"The 10th generation of the Han Dynasty 18th year of Emperor Yuan's reign" "Spring is everywhere" "Birds are humming" "Trying to stand out in the group" "Many beauties are waiting to serve the Emperor" "The womanizing emperor is not satisfied" "He's still searching for beauties from the portraits" "Oh..." "Are you Wang Zhaojun?" "You're from Zigui?" "Yes?" "Before coming here to the palace... you ever heard of the imperial artist Mao Yanshuo?" "Did you?" "Only a few who haven't heard of my name" "Then I guess you should know... the reason why I painted your portrait, don't you?" "Fine, if you don't..." "Let me tell you the importance of this portrait" "In the palace there're many concubines  maids" "The Emperor won't know all of them" "I don't think even the Chief Secretary Shi Xian ...would know all the girls" "Then when the emperor is in the mood..." "Who should he send for?" "Huh?" "Tell me" "Who should he send for?" "Speak up" "Why don't you say something?" "You've instructed me... not to move or talk though!" "Only when I'm painting your portrait" "I see" "Answer me" "There are plenty of girls here" "Who should the emperor pick?" "He does it according to..." "What?" "I have no idea" "Of course he'd refer to the portraits" "The portraits I paint for the concubines" "Oh, this one here for instance" "Thanks for your enlightenment" "At this point..." "I've finished the rough draft" "The only thing missing is the face" "Oh, please continue then" "That's the last step of the portrait" "And it's the most important step to decide... whether the portrait will end up pretty or ugly" "In case I draw your nose a bit to the side" "Or if I draw you a larger mouth" "Owing to that you may..." "Lose the hope of getting close to the emperor" "And end up alone here all your life" "Therefore, I want to remind you... how powerful my portraits are" "What you mean is..." "There's no need to be specific" "In that case" "Give me a price" "How much?" "A small token of regard..." "100 taels of gold" "What?" "You..." "Mr. Mao, Artist Mao" "You again?" "Mr. Mao" "I've managed to get 50 taels" "Please change my portrait" "Haven't I told you?" "I've sent your portrait to the eunuch in charge" "I heard that" "Wondering if you'd do me a favor" "Please pick up that portrait of mine... and change the eyes to be the same size" "Then I'd be highly obliged" "That's not what I meant" "It's too late now" "You're twenty years too late" "I know I've become old" "Please have pity on me" "You can imagine how it is waiting all these years" "Here is 50 taels" "My entire life savings" "Please, have pity on me" "Mr. Mao..." "Ignore her, she's crazy" "Let's continue" "Mao Yanshuo, you're only a painter" "How dare you cheat the emperor, and accept bribes?" "I've nothing to speak to a shameless man like you" "Get out of here" "Fine" "You asked for it!" "Let's wait and see" "Mr. Mao..." "How could you offend him?" "Mr. Mao..." "His Majesty is here" "His Majesty sends for Lady Xu" "Picking beautiful women according to their portraits" "There could be a lucky one" "Poor young beauties!" "Such misfortune" "Don't be sad, my Lady" "Are my eyes not attractive enough?" "I'm not pretty enough?" "Quite lean?" "I'm elegant and slender" "Then what is missing?" "Why am I so unlucky?" "If only" "I'd just keep my patience..." "There's no need to thank me" "The purpose of my visit... is to take a look at your country's splendor" "And also to learn your country's... literature, music, medicine and much more" "Secondly" "The other tribe is getting very strong and aggressive" "Not only they keep stirring up troubles at the border ...they are challenging my tribe too" "Previously our nations repeatedly resorted to arms; but... now I hope we'll work together to fend off enemies" "If I could be of any service..." "I'll sure be glad to help" "Very well, let's work together" "Yes" "Please, Khan" "Who is she?" "Wang Zhaojun" "Has the emperor shown any special favor to her?" "Just let her wait" "From winter to summer, from autumn to spring" "It's been three years already" "There's still no chance to meet the Emperor" "My beauty doesn't get me anywhere" "Without bribe I couldn't get an accurate portrait" "Thinking about the past, I can't help back my tears" "I still remember the day when I left my family" "Parents wishing luck, an askance look on siblings!" "Who'd