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[Sound of the Desert]

Episode 20

I have no family anyway.

But what about you?

Your aunt is the empress

and her husband is the emperor.

One of your uncles is a Great General

and one of your aunts' husband is a general.

Even your stepfather is an important court official.

Including all your uncles' subordinates

I don't even have enough fingers to count them all.

It hurts...

Stop thinking too much about it.

It's my life, so I call the shots.

As for what others say, we'll listen if it pleases us

and we'll ignore it if it doesn't.

Moreover, you still have your wolf pack in the desert.

I'm scared that you might go back to them if you get upset.

How would I dare displease you?

I can tell that you don't seem to like the power struggles in Jian-An either.

Why don't we leave together?

North of the Great Wall or south of Yangtze River

or the Gobi Desert or the green pastures, we'll go wherever we want.

Isn't that better?

I think it's because you don't want to go back to Jian-An.

It seems that you felt really hurt in Jian-An.

You used to face your problems and fight for what you want no matter what happened.

But now, you just want to run away from it.

I must have been tired. I...

I'm not trying to say anything.

You don't have to be so quick to explain yourself.

My maternal grandmother and mother are both of lowly birth.

My mother, uncle, and aunt

don't have a legitimate father.

I am also an illegitimate child.

If it hadn't been for my aunt

I might still be a servant at the Senior Princess's manor.

Who knows, I could end up like my uncle when he was a boy.

He had to serve as a stable boy at his blood father's manor

when he couldn't make a living.

People ordered him around like some sort of pet.

Even the dogs in the manor had better food than he did.

Wu Ji...

If it hadn't been for my aunt and uncle

I couldn't have commanded an army at the age of seventeen

no matter how ambitious and bold I was.

The Wans are my benefactors.

I have to repay their kindness.

Once I've done what I should do

and fulfill my childhood dream

I promise to leave Jian-An with you.

Since ancient times, I think that there is only one smart official.

It is Fan Li!

He chose to serve the nation in times of peril

to assist the ruler in reclaiming the lost lands

and demonstrating his great spirit as a true hero.

After he realized his goals

he roamed and wandered the lands

to start another legendary life of his own.

His lifetime is more exciting than two lifetimes of some others.

All right.

After you've fulfilled your childhood dreams

and finished doing what you should do

we'll talk about our future plans then.

Does this mean that you'd follow the man you marry, be he fowl or dog?

You can compare yourself to a dog or fowl if you wish.

But don't use that on me.

I still want to be a gorgeous beauty.

All right.

I noticed that you ate very little tonight.

And now you're going to bed so late.

Should I get the cook to roast a lamb shank for you?

It's all right, but I do want to talk to you about something.

Go ahead.

I overheard the soldiers say that they are all underfed.

They even said that the Captain's dog ate better than them.

Didn't His Majesty reward you with carts of food a few days ago?

If the food supplies in the army have gone down

and we're almost reaching Jian-An

you won't finish all that food anyway.

Why don't you...

Didn't you mention Han Dynasty's Han Xin and Zhou Ya Fu?

You praised them for their strict military discipline.

They were both fine men.

Han Xin's men would obey him, but not the emperor.

So it were Zhou Ya Fu's men.

Their soldiers even blocked the emperor from entering the camp.

They were both famous generals.

But what had become of them in the end?

My uncle is kind and generous.

He has a great reputation in the army, and the soldiers embrace him.

However, His Majesty now treats him...

I understand.

Sunzi was right in the Art of War

but he left out the most important lesson of all.

He didn't teach those generals how to stay alive

after they won those battles and climbed up the ranks.

Since the ancient times, there have been many victorious generals

but there aren't many who could retire safe and sound.

The support of the people can only belong to the emperor.

Those who hold military power like us must avoid it.

Give this a thought.

If my soldiers were to compliment me at all times

and His Majesty is already cautious of my uncle...

would I still get any chances to lead the army to war?

Exactly. That is why those carts of food that His Majesty rewarded to me

must only be mine to enjoy, even if the leftovers would go to waste.

No wonder you ordered your men to build you a soccer court

and arranged subordinates to go on hunting trips with you.

A lot of people were secretly complaining about you.

It turns out that you had all the right reasons for doing so.

Now that I think of how I went around doing business in Jian-An

I relied mostly on luck.

Your greatest luck is to have Shi's Shipping watch over you

when you got to Jian-An.

I guess that Shi's Shipping must have cleared many obstacles for you in secret.

That day, I was eager to tell the Senior Princess about how you saved me

so as to emphasize that we aren't ordinary friends.

