Original subtitles

♪The world decays, in gloom I stray♪

♪Right and wrong, in frost engraved♪

♪On dreams of love, blades clash and sway♪

♪Alone I ride, blood still unswayed♪

♪Through heaven's mirth and earth's despair♪

♪Toasting the moon, I drink the chill air♪

♪Though hearts like battlefields may be♪

♪Let fate write its uncertainty♪

♪From this life to the great unknown♪

♪Who'll stand with me, on thrones unknown?♪

♪I'll wander through this life to guard you♪

♪Through mortal realms, serene I roam♪

♪With you, the world becomes my home♪

♪Unbroken, bold, as I have sworn♪

♪I'll roam this life, and feel no torn♪

♪Our souls embraced, no regret born♪

♪By twilight's lamp, though night be worn♪

♪Through deepest dark, I'll find the morn♪

=Fight For Love=

=Episode 5=

The death of 70,000 soldiers

will bring trouble to even our families.

You have to decide

whether you're leaving or staying.

You're leaving already?

But what about your reputation?

I'm a woman too

and I understand your choices.

But you don't have to

all turn against me.

I never said I would leave

to marry someone else.

But after all these years,

don't you love your husband

even a little bit?

I will not leave.

When Mother passed away,

she left this family in my care.

My husband is dead.

But I must

protect this family

for him and Mother.

Lan,

you're pregnant.

What's your decision?

I do not want to leave.

But my father pressured me.

I have to go home

and give birth to the baby.

I never dared to speak my mind at home.

Now, my husband is gone.

What choice do I have?

You don't have any children.

You can leave or stay as you please.

But it's not the same for us.

Our children are still here.

It breaks our hearts

when you pressure us to leave.

Is it so wrong of me

to leave this family?

Alright.

Am I interrupting?

Will you stop me as well?

Right.

You and Wei Jun

were only betrothed,

yet you chose to become his widow.

How could a loyal woman like you

stand someone like me

who is leaving so ungratefully?

Life isn't easy for us women.

And what I care about least

is the reputation.

So, I'll never hold you back

with that kind of thing.

I've seen the world outside Huajing City.

So,

even if all of you want to leave,

I will not stop you.

You make your choices

about your own lives.

We all understand.

But Ms. Chu,

you shouldn't be saying that.

That's right.

But at present,

Wei Yun is in prison.

You can't leave

without his divorce papers, right?

I am here today

because I want you

to give me a hand.

Let's not make a move

until Wei Yun gets back.

What Ms. Chu just said

makes sense.

At this moment,

our priority is to get Yun out.

If you spoke up for me

just to secure my help,

that really wasn't necessary.

My great-uncle

is the Duke of Ning's tutor

but he remains impartial.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have come

to stop Can Yan in person

and confront the Duke of Ning.

If there's injustice in Yun's case,

he will also speak out.

I don't need to push him.

(Wei Ya,)

(how I wish)

(I did not love you.)

(Xie Jiu)

(You always asked me)

(to write to you.)

But now, I can only

burn the letter.

You aren't

as heartless

as you claim to be.

To me,

you're a very loyal woman.

You misunderstand me.

Everything I do

is for my own benefit.

What could be wrong

with self-interest?

Your family only values legitimate children.

I suppose

you went through a lot

before you came this far.

No one else knows

what you have been through.

You don't think I'm heartless?

Soon after my husband died,

I wanted to leave his family.

I only believe what I see.

What I saw just now

was a loyal woman

who loved her husband.

But I can't kill myself for my husband

like Chun tried to do.

I'm a Xie.

I've never been able to control my life.

I have to live.

I must struggle to survive.

I've been struggling all these years.

How could I kill myself

just for a man?

But I miss him.

I miss him every single minute.

You are not wrong.

You don't need to feel guilty.

Nor do you need to be stuck here.

The world is so vast.

Your loyalty need not be proven

by a mere monument of virtue.

