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 23=

Sword Bearer Cheng Ruoyu requests audience!

(Yu'er.)

Your Majesty.

Chen Yintai couldn't convince people,

and his troops are disunited.

General of the Standard Zhang Jiang already killed him.

Wait.

(Memorial to the Throne) Official Qiu.

(Memorial to the Throne)

It seems like Official Li

knows Heshuo's situation

very well.

Indeed.

No post was given.

He'd surely bring chaos upon himself.

I got it.

Official Li is right indeed.

This is because Your Majesty is lucky.

Those who want to turn this luck around

won't have a good ending.

May the heavens protect Your Majesty.

May the heavens protect Xing.

- Long live Your Majesty! - Long live Your Majesty!

Rise.

- Thank you, Your Majesty. - Thank you, Your Majesty.

Of course,

we must thank

Duke Chu for his assistance.

I am

so grateful.

Please accept my bow.

Yu'er.

Are you injured?

I'm fine.

But in order to save me,

Ziyuan is stuck in Chess of Generals Camp.

I'm not sure if she's dead or alive.

I'll delay them.

Go.

But...

Cut the crap.

They're waiting for news from you.

Ziyuan.

I'm not doing this for the lousy emperor.

I'm doing it for the citizens.

Don't worry.

Yanzhi will keep her alive.

We'll think of a way to save her

when the time comes.

Since Official Li

can recognize Lucong's situation clearly,

he must have a plan.

And he accomplished a great thing this time.

He must be rewarded.

I announce

that Official Li is now given the title of Vice Director of the Chancellery,

serving as the Grand Councilor.

and assist me in my rule.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Congratulations, Official Li.

Same to you.

Indeed.

I have good news

to report to His Majesty.

During this period of time,

these are the people Official Qiu met.

Did you miss anyone?

I don't think so.

He is obstinate.

He thinks that no one would dare to monitor him.

(A woman in plain clothes visited during tea time)

Who is this woman

in plain clothes?

Among the people he met,

she's the only one whose identity is unclear.

We only know

that a woman wearing a veiled hat

visited him ten days ago.

Right Advisor arranged a place for her to stay.

In the past few days,

he also went to where she's staying twice.

He also went there last night.

Last night?

Are you sure?

Yes.

I found out where she's staying.

I even found a cricket.

Prince An.

Duke Chu.

What good news do you want to report?

His Highness Prince An.

Godfather.

Good boy.

Come,

and greet your brother.

Greetings, Brother.

Rise.

Your Majesty.

His Highness Prince An

suffered a lot.

But I think

that it's worth it.

Because His Majesty

wants to give you the title of Crown Prince.

Are you happy?

Thank you, Brother.

This is ridiculous!

His Majesty is in his prime.

Why does he need to appoint a Crown Prince?

Official Li.

You don't agree?

Official Qiu is pulling the same trick.

Duke Chu.

What are you doing?

You don't agree

because you think

that this isn't formal enough?

That's fine.

Appointing a Crown Prince

is a major matter.

It must be more formal indeed.

Official Li.

Do you think

the preparation outside the hall is enough?

You...

Your Majesty.

Rumors have been arising in Heng'an City,

making the citizens feel panicked.

Appointing a Crown Prince

can help bring the nation and citizens peace.

Your Majesty.

What do you think?

I second the motion!

- I second the motion. - I second the motion.

Your Majesty.

An hour ago,

Wang Lin brought

3,000 Shencai Army of the Left into the palace.

They're waiting outside the Silver Platform Gate.

They don't seem to harbor good intentions.

Today is the last day

of the deadline in February.

Qiu Ziliang is mobilizing troops

because he wants

to pressure Li Deyun to resign during the imperial court meeting.

Are you ready?

Don't worry, Your Majesty.

As usual,

once you light the flare,

the Left Jinwu Guards outside

on the right of Silver Platform Gate

will immediately come and surround the place.

Then you can see

that my men

are definitely not useless

like the Shencai Army.

(Eighth brother Prince An has been smart and kind since he was little)

(He'll be appointed as Crown Prince and stay in the East Palace)

Your Majesty.

Put a seal on it.

What's the matter?

Are you trying to force His Majesty?

Violet Bureau, where are you?

Little Fish has improved.

She knows that she can use

the Violet Bureau to protect His Majesty.

She's finally not foolhardy anymore.

Your Majesty.

What are you still thinking about?

His Majesty said

that he doesn't agree.

Duke Chu.

Is there anything else you want to report?

His Majesty doesn't agree.

Forget it then.

