= Love Like The Galaxy=
=Episode 54=
I remember how I used to
make maltose candy for Her Majesty here.
When His Majesty found out about it,
he rewarded you.
At that time, I was really upset.
I told Her Majesty
that since I engaged to you,
everyone saw me as your fiancee.
No one saw me as Cheng Shaoshang anymore.
Her Majesty said
that I was brought up as an independent lady.
I only cared about myself,
my personal gains and losses.
She said I should try to be more amenable.
She said
I should try to be more flexible.
I once hated you for leaving me behind.
I hated you for going your own way,
and the fact that you would rather jump off the cliff
than walk by my side.
I hated how I showed you my true feelings,
but you repaid it with lies.
It's been five years.
It took me a lot of effort to let go of our past.
It's impossible for me
to show you my true feelings again.
Neither can I trust you again.
Shaoshang,
I'm sorry.
Whatever your decision is,
I'll always respect it.
My days in the Northwest
were filled with regrets.
I understand how you felt.
I knew
that you were scared of getting left behind.
Yet, I chose to hurt you
in the most painful way possible.
I spent the first 20 years of my life
full of hatred,
and I'm going to spend the rest of my life
with regrets.
If I'm given the chance again,
I'll do whatever I can to prove to you my sincerity.
But I know
I no longer have the right to do that for you.
I once told Her Majesty this.
If men are the proud sun,
lighting the earth,
then ladies
are the stars,
embellishing the night sky.
They're as important as each other,
and they have to coexist
to sustain the planet.
I'll take good care of myself.
After I deliver Her Majesty's crown back to her homeland,
I will travel the world to witness its vastness.
One will learn invaluable life lessons through traveling.
And you will take good care of yourself too,
right?
After I am done carrying out the Land Distribution Order,
I'll return to the Northwest
to guard the country's border again.
I wish to keep protecting the beautiful galaxy on earth.
I'll take good care of myself,
and live a good life.
Her Majesty loved the beautiful autumn season the most.
Young Lady, please stop grieving.
It's been 49 days since Empress Xuan's passing.
She would worry about you
if you keep mourning her death.
It was just casual chatter.
I spent years with Her Majesty
and I knew her health condition very well.
It was a chronic illness,
and I knew this would happen sooner or later.
Fortunately,
her death was peaceful
and painless.
Seeing that
put me at ease.
Niaoniao.
I made your favorite sweet cake.
Let's taste it together.
Let's go.
Here.
Have a taste.
What do you think?
Forget it.
I know I'll never be a good cook.
Dear, why are you being so harsh on yourself again?
Niaoniao hasn't even said anything about the food yet.
Good girl, Niaoniao.
What a good girl, Niaoniao.
I woke up at dawn
just to make this for you myself.
Have some more.
Dear.
You should scold her.
You look more intimidating when you're being so gentle.
General.
That's nonsense.
I don't mind putting up a facade forever
as long as it can make Niaoniao happy.
We spent 15 years
away from home.
I didn't even get to do this to her.
Then, Niaoniao moved to the palace
and stayed there for the next five years.
I lost my chance to do this to her.
Niaoniao.
Just let me do this for you.
Please don't mock me
if one day I lose the ability to keep doing this.
Niaoniao,
it was my fault.
After all, it was also my first time
being the mother of a lady.
I didn't know that raising a daughter
was so different from leading a troop.
I also didn't know
that daughters were so different from sons.
I want to change,
but you're growing too fast.
I don't have enough time to figure out how to make the changes.
I made a mistake,
Niaoniao.
If I were given another chance,
I would never leave you behind again.
Even if it would put both of us at risk,
I would keep you by my side too.
We're a family and we'll go through all challenges together.
Your mother is right.
If we were given a chance again,
I would stand up against your Grandmother and Madam Ge,
and insist on keeping you by my side.
General.
Do you really dare
stand up against Old Madam?
Of course.
Then, why don't you send these snacks
to Old Madam?
Besides, you can also inform Old Madam
that you're going to the State of Yu
to settle the civil disturbance caused by the Land Distribution Order.
Let's see if Old Madam
will make a fuss out of it.
What's the point of bringing this up?
