Original subtitles

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

[The Promise of Chang'an]

[Episode 44]

His life is too miserable

while your life

is too good.

I do not understand what you are saying.

You are the eldest son of the former emperor.

Since your childhood, everyone protected you. No one wanted to harm you,

but what about the regent? He and you were exactly opposite.

He constantly lived in danger.

How to attack, how to defend,

they have already become natural to him!

Master, let us put it this way.

If we put both of you into the public eye,

guess who would be able to survive.

[Su Manor]

Qihan... Qihan!

Xiao Qihan!

How could you have drank this much?

Do you know what result we got?

Do you know how hard it was for me to come here?

I wanted to see if you had any plans,

but you... You're just here drinking!

Fifth Royal Uncle...

I am not drinking!

I am writing my letter of surrender!

Fifth Royal Uncle, take a look. How is my letter of surrender coming along?

- Qihan! Qihan! - Tell me how it looks so far.

Qihan, listen to me.

Qihan.

You must know that in the court, there are still people willing to support you.

Do you really plan to admit defeat like this?

I will not.

How could I admit defeat?

How could I... How could I admit defeat?

I am not admitting defeat.

Besides,

when have I ever won?

Fifth Royal Uncle, do you know

that I hate myself?

Do you know

that I happen to be... happen to be like that He Shaoyong?

I c-c-c-annot bear...

Cannot bear to give up this life.

Right now, I only have four words left.

"Lead an intoxicated life".

I wrote the letter of surrender.

I wrote the letter of surrender.

Mingyu.

What is this?

Princess Consort Chen assigned people to bring these here.

They say that it is craftsmanship from the manor. It was just finished being created. They are slippers with a new phoenix design.

It is not my birthday.

Why would this be sent here?

What did the letter say?

She said that a few days ago,

the Prince of Su and Chengxu got into a conflict.

He said some things that he should not have.

In the palace, the rumors are spreading everywhere.

She worries that His Majesty will hear of it.

Zhen'er, all of the people who spread rumors in the palace should be punished severely.

Especially the ones who take care of the He Yuan Hall.

It must be done discreetly.

Rest assured. I will take arrange it personally.

Also, according to Chengxu's temper,

if he heard these rumors,

we do not know what he would do.

How about this? I will write a letter. You will leave the palace to deliver it to him..

Help me persuade him.

Mingyu said that if I face dilemmas in the future,

I should talk to Empress Dowager Yuanzhen about it instead?

Zhen'er. Go back and tell her

that she does not need to fret about those rumors.

I have my own plan to make those people obediently stay quiet.

Her Highness said

that for this matter, it would be better if you do not personally go to fix it.

If you personally appear,

then it might create even more cause for rumors.

Because of the affairs in the court, we meet there.

That is clear. What is the point in hiding?

We have never crossed the line, so why must be fear their criticism?

Your Highness speaks the truth.

It is just that you need to also consider Her Highness's feelings.

Her Highness not only is an Empress Dowager, but she is also a mother.

Because of this, you also need to consider His Majesty's feelings.

Little trinkets! Little trinkets!

Your Highness, be careful.

Your Highness. Your Highness. Your Highness!

You stupid servant!

- Your Highness! - Did you do it on purpose?

I know that you were also bought by Xiao Chengxu.

You want me dead, do you not?

Your Highness, I will take my punishment!

Stop the cart.

Your Highness...

What are you staring at?

Get out! Get out!

What are you staring at?

Get out!

Why are you here?

Are you like everyone else, coming to laugh at the joke I have become?

Now you've seen.

Thanks to the person you love,

I, Xiao Qihan, have been betrayed by the commoners and deserted by family!

I have become the laughingstock of the entire world.

Your Highness, as an important prince, you lost your temper in front of the public.

If you really do not want to be laughed at by others,

then uphold your own self-dignity.

Your Highness, stop fighting with the regent. If you continue,

the person who loses will surely be yourself.

You... just look down on me.

