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 18

Go.

Stop!

Aren’t you the new military counselor?

What do you want?

You think you can boss us around,

because Tegin treats you well.

We have our own rules.

Even if you’re with Tegin,

you can’t break the rules either.

So, you want to meddle in this too?

How about...

Well.

Let’s have some drinks.

Leave!

Are you deaf?

Hurry and leave.

Stay and wait.

Wait here!

Wait!

I...

Thank you.

There’s some dirt on your face.

I’ll help you.

You are so beautiful.

Some drink?

I’m Li Shisi.

What’s your name?

Mimi Guli.

You look different.

You aren’t from Ashile Tribe?

I am a slave sent to Ashile Tribe.

I only have the clothes for men.

Take them for now.

I’ll get changed.

Okay, go ahead.

I’ll wait outside.

I’m finished.

What’s in your clothes?

I...

I am sorry.

I..

I promise I will never steal!

I’ll never do this again!

Please don’t throw me out.

I can do a lot of things!

You see,

I can clean the house,

and I... I can do the laundry and cook.

I can do anything, see!

And I am a fast worker.

Don’t steal anything from now on.

I will take care of you.

Have some rest here.

This is my bed.

I’ll be off for a while.

Don’t answer even someone calls you.

[Weaving Workshop of Western Suburb]

Take a thread with the right.

Cross your hands.

Pass from the middle one.

Then take one with the left.

Very good.

Flip it.

You want to play this.

Li Leyan, are you stupid?

Look at others’ work,

and tell me what you’ve done!

You really piss me off.

I... I just want to unfasten the threads.

If you can’t finish,

no sleep tonight.

Are you sent by God to ravage and challenge me?

I am so mad.

Come on.

Anyone helps her!

I am so confused.

You’ve learnt for days,

and what have you got?

Who?

What are you doing?

I am doing housework.

You did all these?

If you don’t like others help you organize your stuff,

I won’t do it again!

I am sorry.

Don’t throw me out please.

It’s her!

Li Shisi, you can’t leave this woman here.

What if I insist on keeping her?

Are you going to kill her?

It’s not necessary.

Just throw her out.

I beg you.

Don’t throw me out.

If I can’t stay here,

I will be eaten by wolves.

Even if I can manage to escape,

if the Great Khan finds that I’m an escaped slave,

I will be killed.

Please.

You talked too much nonsense.

Go.

No!

You...

Are you a dog?

Why did you bite me?

You...

Enough.

Sun.

Tegin.

Could you give me this slave?

You may leave.

In this place,

randomly taking in people isn’t a good thing.

Since I am the one who work for Tegin,

I will manage my people properly.

You don’t trust me?

I’m leaving.

I...I was bitten for nothing.

Are you fine?

Did you catch a cold?

How about I get you some horse milk wine?

Just a second.

Sun.

Though you agreed Li Shisi to be your military counselor,

you shouldn’t trust him unconditionally.

Why?

We don’t really know him.

I do know Young Master Shisi.

And he isn’t from our region.

Young Master Shisi is now.

But the people from the Central Plain are full of tricks.

Sun, I don’t mean it.

How are you?

I’m fine.

Let’s have some warm soup.

It’s good for health.

Why is the soup only for me?

How about yours?

I’m not hungry yet.

Have it now.

You go first.

I don’t have an appetite.

When you finish it, get some sleep.

The bed is small,

just put up with it.

Don’t worry.

I’ll sleep on the ground.

You should go to bed early.

It’s good for your recovery.

Do whatever you want.

But you don’t have to be alert.

I won’t hurt you.

Mother, don’t leave me, Mother!

Mother.

Mother.

Mother.

Mother.

Mother, please come back.

I’m so cold.

Buzhen, don’t move.

Buzhen?

Who is Buzhen?

Li Shisi, I’m coming.

Not a good time.

Please wait.

Wait.

Wait!

Wait!

Stop!

Stop! You!

I’ve got something to tell you.

I’ve got things to warn you too!

Dare you walk around camps again!

Don’t go to Sun Tegin’s place.

What’s wrong with you?

Don’t come closer.

Are you going to bite me again?

I warn you just to stay there.

Otherwise, I won’t be nice.

I really have something to tell.

As I am living with Military Counselor Li,

the food isn’t enough for us.

You must prepare more for us.

Don’t bother me!

Go and find your Military Counselor Li.

Time for a meal!

Right.

Come on.

Have more drink.

Drink!

Have more, more!

Why are you here?

Military Counselor Li is ill.

He shared with me the last food we had.

We need something to eat!

For every tent, food quota is set.

You’ve taken yours.

