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[Sound of the Desert]

Episode 23

I'm sure that you all understand why I've invited everyone over today.

I've given orders to you more than a month ago

to wrap up the businesses under Shi's Shipping.

But nothing has been done so far.

I wonder what is holding you up.

I served the old master for years, and when I think about this business

that he made a huge effort to establish

I couldn't forget how he insisted when he was still alive that

Shi's Shipping mustn't be given up easily.

I ask that you consider this matter carefully.

My Lord, please reconsider this matter.

My Lord, our family is big and so is our business.

If you choose to make such a decision

the impact is bound to be severe.

My Lord, I ask that you think this through carefully.

Even if you don't take us into account

you have to think about the tribes in the desert, and our brothers in Jian-An.

Without Shi's Shipping

we couldn't imagine how life would be.

Since I took over Shi's Shipping the business only exists in name.

Some missions were handed down by my ancestors

and some were expectations of what I have for the world.

But none of those could bring the business back to life.

Now, it is your future that I am concerned about.

I hope that all of you could live and work in peace.

There are many in Shi's Shipping who depended on the Ninth Lord for a living.

You are our master.

Shi's Shipping can't do without its master even for just a day.

We'd still like you to think this through carefully again.

Are you really giving this all up for Xiao Yue's sake?

Please do not make any wild guesses.

This is a serious matter.

My decision has nothing to do with anyone outside Shi's Shipping.

I am the one who has let everyone down.

I am the one who has let your feelings for Shi's Shipping go down in vain.

The account books.

- General Wei! - General Wei!

You've demonstrated great spirits as a general once again in handling

the surrender of both kings.

- We're indeed impressed. - Exactly!

If we could serve under your command it would be our utmost honor!

Come with me if you have no fear for death.

Uncle, you're up early.

The Emperor arrives!

Long live the Emperor!

You may all rise.

Thank you, Your Majesty!

We congratulate Your Majesty on the birth of your son.

Congratulations to Your Majesty on the birth of your son.

The birth of a prince is a huge event for our nation.

We hope that Your Majesty could appoint a Crown Prince as soon as possible.

I propose that Madame Xiang's son is appointed as Crown Prince.

Madame Xiang is virtuous and kind.

Her child is auspicious, as he has escaped unscathed from mishaps.

That is the gods' blessings.

If he is appointed as Crown Prince

it will be the blessing of the people and the nation.

Your Majesty, in my opinion

we need to respect seniority.

Your Majesty's first born, Zhao Di, should be the Crown Prince.

Otherwise, the people might not be convinced.

It is still too soon to appoint a Crown Prince.

We shall discuss this in the future.

But we can celebrate the birth of my son today.

Serve wine and set up for a banquet!

Thank you, Your Majesty!

Wu Ji, you've brought back both kings of the Tartar tribes successfully.

What reward would you like?

I wouldn't dare to take credit for this.

Good.

But I already have a reward in mind.

You are still unmarried.

I'd like to bestow marriage to you.

Today is the auspicious day that Your Majesty's son is born.

While we celebrate in joy

please do not worry about my personal affairs.

Let us just drink and celebrate.

That's fine.

Miss Xin Yue, General Wei sent me over to bring you back to the manor.

Sure. Please wait outside for me, Uncle Chen.

- I'll get ready to leave soon. - Yes.

General Wei is really obsessed with you.

He either visits you here every day

or sends someone over to take you to his place.

He couldn't do without you even for a moment.

Ms. Hong, stop teasing me.

By the way, he treats you so well.

He should marry you very soon?

House Mistress!

There's a messenger here from the palace.

Miss Xin Yue.

I'm here to bring you your invitation by the command of His Majesty.

Ever since Wu Ji saw me cry in the Ninth Lord's arms that day

he hasn't mentioned a word about it.

He acted as if nothing has happened.

He didn't ask me about it at all

and still treats me as well as he always have.

His Majesty has mentioned bestowing marriage to Wu Ji several times.

Wu Ji always pretended to get drunk

and stopped His Majesty from saying anything more.

It seems that he won't return until he is drunk tonight again.

You're home!

There was a banquet in the palace today. I had a bit too much to drink.

You can't always pretend to get drunk to stop His Majesty from talking.

I know that this isn't a long term plan.

But I can't come up with any other solutions.

This came from the palace today.

His Majesty summoned me to the palace.

