01x36 - The Birthday Banquet

[bunniefuu]

[Love Like the Galaxy]

[Love Like the Galaxy 2: Episode 9]

Empress, this is the birthday banquet menu that I planned.

Take a look to see if there is anything you want to add.

[Empress Birthday Banquet Menu]

I still don't think that it is proper.

It is said, "What is loved by those above, must be loved even more by those below."

If the birthday banquet is hosted with great fanfare like this,

then wouldn't His Majesty's previous effort to be more frugal

go to waste?

This will not do. I need to go meet His Majesty and persuade–

You must not. It is not easy for the court officials either.

They either need to spend their entire life delving into classic literature to gain His Majesty's good grace,

or they need to go through all the gore on the b*ttlefield to get some sort of position.

Empress, don't ruin their futures.

What are you talking about?

What I mean is that...

Empress is His Majesty's wife first, then you are his subject.

If you really want to persuade His Majesty, why not...

say this next time?

"From ancient times, husband and wife are one.

How could there be a husband eating bran and wild vegetables

while the wife eats fine delicacies?

When His Majesty properly celebrates his birthday,

then you can wantonly manage my birthday."

Remember! The tone of voice you use

must be more pitiful and gentle. Don't look directly at His Majesty.

Don't act like an official who dares to criticize His Majesty, all right?

What nonsense are you saying at such a young age?

Zisheng has probably been coaxed into obedience by your words, right?

Look at all the stuff in your room.

Are we about to build a Marquis Quling Fourth Miss's Manor here?

Empress,

just let me focus on planning this birthday banquet.

That way I can return home sooner.

All the stuff that Zisheng got for that room

makes me miss home even more.

I will not do that favor for you. It is not that you miss home.

It is obvious that you do not want to be restrained here in the palace.

Your Highness, just help me out.

I will not help you.

Empress Mother.

You were right to reprimand me that day.

Everything a child has is bestowed to them by their parents.

No matter what precious gifts are collected,

in the end, it's still because of Imperial Father and Empress Mother's influence.

So I have personally invited well-known commoner dancers to choreograph a dance.

I have practiced for a really long time in my manor.

If there are any shortcomings on the day of the birthday banquet,

please act as if you do not see it. Just cheer more.

I know your filial heart.

But why did I hear

that you encircled 10,000 mu of farmland in Hongnong Prefecture to build a manor?

Is that true?

The wastelands outside of the palace are piles of dry, hard rock. No one would want them even if you threw them out.

I encircled the land to have people dig out a stream to steep the fields.

Then have refugees plow and cultivate the land. Not only will this produce crops, it will also appease the people's welfare.

I did this because I wanted Imperial Father and Empress Mother to see my capability.

Under the sky, it is all the king's land.

There are subjects that will handle the cultivation of the wilderness. You do not need to worry.

Forget it. Let us end it here.

I am tired. All of you leave.

It is fine if Empress Mother favors Ling Buyi.

Why do you now trust the daughter of a military general more than me?

I heard after Cheng Shaoshang took over managing Changqui Palace.

One moment she's making sweets, the next moment she's turning over dirt to grow vegetables.

Not only does Empress Mother not blame her, but you also reward her money to support her.

When I want to do something, not only does Empress Mother not support me, but you also scold me.

That is because all of Shaoshang's expenses are useful.

She does not squander it on selfish desires.

I am tired. Leave.

Shaoshang, all of the aristocratic women the Fifth Princess brought into the palace

won't fit in Changqui Palace. I am annoyed when I see them.

I will write a letter

for you and Miss Luo to send to Yongle Palace

to have Imperial Consort Yue host them for me.

Yes.

Fifth Princess and distinguished guests, I have already told Imperial Consort Yue

to arrange for you to stay in the Long Garden tonight.

Cheng Shaoshang, do you know that the palace hall you are living in now

was originally my residence?

If Fifth Princess wants to stay at Changqui Palance tonight, I can also arrange that.

No need. If that happened, Empress Mother will reprimand me for being ostentatious again.

I have never lived in Yongle Palace. Staying there for two nights is not bad either.

Hey! How did she fall in?

Shaoshang!

Miss Cheng, how are you so careless?

Hurry and save Miss Cheng. Hurry!

- Right.
- Hurry.

Aren't you really capable? Hurry up and come out of there then.

Come out.

Doesn't Empress Mother always praise you for being talented and virtuous?

It always sounds like you are extremely special.

You were just showing us the way, how did you end up in the lake?

