Original subtitles

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

[The Promise of Chang'an]

[Episode 17]

Ling Zhen'er!

Why do you always look down on me?

I'm bring some sweet soup for Your Majesty.

Don't move.

Your Majesty, you don't find this uncomfortable?

From what I see, you're the one finding this awkward.

Why is your body wrapped so tightly?

Are you afraid I'll eat you?

I think I should still get you the b—

Why drink any sweet soup? It's enough to have you.

What? Sitting on me isn't comfortable? Always wanting to squirm away.

Your Majesty is in a very good mood today.

Yes.

Our Great Sheng is getting stronger every day.

The old style doesn't work anymore.

The late king relied too much on the princes in our own family.

The leaders of the twelve Great Xiao Battalions hold too much military power.

Most of them only care about protecting themselves or expanding their gains,

instead of considering for the nation's overall interest.

And now, using the Prince of Wei's problem,

the joint regency with the three princes is removed.

Following the trend, I also redistributed some of the powers held by the princes.

That Li Wencheng understands me the most.

He got all the court officials to petition

for a decree to reopen the previous dynasty's system of meritorious exam and six ministries.

I've already given them the approval to do it.

Mingyu, did you know

the feeling of wanting to do something

and taking the action to do it feels so good.

Congratulations, Your Majesty.

restoring the six ministries to each with its separate responsibility.

Your Majesty's decree has been targeted with a purpose and effective when implemented.

I am happy for you, My King.

What Your Majesty is thinking the most about

must be how to recruit talents to staff the six ministries, right?

You clever girl, you guessed correctly.

Right now, I am thirsting to find competent talents.

It'll still take some time to fully solidify the six ministries.

However, the Ministry of Personnel is the most important as it is the leader of the six ministries.

We need someone who is wise and bold to push it forward.

It looks like in your heart, you'd picked a candidate long ago.

What? You guessed correctly again?

I plan to give the Ministry of Personnel to Chengxu.

The Prince of Yan's qualifications aren't really that strong though.

To arrange it this way, you must have your reasons, My King.

I want to use him and test him.

We'll see whether or not he can keep my trust.

Once the six ministries are restored, those cumbersome affairs of the state

will gradually be straightened up.

Your Majesty, don't work yourself too hard.

I'll tell them to prepare a bath. Once you've relaxed, you can rest early.

Observant and considerate.

Mingyu, you are so thoughtful.

Let's bath together then.

Oh, right, the soothing fragrance that I prepared for you...

I forgot to bring it. I will get it right now.

Hui'er, please attend to His Majesty.

Yes.

[Prince of Yan's Manor]

Hurry up in organizing, then heat it up again.

- Yes. - Why would you continue heating it?

You've heated it so many times, but he never comes back.

A bunch of useless things. Take them outside to throw away!

Yes.

- Your Highness. - Your Highness.

You can all leave.

- Yes. - Yes.

What happened to you this time?

After you came back from battle,

you've been busy with this and that and have never stayed at home.

I asked the housekeeper to look into it, but he said you had no work today.

I asked people to prepare a whole table full of food.

Just to wait for you, we reheated it many times, but it still wouldn't get you to come back.

Now, do I not even have the right to sit and talk with you?

I know that in the past, it was me who was in the wrong.

I didn't understand your ambition as a man.

I made you suffer and embarrassed you,

but I know I was wrong. I will change.

I will change everything.

Chengxu. Don't not come home just because you're angry with me.

You always say you want to change, but your temper is still like this.

Look at the way you scared the servants.

I didn't purposefully want to get angry.

I just... I couldn't hold it inside. I was suffering inside.

It's ok. Don't think nonsense anymore.

I know that I left for a long time,

and made you protect the Yan Mansion all alone. It was wrong.

Suxi, ask the cook to make some good food.

Yes.

I'm going to the study first to finishing writing the reports for His Majesty tomorrow.

I'll come back to eat with you, ok?

Ok.

Mingyu. Did you feel wronged when you married me?

Why do you say this, Your Majesty?

Your Majesty is a great hero.

It's my greatest fortune to be able to serve Your Majesty.

This answer is not good enough.

I know that you respect, obey me, and help me.

