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ADAPTED FROM MO SHUBAI'S NOVEL,
THE GRAND PRINCESS ON JJWXC.NET
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THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION
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PRINCESS' MANSION
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-Is that all?
-Yes. That's all for now
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Recruiting talents?
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Young Master.
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RECRUITING TALENTS
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I need to tell you something.
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The Su Family is hellbent
on recruiting talents.
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They even asked Chancellor Su
to join them for a while.
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Everyone flocks to them.
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But look at us…
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Su Rongqing strongly opposed
the imperial examination before.
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But he changed his mind all of a sudden.
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He's clearly trying
to steal talents from me.
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What did you say, Young Master?
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Before?
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That will cost a lot of money…
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Hush now. Just go.
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Go.
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Okay.
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Everyone. Everyone.
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Well…
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Her Highness and the Prince Consort said
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that no matter whose article was selected
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would be awarded with one tael of silver.
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-One tael of silver?
-One tael of silver.
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This is better
than meeting the Chancellor.
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Of course.
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The Prince Consort used to be a commoner,
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so he knows
what commoners like us want better.
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-That's right.
-That's right.
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I wrote this today.
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-Is this the place for signing up?
-Yes.
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Everyone. Queue up.
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My friend.
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They are so passionate.
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Money sure is more persuasive
than meeting the Chancellor.
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-Of course.
-Oh my.
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The expenditure here
will be paid with your wage.
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-Let's go.
-Please, no.
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My wage will never be enough for this.
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This Nature and Nurture discusses the idea
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that the same nature
varies based on nurture.
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"Whether people harbor
good or evil intentions
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is determined
by their dispositions and habits."
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"Habits change as circumstances change."
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"Disposition is an innate quality,
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with calmness
and contentment predominating."
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This is the main point of this essay.
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What a well-written passage.
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Your Highness,
do you know that it is written
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by a candidate who's going to attend
this year's imperial examination?
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Your Highness,
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you'll be counting on them in the future.
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Consort Rou has arrived.
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Your Highness,
today's lesson shall conclude hereafter.
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Please finish your assignment.
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Yes, sir.
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Mr. Su.
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Your Highness.
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Cheng, I wish to speak
with Mr. Su in private.
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You may leave now.
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Sir, Mother,
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I shall take my leave.
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Pei Wenxuan
is offering the candidates money now.
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It has had a big impact on us.
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We should do something.
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Calm down, Your Highness.
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Just make sure your men
don't make any mistakes.
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I will handle the rest.
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You will be notified
immediately of any changes.
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Thank you, Mr. Su.
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I will do my best.
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We are now waiting for the perfect timing
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before we can ask Prince Su
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to recruit talents for us in person.
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What brought you here, Mr. Su?
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Mr. Shangguan, do you perhaps
have a candidate in mind
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as the imperial examination's
chief examiner?
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That's a decision
for the Ministry of Personnel.
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It is a thankless job.
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Ask Liu Hangchun to do it.
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Liu Hangchun?
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He's not trustworthy.
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He often makes a lot of mistakes.
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If someone gets something on him,
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it'll be…
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Who do you suggest, Mr. Su?
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My son, Rongqing,
is very interested in this matter.
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I wonder if it's possible
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to let him…
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Mr. Su, His Majesty
promotes the imperial examination
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to contend against noble families like us.
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The chief examiner cannot be one of us.
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Therefore, we must find someone
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who isn't from a noble family
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but is willing to do our bidding.
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Your Highness, how is it?
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You want me to get you the signatures
of those handsome scholars.
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But Pei Wenxuan won't cooperate.
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Forget about it now.
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Just give me Liu Hangchun's case file.
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Your Highness,
you can't break your promise.
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When did I promise you
that I'd bring the signatures back?
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I did try for you.
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Don't be insatiable.
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But I told my friends
I would give them the signatures.
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They were all so excited.
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The case files you want are all there.
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Any updates? Tell me.
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It's not just Liu Hangchun.
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Su Rongqing
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wants to do this job too.
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Su Rongqing?
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He used to look down on this.
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Why the sudden change?
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Right.
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The noble families turned up their noses
at the imperial examination.
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But now, everyone wants them.
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Based on what happened before,
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this year's imperial examination
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will be full of talented people.
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Pei Wenxuan's disciples
will fill the imperial court
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and he will become fully fledged.
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So why is Su Rongqing meddling
in this suddenly?
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Your Highness.
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Your Highness.
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It seems like
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I have to secure Pei Wenxuan's
position as soon as possible.
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When will you carry out your plan?
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Now.
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QINGMEI RESTAURANT
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Mr. Liu, I'm here.
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Come and catch me.
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-I'm over here.
-I'm coming.
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Mr. Liu.
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I'm coming.
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I'm over here, Mr. Liu.
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Beautiful ladies, stop being naughty
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and come to me now.
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If I catch you,
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I'll punish you.
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INSPECTORATE OFFICE
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I… I…
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The Inspectorate Office
even cares about this?
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Her Highness wants to see you.
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Please come with me.
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Greetings, Your Highness.
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I did not know that you were here.
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Please forgive me for the lack
of appropriate reception.
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Mr. Liu, why are you so tense?
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I'm just here to have tea with you.
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No need to be so anxious. Please rise.
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Thank you, Your Highness.
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Take a seat.
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You must be very busy lately, Mr. Liu.
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It's all right.
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I can tell.
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I heard your spouse
recently gave birth to a son.
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This is my gift to you.
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Open it.
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Please spare me, Your Highness.
Please don't give me a hard time.
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Mr. Liu,
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I'm not trying to give you a hard time.
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I just need a favor from you.
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I've heard you are in charge
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of the mobilizations
of officials below the fifth rank
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in the Ministry of Personnel.
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I'd like to recommend someone,
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Mr. Liu.
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Prince Consort is a talented man.
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If no one plays a dirty trick,
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he can easily excel in the role
of a secretary of examinations.
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So don't be scared.
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I just want you to pay attention to him.
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I know someone
might have talked to you already,
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but I hope
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you can make a sound judgment.
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Your Highness,
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I do not have a final say in this.
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The Prince Consort must rely on his talent
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to earn that position.
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I will handle this
with fairness and impartiality,
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so please rest assured, Your Highness.
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I am relieved
to hear that from you, Mr. Liu.
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As long as you're satisfied,
Your Highness.
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If there's nothing else,
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I shall take my leave.
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Take care, Mr. Liu.
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Your Highness.
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In a few days,
the list of staff mobilizations
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within the Ministry of Personnel
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will be out.
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Once Liu Hangchun
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adds the Prince Consort's name to it,
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it'll be too late for Wang Houwen
to do anything
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even if he gets hold of this.
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Indeed.
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Once the Ministry of Personnel
produces the list,
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the Ministry of Justice will release
its list of staff mobilizations soon.
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Pei Liming is doing the follow-up work
on Xie Lanqing's case.
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So he should by right
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be the Minister of Justice.
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Young Master.
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Any news from our informants?
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00:11:13,760 --> 00:11:14,719
Yes.
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00:11:14,800 --> 00:11:16,439
You asked them to keep an eye
on the Princess' Mansion.
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00:11:16,520 --> 00:11:17,719
They went to see Liu Hangchun.
