Original subtitles

Episode 4

Mr. Wei.

Let's part ways here.

I'm still a maiden.

Isn't this inappropriate?

A wise man does not put himself in a dangerous situation.

Farewell!

Ms. Ye.

The truth is,

I don't have...

a fiance.

What did you say? Say it clearly.

As you know,

I'm the son of a convict.

To others, I'm a sinner.

But I know that my father died of injustice.

As the only survivor in Wei family,

I'm destined to bear all this in my life.

Moreover,

the person that caused my misery is very likely...

Tell me.

Anyway,

I must stay in the palace...

and serve the empress.

I've already resigned myself to...

a life without happiness.

I can't give any girl the kind of life...

an ordinary girl would want.

So, this is why you rejected me.

Right?

Ning Zhi.

Keep this in mind.

No matter where you are,

you must protect yourself.

No matter at what time,

I will appear before you...

whenever you need me.

What do you mean by that?

You've done so much for me.

How could I feel touched?

Does that mean...

you've been...

deeply moved by me?

Right?

We need to get out of this place.

-Come with me. -Where are we going?

Come with me.

I think the owner of the house is away.

Alright. Take off your clothes.

You...

What did you say?

Take off your clothes.

What do you want?

Put this on.

You want me to disguise as a man?

Lang Kun hasn't figured it out yet.

After a while, he'll realize that...

he must kill us to conceal his deed.

He won't spare us.

Yang Biao is his lapdog.

He has always hated me.

He won't let go of this perfect opportunity.

He won't let me get away with this.

Alright. Get changed quickly.

I'll get changed. Don't look!

No! I'm not done yet!

Take this too.

I'm not done changing yet.

Sorry. I was inconsiderate.

I'm done.

You look good in these clothes.

Listen.

I'll be a decoy with this scarecrow.

You'll head northwards...

and hide somewhere near Daming Mountain.

I'll meet up with you afterwards.

We just got together...

and now we've to part.

Don't worry. I'll come to you.

Stop right there!

Yes?

Wei Guang! Be careful!

I'm here! Come and get me!

Come and get me!

Who are you? How dare you!

Ye Ning Zhi.

It's just been half a year and you forgot me already?

When you entered the palace to perform for the empress dowager,

the Pear Blossom Academy was in charge of your meals and lodging.

Senior Supervisor Hua.

How did I end up here?

Why are you in such a sorry state?

Someone's after my life.

Bad news!

Bad news!

Bad news, Junior Supervisor Rong!

A troop of soldiers came!

Let me check.

How dare you!

The new palace maids recruited by the Pear Blossom Academy...

are bathing here and preparing to enter the palace!

You have the nerve to trespass!

We're ordered by Mr. Lang Kun...

to arrest a criminal.

All the maids here are registered...

and they are to enter the palace to serve the empress.

If you come in and search,

you'll ruin the good name of these palace maids.

That's an insult to the empress.

What's going on out there?

It's all her fault.

Get out immediately.

If I go out now, they'll kill me right away.

You must have done something.

Enough. Leave her alone.

We need to go back quickly.

We can't afford to be late.

I must stay in the palace...

and serve the empress.

Senior Supervisor Hua, wait!

Senior Supervisor Hua, wait.

Take me into the palace!

No. Only those who registered with the Bureau of Imperial Household...

can enter the palace.

Don't all girls that took a dip in this hot spring...

qualify to enter the palace?

You're the senior supervisor.

I believe you've the authority.

Because of me, someone is being hunted down.

I must enter the palace to reunite with him.

You want to enter the palace to save yourself?

But the palace...

isn't necessarily safe.

If you take me into the palace,

I promise I won't attract attention.

Stop messing around...

or else I'll turn you in to the soldiers outside.

Senior Supervisor Hua.

A few girls didn't make it past the physical examination earlier.

They can't enter the palace.

This is inevitable.

It's the same in every year's palace maid selection.

Add Ye Ning Zhi to the name list.

Senior Supervisor Hua.

How can we do that?

