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 34=

The Queen Mother is here.

Leave this to the servants.

When you were born,

your paranoid uncle

didn't want you here.

So I had to leave you in Great Sui.

I know you've harbored resentment

all these years.

But Yue,

you should understand.

I didn't have a choice, then.

But what's gone is gone.

It's your coronation today.

The throne of North Qi

is finally in our hands.

Our years of planning

finally paid off.

Without your mediation, this day

wouldn't have come so soon.

Thank you, Mother.

When I was subject to Su Can,

I only endured

by clinging to the thought

that this day would come.

Today,

why do you keep talking about the past?

Yesterday, I got a message.

Great Sui agreed to discuss peace.

I've had someone

draft a letter to Emperor Chunde,

asking him to send a delegation

for peace talks.

Why didn't you tell me beforehand?

You haven't ascended the throne.

So, I have the duty

to handle these things for now.

What?

Yue,

are you dissatisfied

with my decision?

It is settled.

Yue,

during the peace talks,

you should exchange that woman

for tangible benefits from Great Sui.

Never.

She isn't the Eldest Princess here.

She is my woman, and that is all.

You can make almost any decision.

But regarding Changming,

please let me have my way.

Your Majesty,

it is time.

Since you want her,

I'll let you have your way.

You have to remember.

Li Changming can stay.

But if you lose people's support

or disobey me

because of this woman,

I wouldn't mind

killing one more person.

Mother,

I should go see the officials.

(Qi)

In Year 6 of Yuanle,

Zhao Yue became the King of North Qi.

Queen Mother Yunyang jointly governed.

By the grace of heaven,

I now ascend the throne.

This year will be Year 1 of Qingming.

I'll grant a general amnesty to celebrate this.

Lords of our sixteen cities

will maintain peace within your cities

and prevent disorder.

I will handle state affairs carefully

to protect our land.

I make a promise to all my subjects.

One day,

I will conquer states

including Great Sui,

South Yue, and West Jing

to unite the whole world.

I've been too busy with the coronation

to give you much attention.

Ping told me

you ate very little

what the King offered.

Does it not taste good?

King?

This word

sounds really fresh

when it comes from your mouth.

Why don't you repeat it,

so I can get used to that?

What?

Do you not think

I can be a good king?

I heard

during the coronation,

Queen Mother Yunyang

was sitting right next to your throne.

Whether you can be

a good king of North Qi...

Is it really up to you?

So what?

I'm the only son

of my mother.

Now, I'm sitting on the throne.

It's what she has been pursuing.

She handles state affairs

just to help me.

You wouldn't

have gotten the throne

without her schemes.

So, she can take back what she gave you.

You're mother and son,

but so what?

A royal family has no affection.

So do the two of you.

I'm on the throne, anyway.

I want everyone to know

that I'm destined to be

the King of North Qi,

and no one can change that.

As for you, Changming...

All you need to do is stay by my side.

When the court stabilizes,

I will make you

my queen.

You will share with me

the most honorable glory.

Hope so.

(Duke of Hu's Mansion)

Governess,

don't bring me any food. I'm not hungry.

What are you doing here?

And the governess?

Father sent her

to watch over me.

Hurry.

Don't worry, Tuantuan.

We hit her gently.

She's fine.

Tuantuan, come with me.

A surprise for you.

Shilan, stop dawdling.

Take off your robe.

I'll take Tuantuan out alone.

I took you here, so you could

pretend to be Tuantuan.

No wonder you said you couldn't

have done this without me.

Min,

get us one outfit of hers.

Turn around.

Come on, move.

Why didn't you tell me before we came?

You...

If I had told you,

you wouldn't have come.

Come on, Wenchang.

Hand.

I'll do it myself.

Oh, My Lady.

My Lady.

My Lady?

My Lady,

you have 80 pages to copy

as your punishment.

(Chu Mansion)

Come on.

Try harder.

Come on.

Be patient.

Take your time.

It's alright.

Even if you remain like this,

Mother can still carry you

and always take care of you.

When you were a little boy,

I always held you, didn't I?