Exactly. Look at her fluttering like a duck.

Fifth Princess, if you keep throwing rocks, she will die!

People die every day.

It is just a life. It is not a big deal.

Miss Cheng fell into the water herself.

We also do not know how to swim and cannot save her.

Why don't you jump in and save her?

She wants to come ashore!
[Miss Zuo]

- Aren't there snakes in the water?
- Come out, come out.

- Come out.
- Hurry up and come out.

There really is a snake in the water!

There really is a snake!

- Let us hurry and leave.
- It is so scary!

Let's go. Let's go! Hurry!

Cheng Shaoshang, listen up.

Today, I came into the palace not only for the birthday banquet tomorrow.

I came for you.

Today was just a lesson.

In the future, it would be best if you behave in front of me.

Otherwise, this time was a non-poisonous snake;

next time, that might not be the case.

Fifth Princess, she won't go and tell on us. Right?

What are you scared of?

No one was here to see it. We simply won't admit it.

Miss Luo.

Did you see anything?

I recommend you think carefully before replying.

Aren't you going to be married soon?

If you are charged with the crime of defying the princess before you are married, what will your in-laws think of you?

Fifth Princess, we did not see anything.

Yes, we went back to rest a long time ago.

Miss Cheng fell into the water accidentally on her way back and was bitten by a snake.

It's her own stupidity, isn't it?

What's that noise? Who's there? Come out!

Everyone's here?

Fifth Imperial Brother,

are you secretly meeting a palace maid behind Fifth Sister-in-law's back again?

Fifth Imperial Brother better not let anyone know that you sneaked out.

Otherwise, Imperial Father may be even more disappointed in you.

Fifth Sister, I was just passing by, I didn't see anything. I really was just passing by.

When did you guys come?

This Fifth Prince won't tell anyone about what happened today. Right?

He's just an inferior breed borne by a palace maid.

I call him Fifth Imperial Brother only when I feel courteous.

Although I think he and that Miss Cheng are quite a match.

Shaoshang!

I brought the clothes that you wanted.

Why are these clothes all wet? Where did you go?

I'll take the wet clothes away for you.

In the past, when you were living in Marquis Quling's Manor,

I had few opportunities to meet you.

I originally thought that we would meet every day after you moved into the palace.

I never expected you to be so busy,

even when you send a food box, it's delivered by a eunuch.

It's even more difficult to meet than before.

Tonight, I...

I've really missed you.

So I came to find you.

Do you know that everyone in court now admires me?

They say I'm about to marry a virtuous young lady.

Even His Majesty compliments you, that you are smart and capable.

You've taken care of Changqiu Palace really well.

Knowing that you are doing well in the palace,

I am no longer worried.

Shaoshang,

His Majesty entrusted you with the empress' birthday banquet.

It's not because you are my wife-to-be.

It's because only you...

can make the birthday banquet delightful to the empress.

Before, people would say...

that you were stubborn and cold.

That's because they don't understand the true you.

Once you decide to treat someone with sincerity,

you'll totally give out your whole heart.

Even if you suffer an aggrievance, you'll—

Niao Niao?

Niao Niao.

What happened?

Niao Niao.

What happened?

All right. All right. It's okay. It's okay.

Hug me tight.

A little tighter.

Tighter.

Enough now, I can't catch my breath.

All right, all right.

Niao Niao.

What happened?

Niao Niao.

What happened?

I'm just homesick.

When we were training in the manor,

there were still many skills that I didn't teach you.

Tonight,

I'll teach you how to recognize acupuncture points. How about it?

Here.

It's the Gate of Life.

What else other than the Gate of Life?

Other than the Gate of Life, can you teach me the others?

In the future, if anyone wants to bully me I have a way to defend myself.

With me here, no one will dare to bully you.

Then, what if you aren't there?

Okay.

What do you want to learn?

If you were standing here, and there was a person behind you.

Like this.

You're standing here, someone sneak attacks you and suddenly pushes you like this...

Then I'll counter with this.

How's that?

- If you're good, just use one hand.
- Sure.

If you're good, don't even use one hand.

From now on,

my Gate of Life will be yours.

Niao Niao,

can you tell me what really happened?

Can you...

promise me one thing?

Yes.

As long as it's related to you,

I can promise anything.

What's the intent of such a landscape design?

Replying to Your Majesty.

This scene is named High Mountain Flowing Water.

It is to wish Empress to be constant like the moon, rise like the sun, live long like the Nan Mountain, like the east-flowing river,

with fortune and wealth continuing eternally.

