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[Sound of the Desert]

Episode 7

What is the setting sun like in the desert now?

- Look! Today's sunset is beautiful! - You're right!

- It's really beautiful. - Yes.

I wonder if our life would also be as beautiful?

Come with me to watch the sunset here again when we grow old?

Sure.

Do you know who is it that I drew?

It's already getting late.

You should head home now.

Otherwise, Xiao Yue would be worried.

How should I introduce Qin Xiang to the Senior Princess?

You! Look at me!

How many times have you done this already?

I'll turn you into a black crow!

How exciting. You're bullying a pigeon in broad daylight.

I'm bullying her?

Why don't you ask her how she usually bullies me?

She's soiled everything that I eat use and wear!

Rascal! If you do this again, I'll make you into a stew!

Off you go.

Don't leave yet! Your face is all spotty.

I'll do it for you.

Thank you.

There's more.

Don't move.

You... You and Rascal would make a great pair!

Get out! Who said that you could come in here?

Sun Tzu's Art of War?

Do you want to become a female general?

You're going through my things without my permission!

That is the behavior of a rat!

I am not gentleman, and you are no lady. We're a perfect match.

I do have something to tell you.

Qin Xiang!

Come over here.

Would you like to stop drooling and wipe your mouth dry?

I can still handle it.

Don't bother.

Take the veil off.

This rogue here is called Wei Wu Ji.

Master Wei.

You may go.

Why are you so rude to such a beauty?

You wish to know the reason?

I'll tell you about it if you would go on a stroll with me.

Don't forget to clean up your face!

Humbleton, why have you come home alone?

Where is Rascal?

Rascal has been naughty and became a black crow.

I suffered because of him.

Rascal fell right unto me.

It so happens that I was wearing a white robe today.

Although the ink was almost dried

it has still made my robe spotty with ink stains.

My clothes are soiled

but I still had to go to all the trouble of bathing Rascal.

Rascal, should I make you pay for this or should I turn to Xiao Yue instead?

Rascal...

I'll see how long you can stay in hiding.

Rascal is too naughty, so I mustn't spoil him anymore.

He doesn't fear me at all now.

I wouldn't let him off easily for escaping after getting into trouble.

If I had known, I wouldn't have rat you out to your owner.

My throat is much better now.

But the goldthread herb is too bitter.

I put less of it in the second brew.

Madam Yue.

Come in.

What are you looking at? You were so focused on it.

I'm looking at the honeysuckle flower floating on the tea.

It's pretty under the candlelight.

Is that so?

Honeysuckle is also known as the Lovers' Vine.

When it first blooms the flowers are white.

Then the flowers turn yellow.

It's white as silver and yellow as gold.

The silver and the gold form a contrast that makes it give off a brilliance.

Thus honeysuckle is also known as the silver and golden blossom.

And because there are two flowers from one base

with both pistil and stamen next to each other

it seems as if it is a couple.

It is like a dancing couple, so it is also called as Lovers' Vine.

That's the origin of the naming of honeysuckle flowers?

Couples dancing together who never leave each other's side...

It makes one envious.

Isn't it great to be a honeysuckle?

But honeysuckle couldn't choose the spouse it wants to be with.

Humans can.

But some people's family and their personality made the choice for them.

And I could only do what she wishes.

Other people's choices?

I'm talking about Qin Xiang.

She insists on entering the Emperor's harem to seek an answer.

I think that she could live blissfully with someone here in the city.

But since she's made up her mind I'll let her do as she pleases.

Honestly, she does have a stronger will of mind than all of us.

Madam Yue, is there anything that I could do to help you?

If I need any help, I would definitely as you for it.

Thank you.

Why have come to see me?

Nothing in particular, but I saw that your room is still lit up

and I came over to take a look.

It's getting late. You should rest earlier.

- I'll head back now. - Sure.

Humbleton.

Six grams of goldthread herb.

Eight grams of raw cape jasmine fruit.

Eight grams of honeysuckle flowers.

One gram of raw licorice.

