ADAPTED FROM QING LINGYUE'S NOVEL OF THE SAME NAME
What brings you here today,
Chancellor Ren?
To tell you honestly,
I came
to discuss the matter of Ms. Fengxi.
Xi'er?
I've heard of the matter
between His Highness and Ms. Fengxi.
The Tianshuang Sect may be renowned,
but it is still a sect of the martial arts world.
It would be difficult for Ms. Fengxi
to marry His Highness.
Moreover,
I heard she is used
to a carefree life.
I believe she wouldn't take well
to the lifestyle of the royal family.
So you want me
to help separate them.
If they carry on with things,
nothing good will come out of it.
It is better to plan ahead.
It is for their good as well.
What do you think, Master Bai?
I am aware
of what you mean, Chancellor Ren.
However,
I cannot control what she does.
We should leave the young ones
to settle
their own matters.
Master Bai.
You are a leader of a sect after all.
Are you just going to sit idly by?
What you're saying
is that my disciple
is not good enough for Prince Yongping
because she is a member of the martial arts world.
These are my words for you.
You
don't need to worry.
Ms. Fengxi might be famous
in the martial arts world,
but within the court…
Pardon my bluntness.
No matter how heroic or powerful she is out there,
she is but a civilian.
That is all from me.
I hope you will reconsider, Master Bai.
Farewell.
I can't believe he was trying to confess to me.
Fengxi, you're finally back.
What's the matter? You look unhappy.
What happened?
Well, today…
Chancellor Ren from Mr. Feng's faction came by today.
His tone was unpleasant.
He wanted Master to discipline you
and have you cut off ties with Mr. Feng.
How is Master?
He's fine. He rejected the idea.
But are you…
I'm all right.
Please don't do anything reckless.
We should think this through.
Don't worry. I'll handle it with care.
Let's go.
-Ms. Fengxi. -Zhong Li.
His Highness wants to meet you by the river on Lantern Festival night.
You must be there. Don't stand him up again.
It seems he doesn't know about it yet.
Sure, I got it.
CHANCELLOR REN'S RESIDENCE, YONGZHOU
Sir,
the guest outside wants you to have this box.
She says you will see her once you take a look inside.
Open it.
NIMBUS
Nimbus Wine?
Who sent this precious gift?
Let her in.
Yes.
Greetings, Chancellor Ren.
Ms. Fengxi, it didn't take you long.
Since you brought this gift here,
I want you to take it back.
Wait, Chancellor Ren.
Do you know about this wine?
It's as clear as water
and smooth as a flowing nimbus.
Thus, the name.
Indeed.
It's said that after tasting this wine,
the person will feel as though they are walking among the clouds
and carried by the gale.
It's also called the Wine of Gale.
Do you know
where this wine originated from?
It's said Old Taiyin of Mount Wu brewed the wine personally.
There is only a handful of this wine in the entire world.
It's thoughtful of you to send me this precious gift.
I didn't come here
only to send you a gift.
There are some matters that I can't wrap my mind around.
You are a high-ranking official of Yongzhou.
You've seen your fair share of the world.
I brought you the wine
so you could clear some of my doubts.
Speak away.
My doubts
are with the wine.
You must know about Lanxi's trip to Mount Wu.
This wine
was a reward given to us
after we survived many dangerous encounters.
Tell me,
how many people in this world
can brave the perilous trials
with Prince Lanxi?
Whether it's your love for him
or your marriage,
it's always the parents' duty to arrange their children's marriage.
The two families must come from similar backgrounds
and treat each other with respect.
What has been may not always be right.
From what I see,
love is a matter
of doing what we love with the person we love.
Life is short.
One shall be content
with having a soulmate.
Now, my second doubt.
Do you find
my thoughts reasonable
or nonsensical?
Your thoughts are justified.
But as a subordinate,
reminding His Highness to be mindful of his circumstances
is my responsibility.
Speaking of circumstances…
I'm just a normal person.
After spending years wandering the land, I've come to realize
that nothing lasts forever.
When one dynasty falls,
another takes its place.
The Dadong Empire is falling apart.
