Original subtitles

Subtitles by DramaFever

[The Virtuous Queen of Han]

[Episode Thirty-Nine]

Our three children will be cared for by Mother and Uncle Yi.

I've already made all the arrangements here in the manor.

You don't have to be worried.

No!

As the Great General, if I forbid you to go

who would dare allow you to join the troops to war?

Don't you even think about it!

If I cannot go with you

Great General is not allowed to go either!

I've always wanted to marry you, but not for a luxurious life.

It was not so that I could be a lady of the manor.

I married for affection, for love.

I wanted to stay by your side to keep you company and take care of you!

Now, I know that you're going to war with injuries

but I can't stay by your side to take care of you.

I won't be able to know how you've endured the pain.

My heart will ache as if it is stabbed a million times over.

I won't be able to eat or sleep.

Instead of suffering from this torment, I'd rather take the risk with you!

I won't allow it!

Then I can only report this to the Empress and let her decide!

I can't...

I can't watch my husband suffer, while I do nothing about it.

If I can't stay by your side to take care of you

that is my last resort.

Even if you hate me and begrudge me for it

I have no regrets.

I... I can't lose my husband...

I can't lose you...

I can't...

All right now.

All right, all right.

Jia Er...

Jia Er...

Last time, Shen Jia made this soup

and everyone who tasted it said it was delicious.

So I've learned to make it.

Here, try it.

Let me know if it is as good as Shen Jia's.

It's lovely and fragrant.

It's just as good as Jia Er's, if not better.

You're only complimenting me because Jia Er isn't here.

If you like it, you can have more.

I added saffron to make it unique.

It's beneficial to bruises and all sorts of internal injuries.

Years ago, when you first went to war, although you were still so young

you already looked valiant and high-spirited.

Now that you're mature and calm

you appear to have gone through great changes in life.

Ten years of experience in battles, and I have been through many ordeals.

From an unfledged nobody to the reputable Great General that I am now.

I have definitely matured and gone through great changes in life.

That is why I can lead the army, demonstrate greatness

and command the army to fight in one place or another.

All these years, you have fought your way through the battlefields.

New injuries add on to old ones.

More and more have accumulated over the years.

I wonder if that would cause any ailments?

Sister...

Perhaps there are some words that you'd like to tell me but can't.

Or perhaps you don't want to tell me.

Or you don't quite know how to tell me.

That is fine. I understand.

Has Jia Er told you about it?

Jia Er has aroused my suspicion.

She yelled out rudely in front of His Majesty.

And she stopped you from competing with Qu Bing more than once.

That is unusual for Shen Jia.

But you were the one who revealed the truth to me.

You are my brother.

Your expressions and behavior cannot escape my eyes.

You look more and more unwell these days.

Your footsteps weren't as strong as they used to be.

You didn't even have any wine.

Now Shen Jia insists on going with you to war.

You don't have to worry, my sister.

I might carry old injuries

but they are minor and do not affect me.

It's just the huge war is soon upon us, so I have to be more cautious.

That is why I abstain from taking alcohol and having sword fights.

I'm worried that any accidents will have an impact on the war.

Jia Er is too nervous.

That is why she insisted on going with me to war

in order to take care of me.

From the very first time that you went to war, to this final battle

as the Empress, I know that you have to go for the sake of the nation.

As the Great General of Great Han, as a warrior

I believe that you have to fight in this battle.

I also know that you're not only fighting for the nation and people

but also to fulfill our brother's wish to honor our ancestors with glory.

Moreover, it is to ensure that I am safe in my position as the empress.

Sister...

I am grateful for your efforts.

But I'd also like you to know that fame, glory, or the position of the empress

aren't as important as having you safe and sound.

I will remember every word and sentence that you've said today.

I'll remember your concern and expectations.

I'll fight with utmost valor, but also tread very cautiously.

My sister, you just have to wait patiently for me to eliminate enemies

and send you news of great victory from the frontier.

I shall return in great victory once again!

I will.

When the drums roll to welcome the meritorious officers back in victory...

I will see you...

walking back to me with strong steps like you used to.

I will not disappoint you or His Majesty.

I shall achieve victory in the deserts, and return home safely.

The golden age of peace will then be established.

Good.

