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[Sound of the Desert]

Episode 27

Madame Xiang, this is the Empress's birthday banquet.

Her Majesty is the hostess.

I wouldn't dare to usurp her authority.

Xin Yue, you're using the Empress to threaten me.

You've become a dagger in the Empress's hand and now you're coming at me?

No matter how much His Majesty favors you, you are but a concubine.

The Empress runs the harem. You have no right to speak up today.

Xin Yue, you've danced very well!

You should be heavily rewarded.

Your Majesty is right. She deserves to be rewarded.

Thank you, Your Majesty. Thank you, Your Highness.

You may get up now.

You've danced well. You've danced very well!

What would you have me do?

I am Your Majesty's concubine.

I'll obey your orders.

I've never dared to voice my objection to any of your decisions.

You should know how well I treat you.

I definitely know that.

I know that you've been angry at me about the appointment of Crown Prince

as well as today's incident.

But it is, after all, the Empress's birthday.

I was in a dilemma with all the officials present at the banquet.

I wouldn't dare ask for too much.

I know that I am of a lowly status.

It's already fortunate of me to be favored by Your Majesty.

I also understand the hierarchy and propriety of social status.

I also have my difficulties.

In appointing the Crown Prince, I had wanted to choose our son.

But I have to consider the general interests as a whole.

You have to understand my plight.

You know that you matter the most to me.

There are the Empress and Senior Princess Zhaoyang above me

it's only right that I tolerate and endure humiliation.

But Xin Yue used the Empress as an excuse to lecture me today.

That is too...

I know that you felt aggrieved.

I promise you that unless it is necessary

I'd never go to the Empress's bedchamber.

We'll show them who matters most to me in this harem.

Do you mean it?

You are my priority.

You're hungry again?

What would you like to have?

Dumplings.

It's all right. I've ordered the cook to stand by in the kitchen to serve my wife.

What's with you lately? You've been craving food late at night.

Moreover, you've been a glutton and eating so much.

It's a blessing to be able to eat well. It's all fine. Look how great you look.

All right, I'll give orders to the cook.

It's fine! I can do that myself.

You can go to sleep first.

I'm hungry and want some dumplings as well.

Let's go.

You really do eat a lot.

These are delicious.

These dumplings are really good.

If it hadn't been for those people

I didn't know that you would be so concerned about me.

You even danced to express your love for me in public.

Who would have known?

I was so worried about you...

Your cheeky look is so annoying!

Am I cheeky?

If you dare to touch me in public again

I will make you so worried!

So do you mean that...

I can touch you freely as long as there's no one watching?

This is great!

I won't hold back then!

- Where are you going? - You're here to have dumplings with me!

I won't eat them anymore if you keep doing this.

All right, I'll finish them all by myself then.

- It's such a pity to throw them away. - How dare you...

All right, my dear wife.

Spare me some!

- Take a look in the front. - Yes.

My Lord, why aren't you in bed yet at such a late hour?

My Lord, there are things that you should let go of.

Just let it all go.

You're just tormenting yourself.

It takes experience to know what pain is.

After experiencing pain, one learns how to cherish.

Generals, the King of Tartar, Hu Wei Li

has been uniting his forces and he is eager to take action.

I'd like to know about your opinions.

If the Tartars truly intend to trespass and attack our border

we'll definitely take them head on to protect Nan Dynasty.

I concur.

With our army at its peak

why would we fear a Tartar King?

Wei Wu Ji, what is your opinion?

I will obey Your Majesty's orders.

I also think that we mustn't be lenient towards them.

Prepare strategies to tackle the attacks for the Tartars.

We obey Your Majesty's orders.

- General Li. - General Wei.

Do you still mind that I went against you because of Xin Yue?

Why would I? I believe that you were handling the matter with just.

But even if you had meant to put me in tight spot then

I believe that you had your reason for doing so.

In the palace, everyone has their own master so it is not unusual.

It's rare of you to be so broadminded.

