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[The Promise of Chang'an]

[Episode 23]

I will take my leave then.

Stop!

Don't you understand what I mean?

Can't you feel what I feel in my heart?

I don't dare to arbitrarily guess what Your Majesty thinks.

Fine, then you listen and listen well!

You are the only one in my heart. I only care about you!

If you say no, or even give a little frown,

I will immediately make Wanyin leave Yong Ning Hall,

and even leave the palace so that she will forever disappear from your sight.

- Your Majesty? - I will do what I say.

I can't believe it.

So this is what Your Majesty thinks.

You are so smart. Couldn't you have seen through this already?

You and I have been playing a game of release and then capture.

Isn't it to make me say what I just said?

Mingyu, I have already given you many chances to give in.

Do not test my patience anymore.

Your Majesty, from the beginning,

I'm not the one who has been playing the game of release and then capture.

Unless... Your Majesty has been using Older Sister as a tool to test me?

Your Majesty, you've really disappointed me.

Do you know, Your Majesty,

between a woman and a man, there isn't only test and being tested,

conquer and be conquered, there must be true sincerity!

If Your Majesty is only using Older Sister as a tool to test me,

isn't it too cruel and heartless?

Heartless?

You actually say that I'm heartless.

Haven't I been loving enough to you?

What about Older Sister? What is Older Sister then?

Older Sister is wholeheartedly true to Your Majesty.

She is such an innocent woman.

How can Your Majesty disappoint her?

If Your Majesty doesn't really like Older Sister,

then I would dare to ask Your Majesty to send Older Sister back.

I take my leave.

Take it all insode.

Yes.

Everyone, take it slowly. If anything is broken, you'll suffer.

His Majesty arrives.

Forgo the formalities.

Like it?

Compared to these pieces of jewelry,

I wish even more for Your Majesty's true affection.

Of course I adore you.

Your Majesty,

what you spoke with Mingyu, I heard it all.

I originally thought I was the luckiest person

to have met Your Majesty and received your affection.

But everything that Your Majesty has done was only to win Mingyu's heart.

I am only a chess piece.

You are... blaming me?

I do not resent Your Majesty.

I blame myself for coming here too late.

There isn't any extra room left in Your Majesty's heart.

I've always carried this cape by my side.

and never left it aside.

This is my cape.

How is it that you have it?

Your Majesty may not know,

but back then, I was the woman that was rescued from Situ Cheng.

Princess, are you alright?

Princess? Which nation's princess?

This is Yonglin's Wan...

No, this is Yonglin's Princess Mingyu.

It was you?

They say one look can determine a lifetime. It was because of encountering Your Majesty

that I've always kept Your Majesty in my heart.

I've never had anyone else in my heart.

Too bad that things are not in our control.

I care for Your Majesty but cannot stay by your side.

I left my home to Xi Qi, and we were forever separated afar.

All these years, whenever I saw this cape,

I would remember the moment when I first saw Your Majesty.

No matter how difficult the days were,

as long as I could think of Your Majesty often,

it sustained me to keep on living.

Otherwise, I would have already lost the will to live.

I never thought that I could meet Your Majesty again.

This period of time that I've been able to spend with you

has been my happiest and luckiest.

All of this is like a dream.

But one ultimately wakes up from a dream.

Royal Brother will go back to Yonglin tonight.

I will go back with him.

I won't take this cape with me.

The dream can stay here.

You don't need to leave. You're not allowed to leave.

Without my permission, you can't go anywhere.

I don't care about the luxury and glory in the palace,

I only want a simple resonance between two hearts.

Since Your Majesty doesn't have me in your heart,

what's the meaning for me to stay here?

So well said, resonance between two hearts.

I've always thought the woman that I fell for at first sight was Mingyu.

I never realized that it was you.

Now that I know,

how can I let you go?

Your Majesty.

I'm the one who has disappointed you.

I owe you.

I never knew how deeply you love me.

I will definitely treat you well from now on.

Do you trust me?

Lady Helan, accept the imperial decree.

Imperial Consort Ke.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Mingyu...

What is it? You are so anxious.

His Majesty has decreed to confer Princess Wanyi as Imperial Consort.

His Majesty adores her and give her a title that she deserves.

What is wrong with it?

But that's Imperial Consort, right under the Empress and above all consorts and concubines.

