Original subtitles

How many chances have I given him?

Your Majesty, please calm down! Your Majesty, please calm down!

I will decide whether to depose the Crown Prince in a month's time.

Your Highness...

Why did you act in front of Honourable Wei?

A month should be more than enough.

I don't want to hide my real thoughts anymore.

Real thoughts?

Your Highness, what are you really thinking?

I have already lost the fight for the crown.

But the fight for the kingdom has just begun.

You want to revolt?

I just want to ask my father to retire and enjoy the rest of his life.

You are not...

You're not afraid I'd report you to His Majesty?

Report about what? I want to force an abdication?

But I don't think you have any proof.

Cairen Wu, since the moment you stepped into the Eastern Palace today,

or on looking back at the incident in Lishan

our relationship has become complicated in other people's eyes.

If I were you, I would stay away from the Eastern Palace,

hear nothing, see nothing, say nothing, and never meddle in anything again.

Think about it, Cairen Wu.

I have already lost everything. Now I have nothing to lose.

But you? Think about what my father might think of you.

Goodbye.

Your Highness!

Sis Wu, he said that out of anger!

Please don't take it seriously and tell His Majesty!

I'm begging you!

His Highness had a usual day today.

Besides having drinking companions and dancers over at the Eastern Palace,

there was nothing unusual.

Instead of repenting, he's been indulging himself in drinking!

That's not unusual?

Please don't be upset, Your Majesty!

Someone paid a visit to the Eastern Palace last night.

Who?

It...It was Cairen Wu.

Cairen Wu? Are you sure you didn't make a mistake?

I didn't make a mistake. It was Cairen Wu.

Cairen Wu arrived at 11 pm and left at I am.

Whom did she see?

I was waiting outside the Palace. I don't know who she was visiting.

You're dismissed.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty, is something bothering you?

I'm thinking how long you've been standing outside.

The towel has turned cold.

Forgive me, Your Majesty! I was hesitating whether to ask you something!

My mind was in a whirl! I didn't mean to eavesdrop!

So I'm not the only one feeling bothered. What is it you want to ask me?

I want to ask you to forgive Meiniang for deceiving youl!

How did Meiniang deceive me?

No need for investigation, Your Majesty.

Last night Meiniang met His Highness the Crown Prince.

After His Highness saved her life during the hunt in Lishan,

they made an agreement to help one another, in good times and in bad.

You knew that all along?

Forgive me, Your Majesty! I knew it, but I'd kept it a secret because first of all,

His Highness saved Meiniang's life, so she was eager to return the favour.

Second of all, I've been reminding Meiniang not to cross the line

and go overboard about His Highness, but she's bogged down deeper and deeper!

Meiniang is like a sister to me! I'm worried she will go too far!

Stand up.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Finally there's someone being honest with me.

As long as you don't think of me as a minion betraying my sister,

that's all I need.

I can't help but worry at this rate, besides visiting the Eastern Palace at night

Meiniang might do something wrong and get herself in trouble.

If she even dragged you and the state into harm's way

I should die a thousand deaths!

The truth has been told! Your Majesty, please bestow punishment upon me!

But no matter what Meiniang has done, she's just striving to win your favour!

Please have mercy on her!

I need to think about it.

Jieyu Xiao, you need to eat. Please eat while the food is hot.

When do you think His Majesty will come see me?

Jieyu, you may not know the taboos at the Palace.

Pregnant concubines are not supposed to see His Majesty,

because in case His Majesty doesn't like their pregnancy looks,

they might lose his favour. His Majesty wants to avoid this from happening.

According to rules, His Majesty will come on the day the baby is born.

I see.

But I haven't seen His Majesty for so long. I miss him dearly.

I can tell you've been having a very hard time these days.

But you know what they say about enduring bitterness.

Do you pity me?

I dare not!

I came from a poor family of farmers. I never had enough to eat until I came here!

Jieyu, you are the best thing that has ever happened to me!

I dare not pity you! I deserve punishment! I deserve punishment...

Get up.

Don't be afraid. I'm not blaming you.

You're a kind soul. I like you a lot.

Here's your reward.

I can't accept it! If Her Highness knows, she will beat me to death!

Just keep it a secret. No one will know.

Don't you want to provide more for your family?

Jieyu, I will never forget your kindness.

What's your name?

My name is Zhilan.

Zhilan? Good name.

These medicated treats taste awful. Will you help me finish them?

Baby, how can I harden my heart?

According to rules, His Majesty will come on the day the baby is born.

Baby, His Majesty won't come see us!

So we must escape from Qianxiang Palace!

That's the only way to survive!

I just need a favour. These should be enough.

They're too valuable. I'll scare her away.

Zhilan!

Jieyu, may I help you?

Zhilan, I really want to see His Majesty!

Just one glance from afar will be good enough!

Will you help me leave Qianxiang Palace?

No, Her Highness will punish me! Please don't give me a hard time!

If you can arrange it, we will be back in no time!

Nobody will notice! Nobody will punish you!

Even if it's exposed, I'll be here!

I'll tell my aunt I forced you to do it!

