Original subtitles

The Scholar and the Emperor

Exam fraud and Ministry negligence.

That was my fault.

I caused you pain.

To repay me, stop ruining your health.

Focus on the exam.

Back in Shazhou,

Your Majesty offered me a chance, but I rejected your kindness.

Now I understand.

I'm afraid one day…

pride can get you killed.

I'm terrified.

I'm afraid one day,

even you may fail to protect me.

I remember the Meng Tinghui of Shazhou.

Bold, brilliant, and full of promise.

Your top-ranked policy essay was just as sharp and ambitious.

Now that I'm beside you,

you needn't be afraid.

I still expect you to wield power, serve the court, and help the people.

Do you truly believe I can?

I do.

You're the Meng Tinghui who debated the realm with me.

May I still call you He Du?

Fu Zhi, I must gain power.

I want to protect you and avenge myself.

I can't do it alone.

To stay in the capital, I must use my bond with He Du to draw closer to the Emperor.

But an emperor's heart is unknowable, and my future remains uncertain.

While I recover in the palace, I'll study for the palace exam.

I miss you.

Don't worry.

Top Scholar Meng and His Majesty share such a history.

No wonder he defied the ministers to bring her here.

What are you so envious of?

Want a beauty too?

You…

A-Nian. Brother.

What's this about?

-A-Nian likes someone! -That's a lie!

Then why are you so flustered?

Our A-Nian's all grown up.

Which girl is it?

I'll speak for you.

I'll have our parents ask.

I'm at the barracks all day.

How could I like anyone?

But you, Sister, have been in the palace for days.

Mother and I were worried sick.

Miss Meng has fully recovered.

I needn't stay there today.

Zhili.

His Majesty met her in Shazhou, where they faced death together.

That's why he treats her specially.

I know all that.

What do you mean?

We grew up with His Majesty.

He's always favored you.

He's old enough to take an empress.

Don't you feel anything else for him?

You…

Shen Zhishu!

Why only think of romance?

His Majesty and I aren't siblings…

but as close as family.

We'll always be siblings.

Looks like I won't become the Emperor's brother-in-law.

Sister.

You've had a hard few days.

I can leave early and make your lotus-leaf chicken.

No need.

I must see my teacher, so I'll be home late.

Tell Mother for me.

I'm off.

What's so great about that old scholar?

Always so bookish.

Only Zhili likes it.

You're free today, aren't you?

I haven't had it in ages.

Let me taste your cooking.

I have drill-yard duties.

Eat without me.

Back at dawn.

You both passed the metropolitan exam.

I prepared a gift for you and wish you success in the palace exam.

Shanlian House's Four Treasures.

These Hu brushes and Hui ink are superb.

Thank you.

Zhili.

Teacher carved this seal for Zhili.

Seal carving takes a great deal of time.

Did you make it before the exam?

Weren't you afraid I'd fail?

I trusted you.

You're gifted and perceptive.

The court needs minds like yours.

Thank you, Teacher.

I'll treasure it.

Husband.

My respects.

My husband is honoring his students.

As their teacher's wife, I came to see everyone and offer congratulations.

Zhili, do you like the seal?

He spent days working on it.

His eyes hurt terribly.

I massaged them daily to ease the pain.

This seal is a small gift from both of us.

Thank you, Madam.

Husband, you must take better care of yourself.

Otherwise, I get no rest either.

Teacher and Madam are so devoted.

We're truly envious.

One day, you'll all marry too.

He guides your studies.

As for your marriages, I'll help you choose wisely.

Especially you, Zhili.

If you find someone you like, you must tell me.

Thank you, Madam.

All right.

I still have work.

You may leave.

We'll take our leave.

At home, you won't even lift a teacup.

Yet today you carved a seal yourself.

Mind your hand.

Look at yourself.

Where is the refined lady I married?

So I'm no longer young and beautiful?

-You're the one who changed. -Enough.

I have work.

Doukou, look at him now.

He's so impatient with me.

Ladies, guess what this is.

The legendary powder that makes everyone adore you: pearl whitening powder.

Pearl whitening powder?

Sister Huarong, you said you wanted fairer skin.

