1 00:00:53,876 --> 00:00:56,875 In 7th century China, the Tang Dynasty is in decline. 2 00:00:56,959 --> 00:00:59,792 The Imperial Court seeks to protect itself 3 00:00:59,876 --> 00:01:02,750 by establishing garrisons at the frontiers of its empire. 4 00:01:02,834 --> 00:01:04,834 Two centuries later, 5 00:01:04,918 --> 00:01:09,000 the militarized provinces waver in their loyalty to the Court. 6 00:01:09,084 --> 00:01:12,042 Some move to distance themselves from the Emperor's control. 7 00:01:12,126 --> 00:01:15,359 At that time, Weibo asserts itself as the strongest of those provinces. 8 00:01:44,751 --> 00:01:47,293 That man poisoned his own father, 9 00:01:47,668 --> 00:01:49,626 he killed his own brother. 10 00:01:50,793 --> 00:01:52,459 His guilt condemns him. 11 00:01:56,293 --> 00:01:59,918 Cut him down for me, expertly. 12 00:02:04,543 --> 00:02:07,209 As if he were a bird in flight. 13 00:03:45,126 --> 00:03:46,793 Don't pinch it! 14 00:03:57,459 --> 00:03:58,793 Where's it going? 15 00:04:02,001 --> 00:04:04,084 Where does it fly to? 16 00:04:07,834 --> 00:04:09,251 Where indeed? 17 00:04:15,584 --> 00:04:18,168 I want to touch it. 18 00:04:23,501 --> 00:04:25,459 Where's it going? 19 00:04:27,376 --> 00:04:28,918 Where's it going? 20 00:04:32,584 --> 00:04:35,084 Play with the ball. 21 00:06:54,959 --> 00:06:57,418 Why did it take you so long? 22 00:06:58,543 --> 00:07:00,709 The governor's son was there. 23 00:07:01,084 --> 00:07:03,126 I could not bring myself to do it. 24 00:07:05,543 --> 00:07:07,001 Another time, 25 00:07:07,501 --> 00:07:09,293 first kill the one he loves, 26 00:07:09,501 --> 00:07:11,168 and then the man himself. 27 00:07:25,501 --> 00:07:27,293 You have mastered the sword 28 00:07:27,543 --> 00:07:29,334 but your heart lacks resolve. 29 00:07:29,709 --> 00:07:31,501 I shall return you to Weibo 30 00:07:31,709 --> 00:07:33,376 to kill your cousin 31 00:07:34,001 --> 00:07:35,918 Tian Ji'an. 32 00:08:06,209 --> 00:08:19,459 The Assassin 33 00:09:17,376 --> 00:09:21,501 My lady, a nun is here. 34 00:09:21,751 --> 00:09:25,959 She says she is bringing Yinniang back. 35 00:09:55,709 --> 00:09:58,543 As your humble servant, 36 00:09:59,209 --> 00:10:01,209 I bow to you, Your Reverence. 37 00:10:05,876 --> 00:10:07,709 Yinniang has completed her studies. 38 00:10:08,001 --> 00:10:09,834 Today she returns. 39 00:10:11,293 --> 00:10:13,209 I'll take my leave of you. 40 00:13:36,209 --> 00:13:39,043 The King of Kophen's bluebird 41 00:13:39,751 --> 00:13:42,126 failed to sing for three years. 42 00:13:43,876 --> 00:13:45,751 One day the Queen remarked: 43 00:13:45,959 --> 00:13:49,168 Birds sing only to their own kind, 44 00:13:49,376 --> 00:13:51,543 set the bird before a mirror! 45 00:13:58,334 --> 00:14:00,376 The King heeded her advice. 46 00:14:01,709 --> 00:14:03,626 The bluebird saw its own image, 47 00:14:05,126 --> 00:14:06,834 it sang of its sadness, 48 00:14:08,793 --> 00:14:10,418 it danced, 49 00:14:12,626 --> 00:14:14,209 until it expired. 50 00:14:30,959 --> 00:14:33,959 Yinniang, these clothes are for you. 51 00:14:34,168 --> 00:14:36,626 While you were away with the nun, 52 00:14:37,084 --> 00:14:39,376 your mother made them for you herself, 53 00:14:39,543 --> 00:14:41,918 every spring and autumn. 54 00:16:27,209 --> 00:16:29,334 Grandmother, my respects. 