Should anything happen to you, the Senior Princess would protect you.

Otherwise, in Jian-An City where power struggles are so complicated

you were making a name for yourself way too fast.

That is too uncommon.

That's the truth?

I thought that I succeeded because of my intelligence.

Have a good rest.

When we get back to Jian-An City

I'd surely run into him again.

Does he still sit by those green bamboo every day

and watch white doves fly?

Wu Ji has gathered everyone to a game of soccer. Didn't you join them?

I did.

But if I stayed in the game any longer, I'd starve for the rest of the year.

I found it really strange.

Most people say that those who do well in love would do badly in gambling.

But why is he still playing so well?

You didn't see it for yourself.

Those on his team were all grinning from ear to ear.

We lost so much that we might not be able to afford any drinks.

We'll reach Jian-An in a few days.

I don't want to go back there.

I'd rather fight battles out here in the northwest all my life.

I know that it's impossible between me and her.

But I see her everywhere, even in my dreams.

When I was fighting my way through tens of thousands of Tartar soldiers

I suddenly became detached from my feelings in such times of danger.

Who knew that I'd fall in love with fighting battles?

I used to fight for the honor of my family and my future.

But I now enjoy losing myself in times of life and death.

The truth is, I wanted to forget her.

Did you meet her before you left for war?

I have startled Your Highness.

Please forgive me.

You have overstated, General.

It's rare that I have an audience.

I was indeed drawn over by the music of the zither.

Your Highness plays remarkably well.

The tune of the zither blew me away.

I've actually been playing the zither every day in the harem

but no one could understand the underlying tones in my tunes.

Everyone envies me for having everything I wish for in the palace.

But who can truly understand

what I really seek?

Your Highness...

If you are a bosom friend, then words need not be said.

A bosom friend would understand me

and I him.

It is dangerous in war.

Please be very careful, General.

I shall await your safe return.

During that accidental encounter at Lake Taiye

she said to me

'It is dangerous in war. Please be very careful.'

She might have said it casually but it made me very happy.

Is it really impossible to forget someone completely?

Even if you try your best to forget her?

Do I really want to do my best to forget her?

Do I want to forget her...

Or am I trying to keep her on my mind?

General Li!

General Wei, General Zhao and the other generals are all waiting for you.

General Wei said that if you're afraid to lose to him, you could join his team.

He guarantees to win back all the money that you lost.

I let him win a few games, and now he thinks that I'm scared of him?

Let's go!

Aren't you going to watch him play?

He's completely different from his usual cold demeanor when he plays soccer.

Come on!

Over here!

Be careful!

Over here!

Well done!

Brother Li! We've been waiting for you.

- General. - Who's scared?

- Go on. - Here, get the ball.

General Wei is famous in Jian-An for his soccer skills.

I place my bet on General Wei!

I'd place my bet on General Wei as well!

You weren't even around when General Li was known for soccer!

- I place my bet on General Li! - Fine! We'll see who wins!

Exactly!

General Li!

General Wan is very strict with disciplining his soldiers.

Should he witness such a sight

I wonder what he would think.

General Sima, if you're disgruntled about General Wei

by all means, tell him yourself.

Telling me about it won't work.

People often say that

a family could be safe with a virtuous wife.

Although you are...

Although you're but an unacknowledged woman of General Wei you should also...

General Sima, a small mistake of mine.

Don't take it to heart!

General Sima is also very skilled in soccer.

Why don't you join us for a few games?

I'm already too old for this. Have fun.

General Sima, the Tartars paled in terror when they hear your name.

- Am I right? - Exactly! You're not old!

Here, General Sima! Join us for a game or two!

Let's go!

I'll work hand in hand with Li Ji later.

Don't worry.

Sima Lie would be utterly defeated.

He would have to think of ways to get money to pay his debts

and won't have the time to disturb us anymore.

Sister-in-law, I'm glad that you're here with us.

Otherwise, this fellow would never allow General Sima to play with us.

What nonsense is this?

Did I address her wrongly?

You're absolutely right!

Stop fiddling. Go and play with them.

All right.

Be careful!

Good shot!

In that moment, I finally realize

that I will never forget what I saw today in my lifetime.

Should one day, my hair turn gray

and my eyes go cloudy

I could still describe his every move.

My Lord.

I heard that the Tartars were defeated.

They even lost Heli Mountain to us.

Sima Lie was lost in the desert.

Li Da was trapped in a battle with Left Virtuous King.

Yet Wei Wu Ji led his army against the huge Tartar army alone.

He is indeed Wei Wu Ji.