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00:11:21,240 --> 00:11:25,000
It must be to get an in
with the Ministry of Personnel.
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00:11:25,959 --> 00:11:27,360
I need to know
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00:11:27,920 --> 00:11:31,600
whether it's Her Highness or Pei Wenxuan
went to that person.
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00:11:31,680 --> 00:11:32,640
It's Her Highness.
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00:11:32,719 --> 00:11:33,839
I see.
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00:11:37,520 --> 00:11:40,360
I was looking for an opportunity.
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Now,
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it presents itself.
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00:11:45,400 --> 00:11:46,480
Your Highness,
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00:11:46,560 --> 00:11:50,120
Second Young Master Su sent a message
saying that he was setting up a trap.
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00:11:51,160 --> 00:11:52,120
Let me see.
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00:11:55,920 --> 00:11:57,160
He asked you
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00:11:57,240 --> 00:11:58,839
to follow his plan.
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00:11:58,920 --> 00:12:01,760
He added that this operation
would test if you two can be allies.
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00:12:06,600 --> 00:12:08,079
Your Highness, just tell me the truth.
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00:12:08,160 --> 00:12:09,160
Are they handsome?
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00:12:09,240 --> 00:12:10,520
I didn't pay attention to them.
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00:12:10,600 --> 00:12:11,640
Why not? They are charming.
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00:12:13,760 --> 00:12:15,839
Your Highness, Ms. Shangguan,
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00:12:15,920 --> 00:12:18,480
my young master asked me
to deliver this to you.
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00:12:19,319 --> 00:12:20,199
He did it!
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00:12:25,839 --> 00:12:28,079
Many handsome bachelors came
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to Huajing for a forum.
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00:12:30,760 --> 00:12:32,760
I asked Su Ronghua
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00:12:32,839 --> 00:12:34,199
to get me their signatures.
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00:12:35,120 --> 00:12:38,599
Many noble ladies
are coveting their signatures.
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00:12:38,680 --> 00:12:40,920
It won't be a bad thing
to do them a favor.
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00:12:47,839 --> 00:12:49,760
Su Ronghua is Huajing's most handsome man.
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00:12:50,240 --> 00:12:52,520
Su Ronghua is charming.
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00:12:52,599 --> 00:12:54,520
Su Ronghua is not only handsome
but also talented.
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00:12:55,240 --> 00:12:58,400
You may hang this portrait of mine
in your chamber.
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00:12:58,480 --> 00:13:00,000
It will brighten your day.
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00:13:01,280 --> 00:13:02,839
You want to do those ladies a favor?
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00:13:05,560 --> 00:13:08,000
Tell Su Ronghua he's done for.
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00:13:08,079 --> 00:13:09,920
I shall relay this message verbatim.
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00:13:21,640 --> 00:13:24,000
Both of you want to see me today.
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I am so honored.
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May I know
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what I can do for you?
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00:13:31,319 --> 00:13:32,480
Come on, Mr. Wang.
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00:13:33,760 --> 00:13:35,079
Thank you, Second Young Master Su.
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00:13:36,480 --> 00:13:37,319
Mr. Wang.
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00:13:38,240 --> 00:13:41,959
We came to recommend someone
for the Ministry of Personnel.
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00:13:45,360 --> 00:13:46,680
Is that so?
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00:13:46,760 --> 00:13:49,439
You can just dispatch a messenger to me.
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00:13:49,520 --> 00:13:51,319
No need to come to me personally.
256
00:13:52,079 --> 00:13:53,319
But the Ministry of Personnel
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00:13:53,400 --> 00:13:55,680
can only offer the position
of the secretary of examinations now.
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00:13:55,760 --> 00:13:56,880
It's a sixth-ranked position.
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00:13:56,959 --> 00:13:58,920
I'm afraid it's not good enough for you,
Second Young Master Su.
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00:14:00,520 --> 00:14:01,640
Mr. Wang.
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00:14:02,520 --> 00:14:06,000
Isn't the
Vice Minister of Personnel pending too?
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00:14:09,360 --> 00:14:10,920
You're right, Mr. Su.
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00:14:11,640 --> 00:14:15,520
Many people want that position.
264
00:14:16,280 --> 00:14:19,920
I wonder who you'd like to recommend.
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00:14:27,719 --> 00:14:28,599
Mr. Wang.
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00:14:28,680 --> 00:14:31,120
The list of nominees for the position
of the secretary of examinations
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00:14:31,199 --> 00:14:32,240
is here.
268
00:14:32,319 --> 00:14:34,000
Please give written instructions
or comments.
269
00:14:38,199 --> 00:14:40,479
PEI WENXUAN, CUI SHUHE,
SHANGGUAN YU, SHANGGUAN MINZHI…
270
00:14:54,560 --> 00:14:57,199
PEI WENXUAN
271
00:15:01,760 --> 00:15:04,199
Your Highness, to tell you the truth,
272
00:15:04,280 --> 00:15:08,360
I saw with my own eyes that Mr. Wang
circled the Prince Consort's name.
273
00:15:09,360 --> 00:15:10,199
Good.
274
00:15:11,479 --> 00:15:13,120
When he has been officially appointed,
275
00:15:13,199 --> 00:15:14,319
you will be rewarded again.
276
00:15:15,120 --> 00:15:16,360
Thank you, Your Highness.
277
00:15:17,880 --> 00:15:19,000
You may leave now.
278
00:15:19,079 --> 00:15:20,599
I'll take my leave, Your Highness.
279
00:15:28,000 --> 00:15:30,160
Your Highness, you seem happier
280
00:15:30,240 --> 00:15:32,240
handling the Prince Consort's affairs
than your own affairs.
281
00:15:33,479 --> 00:15:34,319
Of course.
282
00:15:35,319 --> 00:15:37,040
I'm used to handling my affairs.
283
00:15:37,120 --> 00:15:39,479
It's my first time doing so much
for someone else.
284
00:15:40,520 --> 00:15:42,240
You're odd, Your Highness.
285
00:15:42,839 --> 00:15:45,640
Men often feel happy
286
00:15:45,719 --> 00:15:46,839
when they help women.
287
00:15:47,640 --> 00:15:51,040
When the Prince Consort spoils you,
you don't feel too thrilled.
288
00:15:51,120 --> 00:15:53,800
Yet you are elated
289
00:15:53,880 --> 00:15:55,719
when helping the Prince Consort.
290
00:15:58,880 --> 00:16:00,400
Listen up.
291
00:16:01,439 --> 00:16:03,040
Being spoiled is nothing to be proud of,
292
00:16:03,120 --> 00:16:04,400
but spoiling others shows
that you are a capable one.
293
00:16:05,000 --> 00:16:06,040
Even if someone likes you,
294
00:16:06,120 --> 00:16:08,160
you'll lose your good looks as you age.
295
00:16:08,240 --> 00:16:10,120
However, it's different
when you pamper someone.
296
00:16:10,199 --> 00:16:11,400
You can spoil him when you want
297
00:16:11,479 --> 00:16:13,000
and leave when you no longer like him.
298
00:16:13,079 --> 00:16:14,160
You can feel free to do whatever you want.
299
00:16:15,760 --> 00:16:17,120
How enlightening, Your Highness.
300
00:16:18,880 --> 00:16:20,880
Don't believe what Her Highness says.