I don't understand. Princess Wanyin has just arrived,

how is she conferred to be Imperial Consort?

Why not?

Riches and honors, life or death,

it's all just what His Majesty decides.

I was so scared. I couldn't sleep well these past few days.

Use your brain before you speak and act from now on.

I originally thought I would be the one to be elevated to be the imperial consort.

I had no idea that Helan Wanyin will come out of nowhere.

Haven't you heard about this imperial consort secretly lured His Majesty in Yong Ning Hall?

Helan Mingyu was so upset that she was going to move out of Yong Ning Hall. And the result?

His Majesty not only conferred Helan Wanyin as Imperial Consort., and even bestowed her Guan Ju Hall.

What are you talking about?

Let me tell you, His Majesty doesn't favor Helan Mingyu anymore.

What are you saying?

HIs Majesty knows about me.

Could it be that,

what's between Mingyu and me...

Chengxu, believe me, no matter what I do,

I will never deliberately harm anyone

and especially you.

You told him.

I...

It was all because you angered me so that I spoke carelessly.

I didn't expect that His Majesty heard it.

Whenever you celebrated birthday every year in the past,

there was always someone who couldn't be missed, right?

As we speak, the person is arriving.

Chengxu, later I'll tell Yonglin

to find a beauty who looks just like her to bestow to you.

Chengxu!

Third Sister-in-law, please help me on this one.

What happened between Mingyu and me, please explain it clearly to His Majesty.

Otherwise, Mingyu's situation will be very difficult.

Have you forgotten your current statuses?

You cannot interfere in anything regarding Mingyu.

But, she isn't having an easy time now.

I let go of it despite the heartache at that time. It was in the hope that she would have a better life.

But now, she is suffering greatly.

If she isn't happy,

why did we separate?

How do you know that she isn't living the life that she wants?

I really can't rest from worries. I need to see her.

You cannot meet her.

Third Sister-in-law...

Chengxu, I know that you worry about Mingyu and want to do something for her.

But, to her, the best help is for you not to appear.

Mingyu's life is her own.

If you come in the midst of things, it will only make the situation worse.

Besides, His Majesty

already knows about your past now.

If you take anymore action, you wouldn't be able to explain it.

You must know that to care about someone,

sometimes it's the best to

hold back and do nothing.

Don't worry. I am here.

You can leave to fight against Great Liang with ease.

Third Sister-in-law, I leave Mingyu with you then.

Older Brother, Older Brother.

You went into the palace?

I heard about Sister Mingyu.

Did you go to see her?

I didn't go to see her.

That's good then. It's good that you didn't act recklessly.

I know that it's difficult for you, but we have different statuses now.

besides, if you go to her now, His Majesty will be suspicious.

His Majesty already knows about what happened between Mingyu and me.

He knows? What should you do then?

His Majesty only heard some rumors and gossips.

If he really minds it, then I wouldn't be speaking with you now in one piece.

Then you must be even more cautious from now on.

Furthermore, anything regarding Sister Mingyu,

you should stay away from meddling. Besides, you can't do anything about it.

Even if you can temporarily give her a hand,

she is already His Majesty's woman.

You can't help her for the rest of her lifetime.

Just this month, it's already been quite a few times.

She is always late to come to greet me in the mornings.

I think she is taking advantage of His Majesty's adoration of her

to deliberately show off to me.

Sister Qi, you must be thinking too much. Sister Wanyin isn't that kind of person.

I'm always trying to think positively.

- I only hope that— - Greetings, Imperial Consort.

I'm here to wish you well, Sister Qi.

Please pardon me for being late, Sister Qi.

How are you feeling, Older Sister?

I know that Older Sister always had a weakness.

Whenever there is a sound, you'd be awaken from sleep.

Did you not rest well last night and that's why you're late to come here?

That's right.

Wanyin, you've been looking glowing lately.

Your health must be improving.

It truly is, when a person encounters a happy event,

the appearance and energy level are so different now.

How is Imperial Consort?

Imperial Consort has always been unhealthy.

Sometimes she gets dizzy when she gets up in the morning.

So, sometimes when she gets up late,

she is late to greet the empress in the morning.

Wanyin.

Your Majesty.

Were you late going to Feng Yi Hall for the greeting?

It's all because my body is weak.

Has the royal physician come to see you?

Your Majesty, the royal physician has already come.