No more for you.

Get out of my way.

You...

The mutton will be ready soon.

Have a seat.

By the way, do you guys like to use this?

I used branches to make a pair.

Hope you’ll like it.

Do as locals do.

I don’t use it anymore.

But I like your present.

Thank you.

In return, do you want anything?

Me?

Is it Buzhen really from your family?

Do you want to be free and go back to your family?

My family has been invaded by Ashile Tribe.

People either died or have left.

I don’t have any family members.

So, I’m sincerely grateful for staying with you.

So it’s the same with you.

The same?

Is your family...?

Yes, they are all dead too.

They were killed by the enemy.

Let’s not talk about unhappy things.

Now that we have met each other,

this must be fate.

From now on,

I am your family member.

Here, take the big one.

I’m so tired.

Almost done?

How about taking a break?

I agree.

So tired.

Me too.

Are you tired?

Don’t you know tomorrow is due day?

Have you finished the work?

If you can’t finish it,

just get out of here!

Go back to your work!

Ms. Zhang?

Don’t bother me!

Li Leyan!

Did you do it on purpose?

Look what you did!

Get out!

Get her out of here!

Move!

Quick!

Get out!

You! Get out!

Kick her out right now!

Out!

Leave here!

Do you think Li Leyan is a real fool?

How can she be so silly?

Right, so much trouble.

Finally we finished Manager Hu’s order.

Let’s have some rest.

My neck hurts.

Why is she here?

Right, why?

Why didn’t you leave?

Why?

Madam Chai.

My sincere apology.

Please give me another chance.

Please!

Miss Li, you’re so determined.

Here, I do need someone like you!

Well.

Is that what you expect me to say?

Just act nice, then be a free-rider?

You’re daydreaming!

Right.

Later, I will meet with Manager Hu.

I’m begging you.

Just leave.

We don’t have room for you.

Find elsewhere to bother anyone else.

Why are you crying?

Look at them.

They’ve worked overnight just because of you.

They want to cry too!

Yes.

Tears can’t give you money.

You need to work hard to make a living.

If I were your mother,

I would die already.

Leave here now.

You’d better find a tree and get hanged.

People like you are nothing good for the society.

Only a waste of food.

Well.

Well.

Is she alright?

Won’t she commit suicide?

Who can tell?

Why are you looking at me?

If she have the courage,

it’s still a good ending for her.

She is a loser.

Good-for-nothing in the world.

Alright, girls!

Get some sleep.

Right, so tired!

Let’s go.

Go rest.

Have you heard it?

The slave of the Military Counselor kicked Mu Jin out of anger.

Really?

True!

This slave is bold.

Mu Jin is so weak.

She got something.

Poor Mu Jin.

He was humiliated.

Smell good?

Why does it smell so good?

My kid likes it very much!

Mimi Guli.

Are you going to wash your man’s clothes?

Yes.

I...

Well, Mimi Guli.

We’ve heard you kicked Mu Jin.

He is the Military Counselor.

Hope he didn’t bother you.

Not at all.

Dare he bother me!

What a relief.

Go to wash.

Yes, right.

See you then.

See you.

Take your time.

What’s wrong with you?

Pick it up.

I won’t.

You and Li Shisi have humiliated me!

Look at you.

Now you seem easy and relaxed.

It is because you’re weak.

Watch your tongue!

Right, you’re so weak!

It’s you.

Dare you say it again!

Who is weak?

You!

You hurt me.

You’re a bitch.

No, it’s you!

You!

You’re shrew!

It’s you!

You and Li Shisi are evil-minded.

Who?

You two.

How dare you scold Young Master Shisi!

You can’t kick me.

Too far.

You can’t.

Bastard!

Why did my heart beat so fast?

Mu Jin, are you a fool?

She is with Li Shisi.

What are you thinking about?

Changge.

It is said that when people get hanged,

their tongues will become so long.

If I find you in dreams,

will you be scared?

Too much bullshit.

Do you still commit suicide?

By doing this, you can be hanged.

What you did can only exercise your neck.

My husband, years ago,

thought he couldn’t take care of our family.

So he hanged himself to end everything.

Is your life so worthless?

Why are you going to kill yourself just as you’re told?

If you really want to die,

nobody can stop you.

But if you want to live,

nobody can block you as well!

You should rely on yourself.

Get it?

Well, well.

It’s alright.

Alright. It’s alright.

My words were a bit harsh.

I am sorry.

Thank you, Madam Chai.

Manager Hu,

check out this new pattern.

Come, come here.

Pattern from the West.

It’s really popular.

Right.

Very nice.