You just think that I

will never be able to beat him in this life time, is that right?

Your Highness, do you still not understand? As soon as the former emperor died

and His Majesty ascended, everything was already set in stone.

The things Your Highness wants will never be given to you.

In the future, you will also never gain them.

You are clearly saying

that I am worse than him! You are just speaking for him!

You think I do not know

that in your heart, you could never let him go?

I do not want to see you! Go away.

Go away!

My health is getting worse by the day.

You also do not enter the palace to keep me company.

Empress Dowager, I admit my wrongs.

These days, I have always been staying at home.

Every time the spring comes, my old problem starts to act up again.

You are so young.

How could you be sick?

I am no longer young.

I am already in my thirties.

So many years have passed.

How come you and Chengxu do not have any news?

His Highness hardly comes to my place.

How could there be news?

Back then, when you said that you wanted to marry Chengxu,

I told you that the two of you would not necessarily be compatible,

yet you were determined to marry him.

All these years have passed, but I have never seen you be happy.

If Empress Dowager Xianzhen were not always getting in between us,

how could His Highness treat me like this?

They did have feelings of love for each other as children,

but to say that they had any scandals that shouldn't come to light...

I can promise that that is impossible.

The Prince of Su said that. The entire court heard it.

I could be blind, but the court is not.

Yuying, if you always have so many concerns in your heart,

then it is not too late to regret it.

Your marriage was arranged by the former emperor,

but he died long ago.

If you really do regret it,

I can help you get a divorce.

Divorce?

Then wouldn't I be letting him off easily?

You want me to give him up and let him find his old lover?

That is insane. I am Xiao Chengxu's wife.

I am Xiao Chengxu's nightmare.

Even if I have to regret being his wife for the rest of my life,

I will not let them get what they want!

Yuying... Why must you do this?

Why was the one who did this to me?

Empress Dowager, you do not have to speak any longer.

Even if I must die, I will not divorce Xiao Chengxu.

Your Highness. Your Highness!

Your Highness!

Your Highness. I could not stop His Highness.

Didn't I tell you not to come?

The Prince of Su already put it that way. We need to be careful.

How can I be careful?

No matter what I do, they will always find things to say.

If I come to discuss, they will say

that I am too domineering.

If I do not come to the discussions,

they will say that I am a coward.

If I had known earlier that we would always be the subject of gossip,

then back then, I would have wanted to ask you—

Xiao Chengxu!

What would you want to do?

In front of me, speak clearly.

What did you want to do back then?

Now, what do you want to do?

Yuying, do not misunderstand.

He was just being impulsive. He was not speaking sincerely.

But every word I heard from him was sincere.

In your heart, you also know it clearly.

You only dare to do it, but you do not dare to take responsibility.

You, Helan Mingyu, are the same.

Yuying. In front of the Empress Dowager,

you need to know your boundaries when speaking.

Empress Dowager?

Do you treat her as your Empress Dowager?

Do not act like the filthy wishes you have

are not clear to me!

If I had known that we would be blamed anyway,

back then, I would have wanted to ask you—

Princess Consort.

His Highness has returned.

I do not care about the thoughts of others,

but I cannot be indifferent to His Majesty.

Now, he does not have the same ideas as you.

I do not want for him to, because of this matter, blame or hate you.

How much further do you want me to back away?

Chengxu.

Yuying. You are drunk.

Chengxu. You would not divorce me, would you?

I want to have a child with you.

I want to have a son with you.

This way,

you would stop thinking about Helan Mingyu, right?

Yuying. You are drunk.

Stop talking nonsense.

Chengxu. I am your lawfully wedded wife.

Your heart must be mine alone.

You cannot force me away.

The regent went to visit Mother Queen again?

Your Majesty, the regent is governing the court's affairs.

- Talking with the Empress Dowager is his duty. - But the Prince of Su has already put it that way!

He still went? Why would Mother Queen meet with him?

Your Majesty! Your Majesty, where are you going?

