♔ Instagram @skysoultan ♔
Guardians of the Ancient Oath
[This story is purely fictional.]
♔ Instagram @skysoultan ♔ Episode 14
Minister Pang.
Yes, Your Highness.
You and your colleagues
already knew the crimes in Li City
but didn’t report them in time.
You’re guilty of misconduct.
Punish me, Your Highness.
Your Highness.
Li City is remote.
They couldn’t oversee everything there.
They might be at fault,
but they obtained the evidence
and sorted things out.
That should be considered a merit.
Please have mercy on them
and offset their fault with their merit.
It’s their duty to supervise officials.
Their negligence
made me
and the emperor highly disappointed.
But as Marquis Zhenbei said,
they eventually revealed this matter
and redeemed themselves.
All right,
they’ll be deducted wages for two years.
Thank you, Your Highness.
Mother,
Marquis Zhenbei, Baili Hongxuan,
and Left cavalry commander, Baili Hongshuo,
made contribution again.
We should reward them.
They’ll be rewarded with a hundred tael of gold.
This matter will be left at that.
Thank you, Your Highness.
Dismissed.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Hongxuan,
what did you
embarrass my mother for?
After all,
she’s your grandmother.
You should know when to stop.
Anyway, I hope you and the He family
will pull together to defend Yo,
OK?
Thanks for your kindness.
Ling Jun,
help. Help me.
Ling Jun, help me.
I’m begging you.
What’s wrong with me?
Is there a demon in our house?
Is there a demon here?
Why did they treat me like this?
Jinyang, calm down.
Do you still
not know
who you are now?
I’m the lady of Liaodong
who’s liked the least
and the lonely wife
of Marquis Zhenbei.
The real Jinyang has died long ago.
What did you say?
Since you asked,
I’ll tell you everything.
[The lady of Liaodong, Jinyang,]
[was seriously ill when she was eight.]
[Her family sent for all those famous doctors]
[until they were at their wits’ end.]
[Watching the apple of their eye]
[weakening day by day,]
[her family were in despair.]
[At that time,]
[I was]
[a ginkgo which was]
[temporarily staying at her house.]
[Jinyang was kindhearted by nature]
[and often frolicked under my branches.]
[I was also]
[in great sorrow at her illness.]
[But that was her fate.]
[Even I couldn’t do anything]
[except watch her withering away.]
[At the same time,]
[you requested me]
[to turn you into Jinyang.]
So I’m not Jinyang.
The real Jinyang
passed away
when she was eight.
Who am I, then?
Purple Bird.
You often rested on my branches
and you were my bosom friend.
Purple Bird.
Do you mean
I’m a demon?
Why am I here, then?
Jinyang was destined to die of illness
and you were insistent.
You asked me to help you
go into her body.
You said you wanted to be a human
and live for her.
What for?
Baili Hongxuan.
Jinyang could
see demons
because you took her place.
But after that,
you forgot things of the past
and I’ve been protecting you
because you’re
my only friend.
Baili Hongxuan
is coming back soon.
Your feathers
can be hidden.
But you’ve forgotten the spells.
As long as you learn them again,
everything will be solved.
I’ll teach you.
Purify my heart. Purify my body.
Stay in your place. Secure my spot.
Purify my heart. Purify my body.
Stay in your place. Secure my spot.
You’re doing well.
As long as you remember
who you are,
your power will come back to you.
Today,
Pontifex will tell the King
who the Chosen One is.
Will you take it to heart?
Only when you become the Chosen One
can whatever you do
be justified.
You’ve planed for years.
Don’t you want to...
Fates are in the hands of people.
I asked your brother
to do what he can.
I’ll do the same.
I didn’t fall for the wrong man.
God has expressed himself clearly
but the decision is still yours.
How come God’s will
are always against people’s wishes?
If everything goes as people wish,
won’t the world be in chaos?
Your Majesty, I’m drunk.
I’ll be off.
I’ll go with him.
Be careful.
How dare they
openly support Ming Yefeng
at the ceremony?
Your Highness, you have to plan ahead.
Yi Jiumo has apparently
had his eye on Ming Yefeng.
Your Highness, it’s not strange that
they’re colluding with each other.
Now nothing is more important
than His Majesty’s will.
Even since my father
took Yi Jiumo back
to convey God’s will,
his wish has been so obvious.
Why didn’t
he announce
that Ming Yefeng
was the chosen man
at the ceremony, then?
It shows that
he has other ideas.
But so many people
supported Ming Yefeng
and His Majesty didn’t stop them.
What difference will it make
whether he announces it or not?
Your Highness, you must live up to
His Majesty’s unspoken expectation.
Minister,
you stay with my father every day.
What do you think he expects?