What if she decides to stand in my way?
There're only two people
I'm ever worried about.
No.
Three.
My mother,
Niaoniao,
and you.
Father.
Who's the worst?
Of course,
it's your mother.
Let me send the snacks
to my grandmother.
Gods and Goddesses,
please
bless Zhi.
Please wish him a smooth journey ahead.
I gave birth to Zhi
at the best time.
That day,
the clouds in the sky
were first in the shape of a dragon,
then changed into the shape of a tiger.
That's right.
Third Master was a county magistrate, and is now a provincial officer.
Soon,
he'll be posted to the capital and get appointed as the great minister.
Zhi is really fortunate.
I did a good job
giving birth to him at the right time.
The Old Deity said
that Zhi...
Old Madam,
stop bringing up that man.
He made a mistake during the fortune-telling
and forced Fourth Lady to stay behind.
That eventually sowed the discord between Fourth Lady and First Madam.
They suffered for many years because of him.
Is Grandmother eating well?
Young Lady, you stayed in the palace during the past five years.
Now, you're finally back home.
Although Old Madam didn't say it out loud,
deep down, she is very happy about it.
Back then,
I was blinded by all the lies they told me.
I listened to Madam Ge's words
and all I wanted
was to manipulate Shi and his wife.
I caused so much trouble for Niaoniao.
If I got to do this
all over again,
I'd definitely take good care of Niaoniao.
I would take very good care of her.
She's my granddaughter.
Niaoniao can marry
whoever she wants in the future.
It's fine even if she wants to stay single.
I've told Shi about this.
I'll leave all my money and my jewelry
to Niaoniao
after I pass away.
Even if she is to stay single forever,
she'll have something to back her up.
That's enough, Old Madam.
That's enough.
I owe her a lot.
Lianfang.
Do you still remember
how I fell really ill
when we were living in the small hut in the countryside?
If it weren't for you
who took really good care of me,
I would've lost my life
a long time ago.
It's destined that Young Lady will live a long and healthy life.
You're always blessed with good luck.
Lianfang dare not take credit for that.
Back then, I had no idea what my parents
and my brothers
were like.
You were the only one
I could trust.
Those are all in the past.
Now, Master, First Madam, and Young Masters
dote on Young Lady.
What happened in the past few years feels like a dream to me.
In the past month,
I've been wondering
if I'll wake up
from this dream.
Young Lady, you must be really tired.
You took a long nap
and are probably feeling a little confused.
In fact, I really want to reconcile with my grandmother too.
I just find it very difficult to bond with her.
Perhaps I'm still holding grudges against her
for what she did to separate me and my parents during those years.
I probably still blame her for what happened.
Because of her, in that 15 years,
I haven't felt care and love
from my own family.
However, when the Cheng Family was in a dire situation,
she came forward to help us
and tried her best to be my family.
However,
I still have no idea how to face her.
Young Lady, you've been through so much.
It makes sense that you find it difficult iron out your differences.
My mother used to say
that I was stubborn.
I didn't agree with her.
Now, I have realized what she said was true.
First Madam has...
Lianfang.
You've said enough.
I understand where my mother is coming from.
From now on,
I'll move on from the past.
I won't get bothered
by people who hate me
and dislike me.
Instead,
I'll always remember
the people who like me
and take good care of me.
When I'm reminded of them,
I'll have the courage to keep living.
We should always
look on the bright side.
There's still a long way to go.
This is what I should do to live a good life.
I'm leaving tomorrow.
I'm here today
to bid farewell.
I'm going to meet His Majesty
to inform him about my departure as well.
To save my blood brother
two years ago,
my father jeopardized General Weng, the head of the Army of Conquest.
He was sentenced to death.
To save my father,
Huo Buyi led his soldiers there to help my father.
He almost lost his life because of that.
Thankfully, His Majesty was merciful.
His Majesty only removed my father from his official position,
and sent my parents to Jiaodong to receive their punishments.
On the other hand,
I'm also asking His Majesty to post me to the countryside,
so that I can work on the Land Distribution Order.
How are Official Yuan and Madam Yuan doing?
They are better than ever.
My father thought he had brought shame to the Yuan Family.
He fell ill soon after that.
