01x09 - Episode 9

[bunniefuu]

♪Trapped in this tiny world♪

♪I'm crushed into dust♪

♪I meddle around without any mercy♪

♪I'm my own pawn♪

♪I sigh at my fate♪

♪Numerous people are under my control♪

♪All the sand is washed away♪

♪An old dream fades♪

♪A bumpy path lies ahead♪

♪Traps within traps,
I never make mistakes♪

♪I take a risk at every step♪

♪Even in disputes,
I break through with my life♪

♪Schemes within schemes,
I prison myself♪

♪Each link swaps bluff and truth♪

♪The world is my Weiqi game board♪

♪Everything's just fleeting♪

♪The play begins♪

♪No return is expected♪

♪The flame is gone,
whether we win or lose♪

♪The wind never ceases.
I hold the reins♪

[Ashes To Crown]

[Adapted from Xixing's novel,
Empress of the State of Chu]

[Episode 9]

Tie Ying commands an elite squad

of covert warfare.

Night raid on Wuyang Pass,

fire on Panying Pass,

and m*ssacre at Qingshi Stronghold.

They've never failed.

I've heard about this squad.

They always strike

on dark, windy nights,

slaying all who stand in their way.

In that case,

I don't think

we're likely to win.

Not really.

This squad

excels at night raids

because they have superb hearing.

That's why they can move freely

in the darkness.

There's a way.

We can set traps

in the bamboo forest

and catch them off guard.

Then we'll sh**t them from the shadows.

Then,

we might stand a chance.

The whistle is our code.

You can use it

to make our people

to set traps for you.

During the fight,

use it to communicate.

Thank you.

Tie Ying is mine.

Mere child's play.

Jiu, when you k*ll,

you have steady hands.

But now, they shake.

I failed to protect you.

Don't mind.

It matters to me.

Before,

it was an order.

But now,

it's my duty.

And the future?

In the future...

We'll see.

Whatever happens,

I will protect you.

Tie Ying retreated.

Your father is safe now.

Thank you, Ma'am.

You helped a lot.

To protect me,

you suffered heavy losses.

I don't know

how I can repay you.

Since we promised to protect you,

we will keep our word.

Tie Ying retreated.

But more troops

will be sent from Xiaonan.

You'd better leave soon.

Wait.

My father gave this to me.

When this is all over

and I'm back in the Capital,

you people

can ask me for rewards

with this jade pendant.

All right.

What a nice piece of jade.

Come on.

Take it.

Eat some of this.

Have you noticed

the way she looks at you

is a bit strange?

She means no harm.

But strange, indeed.

I think Tie Ying

has fled back to Xiaonan.

Xiao Xun's men will come again.

It's not wise to stay here long.

Right.

We'll leave soon.

Ma'am,

in that fight,

we had three dead

and seven badly injured.

Three traps east were ruined

and need to be reset.

Have our men properly settled.

Yes. I'm on it.

Let's go.

You're about to leave?

Don't bother to say goodbye.

And you have apologized.

But I have one question.

What exactly happened

during my father's suppression?

I told you, didn't I?

I doubt it.

I want the truth.

This stronghold

is totally my father's style.

I don't believe

it was just a misunderstanding.

In that case,

why did Mu Mianhong

jump off a cliff

instead of explaining?

If you don't tell me,

I might as well go

ask my father.

Do you know your father well?

What kind of man

do you think he is?

My father...

He's the God of w*r of our state

and an all-powerful frontier hero.

People respect him

and revere him.

Does that include you?

Do you like this kind of father?

No?

Why?

Because he's a hero to others.

He's a hero to people in Yunzhong.

He's a hero to the State of Chu.

But I want him

to be an ordinary father.

Carve wooden dolls for me,

watch fireworks with me,

give me pretty braids,

and be there with me

for every important moment.

But actually...

None of this happened.

What about...

Your mother?

My mother?

I guess she's a great lady.

According to my father,

she's a perfect woman.

She was well-learned

and versed in all arts.

Sadly, I didn't witness that.

My mother died at a young age.

For as long as I can remember,

I have no memories

of her.

Sometimes I wish,

if only my mother were alive.

Then she would have stood up for me

when Father scolded me.

She would do my hair nicely.

When people laughed at me

for failing at everything,

she would still treasure me

and always protect me.

But what a pity.

My mother is gone.

Sometimes,

I blame myself.