Do you think
Yongzhou is capable
of maintaining its status quo among the Six States?
Do you think Prince Lanxi could use a marriage of convenience
to secure his place as the heir of the lord?
That is my last doubt.
Pardon me,
I cannot answer your doubts.
However, I will consider what you said.
Very well.
In that case,
I'll take my leave now.
Keep the wine.
Ms. Feng
is knowledgeable about matters of the world.
She lives up to her reputation.
I have overstepped the line this time.
Your Highness, I went to her residence and passed the message.
Did she say yes?
Ms. Feng seemed to be in a hurry.
Perhaps she had matters to see to.
She asked me to leave.
She didn't really
give an answer.
Don't worry, Your Highness.
The agent I sent after her
said she headed to Chancellor Ren's residence.
She went to my mentor's residence?
Yes.
Your Highness.
I came to apologize.
Why do you apologize?
For the good of Your Highness's future,
I had gone to the other residence
and warned Master Bai to restrain his disciple
from bothering you.
A vagabond of the martial arts world and a noble prince of the royal family
do not belong together.
-How dare you! -I took the matter into my own hands.
It was wrong of me to do so.
However, it concerns Your Highness's marriage.
The late lady entrusted you to me.
I can't allow you to ruin your own future.
My mother's trust doesn't give you the right to do so!
I've told you,
no one must interfere with matters of Bai Fengxi.
Mentor,
have you forgotten everything?
I will never forget that.
But she is a civilian.
Compared with Your Highness's noble status,
she is unworthy.
On top of that, Your Highness hasn't been selected as His Lordship's heir.
If I refuse to obey you,
you might try to justify your nonsense!
I wouldn't dare.
It's wrong for a subordinate to disobey a direct order.
I am willing to accept your punishment.
Mentor, you have never been so reckless.
Who instigated you into doing this?
Mentor, you may go now.
Your Highness.
I will go now.
Ms. Huan.
Tomorrow morning,
leave the residence.
Your Highness, I was wrong.
I shouldn't have gone behind your back.
But I did it for you!
-That's why-- -Enough!
Spare me your excuses.
Your action was nothing short of treason.
Your Highness.
Please forgive me!
I have no place in the world outside.
All I ask is to let me stay.
That's all I'll ask.
Zhong Li, get her out of here.
Give her 100 golden leaves.
Send her home.
Come on.
Do you like this?
I didn't know my mentor
had visited your residence.
I apologize on his behalf.
Did you ask me out
just to apologize for his action?
By the way,
it's a custom in Yongzhou
to watch the lanterns.
It smells great!
Can you smell it?
The scent is nice.
Look over there.
I SEEK ONLY TO HAVE YOUR HEART
Did you prepare this?
I asked you out
because I have something to tell you.
This is only part of it.
And…
Your Highness.
Understood.
If it's urgent, you should see to it.
Your Highness, time is running short.
Let's go.
That looks nice.
"I seek only to have your heart."
I SEEK ONLY TO HAVE YOUR HEART
"Till the end do we part."
How thoughtful of you.
The high tide of spring will soon arrive.
Yu Ming channeled the water to Qingzhou
to prevent a flood.
The heir of Lord of Qingzhou, Xieyue,
amassed his troops 50 li outside Liang City.
Yu Ming is asking for aid.
What should we do about the situation?
I think
this is good news.
Liang City is a remote place.
Yu Ming massed an army to secure his position.
I think we shouldn't aid him.
It's best to let them fight each other.
I disagree with the plan.
By doing so,
we may weaken Yu Ming's influence,
but the people of Liang City will suffer greatly.
As far as I know,
Yu Ming's water canals
were built half-heartedly.
If they don't finish building the dam
before the spring tide,
Liang City might become flooded.
If we proceed with Minister Wang's plan,
both parties will suffer heavy losses.
What do you propose, Minister Qin?
I suggest
we send troops as reinforcements
and use this chance to retake Liang City.
Minister Qin,
who do you think is best suited for this task?
Your Lordship, Prince Yongping is here to see you.
Let him in.
Greetings, Father.
May you live for a millennium.
At ease.
Are you here because of the trouble in Liang City?
Yes.
