Original subtitles

♫ Nowhere to escape. ♫

♫ No bough to alight. ♫

♫ Retrograde with smile. ♫

♫ Never give in. ♫

♫ Forget about the youth. ♫

♫ I've never been afraid of loneliness. ♫

♫ I also shed the tears of regret. ♫

♫ But my heart is still fiery-hot. ♫

♫ To the distance. ♫

♫ The miserable past is like a dagger. ♫

♫ Though my wings are broken, ♫

♫ I will keep flying. ♫

♫ Following the light, ♫

♫ I'll forget you. ♫

♫ The memory shaped my stubbornness. ♫

♫ By virtue of the light in the dark night, ♫

♫ I'll return it with a long ballad. ♫

♫ The river of life is under my feet. ♫

♫ I don't regret my craziness. ♫

The Long Ballad

Episode 46

I'm surprised you hit His Highness for me.

Thanks.

Why are you here?

You asked the Emperor for this?

I'm here to get you out.

You'll be able to leave soon.

Me?

How about you?

You... what does it take to free you?

Sher, before you leave,

there's something I'd like to tell you.

I didn't kill your wolf.

Over the years, this is the only thing I can't let it go.

Father didn't want us to bond with each other.

Only our rivalry is in the best interest of his reign.

So he had your wolf cub killed,

made a quiver from its skin and gave it to me.

Why wait to tell me now?

I just want you to know it.

Well?

Are you afraid this is your only chance?

Or do you think I couldn't take the truth?

Could you?

Even if you could,

would you dare to stand up to him?

Sher, for the tribe,

one of us must stand up and do it.

And that is me.

Sun, what are you going to do?

I believe you all recognize Mu Jin of the Eagle Division.

He's been lurking in Dingxiang for days, plotting a rebellion.

The Ashile Tribe has been relocated to Dingxiang.

You should always keep it in mind.

Swear your loyalty here.

This is how traitors will end up.

Don't worry.

I won't let you die before your master is here.

I won't blink an eye if you want to kill me.

[Fine Prospects]

Mother.

I thought you would never come here.

I am and will always be your son.

If we don't agree with each other,

we will only end drifting away from each other.

Mother, during these days in the prison,

I kept thinking about the old days.

I slept in your arms every day as a little boy.

You were always there for me.

We didn't have to fight for anything,

nor did we worry or fear anything.

It was the happiest time.

But this happiest time in your memory is nothing but fragile.

It would easily fall apart with one word from your uncle.

Everything I do now,

I do it to make sure no one can tear us apart in the future.

Only when we are strong,

can we secure happiness.

Understood?

Come on.

Come home with me.

Your Majesty,

this princess of Tang here claims to be Princess of Mobei.

I wonder if it is your arrangement?

I really wish it was my arrangement.

It's a pity that she would rather be Princess of Mobei

than come back to Chang'an.

Envoys, whatever between me and Tang is personal.

It's complicated,

which I won't tell to save your time.

Now that I'm here on behalf of Mobei,

it means it is authorized by King of Mobei,

which I believe you all know.

That's true.

The King of Mobei has reached an agreement with my father

to make an alliance with Tang.

Also, I don't think I need to tell you what I'm gonna do with her, do I?

Or is it that the identity of this princess

is important to our alliance?

No, it isn't.

It's the domestic affair of Tang, which is none of our business.

I'm just wondering if you will set free Young Khan,

and make a deal with the Ashile Tribe,

why did you lie that you'd ally with us?

Is this a list of our people who were abducted by the Ashile Tribe?

There is a list?

Since the beginning,

we have been planning to get your captives back for you.

Envoys, this is a list of captives kept by the Ashile Tribe,

without anyone left out.

Your Majesty, is this why you freed Young Khan?

Young Khan intended to assassinate my son,

and had his body guard killed.

The list is the only reason

why I set free someone who had committed such a felony.

This Treaty of Alliance will be valid forever.

If you don't want to sign it for now, I will not force you.

And you don't need to worry,

as I will still send your people home safe and sound.

If we don't sign it, will we still be able to leave here?

Yeah, can we?

You can leave as you please.

