= Love Like the Galaxy=
=Episode 11=
Niaoniao is indeed strong-minded.
She didn't make a sound
when she was punished.
It's a pity that she's a lady. If she were a man,
she'll achieve great accomplishments.
I've examined Niaoniao's injuries.
They're all bruises without any flesh wounds.
The degrees of swelling and bruising aren't serious either.
So
Sister-in-law didn't really put much strength into it.
She followed Elder Brother to every battle expedition.
If she truly meant to punish Niaoniao,
would Niaoniao even be alive?
Both mother and daughter
are sure stubborn.
Sir. Madam.
There's a riding man following us.
It's Grand Tutor Lou's nephew.
His name is Lou Yao.
He wants to meet Young Lady.
Stop the carriage.
Stop the carriage!
I'm Lou Yao, paying my respect to you, Official Cheng.
Mr. Lou,
what are you...
I've met Miss Shaoshang on several occasions.
I truly admire her character.
I heard she'll be following you to Hua County.
So I want to follow along,
hoping I can keep Miss Shaoshang safe along the way.
Mr. Lou, look around you.
There are many of us traveling together here.
We can keep Shaoshang safe ourselves.
So, no need to trouble you, Mr. Lou.
Besides, we heard you just broke off
your engagement with the He Family.
If you tag along with Shaoshang,
it might cause a misunderstanding.
I conduct myself properly, so I have a clear conscience.
Mr. Lou,
can I speak to you in private?
What's the reason for you coming with us?
I...
I wanted to say you're good.
That day,
you did nothing wrong by making them fall off the bridge.
I sincerely admire you.
What nonsense are you talking about?
I happened to pass by
and saw you sneakily remove the wood.
Don't worry. I didn't tell anyone about this.
Mr. Lou,
to tell you the truth.
I didn't leave home because I was ill.
My mother expelled me from the capital
after she punished me under military paddle punishment.
Such punishment was already too much for me to handle.
What else do you want, Mr. Lou?
Miss Shaoshang, you've misunderstood me.
I'm not holding you accountable.
Wang Ling deserved it in the first place.
You shouldn't be punished severely.
Say no more.
If there's nothing else,
we shall bid each other goodbye here.
Miss Shaoshang.
If you didn't stop me
that day,
I would have fallen off the bridge too.
This is who I am.
An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.
If it weren't for you,
I'd do the same.
I would never involve innocent people.
Miss Shaoshang, you indeed have a kind heart.
You draw a line between love and hate.
It's the first time
for me to meet
someone like you in my life.
At the Lantern Festival,
you were defensive of me too.
You've mistaken.
I just find
your fiancée too overbearing.
So I only wanted to help you teach her a lesson.
She's no longer my fiancée.
I've broken off my engagement with He Zhaojun.
So I don't have a marriage prospect for now.
What does it matter to me
whether you have a marriage prospect or not?
I just don't want you to misunderstand.
He Zhaojun will marry
into Lord Yong's Mansion next month.
It doesn't concern me
whether He Zhaojun is marrying into Lord Yong's Family.
Mr. Lou,
you can't blame me
that your engagement was broken off.
Yes,
I indeed got entangled with you and your fiancée.
But you can't come and pester me.
I've never spoken anything bad about you.
I never did.
But you can't threaten me
with my misdeed.
No, it's not like that.
Miss Shaoshang, you got it wrong again.
I just feel we're like old friends
when we first met.
I can't forget you after meeting you again.
So
I came to follow you.
I didn't misunderstand anything.
But you did.
For you...
I...
Farewell.
Fudeng!
Yes, Young Lady.
Let's make a move.
Miss Shaoshang.
Mr. Lou.
Set out!
Miss Shaoshang.
(Even if I misunderstood,)
(I truly like you.)
(It's just that you have no feelings for me.)
(No.)
(Lou Yao,)
(didn't you admire her courage)
(and tenacity?)
(How can you easily give up)
(before fighting for her?)
Madam.
Niaoniao.
Fudeng.
Yes, Sir?
Give this to Mr. Lou.
Mr. Lou.
Let's rest here.
Everyone, get some rest!
My dear, watch your steps.
Third Aunt!
Yes, Niaoniao.
Dear, are you hungry or tired?
I've prepared buttermilk and some snacks for you.
Maybe you were tired from the journey
that you lost your appetite.
Let me help you.
You must be tired too.
Have some snacks.
Dear,
the sun is blazing hot.
Let me shade you.
Enough already.
Niaoniao's upset because of your behavior.
You must be tired from the journey too.
