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 44

It’s your good luck to get rid of it.

Next time you won’t be able to be so lucky.

Are the pastries for your princess?

It’s such an exquisite dessert.

Well, what a pity!

What do you mean?

Nothing.

I just want to warn you to remember who you are!

Young Khan cannot help you forever!

Nobody can prevent...

what Princess wants!

Changge!

Have you seen Changge?

She’s gone to learn embroidery.

She wants to send the Princess a gift.

Hasn’t she come back yet?

What’s going on?

Nothing...

I want to call her to dine.

Shall we go out to find her?

They said she’s left for a while.

Where can she go?

Mimi.

What do you know?

Shouldn’t Crown Prince be in Taiji Palace?

Why does he come to such a remote place?

He’s afraid that you would be recognized by others

so that he chose to meet you in the suburban.

It’s good for you.

When did you become his servant?

Quite long.

Tell me when.

It’s been too long...

I couldn’t remember the exact time...

Here we are!

If it’s a long time,

I think it should be before the change of the reign title.

But how come I know nothing about you?

Please rest assured, Princess.

His Highness is in the room. Let’s talk inside.

Tell me!

Who sent you here?

What do you want as his servant?

Let’s talk with him in the room.

You’re really smart, Princess.

That’s why my master asks me to be cautious.

Unfortunately...

[Sifang Pavilion]

Brother Sun.

Where did you go?

I haven’t seen you for a whole day.

Where’s Changge?

You haven’t seen her for a whole day?

No.

I thought you’re out to play.

The curfew is coming soon.

If she doesn’t come back till curfew,

she must be in trouble.

Let’s talk inside.

I think it’s Princess Yicheng who did it.

She tried to poison Zhixi and pinned his death on Changge.

As she failed, she wanted to kidnap her.

I’m going to find her.

Hold on!

It’s useless to use force.

Maybe I can find help from She’er.

They won’t trust you.

Unless you kill me.

Pretend to assassinate me later.

Maybe it’s the only way to gain Yicheng’s trust.

Then you can approach She’er.

Wait...

Don’t you think you’ve gone too far in order to rescue Changge?

How dare you rush into my mother’s room at night?

Who is making a ruckus here?

Where’s Changge?

What a joke.

You’re together.

Why do you ask me?

In Chang’an, only you want to harm her.

Ashile Sun.

The reason why I haven’t exposed your identity before other envoys

is that I don’t want to embarrass you.

But now, how could you offend me for a princess of Tang Dynasty?

If this gets out, you’ll put the grasslands to shame.

Ashile Sun! Don’t you dare.

Ashile Sun.

Khatun is my savior!

Don’t try to harm her!

Brother Sun!

Are you okay?

I’ve told you to use a fake knife but you refused.

It must hurt so much.

Yicheng is so cunning.

She may not believe even if we use a real knife.

She won’t trust a fake one.

Mimi has shown mercy to me.

It’s nothing serious.

I only hope that she can successfully find out news about Changge.

Let’s discuss it after you’ve dressed the wound.

Don’t use it.

Here’s the best wound medicine of Monan.

Quite effective.

Why are you hesitating?

Let me help you.

Come on.

I see.

You must be shy, right?

I’ll do it myself.

Well...

I’ll put it here.

Call me if you need help.

I’ll be outside the door.

Tell me.

What?

You’ve been working for my mother.

As you’re her slave,

it means you’re also mine.

Sleep with me tonight.

Come on.

Why?

Why would you rather sacrifice yourself to save Li Changge?

Do you think I don’t know that you were acting with Sun?

How can you hurt him?

Go ahead.

What’s your plan?

She’er...

I won’t tell my mother.

She’er!

Your mother captured Changge!

Please save her!

How dare you frame my mother up?

No...

Your mother gave me a potion to kill Zhixi.

What she wanted was to frame Changge...

She’er.

I know you’ve been waiting for long to reunite with your mother.

and it’s quite hard for you to go against your mother’s will.

Well, I really have no other choices but to seek you for help.

I beg you. Please save Changge! Please!

I’m willing to come back...

to serve you.

You’re willing to sacrifice yourself to save her?

Without her,

I might have been killed on the grasslands.

I’m not helping you.

I want to know the answer too.

I know it’s all manipulated by my mother

but I refuse to admit it.

Maybe it’s time to know the answer tonight.

How could a delicate woman in my eyes

take charge of Khan’s Tent step by step?

Princess.

Sheng Xin has succeeded.

Good.

My love for him paid off.

Li Changge can’t die yet.

I need to use her as my hostage to threaten Li Shimin.

She’s the key to destroying the alliance.

Don’t let her escape.

