Original subtitles

"Adapted from the novel...

The Harem: Ruyi's Love in the Palace by Liu Lianzi"

"Episode 5"

Now that you're the Empress,

you have a son,

His Majesty is also good to us,

everything is great...

for our Fuca family.

Mother, I'm content now.

Being content is good,

but even when times are good,

don't forget to look ahead.

His Majesty is supportive of the Gao family,

and is kind towards Ulanara.

Especially Ulanara.

If it weren't for Yongzheng Emperor,

"Lady Fuca, Langhua's mother" she would've been...

the Empress now.

You've been cautious for all these years.

You can't let down your guard in the future as well.

I'll remember...

everything you said.

Luckily, even though the Emperor likes them,

they never had children.

Ultimately,

women depend on offspring.

Mother,

as long as I hold on to my status,

I'll have everything.

I don't need to fight with them,

they don't dare go against me either.

Your Majesty,

what you said is right,

but if you really don't do anything,

how will you control all the consorts under you?

What do you mean?

Since you've married the Emperor,

you should understand...

that he has consorts from the past,

and will have countless new ones in the future.

As the primary wife,

you have to consider everything.

But you need not do everything yourself.

Why dirty your hands...

when you have slaves who could do things for you?

Don't see me off,

His Majesty's grace...

means I'll get to...

visit you again.

Empress,

please take care of your health.

Then I won't see you off.

I'm going to the Palace of Fulfilled Wishes...

to have Lord Castiglione paint for me.

Sulian, send Mother out for me.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Sulian,

you're the Empress's maid she brought from home.

You've served her at home since she was young.

You're the most considerate one.

Not like that Lianxin,

who became her maid...

after the Empress got married.

She can't compete with you.

I understand.

Lianxin is smart,

but she's a latecomer in serving the Empress,

if there are things she didn't think of,

I will be aware of those things.

The Empress is of high status,

she might not think of...

everything herself.

Even if...

you see something and point it out to her,

she might not understand.

Now that she lives inside the palace,

I can't really help her.

Some matters...

in the palace depend on you.

Sulian,

you must do your best to help and support her.

Help lighten her load.

Don't worry.

I'll take care of everything.

It's my fault,

I've raised her to act like a prince's wife.

Though she became...

a proper, well-mannered lady.

But she's too kind...

and too gentle.

For certain things,

if the Empress is too merciful,

it's better...

if she doesn't know.

Sulian,

it's okay to do things fearlessly.

My lady,

I understand.

I'll think for the Empress.

If I can deal with the situation,

i won't involve Her Majesty.

Good.

Good girl.

As long as the Empress is doing well,

you will have...

a good life yourself too.

Thank you, my lady.

Then I won't have to worry anymore.

This Yi is a great word.

It's made up of one, time and heart.

Touched once in the heart.

I think it's touched in the heart once in a life time.

This is a good explanation.

I like it.

The On Horseback Over the Wall I gave you...

when you were grounded.

It's the show we watched together when we first met.

On horseback from over the wall, our mutual gaze defied distance.

One look and I know you were heartsick.

I hope Your Majesty...

won't let me end up like Miss Li,

who was shamed and forced to leave without her children.

Don't worry.

I only have love like Pei's,

but not his heartlessness and weakness.

Oh... Greetings to Consort Xian.

Rise.

Consort Xian, don't be angry at me...

for greeting you sitting down.

It's all right, stay seated.

Lord Castiglione,

I've always heard His Majesty praise your painting skills.

So I came to take a look, please excuse me.

I've been a court painter...

for many years,

but I still don't know the titles of many people.

I've only seen the Empress Dowager,

and the Empress.

I've never seen...

a beauty like you on paintings.

The consorts in the palace are all so beautiful.

I can't paint them all,

I can only paint His and Her Majesty.

I hope one day...

I can also paint something...

for you.

Her Majesty is the wife of His Majesty.

That's why His and Her Majesty can be in the same painting.

Other consorts can't.

