Original subtitles

Your Majesty

- I've got it! - What?

I just came up with an idea

with cold sweat from the shock you just gave me

Drink it

Your Majesty?

Please spare me, Your Majesty! Please spare my life

Your Majesty!

Mother-in-law, come on… Please stand up

You shall go out first

Help, Madame!

Your Majesty, please forgive him. I'm begging you

Your Majesty, I'm your mother-in-law. Please do me a favor

- and spare his life! - Fine… Please sit down

Madame Guantao

don't worry. I promise you Dong Yan will be fine

So, Your Majesty, you even know his name

Madame Guantao

It's chilly at night

Please take care of yourself

Yi

Yes, Your Majesty

- Go and tell them not to hurt Dong Yan. - Understood

How dare you have the audacity to seduce His Majesty's mother-in-law!

Do you want to die?

Please spare me, Your Excellency

I didn't seduce Madame Guantao

She's just been clinging to me without letting me go

Please look into it, Your Excellency

If you don't want to suffer

just confess everything happening between you and Madame Guantao

If you tell a single lie, I won't spare you

Ever since the death of Mr. Chen

you've been living solitarily in this lonely and bleak abode

I know your pain and suffering

But this is really a big mess

Rumors are going viral inside and outside the imperial palace

Some officers even submitted memorials to me

saying this was a matter of imperial decency

Madame Guantao, if I still stay out of this

how am I supposed to discipline the people?

I'm not in their way! Why are they pointing the finger at me?

It's not that His Majesty insists on taking you to task

It's that you've really gone too far

Nowadays, people dislike the poor and hate the rich

Since you've won both wealth and beauty, people envy you the most

Please spare me, Your Excellency… I dare not do it ever again

Get his fingerprints on the confession

- Dong Yan. - Yes, Your Excellency

I just heard your confession

It's not completely your fault

You're such an insightful officer!

However, Madame Guantao is the Grand Princess

She's a member of the imperial family

while you are no more than a commoner

Who else do you think can be this scapegoat other than you?

Your Excellency, I'm really innocent

Innocent?

Sometimes innocent people are wrongly executed in the yamen

But at least, I should stop the rumors, right?

Your Majesty, are you really not letting us go?

- I won't let you go unless… - Unless what?

Unless I step forward to get you engaged to each other

making Dong Yan your husband

and making you two a legitimate couple

Couple?

If not, you will commit a capital crime of deceiving the Emperor

And His Majesty will sentence your whole clan to death!

Madame Guantao is over 20 years older than me

Over 20 years older than you?

That's brilliant! Come on, stand up

It's your blessing to have an older wife

who can take good care of you

Just think about it. Marrying her, you'll have a mother-like wife

And you will be her son-like husband

You will be fed, be tucked in

You can be a child forever

If I were you

I'd laugh even in my dream!

Kneel

You don't need to thank me

You are my aunt and my mother-in-law

Your business is my business

Your well-being is my well-being

So, I won't leave you behind

at any time

Your Majesty…

Alright, don't cry

In a few days, I will make an announcement to the world

Whether the Empress can bear a son for me or not

she will always be my Empress

Your Majesty… I'd like to thank you for your grace on behalf of the Empress

Please rise, Madame Guantao

However

I have a temper, too

I hate being threatened!

For example, Dou Wangsun and his clan

used to be imperial family members and high-ranking officers

But they were so bold

to utilize the Grand Empress Dowager's force to threaten me

And what happened next?

Even if I didn't get them, the devil would take them

This would happen no matter what!

I see, Your Majesty

Tell Madame Guantao

Since she has a skeleton in the closet, she should behave herself

Do not go out to pick on people here and there

If something goes wrong, she might get herself killed

instead of getting others into trouble

That will be too late to regret or mend

You shall keep my words engraved in your mind!

You can offend anyone but the Emperor

If you offend His Majesty

maybe one day your house will catch fire

with the two of you burned to death inside

Your bodies will turn to dust and ashes!

