Original subtitles

Episode 17

Sir.

It's been stormy lately.

The road from Yandu to the front line is muddy now.

General Chen must be stuck.

We won't be able to return to Yandu so soon.

Sir.

What are you thinking about?

It's been raining for days.

Our camp is in a low-lying area...

along the Lifeng River.

Once the river water overflows,

our hundreds of thousands of soldiers will be in danger.

What should we do?

I'm afraid we must move to a highland in Lingdu.

But, there's no strategic highland in Lingdu.

If we retreat...

and the enemy corners us,

we'll be doomed.

I can't believe...

my greatest enemy isn't the massive army of Wuci,

but this endless rain.

It's been raining for days.

Will this go on for weeks?

Your Majesty.

I heard something came up at Mr. Wei's end.

Is this true?

Due to the continuous storm,

the water of Lifeng River is overflowing.

Wei Guang is forced to lead the entire army away.

Because of this,

they are vulnerable to attacks from the enemy now.

Why is this happening?

Our victory could have been guaranteed.

Why is this happening?

This is such a heavy rain.

Mr. Wei.

Are you dealing with the same rain?

I heard from His Majesty that...

you're moving to another place with the army.

You must be on the way now.

With this heavy rain,

the journey must be arduous.

But how can I help you?

What can I do for you?

Sir.

We received a report from the scouts we stationed along Lifeng River.

The army of Wuci...

is marching towards Lingdu.

Even though our troops did their best to fight back,

they still couldn't stop the army of Wuci from advancing.

At this rate,

I'm afraid...

I'm afraid we'll be surrounded by the army of Wuci.

Sir.

What should we do?

Your Majesty.

I have arrived in Lingdu with the army.

The worst has happened.

After learning about our retreat, Wuci...

dispatched all troops to surround us from behind.

Our army is about to be wiped out.

However, this might also be a risky golden opportunity.

If Your Majesty come personally...

and lead our remaining 100,000 soldiers to the west...

to make a feint at the capital of Wuci,

the court and people of Wuci will feel directly threatened...

and focus on defending themselves instead.

By then, they will give up cornering us...

and I can break free with my army...

to charge directly into Wuci's territory,

forcing them to surrender and retreat.

Your Majesty.

Please hesitate no more.

Your presence is the only way...

to intimidate Wuci...

and make them panic.

I'm not afraid of death.

But, Liang's hundreds of thousands of soldiers...

must not lose their lives here.

Otherwise, the army of Wuci will advance eastwards...

and pose a direct threat to Liang.

Consort Ning!

His Majesty ordered...

-not to let anyone enter! -Move!

I need to see His Majesty!

-Move! -Your Highness!

Your Highness!

Let her in.

Move!

You may all retire.

-Yes. -Yes.

Your Majesty, Mr. Wei was ambushed...

and his army suffered heavy casualties.

On top of that, Wuci cut off the logistics route.

At this rate, soon enough,

Liang's army will be wiped out!

I'm aware.

Ning Zhi, you're an imperial consort.

Even if you don't like it,

you must act the part.

Imperial consorts cannot intervene in state affairs,

especially military affairs.

Your Majesty.

I was a female official.

I know the severity of this matter.

The 100,000 soldiers...

are all elite soldiers of Liang.

Do you plan to leave them to their own devices?

I wish I can help!

Wei Guang wants me to go personally.

It's so dangerous in the battlefield.

If I go, my life will be at threat.

And now, the Princess Royal is biding her time.

For the sake of the big picture,

I can't afford to take the risk!

This is Mr. Wei's suggestion?

Then it must be a good strategy, Your Majesty.

Don't you trust him?

This time,

please save Mr. Wei...

and his soldiers!

I've summoned the court officials for a discussion.

This strategy is too risky.

If we fail,

Liang will be crushed!

Your Majesty.

Ning Zhi.

Do you want me to put my life on the line...

to save Wei Guang?

Mr. Wei had won all battles...

since he left for the war.

He never failed once.

I trust that he will win again this time.

Please...

trust him again this time.

You want me to go against the entire court once again?

Even my empire...

does not matter...

as much as you.

Please take care, Your Majesty.

Ning Zhi, the day I return,

you must be the first person standing in front of the city gate...

to welcome me.

I understand.

How's it going at the front line?

Good news.

We received a report from the front line.

-We've won! -That's great!

Hurray!

-Grand Marshal. -Your Highness.

Good news.

His Majesty is returning triumphant.

Chief Commander Wei has captured 6 Wuci cities.

The King of Wuci has surrendered and begged for reconciliation.

We're victorious!

