[Ever Night]
[Episode 59]
Tang Grand Prince Li Peiyan,
15 years ago,
colluded with foes to manipulate a verdict.
I will accept punishment.
I offer to relinquish my title.
(Xia Hou's 'Open Spear')
I, Northern-Guarding Great General Xia Hou,
greet His Majesty.
Rise.
Thanks, Your Majesty.
Xia Hou spent life in the army
with distinguished service.
You guarded Tang northern border for ten years.
I, and Tang citizens, won't forget your contributions.
Now you request retirement.
I permit it.
Many thanks, Your Majesty.
General Xia Hou, I have something else to ask you.
15 years ago, remember General Lin Guangyuan's treason case?
I remember. That year, Lin Guangyuan was a traitor.
It was I who killed him.
Then how was he a traitor?
Your Majesty, I am now not in the military.
I don't want to discuss this.
Since you've retired, don't I have the right to question you?
You and I clearly know.
Officials here also understand.
You mention the case because
you want me to apologise for wrongs to a little brat.
I, Xia Hou, am not at fault.
Lin Guangyuan deserved to die.
This is Fu Zi's intention.
What's wrong is wrong.
The matter must be concluded.
Fu Zi.
Why's it Fu Zi again?
Your Majesty, you rule as
Tang Empire emperor.
Why do you always talk about that Academy's old man?
I ask you to recall that the army protects Tang.
Those are loyal old men,
not some old man hiding in a broken Academy.
I, Xia Hou, spent half my life in Tang army, and earned much merit.
I made northern border impregnable.
The cavalry I built up can wipe out a nation anytime.
But for an old matter of the past,
and the word of Master One,
a distinguished General must retire.
You haven't explained to the army.
Now, you want me to bow to a brat and admit wrong.
Regarding Tang army contribution, I will always remember.
Despite these merits,
if this really is an unjust case,
however long ago, I must correct it.
Xia Hou, don't forget, that dead general was my Tang Great General.
In fact,
did General Lin Guangyuan truly betray the nation,
or were there other hidden motives?
This is the big wrong you, Xia Hou, committed.
I, Xia Hou, am not at fault.
You're at fault.
15 years ago, a general died
for peace and safety
of you all!
You all don't understand.
No-one is qualified to judge me.
Even if this humiliating judgement was accepted by me,
go ask 10,000 border soldiers
whether they agree.
You! And all of you, and everyone in the world.
No-one can judge me.
Xia Hou retires.
Court is dismissed.
Court is dismissed!
Mister 13, why are you here?
If, in front of Court ministers, you want to kill Great General,
I will admire your courage.
But I tell you, it will be stupid.
Even if I had such courage, I won't be so stupid.
Since I'm here, I should do something.
Many were guessing what I'd do. I think you did too.
In fact, even I wondered what I'd do.
Have you decided?
Tianqi Year One, as I fled the capital, I decided.
For 16 years, with determination and tenacity, I survived.
I stayed alive to re-open the case of General Lin.
What do you want to do?
I want you to confess.
But I know, unless I defeat you,
that's impossible.
Do you get a chance?
Under Tang law, you can't kill a General whose life
was dedicated
to meritorious service to Tang Empire.
So, we only have one path.
Life-and-death duel.
Ning Que, are you crazy?!
Sang Sang, not stopping him?
Cutting the left palm means a duel where one dies.
You'll use your life for an uncertain outcome.
Is it worth it?
This matter involves you, Grand Prince.
Do you fear the next man I'll challenge
is you?
A proper battle is the best choice.
Because if I kill you, I needn't take responsibility.
So you accept my challenge.
You planned this for years. I can't waste your efforts.
Acting like this is your path to death.
Dead or not, the end will tell.
Since you're so anxious to die,
then I'll fulfill it.
Time and place, you decide.
In three days, at Yan Ming Lake.
Mm. As you wish.
I expected your arrogance.
A hawk faces an ant. I don't need arrogance.
His Majesty arrives.
Greetings, Your Majesty.
Imperial Edict.
Grand Prince Li Peiyan, due to Tianqi Year One matters,
loses Royal rank; demoted to commoner.
Xia Hou loses military rank; demoted to commoner.
