Benefactor, my gratitude.
Duke Tang, you don't need to do that.
Thank you for saving us.
Fairy...you fought so well...So brilliant.
You were the family the killers wanted to kill that night?
That was us. Benefactor, we're finally meet again.
I'm Taiyuan's viceroy now. My name is Li Yuan.
This is my second son Li Shimin.
Nice to meet you.
This is the Taoist monk Xu Maogong, whom I respect most.
I can't believe you two actually know each other.
This is really the work of fate.
Hello, everybody.
Hello.
When I was escaping from Chang'an with my family to Tai Yuan.
The assassins caught up with us.
If you hadn't saved us, we'd all be dead already.
But you left soon after that.
I was preoccupied back then. So I had to leave in a hurry.
Please forgive me.
That night you left right after you saved us.
You didn't tell us your name.
I saw the word Qiong on your weapon. You also spread your palm and waved.
I thought you were the personification of the deity Qiong Wu.
So after I arrived in Taiyuan,
I built that Qiong Wu Temple to commemorate your saving our lives.
Duke Tang, we took the liberty of coming to your house
because we need to ask for a favor.
Just now, one of our brothers made trouble in Qiong Wu Temple.
He was brought here by this Taoist monk. Could you ask him to come out please?
Master Xu, is this true?
Heaven bless us. This is a misunderstanding.
Thanks to the misunderstanding I got to see my benefactor again.
Guards, ask the hero we invited to the house earlier to join us.
Brother Qin, Brother Wang, Qi.
Brother Hui.
You guys have finally come to avenge me?
Are you OK?
I'm fine. How come you're still here? What do you want?
Li Ruhui, now you know there are people smarter than you, right?
You have no idea, he's a wizard.
That's right. He knows sorcery. He used several kids to beat Qi and me hard.
Shut up.
We tripped.
Don't be rude to Master Xu.
Heaven bless us. It was just a formation. Please don't be mad at me.
Friendship from fighting. It's really true.
You two were so unlucky to run into Master Xu. He's amazing.
Once, he defeated a hundred thousand enemies
with a formation of just a few hundred people.
He's really a genius.
OK. Let's go talk inside.
OK.
Please.
OK. Please go ahead.
Oh, no. Master Yuanba's illness has relapsed
Hurry and prepare the medicine according to my prescription for him.
Yes, Master Xu.
Benefactor, please have some tea. We'll drink wine freely tonight.
It was so hard for us to meet again. You must stay here for a few days.
I want to express my gratitude to you.
Thank you for your offer, Duke Tang. But I have an important duty to discharge.
I have to deliver some birthday gifts to Duke Yue's house in the capital.
Time is running out. It's a long way from here.
I must hit the road after drinking this cup of tea.
Father.
Yuanba, you're better now?
I'm fine now...Brother Fairy...
Brother Fairy.
Yuanba, you must take the medicine on time. Then you'll get well.
I'm really fine now. Brother Fairy.
Thank you, benefactor.
I can't believe my son got well immediately.
Don't mention it. I didn't done anything at all.
I don't get any credit in this.
Well, I've got work to do. I must say goodbye now.
You're busy.
Come again later so we can catch up.
OK.
I have some birthday gifts for Duke Yue too.
Chai Shao, take the gifts and go to Chang'an with benefactor.
Yes.
Father, since they're going together, they can take care of each other.
Heaven bless us.
I'd like to say goodbye to Officer Li and everybody too.
How can you leave?
My son Yuanba's illness may relapse anytime.
I hope you can stay here a little longer, Master Xu.
Someone will come pick up Master Yuanba later. Don't worry.
You have to consult Lord Mount, Lord Yue and Officer Gao more often
on how way to rule the country.
You must remain modest and heed their advice.
You mustn't be pompous or reckless.
Yes, Father.
My beloved lady.
Sire, here's your medicine. Please take it.
Recently, I've heard that the Yuwen family has been quite aggressive in the government.
He often hangs out with officials in different departments.
Have you noticed that, Ying'er?
Don't get the wrong idea, Father.
Yuwen Huaji is faithful in discharging his duties.
He's busy in the administration.
Also, I've asked him to handle many trivial matters lately.
That's why he often comes to the palace.
But if he's really forging alliances for his own interests,
I won't spare him.
OK. It's good that you're aware of this. I don't need to say anymore.
Yes...Father, you must take care.
Are you OK?
I'm fine. Sire, I need to change. Please excuse me.
Ying'er, is there any progress with the civil service exam?
Father, I've discussed with the officials. Their opinions are divergent.
That's a problem.
Close the door.
Ying'er, what are you doing here?
Father...I didn't do anything. I just happened to pass by here. I saw...
Sire.
What happened?
Just now I was about to change.
Suddenly the Crown Prince pushed open the door.
So I ordered the maids to close it.
Then the Crown Prince produced
the handkerchief I lost by mistake a few days ago.
So I realized I got the wrong idea.
I just told the maids to take the handkerchief back.
Ying'er, is that true?
Absolutely, father.
OK. I was mistaken then. You may leave.
Goodbye, Father.
Why did you stop dancing?
