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[General And I]
[Episode 17]
Your Majesty.
Is everything that should be done settled?
Yes.
Your Majesty, my condolences.
Is there anything else?
I've been informed of Your Majesty's decree.
Imperial court is to be suspended for seven days
so that our people can mourn.
If Your Majesty has no other orders, I'll leave the palace now.
It's been hard on you these days.
I'm afraid that if I see you, I will think too much.
Head home.
Yes.
Brother Bei Jie, you're home!
Miss Zui Ju.
- Miss Zui Jie. - Bei Jie...
How has Miss Bai been recently?
Which Miss Bai?
The young lady you saved.
Did you manage to save her?
That young lady?
No, I didn't manage to save her.
No...
Brother Bei Jie, why do you seem so pale?
Let me read your pulse.
- You're lying! - It hurts.
Let go of me. It hurts!
Who is lying to you?
I just... didn't finish my sentence.
I didn't manage to save her, but I didn't say that she's dead!
Am I not...
Am I not going to get her some medicinal herbs now?
Brother Bei Jie!
Go in!
Brother Bei Jie.
I already did all that I possibly could.
There was a delay to the treatment.
Even if my mentor had treated her, she would end up like this as well.
If your sword had been just one fraction off to the side
this young lady would surely have died.
When...
When will she regain consciousness?
It's hard to say for certain.
Factors that get a patient out of a coma are complicated.
Factors that keep them unconscious are also complicated.
She could wake up tomorrow or she could never regain consciousness.
As for that...
- What is the matter? - Get out.
What are you doing?
I haven't finished what I was saying!
- Why have you dragged me out here? - Get out.
Could you be more annoying?
- Get going! - Stop dragging me!
- Move it! Quickly! - Let go of me!
Why did you pinch me just now?
You... Why do you have so much to say?
Do I? I'm not even done talking.
Fine, fine!
Keep talking then.
Answer me.
You have to be honest with me.
That young lady.
Who is she to Brother Bei Jie?
Why did he kill her and then save her?
No, you...
Do you remember that eight years ago
His Highness was shot in the chest at the battle of Chang-An?
At that time, everyone thought that His Highness had stopped breathing
but Physician Huo was sure that he could be revived
so he used acupuncture on him and brought him back from death's door.
Of course!
Who is my mentor?
The top miraculous physician in the world!
I saw that the arrow was but a few millimeters from the heart.
It blocked off his pulse, but caused no immediate danger to his life.
Brother Bei Jie actually had a very weak pulse then
but ordinary folks like you couldn't spot it.
He struck her on the same spot with the same sort of wound.
Could it be that he actually is trying to save her by killing her?
Your Highness.
The capital city is right ahead.
I fear that things could go wrong when I report back to the court.
His Majesty is a wise ruler.
Your Highness has done no wrong.
His Majesty won't blame you.
I'm worried about her.
I don't know what she will do.
I can't read her mind.
If she shows up, she will become the target.
By then, the only way to save her... is to kill her in public.
Why did you come?
What should I do about you?
[Yun-An City, Bai Lan State]
Princess.
You've been busy with handling state affairs day and night.
You look so tired.
Women's skin is very delicate.
It's been quite dry these days.
You should care more for your skin.
Lu Yi.
Bring me the hydrating cream that was offered
by the Western Regions as a tribute some days ago.
Yes.
Your Highness, you look so beautiful today.
It's your first court session today.
You must bedazzle the officials with your charm.
Your Highness, take a look.
I just need to look graceful in court to discuss state affairs.
This leaf-shaped jade hairpin will be enough.
Yes.
Reporting to the Princess.
Prime Minister Gui is already waiting outside.
Invite Prime Minister Gui in quickly.
Yes.
Veteran subject Gui Chang Qing greets Your Highness.
Prime Minister, don't stand on such ceremony.
[Prime Minister of Bai Lan State, Gui Chang Qing]
Your Highness, from today onward
you're no longer just the younger sister of the deceased king
or the little princess of the royal family.
You are now the ruler of Bai Lan Empire.
You are my mistress and I, your subject.
How could I not kneel in the presence of my mistress?
Veteran subject Gui Chang Qing greets Your Highness.
Please do rise, Prime Minister.
Take a seat.
Thank you, Your Highness.
I was entrusted by the deceased king
to escort Your Highness to Liang State back then.
Even to this day
I still remember very clearly how innocent and carefree you were then.
Now that Your Highness has returned to your nation
and is soon to take the throne in the palace of Bai Lan State
I can't help but feel emotional.
It is for this day that I've waited 10 long years.
Back then, Father was defeated in war and died from illness.
Bai Lan Empire was caught between civil unrest and external invasion.
My brother had no choice but to send me to Liang State
in exchange for peace in our country.
