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Episode 11

Grand Prince, don't be sad. But it is strange that

this case still hasn't concluded.

Did He Wenxin actually kill anyone?

Yes, he did.

What?

I saw it myself.

Something bad has happened.

- What happened?- Young Master He killed Qiu Ze.

Murder?

I need to see.

Let me take a look.

Still waiting for the constable to catch him.

Imperial Uncle Ji is a witness to He Wenxin's case!?

There was chaos at the crime scene that daywith numerous witnesses.

Gao Sheng didn't have to and would not have summon Grand Prince Ji as witness.

That's why we didn't know that he was at the scene.

This will make it difficult.

Imperial Uncle Ji may not be interested in politics and only cares for fun

but if Count Wenyuan begged him and His Majesty asked,

He will tell the truth.

If Count Wenyuan really asked Grand Prince Ji to redress his grievance in court.

The Ministry of Justice will not be at an advantage.

But you don't need to offend your Imperial Uncle for the child of a subject.

It seems that He Wenxin cannot be saved.

This matter may be difficult

but He Jingzhong has worked for me for years.

We need to keep trying.

If we cannot help it,

we must not implicate the Ministry of Justice.

Luckily I have you. I rely a lot on your insight into things.

Like now, you noticed the possible mistakes in the Ministry of Justice.

How should I reward you?

I may be a woman

but I always admired the politicians.

Now, I am lucky to gain your trust and

was able to work for our future Emperor.

I am already satisfied.

Good.

Your Highness, are you inside?

Yes, Princess Consort. What is the matter?

You have being working for the whole day you should have some supper.

Thank you, Princess Consort. Come inside.

My respect to Princess Consort.

Your Highness.

Your Highness.

Oh, you are here.

Have you heard about Yang Liu Xin brothel's murder case?

This kind of case is good gossip material, the whole capital is aware.

It's a pity that He Jingzhong's son is the criminal.

If we can implicate the father

that will be great.

This case will be followed by Count Wenyuan. It has nothing to do with us.

Your Highness.

Your current priority shouldn't be on such minor things.

My current priority?

Your currently priority, should be

thinking of ways to reinstate your mother to her original position.

Prince Yu has the Empress in the Inner palace.

We are totally blind about happenings in the Palace.

I am also anxious.

To reinstate my mother's position, we need father's mercy.

What can I do?

Your Highness, we are just one month away from the New Year.

The end of year ceremony

is the most important event in our Court.

End of year ceremony and reinstatement of my mother's position?

What kind of linkage is between them?

Grandmother.

You are back!

Let me take a look.

Go, let's go home.

Go to the back hall.

Thank you, Marquis.

Minister Chen, your son hasn't been an officer for 3 years yet

but he actually dared to accept bribes from illegal horse traders.

His daring character,

is not like someone from a scholarly family.

Marquis, you have full control over this case.

Minister Chen, do you want to discuss this case here?

Oh, please proceed to my study for some tea.

Please.

Marquis,

do you mean the end of year ceremony?

According to customs, His Majesty will pray to Heaven.

Concubines below second rank cannot go on the stage with His Majesty.

They have to kneel outside, am I right?

Yes.

As the Crown Prince of this country,

after offering the wine he still need to hold his parent's dress

to show his filial piety,

am I right?

Yes.

Look here.

How do we arrange Concubine Yue's posiiton?

Should we see her as the Crown Prince's mother or a low ranking concubine?

Should she go on the stage or stay outside and kneel?

Minister Chen.

Aren't you in a dilemma too?

That's not an issue as...

What did you say?

Not an issue?

Minister Chen.

Please think over your answer carefully before speaking.

Please give me some pointers.

I won't make things difficult for Minister Chen

but I just want you to write a petition to His Majesty about the issue.

Those ceremony protocols

are important to the court and Imperial family.

The fortune of the new year depended on the ceremony and cannot be treated lightly.

The ceremony steps are a handful.