The one watching is not focused. What's the use of dancing so well?
Tell me. Who's your target this time?
No one.
You never refrain from telling people who you like.
It seems she is no ordinary woman.
Is she the daughter of a duke or a high-ranking official?
Since you don't want to talk about it, I won't ask you anymore.
I've been practicing all day. I'm tired. I'll leave now.
Lotus flowers look so elegant in the water.
They cover the pond. They're so clean.
Water in Mujiang is still. There are flowers around.
The moon leaves with the running water. The tides bring in the stars.
Crown Prince, please show proper respect.
You didn't expose me the other day.
You must love me so. You didn't want father to punish me.
If you're not afraid of that, I could tell Sire the truth.
Are you threatening me?
I wouldn't dare.
Good...Or you don't want to?
I think of you all the time. Could you comfort me please?
What a show!
Why are you here? You want to die?
I happened to pass by.
I didn't expect to see such a spectacular show.
No wonder you've been so mesmerized these past couple of days.
You're really amazing. You'll even flirt with your father's woman.
So? The country will be mine.
You don't need to feel frustrated.
Lady Xuanhua and I were well known to be glacial beauties
back when we were in Later Chen State.
If you act like a playboy and try to molest her,
your efforts will be wasted. It won't be fun either.
You must make her submit to you voluntarily.
Only then you can taste the sweetness of it.
The dew is full of flowers' fragrance. The moon is reflected in the water.
Met travelling girls by Han River. The two ladies came from Xiang and Chuan.
What a romantic scholar.
If you really want to court her, let me help you.
Really? Beauty.
Come on. There are guests...Sir.
Manager.
Sir.
Are we there?
Sir.
Manager, tell me where we can go for fun in the capital.
All the fun is in the palace. There's no fun for commoners.
What about the lanterns during the lantern festival?
Right. We can see the lanterns...
I heard the lanterns in Chang'an are really beautiful.
We came at the right moment.
Guoyuan, let's see if our schedule allows that first.
No way. We're here already. I must go see them.
Shut up.
Guys, it's late. Wait till tomorrow if you want to do something.
There's been a curfew these past couple of night.
People have been arrested every day. So you must be careful.
How cant this be? It was so hard to get to Chang'an.
I want to tour around. Why is there a curfew?
Why am I so unlucky?
Forget it. Let's go out for fun tomorrow then.
Tomorrow? It'll be too late.
It won't help to yell at me.
Dude, are you bored? I'm so bored. Why don't we go out for a walk?
You're chicken. I'm sure you are.
You always say you're so good with a spear. I don't think so now.
You're such a nuisance. Let's go then.
It's so beautiful.
It's more beautiful than our village.
It's beautiful.
Look.
Stop. Why are you two sneaking around? Who are you?
We came here to watch the fireworks.
Watch the fireworks? Don't you know there's a curfew? Seize them.
Run.
Chase.
Stop.
Run faster.
Stop.
Bring those two men over here. Ask everyone here to come out.
Please spare our lives, My Lord. Brother Qiong, help us.
My Lord, what have they done to offend Your Lordship?
Please forgive them.
How dare you two bother His Lordship!
Lord Qiu, I am Duke Tang Li Yuan's son-in-law. My name is Chai Shao.
They came to Chang'an with me to deliver birthday gifts to Duke Yue.
We just arrived. We didn't know the rules.
Please forgive them for bothering Your Lordship.
So you're from Li Yuan's family. You're OK. How about them? Tell me your names.
My name is Qin Qiong.
I'm from Shandong Jinan Prefecture Licheng County.
I'm now a Grade Four Communications Chief in the Shandong Provincial Government.
I brought four communications officers with me to the capital
to deliver birthday gifts to Duke Yue.
My Lord, this is the official document.
They're your communications officers?
Yes, My Lord.
Your names.
My name is Zhang Zhuan.
I'm a Grade Six communications officer in the Shandong Provincial Government.
My Lord, my name is Yang He.
I'm also a communications officer in the government.
My Lord, My name is He Hui. I'm a communications officer too.
What about you?
What's my name? I've forgotten. I can't remember.
How dare you! You bothered me just now. Now you can't even tell me your name.
You must be guilty. Tie him up and take him in for interrogation.
Please don't be mad, My Lord.
Brother Qiong, please help me.
My Lord, I have something to report.
Speak.
He's deranged. Please forgive him.
Right.
He's a communications officer even though he's sick?
My Lord, he's not a communications officer.
I heard there are many famous doctors in Chang'an.
So I brought him here for treatment.
We have the consent of Commander Tang Bi for this.
Tang Bi? He's a reasonable mentee of Luo Yi.
My Lord, you know my uncle?
You're his nephew? Who's your father?
My father was Qin Yi aka Zihou.
He served Houzhu of Qi. He was the commander of Maming Pass.
Do you know your mother's last name?
Her last name is Nin.
How many sisters does your mother have?
She told me before that she has a younger sister. So I have an aunt.
Do you know where your aunt is?
I don't know.
Mom said they were separated during the war.
But she told me that my aunt is called Yuechun.
She was born on the 6th day of the Seventh Month.