Now, even Chu Shan can hardly carry me.

Not to mention you.

Don't underestimate me.

Tomorrow, I'll ask Yu

to teach me martial arts.

You're back.

Slow down. Don't choke.

Mother. Linyang.

It's so hard

to rent a shop out there.

I've looked almost everywhere.

They're either too expensive

or too remote.

Why is it so hard

to start a business?

We aren't short of money now.

You can just choose a shop you like.

The herbal medicine business

requires a lot of capital.

And you will get married someday.

We do need money

in many cases.

Mother,

I know

you think for Miss Song.

But if she

truly loves Linyang...

Jin.

You must be hungry now.

I'll go make you something to eat.

Jin.

Stop pressing.

It doesn't work.

Don't try to lie to me, Linyang.

You want so badly to stand up.

Miss Song must be one of the reasons.

You've been telling me

to make sure

what I really want.

Linyang, you aren't leading by example.

I certainly know

what I really want.

But look at me now.

It's a nice day today.

Let me take you out for a walk.

Where will he come from?

Wenchang.

Why did you bring me here?

Is there a surprise?

Tuantuan.

- How are you? - How are you?

I...

I'm fine.

Why are you here?

I guess some of our friends

wanted us to meet each other.

That's good.

Linyang.

I thought it would get better as time passed.

But since we see each other here,

I won't escape anymore

or deceive myself.

So,

please don't avoid me, will you?

I'm sorry.

I never made things clear to you,

so you were bothered.

Since I was little, my father taught me

to take responsibilities.

As a son,

I failed to save my father

when he died in a battle,

which broke my mother's heart.

As an elder brother,

I failed to balance

the relationship between my sisters,

so they were estranged for a long time.

I always strove for perfection

while nothing ended up perfect.

Now,

if I accept you rashly

with such a body,

how could I get your parents' approval?

Even if they approve,

how would I not feel sorry?

But Tuantuan,

I want to make this bet with you.

One day,

I will stand up

and go get you back.

Will you wait for me?

♪If not for dreams by windswept flight♪

♪How would my hand find yours tonight?♪

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

I've been waiting for this promise.

♪Hears heartbeats tell their secret tale♪

♪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♪

Let me tell you.

My mother

doesn't accept Tuantuan

for her own good.

Don't hold any prejudice against her.

I won't.

On the surface, my mother

doesn't worry about Linyang's legs.

But in secret, she has cried many times.

Linyang and I

pretend we didn't know,

so she wouldn't feel worse.

My family...

Jin,

I just appear to be careless.

But I totally understand

all these things.

Really?

So, why did you get Tuantuan out?

What if your father punishes you?

That's why I'm taking you here

to buy some cushions.

I'll put them on me

before he canes me.

Is your father so harsh?

Don't worry. He won't be harsh to you.

I don't care if he doesn't like me.

Think about who I am.

Listen,

within three days,

I will make him acknowledge me.

I'll choose an auspicious day

for betrothal gifts.

I swear I'll marry you

with a grand wedding.

We're still in public.

Don't say that.

Jin.

Jin.

Jin.

I, Song Wenchang,

will marry Chu Jin!

Many officials

accused you of having fun at Fragrance House

and lacking personal virtue.

(Xuanzheng Hall) Some even

advised me to strip you

of your noble title.

What do you think?

Your Majesty will decide.

I'll just obey.

Wen Yun,

do you really not want

a better title?

Your Majesty,

my lifelong wish

is to protect our country,

have a proper house,

eat regular meals,

and always live with the one I love.

That's all I want.

Don't forget.

You're first my subject

before you're Wei Yun.

Your Majesty,

in the court,

I can be the general who fights enemies

and recovers lost land.

I'll protect our nation and its emperor at all costs.

But outside the court,

I'm a mere man.

I want to live my life

the way I want it.

Will you truly defy me

again and again

for a mere woman?

Chu Yu has risked her life for this country.

And now, she's trying

to get back the Eldest Princess.

A woman like her

isn't the mere woman

you think she is.

How dare you!

