Shadow (Ying)

May I speak with you, Sire

Sire

Sire

Commander...

Him again

What now?

He visited Jing City yesterday

What?

He went to Jing

For what?

To give Yang a birthday greeting

He went yesterday

and you only tell me now?

Lu

My most trusted minister

This is how you serve me?

Has he returned?

Not yet

Go, wait for him

The minute he returns

bring him to me right away

Yes, Sire

COMMANDER'S RESIDENCE

What does it say?

This reading

is about masculine power

No place for women here

Qian, the male, origin of all things

shall rule the world

This reading

is ll _ Qlanll

This is Heaven's will

Brother

There's been talk of this in the Palace

The reading's also a positive sign

When will the battle begin?

Summer, or autumn?

The reading says...

Our time will come in seven days

Seven days?

After seven days of rain

we'll win when the waters rise

The Commander enters!

Our brave lone hero returns!

Sister

Reporting

Sire

I've heard

you went to celebrate Yang's birthday

Yes

I'm sure you gave a lovely speech

I went to Jing to claim one thing

The city Yan Kingdom has occupied for 20 years

Is he willing to return it?

No

So you declared war?

Yang and I have agreed

in a few days, under the City Pass

to duel one-on-one

and see who wins

Our two nations are allies

A duel between our chief commanders

means war

Don't you understand this?

He agreed to it

Alright then

Tell me

Are you sure you can beat him?

Yes or no?

What are your odds'?

3 out of 10 at best

Absurd

Were it not for our Peace Treaty

Pei would have been lost long ago

Great work

You've ruined everything

Jing City still belongs to Pei

It's under Yan Kingdom's occupation

Every righteous man of Pei

longs to win it back

No ruler can oppose his people's will

If Jing isn't reclaimed

Pei will perish under your reign

Commander

How dare you say that?

I'd rather never take Jing back

than destroy the Alliance

On your behalf

I've told them otherwise

And would you also be King on my behalf?

What's done is done

And my punishment?

Alright

Let's not argue

Father died too early

My sister and I had only each other

It was thanks to you, Commander

that I finally gained the throne

Let's drop the subject

Sire is right

Let's just enjoy this rare gathering

I've long heard that

you and your wife play the most exquisite duets

I've always wanted to hear you

So

Will you play for me?

Sire

Our Kingdom is in distress

I'm not in the mood

Commander

Don't disappoint the King

Yes, please

We'll all enjoy your music

Come

Bring the zithers

Come

Come. Come

Please

What?

I, your King

Can't get you to play for me?

Commander

Sire

I am guilty

You haven't started yet

What could you be guilty of?

I will not distract my husband

with beautiful sights and sounds

I've sworn to Heaven

that until the day Jing's reclaimed

I'll not play a note of music

Otherwise

Otherwise what?

I'll cut off my finger

to prove my resolve

An impressive vow to Heaven

But I am the Heaven of Pei

I've asked you to play

Will you not obey me?

Fine then

Don't play today

Take them away

Come

No

They will play

Then I won't listen

Commander

Madam is ready for you

Madam's vow

is mine as well

I'll cut my hair

to beg Heaven's forgiveness

Commander, don't

Commander, don't

Don't do this

Alright, don't play then

No need to make a scene

We'll take our leave

Sire, why did you insist that Commander play'?

I was just trying to

deflate his arrogance

I'll have to clean up his mess

There's only one option left

Yang's son, Ping

has not yet married, right?

Sire means to say...

Marry off my wild sister

Shouldn't we ask if she's willing?

I'm her elder brother

No need to ask

You must make Yang understand:

Commander doesn't represent me

We don't intend to take back Jing

Much less start a war

MY Proposal

will show my sincerity

All right

I'll choose a good day

to go make the proposal

You may leave

Yes, Sire

To play as one

Two hearts must beat as one

As is the case with you and Madam

I haven't even dared to practice

I deserve to die

Had you been exposed

You would indeed deserve to die

We'd both deserve to die

You must master the zither

and suffer this cut

Commander

Please proceed

These herbs are harsh

In an hour

The wound will rot

and look just like mine

Whatever you're holding in...

let it out, you'll feel better

Let it out!