We both grew up in the palace and the imperial court.

All that matters is that we fight together against enemies as one.

All right! With such words from you

I am definitely impressed!

Wei Wu Ji is open and candid.

I, Li Ji, must not be petty either.

I will not be outshone by you.

Young Master.

Xiao Yue.

Xiao Yue...

It's time to wake up, Xiao Yue.

I want to sleep...

Those veteran soldiers used to say that women change a lot after they are married.

I didn't believe them.

But now seeing how you are, I have to believe what they said.

The sun is already in the west and you still won't get up?

Hurry up!

I did have a bite to eat earlier on.

But now I'm so sleepy.

I don't want to move at all.

Is that so?

I heard that there are a few new dishes at The Villa.

Zhao Meng Shan said that they are quite good.

Let's go and try them?

- Really? - You wake up when you hear about food.

What else is in your brains apart from food?

There is another matter as well.

What is it?

- Soup. - Soup?

The mushroom soup I had last night was so delicious!

You had mushroom soup last night?

You still want more now?

You...

This way, please.

- General Wei. - Get us a booth.

I'm sorry, General Wei. All the booths are taken.

I'm really sorry.

Waiter!

Xiao Yue, we can head back home if you don't want to eat here.

Join us.

General Wei. Xiao Yue.

If you don't mind, join us at our table for a meal.

Avoiding him isn't the solution.

I can't always run away with Wu Ji whenever we run into the Ninth Lord.

This is unfair to Wu Ji.

What do you say?

I want to eat here.

All right. This way, please.

Please have a seat.

Please.

Xiao Yue, what would you like to have?

I'll get them for you.

Wu Ji said that there are new dishes at The Villa.

What are they called?

I don't remember the names

so we'll just get them to serve us all the new dishes.

Good idea.

Waiter! Serve us all your new dishes.

Sure!

Please enjoy.

Please.

Xiao Yue, what's the matter?

Are you feeling unwell?

I suddenly feel sick and nauseous.

Where does it hurt? How did this happen?

Jin Yan, get the waiter to remove the dishes with meat and fish.

Have them brew a pot of tea with some dried orange peel.

Yes, My Lord.

Should we head home first if you're feeling sick?

I'll send for a doctor.

General Wei, why don't I read Xiao Yue's pulse for her?

Thank you, Ninth Lord.

How is it?

Congratulations, General Wei.

Xiao Yue is pregnant.

You mean...

General Wei, the Ninth Lord means to say congratulations to you.

You're going to be a father.

I'm going to be a father!

Xiao Yue, I'm going to be a father!

I'm going to be a father!

I'm really going to be a father!

All right, let's head home first.

We'll take our leave now.

This is wonderful! It's so unexpected!

What are you doing?

You're pregnant now, I can't let you get tired.

You better put me down.

I won't.

Everyone is staring at us.

I want them to stare.

I want to tell everyone that I am going to be a father!

- Send for the best imperial physician. - Yes.

Hold it!

This is personal.

I prefer to keep a low profile.

If we send for an imperial physician, it will be made known to all.

There are other good doctors around.

Forget it then. Don't send for the imperial physician.

- You may go. - Yes.

I've forgotten to take such a serious matter into consideration.

This is wonderful.

Wei Wu Ji is going to be a father.

I'm really so thrilled.

I don't know how to describe what I feel right now.

Xiao Yue, I'm really happy.

I'm going to have a son.

I'm going to be a father.

What do you mean by that?

You won't be happy if we have a daughter?

Why wouldn't I? I'll be just as happy.

I've thought about this.

If we have a son

I'll teach him how to ride a horse and take him hunting.

If we have a daughter, she will be a little Yue Er, just like you.

How could I not like her?

A son or a daughter, I will still love them.

The more, the merrier.

I think that we should form a soccer team.

Father and sons can defeat our opponents together.

Am I right?

Do you take me for a sow?

Xiao Yue, that is my dream

but I wouldn't dare ask for too much.

