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 24=

Your Majesty.

What brought you here?

I was summoned

to play some tunes for the Grand Empress Dowager.

Her room is in the other direction.

You are at the wrong place.

I have questions for Your Majesty.

Has Your Majesty considered

what I proposed the other day?

Lady Li,

how generous of you.

I was moved by your action.

However,

that was uncalled for.

Have you found

a better partner?

Is that why you rejected me?

I don't understand what you mean.

It's Cheng Ruoyu,

am I right?

You think she is more loyal,

reliable,

and more useful.

Isn't that why you rejected me

without hesitation?

Not everyone shares your view of the world.

I don't judge a person

based on their usefulness to me.

Your Majesty, you are wrong.

Cheng Ruoyu was merely part of a scheme.

She always is.

Her seemingly innocent look

has deceived you.

Silence.

This ends here.

We may still be friends.

Haven't you noticed?

Ever since she came into your life,

nothing you do has ever

come to fruition.

Do you really think she and her aunt

are loyal to you?

Do you have any idea

how Prince An came back?

It was Cheng Xi.

Cheng Xi sold you out!

We found out

Qiu Ziliang was hiding Prince An

in the residence

of Changle Parlor at the east of Heng'an.

A neighbor confirmed

the person who sent him there

was Cheng Xi.

You could confront her about this.

If she could betray you,

do you think her niece would be loyal?

About Cheng Xi's background,

where should we start?

Perhaps

I could ask around

in her hometown Puzhou.

If she was willing to tell Cheng Ruoyu,

that would mean she left nothing

that could be traced back to her.

Rather than searching at the wrong place,

we might as well use the shortcut.

A shortcut?

We could just ask the Right Minister.

(If you don't believe me,)

(you could confront Cheng Ruoyu.)

(See as she denies everything)

(and uses her fancy words)

(to keep you fooled.)

(Yu'er will never lie to me.)

How did Prince An get back?

What have you found?

(If His Majesty knew)

(my aunt handed Prince An)

(over to Qiu Ziliang,)

(what would he think of me?)

(Tell me, Yu'er.)

(You haven't changed.)

(It was only Cheng Xi's doing.)

(My aunt made a grave mistake.)

(I shouldn't lie for her.)

(However...)

(Even if Cheng Xi betrayed me,)

(I would never be mad at you.)

(However,)

(if I could stop her in time)

(and make her give up her plot,)

(there might still be a chance.)

(I only ask that)

(you can be honest with me.)

Prince An knew nothing.

Is that so?

You told me

you need confirmation regarding an investigation.

What have you found?

I went to Yanzhi.

I asked her to help me locate

Princess Misha.

And?

She had no idea either.

So,

is there nothing

you wish to tell me?

I...

(Yu'er,)

(be honest with me.)

(Tell me the truth,)

(I will forgive you.)

Yes.

However,

I can't tell you just yet.

Why?

That's because...

In any case,

I must get to the bottom of it.

Dismissed.

I...

want some time alone.

Yes.

I take my leave now.

Right Minister.

I have three questions.

What is the cost for that?

Very well.

I'll go first.

My first questions is,

is Cheng Xi

really your half-sister

from a different father?

Cheng Ruoyu

asked me to investigate your background.

But you once warned me

not to pursue the lead.

I thought

we had come to an agreement.

But now,

Cheng Xi surprised us all.

To save my own neck,

perhaps I could only...

The Crown Prince?

Do you mean...

The family's wealth

goes to the younger brother when the son is gone.

But as long as the son lives,

the brother gets nothing.

You plan to replace the brother

with a Crown Prince.

Qiu Ziliang will never

allow this.

Uncle.

Has His Majesty finished his meal?

He didn't touch the food.

I'm worried sick.

Yu'er.

I must ask you,

and you must be honest with me.

Did you do something that upset His Majesty again?

- I... - You know,

the way

His Majesty looked at me lately...

What do you mean?

He considers me an eyesore.

I'll ask him.

Are you out of your mind?

His Majesty and Official Li

are discussing the matter

of appointing a Crown Brother.

We were ordered

not to interrupt the discussion.

Do as I say.

Anyway,

just keep my advice in mind.

While you're at work,

be more sensible.

Don't upset His Majesty even more.

Yes.

Official Li.

Official Li.

Huaizhi.

I'm here.

Close the door.

Yes.

My second question,

are you willing to help me

resolve the situation?

Very well.

Before we can save Qi Yan,

we shall join hands.

Now,

I have one final question.

The true origin of Cheng Ruoyu.

Or maybe

the truth about yours and Cheng Xi's background.

You refuse to tell me.

