Original subtitles

♪Confessing to the moon in the rustling wind♪

♪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 1=

(On the 9th year of Tai'an,)

(the Xing empire was hanging by a thread.)

(In order to get out)

(of the eunuch's control,)

(Emperor Wenzong of Xing planned to reclaim his authority as the emperor.)

(Prime Minister's Residence)

Prime Minister.

(Prime Minister, Wang Yang) Something happened at the palace.

(Prime Minister's Residence) (Eunuch Qiu is leading the Shencai Army)

(in arresting the perpetrator.)

(You...)

(You better leave.)

This secret passage leads outside the city.

Official Wang.

Hurry.

Be careful.

Open the door.

Open the door.

Go.

(Duke Chu, Eunuch Qiu Ziliang)

You Ma.

Yes.

In the imperial court,

how many times did Wang Yang refute me?

Six times.

One is to one hundred.

Then

strike him 600 times in dismembering him.

Yes.

Qiu Ziliang.

For many dynasties,

which eunuch

who monopolized power had a good ending?

Grandfather!

(To scare the officials,)

(Qiu Ziliang ordered people)

(to bring Wang Yang's corpse)

(to the downtown area, and cut it in half.)

Your Highness.

We got a live one.

(On January 4th,)

(Emperor Wenzong of Xing passed away.)

(His brother Qi Yan succeeded to the throne.)

His Majesty has arrived!

Kneel!

(Emperor Wuzong of Xing, Qi Yan)

(Eunuch, Cheng Huaizhi)

Godfather.

What's the matter?

Qi Yan, you like the black one?

But I think

that only purple

can match you.

You're right, Godfather.

Since you like the black one,

let's use that one then.

Assist His Majesty in changing clothes.

Qi Yan.

You're all grown up now.

But I

am old.

How can you say that you're old?

Every land in the nation

belongs to the emperor.

Everyone within the nation's territory

works for the emperor.

Starting today,

you are

the Xing empire's emperor.

Thank you, Godfather.

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

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

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

(Violet Bureau)

(Head of Violet Bureau, Cheng Xi)

(Violet Bureau, Li Rong)

Thank you for letting me win.

(Violet Bureau Sword Bearer, Cheng Ruoyu)

Wu!

Wu!

Look at these people.

We agreed to come out and have fun together,

and they've disappeared.

After going into the palace,

perhaps I'd never see

such a bright moon again.

Greetings, Your Majesty.

You know me?

Yes.

You can mobilize the palace's imperial guards.

And everyone knows

that you like to hunt foxes late at night.

Kill her.

- Yes! - Yes!

Wait.

I'm not an assassin.

I'm from the Violet Bureau.

Your Majesty, please take a look.

I have the command token.

What is your name?

Cheng Ruoyu.

You're Cheng Ruoyu?

Yes.

I'm the new Sword Bearer of Violet Bureau.

My portrait is already presented

to the palace.

You look as foolish as you do

in the portrait indeed.

(Your Majesty looks so familiar.)

(I wonder where I've seen him before.)

What are you doing here?

I came here for a field trip.

I heard that the scenery here is very nice.

And?

It's true.

And

I didn't know that Your Majesty

would come to hunt foxes here.

I came here first.

I just wasn't able to leave in time.

Please forgive me, Your Majesty.

Scram.

(Hanyuan Hall) Summon Violet Bureau's Cheng Xi

and Cheng Ruoyu.

Greetings from Cheng Xi, Your Majesty.

Greetings from Cheng Ruoyu, Your Majesty.

Cheng Ruoyu.

Come forward to receive the imperial command.

Yes.

"In accordance

with the will of the heavens,

I govern in a civilized manner,

but quell rebellions with force.

And a Sword Bearer is the imperial court's pillar,

a capable official of a nation.

Cheng Ruoyu from the Violet Bureau

is skilled in martial arts

and has good virtues.

She's chosen

to become

the 23rd

Sword Bearer of Violet Bureau.

With this arrangement,

you've been appointed.

That's the imperial command."

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Rise.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Please bring the sword.

Cheng Ruoyu,

23rd Sword Bearer

of the Violet Bureau, listen to the imperial command.

