Original subtitles

Timing and subtitles brought to you by Impossible Promises @ Viki.com

[The Promise of Chang'an]

[Episode Fifteen]

I hope Chengxu and Yuying will live well.

Now that Chengxu has finally gotten married, I can feel a bit better.

Mingyu.

Mingyu?

Sister Qi.

I know what you're thinking,

but now, you both have great families.

Isn't this a good thing?

Sister Qi, don't worry. I know.

Sister Qi, will you allow me to visit the Temple of Blessing?

Go ahead. I'll get extra guards to accompany you.

There's no need. Zhen'er's company is enough.

Then be careful and return to the palace earlier.

Rest assured.

There's no more sound of the guests outside.

How come Brother Chengxu still hasn't arrived?

Princess, you're already impatient?

What do you mean, I'm impatient?

I'm afraid that he is delayed by those guests, and he's the one who will be impatient.

Chengxu is here! Suxi, please leave.

Yes.

Your Highness.

Sister-in-Law, I will leave my older brother to you.

Brother Chengxu, how come you still haven't taken my fan?

People say, "A woman puts make up on for the one who loves her." I've really taken care to put make up on today.

Chengxu?

Chengxu?

Yu'er.

Brother Chengxu, are you calling me?

Mingyu.

What did you just say?

The Yu'er you just said, do you mean Su Yuying or Helan Mingyu?

I was right, wasn't I? You called for Helan Mingyu.

You hold my hand and call Helan Mingyu's name?

Yuying. Today was the big wedding between the two of us.

I don't want to fight with you.

I know your feelings for me ever since the beginning.

In the past, I always treated you as a little sister,

but today, you married me and am now my Consort.

You will be in charge of everything at the Prince of Yan's manor now.

Everything a Consort should have, I will give you. I will not allow you to feel any kind of suffering.

You will give everything I want? What about your heart?

Xiao Chengxu, you told me all of this on our wedding night,

is your heart still thinking about that Helan Mingyu?

I know now, all that talk about things being different after the passing of time,

All of that was lies. You're still pining for her!

Don't you forget, she married long ago!

She's His Majesty's side Consort, she's your Sister-in-Law!

If you are still coveting your sister-in-law, then you're ignoring morals.

You will be detested by everyone under the sun.

If you really had any power and really can't let her go,

then snatch her back!

I want to see whether or not you have the courage to do such a treacherous deed!

- Have you said enough yet? - No!

I think it's not that you're unable to do it,

but you know that she won't go with you!

Did you forget how she abandoned you?

Did you forget that because of her, you suffered a severe illness?

Princess Yuying, I never wanted to marry you.

Originally, I had planned to treat you well.

Now, it looks like you don't deserve it.

Xiao Chengxu! Let me tell you,

our marriage was approved personally by His Majesty.

I am your official wife.

From now on, your heart may only think of me, care about me, and love me!

You don't have the right to think of others!

No one can order me, Xiao Chengxu, to do anything.

His Majesty cannot, and you even more so cannot.

Don't move. Where are you going?

Today is the night of our big wedding!

If you dare... if you dare leave this room,

I will tell His Majesty and everyone else what you are thinking about in your heart!

Do whatever you want.

Xiao Chengxu! Get back here!

Xiao Chengxu!

Chengxu.

Let's go.

Moon Goddess, Chengxu and I

had promised to pledge an oath in front of you

to stay with each other in this whole lifetime.

Unfortunately, what we drew was a blank answer.

Probably we were not fated to write down our marriage wish.

In this lifetime, I only wish for Chengxu

to have a safe and sound life.

I have no other wish.

I pray for Moon Goddess's blessing.

♫ Fingers linger with peach blossom scent after it's given away ♫

♫ The autumn breeze is cool, the love is strong ♫

♫ A lifetime of love and hate woven together with no regrets ♫

♫ I will exchange everything for your honor ♫

♫ I will protect you until the end of time ♫

♫ Countless nights, yearning for dawn ♫

♫ If us two are destined to meet but be separated in this life ♫

Prince, today is the beginning of the ninth month, the ninth day. It's The Anniversary of Moon Goddess.

Your Highness should pray for good fortune and make a vow to the Goddess. This way Your Highness could ask for the Goddess' blessing.

There is also no harm in lighting a candle at the Eternal Altar.

