= Love Like The Galaxy=
=Episode 36=
Your Majesty.
This is the food menu I drafted for the birthday banquet.
Can you take a look
and see if anything should be added?
(Qianqiu Banquet Menu List)
I don't think this is right.
A ruler sets an example for his followers.
An extravagant banquet like this
contradicts His Majesty's advocacy
of frugality.
No.
I shall talk to His Majesty and advise him.
Don't.
The ministers have worked very hard too.
They have to either study thousands of scrolls
to earn His Majesty's favor
or they have to risk their life on the battlefield
to earn a title.
Don't ruin someone else's future, Your Majesty.
What did you just say?
What I mean
is that Your Majesty, you are His Majesty's wife
before you are his subordinate.
If you want to advise His Majesty for the better,
you
should say,
a married couple always
should be equals.
No wife should have a feast
while her husband
contents himself with simple dishes.
And then, tell His Majesty
to first hold a grand ceremony for his birthday
before he extends the same favor
to his wife.
Remember.
When you speak,
make sure you sound vulnerable and gentle.
Do not meet His Majesty's gaze.
Do not look like you are there to criticize him.
You're young and yet,
you have your ways with words.
You tamed Zisheng
like that too, didn't you?
Look at the items here.
Are you trying to build your courtyard
the same as the one in Marquis Quling's Residence here?
Your Majesty.
Just let me handle the organization of this birthday banquet.
That way, I can return home sooner.
Zisheng has brought me items from my room
and they have made me homesick.
I will not do you this favor.
You don't look homesick at all.
It's more like you don't like how restrictive it is in here.
Your Majesty, just help me this once.
I won't help you.
Mother.
You were right that day.
My body and my titles I received
are all because Father and Mother grant.
Whatever expensive things I get,
I can get them because of taking advantage of your and Father's power.
Therefore,
I asked choreographers to teach me a dance.
I have been practicing in the residence for long.
If my performance is short of satisfactory during the banquet,
please ignore my shortcomings.
Just cheer for me.
I appreciate this filial piety of yours.
However, I heard
that you corralled ten thousand mus of land
in Hongnong County as your private garden.
Is it true?
The land outside of the palace
is a dry and hard rocky beach.
No one wants it.
I corralled that place to develop it
so that homeless citizens can one day work on it.
Not only will it produce food, it will also provide their livelihood.
I just want you and Father
to acknowledge my capability.
The world belongs to us.
There are ministers in charge of development.
You need not worry about it.
Enough.
That's all for today.
I'm tired now.
You can all leave.
Mother, it's fine if you favor Ling Buyi over me.
But now, why do you trust the daughter of a general
more than you trust me?
I heard ever since Cheng Shaoshang
took over Changqiu Palace,
she cooked dessert one day
and grew vegetables another.
Not only did you not punish her,
you even supported her financially.
And when I want to do something,
you don't support me, but rebuked me instead.
It's because Shaoshang
only consumed what is useful.
She did not waste resources because she wanted to.
I'm tired.
Leave now.
Shaoshang.
The noble ladies brought in by Fifth Princess
are too many for Changqiu Palace.
They are an eyesore.
I will write a letter.
Lady Luo and you will bring it to Yongle Palace
so that Consort Yue can look after them.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Fifth Princess,
dear esteemed guests,
I have informed Consort Yue.
She has arranged so that
all of you will spend a night in Longyuan Garden.
Cheng Shaoshang.
Do you know where you live now
used to be my residence?
Fifth Princess, if you wish to stay in Changqiu Palace tonight,
I can make another arrangement.
No need.
I don't want Mother to say I was being petty.
I have never stayed in Yongle Palace before.
I can spend two nights here.
Shaoshang.
How clumsy of you, Lady Cheng.
Save her!
Hurry up!
Aren't you very capable?
Come back up.
Mother said you were gifted and graceful.
As if you were one of the kind.
Pray tell. How did you fall into the lake while you were guiding us?
Indeed.
Look how frantic she is.
Fifth Princess.
If this carries on, she might die.
Someone is always dying every day.
It's just one life.
It's not a big deal.
Also, Lady Cheng fell into the lake herself.
We can't swim
so we can't save her.
Why don't you
jump in to save her then?
(Lady Zuo) She's coming back up.
(Lady Zuo)
Aren't there snakes in the water?
Come up now. Hurry!
There are snakes.
Go away.
This is so scary.
Let's go.
Cheng Shaoshang.
Listen up now.
I didn't come here today
just for the banquet tomorrow.
I also came here for you.
