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[The Promise of Chang'an]

[Episode 40]

The former emperor used to say that Great Liang's riches

and Chang'an's flourishing lands. They are better than our Great Sheng by far.

Do you think Chengxu really wouldn't be swayed?

Naturally, I know that he has love for us,

but that doesn't mean that he will not start to entertain wild ambitions.

Anyway, it's human nature.

The more you gain, the more you want to keep testing your luck.

Greetings, Empress Dowagers and Your Majesty.

Your Majesty, Empress Dowagers,

I have not disappointed the wishes of my ancestors.

Ninth Brother, I'm so happy.

On behalf of you royal father and the former emperor, I thank you.

Empress Dowager Yuanzhen has been too courteous. I don't dare.

Prince Regent, you have worked hard.

It was my duty.

In the future, everyone will respect and praise you.

Your Majesty, who taught you these words?

Mother Queen taught me.

Your Majesty, Two Empress Dowagers, let's all enter the hall together.

Your Majesty, please enter the hall.

May Your Majesty live for thousands of years, thousands of thousands of years.

This battle of Chang'an was brutal.

It was all thanks to your military strategy.

This battle sacrificed many of our Great Sheng's greatest generals.

Qishuo and Qida, in order to save me,

died in battle at Chang'an.

Second Royal Brother let me oversee them

because he wanted me to bring them glory

but now Second Royal Brother

didn't say a single thing to place the blame on me.

I just think that I owe him too much.

The past is in the past.

You shouldn't blame yourself.

Three months ago, we received a report

that you were injured.

Have you healed now?

I've spent many years out fighting wars.

These little wounds don't mean much to me.

Then that's good.

As long as you're fine, then I am at ease.

I just hope that the Chang'an of the future

will be serene and peaceful.

Mingyu, look. Inside and outside of our capital,

the mountains are beautiful. The scenery is vast.

It is all my Great Sheng's lands.

Don't forget that the person who owns these lands

will be my son.

I know. I will also continue

to assist Qiyuan and rule this land well.

Besides all of these things, I still hope

that you will take more care of your life and your family.

My life...

When you persuaded me to support Qiyuan,

you messed up my life.

Even now,

I still don't know what else I could possibly do.

Mingyu, I just want to ask you

Are you truly happy?

Are you truly able to let this go?

If I don't let go, would anything change?

Besides, a person's feelings will always change.

As time passes, it will slowly fade.

Now, I see you

as I see Sister Qi.

I see you like I see Brother Keyong.

As family, a close relative.

When you face hardship, I will worry for you.

I also wish for your life to be peaceful.

That's all.

There will be no other feelings.

I hope that you can truly let go.

Stop waiting.

Stop anticipating.

No.

I don't believe that you truly mean this.

Believe it or don't.

Those are my words for you.

Sister Qi got a wind chill and is still sick.

I'm not going to linger here.

Regent.

You can still bear to return?

I just moved to the capital.

There are still many affairs to sort out in the court.

I bet you went to Changyun Hall to deal with court affairs.

You might as well just treat that place as your Regent Manor.

If you have no important matters,

then go back and rest.

Xiao Chengxu.

In the court, you deal with nation's affairs. At home, you do it as well.

You're not His Majesty, why do you do this much?

The task of caring for the lands is a responsibility that I, as Regent, must take.

Regent?

You don't even take your personal matters seriously.

What about your own son?

Stop talking.

I'm not going to stop.

Xiao Chengxu. Wake up.

You personally brought Helan Mingyu into the Empress Dowager position.

She's His Majesty's mother.

You're just his uncle.

Only I,

only I am your wife.

Only I was willing to risk my life to save you back then.

Chengxu.

Chengxu! Chengxu!

Sister Qi. Now, is your health recovering?

I just caught a windchill. I'm better now.

I'm old now. My health has gotten much worse.

You're always spouting nonsense. You're clearly still very young.