This year, His Majesty ordered to upscale the national exam...

and instructed to bring more beautiful ladies into the palace...

to show the prosperity of the country.

I'll take you into the palace.

Thank you, Senior Supervisor Hua.

Please let Wei Guang be safe.

Let him return to the palace and realize his wish.

Ning Zhi.

Senior Supervisor Hua.

You've entered the palace.

Life here is different from outside of the palace.

You need to change...

all your old habits.

Alright.

Where are we going?

The Pear Blossom Academy.

That's where all palace maids are trained.

Trained? I'll be trained too?

Of course.

Otherwise, a clumsy girl like you...

can't serve the nobles in the palace properly.

Actually, at a closer look,

you're considered a beauty.

If you groom up properly...

and fix your manners,

you might be able to rise to power.

Me?

No way.

You must be kidding me.

Palace maids like us are lowly people here.

It's normal to be bullied and looked down upon.

We're not like the empress.

She was conferred a title not long after she entered the academy.

Noble Consort Fu...

was trained in the Pear Blossom Academy too.

Even the empress attended the Pear Blossom Academy.

Her Majesty has arrived!

Wei Guang, I bet you won't believe...

that I entered the palace.

You said you'll come to me.

But, our circus has been shut down.

I've nowhere to go.

You said that...

you'll return to the palace after the flight.

So, I came here to wait for you.

My mother and the others are fugitives now...

and it's all my fault.

I'm worried about my mother and the others.

I must do something for them.

Lang Kun is the empress' aide.

So I can ask for Her Majesty's help, right?

If you can hear me,

I want to tell you that...

I miss you very much.

Who is it? Be quiet.

It's Mr. Wei.

Mr. Wei, please come in.

I'm so glad you're safe.

-Mr. Wei. -Mr. Wei.

How did you find us?

I told you all to flee northwards.

So, I headed northwards myself.

Then I saw this hut...

in the middle of nowhere with signs of life.

So, I thought you all might be here.

By the way, where's Ning Zhi?

Weren't you with her?

We were separated in Yandu.

But, the authority is still looking for her.

Ning Zhi must be hiding somewhere.

You two got separated?

I'll find a way to get you guys to Beidian.

That's the Princess Royal's territory.

It's out of Lang Kun's reach.

Why do you walk like a country bumpkin?

This is the Pear Blossom Academy...

and not some countryside workshop!

I'm trying my best to learn how to sway.

How many times have I told you?

Don't sway deliberately.

Be natural.

No stiff waist.

Be flexible.

The same goes for your arms!

Again.

Yes.

Her Majesty has arrived!

Greetings, Your Majesty.

Are you too scared or what?

You can't even remember something so simple.

Your hands must be on the same level as your eyebrows.

Where are your eyebrows?

Her Majesty grants you permission to rise!

Thank you, Your Majesty!

Even though palace maids are servants,

as you are in the palace,

you might run into His Majesty anytime.

If you run into His Majesty one day...

and His Majesty compliments your looks,

what should you say?

Ye Ning Zhi.

What would you say?

I... "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Stupid thing.

If His Majesty compliments you,

he must be interested in you.

What should you do?

I... Kneel and say, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

What else?

"However, I cannot accept Your Majesty's kindness."

How dare you!

Ladies in the palace...

are dying for His Majesty's attention!

You're not allowed to say no!

Ye Ning Zhi.

You should understand that His Majesty's affection...

is sweet and dangerous at the same time.

If you're careless, you'll perish.

You have no choice but to obey.

Do you know how to serve His Majesty?

So what if everyone's fighting for His Majesty's affection?

I'm not interested.

I'll leave the palace one day.

Mr. Wei.

Her Majesty has arrived!

Greetings, Your Majesty.

Intruder!

Senior Supervisor Hua?

No. Junior Supervisor Rong.

Why did you hit me?

How many times have I told you?

We are palace maids.

Palace maids are servants.

Servants live to serve their master.

We've no rights to sleep soundly.

Also,

didn't you notice that everyone else...

sleeps on their sides with their legs curled?

Didn't you all teach her?