Brew them all in low heat and drink the concoction as water.

That is the minimum amount of goldthread so you mustn't use less than that.

If you still find it bitter, add in some honey.

Rascal refuses to go back home.

I'm afraid Humbleton would also come back to mine for her.

Go to bed early.

You have no backbone at all.

Go and keep your sweet little wife company.

Auntie. Wu Ji greets Auntie.

Xin Yue greets Senior Princess.

Get up quickly.

Thank you, Your Highness.

Why have you asked to seek audience with me specifically?

Xin Yue is here to ask Auntie for your advice.

Go ahead, Xin Yue.

There is a lady in my house who is far more beautiful than I am.

She dances charmingly, and she is very clever.

She is skilled in music, and her talent is outstanding.

It doesn't seem right to keep her in my house.

Therefore, I came here especially to seek for Your Highness's advice.

You now run four dance houses.

You must have houses full of beautiful women

so if she is praised by you, she must be extraordinary.

She is Qin Yuan Qi's younger sister.

Your Highness already listened to Qin Yuan Qi's zither playing.

Although she is not of her brother's standard

her skills are equally exceptional.

As long as she is two thirds as skilled as Qin Yuan Qi

she would be able to make a name for herself in Jian-An City.

I'm afraid that she is three quarters as skilled as he is.

Bring her here to meet me.

Your Highness, please allow me some more time to refine this beautiful lady.

She would then meet Your Highness in her most perfect condition.

Then why have you reported this matter to me so soon?

In the art of war, it says

'The general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his headquarters'

'before the battle is fought.'

'The general who loses a battle makes but few calculations beforehand.'

'Thus many calculations lead to victory and few calculations to defeat.'

'Not to mention no calculation at all.'

I could only prepare the weapon

but it is all up to Your Highness to plan and devise a strategy.

You're so straightforward. That's quite similar to Wei Wu Ji.

Your Highness is wise and intelligent.

I don't need to beat about the bush and act secretive.

That would only make Your Highness look down on me.

I heard that the girls in the house paid for half of Fair Maiden's House?

You wrote them receipts that guaranteed them a twenty-percent-interest

if you return their money to them within a year.

If it takes two years, they would get a fifty-percent-interest.

Yes.

I couldn't find enough money in such a short time

but I refused to miss such a great business opportunity.

I had no choice but to resort to this.

You had no choice but to do so, and yet it is a brilliant move.

Fair Maiden's House has been making great progress in business.

Girls from other dance houses heard about this

and also gave you their savings.

This benefit has drawn scattered sand together.

This solidarity would make them all pledge their loyalty to you.

Once people's hearts are as one

you are already halfway to success.

You may head home now.

Judging by your actions, I believe that you won't let me down.

I shall wait in anticipation for this beauty of yours.

Xin Yue is grateful to Your Highness.

All right! Now that we're done with the serious matter

I want to take you to an interesting place.

What interesting place is that?

Don't worry, I wouldn't sell you off.

Exactly. Master Wei wouldn't make such a small deal.

You understand me so well.

You haven't told me where we're going yet.

You'll know once we get there.

Let's go!

Do you like it?

My Tartar tribe friends invited me over, so I agreed right away.

I knew that you'd like this.

Come on!

Come down.

Are you happy? Was it fun?

You dance pretty well.

Try some of their kumis.

Here.

You're doing it again?

It's clean.

You can see it for yourself if you don't trust me.

They all look the same.

My Lord!

What are you doing here, my Lord?

What are you doing here as well, Xin Yue?

I brought her here.

I am Wei Wu Ji.

I've long heard of the Ninth Lord.

General Wei, nice to meet you.

Nice to meet you.

You both know each other?

Then I won't have to introduce you.

Although we've never met, who haven't heard of the Ninth Lord of Shi's Shipping?

I'm too flattered, General.

General Wei is a young hero.

A hundred words of hearsay is no better than a single glance.

I'm flattered.

Ninth Lord, where are you going now?