He still attained a huge victory in such dangerous situation.

He truly is General Wei of our Nan Dynasty!

He is even more valiant than Great General Wan when he was young.

Are there any news of Xiao Yue?

Not yet.

- You may go. - Yes.

Is this weird?

No... It's not.

It's...

Didn't anyone tell you what impression you give to others?

- It's... - Let's go inside.

In this world, apart from me

only Wei Wu Ji would not allow Xiao Yue to disappear.

Perhaps he already beat me to it

and has found Xiao Yue.

Wu Ji.

I'll head back to Fair Maiden's House first.

I have to face the music eventually.

The courageous Xiao Yue is back.

But don't forget that Fair Maiden's House

isn't the only place you could go to in Jian-An City.

My home is your home.

Remember?

I'll go to meet His Majesty in the palace first.

I'm off now.

House Mistress? House Mistress!

You're home, House Mistress!

Ms. Hong! Ms. Hong, House...

Keep it down. Keep it down first.

Get me some water.

- I need a bath. It's really too hot. - Sure! I'll do it right away!

Ms. Hong! House Mistress is home!

You're a scoundrel! You have no conscience!

Why are you so cruel?

How could you abandon an entire house of frail women and old ladies

with no regards for our lives

or our friendship!

I've been thinking of you day and night, hoping that you would come back here

so that I could give you a sound scolding!

You... You're laughing?

No, I just feel as if I were some heartless man.

I couldn't help but laugh.

Ms. Hong, this is all my fault.

I don't blame you for leaving.

Everyone leaves in the end.

I understand that.

I've always hoped that you could get married, have children

and live happily ever after.

But you really shouldn't have left, leaving a letter behind

without even saying a word!

You take things easy but I don't!

I do things according to my liking.

I didn't consider your feelings.

I would never do it again!

Just treat it as my mistake

and forgive me this time.

General Wei returned to the city today.

And you happened to return today as well.

You and General Wei...

You and him...

Really? This is wonderful!

This is great. Now one of my troubles is resolved.

It's good that you ran away from home!

Well done for leaving home.

I didn't leave because of him.

Who cares?

Everything is fine as long as you can be with General Wei.

Everything is fine!

Long live the Emperor!

You may all rise.

Thank you, Your Majesty!

Marquess of Jianxi, Wei Wu Ji!

You were valiant in battle and defeated the Tartars.

I reward you with land of five thousand households.

Your salary is to be the same as Great General.

All of your commanding officers are to be awarded with titles.

Thank you, Your Majesty!

Falcon Attack Major, Zhao Meng Shan!

Present.

You're now given the title of Marquess of Congpiao.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

- Li Ji. - Present.

I've heard that you were fearless

when faced with the crisis of being surrounded by thousands of Tartars.

You barged into tens of thousands of enemies with ten some cavalries

to kill the enemies in hot pursuit and resurrected our army's morale.

You have honored the Li family.

I award you with land of five hundred households.

Thank you, Your Majesty!

Sima Lie! Zhang Shuo!

I've spent the past few days in deep thought about what to reward you.

- I have done wrong. - I have done wrong.

Marquess of Bowang, Zhang Shuo led the army inappropriately.

He should be beheaded according to martial law.

He is pardoned, but demoted to a common civilian.

Marquess of Heji, Sima Lie!

He failed to joined forces with General Wei Wu Ji as planned.

He should be beheaded according to martial law.

He is pardoned, but demoted to a common civilian.

- Thank you, Your Majesty. - Thank you, Your Majesty.

Wan Qian! I am greatly comforted to have you and Wu Ji in Wan family.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

I shall host a banquet tonight in the palace.

We will all drink together.

Thank you, Your Majesty!

Congratulations, General Wei.

Congratulations, General.

You're now ranked and paid the same as Great General.

You're indeed an impressive young man.

Exactly!

We take our leave.

Congratulations, General Wei.

Don't bother with any more compliments.

My ears hurt from hearing them.

Let's go and have a drink.

Another day. I'll go and visit the Empress now.

Sure.

- I'll take my leave. - Take care.

Perhaps, I might get to see her again?

Your Highness, General Li is here to greet you.

Blessings to Your Highness.

Don't stand on such ceremony, General.

- You are dismissed. - Yes.

I'm here to thank Your Highness for the kind reminder you gave me that day.

I had a narrow escape from death

because of your reminder.

It got me through the battle till the very end.

I might have already died in the desert if it weren't for Your Highness.

It is a great comfort to me now that you have returned safe and sound.

After you left for war, I'd come here for a stroll every other day.

