Original subtitles

♪Confessing to the moon in the rustling wind back then♪

♪Like a boat being swallowed up among the cities♪

♪Watching the flowers fall in unease, worries and troubles fill my mind♪

♪Am I going to where I want♪

♪To stay or to leave, you decide♪

♪Nations are different♪

♪One without desire is one that is not alive♪

♪Looking at the sky side by side♪

♪We've gotten closer with time♪

♪One glance, the city of Chang'an is bare♪

♪Among the ridiculous people and things is me♪

=Dream of Chang'An=

=Episode 13=

Princess.

Please have a seat.

Princess.

Enjoy your tea.

is this where Princess Ninghe

used to live?

Princess,

no.

This is the Hanliang Hall.

It's a place where the consorts

used to live.

But there is no consort at the moment.

So, no one lives here.

However, this place is peaceful.

It's a place to recover from wounds.

I've heard about it.

His Majesty is still unmarried.

Yes, Princess.

It's hasn't been long since the coronation.

His Majesty doesn't have the time to select a wife

for his harem.

Where does His Majesty live?

This is what you get for playing heroes.

There were a bunch of guards

and soldiers from Zhenwu.

But you jumped out for the rescue.

Her life was in danger.

I didn't think too much.

Cheng Ruoyu...

Your Majesty?

What's wrong?

What's wrong with the hand?

It's not a serious injury.

Your Majesty's shoulder

was dislocated.

Uncle.

Please don't embarrass me.

Your Majesty.

I'm giving you a hand.

What's so funny?

Nothing.

This minor injury can't kill me.

When I was taming Ru Feng,

the experience

was truly perilous

and thrilling.

Your Majesty tamed the horse personally?

Of course.

But how?

When I first got Ru Feng,

they told me the horse

was extremely aggressive.

It'd take a hero to tame it.

Upon hearing that,

I took off my shirt...

- Your Majesty. - I rode...

Why would Your Majesty take off the shirt?

That's not the point.

Don't interrupt me.

- Pay attention to details. - Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Princess Misha insists on

meeting you in person.

Your Majesty,

Ninghe was assassinated,

Princess of Zhenwu

came to the city in advance,

She might have ill intentions.

Send my words.

Hold a banquet at Zichen Parlor.

I must show my gratitude

to the soldiers of Zhenwu

for sending my aunt home.

Father, are you upset

because of Misha's insolence?

Both Ninghe and Misha

have humiliated me.

Sparing their lives

can be interesting.

Please don't be mad.

It could be their trick.

Come closer, Yanzhi.

Sit down.

Father.

As far as we know,

there is a mastermind

who is competing against us.

There must be a reason

for the mastermind

to send Misha here.

Think about it.

Zheng Wu,

the Zheng clan,

the Yuzhen Hall,

Ninghe;

every step he took

was to alienate your relationship

with His Majesty.

Princess Misha

only cares about His Majesty.

She has no respect for you.

I believe she is acting

deliberately.

Do you suspect Prince Guang to be the mastermind?

It may not be him,

but he is certainly involved.

Prince Guang's involvement concerns you.

Do you know why Prince Guang and His Majesty

are still unmarried to this day?

It's because you won't allow it.

I forbid Prince Guang from getting married.

But Qi Yan refuses to get married.

When His Majesty was of age at 20,

his parents arranged a marriage for him.

It was Li Deyun's daughter.

How could I

allow

that old peasant's daughter

marry His Majesty?

So I employed some tricks

and demoted him to Huainan.

Hence, the arrangement was forfeited.

Whenever candidates showed up,

he just turned them down.

Qi Yan still loves Li Deyun's daughter.

He is waiting.

He wants a wife

who can become his aide.

Could it be

Li Deyun's daughter?

Or perhaps it could be

Princess Misha.

It could even...

be you.

Your Majesty.

I had longed to Visit Heng'an.

The Grandeur of Changming Palace

has amazed me.

Could I stay here

for a couple of days?

After all,

you saved my aunt.

You may stay

for as long as you wish.

Much obliged, Your Majesty.

I heard of Your Majesty's splendid archery skill.

I love practicing archery too.

Do I have the honor of having a match

with Your Majesty?

His Majesty is still recovering

from the injury.

Perhaps I could compete in His Majesty's place.

Why you?

She is the Sword Bearer

and also my disciple.

Very well.

I shall

test my skill

against the Sword Bearer.

