Original subtitles

A NETFLIX ORIGINAL SERIES

EPISODE 3

My lady, why must you be so impatient?

The imperial physician said you need to rest.

It's all right. Keep walking.

Give me the cane. I'll walk on my own.

-Walk slowly. -All right.

Your Highness.

How is your injury?

I am much better now. Thank you for your concern.

I'm not the one concerned about you.

You're the one concerned about me.

Chisu.

This is the orchid you sent to Prince Chaoyong's Manor.

The elder princess consort said it was cared for very well.

She sent it to my palace for my viewing pleasure.

Unfortunately,

I don't like plants.

So I'm returning it to its owner.

Keep it.

Are you not going to thank Her Highness?

You...

Dingxiang, it seems you've forgotten the lesson from last time.

Zhaohua,

it's best to have some compassion.

Don't take this too far.

You know Lhawang Dorji is engaged.

Yet, you sent the orchid to express your affection.

You forgot all proprieties and repeatedly threw yourself into the arms of a man.

You were rejected.

Then you tried to strike a blow at me with my scars.

Siwan.

Don't take this too far? Look who's talking.

I only spoke the truth.

What did you say?

Zhaohua.

You are sick.

Terribly sick.

You are unable to control your emotions.

Nor can you be a good wife for Lhawang Dorji.

A sick person like you

will only become a burden to him

and the disgrace of his life.

My lady!

What's wrong? Enraged out of humiliation?

Shut up.

If you are open and honest,

why didn't you tell him about the accident?

You're worried and scared.

-Shut up! Shut your mouth! -Because once he knows the truth,

-he won't treat you like a normal person. -Shut up!

Your Highness, appease your anger.

My lady, are you all right?

Don't you see that she's fallen?

Help her up!

Yes.

Siwan, I am your elder.

I have to take care of you.

No matter how you provoke me,

I won't stoop to your level.

Rest well, all right?

Zhaohua,

the world will one day know your true nature.

If you never learn to keep your mouth shut,

you might one day find yourself unable to open your mouth.

You were peeping!

I noticed you.

I thought you would be angry again.

It's all thanks to you.

Didn't you tell me that Siwan deliberately ruffles my feathers?

I saw you and came to my senses.

Do I have that much influence?

It's also thanks to you

that I didn't lose my composure again in front of Lhawang Dorji.

Thanks to you just now, my anger was immediately doused.

That means...

I am your cure.

Cut the crap.

It seems things are going well between you and Lhawang Dorji.

Yes.

I succeeded!

He told me I am in his heart!

What's the matter?

Are you that happy?

Yes, of course.

Haven't you been helping me make him fall in love with me?

What's wrong?

Why are you suddenly displeased?

Idiot.

How could a man possibly fall in love with you so quickly?

You...

He only said you were in his heart.

He didn't say that he loves you or that he is yours.

Do you need to be so ecstatic?

You'll need to put in more effort to win over Lhawang Dorji.

I see.

My lady, Seventh Princess has always been arrogant and domineering.

She has a powerful mother who controls the harem.

She is at an advantage.

We can only endure it

until you leave for marriage...

When I leave for marriage...

in faraway Mongolia?

Your Highness, don't be sad.

We still have a chance.

The edict hasn't been issued yet.

When the Empress Dowager returns, you can beg her to reconsider.

The Empress Dowager does love me.

But compared to her love for Zhaohua...

It doesn't even come close.

Dingxiang...

I'm afraid.

I'm truly afraid.

You heard Zhaohua.

Will she really kill me?

She won't.

Your Highness, this is the Forbidden City.

No matter how favored she is, she cannot get away with it.

You worry for nothing.

It is time to take your medicine.

Please wait for a moment.

Scoundrel, show yourself!

-Hold on. -What are you doing?

Who are you?

Your Highness, this is our second meeting.

Fuk'anggan, do you think you're a hero?

You would risk the Fuca name and your future,

just to protect them?

I'll restore the Fuca family's reputation and my future.

Your Highness, what's the matter?

I'm fine.

It's nothing.

Help me outside.

What are you waiting for? Get help!

Dingxiang, it must be her.

My lady, don't be afraid.

-My lady. -No, this is a warning.

She said that if I don't shut my mouth, she will kill me, Dingxiang!

She is crazy!

My lady, we must get justice for you.

Dingxiang!

Your Highness, I beseech you to spare my lady.

Dingxiang, what are you doing?

