"Chou Shih Hsien's waiting outside" "Send him in" "Chou Chung to see Your Highness Chou Shih Hsien's at your service" "Long Live Your Highness" "Rise!" "Thank you" "It is uncommon for men to kneel" "Especially to seek a promise of marriage" "Tell me, what is a man's priority of virtues?" "One must observe court etiquette" "Your Highness being the epitome of etiquette Should not cast such a casual insult" "What may I ask Is a lady's priority of virtues?" "Eloquence is only appropriate in lobbying" "Not in a courtship" "It only proves you're insincere" "Choice of words reflects the inner mind Eloquence comes from knowledge" "I may not be a distinct scholar But I have a tender heart" "Since I've been treated with insincerity" "I can only reciprocate" "Stealing a glance at him" "Standing by the willow A handsome scholar with such grace" "And eloquence" "How fortunate it is to meet him" "Like a dream come true" "Fate must have brought him" "I quiver at the thought of pre-destination" "I bow and thank her for the drink" "And the honor to be here" "Seems like deja vu I've met her in my dreams" "I make a pledge by the tree" "A solemn vow of marriage" "The thought evokes passion" "The twin trees bound together forever" "Can I count on you in hard times?" "Like the tree guarding your bedroom" "I shall always stand by you" "Chou Chung to see Your Majesty Long Live Your Majesty" "Rise!" "Thanks" "Congratulations, Your Majesty" "Her Highness favors Chou Shih-hsien" "I'm here to report the good news" "Summon him" "Chou Shih-hsien here" "Hail to Your Majesty" "Rise!" "Thanks" "You are indeed handsome" "Tell me what have you done" "To win the Princess' heart" "I have no military merit to speak of But well versed in literary works" "They are useless in these turbulent times" "We have wasted too much to study" "That's why the country is in turmoil" "When I was studying to become a scholar" "No one expected such an upheaval" "If Your Majesty prefers a general" "Perhaps you should consider my son" "He's guarding the Forbidden City And has proven his valor" "It is just my idle complaint" "If the Princess favors Shih-hsien She will marry him" "Thank you, Your Majesty" "I kneel in court to show my gratitude" "I will make myself worthy of the Princess" "Your Majesty, the rebels are at the City Gate We await your instructions" "Eunuch Tsao has opened the Gate" "The rebels are now charging into the City" "Slaughtering has started outside the palace" "It's all over then" "Who'd expect the dynasty to end in my hands People will flee the court" "I'm filled with regret I know now it is hard to keep my reign" "My family's honor must be upheld" "I cry for my beloved queens" "Our home is broken along with the nation" "A common woman will die for her husband" "Needless to say, the queen must do the same" "Please grant me the red ribbon Allow me to set an example" "If the Queen should die for the country I will do the same" "I will soon join you in Hades" "Take the red ribbon" "Please do what's best for our children" "Summon my daughters to court" "His Majesty summons Princess Chang Ping" "Hail Father" "Rise!" "I see sad faces in court" "Father is sighing" "Shih-hsien is crying" "General Chou looks beaten" "The old minister is murmurring" "The maids are weeping" "Tears streaming down their pretty faces" "My worries are useless" "I cannot suppress the rebels" "I must find out" "Why he has summoned me" "It's your misfortune to be born a princess" "General Chou" "Disaster is destined" "To avoid talking about it makes it worse" "Why torture me by making me guess?" "Whether I live or die" "Is not as bad as not knowing the truth" "Tell me" "Both Queens have committed suicide" "Now it's your turn" "Say goodbye to your fiancee and your father" "Father has loved me for 15 years" "Repaying you by death is easy" "I wish we can be father and daughter again" "To make up for this short life" "Father you want me dead Yet you cannot make that order yourself" "That already proves your love" "My fiancee is speechless" "That proves his love as well" "Father, I wish you would make it quick So that I can be reincarnated" "As your daughter again and Shih-hsien's wife" "Evacuate the palace and lock the gates" "To protect your chastity" "I must order your death" "Tears streaming down my gown" "You don't deserve such a tragic death" "How can I live without you" "Let me hold you just once" "Dear Princess" "Being apart is not easy, let alone separated by death" "A short ribbon will end my ife" " Princess" " Shih-hsien" "Please don't cry and let me go" "There may be reunion after brief separation" "But there's no hope for death" "Forget about me and go now" "Only heaven knows how much I love you" "I will never forget our vow by the tree" "If we cannot live together" "We should not die together" "I do not wish to die in front of you And bring you sad memories" "If