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[Sound of the Desert]

Episode 21

- Auntie. - You just left the palace yesterday.

Why are you here to visit me again?

It's obviously because I need to ask Auntie for a favor.

I thought so. Ask away.

Now that His Majesty favors you so much

what could possibly make you ask me for a favor?

The house mistress of Fair Maiden's House, Xin Yue.

Do you still remember her?

I do.

Auntie, I'd like to marry Xin Yue. I'm here to ask for your help.

Could you find the right timing to ask His Majesty to bestow her to me?

What does it have to be her?

Do you know that she's very close to Madame Xiang?

- It means that she... - They are just friends.

If she becomes my wife, there will be no damage done to the Wans.

Auntie, I met her in the desert.

You could say that Xin Yue is my savior.

During this battle with the Tartars

Xin Yue stayed by my side through life and death.

I've never fallen for any women.

But Xin Yue is the woman that I have to marry.

I just heard last night during the banquet

you ignored all those beautiful dancing ladies.

I was still worried about when you will finally understand romance.

Who knew that you're a completely different person today?

It would be easier if you're asking to have her as your concubine.

It's a bit more difficult that you want to marry her.

Wu Ji, you have to understand that

you are of equal status to your uncle now.

Marrying a wife isn't a matter that you can decide on your own anymore.

Auntie, we've already pledged our love to each other.

In terms of my feelings for Xin Yue, taking her as a concubine is impossible.

I must marry her as my lawfully wedded wife

and welcome Xin Yue into Wei Manor.

All right. I will find the right time

to see what His Majesty thinks about this matter.

Thank you, Auntie!

Your Highness! General Wei!

Why are you in such a panic?

Your Highness, His Majesty urgently summons General Wei

to discuss an important matter.

Wu Ji, go on then.

I'll leave that matter to Auntie.

The Northern King and Southern King of the Tartars would like to surrender to us.

What are your opinions?

Your Majesty, I think that it is best to handle this matter with caution.

Both armies under the Kings' command add up to a hundred thousand men.

They each have their own territories.

Now that they are surrendering to us without any reasons

this makes it difficult for us to trust in them.

Li Ji, what do you think about this?

Your Majesty, the Tartars are different from us.

Their military power is distributed.

On the surface, all the tribes seem to be controlled by their King.

But the fact is that all feudal kings who hold military power

have their own ideas in mind.

Before the battle at Heli Mountain

many feudal kings were already reluctant to send their armies.

They're worried that their own military power will decrease.

The Tartar King has gradually lost his control over them.

After the battle at Heli Mountain

the power struggle between the tribes will surely escalate.

Perhaps both feudal kings have unspeakable reasons

and have no choice but to surrender to us.

I think that their letter of surrender might not necessarily be false.

General Wan.

What is your opinion?

Your Majesty, I think that if both kings truly want to surrender

this will be a huge blow to the Tartar's power in the south of the desert.

This is wonderful news for Nan Dynasty.

And so what if it is a trick?

We'll just go along with their trick

and announce to the world about their surrender. We'll reward them heavily.

Tartar King, Hu Wei Li, is very distrustful of others.

Even if this is the enemies' trick

Hu Wei Li might not say it outright but he will start doubting them.

He is sure to be wary of them.

In due course, they will grow apart from each other.

Instead of using our military power to suppress them

it's even better to get them to fight among themselves.

Wu Ji, you've listened to so many different opinions already.

Tell me what you think about this.

Your Majesty, I agree with Great General Wan's opinion.

I think that not only should we reward the kings heavily

but also send our troops to welcome both kings before Hu Wei Li gets suspicious.

If they are only pretending to surrender

we can attack them when they are doubting each other.

If the kings are really surrendering, we'll send our troops to protect them.

Only by treating them with such favors can we truly win the tribes over.

I'm willing to welcome both kings with our troops

and see if they are truly surrendering to us or not.

We'll warm up to them if it's true and attack them if it's not.

All right. I'll command you, General Wei Wu Ji

to bring both kings back to me.

I obey Your Majesty's orders.

Xiao Yue!

I have something to say to you. Come over here.

I am leaving Jian-An City soon.

We might have to postpone the wedding.

