Original subtitles

She made a huge mistake

no one dares to mention.

Liar.

My sister isn't that type of person!

If you don't believe so,

you can go to ask Zhang mama.

You mean,

you mean Zhang mama knows everything?

Your sister was her most valued embroidery woman,

How can she not know?

You see?

It's like this.

Here.

Mama, be careful.

Alright.

You go ahead.

Easy easy, you can't do it like that.

Zhang mama

Yes?

You watch it for me

Be careful

What's going on?

So hasty.

Wei Yin Ning is my elder sister.

Follow me

How many times has me told you?

Do not mention that name again.

It's taboo.

But you never told me

My sister and A Man are the same person.

They are the same person.

A Man is a name that I chose for her.

What about it?

Why?

What do you mean 'why'?

I don't let you mention it,

Because I'm disappointed in her,

very disappointed.

Your sister made a big mistake.

Everyone said my sister made a mistake.

but what kind of mistake did she make?

Momo

Please say something.

Why is it that everything I mention this question

Everyone goes silent

I put in a lot of effort to enter the forbidden city

just so I could get to the truth

Momo

Please tell me!

A Man

She committed a shameful act

and was found out.

What shameful act?

For a woman,

what is more important than her virtue?

One night, she didn't return.

The next morning, when she returned,

she just happened to get caught by General Manager Wu.

At the artificial mountain in the Imperial Garden,

we discovered

her dirty inner skirt.

My sister is a kind and good person,

I don't believe that she could do such a thing like that.

I don't believe it either.

A Man is gentle and kind

How could she do such a thing like that?

But I personally asked her.

No matter how I asked

she still only said one thing.

No one forced her

she was willing.

When something like this happening

the Palace law call for the rod

At that time, it was almost the Empress Dowager 's birthday.

They didn't want to see blood in the palace.

therefore

she was punished 50 lashes

and was removed from the palace

Who would think

your sister could not come to terms

and took her own life

Everyone said my sister

was ashamed to see everyone

so she committed suicide.

But I checked her wounds,

I found the finger bruises on her neck -

My sister was strangled to death by someone!

What?!

Strangled?

Right.

If she was willing to do that

How could she get murdered?

So, there must be a hidden reason behind this.

Momo,

I have to find out the truth,

I can't let my sister die for no reason.

But,

this incident happened so long ago,

how can you find out?

Oh right, Madam.

Have you ever seen this piece of jade before?

You recognize it, correct?

I don't recognize it.

This piece of jade is inscribed in Manchu.

Mama has lived in this palace for such a long time,

you must know what is inscribed here.

If Madam doesn't want to tell me,

I will ask someone else.

Stop!

Momo,

please tell me.

Fu Cha Ha La

What?

The owner of this jade

is the Emperor's brother-in-law's

Royal guard -

Fu Cha Fo Heng

Fu Cha Ha La

The owner of this jade is the Emperor's brother-in-law

the Royal guard,

Fu Cha Fo Heng

Miss Yin Luo, You seem to be very biased against men

Yin Luo, I remind you of one thing

Don't investigate your sister's death again

She committed a big, shameful act

No one dares to mention it

Willow next to the palace walls

Jade hairpins

Soft and nimble hand

Lonely wine

hiding melancholy

Hard to open the heart

Emperor, listen

Wat a nice little tune?

Willow next to the palace walls

Jade hairpins

Soft and nimble hand

Lonely wine

hiding melancholy

Hard to open the heart

Concubine pays respect to the Emperor

Who's tune is this?

Replying to the Emperor's question,

This was written by this concubine

Made for the Emperor's enjoyment

Willow next to the palace walls

Jade hairpins

Soft and nimble hand

Beautiful imagination

It's just that there is no willow tree here

You look at a bunch of bamboos and sing about willow tree

Are you stupid or blind?

Emperor, Emperor

That is because this concubine's childhood was in JiangNan

So, I especially like the willow tree

So today I casual made up the song

I have no other intentions!

It's neither early nor late,

you came to the Imperial Garden to sing

you are counting on me being besotted with beauty

and can tolerate your wilfulness, right?

You like singing, right?

Then sing for a whole night in the Imperial Garden tonight.

Li Yu

Minion here

Find someone to watch her.

