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~ Moonrise by Lu Hu & Huang Yali ~
♫ The moonlight shines brightly on the strings of the zither that night ♫
♫ You and I are teetering on the edge of loneliness ♫
♫ Softly reciting the bygone days we cannot return to ♫
♫ Also floating in the air is a kite with a string that has snapped ♫
♫ The yearning stirs my heartstrings that night ♫
♫ Love and hate whimper quietly and unrestrainedly ♫
♫ To meet or not to meet, both are similarly on the edge of pain ♫
♫ That umbrella that shielded me from the rain was badly damaged ♫
♫ At moonrise, I meet with you ♫
♫ At moonset, I could not see you anymore ♫
♫ At moonrise, I endlessly yearn for you ♫
♫ At moonset... at moonset... ♫
♫ A millennium passes by rapidly... ♫
The Legend of Hao Lan
Episode 6
Royal Descendant. Please forgive me! I'm genuinely repentant.
You're a thief. You dare steal!
General Gongsun.
What?
Forgive him. For my sake.
Thank you Royal Descendant.
I'm willing to do anything for you from now on.
I won't have any complaints until death.
Please, get up.
Dry your tears. Go back to work.
Yes, sir.
You... Why are you so kind hearted?
He stole your zither. Why are you defending him?
It's no big deal. As long as he's repentant, it's fine.
What a joke.
Everytime I try to get close to the Royal Descendant of Qin, he keeps me at arm's length.
But you earned his trust so quickly.
Looks like my intuition was correct.
It's rare for a man to reject a charming woman.
You... Why are you so kind hearted?
He stole your zither. Why are you defending him?
It's no big deal. As long as he's repentant, it's fine.
Dry your tears. Go back to work.
I sent you to the Royal Descendant of Qin to gauge his true intentions.
Find out his true nature.
Not for you to flirt and fall in love.
I'm laughing because the public has misjudged the Royal Descendant.
He might not be the stepping stone you need.
Why not?
What kind of King do you need?
Someone willingly and happily coachable.
In other words, someone who'll listen to you.
But in my opinion, he's unlikely to obey someone else.
There will come a day, when he will obey me.
Perhaps when pigs fly Mr. Lü.
I'm your master. Don't talk back.
- Master. - Let go.
Immature.
What's the matter?
The King has suddenly ordered Li Haolan to dance at the palace.
How would the King know who I am?
You danced at the Prime Minister's feast. It's not unexpected to gain some attention.
But this is a bit too sudden.
What will you do? Refuse?
How can a mere businessman refuse a King.
But if you offer me up, who will charm the Royal Descendant?
All your efforts will be in vain.
This edict is unexpected.
But it's not necessarily a bad thing.
The King is bewitched by dance.
If you can gain his affections, it'll only mean good things for our future plans.
You want me to whisper in the King's ear?
To convince him to send the Royal Descendant back to Qin?
It's a bit early to say.
Let's cross that bridge when we come to it.
Yiren. I heard you lost your favourite zither when you were sick.
I found you a new one. Do you like it?
Thank you for the kind gesture.
But I've done nothing to deserve it. So I cannot accept.
You're so cold hearted.
The Princess personally selected this zither and strung for you.
Look. Her fingers are covered in cuts.
Xia Xue. If you keep blabbing, I'll leave you at home next time.
Princess.
I am untalented and without virtue. Thank you for your devotion.
But I've already found my own zither.
So I won't trouble you further.
You found it?
I was going to give it to a more suitable owner.
But she needs to enter the palace.
So she returned it to me.
Is that so?
There's no need for you to pretend.
Do you really have nothing to do with Haolan entering the palace?
What do you mean?
Princess, you are astute and intelligent
there are many things I don't need to say out loud.
You're finally dropping your act.
Someone told me
your usual humility and kindness
is just a defense mechanism. To protect your life.
You could have used me as your shield.
And I would have pretended not to know any better.
But you've only just met her.
And for her, you're willing to interrogate me.