Is it not the same in the West?

Where I come from,

a husband can only have one wife.

They don't have concubines.

Only one wife?

There's such a thing in this world?

You must be joking.

No, I'm not.

How could this be a joke?

So what you mean is...

in the West, a man only loves one woman,

and won't love anyone else?

If he doesn't love her anymore,

men could leave the wife he doesn't love anymore,

women could also leave the husband.

This is called parting in harmony.

Our commoners and princesses can do so,

but court consorts can't.

If there's no more love,

why can't women be the one...

to ask for a break up?

My Lord, what are you talking about?

Only men can disown wives,

not the opposite.

Every time I mention this,

people always say that.

Consort, he's talking nonsense.

No one believes him.

It's getting late, let's go back.

Lord Castiglione, I'll take my leave now.

Excuse us.

Goodbye, Consort Xian.

Goodbye, Consort Xian.

Consort,

you've been deep in thought ever since...

you came back from the Palace of Fulfilled Wishes.

After hearing Lord Castiglione's words,

I feel like he said what's in my mind.

I personally think...

he's just talking nonsense.

All men desire beauties and want concubines.

How come I think his nonsense...

is every woman's true thoughts?

What are you talking about?

Haven't you faced enough hardships?

Are you not afraid of being punished...

for saying these things?

I'm just saying.

No woman would want to be a concubine naturally.

No wife would want to share...

her husband with concubines.

You should only say...

these things to me.

Don't tell others.

I know.

Pass that to me.

Your Majesty... what if...

I mean, just what if,

a husband only has one wife...

and no concubines?

Don't be silly.

Why do you keep thinking of Castiglione's nonsense?

The Empress warned everyone...

to not disturb him painting,

I think she's warning you.

It's just a thought.

Empty thoughts like that are meaningless.

Luckily Castiglione is old.

Or else it's inappropriate...

for you to chat with him.

I know.

I was just thinking...

if one day, all men in this world...

had only wives and no concubines.

Or...

when a married couple don't love each other anymore,

the wife could also ask to separate.

All right.

Castiglione has been here for years.

He must've said the same thing to other people.

But no one cares or takes him seriously,

except you. You're thinking too much about it.

I just thought it might be good...

if reality was like what he said.

Everyone has one lover,

if it can't be, then they just spilt up freely.

What nonsense!

Ruyi, you're a woman and you live in the palace.

You need to follow the Three Principles and Five Virtues...

and the rules of social hierarchy.

Aren't there possibilities...

outside of rules and principles?

Those are foreign Western customs.

They're different to those of our celestial empire.

The customs are different.

But the hearts of all men and women in this world are the same.

Don't you want to be...

touched in the heart only once in life...

and by one person only?

That's enough, say no more.

I'll remember what...

Your Majesty said today.

I won't talk nonsense to Your Majesty in the future.

I'll watch what I say and do,

and be respectful from now on.

Please excuse me.

Your Majesty, someone came from the Palace of Fulfilled Wishes.

He's asking if you want to go...

I'm not going. I'm not in the mood.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Push me back.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Slowly.

She was made Consort not long ago,

and she's already made a scene.

According to Wang Qin,

His Majesty was angry.

This Consort Xian...

looks proper normally,

but when she feels like it,

her behavior is inappropriate.

Her aunt had passed away already,

and she's still acting like this,

she'll suffer sooner or later.

Whatever.

I'll just have other consorts...

serve His Majesty more.

Your Majesty,

why aren't you talking to me?

I'm tired.

You've been here for half a day,

how come you haven't even spoken a word?

I'm not good at speaking,

I'm afraid to embarrass myself in front of Your Majesty.

Then go on being a boring mute then.

You're upset with His Majesty,

but look at His Majesty.

Today, he's with the Noble Consort.

The next day, he's with Noble Lady Jia.

Even his least favored Second Class Attendant Wan...

went to serve His Majesty in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

How can you still be painting now?

You're really not worried?