I've felt that it is quiet and cold in the harem.

Only at the Lakeside Pavilion do I feel the warmth of springtime.

Your Highness, it is windy here by the lake.

Please return to your palace as soon as possible.

I know.

Your Highness now carries the imperial heir, so you must be very cautious.

Please return to your palace earlier to have some rest.

Your Highness!

I only survived because of you.

Should you need my assistance in the future

I will never turn you down.

I will do my best to fulfill your wishes.

Wu Ji, you've done Nan Dynasty great honors this time.

When His Majesty read the news of your victory

he was so cheerful

and he kept on praising you.

I was also very happy when I heard his compliments.

If it hadn't been for the teachings of Uncle and Auntie

I'd never have attained such an achievement today.

If you're not cut out to be a commander, no matter how hard I beg

His Majesty wouldn't have trusted you so deeply with such a great task.

Wu Ji is still young and he's already paid the same as Great General.

This is indeed the honor of Wan family.

Wu Ji, now that Wan family has Great General and you

your high status in court is now envied and hated in secret.

Therefore, you will have to exercise even more caution.

His Majesty's favor will not last.

You mustn't bring harm to the family for the sake of fame.

Envy assails the noblest so random gossips are inevitable.

You don't have to take it to heart.

My actions do not need to be judged by any outsiders.

His Majesty arrives!

- Your Majesty. - Your Majesty.

Don't stand on ceremony!

Wu Ji is here as well?

Wu Ji, what other rewards would you like?

It would really be too much for me to take if Your Majesty rewards me more.

But if you really mean it...

I have a wish.

Wu Ji, I just complimented you and you're fooling around again?

Say it.

I heard that Your Majesty has many interesting gadgets from the desert.

You're referring to those tributes?

Fine! You can have anything that you pick out.

That is a true member of Wan family.

So what if he is unconventional and a bit of a rascal?

It is this personality that defeated the Tartars again and again.

What is the matter?

Nothing. I'm just thinking about Wu Ji.

Wu Ji?

Although Wu Ji is cut out to be a commander

he is too much of a child.

He just came home in victory and he's already being extravagant

in seeking pleasures.

Not only did he keep all the delicacies that was rewarded all to himself

but also made his men build him a soccer court on an empty stomach.

If this continues, he would eventually lose the support of his men.

I think that this nephew of yours is much smarter than you.

He knows how to please His Majesty more than you do.

He is deliberately behaving in such a manner to be criticized.

It might seem to be to our advantage that he is unpopular among his men.

But Great General, you have always been loved by your soldiers.

Have you ever considered that it might not do you much good?

As a commander, I should conduct myself with discipline

and treat my soldiers with kindness.

That is the right way to lead an army.

That might be so

but when it comes to power struggle, it wouldn't be quite the same.

We are all offering our services to His Majesty.

Why is there a need to vie for power?

There is indeed no need for that between family members.

I'm just worried that once His Majesty puts Wei Wu Ji in a crucial position

court officials might see it as a sign to turn to his side.

Come in!

Are you all cleaned up and groomed?

Thanks to your absence

the Ninth Lord was extremely polite, even to a servant like me.

What's the matter?

Nothing.

The Ninth Lord was here to see you?

It was all for your sake.

He asked me to tell him every little detail of the hours before you left.

Honestly, I was absolutely furious at you during that period of time.

I didn't care who could find you as long as you would be

brought back to me for a good scolding.

I told him that you left a letter for General Wei

and that I've sent it over to Wei Manor right away.

It was really effective.

General Wei did send you back.

Ms. Hong, warn everyone in the house

not to tell anyone that I am already back in Jian-An.

Sure.

Have a good rest for a couple of days.

When you're refreshed, it's best for you to make a trip

to the palace to thank Madame Xiang in person.

While you were away

although she didn't offer us any assistance in her name

she sent Mister Qin over to play for the house quite a few times.

This act of kindness saved me a lot of trouble.

Madame Xiang... is quite sentimental.

Most people are eager to wipe out their inglorious past.

But she has always remembered our past friendship.

When she knew that you left, she especially offered us assistance.

Qin Xiang, I've always objected to your plan for revenge.

I wonder if you've changed your mind.

I can't watch you make mistake after mistake.

Xin Yue.

Have you made any plans now that you've come back here?

Then... General Wei...

Why do you have to mention him every now and then?

Look at you! You're blushing!

I won't bring him up, all right?

It's getting late. Go to bed soon.

Would you leave me another letter when I open this door tomorrow morning

to find you vanished again?

I won't! Ease up and go to bed!

All right then!