I am just

telling the truth.

Wei Yun,

if I really

strip you of your noble title,

would you not care at all?

My...

My conscience is clear.

Wei Zhong,

how could you have

this kind of son?

(Huang's Noodle Shop)

A runaway horse!

Move. Move now.

The horse is spooked!

Run!

Mother.

- Mother! - Runaway horse!

Mother!

Little girl,

are you alright?

Babe.

Babe, are you alright?

Face.

Your face.

Miss, your face.

It's bleeding.

Mother.

Yu, be gentle.

Are you taking revenge on me?

Right.

I'm taking revenge.

Will it leave a scar?

You're always a lover of beauty.

It is

so unlike you.

Or what should I do?

Cry my eyes out?

Yu,

a scar for a little girl.

It's worth it.

In the next few days,

Quan'er and I will live here.

Don't tell

Mother or Linyang.

Will Linyang praise me?

Of course, he will.

What about you?

What do you think of me?

Before,

I always wanted you

to be considerate

and generous.

Now, seeing this,

I know you've grown up.

You're my good sister.

Of course, I am.

Come on.

You go back and rest.

Don't get the wound wet tonight.

Tomorrow, I'll apply ointment

after breakfast.

Alright. You go back now.

Go to bed early.

Jin.

Jin.

Jin, are you alright?

Jin.

Jin.

I'm fine.

Don't worry.

But I can tell

you're crying.

Jin.

Don't worry.

You won't be hurt for nothing.

One must pay a price.

I'm going right away

to find out who hurt you.

Jin.

That guy hurt my girl.

I will skin him!

I'll scratch his face now.

And I'll get him here

to apologize to you.

Wait for me, Jin.

Come back.

I know.

You aren't crying because you regret

saving that girl.

Instead,

you must be very proud

of saving her.

But you must be sad

for a scratched face.

I understand.

How about this?

Lean on my shoulder.

Cry out as loud you want.

It's no big deal.

Come on.

I've already stopped crying.

Why are you suddenly

staring at me like that?

Jin,

I like you.

It's not about your looks.

You don't need to hide anything from me.

Do you remember

when we first met

at Yun's banquet?

Back then, I saw

a flame in your eyes.

You were dazzling in the crowd.

For the first time in my life,

I got to know

what it felt like to fall in love.

Why are you saying this?

I just want you to know.

In my heart, you're indispensable.

In Qingzhou,

your slap woke me up.

After that,

you accompanied me when I rose.

It was you

who gave me a real second life.

I once said

I wanted to make you proud.

But now,

you're making me proud.

I don't care

if it leaves a scar.

However many wrinkles

you have on your face in the future,

I'll always love you.

In my heart,

you are the best

and the prettiest

in this world.

In the future,

will you not have

many wrinkles?

I will.

I will have more.

Yu.

How is your sister?

I'm afraid it'll leave a scar.

She must be very sad.

She just pretended she didn't care.

She has really been mature.

And why did you come back so late?

Did His Majesty rebuke you?

No, he didn't.

He asked me what I really thought.

I said I wanted a peaceful life

with a proper house

and regular meals.

Why does it sound

so familiar?

Are you copying off me?

That makes no difference.

What makes you so hesitant?

Yu,

even if the whole world hinders us,

I will not give in.

It's late.

Why are you here?

I want to give you a dress.

See if it fits you.

You know my size

very well.

I want you to try it on.

I have never liked red.

I don't want this gift.

It's the King's gift.

Even if you don't like it,

you have to accept it.

Zhao Yue,

you're angry about court affairs.

Punish your officials if you dare.

Don't vent your anger on me.

Are you determined

to defy me?

I'm not the only one defying you.

Alright.

Since you don't put it on,

you won't see me anymore.

Don't bring her to me

until she puts the dress on.

Before that,

she must not go out.

Yes.

(Yifen Hall)

(Changming,)

(I'm giving you this red dress)

(to let you know.)

(In my heart,)

(only you're worthy of the red color.)

(Even if I marry someone else,)

(that's just for national stability)

(and our future.)

