Original subtitles

Imperial examination fraud.

The Ministry of Rites is derelict.

It's all my fault.

I know you've been through a lot.

If you truly wish to repay me,

don't destroy yourself.

Do well on the exam.

I remember in Shazhou,

Your Majesty gave me a chance,

yet I turned it down.

I rejected your kindness.

Now I understand.

In this cruel, predatory world,

purity of principle can get you killed.

I am terrified

that one day

even you cannot shield me.

I still remember

how bold, vibrant and resourceful

you were back in Shazhou.

Your examination essays

blazed with unyielding edge,

driven by towering ambition.

Now that I stand beside you,

you need live in fear no longer.

I look forward to seeing you wield power,

serve the court,

and bring good fortune to the people.

You truly believe I am capable?

I believe in

the Meng Tinghui who

debated the realm with me in Shazhou.

May I still call you Hal?

[Fuzhi.]

[I must hold power,]

[not only to protect you,]

[but also to avenge myself.]

[But my own strength alone]

[is far too feeble.]

[If I wish to stay in Jingdu,]

[I must rely on]

[my connection with Hal]

[to get closer to him.]

[Yet a ruler's heart is unfathomable.]

[My future remains uncertain.]

[While recovering in the palace,]

[I shall prepare well for the Palace Exam.]

[Miss you.]

[Best Regards.]

Meng Tinghui and His Majesty

share such a deep history.

No wonder His Majesty ignored the ministers

and insisted she recover in the palace.

What are you jealous of?

Do you hope to win such a beauty?

You...

Nian.

Zhishu.

What are you two talking about?

Nian has fallen for someone.

Nonsense!

Why grow flustered if it is not true?

Nian has grown up.

Which young lady has caught your eye?

I will speak for you and ask

Father and Mother to arrange the proposal.

I stay cooped up in camp all day.

I have no maiden in mind.

But you, Zhili,

you've been in the palace for days,

Mother and I have missed you dearly.

Miss Meng has now recovered,

I'm relieved of my watch today.

Zhili.

His Majesty and Miss Meng

met in Shazhou,

and share a life‑and‑death bond.

That is why His Majesty

treats her with such special care.

I already know all of this.

What are you implying?

We grew up alongside His Majesty

since childhood, and he's always

been particularly close to you.

Now he has reached the age

to choose an Empress,

do you harbour

any other feelings for him?

You...

Shen Zhishu!

Why can you only think of romance?

Though not blood siblings, His Majesty

is closer than a real brother.

Just like Nian and me,

forever brother and sister.

Looks like I won't get to be

the emperor's brother‑in‑law.

Zhili,

you've worked hard these days.

I can head home early today

and make your favorite lotus‑leaf chicken.

No need.

I need to visit Mr. Gu.

I will return late.

Tell Mother for me.

I'm off.

I don't know

what's so great about that old scholar.

Prattling stuffy prose all day.

Only Zhili enjoys his lectures.

Hey,

you are free today.

It has been ages

since I tasted lotus-leaf chicken.

Let me try your cooking.

I have duties at the training grounds.

Eat on your own.

I'll get home tomorrow morning.

You two have passed the Metropolitan Exam.

I have prepared a gift

for each of you two.

May you succeed

in the Palace Exam.

Stationery from Shanlian Tower.

The brushes and ink are finest quality.

Thank you, sir.

Zhili.

A seal Mr. Gu

carved with his own hands?

Carving a seal

takes a great deal of time.

Did you finish it

before the Metropolitan Exam?

Weren't you afraid I might fail?

I believe in you.

You possess outstanding talent

and sharp insight.

The court needs wise people like you.

Thank you, sir.

I shall treasure it always.

Dear.

Greetings, Mrs. Gu.

My husband celebrates

his pupils' success today,

as his wife, I ought to come

offer my congratulations.

Zhili,

do you like this seal?

My husband toiled over it for days,

his eyes ached terribly.

I massaged them each day

to ease the strain.

This seal

is a small token

from us both.

Thank you for your kindness, Madam.

Dear, you must

take better care of yourself hereafter.

