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The Promise of Chang'an

Episode 5

Yukun Palace

Chengxu.

Mingyu, why are you here?

I was looking for you everywhere. So, you are here.

I came here for a breather.

Perhaps, this will calm me if I'm alone.

Your head is so hot. How long have you been in this cold air?

Come here. Drink with me.

It's better for two people to be drinking together than drinking alone.

Sister Mingyu, how much did you let older brother drink?

Why is he so drunk?

He usually has tolerance for alcohol.

He's simply too tired.

Think about it. Since he came back from Yonglin,

many events occured.

I'm guessing he didn't had a good rest.

As your older brother, he needs to force himself to be strong in front of you.

He needs to handle so many matters and be concerned about you, takes care of you and cares about your feelings too.

It's good for him to have some wine. He can finally have a good sleep.

I didn't even realize this.

How could he express these in front of you?

It's okay. Go back and continue with your vigil.

Someone must be there. I will be here for your older brother.

- Okay. - Go then.

Mother Consort, Mother Consort.

When you wake up, there's some warm porridge on the stove.

Even if you don't have any appetite, you must consume some food too.

I know that you are grieving and sad.

Hope you will eat and sleep, and stay well.

Chengxu, you're up. How do you feel?

How come you haven't drank from the kettle?

Mingyu, thank you.

I'm feeling much better.

Then that's good.

[Xiao Qihan - Xia Chengrui's eldest son]

Young Highness, thank you for your magnanimity.

Remove it, remove all of it.

Hurry. Take it away.

Your Highness, His Highness Prince of Han, and His Highness Prince of Wei have personally come here.

Father predicted so right. It looks like my royal uncles can't stand it anymore and have come to plead with him.

No, I have to go take a look.

Third Brother,

Third brother. We've messed around for so many days. It should be enough.

We all supported you, but you told us to go to the Second Brother,

so we all went to find him, but he wouldn't come out.

He insisted that you are the one that everyone supports.

You two keep pushing each other and making us run around. How is this helpful?

- That's right, Third Brother. - Just agree then. - I've already said.

The burden of Great Sheng is too heavy, I really can't bear it.

Third Brother.

Third Brother, Royal Father used to think the most highly of you.

Everyone here,

if Third Brother cannot succeed the throne,

how can the late king rest in peace?

What do you guys say? Isn't that true?

Oh,yes.

- Just agree, Third Brother. - Third Brother.

Enough, enough.

You're just making things difficult for me.

We can't wait any longer. No matter what, we must come to a conclusion today.

Second Brother also said, if Third Brother won't agree today,

we will have to do it by force.

That's right, just carry him to the Great Hall to receive congratulatory greetings.

- No more talking, Third Brother. - Let's go, Third Brother.

- Let's go, Third Brother. - What are you doing? - Let's go, let's go.

- Don't do this. - Let's go. - Let go of me.

You are really...

Let's go, let's go.

Everyone.

Royal Father has unfortunately passed away.

Right now, we all hope that

we can nominate someone whose virtue and talent can instill confidence among the people

to become the new king.

I believe that the best person is Prince of Qi.

Prince of Qi, Xiao Chengrui!

- That's right. - That's right.

I think so too.

No, no.

That can't be.

Second Brother has made great contributions, and all the younger brothers are outstanding and talented.

I, Xiao Chengrui, is not virtuous or capable enough to dare take on such a vital responsibility.

I ask that everyone select a more worthy person.

Third Brother has achieved outstanding military merits, and he is smart and strong.

If it's anyone else, I'm won't accept it.

Chengtai, what about you?

Except for Third Brother, if anyone else leads Great Sheng,

I, Xiao Chengtai, will not pledge allegiance.

Since no one has any objections,

Chengrui, I think you shouldn't reject it any longer.

Second Brother, we can't.

Does anyone have an objection?

No.

Fine.

I, Xiao Chengli, will be the first to swear an oath to Heaven.

From now on, I'll do my best to assist the new king, Xiao Chengrui, with total loyalty.

We will also swear an oath to Heave, to wholeheartedly support Your Majesty

with total loyalty.

My brothers,

You must not do this.

How can I, Xiao Chengrui, take up this responsibility?

We ask that Your Highness, Prince of Qi, to ascend the throne.

We will wholeheartedly assist you with total loyalty.

Your Highness, Prince of Qi, please don't refuse anymore.