Is it really for Haolan?
Ever since I met you
you've treated me as your possession.
I'm not allowed to have friends or intimates.
Or any joy in my life, other than you.
Princess.
Loving someone in this way will suffocate them.
I'm protecting you.
Do you know how many people want your life in Zhao?
This kind of protection,
I can't bear.
You don't want
my gift of a zither.
The one you want to gift a zither to
might not live to receive it.
Princess.
Hello sister-in-law.
I just went to your rooms to visit you.
But was told you went out.
I thought I'd come for nothing. Who knew I'd run into you here?
Were you looking for me?
Your brother sent some exquisite silk from Chu.
The pattern is also currently trending.
I brought it to gift you.
Thank you sister-in-law.
What a coincidence.
Even if you hadn't come to find me, I would have gone to find you.
I have a piece of good news.
What good news?
Don't you know? Your older sister is entering the palace.
My sister?
Yes. The Prime Minister offered an entertainer to my Royal Father.
I hear she's your older sister.
Sister-in-law. You're so petty.
Who knew you had an excellent dancer for a sister?
You've been keeping her a secret.
Well...
From now on, both sisters will be in the palace.
You can see each other often. Maintain a sisterly relationship.
[Clear Moon Palace]
What's the matter? You asked me here so urgently.
Mother. Li Haolan is going to enter the palace today.
What?
Mrs. Lin was my tutor.
She met her end at the hands of Li Haolan.
I'm afraid
I'm afraid that I'll be next.
You think too much.
Even if she entered the palace,
she's still just a mere entertainer.
No. Don't forget.
The most favored Consort Yun was also once just a dance entertainer.
Li Haolan does not pale in comparison to Consort Yun in her prime.
Whether it's her beauty or her dancing skill.
Who knows whether in time she'll become the next favored Consort.
We need to act first.
We can't give her an opportunity for revenge.
But it's not exactly easy to find
a legitimate excuse to kill Li Haolan
This situation could be difficult
but at the same time
it may not be that hard.
What do you mean?
Just think. Doctors need to treat the root of an illness.
To find one's shortcomigs, we must first understand them.
The King loves dancers
but what does he have even more faith in?
My dear ministers, for today's banquet,
the Prime Minister will be presenting me with a dance entertainer.
I heard that this dance entertainer's dancing skills are extremely exquisite.
Chi Su,
compared to you, she's just as good.
Since Your Majesty has praised her, I must appreciate her performance properly.
I heard that this dance entertainer is Imperial Censor Li's eldest daughter.
Her dance skills are extraordinary.
I heard that too.
How did the eldest daughter of an Imperial Censor become a dance entertainer?
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Such a beauty like her
really makes me reminisce the past.
Younger sister had set such a high standard,
yet there's someone who has surpassed you.
Elder sister is right. After blooming, a flower will eventually wilt.
It's very common for someone new to replace someone old.
Instead of grieving over change, it's better to just take it easy.
Fortunately, His Majesty still thinks of the past and hasn't forgotten us.
Am I right?
Younger sister is so magnanimous.
Why did you not tell me about Haolan entering the palace?
My husband, Xiuyu just found out about it too.
Is that so?
Of course.
If I knew about this beforehand, why would I not mention anything?
Good!
Good...!
Good!
Your dance skills are exquisite indeed.
Prime Minister.
Prime Minister has earned merit for presenting this dancer. Reward him!
Your Majesty, I have not done much.
If Your Majesty wants to bestow a reward, you should bestow it to Haolan instead.
Of course.
What's her name?
Haolan. Li Haolan.
The High Priest has arrived.
Your Majesty.
Why are you here High Priest?
On my way back from stargazing today,
I heard a bunch of kids singing in the streets of Handan.
When I wanted to ask them over
I found the leader, who was wearing red clothes, had disappeared.
What song was it?
They were singing "The moon rises. The sun sets."
"A mulberry arrow in a bracket quiver will cause Handan's sudden destruction"
This song sounds so familiar.