Both Bai Lan State and I owe Prime Minister
for planning meticulously and mediating between the states all these years.
I'm truly grateful to Prime Minister.
I'll also remember your teachings.
Restrain oneself, return to the rites, speak and act cautiously.
Your Highness is too kind.
It's my duty to do so.
Both Jin and Liang are weakened by the battle.
Although Bai Lan State has steered away from their conflict
the country must not be without a ruler for long!
I think that Your Highness should select a prince consort quickly
and give birth to a prince as soon as possible.
That's the only way to truly ensure the prolonged prosperity of Bai Lan State.
Prime Minister, you're right.
I do have that idea in mind.
Which hero won't be tempted by the notion of a ruling princess
who sets out to select her husband?
I'm just worried that those men would flock in not for the princess
but for taking over Bai Lan State.
I hope that Your Highness will consider this matter very cautiously.
Your Highness, any despicable and useless man
could easily bring great calamity upon Bai Lan State.
After much consideration
I have one person to recommend to Your Highness.
My son, Gui Yan...
Prime Minister.
I already have a man in my affection.
It's good that you have found someone in your affection.
I wonder which family he is from.
Young Prince of Jing An, He Xia.
What do you think of him?
Your Highness truly has such good taste.
He Xia and Chu Bei Jie are both renowned generals of our times.
Now that wars are breaking out everywhere around us
everyone feels insecure.
Warriors are highly valued.
Therefore, I think that if Your Highness could marry him
it would be as good as erecting an iron shield around Bai Lan State.
It's just that...
Yes?
Considering his abilities and ambitions...
Holding on to such an outstanding general...
I'm afraid that it isn't easy.
It might not be easy, but it isn't impossible.
I have the confidence to make this work.
Moreover, I have Prime Minister by my side to mentor me.
I'm not worried that I won't be able to win his heart.
Your Highness.
These aren't just willful words of a child who spoke out of impulse.
I've considered it for days.
Of all men I have met, none is more suitable than He Xia.
Your Highness!
Long live the princess!
My subjects, do rise.
Thank you, Your Highness!
Is there any report to be made?
I have a matter to report to Your Highness.
Master Lu, do speak.
Master Lu, what is this about?
Your Highness.
What I am about to say might offend Your Highness greatly.
It might get me killed.
Even so, I have to speak my mind.
Your Highness, do forgive me.
Master Lu, get up and speak.
Thank you, Your Highness.
Your Highness.
A nation must not go without a ruler for long.
The former king passed away abruptly.
Prime Minister Gui had Your Highness escorted back here in time
to handle the state affairs.
It was indeed a very wise move.
However, this can't last long.
I think that the pressing matter at hand is to bring a new king to the throne.
- Bring a new king to the throne? - Bring a new king to the throne?
This is...
Your Highness.
I too share the same opinion.
However, the royal family of Bai Lan's offspring is scarce.
After giving it much consideration
I truly don't know who else there is in the royal family
who is more qualified than the princess to take over the imperial court.
I recommend Prince of Qikang.
Your Highness and my fellow officials, what do you think about it?
I've never heard of him.
Prince of Qikang?
Why have I never heard of him?
Reporting to Your Highness. I do know of this man.
He came from an impoverished family on Qilian Mountain.
30 years ago, he sought refuge here in the capital.
His ancestors must have done something good in the past
so he was blessed with a good singing voice.
Therefore, he won the favor of the deceased king
and was rewarded with a bit of land at the bottom of Qilian Mountain.
He was then conferred as Prince of Qikang.
He must be at least 73 years old now.
Master Lu.
You're recommending that man as the next king?
I think that you suggested crowning a new king
just to oppose the princess's governance.
You intend to take hold of the new king to command the officials
and further rise in power to rebel.
Your Highness!
Gui Chang Qing! You...
Prime Minister Gui, you have overalalyzed the situation!
I do not object to having the princess govern the nation.
I would never dare to rebel and usurp the throne!
I know very well that the princess must be an outstanding lady.
I'm just obeying the posthumous edict of the deceased king
to abide by the ancestors' teachings!
Bai Lan State has never been ruled by a woman.
Your Highness.
The regulations set by our ancestors must not be violated!
Prime Minister Gui, here before all the imperial officials
I could swear that when the new king takes the throne
I, Censor Lu Rong Ze, will resign from my position
to avoid all conflicts of interest!
I do know the regulations of our ancestors.
It's just that we're in a special situation now.
I have been entrusted with the nation in times of emergency.
I really wouldn't dare to hand over the nation so easily to someone else.
However, right here I can make an oath to the gods
that I shall always remain the princess of Bai Lan State.
Never shall I take the throne.
- I think that Master Lu is right. - Exactly.
The king just passed away
and Prime Minister Gui sent his son to bring the princess back right away.
He had the timing so precisely accurate.
