= Love Like The Galaxy=
=Episode 23=
(Ling's Residence)
Please wait here.
Why did they make us wait here?
All of them look so vicious.
They didn't even offer a bowl of hot soup.
Father,
this is how cold Ling Buyi is.
But I didn't expect
that his residence is this cold and gloomy.
It doesn't look like a residence at all.
It looks more like a barrack.
But why is there not a single female servant here?
You're a lady, aren't you?
He scared me to death.
It's already enough to have you alone.
General Ling, you're wounded.
You didn't have to come out and welcome us.
You should sit and rest.
I felt cooped up for lying in bed all the time.
So I came out to take a breath.
May I know
what brings you here, General Cheng?
You saved my daughter's life.
So I should come and say thank you.
Fourth Lady Cheng.
Please take a seat.
I don't want to.
Let's not sit, Father. Hurry.
I have to thank you for saving her.
Otherwise, my daughter would have fallen off the cliff.
Shaoshang, you should thank General Ling.
Thank you, General Ling.
I hope you'll take care of yourself.
If I want to take care of myself,
I wouldn't have saved you.
(Why is General Ling so tactless?)
(You insisted to come.)
(Let's go, Father. We should leave now.)
(All right.)
General Ling.
Since you're injured,
you should get more rest.
Both of us, mother and daughter won't be in your way now.
It's father and daughter.
Did I say it wrongly?
My wife and I also prepared a gift as a token of gratitude
and delivered it here now.
We shall take our leave now.
I don't know if it was my illusion.
I feel that Ling Buyi is particularly
not happy with me today.
Every single thing he said irritates me
as if he can't wait to swallow me alive.
It wasn't your illusion.
From the moment he saw you,
he looked extremely moody.
He was mean in his words too.
Father,
when did you offend him?
They say scholars despise each other.
Who would have known it's the same for soldiers?
It's my fault
for being outstanding.
Even he's jealous of me.
I get it.
Father, we should go back now.
My legs turned jelly just now.
Lady Cheng, General Cheng, please stop.
Young Master found half a jade pendant just now.
He thinks you must have accidentally dropped it.
But he couldn't find the other half no matter what.
So
he needs you to return and search for it.
I'll go and find it now.
We heard you have great strength
and that you can fight ten people at one time.
All of us want
to ask for your advice on this matter.
General Liang,
I have some matters to take care of at home.
Let's pick another day.
We'll do it another day.
Niaoniao,
take good care of yourself.
You can do it!
You threaten me with the jade pendant.
General Ling, this isn't
the way of a gentleman.
Are you really that scared of me?
Do you have to bring your father
to boost your courage to visit me?
My old wound relapsed because of you.
Yet, you're reluctant to come and visit me.
General Ling, does your wound still hurt?
You only asked if it hurts.
Are you not going to ask if it affects archery and horse riding?
It's better if it doesn't hurt.
Is it that important
if you can ride a horse or draw a bow?
When we were in Hua County,
only you would ask
if it hurts.
You're indeed special.
Young Master.
The Crown Prince is leading Princess Yuchang here
to visit you.
Princess Yuchang?
Why is she coming here?
I'm not close to her.
Doesn't she come often?
Everyone in the capital knows
that she adores you.
She doesn't come
that often.
General Ling.
Since you have guests,
I should leave now.
About my jade pendant...
His Highness, the Crown Prince has arrived.
Zisheng!
Greetings, Your Highness.
Zisheng, you can drop the formalities.
Shanjian said you're seriously injured.
So I came to check on you.
I saw how anxious Shaoshang was.
So I thought you were seriously injured.
General Ling,
I hope you don't find me a disturbance.
If I say you are,
would you not come?
Shanjian was only worried about you.
Actually, all of us are worried about you.
Yuchang, in particular.
She was worried that she couldn't sleep.
Who's this young lady?
I'm the daughter of Marquis Quling, Cheng Shaoshang.
Greetings, Your Highness.
She's Fourth Lady Cheng
who had to break off her betrothal with the Lou Family.
Shaoshang,
I worry about you every day
after your betrothal was broken off.
Are you here to visit Zisheng
because you have an ulterior motive?
I visit General Ling today
to thank him for saving my life.
If you don't believe me,
you can ask him.
That's right.
I got injured because of her.
I'm afraid someone is using gratitude as a pretext
to shamelessly approach
and cling to someone.
Who caused the bridge to collapse so they can look at General Ling
but ended up falling into the lake.
Who's the one clinging?
Who's the shameless one here?
I invited Lady Cheng to my residence today.