I heard that the newly appointed Imperial Court Grandee

is very skilled in both archery and horsemanship.

I am sure to consult you about that some day.

I am too flattered.

Master Li is known for your archery and horsemanship in the imperial court.

It is Hei Shi's honor to be invited by Master Li.

Tell me when and I'll be there.

Sure! That is a deal!

- Definitely! - Great!

His Majesty has yet decided who to appoint as the Crown Prince...

His Majesty has his own ideas in mind. We don't have to make any assumptions.

Sirs, I'll take my leave first.

Sure.

Xin Yue seems to have admirers wherever you go.

A general is deeply devoted to you.

Now this new favorite of His Majesty, the Imperial Court Grandee

seems to be quite attracted to you as well.

This Hei Shi has just recently arrived in Jian-An.

Wei Wu Ji gave him assistance then.

They are on friendly terms with each other.

Your Highness has been in the palace for too long.

You could only think of romance within the walls of the palace now?

- General Li... - General, this way, please.

Your Highness had better not make assumptions based on your thoughts.

You seemed to have lost quite a lot of weight recently.

Your Highness seems a bit frail as well.

It's probably because things aren't going as Your Highness wanted.

Exactly.

I do have the intention to make our relationship even more intimate.

Although my matchmaking failed

His Majesty does still have the plan to bestow marriage to Wei Wu Ji.

Then that will certainly come true.

Your Highness, anything can happen.

But your marriage is already a foregone conclusion.

If you're willing to kowtow to

the Senior Princess every day in the palace

and live by other's will

you could be the concubine of Wei Wu Ji.

But Xin Yue, why would you do this to yourself?

That isn't what you would do.

Can you bear with that?

Why don't you leave and withdraw from this predicament?

Greetings to Empress Wan!

What are you chatting so happily about?

Greetings to Your Highness!

Don't stand on ceremony.

Sister, I've heard that you haven't been feeling well recently.

You don't have to curtsy anymore when you greet me.

Thank you, Your Highness.

I've gone through some medical books in my free time these days

and discovered the ways of good health and longevity.

I'd like to share them with you.

I'd like to hear about them.

The most important factor in ways to attain great health is not to think too much.

One has to let things go when one should.

You're absolutely right.

I've learned much.

Honestly speaking, I'm very impressed by Your Highness's tolerance for others.

You've never kept the past grudges on your mind.

You never held anything against me.

Auntie Yun.

Xin Yue is unfamiliar with the regulations here in the palace.

Look after her for me.

Yes, Your Highness.

Sister, many of our other sisters are curious about your new hairstyle.

- They wanted me to ask you... - Miss Xin Yue.

Both you and Wu Ji look a lot more haggard.

- Auntie Yun... - Since I came here with Empress

I've witnessed too much sorrows and happiness.

I'm old and so is my heart.

But I'd like to advise you to take a step back.

All men will take a few concubines.

As long as he keeps you on his mind, that is already very hard to come by.

Auntie Yun... you can't give in to everything.

'She seeks to find a man who loves only her'

'and never leaves her side until their hair turns white.'

Wu Ji is upright and unyielding.

I didn't expect you to be even more so.

But you have to understand that in this world

how many women can truly have what they wish for?

Although we're only seated slightly apart from each other at the banquet

our social status are miles apart.

We are so close to one another

but it feels like we're so far apart.

Wu Ji!

I've already built you an official residential manor.

Now, all you need is a lady of the manor.

I thank Your Majesty for your kindness.

But I have already made up my mind.

I will only start a family when the world is at peace.

As for the manor, I'm afraid that I cannot accept it.

Wu Ji, your military achievement is distinguished.

You are sure to be remembered in history.

I'd just like to let you get married soon.

But I have already made up my mind.

This is as good as a vow that pledges him to celibacy.

Forget about it then. Do as you wish!

But I'm keeping this manor for you.

I'll bestow it to you when you think the world is at peace.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Auntie Yun, just see me off here.

He is already waiting for me.

Hurry over there then.

The food in the palace wasn't tasty.

I'm still hungry. Let's go home quickly.

Get your chef to make me something delicious.

Sure! Anything you wish!

- Let's go home for dinner. - Look at them hugging like this.

- How indecent! - He's even a general.

This is so indecent and immoral.

The Tartars are forthright and passionate.