Your Majesty, if I did anything badly,

please educate me.

What areas could you possibly be wrong in?

First, I don't think anything is wrong.

If you hadn't stolen my heart when I was caught unaware,

making me care more and more about your feelings,

making me care more and more about your emotions,

then I probably never would have noticed

that your heart

is so distant from me.

I have never asked a woman who married me whether she felt wronged

because I do not understand what you care about.

You don't care about status or reward.

You barely even care about my affection.

When I come, you welcome me.

When I don't come, you still go on indifferently.

You are always so flexible.

You'll never act cute with me or throw a temper tantrum.

So all along, Your Majesty liked cute, hot-tempered girls.

You like girls that annoy you?

I don't like the way you smile.

I think you don't care about anything.

Is it because you don't care about me at all?

Your Majesty, it's really because I care about you

that I do my best to not annoy you.

I don't know what I can do for you,

and I just wish for you to be happy and see your wishes come true.

What are you doing?

I wasn't trying to punish you. Why are you kneeling?

Looking at you makes my heart ache. It makes me feel pity for you.

You should pity me a little bit, too.

Look, first, you made me love your appearance,

then I loved your creativity,

and lastly, you made me love...

I can't even say what exactly I love about you,

but I don't just wish you

to dutifully become my good and beautiful wife, but

I even more hope that you can take the wishes you hide at the bottom of your heart

and all of your feelings to me.

Mingyu, today, I have said everything from the bottom of my heart

to you. I'm not afraid of being laughed at by you.

What I'm afraid of is losing you.

I am afraid that

I've never earned your heart before.

Your Majesty. Don't blame me.

If you want me to respect and value you,

I could do that naturally,

but long ago, I already gave the heart you want

to someone else.

Servants!

Your Highness, what is your command?

Who has sneaked into my study

and touched my things without permission?

It's... It was the Princess Consort.

I tried to coax and persuade her that you had ordered

- nothing could be touched in the study— - Enough!

Where are those things?

I should be killed. I should be killed.

I couldn't stop Princess Consort.

She ordered servants to... to have them all burned.

Burned? When did this happen?

Where were they burned?

When Your Highness was out on the expedition,

Princess Consort... in the courtyard...

burned them all.

Princess, Princess, something bad!

What is it that you are in such a panic?

His Highness has gone to the study.

It's all your fault. You didn't stop me.

I was annoyed that he had to go on the expedition

that I burned all those things that he hid in the study out of a sudden anger.

Even Helan Mingyu's stupid horsewhip, old embroidered flower,

and those little poems and notes she wrote him,

he had carefully cherished and hid them.

I burned them all.

If he discovers, I don't know...

Your Highness, the kitchen is asking

will the dinner for you and the princess consort be served in the great room or in the garden room?

I don't need it anymore.

I have lost all appetite by her.

Do whatever she wants. I'm not keeping her company.

Older Brother.

What is it?

The witness for Xiao Chengtai's encroachment of private lands and houses

has been arranged as you ordered.

Fifth Brother.

I'm not worth it.

Fifth Brother, your temper is still high.

But His Majesty is the one that punished and demoted you.

What, are you still thinking of His Majesty?

I don't need to waste time talking nonsense with you little rascal.

Let's go.

My Lord, there's great injustice!

- Who's this? - Injustice!

I have suffered great injustice.

Scram! You scared His Highness' horse. Don't you want to lose your life?

Your Highness Prince of Wei, you forcefully took away all the land from our family.

How are we going to survive?

Go ahead and let me die right here today.

What? You said Prince of Wei grabbed your land and home?

Fifth Brother, is your salary from the court not enough to live on?

This resentful woman is spewing nonsense.

Guards, stuff her mouth.

Yes!

Stop.

Encroaching private land, houses, and embezzling money.

You've embarrassed the entire royal family!

Speak!

Your Highness, it's true that I made a mistake.

But, it wasn't what I wanted to do.

Actually, it was when Fourth Brother was still alive,

he transferred some land and private properties to be under my name.

I will now submit all the deeds and ledger books.

I don't dare to conceal anything. Your Majesty, please investigate thoroughly.

Guards!

Present!