Else I shall get no rest either.

You truly are

a devoted couple.

We admire you greatly.

Someday

you will all build families too.

My husband teaches you knowledge,

while I will help you

weigh matters

of marriage.

Especially you, Zhili.

If there is someone you fancy,

you must tell me.

Thank you, Madam.

Alright,

I still have matters to attend to.

You may go now.

We take our leave, sir.

Usually at home,

you wouldn't even lift a teacup,

yet now you

carved a seal yourself.

Aren't you afraid of hurting your hands?

Look at you now.

Hardly the gentle maiden

you once were.

Are you saying I'm not

as young and beautiful as before?

You're the one who changed first.

Enough.

I have state affairs to handle.

Doukou, you see? He grows

ever more short-tempered with me.

Ladies.

Guess what this is?

This is the legendary

Pearl brightening face powder.

Beloved by all who lay eyes on it.

Pearl brightening face powder?

Miss Huarong,

last time you told me you wished to

fair and beautify your skin.

After we spoke,

I pondered day and night

and worked tirelessly

until I finally crafted

this exclusive powder just for you.

Apply it morning and night,

your face will surely become

smooth as cream, fair as jade,

soft to the touch

and admired by every soul you meet.

I want some too!

There's plenty for everyone.

One at a time.

No need to rush.

Everyone gets some.

Your post as imperial pharmacist

must be awfully idle,

always finding time to come here.

If others find out,

you'll be in for a good thrashing.

It's good that he's not busy.

Otherwise,

who'd make our balms and powders?

Exactly, that's right.

So lovely ladies,

you must

try my wares.

Now,

for our final

balm today.

Magnolia Balm.

Apply it all over your body each night,

and I promise when you wake up,

you'll still smell lovely,

and your skin will be radiant.

Only five taels.

It was three taels the other day.

Why jump straight to five?

Too costly?

Only for five taels,

you shall have beauty, fragrance

and joy each day.

Do you think

you're just buying Magnolia Balm?

No, no, no.

You are investing in your beauty.

Come closer.

I'll tell you a secret.

You know Miss Meng

staying inside the palace?

Even she is

a regular customer of my Magnolia Balm.

Otherwise,

how do you think she managed

to stay in the palace this long?

You know what I mean.

Hurry up and buy!

- I want some too! - Me too!

Plenty in stock for everyone.

Here you go.

Here.

Give it to me first.

Next time I will craft more

exclusive balms for all of you.

Great!

This powder smells so good!

Lovely!

It's great.

Greetings, fair lady,

you look unfamiliar.

I've got the legendary

Pearl brightening face powder

that everyone adores. Care for a jar?

Is Meng Tinghui really a regular of yours?

That is a little secret

between Miss Meng and me.

She regularly buys

my Pearl brightening face powder.

Even His Majesty uses it.

Miss Meng bought it for him.

She begged me for ages,

and I reluctantly

agreed to sell it to her.

Then give me the same

as what Meng Tinghui bought.

This is the last jar.

You're a smart lady,

willing to invest in your beauty.

Flat price.

Twenty taels.

You charged

those ladies a different price

just now.

Rarity drives the price.

This is the final jar.

Madam, the sooner you buy,

the sooner you shine,

and find your ideal match sooner too.

We look about the same age,

I'd rather not be called "Madam."

I didn't bring any silver with me.

Come with me to get it.

You know what.

Miss Meng always praises me.

I'll try it out at home.

Fairy lady,

it just occurred to me

I have urgent business.

We can settle payment later.

I must take my leave.

Miss Meng.

What are you doing here?

Miss Meng?

I'm off.

Sir,

I've caught a swindler,

selling cosmetics at inflated prices

to the palace ladies.

He's all yours.

No.

It's all a misunderstanding.

Miss Meng.

If anything in my bag

catches your eye,

you may take it.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

She's my friend.

Well, look who it is again.

Take him away. Five strokes.

It's a misunderstanding!

Really!

Captain Di,

do you need

Pearl brightening face powder?

Lifetime free supply, how about it?

