Original subtitles

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[The Promise of Chang'an]

[Episode 54]

Your Majesty!

The Seventh Prince... The Seventh Prince hanged himself!

I never would have expected

Qirong would be so stubborn as to

do something this stupid.

I originally thought

that making Qirong a major prince

would make him feel a bit more at peace in his heart.

His issues with Qiyuan could somewhat

become somewhat lessened.

But who would have known?

Could it be that I did something wrong?

How could you be blamed for this? You had good intentions.

You always think of the general public and do everything in your power to steady the situation.

This matter was caused because of the Seventh Prince's

own inability to let go. It is not the fault of anyone else.

Report to Empress Dowager. Things have gotten bad.

Consort Dowager... Consort Dowager has disappeared!

What?

When did this happen?

She was missing at dinner time.

I asked people to search, but we could not find her anywhere!

Hurry!

Get more people to search everywhere around the palace.

Yes.

Zhen'er. We must also search.

Mingyu?

Qirong.

My Qirong.

Mother loves you.

You are all of my desires and hopes.

That day, it was I who

did not say anything.

Later,

later the crown prince died.

Lan Zhaoyi also died.

Imperial Noble Consort died as well.

I was scared into a panic.

Qirong.

Mother was scared into a panic.

That time, when I thought of you,

I would forget all of my fears.

Later,

Later the former emperor died.

Everything I did

was for you, but you...

how come you do not understand

my intentions?

Qirong.

Qirong?

Former emperor! Former emperor!

I was wrong.

It was all my fault.

It had nothing to do with Qirong.

Qirong he... he know of nothing!

Former emperor.

Give Qirong back to me.

G-give Qirong back to me.

I was wrong. I was wrong.

Someone, arrive.

Take Consort Dowager back.

Yes.

Official Dong, take the decree.

Per Empress Dowager's decree, Dong family's daughter Ruoxuan

is suitable to be Imperial Noble Consort. According to the rites,

an auspicious date will be chosen and announced.

I thank His Majesty.

Princess, do not worry. There are no troubles that will not pass.

Do not care about the rumors.

As the days go by, they will become forgotten.

As new news comes out,

yours will not be interesting anymore.

Greetings, My Lord.

My Lord.

Father.

So beautiful.

Ruoxuan, I have always been hoping for your happiness.

I am not filial. I made you worry.

How?

Every parent would worry for their child.

I am fine.

I just fear that you will be aggrieved.

Sit down, Ruoxuan.

There are some things I do not want to hide from you.

Right now, there are so many rumors out there.

They say that His Majesty is sinful because of you.

the Empress has Xi Qi to back her.

These matters are going to be negative to you

because I cannot provide you with a strong family backing.

I cannot protect you.

When you enter the palace, you will have no self defense.

It is I who is always unfilial

and making you worry.

Promise me

you will become stronger to protect yourself.

Father. I will.

Ruoxuan. We are finally together.

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

Your Majesty, is it really you?

♫ The love is strong ♫

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

♫ I will exchange everything for your honor ♫

I am so afraid, so afraid that this is only a dream.

♫ yearning for dawn ♫

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

This is not a dream, we have suffered so much bitterness,

so much pain, but we have gotten through.

We are finally together.

Your Majesty, you consider things too simply.

Just for us to be together, we have caused so much trouble.

They say... I'm a troublemaker.

I fear that in and out of the palace,

there are so many people who hate us ferociously.

I fear... that this pain can never be mended.

They will never forgive us.

Ruoxuan.

We just had a despicable thought

to be together forever.

Is it just because I am the Son of Heaven

that I have to take every single person into account?

Ruoxuan. I will listen to you about anything,

but tonight is our celebration night.

Can we not talk about this now?

♫ Every day and night, full of thoughts ♫

♫ If the Heaven has emotions, it would wither ♫

♫ So much sorrow that my hair is white like frost ♫

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

♫ the heart aches, I just hate the absurd nights ♫

♫ Can't forget your gaze ♫

♫ so uncommon, don't hesitate to return ♫

♫ Superficial feelings, profound experiences ♫

Now that I have you,

I will bravely face the turbulence to come.

♫ love sickness lasts longer than dreams ♫

Greetings, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty, these red fruits were just imported from the south.

They can quench thirst and smooth the throat. Would you like to try?

Sure.

