[English subtitles are available.]
Guardians of the Ancient Oath
[This story is purely fictional.]
Episode 2
Hongshuo. Don’t bring this up again.
Go check on Hongyi.
[Marquis Zhenbei’s Mansion]
Leave me alone!
Brother is going to get married.
Why are you so mad?
I’m mad at the marriage.
Do not
say that again.
Why didn’t he reject it
but agree to it?
He is reluctant, too.
The late emperor
conferred the hereditary title
of Duke Pingyuan on father.
But now,
Empress Dowager
made him Marquis Zhenbei.
Through that,
his rank
was demoted.
He feels displeased the most
with the marriage arranged by Empress Dowager,
yet he still suffers it in silence
for the Bailies.
Get out.
I’m annoyed. Get out.
Get out now.
Anyway,
do not make any trouble
when the princess comes.
Or else our brother
will be embarrassed.
Mr. Baili.
Go and get some
Hongyi’s favorite cakes.
I’m waiting here.
Yes, Mr. Baili.
I told you
not to come here.
Freeze!
Who are you?
Hongyi.
Hongyi, are you alright?
Who was it?
How was it going?
You are anxious.
Just Yayu
won’t convince them.
I will show them
what they should see.
The next is the real beginning.
Your Majesty.
Intelligence shows
that Baili Hongxuan
is going to marry the falling princess.
What do you mean falling?
Baili Hongxuan defeated us,
yet the Empress Dowager didn’t reward him
but even
demoted him.
Great.
We’re blessed by Heaven.
Now that he is disgraced,
it’s time for us
to give him another blow to cut his arrogance.
You may leave.
Yes, Your Majesty.
General Wanqi.
Baili is going to get married.
We should prepare a gift for him.
I want to borrow the tiger
hunted by Your Majesty,
to show Lang’s prestige
to Yo people.
Good idea.
You may go to Yo
in the name of congratulation.
Let’s see
how they will do with it.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Chunliu has been found.
How is she?
She had died
when we found her.
Her clothes were dry,
but she seemed to be drowned to death.
Impossible.
We saw her just now.
How could she get drowned so quickly?
Chunliu’s body is swelling.
Her skin is wrinkled.
Her arms bent upward,
and fingers curled.
The abdomen swollen due to excessive water.
She might die from drowning.
I also thought
she was drowned.
It was Chunliu who came in,
yet changed to another woman instantly.
Was there anything unusual about her before?
Chunliu was a well-behaved
and diligent maid.
Nothing unusual.
I think she beat Hongyi
and felt afraid,
so, she committed suicide.
Why did she harm Hongyi?
I don’t know either.
Mr. He. You may leave.
Yes.
Brother.
We fought against her just now.
She was very skilled.
Neither I nor Hongyi
was her match.
Yes.
Her strikes
were impressive.
I know.
Leave it to me
to investigate.
These days
you can’t be more careful.
Brother.
So many things happened in the mansion lately.
How about we take this chance
to ask Empress Dowager
to put off the marriage?
Nonsense.
Our mansion
draws a lot of attention now,
and is also the target of many people.
This marriage isn’t a child’s play.
Brother.
There are so many things for you
to deal with in the mansion lately.
I’ll take care of Hongyi.
Rest assured.
Go.
Who are you?
Hongxuan.
Hongshuo.
Her name is Hongyi.
From now on,
she’s my daughter, too.
From now on,
you are family.
Family?
Baili Hongyi.
Is your name Hongxuan?
Yes.
From today on,
you are my sister.
Good.
You three
shall always love and support each other.
Yes.
Go to Ye City.
General, you’re going to Ye City?
Ye City
is the center of Yo,
heavily guarded by soldiers.
It’s risky for you
to go to Baili Mansion in person.
I have to go there this time.
Anahoi
takes risks himself to earn the credit,
yet he asks you to go there.
Even if he arranges it this way,
his son won’t achieve anything big.
No need to worry.
I don’t think it’s that simple.
Probably
His Majesty is testing you.
His Majesty is meticulous
and wise.