We told her many times.

But she's always distracted.

Every building in the royal harem has a guardian deity.

Sleeping on our backs is disrespectful to the guardian deity!

There's a guardian deity?

Shouldn't the guardian deity protect us?

You're insulting the guardian deity!

Brother Yang.

It's been 3 years since we last met...

outside of the palace that day.

I can't believe we're reunited at...

a remote place like this.

You know what I'm here for.

Wei Guang.

We used to fight side by side.

Let me have those people in the horse carriage...

and I'll let you off the hook.

They are persecuted by Lang Kun.

They are all innocent folks.

Are you also Lang Kun's lapdog now?

Mr. Lang promised me that...

if I capture them for him,

he'll recommend me to the empress...

and give me a promotion.

Don't get in my way.

Go!

Ye Ning Zhi.

You're incompetent and unruly.

You're punished to clean up the kitchen today.

I'm not unruly.

How dare you talk back!

Clean up this place before night falls.

Else, you won't be allowed to eat or sleep tonight!

Let's go!

Wei Guang.

I'm learning the palace etiquette in the Pear Blossom Academy.

I'm fine.

The supervisors are very friendly.

They aren't giving me a hard time.

I've nice peers too.

They constantly guide and teach me.

Don't worry about me.

I'll soon get used to life in the palace.

There's one thing...

I don't understand.

I bumped into Lang Kun and Yang Biao...

in the Imperial Garden yesterday.

They are back in the palace.

I looked down right away to avoid eye contact.

I'm pretty sure they saw me.

But they didn't seem to recognize me.

Why?

Also,

did you manage to escape from Lang Kun's men?

I don't know if you can hear me,

but I still want to tell you that...

I miss you very much.

Mr. Wei.

You must find Ning Zhi as well as Ah Jiao and Ah Qiao.

We will surely repay you one day.

Don't worry, Mrs. Ye.

I will find Ning Zhi.

I will also try my best to find Ah Jiao and Ah Qiao.

-Let's go, Leader. -Let's go.

Come. Be careful.

Pull yourselves together!

Greetings, Senior Supervisor Hua.

What do you need?

Senior Supervisor Hua, I have a favor to ask.

I just learnt that...

my mother is severely ill.

I want to go out and see her.

I'll be back in 2 days.

Please help me!

Please help me.

I wish I can help you.

But, you need a permit in order to leave the palace.

A permit?

How do I obtain a permit?

Palace maids can only leave the palace under two circumstances.

You either obtain permission from Noble Consort Fu...

or...

the empress herself.

Her Majesty has arrived!

Welcome, Your Majesty.

May Your Majesty be blessed.

Rise.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Her Majesty ordered you to rise!

Your Majesty, her name is Ye Ning Zhi.

-She used to... -Enough.

Lang Kun already told me.

She's training to be a palace maid.

Yes, Your Majesty.

It's only been half a year and you've grown prettier.

Your Majesty is the unrivaled beauty here...

with eternal youth.

It's been so many years.

This place hasn't changed at all.

Senior Supervisor Hua.

It's His Majesty's birthday next month.

Do you have an idea yet?

Not yet, Your Majesty.

Then you should start thinking.

Give me a plan 2 days later.

Don't embarrass us again...

like half a year ago.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Have a safe trip, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

A musical troupe came from State of Qiuye.

They can do the fairy dance.

I believe His Majesty will love it.

This one is nice.

Apart from performances by that musical troupe,

The Pear Blossom, Orchid,

Plum Blossom and Peach Blossom Academies...

will select 200 maids to present a dance.

They will...

come out with a huge longevity bun...

Enough, Senior Supervisor Hua.

I don't want all those old-fashioned performances.

His Majesty is sick of these performances.

I want something...

that can amaze His Majesty.

Do you understand?

Yes, Your Majesty.

Leave.

Why do you all...

look so discouraged?

Her Majesty was right.

It's true that our ideas are old.

There's no creativity at all.

Alright. Pull yourselves together.

Let's think again.

I was in a circus troupe before I entered the palace.

