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[The Promise of Chang'An]

[Episode 1]

In the waning years of the Great Liang, the dynasty's strength weakened.

The northern region of Great Liang split into three kingdoms:

Shengzhou, Xiqi, and Yonglin.

You have to scoop up the prey first to win, Princess.

Princess, you're awesome!

Giddy up.

Let's see if you'll still look down at girls!

Who dares to look you down?

You are the fiercest horse on this Yonglin prairie.

I've been thinking, what kind of person should you marry in the future

so that a fierce horse like you can be tamed?

I'm not a horse or cow. Why should I be tamed?

I remember the High Priest once said that

you will definitely become the queen in the future.

It seems then that you'll be taming

the future emperor of the world.

Older Brother, that was a joking talk when we were children.

Don't keep using that to make fun of me.

Why are people from Xiqi here?

- Prince, Princess, something bad has happened. - What's wrong?

Xiqi nation has sent people here to take away Princess Wanyin.

Grandfather, I don't want to marry.

I beg you not to marry me off, Grandfather.

Older Sister, please get up.

Grandfather, why are you making Sister Wanyin marry Xiqi's eldest prince?

He has an irritable temper and is unbearably rowdy.

Sister Wan has a gentle personality. She'll definitely be bullied when she is married to him.

Mingyu, I can't help it.

That Situ Kun, who knows where he heard it from,

you two sisters are the twin pearls of the prairie.

Under the excuse of our ancestors' accord, he wants to marry Wanyin.

Grandfather, what kind of accord did we have with Xiqi?

When the late king was alive, we had a bloody war with Xiqi.

we would have been ravaged by Xiqi's calvary.

The late king reached a peace accord with the king of Xiqi,

and both sides signed a marriage agreement.

That's why we've been at each with each other for several tens of years.

Who could have expected that he has brought out this marriage agreement.

Grandfather, but I really don't want to marry.

That's right, can you bear to have her jump into a fire pit?

Do you think I want to agree to this marriage?

Since you don't want it, you can refuse it.

He won't declare a war against us because of this marriage, will he?

Child, child.

I don't dare to risk Yonglin's safety.

Wanyin, for Yonglin's sake, I'm sorry to let you suffer.

Grandfather.

Older Sister.

Mingyu, I'm doomed now.

Older Sister, don't say that yet.

None of this is set in stone yet.

There is still chance for change. Let's think of a solution.

It's useless. What solution can there be?

You've always said that we are the falcons in the prairie.

But, we are actually just the lambs.

When fate falls on the heads of us, the females,

we simply can't escape from it.

I don't believe that.

Of course you don't believe it.

This fate didn't fall on your head.

Do you know how much I envy you?

Why am I the unlucky one?

Older Sister,

don't panic yet.

Let me think more about it.

No matter what, we must fight a round with fate.

- Retreat! - Rush!

In the sixth year of Great Liang's Tianyuan era,

Great Liang's cavalry frequently intruded into the northern region

to attack Shengzhou,

and trapped Shengzhou's king, Xiao Shangyuan,

inside Yong'an city.

Your Majesty, we fell for Great Liang's trap,

now we are stranded here and can't break out.

The reinforcement from Third Prince should have already arrived,

but we still don't see any sign of them after being trapped here for three days.

Could it be... they were ambushed by the enemy?

Your Majesty, report from the scout.

Great Liang has stationed massive forces long the river to block our reinforcement.

Third Prince with his troops can't break through easily.

If Third Prince, the Prince of Qi, really can't make it here,

with several tens of thousands of injured soldiers on our side, I fear that...

All officers and soldiers!

Great Sheng can only rely on you today!

Fight to protect the city until death!

Wait for the reinforcement!

Who's that? Come out!

Go.

- Who's that? - We just caught a Shengzhou scout while on patrol.

He said, he has an important information to inform the general in exchange for his life.

Great Lialng has never allowed a spy to live. What information do you have?

General, the information that I have

can determine Great Liang's victory or defeat in this battle.