Early this morning,

the body of my lady's beloved cat was found hanging in the doorway!

What are you talking about?

How dare you accuse the princess!

It's just a dead cat.

What does it have to do with Her Highness?

You can report this and someone will investigate it.

Your Highness, my lady has always been prudent.

She truly didn't intend to displease you.

Dingxiang!

Please have mercy and spare her!

Dingxiang, shut your mouth!

Do you believe that I killed the cat to hurt Siwan?

My lady has always been benevolent.

Everybody in the palace likes her.

Other than you, Your Highness, who would wish to harm her?

How many times has she been insubordinate?

Your Highness, this is the second time.

Your Highness doles out punishment at the slightest provocation.

Everyone in the Forbidden City knows that.

I came expecting to be punished.

I only ask that Your Highness spare my lady after punishing me.

My lady lost her mother at a young age and has nobody to rely on.

If Your Highness continues to threaten her,

I'm afraid she'll lose the will to live!

I'm begging you, Your Highness!

Please!

Punish according to the palace rules.

Yes.

Please have mercy, Your Highness!

-For insubordination -Please, Your Highness!

and vilifying the princess,

Dingxiang is to receive 50 canes immediately.

Your Highness, please spare my lady!

She is weak in health. She cannot endure any more frights!

-Your Highness! -Your Highness. No!

-Your Highness! -No!

-Please spare my lady! -Your Highness!

-Your Highness! -Don't do this!

It's all my fault. I was wrong, Your Highness.

Please spare Dingxiang.

She is just a child!

She's been with me since the age of three!

We are like sisters!

Please spare her!

Please!

You can punish me as you please. All right?

I'm begging you, Your Highness!

Please!

Don't do this.

What a killjoy. I don't want to paint anymore.

Chisu, roll up the painting.

We're leaving.

-Yes. -Your Highness!

Princess Siwan, here's a word of advice.

Stop making waves.

It will do you no good.

You're hurt so badly because of me.

My lady, don't cry.

I am your personal maid.

If you aren't happy,

my life...

won't be easy either.

You know Zhaohua is brutal in nature.

Yet you rushed into this headlong.

This is already the second time.

Aren't you afraid she will kill you?

I know.

This time, it won't end well.

We cannot continue to suffer in silence.

I deliberately caused a scene.

It was to let everyone know...

what Seventh Princess had done to us.

My lady, I am fine.

Don't worry. No matter how arrogant and despotic she is,

His Majesty will handle her.

If His Majesty doesn't,

the imperial clan will.

If we kick up a fuss,

they won't just sit idly by.

Dingxiang.

Your Highness, don't be scared.

These are only superficial wounds.

I will recover soon.

I still have the tonics from Father.

I'll have them brought to you later.

You must get better soon.

I need you by my side.

Who's there?

You've been committing every evil deed, but you're afraid of ghosts?

It's truly comical.

Can't you come over and help me?

-Will this do? -You!

What are you doing?

Didn't you tell me to help you?

Couldn't you be more gentle?

If somebody comes barging in,

you will lose any chance at being Prince Chaoyong's consort.

If I can't be his consort,

would it be so bad if I became the wife of a highly-ranked noble?

For example,

a debauchee like me?

Are you?

What a shame.

I don't like pretentious women.

Fuk'anggan!

This is what you wanted.

I ought to return to my patrol.

You have what you need.

Seize your chance.

Fuk'anggan!

You are truly vicious.

Good and bad. Kind and evil.

That's childish.

The clever never care for right or wrong,

only whose side you're on.

Doing this will completely destroy Zhaohua.

I want to destroy

not just your love rival,

but also the person I hate the most.

Dingxiang, it's time to eat.

Dingxiang?

Someone, please come!

My lady, Fifteenth Prince took a liking to that swing.

You told him to move it back and he really did.

He ended up bringing it back here today.

Why?

He finds the boards too old.

He only swung twice before falling flat on his bottom.

How pitiful.

My lady, it's not nice to set up Fifteenth Prince in this way.

He secretly stole my music box.

Did he think I wouldn't notice if he returned it after a few days?

He's naughty.

Mother.

What brings you here?

My lady, I am here with His Majesty's orders

to take Seventh Princess to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Mother, I'll be right back.

I'll view the flowers with you later.

All right.

Send Xiaoquanzi to find out what happened in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Yes.

Your Highness, hurry inside.

Princess Siwan is also inside.

-Eunuch Desheng. -Yes?

What happened?

Why do you look so somber?

