Original subtitles

Timing and Subtitles brought to you by Gone with the Shirt Team @ Viki

♫ No indulgence in self-admiration, no desire for splendor. ♫

♫ Living in a scene of bustling prosperity, viewing oneself as a made-up mirror image far away. ♫

♫ Removing her ornate woman's attire, ♫

♫ donning martial armor. ♫

♫ Gentle and wonderful scenery fills the eyes, ♫

♫ how is this not still a battlefield? ♫

♫ Autumn departs, winter arrives, just as Bailu ("white dew") turns to frost. ♫

♫ The road is distant, the days are long, and only finished by death in battle. ♫

♫ My heart wants to spend its last years with you, placed at your side. ♫

♫ However long our lifetimes, ♫

♫ there's no time for melancholy. ♫

♫ In the ash-grey sky, love exists above all, ♫

♫ just lift your head and look up hopefully. ♫

♫ Brave and chivalrous bones, yielding emotions forged into steel, ♫

♫ sharpened by practice to a cutting edge. ♫

♫ Time is like a blade carving every moment onto your face, ♫

♫ one will have no regrets, if you have loved. ♫

Oh My General

Sister Jiyu, I wonder...

if the contraceptive medicine is toxic...

What are you talking about?

You are making me confused.

It can't be that you gave the other prescription to the General, contraceptive medicine?

Bitch! I'll hack you to death with one stroke!

Concubine Yang. Concubine Yang!

She's dead.

Ignorant wife, you dare foil my plan?

I wanted to help you.

This is a slow poison that can cause a person's heart to weaken.

If this is another person, he surely would have died.

Concubine Yang...

Concubine Yang's heart...

is too sinister.

It was I...

who has such poor eyesight...

that I raised...

a severely evil villain.

From now on, our family

must live happily together.

We must not let those crafty and fawning villains

find a hole to get into. (T/N: a weakness to exploit)

- What are you doing! - What's wrong?

Go away!

Replying to Junwang, General, this is a crazy mute.

- Xiao Maque? - Why did you become like that?

Prince Qi is conniving with Western Xia and is rebelling.

This is Cousin's...

He is the real brother of His Majesty from another mother.

An uncle like that... how could he be planning to revolt?

Just based on a handkerchief,

how can we tell if it's true from a mute?

Episode 42

The Central Plains not only produces such a great heroine like Ye Zhao but also a delicate woman like Xian Nichang.

One is strong and unyielding and the other is gentle.

Seems like the Central Plains are really far from ordinary.

General Ye is just like a light in the dark

which dazzles my eyes.

If God can give me the opportunity to go to the Central Plains

I will be satisfied just to look at her.

You should ask Miss Xian'er for the protocol in the Central Plains.

If you just visit General Ye at random, it might be inappropriate.

I heard that she is already married to Junwang.

Their temperaments and personalities are totally different.

Moreover, in my eyes,

no one is worthy of General Ye.

Even your older brother Yinuo doesn't have the right, either?

Second Brother is brave and good at fighting,

but his courage and wisdom are still lacking when compared to General Ye.

Empress Mother, you haven't seen

General Ye's valiant and heroic bearing while on the battlefield.

She also has that kind of unknown deep emotion in her eyes.

Anyway, ever since I was born, I have never seen such a heroine like her.

Okay, I understand.

General Ye is just like a god to you.

Foolish child. Keep her in your heart and cherish it there.

But you still need to spend more time with Miss Xian'er.

She just arrived here and is not used to our environment.

The both of you are of the same age. Get to know her

and also help your older brother to resolve any differences.

I know, Empress Mother.

Big Brother's taste is really not bad.

Miss Xian'er is extremely beautiful.

The only one in Western Xia

who can be compared to her, it's Aunt Mozang.

- Your Majesty. - You are awake.

Your Majesty, why did you wake up?

I don't know why, either.

I feel hungry in the middle of the night.

Your Majesty, you have been very busy.

It's just normal that you'll feel hungry in the middle of the night.

I will instruct the kitchen

to prepare lamb stew for you.

Forget it. Stay here and talk to me.

If I ask for lamb stew tonight,

they will think it's a routine.

In the future, they will kill a lamb every night.