Thank you.

We have to count on you

for Yun's case.

Actually, you should not

have been part of this.

Chu Yu,

I admire you.

But what I said earlier

wasn't an excuse.

My great-uncle won't stand by.

This is the assurance I expected.

I have always known

you are the most sensible.

Yeah.

My husband said the same thing.

My Lady,

Zhang Deng delivered this.

(Gu) Hope we can meet.

I await your reply.

My Lady,

what does the letter say?

Gu Chusheng wants to see me.

What for?

Then, My Lady,

will you or will you not see him?

Of course not.

(Chu Mansion)

Yu?

Look, freshly fried dough twists.

They taste best when they're hot.

They're still good when they're cold.

But anyway,

they won't be as crispy.

Come on. Taste one.

I think

you actually want some.

When you're nervous,

you always eat snacks to calm down.

Others may not know.

But as your big brother,

I know you very well.

Go ahead and eat.

Today,

I'm here to say thank you.

Since there's some wine here,

I'd like to propose a toast.

On the funeral day,

Grand Tutor Xie wouldn't have appeared

without your help, right?

Do you know

where I saw him

that day?

I'm Chu Linyang.

Greetings, Grand Tutor.

Now that you're here,

why don't you see what's happening?

(Xie)

In the 31st year of the Yuanshun reign,

our border was invaded.

Wei Chengyun, the late General of Cavalry

defended the city for a whole year,

holding up 200,000 enemy troops.

So, our nation

won the battle with very few casualties.

His four children, however,

all died when defending the city.

In the 2nd year of the Pinde reign,

North Qi invaded us.

Wei Jingyi, the late General of Command,

defended the city with 7,000 soldiers.

Even with only 200 soldiers left,

they didn't retreat.

Grand Tutor,

as the Emperor's tutor.,

you should uphold the law.

Does a family of loyal heroes

for a century

deserve less than some villains

who defy His Majesty

with their flattery?

Can't these heroes

keep their descendants alive?

Can't they get some coffins

and a proper burial?

Grand Tutor,

please have them respected

as they deserve to be.

Currently,

Grand Tutor Xie alone

may not be enough.

To get Wei Yun out,

we still need

some helpers

who are close to His Majesty.

Close to His Majesty?

At this point,

who has a strong bond with His Majesty?

No one but the Eldest Princess does.

Hope we can meet.

I await your reply.

Flowers in winter.

You've chosen a lovely spot.

Academician Gu, may I ask

why you wanted to see me?

Do you have to be

so aloof?

Are we

ever close or what?

I know you've been trying

to get Wei Yun released.

Why didn't you come to me?

Right now, you are

Duke of Ning's precious son-in-law.

You do sound more sure of yourself

than you did

back in the southwest.

So,

will you help me?

The Wei family is finished.

Duke of Ning wants peace talks,

so he won't back down.

Chu Yu,

sticking with them

will only get you hurt.

So, you're telling me to abandon them?

Who is being so noisy?

I'm Chu Yu, widow of Wei Jun,

Marquis of Zhenguo's son.

He's Senior Compiler Gu Chusheng.

Greetings, Your Highness.

Is he the one who came first in three exams,

the most brilliant scholar in the capital?

Exactly.

(Elegant and Graceful)

(Li Changming, the Eldest Princess of Great Sui)

Greetings, Your Highness.

Xiang,

serve some tea.

Yes.

So, you're the man

the Duke of Ning thinks so highly of.

You flatter me, Your Highness.

Academician Gu,

if you follow me,

you will rise to the top

just like him.

Isn't it better

than being someone's son-in-law?

My loyalties lie elsewhere.

I'm afraid

I must disappoint you.

I'm not one

to impose.

If one day you change your mind,

you'll always be welcome here.

The Weis are in deep trouble.

So, you wanted to see me?

Yes.

Mr. Gu, the top scholar,

is your stepping-stone.