What a joke! What information can you have

that can actually affect our victory or defeat?

Shengzhou's Third Prince, Xiao Chengrui,

has already broken through Great Liang's perimeter defense.

That's impossible. Don't spew nonsense!

I stationed 20,000 men to guard the ferry crossing.

How could they have crossed the river?

Because Ninth Prince, the Prince of Yong An,

has already discovered the location of Great Liang's grain storage.

He is preparing to lead his elite warriors to sneak in to burn down your provisions.

The troops at the ferry crossing will be forced to send half of their forces to save the grain storage.

In the meantime, Third Prince will drive his troops to cross the river.

If you look at the time now, the reinforcement troops

are already getting close to Great Liang's grain storage.

How do you know everything so clearly?

Who are you exactly?

Prince of Yong An.

Fire! Help!

Guards!

Release it.

Hurry! Hurry!

Your leading general is dead.

Why don't you surrender now?

Kill him!

- Third Brother! - You're not dead yet?

You left a letter

and came out to act on your own. If I don't come here to rescue you,

how many lives will you have?

Third Brother, you brought me up. How can you fear that I can't deal with such a trivial matter?

That means you're underestimating yourself.

Such a slick tongue.

Leaving the camp without permission, not obeying commands, how should you be punished?

Third Brother can decide when we go back.

According to my original plan, early tomorrow morning,

we could have surrounded Great Liang's army.

As it is, you have made an unnecessary move.

Third Brother, I was afraid that Royal Father cannot withstand it anymore.

Are you the only one who thinks about that? You have brute courage but no concept of the big picture.

Go after him.

Xiao Chengxu!

You stay here to wrap up!

Yes, Third Brother!

Good.

You all have finally arrived.

- Royal Father. - Royal Father.

Waive the formalities.

Burning the enemy's camp, surrounding Wei to save Zhao.

- Whose idea was it? - Royal Father...

Your Majesty, we heard it's Ninth Prince's idea.

Last night, Ninth Prince even barged into the enemy's camp on his own and killed their leader.

It demoralized Great Liang's army, and has become a legend.

Is that so?

Good. Where is Ninth?

Royal Father!

Royal Father.

How are you? You're not hurt, are you?

I am just fine.

Third Brother.

I was listening to them talking about this incident, and I was thinking,

it must have been the idea from that rascal, you.

Now that I see you, it is indeed as I guessed.

Royal Father, you are teasing me. It's all from the military strategies that Third Brother taught me since I was young.

Third Brother said, "In the battle, fight strong using regular troops, but reserve a surprise ambush to ensure victory." (from the Book of War)

I also taught you to obey military rules and commands.

You didn't obey and almost caused big trouble.

Third, Ninth has been learning military strategies from you.

You are the one who told him, "Great soldiers are as good as how you use them."

You understand everything, but is it possible that, when you direct your troops,

you are a little too conservative?

Thank you for your scolding, Royal Father.

But, it's all good. All three of you achieved merits.

I will definitely reward you based on merit when we go back.

Royal Father, if you are going to reward based on merit,

Third Brother achieved the highest merit. In order to rescue me, he fought hard to open a path in the bloody battle.

Otherwise, I would have been trapped in the enemy's camp.

Everyone will be rewarded. Everyone will be rewarded.

Royal Father, with this defeat, Great Liang shouldn't invade again for a while.

But it's best that we hurry and return to the capital.

You're right.

Follow me back to the capital.

- Yes. - Yes. - Yes.

- Your Majesty. - Royal Father. - Royal Father.

- Royal Father. - Royal Father.

- Your Majesty. - Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

What exactly is wrong?

Your Highness,

His Majesty was ambushed by a small group on the way to Yong'an.

At that time, his injury was very light, and it didn't seem to be of any concern.

So he was bandaged casually. Who would have known that

the arrowhead was stained in poison by Great Liang's people.

Do you still have that arrow?

Yes.

Second Brother, let me see it.

This is not an arrow from Great Liang.

It looks more like an arrow from Xiqi.

