♪The white sail came too late♪
♪Where did he go?♪
♪Snow veils the mountains♪
♪Love endures beyond life and death♪
♪A black chess piece♪
♪Whose game did he stumble into?♪
♪All his life, there's no escape♪
♪In ten thousand years, what will still remain?♪
♪Will anyone still love with an unchanging heart?♪
♪I will remember♪
♪Those days long past♪
♪As the wind drifts with the white sail♪
♪Ten thousand years ago♪
♪Did you once walk this shore?♪
♪Why can't our bond be severed in this life?♪
♪I am lost yet willing♪
♪Still I love you with a steadfast heart♪
♪Until all things fade away♪
♪The stars will remember us♪
[Love & Crown]
[Adapted from the novel "My Queen" by Xie Lounan]
[Episode 13]
General.
The darn emperor's reinforcements have arrived.
[Jiangzhou]
Retreat ten li!
Jueding.
How is it?
Leave.
Yes.
Is it serious?
You're being reckless.
As the Empress,
you should stay in the palace.
How can you come to such a place?
How dare you mention that?
I heard the situation in Jiangzhou is critical.
Do you know how worried I am about you?
Regarding your arrival in Jiangzhou today,
did Father and His Majesty know?
Could they rest assured?
I didn't tell Father.
As for the other one,
it's better not to tell him.
Did he bully you?
His Majesty
has always been calculating.
I know
he wants to use you to achieve direct rule.
He doesn't care about your safety at all.
None of that matters now.
Sit.
What matters
is I can now confirm you're safe.
Otherwise,
how could I rest easy
staying in the palace?
Cangcang.
I know you want to roam the martial world alone,
being free and carefree.
If it weren't for the Ling family
or for Father,
how would you have been coerced by Xiao Huan?
When I learned you were to marry him,
I thought about returning to the Capital,
but that Xiao Huan wouldn't let me.
Orders are orders.
Without imperial decree, I cannot return.
But if I had known today would turn out like this,
I would have risked my life
to bring you out of that cage.
Jueding has really grown up.
You even worry about me now.
But what you just said
is beyond our control.
No need to blame yourself.
Very well.
Since you've come to Jiangzhou,
stay safely in the camp.
Don't run around.
I'll send someone to escort you back soon.
I won't go back.
Do you even remember who you are?
I...
Jiangzhou's situation is grim.
If anything happens to you,
how could I explain to Father?
You rushed to the battlefield to save me earlier.
Just as reckless as before.
But if something happens,
- how am I supposed to handle it? - Jueding.
I'm
no longer a weak woman needing protection.
Although I'm not an expert in military strategy,
I know a bit.
Jiangzhou's situation is dire.
You urgently need manpower.
- I must stay and help you. - But...
No discussion.
Jiangzhou is dangerous.
But fortunately, reinforcements are here.
They can temporarily hold back Kumor's army.
I've analyzed Kumor's army positions
and terrain
and have some speculations.
Your Majesty.
Victory at Jiangzhou.
Reinforcements have reached Jiangzhou.
Kumor's forces have retreated ten li.
Xiaoxing Guards reported back with intelligence.
Kumor is assembling his troops,
planning a counterattack.
He's always ruthless
and cold-blooded.
But my collected intelligence
regarding his personal habits is limited.
It seems
my plans
must be advanced.
[Jiangzhou]
My lord.
What is it?
Speak.
My lord.
I've received news
that Young Lady has arrived in Jiangzhou with the westbound army.
Currently,
she is in General Ling's camp.
Her Majesty has traveled west,
yet I had no knowledge of it.
I deserve punishment.
My lord.
The palace publicly claims
that Her Majesty is recuperating at the outer palace,
but Li Hongqing has sealed it off completely.
My men can't gather any information.
Nor did we know Young Lady is with the westbound reinforcements.
Please punish me.
You may leave.
Yes.
Thank you, My lord.
Stay calm.
General Ling has already gathered supplies for everyone,
ensuring that every citizen in Jiangzhou receives food.
- Good! - Good!
Line up.
Everyone will get a share.
Thank you.
Don't rush. Everyone will get a share.
Thank you.
It's the year of famine.