He's the Emperor, I'm a Consort,

what can I do?

Sister Aruo,

Consort won't ruin their relationship herself.

Let's go, Suoxin.

Aruo, tidy things up.

Quick, let's go.

Are you still thinking about those thoughts?

Maybe I was too harsh with my words,

I'll change if I was wrong. If not, I should continue.

Okay?

It's my fault.

I shouldn't have spoken bluntly.

I forgot the fact that you're the Emperor.

I shouldn't have offended the Son of Heaven.

You stubborn girl.

Here, look at what I have for you.

What will Your Majesty bestow upon me?

Your consort thanks Your Majesty.

I painted it stroke by stroke.

It's not a bestowal,

it's my true feelings.

Then why don't you see what I have first.

Why do I look so proper in this?

Back at the Chamber of Snow,

this was how you accepted my Ruyi scepter.

That's the most memorable moment...

to me.

But my painting of you is...

the day I was told to be your secondary consort,

I went to find you at the gate tower.

You were handsome and suave.

One looking proper, the other looking carefree,

How is that matching?

Not matching?

I can be in the same painting as the Empress,

but not with you.

So I painted you myself to make you happy.

And now you say it doesn't match.

The couple matches,

but they differ in expressions and posture,

how can they look harmonious together in a painting?

Then I insist that it's a good match.

I'll get Castiglione to frame it and then keep it.

It's so hot today.

You've been using it this whole time?

Yes.

I have it with me always.

Red lychee, Hongli, and blue cherry blossoms, Qingying.

They're a perfect match.

When I was embroidering this handkerchief,

I was still mourning at the Pavilion of Misty Clouds.

I was still Qingying then.

I thought I'll never see you again.

The lychee and cherry blossoms are together on the handkerchief.

We won't separate either.

I'll make sure you always see me.

Your Majesty, what happened that day...

will be my last time talking back at you.

I know.

I know you never keep your thoughts from me.

After your aunt passed away,

you can only tell...

all your worries to me.

You went through so much.

There will be tougher challenges ahead.

Even if you have to follow rules in front of everyone,

but when you're with me,

you can act like your old self.

But in the future,

no more silly words.

Yes, Your Majesty.

These blossoming flowers look festive.

Yellow and purple.

They're both royal colors.

They suit the Palace of Tranquility.

His Majesty is filial to you,

he offers you the best of everything.

It's the same even for flowers.

Your Majesty,

His Majesty is here to greet you.

Greetings to Your Majesty.

Greetings to Mother.

I came late.

Look at you rushing.

Where did you come from?

I was watching a show at House of Rinsed Fragrance.

I forgot the time.

That's why I was late.

Were you with Consort Xian?

I know you and Consort Xian are close.

But you have to spend your time evenly in the harem.

If you spend a lot of time with her,

other consorts will be jealous easily.

Their clan will also be unsettled.

Yes.

I understand...

what you've said.

Come, let's go inside and eat together.

What are you embroidering?

Isn't this the poem His Majesty wrote for you yesterday?

Isn't it special...

to embroider it on a handkerchief?

Even though His Majesty didn't come see you,

he has you in his heart.

You look so happy...

when you think of His Majesty.

It must've taken Consort Xian a lot of effort to make this.

She even embroidered a person.

Who is it?

Yes, Your Majesty,

Consort Xian said the poem is...

from Comments on Collection of Wu Plum Blossom Village.

She likes Yuanyuan Song the most out of everything.

So this person is Chen Yuanyuan.

She is very thoughtful.

Your Majesty, someone came from the Palace of New Benevolence.

Noble Lady Jia is waiting to have dinner with you.

Your Majesty praised Consort Xian for being thoughtful.

Why not praise her in person?

It would be better than me passing on the message.

It's fine.

I promised Noble Lady Jia.

Let's go to the Palace of New Benevolence.

-Yes, Your Majesty. -Yes, Your Majesty.

-Consort Xian. -What's wrong? Why are you upset?