301
00:16:22,240 --> 00:16:23,760
She just won't admit it.
302
00:16:24,520 --> 00:16:25,760
What am I not admitting?
303
00:16:29,400 --> 00:16:30,240
Your Highness,
304
00:16:31,240 --> 00:16:34,359
one doesn't need a specific reason
to feel happy
305
00:16:35,479 --> 00:16:37,800
after helping someone else.
306
00:16:37,880 --> 00:16:39,640
Maybe it's just because you like him.
307
00:16:40,599 --> 00:16:41,719
This isn't something embarrassing.
308
00:16:50,240 --> 00:16:51,079
That's right.
309
00:16:52,319 --> 00:16:53,640
It isn't something embarrassing.
310
00:17:22,680 --> 00:17:24,440
Don't tell me you didn't sleep last night.
311
00:17:26,159 --> 00:17:28,119
Yes. I'm quite nervous.
312
00:17:34,560 --> 00:17:35,840
You don't actually believe
313
00:17:35,919 --> 00:17:38,200
that I could get things done for you,
do you?
314
00:17:39,360 --> 00:17:41,840
Of course, I do.
315
00:17:43,080 --> 00:17:44,520
But this is my first promotion
316
00:17:44,600 --> 00:17:46,680
and you helped me with it personally.
317
00:17:46,760 --> 00:17:47,800
So of course, I am nervous.
318
00:17:49,240 --> 00:17:50,080
All right.
319
00:17:52,120 --> 00:17:54,879
Enter the hall!
320
00:17:56,560 --> 00:17:57,399
See you later.
321
00:17:58,120 --> 00:18:00,720
-Boundless fortune to Your Majesty.
-Boundless fortune to Your Majesty.
322
00:18:01,280 --> 00:18:04,159
-Long Live Your Majesty.
-Long Live Your Majesty.
323
00:18:04,240 --> 00:18:05,520
Please rise, everyone.
324
00:18:05,600 --> 00:18:07,000
-Thank you, Your Majesty.
-Thank you, Your Majesty.
325
00:18:08,520 --> 00:18:09,639
Minister Wang,
326
00:18:11,040 --> 00:18:14,639
tell me about the staff mobilizations
by the Ministry of Personnel.
327
00:18:14,720 --> 00:18:15,760
Your Majesty.
328
00:18:16,560 --> 00:18:19,760
The new Minister of Justice
329
00:18:20,399 --> 00:18:21,720
will be Su Rongqing.
330
00:18:29,280 --> 00:18:30,320
Thank you, Your Majesty.
331
00:18:34,560 --> 00:18:36,280
He actually took my second uncle's place?
332
00:18:36,360 --> 00:18:39,040
Just how many dirty tricks did he play
to get that position?
333
00:18:39,120 --> 00:18:41,360
The new Vice Minister of Personnel
334
00:18:42,639 --> 00:18:44,159
will be Pei Wenxuan.
335
00:18:45,919 --> 00:18:46,879
Him?
336
00:18:49,919 --> 00:18:51,159
Oh my!
337
00:18:51,760 --> 00:18:54,480
It's supposed to be a sixth-ranked
position, secretary of examinations.
338
00:18:54,560 --> 00:18:56,200
How come it's a fourth-ranked position?
339
00:19:00,320 --> 00:19:01,360
-Mr. Pei.
-Mr. Pei.
340
00:19:01,440 --> 00:19:02,720
-Your Majesty!
-Your Majesty!
341
00:19:03,320 --> 00:19:04,440
Mr. Pei.
342
00:19:04,520 --> 00:19:05,639
Mr. Pei has fainted.
343
00:19:05,720 --> 00:19:06,760
Mr. Pei.
344
00:19:07,360 --> 00:19:08,399
Pei Wenxuan?
345
00:19:09,480 --> 00:19:10,360
Pei Wenxuan?
346
00:19:11,560 --> 00:19:13,120
What is happening?
347
00:19:14,679 --> 00:19:16,879
Your Majesty, Prince Consort has fainted.
348
00:19:16,960 --> 00:19:18,200
May I take him
349
00:19:18,280 --> 00:19:19,280
to rest?
350
00:19:19,360 --> 00:19:21,520
Bring him to the side hall.
351
00:19:21,600 --> 00:19:23,720
Summon an imperial physician
to check on him.
352
00:19:23,800 --> 00:19:24,919
Thank you, Your Majesty.
353
00:19:25,440 --> 00:19:26,280
Hurry.
354
00:19:33,879 --> 00:19:34,720
How's he?
355
00:19:36,120 --> 00:19:37,080
Your Highness,
356
00:19:37,600 --> 00:19:40,760
the Prince Consort suffers from exhaustion
and his injuries are yet to heal fully.
357
00:19:41,320 --> 00:19:42,280
He has fainted
358
00:19:42,360 --> 00:19:44,600
because his mind
is overwhelmed and gets impaired.
359
00:19:44,679 --> 00:19:46,200
He will need a few days to recuperate.
360
00:19:49,200 --> 00:19:51,800
Anything else to note?
361
00:19:51,879 --> 00:19:53,200
Are there any herbs he needs to avoid?
362
00:19:55,679 --> 00:19:57,679
There's only one thing.
363
00:19:58,560 --> 00:20:02,399
He shall not restrain himself
364
00:20:02,480 --> 00:20:04,919
from conjugal consummation…
365
00:20:05,000 --> 00:20:05,960
That's enough.
366
00:20:06,040 --> 00:20:06,879
I understand.
367
00:20:08,280 --> 00:20:09,360
Anything else?
368
00:20:09,840 --> 00:20:10,720
Sleep more. Eat more.
369
00:20:10,800 --> 00:20:12,480
He should go out for a stroll more
when he's free.
370
00:20:12,560 --> 00:20:14,000
Relaxing his mind can be beneficial too.
371
00:20:14,919 --> 00:20:16,800
Okay. Thank you.
372
00:20:16,879 --> 00:20:18,159
-I'll take my leave.
-I'll take my leave.
373
00:20:29,480 --> 00:20:30,800
Your Highness.
374
00:20:31,679 --> 00:20:35,200
Right. Ask them to investigate
what happened to the staff mobilizations.
375
00:20:35,280 --> 00:20:36,159
Yes, Your Highness.
376
00:20:44,200 --> 00:20:46,159
He fainted at the court.
377
00:20:46,919 --> 00:20:48,919
Isn't it great
to be the Vice Minister of Personnel?
378
00:20:49,000 --> 00:20:51,360
Did he faint from anger or happiness?
379
00:20:52,080 --> 00:20:53,320
Anger, of course.
380
00:20:54,280 --> 00:20:57,360
Pei Wenxuan is a cunning man
who cannot be underestimated.
381
00:20:57,440 --> 00:20:59,720
It isn't good news to him.
382
00:21:00,520 --> 00:21:02,760
He received such a huge promotion.
383
00:21:02,840 --> 00:21:03,720
Why was he angry?
384
00:21:03,800 --> 00:21:05,399
Other ministers will not agree
385
00:21:05,480 --> 00:21:07,240
with him being
the Vice Minister of Personnel.
386
00:21:07,320 --> 00:21:08,720
Not only will he not get that position,
387
00:21:08,800 --> 00:21:10,520
but His Majesty
will begin to doubt him too.