Go and get some rest.
Dear,
you've suffered a lot for me because of Mother.
It's only right that I repay you for your sacrifice.
Dear,
you only cherish me when we are away from home.
Every time we return home to visit Mother,
you'll shirk like a rat sees a cat.
One is my mother,
and the other one is my wife.
Both of you are the cats.
I'm the only rat.
A rat, like Third Uncle should have left
the house earlier.
That way, he can be played by one cat all day long.
Shaoshang,
the weather is awfully hot.
Let me shelter you from the heat.
I wanted to prepare some food for you.
But I didn't have enough time because I left in a hurry.
Shaoshang.
During this peaceful time, there are more cats than rats.
Only he is like me
who's willing to play with one cat.
Enough.
Why don't you ask Mr. Lou
what is it that he wants?
As you wish.
Dear, be careful.
Mr. Lou,
can I speak to you?
You've been following us for several days now.
What exactly are you after?
Official Cheng,
I feel a sense of closeness when I first saw her.
She may ignore me now.
But to me,
she's different from other ladies.
Official Cheng,
what do you think
I should do?
Don't worry.
I'll ask your uncle to send him away.
Niaoniao,
there's an empty hunting lodge at the top of the mountain.
It was a temporary camp for the army while they were on the march.
Do you want to take a look?
Shaoshang,
my elder brother used to travel around in his early years.
He had been to Qing County and Hua County.
He also drew a topographic map himself.
I knew we were going to pass by this area.
So I stole his map.
I can be your guide.
It's all right. I don't want to go anywhere.
Shaoshang,
Mr. Lou likes you
and he's very attentive to you.
Since Niaoniao has no feelings for him,
why don't you use your wisdom and talent
to send Mr. Lou away?
I understand.
Thank you, Third Uncle.
Come with me.
Sit.
What I look for in my future husband is
someone like Third Uncle
who's gentle, considerate, and obedient.
When I say something, he'd never disobey me.
He'll be my supporter in whatever that I do.
Someone of my disposition
could never be an obedient wife.
My husband will have to obey me.
The truth is,
I never thought of marrying your Third Uncle.
At that time,
I was betrothed to someone else.
Then...
That's quite indecent of Third Uncle.
Your uncle and I never did
anything shameless.
My marriage prospect left for seven years
to escape from trouble.
After he's broadened his horizon
and experienced different things in life,
that's how our betrothal was broken.
Third Aunt,
could this person be
Yuan Shanjian's master?
No wonder he always speaks
in a few isolated words.
Sure enough,
the master is fickle-minded
while the disciple is devious.
If you don't focus,
(Huangfu Yi) you'll only hurt yourself.
(Huangfu Yi)
Master.
Shanjian.
It should have been you and me traveling
with His Majesty.
But
with this sickly body of mine,
I can only stop and recuperate here.
You had to stay as I recover
instead of serving His Majesty.
You must have felt unhappy.
You know my character.
I dislike traveling long distances the most
nor do I like to humor people.
I like staying here with you.
Besides,
the scenery here is beautiful.
Doesn't it feel more at ease
to play zither and flute here?
The scenery here is
indeed beautiful.
It's not far
from Hua County either.
I heard Cheng Zhi will take office
as the County Magistrate of Hua County.
Do you think
Madam Sang
will come with him?
Master,
she's now someone's wife.
In my opinion,
you should forget about her.
Lest you'll be more heartbroken.
Until this day,
only the sound of zither and flute is still around.
People
are indeed passers-by
who are on a long journey
in this world.
Third Aunt, you lost seven years
because of an unworthy person.
The more I think about it, the more I feel it's a big loss.
If I didn't waste my time on an unworthy person,
how would I realize
there's someone more deserving?
I don't think of it that way.
I'm ill-fated since young.
So if I miss the opportunity to find a husband,
I may not be able to find a better one.
So once I meet someone I like,
I must hold on to him tight.
Otherwise, I'll never find a good husband.
So do you find Mr. Lou
to be a good prospect?
I don't know him that well.
How do I know if he's a good prospect?
We must first experience it to believe it.
That's how I, Cheng Shaoshang want it.
Official Cheng,
you managed to marry the daughter
of Mount Bailu's Master.
Can you give me some suggestions?
Shunhua and Niaoniao have different personalities.
So are we.
You'll lose your strong points if you imitate me blindly.
I'm talented and dashing
while you're clueless and timid.
But that's beside the point.
The point is
my beloved Shunhua loves me.
But Niaoniao doesn't...
Shaoshang will develop feelings for me in the future.