know that I'm stuck here all alone?" "Most likely the sound is from over there" "Hold on" "Shi Xian" "Yes, Your Majesty" "Who would play at this hour?" "I'm not sure, Your Majesty" "Not sure, eh?" "Can't you do your job properly?" "Sorry for my incompetence" "Please forgive me, Your Majesty" "Arise" "Thank you, Your Majesty" "It's not unusual to play music at this hour" "But the pipa sounds so melancholy" "Who could that be?" "I do know of a concubine called Wang Qiang... also known as Wang Zhaojun who plays the pipa" "I wonder if that could be her!" "Wang Zhaojun" "From what I know..." "Wang Zhaojun is good in music, she looks ordinary" "Besides, it's late now" "Maybe Your Majesty should..." "That's enough" "Yes" "Leave" "Yes your Majesty" "Wang Qiang bids Your Majesty good night" "Arise" "Thank you, Your Majesty" "It's late now, Your Majesty" "Maybe you should return to your chamber" "Mind your own business" "Yes" "How many days have you been in the palace?" "Three years" "Shi Xian" "Yes Your Majesty" "Has Mao Yanshou painted her?" "That..." "So?" "Painter Mao..." "Painter Mao..." "Have pity on me" "Please change my portrait" "I've the money you asked for" "What are you doing?" "How could you let a crazy person in?" "Drag her out" "Yes" "Wait" "Shi Xian" "Yes, Your Majesty" "Now I get it" "No wonder you've been trying hard... not to let me near Yongming palace here" "Who'd have thought that... there are so many ugly secrets going on here!" "Your Majesty..." "No excuses" "Find the portrait of Wang Zhaojun" "Yes, Your Majesty" "The emperor is in a rage" "Everyone's scared!" "Shi Xian panics" "Where's the portrait of Wang Zhaojun?" "This is outrageous" "Huh?" "Chief Secretary Shi Xian" "Please put in a good word for me to the emperor" "It's beyond my powers" "The emperor has sent the imperial guards to catch you" "You better leave..." "But I..." "Chief Secretary Shi Xian" "About my family..." "Don't worry" "Go through the back door" "Yes..." "Mao Yanshuo has fled to escape punishment" "Go after him" "Drinks in the morning, playing chess at night" "The loving couple spends time together" "From now on, the emperor sees no one else" "All portraits are now rubbish" "Have another one, Your Majesty" "Yes, but... what you've just promised me..." "I'll keep my word, when you finish your drink" "I have your word?" "You have my word" "Your Majesty..." "I was only joking" "Zhaojun" "Even I was just joking" "I wouldn't dare to disobey you" "Sing and dance softly" "What did I do to deserve this pleasure?" "Such a wonderful evening" "I've been waiting for three difficult years" "Three long years, so miserable!" "Who'd understand my loneliness?" "If not for my pipa..." "The Emperor won't stop and look" "Sing and dance softly" "I've made the Emperor happy" "There could be a lucky one" "Millions are left in sorrow" "Sorrow makes one lose weight" "It's difficult to listen to the joy next door" "Everyone knows the joy of the blessed palace" "Who'd understand my loneliness?" "Zhaojun" "Your Majesty..." "Please don't blame me" "I was deceived by Mao Yanshuo earlier" "Now I've sent an order out" "There won't be any more portraits" "I've asked Shi Xian... to burn all the portraits" "Also I will try my best ...to catch Mao Yanshuo;" "So that I can avenge for you" "Thank you, Your Majesty" "Arise" "Khan" "We've caught a spy outside the camp" "And found this on him" "Pass it over" "Yes" "Painter Mao" "Arise" "Thank you, Khan" "They don't know who you are" "Please don't mind their rudeness" "It's my fault to call on you so suddenly" "Please forgive me, Khan" "Have a seat" "Thank you, Khan" "Please have your seat" "You traveled all the way here" "You must be..." "Khan" "I've been sent by Han emperor to propose marriage ...in appreciation of your efforts in maintaining, ...peace ties between the two countries" "The marriage will cement alliances between us" "Oh" "Who's this beauty?" "Khan, do you... remember a quick glance in the imperial garden?" "That's... the princess" "Princess Zhaojun" "Excellent" "Then I'd accept the Emperor's offer" "Men" "Yes" "Prepare the betrothal gifts, I'll marry the princess" "Yes" "Khan gladly accepted the offer" "Presents  delicacies were sent to Han Court" "Top quality silk, textiles and cattle" "Lavish betrothal gifts for Zhaojun" "It's unbelievable!" "Bring this message to Huhanxie