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[Sound of the Desert]

Episode 31

Xiao Yue!

Xiao Yue!

Xiao Yue...

Xiao Yue...

Xiao Yue, wake up.

Didn't you promise me that you won't leave me?

Xiao Yue, please wake up.

Look, I'm here.

Open your eyes and look at me.

Xiao Yue...

Didn't you say that you won't abandon me?

Xiao Yue, didn't you say that you won't abandon me?

Open your eyes to look at me.

You have to keep your promise. I can't go on living without you!

Xiao Yue...

We've done all we could.

The gods will keep Xiao Yue safe and sound.

Please don't leave me.

Please don't leave me, Xiao Yue.

Xiao Yue!

Xiao Yue...

Xiao Yue...

This is great! Everything is fine as long as you're all right.

Xiao Yue...

We won't have anymore children in the future.

Someone wanted a whole soccer team of children.

Didn't you say you wanted to team up with your children?

I don't want children anymore.

Nothing is more important than you.

I kept thinking to myself if something should happen to you because of childbirth

I wouldn't even want to see the child.

I can tell by the looks of you that you haven't had any rest for days.

Get some sleep first.

No.

I just want to stay by your side.

Sleep here then.

I missed you so much.

What did you just say?

Lightning never strikes in the same place twice.

Xiao Yue...

I missed you. I missed you so much.

Greetings to Your Majesty.

Such a good boy!

Don't stand on ceremony.

After my General Wei returned to Jian-An City

he went straight to Shi Manor when he heard news of Miss Xin Yue.

Wu Ji disregarded military discipline...

He has every reason to do so. There's no reason to blame him.

Your Majesty, this child isn't named yet.

This child seems to be quite frail.

I will name him 'Shan.' (It means to change for the better.)

So that he can become healthier and stronger.

Shan? This is a great name.

I thank Your Majesty on Wu Ji's behalf.

This child will be handed over to you to bring up.

He shall be brought up as a prince should.

No! He should be treated even better than a prince.

I will take good care of Shan Er.

His Majesty named the child 'Shan.'

I heard that His Majesty cares greatly about this child.

Now that the Empress and a whole team of imperial physicians are looking after him

he is doing very well.

Even if the Empress looks after him

and even if all imperial physicians and servants look after him

none of them could be better than his own mother.

He was just born

and his mother didn't even get to hold him

before they were separated.

Now they act as if they have bestowed some sort of grace upon her.

Who cares for this sort of favor?

Xin Yue risked her life to give birth to this child

but she can't keep him with her?

Xin Yue, are you really all right with it?

Xiao Yue, I'm sorry.

His Majesty will surely reward General Wei heavily for his victory.

But I remember that you once said

it was your dream to fight battles for the peace of your people.

You aren't doing that for higher positions, salary, or wealth.

All right, we shouldn't stay and disturb Xin Yue any longer.

Let's leave the room first.

Rest well.

We'll take our leave.

I should have known...

Our child would surely be taken to the palace.

Not to mention that I was away fighting the Tartars for the imperial court.

This is seemingly a grace bestowed upon me

but it is actually a way to control me.

This is a favor that I couldn't refuse.

Just like what you said

it isn't that we don't understand the meaning behind it

but that we disdain the idea of it.

But as your position gets higher

and so does your power

you're no longer just taking on the Tartars

but also getting yourself involved in the power struggle.

Xiao Yue...

If you're already feeling better

we'll head back home tonight.

You've fought battles in the desert for months.

Then you rushed back to Jian-An and didn't get any rest because of me.

You must be very tired.

I'm not tired.

I'm not tired at all when I'm with you.

All right, rest first.

Tonight, we will...

We'll go home.

I feel at home now.

Home is wherever you are.

It is home when I'm in your arms.

Mister Jin Yan, we've imposed on Shi Manor for many days now.

We should take our leave.

I'd like to thank the Ninth Lord in person.

Since the Ninth Lord has sent me here to see you off

General Wei shouldn't stand on such ceremony.

The Ninth Lord asked me to hand this prescription over to you.

This will help with the nursing and recuperation of Miss Xiao Yue's heath.

