01x04 - Episode 4

[bunniefuu]

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

General Huan,
no trace of His Majesty has been found.

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

General Huan!

Your Majesty!

[Episode 4]

He is gripped by a cold affliction.

Qianzhang Lake has lain frozen
for many years.

The chill has seeped
deep into his lungs and heart.

Few could withstand such a cruel chill.

- Summon the imperial physician!
- Yes, sir!

The palace is in lockdown.

Search every corner around Qianzhang Lake.

Alive or dead, bring Chu Qiao to me!

Yes, sir!

You have been checking his pulse
for half an hour.

What is the prognosis?

G-General Cheng.

His wound, though not mortal,
lies close to his heart.

After plunging into the lake,
the bitter cold invaded his very core.

Now, all his vital organs...

Are you saying he cannot be saved?

T-There is still hope.

But he will need the blessing of the gods.

I am only an ordinary mortal.

I ease pain, nothing more.

But I cannot alter the will of heaven.

[Ximeng-Yanbei Border]

We are on the border
of Ximeng and Yanbei.

There is no way back
to Yanbei or Great Yong for him.

He must be hiding nearby.

Turn every rock, search every inch.

If we fail to bring him back,

[Queen Ling Yue]
we will all die.

Yes, ma'am.

That cave ahead.

You, come with me.

The rest of you block all exits to the cave.

When you have found someone,
do not let him escape.

Yes, ma'am.

Stay where you are.

Take me to see the King of Ximeng.

It has been three days now.

Yet we have no word of His Majesty.

We ought to see for ourselves
what exactly happened.

We demand an audience with His Majesty.

General Cheng has instructed us.
His Majesty is not well.

He needs rest to recover.

General Cheng?

General Cheng means nothing to me.
Out of my way.

- Move.
- You cannot go in.

- You cannot go inside.
- Let me through.

We must see His Majesty.

- Block their way.
- Let me through.

You cannot go in.

Lord Tu Mu, let it be.

General Cheng's men stand guard at the doors.

There's no point in going over there now.

Are we to stand idle and do nothing?

A nation cannot go a day without its king.

Is His Majesty in peril or safe from harm?

We must have an answer.

At present, the palace physicians

have all been kept
in the chambers by Cheng Yuan.

Not one may set foot outside.

What are they hiding from us?

Too many gossips in a place like this.

You must mind your tongue.

And what have I to fear?

Do you know that these past days,

Cheng Yuan, with his men,
have raided several Datong Guild strongholds?

He has even sent his Black Eagle Army

to encircle the entire capital of Yan.

Are you saying Cheng Yuan has
marched his troops on the capital?

General Cheng claimed
he acts to protect His Majesty.

He said he fears unrest
will break out in the capital.

If you ask me,
within the capital of Yan's walls,

the first to stir up unrest
is none but Cheng Yuan himself.

You've gone too far, sir.

Lord Tu Mu, I presume your words are for me?

This...

Lord Huo Sang.

General Shi.

Lord Tu Mu.

You all are in remarkably good spirits.

I wonder, Lord Tu Mu,
what brings you trespassing at the palace?

Surely that is a question for you,
Lord Cheng.

You summon troops
and seal the palace without consent.

You hold His Majesty c*ptive.

What intentions lie behind such acts?

His Majesty is perfectly well.

He will resume court in due course.

Word from the palace yesterday
confirmed as much.

His Majesty is unwell...

It is nothing but a chill.

He is resting in his chambers.

He shall make a swift recovery.

To prevent unrest in the capital of Yan,
I will inform General Huan.

She shall assist me in overseeing
security matters of the capital.

From this day forward,

anyone who spreads rumors
of His Majesty's condition,

or seeks to sow discord,

will answer for an unpardonable crime.

I want the remedy for the cold chill.

The medicine is right here.
What will you offer in return?

Now, what do you have to trade?

Hesitate any longer,

and the woman in that cave
will lose her last chance at life.

I offer my life in exchange.

This is my Ximeng clan's secret poison.

Take it, and you will become
a walking corpse.

Be it the Great Yong's General Zhuge,

or the head of Qingshan Court,
all are already dead.

I have long been dead myself.

Didn't you say you'll walk in their stead?

Then rise. Continue on.

- Young Master Huai. Please, spare Xiao Liu.
- Young Master Huai, let Xiao Liu go.

- Young Master Huai, spare her.
- Go on.

Young Master Huai.

Young Master Huai.

Are you going to walk or not?

Otherwise, I will beat her to death.

Are you walking or not?

Stop! Don't hit her!

I will walk, I will walk.

Zhuge Yue, what are you doing?

What is your name?

Young Master Yue offers you
this medicine for your wounds.

Quickly now, apply it.

You will remain here in Qingshan Court.

From now on, your name shall be Xing Er.

Xing Er.

Here.

Take your medicine.

