Original subtitles

(Respect copyright)

♪Memories hold you back from fulfilling your dreams♪

♪Only by moving forward can you find reunion♪

♪Endings only mark new routes♪

♪It's all part of the scenery♪

♪To the horizon's call♪

♪Your journey hasn't started♪

♪Towards mountains, chase the stars bright♪

♪Let time embrace you and wash away the past♪

♪Put every twist behind you♪

♪Drift leisurely through time♪

♪Make headway against the wind♪

♪Let mountains bow to your pace♪

♪Rush towards a life without regret♪

♪Let your nature burst free♪

=The First Jasmine=

=Episode 37=

♪My life is full of ups and downs♪

♪Every wound shows traces of love♪

♪I've seen all the withering plants in this world♪

♪Until you went over the hills♪

♪To come close to me♪

♪I saw your tender yet unwavering eyes♪

♪Quietly full of joy and sorrow♪

♪When it's over, I stand in the light♪

♪In the reunion, I comprehend the parting♪

♪With half a lifetime of separation, I send love to the distance♪

♪As I travel through wind and frost, I gaze at your figure♪

♪You never forget me, and I always miss you♪

♪Even with gray hair, I still look like I was in my youth♪

♪I ask, have you been well♪

♪Unafraid, as time strips away the past♪

♪Revealing the unforgettable textures♪

♪Those regrets fade with the years♪

♪In every dawn and dusk, life endures♪

♪With half a lifetime of separation, I let love grow wild♪

♪Through the wind and frost, you come to my side♪

I will definitely come back safely.

Then I wish you

a victorious first battle,

and a swift return home.

♪You say, there's still a long way ahead♪

Your Highness.

Your Highness, bad news!

Terrible!

The people of the capital

have surrounded Prince Li's Mansion.

What's going on?

News of Prince Li's rebellion has spread.

The people have been stirred up by those with ulterior motives,

and gone to Prince Li's Mansion.

I hope Princess Li would be fine.

Who's there?

Your Highness.

Stop.

They say the battles in the north are related to His Highness.

His Highness is still alive,

isn't he?

Now,

Mo Jingli's rebellion

is known to all.

Prince Li's Mansion is no longer safe.

There must be a battle between the court and Mo Jingli.

Dachu will fall into chaos.

Then what should I do?

Even if you now announce to the world

that you've parted ways with him and drawn a clear line,

you will still be at risk.

So you must leave the capital immediately.

Find a secret place and hide well

until everything settles.

I'll go find him.

Are you insane?

Ye Ying.

I understand you.

But you can't drain yourself dry

trying to light a lamp you simply can't light.

Ye Li.

I only know

that since His Highness left,

I haven't had a single good night's sleep.

My heart feels as if it's been carved out

and placed over a fire to roast.

I just...

just want to see him one more time.

Please, let me go.

Li.

This journey is perilous.

Have you truly made up your mind?

After I leave,

please tell Mom

that I

have gone on a long journey

to clear my mind.

Alright.

Just let these people take her away?

She's made up her mind. There's no way to stop her.

This battle against Mo Jingli

will ruin the peace at Suixue Pass and bring chaos to it.

It's truly despicable and hateful.

Any news from Prince Ding?

He has fought against Cangbei for years.

Mo Jingli isn't a real threat yet.

Don't worry.

Prince Ding will be fine.

He promised me

he would return safely.

Your Highness,

don't stand here in the wind.

It's getting cold. Careful not to catch a chill.

By this hour,

Ye Ying should have crossed the Qingzhou border.

The front line is perilous.

Is Princess Li truly going to Luoxia Pass

to seek Prince Li?

Will she be able to see Prince Ding?

Your Highness.

(We escorted Princess Li out of the capital days ago.)

(The front line is perilous.)

(For Princess Li's safety,)

(we have now settled her at a residence in Qingshi Township.)

(We hereby report to Your Highness.)

And here.

Has Mo Xiuyao arrived with his troops?

Yes.