With regards to the explanation, as the Minister of Rites

I am sure that your words is important now.

Isn't that right?

Ministry of Rites thinks that

the end of ceremony protocol has some difficulty?

Yes, your Majesty.

The rest is still manageable

but we are in a dilemma over the position of Concubine Yue.

Her Ladyship is the natural mother of Crown Prince.

if we follow the rules and ask her to kneel outside,

I am afraid the ceremony flow will be interfered.

If we arrange for her to be on the stage,

we are worried that it will mess up the hierarchy system.

Your Majesty, Marquis of Ning requested to see you.

He is here to report on West-North army check.

We arranged to hear his report today

but I forgot about it. It's also good that he's here.

He's someone who has no relation in this issue,

we can also ask his opinion. Ask him to come in.

Yes.

Get up.

Marquis of Ning may enter.

I am here to report to Your Majesty on the West-North army.

Please take a look.

This isn't urgent.

Just leave the report here and I will look at it later.

Your Majesty is in the middle of a discussion,

I shall leave now.

Since you are here, I want to ask you something.

If we reinstated Concubine Yue to Noble Consort,

will there be any problem?

This matter belongs to inner palace, I don't dare to comment.

I asked you this question, just answer.

I thought that the Crown Prince is noble and

Concubine Yue should be credited.

However if for her lack of respect in serving Your Highness

that she is demoted from First Level Noble Consort to just Concubine, perhaps it is too heavy a punishment.

There were people talking

But because of your personal home business

So no one said anything

If Your Highness' intentions have returned and mean to spare her,

you only need to issue an order.

I wonder what is still troubling.

Ah, you don't know.

Consort Yue has been punished

because she has humiliated Nihuang in the palace.

I am worried that if I pardon her too easily,

it will disappoint the soldiers guarding the southern boarder.

Your Majesty,

I am willing to personally apologize to the Duchess. Please have mercy, Your Majesty!

Your Majesty, if it's due to that incident

I think all the more you should agree to the pardon.

Why?

Please think again. Princess Nihuang may be precious

but compared to Concubine Yue, she is still of lower status.

If she hold a grudge on her superior,

she is not a good subject.

Didn't you already reprimanded and punished Crown Prince?

To the Princess, it is already good enough.

If there's more...

There is no outsider here, say what you want to say

I am from the military too

and I know that we cannot allow people with high pride and arrogance to grow in strength.

Your Majesty should make sure of this matter to supress her.

Nihuang isn't such a person.

You read too much into it.

In the past, Chiyan army was so powerful

due to the lack of restrain on them.

What does Ministry of Rites think?

Your Majesty,

the Year End Ceremony is an important one for the country.

I thought that you should reinstate Concubine Yue to her Noble Consort status

and allow Crown Prince to complete his routine.

Prepare for my edict.

Yes.

Prince.

Prince!

Violent rage to injure oneself. Please Your Highness also take care of yourself.

is you.

Is there a problem?

It's nearly New Year. I have drawn up

Father Emperor Queen Mother presented gift list.

Would Your Highness like to see if there is nothing wrong?

You understand my mother's preference.

She is always pleased with your arrangement. Let's just follow your proposal.

Yes.

If our servant fails in their duty,

it's my responsibility.

Please Your Highness don't get angry.

Also it wasn't your fault.

His Majesty just issues an imperial edict to reinstate Concubine Yue's status to Noble Consort.

So...How's mother?

Mother must be angry.

She always liked you, you should visit her often

and comfort her more on my behalf.

Yes.

That Yue woman may not be successful

but it's too quick to pardon her.

She was only demoted for a few days and now she's reinstated again.

While we fight hard at the southern border but were treated badly in capital.

His Majesty did not handle this issue well.

I wasn't around when it happens but I still feel the shiver when I heard about the incident.

The Crown Prince was relieved of all blames on the spot

and even Concubine Yue was reinstated now.

Where is justice?

That's right.

Do you all think that I'm not angry?

It's just that I've given up.

