♫ The far and long roads ♫
♫ The man I miss is at a distant place ♫
♫ Seeking the truth in heaven and on earth, opening up the words deep in my heart ♫
♫ Not looking back ♫
♫ Thinking of a beautiful woman, if one's heart could be fragrant ♫
♫ Thinking of a beautiful woman, desolate like the moon ♫
♫ I worry when can I appreciate the grasses and flowers with beautiful woman ♫
♫ The ancient people didn't have time to leave some Yimoxiang (a type of plant) ♫
♫ Thinking of a beautiful lady, heart becoming fragrant on its own ♫
♫ Thinking of a beautiful lady, fragrant dreams ♫
♫ The whole world are drunk, one's whole life just follows the blue water ♫
♫ I'll drive and go away for an adventure, flying as I want in the nine skies ♫
Song of Phoenix
Episode 8
Altough endangering my body and facing death, I stick to my views with no regret.- Li Sao -
Has there been news from the State of Qin?
Not yet.
This Zhang Yi...saying that he will be doing an offering to Emperor Yan.
But he still hasn't done anything!
Perhaps Zhang Yi just wanted to trick you to get the He Shi Bi.
That is possible.
If that is true, how would he know that the real He Shi Bi
is still in Blue Platform Palace?
Zhang Yi has too many tricks.
We must have a backup plan to fight this sort of person.
If we are comparing tricks,
I don't think he's much better than you.
If not because of Royal Uncle's craftiness,
then wouldn't Zhang Yi have already tricked me out of the real He Shi Bi?
It is Your Majesty who was able to plan ahead.
What does Royal Uncle thinks about the choice for the district magistrate?
The Zhao and Jing families are both suitable.
I really can't say.
Your Majesty sees things thoroughly.
you already have a choice in your heart.
Zhao He is loyal, pure, and kind.
But in adapting to sudden events and in making strategies, he is lacking.
Your Highness favors Jing Po?
Jing Po, on the other hand, is too good in making contingencies and strategies.
Choosing him to be the district magistrate...very hard.
That's right. How is Qu Yuan doing being a magistrate?
I sent someone to check it out a few days ago.
I heard Qu Yuan was punishing some fish head.
This Qu Yuan is intelligent.
He is just a bit rash.
If he isn't rash, he wouldn't be Qu Yuan.
He isn't good in being an official like you all.
Make-up Store
Mo Chou, you haven't come in a long time.
Yes. After Brother Meng died, the circus troupe rarely performed.
So, I didn't come very often.
Everyone has their own fortune. This one is...
-I am...-I don't know him.
Alright then, take your time choosing.
Smell this. Does it smell good?
Yes, it smells good!
-It smells good!-Even if it smells good, it's useless for you to smell it.
This fragrance is too strong. It doesn't suit you.
You know about fragrant herbs too?
Gracilaria, grows by the river banks, clean and not dirty.
Wow.
Angelica, grows in desolate places, surpasses and stays away from the secular world.
Gladiolus, blooms in late autumn, fragrant but not colorful.
If these three herbs are merged together,
Quiet beauty and mild scent. It brings a noble and carefree feel to it. It suits you better.
Wow! It smells so nice! Big Brother Magistrate, you're amazing!
You know about everything!
This isn't hard. Fragrant herbs can be beautiful or ugly.
It's just like humans.
A gentleman, a talented person, a villain.
Habitually putting the similar ones together will surely lead to the correct combination.
All living things have souls. Plants have similar characteristics as humans.
Magistrate Qu, you must be busy. We will leave first.
My work today is to accompany you in investigating the actual situation of the citizens.
Are you going to keep following me?
Why can't I?
Big Sister, I want to drink a cup of tea.
Go on.
Boss, a cup of tea!
-Alright! Here, young man.-Thank you!
Big Brother Magistrate, you have a cup too!
-Give me a cup.-Alright Sir, here.
Boss, give me a cup too.
Okay, here.
I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I got your clothes dirty!
You are a magistrate! This will make you lose face.
You should go back and change your clothes.
It's just a cup of tea.
Even if you pour this entire kettle of water onto me,
I wouldn't lose much face.
Yi'er! Let's go!
Let's go!
Big Brother Magistrate! It'll be my birthday in three days!
Come drink a bowl of fish soup at my house! There will be salt in it!
Who said you'll get fish soup?
Let's go!
I will definitely go!
Sister, people usually employ the suffering trick to gain other people's confidence on themselves.
But you instead did it in somebody else.
You think I'm stupid. It is exactly because it is a suffering trick,
that's why I put it on that person.