♫ Couldn't wait for the wild wishes to come true, the heart aches. I just hate the absurb nights. ♫

♫ Can't forget your gaze, so uncommon ♫

♫ People not coming home feel confused and sad ♫

♫ Superficial feelings, profound experiences ♫

♫ Depressed over memories that are hard to forget ♫

♫ This short life isn't in vain, love sickness lasts longer than dreams ♫

I switch my heart with yours

I only wish for your well-being.

Mingyu...This is MIngyu's handwriting!

This was left here by Mingyu!

♫ Couldn't wait for the wild wishes to come true, the heart aches ♫

♫ I just hate the absurb nights ♫

♫ Can't forget your gaze, so uncommon ♫

♫ People not coming home feel confused and sad ♫

♫ Superficial feelings, profound experiences ♫

♫ Depressed over memories that are hard to forget ♫

♫ This short life isn't in vain, love sickness lasts longer than dreams ♫

♫ Once the world seems boundless, come back to my side ♫

Chengxu!

Princess!

The Prince went practicing sword fighting early in the morning.

Princes...allow me...to help you make your toilet.

My Lady, you soon have to bow before His Majesty and express your gratitude.

Express gratitude...

Your Highness!

Suxi, help me pick out the best clothes and the best hairpins!

I want to look gorgeous as I make my entrance into the palace.

Yes.

Chengxu!

Xiao Chengxu, you are my husband!

Yesterday we have just got married and now you already abandon me like this!

Do you want to let everyone see me and poke fun at me?

Let's go!

The Prince has arrived!

Greetings to the Second Royal Consort!

You may dispense with the curtsey.

Greetings, Royal Consort. Greetings, Aunt.

Royal Consort, look at Yuying! She's simply not the same after getting married!

She's really a Royal Consort!

Aunt!

Yuying, yesterday you have just moved in Chengxu's mansion. Have you already got accustomed to the place?

I heard that as the new mansion was under construction, Chengxu

was busy taming his horses, taking care of his weapons.

I am worried he might have been inconsiderate to you. That he might have given you the cold shoulder.

Prince of Yan, I have handed over to you

my beloved niece. You shall not mistreat her.

Consort Li arrived!

Greetings, Older Sister Qi.

Greetings, Older Sister Hui.

Mingyu, why have you come here?

Take a seat!

I will.

Aunt, what were you just saying earlier?

How could Chengxu mistreat me?

Chengxu loves me dearly and it is already too late to change anything.

Yesterday I have just moved in his mansion.

He would pamper me so much and he would be so considerate to me.

Then everything is fine. I was concerned that because of Chengxu's stubborn temper

you'd suffer because you can't figure him out temporarily.

How could that be! Chengxu is extremely kind to me!

Now we are already enjoying our life as newlyweds.

Our life is so sweet just as honey mixed with oil! Saying: Two lovers are deeply devoted to each other.

Anyway, it is a wonderful feeling to be together.

Sister Qi, the Prince of Yan

and Sister Yuying have affection since childhood.

How could the Prince of Yan treat Yuying unfairly?

There's no need to worry about such things!

Yuying, why are you here?

Didn't you not like horses?

Chengxu, at first I did not know what horses like. How to tame them.

But I have asked others. Now I know how to manage them.

I know that you are very fond of these horses.

They were your companions who went through fire and water with you on the battlefield.

From now on I will take care of them.

Look! My hands have gotten so rough, trying to feed them.

You have tried your best. But from today on

let your servants be in charge of these things.

I am your wife. I should be in charge of these things myself.

I know that on our wedding day I talked irresponsibly.

You know that I have a sharp tongue but I am not malicious.

Honestly I know that there's nothing else left between you two.

On our marriage day...Mingyu came to me.

She talked to me.

What did she say?

She said that you two had been around the Royal Consort ever since kids.

It's impossible for the two of you to not be more familiar with each other than others.

But...that was only a puppy love.

In fact now there's nothing else left.

I am also unsure whether she said that so she could observe my reaction.

Is it true?

Since she has said so

then she means it.

She also said that if I learnt how to contain my sharp words

that you would for sure not overlook that and only see the bad side.

That you would love me dearly.

Yuying...

I am also impulsive sometimes.

I shouldn't lose my temper around you.

Don't take it to heart.

You especially shouldn't have on our wedding night,

leave me in the room all alone.

That was the first night of our wedding...

Alright. From now on I will answer to your calls.

I will for sure come to the mansion to keep your company.

- For real? - For real.

I knew that you loved me dearly.

Ok, Yuying. I have to prepare for my expedition now.

You're... going on an expedition?

