The Virtuous Queen of Han (衛子夫)

As the Great General, if I forbid you to go

who would dare allow you to join the troops to war?

Don't you even think about it!

If I cannot go with you

Great General is not allowed to go either!

I've always wanted to marry you, but not for a luxurious life.

It was not so that I could be a lady of the manor.

I married for affection, for love.

I wanted to stay by your side to keep you company and take care of you!

Now, I know that you're going to war with injuries

but I can't stay by your side to take care of you.

I won't be able to know how you've endured the pain.

My heart will ache as if it is stabbed a million times over.

I won't be able to eat or sleep.

Instead of suffering from this torment, I'd rather take the risk with you!

I won't allow it!

Then I can only report this to the Empress and let her decide!

I can't...

I can't watch my husband suffer, while I do nothing about it.

If I can't stay by your side to take care of you

that is my last resort.

Even if you hate me and begrudge me for it

I have no regrets.

I... I can't lose my husband...

I can't lose you...

I can't...

All right now.

All right, all right.

Jia Er...

Jia Er...

Last time, Shen Jia made this soup

and everyone who tasted it said it was delicious.

So I've learned to make it.

Here, try it.

Let me know if it is as good as Shen Jia's.

It's lovely and fragrant.

It's just as good as Jia Er's, if not better.

You're only complimenting me because Jia Er isn't here.

If you like it, you can have more.

I added saffron to make it unique.

It's beneficial to bruises and all sorts of internal injuries.

Years ago, when you first went to war, although you were still so young

you already looked valiant and high-spirited.

Now that you're mature and calm

you appear to have gone through great changes in life.

Ten years of experience in battles, and I have been through many ordeals.

From an unfledged nobody to the reputable Great General that I am now.

I have definitely matured and gone through great changes in life.

That is why I can lead the army, demonstrate greatness

and command the army to fight in one place or another.

All these years, you have fought your way through the battlefields.

New injuries add on to old ones.

More and more have accumulated over the years.

I wonder if that would cause any ailments?

Sister...

Perhaps there are some words that you'd like to tell me but can't.

Or perhaps you don't want to tell me.

Or you don't quite know how to tell me.

That is fine. I understand.

Has Jia Er told you about it?

Jia Er has aroused my suspicion.

She yelled out rudely in front of His Majesty.

And she stopped you from competing with Qu Bing more than once.

That is unusual for Shen Jia.

But you were the one who revealed the truth to me.

You are my brother.

Your expressions and behavior cannot escape my eyes.

You look more and more unwell these days.

Your footsteps weren't as strong as they used to be.

You didn't even have any wine.

Now Shen Jia insists on going with you to war.

You don't have to worry, my sister.

I might carry old injuries

but they are minor and do not affect me.

It's just the huge war is soon upon us, so I have to be more cautious.

That is why I abstain from taking alcohol and having sword fights.

I'm worried that any accidents will have an impact on the war.

Jia Er is too nervous.

That is why she insisted on going with me to war

in order to take care of me.

From the very first time that you went to war, to this final battle

as the Empress, I know that you have to go for the sake of the nation.

As the Great General of Great Han, as a warrior

I believe that you have to fight in this battle.

I also know that you're not only fighting for the nation and people

but also to fulfill our brother's wish to honor our ancestors with glory.

Moreover, it is to ensure that I am safe in my position as the empress.

Sister...

I am grateful for your efforts.

But I'd also like you to know that fame, glory, or the position of the empress

aren't as important as having you safe and sound.

I will remember every word and sentence that you've said today.

I'll remember your concern and expectations.

I'll fight with utmost valor, but also tread very cautiously.

My sister, you just have to wait patiently for me to eliminate enemies

and send you news of great victory from the frontier.

I shall return in great victory once again!

I will.

When the drums roll to welcome the meritorious officers back in victory...

I will see you...

walking back to me with strong steps like you used to.

I will not disappoint you or His Majesty.

I shall achieve victory in the deserts, and return home safely.

The golden age of peace will then be established.

Good.

I will embroider a longevity gown for you while you are away at war

to bless you with safety and good health.

When you return, you can then take off your armor and your heavy burdens...

to enjoy the golden age that you fought half your lifetime for.

Good.

Eat slowly.

I've braised this meat in candied hawthorn.

It can help remove blood stasis and heal your internal injuries.

Have some with me.

I had some when I was cooking it.

Here, Jia Er.

Have a rest.

I'm not tired.

It's great to stay by your side.

Jia Er, we've been married for years.

I'm grateful to have you looking after me

and handling the chores at home to keep the manor in order.

Our three children are growing up well and strong.

I can then be at ease to fight on the battlefields.

This is all because of your sacrifice and devotion.

Those are just my duties as a wife.

It is my greatest joy to be able to share your burdens by your side.

Jia Er, you've suffered grievances all these years.

But no matter what, I wish you to know...

I am your closest wife whom you can confide your secrets in

and entrust your life to.

Come here.

I remember every word that you said.

When I first married you

I never thought of having a spot in your heart.

I just thought that as long as I could get closer to you

just like the kite that flies close to the skies

I would be content.

Now that I can come here with you to the battlefields

and see how dignified you look when you deploy the troops

it is already a great honor for a little reed like me.

Jia Er...

It is my greatest bliss to have you by my side.

Don't worry. This battle might be dangerous

but I will do all that I can to protect you.

Just be sure to protect yourself.

You are all that I see and think of.

Should anything happen to you, I wouldn't survive on my own.

So for my sake, and that of our children

you must be safe and sound.

I hope that we can be like this every day

with me by your side.

Don't worry.

I will definitely pull through this.

Because I have Jia Er in my heart.

You will always be in my heart.

Even when I am fighting the enemies on the battlefields

you will be here in my mind.

For your sake, I will be even stronger.

Qu Bing has already entered the deserts with the best soldiers.

Are we soon leaving the frontier to enter the enemy grounds?

Once all arrangements are made, we will head out.

After we make it past the woods of haloxylon trees

we will enter the deserts.

The woods of haloxylon trees?

Yes.

It is the woods in the wilderness in front of us.

That is no longer the land of Great Han.

It will be difficult to get water resources by then.

We have to save up enough water for the next few days.

All right, I'll nurse you back to health within the next few days

so that you can go to war in your best physical state.

I'll have to trouble you then, my lady.

My dear husband, I've left while you were making your rounds.

Please excuse me.

Last night, you told me that there are haloxylon trees nearby.

I was so thrilled that I couldn't sleep.

I heard Uncle Yi say that there is cistanche fruit in such woods

and it treats exhaustion, as well as internal injuries.

I've asked the physicians about it.

It turns out that all blood scabs and stasis

can be cured with cistanche fruits.

But this medicinal fruit is hardly ever seen in central plains.

Since the haloxylon trees are right before us now

your injuries can now be cured with this miraculous medicine.

Forgive me for making a decision without your permission.

I knew that you'd be worried about my safety and wouldn't allow me to go.

That is why I didn't let you know in advance.

You've said that the Jia grass is the young shoot of reeds.

It strives and grows at all times.

It will still hold its head up without fear in wind and rain.

I'd like to be that reed for you.

Don't be worried about me.

I'll be back very soon.

My silly Jia Er...

Foreign enemies are often seen near those haloxylon woods.

What are you to do if you run into them?

What am I to do?

How should I help you?

What is wrong?