Lady of the Dynasty (Wang chao de nv ren: Yang Gui Fei / 王朝的女人·杨贵妃)

While my cherished Roman Empire brazenly invoke it puffed up elitism,

when compared to the Tang Empire's multi-cultural influence in science, art and learning

it's the Tang that bustles with liberal tolerance.

The Tang Emperor has no need to trumpet the greatness of his domain,

rather it simply is.

Now a month after arriving in Chang'an,

I have an interview with His Beloved Holiness

with whom I hope for a lively dialogue,

be it discussing politics or religion.

What's in heaven's name is this place?!

This is the Tang Empire.

The envoys from the Byzantine Empire have arrived!

I hear that the Head Envoy is quite the music aficionado.

As Your Majesty knows,

music is avery important part of my life.

If you don't mind, I would like to hear an elegy from your country.

If Your Majesty permits, I have many joyous carols to offer from my homeland as well.

Save them for next time.

I would like to hear an elegy today.

At first, I couldn't surmise what the Emperor was thinking on that day.

Later, I learned that the Emperor's army had been victorious in the border war.

However, he chose to abort the victory celebration.

In its stead, he chose to observe with honor

the casualties of both his troops and the enemy's.

This was Li Longji, Emperor of the Tang Empire.

This dancer looks as sorrowful as the dance itself.

Who is she?

She is the wife I have chosen for Prince Mao. She will become a princess.

I arraged for her to appear to day,

I want people to see her talent and to know that

She is fit to be a part of the Imperial Family.

She should be in the family, indeed.

Lady of the Dynasty

Who was that dancer?

She's the daughter of Yang Xuanyan from Shu Prefecture, Yang Yuhuan.

She moved to her cousin Yang Guozhong's home here

in Chang'an after her parents died.

She's now my choice to be Prince Mao's wife.

I want her to come see me tomorrow.

Yes.

Action!

Come on, Prince Ying! Prince Mao is clearly the star of the team!

I can't tell who's Crown Prince Ying and who's Prince Mao.

Please choose the team you bet on.

Are you Yang Guozhong?

How could they break the rules

Is Yang Yuhuan your younger sister?

She's my younger cousin. My name is Yang Guozhong.

- You're the head of your household? That's correct. - Good.

Has Yuhuan done something wrong?

She's not part of my household, sir.

His Majesty and Consort Wu have taken a liking to Yang Yuhuan.

They wish to make her the wife of Prince Mao.

- Which one is Prince Mao? - That one.

Yang Yuhuan needs to pay Consort Wu a visit at the Imperial Palace this evening.

I can't see his face.

Congratulations to the Yang family.

Mother.

Is Your Highness all right?

No one got hurt. My apologies for mistakenly harming Prince Mao.

I saw everything.

A tuberose.

Lady Yang has arrived!

Let her present herself before me.

A snow orchid.

Kneel down.

A common girl Yang Yuhuan wished to greet the most respected Consort Wu.

Stand up.

I apologize for what the palace maids did earlier.

I will punish them accordingly.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

I think Prince Mao will like you very much.

We're family from now on.

Can...

can I meet Prince Mao beforehand?

You want me to marry him, but I've never met him,

how will I know if I love him?

Does it really matter whether...

you love him or not?

I've heard that Your Majesty met the Emperor before you married him.

More than that

His Majesty and I grew up together.

I like your personality.

Very well, I'll break the rules just this once for you.

Lady Yang, please wait for a while.

The Emperor's beloved 18th son Li Mao married today.

The bride, a civilian named Yang Yuhuan

may lack Royal breeding but certainly does not lack God's gift of natural blessing.

She was the dancer we saw at the victory ceremony.

A Prince's wedding may be a well-suited political stratagem.

used to unite friendly nations.

But that doesn't seem to matter in the Tang.

Maybe they simply don't need it.

Your Highness, we've only seen each other in paintings and haven't met each other before.

Yet, we're a couple from to night.

Please make a vow, Your Highness.

Didn't we already make our marriage vows at the wedding?

That was for other people to hear.

I want you to make your vow to me.

If we're not sincere to each other, Your Highness might spend the rest of your life

with the girl in painting instead.

She'll never grow old,

never get ill

or upset anyone.

I, Li Mao,

vow to love Yang Yuhuan

like she's a part of me.

Were they here with us just now?

Yes, and they will be here all night to serve us.

What's this?

It's for us to clean ourselves...

after... after...

Oh, how can anyone sleep like this?

Your Highness, are you all right?

- Hey, you! You are on purpose. - You can't blame me.

Crown Prince,

Father favors Consort Wu and Mao too much.

Now there's Yang Yuhuan in the picture.

- What are you trying to say? - This family is going to take your Crown someday.

Is your child getting better? I'll send the Imperial Physician to your house tomorrow.

We're not worthy of Your Majesty's care.

Children are all we have.

V.O. The princess are about to have an archery game.

- Stop. - Your Majesty.

You brought the wrong arrows.

Our Emperor offers his best wished to Your Majesty.

He also has a message.

Please go ahead.

Your Majesty, your empire lies in the east, our empire lies in the west.

Unfortunately, in the center and quite between us is the Caliphate.

We understand that they constantly put your border at risk.

If our two great empires implement a joint battle plan

we can end their government

and split the land evenly.

My core area is China, and my core interests lie in this land as well.

When someone wants the benefit of owning the entire world,

he inherits all of its troubles as well.

I understand Your Majesty's wisdom now.

Besides, if we take out the Caliphate,

we'll border each other.

New troubles will appear.

- Your Majesty. - Rise.

This is Lady Yang Yuhuan, the wife of my 18th son Li Mao.

This is Sir Tacitus, the Byzantine Head Envoy.

He's also a Bishop, as well as an excellent musician.

I hear that Sir Tacitus is a musician,

a great Konghou player.

Konghou?

It means harp.

If I may, I would like to ask Sir Tacitus to...

to give me some Konghou lessons.

Sir Tacitus, the princess is actually already quite skilled.

She will not disappoint you as your pupil.

My wishes is to not disappoint Your Majesty or Your Highness.

Thank you, Father! Thank you, Sir!

- Please excuse us. - Please.

Where's Li Mao?

His eyes are glued to the Arabian dancers outside.

Well, you should go get his focus back, then!

Father called us!

We have the seal to prive it!

Later,

the prosperous Tang Empire showed another side of itself.

The internal rivalry amongst the long line of princes

in hope of the eventual inheritance of the throne

is as treacherous as those we have experienced.

My sources tell me that three of the Princes including Crown Prince Li Ying

led a night raid on the palace and were arrested by Imperial Guards.

With frightening impartiality the Emperor was ordered

the immediate execution of the three as traitors.

Don't feel bad.

If they don't die,

then it would be His Majesty and us who would be killed.

Princes come into this world,

half of them get killed

and the rest grow up in blood.

His Majesty was the same. He's clear-headed when it comes to

this personal grief and national affairs,

Yuhuan, take these flowers to His Majesty.

Mao, now that the position of heir to the throne is open,

I want to see you become the Crown Prince.

Then I'll be at peace.

I'll help you, but it requires you to grow up faster.

Your innocent childhood is over,

so don't let your mother down.

Promise me.

I promise, Mother.

Mother has just finished this floral arragement.

She asked me to bring it to Father.

Where would Father like me to put it?

Wherever you deem suitable.

Lishi, put up lights.

How are your music lessons with Sir Tacitus going?

Quite well.

Are you able to perform with it?

What would Father like to hear?

Whatever you want to play.

My greeting, Sir.

Are you from within the Justice Ministry?

No.