Actually, Big Brother Magistrate is pretty nice! I don't think he's annoying!
But he's annoying to me!
Young Lady, this Ping Tian Yin (Heavenly Song) is really so nice to listen to.
You know what sounds good?
Of course I know. This song is good.
It actually is better than that piece "Qing Qing Zi Zin".
Also, while you are playing, you keep smiling!
What do you understand?
Of course I understand.
Because this is what Mr. Chang Yun worked hard to find!
This girl!
That's right. Is he back yet?
He already is. He is currently having a meeting with Master and the other honored guests.
Everyone that is here, let's say
if my Zhao family created a marriage alliance with the Qu family,
would that be good?
Using marriage in exchange for an alliance,
it is a surefire way. This method is very brilliant.
As I know, the Qu family's eldest son
has been training in martial arts since he was little. He has the courage of a warrior.
The second son is different.
He is handsome, elegant, and unconventional. And his poetic talent is really impressive.
Young Lady Bixia just reached the marriageable age.
She is of similar age with the young masters of Qu family.
If she is able to be married into the Qu family, the two of them playing the zither and harp together livening things up,
It will be an excellent match.
Come.
Jaingli Palace ("River Algae Palace")
King!
What is it?
My stomach hurts so much!
Someone come! Someone come!
Push!
-Princess, push!-Your Highness!
Your Highness, push!
Princess, princess, put some more strength into it!
Greetings, Queen Mother.
How are things going?
The physician says it's early labor.
-Princess! Push harder!-Your Highness!
Push harder!
It's out! It's out, Princess!
Congratulations, Your Highness! It's a boy!
Congratulations, Your Highness. It's a prince.
His Majesty and Noble Lady Ying were blessed with a son!
The prince's ambition is aimed at four directions (will travel far and make one's mark).
So handsome.
-He looks like me.-He looks a lot like you.
It's been hard on you.
Being able to have your child,
is my happiest moment.
It seems that we should give him a name.
Noble Lady Ying traveled thousands of miles to come to my Chu from Qin.
Why don't we name him, Zhi Qin?
Zhi Qin?
Zhi Qin.
Congratulations, Queen Dowager. Congratulations, King.
Everyone is to receive a reward.
Thank you, Queen Dowager.
Beloved, rest well.
When Zhi Qin is a month old, we will have a grand celebration.
I never imagined that that bitch
would have such a good stomach.
She had a son?
That's right.
This way, won't the king favor her to the extreme?
In the past, she was favored so much.
From now on, the mother will become more precious because of her son.
Would she still respect me?
I worry about that too.
The king hasn't come to visit you and the prince in a long time.
One day, I will make her know
what the consequences of fighting with me
will be like.
Are your things all packed?
Starting from tomorrow, you are no longer Yue Ying.
You have a new name, Tian Ji.
Do you resent me?
Actually,
I can't bear to send you away.
I'll wait for your return.
You are from a rich family in Lin Zi.
Your house is at the eastern side of the city. Since you were little, you were taught to read and learn principles, very good in song and dance. Your father used to be a businessman.
But later on, your family suffered a reversal of fortune so it was decided for you to join the beauty competition.
These two are your parents.
One is Li Ying, the other is Li Yuan.
They look like your brothers, but they are actually your subordinates.
They will only listen to your orders and be loyal to you.
If anything happens,
they will risk their lives for you.
I know your heart feels sad. But for the State of Qin's great goal,
I can only do this.
I understand.
This time when you go to Chu, besides getting information for me,
you must help me keep an eye on someone.
Who?
Qu Yuan.
Although this person is very young, he has a lot of guts and good strategies.
You must not belittle him.
Yes.
Go at ease. I will coordinate with you for the rest.
Thank you, Sir.
I will have to trouble all of you to take care of me.
The people of the State of Qin are one family. In order to rule the world,
we will not hesitate to die for it.
Sir, please take good care of my little brother and sister.
Don't worry.
Thank you, My Lord.
You know about the king's intentions too.
If your heart wanders in the future,
I'm afraid even I cannot protect them.
I understand.
It's getting late. Get on the boat.
My Lord! With this separation, I do not know when we will meet again.
Take care of yourself.
I want to dance for you one more time.
I think in the future, I will still have the chance to see you dance.
The dance will only be danced for you.
Perhaps, this is the last time.