I will just look forward to whatever may come.

Where are you going? Don't walk around.

Am I not allow to walk around on my legs anymore?

Yes, you can, I'm just concerned about your health.

Listen up! I have a hostage here.

Let's see if you still dare to bully me.

I'll do whatever I wish. Understand?

Yes, my dear wife!

I'll obey your orders.

Where would you like to go now?

I'll carry you around!

I've reminded you so many times before you left the manor this morning.

I told you to take good care of the Ninth Lord, but now...

This has nothing to do with me.

That's because...

Because?

Because I don't know the reason!

I don't know about anything!

Don't ask me about it!

It's because Xiao Yue is pregnant.

I was a bit surprised.

But I'm still quite happy about it.

Tell me what gift I should prepare for them.

Uncle Shi, tell me.

My Lord, no matter how broadminded you are, you can't ignore your feelings.

Others can be happy about it, but what about you?

Don't you even have the right to be unhappy?

Who owes who a favor?

That's enough.

The Ninth Lord has his own reasons.

If you like someone, wouldn't you want her to be happy?

Do you know that I've never seen Xiao Yue so blissful before?

She's finally found a home to call her own.

I am sincerely happy for her.

You should all be happy for her.

- One... - Two...

- Let's play together! - Here, let's continue.

Let's leave now. Hurry up!

Take your medication. Here...

Have some more.

- I can feed myself. - Good girl.

What a fine day.

I'm so bored...

I want to go horse-riding.

I want to go horse-riding!

I want to go horse-riding!

You want to go horse-riding?

Don't forget the condition you are in.

Ms. Hong!

You... Come here and help me out.

- Ms. Hong... - Stand up properly.

Stand up properly.

I am so bored!

I said that I want to go horse-riding, but I don't mean it.

Look at them! They are all guarding me like some criminal!

That is normal.

You're carrying a child now, so the child has to come first.

All right? Heed my advice. Have a seat.

But this is too relaxing.

I could only wait for Wu Ji to keep me company when he gets home.

When did you learn to be so clingy?

I am not!

A woman has to learn to turn a blind eye to some things.

Don't keep an eye on that man all the time.

That will only make that man make a nest elsewhere to get away from you.

But what is it is the man who keeps an eye on the woman?

Then this woman should be secretly pleased

because it means that man won't have the time to look at other women.

This is so unfair.

This is too unfair!

Get me a cup of tea.

I heard that Ms. Hong came here to keep you company all day.

Ms. Hong told me a lot of theories about life.

- It's very interesting. - Is that so?

Men should learn to turn a blind eye to some matters.

Don't keep watching over one woman.

If you keep following her around it won't keep her by your side.

Your glaring eyes will drive her away to look for other amusement.

Is that so?

Ms. Hong is very experienced.

Her theories must be reasonable.

Therefore, you should reflect on your behavior these days.

Thank you.

Do you mean to say that I've been too strict to you recently?

What do you say?

Pregnant women mustn't have watermelons.

Those false reasoning do make some sense

but I won't give you any chances.

Xiao Yue!

Xiao Yue?

It seems that you really are very bored.

It's fine that I don't get to play.

But even reading will hurt my eyes?

What else can I possibly do?

It seems that you can't do a thing.

So how did other women get through pregnancy?

The midwife that you hired told me

that pre-delivery period is the most important thing for pregnant women.

What else could I do?

It's just eat, sleep and rest more.

Concentrate on nourishing the baby

and then get ready to give birth.

That does sound pretty boring.

I promise you that from now on

I'll set more time aside to keep you company.

What should we do together?

I got it. You've read through so many military books.

I didn't read that many of them.

Let's discuss military strategies with the sand-table.

We'll be opponents

and we'll attack each other. How about that?

That isn't exciting enough.

We have to make a bet.

Fine! Anything you wish.

I'm curious about how much wealth you have after selling your businesses.

Don't cry if you lose it all to me.