I dare not do that. I'm one of the law-abiding people ruled by His Majesty

You let me go there, but what can I say over there?

I… You can just go and get that back

Who else can do it other than you? You are a man!

A-add some more!

What?

As a grown man, why don't you go gather hogweed?

You ask me to do it every day

Don't you think it's a shame?

Windswept and sunburned

I look like a 60-year-old woman!

I-I'm just in my thirties!

Just add as I said!

How dare you talk back to me? I'll beat you up!

Can you live a single day without beating me?

Come on! Just hit me! You'd better beat me to death today

Come on… Do it

You bold peasant, kneel before His Majesty

Sister

Why hasn't she come yet?

Mother, relax. His Majesty will bring her here soon

Mother!

Mother!

You are my mother…

My girl…

- My poor daughter! - Mother

Now, the mother and the daughter finally met

But what should they do after this reunion?

Let her go back

to continue to live with that butcher?

No way. Her Highness won't agree

But to keep her family in the imperial palace

there needs to be a proper reason

The Empress Dowager's daughter, the Grand Princess. This is the reason

Good gracious, Mr. Yang!

If she stays in the imperial palace as the Empress Dowager's daughter

doesn't that indicate Her Highness used to…

Oh my goodness!

Mr. Dongfang, please help me!

No, you should help His Majesty figure out a perfect solution

Otherwise, His Majesty will scold me for my incapability again

Mr. Dongfang, I've brought Yi Sheng and Jin Buhuan here

What a huge yard!

Uncle, they have so many rooms and chambers

Why don't they raise more pigs?

Don't talk nonsense

This is not a yard, but the yamen

where pigs are allowed to be raised

What a waste of such a spacious yard!

Sirs, this is Mr. Dongfang

It's okay. Please stand up, sirs

My girl, what have you been through all these years?

- Tell me. - Mother…

My dad was killed in a fire when I was seven

Someone took me out of the fire

and sent me to my uncle living in the mountains

- He brought me up. - Uncle?

- You have an uncle? - I do

- What's his name? - Yi Sheng

Yi Sheng? Where is he?

Dongfang Shuo has sent someone to look for them

I guess they are waiting outside

- Tell Yi Sheng to come in and meet me. - Yes, Your Highness

Do you have any other kinsfolk out there besides your uncle?

As Uncle Sheng said, I have an elder uncle who's a high-ranking officer

while I've never seen him before

Mother, he's here

Greetings! Greetings!

- Help your uncle up. - Understood

Uncle, Her Highness wants you to stand up

Uncle, this is your older sister, the incumbent Empress Dowager

You… So you are my older sister I've never seen before?

Are you Yi Sheng?

- Yes, I am Yi Sheng! - Then is Wang Xiu your older brother?

Yes

I'm your half-brother

We have the same mother, but not the same father

After your father divorced our mother

she married someone else and gave birth to me

That was so many years ago

And later, you entered the imperial palace, and we were out of touch

Mother told me about you before she died. That's why I know you

No matter how far apart

or how distinct we are, we are still family

Uncle, thank you for raising my sister all these years

I will thank you properly

Sister, this gentleman must be your son

He is the incumbent Emperor

We must kowtow to the Emperor!

I'm kowtowing to you, Your Majesty

Your Majesty, I'm kowtowing to you

Uncle, please just stand up

Sir, I just don't understand

why I'm left here alone with them all going inside?

Don't worry. They will let you in when it's time

- Hello, Mr. Dongfang. - Hello, Mr. Wang

- Where are the Empress Dowager and His Majesty? - They're both inside

Who is that man? He's so pretentious

He didn't even say hello to me!

That man is your wife's eldest uncle, a high-ranking official

Brother!

Greetings, Your Highness, Your Majesty

Wang Xiu

Yes, Your Highness

Do you know we have a half-brother?

I know, Your Highness

Then why didn't you tell me about him?

