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[The Promise of Chang'an]

[Episode 52]

You do not care whether or not His Majesty wants this.

If you truly think like this, is it fair to His Majesty?

He does not even get a say on his marriage matters.

He cannot even have thoughts of his own.

If you continue to do things on your own whim, I fear that your life will not be nice.

King of Xi Qi, it seems like you have mostly finished saying what you wished to say.

You have insulted me enough,

but I would like to remind you. Do you truly think that the marriage between His Majesty and the Princess would be happy?

If I rejected him, would he like your daughter?

To tell the truth, I do not want to be some consort in a harem,

but if I want to follow the person I love,

I will follow him to the ends of the earth

and share his feelings with my own. These are my thoughts, my answer.

You—

Ruoxuan.

Your Majesty.

King of Xi Qi. What matters have you come to talk to me about?

Today, I went to visit the King of Xin An's daughter, Dong Ruoxuan.

She is just a daughter of a lowly minister who surrendered,

yet she dared to belittle my Xi Qi's prestige.

I tried to convince her not to seduce Your Majesty,

and pledge some personal promise of love.

She strongly refused to accept.

This Dong Ruoxuan...

You seem to be in really low spirits recently.

Earlier, I saw that you liked this garden very much, so I specially brought you here today.

Let us see if there is anything that will make you happy.

Our Princess hasn't wanted to eat or drink, so she's lost more weight.

What is the noise in this garden?

Perhaps it is two dogs.

Greetings, Your Majesty.

Ruoxuan. I came to find you.

Then you two may speak. I am hungry.

Xiao Linzi, Chunyu, let's go.

Ruoxuan. I know of your heart.

I will not forcibly interrogate you again.

No matter what you say, I will not let go.

Let us stop lying to ourselves, okay?

I know that you suffered,

so from now on, we will never part from each other.

Pour tea for the King of Xi Qi.

Yes.

Empress Dowager, the promise that the former emperor once swore.

Does Great Sheng admit it or not?

How could we go back on our promise?

T-then why do you not immediately give my daughter the title of Empress?

Why are you hosting some sort of selection?

King of Xi Qi, there are things you do not understand.

Ever since his childhood, His Majesty

had most matters decided for him by the regent.

After becoming the sole ruler, he started to be very against having others decide things for him.

The selection is a way to give him a way out.

It also saves his reputation.

Then what if His Majesty chooses someone else?

King of Xi Qi, you have so little faith in your own family's princess!

Now, I have already gotten people to ask about His Majesty's feelings.

Within the major princesses, His Majesty does not hold special affection for any.

Is this true?

For the affairs of the children,

you were so anxious to visit His Majesty. You made too big a deal out of nothing.

Your Majesty, how long has it been since you slept properly?

Now that you've got what you wished, shouldn't you take a good sleep?

I am just too happy. I cannot sleep.

I have worries that keep me awake.

What is wrong?

Your Majesty, how about you tell the Empress Dowager?

If you can't, then you can tell Auntie Ling at least.

Don't wait till the day of selection, then there will definitely be trouble.

I can't tell them. It's useless anyway to tell.

If Mother finds out about this,

Who knows, Ruoxuan may not even get to be in the selection.

It's clear that Princess Situ will become the empress.

The selection is only to keep your dignity.

You can't pretend not to know and arbitrarily make Princess Ruoxuan as the empress.

There'll be trouble if you do it this way.

But I can't mistreat Ruoxuan either.

For Ruoxuo, I must do everything I can

and give her the gold headdress.

Besides, what the emperor says is done. Who can stop me?

As for Xi Qi,

if I have to, I'll just confer Xitu Zhen as Imperial Noble Consort.

That shouldn't be too degrading the King of Xi Qi's dignity, right?

If Xi Qi still isn't satisfied and wants me, I'll beat them in a battle.

I just don't believe that Xi Qi's people aren't tired of wars.

At that time, the people will only say that the King of Xi Qi

wages trouble for his daughter's sake and ignores the overall situation.

Dowager Consort, is there anything?

Qirong isn't young anymore.

He should marry too.

He is too shy to plead with Empress Dowager himself.