Don't make it sound as if I can't wait to marry you.

You just got back to Jian-An. Why are you leaving so soon?

An important matter suddenly came up. That is why I have to set out in a hurry.

Both Northern and Southern King want to surrender to Nan Dynasty.

If we accept their surrender

it will surely be a huge blow to their power in the south of the desert.

But His Majesty is worried that this is just a hoax.

That is why he still hasn't decided what to do.

I volunteered to welcome both kings with our troops

to see if they have truly surrendered or not.

Xiao Yue, don't be too worried.

As for our marriage, I've already talked to the Empress about it.

She said that she will bring it up to His Majesty at the right time.

But she has to wait till I get back from this mission.

That isn't what I'm thinking about.

I've met both the Northern and Southern King when I was little.

I've also heard Papa mention them.

Northern King is timid and very easily persuaded.

If he truly means to surrender then it isn't his decision.

He doesn't have the guts to do so.

You have to be careful that he might be indecisive.

Southern King doesn't think too much. He is very bold and forthright.

He might look very fierce, but he is actually very softhearted.

If you will be seeing them face to face, you can observe his mannerisms

to tell if he is truly surrendering.

Thank you, my dear wife and mentor.

General!

General, the army is ready.

I haven't congratulated the marquess yet.

You can address her as your younger sister-in-law now.

I wouldn't dare to do so.

I'll join you later when I've changed my clothes.

Yes.

Be very careful.

Wait for me to get home to marry you.

Xin Yue! A messenger from the palace sent this over.

Madame Xiang summoned you to the palace. Look!

You went away to the desert for such a long time.

Fair Maiden's House is all right because of Madame Xiang's help.

She must be hoping to see you. Go to the palace to thank her in person quickly.

Yes, I've been away for such a long time.

So much has happened.

Now that I have returned

I still have to face the problems that I should face.

Xin Yue greets Your Highness.

- You are dismissed. - Yes.

Do you know that I've been praying all the time? What am I praying for?

Your Highness will soon be mother.

You must be praying for the safety of your unborn child.

The only purpose that this child is born

is to help me stay in favor of the Emperor.

Then I can have the chance to avenge my father.

That is my ultimate goal.

Even though I have already attained the favor and wealth seek by all women

nothing will change for me.

But you have changed.

You once said that you love the Ninth Lord.

You wished day and night for him to accept your love for him.

But I heard that you've already gotten together with Wei Wu Ji.

I'm afraid that Your Highness won't understand the relationship

between me, the Ninth Lord, and Wu Ji.

But Your Highness has nothing to be worried about.

I promised to keep your secret.

No matter what happens, I won't reveal your identity to anyone.

I will pretend that I never knew about it.

Wei Wu Ji takes side with the Wans.

That means he is opposing me.

Xin Yue, if Wei Wu Ji plans to deal with me...

and my child

will you take my side and help me?

As long as Your Highness leaves the Crown Prince alone

Wu Ji will never hurt you or become your enemy.

As for me... I will never allow you to harm Wu Ji.

I understand.

If that is so, I have nothing more to say to you.

You may go.

I bid Your Highness to take care of your own health.

Come over here. I've prepared all your favorite dishes today.

You must have craved for them for a long time.

Here, dig in.

What's the matter, Xin Yue?

You've been absent-minded since you got back from the palace.

What exactly happened?

Ms. Hong, we have to close down our businesses.

Dismiss everyone.

What?

Why are we closing down the business?

Ms. Hong, just do as I say.

Tomorrow, look for other trustworthy houses to relocate the girls.

The sooner, the better.

Xin Yue, you really don't have to be afraid of anyone in Jian-An now.

You and General Wei are together.

He won't allow anyone to bully you.

Madame Xiang also has your back.

No one dares to offend us.

I don't see any reason to close down our business.

If it is Madame Xiang who is going to get rid of me?

How could it be Madame Xiang?

Ms. Hong, the present Madame Xiang is no longer the Qin Xiang that we know.

I'm afraid when the day comes that our friendship no longer exists

with her intelligence and His Majesty's love for her

any mistake on our part will be magnified by her.

Even if I have Wu Ji to protect me

the girls in the house will be implicated.

