1
00:01:31,640 --> 00:01:32,700
=The Road to Splendor=

2
00:01:32,700 --> 00:01:34,760
(Adapted from China Literature author
Zhizhi's novel of the same name)

3
00:01:35,120 --> 00:01:38,000
=Episode 27=

4
00:01:42,680 --> 00:01:43,799
Why are there sesame flatbreads here?

5
00:01:44,519 --> 00:01:46,040
Don't you know I can't tolerate spices?

6
00:01:46,359 --> 00:01:47,239
Young Madam,

7
00:01:47,319 --> 00:01:47,760
this...

8
00:01:47,760 --> 00:01:49,480
Concubine Wu made it herself.

9
00:01:49,480 --> 00:01:50,920
She said she specially learned

10
00:01:50,920 --> 00:01:52,079
how they make it in Ganlin.

11
00:01:54,519 --> 00:01:55,120
Enough.

12
00:01:56,319 --> 00:01:57,319
She meant well.

13
00:02:34,560 --> 00:02:38,960
(Graceful and Virtuous)

14
00:02:41,080 --> 00:02:41,800
Young Master.

15
00:02:44,000 --> 00:02:45,240
The tea is ready.

16
00:02:53,599 --> 00:02:54,560
Today,

17
00:02:54,879 --> 00:02:55,719
you went to see her?

18
00:02:58,120 --> 00:03:00,199
You gave me a home, Young Master.

19
00:03:01,080 --> 00:03:02,319
Now I no longer

20
00:03:03,000 --> 00:03:04,159
worry about my next meal.

21
00:03:07,280 --> 00:03:08,759
You and Madam Zhao

22
00:03:09,759 --> 00:03:11,120
are both my benefactors.

23
00:03:23,439 --> 00:03:24,479
What else did you talk about?

24
00:03:26,919 --> 00:03:28,400
I've never been to the northwest,

25
00:03:29,759 --> 00:03:31,199
so I chatted with her

26
00:03:32,039 --> 00:03:33,599
about the wind and sand in Ganlin,

27
00:03:34,400 --> 00:03:35,400
and...

28
00:03:40,039 --> 00:03:41,479
horses galloping
through the desert poplar forests.

29
00:03:52,240 --> 00:03:53,919
I went to see Miss Wu today.

30
00:03:54,560 --> 00:03:55,439
She told me

31
00:03:56,520 --> 00:03:57,439
Madam Yu

32
00:03:57,439 --> 00:03:59,280
meant to use
the Grand Empress Dowager's wish

33
00:03:59,479 --> 00:04:01,360
to be buried beside the founding emperor

34
00:04:01,520 --> 00:04:02,520
to set a trap for you.

35
00:04:03,800 --> 00:04:05,280
At the birthday banquet,

36
00:04:05,680 --> 00:04:07,000
the reminder not to honor only my father

37
00:04:07,120 --> 00:04:08,080
while neglecting my grandmother

38
00:04:08,599 --> 00:04:10,319
seemed to be meant for me,

39
00:04:10,759 --> 00:04:11,680
but in truth,

40
00:04:12,000 --> 00:04:13,439
it was meant for His Majesty.

41
00:04:15,240 --> 00:04:17,240
Others saw you at odds with
Grand Secretary Yu

42
00:04:17,480 --> 00:04:18,800
and didn't want to get involved,

43
00:04:19,000 --> 00:04:20,319
so no one warned you.

44
00:04:22,920 --> 00:04:24,480
No wonder His Majesty's
attitude changed so suddenly.

45
00:04:25,439 --> 00:04:26,720
Anyone in his position

46
00:04:27,399 --> 00:04:28,439
would have been angry.

47
00:04:30,319 --> 00:04:32,199
His Majesty personally raised me
through the ranks.

48
00:04:33,560 --> 00:04:34,959
Yet in this matter,

49
00:04:35,360 --> 00:04:36,800
I fell right into someone else's trap

50
00:04:37,000 --> 00:04:37,959
and put him in a difficult position.

51
00:04:41,040 --> 00:04:43,079
Then His Majesty must blame me
for two things.

52
00:04:44,040 --> 00:04:45,000
First,

53
00:04:45,319 --> 00:04:46,120
for being incompetent.

54
00:04:46,439 --> 00:04:47,439
Second, my lack of foresight.

55
00:04:50,319 --> 00:04:51,560
I'll go ask for His Majesty's
forgiveness tomorrow.

56
00:04:53,759 --> 00:04:54,399
Mr. Zhao,

57
00:04:56,560 --> 00:04:58,199
your loyalty may be sincere,

58
00:04:59,439 --> 00:05:00,959
but you still need to be careful.

59
00:05:02,040 --> 00:05:03,600
The man who sits on the throne today

60
00:05:04,439 --> 00:05:05,879
is no longer the Sixteenth Master

61
00:05:05,879 --> 00:05:07,040
we knew in Yongning.

62
00:05:13,399 --> 00:05:14,759
When a man

63
00:05:16,360 --> 00:05:18,040
gains absolute power,

64
00:05:22,199 --> 00:05:24,439
how much of his old innocence

65
00:05:26,279 --> 00:05:27,439
can really remain?

66
00:05:31,319 --> 00:05:33,120
The Emperor's favor is easy to lose
and hard to regain.

67
00:05:34,120 --> 00:05:35,399
We need to think this through carefully

68
00:05:36,759 --> 00:05:38,000
if we're going to turn this around.

69
00:05:43,319 --> 00:05:44,079
Back then,

70
00:05:47,279 --> 00:05:49,439
I urged you to accept Sixteenth Master's
letter of introduction,

71
00:05:51,439 --> 00:05:53,560
believing it was a rare opportunity.

72
00:06:20,079 --> 00:06:21,040
Take care, Young Master.

73
00:06:30,240 --> 00:06:30,920
My Lady,

74
00:06:31,439 --> 00:06:32,480
try this.

75
00:06:36,680 --> 00:06:37,879
After all these years,

76
00:06:38,399 --> 00:06:39,800
how could he possibly remember

77
00:06:40,920 --> 00:06:42,319
what Madam Zhao's sesame flatbreads

78
00:06:42,480 --> 00:06:44,360
tasted like back then?

79
00:06:45,040 --> 00:06:46,519
He's just found an excuse

80
00:06:47,079 --> 00:06:48,839
to indulge in his own sentimentality.

81
00:06:49,319 --> 00:06:51,399
The two people who truly love each other

82
00:06:51,839 --> 00:06:53,160
only ate that sesame flatbread

83
00:06:53,279 --> 00:06:54,959
to stave off hunger on the march.

84
00:06:57,519 --> 00:06:58,720
Look at them now.

85
00:06:59,199 --> 00:07:00,000
Do they still eat it?

86
00:07:01,000 --> 00:07:03,240
(Hold Fast to the Mean)
"I misunderstood Your Majesty."

87
00:07:04,920 --> 00:07:06,160
Then tell me.

88
00:07:06,519 --> 00:07:07,160
What

89
00:07:07,360 --> 00:07:08,680
exactly were my intentions?

90
00:07:09,360 --> 00:07:09,959
Your Majesty,

91
00:07:10,399 --> 00:07:11,319
I was foolish.

92
00:07:11,680 --> 00:07:13,720
All the people under heaven
are Your Majesty's subjects,

93
00:07:15,040 --> 00:07:16,439
yet I cared only for one corner
of the realm

94
00:07:16,439 --> 00:07:17,439
and failed to understand

95
00:07:17,720 --> 00:07:19,600
Your Majesty's concern
for all your people.

96
00:07:21,160 --> 00:07:22,160
I deserve punishment.

97
00:07:22,439 --> 00:07:24,439
I gave you the courtesy name Huchen

98
00:07:25,040 --> 00:07:25,920
so you could

99
00:07:25,920 --> 00:07:27,199
help shoulder my burdens,

100
00:07:27,439 --> 00:07:29,439
not create more problems for me.

101
00:07:36,439 --> 00:07:37,199
Rise.

102
00:07:46,720 --> 00:07:47,399
Your Majesty,

103
00:07:47,959 --> 00:07:48,680
I

104
00:07:49,079 --> 00:07:50,319
have thought about this day and night

105
00:07:50,680 --> 00:07:51,839
and am deeply ashamed.

106
00:07:53,040 --> 00:07:54,800
I beg Your Majesty to give me

107
00:07:56,759 --> 00:07:58,439
a chance to redeem myself
through service.

108
00:07:58,759 --> 00:07:59,600
Have you

109
00:08:00,120 --> 00:08:01,720
found some way to raise money?

110
00:08:04,439 --> 00:08:05,600
To meet the immediate need,

111
00:08:08,680 --> 00:08:09,759
we could reallocate some funds.

112
00:08:12,319 --> 00:08:13,519
The other day, I heard

113
00:08:14,000 --> 00:08:15,360
that Grand Secretary Yu mentioned

114
00:08:15,560 --> 00:08:17,480
that the Ministry of Works requested
one hundred thousand taels

115
00:08:18,800 --> 00:08:20,000
to renovate the imperial mausoleum.

