= Love Like The Galaxy=
=Episode 35=
You could say Ling Buyi and Lady Cheng's betrothal was
barely a happy event.
Lord Ruyang
seems to be rejoicing.
What do you mean by barely?
Yuan Shanjian,
how obnoxious can you be?
Every time you're betrothed,
there's bound to be trouble.
Do you still find it a joyous occasion?
Tell me.
Do you regret leading on Ling Buyi?
Not at all.
It's none of your business either.
Ungrateful kid.
I was your teacher.
Is it wrong for me to be concerned?
Every time you're betrothed, it brings trouble each time.
It shows the husband you choose is inferior to the other.
Yuan Shanjian,
it's hard for me to figure out what you're trying to say.
Don't tell me
you're jealous of me.
That's absurd.
There's nothing
about you that worth for me to be jealous of.
It was because my luck is improving.
My previous betrothal may not work.
But I was betrothed again right after.
Unlike you, Mr. Yuan.
You're almost the same age as Zisheng.
But you still haven't found a fiancee.
Many young ladies from aristocratic families
are attending my betrothal banquet.
How
about I find a match for you?
I guess when people get married,
they can't help but make everyone get married too.
How vulgar.
What's his problem?
I, Wan Songbai greet Your Majesty.
General Wan, please rise and take your seat.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
I didn't expect
you'd return with a victory this quickly.
I feel
so relieved.
Your Majesty,
those thieves aren't even worth mentioning.
I didn't have to use a lot of effort
to wipe them all out
and rescue General Wang.
He's now in my encampment.
Wang Long said
he left his post
because he received a military order from his father, Wang Chun.
Your Majesty,
Wang Chun and his son had defied the military order.
They should be punished severely.
Father,
this matter is suspicious.
We still need to investigate this matter.
Your Majesty,
you can let the Ministry of Justice investigate this.
I may be old now.
But I've recruited new talent.
Shanjian,
introduce yourself to His Majesty.
Attendant Gentleman of the Ministry of Justice, Yuan Shen
greets His Majesty.
I remember you.
You're Huangfu Yi's last disciple.
When he was in office,
he recommended you to me once.
He said
you're the prodigy of the generation.
I don't deserve such a compliment.
I shall not deserve any merits for my incompetence.
Hence, I'm willing to serve Your Majesty.
Good.
Then Wang Long's case...
Your Majesty,
I started investigating both father and son
after Wang Long was captured.
When General Wan returned with a victory last night,
I inspected Wang Long's letter that very night.
We found
that the military order came
from Wang Chun's wife, Madam Wen Xiu
who imitated Wang Chun's handwriting.
Even the seal was also forged.
All this was
because Madam Wen Xiu was in urgent need of money
to support Junior Lord Qian'an who's in Shouchun.
Only then did Wang Long take the risk.
This is the piece of evidence.
Please inspect it, Your Majesty.
Outrageous!
Madam Wen Xiu actually instigated
Junior Lord Qian'an to mint coins without permission.
I
only grounded her as punishment
for the sake of Lord Qian'an's accomplishment.
But she caused
so many troubles.
Fine.
Since she wants to die,
I
shall fulfill her wish.
Pass down my decree.
From now on,
imprison Madam Wen Xiu,
strip off her titles
and grant her death.
Your Majesty,
Madam Wen Xiu is after all a narrow-minded woman
who knows nothing of military interest.
But Wang Chun allowed
his wife and children to behave foolishly.
Thus, his action shows...
He's not fit to hold any positions in court.
Zisheng,
it was a momentary oversight from General Wang's side.
How can he lead the army if he can't manage his household?
Even if he hides the army seal under his pillow,
I suppose General Wang will still lose it.
I wonder if someone as muddle-headed as he
can protect the capital
and the country in the future?
That's right.
Low morality but wants a high status.
Not intelligent but wants to plan big.
People like these always end with disaster.
Father,
I think
we should punish Wang Chun and his son severely.
I've already given Wang Chun a chance.
But he never mends his ways.
His moral character is not worthy.
That means he can no longer be the Cavalry General.
All right.
Pass down my decree.
From today on,
remove the Wang father and son from their positions,
confiscate their properties,
and demote them as commoners.
Your Majesty,
Madam Wen Xiu acts recklessly without fear
and Wang Chun lets her behavior go unchecked.
If you ask me,
it's mostly due to someone's poor supervision
when relatives are committing crimes.
