Original subtitles

The Kingdom And The Beauty

Silently the dawn breaks

Over the imposing forbidden city.

A hundred lords are on their way,

To pay homage to their Emperor.

May the Emperor live 10,000 years!

You may rise.

You may rise.

Long live the Emperor!

You may rise.

You may rise.

Submit your memorials, or retire.

Liang Chu pays homage to Your Majesty.

Li Tung-Yang pays homage.

Royal Observatory Director- Yang reports,

Since August,

two major stars which are,

in heaven's center, have been disquiet.

They should have been steady,

but are still unstable.

The Oracle says distress is pending.

Your Majesty's frolics are a factor.

Three Great Dipper stars are gloomy.

And one of them is...

a star of Her Majesty.

That shows she is no longer in favour.

The other stars indicate,

the welfare of the people,

as well as prestige of the court.

Your Majesty,

please observe your duties.

If an emperor buys service,

then the minister is not honest.

Even if he is strong in learning and talents

he is weak in orals and virtues.

If an emperor respects his ministers,

then the minister is noble.

Then the rule will be just,

and the people happy and prosperous

The waters are warm; the hills green.

Peach blossoms bloom in the spring breeze.

Everyone says Kiang-nan is fine.

Its scenes are most enchanting.

Fish abound, the fruits are sweet,

Vegetables delight more than meat.

Everyone says Kiang-nan is fine.

Tastes of Kiang-nan are unforgettable.

Women so fair and yet so bright.

Their speech is soft, their touch light

Everyone says that Kiang-nan is fine.

Its maids are most sentimental.

Singing and dancing all day long,

Joy and happiness to all belong.

Everyone says Kiang-nan is fine.

Its songs are most romantic.

Fine! Excellent!

What is Kiang-nan really like?

It is rich, where fish and crops abound

Nanking's beauty...

cannot be described in a word

People of West Lake are romantic and carefree

A northerner will never see such things

or be able to appreciate the beauty

Especially the women of Kiang-nan!

So pretty are they

Everywhere you'll find beauties.

Even a country maiden is thousands of times more

Is any court minister a native of Kiang-nan?

Chou Yung of the Imperial Guards.

He begged for leave to go home yesterday.

Good! Very Good!

Secretly accompany His Majesty,

...on a visit to Kiang-nan

I cannot shoulder the responsibility.

His Majesty will take all responsibilities.

How about you?

I'll take all responsibility.

Go quickly and pack your things.

Yes, Sire.

Come back.

On no condition must this leak out.

Yes.

Prepare some plain clothes for me.

Yes, sir

The throne is empty on this morning.

The court ministers are all worried.

No one knows where the emperor has gone

The old royal tutor is most worried.

Arise

Arise.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

I got up early to attend to His Majesty

But His Majesty the Emperor has left.

Whose idea was this?

The Royal Tutor praised Kiang-nan yesterday.

His Majesty's interest was stirred.

Your humble minister...

tried to dissuade him.

Oh!

Royal Tutor!

Yes, Your Majesty.

Did you know about His Majesty's secret trip

Your humble old minister did not.

The Emperor is young and restless.

He was entrusted to you,

by the late Emperor

How could you do if you must,

How can you exaggerate Kiang-nan?

What if something should happen to him!

How can you answer the late Emperor?

My crime deserves 10,000 deaths.

You are an old faithful minister.

I give you one month to bring him back.

Yes, your Majesty.

Heavenly blossoms are in bloom.

Gay with colours, Spring's here.

With these flowers I'll descend to earth,

To bring to mortals the joys of spring.

Their beauty is beyond compare.

And a challenge to the artists' brush

Who loves the flowers of heaven?

Let's give them to the romantic

Your Majesty has had a tiring day.

Please sleep early tonight.

Tomorrow we'll have to leave early.

I want to remain here for a couple of days.

Do you know...

...who was the Heavenly Maid?

Your humble servant does not.

You may go.

Guileless Emperor has lost his heart.

All night long, he tossed about.

Up with the dawn, he's on his way,

To find the girl of yesterday.

You're so dumb.

You don't look like an Emperor. We won't play.

Alright! Let's try again.

Forget about it. Stupid!

How do I know how to act like an Emperor?

You must act like a real one.

Be a clown, a wolf be like a tiger

Alright, I'll be a tiger

What are you looking at? Go away!

Ta Niu! You can't speak like that.

Come

He's quite handsome!

Shall we ask him to be an emperor?

Why do you hesitate?

It's embarrassing.

Never mind! I'll ask him. Hey!

Hey! We're playing Tang Ming's Moon Palace

Will you be the emperor?