116
00:08:20,839 --> 00:08:21,600
I believe

117
00:08:24,040 --> 00:08:25,519
that project could be postponed.

118
00:08:31,800 --> 00:08:32,440
Zhao Ling.

119
00:08:34,240 --> 00:08:35,519
Did you know

120
00:08:36,840 --> 00:08:37,759
that I

121
00:08:38,200 --> 00:08:39,759
grew up in the Cold Palace?

122
00:08:41,919 --> 00:08:42,799
I...

123
00:08:46,919 --> 00:08:47,919
have heard something of it.

124
00:08:49,840 --> 00:08:51,440
My father doted on the Noble Consort

125
00:08:51,480 --> 00:08:52,720
and neglected the other consorts.

126
00:08:52,960 --> 00:08:54,000
My birth mother

127
00:08:54,000 --> 00:08:55,200
was only a palace maid.

128
00:08:55,679 --> 00:08:57,399
Fearing the favored consort
would harm me,

129
00:08:57,399 --> 00:08:59,159
she hid me away in the Cold Palace.

130
00:08:59,799 --> 00:09:00,919
My father didn't even know

131
00:09:01,159 --> 00:09:03,200
he had a son until I was six.

132
00:09:04,200 --> 00:09:04,879
Later,

133
00:09:05,000 --> 00:09:07,039
my grandmother took me out
of the Cold Palace

134
00:09:07,039 --> 00:09:08,200
and raised me with great care.

135
00:09:08,720 --> 00:09:09,960
Everything I have today

136
00:09:10,279 --> 00:09:11,240
is entirely

137
00:09:11,440 --> 00:09:12,879
thanks to her.

138
00:09:13,559 --> 00:09:15,080
The Grand Empress Dowager's kindness

139
00:09:16,360 --> 00:09:17,200
is clear

140
00:09:17,399 --> 00:09:18,440
to all ministers.

141
00:09:18,480 --> 00:09:20,000
Filial devotion is the foremost virtue.

142
00:09:20,440 --> 00:09:21,799
In my heart,

143
00:09:21,799 --> 00:09:24,159
I want to grant her every wish.

144
00:09:25,000 --> 00:09:26,120
But I am the Emperor.

145
00:09:26,519 --> 00:09:27,759
If I am to rule through filial virtue,

146
00:09:27,759 --> 00:09:29,159
I cannot honor only my grandmother

147
00:09:29,279 --> 00:09:30,240
while dishonoring my late father.

148
00:09:31,360 --> 00:09:33,039
My father refused her wish

149
00:09:33,399 --> 00:09:35,039
for the same reason.

150
00:09:39,159 --> 00:09:40,120
Thank you, Your Majesty,

151
00:09:40,960 --> 00:09:42,240
for telling me the truth.

152
00:09:43,399 --> 00:09:44,519
The imperial mausoleum

153
00:09:44,840 --> 00:09:46,440
must be renovated

154
00:09:46,440 --> 00:09:48,320
to fulfill my grandmother's wish

155
00:09:48,600 --> 00:09:49,919
to be buried beside my grandfather.

156
00:09:50,519 --> 00:09:51,759
And the cost

157
00:09:51,840 --> 00:09:53,039
will be far more than one hundred
thousand taels.

158
00:09:55,159 --> 00:09:56,840
It truly puts me
in a difficult position.

159
00:10:05,159 --> 00:10:05,879
Commander Zhao,

160
00:10:06,559 --> 00:10:07,919
what His Majesty just said

161
00:10:09,240 --> 00:10:10,799
came from the heart.

162
00:10:11,919 --> 00:10:13,519
But when it comes
to the imperial family,

163
00:10:14,919 --> 00:10:16,519
you must read between the lines.

164
00:10:18,399 --> 00:10:20,360
This business of renovating
the imperial mausoleum

165
00:10:24,600 --> 00:10:26,399
is a poisoned chalice.

166
00:10:27,520 --> 00:10:28,960
(Virtue Blesses the Hometown)

167
00:10:28,960 --> 00:10:30,120
What I'm afraid of

168
00:10:31,000 --> 00:10:33,000
is that His Majesty never wanted
the mausoleum renovated at all,

169
00:10:33,440 --> 00:10:34,559
much less grant

170
00:10:34,559 --> 00:10:35,799
Her Majesty's wish
to rest with the late emperor.

171
00:10:36,879 --> 00:10:37,600
Yes.

172
00:10:38,759 --> 00:10:40,039
But given who he is,

173
00:10:41,879 --> 00:10:43,279
he's the one person
who can't say it outright.

174
00:10:49,159 --> 00:10:51,120
I've crossed swords with Madam Yu
several times.

175
00:10:52,200 --> 00:10:53,159
This time

176
00:10:54,559 --> 00:10:56,320
was the hardest trap to escape.

177
00:10:58,240 --> 00:11:00,000
(Hall of Supreme Harmony)

178
00:11:00,039 --> 00:11:01,120
As for the drought,

179
00:11:01,360 --> 00:11:02,720
open the granaries
and release grain first

180
00:11:03,039 --> 00:11:04,480
to meet the immediate need.

181
00:11:05,080 --> 00:11:06,240
Then proceed with the salt reform

182
00:11:06,240 --> 00:11:07,440
to replenish the treasury

183
00:11:07,679 --> 00:11:08,759
for future needs.

184
00:11:09,440 --> 00:11:10,960
As Your Majesty commands.

185
00:11:11,600 --> 00:11:12,480
My ministers,

186
00:11:12,720 --> 00:11:13,919
is there anything else to report?

187
00:11:15,759 --> 00:11:16,759
Your Majesty,

188
00:11:17,039 --> 00:11:18,399
the Grand Empress Dowager has ordered

189
00:11:18,399 --> 00:11:19,679
the imperial mausoleum to be expanded.

190
00:11:19,919 --> 00:11:20,960
The budget of one hundred thousand taels

191
00:11:21,039 --> 00:11:22,399
is nowhere near enough.

192
00:11:22,519 --> 00:11:24,519
We've spent days trying every way
to raise more funds,

193
00:11:24,759 --> 00:11:26,279
but with so little silver available,

194
00:11:26,279 --> 00:11:27,720
no one dares take on the task.

195
00:11:27,879 --> 00:11:28,519
Your Majesty,

196
00:11:28,799 --> 00:11:30,519
we truly don't know what to do.

197
00:11:41,240 --> 00:11:41,840
Your Majesty,

198
00:11:42,279 --> 00:11:42,960
I am

199
00:11:45,399 --> 00:11:46,720
willing to assist the Ministry of Works

200
00:11:48,039 --> 00:11:49,080
with the project.

201
00:11:50,039 --> 00:11:50,759
Good.

202
00:11:51,240 --> 00:11:52,440
You've always been resourceful.

203
00:11:53,159 --> 00:11:54,440
If you handle this well,

204
00:11:54,679 --> 00:11:55,759
you will be richly rewarded.

205
00:12:08,960 --> 00:12:09,519
Grand Secretary,

206
00:12:09,600 --> 00:12:12,080
Zhao Ling really doesn't know
what he's getting himself into.

207
00:12:12,080 --> 00:12:13,240
He actually dared to take this on.

208
00:12:13,840 --> 00:12:14,720
Sooner or later,

209
00:12:14,720 --> 00:12:16,039
he'll either anger His Majesty

210
00:12:16,039 --> 00:12:16,840
or offend

211
00:12:16,840 --> 00:12:17,720
the Grand Empress Dowager.

212
00:12:18,120 --> 00:12:18,879
Either way,

213
00:12:18,879 --> 00:12:20,399
he's doomed.

214
00:12:21,320 --> 00:12:22,080
Lord Liu,

215
00:12:23,360 --> 00:12:24,559
whether he wanted the job or not,

216
00:12:24,559 --> 00:12:26,039
was never really up to him.

217
00:12:26,559 --> 00:12:27,519
After all,

218
00:12:27,519 --> 00:12:29,120
he's desperate to turn things around.

219
00:12:29,120 --> 00:12:30,879
Do you think he can?

220
00:12:31,159 --> 00:12:31,879
We

221
00:12:31,879 --> 00:12:33,519
can just wait for the good news.

222
00:13:07,480 --> 00:13:09,360
Word just came from court.

223
00:13:09,360 --> 00:13:10,080
They say

224
00:13:10,080 --> 00:13:12,120
Commander Zhao has taken
on the imperial mausoleum project.

225
00:13:13,000 --> 00:13:14,480
Did I hear that correctly?

226
00:13:15,600 --> 00:13:16,600
Zhao Ling

227
00:13:17,039 --> 00:13:19,120
has taken on the imperial mausoleum
project?

228
00:13:23,120 --> 00:13:25,679
I've raised this every year,
and every year it was put off.