As the mother, I have to come for him.

Please don't say that.

Which princess does Qirong like?

It is the King of Xin An, Dong Yizhi's daughter.

Ruoxuan?

Yes, that's her. Qirong is stubborn.

He doesn't even listen to me sometimes.

This Princess Ruoxian looks gentle and quiet,

but Qirong likes to listen to her words.

For me... I am only wishing

for Qirong to find an educated girl who knows etiquette.

Someone who can restrain him and let him mature and work hard

to become a good helper in the future. Won't this be something good?

It does seem to be a good thing.

It's just that Ruoxuan...

This Princess Ruoxuan, even though she cannot match Princess Situ,

but she has her own advantages.

Empress Dowager was originally thinking

that she can become His Majesty's consort.

I really can't speak up about this then.

Empress Dowager, just consider that I never spoke.

If it's something who is already arranged,

there shouldn't be any other thoughts.

It's just that this kid, Qirong,

he doesn't have a good fate.

I'll go back and tell him. He'll just feel bad for awhile

and it'll all pass.

Qirong really likes Ruoxuan?

Yes.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have pleaded with me to ask you.

[Chang Yun Hall]

We respectfully wish for the health and fortune of Your Majesty and Empress Dowager.

You may all rise.

Thank you, Empress Dowager.

Empress Dowager, Your Majesty.

These five princesses are the five finalists.

Your Majesty, who do you think can be the empress?

Then bestow her this gold headdress.

I don't dare to arbitrarily decide. Mother, please decide.

I understand your filial piety.

Didn't we already discussed previously?

Yes.

Whoever His Majesty chooses, I'm sure will also be who I like.

Your Majesty!

Once the gold headdress is bestowed,

she will be Great Sheng's empress.

Do you remember your agreement with me?

Mother, I remember.

I appreciate Mother's understanding.

Your Majesty!

I can tell that your health is not good enough.

Do not miss the time of appointing an Empress.

I will make the announcement in your place.

Your Majesty.

No matter who declares it, the result is still the same.

The daughter of the King of Xi Qi. Situ Zhen.

She is dignified and magnanimous and is well behaved.

She will receive the golden headdress.

Congratulations, Princess Situ.

Thank you for your grace, Empress Dowager.

Miss Xiao and Miss Chang

will become Consorts Shu and De.

Congratulations, two princesses.

Thank you for your grace, Empress Dowager.

Ruoxuan.

Your Majesty still doesn't know?

Empress Dowager betrothed Princess Ruoxuan to the Seventh Prince.

I feel so happy for the Seventh Prince.

He is marrying such a perfect Consort.

I will first take my leave.

Mother Queen. I know I was wrong. I am begging you, return Ruoxuan to me!

Qiyuan, it is not that I will not help you.

Right now, the ship has already sailed. Nobody can help you.

But I cannot disappoint Ruoxuan!

We promised our lives to each other!

You promised your lives? When did such a thing happen?

This Ruoxuan only came to the palace a few days ago.

To reply to Empress Dowager, the truth is...

The truth is that His Majesty met Princess Ruoxuan outside of the palace long ago.

When she still did not know of His Majesty's identity, they already fell in love.

Look at this. I have become blind!

I was left in the dark for so long.

You two are so impressive, keeping this a secret from me so well.

Mother Queen, this is not the fault of Ruoxuan!

She was not sure of her feelings. She never wanted to enter the palace and kept evading me,

but only after the King of Xi Qi threatened her

did she become brave enough to face her heart.

Mother Queen. Please fulfill our wish.

What? The King of Xi Qi

threatened Princess Ruoxuan? This is too...

Yes. Auntie, you dote on me most.

Help me beg Mother Queen!

Your Majesty, do not be like this.

Naming an Empress is a huge national matter.

I cannot say much.

Mother Queen, as long as you are willing to return Ruoxuan to me,

then I will do anything you wish!

Princess.

How come none of you take my difficulties into account?

Today, you have caused matters to get to this degree.

What about Consort Dowager Qiao and them?

People must not become untrustworthy.

The words you say, the messes that you make.