His Majesty is wise!

Thank god.

Your Highness, we shall excuse ourselves.

Goodbye.

We won at last.

We won at last.

Greetings, Your Highness.

Congratulations, Chief Commander Wei.

This is a huge feat.

When the news reached Yandu,

the folks rejoiced and celebrated on the streets.

Everyone is praising you.

The credit goes to the soldiers.

I've one more thing to tell you.

Ye Ning Zhi was conferred the title of Noble Consort.

There are numerous imperial consorts in the palace.

She's the first...

to rise so quickly in the history of Liang.

Clearly, His Majesty is really fond of Ye Ning Zhi.

Then we should congratulate His Majesty.

He won a war and got himself a new noble consort.

This is double happiness.

It's time I return to Yandu.

This time,

you can travel with me, right?

Your Highness.

This is the Iron Blood Sword we received from Wuci.

It's extremely sharp.

Would you like to try?

Wei Guang.

Avoiding doesn't help.

Greetings, Your Majesty.

Rise.

Seat granted.

Long live Your Majesty!

God bless Noble Consort Ning!

Sir.

I've confirmed it.

His Majesty did promote Consort Ning to noble consort...

and hold an installation ceremony for her.

Wei Guang.

We're mountains and rivers apart.

Can you see me?

You said you always come here...

when you feel lonely.

Now, I'm alone here too.

Back then, I thought...

I won't let you feel lonely anymore.

This is my father's sword tassel.

I've been keeping it as a charm.

I've always had it on my sword.

I never took it off.

I'll give it to you now.

No matter where I am,

my heart is with you.

No matter what,

we'll never be apart.

What was the third wish...

you mentioned in the hall today?

Once I return triumphant,

I'll ask His Majesty to grant us marriage.

The last time I came,

I only remembered your smile...

and the warmth in your embrace.

As for the view,

even though it was beautiful,

it didn't mean much to me.

But now,

I'm different.

I'm no longer that girl from a circus troupe.

Every light I see...

represents a family.

I finally figured out...

why god put me in this position.

At the same time, I realized that...

the moment I accepted this position,

I lost you.

Wei Guang.

I will become the person I want to become.

Please...

be strong in pursuing your dream.

Don't turn back.

The army is departing soon.

Can you do me a favor...

and allow me to give you a ride?

Are you still going to make treacherous statements?

I'll need to consider...

your current physical condition, right?

It's going to be a bumpy ride.

I need rest.

I'm not in mood to talk about state affairs.

Alright.

We shall not discuss state affairs.

We'll just talk about general things.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Bad news.

What happened?

Chief Commander Wei is on his way back.

But he...

He is being escorted by the Princess Royal's entourage.

What?

I thought I already sent my men to escort him.

Yes.

The escort had arrived outside of his tent.

But Chief Commander Wei...

chose to travel in the Princess Royal's horse carriage.

It is reported that the Princess Royal did not threaten him.

Sir.

It's a 20-mile mountain trail ahead.

To ensure the safety of the princess and the soldiers,

I suggest that we camp here tonight...

and depart tomorrow morning.

Let's get some rest here.

Yes.

Your Highness.

Let's continue the journey tomorrow.

I shall excuse myself.

Mr. Wei.

I haven't been talking about state affairs.

I merely talked about family affairs.

To the royal family,

state affairs are family affairs.

The same goes for you.

This concerns the duty of your family.

The person sitting on the throne...

is still reliant on his luck.

Why shouldn't you go with the odds?

Go with the odds?

What are the odds?

Your words are too difficult to understand.

I need time to think.

I shall excuse myself.

Your Majesty.

Chief Commander Wei ordered the army...

to stop at a spot 30 miles from the city...

and set up the tents.

Did he change to the horse carriage I sent?

He was still in the Princess Royal's horse carriage.

According to our spy,

they seem to get along very well.

Your Majesty.

The day Chief Commander Wei enters the city,

the South Street will surely be crowded.

Do you...

still plan to lead the officials over to welcome him?

This is so difficult.

If I go, I'll be welcoming my sister as well.

If I don't go, the folks might call me a cold emperor.

This is indeed a dilemma.

Never mind.

You may retire.

Yes.

Your Majesty.

In my opinion,

Chief Commander Wei must have chosen to travel with the princess...

for a special reason.

He's angry with me.

I don't think Wei Guang feels that way.

Your Majesty.

If I'm the reason you don't trust Wei Guang,

I'd like to request that...

you allow me to meet Wei Guang in private.

Ning Zhi.

I trust you.

I'll send some men to escort you.

Report. Sir.