229
00:13:26,720 --> 00:13:28,200
Why did he

230
00:13:28,440 --> 00:13:30,320
suddenly approve it this year?

231
00:13:34,519 --> 00:13:36,679
They say grandchildren are closest
to their grandparents.

232
00:13:37,720 --> 00:13:40,519
My grandson does care for me after all.

233
00:13:40,840 --> 00:13:41,559
Indeed.

234
00:13:42,320 --> 00:13:43,759
I remember

235
00:13:44,679 --> 00:13:46,039
Madam Zhao

236
00:13:46,879 --> 00:13:48,120
was quite clever.

237
00:13:51,440 --> 00:13:52,879
Have her come to the palace

238
00:13:54,080 --> 00:13:55,759
and keep me company for a while.

239
00:14:07,960 --> 00:14:10,200
Greetings, Grand Empress Dowager.

240
00:14:10,440 --> 00:14:12,440
I wish Your Majesty good health.

241
00:14:12,919 --> 00:14:13,879
Rise.

242
00:14:14,159 --> 00:14:15,679
Thank you, Your Majesty.

243
00:14:17,879 --> 00:14:19,279
I hear

244
00:14:19,440 --> 00:14:21,039
Commander Zhao

245
00:14:21,200 --> 00:14:23,000
has taken on the imperial mausoleum
project.

246
00:14:24,480 --> 00:14:25,039
I...

247
00:14:28,240 --> 00:14:29,200
I

248
00:14:29,200 --> 00:14:30,679
hadn't heard about that yet.

249
00:14:33,480 --> 00:14:34,919
So this is news to you?

250
00:14:36,360 --> 00:14:37,320
I suppose

251
00:14:37,519 --> 00:14:39,200
it was decided rather suddenly.

252
00:14:39,679 --> 00:14:41,039
But do you think

253
00:14:41,440 --> 00:14:43,360
one hundred thousand taels

254
00:14:43,440 --> 00:14:44,399
will be enough?

255
00:14:46,080 --> 00:14:47,480
What could Commander Zhao possibly do

256
00:14:47,759 --> 00:14:49,399
to somehow

257
00:14:49,399 --> 00:14:51,039
come up with more money?

258
00:14:52,559 --> 00:14:53,679
I'm afraid I'm not wise enough to say.

259
00:14:53,960 --> 00:14:55,519
Matters of state like these

260
00:14:56,440 --> 00:14:57,960
are not for me to speculate on.

261
00:15:03,519 --> 00:15:04,519
Your Majesty,

262
00:15:04,720 --> 00:15:06,399
the renshen tonic from the Imperial
Pharmacy is ready.

263
00:15:15,200 --> 00:15:16,159
This was

264
00:15:16,360 --> 00:15:18,279
a tribute from a foreign kingdom.

265
00:15:18,279 --> 00:15:19,840
There's only enough for one person.

266
00:15:20,600 --> 00:15:21,679
The imperial physician says

267
00:15:21,799 --> 00:15:23,200
it can relieve headaches.

268
00:15:23,799 --> 00:15:25,120
As it happens,

269
00:15:25,440 --> 00:15:27,000
the Emperor takes after me in this.

270
00:15:27,360 --> 00:15:29,080
We both suffer from headaches.

271
00:15:29,480 --> 00:15:31,039
Yet he has them prepare

272
00:15:31,240 --> 00:15:32,919
a bowl for me every day

273
00:15:32,919 --> 00:15:34,360
and send it here.

274
00:15:36,320 --> 00:15:37,519
The tonic is precious.

275
00:15:37,840 --> 00:15:38,879
Your Majesty,

276
00:15:38,879 --> 00:15:39,799
please drink it while it's hot.

277
00:15:42,480 --> 00:15:44,039
There's only one bowl each day,

278
00:15:44,159 --> 00:15:45,759
enough for just one person.

279
00:15:45,759 --> 00:15:47,440
How could I bear to drink it myself?

280
00:15:49,120 --> 00:15:50,240
I save it

281
00:15:50,720 --> 00:15:53,000
until he comes to pay his respects
each day,

282
00:15:53,279 --> 00:15:55,360
then mix it into another tonic

283
00:15:55,440 --> 00:15:57,000
and give it to him instead.

284
00:15:59,559 --> 00:16:00,679
The Emperor

285
00:16:00,679 --> 00:16:03,600
has often praised Commander Zhao
for his cleverness and ability.

286
00:16:04,080 --> 00:16:05,799
As for the imperial mausoleum,

287
00:16:06,120 --> 00:16:07,879
I'm counting on Commander Zhao.

288
00:16:10,039 --> 00:16:10,919
I

289
00:16:10,919 --> 00:16:11,960
will be sure to tell him.

290
00:16:15,760 --> 00:16:18,160
(List of Disbursements)

291
00:16:36,279 --> 00:16:38,279
Still worried about the mausoleum
project?

292
00:16:40,440 --> 00:16:42,080
The money isn't really the problem.

293
00:16:50,440 --> 00:16:51,879
The real problem

294
00:16:53,519 --> 00:16:54,480
is His Majesty

295
00:16:56,399 --> 00:16:58,440
doesn't want the mausoleum
renovated at all.

296
00:17:00,240 --> 00:17:01,679
The Grand Empress Dowager

297
00:17:01,960 --> 00:17:03,279
has high hopes for you.

298
00:17:03,360 --> 00:17:04,839
But if I follow His Majesty's wishes,

299
00:17:07,480 --> 00:17:08,960
I'll inevitably offend her.

300
00:17:13,440 --> 00:17:14,759
I have an idea.

301
00:17:27,599 --> 00:17:28,599
Your Majesty,

302
00:17:28,960 --> 00:17:30,400
the relief funds have been distributed
to the prefectures.

303
00:17:30,799 --> 00:17:31,359
However,

304
00:17:31,440 --> 00:17:32,759
the disaster is widespread,

305
00:17:32,759 --> 00:17:33,880
and the funds are far from enough.

306
00:17:34,039 --> 00:17:34,920
We still need

307
00:17:34,920 --> 00:17:36,160
more money and grain

308
00:17:36,160 --> 00:17:37,119
to relieve

309
00:17:37,119 --> 00:17:39,039
the people's desperate suffering.

310
00:17:41,839 --> 00:17:42,440
Your Majesty,

311
00:17:42,839 --> 00:17:43,559
the disaster victims

312
00:17:43,559 --> 00:17:45,079
have begun storming the state granaries.

313
00:17:45,200 --> 00:17:46,400
If we don't act quickly,

314
00:17:46,400 --> 00:17:47,839
there may be widespread unrest.

315
00:17:48,799 --> 00:17:49,759
My ministers,

316
00:17:49,960 --> 00:17:51,799
does anyone have another solution?

317
00:17:56,119 --> 00:17:57,119
Your Majesty,

318
00:17:57,799 --> 00:17:58,519
the drought

319
00:17:59,039 --> 00:18:00,079
is a calamity of nature.

320
00:18:00,440 --> 00:18:02,200
We should seek our ancestors'
protection.

321
00:18:02,839 --> 00:18:03,880
I propose that we discuss

322
00:18:05,599 --> 00:18:07,319
the renovation of the imperial
mausoleum.

323
00:18:09,079 --> 00:18:10,920
It should be carried out
to the highest standard,

324
00:18:11,160 --> 00:18:12,319
with a golden coffin
and jade outer casket,

325
00:18:12,559 --> 00:18:13,839
all in accordance with imperial rites.

326
00:18:22,599 --> 00:18:24,599
With the drought crisis upon us,

327
00:18:25,559 --> 00:18:27,400
disaster relief should come first.

328
00:18:28,160 --> 00:18:29,440
Huchen,

329
00:18:30,240 --> 00:18:32,119
that's rather unexpected.

330
00:18:34,200 --> 00:18:35,279
Your Majesty,

331
00:18:35,480 --> 00:18:36,240
filial devotion

332
00:18:36,440 --> 00:18:37,519
is a foundation of the state.

333
00:18:38,200 --> 00:18:39,279
As for disaster relief,

334
00:18:39,680 --> 00:18:41,440
I will do everything I can
to raise the necessary funds.

335
00:18:42,079 --> 00:18:43,559
But the imperial mausoleum

336
00:18:43,799 --> 00:18:44,839
concerns the dignity of the state

337
00:18:44,839 --> 00:18:45,720
and cannot be taken lightly.

338
00:18:45,799 --> 00:18:46,440
Otherwise,

339
00:18:47,559 --> 00:18:49,559
it may tarnish Your Majesty's reputation
for filial devotion.

340
00:18:53,240 --> 00:18:55,160
You certainly remember

341
00:18:55,680 --> 00:18:57,319
every word I've said.

342
00:18:59,559 --> 00:19:00,279
I...

343
00:19:04,079 --> 00:19:05,240
I would never dare forget

344
00:19:05,720 --> 00:19:06,440
a single word you said.