The southern border is quiet now.

This is the best time to exert their control over military.

Eh Jie, how about like this?

I'll go and look for Mr.Su.

He has many ideas,

let him help you to get back at them.

Finished.

Why are you still here idling?

What do you want me to do?

Didn't you hear the news about reinstating Noble Consort Yue?

His Majesty has issued an imperial edict.

I just came back from Mu Palace

Mu Young Prince was angry that

he almost bite into his nanmu furniture.

Really good bite.

Fei Liu say it.

Nanmu is soft, it's easy to bite.

You...Eat one.

Don't joke.

Xiao Shu.

Aren't you surprised by the news?

What surprise?

Even if she make a bigger mistake, the target aren't his Majesty.

Our Majesty never bothers about other's sufferings.

You also don't know?

It is not necessary to say that is His Majesty.

Anyway

That is also at the end of the relevant ritual.

What has this incident got to do with the ceremony?

According to routine,

after Crown Prince offered the wine he needs to hold his parent's dress.

That's why Ministry of Rites claim that Noble Consort Yue should be on stage.

Didn't the Crown Prince has any mother?

We don't need minister here.

Your mother princess just reset.

Spend more time with her now.

Thank you for your mercy.

Father, don't worry. I will offer my apologies to Mansion Mu personally.

Why go there?

You never remembers.

You are the Crown Prince!

The owner of Eastern Palace, a rank beneath me only.

Know that?

Yes.

You don't have to go to Mansion Mu.

I will send someone there.

According to custom, after Crown Prince offered the wine

he should kneel down and

hold His Majesty, the King and Her Majesty, the Queen's dress.

That's the rightful display of filial piety.

Am I right?

But..

But in the past, we always...

In the past,

She is Noble Consort with 9 golden bead phoenix headwear

and she is qualified to be on par with Her Majesty.

That's why the Crown Prince could hold her dress when he kneels.

That's why everyone thinks that it's rightful.

Even Ministry of Rites, who's sensitive to customs

didn't raise any issue.

Don't expect others to notice the difference.

The ceremony's custom routine is so complex.

For the exact flow and steps,

I'm sure Ministry of Rites must be very clear.

If Minister Chen had already petitioned His Majesty,

I thought he must have his basis for the claim.

Chen Yuanzhi?

Since things have come to this stage,

it seems that we must shake him a bit.

You want to remove him?

Eastern Palace has the advantage now.

Have you considered the plan?

Have one, it's sweet.

Minister Chen of Rites are preparing the ceremony

and I have checked his work.

Everything is well done.

Please don't worry.

Ok!

I, Tian Dezhi, have a matter to report.

What is it?

I want to complain about Minister Chen.

How dare you!

How can you blabber rubbish on court?

He has the right to complain.

He has yet to talk

and how do you know that he will talk rubbish?

What do you want to complain about Chen Yuanzhi?

As the Minister of Rites,

he knew that the usual routine of the ceremony is wrong

but fails to rectify it.

Allowing a consort to override the Queen's authority.

Eastern Palace, Crown Prince did not show his respect to Her Majesty, that's a no-show of filial piety.

Ministry of Rites never rectify him

and that's outrageous.

Please check the truth and serve the rightful punishment.

Insolence!

Our ceremony has always been arranged by Ministry of Rites.

You are just an inspector, how can you claim that the routine is wrong?

Noble Consort Yue has always followed palace rules

and I didn't do any wrong either.

Moreover, in His Majesty's precence

you actually tried to frame a Minister!

Who gave you the courage?

Please be appeased, Crown Prince.

In front of father, we aren't fighting over volume.

I thought his complain sounds valid.

We should check the matter.

Your Majesty,

Chen Yuanzhi has been a two generation Minister.

He is in-charge of Ministry of Rites for many years.

Is there anyone in court who's

clearer about the rites?

Yes, you are right.

Yes, nobody in court knows about Rites than Minister Chen.

But our Liang empire emphasis on rites and we cannot be in doubt.