Chancellor Xu, you profess

to honour me as your sovereign,

yet you act first, report later,

arbitrarily scrapping the Women's Exam.

Has the court turned into

your private domain?

Calm your wrath, Your Majesty.

I speak for the six ministries

and over a hundred officials.

This exam fraud scandal

has thrown Jingdu into chaos.

The Great Ning Code explicitly states

that the chief examiner holds the authority

to nullify the entire examination

in cases of major fraud.

I only follow the letter of the law.

What fine talk.

The Late Emperor granted you

that dragon‑head staff to aid my governance,

not to rule in my stead.

My conscience bears no guilt.

When Your Majesty was crown prince,

you studied The Emperor's Canon at eight,

and statecraft at twelve.

Every page

was taught by me.

Everything I do now

is for Your Majesty,

for the court

with not a trace of selfish intent.

I am fed up with your pretences

of acting in my best interest.

I sought to reform canal transport.

You called it reckless.

I sought to reorganize the imperial guards.

You called it radical.

Now you seek to forcibly scrap

the exam I reinstated.

Are all my decisions

wrong in your eyes?

Your Majesty.

When you were Crown Prince,

I taught you a ruler must

hold firm to his own judgment.

Now that you have grown resolute,

you grow weary of me.

You defend the Women's Exam so fiercely,

is it because you think

I am old and incompetent,

unfit to stand at your side?

What the Great Ning needs is never

merely a ruler who preserves old ways.

You should have stepped aside long ago.

It was because I once loosened my grip

that the women's exam descended into chaos.

Today I shall

play the part of a rebellious minister.

As long as this Dragon-head Staff

remains in my hands,

the women's imperial exam

must be abolished.

I concur.

It has been half a year since my enthronement.

The realm enjoys peace, and all things take on a new look.

I now restore the Women's Exam,

selecting people solely on merit.

Father, Mother,

Chancellor Xu has held power for years,

with all key posts filled by his protégés.

Though I have inherited the throne,

my edicts scarcely pass beyond the palace walls.

By overriding all dissent

to revive the Women's Exam,

I wield it as a blade

to break free from this predicament.

Everyone.

His Majesty is arriving at the library.

Please withdraw immediately.

Is it this copy of the Great Ning Code

that Your Majesty seeks?

Meng Tinghui, how dare you

to sneak into the royal library

and hide yourself here

while Steward dismissed everyone.

I've long heard that the library

holds countless works,

so I came to see for myself.

And no one stopped me,

so how is it "sneaking"?

Besides, I was reading in the corner

and didn't see Steward at all.

The women's exam has been abolished,

why are you still reading?

I presume Your Majesty

won't let it be abolished so easily.

I shall abide by your official decree

rather than Chancellor Xu's orders

and prepare earnestly.

Sharp‑tongued as ever.

Seems you've fully recovered.

That frail air you bore days ago

is long gone.

I was worn in body and spirit those days

and drank a little too much wine,

I misbehaved in your presence, that's true.

Yet the courage to stand beside Hal

through life and death

is also real.

I wonder which side of me

Your Majesty prefers to see?

Those selected in the imperial exam

must prove themselves worthy

in every respect.

I find Hal in Shazhou

far more interesting

than Your Majesty is now.

Do you know

that I hate being manipulated?

I come not to manipulate you,

but to ease your burdens.

This game of go

has reached a stalemate.

The two sides are evenly matched.

Are you wishing for me to lose?

In some contests,

to lose is to win.

Then you should know

that breaking a deadlock is what I do best.

That move

is brilliant.

Since Chancellor Xu likes to argue by the book

and pressure with the Great Ning Code,

the way to break this deadlock

is to meet him with the same courtesy.

He has announced to the realm

that the Women's Exam is canceled.

By now,

many examinees have likely left for home.

Meng Tinghui,

I want to see whether your way

of "arguing by the book"

can truly convince

Chancellor Xu.

I hold little influence

and have no connections in Jingdu.

Nor am I yet your official.

Chancellor Gu

can be utilised.

My Lord.

Madam asks you to join her for dinner.