345
00:19:08,839 --> 00:19:09,599
So you

346
00:19:10,440 --> 00:19:12,200
truly remember them all?

347
00:19:16,480 --> 00:19:17,039
Fine.

348
00:19:17,680 --> 00:19:19,599
Since you proposed renovating
the imperial mausoleum,

349
00:19:19,599 --> 00:19:21,079
I'll leave the project to you.

350
00:19:21,319 --> 00:19:22,519
If anything goes wrong,

351
00:19:22,519 --> 00:19:22,960
I

352
00:19:22,960 --> 00:19:24,039
will hold you personally responsible.

353
00:19:24,039 --> 00:19:24,480
Yes,

354
00:19:25,119 --> 00:19:26,000
Your Majesty.

355
00:19:26,440 --> 00:19:27,160
The court is dismissed.

356
00:19:27,359 --> 00:19:29,240
The court is dismissed!

357
00:19:29,440 --> 00:19:31,440
We respectfully
bid Your Majesty farewell.

358
00:19:35,160 --> 00:19:36,200
Grand Empress Dowager,

359
00:19:36,720 --> 00:19:38,559
I've already spoken with my husband.

360
00:19:39,319 --> 00:19:40,680
Renovating the imperial mausoleum

361
00:19:40,680 --> 00:19:41,960
is a matter of lasting importance.

362
00:19:42,440 --> 00:19:43,880
In our humble opinion,

363
00:19:44,119 --> 00:19:45,000
it should be

364
00:19:45,200 --> 00:19:45,880
done on a grand scale.

365
00:19:50,440 --> 00:19:51,759
The guardian beasts for the tomb

366
00:19:51,839 --> 00:19:52,720
should be carved

367
00:19:52,720 --> 00:19:53,839
from Hanbai white marble

368
00:19:53,920 --> 00:19:55,079
to properly display imperial grandeur.

369
00:19:55,799 --> 00:19:57,319
The ceiling of the underground palace

370
00:19:57,880 --> 00:19:59,079
could be set

371
00:19:59,319 --> 00:20:00,759
with luminous pearls from the South Sea,

372
00:20:01,200 --> 00:20:03,400
with a coffin and outer casket
of golden-thread nanmu wood.

373
00:20:03,599 --> 00:20:04,599
Only then would it reflect

374
00:20:04,599 --> 00:20:05,599
the grandeur of the imperial house.

375
00:20:05,599 --> 00:20:06,039
This...

376
00:20:06,400 --> 00:20:06,839
This is

377
00:20:06,839 --> 00:20:08,799
far too extravagant.

378
00:20:09,279 --> 00:20:10,960
Isn't the budget only one hundred
thousand taels?

379
00:20:12,759 --> 00:20:13,799
These are

380
00:20:14,599 --> 00:20:16,839
honors Your Majesty rightly deserves.

381
00:20:19,839 --> 00:20:20,920
Forgive me. I spoke out of turn.

382
00:20:28,799 --> 00:20:29,880
Tell the Emperor

383
00:20:30,720 --> 00:20:32,240
I want a pair

384
00:20:32,240 --> 00:20:34,119
of three-chi-tall Hanbai white marble
tomb guardians,

385
00:20:34,519 --> 00:20:37,119
twelve luminous pearls the size
of pigeon's eggs,

386
00:20:37,720 --> 00:20:39,200
and golden-thread nanmu wood.

387
00:20:40,599 --> 00:20:42,359
Write all of that down for now.

388
00:20:42,359 --> 00:20:43,000
Yes.

389
00:20:46,880 --> 00:20:47,559
Mr. Zhao.

390
00:20:49,319 --> 00:20:50,079
You wanted to see me?

391
00:20:51,440 --> 00:20:53,680
The court has put me in charge
of renovating the imperial mausoleum.

392
00:20:55,799 --> 00:20:56,880
Have you heard of that?

393
00:20:58,319 --> 00:20:59,799
So the job fell to you?

394
00:21:01,440 --> 00:21:02,759
That's a lucrative assignment.

395
00:21:03,400 --> 00:21:04,599
I proposed to the Ministry of Works

396
00:21:05,480 --> 00:21:07,519
that we bring in private merchants
and craftsmen

397
00:21:08,119 --> 00:21:09,920
and pool everyone's resources
to get it done.

398
00:21:10,839 --> 00:21:11,799
The court has no money.

399
00:21:12,480 --> 00:21:13,720
It approved only one hundred
thousand taels.

400
00:21:14,519 --> 00:21:15,759
But I want to make it look

401
00:21:15,759 --> 00:21:17,039
like a million-tael project.

402
00:21:17,839 --> 00:21:19,319
Would you be willing

403
00:21:21,079 --> 00:21:22,440
to help me work with the merchants?

404
00:21:23,519 --> 00:21:24,440
One hundred thousand...

405
00:21:42,079 --> 00:21:43,559
No need

406
00:21:44,039 --> 00:21:44,960
to trouble yourself over this.

407
00:21:46,279 --> 00:21:47,839
I'll put the word out first

408
00:21:47,960 --> 00:21:49,359
that this mausoleum project

409
00:21:49,359 --> 00:21:51,119
will be built to a million-tael
standard.

410
00:21:52,359 --> 00:21:54,440
Merchants eager to curry favor
with the authorities

411
00:21:54,559 --> 00:21:55,440
will naturally offer discounts.

412
00:21:55,440 --> 00:21:55,920
Mr. Jin,

413
00:21:56,039 --> 00:21:57,319
we'll cut the price by 30%.

414
00:21:57,319 --> 00:21:58,519
As for the actual cost,

415
00:21:58,519 --> 00:21:59,359
don't worry.

416
00:21:59,680 --> 00:22:01,440
I guarantee we'll keep it
under one hundred thousand taels.

417
00:22:01,440 --> 00:22:02,119
And the materials

418
00:22:02,119 --> 00:22:03,000
won't be inferior either.

419
00:22:03,359 --> 00:22:04,759
Top-grade golden-thread nanmu wood

420
00:22:04,759 --> 00:22:06,240
will be supplied at cost.

421
00:22:06,839 --> 00:22:09,279
These merchants may make
less profit now,

422
00:22:09,960 --> 00:22:12,559
but afterward they'll have the prestige
of being imperial suppliers.

423
00:22:13,559 --> 00:22:15,160
Once we can call ourselves suppliers
to the imperial household,

424
00:22:15,160 --> 00:22:16,960
our descendants will benefit from it
for generations.

425
00:22:17,160 --> 00:22:18,599
Exactly.

426
00:22:19,480 --> 00:22:21,039
They're thinking long term.

427
00:22:21,160 --> 00:22:21,839
We

428
00:22:22,279 --> 00:22:23,160
just need what we can get now.

429
00:22:25,400 --> 00:22:27,160
To gain the Emperor's favor,

430
00:22:27,799 --> 00:22:30,319
Zhao Ling dared to take on
the imperial mausoleum project.

431
00:22:30,839 --> 00:22:32,279
At court today,

432
00:22:32,960 --> 00:22:35,079
he openly called for lavish construction

433
00:22:35,279 --> 00:22:36,079
and is even

434
00:22:36,079 --> 00:22:37,000
among merchants

435
00:22:37,000 --> 00:22:39,160
and in the streets, making a great show
of it.

436
00:22:39,519 --> 00:22:40,599
As expected of someone

437
00:22:40,759 --> 00:22:42,839
born into the lowly merchant class.

438
00:22:43,519 --> 00:22:45,440
He has no grasp of the imperial family's
true intentions.

439
00:22:45,440 --> 00:22:46,839
His Majesty's move

440
00:22:47,240 --> 00:22:49,880
was meant to ensure the project
could never succeed.

441
00:22:50,759 --> 00:22:53,440
Since he insists
on jumping into the flames,

442
00:22:53,559 --> 00:22:55,160
we might as well

443
00:22:55,599 --> 00:22:58,279
add fuel to the fire.

444
00:22:58,599 --> 00:22:59,799
Ladies and gentlemen,

445
00:23:00,160 --> 00:23:02,559
just think what a million taels
of silver

446
00:23:02,920 --> 00:23:04,839
could do if it were used
for disaster relief.

447
00:23:05,240 --> 00:23:07,000
How many lives could it save?

448
00:23:07,000 --> 00:23:08,359
Exactly!

449
00:23:08,359 --> 00:23:09,559
But now,

450
00:23:09,559 --> 00:23:10,720
it's all going

451
00:23:10,799 --> 00:23:12,960
straight into the ground!

452
00:23:12,960 --> 00:23:13,720
Absurd!

453
00:23:14,119 --> 00:23:15,119
People are starving to death

454
00:23:15,200 --> 00:23:16,440
in droves outside the city,

455
00:23:16,599 --> 00:23:17,720
and yet the court

456
00:23:17,720 --> 00:23:18,759
wants to spend

457
00:23:18,759 --> 00:23:19,920
millions of taels of silver

458
00:23:19,920 --> 00:23:21,160
on some grand tomb for the dead!

