Original subtitles

Congratulations Your Majesty

Isn't this maid...

You're inside the hall now,

why haven't you removed the yellow silk (cover)?

Yes...

The emperor bestows rewards!

Rise!

Greetings to Her Majesty the Empress

Wishing Your Majesty good fortune, longevity, good health and peace

Please rise

your majesty

the emperor ordered me

to offered the birthday gifts to you

I'm thankful for his grand mercy

other concubines, please rise

Sisters, no need to be so restrained

please sit

Your majesty,

For this year, despite the regular gifts

the emperor has prepared a special present for you

yeah?

this is...

a clock?

your majesty

just because of you, the emperor has ordered the Clock Office to make one long before you birthday

They spend tons of time and made a clock for the purpose of celebrating the birthday

but the emperor said

our Qing dynasty doesn't have a tradition of giving clocks for gifts.

therefore

he asked them to recreate it

you see, this is now a makeup box

and it can give the time correctly

your majesty, I caught a cold last night

and I feel terrible

I have to go now, please forgive my absence

Your majesty

YongCheng is also sick

So I should probably leave now

I wish Your Majesty a happy, long live life

Your Majesty

Excuse your servant have to report back to the emperor

Pls excuse me

I will personally convey my thanks later,

Embroidery maid, pls reveal what you have,

Yes

This doesn't look like gold thread,

and is not silver thread either,

neither is it peacock feather;

it's made from animal fur...

How dare you!

using such low cost poor quality material

to confuse the Majesty (the Queen)

Your servant dare not

Are you tired of living

What exactly is this material?

My Highness

In the past years we always use gold and silver threads

and also peacock feathers

this is thread made from deer tail fur.

Why does the Embriodery department

decide to use this thread?

We understand that the Highness has a frugal nature,

and gold and silver threads are both luxurious and bourgeois,

and in respect and honor of our ancestors,

where all the clothes and accessories,

were all produced using deer tail fur threads,

your servant respectfully

discard gold and silver threads

and uphold traditions,

On one hand this is in line with the austerity and frugality principle;

and also serves as a reminder,

to remember the hardships of our pioneering ancestors,

A lowly court maid

spoke so eloquently and logically,

this is incredible!

Therefore,

what she had said do make sense

Nonsense!

do not be fooled

There must be more behind the story,

Nonetheless this little maid

is quick witted and

it is true that now in the palace

there is much extravagance and luxury

If everyone could remember the hardships of our ancestors

renounce extravagance and live frugally with thrift, it is good.

Come

What exactly did Ying Lou say,

not only is there no punishment,

but rewards for us instead?

Where is Ying Luo, why isn't she back?

After receiving the rewards,

of course she has to see Her Highness to offer her thanks and gratitude

Everyone has left,

why are you still kneeling outside the palace?

Your Highness,

I am here to seek your forgiveness

What sin / crime have you commited that require forgiveness?

In fact, we the Embriodery (sewing) department misplaced the peacock threads,

we have no other option,

but to substitute with deer tail fur threads

in order to pass the quality checks,

have to invent an excuse,

I knew that

Every year the Embriodery department

will gift a suit of traditional palace custume,

but such animal fur has never been used

At the palace I did not expose you in public

because it was my birthday grand occasion,

and I did not wish to spoil the mood with any unpleasant incident.

Do you understand?

My kind Highness,

Your servant I will always remember this.

Er Ching said that earlier while waiting outside the palace,

You were waiting for someone and kept delaying your entry to present your gift, why was that so?

What were you waiting for?

Your Highness pls do not get angry,

or I would not dare say why.

I will not hold it against you, go ahead

Your Highness is held in deep affection by the emperor,

Your servant suspect that

today the Emperor will surely send his gifts

therefore I waited for your Highness to receive Emperor's gifts,

leveraging on the Emperor's "East Wind" (Good tiding),

your Highness should be in a good mood,

as such,

when I enter the palace with the bad news,

your Highness will not be furious.

What audacity!

Your servant has come prepared,

if your Highness wish to melt out punishment,

I will accept all responsibility,

do not implicate the entire haberdashery team, they are innocent,

Aren't you afraid of death?