Your Majesty, do you also mind that I'm weak?

Why would I? Just take time to nurture.

Your Majesty...

My Empress,

I heard that tonight, when Wanyin came to greet you, she was late.

This is true.

I just gently scolded her.

Your Majesty, will you blame me?

How could I?

I just wanted to say that she only joined the Palace recently.

She doesn't understand the rules, so you are correct to be more strict with her.

She is a woman in His Majesty's heart.

How could I dare to blame her?

Your Majesty, these words seem to be said out of anger.

Your Majesty, all these years, when have I ever been angry?

Haven't I always thought from your angle?

But in these past few months, other than visiting Guan Ju Hall,

you haven't gone anywhere else. This cannot be good, can it?

When I favored Mingyu, it was not a big deal either, was it?

Because the harem has you taking care of it, I feel very at ease.

Think about it, when at the peak of your affection for Mingyu,

she also often persuaded you to visit the other Consorts in their palaces.

Yes, that was because she never originally even wanted me around.

When you put it like that, you sound really angry.

In all fairness, when it comes to interpersonal relationships,

Wanyin cannot be compared to Mingyu.

It's true that they cannot be compared.

Mingyu is so intelligent and the ideal person,

but that makes Wanyin seem innocent and honest without any ulterior motives.

It looks like Mingyu really was right.

When you are in love with her, you praise her intelligence,

but when you fall out of love with her, you are dissatisfied because she is too intelligent.

The things she did back then

have all become faults to you.

Your Majesties. Consort Xian has arrived.

Greetings, My King. Greetings, Empress.

- Away with the formalities. - Thank you, Your Majesty.

You came right on time. His Majesty and I were just talking of you.

What were you talking about me for?

His Majesty praised you as intelligent and sensible, which made me think

of the times back then when you would accompany His Majesty with reading and talking about poems.

He also complimented your knowledge and interests, saying that your thoughts were one with his own.

I only can read a few more words.

Your Majesty is knowledgeable about the past through the present with deep understanding.

The phrase "one with his own" is something I do not dare to call myself.

Your Majesty! Your Majesty!

Pardon my guilty in bothering Your Majesty.

Imperial Consort is getting pain in the heart again. Do you want to...

I know it now. I will go there right now.

Empress.

Wanyin is your cousin.

You should know her health conditions very clearly.

I would like you to be more tolerate of her during normal circumstances.

From what I see, the rules of greeting

should be dismissed for her.

Your Majesty has already put it this way. If I did not abide,

then it would make me look unsympathetic.

Wanyin is the Imperial Noble Consort right now.

Since I gave her the status of Imperial Noble Consort,

she should naturally be able to enjoy all of the honors that come with that status.

Your Majesty, you mean...?

Tomorrow, I would like you

to declare in the harem

that every consort who's status is less than the Imperial Noble Consort

besides having to come to Feng Yi Hall for greetings every day,

must also go to Guan Ju Hall for greetings as well.

But there hasn't been any rule like this throughout the dynasties.

This is a new rule I created.

Yes.

His Majesty has so much adoration for Wanyin.

I don't know whether this is a good or bad thing for Wanyin.

Sit down.

[Guan Ju Hall]

It's a rare occasion for Consort Shu to come here.

Come in quickly. The Noble Consort is waiting for you.

You are a clever child. Your hand is also very beautiful.

Here. This is a gift for you.

Consort Shu, I don't dare to accept it.

Why would you be afraid to accept? If I give it to you, then you wear it.

If you let others see it, that will not be good.

Thank you, Consort Shu.

Imperial Noble Consort.

I've let Consort Shu wait.

I just recently entered the palace and do not understand many of the rules.

If I did anything wrong,

I hope Older Sister Consort Shu won't scold me.

I don't deserve being called Older Sister.

You are the only consort that is right under the empress.

Your status is higher than mine.

I don't know what His Majesty was thinking either.

I just entered the palace recently, and then he gave me this title.

Even now, I feel that it is dreamlike.

But His Majesty's special affection for you is real.

Within the harem, who knows how many people are jealous of what you have?

I am straightforward and enjoy joking. Don't mess with me.

How about this, let's forget the formalities.

I am indeed a few years older than you.

I'll accept being called Older Sister then.

Yes, that's what's appropriate.

Then, let's sit down and chat.

Sure.

