Original subtitles

♫ Nowhere to escape. ♫

♫ No bough to alight. ♫

♫ Retrograde with smile. ♫

♫ Never give in. ♫

♫ Forget about the youth. ♫

♫ I’ve never been afraid of loneliness. ♫

♫ I also shed the tears of regret. ♫

♫ But my heart is still fiery-hot. ♫

♫ To the distance. ♫

♫ The miserable past is like a dagger. ♫

♫ Though my wings are broken, ♫

♫ I will keep flying. ♫

♫ Following the light, ♫

♫ I’ll forget you. ♫

♫ The memory shaped my stubbornness. ♫

♫ By virtue of the light in the dark night, ♫

♫ I’ll return it with a long ballad. ♫

♫ The river of life is under my feet. ♫

♫ I don’t regret my craziness. ♫

The Long Ballad

Episode 02

May peace be upon you, Father.

That “lad” who reversed the game today.

It was you, right?

I didn’t mean to break into the stadium.

But we were on a losing streak at that time.

So...

that’s why I had to...

Well done.

You’ve brought not only the treasured dagger

but also honor for me.

Upon hearing the news, your grandfather summoned me to the palace right away

and applauded me.

His Majesty also presented me with many rewards.

You’re just a young girl

but compared to your five brothers,

you’re even more capable.

Thank you for the compliment, Father.

Changge.

Where’s Ashile Tribe’s treasured dagger?

Send it to my room.

I want to appreciate it.

I’ve already sent it to Second Uncle.

What?

How “good and dutiful” you are!

It’s me who’s raised you up

but when you got something precious,

you quietly sent it to someone else’s house.

Second Uncle is also my family...

He’s your family so what about me?

How dare you take his side?

Changge.

From now on,

I don’t want you

to mention anything about the Qin Family.

Father.

You’ve misunderstood me.

- I... - Please calm down, Your Highness.

Please calm down, Your Highness.

Mr. Wei.

Advisor Wei. [Wei Zheng]

You finally come to see me.

Your Highness.

Princess is still young.

It’s unnecessary to be mad at her.

She’s such an unfilial daughter.

She only cares about Prince Qin!

I don’t think she’ll concern me!

Your Highness.

Wei Zheng!

Don’t waste time!

Come with me!

Yes.

Leave here.

Go to Prince Qi Manor and ask Yuanji to come here at once!

Yes.

[Everlasting Celebration of Virtue House]

- Mother. - Halt there!

You don’t take my advice anymore, right?

Then what did I tell you yesterday?

Today, I just...

You just snuck out of the mansion, pretended to be a player,

to be in the limelight in front of the Ashile, right?

Mother...

I won the game.

Father said that

Grandfather praised me a lot.

You’ve never slapped me before...

You’ve been wild since your childhood,

always making trouble.

I’m to blame for not lecturing you well.

You’ve been spoiled by me.

How dare you fight for the limelight against men?

Why mention it?

Men and women should be equal.

Why do you always think

I’m not as good as a man?

I’m able-bodied.

I have skills.

I can go wherever I want!

You can go nowhere!

Mother.

Follow me.

Kneel down.

Mother.

Kneel!

Take an oath here.

From now on,

no matter what happens

and what you go through,

I want you to live with no hate.

Mother...

I’ve never hated anyone.

I want you to take an oath.

Okay.

I swear.

But if someone harms you,

I shall certainly hate the guy.

No one will harm me.

I just hope that you will

be happy and free forever.

Stay away from disputes and be safe.

As long as my mother stays with me,

I’m the happiest girl in the world.

Do not forget what you’ve sworn here.

Okay.

I’ll keep it in mind.

Fine.

Go back and pack.

You’ll be sent to Biyong Hall tomorrow.

Read and repent there for 10 days.

You must never escape again.

Mother.

It’s my decision.

Nobody can change it.

Mother...

Report to Tegin.

Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin balance in power but are discordant.

We don’t know who will be the heir.

Li Yuanji will soon lead troops to Wucheng.

We know nothing about his power and plan.

What has he done recently?

Nothing special. He’s been visiting Li Jiancheng every night.

It’s said they’re close.

He did nothing unusual.

Nothing unusual?

Conceal your whereabouts and spy on them.

Report to me about all the details,

including the things not unsual.

Yes.

[Li Chunfeng]

Abnormal astrology.

A new monarch.

The world will be changed.

[Obey the Heavens for Answers to the People]

Get the cart.

I want to go to the palace.

Yes.

[Eastern Palace]

Princess!

Princess.

Madam burned the midnight oil to prepare the snacks for you.

They are all your favorites.

And also,

she made you some clothes.

I’m only be gone for a few days and return soon.

Why did she...