I play the emperor? Fine!

Come on! Come on!

You are the emperor.

You are the empress.

Okay?

Fine! Excellent! Excellent!

Excellent!It certainly is excellent for you!

I don't look like an emperor but he does?

I think you look more like a dummy

Stop it. Stop quarrelling!

Do you know how to be an emperor?

I do. I know the emperor's trade.

Oh! Come on

You know the emperor's trade?

Said this all

I've heard of most of the trades

I've never heard of an emperor's trade.

But never an emperor's trade.

An emperor I can be a role befitting me

It's been in my family for so long.

Can't differentiate from Tang Ming

Tang Ming Huang's beard is long.

Could be white or red

You don't look a bit like him.

As an eunuch he can't go wrong.

Have you seen an emperor?

All bearded?

An emperor I've never seen.

It's okay with Tang Ming-huang

Without a beard you'll never do.

You just need that

Have it adorned without ado

Learn from me, do like me

I'll show you what emperors do.

An emperor's walk must be stately.

Strutting along,

he'll never hurry

An emperor must be grave.

and must give people a stern look.

should keep both eyes open to be vigil

Or he won't be an emperor,

but a tramp!

He is in fact a tramp

Ta Niu! Ta Niu!

Brother

Elder brother

I'm taking your sister-in-law back home

Go back and watch the shop.

We won't open for business tomorrow.

So that the strangers don't get in.

Their meeting was like a dream.

Their meeting was like a dream.

Without properly meeting they had to part

They had hurriedly parted.

Aren't you in bed yet?

I'll sleep soon.

Your Majesty, you should sleep.

We must be on our way tomorrow.

I won't go

I'll stay in Mei Lung town all my life.

Madly in love, the emperor's on his way.

He covered the town,

but could not find her

Her thoughts in his heart he longed for a drink

Attendant!

Give me your best wine...

Oh! It's you! Excellent!

So it's you! Excellent!

What do you want?

What I would like to know is,

The fair girl at the parade yesterday

...where is she?

You're asking about the girl?

She was the heavenly maid at the parade

Yes, that's her

She's not tall nor short, nor fat, nor skinny

The very pretty one! Right?

Right! The very pretty one!

You don't know where she is?

I don't know.

What do you mean by this?

She's still a maiden.

What do you mean by asking where she lives?

Go on what do you mean by asking?

You are speaking to a customer client.

You shouldn't be rude

Ah, that's all right

I was doing fine,

...but you came and stole it.

Is that right?

Let me tell you

We're not playing today.

You're the emperor don't talk of money

You're not worth a dime today.

Leave, leave

I want to ask if this is a wine shop?

What if it is then?

Then I certainly can have a few cups of wine

We have wine, but we won't sell.

Why not?

We won't do business today.

Nonsense! You must sell wine.

You must sell wine.

I definitely won't.

If you won't sell, I won't leave.

You won't leave?

You say again.

I definitely won't leave.

You say again.

I won't leave.

Good! Look after the shop for me.

You'll be responsible if anything is missing

He is kind, gentle

and sentimental.

What's his name? Where's his home?

It makes me restless and sleepless too

Name is Chu Te-Cheng, home Peking.

20 years old and good looking!

What are you doing here?

I'm in love with a wine shop maid.

You are very rude.

My brother is away, we won't sell wine.

She's more intoxicating than wine.

We're respectable wine merchants

We know not of love or romances.

Why then are you restless and sleepless?

C'mon, what're you really driving at?

Behave! Or we'll retaliate.

Mind your own business.

My intentions are good.

Why does he insult me?

But you do have an ulterior motive.

My handkerchief is covered with writing

The writing is worth a city. Composed by

the Emperor and embroidered by the Empress

You are guilty of pretence and deceit

Your shop's name slights the emperor.

The name of Dragon is known far and wide

Even the emperor doesn't mind.

Forget that, we'll talk of our wedding.

You're lovely and you're smart.

When I first saw you I lost my heart.

If you're willing

I'll take you to Peking

The Dragon and the Phoenix will mate.

When I first saw you, I was disgusted.

If you take her away, I'll fight you.

Don't think you can bully us.

Ta Niu, keep quiet.

In Mei Lung town, our codes are strict

I'm afraid tongues may wag.

When he is home, you may come again.

Did you hear that? She asked you to go!

Why are you so impolite?

He is a tricky one.

That man took advantage of me yesterday

And is taking advantage of you today.

His intentions were good.

Why should you drive him away?

Get back!

You! You're still here?

My intentions are good.

Why should you drive him away?

I'll never leave here.

Won't leave, eh?

Wait till my brother comes back.