The fruit is very nice. It is all thanks to your recommendation.

Your Majesty, the hairpin you are wearing today is so beautiful.

This hairpin with jade on gold branch was bestowed

by Empress Dowager when His Majesty and I married.

The beauty of jade on gold certainly suits Your Majesty's elegance.

You say such sweet things, Younger Sister.

I, Dong Ruoxuan, wish for you to have thousands of blessings and safety.

What? Are you blaming me for not hearing you?

I would not dare.

Imperial Noble Consort, pour tea for Her Majesty.

Did I ask you to rise?

Is this an overnight tea?

It smells rancid. How is it drinkable?

Please forgive me, Your Majesty. I will make you another bowl.

Imperial Noble Consort, you got kicked out right in the morning,

and then in the Feng Huan Hall, you suffered.

Yet you chose to change clothes and go back?

Chunyu,

stop talking. This is my duty.

I, Dong Ruoxuan, greet the Empress Dowager.

[Chang Yun Hall]

Mingyu, the Imperial Noble Consort is outside.

It has been half an hour.

She already went to see Her Majesty?

Yes.

I heard that the empress made her kneel for a long time.

Let the girl go back.

Just say that in recent days, I have been feeling under the weather.

For the next few days, she does not need to come greet me.

Every day,

watching her makes me feel a lot of pity.

Are you better now?

His Majesty has arrived.

Your Majesty.

My Consort, no need for formalities.

It so happens that I'm hungry and ready for dinner, and you've made dishes to accompany wine.

There are the home cooked meals I prepared for Your Majesty.

I would hope that you are not disgusted by it.

Your home cooked meals are much better than the Imperial Kitchen's food.

If you say that, the head chef will be displeased.

How could the imperial kitchen be worse than home cooked meals?

The reason is simple. He does not pour his heart into it, but you do.

Here. Drink with me.

Your Majesty, I can do it.

Didn't I say?

The Qin Zhi Hall is our home.

It is not a Hall. There is no need to be so formal.

It is just us, a normal husband and wife.

- Understand? - Yes.

How could His Majesty do this?

I feel wronged on your behalf.

That is too far.

- Greetings, Your Majesty. - Your Majesty.

Ruoxuan, did Mother Queen make you suffer?

No.

Chunyu, say something.

- Imperial Noble Consort, she— - Chunyu.

Say something!

Ever since we entered the palace, the Empress Dowager has never showed up when Imperial Noble Consort went to greet her.

Quit talking.

Your Majesty!

Mother Queen, why do you do this?

Mother Queen, do you not see or understand

any of her sincerity?

Your Majesty, because of the Imperial Noble Consort, you committed a grave transgression.

Right now, everyone is coming to Empress Dowager to make accusations

and asking for judgement. It's very difficult for Empress Dowager.

Can you not try to understand?

Mother Queen feels difficulty? Then let me handle it.

If someone is unhappy with my actions, make them all come to me.

You think this matter is as easy as you say?

We already followed your wishes and named her the Imperial Noble Consort.

What? You still want all of your wishes to be fulfilled?

Mother Queen, you say I committed wrongs. I admit it,

but what about Ruoxuan? What did she do wrong?

Is your heart made of a steely rock?

Come.

Your Majesty—!

Sit here.

You were put in so much pain, yet you did not tell me.

These are just little things.

Your Majesty is busy all day. There is no need to worry about this matter.

How is this a little thing?

If not for my own discovery of this, I do not even know how long you would have hid this from me.

Your Majesty, I deserve all of this.

If not for me,

Your Majesty would not be so distant from your mother.

It is not completely because of you.

I was too impulsive.

I spoke brashly and contradicted Mother Queen.

I fear that she will never forgive me.

Your Majesty, what exactly happened?

Ever since I ascended to the throne, there was not a single day in which I did not live under Ninth Royal Uncle's shadow.

What happened between him and Mother Queen is like a hot iron

that always unexpectedly branded my heart

and caused an excruciating pain.

I love Mother Queen, but sometimes,

I can't help but want to upset her.

It's been many years now. I'm just afraid that, if I'm not careful,

I would let all the resentment burst out of my mouth.

Everyone thinks

the emperor is the son of heaven who is enjoying all the riches in the world.

But no one understands me

and know how I grew up through the pains.

All I wanted is a woman who understands me and loves me.

Is this wrong?