Instead of stopping you, we'll send soldiers to escort you.

It's a long journey, which will take you some time.

By the time you get home,

you will find your people once imprisoned are already there.

So they've already sent them back.

I promise whether you sign the treaty or not,

you'll have nothing to worry about.

For those who sign the treaty, shall you need our help in the future,

you will have our full support.

Sounds good.

That's a big relief.

Yeah, it's wonderful.

I just had a narrow escape from death.

I guess I do owe Tang a debt of gratitude.

I believe you.

The Tiele Tribe is willing to sign the Treaty of Alliance.

So is Monan.

Princess, if you're afraid of the pain, we've prepared a red seal.

Envoys, we came here to make an alliance.

Do you want to leave here without signing the treaty?

Let's sign it.

Okay.

This is...

On the blood pledge signed today,

in face of any disaster and war,

the Tang state shall stand by your side.

You have my word.

Mimi.

If you want, I can pull you out of my mother's service.

No, thank you.

Why?

I have to stay by her side because there's someone I want to meet.

I'll protect you when we get to Dingxiang.

Changge, I know you detest me,

but I'm still your Second Uncle.

If you like, I'll put you down as a daughter of the empress,

so that you'll enjoy the same treatment like Leyan.

You can lead a carefree life in Chang'an.

No one will force you to marry or do anything you don't like.

Is this why you let Sun go to Dingxiang alone, facing the unknown?

So that I will lead a carefree life?

That is Tegin Sun's own decision.

You should know why he did it.

I don't want a glamorous life in Chang'an

or the title of a princess.

Wherever Sun is, I'll follow him there.

Dingxiang will be a dangerous place soon.

I can't let you take another risk.

Changge, you're home now.

I won't let you leave again.

Home?

As far as your administration is concerned, I'm a snake in the grass.

Why do you want me to stay?

Or is it

that you're trying to make up to me to feel better about yourself?

Make up to you?

I'm doing it because this is your mom's last wish.

She wanted you to be safe.

This is the only thing she asked of me before she died.

My mom?

I knew this day would come.

I'll have you and Changge escorted away.

No matter what life you'd like to lead, I'll make sure you have it.

Under this circumstance,

you're still as considerate as in the old days.

However, I won't be able to enjoy it anymore.

Madam, please don't say this.

Politics is by nature very complicated.

Even if you hadn't done it,

we might be facing the same result.

No.

My conscience won't leave me alone.

It was me who wrote you the letter the other day.

I knew I could never go back then.

His Highness didn't love me, but he did treat me well.

Yet I betrayed him.

It was not my intention to kill him.

If you hadn't kill him, you would have been killed.

A woman like me has no voice in political affairs.

You saved my life once and treated Changge like your own daughter.

You've taught her so much.

She looked upon you as her father, too.

I'm well aware of it.

Now, by doing what I did,

I've requited your kindness.

But His Highness...

How could I ever be able to requite his kindness to me?

Still, I should thank you.

Don't!

You stay there.

Promise me.

Keep Changge safe.

Make her happy.

Let her do whatever she likes.

Don't you force her to marry someone she doesn't love.

Don't ever make her sad.

Promise me!

I promise you.

Put that down.

Finally, I owe no one now.

Jin!

My father and you.

No matter who died, my mom would die too, right?

Where's the letter?

Where is it?

I want to see it.

I burned it.

I can't keep it as an evidence.

The letter was your mom's way of returning my favor.

In that difficult situation, she chose to kill herself for closure.

I find myself owe nobody my whole life,

but every time I think of her,

my heart would ache so much.

Changge, believe it or not, I've never ever wanted to kill you.

I've always wanted to protect you, but I couldn't find you.

With so much going on, I got so busy

that I wasn't able to keep track of a lot of things.

It was only till later I knew about what you'd been through,

and the sacrifices you'd made for Tang.

I feel so sorry for you.

Changge, please stay.

Let me take care of you.

If I was given a second chance to choose,

I would make the same decision.

I'm willing to sacrifice myself for the Tang people,

but I'll never allow those who love me sacrifice themselves for me.

I must go to Dingxiang.