Are you leaving or not?

Brother.

I agree.

I am

appointing Prince An

as the Crown Prince.

Your Highness Prince An.

Thank your brother.

Thank you, Brother.

We still can't find out

who exactly that woman is.

However,

she must be the one

who brought Prince An back.

No wonder.

I was wondering

why Official Qiu was concerned about Zhaoyi,

and not Lucong.

It turns out

that he intentionally let Li Deyun won once.

Later on,

he still has Prince An as his trump card.

Is Liu Misha

in Qiu Ziliang's hands as well?

Since Prince An was captured,

I think Liu Misha didn't get away as well.

Find out where Liu Misha is hiding.

If she can still go back there,

this might still stand a chance.

Yes.

By the way,

what should we do with Ziyuan?

Your Majesty.

What's the matter?

You don't have an appetite?

When I acknowledged Qiu Ziliang as my godfather back then,

I went against the late emperor in everything.

The officials

all suggested for him

to revoke my title as Prince Yi

and exile me to a desolate place.

But he never agreed.

It was just like

the situation with His Highness Prince An now.

Before he died,

he only requested one thing.

He begged me

to take good care

of our siblings.

Even if His Highness Prince An

keeps betraying you,

you still want to save him?

But Qiu Ziliang

knows my weak spot too well.

Your Majesty.

Now, the situation is much better.

Official Li is back.

The Violet Bureau is also strong.

If we can save His Highness Prince An once,

we can save him again.

Grandfather.

Grandfather.

Grandfather.

I think

that you're still

the brilliant one.

Even if those women in the Violet Bureau

made a fool of us today,

in the end, His Majesty still...

That's enough.

Shut up.

Not only is Little Fish back,

she even picked

cowardly and useless people to pressure us.

You're brilliant.

I didn't do my job well.

Sir.

What should we do next?

Come here.

Choose

an auspicious day

for the official appointment

of Prince An.

Yes.

Only with a title

can we proceed with our plans.

Understand?

- Yes. - Yes.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

I originally wanted to suppress Qiu Ziliang

through Zhenwu

after we settle things in Lucong.

But now,

Qi Rong is in Qiu Ziliang's hands.

And we're not sure if Misha is dead or alive.

I'm afraid

that the chaos in Lucong will still go on for a long time.

Your Majesty.

What if I go

and save Princess Misha now?

Do you know

where Princess Misha is locked up?

I don't have much clues indeed.

Your Majesty, what's the matter?

How did Misha

and Qi Rong's whereabouts

leak out?

I kept wondering about that.

And how did they fall

into Qiu Ziliang's hands?

The only ones who know about this matter are me,

you,

Prince Guang and Aunt.

But it's impossible

for us to leak out the news.

Uncle won't harm

me and Qi Rong.

And I trust you.

Then you mean...

You're suspecting Aunt.

Your Majesty.

It definitely can't be Aunt.

It must be because Princess Misha

and His Highness Prince An

accidentally revealed their tracks.

Or perhaps Qiu Ziliang

figured it out.

Anyway, it can't be Aunt.

Your Majesty, you know...

I know.

Calm down.

Your Majesty.

Even if Aunt

hid Yuzhen Hall

from you,

she definitely

won't betray you.

If she has ulterior motives,

how can she let me become the Sword Bearer

and serve by your side

to protect you?

You're right.

Now

is not the time to think about this.

We must find a way to save her first.

Let's go to Qi Rong now?

Okay.

Your Majesty.

Let's ask Yanzhi first

where His Highness Prince An is staying.

All right.

This way.

She's not around.

Based on these incense,

she must have been gone for less than half an hour.

That's strange.

Where would she go

at this hour?

Leave a secret sign for her.

Let's check somewhere else.

This painting...

The person in the painting looks so familiar.

This is the Chess Ancestor Shennong.

Cheng Ruoyu.

Cheng Ruoyu.

Cheng Ruoyu.

I'm fine.

I'm having a headache again.

I feel much better.

Time is running out.

Let's go.

Are you really fine?

Your Majesty.

It seems like Prince An is inside.

I'll think of a way

to distract the guards.

Take the opportunity to go inside,

find Qi Rong,

and ask him

how he returned.

I'll distract the guards instead.

You go inside.

If I do it,

Qi Rong might not tell the truth.

All right.

I'll do it.

Be careful.

Who's there?

Chess Overseer.

Here's the long-horned grasshopper you want.

- You may go. - Yes.

(Yanzhi?)

Prince An.

I wasn't expecting you.

There's something

I can't figure out.