I could save one, but not two.

If we retire now at the peak of our business

we can prevent a future catastrophe.

All right, I'll be in charge of selling off the dance house.

But Xin Yue...

You and Qin Xiang were once bosom friends.

Why would you turn on each other?

Have you perhaps exaggerated the situation?

Man proposes, God disposes.

None of us could say for sure what will happen in the future.

This way, please.

- Farewell. - Take care.

I thank you both on the Ninth Lord's behalf

for risking your life to inform us of this matter.

But I'm sorry. I'll have to ask you to leave from the secret passage.

See our guests off.

This way, please.

My Lord, according to those two men

the two feudal kings are likely to surrender to Nan Dynasty.

Hu Wei Li is now deserted by his subjects and friends.

Hu Wei Li provoked Nan Dynasty several times

but he kept getting defeated by Wei Wu Ji.

Not only is their morale shaken

but also their trust.

My Lord, you mean to say that

his tribes and subjects no longer believe in him?

Those two feudal kings surrender to the prosperous Nan Dynasty

in order to protect their own tribes?

Wei Wu Ji's performance on the battlefield is indeed invincible.

Whenever he went, the Tartar tribes all tremble in fear of his name.

But they didn't hate the soldiers of Nan Dynasty because of that.

Instead, they see him as the Warrior God.

They are impressed by his valiance and intelligence.

They are even honored to be able to follow him.

Who knew... Who would have known...

My Lord, all these years

you've been offering them constant support in the dark.

You've sacrificed and contributed so much to them.

They are aware of that deep down in the hearts.

Now, this is just great.

They are now in awe of Wei Wu Ji.

Jin Yan.

My grandfather asked me to bring peace to the tribes in the desert.

We are to rescue them from endless wars.

Whether this mission is accomplished by me or Wei Wu Ji

isn't what matters the most.

Now that the tribes are willing to surrender to Nan Dynasty

we can finally get along peacefully.

I can then face my ancestors.

You're right.

Hu Wei Li is to be blamed for his ambition.

He's really made all our efforts to support them go down the drain.

It seems that the battles have not ceased.

There might be an even more dreadful internal strife coming up soon.

I think we'll decide on this matter.

No, this definitely won't do.

Our King already knows that you have surrendered to Nan Dynasty.

I'm here to advise you to change your minds to remain loyal to our King!

Hu Wei Li is unfaithful and unrighteous.

My army lost to Nan Dynasty and he punished us severely for it.

That is why we have no choice but to surrender to Nan Dynasty.

A man like him shouldn't be our king!

- You! - Yun Zhu!

I know how you feel about Hu Wei Li.

You'll remain faithful to him no matter what he does.

But he is no longer the hero that we used to look up to when we were young.

He wants us to fight against Nan Dynasty.

That's because he's worried about causing damage to his army

but he's never considered the survival of our tribes!

- Nonsense! - We have lost every battle!

It is a fact that we can't deny!

If we prolong the war, it is only our people who will suffer.

Have you seen how they starved and suffered in the cold?

We can't bear to have our lands ruined and our people suffer any longer.

Surrendering to Nan Dynasty is our very last option.

Good! Crown Prince Hei Shi is indeed assertive.

You're very decisive!

I don't think so!

As for surrendering to Nan Dynasty I haven't made a decision yet.

I hope that the King will not be outraged at us yet.

Father, how could we...

I knew it.

Northern King, you're not as muddleheaded as they are.

Our King also told me to convey a few words to you.

You think that you can live in peace after surrendering to our enemy?

I dare you, the moment you surrender to Nan Dynasty

you will be executed by me like a falcon without its wings.

You think that by collaborating with Nan Dynasty

can save you from the King's punishment and even defeat him?

Our King will never surrender to Nan Dynasty.

The ultimate victory will be our King's!

He will not forgive those who have betrayed him!

Please tell the King that I've decided not to surrender

and will remain in his service.

Northern King, you're such a coward!

We have already made a promise to Nan Dynasty!

How can you go back on your words?

I said that we won't surrender then we won't surrender!

You have to obey my orders!

I will never obey your orders!