Your Majesty, I understand you.

Ruoxuan, I'm grateful that I've met you.

Having you here, what the others don't understand...

Forget it, let's not talk about it anymore.

Your Majesty, don't talk like this.

There is no mother who doesn't care for her son.

You have your misunderstood feelings.

She must have at least as much of misunderstood feelings, too.

Please understand more for her, Your Majesty.

I've hurt her so much.

Even if I show more affection,

she won't forgive me, I'm afraid.

Your Majesty spoke a little too harshly.

No wonder Empress Dowager is still in anger.

However, you and your mother's love is deep.

As long as we sincerely understand and show affection to her,

she will definitely forgive us.

No matter what, I will do my best

to mend the feelings between you and Empress Dowager.

Ruoxuan, you are so good.

I say, this Noble Consort is thoughtful.

She can understand the difficulties you are under.

Even she can understand my difficulties,

but the son that I raised through much hardship

would say that kind of mean words to me.

My heart is broken.

Mingyu, don't think like this.

His Majesty is just impulsive momentarily.

He regretted it afterwards.

But, out of pride,

he couldn't admit it.

It hasn't been easy for the Noble Consort, either.

She has persisted for quite a while

and hasn't lost her patience.

She suffered so much grievance, but she is still fulfilling her duty

and conducting appropriately.

It is really commendable.

Based on my observation for the past few months,

Noble Consort's temperament

is truly the rare kind of virtuous serenity.

I wish the Empress had a share of Noble Consort's composure.

Then it would be peaceful in the harem.

How dare you to say, behind my back, that I'm not as easy to serve as Noble Consort.

Did you eat a bear's heart and a leopard's gallblader to be so bold?

You damnable slave. Guards!

Present.

Drag him away. If he doesn't die from 100 times of caning,

then drag him to Ye Ting Palace to exhaust him to death.

Mercy, Empress! Mercy, Empress!

Mercy, Empress!

Don't get upset with these stupid idiots anymore.

You'll just hurt your own body.

There's even more to anger me.

This morning there's an edict from Empress Dowager.

Consort De is pregnant. To avoid upsetting her pregnancy,

she is exempt from performing the ritual of kneeling and kowtowing.

My anger rises whenever I see her protruding belly.

Noble Consort is not pregnant despite enjoying sole imperial favor,

but Consort De is the first to carry the dragon's seed.

That slut must be so upset

and will cling to His Majesty day and night.

Mingyu, it's autumn already.

Here's a fresh chestnut soup. Try some.

How do I have any appetite?

Consort De has been in pain for 18 hours.

Why hasn't she given birth?

You shouldn't worry.

The little prince is just like His Majesty back then, a wicked one for the mom.

I hope Consort De's baby

will be a little prince.

After all, this is His Majesty's first child.

I would feel settled this way.

Don't worry. In the future,

there will be a lot of princes and princesses

surrounding you and calling you Royal Grand Mother every day.

When that time comes, you probably wouldn't even be able to tell who is who.

I'm really hoping for that day.

Congratulations, Empress Dowager, you have a grandson.

Really?

It's absolutely true. Consort De gave birth to a fatty and pretty little prince.

This is good. Thanks to Heaven and Earth

for blessing Great Sheng's descendants continued prosperity.

Congratulations, Your Majesty, for getting a son.

- Rise. - Thank you, Your Majesty.

I took a look just now. Eldest Prince has a broad forehead,

he is a child endowed with fortune.

You are actually happier than I am.

Let me ask you, when are you going to pay me back what you owe me?

What do I owe Your Majesty?

You owe me... two princes and two princesses.

No, I want more. The more the merrier.

Don't tease me anymore.

Ruoxuan,

I mean it.

I want a child that belongs to the two of us.

Better to be one that looks like you, smart and adorable.

Your Majesty, let's talk something serious.

Empress Dowager's birthday is coming up.

It's also a happy occasion with a new grandson. We must be filial and pay her respect.

I... have considered this matter.

However, when I went to see Eldest Prince today,

Mother knew I was coming and left from a side hall.

I'm afraid that she won't forgive me.

I have an idea to let Your Majesty pay filial respect to Empress Dowager.

It's just that you must not reveal that it's my idea, Your Majesty.

If she doesn't know it's your idea, what good will it do?