The Ninth Lord has mentioned again and again

to nurse her back to health with this prescription.

After taking these medications for a month

you can then send for imperial physicians.

Or you can change to a different prescription.

General Wei, be sure to send for the imperial physician you can trust.

Thank you for your kindness.

I will keep that in mind.

Please express my gratitude to the Ninth Lord on my behalf.

Don't worry, I will.

Xin Yue, I've sent for someone to assist you on to the carriage.

You don't have to worry.

Mister Shi, you don't have to worry.

I could do that.

Xiao Feng has already made the arrangements, so just let him do it.

Xiao Yue, I will carry you on to the carriage by myself.

Xiao Yue, I wish you every happiness.

This is my biggest wish.

General.

I left in a hurry that day.

Thank you for taking care of the matters for me.

It is my honor to share your burden.

Please do not mention it.

General Wei, how is Miss Xin Yue doing?

Generals.

- Sister-in-law. - Sister-in-law.

All right now, your sister-in-law will be embarrassed.

Am I right?

Uncle Chen, give orders to the kitchen to prepare some good wine and food.

We'll welcome everyone home with great joy.

Now that you are home, it is lively in the manor.

Then I have chores to do!

Here, come with me.

Here.

General, do you know that everyone in the imperial court and civilians

all lined up along the streets to cheer for us?

As a military man, this glory means more to us than status or salary.

Our hardships in the battles with our men

and the battles we fought one after another are now worthwhile.

It does sound that you have fought quite a victorious battle.

You must be very satisfied with the results of this war?

After this war, the Tartars are now

totally driven out of the south of the desert.

They can no longer harass Nan Dynasty.

Those who were left behind are just small potatoes.

General Wei has made us who we are today.

This victory couldn't have been achieved without General Wei.

It's the hardships and blood shed by my brothers that made me what I am.

If you haven't fought alongside me

I wouldn't have become who I am today.

Brothers are brothers.

You've been through life and death together.

You share the same glory. That makes a difference.

I'm envious of your precious friendship.

Our sister-in-law said it well.

Your sister-in-law is jealous of you.

I understand.

You must be thinking how much you want to be a man now.

Then you can fight by my side and call me as your brother.

What did you say?

Can't women be valiant and treat others with loyalty?

Sure! Just continue to be my lovely wife then!

Take care, Sister-in-law!

Xiao Yue, you should take your medication now.

Get some rest after taking your medication.

I'm already much better now.

You don't have to be worried.

I wasn't by your side that day.

With the Ninth Lord's medical skills and your strong physique

you still nearly died from premature childbirth.

Other women might not have pulled through.

It must be an unforgettable nightmare for you.

Am I not all right now?

I'll be by your side from now on.

You have nothing to fear.

All right, finish your medication and get some rest soon.

I now realized how bold I was then.

If it had all gone wrong and Wu Ji learns of the truth

will he forgive the Ninth Lord?

But I only thought of our child then.

I don't want our child to be taken into that chaotic palace.

Not did I want our child to be the pawn used to control Wu Ji.

Wu Ji...

I want to tell you the truth.

But it isn't the right time yet.

Not yet...

We have attained great victory in this war.

I am very pleased.

Moreover, I am rewarding the Marquess of Jianxi, Wei Wu Ji heavily.

I hereby reward Young General Wei Wu Ji

with food of five thousand and eight hundred households.

I will also appoint Young General Wei Wu Ji as Minister of War.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

As for the other generals who have served under General Wei

they shall also be rewarded.

Civil governor of Right Beiping, Lu Bo De.

You're to be rewarded food of a thousand and six hundred households.

You are appointed as Marquess Fuli.

Superintendent of Northern regions, Xing Shan.

You're to be rewarded food of a thousand and two hundred households.

You are appointed as Marquess Yiyang.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Sima Lie!

Your sinned subject is present.

You served under General Wei in this war.

You have atoned for your sins with your merits.

I hereby restore you to your former position.

Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty.

We regret to have lost our veteran general, Li Da in this war.

I am greatly saddened by such news.

If I were to evaluate him on his past merits, he should be rewarded.