I am following His Majesty to leave immediately on an expedition to conquer the three prefectures of An Lin.

For real?

Princess Consort, please judge.

We're newlyweds and His Majesty is sending him off to battle.

That's too heartless.

What nonsense are you saying?

What's with His Majesty's heartlessness? I volunteered to go.

Then why are you insisting on going to battle?

Of course, it's because of Great Sheng.

I don't care. All other wives have their husbands by their side.

It's just my husband. Every day he does everything to avoid me.

He would rather go to war than accompany me at home.

Only a man who was not indomidable

would spend all of his days by his wife's side.

My sister and Eldest Prince are newlyweds too. I don't see him going off to battle.

Are you the only man of character around here? Qihan isn't?

Su Yuying, do not poke around in my business.

I am the Wolf Battalion's Leader. Bringing soldiers to war is my duty.

If I don't achieve military merits, nor protect the homeland,

just stay at home all my life, only dress by holding out my hand and eat by opening my mouth,

What would others think of me?

Unless you want me to be a man without any aspiration?

I just don't want you to go.

Enough, Yuying.

It's good that Chengxu has ambition. You should be more understanding.

I'm just afraid that something will happen.

Men that go off to battle sustain injuries all too often.

What if something bad happens to him? Then what?

Third Sister-in-Law, I would like you to enlighten her more.

If you'll excuse me.

Chengxu.

Chengxu!

Your Majesty, look at the way he is.

Mingyu.

I hear that you'll be going off to battle.

Yes.

You will definitely return victoriously.

Be careful. Take care.

I hope you have a smooth victory, Your Highness.

Mingyu. Only you understand me.

However, the one by my side is not you.

Our army has return in total victory this time.

The three prefectures of An Lin have surrendered.

Finally, we'll let them experience

our Great Sheng's prestige,

especially the Wolf Batallion,

as the main force that defeated the enemy forces,

its contribution is indelible.

The entire Wolf Xiao Battalion

is grateful for Your Majesty's capable command.

I'll reward based on merits.

Wolf Batallion and Eagle Batallion leaders,

Xiao Chengxu is wise and brave.

Xiao Chengxuan also achieved merits in the expedition.

They each will be rewarded a bonus of 1,000 taels of gold.

The entire army will also get rewarded.

We thank Your Majesty!

What do you think? During the day, they've already been applauded and rewarded.

At night there is even a celebratory banquet.

Fighting in and out of death in the battlefield these years,

we've already been accustomed to it,

but we've never seen His Majesty applaud anyone in such grandiose style.

Second Brother, say something. Why is His Majesty doing all this?

For what? I'll tell you why.

He just wanted to show his power and warn us three princes

Isn't he trying to win over new support to pressure us?

His ultimate motive is to grab all the power

for himself.

Second Brother, how could this be good?

Actually, centralizing the kingdom's power

is something that cannot be prevented.

Second Brother, you sure are able to keep calm.

You're still speaking up for him?

You don't care about your own interests?

What kind of person doesn't think about their own interests?

I am only thinking about the situation. From His Majesty's angle,

this is what he has to do.

To have three princes to govern the nation together,

This is something that has never happened before.

I don't care.

This is something he promised us personally.

You'll see. If he dares to provoke me,

I will not let him get away with it easily.

Reporting to Your Majesty,

The Prince of Yan has arrived. He says that he has important military events to discuss with you.

Send him in.

Yes.

Greetings, Your Majesty.

What is it that's so urgent?

Your Majesty, we've lost the four cities of Yong Ping.

What? The four cities of Yongping were lost?

Also, the Fourth Brother

slaughtered all the civilians in Yong Ping city.

That good-for-nothing Xiao Chengyao,

how much effort, people, and horses did we sacrifice

to get the four cities of Yongping?

I asked him to protect it well,

but he lost it for me!

Even worse,

he actually slaughtered the city.

The people of the four cities of Yong Ping subjugated to us because they saw our poster to keep them in safety.

With his slaughter, who will surrender to us in the future?

I have more news to report.

Tell me!

The Fourth Brother

is currently leading his troops on the way back.

I heard that all the large and small carriages

are full of the women and belongings that they plundered from those cities.

I'm afraid that they are already right outside the city now.

Transmit my command.

Order Xiao Chengtai to be blocked 15 li outside the city. He is not allowed to enter the city.

Your order is obeyed.

What do you mean?

Why has His Majesty sent you to tell me not to enter the city?