Don't assume that you can defeat me because the Tartars honor you as

some invincible God of War.

First of all, the Tartars don't know you as well as I do.

Secondly, we're fighting on the lands of the Tartars.

You're no match for my familiarity with the geographical conditions at all.

Thirdly, even if I am inexperienced in war

I can be just as good in commanding a mock warfare, like Zhao Kuo.

The first two are reasonable.

The third one isn't worth mentioning.

Great General Zhao She lost to Zhao Kuo's strategies in a mock warfare.

That's because Zhao She knew that his son could never truly defeat him in war.

No matter what the results are

I am very sure of who the winner will be.

Only I know you best.

If you know yourself and your enemy well you'll never be defeated.

You're the only one that I've never once thought of keeping out.

Because I've hoped right from the start that you'll walk straight into my heart.

This may sound strange.

I've been in and out of the palace since I was little.

I'm actually very guarded.

But when it comes to you, I've never once been on guard.

Because I know that you're worth my trust and heart.

My instincts have proved to be right.

This... Is this a mind game?

You've actually made me lose my will to fight before the war commences.

Are you trying to make me surrender later?

Are you finding an excuse for your defeat already?

If you lose the game, you could say that you were just being lenient on me.

You get to play the kind person and save some capital for the next game?

I'll bet twice as much as whatever you bet!

All right! Let's begin now!

Hu Wei Li is attacking both the right wing of Beiping and Dingxiang County.

He's killed a thousand-some of our people.

What are your opinions?

I think that we've wiped out their power in their right wing

and eliminated the threat in the west of the desert.

But the Left Virtuous King and the main army of the Tartar King are still tough.

They are threatening the safety of our northern borders to hinder us from

uniting the lands in the north.

In order to unite the northern lands, Your Majesty has spent two years

on reforming taxation policies.

Now that the treasury is in abundance

our army is always training and preparing for battle.

Therefore, I believe that it is time to strike back at the Tartars

to keep them far away off our territories.

Hu Wei Li took the traitor Zhao Zheng's advice to flee to the north

thinking that our army wouldn't be able to cross the desert

and that even if we do cross the desert

we won't linger due to the lack of provisions.

It's time to make it known to them that wherever the sun shines upon

will cast the shadows of the mighty soldiers of Nan Dynasty.

Well said!

We'll send out troops up north to demonstrate the strength of our army!

We'll drive the Tartars back to their homeland!

They shall never have the courage to covet the lands of Nan Dynasty again!

Your Majesty, we're still short of war horses at the moment.

For the sake of our army provisions, I ask that Your Majesty enlist

forty thousand war horses

as well as an additional one hundred and fifty thousand infantry troopers

to transport army provisions behind the march.

You have my consent! After all preparations are in order

we will chose an appropriate time to set out to war.

We obey Your Majesty's decree!

Uncle Chen, it's almost Lunar New Year.

Give out pocket money to the servants for a good year ahead.

I'll thank the Young Master in advance on behalf of everyone.

You're welcome.

I'll get back to work then.

It's really nice to serve in your household.

They get pocket money before Lunar New Year?

All right, you'll get some as well.

Money comes and goes.

So why not let everyone enjoy a new year, right?

Besides, I want our unborn child to hear everyone's laughter.

He can also be happier, right?

Do you want to say it out even louder

so that everyone knows I'm pregnant?

You're right.

General!

Miss Xin Yue!

- General. Miss Xin Yue. - General. Miss Xin Yue.

Nice to see you both here. Are you here early to ask General Wei out for drinks?

The General said he won't leave the manor from now on unless necessary.

I'm afraid that we'll be here often to bother you

It doesn't matter where we discuss work.

Do you think so?

Yes, yes.

You wouldn't assume that I'm doing this is for my interest?

I wouldn't dare to think so.

The General has boosted the army's morale instead by doing so.

Look, I'm doing this for everyone's best interests.

What has this got to do with morale?

The General's spirits get lifted whenever he sees Miss Xin Yue.