The King may not remember. This song was first recorded in the Zhou Dynasty.
King Xuan of Zhou was a great leader, the Royal family was thriving.
Yet he met a child in the market dressed all in red.
Who sang him this ill-fated song.
Everyone knows mulberry
is a strong material. It's well suited to bow making.
And bracken grows everywhere in the wild. People use it to weave quivers.
Bows and arrows are weapons.
This song implies military chaos.
High Priest.
Arrows are an essential weapon in war.
There's conflict at the Qin and Zhao border.
The song is quite appropriate.
There's nothing unusual.
Prime Minister. That's not entirely correct.
If it's just about the conflict between Zhao and Qin.
Why would I be so concerned?
The meaning behind this song clearly indicates the battles will rage
leading to the destruction of Zhao.
- Is that true? - It can't be.
It is known that the Heavens will try to forewarn the King
by sending a harbinger to earth.
The child in red is that harbinger.
So this song that foretells of the destruction of our country
is a warning from the Heavens.
High Priest. You're being an alarmist.
How is this a warning?
Have you forgotten?
Under the rule of King Xuan of Zhou, all was peaceful across the land.
But after he encountered the harbinger from Heaven,
he also didn't think much of it. Like you.
And thus the country descended into chaos.
Your Majesty. This is the same harbinger, the same warning.
Do not treat it flippantly.
- I... - Alright, enough.
You're both thinking of what's best.
Seeing as it affects the fate of our country. We should take preventative measures.
How can we avoid the disaster High Priest?
When King Xuan of Zhou asked his High Priest, Bo Yangfu,
he was adamant, the disaster arises within the palace.
Within the palace?
Although on the surface, it's talking about bows and arrows
it actually refers to women causing chaos and bringing ruin.
The sun represents the King.
The moon represents a woman.
The meaning is obvious.
How dare you.
Everyone knows the moon refers to the Queen.
You dare slander her in public? That's a great sin.
"The moon is rising". It's in future tense.
Of course the High Priest isn't talking about me.
But due to King Xuan's carelessness, he overlooked Bao Si.
She was the reason King You of Zhou lost the faith of his subjects.
I wonder who exactly is the one who will
bring disaster upon Zhao?
So who is the threat to Zhao?
She is here with us now.
This dance entertainer.
You have no evidence High Priest,
how can you slander someone so carelessly?
Can I ask miss, were you born on the fifth day of the fifth month at midnight?
I was.
Your Majesty, snakes and beasts come out of hibernation in the fifth month.
The fifth day is also a day of evil. This is an evil day of an evil month.
She was also born at midnight. An unholy hour.
The malevolent influence is strongest at this time.
If she's not the evil omen, then who is?
Excuse me, High Priest.
There are thousands of people born on the same day.
Are they all evil omens? Don't forget,
Lord Mengchang is also born on the fifth day of the fifth month.
But under his influence, Qi has prospered.
Is he also an evil omen?
That's right.
High Priest. You don't seem to have enough evidence.
A man's yang energy can defeat evil.
A woman, if she was born in the country, is no big deal.
But if she enters the palace, her yin energy will increase. Bringing disaster.
The results of my divination
prove this is an evil woman.
Your Majesty. Please make the decision quickly.
Your Majesty, this is horrifying.
This witch almost brought disaster to the court.
- This witch definitely can't stay in the palace, Your Majesty. - That's right, Your Majesty.
It's safer to believe than disbelieve.
The High Priest's predictions have always been accurate.
Your Majesty.
Your Majesty. This girl is just a regular dance entertainer. If you dislike her,
just kick her out of the palace.
Royal Descendant. Are you trying to defend her?
Didn't the High Priest just say,
women born on the fifth of the fifth aren't a problem if they live as commoners?
By kicking her out of the palace we can avoid the calamity.
Why is the Prince preventing this?
Royal Descendant is after all from Qin.
You should not comment on the internal politics of the Zhao state.
Why is the fate of the Zhao state in the hands of a woman?
