooks
is different from the mythology you've been reading.
These ones
are about love stories.
Love stories?
Don't tease me.
Have you all had your fill?
How about a story?
- Yes!
- Let's hear it!
Today's story
is perfect for all of you.
It's about
a poor fisher girl
falling in love with a prince in disguise
and eventually becoming a royal consort.
Next,
let's invite the palace's well-read
and story-loving Pearl
to share this tale with us.
- Yes!
- Great!
Listen closely now.
A long, long time ago,
there was a kind-hearted fisher girl.
While out fishing,
she accidentally rescued
a badly injured man.
The fisher girl's elder sister
found out about this
and warned her,
"Never pick up men randomly
from the roadside,
especially injured ones.
They'll bring misfortune."
But the fisher girl thought it over
and said,
"I didn't pick him up by the roadside.
I fished him out of the sea!"
Pearl always brings laughter and joy.
What do you think?
Since she was here,
this once-quiet Everbright Palace
has become full of life.
Indeed.
The servants all adore her.
Would you like to go in and see?
If I go in,
they won't enjoy themselves as much.
Let's take care of business first.
Over the years,
I've traveled far and wide,
researching ways to resist the Divine Clan.
It is said that only something greater than them
can suppress them.
One such thing are two ancient artifacts,
the Book of Fate and the Chaos Pearl.
The other
is the Jun Tian Sword,
born of the energy of the chaos.
You've searched three times yourself
following this map,
and every time, the end leads to an empty void.
There is no sword at all.
Could it be
that the map is wrong?
No,
the map must be true.
Each time I reach the destination,
I can feel the intense sword energy.
Perhaps my approach is wrong,
so the Jun Tian Sword remains hidden.
Yan,
seek out the best swordsmiths.
See if they might uncover something new.
Understood.
If the Jun Tian Sword cannot be found,
won't you truly consider
using the Chaos Pearl against the Divine Clan?
The Chaos Pearl has already mended the heavens,
bearing the weight of the world once.
Now that it's no longer functional,
I'd rather let it
live a simple and happy life as Pearl.
As for opposing the Divine Clan,
that is my responsibility.
Besides,
if the Divine Clan descends to the human realm,
their divine power will be restricted.
Even in direct confrontation,
I can still match them
with my power.
But you've already lost a drop of your blood essence,
and the methods you seek only weaken you further.
It's just a single drop of blood essence.
I'm far from weak.
How dare Zhao Ming
destroy the divine edict!
I might as well kill him outright!
If it were so easy to kill him,
why wait until now?
Zhao Ming was born with divine channels.
He's the only human capable of cultivating divine power.
He is the leader of the human race,
respected and supported by all.
He carries an endless flow
of sovereign fortune,
making it impossible to kill him directly.
Moreover,
the divine order must be upheld.
If you use divine power in the human realm,
your strength will be significantly reduced.
Mortals are driven by desires and emotions.
Zhao Ming
must have a weakness.
His weakness isn't within himself.
It's in maintaining the peace of the world.
If he refuses the divine edict,
do you think the other nations
will also dare to defy it?
It's better to stir chaos in the human realm
and send him a warning.
When unrest shakes the world,
I want to see how Zhao Ming
remains above it all.
Exactly.
You and I are deities of desire,
masters of manipulating the human heart.
If we descend divine edicts upon the nations
and tempt them to fight over resources,
war will inevitably break out.
Countless mortals
will perish in battle.
Zhao Ming
will have no choice but to submit!
Then get it done at once.
I want to see
Zhao Ming weakened,
his sovereign pride shattered.
Within half a month,
all the nations have gone to war.
Something suspicious is at play.
Indeed.
Even Xilin State, which has always been wary of war,
has suddenly fallen into chaos.
What is the situation on the borders?
After your orders,
the border soldiers have raised their guard.
However, many refugees are running to Dongze,
placing significant pressure on us.
The world is meant to be united,
with no divisions between us and them.
He Zhou,
issue an order
to take good care of these refugees.
Additionally,
starting today,
beginning with Everbright Palace,
all living expenses shall be kept simple,
Use the savings to support the refugees.
Understood.
Yan,
investigate this chaos immediately
and uncover the cause behind it.
Understood.
[Everbright Palace]
Come in.
Sir.
What brings you here?
Can you tell me
about Zhao Ming's past?
Why do you ask?
Although Zhao Ming is warm and kind,
there's always a mysterious feeling
about him.
Lately,
even his smiles carry a hint of sorrow,
as if there's
an invisible chain holding him down.
That's why I want to know
what he has been through
and what burdens he carries.
[Dongze]
This contains the story of Dongze's current dynasty,
which is also Zhao Ming's biography.
Ten years ago,
Dongze's former emperor perished in a heavenly crisis.
Zhao Ming, still a youth,
took on the immense responsibility
of the entire realm.
Born with divine channels,
he is brave and skilled in battle.
