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 21=

The new Right Chariot has arrived in Lucong.

According to him,

the hidden sentry's report was true.

The situation in Lucong is escalating.

What is it?

I have failed you.

Li Deyun

has arrived in Heng'an.

The two Cannons were killed last month.

Li Deyun must have

set out during that time.

I only realized that yesterday.

It's too late to intercept his carriage now.

We even fell for a decoy

earlier today.

Li Deyun

might have met His Majesty.

I know that.

I have just reported

to Duke Chu.

The Right Minister

wants him

to come here.

It's better to monitor his movement while we can.

Father, do you agree with this plan?

The Li family from the Zhao prefecture are known for their achievements.

The descendants are all over the imperial court.

Li Deyun wasn't

a low-rank officer.

He is not the kind of target you could simply strike down.

This is a desperate time.

Since he's been summoned,

let him live for a while.

Yes.

Regarding the rebellion in Lucong,

has my fellow officers

come up with a solution?

General Wang.

Your Majesty.

I wish I could be there,

but my body is too weak.

I could barely ride on horseback to be in a hunting party.

General Zhong.

Your Majesty.

I'm willing to go.

However,

my mother is already

80 years old.

She is bedridden and unable to care for herself.

I have failed as a son!

Your Majesty.

I'm willing to set out for Lucong.

Yu'er.

What is this nonsense?

Stop fooling around.

Your Majesty.

I know martial arts.

I am willing to lead the soldiers to Lucong

to end the turmoils

so the people can have peace again.

You know martial arts,

but you don't know war!

Do you even know any tactics?

I do not know,

but I am willing to learn.

Not to mention

my body is strong

and I have no parents to look after.

I am quite certain I am the better choice

compared to the two officers.

This is the Imperial Court!

A mere woman has no place

in the war effort!

I was directly appointed by His Majesty

as an Upper Rank Five officer.

Why can't I volunteer for the war effort?

Do not be disrespectful to General Wang.

Yes.

Your Majesty.

I think

the Sword Bearer

hasn't earned the right to be on the battlefield.

Duke Chu.

From your perspective,

am I

worthy of leading the soldiers?

Brother Li.

It's been too long.

You still look young as always.

Indeed, Official Li.

It's a pleasure to meet you.

You're back.

Welcome, Official Li.

Welcome back.

I'm glad you're back.

Officers.

It's good to have you back.

Officers.

Thank you.

Your Majesty.

I, Li Deyun,

have returned upon being summoned

to serve Your Majesty.

Long live Your Majesty.

At ease, Official Li.

Much thanks, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

I was told Chen Yintai

killed Military Commissioner Shi Quanzhong

in an attempt to seize control of the Imperial Court

and take command of the army.

When I was escorting Princess Ninghe

to Lucong for her wedding,

I had met

Chen Yintai.

I am willing to set out for Lucong

and end the rebellion.

Duke Chu.

What do you think?

Official Li.

You just took over

this hot potato.

This is the best I could ask for.

However,

we must end the rebellion in Lucong.

If the war spread any further,

people will suffer.

Not to mention the other military commissioners

are waiting for a chance to rebel against us.

Official Li.

How long will it take?

Three months.

This is an urgent situation.

Three months are too long.

Get it done in a month.

Two months.

I think two months are more than enough.

Very well.

That settles it.

However,

I must warn you.

If you failed

to end the Lucong rebellion

in two months,

how should we proceed?

I believe

Official Li

will not disappoint me.

If he failed...

If I failed,

I will hand in my resignation

and become a mere farmer instead.

Duke Chu,

was that enough for you?

Official Li.

Official Li.

I was never

dissatisfied with your plan.

I really do hope

you return victorious.

I'm counting on you.

Very well,

I must thank you

for your blessing.

Your Majesty,

I must take my leave now.

Official Li.

I am counting on you

to do your best.

Yu'er, did you see that?

Official Li came back just in time.