Censor Zhang Yiqi,
ex-officials Chen Zixian and Yan Suqing
won't be investigated as they're dead.
His Majesty found that the case of General Lin Guangyuan
for treason was a grievous and false accusation.
General Lin Guangyuan, Lin Guangyuan's wife,
Deputy-General Sha Gang, Captain Cheng Xinzheng,
Secretary Lin Hai, Officer Hu Hua...
The unjust case is revoked.
16th Year of Tianqi, winter.
That is all.
Thanks, Your Majesty.
His Majesty said, if this correction isn't enough,
any requirements may be requested.
Thanks for Your Majesty's generosity.
Hearing familiar names,
I feel consoled, and on their behalf, I thank Your Majesty.
Yet, some names are missing.
Who's left out?
General Lin's household are all included.
Impossible anyone is missing.
Many household names are missing.
Such as, the cart driver.
Such as, the cook.
Such as, the gardener.
Such as, the maids.
Also...
my parents.
His Majesty gave first honours to General Lin and General Lin's wife.
The general and the general's wife...
were not my parents.
Everyone, charge!
I'll fight you to death!
Mother!
Let's go!
- Let me go! - Don't go there!
Run!
Let's go! Hurry!
Mother, come back!
Mother!
He isn't General Lin Guangyuan's son?
Who is he?
His Majesty said, if you aren't Lin Guangyuan's son, who are you?
I wished I was General's son.
But I'm really not.
My father was not the General,
not a captain, not an official,
not even...a clerk.
He was merely General's doorkeeper.
His name...was Ning Xian.
General has returned.
My mother was Li Sanniang.
She was just a lowly servant.
She was Young Master's wet nurse.
She was sold from He Bei county to General's house.
Actually, she never had a name.
Because she was third in her family...
from birth till death, she was called Li Sanniang. (san = third, niang = woman)
I know what books say.
A prince whose throne was usurped left his country.
Then he returned for revenge and regained his throne.
A young master fled from a home wiped out by a frame-up.
After hardships, he seeks justice.
But why must the avenging main character be a prince?
Can't the son of a doorkeeper and servant seek revenge?
The General's son can live.
The doorkeeper's son must die.
This is indeed the world's most foolish idea.
You aren't General's child.
But you possess General Lin's bravery.
Your Majesty.
I had a friend.
His name was Zhuo'er.
His hometown was on Yan-Tang border.
Because of Lin Guangyuan's case, his entire village was slaughtered.
The only survivors were him and my maid,
Grand Secretary Zeng's lost daughter, Sang Sang.
Zhuo'er was a villager–
like me, a lowly man's son.
Can't a doorkeeper's son seek justice for family and friends?
Your Majesty.
I know Xia Hou has a 'death exemption' gold medallion.
Even if this case is justly corrected, he won't die.
I, and those who died, can't accept this.
So,
I must duel with him.
Please, Your Majesty, permit it.
I permit you and Xia Hou to have a fair duel.
His Majesty said he agrees you and Xia Hou can have a fair duel.
Thanks, Your Majesty.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
Return to the Palace.
We escort His Majesty.
[Tang Imperial City]
Take a look.
Come, customers, look. This just arrived.
Come, customers, look.
[Heaven Dao South Gate]
Preceptor. I'm here.
If you insist on carrying out this duel,
then you must hand over the object first.
You know what I mean.
Why?
It's your personal grudge.
As it's personal, how can you use the nation's weapon?
If, after the duel, you can luckily keep living,
I'll return the object to you.
When I left the Palace, I gave the object into His Majesty's care.
What did he say?
His Majesty said, retrieve it on returning.
You no longer have the Array Eye Pivot.
You still insist on a duel?
You said it. This is a personal grudge.
I won't use a national weapon.
But I don't intend to give up.
Preceptor, any other matters?
Ning Que takes his leave.
[Princess' Residence]
Mama, Ning Que got in the pond to catch these fish.
Princess' birthday is special.
What's past has passed.
I hope you always remember your parents' expectations of you.
A fisherman caught fish; he is content.
A woodcutter cut firewood; he is happy.
His Majesty ordered Xu Chongsang to lead Royal Guards
to block Lake Yan Ming routes.