He wants you to confess your wrongs.

What wrongs did I commit?

Lin Feng and son led heavy forces and giant ballista to attack Luoyang city.

Luoyang couldn't hold and came to my Yong Ping city.

Yong Ping isn't fortified in iron.

If I didn't abandon the city, I would have died there.

At least Luoyang fought and held for a while, but what about you?

You didn't send rescue forces at first, and then you ran off without a fight.

Fourth Brother, listen to me a little, you've really done wrong this time.

- His Majesty now— - Enough, enough, I get it.

I made a mistake, so I'll just admit it. What can he do to me?

Older Brother!

You slaughtered the city, robbed money, grabbed women. That's the real crime.

This is what the northern lords taught us all these years.

It use to be considered prize, why is it a crime now?

I think I've understood it.

Chengtai, let me tell you.

Xiao Chengrui is a tiger that we fed to grow big.

If the tiger wants to eat, then today I will be the victim.

You're next.

Prince of Han, let me ask you. Do you admit your sin?

I admit it,

losing the Yongping cities was my fault.

However, this was my only wrongdoing.

Let me tell you, don't randomly label me with any guilt.

Xiao Chengyao!

Second Brother.

Xiao Chengyao, you've committed innumerable wrongs.

In the year before last, you attacked Huai Qiu

and actually wanted to install yourself as king. You already harbor treachery.

There was another time when I led the army to attack Duo Luo.

Xiao Chengxuan came back to report victories.

How did you receive him?

Chengxuan, you tell.

Your Majesty, our troops went to fight

and returned in victory. Even you, Your Majesty, personally came out of the city to welcome us

and wouldn't let us kneel to you.

But Fourth Brother

sat in the major seat in this great hall

and made me bow to him.

Is this true? Are you falsely charged?

Xiao Chengxuan, are you afraid that my guilt is too light and won't die,

so you deliberately recount old grudges? I am not convinced!

Fine.

We won't recount old grudges. Just talk about this time then.

The leading general of Luozhou fought desperately to hold the city for three nights.

You were actually so heartless to be a spectator.

Without a single fight, you abandoned the city and ran away.

Before you left the city, you even slaughtered the people and plundered treasures.

What's wrong with that? This is the way to scare the southern people.

Are they afraid now?

Xiao Chengxu,

you tell. What did the scout report?

The scout reported that the surrendered soldiers and civilians have been killed.

All the people are hating us wholeheartedly.

They say, instead of being killed while tied up,

they'd rather fight to their death.

From now on, probably no one will want to surrender to us anymore.

You heard that?

From now on, wherever our army goes, we'll have to fight a bloody battle.

Our southern expedition could have easily got cities to surrender.

Now, how much of the soldiers' blood will be sacrificed

to conquer them?

You'd actually dare to say it was good to rob, good to kill.

Li Wencheng!

- Present. - This crime that Prince of Han has committed,

how should it be convicted according to the law?

Your Majesty,

Prince of Han's crime is inexcusable. It is punishable by death according to the law.

Your Majesty, I'm begging you, please save the Fourth Prince.

Sister, please get up.

Whether Chengyao is guilty or not, the court's ministers will be fair and just.

I can't disturb the process.

Your Majesty, I'm begging you.

If you don't help him beg for mercy,

then he'll die for sure!

Please stand up. Quickly.

Don't worry just yet.

I believe that His Majesty will not kill the Prince.

How do you know?

It's a guess. I don't think I'm wrong.

Your Majesty. Are you really going to kill me?

It's not that I'm really going to kill you,

You are getting what you deserve.

Fine.

Then let me ask you, Your Majesty,

who are you killing next? Chengtai or our Second Brother?

Xiao Chengyao! Stop this nonsense!

Did we commit as huge of a crime as you did?

I won't kill you.

I'm going to throw you within large walls,

and never let you out.

Your Majesty, the dungeon is too damp and cold.

Chengyao... has a chronic heart disease and probably can't withstand it.

Because you have already pardoned his death penalty,

why not just imprison him in his own manor?

Second Brother, Xiao Chengyao committed a heinous crime.

Pardoning him from death was already merciful enough,

so please stop pleading on his behalf.

Prince of Yan.

I'm here.

You will be the one to oversee the care of Xiao Chengyao.

Your edict is obeyed.

Mingyu.

I got information

His Majesty really didn't kill Fourth Prince and said he will get life imprisonment.

Also, he has ordered the Prince of Yan to oversee it himself.