- You! - If you insist on fighting a war

and turning a blind eye to justice

I won't let you leave this tent alive today!

Where are you going?

Father! Stop it!

Father!

Father! Stop it!

Father!

Even if you've killed the Northern King and insist on surrendering

our King won't let you off!

Father!

Father! Father!

General, there are news from the Tartars.

There was a fight between the Northern and Southern King.

The Southern King, who wanted to surrender, has killed the Northern King

who chose to side with Hu Wei Li.

It's said that the messenger Hu Wei Li sent over started this fight.

It must be Hu Wei Li's plot to make the two kings kill each other.

This will make the factions less of a threat to him.

General, why don't we make use of this situation and remain indifferent first?

We'll let the tartars fight among themselves

and then take them all down with one stroke?

We can then diminish their power without using any of our soldiers.

No!

We've promised that as long as both kings truly surrender to us

we will send troops to protect their people.

If we refuse to save them and even take advantage of the situation

we're forsaking the basic morals on the battlefields.

That will make those who wanted to surrender to us go against us

and be mocked at by everyone.

But aren't we putting ourselves in danger right now?

Those who are afraid to lose or die aren't fit to be on a battlefield.

Not only am I going over to them but I am going there alone on my own.

Before the sun sets, I will defeat Hu Wei Li

and bring back the surrendered king.

Our King!

The Southern King is only interested in saving his own neck.

He's betrayed us and surrendered to Nan Dynasty.

He even killed his own tribesman.

He's killed the Northern King.

This is a disgrace to the Tartars!

The Northern King had refused to surrender before his death.

We're the toughest tribe in the desert!

We must never surrender!

We have to keep on fighting this war!

Even till our very last man, we will wipe out the Nan army!

Whoever runs away like Southern King

will become the enemy of our tribe!

He will not be forgiven!

That's right! We must not surrender!

- We have to fight against Nan Dynasty! - We have to fight against Nan Dynasty!

We have to fight against Nan Dynasty!

We must not defy the Southern King! We will not fight!

- We will not fight! - How dare you!

How dare you show such disrespect on my turf!

My King!

I won't allow you to hoodwink my soldiers here today!

Don't try to provoke our men to lose their lives for you for nothing!

You don't call the shots here!

You can avenge the Northern King right now!

Attack!

Stop it!

Although the Southern King killed my father accidentally

the tribe now faces a huge crisis!

I, Hei Shi, am willing to let go of my personal grudges

and I refuse to see my people kill each other!

I beg the King to allow us to surrender.

I've heard that General Wei of Nan Dynasty is an outstanding character.

I believe that he won't let us down.

It seems that Crown Prince Hei Shi is in great awe of Wei Wu Ji.

Arrest those two traitors!

- Attack! - Attack!

Hu Wei Li!

Order your soldiers to stop now

and surrender to us!

You want me to surrender? You have to kill me first!

Either I die today or you will!

You? You want to kill me?

Bring it on!

Stop fighting!

Years ago, you took over the throne with unspeakable methods.

A leader like that will never attain true victory.

Everything that I own I built myself.

Who are you to fight me for that?

You've even taken away the woman that I love the most!

Shut up! Xiao Yue was never yours!

You betrayed her!

You killed and drove everyone that she loved to death.

You caused all her the pain that she has endured.

You cried before her tomb that day because you felt guilty!

Jin Yu will surely return to the desert! She will come back to me one day!

I will take your lowly life today!

All the commanders who rebelled against you must be executed right away.

In order to stabilize the army's moral, we have to take extreme measures.

All right.

General Wei, in order to prevent more people from suffering

My men and I will follow your lead.

I will take my leave now.

- Zhao Meng Shan. - Present.

You'll escort the families of the Northern and Southern King back to Jian-An.

I'm staying behind.

The soldiers who surrendered to us must be properly rewarded.

I can only truly accomplish my task after I've relocated them properly.

Yes.

General Wei not only wins every battle

but also tempers justice with mercy and acts righteously.

Although I've long heard of you, I've finally witnessed

the true colors of a great warrior today.

Crown Prince can distinguish right from wrong at such a young age.

What impresses me even more is that you also fight very well.

Should I get another chance to fight alongside General Wei

it would definitely be my greatest honor.