In a year, they will have killed hundreds of lambs.

Killing a living thing just for a bowl of lamb stew,

I can't bear to see that.

Your Majesty,

suffering just because of a few animals' lives,

my heart feels pain for you.

Now, there are troubles both internal and external to the government.

Every time I wake up, it's already hard for me to fall asleep again.

Fan Zhongyan's reforms keep being hindered. Ye Zhao is fierce, but forced to resign to her home by the politicians.

The officials cover up for each other in the Imperial court.

Only a few of them are competent.

The Imperial court is the center of power and also of conflicts.

New parties are fighting with old parties. No one wants to give in.

Prime Minister Liu and Imperial Tutor Liu are ganging up on every matter. They follow the lead of Prince Qi.

I can only watch

but not interfere.

Especially because Prince Qi...

is my older brother.

I don't want to make it hard for him.

Prince Qi...

Prince Qi requests an audience with Your Majesty.

Let him in.

Respectfully greeting Your Majesty.

Rise, Royal Brother.

I'm here to ask for reinforcement soldiers for Jiangbei.

Jiangbei has always been the forefront of defense for Great Song. It's heavily guarded.

We are at peace with Western Xia now.

Why are you suddenly asking for reinforcement soldiers?

Your Majesty, you may not know this.

Although Great Song is at peace with Western Xia now

their troops keep harassing us.

Recently, a small group soldiers from Western Xia has been antagonizing us.

I'm afraid if we don't increase our defense

if something suddenly occurs,

I'm afraid we won't be able to protect ourselves.

Royal Brother is preparing for the rain days in consideration of the safety of Great Song.

But the natural moat between Song and Xia is the first defensive line, Baiyin (White Silver) Camp in Juping Pass.

The one that should be heavily-guarded at this time is also this barrier.

If we suddenly dispatch soldiers there,

in the first place, the people will panic.

Second, we will alarm Western Xia.

I'm worried that because of attending to one thing, we'll lose sight of another.

Yes. Your Majesty, you are wise.

But Jiangbei is a separate land under me.

I am in fear and trepidation all day long.

I was indeed a bit too eager and impatient.

With Royal Brother sharing my burden, I feel very comforted.

Frankly since a few days ago, I have been trying to find time to meet up with you,

but you are such a busy person who often travels between Jiangbei and the Capital.

It's really hard to see you.

By the way,

I recently heard the Royal Brother hired a group of...

performers with outstanding looks.

With songs and dances accompanying the good times, you are living quite a deity-like leisurely life.

Only His Majesty knows me the best.

That's right. There are many talents in Jiangbei and it's full of beautiful women.

Although they can't compare with the magnanimity and allure of women from the Capital,

they are still gentle, graceful, and subtle.

I am just addicted to pleasures of song, women, hunting, and racing all day.

I have embarrassed myself in front of Your Majesty.

Not at all.

Royal Brother, between us, there is nothing to be embarrassed about.

I have gotten along well with you since we were young.

If I had any problems, I would always look for you.

Lately, I don't know why

I keep thinking about when we were young.

Those days when we were carefree and without any worries.

Your Majesty, I'm at fault.

I'm at fault.

I am naturally laid-back. Not very useful. Not of much use to Your Majesty.

I feel ashamed...

Your Majesty, you have a magnanimous heart.

You have to bear the whole empire on your shoulders.

- You must take care of your health. - Royal Brother,

Empress Dowager Liu has died. All our other siblings either have died as children or are now deceased.

Other than Empress Dowager Yang,

you are my...

closest family left.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty, I will take my leave.

I'm allowing it.

Your Majesty, a letter from the secret messenger.

Several evidences are showing...

that the poisonous snake is sticking its tongue out and preparing to come out of its hole.

Your Majesty, do you plan to temporarily not alarm the enemy

or think of a way to lure the snake out of its hole?

I'm still hesitating...

to see if I'm going to be a person catching a snake...

or be a farmer that's willing to get bitten by a snake.

I must give it much thought.

Before Concubine Yang died, she was even holding a half-filled bag of poison in her hand. That's an undeniable proof.

Madam Hai can bear witness that she heard Jiyu and Concubine Yang

talking about the Child Avoiding Medicine behind the rock.