Please let me explain, Your Highness

Not until a few years ago did I know

we had a half-brother called Yi Sheng

But I was afraid that if they knew the Empress Dowagers was their sister

they would talk nonsense out there

and cause trouble for you and His Majesty, so… So I…

Mother, Uncle Xiu's concern is justified

Please don't blame him

- You may rise. - Thank you, Your Highness, Your Majesty

Poor Yi Sheng brought up my daughter

and he has never lived a good day

When I think about this, my heart aches

I've heard that

there are so many people to feed in the imperial palace

You could buy the vegetables I grow if you want

- I'll send you many nice vegetables every day. - And the pork!

I'll let my dumb husband deliver it to you every day

So he won't beat me up when nobody buys our pork

My girl…

I won't let you go back to grow vegetables or butcher pigs

I'm going to keep you two in the imperial palace

and make up for what I've owed you

Why don't you let me in?

Why are you leaving me outside alone?

Was I born out of wedlock or brought up by the maidservant?

Who is shouting out there?

Maybe it's sister's husband

- Call him in. - Yes, Your Highness

Let me do it. What a nasty man!

Come in!

This is my mom. Go and kowtow to her!

Mother-in-law, I'm kowtowing to you

Alright… Just get up

This is my brother, the Emperor. Kowtow to him, too!

Your Majesty, I'm kowtowing to you

Rise

You don't need to do it so hard. Don't break your forehead

Man, this is my sister, the Grand Princess. Kowtow to her

Screw it

No brothers-in-law

will kowtow to their sisters-in-law!

The Empress is here!

Remember, you can't say a single word about this!

Greetings, Your Majesty, Mother

Rise, Empress

Sister Pingyang

why are there so many guests today? So lively

Why don't you introduce them to me?

Greetings, Your Highness, Your Majesty

- Rise, Dongfang Shuo. - Thank you, Your Highness

Your Highness, Your Majesty

I heard that

the Empress Dowager has found her long-lost brother and niece

who are also the Emperor's uncle and cousin

So I'm here to congratulate you, Your Highness, Your Majesty

Empress, yes, this is the Empress Dowager's niece

our eldest cousin

Yes, she is my cousin

as well as yours

- Sir, I guess you are the Empress Dowager's younger cousin, right? - Yes…

Hello, I'm Dongfang Shuo

Cousin, this is my Empress. Greet her

Are you really our cousin instead of something else?

Your Highness, your cousin and her husband

are unsophisticated peasants who know little about etiquette

Please forgive them, Your Highness

Where am I?

The Pingyang Mansion, of course

Why do I feel this place is less and less like the Pingyang Mansion

and more like your home, Dongfang Shuo?

Empress, please sit down

Forget about it. There doesn't seem to be a seat for me here

I'd better just return to my palace

and prepare to welcome these relatives

Your Highness, Your Majesty, I'll take my leave

My girl, come over here

You were raised by your uncle

From now on, just recognize your Uncle Sheng as your father

From today on, this girl will be known as my niece

and His Majesty's eldest cousin. Don't spoil this unified statement

Your Highness, Your Majesty, I think this "cousin" should be given a title

Alright, I will give my cousin the title of Lady of Xiuzhu

and select a site for her mansion

Good. Ask the Imperial Domestic Chief to allocate a budget

and make Dongfang Shuo the supervisor of the Xiuzhu Mansion's construction

- Select an auspicious date to start construction

Lian'er

Where's Miss Luo?

Madam Luo said you wanted to ask her for advice

and she asked me to take you to somewhere else to meet

- OK. Then please lead the way. - This way, sir

Come in, please

Just come in!

Sir, hurry

Sir, do you wanna listen to music or drink with our girls?

No, I'm just looking for someone here

Who are you looking for? Hey! Who are you looking for?

The man and the woman who just came in

Are you with them?

Nope… Yes, I am with them

They are upstairs. I'll take you there. Sir, follow me

Oh, hello, sir!

