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 27=

I'll teach her a lesson

for you instead.

I assure you your niece will

behave

and obey,

and be more sensible.

I wouldn't dare to trouble you.

I should lecture her myself.

It's no big deal.

That settles it.

Guards.

Escort Madam Cheng and her ladies back.

Madam Cheng.

This way.

Little Fish!

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty.

It's...

It's Qiu Yanzhi. She...

Your Majesty.

Greetings, Your Majesty.

Why are you here?

I have good news

and bad news.

Which would you like to know first?

The good news.

Come in.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

I thought

I would never see you again.

It's all right now.

I'm here.

It's over.

I'm here for you.

What about the bad news?

Can't you tell?

It was Yu'er who rescued her.

Your Majesty's loyal Sword Bearer

sacrificed her own life

to save Princess Misha's life.

Your Majesty.

Isn't this touching?

Do you know...

that I found you interesting

when I first met you?

However,

you've spoiled my plan

time and time again.

Yet, I didn't take your life.

Do you know why?

It's because of loyalty.

It's hard to come by nowadays

here in Xing.

But I'm well aware

that you are loyal only to Qi Yan.

For me,

your loyalty

is a nuisance.

Now that you know,

then cut me to the quick.

Lovely.

Dying is

the easiest thing to do.

Taking your life

is my mercy for you.

Do you get it?

Lovely girl.

Tell me,

what happened between

you and Cheng Xi?

If Cheng Xi

wanted to side with me,

she would have done it.

But why is she

betraying Qi Yan right now?

And curiously, Qi Yan didn't punish her.

You, Cheng Xi, and Qi Yan,

the three of you,

must be planning something.

Come on.

Come clean.

Are you playing dead?

Right Advisor.

Yes.

Make sure you teach her a good lesson.

Yes.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty, you must be cautious.

You're still recovering.

Is everything set?

Yes.

We can't afford the slightest mistake.

I need you to get rid of

Shi Yuan and Yuan Xing personally.

Very well.

The field is set.

We have one chance

for victory.

In all my years here,

you're the most talented

martial artist I've seen.

But sadly,

when the Right Advisor is done breaking all your bones,

you're as good as nothing.

Dismissed.

Yes.

Do you feel pity for her?

No.

Yu'er was arrogant

to go against you and thwart your plans.

She deserved to be punished.

However,

we have never

kept any secrets from you.

We need your wise judgment.

Whether the intention was ill or not,

some interrogations will do the trick.

Even now, I have yet

to earn your trust.

In that case,

for your ease of mind,

I request

that you spare my life

and let me resign

for I have returned

Princess Misha and Prince An.

I will never step into Heng'an again.

No.

You're an outstanding official.

I could never let you leave.

Get up.

Sir!

Sir! His Majesty is coming.

If you want me

to trust you,

there is only one way.

You must

take your niece's life right in front of Qi Yan.

Only then

will I believe

you are truly on my side

and not putting up an act

to help Qi Yan.

His Majesty arrives!

Your Majesty.

I am not expecting this visit.

Why?

You should be healing inside your palace.

Wait here.

Yes.

What are you waiting for?

Don't you want me to trust you?

I've given you

the opportunity.

Madam Cheng.

Madam Cheng, no.

- No! - It's either her

or me.

Your Majesty.

I'm here.

It's all right now.

Don't speak.

Is Your Majesty going to defend her?

What has the Sword Bearer done

to deserve your wrath,

Godfather?

It's the middle of the night.

She trespassed my house

like an assassin.

So we interrogated her.

Am I right,

Madam Cheng?

Yes.

The nation has its laws.

A house needs rules.

Duke Chu merely enforced the laws.

Is that so?

But the Sword Bearer

was ordered by me

to quell the traitors.

Your Majesty, do you mean

I am the traitor?

Don't you remember?

You stabbed me.

I was lecturing Yu'er.

I didn't expect Your Majesty to stand out for her.

I have since resigned

and left the palace.

I didn't agree with it.

I had permission

from Duke Chu.

It was informed to the six Bureaus.

Indeed.

She is telling the truth.

Very well.

Since Duke Chu

has punished you,

then this matter is over.

I will not pursue further action.

Guards.

Take the Sword Bearer back to the palace.

No.

Yu'er trespassed

into Duke Chu's house.

She even killed three members of the Violet Bureau.

She murdered them.

Your Majesty

should not defend her.

Are you telling the truth?

Li Rong.

Bring in their bodies.

What are you waiting for?

Get it done now!

Yes.

Your Majesty.

The laws make no exception for the ruler.

Cheng Ruoyu came on

behalf of Your Majesty,

but she could have just arrested me.

She shouldn't have killed those innocent people.

I didn't kill them.

You did.

I have witnesses and evidence.

Aunt...

I am not your aunt.

I told you,

you and I are no longer family.

Don't be afraid.

I'm here for you.

Tell His Majesty

who killed these girls.

It was Cheng Ruoyu.

Your Majesty.

This sword

was taken

from their bodies.

Your Majesty, the laws come first.

Your Majesty.