you could burn a joss stick for me" "I will be indebted forever" "Please do not reject my wish to die" "We can spend our wedding night in Hades" "Behold the drums and fire of war" "Officials fleeing from court in tears" "The end is near, I'd rather die" " Farewel my love, please don't cry" " Princess" "Princess" "Father" "Sister" "Run sister, Father wants to kill you" "Sister" "Even beasts do not eat their young" "How can a sagacious king do this?" " Sister" " How can you do this, Father?" "Sister" "Sister..." "My daughters must die" "Father" "One strike is not enough to kill" "Please strike again and spare me the pain" "Hang on I'll send you to Hades" "Your Majesty" "The rebels are charging into the Palace" "Looking for the royal family" "I must climb a hill to thank my subjects" "Follow me to Coal Hill" "She's still alive!" "Let's get her out of here" "Princess" "Prince Chou" "Where's the Princess?" "The Chous left with her corpse" "Maid!" "Nothing much survived the war" "We have no valuables To offer the officials of the new dynasty" "Regaining power and wealth" "Is only in your dreams" "You're becoming muddle-headed" "Shen Chang-ling has surrendered to the Manchus" "To regain riches and rank is easy" "Compared to the Princess Gold and jewels are worthless" "The Princess?" "What about her?" "She's just flesh and bones" "The new king wants to use her to pacify the peasants" "Betraying her will bring ridicule" "Would you rather stay poor?" "Are you sure about this?" "Of course" "Let's go" "Let's go visit Shen" "And make use of this golden opportunity" "Your Highness" "I thank you for saving my life" "But now I must die" "Your father and brother will betray me in exchange for riches and rank" "I should have died with my parents Then I won't be trapped now" "I despise what they're doing" "I will not let them betray you" "It is not safe here You must leave at once" "My late mother has built a convent" "The abbess is a reliable friend" "You can take refuge there We need to bide some time" "We'll figure out a better plan on the way" "Bad news, Father" "Don't fuss" "Dead..." "Father... dead" "I'm more than alive" "The Princess is dead" "How?" "She sent me to the garden To pick some orchids" "She was gone when I came back" "I found this letter, written in blood" "And filled with bitterness, read it yourself" "Really?" "Let me see" "To remain loyal to my country" "I must disfigure myself and drown at sea" "This is so tragic" "There goes my dream Long before it gets started" "You're supposed to looked after her And ensure her safety" "How can you let this happen?" "You have some nerve She's dead because of you two" "Look at her sucidal note" "She did it because of her filial duties" "Uncle Chou" "I find you at long last" "It's been a life time since I last saw you" "I was told You left the palace with the Princess' corpse" "Where is her grave?" "I want to pay my respects" "Tell me" "It's true I brought her back" "She was alive then" "Alive?" "But she's dead now" "Dead?" "How?" "Tell me" "She left a note" "See for yourself" "She said she'd drown herself Disfigured to preserve her chastity" "I must disfgure myself and drown at sea" "Shih-hsien, die if you wish" "But not here I don't want scandals" "Father" "You must stay alive" "Mark my words" "True love outlasts even death Those in love are destined to meet again" "Alone on the quiet road" "The former Princess Shivering in the snow" "I've led a wrecked life this past year" "Afraid to love again" "My heart is lonely as the moon against the sky" "My appearance no longer recognizable Having survived the war" "I have no hope of marital love" "Judging from the back" "That nun looks like the late Princess" "Perhaps she's still alive?" "I remember now Sui-lan said" "True love outlasts even death Those in love are destined to meet again" "I'll go find out" "Shutting me out is even more suspicious" "I must barge in" "Are you barging in For tea or to worship?" "No, neither" "I'm here to be enlightened" "Why did you shut me out?" "The abbess is away" "It's inappropriate for me to let a man in Especially in this place of worship" "One gets sentimental after the war" "Especially about traces of the past" "I believe we have met before" "I'm hoping you'd recognize me" "I've practised Buddhism all my life Have never experienced any war" "I have been here for 10 years" "Unaffected by secular affairs" "I'm a heart-broken man" "I've mistaken you for someone else" "So you're not a flirt but a grief stricken man" "I'll go inside and burn a joss stick" "Pray to Guanyin for your good health" "I should be ever so grateful" "May I ask your name?" "I am Shen, my monastic name is Wei Ching" "Wei Ching?" "My past is but vague memories" "Why is she living incognito" "And refuses to recognize me" "We were once engaged and now that the war is over" "Her refusal puzzles me" "My hapless fate is