That even the Prince is terrified?
How dare you.
Both of you make good points.
But in my opinion, Haolan is an excellent dancer.
It would be a shame to kill her.
I think he has an ulterior motive.
Older Brother, that's not true.
I think the Royal Descendant is just kind hearted.
He just wants to appeal on behalf of this girl.
Your Highness,
it's simple enough to let a girl go.
But if she has even a chance of survival, she will continue to be an ill omen to the common people.
My Queen.
What the High Priest said makes sense.
In your opinion, how should we proceed?
Tomorrow night during the full moon, when the yin energy is strongest,
this girl should be offered as a sacrifice.
Only then can we prevent calamity and ensure peace.
Since High Priest has already made these claims
for the peace of the Zhao state and safety of the people
we can only abide by his advice.
Tomorrow. We will hold the sacrificial ceremony.
- Everything will be organised by the High Priest. - Yes, Your Majesty.
Hurry.
I want to see the master of your house.
Royal Descendant.
- My master is not home. - Not home?
Does he not know that tomorrow is the full moon? His Majesty wants to execute Haolan.
- Master already knows. - He knows and he still went out?
Lü Buwei is hiding on purpose.
I hope Royal Descendant understands.
He was the one who sent Haolan into the palace.
Does he want to watch her die?
Or is it that he is afraid of the trouble approaching, so he ran away in a hurry?
Even Master is at a loss in the face of the High Priest's prophecy.
People have things that must and must not be done.
Help me inform him that such a heartless person, truly makes one get cold teeth.
Princess, the Royal Descendant seeks an audience.
Princess, your makeup is in order and your clothes are neat. You need not worry.
- Invite him in. -Yes.
I thought that you had already left the palace earlier.
I have visited Zhao for many years, each time Your Highness looked after me.
I should not be speaking badly towards you.
Today I have come to apologise.
Yiren, after recovering from a serious illness you immediately rushed here.
Specially because of an ordinary female entertainer?
I want to know, what is so special about her to you.
Your Highness has misunderstood.
I have been wandering around Handan,
but her music brought me a sliver of peace.
To me, she is a very good friend.
It has nothing to do with boy-girl relationships.
Even if an ordinary friend were to be at the edge of life and death,
I would think of every possible way to help them escape.
- Really? - Really.
Yiren, since you wish for her to live,
I will definitely go and beg Royal Father.
Hope that he forgives her on my behalf.
Thank you, Your Highness.
In that case, I shall take my leave now.
Your Highness, are you really going to beg for forgiveness for Li Haolan?
Beg for forgiveness?
I do want to help beg for forgiveness.
What a pity, no one is able to save her.
Since Her Highness has already promised to help Haolan beg for forgiveness,
why do you still look so sombre?
Do you think I really went to beg for forgiveness today?
Based on the Princess' personality,
even if Haolan had half a chance of living,
without me saying anything she would already fly into a rage.
Based on her attitude, you can see the Zhao King's desire to kill.
Then today you went to test the princess?
So in that case, Haolan definitely has to die?
Aiyo.
Your Highness-
What wrong have I done?
The one who bribed Taibo and slandered Li Haolan for being an unlucky star, is it you?
For her sake, you hit me?
I have already warned you. Do not be blinded by hatred.
Before you do anything you have to discuss with me!
You actually recklessly acted because of a moment's lust.
Then you have hit me too late! Tomorrow, older sister will enter heaven.
Even if you are still angry, you cannot do anything!
Unless you are willing to give up being favoured by Royal Father.
And risk your life to see him.
But would you be willing
to give up your goals for a woman?
Your Highness, I'm not doing all this
just for myself. It's for you too.
You saw how your father looked at my sister.
If you keep hesitating you'll have to call her step mother!
Are you really willing to do that?
It's better to destroy that which you can't obtain.
That way your memories won't be tainted.
I think you should have let go a long time ago.
Give her some water. Don't make her suffer.
You're too kind.
General.
Are you blind? You dare block my way? Get lost!