Princess. I heard that earlier, in the court,

the Regent and Prince of Su fought viciously in front of His Majesty. They could not be stopped!

The eunuch on duty just told me that some ministers and princes were rushing over

to ask you two Empress Dowagers for a solution.

I understand what all of you mean.

The Regent means that while the soldiers are still motivated by this victory,

we should forge ahead and take Xi Shu.

The Prince of Su, Official Li, and Official Ling think

that if we continue forging ahead, the soldiers will become too weary.

They fear that it will cause more harm than good. Yes?

I believe that we must take it immediately in order for Great Sheng to completely take over the world.

Regent, you speak with reason.

I had forgotten that you always immediately side with the regent.

What's the point in staying here and discussing?

Qihan, Empress Dowager Xianzhen has always had good reasoning skills.

Her strategic skills were praised by the former emperor multiple times.

Everyone here is trying to figure out what's best from the angle of Great Sheng.

Everyone has their own considerations.

On behalf of His Majesty, I would like to express my thanks to everyone.

To be fair, our former emperor's thoughts were

to battle steadily. One calculated step at a time leads to victory.

If we expanded too quickly, then the fear is that we will meet endless troubles.

Empress Dowager, do you mean...?

From what I see, the Prince of Su brings up an important point.

Right now, the troops should rest more.

Later, if they conquer Xi Shu, it will not be too late.

Empress Dowager, you have good judgement.

I would like to know what you think, Regent.

Empress Dowager, all these years, we have gotten to where we are now battle by battle.

Why would we need to rest?

Empress Dowager Xianzhen has already made her decision.

I will choose to accept it.

Ok. Since no one opposes, this matter is settled this way.

We will make plans to attack Xi Shu in later days.

To reply to both Empress Dowagers, I have something else.

Official Ling, speak.

A few days ago, the Regent put a new law in place.

It states that the nobles of what was formerly Great Liang will have to pay larger taxes.

I feel that this is inappropriate.

What's inappropriate about it? The old Liang territory now belongs to Great Sheng after they surrendered.

Shouldn't we impose taxes on them?

Prince of Yu, we are not saying that we should not.

We just think that this tax decree is treating the old Liang commoners differently.

They have to pay much, much higher taxes than the people of Great Sheng.

Now, this has caused huge crowds of Liang commoners to be unhappy.

I feel worried.

Are the few of you purposefully trying to rehearse a play?

Prince of Yu, stop exaggerating. We're criticizing the law, not the person.

Official Ling, you just said that the war has been a mess for years. The country and people suffered.

We need time to rest. We just took such a huge part of Great Liang's territory.

In order to protect the livelihoods of our commoners, we must spend money in many different ways.

The Nation's Treasury is already almost depleted. Are we going to...?

For this matter, I think we need to have a more complete discussion before making a decision.

Since we have already taken over Great Liang, then Great Liang's commoners will become Great Sheng's.

As for taxes, everyone should be treated the same.

If because of this matter, we lose the hearts of the commoners, then the consequences will be terrible.

I made all of these dishes myself today.

I don't know how the flavor is.

Here. Try it.

Empress Dowager Xianzhen, if you have anything to say to me, you can tell me directly.

You're still angry with me?

I know that I did not follow you on either of these two matters.

You're unhappy. That's normal.

However, I still want to discuss properly with you.

Since you know that I'm unhappy,

why must you do things like this?

Mingyu, all these years I've fought battles everywhere.

What's the use of the lands I won?

All along, I've protected you and Qiyuan.

With my whole heart, all I wanted was to watch Qiyuan ascend to the throne and become a great emperor,

but now, why must you target me about everything?

Today, I said that we should continue fighting in order to conquer Xi Shu.

You said that we needed rest.

I said that we should increase taxes for the people of Liang. You opposed that as well.

Now, every single thing I do is wrong.

You won't support me no matter what I do.

No! In my heart, I have always supported you.