Is there anything wrong?
But she also
had private meetings with other men.
My maidservant saw them
in a secluded place beside Cheng's Shop.
She said that person's figure didn't look like Lou Yao
or your father.
You're talking nonsense.
Lady Wang,
that man should be me.
Third Lady Cheng was there too.
But she didn't come along because she was occupied.
I was delivering a message for my Master.
So I asked Shaoshang to do me a favor.
Is there anything wrong?
Some people think
all men and women behave immorally.
Everyone seems to be indecent no matter what they do.
If there is anything shameful
between me and Mr. Yuan,
I'd get hit by a carriage and die the moment I go out.
General Ling,
take care. I'll get going now.
This matter concerns the reputation of the Yuan Clan.
I'll pick a day
to meet the Cavalry General asking for an explanation.
Excuse me.
Lady Wang, you insulted
my distinguished guest in my residence.
Are you planning
to get on my bad side from now on?
I...
Zisheng, it's only a misunderstanding.
Zisheng,
did you ask Physician Sun to examine your injuries?
No need.
It doesn't matter if I get hurt.
I think Your Highness
should ask Physician Sun
to check on Lady Wang.
Ask him to examine her eyes
for blindness.
She'll go blind if she doesn't get them treated.
Guards!
Send the guests out.
You...
You don't have to do this.
They're all relatives. No need to be upset.
You...
Zisheng, I...
(Ling's Residence)
Where are you going, Elder Brother?
What happened?
You look flustered and lose your manners.
Yuchang is heartbroken because of Zisheng.
I'm afraid she might do something foolish.
You go inside first.
I'll go after her.
(Ling's Residence)
So what if he's the eldest son?
He doesn't look like a Crown Prince even if he's in his imperial robe.
Your Highness, Young Master has just retired.
Please allow me to inform him of your arrival.
Since he's already resting,
we won't be visiting him then.
Uncle has obtained some high-quality medicinal herbs.
Please brew them and have Zisheng drink the concoction.
Yes, Your Highness.
You've finally returned.
You're 15 years late.
Herald
of the Huo Family army, I, Han Wu,
call to pay Young Master's respect.
Since you're alive,
why didn't you show up?
You even waited for us to look for you.
Do you know the crime
of the Huo Army's deserter?
I do.
General Ling, I'll comply
however you want to punish me.
I never meant to have you look for me.
When Gu City was breached that year,
I managed to survive.
I intended to reach out to our fellow soldiers
and go to the capital to report everything to His Majesty.
But every time I revealed my identity,
all the fellow soldiers I reached out to were killed.
I could only hide my identity and mingle in the marketplace
until I was found by General Liang.
General Ling,
you're safe and sound.
Tell me.
On the day Gu City was breached
and the Huo Army were wiped out,
where were you?
I wasn't in the city at the time.
The General sent me away to seek reinforcement.
General Ling, you had no idea.
Someone swapped
the armaments of the Gu City's garrison
with low-quality armaments that year.
It was hard to resist the enemy attack.
General Huo had no choice but to send me
and another fellow soldier
to seek the Yue Clan's troops that were stationed nearby
and seek Lord Qian'an's army for reinforcement.
But who would have thought
that Gu City had been breached
before the reinforcements arrived.
There was miasma hanging in the air outside of Gu City that day.
The Yue and Lord Qian'an's army failed to break through the fog.
So
the reinforcement came three days late.
I heard
Marquis Yue dispatched
a team of soldiers to investigate the miasma that year.
All of them died.
But then someone saw
the horses that were dispatched that day
appeared in the barracks.
If the miasma was poisonous,
why did the horses survive when the men died?
Are you saying
that the miasma isn't poisonous?
I can't be certain now.
I only find this suspicious.
There's one thing that's even more suspicious.
After the miasma had dispersed,
the military physicians went
to the forest to examine the bodies to report it.
However,
these military physicians went missing
after that.
General Ling,
I want to find out what happened to these physicians.
If they're alive,
we might be able to find some clues.
All right.
Thank you, Young Master.
A romantic story was made
about a man and a woman just standing
at the entrance of Cheng's Shop.
But our Zisheng saved a woman
that his old injury relapsed.
Why didn't these blabbermouths
spread his heroic story from mouth to mouth?
Otherwise, why...
This word of mouth is
mostly gossip.
But without this gossip,
how can I take advantage of the situation to marry them?
We've delayed Zisheng's marriage
for so many years now.
Your Majesty,
Zisheng has his own mind.
You don't have to worry.
But Fifth Princess talks all day
about not getting married and living freely
like Zisheng.