It's quite late now, so we're heading back to the manor.

I'll see you home.

Since this is your first visit to this event, why don't you stay

and have a good time?

Exactly! Who would leave so soon after just getting here?

Xin Yue, I'll be with the Ninth Lord. Don't worry.

Ninth Lord, we shall meet again.

Goodbye.

You seem to be quite close to the Ninth Lord?

You don't seem to be ordinary friends.

He is very kind to me.

He is no ordinary friend.

I think that... I owe it to him.

What do you owe him?

I can't really tell.

All in all, I wouldn't become what I am today without the Ninth Lord.

When I first arrived in Jian-An

I kept hoping to run into you.

But it turned out that the Ninth Lord found me first.

When it slips by, it slips by.

Whether the chance slipped by or not, I still met up with you now, didn't I?

A miss is as good as a mile.

That's fine. Even in war, there are also misses.

But as long as mistakes are corrected

and we head towards the right direction at top speed without stopping

we can catch up.

Do you know what I mean?

I don't want to understand.

I could repeat it again.

Even in war...

It isn't that I don't understand, but that I don't want to understand.

I don't want to.

You two shouldn't be coming over to mine all the time.

Xiao Yue is your owner.

You must cheer her up for me.

Understand?

It's late now. You should both get back.

Otherwise, Xiao Yue would be worried.

Humbleton, get over here.

Come over here!

All that I wish to say to Xiao Yue...

Those words that I could say to her

are already said.

Those words that shouldn't be said, will not be said.

Silly bird, although there are words that I wish to say to her

I'm afraid that she would only be hurt if I say them out loud.

Why would I say them then?

There isn't a note?

Why didn't you bring me any news?

House Mistress!

Ms. Hong and Miss Qin Xiang said that they are coming over to see you.

Sure.

We have to start from somewhere.

I've already paid the Senior Princess a visit several days ago.

We have to arrange an appropriate time for Qin Xiang to meet the Senior Princess.

Anytime would do.

No. If you wish to meet her and make it into the harem

you have to be determined enough to make it through in one single step.

Therefore, from this day forth

you have to accomplish all my requests in the shortest possible period of time.

Please be so kind as to teach me.

The is the Art of War.

It consists of thirteen chapters

seven thousand, four hundred and seventy-six words in total.

The chapters are detail assessment and planning, waging war, strategic attack

military disposition, forces, weaknesses and strengths, military maneuvers

nine variations, maneuvering the army terrain, nine battlegrounds

attacking with fire, and intelligence and espionage.

I want you to remember them by heart.

Does she really need to read that?

Shouldn't she make an effort in grooming and dressing up?

Indeed... She's already beautiful enough without dressing up.

We shall start with detail assessment and planning today.

Your battlefield is the harem, which consists of many halls.

You have to deal with the emperor

empress, concubines, and other beauties.

This is a battle fought without any weapons.

But the dangers and risks are just

as great as those in battles between states.

His Majesty took the throne at sixteen years of age.

He is thirty-six years old this year.

He is at the prime of a man.

He's equally skilled in civil and military aspects.

He often makes unexpected moves.

At times, he is cruel and cold.

At times, he is thoughtful and romantic.

Before His Majesty's mother was married to the late emperor

she already had a daughter with someone else.

Empress Dowager herself refused to bring this matter up

but His Majesty went in search of his half-sister when he learned of this.

He awarded her with a title against the officials' objections.

That is Senior Princess Zhaoyang.

That's why the Senior Princess holds a different status and importance.

Exactly.

The emperor seems to be the one that I must conquer

and the only one that I could rely on.

This would be a battle between men and women.

I've never had any intimate relationships with men.

However, he has already been with thousands of women.

How can I defend my ground?

There are the 'Emperor's Inner Canon', 'Story of Lady Su'

'Ten Aspects'

'Harmonizing Yin and Yang'

'The Perfect Tao in the World'.

The Emperor's Inner Canon is the an ancient medical classic.

As for the others, I've never heard of them before.

Would I need to learn about medicine?