You are to follow him to the Prince of Wei's Manor, collect all the ledger books

and deeds to submit to the Ministry of Personnel for Prince of Yan to manage at his full discretion.

As for Prince of Wei, during this period of investigation,

he is forbidden from leaving a single step from the Prince of Wei's manor.

Yes!

Your Highness Prince of Wei, please.

I've already read the report that you submitted. I think it's very good.

You don't need to be concerned, just do what you proposed.

This is a good time to remove all the toxic tumors from the court.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Chengxu, previously I let you enter the Ministry of Personnel.

There were still many people who doubted. They said that you were too young

and lacked experience. I disagreed.

You are willing to take on work, not abide by old restrictions, it's excellent.

I shall not disappoint your expectation.

Reporting!

Your Majesty, it's a secret report about the war from the Ministry of War.

Since it's a secret report, I'll leave first then.

No problem.

Chengxiao and his Rhinoceros Xiao Battalion

are stranded in the White Rock Valley

outside Xi Qi's Feng city. There is no further news.

Eighth underestimated the enemy too much.

In the past few years, even though Xi Qi has been

forced by Great Sheng to lose land, city, and retreat to the west,

but the northwestern region is, after all,

their most familiar battlefield.

Changxiao and Rhinoceros Xiao Battalion get defeated there.

I'm afraid Xi Qi will get breathing room and have a comeback.

Your Majesty, I'm willing to lead the battalions on an expedition

to White Rock Valley to reinforce Eighth Brother and the Rhinoceros Xiao Battalion.

Are you sure?

I've long been waiting to fight a good battle with Xi Qi.

Ninth Brother, among all the brothers and nephews of mine,

you are the most outstanding.

You also know that I regard you highly.

You and I are monarch and subject, and also brothers.

Assist me well, and it will be like in your childhood,

when I held your hand and took you running forward.

I'll groom you into a really great hero.

Yes, you are a great hero.

You will be a great hero.

Princess told me to remind you, Your Highness,

among all the young princes, His Majesty

only pays you with high regard and expectation.

Therefore, she asks that you must be careful in your progress.

You must not make mistakes to hurt yourself.

Ninth Brother.

Ninth Brother, Ninth Brother!

I understand.

I shall not disappoint Third Brother's expectation for me.

Go then.

Settle the affairs at the Ministry of Personnel, and leave on the expedition immediately.

Yes.

Good, save some energy. We're leaving on the expedition tomorrow.

Older Brother, you were just going to investigate Xiao Chengtai,

now he orders you to go on an expedition against Xi Qi.

Don't you think he is scheming something?

I asked to go on the expedition myself.

Do you think that I'm scheming something too?

But,

I think you are falling more and more into his trap.

I'm reminding you every hour and minute.

I know that you are faithful to relationships and justice, but others aren't necessarily so.

What about Xiao Chengtai then?

Don't watch him?

Older Brother, tell me the truth. Do you really want to find Su Qiu or not?

Do you really want to find the truth?

What are you saying?

I wish I could see everything clearly right now

and resolve all the doubt in my mind.

All that doub, be it black or white, benevolence or grudge, I want it to be shown clearly.

Do you think I'm leaving Yan city right now to escape?

Then you are thinking too simple-mindedly.

I'm doing it so that Xiao Chengtai will reveal the real truth.

I don't understand.

If I'm in Yan city, he will definitely be on guard against me.

But, once I go on the expedition,

he will definitely do away with all the hidden land and properties.

Later, I won't be able to find anything in the investigation.

However, even though I'm not in Yan city, it doesn't mean I won't have spies.

If he makes any moves,

I'll be able to follow his trail and find everything about him.

I see, so you have planted spies

next to Xiao Chengtai.

I—I thought you...

Thought what?

Don't worry.

You and I will always have the same heart.

Follow me to defeat Xi Qi on the one hand,

and wait for news about Xiao Chengtai on the other hand.

My King, I heard that you were going to Yonglin.

Xi Qi's Feng city is near Yonglin.

Today, the King of Xi Qi is hiding in Fang City.

If he is under siege by our Sheng Zhou's army,

he will definitely ask Yonglin for help.

If Yonglin brings out its forces...