Yes.

The Qingguang Sword

was used by Madam Gongsun before.

It's given to you today.

I hope you fulfill your duty,

love the emperor and the nation

and carry out your seniors' legacy.

Don't fail

my trust.

Yes.

Gods in heaven and earth.

Spirit of the sword.

My heart is like a sword,

suppressing the wicked and eliminating evil.

My sword is like my heart,

protecting the nation and being loyal to the emperor.

(Hanyuan Hall)

Congratulations, Sword Bearer.

Stop.

Sir.

Are you going into the city?

Can you do me a favor,

and give me a ride?

(Chess of Generals Camp Left Advisor, Yan Xiu) I don't call the shots.

Who calls the shot then?

The Young Mistress.

(Chess of Generals Chess Overseer, Qiu Yanzhi)

Miss.

Can you give me a ride?

Get in.

Thank you.

(Qiu)

Thank you for giving me a ride.

By the way,

I have

some preserved fruits.

Here.

Try one.

It's very sweet.

You don't want one?

I read that one before too.

It's a good book.

She disguised herself as a man and killed her enemy.

She endured hardships for her retaliation.

What an amazing girl.

You... You just started reading it?

Well...

There's a twist in the ending.

It might not necessarily be the same as what I said.

(Su's Textile)

We're here?

We're here.

We can only take you to this point.

Aren't you the beautiful

and kind lady?

Why are you here?

Heavenly umbrella?

You're the Chess Overseer?

I'm Qiu Yanzhi, Chess of Generals Camp's Chess Overseer.

Cheng Ruoyu.

We meet again.

Thank you, Ms. Yanzhi,

for giving me a ride the other night.

I was worrying about how to repay you.

I didn't expect to meet you here.

It's not a big deal.

Don't worry about it.

No.

I must still repay you.

What do you want to eat?

I'll bring you there.

(Duke Chu's Residence)

It seems like your chess skills

improved a lot indeed.

You want to eat my elephant.

Then I'll

go one step ahead,

and eat yours.

I'll keep you in check.

Nothing can be hidden

from you, Father.

It seems like

I lost again in this round.

By the way,

how did you meet

the new Sword Bearer?

I gave her a ride the other night.

But I asked someone to check.

She just went out of the city for a trip.

What do you think of her?

She has a mischievous character.

We don't need to worry about her.

We can't take her lightly.

People like to pretend in front of others.

Don't get your plans ruined in the end.

So Cheng Ruoyu

is the niece of Cheng Huaizhi

and Cheng Xi.

Yes.

Eight years ago,

Cheng Ruoyu's parents died,

so she came to the capital to depend on Cheng Xi

and got into the Violet Bureau.

I have

seen her before.

Your Majesty went to the Violet Bureau?

When I went hunting for foxes the other night outside the palace,

she was there too.

Why was she there?

Investigate it.

Yes.

I'm exhausted.

Little Bell.

As the Sword Bearer,

I'm being treated well.

Look at my new room.

Little Bell.

Lotus petal pattern silver basin.

White porcelain amphora vase.

Even the poplar tree branch for brushing teeth

is so intricate.

Peach blossom cake.

It's so delicious.

What a shame.

You can't eat it.

Little Bell.

The palace is a dangerous place.

Even I

must be very careful.

You must hide well.

But I'll visit you often.

Your Majesty.

Grand Empress Dowager

told the private kitchen

to prepare these Cooper's aloe balls for you.

Grand Empress Dowager heard that you don't have

much appetite lately.

She's very worried.

Don't bother Grandmother

about such a minor thing,

so that she won't worry.

Your Majesty.

How would I dare to report that to her?

It's just that Grand Empress Dowager is worried about you,

and she often asks about this.

By the way,

when she heard that the Sword Bearer

is Cheng Ruoyu,

she even admonished me.

Why?

Because

Cheng Ruoyu is my niece.

Your Majesty.

I swear to the heavens.

My niece Cheng Ruoyu

didn't become the Sword Bearer

because my sister and I

played favorites.

I believe you.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

But I'm still very disappointed.

When Gongsun Jing was alive,

I met her several times.

She was a quiet lady.

