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Marry Me! Princess like none other of the Tang Dynasty!
As beautiful as a flower and pale as the moon you enchant me, because I have been thinking of you, I am unable to sleep.
Throughout the beautiful vast landscape of the Tang state!
Men talented in both literature and war are a plenty,
For what reason should I marry Tujue Barbarian?
All though Tang state is vast and beautiful, it is weak and fragile,
unlike my steppes beyond the great wall, strong, powerful and great.
The Tang State may not be lacking in good men, they are still no match for my Tujue cavalry!
Really? Then I must see for myself how courageous a man of the desert like yourself.
Prince, may I borrow your saber for a moment?
Ow! This is my finger, I used your saber to chop it off, would you like a taste?
I love to eat fingers!Ha Ha, it is but a finger made of a dough.
Such a practical joke has frightened the Tujue cavalry to retreat.
It appears, the Tang State is superior in ability and insight.
Good one, Taiping!
Brother Xian, I've come to visit you...but it seems like you have been watching me every day.
Taiping! Why haven't you told me of your return?, I could of come to meet you.
Did you write this show?
Yes, upon returning to the palace I was very bored, no one was around, so I wrote your past stories and experiences into shows, and watched them everyday.
Yesterday's show was about brother Hong. It wasn't very good, not as good as this one...
This one is the best! Do you still remember? That day we laughed so much you couldn't stand up...
Yes, the Tujue prince...he was actually not a bad person, and wasn't bad looking either...
if I had married him instead of Xue Shao, I would probably be happier today .
Brother Xian, I hear that there is no end to the war on our borders.
Yes.
Its only in the last three days that mother's grave has been circled by the Crown Prince's and Wu Sansi's people.
They're calling out to capture Li LongJi to condemn him, accusing him of rebellion.
Chang'An city is full of soldiers, I hear that in some places there have been skirmishes. What is the matter with all this?
Is that the case? Why hasn't anyone informed me of this?!
With all that has happened, your majesty does not know?! How can an Emperor like you...
How can an emperor like me be like this, is that right?
Taiping, my position as Emperor was forced upon me by you. Have you ever asked me how I felt about this?
I've repeatedly begged for you to return, and you rejected me every single time! What's the reason for your return now?
To scold me? To tell me that I've dishonored my ancestors?
Xian.
You all can leave.
Xian, you are the most ill-fated of all your royal brothers. You have experienced too many hardships to get to where you are now.
This is nothing! I've already become used to it! I was always ridiculed by all of you since I could remember. None of you liked me,
I am the least able, the least handsome, the least intelligent out of all five of us siblings.
Mother scolds me, I can't seem to do anything right.
But mother is no longer around, I'll never have the need to be afraid or worried... but now you come along, accusing me, scolding me...
Xian, I have not come to accuse and scold you! I've come to help you! Don't you require some help?
Look around you! Do you know what kind of mess this capital city has become?
Zhang Jianzhi and five other royal officials have suffered tragic deaths, all in foreign lands serving the state. Don't you think you ought to know?
The City of Chang'An are chanting and singing about the infidelities between your wife Wei and Sansi, and that she is planning on takeover the throne. Have you heard this?
They are all just rumours! I do not believe a word! My wife is a good woman!
She used to be a good woman, but she isn't anymore. She has a knife against your neck and yet you're still here defending her.
Wei is intentionally imitating mother, but how can she compare with mother? If this continues it will ultimately lead to disaster!
All these things... it is not that you don't know about it, it seems more like you don't want to know.
Do you know what Fang Ling province is like, the place mother banished us to?
A place that even the wild Geese find desolate, and are reluctant to stay.
By day, sand storms strong enough to move stones, by night, bone chilling winds. 0:06:56.000,0:07:12.000Without a proper bed or blanket, we cuddled together with our children to keep warm.
We are alive, all because of Wei ***. If not for her, I would not have been able to return home...
I would not even be alive. None of you can imagine the bitter hardships I've experienced.
I attempted to take my life so many times...I cut my wrists, drank poisons, tried hanging myself numerous times...
Wei saved me, cleaned out the poison, fed me food and medicine, and attended to my every need.
No one can compare with the things she has done for me! I am in debt to her......
and I've sworn that whatever I can give her, I will give her.
What you owe her is love, not the state, not your power!
But what else do I have? An emperor, other than his state and power, has nothing else! What else can I give her?
Your...Your Majesty, it is not good! The Crown Prince Li Chongjun's people have rebelled, and have the palace under siege!
What?! Where is the Empress? Where is Wei? Where is Wei?!