Since then, I've thought day and night, working tirelessly without rest,

until I finally created a custom balm just for you.

Apply it morning and night.

Your skin will be smooth as cream, delicate, flawless, and radiant.

Everyone will adore you.

I want some too!

Enough for everyone!

One at a time. You'll all get some.

Yes, everyone!

Pharmacist Yin has it easy.

You're always here.

If anyone catches you, you'll get a sound beating.

It's good he's free.

Otherwise, who'd make our creams and powders?

-Exactly. -Right.

So, my lovely ladies, be sure to choose plenty.

And now, our final product today: Magnolia body balm.

Apply all over.

You'll wake up smelling wonderful, with radiant skin. Only…

Five silver taels.

It was three.

Why is it five now?

Expensive?

Five taels to make you beautiful and fragrant, and brighten every day.

Are you buying magnolia balm?

No.

You're fighting for beauty!

Come here.

Here's a secret.

You know Top Scholar Meng, who's been staying in the palace?

Even she is a regular customer.

Otherwise, how do you think she's stayed in the palace so long?

Those who know, know.

Come on, buy some.

-I want one too! -Me too!

Yes, there's enough!

Here, here.

This one's yours.

Mine! Give it here!

Next time, I'll make custom balms just for you.

-Great! -Great!

This powder smells wonderful.

It really does.

Come on. It's good.

My lovely lady, you look new here.

I have pearl whitening powder that makes everyone adore you.

Care for a jar?

Is Top Scholar Meng truly a customer?

That's our little secret.

My pearl powder?

Top Scholar Meng uses it, and so does His Majesty.

She bought it for him.

She begged me for ages before I reluctantly agreed to sell it.

Give me what she bought.

This is the last jar.

You're a clever lady, willing to invest in your beauty.

Final price: 20 taels.

That isn't what you charged those other ladies.

Rare goods cost more.

It's the last jar.

Buy early, enjoy it early, and become beautiful sooner.

You may find your perfect husband sooner.

We're about the same age.

Don't call me 'Sister.'

I brought no money.

Come get it.

Top Scholar Meng always praises me.

I'll try it at home.

My lady!

I just remembered something urgent.

We'll settle up later.

I must go.

Top Scholar Meng?

Why are you here?

Top Scholar Meng…

I should be going.

Officer, I caught a swindler selling overpriced cosmetics to palace attendants.

He's all yours.

It's a misunderstanding!

Top Scholar Meng, take anything you like from my bag.

-Thank you. -My pleasure.

I know him. I'll escort him.

You again. Take him.

Five strokes.

It's a misunderstanding!

A mix-up!

Captain Di, would you like pearl whitening powder?

Free for life. Deal?

You claim to honor me as sovereign,

yet you acted without my consent and abolished the women's exam.

Has the Great Ning court become yours alone to command?

Please calm down, Your Majesty.

I speak for the Six Ministries and a hundred officials of Great Ning.

This examination scandal has thrown the capital into chaos.

The Great Ning Code clearly states that in a major cheating case,

the examiner may void it.

I merely acted according to law.

According to law?

The late emperor gave you that staff to help govern, not to govern in my place.

My conscience is clear.

When you were Crown Prince, I taught you imperial conduct at eight

and statecraft at 12.

Did I not teach you everything I knew?

All I do is for Your Majesty and the court, with no selfish motive.

I've heard enough of what you call 'for my own good.'

Canal reform was too risky.

You called Guard reform too radical.

Now even the exam I decreed you insist on abolishing.

In your eyes, is every decision I make wrong?

Your Majesty.

When you were Crown Prince, I personally taught you

that a ruler must think for himself.

Now that you do, you've come to disdain me.

You defend the women's exam.

Do you truly believe I am too old and incapable to advise Your Majesty?

Great Ning has never needed

a ruler who only preserves.

You should have let go long ago.

The one time I did,

the women's exam became a disgrace.

Then today I shall be a disloyal minister.

I still hold the Dragon-Head Staff.

The women's examination must be abolished.

I concur.

I've reigned six months.

The realm is stable and renewed.

I now open an exam for women and shall appoint by merit.

Parents, bear witness.

Chancellor Xu Ting has ruled for years.