Yes.

By the way.

Sheng Xin...

doesn’t need go back to Li Chengqian.

What?

Can’t you understand my words?

Yes.

I see. I’ll go to the cabin of western suburb right now.

Hold on.

Let Sheng Xin bid farewell to Li Chengqian formally.

Then you can do what I’ve told you.

Don’t bring yourself any trouble.

Yes, I understand Your Highness.

Changge is at cabin of western suburb.

You got it!

Zhenzhu! Tell Wei Shuyu to save her!

Well...

What about you?

You can go first. I’ll wait for you here.

Go!

Don’t try to escape, Princess.

You can’t escape.

You’re quite valuable.

Do you want to use me to threaten the Great Tang?

You really think highly of me.

Take her away.

Go!

Don’t be afraid.

I’m here.

You can’t kill me! I’m Crown Prince’s servant!

Once Li Changge’s identity is revealed,

none of you will survive.

You can’t kill him! He’s registered by Eastern Palace.

We’ll be suspected if you kill him.

Mobei can’t break with Great Tang now.

YOU WILL BE SUSPECTED!

Let’s go.

Hurry!

Soldiers!

Mobei envoy conspires to assassinate Crown Prince!

And they even want to kill me!

Anyone here!

Soldiers!

A’Sun...

Let’s go!

Hurry!

- Go! - Don’t chase.

They’ve gone far.

Check here and find survivors.

Yes!

A’Sun.

You shouldn’t kill Sheng Xin.

We shouldn’t provoke them.

If I can’t find you tonight,

I will even kill Yicheng!

Don’t act recklessly.

My goodness.

I’m to find a doctor for you!

No!

Pretend to know nothing about it.

Brother Sun, I’m a girl...

Medicine!

Fine.

Here you are.

Bear it.

Bring me more medicine.

Sure.

I shouldn’t let you get hurt again.

I’m fine.

Well, I think they won’t let go of it.

The Tang Emperor still needs you to help him with the alliance.

He won’t abandon you so easily.

However, everything in life has to have balance.

Just like on the grassland,

we’re balancing each other out.

I won’t kill Yicheng now,

but I won’t let her go easily.

Changge.

Do you believe me?

Here’s the medicine.

Thank you.

What? Who’s killed?

Reporting to Your Highness. It’s your attendant Sheng Xin.

What?

Hurry!

Remove the white cloth and let me see!

Who?

Who killed my attendant?

I will get to the bottom of this

to give Your Highness an explanation.

Catch the murderer!

If you can’t find the murderer within two hours,

you...

you will be punished as well!

Princess!

Princess, bad news!

Sheng Xin died!

And Li Changge has been rescued!

Who leaked the information?

Please forgive me. I haven’t found it out.

No need.

I did it.

Mother.

Who is he?

My bodyguard.

Can a bodyguard come and go freely at any time

to discuss murdering plans with you?

What do you mean?

I heard your conversation last night.

Mother.

I want to know one thing.

Are you for our Ashile Tribe

or for the former Sui?

As for you,

am I Khatun of Ashile Tribe,

a princess of Sui

or your mother?

No matter who I am,

I will be your mother forever.

We’re connected by blood.

King of Grasslands or Emperor of Sui,

my only purpose is to let my son take charge of everything!

Have you asked whether I want it or not?

You’re my son.

It’s what you’re born for.

Your responsibility.

Mother.

I used to think you’re quite delicate.

And now I think you’re like a stranger.

[Sifang Pavilion]

Is the bodyguard of Mobei Princess here?

Please come out.

- Search! - Yes!

You’re braver than you look.

You’re a real man who takes responsibility for your actions.

As you’re here, please come with me.

Fine.

But I need to announce one thing here.

Go ahead.

I killed them last night.

I am Tegin of Eagle Division from Ashile Tribe,

Ashile Sun!

He’s Ashile Sun!

He killed them?

Khatun and Young Khan of Ashile Tribe

order me to stay with Mobei Princess

and find chances to kill her and Crown Prince of Tang!

My son who I think about day and night

thinks that I’m like a stranger.

Mother.

I’m sorry.

Tell me.

Should I hate your Uncle Khan?

Why did he tear us apart?

Why did he engage my son to revolt against me?

I dare not.

Dare not?

You’ve ruined my plan.

Are you going to ask me to surrender to Great Tang?

Mother.

I just feel terrible doing it.

I don’t want to hide it anymore.

Khatun, not good!

Tang soldiers come to capture Young Khan!

What?

Khatun.

The murderer Ashile Sun has told me

that Young Khan and you are the manipulators.

What a joke!