Since then, my mother has been taking care of him.
She wishes to return to the hometown together with my father.
I guess
that's a happy ending for them.
However,
they were still worried about our marriage arrangement
before they left for the countryside.
Sorry, Yuan Shanjian.
In the end,
I still couldn't give you what you asked for.
I have always expected this
to happen.
Don't worry about me.
I'll be appointed as one of the most important officials in the future.
All my descendants
will reach a high rank.
We will all be the officials of the government,
and the Yuan Family will prosper.
What a pity.
You won't get to be
the wife of one of the most important officials.
I'm sure there's someone out there
who deserves this position more than I do.
Shaoshang.
I always knew
that I would lose this game.
Although I lost,
I have no regrets.
Yes.
I lost the game,
but Huo Buyi didn't win,
right?
Over these years,
I've been waiting for you to come to me.
But this time,
I hope that you can leave before I do.
Don't look back.
Otherwise,
I might regret my decision to let you go with him.
Young Lady.
How have you been doing?
I know what's on your mind,
but I can't give you what you want.
Have you made up your mind?
I have.
You almost lost your life while you were trying to save my father.
It'd be very shameless of me
if I were to keep fighting with you.
His Majesty is now pushing the Land Distribution Order
at all the provinces.
I'll have to visit the states personally
to keep an eye on the progress of the Land Distribution Order.
Hopefully, what I do can contribute to the development of the nation.
Then, I'll return to the capital again.
What about you?
I'm working on the Land Distribution Order as well.
His Majesty has ordered the construction
of the Prime Minister's Camp at the State of Yu.
I worry that there are still traitors
who wish to harm His Majesty.
I'm planning to go there
to back the Crown Prince up.
If I remember it correctly,
this is supposed to be General Cheng's duty.
You're such a good son-in-law.
You are going to the battlefield on your father-in-law's behalf.
But there's something I don't quite get.
You helped Cheng Song kill the traitors in Shu
because he's Shaoshang's elder brother.
You escorted the Crown Prince to the country on General Cheng's behalf
because he is Shaoshang's father.
It's something you should do.
However, why did you decide to help us, the Yuan Family?
After all,
I still can't get over
Shaoshang.
You're still my love rival.
Other than your own family,
I'm the one who cares for you the most
across the capital.
It's true.
Be it in the past,
or in the future,
Shaoshang won't be able to put her mind at ease
if you don't do well.
Just like how I didn't get upset
when she nominated Lou Yao.
Although she appears cold on the outside,
she has always been a very caring person.
She can only put her mind at ease,
when those she cares for are doing well.
That's why I want to make sure all of you are doing well.
Only then will she be able
to set her mind at rest.
I've always thought
that it's not a good thing to get too invested in a relationship.
Because of the uncontrollable emotions,
my father felt dejected,
my mother lived her life in agony,
and I had no parents to protect me
when I was a kid.
I was left on my own.
Yet,
you take these feelings more seriously than I do.
You're more foolish than I am.
That's why you're more worthy of her love.
I wish
that the guy who eventually gets to stay by her side
is the one who treats her the best.
It's only a dozen miles away from Hua County.
Do you want to pay Lou Yao a visit?
Yao is a very generous guy.
He puts the people before everything else.
Now that he's been appointed as the county magistrate,
I'm sure he will manage Hua County really well.
It's nice seeing how well he and He Zhaojun are doing.
I think I should leave them alone.
Stop!
Lady Cheng.
A young lady is asking to see you.
Lady Cheng.
It's been a while.
Lou Li.
Yao heard that you were passing by this area,
and he sent me here to invite you to Hua County for a meal.
Thanks for the invitation.
I'm delivering the Empress' crown back to her homeland.
It's not that convenient for me to drop by.
Yao sent me here,
hoping that his old friend
can take a look at how Hua County has flourished.
He wants to tell you
that Hua County is no longer the shabby place you once knew.
The people of the county are living a peaceful and happy life.
No one can separate the families again.
Unfortunately, Zhaojun's pregnancy is due soon,
and he can't excuse himself.
Otherwise, he'd be here to invite you over personally.
Lady Cheng,
are you really not going to drop by?