388
00:21:10,600 --> 00:21:11,760
Additionally,
389
00:21:11,840 --> 00:21:13,560
His Majesty will grow wary
390
00:21:13,639 --> 00:21:15,320
when the Inspectorate Office
becomes too powerful.
391
00:21:15,840 --> 00:21:17,280
When he puts his guard up,
392
00:21:17,360 --> 00:21:20,440
Pingyue's influence
in the imperial court will end.
393
00:21:21,840 --> 00:21:23,360
I must say
394
00:21:23,440 --> 00:21:26,159
Mr. Su's plan is ingenious.
395
00:21:26,720 --> 00:21:28,639
Mr. Su is so amazing.
396
00:21:39,840 --> 00:21:40,679
You're awake.
397
00:21:42,080 --> 00:21:43,080
How do you feel?
398
00:21:44,159 --> 00:21:45,720
-Do you want water?
-No need.
399
00:21:46,520 --> 00:21:47,679
Your Highness.
400
00:21:47,760 --> 00:21:49,919
Did you catch the rest
of the staff mobilizations?
401
00:21:52,439 --> 00:21:53,919
I'll get the list
from the Ministry of Personnel later.
402
00:21:55,720 --> 00:21:58,879
Your Highness, I know
you're acting in my best interest,
403
00:21:58,960 --> 00:22:00,760
but promoting me to the Vice Minister of…
404
00:22:00,840 --> 00:22:02,720
I asked for the position
of secretary of examinations.
405
00:22:03,520 --> 00:22:05,159
I didn't ask for the position
of vice minister.
406
00:22:07,240 --> 00:22:08,320
Then…
407
00:22:09,320 --> 00:22:11,760
Pei Wenxuan sure rose quickly
through the ranks.
408
00:22:12,879 --> 00:22:14,760
He's lucky.
409
00:22:15,600 --> 00:22:16,760
Did you see
410
00:22:16,840 --> 00:22:18,120
His Majesty's face just now?
411
00:22:18,200 --> 00:22:19,159
I did.
412
00:22:19,240 --> 00:22:21,960
His Majesty is getting mad
because Princess Pingyue
413
00:22:22,040 --> 00:22:23,040
is meddling in everything.
414
00:22:23,120 --> 00:22:26,439
I'm afraid that the Prince Consort
can't get the position of vice minister.
415
00:22:32,520 --> 00:22:33,879
What brought you here, Mr. Su?
416
00:22:45,000 --> 00:22:47,480
Mr. Shangguan, do you perhaps
have a candidate in mind
417
00:22:47,560 --> 00:22:49,720
as the imperial examination's
chief examiner?
418
00:22:49,800 --> 00:22:52,840
Who do you recommend?
419
00:22:52,919 --> 00:22:55,399
Pei Wenxuan.
420
00:22:58,960 --> 00:22:59,800
Second Young Master.
421
00:22:59,879 --> 00:23:01,200
You jest.
422
00:23:01,679 --> 00:23:03,480
He's our enemy, isn't he?
423
00:23:04,360 --> 00:23:07,200
Think about it, Mr. Wang.
424
00:23:07,280 --> 00:23:08,679
With His Majesty's temperament,
425
00:23:09,159 --> 00:23:11,439
Pei Wenxuan will never get this position.
426
00:23:11,520 --> 00:23:12,360
Because
427
00:23:13,760 --> 00:23:15,520
he wouldn't dare to take it.
428
00:23:16,000 --> 00:23:17,080
Mr. Su,
429
00:23:17,159 --> 00:23:18,600
I know you are capable,
430
00:23:18,679 --> 00:23:21,000
but you represent the interests
of those noble families.
431
00:23:22,040 --> 00:23:22,879
Your Highness.
432
00:23:24,560 --> 00:23:27,720
What if I tell you I can
give you the Inspectorate Office?
433
00:23:30,480 --> 00:23:31,360
I heard
434
00:23:32,000 --> 00:23:34,520
that you used to fancy Princess Pingyue.
435
00:23:38,240 --> 00:23:40,840
That is the past.
436
00:23:42,879 --> 00:23:46,159
You just have to tell me
if you trust me or not.
437
00:23:46,720 --> 00:23:48,240
What do you want me to do?
438
00:23:49,439 --> 00:23:50,600
Go to Wang Houwen
439
00:23:51,679 --> 00:23:55,120
and ask him to appoint Pei Wenxuan
as the Vice Minister of Personnel.
440
00:23:58,720 --> 00:23:59,560
Rongqing.
441
00:24:00,280 --> 00:24:01,639
No matter what they say about you,
442
00:24:02,120 --> 00:24:05,000
in my eyes, you're the best
443
00:24:05,080 --> 00:24:06,120
and the most excellent one.
444
00:24:07,520 --> 00:24:10,120
I trust you to take good care
of our family.
445
00:24:16,639 --> 00:24:17,840
Greetings, Your Highness.
446
00:24:18,720 --> 00:24:20,919
Congratulations, Mr. Pei.
447
00:24:22,280 --> 00:24:25,159
Mr. Pei, I shall see you
in the Ministry of Personnel.
448
00:24:27,040 --> 00:24:28,919
You flattered me.
449
00:24:29,000 --> 00:24:30,320
It's just a list.
450
00:24:30,840 --> 00:24:33,080
And I am too inexperienced
451
00:24:33,159 --> 00:24:34,560
to take the position.
452
00:24:35,439 --> 00:24:36,639
Don't be modest, Mr. Pei.
453
00:24:37,159 --> 00:24:38,240
I have faith in you.
454
00:24:46,080 --> 00:24:47,200
-Your Highness.
-What's the matter?
455
00:24:47,879 --> 00:24:49,080
I feel dizzy.
456
00:24:49,159 --> 00:24:50,879
Let's go home. I'll feel better then.
457
00:24:50,960 --> 00:24:51,800
Mr. Pei.
458
00:24:53,080 --> 00:24:55,320
-Congratulations on your promotion.
-Thanks.
459
00:24:55,960 --> 00:24:57,280
Come on. Slowly.
460
00:24:58,280 --> 00:24:59,679
That was a lousy act.
461
00:24:59,760 --> 00:25:00,760
I know.
462
00:25:00,840 --> 00:25:01,720
You're heavy.
463
00:25:03,000 --> 00:25:04,080
Pei Wenxuan.
464
00:25:04,159 --> 00:25:06,120
This is just the first gift
I'll be giving to you.
465
00:25:11,360 --> 00:25:12,199
Your Highness.
466
00:25:12,280 --> 00:25:14,320
Mr. Liu, why are you kneeling here?
467
00:25:15,080 --> 00:25:17,280
Did you do something wrong?
468
00:25:20,919 --> 00:25:21,919
You may rise.
469
00:25:24,280 --> 00:25:25,600
-Just speak then.
-Your Highness…
470
00:25:26,120 --> 00:25:29,679
last night, someone gave me
the list of staff mobilizations
471
00:25:29,760 --> 00:25:31,760
of fifth-ranked officials and above.
472
00:25:32,320 --> 00:25:33,480
He asked me
473
00:25:33,960 --> 00:25:35,520
to remove Mr. Pei's name
474
00:25:35,600 --> 00:25:37,800
from the position
of secretary of examinations.
