Subtitles by DramaFever
[Sound of the Desert]
Episode 22
Let me through! How dare you!
- Notify His Majesty. - Yes.
His Majesty is resting at Empress Wan's palace.
The Senior Princess has already prepared a horse carriage for you.
Please go into the carriage, Your Highness.
Since the Senior Princess is so thoughtful how could I turn her offer down?
Show me the way.
Help me up.
Inform Li Ji.
Senior Princess, Madame Xiang is already on the horse carriage.
Her Highness told me to convey a message to you.
She said that a rainstorm is about to start.
She asked General Li to be careful.
Did Her Highness take any caution?
Her Highness was invited to the shrine in the mountain by the Senior Princess.
Stop the carriage!
You must get here. You must!
Anyone there?
Qin Xiang!
Li Ji!
Qin Xiang! Give me your hand!
Quickly!
Try again!
Quickly!
Hold on tightly!
Send for the imperial physician quickly!
- Her Highness is going into labor! - Yes!
Open the door!
Here.
Don't be scared. I'll be here with you.
You'll be all right.
Send for the imperial physician quickly!
- Yes! - Yes!
Qin Xiang, you might escape from this
but you might not pull through labor.
I might not lose to you yet.
Senior Princess, have some hot tea.
Please appease your anger, Senior Princess.
- I'll be here with you. You'll be fine. - General Li Ji.
- Imperial physician! Hurry! - Yes.
General Li, please leave now.
Your Majesty, Her Highness is about to go into labor.
Please wait outside her chamber.
Your Majesty.
Please wait here patiently, Your Majesty. Come in quickly.
Your Highness, bear with it. Bear with it for a little while.
I heard that you brought the Madame back to the palace.
Yes.
Well done. I'll reward you heavily.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
I will take my leave now.
No, stay here with me.
Yes.
Your Highness...
- Your Highness, push harder. - Imperial Physician, how is it?
You will be fine soon.
- Your Highness... - If we choose to save the child
- we might not be able to save you. - Your Highness!
- Use more strength, Your Highness! - Inform His Majesty now!
- Quickly! - No!
- Push harder! The child will come out! - I can't die...
My child won't die either...
Your Highness, it will be fine soon!
Senior Princess, Madame Xiang gave birth to a son.
Congratulations, Your Majesty. It is a prince.
Your Majesty...
It is a prince.
I'm very pleased.
But it was hard on you.
This is all my fault.
I was too careless, and I almost lost our child.
I beg Your Majesty for forgiveness.
This isn't your fault.
The more I dote on you, the more pressure you have to bear with.
Today, in order to protect my child you almost got yourself killed.
I don't care about that.
For the sake of Your Majesty and our child
I'm willing to bear any grievance.
Your Majesty, I have a wish.
As long as it is within my power I will make you a promise.
I just hope that Your Majesty can treat our child well.
- Protect him. - I'll definitely love him.
Because he is also my son.
I promise to treat you both very well.
I'll bestow the best and most precious things on earth to the both of you.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
Congratulations to Your Majesty on having another son.
Are you responsible for Madame Xiang's accident last night?
If you really have something to do with it...
Imperial sister!
Do you know what crime you have committed?
It wasn't an accident last night.
But I have nothing to do with it.
A concubine in the harem is jealous of Madame Xiang's pregnancy.
She used my name and bribed the servants in my manor to set Madame Xiang up.
Such an evil conspiracy adds to her already severe crime.
After investigating into this matter, I've already punished her severely.
Now that both Madame Xiang and the prince are safe
I hope that Your Majesty could appease your anger.
Since that is so, I will not look into this matter anymore.
Yes.
But I want you to know that
no matter how much you scheme against each other in private
this world belongs to me.
In my eyes, Empress Wan and Madame Xiang are of the same importance.
As for First Prince, Zhao Di
and Second Prince, Zhao Pian
I will treat them both equally.
I will make my own decision in regards to the appointment the Crown Prince!
After all, she did marry from here.
Madame Xiang's childbirth is still a joyous occasion for Fair Maiden's House.
Just treat it as getting some good luck from the palace.
Here, have more of the good luck!
My younger sister will definitely be honored more because of her son.
As her older brother, I'm also favored because of my sister.
I'm like duck to water here in Jian-An City.
Am I right, my brother?
Yuan Qi, are you still worried about Madame Xiang?
My sister has always been frail.
She must be even weaker now that she's given birth.
Although she has everything in the palace
and the imperial physicians are also the best and servants serve her well
who would truly care for her?
Happiness or hardships alike
she needs her family by her side during this period of time.
Why don't the three of us go to the palace tomorrow to visit Madame Xiang?
Sure.
- I'm sorry! - Why are you so careless?