Shubao, Get up.
My Lord, I don't understand.
I'm your uncle. Your aunt Yuechun is my wife.
Uncle? Uncle.
Get up.
Uncle, how's Aunt Yuechun?
She's fine. She's at home now. All of you get up.
Much obliged, My Lord.
Shubao.
Uncle.
Don't stay in this inn. Come to my home.
Let's have a family reunion. Go see your aunt and catch up.
I should go with you, but I have duties to discharge.
I also have my brothers with me. It'll be inconvenient. How about this?
I'll visit you and Aunt at your home when I've completed my job.
What do you think?
OK. I live in Lord Changping's House on Zhengyang Main Street.
Just ask people for directions.
OK. I will definitely visit you, Uncle.
I'll wait for you at home then.
OK.
Let's go. Goodbye.
Goodbye.
Goodbye, Uncle.
Goodbye, My Lord.
Goodbye.
Brother Qiong, our uncle's quite imposing.
I'll go out for a walk with you some other day.
Brother Qiong, let's go together. Look at how imposing my uncle is.
You made trouble again.
We didn't want to bring you with us because we didn't want you to make trouble.
We've lost the badge. We must figure out another way.
Now that Sire is seriously ill, he's recuperating in Renshou Court.
He's handed everything over to the Crown prince.
We don't have any say at all.
All we can do is wait to hear from General Li Delin.
Sire is seriously sick.
I haven't gone to the palace to visit him yet.
If there's no progress, I'll go to the palace to visit Sire.
Princess Yu, you must be careful in the palace.
Father.
At ease.
Father, I brought Lady Xiao to say hello to you.
Father, you look much better than you did two days ago.
Thanks to Xuanhua for taking care of me personally during this period.
I feel much better now.
Lady Xuanhua is so tender and mild. She's so considerate.
No wonder everyone in the palace loves her.
You're Xiao...
Yes. I'm the Crown Princess Xiao Mei.
Sire, I'll go check the medicine.
Go.
I'd like to step out too.
My Lord.
She recognized you?
We would meet sooner or later.
She'd recognize me in due course. It's not a bad thing.
She seems to be really scared of me.
It seems you really scared her the other day. Let me talk to her.
You go and keep Sire company.
Thank you.
As long as it pleases you.
Leave us.
Yes.
Xuanhua, our destines have become so different
since we left Chen State and come to Chang'an.
Shall I call you sister or Royal Mother?
It doesn't matter how you address me. We go our separate ways.
You're really the Xuanhua I know.
You were already known as the glacial beauty before.
Now you're even colder and more beautiful.
What are you driving at?
You're now Sire's woman. I've become the Crown Princess.
The two of us haven't talked in a long time.
You take care of the sick Sire around the clock in the palace.
I'm sure there's no one you can talk to. Isn't it good I've come to talk to you now?
Sire is very good to me. You don't need to worry about me.
Sire is good. But he's old. Sooner or later he will die.
You better find yourself a patron soon.
Otherwise, you'll be squeezed out again
like what happened to us when we first came to Chang'an from Chen State.
I really can't believe you could survive in the palace.
You've even become the Crown Princess.
There's no point talking about me. Let's focus on you.
At first, the Crown Prince had arranged everything for you.
Too bad you didn't appreciate his effort. Of course you can turn him down now.
But has it ever occurred to you that after he's ascended to the throne,
he'll be in charge of everything?
You're his woman. You should cherish this.
I have to serve Sire his medicine. You may see yourself out.
Father, the silk and tea from Lin'an, Nanyang and Xiangyang
are on the way already.
As for the envoys from Gaoli,
I've put them in the South Villa in Daxing Palace.
Sire, you need to take the medicine now.
Let me help you.
Here.
What did you tell the beauty? Why has she been so tame recently?
Women think the same way. You just put yourself in her shoes.
Then all the problems will be solved.
But don't be happy so soon. Lady Xuanhua is only a little tempted.
She still isn't devoted to you yet.
Besides, even if she wanted to, you still can't have her.
Why not?
There's one final step in this plan. It's the most crucial step.
What step?
The most crucial step is...
What is it?
For you to become the emperor.
You're stating the obvious.
You've already tampered with Sire's medicine.
Why don't you just poison him and finish him off?
How do you know I've tampered with the bowl father uses?
I only have you left in my life.
How could I not remain vigilant and observant?
You think I won't kill you? I like clever woman most.
Why are you so late?
Get lost.
Yes, My Lord.
Lady Xuanhua, there are some precious medicinal herbs from the palace.
People in the Imperial Kitchen want you to go take a look personally.
OK.
This way please.
Father...Father...It's time to take your medicine.
Ying'er, aren't you supposed to meeting the envoys in the Imperial Study?
Why are you bringing me the medicine?
The envoys have left. They send you their regards.
So I brought the medicine here myself. Please take it.
Put it there. Ying'er.
Yes.
When your mother was alive,
she always told me you're like my younger self.
You're diligent and persistent. You never argue with other people.
You keep all grievances to yourself. So she told me to care more about you.
Father, why are you suddenly talking about this?