475
00:25:39,080 --> 00:25:42,360
I didn't want to defy your order.
476
00:25:42,879 --> 00:25:45,840
But that person said
it'd be beneficial for the Prince Consort.
477
00:25:46,399 --> 00:25:47,560
I thought
478
00:25:47,639 --> 00:25:50,159
being the Vice Minister of Personnel
479
00:25:50,240 --> 00:25:53,159
was better than being
a secretary of examinations.
480
00:25:53,240 --> 00:25:54,439
Moreover, the list of the mobilizations
481
00:25:54,520 --> 00:25:56,040
concerning fifth-ranked positions
and above
482
00:25:56,120 --> 00:25:57,960
would be submitted
to His Majesty in advance.
483
00:25:58,040 --> 00:26:00,240
If His Majesty first saw
that the Prince Consort
484
00:26:00,320 --> 00:26:02,360
was one of the candidates
for the Vice Minister of Personnel,
485
00:26:02,439 --> 00:26:04,439
then he saw the list I wrote,
486
00:26:05,000 --> 00:26:08,439
he might think that I failed in my duties.
487
00:26:09,199 --> 00:26:10,080
Therefore, I…
488
00:26:10,639 --> 00:26:12,879
Therefore, you removed his name
489
00:26:12,960 --> 00:26:15,159
from the position
of secretary of examinations.
490
00:26:18,040 --> 00:26:20,320
Isn't it great that Prince Consort
is now the Vice Minister of Personnel?
491
00:26:20,919 --> 00:26:22,399
Why are you so scared?
492
00:26:27,840 --> 00:26:28,760
Who came to you?
493
00:26:29,520 --> 00:26:30,439
What did they tell you?
494
00:26:30,520 --> 00:26:34,120
It was Mr. Wang Houwen.
495
00:26:35,560 --> 00:26:38,280
He told me Consort Rou wanted someone else
496
00:26:38,360 --> 00:26:41,399
to be the secretary of examinations,
and he wanted me to arrange for it.
497
00:26:41,480 --> 00:26:43,760
I didn't dare to do that for him,
so I told him
498
00:26:43,840 --> 00:26:46,000
that someone already took that position.
499
00:26:46,080 --> 00:26:47,280
He asked me who it was
500
00:26:47,360 --> 00:26:48,960
and I told him it was the Prince Consort.
501
00:26:49,040 --> 00:26:50,000
He then told me
502
00:26:50,080 --> 00:26:52,000
that the Prince Consort had been appointed
503
00:26:52,080 --> 00:26:53,720
as the Vice Minister of Personnel.
504
00:26:53,800 --> 00:26:56,800
I thought it was odd.
505
00:26:56,879 --> 00:26:59,399
But if he was already appointed
as the Vice Minister of Personnel,
506
00:26:59,480 --> 00:27:02,080
I supposed there was no point in making
him the secretary of examinations.
507
00:27:02,600 --> 00:27:03,439
But unexpectedly,
508
00:27:03,520 --> 00:27:06,240
the Prince Consort fainted
at the court today.
509
00:27:06,320 --> 00:27:08,480
Everyone thought
510
00:27:09,000 --> 00:27:11,280
that he was simply overwhelmed
by happiness,
511
00:27:12,240 --> 00:27:14,320
but I knew
512
00:27:14,399 --> 00:27:17,320
that I must have done something wrong.
513
00:27:18,320 --> 00:27:20,399
Please forgive me, Your Highness.
514
00:27:23,520 --> 00:27:24,639
Stand up.
515
00:27:27,720 --> 00:27:29,639
I now know what happened.
516
00:27:30,360 --> 00:27:31,600
You may leave, Mr. Liu.
517
00:27:31,679 --> 00:27:32,879
I'll take my leave.
518
00:27:38,000 --> 00:27:39,960
In our next lesson,
519
00:27:40,040 --> 00:27:42,000
I hope you can explain to me
520
00:27:42,600 --> 00:27:44,000
how to enhance one's self-cultivation
and be a self-disciplined ruler.
521
00:27:45,679 --> 00:27:46,760
Yes, sir.
522
00:27:48,760 --> 00:27:50,000
Greetings, Mr. Su.
523
00:27:50,840 --> 00:27:51,679
Your Highness.
524
00:27:55,560 --> 00:27:58,320
May I speak frankly, Your Highness?
525
00:27:58,399 --> 00:27:59,879
Please do.
526
00:28:00,840 --> 00:28:03,280
I believe His Highness should volunteer
527
00:28:03,360 --> 00:28:05,919
to be the secretary of examinations.
528
00:28:06,720 --> 00:28:08,679
As his mother,
529
00:28:08,760 --> 00:28:10,040
you are from a humble background
530
00:28:10,120 --> 00:28:12,840
which is perfectly justifiable.
531
00:28:12,919 --> 00:28:14,679
The imperial examination
only recruits commoners.
532
00:28:14,760 --> 00:28:16,960
Why would I need individuals
without any backing?
533
00:28:17,040 --> 00:28:18,840
Mind your manners, Cheng.
534
00:28:19,919 --> 00:28:21,679
Some of them are very knowledgeable.
535
00:28:21,760 --> 00:28:23,439
You can pick and train them.
536
00:28:23,520 --> 00:28:26,639
In time, they will become
a noble family too
537
00:28:26,720 --> 00:28:29,120
and work for you.
538
00:28:29,199 --> 00:28:30,360
You're brilliant, Your Highness.
539
00:28:31,080 --> 00:28:32,720
It's all your foresight, Mr. Su.
540
00:28:33,560 --> 00:28:36,280
Cheng, thank your mentor for his guidance.
541
00:28:38,840 --> 00:28:39,760
Thank you, sir.
542
00:28:46,560 --> 00:28:47,439
Answer me.
543
00:28:48,760 --> 00:28:50,199
Is Pei Wenxuan very experienced now?
544
00:28:51,240 --> 00:28:53,639
How dare you appoint him
as the Vice Minister of Personnel?
545
00:28:54,120 --> 00:28:55,280
I rarely meddle in affairs
546
00:28:55,879 --> 00:28:57,480
in the Ministry of Personnel
547
00:28:57,560 --> 00:28:59,639
because I have faith in your judgment.
548
00:29:00,199 --> 00:29:01,439
But what are you doing here?
549
00:29:02,040 --> 00:29:04,040
How can you give
such an important position
550
00:29:04,120 --> 00:29:05,879
to Pei Wenxuan?
551
00:29:08,000 --> 00:29:08,840
Your Majesty.
552
00:29:09,360 --> 00:29:11,560
Mr. Pei might be young,
553
00:29:11,639 --> 00:29:15,439
but he is the Prince Consort.
554
00:29:15,520 --> 00:29:17,520
-Her Highness--
-So what if she's a princess?
555
00:29:18,840 --> 00:29:22,320
Can a princess be above the laws,
the state principles, or even me?
556
00:29:23,439 --> 00:29:24,280
Tell me.
557
00:29:24,840 --> 00:29:26,000
Who helped Pei Wenxuan
558
00:29:26,080 --> 00:29:28,040
get the position
of the Vice Minister of Personnel?