It's just that now, you are the Regent. I am the Empress Dowager.

We must use reason to justify anything.

Think about it. Even though we conquered Great Liang,

if we cannot also win the hearts of the commoners, what's the point of it?

Chengxu, in the past,

you would always listen to my opinions.

This time I also hope that you will listen to me.

Whatever. Ever since our childhood, I could never beat you.

Your word is law.

Really?

Really. I will immediately decree

that law for higher taxes on Liang commoners will be terminated.

Thank you.

Chengxu.

You don't have to continue thanking me.

You know why I do all of this.

Chengxu.

You also know

that I'm not just a woman.

I'm a mother.

Mother Queen! Mother Queen! Look at the cricket I caught!

Ninth Royal Uncle? How come you are in my Mother Queen's palace?

Your Ninth Royal Uncle is here to talk about some things in court.

I want to talk to my own Mother Queen. Regent, you may leave.

Qiyuan!

Qiyuan, how could you told to your Ninth Royal Uncle like that?

You don't understand the code of conduct at all.

Everyone said that after I become the emperor, everyone must listen to my words.

Everyone must listen to Your Majesty's words,

but you still have to speak in a way that makes others happy.

Qiyuan. You are the emperor.

In the future, there will be many things you must do.

You need to continue working hard and study much harder. Stop being so eager to play.

This way, you can make people happy.

Our Ninth Royal Uncle is correct.

Qiyuan!

Mingyu, I understand your concerns and hardships.

In the future, I will make you understand that I will work hard.

I will learn how to be a good father.

I don't care if your status is a mother or just a regular woman.

I will still stay with you forever.

Your Majesty! Slow down!

Your Majesty! Seventh Prince, run slower!

Your Majesty! Don't trip!

Seventh Prince!

- Over here! - Your Majesty!

Your Majesty?

Seventh Prince?

Seventh Prince?

Your Majesty?

Your Majesty?

We finally lost those eunuchs. Let's find something fun to do.

Sixth Brother, Sixth Brother, take a look! There's a bird's nest over there.

Let's go catch a sparrow.

It's so high.

Sixth Brother, don't be afraid.

You go up first. I'll be in the back to protect you.

This...

Sixth Brother, you're the emperor.

You don't even have the guts to climb this?

You— Who said I didn't have the guts?

I'll climb it for you. Watch carefully.

Sixth Brother, hurry up.

Sixth Brother, be more careful.

Higher. It's right there!

Just a little higher, and you'll be able to get it.

Sixth Brother!

Sixth Brother. Sixth Brother! Sixth Brother!

What's wrong, Sixth Brother?

Sixth Brother!

Someone come! Someone come!

Sixth Brother!

How is Qiyuan doing?

Empress Dowager.

Qiyuan, let me look.

It's only been a second since we last saw each other. How could you have hurt yourself like this?

It hurts.

What did the imperial physician say?

He said that it wasn't anything serious. He will recover soon.

We'll see if you learn your lesson!

Your Majesty, I'm in pain.

Don't let Mother Queen scold me anymore.

Fine. Qiyuan, you're a good boy.

He's already injured like this. Don't scold him any longer.

Qiyuan, good boy. I'll rub this for you.

Does it still hurt here?

It hurts here.

Sister Qi.

How was Qiyuan today?

A lot better.

It's been a month already. The imperial physician just said that he can start walking now.

He's started to move a little more.

- That's good. - Empress Dowagers!

Empress Dowager, His Majesty is refusing to eat medicine or food.

How should we deal with this matter?

We spoiled him too much and now he's causing this problem?

I will go discipline him.

Qiyuan is still young, and he suffered a severe injury this time.

Having a few temper tantrums is normal.

You should coax him.

Sister Qi. You are too strict with him.

If this continues,

how would he dare to be close with you?

From what I see, how about

I go find some ministers and bring their children over to accompany Qiyuan?

Firstly, this will help him be less bored and make him feel calmer.