Or you wouldn't have seen me.

Then, I should

thank him for his benevolence

and for helping me to see you.

I heard you arguing earlier.

Academician Gu,

you tell me.

Shall I help them or not?

That depends

on how Ms. Chu pleads.

Ms. Chu,

you're as headstrong

as people say.

You even dared to set me up.

Your Highness, you're intelligent.

I don't dare to hide anything.

Right now, you are the only one

I can beg for help.

So, I had this unwise plan.

You know what interests me.

And I appreciate it.

You may rise.

Thank you.

But anyway, the Wei's case

has nothing to do with me.

Why should I help?

Your Highness, you are the one

and only Eldest Princess.

You are a woman of high status.

In the past,

Shu Region was flooded.

You went south three times in person

for the victims and disaster relief.

I believe

a righteous person like you

won't just stand by.

Save your flattery.

You think a little flattery

will make me help you?

The Wei family has defended us

for a century.

With brilliant strategies,

they were invincible.

Behind this defeat,

there must have been

(Xue Hanmei, the Princess's follower) some reasons.

His Majesty always balances the civil and military forces.

I believe Your Highness won't stay out

of the Wei's conviction

or the decline of the military's influence.

You're interesting, indeed.

It's such a pity

that a woman like you is widowed.

If you were a man,

you would certainly

have a successful official career.

But in my opinion,

a woman can also

do great things.

I believe you agree, Your Highness.

For Wei Yun's case,

there's something you can do.

(Qinxi Valley)

Thank you for your guidance.

If I can get Wei Yun out,

I will be

eternally grateful.

I'll take my leave.

So, back there,

you spoke up for Ms. Chu, didn't you?

The Weis are declining.

They need timely help.

If you help Wei Yun to survive,

he will be grateful.

Do you want me to offer timely help

or do you actually

want Ms. Chu to be grateful to you?

The first, of course.

Ms. Chu is devoted to the Wei family

and Wei Yun.

She behaves recklessly.

But she's as dazzling

as you were in the early years.

So, my heart softened.

You are a clever man.

But have you considered

that by helping Wei Yun like this,

I would be making an enemy

of the Duke of Ning and his faction?

If he and his men really

try to hurt me,

what can I do?

He is stubborn.

Though the Crown Prince is inept,

he has never wavered

in his support for him.

Instead of trying

to win their support,

it's better to rescue someone useful.

I didn't expect to hear

such a plain explanation.

Hanmei,

be careful how you answer.

My entire life

is devoted to you.

No matter who wishes you harm,

I will stand before you and protect you.

Even if it costs me my life.

At court,

my position is not so precarious

that you need to die for me.

But what happened today

must not happen again.

So, this is why you asked

to meet me here.

You're the one who wrote to me

and asked to meet me.

I just found a place

with fewer people.

What's made you so angry?

Chu Yu,

must you insult me like that?

How would serving the Eldest Princess

be an insult?

Besides,

earlier,

you seemed quite eager to help me.

Why do you look reluctant now?

- You... - Forget it.

My Lady,

if Gu Chusheng hadn't come,

was there another way?

Certainly.

I asked you to prepare a man's suit.

Had he not come,

I would have gone myself.

Very shrewd.

(The Court of Judicial Review)

Why are you still here?

We can barely protect ourselves.

If you think we can

protect your family,

you are mistaken.

Just the two of us are here.

Save the righteous act.

Wei Jun was sincere with me.

I would never harm his family.

Shall we make a bet?

I will get you out,

and you will let me stay.

Deal.

Then, stay alive.

If you can't get out alive,

I will scourge your family

and make a huge mess.

I dare you.

Just you wait and see.

In this case,

you go to the Duke of Hu's Mansion

and get me Song Wenchang.

You did have a backup plan.

Eat your fill.

(Duke of Hu's Mansion)

(Song Wenchang, Duke of Hu's eldest son)

Come on. Hurry up.