Li Ji!

My condolences to you.

You have to offer more meritorious services to honor your family

and comfort the soul of General Li Da.

I thank Your Majesty for your concern.

My father fought hard for years on the battlefields.

I hope that his reputation can be honored.

Yet he had taken his life in hatred.

This is now a fact that can't be undone.

I wouldn't dare to be rewarded.

I understand.

In the future, should you offer meritorious services

I will definitely bestow rewards upon you.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty, I have a few words to say.

Speak up.

Your Majesty, as for the position of Minister of War

General Wan Qian has already taken this position.

But now General Wei is also appointed this position...

Why can't we have two Ministers of War?

As long as meritorious services are offered, they should be rewarded.

From now on, both Ministers of War are of the same position

and the same salary. There's no difference between them.

Great General Wan.

You two must work together for me in the future.

Your Majesty shows great affection for General Wei.

I am deeply grateful for that.

I would definitely obey Your Majesty to work hand in hand with General Wei

to prosper Nan Dynasty.

Then I shall be very pleased.

General Wei, we have to grab drinks somewhere

to celebrate your achievement.

All right then. We'll go to The Villa.

- Sure! - Sure! I'll inform everyone.

I heard that you're going to have drinks at The Villa?

Do I have the honor to be a guest at your banquet?

- Yes, we would all like to join you. - Aren't you supposed to be

serving under Great General Wan?

Those are their legs so they could go wherever they want.

We can't control them. Let's go.

Wei Wu Ji is so arrogant!

He is still young.

He should have his own circle of young friends.

We should be happy for their youth.

We regret to have lost our veteran general, Li Da in this war.

I am greatly saddened by such news.

If I were to evaluate him on his past merits, he should be rewarded.

I have spent all my life on battlefields!

I've never been defeated!

But this sandstorm buried thousands of my soldiers alive!

I am useless!

The gods aren't in my favor!

My father spent his entire life on the battlefields.

He'd rather die on the battlefield than surrender.

He knew all strategic movements well and was very experienced.

Who would have expected that in this war

he'd make the same mistake that Sima Lie did the previous time?

He got lost in the desert.

Our army was victorious.

Everyone in the Imperial Court either took credit for the victory

or was rewarded for it.

Only my father wasn't able to fight against the Tartars.

He lost his opportunity again to be appointed as a marquess.

Wan Qian has always been the one to decide on strategic movements.

Although General Li Da got lost in the desert this time

Wan Qian shouldn't have reprimanded him in front of so many commanders.

How could you make such a mistake?

What would I say to His Majesty and the other commanders?

Li Da is useless. I have not achieved any victory

and thus failed to live up to His Majesty's affection for me.

Great General Wan will not have to be troubled.

I will bear the consequences!

General Li!

A famous general is now only left with the sin of dying for his mistake.

The glory of victory was given to Wan family alone.

I understand how you feel.

You have to witness your close family pass away without any dignity.

That pain and hatred...

I can completely understand that.

Instead of being sorrowful and mourning for your loss

you should pull yourself together.

Seek justice for the dead.

Allow General Li Da to rest in peace.

General Li Da is well-loved by the people.

The people are upset about his death.

His death was caused indirectly by Great General Wan Qian.

But the Wans have not expressed an iota of guilt or sympathy.

Li Da was the one who committed a mistake.

Great General Wan Qian only handled the matter according to military law.

There was no flaw in the process.

But the Wans have tried to monopolize the imperial court and shun the others.

This did not just happen recently.

More and more officials are unhappy with the Wans now.

Complaints are accumulating.

General Wei, what is your opinion?

Your Majesty, I have no opinions.

In terms of Li Da's death, do you think what Wan Qian did was right?

I've witnessed the glory of both General Li Da and General Wan Qian.

They are both supreme commanders.

Isn't that an irrelevant answer?

That's enough.

Do you support the Wans, or are you against them?

Your Majesty, it isn't that I refuse to answer this question

but that it has nothing to do with me.

Generally, it has been my dream to pacify the border for Nan Dynasty.

Personally, I just want to lead the life I desire.