You may fear your brother, but I don't.

Let him come back if he wants to.

My brother is the constable.

He can drag you to court.

Take me to court, eh?! Here in Peking,

I'm the constable

Let go of me or I'll scream!

I've lost my heart and soul to you.

I would rather be an attendant in this shop.

Ha, I played an Emperor

Yesterday you stole my role away.

Today, you want to steal my job!

I've never wronged you.

Why are you always against me?

This shop can afford

one more attendant

We don't want you.

Don't think that you are somebody.

It's here.

It's there.

It's there now.

It's there now.

We better run!

Where's it?

If you had lost my emperor...!

You saw me ready to risk life for you

What? You call that emperor?

Do you think an emperor is that important?

Let me tell you

Its call is sweeter than yours by far.

Of course.

You're wrong.

This is a very ordinary type.

At home I have some good ones

who seldom call

There's a cricket in our backyard.

which calls once or twice everyday

Ta Niu and I tried to catch it but didn't succeed

You must know how to catch them.

You have to distinguish them

Each different type must be caught,

in a different way

He is so good at it, ask him to help us

Will you come tonight...

to help us catch it?

Yes, come and help us.

Fine. Excellent!

I've got it! I've got it!

Not bad! It is quite a good one.

Let me see it!

Careful! Don't break its leg.

Ta Niu! Ta Niu!

Brother is back.

I'm here! Does it matter?

Of course it does!

How can you be here at this late hour?

Terrible! Terrible!

Ta Niu! Ta Niu!

Go into her room and hide.

Yeah, that would be great!

How can that be?

Hurry! I'll open the door.

Ta Niu!

Coming!

Come on then.

Why did you take so long?

We were in the backyard catching...

The hens. The hens ran loose.

Brother! You're back?

Yes. Aren't you in bed yet!

No.

Your sister-in-law asked me to bring this.

Did you sell any wine today?

No.

Not even to the emperor!

No.

No one else came in too

No.

You should go to bed now.

Go to bed.

This is terrible! It's my throat!

Ta Niu! Why aren't you in bed yet?

What shall we do?

How can you laugh?

Go out!

Go out? Alright I will

Oh no! Come back!

Come back? Alright I'll come back.

It got out.

No don't! Don't!

This is terrible! Terrible!

What is terrible?

There's a cat upstairs.

I fear it might have at the fish...

Nonsense! Go to sleep.

Sweet is Autumn. Long is its night.

Spring cannot offer such delight.

Lest from a dream they rudely wake,

Lovers in Autumn quickly mate.

He wears a noble's robe beneath.

A raven cannot with a phoenix wed.

They can't be matched.

To be like him

There's no equivalent

What are you thinking of?

Could it be that at night...

It was all your fault.

It's destiny. How can you blame me?

I'm a peasant girl, I can't match you.

I'm in the south while you're in the north.

Fate brought us together.

It'll be all right

But you will leave one day.

I will not be untrue to you.

I vow that

I'll never leave you

May the Emperor live 10,000 years!

Why did you come here?

To escort Your Imperial Majesty.

It's calm here

Why such a show of force?

The Empress Mother has been worried.

She sent us to meet you, Sire.

Please rise in respect

I know that. Wait!

Yes, Your Majesty.

Stay there.

His Majesty is upstairs.

From today, you're my empress.

That's all that matters

You should smile. Don't cry.

We've just met. Now we must part.

Your leaving now breaks my heart.

When will we ever meet again?

I'll send for you right away.

We can easily meet again.

You're on a hill top, I beneath the sea

How can I ever send word to thee!

You must never forget me.

I have to leave now, but you need not regret

You're my empress,

how can I forget?

My love is true, I declare.

An Empress' crown I needn't wear.

Don't cast me aside is all I ask.

I'm not a faithless man.

My kingdom I can give up,

but not you

Don't worry, on reaching the capital

I'll send for you.

I have only to give you this handkerchief.

Take it and my tears with you.

The strains of farewell,

tore their hearts!

She asked him not to forget.

He pledged.

With a lot of emotions...

He went his way, but with her heart.

Day and night she waited, far apart.

My respects, Mother.

Liang Chu, Chou Yung,

pay homage to Her Majesty

If I had not sent them,

you would not be back yet.

Your son knows that he is at fault.

You are the Emperor.

How can you be so frivolous?

What if something untoward had happened?

Chou Yung!

You dared to accompany the Emperor!

What should be the penalty for your crime?

Your servant deserves 10,000 deaths.

Your son took the opportunity to go with him.