55 00:16:30,959 --> 00:16:33,126 Rise. 56 00:17:08,168 --> 00:17:10,209 This is from your Master. 57 00:17:10,918 --> 00:17:13,584 She asked the tea-traders to bring it here. 58 00:17:29,959 --> 00:17:31,626 This jade was given 59 00:17:32,126 --> 00:17:34,376 to Princess Jiacheng 60 00:17:34,626 --> 00:17:37,168 when she was obliged to marry the Lord of Weibo. 61 00:17:37,751 --> 00:17:42,209 Her brother the Emperor offered it as a farewell gift. 62 00:17:48,001 --> 00:17:49,376 This jade 63 00:17:50,376 --> 00:17:52,709 symbolizes a decisive break. 64 00:17:54,918 --> 00:17:57,668 His Majesty was commanding her 65 00:17:58,543 --> 00:18:02,626 to depart from his Court and to secure Weibo. 66 00:18:03,793 --> 00:18:05,751 To prevent Weibo 67 00:18:06,209 --> 00:18:08,751 from invading His Majesty's lands. 68 00:18:17,043 --> 00:18:22,168 That year, your uncle and I were in charge of ceremonial protocol. 69 00:18:25,084 --> 00:18:26,834 I recall 70 00:18:27,793 --> 00:18:31,751 that the princess refused her usual carriage. 71 00:18:33,793 --> 00:18:36,251 So His Majesty gave her an Imperial gold carriage. 72 00:18:40,668 --> 00:18:42,751 When Princess Jiacheng reached Weibo, 73 00:18:44,001 --> 00:18:47,293 she abandoned all her former customs 74 00:18:47,834 --> 00:18:50,626 and adapted to the manners of Weibo. 75 00:18:52,209 --> 00:18:57,084 She sent away the retinue of staff provided by His Majesty. 76 00:19:00,293 --> 00:19:02,376 She lavished gold and silk on them, 77 00:19:02,918 --> 00:19:06,876 so that they could have their freedom. 78 00:19:09,126 --> 00:19:10,376 Since then, 79 00:19:11,293 --> 00:19:13,626 the Court is the Court 80 00:19:14,251 --> 00:19:16,376 and Weibo is Weibo. 81 00:19:20,459 --> 00:19:23,709 The Princess implemented that decisive break. 82 00:19:31,001 --> 00:19:33,251 When her son Tian Ji'an came of age, 83 00:19:33,876 --> 00:19:36,084 she divided two matching jades: 84 00:19:36,793 --> 00:19:38,834 One to her son, one to you. 85 00:19:40,459 --> 00:19:44,876 She wished the two of you to maintain the imperial edict. 86 00:19:46,043 --> 00:19:48,001 To be resolute 87 00:19:48,668 --> 00:19:52,584 in preserving the peace between the Imperial Court and Weibo. 88 00:19:59,418 --> 00:20:01,668 His Majesty passed away four years ago. 89 00:20:02,709 --> 00:20:06,918 One year later, his nephew and heir also passed away. 90 00:20:08,751 --> 00:20:13,459 When the imperial messenger brought the sad news, 91 00:20:15,293 --> 00:20:17,501 Princess Jiacheng coughed up blood 92 00:20:18,501 --> 00:20:20,751 and hurled her pearls and jades 93 00:20:22,043 --> 00:20:24,001 to the ground. 94 00:20:26,918 --> 00:20:28,209 That year, 95 00:20:29,043 --> 00:20:30,959 the glorious white peonies 96 00:20:31,043 --> 00:20:33,543 she brought from the Court 97 00:20:35,168 --> 00:20:38,209 withered overnight. 98 00:20:45,626 --> 00:20:48,168 The Princess had one last concern. 99 00:20:51,834 --> 00:20:54,293 Her heart was troubled by the thought... 100 00:20:59,084 --> 00:21:01,834 that she had let you down. 101 00:21:42,918 --> 00:21:43,918 A year ago, 102 00:21:44,084 --> 00:21:46,751 the Court sent an official to Chengde 103 00:21:47,043 --> 00:21:49,584 to console Wang Chengzong 104 00:21:49,751 --> 00:21:52,126 for his father's death. 