Li Xian, don't be afraid......quickly escort the Emperor away.
Wei, help me, help me......
Adulteress! I demand the majesty to come out! Why won't his majesty come out? Scared? Ha Ha Ha Ha......
I'm certain that he's hiding, probably making incense. Call him out, quickly!
Save us Aunty!
Li Chongjun, you come with a sword. Why you here?
Aunty? I've.... I've come to see my father the emperor....
No, you don't want to just see him, you intend to kill him! This is treason!
I'm not an insurgent! I don't want to rebel, but the Queen wants to depose me!
My father....... he can't tell right from wrong! He's corrupted with power, and the Empress is his accomplice!
If you're not a rebelling, then what are you doing?
With your sword pressed against his majesty's neck, are you threatening him to be a better emperor?
Or for him to abdicate the thone, and allow you take his place?
I......
If you've made up your mind, you can go in right now! The choice is yours whether you go in there by yourself, or with your entire mob!
If the Emperor agrees to your request, whatever it may be, count yourself lucky! However if he disagrees, then I will personally punish you for your crimes.
Spare my life Aunty! I...... I've been confused...... It was all him , Lord Dejing! It was he who suggested that I do all this
No! Princess, I was coerced by the crown prince.
You...
Move out of the way!
Li Chong Jun, no one has said anything about deposing you!
If you are unsatisfied with his majesty and the empress, you can submit a complaint.
There's no need to go about it in such a silly way. You're our kin, the future monarch of the Tang State......
Forgive me, Aunty!
I, Wu Sansi, on behalf of the Li Family, will kill this dishonorable son!
NO........ Guards!
Present.
No...... No...... Queen! Queen! I'm Lord Dejing! I have done nothing wrong!
Guo Er! Guo Er! Help me! Guo Er... (Anle)
Yan Xiu! Yan Xiu! Aunty, I beg of you...... please release my husband, please release Wu Yan Xiu......
The struggle for power claims another victim......
the death of a member of the Li - the Crown prince, the successor to the throne.
Taiping has yet again, been pulled into another struggle of power.
Her return to Chang'An has been a ray of light and hope in admist a sky full of dark grey clouds.
The country has just restored order, what the people need most right now is a sense of security.
Princess, your meal is ready.
Show Li Chongjun's people some leniency.
Princess, Chun informed us that you haven't eaten for days now.
You're all dismissed.
Your highness, please take care of your health, we will find another time to report to you.
Mr. Li, is there anything else to report?
I have submitted the proposal for delaying the renovation of the ancestral temple, but it was rejected this morning.
Queen Wei accused me of defying the ancestors, and has increased the funding to have the renovation done quicker.
Your proposal for the halt of the Kunming Lake expansion has also been rejected.
The Emperor rejected it?
The Emperor didn't say anything. In fact he has not spoken a word for a very long time now.
The entire place seems to be under the command of Queen Wei and Princess Anle.
You always told us to respect the Queen's wishes, but the Queen is always fulfilling whatever absurd demands Princess Anle makes.
Two days ago, she agreed to demolish five acres of farm to build a garden for the princess.
Everyone in the palace is complaining at the moment; please allow us to carry out collective impeachment against her.
Do nothing yet, I will have a chat with the Queen.
Princess, Wu Yan Xiu was released from prison by Princess Anle last night.
Why?
She said she had the Emperor's verbal decree.
What did the Emperor say?
The Emperor... didn't say anything.
Outrageous! Bring Yan Xiu back at once!
General Cui's men has surrounded the Princess' palace, the Princess' guards will not let us in.
The kid is way out of line! Come with me right now!
Yes.
Princess, Grand General Cui Ti has asked me to inform you that if you do not give up the traitor, he will attack the compound
He wouldn't dare.
Guoer, I'm doomed. you can't help me, you can't beat Princess Taiping !
Be quiet! No one can touch my husband! Taiping included!
Last night, when the Emperor did not meet with you, I knew then that there was no hope for me......
There is hope! Don't be afraid! Mother must help us convince father......He can't protect Lord Wu San Si, but he can't abandon you!
Go tell Grand General Cui Ti that attacking the royal residence is capital treason! If it's death he's looking for, then come!
Yes!
Princess Taiping has arrived!
You... You...
Liguo pays homage to the Royal Princess. I ask that you please release my husband!
Why? Just because he's your husband?
No! Because Yanxiu is the Wu Family's last remaining male. Can you not sympathise with the Wu Kingdom's last remaining male bloodline?