You did put in some thought, Empress did not pamper you for nothing.

This landscape is interesting. Very good. Very good.

Wish Empress long health and peace.

Waive the formalities. Sit.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

What is this?

Zisheng.

General Ling will play the qin?
[Chinese zither]

Zisheng is playing–

Only Miss Cheng can make Zisheng play an instrument.

I didn't expect the birthday banquet to be full of surprises.

Miss Cheng made this birthday banquet so extraordinary,

it makes our gifts look overly ordinary.

Well played! Well played!

I've wanted to hear you play, but you always evaded by saying you'd gotten rusty from lack of practice.

The only person who can make you remember how to play is Shaoshang, right?

Reporting to Your Majesty and Empress. Third Prince has found a new vein to mine in his fief.

The new map has been express-delivered to be offered here.

Good. This is extremely auspicious!

Imperial Father, I've been dispatching people to search for new mines.

I finally found this mine before Empress Mother's birthday.

This is Empress Mother's blessing. I dare not take the credit.

It's my fortune to have all of you. It's wonderful.

Empress Mother, this is a pair of jade qilin. We found them in the Western Region.

They symbolize that good things come in pairs. I wish Empress Mother longevity and fortune forever.

That's right! It cost quite a bit of money.

I wish Imperial Father and Empress Mother love until old age.

Your Majesty. Empress.

Today, Crown Prince and Crown Princess Consort brought more than just these birthday gifts.

Does Empress think the wine today tastes a bit different?

It tastes sweeter than yeast and malt, and warm in the mouth.

Where did you find this wine?

It was not I who found it.

His Majesty and Empress advocate being frugal, so I dare not use grain to brew wine.

When I was feeling anxious,

I thought of the fruits grown from seeds that Crown Prince asked people to bring from the Western Region.

These fruits are sweet but not too sweet, sour but not vinegary. I tasted them and thought they were perfect for making wine.

This way, it's not wasteful or extravagant, and the esteemed guests can drink to their fill.

Good, good! Empress,

then today you must drink a few glasses more!

- Yes.
- Beloved subjects, drink your fill!

How can one drink without food?

Esteemed guests, you must taste these dishes in front of you.

These are also made with the oil extracted from the walnuts brought by Crown Prince from the Western Region.

These walnuts are not only sweet but filling.

They're hard to come by. Thank you for your trouble, Crown Prince.

Great! Crown Prince's heart is with the common people.

He was able to find so many filling foods. It's not easy.

Great! Worthy of rewards! Worthy of rewards!

- Thank you, Imperial Father.
- Thank you, Your Majesty.

It's delicious. It's delicious.

[Qu Lingjun, Liang Shang]

Good things come in pairs? More like in threes.

Imperial Father. Empress Mother. I learned a dance and will offer it to Empress Mother

to wish Empress Mother both fortune and longevity.

It's rare that Little Fifth is so thoughtful.

Since Fifth Sister is dancing, how can there be no music?

I and Prince Consort will play the music together

to congratulate Imperial Mother on her birthday.

Good. This is quite a lively scene.

♪ Heaven bless you with stability ♪
[Lyrics from the Classic of Poetry]

♪ Also, keep the country secure ♪

♪ You are endowed with abundant fortune,
is there a blessing not given? ♪

♪ Is there anything not flourishing? ♪

♪ Heaven bless you with stability ♪

♪ Is there anything not prospering? ♪

♪ Like the mountain and the earth, like the ranges and the hills ♪

♪ You are given limitless blessings ♪

Are you all right, Little Fifth?

Good. It's fine. It's fine. Everyone gets an award.

Your Majesty, Zisheng wants to present Empress with a gift.

Zisheng, what rare thing have you brought?

Replying to Your Majesty. Shaoshang and I have found an old item from Old Master Xuan.

We wish Empress to be blessed by Old Master Xuan and everything goes as wished.

Back then, my father loved poetry the most.

He often gifted his compositions to good friends.

He didn't hold on to his work. That's why

we didn't keep much of his work at home.

I thought I would never see my father's calligraphy again.

A gift doesn't have to be expensive.

It's about the thought.

Zisheng, this time, you are thoughtful.

I just knew

that Zisheng and Shaoshang truly cared for me.

Yes. It's a great day today.

This birthday banquet is also very unique.

On such a joyful day, we, monarch and subjects, will enjoy today.

Let's drink together!

Come!

Drink until we're drunk!

Drink until we're drunk!