What?

What's wrong, Mingyu?

Giving this job to Chengxu,

I don't know if that is a good or bad thing.

Your Majesty, in the trial of Fourth Brother at court today,

how did things go?

I plan to put him in jail for the rest of his life.

His Bear and Lion batallions

will be taken back until I decide what to do with them.

What's wrong?

Nothing really.

I just didn't think that Mingyu would be able to predict it.

What do you mean?

Previously, Fourth Sister-in-law came to me with tears to plead with me.

she asked me to plead you for mercy,

but I knew that as your wife, I was not allowed to interfere.

Right when I was feeling helpless, Mingyu comforted her

and said that you would not kill your brother.

I never would have expected her to actually be correct.

I also want to know how she guessed it correctly.

You clever girl, tell me.

How did you guess that I would not kill Chengyao?

It's because Your Majesty regard brotherly love highly,

so I guessed that you wouldn't be able to do such a ruthless act.

Besides that?

Because the four cities of Yongping were already lost,

even if you killed the Fourth Prince, there would be no use,

so it would be better to keep him and have everyone know

you are a kind king, and everyone will feel gratitude to your grace and virtue

so that they will do their best to serve you..

Mingyu. It's a shame you are a woman.

Otherwise, you could be a prime minister.

It's not a shame.

It's lucky that I'm a woman, or I'd be like Your Majesty

working hard day and night for the nation. I wouldn't be able to do that.

- Your Majesty. - What is it?

Consort Li sent someone over to say that she would like to see you.

What's wrong?

Your Majesty, Consort Hui suddenly feels unwell

and would like Your Majesty to go over there.

Your Majesty, since Sister Hui is not feeling well,

you probably should go there.

When people are sick, they always wish those who are closest to them

to stay by their side.

You really want me to go there?

Right now, Sister Hui's health is more important.

All the other women want me to stay in their palace.

Yet you are the only one who is constantly pushing me out.

That is not what I meant at all.

Forget it.

You can leave first. I will come soon.

- Yes. - Yes.

You are not kicking me out,

but ever since you married me,

you've never wanted me to come

nor have you actively tried to keep me here.

Isn't that so?

Mingyu,

in your heart, what am I really to you?

Your Majesty, you are the king and also my husband.

I fear that in your heart, I am mostly just the King.

You always respect me, follow me, and are gentle and pleasant,

but you've never tried to compete for my favor or act playful with me. Furthermore, you've never tried

to take the effort to get my attention or earn my praise.

However, my gaze simply cannot stray from you.

Ninth Brother, Tenth Brother.

I know I did wrong. I really know I did wrong.

Please help me.

Help me plead with His Majesty to let me out of here.

To keep me in this prison where I can't see the sun,

I'd rather die in the battlefield.

Ninth Brother, Tenth Brother, I beg you.

You'd better not imagine that you can ever leave here in this lifetime.

Just wait to die of old age in prison.

But I'm your older brother!

How can you disregard brotherly bond?

Yes, it was all my fault previously,

but I temporarily got muddled, Ninth Brother.

I know you are kind and compassionate.

If you help me this time, I promise that when I get out

I will never be your enemy.

- Guards. - Present.

Lock up.

What are you doing?

Your Highness.

Since His Highness ordered to imprison you and never let you out,

then this lock will naturally never open again.

My brother is in charge of watching over the prisoners. This is the only way

to show His Majesty his determination to use you as the example to warn others.

Ninth Brother! I'm begging you, don't do this! Ninth Brother! I'm begging you!

Tenth Brother, save me! Tenth Brother!

I'm begging you! Stop!

Xiao Chengyao.

- If it weren't for you, my mother wouldn't have died so terribly. - Stop!

Mingyu also would not have mistakenly married my Third Brother.

- All the hope and happiness that Mingyu and I had for this life - Stop!

- was ruined by you. - Stop!

- Xiao Chengyao, you owe me. - Stop!

Don't you two want to know how your mother died? I'll tell you the truth!

Stop.

My mother was choked by you, wasn't she?

You still dare to mention it more?

Yes.

I admit what I've done.

But this matter isn't as simple as what you think.

Haven't you felt there's something wrong about Concubine Mu's death?

That's right.

Haven't you been looking for the palace maid who disappeared?

You guessed it right.

Her death is tied to a great mystery.

Think about it carefully.

[The Promise of Chang'an]

Timing and subtitles brought to you by Impossible Promises @ 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 ♫