This I can empathize with, but I must take him back to face judgment. When a prince commits crime, it is no different under a common court of law!
You are a Princess, so like me you should understand this. Guards!
Here.
Take Wu Yanxiu back to face trial!
Yes.
Hold on! For one last time I beg the good princess for clemency....To pardon Wu Yanxiu!
Anle, please don't effect guards doing their duty.
If that's the case, then you better kill me first!
Do you know what you are doing?
I am rescuing my husband!
Guo'er! Put the sword down! I order you to put the sword down.
General Cui Ti, take Wu Yanxiu away.
Mother, why? Why are you also...
Because like his father he committed capital treason! No one can protect him now.
No, that's not the reason. It's because you are afraid of her! You are the Empress, Mother of the CountryWhy are you afraid of her?
The fact that you do nothing to protect Lord Wusansi is proof! Not even for the sake of my husband...
Hold your tongue! Take them away!
Guo'er! Guo'er! Don't forget me! Guo'er......
After the death of Empress Wuzetian. Taiping left, for three years!
The country was in a state of disrepair, it was us who restored governance. Yet she conveniently comes back now that the conditions are better!
Today, she takes my husband, tomorrow she can take me, take you, take anyone who stands in her way!
Your life is one without happiness. You arejealous of others who find happiness.
You, who scared your own husband to death, is now here to kill my husband!
You try to be so high and mighty, but the truth is, you're like a snake, even more spiteful than Empress Wu!
Take her away
Don't you forget, you owe me a husband.
Well, you should be satisfied with yourself.
Xiang'er, Can we talk? Xiang'er...
This used to be the classroom where poetry was studied. Laughter used to fill its hall way.
but now, power has changed people, driven families to foes, friends to enemies, and this once youthful and happy place, has now become a deserted hall.
Xiang'er (Wei), I haven't had a chance to chat with you since you got back, you seem very busy.
Likewise, If there's nothing important, I wish to leave.
Xiang'er, please wait, I just wanted to thank you for all you have done for Xian, without you, he won't be here today.
You two were always like this. Even when he wrote you love letters, you had to peruse them first before you approved.
Some of the best times of our lives were shared here, studying here in Lingyan Hall.
We use to sit there! Come sister, let us sit here for a while.
I use to always sit on the side of the window, today you get to sit there.
It's alright, you can have your window seat, that's the main seat, I'm only a study maid.
You're still mad at me for not letting you sit next to the window?
Xian use to always sit next to you. He was so chubby, and constantly sweating.
He was always the laughing stock of Lingyan Hall, but you were so kind to him. Only you could give him comfort ......
That's all in the past, why still mention them.
Yes, this room was once full of royal heirs who had very unfortunate fate. All sadly, stemming from the pursuit of power ......
You are trying to say that I'm following in their footsteps?
Xianger, why so sensitive?
Sensitive? How can I not be! You're all royal heirs, you all have the right to pursuit power!
But what about me? An orphan bought into the palace by your mother to be a study maid.
My right to sit here was all but a gift of kindness. I had to learn what to say what not to say, what to do what not to do.
To even merely ask If I could sit in the window seat was considered as crossing the line, too ambitious. Tell me Taiping, How can I not be sensitive!
But you're the Queen now, doesn't that make up for everything?
Yes, I went through hell with your brother in the Fangling province.
Now that I am back, I want to turn place into my heaven, to make up for everything that I've been through.
This is the palace; this is no one's heaven! The same rules apply to everyone. No one can abuse them!
Xiang'er, I want to talk to you about the ancestral temple, investing this amount of money and resources is not right, I have submitted a proposal...
I have read it, but Taiping, as the Queen, I only need to obey the will of one person, and that is the Emperor!
Then you should think about why I'm talking to you about it, and not to the Emperor!
Are you suggesting that I am interfering with politics?
Well are you? Because I'm not surprised if you are.
I only try and assist the emperor, but are you trying to convince me to do otherwise?
No I'm trying to discourage you...
What have I done that is worthy of your discouragement? Taiping, you're used to use discouragement as commends, you were always like this, even as a kid, you are always correct.
Even your taste in food, or the colour of the clothing needs to become a standard in the palace.
Aside from birth right, what else is there that makes you more superior than me?
We are equals today! You know, I think I understand your mother better than you do. We have shared similar tragic experiences.
She knows what it is like to be neglected by others, and she understands how to pursue happiness despite all the pain and suffering.
This is why I am worried about you, you can not use my mother as a role model, she was....unique. There will always only be one of her.