The emperor has appointed him

as Commander of Northern Border Campaign

to quell the rebellion.

He is now inside Luoxia Pass.

Perfect timing.

Leading the elite troops of Suixue Pass, Mo Jingli captured three cities.

He's been recruiting soldiers and incorporating bandits.

When he reached Heishui River,

he had over 80,000 soldiers,

with strong momentum.

General Deng,

how are our forces?

Including the garrison forces in the pass

and the hastily conscripted militia, we have under 30,000 soldiers.

That's less than half the enemy's strength.

Reinforcements?

Still on the way,

but they need more time to arrive.

Carts and horses can't pass here.

It's defensible.

This area

has a narrow pass, easy to defend and hard to attack.

Dispatch soldiers to defend it.

This is the supply transport route.

We must ensure its absolute safety.

Luoxia Pass must not be captured.

Once it got captured,

behind it lies a thousand miles of flat plains,

with no defensible terrain.

The rebels could reach the capital within ten days.

The survival of our nation

rests on all of you.

We must

win this battle.

- We'll defend the pass with our lives! - We'll defend the pass with our lives!

You've been transferred to the Imperial Court.

Why did you volunteer to endure this hardship with me?

Behind Luoxia Pass is my home.

I remember it. Xiaoshui County in Lingzhou.

We will protect it well.

Come on, guests.

Want to check this?

Of course.

Senior.

That's it.

I searched everywhere but failed.

I never thought

I truly left it here.

Our staff picked it up.

I knew at a glance it was yours.

I thought to send someone to deliver it to you after closing.

I happened to be

on my way to work, so it saves you trouble.

How is it?

Recently,

how has business been at the shop?

You saw it for yourself.

There are few people in the shop and few on the streets.

The staff outnumber the customers.

The war is deadlocked.

So, people are unsettled.

Has His Highness

sent any letters home?

Not for half a month.

I heard some whispers at the Ministry of Revenue.

Minister Cui has been frowning lately,

saying the supplies at front line are running low,

requiring the urgent transport.

Li.

Rest assured.

His Highness is a master of military strategy.

He'll defeat the enemy safely.

Of course.

Prince Ding joined the army young and fought hundreds of battles.

Despite the peril at Suixue Pass,

he still turned the tide.

The current situation is far less dire, so he'll surely win.

Steward Tang, you are wrong.

First,

Luoxia Pass is not a formidable fortress.

It lacks terrain advantage.

Last year's droughts and floods disrupted the transport canals,

making the supplies transport difficult.

Second,

Prince Li's forces are skilled frontier troops,

but our forces are not the same.

We accept the battle in haste.

We are inferior in both numbers and experience.

- In my opinion... - In my opinion,

heaven protects Dachu. Our army will surely win!

Stop it. Don't you see whose shop this is?

Make way!

Hyah!

Make way!

Report from Luoxia Pass!

Where is Duke Hua?

Your Majesty,

Duke Hua is gravely ill and has taken leave to recuperate.

We lost the first battle at Luoxia Pass.

What are your thoughts?

Your Majesty,

in my opinion,

victory and defeat are both common in battle.

Though the rebels won temporarily,

our reinforcements from the southwest and southeast

are already on their way to assist.

Once Prince Ding consolidates the forces,

he will surely wipe out the rebels in one swift move.

Your Majesty,

as the saying goes,

"Think first of defeat, then of victory."

In my opinion,

several units must be exhausted from long-distance marches.

They should not go directly to Luoxia Pass.

They should establish a second line of defense

behind it at Shuangtuo Ridge and prepare for battles.

If Luoxia Pass falls,

we can still halt the enemy,

and protect the capital region.

Our front-line forces are fighting outnumbered.

It's common for the outcome to be unpredictable.

Shuangtuo Ridge in the rear holds high ground,

but just thirty li to its west lies flat plains.

If the rebels take a detour,

there will be no defensible terrain.

In that case, just divide our forces to defend strictly.

Dividing our forces to defend?

Absurd!

