Original subtitles

Wei Yuancheng colluded with the harem and formed a clique for personal gains.

I also have proof of his abuse of power and embezzlement.

"The time is right".

My baby...You took my baby!

Qiang'er!

Come! You took my baby!

Milady!

Your Highness, I've found out that the damage to Jieyu Xiao's five viscera

is affecting her state of mind.

You mean she has gone mad?

I dare not say with certainty.

But the damage of the miscarriage

requires long term care before she can recover.

She's about to deliver,

how could she lose the baby so suddenly?

When I took her pulse,

I found she was holding onto a scented sachet.

Please take a look.

What was inside?

It was purslane.

I believe when she played with it,

she came into contact with it, which caused the miscarriage.

How did this get inside Qianxiang Palace?

Forgive us...

Who brought this inside?

How did it end up in Jieyu Xiao's hands?

Think carefully.

If no one can answer me,

you'll all be caned to death!

I remember...the sachet showed up after Cairen Wu's visit earlier.

I have seen Jieyu Xiao playing with it.

I thought it was an ordinary sachet

and...I overlooked it.

Please forgive me, Milady!

Please forgive me...

Wu Meiniang!

Cairen Wu, the Noble Consort wishes to see you.

Please follow me.

The Noble Consort?

Kneel!

What are you doing?

Wu Meiniang!

I knew you're good at seducing His Majesty.

I just didn't expect that you'd be so vicious.

You're jealous of Qiang'er's having a baby.

How dare you plot to murder her child!

What? I don't understand what you're saying!

Quit your act! I have proof!

Give her 30 canes!

Aye!

Sire!

What now?

Sire!

Jieyu Xiao Qiang of Qianxiang Palace had a miscarriage.

I'll go take a look!

Aye!

How did that happen?

According to Qianxiang Palace,

Wu Meiniang is jealous of Jieyu Xiao's having a baby

and poisoned her so she'd miscarry.

Wu Meiniang?

Everyone in Qianxiang Palace thinks so.

To make things worse,

Xiao Qiang couldn't take such a big blow,

she has lost her mind.

What did Wu Meiniang say in her defence?

She said nothing.

Did she confess?

Milady!

She refused to say anything.

She did not confess or defend herself.

Don't count on your luck.

You should have the guts to admit what you have done.

How dare you!

You're a deposed Cairen,

how dare you play stupid with Her Highness!

What's so funny?

You're so conscientious about lecturing others.

Don't you ever get tired of that?

That's outrageous! Chun Ying!

I know what you're thinking.

You're trying to buy time with your quibbling,

so that His Majesty would get here in time.

After the Crown Prince's rebellion,

you think he'd be here?

I wouldn't dare hope for it.

His Majesty the Emperor!

Greetings, Your Majesty!

At ease.

Where is Xiao Qiang?

Inside with the doctor.

Summon her. I will personally get to the bottom of this.

Milady!

Xiao Qiang just had a miscarriage.

Consort Wei is convinced Wu Meiniang poisoned Xiao Qiang.

She's holding her in custody inside Qianxiang Palace.

What was His Majesty's reaction?

He's over there now.

He wants to investigate the matter.

After the Crown Prince's rebellion,

you suppose His Majesty

would still cover for Wu Meiniang?

The baby should mean the world to Consort Wei.

Why would Xiao Qiang miscarry?

This is really strange.

As for His Majesty's feelings for her,

I have no idea.

My dear,

you were certain the sachet came from Wu Meiniang,

but your witnesses are all from Qianxiang Palace,

I want to hear what Xiao Qiang has to say.

Your Majesty,

since the miscarriage,

the blow of losing the baby is so enormous,

Jieyu Xiao is not fit for questioning.

Your Majesty,

Jieyu Xiao shows signs of damage to the heart meridian.

It's such a pity for a fine lady,

to go through such torture.

My dear,

why do you think Wu Meiniang wants to hurt Xiao Qiang?

I believe it's out of jealousy.

Though you have affinity with her,

but Xiao Qiang was made a Jieyu because she's with child.

If this is your reasoning,

half of my concubines would want to hurt Xiao Qiang.

Your Majesty! Aunt!