You've dropped the medication that Her Highness drinks every day!
All right! Don't pick it up!
- Go and get another bowl! Hurry! - Yes!
Qin Xiang's medication?
It's already been a month after your childbirth. Why haven't you recovered?
What did the imperial physician say?
I'm all right.
Please don't be worried.
I have to take care of Pian Er.
How could I possibly fall ill so easily?
Don't keep talking about me. How have you both been?
We've been leading a simple life.
But I'm already very content.
What's most important is that Yuan Qi really treats me very well.
My brother's always been a quiet and reserved man.
He doesn't know how to cheer anyone up with sweet talk.
But he's actually very good at taking care of others.
I remember that he used to take me and Yuan Chao to the mountain.
Once, Yuan Chao fell and hurt himself.
He carried Yuan Chao home on his back for ten miles.
At that time, my sister didn't smile very often.
But when I took her out to play, she always smiled very happily.
Yuan Chao hurt his leg then, so we had to go home.
But my sister couldn't bear to leave.
So she cried even more sadly than Yuan Chao did.
Why don't we go for an outing in the mountain and get together?
Yuan Chao is already strong now so he won't trip and fall again.
Then Madame Xiang can have a good time.
Have I said something wrong?
We will get to do that someday.
But we have to wait till my sister gets better.
I'm already very glad that you're both here to see me.
By the way, where is Xin Yue?
She came here with us.
But she said that she will only come inside if you wish to see her.
Ask her to come in then.
Madam Yue, my sister said that you can see her now.
Go on.
Xin Yue greets Madame Xiang.
- You may rise. - Thank you, Your Highness.
Are you really going to have that bowl of medication?
- You may all go! - Yes.
You're using drugs to harm yourself. How will that help you?
Even if you win His Majesty's heart by making him feel guilty
could you really get what you wish for?
That's the only method I can use.
I have no other choice.
But is this worth it?
Have you not regret even once for torturing yourself like this?
I know that I shouldn't visit you again.
But will you allow me to say some words to you as your friend for the last time?
Have a seat.
Give it up.
Forget about vying for the position of Crown Prince.
Even if you don't take pity on yourself
how can you bear to make your child carry such a burden
and suffer the same pain as yours?
Don't you want to live in bliss and comfort?
Just like Qin Yuan Qi and Ding Ling.
Don't you want to truly be with the one that you love?
That's what is worth giving your all to fight for.
You make it sound so touching.
It's a pity that we can no longer be friends.
You've chosen the one you love over me.
That means you have chosen to become my enemy.
Your interests are a far cry from mine.
You are the one who insisted on doing things your way.
Who are you to make me give up?
You asked me if I wanted all that?
Why would I not?
Which woman wouldn't want a man who loves her
to spend a lifetime with her?
But Xin Yue, since the day you helped me get into the harem
you know that wish is no longer mine to have.
Why would you have me deceive myself?
Xin Yue, you know about my past.
You know my reasons for doing so
and my son's destiny.
Why do you still want me to give it up?
You want me to end up with nothing?
You want all my efforts to go down the drain?
Leave. Leave now.
Leave now!
You are right.
We each have loved ones to protect.
We each take different stands
and cherish different things.
From now on, we can only go our separate ways.
I'm home!
It's great to have you home!
Do you really miss me that much?
Poor me, I'm so bored that I feel like a concubine trapped in the palace.
It's you! It's all your fault!
Me?
You're the one who keeps staying home and wouldn't go out.
And now you force me to stay here with you in boredom.
I don't want to do so either.
Even if I stay in the house, you can still come up with some ideas
to chat with me or cheer me up!
Sure, tell me what is going on in your mind first.
You won't go out at all.
Why have you shut down the business at Fair Maiden's House?
That...
This and that are two different matters.
Fine!
Then you can tell me about the different matters one by one.
Why have you shut down the business at Fair Maiden's House?
Why wouldn't you leave the manor?
I...
I'm not bored anymore! I'm sleepy.
But I'm not sleepy.
Why don't we go to The Villa?
Let's celebrate my victory.
The Villa?
Then give me a good explanation.
Why have you shut down the business at Fair Maiden's House?
Why wouldn't you go out?
Why have you shut down the business at Fair Maiden's House?
- Why wouldn't you go out? - All right, all right!
We will go out! Let's go for a meal.
Please come in.
Here.
All your dishes are served. Enjoy!
Look at you.
Have you been so bored at home?
Your appetite is so much better out here. Look how happily you're eating.
Because this is The Villa!
Ninth Lord, we have a few new dishes.
- Would you like to try them? - What would you like?
- Order any that you like. - Sure!
- This way, please. - Thank you.
Xin Yue! Why didn't you tell us that you're back in Jian-An?
