Lan Ling Wang
[Prince of Lan Ling]
[Episode 23]
You must accept it or I will break my promise to the Buddha.
If that is so, I... I'll accept it.
Thank you, Fourth Prince.
Fourth Prince!
What's the matter? Are you all right?
Because I've spent the entire day with you
I'm a bit tired but please don't worry about me.
My Lady, these dishes are all cold.
Shall I go and heat them up?
There's no need for that.
There's nothing bad about having cold dishes on a hot day.
- But these dishes... - Fourth Prince is home.
All of you may leave now.
I'd like to have dinner alone with Fourth Prince.
Doesn't anyone obey my orders anymore?
Yes, my Lady.
My Lady.
What's the matter?
Are you upset?
Are you upset that I'm home late?
I apologize.
I'll apologize to you for that.
Here, let's have dinner.
I have no appetite.
That soup is named as 'Broth of a hundred-year bliss.'
It's meant to represent hundred years of marriage and blessings.
But now it seems so ironic.
I know that you're home late today
because you were out with Zheng Er the entire day, right?
Yes, I was.
She helped me raise the funds.
She came up with a brilliant idea today.
That was strictly work-related.
Even so, shouldn't you send a messenger to me?
Why didn't you keep your distance when you know that Zheng Er has feelings for you?
- I... - You even took her jade as a token!
Are you... referring to this?
Yes...
Because Zheng Er did well today
I pleaded His Majesty to pardon her sins and crimes.
She gave this jade pendant to me as a gift of gratitude.
Fourth Prince, don't you know that
'Women offer jade as gifts to the men they fancy. '
Jade is often seen as token of love from a woman to a man.
You've accepted a woman's jade
so that means you've accepted her affections for you!
How is this considered as accepting her affections?
I'm sure that Zheng Er doesn't mean that.
I believe that she has no such intentions.
She just wanted to thank me.
You even held her in your arms!
Zheng Er is still weak from the injury.
She was on her feet the entire day so she was tired...
She lost her balance and all I did was help her up, that's all.
Xue Wu!
Stop being angry!
Don't be jealous about such a trivial matter!
If you think that this is but a trivial matter
you can regard me as being petty and creating a din for nothing!
My lady, this is all my fault!
That jade is just a gift of gratitude.
I never meant to cause a rift between you and Fourth Prince.
I don't dare to have a hankering for Fourth Prince.
But he is too nice to me.
Today, Fourth Prince even pleaded on my behalf.
I'm really touched and therefore gave him the jade pendant
that is mostly used as a token of love.
So before you gave it to Fourth Prince
you knew that jade is treated as a token of love?
That makes me question your motive.
You claim that you have no hankering for Fourth Prince.
I once believed in you!
But now how do you expect me to believe in you anymore?
This is my fault.
Your Highness has every right to be angry.
This is all my fault.
Zheng Er, you don't have to apologize.
Get up now.
Zheng Er didn't do anything wrong.
Let her get up now.
Did I ask you to get on your knees?
You can kneel as much as you like and get up whenever you want.
What has it got to do with me?
Xue Wu.
As a Princess Consort shouldn't you be more broadminded?
I've said it once.
She can kneel or get up according to her own will.
Your Highnesses, please don't argue.
This is all my fault.
I'll take back the jade pendant.
- I'm sorry, my Lady! - You don't have to!
I've already accepted it.
I'm a man of my words.
There's no such thing as taking it back!
Xue Wu, I've already asked you for a favor.
Won't you let Zheng Er off?
Do you want me to be ashamed?
You're afraid to be ashamed?
Everyone knows that I cooked and waited the whole day for you!
Yet you accepted a jade pendant that anyone would see as a token of love!
- Am I not embarrassed? - So what?
I'm a prince! Even if I do want concubines there's nothing you can do about it!
You are right. Thank you for a lesson well taught.
Fourth Prince, this is all my fault.
I made the both of you angry.
It's not your fault.
This just proves that Princess Consort doesn't trust me completely.
I could tell that she's a vixen by her looks.
Princess Consort is no match for her.
Your Highness, I'm here to pick up books for Princess Consort.
Her Highness said that she won't be coming back in here to sleep.
She wants me to pick up the books that she often reads.
It's fine that she's not sleeping in our room.
It was nothing more than a gift out of gratitude
and yet she had to make it seem otherwise and be jealous about it.
Did I do anything wrong?
Your Highness, I don't know what happened between the both of you.
It's not right for me to make judgments about my masters.
If you don't have any orders for me
I will take my leave now.
