Original subtitles

♪The world decays, in gloom I stray♪

♪Right and wrong, in frost engraved♪

♪On dreams of love, blades clash and sway♪

♪Alone I ride, blood still unswayed♪

♪Through heaven's mirth and earth's despair♪

♪Toasting the moon, I drink the chill air♪

♪Though hearts like battlefields may be♪

♪Let fate write its uncertainty♪

♪From this life to the great unknown♪

♪Who'll stand with me, on thrones unknown?♪

♪I'll wander through this life to guard you♪

♪Through mortal realms, serene I roam♪

♪With you, the world becomes my home♪

♪Unbroken, bold, as I have sworn♪

♪I'll roam this life, and feel no torn♪

♪Our souls embraced, no regret born♪

♪By twilight's lamp, though night be worn♪

♪Through deepest dark, I'll find the morn♪

=Fight For Love=

=Episode 1=

(Sui, Qi) (The Great Sui lies in the Central Plains,)

(bordering North Qi.)

(Sui) (The two nations have been at war for years,)

(leaving the land in ruin)

(and the people in misery.)

(Emperor Chunde)

(ordered General Chu Jianchang of the Northwest)

(to defend Fengling City until the end.)

(The Chu Army held the city with flesh and blood,)

(suffering heavy losses.)

(Chu Jianchang)

(fell in battle.)

Father!

(Huajing City)

Buns!

Study supplies!

This is my first time eating here.

Freshly fried.

It smells amazing.

It's right out of the pot.

Smells so nice.

Good. Good.

Look!

These are mountain chickens.

- Look how sturdy this one is. - Really?

Nice one.

(Chu Yu, the First Daughter of Chu Family)

(Spring Breeze House)

The Wei Army has returned victorious!

The Wei Army has returned victorious!

The Wei Army has returned victorious!

My Lady,

they're here!

(Wei Yun, the Seventh Son of the Wei Family)

Isn't that the young general in white,

who pacified the northern border,

Seventh Young Master Wei?

The Wei family has returned in triumph!

Look! There's someone up there!

Impressive.

She seems to be Lady Chu Yu of the Chu family.

The Wei family has returned.

What is she doing here?

Bravo!

Bravo!

Bravo!

Bravo!

Bravo!

I know.

Lady Chu Yu

is the famous eccentric.

Didn't she once elope

with Academician Gu,

(Wei) only to be abandoned

and become the laughingstock of Huajing?

And now, what is she doing?

Bravo!

Bravo!

(Wanyue, Chu Yu's Maid)

(Mingliu, Star Courtesan of Fragrance House) Lady Chu Yu

blocks the road, could it be that, after the Chu family's

fall, she's here to challenge

the Wei family out of resentment?

Lady Chu,

the Wei family returns victorious today.

Could you please

let us pass first?

Wei soldiers.

Come on.

Make way, make way!

Where's the rest of your family?

The rest?

What do you mean by that?

Are you waiting for someone?

(Happiness)

(Spring Breeze House)

(Gu Chusheng, Senior Compiler of the Hanlin Academy)

Isn't that Academician Gu, the one

who abandoned her?

So she was waiting

for him.

I am confronting him!

So what?

People say Academician Gu

is an upright official.

How can such a man be so faithless?

(Wei Qiu, Wei Yun's Guard) You don't know what happened

between them.

Five years ago...

Gu,

I'll go with you

to the southwest border.

I'm being exiled.

You don't have to share my hardship.

Gu Chusheng,

as long as I'm willing,

I'll brave anything.

I just ask,

do you dare take me with you?

I know we've separated.

But right now, you're the only one

I can turn to.

My father and brother are holding Fengling to the last.

If the court doesn't send reinforcements,

they'll surely perish.

I'm just an academician.

How could I influence His Majesty's decision?

Gu Chusheng,

please, I beg you!

Get up.

Please.

I beg you.

Save my father,

save my brother!

You're the only one I can ask!

Please.

Court affairs

are not changed

by mere words from someone.

The Chu family can no longer help you

on the path you seek in the imperial service,

is that so?