I still have unfinished business.

Tell her to dine without me.

My Lord.

Madam cooked personally today

and prepared a full feast.

She has laboured all day.

Please, my lord, come join her.

Dear, you're here.

I prepared this entire feast

especially for you.

I never thought it would be

so difficult to get you here.

State affairs keep me occupied lately.

Even so, you must take care of yourself.

Don't sleep in your study tonight.

Now that the exam has been abolished,

there's a mountain of work.

You may retire for the night without me.

You drive yourself to exhaustion

all for Shen Zhili, is it not?

Truth be told, it was wise of you

to send her to the palace.

She and His Majesty

grew up together.

Spending each day together hereafter,

she may well become Empress before long.

Nonsense.

Romance between ruler and subject

means extermination of nine kin generations.

Do you wish to destroy the Shens?

Speak of this

no more.

I was merely

planning for your benefit.

Shen Zhili

is your most promising pupil.

If she ascends as Empress,

you'll soon rise to become

Great Ning's true foremost chancellor.

The emperor's marriage concerns the entire court.

You have no right to meddle.

How strange.

Every time Shen Zhili's name comes up,

you lose your composure.

She's different from you.

She holds ambitions,

aspiring to deliberate politics in court.

She would never be content to stay in the harem.

Do you look down on me

for lacking ambition?

What good are female officials?

They are mere sinecures.

Each one longs to resign

and wed a decent husband.

Will she never marry

just because she's a female official?

Besides, I propose she wed the Emperor.

What's there to object to?

His Majesty has his own plans.

Matters such as this are beyond our sway.

If you're so idle,

go to the theater.

Be careful, loose lips invite disaster.

What wine is this?

This is specially fortified tonic wine

to boost male virility.

Dear,

since you drank this wine,

stay here with me.

Look at him.

He has forgotten

where he came from.

Always giving me the cold shoulder.

My lady,

please calm down.

Pour the wine away.

Yes.

Ever since Chancellor Xu forced through

the cancellation of the Women's Exam,

the threshold of my mansion

has been worn down by examinees.

I've been refusing all guests.

I only came because it was you

who invited me.

I know you face a dilemma.

Today I've brought someone

who may help ease your burden.

You are?

I'm Meng Tinghui.

Greetings, sir.

Zhili.

I know you have been

attending to her inside the palace.

You brought her here

to discuss the Women's Exam, I presume.

Exactly.

Your Excellency,

I have studied

the Code of the Great Ning for days

and devised a plan

to overturn Chancellor Xu's

memorial to abolish the women's exam.

But this requires your support...

Reckless talk.

Zhili.

I know you brought her

hoping to reinstate the exam,

but I'm afraid I cannot help you.

Sir.

I heard from my father

that you never signed

Chancellor Xu's decree.

Since he's already made his decision,

whether I sign or not

won't change the outcome.

I have, however, made arrangements for you.

Scholar Liu of the Imperial Academy

is an old friend,

you may study directly under him.

Sir.

I took the imperial exam

not to remain in court

relying on my lineage and your patronage.

The exam's been suspended for 9 years.

If it is abolished now,

it may never be restored.

Women across the realm

will see no path forward,

trapped within household walls forever.

If we can stop Chancellor Xu now,

I am willing to do all I can.

I ask for your support, sir.

This does not sound like you.

Meng Tinghui,

The abolition of the exam

stems from you.

Even His Majesty couldn't stop it.

What can we do?

First you entered the palace and stirred gossip,

then you urged Zhili to submit a plea.

If all women follow your lead,

seeking fame, clinging to power,

what would become of the court?

What makes you think

I would help you

oppose Chancellor Xu?

In this court,

the only one who can stand against him

is you, sir.

But the Men's Exam

is controlled by Chancellor Xu,

even with your distinguished record,

you're overshadowed.

But if you

champion the women of the realm,

then the female officials

will be your loyal followers.

Sir,

please hear my plan first

before you decide.

Sir, calm down.

Let's hear what Miss Meng has to say.