General Wei and the lady friend in his arms are just as passionate.

This romance is open and candid.

I'm very impressed.

I wonder where all those barking crazy dogs come from?

Some people are accidentally bitten by dogs

but people can't bite the dogs back in revenge, right?

Exactly. We can only let those animals keep on making noises.

The more noises they make, the better.

We'll just treat it as entertainment.

What are you thinking about, my dear? You seem to be so deep in thought.

I'm thinking about what General Wei said.

He said that the world has to be at peace

before he will get married and start a family.

He purposely said that to turn down my offer to bestow marriage to him.

But General Wei really sacrificed a lot for Xin Yue.

He disregards what others think of him

and even puts himself at risk of infuriating Your Majesty.

He's truly deeply attached to Xin Yue.

I also dote on you a lot.

I am definitely aware of the love you have for me.

But I am not concerned about myself.

A frail woman like me can't be as respected as the Empress is.

But this isn't important.

It's just that as a mother

I really hope to protect my child well.

Why would you say such words, my dear?

You are aware of it as well, Your Majesty.

This child was born after many obstacles.

His life was rescued.

That's why I hope that

Your Majesty can dote on Pian Er more.

Pian Er is our son.

I definitely will dote on him.

It's just that if Your Majesty wishes to protect Pian Er

you have to make it known to the world that you care a lot about him.

The appointment of the Crown Prince is an important national affair.

Your Majesty, Pian Er is all I can rely on.

This world belongs to me.

It also belongs to my son.

I will find the right time

to appoint Pian Er as the Crown Prince.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Xin Yue, a madam is here to meet you.

- Who is it? - Madam Wei.

I've been staying over at Wei Manor for the past two days.

I haven't been back to the dance house until today.

His mother is here to visit me the moment I got back here.

It seems that she knows my whereabouts very clearly.

She also doesn't want Wu Ji to know about this visit.

Invite Madam Wei in.

There are too many people out there and they will gossip about this.

Xin Yue, I've already heard about what happened in the palace that day.

Why didn't General Wei accept the manor His Majesty bestowed him?

He even said that he'd only get married when the world is at peace.

Although we're impressed by his ambition

I'd really like to know when the world could truly be at peace.

Will he stay single as long as there are Tartars?

Ms. Hong, you don't know the underlying meaning.

Since I don't know, tell me about it then!

Great General Wan already has three sons!

He has remarried once!

Not to mention that his second wife is Senior Princess!

But he still fights against the Tartars!

Ms. Hong, I'll talk to you later.

You must be Miss Xin Yue?

I asked Ms. Hong to inform you but I'm worried that you'll refuse to see me.

That's why I walked in here unannounced.

Sorry for treating Madam Wei with neglect.

I had wanted to invite Madam Wei over to this chamber because it's quiet here.

I didn't expect Madam Wei to be here already.

Since Madam Wei is here I'll leave the room first.

Since I'm already here, I'll be straightforward with you.

If anything I say should offend you

please bear with me.

Sima Lie once said to me that you have no sense of propriety.

You are but a temptress.

Wu Ji behaved inappropriately in the army and yet you looked on happily

instead of talking him around.

As his mother, that makes me very upset.

Although I don't expect Wu Ji to marry a perfectly virtuous woman

his spouse should at least know propriety and where she stands.

There are criticisms about Wu Ji in the Imperial Court.

That also makes me very upset.

I once asked for the Empress's opinion.

To my surprise, Her Highness took your side!

Someone who won the Empress over couldn't be what Sima Lie described.

Today, I'm only here as a mother to have a few words with you calmly.

Please go ahead, Madam Wei.

I will heed your words.

You should know a bit about Wu Ji's upbringing?

Wu Ji has told me about it.

Since that is all in the past, I'm not afraid to bring it up.

I gave birth to Wu Ji before I was married.

Not long after Wu Ji was born, his father married someone else.

That was why Wu Ji grew up

in the Senior Princess's manor alongside his uncle.

Wu Ji has always wanted a normal family.

But because of you...

There are three unfilial deeds.

The most unfilial one is to bear no offspring.

But now this isn't about filial piety anymore.

Which twenty-year-old man here in Jian-An is still without children?

Miss Xin Yue, I'm only here as Wu Ji's mother to persuade you to reconsider

if you...

If you could leave Wu Ji I will be very grateful to you.