I'm supposed to be pleased to hear it.

But now we're on the verge of war with the Ashile Tribe.

If you must go to Dingxiang,

then I'm afraid I'll let your mother down.

If you leave now,

we might never...

Fine.

We're not common people after all,

whose everyday happiness is beyond our reach.

Changge, you are no longer a little girl.

You've made your own choice.

I won't hold you back.

Kid, take care.

I'll be here waiting for you.

This will always be your home.

Second Uncle.

You killed my father,

but you're also my Second Uncle.

If you turn into a bad emperor one day,

I will get back to you for this.

Okay.

Jin, your daughter is just like you.

Your Majesty,

Princess Yongning had this brought to you when she left just now.

Mom, so this is your own choice.

It hurts me that you went through all this alone.

I'm sorry I only come to know it now.

I'm here today to say goodbye.

I'm going to save the man I love.

You would support me, right?

[Memorial Tablet of Lady Jin]

[Letter of Proposing Marriage]

Ms Jin, I, Ashile Sun, would like to marry your daughter, Li Changge.

I'd like to be with her forever.

On my life, I will protect Changge.

Care for and love her till the end of time.

I'll defend her freedom, make her happy,

and never abandon her.

Sincerely, Ashile Sun.

So he has already visited you.

Mom, this one is for my union with Sun.

This one is from Sun.

The third one.

Mom, Ashile Sun is my husband from now on.

If you can hear me, please bless him with safety.

[Dingxiang]

- Young Khan. - Young Khan.

What do you mean?

Commander Lei said the Great Khan is very ill now.

No one shall disturb him.

Commander Lei?

You do know who I am, do you?

Please, sir.

Hurry, go inform Commander Lei.

Okay.

Uncle!

It's me, Sher.

Uncle.

What's wrong with you?

Uncle.

I'm Sher.

Don't you recognize me?

Okay, I'll leave.

Leave us alone.

Yes.

You're more obedient than before, which I like.

Thank you, master.

If you keep it, I will let you see your brother.

Thank you, master, I must remind you,

you can't afford to slip again when we're in Dingxiang.

If you don't be good,

you'll never ever see your brother.

No, I promise I'll be good.

Princess, Young Khan went to visit the Great Khan

the minute he came back.

Well, I guess no one can stop him.

Let him be.

Do be more careful from now on, in case of some unnecessary accidents.

Yes.

Your Highness.

Look how freely it flies.

Your Highness!

What are you doing?

Your Highness, be a good boy and stay where you are.

Buzhen!

- Your Highness! - Come with me.

Let go of me.

You...

Buzhen!

Sister!

Sister.

Buzhen.

Buzhen, let me see you.

Sister.

Your finger.

I don't know why they wanted to cut off my finger,

but Emperor Sui saved me from it.

I'm fine.

That's good.

That's good.

Commander Lei, news from the western front.

Don't worry, sister.

I'm all right.

Don't cry.

Please.

Okay.

Take Buzhen back.

Yes, sir.

Buzhen!

Sister!

Buzhen!

Sister!

- Buzhen! - Sister!

Come with me.

Let go of me.

- Sister. - Buzhen.

Time for you to go back.

Young Khan, why are you here?

Open the door for me.

Well...

but... but Khatun has ordered that...

Well?

My words don't work here in Dingxiang?

Sorry, sir.

Tell your men not to report to Khatun about my presence here today.

Yes, sir, I understand.

I will shut them up.

Take me to Ashile Sun.

Yes, sir.

Open the door.

Yes, sir.

Young Khan, please.

To the dungeon.

I'll go talk to Ashile Sun.

I can go there alone.

Yes.

Since when do you like drinking in the dungeon?

Since when you were put here.

Is there a better snack to go with wine?

I have no time for this.

Finish it and go, in case your mom finds out.

I'm here as I please.

If she finds out, so let it be.

The look on your face suggests otherwise.

Shut up.

I've seen Great Khan.

How is he?

Ill, just like what my mom said.

He can't recognize me now.

And he sent me away.

Do you really believe

he could fall this ill overnight?

Why don't you?

Stop alienating me from my mom.