♫ A field of luxuriant and white reed flowers in the late autumn, the early morning dew that became frost hasn't evaporated yet ♫
♫ The lover I miss is currently standing on the green grass by the riverside ♫
♫ I wanted to go against the current to go to her, but the path is dangerous and difficult, full of turns and is rugged ♫
♫ I wanted to go with the river flow to find her, yet she was already standing on the little continent in the river center for a long time ♫
♫ A field of yellow-green reed flowers in late autumn, the early morning dew are shining and sparkling due to to the sun's rays. ♫
♫ The lover I miss is currently standing on that side of the riverbanks ♫
♫ I wanted to go against the current to go to her, but the path is dangerous, difficult, and long ♫
♫ I wanted to go with the river flow to find her, yet she was already standing on the island in the river center for a long time ♫
You really move very fast.
Did you send the news out?
Princess, what are you saying?
I once said that if I don't say something, it doesn't mean I don't know about it.
But how come you repeatedly disobeyed me?
Princess! I did this all for you!
For me?
When my Royal Brother first sent me to the State of Chu, he also said it was for my own good.
But it was just to satisfy his own ambitious heart.
Yun Niang, you,
why are you using me? To gain riches?
Princess! I never wanted to use you!
Then what are you doing?
I'm doing this all for you, Princess!
The king favors you now,
but, in this world, what king is loyal to one woman?
When that time comes,
Princess is just alone here in Chu.
Who can you rely on then?
For my Qin'er,
I must think for my child.
Nothing else is more important than him.
Brother Yun!
What's wrong? Why do you look like you have so many thoughts?
Was my father discussing with you about some grand military activity?
Country matters will drag family matters with it. Family traditions will mold a country's tradition.
How can your really separate them clearly?
Bixia, have you been on the opposite side of the river?
That's true. The opposite shore is my home.
That is where the poor people live. How could you have gone before?
Now the Zhao home is your home.
You don't need to live there anymore.
Just divided by one river but it's not really that near.
I used ten years to come to this side.
But it is also not that far.
Perhaps, I only need one night
for me to be driven back to the other side.
Brother Yun, what are you trying to say?
Do you know what Lord Zhao talked to us about today?
He wants to marry you to Minister of War Qu's son.
Qu Yuan.
Because if the Qu and Zhao families are united in marriage,
your father will surely get the district magistrate position.
District magistrate position?
Qu Yuan is the world's best poet. He became a magistrate at a young age.
Enough, enough, enough!
I don't care if he's a magistrate or a poet!
The one I like isn't him!
No one can decide my matters for me!
Xiao'er, where did you go? Come here.
I have something to say to you.
You want to tell me about the engagement to the Qu family?
You knew?
Honestly, I also can't bear to let you go.
I hope that you can marry a good person.
But this time, what your father connected to was the Qu family's son.
Qu Yuan is a rare talent.
He is young and promising, full of political wisdom.
He is also favored by the king.
In the future, the possibilities for him are endless.
What you all really find satisfactory about him is that he is the son of the Qu family, am I right?
How can you say that?
You say it's for my marriage.
In the end, the reason for all of these is just because father wants to ally with the Qu family to get some district magistrate position.
How ridiculous! You're not allowed to talk about your father like that!
Did I say anything wrong?
If it was anyone else, even if he was extremely talented,
would you marry me to him?
-You-!-I won't marry him!
Let's not talk about if he is the Minister of War's son.
Even if it is the king, I wouldn't marry him!
You dare?
See if I dare or not!
-You-!-Xiao'er!
My lady! My lady, don't be angry!
The Master and Madam are doing this for your good!
They don't see me as a daughter.
In their eyes, I am just a chess piece!
What's bad about being engaged to Mr. Qu?
It is many girls' dream!
Whoever wants to marry him can marry him!
Mr. Qu can't marry just whoever wants to marry him!
What magistrate? What State of Chu poet? I don't want it!
I think that Mr. Qu is better than Mr. Cang Yun.
Mr. Cang Yun he...feels a little strange.
Don't talk about other people behind their back.
But I really think that way!
-You-! -Okay okay, I won't talk about it.
But my lady, it won't work if you continue fighting with the Master and Madam like this.
Or else?
I'm afraid what the Master decides, no one can change.
In this world, how can there be a principle where the arm can go against the will of the thigh?
If it can't go against it,
then I'll just choose to abandon this arm!
How ridiculous!
My Husband, you don't need to be this angry.
Xiao'er is just angry at the moment. She'll think things through very soon.
She's been spoiled rotten!
How can she choose her own marriage?
It's probably because of that Cang Yun!
Just a scholarly guest, she doesn't know how to detremine what is more important.
I'll drive him out right now!
My lord! You must not!
Can I not even drive out a guest?
Xiao'er has him in her heart, we can all see that.
You know Xiao'er's heart best.