Ridiculous.
A young man focuses
on his career before settling down.
A young lady
stalling to get married.
If she gets older,
the rumors would
be unpleasant to hear.
You're right.
Putting that aside,
let's talk about the daughter of the Cheng Family.
She broke off the engagement with the Lou Family
for the sake of loyalty.
But others gossip anyway.
If Fifth Princess doesn't marry,
how would the people talk
about her?
I ordered her to get married
for her sake.
It's a pity that most children
don't know their parents' hearts.
Gossip is
always harsher
on women
in this world.
I'm not asking her to marry far away.
A marriage alliance
between the Yue and Xuan Clan
connected with the Wen Clan.
No matter how bad the conflicts are,
we're still family.
What is so bad about marrying the heir of the Marquis Yue?
You're always patient with Zisheng.
Fifth Princess is stubborn.
Your Majesty,
you must reason with her nicely.
I take care of Zisheng
because I owe Huo.
She's my birth daughter.
How are they the same?
It's just hard
to have Zisheng set his eyes on a lady.
Of course, I need to make an effort to bring them together.
How do you plan to bring them together?
I shall have
Lady Cheng present herself
in the palace.
You still have the appetite to eat.
We received the edict and rushed to enter the palace this early.
I didn't even eat my breakfast.
Why would I lose my appetite?
Tell me.
Did you make any mistakes
when you visited Ling Buyi that day?
No, I didn't make any mistake.
Father was with me.
I wasn't there
in the second half. So how would I know?
I only noticed
Ling Buyi didn't look too happy that day.
Could it be...
I wonder if His Majesty's edict
is good or bad.
If it's bad, we can't escape it anyway.
What's the point of worrying?
I need to teach you some life-saving rules first.
When you meet the royalty after entering the palace,
you must kneel and greet them.
Wish His Majesty long life
and Her Majesty good health.
You must say your father's title first
and then your name.
Do you understand?
(I can't remember if you teach me now.)
(Why didn't you teach me earlier?)
(It's too late to regret now.)
Stop probing around.
You can behave unruly at home.
You must not behave this way when you're in the palace.
Otherwise, you'll implicate the Cheng Family
and put everyone's life in danger.
Do you understand?
We can get off now.
The female members of the Cheng Family don't have to get off the carriage.
His Majesty has said
that the ladies don't walk fast.
It'll take too long for them to reach Xuanming Hall.
So they can ride the carriage all the way to Xuanming Hall.
It's better this way.
Take the carriage?
All the way?
I.
-Greetings, His Majesty and Her Majesty. -Greetings, His Majesty and Her Majesty.
-May His Majesty have a long life. -May His Majesty have a long life.
-May Her Majesty have good health. -May Her Majesty have good health.
Please rise.
You may be seated.
- Thank you, Your Majesty. - Thank you, Your Majesty.
What are you looking at?
This lamp is huge.
I've never seen
a house built so exquisitely.
It's my first time seeing it
so it's hard not to like it.
Sit down.
It's an honor for me and my family
to be summoned in your presence.
Official Cheng, you can drop the formalities.
Previously,
you had to compromise and break off the betrothal
with the Lou Family for everyone's interest.
I
have yet complimented you
and your family for doing that.
General He and his family died as martyrs for the country.
My family is extremely impressed by his virtue
so we decided to fulfill General He's dying wish.
We didn't have to compromise.
You're too humble, Official Cheng.
I still have
to reward you.
That must be
your daughter, right?
Yes.
Come here.
Let me and Her Majesty take a close look at you.
How are we supposed to talk
if you're too far away?
Don't move.
Put it down. Put it down.
Lady Cheng,
your name is...
I...
My name is Cheng Shaoshang.
I was named after Guqin string.
Shaoshang string.
Shaoshang.
It's indeed a good name.
How old are you this year?
I've reached the age of 15 for months now.
Tell me.
Do you feel sad
after breaking off your betrothal
with the son of the Lou Clan?
Your Majesty,
I do feel sad.
But my family never wanted to break off the betrothal.
But we know we had no choice but to do it.
Why do you say so?
I've read
a saying from a book.
Heaven and earth are merciless.
They treat everything as disposable beings.
Several months ago,
I witnessed the suffering of the people
after the chaos happened in Hua county, where my uncle took office.
So I think
it happened because heaven and earth
were ruthless and indifferent to the world.
So when we were born as humans,
we should be kind and upright
to help each other.
If we live for our pride
and disregard people's cries,
that's the behavior of an animal.
Do you know which sage said this?