His Majesty likes your embroidery.

But he still ended up to see Noble Lady Jia.

How come His Majesty...

hasn't been coming here as much these days?

His Majesty has his own plans.

There's no need for you to worry.

All right.

I'll wait here with you.

Greetings to Your Majesty.

Rise and take a seat.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty,

your outfit today...

is less decorated...

but it's refreshing and bright.

It makes you look very presentable.

The stitching of the flowers on your outfit...

looks like the embroidery style...

popular back when we first passed through the Great Wall.

But the most popular style right now in the palace...

is to embroider light patterns...

throughout the whole garment.

Or to weave with golden and silver thread,

with glass beads.

Or weaving and printing gold patterns...

on the softest silk from Jiangnan.

It's light and soft but also magnificent.

Your Majesty,

your outfit...

is quite vintage in style.

It also looks delicate.

So it seems,

all of you...

still think my outfit is not bad.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Yes, Your Majesty.

I checked the accounts of the Imperial Household Department.

I've noticed that...

the harem uses a lot of fabric each year.

Even though my outfit...

is embroidered,

but the patterns are plain and simple.

As for you all,

not just the fabric,

even just embroidery costs too much already.

What Your Majesty said is right.

But it's not like we can't afford these.

What's popular in the harem,

becomes the trend among civilians.

This is why the prices of fabric from Jiangnan...

keeps doubling in prices in the capital.

Even the price for embroidering is also increasing.

How can we let

this extravagance continue?

What do you think, Consort Xian?

Emperor Renzong of Song dynasty liked stewed lamb,

but he didn't want to start endless slaughtering...

just for his own desire.

So he restrained himself,

and didn't want people to know what is liked in the palace...

to avoid developing extravagant habits.

Your Majesty's act is just like Emperor Renzong.

What Your Majesty said is of course right.

But His Majesty often says,

that with the efforts of our former Emperors,

our country is prosperous and powerful...

Even so,

the harem shouldn't spend extravagantly.

Or else how many generations...

can this last?

As the Empress, I'll set an example...

by following the old tradition of our ancestors.

From today on,

we'll stop using pricy textile contributed from Jiangnan.

We'll stop wearing valuable jewelry.

The makeup we use every day,

and the charcoal for fire during winters...

will be cut down to half the amount.

The number of servants...

for princes and princesses at Hall of Gathering Fragrance...

will be cut by half too.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty is hardworking and frugal.

I just thought...

though we live in the palace,

we are the role model for women of the world.

We shouldn't forget,

the hardships our ancestors went through to unite the world.

I'll follow the footsteps of Your Majesty.

I'll follow the footsteps of Your Majesty.

Shuizhi,

when you're back,

show these fabrics to the Consort.

She wants to give them to Third Prince for making clothes.

Okay.

This way please, Physician Jiang.

Sister?

Sister.

Let's go.

Aruo, I'm still reading the book.

Your Majesty.

What is it?

We haven't met in a long time.

Do I look different now?

Is that why you're staring at me?

It's true that I haven't seen Your Majesty in a while.

But Your Majesty looks radiant.

I'm glad you've been taking good care of yourself.

Then have you been taking good care of yourself...

when I'm not around?

I really want to,

but I didn't get to see you.

I'm here now.

This cup of tea is cold now,

I'll get Aruo to bring you a hot one.

Aruo.

Have some tea, Your Majesty.

It's Lu'an Melon Seed tea?

I guessed that Your Majesty probably just had dinner.

It's cold now,

it's easy to eat more meat and fish.

This tea takes away the greasiness...

and helps with digestion.

She's clever and pays attention to details.

She must be taught by you.

These are words...

Consort says all the time.

She thinks about the needs of...

Your Majesty all the time.

I've heard it repeatedly,

so I was able to repeat her words.

Fine, you may leave.

Yes, Your Majesty.

No wonder I was thinking about your tea.

It's because you think of me too.

So Your Majesty is here for my tea.