Crown Prince,
do you have anything to say?
Father,
Wang Chun wasn't aware
of all these.
Madam Wen Xiu was only trying
to protect her younger brother...
That's enough.
There's nothing to discuss any further.
You're all dismissed.
Yes, Your Majesty!
(Chongde Hall)
General Wan, you made another contribution.
It's worth celebrating.
Congratulations.
General Wan,
you're able to accomplish so much.
This time,
Madam Wen Xiu and her son's crimes are announced to the world.
I guess the Xuan clan can feel
your loyalty and bravery.
Grand Tutor Lou, I don't deserve such praise.
I'm merely a military general.
I'll only go wherever His Majesty orders me to go.
The rest is none of my concern.
I'm just making a living.
Making a living.
The Crown Prince still keeps his position.
Grand Tutor Lou, you don't have to worry.
Unlike the Yue clan
who have to be dependent on the whims of others.
It's such a hard life.
General Ling.
General Ling,
Lady Cheng asked me to deliver this, especially for you.
While you were at the court assembly,
Lady Cheng has been watching the fire.
She said this bowl of soup would be ready
by the time you're done with the court assembly.
You can go now.
General Ling,
Lady Cheng sure
dotes on you.
It makes everyone envious of you.
Official Ji, let me take my leave.
Shanjian,
you're not young anymore.
Why aren't you married yet?
No matter what temperament a woman has,
one will get bored of it
after marriage.
I'm not interested in marrying.
Lady Wang,
I've told you so many times.
Her Majesty is not feeling well.
Are you trying to prevent Her Majesty from getting proper rest
by making a scene outside Changqiu Palace?
Lady Wang,
if I get the eunuchs to drag you out,
won't it be embarrassing?
You lowly servants used
to lower yourselves before me in the past.
Seeing the downfall of my family,
you're all trampling on me!
What a bunch of opportunistic snobs!
Her Majesty is the head of the imperial harem.
Changqiu Palace's servants don't need to flatter anyone.
Even if the princes and princesses are here,
they still show respect.
As the daughter of an official,
you're sure domineering.
Darn you, Cheng Shaoshang.
I knew you were a treacherous person.
Now that my family has fallen into this state,
you can finally get what you wished for
and watch how I fall.
I will not leave.
I want to see Her Majesty!
Your Majesty!
Your Majesty, are you really going
to watch our family fall apart?
Aunt!
Aunt, help me!
Help me for the sake of being
my mother's close relatives!
Close relatives?
Madam Wen Xiu is only a cousin
from Her Majesty's maternal family.
Don't speak as if they're very closed.
Fifth Princess has arrived!
Wang Ling,
your mother caused a lot of mess.
She usually treats Mother with disrespect.
You still have the cheek to plead with Mother.
That's pretty shameless of you.
We always have close relationships
and I've waited upon you too.
How
about saving my family again?
I'm not as good-tempered as my mother.
You should leave now.
Or else I'll order the Director of the Palace Domestic Service
to flog you to death under the crime of causing havoc in the palace.
We shall see who'll speak up for you.
Fifth Princess,
no need to make a huge gesture over a trifling matter.
I'll just scold Lady Wang away.
That's fine too.
I'll leave this matter to you.
I'll come back in a few days to offer Mother's birthday gift.
Aunt!
Aunt, help!
If you don't want to die from being flogged,
you better keep quiet now.
This is a grave matter that involves too many people.
It's not something that you and I can interfere with.
Your Majesty, Lady Cheng is here.
Lately,
you've been sending meals to Zisheng.
I reckon
your cooking has improved a lot.
That brat, Zisheng wasn't willing
to share with me.
Luckily, you're more sensible than he is.
Your Majesty, what do you think?
This taste...
I haven't tasted it for more than ten years.
At that time,
my uncle didn't have good teeth.
He loves eating tofu the most.
So I had a few tastes of it after that.
I especially learned how to make this dish.
Speaking of tofu,
Shouchun's tofu is the best.
Your Majesty,
try this meat broth.
Why did you prepare
Shouchun dishes today?
Wang Ling sent these ingredients to the palace.
I'm sure you also know
that her maternal grandfather's family is from Shouchun.
So they naturally would prepare these dishes.
Wang Ling will be married off to Shouchun soon.
Of course, she'll get to eat these dishes anytime.
But
if Madam Wen Xiu is no longer here,
it won't be easy for Her Majesty to eat these
when she craves these.