Yes I am afraid,

but I also know it is futile to feel fear,

since life or death,

is entirely your Highness's prerogative and a quick decision,

(Crack up amused)

What a manipulative maid!

I beg your forgiveness

You counted on me being pleased with the emperor's gifts,

and using the opportunity

to divert attention from your own mistake,

this maid

is too manipulative!

If the Emperor knows about it he will be furious

However,

you lost the peacock threads,

I will have to punish you for that

The punishment is to produce another set of common wear,

using deer tail short fur threads.

Do you get that?

Yes

I have never seen

such a crafty maid before

If you like her

then summon her to Chang Chun Palace

just for entertainment

I quite like her

How about this,

when she has finished sewing the common (daily) wear

have her transferred over

However out of the blue,

there was an incident of theft in the palace,

get this incident investigated.

You are so lucky

to say that before the Highness

If it was me

my knees would buckle out of fear

Chi Xiang

Be meticulous in future

must not make any more mistakes

Ying Luo

I have a question for you

Why do you tell Her Highness the truth

I told her the truth voluntarily

It's better than she finding out from somebody else in future

But I still feel that

this is extremely risky

If Her Highness is like what Zhang Mo Mo said,

a gentle and benevolent Empress with oversight of the 6 palaces,

then I had won myself a chance of survival

As long the risky situation is managed well

it becomes an opportunity for advancement

By actively admitting my mistake

and all the little childish tricks

exposing them before her

maybe I can win her over

What do you plan to do now?

I am thinking of going to Chang Chun palace

whatever for?

Fuzha (loyal palace guard) is the Empress's brother

me at Chang Chun palace

naturally will have more chance meetings with him

Are you not interested in Pang Long?

I was only fooling you!

Have you heard

the Empress likes Ying Luo

Supervisor Wu instructed Zhang Mo Mo

to transfer Ying Luo to Chang Chun palace!

so as to wait upon the Empress

what luck she has!

Yes it is enviable but

I do not have such courage as her

to speak such outrageous words in the palace

and regardless

it was a disaster turned blessing

Ling Rong, such a pity for you

Why is that so

Of course it's a pity

in terms of look, and embroidery skill,

you are as good as her

but Zhang Mo Mo

is just so biased

If it had been you who presented the gift

going to Chang Chun palace now

Ying Luo does not stand a chance

anyway it is good she is gone

you (Ling Rong) have a chance to show yourself

in future all of us depend on you. (Chorus: Yes!)

this cloth is so silky, more smooth than my hands

of course

this is imported goods from Jiang Nam

Ying Luo is so lucky

Let me touch. I want to touch too, for auspiciousness

before I Ieave Embroidery

must find a way to catch the thief

Alright stop touching

these are all the gifts from the Empress

If any slightest damage,

we'll be accused of disrespect

Be careful not to damage

Huh, so petty

Ying Luo is right

gifts from the Highness

must treat with utmost care. Let me help you to pack.

Alright, all packed away.

Ling Rong

the person who stole the peacock threads

is you, right?

Ying Luo

What are you saying!

Firstly,

someone with the opportunity to use the coal-pot to cause a commotion

has to be a maid from the Embriodery team,

secondly,

intentionally pick a time when I was not watching over the peacock threads

and chose to act when Chi Xiang is around

this person (the thief) must know both of us (our relationship)

very well

thirdly, Embriodery team unable to present the expected gift,

all maids will be punished,

unless someone intensely hate me

will not resort to this sabotage act

First attempt failed, you will resort to a second attempt

That's why ...

I intentionally ask to have the gifts packed and stored,

to lure out the thief

Ying Luo

I have never seen such beautiful gifts

I know...that you've always dislike me,

that's why I only dare choose a time when no one is watching,

I only wanted to admire the gifts quietly, how can you say I am a thief?

It wasn't you? Who could it be then?

It wasn't me

who was it then

all my life since I was a child

no one has ever accused me unfairly

and you accused me of stealing

I will die to prove my innocence!

all of you have to believe me

it really wasn't me!

Ying Luo, you are too much

Ling Rong just want to touch

it is not as if she has committed serious crime

how can you bully her like this

based on what do you accuse her

Ying Luo

I think it is not Ling Rong either

maybe there is a misunderstanding

Whatever one is doing

the heaven is watching

I do hope too that you are innocent

Supervisor Wu

where is supervisor Wu going? He seems to be in such a hurry...

what's up?