Then I'll give some to all the consorts...

in the palace,

so Your Majesty will go visit them all.

These are angry words.

Ruyi, I know...

you've suffered a lot since entering the harem.

I wish to protect you.

But I can't be like how I was as a prince,

and do everything as I wish.

Please endure the hardships for me.

Wang Qin.

-Yes, Your Majesty. -Bring the gift in.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Prudence Brings About Commendation.

I wrote this for you myself.

What do you think?

Prudence Brings About Commendation?

The Classic of Poetry writes,

"Tai Si inherits good reputation, so she'll bear many sons."

Prudence means for you to be prudent.

Only by being prudent,

one will be awarded with good reputation.

That's your good intention.

But I think it's not interesting.

Then I'll tell you something that's interesting.

Our relationship...

began with songs.

-On... -On Horseback Over the Wall.

So all you need to remember is that my intention,

is on the last word.

Then I like it very much.

That's good.

Wang Qin,

get the Imperial Household Department to frame this,

and hang it in the main hall of Palace of Extending Happiness.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Greetings to Noble Consort,

Noble Lady Yi, Noble Lady Jia, and First Class Attendant Hai.

Rise.

Thank you, Noble Consort.

Eunuch Qin,

how come you're here personally?

Her Majesty said,

it has been snowing for a consecutive few days,

it's cold and wet.

She especially ordered the Imperial Physician Bureau...

to prepare sachets filled with wild leadwort and piper kadsura.

Then everyone can wear one.

It's good for circulation and curing arthritis.

Her Majesty is so thoughtful and caring.

Indeed.

I often feel very cold.

I'm glad that Her Majesty is thinking of us.

Moxin.

I was also going to...

the Palace of New Benevolence and Palace of Great Brightness.

I'll just give them to...

Noble Lady Yi and Noble Lady Jia.

Thank you, Eunuch Qin.

Eunuch Qin.

Give First Class Attendant Hai her sachet now.

Or else it'll look as if I don't treat her well.

That won't do.

Everyone has one.

Here it is.

Please excuse me then?

Thanks for the trouble.

Shuangxi.

Give Eunuch Qin a red packet.

-Yes, Noble Consort. -Thank you, Noble Consort.

Please excuse me.

These sachets are Her Majesty's care for us.

Don't forget to wear them at all times.

That's for sure.

All right, don't just stand there.

You may go.

Please excuse me.

She's like a piece of wood.

No wonder His Majesty doesn't like her.

She looked foolish standing there.

She's a good contrast...

to Noble Consort's intelligence.

All phoenixes have...

crows next to her.

You are getting...

better and better at talking.

Time, heart.

-You're getting better. -Consort!

The people at Imperial Household Department are getting worse.

The Empress gave all consorts...

sachets containing...

wild leadwort and piper kadsura to wear.

I collected your sachet without checking.

When I opened the sachet just now,

the wild leadwort powder inside is not the good stuff.

I tried to ask them for better ones,

they said that's what the Imperial Physicians gave them.

There are no better ones.

I can't believe...

they'd dare to give something like this to Noble Consort.

The sachet was sewed loosely.

The stitches were also poorly tied.

Just before I came here,

Qin Li happily delivered them to Palace of Universal Happiness.

I thought the sewing skills...

and content was pretty good.

They're such petty people.

They even discriminate on such small things.

As long as it's functional, just put it there.

That's true.

Leave this sachet to me, Aruo.

I'll fix the sewing when I get back...

so that the sachet won't open when Sister Xian is using it.

Yes, Hailan is good at sewing.

Let her do it.

That's what I'm good at.

I'll make sure to deliver it back to you prettily.

We just have to let Qin Li go that easily.

I can go there myself, Sister Suoxin.

If you go on your own,

what if the Imperial Household Department tries to be difficult?

How would you be able to handle it?

You're right.

Physician Jiang.

Suoxin?

How are you, Suoxin?

I'm pretty good.

Are you here to examine the old maids?