She stayed up all night.

She’s worried about you.

But why doesn’t she come to see me off?

She’s...

tired.

Nanny San, by the way,

Leyan doesn’t know that I’ll leave.

Don’t forget to tell her to wait for me.

You can be at ease.

You’ve been friends since childhood

so she won’t get angry with you.

Well...

Nanny San, it’s time for me to leave.

Take care of yourself

and my mother.

Wait for me!

Here you are.

Take it.

Mother!

[Eastern Palace]

Mother.

You ask me to leave but also hate to part with me.

Changge.

Biyong Hall is different from here.

The servants there are not that meticulous

so can you take special care of yourself?

When meals don’t agree well with you,

can you make yourself a few delicious dishes?

As your clothes are torn

and I’m not at your side,

sew it yourself according to what Nanny San teaches you.

Put on more clothes,

if it’s rainy or snowy.

Mother.

What about not leaving here

and staying with you?

Can I?

No.

Set out at once.

Do not come back without my permission!

Mother.

Mother.

Fine, I’m leaving.

Changge.

Could you...

call me “Mother” once again?

Madam.

You hate to part but why do you...

Only in this way

can she live a good life.

The envoys are leaving tomorrow.

Shixin Sili,

lead a group and ride north

and report the situation to Great Khan.

I’ll stay here

to keep digging into the military.

Scatter.

[Xuanwu Gate]

Close the gate

and lock it at once!

Hurry!

Wait.

We’re not driving northward to leave.

It’s not the way to Biyong Hall.

Is it the wrong way?

It’s not the way to Biyong Hall.

We didn’t go wrong.

Princess, don’t worry.

Madam has told me

to send you there safely.

She’s been weird since yesterday.

Where is she going to send me?

Hurry!

Hold on.

She’s never treated me in this way before.

There must be something she’s not telling me.

[Eastern Palace]

Blood?

What’s wrong?

Where is the rest?

Why is there so much blood?

Why?

Why?

Why is no one here?

Mother.

Please be safe!

Move!

Hurry!

Hurry up.

Go!

Hurry up!

Be quick!

How did it happen?

Mother!

Mother.

Second Uncle?

Report!

Li Jiancheng and his sons are all dead.

General Yuchi has gone to guard the emperor.

[To Crown Prince, Prince Qi...]

Someone.

Master.

Ask someone and send it to Eastern Palace.

Be sure to invite Crown Prince to read.

Yes.

Hurry!

It’s too late.

Too late.

Xuancheng.

It’s late.

[Fang Xuanling]

You...

[To Crown Prince, Xuancheng]

Leave here.

Xuancheng.

You’ve persuaded him a lot.

What’s the point of this letter?

What are you doing?

I’m here to save you.

I don’t need it.

Why do you try to advise him once again?

Since ancient times, a servant must be loyal to his master.

I should fulfill my duty.

Let me tell you that

a loyal official cannot die with his master.

You’ve done your duty.

All your duty.

You!

I’m here today to stop you.

As I’m here,

others will think you’re under house arrest.

So I can preserve both your reputation

and your life.

- I don’t need it! - Xuancheng.

Do not let me down.

Leave here.

Right now!

You and I cannot leave here today.

Anything strange happened

since last night?

Prince Qin went to Eastern Palace.

The emperor withdrew from court today.

Xuanwu Gate has been closed.

Nearly 300 cavalries appeared at the gate.

However, it was just for a moment.

Then, they left.

Who gave the order to close the gate?

Crown Prince’s subordinate.

General of Xuanwu Gate, Chang He.

Crown Prince has the palace gate under his control.

Tegin.

We found it outside Xuanwu Gate.

It’s from Youzhou.

Li Jiancheng commands the army in Youzhou.

As Chang He guarded the gate,

why did he stop Crown Prince’s army to enter?

Prince Qin is not that simple.

Chang He might have changed sides.

Mother.

Mother.

Mother.

Mother.

Mother.

What happened, Mother?

Mother, wake up.

Mother.

Mother.

Mother, can you hear me?

Mother...

Please wake up. Don’t scare me!

Don’t scare me, Mother!

What’s happened?

What’s the matter?

Mother.

Mother, say something!

Mother.

Mother!

Mother!

Princess.

Princess.

Princess.

- Nanny San! - Princess...

What’s wrong with you?

What’s going on?

- Mother. - Leave here, Princess.

They...

Who are they?

- They... - Tell me.

They’re...

- Who are they? - They...

Princess?

Chang He! Save her!

Please save my mother!

She’s lying there!

Traitor...

Run! Princess!

Princess!

♪ The long ballad is silent, the long sword is not victorious ♪

♪ Longing to live without life ♪

♪ Why should I continue to have hope? ♪

Since I was seven, I started horse riding and swordplay with you.