Food! I want to eat.

Aunt!

Qiang'er!

Food! I want food!

Good girl.

I'll tell them to prepare...

No, Aunt!

Please don't make me drink anymore herbal soup.

The soup gives me excruciating pain in the belly.

I can't hear the baby in my belly.

I can't hear the baby!

I can't hear...

What did you give her?

I can't hear...

Don't listen to her babbling, Your Majesty.

I gave her the best anti-abortifacient.

Dr Xie, what kind of anti-abortifacient

will cause excruciating pain in the belly?

There's no such thing!

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty,

we found this bowl in Jieyu Xiao's chamber.

Show it to Dr Xie.

I have one more question, Your Majesty!

Can I ask Jieyu Xiao?

Go ahead!

Jieyu Xiao,

did you take this bowl of medication last night?

No, no more herbal soup.

Aunt...

please go easy on me!

As long as you don't make me drink herbal soup,

I'll do anything you say.

I'll be good...

What are you saying?

I don't want to end up like Consort Liu!

I don't want to be like Consort Liu...

Watch your mouth! Shut up!

No...

Dr Xie, what's wrong with the medication?

Your Majesty,

judging from the dregs,

the medication contains purslane.

But I can't say for sure.

Purslane? If a pregnant woman takes that,

it'll affect the baby.

Yes, please allow me

to check the kitchen in Qianxiang Palace before I say anything further.

Go!

Aye!

Your Majesty,

don't listen to Qiang'er's babbling.

I only gave her anti-abortifacient.

Since Qiang'er got pregnant,

she was afraid someone was after her.

That's why she dared not leave Qianxiang Palace.

Your Majesty, I was framed...

Search the kitchen carefully.

When was this poured out?

This is last night's dregs from Jieyu Xiao's medication.

I didn't have time to throw it out.

Wait till Dr Xie finishes his examination

and we'll discuss this.

Tell me, why did your people

show up in Yeting jail?

Why was he in Wu Meiniang's cell?

Bring the warden.

Bring the warden!

Greetings, Your Majesty!

Who told you to kill Wu Meiniang?

I'll confess.

I was acting on Consort Wei's order.

Shut up! You're lying!

How dare you frame me!

Your Majesty! Your Majesty!

I found this bowl of dregs from the kitchen in Qianxiang Palace.

There's not much, but it did contain

enough purslane to make Jieyu Xiao miscarry.

The maid admitted the dregs

are from the medication Jieyu Xiao took last night.

Your Majesty...it's not possible!

Why would I hurt her?

Summon Dai Qing from the Grand Court to take over

and station in Qianxiang Palace.

Everyone within this chamber must be questioned

until we find the truth.

Aye!

Your Majesty...I was framed!

Your Majesty...they framed me!

Save your statement for the Grand Court.

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

Wu Meiniang is still tied up and kneeling outside.

If she was framed,

untie her at once

and send her back to Qingning Palace.

Aye!

Your Majesty...

I was framed!

Soya beans from outside the region...

Yes!

...It is rather bland.

Yes

These are red beans from the North.

and should be... Your Highness!

This is important...

What's more important than the Journal of Geography?

Consort Wei...is in trouble!

Your Majesty...

Your Majesty...you must see me!

Please let me see you, Your Majesty!

Don't listen to their version

and find me guilty, Your Majesty!

They framed me...Your Majesty!

I've served you for decades.

Don't be so cruel!

I was framed...

Milady!

Your Majesty, I was framed...

I was framed...

By order of His Majesty, a thorough investigation will be conducted.

Anyone who hides anything will be executed.

Hurry... Run!

Chen Gong-Gong,

what should we do now?

A wise man goes with the flow,

and save your own neck! Let's go!

I'm willing to confess, Sir!

When the tree topples, the monkeys scatter.

These are complaints against Consort Wei.

Each is more well-informed than the other.

Consort Wei bullied everyone in the Palace.

His father and brother are probably not very nice either.

I bet they didn't make any friends in Court.

Now that she's facing multiple charges,

I doubt if anyone would speak up for her.

Wang Gong-Gong served His Majesty for so long,

even you learnt how to behave as a courtier.