Prince of Qi, please ascend the throne.

Prince of Qi, please ascend the throne.

Everyone's sincerely is more than what I, Xiao Chengrui, deserve.

Alright, today, I will make a promise that

I will take on this important duty

to carry on Royal Father's lasting vision to strengthen Great Sheng.

We hope Prince of Qi will lead us to

strengthen Great Sheng and rule the world.

Mingyu, thank you for keeping us company this whole time.

Chengxuan, you're too kind.

Helping Princess Mu and the King out of trouble is my duty.

Mingyu, thank you for spending your time with me.

Otherwise, I wouldn't know how I'd pass the time.

Ninth Uncle. Ninth Uncle!

Qihan, why are you here?

I followed them to the palace to see my father and the uncles.

The Third Brother has already entered the palace?

You haven't heard yet?

My uncles encouraged my father to accept the crown, and he has accepted.

Right now, he is probably discussing state affairs with the other royal uncles.

Whoever becomes the Emperor

is the one who forced Mother to her death.

Pretty soon, my father will be the new Emperor of Great Sheng.

Were you going to leave the palace? Don't bother. Hurry and go congratulate my father.

No, it's Royal Father. Hurry and go congratulate my Royal Father now.

It was Third Brother.

Second Brother.

It's you, Chengxu and Chengxuan.

My brothers, skip the formalities.

I heard that you haven't been feeling well these past few days,

and today, we're in mourning. How are you feeling, Second Brother?

I just accidentally caught a cold. It's no big deal.

Then it's good.

How is it that the two of you came to visit me in your spare time?

Actually, I won't hide anything from you.

On the day of Mother's burial,

we were unable to go.

Our hearts are heavy.

For the past few days, we stood in front of her coffin.

We kept feeling guilt. You were there at the burial.

I wonder what happened at that time.

Mother really didn't have any last words

for the two of us?

Your mother, she . . .

just wanted us to take care of the two of you.

She didn't say anything else?

Looks like

Mother knew that since the king's brothers are here,

Chengxuan and I won't feel any sort of hardship.

That way, she could die in peace.

Oh, yes, Second Brother.

now that Royal Father died,

There is nobody to take the place of the King.

I heard that everyone is supporting the Third Brother in taking the place.

It is true.

They are all princes, generals,

also the aristocrats and virtuous ministers that got together.

It was a result that came out of serious discussion.

Before Father died, did he leave any imperial edict on who would uphold his legacy?

Or a test of some sort?

I'm just trying to say, was it father's wish that Third Brother took his place?

Father left all too suddenly.

Indeed, he didn't leave any last words for us.

I had thought that since you, Second Brother, are the elder brother,

you would naturally take on this important task.

So why would the Third Brother end up with it?

Brother, please stop talking nonsense.

I'm getting old.

How could I possibly be better than your Third Brother?

Ascension of the new king is our foremost priority.

I cannot take on such an important duty. Everyone nominated the best and talented candidates.

If we compare who has done more service or who has more wit,

who could compare to Third Brother?

Chengxu. Chengxuan.

This is for the future of Great Sheng.

Chengxuan and Chengxu understand the order of the Second Brother.

We'll take our leave.

Thank you.

Second Brother has always been the most softhearted.

After doing our best to probe for information, we still didn't get anything.

I'll go see Third Brother.

I want to hear what he has to say.

Third Sister-in-law.

Chengxu. Chengxuan. Have a seat.

After these days of running around, the two of you have gotten paler.

It's been hard for you.

Where's Third Brother?

I have a lot of questions I want to ask him.

Your Third Brother is in the barracks.

There's been a lot of commotion there,

so he has a lot of things to take care of.

Have you heard that your Third Brother, due to everyone's insistence,

accepted the crown.

I heard.

So now, he's got a lot of court matters to attend to.

If there's anything I can help with, you can tell me.

Third Sister-in-law.

you've always treated us like your own brothers.

So there's something I won't hold back on.

My heart feels aggrieved.

I'm in pain.

I'll ask you one thing.

Think about all these years.

How have I treated you?

Third Sister-in-Law, you treated us like a mother would treat her children.

Then okay.

Your Third Brother would never harm you two.

Do you believe what I'm saying?

I believe you. Of course, I believe what you say.

Chengxuan!

Chengxuan!

Brother, you really believe what Third Sister-in-law says?