Before coming of age,
he led armies to the battlefield,
defeating invasions from other nations
and stabilizing the state.
Zhao Ming governs diligently for his people,
earning deep love from his subjects.
The world aligns with his rule.
The people honor him
as the Saint Emperor.
With humanity oppressed by the Divine Clan,
Zhao Ming swore an oath
to protect the people,
even if it meant sacrificing his life.
So,
what binds Zhao Ming
is not a single chain,
but the weight of all the people in the world.
Everyone calls him the Saint Emperor,
but behind that noble title
lies their admiration and reliance.
They all depend on him,
but who can he depend on?
He must be so tired.
Rather than calling him Saint Emperor,
I'd rather call him Zhao Ming,
his true self.
Everyone should
bear the consequences of their choices.
This is the destiny he chose for himself.
Destiny?
Today,
I will teach you the character "Zhao."
"Zhao,"
on the left is the "sun,"
[Zhao]
shining like the noonday sun,
bringing light to all beings.
Above is a "blade,"
and below is a "mouth,"
symbolizing the danger
of living on the edge of death.
Sir, are you saying
that Zhao Ming will die?
The Saint Emperor was born with divine channels
and is destined to share heaven's longevity.
How could he die?
I've spoken too much today.
Fate is mysterious,
not something we can easily reveal.
You scared me!
As long as Zhao Ming is fine, I'm relieved.
You're so knowledgeable,
always saying things too profound for me to understand.
I have one more profound question
to ask you, Sir.
Go ahead.
What is love?
In storybooks, the woodcutter and the Divine Saintess fell in love.
Even when they turned into stone,
unable to be together,
they felt no regret.
I want to know, what exactly is love?
Is love a desire or a driving force?
In your opinion,
what is love?
Why is it that when humans have love,
their lives become bustling
and full of warmth?
If we could also have love,
wouldn't the divine realm
be less cold and desolate?
You and I were created as divine artifacts,
meant to follow Hao Tian's will.
To question love
is to begin the path to destruction.
Alright,
then I won't ask anymore.
Anyway, you're by my side.
As long as the sun rises and sets
and the universe endures,
Fate,
we will always be together.
I don't know what love truly is.
All I know is that love
belongs only to humans
and not to the Divine Saintess.
If a divine saintess loves,
she will be punished by the heavens.
So,
even being a divine saintess isn't easy.
What if
you're also a celestial pearl
that fell from the heavens?
How could I be a celestial pearl?
I'm just an ordinary pearl
in Zhao Ming's hands.
As long as I can see him every day,
stay with him every day,
I'm happy.
But you're a pearl,
and he's human.
You're destined to be separated one day.
No, we won't.
Look,
in the storybooks,
the woodcutter may have turned to stone,
but his heart still loved the Divine Saintess.
Nothing can truly separate them.
Just like me and Zhao Ming,
as long as I keep him in my heart,
we will never be apart.
No matter what happens,
I will stay by his side, forever.
Forever
I lift my gaze for a moment, your eyes shine like rivers of light ♪
[Everbright Palace]
It feels as though we loved in a past life ♪
If not ♪
Why do our gazes recognize each other? ♪
In the vast wildness, we sing and enjoy the moonlight ♪
I hope we can spend our lives together ♪
Your face turns to me ♪
It's like a gentle kiss from warm winds ♪
Love blooms across mountains ♪
My heart belongs to you ♪
Join me to savor the world's dazzling fireworks ♪
Here, the lights shine bright every night.
Affairs of state
never seem to end.
Even when you find rest,
nightmares haunt your sleep.
Zhao Ming,
is this your path as the Saint Emperor?
Even a good night's rest
is a luxury.
In the vast wildness, we sing and enjoy the moonlight ♪
I hope we can spend our lives together ♪
Your face turns to me ♪
It's like a gentle kiss from warm winds ♪
Love blooms across mountains ♪
My heart belongs to you ♪
Join me to savor the world's dazzling fireworks ♪
You make my heart bloom with thousands of peach blossoms ♪
Your Majesty.
Because our hands remain entwined ♪
Because you've stayed the same ♪
The brilliance endures ♪
For some reason,
as long as you're by my side,
no matter how overwhelming life gets,
I can still
find peace and focus.
Searching for your face in the cycles of life ♪
If the tears in my heart remain unseen ♪
Can I still remain tireless? ♪
Because my heart holds longing ♪
A devoted soul asks not how far the road goes ♪
For love, braving the storms, crossing the years ♪
Never regretting our meeting ♪
Only wishing for thousands of blossoms ♪
To bloom for you that day ♪
Gazing at that one person, those eyes ♪
I desire nothing else ♪
A life with no worries or regrets ♪
Staying by your side ♪
For love, braving the storms, crossing the years ♪
Never regretting our meeting ♪
Only wishing for thousands of blossoms ♪
To bloom for you that day ♪
Gazing at that one person, those eyes ♪
I desire nothing else ♪
A life with no worries or regrets ♪
Staying by your side ♪