And now it's the day

you marry into the Duke of Ning's

noble house.

Truly, fate loves its cruel jokes.

My lord,

I'll have this dealt with immediately.

(Zhang Deng, Gu Chusheng's Page Boy) Your wedding will not be delayed!

What's Academician Gu doing?

He's going.

Why's he going up there?

What is he doing?

Now this will be interesting.

Chu Yu,

I know I wronged you.

But why ruin

your reputation

like this,

before everyone?

You're not one to cling to the past.

If so,

why stand here?

Do you mean

to personally persuade me

not to ruin my marriage?

I'm standing here...

I'm standing here to stop you.

Now that the Chu family has fallen,

you should find your own path.

As for me,

I have a future I must face.

There's no longer

anything between us.

Gu Chusheng,

should I say you know me,

or that you don't?

(Wei Jun, First Son of the Wei Family)

The Wei Army is amazing!

Look at their vigor and pride.

Yun,

Father sent you to deliver the good news.

The army

has finished assembling in camp

and awaits inspection.

Yet you still haven't returned.

What are you doing here?

Jun, look.

Today Academician Gu is getting married,

but Lady Chu is purposely

blocking him from Spring Breeze House.

The road into the city is jammed.

You can't get in.

Might as well watch the show here.

Sounds good.

Usually it's all battles,

no show.

(Wei Ya, Fifth Son; Wei Feng, Fourth Son; Wei Shu, Second Son)

(Wei Qin, Third Son; Wei Rong, Sixth Son)

The Wei Army is glorious!

The Wei Army is glorious!

Jun, just watch a little.

The Wei Army is glorious!

Indeed,

I'm never one to cling to the past.

How do you know

I came for you?

The Wei Army is glorious!

Look!

(Fair gentleman!)

(Fair gentleman! Sweet lady's)

Chu Yu, enough.

Stop it right now.

Academician Gu,

today is your wedding day.

If you stay here,

aren't you afraid the Duke of Ning will notice?

What gentleman?

What good mate?

Jun, Jun,

what does this mean?

(Fair gentleman! Sweet lady's good mate.)

It reads,

"Fair gentleman!

Sweet lady's good mate."

Today I have come for

Young General Wei Jun.

- Me? - Yes.

I've long admired

your bravery.

I'm no noblewoman, but I learned

martial arts as a child.

If war breaks out,

I can go to battle with you.

Do I deserve you

in your eyes?

So it was for Jun.

Jun,

Lady Chu put on

such a show

for you!

- Jun, Jun. - Jun.

She did it for you.

At least give her an answer!

Yes.

Thank you for your favor, Lady Chu,

but I've pledged myself to the state.

I'm not the right match for you.

You said you're pledged

to the state,

but I am also a person of the state.

How could I not be your match?

If you care about

gossip,

I will say this:

Chu Yu is a Chu.

Though her house fell,

the martial spirit remains unchanged.

Report! Northwest General

(Fengling City) Chu Jianchang

has fallen at Fengling City.

General Chu Linyang

is gravely wounded.

(Sui)

Lady Chu, rest assured.

I never believed

those rumors.

Jun, do you know what you said

- means yes? - Wanyue.

Here I am.

(Fair gentleman! Sweet lady's good mate.)

Young General Wei,

I await your reply.

Jun,

she's suspicious.

Seeing is believing.

A woman revealing her feelings

is rare.

Lady Chu's boldness

earns my respect.

Yun,

where is the thing

fell from the pedals?

I never meant to hide it.

Here.

Lady Chu, rest assured.

I will

give you

a satisfactory answer.

Good. I'll be waiting.

Let's go.

(Chu Mansion)

Does Gu Chusheng

really think

we came for him today?

What a narrow road for enemies.

Who could've known his wedding

would nearly ruin my plan?

Exactly.

She acts shameless

and indecent!

I'll be dragged down with her.

How will I be able to

go out now?

My Lady, keep your voice down.

Don't let your sister hear.

(Chu Jin, Second Daughter of the Chu Family)

I don't want such a sister!

She's shamed the entire Chu family.