Khan" "Tell him that I didn't send Mao Yanshuo ...to propose a political marriage" "Please return all the betrothal gifts" "This is outrageous" "That's the Emperor's answer?" "Word from word" "Please instruct us what to do" "What do you say, Mao Yanshuo?" "I was sent here to propose a political marriage" "And now the Emperor failed to keep his promise" "Guess he must have his reasons" "I'm willing to assume all responsibility" "In that case..." "It's definitely the Emperor's fault" "I can't blame everything on you" "The Emperor can't make up his mind" "It's obvious that he looked down upon us" "Generals" "Yes, Khan" "Invade the Han empire" "Suddenly a war broke out among the amity" "Continuous battles raged on" "To carry on the war or to reconcile?" "The Emperor is speechless" "Your Majesty" "Yes?" "You haven't had anything to eat or drink today" "It must be something I did" "No, it's not your fault" "You have no idea" "The recent calamities must have exhausted you" "Why don't you have a rest?" "I'm not tired" "Then let me play the pipa for you" "No, I've no desire to listen" "Your Majesty" "I know I am in no position to ask" "But if you'd share your troubles with me ...perhaps I could share your worries" "Zhaojun, I'm fine" "You..." "Your Majesty" "Your Majesty" "Chief Secretary Shi Xian seeks your audience... about an urgent matter" "Ah, send him in" "Yes, Your Majesty" "Wait" "Let him wait outside" "Yes, Your Majesty" "Shi Xian greets Your Majesty" "Arise" "Thank you, Your Majesty" "Received an urgent message from Jade Gate Border" "We need to decide if we're going to the war... so that our troops can be prepared" "I suggest... rather than enter war for a concubine... it'd be wise to marry Lady Zhaojun to the Khan" "We can cement a friendly relationship with them ...through the diplomatic marriage" "Since Khan thinks that Lady Zhaojun is the princess ...maybe we should use this to our advantage, and marry the lady off!" "Also we won't look bad in this" "Nonsense" "As the Emperor..." "I can't even protect my beloved concubine?" "That's a joke" "I understand, Your Majesty" "But..." "That's enough" "Yes, Your Majesty" "Let me think about it" "I'll decide in court tomorrow morning" "Yes, Your Majesty" "Leave now" "Zhaojun, Zhaojun" "Your Majesty" "Don't worry, Zhaojun" "I won't let anything happen to you" "I'll dispatch troops haveMaoYanshuocaughtalive" "Kill" "Charge, kill" "The Huns have raided!" "Kill" "Kill..." "For people, I can't stay" "For Your Majesty, I must go" "Leaving is the only solution" "Rather than have millions weep, I'd suffer myself" "Your Majesty has been so nice to me" "I know the new frontier is harsh" "For my country I ask peace, healthfortheEmperor" "I have nothing else to ask for" "Zhaojun, won't you blame me?" "I can't serve you for the rest of my life" "It's my destiny" "I can't blame Your Majesty" "For I hate only one man" "Who?" "Mao Yanshuo the traitor ...who is a national threat" "I'll write to the Khan to send for Mao Yanshuo" "And I'll make him pay" "I want his head in exchange" "Painting the girls of the Huns" "A La La Da Da" "A La La Da Da" "Beauties come in all sizes" "Di Di Li Di Di" "Trying to stand out in front of each other" "Ethnic costumes so novel" "Oh..." "A La La Da Da" "Di Di Li Di Di" "Dancing like a feather" "A La La Da Da" "Singing like a bird" "Di Di Li Di Di" "Everything is so interesting here" "The painter basking in his new-found glory" "You are..." "The khan wants to see you" "The reason he wants to see me..." "I heard that a Han envoy is here" "You've to personally go invitePrincessZhaojun" "Oh!" "Don't worry" "The khan might not send you back" "He might just send your head back" "Go..." "Painter Mao..." "Yes khan" "A while back an envoy was here." "He said... the princess won't come unless you return to Han" "Failing which there could be a war" "What do you say?" "For the peace of both nations" "For the lives of citizens of the two countries" "For the sake of Princess Zhaojun ...and your marriage" "My life doesn't matter!" "Why indulge the Khan making him feel awkward?" "If it's your order..." "I will do anything" "But I think it might be a trap" "Sorry?" "Ever considered the possibility of me being a spy?" "What do you mean?" "Think about it" "I've been living here for a while now" "I've a good knowledge of the local landscape" "And as for