Secondly, we can pick some studious children to be by his side.

That would be a good influence on him. What do you think?

Then I'll listen to you.

When you come into the palace, you can just live here without worries.

If you are missing anything, then tell Auntie, ok?

- We understand. - We understand.

Your Majesty! I'm begging you! Please drink the medicine, Your Majesty.

I won't drink it, I won't.

If you don't drink it, then how will I be able to tell Her Majesty?

Your Majesty.

Auntie Zhen'er.

You aren't taking medicine again? You have to take it.

Only after you take your medicine can your injuries get better faster.

Um- Auntie, my stomach hurts.

Your Majesty.

Look. There are so many new companions who have entered the palace.

Your Majesty, surely you don't want to be ridiculed by them?

Your Majesty, this is for you.

This is a sugar plum. It's so sweet.

Whenever I fall and get injured or feel sad,

as soon as I eat one of these, I feel like there's so much sweetness in my mouth!

All of my bad feelings vanish.

Your Majesty, after you finish eating the medicine, eat one of these.

Then, you won't think it is bitter.

Um... Who said I was afraid of bitterness?

I'm going to become Great Sheng's best warrior, right?

Give me the medicine.

What kind of medicine is this?

Give this to me. Let me eat it.

It really is no longer bitter.

So pretty.

You can't catch me! You can't catch me!

Look! It flew!

Let us play with it!

Hurry up!

- Give the kites to everyone. - Okay.

Let's go. Continue.

Thank you.

This butterfly is so pretty.

Ruoxuan, mine is a swallow. What's yours?

Wow, it's a phoenix.

It's so pretty.

I want this phoenix. You can have this.

Situ Zhen, you're way too domineering.

The phoenix obviously is most suitable for me.

You're Xi Qi's princess?

Xi Qi already surrendered who knows how many hundred of years ago.

You—

It's fine.

- What's wrong? - She—

Your Majesty, we were just talk about the butterfly and swallow kites

were all so beautifully crafted.

Great. You like them?

Who made this kite?

To reply to Your Majesty, I was the one who made these kites.

Oh. Her Highness was just complimenting you, saying that you made them well.

Go make some more and let Her Highness keep them to play with.

Yes.

Your Majesty, what about me?

Sure, then some will be made for you as well.

Is that okay?

I was the one who set it up!

- Give it to me! - It's flying!

I won't let you play with it!

Your Highness, look over there.

at the Princess over there whose age is about the same as His Majesty.

Last time, it was her who came up with the plan

to make His Majesty eat the medicine.

Let me fly it!

She's quite a pretty girl.

I heard that she's the daughter of the Xin An King.

Her mother was just a side consort. She died very early on.

Now that I think about it, the child is quite pitiful.

The King of Xin An?

He's a capable and talented wise man.

It's just sad that he's a minister of Great Liang.

No matter how great his achievements were in the past,

he can only have an unimportant, idle position.

Zhen'er. Go invite her over to us.

Yes.

Princess Ruoxuan. Come over here.

I, Dong Ruoxuan, greet Your Majesties.

Your name is Ruoxuan?

To reply, yes.

Father said that he hoped my entire life

and have no worries.

Look how sweet her words are.

Ruoxuan?

I will remember your name now!

Since you are picking up your daughter today,

I wanted to speak to you.

Your Majesty, do you know

why the court wanted you to guard Jiang Nan?

Regent, I would like you to explain to me.

You are a man of knowledge.

You know how to rule the country well.

To satisfy the commoners.

All of the ministers have been reminding me

the importance of making the commoners feel safe.

Various measures are taken in order to keep the hearts of the commoners.

Yes.

You and His Majesty, for this, have done a lot.

Now, within Great Liang's former commoners,

there are many who are secretly rebelling against Great Sheng.

Especially in Jiang Nan.

Now, they have started more movements.

Then you want to assign me

to go to Jiang Nan in order to smooth over the incidents?