105 00:21:52,376 --> 00:21:56,626 He persuaded Wang to pay the Court taxes on salt and iron 106 00:21:56,834 --> 00:22:00,168 and give away two provinces for a promotion. 107 00:22:00,376 --> 00:22:04,667 The Court immediately established in these two provinces 108 00:22:04,751 --> 00:22:07,459 the Baoxin Garrison. 109 00:22:07,668 --> 00:22:11,834 Lord Tian, you have a man in Chengde, seeding trouble between 110 00:22:11,918 --> 00:22:13,584 Wang and Xue Changchao. 111 00:22:13,668 --> 00:22:18,084 He tells Wang that Xue has secret dealings with the Court. 112 00:22:18,293 --> 00:22:22,376 That will goad Wang into capturing Xue, 113 00:22:22,584 --> 00:22:26,084 so Xue will not be able to receive his promotion! 114 00:22:27,918 --> 00:22:31,251 This plan must be curtailed! 115 00:22:31,459 --> 00:22:37,543 At the moment, the Imperial Court is actively extending its domain. 116 00:22:37,751 --> 00:22:40,376 The Court will certainly be offended 117 00:22:40,668 --> 00:22:44,668 and send troops into Weibo! 118 00:22:44,876 --> 00:22:47,626 Their new provinces adjoin Weibo, 119 00:22:47,876 --> 00:22:50,793 and it is where they built their new garrison. 120 00:22:51,001 --> 00:22:55,293 The Court is showing off its strength to intimidate us in Weibo. 121 00:22:55,543 --> 00:22:58,668 It is time to act. 122 00:22:58,876 --> 00:23:01,376 The Court could take Weibo 123 00:23:01,626 --> 00:23:06,418 as easily as it took the Wushu provinces. 124 00:23:08,918 --> 00:23:13,001 It will not be so easy to seize Weibo. 125 00:23:13,501 --> 00:23:15,751 We are not like Wushu. 126 00:23:18,084 --> 00:23:19,959 The Wushu garrison 127 00:23:20,126 --> 00:23:23,584 was encircled by the Court. 128 00:23:23,876 --> 00:23:26,501 Their rulers behaved as autocrats 129 00:23:27,168 --> 00:23:32,376 and commanded no popular support! 130 00:23:32,918 --> 00:23:38,209 Thus, the population instantly ceded to the Court's army. 131 00:23:40,334 --> 00:23:42,584 There is no comparison with Weibo. 132 00:23:42,959 --> 00:23:47,543 Our fifty-year history has forged bonds 133 00:23:48,209 --> 00:23:51,709 between ruler and ruled. 134 00:23:52,084 --> 00:23:57,334 Furthermore, even if Wang and Xue fall out, 135 00:23:57,584 --> 00:23:59,126 they are related by marriage. 136 00:23:59,334 --> 00:24:02,418 Their quarrel will not spill over borders. 137 00:24:03,001 --> 00:24:06,209 Xue Changchao has interests in Weibo. 138 00:24:06,459 --> 00:24:09,084 He does not always obey the Court. 139 00:24:10,001 --> 00:24:11,084 My lord, 140 00:24:11,334 --> 00:24:15,001 setting Wang against Xue 141 00:24:15,293 --> 00:24:19,084 would offend the Court and they will send troops. 142 00:24:20,293 --> 00:24:23,084 It will place Weibo in grave danger! 143 00:28:25,709 --> 00:28:27,543 Lord Tian is arriving. 144 00:28:41,584 --> 00:28:43,668 It was a woman in black. 145 00:28:43,918 --> 00:28:46,334 Your son saw her while he was playing. 146 00:28:47,793 --> 00:28:50,043 She seemed to mean him no harm. 147 00:31:11,793 --> 00:31:13,334 The guard says 148 00:31:13,668 --> 00:31:15,668 my brother will be banished. 149 00:31:16,751 --> 00:31:19,001 His blunt speaking caused offence. 150 00:31:22,834 --> 00:31:24,376 How is he? 151 00:31:25,001 --> 00:31:26,626 He had a stroke. 152 00:31:37,251 --> 00:31:40,418 - Yinniang is back. - I heard. 