the military tactics of Khan;" "Of that too I've a general idea" "If you let me go back..." "That's why I can't let you go back alive" "Men" "Yes" "Have him executed" "Yes" "If you do this..." "You've stepped into the trap set by Han Emperor" "What do you mean?" "Please note that" "I myself showed you the portrait of the princess" "I was the one who came here with the proposal" "It doesn't matter if you kill me" "But what if the Han Emperor... sent someone who looks like the princess?" "Or he might even... say that the marriage proposal was never in place?" "Could accuse you of invading the border on an excuse" "When that happens... won't that be, 'Dead not bearing witness'?" "And what's your suggestion?" "Station your troops at the border" "And then send the betrothal gifts to the court" "The princess will show up" "All right, let's do it" "Oh..." "Oh..." "It looks like an expedition" "So many are celebrating a diplomatic marriage" "Incense table set on the sides of a narrow lane" "We're seeing a beauty off, but not the troops" "The water, the bridge overwhelmed with emotion" "Oh..." "My family is weeping, oh..." "It's our reunion and our parting, oh..." "My mother brought me my favourite food" "Thanked my sister in tears for her embroidered scarf" "In return for mother's cream and porridge I hurt her" "The food will always remind me of who I am" "My sister's hands hurt while embroidering" "The scarf is to wipe away my tears" "I'm sorry to be unfilial and leave you" "Dear parents, please focus on my siblings than me" "Imagine that I had died when I was little" "Imagine I've been living at the palace all along" "Parents debt of gratitude will remain until next life" "My young brother, please study hard" "Be a general and not an officer" "Fighting in army is better than a diplomatic alliance" "Remember the humiliation of the political marriage" "Some other time don't forget to revenge an insult" "Zhaojun" "Your Majesty" "Arise" "Thank you, your Majesty" "You will be travelling a long distance" "It will be an arduous journey" "I've sent my guard Wang Long to escort you" "The imperial guards will protect you on the way" "Wang Long" "Yes, Your Majesty" "Meet the princess" "Can't pay my respect for I'm wearing an armour" "Long live the princess" "Arise" "Long live the princess" "I'm grateful to Your Majesty for everything" "Please concentrate on the affairs of this nation" "I wish that our country will grow and prosper" "Goodbye Your Majesty, long live the Emperor" "Political marriages" "What're the benefits of those?" "Since Emperor Gao's entrapment on Mount Baideng ...up till Emperor Wu's 6th year of reign;" "There have been 9 political marriages" "Other than marrying off beautiful women..." "A large amount of good wines ...cereals, textiles" "And each such marriage... would guarantee us for a few years of peace" "There were times when the results were opposite" "Like during the 2nd year regime of Emperor Hui" "He married the princess to Maotun" "And Maotun wrote to humiliate the queen" "And now" "We lack good generals such as Li Guang, Huo Guang" "On the contrary there're traitors like Mao Yanshuo" "That fella, If I see him..." "I'll tear him into pieces" "General Wang" "But we have the invincible Great Wall" "Won't we be able to fend off the Huns?" "It's not that hard to fend off the enemies" "But for the moles like Mao Yanshuo" "Go..." "What's going on?" "Princess, General Wang" "These two tried to escape" "We caught them" "Because they are your countrymen..." "It's up to you to decide their punishment" "Look up" "Didn't ya hear?" "Look up" "Why did you run away?" "You, as a soldier...!" "Not only that... you ran away, you're kidnapping a woman too" "Do you know how serious that is?" "You heard me?" "Speak up" "You have humiliated our race" "No, I'm not a kidnapper" "Before she worked in the palace as a maid" "She was engaged to me" "When we were about to get married... she was sent to work in the palace" "We were planning to marry after the 3-year contract" "Who would have thought that... she'd be sent to escort the princess to the Huns?" "It'd be falling from the sky to land on a palm tree!" "Eating lamb, living in tents" "It's a desert out here" "We thought we might die on the way" "So we..." "Princess, General Wang" "Please forgive us" "For our services to the country" "For my old parents" "I