Miss Xin Yue, I was also once blinded by passion.

It isn't that I couldn't empathize with you.

But everyone has to learn to bow to one's fate.

I understand what Madam Wei just said.

That's good then.

Will you promise me to...

What is Mother doing here?

I've never met Miss Xin Yue before so I came over today to take a look at her.

If Mother wants to meet Xiao Yue

you could have let me know.

I would have taken Xiao Yue to meet you in person.

Wu Ji, Madam was just telling me about the new wig in Jian-An City.

Would you like to join our discussion?

There's always some talk between women.

Why do you need to get so nervous?

All right now, I've been out for quite some time. I should head back home.

I'll walk Mother out.

Xin Yue, are you all right?

You look so pale.

Ms. Hong, you sent someone to inform Wu Ji, right?

That Madam Wei came to our house without any notice.

How could it possibly be any good?

What I did was for your sake.

Madam Wei is a very frail woman.

What could she possibly do to me?

Don't alert Wu Ji again if something like this comes up.

I can handle it on my own.

Can you handle it?

Even if I can't handle it, I have to face it.

Now, I'm worried that Madam Wei thinks that I'm driving a wedge between them.

I'm afraid that she dislikes me even more.

I'm sorry. I didn't take much into consideration.

Forget it! It's fine that nothing has happened.

I was happy that you've found someone you love.

Who knew that there are so many obstacles ahead of you?

Xin Yue, do you know that Shi's Shipping is totally divided up?

What happened?

It's said that their medicine business is given to Shi Feng and Shi Jin Yan.

Jade and precious stones business is given to Shi Shen Xing.

As for the rest of the businesses, Master Wu and Uncle Shi took over.

Moreover, they have all changed back to their original surnames.

A few days ago, Shi Feng... He is now Lu Feng.

He came over here.

He said that he would like to buy Fair Maiden's House.

He wants to invest in dance houses.

I can tell that he has a good sense of propriety

and he offered us a good price as well.

I thought to myself that if you're still going to sell the dance houses

you should consider selling them to him.

Why did this happen?

This is such a drastic change.

I reckon that all the merchants in Jian-An City would be saying

that Shi's Shipping, the biggest business in Jian-An, is falling apart.

Ms. Hong, are you sure about this news?

Of course.

You don't know about it, but the price of jade here in Jian-An

doubled overnight because of Shi's Shipping.

That's because everyone's worried that

Shi Shen Xing can't run the business well.

The prices of medicinal herbs are also going up.

But because Shi Jin Yan is one of the three shopkeepers of Shi's Shipping

he managed to stop the prices from fluctuating after much effort.

What about the Ninth Lord?

It's rumored that he is in such poor health

that he can't manage the business on his own.

The Ninth Lord did what he promised.

He's really leaving everything behind and years of family business.

I also heard that when they were vying for the distribution of assets

they had a disagreement.

Shi Jin Yan and Shi Shen Xing refused to allow the Ninth Lord to leave.

They insisted on supporting him.

As for the outcome, I have no clue at all.

I see...

Xin Yue...

Are you really going to sell Fair Maiden's House?

We'll sell it to Shi Feng.

I'll be more relieved if the girls in the house follow his lead.

I've been here since I was little.

I'm thinking about keeping this house that we live in for ourselves.

We'll only the dance house out in the front to Shi Feng.

We'll just get two walls built up to separate both houses.

What do you think about that?

Sure.

The dance house is big enough.

Shi Feng won't object to it if we lower the price a bit.

I've gotten used to living here as well.

As long as I'm in Jian-An, I can't be bothered to move elsewhere.

Have you gotten used to living in here?

Are you still going to stay here even after you're married?

- Xin Yue... - I'm fine!

I'm not so sensitive and easily upset.

I used to wish that you could marry into a higher rank.

That's why when I saw how much General Wei was attracted to you

but you treated him indifferently

I've hoped that you would some day be moved and marry him.

But now I suddenly think that you have to suffer hardships being with him.

You are reaching up to a higher but also much narrower branch.

The wind is strong and cold. You're also surrounded by many wild beasts.

If you could marry someone a lot more ordinary

and lead a happy life together, that would be a lot better.

I'm already a lot more blessed than the other girls in this dance house

to have a someone like you who worries about me all the time.

No matter what happens, I'm not so fragile.

Strong and cold winds will not take me down.