I know it well.
If I can come back successfully,
the Bailies will be suppressed
and the Lang’s prestige improved.
Whether privately or publicly,
this move can help get revenge
and also
quell people’s anger
due to Anahoi’s failure.
But if I am captured and
detained by Yo,
he will take the chance
to attack Yo
and promote his son.
That’s why
your trip to Yo
is extremely dangerous.
Comparing with power,
Lang’s reputation matters more.
They won’t kill an envoy for the wedding.
I believe
Baili Hongxuan is a decent man.
This move
is just a test.
Also, no one will
know my doings in Yo.
My respects, sir.
Rise.
Tao Shen.
Go to investigate
Chunliu’s death.
Yes, sir.
Find out who she is
and who is behind her.
Yes.
Leave.
Yes, sir.
OK.
Be careful.
Slowly.
OK.
Be careful.
Let’s move this.
Let's go.
Put it here.
OK.
Done.
You may leave.
Yes.
Sir. His Majesty has come.
[Yiwang Hall]
My respects, Your Majesty.
No need.
I didn’t know Your Majesty was coming.
Please forgive me.
Rise.
You are going to get married.
I came to congratulate you
on a whim.
Forget about the courtesy this time.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
[Yiwang Hall]
You all may leave.
I’ve arrived here safely.
I’m attending a wedding.
Don’t follow me
like a tail.
Marquis Zhenbei’s Mansion is heavily guarded.
His Majesty has come here a lot
since he was young.
I think it is safe.
[Yiwang Hall]
I’m getting married today.
Everyone,
please have some drinks to share the happiness.
Rest assured.
The Bailies will protect His Majesty well.
It’s Marquis’ wedding day.
The groom matters the most.
Listen to him.
Leave now.
Everybody, please come with me.
-Thanks, Your Majesty. -Thanks, Marquis Zhenbei.
They are all sent
by Empress Dowager to keep an eye on me.
Once I do something wrong,
they will report to her
that I don’t behave myself
or I don’t study hard.
So annoying.
Her Highness has assisted you for years.
She is strict with you
so that it can be easier for you
when you take over the reins.
Don’t fool me
with these pedantic words.
She keeps an eye on me
because she's afraid I’m too close
to you.
Her Highness cares about you a lot.
Please understand it.
It’s your mansion.
Why still cautious with your words and deeds?
What are you afraid of?
It’s about the nation.
I have to do my duty cautiously.
I thought I could feel free
in your mansion.
It’s sick to be watched
in the imperial palace.
I didn’t expect
I’d still
be lectured by you here
about state affairs.
Your Highness...
Save it.
I know you’ll talk about
the Bailies’ duty.
Today,
just focus on your wedding.
I’m going to play with Hongyi and Hongshuo.
[Yiwang Hall]
[West Gate]
It's about time.
Let's go there.
What to do?
In terms of courtesy,
we shall welcome the guests
in the hall during brother’s wedding.
It’s a tradition.
If I go
and say something bad,
brother will be upset
on his big day.
I’d better stay here
to avoid any trouble.
Someone is here.
Who?
Your Majesty.
You are here.
I was looking for you everywhere.
-My respects... -Don’t.
Today, I’m not the emperor.
You are not my subjects.
Hongxuan is getting married today.
Why don’t you welcome guests
in the hall
but steal wine and drink here?
This is our wine.
We didn’t steal it.
Want some?
Great.
Come on.
Sir.
Congratulations.
Sir.
Thank you.
Congratulations.
Thank you.
Congratulations.
The bride has come.
She’s here.
Yes.
Go and receive her.
[Marquis Zhenbei’s Mansion]
Lift the curtain.
[Marquis Zhenbei’s Mansion]
Stop drinking.
Considering your capacity,
you’ll get drunk.
How about
I tell your brother
to punish you?
He is too busy with his wedding
to have time for me.
It’s your brother’s wedding.
Why do you wear a long face?
Tell me. Why?
There’s another woman
in our mansion now.
We three used to
rely on each other.
It’s your fault.