My Lady.
I've brought you your books.
Shall I put them there for you?
Sure.
My Lady, let me do it for you.
My Lady, are you really going to put up with this?
Zheng Er did help Fourth Prince out.
But so did you. You secretly helped out at Veteran's Village.
He should know about it and appreciate your assistance.
I didn't do any of that in order to get Fourth Prince to thank me.
But he shouldn't have said anything about getting concubines.
My Lady, you are wronged.
Those were just words said out of mere anger.
My lady, they might be words of anger at the moment.
What if those words come true some day?
Aren't you worried at all?
What could I do even if I'm worried?
What other businessmen and royalty don't have concubines?
Fourth Prince also said so himself.
As a prince
it's fairly normal for him to have a few concubines.
- But my Lady... - All right, that's enough.
I'm tired. You should go to bed as well.
All right. Have some rest soon, my Lady.
By the way, Xiao Cui...
Empress Dowager must not know about this matter.
She will be very worried.
I know.
You can never keep things to yourself.
Don't create more trouble.
I understand, my Lady.
I will obey your orders.
That was what happened!
Your Highness, tell me what you think!
Zheng Er is such a crafty woman!
So the both of them are sleeping in separate rooms now?
Xue Wu's secret visits to Veteran's Village
aren't known to Su Er?
Princess Consort doesn't want him to know about it yet.
Not only is she kind and helpful but also extremely selfless.
She is indeed a great wife who knows her duties well.
She's virtuous and benevolent.
Su Er and Xue Wu both wanted the best for one another.
But now they have a misunderstanding.
What should I do about it?
Let me think of something...
This is why Xiao Cui is here on my knees to beg you.
Please help correct this situation.
Please teach that vixen Zheng Er a good lesson!
Get up now.
Xiao Cui, answer me.
Has Zheng Er made any mistakes
since she came to the Manor?
I...
She hasn't crossed any boundaries either, has she?
If we really look into this matter she even helped Su Er a lot.
She's done a deed of merit!
Your Highness! I don't care about that!
Anyway, Zheng Er is trying to lay her hands on Fourth Prince.
I don't like her!
I'll punish her with fifty planks of severe beating.
And then I'll drive her out of here.
As for her crime...
She's punished for having lingering sentiments for Fourth Prince.
How does that sound?
That's without doubt unacceptable in Fourth Prince's opinion
to drive someone out of here.
We have to make Zheng Er leave this place willingly on her own.
Fourth Prince will have to oblige willingly as well.
Your Highness, should we adopt the plan that you came up with last time?
Let's marry her off as soon as possible.
I was going to carry out my plan.
But then I was ill and confined to my bed for days.
Zheng Er is indeed brought up in the Harem.
She never overlooks anything.
Not only does she take great care not to leave any evidence behind
but also plan her steps meticulously.
In comparison, my precious granddaughter-in-law is not a match.
It seems that she really does need my help with this matter.
I know that Your Highness is bound to come up with a great plan.
Your Highness, you are so wise!
I've seen quite enough in the Harem.
Concubines vie and speculate.
It seems that we have to take a milder approach.
Why don't I have a game or two with Zheng Er from tomorrow?
We'll see who has the upper hand.
Grandmother, do we really have to carry out the plan you proposed?
I think that it's not right to lie to Fourth Prince.
Xue Wu, I'm not proposing this plan for a discussion.
Nor am I asking for your opinion.
This is an order!
Don't you want to have a firm grasp of your husband's affections?
Are you going to wait for him to have a change of heart and take concubines
before you come to me for help?
By then, I can't be of any help!
Once a man loses his affections for a woman
nothing can win him back again!
You're always out and about.
But I know that you're secretly visiting Veteran's Village!
Please don't tell Fourth Prince about it.
I have to help such a considerate granddaughter-in-law!
I have to make him learn to appreciate you even more!
You have to cooperate!
Let's work hand-in-hand to play our roles well.
This is to put my mind at ease before I leave for summer retreat.
Do you understand?
Your Highness the Imperial Physician is here.
Great! Summon him in!
Yes!
What's more, you can notify Su Er now.
Yes!
Our plan starts now!
Please have some tea, Sire.
Has Princess Consort had breakfast?
If she hasn't go and prepare it for her now.
She prefers having congee in the morning.
Add in some fresh fish fillet in there.
Her Highness has already had breakfast.
What about Your Highness? What would you like?
I'll prepare it for you.
You don't have to worry about that!
His Highness already had breakfast.
Your Highness, I have something to report to you.