153 00:31:41,709 --> 00:31:44,501 The nun-princess brought her back. 154 00:33:34,793 --> 00:33:36,626 Lord Tian is here. 155 00:34:58,876 --> 00:35:01,001 You're thinking about that woman? 156 00:35:11,251 --> 00:35:13,834 Tian Xing will be sent away. 157 00:35:20,501 --> 00:35:23,334 He provoked panic. They all support the Court! 158 00:35:24,584 --> 00:35:27,001 Cowards, all of them! 159 00:39:27,626 --> 00:39:28,626 It was Yinniang. 160 00:39:30,376 --> 00:39:31,584 It was her. 161 00:39:43,876 --> 00:39:45,001 I understand. 162 00:39:49,293 --> 00:39:51,501 She wanted me to recognize her. 163 00:39:54,293 --> 00:39:56,584 - Who? - Yinniang. 164 00:39:57,293 --> 00:40:00,293 She wanted me to recognize her before taking my life. 165 00:40:00,543 --> 00:40:02,751 She wants me to know why. 166 00:40:33,293 --> 00:40:35,126 These jades were given... 167 00:40:37,043 --> 00:40:40,376 to my mother when she married into the Weibo clan. 168 00:40:41,918 --> 00:40:43,584 When I came of age, 169 00:40:44,043 --> 00:40:47,668 Mother gave one to me, one to Yinniang. 170 00:40:49,168 --> 00:40:50,584 One jade each, 171 00:40:51,209 --> 00:40:53,209 she betrothed us. 172 00:40:56,251 --> 00:41:00,376 Mother intended us to wed when Yinniang turned fifteen. 173 00:41:03,001 --> 00:41:04,001 The following year, 174 00:41:05,001 --> 00:41:08,501 Yuan, the Ming lord, formed an alliance with Weibo. 175 00:41:08,751 --> 00:41:11,793 Father wanted to cement the alliance with a marriage. 176 00:41:16,376 --> 00:41:19,251 I was born to a concubine, Mother adopted me. 177 00:41:20,126 --> 00:41:22,834 To be sure that I would inherit Weibo. 178 00:41:24,626 --> 00:41:26,626 Mother betrayed her promise to Yinniang. 179 00:41:42,501 --> 00:41:44,126 Back then, 180 00:41:45,626 --> 00:41:48,501 Yinniang stayed in the forest. 181 00:41:51,751 --> 00:41:53,334 Like a phoenix! 182 00:41:54,751 --> 00:41:56,709 She broke into the Yuans' mansion. 183 00:41:57,251 --> 00:41:58,959 Their guards wounded her. 184 00:42:00,584 --> 00:42:02,293 She could have died. 185 00:42:07,001 --> 00:42:10,584 Mother asked her twin sister, Princess Jiaxin, 186 00:42:12,126 --> 00:42:15,168 to take Yinniang away. 187 00:42:37,751 --> 00:42:40,126 I feel for Yinniang. 188 00:43:05,251 --> 00:43:07,709 When I was ten I had a serious fever. 189 00:43:09,293 --> 00:43:11,376 The pain was unbearable. 190 00:43:13,501 --> 00:43:15,334 The doctors were no help. 191 00:43:15,918 --> 00:43:18,126 A small coffin was prepared. 192 00:43:20,543 --> 00:43:22,084 Yinniang's father suggested 193 00:43:22,293 --> 00:43:25,417 I be rolled in a bamboo mat 194 00:43:25,501 --> 00:43:27,501 and put in a cool spot. 195 00:43:28,168 --> 00:43:31,668 After three days and nights, I was cured. 196 00:43:37,668 --> 00:43:39,334 In my delirium, 197 00:43:41,043 --> 00:43:43,043 I sensed a presence. 198 00:43:43,876 --> 00:43:45,251 It was Yinniang. 199 00:43:46,459 --> 00:43:48,918 No one could have made her leave. 200 00:44:59,959 --> 00:45:03,126 Excuse me, sir, our guard has a report. 201 00:45:03,376 --> 00:45:04,751 Speak. 202 00:45:11,001 --> 00:45:12,293 Lord Provost, 203 00:45:12,501 --> 00:45:15,751 an assassin entered Lord Tian's mansion. 204 00:45:15,959 --> 00:45:18,626 Our guards are in pursuit. 205 00:45:19,084 --> 00:45:20,543 What is the situation? 206 00:45:21,084 --> 00:45:22,459 Nothing is certain. 