- Do you know that the Ninth Lord... - Xiao Feng!
I heard that you're back in Jian-An
- but who knew that you'd be with him... - Xiao Yue.
I'm glad that you're all right.
Sorry to make you worried.
If you don't mind, why don't you join us for a meal?
Sure! Waiter! Get us a bigger table!
Yes! Coming!
Ninth Lord, it's rare to run into you.
Here's a toast to you with tea instead of wine.
You're too kind, General Wei.
Aren't you going to have some food?
I'm feeling a bit unwell.
Why don't we head home?
Xiao Yue is a bit unwell, so we'll head home now.
Madam Yue? What a coincidence.
I was about to pay you a visit in a few days' time.
General Wei is in such a good mood.
We're about to head home.
Visit me in the dance house if you need to speak to me.
This... All right then.
What's the matter?
You'll know in a few days.
Let's head back now.
Yuan Chao is always very straightforward and blunt.
Why are you being so petty today?
You're speak even more awkwardly than a woman who's about to get married.
It isn't that I don't wish to tell you about it
it's because my sister already reminded me in advance.
If Madame Xiang reminded you, then you have to obey her words.
If you're too scared to tell me then I won't force you.
Who said that I'm too scared to tell you?
My sister said that His Majesty will bestow a marriage to me.
She said that you will be bestowed to me.
You're a toad hankering for a taste of swan!
- Xiao Feng! - What do you mean by that?
Apologize to him!
One should only apologize if one has done something wrong.
Xiao Feng didn't say anything wrong.
What is he apologizing for?
My sentiments exactly.
Let's go!
Take care.
Let's go.
Take care.
Qin Yuan Chao isn't mean by nature.
If we talk to him nicely, he wouldn't have agreed to the marriage either.
But now, aren't we forcing him to be competitive?
Talk to him nicely?
If you weren't present I'd have chopped his head off.
Well done, Madame Xiang.
I'll clear this all up with His Majesty right now.
Is it all right for you to do so?
I don't care who he is. How can he do things at will?
General Wei.
This is the female official who serves Empress Wan.
She watched me grow up. I call her Auntie Yun.
But she won't let me address her so anymore. You'll do it for me.
Auntie Yun.
- Is this Miss Xin Yue? - Yes.
General Wei and Empress Wan kept talking about you last time.
I've been looking forward to meeting Miss Xin Yue to admire your beauty.
You're too kind, Auntie Yun.
Should we go and greet Empress Wan together?
Her Highness would like to see you both as well.
Let's go.
Your Highness, they have arrived.
Wu Ji greets Auntie.
Greetings to Your Highness.
Xin Yue, don't stand on ceremony.
Xin Yue, it's been hard on you to be with Wu Ji.
Auntie, I'll never allow Xiao Yue to be aggrieved.
I'm going to the palace now to ask His Majesty
why he is bestowing Xiao Yue to Qin Yuan Chao in marriage?
Don't worry. His Majesty hasn't agreed to bestow marriage to Qin Yuan Chao yet.
Not yet?
This is great then!
I was thinking that His Majesty knew how I feel about Xiao Yue.
He even joked once
that he would hand her to me if I couldn't win her over myself.
By the way, Wu Ji, escort me back to my palace chamber.
I have a few words to say to you.
Yes.
- Auntie Yun. - Present.
- Take care of Miss Xin Yue for me. - Yes.
Miss Xin Yue, walk with me in the garden?
Sure.
Wu Ji, His Majesty really thinks very highly of you.
His Majesty did intend to bestow marriage to you.
But it's not Xin Yue.
I don't want anyone else except for Xin Yue.
His Majesty means that you can marry Xin Yue as a concubine.
But it's impossible to have her as your legal wife.
Why is it impossible?
I want to marry Xin Yue as my legal wife!
No one else will do!
Wu Ji, this matter is more complicated than fighting a war.
You can't make this work by wielding your sword.
Aren't you worried that a wrong step will get Xin Yue into trouble?
Auntie, don't worry.
As long as I'm around
I won't allow Xin Yue to get hurt!
Wu Ji, give this some thought.
Why does His Majesty insist on assigning important tasks to you?
He gives you the best soldiers for every battle.
He rewards you heavily whenever you win.
In two years' time, your status is now almost the same as your uncle's!
His Majesty is deliberately distributing military power.
My uncle is gaining more and more admiration in the army.
His Majesty feels pressurized.
He doesn't want Uncle to monopolize military power.
I understand all that!
But what has that got to do with my marriage?
His Majesty intends to make you part of the imperial family.
When your uncle Wan Qian was at the peak of his career
His Majesty bestowed marriage to him.
He had your uncle marry Senior Princess Zhaoyang.