predestined I'd best practice Buddhism and sever my secular ties" "Though the war is over, danger is still lurking" "I should live the life of a recluse" "She should have recognized me" "Perhaps I should call her name" "Princess" "Who are you calling for?" "The Princess" "Who is she?" "My wife" "You should do that at home" "Not in the convent" "I do not want to hear about the bustling world Please look elsewhere for your wife" "And leave me alone" "You look demented, I better pray for you" "I'm a nun Please don't take me for someone else" "I've devoted myself to Buddhism since I was 10" "Can she really be so heartless?" "Everyone treasures their flesh and blood" "I'll talk about the late Emperor" "If she cries over him She must be the Princess" "Let's discuss the late Emperor" "His family is shattered" "Have you prayed for him?" "His lonely soul lingering in Hades" "Not a single joss stick burnt on his behalf" "You must be the Princess since you're crying" "The late Emperor died for us" "How can I not cry for him?" "I also cry for my country" "The Emperor hanged himself in the Red Chamber" "To thank his subjects" "He has moved me to tears" "And the Princess Have you heard about her?" "She's already dead, say no more" "In this wilderness" "I should not be here alone with you And break monastic commandments" "I know you're heart broken" "But this is no place to seek consolation I must go" "Excuse me" "I have a request" "What is it?" "I want to pray to Guanyin" "You must not" "The convent is a sacred place" "No place for ordinary people" "I pray you let go of your past Please leave" "I just want to pray If you won't take me" "I'll go by myself" "No!" "At a glance I know this must be Guanyin" "Yes" "Who are the figures next to her?" "Golden Boy and Jade Maiden" "Is it true that for as long as Guanyin exist They are never apart" "Yes" "Why then only the Golden Boy survived the war" "And the Jade Maiden disappeared?" "I don't understand such affairs Please present your offering" "Even Guanyin has company" "But my beloved has forsaken me" "I pray to Guanyin For her blessing" "Will Guanyin answer my prayer?" "Yes" "Guanyin, please have mercy" "If I can be reunited with the Princess I will show my grattude" "He is too infatuated" "It's a pity I cannot marry him" "The war has destroyed our engagement I dare not wish for marital love" "I succumb to my fate" "My heart is broken A nun cannot love" "There once was a Princess Lok Cheong She was reunited with Prince Hsu" "Why is it that we're both Princes" "Yet our fates are so different" "When they are reunited" "Lok Cheong didn't forsake him" "Why am I so lonely" "Dreaming impossible dreams" "Please say no more about your past" "I'm embarassed by your tearful recount" "I cannot control my tears" "You lied to me" "About what?" "About Guanyin answering my prayers I think she's a fake" "Guanyin, I resent your indifference" "What's with you?" "Lovers separated" "Why don't you mediate?" "Please forgive him" "How she worshipped you" "All her prayers wasted on you I break your joss sticks" "To vent my anger and curse you" "Stop your blaspheming You're not worthy to be a Prince" "I endured the war, determined to find her" "The Princess was pampered While I'm a drifter like duckweed" "Your eyes used to exude lover and tenderness" "I pray everyday Eating only vegetables" "How can I compare to the Princess" "If you deny me now You'll be lovesick after I'm gone" "You should appreciate my sincerity" "You're talking nonsense" "You're being unreasonable" "You're unreasonable" "Go and remarry" "I was trying to be civil Giving you advise" "I cry for my country and broken dream" "About the Princess forsaking me" "I'll die now and let history judge me" "I'd rather die than beg" "Prince" "Finally, you recognize me" "Please understand my situation" "A fallen nation leaves endless grief" "This reunion brings more sorrow" "I must not love again" "A Princess in exile" "Is a dishonor to my father And a deception to my people" "To be unfilial and deceitful is unforgivable" "I'm as good as I'm dead" "Stirring up my emotions now" "Will bring me more pain" "My father is not buried, my brother in jail" "I'm better off dead" "I understand" "You have uncovered my secret" "I can't stay here anymore" "Where are you going" "I want to be with you" "I'll go anywhere with you" "Quiet!" "Someone's coming, I must go" "What about me?" "Fine" "Meet me tomorrow night At the Purple Mansion" "We'll talk things over" "10 miles from here?" "Why did Chou Chung Tell me you have drowned at sea?" "What really happened?" "They..." "I'll tell you later, now leave" "Princess!" "Hail Prince Chou" "Is the Princess still alive?" "Living in this convent?" "Chien, it's your fault You stupid fool" "Sir, I saw her Entering this convent" " You said she can bring us good fortune" " I did" "And a comfortable life, so..." "So...so