Dividing our forces can't defend at all.

It is truly

a waste of manpower.

You are merely a Vice Director of the Ministry of Revenue.

What do you know?

How dare you question me?

I am not familiar with battle formations,

but I do know a little about calculation.

There are seven paths of varying sizes around Shuangtuo Ridge.

If we divide our forces, our military strength will be divided.

Then what about supplies, transport, and consumption?

Reinforcements not going to the front, but retreating to the rear.

May I ask how many books on the art of war you read?

You!

Enough!

What do you think?

Your Majesty,

in my opinion,

victory or defeat is a matter of the moment.

The court should remain steady.

Front line might suffer minor setbacks.

And we must be even more stable.

If we panic and lose our composure,

it will only cause more trouble.

Your Majesty.

I make bold to petition.

Be cautious about internal threats.

The collapse of a great edifice often begins with rot in its beams.

Your Majesty.

All those ministers in court

get paid from the government,

yet at this critical moment, none can relieve my worries.

They are all just empty talkers!

Minister Murong,

what is your view?

Calm down, Your Majesty.

They are all loyal and concerned for the nation, hence the debate.

However, this matter is too significant.

It still requires Your Majesty's decision.

Gongshu Yang,

speak.

Your Majesty,

may I speak frankly?

Go ahead.

As you command.

Most of the ministers aren't well-versed in military,

but they are all well-read.

There are military strategies passed down in the books.

For a simple fact

that dividing forces now isn't wise,

I bet everyone knows.

In my opinion,

what they're worried about is

that they fear Prince Ding might rebel with troops in hand.

Eight years ago,

Prince Ding's brother, Mo Xiuwen, came back to rescue the late emperor,

yet met such a tragic end.

Now,

the battle at Luoxia Pass is at a stalemate.

No one can be certain

that Prince Ding is absolutely loyal to you.

But

what the ministers think doesn't matter.

What matters

is what you think.

You had him quell the rebels,

yet feared he might use the troops to rebel.

You feared he might

collude with Mo Jingli like Li Duo.

You feared Dachu would collapse in an instant.

How dare you!

I deserve death.

Calm down, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty,

the Empress Dowager has returned.

Mother.

Is everything okay?

You look

quite fine.

I am fine.

Has your health improved, Mother?

Enjoy the life at the temporary palace?

That place is serene and refined.

I am also well in every way.

Mother, you suddenly returned.

Is it because you heard about the battle?

I returned for these orchids.

I have been tending them since I entered the palace.

Repotting them at spring, warming them in the room in winter.

I've never entrusted them to others.

I feared

the bumpy journey would damage them, so I didn't bring them along.

I entrusted two reliable maids to care for them.

But while I was away,

I feared they wouldn't be well cared for.

Unable to rest easy, so I came back.

But I was overthinking.

They are well cared for.

Mother, if you returned

and saw these flowers already withered,

would you regret entrusting them to others?

No.

Because at the moment of entrusting,

I had already made the best choice.

Besides,

as long as the roots are not withered,

there is always a way to turn things around.

You should only use those you trust.

It's a basic principle.

Thank you for your guidance.

Mother, are you no longer angry with me?

In my youth, I always thought

there was only one path to take.

I pushed aside those blocking me.

I eliminated those against me.

After situations changed,

I only realized that what's done

is done, and can't be undone.

I was also like this when I was young.

I thought some paths must be taken

and fought for.

But looking back, I can't even tell

whether it was worth it or not.

I made a mess.

So, did you come back

to clean up the mess for me?

I came back

because I missed you.

Duke, this is your first time at Anqing Palace, right?

I am old and frail,

and can no longer serve the country.

Why would I trouble Your Majesty?

So, Duke, why are you

coming today?

Everyone, leave.

To me,

there's one thing

I can't let go of.

Forty-six people at Lishan Academy

perished from an illness.

I know

you and Master Qingyun were close friends.

The court

has compensated the bereaved families

and rebuilt the academy,

to comfort the departed.