It should be an arrow that Xiqi made in imitation of Great Liang's crescent arrow.

But they forgot that Great Ling usually uses goose feather for the arrow's feathering,

and not swallow feather.

So it's that Situ Yin.

Royal Father, last time Xiqi already agreed to peace with us,

why would they attack secretly?

They've been coveting our northern border for a long time.

An evil heart only fears that I don't die.

Royal Physician Zuo,

can you detoxify this poison?

Excuse me for being incapable. I remember that

in Xiqi, there is a royal physician surnamed Lin.

He specializes in refining poisons. This poison actually looks like his

Poisoning Soul toxin. I am only ten percent sure of treating it.

Therefore, I can only try my best.

Your Majesty!

Beloved Concubine, why are you crying?

Quickly, just get up.

Get up. Don't cry yet.

Didn't Royal Physician Zuo just say?

He can be ten percent sure of success.

The poison is still on the surface. If an antidote can be obtained within half a month,

Your Highness can be saved.

B*stard!

Royal Father, please rest assured. We will definitely think of a way

to rush to Xiqi and obtain the antidote for you.

We will definitely obtain the antidote for you.

Third Brother, let's lead the troops immediately

to go to Xiqi and get the antidote.

The soldiers are tired and the horses are fatigued. It's not good to restart the war.

Besides, without any evidence,

Xiqi can deny everything.

Third Brother!

Chengxu.

Are you going to find the antidote for Royal Father?

Let me go with you.

You don't need to go. Just let the older brothers take care of it.

Why?

An extra person adds extra strength. I can also help you.

I haven't dealt with you about you leaving the camp without permission.

So I now punish you to stay in the palace.

You are forbidden from leaving the palace for even half a step.

Who's that? On guard!

Brother Guards, this is Yonglin's Second Princess.

She wants to talk heart-to-heart with her older sister.

Please be kind and allow us this convenience, Brother Guards.

It looks like it's about to rain.

We will rest in the inn up ahead and leave tomorrow.

Yes.

Your Highness, the cavalcade stopped at the inn down the hill

should be from Xiqi.

Then, let's go down and take a look.

Your Highness, maybe we should go back?

Aren't you nagging like an old woman?

My ears are almost growing silk cocoons listening to your nagging.

It's not that, Your Highness. You had said you wanted to get some fresh air from being locked up.

I helped you to come out. You are now

breathing fresh air at Xiqi's border.

Maybe it's better that we go back.

Sure, you go back. I'll continue with my plan.

This... This won't do, Your Highness.

- Older Sister. - Mingyu, why are you here?

We can't talk much. Let's exchange clothes, and I'll go to Xiqi in your place.

We can't do this. If Grandfather finds out, he will be furious.

Besides, Xiqi specifically asked for me.

Don't worry about it. I have an idea to make them reject the marriage.

Your Highness, this looks to be the cavalcade belonging to Xiqi's eldest prince.

It appears that Situ Kun is living in this well-guarded house.

I'll mix in first. If I can capture Situ Kun, then I can force him to give up the antidote.

Your Highness, how about letting me go?

If Third Prince finds out that you are risking your life again, i won't have enough heads to be cut off.

Besides, you pretended to be sick to sneak out of the palace. If Third Prince finds out, you won't be able to explain.

No, Royal Father's condition is serious.

I must get the antidote this time.

I'm sure Third Brother will understand.

- Take it. Cover me from the outside. - Yes, Your Highness.

Are you sure your plan will work?

Why am I feeling such a panic?

I've studied some tricks in disguise. How is this?

Mingyu, you'd better not look at me. It's too scary.

You are scared? That Situ Kun

will definitely believe it. I feel sure now.

- Get me a basin of water. I want to wash them off. - Okay.

Princess Wanyin! Why did the light in your room go out?

Has anything wrong happened?

No. I have just opened the window.

A wildcat came in and stumbled over the candle and knocked it down.

A wildcat?

Meow.

It turns out that you are the princess who has to get into an arranged marriage.