207 00:45:28,959 --> 00:45:31,001 I withdraw. 208 00:45:41,584 --> 00:45:45,168 We should not have allowed the nun to take Yinniang away. 209 00:45:48,459 --> 00:45:50,293 What choice did we have? 210 00:45:51,709 --> 00:45:54,001 We had to save her somehow. 211 00:45:59,459 --> 00:46:01,251 Do you realize? 212 00:46:05,043 --> 00:46:06,376 Yinniang is back 213 00:46:06,543 --> 00:46:09,209 to kill Lord Tian on the orders of her Master! 214 00:46:32,209 --> 00:46:36,334 Provost, a messenger is here. 215 00:46:36,584 --> 00:46:41,376 Lord Tian urgently requires your presence. 216 00:47:47,084 --> 00:47:49,168 My Lord, the Provost is here. 217 00:47:49,543 --> 00:47:51,376 Your humble servant pays his respects. 218 00:47:54,543 --> 00:47:56,418 I sent for you, 219 00:47:56,584 --> 00:48:00,500 because I want you to escort Commander Tian Xing to the border. 220 00:48:00,584 --> 00:48:07,084 Make sure he reaches it safely. 221 00:48:15,876 --> 00:48:17,209 My Lord, 222 00:48:18,251 --> 00:48:20,168 Tian Xing went home yesterday. 223 00:48:20,376 --> 00:48:22,293 He had a stroke. 224 00:48:24,959 --> 00:48:26,459 He's pretending. 225 00:48:31,751 --> 00:48:32,959 As you command. 226 00:48:34,918 --> 00:48:36,293 Uncle... 227 00:48:42,501 --> 00:48:44,501 Be ready for anything. 228 00:48:47,084 --> 00:48:51,376 Three years ago, his predecessor was seized and buried alive. 229 00:48:51,959 --> 00:48:53,709 That must not happen again! 230 00:49:04,709 --> 00:49:06,293 Yinniang... 231 00:49:07,376 --> 00:49:09,626 returned home yesterday. 232 00:49:19,626 --> 00:49:21,626 We came face to face last night. 233 00:50:24,251 --> 00:50:25,918 As My Lady guessed, 234 00:50:26,126 --> 00:50:29,501 she faked her period with chicken blood. 235 00:50:33,251 --> 00:50:35,293 Lord Tian is here. 236 00:50:48,501 --> 00:50:52,626 Tell the nurse to fetch the boys. 237 00:51:05,834 --> 00:51:08,418 Jiang, show yourself! 238 00:51:16,543 --> 00:51:20,418 Yesterday, I ordered Tian Xing to leave. 239 00:51:20,918 --> 00:51:23,043 He has a new post. 240 00:51:24,209 --> 00:51:27,751 Just now, I ordered Provost Nie Feng 241 00:51:28,001 --> 00:51:31,001 to escort him. 242 00:51:33,709 --> 00:51:36,751 The incident of three years ago 243 00:51:37,251 --> 00:51:39,043 must not be repeated! 244 00:51:42,084 --> 00:51:43,209 Understood. 245 00:51:48,043 --> 00:51:50,418 I hear we had an intruder last night. 246 00:51:50,626 --> 00:51:52,584 The same woman in black? 247 00:51:55,501 --> 00:51:57,293 You are well informed! 248 00:54:22,334 --> 00:54:23,751 Travel safely! 249 00:55:42,251 --> 00:55:44,043 Bring Xiaomian here. 250 00:55:55,584 --> 00:55:56,918 Master, 251 00:55:57,459 --> 00:55:59,709 it is exactly as Madame guessed. 252 00:55:59,918 --> 00:56:01,376 Huji is pregnant. 253 00:56:01,584 --> 00:56:04,376 she faked her period with chicken blood. 254 00:56:36,293 --> 00:56:40,959 Commander Tian Xing will leave. When it gets dark, go after him. 255 00:57:17,751 --> 00:57:21,209 - What news? - Tian Xing has left the staging post. 256 00:57:40,501 --> 00:57:43,084 They took a fork in the road. 257 00:57:43,168 --> 00:57:44,251 With Commander Tian? 258 00:57:44,459 --> 00:57:45,918 It was too dark to tell. 259 00:57:46,126 --> 00:57:47,751 Our man is chasing them. 260 01:06:20,418 --> 01:06:25,334 We should not have let the nun take you away. 261 01:15:32,084 --> 01:15:34,793 Princess Jiacheng taught me the zither. 