I only heard her say three things.

First.

Someone reported

that the Violet Bureau's expenses are too high.

What do you think?

(Violet Bureau's 22nd Sword Bearer, Gongsun Jing)

A Sword Bearer doesn't need to think.

Wherever Your Majesty's eyes are looking,

that's where the sword would be pointed at.

Second.

(Clear mind and heart)

How are you feeling?

Is it a serious injury?

Protecting Your Majesty

is a Sword Bearer's duty.

(Emperor Wenzong of Xing, Qi Ang) And getting injured on behalf of His Majesty

is a Sword Bearer's honor.

The third one

was the morning

when my brother passed away.

Are you willing to follow me?

A sword is just ordinary iron.

It differs with the one using it.

If the emperor is kind,

the sword is loyal.

If not,

the sword is hostile.

Even if I'm a useless sword,

you

(still don't deserve me.)

A sword is just ordinary iron.

It differs with the one using it.

If the emperor is kind,

the sword is loyal.

If not,

the sword is hostile.

Then for me,

someone restrained by eunuchs

and consider one as my father,

someone people claim to have become emperor

after killing my brother,

what kind of Sword Bearer

can I have?

Your Majesty.

The Violet Bureau and I highly depend on each other.

If I want the sword to be a precious weapon,

I must be a wise emperor first.

Otherwise,

no matter how sharp the sword is,

it will backlash on me.

Huaizhi.

Yes.

Am I right?

Your Majesty.

I think

that you'll always be

the sword's owner.

The owner will always be

the one holding the sword.

Even if you use it against the sturdiest

and hardest object in the world,

I believe

that the sword won't hesitate

even if it means crushing itself.

Your Majesty.

Rise.

On another day,

come with me to visit Grandmother.

Yes.

Go.

Carefree Pill.

One pill, and you'll have eternal peace.

I waited for many months.

It's finally done.

That's right.

He's tired.

He needs to rest.

After resting,

he won't keep pondering

about his dignity.

It's the will of the heavens.

That's why I want him to take this pill

for him to be carefree.

If the emperor is wise,

the officials are virtuous.

You mean...

Give it to Qi Yan.

Let him be

a carefree emperor.

Uncle.

What's wrong?

What's the matter with you?

Where did you go?

I...

You know what?

The Chess Overseer

requested to see His Majesty early in the morning.

It's been over half an hour.

In the morning,

His Majesty asked me to go to Hanlin Academy.

You mean

the Chess Overseer...

The Chess Overseer

has been in there for so long,

and she's still inside.

Let me take a look.

You...

Your Majesty.

What is in it?

Carefree Pill.

It seems like you know what this is.

I don't need to say more then.

I'm already

very obedient to Godfather.

Why is he forcing me this way?

If you're really obedient

and loyal,

why do you insist

on keeping the Violet Bureau?

The female emperor established the Violet Bureau.

They haven't made any major mistakes in the past 100 years.

How can I just abolish it?

Father

was bitten once,

and twice shy.

Please understand.

Besides,

Father is being considerate

to you this way.

After taking this,

you'll feel carefree.

You won't need to worry about state affairs.

What will you do

if I don't take it?

I know that I can't do anything about it.

I can only ask Father

to come here personally.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

On my first day of work,

I accomplished something major.

Shouldn't you

reward me well?

What did you accomplish?

The side hall was on fire earlier.

I went to put out the fire,

and it was extinguished.

However,

I almost burned myself as well.

It's really so hot.

Do you have...

You have a drink here?

However,

this is too little.

Is there anything else...

Guards.

Guards!

Cheng Ruoyu.

Yu'er.

Yu'er.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

I'll ask the imperial physician to come.

That's enough.

Stop pretending.

Your Majesty.

Uncle.

I'm fine.

I didn't drink that tea.

It's all in here.

Your Majesty.

Did I accomplish something major?

Did you accomplish something major?

You were so rash.

You're utterly foolish.

I...

Your Majesty.

I disregarded my life to save you.

Forget about complimenting me.

Why are you even angry?

Aunt.

Your Majesty.

Yu'er.

What exactly happened?