I'm not asking you to smooth them over,

I want you to reassure the commoners.

In the court,

the person I admire and value most

is you.

Also, you were originally one of Great Liang's former ministers.

You were born in Jiang Nan.

The commoners there will most likely be more trusting, and they're closer to you.

There is nobody more suitable to rule Jiang Nan than you.

Then thank you, Regent,

for having faith in me. I will do everything I can

to make sure I do not disappoint the hopes you have for me.

I would like to ask if you are confident that you can do this.

I understand.

Regent, please do not worry.

Nanny, does it look nice?

Yes, it does.

Your Majesty, what kind of spur-of-the-moment impulses have hit you?

You took out all of your favorite clothes to wear.

Your Majesty! Your Majesty!

The kite is ready?

To reply,

yes. It's finished being crafted. On it is a drawing of a beautiful lady.

Princess Ruoxuan will surely love it.

Great. Come with me to find her!

Your Majesty.

Greetings, Mother Queen.

Your Majesty, you have arrived at the perfect time.

The little princess of Xi Qi made some little desserts.

You can try them since you're here.

I don't want to eat them.

Mother Queen, where is Lu Lianyi? Where is Dong Ruoxuan?

Where did they go? Are they in the Imperial Garden?

Your Majesty, Princess Ruoxuan's father was assigned to Jiang Nan.

Last night, they already left the palace.

Well, what about the kite I wanted to give her?

Mother Queen, send a decree to make her father come back.

I don't want her to go!

Don't mess around.

The King of Xin An was assigned to carry out an important task in Jiang Nan.

Matters of the court cannot be treated as child's play.

Your Majesty!

Don't mind him, Zhen'er.

Let him do as he pleases. This is also good.

Let him understand that as an Emperor,

he can't have everything he wants.

Your Majesty, take a look. I was right, wasn't I?

The Empress Dowager went to the imperial garden. Aren't you going to reward me?

Dong Yizhi has already left. Go get someone to ride quickly and catch up.

Send someone to Dong Yizhi. Say that the Empress Dowagers and I

have already changed our minds and decided to redact the order to send him out.

If you do this well, you will get a huge reward.

I obey.

Little Sister, why do you look so unhappy?

We left so hastily. We didn't even get the change to properly say goodbye to His Majesty.

If he knew about it, I fear that he will be unhappy.

[An Chang]

Dad?

Come.

It's fine. Do not be afraid.

Her Majesty has sent a decree. Dong Yizhi, receive the order.

I, Dong Yizhi, will receive the order.

His Majesty really is messing around.

Please let me know what to do.

Do what we originally planned.

I will deal with this letter myself.

Yes.

As long as we can keep Dong Yizhi here, then Dong Ruoxuan can also stay.

Then, Ruoxuan and I can meet every day.

We can play together every day!

Next time she enters the palace, I'll gift this kite to her.

Tell me, do you think she'll like it?

This was a gift from you to Her Highness.

How could she not like it?

Her father can no longer leave.

Tomorrow, she will likely enter the palace!

I can't wait!

You won't have to wait anymore, Your Majesty.

Dong Ruoxuan is not going to enter.

Ninth Royal Uncle, when you say that Ruoxuan won't enter the palace, what do you mean?

Dong Ruoxuan's father, Dong Yizhi, has already taken his family

to head toward Jiang Nan.

Jiang Nan?

It was you! It must have been you who ruined my great plans!

Your Majesty's "good plans"

are to fake a royal decree?

You're so ridiculous.

An official court order cannot be changed so carelessly.

You— You... How dare you?

Give it back to me!

You play instead of working and ignore governmental affairs.

You mess around as you please.

I am the emperor! You must listen to my words!

I order you to return it to me!

You still remember that you are an emperor?

How could an emperor do something like this?

I am the emperor! I can do whatever I want!

If I want to play with Ruoxuan, then I can send an order and make Dong Yizhi stay!