Empress Dowager summoned the Imperial Physician to the Manor.
It seems that Princess Consort is ill.
Princess Consort is ill?
She's ill?
She was still healthy yesterday.
Your Highness.
Why isn't the Imperial Physician out yet?
Why can't I go in and have a look?
Be patient.
Empress Dowager has already given us her orders.
We are not allowed to disturb them during the examination.
We can't be too impatient.
Grandmother, I don't think that we have to get my pulse read.
Don't interrupt.
How is it?
Is the Princess Consort in good health?
Your Highness, the Princess Consort's pulse is calm.
There are no signs of illnesses.
But she seems to be over-exhausted these days.
A few days of rest will be good for her.
There's not even the need for prescribed medications.
Are you certain?
I...
Physician Liu, the pulse reading isn't important.
What's important is that I have to announce Xue Wu's illness.
You are a smart man.
I'm sure you know what I mean.
I do.
Why don't you read her pulse again carefully? Go on.
Yes, I understand.
I will read her pulse again right now.
Your Highness, the Princess Consort is indeed very ill!
She is very ill!
Now that sounds right.
Imperial Physician!
How is it?
What... what happened?
Princess Consort caught a cold.
Her condition has worsen today.
In addition, Her Highness is low-spirited and has a poor appetite.
If this persists, she will be too weak!
Your Highness, I am off to write prescriptions.
- I'll return later. - Yes, thank you.
Take care!
- Fourth Prince! - What is it?
Please don't make things difficult for me.
Her Highness told me last night
that you're not allowed into this room from last night onwards.
Please don't make things difficult for me!
She must still be angry at me.
But I still have to take a look!
Step aside!
Fourth Prince!
Are you trying to barge in?
Grandmother.
Xue Wu hasn't forgiven you yet.
Don't upset her anymore.
I want you to stand right here.
I want you to stay away from within five feet of this house.
Step away!
Your Highness, this way please.
Step away!
Grandmother!
I'm not the one who doesn't allow you in.
It's useless to beg me.
- Grandmother, I... - Step away!
I...
Please put in a few good words for me.
I just want to take a look at Xue Wu.
Just a look.
I won't even allow you a glimpse.
- Grandmother... - Step away.
Grandmother!
Grandmother! What did Fourth Prince say?
He didn't say much.
He wants to come in here but I didn't allow it.
I made him stand out there.
It's very warm today.
If he likes standing outside we'll let him be.
But...
Let him be!
We'll make him anxious!
If we don't punish him a bit he won't learn to cherish you.
But the sun...
Xue Wu! You have to be tough!
I'm trying to help you.
We have to get you the upper hand.
Do you understand?
Silly girl.
Grandmother!
Fourth Prince's been standing out there for four hours already!
The sun is scorching hot.
My grandson is the warrior of Qi State.
He's never complained about hardships when he is on battlefields.
He's just been out there for four hours.
What are you worried about?
Fourth Prince, the sun is scorching hot.
Why don't you stand in the shade?
I feel dizzy just watching you standing here.
I'm fine. I can keep on waiting.
Grandmother.
Do you want to see Xue Wu?
That is my very wish.
But didn't you say that
Xue Wu can't have a say in your decision if you choose to have concubines?
That was said in a fit of anger.
If I'm not faithful to Xue Wu
I'll be struck down by lightning!
What will you do with that jade pendant?
That is a token used as a gift for having her prayers answered.
It's inappropriate to return it.
Why don't I hand it over to Li?
He can use that to buy rice and food for refugees.
Buddha won't be cross at me then.
This is a good idea.
Buddha won't be angry.
So Xue Wu was right to be a bit jealous of you and Zheng Er?
She had every right!
It's totally reasonable that she was jealous!
Please rest assured.
I won't make Xue Wu upset again.
What should we do now?
Fourth Prince can get Zheng Er a good husband and marry her off.
That's right. Xiao Cui is so smart.
Zheng Er is still young.
She can't stay in the Manor forever.
A woman's youth is limited.
She can't keep waiting.
Grandmother's given me a great idea.
But we have to find her a good family.
After all, Zheng Er helped me many times.
Why don't I entrust Li to carry out this task?
We're sure to find her a good husband.
By then, I'll marry her off in style and glamor.
Well-said.
The perfect time to do this is while I am away at the summer retreat.
Pick out a few good candidates for her.
I hope that this is all done when I get back in a month's time.
I understand.
So... Could I see Xue Wu now?
You want to see Xue Wu?
I never said that you could.
Why don't you try your luck tomorrow?