This is your warning.
Behave yourself when you see me next time.
Otherwise,
the non-venomous snakes here
might turn
into something else next time.
Your Highness,
will she file a complaint?
What are you afraid of?
No one saw us.
We just have to deny it.
Lady Luo.
What did you see?
I...
Think twice before you reply.
Aren't you getting married soon?
If you're found to have disrespected the princess before your wedding,
I wonder how your in-laws will treat you.
Your Highness,
we saw nothing.
Indeed.
We retired to our room early.
Lady Cheng
accidentally fell into the water on her way back.
She was then bitten by a snake.
She only has herself to blame, doesn't she?
What is that noise?
Who is there?
Everyone is here.
Fifth Brother,
who are you meeting this time
behind your wife's back?
Fifth Brother, don't let anyone know
you snuck out again.
Otherwise,
Father will be more disappointed in you.
Fifth Sister,
I passed by here.
I saw nothing.
I speak the truth.
When did you come here?
Will the Fifth Prince
tell anyone what happened today?
He's just the bad apple from a palace maid.
I call him Fifth Brother out of respect.
Truth be told, he pairs very well
with Lady Cheng.
Shaoshang.
I brought you the clothes you want.
Your clothes are drenched.
Where were you?
I'll take your wet clothes away.
When you were in Marquis Quling's Residence,
I longed to see you.
Now that you live here,
I thought we could see each other all the time.
However, you're busier than anticipated.
Even the meal
is delivered by eunuchs.
Seeing you
is harder than before.
Tonight,
I miss you more than ever
and so I came.
Do you know?
Everyone in the royal court is envious of me.
They say I'm about to marry a graceful woman.
Even His Majesty says
you're smart and capable,
that you did a good job managing Changqiu Palace.
I feel much relieved knowing that you're living well
in the palace.
Shaoshang,
His Majesty lets you handle Her Majesty's
birthday banquet
not because you are my fiancee.
It's because only you
can hold a truly meaningful banquet for Her Majesty.
People always say
you're stubborn and cold.
That's because they don't know you at all.
When you decide
to treat someone well,
you mean it.
You'll do everything.
Even at your expense.
You...
Niaoniao.
What happened?
What is the meaning of this decor?
Your Majesty.
This is called Tall Peaks and Long Rivers.
Your Majesty, may you
rise as tall as a mountain
and you live as long as a river
to receive auspices.
That's considerate of you.
I now understand why she dotes on you.
It is an interesting decor.
Marvelous.
Long live Your Majesty.
At ease.
Have a seat.
Thanks, Your Majesty.
What is
going on?
Zisheng?
General Ling is the performer?
Zisheng plays so...
Only Lady Cheng can make Zisheng
play an instrument.
This is a birthday banquet
that surpasses expectations.
Lady Cheng's exceptional hosting skill
makes my gifts look so
banal.
Bravo.
I have always wanted to hear your performance
but you always say you are too rusty.
Only Shaoshang can make you recall
how to play music again.
Your Majesty,
Third Prince has found new mines within the fief.
The latest geographical map is being delivered here
as we speak.
Wonderful news.
Father,
I have been looking for new mines for years
and I managed to find one before Mother's birthday.
This is Mother's blessing.
I dare not claim it as mine.
You are my blessings.
Great.
Mother,
this is a pair of jade qilin
that we found in the Western Regions.
It means good things come in two.
Mother, I wish
you a long life.
We have spent a lot on it.
May Your Majesty spend your life in eternal love.
Your Majesty,
this is not the only gift
the Crown Prince and his consort
brought with them.
Your Majesty, do you taste any difference
in today's wine?
It's sweeter and rounder.
Where did you find this wine?
I did not find this wine.
His Majesty and you advocate for frugality.
I dare not use rice to brew wine.
As I sought a substitute,
the seeds His Highness
brought from the Western Regions
bore fruits.
They are sweet but not sickening, sour but not vinegary.
I had a taste
and thought it was perfect for fruit wines.
Such an undertaking
is frugal in essence
without compromising the gastronomical delights.
Well done.
My empress.
You should drink more today.
Of course.
My dear ministers.
Drink more.
It is amazing.
How can you drink wine without side dishes?
Dear esteemed guests,
have a taste of the dishes in front of you.
They are all made with
the walnut oil the Crown Prince brought from the Western Regions.
Not only are the walnuts
sweet, they are also filling.
They are exotic and rare.
Thank you, Your Highness.
Wonderful.
The Crown Prince is concerned about his subjects.