What if Qirong is not willing?

That is exactly opposite.

Qirong was the one who asked Consort Dowager Qiao to bring this matter to my attention.

Your Majesty, how about we just fulfill the Seventh Prince's wish?

But Ruoxuan is not a dessert, she's not a product!

She's a person! She's the person I love!

Qiyuan!

You are Great Sheng's emperor.

You have unparalleled power and respect.

Because of that, you should have

more tolerance and acceptance than commoners do.

Mother Queen, must you exchange that for my happiness?

This result was not bad.

Ruoxuan, though you are not my biological daughter,

I have treated you quite well, no?

If you really got chosen into the palace,

then if we wanted to meet again, it would be difficult.

Now that things are like this, it is quite good.

I heard your father say that the Seventh Prince is a respected nobleman.

As long as you get married, you will immediately get his manor.

By then, you will be the most respected noble in the manor.

It is better than being forced to bow down to every single person you come across in the palace.

Is that not true?

Your father also truly thought this through from your angle.

He just hopes that you will be well.

However, he is not willing to send you into the palace

in order to gain the affections of the nobles.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty, I made you your favorite soup from childhood.

Drink some, okay?

His Majesty has not eaten or drank anything all this time.

His sanity has already been compromised.

How could we go down like this? Have you summoned the imperial physicians?

His Majesty does not allow it.

He keeps yelling to let him out.

Auntie, beg the Empress Dowager.

What kind of time is this, how could you still be in the mood to embroider flowers?

Princess!

Princess Ruoxuan, I heard some big news just now.

What news would make you this anxious? Speak slowly.

His Majesty was put on lock down by the Empress Dowager.

He will not eat or drink.

How could this be?

I think there is no way this has nothing to do with the King of Xi Qi.

His Majesty! His Majesty surely just found out about this.

He and the Empress Dowager fought.

How is he now?

Do not worry. Tomorrow,

I will get people to look into it.

His Majesty and I are in different places, but we both suffer as one.

What did we do wrong

to deserve being treated like this?

Perhaps this is fate.

His Majesty and I

are deeply in love... but not destined enough.

Mingyu. Is this the wedding plan sent by the Celebration Department?

I see how deep in thought you are. Have you run into problems?

Besides Qiyuan, what else could possibly trouble me so?

Mingyu, there are words I have kept in my heart.

I cannot keep them there without feeling uneasy.

It was supposed to be a happy occasion,

Why must it become something so bleak?

His Majesty wants Princess Ruoxuan. If you give her, then wouldn't everything be solved?

You make it sound easy.

Then how could I talk to Qirong and the Consort Qiao?

All these years, I tolerated that mother and son.

Was that not just for Qiyuan?

Consort Dowager Qiao really is something.

- She does not even understand where the limits are. - Didn't she say?

It was a presumptuous request.

Since it was presumptuous, then she never should have said it to begin with.

There is also that King of Xi Qi. He is so repetitive.

He keeps fearing I will aggrieve his family's girl.

If this Ruoxuan becomes nominated as a Consort,

it seems as if the harem will not be able to have tranquility.

I suddenly remembered

that the moment the King of Xi Qi left,

Consort Dowager Qiao came in right away.

Do you think that such a coincidence could exist in this world?

To Ruoxuan

and Qiyuan, this is hard to bear. For you as well.

How could I bear it?

Otherwise I would not have delayed it for so long.

I was also forced to make this decision.

There is no use dwelling on it.

Then we still must find a plan.

Right now, His Majesty's condition is very scary.

Now, I just hope that after his marriage,

when Qiyuan starts to build his harem of Consorts,

he will forget

the love he had when he was young.

Then Mingyu, what about you?

All these years have passed,

but have you ever forgotten the love you shared with the Prince of Yan back then?

It is precisely because I walked down that road before

that I know

the pain of loving too deeply

and the bitterness of goodbyes.

So I do not want Qiyuan to be like me.

But we still need to come up with a plan.

A plan?

Right now, how could we satisfy Qirong?

If we deal with it badly, he will cause us endless trouble.

Empress Dowager, take a look.