I will embroider a longevity gown for you while you are away at war

to bless you with safety and good health.

When you return, you can then take off your armor and your heavy burdens...

to enjoy the golden age that you fought half your lifetime for.

Good.

Eat slowly.

I've braised this meat in candied hawthorn.

It can help remove blood stasis and heal your internal injuries.

Have some with me.

I had some when I was cooking it.

Here, Jia Er.

Have a rest.

I'm not tired.

It's great to stay by your side.

Jia Er, we've been married for years.

I'm grateful to have you looking after me

and handling the chores at home to keep the manor in order.

Our three children are growing up well and strong.

I can then be at ease to fight on the battlefields.

This is all because of your sacrifice and devotion.

Those are just my duties as a wife.

It is my greatest joy to be able to share your burdens by your side.

Jia Er, you've suffered grievances all these years.

But no matter what, I wish you to know...

I am your closest wife whom you can confide your secrets in

and entrust your life to.

Come here.

I remember every word that you said.

When I first married you

I never thought of having a spot in your heart.

I just thought that as long as I could get closer to you

just like the kite that flies close to the skies

I would be content.

Now that I can come here with you to the battlefields

and see how dignified you look when you deploy the troops

it is already a great honor for a little reed like me.

Jia Er...

It is my greatest bliss to have you by my side.

Don't worry. This battle might be dangerous

but I will do all that I can to protect you.

Just be sure to protect yourself.

You are all that I see and think of.

Should anything happen to you, I wouldn't survive on my own.

So for my sake, and that of our children

you must be safe and sound.

I hope that we can be like this every day

with me by your side.

Don't worry.

I will definitely pull through this.

Because I have Jia Er in my heart.

You will always be in my heart.

Even when I am fighting the enemies on the battlefields

you will be here in my mind.

For your sake, I will be even stronger.

Qu Bing has already entered the deserts with the best soldiers.

Are we soon leaving the frontier to enter the enemy grounds?

Once all arrangements are made, we will head out.

After we make it past the woods of haloxylon trees

we will enter the deserts.

The woods of haloxylon trees?

Yes.

It is the woods in the wilderness in front of us.

That is no longer the land of Great Han.

It will be difficult to get water resources by then.

We have to save up enough water for the next few days.

All right, I'll nurse you back to health within the next few days

so that you can go to war in your best physical state.

I'll have to trouble you then, my lady.

My dear husband, I've left while you were making your rounds.

Please excuse me.

Last night, you told me that there are haloxylon trees nearby.

I was so thrilled that I couldn't sleep.

I heard Uncle Yi say that there is cistanche fruit in such woods

and it treats exhaustion, as well as internal injuries.

I've asked the physicians about it.

It turns out that all blood scabs and stasis

can be cured with cistanche fruits.

But this medicinal fruit is hardly ever seen in central plains.

Since the haloxylon trees are right before us now

your injuries can now be cured with this miraculous medicine.

Forgive me for making a decision without your permission.

I knew that you'd be worried about my safety and wouldn't allow me to go.

That is why I didn't let you know in advance.

You've said that the Jia grass is the young shoot of reeds.

It strives and grows at all times.

It will still hold its head up without fear in wind and rain.

I'd like to be that reed for you.

Don't be worried about me.

I'll be back very soon.

My silly Jia Er...

Foreign enemies are often seen near those haloxylon woods.

What are you to do if you run into them?

What am I to do?

How should I help you?

What is wrong?

Great General, we've just received an urgent report from beyond

the frontier that the enemies' main forces have already moved.

They did not run into Marquess of Champions' eastern troops.

They are coming right at us!

Our intel was direly mistaken.

Damn!

Please appease your anger, Your Majesty.

The most important matter at hand is how to redeploy the troops.

Our elite soldiers are all gathered in Qu Bing's troops.

Wei Qing has far fewer men than that of our enemies.

He cannot take them head on.

Your Majesty, why doesn't Wei Qing stay in Dingxiang Prefecture

while we wait for Qu Bing's troops to arrive in khentii mountains?

That would disrupt the enemies' deployment.

Then they can set out at the same time to attack Zhaoxin City.

We mustn't!

If Wei Qing chooses to stay

it will bring down the morale of the entire army.