Food is scarce everywhere.
You distribute food
to the people of Jiangzhou.
You're indeed an excellent general of Great Qi.
Cangcang.
Stop praising me.
- Let's hand out the food together. - Line up.
Alright.
[Qi]
The westbound reinforcements' supplies
can only temporarily ease Jiangzhou's crisis.
The imperial grain shipments
will take at least another half month.
So,
we need to consider other solutions.
With the Xijiang snow disaster,
Kumor is also short of supplies.
If Kumor runs out of supplies,
will he have to retreat?
What do you mean?
During war,
both armies will always set up key supply points.
We might as well make use of it
and kill two birds with one stone.
Look.
This is Jiangzhou City.
[Kumor's Camp] This is Kumor's camp.
Kumor's Black Tiger Army
charged toward Jiangzhou City with unstoppable momentum.
Smooth and unhindered.
But to their east lies dense forest and swamp.
Behind them is Qianlai Valley.
Qianlai Valley is known for its bottleneck terrain.
The mountains on both sides aren't high, but they're steep.
Kumor's tactics are cunning.
They chose this terrain
to prevent ambushes.
And they can fall back and defend.
But Qianlai Valley's mountain paths are extremely difficult.
It's not a suitable place for storing or transporting military supplies.
Moreover,
the valley sits against the mountains and by the water.
Are you saying
they traveled by water to Sand City,
and Sand City is their key supply point?
It's possible.
If it's their vital point,
it'll be heavily guarded.
Our army won't be able to take it so easily.
Our goal isn't to take over Sand City,
but to seize their grain supplies.
I can lead a night raid on Sand City.
[Sand City]
We'll catch them off guard.
If we manage to seize the grain,
not only will the people in the city
and the soldiers get a breather,
but it may also
help end the war quickly.
You control the others.
You come with me to find the main house.
- Yes. - Let's go.
Spare me, Sir.
Spare me.
Fix your clothes.
- You're kind-hearted. - Cut the nonsense.
Where is your commanding general?
Tell me, and I'll spare your life.
I don't know.
Kumor suffered a defeat.
As soon as the sun set, he took people away,
saying
they had important military matters to discuss.
And who are you?
My name is Minmin.
They abducted me.
I...
I don't know anything.
How am I supposed to know
you're not lying to me?
They gave me
these whip marks.
I've been living in hell every day.
Thank goodness you came.
Take me with you.
Commander.
We're running out of time.
If Black Tiger Army finds out something is off with Sand City,
forget transporting supplies,
we won't even get out alive.
I know where this city's grain is stored,
but I have one condition.
If you find the grain,
you must take me with you.
How is the situation?
We've basically secured
everyone here.
Good.
Leave a few men to watch them.
The rest, come with me.
Yes.
Sir.
Can I at least have a sip of water?
Your Highness.
Are you alright?
Do I look alright to you?
A bunch of useless fools.
If I hadn't improvised on the spot
and fooled them,
I, the commander of Sand City,
would've become the joke of Black Tiger Army.
Yes.
Your Highness.
What should we do now?
Go.
Release the refugees we locked up.
Tell them
they have food now.
Yes.
This grain was way too easy to get.
Kumor suffered a defeat.
As soon as the sun set, he took people away,
saying
they had important military matters to discuss.
My name is Minmin.
They abducted me.
I...
I don't know anything.
I know where this city's grain is stored,
but I have one condition.
Something's off with that woman.
All soldiers, listen up!
Take the grain
and evacuate immediately!
Yes!
Quick, keep up!
Why can't we see which direction the tracks go?
Could it be
they sensed it beforehand?
Move.
Where's the grain?
It's all gone.
What happened?
How is everything gone?
Yes.
Looks like they already knew.
Retreat!
Sir.
You scared me.
We meet again.
Sand City Lord.
You're quite clever.
May I ask where I slipped up?
Your whip marks.
I heard noise last night.
Knowing I couldn't escape,
I quickly whipped myself a few times.
Just enough, not too heavy.
And I usually use a long whip.
So having old marks is unavoidable.
Yes.
At first, your mix of old and new marks
did fool me.
