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[Sound of the Desert]

Episode 32

What formation and strategy are you drawing up?

Xiao Yue.

Despite what His Majesty has in mind

- I will bring our child back to your side. - No!

The current situation in the Imperial Court is very delicate.

One slight move could have a huge impact.

Empress Wan and Great General Wan also won't allow you to go against

His Majesty in such crucial times.

Li Da's death has brought on the conflict between officials who

support aristocratic family such as the Li family and the Wans.

The civil officials are taking side with the Li family and shunning the Wans.

My aunt and my uncle do not wish to stir up any new trouble.

Yes. Qin Xiang and the other concubines will use this opportunity

or even team up to take down the Wans and Empress Wan.

This will form a force to take the Crown Prince down from his position.

Moreover, His Majesty plans to use you to suppress and break up

the power of the Wans.

You have no allies in the Imperial Court.

You don't side with any fractions

but you have the favor of His Majesty and hold great authority.

You're now the center of all power struggles.

Both parties have inhibitions about you.

If you can't stay out of this matter

both parties would want to take you down

if you're not careful with your actions.

Don't be silly. You don't have to worry about me.

I'm going to protect you and our child forever.

I won't be defeated so easily.

Wu Ji, actually...

Shan Er...

- Who is it? - It's me.

How many others are there in this manor that are like her?

Xiao Yue...

Do you have something to say to me?

Wu Ji...

Shan Er isn't our son.

I'm sorry.

I couldn't bear to send our son to the palace.

So I asked the Ninth Lord to get a sickly child

to take the place of our son.

I never intended to lie to you.

But I considered the fact that you have to go to the palace very often.

Everyone will be looking at you then.

I worried that you might give yourself away.

I've wanted to tell you the truth all this time.

But I kept...

I am furious.

But I'm not angry at you for lying to me.

No matter how you may have deceived me, I believe that you did it for our sake.

How can I not understand that this is but a contingency plan?

I'm angry at you for risking your life.

Tell me. Did you purposely induce labor prematurely?

If you hadn't made all the arrangements in advance

how could you possibly prevent this from being known?

I won't ever do this again.

How could Mo Xun do whatever you ask of him

and risk your life to such an extreme?

Our child is with Mo Xun?

Is he all right?

Our child has already been sent out of Jian-An City.

He has been relocated to a safe place.

Although he was born two months early, he is unlike Shan Er, who is very frail.

He is very healthy and energetic.

Don't cry.

I may be angry, but I blame myself more for it.

I swore an oath before your father's tomb

that I would take good care of you

and keep you from harm.

But since you returned to Jian-An with me

you've suffered so much.

This is all because of me, and yet I wasn't with you when that happened.

You had to face it all alone.

Xiao Yue, promise me that

no matter what happens, you mustn't risk your life anymore. All right?

Should anything really happen

leave it to me.

Not only are you my beloved Xin Yue

you're also my only family in this world.

The only person who would trust me at all times

and always take my side.

Do you understand?

I will never do that again.

Although I was in a coma

when you walked up to me and I was on the verge of death

I understood the pain you felt at that time.

I will take good care of myself from now on.

I won't put you through such pain again.

Wei Wu Ji!

Continue with your game.

You're still in the mood to play soccer?

I've learned about what your uncle did.

Chancellor Li Que killed himself out of guilt in the prison.

No! His case was still under investigation.

He wasn't convicted yet.

He is innocent!

Why would he kill himself out of guilt?

I suspect that someone was out to get him.

There is no witness once he is dead.

He was forced to take his life.

Or should I say that he was murdered?

General Li Da took his own life.

And now Li Que shared the fate of his predecessor.

Both influential men of the Li family died in such disgrace.

I believe that this must be a humiliating blow to you.

But I believe this must be worth celebrating for you?

The Wans forced my family to devastation again and again

in order to get rid of any opposition.

Those officials who refused to side with the Wans are all subdued.

You knew what the Wans are doing in the Imperial Court.

But you've chosen to stand aloof.

Li Que's case is obviously a set-up.

But you stood by and did nothing.

So much for priding yourself for having higher morals.

You're just a poor judge of what is right and wrong! You're cold and mean!

You are right.

I am fully aware of all the power struggle that is going on in the palace.

Now that Li family is in trouble, did you not use that to your advantage

to point your finger at the Wans

in order to rally and form alliances?

You're waiting for the right moment to strike the Wans and defeat them.

Last but not least, you plan to aid Qin Xiang's son to become Crown Prince!