459
00:23:21,240 --> 00:23:22,519
Tell me, isn't that outrageous?

460
00:23:22,559 --> 00:23:23,400
Exactly!

461
00:23:23,759 --> 00:23:24,319
Outrageous!

462
00:23:24,319 --> 00:23:24,960
Your Majesty,

463
00:23:25,119 --> 00:23:26,559
people are starving and dying
along the roads,

464
00:23:26,559 --> 00:23:27,519
and the people can barely survive,

465
00:23:27,680 --> 00:23:29,960
yet a million taels are to be spent
on the imperial mausoleum.

466
00:23:31,200 --> 00:23:31,680
I

467
00:23:31,680 --> 00:23:32,680
dare ask,

468
00:23:32,960 --> 00:23:33,880
does Your Majesty

469
00:23:34,079 --> 00:23:35,599
still care for the people of this realm?

470
00:23:38,359 --> 00:23:39,000
Absurd!

471
00:23:39,400 --> 00:23:41,000
When did I ever say a million taels?

472
00:23:41,119 --> 00:23:42,400
Wasn't the budget only one hundred
thousand?

473
00:23:56,319 --> 00:23:57,000
Zhao Ling.

474
00:23:57,240 --> 00:23:58,759
What I agreed with you on

475
00:23:58,759 --> 00:23:59,960
was a budget of one hundred
thousand taels.

476
00:24:00,200 --> 00:24:01,519
Where did the million taels

477
00:24:01,519 --> 00:24:02,519
come from?

478
00:24:02,960 --> 00:24:03,559
Your Majesty,

479
00:24:04,079 --> 00:24:04,759
I

480
00:24:04,880 --> 00:24:06,000
deserve death for my crime.

481
00:24:06,279 --> 00:24:07,519
What good would your death do?

482
00:24:07,519 --> 00:24:09,079
Would it silence the people's anger?

483
00:24:09,079 --> 00:24:10,440
Do you know how many people

484
00:24:10,440 --> 00:24:12,440
inside and outside the capital
are condemning me beyond these walls?

485
00:24:12,440 --> 00:24:13,759
Even if you were cut to pieces

486
00:24:13,759 --> 00:24:14,440
and died countless deaths,

487
00:24:14,440 --> 00:24:15,599
you still couldn't answer for this.

488
00:24:16,039 --> 00:24:18,160
Please calm yourself, Your Majesty.

489
00:24:19,799 --> 00:24:20,400
I

490
00:24:20,519 --> 00:24:21,440
must have been

491
00:24:23,839 --> 00:24:25,200
utterly blind and foolish

492
00:24:25,519 --> 00:24:26,839
to entrust affairs of state

493
00:24:26,839 --> 00:24:28,440
to a wretch like you.

494
00:24:28,720 --> 00:24:29,519
Effective immediately,

495
00:24:29,599 --> 00:24:31,119
Zhao Ling is stripped
of all official posts

496
00:24:31,119 --> 00:24:32,000
and reduced to a commoner.

497
00:24:33,440 --> 00:24:34,759
Thank you, Your Majesty.

498
00:24:56,839 --> 00:24:57,440
The court is dismissed.

499
00:24:58,240 --> 00:24:59,960
The court is dismissed!

500
00:25:00,240 --> 00:25:02,319
We respectfully
bid Your Majesty farewell.

501
00:25:05,920 --> 00:25:08,240
After all this careful planning,

502
00:25:09,160 --> 00:25:10,359
Zhao Ling

503
00:25:11,559 --> 00:25:14,079
is finally stripped of office
and out of the game.

504
00:25:14,480 --> 00:25:15,240
Here.

505
00:25:15,599 --> 00:25:16,720
Let's use tea in place of wine

506
00:25:17,400 --> 00:25:18,519
and celebrate together.

507
00:25:19,880 --> 00:25:20,440
My dear,

508
00:25:20,920 --> 00:25:22,359
you've worked hard as well.

509
00:25:29,079 --> 00:25:30,599
With that nuisance out of the way,

510
00:25:31,039 --> 00:25:32,440
the salt reform...

511
00:25:32,440 --> 00:25:34,039
No more obstacles.

512
00:25:34,839 --> 00:25:36,400
His Majesty has no objections either?

513
00:25:36,480 --> 00:25:39,119
What His Majesty thinks
no longer matters.

514
00:25:40,319 --> 00:25:42,119
Once I set the Anzhou and Yan merchants

515
00:25:42,119 --> 00:25:43,839
against one another and threw everything
into chaos,

516
00:25:43,839 --> 00:25:45,319
many things

517
00:25:45,480 --> 00:25:47,519
could no longer be stopped

518
00:25:47,680 --> 00:25:49,160
or delayed at will.

519
00:25:51,279 --> 00:25:52,559
That is power.

520
00:25:53,400 --> 00:25:54,720
It can make anyone

521
00:25:55,160 --> 00:25:56,799
do what they don't want to do,

522
00:25:57,480 --> 00:25:58,960
even the Emperor.

523
00:26:02,759 --> 00:26:03,519
Father,

524
00:26:04,759 --> 00:26:06,359
do you think Zhao Ling

525
00:26:06,359 --> 00:26:07,519
can still make a comeback?

526
00:26:08,920 --> 00:26:10,559
The closer we get to the end,

527
00:26:10,880 --> 00:26:12,440
the more carefully we must proceed.

528
00:26:14,160 --> 00:26:15,440
That's the advantage

529
00:26:15,440 --> 00:26:17,039
of never choosing a side.

530
00:26:18,680 --> 00:26:20,599
What happens to everyone else

531
00:26:20,759 --> 00:26:22,759
has nothing to do with us.

532
00:26:24,079 --> 00:26:25,400
So you're saying

533
00:26:26,359 --> 00:26:27,559
he might survive?

534
00:26:27,960 --> 00:26:29,519
I never said that.

535
00:26:30,839 --> 00:26:33,039
I've simply lived long enough to know

536
00:26:33,039 --> 00:26:34,200
that when a man

537
00:26:34,880 --> 00:26:36,480
hits rock bottom,

538
00:26:36,880 --> 00:26:38,119
it is often

539
00:26:38,200 --> 00:26:40,319
the beginning of his climb back up.

540
00:26:41,359 --> 00:26:43,319
Here in the capital,

541
00:26:43,480 --> 00:26:44,519
the man

542
00:26:44,519 --> 00:26:45,880
down on his luck today

543
00:26:45,880 --> 00:26:46,799
may well become

544
00:26:47,000 --> 00:26:49,759
tomorrow's rising star at court.

545
00:26:59,480 --> 00:27:00,319
Mr. Zhao,

546
00:27:00,799 --> 00:27:01,559
I heard

547
00:27:01,880 --> 00:27:02,799
you've been dismissed.

548
00:27:03,039 --> 00:27:04,680
So what happens to our mausoleum deal?

549
00:27:05,079 --> 00:27:06,000
We already

550
00:27:07,359 --> 00:27:08,799
made such a big show of it.

551
00:27:09,240 --> 00:27:10,279
What I mean is,

552
00:27:10,960 --> 00:27:12,599
we can't let all that go to waste.

553
00:27:17,720 --> 00:27:18,440
The mausoleum

554
00:27:19,880 --> 00:27:21,160
will indeed no longer be renovated.

555
00:27:23,839 --> 00:27:24,720
But Mr. Jin,

556
00:27:25,440 --> 00:27:26,440
you're a capable businessman

557
00:27:27,119 --> 00:27:28,720
and have built up considerable capital
over the years.

558
00:27:29,720 --> 00:27:31,160
Even if I can no longer

559
00:27:31,160 --> 00:27:32,039
help you in the future,

560
00:27:34,400 --> 00:27:35,960
I'm sure your business will continue
to prosper.

561
00:27:39,599 --> 00:27:40,359
Mr. Zhao...

562
00:27:42,079 --> 00:27:43,119
Look at me, getting worked up.

563
00:27:44,519 --> 00:27:45,559
As for the salt business,

564
00:27:45,960 --> 00:27:47,079
we settled everything

565
00:27:47,079 --> 00:27:48,000
back in Yongning Prefecture.

566
00:27:48,480 --> 00:27:49,839
As long as you know your business,

567
00:27:52,160 --> 00:27:53,960
losing my support shouldn't hurt you.

568
00:27:56,200 --> 00:27:56,799
Mr. Zhao,

569
00:27:57,440 --> 00:27:57,880
I...

570
00:27:57,880 --> 00:27:59,000
Yuanbao, don't worry.

571
00:28:00,440 --> 00:28:01,319
Mr. Zhao

572
00:28:01,440 --> 00:28:02,960
got approval from the Ministry of Works

573
00:28:03,079 --> 00:28:04,200
for you.