Jiyu will never admit that she instructed Concubine Yang to poison me.

She will instead accuse us of slander.

Now that Concubine Yang is dead, we have no evidence.

Even with Madam Hai's unilateral testimony, who will believe it?

After all, Prince Qi is His Majesty's older brother.

They have a close sibling relationship.

When Empress Dowager Liu died, Prince Qi is the remaining blood relative of His Majesty.

General!

General, big trouble!

Why are you in such a panic?

The Old Master... the Old Master is here!

What Old Master?

Who else? Liu Tiantuo. Great General Liu!

Uncle is here!

This... what do we do?

Could it be because your cousin is missing, Uncle is here to seek an explanation?

General, good thing Sister is currently in the drawing room entertaining him. You two should quickly think of a way.

This... what do we do?

- Wife, what do we do? - What else?

Regardless...

we must see him.

Let's go.

This flower and bird painting...

is really life-like.

But look. Look at this "mountain and river" painting. It's like just pouring ink on it.

Yes, the General also said the same thing.

But the Junwang said that it's wrong.

Junwang calls this...

"splash-ink!"

"Splash-ink?" Just splashing the ink and it's done?

This painter is such a swindler.

If you're not of the same family, you wouldn't enter the same house.

Uncle, you were able to decipher it in a clear and penetrating manner.

My virtuous niece!

Uncle.

Uncle, this is your nephew-in-law, Zhao Yujin.

Greetings, Uncle.

Uncle, we feel honored that you traveled far and graced us with your presence.

Qiu Shui, go and prepare a good tea and order the kitchen to make some delicious food and wine.

I want to have a few drinks with Uncle.

Yes. I'll go right away.

Good. Zhao'er, you've trained him well.

This nephew-in-law is very respectful.

Where is Xiyin? How come she didn't come welcome me?

- She went out to shop. - She's not feeling well.

This child still can't change her habit of shopping.

She's already feeling unwell, so why is she still shopping?

Yes...

Uncle, do you have any important matter for your visit?

Two things.

Let's talk about the second matter first, which is your cousin's marriage.

How did the search go?

What's the background of the other party?

When will Xiyin be married off?

What's the first matter?

The first matter is I got called back to the Capital by His Majesty.

You are after all a woman. His Majesty has really given it a lot of thought to remove you from office.

I've been guarding Juping Pass for so many years. Cautiously and conscientiously, I've protected Song's borders.

I just recently felt that I'm old.

When I lift a sword, my lower back will ache a little.

Your Majesty then suddenly ordered me back to the Capital to replace you in your past position.

What position? How come I didn't know about this?

Uncle, you must be tired from your long journey. Let'ts go there and rest for a while.

I have a thirty-year-old good wine. Let's just chat over drinks.

That's good, too. I'm indeed a bit tired from my travels.

Let's drink some good wine to relieve the exhaustion.

Please.

You must bear the consequences of your own action.

Uncle, come. Taste this wine.

I've taken out all my best stocks.

Ah Zhao, your husband is quite good-looking.

Not only is he handsome, he's even gentle and virtuous. More importantly, he is educated and reasonable.

Thank you, Uncle, for your praises.

Come, let me give you one more toast.

Uncle, how come I didn't know about an important matter like His Majesty recalling you back to the Capital?

Let's not talk about that first.

Let's first talk about your cousin.

Cousin still hasn't come back yet from her shopping.

She must have gone to her friend's home.

Shopping? She's still out this late?

She's not even coming home even when her biological uncle is here?

Uncle, come. Drink some wine and eat. Come!

Ah Zhao has frequently mentioned to me about your heroic stories.

I really am so very impressed that I would throw myself down at your feet in admiration.

Throw yourself down at my feet in admiration?

Throw yourself down at my feet in admiration?

I'll let you worship me today then!

- Worship me! - Uncle! What are you doing!

Uncle, why are you suddenly turning hostile?

You said that she went out to shop.

You said that she feels unwell. You think I'm stupid?

If you don't tell me where Xiyin is now, be careful that I'll won't skin you alive!

Uncle, it's all my fault.

- It has nothing to do with Yujin. - Tell me.

What really has happened to Xiyin?