Unique or not, it is yet to be proven! Taiping, I always wanted an opportunity to compete with the royal heirs.
Everything I own today, everything I have achieved, I have earned them all by mysef!
Xiang'er.
Court in session!
Hey! Come and have look! Grains, seeds and cereal, I've got them all!
Hey! Quickly come and see! Poultry, fish and meat, lamb beef and pork...... freshly slaughtered!
Hurry, come and buy! Melons, fruits, pears and peaches, fresh fruits...... Pearl necklaces, gem rings, take a look, have a browse!
Wow – the majestic palace has become a bazaar, all by the whim of his royal majesty, is life but a game? Perhaps it is a demonstration of Emperor Xian's wisdom?
Let us keep watching, something is about to happen.
Minister Li Qiao has a scroll to submit.
All of you have been Ministers for so many years.
Is there anything else you do, apart from submitting scrolls that I have already been keeping track over the last few days?
Most of the recent advice you have all given me is utter nonsense!
Do you know why this is? It is because none of you understand the daily lives of the common person!
Today, I want you all to experience how a normal person thinks and feels. This will be of great benefit to you in governing the state!
From today onwards, the royal court will be a bazaar. The first lesson I will teach you is – doing business. Come on come on, everyone !
Your majesty, what exactly are we doing? Is this an effort to try and cheer up the emperor's wife and daughter?
This is ridiculous! This is simply a disgrace! He treats us like clueless children .
This is what you call a declining royal court! If Empress Wu were here, he'd be exiled again!
Hey, I've said it, today I do not want to hear any mentions of submitting scrolls! Minister Li, what have you bought there?
Your majesty, I haven't bought anything!
Why is that?
Because if I wished to buy anything, I can visit the Yuan An Fang Market in person. They have everything there.
Also the minister knows, wear royal robes among common merchants is to undermine the dignity of the court, and is in contrary to the Emperor's trust and confidence.
Are you mocking me?
The minister speaks honestly. Emperor, please understand!
Can you all tell me truthfuly whether or not I am a good Emperor?
Why do none of you speak? You mustn't play pretend in front of me. Tell me honestly, how do you all view me?
For an Emperor, the most important characteristic is rationality. He should always exercise restraint of his own whims.
Because his words are related to the percepts of the law. You are my hope for the Li family era, however your words and actions don't match the model of a monarch.
Emperor, there is discord in the present royal court, and cliques have formed. Those that are faithful, fear that our administation may fall into chaos.
We hope Princess Taiping can help, witnesses seek refuge under the Queen,
While careerists and opportunists flatter Princess Anle! Encouraging the princess to harm the population, disrupting law and order.
Your majesty! Princess Anle is your daughter, one of many Princesses of the Tang Dynasty, yet she is unlike any other.
Never before has both mother and daughter manipulated affairs from behind the scenes.
You're majesty, allowing them to commit various appalling crimes, causes serious harm to your reputation.
The Ministers are risking death, to beg you, please retrain your kin, restore order and your reputation as the Emperor!
Emperor!
Since I am not a qualified Emperor, why am I still sitting here? I'd like to follow the ex-Emperor's example, and abdicate the throne to the Queen, make her the Empress.
Emperor! All under Heaven is ruled by Li, it cannot be changed, we cannot repeat the tragedies of the Wu revolution!
The conflicts between the Wu and Li Families have caused much loodshed! Too many lives have been lost in the struggle for power!
Emperor! Only recently have we achieved peace, you mustn't act on a whim. This will cause unrest and lead to another war! All the minister: Emperor you mustn't...
You all unsatisfied with me, and dissatisfied with the Queen, so who do you think is appropriate? Will Princess Taiping be appropriate?
If the Emperor is no longer joking, Princess Taiping would be the best choice to succeed you.
you believe... you believe too....Is that what you all believe?
Alright! Looks like my whims have not gone to waste! Close the market, court dismissed!
Have you searched everywhere?
Palace Supervisor: The Daming Palace, The Tian Ning Bridge, the Yu Yang Gardens, we've searched all the places the Princess likes to visit.
Where do you think she went?
Relax, she can't have gone far, she couldn't bear leaving Chang'An.
Look at what you've done! You are the Emperor of the state, and yet you take yourself for a joke.
You play tug-o-war in the imperial court, and now you're opening a market in the hall.
Your officials think you've no prestige. Even your own daughter has lost all respect for you.
Li Xian: Of course none of you can respect me, the officials want a prestigious and strict master.
I am unable to meet their standards; you want an Emperor, I'm not good enough; Anle wants a father who can offer her the throne! No matter what I do, I'm still not good enough!