what then?" "I don't believe one can be resurrected" "Look at him Taunting me like this" "Let's go" "Yes, Sir" "Shih-hsien, don't look so smug" "I can read you like a book You can't fool me" "You must be after the nuns" "Chien" "Yes?" "Bring me a chair" "Why are you here?" "For the Princess" "The Princess?" "It's the same whether or not she's alive" "We're both survivors of an overthrown dynasty" "The prosperous days are over for us" "You're such a fool" "It matters if the Princess is alive" "To go up against the tide is stupid" "To ride the current is smart" "We all want wealth" "The new king knows that I have the Princess" "He wants to look after her So that she will not suffer further" "He will reinstate her title and let her marry you" "And make me a minister" "My dream is about to come true When her suicide ended it all" "I came so close to fame and fortune" "One should not serve two masters" "A Ming Princess will never surrender to the Manchus" "To make her change her mind" "You must agree to 3 conditions" "Anything Anything you wish" "The Manchu king is magnanimous" "He will make exceptions" "Let's go" "Why are we here?" "This Purple Mansion" "Was built when I was still an official With money I collected..." "With money I saved" "It used to by my wife's retreat" "Now my daughter lives here" "Are you here for the Princess Or for Sui-lan?" "It's just the same" "I'll go and take a look first" "Please wait here" "Sui-lan" "Come down" "Come over here" "Father" "Don't you want to see me?" "Why is it We can never talk?" "Is the Princess still alive?" "Living here with you?" "You need not ask about the Princess" "I won't tell you" "Though you are my father" "I detest your behavior" "Who do think I'm doing this for?" "It's all for you" "Don't get so upset" "Siu-lan, please inform the Princess" "That I am here" "You are indeed true to your word" "No wonder I've fallen for you again" "And have prepared such a feast for you" "Explain to me why all of a sudden" "You are wearing a uniform" "Life is unpredictable and full of surprises" "I am a flexible man and the Manchu king is magnanimous He made me a prince again" "and wishes me to escort you back to court" "You hypocrite!" "How stupid of me to fall for you" "Princess" "Take your time You two should talk things over" "Show your sincerity" "It's best we leave you alone Do your best to persuade her" "Fine" "Excuse me" "Let's go have some tea" "Princess" "Princess" "Stay away!" "I will not be humiliated" "Our engagement is off" "My father was right" "He tried to kill me twice" "To protect my chastity" "Even though I'm still alive How dare you betray me like this" "I don't want anything from the Manchus" "We're through, you hypocrite" "I curse the day I met you" "Princess" "Trust me, I'm not a traitor" "I have my reason Your return can bargain for something important" "I am willing to die to make this happen" "Your parents have not been entombed your brother in jail" "In exchange for our return" "The new king must first bury your parents and release your brother" "Make your appeal in writing" "To appease the people The king must comply" "Those guards are dressed in Ming outfit" "But they are actually Manchus" "So I cannot disclose my plan" "I'm barely alive myself" "How can I set my brother free and bury my father" "With your intelligence" "You must understand my plan" "If you will write the petition I will present it in court" "If my plan works, we'll return to court" "If not I'll kill myself there" "You have an ingenious plan" "But I will never succumb to the Manchus" "I can never spend the rest of life in a Manchu court" "If you refuse to go back The king will not carry out his promise" "Don't worry" "Let's hope things will go according to plan" "We'll take poison by the trees on our wedding night" "We'll still preserve our names" "Are you sure?" "Yes" "Really?" "Yes, you better write the petition" "Bring me the stationery" "Long live the King" "Rise!" "Thanks" "The Princess' honor is at stake" "I can protect it" "I'm willing to die for it" "Nothing can hold me back" "Long Live Your Majesty" "Rise!" "Thanks" "How many new kings in the past" "Cared for survivors of the previous reign?" "I'm sure the Princess Will be pleased to see the welcoming party and the royal carriage" "Even though there has never been such a generous king in history" "There were many hypocritical ones" "That's why the Princess has mixed feelings" "Why?" "She's pleased with her sudden good fortune" "But also worried that she's a pawn to appease her people" "You are rude indeed" "I'm warning you not to test my patience" "This court holds not only a reception" "But also armed guards" "If you kill me elswhere" "You can dispose of my easily" "If you kill me here" "A grand funeral is not enough to appease the people" "Guard If he holds a petition" "Bring it here" "Your Majesty The Princess' writing" "May