That is a military taboo!

We should set out right away, while the army's morale is still high.

We should let Wei Qing take on the enemies in order to stall for time.

At the same time, we need to send a messenger to Qu Bing urgently

to inform him to head back and close in on them.

We have to take the enemies by surprise in order to defeat them.

Your Majesty, none of the elite soldiers are in Wei Qing's troops.

I'm afraid that in a few days' time, the enemies would...

That won't happen! Wei Qing is valiant and skilled in warfare.

His deployment of troops is absolutely amazing.

He has had six great victories and he will not let me down this time!

I believe in Wei Qing's unswerving determination.

I believe in the quick-wittedness of Qu Bing.

They understand the importance of this battle.

We must attack. No defense.

We must not retreat!

We must attack. No defense.

We must not retreat!

We have to make some adjustments.

Then we will head straight into the deserts

and we'll fight the enemies to their death.

Why have you suddenly shifted me to the right wing

while Gongsun Ao takes the vanguard instead?

I, Li Guang, was appointed as the Vanguard General by His Majesty.

General Li, I know that you are valiant in battle.

You are very experienced in warfare.

But we have to venture deep into the deserts for this battle.

It is a long and difficult journey.

His Majesty is also worried that you aren't as young anymore.

This might be physically challenging for you.

Is His Majesty worried, or is this your own personal concern?

Everyone knows that Gongsun Ao once saved you.

Li Guang!

Do you know that you have already committed the crime of disrespect?

Generations of Li family are all loyal subjects.

My son, Li Gan, is out there now to risk his life with your nephew.

In terms of merits, my family is definitely not inferior to any other.

If Gongsun Ao has any merits, he can list them out now.

You're sending Gongsun Ao as the vanguard

to help him gain merit to recover his title!

Li Guang, I hereby order you as Great General to take your men

and be prepared to leave for battle at anytime.

This is a military order!

Yes, sir!

Notify all of our soldiers about my new deployment.

You must soothe and boost their morale.

At the sound of the trumpets, we shall march to the northern deserts!

Yes!

Gongsun Ao!

Great General.

We have very little time left, and very few elite soldiers.

As the vanguard, I need you to gather

five thousand cavalrymen to form a shock troop.

You are to standby at all times so that we may steal a march on the enemies.

Yes!

Great General, we have failed to locate Her Lady anywhere!

But I found this scrap of women's clothing in the haloxylon woods.

I don't know if this belongs to Her Lady.

I hurried back to report to you.

This does belong to my wife.

I'll send more men to look for her.

Don't.

Gather the men and horses.

We mustn't lose any time in preparing for the battle.

I'll go and look for her.

Go over to that side!

Over there!

Wei Qing!

- Let's go! - Yes!

Jia Er!

Jia Er!

- Great General! - Jia Er!

- Come with me! - Yes!

Jia Er!

General Wei, this is your wife?

I'm already very delighted to have caught a Han woman.

But I never expected her to be Great General Wei's wife.

The gods are really on our side!

Since you know who she is, you should release her right now!

You want me to release her? Sure.

I want you to retreat right away.

Retreat back to the Yanmen Pass and return Sufang Prefecture to us.

If not, you can take her corpse back!

My husband...

Great General Wei!

Don't delay military action because of a small reed!

Shut up!

Don't you dare think that you can survive if you don't release her!

If we die, we get to take your wife along with us!

Will you retreat or not?

Jia Er, don't.

Jia Er, don't!

Jia Er!

Great General!

My Lady!

Jia Er, you're so silly!

I don't want to put you in a tight spot.

Don't say such nonsense. I'll take you back with me.

Hang in there!

I've got the medicine that can cure your internal injuries.

Jia Er...

I can't... stay by your side anymore.

No...

I have let you down...

Jia Er...

No! Jia Er...

No! Jia Er... No! No...

Jia Er!

Jia Er...

Jia Er!

You'll see the Empress, Crown Prince, and the three princesses later.

Are you ready to see them?

We are. We'll recite poems from the Book of Odes for the Empress.

We promised not to be mischievous.

That is right!

You must be obedient and polite.

You have to remember that your father is the Great General.

Your mother is Great General's wife, and your grandmother is me!

You must let the others know that you are modest and well-mannered.