559
00:29:28,560 --> 00:29:29,560
Tell me honestly.
560
00:29:34,360 --> 00:29:36,439
Your Majesty,
Princess Pingyue seeks an audience.
561
00:29:36,520 --> 00:29:37,360
Reject her request.
562
00:29:38,679 --> 00:29:39,520
Yes, Your Majesty.
563
00:29:40,000 --> 00:29:40,840
Wait.
564
00:29:41,879 --> 00:29:42,720
Summon her in.
565
00:29:43,959 --> 00:29:44,800
Yes, Your Majesty.
566
00:29:49,959 --> 00:29:52,560
Leave now. Reflect upon yourself at home.
567
00:29:52,639 --> 00:29:54,679
I'll have others
investigate the truth later.
568
00:29:54,760 --> 00:29:56,320
Yes, Your Majesty.
569
00:30:00,760 --> 00:30:03,959
Greetings, Your Highness.
570
00:30:06,959 --> 00:30:10,159
Mr. Wang, you're a third-ranked minister,
who's served in the court for a long time.
571
00:30:10,240 --> 00:30:12,159
No need to extend such formality to me.
572
00:30:14,360 --> 00:30:16,760
A minister is just nothing.
573
00:30:16,840 --> 00:30:19,000
The former Minister of Justice,
Xie Lanqing,
574
00:30:19,080 --> 00:30:20,919
also the master of the Xie Family,
575
00:30:21,000 --> 00:30:24,639
was even taken down by you.
576
00:30:25,280 --> 00:30:28,639
If I may advise you, Your Highness,
577
00:30:29,399 --> 00:30:30,919
your honor
578
00:30:31,439 --> 00:30:34,240
is contingent upon the Shangguan Family.
579
00:30:34,320 --> 00:30:36,800
After all,
the noble families are your allies.
580
00:30:36,879 --> 00:30:39,280
Don't pick
581
00:30:39,360 --> 00:30:40,480
the wrong side.
582
00:30:44,240 --> 00:30:46,040
I'll take my leave, Your Highness.
583
00:30:58,000 --> 00:30:59,560
Your Highness, please.
584
00:31:07,720 --> 00:31:09,760
Your Majesty, Princess Pingyue is here.
585
00:31:13,840 --> 00:31:15,800
Greetings, Father.
586
00:31:16,760 --> 00:31:17,800
Rise.
587
00:31:21,560 --> 00:31:23,240
Pei Wenxuan has been officially appointed.
588
00:31:24,000 --> 00:31:25,520
What other complaints do you have?
589
00:31:27,879 --> 00:31:29,280
Father, please choose another one
590
00:31:30,159 --> 00:31:31,639
to take the position
of the Vice Minister of Personnel.
591
00:31:33,720 --> 00:31:35,720
Why? Isn't it a great thing
that Pei Wenxuan
592
00:31:36,639 --> 00:31:37,639
is a vice minister now?
Why reject the offer?
593
00:31:45,040 --> 00:31:48,520
Father, I made a mistake.
594
00:31:49,120 --> 00:31:50,360
Please forgive me.
595
00:31:50,439 --> 00:31:51,360
Speak.
596
00:31:51,919 --> 00:31:53,280
In fact, I helped
597
00:31:54,320 --> 00:31:55,360
Pei Wenxuan in secret
598
00:31:56,840 --> 00:31:58,719
to secure his promotion.
599
00:32:00,600 --> 00:32:02,560
How else could he become
a vice minister then?
600
00:32:02,639 --> 00:32:05,360
But I wasn't going
after the position of vice minister.
601
00:32:05,439 --> 00:32:07,840
I only wanted him to become
a secretary of examinations.
602
00:32:09,560 --> 00:32:10,399
You're saying
603
00:32:11,120 --> 00:32:12,879
someone's framing you
604
00:32:13,560 --> 00:32:16,480
by making Pei Wenxuan
the Vice Minister of Personnel?
605
00:32:16,560 --> 00:32:17,679
Yes.
606
00:32:17,760 --> 00:32:19,280
Why would they do that?
607
00:32:19,360 --> 00:32:20,639
Isn't it obvious?
608
00:32:21,360 --> 00:32:23,719
They want to drive a wedge between us.
609
00:32:24,480 --> 00:32:26,480
How is appointing Pei Wenxuan
as the Vice Minister of Personnel
610
00:32:26,560 --> 00:32:27,679
an act to sow discord?
611
00:32:28,240 --> 00:32:30,439
Father, you asked me to establish
the Inspectorate Office.
612
00:32:30,520 --> 00:32:32,360
I solved many cases and gained more power.
613
00:32:33,040 --> 00:32:36,000
If I used my power for my own good,
614
00:32:36,080 --> 00:32:37,520
then for both our country and people,
615
00:32:38,320 --> 00:32:39,719
you would want to eradicate me.
616
00:32:45,360 --> 00:32:47,560
It seems like the mastermind
of this scheme
617
00:32:48,199 --> 00:32:49,520
harbors no good intention.
618
00:32:50,240 --> 00:32:51,080
Father,
619
00:32:52,480 --> 00:32:55,840
while I did make a mistake,
620
00:32:57,280 --> 00:32:59,199
I couldn't bear it anymore.
621
00:33:00,040 --> 00:33:01,879
I have had enough of the mockery.
622
00:33:02,879 --> 00:33:04,080
Who mocked you?
623
00:33:04,639 --> 00:33:05,959
After I was betrothed,
624
00:33:06,040 --> 00:33:08,719
I was mocked by my younger sisters
in the palace.
625
00:33:08,800 --> 00:33:10,000
Huayue said
626
00:33:10,080 --> 00:33:11,760
that it's because Pei Wenxuan held
a lowly background and was powerless
627
00:33:11,840 --> 00:33:13,679
and because you didn't like me,
628
00:33:13,760 --> 00:33:15,199
that's why you made me marry him.
629
00:33:15,280 --> 00:33:16,240
Nonsense!
630
00:33:17,360 --> 00:33:19,120
Why would Huayue say such words?
631
00:33:25,480 --> 00:33:26,840
Father.
632
00:33:28,159 --> 00:33:29,560
Do you mean to say
that Huayue wouldn't say that,
633
00:33:30,840 --> 00:33:32,600
or that Huayue
shouldn't have said it out loud?
634
00:33:37,719 --> 00:33:38,919
Father,
635
00:33:39,000 --> 00:33:40,760
why do you think I'm so scared
636
00:33:40,840 --> 00:33:42,280
and come to see you in a hurry
637
00:33:42,360 --> 00:33:44,800
to ask you to remove Pei Wenxuan
from his position?
638
00:33:47,159 --> 00:33:49,520
Do you think
it's only because he is too young?
639
00:33:50,280 --> 00:33:51,439
In terms of age,
640
00:33:51,520 --> 00:33:52,639
Su Rongqing is also young.
641
00:33:52,719 --> 00:33:54,280
How come he could
be the Vice Minister of Justice,
642
00:33:54,760 --> 00:33:56,919
and now, even get promoted
to the Minister of Justice?
643
00:33:57,000 --> 00:33:59,480
Yet my Prince Consort
can't even be a vice minister.
644
00:34:00,679 --> 00:34:02,360
However, I still have to come today.