Now, His Majesty wants you to marry a princess as well!
Uncle and his wife is an example. I don't want a marriage like theirs!
I won't marry anyone apart from Xin Yue.
I don't care what woman she is! I'll take my leave now.
Wu Ji!
Auntie Yun, I can wait here by myself.
- You don't have to keep me company. - Yes.
He is here.
General Wei.
Let's leave now.
What did Her Highness say to you?
His Majesty is very wary of my uncle monopolizing military power.
That's why he is deliberately boosting my status in the army
so as to distribute the power.
He means to suppress my uncle and his subjects.
His Majesty wants to bestow a princess to me.
Years ago, His Majesty went up against the relatives of the Wangs and the Bis.
He placed General Wan in an important position
and gave Senior Princess Zhaoyang to him.
Year later, His Majesty wants you to marry a princess as well.
Xiao Yue, I'll never allow our marriage to become an imperial power struggle.
You're the only one I love.
I will definitely marry you.
I won't have you feel aggrieved.
I understand how you feel.
But he is the emperor.
The current emperor of Nan Dynasty.
How could you go against him?
Don't worry. Leave this to me.
Besides His Majesty, there is still Qin Xiang to tackle.
Will it really be so easy for us to be together?
Believe in me, Xiao Yue.
I will prove it to you with my actions.
I'd like to stay at Fair Maiden's House tonight.
[The Villa]
My Lord, what is this about?
You've been out all day. Everyone is worried about you.
I'm here to take you home.
I haven't had enough drinks yet.
Wait and see how I punish you when we get home.
Let him drink.
We need a place to vent our frustrations.
If we keep suppressing it, we'll get sick.
All right.
I will drink with you.
I saw Xiao Yue today.
She was with Wei Wu Ji?
- They look good together. - What is good about that?
If I'm Xin Yue and I learn about the truth
I'll definitely regret being with Wei Wu Ji!
Well said.
My Lord, I think that you should let Xiao Yue know the truth.
You should at least let her know what you've done for her.
Wei Wu Ji used lowly tricks to prevent you from seeing Xiao Yue.
I believe that she will change her mind once she knows the truth.
If I let her know how I feel
I will only make her suffer even more.
She will be in a greater dilemma.
I understand, My Lord.
Do you mean to say that you will forget Xin Yue completely from now on?
Is that right?
Look at all the dishes that you ordered.
These are all Miss Xin Yue's favorite dishes.
This chicken... this beef...
You can't forget her.
My Lord, you keep suppressing your feelings for her.
You're the only one who knows the reasons.
Do you think that this is fair to Xiao Yue?
Tell her, Ninth Lord.
Tell her!
Whatever the outcome might be
don't leave any regrets for either of you.
Regrets...
Ninth Lord.
I came late.
What are you talking about? I don't understand.
I'm sorry.
I'm here to ask you for forgiveness.
I was too self-centered.
I've always thought that everything I did was correct.
That it was the best for the both of us.
But I never asked you if that was what you wanted.
There is something that I've always wanted to say to you.
But I couldn't say it out loud.
- I don't want to hear it. - I like you.
I like you. I like you!
I like you!
Ninth Lord! Stop joking around.
I've already agreed to marry Wei Wu Ji.
Wouldn't you change your mind?
I already belong to him.
I don't care about that.
What do you expect to hear from me?
It's because you're too good for me!
You're so wonderful that I felt incompatible to you!
I was afraid that I can never give you happiness!
That was why I kept pushing you away.
There's actually this sort of reason?
Because not only do I have problems with my leg
but I also mustn't have any children.
Although I'm a normal man
my illness is hereditary.
Even if the child is born, it probably won't survive.
My mother had five children.
I am the only child that survived.
She is also the only child among her siblings who survived.
Whenever I saw how much pain my mother was in
I keep reminding myself not to let such a tragedy happen again.
This is the reason why you kept on turning me away?
Why would you think that I'd want children like the other women?
Couldn't we be happy without children?
Why didn't you ask me?
I did.
You said that you want a happy family.
Why? Why didn't you tell me the truth?
How could I have known what is on your mind?
I don't care about any of that! I only care about you!
I hate myself.
Whenever you cry, I couldn't dry your tears for you.
I promise that I will never let you cry again because of me.
I can leave everything behind
as long as you come back to me.
Xiao Yue!
When I've made arrangements for the business at Shi's Shipping
we'll get a few good horses and leave for good.
Be it the north of the desert or Jiangnan region
we'll go wherever you wish, all right?
Xiao Yue's tears...
I'll wipe them for her.
I won't trouble you with it.
Excuse us.
Wu Ji...
- I... - Don't say anything.
I don't want to listen to anything now.
Have a good sleep.
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