Your Majesty, you say that you came to visit the Empress Dowager, but we have arrived and you are not going in.

Are we meeting her or not?

Mother Queen is part of the court. She would know of the rumors that were spread,

but if the regent was determined to see her,

Mother Queen would not be able to avoid him.

If I asked Mother Queen tactlessly,

- it would hurt her heart. - Yes.

Your Majesty, do not believe in the idle rumors of others!

But the regent should be clear on this. Yet he came anyway!

He just does not have good motives. He is trying to drag down Mother Queen's reputation.

This cannot do. I must find a way to stop him.

I need him to know that this is my house.

He cannot come and go as he pleases!

Regent, Yonglin's envoy has arrived.

Your Highness the regent. I wish you thousands of blessings.

No need for pleasantries.

You have arrived here to discuss the marriage of Yonglin's heir, yes?

Regent, you are correct.

I followed the orders of the King of Yonglin and came to find the Yonglin heir

a daughter of Great Sheng's royal family to be his bride

to preserve the goodwill between Great Sheng and Yonglin for generations to come.

For this matter, I would like to invite Your Highness

to give us your input.

Great Sheng and Yonglin have always been close allies.

It is good news. Great Sheng also harbored this exact intent for a long time.

However, the heir is Empress Dowager Xianzhen's biological nephew.

This marriage matter is also a family matter.

Envoy, please follow me in to visit Empress Dowager Xianzhen.

We will let Empress Dowager Xianzhen choose the right candidate for marriage.

The King of Yonglin also had this intent.

I will listen to Your Highness's plans.

- Come this way. - Yes.

This courtyard in the palace is a private area. Your Highness, please leave.

You are the nanny taking care of the ancestral temple.

Why are you messing around? Get out of the way.

I am from the ancestral temple. I take care of the ritual sacrifices in the palace.

I have always respected the Heavens and upheld traditions.

You are not acting correctly, regent.

Your Highness, please return.

Stop. Get away.

Regent, please have some self respect.

The Chang Yun Hall is the residency of the Empress Dowager. She is the widow of the former emperor.

Your Highness cannot walk into here as you please.

Your Highness, this... this...

Your Majesty.

Nanny, are you teaching His Highness how to follow proper etiquette?

So, everything was planned by Your Majesty.

Your Majesty, quit fooling around.

I have an urgent matter to bring to the Empress Dowager.

- This man— - I do not think

that you have anything you must discuss specifically with Mother Queen.

I believe that the nannies are correct.

If you do not even understand proper etiquette, perhaps you should listen more closely.

Regent, ever since ancient times, the etiquette between ministers and rulers could never be disobeyed.

Rulers have their duties while their ministers had other duties.

How could there not be formalities between them?

All of you, be quiet!

I have arrived on the orders of the King of Yonglin. Greetings, Empress Dowager.

What was this?

In front of Yonglin's envoy, you made a fool of Great Sheng's reputation.

Thank the Heavens

that it was Yonglin's envoy. He wouldn't go out spreading rumors.

Otherwise, how would you have settled the situation?

I did not know that that was Yonglin's envoy.

When the envoy came, why didn't the regent inform me?

Besides, if it weren't for the regent's poor etiquette in normal days,

then why would the nannies have to take these measures?

It was because they could not keep tolerating it that they did this.

Your Majesty, what do you mean by these words?

My actions on a daily basis.

If someone thinks that I am not acting as I should,

they can be invited here to explain their grievances directly to me.

They should explain clearly. I would never do a stupid thing without admitting it.

I would not choose not to act like a gentleman.

Qiyuan.

You did something without proper judgement. It is absurd.

You still dare to use such strong language?

Apologize to your Ninth Uncle.

Mother Queen, why are you always siding with the Regent? Can it be—

Can it be what?

What are you thinking?

I don't have any questions. I don't think I did anything wrong.

Qiyuan! Come back here!

I fear that Qiyuan heard those rumors

and formed doubt in his heart.