When Xiyin came here to the Capital, there were several things that happened.

Changfeng Mansion

You scoundrel. Your cousin is blind to have fallen in love with you!

I... must kill you today!

Uncle, don't be rash!

- Ah Zhao, quickly run! - Quickly leave!

Uncle! Uncle, don't!

Uncle!

- General! General! - Quickly run! Hurry!

- General! Stop fighting! Stop! - Ah Zhao.

- Are you alright? - If you want to hit someone, kill me first!

Ah Zhao, are you alright?

Before, she used to be as fierce as a tiger.

How come she became like an ordinary wife after getting married?

Ah Zhao just got poisoned some time ago and almost died.

How could she endure such an attack?

I'm fine.

What Uncle used earlier is the blunt edge. (T/N: not the sharp side)

My health just hasn't fully recovered yet.

Uncle,

it's all my fault.

I've caused you to get mad. I promise that I will find Cousin as soon as possible

and make you be at ease.

Uncle,

was it really His Majesty who called for you to return to the Capital?

Can items sent out by the palace be faked?

Can you allow me to see the Imperial decree?

Right. Whose house doesn't have a copy of His Majesty's decree?

Xiao Xiazi.

Bring the Imperial decree we received over here so we can compare it with Uncle's.

Yes.

Junwang.

So paranoid. Be careful or His Majesty will punish you two if he learns about this.

The Song decree uses top-quality silk

and special dyeing technique. The more vivid the color, the higher the grade.

Other than the auspicious clouds and the red-crowned crane, there is also a silver dragon flying up and down on its two opposite edges,

merging with the embroidery on the silk.

There are a lot of security measures that have never been leaked out.

The embroidery skills are exquisite and unrivaled.

Every Imperial decree will get sealed, stored,

and strictly guarded.

Since the Empire was established, I've heard of people faking an Imperial decree verbally,

but I have never heard of a fabricated written Imperial decree.

You two keep playing games!

Look!

What's wrong?

Is there any problem?

This Imperial decree is fake.

This Imperial decree was created by the imitation master, Master Li.

I know his trick very well.

Are you sure?

When Master Li was still alive, he would put a hidden signature on all his creations.

This signature is the word "Li."

He claimed that his imitation skills were so good that no one could notice the difference,

so he was able to do what he wanted without restraint.

That was his secret.

But Master Li died a long time ago.

How could he have fabricated a fake Imperial decree now?

Ah Zhao.

Do you remember that after we caught Li La, the killer of Master Li,

he got murdered even before we were able to interrogate him?

Hence, someone asked Master Li to fabricate this Imperial decree

and then sent Li La afterwards to kill him.

So this is a series of murder cases.

This is the move that I was waiting for.

Uncle, this is the "lure the tiger out of the mountains" trick. (T/N: a diversionary tactic to weaken an opponent)

Juping Pass is in danger!

Your Majesty, General Liu asks for an audience.

I, Liu Tiantuo, respectfully greet Your Majesty.

Juping Pass is our Song dynasty's first line of border defense.

Now it has been broken through by the Western Xia Prince in just one attack.

As the main commander, you left your post without permission. Do you admit to your crime?

I... deserve to die.

I received an Imperial decree and thought that Your Majesty has ordered me to return to the Capital.

I then transferred the affairs at Junping Pass to my assistant commander

and hurriedly returned to the Capital.

Good thing my nephew-in-law, Zhao Yujin, reviewed that Imperial decree.

He discovered that it was a fake. I feel deep hatred and resentment and regret it a lot.

I hate myself for not having better eyesight and being unable to discern what's real from fake.

May Your Majesty forgive me.

Jiang Luhai.

I am asking the border general, Liu Tiantuo, who is guarding Juping Pass to return.

He has guarded the border of my Song so cautiously and conscientiously

for many years, very loyal, worked hard, and performed valuable service.

He is now very old and is being transferred to manage the affairs of the Capital Military Camp. End of Decree.

Someone faked the Imperial decree. Hope Your Majesty will investigate it well.

Liu Tiantuo,

you left your post without permission. Military law is heartless. You should be publicly executed.

But considering that you have been blinded by sinister people in this matter,

you'll be locked up in prison to await your final sentence.