Imperial Guard Fuca, if you don't have any urgent business,

I suggest you come back another day.

Don't catch His Majesty in a bad mood,

or you might be punished.

Princess Zhaohua is His Majesty's favorite daughter.

His Majesty forgets all his troubles whenever he sees her.

Don't all the ministers love to report in during those times?

Father, what did you summon me so urgently for?

Kneel.

Father!

I told you to kneel.

Father, what have I done to incur your wrath?

Dingxiang is dead.

Father, Dingxiang was openly defiant twice.

I only punished her with 50 canes.

I was exceptionally merciful out of respect for Siwan.

If it were anybody else, I would've kicked them out of the palace already.

Your Highness.

Dingxiang was always weak.

Fifty canes may be nothing out of the ordinary

for servants in Yanxi Palace,

but that's enough to take Dingxiang's life!

There are rules in the Forbidden City.

Insubordination by a servant is enough to warrant a death sentence!

She was no ordinary palace maid.

She was my personal attendant!

Her mother was my wet nurse.

She and I grew up together, Your Highness!

You ignored my pitiful pleas in front of everyone

and had Dingxiang caned to death.

Do you not feel a shred of remorse?

Zhaohua.

Apologize to Siwan.

-I did nothing wrong. -Zhaohua!

Father, there is a difference between the master and the servant.

I punished a palace maid in accordance with the rules.

What is wrong with that?

Also, a servant dared to openly criticize me.

Where did she get the audacity?

Your Majesty!

I lost my mother at a young age.

My father is a dunce.

He was able to stay in the Forbidden City thanks to Your Majesty's kindness.

I will never be able to repay that kindness.

I have always tolerated Zhaohua's overbearing ways.

But this time...

If it were possible...

I would exchange my life for Dingxiang's life!

She was fine when she left.

How could she suddenly die overnight?

Perhaps you killed her and framed me.

Your Majesty!

Zhaohua.

Kneel outside.

Li Yu.

-Your Majesty? -Help the princess up.

My lady, let's stand up.

Siwan.

Zhaohua is in the wrong in this matter.

You have always been magnanimous.

Do not hold this against her.

Li Yu.

Have this year's best satin from the Department of Textile

and the best palace maids in the Imperial Household Department

sent to Siwan at once.

No, bring her with you.

Let her take her pick.

Have the imperial physician see her at once.

She must be treated.

Do not allow any complications to occur.

Ms. Chisu.

Eunuch Desheng, what am I going to do?

His Majesty ordered that nobody is to deliver news to Yanxi Palace.

He is intent on punishing the princess.

Her Highness didn't do anything wrong.

-I'll kneel with her. -Hold on.

Don't add to her troubles.

His Majesty said that the princess is to keep kneeling

until she admits to her wrongdoing.

You'll be courting death if you approach her.

But...

But what?

Why won't you admit your mistake?

-I didn't do anything wrong. -It doesn't matter who is right or wrong.

You are a princess.

As long as you give in and apologize to His Majesty,

this situation will be remedied.

You want me to go down on my knees and apologize to Siwan?

Sure.

Over my dead body!

Imperial Guard Fuca, you can go in now.

You sure are lucky.

You beat someone to death,

but His Majesty treated this matter so lightly.

Please be eased.

I will not stop at this.

You will pay a bitter price for all that you have done.

Prince Chaoyong.

Princess Siwan, what happened to Seventh Princess?

She had my maid caned to death.

What?

I said...

She had Dingxiang caned to death.

My lady, we should head back.

I want to see the princess.

What will you say when you see her?

Berate her for being merciless and vicious?

It is none of your business.

You are aware she killed someone.

Can you still say you love her?

If you can't, then don't go inside.

This is none of your business.

You can't answer me.

It's because you know that she is in the wrong this time.

She can change.

But what if she can't?

What if she will always be this ruthless and menacing?

What then?

Will you still be able to say you love her?

Fuk'anggan.

I can.

If I love someone,

she can commit murders and set fires,

or be the most wicked woman in the world,

and I will still be able to say I love her.

Even if she is reviled by all with nobody on her side,

I will always protect her.

Fuk'anggan, do you think that kind of love is normal?

If you love someone and she makes a mistake,

then your continual indulgence

will only encourage her down the wrong path!

What is right and what is wrong?

Who is to judge?

You?

You can't.

They can't.

Heaven can't either.

As long as I'm still alive,

I won't allow another to dictate my life.