need to take care of them..." "Please let us go" "Let you go?" "Why don't you consider... what the princess has given up?" "Sacrificed her happiness for the country" "It's an arduous journey" "We all have to suffer" "We all have parents and families" "Look around, we all have parents ...and our families" "Why don't you think about the princess?" "For your country?" "For the people?" "How could you have run away?" "Men" "Yes" "Chop off their heads" "Yes" "Wait" "General Wang" "Yes, princess" "Let them go" "Sorry?" "Let them go" "Yes, princess" "You're lucky" "Thank the princess" "Thank you, princess" "We'll never forget your generosity" "Thank you, princess" "Leave" "The Han Emperor has sent the Princess here with... thousand taels of gold, 100boxesof tealeaves" "The best fabrics and flawless jade" "My country appreciates the gifts" "We will do our best to work with Han" "General Wang came all the way here ...to escort the princess" "Thank you very much" "I offer you 1000 sheep, 100 horses ... 20 camels, ...for food and transportation on the way back" "Thank you, Khan;" "Thanks, prince" "It's my duty to escort the princess" "I'm happy to see that... our countries are in such an amicable relationship" "Best wishes for the Khan and the princess" "Endless good fortune and happiness always" "Well said" "I wish the same" "Today, Princess Zhaojun has traveled far ...to be married to me" "It's the happiest day of my life" "And an important day for my country" "Everyone..." "Drink to your heart's content..." "Cheers!" "Congratulations to the Khan and the princess" "Are you all right, princess?" "Are you tired from the journey?" "Would you like to take a rest?" "I get it" "Surely you aren't happy with the title I gave you" "You are now my queen" "I've given you the title- 'Queen of Eternal Peace'... hoping you'll bring eternal peace to our people" "Yet I still have unfulfilled hopes" "How can I be at peace?" "Oh, unfulfilled hopes?" "!" "What are your aspirations?" "Please don't hesitate to tell all of us here" "There are three wishes ...on my mind" "Which three?" "I better not speak of them" "Why not?" "If you won't help me, it's useless" "What are you talking about?" "I'd do anything for you" "Would even go to the war... if that's what you want" "I would try to fulfill everything... even if you have 300 wishes" "Really?" "Emperor's words to be taken seriously' is the saying" "The same holds true here" "The first one?" "The first one" "Please return my portrait ...painted by Mao Yanshuo to me" "That's easy" "Men" "Yes" "Pass me the princess' portrait" "Yes" "And the second one?" "Hereafter, Huns won't invade the Han Empire" "Never to cause a commotion at the border" "That's of course" "Listen everyone" "I've heard we're the descendents of Emperor Xia Yu" "That's why the Huns and the Hans ...are really brothers" "From now on, we'll be allies" "We'll be defending the Hans" "If we break our word, we'd end up like this arrow" "Thank you" "Many lives will be saved" "And the third one?" "The third one..." "Can we have a word in private?" "Certainly." "Leave us." "You too may leave" "Khan, the portrait of the princess" "Leave us" "Yes" "The third one?" "I want to speak to Mao Yanshuo ...in private" "That's easy" "Guards" "Send for Mao." "The queen wants to see him" "Yes" "Wang Long" "Take this portrait with you" "Back to our country, take this to the Emperor" "Tell him:" "Our country is more important than me" "Don't say the truth if His Majesty asks about me" "Never mention that I've been sad" "Lady" "Khan, we have a problem" "What is it?" "Mao Yanshuo has fled" "What?" "When?" "Not sure." "He's not in his camp" "Even his luggage isn't there" "Really?" "Go after him" "Yes" "Hurry" "Please don't kill me" "I didn't mean to run away" "I was getting homesick, hence I left in a hurry" "Please have mercy on me" "Please" "Painter Mao, take a good look." "Who am I?" "Do you recognize me?" "Oh, you're the Queen of Eternal Peace" "Please say a few good words for me" "You're wrong" "Are you sure you don't know me?" "That..." "You don't remember?" "Think it over" "Where am I from?" "I think... you're from Zigui" "Correct" "Then you should recall... what is my name?" "Wang..." "I'm afraid I won't dare utter the Queen's name" "Good." "At least you know your etiquette" "Then, let me ask you again" "Do you remember your