His Majesty

hasn't been so happy

in a very long time.

I never expected

Official Li Deyun's return could turn

the mood around

for the Imperial Court.

Li Deyun is a leader of civil officers.

He has a great reputation.

To ensure his safety,

my brother had to demote him

so he could hide his true capability.

He's been honing his skills for years.

Now that he's returned...

As you can see,

the bootlickers

are all siding with him.

I see.

The Late Emperor had a secret plan.

My brother had

more than one plan.

All right.

It's getting late.

Go get some rest.

Now?

Conserve your strength for later.

Come with me tonight, we're meeting my uncle.

Yes.

Chen.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Aunt Ninghe.

Please, formality is not needed.

I am grateful for your help.

Otherwise, I would have

followed the same fate as my brother.

Your Majesty went through great danger

in bringing me home

and letting Chen use his marvelous medicinal skill

to awaken me.

This must be

fate's planning.

Shi Quanzhong

still has some forces in Lucong.

At the moment,

they are under my command.

Chen Yintai's every move

is being monitored.

Your Majesty.

There is nothing to worry about.

I appreciate your help, Aunt Ninghe.

Your Majesty.

the Princess is still very weak.

She needs rest.

Aunt Ninghe,

rest well.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Congratulations.

The situation in Lucong and Zhenwu

has stalled Qiu Ziliang.

That allowed Official Li

the chance to return to the Imperial Court.

This is only temporary.

The outcome

is still full of uncertainties.

As the Princess alluded to,

this is fate.

The righteous will always get aid.

As long as Your Majesty cares about the people,

Qiu Ziliang will be defeated eventually.

You have my thanks, Uncle.

You saved Aunt Ninghe.

I was merely doing my job.

But Your Majesty and Yu'er's injury...

I'll manage.

But as long as

she's with me,

she will always get hurt

and be in perils.

She can never let her guard down.

Uncle,

I need a favor from you.

Anything, Your Majesty.

In the future,

Qiu Ziliang and I

will be in conflict.

The slightest mistake

will cost me everything.

But with Yu'er

by my side,

she will only be a distraction.

So Uncle,

when the time is right,

take her away.

Yu'er will not leave you.

Which is why...

I need you

to take her away as soon as possible.

Uncle.

Please.

I will

get it done.

I found it.

Is it Ninghe?

No.

It's the Right Minister.

The Right Minister is mysterious.

There was no entry point to investigate.

I once heard Official Qiu

called him Thirteen.

So I started searching with this name.

I traced it back to this lead.

Well done.

It was the 9th year of Tai'an,

soon after the Morning Dew Rebellion,

Qiu Ziliang accepted Thirteen's plan

to found the Chess of Generals Camp.

Their motive was to find the lost posthumous edict

and train the warriors of sacrifice.

We were the first cohort.

We were fortunate

to rose to fame.

We became the Golden Chess Pieces.

Only the Golden Chess Pieces

may use their real names.

How ironic.

I faked my name.

Perhaps Thirteen

was a fake name too.

But that was the real name.

Official Qiu was born into a poor family.

He once passed out in the mountain from starvation.

A sage saved his life.

I've heard that story.

The sage concluded that

he was destined for greatness.

He was gifted with a mystic treatise.

That's how Qiu Ziliang

learned martial arts.

Do you know

where this sage lives?

The Baikong Temple.

Yes.

It's the place

we went to yesterday.

Could it be

the encounter from yesterday

was part of the Right Minister's plan?

Ru Feng, have some water.

Drink up.

Good horse.

Stay hydrated.

Good horse.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Why are you taking care of the horse?

We're going out to hunt today.

I'm here for the preparation.

Besides,

Ru Feng saved me once.

I should repay

the kindness.

Right.

Is this horse

really a gift from Lady Li

to Your Majesty?

Everything I own

is a gift from someone.

That includes you.

No, I am not.

I was indeed

gifted to Your Majesty by my aunt.