Younger sister, without interacting with you, I wouldn't know

that you don't put on airs at all.

You're so friendly.

But, there are all kinds of people in the palace. It's difficult to handle them.

Yes, a person as gentle and shy as our Imperial Noble Consort,

I really worry that she will suffer.

Well, how could that be helped?

It's good that Her Majesty and Consort Xian are both your family.

Why would you be afraid? It was I who worried too much.

I am worried that they

would be resentful to me.

Even so, you should not be afraid.

As long as His Majesty spoils you,

then no one in the harem would dare to make life hard for you.

I am sincere to His Majesty.

If one day, His Majesty gets tired of me,

I will just have to tolerate it.

I overstepped, didn't I?

Noble Consort, Consort Shu cares about you.

You keep suddenly feeling sad. How could she bear it?

Yes, yes. In the future, I will not dare to spout nonsense again.

Older Sister, don't say that. I know my limits.

After entering the palace, I truly didn't understand anything.

In the future, I would invite you to take care of me more and give more advice.

No problem.

Since we get along so well,

if I didn't help you, then who would I help?

Then I will beg that of you.

Greetings, Imperial Noble Consort.

I made all of you wait long.

Please sit down.

Thank you, Imperial Noble Consort.

This morning, you all had to go from Feng Yi Hall

to Guan Ju Hall. It's my fault.

You shouldn't say this, Noble Consort.

Asking for us to greet you was His Majesty's order.

We can't hurry fast enough to do our best. Why would we complain?

It is our duty to greet you.

To be able to take this opportunity and get your teachings every day

is my honor.

How come the Prince of Yan's consort has also arrived?

Imperial Noble Consort, I entered the palace to greet Her Majesty.

When I saw that everyone came to greet the Imperial Noble Consort,

I also wanted to greet her, so I came with everyone else.

You have used your heart.

Noble Consort, you look glowing today.

Such a beauty, no wonder His Majesty adores you so.

Anyway, we have chatted a long time,

but Consort Xian still hasn't arrived.

Consort Xian isn't someone who doesn't know the rules.

She must have thought that because she was blood sisters with you,

the two of you grew up together and were closer than anyone,

so she temporarily forgot the ranking order between you.

I'm here to greet Older Sister. I came late, please excuse me.

Consort Xian, what did you call me?

Greetings, Imperial Consort.

I came late, please punish me, Imperial Consort.

Consort Xian is known to be cautious and prompt.

Perhaps she deliberately came late because she sees Imperial Consort is favored?

Princess Consort of Yan, you also grew up in this palace since young.

Such baseless talk will only create trouble.

You...

Forget it. She is just late.

It's no big deal. Just get up then.

Thank you, Imperial Consort.

Sit then.

Hui'er, Imperial Consort has bestowed her seating.

Please move a chair here.

Stop!

Impertinent! This is Guan Ju Hall.

You're not allowed to run wild.

Guards!

Present.

Take this lawless maidservant

away and cane her 20 times.

Yes.

Stop. Let go of her.

What is, Consort Xian, can I not discipline your servant?

Imperial Consort, you are the highest ranking after His Majesty and the Empress.

Isn't it up to you to discipline a servant then?

Why are you still dragging? Just take her away!

- Wait. - Let me go!

Imperial Consort, you should be reasonable in disciplining.

I wonder what wrong Zhen'er has comitted

that you have to punish her?

Do I need to explain?

Ling Zhen'er has always been unbridled since young. She hit my servant here.

If she makes more trouble in the future,

you'd be dragged down too.

Thank you for your kindness, Imperial Consort, but you are mistaken.

Zhen'er has show no disrespect to Imperial Consort.

Imperial Consort, you probably didn't know this. Even though Zhen'er serves me,

she is a female officer of the third rank appointed personally by His Majesty.

When she heard that Imperial Consort bestowed seating, it was her duty to take care of things.

Our Guan Ju Hall has our own rules.

How can a servant exceeds her limits.

It's the same as slapping Imperial Consort's face!

Impertinent!

What are you?

How dare you compare yourself to Imperial Consort?

Imperial Consort clearly bestowed seating just now.

You are a servant who misconstrues her order and makes waves.

Do you understand your behavior

will let everyone misunderstand Imperial Consort to be unkind and unfair?

Do you know the consequence?

If His Majesty knows this, how will he punish you?

Imperial Consort, save me.