She's not allowed to stop until dawn.

Emperor, concubine was wrong.

Emperor, Emperor, Emperor

I'm wrong, Emperor!

Shu Guiren, stop shouting

You should better save some energy

You

Yes

Remember to stare at Shu Guiren

listen to her singing until tomorrow morning

Yes

Your Highness

Later on the Imperial doctor will come over to check your pulse

Go tell the others,

to prepare a bath.

My lady, you better not do that

your body is already weak

It's too cold in the middle of the night

Quickly go do it

Yes

Your Highness,

The water is really cold

Pour

Your Highness, Can we stop?

I can't stand it anymore.

Keep pouring

Sir

Your Majesty

Where is Chun Fei's post?

Answering the emperor

Chun Fei is sick again

Jing-shi-fang went through her post

Let's go to see her

Tell Yan-Xi-Palace that the Emperor has chosen

Yes, sir.

Good to see you, Emperor.

Nice to see you, Emperor.

What are you doing?

I know that I'm still sick.

have nothing to do right now.

So I'm just sitting there.

His majesty has come at just the right time

I just concocted a new kind of sleeping fragrance (incense).

I was about to ask you if you want to try.

No rush

Onyang Xiu has a poem "The Beauty"

In the poem it speaks of a beauty who was full of romantic feelings

but was unable to express her feelings to anybody

she resigned herself

to playing/stirring the fire & kindlings

and pouring out/confiding her feelings to the fire

I don't know if Chun Fei has any hidden feelings

to emulate this way of expressing herself

No I don't have any secret thoughts (feelings) that cannot be disclosed

I was just bored

and wrote some words.

Is it so?

The word "harmony"?

What does it mean?

Emperor's request

World peace

harmony and happiness within the country

The concubines/consorts request

only for the Empress's health and well-being

and six palaces in harmony

However, to reach this state of "harmony"

is not easy

For example

Gui Fei and the Empress

are always provoking each other

She barely talks about it.

Although the Empress is generous,

also doesn't mind about her.

However, she is still The Empress.

and this is disrespectful.

Is that true?

Right.

I see.

Emperor,

You're the highest authority in this country

But you are unusually tolerant to GuiFei

Is it because she came from a noble and powerful family?

or

You aren't worried about the noble families

But Er Tai that is behind them

You're worried about aggravating Gao family.

and upsetting the Wu-Er-Tai family's interest

which in turn will cause a shake-up / chaos in the palace?

Chun Fei,

the Imperial Harem is not allowed to be concerned about politics.

Please keep this in mind.

If it happens again,

I won't accept it.

*Courteous farewell*

Master,

How can you still laugh?

That exchange frightened me.

How could you say these things?

If I didn't speak about those things

How could he leave so quickly

Emperor,

Why are you leaving?

If someone doesn't want to keep me,

why do I have to stay?

Emperor, then what was the point of coming here?

Too much curiosity.

Always trying to find a reason to refuse

I want to see

what's next.

Back to Yang-Xing (Yang Sheng) Hall (Emperor's own residence)

*Orders to move the Emperor to Yang-Xin Hall*

Hold on.

Go to Chang Chun Palace (the Empress's residence)

*Orders to move the Emperor to the Empress's residence*

Emperor,

Where did you come from?

I just came from Zhong Cui Palace.

Emperor, Chun Fei is...

no doubt stand off-ish.

But where in this world

do you find an outstanding woman

who doesn't have her own temperament?

Emporer, I implore you to

occasionally..turn a blind eye to it?

Well, my feelings on this is that

she shuts herself away and is emotionally unavailable

and seems to be very secretive

and appears to find ways to stay away from me

Emperor

Consort Chun does not have any secret

She is just a bit sensitive

Her thinking is just a bit more sensitive

you should take more care of her

Let's not talk about her

Empress

Emperor

I've been thinking...

I have something I must tell you

When the prior empress was still alive

One carpet in the palace

could be used for 30 to 40 years

But now the carpet in Gao (Chu Xiu)'s palace

gets replaced every single year

And also ivory mats are used

Outside of the ChuXiu Palace

Long red candles are lighted until she is asleep

Imperial harem acts like this

Then royal court will do the same

such indulgence and wastages

will lead to comparison among the palaces

In the long-term

such a culture is toxic and damaging

So you're implying...?