You let my brother
marry a princess
from nowhere.
The Empress Dowager did it.
Even if it’s Her Highness’s will,
it should be
someone proper to marry. Right?
Hongyi.
It’s not only her will,
but also mine.
Princess Jinyang is tender.
It can’t be more suitable
to marry her
to Baili Hongxuan.
What’s more,
Hongxuan has no objection
to marry her,
while you
keep questioning me here.
Do you
want to be punished
for offending me?
I won’t drink.
Drink yourself.
I thought it was Hongxuan
who would feel bad
for marrying
a strange woman.
I didn’t expect
you’d be so upset.
Me?
She feels bad. Will you feel good?
The reed pipe of Lang!
It’s Baili’s big day.
How come there’s reed pipe’s sound
in the mansion?
Your Majesty. Please go back now.
I won’t.
I want to see
who is so bold to make trouble
in my realm.
Sorry, Your Majesty.
Take His Majesty back.
I, Ming Yefeng,
congratulate you on your wedding.
[Yiwang Hall]
Now that you’re marrying Princess Jinyang,
Liaodong can Ye City
will be closer.
Zhenbei,
your title
literally means to guard the northern realm.
General, thank you
for coming such a long way to congratulate me.
Safeguarding
our land
and people
is the Bailies’ duty.
I’ve long heard you serve Yo
with your heart and soul.
To fulfill your duty,
you even
sacrifice your marriage.
Your loyalty is impressive indeed.
I’m greatly honored
to marry Princess Jinyang.
What do you mean sacrifice?
Empress Dowager specially selected a wife
for you in the remote Liaodong.
We can see
she cares a lot about the power
of Marquis Zhenbei.
Princess Jinyang
really is
a talented and beautiful lady.
She marries into Marquis Zhenbei’s Mansion.
I believe
with this marriage,
Jinyang Princess’ parents will rest
in peace.
It’s my family’s business.
You don’t need to worry about it.
This tiger is extremely precious.
My king captured it
when hunting.
It’s a gift for you.
May you and your wife
live a happy life forever.
Years ago, my father
also hunted a tiger when conquering the north.
Today, I get this gift on my wedding.
It’s a coincidence, also fated.
Mr. He.
[Yiwang Hall]
Take the gift.
Thanks for your king’s kindness.
Yes.
To be blunt,
as the descendants of the desert,
they’ve conquered there for hundreds of years.
My king
values heroes a lot.
If someday
you are tired of
staying in this small mansion,
Our Lang
welcomes you to go there anytime.
General, please stop saying
these insulting words.
I’ve accepted your gift.
If you are willing to
have a drink here,
I’d like to treat you with the fine wine.
Farewell, Mr. Baili.
Farewell.
Forget all rules but the God.
Mars is against the sun at noon.
The right time to go to power.
It’s the realness.
Nine stars befall.
Heaven and earth reborn.
Being and void.
Nine stars befall.
Heaven and earth reborn.
Being and void.
Nine stars befall.
Heaven and earth reborn.
Nine stars befall.
Heaven and earth reborn.
Nine stars befall.
Heaven and earth reborn.
Nine stars befall.
Heaven and earth reborn.
What’s on your mind?
Don’t you see it?
What?
I seemed to see some people
in red and white clothes.
What are you talking about?
Are you drunk?
This hall
seems to be haunted.
That’s a bad omen.
Yeah.
The evil power
is extremely strong.
It really is ominous
on this big day.
Yeah.
It's ominous.
How so?
[Yiwang Hall]
Yeah.
My marriage with Princess Jinyang
was arranged by Empress Dowager.
It’s a proper match.
You are my guests.
However, if anyone
dares to
doubt the marriage,
that’s a disrespect to Her Highness,
also to Yo.
Anahoi. What’s the matter?
Father.
I have something to ask you.
Do you want to ask
why I sent Ming Yefeng
to Yo,
but not you?
I’ve practiced riding and sword skills
since young for Lang.
I’ve prepared myself well.
I don’t care others’ doubts either.
But father,
don’t you think
Ming Yefeng’s power is too huge?