I wasn't deliberate.

Imperial Consort, as I see it,

everything was just a misunderstanding.

Zhen'er is a little hasty in her temperament,

but she didn't break any rules.

Hui'er is also very loyal.

She is anxious to protect her master, so she isn't wrong either.

How about we just forget everything about today then?

Consort Xian, do you think what I said is right?

Consort Shu is right. We'll wait for Imperial Consort to decide.

Release her then.

You must learn to protect yourself.

You must not give anyone the chance to hurt you.

If anything had happened to you today,

what would I do from now on?

I understand.

I will never be impulsive again.

I will be sure to remember to hold it in.

We can't help it when we're living deep inside the palace.

But, I just never expected that

Princess Wanyin would treat you that way.

How did you treat her before?

You risked your life several times for her.

She has forgotten it all.

Older Sister went through several turmoils.

Her life hasn't been easy, and her heart has changed.

It's all understandable.

I think, this ruckus today

is not necessary bad.

Your Majesty, I feel so uncomfortable.

Wanyin, don't be anxioius. The royal physician is taking a look.

How is she?

Congratulations, Your Majesty.

Imperial Consort is just fine. She is pregnant.

Pregnant?

Slowly, slowly.

Your Majesty, I'm with child?

I'm pregnant with our child.

This is wonderful.

Imperial Consort is still very weak.

It's not easy to be pregnant and give birth.

I hope Imperial Consort won't get too agitated.

The royal physician is right. You must not get overly agitated now.

Here, hurry and lie down.

Mingyu, Imperial Consort is...

What's wrong? Why are you hesitating?

She is pregnant.

Everyone is talking about it in the palace.

That's good. Older Sister has always liked children when she was young.

Now that she will have her own, she must be exhilarated.

What is so good? She is already acting this way now,

if she gives birth to a prince, her eyes will be looking up high.

- Zhen'er. - Mingyu.

That's Older Sister's blessing.

[Jing] (meaning quiet or serene)

I see that Imperial Consort looks worried.

Is there an unspeakable problem? Do you know what it is?

Your Majesty,

previously, when all the consorts came over to greet her well being,

something unpleasant happened with Consort Xian.

His Majesty arrives.

Greetings, Your Majesty.

What are you here at this time, Your Majesty?

Ling Zhen'er, kneel down.

You've become more and more daring.

I really want to know, whose authority did you rely on

to make a ruckus at Guan Ju Hall?

- That's an injustice, I didn't—. - You mean,

I'm unjustly accusing you?

Your Majesty, Zhen'er is my servant.

If there is any question, please ask me.

Zhen'er, you leave first.

Consort Xian...

I told you to leave.

Several days ago, in front of everyone,

she embarrassed Imperial Consort. Did this happen?

Your Majesty is wise.

I'm sure you wouldn't only listen to one side of the story.

When Your Majesty came over, did you already know everything?

If Your Majesty still thinks that

I deliberately embarrassed Older Sister,

then I'm willing to let Your Majesty decide how to punish me.

You've always been smart and can talk cleverly.

Your Older Sister is innocent and weak.

Of course she is no match to you.

Your Majesty, is this how you think of me?

I used to think that I understood you.

But I've discovered that it's harder and harder to see through you.

Previously, you acted with all kinds of attitude toward me.

You never would give in to me.

Since you don't care so much,

why do you use such a lowly method

to take advantage of your own sister? How can you bear it?

I never would have imagined that I'm such

a lowly person in your mind, Your Majesty.

If not this way, what about it then?

Is it because that I adore Wanyin,

and you are upset? Feeling bad?

Jealous?

If this is true, will Your Majesty forgive the past misdeeds?

Your Majesty should understand that

I am always abiding propriety

and will never be jealous.

Your Majesty adores Sister Wanyin, it's her luck.

I am happy for Older Sister.

I will never hurt Older Sister out of jealousy.

This incident was really a misunderstanding.

If you don't believe it,

there were many people present in the palace, just ask around.

I'll ask you once more time. I favor Wanyin solely,

you are not angry nor sad?

I am naturally feeling bad and sad.

I'm feeling sad because, despite the deep bond between sisters,

there is still suspicion and misunderstanding.

I'm feeling bad because, despite being together for many years,

there still comes a ay when all the trust can disappear.

[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 a delicate bloom ♫

♫ 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 ♫