It's rumoured that supervisor Wu is taking Zhang MoMo

to help track down the thief who stole the peacock threads

do you think they will succeed?

Until they find the thief

supervisor Wu will not give up easily

How do you manage to get a bowl of noodles?

I exchanged this for some haberdashery with the kitchen

its your birthday treat

How do you know its my birthday today?

When the eunuch in charge read out the name list

didn't he announce and confirm our birth dates

and you actually remember!

You were just standing next to me

When you leave for Chang Chun palace

I will not be able to see you often

JiXiang

You have to be vigilant

and feel free to discuss any matters with me

Remember this

absolutely be very alert and careful

Only my grandma had shown me such concern

I am missing her

I miss my sister too

You have a sister?

I've never heard you mention her

She is no more alive

Ying Luo I am sorrry

It's alright

No matter where I am

I can feel sister's presence with me

In which case

let us take care and look out for each other

just like sisters do

Sure, watch out for each other

here

have this handkerchief

JiXiang

wish you many birthdays to come

Thank you. Wah it is so beautiful.

I will cherish it greatly

have your noodles

I have work to do

I have to go

certainly

Jixiang, do you detest me

before we enter the palace we were on good terms

but now we grew apart

you blame me for picking on Ying Luo

however

put yourself in my shoe

where embroidery is concerned, I am not inferior to her

but Zhang MoMo is always inclined towards her

it's natural for me to feel scarred

But even then, you should not always target her

I know I am in the wrong

Ying Luo hates me,

now you too, giving me cold shoulder

I am regretful

Jixiang, your step mother used to treat you mean

and my mum took you home and offered you food

our friendship

were like that of sisters from our childhood

even though I had made some mistakes

will you not forgive me?

Do you promise not to cause more troubles?

I swear to heaven, if ever I have any ill intention

heaven will punish me severely

with a horrible death

Oh no don't say such inauspicious words

So, will you forgive me then?

Oh yes, it's your birthday today

I so happen to have a present for you

Really? where is it?

Why so mysterious

I wonder what is that Ling Rong is giving me

huh?

Jixiang

Yes supervisor Wu

I said, how could it be that the thief is not found

it is not like he could fly away or sneak into the ground,

well, in fact the truth is, the thief is in plain sight

a maggot in the Embroidery team seeking revolt

Supervisor Wu, what are you saying

What I said

will be plain when you unfold the satchet

Isn't this what you stole?

No, supervisor Wu

what thief will confess to their own theft

It's Ling Rong

she said she has a birthday present for me

Shut up!

It's nonsense

I seriously did not steal this supervisor Wu

Not me!

Zhang MoMo I did not steal this

Zhang MoMo you have to believe me

Jixiang

Jixiang has always been honest and truthful,

she will definitely not perform theft

I am afraid this is a misunderstanding

how about you investigate further

Nothing more to investigate

thief and loot both caught together

furthermore, Empress gave only 2 days deadline

now that the thief is caught

we can report the case closed

Zhang MoMo

pls do not expand the scope (create side issues)

understand?

Supervisor Wu

how do you plan to handle this then?

stealing peacock feather threads

yawn...

death by beating naturally

Ling Rong, stop your crying

Look your eyes are swollen

I grew up with Jixiang together

I really cannot believe it

that she is such a person (who steals)

I am sure something is wrong

[Staring at empty seat]

Her best friend is gone

and not a single tear drop!

as the proverb goes;

"Time will show a person's true color."

at times like this

one sees who has true feelings

even if Jixiang has indeed done wrong

but she was a sincere friend

and when she was late for meals, Jixiang even kept her own food for her (Ying Luo)

She (Ying Luo) is just so cold and heartless

Yes agree, surprised to see that she is such a person!

Take a look yourself

The stitches and color combination are all wrong!

I am sorry Zhang MoMo, I will redo

Do you know what material this is

not one that allows you to unpick and redo!

I am really disappointed in you

Ying Luo has too much work recently

and made accidental mistakes due to lack of focus / concentration

Zhang MoMo

Pls do not mind her too much

if there is any work, assign them to me!