As long as Empress Dowager is happy, and you've fulfilled your filial piety,

that's enough. It's not important to know

that it's my idea.

I'm sorry by comparison.

Speaking of filial piety, I cannot match you by far.

Your Majesty, deep down, you still really care about Empress Dowager.

It's just that you don't know how to show it.

To be honest, about the matter regarding Ninth Royal Uncle,

It's only today that I've really let it go.

- Do you know why? - You've thought it through, Your Majesty?

Because Heaven has been kind to me

to let me have you.

Mingyu, His Majesty has said

to let me prepare a tableful of simple and delicious vegetarian dishes for your birthday.

No one else is invited for it. It will just be you and your son together.

An intimate chat over a little wine.

This is the first time

that he actively seeks to thaw our relationship.

This doesn't sound like his personality.

His Majesty has grown up after all.

Why not use this opportunity

to sit down and chat intimate thoughts with His Majesty?

Perhaps your relationship

will ease.

The knot in the heart

is not easily untied with a table of dishes

and a pot of wine.

Considering His Majesty's filial piety,

just go then.

Empress Dowager, try this dish.

Fragrant, also smooth.

The flavor is good too.

Mother Queen, this dish is named "Smooth Mushrooms in Warm Winter."

It even has a good name.

This dish uses the best mushrooms to marinate in sweet vinegar overnight

to remove the earthen smell.

Then, stew them in turnip juice for four hours. That's why it's so flavorful.

Look at the way you talk.

It almost seems you cooked the dish.

Your Auntie Zhen'er is the one who worked hard.

Empress Dowager, try this one too.

Snow White Beancurd.

Alright.

A simple beancurd dish

has been made so flavorful by you.

What unusual ingredients did you add into it?

I didn't add any unusual ingredients.

What I added is skill and thoughtfulness.

How about it? Isn't the flavor good?

Indeed good.

Why didn't I discover it before?

When did you learn it? You're only showing it now.

Mother Queen, Auntie wanted to give you a surprise.

Good dishes must be accompanied with good wine.

This is sweet wine made with Jiang Nan's rice.

It's especially good with vegetarian dishes. Try it.

You go ahead and eat. I will go work in the little kitchen.

Go then.

This one is called Peach Blossom Wine.

It's because the rice looked like peach blossom

when it was fermenting in the urns.

Peach Blossom Wine?

Such an exquisite name.

Let's try.

The taste is nuanced.

Sweet but not too rich. Fragrant but not overpowering. Excellent.

I haven't been filial, and previously I was impudent with Mother.

I made you feel sad, Mother.

I've been very regretful but didn't know how to tell you.

If Mother is willing to forgive me, please drink this cup of wine.

If you don't drink it, I will kneel here and not get up.

- You really won't get up? - Right, I won't get up.

Fine then, you just keep kneeling then.

Mother...

I've endured all these years,

finally I see you've grown up.

I understand all the hardship you've endured.

I've been unfilial and let you suffer, Mother.

Qiyuan, about you and Ruoxuan,

the matter got so big because you didn't trust me and hid it from me.

I mismanaged this matter.

Please don't blame Ruoxuan, Mother.

Do you think that I really blame her?

She should understand it.

You are the emperor, but you decided on your own

to act willfully

and blew this matter up into an unmanageable scale.

I was muddled, but I now understand your difficulty.

You really understand it now?

Yes, I do.

Get up then.

Did you just finish an act of "Carrying the firewood to beg for forgiveness"?

It's all thanks to Auntie Zhen'er making a tableful of delicious dishes,

that's why I'm forgiving him.

Thank you, Mother Queen.

Empress Dowager, try this Taiji Suitable Two Ways.

I guarantee that it's good for looking and eating.

Where did you learn this dish?

I thought of it myself.

You thought of it. Your cooking skill improved.

Your knowledge is also enhanced.

Then, tell me, why did you give it this name?

Mother Queen, Auntie must have heard this name somewhere

and thought it's interesting to use it.

But the flavor is the most important for a dish. The name can be changed randomly.

That's right. That's right.

I've forgotten too

where I got this name.

Empress Dowager, just hurry and try it.

Qiyuan, you should really thank your Auntie Zhen'er.

How about bestowing her something?

Does your Auntie Zhen'er need anything?

She's worn that bracelet on her wrist for many years.

It's getting old.

You gave me this bracelet when we were young.