Do I need to pay extra?

Or do you not trust me?

I thought you knew.

Indeed.

I am Wang Ruoqing.

What about now?

Do I have enough leverage?

Do I

have your trust?

It was in my sister's shoe.

I was running for my life.

I didn't look for it.

But now,

I have no idea where it is.

If you don't believe me,

then forget it.

Your Majesty.

It's time for your meal.

Leave.

You haven't eaten anything in a day.

I won't say this again.

Leave.

I need to have a word with you.

I don't want to hear it.

I don't want to see you.

Leave!

I fell for your trick.

I don't understand.

I fell for your Beauty Trap.

Your Majesty.

Naive and frank.

Pure and innocent.

Bravery and loyalty.

You play hard to get.

They knew and sent me the woman

I'd like.

No, Your Majesty.

What happened to Prince An

was unexpected.

We have a solution.

- We could save him... - Cheng Ruoyu!

Enough!

Your consolation and concern,

your motivating

and hopeful lies

won't work on me anymore.

Lies?

What else could they be?

Before

I become furious over your lies,

leave!

I'm not going anywhere.

When I was there for Prince An,

he said...

Prince An said

it was my aunt

who had brought him to Qiu Ziliang.

However,

my aunt had her reason to do so.

She...

What?

Before you come clean,

your lies are worthless!

I have known

the truth.

Nothing you say can convince me.

I was trying very hard

to restrain myself,

but this time

I shall spare you

the last bit of mercy I have.

Leave!

I don't want to see you again.

Huaizhi!

Yes, Your Majesty.

Come over here.

I...

Take your niece and leave.

You too.

From now on,

don't ever show up in front of me.

- Your Majesty. - Yes.

He knows.

Yes.

Why?

Why?

Why did His Majesty

chase me out?

He knows.

What does he know?

What does he know?

My aunt

betrayed him.

Yes.

I handed over Prince An

to Qiu Ziliang.

I betrayed you.

Don't you know why I did it?

If you could make up your mind

to realize your goal,

I would do anything.

It's now or never.

Don't hesitate.

While Qi Yan and Qiu Ziliang are

still fighting,

we must set our plan into motion.

I have Liu Misha as my hostage!

What we are about

to do,

is to form an alliance with Zhenwu

through Liu Misha.

During the appointment ceremony,

we'll launch the mutiny.

The empire of Qi family

will become ours.

Leave!

If you plea for Li Deyun again,

I'll punish you as well!

From now on,

unless summoned by me,

Prince Yi is not allowed to enter the palace!

I'm sorry for the long wait.

That is a nice horse.

I'm glad Your Highness likes it.

I

managed to hunt down a white eagle.

Its feathers make fine arrows.

My father and I

are leaving for Yuanzhou.

But

we are supposed to get married

in three months.

You can stop lying to yourself now.

You're well aware of the situation in Heng'an.

I can wait for another three years.

How does that sound?

You lack the necessary strength.

At this rate,

as long as

Qiu Ziliang

has control over the Imperial Court,

my father may never regain his rank for another 30 years to come.

I'm sorry, Your Highness.

I've let you down.

All of them

turned their backs on me.

I'm in the middle of a political struggle.

Yet, I am blaming others for my mistakes.

How foolish of me.

I am foolish.

I can see why all of you left.

News from the palace.

Qi Yan has banished both Cheng Ruoyu

and Cheng Huaizhi.

I have the honor of playing another tune

for the Grand Empress Dowager.

You are at the wrong place again.

I must ask,

has Your Majesty considered

my proposal from the other day?

I thought

you were loyal to a fault.

Why are you here?

I could ask you the same!

Brother.

Kneel!

Kneel!

Look at you!

What have you done?

Did His Majesty mistreated you

in any way?

It's bad enough that you are an ingrate,

and you joined hands...

You joined hands with him

to go against His Majesty.

Cheng Xi.

Do you have no conscience at all?

Brother.

Calm down.

Now you want me to calm down.

How can I be calm?

Cheng Xi.

You forfeited your easy life

for a mindless rebellion!

Don't you know?

Backstabbers always fail!

Brother.

Could we talk about this upstairs?

Upstairs?

Why bother going upstairs?

So you do realize

how despicable your action was!

If you saw this coming,

why would you still do it?

I didn't ask you to stand up.

Kneel.

I didn't say you could get up.

I'm tired of kneeling down.

I'm tired of being obedient.

Li Rong.

Yes.

See my brother off.

Yes.

Where can I go now?

I have no place here!

I'm too ashamed

to face His Majesty!

Xi.

What have you become?

I'm so disappointed in you!