Your Highness, you’re his only son
and the only prince of Lang.
You fought battles with His Majesty.
Ming Yefeng
is just a serviceman.
How can his background
compare with yours?
So in my humble opinion,
there’s only one reason
for His Majesty’s action.
Go on.
I guess
His Majesty wants you to succeed to the throne
but your achievements
can’t match General Wanqi’s now.
He’s rather troubled,
so seemingly,
he’s grooming General Wanqi all the time
but actually,
he’s buying time for you
so that you can rouse yourself.
You must know that
only a strong opponent
can make you stronger.
Your words are too far-fetched.
Ever since ancient times,
it has always taken a long time
to decide who will be the new king.
It has never been a casual decision.
They need to be cautious
and take their time.
Now His Majesty is in good health.
He didn’t say the name of
the Chosen One,
for your sake.
For my sake?
You can also see that
since he took Yi Jiumo back,
plus today’s ceremony,
in clansmen’ mind,
my position is
lower than Ming Yefeng’s.
You can take your time
to turn the table.
What’s most important now
is His Majesty.
[Yiwang Hall]
Hongxuan.
I heard what happened
in court today.
Hongyi, you know something?
I’m afraid the impeachment
of He Yao has aroused
the Empress Dowager’s anger at us.
By taking advantage
of her trust in him,
He Yao abused his power in Li City.
The evidence was solid this time
and no one was able to question it.
I didn’t expect
he still got away with it.
From today on,
although he’ll indulge himself less,
I’m afraid
we’ll need to be warier.
You’re afraid
we can’t match He Yao?
Whether at present or in the future,
as long as you, Hongshuo and I
stay together,
the Baili family
will be invincible.
Invincible.
You’re a girl
but you dress like this every day.
Are you really gonna be a boy all your life?
I’m intrinsically a boy.
What’s the matter, Hongxuan?
I’m OK. I’m just a bit tired.
All right,
stop speaking
for my father.
Can I not see his thoughts?
He favors Ming Yefeng
and let him do whatever is good.
I even suspect
that his son is not me
but Ming Yefeng.
Your Highness.
All right,
go stay with my father.
Your Highness,
you mustn’t rush into anything.
Your Highness,
if Ming Yefeng becomes the king,
it’ll be most
disadvantageous to us.
Ming Yefeng is ruthless.
None of those
who lose to him could survive.
If I can’t be the king,
I’m sure to die.
What do you mean?
Why should I
let other people
decide my own fate?
Are you going to war?
Once and for all.
You’re cutting off your own escape
and you’ll die if you don’t succeed.
As long as we plan carefully,
how can we fail?
Remember.
There’s only one king
on this grassland.
When I was a kid, father taught me
to take responsibilities
for the prosperity
of the Baili family and even Yo.
I mind what I say and do
but many things
still can’t be helped.
I often envy you and Hongshuo
being able to do what you like.
Now and again, I wish
I weren’t the eldest son
of the Baili family.
Hongxuan.
OK,
let’s stop talking about these things.
Thank you.
What did you thank me for?
[Yiwang Hall]
Marquis
looks upset.
Aren’t you going to comfort him?
I was just married
into this house,
while they’ve been a family
for decades.
Hongyi knows Hongxuan the best.
When she’s here,
I should be able to rest easy.
[Yiwang Hall]
Anahoi, what’s up?
I need to ask you a question today.
The other day I sent you to Beimo.
You suffered hardships, didn’t you?
I’m glad
to do things for you.
I’m not afraid of hardships.
What I fear
is the unknown future.
Please tell me
who God chose.
You want to know that?
I’m your son.
You’ve been teaching me
to love Lang.
I don’t want someone else
to have it.
The will God
cannot
be told to others.
What if I want to know now?
Did you have your
eye on Ming Yefeng
like those sycophants did?
I’m the prince
and your only son.
You should let me succeed to the throne.
You won’t abdicate in favor of him,
will you?
You undutiful son,
leave my tent right now!
Father,
I’ve waited for too long.
I’ve finally realized
that today
I’ll have to decide my own fate.
Don’t you dare!
Mr. He.
Miss Baili, you haven’t taken the ginger soup
Mrs. Baili made for you yet.
You are really self-willed.
Stop nagging me.
If you don’t,
my ears will be pierced.
Miss Baili is naughty and spoiled.
Mr. Baili, how can you indulge her?
You’ve indulged her for over ten years.
Why are you blaming me now?
Hongxuan.
Hongyi. Have a bowl of ginger soup.
Don’t catch a cold.
It’s not hot.
I’ve taken it.
I’ll be off.
I’ll be off, too.
Father,
let me ascend the throne
and dismiss Ming Yefeng.