Zhilan, I'm having His Majesty's baby at a young age.

Qianxiang Palace will eventually be mine.

Shouldn't you think about your future? Come on, stand up.

Jieyu, you'll come back after taking one glance from afar?

Of course. Where else could I go?

Tomorrow at 5 am, you can leave Qianxiang Palace in the water carriage,

and come back after two hours.

You should run into His Majesty's imperial carriage on your way.

It's decided then.

Cairen Wu decided to go against me after all.

Since she's siding with the Eastern Palace, don't blame me for going harsh on her.

Qingxuan.

Yes?

Run a background check on her and her family members,

including those deceased.

Don't miss anyone.

Yes, Your Highness, I'll get it done.

Bad dream?

Aunt!

You wanted to see His Majesty so badly?

Aunt, I haven't seen His Majesty for so long!

I just wanted to see him from afar!

If you wanted to see His Majesty, why didn't you tell me?

Why did you ask that lowly maid to help you?

I knew it was against the rules!

I didn't want to make things difficult for you!

I wa s wrong! I'm sorry!

Aunt!

Do you know you almost scared me to death? I was so worried you'd be rash and go out!

What if something should happen to your baby?

You're still young. You have no idea how vicious people at the Palace can be.

Those prying eyes are always watching you.

You're having His Majesty's baby.

Those people wish you were dead!

I remember someone called Cainu Guo.

She had a pair of beautiful fair hands. His Majesty liked her a lot.

In the end, she was thrown into Yeting Palace,

and her hands were cut off!

I also remember someone called Jieyu Xue.

Right, she looked a lot like you, so charming and beautiful.

I could hardly take my eyes off her.

In the end, someone put poison in her blush.

Over a certain period of time, both her cheeks became ulcerated!

Before she died, the skin on her whole face was ruined!

Also, Consort Liu had a few pregnancies,

but someone used purslane to make them end in miscarriage.

She became permanently infertile.

In the end, she chose to end her life.

Whenever I think of that, I'd tremble in fear.

That's why I must protect you and the baby inside you.

Why can't you understand me?

Aunt, I'm sorry! I'll never act on my own again!

Zhilan was only doing what I told her to! I hope you can give her a chance!

That greedy maid almost put you in danger for a few tongbao coins.

She deserved to die a thousand deaths. I've already buried her in Yehu Lane.

It's fine if you want to see His Majesty. Just let me arrange it.

I only want what's best for you and your baby.

Understand?

I understand.

I heard Honourable Wei is sick.

Honourable Wei always gives his best, but he has ended up with a bad master.

What a pity.

His Majesty is here!

Long live, Your Majesty...

Please rise, gentlemen.

Thank you, Your Majesty...

What are the topics for discussions today?

I thought Honourable Wei had been coughing up blood and lying sick in bed.

Honourable Wei is a pillar of the state.

He still insists on coming to the assembly in such poor shape.

We are just no match for him.

Wei, I issued an edict permitting you to present in writing.

Why didn't you take my advice and rest at home?

Your Majesty, I am most grateful for your recognition over the years,

for adopting my suggestions and for your openness to advice.

My sincere gratitude!

I know I'm getting old.

Great Tang may not need the blurred vision of an old man anymore,

but everything is still clear in my heart.

I wish to devote my life to you.

Please let me attend the morning assembly every day.

Wei, what can I do for you in return?

Starting today, your sedan chair may stop outside Taiji Hall.

Please take a seat.

Absolutely not, Your Majesty. Allow me to offer one last piece of advice.

The sovereign should treat all men alike, break no rules, and make no exceptions.

Your Majesty, I urge you to reconsider.

All right, Wei, as you wish.

Father, I have a question.

Why did Honourable Wei act like that in today's morning assembly?

Chong'er, Honourable Wei was doing it for a reason.

If he hadn't shown up, someone would have impeached the Crown Prince.

Honourable Wei made a statement to those who wanted the Crown Prince down.

I, Wei Zheng, am still here as a pillar of the Tang empire,

His Majesty's trusted advisor.

As long as I'm here, the Eastern Palace will be all right,

the Crown Prince will be all right.

Honourable Wei doesn't have much time left to live.

What's the point of doing all this for the Crown Prince?

He's already missed once. He doesn't want to miss it again.

Father, what do you mean?

Most things in life are fated after all.

Cairen Wu.

Yongcheng Gong-Gong, has His Majesty dismissed the assembly yet?

Cairen Wu, the morning assembly has ended,

but His Majesty has summoned a few imperial physicians to examine Honourable Wei Zheng.

His Majesty has a message for you.

No duties in the Imperial Study today. You may leave, Cairen Wu.

Did Honourable Wei Zheng attend the assembly today?

Yes, Honourable Wei went to the assembly despite his poor health.

Gong-Gong, may I ask where His Majesty and Honourable Wei are?

In the Administration Hall.

Administration Hall?

I think further discussion is needed.

Yes.

Honourable Wei, take care.

You may go.

Yes.

Go.

She's gone?

Yes, Sire, Cairen Wu just left.

Shall I ask Jieyu Xu to substitute for her today?

No.