I want to ask you about it.

What is it?

Your Highness.

How did you return?

Eunuch Qiu doesn't want me

to tell this to outsiders.

My Ever Victorious General.

You want it?

Exchange this with your secret.

You dare to trick me too?

You're young indeed.

Father personally gave me the title of Chess Overseer.

In that case,

do you consider Chess of Generals Camp

as an outsider?

Do you want me

to ask Father about such a minor thing?

Madam Cheng was the one who brought me back.

That's ridiculous!

Guards!

Wait.

Let's listen to what she has to say first

before we call the guards.

It's impossible for Aunt to do that.

That's nonsense.

You're lying.

Why would I lie?

Not only did Madam Cheng bring me back,

she even told Eunuch Qiu

about using Liu Misha

in exchange for something.

In exchange for what?

I don't know.

Eunuch Qiu

even instructed Madam Cheng

to lead Violet Bureau well.

I don't believe

anything you said.

That's impossible.

Aunt couldn't possibly do that.

Yu'er.

Instead of speaking

useless things here,

go back

and ask your aunt

why she did that.

But before getting to the bottom of things,

don't tell anyone first.

Otherwise,

you know what will happen.

Yanzhi.

In order to save me,

Ziyuan got trapped here.

Can you release her?

Sure.

Exchange her with the reason for Cheng Xi's betrayal.

Aunt didn't betray His Majesty.

I'll prove it to you.

Is she going to cut out my brother's heart?

What did you say?

Madam Cheng said

that she especially

prepared Cheng Ruoyu

to cut out my brother's heart.

Your Majesty.

What happened?

Did you see Qi Rong?

What did he say?

Your Majesty.

I need to confirm something.

Afterwards,

I'll return to the palace

and inform you about everything.

Yu'er.

Yu'er.

(Right Advisor.)

(They know each other.)

Right Minister is very angry.

I was doing it for his sake.

You ruined his entire plan

and brought Prince An into Qiu Ziliang's hands.

And you're saying that it was for his sake?

I'm helping him make a decision.

All these years,

he's been working for Qiu Ziliang.

He helped him build Chess of Generals Camp

and train warriors of sacrifice.

He wants to use Qiu Ziliang's power

to build his own power.

You know his intentions?

Not only do I know it,

I've been helping him with it.

I tried so hard to get Violet Bureau

from the late emperor

and moved Yuzhen Hall's warriors of sacrifice

out of the palace.

I even sowed discord among Qi Yan

and Qiu Ziliang many times

to make them become at odds with each other.

But I don't understand

when he changed

his mind

and started sincerely

assisting Qi Yan.

What nonsense are you talking about?

You know very well

if that's nonsense or not.

What happened with Li Deyun?

Even if Qi Yan was the one who summoned him back,

without his help,

could he have returned?

Don't think that I'm not aware

of your plans.

First, you used Lucong's chaos

to let Li Deyun return to the capital.

Then using Zhenwu's 80,000 elite warriors,

you want to suppress Qiu Ziliang.

Qiu Ziliang may have great martial arts skills,

but he's not a talented military commander.

And all these years,

you made the Shencai Army wallow in luxury

and pleasures.

They're utterly corrupted.

At this rate,

Li Deyun can take the opportunity

to control military power

and kill the eunuch's faction.

(Aunt is exactly right.)

(That's what His Majesty)

(is planning as well.)

(But what does that have to do)

(with Right Minister?)

Isn't that our objective?

And then what will happen?

Li Deyun will replace Qiu Ziliang

and become the second most powerful man in Xing.

How can he have a way

to control him then

and dethrone Qi Yan?

How do you know that he doesn't have a way?

I only know

that Qi Yan wants to marry Li Deyun's daughter,

Li Zening.

When the time comes,

Li Deyun will only be loyal to one person,

and that is Qi Yan,

and not him.

Who's there?

Yu'er?

I can't argue against you.

I'll tell him to personally come to talk to you.

The Violet Bureau is your home.

Why are you sneaking around?

Come inside.

Have a seat.

Why?

You heard us?

I won't keep it from you then.

To be honest,

all these years,

it's been hard hiding it as well.

You're working for the Right Minister of Chess of Generals Camp?

Yes.

Then you're also part of the Chess of Generals Camp?

No.

I don't understand.

Who is Right Minister?

Why are you working for him?

He's my younger brother.

Cheng Ruoyu.

Come out.

Your Majesty.

I'm here.

Well...

Go and make tea for me.

Yes.

I have another uncle?

Does Uncle know?

No.