Why couldn't I

remember everything

when I was born?

In that case,

I would know

what my mother looked like.

My father claimed

he loved my mother.

But throughout our mansion,

in the past 19 years,

there has never been

a single portrait of her.

In your imagination,

what does she look like?

She's a noble lady,
according to my father.

So she must have

delicate eyebrows,

bright eyes,

and porcelain skin.

Girl,

whatever your mother looks like,

your father loves you

more than his own life.

This has never changed.

Zhao.

How could you not know

your letter

would make him

let down

his guard?

You're right.

And that's enough.

Your mother loves you too.

Sorry,

I failed.

Please forgive me.

Where are our men?

The terrain there is eerie.

Too many traps in the forest.

We lost

over half of our men.

But I've figured out

their defenses.

I request another attack.

Chu Zhao isn't stupid enough

to wait there to die.

She's eager to go back to Yunzhong.

She won't stay long there.

She has to pass through Wangcheng

to get to Yunzhong.

Since Cangmu Stronghold
is tough to invade,

we'll be waiting for her further ahead.

Cangmu Stronghold
lies at a key junction.

If Chu Ling incorporates them,

he will be more formidable.

Tie Ying,

send word to the Northern Desert.

Tell them I want another deal

with their king.

Congratulations.

You won again.

Do you think

Zhao

will be in trouble?

Don't worry. Your Majesty.

Before Her Highness left,

I divined for her.

During the trip,

she'll escape all misfortune.

Your Majesty.

Uncle,

did you come so late

because Zhao and Uncle Yanlai

were in some trouble?

Yanlai is skilled in martial arts.

He'll protect Zhao.

Don't worry.

General Chu Ling

k*lled the envoy without permission.

It might lead to trouble.

His old illness relapsed too.

He might not survive this winter.

In the court,

the Grand Mentor said,

if General Chu died,

w*r would break out.

So, our frontier forces

should prepare early.

Exactly.

The 200,000 frontier troops in Yunzhong

safeguard our state.

If Northern Desert foes invade...

Yu,

do you dare to fight in battle?

I will fight.

We people never fear a battle.

Good.

Let me

ask you one more thing.

If Chu Ling dies,

who should command

the 200,000 frontier troops?

Uncle Yanlai.

He has great martial arts.

Your Majesty,

then get the edict ready.

So we can plan ahead.

Wait, Your Majesty.

Mr. Xie, you're really impatient.

Your Majesty,

military affairs are of vital importance

and need court discussion.

Mr. Xie shouldn't have incited you
in private.

Mr. Deng,

are you trying to delay military action?

I hold the Imperial Seal.

Without the seal on it,

this edict will be invalid.

The Three Departments
approve troop deployment.

It's time for you to end

this practice of nepotism.

[Northern Desert Army Camp]

Word from Xiao Xun.

Chu Ling is seriously sick.

The Chu court is in chaos.

He wants 3,000 elite soldiers of ours

to bypass Xiaonan

and go to Wangcheng

to join the Xiaonan Army
in besieging Yunzhong.

Then,

we'll split his state.

He's the most eager of all.

After all these years as a hostage,

he still hasn't become patient.

Come on, Chu Ling.

We've been fighting for two decades.

The state you've guarded with your life

corroded from within a long time ago.

[Northern Desert King]

Their ministers
scheme against each other.

Even a hostage dares

to collude with enemies for invasion.

Now,

it's our time

to take over Yunzhong.

But mountain defiles

are perilous in Xiaonan.

Supplies can't get through.​

Wangcheng lies

to the rear of Yunzhong.

It's weakly guarded.

We'll travel light

for a night raid.

Capturing it quickly

won't be a problem.

Go.

Tell Xiao Xun.

I will

wait for him in Wangcheng.

Son,

we need to think carefully.

The Northern Desert King is treacherous.

To work with him

is to play with fire.

He has probed me for years,

but I've never agreed.

If we work with him,

there may be unnecessary trouble.

Can you guarantee

that everything will be under control

once his soldiers come in here?

Without a perfect plan,

we might as well wait.

Father, I understand your concern.

But in some cases,

patience doesn't solve anything.

I don't want

to repeat the same mistakes.

Chu Ling is badly ill.

This is the perfect moment.

We'll use our northern foes

to support our own cause.

I get it.

Since you've made up your mind,

go ahead and do it.

Thank you, Father.