Hurry.

Yun.

I'm still alive.

Cao Yan is ridiculous.

How dare he torture you?

I'll kill him!

Calm down.

I'll say something serious.

I missed the funeral day.

Do you blame me?

Blame my father.

I had the mourning on.

But he didn't let me go.

I almost fell out with him.

Go apologize to your father.

Why?

You're my close friend.

I failed to help you out of trouble.

I felt really sorry.

Today, I got Ms. Chu's message

and rushed over.

Yun,

if you need any help from me,

let me know.

For you, I'd do anything,

whatever it takes.

That's not necessary.

Apology to your father

and it will be a huge help.

My family is in deep trouble.

Your father has his reasons

to stop you.

But I know.

Your father stays at home in retirement,

but he still has the military spirit.

I'm sure he won't

see my family fall like this.

So, apologize to him.

Meanwhile,

take something to him for me.

Rest assured.

I will always do

what you ask me to.

(Always Peaceful)

Shilan,

you're amazing.

As expected, you got first place again.

Just by luck.

(Song Qingping, Song Zhao's daughter) Theoretically,

(Song Shilan, Song Zhao's second son) Brother should have won.

You actually tutored him

for two nights.

He forgot everything.

Look.

He even drew a little turtle

on his exam paper.

He draws well, though.

You know what? Don't be scared.

If Brother gives you trouble,

let me know.

I can make him my new drug tester.

You terrible son!

Father,

be reasonable, will you?

Why am I terrible?

You're pissing me off.

(Be Honest and Impartial)

You're pushing your father.

Isn't that terrible enough?

Father.

Oh, Father.

- Father. Father. - You...

Father, take it.

(Song Zhao, Duke of Hu) Why? Try to kill me?

No way.

The sword is sheathed.

How could I kill you?

I don't want it.

I can't take the Red Shadow Sword.

You have to.

If you don't help Wei Yun,

he will have to die.

What does that have to do with me?

Listen.

I haven't punished you for seeing him

without my permission.

I just did, so what?

Wei Yun said

our family was involved

in Lord of Qin's treason case.

Without Mr. Wei Zhong's guarantee,

our family would

have perished in Huajing City.

Yun asked me to bring you this sword

because he was reminding us.

They once helped us

and we should repay them now.

We should?

You go ahead, then.

- Take it. - Come on.

- Come. - Take it.

Take it, Father.

- Father. - Oh, my back.

Oh, my back.

Are you all right?

- Father. - Brother.

- Stop being so willful. - Father.

How could you push Father like that?

Ignorant man.

Shut up, the concubine's son.

You know what?

In the Baidi Valley battle,

seventy thousand soldiers died.

Wei Yun's family

may survive.

But they'll be punished.

If I help them recklessly,

I will be seen

as their accomplice.

By then,

our family will also be doomed.

Whatever.

- You're terrible. - Father!

Don't call me Father.

I'm not your father.

Father.

Is your back all right?

Look at her.

You are such a bad son.

See? Your sister

is a famous physician in town.

Your younger brother

is even the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review.

What about you?

You are practically

the most famous playboy

in Huajing City.

Still famous, anyway.

Aren't you ashamed?

You have no ambition.

All you do is bring trouble

to the family and me.

What else can you do?

Could you even be

a good brother for your siblings?

- I can't stand it. - Father.

- Calm down. - I threw my back out.

Go rub it for me.

All right.

- Be careful. - Hurry.

Hurry.

Father, are you going to ignore this?

(Thrive and Prosper)

Be careful.

Move faster.

Father. Father.

Slow down.

What about your back?

I lied to him.

Otherwise,

he wouldn't let me go.

Let's go. Don't let him see us.

He ran really fast.

He should fight in battle.

- Let's go. - I'm exhausted.

- Be careful. - Move.

Come on.

Brother,

this case involves policy

and it's complicated.

Not as simple as you think.

Don't show off.