You used to be honest and candid.

Where is the Li Ji who detested vying for fame and power?

Why have you involved yourself in such a meaningless fight?

I will ask you one last time.

Why are you helping Qin Xiang in making her son the Crown Prince?

Since you're aware of my intentions

you won't allow me to achieve my goal easily then?

I will not side with anyone.

But neither will I allow anyone to threaten the safety of the Crown Prince.

If I can, I wish I can just idle my days away like this.

How I miss those days when we used to play soccer together.

If you mean to talk me out of going against Wei Wu Ji

you can very well save your breath.

I would just like to ask you to think for yourself

as well as the one you love.

The power struggle in the palace is a bottomless pit.

The palace rages with the flames of war more than the battlefields.

You and Qin Xiang are simply playing with fire.

One mistake and you'll end up in ashes.

For those who are greedy and oblivious to killings

they deserve to crash and burn in such power struggle.

But why would you do this to yourselves?

Because she has to do so.

That is why I have to do this with her.

When you first met Qin Xiang, you must have also imagined

leading a peaceful and blissful life with her?

From the music of her zither and her eyes

can't you tell that she seeks such a life as well?

Greed wasn't in her nature.

She had wanted peace.

However, her burden is such that it weighs her down.

She took the wrong path.

Perhaps, I once had the chance to see peace and purity in her heart.

But before I had that chance, she was already sent to the palace.

She already took to this hopeless path.

That is true.

I did help her with it then.

Because I was deceived by her.

I have also underestimated the feelings you have for her.

Perhaps, you could have changed her mind.

Since you will do anything for her

instead of pushing her deeper to the point of no return

why don't you rescue her from this bottomless pit?

Take her back to where she truly belongs.

Start a new life.

You could have happiness.

You might still be in time to back out of all this chaos.

Thank you.

Greetings to Auntie and Uncle.

The Senior Princess and I happened to pass by your place.

So we thought we would drop in to take a look at you.

It's rare that the both of you are here.

Give orders to have some delicate appetizers made.

- Ask the chef to cook well. - Yes.

Wu Ji, I'm very happy for you that His Majesty thinks highly of you.

The position of the chancellor has been left vacant for a long time.

Everyone in the Imperial Court has their eyes on that position.

Wu Ji, we should offer His Majesty some suggestions.

We should come up with some suitable candidates for him.

Wu Ji, I believe that recommending a family member of the Wans is the best.

We are a family.

If you recommend someone from the Wan family to His Majesty

it will be the best thing to do.

His Majesty... Why would His Majesty take my suggestion?

You shouldn't say that.

Among all officials, His Majesty thinks the most highly of you.

Your suggestion is the only one that matters to him.

Xin Yue!

Greetings to the Senior Princess.

Greetings to Master Sima.

Xin Yue, look how frail you are.

Wu Ji, how have you looked after her?

Xin Yue, if Wu Ji dares to bully you, you should come to us.

We are your parental family.

Wu Ji wouldn't dare to bully me now that Your Highness is on my side.

Yes, indeed.

By the way, I'm embroidering some flowers recently.

But I can't seem to do it very well.

I'd like to seek the advice of Your Highness.

Nan Dynasty's Minister of War still asks Miss Xin Yue to embroider?

You're embroidering something for Wu Ji?

Then I must have a look at it.

Have a good chat among yourselves.

Here, let's go.

Wu Ji.

You can do whatever you wish.

Although I hope that you could stay out of the fight for the Crown Prince's position

as this is a gamble in which you have to place a bet with your life

if this is what you wish to do

I have no objection to anything.

We have done quite well for the past three days.

The Crown Prince has improved greatly in archery.

This is because you have taught me well, my cousin.

The Crown Prince's archery skills is now second to none.

I have nothing more to teach you.

But as for ruling the world

what is your opinion?

I think that as the ruler of the nation

I should empathize more with the sufferings of the people.

Although it is important to protect our nation

I disagree with exhausting all resources to engage in unjust military ventures

to prevent the people from the sufferings of war.

I would promote the policy of benevolence.

My cousin, the Crown Prince has such a great ambition.

You will surely be a good emperor.

Thank you for your kind compliments.

There are many days to come and I still have much to learn.

I hope that I could fulfill my wishes.

Where there's a will, there's a way.

I would only have confidence with your assistance.

The Crown Prince has Wu Ji with him, so he should be fine.

It's already been three days.

It's already been three days. What if...

Your Majesty, Your Highness.

The Crown Prince has returned!