News travels fast.
What do you suggest?
I will go to Liang City
and resolve the situation.
How?
When I was at the Ministry of Works,
I studied how dams were constructed.
I plan to build a dam between the two cities
based on the terrain.
Please have a look.
Your Lordship, if this dam is completed,
it can fend off an army of 100,000 strong.
It will also benefit the people. The feat will be sung for generations.
That is a sound plan, Your Highness.
However,
His Highness's action is inadequate.
The princes must not leave the capital or control garrison towns.
That was the rule set by the late lord.
Prince Yongping cares about the people of Yongzhou,
but perhaps
he has his own agenda.
From what I see,
all the land in this state belongs to Your Lordship.
Prince Yongping merely plans to build a dam.
What could he be after?
Prince Yongping worked at the Ministry of Works.
When there was a flood,
His Highness personally saw to the building of the drainage system.
His Highness's plan
is for the greater good of Yongzhou.
Send out my words.
Prince Yongping shall take 500 soldiers with him
and set out tomorrow morning.
I accept the order.
He's going to Liang City for flood control?
Yes.
Why would Prince Yongping go to that forsaken place?
To prevent the princes from dividing the lord's power,
the late lord of Yongzhou set a rule
that only allows the princes to rule from the capital.
But His Lordship broke this rule for Feng Lanxi
and gave him 500 soldiers.
That means
he alone has command over the troops in Liang City.
But still,
the cunning Feng Lanxi might not be a match
for the Military Commissioner of Liang City
when it comes to military tactics.
XIYUN, THE QINGZHOU-YONGZHOU BORDER COULD BE FLOODED
ALL IS FINE AT HOME. DON'T WORRY. BY XIEYUE
Troops stationed at Liang City…
Trouble is brewing in Qingzhou.
Xi'er.
Master.
You should be in bed.
Master, I must go to Liang City.
XI
Go.
We will wait in the capital of Yongzhou.
Yes.
Ms. Huan.
EVERLASTING PROSPERITY AND PEACE
I didn't expect you to send me off.
His Highness has left for Liang City.
He won't be returning for quite some time.
His Highness especially delivered a letter to me
asking me to find an opportunity
to see you depart from away from the capital.
I know I've committed a grave mistake and deserved to be punished.
Yet His Highness is still concerned.
I have never left the capital
since the day I entered the palace.
If I leave this time,
I won't know when I can return.
His Highness has arranged everything.
He said
you were Lady Yige's maidservant.
Naturally, he wouldn't let you suffer.
So he asked Fountain Abode to buy a house in your hometown.
He also prepared a shop for you to make a living.
His Highness said
you were the one in charge
of the money in the residence.
You'll be able to manage this shop too.
You might never know
if His Highness will borrow money from you.
I'll take it
as managing the shop for His Highness then.
He also said
you should live without restraint.
Don't ever meddle in other things anymore.
Otherwise,
he'll feel guilty toward you
and the late Lady Yige.
I understand.
EVERLASTING PROSPERITY AND PEACE
May you have a safe journey.
Be safe always.
EVERLASTING PROSPERITY AND PEACE
This way, please.
Your Highness.
Is everything ready?
Yes.
I told Ms. Fengxi you had to leave for an urgent matter.
Good.
Your Highness.
We were promised 500 elite soldiers.
They don't look elite at all.
These are riff-raff.
The crisis in Liang City is serious.
Who could have interfered
to set you up?
No one would dare to do it
without my father's permission.
His Lordship?
Why would he do this?
For two reasons.
He doesn't want to prevent war.
He wants to start one.
If Liang City loses,
it will be a great opportunity to attack Qingzhou.
He'll have a reason to attack.
Secondly, my father is paranoid.
If he sent me the elite soldiers,
I might rebel against him.
Therefore,
he must weaken my military strength.
If you knew,
why would you agree to go?
Effort determines the outcome.
Black Fox!
Ms. Feng.
What brings you here?
I just sent Zhong Li to inform you.
You're fast.
If you could leave without a goodbye,
I could certainly sneak behind you.
You're here for me.
No.
I am going to Liang City.
Do you have work there?