This case

should be handled by the Court of Judicature

per the laws.

Sir,

may I know

what is the punishment

for killing three people

according to our laws?

Death sentence

and execution.

Cheng Ruoyu,

I've prepared everything

on my end.

Now, it's down to you

to take the final action.

(I need the map of Qiu Ziliang's residence,)

(my aunt's location,)

(and)

(your help.)

Very well.

You must do as I say.

What is it?

I'll send Yan Xiu with you.

Draw Cheng Xi's attention

after your successful infiltration.

Yan Xiu will use the opening

to rescue Liu Misha.

Sure.

However,

you will face two obstacles.

First,

Cheng Xi will try to harm you.

Secondly,

Cheng Xi might spare your life,

but your action in the residence

will never escape Qiu Ziliang's sight.

So he will take your life.

If I can bring Princess Misha back,

I don't mind the risk.

Now is not the time

to trade your life for hers.

After you've saved her,

I'll take her to Qi Yan immediately.

He will rush to Qiu Ziliang's house

to save you.

But

Qiu Ziliang will never obey His Majesty.

That is why

I've found you

a lifesaver.

What if

the sinner was expecting a child?

What did you say?

I'm expecting a child.

According to the laws,

a woman on death roll

must be executed.

But she is expecting a child,

the execution can only be carried out

100 days after she's given birth.

Isn't that right?

What was that?

You're pregnant?

Yes.

Do you not believe me?

It's impossible.

This is not possible!

Who is the father?

His Majesty.

How I came by

this imaginary child aside,

Qiu Ziliang would have

more reasons to take my life

because I was pregnant

with His Majesty's child.

Do you want to

save His Majesty or not?

Do you want to stop

Prince An from becoming the Crown Prince?

Of course.

Sir.

You asked me

why I had a fallout with my aunt.

Why?

I refused to tell you

because I still

held gratitude for her.

But I never thought

she would go as far as to frame me

just to have me executed.

For the sake of my child,

I must live.

I was ordered by my aunt

to approach His Majesty.

She promised me

she would help my son ascend to the throne

if I gave birth

to a prince.

But she betrayed me

and took Prince An and Princess Misha

to you.

The 16th of next month

will be Prince An's

appointment ceremony.

I felt angry and slighted.

So I came to confront her

and a fierce battle almost broke out.

You liar!

Sir.

Do not believe her.

Carry on.

I never thought

she would trick me.

She used me

to alienate you and His Majesty,

then pretended to lead the Violet Bureau into serving you.

Do you know what her motive

really is?

She wants the throne to herself.

I bet you haven't realized

that Liu Misha is still alive.

Really?

My aunt sent Ziyuan

to impersonate Liu Misha.

After she murdered Wang Lin,

she escaped with

the real Princess Misha.

She is lying.

Sir,

she is a liar!

It was a lie!

I can judge whether

she is

lying or not.

What happened next?

She wants the throne.

So she needs an army.

She took Liu Misha

and seized control of Zhenwu Army's 80,000 soldiers.

With the Violet Bureau working on the inside,

she will use the appointment ceremony as the opportunity

to kill you,

His Majesty,

and Prince An.

She will kill you all.

Is it true?

Madam Cheng.

Sir,

do you think I could pull that off?

Zhenwu is far from here.

The Violet Bureau has around only 100 warriors.

We could never pull this off.

Then please,

investigate the three mysteries.

First,

why did Prince An fall ill so suddenly?

Secondly,

is the Zhenwu Army marching?

Thirdly,

the appointment ceremony is at the Danfeng Gate.

Have she already installed traps

beneath the stone staircase?

Guards.

Yes.

Investigate immediately.

Yes.

The youngling left his home for the general of the army.

He wielded his gilded sword and armor to earn his glory.

Disregarding the freezing cold that was hurting his steed,

he rode to battle so his nation could have peace.

Grandfather.

Look.

Daybreak has come.

(Hanyuan Hall)

This was your scheme all along.

The reason you came here last night,

and what you did here

were for this very moment.

No.

I told you.

I am saving my own skin.

Your Majesty.

Eunuch Qiu.

We are investigating Prince An's condition,

and waiting for reports on Zhenwu's forces.

But under the staircase of Danfeng Gate,

there was

a contraption that was nearly completed.

It contained black powder.

Cheng Xi.

What do you have to say now?

Sir.

I have only one thing to say.

Speak.

Cheng Ruoyu

was never pregnant.

She lied.

Very well.

Examine her body.

Leave.

Yes.

That was too reckless.

I'm fine.

I mean it.

Your Majesty.

Are the Imperial Physicians here?

Your Majesty.

We've notified them.

Summon Cheng Huaizhi as well.

And

tell him to bring the chronicle as well.

Yes.

Your Majesty.

Why do you need him here?

My child

needs a proper background.

Yu'er.

You risked your life to help me.

I won't let you down.

No.

I was...

However,

are you sure

you can pass the examination?

We can go now.

Whom did Qiu Ziliang summon?

As you predicted,

he summoned three groups of people.