After all,
a woman as pretty as you
is hard not to sympathize with.
But you still held back too much.
Some marks were too fresh.
And your room
was decorated far too femininely.
So you hid the direction of the tracks,
keeping us from finding the grain.
You think you can stall us?
Ask my whip if it agrees.
Don't come closer.
One more step and I'll kill her!
Stop him.
I'll give you three days' worth of food.
Don't come closer.
Back off!
To them,
you're just meat that can fill a starving wolf.
They won't let go.
You're kind-hearted,
so will you kill these refugees to escape
or surrender?
Who are you?
Ling Jueding's subordinate?
Do you know the punishment for stealing military grain?
You seem bold and shrewd.
And you fight well.
Why don't you work for me?
Maybe I can persuade my brother to spare you.
You have quite the temper.
But I'd like to see
if you're still this tough
when you meet my brother.
Winning and losing are part of war.
I just want that darn emperor
to feel miserable.
Kumor.
Sand City's grain has been seized.
What?
Bring him over.
It's him.
He led the raid to steal the grain.
This guy
looks familiar.
I remember now.
You shot an arrow at me
on the day of the siege.
You've got guts.
How dare you steal my rations?
You're about to die,
yet you can still smile?
If one life
can force a general to run out of supplies,
it's worth it.
You...
If you can tell me where the grain is...
I suppose it's already in Jiangzhou's camp.
Drag him away.
Kill him and use him as a sacrifice to the war flag.
Yes.
Your Majesty.
Are you alright?
I'm fine.
I just
had a nightmare.
[Pure and Spotless]
Speaking of,
why is today's battle report
still not here?
I'll urge Commander Li again.
Bring all Great Qi prisoners.
Kill them as sacrifice to the war flag!
Yes!
Wait!
I'm the one who stole your grain.
You should kill me first.
Winners rule, losers fall.
You've fallen into my hands.
What right do you have to negotiate?
One takes responsibility for what they've done.
This whole grain raid had nothing to do with them.
I've long heard General Kumor was brave.
Could it be
you're just a coward who slaughters innocents?
Since you have a death wish,
I'll personally send you on your way!
Good.
Again!
Phoenix Seal?
Why would Phoenix Seal be on me?
So you're a woman.
[Empress's Seal]
Keep a close eye on her!
Kumor.
What about the sacrifice?
We're not doing it.
I'm keeping
this woman.
Then...
What about the grain?
With this generous gift from the Emperor of Great Qi,
why would we fear lacking grain?
I fear even this war
may soon come to an end.
What you're holding isn't mine.
Don't overthink it.
Take her away!
Yes!
[Empress's Seal]
Your Majesty.
The battle report has arrived.
There's also a letter from Kumor.
[Your empress is in my hands.]
[Empress's Seal]
Your Majesty.
What happened?
The Empress's Phoenix Seal...
Your Majesty, rest assured.
If Kumor saw the Phoenix Seal,
he would never dare harm Her Majesty.
Kumor thinks
capturing my empress
gives him a chance.
I would like to see clearly
whether this is my downfall
or Xijiang's turning point.
Your Majesty.
When the palace gates opened this morning,
Grand Tutor Ling is already waiting outside the hall.
He said he has urgent matters to discuss.
Should Your Majesty summon him in?
Prepare to go to Nanrong Palace.
Your Majesty.
You didn't sleep at all last night.
Should you rest for a while first?
No need.
My time is running out.
Preceptor Du.
You're distracted.
Your board
is a bit chaotic.
I'm most apprehensive.
It's your move.
I heard
Ling Xuefeng is already
waiting outside Wuying Hall for Your Majesty this morning.
There must be emergency military news from Jiangzhou.
Yet Your Majesty
came to play chess with me instead.
Kumor has captured my empress.
The empress?
Her Majesty is the Empress.
She fell into enemy hands.
The war situation is unsettled.
One wrong move,
and everything is lost.
What do you think?
How should I play this move?
I'm dull-witted.
I dare not speak rashly.
I intend to go to Xijiang myself
and negotiate with Kumor.
What do you think?
No.
This empire's fate
rests entirely on Your Majesty.
You must not leave the palace at such a time.