Once your beauty fades away, that is when love disappears.

We can't fight against aging but we can delay it.

In the Emperor's Inner Canon he illustrated the physical structure

of the female body so you could nurse your body accordingly.

But what is more important is...

What is more important is...

The other books are all talking about...

- They all talk about... - They are about sexual intercourse.

Xin Yue, have you read them?

No.

I just heard that you wanted to make it to the top.

These books aren't enough to get you there.

Ms. Hong, can you help to get us these books?

These books are very rare.

It would be difficult to get them.

Then... What should we do?

Although it is difficult

Ms. Hong surely has a solution.

I do have a solution.

Honestly speaking, the only place that would keep such books in Jian-An City

would be the harem.

The only solution is to have Xin Yue ask Wei Wu Ji for help.

That isn't a big deal.

I'll go and ask Wei Wu Ji for the books.

How do I ask him for such a request?

This is so embarrassing.

It's too embarrassing to even mention it.

Xin Yue, you're the House Mistress of the dance houses.

You have to stay true to your words.

Besides, you're not reading those books, so what have you got to be afraid of?

Charge forward.

You've been walking to and fro outside my manor for ages.

When do you intend to stop?

I... I have a matter to talk to you about.

A detailed discussion in my manor?

Sure! This way, please.

I need your help with a matter.

Do tell.

I'd like you to look up some books for me.

What books?

Is it books that are related to military strategies?

No...

Say it out loud if you have something to say.

Don't hum and mumble under your breath.

It's...

It's books that are related to that thing between men and women...

What?

That thing?

Which thing?

You didn't make it very clear.

Can you say it more explicitly?

If you won't help me, then forget it!

Do you want them for yourself or someone else?

Someone else.

This sort of books are only in single copies in the palace.

It will take time to make copies, but I'll get someone to do it.

I'll have the copy sent over to you in a few days.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

It's good to read such books.

It would be very useful to you.

But if you don't understand it

I could help you with it.

Master Wei really was willing to help.

He's sent the copy over so quickly.

Xin Yue, would you like Qin Xiang to start reading this now?

This is such a rare sight to behold.

It is such rare to see you both behaving like this now.

The both of you are always so astute and calm.

Yet you couldn't even say a complete sentence now.

Qin Xiang, this is only the beginning.

There is still much to be done.

I will read it.

Ms. Hong, thank you for being so thoughtful.

I've spent a lot to hire some of the most experienced ladies

here in Jian-An City to give you lessons in our house.

During the lessons, I'll have you hidden behind a screen

so that they wouldn't know who they are teaching the skills to.

Then you could learn on your own without feeling embarrassed

and study the skills in detail.

Xin Yue, why don't you take the lessons with Qin Xiang?

This will come in handy in the future anyway.

What? Was I wrong about it?

- Wouldn't you fall for anyone? - Ms. Hong!

I have to speak to Qin Xiang in private.

All right, I won't disturb you then.

You're quite an authoritative House Mistress.

Ms. Hong is deliberately teasing us today.

It would be worse if I let her continue.

But Ms. Hong is right.

You can read them with me.

I won't read them! You're on your own!

Fine.

Ninth Lord, I just had a strange dream.

I keep thinking about it, and now find it a bit ridiculous.

I'd like to tell you about it, but I'd also like to know

if you've had any dreams?

Do you see me in your dreams?

I hope that you do.

Mister, are these built for honeysuckle vines to climb on?

Yes!

Miss Xin Yue, plant these seeds in the dirt

and water them every day.

I understand. Thank you, Mister.

You're welcome.

I'll leave now if you have no other questions.

Mister, I'll see you out.

All right, I'll get going.

When the honeysuckle flowers bloom

I'll ask the Ninth Lord over to admire the flowers with me.

There are still no notes from the Ninth Lord.

Why is it that whenever I feel that he is getting closer to me

and I try to reach out to him

he suddenly turn away from me and walk away.

Why?

Does he keep me on his mind or not?