I’ll let you live.
The king of Lang
will not bend to any threat.
The king of Lang will be old.
Anahoi,
I’m your father.
Don’t you dare!
Why shouldn’t I dare?
Remember. You forced me into doing this.
Don’t blame me.
Murdering the king
is a felony that will incriminate your wife and children.
Your Highness, I admire
your boldness.
Ming Yefeng,
weren’t you out
to drill today?
If you want to take risks,
there must be careful consideration.
It’s you.
You asked him to come here, didn’t you?
You’ve never trusted me,
right?
You’ve never trusted
your son!
Move. Move.
Tell those who are outside.
Anahoi kidnapped the king
and tried to rebel.
Those who surrender now won’t be killed
and those who resist
will incriminate their clansmen!
Yes.
Father,
I have fought battles
on the grassland with you since I was four.
Even if I have no merits, I’ve done hard work.
But you’re partial towards Ming Yefeng.
If you let him
ascend the throne,
what about me?
Can I stay alive?
Anahoi,
I’ve never thought about
competing with you for the throne.
I see.
Either be the king
or die.
Father,
before you abdicate in favor of Ming Yefeng,
you must die.
You must die!
What? Hongyi was there, too.
Yes.
Obviously, the three of them
set me up.
I’m telling the truth.
But if you have a clear conscience,
why would they have something on you?
That day in court,
Hongxuan was so aggressive
in front the officials.
He was simply trying to
denounce me, too.
I’ve criticized him
after the officials left.
Hongxuan is just
too blunt
and couldn’t see
your effort to calm things down.
Don’t be angry.
It took Yo years to restore peace.
If the officials
can’t stick together,
won’t we let those
covetous enemies
invade Yo when we’re weak?
Haohe,
although He Yao
was partial and negligent,
he has defended Li City for years.
He slaved away and achieved so much.
Baili Hongxuan is so overbearing
and wants to look into He Yao’s mistakes.
For Yo, the consequence will be
nothing less than
an act of breaking our wings.
You’re wise, Mother.
I’ve racked my brain.
The Baili and the He families
are both pillars of Yo.
It’ll be truly
irresponsible of them
to keep disputing.
You’re right, Mother.
He Yao,
I’ll let you off this time.
Don’t make such mistakes again.
You must restrain yourself.
If you fail me,
I won’t tolerate you again.
Yes.
Kill him.
Kill him!
Your Majesty!
Hold your sword.
Your Highness, you had
fourteen sons
but they either died or left.
Now only Anahoi
is staying with you.
He was just out of his mind.
Please don’t kill him.
Your Majesty,
he’s your only son
and family now.
Your majesty,
I also think
Anahoi was just out of his mind.
He has a distinguished
military record.
Spare his life.
OK.
Now that you both interceded for him,
I’ll spare his life for the moment.
Xilidu,
from now on,
you’ll be responsible
for controlling Anahoi.
Yes.
Besides,
his guards who tried to
rebel just now
must be chopped into pieces,
all of them.
Left Cavalry commander of Zhenbei Army,
Baili Hongshuo, freed Li City from water shortage
and revealed that Yuan Qing colluded with the enemy.
I will promote him
to General Zhenbei
and he will take charge of all affairs in Li City.
The end.
Yes, I accept the order.
Thanks.
Goodbye.
Congratulations, General.
Get back to work.
Yes.
Let’s go.
Congratulations, General.
Don’t you have other things
to do?
Stop following me.
Before Bai Yi left,
he asked me to be your bodyguard.
Did you forget that?
Is that true?
Yes.
General, I don’t have much ability
but I’ll follow you
for the rest of my life.
I’m sorry for involving you
in the impeachment of He Yao.
Don’t be.
It’s our duty.
It’s too bad that He Yao got away with it
even if the evidence was irrefutable.
Neither His Majesty nor the Empress Dowager
wanted to get to the bottom
and chose to wrong
the two of you.
It’s just a small punishment.
I won’t take it to heart.
But your journey ahead
will be arduous.
None of those who are born
with high status
can do smoothly all their lives.
The Baili family will never give in
to those treacherous officials who harm Yo.
Do you mean
you have plans?
After this impeachment,
He Yao will definitely restrain himself
from stirring things up.
You can relax
a bit in the following days.
You can keep composed
and do well in planning.
You remind me of your father.
You flattered me.
I don’t dare to compare with my father.
[Yiwang Hall]
In the next few days,
I won’t see the two of you.
I’ll keep you updated if there are emergencies.
Yes, Mr. Baili.
You want to see me?
Did you know
what Marquis did?
You’re worried?
With his intelligence,
he should be able to handle
this matter well.
I’m really
useless
to Marquis.