Duke,

you must restrain your grief.

But I recently learned

that Lishan Mountain was besieged by troops for eight whole years,

lacking food and medicine.

Lishan Mountain was full of talented people,

and even had a renowned physician like Master Helai.

How could an acute illness

cause such calamity?

I want to know,

was Lishan Mountain's tragedy

truly a natural disaster entirely

with no human intervention?

I did send troops back then,

but had no intention of besieging.

Then what do you mean?

Qingyun

blocked your path to the throne.

Didn't you hate him?

It was Lu Changfu who besieged Lishan Mountain.

Did you truly not know what he was doing?

So, Duke, you're here today

to pin this groundless accusation

on me?

Lishan Mountain was besieged,

lacking food and medicine.

I only learned about it today as well.

Moreover,

the one who went to Lishan eight years ago

was you, not me.

Indeed.

Indeed.

It was I who begged Qingyun to seal itself off back then,

only to

thwart your ambition to the throne.

In that case,

are you

feeling guilty,

unable to sleep at night,

so seeking a scapegoat

to place your own remorse?

Yes.

I failed Qingyun.

I let him

and the entire Lishan bear it all.

For the rest of my life,

I will find it hard to be at peace.

However,

lately,

I cannot help but recall

the great fire at the Eastern Palace,

the lost decree,

and the sealing of Lishan.

Whether all of these

were truly tribulations of the nation's fate,

or

the schemes on your path to power.

In these matters,

are you truly

completely innocent?

The Hua family has served the nation for three generations.

I have always held it in high regard.

But don't think that this gives you the right

to pin this fabricated accusation on me.

I am 71 years old this year,

sick, disabled, and frail.

What else is there to fear?

I only seek the truth.

Whether you believe it or not,

the Lishan Mountain matter

truly has nothing to do with me.

Since you are unwell,

from now on,

you should rest easy and recuperate at home.

You don't need

to worry about court affairs.

You!

Duke.

Do you

wish to die here,

just to confirm

the slander that I persecute loyal ministers?

Your Majesty.

The will of Heaven cannot be disobeyed.

The will of the people cannot be disobeyed.

Your own conscience

cannot be disobeyed.

I just

hope,

when you meet the late emperor

and those who died unjustly

in the netherworld in the future,

you can also be at peace.

(I was also like this when I was young.)

I thought some paths must be taken

and fought for.

But looking back, I can't even tell

whether it was worth it or not.

- Careful, Your Highness. - Your Highness.

Your Highness.

Please come down. You might fall.

Be careful, Your Highness.

Your Highness.

The baby bird's mother is back.

Come down, Your Highness.

Be careful.

Don't peck me.

Your child fell down.

I am just sending it home.

- Be careful. - Li.

- Ms. Wen. - What are you doing up there?

- A baby bird fell down. - Careful!

I'm sending it back.

Be careful.

Come on.

You didn't have to go up yourself.

Are you okay?

I'm fine.

I enjoy the exercise.

Your Highness.

Ms. Wen.

Your Highness.

Your Highness.

Ms. Wen.

A letter from the frontier has arrived.

I just heard

about a major defeat.

What?

Has Luoxia Pass fallen?

No.

Really?

Tell me more.

How is Luoxia Pass?

It hasn't fallen.

But over 20,000 people died.

So many corpses and blood.

Over 20,000 people died?

Doesn't that mean it's fallen?

Not that many.

Only 2,000 killed.

I heard the enemy lost even more.

But I heard earlier

that Prince Ding has sided with Prince Li.

When?

Prince Ding defected?

I heard that too. It's everywhere.

- It's true. - He defected?

Prince Ding defected.

Prince Li is coming.

Hurry!

What's going on?

I'm relieved now.

Wuyou.

Why didn't you go to school today?

The teacher said it's been unsettled lately,

and told me to stay home.

That's fine.

If you don't go, I will teach you.

Come.

Xi, go prepare some tea.

Yes.

Your Highness.