Your Majesty.

Why are you here?

I'm here as Your Majesty's navigator.

Do you remember the way?

There was a change of venue.

It's best to follow me there.

Aren't we going out to hunt?

Have a guess.

I...

Let's go.

I can guide the way.

As for Miss Cheng,

it's best that she stays here.

She goes wherever I go.

Your Majesty.

I shouldn't join you.

It's a matter of great importance.

Your Majesty should hurry there.

I admire your wise judgment.

"I admire your wise judgment."

You're just threatening me.

Spare me your pretense.

I would go if I could.

Yu'er.

Aunt.

You're back.

Is Prince An safe?

Save that for later.

You're all grown up now.

It's time for you to get married.

What do you mean?

Come with me.

Where are we going?

The Grand Empress Dowager wants to meet you.

Sit.

It's all right.

I'll just stand here.

Both of your parents had passed away.

Madam Cheng and Eunuch Cheng are

your only family.

Yes.

There was a famine in my hometown when I was a child.

My parents died of starvation.

I was sold by human traffickers...

While you were in Madam Cheng's care,

what else have you learned other than

sword play and dancing?

- I... - Grand Empress Dowager.

Yu'er has a brilliant mind.

She can learn anything

at an amazing pace.

Show your gratitude.

Much obliged, Grand Empress Dowager.

Stay by His Majesty's side and serve him.

Yes.

Aunt.

You should have this.

This is the Peach Blossom Jade Bangle.

It's the bridewealth from the Grand Empress Dowager.

I can't take it from you.

Keep it safe.

Bridewealth?

Why would she give me bridewealth?

His Majesty is very fond of you.

The Grand Empress Dowager

has agreed to let you be His Majesty's wife.

That hurts!

I think I sprained my leg.

Your Majesty.

I'm sorry for the sudden change

of venue.

There are eyes and ears everywhere.

It's only right to be cautious.

Indeed.

Within a month,

Misha should arrive in Zhenwu.

Zhenwu will demand

explanations from the Imperial Court

for the murder of their retainers.

When that happens,

we'll get another month of time.

But delaying it

will not solve

Your Majesty's predicament.

Which is why

in the next two months,

you are the key to seize

Qiu Ziliang's power without the need

of bloodshed.

How are you?

My leg feels better now.

I don't need the harness.

Dismissed.

Your Majesty seems to have acquired essential information.

Your Majesty.

Who now has the bow

I had gifted to Your Majesty?

I don't know.

I know.

Guards.

Your Majesty.

You should keep this bow.

Otherwise, my father would heartbroken.

Is this a threat?

I wouldn't dare.

However...

Please give me another chance.

I regret

that I couldn't stay for you

all those years ago.

Please give me another chance.

Allow my father and I

to aid you.

I

(do have feelings for Yu'er.)

(But it's purely my feelings for her as a ruler,)

(admiration for a sword as a swordsman,)

(and the joy a painter has)

(upon seeing a scenic view.)

It's not romance.

So

Yu'er cannot be my wife.

She will not be the mother of my children.

Stop following me.

Leave.

I hope Your Majesty

reconsider my proposal.

I'll come

for an answer in a few days.

I can give you the answer right away.

Your Majesty hasn't considered it thoroughly.

Take some time to think it through.

What's bothering you?

Your Majesty.

Not a single spike in its fur.

Of my years of hunting,

this is the best I've got.

It shall be your reward.

You may wear it on you.

I...

What's wrong?

Are you too embarrassed to accept my gift?

Take it.

Is this...

the Grand Empress Dowager's bangle.

Your Majesty.

You once gave me a warning.

So this wasn't my intention.

But I was summoned

by the Grand Empress Dowager earlier

and she gave me this.

Enough.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty seems to be enjoying the leisure.

The nation faces a crisis.

Your Majesty

actually has the leisure

to go out on a hunt.

An exquisite white fox.

Good.

We should have fun while we can.