I will not involve myself into the power struggle of officials

nor do I wish to be forced into it.

Since I am not in the game, what is there to support or go against?

Please pardon me for having no answer to Your Majesty's question.

- General Wei is... - Enough!

You are all dismissed.

Yes.

The imperial court officials' disdain toward the Wan family

has now escalated because of the demise of General Li Da.

Rallying those in the imperial court and harem who are against the Crown Prince

is now an easy task.

General, are you still upset about your father?

Don't be upset anymore.

We could soon seek justice for him.

Is seeking revenge that important?

Do you have to risk it all?

What do you mean by that?

The fight for the position of the Crown Prince

is not what Your Highness is truly after.

You do not care about becoming the Empress of Nan Dynasty.

Neither do you fancy the wealth and luxury in the palace.

Because there is only hatred in your heart.

Your only purpose in entering the harem is to seek revenge.

You already knew?

After I had doubts about your parentage

I had you investigated in secret.

You investigated me?

Since you already knew

what do you intend to do with me?

The Empress arrives!

- Greetings to Your Majesty. - Greetings to Your Majesty.

My sister... General Li... Both of you are here?

What a coincidence.

I happen to pass by so I stopped to greet Madame Xiang.

I won't stay to intrude.

I shall take my leave now.

What did General Li say to you?

General Li was still upset about his father.

I only offered a few words of condolences.

I heard from the palace maids

that you even went to pay respects to General Li Da at his manor?

It seems that you are very concerned about the Li family.

Can you be unaware that Li Ji claims to seek justice for Li Da

but in fact he is instigating others in the imperial court to go against the Wans?

His Majesty is greatly troubled by this matter.

I have also heard a bit about such matters

but...

But you don't have to be too worried.

What Li Ji is capable of is but raise a dust.

But on the contrary, the Wans are firmly rooted and will not be shaken!

Just with some help here and there

isn't enough to take the Crown Prince down from his position.

So... If you truly are concerned about Li Ji

and you hope that he can be at ease

you should talk him out of this.

He should let go when he should.

If he persists

it will all be fruitless anyway.

I've only known that the Senior Princess Zhaoyang has been doing all the work

but who knew that Your Highness who always stood aloof from worldly affairs

isn't exactly that calm and peaceful.

Your Highness is aware of everything that happens in the palace.

You have also made great efforts to uphold the power of the Wans.

Thank you for your kind reminder.

With your words in mind, I now know what to say or act in the future.

I will take my leave now.

There is one more matter.

His Majesty and I plan to host a 100-day-birthday banquet for Shan Er.

We will invite all officials over to celebrate with us.

Wu Ji and Xin Yue will have to attend the banquet as well

to get together with their child.

Then they will know that Shan Er will be well looked after by his aunt

so they can feel relieved.

You and Xin Yue are just like sisters.

You should be happy for her.

Whether Wei Wu Ji and Xin Yue are happy and relieved or not...

Your Highness, you are a mother as well.

You should know that no parents would want to be apart from their children.

Not to mention that their child was taken from them against their will.

I'm afraid that although Your Highness means well

they might not be grateful.

General, you have a visitor.

- You may go. - Yes.

Aren't you afraid that you might be found out?

If you reveal my secret to anyone in the palace

I will be dead all the same.

Will you do so?

Will you abandon me out of your loyalty to the imperial court?

I have already told you.

No matter what you would have me do

I will help you.

Even if it was wrong to do so.

Even if it means risking my life

I will do so willingly.

Really?

Even though you already know about my secret

you won't change your mind?

Give it all up.

Give up all your plans.

Why?

Why would you go back on the promises that you made me?

Because I don't wish to lose you.

I don't wish to see you suffer anymore.

I thought that as long as I help you take the position of the Crown Prince

and make you the most powerful woman in the harem

and the most beloved concubine

you will feel blissful and happy.

That was why I agreed to fulfill your wish.

But now I realized that

even if I helped you fulfill your wish

you won't be happy.

You will only keep on suffering.

You will always be that woman I saw in my eyes.

You will just keep suffering from the pain

from forcing yourself to go against your wishes.