Where is he?

He is kneeling in front of the palace.

- Bring him in. - Yes.

Father, Mother. I know that I've done wrong.

This is entirely my fault that we went deep into the mountains to hunt.

Please punish me.

Your Majesty, Your Highness, the Crown Prince left the palace

with his cousin, General Wei out of spontaneity.

I believe that it wasn't the Crown Prince's idea.

No matter whose idea it was

a mistake is a mistake.

Both cousins should be punished.

Mother, this is all my fault. It has nothing to do with anyone else.

Please do not blame my cousin.

He dotes on me and lets me do as I wish.

This is entirely my idea.

I was too playful, and failed to think of the consequences.

Mother, please punish me and no one else.

How dare you take all the blame? You...

Forget it.

Empress, you should know how daring Wu Ji can get.

He attacked the hinterland of the Tartars with eight hundred men

when he first went to war.

It's fortunate enough that he didn't take Di Er to the desert.

Your Majesty!

Empress, aren't you pleased to see how close they are?

Moreover, this child is liable to account for his actions.

He should be complimented for it.

Why don't we just let this go?

Shouldn't you thank your father?

Thank you, Father and Mother.

- Pass the ball over here! - Here!

- Over here! - Pass it over!

- Pass it here. - Be careful.

I'm a bit doubtful about the Crown Prince's behavior.

The Crown Prince certainly understood General Wei's intentions.

He didn't turn him down, but left Jian-An with him.

Judging by how prim and proper the Crown Prince usually is

anyone would have assumed that General Wei acted willfully.

However, Crown Prince claimed that it was his fault.

That just made General Wei look even worse as he stayed silent about it.

Whereas for the Crown Prince

he won the praises of anyone who knew of this matter.

Wu Ji is doing his best to help the Wans.

But they don't trust him.

On one hand, they want Wu Ji to assist them.

Yet, on the other hand, they are out to discredit him in every way.

I feel bad for General Wei.

Wu Ji knows what he is doing.

Hei Shi, it is your turn.

Sure.

Wu Ji, the Crown Prince is still young.

But he already is a profound thinker.

For someone in his position, it isn't bad for him to think profoundly.

You can't blame him for being so.

If he can't think for himself that would really bother me.

I heard that His Majesty has invited all officials to hunt at Ganquan Palace.

Take me with you.

I can't even refuse the offer.

Why would you want to go?

I want to go there!

All right, I'll take you out to the mountains for a few days

when I have the time so.

Why would you have to go with them?

They said that we're going hunting

but it is more or less socializing among the officials.

You definitely won't enjoy it.

When you have the time?

When did you ever have any free time these days?

You're either busy with official matters

or that of no importance.

Soccer, hunting, and archery?

It seems like you're having fun, but there are intentions behind it.

I don't even get to see you very often

so how could I possibly expect you you to take me out for a trip?

Take me with you... Take me with you!

Take me with you?

Take me with you... Take me with you!

There are so many people around. You're not easily embarrassed anymore?

This is all your credit.

They have seen us behave even more intimately than this.

What have I got to fear?

Take me with you... Take me with you!

All right! Look how sad you are.

I will take you with me.

No wonder Mo Xun succumbs to all your bidding.

He never turns you down.

I'm going to play soccer now...

I owe too much to the Ninth Lord.

I cannot give him what he seeks in return in this lifetime.

All I can do is what he asks of me.

I must live as happily as I can.

I must live blissfully.

Then it could at least be of some comfort to him.

But... what sort of comfort would that be?

Are there really gods living above those clouds?

I beg you to make the Ninth Lord forget me.

Give him true happiness and bliss.

Xiao Yue, don't worry.

I will definitely take good care of your child for you.

I'll always watch over you.

This is such a beautiful tune.

Whatever troubles and obsessions one might have

could all be relieved and forgotten.

Brother, can you play this tune more often for me in the future?

As long as you like it, I'll always play it for you whenever you wish.

I've actually played this tune for you in the past.

But it didn't manage to move you.

Really?

The long-fought war in the desert has now finally come to an end.

The Imperial Court has pacified the Tartars.

The regions outside the Great Wall are also relieved from the impact of war.

They can finally get some peace.

For the moment, the killings have also been stopped.

However, it is now the palace that is in chaos.

A war has ended, but another is about to begin.

Many have already been sacrificed for it.

Those who remained are going in for the kill.

I wonder how many more people would have to be sacrificed?

It's sad that those sacrificed are usually the innocent ones.