I heard that the eldest son of the King of Xiqi

has a bad temper and is hard to please.

You have a misfortunate fate. You want to deceive others.

You can't hide from me.

Where is Big Brother Situ?

He...how could he return?

He has just ordered the carriages to escort me.

Escort?

It seems as if I also have to take a trip to Xiqi.

Then I have to give you an advice.

If you plan on following our carriages so you could sneak into Xiqi,

then you will for sure not be able to dress up as the imperial guard.

Because the imperial guard of Xiqi is the imperial guard of Wang family.

You don't have any chance.

Since you also know my secret, we might as well collaborate once.

I could help you find a smooth way to meet Big Brother Situ.

I brought only one stableman from Yonglin.

If I were you, I will impersonate him.

Thank you, Princess.

I also want to give you an advice.

Your trick won't escape the eyes of the Imperial Physician of West Qi.

There's a kind of wild grass nearby called Cat's Eyes.

Smash it and apply on your face. It will naturally induce rashes.

If you want to get rid of them, just use clean water to wash them off.

Also, if you really want to escape, you should be more ruthless to yourself.

I'm leaving.

Where did I smell the scent from his body?

This...

Don't move it! Otherwise your hand will look like my face!

But Mingyu, where did you get this herb from?

Don't tell me-

It really looks as if it was real!

There's a kind of wild grass known at Cat's Eyes.

Smash it and apply on your face. It will naturally induce rashes.

The princess is here.

Who is she?

She's the princess?

Greetings, Your Highness.

You are indeed the top beauty in Yonglin.

Your voice is also very pleasant and melodious.

I have just heard your Majesty's name. I have been admiring you for a long time ago.

The Prince is a man with a striking appearance, just as I expected.

I have come here to give His Majesty my insignificant gift.

It's a sachet I have woven with my own hands.

I hope His Majesty will kindly accept it.

Bring it over here!

It seems to be an exquisite article.

Take off your veil. I am not used at all to talk to someone whose face is covered.

But your Majesty, I am shy by nature.

I could only reveal myself to my future husband.

Princess, is she looking down on us?

Do you think that we are a poor match for you?

Indeed! Now I am even more curious!

- I wonder how beautiful she is. - That's right.

Come, show us your face.

Enough! Rip it off! Let the Prince take a look!

I regret not being able to comply with your wishes.

I will have to depart.

Stand there!

Wait.

Me, the Prince has to see your appearance!

Princess!

It is comical already!

So that's what has become of the Imperial Concubine of the Prince!

That's how she looks like.

Prince! Your Majesty!

It's enough! Stop laughing!

How did they dare to send me you, this rubbish?

Your Majesty, listen to my explanations!

I don't usually look like this.

Today I look bad because I am in bad health.

Your Majesty, I deeply admire you!

Stand there!

Your Majesty, don't break off the engagement!

To break off the engagement?

Someone.

Here.

Send her back to Yonglin and cancel the marriage immediately.

Impossible!

Crown Prince, never be impulsive!

Grand Master.

His Majesty agreed on this marriage.

- Grand Master! - Prince...

The King is now not yet in the palace.

Before making a decision, wait until the King returns to the palace.

The Princess had a very long journey which left her exhausted.

You did well!

- Someone. - Here.

Escort the princess to her palace to rest.

Yes.

Princess, please...

Who's there?

There's an assassin!

Catch the assassin!

You have almost made it...

Wasn't for the Grand Master

Mingyu, tell me.

What other solution should we think of?

So that we could make the King of Xiqi to cancel the wedding?

By all means possible we should not wait for the return of the King of Xiqi.

Because if he returns, we cannot stop this marriage for sure.

There's an assassin!

Quickly, go out and take a look!

Alright!

Over here.

Quick!

Why do I find you familiar?

The assassin went that way.

You are the assa-

Princess, don't let other people see it. This way you will also save face.

Open the door. This is a palace search.

What's the matter?

We just discovered an assasin. We are here to search the palace.