Your true identity will bring you great danger.

I can't allow you to stay in the palace anymore.

Qin Xiang, leave with me.

I can give up everything I have.

As long as you're willing to come with me.

I cannot leave.

I've gone through so much hardship

to get into the palace

and stayed by His Majesty's side.

I gave him a son.

If I leave now, then all my efforts would go down in vain.

This is my destiny.

No matter how much pain I have to suffer, how aggrieved I might be

I will have to accomplish what I set out to do.

Don't leave.

Don't leave me.

Being with you is the only happiness in my life.

Only your feelings for me can comfort to my soul.

Is it that nothing I do will be able to stop you from your plans?

If you have to hold me back, you may as well kill me now.

If I can die in your arms

it is also a bliss.

I will die with no regrets.

Long live the Emperor!

You may all rise.

Thank you, Your Majesty!

Xin Yue, I heard that you are feeling much better now.

I also understand that a mother will miss her child.

Therefore, His Majesty and I have specially hosted this banquet

so that you could both take a good look at your child.

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

My dear subjects, do take your seats.

Xiao Yue, it worries me even if you're just a step away from me.

Come and sit next to me.

Here.

How inappropriate....

This is weird. You've always been very cautious with propriety.

But you didn't voice your objection and chose to do what you will today.

I am your woman.

I should act as you do.

Who cares if they are envious or jealous of us?

Greetings to Your Majesties.

For the sake of my child

I've chosen to go down this path for my selfish reasons.

Then this isn't the time for me to feel guilty about it.

Xin Yue, you have to look at that child.

Don't cry, little one.

They are your parents. How could you throw a tantrum?

Am I right?

Wet nurse, why don't you take Shan Er away with you first?

We'll let him spend some time with his parents later.

Yes.

When you calm down a bit

I'll let you visit Shan Er in private later.

His Majesty dotes even more on Shan Er than Di Er.

Di Er also dotes on this little nephew of his very much.

Otherwise, I'd be worried that Di Er might be jealous that

His Majesty favored Shan Er.

Shan Er is such a privileged child. How fortunate he is!

The Crown Prince has a great breadth of mind.

He has demonstrated the spirit of a king.

Congratulations to Her Highness.

This is the blessing of Nan Dynasty.

The Empress is a motherly model of the nation.

The Crown Prince is tolerant and generous. This is hard to come by!

How impressive!

It's really hard for me to keep the truth from him now that

I could see the fatherly love he is showing to the child.

I have to tell him the truth.

Qin Xiang!

How does that feel?

Xin Yue, from now on as long as Wei Shan is in the palace

you can't truly laugh with joy.

You have to worry about him every day.

This child is just like his father.

He also gets along well with His Majesty.

He is now the apple of His Majesty's eye.

No one would dare to lay a finger on him.

But he is after all a child

he might get into an accident.

He could trip and fall today.

Then he might fall into a pond the next day.

It's possible for him to hurt his limbs here and there.

If His Majesty blames anyone for the accidents

it's just killing a few of the servants for negligence of duty.

Am I right?

But... You don't have to worry.

I would definitely take good care of your child.

I mean it. I really will take good care of...

If it hadn't been for you

I could have married Wu Ji.

If it hadn't been for you

His Majesty might not have asked to raise our child in the palace.

If it hadn't been for you

none of this would have happened.

We're not in the desert now.

You can't possibly do whatever you wish.

Do you dare to do it?

Can you bear the consequences?

You're already insane.

Can you only be satisfied if you drive me insane as well?

I'm the one who is guilty for all my sins.

Your Highness... Wu Ji and I are not soft-hearted and forgiving.

Should Shan Er miss one strand of hair

I won't let you off.

If Shan Er falls down

you'd better keep an eye on your Pian Er.

Should any mishaps befall on Shan Er

I will show you no mercy.

You can't possibly do so.

You can't possibly do so.

Don't worry.

I will never reveal your identity.

I never will.

But you have to take into account of the people that you care about.

Wu Ji now holds the authority to great military power.

His Majesty has such great trust in him.

It shouldn't be too hard for me to ask him for a favor?

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