However,

if she loses,

I hope Your Majesty and I could have a rematch

after the wound has healed.

Make sure you win this.

Yes.

Yes.

Do well.

Do not let me down.

Yes, Your Majesty.

As per your order,

I searched the Jingzhou Relay Station.

I found this

inside Misha's room.

It's kumis.

Impressive.

This pouch

contained kumis,

a product of Lucong.

Thank you for the arrow.

Something is wrong with Princess Ninghe's wound.

Am I right?

There was no poison on the sword.

The cut isn't very deep.

Yet, she doesn't wake up.

It's the scent of kumis.

Kumis.

Is she intoxicated?

The wound was cleaned.

The scent and traces are minimal.

Why did they come here?

In the palace,

it's hard to continue intoxicating her.

They won't have to.

And she won't wake up either.

What do you mean?

She overdosed on alcohol.

And with the blood loss,

she had a stroke and went into a coma.

A bunch of worthless doctors.

They said she would be fine in days.

Are you really...

not the mastermind?

In your eyes,

am I really the villain

who would even hurt my family

to reach my goal

with any means necessary?

Your Majesty.

Princess Misha has shot

seven arrows so far.

And Yu'er hasn't shot one yet.

You're retaliating.

Are you mocking me?

I wouldn't dare.

Your arrows are swift as meteors.

I could barely dodge your arrows.

I didn't have a chance to retaliate.

Spare me your excuses!

I'll make you

shoot the arrow at me!

The 500 royal retainers of Zhenwu...

Liu Misha is a princess.

But Sun Lie gives most of the orders.

Sun Lie has been

staying in a relay station in Heng'an.

He hasn't left the establishment.

So whose orders are the retainers

following for the past few days?

My men brought in two retainers

for interrogation.

Their statements didn't match,

but they share one thing in common.

They have a Military Advisor.

A Military Advisor?

Your Majesty.

This brat has got some moves.

Her trip to Mount Qi

has improved her skill substantially.

But Misha...

it's nothing.

Princess Misha,

your archery skill is astounding.

May I know whom you learned it from?

I'm flattered.

Archery techniques from the savanna

has always been remarkable.

Indeed.

Cheng Ruoyu.

You should thank Princess Misha for showing you mercy.

Much obliged, Princess Misha.

Princess?

Princess?

Excuse us.

Your Majesty,

I'm sorry we must leave early.

Princess, wait.

Fine.

I know what you're going to say.

I unknowingly used

the Military Advisor's Three-way Sunshot

and His Majesty noticed!

I know it was a mistake.

Cheng Ruoyu

is merely a bodyguard.

If you can't put up with

a mere guard,

you won't rise to become

- the Empress of Daxing. - You...

Mind your own business.

I wouldn't dare.

I hope you could

reflect on your mistake

and explain it to the Military Advisor.

Sun Lie, how could you...

This is Cheng Ruoyu's fault!

I must thank Your Majesty for saving my neck.

Three-way Sunshot.

What does it mean?

The three arrows

Misha shot at you at the end...

was a technique called Three-way Sunshot.

It has a name?

But how did Your Majesty know?

I must talk to Misha now.

Stay here.

Why?

I'm the Sword Bearer.

Your safety is my responsibility.

I'm ordering you to stay put.

I...

Stop!

Fine.

Fine, so be it.

What's the big deal?

Yu'er?

Duke Chu sent his men here.

His Majesty is away.

I'm not for His Majesty.

I'm here for you,

my little blossom.

Me?

Sir.

Cheng Ruoyu is here.

Greetings, Duke Chu.

How may I be of your service?

It seems like

your martial art skill has improved greatly.

Cheng Xi actually taught you some real deal

instead of

her fancy parlor tricks.

I don't understand.

Please enlighten me.

It's true that you have potential.

I can see now why Yanzhi

kept showing you clemency.

However,

Misha's master is a force to be reckoned with.

So it's normal that she can beat you.

If she's presented another opportunity,

you must not be as careless

as you were just now.

You may go now.

Yanzhi.

See her off.

- Yes. - Yes.

This is the best spot

in Changming Palace to admire the moon.

Indeed.

It's like I can pluck the stars with my hands.

It's also a pleasant place for a conversation.

Your Majesty has questions for me?

Your Majesty has questions for me?

Who taught you the Three-way Sunshot?

Your Majesty saw right through it.

It was my Military Advisor.

What is the motive?

Guess.

No.

You'd better come clean.

Your Majesty witnessed my prowess.