Wu Ji, I heard that you went to a Tartar market after your victory.

Your Majesty, I did.

It was just a spur of the moment.

I was just looking for some wine near Heli Mountain, that's all.

I thought that I could get to hear some interesting stories.

There's nothing amusing to report, but everywhere I went, people sang

the song that Your Majesty mentioned.

'My wings are all-injured and my tail is all-broken.'

'My house is in a perilous condition. It is tossed about in the wind and rain.'

You've made the Tartars frightened.

I am too flattered.

If it hadn't been for Your Majesty and my uncle

I wouldn't have achieved any of these successes.

Good! Serve all these generals wine.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Wu Ji, don't let His Majesty down.

- Make sure that you do well. - General Li Da always wanted a title.

Yet he still couldn't fulfill his wish.

Take a look at all of General Wei's young subordinates instead.

We were all made marquesses after one battle.

It is no wonder that more officers wanted to serve under General Wei.

Who wouldn't want to attain success and have a career?

In the beginning, people say that General Wei relied on Great General Wan

to have the chance to lead an army at such a young age.

But after this battle, no one in this court will question his ability.

General Wei's status in the army is second to none.

Young General Wei is indeed impressive.

He is strict in self-discipline, but kind to his subordinates.

Not only did he win the support of the soldiers

- General Wei. - but also the hearts of the people.

Your Majesty alcohol got the better of me.

I'd like to take my leave now.

Sure, I can tell that you're tired.

Go on.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Uncle, I'll take my leave first.

Go on.

Are you going to meet the Ninth Lord?

Before we got back to Jian-An, whenever I mentioned him

you wouldn't say a word.

It's been a while already, yet you still can't forget him?

Xiao Yue, no matter where you run off to, I can always bring you back.

But if you still keep him on your mind

what else could I do?

Now, should I call you gold and silver blossom

or Lovers' Vine?

Would you like a bath, General?

Or should I prepare some food for you?

Don't bother.

Please forgive me, General!

I did... I did tidy up the room.

- It's all right. You may go. - Yes.

She's already left the room, so will you show yourself now?

Come, sit next to me.

Why did you get home so late?

What are you doing?

Stay put.

I have something to tell you.

I thought about you the entire time in the palace.

I was eager to leave before I even had enough drinks.

I went straight to Fair Maiden's House after I left the palace

only to find you absent.

So I went and sat quietly somewhere on my own.

My thoughts were all in a mess.

That's why I got home late.

It turns out that I had overreacted.

I've always thought that there aren't many things that are out of my control.

That was why I was reluctant to face my fear for loss and gains.

I didn't want to tell you about this

but I'll feel bad about keeping it from you.

He said that I was deeply hurt in Jian-An City.

But how was he not hurt as well?

Such a fragrant smell of make-up.

I wonder which store sells this powder?

Since you like it so much, I'll start using this as well.

This is from the dancers in the palace.

One of them rubbed against me when she served me wine.

Really?

Didn't you say that you sat somewhere for a long time on your own?

Are you being jealous?

So what if I am?

If I smell someone else on you

you're never to show up again!

So what if you are? I like the way you are right now.

You're sick.

If this is an illness, I'd be happy to be down with this illness every day.

It's very late now. Get some sleep.

I'll take you to a nice place tomorrow.

I'll head home then.

Wake me up tomorrow.

Day breaks in four hours, so why both running back and forth?

Why don't you just sleep with your head on my chest?

Make do with it?

Are you sure?

Of course.

Xiao Yue, it's time to get up.

Xiao Yue, wake up.

If you don't get up soon, the sun is going to rise.

We'll wait for the sun to rise first before we go out to look at anything.

Let me sleep a while longer.

Anyone there?

Serve me to wash up and get groomed!

Wait a minute...

You're awake?

I didn't realize that you're not afraid of me, but rather my maids?

You can sleep anytime

but there is only one sunrise every day.

Let me sleep in just a bit longer...

You mustn't miss this sunrise.

You were here last night?

Is this worth waking up early for?

I know that you would be surprised to see this place.

I was also very surprised last night when I came here.

Who knew that they would blossom so well since they were planted in fall?

What is so rare about them?

It isn't as if you planted them.

I knew that you would say so.

I've kept something from you.

All those honeysuckle flowers that we saw on our way here are all planted by me.

They should be more than enough as a compensation?

I'm very happy.

Very happy.

Really?

I'm also very happy.

I'm also very happy!

I'm so happy!

Happy!

That year... you stood on this roof all night.

Xiao Yue, where are you?

Why won't you send me any news?

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