Three generations of aristocracy in the Gui family and they are used to...
Sooner or later, we shall one day shut them up once and for all.
We're just not saying it out loud.
- Yan. - Forget it.
The princess is now in governance and a new reign begins.
You must correct your bad habit of acting recklessly.
It might all seem calm in and out of the imperial court
but in fact, trouble is already stirring.
Understood?
Father, don't keep making a long face all the time.
You're the current Prime Minister.
The princess is on our side.
Are you insane?
How dare you speak without any restraint?
No.
When we were in court today
why didn't the princess mention the selection of her prince consort?
Haven't you already mentioned it to her?
You're asking me that instead?
I'm the one who wants to ask you where that He Xia is right now.
He Xia?
Prince of Jing An Manor's was demolished. He's a wanted criminal.
I don't know where he's gone.
You don't know where he is?
Would you like to find out after he is made the prince consort?
You...
Useless brat!
Father!
Your Majesty.
Great!
- Come here, Your Majesty! - Don't go!
Come here! I'm here!
Come here!
Don't go!
Caught you!
Your Majesty.
Drink!
Here.
- Don't run! - Your Majesty, catch me!
Your Majesty, I'm here!
Don't run!
Where are you?
I caught you!
Yun Er.
What brings you here?
Here, come and have some wine with me.
Your Majesty, I need to report a matter to you.
A matter?
Your Majesty.
The queen left an oral decree before her death
to leave her phoenix seal with me for safekeeping.
I'm most terrified.
The phoenix seal should be in the queen's possession.
I'm afraid that it's inappropriate for me to keep it for long.
I've come to return it.
Please choose someone else to safeguard it.
The queen's oral decree...
- My head hurts. - Your Majesty!
The azoth!
- Quickly! - Your Majesty.
Take the azoth.
Here.
Your Majesty.
Slowly.
- Your Majesty. - All right!
If you were told to keep it, just do it.
I don't want to hear about such matters now.
If you can't understand me, let Chancellor Zhang handle it.
Here.
Drink!
What is it?
Are you all dead?
- Your Majesty. - Dance!
I will obey your decree.
Dance!
Brother Bei Jie....
- Zui Ju! - Why did he save her?
- I brought the medicine back. - Coming!
Could it be... for love?
- What is wrong with Zui Ju? - I don't know.
What is this?
- Isn't this what you asked for-- - I just need three grams of it.
Why have you picked a basket full? Have you just raided the mountain for it?
His Highness went onto the mountain early this morning.
He spent so much time and effort to find them.
Roseroot mostly grows in cold places high up in the mountains.
It has very cooling and nourishing elements.
It grows very slowly and doesn't survive very well.
That's why it is especially valuable and precious.
I believe that His Highness must have
gone deep into the mountain to get these herbs.
It's been hard on him.
That... That's true.
If she never wakes up again, does that mean I will have a chance?
Zui Ju!
- If she never wakes up? You... - What nonsense are you saying?
Tell me.
Can these herbs really cure illnesses?
Don't end up keeping Miss Bai unconscious forever!
What are you talking about?
I'm a doctor with high morals, all right?
How could you be so vicious?
No, no...
It annoys me to see you. Go away.
I'll let you sleep forever next time.
- No... - What are you talking about?
- You... Who is vicious? - It's hot!
Go away!
You're the vicious one.
Am I that sort of person?
It's time for your medication.
Let me do it.
How can you feed her when she's lying on her back?
What if she chokes on it?
Sit her up quickly and let her lean on you.
She must feel very uncomfortable.
She should be all right.
The medication still dribbles down.
There's no other way.
I can feed her a little at a time.
This won't do! You have to think of a way to make her take all the it!
She is unconscious now.
You're a doctor!
You have to think of a way!
I can't.
You can feed her yourself!
Where are you going?
I'm leaving now.
I'm going to look for my mentor and travel the world with him!
Why would he leave me here in this awful place to be treated indifferently?
It's arduous and unrewarding!
Hold on!
What is it?
I'm sorry.
I shouldn't have gotten angry at you.
It's just that I'm upset to see her in such a sickly state.
I'm just pretending to be angry.
But this really won't do.
Why don't we switch to a different method?
What other method is there?
Brother Bei Jie, go chop up some firewood.
Go on.
[Yun-An City, Bai Lan State]
[Lingyu Gate, Royal Palace]
Her Highness shouldn't have gone to such trouble
to make imperial officials like us come here early this morning
to welcome some young boy.
Exactly.
Who are you to question the princess's decree?
- Yes. - Yes.
Whatever our superior commands, we obey.
You have all been officials for so many years.
Do I need to teach you all over again?
- No. - No.
How dashing and high-spirited.
You must be Young Master He.
I am indeed. You are too kind.
May I ask...