You're right to reprimand me for shooting off my mouth.

Pardon me, Your Majesty!

Wang De has been in the Palace for decades.

He has just about seen everything,

and has taken enough grief.

It's normal for him to complain.

Do forgive him, Fuji!

I wouldn't dare...

Look at this one...

Among all the reports,

this impeachment of Wei Yuancheng by the Prince of Wei is particularly harsh.

He said Wei Yuancheng counted on Consort Wei's clout

and bullied countless peasants

and completely defied the law.

Give up the rook to save the king.

The Prince of Wei is smart.

Your Majesty!

The Wei clan has nothing to fear anymore.

But Consort Wei has been running the harem all these years,

she must know a lot of secrets.

If we need to use this chance

to root out the Wei clan and his clique,

don't give Consort Wei the chance to see you.

Who knows how many lives are at stake?

You have a point.

Do it your way and do it quickly.

Wise decision, Your Majesty!

You must have waited so long

to see me like this.

We came to the Palace at the same time,

that was 20 years ago.

All these years,

people always say I'm vicious and domineering.

Few people know that underneath your Guanyin facade,

you're just as malicious.

You have no idea how much I've wanted to tear off your mask.

Most women in the Palace are mediocre.

They are no match for you.

Without me, your life in the Palace

would have been so boring and meaningless.

Zheng Wanyan's death and the poisoned fan must be your doing.

Does it matter now?

You should think about all your victims over the years.

You should show them more remorse,

or else when you see them in Hell,

they won't leave you alone.

While I'm alive,

I am never afraid of anyone.

Even when I'm dead, I'm not afraid of any ghosts.

I'll kill anyone who stands in my way.

The same goes to any ghosts who dare entangle me.

Well said!

You and I are of the same breed.

We've been fighting for so long.

Now that you're leaving,

I'm going to miss you because I'll be so lonely.

Don't be upset!

Look, I've brought you food.

These dishes are your favourite.

Eat them while they're hot.

Over the years,

you've sent countless spies into Qianxiang Palace.

Of course you know what I like.

Must have been tough!

Didn't you kill them all?

Eat them while they're hot! They're not poisonous.

I'm telling you, you can't kill Wu Meiniang.

Someday, she'll beat you.

What happened to me today,

will happen to you in the future.

Thank you, Your Highness

for saving Brother Mu.

Get up!

Thank you, Your Highness!

I actually did it for you.

It's actually quite a coincidence.

I told Qingxuan to keep an eye on the Prince of Wei,

and we rescued Li Mu by accident.

When I found out about his relationship with you,

I couldn't sit back and do nothing.

You suspect

in the Crown Prince's rebellion,

the Prince of Wei is somehow involved?

Maybe not just the Crown Prince's rebellion.

He may be connected to the prophecy too.

You suppose His Majesty is aware of this?

Now that Consort Wei has been deposed,

I believe His Majesty has taken action.

Right now,

we must stop Li Tai from becoming the Crown Prince.

We must pledge our full support

to someone who can replace him.

You have someone in mind?

I bet it's not Ke, but Zhinu, right?

The Prince of Wu's valour is well known,

but...

But because of his mother and grandfather,

with such a lineage,

even if he's 100 times more talented,

he still won't stand a chance.

Please forgive me, Your Highness!

You made the right choice.

If I were in your position,

I would have done the same.

When Ke was born,

I prayed only that he could live his life peacefully.

But neither Chenggian nor Qingque will spare him.

Only Zhinu has a kind heart.

Only when he becomes the Crown Prince,

can he guarantee Ke's safety.

Don't worry, I'll do what I can to help you.

As far as I know,

Zhangsun Wuiji favours Zhinu as well.

With his help,

Zhinu can be a real contender for Li Tai.

But does Zhinu have the aspiration?

As far as I know,

he's quite willing.

How is my Uncle?

He's been grounded by Father.

Zhangsun Wuji wrote a report to impeach him.

He'll present it to Father very soon.

So His Majesty has planned to depose me.

Why are you here then?

Because... I want to...

You came here tonight to kill me, right?

Dai Qing submitted a report today

to seek Father's permission to torture you.

I'm afraid...you can't take it.