I don't want to meet those demands! None of you will respect me, because I am simply just an ordinary person......
I care only for my family and my feelings, concerned only with my incense, and my mood.
I just don't have the ability to solve problems greater than those.
But I am not foolish! I know the kind of person who should govern the State.
Anle, Where did you go?! You had as us so worried!
I went to see Yan Xiu...He's dead.
What is the matter? The court hasn't tried him yet...... how come he's......
I killed him. Since I cannot protect him, then I will not allow others to harm him.
Why ........ Why would you do that?!
All because of you! I begged for you to save Yan Xiu, you hid and refused to see me. I asked mother to beg you, but you had Taiping stifle her!
You don't look like an Emperor at all! In the past you were afraid of Empress Wu, and now you're afraid of her daughter!
Have you forgotten who was beside you during the most painful and bleak moments of your life, and gave you warmth and love?
Have you forgotten all that we've sacrificed for you?!
I haven't forgotten.
Correct! You haven't completely forgotten! But you have no ability to repay us!
Today, Wu Sansi is dead, Yan Xiu is dead, the entire Wu family is dead!
I want to place Yan Xiu's tombstone in the Imperial Ancestral Temple, I want you to denounce Taiping this way!
I want it situated there, so every time she pays homage to her ancestors, she will have to face and kneel before my husbands ghost! I want no peace for her remaining days!
That's impossible! Your husband committed crimes, if I do so, it will challenge my authority!
Did you ever understand my feeling?
I will let you see how misable I am!
What are you doing?!Why... Why you doing it?
Do you know how I see you? You are an incompetent Emperor! an irresponsible father......
I was born to follow you, wander with you, back and forth.
When I first arrived in Chang'An, even the maids would laugh at my Fang Ling Accent!
I remember growing up in fear, fearing that one day the imperial court might send someone and have us all killed.
It was at that moment where I began to understand things...Everyday I watched you two crying in each others arms......
Time and time again you committed suicide, time and time again, mother would save you, bring you off the beam from which you hung yourself.
Did you ever consider my feelings? You thought you were afraid?
I was more scared than you! I was extremely afraid! I didn't want to die! When you committed suicide, did you ever think about me?
Did you ever consider what would have happened if you were gone, what would mother and us children do?
Then, gradually, I began to understand you– - my father. You are a selfish man...I hate you!
You will shut your mouth! If I were selfish, then I wouldn't have spoilt you like this! I would not have use my hard earned power to repay you like the way I have!
With all the reckless spending and crimes you have committed! In order for you to expand your estate, you had your servants slaughter innocent people!
Your expenditure over 6 months is enough to cover a single military campaign with the Tujue...... Any Emperor can could have banished you for any one of these things.
But I've always been tolerant of you! You are the reason why I have become the ‘clueless emperor', the laughing stock among my officials!
Do you still think I have not repaid you enough? I will tell you one more time, I can not change the past.
But if you are not more careful, I'm warning you, you will end up just like your husband Yan Xiu!
Don't you dare bring up Yan Xiu! My husband was murdered by you! Murdered by your cowardice and incompetence!
It was your fear of Taping! But mark my words, I am not afraid of her! She has great power and ability, but I will fight her! Just you wait and see!
Anle, where are you going? Come back here now!
She is crazy, she is not herself! I can't let her continue like this! It will be the end of her, the end of me, the end our entire family......
go, have her locked up!
No, Is this how you repay us? You mock me in front of so many of your officials, and now you get rid your own daughter on someone else's behalf?
Do you want to make the same decisions that your mother made for us when she was in power?
Forget about it!...
Let's Get up...
We can't keep going on like this! Taiping is prejudicial towards us. She absolutely will never forgive us, you have to...
Don't say anymore! I understand what you desire, you needn't be so sensitive! I just can't take anymore...
As an Emperor, I still have this last bit of freedom.
However, I will remind you, not everyone can become a women like my mother.
What do you mean by that?
I'm only giving you a warning. That is the best advice, and my greatest reward I can offer you!
Princess Anle does whatever she wishes, dishonoring the royal family name. She is sent to sit by her husband's grave to contemplate her husband's crime and to correct her ways.
Yan Xiu, yesterday in prison, you asked me to avenge you, and I agreed I would. I will have those who murdered you pay the price! Don't be afraid.
This is for you, and for me. If what I must do defies the will of the heavens, and I am worthy of punishment, then I alone will bear the burden!
I hope I have your blessing from heaven. I want to attain all that is rightfully mine!