645
00:34:02,439 --> 00:34:03,760
I'm afraid if I did not,
646
00:34:03,840 --> 00:34:05,199
you might believe
647
00:34:05,280 --> 00:34:07,320
that I would continue
helping Pei Wenxuan in secret.
648
00:34:09,040 --> 00:34:10,440
I was so scared.
649
00:34:11,199 --> 00:34:14,159
I fear that you and I will drift apart.
650
00:34:17,279 --> 00:34:19,000
What makes you think I'll do that?
651
00:34:19,480 --> 00:34:20,719
Because I know…
652
00:34:22,759 --> 00:34:24,199
I'm not Huayue.
653
00:34:24,279 --> 00:34:26,040
I am the daughter of the Shangguan Family.
654
00:34:26,120 --> 00:34:27,600
You are my daughter.
655
00:34:27,679 --> 00:34:29,199
But Huayue said
656
00:34:30,199 --> 00:34:31,839
that you grew wary
of the Shangguan Family,
657
00:34:33,279 --> 00:34:36,239
so you made me marry a commoner.
658
00:34:37,159 --> 00:34:38,080
She's gone too far!
659
00:34:40,880 --> 00:34:43,639
Pei Wenxuan was ranked first
in the Royal Selection.
660
00:34:43,719 --> 00:34:45,199
He is handsome and a man of character.
661
00:34:45,960 --> 00:34:47,759
I'm sure you know how excellent he is.
662
00:34:47,839 --> 00:34:49,719
I do.
663
00:34:51,080 --> 00:34:53,920
So please, Father,
664
00:34:54,759 --> 00:34:55,960
do not doubt me.
665
00:34:57,560 --> 00:34:59,640
I'm not that capable.
666
00:34:59,720 --> 00:35:01,279
I did everything
667
00:35:01,360 --> 00:35:02,759
to seek justice.
668
00:35:03,680 --> 00:35:05,759
I just hope Prince Consort
won't be denied the opportunity to work
669
00:35:06,360 --> 00:35:08,000
as a sixth-ranked official because of me.
670
00:35:09,120 --> 00:35:09,960
Father.
671
00:35:11,480 --> 00:35:12,880
Please grant my request.
672
00:35:15,640 --> 00:35:17,240
I need to think about it.
673
00:35:18,680 --> 00:35:19,520
You may leave now.
674
00:35:24,920 --> 00:35:25,880
Yes, Father.
675
00:35:33,440 --> 00:35:34,279
Your Majesty.
676
00:35:37,759 --> 00:35:39,360
All of them are playing tricks
677
00:35:39,440 --> 00:35:41,520
to fool me.
678
00:35:42,839 --> 00:35:44,759
And they are doing a remarkable job at it.
679
00:35:47,200 --> 00:35:48,360
Pingyue was right.
680
00:35:49,680 --> 00:35:52,279
When Pei Wenxuan was announced
to be the Vice Minister of Personnel,
681
00:35:52,360 --> 00:35:55,759
I questioned their fidelity.
682
00:35:56,680 --> 00:35:57,560
Your Majesty.
683
00:35:59,000 --> 00:36:00,000
I believe
684
00:36:01,040 --> 00:36:03,440
something more sinister must be at play
685
00:36:04,200 --> 00:36:07,400
behind Mr. Pei's new promotion.
686
00:36:07,480 --> 00:36:08,480
Send someone
to investigate the truth for me.
687
00:36:09,080 --> 00:36:10,000
Yes, Your Majesty.
688
00:36:11,480 --> 00:36:13,720
Your Highness, a letter
from the Northwest.
689
00:36:15,000 --> 00:36:15,960
Is it from Zhenzhen?
690
00:36:20,759 --> 00:36:23,279
Your Highness, it has been a while.
691
00:36:23,360 --> 00:36:24,600
The distance between us is vast.
692
00:36:25,279 --> 00:36:29,040
I wonder when you'll receive this letter.
693
00:36:29,120 --> 00:36:31,240
Perhaps you'll receive it
in the third month of the year
694
00:36:31,319 --> 00:36:33,120
when swan geese
are flying back to the North?
695
00:36:33,720 --> 00:36:35,480
The soldiers in the Northwest
696
00:36:35,960 --> 00:36:37,880
believe that the returning swan geese
697
00:36:37,960 --> 00:36:39,920
carry the yearning
of their families with them.
698
00:36:40,759 --> 00:36:43,080
When I see them,
699
00:36:43,160 --> 00:36:45,799
they remind me of you
700
00:36:45,880 --> 00:36:46,960
and my family in Huajing.
701
00:36:48,200 --> 00:36:51,680
Thus, I named the sword you gave me
702
00:36:51,759 --> 00:36:53,160
"Hongyu."
703
00:36:54,720 --> 00:36:56,759
I was like a swan goose's feather,
704
00:36:56,839 --> 00:36:58,359
carried by the wayward breeze.
705
00:36:58,880 --> 00:37:01,640
Fortunately, I met you and Her Highness.
706
00:37:02,319 --> 00:37:04,799
I was given the chance to take
destiny into my own hands
707
00:37:04,880 --> 00:37:06,560
and pursue my ambition.
708
00:37:07,080 --> 00:37:10,880
I hope this feather can convey
709
00:37:10,960 --> 00:37:12,960
my blessings and longings to you.
710
00:37:13,040 --> 00:37:16,520
May this feather remind you of my presence
and this letter brighten your day.
711
00:37:16,600 --> 00:37:19,080
Zhenzhen, I am sure
712
00:37:19,160 --> 00:37:20,279
we will meet again one day.
713
00:37:22,200 --> 00:37:23,120
Hongyu.
714
00:37:35,080 --> 00:37:35,920
Hush.
715
00:37:40,960 --> 00:37:41,920
If I'm getting married,
716
00:37:42,000 --> 00:37:44,000
I definitely won't marry someone
like Pei Wenxuan.
717
00:37:44,520 --> 00:37:45,759
He's good for nothing
718
00:37:45,839 --> 00:37:47,160
except for his pretty face.
719
00:37:47,799 --> 00:37:49,720
He's from a humble background
and married Pingyue.
720
00:37:49,799 --> 00:37:52,120
Yet he couldn't even secure the position
as the secretary of examinations.
721
00:37:52,680 --> 00:37:54,880
Pingyue has been arrogant all her life.
722
00:37:54,960 --> 00:37:56,200
To have a husband like him…
723
00:37:57,520 --> 00:37:58,359
Father.
724
00:38:00,200 --> 00:38:03,000
Your Majesty,
why did no one inform us of your arrival?
725
00:38:07,040 --> 00:38:09,040
Is this how you raised your daughter?
726
00:38:09,640 --> 00:38:12,520
She's a princess,
yet she's talking behind others' backs.
727
00:38:13,640 --> 00:38:15,920
It's all my fault
for not disciplining her well.
728
00:38:16,440 --> 00:38:18,920
Huayue, apologize to your father now.
729
00:38:19,000 --> 00:38:20,240
Apologize?
730
00:38:21,000 --> 00:38:22,520
Is she the one who should apologize?
731
00:38:25,000 --> 00:38:25,960
Get out!
732
00:38:27,359 --> 00:38:28,560
I'll take my leave, Father.
733
00:38:29,560 --> 00:38:31,880
Everyone else should leave too.