His Majesty's personal attendant Eunuch Wang came.

He said he has something important to discuss with you.

You may retire.

I shall excuse myself.

What brought you over, Eunuch Wang?

Ning Zhi.

Chief Commander Wei.

I'm not Ning Zhi. I'm Noble Consort Ning now.

What exactly happened?

Why were you suddenly promoted to noble consort?

It wasn't that sudden.

From a palace maid to a female official...

and from Consort Ning to Noble Consort Ning,

it was all because of His Majesty's affection.

Did His Majesty threaten you?

Tell me your reason.

I will solve the problem for you.

Solve the problem?

What can you do?

Defy the orders of His Majesty?

Why did you fight so hard to protect Liang?

It's because you care about the people of Liang.

It's because you're loyal to Liang dynasty.

I heard you're getting along with the Princess Royal.

So I came today...

So you came for His Majesty?

And you.

You are the son of a loyal official.

I believe you know your place.

You once told me that...

ever since the Princess Royal...

and Prince Guang Ding went to Beidian,

Beidian changed from paradise to hell.

The people there are having a hard time.

If the Princess Royal becomes the ruler of Liang...

So you still remember what I said.

Then do you remember that you told me that...

you would patiently wait for me to return and marry you?

I'm not in the position to talk about that now.

This will only make others doubt you even more.

We can only talk about the country.

To me,

nothing is more important than Ye Ning Zhi.

I've fought for the country.

If His Majesty fulfills his promise,

I can take you out of the palace.

So, you decided to...

switch sides and serve the Princess Royal...

because I became an imperial consort?

Why did you leave me?

Wei Guang, tell me you won't be so willful.

You won't use your future and life...

to punish me, right?

I only know that...

Ning Zhi is the woman I love...

and no matter what,

I won't let her leave me.

For her,

I'd pay any price at all.

Looks like we can't come to an agreement today.

Ning Zhi.

I'll always be waiting for you.

I'll wait for you to come back.

Your Highness.

Eunuch Wang was Noble Consort Ning.

It's true that there's distrust between Wei Guang...

and the emperor because of Noble Consort Ning.

Excellent.

Now, it's more likely that Wei Guang...

will switch to our side.

If I didn't get to spend so much time with Your Highness,

I wouldn't have known that you're such a humorous...

and knowledgeable person.

You've been to so many places.

I've even been to Quling.

Quling is your hometown, right?

Thank you for remembering.

I visited Quling twice.

But, it was after 17 years old.

Prior to that, I was not allowed to leave the palace.

Because I was still a maiden.

People are envious of me because I'm a princess.

But to me, the palace...

is just a cage.

It's not worth mentioning at all.

Chief Commander Wei.

I heard that His Majesty promised to tell you...

the secret behind your father's death sentence...

once you return triumphant.

Is that true?

Your Highness is so well-informed.

I know this secret as well.

I too can tell you.

The emperor might not tell you the truth.

But, I'm different.

You want to see my tattoo. Am I right?

Yes.

I want to see it.

Alright.

I want to make friends with you.

Just take it as a token of appreciation.

Three fires. Wei Yan.

Your father's name.

We met when I was still a child.

Your father was wronged.

I will tell you the whole story,

but not today.

Today,

I will alight here.

His Majesty is a suspicious man.

I don't want to give you troubles.

Stop.

Goodbye.

Your Majesty, Wei Guang has reached the outskirts.

But, the Princess Royal had alighted.

Really?

Wei Guang is not that foolish after all.

Convey my order.

Gather all court officials...

to welcome Wei Guang with me at the South Gate.

Also,

let off fireworks as soon as Wei Guang enters Yandu.

The welcoming ceremony must be grand!

Yes, Your Majesty.

Your Highness.

Ban Ling Er.

What's the matter?

Your Highness.

Chief Commander Wei has returned triumphant.

Everyone in the royal harem went out to welcome him.

Even Her Majesty went with His Majesty.

Why didn't you go?

You've no right to ask me this question.

Yes.

Your Highness.

I know a secluded place...

used for storing old things in the palace.

No one goes to that place.

Chief Commander Wei...

will definitely pass by that place.

You have the nerve to suggest that.

I'm Noble Consort Ning.

How could you say something like that?

But...

Everyone in the Pear Blossom Academy...

knows that you and Chief Commander Wei...

Enough!

You must have a death wish.

Where do you think you are?

This is the royal harem! One mistake could cost your life!

How could you spout such nonsense here?

Your Highness!

I wouldn't say that to other people.

I just want to serve you.

Say no more.

Your Highness!

Please let me be your personal maid.

Let me repay you.