I am the queen

I must take the lead

First

I will be the first one do not wear pearl and jade

Change to straw and velvet flowers

Next

I've decided

to reduce the cost of my palace

To be a role model to other places

You are correct

The Imperial Harem should not be wasted

the subjects will follow in the steps of the superior

Leading to an undesirable culture

But

it is not advisable to rush this matter

Why not take it slow

Emperor

Then what about the rules of reducing expenditure?

You just make the decision

I am tired

You also take rest

yes

Empress, you have to find a way to produce a male heir

What are you talking about? you are the most valued person in the emperor's heart

and previously, you were grieving over your dead son

but now that your misunderstanding with the emperor is resolved,

you must not miss this opportunity

Or

Consort Gao will be more arrogant

How can I get close to Fuheng (Queen's brother)

This year's spinsters in the embroidery workshop

Are all working on the emperor and the empress dowager's clothes.

It also happens

to be the Empress' birthday next month. Every single palace and department

are preparing a gift.

The Embroidery department will follow past traditions

and present a phoenix robe for the Queen.

The design for this year will be "The Phoenix pierces the peonies". As for the main seamstress,

it will be Ying Luo.

Granny,

you only think about Ying Luo when it comes to the good things.

- What about the rest of us? - You still dare

to ask me?

Do I not treat you all too well normally? Huh?

Take a look for yourself.

The embroidery work in your hand, what on earth is that?

Can you even

differentiate between a chicken and a phoenix? - I...

It's true that I am not as skilled as her

but not to the extent where a phoenix

can be mistaken for a chicken.

This is what I have to say for today.

If there's anyone brave enough to stand up

and declare that they are better than Ying Luo,

then I will leave this work to her.

If there are no objections,

then just focus on your own work.

Granny!

Granny Zhang!

Granny. I have

something to ask you.

You may leave first.

Embroidery skills require experiences accumulated over time. I am still young.

No matter how good I am, my skills are still limited.

The embroidery maidens,

and masters invited from outside the palace,

all have far more superior skills.

Why would you choose me?

The palace tradition states that the Empress' and Noble Consort's birthday robes

are all to be prepared

by newly entered palace maidens.

On their birthdays, if they are happy, there will surely be great rewards.

Even if you did not do a good job,

they will not overly criticise you.

This is a good opportunity for you to showcase

your skills and stand out.

You just love to ask so many questions.

Your silly sister

was my favourite disciple.

Because of her, I will look out for you.

Alright.

You mustn't look so down. Regardless of when, you must always

wear a smile. Your masters

will appreciate the look.

Ying Luo! So this is the peacock thread?

Granny Zhang says

the peacock thread is

created by weaving gold and silver threads together.

Even the most skilled seamstress

can only weave one metre a day.

Look! Under the light,

it looks rainbow-coloured.

It's so pretty! I want to try it too!

Ying Luo. If you do a good job,

maybe in the future you will get to sew a Dragon Robe. (for the Emperor)

Fools.

To make a Dragon Robe, the RuYi House has to first sketch a design.

After gaining the Emperor's approval,

it will be sent to the workshops of Suzhou, Jiang Ning and Hang Zhou.

After the first phase of sewing,

only then will it be sent back to us for completion.

The Emperor's Dragon Robe

requires the efforts of 595 seamstresses over

the course of two years to make.

With your current skills,

forget the Dragon Robe,

you won't even be able to handle the Imperial robes for court.

Alright.

Go back to sewing the spring costumes. -Yes.

Ying Luo.

This peacock thread

is extremely precious. Use it well.

There mustn't be any mistakes.

If not,

we will lose our heads.

Yes.

Everyone, go and have dinner now.

Ying Luo,

put aside your sister's matters for now.

Focus on finishing the Phoenix Robe in front of you.

Ying Luo. You are using the Ping Jin Method? (type of sewing method)

Yes. The peacock thread

is different from normal threads.

Using this method of embroidery will be more suitable.

But, even if you have to work,

you can't do it on an empty stomach.

Go and have dinner first, okay?

It's fine. I will

stay in the workshop.

The peacock thread is very valuable.