His protégés hold every key post.

Though I inherited the throne, my decrees barely leave the palace.

By defying all opposition and restoring the women's exam,

I mean to use it as a blade to break this deadlock.

His Majesty is entering the library.

Clear the room.

Is this the Great Ning Code you seek?

How bold, Meng Tinghui.

You trespassed in the library and hid when Steward You cleared the room.

I heard your library held everything.

I came to see it myself.

No one stopped me.

How is that trespassing?

And I was reading in the corner.

I never saw Steward You.

The women's exam was abolished.

Why are you still studying?

Surely you don't mean to abolish it.

So I obey your imperial decree and continue preparing,

not the Left Chancellor's order.

Sharp-tongued as ever.

You must be fully recovered.

Your recent frailty is gone.

I was wounded in body and spirit and drank too much.

I did lose my composure before you.

But the courage I showed with He Du when we faced death was real too.

Which side of me does Your Majesty prefer?

Anyone selected through the exam must withstand scrutiny in every way.

The He Du of Shazhou was more interesting than the Emperor is now.

Do you know what I hate most is being manipulated?

I came not to scheme, but to ease your burden.

This game is deadlocked, with both sides even.

You want me to lose?

In some games, losing is winning.

Do you know I'm best at breaking deadlocks?

Your opening move at the center was inspired.

The Left Chancellor loves reason and invokes the Great Ning Code.

Then the way to break this game is to answer law with propriety.

He announced across the realm the exam was canceled.

Many candidates have likely gone home.

Meng Tinghui.

Let's see whether your reasoning can truly convince him.

I have no influence.

I know no one in the capital,

and I'm not yet your official.

The Right Chancellor could be useful.

Chancellor.

Madam asks you to dine.

I still have work.

Tell her to eat without me.

My Lord, Madam cooked personally today and prepared a full feast.

She worked all day.

Please join her.

Husband, you're here.

I prepared all these dishes especially for you.

I never imagined you'd be so hard to summon.

State affairs keep me busy.

However busy, mind your health.

Don't sleep in the study tonight.

The women's exam has been abolished.

There's much to do.

Get some rest.

You're neglecting food and sleep.

Is this for Shen Zhili?

Come to think of it, sending her into the palace was wise.

She and His Majesty grew up together.

They'll be together daily.

She may soon become empress.

Nonsense!

Great Ning law dooms nine clans for a ruler-minister romance.

You'd doom the Shen clan?

Never speak of this again.

I'm only planning for your sake.

Shen Zhili is your finest student.

If she becomes empress, you could soon become Great Ning's foremost chancellor.

His marriage affects the court.

Not yours to debate.

It's strange.

Whenever Shen Zhili is mentioned, you lose your composure.

Leyan is unlike you.

She has ambition.

She wants to govern at court.

Why would she accept life in the harem?

Are you saying I lack ambition?

What good is a female official?

Their posts carry no real work.

They all hope to resign and marry into good families.

Do you expect her never to marry?

Besides, she'd marry the Emperor.

Why would that displease you?

His Majesty has his own intentions.

It is not our concern.

If you're bored, go watch an opera.

Careful. Words bring ruin.

What wine is this?

I had Doukou prepare this fortifying medicinal wine.

Husband, now that you've drunk it, stay with me tonight.

Look what he's become.

He's forgotten where he came from.

He scowls at me every day.

Madam, please calm down.

Dump the wine.

Yes, Madam.

Since the Left Chancellor forcibly canceled the women's exam,

female candidates have crowded your gate.

I have refused every visitor.

I made an exception only because you invited me.

I know this is difficult.

I brought someone to ease your burden.

And this is?

Meng Tinghui greets the Chancellor.

Leyan.

I know you've tended Top Scholar Meng in the palace. You brought her

to discuss the women's exam?

Correct.

Right Chancellor, I've studied the Great Ning Code.

It gives us grounds to overturn the abolition memorial.

But this requires Your Excellency—

Absurd!

Leyan.

You brought her to restore the women's exam.

-I cannot help you. -Teacher.

My father said you did not sign the proclamation.

The Left Chancellor had decided.

Signing or not would change nothing.