Going alone into danger
will cause unthinkable consequences.
In your opinion,
who would be suitable?
If Your Majesty wishes for peace talks
to save Jiangzhou,
the envoy
must hold status and authority in court.
Grand Tutor Ling has been waiting outside the hall,
and Xiao Qianqing is in the Capital.
If Grand Tutor Ling goes,
whether it's out of concern for his daughter
or to protect Ling Jueding's command in Jiangzhou,
it would harm the interests of Great Qi.
Xiao Qianqing is ambitious and ruthless.
If he colludes with Kumor
and Jiangzhou falls,
Your Majesty's life would be in danger.
I, Du Tingxin, am willing to serve as the imperial envoy to Xijiang
to go on Your Majesty's behalf to the rebel's camp
and negotiate with Kumor.
You're righteous
to resolve the crisis for me.
Before you depart,
I wish to request something.
Everything I have
was given by Your Majesty.
Whatever you desire,
I will give
whatever I have without hesitation.
Yushu Pill.
Yushu Pill?
Yushu Pill is potent.
While it can forcibly suppress cold poison,
it's only temporary.
It may even accelerate...
I know
it could hasten my death.
But Great Qi is facing internal and external crises.
I must endure this period.
I cannot afford any mistakes.
If my body
suffers any mishap,
do you think Ling Xuefeng and Xiao Qianqing
will spare me?
Since you know,
why
give the life-saving medicine to Her Majesty?
Preceptor Du.
You've overstepped.
Rise.
I know you've always
been loyal to me.
In that case,
give me Yushu Pill.
During this period,
you must not use inner force.
I will do my utmost
to find a cure for you.
If the poison reaches the heart,
I fear even I can't do anything.
Very well.
Your Majesty.
I'm fine.
You need not worry.
This time,
your mission to Xijiang
must succeed.
How long has Grand Tutor Ling been waiting?
Your Majesty.
It has already been six hours.
Very well.
Let him continue to wait.
Shi Yan.
Take Xiaoxing Guards to Xijiang
and find a way
to investigate Kumor's camp.
Search for any trace of the Empress.
Leave no clue
unexamined.
Yes.
[Wuying Hall]
You're in such a hurry to see me.
What's the matter?
Your Majesty.
Her Majesty has been recuperating at the outer palace for days.
I'm very concerned
and wish to visit her.
I hope you will grant permission.
The Empress's condition has worsened recently,
making it inconvenient for visitors.
Is it inconvenient
or impossible?
Why do you say so?
Have you heard some rumor?
Since Your Majesty
does not wish to discuss the Empress,
I won't press the matter.
I suddenly remembered
when Your Majesty suddenly fell ill
before ascending the throne,
and the Empress Dowager urgently summoned me to the palace.
I know this,
but the Empress Dowager had already concluded
that I was incapable
and tried to recruit you
to depose me
and make Xiao Qianqing emperor.
These old events are not worth mentioning.
What I wish to tell you
is something
unknown to you.
Somehow,
Cangcang hid in my sedan chair
and entered the palace with me.
By some twist of fate,
she sneaked into Your Majesty's bedchamber.
You're the Emperor ascending the throne tomorrow?
How hot.
Cold.
It's cold.
Is this better?
Do you feel better?
Am I going to die?
You won't die.
Have you forgotten?
You're ascending the throne tomorrow.
Really?
Can I really ascend the throne?
Of course.
You're the chosen one,
destined to be the Emperor of Great Qi.
With a sweeping gesture of your sleeves,
you rule the world
and command respect from all sides.
Rule the world
and command respect from all sides.
Later, I
finally found Cangcang.
On the way home,
she told me
you're the chosen one.
I had been hesitating.
Upon hearing this,
I suddenly
became determined
and believed that the two of you
are a match made in heaven.
I never expected
you share such a deep bond with your daughter.
Even your decision to support me
was because of a playful remark the Empress made in her youth.
If the Empress hadn't been poisoned,
and the poison
wasn't coincidentally
in the pear blossom honey you sent,
I would have almost...
almost
been moved
by your fatherly love.
Your Majesty.
Why such suspicion?
Grand Tutor Ling,
I'm your student.