574
00:28:04,920 --> 00:28:06,839
The mausoleum deal
may have fallen through,

575
00:28:07,000 --> 00:28:09,200
(Ministry of Works Permit)
but from now on, you may bid

576
00:28:09,279 --> 00:28:11,000
for government construction projects
in the capital.

577
00:28:45,839 --> 00:28:47,119
I'm afraid our friendship

578
00:28:48,480 --> 00:28:50,240
may come to an end someday.

579
00:28:54,839 --> 00:28:56,680
This moment is simply the hardest part.

580
00:28:59,559 --> 00:29:01,799
You've put your entire future
on the line.

581
00:29:02,440 --> 00:29:04,200
It's only natural that few people
would understand.

582
00:29:05,200 --> 00:29:06,839
He's suddenly lost the person
he relied on,

583
00:29:07,680 --> 00:29:08,680
so it's understandable

584
00:29:10,240 --> 00:29:11,079
that he's panicking now.

585
00:29:12,039 --> 00:29:13,200
If I lose this gamble,

586
00:29:14,200 --> 00:29:15,519
we'll go our separate ways,

587
00:29:16,039 --> 00:29:16,839
and he won't be implicated.

588
00:29:19,880 --> 00:29:21,480
But if I win...

589
00:29:29,319 --> 00:29:30,279
he can come back then.

590
00:29:39,000 --> 00:29:40,880
Right now, this is the only way out.

591
00:29:44,559 --> 00:29:45,599
Perhaps you're the only one

592
00:29:46,799 --> 00:29:47,880
who, win or lose,

593
00:29:49,799 --> 00:29:50,880
will still be by my side.

594
00:29:59,240 --> 00:30:00,440
A husband and wife move forward
together.

595
00:30:01,279 --> 00:30:02,440
That's what it means
to walk side by side.

596
00:30:03,759 --> 00:30:04,759
Get some rest.

597
00:30:05,680 --> 00:30:06,680
From here on,

598
00:30:07,960 --> 00:30:09,200
it's my turn to step in.

599
00:30:16,440 --> 00:30:18,200
How did things come to this?

600
00:30:18,480 --> 00:30:20,039
The drought is ravaging the land,

601
00:30:20,200 --> 00:30:21,480
and people are starving
to death everywhere.

602
00:30:21,599 --> 00:30:23,279
If the Emperor launches
a lavish construction project,

603
00:30:23,440 --> 00:30:24,599
what will the people think of him?

604
00:30:25,160 --> 00:30:26,519
What will the censors say?

605
00:30:26,519 --> 00:30:27,440
And how

606
00:30:27,680 --> 00:30:29,240
will history record him?

607
00:30:29,400 --> 00:30:29,880
Go.

608
00:30:30,680 --> 00:30:32,160
Summon Madam Zhao, nee Fu, to see me.

609
00:30:32,640 --> 00:30:35,440
(Boundless Longevity)

610
00:30:35,440 --> 00:30:36,799
I trusted that you and your husband

611
00:30:37,119 --> 00:30:38,559
were loyal,

612
00:30:38,559 --> 00:30:40,079
and that you understood filial duty.

613
00:30:40,319 --> 00:30:41,960
That is why I granted your request.

614
00:30:42,519 --> 00:30:43,359
Who would have thought

615
00:30:43,680 --> 00:30:45,559
it would lead to such disaster?

616
00:30:46,599 --> 00:30:47,440
Now

617
00:30:47,680 --> 00:30:49,039
the entire court is in an uproar,

618
00:30:49,359 --> 00:30:51,119
and the people are seething
with resentment.

619
00:30:52,119 --> 00:30:53,079
Fu,

620
00:30:54,119 --> 00:30:55,279
do you acknowledge your crimes?

621
00:30:56,400 --> 00:30:57,240
I

622
00:30:57,359 --> 00:30:58,319
deserve death for my crime.

623
00:30:58,920 --> 00:31:00,759
I ask to be punished by kneeling
outside Renshou Palace

624
00:31:01,200 --> 00:31:02,359
and reflecting on my wrongdoing,

625
00:31:02,480 --> 00:31:03,680
as a warning to others.

626
00:31:03,799 --> 00:31:05,839
I beg Your Majesty to grant my request.

627
00:31:05,839 --> 00:31:06,359
You...

628
00:31:09,240 --> 00:31:12,760
(Renshou Palace)

629
00:31:12,799 --> 00:31:13,720
I heard

630
00:31:13,720 --> 00:31:15,319
she was the one who talked
the Grand Empress Dowager

631
00:31:15,319 --> 00:31:16,119
into renovating the mausoleum

632
00:31:16,119 --> 00:31:17,119
despite the people's suffering.

633
00:31:17,680 --> 00:31:18,359
Serves her right.

634
00:31:18,759 --> 00:31:19,559
Exactly.

635
00:31:34,240 --> 00:31:36,200
Why not have her kneel by the wall

636
00:31:36,400 --> 00:31:37,599
so she doesn't block the nobles' way?

637
00:32:24,400 --> 00:32:26,560
(Six hours later)

638
00:32:55,280 --> 00:32:59,040
♪The past brushes by
like a falling leaf♪

639
00:33:03,200 --> 00:33:07,080
♪So light, yet my steps still pause
for you♪

640
00:33:09,280 --> 00:33:13,720
♪Through every rise and fall,
our memories remain without regret♪

641
00:33:14,280 --> 00:33:16,640
♪Carved into the rings of time♪

642
00:33:18,080 --> 00:33:22,560
♪How I wish I could stay
a little longer, but I can't♪

643
00:33:27,039 --> 00:33:28,119
You've been kneeling for so long.

644
00:33:29,680 --> 00:33:30,920
Are you badly hurt?

645
00:33:33,799 --> 00:33:35,839
It's only some physical pain.

646
00:33:36,720 --> 00:33:37,759
It's nothing serious.

647
00:33:38,799 --> 00:33:40,440
As long as everything works out,

648
00:33:40,960 --> 00:33:41,920
all this suffering

649
00:33:42,400 --> 00:33:43,279
will have been worth it.

650
00:33:45,280 --> 00:33:49,080
♪Still makes us want to believe♪

651
00:33:49,319 --> 00:33:50,119
Let's go home first.

652
00:33:50,120 --> 00:33:55,000
♪One promise for a lifetime,
echoing long after we part♪

653
00:34:02,519 --> 00:34:04,079
I heard Madam Zhao

654
00:34:04,079 --> 00:34:05,599
knelt outside Renshou Palace

655
00:34:05,599 --> 00:34:06,799
for an entire day.

656
00:34:06,799 --> 00:34:08,199
It's all because her husband

657
00:34:08,440 --> 00:34:10,440
insisted on taking on the mausoleum
project.

658
00:34:10,719 --> 00:34:11,599
And now,

659
00:34:11,599 --> 00:34:12,840
he's pleased with neither side

660
00:34:13,000 --> 00:34:14,199
and lost his position too.

661
00:34:14,400 --> 00:34:15,719
The way I see it,

662
00:34:16,039 --> 00:34:17,280
some people

663
00:34:17,280 --> 00:34:19,280
have sky-high ambitions,

664
00:34:19,360 --> 00:34:20,760
yet are born with little fortune.

665
00:34:23,000 --> 00:34:23,960
What nonsense are you talking?

666
00:34:25,360 --> 00:34:26,519
People from the northwest

667
00:34:26,519 --> 00:34:27,519
really are uncouth.

668
00:34:27,760 --> 00:34:28,519
Exactly.

669
00:34:28,519 --> 00:34:29,000
Yes.

670
00:34:29,719 --> 00:34:31,079
I'm from the northwest.

671
00:34:31,079 --> 00:34:32,239
Our soldiers in the northwest

672
00:34:32,239 --> 00:34:33,920
shed their blood on the frontier

673
00:34:33,920 --> 00:34:35,039
to defend this land.

674
00:34:35,719 --> 00:34:37,760
And all so you family memebers
of civil officials

675
00:34:37,760 --> 00:34:39,039
can sit around in the capital

676
00:34:39,039 --> 00:34:40,079
gossiping about others?

677
00:34:40,079 --> 00:34:40,519
You...

678
00:34:40,519 --> 00:34:41,199
What?

679
00:34:41,840 --> 00:34:43,199
Ladies, please calm down.

680
00:34:43,559 --> 00:34:44,679
Our husbands are all colleagues,

681
00:34:44,840 --> 00:34:45,880
and besides,

682
00:34:45,880 --> 00:34:47,800
today's banquet is hosted
by the Grand Empress Dowager herself.

683
00:34:48,280 --> 00:34:50,480
The Grand Empress Dowager has arrived!

684
00:34:53,280 --> 00:34:55,480
Greetings, Grand Empress Dowager!

685
00:34:55,800 --> 00:34:56,800
No need for formalities.

686
00:34:57,079 --> 00:34:59,199
Thank you, Grand Empress Dowager!