My King, do you not trust my grandfather?

The king of Yonglin is old.

Perhaps he is afraid that he can't give his ancestors a good explanation after he dies,

so he has become more reminiscent of the peace accord between his ancestors and Xi Qi,

from the marriage with Xi Qi, to secretly selling

war horses and weapons to Xi Qi.

If the King of Yonglin wants to earn the trust of both sides,

not offend either side, it means he can't see the situation clearly.

Grandpa is getting a little muddled now.

Don't worry.

The King of Yonglin is the grandfather of both you and Mingyu.

Yonglin and my Great Sheng have always been in harmony.

Originally, I didn't want to make things get ugly,

so this time, when I take Mingyu back to Yonglin to visit her family,

I can also remind His Majesty.

I understand.

This is the road to Yonglin.

Your Majesty said that we were just going to look around the hunting grounds.

You discovered so quickly?

Didn't you often say that in this world, Yonglin was the most beautiful?

That it was the place that was most unforgettable to people?

There is also climbing high on the Double Ninth Festival,

I also want to try some wild rabbit personally hunted by you.

try a sip of the peach wine you personally brewed

and buried under the peach tree in your courtyard

but is still not dug up.

Your Majesty, these were offhanded comments.

You remembered them all in your heart?

When I said I cared about you, did you think I was joking?

I knew you missed home.

Your Majesty, this time you are taking me home just to visit my family?

Do you like it?

Mingyu!

- King of Sheng. - King of Yonglin.

- King of Sheng. - Prince.

Grandpa.

Ok, ok, ok.

Come this way, King of Sheng.

Mingyu, what are they fighting about?

They are trying to grab the red flower. Whoever gets it

might be able to ask for the hand of Yonglin's most beautiful woman on the countryside.

I bet in the past, there were many young men who,

in order to ask for your hand inmarriage, did their best to grab the red flower and ended up hurting themselves. Right?

I...

My red flower was always kept by me. I wouldn't give it to anyone.

I want to try. Giddy up!

Your Majesty!

Move aside!

Go away!

Give it back!

I'm not going to give it back.

Give it back! Give it back!

Chase me.

- Give it back. - Come.

I'm telling you. Don't think that I'll ever agree to your marriage proposal.

Trust me, I want my future wife

to be gentle and virtuous.

Catch it.

I don't want one as fierce as you. I wouldn't be able to handle it.

Xiao Chengxu! You're unbearable!

Princess Mingyu, you really can't take a joke?

No one wants to joke with you! Let me go!

Mingyu!

- Your Majesty! Your Majesty. - Stop.

Your Majesty.

Mingyu. I managed to steal a red flower for you.

I replaced it for you.

Your Majesty, honestly, you don't have to do these things for me.

I am willing to do this for you.

Your Majesty, you...

I'm fine.

Honestly, stealing this flower was kind of useless because this flower isn't mine.

Later, those young men over there will ask me for it.

Anyway, I stole this red flower for you.

Do not let them get it back.

Let's go. Giddy up!

Your Majesty was thirsty all night last night.

I asked the Imperial Physician to add some soothing medicine.

Give it to me.

After drinking this medicine, you will be able to sleep soundly.

This way, your illness will get better quicker.

Originally, such a long journey was already hard,

but you also accompanied me all around Yonglin.

My heart feels uneasy about it.

It's not bothersome. It's an old problem.

You don't have to blame yourself.

It was me who wanted to talk you out for walks in Yonglin.

Besides, the fruit wine you make me every year has a good effect.

My old coughing problem hasn't relapsed in a while.

The Imperial Physician said that pressing down on this vein can cure coughs.

I will press on it for you.

Grandpa, this is what you just received.

was it a secret letter from Xi Qi?

You...

To be honest, I sent a spy to Xi Qi

so I know all about the military situation in Xi Qi.

Right now, Prince of Yan has led troops to relieve Prince of Zheng,

and ended trapping the king of Xi Qi inside layers of fog.

So the King of Xi Qi has asked you for help. Isn't that right?

- You don't have to take care of this situation. - No.

Grandpa. I must take care of this situation.

Of course I know what you're thinking. Right now, Sheng has more power.