I saw Qiu Yanzhi

forcing His Majesty to take the Carefree Pill earlier.

Carefree Pill?

Your Majesty.

I didn't drink it.

I knew it wasn't right.

But I remember

you telling me

to think thrice before doing anything.

That was why I thought

I must have

a fool-proof plan.

At that point,

my wisdom and ideas kept flowing endlessly

like a river.

Then I...

It's not necessary

to say that.

And I pretended

to be very thirsty after extinguishing the fire

and went inside to drink the drug.

Then I pretended to faint

and fooled Qiu Yanzhi.

Did I

do something wrong?

Even if you did it out of loyalty,

you were very rash.

What if you ruin His Majesty's plan?

Seek punishment from His Majesty.

Your Majesty.

I am guilty.

What are you guilty of?

I

think I did something wrong out of good intentions.

You may

have been clever today,

but you only saw a small part of the whole picture.

As the Sword Bearer,

you're my sword.

If it's used the right way,

I'm fortunate.

If not,

it will bring disaster to the nation.

Cheng Ruoyu.

I'll only

give you one chance.

Yes.

Aunt.

Since you're poisoned,

you can't go anywhere.

I...

This is ridiculous.

Your Majesty.

I'm useless.

Rise.

In the past eight years,

the Violet Bureau was unable to recover from a setback.

It failed the emperor's favor.

The late emperor passed away with hatred.

Now,

we're seeing Your Majesty

in misery

and are unable to save you.

Everything

is my fault.

How can you say that?

You accepted the appointment at a critical time.

Even if you're sick,

you supported the Violet Bureau.

You persevered until now

even under Qiu Ziliang's coercion

and even even gave me a new Sword Bearer.

That's already not easy.

I know

that Your Majesty is not satisfied with Yu'er.

She's erratic and rash.

And her ideas are very whimsical.

But like me,

she's loyal to you.

What happened today

can prove that.

After Cheng Ruoyu joined the Violet Bureau,

she was admonished many times.

But that was because

she wouldn't change

her mischievous character.

In other aspects,

there's really nothing bad about her.

And she has nothing to do

with the various forces

outside of the Violet Bureau.

I think that when you met her that day,

perhaps it was really a coincidence.

How can anyone in this world be that clean?

That's rather suspicious.

I understand.

I'll continue investigating.

Your Majesty.

Since Yu'er has already taken

the Carefree Pill,

in the near future,

Qiu Ziliang

won't bring you a second one.

But it's easy to dodge open attacks

and hard to guard against secret ones.

Your Majesty.

Have you decided

on what to do next?

Madam Cheng.

Do you have any good plans?

Instead of backing down,

what if

you take a chance?

160.

161.

One...

Aunt.

Can I move now?

You're poisoned by the Careless Pill.

Even if I helped forced

almost half of the poison out,

based on the damage in your body,

you can't use your martial arts skill for at least half a year.

Didn't I tell you already?

I wasn't poisoned.

This drug

will help you act like you are.

What do you mean?

We must hide it from people

and gain more time.

Sir.

Cheng Xi had already

removed the poison from Cheng Ruoyu's body.

But Cheng Ruoyu is badly injured.

For the next half year, she won't be able to use her martial arts skill.

After taking

the Careless Pill,

you'll be in low spirits

and feel weak.

This drug is a slow-acting poison.

It shouldn't have activated in her body immediately.

Yes.

I especially consulted

the Grand Councilor of the Left.

He said that Cheng Ruoyu is a martial arts practitioner.

She has sufficient vital energy and Qi,

and it's unavoidable for her to get injured.

She had taken all sorts of medicines.

Perhaps the poison

conflicted with other medicines.

That was why the poison immediately activated in her body.

Cheng Ruoyu

indirectly ruined

my plan.

I'm really unsure if she's just pretending

or if she's really rash.

I was careless.

I wasted such a precious pill.

I'm willing to be punished.

Cheng Ruoyu's martial arts skill is useless for now.

The Violet Bureau's wings are cut off.

It's considered a gain.

Stand up.

As for Qi Yan...

Father.

Forgive me for being bold.

Perhaps we don't need poison

to control Qi Yan.

♪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♪