687
00:35:00,320 --> 00:35:01,400
Today,

688
00:35:01,400 --> 00:35:03,480
I summoned you all here

689
00:35:03,480 --> 00:35:05,199
to announce something.

690
00:35:06,159 --> 00:35:07,480
The Emperor, out of filial devotion,

691
00:35:08,079 --> 00:35:10,679
wished to renovate my mausoleum for me.

692
00:35:11,440 --> 00:35:14,039
But disaster now ravages the land,

693
00:35:14,239 --> 00:35:15,840
and the people are suffering.

694
00:35:16,119 --> 00:35:18,760
How could I let my own
burial arrangements

695
00:35:18,840 --> 00:35:21,199
bring suffering upon the people?

696
00:35:22,199 --> 00:35:23,559
By my decree,

697
00:35:24,440 --> 00:35:25,599
effective immediately,

698
00:35:26,920 --> 00:35:28,519
work on the imperial mausoleum
is suspended.

699
00:35:45,280 --> 00:35:45,880
Grandmother.

700
00:35:52,360 --> 00:35:53,480
This year,

701
00:35:53,599 --> 00:35:55,079
the drought is severe.

702
00:35:55,559 --> 00:35:57,199
The mausoleum

703
00:35:58,519 --> 00:35:59,840
can wait.

704
00:36:00,840 --> 00:36:02,480
Take the one hundred thousand taels

705
00:36:02,920 --> 00:36:04,360
and use it all for disaster relief.

706
00:36:05,000 --> 00:36:06,960
Hanbai white marble carvings,

707
00:36:07,159 --> 00:36:08,960
luminous pearls from the South Sea,

708
00:36:09,119 --> 00:36:10,519
golden-thread nanmu wood...

709
00:36:11,119 --> 00:36:13,880
none of them matters more
than the living.

710
00:36:16,519 --> 00:36:17,320
Grandmother,

711
00:36:18,039 --> 00:36:19,239
to me,

712
00:36:19,239 --> 00:36:20,320
you matter most of all.

713
00:36:21,159 --> 00:36:22,440
What I owe you

714
00:36:22,880 --> 00:36:24,039
is greater than what I owe my father,

715
00:36:24,360 --> 00:36:25,559
greater than what I owe my grandfather,

716
00:36:25,840 --> 00:36:27,519
greater than what I owe anyone
in this world.

717
00:36:28,239 --> 00:36:29,519
If you hadn't

718
00:36:29,519 --> 00:36:31,079
insisted on taking me out
of the Cold Palace,

719
00:36:31,280 --> 00:36:33,400
I might have died there as a child.

720
00:36:33,800 --> 00:36:35,400
I would never be where I am today.

721
00:36:36,800 --> 00:36:38,960
But you are the Emperor.

722
00:36:40,960 --> 00:36:42,199
Now get up.

723
00:36:48,159 --> 00:36:49,960
But now, what binds my hands

724
00:36:50,440 --> 00:36:52,519
is this very throne.

725
00:36:53,320 --> 00:36:55,480
It forces me to stand by and watch

726
00:36:56,079 --> 00:36:57,440
your lifelong wish go unfulfilled.

727
00:37:01,880 --> 00:37:03,719
Through your forbearance this time,

728
00:37:04,119 --> 00:37:06,119
you've saved me once again.

729
00:37:06,440 --> 00:37:07,280
You are giving up

730
00:37:07,679 --> 00:37:09,840
your longing to be reunited
with Grandfather

731
00:37:10,880 --> 00:37:12,719
and a wish you've held for decades.

732
00:37:17,320 --> 00:37:18,400
That's enough.

733
00:37:19,000 --> 00:37:21,199
You emperors

734
00:37:22,039 --> 00:37:23,519
are always so good with your words.

735
00:37:23,800 --> 00:37:25,000
Your grandfather,

736
00:37:25,400 --> 00:37:26,599
your father,

737
00:37:26,719 --> 00:37:27,840
and now you.

738
00:37:30,760 --> 00:37:32,840
But you're the smoothest talker
of them all,

739
00:37:34,199 --> 00:37:35,239
and somehow,

740
00:37:35,719 --> 00:37:37,679
I always fall for it.

741
00:37:38,079 --> 00:37:41,199
Though you've certainly
put your minister through a lot.

742
00:37:44,800 --> 00:37:45,719
This time,

743
00:37:46,360 --> 00:37:48,199
it was all thanks to your clever plan.

744
00:37:50,760 --> 00:37:52,039
So all these years,

745
00:37:52,440 --> 00:37:55,239
the calming tonic I drank
in Grandmother's palace

746
00:37:56,440 --> 00:37:57,760
was made from the aged renshen

747
00:37:57,960 --> 00:37:59,960
I had personally found for her.

748
00:38:00,440 --> 00:38:01,920
Your Majesty and the Grand Empress
Dowager

749
00:38:02,320 --> 00:38:03,400
share a deep bond,

750
00:38:04,000 --> 00:38:05,159
and both care for the people.

751
00:38:05,599 --> 00:38:07,079
That left you torn

752
00:38:07,079 --> 00:38:08,000
between family affection and duty.

753
00:38:10,719 --> 00:38:11,719
In that case,

754
00:38:12,480 --> 00:38:13,800
perhaps we could use

755
00:38:13,800 --> 00:38:15,159
the bond between grandmother
and grandson

756
00:38:15,159 --> 00:38:15,800
to break the deadlock.

757
00:38:23,920 --> 00:38:25,519
You mean...

758
00:38:31,400 --> 00:38:32,360
a...

759
00:38:35,880 --> 00:38:37,000
a self-sacrifice ploy?

760
00:38:38,199 --> 00:38:39,320
I will bear

761
00:38:39,840 --> 00:38:41,079
all the consequences.

762
00:38:41,840 --> 00:38:43,840
Whether I'm suspended or caned at court,

763
00:38:46,559 --> 00:38:48,000
I will gladly endure it.

764
00:38:50,280 --> 00:38:51,719
If this is a self-sacrifice ploy,

765
00:38:52,559 --> 00:38:53,719
how would punishing you

766
00:38:54,280 --> 00:38:56,559
make my grandmother feel the pain?

767
00:38:58,079 --> 00:38:59,440
The damage to my reputation

768
00:39:00,400 --> 00:39:02,760
is a burden I should bear myself.

769
00:39:04,800 --> 00:39:06,280
Not only did this resolve

770
00:39:06,599 --> 00:39:08,159
the rift between Grandmother and me,

771
00:39:08,599 --> 00:39:10,119
it also made me realize

772
00:39:10,119 --> 00:39:11,599
that Grandmother had been saving her
renshen for me.

773
00:39:12,559 --> 00:39:14,119
Once a man sits on the throne,

774
00:39:14,280 --> 00:39:15,559
even his brothers become his subjects.

775
00:39:15,880 --> 00:39:16,719
His wife and daughters

776
00:39:16,719 --> 00:39:17,679
become his subjects as well.

777
00:39:18,239 --> 00:39:20,159
It's been a long time since I've felt

778
00:39:20,159 --> 00:39:21,880
such warmth between grandmother
and grandson.

779
00:39:24,320 --> 00:39:26,079
Your Majesty and the Grand Empress
Dowager

780
00:39:27,039 --> 00:39:28,400
have always cared deeply for each other.

781
00:39:29,599 --> 00:39:30,760
I merely

782
00:39:31,440 --> 00:39:32,440
did what little I could.

783
00:39:33,440 --> 00:39:34,800
I wouldn't dare take credit for it.

784
00:39:36,840 --> 00:39:38,199
No need to be so modest, Huchen.

785
00:39:41,480 --> 00:39:42,280
Huchen,

786
00:39:43,000 --> 00:39:44,320
this strand of lapis lazuli beads

787
00:39:44,480 --> 00:39:45,960
has been with me for many years.

788
00:39:46,320 --> 00:39:47,159
Today,

789
00:39:47,360 --> 00:39:48,480
I bestow it upon you.

790
00:39:58,079 --> 00:39:59,760
When you are reinstated,

791
00:39:59,960 --> 00:40:01,599
I hope your heart remains as pure

792
00:40:01,599 --> 00:40:02,880
as this lapis,

793
00:40:03,079 --> 00:40:04,719
and that you seek the good
of all under heaven.

794
00:40:16,079 --> 00:40:17,039
Thank you, Your Majesty.

795
00:40:21,000 --> 00:40:21,760
And one more thing.

796
00:40:22,119 --> 00:40:23,400
I shall leave

797
00:40:23,880 --> 00:40:24,719
the disaster-relief matters

798
00:40:25,679 --> 00:40:27,039
to you as well.

799
00:40:28,519 --> 00:40:30,159
I will do everything in my power

800
00:40:31,599 --> 00:40:32,599
so that the disaster victims

801
00:40:35,719 --> 00:40:36,679
may receive Your Majesty's grace.

802
00:40:44,400 --> 00:40:45,480
Zhao Ling...