I think we should clarify any doubts.

Since we have disagreement about this,

why don't we invite scholars

to debate with Minister Chen in court.

We shall check if we made any mistakes in our Rites

and clarify the hierarchy of the Inner palace

to check if there's any breach of etiquette.

Jinghuan, are you requesting

for a Court debate?

It's the noble way to allow Confucian scholars to debate on policies.

The First Emperor, Taizong Emperor, Jing Emperor all held such debates in their Court.TN: previous Emperors of the Liang Empire

They are still taught as anecdotes of good governance.

My Lord Father, please grant this request.

Father.

Prince Yu's arguments are sound.

The idea of a Court debate,

Who suggested it to you?

Why?

Is there something not right Imperial Mother?

You forced the decision from his Majesty

it's likely you've angered him.

That harlot, having no respect for me for all these years,

is all because she has his Majesty's favor.

Mr. Su is correct.

We can slowly regain the Emperor's favor,

but if we win this debate

we can suppress Yue's bluster and raise your standings, Imperial Mother.

More importantly

we can use this opportunity bring a thing to the Court's attention.

A thing that people may have overlooked.

What thing?

Everyone has forgotten.

Yue, is a Consort concubine.

The Crown Prince is her son, so he is still the son of a concubine.

Should the Emperor abolish and replace him,

no one needs to feel bewildered.

He is not the oldest nor a son of the Empress,

he's not untouchable.

If it wasn't for my Lady's invitation,

I wouldn't have been able to see such beautiful scenery.

I had been busy with house moving

I hope you don't mind that

I've not had a chance to thank you

for your gifts.

No matter, Mr. Su

My Lady experienced many frustrations

after coming to the Capital.

But you've not complained or shown anger.

My Lady is very gracious.

Perhaps it's because I've seen too many battles.

It is frustrating to see

these people scheming.

So I don't want to think about them at all.

Speaking of places to view plum blossoms,

There are very few places in the capital

that will be better than the Plum Blossom garden in Mu Palace.

Of course there are better places.

Just that, with situation in the Court, there's not that many people left

who have the leisure to appreciate flowers.

Looks like my Lady still hasn't vented enough

for Noble Consort Yue's scheme

It's not that.

Prince Yu and the Crown Prince's fight for his Majesty's favor is flaring.

I heard that you are involved as well,

so I paid a bit more attention.

What is my Lady's opinion on this?

Who would win this Court debate?

The Empress has no son.

She adopted Prince Yu,

even if he is not the Crown Prince

he still seems,

more noble than others.

That's just in appearance.

There is no son born to the Empress, hence whether it be the Crown Prince, Prince Yu,

Prince Ning or Prince Jing, they're all sons of consorts.

No one is better than the other

in terms of birth rights.

Prince Jing?

Since we'll be vexing her again,

would my Lady like to lend a hand?

I'd like to ask for a favor from Mu Qing

What can Qing-er help you with?

Looks like,

we cannot avoid this Court debate.

Father might look angry

but he still agreed with Prince Yu.

Letting him make all the arrangements.

It's the noble way to allow Confucian scholars to debate on policies.

His Majesty could not refuse.

This 5th brother of mine is quite menacing.

He's certainly prepared for this.

Mother what are we to do.

Since it's a Court debate, who knows who'd win

Why are you loosing your confidence already?

Aye, Mother,

my 5th brother is a fame chaser.

He's always paying respect to those so called scholars.

He spends a lot of effort on these kind of things.

So what.

You are the Crown Prince, You have your status by legislation.

Prince Yu can invite famed Confucian scholars,

so can we.

Mother what are you thinking of

If we spare no expense and not put on airs,

we can find scholars,

just as well.

These are all philosophers of great standing.

They are important guests, host them well.

Yes.

The weather is old and they're all elderly,

make sure we have enough coal

We are very careful, and have made sure of a constant supply of coal.

Good.

You must use Shoujin coal, not Yingxie coal.