Thank you, Your Majesty, for sparing my life!

Men!

- Here! - Take him away.

Yes!

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Juping Pass fell into enemy hands.

Liu Tiantuo left his post without permission and should be punished for it.

I've already imprisoned him.

My favored subjects,

Western Xia has already publicly broken the promise they made to us last time.

They raised the banner of attacking my Song empire.

What good suggestions do you all have?

With ten thousand horses standing mute, it is such a deplorable state. (T/N: idiom - no one dares to speak up)

May you all quickly offer some good suggestions.

Which subject is willing to lead the army in fighting Western Xia?

In face of such a crisis,

we can't even find one useful, talented person in my vast Song empire?

Informing Your Majesty, I am willing to personally lead the army.

Informing Your Majesty, Old General Yang is the top choice for a commander in our empire.

But he is already very old. It's inconvenient for him to go to battle anymore.

What Prince Qi said is very right.

I also can't bear to let him.

Informing Your Majesty,

the Western Xia army is valiant and good in fighting. We all have no experience in leading an army.

If we advance recklessly, the sacrifices might be greater.

We should choose another person.

Immediately endorse some great talents.

Your Majesty, in my opinion,

although Liu Tiantuo can't be forgiven for his crime of leaving his post without permission and eventually causing the lost of Juping Pass,

he still has defended the borders for a long time and knows Western Xia very well.

You can order him to make up for his crimes by achieving war merits.

What Prince Qi said is very correct.

General Liu is very loyal to the government.

In the battle with Liao last time,

he achieved a lot of merits and is a very experienced commander.

He is really the best choice in battling Western Xia.

Hope Your Majesty will allow it.

Replying to Your Majesty,

I think that our empire has a huge void of able generals.

Why not choose a novice from among the politicians?

Who does Prime Minister Liu think is most suitable from among the politicians?

Fan Zhongyan. Fan Zhongyan is well-versed in military books. He has the capability and the courage.

He's the best choice to send to the borders to supervise the army.

Although Subject Fan is well-versed in military books,

he still is inexperienced in leading the army to battle.

- I fear that— - Replying to Your Majesty,

although Fan Zhongyan isn't a master in martial arts,

you know that he has a good foundation in military tactics when you hear him talk about battle formations.

Before two parties meet in battle, proper military strategy is what's most important.

Fan Zhongyan has a firm and steady personality. He's very good in coming up with strategies. He's the best choice.

Okay.

With the state facing such a crisis, Prime Minister Liu looked past his grudges

and even recommended Favored Subject Fan.

I feel very comforted.

Where is Favored Subject Fan?

Informing Your Majesty,

Fan Zhongyan is currently going around the Capital inspecting the track records of officials.

Immediately call for Favored Subject Fan to return to the Capital.

The borders of Shanxi, a thousand li long...

I am conferring Fan Zhongyan as Shanxi Jinglueshi. (T/N: Commanding Military Strategist of Shanxi)

He will be in charge of a two-hundred-thousand-man army.

Guo Fushan and Peng Zijing as his deputy commanders.

They are to assist Fan Zhongyan in resisting Western Xia.

All of them will set out tomorrow!

Long live, Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

- Immediately call the Imperial physician! Hurry! - Yes!

- Your Majesty! - How could this be!

Your Majesty! What's wrong with you, Your Majesty?

Informing Your Highness the Imperial Consort Zhang, the Junwang and General Ye are here.

You're here.

Greetings to Your Highness the Imperial Noble Consort.

Your Highness the Imperial Noble Consort, how is Royal Uncle's health?

His Majesty keeps having headaches.

The Imperial Physicians have examined him for half the day, yet they still can't say the reason for it.

He was in so much pain earlier

and just fell asleep.

Old Wang, quickly take a look.

Yes.

Greetings to Your Majesty.

Replying to Your Highness the Imperial Noble Consort...

What really is wrong with His Majesty?

His Majesty's pulse shows

that a poison has reached his heart, causing him to have headaches and dizziness.

In my opinion, His Majesty has taken in a nerve poison. This poison is not easily detectable.

It can be as light as having delirious symptoms to as grave as to be life-threatening.

