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[Sound of the Desert]
Episode 10
I want to go inside, but I dare not.
I should leave, but I can't bear to.
I've always thought that I am courageous.
But I now realize that
the losses hurt the most when it comes to things that matter.
My courage is nowhere to be seen.
All right, since I'm not going in
I might as well get on the roof to see if the Ninth Lord has slept.
His room is still bright.
He hasn't gone to bed yet.
I wonder what he is doing?
Who knew that warm light can be so unapproachable now?
The Ninth Lord's lamps were lit all through the night.
One lone light
and a long night.
All alone.
Why have you stayed up all night as well?
Why do you insist on being alone?
Although I don't know the reason, you must have one for doing so.
Why won't you let me into your heart to share your burdens?
- How long have you been standing here? - Why have you stayed out all night?
Would you like to return to the desert?
You're going to the desert?
His Majesty has granted me permission. So it is almost confirmed.
All right, I should congratulate you then.
You can finally fight the enemies on the battlefields.
What is there to congratulate?
Didn't you hear what others said?
I'm an ignorant illegitimate son who succeeds because of his uncle and aunt.
I haven't heard anything as such. I only listen to what I will.
However, it is easy to arouse jealousy when one ranks high at a young age.
I will render them speechless.
You still haven't told me if you would like to return to the desert?
Didn't you already familiarize with the geographical layout and climate
the last time you visited the desert?
You're already well-prepared.
Moreover, there are ones in the army who are familiar with the desert
to act as scouts and guides.
I might not be of much help.
For days, all I heard were criticisms.
Apart from His Majesty, I've now gotten someone else who praised me.
I think that no matter how familiar they are with the desert
they still can't be compared to you.
I'm tired. I'll head home first.
Xiao Yue!
What should I say?
Should I make up some other illness to ask the Ninth Lord for remedies?
I had some eggs with Humbleton and Rascal.
I seemed to have too much of it, and was too bloated to have any meals.
I don't like to take medications.
Do you have any remedies?
Humbleton!
The Ninth Lord really replied!
Remove the pit from hawthorn
and add in a moderate amount of Chinese yam.
Ask the cook to steam them, and make them into thin slices of cake.
Add in some honey if you prefer it sweet.
Add in some dried orange peel in your tea everyday.
It's good for your throat as well as digestion.
I act as if nothing has happened
and so does he.
After all this time, we seem to have gone back to square one.
Luckily, he still remembered that I said my throat hurt last year.
He also remembered that I dislike bitterness.
When did you grow all these vines?
Will you not sneak up behind me like that?
Even you didn't notice me coming.
I must be quite good at martial arts.
What is this called? Will it grow flowers?
It's called honeysuckle.
It produces flowers, and the blossoms are very pretty.
It only blooms in summer.
This isn't the right time yet.
I wonder if it would have blossomed when I get back from the desert?
Are you really going to war in the desert?
When are you leaving?
In a month's time.
I have a favor to ask of you.
If the army hires anyone as the guide at the frontier
please be kind to them.
I can't be bothered with the others.
In my troops, as long as they remain faithful
I will not treat them poorly.
Thank you.
I think that I won't be able to visit you for some time.
If you need any help from me, you can approach Uncle Chen.
You know him as well.
You've both met in the desert.
He'd send someone to inform me.
When you return in victory and awarded by His Majesty
you have to treat me to a huge meal at the Villa.
Sure!
You can make a reservation today.
Otherwise, they wouldn't have time to prepare those rare ingredients.
Sure! It is a deal.
I'll go to the Villa tomorrow.
Sure!
Would you come to see me off when I leave for the battle?
Who am I?
How will there be a spot for me?
There's still some dust here.
Sweep the backyard when you're done here. Hurry up.
Xin Yue!
Where's the Ninth Lord?
He's tidying up his books in his room.
No one is allowed in yet.
Bask in the sun and have a seat out here for a while.
You haven't grown up that much
but you're already acting as if you are some master.
Just don't get me into trouble.
Come in.
Carry on. Don't worry about me.
I'll finish up soon.
Have you read all these books?
I've browsed through most of them.
Book of Songs?
He seems to read Book of Songs more often.
It's placed in a more accessible spot.
These are all books of Zhuangzi.
Can I browse through the books in this row?
Those aren't interesting to read.
They are just some books I read as a hobby.
Some parts in Mozi's books are very difficult to understand.
Even Papa had a hard time reading it.
There are some parts that I can understand
and as for some others, I can barely understand them.
Avoidance of war, unbiased love, dislike of war...