Well?

Am I better than your Sword Bearer?

Her skill is beneath you, for now.

But in the future,

she will surpass you.

Is that so?

But she is all alone.

On the other hand,

Your Majesty,

I have 80,000 soldiers in Zhenwu Army

that match the might of Shencai Army.

Most importantly,

my soldiers are fearsome and powerful.

Each soldier can take on 100 men.

Your spoiled and corrupt Shencai Army

is no match for us.

Is this a threat?

I'm presenting

my dowry.

Your dowry?

Is this your intention

or your Military Advisor's plan?

You can say

it's both.

The main forces of Daxing

is controlled by the eunuchs.

The officers are cowards

and many sided with tyrants.

Warlords took over regions

and made themselves rulers.

With issues from all sides,

Your Majesty,

your brother Emperor Wenzong

needed

a capable Empress as his aide.

That's how the Morning Dew Rebellion ended in failure.

If Your Majesty marries me,

the Zhenwu Army is yours to command.

(Shameless woman.)

(His Majesty would never agree to her terms.)

Sure.

I agree with your terms.

You agree!

However,

I must meet the Military Advisor

before we seal the deal.

Very well.

Good.

Go get some rest.

Your Majesty, good night.

Come out.

Your Majesty.

What's with that look on your face?

I thought

only Yanzhi could employ a beauty trap.

I didn't expect Your Majesty could do the same.

You were eavesdropping

and now you criticize my decision.

No.

I'm the Sword Bearer.

It's my duty

to follow Your Majesty.

Is

Your Majesty...

really going to marry Princess Misha?

That would be quite a sacrifice to make.

What is this?

This?

Qiu Ziliang gave me this.

He summoned me to his study.

He even tested my martial art skill.

He told me Princess Misha was stronger

than me,

that I should beware of her.

That's all?

I am confused too.

Who knows

what that old man is up to?

Let's go.

Where are we going?

Visiting my aunt.

Dismissed.

What's wrong?

When I was witnessing

the match between Cheng Ruoyu and Misha,

I was thinking...

Perhaps things would be better

had the Left Knight not shot that arrow

at you.

I can never be a warrior.

You must be very disappointed.

Cheng Ruoyu

has outstanding talents.

It will be a wise move

to make her your subordinate.

But I've yet to convince her.

She serves nothing more

than to monitor Qi Yan.

Did it cross your mind that His Majesty

was very fond of this girl?

Aren't you worried?

You summoned

Cheng Ruoyu to your study.

I failed to see the reason.

Please enlighten me.

If Cheng Ruoyu was a merely skilled fighter,

keeping her next to His Majesty

would be a wise move.

However,

she is also a beautiful young lady.

Keeping her

next to the young and passionate Emperor

might invite troubles in the future.

I doubt she would become

an obstacle in my plan

to become the Empress.

Is that so?

When I first met her three months ago,

I didn't expect

her martial art prowess

would improve at such an incredible pace.

Honestly,

my point is that

eliminating a powerful rival

can be very simple.

Before the rival become too powerful,

take her out.

Is that clear?

Yes.

I understand.

I'm glad you do.

You may go now.

Keep an eye on Yanzhi.

Your Majesty.

Uncle.

How is she now?

So,

they used kumis

to intoxicate my aunt

and stabbed her with a sword,

which caused great blood loss

and sent her into a coma.

Do you have any evidence?

Without Yanzhi's incredible sense of smell,

I wouldn't have noticed it.

But Your Majesty,

We can't accuse Zhenwu

of this planned attack.

Doing so

won't benefit them at all.

Unless,

they want to wage war on Heng'an.

I understand.

I'm counting on you to look after

Princess Ninghe.

I will get to the bottom of this

and bring the culprits to justice.

Yes.

Dismissed.

Yes.

Dismissed.

Yes.

Cheng Ruoyu.

Come forth.

Your Majesty.

Is it gorgeous?

Yes.

I mean the flower.

The flower is gorgeous.

This flower

is a gift from Qiu Ziliang.

What was his intention?

I have no idea.

This is our national flower.

It symbolizes "Empress."

Me?

I never knew Qiu Ziliang

had good taste in women.

I was kidding.

I mean,

he is very paranoid.

Qiu Ziliang is showing his goodwill.

If you want to be my Empress,

he is willing to help you.

No.

This is also

his warning for me.

He gets to decide...

who becomes my wife.

Cheng Ruoyu, listen closely.