That's why Wang Ling
specially taught me how to cook these dishes.
She said if Her Majesty craves them,
I can prepare these dishes for her.
It can be considered as a way to express her kind intention.
She's indeed a filial child.
It's just
that she has a muddle-headed mother.
In the past,
she was so mean to you.
Instead of implicating her more,
you went in circles to speak up for her.
I can't believe you see me
as someone petty.
I just want her to have a better life in the future.
You have a kind heart too.
How about this?
I'll grant Wang Ling a handsome dowry.
Her marriage with Peng Kun
may be arranged by Madam Wen Xiu.
But Peng Kun
once saved Lord Qian'an's life
and took part in rescuing Gu City.
He's considered
to have made a great contribution to my cause.
Now,
he's guarding Shouchun
and is considered a senior official.
He may not be in perfect health.
But she won't suffer as much
if she marries him.
I express my thanks to His Majesty
on behalf of Lady Wang and Her Majesty.
How is this matter related to the Empress?
The Old Lord Qian'an
after all raised Her Majesty for a while.
On normal days,
Madam Wen Xiu may be domineering
and disrespectful to Her Majesty.
But Her Majesty just endured her.
Her Majesty wasn't scared of Madam Wen Xiu.
She sees her as an old friend.
But now
Madam Xiu Wen will die for her crime.
After Her Majesty heard of this,
she fell sick again.
I suppose she'll be sad for some time.
Zisheng
also told me the same thing.
The Old Lord Qian'an died
from trying to rescue Huo.
And Madam Wen Xiu and her brother are
his only direct descendants left
in this world.
Never mind.
She may have forged
a military order
which is punishable by death.
But luckily
there were no serious consequences.
I shall pardon her from capital punishment.
Thank you Your Majesty for sparing her life.
If Your Majesty tells Her Majesty of this,
she'll definitely get better.
Let's go.
Follow me to see the Empress.
Yes, Your Majesty.
What are you doing here?
You have been close to your father
since you were young.
Are you here
to cry over my death?
You gave birth to me after carrying me for ten months.
How could I not come and see you?
Besides,
I have something to ask you.
Did you know Uncle deceived you
and they were taking advantage of you?
Mobilizing troops arbitrarily
will have our property confiscated and the whole family executed.
What do you mean by "they?"
They are
the descendants of the Qian'an Royalty.
Without the Qian'an Royalty,
you wouldn't have been born.
Mother.
I heard when Grandfather was alive,
Uncle always took you lightly
and treated you with disrespect.
Why do you have to destroy your life because of him?
It's not just for your uncle.
It's
for the Qian'an Royalty's
reputation.
Someday,
you can also use Qian'an Royalty
as your support.
Forget about the so-called support.
Forget about Uncle.
Even if Grandfather is still alive,
you never get any benefit from the Qian'an Family's glory.
Let alone a niece like me.
Can't you wake up?
Mother.
You unambitious evil thing.
Indeed,
you're stupid like your father.
All right.
Fine.
One more question.
After all that had happened,
Father and Brother were implicated in this matter.
Do you even care for us one bit?
For the Qian'an Royalty's great cause,
I
can't be worried about too many people.
Mother.
Do you know
Uncle wrote a letter to His Majesty
and puts all the blame on you?
He said he knew nothing of forging coins
and mobilizing any troops.
It was because his fief is poor
so he asked you for some money.
He only wanted his concubines and children
to be well-off.
He said you did everything on your accord.
Do you know
His Majesty planned to execute you?
But he changed his mind because of Her Majesty
and decided to put you under house arrest.
The person you've been cursing every day
ended up saving your life.
While the person you tried so hard to protect
can't wait to see you die instantly.
Your uncle
is right.
There'll be hope
if one still lives.
He did it in the interest of everyone.
For the interest of everyone.
After I arrive in Shouchun,
I'll pray to heaven every day
to bless His Majesty and Her Majesty
with long life,
good health, and freedom from worries.
As for you,
you can protect your dream that will never be realized
in this house for the rest of your life.
Mother,
you're finally all better now.
Father said he'll hold a birthday banquet
for you on your birthday to cheer you up.
It's only been days since I've recovered.
I still don't feel very well.
I don't wish to hold the birthday banquet.
You don't have to do anything about your birthday banquet.
If you let me take care of the purchases,
my aides and I
can help share your burden of work.