If the General is in good spirits, the army's morale is boosted.

Well said. You've shown great foresight.

You have a promising future.

Thank you, General.

Since your morale is so high

I won't disturb your discussion.

- General. - General.

His Majesty has given orders to attack the Tartars at full tilt.

We're heading deep into the north of the desert this time

to rid us of the threat from the Tartars completely.

The Tartars retreated in order to launch new attacks.

If we aim to defeat them, we'll surely have to travel a long distance.

However, the Tartars have the advantage of their geographical location.

They could wait for our stamina to drain before they attack.

They keep sending troops to harass the towns near the border.

It's evident that they intend to lure us into the north and then wipe us all out.

His Majesty and Great General Wan thought so as well.

Then why would they still want to launch an attack?

Are there any good strategies?

This is the reason why I've summoned you here.

We mustn't allow the Tartars to harass our border

rob us at will and keep on pestering us.

With our abilities, we definitely have the upper hand in this war.

Our biggest problem is our unfamiliarity

with the geographical condition in the north of the desert.

Moreover, the desert is huge and vast.

It's difficult for us to tell the directions.

The General is absolutely right.

Otherwise, those experienced generals wouldn't be lost from time to time.

All right now. The Tartars are nomads.

Although they are in the north of the desert now

we can't be sure where their exact location is at the moment.

The nomads roam from one place to another.

They would shift elsewhere for garrison from time to time.

Even if we manage to locate where their encampment is

they might have left long before we attack them there to move to a new encampment.

We can't possibly take our troops scurrying around like cats hunting for mice.

Even if we do find them in the end our soldiers will be exhausted

and our army provisions used up.

Yes, we also have to consider elements like sand storm and water resources.

These must be problems that soldiers are most worried about.

These factors will more or less have an impact on the army's morale.

Our morale will surely go down.

Despite these issues, His Majesty has already given his decree.

We can't go against it.

Why are you crying again?

Pian Er, don't cry.

Your Highness, let me give it a try.

Your Highness, General Li is here to see you.

Don't cry...

Greetings to Your Highness.

Please don't stand on ceremony.

Little Prince, stop crying.

Look what I brought you.

Take a look.

I thank the General on behalf of the Little Prince.

Your Highness is too polite.

Look at how interesting this is.

Take him for a stroll.

- Yes. - Let's go.

Have a seat.

You're so thoughtful.

I believe that you will be a great husband

who takes good care of your family.

Whoever marries you would be so blessed with great fortune.

His Majesty said that he will be sending the army to attack the Tartars.

Will you be going to war?

Your Highness, His Majesty has yet to announce an official decree.

If nothing come up, I should be serving Nan Dynasty at war as expected.

I remember that I once asked you if you have a choice

you would choose national interest over your own.

But for me, going to war isn't a national interest for all.

It would only hurt the innocent.

Your Highness is absolutely right.

Who wants to kill people?

Especially when the ones you kill are people you've never even met.

But the Tartars have attacked us year after year.

It is my duty to go to war to protect my nation.

I have no other choice.

Should you fall for a Tartar girl some day

would you fight your own men in order to protect her?

Your Highness, why would you ask me such a question?

I just wanted to get to know you better.

There are things that one can do and shouldn't do.

If I cannot prioritize then I don't have the right to say that I like someone.

What are women anyway?

Many leaves, one tree.

What is it about many leaves but one tree?

All men are the same.

The nation always comes first for them.

However, for a woman

her man is her nation, her everything.

No matter where that man is

everywhere he goes is her home.

Although victory is within grasp

battles are dangerous, and lives are always at risk.

I understand your sentiments.

For your sake, I will be cautious.

I'll head back to my palace now.

Take care, Your Highness.

I didn't know that Your Majesty is here

so I didn't welcome you in time.

Don't worry about it. Where have you taken our beloved son?

I took him for a stroll in the Imperial Gardens.

I happened to run into Li Ji, so I had a chat with him.