We'll see how it is then.
Grandmother.
Although we are just a step away from making our plan work
there's still a bit of work needed to be done.
I am leaving for the retreat tomorrow.
Just hang in there for one more night.
If he sees you right now
he will know that you faked your illness.
Then all our efforts will go down the drain.
I understand.
Fine, you've eavesdropped on the conversation already.
So you should be prepared to leave the Manor anytime.
I know that once you hear of this
you will beg Fourth Prince to let you stay.
But let me tell you this.
It is Empress Dowager's idea to marry you off.
If you turn down this arrangement it means that you disobey her.
Xiao Cui, you worry too much.
I wouldn't disregard formalities and regulations.
You don't have to be so disappointed.
Because Fourth Prince would never have fallen for you anyway!
Watch your manners.
What's the matter?
Don't you always call me 'Xiao Cui'?
All I did was to provoke you a bit
and you've already revealed your true colors.
You want to go up against our Princess Consort?
Save your breath.
Fourth Prince is only concerned about her health these days.
He wished that he could be at her side every day.
I don't think there's any chance for you at all.
Is Princess Consort really ill?
You can't prove it so how can you make an assumption of your own?
Be careful. You'll get reprimanded for making accusations.
Do you think you can defeat me by faking an illness?
Don't even dream of it.
Chun Hua, do you need any help?
Is this the medication prescribed by the Imperial Physician?
Yes and so are those powdered medication on the table.
Just leave this chore to me.
I ran into Xiao Cui and she wants you to rake up branches in the backyard.
Branches? Didn't I just throw away some yesterday?
Perhaps... Xiao Cui thinks that it isn't tidied up well enough.
She seemed quite displeased when she mentioned it.
That's bad. I... I'll go and tidy it up again.
I'll leave this to you.
As I have guessed... you can't treat a fake illness with real drugs.
[Lan Ling Manor]
I'm about to leave for my trip.
I can't delay the worshipping of the gods.
Once I leave the Manor Su Er will be here to see you.
I've already paved your way for you.
He's sure to be gentle and caring.
You have to make the best out of it.
Grandmother, I'm going to miss you deeply while you are away.
But I don't want you to miss me.
I'm not of any importance.
You have to put all your efforts on your husband.
Once the both of you make up get pregnant with a child soon!
I've been looking forward to having a baby Prince of Lan Ling!
I'll take him horse-riding and study with him.
I've already thought of what he should learn when he's three and five.
Grandmother, you've got it all sorted out.
My baby Prince of Lan Ling will ride horses and practice archery.
Don't you find him adorable?
Why does it have to be mini Prince of Lan Ling?
Baby Xue Wu isn't too bad either.
You favor him more.
I don't mind either! Girls are just as good as boys!
I've also figured out the upbringing of baby Xue Wu.
It's best that you have both girls and boys.
So I can use all my tricks on them!
You're Divine Sorceress and he's a warrior.
Your children are bound to be great!
You must at least have ten children!
Grandmother!
Grandmother, I'm here to see you off.
Your horse carriages are all ready and waiting outside the Manor.
I heard you!
Don't see me off.
Don't forget that you're still 'recuperating.'
I'm coming!
You want to take a look at her?
No one can keep you away when I'm gone.
Let's go!
Grandmother, you must take good care of yourself in this hot weather.
Worshiping gods is important but your health is even more important.
I will take good care of Xue Wu.
Please don't worry.
Before I leave, bear with my nagging for one more time.
Xue Wu is looking much better
but you shouldn't stress her out.
You have to treat her well.
I will.
I haven't slept all night thinking of Xue Wu.
Don't forget what you promised me.
Before you find the right man to marry Zheng Er off
she will still be here in the Manor for quite some time.
You have to keep your distance.
If Xue Wu is upset again
she won't get well that easily.
I'll keep that on my mind.
Fourth Prince!
Sire, I have something to report!
What is it?
This morning, everyone in the Manor was too busy
so I was worried that no one would brew Princess Consort's medication.
I went straight to the kitchen
and opened up the prescribed drugs.
But...
But what?
I don't know much about medicine but I've served years in the palace.
I still know a bit about some herbs.
I think that the Imperial Physician must have gotten it wrong.
Otherwise, why is there just ordinary powdered almond in the prescribed drugs?
How did that happen?
Princess Consort's illness has to be treated with great care.
How could he treat it so lightly?
Summon the Imperial Physician here and I'll ask him in person!
Yes!
Didn't you say that Princess Consort has caught a cold?