I should send a few men

to escort you.

I've brought too much trouble to you.

Many innocent people died.

I will

keep that in mind.

You helped us at all costs.

Whatever you want,

just let me know.

We want nothing from you.

We just hope you won't forget us

when you're back there

and grant us some rewards.

I will.

That jade piece...

Please keep it for me.

Sure.

Cangmu Forest isn't far

from Wangcheng.

Xiaonan's K*llers

may pursue you, though.

Every half day, Wangcheng soldiers

patrol the foot of the mountain.

Be more careful out there.

Thank you for reminding me.

We know what to do.

That's good.

Take care.

You issued

the transfer edict, right?

Where did you

get this?

Theoretically,

this edict should have

left the Capital.

Intercepting an imperial edict

is a grave crime.

I did intercept it.

What does it mean?

It means

without my approval,

it can't be issued.

Do you think
I can't hold you accountable

just because of who you are?

You can do that.

But I advise you not to do that.

If we both lose in the end,

our state will be in peril.

Since you know that,

why don't you advise yourself?

You don't fear the peril of the state.

Why would I be scared?

So late at night,

you visited His Majesty and coaxed him.

Why can't I ease his burdens?

Of course, you aren't afraid.

But the way you ease burdens

is a clear overreach of your authority.

How dare you issue an edict

without His Majesty's decision?

Do you also want

to sit on the throne

to ease His Majesty's burdens?

You overestimate me, Mr. Xie.

His Majesty is aware of all this.

As for you...

Do you really think

Chu Ling's defeat of an enemy army

will bring peace?

Once Chu Ling dies a sudden death,

Yunzhong troops will fall into chaos.

Then our state will be in real peril.

Others might not know.​

But we both know

what the Lord of Xiaonan will do

when Yunzhong is in chaos.

What will the Lord of Xiaonan do?

You know it perfectly well, don't you?

Back then, you insisted

Xiao Xun return to Xiaonan.

When the hostage left,

you should have foreseen this day.

Xie Yanfang!

Your duty is merely

to enforce edicts.

You have no say

in military affairs.

This is a real overreach of authority!

Here's the Grand Princess Token.

I'm exercising the veto power

on behalf of Her Highness.

Madam Ge said,

Wangcheng soldiers

patrol at this hour.

She's right.

So,

what exactly

is your great plan?

We'll "surrender".

Are you saying

we'll deliberately

let these patrols catch us

and take us to Wangcheng?

So, Mr. Xie,

show some mercy in the fight.

Who are you?

I don't think

there'll be a fight.

It's him.

In my past life,

he was a vanguard
under my father's command.

But now, he seems to be

a foot soldier

among Wangcheng troops.

Liang Qiang.

How do you know my name?

Mr. Xie, you don't allow me

to dispatch new generals.

And you seem to have decent excuses.

Actually, it's just because

they are not loyal to you.

Then do you think

you can plant your own men

after you stop me?

You don't trust me.

I don't trust you either.

So we should

place our trust in Chu Ling.

We must believe he will

handle everything before he dies.

Chaos won't occur.

Northern Desert foes won't invade.

Once our state is in crisis,
we'll be in danger.

So will Chu Ling.

If our state falls,

as the Grand Princess,

her daughter will die too.

Chu Ling won't let her daughter

fall into danger.

Fine.

Since the generals

can't go to Yunzhong,

Mr. Xie,

your private troops

must not go there too.

I read the files

on your father's connection

to the Third Prince.

Who are you?

The Third Prince was ex*cuted.

His subordinates were demoted.

Your family collapsed.

You became a patrol soldier then.

Would you really

waste your life
in the middle of nowhere?

Who on earth are you?

I'm here to help.

We're merely bandits

who have fled from Cangmu Stronghold.

You patrolled here

and ran into bandits.

If you take us back,

you'll make great merit.

We just switched allegiance.

Don't be suspicious.

You just need to decide

whether you want

that credit.

Back in Wangcheng,

if you dare to play tricks,

I'll k*ll you immediately.

Since you accept this merit,

we will

behave ourselves.

Mr. Xie,

where is your brother

planning to take

the Grand Princess?

My brother has been suspended.

Her Highness is recuperating.

I don't know what you mean.

Then let me remind you.

He who holds the emperor
commands the lords.

But he who holds the Grand Princess

only commands Chu Ling.

It's a bad bargain.