He lost his head, and that is why he is doing all of these muddle-headed things.

Chengxu, don't take it personally.

But as the country's ruler,

he so easily trusted those rumors

and did such an absurd thing.

All these years, my efforts of teaching him

seem to all have escaped him.

You protect him with all your heart,

but he doubts and and insults you.

This is what makes me most angry.

I know that no matter what he does,

you would never get angry with him.

You can see it yourself.

He offended me like this.

If he continues acting up like this,

Mingyu, you must not blame me.

I will discipline him well!

Mingyu.

To let His Highness leave so angrily...

Is it really okay?

He is currently angry,

and a big part of it was caused by me.

Right now, I cannot persuade him.

Let him calm down for a few days.

I will also think it through

and figure out what is the best way to deal with the two of them.

You did something without proper judgement. It was ridiculous!

You still dare to use such strong words?

Apologize to your Ninth Uncle now.

- Your Majesty! Your Majesty! It's dangerous, Your Majesty! - Giddy up!

Stop following me! Go away!

Stop right there!

Stop! Stop running!

Stop!

Go on!

Even you're pushing me around. I don't need you!

Stop!

Stop running!

You ran pretty fast.

Well? Why aren't you running anymore?

- Turn her around for me. - Yes.

Get out of here!

You brat. Do you know who I am?

Originally, I did not know.

All of you, attack!

Go!

- You're hurt. - I'm fine. Let's go.

After them!

Your Majesty!

I have a plan to escape, give me your hairpin!

Where did they go? Find them!

This hairpin. It was that girl's.

They definitely went that way. Chase them!

Hurry!

Let's go.

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

We're safe now.

Is your wound okay?

I can wrap it for you.

[Ruoxuan]

I, Dong Ruoxuan, greet you two Empress Dowagers.

Your name is Ruoxuan?

Yes, that's me.

Ruoxuan?

I'll be sure to remember your name.

[Ruoxuan]

Ruoxuan?

Ruoxuan is my name.

My name is Dong Ruoxuan. Thank you for rescuing me.

You're Dong Ruoxuan?

How's Dong Yizhi related to you?

You know my father?

It really is you.

We met when we were kids. Don't you remember?

Your Majesty, this is for you.

These are sugar plums. They are very sweet. Every time I fall down and hurt myself,

or if I am unhappy, if I eat one, then all of my bad feelings disperse.

Your Majesty, if you eat this after taking your medicine, then you won't taste the bitterness.

I left the capital when I was young.

May I ask, who are you?

I . . .

I'm just a commoner.

It's fine if you don't remember me.

My name is Huang Yuan. You can't forget that.

Master Huang. I'll remember that.

Does your arm still hurt?

Yes, it still hurts.

Then what should we do?

How's about I go look for help?

No. What if they find you again? Then what?

How's about this? Let's just rest here.

But it's going to get dark soon.

We are in the wilderness and we do not have food.

And you're injured.

Miss Ruoxuan, I'm sure the heavens won't let us starve.

Why don't you go that side and see if there are any fruits that we can eat?

I'll go take a look.

Greetings, Your Majesty.

We came late, and Your Majesty got hurt.

We should die. Give us your punishment.

It is fine. Get up.

Your Majesty, your injury . . .

Later, all of you must withdraw one mile.

Don't let anyone see you.

Your Majesty, your body was injured—

Xiao Linzi, I said I'm fine.

Also, there's something else. Track down Lin Shaozi's son and send him to the Ministry of Justice.

- Also, De An. - I am here.

Later, kill two rabbits for me. Young ones.

Did you not hear me?

Yessir.

Ruoxuan, don't you think it is such a coincidence?

Earlier, there were two scatterbrained rabbits who hit their heads on that tree.

Then, they became our dinner.

Now that I think about it, the story about rabbits hitting trees is not completely baseless. Reference to the story where rabbits bashed into a tree, so the farmer did not have to do work to get dinner.

How coincidental.