Does it really matter whether I do or don't? Right now, we have no leads.

Besides, the Third Sister-in-Law has such a kind heart. Would she really trick us?

If Third Brother really became the Emperor, then he's the one who killed Mother.

I find it hard to believe that Third Brother would do that to us.

It could be that Third Brother ascended the throne

because everyone insisted on it.

Among our royal older brothers, is anyone pure and innocent?

Especially the Fifth Brother and Eighth Brother, the ones who hold the Shenxiao camp.

Would they really select the most virtuous by begging Third Brother to ascend the throne?

It had to be because the Third and Fourth Brothers

who hold strong military powers, so they are obeying them.

In this whole thing,

I see Third Brother and the others making the decision themselves.

Even though they aren't from the same mother,

but the Fourth and Fifth brother are definitely following the Third Brother!

Just because he's suspicious doesn't mean that it's definitely him!

- It might be him! - If it really is him,

then we don't have the power to face him right now. We must wait.

Wait? How long will we have to wait, Brother?

I can't afford to think about that many things right now!

We have two groups of soldiers and horses. If they don't help us seek justice,

then we can fight them ourselves! We can avenge our Mother ourselves!

Stop arguing! We're still not familiar with the situation!

We don't even have a close confidant.

Look, if we move recklessly,

and can't even protect the horses and soldiers from the camps,

we will also be doomed.

The only thing we can do right now is

to investigate the truth,

and to find our allies and gain power.

- We need to wait for a chance! - Older brother!

Trust me!

Chengxuan, don't worry.

I will not let this go.

Third Brother, what are we supposed to do?

Chengrui, you are about to take the place of the King. According to rules,

you can't be a pallbearer.

Mother Consort enters the royal tomb today. I should come to bid her farewell.

I know that you have many doubts and hesitations.

The Royal Father truly doted on you.

And you are very intelligent and dogged.

Probably at first the Royal Father

wanted you to take over the throne.

I shall not dare.

I am way too young and I am not familiar with military and state affairs.

How could I carry on this important task?

The Royal Father surely didn't have this intention.

I have also never thought about the throne.

But the Royal Father has died

and our brothers and the court councilors constantly put pressure onto me.

The State cannot be left without a leader overnight.

It turns out I cannot shirk this responsibility. I cannot help but being terrified.

Ii have summoned up courage and taken on this important task.

Brother, you enjoy people's support.

What is there to be terrified about?

Daliang doesn't let my heart be at ease. Xiqi also lurks us like a tiger lurkes its prey.

We only have a treaty of alliance with Yonglin.

Great Sheng is being threated by countless foreign aggresions.

The people look up at the throne as a weapon which gives one the right to kill and shed blood.

But for me...

it is just an enormous load.

I initially hoped that you'd take on a part of the responsability.

But among all of my brothers

you are the one who holds a grudge on me.

How could I not be terrified?

It is not true.

Do you remember how our grandfather got ambushed by the people of Great Xi?

This happened because he quarreled with his Twelfth Brother.

Thus he's created a civil strife.

I do not wish at all

for things like that to happen between my brothers.

If you have doubts about how I have ascended to the throne.

then you could expose me so I get dismissed.

If you suspect that I have anything to do with the death of your mother

You might as well kill me today.

Brother, your words are powerful. I do not dare to think of something like that.

If I have doubts,

it concerns other people.

But Brother, I do not have other thoughts.

Fine.

Since you know that I am about to ascend to the throne,

then I hope that there won't be

any feelings of animosity among brothers.

Moreover, this is not only a promise you will bear on your head.

I really don't wish we keep up this grudge.

I understand.

Good.

To tell you the truth, no matter how much I enjoy people's support

but this throne wasn't handed in to me by the Royal King.

There will always be people who will have doubts about me.

You are the brother I regard as most importan to me.

You are the person I trust the most besides Chengyao, Chengtai.

I still hope that you and Chengxuan will achieve great accomplishments.

So together we could defend

the future of our Great Sheng.

Brother, tell me! Can I trust you?

Yes!

I, Chengxu, will live up to Third Brother's wish.

How...how...

could you let it slip away

such a great opportunity?

Because I don't know

The Third Brother pointed the knife blade at himself

and gave me the hilt.

Is it because he is truly calculating or open?

What if he did it on purpose?