I'm so disappointed in you!

Do you think

bringing my brother here

could save your skin?

I didn't bring him here.

Thanks to you,

he was banished by His Majesty.

You ratted me out.

Thanks to you,

I was banished as well.

What is the meaning of this?

I am the Sword Bearer of the Violet Bureau.

My sword

points only at my enemies.

By the name of the Qingguang Sword,

heed my command.

Heed my order!

Madam Jade.

Now you know.

Without me,

you are nothing.

But at least

I still have my humanity.

I'm not like them.

If they followed you,

they would end up being used as weapons.

If you don't believe me,

then wait and see.

You don't belong here.

Leave.

You will betray him sooner or later.

Your destiny with him)

had been written years ago.

(The world is vast,)

(yet I belong in nowhere.)

(Where should I go?)

Get on the carriage.

I look like a failure.

Right?

You look lost.

You foresaw this,

didn't you?

What could I have foreseen?

That His Majesty knew Cheng Xi's doing?

Or the fact you were no match for Cheng Xi?

I was at the Violet Bureau just now.

I summoned

all of the members.

I ordered them to arrest Cheng Xi.

Yet...

They disobeyed you.

What they are doing is wrong.

The pawns shouldn't care about morality.

Obedience is all that matters to them.

They didn't help you

because you lack authority.

You failed to convince them.

For them,

His Majesty is an outsider.

Cheng Xi

is the teacher

who raised and trained them.

It's very apparent

who's their family.

But what about you?

You didn't join your kins

but defend Qi Yan so blindly.

Yes,

Qi Yan saved your life.

But Cheng Xi spent years raising you.

She is your true family.

I think

a person

should know what's right from wrong,

regardless of kinship.

Treason

can never be right.

I want to stop my aunt from making further mistakes.

I want her to stop and repent

before it's too late.

It's already too late.

Indeed.

I was too ignorant.

His Majesty knows.

My aunt

is never going to repent.

Consider yourself fortunate.

What?

You lost your parents,

your childhood was a tragedy,

but you have no recollection of those memories.

You were raised in the Violet Bureau

under protection.

You know nothing of the people's suffering.

That is the reason you're frustrated

over a minor setback.

If you were QI Yan, Cheng Xi,

or even me,

you would know

that there is

no perfect solution in this world.

You must take a path and see through it.

There is no right

or wrong.

There are only the winner

and the defeated.

With victories,

all you do will be right.

With defeats,

nothing you do is ever right.

Take Qi Yan for an example.

If he can't win,

he can't realize his vision.

Based on his current achievements,

he's far from being a wise ruler.

Your protection for him

is meaningless.

What is meaningful, then?

Winning.

Winning in the quickest way possible.

Only by winning

can you have everything.

How do I win?

Return to his side.

Help him appease the rebellion in Lucong.

He doesn't trust me anymore.

Do you know

who told him Cheng Xi's action?

It was Official Li.

It was his daughter,

Li Zening.

It's unfortunate of you

to have her as your rival.

There is no rivalry between us.

That's not how she sees it.

His Majesty

seems to think otherwise as well.

His Majesty and I do not share

such an intimate relationship.

Stop uttering

this nonsense,

or I'll leave.

Fine.

With her as my rival,

I consider myself unfortunate.

I would rather

have you

by His Majesty's side and not her.

What are you trying to say?

What am I trying to say?

I want

to help you win his heart back.

Bring him a present.

He will surely forgive you.

What is it?

It's Liu Misha.

Where is she?

I told you to leave.

Look, Your Majesty.

Everyone left.

But I told you

never to come back again.

I never wanted to come back.

But there is something

I must inform you as soon as possible.

My aunt

only handed Prince An over to Qiu Ziliang.

You finally admitted it.

The secret is finally told.

Just Prince An alone.

Your Majesty.

What about Misha?

That's the point.

This is the problem.

My aunt never told me

where Misha was.

You came to tell me

you weren't in cahoot with Cheng Xi?

Or did she abandon you

so you came back seeking refuge?

I mean,

I want to help Your Majesty

rescue Misha.

Your Majesty.

Many have forgotten the oath they took

when they joined the Violet Bureau.

But I still remember it.

Spirits of Heaven and Earth.

Spirit of the swords.

My heart is my sword,

serving as the ward against all evil.

My sword is my will,

protecting my lord from all perils.

Cheng Xi assumed holding Misha hostage

would give her control over the Zhenwu Army.

How naive of her.

We shall see how it unfolds.

Certainly not.

This is my game.

I can't let her

use my pawns as hers.

Princess Misha

will fall under my control.

♪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♪