Who are you cursing?

I'm cursing you!

You can be shameless all you want,

but doing something so disgraceful,

how are we supposed to live after this?

you're selfish.

You...

You should be afraid.

Remember,

misfortune comes from the mouth.

I'm tired today.

I won't argue.

Just watch your words from now on.

I'm not someone

to be trifled with.

As if I'd be afraid of you!

Lady Jin,

how can you hit My Lady?

Who asked you to speak?

So what if I hit her?

If you keep this up,

I won't be polite.

What? You'll hit me now?

You did wrong and

I can't even reprimand you?

Say that again!

I dare you!

Let go of me!

You're unreasonable!

I am unreasonable?

If you keep being so brazen,

- Let go! - my fists will be the law.

- Let go! - Do you understand?

(Xie Yun, Old Madam of Chu Family) What is it?

Are you wrecking the house?

Are you all right?

Mother.

What happened?

Chu Yu hit me!

- Are you alright? - Always pretending.

Mother,

I only said she disregarded

the Chu family's honor,

she tried to beat me

nearly to death.

When did I ever try to kill you?

Wasn't it you who

first smashed a cup at me?

If I hadn't held back,

you'd be dead already.

Sister, you're skilled in arms,

how could I offend you?

Just now, if I hadn't struggled,

I'd have been killed.

I had no choice but to fight back.

And you still dare to lie.

Madam,

I clearly saw it.

Lady Jin struck first

and hit Lady Yu.

You are her maid,

of course you'll defend her.

Enough.

Even if your sister was wrong,

shouldn't you give way?

You grew up with your father

and brother on the frontier

and got used to freedom.

I thought after coming to Huajing

you'd become sensible,

but you don't

want to be a proper

noble lady.

You disgrace yourself

in public.

Have you considered the Chu family's honor?

So what if your sister hit you?

Didn't you deserve it?

You didn't even ask me

why I did that today.

And you judged me

based only on Chu Jin's word.

Jin spoke the truth.

You'll never believe me.

Fine.

I'm used to it.

Think what you like.

I won't change anyway.

- Look at her! - Madam.

She...

You're too biased.

This... This makes me furious.

Mother, it's all my fault.

I shouldn't have angered her.

(Chu Linyang, First Son of the Chu Family)

Seeing you pick up the spear

and display the Chu spearwork

puts me at ease.

After more than half a year of recovery,

my health

is fine now.

That's good.

What's wrong?

Still angry at Mother and Jin?

I'm used to it.

Jin

grew up by Mother's side.

If Mother is sometimes unfair,

it's understandable.

Give her time.

She'll come to understand you.

Honestly,

why are you getting close

to Wei Jun?

(Marquis of Zhenguo's Mansion)

What I did today was out of desperation.

Please keep it secret.

If you forgive me,

meet me at the pavilion

in the eastern woods at dusk.

So, it seems

you weren't angered by me

after all.

At first,

you nearly fooled me.

But I know

General Chu has just fallen for the country.

You must observe three years of mourning.

The Chu family can hold no celebrations during this.

Your public confession

was only to divert suspicion.

Have you not heard the rumors

that I chase men in vain

and long to marry into nobility?

The city says Lady Chu is improper

and rebellious.

But I

don't believe so.

When you accompanied Gu Chusheng,

that was an act of loyalty.

Few are so true

and faithful.

People simply

repeat false tales.

Besides, today,

I've seen the truth

outside Spring Breeze House.

Lady Chu, forgive me.

I didn't mean to mention

Gu Chusheng.

There's no need for you to apologize.

If anything,

I should say sorry to you.

My drastic move today

was because I have something

I need your help investigating.

Please, speak.

During the battle at Fengling, my father

was killed

by the North Qi army, using a strange

new crossbow.

My brother was badly injured as well.

When I pressed him,

he said

the weapon's power

was immense,

its mechanism fired instantly,

with no need for manual winding.

I think

you must know

this crossbow

better than I do.

(Chu) This is the Chu family's heirloom jade token.

I swear on my family,

every word I've said is true.