I never knew the meaning of pain.

I definitely can't stand it.

I don't want to betray you

or let those lowly minions

use me as a talking point.

But I lack the courage to end my life.

I'm glad you're here.

I'm ready, go ahead!

Can you hold me?

I'm just a bit...scared.

Look the other way.

You won't feel the pain if you don't see the wound.

One more thing...

Promise me...

Kill Wu Meiniang

and avenge me.

I promise I'll kill Wu Meiniang.

It's alright...

The first time we met,

you were Father's Zhaorong.

I thought to myself then

how I wish I were in Father's position.

The thought stayed with me till now,

and left me in a state of confusion.

If I could go back and choose again,

(For whom has love become magnificent)

(For whom has my life become precious...)

I'd rather we have never met.

(...Love thoroughly, hurt thoroughly)

(Whose features make the world gasp in admiration)

(There's no turning back)

(When things I own begin to fade)

(I remember they used to be brilliant like fireworks)

(My tears are scattered)

(All I have left in my hands in my kingdom)

(I feel particularly lonely in a crowd)

(My destiny is not my choice)

What else do you need?

The details about the Crown Prince's rebellion

should have been duly recorded by the historians.

I would like a copy.

If you want to look into it. That's not a problem at all.

Thinking back,

I have an uneasy feeling.

How come they knew so much

about every move we made?

If Li Tai is behind this,

he must have a spy in the Palace

who knows everything about us.

It's quite possible.

Your Highness,

I have one more favour to ask.

It's dangerous for Brother Mu to stay in the Palace.

If anyone finds out

he's related to the Li Xiaochang rebellion,

he's likely to be killed.

Can you think of a way

and arrange for him to leave?

That should be easy.

But he has caught His Majesty's attention,

his disappearance may rouse suspicion.

Be patient!

When the Yeting jail incident blows over,

we'll think of a plan.

Milady...

Consort Wei slit her wrist!

What?

Your Highness, since last night

you haven't eaten anything.

You must eat something.

I can't...I feel awful!

Wu Meiniang, I will come after you.

Your Highness,

there's no need to be distraught.

When you ascend the throne,

how Wu Meiniang spends the rest of her life

will be entirely up to you.

Did you take care of Gegan Chengji?

After he confirmed that his wife and children

had arrived in the Western Regions safely,

he committed suicide at once.

Good!

You can't blame me.

I have spoiled you all these years.

Your Majesty, first it was Gegan Chengji

who betrayed Hou Junji and defected to our side,

now it's Consort Wei.

Each time you intend to question someone,

that someone would commit suicide out of guilt or to avoid interrogation

and you'd give up! You're too kind.

These people are dead overnight.

Shall I find out who came to Yeting last night?

What's the point?

It's likely to be arranged by a certain son of mine.

That's why we need to name the Crown Prince as soon as possible.

I've been thinking, but it's tough.

Ke and Qinggque can both manage

and are born to command the army.

But neither has what it takes to be the Emperor.

Zhinu has a kind heart,

but if he's too kind,

he'll fall prey to someone with ill intentions.

We're not sure if he has the knowledge of an Emperor.

Whether or not the Prince of Jin can rule the state,

we can give him a test.

Greetings, Sis Wu!

What's wrong, Rui'an?

I haven't seen you for a few days. What happened to you?

Still thinking about Wenniang?

Don't worry,

I won't let myself be dispirited.

I will go on living and find out

how Wenniang really died.

Don't be too stubborn.

Maybe it was an accident.

No, her death was definitely not an accident

You have any leads?

How can you be so sure?

There's something I haven't told you.

Remember that day Sis Hui

let me go to Wenniang's room?

When I went inside,

I found something missing.

What?

I repaired a copper candle stand for Wenniang.

At a glance,

it looks like any other candle stand in the Palace,

but at the bottom,

the word "Wen" was engraved on it.

I put it there myself.

The other 3 candle stands are still there,

only that one is missing.

I remember Wenniang sustained a head injury.

The coroner said the submerged rock at the bottom of Jingchu Pond

must have given her the wound, but I disagree.

That was not what happened.

What do you think?

Someone killed Wenniang with the candle stand?

Exactly!