Ms. Wen.

Go head. What's the matter?

Rumors are spreading wildly outside.

Some say Luoxia Pass has fallen,

and others say

that His Highness defected.

Nonsense!

Xiuyao's letter clearly stated

that the front line faces minor defeats,

but both sides are tied.

How dare they spread rumors!

Are the rumors widespread?

Your Highness.

Yes.

People are all talking about it.

It's causing widespread panic.

Go to Jingzhao Prefecture and find Gu Zheng.

Have him investigate the source of these rumors.

Such rumors

would never be spread from nowhere.

I bet someone is deliberately stirring up trouble.

Yes.

Li.

Ms. Wen.

Everything will be fine.

Your Majesty.

You

should at least eat something.

Perhaps His Majesty

has been delayed by state affairs.

With the war at a stalemate,

military reports are piling up.

His Majesty is surely too busy to get away.

He won't come.

Please don't think that way.

He will come.

You've raised His Majesty since his childhood.

Deep mother-son bond.

Perhaps

he was burdened by various thoughts

and couldn't figure out for now.

After His Majesty thinks it over,

he'll understand your efforts to protect him all along.

Really?

Of course, it's true.

Nothing can beat

the mother-son bond.

Besides,

there was an urgent report this morning.

Rumors spread

that Prince Ding suffered defeats.

He might have defected.

Now, His Majesty

might be

worrying about this matter.

Indeed.

We are mother and son.

He is my only child.

That is exactly the point.

His Majesty just began his reign.

He still needs your advice

on many important matters.

Yanqi is kind-hearted

and inexperienced.

I need to support him more.

Now, whether Prince Ding

harbors resentment to the court is still a question.

This time,

he holds military power again.

We must remain vigilant.

Deliver a portion of Golden Milk Pastry

to Prince Ding's Mansion

and invite Princess Ding to come.

I wish

to enjoy the flowers with her.

Yes.

I'll go handle it.

Your Highness.

This is bestowed by Her Majesty.

Look at you,

you seem to have lost some weight.

Are the household affairs troubling you?

Thank you for your concern.

Recently,

I have had trouble sleeping due to missing His Highness.

Sorry to worry you.

Prince Ding is fighting at the frontier.

Managing the household alone is no easy task.

Look at these chrysanthemums.

They bloom in the frost,

yet still cannot withstand the power of changing seasons.

All things in the world

must follow the natural order.

It's getting cold lately.

Take care of yourself.

I will keep your kind advice in mind.

We've received many battle reports from the frontier.

The situation seems unfavorable.

Prince Ding leading the troops far away

must be having a difficult time.

Your Majesty.

Being able to serve the court

is his duty.

With Your Majesty and His Majesty commanding the court,

I am confident that he could turn danger into safety.

Prince Ding is valiant.

I also have confidence in him.

However, in the court,

there are inevitably some ignorant people

trying to stir up trouble.

I heard

that some people are questioning

Prince Ding's military strategy.

How absurd!

The art of warfare

lies in the right timing, advantage of terrain, and unity of men.

Temporary gains and losses

may not determine the final outcome.

You are so kind,

shielding His Highness in every way.

I also believe in His Highness.

It is best that you think this way.

However, in recent days,

you should leave the mansion less often,

to avoid hearing improper words,

which might annoy you.

I heard

rumors circulate among the people.

Yes.

Sit down.

Why don't you

stay in the palace for a few days?

First, it can spare you the loneliness of staying in the chamber alone.

Second,

you can avoid those ignorant people.

When Prince Ding returns in triumph,

he can see you safe and sound.

I am willing to stay in the palace

to heed Your Majesty's teachings.

It could also ease His Highness's mind

during his campaign.

Her Majesty said

you could settle in here with peace of mind.

If you need anything, just tell the palace maids.

Thank you, Senior Eunuch.

Your Highness, don't mention it.

Serve Princess Ding well. Let there be no mistake.

- Yes. - Yes.

If you have no further instructions,

I shall take my leave first.