The Great Ning Code's Recommendation System

states: To ensure a student's

moral and academic standing, fellow townsmen

may recommend and vouch for one another.

If we can gather letters of recommendation

from women's academies across the prefectures,

with a joint petition, requesting

the restoration of the Women's Exam,

we can create an unstoppable wave of public opinion.

At that point,

even Chancellor Xu may oppose His Majesty,

he cannot ignore public opinion.

You've already planned this out.

Why come to me?

I can manage the petition,

but the letters of recommendation...

I'm just a commoner,

I can't possibly get them myself.

But if you

pledge to champion the scholars,

hundreds will answer your call.

Sir,

this is a letter from my father himself,

confirming this plan is viable.

It has already been five days.

Miss Meng said she would

bring the recommendation letters

and come back to us.

But so far,

not a word.

We may be waiting in vain.

The court has already proclaimed

the Women's Exam abolished.

If we keep waiting,

it'll be for nothing.

We studied for years

and finally passed the Provincial Exam.

Now the court cancels the exam

just like that.

Are we women

destined to never sit for it?

Wonderful news!

I've got the letters!

Chancellor Gu used extra school lands

to fund academies

and win the letters of recommendation

for us.

Restoring the exam is within reach!

Wonderful!

Hope at last!

Let us sign

the joint petition now,

take these recommendation letters,

and go to Chancellor Xu's manor

to plead for the reinstatement of the exam.

Yes! Yes!

I'm in!

I'm coming too!

We want to take the exam!

We want to see Chancellor Xu!

We want to take the exam!

We want to see Chancellor Xu!

How dare you!

Gathering and causing trouble here!

Drive them all away!

Yes, sir!

We're only petitioning,

what crime have we committed?

What right do you have to drive us away?

Everyone, don't be afraid!

Anyone who harms Presented Candidates without cause

shall receive twenty strokes and one year of labour.

We will not leave!

Chancellor Xu arrives.

We're not leaving!

Your Excellency, on behalf of

female scholars from seven prefectures

and nineteen counties of Great Ning,

we bring letters of recommendation

and a joint petition

to submit our request.

Meng Tinghui.

You made the exam scandal

the talk of the city.

Now you've incited these scholars

to besiege my mansion.

You show utter disregard for the law.

It seems

the Women's Exam

was rightly suspended.

Examination fraud has existed since ancient times.

The guilty alone should bear punishment.

Why punish the futures of all women for it?

I dare to ask,

is this for the lasting stability

of the realm,

or is it merely

your personal agenda?

Insolent!

Since the late emperor

permitted women to serve in office,

almost no one has served to the end.

They either resign halfway

to raise families,

or prove incapable.

So the exam has remained suspended.

You, a common woman, reside in the harem,

do you truly seek official post,

or do you only aim to

win His Majesty's favor?

I am willing to stake everything today

to prove my conviction.

I swear this oath

in blood.

If I fail the Palace Examination,

I shall submit to the pleasure house.

I only ask you, sir,

will you reinstate the exam,

and grant justice to all women of the realm?

Very well.

If any others among you

dare swear this same oath,

then I will believe

you truly seek to take the exam.

Why drag others into this?

As I see it,

you women scholars

are all

sound and fury.

You think highly of yourselves,

but at the critical moment,

you shrink away.

How can you bear great responsibility?

When I left my hometown,

I swore

I would return in glory,

or

die trying.

I will

sign it too.

Miss Meng.

I...

Miss Shen,

you come from a noble house,

too much is at stake.

No, I...

I faint at the sight of blood.

You can use this red rouge.

Zhili hails from a renowned clan.

Her family holds great prestige.

Yet she still strives

for all women,

I shall stand with her to the end.

Today we stake everything.

We must not let the world look down on us.

Right.

We cannot let them belittle us.

Yeah.

I will sign it too.

Me too.

And me.

Count me in!

And me.

I'm in.

And me.

Me too.

This is the irresistible tide,

the will of the people.

Women's academies and their students

have spoken clearly.

Please give us

the chance

to realize our ambitions.

Please give us

the chance

to realize our ambitions.

Fine.

I shall wait and see.