What if he already calculated everything and knew you wouldn't kill him?

That way, he could fool everyone.

Brother, do you actually trust him?

- Are you not going to investigate Mother's death? - Of course I'll investigate it!

But Third Brother and Sister-in-law have always treated us with affection since childhood.

Taking care of, helping us, raising and teaching us,

even guarding us with their lives. We know this more than anyone else.

Before we have any evidence,

I cannot use my own guesses to suspect him.

I can't turn the Third Brother into someone I hate just yet.

I can't kill him without saying anything.

This way, we won't be able to explain to the twelve Divine Roar camps.

Even worse, we can't explain to ourselves.

Besides, speaking of intelligence and experience,

who amongst all the princes can match him?

There really isn't anyone who can fight him.

Chengxuan, I don't want to hurt an innocent.

Furthermore,

These are our brothers.

But what other evidence is there?

Maybe the culprit is still hiding in the dark.

Anyway, rest assured. I will find evidence.

I will investigate this thoroughly.

But everyone close to Mother and Father were killed.

Where in the world are we supposed to find evidence?

There's one more person.

Su Qiu.

You've met her once.

When Mother died, she was not by her side.

Her name isn't in the sacrificial burial list either.

Mother.

Su Qiu, how long has it been since they came to visit?

Ninth Prince, Tenth Prince, you haven't been here for a while.

Her Highness has been missing you.

I think this Su Qiu knows something.

She escaped with a secret.

Chengxuan, before we reach a verdict,

The two of us must stay calm.

Don't get into a sharp confrontation with Third Brother.

Trust me. If Mother was really murdered,

I, Xiao Chengxu, vow

to make the person who hurt her pay.

I shall safeguard the nation's foundation.

To expand our territory and make it unshakable,

it's best to rely on those with strengths.

Prince of Zheng, Xiao Chengli,

Prince of Han, Xiao Chengyao,

Prince of Wei, Xiao Chengtai,

will assist me in meeting all the court ministers

to manage state affairs.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Prince of Yong An, Xiao Chengxu

is to be conferred Prince of Yan, bestowed a crown of three rows.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Prince of Yong Kang, Xiao Chengxuan,

is to be conferred Prince of Yu.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

It is decreed that a date will be selected for the official ceremony.

The appropriate ministry will carry out the decree.

Today, I succeed the throne.

I do not dare to forget the late king's wish.

Our land has long been pillaged, and the people have been harassed.

I shall unite an alliance in the northern land

to lead all the strong powers

to declare war on Great Liang!

Anyone that invades our land and harm our people

shall not be forgiven.

I shall annihilate them.

Your Majesty is wise.

May Your Majesty live ten thousand years, and forever more!

What's the situation?

I've asked out in all the nearby villages.

There's no information about Su Qiu at all.

Originally, we were planning to go Su Qiu's hometown,

but we didn't expect it to have completely gone up in flames.

There's nothing left. It's all my fault for not working hard enough.

This isn't your fault.

Someone else did this on purpose.

If we can't find Su Qiu, where are her relatives and neighbors?

I tried to find information on them already,

but it's been strange, those people have all seemed

to have left overnight. No one knows their whereabouts.

It must be a coincidence.

Brother, this situation is not simple.

What could Su Qiu possibly know

for them to do such a thing?

Our clues have led us nowhere.

What are we supposed to do now?

We should do what we planned before,

Right now, we still don't fully understand the situation. When we find Su Qiu

and learn what the situation really is, then we'll act accordingly.

I don't want to ruin our brotherly relationship

over suspicions.

You don't want to be suspicious of others,

but aren't you afraid that others have already gotten suspicious of you?

How could that be?

The Third Brother wants us to move out.

Ge'er, go check

whether all of our things were placed already.

Got it.

Chengxun. Chengxuan.

Third Sister-In-Law.

Me and your Third Brother

are so glad that you are willing to live in Dongming Court.

Either way you are not at the age of building your own manor.

Instead of living in the other brothers' manors, it's better for you to live in the palace and let me take care of you.

Your Third Brother feels very at ease.

He has great plans to cultivate you guys.

You should expect that your study and work materials will be much more rigorous.

I'm just warning you, you better not come whine to me about it.

I can't help you guys.

Though I will definitely provide you guys with

an endless supply of good food.

I knew it, the Third Sister-In-Law cares about us the most.