If we drive out Cang Yun right now, I'm afraid Xiao'er will...
She'll do something foolish.
W-what foolish things could she do?
She must first have that capacity.
How about you...discuss this matter with Minister of War Qu first?
As for whether or not this matter succeeds, we don't know yet.
♫ Thinking of a beautiful lady ♫♫ The road is long and undetermined to end ♫
♫ Ten mile horizon, no date of return ♫
♫ So many words ♫♫ Are like fish bones in the bottom of my heart ♫
♫ Deep longings like thousands of threads, day and night ♫
♫ Thinking of a beautiful lady ♫♫ Clouds leisurely floating form for me ♫
♫ How come going away to do some great undertaking isn’t really what I want? ♫
Waiting for my lord,
I am sad and forgot to return home.
The years will be late soon; what will make me beautiful?
♫ A man aspires on thousands of years of concerns ♫
I blame you, Sire;
I am desolate and I forget returning home. Perhaps you are thinking of me
but you don’t have time?
♫ Who in the mortal world can understand? ♫
♫ Flicking one's sleeve, walking alone, and not looking back ♫
♫ There are orchids giving off fragrance ♫♫ The cold wind with its heroic posture smiles ♫
♫ and asks the man if he can identify her traces ♫
♫ While the fireworks hasn't dissipated yet ♫♫ Pick up a lotus to share ♫
Mo Chou, I'm back!
Father, you're back? You must be hungry, come and eat!
There's so much food today!
Where is Yi'er?
He's still sleeping.
That child. Today is his birthday.
Look, I borrowed two chicken eggs from Mrs. Zhao next door.
In a bit, you eat one too.
-I'll go call him.-Okay. Father, wipe your hands first.
I'll go call him.
Yi'er, it's time to eat!
It's already this time, and you're still sleeping? Hurry and get up to eat.
What's wrong? What's wrong?
-Biting...!-Biting?
Let me take a look.
Father. Father! Father!! Hurry and come here!
Yi'er! Yi'er!
What's wrong with Yi'er?
-I don't know! Hurry and look!-Biting!
Don't you know about medicine?
But I've never seen symptoms like this before!
Biting? Watch him, I'll go get a doctor.
Okay!
-Biting...!-How could this be?
Biting!
How is he?
I'm sorry. I've been a doctor for half my life,
but I don't know what illness this is.
Recently, there have been many people in Quan County who have gotten this illness.
-I'm afraid it's...-You're afraid it's what?
I'm afraid it's an epidemic.
Can he be saved?
Forgive me for wanting to help but can't do anything.
Aiya...
Doctor!
You must have a way! You are a famous doctor! Please!
You must save him! Please!
Medicines cannot cure lethal diseases. You also know some medical techniques.
You should understand this logic.
Aiya...
Yi'er!
Uncle Mo.
Mo Chou! What happened?
Yi'er! Do you hear me?
I'm talking to you!
Wake up!
Magistrate! Magistrate, this is bad!
-What happened?-From last night until now, many citizens have contracted a strange illness and died!
Something like this happened?
The people are in a panic!
Could it really be an epidemic?
That is more likely the case. This will surely cause a huge disturbance here in Quan County.
Hurry and take me to see this!
This smell is really so foul.
Son...
Wait!
We need to examine the body!
My son is already dead! I just want him to go in peace!
Yes, Magistrate Qu. He must be buried soon.
This happened because he contracted the epidemic.
If the magistrate wants you to open it, then open it!
Magistrate Qu has come precisely to investigate this epidemic.
You still dare to refuse the magistrate's people?
Liu Wai Zuai, what nonsense are you saying?
If you touch my son, I won't spare you!
Everyone calm down! Calm down!
Everyone, calm down!
I understand how you feel.
If it was me, if it was my family member who caught the epidemic, I'd be sad too.
But I believe that all of you don't want the epidemic to keep spreading, right?
The magistrate wants to examine the body to see
how he caught the epidemic. It is to save everyone!
My son is already dead! Will examining his body bring him back to life?
Old Madam, that's right. I cannot save him.
But I hope that there won't be more people like him.
I believe that all of you don't want that!
Yes, yes.
-Ma'am, please move aside.-No!
Madam Zhang, that's enough!
This...!
Qu Yuan said that?
Who says it isn't?
Qu Yuan really thinks that he is some important being.
Just because some person made him wear a few tall hats (put in high position),
He even thinks he can lift the sky on his shoulders!
Lord Jing, how can you still smile? If that brat Qu Yuan
If he really was able to cure the epidemic, then won't that wasted all our efforts?
He would need to have that capability first.