262 01:15:36,959 --> 01:15:39,668 She told me a story about a bluebird's dance. 263 01:15:47,834 --> 01:15:50,334 She herself was the bluebird. 264 01:15:53,168 --> 01:15:57,751 She left the Court for Weibo all by herself. 265 01:15:59,959 --> 01:16:02,126 There was no one like her in Weibo. 266 01:24:46,251 --> 01:24:47,918 Come and help! 267 01:24:54,709 --> 01:24:55,959 Huji! 268 01:25:23,543 --> 01:25:25,293 Huji is pregnant. 269 01:27:09,834 --> 01:27:11,751 I found this in the corridor. 270 01:27:24,251 --> 01:27:27,626 My father showed me one of these shortly before he died. 271 01:27:31,001 --> 01:27:34,751 When the Lord died suddenly in the night, 272 01:27:35,459 --> 01:27:37,626 one was found by his bed. 273 01:27:38,334 --> 01:27:40,751 Father suspected a plot by Princess Jiaxin. 274 01:27:41,001 --> 01:27:44,876 He traced her to a temple in the south, where they spoke. 275 01:27:46,876 --> 01:27:48,918 She blamed him for his suspicions, 276 01:27:49,168 --> 01:27:51,876 saying she served the heavens, not evil spirits 277 01:27:52,084 --> 01:27:56,043 and such black magic just scares the simple-minded. 278 01:27:58,043 --> 01:27:59,834 In her opinion, 279 01:28:00,418 --> 01:28:02,793 the Lord died of fear. 280 01:28:03,543 --> 01:28:05,668 He scared himself to death. 281 01:29:31,584 --> 01:29:33,251 Lord Tian is here. 282 01:29:34,376 --> 01:29:36,251 Come here, boys! 283 01:30:37,251 --> 01:30:38,709 Sit. 284 01:30:41,001 --> 01:30:42,709 All of you. 285 01:30:59,209 --> 01:31:00,709 Rise! 286 01:31:11,334 --> 01:31:13,043 Clear this away. 287 01:31:46,918 --> 01:31:50,084 Reporting, sir! Commander Tian reached his post. 288 01:31:50,293 --> 01:31:53,000 And Provost Nie is recovering from his wounds. 289 01:31:53,084 --> 01:31:54,792 He remains weak, 290 01:31:54,876 --> 01:31:58,334 but will report to you himself tomorrow. 291 01:31:59,543 --> 01:32:00,668 My Lord, 292 01:32:00,876 --> 01:32:03,084 Wang Chengzong has sent 200 cavalrymen 293 01:32:03,334 --> 01:32:07,001 to arrest Xue Changchao. 294 01:32:08,459 --> 01:32:11,876 My Lord, if we behave aggressively 295 01:32:12,251 --> 01:32:14,876 and destroy the Imperial troops, 296 01:32:15,084 --> 01:32:19,959 the Court will mobilize against Weibo. 297 01:32:20,168 --> 01:32:24,043 I propose that we distract the Court's men 298 01:32:24,459 --> 01:32:26,668 by offering them food and wine. 299 01:32:26,876 --> 01:32:29,251 Meanwhile, we negotiate with Wang... 300 01:34:32,543 --> 01:34:36,043 Were Tian Ji'an to die while his sons are still young, 301 01:34:36,334 --> 01:34:37,918 Weibo would fall into chaos. 302 01:34:40,543 --> 01:34:42,168 So I chose not to kill him. 303 01:34:46,459 --> 01:34:48,709 The way of the sword is pitiless. 304 01:34:48,918 --> 01:34:51,418 Saintly virtues play no part in it. 305 01:34:52,584 --> 01:34:54,668 Your skills are matchless, 306 01:34:56,334 --> 01:34:59,626 but your mind is hostage to human sentiments. 307 01:38:34,959 --> 01:38:38,251 Look! The young woman kept her promise. 308 01:38:38,543 --> 01:38:40,918 She said she'd come back. 309 01:38:41,918 --> 01:38:43,251 She is trustworthy. 310 01:38:43,459 --> 01:38:46,043 She'll escort him into the land of Xinro.