734
00:38:38,200 --> 00:38:40,920
Your Majesty, Huayue is young and naive.
735
00:38:41,920 --> 00:38:43,880
She must have
picked up bad habits in the palace.
736
00:38:43,960 --> 00:38:45,359
I was about to lecture her.
737
00:38:45,920 --> 00:38:47,279
Was it your idea to let Pei Wenxuan
738
00:38:47,359 --> 00:38:49,000
be the Vice Minister of Personnel?
739
00:38:49,080 --> 00:38:50,319
What do you mean, Your Majesty?
740
00:38:50,400 --> 00:38:52,920
I mostly keep to myself in the harem.
741
00:38:53,000 --> 00:38:54,759
I can't possibly have a say
in such an important matter.
742
00:38:55,480 --> 00:38:57,960
Perhaps the rumors mislead you
743
00:38:58,040 --> 00:38:59,759
into misunderstanding me, Your Majesty.
744
00:39:00,680 --> 00:39:01,720
Rumors?
745
00:39:03,839 --> 00:39:04,759
I know very well
746
00:39:05,319 --> 00:39:06,600
what you're capable of.
747
00:39:07,720 --> 00:39:09,560
Otherwise,
748
00:39:09,640 --> 00:39:12,680
how could a lowly person like you
749
00:39:12,759 --> 00:39:14,000
be who you are today?
750
00:39:16,359 --> 00:39:17,560
I know it's because
751
00:39:18,080 --> 00:39:20,920
I'm lucky enough to earn your favor,
Your Majesty.
752
00:39:21,839 --> 00:39:24,279
I truly have nothing to do with it.
753
00:39:25,040 --> 00:39:27,600
There must be a gossipmonger.
754
00:39:28,160 --> 00:39:30,359
Perhaps I can confront him?
755
00:39:33,200 --> 00:39:34,120
Quit pretending!
756
00:39:39,560 --> 00:39:41,600
You can plot schemes.
757
00:39:43,359 --> 00:39:46,640
You can also pull dirty tricks
in this harem.
758
00:39:47,960 --> 00:39:51,440
But don't try to deceive
or take advantage of me.
759
00:39:53,359 --> 00:39:55,319
I can put you in this position
760
00:39:56,359 --> 00:39:58,160
and I can take it away from you
just as easily.
761
00:40:03,120 --> 00:40:04,440
I do not like others deceiving me.
762
00:40:07,759 --> 00:40:08,680
For today's matter,
763
00:40:10,279 --> 00:40:11,200
I can
764
00:40:12,279 --> 00:40:13,359
let it go.
765
00:40:15,759 --> 00:40:16,839
But Xiao Rou,
766
00:40:17,440 --> 00:40:19,480
remember what you said to me.
767
00:40:20,200 --> 00:40:21,319
You said
768
00:40:22,319 --> 00:40:24,160
you'd be my blade.
769
00:40:26,080 --> 00:40:27,720
Don't forget who you are.
770
00:40:29,040 --> 00:40:30,120
If one day,
771
00:40:30,720 --> 00:40:33,319
I realize that the blade
is pointing at me,
772
00:40:35,480 --> 00:40:36,319
I…
773
00:40:38,359 --> 00:40:39,520
will melt it.
774
00:40:45,319 --> 00:40:47,600
Yes, Your Majesty.
775
00:41:05,000 --> 00:41:05,839
Your Highness.
776
00:41:08,480 --> 00:41:11,640
Pei, my family did send me
777
00:41:11,720 --> 00:41:14,120
an odorless, colorless, and chronic drug,
778
00:41:15,080 --> 00:41:16,000
didn't they?
779
00:41:16,759 --> 00:41:17,680
Yes, Your Highness.
780
00:41:19,680 --> 00:41:20,839
You mean to…
781
00:41:28,000 --> 00:41:28,839
Young Master.
782
00:41:29,560 --> 00:41:30,440
Your Highness.
783
00:41:31,160 --> 00:41:32,359
Young Master.
784
00:41:32,920 --> 00:41:34,040
Young… Your Highness!
785
00:41:36,080 --> 00:41:37,400
-Young Master.
-What's the matter?
786
00:41:37,480 --> 00:41:39,040
-Something bad happened.
-What is it?
787
00:41:39,759 --> 00:41:41,839
Daoist Hongde was summoned
to the palace at night.
788
00:41:41,920 --> 00:41:43,120
And then?
789
00:41:43,200 --> 00:41:44,319
-Then--
-What's the matter?
790
00:41:44,960 --> 00:41:48,600
Your Highness, Daoist Hongde
was summoned to the palace at night
791
00:41:48,680 --> 00:41:50,799
by Consort Rou, or so I heard.
792
00:41:50,880 --> 00:41:54,279
In the palace,
he made an accusation against you.
793
00:41:54,359 --> 00:41:58,319
He said that it came from our mansion
that the Crown Prince's marriage
794
00:41:58,799 --> 00:42:00,880
must be postponed till five years later.
795
00:42:00,960 --> 00:42:01,920
What?
796
00:42:02,759 --> 00:42:04,240
His Majesty was infuriated
797
00:42:04,319 --> 00:42:06,359
and he wanted to summon you right away.
798
00:42:06,440 --> 00:42:07,600
But the messenger,
799
00:42:07,680 --> 00:42:10,000
who was going to come out
of the palace to convey the edict,
800
00:42:10,080 --> 00:42:11,400
was somehow brought back in.
801
00:42:11,480 --> 00:42:12,759
Brought back in?
802
00:42:13,960 --> 00:42:15,120
Anything else?
803
00:42:15,200 --> 00:42:16,279
Nothing.
804
00:42:16,359 --> 00:42:17,200
Wait.
805
00:42:18,120 --> 00:42:22,720
I heard His Majesty
wasn't going to look into this.
806
00:42:23,720 --> 00:42:24,560
Leave the city
807
00:42:25,120 --> 00:42:26,200
and head to Qingshui County.
808
00:42:26,279 --> 00:42:28,440
Find a laundrywoman called Tian Fang
809
00:42:28,520 --> 00:42:29,960
and give her 300 taels of silver.
810
00:42:30,040 --> 00:42:30,960
Tell her that her husband has been found
811
00:42:31,040 --> 00:42:33,440
and she can bring her mother-in-law
to Huajing to reunite with him.
812
00:42:33,520 --> 00:42:34,640
That much money?
813
00:42:34,720 --> 00:42:36,040
-Just go.
-Okay.
814
00:42:36,120 --> 00:42:37,680
You're trying to take advantage
of Hongde's scandal?
815
00:42:37,759 --> 00:42:38,600
Yes.
816
00:42:39,160 --> 00:42:41,839
And it must be something
that comes with solid evidence.
817
00:42:41,920 --> 00:42:44,520
Did you talk to Hongde
after you came back?
818
00:42:45,680 --> 00:42:46,520
No.
819
00:42:47,080 --> 00:42:48,359
Neither of us has talked to him.
820
00:42:49,440 --> 00:42:51,720
So he was ordered to falsely accuse us.
821
00:42:52,560 --> 00:42:53,960
But with Consort Rou's capability,
822
00:42:54,720 --> 00:42:56,359
she isn't smart enough
to devise this plan.