Here is the residence of Princess Yonglin. How could there be an assassin inside?

Our apologies. We are following orders. Let's go.

Wait a second!

This is the bed chamber of the princess. It's not for you to search.

This concerns the safety of the royal family. We need to search.

Go inside!

-Who's there? - Princess, it is the Imperial Guard.

They say they came to look for the assassin.

Please forgive us, Princess. We are just following orders.

Please put on your clothes so that we can go in to search.

This is the room of a Princess.

It's not for you to violate it.

Yonglin is a small state

but we can't be that easily mistreated too.

I'm your future Princess Consort.

If you dare to take another further step,

believe it or not, I'm going to tell the Emperor now.

I will tell him to behead all of you.

Princess, we are only doing our duties.

Please forgive us. This concerns the safety of the royal family.

Princess, please get dressed immediately. We need to enter.

Fine. Come in and search then

but you must not delay my bath time.

Seach carefully so that you can return my purity.

But once you have completed your task,

just wait for your heads to roll.

This...Princess, please don't blame us.

We are leaving now. Dismiss.

Thank you, Princess, for saving me.

How did you know I'm...

I heard about the two beauties of Yonglin.

One is elegant and beautiful.

One is bold and unrestrained.

You don't look like the gentle one.

We met twice. You definitely live up to your name.

I'm leaving.

Are all princes of Shengzhou as arrogant as you?

Who says I'm a prince of Shengzhou?

Last time when I saw you

I recall you had a familiar odor.

Now I recall it was a faint smell of ambergris.

Ambergris is very valuable and expensive. Because Shengzhou is next to the Arab State,

hence, they offer ambergris to Shengzhou as tributes annually.

Is this the reason you were fond of this kind of scent when you were a king?

Am I wrong saying this?

You're right.

Even if I'm from Shengzhou, it doesn't mean I'm from the Royal family.

There are many different people in the palace. It's easy to be stained with that fragrance.

It's not considered rare too. Perhaps, I could be part of the entourage for the Royal family.

Such a pity! Your glance betrays you.

An attendant is used to being docile.

How could he be so domineering like you?

I wonder if you are praising me or making fun of me.

So, you are a prince.

Zhen'er, prepare a set of West Qi's guard uniform

for him to change into.

Yes.

Dont worry. We will definitely capture the assassin.

Imperial Physician Lin!

Imperial Physician Lin, go take a look at our princess now.

Ever since she came to West Qi, I don't know what's wrong.

The rashes on her face didn't disappear. They are increasing instead.

Moreover, she vomitted and has diarrhea too. I wonder what kind of strange illness she has.

This can't be an epidemic, right?

I spit on it. Are you cursing our princess?

Okay, enough. Prepare my medical chest. Let's go.

Princess, please stretch out your hand.

Let me take your pulse.

Don't shout.

Imperial Physician Lin, do you realize you've been poisoned by your own Poisoned Soul toxin?

If you don't take out the antidote immediately,

I fear you will die today.

Imperial Physician Lin.

Princess, the rashes on your face...

Since you know our secrets,

you should know what to do.

You are from Shengzhou?

Since you are very clear about this, hand over the antidote immediately.

I don't have an antidote.

It's at the Imperial Hospital.

Send her to get it.

Some of the crude herbs are forbidden medicines.

Without my permission, no one can retrieve it.

I must personally go there.

Do you think I will trust what you said?

I am telling you the truth.

Princess, I'm not lying.

We will go with you then.

Imperial Physician Lin.

Stay here and talk. We are guards for the princess.

We are here to retrieve medicine for her.

You...on the left, fourth square on the fourth row, three grams.

Imperial Physician Lin, why don't you state the name of the medicine?

Shut up. Just do as I say.

On your right, sixth row, first square. Twelve grams.

[Stalactite]

Did you see clearly what I asked for?

Yes, I did.

Take them to the back courtyard and brew them. Go now.

Princess, you...