I cannot make any mistakes. -Ah? You're just going to

stand guard here all the time?

Sewing this robe will take

at least a month.

Are you throwing your life away?

How about this?

I can rotate shifts with you.

It's fine.

I can manage. -What do you mean you can manage?

You have other tasks to do during the day.

At night, you are staying up.

You really think you wouldn't collapse?

If you won't let me help you stay up at night,

then let me assist in keeping an eye on it for a while.

Just for a while?

Hurry up and take your dinner.

It won't take you longer than 15 minutes anyway.

Hurry up and go. Go!

it's fine!

Then you have to keep an eye on it well.

I got it. There won't be a problem. Don't worry.

Hurry and go! -Please be careful.

This is bad! Fire! Fire!

Somebody help!

Why would there be a fire?

Be careful!

Take that away!

Who did this? -Why did

this happen?

Who is so inconsiderate

to use coal fire in a room to dry their clothes?

There was almost a fire! -Goodness,

if there really was a fire, where would we sleep at night?

Exactly.

-Whose clothes are these? -Hey aren't they mine?

Who placed them near the coal pit? -Jixiang, you did this,

didn't you?

Why would you dry your clothes in the room? -Yeah exactly.

You frightened us all. -No you got it wrong.

Jixiang. Why are you here?

What about the workshop?

I heard people shouting that there was a fire in our quarters

so I ran here without thinking twice.

You fool.

What's happening? -Ying Luo!

Ying Luo! -What's with her?

I think something's wrong. Let's go take a look.

Ying Luo!

Why are you so anxious?

How did this happen?

What's happened?

My goodness.

The peacock thread is gone.

You deserve it.

You got all the good things. This time,

who's the unlucky one now?

That's right. -Let's see how she's

going to handle this. If Granny

had entrusted me with this, I wouldn't end up like her.

She's going to

be kicked out of the palace this time.

More than just getting kicked out. She will

lose her head.

You all will be keeping me company

on the road to the underworld.

I won't feel lonely at all.

You...what nonsense are you spouting?

This is your mistake.

Why should we pay the price? -The phoenix robe

is the embroidery mill's gift. One person's actions represent all.

If the Empress decides to investigate,

do you think she will only blame it on one individual?

If you have time

to gloat, why don't you worry

about your own lives?

Then what should we do?

I don't want to die. -You must not mention death in the palace.

How can you still be concerned about taboos at this hour?

She's probably lying.

I don't believe it.

But the robe is indeed a representative gift from the Embroidery mill.

Now that the robe is ruined,

we have no gift to present.

What should we do?

That's right. What's going to happen to us?

What's the matter?

Who is the culprit?

Who did this?!

Granny.

This is my fault.

Granny Zhang.

This is all my fault.

I lost the peacock thread.

If somebody needs to pay with their heads,

then take mine!

The peacock thread is gone too?!

Get up!

What use is taking your head? Will that atone for the crime?

Granny Zhang.

I should take the most responsibility

for what happened today.

But at this point, killing and torturing

anyone is useless.

If we cannot present the Empress' robe,

none of you can get away with it!

If everyone sets aside their tasks

to burn the midnight oil,

we still have time to make a new robe.

But,

what can we do

about the missing peacock thread? -We can go to

the Imperial Household Department to ask.

Imperial Household Department? And let them know

we lost the peacock thread? Then all of

us here will lose our heads with you.

Let's start making the robe first.

As for the matter of the peacock thread,

I will come up with something.

What else can you come up with?

Making the robe first

is better than sitting around waiting to die.

Ying Luo.

I'm sorry. This is all because

of me. I was too careless.

I didn't expect

there to be a thief in the royal palace.

If the Empress wants someone to pay with their life,

push all the blame onto me.

Ying Luo, I'm so sorry.

I really didn't mean to do it.

Sorry.

Stop crying!

If crying solves problems, the Forbidden City

would long since be flooded with tears.

I already said this.

You are not to be blamed.

I am the one at fault.

Now that it's come to this,

if you have time to cry here,

why not think about

what the peacock thread can be replaced with.

Ying Luo Ying Luo.

Is this okay?

This is gold thread. The peacock thread

appears rainbow-coloured under sunlight.