It's a secret.
By the way, are these your soldiers?
I sneaked in like an intruder,
but no one was there to stop me.
They aren't my soldiers,
but they will be.
Liang City is at the border of Yongzhou and Qingzhou,
near the Nu River.
There aren't many farmlands,
but the plain is wide.
It's great as a training ground.
These soldiers seem tardy,
but I can sense their strong will.
These people survived the battlefield.
That's impressive.
You have keen eyes.
You saw through my intention.
But still, how do you know so much about Liang City?
I was there years ago.
Let's be honest.
You know what I plan to do.
You said you didn't want to get involved.
Who says I'm getting involved?
Your Highness.
Prince Yongping has left the capital.
Are you sure?
PRINCE YONGPING LEADS THE FOUNTAIN ABODE
AND THE HOUSE OF JADE.
HEI FENGXI IS FENG LANXI'S SECRET IDENTITY.
Hei Fengxi is Feng Lanxi's secret identity.
Your Highness, what's wrong?
Your Highness.
This is a serious matter.
Should we inform Her Ladyship?
Not now.
I need time to think.
Feng Lanxi is Hei Fengxi of the Fountain Abode?
That's what Prince Ju's scout tells us.
It's probably confirmed.
Feng Lanxi is beyond cunning and evil.
This is truly terrifying.
Your Ladyship, if he is so powerful,
how should we deal with him?
That is good.
If I am worried,
so is His Lordship.
He wants to hide his trump card.
So we must find a way
to expose it.
It's a downpour out here!
I'm totally drenched!
Fall back!
Forget about going to Liang City in this heavy rain!
I quit!
-We quit! -We quit!
I quit!
-Take a break. -I quit!
I'm done!
I can't walk anymore!
I quit!
-We quit! -We quit!
A bunch of instigators.
You are disobeying His Lordship's order!
What if we are?
-I quit! -Yes! We quit!
Stop!
-Your Highness. -Your Highness.
It's hard to march on muddy soil!
Lean on and support each other!
If you're tired,
lean on the rope and take a break!
Stand up.
-Stand up. -Get up.
I'll lead the way!
Come, follow His Highness.
-Let's go! -Let's go!
Push harder!
Well? Have you found anything in the capital of Yongzhou?
Feng Lanxi is Hei Fengxi of the Fountain Abode.
They are one of the same.
I thought the princes of Yongzhou were unworthy of my time,
unlike their father, the Lord of Yongzhou.
Mr. Lanxi is a man of poise and good deportment,
but he's never a threat.
But surprisingly, Feng Lanxi is Hei Fengxi.
It seems the fight over this land
will be even more interesting.
Indeed.
But if the Lord of Yongzhou finds out,
Mr. Feng might not survive his fury.
Wuyuan, with your help, the odds are in my favor.
I was told you had executed Grand Tutor Ran.
Yes.
I thought Jizhou would be free from internal struggles.
It seems there are still some people with ill intent.
Eliminating Grand Tutor Ran isn't enough.
Wuyuan, I need your help.
Why are you getting so impatient?
Princess Chunran of Youzhou is looking for a spouse.
I will use this chance for a marriage of state.
But before I head for Youzhou,
I must take care of the trouble within Jizhou.
It's a wise decision.
Your Highness.
There is a ravine beyond this valley
where we can take shelter.
We will make camp
after we go over the mountain pass!
Hang in there, everyone!
If you slow us down,
there will be no wine for you!
Your Highness.
Are you sure you have enough wine?
You can't get drunk during a march.
When we arrive in Liang City,
drink and eat heartily!
-Yes! -Yes!
-Press on! -Press on!
No.
The cliff is collapsing!
Run!
-Hurry! -Run!
-Hurry up! -Hurry up!
Pick up the pace!
-Hurry! -Hurry!
Hurry!
Hurry up!
Hurry!
Move!
Pick up the pace!
-Hurry! -Let's go!
Pick up the pace! Hurry!
-Pick up the pace! -Hurry!
Hurry!
-Run! -Run!
Run!
-Run! -Watch out!
Run!
Go.
YOUZHOU
Your Highness,
I got news from the Royal Study.