This way, please

This way

They're right next door. You can hear

everything they say over there

Dear, come in, please!

- Come in. Come over here. - Have fun!

Hello, sir

I thought you wouldn't agree to meet me again

I do feel ashamed

You didn't attend our wedding banquet

Jing Kui can't let it go

My heart is fragile

My… I can't bear it

I… You marrying him is what I can't handle…

Dongfang Shuo, stop saying something like this

Living in this world, we have a lot to lose

Yes, Luo… Mrs. Jing

Wait… I beg you

Please let me go. I just want to hear what's going on next door

That's not fun… It's better to enjoy it yourself than listen to others

Here comes the wine

Come on, have fun while you eat

No, I can't drink today

Sir, no one will say no to wine here

Flowers create the vibe; wine adds to the fun

Drink! You must drink!

Dear, do you want to drink it yourself or should I feed you?

No… I-I can't drink this

Don't be shy. Come on, just drink it

Actually, Jing Kui once told me

he had been a chivalrous hero all his life and even scoffed at the Emperor

But he felt sorry for you the most

Let's not talk about it

Indeed, Mr. Jing is a famous hero

highly respected by the people

Madam

I'm here today because I've come across a thorny case

So I've come to ask for your advice

You're a descendant of a great general at the imperial court

You've taught me a lot about how to serve an emperor

And you've seen more than many men

Don't flatter me. Just tell me what it is

To be the Prime Minister

The Nv'er Hong Spirit is so good!

I look up and see clearly

This woman has got my heart

She twisted you and pinched you

She's trying to kill me

Madam

Greetings, Madams

Who are you?

Madam, I'm the brothel keeper of the Hidden Haven

Mr. Qiu, Qiu Hu from your house visited our place today

What? You mean Qiu Hu went to the Hidden Haven?

Yes! Mr. Qiu came

booked a room, got a girl, and drank wine

But in the end, he said he'd forgotten to bring his money and wanted credit

- Madams, we're just doing business… - Shut up!

Listen, Dongfang Shuo

Do not ever think of being the Prime Minister

I'm not capable of that?

Trust me

If His Majesty really appoints you as Prime Minister

It only means he won't think highly of you anymore

In other words

if I, Dongfang Shuo, become Prime Minister

I'll have to hide my edge

and serve His Majesty without personal ideas

Mr. Dongfang, don't always claim to be No.1 in the world

His Majesty is not dumber than you

In many cases, he's even smarter than you

So for your own safety, you must not become Prime Minister

Madam, Master Qiu Hu is back

I wanna die…

- You bastard! How dare you come back? - Sister!

I've been wronged! I mean seriously!

You've been wronged? You rolled in the toilet

Then you came back and said you didn't stink!

I didn't want to enter that place

I went in with Dongfang Shuo

I followed him in. I wanted to get him!

Dongfang Shuo?

Darling, why are you calling me?

Brother, why are you kneeling again?

You bullied Lüyu again, didn't you?

Dongfang Shuo, tell me honestly where you were today

- I went to the outskirts of the city. - He's lying!

He didn't go outside the city!

I saw him going to the Hidden Haven with a prostitute!

Brother… You can't talk nonsense and slander a good man

Would I possibly go to a place like that?

Dongfang Shuo, my brother said he saw you going in there with his own eyes

How dare you still excuse yourself?

Honey… Hold on!

That's not right! Qiu Gu, just think about it

It's said thieves are caught in looting; adulterers are caught in pairs

Brother Qiu Hu saw me entering the Hidden Haven with his own eyes

but why didn't he go in with me

and catch me on the spot?

I did try to catch you on the spot!

But as soon as I entered the door

that young woman got me

Is that how you make up stories?

Just listen to the story he cooked up!

Then tell me what you did today

In the side room in our backyard

the cat knocked off several tiles, right? It's been leaking for a while

Didn't you ask me to fix it, too?