Mr. Lou, you're so...
Yet, you have such high self-confidence.
I'm truly impressed.
You should eat more.
After you finish eating,
you should go home.
Official Cheng,
please teach me.
What are these drawings?
Why are the shapes so strange?
These are the mechanism traps I invented.
Look.
This is the device and this is the trap.
Fortunately, there are these old military books
in Third Uncle's carriage.
Otherwise, I'd be bored to death
on this long journey.
Your mother said you were not like her.
But I think you two are so similar.
If you married a military officer in the future,
you can also be a female general and follow him.
Please don't.
I'm not marrying a military officer.
I'd live a lifetime of fear
instead of having a peaceful life.
Please spare me from that.
But scholarly families are particular in choosing a prospect.
The one must be proficient in the four arts
or at least know some knowledge of them.
But you...
Then please teach me well.
Teach me one by one.
For instance,
we can start by playing the flute.
Look at you.
If you ask me,
Shaoshang always puts up her guard. But deep in her heart,
she needs love and care.
If you can treat her
sincerely all the time,
she'll feel it.
Young Lady,
I'm Miao.
Surprisingly,
not only the female guards
Mother arranged are skilled in martial arts,
but they also sing beautifully.
Naturally,
your mother will pick the best for you.
Third Aunt,
this is the life I want.
To play the flute in the mountain,
sing harmoniously,
and live a carefree life. How nice that would be.
Look!
That hawk is huge!
I've never seen such a huge hawk.
It spreads its wings and soars in the sky.
I want to be like it.
To live in the vast world
without restraint
and soar in the sky.
In the future,
you'll see even more things.
Third Uncle,
I put it aside that you made a detour
to Qing County to visit your old friend.
Why did you lie
that Qing County is the most bustling place?
From what I see,
it looks desolate.
We can see everything clearly
even if a bird flies in the sky.
No, this is strange.
Something is not wrong.
Shunhua,
I want you and Niaoniao to get on the carriage
and go straight to Hua County.
What about you? Are you entering the city alone?
I'm afraid something bad happened in Qing County.
I must go and check it out.
You can't.
I'll come with you.
Shunhua,
it's all right for you to come if the city is safe.
If something bad happened,
it'll be convenient to move about with a few people.
I only need to bring a servant with me.
It'll be more convenient to move about.
The rest of the servants and female guards will stay
and protect you.
Fudeng, prepare the horse.
Yes, Sir.
Official Cheng, rest assured.
Leave Madam Sang and Shaoshang to me.
I'll protect them with my life
and make sure they're safe.
Thank you, Mr. Lou.
Third Uncle.
But...
Niaoniao, say no more.
You must listen to your Third Aunt
and don't wander off.
I think...
Shunhua,
don't worry or be afraid.
I only need to get a closer look.
If something is wrong, I won't enter.
Then be careful.
Third Uncle.
If you're worried about Third Uncle,
we can turn back
and go to Qing County with Third Uncle.
Father told me
that Third Uncle is a blessed man since young.
So he has a great amount of luck.
But I'm not.
I was cursed with bad luck since I was born.
That's why I feel
it's safer
if we're with Third Uncle.
Stop talking nonsense.
Shaoshang, don't be scared.
His Majesty's imperial carriage has passed through this way.
The brave Yulin Guards are also in his company.
General Ling's black armored guards are also with them.
Even if there are bandits scattered around,
they wouldn't dare to attack us.
Besides, I've promised Official Cheng
that I'll protect
and escort you to Hua County with my life.
Ling Buyi?
Why is this fiend here?
Miao!
I'll go and see what happened.
These are the marks of military horses.
Logically, it shouldn't appear in a remote place like this.
Oh, no.
Fudeng.
We must turn around
and take a different route.
Third Aunt!
Madam Sang!
Third Aunt!
Madam Sang!
Third Aunt!
Niaoniao...
Third Aunt!
Protect the women!
Attack!
Young Lady,
it's been solved.
Shaoshang,
I brought some medicinal herbs from home.
Why don't we use it to treat Madam Sang?
Thank you, Mr. Lou.
It's not safe to stay here.
I'm worried
they might be the bandit's scouts
and there will be more coming.
It's an open space here.
If we stay here,
we'll be attacked on both sides.
So we must leave this place now.
Mr. Lou,
you said your elder brother gave you
a topographic map of a nearby mountain road.
Can you show me?
We're outnumbered.
I'm afraid it'll be hard to take on them.
So please go
to the nearest magistrate for help.
All right.
Miao.