Confucius spoke of giving oneself to justice.
Mencius spoke of sacrificing for righteousness.
Xunzi said humans are evil by nature.
So they were not the ones
who said this saying.
Legalists talked about advantages and disadvantages
while Moism talked about universal love.
The former only cared about
the benefits of the world
and they didn't care if the world is benevolent.
The latter thought
the world is too benevolent.
Even so,
people should cherish each other more.
So it was not them
who said it either.
The last one would be a Tao philosopher.
So it must be Laozi
who said this.
Why is it not Zhuangzi?
I never read the scrolls about Zhuangzi
that Mother gave.
So I don't know what's written in it.
You made a correct guess.
But the interpretation is off.
Heaven and earth are merciless.
They treat everything as disposable beings.
It's not about being indifferent
and treating everything as disposals.
But it means
heaven and earth treat everything equally.
Let nature take its course.
So this is what it means.
I had no idea too.
Official Cheng,
impressive.
You've taught
your daughter well.
Not at all, Your Majesty.
My wife taught her well.
Your Majesty,
we didn't return home for more than ten years
due to war expeditions.
So General and I fail to teach her well.
I hope Your Majesty can forgive us.
Shaoshang,
your parents held up your studies because of the country.
I can see how smart you are.
General Cheng and Madam Cheng
only need to make a little effort.
I'm sure they'll teach you well.
Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty, you're very beautiful.
Niaoniao, don't speak recklessly.
It's my turn to ask you now.
Is your mother or the empress
more beautiful?
Her Majesty.
Your Majesty,
she doesn't know the rules.
She offended Her Majesty during her first meeting.
Please forgive her, Your Majesty.
Please pardon her, Your Majesty.
No matter.
I think this child is
honest.
An interesting child.
Speaking of which,
you received the edict early in the morning.
I'm sure you haven't taken your breakfast.
Father and Mother haven't taken their breakfast.
But I already had mine.
I ate a pancake in the carriage just now.
But I'm hungry now.
Oh, you already ate a pancake?
Good. All right.
Then all of you can stay
and have lunch with me.
What do you say?
I think it's all right.
You think it's all right?
Good!
Your Majesty, General Wan has entered the palace.
He's currently waiting at Chongde Hall.
It's Mr. Wan.
All right.
I'll be there.
Official Cheng, Madam Cheng.
Join me and Official Wan for a conversation.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Madam Zhai,
take Lady Cheng
to Changqiu Palace's side hall for a rest.
Let's have a family feast later.
I'll go and help Her Majesty get changed.
Lady Cheng, please have a seat.
(It's actually made of elm.)
(How frugal.)
(This hall is more than 10 meters high.)
(But two people can hug around this column.)
(Clearly, it doesn't rely on the columns and beams for support.)
(This is different from the houses of ordinary people.)
(I wonder what method did they use)
(to build this hall.)
Mother!
Fifth Princess, Her Majesty is changing her clothes.
Your Highness. Your Highness!
Mother,
they said you and Father have something important to discuss
and refused to let me in.
Your father indeed has an important matter to take care of.
Why would I lie to you?
As a princess of the royal family,
you're familiar with the palace rules.
How can you cause a stir as you enter?
If your father hears you,
he'll punish you again.
Father is partial.
As a princess,
I have less freedom than other ordinary girls.
You were born with a silver spoon in your mouth.
Your father never mistreated you at all.
Isn't swimming in luxury also a kind of mistreatment?
You don't lack food or clothes too.
But why do you frown every day?
It's because Father only has eyes
for Yue Heng and her children.
Everyone knows
that Yue Heng is the real empress.
How dare you!
Who feeds you
with these incitement words?
The aides at my residence.
They were planning for my future. They never try to incite anything.
You're a woman.
You don't need to manage state affairs.
Why do you need aides?
You'll be married off to the Yue Clan.
Yet, you keep these men close to you.
What would Marquis Yue think?
This is why I'm here today.
I don't want to marry into that family.
I don't want to marry Marquis Yue's son.
Yue Heng's nephew is not talented in anything.
He's even worse than Third Princess's husband.
Why did we give Xuan Clan talented and educated men
for the marriage alliance
while the Yue Clan had to make me marry that dissolute person?
They're clearly trying to ruin me
and insult you.
Ridiculous!
Third Princess used to like Zisheng.
But after your father granted her marriage.
She was willing to marry into the Xuan Clan.
Why can't you do the same?
That's because Ling Zisheng is not interested in her.
The Xuan Clan's male members are not inferior to Ling Buyi.