You taught me martial arts and warcraft.

Of course I should give it to you, Uncle.

♪ Remembering our past, trying to forget ourselves ♪

♪ The long ballad is silent, the long sword is not victorious ♪

♪ Longing to live without life ♪

Prince Qin’s soldiers are all over here.

I’m afraid you cannot escape.

Leave now!

Princess!

- Princess! - Princess...

All soldiers in Chang’an accept Prince Qin’s assignment.

- Hurry... - I can’t violate. Don’t blame on me!

Crown Prince is rendered powerless!

Princess!

Remember what Madam has told you!

You must stay alive!

STAY ALIVE!

Run!

♪ The past can’t blow away the moonlight or be forgotten ♪

♪ I can’t forget where to look back ♪

Don’t move!

Stay there!

Halt!

Stop!

Stop running! Stop!

Stop running!

Freeze there!

Halt!

Stop!

Stay there!

Where can you escape?

Release!

♪ Know things change, dream fairy dreams ♪

♪ It’s okay life waxes and wanes like the moon ♪

Su Yishe.

Call the scouts together

and ask them to spread it in nearby armies,

especially those which will soon go north to attack Wucheng.

“Crown Prince and Prince Qin died.

Execute all their soldiers.”

Soldiers in the army

are mainly their former soldiers.

As it’s spread,

trouble may arise.

Then,

Great Khan could be at ease.

I’ll do it at once.

Leave.

Lady!

Lady! Mutinous soldiers have been suppressed.

We’re now safe.

Why are there mutinous soldiers?

What about Eastern Palace?

What’s happened?

Something wrong with Changge?

Something bad happened in Eastern Palace.

But Prince Qin has suppressed it.

Crown Prince and Prince Qi

have been executed.

What are you saying?

What about Changge?

Prince Yongning escaped from being arrested.

She’s now missing.

How come...

She told me to wait for her here.

I won’t believe it.

It’s so weird. I want to see Father.

Lady.

I’m afraid he has no time.

[Wei Manor]

- Young Master Wei. - How’s going?

I’ve secretly talked to the guard from Prince of Qin’s residence

and I got some news about Princess Yongning.

Princess Yongning managed to escape from being arrested.

However, her whereabouts are unknown.

Changge is clever.

As she’s escaped, she might be safe now.

I’m afraid...

I’m afraid she won’t give up revenge.

Keep watching on it.

Tell me as you get any news.

Yes.

Set out at once.

Do not come back

without my permission!

Fine, I’m leaving.

Changge.

Could you...

call me “Mother” once again?

[Eastern Palace]

Mother...

I’m sorry...

I will stay alive.

Am I wrong again?

Are there mice in the building recently?

Thank Young Hero for saving my life.

That’s very kind of you.

I wasn’t to save you.

I was afraid I would be implicated.

Young Hero.

Do you hide here because you’re homeless?

You can sleep on my treasured bed.

It’s soft and aromatic, thick and spacious. No one disturbs you!

Is it the soft, aromatic and treasured bed?

You can have a try.

It’s soft and thick

with the aroma of straws.

Smells good!

Remember not to snore.

It’ll bring people here.

Come on!

Have a try!

Sit.

Young Hero.

What’s your name?

Are you from Chang’an?

Or are you nonnative?

Why do you come to Chang’an?

Young Hero, do you dislike chatting?

Where did you learn your skills?

Why did you learn it? To help the weak

or dominate the world?

You’ll lose your tongue

with one more sentence.

Young Hero. I have only one last question.

Just one question.

As you’re homeless,

I think you may have no money.

Shall we...

As you’re good at skills,

shall we go to steal the funeral objects of Madam of Eastern Palace?

There must be countless treasures.

Whose funeral objects?

It’s hearsay.

The Madam of Eastern Palace.

Where’s the place?

Tell me!

Rongen Temple.

Young Hero.

Why are you so anxious?

Young Hero.

What’s the matter with you?

[All Phenomena Are Impermanent]

I heard Prince Qin was rewarding his soldiers.

Even the horse grooms.

We really have had luck

to be appointed here

to guard the body.

We’re really simpletons

to seek refuge with Prince Qin.

It’s already good for us

to save ourselves.

By the way, where’s our meal?

That’s right.

Officers.

Here’s the food box from Pinxiang Store.

Who can sign for it?

Pinxiang Store?

- Who ordered? - I don’t know.

Who asked you to come?

I’m on duty to deliver. Nothing addressed.

It’s said that it’s worth 20 liang.

Officers.

It can’t be shelved for long.

If it’s not yours,

- I’ll send it back. - Hold on!

It’s worth 20 liang.