Should I think of something interesting?

Then there will flower petals...

drizzling from above.

The maids of the Pear Blossom Academy...

will dance in green dresses from there.

It'll be like ocean waves.

-Ocean waves that... -What stupid idea is this?

Where's your decency?

I want you to think of a new idea!

Come again tomorrow!

Yes, Your Majesty.

Senior Supervisor Hua.

Go away.

The empress is so fussy.

This is the kind of show the folks love and enjoy.

I've to think of something else.

We were enlightened by Your Majesty several days ago.

There are many trained horses in the army.

Why not order the soldiers to bring these horses...

into the palace during the birthday banquet?

This will be a symbol of longevity and good health.

Your Majesty.

Half a year ago, after I left the palace,

I fell very sick.

Upon recovery,

I acquired a special ability.

At times,

I can hear people's inner voices...

and read their mind.

Nonsense.

Would you like to try, Your Majesty?

I hear a voice now.

You're a liar.

Guards! Drag her out and spank her!

Your Majesty.

Don't you want to experience it yourself?

If I use this ability to serve the royal harem,

I believe it'll be helpful.

What a joke.

Do I need you to teach me how to manage the royal harem?

Fine.

Tell me.

What's on my mind this moment?

If you can't get it right,

I'll pull your tongue out...

and break your teeth.

I can't do it all the time.

But there's one way to prove it.

Your Majesty may get a piece of paper,

write a word on it, fold it...

and throw it onto the floor.

The moment I hear the paper's landing,

I will know the word on the paper.

Your Majesty, I didn't hear it.

Please throw it again.

I've thrown it onto the floor.

Your Majesty, you wrote the word "fire".

Am I right?

You're just lucky.

I don't believe you at all.

You wrote the word "like".

You'll stay. The rest may leave.

Yes, Your Majesty.

"Red" of "red dates".

If put together, the three words are...

"red like fire".

Looks like you're real.

Your Majesty.

The world is full of wonders.

My ability isn't surprising at all.

I want you to listen to the inner voices of the imperial consorts.

If you assist me,

you will be rewarded.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

His Majesty has arrived!

Stop.

My body is getting cold.

Take me to Qiu Yue Palace first.

Yes.

His Majesty is departing to Qiu Yue Palace!

My dear.

Your Majesty.

Why are your hands so cold?

Should I get the imperial physician?

No.

This is a chronic disease and it's a pain.

I'm so glad I've you to warm me up.

The empress is the person in charge of the royal harem.

Don't people say that the mother of the nation...

must be a kind and virtuous woman?

But from what I've seen and heard,

the empress is a cruel woman.

Mr. Wei.

You said you need to serve the empress.

Why?

Mr. Wei.

Where are you?

Ning Zhi.

Are you alive?

Ye Ning Zhi, Her Majesty wants to see you.

Yes.

Greetings, Your Majesty.

How may I help you today?

I'm in bad mood today.

I want someone to talk to.

Your Majesty.

The empress dowager stumbled in Cheng Xiang Palace...

and hurt her forehead.

The imperial physician is treating her.

Hurry. Get ready for departure to Cheng Xiang Palace.

Her Majesty is departing to Cheng Xiang Palace!

Human swine?

Where did you get this?

Who wrote this?

Let's set that aside for now.

What's a "human swine"?

A swine is a pig.

It means "human pig".

Human pig?

Isn't that a monster?

No.

Let me give you a detailed explanation.

More than 100 years ago,

Emperor Taizu had a consort he favored called Lady Lin.

She offended the empress and was severely tortured.

She was in such a bad shape that she was called "human swine".

Why do you keep glancing at me?

Did you hear something...

and read my mind again?

I didn't hear anything.

It's been a long time since you last heard something.

Maybe I'm standing too far away from Your Majesty.

Should I come closer and try?

Did you hear anything?

What's on my mind?

Your Majesty is thinking about...

a woman.

She is a beauty in her early 20's.

She's holding a baby in her arms.

Everyone calls her "Her Highness The Noble Consort".