Do you understand?

Yes, we do!

Good boys. We're going in now.

Let's go.

Your Highness, I've brought all three children here.

Joy, bliss, happiness, and peace to Your Highness!

Don't stand on ceremony.

You're all good boys.

Thank you for your compliments, Auntie.

Good boys.

I'll take the children outside.

Let's go play outside.

When you get tired, we can stop and have some snacks, all right?

- Yes! - Here, come with me.

Let's go.

What is the matter with that old fellow Yi Han today?

He is so quiet.

It seems that he is troubled.

Xi Niang, have a seat.

I have something to tell you.

I've already sat for ages in the carriage.

I don't want to sit down.

I'd like to keep an eye on those three children outside.

Your Highness, you can just tell me whatever you wish to say.

Here, come and have a seat.

Xi Niang...

Jia Er went away...

Jia Er went away with Wei Qing to the battlefields.

I know that.

It is all for the sake of the nation and people.

I mean...

Jia Er went away and won't be coming back.

- No! That's impossible! - Xi Niang!

Xi Niang, you have to remain calm.

This can't be true...

Jia Er said that she would come home soon.

She promised me!

My Jia Er is the most filial!

She wouldn't lie to me! She wouldn't...

Xi Niang!

Shen Jia was held hostage by the foreign enemies.

In order to protect Wei Qing and the army

she took her own life!

Gods! Why are you so cruel?

You let my daughter die so cruelly!

You've made her roam those strange lands as a lonely spirit...

Xi Niang!

Why are you so cruel that you took her away?

What have I got to live for?

Xi Niang...

Xi Niang, don't worry.

His Majesty will definitely send someone to bring Jia Er back home.

She won't be left there alone!

She won't be left in a strange land on her own.

Xi Niang, listen to me.

You won't be lonely.

You still have Wei Qing, and you still have me.

You still have three grandchildren!

You won't be lonely!

It's so sad that Jia Er's children are still so young

and yet they have lost their mother.

They couldn't even see her for one last time.

Gods! Why don't you take my life?

Why did you have to take my daughter's?

- Pass it to me. - Here you go.

- Be careful. - Kick it over to me.

Be careful.

Let me kick it.

Over here.

- I'll get it. - Hurry!

- Summon Wei Qing back! - Your Majesty!

I know!

Wei Qing lost his beloved wife.

He will want to kill the enemies to avenge her death.

But there has been one snag after another since the war began.

I've spent a long time gathering sufficient army provisions

reorganize the troops, and replenish the arsenal

so that the power of the imperial court stretches to the south of the deserts.

No mistakes can be allowed this time!

But now that Wei Qing is in such grief and anger

I'm afraid that he will not return, even if you summon him back.

I'll send you to him!

If he won't return, you will arrest him and bring him back here!

I saw how affectionate he was with his wife.

Should Wei Qing lose his senses because of his grief

and make a mistake in his strategy

it could plunge everyone into the sufferings of war.

Wouldn't I then let my people down?

Your Majesty, the Empress seeks audience.

Great blessings to Your Majesty.

Zi Fu, you've just lost a close kin.

You must be in great sorrow.

Why aren't you having a rest?

Your Majesty, I know that I should not interfere with national affairs.

But this matter concerns my brother.

May I be so bold as to ask how Your Majesty plans to tackle

the battle at the front line?

Wei Qing might have won all six of his previous battles.

But I am going to summon him back this time.

Qu Bing will take his place to lead the entire army.

- Because this battle... - I understand.

Because my brother is very sentimental

and he witnessed his wife's tragic death

he might lose his senses in such great grief.

If he stays in the army, great mishaps might happen.

But if you summon him back

I'm afraid that would not guarantee victory in the war.

If Wei Qing can put his sorrows aside

and lead the army with a calm state of mind

would Your Majesty change your mind?

He is my greatest defender of the nation.

If he is competent to carry out his task

I wouldn't want him replaced.

But the situation is critical now.

He is grieving his nearest and dearest.

I'm afraid that things won't go as we would like them to.

Wei Qing not only is Your Majesty's defender of the nation

but also my brother!

Both Your Majesty and I hope to turn the dangerous situation around.

Can you leave this matter to me?