As long as I believe that loving her is right,

then nobody can change my mind.

As for you...

Since you can choose who you love,

why don't you choose Princess Siwan?

She is so sweet-tempered and understanding.

As I see,

she will be the perfect princess consort.

Fuk'anggan, how dare you speak to me like that.

Are you so certain that I won't punish you?

Is Your Highness enraged because I spoke the truth?

Or because I love Seventh Princess?

Your Highness, I'm sure I don't need to tell you where we are.

Fuk'anggan, I'm warning you.

Stay away from Zhaohua or you will feel my wrath.

Lhawang Dorji.

You're not worthy of loving Zhaohua.

-Come, I'll take you to apologize. -I'm not in the wrong!

Your willfulness has landed you in trouble again.

Why won't you apologize?

Was I wrong to punish a maid?

You could've sent Dingxiang to the Department of Prudence.

Instead, you had her caned in public.

Your moment of indulgence not only doesn't solve anything,

but also makes others think you are unreasonable!

You're right. That's how I am.

-You're not. -I am!

No matter how gentle and pleasant I pretend to be in front of you,

I am still Zhaohua,

the spoiled and headstrong princess that everybody hates.

Lhawang Dorji.

Look at me.

I am not Siwan.

I will never be soft-spoken, gentle, or considerate of others.

Even if given another chance, I would still punish her in public!

Zhaohua, you said you would change.

That was so I could win you over.

You are so upstanding, selfless, and honorable.

You knew Siwan had designs on you and still spared her from humiliation.

You're always considerate of others, but I don't know how to!

I hate her.

I'll have her crash and burn.

Yes.

I am that wicked.

I am that hateful.

You must hate me.

Don't hold out any hope for me.

I will never change.

Never!

Your Majesty, it's time to eat.

She still won't admit her mistakes?

Everybody says Zhaohua isn't like Yingluo.

In my opinion,

if Zhaohua isn't like Yingluo,

then there is nobody else in the world like her.

Seventh Princess's obstinacy is exactly like Imperial Noble Consort's.

Yes.

Compared to Zhaohua,

Ninth Princess is more clever and cunning.

If she hadn't accompanied the Empress Dowager to Old Summer Palace,

there would still be hope to remedy this.

Your Majesty, Seventh Princess has been kneeling outside all day.

If she doesn't return to the palace,

I'm afraid Imperial Noble Consort will become suspicious.

She is my daughter.

If I spoil her and favor her too much,

it will harm her reputation.

Pass on my command.

Seventh Princess is to reflect on her mistakes in confinement.

Once she has thought it through, and is willing to admit her mistakes,

her confinement will be lifted.

Yes, Your Majesty.

It's getting windy.

Please take care, Your Highness.

What?

Got it.

Ms. Chisu, His Majesty has pardoned Seventh Princess!

Your Highness, His Majesty has pardoned you!

Come.

Forgive me, Your Highness.

I didn't mean to commit this offense.

Imperial Guard Fuca, the paths are dark and slippery.

Her Highness needs to return to Yanxi Palace.

Please escort us back.

All right.

My lady, Princess Zhaohua has returned.

She was just here to see you.

As you ordered, I told her you have already retired to bed.

-Then let's go. -It's already so late.

Where are you heading to?

To watch the show.

She caused such an uproar,

but Zhaohua was only punished to kneel for a day.

If you were her, would you be satisfied?

This is bad! The princess has taken her own life!

Impudence!

Imperial Noble Consort has arrived.

Where are your salutations?

My lady, please save her!

My lady has taken her own life!

Why would the princess suddenly go to such lengths?

My lady, you...

She is offered the best food and drink in the Forbidden City.

She is cared for by the Empress Dowager and Emperor.

How great was the injustice done to her for her to hang herself?

Isn't this

an outright accusation against His Majesty that she has been treated unkindly?

Where are you going?

You were just rushing out.

Are you going to tell the whole world?

Don't bother shouting.

Imperial Noble Consort is here.

Everybody is kneeling outside.

Your Highness, my lady's life is at stake!

Please save my lady first!

Life is so precious,

but she is wasting it.

In that case, I'll let her be a little longer.

My lady.

She'll really lose her life!

I'm begging you, please save my lady!

Madam, please!

Madam!

My lady.

Let her down.

My lady!

My lady!

My lady!

Are you all right?

Are you awake now?

Siwan.

I heard Zhaohua was insensitive and brought you to tears again.

That's why I came to visit you.