Gui Chang Qing is here to welcome
Young Master into the palace on the orders of the princess.
You're Prime Minister Gui?
Forgive my manners.
I surely should receive the princess's guest with the right etiquette.
Please come with me, Young Master He.
Isn't Her Highness in the palace?
According to the ancestral regulations of Bai Lan State
apart from the royal family and imperial officials
others are not to enter through the main palace gate.
Young Master He will have to put up with entering from the side gate.
Prime Minister, what regulation is that?
It's obviously an insult to my young master.
Fret not, young man.
These are all ancestral regulations.
We wouldn't dare violate them.
Prime Minister might not know that
Princess Yao Tian has already made me her General of Fast Cavalry.
The imperial officials of Bai Lan State need not enter from the side gate.
I see.
However, I have yet to hear about that from Her Highness.
Young Master He, do you have the official seal to prove it?
It hasn't been given to me yet.
Then... Do you have the princess's written decree to prove it?
There's no written decree.
Then... This way, please.
All right, I will comply with your traditional customs.
After you.
Prime Minister Gui is still the crafty one.
Exactly.
Is Young Master He still displeased about what happened?
Prime Minister, you've overstated.
There's no need to be disappointed.
I still have great news for you.
I wonder what it is.
Her Highness has the intention of making you her prince consort.
Is that not worth rejoicing over?
This is...
Please don't tease me, Prime Minister.
Who am I to be favored by the princess?
Good.
You're smart.
You know your place.
This is Her Highness's intention.
I'm not at liberty to discuss it.
I just need to make a few matters clear to Young Master He.
Do advise.
How straightforward!
I will get straight to the point then.
First of all, do you know that the prince consort of Bai Lan State
is a position that many warriors and officials sought?
Her Highness favors Young Master He greatly.
You must have done well in your previous life to have such blessings.
Young Master He.
Once you're made the prince consort
you'd have to remain faithful to your duties.
Serve the princess dutifully.
Empty titles such as General of Fast Cavalry aren't needed.
Secondly, since you're to be married into Bai Lan State
you have to abide by the regulations of our country.
May I be so bold as to ask what those regulations are?
Bai Lan Empire has always been ruled
by law and order as well as rites that ensure our national security.
It can't be explained simply in a few words.
Once Young Master becomes the prince consort
I will surely mentor you.
In general, two words should sum it up.
Sovereign and subject. That is all.
I hope that you can think them over in the future.
As for the third...
I believe that you must have figured it out by now.
Forgive me for being slow.
How would I know if you haven't told me?
Whatever motive you might have for coming to Bai Lan State
the royal palace of Bai Lan State is not as simple as you think it is.
If you want to hang on to your dear life
you should know your place and get in line.
Her Highness is still waiting for us.
Young Master He, please come with me.
Prime Minister, thank you for your advice.
I have suddenly taken ill.
It's best for me not to meet Her Highness today.
I will take my leave now.
Young Master He must be weary from traveling.
You haven't had any rest.
All right.
I will inform Her Highness on your behalf.
You might still be young, but you should know your limits.
It's good for you to know when to protect yourself.
Go and get some rest then.
I won't see you out.
Thank you, Prime Minister.
Young Master.
Are we not going to meet the princess?
Young Master!
Princess, Prime Minister Gui seeks audience with you.
Greetings to...
What happened?
Why didn't He Xia come in with you?
Young Master He asked to leave.
Why?
I followed Your Highness's orders to invite him to the palace
and informed him that you wish to make him your prince consort.
However, Young Master He felt that he's not worthy of Your Highness
and couldn't accept your kindness.
He then asked to leave.
He just left like that?
I've failed Your Highness.
I couldn't persuade him to stay.
Please punish me.
Forget it.
Since this is his decision, it's not your fault.
I've troubled Prime Minister. You are dismissed.
Yes.
Princess, don't be upset.
There are so many great men in this world.
It's not worth being upset over mere He Xia.
Don't worry yourself sick over him.
It was just my wishful thinking.
Prepare my official robe.
It's time for imperial court.
Yes.
There's still not enough water.
Go and get more.
Brother Bei Jie, my mentor told me that patients who can't take medication
can also be treated with the vapor from steamed medicinal herbs.
She can breathe in the medication or absorb it through her skin.
In addition, Wei Ya and I concocted the best ginseng with saffron
to compliment roseroot's medical effect in blood circulation to remove stasis.
However, this is the first time that I've tried this method.
I don't know if it will work.
But we could only use this as our last resort.
What are you talking about?
What...
What last resort?
All right now!
Men should leave this room quickly.
I have to undress her.
- Go now. - Water...
- Get out. - What about the water?
No!
Sit her up first.
However skilled I am in medicine, I can't save anyone with a broken heart.
Miss Bai, let us pull through this together.
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