Your father has said
to let Shaoshang take care of the birthday banquet.
It hasn't been long since Cheng Shaoshang came to the palace.
She had never attended your birthday banquet before.
How is she supposed to know how to organize it?
Mother,
please talk to Father about it.
I can definitely do better than Cheng Shaoshang.
Are you sure you want to share my burden?
You're clearly going to do something that will worry me.
You'll be married to Marquis Yue's son soon.
It's unreasonable for a princess who's getting married
to manage the affairs of the imperial harem.
Besides,
your father has been checking the expenditures.
If you planned to embezzle money from the imperial harem's expenditures,
you can stop thinking about it.
Mother, that's a harsh thing to say.
I have to manage a huge princess's mansion.
How can I not find ways to make money?
Your birthday banquet is around the corner,
Father will definitely spend more on it.
If I help you manage it,
I can get some money from it.
What's wrong with that?
Are you doing this for the mansion
or to support your aides?
You'll be wedded off soon.
I suggest you
dismiss all those aides.
So as not to embarrass the Yue clan.
If it embarrasses them, don't take me in.
I don't even want to marry into their family.
Besides,
the aides in my mansion are
all decent men.
They never fool around.
What's that smell?
Are you preparing food for Zisheng again?
Lately,
you've been sending someone to deliver food to Zisheng's carriage.
Many officials saw that.
Now everyone inside and outside the palace is saying
that you're a virtuous person.
Is that true? Did they say I'm virtuous?
Just being virtuous to the fiance.
But not filial piety.
Are you saying we're not filial to you, Your Majesty?
But we're toiling so hard
to make syrup for you.
The sweets in the palace are precious.
I came up with the idea
to make more sugar
so Your Majesty can have sweet food every day.
So you'll be in a better mood every day.
Here, try this.
How is it?
It's really sweet.
It seems like
I can stop visiting
the Changqiu Palace every day.
There's someone
who knows how to please the Empress better than I do.
Your Majesty.
I couldn't find you inside the palace.
It turns out you're with this lass here.
What are you up to this time?
Your Majesty,
if you mix this red bean dessert
with the syrup I made,
it tastes really good.
Your Majesty, try it.
The sweetness is
very different from that of the kitchen
in the palace.
That's right.
Do you know why it tastes different?
Because I asked someone
to buy sugarcane for me.
After I extracted the liquid,
I boiled it for a long time until it became syrup.
This wooden liquid extractor
and this earthenware vessel for boiling the sugarcane
were made one by one by the craftsmen
under my supervision.
Not bad.
It's too bad
that the country should not follow
this method of producing syrup.
Delicious food is
everyone's favorite.
But there are only so many human
and material resources in the world.
If this sweet food is
widely sought after by rich and powerful families,
every family will start growing sugarcane
instead of grains.
That would be a problem.
No denying that.
Mother has always been thrifty.
Yet, someone always thinks about being extravagant.
Your Majesty,
I understand what you mean.
A country's strength depends on its amount of grains.
Of course, it needs to be used in the right place.
Then do you know
where it should be used?
Food,
ironware,
and horses.
Not bad.
Your Majesty,
I never taught her these.
Her Majesty taught me these.
Her Majesty even taught me to read "Discourses on Salt and Iron"
and Jia Yi's...
His...
His ancient texts.
In any case, I've read everything.
But I just don't remember them.
Unbelievable.
But Your Majesty,
you can rest assured.
The money used to purchase these sugarcanes came
from my own pocket.
I didn't spend any of the palace's budget.
To make Her Majesty happy,
I spent almost
all of my money.
All right.
I know you're devoted to the Empress.
Zisheng,
your fiancee is not bad.
I shall reward you a fief of 200 households.
Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty.
I feel assured when Shaoshang handles things.
I'm sure you don't know
that even the most skilled in settling accounts
in the palace isn't as fast as Shaoshang.
Lady Luo will be married to the Northwest soon.
I'm planning to let Shaoshang take care of the harem's affair.
Mother.
Shaoshang is sharp, cheerful,
and tactful.
She can indeed carry this responsibility.
The Empress's birthday banquet
will be your first important task
since you manage Changqiu Palace's matters.
You must not take it lightly.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Fifth Princess.
Lady Luo,
you were my study companion when I was young,
you've been serving Mother in Changqiu Palace since young,
and helped Madam Zhai with the palace's affairs.
But now,
Mother has entrusted the duty to Cheng Shaoshang.