Go ahead.
All right.
I'll come with you.
Zhaojun's pregnancy is due soon.
Yet, you're carrying the late Empress's belongings with you.
I'm afraid...
Shaogong.
You should stay here and keep an eye on the items.
I'll be right back after dinner.
Sure.
I'll come with you.
(Posthouse of Hua County)
Lady Lou,
your attire...
Some time ago,
my parents were dead back at home.
I'm still mourning their death.
Please forgive me, Lady Cheng.
Lady Cheng.
This way, please.
It seems like there are lesser bodyguards
guarding the city than before.
His Majesty implemented the Land Distribution Order at the State of Yu.
Many villages nearby are interested in the new law.
Yuan Shanjian has been patrolling the border of the city.
Lou Yao
has dispatched his guards there to back him up.
That's why we don't have many men left
in the county office.
Why?
Has Lady Cheng gotten used to
being surrounded by your servants?
Are you feeling uneasy
because we don't have enough servants here?
Come at me.
Tell me now.
Who sent you here?
He was carrying poison in his mouth, and he's dead.
Search the place.
Yes.
Come with me.
Yes.
I didn't expect Shaoshang's unannounced visit.
Please forgive me for the lack of hospitality.
I met Lady Cheng on my way home,
and it hit me that it's been a while since you last met.
Therefore, I invited her over for a meal.
Yao.
Zhaojun.
You won't be upset by what I did, right?
Of course, not.
Shaoshang.
Something happened to Lou Li's family over the past few years.
Please don't take her words
to heart.
On my way here,
I can tell
that Yao and Zhaojun
have managed Hua County really well.
The street looks much busier
than before.
I learned many tips from you
on how to build houses.
Shaoshang,
I'm so sorry.
I shouldn't have vented my anger on you
when my brother committed suicide.
However, at that time,
I had no news about Yanji.
I was too nervous, so...
The Lou Family used to be a reputable family.
Look at what we've become now.
We can only blame it on the person
who took the Lou Family as a stepping stone.
All she wanted was a bright future for herself.
Lou Li.
The Lou Family only ended up like this
because Lou Ben made a mistake.
We can't put the blame on someone else.
Let's eat.
This seat is for...
That's for...
Lady Cheng.
This buttermilk is rare in Hua County.
Give it a good taste.
Thank you.
Zhaojun.
Zhaojun, what's the matter?
Yao, my belly hurts.
I might be going into labor.
Didn't the physician say the due date was a month from now?
Why is this happening?
The only female physician in Hua County who can help now is Madam Chen.
However, I heard
that she has gone to Qing County with her husband
to visit their relatives.
I'm going to get her now.
Zhaojun, hang in there.
Li, I'll leave this to you.
You can count on me.
I'll be back really soon.
Someone send Zhaojun
to the family temple. It's more spacious there.
Lady Cheng, you're a woman too.
Please help us.
I know that you weren't on good terms with Zhaojun,
but please do this for Yao.
Please help her.
I can't hold on any longer.
Sure.
We found something,
Young Master.
We searched the place
and found tens of corpses
abandoned in the drains nearby.
Some of them were wearing the armors belong to the guards of Hua County,
while some of them...
Judging from their attire,
they seem to be the household troops who served the residence of Official Yuan.
Black Armored Guard.
-Yes. -Yes.
Follow me to Hua County now.
-Yes. -Yes.
(Temple)
Get in there.
Let's go. Be careful.
(Learn From The Great Man)
Why is there a family temple in the county office?
Is anyone cultivating here?
You're dismissed.
Close the door when you're on your way out.
Yes.
Cheng Shaoshang!
The beacon-fire has knocked over the white snow
I caress the scars gently from the past
Your back to the light, your eyes contain the galaxy
I hum as the sun and the moon mutter back
The light between your brows
Was put out and rekindled by the secular world
The sky, the mountain, and the ocean, whom do I part them for?
As I wake up from the blue sea, stone steles stand like a mountain range
Under the lantern, criticisms were thrown, the narrow door could not contain my feelings
The joys and woes of this mortal life, we speak as we dream of the future
Both of us will be
In the sea of stars, burning bright with our sincerity
Our sincerity