Be careful of fumes at night.

Be meticulous with the food and cloths.

- Yes.- Carry on.

Your Highness!

Your Highness.

He invited so many?

Yes.

All the scholars the Crown Prince has invited have arrived. He's housing them in the Eastern Palace.

He not only paid them handsomely,

he's also paying his respect to them everyday.

Xiao Jingxuan is really going all out.

Yes.

The scholars the Eastern Palace has invited is just as strong as ours.

While we are in the right

we annoyed the Emperor this matter.

During the thick of argument

if his Majesty is biased in anyway

things will end up in a mess. Then it'll all be for naught.

I started this matter, and angered his Majesty already

if I don't win, then it'll be more harm than good.

I never expected,

the Crown Prince to gather such a crowd.

I underestimated him.

But the debate is tomorrow and as is

we are on thin ice.

If we could get Master Zhou to come,

would your Highness still be worried?

Master Zhou?

Master Zhou Xuanqing?

That's impossible.

He secluded himself years ago. He does not like matters of the Court,

would not meet any Nobles or Royals.

How are we to get him to come to the Capital?

Nothing is impossible. I heard that Mu Qing has already gone

to Lingyin Temple to invite Master Zhou.

Mu Qing?

You are not the only one unhappy with Noble Consort Yue's re-reinstatement.

Your right.

The Duchess must also be unhappy.

So tomorrow's outcome,

will depend on if Master Zhou accepts our invitation.

With Master Zhou's reputation

if he's willing to assist me there would be nothing to worry about.

But can kid like Mu Qing

convince Master Zhou?

You might be right,

but let him have a go,

it's not a bad thing anyway.

The old master said, he no longer cares for worldly matters

and will not meet anyone. Please take your leave.

Please don't,

I did not come empty handed.

I have something,

Doesn't matter what you have,

the old master

won't accept it, he won't even look at it.

I'm sure he'll change his mind for this.

This is a signet from a friend of Master Zhou,

you won't recognize it but Master Zhou would.

Show this to him,

I'll wait for you here.

Keep this safe and be careful on the road.

Don't worry older Sister,

I'll head off now.

Lingyin Temple to west of the CapitalZhou Xuanqing

To: Mu Palace of YunnanGeneral Mu, Duchess NihuangFrom: Chiyan Base, Lin Shu

The handwriting is different

Did I really,

overthink things.

What is your surname, is it Li?

Of course not, my surname is Mu.

I'll go ask again, please wait.

Chief,

the bell has chimed.

Has Mu Qing returned?

Not yet.

Chief, its been so many years,

can a signet really move the old master?

I trust that no matter how many years has passed,

old Master's temperament would not have change.

I just don't know if, Prince Yu

can hold out until then.

Chief,

Chief,

You know, this pair of hands,

used to bend bows and tame horses.

But now it can only hide in the dark

and stir the pot.

Jingyan, what's the matter

I'm joining the fight

for the Crown.

Are you joining the Crown Prince or Prince Yu?

My own.

I want it.

For elder brother Prince Qi, for xiao-ShuTN: xiao- is a diminuative endearment

for everyone.

I must obtain the Crown.

You've decided then.

Yes.

It's very hard.

I know.

Then go ahead.

But Mother,

Do not be held back by me.

Whether you succeed or fail

as long as we share the burden

what is there to fear?

Your Highness,

You said the person who gave you the jade cicada

will be waiting outside the city gates?

Yes, he said he'll wait for you on your way back to Lingyin Temple,

for a brief meeting.

Master Zhou.

Is this jade cicada yours?

Yes.

Who gave it to you?

It's Li Chong, Master Li who gave it to me.

Please.

Who is Li Chong to you?

I had received teachings under Master Li

At the time, Brother Li held the position of Imperial Tutor,

but he never refused the common folks.

Establishing lecture halls outside the Palace walls,

his pupils are spread across the land.

But there were few students he was proud of.

I've seen all of them.

But you...

I have never met before.

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