own name?" "It's Mao Yanshuo" "Of course I remember" "Then, do you remember ...which is your country?" "Huh, do you?" "I'm a Han national" "But I've moved here" "How could you say that?" "What did you learn all these years?" "Could it be said, The loyal courtier has one master" "The loyal wife has only one husband" "The queen is right" "But the good birds select their roosts" "It's natural for one to move on" "I was an officer at the Han court" "Loyal and worked for my fellow people" "It's a pity that the Emperor couldn't see clearly" "He ignored you even for your beauty" "I've tried to tell him, but he won't listen" "I didn't want you to waste your life" "That's why I tried to help with a portrait" "Coming all the way here to propose to the Khan" "You're saying that I owe it all to you ...for what I am now?" "I did it for you, my Queen" "With all my devotion" "You are a traitor" "You're hoping you'll be praised for years to come?" "You made up an excuse for a political marriage" "Thereby endangering the two governments" "And you think you deserve to live long?" "For your own selfish agenda... you put millions of lives in danger" "You think you deserve praise?" "You, you're more vicious than the tigers  wolves" "You, your painting brushes sharper than swords" "You can draw anything you please" "Many lives ruined because of your portraits!" "Your portraits have sent many to hell!" "I was ignored in the palace for three years" "You're the reason I came to this God-forsaken place" "I don't mind being the victim" "But you shouldn't betray your country" "As citizens of the Han, our people... have been bullied since the Pingcheng battle" "How many have sacrificed?" "How many people have died?" "!" "General Li Ling fought the enemies courageously" "Giving all he's got in the battle" "Su Wu was captured, he never surrendered" "He'd rather be a shepherd in the North Sea" "They're not like you, begging for mercy" "You are slave like a prostitute" "You've lost your conscience" "What place do you have in this world?" "Your crime can't be absolved even if you're hacked" "Queen, you've accused me wrongly" "I plead with you considering we both are Han people" "From the same land we've had our share of water" "My queen..." "Khan" "Please have mercy on me" "I request you..." "Please!" "Might have spared you actually" "But you left so secretly" "You betrayed the Han Emperor" "Who can guarantee you won't betray me in future?" "Men" "Yes" "Drag him out and have him slain" "Yes" "Go, get away from my sight" "Have mercy on me..." "You all, just leave" "Yes" "You too" "It's late, my lady." "Please rest" "C'mon, go and sleep" "Yes" "Rest well" "You will head back home tomorrow" "Sorry?" "Yes, going home" "We won't, my Lady" "We're here to serve you" "We won't leave" "You all have families" "Why must the families break up for my sake!" "Why live a wandering life away from home?" "My Lady has suffered a lot for our country" "Can't we at least do this much?" "We wish to serve the Queen" "We can't leave you here ...all alone!" "Please don't send us home" "How could we leave you here?" "Please, don't ask us to leave" "You all arise." "Fine, I promise." "Go" "Please turn in soon, my Lady" "Come" "Let's partake from this "drink of oath"" "This too is according to your Han custom" "A custom as per the Han Govt." "Should also pay respects to parents, heaven  earth" "But they are so far away" "Then let me offer my respects by the river" "Fine." "Men" "Yes" "Set up an altar by the river" "Yes" "This cup of wine is for heaven" "I wish the Han Emperor could strengthen... national security, the army,  the country" "So that my country will be the strongest" "Oh..." "So that this nation would be the strongest" "The second cup of wine" "I wish for the morale in the military to be high" "The army could be brave teachtheenemiesalesson" "The third cup of wine" "I wish for good harvests" "So that the people  army would never lack supplies" "All geared up for battle at the border" "Oh..." "My heart is as pure as water;" "as cold as frost" "I can't let my parents down, nor the emperor" "Let me flow with the roaring currents... which will take me back to my hometown" "My queen..." "The howling wind, galloping waves" "Heaven and earth are mourning for the loss" "From this day on, by the waters... one can sometime hear the sounds of pipa!"