But I have made arrangements for you.

I know Hanlin Academician Liu.

You may study there directly.

Teacher.

I took the exams to earn my place, not rely on family or your favor.

The women's exam lay dormant nine years.

If it is abolished now, it may never return.

Women everywhere will lose all prospects and be confined to their homes.

If we can stop the Left Chancellor now, I am willing to try everything.

Please help me, Teacher.

Those words don't sound like you.

Meng Tinghui.

This cancellation began with you.

Even His Majesty failed.

What can we do?

First, you entered amid scandal.

Now you make Leyan take sides.

If every woman followed your example to chase rank and cling to power,

what would become of the court?

Why think I'd oppose Left Chancellor Xu for you?

Across the court, the only one who can oppose him is the Right Chancellor.

The men's exams are under the Left Chancellor.

However great your achievements, he still suppresses you.

But if Your Excellency champions the women of the realm, then one day at court,

every female official will be your ally.

Please hear my plan first, then decide.

Teacher, be patient.

Let us hear Miss Meng's proposal.

The sponsorship law says worthy candidates may be endorsed locally.

Gather endorsements from women's schools.

Then unite the female tribute scholars in a petition to restore the exam

and make public opinion impossible to defy.

Then he may oppose the Emperor, but not every scholar in the realm.

If your plan is complete, why do you need me?

I can organize the joint petition.

But endorsements from every prefecture are beyond a commoner like me.

If the Right Chancellor offers to champion all candidates, support will follow.

Teacher.

My father wrote this himself, confirming the plan can work.

It's been five days.

Top Scholar Meng promised to bring endorsements from women's academies.

But now we've heard nothing.

I'm afraid they won't come.

The court has proclaimed the women's exam abolished.

If we keep waiting, it will be for nothing.

We studied for years, and finally became tribute scholars.

The court canceled the exam on a whim.

Are women barred from the exam?

There is a way!

We have a way!

The Right Chancellor offered land to women's schools nationwide

and secured their joint endorsements.

The exam can be restored!

-Wonderful! -Wonderful!

At last, hope.

Let's sign the joint petition now.

We'll take the endorsements to Chancellor Xu and demand the exam's return.

-Yes! -Yes!

I'm going too!

-So am I! -Me too!

We demand our examination!

We demand the Chancellor!

We demand our examination!

We demand to see the Left Chancellor!

Insolence!

You dare cause a disturbance at my gate?

-Drive them all away. -Yes, sir.

We are only petitioning.

What crime is that? Why drive us away?

Don't be afraid.

Harm a tribute scholar: 20 strokes, one year jailed.

-We won't leave! -The Left Chancellor is here!

We won't leave!

Left Chancellor, we speak for scholars in seven prefectures and 19 counties.

We bring their endorsements and our petition to make this appeal.

Meng Tinghui.

You made the false-scholar case the talk of the capital.

Now you incite female scholars to besiege my estate.

You have no respect for the law.

It seems the women's examination was abolished just in time.

Exam fraud has existed for ages.

Punish those who committed it.

Why destroy every woman's future?

I dare ask: is this truly for the realm's stability,

or the Left Chancellor's selfish desire?

Impudent!

Since the late emperor let women serve, fewer than one in a hundred stayed.

They either resigned to raise families or proved unfit for responsibility.

That is why the exam stayed suspended.

You, a common woman, entered the inner palace.

Do you truly seek public office, or merely His Majesty's favor?

Today, I stake everything to prove my resolve.

I swear this oath in blood and sign a military pledge.

If I fail, I'll be sent to the Music Bureau.

I ask only this:

will you restore the women's exam and give women justice?

Very well.

If anyone among you dares swear the same oath,

I'll believe your resolve is genuine.

Why involve the others?

As I see it, you female candidates are nothing but bluff.

Empty pretenders.

You think too highly of yourselves, then shrink back at the crucial moment.

How can you serve?

When I left my hometown, I swore I'd return in glory or…

die far from home.

I'll sign the pledge too.

Miss Meng, I…

Miss Shen.

Your noble family has much at stake.

No, I…

Blood makes me faint.

Rouge can show sincerity too.

Zhili comes from a distinguished noble house.