This talks about Mozi's hope for people to benefit and love each other.
He objects to war for the harm that it brings to the people.
He hopes for all people to live in peace and prosperity?
The Ninth Lord drew all these?
He reads such books as well?
Although these books are about interacting with women
they are also about medical theories.
Have you read these books before?
I only took a few glances, then I had them all burnt.
What characters are these?
I can't read them at all.
Can anyone feel more guilty than I do now?
Could you understand those books?
Honestly... I can't understand it...
I'm just curious about them
so I was reading them seriously.
In fact, I was... I was doing a research on...
I was doing a research on why I can't understand these books.
Do you have a conclusion to your research?
My conclusion is...
The conclusion to my research is... It is...
The conclusion is... that I don't recognize those characters.
Look at you.
I've only asked you a few questions and you're already blushing.
You don't look like that famous House Mistress of dance houses.
The characters on those books aren't Chinese characters.
Why didn't you ask me what the books are about?
You didn't ask me why I lived with wolves either.
Or why I spoke fluent Mandarin when I had been with the Tartars
but couldn't even speak a word of tribal dialects.
Everyone has matters that they don't wish to bring up
unless the time, person, and mood are right.
If one day, you're willing to tell me
I'll diligently listen to you.
If you're reluctant to talk about it
I wouldn't probe into it either.
Someone once said to me
that he only knows what I am like in his eyes.
I think that I am like him.
I only know you the way you are in my eyes.
I have been hesitant about some matters.
Therefore, I do not know what to say about them.
No matter what you do
I'll always be on your side.
Why have you come to see me?
There's nothing in particular.
I happened to have some time off
so I came to visit Grandpa, Xiao Feng... and you.
I have to head out later.
I won't disturb you then.
I'll head home first.
I'm going to meet a few friends outside the city.
The fresh melons are ripened.
If you're not too busy, you can come with me to taste them.
My Lord, your driver, Qin Li can't make it today.
We'll just get another driver. You don't have to drive us.
I haven't driven the carriage for quite a long time.
I'll just treat it as a good stretch.
Are we dropping Miss Xin Yue off at Fair Maiden's House first?
Xiao Yue is coming with us.
The friend that the Ninth Lord is meeting must be very special.
Uncle Shi, what's happened?
Don't be anxious.
Old Master Shi?
Hold it!
He is Old Master Shi!
We don't mean to go against Shi's Shipping.
But someone hired us to investigate the whereabouts of the House Mistress
of Fair Maiden's House here in Jian-An City
and find a chance to assassinate her.
We really didn't know that Old Master works for Shi's Shipping
nor that this lady is on good terms with Shi's Shipping.
If we had known, even if we were given one Mingsha Mountain full of gold
we would never do this!
Exactly!
Assassinate me? Who would want to kill me?
Who hired you?
We could choose not to make this business deal
but we mustn't break the rules.
Young lady, if you're displeased
I'm willing to swear on my life!
In your profession, you're not to reveal who your employer is at any times.
Since you're hired to kill someone then it is an unmentionable deal.
That's true.
We'll just let them off then.
Everything that we saw today we will never reveal a word of it.
- Yes, yes. - Uncle Shi.
Let them go free.
We both swear upon the Blue Moon Lake.
We make an oath!
We would never reveal your whereabouts.
For nomads in Gobi Desert
this oath weighs much more than to die like a dog.
I didn't know that this lady is under Young Master's care.
I was ungrateful to try to kill her.
I... I really am worse than an animal!
You...
I'm afraid that you've mistaken me for another.
Someone who could get Old Master to drive his carriage
and save someone while Old Master stood by watching
couldn't be anyone else apart from Young Master.
My entire family only survived because Young Master provided us with relief.
My mother kowtows to Snow Mountain every day and night
to pray for your safety and good health.
But I ended up...
ignorantly doing this shameful deed!
You don't owe me any gratitude.
Return to the desert now.
What is the matter with the both of you?
You're making a fuss just because you feel guilty.
Leave now.
We still have matters to attend to. Don't get in our way.
We've indeed mistaken you for someone else.
We'll return to the desert now.
- We'll leave right away. - We'll leave right away.
- Let's go. - Let's go.
What is it between the Ninth Lord and the desert?
Do you know who hired them?
I don't.
I'd always lived with the wolves.
There is only one person with whom I bore a grudge.
Those people come from the northwest, so it seems to be possible.
That area is still under his power.
But why would he purposely send someone to kill me?
Why didn't he send his own men?
Can it be that he took caution because I am in Jian-An?
That is why he only sent assassins from the desert?