It is all your son's fault

Now that the Emperor has safely returned

Chou Yung is pardoned. Arise.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

The period of mourning is over. He's 20 years old,

but still a child at heart

The reason is his bachelor-hood.

When he is married,

he will be different.

Royal Tutor!

Send out the proclamations

An Empress will be chosen.

Your son has already chosen an empress.

A plea to accept it

What? You already have!

Which noble or lord's daughter is she?

She is...

Does the Royal Tutor know?

She is a wine-shop maid.

Ah, I think you young people are so silly

How can a wine-shop maid be an Empress?

She is beautiful, well versed in the classics,

and she is very virtuous

Our country, our family has its codes.

Our family code has been strictly kept.

An Empress must be chosen, only from nobility.

The codes cannot be broken by us.

But mother!

Say no more, Liu Chin

Yes

Give out the order

Everyone here

prepare for the choice of Queen.

Yes, Your Majesty!

But mother!

Go

Leave! Do as you are told.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Their meeting was like a dream.

They had hurriedly parted.

Your Majesty! Some refreshments.

Leave it there.

Yes

They had hurriedly parted.

You have not eaten anything.

Your humble slave will be in trouble,

if Her Majesty

the Empress Mother finds out!

Your Majesty is the leader,

is the leader of the people

You are worshipped by people.

Only a noble lady can merit,

the love of the Son of Heaven.

Why a wine-shop girl?

Those who eat in a wine-shop,

are none other than lowly peasants

People of the state,

will ridicule you

if you crown as an empress

a woman who serves in a wine-shop.

This girl must be used to flirting.

How can such a woman,

be crowned as an Empress?

Strict are the rules for an Empress

Say no more.

He has forgotten, but she has not

who could better know her woes

A child by him she has got.

He's not here, but I'm with the child.

If his messenger doesn't come now,

To see him then, I must wait another year.

Sister! Sister! What's the matter?

Nothing's the matter.

Are you?

Why didn't you tell me earlier?

Now that it's happened

Crying will be of no use. This way only you'll suffer

Later, you just stay in your room

When the child is born, we'll say it's mine

Said he'll have me fetched on reaching Beijing

Don't talk now. Go to sleep!

An empress is chosen. All is gay

With his harem, he spends the day.

The same delight as the last,

But who remembers his love past?

Here's a joke from Mei Lung town.

A big joke of this year

An unwed maiden bears a son.

It's really worth a laugh

Here's a joke from Mei Lung town.

A big joke of this year

Her own son, her nephew becomes!

It's really worth a laugh

How is your little nephew?

Very well, Thank you.

Very well!

Still pretending!

She's unmarried but a mother.

How can she ever get married?

Ta Feng! What happened?

No! Nothing!

Why, it's a little bastard then.

Other issues don't matter

It may ruin the prosperity of this town.

Yeah! That would be bad.

Don't cry.

It was all mother's fault.

To whom can I tell the wrong done to me.

For my sin you have to suffer.

and bear with taunts

But for you,

this life I would end

Romantic Emperor, without a care,

Wining and dancing all day long.

In a far-off house, he's not aware,

That she's sick and pining away.

The moon is lovely tonight.

Yes. It is lovely!

The moon is full when life is full.

Well said. Reward him with wine.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

No, now, don't cry.

Sister...!

Ta Feng. Ta Feng...

What happened?

Sister is gone!

Oh!Ta Feng! Ta Feng!

Where did she go?

You stay and look after the child.

Ta Feng! Ta Feng!

Sister Feng!

Ta Feng!

Sister Feng!

Ta Feng!

Sister Feng!

Ta Feng!

Sister Feng!

Ta Feng!

Sister Feng!

An Emperor I've never seen.

Can't imagine...

Without a beard you'd never do,

Use a false one without ado.

The moon shines bright as before,

The crickets call as of yore.

Let fervent vows you once made, flow by

Why is there no word from you?

I don't want to be an empress.

Let fervent vows you once made, flow by

All their mocking words,

I'll pretend,

I've never heard or seen

I don't regret anything

I only hope to see you by this tree again.

To play with me once more

And also to see the son of yours.

Ta Feng!

Ta Feng!

You...

Why do you do this?

Come home

Seeing her so sick and wan, Her family is in pain.

But for this family,

I'd go to Peking.

Even if he's the Emperor,

I'd settle the score with him.

Ta Niu! Ta Niu!

Ta Niu! Ta Niu!

Ta Niu! Ta Niu!

What happened? What happened?

Ta Niu! Ta Niu!

Sister, How are you!

What happened to Ta Niu?

Snow and wind he bravely face,

Hunger and cold never halt his pace.

Determined to find the faithless one,

And ask him what's to be done.