Apart from Yongzhou,
other states have all replied.
They said
they would send their princes for the marriage proposal.
I see.
I also heard
that the heir of Lord of Jizhou, Huang Chao, will come too.
I heard
he is both educated and skilled.
He's touted as the cornerstone of Jizhou.
Some even claim
that should Dadong fall,
Huang Chao is most likely to be the new Emperor.
Your Highness, if you can tie the knot with him,
you might become the future empress consort.
Huang Chao?
If he's coming,
that changes everything.
How so?
Huang Chao wants the world.
If he's coming,
it's not for me.
It's for Youzhou.
If I pick a slightly disfavored husband,
I might have a chance to stay in Youzhou.
But if he's here,
even if Father wishes me to stay,
it will be difficult.
Why do you wish to stay in Youzhou, Your Highness?
The first ruler of Qingzhou was a lady.
Why can't I do the same here?
I have to try.
In that case, Huang Chao is not the best suitor.
I need a solution.
I heard that yesterday,
someone sent my father a Sarira as a tribute.
Indeed.
His Lordship rewarded the minister handsomely for it.
A Sarira…
This is my chance.
Here. The bread is ready.
Come.
If His Highness hadn't intervened,
we would have been dead by now.
-Right. -Come on.
We owe our lives to him.
If he needs our help, just ask away.
Up the mountain or to the ocean,
we will not say no to it.
-Definitely! -Sure!
All of you were walking in the rain.
Please do not catch a cold.
His Highness has prepared this wine
to warm you up.
-Thank you, Your Highness. -Thank you, Your Highness.
Also, His Highness said that all of you are his first army
to escort him to Liang City.
This special bond is invaluable.
His Highness will forever cherish everyone's contribution here.
-A fine leader! -A fine leader!
Give them wine and meat.
-Here. -Here.
-Have some meat. -Have some meat.
Come. Have some meat.
To be able to hear those chants,
your small injury is worth it.
I didn't give it much thought.
I just thought that morale was the important thing on this trip.
Besides,
if I'm to amass an army in Liang City,
they will be the backbone.
Naturally, I'll treat them with sincerity.
You look cunning,
but you have a kind soul.
Shall I take it as a compliment?
Yes.
But don't get ahead of yourself.
All right.
You'll sleep here today.
I will sleep with them.
Sharing a night with your comrades is a good gesture,
but your reverence will diminish as well.
When you command an army, you still need to comport yourself.
You know this too?
Aren't you injured?
If I ask you to leave,
I'll look like a pedantic person, won't I?
Stay then.
I've been in this martial arts world far too long for petty rules.
The bed is soft.
It sure feels cozy to sleep on it.
However, knowing your condition,
a soft bed will make you tired.
In that case…
I'll take the floor. You'll take the bed.
Exactly.
This military trip is long and arduous.
But with you by my side,
it feels like the best days
in my life.
YONG
-Look! -Look!
-So many ravens! -There are so many ravens!
So many ravens!
-That is a bad sign. -Indeed.
-Exactly. -An omen.
Bad luck.
Over there too.
What is that?
There are so many of them!
Will we ever reach the city?
-So many! -Yes.
So many ravens.
This is a very bad sign.
Won't we even arrive at Liang City safely?
Enough. Don't jinx it.
Chuanyun,
inform His Highness.
All right.
We can't go like this.
Exactly.
Your Highness.
Why the ruckus?
A flock of ravens flew by.
The soldiers saw it and thought it was a bad sign.
Ravens?
They prefer to dwell in the mountains or the woods.
The winter just ended so they are looking for food.
There are a lot of leftovers
from the bonfire we had last night.
That's why they came.
But this will dampen our morale.
After all, ravens are a sign of bad luck.
Not necessarily.
What do you mean, Ms. Feng?
What you did yesterday won their heart,
but you have yet to command their respect.
Now is your chance.
To command their respect?
Even in the past, before we do anything,
we seek a good sign first.
Chen Sheng and Wu Guang hid notes in the fish.
Liu Bang slaughtered a white snake.
And now, you have a flock of ravens.
Isn't this a good opportunity?