Now there are many sons and daughters of noblemen

who have reached the age of marriage.

They all wish for you to arrange their marriages.

All of them are so beautiful.

Qirong, it is perfect timing. You should come take a look as well.

Seventh Prince.

They truly are all beauties.

They deserve to ask Empress Dowager to find them a match.

However...

However what?

However, in my heart, I already have Princess Ruoxuan.

She is the kindest. Those around her cannot even compare.

I heard that the Empress Dowager made you look at the portraits of multiple women.

Yes. The Empress Dowager has the time to think about marriage matters for others,

but she will not quickly arrange me and Ruoxuan to be paired together.

Could some mishap have occurred?

Mingyu, the Consort Qiao has arrived to greet you.

She came so quickly.

She must have come to talk of Qirong's marriage matters.

Then what do we do?

Tell her

that my health is not good today. Skip the greeting today.

She hid from me?

Looks like there really is something going on.

Huang Yuan and I met in the outside world.

But I am Huang Yuan, Huang Yuan is I.

My feelings for Huang Yuan

started and ended outside of the palace.

You think that His Majesty's marriage to the Princess would be happy?

The truth is that I do not want to enter the harem as some consort,

but to chase the person I love, even if he were at the ends of the earth,

I would still be with him.

This golden headdress is given to Great Sheng's future empress.

Do you remember the discussion we had?

I do remember. I thank you for your reminder.

Your Majesty! I can tell that your health is not in the best condition.

Do not miss the important naming of the empress.

I will make the call in your place.

Ruoxuan, you did not sleep all night again.

Lingyi, help me give this to His Majesty.

This is...?

Xiao Linzi secretly came to tell me

that His Majesty was trapped in the palace.

He does not eat or drink.

What?

No wonder.

According to His Majesty's personality, if he could,

he would surely have coming this morning.

In these days, I have been thinking every day

that even though we are not destined to be together, I still do not want him to be in trouble.

For him, I must make him lose feelings for me.

If I do not untie this knot,

then I am afraid to even think about what else he would do.

You have really thought it through?

Since our destinies are like this, we must bear it.

Since there is no hope, it would be better to drop this love.

Okay. I will help you.

Your Majesty.

Get out.

Your Majesty, yesterday you said you wanted to eat desserts from the south.

I specially asked for the recipe and assigned people to make them for you.

How about you try some?

I cannot stomach it.

Your Majesty, perhaps after you hear the origins of it,

you will have an appetite!

The main ingredient of this dish is Liangfeng. (cold jelly)

They were made of lotus and peach blossom petals.

It is called "Smiling Spring Breeze'.

"Smiling Spring Breeze"?

I do not know where she went.

Yet the peach blossoms continue to bloom in...

the smiling spring breeze?

Where did these dessert recipe come from?

Your Majesty, the chef who gave me this recipe...

Her... Her name is Qian Licao.

Qian Licao? (T/N: This implies it is Dong Ruoxuan. The chinese characters for "Qian Licao" put together make a "Dong")

What else did Qian Licao say?

Your Majesty, there is another dessert you have not even tried yet.

I will get it for you now.

This dessert is called the Eight Treasures Dumpling.

You must slowly, deliberately evaluate it.

When I eat, I hate it most when others are nearby! Especially you!

Get out!

You two, just leave.

His Majesty is in the Hall. Do you really expect him to grow wings and fly out?

[It's over for this lifetime, hope to reconnect in the next life.]

Your Majesty, what is wrong?

Princess Ruoxuan. What did she say?

What does it mean

It's over for this lifetime,

hope to reconnect in the next life.]

Could it be...

that even Ruoxuan plans to give me up?

Your Majesty! Listen to me.

Right now, everything is set in stone.

Empress Dowager has considered this thoughtfully before coming to you several times to persuade you.

Perhaps... Perhaps Princess Ruoxuan thinks the same.

That would be why she abandoned her own feelings even though it hurt her.

Your Majesty, do not continue contradicting the Empress Dowager.

Wash hands. (Cleanse the hands to show cleansing the hearts to be pure.)

Your Majesty.

We have already gotten married.