Move aside. Don't stand in my way.

(Marquis of Zhenguo's Mansion)

The Eldest Princess?

To help His Majesty

with his throne,

she married Jinxi Military Governor

to get his support.

So, His Majesty

highly respects her.

What did she say?

She said...

His Majesty threw Wei Yun in prison

but hasn't convicted him yet.

Do you know why?

His Majesty thinks the Weis are guilty,

but Wei Yun doesn't deserve to die.

Exactly.

You're very clever.

His Majesty

won't release Wei Yun

unless there's a good reason.

It has to be a reason

that follows the law

and silences all opposition.

Are you saying

we'll give His Majesty an out?

A reason that follows the law

and silences all opposition.

What can it be?

It should be sentiment,

human sympathy,

and justice.

Whatever it is,

it won't be easy.

Chun, will you go with me?

Of course.

You've been making efforts for us.

I haven't even thanked you yet.

I will certainly go with you.

Then, Chun,

please take Wei Shu's tablet

and go with me.

His tablet?

Just the two of us will go.

The other ladies will leave eventually.

In that case,

the fewer people go,

the safer it will be.

I get it.

Mr. Wei Jun,

you're like my brother, too.

I will get Wei Yun out for you.

(Tablet of Wei Jun, Tablet of Wei Zhong)

(Chengqing Gate)

Who are you?

Chu Yu from Marquis of Zhenguo's Mansion.

With the tablets of my family,

we request to see His Majesty.

Ms. Chu, did His Majesty summon you?

No.

Ms. Chu,

why don't you come when summoned?

If it were going to happen,

we needn't have been here.

You're putting me on the spot.

We don't mean to, My Lord.

We simply request you

to inform His Majesty.

We...

My whole family

will not leave

until we see His Majesty,

even if we turn to stone.

Your Majesty,

the ladies of Wei Zhong's family

are kneeling outside.

They said

they would kneel forever

before an audience.

I believe

they're putting on a show

and threatening with their merits.

(Tablet of Wei Zhong, Marquis of Zhenguo)

(Chengqing Gate)

(Chengqing Gate)

(Tablet of Wei Zhong, Marquis of Zhenguo)

(The Court of Judicial Review)

What are you doing here?

I think Yun needs me now.

I will leave.

But before I leave this family,

I have the duty to come.

Yun is the brother

my husband loved most.

If I can secure Yun's release

by bringing his tablet,

I won't have failed him.

In the past, my husband

loved to play

with his brothers.

If I didn't come,

he would be disappointed.

I think this is

the last thing

I can do for my husband.

I've been fortunate

to know you all.

We went through the hardest time.

What does it matter

if we're here for you?

♪All that I cherished crumbles with time♪

♪In vibrant robes, on spirited steed♪

♪It ends up scattered over the lonely world♪

♪Soon, the past is now veiled in dust♪

♪If not for dreams by windswept flight♪

♪How would my hand find yours tonight?♪

♪This moonlit glow, in dusk's soft veil♪

♪Hears heartbeats tell their secret tale♪

♪Thoughts ablaze like beacon's fire♪

♪Outline your form in golden lyre♪

♪Through thorns we've trod and trials passed♪

♪Each grief and joy forever cast♪

♪Let the fierce warmth within your gaze♪

♪Melt this war-torn world's cruel maze♪

♪Still through the frost, I'll walk with you♪

♪Our mountains and our streams anew♪

♪Dawns greet the spring we longed to see♪

♪Through meadows where wild larks soar free♪

♪Let countless sails cross this worldly tide♪

♪When lonely shadows turn to two♪

♪Through countless turns and all we've borne♪

♪No regret ever could be sworn♪

♪Dawns greet the spring we longed to see♪

♪Beneath heaven's vault, in harmony♪

♪Let tears now fall for yesterday's strife♪

♪We've reached this blossom-covered hill♪

♪I'll follow you through every dream♪