She has only been here for not more than a few months,
and she has overtaken you.
Aren't you upset about that?
Fifth Princess, you're taking it too seriously.
I'll be married off to the Northwest soon.
As for Lady Cheng,
the palace is considered her husband's home.
Now,
she's only doing her duty to serve her aunt in advance.
She and I are different.
Why would I be upset?
What a pity.
I thought
Mother would arrange for you to marry Zisheng.
Who would've known
someone outran you?
You're clearly going to be married off after the birthday banquet.
Yet, Her Majesty wants us
to do as she says.
She's just good at currying favor
that Her Majesty lost her senses.
It's fine if you're not bothered by this.
Why should I tolerate her?
Who can interfere
with Her Majesty's decision?
You should speak less.
We're both not lucky.
We can't blame anyone for it.
Your Majesty,
I don't understand one thing.
His Majesty can just compliment me.
Why did he reward Zisheng
and force me to stay in the palace?
What's his belongs to you too.
Are you going to be bothered by this too?
Perhaps His Majesty rewarded these 200 households
for your sugarcane expenses.
I'm not bothered by that.
It's just that Zisheng receives all the credit
for the things I did well.
Then do you know
it was Zisheng who requested His Majesty
to grant you the commendation letter?
He requested it?
He was going on a war expedition at the time.
Yet, he never asked for any grace.
He was worried others would treat you coldly at Lou's Residence.
So especially requested His Majesty to grant you the commendation letter.
At that time,
he already had a deep affection for you.
I didn't expect he would do so much for me.
I just feel
everyone sees me
as Zisheng's fiancee.
But what about me?
No one acknowledges me for being myself.
If it's as you say,
then the soldiers and counselors
under His Majesty would have no place for themselves anymore.
If the plan was good and they won the battle,
it was to help His Majesty to expand the country's territory.
Do you think the rest has nothing to do with them?
If the plan fails and the army was defeated,
would that be entirely His Majesty's mistake?
But since ancient times,
under the starry skies,
the names of the famous generals and counselors
who directed politics of the world
can still be seen shining brightly
in the galaxy.
Really?
Is this how it is after getting married?
What's his, is mine
and what's mine is his?
Both of us are one body?
You were so used to being alone.
So you always think of yourself and growing up alone.
You mustn't behave this way after you're married.
You must learn how to mediate.
If it doesn't work this way, you can try another way.
After marrying Zisheng,
you may not be able to travel far as you expected with Mr. Lou.
But does that mean
you can't be yourself here?
You're right.
If the husband is the scorching sun
that brightens the road for thousands of li away,
then the wife
would be the stars,
the brilliant galaxy.
The sun, the moon, and the galaxy.
Neither is superior or inferior.
Not a single one can be cast aside.
Only by coexisting
can we create this world.
Song,
since when you have changed your taste?
Who are you going to give these sweet glutinous snacks to?
I'm sure it's for Qiqi.
The Wan Family can forget about getting my grandson to marry into their family.
I will never agree to this marriage.
His daughter can forget
about eating these sweet glutinous snacks.
Song,
give it to me.
I love sweet food the most.
Speaking of which,
I still think fighting over food with family
at the dining table
back in the village
makes the meal more enjoyable.
Every time we enter the palace,
Yuanyi and I have to eat separately.
It makes me lose my appetite.
I wonder if Niaoniao is getting used to staying at the palace.
She hasn't come home for days now.
I suppose she's not willing to come home
because she's reluctant to leave the palace.
If this goes on,
we don't have
to prepare for her birthday.
She can just celebrate it in the palace.
She's not like that.
I know Niaoniao's temperament well.
It must be Ling Buyi who stopped her from coming home.
Zisheng,
where's Niaoniao?
Why didn't she come home with you?
His Majesty asked Niaoniao to stay at the palace.
Today,
His Majesty asked Niaoniao to organize Her Majesty's birthday banquet.
I think she won't be returning home for some time.
For some time?
How long is that?
Until Her Majesty's birthday banquet is over.
I come here
with a request.
What is it?
Do you need me to help you with something?
I'm worried Shaoshang
might not be used to staying at the palace.
So I came here
to take some items Shaoshang used back to the palace.
That's easy.
Lianfang,
go to Niaoniao's room and pick up the items.
Yes.
In that case,
I'll help myself.
Heavens...
How is this taking some items?
He's clearly confiscating everything.
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