I can't go.
I promised Official Cheng to protect you with my life.
I can't leave you alone here.
Besides,
I want to die with you
if we die.
No one is going to die.
I don't want to die.
I told you to ask for reinforcement
because you're a better horse rider.
I...
One word.
Are you going or not?
I don't mean it this way, Shaoshang.
Fine, I'll go.
But promise me
that you won't act impulsively.
You must be cautious.
If the reinforcement arrives in time,
I won't act rashly.
Go now!
Miao, this is the medicine.
After you help Third Aunt into the carriage,
apply this medicine on her.
Also, all women should ride the carriage.
If there's not enough carriage,
throw away the bags.
But
General prepared all those things for you.
Is possession more important than life?
I shall obey.
Third Aunt.
You must be careful.
Fudeng.
Prepare the horse.
Yes, Young Lady.
(Mount Jie, Mount Fu, Xiqiao, Taizhou)
Young Lady,
which way should we go?
Third Uncle said
there's a hunting lodge nearby.
We can hide in the hunting lodge.
All right.
A good horse knows human nature best.
If you fear it,
it'll pick on you.
If you're more tenacious,
it'll fear you.
What is taking you so long?
Young Lady,
the carriages are too heavy for the horses to pull.
Then abandon all possessions.
Everyone must protect themselves.
I forbid you to die.
- Yes, Young Lady! - Yes, Young Lady!
Third Aunt.
Watch your step.
Luckily Young Lady ordered us
to abandon those possessions.
Those bandits were after money.
That's why we managed to escape.
I think they won't come after us
after they get what they wanted.
It's fine if they're only after our possessions.
But what if they have other intentions?
I think we must be prudent.
Fudeng.
Bring some men to gather bamboo sticks.
Build a mechanism according to my instructions.
Go now.
Yes, Young Lady.
Let me help you.
Young Lady,
there are some items in this house.
Please see if there are of any use.
These are useful.
We can use everything here.
Young Lady,
do you think our defense structure
can hold them out when they come?
We'll stall while we can.
If we can hold out until the reinforcement arrives,
only then we'll be able to survive.
Niaoniao,
why are you standing in the open?
That's too dangerous.
What if the bandits come here?
Third Aunt, what are you doing up here?
It's not safe here.
I'm worried
our whole journey will be this dangerous.
I wonder if your uncle is safe.
If I knew,
I wouldn't have agreed
to take the detour to Qing County
and gone straight to Hua County instead.
I think Qing County closed its gates
because they knew it was not safe outside.
So they closed the gates to protect themselves.
Third Uncle is in the city.
So he's safe.
Now,
we should worry about ourselves.
Young Lady,
there are too many of them.
Attack!
Get off the horses.
Release the arrows!
The traps are all used up, Young Lady.
Those who come forward will die!
I shall see who will die first!
Young Lady, watch out!
Miao!
Let me go!
They're prepared!
Retreat!
Niaoniao,
we can only avenge Miao
if we hold out
until reinforcement arrives.
They caught Miao
because they want to force me to submit to them.
They won't kill her, right?
Today,
you've done well.
Stop blaming yourself because of Miao.
Even if your Third Uncle is here,
he may not be as thorough.
When Mother followed
Father to go on war expeditions,
did they often encounter such situations?
They put their lives on the line.
People around
might lose their lives at any time.
In troubled times,
people hold little regard for human lives.
To protect a person for yourself.
To protect hundreds of people for fellow villagers.
To protect thousands of people for the country.
It's also because your parents cherish people's lives
that your parents left you
to rush to the Gu City's rescue.
It's just because they have a heavy responsibility
to end the turbulent days.
Young Lady, it's as you've expected.
I went to scout the area.
They've rescued all their injured comrades.
Those bandits
attack and retreat in an orderly manner.
They don't seem like bandits.
We've abandoned all our possessions by the roadside.
Why are they still after us?
They're not bandits.
They're soldiers.
If they're soldiers,
why are they after our lives?
It's about the armament case your Granduncle was involved in.
That batch of armaments may have been transported to Shu.
When His Majesty heard of this, he decided to travel to the west.
I remembered Ling Buyi told me
that the armaments of the armament case Granduncle was involved in
may have been transported to Shu.
Shu has surrendered for many years.
They're accumulating armaments.
They must be planning to raise a rebellion.
Now His Majesty travels to west.
They'd rather do it or call it quits.
They are going to assassinate His Majesty.
I'm guessing we must have run
into their scouts on the road.
So they want to silence us
because they're scared they might be exposed.