Honourable Wei.

Cairen Wu, we have finally met.

Honourable Wei, allow me to kneel before you.

Cairen Wu, why are you doing this?

After Li Chunfeng's prophecy came out,

all of the court officials pointed their fingers at me.

You were the only one who stood up and defended me. That's one thing.

Second, you turned in the woman ruler named Wu and helped me out of danger.

I will never forget what you did for me.

I was only doing all that for His Majesty and His Highness.

Cairen Wu, you're taking it too seriously. I didn't do anything for you.

Also, the prophecy came good in the end because of your wisdom and courage.

All I did was going with the flow. You don't owe me anything.

I admire you, Honourable Wei.

With a tutor like you, His Highness doesn't deserve such an ending.

Cairen Wu, I suppose you didn't come here for a casual talk today.

I have something to tell you indeed.

Your Highness, Jieyu Xiao bribed a maid to see His Majesty in secret.

Do you think she has noticed something?

If she really knew something, she wouldn't have bribed Zhilan with just a few coins.

She is truly naive and ignorant. I'm not surprised she did that.

Your Highness, you promised Jieyu Xiao to let her see His Majesty today.

Are you really going to do that?

I couldn't have made such a promise.

What happened today was to make her realise

she'd never see His Majesty if she disobeyed me.

But of course, even if she obeyed me, I still wouldn't let her see His Majesty.

May I ask why you're doing all this?

I want His Majesty to forget Qiang'er.

What if His Majesty thinks of Qiang'er when he sees my future child?

I'll be displeased.

Chengqian just lost the fight as crown prince,

but the fight for the kingdom has just begun.

Honourable Wei, that's what His Highness told me.

Honourable Wei!

He wants His Majesty to abdicate?

Yes.

Is this all fated? Will Chenggian repeat the path of his father?

Honourable Wei, I came here today to see if you can convince His Highness

to stop hurting his relationship with his father.

I have a few words for His Highness. Please relay them for me.

Go ahead, Honourable Wei.

Please tell His Highness a forced abdication is possible,

but keep in mind never to hurt his brothers, including Li Tai.

One last thing. Don't take any action unless His Majesty has decided to depose him.

Honourable Wei, isn't this like you're drawing up a plan for His Highness?

No, I can't relay your message to His Highness!

Cairen Wu, think about it.

If you relay my message to His Highness, he will less likely revolt.

If you decline my request and tell His Majesty his thoughts,

the consequences will be unbearable.

I understand. His Majesty loves His Highness dearly.

If I report His Highness, he will be executed.

His Majesty might never forgive me.

If I could tell His Highness in advance His Majesty's decision on deposing him,

the possibility of revolt would be much lower.

If you decline my request, His Highness can only force an abdication.

Cairen Wu, if you accept my request,

it will benefit His Highness, His Majesty, and everyone else.

If His Majesty is determined to depose His Highness,

it will be the time for you to report His Highness.

Honourable Wei, you're so eloquent.

It's such an outrageous request, but it also makes a lot of sense.

But why would His Majesty tell anyone his decision in advance?

Not to anyone alive, but a dead person will do.

Honourable Wei, you mean...

Please tell His Highness I will ask His Majesty

to have my coffin carried around the Imperial City after I die.

At that time, he must take a careful look.

If he sees black crape over my coffin, His Majesty will depose him.

If he sees white crape, he will remain as the Crown Prince.

Whether he wants to revolt or force an abdication,

don't take any action until he sees my coffin.

That's the last thing I can do for him.

Honourable Wei, you want to assist His Highness till your last breath.

Why?

Cairen Wu, have you been to Wangyun Pavilion before?

Never in these few years.

Wangyun Pavilion is quiet and elegant. It's such a nice place.

Cairen Wu, what is that place?

Eastern Palace.

Ever since the Xuanwu Gate Incident,

I've come here to observe from afar whenever I have time.

Cairen Wu, don't look at me like that.

I can't stand those looks of pity. You can blink at me.

Today I've finally realised I used to be so obsessed with dreams and ambitions.

Now I have woken up. I suddenly feel so old and tired.

Honourable Wei, being able to meet you and talk to you,

I can't tell you how honoured I am.

Cairen Wu, as long as you don't think I'm using you, that's all I need to know.

Before we part, here's my last piece of advice.

The Harem is a grand stage.

Everything you see is just an act. No one can be exempted.

You can only go all out and put up your best show.

Don't mind what's ahead, as long as you'll have no regrets in the end

Don't mind what's ahead, as long as there are no regrets in the end.

Cairen Wu, take care. It's time for me to say goodbye.

(Crown Prince's position: white crape, safe; black, deposed.)

Meiniang, you're late. Where have you been?

I didn't go anywhere.

After the morning assembly, I felt a little bored and I went to Jingchu Pond.

Sis, when did you come in? I didn't notice you at all.

I came here after the morning assembly. I've been here for a while.

Meiniang, are you hiding something from me?

You didn't go to Jingchu Pond, did you? Who did you see?

No, I didn't see anyone.

Sis, it's better if you stay out of this. Remember, it's for your own good.

Sis!