But why did you only prescribe her ordinary almond tea?
You won't answer me?
Fine, I'll ask other imperial physicians.
If you made a mistake with the prescription
I won't spare you!
Please forgive me, Sire.
I never meant to do this.
As long as you won't reveal that I told you the truth
I'm willing to tell you everything.
Leave us.
Yes.
Empress Dowager asked me to read the pulse of Princess Consort.
I could tell that her pulse was calm...
Fourth Prince.
- Fourth Prince. - Fourth Prince.
Fourth Prince.
My Lady, Fourth Prince must be on his way here.
I have to dress you up beautifully.
So that he will be enchanted.
I don't have time for that.
I'm so nervous!
What are you nervous about?
I haven't even thought of the first thing to say to him.
My Lady, are you all right?
I'm fine. I've been busy at the Manor as well as Veteran's Village.
I'm just a bit tired.
Fourth Prince.
Last night, I couldn't fall asleep as I was too worried.
I was thinking to myself if you'd be better the next day.
I wasn't even in the mood to look at official papers and military reports.
Luckily Zheng Er found out that this medication is weird.
She informed me about it.
Could your cold be treated with almond tea?
Are you pretending to be ill?
Fourth Prince...
I know that Grandmother must have been taken part in this plot.
But I'm upset that you've lied to me with Grandmother!
As a Princess Consort
you acted out such a ridiculous lie out of jealousy!
Are you treating my worries and concern as a joke?
I... I shouldn't have lied to you. I know that I've done wrong.
All right, don't say another word.
I don't want to listen to any explanations.
I just want you to know that nothing happened between Zheng Er and me.
But you won't believe me!
You even pretended to be ill to test me.
Fine. You wanted Grandmother and everyone in the Manor
to make me into a laughing stock.
You made me wait under the sun.
You made me worry for you!
What do you make of my integrity?
Fourth Prince...
I...
Stop acting.
I won't believe in you anymore.
In the meantime, you can stay here.
I want to be left alone in our room.
How do you expect me to believe in you again?
Fourth Prince...
My Lady...
My Lady!
- Are you all right? - Xiao Cui...
I've really broken his heart.
I... He really won't talk to me anymore.
He won't!
My Lady...
My Lady, please don't scare me!
Fourth Prince, this is all my fault!
I didn't know that Princess Consort was just pretending to be sick.
Otherwise, I wouldn't have told you about the fake prescription.
- I've made you upset. - It's not your fault.
Princess Consort is being immature.
But you'll affect your health if you stay angry.
Shall I get you some tea to calm down?
No, it's fine.
I'd like to be alone for a while.
If Fourth Prince doesn't mind
I can bring the chessboard over and have a game of chess with you.
You might feel better if you focus on a chess game instead.
You don't have to.
It takes a person to know another in a game of chess.
And the one mind that I want to know is that of my wife's.
[Starting out from Ye City]
[about 500 miles away]
[There is a Zhu Sha Town.]
A-Fu!
Master.
I have to take a leak.
Sir, there are too many bandits in this area.
We'd better carry on with our journey.
It's all right.
I can't keep it in anymore so I'll be quick.
- Master, slow down. - All right...
Attack!
My brothers! We are lucky today!
This is quite a wealthy load!
Make sure no one escapes!
Isn't this the wealthy merchant Master Wang?
Sir, if you spare my life you can have all my valuable goods.
I will have it all!
I've long heard of your beautiful daughter.
I'll send my brothers to your residence to pick her up.
I want her to be the mistress of my bandit gang!
You can have all of my jewelry.
But... I can't let you take my daughter!
What did you say?
I want your daughter and now you think that you're really my father-in-law?
How dare you turn me down?
I will never allow my daughter to fall into the hands of bandits!
You robbed and slaughtered.
Aren't you worried that the court officials will kill you?
I am so scared!
That magistrate of yours was already beheaded by me
and fed to the dogs!
- Take him away. - Yes!
My dearest loyal subjects.
I recently sent out funds to different regions to offer financial support.
But little did I expect that on its way through Bian Province
the funds were intercepted by bandits.
How dare they rob government funds?
These bandits are too arrogant!
Regional bandits used to be of a rare gang.
But regional officials are useless
and these gangs began to strive.
Not only did they steal the funds
but also attacked and killed civilians.
They have even killed regional officials!
I won't allow this to happen again!
Prince of An De!
Yes, Your Majesty!
I hereby order you to round up the bandits.
Exterminate them in seven days!
I will obey your decree.
Your Majesty.
I'm willing to go with my brother.
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