Miss. Haolan. The Royal Descendant has done all he can.
This is fate. You have to accept it.
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I didn't want Haolan to come to the palace.
Who knew she would come to this?
I feel very guilty.
Tonight is the sacrificial ceremony. You should speak with her.
- Lü Buwei. - You want me to save you.
I'm a mere businessman.
It's hard enough to save my own skin.
Now that you're an ill omen. No one dares save you.
Then what are you here for?
I brought you to the palace. If I hadn't come,
the Prime Minister will think I'm cruel and heartless.
I'm about to die. And you still want to use me?
No matter how valuable a product is, it is still a commodity.
Once it rots and stinks. It will be tossed.
It is a privilege for you to offer up your last piece of usefulness.
Our relationship is like this old cloak.
I'm throwing it away. I have no more need for it.
When you get to Heaven, remember to commend me to the gods.
So they might look after me
and assist me in my path.
Wear this cloak well. Let it accompany you in my stead.
What's with today? Everyone's here to see me.
Old Sister. It's only been a few days, how are you in such a state?
Your naive act is as good as always.
Acting?
How could I compare to you?
You sure fooled us when you were at the Imperial Censor Manor.
Too bad my crazy act
couldn't defend me from your crazy acts.
I just made a better move.
Killing with another's sword. Even you can't come back from that.
Be careful, you're playing with fire.
I wouldn't dare.
It looks like the one playing with fire, will be you.
Even your lover has abandoned you.
You're so pitiful.
Older Sister. It's windy here.
Take care of yourself.
I won't be able to stay.
Wait.
It's a bit late for you to beg for forgiveness.
We are sisters. I've nothing else to give
the only thing I have
is one spade coin. I give it to you.
What do you mean by this?
Can't you tell?
Why don't you tell me before you die?
A mere spade coin
can't even buy half a loaf of bread.
It suits you.
Worthless.
At your service, your Majesty.
Prime Minister, who is behind you?
I am Lu Buwei, a businessman from the kingdom Wei. I would like to request an audience with your Majesty.
Your Majesty. Lü Buwei offered an ill omen. He feels repentent.
He came especially to atone for his sins.
And how do you plan to atone for your skins?
I heard an auspicious omen has appeared in the wild.
I rushed overnight to search in the mountains.
What? An auspicious omen?
Please stand.
Thank you, your Majesty.
Your Majesty, a few days ago, a laundry maid was passing near a stream
when she saw a white deer.
A white deer is a sign of auspiciousness.
Its appearance signifies peace and prosperity for the country.
You are just inventing stories for me.
I have found the witness who is waiting to see your Majesty.
If you are talking about the female scammer waiting outside the palace,
then there is no need to bring her in. I have already ordered her removal.
Your Highness.
Royal Father.
Jiao'er. I was about to see her. You didn't even ask and dealt out private punishment.
Royal Father, a white deer is a rare phenomenon.
Are you really going to believe the unsubstantiated words of a laundry maid?
It will only encourage unscrupulous people to invent more stories about such sightings only to benefit themselves.
Of course the story is invented! Such auspicious signs are rumored throughout history,
but no one has ever seen one.
Exactly. Lu Buwei has his own agenda;
if you believe him,
the whole country will laugh at you.
Has any other person seen the white deer
besides the laundry maid?
Your Majesty, please allow me to present the evidence.
What is up your sleeve?
A white deer!
It really is a white deer!
Lü Buwei exerted much effort to find this auspicious omen.
To signify his loyalty to Your Majesty.
If you already found it. Why did you...?
I originally wanted to present it with the laundry maid.
But I forgot in the confusion of the Prince's interruption.
Prince Jiao, you're a bit too impatient.
Father.
Leave. You're too hasty. Leave.
I'll take my leave.
It is indeed an auspicious sign. Good job.
Lü Buwei, you've done well. I should reward you with something.
Your Majesty. Lü Buwei is a businessman.
Then I'll bestow you the position of Treasurer.