Yet she will fight for women's futures.

Then I'll see it through.

Today, we burn our bridges.

We won't let them scorn us.

Right! They must not look down on us!

Yes, exactly!

I'll sign.

I'll sign too.

-I'll sign! -So will I!

Count me in.

-Me too! -I'll sign!

I'll sign as well.

Me too! I'll sign!

And me.

The tide is clear.

United in purpose.

Great Ning's women's schools and students have made their stance clear.

Left Chancellor, give women a chance to pursue their ambitions.

Left Chancellor, please let women pursue their ambitions!

Very well.

I shall wait and see.

If trouble happens again,

do not blame me for showing no mercy.

Wonderful!

Wonderful!

Wonderful!

You gaze down on the realm each day.

Have you seen the capital from here?

Had you not invited me today, though I grew up in the palace,

I'd never have known of this place.

In Shazhou, you said freedom was a luxury.

Now that I know who you are, He Du—'Why alone?'

A sovereign stands alone.

I think I understand that an emperor can never have true freedom.

My son.

Do you know what 'the solitary' means?

The Book of Documents says, "One man, truly good, all nations remain upright."

Thus, an emperor's solitude is not mere loneliness,

but the weight of all under Heaven,

which you alone must bear.

Father, please preserve your health.

I…

I'm afraid.

Of what?

Tell me.

That when I sit on the throne, I won't be able to bear its weight.

That I'll fail you and Mother.

More than anything, I fear being alone in this vast palace.

No one will ever again cherish me as you and Mother do.

Raise your head.

An emperor may bleed.

He may even lose his head.

But he must never show weakness.

My son.

Remember this.

An emperor's solitude means forsaking private affection

to fulfill his duty to the realm.

Shazhou's Shaosanbai.

I prepared it for you.

Since Father's admonition,

I haven't dared relax for a moment.

I have never even tasted a single drop of wine.

I believe the late emperor named you 'the solitary'

not because he wished you a lonely life, but because you were his only child.

An emperor bears pain, hardship, and solitude.

Apart from Your Majesty, who else could bear them?

You're right.

Perhaps that was Father's deepest hope for me.

Then today, I'll break this rule.

At this hour, drinking atop the imperial city is a first for me.

Watching Your Majesty drink atop the imperial city is a first for me too.

You're the first…

for whom I've willingly broken this rule.

Some problems cannot be solved in a single day.

Since we have wine today, let's drink our fill.

I haven't felt so free in ages.

Whenever I'm with you, I can briefly forget these troubles.

Your Majesty.

My injuries have healed.

It is time I left the palace.

You intend to leave?

If I remain here, even if I ace the palace exam, people will still gossip.

They'll say you favored me.

Do you need such favor?

I intend to win.

So confident?

May I ask: have you chosen the top three palace exam candidates?

You haven't even taken the exam.

Why meddle in state affairs?

Must one hold office to discuss policy?

Then how did wise rulers earn praise for welcoming advice?

The Bureau of Intelligence is unique.

Only the able should serve.

Let me ease your burden.

Its creation is secret and unannounced.

How did you learn of it?

Passing through the garden,

I overheard you and Grand Tutor Shen.

You restored the women's exam to break the court's old conventions.

I dare propose: if I place first, let me be the sword in your hand.

Meng Tinghui.

Do you truly think I will always indulge your overstepping?

Remember: where a sword points is decided only by the one who wields it.

Come on, tell your brother.

At Xu's gate today, did his beard curl with rage?

We only followed the law.

As for you, why speak as if it were a street show?

He finally looked foolish.

I need every detail.

Besides, you were there.

-Tell me. -I just remembered.

That unfinished game.

-We can play anytime. -Now, Brother. Hurry.

Come on, Brother. Don't—

Zhili, let's go.

Which way did his beard curl?

Sister, get some rest.

Ginger slices.

Three.

Three red dates.

Three pieces of brown sugar.

-Sister. -Come in.

Sister.

Feeling better?

I'm fine.

Well…

I heard the maids say you should drink something warming now.

Careful, hot.

How is it?

Quite sweet.

Thanks, A-Nian.

Rest well, Sister.

I'll go now.

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