Why don’t we...

Be careful, be safe.

We can’t go wrong again.

You! Try one!

Really? Can I?

I’d like this one.

No.

Eat this one.

Hold on! The former one.

Have you decided?

It melts in my mouth.

Smooth and tasty!

It’s the best pastry in Pinxiang Store!

Pretty nice! Officer, can I...

No. It’s enough.

Delicious.

High quality.

I think I’m eating money.

[Memorial Tablet of Madam Jin]

♪ Thoughts can turn into scars, eyes are filled with anger ♪

♪ Remembering our past, trying to forget ourselves ♪

♪ The long ballad is silent, the long sword is not victorious ♪

♪ Longing to live without life ♪

♪ Why should I continue to have hope? ♪

♪ No falsehood, no truth, no love, no hate ♪

♪ No delusions and no dust, there is no sign of it ♪

♪ Exhaust all your life to pursue someone ♪

Mother...

It’s really you...

They left you in the wilderness.

You didn’t even get to be buried together with Father.

Mother.

How humiliating!

Mother.

You wanted me to get rid of hate...

Did you see this coming?

But Mother...

Father and you met a violent end

and servants of Eastern Palace were imprisoned

Grandfather pretended to be ignorant of it

and all the officials looked on and did nothing.

If you hadn’t sent me out of the palace,

I might have been killed by them too.

How can I get rid of hate?

[Memorial Tablet of Madam Jin]

Let me break the chopstick and swear to God.

No matter how dangerous and difficult it is,

I will kill the murderer by all costs.

I will never let it go.

♪ It’s okay life waxes and wanes like the moon ♪

[Crown Prince and Prince Qin died. Execute all their soldiers.]

Now the rumor has spread.

Taking an oath won’t be enough.

Even if His Majesty makes an appearance and clears the air,

I’m afraid it will only make things worse.

What a malicious rumor!

Someone must want to stir up troubles,

causing the friction between you

and the generals of Li Yuanji and Li Jiancheng.

You should make a decision as soon as possible.

Your Highness.

The suburban army is the main force to support Wucheng.

We can’t move it so easily.

What about inviting the general to come

in the name of awarding?

Separate soldiers and their generals

and then handle them.

If they’re to be malicious,

how could they come?

If they refuse,

it shows their wild ambitions.

It will only alarm them and trigger a war.

I think you’d better solve it at once,

strictly and rapidly.

I don’t agree.

I think you’d better part and rope them in,

slowly and gently.

[Crown Prince and Prince Qin died. Execute all their soldiers.]

Let’s wait and see.

Your Highness!

Let’s leave it at that for now.

- Commander Hao! - Commander Hao!

Someone poisoned us.

Please forgive us.

Who did it?

He was an ordinary person. He looks handsome.

He’s clean-cut and brought us pastries from Pinxiang Store.

We didn’t eat it until he finished eating safely...

Please forgive us!

Anything else?

No... nothing...

We fainted after having it.

Commander Hao.

We’ve examined the sacrificial tablet and tributes of Madam of Eastern Palace.

Nothing is missing.

Foster-Father.

Sorry for letting Foster-Father be startled

by the poisoning case.

It’s not a normal case.

It’s happened around Madam of Eastern Palace.

Foster-Father, here you are.

They’re poisoned to faint after eating these.

Besides,

nothing was stolen.

The guy dares to poison the emperor’s soldiers

but steals nothing.

It seems to be our old friend.

♫ The heart gradually responds, ♫

♫ gradually revives, ♫

♫ gradually swims towards you. ♫

♫ Before bidding farewell, ♫

♫ we expect an encounter. ♫

♫ Entwist your figure, ♫

♫ and lock it into my tender dream. ♫

♫ Before the daybreak, ♫

♫ through the obsession of love, ♫

♫ the longing flows. ♫

♫ There’s always a moment ♫

♫ which burns down the wastelands in my heart. ♫

♫ There’s always solicitude ♫

♫ which freezes everything between you and me. ♫

♫ Meet each other in different time. ♫

♫ Encourage each other in different worlds. ♫

♫ My longings become a cocoon, ♫

♫ layer after layer. ♫

♫ It turns into eternity. ♫

♫ The cocoon in the dark night. ♫

♫ There’s always a moment ♫

♫ which burns down the wastelands in my heart. ♫

♫ There’s always solicitude ♫

♫ which freezes everything between you and me. ♫

♫ Meet each other in different time. ♫

♫ Encourage each other in different worlds. ♫

♫ My longings become a cocoon, ♫

♫ layer after layer. ♫

♫ It turns into eternity. ♫

♫ The cocoon in the dark night. ♫

♫ It is sleepless. ♫

The Long Ballad