(Can you understand?)

(Chengqing Gate)

(Different Hours)

(Early You hour)

You have been serving me for years.

You should be aware of the difficulties I face.

Back then, we lost three cities.

Even Huajing City almost became a border town.

If I didn't prioritize the military

and win a few important battles,

I would lose the people's support.

As long as North Qi exists,

battles are unavoidable.

I know.

Besides the war,

foreign and domestic affairs

need money as well.

But what can I do?

I gave Gu Chusheng

two consecutive promotions.

And I made Wei Yun

the God of War of Great Sui.

These...

I'm not doing

all these things

just to pave the way for Huan.

I'm also trying to build two pillars

for our country.

It's no longer about politics.

Your Majesty, I'm sorry

I can't share your burden.

Please forgive me.

Over all these years,

you have done

a lot of things for me.

So, I often

turn a blind eye

to your mistakes.

You shielded Yao Yong

and tried to exterminate the Wei family.

You even colluded with North Qi spies

and almost killed my officials.

You shouldn't have done it.

I know I was wrong.

Grand Tutor Xie

once warned me

not to be bewitched by power.

But I...

I failed to stop in time.

But Your Majesty,

I have made many mistakes.

I've also made contributions.

I won't ask for mercy.

But Your Majesty, I beg you

to spare my daughter Linlang.

I grant you permission to return to your hometown.

This is the end of all these things.

(Zi hour and Chou hour)

(Xuanzheng Hall)

"As the emperor, I hereby confer.

Gu Chusheng, Minister of Personnel,

is intelligent enough

to have made great contributions.

I'm quite relieved.

Now, I make him the Chancellor."

(Chancellor)

Thank you, Your Majesty.

He came back from Qingzhou

and had two consecutive promotions.

Now, he's the head of all officials.

This is unfair.

Why is it unfair?

Young Marquis Wei killed the King of North Qi.

But he was so arrogant

that he defied His Majesty in court.

So, it's natural

that His Majesty dislikes him.

Yun,

I really hate it

when he's so successful.

I will ask His Majesty

for an explanation on this.

I...

I have something to report.

The Eldest Princess is a noble princess.

But now, she's trapped in North Qi.

I suggest sending a delegation

to negotiate with its new king Zhao Yue

and bring back Her Highness.

It can break the situation

where North Qi restrains us with Her Highness.

Meanwhile,

it'll show our strength.

Your Majesty,

Zhao Yue lurked in here for years.

Her Highness failed to detect that

and even favored him.

Zhao Yue killed

many of our loyal officials.

Her Highness kept a crocodile as a pet.

Besides, this journey will be dangerous.

Your Majesty,

I don't think

it's worth it to send a delegation

to rescue Her Highness.

Now,

North Qi and our country

both need time to recuperate.

So, peace talks are a wider trend.

But we need to seriously consider

who will be sent

and how they'll negotiate.

We'll discuss it later.

- Yes. - Yes.

After you, Mr. Li.

Alright.

Wait, Your Lordship.

A new broom sweeps clean.

We haven't rested yet.

Chancellor, are you sweeping already?

You have a successful career

and keeps rising.

But if you want me

to congratulate you

on every promotion,

do you think

you get promoted for me?

You're wise, Your Lordship.

You must know

why I was promoted this time.

I even

need to thank you.

You took advantage of us.

Instead of keeping a low profile,

you're showing off.

Wenchang,

His Majesty decides

whether an official

is promoted or demoted.

Don't be unreasonable.

We'd better not get involved.

Let's go.

- Shilan. - Come on.

Chancellor Gu,

get to the point.

You have made

unparalleled contributions.

You deserved a place in history.

But you defied His Majesty.

What if all your hard work

goes down the drain?

I don't fight battles

for noble titles

or a place in history.

Now, I only want to protect

our people,

Chu Yu,

and my family.

But one can't do whatever he wants

unless he enjoys the highest status.

A wise man foresees risks.

Your Lordship,

I believe

you're a wise man.

Chancellor Gu,

this is none of your concern.

♪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♪