Here, here.

The wine you made is great.

Why are you not drinking?

Why are you...

using my cup?

The wine I made, using your cup,

tastes better to me.

Then let's drink together.

Is it sweet?

Yes.

Is this wine better,

or the person better?

Both are great.

What happened to your hand?

Was it from practicing the zither last night?

Can you..

promise me one thing?

Yes.

As long as it's related to you,

I can promise anything.

What's wrong, Princess?

... Fifth Prince...

There is a beauty, I cannot forget her after meeting.

If I don't see her for one day, I miss her so.

Fifth Prince, please open your eyes and see who I am.

So it is Ling Zisheng's bride. Don't leave, don't leave.

I haven't seen you for a few days, you have become prettier.

Cheng Shaoshang! Cheng Shaoshang!

Fifth Prince, since you drank too much, why don't you sober up down there?

You evil woman, I don't know how to swim.

You are attempting to m*rder a prince. Save me!

Fifth Prince, don't panic. I will think of a way to save you right away.

Hurry and save me, save me.

Help. Help!

I'm coming, I'm coming.

- Fifth Prince, hold on to this bamboo stick.
- Give it to me!

Hold on to this bamboo stick.

Over here, over here.

Here.

Here, here.

- You need to give it to me.
- Hold on.

This way.

This way.

Hurry up. Grab it.

Why are you not grabbing it?

You better grab it, you need to grab it. I'm so tired.

Fifth Prince, I'm just too tired. I don't want to help anymore.

You vicious woman!

Fifth Prince, are you okay?

You woman!

How can you be so hateful just like that Ling Buyi?

Since you know that Ling Zisheng is hateful,

you should stay away from me. If you let Ling Zisheng see us in one place,

he will do things even more hateful in the future.

Do you think I would be scared of him? His good looks are all pretense.

I've been bullied by him since I was little, and I am most aware of his personality.

Insidious, cunning, and vengeful.

He has a vicious mind and plays foul.

You and Ling Buyi are truly a match made in heaven.

Cold-blooded and bitter!

He is someone I will protect.

You accused him of so many things and attempted to harass me.

If I bring this up to His Majesty, you have no standing ground.

I'm just teaching you a lesson today. There's nothing wrong with it.

Why are you all treating him better than me?

Even Imperial Father favors him.

Fifth Prince must know,

His Majesty would treat you the same way whether Ling Buyi exists or not.

Did he tell you something?

He is almighty so he is always spreading my shortcomings.

I... I...

It's not all shortcomings.

Fifth Prince, even though

you are lazy and bad at studying,

you have your unique perspectives occasionally.

I heard that Fifth Prince likes foreign cultures.

How did you find out?

But those things I like

can't be used to govern or help the country or write a book.

They are just some idle books and interesting stories. Imperial Father will look down at them, too.

Since you know what you like

is useless in the court and is disliked by His Majesty,

you're still diligent in pursuing them.

It can be considered true sincerity.

On the other hand,

so what if someone compliments you?

And so what if no one compliments you?

Isn't it good to know what you like?

On this point, you and I are quite similar, Fifth Prince.

On account of what you just said today,

- I won't fuss with you anymore.
- Good.

Starting today,

I'll acknowledge you as a friend.

General Ling.

What's the matter?

I'm about to marry far to the northwest.

I don't know when we'll meet again.

I...

would like to toast General.

Oh no!

Fifth Prince and Miss Cheng, they...

What about them?

What's the matter with Fifth Prince and Miss Cheng?

They...

Just talk. All this hesitation, are you acting?

The two of them are secretly meeting at Jingxin Lake!



♪ The flames of w*r strike against the frost and snow ♪

♪ It lightly covers the lingering illness of the past ♪

♪ Your back is against the light,
the galaxy reflected in your eyes ♪

♪ I hum a tune, the sun and the moon respond ♪

♪ The brilliance that penetrates the eyes ♪

♪ was extinguished by dust and lit again ♪

♪ The edges of earth, Kunlun, and netherworld
feel remorse for someone ♪

♪ The ocean is waking, the forest of steles
are like a mountain range ♪

♪ There are veiled criticisms in the corridor, a narrow door cannot easily close off one’s intentions ♪

♪ The challenges of one’s life become advice for the future ♪

♪ You and I will be in the same galaxy ♪

♪ We’ll use our absolute sincerity to
bring radiance to the ordinary ♪

r] bring radiance to the ordinary ♪
♪ Bring radiance to the ordinary ♪