I won't take you.

Noble Consort Ning!

Please let me serve you!

I beg of you!

Ban Ling Er.

The life I'm going to lead...

isn't the life of an ordinary consort.

I won't enjoy fame and fortune...

or compete against other women.

You won't be happy serving me.

I've a suggestion.

I'll find a kind and friendly consort...

for you to work for.

I won't work for anyone else!

I'll only serve Your Highness.

Your Highness.

No matter what happens to you,

I will give my all to serve you.

You were the one who saved my life.

Go back to the Pear Blossom Academy.

Your Highness.

I'll take it as that you agreed.

Greetings, Your Majesty and Your Highnesses.

Don't mind the formalities. Rise at once.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Wei Guang.

I've never been this happy...

since my coronation. In fact,

this is the happiest day in my life.

My ancestors in heaven...

will definitely be happy for me.

Liang is fortunate...

to have a military leader like you.

I'm flattered, Your Majesty.

I dare not accept the compliment.

If Your Majesty did not insist to send me back then,

I wouldn't be able to come this far.

I might have had an eye for talent,

but you truly possess the caliber...

and you proved me right.

Back then, some of you objected to the idea...

and said that I appointed an inexperienced person...

to lead our army.

Weren't you all overconfident?

We were foolish!

Chief Commander Wei.

Cheers.

Come and take a look!

-It's piping hot! -Come and take a look!

-It's guaranteed fresh! -Beautiful umbrellas!

I'd take 2 buns.

Alright.

Be careful. It's hot.

Here you go.

Would you like some more?

Please make way.

Lang Kun.

The situation is constantly changing.

Things have gone worse than we imagined.

They will take action anytime.

You must return to the palace immediately.

After wasting so much time out there,

I hope you don't forget...

the vibes you used to give off as Lang Kun.

Forgive us, Mr. Lang. We came late.

I'm not in a hurry.

It's just that Her Majesty is waiting for me in the palace.

You should think of an excuse...

and explain to Her Majesty later.

Greetings, Your Majesty. I am back.

Your Majesty.

My relatives live in a remote place...

and no news could reach my ears.

I was completely unaware of what happened in the palace...

until the guards found me...

and informed me of the changes that took place.

If I was informed earlier,

I would have returned at all cost.

You were completely unaware?

Do you know that...

you owe me your life?

I gave you everything you have today.

I will never forget...

Your Majesty's kindness and generosity.

But to me,

you are no longer the same Lang Kun.

I've never changed.

If you're still the same,

you wouldn't take a leave and hide away...

upon the Princess Royal's return.

If you're still the same,

you wouldn't watch from the sidelines...

while Ye Ning Zhi bullied me.

If you're still the same,

you wouldn't return...

so long after I ordered you to return!

Lang Kun.

Back then, you entered the palace to hide from your creditors.

I pitied you...

and gave you all the fame and fortune you enjoy today.

Yes.

If it wasn't for Your Majesty,

I wouldn't be able to come this far.

Do you know?

Everyone in the palace...

is afraid of you.

Even His Majesty has to be lenient with you.

What is the reason?

Because you're under my protection.

Even if it meant offending His Majesty...

and many more people,

I protected you.

Of course Your Majesty must protect me.

Who apart from me...

can be your loyal dog?

You... What did you say?

Your Majesty protected me...

not because you genuinely wished to save me.

You just wanted to keep this dog loyal.

All these years,

I bit so many people for you.

Everyone in the palace wants me dead.

Who apart from Your Majesty...

can I depend on?

Your Majesty indulged me...

in order to intimidate the others in the royal harem,

so that they don't dare to go against you.

It was to show your power and prestige!

Lang Kun.

Don't think I won't kill you.

Since the day I became your lapdog,

I've been mentally prepared...

to be sacrificed for your personal gains.

You are the empress.

Do as you see fit.

I'll be waiting.

I shall excuse myself.

Greetings, Your Majesty.

I bet you come...

for Ye Ning Zhi.

Back in the front line, I heard that...

Your Majesty got into a huge fight with Noble Consort Ning.

Is this why...

Your Majesty is so unhappy?

She's the woman you love.

But, she never mattered to me.

Since you're back,

let me show you something interesting.

Greetings, Your Majesty.

Tell Chief Commander Wei...

everything you saw that day.

You will be punished with death penalty for any dishonesty.

Yes, Your Majesty.

It was 2 years ago.

His Majesty travelled incognito and went to Pingzhou.

Then His Majesty ordered us to find Noble Consort Ning.

But somehow, the leader of the circus troupe got injured...

and the whole circus troupe left.