Are you in a safe position in terms of this war?

Brother, have you been to Yumen Pass?

I have.

Do you find it beautiful there?

If it hadn't been for the war

it is very beautiful and peaceful there.

It is like an oasis in the desert.

My sister, things aren't often what we expect them to be.

You have to let it go.

Then you could be happier.

General Li arrives!

Why has Your Highness ask to see me?

General Li, you're late.

The sun is about to set. You would miss the scenery.

General Li.

Mister Qin.

Why have you arrived so late today?

His Majesty summoned everyone over to announce the hunt at Ganquan Palace.

It seems that we would be leaving for the hunting trip soon.

Will General Li go as well?

Yes.

Hunting must be quite pleasant as well?

General Li!

Mister Qin.

Thank you.

What have I done to deserve your gratitude?

Since my sister entered the palace she has always been frowning.

Although she always smiles happily before His Majesty

the look in her eyes has always been desolate.

But when she saw General Li just now

her smile was sincere.

Even her eyes were smiling.

I haven't seen that in her for a very long time.

Although she didn't say it out loud

I could feel that she is happy.

She is happy because of you.

Mister Qin, you mean...

I'm grateful to you.

As long as my sister is well, I don't care about anything else.

I am deeply guilty for not having the ability to protect her.

But I really hope that there is someone who could truly protect her

and make her forget about unhappiness.

She would then let go of her obsessions and lead her life in peace.

General Li, I hope you could do it.

Mister Qin, rest assured that I will take care of Qin Xiang.

So long as I am alive

I won't allow her to be harmed.

One day, I would surely take her away from this dark and horrible place.

We will have a new and wonderful life together.

She will no longer be sad and depressed.

By then, you would see her smile every day.

Well played.

Your Majesty is here?

Greetings to Your Majesty.

It's been a while since I last heard you play the zither.

If Your Majesty likes it

- I'll play more often for you. - Sure.

Your Majesty, I heard that you are going hunting at Ganquan Palace.

I'd like to go with Your Majesty.

Are you really willing to go there?

But it is a long and hard ride to Ganquan Palace.

Your health...

I'm very much well recuperated.

I can manage the journey.

I've been cooped up in the palace for too long.

It's good for my health as well if I take a walk outside.

I won't be lonely on this trip

with the company of my dearest concubine and her zither.

It's fortunate to have met my kindred spirit

and I'm willing to stay by his side all my life.

I could play beautiful tunes for my kindred spirit.

Only then would I not be lonely.

My dear, it's been a long day.

Why don't you rest while I go and examine the hunting grounds?

We'll start hunting tomorrow.

I've already had a bit of a rest, so I'm quite energetic now.

The scenery along the way is very delightful.

This is a rare opportunity, so if Your Majesty doesn't mind

I'd like to take a walk.

You don't know this area.

Why don't I accompany you?

That is not necessary.

If Your Majesty is too concerned about me

and couldn't do your best in hunting

wouldn't I be a damper to your spirits?

All right, be careful then.

Don't stray too far away from the palace grounds.

I know.

Uncle.

I remember the first time I used a bow and arrow.

You held my hand and taught me how to shoot.

It was also Uncle who carried me up on the horse for my first ride.

You were so young then. How could you remember that?

It must be your mother and aunts who kept bringing it up to you, right?

I've always remembered a lot of things.

When I was young, I used to listen to how you fought the Tartars.

I only thought that those were just stories.

They sounded so exciting.

I then imagined myself to be Great General Wan Qian

and I would put on your robe.

I hoped to be as valiant and magnificent like you.

When I've grown up, I didn't forget any of the stories that you told me.

These stories became my dreams.

Most importantly, you have realized your dreams.

You now possess your own armor and your own stories.

I've always been proud of you.

All these years, I've never thanked you for the efforts you made to nurture me.

That's not necessary.

We each administer in our own ways in the Imperial Court now.

You purposely challenge me in front of His Majesty and wouldn't give in to me.

I know deep down that you did that to relieve His Majesty's doubts about me.

And you never meddle in the affairs concerning the harem.

You chose not to be involved in it to protect me.

I can retire anytime.

But you have to take everything head on.

Although I didn't say it out loud

it doesn't mean that I don't know about it.

I dare to do so, and I'm also willing to do so

because I know that Uncle has always regarded me like a son.

You understand and trust me.

But even father and son won't give in to each other in war.

So you have to do your best on the hunting grounds this time.

You mustn't lose to me.

Of course.

All right. Off you go.