Ling Rong

she showed you faces

We came into the palace together, we should help out each other

Who doesn't make careless mistakes sometimes? Should one not help?

Alright

Do this again properly

But if this poor workmanship happens again, I will not let it go easily.

Yes.

Ying Luo let me help you.

There is no need.

Why so careless

Ying Luo

They all say that you are heartless

but I know

that Jixiang's death, has also caused you sorrow

Jixiang is not the thief

she was framed, and I will find out who framed her.

I do not believe either

but we have to accept the facts

Well then you tell me

why would Jixiang wants to steal the peacock feather threads

Jixiang's mother passed away early

and her dad remarried

she was brought up by her grandma from young

recently

her grandma was gravely ill

she was trying to raise fund for medical

So she was raising fund for the medicine?

Act. Carry on acting...

Sooner or later I will find the murderer who despised Jixiang

and clear her name

just wait and see

The embroidery official in charge of the Emperor's casual wear has taken ill

she has a set of robe yet to be delivered

we need someone to help out

to complete the rest of the work

Zhang MoMo, may I?

Zhang MoMo, I will do

Zhang MoMo, let me have it

Pass to you? Can you do it?

Casual wear is not as elaborate as dragon robe and official palace wear

furthermore my embriodery skills has recently

improved greatly

Zhang MoMo

Usually these sort of work were assigned to me

the quality of the sewing

depends on individual capability

since you were so keen to do this

why not we both have a competition

To think that your prejudice against me

is so deep rooted

Just tell it

dare to compete or not

Yes, what's the big deal

Ling Rong, accept her challenge

Ying Luo, go for it! (Fighting!)

Ying Luo, we support you!

Fine, if you wish to compete

be my guest

alright then, in 3 days time

I judge only base on final product

to see whoever's embriodery skill is better

The stitches on this clothing is so beautiful. The stitches on the seam are just as good.

I am only half way through

You wish to beat me with just that?

Ying Luo, watch what you say

Just like painting, a dragon's eyes are the most important part

Dragon eyes should be lively and full of spirit

You...are you good enough to sew that?

Ling Rong is not done with her sewing

how do you know she cannot do it?

Good, we shall see.

Ying Luo is not back yet

Look at her. Our usual workload

are the spring wear for the courtesans, servants and maids

or at most,

sewing clothes for the concubines,

but never work (clothes) for Yan Seng Palace (for the Emperor)

all that were assigned to very experienced sewing experts

looks like she is determined to beat Ling Rong

looks like she is determined to beat Ling Rong

Ling Rong

That dragon was really amazing

majestic and regal

so very life-like

Yes, your embroidery skills

gets better and better!

show us how to do it!

Well I just did my best

Ling Rong

Where is my sewing?

What do you mean

When I got out of bed

I discover my sewing has been swapped

this sewing is obviously not mine

Ying Luo, you are confusing me

this...isn't this your sewing?

Whose sewing is this then?

Ying Lao, Ling Rong handed her sewing to Zhang MoMo,

and she was very satisfied

and delivered it to Yan Sheng palace immediately

If you lose, you lose, be a good sport and accept that

Yes exactly. Absent minded everyday,

cannot meet the timeline herself,

and want to shift blame onto others

Ling Rong,

do you dare to swear by the heavens

that the clothing you handed over to Zhang MoMo

was your own work?

Yes I swear by the heavens, it was my work!

Very good then

Ling Rong, ignore her, she was simply envious of you

Why can't I locate her! (referring to the palace maid whom he has been tasked to locate and identify)

Say, do you think she has supernatural power (in disappearance)

Supervisor Li you must be kidding

who on this earth

have such supernatural disappearing power

Well then why can I not find her

The Forbidden city is crowded

not finding her is normal

To be assigned this task

I had thought will be a sure chance for reward

who knows, instead of reward,

I have become a laughing stock

This is Chong Yong Dai's submission

take a look

Your Majesty

this is Chong Yong Dai's request to impeach chief of army Er-Sung

accusing him of taking bribe of ten thousand taels of silver pieces

Not only Er-Sung, he also accused Chan Ting Yue

Do you not notice anything strange?