You know that perfectly well.

Then you should also know.

Chu Zhao must not die.

She must stay alive.

Only when she's alive

will the court avoid

another rebellion.

Then our game

can keep going, right?

In that case,

hope your ninth brother

will protect Her Highness well

as we all expect him to.

Of course.

But you're wrong about one thing.

My brother didn't take

away the Grand Princess.

Instead, the Grand Princess

took away my brother.

Mr. Deng, you're pretty bold.

You removed the coffin

bestowed by Her Highness.

Her Highness withdrew from the court.

Why can't I move this little thing then?

Impressive.

Let me try.

Hello, Miss Qi.

Hello, Lady Tang.

That totally ruined my mood.

What are you talking about?

What did we do?

Is it because

we didn't bow to Miss Chu Tang?

You should be straightforward.

Why do you bother

to be so sarcastic?

All right.

Lady Tang, let me ask you.

Do you know

if your uncle General Chu Ling

fails to defend the frontier,

people will suffer?

I know.

You speak recklessly

because you worry
about our state and people.

This is good.

Unmarried ladies like us

should pay more attention

to state affairs.

Only then

will we know about the hardships

of our state and people.

However,

we must not judge by appearances

or take a part for the whole.

We didn't speak recklessly.

What we said is the truth.

What is truth?

What you see is truth.

Did you see with your own eyes

that my uncle failed

and our foes gained an advantage?

Don't try to deny it.

Do you know how big

Yunzhong is?

Do you know how many soldiers

are involved in a battle?

Do you know how many people

from the Northern Desert

have come to travel

on the trade routes

of our state?

When the case is investigated,

my uncle will be
convicted or vindicated.

But now,

no one can convict him without proof.

Once w*r breaks out,
situations are volatile

and intricate.

Even the Emperor's orders

aren't always followed.

And you don't even know

what exactly happened in Yunzhong.

How can you parrot what others say?

Let's go.

Come on.

Tang.

I...

I'm sorry.

Miss Chu, you seem

to be in good spirits.

Your family is in turmoil.

But you're in the mood for tea.

If you're here for some fun,

get in there.

More fun with the storyteller.

Tang,

how can you be so rude to Mr. Deng?

He wanted to watch the fun,

then I recommended the opera house.

How was that rude?​

Has my entire family

already been convicted

that I can't even speak?

You can speak.

Lady Tang, your frankness

is quite admirable.

Even if your uncle

ends up guilty,

the Grand Princess

will stand by you.

You've got a point there, Mr. Deng.

Farewell.

Tang, wait for me.

Oh no.

What was I

even saying?

Yeah.

Scared now, huh?

What happened to all that swagger?

Come on.

Don't tease me.

Just now,

I lost my temper.

I couldn't remember

what I said or did.

Now I've come to my senses.

I'm so terrified.

Anyway, what's gone is gone.

Even if I said that,

who would dare to do anything?

Tang,

you've changed.

You never argued with anyone before.

Not to mention

arguing for General Chu and Chu Zhao.

Oh, my uncle.

Please don't get convicted.

And Zhao...

Come back early.

Before fully recovering,

you exhausted yourself again.

I know what I'm doing.

Can we trust this man?

Liang Qiang is low-ranking,

but he's a regular soldier.

Xiao Xun's troops

won't provoke or inspect him.

In this way,

we'll be able to avoid

Xiao Xun's spies.

Besides,

we're taking a carriage now.

No soft cushions or pillows.

But at least,

we don't need to trek.

How nice.

Two birds, one stone.

[Wangcheng]

Get them down.

The ruts are weird.

It seems to be a straw cart

heading for town.

The straw binding is loose.

Usually, a loosely bound cart bears

no more than three to five hundred jin.

But the ruts are deeper
than half a finger.

It carries at least



There's something else in the cart.

Judging from the ruts,

no fewer than ten carts

have entered town today.

Someone's taking so much trouble

to do something to this town.

This is a strategic frontier town.

If it falls,

Yunzhong Prefecture

will be attacked
from the front and rear.

Xiao Xun sent his men in disguise.

But the gate guards

should have inspected

either disguised men or hidden weapons.

By Article ten of the Frontier Code,

a Military Supply Token will exempt

all goods from inspection.

Given Xiao Xun's status,

getting some tokens

would be quite easy.

Follow me in.

You go back now.

Keep up.