He has brought with him many tummy-filling snacks.
Such generosity.
Good.
You will be rewarded.
Definitely.
-Thanks, Father. -Thanks, Father.
Thanks, Your Majesty.
It's delicious.
(Madam Qu Ling, Liang Shang)
Good things come in two?
This is a menage à trois.
Father, Mother.
I have learned a dance
to perform before you.
May you live a long life.
That is sweet of you, Fifth Princess.
Since Fifth Sister will be dancing,
there has to be music.
I am willing to perform with the Prince Consort
to add merry to your birthday, Mother.
Of course. The more the merrier.
Your Majesty.
Zisheng wishes to give Her Majesty a present.
Zisheng.
What rare gift have you brought with you?
Your Majesty,
Shaoshang and I
found an old keepsake of Grand Duke Xuan.
May Her Majesty be granted Grand Duke Xuan's protection
and all her wishes will come true.
(Boat Trip. Cascading ivy, lush green trees under the setting sun.)
Father was very fond
of poems.
He often gave the poems he wrote to his friends
instead of keeping them to himself.
Therefore, not many of his works
remained after his passing.
I thought
I could never see Father's work again.
The value
of a gift doesn't matter much.
It is the thought that matters.
Zisheng.
Thank you, truly.
I know Zisheng
and Shaoshang
truly care about me.
Indeed.
Today is a special day.
This banquet
is masterfully organized.
For a jovial day like today,
I shall share it with my ministers.
A toast!
Come.
Let's drink
to our heart's content.
Let's drink to our heart's content.
Your wine is good.
Why don't you drink it?
Why did you
use my wine plate?
Drinking the wine I brew from your wine plate
is more delicious.
Let's drink together then.
Is it sweet?
Very.
Because of the wine
or because of me?
Both.
What happened to your fingers?
From the zither practice last night?
Yes, Your Highness?
I see a beauty. She refuses to leave my mind.
One day without seeing her, I go out of my mind.
Your Highness.
Open your eyes and look at me.
You're Ling Zisheng's fiancee.
Don't go away.
It's been a few days
and you look prettier than before.
Cheng Shaoshang!
Your Highness.
You have had too much to drink.
Time to sober up.
You wrench!
I can't swim.
This is murder!
Help!
Patient now, Your Highness.
I'll find a solution.
Help me.
Help.
I'm coming.
Your Highness.
Give it to me.
Grab onto this bamboo stick.
Grab onto it.
Over here.
Here.
Give it to me.
Grab it.
Here.
No, here.
Hurry.
Grab onto it.
Hurry.
Grab it.
It's exhausting.
Your Highness.
This is exhausting. I can't save you.
You're a witch.
Your Highness.
Are you okay?
You're as evil
as that Ling Buyi.
Now that you know how scary Ling Zisheng is,
you should stay away from me.
If he ever sees us together,
he might
do something even scarier.
You think I'm afraid of him?
He looks so dapper
but I know it's all an act.
He always bullies me.
I know him the best.
Cunning and petty.
Villainous and scheming.
Ling Buyi and you
are a match made in heaven.
Both are cold, inhuman.
I want to protect him.
You badmouthed him
and tried to court me.
If I bring this up to His Majesty,
you will not be spared.
Punishing you today
is not unreasonable.
Why? Why does everyone treat him better?
Even Father too.
You know the reason very well, Your Highness.
Regardless of Ling Buyi,
His Majesty will still treat you like this.
He told you something, didn't he?
I know he is capable
so he publicizes my shortcomings everywhere.
But I...
Not just your shortcomings.
Your Highness.
Although you're lazy
and can be quite stupid,
you often
offer a special perspective.
I heard
you are fond of tales from exotic lands.
How do you know?
However,
what I like
cannot be used for governance
nor can it be translated into great literatures.
They are just trivia.
Father does not hold them in high regard.
Your Highness.
You know what you like
has no used in the royal court
and is not favored by His Majesty.
Yet, you continue pursuing it.
You have a utter innocence.
That said,
why do you need
others' acknowledgment?
You like it. That's what matters, isn't it?
In this regard,
we're quite similar.
For what you have said today,
I will look past this.
All right
From today onwards,
we'll be friends.
General Ling.
Yes?
I
will marry into the Northwest soon.
I don't know when I will see you again.
I want
to drink with you.
Oh, no.
The Fifth Prince and Lady Cheng...
They...
They what?
What happened to the Fifth Prince and Lady Cheng?
They...
Speak now.
Stop stuttering.
They
met privately in Jingxin Lake.
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