Zhuge Yue, don't go.

Xing Er.

Xing Er.

Don't leave me all alone.

Don't leave me by myself.

Zhuge Yue.

I will not let you leave me again.

This is Blood on the Snow.

It is brewed from a flower
found only in Ximeng.

Once you take it,
you will crave it again and again.

You have enough medicine for ten days.

Enough time for you to go back
and save your woman.

But after ten days,
if you do not return as promised,

you will learn what it is to live
in torment worse than death.

The King of Ximeng swore to give me ten days.

But it has only been seven days.

You are in such a hurry to fetch me back?

It will take three more days
to reach Ximeng City.

With our escort alone,
can you be spared the poison's agony.

Only thus will your life remain intact.

With those clumsy moves of yours,

you truly think you can guard me?

Besides, I am little more than a dead man.

You are no match for me.

Nor will I make things hard for you.

I shall go with you.

Halt.

- Go on.
- Move.

Let's go.

Please, do have a look.

Your noodles are ready.
Take your time and enjoy.

Sir, may I ask you something?

- Of course, ask away.
- Everything outside is in chaos.

And there are soldiers everywhere.
What on earth has happened?

You... You don't know yet?

There has been terrible trouble
in Yanbei of late.

What's going on?

We commoners have no idea
what's really going on.

But these last few days,
many corners of Yanbei's towns

have been swept by the Black Eagle Army.

It is said they are arresting traitors
of the Datong Guild.

Well, I have heard the Datong Guild
were lying in wait on Ximin Mountain,

plotting their rebellion.

All of them were slaughtered.

By decree of the King of Yan?

That's not it at all.

It was General Cheng Yuan.

You have not heard?
His Majesty has fallen ill.

Not even the palace physicians can cure him.

Now, they're looking for healers in Yanbei
who can enter the palace

to treat His Majesty's illness.

Come on, hurry up!

Let's go.

Move, quickly!

It seems this is yet another
Datong Guild traitor.

Hung like that,
do you think she will survive?

Alive or dead, what does it matter now?

No one from the Datong Guild will be spared.

The Datong Guild has been wiped out.

Life in Yanbei
will only get harsher from now on.

Rumor has it,
it's not just the Datong Guild,

even the Xiuli Army's perishing
at Meilin Pass

was General Cheng's doing too.




and were treated as sacrificial pawns.
How could any of them have lived?

All their corpses were tossed
onto the burial ground.

No one even asks after them.

He Xiao.

Commander Chen.

Where are you?

He Xiao!

Have I done wrong?

Come out! All of you!

He Xiao! Commander Chen!

Come out!

I want you to live!

I always knew the Queen is
a woman of deep loyalty and feeling.

Even if it should cost her life,

she would not abandon her comrades-in-arms.

That is why I have waited here
especially for her arrival.

General Cheng,
you and I were once comrades too.

Unfortunately,
we are destined to be enemies now.

After them!

Miss Yu!

Miss Yu!

Hold on!

Go. Don't bother about me.

Let's jump into the river.

k*ll them both!

Chu Qiao,

today is the day you meet your end.

Miss Yu!

Chu Qiao, you must die.

Yan Xun, for your sake,

has abandoned Yanbei time after time.

If you live,
the hatred burning within Yanbei's people,

and Yan Xun's vengeance,

will never find their day of reckoning.

You must live.

Zhong Yu!

Miss Yu!

Miss Yu!

Zhong Yu!

Zhong Yu! Where are you?

Zhong Yu!

General, there's still no sign of Chu Qiao.

She is utterly spent now.
She will not get far.

Rally the nearby Black Eagle Army.

Search every village along the valley.

Search every corner,
and bring her to me, whatever it takes.

Yes, sir.

[Wanted]

Gather round, everyone!

If you have seen this woman,
speak up at once.

A handsome reward is on offer.

Sir, what has happened this time?

You don't know yet?
I have just come from the east side.

Word has it,

they are hunting traitors
from the Datong Guild.

They have been rounding them up for days,

yet still have not finished.

How would I know?

Mister and miss, your noodles have arrived.

[Qingfeng Restaurant]

There are still two more days.
I will return by then.

- Stay close to him.
- Yes, ma'am.

Please, spare a coin.

Anything, kind soul.

A bite to eat, please.

Just a crumb, have mercy.

Everyone, listen well!

From this day forth,

all who leave the gate will be checked.

Be cooperative and do not
bring trouble upon yourselves.

Search them all!

Look at these people here.

Have you seen this woman?

No, no. Not at all.

- Have you seen her?
- No.

Stay where you are!

Turn your face this way.

I said, turn your face.

Are you deaf? Did you not hear?

[Li Yan]

You wretched beggar!

You soil my clothes and try to run off?

Just my luck.

Of all places,

I had to end up at this wretched den
full of beggars.

Come with me. See how I deal with you.