Imperial Physicians,

Physician Shen

and a reputable midwife

from outside the palace

named Cui Niang.

Great.

I'll be there right away.

I count on you to take care of the other tasks.

Very well.

I will keep Qiu Ziliang

in his house for 12 hours.

During that time,

you must get rid of Yuan Xing

and Shi Yuan.

Can you do it?

I won't let you down, Chess Overseer.

We work as one.

(Duke Chu's Residence)

Greetings, Your Majesty.

Father.

Have you brought the chronicle with you?

Your Majesty.

Yes.

(The chronicle's record)

(The chronicle's record)

(The chronicle's record)

(Lunar May 7th, the handmaiden Cheng Ruoyu was tending to His Majesty in Zhaohua Palace.)

(She remained in the room for the rest of the night.)

(The chronicle)

(The chronicle) Have a look yourself.

Year of Rooster,

Lunar May 7th,

the handmaiden Cheng Ruoyu

was tending to His Majesty in Zhaohua Palace at night.

She remained in the room for the rest of the night.

Impossible.

Sir.

This is impossible!

They made this up!

Sir.

A chronicle cannot contain lies.

The eunuchs and handmaidens of that shift

can be the witness.

So

the Sword Bearer Cheng Ruoyu

neglected her duty and seduced the Emperor.

Sir.

During that time,

His Majesty already

stripped Cheng Ruoyu of her ranks.

She wasn't on duty.

So she didn't neglect her duty.

Brother.

What did she promise you?

(The chronicle) How could you side with her to set me up!

(The chronicle)

Look at you.

What have you done?

I deserve punishments.

Your Majesty.

Duke Chu.

Ms. Cheng is indeed

in her third month of pregnancy.

This is not possible!

Sir.

Cheng Ruoyu has bribed

these Imperial Physicians!

Madam Cheng,

that's a serious accusation.

Madam Cheng.

My father always listens to every side of the story.

Come in!

Your Majesty.

Duke Chu.

This is Cui Niang, a famous midwife

in the city of Heng'an.

You know this gentleman.

Physician Shen.

I'm relieved

to see you here.

Please check

if the girl in that room

is indeed pregnant.

(Imperial Physician Shen)

They broke your bones.

Lady.

Please take this pill.

Water.

Here.

Lady,

have some water.

Qiu Ziliang

will have the physicians read your pulse.

Physician Shen will be one of them.

He's served Qiu Ziliang for 40 years.

Qiu Ziliang trusts him.

Can you buy off Physician Shen?

No.

But fortunately,

you know martial art.

Those who master martial arts have extraordinary control

over their bodies.

Yan Xiu will show you

how to fake your pulse so that it seems like

you're pregnant.

Would it work?

Whether it would work or not

depends on your mastery of martial arts.

I'm afraid His Majesty

might lose a child.

Chess Overseer.

That was rude of me.

I apologize, Your Majesty.

(This old physician)

(is a kind person.)

(But sadly...)

Your Majesty, Duke Chu.

The girl's pulse is smooth and flush.

It was as smooth as a pearl.

She is indeed pregnant with a child.

Physician Shen.

How could you...

(Did Yu'er and Qi Yan actually...)

(If that was the case,)

(it'd work in my favor.)

(But the timing isn't right.)

However,

judging by her pulse,

she should be

into the fourth month

of her pregnancy.

Lunar May 7th...

The time doesn't match.

It happened less than three months from now.

Physician Shen,

are you certain?

This

concerns the fate of several lives.

The girl was severely injured.

It's possible that her pulse isn't reflecting her health.

To make a more precise diagnosis,

we need to conduct a pregnancy test.

I'll leave it to Cui Niang.

My lords,

I am at your service.

Do it now.

If there is any mistake,

you know what will happen.

Yes.

The Chamberlain will hire

a midwife from the city to conduct a pregnancy test.

What do we do then?

Don't worry.

Whoever they hire,

only the person I hire

will show up.

So I have nothing to worry about.

Chess Overseer.

Father.

Leave it there.

Please allow me to relieve myself.

Yu.

Did you do

as Duke Chu ordered?

Chess Overseer,

we didn't get the midwife.

What?

Our men were going

to intercept her on the way

and swap her out.

But they were too late.

But...

The midwife in the room...

She is the real Cui Niang.

Her injury is terrible.

I leave it to you, madam.

It's all right.

Lady.

I'm sorry if I offend you.

- I'll start examining now. - Very well.

What's so funny?

Don't be so tense, Madam Cheng.

Relax a little.

Our midwife is certainly

reliable and trustworthy.

Sir.

Could I supervise the examination?

No.

Yu'er is severely wounded.

Cui Niang can't defend herself.

If you went in there

and attacked them...

I will not

harm any of them.

Sir...

I will not allow it.

Father.

Please allow me to check on them.

Don't worry, Your Majesty.

I don't know any martial art.

I can't harm them.

Don't you worry, Madam Cheng.

I won't favor Cheng Ruoyu.

I wouldn't be so sure.

What?

Don't you trust my people?

I wouldn't dare.

Yanzhi.

Go in and check.

Yes.

♪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♪