Look at it, this embroidery.

There are golden threads.

Look at the stitches.

How tight!

Right.

Good.

This is your order.

I’ve heard Madam Chai’s blankets are smooth.

Why aren’t the stitches for my order smooth at all?

We could have done better if you give us much time.

Would you take it please?

Right, please.

Well.

Who made this?

This?

Well...

I told you not to follow me.

It’s her work.

Manager Hu, it’s her work.

Right, Miss Li.

Did you make this?

Yes, it was me.

Perfect.

How wonderful!

I’ll take it.

Miss.

Could you make more?

I’ll buy all of them.

With a good price!

As long as you do,

I’ll buy the clothes all together.

This girl is our embroider.

As for this handkerchief,

as long as the price is good,

you can have as many as you want.

Deal!

You can name the price.

You’re great.

Here, take a date.

Take it.

Take two.

Just take them.

Why did Tegin invite me to have roasted mutton leg tonight?

Your slave had a fight with Mu Jin becasue of this.

You’re also my military counselor.

I hope they feel I’ve treated you fairly.

Have you roasted mutton legs for Mu Jin?

No.

It’s my first time.

When I was a kid,

my father took me to roast it once.

Back then, I insisted on roasting it myself.

It ended up a great mess.

It was all burnt.

Then my father

took all the burnt parts and ate them.

Later, I learned how to roast.

I don’t want to fail him again.

I didn’t expect there’s such a story between you and your father.

When I was little,

my father used to care about me.

But afterwards...

Enough about me.

Tell me about your father.

I have nothing to share.

He was very busy.

You can’t blame him.

Because he was the crown prince.

It’s normal that he was busy.

How did you know?

In Youzhou you had access to the Governor Manor,

I already knew that you’re not an ordinary person.

Later,

I heard they called you Princess Yongning.

Then, I’ve realized everything.

Since you knew who I am by then,

why didn’t you reveal my identity?

Is it so you can use me?

Right.

I used you.

I used you... to torment myself.

I saved you in Chang’an.

I saved you in Youzhou. I still saved you in Shuozhou.

Now we are on the grasslands.

I am roasting a mutton leg for a slave like you.

I’ve really “use” you.

♪ Before bidding farewell, we expect an encounter ♪

What?

Did you forget everything?

No.

Eat it.

♪ Before the daybreak, through the obsession of love ♪

Anyway, I’m regarded as dead in Great Tang.

I have nothing to be afraid of.

From now on, I’m not Li Shisi.

My name is Li Changge.

I like this name, Changge.

Changge.

♪ There’s always solicitude ♪

Changge.

♪ 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, a cocoon in the dark night ♪

What’s she doing?

Does it mean she’ll commit herself to me?

It’s already late.

I’m a hot-blooded man after all.

You shouldn’t be doing this.

You...

Changge.

Changge?

Changge, you...

Why is he carrying him in the middle of the night?

Young Master Shisi, what happened to you?

I have no idea.

All of a sudden.

Are you sick?

Have some rest.

Blood?

Why is he bleeding?

Mimi.

Place this on your stomach.

What’s wrong with Military Counsellor Li?

Did he get hurt?

No, don’t worry.

He’s fine.

He seems to be in so much pain.

As I said, he’s fine.

No, he seemed to be in pain.

He is hurt!

I told you he’s fine.

But he’s...

Could it be...

Could it be...

I knew it.

You’re treating her differently.

Did you know that she is a woman?

You’re not frank or honest anymore.

Changge is weak.

We need to treat her with a lamb.

Changge?

It’s Young Master Shisi’s name.

So Young Master Shisi’s real name is Changge.

How many secrets have you been keeping from me?

Tell me more.

Sun.

I thought you were a man.

I’ve even decided to marry you.

Why are you laughing?

Don’t laugh.

I’m really upset.

Mimi.

You can still be my family member.

There’s nothing different.

But still it’s different.

How so?

I think it’s not because you’re good at the disguise.

You really don’t treat yourself as a woman.

In this world,

men need to fight and protect their domains and women.

Whereas, women are responsible for fertility

and protecting the senior people and the kids.

But you use men’s ways to fight with them,

while using a body of woman.

What’s in your mind?

I have no ideas as well.

What makes a man?

What makes a woman?

I’ve never really thought of it.

My masters are men.

Manage the country by making policies,

and protect it by leading armies.

They’re all outstanding figures with great talents.

But how am I different from them?

My father’s wife and concubines are women.

They are in the finest dresses and look so gorgeous.

They are considerate and attentive.

But what does it matter with me?

Anyhow, you should rest at home for these days.