Do I have to keep testing to see what he truly thinks?

You didn't hear me knocking?

House Mistress, why have you come looking for me so early in the morning?

I'd like you to accompany me to ask Mister Qin some questions.

What is it about?

I can also answer any questions that my brother can answer.

Only men would know about how another man feels.

What women think won't be quite like what men think.

Moreover, your brother happens to...

Will you accompany me or not?

Why wouldn't I do that when I can slack off?

How well are you learning from the books and those lessons?

Tell me about it!

If you'd like to know, you can always attend the lessons as well.

I won't make such an effort.

If I want to learn, I'll only learn the best bits of it.

I'll wait till you've learned it all, then you could tell me about it.

The best bits?

You're really shameless.

You're already thinking about this before you get yourself a husband.

If anyone learns of this, you definitely would stay an old spinster.

Is this payback?

Are you the only one who is allowed to tease others?

Xin Yue, although you don't know how old you really are

you should be about my age?

You shouldn't think only about doing business.

You have to consider marriage as well.

You no longer have parents who could help you with this matter.

If you don't help yourself, then are you really going to work until you're old?

I've never met Shi's Shipping's Boat Lord before

but I can tell that you care a lot about him.

I believe he must have some outstanding qualities.

If his age is appropriate

and he is still single

- why don't you... - All right, girl.

You are to be married off, so you won't allow others to be carefree and single?

No good deed goes unpunished.

Ding Ling is becoming more diligent with the guidance of Mister Qin.

Madam Yue, I'm really here to ask Mister Qin about a tune.

I haven't even asked any questions.

Nor did I say that you're both inseparable...

Yet, you're in such a hurry to explain the situation to me.

You seem to be a bit...

You have matters to discuss so I'll take my leave first.

She's not your sister-in-law yet!

This is bad.

With your support

she would soon become a tyrant here in my house.

My brother and Ding Ling are both gentle and sophisticated.

They aren't as cheeky as you are.

I don't drink tea, only water.

So I could only treat my guest to some water.

Thank you, Mister Qin.

Brother, Xin Yue has some questions for you.

Madam Yue, why don't you have a seat since you have matters to discuss?

By the way, are people in the palace easy to get along with?

I am recommended by the Senior Princess Zhaoyang

so everyone is very polite to me.

I heard that His Majesty complimented you greatly on your skills.

He did give me some rewards.

But it isn't a huge compliment.

Is it easy for you to get to the palace from here?

There is a horse carriage to take me there, so it is very convenient.

Xin Yue, what is it that you plan to ask him?

Are you here to ask my brother about his daily life?

Someone I know of is very reserved.

He likes music very much too.

A woman would like to tell him about how she feels for him

but she doesn't know what he truly thinks deep in his heart.

She doesn't dare to say it directly.

What advice can Mister Qin give so that the woman could express herself

but also make it easier for the man to accept her feelings?

Xin Yue, what about your Art of War?

What about all those theories that you have?

So in the end, that was just mere talk?

Then I'd have to re-evaluate those strategies that you taught me.

This has never been a battle to me.

Because I've bared my heart and soul right from the start.

I only hope that I could walk into his heart.

I am not calm and rational.

All I have is my heart.

I think that my zither should be repaired.

I'll go and pick it up now.

You could have a good talk.

Madam Yue, I'm a musician.

I can only express myself through music.

I think that it's time to listen to this tune.

Sir, is our zither repaired?

Young lady, the zither is repaired.

Please test it.

Please go ahead.

It seems that you're pleased with it.

The sound is even better than it was.

I wouldn't dare to take the credit for this.

It is the third young master of Li family who repaired it for you.

The third young master of Li family?

Sir, did you hear the zither?

It's common to hear the zither.

Isn't the zither shop nearby?

Master Li? Master Li!

Was it the same man who was playing the zither in the room that day?

Yes, it is him.

The young master is skilled in musical instruments.

He fell for your zither the moment he saw it

and asked to repair it for you.

It seems that you are both drawn to each other by fate.

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