I like to see uncle like this

because my mom doesn't have to tread on eggshells now.

Isn't it nice that she can see me whenever she wants?

Don't lie to yourself, Sher!

If you truly believe it,

why are you here drinking with me?

Young Khan.

Young Khan, Khatun is here.

Go.

He's right, Young Khan.

I've let you in against Khatun's order.

If she finds out about it, then even if I've got ten lives...

Calm down.

I'll go by the back door.

Yes, sir.

I'll show you out.

Nothing shall happen if you keep your mouth shut.

Yes, sir.

Please.

Young Khan, please hurry.

This way.

Come on.

This way.

You can leave me here, in case she gets suspicious.

Thanks, sir.

Khatun.

Why are you here?

I... I...

I asked him here.

I want wine.

Get me more.

Do you think we're at your Eagle Division?

Leave us alone.

Yes.

The used-to-be mighty god of war on the prairie

is now locked in this dark dungeon.

To be honest, I kind of feel sorry for you.

Just get to the point.

Save the small talk.

Ashile Sun, you're indeed smart.

No wonder your father likes you.

My father likes Sher, too.

Without a mother who is a plotter,

Sher will establish himself on the prairie by himself one day.

How I help my son establish himself is none of your business.

Your love for him has led you on the wrong track after all.

I won't argue with you today.

I'm here to negotiate with you.

Negotiate?

Tang has allied with the other tribes.

They will attack Dingxiang very soon.

Yicheng, you're in no position to negotiate with me.

Since you've guessed it, I'll be straight with you.

You're smart.

Smart people always suit their actions to the time.

If you lead your Eagle Division to fight for our tribe,

I promise I'll keep you alive.

I won't be leading the Eagle Division to fight for the tribe,

but for you and the former Sui Dynasty, will I?

If I'm not wrong,

since the Khan's Tent refused to give us the gromwell... No.

Probably prior to that.

The master of the Khan's Tent is no longer my father but you, Khatun.

The plague, the attack from the Bear Division in Mobei,

and my father's illness,

you're behind all of these.

You've given me no choice.

Have I?

If you are dead, Sher will no longer be threatened on the prairie.

Ashile Sun, aren't you very nice to your friends?

Now it's time to be nice to your brother.

I won't help him, nor will I ever help you.

Fine.

Bring Mu Jin here.

Mu Jin.

Mu Jin!

Yicheng!

He withheld the intelligence and sneaked in here without reporting,

which is a capital offense.

The only reason I've spared him is because of you.

Take him away.

- Yes. - Yes.

Mu Jin.

Okay, I'll do it,

on two conditions.

What are they?

First, cure Mu Jin.

Second, cure my father.

That's a lot to ask.

I can promise you to cure Mu Jin.

As for your father, when the Eagle Division wins the war for me,

I'll let you see him.

You finally admit it.

It is you who got my father ill.

♫ The heart gradually responds, ♫

♫ gradually revives, ♫

♫ gradually swims towards you. ♫

♫ Before bidding farewell, ♫

♫ we expect an encounter. ♫

♫ Entwist your figure, ♫

♫ and lock it into my tender dream. ♫

♫ Before the daybreak, ♫

♫ through the obsession of love, ♫

♫ the longing flows. ♫

♫ There's always a moment ♫

♫ which burns down the wastelands in my heart. ♫

♫ There's always solicitude ♫

♫ which freezes everything between you and me. ♫

♫ Meet each other in different time. ♫

♫ Encourage each other in different worlds. ♫

♫ My longings become a cocoon, ♫

♫ layer after layer. ♫

♫ It turns into eternity. ♫

♫ The cocoon in the dark night. ♫

♫ There's always a moment ♫

♫ which burns down the wastelands in my heart. ♫

♫ There's always solicitude ♫

♫ which freezes everything between you and me. ♫

♫ Meet each other in different time. ♫

♫ Encourage each other in different worlds. ♫

♫ My longings become a cocoon, ♫

♫ layer after layer. ♫

♫ It turns into eternity. ♫

♫ The cocoon in the dark night. ♫

♫ It is sleepless. ♫

The Long Ballad