The two crude herbs that you wanted him to retrieve just now,

one was Spanish needles,

The other one is "Zhi Ke." (Together the words form "Ci Ke" meaning "assassin.")

You were secretly telling him that we are assassins, right?

I knew you wouldn't be honest.

Who are you?

Playing tricks on us? It's useless to let you live.

No, don't. Behind the wall,

there's a hidden square. Concealed in there,

it's the antidote.

This is probably genuine, right?

Definitely.

Not reciprocating is against etiquette.

You gifted us with a poison. I should gift you one too.

Open your mouth.

It's the Scattered Five Poisons.

You will die from poisoning if you don't consume the antidote in three days.

If you follow me to Shengzhou and the poison in my father's body has been dispelled,

I will let you have the antidote.

You are...

One more thing. Report to your eldest prince now that

the princess is gravely ill and not suitable for marriage.

Not only that. Let him go back and tell his eldest prince that

what I have is not an ordinary illness. It's an epidemic.

Your subordinate has already been infected.

If he doesn't send me back to Yonglin immediately, the consquences will be unimaginable. Understand?

If you want to live, go now.

Yes, yes.

I want to know what grudges you have

that you must come personally as an assassin?

Did something happen in Shengzhou?

What's wrong? Afraid that I will betray you?

My father was shot with a poisoned arrow from West Qi.

I'm here to find their Imperial Physician

and get the antidote from him.

West Qi is that despicable.

The Emperor of Shengzhou helped us to ward off attacks at the north border from Great Liang.

Now that he has been poisoned, the north border must be in danger.

West Qi will become more unscrupulous.

I thought of a good plan.

You want to help me.

Aren't you afraid you will get into trouble?

I know the logic of being interdependent, common interests and sharing same fate.

Moreover, that Imperial Physician is still rather useful to me.

Still not going?

I'm going now.

What? Epidemic?

Imperial Physician Lin has ordered the burning of Chinese mugwort at the palace

and scattering of lime to prevent the epidemic from worsening.

Because they were in close contact with the princess, Imperial Physician Lin

and his subordinate left the palace to avoid the epidemic.

Imperial Physician Lin also said that as you had close contacts with the princess,

it's better that you have a check-up too lest you were infected too.

The rashes she had on her body must be due to the epidemic.

Imperial Tutor, you even wanted me to marry her?

Not only is she ugly, she has epidemic too.

Yonglin must has bad intentions.

Princess.

Reporting.

Your Highness, Princess Wanyin is here to see you.

What is she doing here?

She's worried that her illness may affect the wedding. She's here to explain.

What's there to explain? Tell her to scram! I'm determined not to marry her.

Your Highness, keep calm.

How can I keep calm?

How can I keep calm? She has already infected me.

Do you want me to let her stay in the palace and infect everyone?

Someone, prepare writing materials for me to cancel the marriage letter immediately.

[The Promise of Chang'an]

credit

"Falling Fate" - Singer: Li Yugang

♫ Who is swaying at dusk on the riverbank by the gently fluttering willows? ♫

♫ That beauty dances between the clouds and the rippling moonglade ♫

♫ Dancing lightly like the startled birds and your graceful face is like delicate blooms ♫

♫ Longing in the wind, with glistening eyes looking toward the ripples ♫

♫ I could not take my eyes off such a sight to behold ♫

♫ It seems brief, my adoration for you has been for years ♫

♫ You come or go as you please, my soul is being led by dreams of you ♫

♫ These are foolish and infuriating times, I still wish we could be together forever ♫

♫ Destiny leads you into my life to make me whole ♫

♫ My love for you is like an ink-mark that never dries ♫

♫ As the snow scatters in the wind, as the clouds shield the moon ♫

♫ As I have to be drunk to sleep through the night ♫

♫ Like you, the paper I write on is full of melancholy ♫

♫ Destiny leads you into my life, times of great changes separate us ♫

♫ My tears fall and fill the curtained carriage along the way ♫

♫ This homeward journey, this boundless life ♫

♫ It is fleeting, and filled with joys and sorrows ♫