You will be in danger at any time.
Those two men are very skilled in martial arts.
I might not be able to defeat them
but they wouldn't be able to kill me.
Instead, I would be able to kill them.
The skills to kill and fight are two different matters.
My Lord, since this is an assassination
this person must be afraid of being exposed.
It's because he couldn't get to Xin Yue directly.
Send a message out that no one in the desert is to assassinate her.
We must ensure the safety of Xiao Yue.
They are sure to obey if you were to intervene.
Yes.
Xiao Yue, would you like me to find out who is behind all this?
It's all right. I won't take such a small matter to heart.
Besides, I am a wolf girl. Who would I be afraid of?
You're really daring.
Exactly!
How could a girl who lived with wolves not be bold and daring?
My Lord, let's continue with our journey.
Sure.
My Lord, the guest is already here.
I won't disturb you then.
I'll go and take a walk.
Don't go too far away.
Come back after you've had some fun.
I know.
My Lord, I'll ask the farming women to look after Xiao Yue.
All right.
Uncle Shi, where are you going? Aren't you going to wait for the Ninth Lord?
I'll be right back.
Uncle Shi! Let them off.
You won't be able to keep this from the Ninth Lord.
I'm doing this for him!
If the Great Grand Master is still alive, he would support my decision.
If your actions displease him then it isn't done for his sake
but what you thought was good for him.
Besides, you now serve the Ninth Lord not the deceased Great Grand Master.
Did you grow up in a wolf pack or not?
Why are you so kind and softhearted?
You should know that the Ninth Lord refuses to see blood shed unless necessary.
I know that! That is why I am doing it on his behalf.
If you truly mean well for him
don't taint his hands with blood because of you.
You would be at ease with it, but he'd be upset when he learns of it.
Everyone deals with matters differently.
Since the Ninth Lord decided to do so
he must have considered all the consequences.
What are you doing?
I'm pulling radishes out.
This is such a huge radish!
Yes! There are even bigger ones!
I'll help you pull them out?
Sure!
This is my radish!
Yes!
My Lord! Why are you out here?
Have you already met your friend?
Why have you gotten yourself into such a state?
I've gone to pick vegetables.
This is the radish that I picked!
These are the leafy greens that I picked!
We'll have dinner here tonight.
We'll taste the vegetables that you picked.
Sure! I am thinking about tasting these vegetables as well!
It's said that men farm and women weave. It doesn't always stay like that.
It's fine as long as they stay together in peace and harmony.
- What are you looking at? - You!
I'm trying to see what you're thinking about.
You really are a woman from the desert.
I'm already quite reserved.
I used to mind a lot less.
We should go over to the kitchen now, or they won't have time to prepare dinner.
We should get there quickly.
[Fair Maiden's House]
I don't care about your background
or what your identity is now.
I just want to know how you feel about me.
All the books I saw in your room are of Confucianism, Taoism, and Mohism.
But their theories are all different.
Xin Yue, why are your lamps still lit? Aren't you in bed yet?
I was about to look for you.
Is something the matter?
I'd like you to find me a tutor.
He has to be well-versed in the school of Yellow Emperor and Laozi
as well as Confucianism, Mohism, and the Hundred Schools of Thought.
Seriously?
You expect the girls in our house to study that as well?
They are literate.
It's enough that they can memorize a few poems.
I'm not asking them to study. I'm the one who wants to learn.
Sure, I'll send someone to ask around for a suitable tutor.
If you keep on learning, you could take disciples for yourself.
Will Miss Xin Yue be coming to see you off?
Perhaps.
While I'm away at war, should anything happen to Xiao Yue
I'll have to trouble Uncle Chen to handle it.
Don't worry, Young Master. I will.
But... Miss Xin Yue isn't here yet.
Xiao Yue is unlike anyone.
I believe that her way of seeing me off must be one of a kind as well.
Young Master.
Do you know what good news we have today?
Could it be that Master Wu said that he is going to marry you?
You and your sharp tongue!
Follow me!
Who told you to be so secretive?
Come with me!
Let's leave now.
The Senior Princess bestowed us with all these gifts.
Her servants said that Qin Xiang is now awarded the title of Madame.
Qin Xiang does make us proud.
She entered the harem last fall
and now this summer, she is already made a Madame.
Only the Empress ranks above her.
I'm afraid that in a few days, Qin Xiang would send gifts over again.
Madame Xiang would be showering us with silver and gold.
She knows exactly what I like.
Is it pretty?
You're right. No matter how sumptuous these might be
we are after all common folks.
What could be more practical than money?