We have the same mother but different fathers.

It's a long story.

I came to the capital

and entered the palace

to look for him.

After finding him,

the reason I stayed in the palace

is to help him.

What is his objective?

The nation.

You want to rebel?

The Xing Dynasty should perish.

With the nation in chaos,

only the competent can rule.

Instead of letting eunuchs

repeatedly support puppets to ascend to the throne,

we should rule ourselves.

But the Right Advisor said

that's not what the Right Minister wants to do.

He's kind

and indecisive.

That's why I'm helping him make a decision.

Yu'er.

Come and help me

and your uncle.

- No. - Together...

Qi Yan isn't a wise emperor.

He's not worth doing your best for.

No.

Cheng Ruoyu.

You dare to disobey me?

Aunt.

The nation is in chaos indeed.

But the competent shouldn't rule.

The virtuous should rule instead.

Is Qi Yan virtuous?

I won't help you.

You must help me.

Otherwise, you'll die.

Kill me then.

Back then, His Highness Prince Guang saved me.

Then you brought me back to the palace

and took care of me daily.

You worked so hard

for half a year

before I was healed.

You gave me this life.

If you want to kill me today,

I won't defend myself.

But Aunt,

it's impossible for me

to rebel with you.

Perhaps you've forgotten

the Violet Bureau's oath,

but I haven't.

I'll surely protect His Majesty

until I die.

You just want to be a loyal subject,

but not be a filial niece?

It's hard to fulfill both.

Scram!

Go back to that lousy emperor!

When you find out

what kind of person he really is,

you'll regret

this day!

This is also good.

The closer you are to Qi Yan,

the more hurt and devastated you'll be

when you find out

the truth.

You two can die together.

(What should I do?)

(Even if I won't help Aunt rebel,)

(should I just watch His Majesty)

(punish Aunt?)

(How should I tell His Majesty)

(that Aunt has betrayed him?)

(I can't face His Majesty anymore.)

(And I can't continue)

(staying by his side.)

Uncle.

Yu'er.

What's the matter?

Yu'er.

Are you

not feeling well, Your Majesty?

Eunuch Qiu

sends a pill every three months.

You feel unwell

every time you take it.

I...

I'm fine.

I'm just a bit tired.

Your Majesty.

Did Yu'er

infuriate you again?

I apologize on her behalf.

She didn't do anything.

No? That's good.

I saw Yu'er

standing by the door earlier.

She didn't dare to come in.

Yu'er is back?

Let her in then.

She left.

You may go.

Yes.

Tell me.

What is the reason for Cheng Xi's betrayal?

Is it that hard to say?

You'll help His Majesty,

right?

Not necessarily.

However,

at this point,

I don't want anything to happen to Qi Yan.

Aunt and Right Minister are siblings.

Really?

Right Minister is in Chess of Generals Camp

to use its power

to get the authority to command the Shencai Army

and usurp the throne.

But currently,

they have a disagreement.

Aunt wants His Majesty dead,

but Right Minister is hesitant.

That was why Aunt betrayed His Majesty

and Right Minister

and brought Prince An

to Qiu Ziliang.

She's trying to pressure Right Minister?

That was what she told Right Advisor.

That's strange.

If they want the nation,

now is not the time yet.

They better wait until both sides have suffered great losses.

I don't know about that.

But I can feel

that Aunt really hates His Majesty.

That's even stranger.

Since Qi Yan ascended to the throne,

he valued her and Cheng Huaizhi a lot.

I'm really confused now.

Unless

this is the reason.

Like Zheng Wu and Han Yue,

she has a feud with the imperial family.

That's why she'd rather

help Qiu Ziliang fight against Qi Yan.

Did I ever tell you

that I entered the palace eight years ago?

I know.

I read

everyone's resume in the Violet Bureau,

especially yours.

Did the resume mention

that I was sick when I entered the palace?

I don't remember

any of my childhood memories.

You mean

Cheng Xi's betrayal

is related to your identity?

Perhaps.

I didn't want to investigate before

because I thought

that it must be

a terrible experience.

But now,

I want you to help me investigate myself,

Aunt,

and Right Minister's identities.

I won't let you help me for nothing.

What can you repay me with?

Three things.

After you find out the truth,

I'll do three things for you.

And

you're already investigating Right Minister anyway,

aren't you?

How do you know?

How can

someone like you tolerate

another person in Chess of Generals Camp

having the same level as you

and even

above you?

Very good.

You're already starting

to understand me a bit.

Then

are we working together or not?

It's a deal.

♪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♪