If you dare to disobey my order, then I will order your death!

Your Majesty, calm down! Your Majesty, calm down!

Stop.

Mother Queen, he doesn't see me as king and disrespected me.

Punish him immediately!

I have already heard of this matter.

Originally, you stole Empress Dowager Yuanzhen's seal

and faked a decree. This is clearly your fault.

How could you talk to your Ninth Royal Uncle like that?

Why would you help him?

Give an order to punish him!

Are you afraid of him? He's just a minister.

You're Empress Dowager Xianzhen!

Haven't you already suppressed him before?

Chengxu,this is a child speaking. Please don't take it to heart.

He is right.

He is the emperor. I should listen to his words.

However, I, Xiao Chengxu, in this life

will only listen to my own heart.

- Let me go! - Chengxu, what are you doing?

His Majesty is the ruler of the nation.

The prosperity of the lands and comfort of the commoners fall on him.

If we cannot discipline him accordingly,

then in the days to come, how could we entrust Great Sheng's lands to him?

You are completely correct,

but Qiyuan is still young. Such things need to be taught slowly.

Yes, Regent.

You should put His Majesty down for now. He's scared to death.

In the future, I will personally teach His Majesty.

Still, you cannot take the emperor away without any care.

Since he has already seen me as his teacher,

I have the responsibility and duty to teach him well.

I must take him away today.

If Your Majesty would like to punish me,

I will not object.

- Chengxu! - Regent!

Let me go!

Mother Queen!

What does the regent want to do?

He is trapping His Majesty in He Yuan Hall, far away from the harem.

He also won't allow him to return to Chang Yuan Hall.

His Majesty is still young.

How could he be without his mother?

Mingyu, I heard Nanny Li say

that in these days, His Majesty is always screaming and crying,

trying to find you.

But Chengxu's words were reasonable.

Qiyuan is the emperor, but he is impulsive and willful.

This would be terrible for the wellbeing of our country.

But the regent has an impatient personality, and His Majesty is so impulsive.

If the two of them are together for long,

I fear that something bad will happen.

Chengxu wants to teach Qiyuan earnestly.

However, no matter what,

he will not cross the line.

If I persuaded him,

he will think that because I am his mother,

my kindness toward him will ruin him.

That will make Chengxu treat him even worse.

Then... Then what should we do?

We will do this. You will tell Sister Qi of this matter

Maybe Chengxu will calm down.

Ok. I got it.

Right now, inside and outside the court,

everyone is watching the regent's every move.

It's fine if Qiyuan suffers wrongs,

but the fear is that people will spread rumors about it.

To the court and Chengxu, that would not be good.

[The Promise of Chang'an]

Timing and subtitles brought to you by Impossible Promises @ Viki.com

"Falling Fate" - Singer: Li Yugang

♫ Who is swaying at dusk on the riverbank by the gently fluttering willows? ♫

♫ That beauty dances between the clouds and the rippling moonglade ♫

♫ Dancing lightly like the startled birds and your graceful face is like delicate blooms ♫

♫ Longing in the wind, with glistening eyes looking toward the ripples ♫

♫ I could not take my eyes off such a sight to behold ♫

♫ It seems brief, my adoration for you has been for years ♫

♫ You come or go as you please, my soul is being led by dreams of you ♫

♫ These are foolish and infuriating times, I still wish we could be together forever ♫

♫ Destiny leads you into my life to make me whole ♫

♫ My love for you is like an ink-mark that never dries ♫

♫ As the snow scatters in the wind, as the clouds shield the moon ♫

♫ As I have to be drunk to sleep through the night ♫

♫ Like you, the paper I write on is full of melancholy ♫

♫ Destiny leads you into my life, times of great changes separate us ♫

♫ My tears fall and fill the curtained carriage along the way ♫

♫ This homeward journey, this boundless life ♫

♫ It is fleeting, and filled with joys and sorrows ♫