Xiao Yue!

The hunt only begins tomorrow.

The weather is lovely today, should we go for a walk?

Don't worry.

My uncle brought me here when I was young.

I know my way around very well.

Come here. This way.

So far in this power struggle the Wans have already won.

The Crown Prince is ever so secured.

Why do we still have to vie for the position of the Crown Prince?

As the war dies down, the people are now enjoying peace.

Don't you think that peace came a bit too late?

Who could revive my deceased father?

The hatred in my heart has yet to be dismissed.

- I want to seek revenge. I want... - I don't want any other schemes.

I'm tired of all these schemes and plots.

I don't wish to keep fighting.

I will be honest with you.

Before we came up the mountain, I've already made plans.

I want to take you away with me while we're on this hunting trip.

We can leave Jian-An City and go beyond the Great Wall.

What is the matter?

No.

I have to seize the position of the Crown Prince first.

Once that is done, we will leave then.

- One day, we will... - That day will never come.

We won't succeed.

This power struggle in the palace will never come to an end.

In the end, we could only crash and burn with it.

If we return to the palace, we might never be able to leave.

I have not lied to you.

I want to be with you.

I also hope that you won't lie to yourself.

What you truly desire is the same as mine.

You wish to escape from this place.

You wish to live happily with me, right?

But I can't break my promise to my mother.

You won't.

As long we are happy in the place where you should be in

it is the best compensation for your parents' and your suffering.

Qin Xiang!

Speak up. Shouldn't you tell me about this from start to finish?

That was all in the past.

Year ago, Li Ji picked up Qin Xiang's handkerchief and asked to see her.

I went to Qin Xiang with her handkerchief

but she was keen on getting into the harem

and didn't wish to see him.

Their relationship didn't start then.

But then they met up in the palace.

That was why Li Ji assumed that I sabotaged their chances.

He has detested me since then.

You've also witnessed how he once behaved toward me.

I've been wronged all this time.

That is all I can tell you.

Qin Xiang's secret must not be exposed.

Wu Ji, once some matters are revealed they will cause damage to you.

I don't wish to say it out.

I'm even more worried that you'll be mad at me when you hear about it.

That is why I can only reveal this much to you.

Are you still going hunting tomorrow morning?

- Wu Ji... - Don't bother explaining.

What you did for Mo Xun was right.

That is just how you are.

I like you the way you are.

I'm glad that I'm more fortunate than Mo Xun

because I can be with you.

You did that on purpose!

You purposely pretended to be angry at me and acted as if you minded.

You're so petty!

Madame Xiang and Li Ji once had some sort of relationship?

It's no wonder that Li Ji is protective of Madame Xiang in every way.

It seems that this short romance is not of much use to us.

That might not be true.

The Crown Prince's position is now secured.

Madame Xiang shouldn't be able to come up with anything yet.

But she has Li Ji to back her up.

He is likely to cause us future troubles.

You plan to deal with Li Ji?

It is not that we want to deal with him

but Wei Wu Ji sides with no one.

Does this matter have to do with Wei Wu Ji?

It doesn't in the first place

but as long as any matter implicates Xin Yue

it will end up having to do with Wei Wu Ji.

General, you mean to...

We'll kill with a borrowed sword.

Xiao Yue, use my bow.

It's fine. I'll just follow you around.

All right then. Take this with you.

Hunting isn't about making scary gestures like you do.

But you are quite adorable when you make scary gestures.

I like it very much.

Really? Look how much you are grinning...

I would be a fool to believe you!

All right now. There's a whole herd of wild deer in the valley.

There are as mad as March Hare.

It's best to stay out of their way.

But venison in this season is just as tasty as the lamb you had in the desert.

Look how much you crave it!

It seems that I mustn't disappoint you later.

I'll let you have your fill tonight.

General Wei, there is a matter that I don't know if I should let you know.

What exactly is it? Speak up.

General Li Ji once went to Senior Princess Manor

and assaulted Great General Wan Qian.

He even insulted him.

Great General Wan had intended to keep this unknown to anyone

so as not to stir up any unnecessary conflicts.

I only knew about it when I overheard General Wan's guards chatting.

I'm just reminding General Wei to be wary of him.

Wu Ji and Great General Wan act as if they are on bad terms

but how could most people understand

that Wu Ji regards Great General Wan as his father?

He can't stand the thought of General Wan being humiliated.

I understand.

Wu Ji, I don't think that Li Ji is that irrational and impulsive.

Let's go hunting.

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