Please don't address me as Crown Prince anymore.

If General Wei is willing, I'm glad to stay to assist you.

I am fortunate to have a partner like Hei Shi in the broad desert.

From now on, the power of the Tartars will slowly decrease like the sunset.

This desert no longer belongs to us.

It doesn't belong to me either.

Yun Zhu, is this the price that I must pay?

I risked it all in order to get this.

But I lost the one that I cherished the most.

There isn't a day that I don't regret what I did to her.

But now, I'm left with nothing.

I don't care about that, but she will never ever forgive me!

No matter what happens, in my heart, you will always be the King of this desert.

Only you are fit to rule this land.

We are the only ones who truly belong to the desert.

We have to safeguard it well.

Even if everyone forsakes you

I won't. You still have me!

Hu Wei Li, I understand your pain more than anyone else.

I know that you love her.

She is the only one on your mind.

I've always known that.

But you are the only one on my mind.

As long as you're willing

I will always stay by your side.

Yun Zhu...

Is that all right, Hu Wei Li?

Forget Jin Yu.

Stop suffering over her.

You can make up for everything!

Let us lead our own lives with ease.

Please?

I heard that Wu Ji defeated the Tartar King, Hu Wei Li, single-handedly.

He took over both armies of the kings and offered a meritorious service.

This is indeed joyous.

Wei Wu Ji has truly lived up to my expectations.

He's attained victory in just a few days.

He's even surpassed the merits of Wan Qian in his earlier days.

I've always been worried that there's no one else to succeed

an influential figure like Wan Qian.

It seems that I have worried for naught.

Wei Wu Ji is the right man.

Yes, Your Majesty is right.

Your Majesty, Madame Xiang seeks audience.

I'm here especially to greet Your Majesty and the Senior Princess.

It's nice and sunny today.

It's good for your health and the baby to come out here for a stroll.

Your Majesty is right.

It's just that it is a bit lonely to take a stroll.

I will keep you company.

His Majesty is meeting with General Wan and other officials soon

to discuss the appointment of the Crown Prince.

He might not have the time to take a stroll with Madame Xiang.

Now that the crisis with the Tartars is resolved

and we have our warrior guarding the borders.

What the court needs is a Crown Prince to make your people feel stable.

This matter must not be delayed any further.

Not to mention delaying it just to take a stroll.

Since Your Majesty has such an important matter to deal with

how would I dare to hold you up?

Senior Princess, thank you for the reminder.

I will take my leave now.

Madame!

- Send for the imperial physician. - Yes!

I am all right.

Your Majesty, please don't be too worried.

Please get up.

I have to escort you back to your palace in person.

Your Majesty! But...

There is a priority.

Madame Xiang carries an imperial heir.

Her health is the most important matter right now!

The Senior Princess is here!

She's here!

Senior Princess.

How is it?

His Majesty's decree is that the appointing of Crown Prince

will be discussed at a later date.

What important matter is His Majesty occupied with again?

He's just concerned about a concubine.

Qin Xiang was smart enough to trip at the right time.

She's doing all she could to stall His Majesty from appointing Crown Prince

so that the position remains empty?

Does Master Sima mean that Madame Xiang has her eyes

on the position of Crown Prince?

If Madame Xiang gives birth to a son

judging by how much His Majesty favors her

it's possible for her to fight for that position for her son.

But First Prince is, after all, Empress Wan's son.

He has always been in the favor of His Majesty.

I reckon that he still has a higher chance in becoming Crown Prince.

But why has His Majesty been delaying the appointment of Crown Prince?

Take today as an example.

He said that he has to keep his concubine company

but that could be an excuse as well.

- Yes. - Indeed.

He's deliberately giving her a chance.

Madam Xiang's child isn't even born yet.

His Majesty is already taking her side!

That's enough!

The appointment of a Crown Prince is an extremely important matter anyway.

It can't be decided hastily.

I believe that His Majesty will consider with great caution

and make a wise decision.

Sima Lie was right.

His Majesty has already taken sides with Qin Xiang.

What if she really gives birth to a son?

How is this matter within our control?