Since the last time you left, Shi's Shipping has watched out for us.

There are all sorts of rumors about them now.

Do you want to go and have a look?

Greet the Ninth Lord for me?

I'll handle this.

Don't worry about it.

The music you played with your flute tells me that

you have feelings that you can't let go of.

I know that Miss Xin Yue wouldn't want to see you so sad and miserable.

This music I played reflected the feelings of the composer.

You have over interpreted it.

My Lord, it's just Wei Wu Ji.

Why couldn't you take Xin Yue back from him?

Take?

I really am fine.

You may both go.

My...

It used to be Miss Xin Yue who dedicated her true feelings to the Ninth Lord.

But now it is he who remains deeply devoted to her.

This is what love is like.

It's always playing tricks on people.

We can't just do nothing to help the Ninth Lord out?

We have to think of a plan.

All right.

Xin Yue, are you going or not?

Let me think about it.

What's there to think about?

You're just too keen to become Madam Wei

so you look down on your little brother now.

Anyway, my grandfather wants to see you.

If you don't wish to make the trip, I'll have him visit you instead.

But I don't know if you're willing to see him or not.

You have to give me an answer.

Otherwise he would be here for nothing.

All right, you can head home first.

It's New Year's Day, so I'll get changed before I head over.

Sure, I'll head home now.

[Shi's Shipping]

It seems ages ago

as if it was in my previous life

when that person told me honeysuckle flowers are also known to endure winter.

That's because the leaves stay green even in winter.

But he wouldn't tell me the other name for this flower.

He also didn't want to admire the flowers with me.

Who planted the Lovers' Vine here? And who is this planted for?

Mister Shi, you're fishing out here alone in the snow and ice.

What a refined hobby this is.

I'm waiting for the fish to take the bait.

Walk a bit more lightly when you come over here.

Don't scare the fishes away.

I'm going to visit Grandfather Shi now.

And... I would like to thank you.

Thank you for letting Xiao Feng take over the dance houses.

It's fine if you truly wanted to stop running the businesses.

But if you...

But if you're doing this for me, that isn't necessary.

Have a seat.

Why are you still wearing so little in such a old weather?

I'm heading back now as well. Let's leave together?

Ninth Lord... What is it that you want?

It's impossible between us now!

Nothing is impossible.

Wei Wu Ji treats you well.

I can treat you even better.

He can't marry you

and leave Jian-An with you.

I can do everything that he can't.

I can marry you.

When all the flowers on the Lovers' Vine bloom in summer

we could admire the flowers together.

Wu Ji, I'm sorry.

Perhaps the princess is a very nice lady.

- I'm so thirsty... - You're awake?

I'm so warm...

All right, give me a minute.

The imperial physician said that you were badly frozen

so you have to stay bundled up in warmth for a few days.

You mustn't catch a cold again. Here, have some water.

Luckily, you're healthy enough to pull through such a high fever.

If it had been some other women, they would have been dead or nearly dead.

How many days have I been ill?

Have you been staying here by my side all this time?

I can tell that you look a lot more haggard.

Why didn't you get some sleep?

You've been ill for three days and two nights so how could I fall asleep?

If your fever hasn't gone down this morning, I'd still be very worried.

I...

How did I get rescued?

The Ninth Lord tied the fishing rod to a tree

and held on the fishing line to move slowly to where the ice cracked.

The guards in Shi Manor passed by and rescued the both of you.

The Ninth Lord had a fox hide on to keep out the cold

and he fell into the water later than you did.

His arm was injured, but he'll be fine in a few days.

I...

What am I doing here?

Ninth Lord said that it's best not to have you moved on a bumpy ride.

I also sent the best imperial physician here to treat you

and he said so as well.

That's why you had to stay here to recuperate.

Xiao Yue... Can you tell me

why you fell into the frozen lake?

I'm sorry. I'll be careful in the future.

Don't apologize.

Promise me that this will never happen again.

It must never happen again.

General Wei.

The Ninth Lord is here to take a look at Xin Yue.

I'm here to read her pulse.

Let me know when I will recover.

It's really uncomfortable to be so warm and bundled up.

When can we leave?

The chill is already driven out of her body.

Get her a horse carriage and a few layers of blanket.

You can leave anytime.

All right, we will leave immediately.

It's snowing.

My Lord, let's head back.

You...

Do you have anything to say to me?

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