Don’t suffer with them in the wild.

One more thing.

Since you’ve lied to me,

your name can’t be Young Master Shisi.

My name is Li Changge.

Li Changge.

So,

did Tegin Sun know this secret already?

Then he has been hiding it all along.

Did he fall in love with you?

What are you talking about?

He just knows that I’m useful to him.

That’s why he’s a bit concerned about me.

How do you feel now?

You’ll feel good to keep the underbelly warm.

What are you waiting for?

Move it!

To carry the wool is the easiest task.

Can you do it?

Yes, I can.

What are you waiting for?

Come and help me!

I’m coming.

Be quick.

Look at the wool.

It gets everywhere.

Take it off!

And here.

Look at your head.

And here.

Wool Yan’er.

Wool Yan’er.

Wool Yan’er.

You got the wool everywhere.

Wool Yan, are you really stupid?

I just asked you to carry the wool.

Look at what you’ve done.

Madam Chai, I...

Look at your hair.

Oh my.

Seriously.

Look at you.

This fool knows nothing.

How can she live like this?

Right.

Thank you!

You’re my saviors.

Thanks to your help, I can make it through.

It’s the first time I heard that title.

She is not referring to you.

Think about your poor salary.

You’re not valuable at all.

Not valuable?

Our wool fabrics are for the use of the government offices.

They might even become the carpets in the palace.

You’ve worked so hard,

but they might not cherish every stitch you made.

Nonsense.

Those in the palace aren’t bothered by food and clothes.

They won’t know how much hard work is behind it.

Heaven is fair.

The royal family is supported by the people.

They’ll get whatever they want.

So, they need to take the responsibility to protect us.

For us, though we’re poor,

it’s fine if we can feed ourselves.

Am I right?

Yes, indeed.

We just mind our own business.

If we can do, just do it.

If we can’t, then sleep.

For the royal members,

they won’t sleep if they fail.

All we want is the little salary every month.

Indeed.

Mind your business.

Don’t skip this question.

Madam Chai.

- Right. - Go back to work.

When was the last raise?

Stop. Answer me about my salary.

Let’s talk about it?

No raise is fine.

But give us some seasame cakes.

She’s right.

Stop.

Stop there!

Stop.

Leyan,

I’ll find you!

Go.

Go!

Mimi.

You are a woman.

Don’t work so hard.

From now on, you can ask me for help.

I’ll help you carry the water.

Don’t look down upon me.

You see.

Be careful.

My clothes.

Don’t take...

What’s wrong? Too heavy?

No...

My foot.

You’re bleeding.

I’m so unlucky.

Who left the nail here?

I’m fine.

Don’t be frightened.

Go back first.

Let me take some break.

I’ll bring you home.

Leave things here.

Be careful.

I’m fine. I mean it.

Take it slow.

You just got better a bit.

Don’t get sick again.

Take it easy. I’m not that weak.

Save it for when it gets colder later.

You haven’t accomplished anything yet.

I don’t want to lose my investment.

Don’t worry, Tegin.

I’ll accomplish the three things I promised you.

Do you have any instructions for me today?

I just passed by after patrolling.

Alone?

Where is your slave?

She’s washing clothes.

She has a good life,

since she met a master like you.

We aren’t master and slave.

We are friends who care about each other.

In a lifetime, people around you will leave one by one.

Trusting new people

and say farewell to the past.

These are difficulties in life.

Instead of saying that she’s lucky, consider me

the lucky one instead for meeting someone I want to cherish.

Me too.

Tegin, go patrol.

Otherwise it’ll be too late.

How about joining me?

You haven’t really gotten to know the grassland yet.

When the night comes,

I’ll take you somewhere.

I just don’t know if you’ll dare.

Why wouldn’t I?

♪ The heart gradually responds, gradually revives ♪

♪ Gradually swims towards you ♪

♪ Before bidding farewell, we expect an encounter ♪

♪ Entwist your figure ♪

How beautiful!

♪ And lock it into my tender dream ♪

I found it when patrolling.

Do you like it?

♪ Before the daybreak, through the obsession of love ♪

It’ll be my last time to see fireflies this year.

We can see them again next year.

♪ There’s always a moment ♪

Who knows where we are then.

Will we be available to see fireflies again?

If you want to see them next year,

just let me know.

No matter where you are,

I’ll surely be there.

♪ Meet each other in different time ♪

♪ Encourage each other in different worlds ♪

♪ My longings become a cocoon ♪

I’m afraid I can’t make it.

Besides, like fireflies,

such wonderful creatures are ephemeral.

So why look forward to them?

♪ It is sleepless ♪

♫ 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