Xia Hou is Empress' strongest support.
This time if he loses,
for Third Prince and you, it'll be a good thing.
But Xia Hou won't die easily.
Ning Que's revealing his identity forced him to an impasse,
yet forced himself to the edge of death.
This duel to the death will be fierce.
Princess, you're worried about Ning Que?
Rather than worrying about his survival,
let's say... I'm worried about this game's outcome.
Why say words contradictory to your feelings?
Wow, it's so beautiful! It's snowing!
Young Master, look!
Snow makes you so happy?
This snow was a slim hope.
This snow is unlucky for Xia Hou.
But whether it's snow or ice,
Young Master will win.
I will win.
(Xiling Immortal Shrine)
Xia Hou agreed to Ning Que's duel to death.
Upright Xia Hou thinks he won't lose.
Never thought a See-Through Cultivator
would issue a challenge above his level to a Wu Dao expert.
Do you mean Ning Que will be defeated?
The Academy people aren't simple.
- What's this? - Food.
To drink.
Drinking mutton soup on Winter Solstice is our habit.
Try it.
~won't you see my crying face~
~it snowed in my dream that night~
How is it?
~endless night~
Fill it up.
Ye Hongyu, you've lived in my house so long.
Shouldn't you help Sang Sang with chores?
- You're talking to me? - Don't feel mistreated.
Grandmaster of Light did chores at my home.
I think you should learn from his glorious tradition.
In our home, fetch water, wash dishes, do chores.
If word spreads, my home will receive compliments.
~I can almost approach your side~
The stove is warming buns. Young Master knows you like them.
He waited in the cold to buy them.
I'll bring them now.
~I can almost be near your side~
~hiding my love~
Hot buns with mutton soup–
a taste you'll never forget.
~near to your side~
Indeed, it's unforgettable.
Don't forget your promise.
In this lovely scenery,
having a fight is the thing to do.
Come.
Come on.
Demon Sect martial arts emphasizes speed and power.
This Xiling sword skill is a normal one.
But Xiling seniors designed it to eliminate Demonists.
Ye Hongyu, why be long winded?
Just go for it.
Not bad. You learn fast.
Ning Que, I must admit, you're shameless
but talented in Cultivation.
Talented, I know.
As for shameless, everyone knows.
Stop wasting words. The duel approaches.
Sometimes attitude matters more than ability.
No matter what, come back alive.
Because your life is for me to take.
You ate my food, and still want to take my life?
I won this.
Shameless.
Little Bro, what are you doing mysteriously?
Stinky brat, hurry and go.
Thanks, 4th-Senior Bro.
Thanks, 6th-Senior Bro.
Young Master, it looks so nice.
You or the hairpin look so nice?
Both look so nice.
I shouldn't say this.
Even if you are demonic, you can't kill Xia Hou.
We fought many times before winter.
Your combined Talisman and Sword skills improved, but–
Xia Hou isn't without weakness.
He steps on the battlefield I chose.
That is his first mistake.
I can help you
by giving you Grand River Sword.
Thanks for your kindness.
Can I take that Sword to Old Library to protect it?
This Sword is in my heart. Do as you like.
On behalf of the Academy and those able to see Grand River Sword,
I thank you.
Come, let me look.
This looks really nice, Sang Sang.
If you dress up a bit, you look even nicer.
Sang Sang.
Have faith.
[Ever Night]
~Hey, I can only say sorry~
~You, who've forgotten time, look a bit lost~
~You seem faraway, in front of me~
~Time blinks by; take it easy~
~Life is still the same~
~Hey, let me change the ending~
~Yet I can cover it up only a short while~
~Don't obsess or say sorry~
~Loser just treats winner~
~Better not meet rather than cry on parting~
~Night is long and dark~
~Don't leave regrets~
~I've seen right, wrong, gratitude, grudges, words, acts~
~I risk danger, desperate for you~
~Umbrella in old Chang'an~
~Night nears; talismans burn~
~Fight till all is gone in chaos and darkness~
~See us blaze through darkness, changing Heaven and Earth~
~Spur the horses forward~
~Geese fly south before snow~
~Get drunk at a warm coast~
~Under slashes of the sword, we love each other still~