From the looks of his attire,

he's from Biantang.

I cannot tell if it is a man or woman.

He's drenched in scents and powder.

He's even wearing a royal tally.

- Could it be...
- Keep searching.

You, stop there.

Wretched beggar. You have dirtied my robes.

Let me show you what you deserve.

Go on. Quick.

Hurry up.

Inside, now.

Qiao Qiao, it has been ages.

To be honest with you,
I left home this time for pleasure,

and it felt unlike any journey before.

The whole way, I felt clear and carefree.

As though some great fortune drew near.

I had just set foot in Yanbei,

amidst a thousand blooms,
when I came upon you.

Tell me, aren't we fated to meet each other?

What is wrong
with this Crown Prince from Biantang?

He says men stink,
yet insists a lovely woman must greet him.

Wait... How has a withered tree blossomed?

A dead tree has grown flowers.
That is an ill omen.

It bodes misfortune.

How utterly ominous.

All of you, hold your tongues.

To see a dead tree flowering,
that is rare indeed.

It means only those who are unyielding

can bring blossoms
from barren wood in bleakest times.

Zhao Che knows his way, after all.

He has sent such a sweet envoy
to welcome me.

Welcome, Your Highness.

This way into the city, please,
Your Highness.

Beauty, step up.

Come ride in the carriage with me.

If you do, I'll enter the city.

Let's go.

Your Highness.

There is no beauty to match
through all the ages.

To behold her is to be charmed.

Your Highness.

How bold of you
to strike the Crown Prince of Biantang!

She's even more delightful now.

Chu Qiao.

How impudent of you!
Kneel down at once.

Why are you so fierce?

Do you know who she is?

She is to be my future bride.

Many a beauty have I seen,

but never one quite this fierce.

How old are you?

Born in which month?
How many people in your family?

This year, I am 21.
Of a proper age to marry.

So why not take me for your husband
and become my bride?

Your Highness!

Hey.

Physician.

Tell me, how are Qiao Qiao's injuries?

Young Master, this young lady
has two deep cuts upon her right arm.

The one beneath the elbow
may still be mended,

but the wound on her arm itself
has severed her very tendons.

Even if I could mend it,

whether or not she will ever
wield a sword again,

I cannot say.

Moreover...

What else?

Her eyes have not been treated soon enough.

I am afraid her sight may never return.

Unless...

Unless what?
Must you drag it out? Speak plainly.

Unless you can find a potion
called Huotu Tonic.

- What potion is that?
- Huotu Tonic.

Huotu Tonic?

How hard can it be?
I shall send men to search at once.

But this potion is brewed from
a secret, closely-guarded recipe.

Almost no one knows of it.

The herbs required for this potion
are terribly rare and precious.

And that is not all.

One must use it for seven days straight.

And every day,
the mixture must be freshly prepared.

After seven days, stop treatment.

Wait a further seven days,

and the eyes may heal on their own.

Thank you, Young Master.

Qiao Qiao, don't worry.

Whatever it is, water, fire, earth, or gold,

in Biantang, riches are endless.
There is nothing we cannot find.

Come back with me.
I promise, your eyes will be cured.

Li Ce.

Have you seen Zhuge Yue?

Zhuge Yue?

This belongs to him.

He is the one who rescued me.

Qiao Qiao.

Have you no heart at all?

It was I who found you and saved you.

I picked you up by the roadside,
brought you to an inn,

and summoned a physician to tend to you.

But all you ever speak of is Zhuge Yue.

If not for him, I would have perished
on that frozen lake.

If not for me, you would have been
snatched by the Yanbei soldiers.

If you had fallen into their hands,

you can't die even if you want to.

Slow slicing, waist-cutting,
skinned alive, buried deep.

Qiao Qiao, don't overthink it.

The only thing that matters is your recovery.

Yanbei has nothing but bitter cold.

The physicians here have little skill.

You must come with me to Biantang.

I shall find the finest imperial physician.

I'm not going.

Why not?

- I must wait for Zhuge Yue.
- You...

Zhuge Yue.

Zhuge Yue.

Qiao Qiao, you have not changed one bit.

Once you set your mind on something,
you are as stubborn as ever.

However, that is exactly
what I adore about you.

Li Ce.

Is that you?

Could you bring me a glass of water?

What is the matter?

Li Ce.

Why do you chatter endlessly by day,

yet at night, you are utterly silent?

And another thing.

Why did you sneak into my room
in the middle of the night?

Li Ce.

Li Ce.

I know it is you. Zhuge Yue.

You call yourself a grown man,
yet you fret and fuss like an old maid.

If you wish to let her know,
just go up and see her.

Qiao Qiao is no fool.

How could she not know you are alive?

It has been six days now.

How are you feeling?

Who are you, really?

Why did you bring me Huotu Tonic?

Zhuge Yue is dead?