Everything Your Majesty wanted,

I have already fulfilled.

I am tired. I will rest.

Greetings, Mother Queen.

Please rise.

Thank you, Mother Queen.

Empress, now that you lead the harem.

You must be like an Empress.

Set an example for the harem.

- Mother Queen, are you not aware? His Majesty, he— - Enough.

These days have been very hectic, and you are tired.

Go back to rest.

I will take my leave.

You may all leave as well.

For the first three days,

I used the law to force His Majesty to live with her.

This was to give him decency

and to send Xi Qi a message.

In the future, it is up to her.

But I heard, for the past three days, His Majesty never unbuttoned the clothes.

Look. If I had not restrained her earlier,

she would have complained to me in front of everyone.

If this got out, we would be a laughingstock.

I was able to force His Majesty to marry her,

but how could I control their living situation?

Romantic feelings, in the end,

are created by oneself.

Your Majesty, the day is darkening.

- Are we going to Feng Huan Hall or... - We are not going anywhere.

Yes.

Right, I heard that a servant girl was beat up in Feng Huan Hall.

That servant girl's name seemed to have been Rou'er.

Your Majesty, last night His Majesty asked Rou'er to serve him.

What? He asked her to serve him?

I heard that this morning, she was given presents and even got her own side hall.

Fine.

His Majesty is purposefully doing this for me to watch. He wants to infuriate me.

He is doing this to tell everyone

that in his eyes,

a respected, noble Empress like myself is worse than a lowly servant girl?

Princess, do not think like this.

If I do not, then what am I supposed to think?

Go inform Xi Qi

that I am stuck in the palace alone, suffering left and right.

Yes.

Mingyu. Eat some sweets.

Yes.

If we were talking of love,

I of course want His Majesty to follow his heart's desire.

However, all matters must be done reasonably.

If His Majesty is so impulsive,

then the ancestral rules, the governmental affairs,

wouldn't they all become a mess?

But when we talk about impulsiveness, the blame cannot be placed solely on His Majesty.

How could we just hit him?

These days, it is true that Her Majesty was humiliated many times,

but the way she does this is truly out of line.

Mingyu. This Empress...

What if she complains to the King of Xi Qi of her unhappiness?

There is the old saying that

all matters must be dealt with reasonably.

Back then, His Majesty delayed for so long, refusing to get married.

It is true that the fault lies in us.

Now, it is his daughter at fault.

Because of Xi Qi's backing,

she thinks she can be above everyone and care of nothing.

She thinks she can disrespect everyone!

Within society, every single thing

can be replaced by others. Only being a good human

is something that must be done by oneself.

Your Majesty, the Seventh Prince has arrived.

Sixth Brother.

You're here?

Why are you spending all day and night working?

- Let us go hunt. - You may go yourself.

What's wrong? You fought with Sister-in-Law again?

Let me just say. You two have been married for only two months,

yet you fight like cocks every single day.

It is as if you are fighting to see who will eat the other first.

Lighten up. Let us go.

I really am not going. You go ahead.

Seventh Prince, the imperial instructor is arriving later to teach.

His Majesty actually cannot leave.

You are reading and writing documents all day.

Think back to when we were young. So carefree and comfortable.

From what I see, you are still carefree and happy.

Yes! The manor you gave me is being renovated brilliantly.

It is just that...

It is just that I cannot get married yet. It is infuriating.

What is wrong?

After the selection last time,

Ruoxuan got sick.

She says it is wind chill, but it has not gotten better.

I ask people to greet her every morning,

I sent over physicians and medicines,

but she refuses to see the imperial physicians.

I do not know if she has taken the medicine either.

Many times, I went personally to go see her,

but I did not even get to see her face.

Sixth Brother, do you think

I did anything inappropriate?

Your Majesty, do not worry about the Seventh Prince's matters.

Hasn't everyone had an insignificant illness and been in a bad mood over it?

Princess Ruoxuan is the future Princess Consort.

Of course she has great fortune and health.

Yes. Sixth Brother. You do not need to feel worried for me.

Just wait to drink my celebratory wine!

I will take my leave now.

[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 ♫