Why do you think so?
I’m your son.
You taught me
to harbor the world in the heart.
But now,
our people have great faith in
Ming Yefeng.
You’re thinking too much.
Ming Yefeng doesn’t covet the throne.
What if he does?
Father.
It’s about to select the Chosen One.
Last time, Ming Yefeng tried to
persuade you to send me
to fight against Hongxuan.
After I failed,
he provoked me by words.
Father,
he is sly
and out of our control.
It’s dangerous.
You...
Shut up!
Do not doubt a loyal general.
Isn’t it reasonable?
Father,
why don’t you believe me?
I don’t doubt my men.
If I am right,
then it’s too late
to do anything.
What are you doing?
Kill him.
An envoy shall not be killed during a war.
Stop it.
Even if I don’t kill him,
I’ll teach him a good lesson.
Our mansion
isn’t a hotel for him
to come and go freely.
You’re not his match.
How do you know without trying?
Your Highness.
It’s dangerous. Get down, Your Majesty!
Your Majesty, get down.
Your Majesty, please!
Get down! It’s too dangerous.
I’m the emperor of Yo.
How come
I have to fear a general
from Lang?
Your Majesty.
This is my kingdom.
This is Baili’s mansion.
Your Majesty.
Hello, Hongxuan.
Baili.
Tell them
why Lang’s general came here.
I won’t leave.
Your Majesty.
Lang’s general
was afraid of you
and fled.
You’re out of the palace
long enough today.
They are afraid to be punished by Empress Dowager.
Your Majesty, please go back.
If so,
I’ll go back.
Hongxuan,
if that man from Lang
dares to trouble you again,
tell me and I’ll punish him.
Yes.
Your Majesty.
Do not tell Her Highness
what happened today.
Your Majesty. You just enjoyed yourself here
during my wedding.
I’m going back.
Let’s go.
Good day, Your Majesty.
[Inn]
Go to report that it goes well.
Yes.
I can’t believe the king
trusts him so much.
Ming Yefeng.
Your Highness.
You must do something.
My father
hasn’t seen through his plot yet.
Your Highness.
We know he’s ambitious,
yet the men
we sent to tail him
hasn’t gotten conclusive proof.
His collusion with the chiefs
and the advocacy from them
are the proof.
It’s too late if he stages a coup.
If the King
really trusts Ming Yefeng,
why ordered him
to go to Yo
with the risk of death?
I think the King
has a reason.
No one knows
if the King is inclined to crown you
until the last moment.
Your Highness.
We can’t wait in a passive way.
Your Highness.
You have to live up to the King’s expectation.
Prime Minister.
You stay with my father all the time.
What do you think his expectation is?
Your Highness.
I don’t know,
but you are the prince of Lang.
The King cares for you.
However,
you are not fully-fledged yet.
Ming Yefeng is experienced on the battlefield
and supported by people.
In my opinion,
the King did this
to protect you.
Is that Ming Yefeng better than me?
I just
need an opportunity
to earn my father’s trust.
[Marquis Zhenbei’s Mansion]
Stop!
Come over.
Don’t climb over the wall
next time when you go out to play.
Go through the back door.
Where’s Hongshuo?
He went to sleep.
Where did you go?
We thought
Ming Yefeng harbored evil motives.
We went to have a check.
What did you find?
We found that...
Do you think
your trick can fool me?
I’m going to skin you.
Hongyi.
That issue
hasn’t been figured out yet.
Now
We have another stranger in the mansion.
It’s chaotic in the mansion lately.
You and Hongshuo
have to be careful.
Rest assured. I know.
This is a gift from guests.
I guess it’s suitable for you.
Thank you, brother.
You like it?
Yes.
Good night.
Were you caught?
Is it funny?
Yes.
You are dead.
Didn’t you go to bed?
Why come out again?
To give you
the best sword book in the world.
Hadn’t you stopped me,
we’d have celebrated it
this night.
You only do these
belated actions.
Yes, I’m not skilled.
You want it or not?
Cut it out.
Don’t be my burden again.