She had no choice but to marry.
If I agree to marry that dissolute man,
she's going to laugh at me.
If only you saw
how Fifth Princess cried
while looking flustered as she entered Changqiu Palace.
It was hilarious.
It looks like
Father is determined
to let her marry into Uncle's family.
She's unbelievable.
What's there to complain about?
To marry such an insolent bride.
It's a loss for Uncle.
Your cousin lives a dissolute life.
It's not surprising
that Fifth Princess refused to marry him.
Why should she?
I liked Zisheng in the past.
Father made me marry into the Xuan Clan.
Didn't I marry in tears?
We're both princesses.
So we must have the same type of marriage.
What gives her the right not to marry?
I suggest you stop daydreaming.
If Zisheng likes someone with an ugly personality like you,
would your father worry about him all these years?
I'm afraid a number of ladies who are qualified to marry him
have surrounded the capital.
Mother,
how can you belittle your daughter?
You don't want to admit it?
Your husband of the Xuan Clan has rendered meritorious service.
Not only his family has a good reputation,
but he's also upright.
Think about your cousin.
He spends all day at the brothels.
Which lady is willing to marry him?
Would you be willing
to swap your husband with her?
Fifth Princess has countless aides at her residence.
They spend time together every day
and pretend to discuss state affairs.
Who knows what they do behind our backs?
Fifth Princess is not willing to marry
because she looks down on the Yue Clan.
Stop sowing discord.
You grew up in your uncle's house.
I'm sure he always tells you
about the grudge between Changqiu Palace and the Yue Clan.
Let me make myself clear in this matter.
I only want
a quiet life.
Put away your funny business
and don't cause me any trouble.
Or else,
I'll never speak for you.
It's already late.
Go and attend the family feast.
You're not going?
I hate those kinds of boring feasts.
We're not close anyway.
Why must we pretend to be happy together?
Are you going to let Changqiu Palace steal the show?
Do I look like I care who gets to steal the show?
You're not happy?
I refuse to give in.
If they say men and women should marry on coming of age,
Ling Zisheng is still not married.
Why did Father let him live freely?
Father spoils him more than he spoils us.
Could it be
that Ling Buyi is Father's son who was stranded out there?
You!
How could you insult your father this way?
Zisheng is General Huo's nephew.
The only descendant of the Huo Family.
That year,
all of the Huo Family died to save the whole nation.
Your father has been feeling guilty to this day.
How could you utter such cold words?
Huo Chong was only Ling Zisheng's uncle.
No matter how many people die,
they're only from the maternal side.
His parents are obviously still alive.
He was the odd one who refused to get close to them.
Yet, he shamelessly stayed here
to steal my parents.
How is this reasonable?
Quiet!
If you keep spouting nonsense,
I'm going to punish you!
Just punish me then.
I know you're angry because I'm disobedient.
But I want to do what men do.
Walk into the court, make contributions to the country,
and be an accomplished lady.
I will never marry into the Yue Clan no matter what.
If I can't decide on my marriage,
I might as well die!
You!
Mother, where are you going?
I'm not done talking yet.
Mother!
How dare this lowly servant eavesdrop?
I wasn't eavesdropping.
You were too loud.
I couldn't avoid it if I wanted to.
Insolence!
How dare you behave insolently in Changqiu Palace?
Guards!
Drag this disrespectful maidservant
and cane her!
Yes, Your Highness.
Your Highness, please spare her.
Your Highness.
She's Lady Cheng from Marquis Quling's Residence.
It's her first time entering the palace.
So she doesn't know the palace rules.
General Cheng is a new military general
who had made great achievements in Gu City
and was granted the title, Marquis Quling by His Majesty.
His Majesty often says to be kind to meritorious heroes' family.
I hope you don't be angry
(Luo Jitong) with Lady Cheng.
So you're a daughter of a military family.
No wonder you lack proper manners.
You actually have the audacity
to behave presumptuously in Changqiu Palace!
I shall report this to Father tomorrow
to punish you, lowly servant!
No,
I'll have your parents punished too!
Strip their military achievements
and chase all of you out of the capital.
Your Highness, calm down.
There's no need to bother about her.
His Majesty ordered me
to bring Lady Cheng to the family feast.
If you're still upset,
you can just scold some more.
But
I'm afraid His Majesty would blame us
if we were late.
Stop using Father to oppress me.
You're lucky this time.
If it weren't for the feast,
I would not let you go this easily.
You better watch yourself at the feast.
Don't let me catch you.
Or else
the Cheng Clan
will be punished along with you.
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