Two months from now,

all the joy might be gone

from Your Majesty's life.

But I

beg to differ.

Your Majesty believes Li Deyun will return with victory.

Or perhaps Princess Ninghe is awake.

Your Majesty,

she will never be awake.

She had passed away.

Nonsense.

If the Princess has passed away,

wouldn't that be her demise?

Your Majesty,

she has met her demise.

Sir.

Qi Yan is arrogant

beyond reasons.

He was trying to provoke you!

He might as well ask for humiliation.

Your Majesty.

It's time for your dinner.

I'm not hungry.

Dine without me.

Your Majesty.

It was my fault.

I've been in the palace all day.

But I spent the whole time being paranoid by Taiye Pond.

Had I

come to visit Princess Ninghe,

it would have...

Qiu Ziliang wanted her dead.

If you were here,

you would have been killed too.

I could have stalled them

and informed you.

Perhaps the outcome

would be different.

No.

You can't do a thing.

You saw what happened here.

As long as you're by my side,

you will be in constant peril.

Your Majesty.

Bring it here.

What?

The bangle.

I wasn't informed of Grand Empress Dowager's plan

for your marriage.

You should forget it.

Yes.

Dismissed.

Yu'er, stop right there!

You knew His Majesty

was in a bad mood.

So why did you say that to him?

It's no surprise he was mad at you.

You had it coming.

He took away

the Peach Blossom Jade Bangle.

Uncle.

I feel restless.

For me,

His Majesty is the Emperor.

He's the man

I will devote my life to serve.

I had doubts at first.

I was blinded by false rumors.

But I'm glad

that I chose to stay

and learn who he really is.

So

all I want is to be

a loyal servant,

a brave bodyguard,

and his best Sword Bearer.

As for the rest,

I wouldn't dare to give them any thought

not am I willing to.

Yu'er.

I understand

your concern.

I will never lecture you on the matter again.

All right.

It's getting late.

Rest well.

Your Majesty.

I will stay up tonight to mourn my aunt's passing.

I don't need any servants.

You may go now.

Yes.

(Yu'er.)

(You are loyal to me.)

(You would risk your life for me.)

(But don't you know)

(that love is now)

(a luxury for me.)

(I will bring peace to the world)

(so you may live)

(a better life.)

Ninghe passed away.

Official Qiu suffocated her

with a pillow.

She was struggling,

so it took quite a while.

We are in charge of the Camp,

but the Shencai Army sneaked past us.

It took Qiu Ziliang a long time to gain influence.

He won't succeed so easily.

We shall proceed patiently.

Now that Ninghe is gone,

Qi Yan's path will be

full of challenges.

Even if Chen Yintai surrendered,

Official Qiu wouldn't

let him get away so easily.

An impeccable plot of sabotage.

Remarkable.

Do you find this amusing?

I think the Right Minister

is more worried than we are.

It's almost time.

Head to the Sunny Rain Pavilion.

She's here.

Compete however you want.

But remember,

no killings.

It'd be hard to explain to my superiors.

Right Minister, since you're here,

why not show us

your face behind that mask?

Very well.

My first question,

who are you?

Does false answer count now?

I ordered my uncle to awaken you.

But my kind intention caused your death.

Aunt Ninghe,

I am sorry.

I will...

I will avenge you

with my own hands.

Why did you

choose to help me?

Nonsense!

I don't have a grandfather.

It's you.

You worthless ruler!

I'll end you now!

Ziyuan.

Han Yue is dead.

You can still turn over a new leaf.

You killed my family

and slaughtered my master.

I must wreak vengeance on you!

Qiu Ziliang gave the order to kill your family.

He killed Han Yue too.

He's the one you want.

I don't care.

You are all villains.

Die!

Spare her life.

Worthless Emperor.

Your Majesty.

What should we do with her?

Your Majesty.

I was late to defend Your Majesty.

Please leave her to me.

♪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♪