(Chu) Why are you getting close

to Wei Jun?

After Fengling,

the Chu family was shattered.

North Qi's weapon craft

was never superior to ours,

yet the octagonal crossbow

that killed Father and injured you

used a core trigger

identical to the new

Wei family design.

And that weapon hasn't

even been released publicly in Great Sui.

So I must rely on the Wei family's strength

to find the traitor who leaked our military secrets

and make him pay in blood.

To the world,

I'm just a woman

who'd risk

her reputation for love.

So my public confession to Wei Jun,

even if the court hears,

they'll only laugh at my foolishness,

never suspect my true intent.

Yu,

is it worth it?

Brother,

what did all our fighting

bring us in the end?

Did anyone care about Father's death

or your injuries?

After the Chu family's fall,

I've never

seen things clearer.

What others won't care about,

I will.

What the world won't give me,

I'll find myself.

I don't care about anything else.

I just want the truth.

Brother,

you understand me, don't you?

Chu...

It's not that I don't trust you.

The Arsenal Bureau's new octagonal crossbow

indeed uses that instant-firing trigger.

But that mechanism is a state secret.

How could the North Qi

have obtained the design?

That's exactly what I want to find out.

Look!

Jun really came to meet Lady Chu!

- Something must be going on! - Don't push!

You're stepping on me!

What do you think they're talking about?

- Don't push! - Make room!

Yun, there's so much space outside,

why squeeze in?

I like being close to you!

You suspect the Arsenal Bureau,

and you know I oversee it,

yet you still bring this matter to me.

Aren't you afraid

that I might be the very traitor you seek?

Yun?

What are you doing here?

I...

You five,

come out too.

Go on.

Eavesdropping?

Who taught you that?

Yun.

What? We can't hear you, Jun.

We can't hear.

- We're leaving now. - Yes.

Go, go, hurry.

Told you you can't beat her.

Stop.

You haven't apologized

to Lady Chu yet.

She's three years

older than you.

Don't be rude.

I'm sorry.

Lady Chu, forgive his insolence.

I'll discipline them at home.

Never mind.

Kids will be kids.

I won't make an issue.

What did I say to you earlier?

Lately it's chilly.

How about we go to Qinxi Valley to avoid the cold tomorrow?

Lady Chu,

let's discuss it then.

Sure.

Goodbye.

Let's go.

Let's go home.

Come on.

I'll deal with you later.

You are waiting for me?

Why did you suddenly

favor my brother

when you had no ties before?

Are you asking for him?

Of course not.

Do you think I'm unworthy

and want to stop me?

You're overthinking.

My brother treats me well.

I only want to be sure

he won't be hurt,

especially emotionally.

Rest assured.

I won't hurt him.

You...

Are you really with my brother?

Want to know?

Win, and I'll tell you.

You lost.

(Marquis of Zhenguo's Mansion)

Looking at your palm,

you're sure to have a chubby son.

It's delicious.

Why are you staring at me?

Let Daddy see.

Have you washed your hands?

Father! Mother!

- Father. - Here.

- Father! Mother! - Let's eat, let's eat.

Father.

Meal time!

Eat, eat, eat,

you are still in the mood.

Don't you worry?

(Liu Xueyang, Marchioness of Zhenguo)

(Wei Zhong, Marquis of Zhenguo) After Lady Chu's spectacle,

the whole city says

Jun is marrying her.

Lady Chu publicly begged to wed,

I'm a bit envious.

You're already wed.

What's there to envy?

If anyone should be envied, it's Yun.

- Am I right? - Yes.

Right, right, right.

Enough.

The one who is most envious

is you yourself.

Eat more.

Jun,

what exactly is going on

with Lady Chu?

Yes, Jun,

what's happening.

Tell us.

- Yes. - That's right.

What's going on, Jun?

Tell us.

- Come on. - What's going on?

Tell us.

General Chu just fell in battle,

and Young General Chu is injured.

Lady Chu is trying to help

hold up the family.

That's no easy task.

That

doesn't sound right.

You actually praise her so much?