In Mei Lung town, this happened true,

I'll tell you. And I'll tell you.

Listen and understand

In the town there is a small place wine-shop

Selling wine there is Miss Li Feng.

Her eyes so lovely her lips so red.

Just turned 18 and still unwed.

Still unwed.

One day there came Chu Te-Cheng.

Said he had come looking for Chu Te-cheng

The Emperor in his wandering,

He lost his head at first sight.

He wooed her that very night,

And wooed her that very night.

A night of love and he went his way,

He left for Peking the very next day.

He made her Empress at their parting,

Vowing the send for her from Peking.

Three long years, have slowly passed by;

Leaving Li Feng alone to sigh.

Waiting day and night she wasted away,

She bore him a child and hid day.

The neighbours mock and they jeer,

Li Feng is alone to shed her tears.

Left alone to shed her tears

...to bear it all within her

She lives in a dream world of her own,

The wrong done her, who'll atone?

She's almost mad and near her end,

But still in waiting her days are spent.

Waiting for the Emperor that faithless cad,

Now what do you say?

Isn't it sad!

It's a matter of great distress!

How dare you insult the Emperor?

How many heads do you have to pay!

Don't listen to him, drag him away

I'm innocent!

Shut up!

I'm innocent! Let me go!

What is it?

A man is blocking the way.

Bring him to me.

Yes?

I'm innocent!

It's you!

Oh God! How could I forget her?

Why didn't you remind me?

Chou Yung!

Yes Sire.

Why didn't you remind me?

If Ta Niu had not come,

she would have died.

Regretting will not help matters.

Ta Niu has come to see you.

Li Feng must be very sick.

Your Majesty must act right away.

This is a simple matter.

In my humble opinion...

Shut up!

It was because of your opinions,

that I almost became a faithless man.

Come with me to see the Empress Mother.

Our ancestors' codes can't be broken.

But he is flesh of my own flesh.

You must grant permission

Unless she is from the nobility...

Forgive your humble minister's suggestion

May I take her for my ward?

I don't know if it's okay?

If you refuse, I'll give up my throne.

I'll be a commoner,

...and be with Li Feng

What did you say?

Your succession to the throne is the will of Heaven

It is not up to you to decide it.

However if you don't like, don't be

You would be ridiculed in history,

if you gave up your throne for a woman.

Your Majesty! In your minister's opinion,

it would be better to let Li Feng to be my ward

For both it'd be advantageous

Very well! She shall be your ward.

Thank you, Your Majesty!

Tai Niu

Brother

Where did you come from?

From the capital.

The Emperor has sent for her.

Really?

It's true.

Thank Heaven for that!

Sister-in-law

Tai Niu

I've been missing you.

We've been missing you too.

My good brother!

His Majesty's edict. Kneel!

By the order of the Emperor

The Great Ming Emperor Cheng-Te orders

Li Feng is to leave for capital.

In regard to Imperial order

There must be no delay.

May the Emperor live 10,000 years.

Ta Niu

Sister Feng

Ta Niu

I suffered along the way

They beat me.

Why! They beat you!

Are you better now?

I'm well now! I'm well now!

Why did you come down?

You may catch a cold!

You are so sick, how can you leave?

I'm completely well now.

I must go to him right away.

Nonsense! How can you leave now?

Sister-in-law, Ta Niu, Brother

Today I have his reply,

If I had wings, to him I'd fly.

For me you've worried,

...and toiled a lot too

And Ta Niu had for my sake,

Braved hunger and cold and beatings take.

You've all done a great deal for me,

In my memories you'll forever be.

Oh my child! You're lucky now

You'll have what others won't,

Mother'll leave now and you'll follow.

Don't let her wait long

Worries brushed off with one stroke,

Tears no longer need I evoke.

For the ages.Powder and scent I'll spray,

A look at the mirror and I'll be on my way.

To the King Kang god I'll pray,

Hold your lightening and your thunder.

I'll pray to General Wei, take pity on a traveller

May my carriage be as swift,

and I can arrive at an early day

Now I'll ask the 18 Buddhas

Please use your great powers

to drive my sorrows away

I beg you, merciful Kwan Yin

I beg you, merciful Kwan Yin

Please help this suffering mortal

Ah...

My eyes look forward to Peking

My heart is worried about Mei Lung town

My husband is ahead, my child is waiting

I'll never rest if I die on the way.

I ask not for longevity,

All I ask is for a drop of elixir

To preserve this life three more days.

Let me see him just once more

Then I can die in peace

A glimpse of a frightened swan

Their meeting was like a dream

Before reach the Lunar Palace

They had hurriedly parted