Your Highness,



passed Xinggu Pass

and reached Shalang Col,

less than 100 li from Wangcheng.

Tell them to go along the official road

with the travel permit,
disguised as caravans.

Make sure they're well provisioned.

Yes.

We won't dispatch troops

until they take Wangcheng.

Ge.

Ge.

Bad news.

Our scout spotted



for Wangcheng

from the official road northwest
toward Xiaonan,

disguised as caravans.

From Xiaonan?

Wangcheng is vital
to the rear of Yunzhong.

Once it falls,

Xiao Xun will block supplies

within half a day.

By then, the Yunzhong troops

will be besieged

with no supplies.

Massive soldiers

will be desperately trapped.

Oh no.

At the rate of traveling,

the two of them are just at Wangcheng.

General,

in Cangmu Forest, I caught

two bandits of Cangmu Stronghold.

Bandits have done countless crimes.

Execute them now.

General, it's easy for you to k*ll us.

But I wonder

if you can remain so decisive

when northern foes

break into town.

How dare you!

How could you spread a fallacy here?

If we were real bandits,

why would we come voluntarily?

As we entered town,

we spotted enemy spies in disguise.

The ruts of straw carts

are abnormally deep.

Weapons must be hidden there.

Now,

instead of executing me,

you should send men

to close the city gate,

search the city,

and increase security.

Shut up!

How dare a bandit

comment on military affairs,

stir up unrest, and shake troop morale?

I'll chop your heads off now

and hang them
on the city wall as a warning!

k*ll them!

Brilliant plan.

Xiao Xun didn't k*ll you.

But someone

on your own side will.

You're wrong.

You've been

the only one

on my own side.

Outrageous.

Outrageous!

Seize them immediately

and execute them!

Don't you dare!

Zhong Changrong,
deputy of the Guard General,

is here to see the Grand Princess!

Hey, girl.

Girl.

Hey.

Hey.

It's been years.

Don't you recognize me?

Mr. Zhong.

Did anyone bully you?

You...

You vile creature!

Are you blind?

This is General Chu's daughter,

the Grand Princess.

Just now,

who were you going to execute?

Sorry,

I misjudged you.

Mercy, Your Highness.

My eyes failed me

and I offended Your Highness.

Please forgive me.

Not your fault.

Your priority is to close the city gate

and defend deep.

Find out Northern Desert foes

and weapons.

I swear

to hold the city.

Mr. Zhao,

your official headwear

is still yours now.

But if this city falls,

you will lose it

and your life.

I swear to stand and fall with the city!

Leave us right now.

Get to work.

Mr. Zhong,

why are you here?

Your father was worried about you,

so he sent me here

to get you back to Yunzhong.

When I was halfway,

I got this man's message,

saying you would reach Wangcheng.

I traveled hundreds of li for nothing

and rushed back immediately.

You arrived later

than I expected.

Zhong,

you should work on your speed.

How rude.

Nonsense.

Report!

Scouts have spotted



came from the north.

They're within 50 li of this city.

♪Broken walls and withered branches,
trapped in the mire♪

♪Yet still striving
to reach for the sky♪

♪My pride is torn down
and my body is sacrificed♪

♪The spark smolders in the crack♪

♪And roars in the blaze♪

♪Burning the cold night until daybreak♪

♪Fate imprisons me♪

♪But I won't beg the abyss for mercy♪

♪Even if hope is faint,
I remain proud♪

♪A mayfly will cross the ocean,
however long it takes♪

♪However it ends up,
I'll go my own way♪

♪With no fear of the distance♪

♪Born from decay, fireflies still burn♪

♪With sword in hand,
I'll pierce the dawn♪

♪Let these scars all over me become♪

♪My new pride♪

♪Peril is everywhere in the palace♪

♪Yet I smile to nobody but you♪

♪Amidst the chaos♪

♪I'll always be with you♪

♪The spark smolders in the crack♪

♪And roars in the blaze♪

♪Burning the cold night until daybreak♪

♪Fate imprisons me♪

♪But I won't beg the abyss for mercy♪

♪Even if hope is faint,
I remain proud♪

♪A mayfly will cross the ocean,
however long it takes♪

♪However it ends up,
I'll go my own way♪

♪With no fear of the distance♪

♪Born from decay, fireflies still burn♪

♪With sword in hand,
I'll pierce the dawn♪

♪Let these scars all over me become♪

♪My new pride♪