Are you trying to make an enemy of Ashile Tribe only by his words?

Don’t panic, Khatun.

As long as I find out the truth,

we’ll know whether you’re innocent or not.

Anyway, I have to bring Young Khan back for inquiry.

Otherwise, I cannot explain to Crown Prince.

How dare you!

Mother.

Ashile Tribe is frank and forthright.

As Great Tang wants to find the truth,

as I didn’t commit any wrongdoings, I have nothing to be afraid of.

She’er...

Princess.

Young Khan is...

He is punishing me.

A’SUN!

Changge!

Changge!

You’re injured!

Why do you come out?

It’s you who let me have the sedative last night!

You know what he wants!

Brother Sun didn’t tell me his plan.

He only came to find my help.

I should have thought it.

As he likes you so much,

he can do everything for you.

He wants to drag Ashile Tribe down for you.

I...

Could you please go to find Tang Emperor for help?

Ask him to spare their lives!

Actually, it’s no good for Tegin Sun

not to let Young Khan off.

I don’t care what Yicheng asks you to do.

I can’t do it.

Changge.

You’re the only one who can solve it!

Only you can go to beg Tang Emperor to spare their lives.

I know that saint better than anyone.

That saint...

doesn’t care about his own life for the prosperity of Great Tang.

So how can he let an Ashile man off?

Now, Sun sends She’er to Great Tang as the hostage.

He’s risking his life

to bring leverage to the alliance.

No matter how hard the future is,

the harder it is, the more I’ll keep going.

I will find a way.

Tell me! “Defense” and “Control” of Six Secret Strategic Teachings!

If you only want a crown prince

who’s always impeded by others

and will let a suspect off,

it’ll be a disappointment to you.

Now, what I know is the law.

Good.

Advisor Fang.

From now on,

The capital crimes should be judged by the officials

higher than the 4th rank

and the directors of six departments.

Avoid injustice and abuse as far as possible!

Make his playmate’s death clear.

Leave no doubts!

Sorry about that.

You’re all my intimate officials

so I didn’t evade you.

Your Majesty.

My opinion is

to follow up the victory.

Though it’s Crown Prince’s intimate servant who got killed,

actually the inciter, Ashile Tribe, tried to kill Crown Prince.

So we should execute the Ashile man.

Then we can establish the alliance by the chance.

Therefore, they won’t impede us

to ally with the tribes.

I’ve never thought

I could agree with you once.

Ashile Khatun is in Sifang Pavilion.

As her only son is arrested,

she has no responses.

It’s abnormal.

It seems things are not as smooth as Duke Du’s expectation.

Your Majesty.

Rumors are all over the city.

It’s said Ashile Tribe stations their troops in the west

in order to attack the tribes of desert.

We shouldn’t have come here!

We’ve heard nothing from the head.

So do I.

It seems we shouldn’t come here!

We thought to find us a backer.

But we almost lose our homeland.

We got into trouble ourselves!

What about Monan?

None can survive.

Ashile Tribe will soon attack our homeland!

It’s a dilemma!

What about my father? Can he handle it?

Princess.

He asked you to stay here.

Do not go back.

As he said so, it must be...

You, you!

Muddled!

Haven’t I told you not to provoke Ashile Tribe?

Don’t provoke Ashile Tribe?

Don’t provoke Ashile Tribe?

You made it yourselves!

Fortunately, our Tiele Tribe is spared.

See!

What’s good to ally with Great Tang?

I suggest you leave early in the following morning.

Can Great Tang save you when they begin to fight?

Sounds reasonable. What should we do?

He’s right. We can’t ally. We need to protect ourselves!

- Let’s leave tomorrow! - We can’t ally!

- Let’s leave tomorrow. - Leave here!

Let’s leave tomorrow!

- That’s right. - Yes! Good choice!

As long as we leave, they must retreat.

I think Ashile Tribe will be magnanimous enough to forgive you.

- He’s right! - They must forgive us so let’s leave!

- Then shall we leave tomorrow? - Yes. Let’s leave tomorrow!

Deal!

Princess wants to see you.

Changge, I’ve known all the things.

I heard you’re injured. Are you okay?

Do you have any news of A’Sun?

Chengqian seems to be mad and wants to kill him.

But don’t worry. He’ll be safe at the moment.

- Are you... - I’m fine, Leyan.

Don’t worry about me.

By the way, Ashile Tribe is going to attack.

Does he have any methods to deal with it?

The news comes out of a sudden

and my father hasn’t got news from the troops.

It takes a few days to deliver the message

but its speed is even faster the scouts’.

How can it spread all over Chang’an so soon?

Such a trick to disturb people’s minds.

Leyan.