If it swallows Xi Qi,

our Yonglin will be stuck.

Yes.

Once peace is broken,

besides bowing down, Yonglin cannot do anything else.

Grandpa, please listen to my advice some more.

Even if Yonglin brings out the soldiers to rescue,

we'd only be able to rescue them for a period of time, not forever.

Xi Qi is not what they used to be.

They definitely cannot beat Sheng.

But if, because of this, we offend Sheng,

we would lost far more than what we gain.

It would be better if we sided with Sheng.

doing this will not only remove Xi Qi that has frequently taken our advantage,

Yonglin can also stay as Yonglin.

This is the condition Xiao Chengrui was discussing with you?

He must have come for this matter.

What did he say?

Yonglin submits to Sheng Zhou

as a feudal kingdom, everything stays the same.

Grandpa, after we do this,

the King of Yonglin will stay as King of Yonglin.

I believe this can be trusted.

At least this way, the commoners will not have to be hurt by the war.

Grandfather, please reconsider.

Mingyu, what are you thinking about?

Zhen'er, do you know what caused

His Majesty's illness?

Chengxu told me it's because His Majesty risked his own life to save him

and was left with a chronic illness.

And now, he got so exhausted for accompanying me

and his illness re-emerged.

He still consoled me.

Even though His Majesty is calculating and unpredictable

when it comes to using people and governing affairs,

he is very kind and fair to those that are next to him.

I'm the one who has disappointed him.

You are always so soft-hearted.

But whose heart is made of stone?

From now on, I'll try my best

to be the way he likes.

Very pretty.

It's just that, I don't know why

but I can't draw my eyebrows well today.

Will Your Majesty kindly help?

Of course.

Your Majesty, there's a report on the war with Xi Qi.

Come in to tell me.

Your Majesty, His Highness Prince of Yan has captured the king of Xi Qi alive.

Good. He caught Situ Yin.

He really doesn't disappoint me.

Congratulations, Your Majesty.

Mingyu, I must leave for the frontline immediately

to meet Situ Yin and discuss the terms about subjugating Xi Qi.

You can stay in Yonglin during this time and wait for me to come pick you up.

Alright. Please don't worry, Your Majesty.

Princess!

Princess!

Prince, please spare the princess. Princess!

That old scoundrel Helan Mingzhe has abandoned Xi Qi.

What's the use of keeping you?

You Yonglin people are all cowards and liars,

and not dare to send troops to rescue us.

Do you perhaps want to see Xi Qi destroyed?

Fine, then we'll die together.

Princess!

You dare to hit me?

Xiang Qin, Xiang Qin.

- Guards! - Present.

Drag her away to tie her outside the hall.

- I'm going to slice your flesh piece by piece in a little while. - Yes!

I beg you.

- Older Brother. - Mingyu?

Are you going to pick up Older Sister?

Xiao Chengrui must have told you, right?

I just bid him farewell. He told me not to worry.

He said you've already sent people to sneak into Feng city.

The battle should be starting within a day or two.

I'm dispatching men to Yonglin's border to bring back Wanyin.

Bring me along. I want to see Older Sister soon, too.

- Mingyu. - Older Brother.

Alright. You go prepare quickly then.

We'll leave right away.

Let go of me! Let go of me!

I'm not going. I'm not going.

Princess, Princess, don't be afraid.

We're on His Highness' order to rescue you back to Yonglin.

Please trust us. Let's hurry or we won't have time.

Go!

Royal Older Brother! Royal Older Brother!

Older Brother, the most important thing now

is to surrender to Sheng Zhou and secure Royal Father's life, Older Brother.

Surrender? You can surrender if you want.

Go on! Go to the Xiao family and be a coward.

- Older Brother! - Shut up!

Royal Father would never agree for me to give away Xi Qi.

I'll get rid of that unlucky woman and then go deal with the Xiao family.

I...

Where is she?

Where is she? Where is she?

Older Brother, we've been waiting for three days and three nights.

Is there anything wrong?

Let's wait a little more.

That's our Helan family's signal to get help.

Hurry and go!

Chase!

Fight!

Princess, hurry and go! hurry and go!

[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 ♫