Good thing I've seen such kind of poison symptoms when I was in Western Xia.

I will immediately perform acupuncture treatment on His Majesty to remove the poison.

At the same time, I will prescribe some anti-poison medicinal soup paired with pills to nurse his health.

Go and do the treatment.

Yes.

Quickly go...

Useless old man, is this how do you attend to my Royal Uncle!

May the Junwang investigate it clearly! I've been serving His Majesty for over twenty years and never dared to be negligent.

Even if sometimes I am indeed not that thorough, I would never allow this kind of lapse!

Nerve poison?

Your Highness the Noble Consort, did His Majesty eat anything lately?

His Majesty lately has been eating in the Empress' palace.

I heard that Prince Qi's wife will frequently gift some fresh river catches to the Empress.

Could it be because His Majesty ate those freshwater fishes?

Prince Qi's wife?

Jiyu!

Report! General Yinuo, an urgent secret message.

Song, you really have no good talent to use anymore.

No people to use!

In our first battle of attacking Juping Pass, we had a resounding victory.

Next, what place does our Prince want to attack?

The first defense line of Yanzhou.

How come it's Yanzhou?

Yanzhou's first defensive line is a wide, flat area, therefore easy to attack.

It is also advantageous for the army and horses of our Western Xia to gallop across a flat land

and be victorious!

- Who is the commander that Song sent? - A politician.

Politician?

Song sent a politician to fight with us?

Really overestimating their strength!

This is a decision that Song Emperor made half-asleep.

Correct...

We must not be lax.

I heard that this person is very straightforward and tactful, the one leading the push for reforms,

and is a capable right-hand man of the Song Emperor.

You must know that on the battlefield,

not everything is based on superior strength.

You must have both courage and strategy.

Hence, everyone must still be careful.

Regarding the questions I will ask today,

Empress, you must honestly answer them.

If you dare speak any lies,

you'll get executed without pardon.

Yes, Your Majesty.

For the past two months, it has been you who have been attending to me at night and I take my meals with you.

Now, I am showing signs of food poisoning.

I collapsed while in the Imperial garden.

Tell me.

What food have you been giving me?

Your Majesty, the heavens are my witness of how much I love you.

I think of you day and night.

I just wanted Your Majesty to sleep with me more often.

How could I harm Your Majesty?

Your Majesty, listen to me explain.

I'm giving you a chance.

Explain it.

The wine-pickled whitefish that we ate was gifted by Jiyu.

She told me that those were delivered by her family

after traveling far from Huaizhou to the Capital.

I felt that fresh fish was a very rare item.

Hence, I shared it with Your Majesty.

We ate the wine-pickled whitefish together.

How come I got poisoned, but you, Empress, are unharmed?

Timing and Subtitles brought to you by Gone with the Shirt Team @ Viki

♫ From disaffection and doubt until trust is formed ♫

♫ How many times must two people embrace tightly before one won't feel like a stranger? ♫

♫ Turning back to think about the past life, while living in the present lifetime ♫

♫ In this lifetime, to never casually mention separation ♫

♫ Sincerely you embrace me, to remember my body's warmth ♫

♫ In the center of my heart, your fingerprints are engraved ♫

♫ Both love and hate, seriously taken to heart ♫

♫ Only for one not to live one's life in vain ♫

♫ I am willing to be loyally steadfast to you ♫

♫ Using this in exchange for a missing depth of affection ♫

♫ I'm grateful for your recognizing my worth ♫

♫ For granting me a healthy body ♫

♫ Even though the world is rich and diverse ♫

♫ It cannot compare to your pure and honest gaze ♫

♫ I am willing to be loyally steadfast to you ♫

♫ Using this in exchange for a missing depth of affection ♫

♫ I'm grateful for your recognizing my worth ♫

♫ For granting me a healthy body ♫

♫ Even though the world is rich and diverse ♫

♫ It cannot compare to your pure and honest gaze ♫

♫ I am willing to be loyally steadfast to you ♫

♫ Not caring about the scars ♫

♫ Setting aside my pride ♫

♫ and submitting to you ♫

♫ Even if I disappoint the entire world ♫

♫ I will never turn my back on you ♫

♫ My only care in this life is one person ♫

♫ It's you ♫