Therefore, in regards to these gifts, we'll handle them in the usual way.
You have to record them all down in details.
We'll keep the ones that we like or that we find useful.
As for the unsuitable ones... we will have them sold in secret.
I understand.
Why do I keep thinking that I have forgotten about something?
Besides studying very hard you have nothing else to do?
If it comes to mind, give me your orders as you wish.
Depart!
Depart! Depart! Depart!
The Ninth Lord's books...
You have so many books on Confucianism!
But you read Book of Songs the most frequently.
I think that you look up to Mozi the most
because you made many notes and underlined the texts on his books.
Mozi spent his lifetime rendering services to the people.
He tried to persuade kings of the states to give up on wars and aid the weak.
He wished for everyone to love and care for one another.
You don't wish to see wars after wars
and the suffering of the people?
You obviously prefer Mozi the most.
Are you willing to be like Mozi?
But then that goes against Laozi and Zhuangzi in some ways.
This is bad!
I almost forgot my promise to see Wei Wu Ji off to war!
Excuse me.
The Villa!
Charge!
Don't stay here unless you have matters to report.
Miss Xin Yue, the Ninth Lord is meeting important guests.
You can't go inside now.
My Lord, please help us with this matter.
Please.
I'll do my best.
Mister Shi.
Those two men in there don't seem to be discussing business with the Ninth Lord.
Does this have to do with the war upon the Tartars?
Ask the Ninth Lord for answers.
This way, please.
Miss Xin Yue.
Ninth Lord, why did you ask to see me?
I find it hard to say why I asked to see you.
Ninth Lord, you don't have to be so careful around me.
I'd like to borrow some money from you.
It isn't a small sum.
But I can't tell you what I need it for.
If the business goes well
Shi's Shipping would be able to return the loan to you next year.
No problem. Such a huge business like Shi's Shipping is right here.
Why would I be worried?
How much do you need?
A hundred thousand taels.
Don't be scared. I already have more than half of the sum.
As for the remaining sum, lend me as much as you could.
This isn't an obligation.
I'm not scared.
It's just that I would need some time.
I should be able to lend you the remaining sum.
You aren't going to borrow from your girls in the house again?
How could you underestimate me so?
Half of all the dance houses here in Jian-An City is under my name.
Which of my dance houses aren't doing so well that
the other houses are envious of them?
Although the business this year isn't as good as last year's
we still have an imperial musician
and an exceptional beauty.
We weren't influenced much by the economy.
Our business has never stopped growing.
Others couldn't even dream of a growth like ours.
I know that your businesses are going well.
But you did spend quite a lot a while ago.
I've kept accounting records on my mind so I won't be surprised if you could
have a turnover of this sum in two years.
But it must still be difficult for you on such a short notice.
I won't tell you the details, but when you get the money, you'll be impressed.
When one needs money, there is never enough.
If I had known, I'd be a lot greedier.
You still call this a small sum?
What is a big sum then?
Xin Yue, what do you need so much money for?
Business!
I won't tell you about it until I succeed!
Where is the book that keeps a record of the Senior Princess's gifts?
I knew that you would lay your hands on them.
Why don't you discuss this matter with the Ninth Lord?
Shi's Shipping owns so many businesses.
Although they are on a decline
they excavated a new jade mine last year.
Shi's Shipping has been established for decades.
No matter how much you ask them for they should be able to give it to you.
What if they can't?
How can that be possible?
Shi's Shipping has saved up money for decades already.
Where has all that gone?
It's just a matter of whether the Ninth Lord
is willing to lend it to you or not.
Ms. Hong, have you heard that there has been a rare hailstorm in the desert
for the first time in a hundred years?
Two thirds of farmlands and fields were destroyed.
Many of the newly born livestock were killed as well.
Moreover, Nan Dynasty is at war with the Tartars right now.
The people are in turbulence and unrest.
Many have already starved to death.
I do know that.
If that isn't the case, why would so many refugees storming into Jian-An City?
What's the matter? Has this got to do with your business?
Perhaps.
I really shouldn't keep on talking to you.
I'm sleepy. I am going to bed.
Ninth Lord, I'm very happy that you asked me for money.
You came to me for help because you trust me.
That means you're willing to let me share your burdens.
Does the Ninth Lord sympathize with the Tartars?
Could Ninth Lord be a Tartar?
No matter what you are, I'm wiling to give it my all to assist you.
That's right. All the signs indicated that my guesses are right.
The Ninth Lord just hopes that both Nan Dynasty and the desert can be safe.
He hopes to see peace.
I am right to help him.
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