not be fit for a king to read" "She has requested" "That I recite it out loud in court" "Though I do not know your etiquette" "I have never read about" "Recitng a petition in court in your history books" "Among the court officials here today Majority used to serve the Princess" "If Your Majesty is indeed benevolent" "These are only her words of gratitude" "There's nothing for you to worry about" "All right Just be careful with your words" "6 generations lost in 3 days A few words to express my feelings" "Kings before subjects, fathers before daughters" "That's the cardinal relationships" "If you care for me" "Why is my father not buried?" "If I'm pitiful" "Why is my brother still in captivity?" "I dare not accept your benevolence" "When my father is wandering spirit" "How can I be happily married" "When my brother is suffering in jai?" "Your kindness is rare Please bury my father in the 13 Shrine" "She wants her father buried, her brother set free" "Then she'll return to court for the wedding" "Your Majesty, please consider" "She saw through my plan and now I'm trapped" "Her words carry unusual weight Heavy as charging troops" "She is smarter than I expected" "To lure her back I must keep up this act" "Words of such sentiment" "Have impressed me" "I will grant her requests" "Even if she wants the moon I'll get it for her" "To reassure her" "Why not issue the edict to bury her father" "And release her brother now?" "You summon her first" "Even peasants keep their word" "Let alone a king" "Summon her for me now" "Yes!" "His Majesty summons Princess Chang Ping" "Long live Your Majesty" "Rise!" "Thanks" "When Prince Chou entered the court He had tears in his eyes" "How come you're smiling" "Without a trace of grief" "We had an agreement" "If my requests are not granted" "I shall never return to court" "When he summoned me" "I know Your Majesty must have agreed" "How can I not be grateful?" "Among the court officials here today" "Many had served me" "When they see me smile" "What then?" "They'll appreciate what you've done" "Should I cry" "And?" "They will resent you" "Since I've always been considerate I must smile to show my gratitude" "You are indeed clever" "So unlike your fiancee" "No wonder your father loved you" "I will take good care of you" "Thanks Your Majesty" "Now that I'm here" "Why haven't you issue the edict To release my brother?" "I feel sad now Can't hold my tears any longer" "I'm afraid this will shake the court" "We should forget the past and have the wedding" "Princess" "Your requests have not been granted" "You should let out a good cry" "Father, mother" "I cry in court" "Tears streaming down my face" "In remembrance of the tragic events" "Recounting the details" "To all of you" "My father granted the red ribbons" "The Queens hanged themselves" "His sword struck twice" "And killed my sister instead" "You must not give up the past" "I cry for my father" "My late father and mother" "Prince" "Separate them" "Yes!" "Princess" "I'll order you father's burial" "And release your brother" "You've done your crying" "And I've given you what you've asked for" "You should know I only mean well And I'm not deceiving the people" "You should proceed with the wedding Without further ado" "As you wish" "Please hold the banquet Outside Yuet Wah Palace" "Where the twin trees are" "Splendid twin trees by the Palace" "Flowers against the light" "Behold this tragic wedding night" "The servants may go" "Yes!" "Falling petals shadow the moon" "I tearfully offer wine and incense at the altar" "In memory of my parents" "I steal a glance at him And caught his mournful face" "I wonder if he would forsake everything" "To die with me" "I only wish that we'll be buried together" "Holding on to each other" "Setting up the bridal chamber and a new home in Hades" "Your're willing to die with me" "Pity you're taking arsenic on your wedding night" "The nation is ruined" "Remembering the late king" "We bow with gratitude" "A long awaited marriage" "Turns into a suicide" "I've involved you in my troubles" "You should also have my gratitude" "Let's make a toast" "May you be hailed through the generations" "Willows forming a canopy" "I take a look at my bride" "On our wedding night" "Having sworn our eternal love" "Let's drink to us" "Slowly I pass the wine cups" "Lacing arsenic and tears in the wine" "I'll see you in my dreams" "The last toast will send us to Hades" "My bridal headress to be buried" "Along with the bridegroom's head gear" "With a hug and an embrace" "The twin trees witness our story" "The Princess" "Forever accompanied by her love" "Like the twin trees, forever entwined" "The angels return to heaven" "Dancing amidst the clouds" "Against ringing music" "Jade Maiden and Golden Boy are back" "Heavenly lights along the trail" "The clear moon leading the way" "Birds are singing" "Dancing on the Milky Way"