You'll be in control of the palace goods. You're free to come and go as you please.
Come. Bestow Treasurer Lü with a sword.
I, a commoner, thank you, Your Majesty.
You can't call yourself a commoner anymore.
Treasurer Lü.
My mistake. Thank you, Your Majesty.
I was the one who spread the word.
That's how he came so hurriedly. Sorry about that, Prime Minister.
You. I was just wondering
why you waited until Prince Jiao had barged in to present the white deer.
It's to pay him back for landing you in jail last time.
You sure are petty.
Take care. Prime Minister.
Do our best to uphold the order of heaven.
The ones who are self-reliant, offer food and drinks to the heavens for protection.
I will lay me down as a sacrificial body for you,
with blessings from heaven, in fear of the almighty, as food for your satiation.
Older Brother. You treat an innocent lady in this manner.
Don't you think it's ruthless?
To an evildoer like her,
isn't it a convention to burn her and offer her as a sacrifice to the heavens?
But she's also a human who's brimming with life. For her to be a sacrificial offering,
that's perhaps a form of absolution for us.
Li Haolan, the time is right. Get going!
Quick! Send this person to the physician's clinic. Hurry!
Prince!
Your Majesty. Please take a look!
It's a miracle! A miracle from heaven!
Move aside! Move aside! Let her approach.
Greetings from Haolan to Your Majesty.
You... You are still alive?
Not only am I alive, I have also seen the Heavenly Deity with my own eyes
and heard some instructions too.
You have seen the Heavenly Deity? What did he say?
The Heavenly Deity said I am unclean and not qualified to be an offering.
The Heavenly Deity needs an authentic and sincere Heavenly Envoy to spread his Heavenly Mandate.
Heavenly Envoy? Who is that?
It's him.
- You... You are speaking nonsense. - If I am speaking nonsense,
I'd have died in that huge fire and been on my way up to the Heavenly Deity as an offering. Why am I still here and still fine?
High Priest. You are the Heavenly Deity's most authentic and sincere Heavenly Envoy.
And the most suitable candidate in the whole state of Zhao.
Moreover, I have brought a gift from the heavens.
What gift is that?
Your Majesty. This is a spiritual medicine from the Heavenly Deity. It can make you strong and healthy.
It can also increase your longevity.
On behalf of the Heavenly Deity, I present this to Your Majesty.
Good! Good!
Your Majesty. You can't believe her. She's a fraudster. She's a fraudster!
A witch that could not be burned to death.
All of you, don't believe her. She's a fraudster!
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~ Immortalization by Gao Yu'er ~
♫ Where have the surging clouds and the rising winds gone? ♫
♫ Do not grieve over the separation because of being forced to move and wander ♫
♫ In this lifetime, we will keep on seeking because of love ♫
♫ It’s difficult to reminisce about the splendid times that slipped away ♫
♫ In retrospection with a faint smile, that beautiful countenance caused the city's downfall ♫
♫ And a sweeping upheaval all across the vast nation ♫
♫ In a dimming dream of an illusionary bright moon ♫
♫ We have given our promises to each other in this lifetime ♫
♫ In the complete decline of prosperity, watching the passing of thousands of sails ♫
♫ With affection, perhaps we could wait to be connected again ♫
♫ Like the zither and the harp that play in perfect harmony, let’s grasp each other's hand to stay together ♫
♫ Wishing for you and me to be immortalized with the wind... ♫
♫ In retrospection with a faint smile, that beautiful countenance caused the city's downfall ♫
♫ And a sweeping upheaval all across the vast nation ♫
♫ In a dimming dream of an illusionary bright moon ♫
♫ We have given our promises to each other in this lifetime ♫
♫ In the complete decline of prosperity, watching the passing of thousands of sails ♫
♫ With affection, perhaps we could wait to be connected again ♫
♫ Like the zither and the harp that play in perfect harmony, let’s grasp each other's hand to stay together ♫
♫ Wishing for you and me to be immortalized with the wind... ♫