Yeah. Didn't I tell you?

That the heavens won't starve us?

Oh, yeah. Why were you by yourself today?

My friend and I were meeting here to enjoy the autumn scenery.

I don't know what happened, but I got separated from her.

Do not be unhappy.

Today, the sky is our tent and the earth is our bed.

Hey, try my cooking.

How is it?

Ruoxuan, I normally do not leave my house.

How about you tell me stories of the south?

The south?

Right now, in the south, it is the perfect season for crab cakes.

Every year, at this time, my father would always take me to the lake to catch crabs.

I remember every time, I would always take a net and stay by his side.

Xiao Linzi, do you remember that year when Official Dong went to the south

I asked you to craft a kite?

- Kite...? - The kite with a beautiful lady drawn on it.

I remember! Was it when we were young, you were supposed to fly kites with a princess,

but she disappeared

and you wouldn't let me discard the kite and made me store it?

Yes! It's that one. Hurry and find it for me.

Yes. It is this one.

Xiao Linzi, do you know who the maiden you saw today was?

Who?

It was Ruoxuan.

Ruoxuan.

I never would have thought that her father, Dong Yizhi, returned to the capital.

Really?

If Mother Queen lets Ruoxuan into the palace,

and she saw me, would she be surprised?

Never mind. Since we can meet again, it must be fate.

I finally get to see you happy again.

You don't even know. That day when you left the palace in a fit of temper, I was so afraid.

I had forgotten. I am still angry with Mother Queen.

We have not went to Chang Yun Hall for a long time, right?

With your temper, when you say something, you do the opposite.

How could anyone be able to figure you out?

Your Majesty, if you want my opinion, I think we should not stay angry with the Empress Dowager.

Xiao Linzi, then do you know

why I am angry and why I am happy?

How would I know what you're thinking?

It is good if you cannot guess it. If even you could be able to guess,

then everyone would be able to see through me!

Consort Lan. Today is your death's anniversary.

Back then, it was I who acted rashly.

I hope that you can now feel at ease.

Ling Zhen'er.

Why are you here?

- I . . . - It's because of you that my mother died.

Why do you pretend to be kind?

I do not need your fake pity.

I'm sorry. I'll get going now.

Stop.

These tribute gifts are here every year.

You have always been honoring my mother.

Tell me clearly.

Your Highness, what do you want me to say?

When I made a fool of myself, what did it have to do with you?

Why would you bring me back? Why would you care?

How come every year, you come here to pretend to honor her?

Ling Zhen'er, just what are you thinking?

Back then, to save my princess,

I caused Lan Zhaoyi...

About this matter, I have always...

You care about me.

Ling Zhen'er. I have always been a part of your heart, right?

You know that all these years, I was never able to let you go.

After my princess consort died, for you, I never got married again.

I just wanted to wait for you to return to me.

In the past, I was angry with you. I scolded you.

I never thought to harm you.

I cared about you too much.

I am very thankful for your deep love for me,

but my feelings for you

were never of love.

You still do not want me.

Your Highness.

Never mind.

Ling Zhen'er. I do not hate you anymore.

I do not want to hate you anymore.

I am still very thankful to be able to meet you in this lifetime.

It was you who made me understand that if I cannot have something,

I will never be able to have it.

I'm sorry.

Xiao Qihan has finally become obedient.

Well, all of the power is in my hands.

I don't think this difference

will be that significant.

However, Your Highness, if we continue waiting, this little difference

will surely become miles and miles of distance.

Besides, His Majesty is seventeen years old this year.

After his wedding, there will be no excuse for him not to be the sole ruler.

I heard that His Majesty's temperament is extremely stubborn.

Once he becomes the sole ruler, if you still want to have power,

I fear that you will have to contradict him.

That's right. As soon as we let that little emperor rule alone,

we do not know how much trouble that will bring us.

There is also Qihan, who is monitoring everything.

If we are not careful, we will make enemies with everyone.

[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 ♫