What did you belittle yourself for?
Ling Jun,
I want to share his burden
but there’s nothing I can do.
You need to know
you’re fated
to be together.
[A long time ago,]
[you were just a small bird.]
[One day when you were foraging,]
[a hawk attacked you]
[and almost killed you.]
[Luckily, you were saved by a young man.]
[You were injured all over]
[and in a coma.]
[That man looked after you every day]
[and you gradually got well.]
[At that time, you didn’t have enough power]
[to convert into a human yet.]
[But you determined that]
[one day]
[you would repay that young man]
[for his kindness.]
[Afterwards, you were helped by a skilled man]
[and made great progress.]
[Finally, you could convert into a human.]
[But when you delightedly]
[showed up in front of him,]
[he refused to accept]
[that you were a demon.]
[He turned you down]
[and was unwilling to accept]
[anything you gave him.]
[In his judgement,]
[if he went against his fate through demons,]
[he would only fall]
[into worse karma.]
[Even when he fell off a cliff]
[and hung by a thread,]
[he was still unwilling to be saved by you.]
Actually I didn’t want
to tell you these things.
But you’re too insistent.
I worried that you would be hurt.
Why don’t you give up now?
No.
I won’t give up.
Why?
I was just a bird before.
For Marquis,
I was a demon.
But now
I’m his wife, Jinyang.
Now that I’ve come to his side,
I can’t spoil this beautiful marriage
bestowed by heaven.
What do you want to do?
I want to be someone
who can help him with his worries.
Even if I will be burned
and smashed into pieces,
I won’t regret it.
I must carry out my wish.
If you’ve made up your mind,
try your best
for what you want.
What should I do?
Nothing will change much
regardless of what you do now.
The conditions aren’t ripe yet.
When he accepts you,
things will go as you wish.
So what I can do now
is waiting?
With your gift,
sooner or later,
you’ll become Baili Hongxuan’s help.
You’ll see
when the time comes.
Congratulations, General.
That stumbling block
finally ruined himself.
Aren’t you afraid?
How could women of Lang
be afraid because of things like this?
Pontifex
has received God’s instructions.
The next king
has been settled.
Anahoi overreached himself.
He deserves to lose everything.
General, this is the second gift
Baize and Pontifex gave you.
It’s Baize’s sincerity
and my feelings for you.
The man I love
is the king on this grassland
and I’m the king’s wife.
Ba Yin, you and Baize
misunderstood me.
What do you mean?
I said
I never thought about
competing for the throne.
General,
everyone knows your ambition.
How could I get you wrong?
It’s useless
even if you don’t admit it.
Being the king
is not the proudest thing in the world.
But if you’re not the king,
you won’t be able to
do the proudest thing in the world,
no matter what it is,
will you?
Ba Yin, I don’t want other people
to guess what I’m thinking.
I don’t like it
whether they guess it right or wrong.
I dislike it more
when things are done without my permission.
General.
General!
How are you, my brother?
After He Yao’s collusion with the enemy was exposed,
the Empress Dowager convicted Yuan Qing
and punished He Yao for being negligent.
She downgraded him and dismissed him.
Later, he become Governor of Ye
and took charge of affairs of Ye City.
His Majesty sent word that
we must pull together with the He family.
I’m afraid things will be challenging.
[Yiwang Hall]
I hope you will
be more cautious.
Hey, what’s up with General?
He has been odd
in today’s drill.
He punished three soldiers
who slacked off.
When General is unhappy,
we’ll have bad luck.
You’re General’s
bodyguard now.
You’ve got to get it sorted.
General, Anahoi’s guards
have all been killed.
It’s too bad
that the king spared his life.
When people are old,
they’ll become soft-hearted.
So what do we do?
I’ll consider it.
I’ll be off, then.
Any news on Baili Hongyi?
General, something is strange.
Go on.
12 years ago,
when Baili Hongyi was taken back
to Ye City by Baili Haoyuan,
there was a rumor
that he wasn’t born by the Duchess.
But a concubine?
It’s said that
he was Baili Haoyuan’s
illegitimate child in Li City.
It’s also said that
he was a relative of the Duchess’ family.
No one knew who he was
and where he came from,
except that Baili Haoyuan
returned from
Li City with a kid
and declared that he was a Baili.
This matter was much discussed
in Ye City 12 years ago.
Afterwards, Baili Haoyuan
and this wife died
and Baili Hongyi are on intimate terms
with his brothers
so this matter is not mentioned again.
You can leave now.
Go now.
Here you are.
Remember.
Don’t mention me to anyone.
Don’t tell anyone
you saw me.
Understood?
Go!
We shall never
see each other again.
Go!
Now!
Yes! I’ll go!