I've only been an imperial physician for 3 years.

It's a blessing that I can examine the old maids.

Don't worry.

With your talents,

you'll rise above others sooner or later.

The Imperial Physician Bureau values one's family status,

teachers' lineage and experience.

I don't have any of these.

Trust me.

Even though we came from humble backgrounds,

without privileges.

But the most important thing is to have real talent.

-This I know... -Sister Suoxin!

I have to go now.

Sister Suoxin,

we've been walking this route for the past two months...

every time we go to the Imperial Household Department.

And we always run into Physician Jiang.

We've known each other since we were young.

We spilt up when something happened to my family.

I never imagined to meet him again here.

It's great to meet your childhood friend again.

But Physician Jiang is still young.

He still has a long way to go in the Imperial Physician Bureau.

We are both servants.

But if we work hard, maybe we'll have a good future.

The royalties and ministers...

are also His Majesty's servants.

You've got good spirit.

It's better to make an honest living from our abilities.

Sister,

I heard that His Majesty has been summoning...

pipa entertainers from Southern Bureau regularly.

Is that so?

Everyone knows that...

the best pipa player in the palace is the Noble Consort.

Why doesn't His Majesty summon Noble Consort instead?

Stop.

Someone played a note wrong. Who was it?

It's me.

You are not good enough.

I was worried that I'm not good enough.

So I was distracted and played a wrong note.

However, it takes someone who's very skilled in pipa...

to notice it.

I'm submitting completely...

to Your Majesty's criticism.

I'm willing to accept any judgment.

Are you complimenting...

how good my hearing is?

When the song goes wrong, Zhou would look at the player.

You mean to say I'm like...

Zhou Yu who's excellent with music?

Your Majesty is like Zhou,

but more forgiving than Zhou.

Surely Your Majesty will forgive my mistake.

I am thinking,

do you always...

play badly...

to get Zhou to look at you?

Come over.

What's your name?

My name is Bai Ruiji.

You look delicate and cute.

Your name is nice too.

His Majesty said,

you've all played well today.

Though there were a few mistakes when everyone played together.

Come again tomorrow afternoon.

Yes.

You're bold...

to talk to His Majesty like that.

You're lucky His Majesty is kind and forgiving...

His Majesty is no doubt kind and forgiving.

You may go now.

This and something like that.

Choose good ones.

Take two of every type...

from the storeroom,

and deliver them to the Palace of Extending Happiness.

And pick out...

nice decorations and displays.

-Deliver them quickly. -Yes.

Eunuch Qin.

Suoxin, how come you're here?

I was just about to deliver the monthly allowance over.

How come you're here already?

You're so polite today,

Eunuch Qin.

Why didn't you tell me?

The writing His Majesty sent over...

has been framed already.

I was just about to send it over to you.

It's my fault in the past.

I didn't do a good job in serving Consort Xian.

Please put in a good word for me when you go back.

Suoxin.

How come you're taking so long?

I heard an inscribed board is coming to us.

Where is it?

I was just about to deliver it.

Look, there are other things too.

High quality coal at the door,

excellent silk...

and these decorations.

There's more.

Sachet with wild leadwort.

These are all excellent items.

I was just about to send them over.

I don't care about the others.

Speaking of the sachet makes me angry.

Last time,

you dared to give us...

a sachet using bad wild leadwort.

Even if you give the good one to us now,

we don't want it.

Don't think that you can easily deceive us.

Not at all.

It's my fault.

I didn't treat the Palace of Extending Happiness good enough.

Don't be angry, Aruo. Look.

They're all good items this time.

Beautiful silk like these,

in all sorts of colors.

They're as pretty as you.

I'll deliver them right away.

These...

are not bad.

Consort Xian is a consort.

Even if a phoenix was attacked and lost some feathers,

-but if His Majesty cares, -Yes.

the phoenix can soar high again.

That's right.

You should all think about...

-Senior Sulian. -what it means...

when His Majesty bestowed the board...

to our consort only.