I just hope that whoever becomes the Crown Prince can continue to

bring prosperity to Nan Dynasty.

As for me, I only hope to offer my loyal services to His Majesty.

Everyone else is allowed to say such generous words

except you, General.

Senior Princess.

The prosperity and decline of the Wans now lies in our hands.

Should the position of Crown Prince fall into the hands of the other

the Wans will surely crumble and fall.

Therefore, we need to devise strategies.

We have to ensure that Empress Wan's son can succeed the throne.

Senior Princess, thank you for coming over specially to visit me.

I'm actually already much better now.

I feel relieved then.

Otherwise, His Majesty would be worried about you again

and who knows what other important matters will be overlooked?

I'm very grateful to His Majesty for being so kind to me.

But I've never asked His Majesty for anything.

This is what you are skilled at doing.

I still remember how you amazed me in the bamboo woods.

Even if you don't do anything

it was enough to make men fall head over heels in love with you.

If you just make a small effort

even the Emperor can be manipulated by you.

He would give you whatever you ask for.

He could fulfill your wishes.

I don't quite understand what Senior Princess is implying.

Why don't you be straightforward with me?

Fine. A straightforward person does not resort to insinuations.

I'm actually here today to give you a reminder.

The reason I recommended you into the palace years ago

was to make His Majesty happy.

Moreover, which woman in the harem wouldn't make efforts to do so?

It's natural to vie for His Majesty's favor

but...

You seem to have a greater ambition that I thought.

What is it that you want?

You can choose not to answer me.

But I want you to keep in mind

that you might have the ability to get yourself to a higher position

I also have the ability to make you fall.

If you're trying to vie for Empress Wan's position

or even more than that...

It's about time that you get your act together.

I will never let you have your way.

I will definitely keep your kind reminder in mind.

You're on your own now.

- You may both go. - Yes.

Your Highness seems troubled today.

I am a bit frightened.

What are you afraid of?

This palace is so huge.

But there are so many backstabbers.

I get attacked in every way.

I have neither family nor power in here.

If I have nothing to rely on, how could I keep the dangers away?

How could I protect my unborn child?

It's natural to be engaged in power struggle within the palace.

Now that the Wans have power over the imperial court

it is now in the hands of Wan Qian and Wei Wu Ji.

There are Senior Princess Zhaoyang and Empress Wan as well.

How could they not team up to go against you?

Moreover, Your Highness is carrying an imperial heir

and you're also His Majesty's most beloved woman.

But in comparison to Nan Dynasty

the power of the imperial court

how much would a woman like me matter?

If the day comes when my child and I are forced into desperation

who else could we depend on?

I should head back to my palace now.

Your Highness.

Is it obvious that someone is going to harm you now?

General Li, will I still be able to see you here?

Li Ji will always be here waiting for you.

That is good then.

Mother, look.

How well did I write?

Father, look!

Di Er's calligraphy are getting better and better now.

Father, I will learn to write a lot of words.

Then I can help Father with marking the political reports.

Di Er is such a good child.

He's smart and cheerful.

Although he is First Prince, he isn't willful at all.

When he grows up, he will surely be like his father.

He will be broadminded and ambitious.

This is all because you've taught well.

Zi Jin, I owe it to you all these years for taking care of everything by my side.

It's getting late.

I'm heading back now.

- Your Majesty. - Father.

Why don't you stay over at mine tonight? Will you?

Look! It's about to rain.

I'm worried that you'll catch a cold going to and fro.

Moreover, Madame Xiang is pregnant so it's difficult for her to serve you.

Why don't you let her rest?

Father, I would like to read to you.

All right, I will stay here tonight.

This is great!

- Who are you? - Get lost!

- Get lost! - You can't come in here!

Who are you?

On the Senior Princess's orders

she has invited Your Highness along to pray for blessings in the mountains.

Is the Senior Princess teasing me?

The sun has already set.

Judging by the sky, a rainstorm is about to come.

Why would she make me go up the mountain now?

Moreover, I am pregnant.

Convey my message to her saying that I'm feeling unwell and unfit to travel.

I have no choice but to turn down her kind offer.

But the Senior Princess said that this trip is to pray for your unborn child.

Your Highness is not to turn her down.

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