Chong Yong Dai is a follower (supporter) of Wu-Er-Tai

(a wealthy and well known political figure)

Correct

therefore this impeachment request

is Wu-Er-Tai explicitly declaring war on Chan Ting Yue

and using me as his sword

Both Chan Ting Yue and Wu-Er-Tai

are high ranking officers during your father's reign

this matter must be carefully weighed and not rushed

Precisely because they were father's indispensable officers

I have been patient and tolerant

but what have they achieved?

Last year the Joint Chief of Staff (Lui)

had requested impeachment of Chan Ting Yue

citing Tong Chen and Chang Yao

occupied half of Xiang Shen Ru (place name)

I thought he was exaggerating then

But now it appears

there were definite truths there

as for Wu-Er-Tai

his second son Er-Sung

as soon as his first wife passed away

he married a well educated socialite immediately

and became a relation of Consort Gui

what do you say is he up to?

Your Majesty

at present most Hans are followers of Chan Ting Yue

while the Manchu lean towards Wu-Er-Tai

Not only the high ranking officers

even the various regional governors are taking their stand

such that Wu-Er-Tai and Chan Ting Yue know that

they need to bid their time before making any moves

But I have waited long enough!

Your Majesty, do not be angry!

Saying goes, "To catch a thief (or criminal), first apprehend the mastermind"

I want to call a meeting of all relations,

Professor Wu-Er-Tai

Chan Ting Yue, Shu-Pen

and question/ interrogate all in one sitting

first I will deal with Er-Sung

Ouch

Your Highness I beg your pardon!

what is this?

a needle?

Your Majesty,

could have been a careless mistake and

not an intentional attack

Your Majesty please do not be angry

this batch of maids are all useless idiots

to cause such injury to the Majesty!

Your Majesty

Your servant have been negligent

This is unthinkable

you have been too lax and careless

go and get those responsible!

all who were involved

to be punished without exception!

Supervisor Wu

this is Ling Rong

Take her away

Supervisor Wu

Supervisor Wu,

what wrong have I done

What wrong have you done?

what do you think?

having the honor to sew the clothes for the Emperor

how dare you be so careless as to leave a needle at the collar

do you know what this means

in the worst case, could be construed as a deliberate attempt on the Emperor's life

and all of us have our heads taken off

A sewing needle

I have no idea

It's Ying Luo

it was she who made the clothes!

definitely she was careless

and left the needle in the clothes!

Ying Luo, quick, tell supervisor Wu

the clothes was sewn by you

you were careless, and left the needle, it was purely a careless mistake

it wasn't me, it wasn't me

Supervisor Wu,

indeed it was Ling Rong who sew the clothes by her own hands

and she passed it to me personally

no doubt about that

Drag her away!

Supervisor Wu

really wasn't me

MoMo

not me...

For a maid charged and jailed

to receive a visitor

is indeed very rare

however, there is no such practice to allow visitor here, pls go back!

Gong Gong (a respectful greeting)

Just a quick stop (he opened his palm)

will not cause you any delay

Lets go and have a break (a cup of tea)

You! It's you! You framed me!

No, not me.

I've been preoccupied and thinking about Jixiang's death

and absent-mindedly left the needle behind

before delivery

I would have checked

but you were too anxious to pass it off as your own

or perhaps

it was Jixiang punishing you

I have absolutely no idea what you are saying

You killed Jixiang

No, I did not

I did not

Jixiang

would never steal

it was you

who stole the peacock feather threads

and then, afraid that supervisor Wu might uncover the truth

and to find an escape route

you tricked Jixiang

to go to the Embriodery work area at night

such that both she and the stolen goods were captured

that day happened to be Jixiang's birthday

I suspect (guess) you must have told her

that you have hidden a present

to give her a surprise

but Jixiang was naive

she would never have imagined

such despicable trickery you would deploy

to make her the apparent culprit

Nonsense! You have no evidence!

Under the present circumstances,

is there any necessity to hide the truth?

Yeah right

I let Jixiang take the blame for me

She was so stupid She deserved to die anyhow

You want to frame me

to get revenge for Jixiang, right?

Ha, it was only a careless mistake.

The emperor has declared the punishment

Eighty strokes with a stick

Exiled to Ning Guta (place name)

Never to return to the Capital.