This golden thread will be

easily seen through.

Gold and silver threads, we have them all.

But where are we supposed to find peacock threads?

And there isn't much time left.

Jixiang!

What's that?

It's leather and fur normally used for making winter robes.

They're also second class goods.

It's useless.

Why aren't the doors opening?

She's been inside for half a day.

Without the peacock thread,

how is she planning on finishing the robe? -She locked herself inside,

she can't be feeling sorry for herself right?

Doesn't matter if she's feeling sorry,

what if she drags us down?

If the Empress flies into a rage, we have to bear

the consequences as well.

Jixiang, did Ying Luo tell you

what her plan is?

I asked,

but she refuses to say.

Refuses to say?

She wants to leave some hope for us I guess.

- Why am I so unlucky

to work in the Embroidery Department?

I do the most work, yet I can't even protect my own life.

Even if the Empress decides to blame someone,

surely it won't reach the extent where everyone loses their heads?

At the most,

we will receive a severe warning.

However, the peacock thread is way too precious,

and this incident also involves the Empress' birthday.

The Imperial Household Department

will probably not let us off so easily.

Then,

Ying Luo will be

used as a scapegoat?

Is that right?

She's out! She's out!

What's she going to do? Where is she going?

What is she doing?

She's so foolish.

She's going to the Eternal Spring Palace like this?

I have prepared a pair of jade

to wish the Empress prosperity and longevity.

Empress,

This is

the gift I prepared.

Chun Fei Consort, what is this?

This is a piece of warm jade.

The warm jade you refer to,

is simply a Hetian Jade.

In our palaces, they are very abundant.

I'm not sure if,

the jade in Chun Fei Consort's hands,

has any uniqueness?

This piece of warm jade when worn during winter season

will gradually emit heat.

This is very suitable for the Empress' body condition.

Birthday presents

should ideally come in pairs. Unfortunately,

after searching the entire country,

we only managed to find one of its kind.

Please forgive our sins. -You are

too thoughtful.

I like this gift a lot.

Empress.

I specially instructed people

to craft a flowerpot out of gemstones,

and added rubies onto every single flower. Even embellished it in gold.

Do you like it?

It's really pretty.

The Empress is too highly esteemed

to appreciate your tasteless gift.

Empress.

Noble Consort.

You are late.

I was busy preparing a gift for the Empress.

Do excuse me for being late.

I wonder what Noble Consort

has prepared?

Empress.

I specifically ordered people

to craft a

child-giving GuanYin statue for you.

Do you like it?

The Empress has yet to recover from the pain of losing her child.

By doing so, the Noble Consort is publicly

adding salt onto her wounds.

According to our ancestors' traditions,

only the Empress is allowed to use pure gold instruments.

Which is why I specially invited the Blacksmith Department

to craft this statue

out of pure gold.

Only then can it be worthy

of your highly esteemed position, Empress.

Look.

This is pure gold.

Noble Consort.

This GuanYin statue

should stay in your Chu Xiu Palace.

I am still young.

If I want children,

there are plenty of opportunities in the future.

Hence this statue,

should be given to the one who needs it most.

Noble Consort Gao

has good intentions.

This lavish gift,

I will accept it.

Blacksmith Department, present your gift.

The Empress is in a bad mood.

All of you be cautious.

Yes.

The Blacksmith Department presents

a pair of purple sandalwood peacock fans.

A flower sculpture of purple sandawood，

a pair of crane wax tables of silk and enamel

Jade Department presents two boxes and four pieces of jade vessels

two discs of prosperity jade

Pottery Department presents

two jade vases

two crystal vases of twin fishes

Glass Department presents

a pair of ivory-carved flower accessory boxes

one enamelled mirror.

The maiden over there,

are you from the Embroidery Department?

Why aren't you going in to present your gift?

Sister, can you let me wait a little while longer?

What are you waiting for?

From start to end there were barely any impressions of a smile.

I originally wanted a reward, but now

escaping any punishment is already a blessing.

Embroidery Department, present your gift.

Alright, hurry up.

It's already the final hour.

Otherwise, we will be delayed.

Wishing the Empress

eternal youthfulness

and longevity.

Isn't she...?

Why are you still not taking off the veil?

Yes...