Dare you take one more risk with me?

Thanks to you.

The envoys of each tribe didn’t suspect.

They all thought these letters were from their leaders.

Even Princess Monan

thought the letter was from Yinan.

They’ve believed that Ashile Tribe’s troops are in the west.

Maybe they’ll leave Chang’an in a few days.

It must be Commander Yang.

Ghost.

Ghost!

Ghost!

You traitor! I’ll beat you to death!

That’s pretty fierce.

How vicious he is!

He united Ashile Tribe to murder me

and used my death to ruin the alliance.

I’ll bring him away.

By the way.

All the letters inside are fake!

You can take them away!

It’s Yicheng’s trick.

Let’s see what else she can do.

She’er.

You’ll understand me sooner or later.

Princess!

Princess! Bad news!

Chihe seems to meet with a mishap!

I noticed Li Changge and Tang Princess’s bodyguard

left the Pavilion.

Then I went to the dwelling of Tiele Tribe

but I found nobody but a mess there.

Here’s what I’ve found.

It’s the ornament of Tiele important official.

But it’s not Chihe’s.

Here in Great Tang...

Who can wear it...

Zhixi...

Zhixi is still alive.

Mimi Guli didn’t kill him!

I will let her

see how Buzhen and Mu Jin die in front of her!

Besides,

if Li Shimin wants to harm my son,

I’ll make sure his daughter along with the entire Great Tang die with me!

Yes, Your Highness!

[Embrace Moral]

Where are they?

What are they going to do?

What is Great Tang going to do?

Why did they call us to gather in the early morning?

What to do if Ashile Tribe attacks us?

Yes.

Is it useful to lock us here?

If Ashile Tribe ruins our tribe and breaks our family,

why should we stay here to ally?

Please be at ease.

[Embrace Moral]

Ashile Tribe don’t attack your tribes. It’s fake.

A... fake news?

Princess, what do you mean?

Ashile Tribe doesn’t dispatch troops.

They don’t want to attack the desert.

Bring them in.

He’s Zhixi of Tiele Tribe.

- He didn’t die! - He’s still alive!

He’s alive!

What’s happened?

Why is he still alive?

I witnessed his death!

With my own eyes!

Attention, please. I am Zhixi. I didn’t die.

Chihe has long since been bribed by Ashile Tribe.

Since we arrived at Great Tang, he’s instigated me to oppose.

He even tried to kill me

to break the alliance.

Maybe I’ve already been killed

without Mobei Princess’s help.

Mobei Princess?

It’s late. What’s going on?

Let’s talk inside.

To cut a long story short,

Ashile Tribe wants to frame me up by killing you by poison.

They want to ruin the alliance between desert tribes and Great Tang.

What?

Nonsense!

Don’t conclude in a hurry.

Am I talking nonsense.

You’ll know it tomorrow.

The medicine can make you bleed from mouth and nose.

Just like death from the poison.

But it won’t kill you.

What are you trying to say?

You won’t trust me now.

You’ll know what I mean till someone tries to kill you tomorrow.

Whether you want to switch the medicine,

it’s all up to you.

Even if what you say is true,

why do you want to help me?

I’m not helping you.

It’s all for the desert tribes.

Without the support from Great Tang,

we’ll always be led by Ashile Tribe by the nose.

I don’t understand.

I didn’t trust her at first.

But on the following day,

things happened as she predicted.

Envoy Zhixi.

Your maid isn’t well today

so she asked me to deliver your breakfast.

Sure.

Why did Mobei Princess know all the things

and prepare the medicine for him to play dead?

He’s right.

Ashile Tribe threatened my maid to frame me up

but they underestimated our relationship.

Princess found I act weird that day.

It’s time to repay our princess.

Put the poison in Zhixi’s foods

and frame Li Changge up by it.

Think about your young brother.

Mimi.

What’s wrong? You look flustered.

I’m... I’m fine...

Is Yicheng threatening you?

Changge.

She wants me

to poison Zhixi

and frame you up

in order to ruin the alliance.

She’s so malicious!

How can she kill a person so easily only to break the alliance?

As she’s threatened you,

just do as she said.

Don’t let her bring you trouble later on.

But...

Don’t worry.

There’s a way to fool her.

Don’t worry, I will protect you.

I won’t let anything happen to you.

Let Zhixi play dead first.

We can clarify it after that.

Will he be willing to do so?

It’s a gamble.

But...

I bet he will.

If I didn’t see it with my own eyes and hear it with my own ears,

I wouldn’t believe in any of this.

The reason I’ve been hiding away

is because I want to see what kind of shady business would Ashile Tribe do.

♫ 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