You need not pretend
in front of me.
I no longer want to guess
how much of your love for you daughter
is genuine
and how much is mixed with ambition.
But I know
you value
command of the Jiangzhou army
more than the Empress's life.
Ling Jueding is straightforward and forthright.
If he knew his sister was trapped in enemy territory,
he might risk everything and lead troops to save her.
The ministers at court
are all keeping an eye on Jiangzhou's war.
If he makes even a single mistake,
he could lose
his position as general.
Do you
have no genuine feeling for Her Majesty at all?
I plan
to send word to Kumor
that Phoenix Seal has been stolen.
Do you think Kumor will believe it?
As long as everyone else does,
it doesn't matter if he believes it.
I want him to know
he can't threaten me.
Without her status as the Empress,
Kumor would kill her without hesitation.
If he kills Cangcang,
Jueding will surely slaughter Xijiang.
If he wins,
you can avert the crisis in Xijiang.
If he loses,
you can reclaim command of the Jiangzhou army.
If you dislike this,
I have another plan.
I will
personally go to Xijiang,
negotiate with Kumor,
and bring the Empress back.
Your Majesty.
What do you want?
During my absence from the Capital,
I want Prince of Yuzhang, Xiao Qianqing, to act as regent.
Your Majesty is wise.
I will fully support Prince of Yuzhang as regent.
You just heard, right?
The Empress has been captured.
I will personally rescue her.
During this period,
you will act as regent.
You worry Grand Tutor Ling
will seize control of the court after leaving the Capital?
Now that Her Majesty has been captured,
you act accordingly,
forcing Grand Tutor Ling to support my regency.
I'm determined to get
the command of the Jiangzhou army.
What if I refuse?
Why refuse?
I'm afraid of being plotted against
and not know how I end up dying.
If I tell you
everything I do
is for Cangcang,
would you believe me?
No.
The Jiangzhou war
is unpredictable.
Your imperial power is unstable,
so you will personally go to Jiangzhou,
defeat Kumor,
and reclaim the army's command.
Every step of your plan
is for your imperial power.
Yes.
My throne was hard-won,
so I must protect it.
But this time,
you're closer to my throne than ever.
If I were you,
I would cherish this opportunity.
Alright.
I...
I thank
Your Majesty for your grace.
Prince of Yuzhang, receive the decree.
I am ready.
I am ill
and need rest in the secondary palace.
During this time,
Prince of Yuzhang, Xiao Qianqing, will act as regent.
I, Xiao Qianqing, accept
the decree with gratitude.
Rise.
You may open
this pouch
when the time is right.
When is the time right?
You'll know when the moment comes.
I shall take my leave.
Your Majesty.
Are you really giving the regency to Prince of Yuzhang?
What if he and Empress Dowager Liu...
My brother
is remarkably intelligent.
He knows
the fiercer he clashes with Grand Tutor,
the easier it is for me to benefit.
But he also knows
I placed him in this position
so that he can't avoid conflict.
Any mistake
could make him
completely devoured by the opponent,
but I chose him
for another reason.
What is that?
I trust
this brother still has a conscience.
He would never ignore the people of Xuzhou.
♪Who walks lone through storm and snow♪
♪Reading every warmth and chill♪
♪Of the heart?♪
♪Who stands proud against a thousand weights♪
♪Grace only a mask he wears?♪
♪My blade sweeps the heavens♪
♪Blood once drenched♪
♪My armor and charging steed♪
♪I know what it means to let go♪
♪When to step in, when to hold back♪
♪A broken blade cuts through♪
♪Years of winter and summer♪
♪Enemy flags burn to ash like gauze♪
♪Yet my heart still bears the scars of rise and fall♪
♪I'm willing to wield my sword with you and burn the waning moon♪
♪I'm willing to brave all storms with you, boiling with passion♪
♪I'm willing to break my wings and become the blade in your hand♪
♪I'm willing to write with you this torn, enduring page of history♪
♪I'm willing to travel thousands of miles, seeking your ambition♪
♪I'm willing to give my life to keep you safe for a lifetime♪
♪I'm willing to sing through every farewell and wait for you another thousand years♪