Please prepare some tea for Her Highness.

- Yes. - Yes.

(Yao.)

(Hope you're doing well.)

(I have been in the Empress Dowager's palace)

(for a while now.)

(Early autumn has arrived recently.)

(Thin frost covers the steps early morning.)

(I often lean by the window,)

(watching the small patch of sky framed by the window.)

(Clouds occasionally drift by.)

(They come hastily,)

(and then go hastily,)

(never staying for anyone.)

(The days in the palace are long.)

(Occasionally, I play a game of Go alone.)

(On the Go board, I lose track of time.)

(However, the rules on the Go board)

(are sometimes puzzling.)

(A move that is clearly meant to expand and explore)

(is often criticized by onlookers for being too sharp)

(and easily inviting disaster.)

(Better to retreat for safety.)

(A chess piece has no will.)

(Where it'll be put)

(is entirely up to the player.)

(Yao.)

(If you were here,)

(you would surely understand the meaning behind these moves.)

(Two days ago, I received new tea.)

(Sweet in taste yet cold by nature.)

(After drinking, I often wake up in the late night.)

(Suddenly, I heard wild geese's cries outside.)

(Sounded urgent,)

(as if urging a return home.)

(I recalled the bitter cold at the frontier.)

(By now, the north wind must be howling fiercely.)

(I hope you take good care of yourself)

(and keep warm.)

(Moonlight is like a silk ribbon.)

(I send my longing from afar,)

(wishing the moonlight shines upon you.)

(A letter from your wife,)

(Li.)

Your Highness.

You've been reading this two-page letter for two hours.

Is there some hidden meaning

in Her Highness's letter?

Her Majesty summoned Li to the palace,

saying to keep her company, but actually to hold her hostage.

It seems someone in the palace fears my military power

and suspects

that I have colluded with Mo Jingli.

So they are holding her hostage

to restrain me.

Any report on the enemy's encampment?

As you predicted,

they gather on the west side of Jueyun Brook.

Previously,

Mo Jingli's camp was fortified with terrain.

His command tent was hidden deep,

and the supply camp was high up and heavily guarded.

But after our army feigned defeat,

abandoned the eastern pass,

and pretended to retreat

from Duanhun Slope and Suishi Valley,

the enemy grows bolder.

They're expanding their camp

and relaxing their outer defenses.

Yesterday,

Mo Jingli even moved his command tent three li forward.

For the convenience of fetching water,

they moved the supply camp to a lower canyon area.

Now it seems

that they believe our forces have collapsed,

and want

to strike Luoxia Pass.

Arrogance courts defeat.

Order the army to be ready for battle.

This battle

must be settled swiftly.

Yes.

(Preview)

Prince Ding set an ambush at Jueyun Brook,

wiping out Mo Jingli's main rebel force.

The leader Mo Jingli's on the run.

They are currently pursuing him.

The people of Lishan Mountain

did die of an acute illness.

Lacking food and medicine

is undeniable.

Are you blaming me?

Merits and faults are clear.

The justice in this world

is never as simple as offsetting one with the other.

♪Memories hold you back from fulfilling your dreams♪

♪Only by moving forward can you find reunion♪

♪Endings only mark new routes♪

♪It's all part of the scenery♪

♪To the horizon's call♪

♪Your journey hasn't started♪

♪Towards mountains, chase the stars bright♪

♪Both joy and grief make the trip worthwhile♪

♪Trying to catch up to your own lost shadow♪

♪Within the wilds, echoes thrive♪

♪Clear mind leads to a clear path♪

♪Be grateful to your losses♪

♪Make your steps weightless♪

♪Towards mountains, chase the stars bright♪

♪Let time embrace you and wash away the past♪

♪Put every twist behind you, drift leisurely through time♪

♪Make headway against the wind, let mountains bow to your pace♪

♪Rush towards a life without regret♪

♪Let your nature burst free♪

♪Unbound by form♪

♪Let your nature burst free♪

♪Unbound by form♪