Serenade of Peaceful Joy (Lonely city closed / Gu Cheng Bi / Isolated city / Held in the Lonely Castle / Qing Ping Le / 清平乐)

♔ Follow @skysoultan on Instagram ♔ = Episode 20 =

As the sword was wielded,

branches and leaves fell off?

I learned that

she used to study and practice skills

with her brothers

and she’s an excellent swordsman and rider.

But I’ve never seen her skills myself.

Nor did I ever expect

that a well-mannered person

like Danshu

would wield weapons.

Maoze

saw it, though,

and tried it himself.

Your Majesty, I have something urgent.

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

What happened?

Your Majesty!

This...

Help me, Your Majesty!

Calm down. You’re safe.

I’ll ask an Imperial Physician

to treat your wound,

or you’ll be disfigured

and won’t look good

when performing the Peony Picking Dance.

If I’m unable

to dance before you,

I’d rather

break my hands and feet.

If I’m thrown out of the palace

and married to some rich and powerful man

or demoted to be a slave,

I’d rather

disfigure my face

to keep everyone away from me.

The Book of Rites says,

“Food and love

are two biggest desires”.

Sages listed love

and food

as the most instinctive desires.

We eat food every day.

Once we mature,

if the desire for love

can’t be met for long,

it may flood out

without control,

leading people astray

in the end.

As sinful as it is,

it can be tolerated.

The punishment shouldn’t be too harsh.

Deducting her salary for this month

and giving her heavy labor for a few days every month

are enough.

Yes, Your Highness.

But...

His Majesty adores her.

That makes him

know her better than others.

Leave her to him then.

I know

her unparalleled beauty

makes others jealous.

This poor girl is an orphan.

I raised her myself.

I know

she’s arrogant and unruly,

but she means no harm.

I can vouch for her with my life

that she has nothing to do

with that kind of rubbish.

Xu Lantiao set her up.

She’s

too stubborn.

Ever since she met you last time,

she’s firmly believed

that Your Majesty was the one

who comforted her

in her saddest moment

when her rabbit

was bitten to death by a mouse.

So she’s determined

to follow Your Majesty.

I knew she was wild.

It’s my fault

that I failed to discipline her,

so I made the decision

to marry her off.

I begged Deputy Officer Yang

to get her out of the palace soon

and he agreed.

She was supposed to leave

in a few days.

But during Officer Ren’s inspection,

that vicious Xu Lantiao...

Your Majesty.

Don’t marry me off!

Your Majesty,

please allow me

to be your maid.

I can do anything.

I’ll be as good as others.

I won’t marry you to others.

I’ve already promised Bihan,

so starting from today, she belongs here

and won’t go back with you.

As for her title or rank,

I’ll discuss it with the Empress.

After all,

she’s in charge of the harem.

About these found during the inspection,

you and Shouzhong

can decide yourselves.

Both of you

were trained by the Empress Dowager

and you’re experienced.

I trust you.

Even if there’s any disagreement...

I...

I have none.

I...

You’re capable

and thorough.

You can work out

your differences.

All I want to say is

all the staff members,

maids, eunuchs,

guards, stewardesses,

as you know,

most of them were born poor.

Be patient with them.

If they make mistakes,

don’t be too harsh on them.

I was wrong.

Lesson learned, Your Majesty.

You broke in

out of concern for Bihan.

That’s admirable

but you still should be punished.

You knew you made a mistake

and had Deputy Officer Yang tie your hands.

I know.

I understand

I can’t continue to be an instructor.

I’ll accept

whatever punishment

awaiting me.

Bihan is an innocent

yet fierce girl.

If you treat her well,

she’ll trust and respect you.

She doesn’t know much about other things

and I don’t want her to know.

As for what punishment should be given

for your mistake,

I’m not familiar

with the rules of the harem,

so it’s up to the Empress.

Go to bed.

That’s it?

Your Majesty,

I love you.

I love you with my heart and soul.

I want to be with you for the rest of my life

and have lots of babies with you.

I dared not keep those

who put me before the state.

Bihan,

you’re the only exception.

Throughout my life,

other people and things

belong to the Emperor.

Only you belong to me.

= Yan Mansion =

Father.

Father?

It’s late.

You should go back and rest.

You have morning court tomorrow.

Morning court?

Yes, morning court.

Let me help you.

Hypothetically,

if someone

separated you from your birth mother

when you were little,