According to the report, the enemies have arrived at Zhenyan Mountain.

We will set out tomorrow to cross over the deserts

and attack them from the front.

We shall strike before they can even react.

- Gongsun Ao. - Present!

The both of us will lead the shock troops

and head straight to attack the enemies' main forces.

Yes.

Li Guang, Zhao Shi Qi.

- Present! - Present!

Both of your troops set out from the eastern route

to cover the flank of the shock troops.

Once we get to the northern deserts

we'll focus the attack on the enemies' left flank!

Yes!

I will not let Great General down.

The others are to standby and await further orders.

Yes!

Duan Hong, I'm glad that you've come.

Great General is...

Slow down. Where is Wei Qing?

He is in his own tent.

He looks all right and still commands in a collected manner.

But when he's done with military affairs

he will hide in his tent alone.

No one dares to disturb him.

Then is Madam Wei encoffined?

He wouldn't even allow her corpse to be redressed.

Why? Then where is her body now?

Thank you for the cistanche fruit that you picked.

It really is effective.

My breathing has been very smooth for the past two days.

I already feel more energetic.

I've remembered to eat all the food that you reminded me to eat.

I've kept all your words on my mind.

After I've won the battle

I'll take you on journeys to see all the different places.

We'll watch the tides rise and fall.

All right?

I won't be your clear skies anymore.

I'll also be a Jia reed, to be with you rain or shine.

Wei Qing.

Do you know what you're doing?

I'm chatting with my wife.

Does she answer you?

She is having a rest.

You'll disturb her.

You should leave.

Wei Qing.

Take a look at yourself!

You're the Great General!

You hold the lives of millions in your hands!

Am I not commanding the army as usual?

Have I made any mistakes?

This is your mistake!

What are you doing?

Her face has gone cold.

She is already dead!

No, she won't die.

She promised to always stay by my side.

She was worried about my health, so she came out here with me.

She took the risk to leave the camp in order to pick medicinal herbs for me.

I'm the one who should risk my life to go to war.

If anyone should be dead in the desert, it should be me.

Why would she be dead?

I understand.

You don't understand.

You wish to take her away, but she doesn't want to leave.

She just wants to stay her with me.

She wants to see me go to war for her.

She will wait for me to return in great victory.

But you refused to take our feelings into consideration.

What brother are you?

I am not your brother.

Are those men out there your brothers?

They all appear to be confident.

But what is the truth?

Do you know how heart-broken they are?

It's fine that you won't listen to me.

But you will listen to your sister, whom you respect the most.

Not only is her handwriting on this, but also stains from her tears.

Her every word and sentence weigh down on her so heavily

and made it extremely difficult for her to write it down.

I don't want to read it!

Fine! I'll read it to you!

'My brother, she is already gone.'

No!

'You must feel such great pain in your heart.'

You and I are such close siblings.

I can feel your emotions and your pain.

Even if you are now the Great General who commands the army

as your sister, I am as close to you as we have ever been.

I am willing to be in sadness and pain with you

to share the sorrow in your heart.

I will soothe the pain that you have suppressed.

She is now far away from us.

But her bloodline is continued.

Your young sons have just lost their mother.

They are alone, without anyone to rely on.

They are in need of the comfort of their father.

As a father, you have to calm yourself down and get back on your feet.

You have to shoulder the responsibility of a mother.

Comfort them, cherish them, raise them, and educate them.

There's also Xi Niang.

She has lost her beloved daughter whom she depended on.

She is in great desperation and grief.

It will be very difficult for her to get over this.

She is waiting for her son-in-law to return safe and sound

to carry out filial duties that Jie Er has yet to fulfill.

We've been in His Majesty's favor for the past years.

We've overcome obstacles and now we are blessed with glory.

You have always been by my side to guide and assist me.

If I am to survive alone

how will I make it through the hardships?

My brother...Jia Er was not the only person that needed you.

She has already left, but now you face great enemies.

Not only do your closest kin need you

but also the soldiers and citizens of Great Han.

I hope that you can ease out of the predicament you are in

and not be blinded by hatred.

Do not let the people down because of your loss.

Moreover, do not let Jia Er die in vain in the desert.

Your sister, Zi Fu, sobs.

Subtitles by DramaFever