It's the best accessory for me.

I don't need anything else.

If I remember it correctly,

you always take the bracelet off whenever you cook in the kitchen.

It's been a habit for twenty-some years.

How did you forget it today?

You're right.

How did I forget it?

You worked so hard to make all these dishes today.

I am very pleased.

I need to go see how you cooked them.

Empress Dowager, it's smoky in the little kitchen.

It's not good for you to go there.

That's right, Mother Queen.

You do not need to bother with this matter.

Empress Dowager!

- Empress Dowager! - Mother Queen!

Ruoxuan?

Auntie Ling? The gingko fruit chestnut soup is now ready.

Now, we are just missing the dumplings with shiitake mushroom filling.

Xiao Linzi, go get some water.

Okay.

- Greetings, Empress Dowager. - Greetings, Empress Dowager.

You have really found a good helper.

No, Mother Queen. This was all my idea.

Ruoxuan said that she also wanted to get in on it, and that is why we did it together.

Empress Dowager, His Majesty and the Imperial Noble Consort had good intentions.

His Majesty feared that you grew tired of the imperial kitchen food,

and the Imperial Noble Consort just happened to specialize in creating simple yet elegant vegetarian dishes.

So that is why I came up with the idea of using my name.

No, that's not how it is.

I feared that after you saw me, you would get angry,

and that is why I asked Auntie Ling to help.

This matter is all my fault. I had not intentionally tried to trick you.

Please forgive me.

No! This was all my idea.

If you want to blame someone, then blame me.

You have worked hard. You may all rest.

Goodbye, Mother Queen.

Ruoxuan, get up.

Today you have worked hard.

Your Majesty, is the Empress Dowager angry with me?

I do not think so.

I think Mother Queen didn't have any intention to blame us.

You don't even know how greatly she praised those dishes out there.

Really? Then which dish did Empress Dowager like?

All of them. She ate so much.

As long as the Empress Dowager is happy, then all of my toils would be worth it.

Look at you. You look like a little kitten.

Do you see? Do you see?

The Eldest Prince looks so strong and mighty, just like a tiger.

Consort De, you birthed such a perfection.

In the future, the Eldest Prince will surely be blessed.

Having you dote over him is his biggest blessing.

Of course I will dote on him.

Here.

Take a look at what your grandmother brought you.

Here. I will help you put it on.

It looks so nice.

Yes, Empress Dowager really suffered.

No matter how many of these kinds of gifts I have to give, I would still do it happily.

Mother Queen, since you are so happy, let us invite the female musicians to sing some songs in celebration.

Xiao Linzi, Chunyu.

Your Majesty.

What's wrong?

The female musicians... have all been sent out of the palace.

- Who asked you to send them away? - No need to question further. It was my idea.

How come I did not know of that matter?

Your Majesty, I am the Empress.

Because I control the six palaces, there kinds of little things

are within my natural right to take care of. Why must I report them to you?

Everything was fine. Why did you send them away?

Why? I was just afraid that you would become obsessed with the musicians and forget about court affairs.

When have I ever done such a thing?

That's enough. None of this is a big deal.

- No need to make a big deal out of nothing. - No.

I must talk. All of those songs and poetry

are just things to distract and lure others.

I feared that you would forget the teachings of the ancestors

- and fall under the trap of those charms. - You—

I was worried about Your Majesty. I heard the imperial physicians say

that in these days, you have been getting skinnier.

Your body affects the future of the entire Great Sheng.

I was thinking on behalf of His Majesty. Was that wrong of me?

His Majesty is just a bit haggard.

No need to make a big deal out of nothing.

Mother Queen, I am haggard

Studying is important, but your health is more.

Your Majesty needs to take care of yourself properly.

Make Her Majesty worry less.

Yes, Mother Queen.

Today, in front of the Empress Dowager, I would like to ask

does the Imperial Noble Consort serve you well or not?

That's enough!

This is absurd.

Mother Queen, I will leave right now.

Your Majesty!

Ruoxuan, do not try to persuade me.

I really cannot tolerate it any longer.

Your Majesty is angry with Her Majesty, but this event was planned hastily by the Empress Dowager

to celebrate the one month birthday of the Eldest Prince. You suddenly left in anger like this.

The one that is humiliated most is the Empress Dowager.

Ruoxuan, get up first.

Go back.

[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 ♫