General Li gave this hand rattle to our son.

Who knew that Li Ji is so thoughtful?

Your Majesty, I have a favor to ask of you.

Please agree to it.

I've never seen you so serious.

It must be an important matter.

Tell me about it.

I'm just afraid that Your Majesty would render me as

interfering with court disciplines.

Is it that serious?

Why don't you tell me about it?

I won't put any blame on you.

I learned that General Li might be going to war with the Tartars.

Although General Li is valiant and bold

the battlefield is, after all, a dangerous place.

Out of my selfishness, I hope that Your Majesty can keep him here.

This is my way of expressing my gratitude to him for saving us.

I hope to keep him from danger.

I see.

Li Ji is one of my most valiant commanders.

It is a waste to keep him here in the Capital.

But General Wan Qian has always returned victorious.

There's also the invincible Young General Wei.

It shouldn't make a huge difference to this battle without General Li?

But there is only one savior to me and Pian Er.

I give you my word.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

It seems that there are some problems with this sand-table that you laid out.

You didn't even get the geographical characteristics right.

How could you go to war?

I'll seek help from my mentor. What does my mentor have to say?

It depends on your sincerity.

Sure! I'll demonstrate my sincerity right away.

Beautiful mentor, am I using enough strength?

Pretty good. I'll give you a hint or two then.

You won't find their main forces.

Why would you say so?

Judging from this sand-table, I know that you don't plan to

take a look into Yanli Mountain.

Then how could you locate their main forces?

Yanli Mountain is just a small mountain.

Its geographical location makes it difficult for a huge army to camp there.

That's why I've not considered venturing in there.

A huge mistake!

It is now early springtime.

Grass on the meadows in the desert are yet to grow in abundance.

Only the grass here grows faster than anywhere else.

It's the best place for a huge army to camp here.

My mentor does indeed have great insights.

You have memorized the geographical characteristics

of the northern desert well.

You even remembered the little creek here that is often dried up.

Of course.

You just said that this place is not the place to station a huge army.

That's because the mountain is small and paths are difficult to get through.

If there is an ambush here in the mountain

as well as a huge army stationed there, you'd all be wiped out. Right?

My mentor can foretell like a prophet.

Sincerity!

You're right to preach me.

The next time I praise you, I'll do it with less hypocrisy

and more sincerity.

I'm off now.

Please halt, my mentor.

Even if you don't care about my merits

you should consider the fact that I've served you.

What services have you offered me?

You're so shameless!

If I'm not shameless, then things wouldn't turn out like this, right?

I'm scared of you, all right?

You're definitely Wei Wu Ji's son.

Well done!

You're not born yet and you're already contributing to the nation.

As a foreigner, it's not surprising that you don't know about a grotto here.

Are you saying that this grotto connects the south and the north?

Exactly!

The entrances to the grotto have long been shielded by trees.

Apart from the locals, only Hu Wei Li and a few commanders know about it.

My mentor is indeed remarkable.

If this is the case, why don't we have a mock battle on this sand-table?

Sure! Who's scared?

I don't believe that a desert girl can't defeat a Jian-An City boy.

What are we betting on?

Do you still have money left?

As long as I win one set, I am the winner.

We'll call Wei Manor as Xin Manor instead!

Mentor, after you.

His Majesty has already decided to send the army to war in the north.

This is called 'The evils we bring on ourselves are the hardest to bear.'

If Hu Wei Li would stay in the north without making any trouble

and see to his sheep and dogs

instead of provoking the bees

why would the bees turn around to sting him?

Now, this is just great. He is placing everything on this bet.

If he loses, it is the others who will suffer the consequences.

He is seeking death.

He shouldn't let others die for him.

This has gone as we expected, we've done all that we could.

Next, we'll need to pay more attention

to avoid bringing any unnecessary trouble to Shi's Shipping.

We'll take our leave first.

Let this all go, My Lord.

Forget Miss Xin Yue!

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