Father, Mother,

Lady Chu

is blunt by nature,

but

I find her interesting,

and

she suits Jun well.

Yes.

I agree with Feng.

Right.

I can't imagine how lively

it would be if Lady Chu joined

the Wei household.

Exactly.

I've always hoped for

a big sister-in-law

to help Mother

manage the household.

But

Lady Chu

is indeed different.

She's born

to a military family

and raised on the frontier,

naturally she's unlike

Huajing women.

As a woman

she eloped for love

and caused a scandal,

regardless of private morals.

Our military house must not

intermarry with such a family.

Eat more.

Stop playing. Eat properly.

Father, Mother, I'm full.

I have some official business to attend.

Excuse me.

You barely eat anything.

- Jun! Jun! - Jun,

you're not eating?

- Jun. - Enjoy your meal.

- Look at him. - Jun,

where are you going?

- Where are you going? - Leaving now?

You are not eating?

I deliberately chose this

at the market.

Do you like it?

(Jiang Chun, Wei Shu's Wife)

I do.

(Zhang Han, Wei Qin's Wife) look, what's different about me today?

You've gotten chubbier.

I can't believe a blockhead like you

actually got a wife.

(Yao Jue, Wei Feng's Wife)

The sky was fine earlier.

Why did it suddenly rain?

You heard it.

Second Brother bought her wife jewelry.

Why didn't you buy me anything?

Tomorrow night,

we'll taste tea

and watch the moon.

Did I hurt you?

No.

You bad boy!

This was my favorite pastry.

Try it.

(Xie Jiu, Wei Ya's Wife)

(Wang Lan, Wei Rong's Wife)

He kicked me.

Naughty boy,

when I return victorious next time,

you should be out already.

By then, you and your mother will come

to the city gate to welcome me,

understand?

Yes, Daddy.

The Arsenal Bureau's octagonal crossbow

harms both enemy and user,

so it's never been used by our

Great Sui army.

Then how

did North Qi

obtain the design?

(Qinxi Valley)

Qinxi Valley

is the Eldest Princess's garden.

Unlike the outside chill,

spring flowers

bloom here now.

If not for the Eldest Princess's

special flower-viewing event,

we wouldn't be allowed in

to enjoy

the blooms

with you,

Mr. Gu.

You are considerate, Linlang.

(Cao Yan, Minister of the Court of Judicial Review; Young Master Sun)

(Miss Zheng; Miss Zhou)

Everyone in Huajing says

Academician Gu is handsome and talented,

(Wang Linlang, Daughter of Duke of Ning) and

now highly favored by court.

You guys

have been outshone.

Academician Gu first won the General's daughter's following,

then the Duke of Ning's daughter's favor,

such "luck"

we truly envy.

General Chu's daughter?

I heard Lady Chu

grew up on the frontier.

In the army

she never flaunted her status

and joked freely with soldiers,

ignoring gender taboos.

It's almost unimaginable.

I feel ashamed

for General Chu.

You lot!

Don't go too far!

Shut up!

How rude!

Whose maid are you?

She's my maid.

♪If not for dreams by windswept flight♪

♪How would my hand find yours tonight?♪

♪This moonlit glow, in dusk's soft veil♪

♪Hears heartbeats tell their secret tale♪

♪Thoughts ablaze like beacon's fire♪

♪Outline your form in golden lyre♪

♪Through thorns we've trod and trials passed♪

♪Each grief and joy forever cast♪

♪Let the fierce warmth within your gaze♪

♪Melt this war-torn world's cruel maze♪

♪Still through the frost, I'll walk with you♪

♪Our mountains and our streams anew♪

♪Dawns greet the spring we longed to see♪

♪Through meadows where wild larks soar free♪

♪Let countless sails cross this worldly tide♪

♪When lonely shadows turn to two♪

♪Through countless turns and all we've borne♪

♪No regret ever could be sworn♪

♪Dawns greet the spring we longed to see♪

♪Beneath heaven's vault, in harmony♪

♪Let tears now fall for yesterday's strife♪

♪We've reached this blossom-covered hill♪

♪I'll follow you through every dream♪