The Third Brother can only rest assured when we're right under his nose.

Chengxun.

Princess, all of the things are arranged.

Alright, you can organize your things then.

If you're missing anything, make sure to tell me immediately.

I'll go back now.

We'll see you out.

Ok. You can go back now.

I will come visit you when I have the time.

Sounds good, Third Sister-In-Law.

Chengxuan, you can't be so combative with the Third Brother and his wife.

We have to be cautious. It's for your own good. Do you understand?

I know, Older Brother. I just couldn't control myself back there.

Yunyun, you're so good! I'll get you another one.

It's Sister Mingyu.

Who is it? Who?

How annoying.

There's no more movement. Yunyun,

I think they probably fled out for fear of you.

Who said I fled?

Your Highness, after not meeting for a while,

Prince of Yan has become a lecher who likes to climb over the wall.

Let me punish you.

Why didn't you dodge it?

- Does it hurt? - Yes.

I thought you would dodge it.

It's fine,

I played a cruel prank on you. Now we're even.

Are you an idiot?

Zhen'er, go get some refreshments.

Yes, princess.

Is your room cleaned up?

I'll do it slowly.

Let's go. Let's drink some tea.

We can sit in the pavilion for a while.

Yue'er, hurry.

This colored glaze has a good symbolism.

This would be the perfect housewarming present for Chengxu.

I want to be the first one to bring it to him.

I don't want that Sister Helan Mingyu to get an opportunity.

Sister Qi purposefully left you guys the best room in Dongming Palace.

She was afraid you wouldn't feel accustomed to it,

She changed the layout of the inside and outside many times.

During this time, you were often out and about,

Sister Qi was very worried about you.

I... I also worried about you.

Are you doing well?

I don't know.

I feel the same way

everywhere.

Feeling dazed and confused.

I could never find what I was trying to find.

I couldn't find an answer

to many things I wanted to know the answer to.

I don't even know

what I should believe.

Then do you believe me?

Of course.

Here. Eat some sweet cake.

In Yonglin, whenever we go to a different place, we have to eat a bite of sweet cake.

It means that in the future, our lives will be sweet and pleasant.

Chengxu, it's fine to not have an answer for everything,

But you can't lose your goal. You still have to keep on living.

You also can't disappoint your father and mother, who had such high hopes for you.

Mingyu, you're very correct.

Thank you.

But even though this cake is sweet,

but it's way too sweet.

You gave me such a huge piece.

How could you have choked? Hurry!

Do you not have hands?

Can't you hold it yourself?

Princess, are you ok?

I'm fine.

Helan Mingyu, you broke my colored glaze.

- You were deliberate. - Prince Yuying, I'll recompense you.

You'll compensate me? How?

Do you know how precious this colored glaze is?

I had to look so hard to find such a pair.

Princess Yueling, this garden is so large, and the road is so thick.

You chose to bump into our Princess.

Whoever did it on purpose knows it in her heart.

- You... - Su Yuying.

Brother Chengxu, look.

They're bullying me and being so unreasonable.

This display is really rare.

But the late king gave me a piece. I'll find someone to send it over to you.

Would that be ok? Next time, be careful when walking.

- No, Brother Chengxu, I... - It's fine. It's getting late.

We just bought new horses from Yonglin.

I need to go pick one soon. You should go back.

Mingyu, you know Yonglin's horses best.

Please help me make a decision.

- Let's go. - No! I want to go, too!

You don't even know how to ride horses.

Weren't you always disgusted by how dirty and smelly the stables were?

Why would you come? Besides,

Horses will know that you don'g know how to ride, and they will buck.

Stop fussing. Hurry back. Let's go.

Brother Chengxu...

The horses at Yonglin are really superb.

You stupid woman. Why are you laughing?

Princess Yuying, if you don't like hearing people laugh,

I'll go laugh at home.

What are you looking at, put away the things.

As ordered by His Majesty, we already prepared this morning.

All of these horses have been handpicked and examined.

The ones inside are in the best condition.

The King specially ordered that

you are allowed first pick of these horses.

Then let the other princes pick.

I appreciate His Majesty's grace. You can leave first, let me select slowly.

The first time I rode a horse, the Third Brother taught me how.

He knows that I love horses and am the most picky when it comes to them.

[The Promise of Chang'An]

Timing and subtitles brought to you by _______ @ Viki.com

"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 ♫