You are the Sword Bearer of the Violet Bureau.

We can never fall in love.

I will never have any love interest in you.

I shall keep that in mind.

Dismissed.

Yes.

Come here.

Uncle.

What's wrong?

Yu'er.

My brilliant niece.

This is a critical moment

of your life,

do you get it?

I don't.

Now, listen to me.

My men

are spying on the people from Zhenwu.

It's breaking news.

What was her name again?

The girl, Princess Misha,

wants to marry His Majesty.

You knew?

Of course.

Aren't you worried?

Worried?

Why should I?

Uncle!

Even you thought he and I

are secretly in love?

Trust me,

its not true.

But you two

had done all sorts of things together...

We were putting up an act.

You know about it too.

An act?

Anyway,

whoever His Majesty wants to marry

and whoever is marrying him

are none of my business.

Is that clear?

Are you sure?

Give me a break.

No one gets it.

Leave me alone!

But this and that...

The acting was too convincing.

Come out.

Your Majesty.

Why are you here?

The Chess Overseer

has a question for Your Majesty.

But now,

I already have the answer.

Really?

Duke Chu thinks

Your Majesty likes Cheng Ruoyu.

But he already

arranged another candidate

to be your Empress.

The Chess Overseer sent me to confirm it.

Your Majesty

has clearly made a choice.

I'm not in love with her.

I've never thought about

making her my Empress.

Very wise indeed.

I shall

report back to my duty.

Who is candidate...

Duke Chu has in mind?

Who is the candidate?

Your Majesty already has the answer.

Your Majesty.

What have you found?

Please, have a look.

(Han Ding?)

It's him.

Cheng Ruoyu.

Your Majesty.

You have a habit

of eavesdropping.

No.

I thought this man

was an assassin.

Forgive me, it was my mistake.

What did you hear?

Your Majesty.

She might be a spy

sent by Cheng Xi.

Your Majesty,

I am not a spy.

Your Majesty.

She followed me numerous times.

And she sneaks around

in the name of security.

Her intention is vile.

She cannot be trusted!

You...

Your Majesty,

do you think so as well?

The 300 warriors of Yuzhen Hall has entered the Capital.

From tomorrow on,

return to the Violet Bureau

to settle them down.

When I have need of you,

you will be summoned.

Your Majesty!

Go.

Yes.

Your wish is my command.

Now that we can identify

who the culprit is,

where is the culprit?

He didn't come

to the Capital with

royal retainers of Zhenwu.

My men are searching

for his whereabouts.

Be quick.

I'm tired of

playing Liu Misha's games.

I'm afraid Your Majesty

must endure her tantrum for some days.

I don't make a move

unless they do.

Qiu Ziliang is monitoring

Zhenwu's every move.

If we use this chance

to merge

the Yuzhen Hall back

into the Violet Bureau,

the Bureau

will be a valuable asset.

From what I see,

Your Majesty should

tell Ms. Cheng everything.

It's for the better.

Then she won't

mistake you as a villain.

Qiu Ziliang used

a peony blossom to sound me out.

But it was a warning.

Should I make Cheng Ruoyu

the Sword Bearer

or the future Empress?

And before that,

the thought never even crossed my mind.

So

what about now?

I must remind myself at all times

to never think about this question.

(It seems like)

(Cheng Ruoyu)

(is more than)

(a mere Sword Bearer.)

And you said I was your sword

and your final lifesaver.

What kind of man

suspect his own sword?

(You're putting everything you have)

(on the line)

while standing on countless bodies

to reach this part of the game

(for the one and only)

(fighting chance.)

(If your heart)

shows any weakness,

negligence,

or doubts,

you lose the game.

I...

can't afford to lose.

♪Life is a dream, how long do happy times last♪

♪In the windy rain, where will my heart settle?♪

♪The sword can't break this karma♪

♪Look how blurry and lonely the world is♪

♪Fate can't do anything about the bleak bonds of this world♪

♪Still can't let go of this life as time goes by♪

♪Even the iron and golden dagger-axe cannot extinguish the fire in my heart♪

♪Remembering the past and letting time while away♪

♪The past is in front of you♪

♪Forgetting while piecing it together♪

♪Like when I sincerely put my hands together♪

♪I only wish that you can be saved♪

♪The past is in front of you♪

♪Forgetting while piecing it together♪

♪Like when I sincerely put my hands together♪

♪I only wish that you can be saved♪

♪I only wish that you can be saved♪