I happened to be free today

So I went to the tile kiln outside the city to buy some tiles

He's lying. He didn't leave the city!

He just went to the Hidden Haven with that prostitute!

Madam, a tile deliverer is waiting at the door for Master Dongfang to pay

Let him in

Mr. Man, come in please

This is our master and madam

Greetings, Master and Madam

Where do you live?

Did he pick up the tiles at your place today?

Yes, exactly! I live in Huangye Village, south of the city

We've been tile-makers for four generations

This gentleman visited several kilns at our place

He finally chose my tiles

- Laifu. - Yes, Madam

Take him to unload the tiles and give him the money

Yes, Madam

- Mr. Man, thank you for your hard work. - You're welcome

- Thank you… - You're welcome…

Mr. Man, come with me

Darling. Lüyu?

- How dare you go to a brothel? - Sis!

- How dare you drink wine with the girl? - Sis…

- I'll beat you to death today, you bastard! - Dongfang Shuo!

Send my decree. Summon Dou Wangsun to the imperial palace

Summon Dou Wangsun to the imperial palace!

Greetings, Auntie

Dou Wangsun

You must help Prince Liang succeed to the throne

Prince Liang…

Grandmother, I'm here

My grandson

Prince Liang! You've finally become the Emperor!

Good

Like a dragon and a pig? That's all bullshit!

Prince Liang, why don't you say something? Why don't you answer me?

Did you forget about Grandma after you became the Emperor?

I heard your footsteps

Very light… And also very fast

Boy… Prince Liang, did you run into any trouble?

Tell Grandma!

Grandma's here

Nothing will happen

Come on… Come to Grandma

Come here. Come to me

Grandma, it's me

I'm A'jiao

I haven't had any visitors here for a long time

Empress, I wonder

why you are here today to see me, a dying woman

Grandma, I'm here today to ask you something

Did you know that the Empress Dowager was married before she entered

the imperial palace?

Liu Qi! My stupid son! Open your eyes and see!

Your favorite concubine, Beauty Wang

had been pregnant for 14 months

and gave birth to a boy for that man like a dragon and a pig!

Help me up…

You, come and help me up. Help me up

Servants! Servants!

Servants! Somebody!

Grandmother?

Your Grace!

Help! Somebody!

Where are the servants?

The Grand Empress Dowager just passed away

Bravo!

Wang Xiu!

Yes. But sister

I'm genuinely happy for you

The Grand Empress Dowager's death

still saddens me

We're all women, widows

You men don't know what it's like to be a widow

Sister! Your Highness! You won't have to suffer anymore!

You have made it!

Yes, I have made it

I've made it

Your Highness, the Grand Empress Dowager is dead

Have you thought about hosting the state funeral?

What did you say? Hosting the state funeral?

Sister, it's a custom for the Prime Minister to host a state funeral

But we don't have a Prime Minister currently

The one who hosts it will be a candidate for Prime Minister, of course!

Greetings, Your Majesty

Rise

Your Majesty, why did you call me to the imperial palace so late at night?

The Grand Empress Dowager has passed away

According to the rules, we must hold a state funeral for Her Grace

But the Empress Dowager just sent a message to me

asking me to let Wang Xiu take the lead

and host the funeral ceremony for the Grand Empress Dowager

Your Majesty, this is supposed to be the Prime Minister's job

But the post of Prime Minister is now vacant

So it's self-evident that the person who hosts this state funeral

will be the candidate for future Prime Minister

That's why I summoned you here to discuss this matter in the dead of night

Your Majesty, I think

at this moment

you should appoint Gongsun Hong to host it

So the other officers will know what you are thinking

and follow your instructions in the future

Yes, but the Empress Dowager has given an order

It's inappropriate to go against it aboveboard

Your Majesty, do you remember the fight between Zhang Tang and Dou Yong?

You mean

I should also let Wang Xiu and Gongsun Hong fight for this post?

That's the only way out, Your Majesty