Should any trouble arise,

don't blame me for being harsh.

Yes!

Great!

Wonderful!

You oversee people each day amid state affairs,

but have you ever seen the capital from up here?

Had you not invited me today,

though I grew up within these palace walls,

I never knew such a place existed.

Back in Shazhou, Your Majesty said

freedom was nothing but a distant wish.

Now that I know your true identity,

your name "Gua"

comes to mean something

to me now.

As an emperor,

true freedom can never be yours.

My son,

do you know why emperors call themselves "Gua"?

The Book of Documents says:

"When the sovereign is virtuous,"

"all lands remain in order."

So the emperor's "Gua"

is not about loneliness or isolation,

but a great responsibility for the realm

that only you can bear.

Father, please take care.

I...

I'm afraid.

Afraid of what?

Tell me.

Afraid that when I sit on that throne,

I won't be able to bear the weight of it.

Afraid of disappointing

you and Mother.

And afraid that

in this vast palace,

no one will care for me

the way you both do.

Lift your head.

An Emperor may shed blood,

may even lose his head,

but he must never show weakness.

My son,

remember,

the Emperor's solitude

demands you cast aside private affections

to uphold the greater good of all under heaven.

Shazhou's wine.

I specially prepared it for you.

Since my father's admonition,

I haven't dared to slacken even a moment.

I haven't touched a drop

of wine since then.

I think

the late emperor named you "Gua"

not to doom you to solitude,

but because you were his only heir.

An emperor's hardships,

burdens,

solitude,

who else but Your Majesty

is worthy to bear them?

You're right.

Perhaps that was my father's

deepest expectation for me.

Then I shall break this vow today.

I have never done this before.

Drinking wine atop the imperial city wall

at this hour.

To watch Your Majesty drink

atop the imperial ramparts

is also a first for me.

You are the first person

for whom I willingly break my vow.

Some things

cannot be solved

overnight.

Yet drink while the wine lasts,

seize the joy of the moment.

I have not felt so lighthearted in ages.

It seems whenever I am with you,

I can briefly set aside

all those troubles.

Your Majesty,

now that my wounds have healed,

it's time I left the palace.

You want to leave?

If I stay,

even if I pass the Palace Exam,

people will surely gossip.

They'll say Your Majesty played favorites.

Do you need that?

I will succeed, no matter what comes.

That confident?

May I ask

have you decided

the top three in the Palace Exam?

You haven't even taken the exam yet,

and you're already meddling in court affairs?

If one must hold office

to speak of policy,

then how did the wise rulers of old

earn their reputation

for heeding counsel?

The Surveillance Bureau holds a special mandate.

It must be held by the capable.

I wish to ease Your Majesty's burdens.

It's a confidential matter,

not yet announced.

How did you learn of it?

Passing through the imperial garden,

I overheard Lord Shen

discussing it with you.

Isn't the revival of the Women's Exam

meant to break the shackles of the court?

If I am fortunate enough

to claim first place,

I will be the blade in your hand.

Meng Tinghui.

Do you truly think

I will always indulge

your overstepping?

Mark this:

where the blade strikes is always

decided by the one who wields it.

Dear sister,

tell me,

at the gate of the Xu Manor today,

was Chancellor Xu so furious

his whiskers bristled?

We acted in accordance with the law.

But you

talk about it like it's a circus show.

Chancellor Xu

rarely makes a fool of himself.

I need the details.

And you were right there.

- Give me the details. - Zhishu.

I just recalled

that unfinished game of go

we left in the study.

We may play the game later.

Come on.

I want to play it now.

- Let's go, Zhishu. - Wait.

Bye, Zhili.

Did he bristle with anger?

Zhili.

Take your rest.

Ginger.

Three slices.

Three red dates.

Three grains of brown sugar.

Zhili.

Come in.

Zhili.

Are you feeling better?

I'm fine.

Um...

I heard from the maid

that this time of year,

you need something warm for the body.

Careful, it's hot.

How is it?

Quite sweet.

Thank you, Nian.

Good night, Zhili.

I'll take my leave.