Lord Jing, why don't we stoke the fire
and make it burn stronger?
What? An epidemic?
Precisely. Over ten people have already died of the epidemic.
What plans do you have?
I believe that Ling Jun has no experience in dealing with epidemics.
It could create great trouble. I am willing to go to Quan County
and help Ling Jun.
What you say makes sense. But I think
War Minister is just worry too much. You have been a government official all your life.
May I ask you, in fighting against the Heaven compared to with humans, which one is easier and which is more difficult?
I do not know.
The Heaven follows fate while humans are driven by their emotions. The hardest thing to fight with in this world
is the human heart. This epidemic is part of Qu Yuan's fate as a government official.
For one to do great things then he must face great difficulties. If he is unable to get pass this trial,
how is Qu Yuan to do great things in the future?
But what if something happens?
I believe in him.
-Your Highness!-You do not need to say anything more, Minister of War.
I will take my leave.
How is it?
It won't work. The blood below the pustules are too viscous.
It is very hard to remove it.
I'll try again.
Wife,
if you are watching from the depths below,
please save this pitiful child.
This is the place Yi'er loves best.
Seeing Yi'er like this, I want to cry so much.
But I do not dare to cry in front of my father. He can't keep going on for much longer.
Not long after Yi'er was born, my mother died.
Because of my mother's death,
my father was sad for a long time.
That time, he wasn't even able to care for me and Yi'er. While I console my father on one side,
I still have to took care of Yi'er as well. I was so tired, so tired.
I even secretly thought,
if, if my little brother didn't exist...!
But when I saw Yi'er lying on the bed,
almost dying,
I knew then, that it looks like I am taking care of him,
but actually, he was what I was depending on!
There's nothing I can do!
I don't know what I'll do if one day Yi'er really leaves me!
I don't dare to think about it!
Mo Chou, don't worry. I will definitely find a way to cure Yi'er.
How can you cure him? How can you cure him?
I'd rather exchange my life for his!
I will definitely find a way to cure Yi'er! Wait for me.
The palace has been busy preparing for Concubine Yin's child's one month birthday celebration.
I never imagined that for that little thing's one month birthday,
the king would make such a big fuss.
When I was pregnant with Lan'er,
the king just rewarded me with a few things.
Your Lady Highness, the moon waxes and wanes.
Noble Lady Ying has been having excessive good fortune. I'm afraid she must have used them all up now.
Tomorrow, the thing I told you to prepare,
is it all ready?
I understand. It's just that I have never done this sort of thing before.
I am a bit worried.
What are you afraid of?
Such a small matter,
can you not even do that well?
♫ Day and night, summer and winter, nonstop changes ♫♫ Herbs and trees, prosperity and decline, would still depend on a beautiful woman ♫
♫ Rumors brought by wind from all over ♫♫ inciting ministers with different dreams ♫
♫ Asking the Heaven if it can bear witness to one's loyalty ♫
♫ Muddy and clear, beauty and ugly, overturning all living creatures ♫
♫ Angelica and magnolia, orchids and quan, have heard time spitting their fragrance ♫
♫ Why must you proceed against the current? ♫♫ Why must a lonely flower admire herself? ♫
♫ No one knew that one's birthplace has become someone else's territory ♫
♫ Outstanding in a chaotic world ♫
♫ Who can understand one's desire? ♫
♫ Going far to travel ♫
♫ Yet one's heart is tied with one's home ♫
♫ Drinking one 'Li Sao', the pain of separation ♫'Li Sao' is a famous Chu poem about separation.
♫ Getting drunk for a lifetime of dedicating oneself for one's country ♫
♫ Coping with the long, long road; hard to beg the heaven and the earth ♫
♫ How much excellence can grieving citizens produce? ♫
♫ Singing one 'Li Sao', pain of separation ♫
♫ Sighing how hard it is to keep a bosom friend ♫
♫ For the ideal that I hold dear to my heart, I’d not regret a thousand times to die. In the end, turning into ashes. ♫
♫ If this dream is difficult ♫♫ let's just leave it to the next generations to ponder ♫
♫ Outstanding in a chaotic world ♫♫ Who can understand one's desire? ♫
♫ Going far to travel ♫♫ Yet one's heart is tied with one's home ♫
♫ Drinking one 'Li Sao', the pain of separation ♫♫ Sighing how hard it is to keep a bosom friend ♫
♫ For the ideal that I hold dear to my heart, I’d not regret a thousand times to die. In the end, turning into ashes. ♫
♫ If this dream is difficult ♫♫ let's just leave it to the next generations to ponder ♫