803
00:40:49,239 --> 00:40:49,960
My dear,

804
00:40:50,440 --> 00:40:51,960
the Yu family has a century of influence
behind it.

805
00:40:52,480 --> 00:40:53,880
But Zhao Ling and his wife

806
00:40:53,880 --> 00:40:55,280
are still newcomers at court.

807
00:40:55,280 --> 00:40:56,360
No matter how ambitious they are,

808
00:40:56,400 --> 00:40:57,039
he

809
00:40:57,039 --> 00:40:58,440
can't change where he came from.

810
00:40:58,719 --> 00:40:59,559
The way I see it,

811
00:40:59,559 --> 00:41:00,960
they're no match for the Yu family.

812
00:41:00,960 --> 00:41:01,800
Foolish.

813
00:41:02,480 --> 00:41:03,719
Those two

814
00:41:03,800 --> 00:41:05,360
have more than ambition.

815
00:41:05,360 --> 00:41:06,440
They have nerve.

816
00:41:06,800 --> 00:41:08,480
They don't just know how to fight
for power.

817
00:41:08,480 --> 00:41:09,800
They know how to wield it.

818
00:41:09,880 --> 00:41:11,840
They even dared to use the imperial
mausoleum to set a trap.

819
00:41:11,960 --> 00:41:14,239
What ordinary upstarts
could compare with that?

820
00:41:19,079 --> 00:41:20,760
I actually have a good impression

821
00:41:21,039 --> 00:41:22,280
of Madam Zhao.

822
00:41:22,960 --> 00:41:24,199
When she was kneeling

823
00:41:24,199 --> 00:41:25,239
outside Renshou Palace,

824
00:41:25,239 --> 00:41:26,360
I even specifically

825
00:41:26,360 --> 00:41:28,079
sent a maid to help her out.

826
00:41:28,400 --> 00:41:29,440
In any case,

827
00:41:29,559 --> 00:41:31,480
it never hurts to stay on good terms.

828
00:41:34,480 --> 00:41:35,360
From now on,

829
00:41:35,800 --> 00:41:37,239
learn more from Father.

830
00:41:37,599 --> 00:41:39,719
He's seen far more of the world
than you have.

831
00:41:40,480 --> 00:41:41,679
You're right, my dear.

832
00:41:42,400 --> 00:41:43,760
I'll follow Father's advice.

833
00:41:44,960 --> 00:41:45,960
Father, it's your turn.

834
00:41:49,080 --> 00:41:55,600
(Xie Residence)

835
00:41:56,920 --> 00:41:57,719
For the next few days,

836
00:41:57,719 --> 00:41:59,199
stay at Xie Jewelry Shop until things
calm down.

837
00:42:00,320 --> 00:42:01,920
Plain clothes and a curtained sedan
are ready.

838
00:42:01,920 --> 00:42:02,519
Don't worry.

839
00:42:07,679 --> 00:42:08,119
Come on.

840
00:42:15,960 --> 00:42:16,679
Mr. Jin,

841
00:42:16,679 --> 00:42:17,519
I'm afraid it's not a good time.

842
00:42:17,519 --> 00:42:19,119
Mr. Zhao and Madam Zhao are both out.

843
00:42:20,760 --> 00:42:21,480
No matter.

844
00:42:22,079 --> 00:42:22,480
How about this?

845
00:42:22,840 --> 00:42:23,519
Take the gifts

846
00:42:23,519 --> 00:42:24,159
inside for now.

847
00:42:24,159 --> 00:42:24,840
I'll come back another day.

848
00:42:25,360 --> 00:42:26,000
Mr. Jin,

849
00:42:26,119 --> 00:42:27,719
if we accept your gifts now,

850
00:42:28,039 --> 00:42:29,679
what are we supposed to do
when others bring gifts too?

851
00:42:31,440 --> 00:42:32,800
You're one of us.

852
00:42:33,119 --> 00:42:34,800
Please don't add to the commotion
right now.

853
00:42:35,000 --> 00:42:36,280
Everyone, please go home.

854
00:42:36,519 --> 00:42:38,079
Mr. Zhao really isn't accepting gifts!

855
00:42:38,400 --> 00:42:39,320
Please, everyone, go home.

856
00:42:42,800 --> 00:42:44,280
(Merchants are the most perceptive.)

857
00:42:45,199 --> 00:42:47,559
(They're always the first
to sense a change.)

858
00:42:48,400 --> 00:42:48,880
(No.)

859
00:42:49,760 --> 00:42:50,599
(I need to find a way)

860
00:42:50,599 --> 00:42:51,920
(to visit the other families too.)

861
00:42:52,559 --> 00:42:53,840
(I can't let those Yan merchants)

862
00:42:53,840 --> 00:42:55,159
(get ahead of us in the salt reform.)

863
00:42:55,560 --> 00:42:56,800
(Lord Wang, Minister of Personnel)

864
00:42:57,360 --> 00:42:59,719
I recently obtained
a nourishing prescription.

865
00:43:00,159 --> 00:43:01,440
It calls for astragalus root,

866
00:43:01,880 --> 00:43:03,960
so I had some brought from my hometown.

867
00:43:04,239 --> 00:43:05,159
It's only mildly bitter

868
00:43:05,159 --> 00:43:05,960
and leaves a sweet aftertaste.

869
00:43:06,239 --> 00:43:07,880
I brought it especially
for Your Majesty.

870
00:43:18,840 --> 00:43:19,880
Madam Zhao,

871
00:43:20,960 --> 00:43:22,119
come forward.

872
00:43:30,039 --> 00:43:31,199
A little closer.

873
00:43:35,480 --> 00:43:36,920
These past few days

874
00:43:37,440 --> 00:43:38,800
must have been hard on you.

875
00:43:39,400 --> 00:43:41,519
You seem

876
00:43:41,519 --> 00:43:42,840
to have lost some weight.

877
00:43:43,320 --> 00:43:44,800
You should have some renshen tonic

878
00:43:44,800 --> 00:43:46,159
and build your strength back up.

879
00:43:50,519 --> 00:43:52,199
To help ease Your Majesty's burdens

880
00:43:52,599 --> 00:43:54,000
is only my duty.

881
00:43:55,079 --> 00:43:58,039
Your husband helps shoulder
the Emperor's burdens.

882
00:43:58,400 --> 00:44:00,039
You should support him well.

883
00:44:01,599 --> 00:44:03,199
When you leave the palace,

884
00:44:03,400 --> 00:44:04,960
I'll have someone

885
00:44:04,960 --> 00:44:06,119
bring some nourishing tonics

886
00:44:06,119 --> 00:44:07,519
to your residence.

887
00:44:09,679 --> 00:44:11,599
Thank you for your kindness,
Your Majesty.

888
00:44:27,120 --> 00:44:29,760
(Next Episode)

889
00:44:30,000 --> 00:44:31,360
I'd like to see

890
00:44:32,679 --> 00:44:34,440
who

891
00:44:35,639 --> 00:44:37,079
the real Young Madam Yu is.

892
00:44:37,639 --> 00:44:38,920
In this family,

893
00:44:39,079 --> 00:44:40,079
my life

894
00:44:41,199 --> 00:44:42,840
is not hers to decide.

895
00:44:43,320 --> 00:44:45,880
From the moment you married
into the Fu family,

896
00:44:45,880 --> 00:44:47,159
your words

897
00:44:48,559 --> 00:44:49,599
have never carried any weight.

898
00:44:50,199 --> 00:44:52,079
That precious son-in-law of yours

899
00:44:52,079 --> 00:44:53,360
has been rather restless

900
00:44:53,559 --> 00:44:54,960
these past few months.

901
00:44:54,960 --> 00:44:57,559
Since your mother's grave is empty now,

902
00:44:57,920 --> 00:45:00,400
someone should fill it.

903
00:45:15,561 --> 00:45:19,881
♪The past brushes by
like a falling leaf♪

904
00:45:23,481 --> 00:45:27,841
♪So light, yet my steps still pause
for you♪

905
00:45:29,961 --> 00:45:34,601
♪Through every rise and fall,
our memories remain without regret♪

906
00:45:34,841 --> 00:45:37,641
♪Carved into the rings of time♪

907
00:45:38,801 --> 00:45:43,441
♪How I wish I could stay
a little longer, but I can't♪

908
00:45:46,641 --> 00:45:53,481
♪I turn away, afraid goodbye will fill
my eyes with tears♪

909
00:45:54,361 --> 00:46:00,881
♪Etched deep within my heart,
yet buried without a word♪

910
00:46:01,841 --> 00:46:05,281
♪The warmth of your hand in mine♪

911
00:46:05,801 --> 00:46:10,001
♪Still makes us want to believe♪

912
00:46:10,281 --> 00:46:15,961
♪One promise for a lifetime,
echoing long after we part♪

913
00:46:28,081 --> 00:46:31,961
♪For one fleeting moment, I found you
in the crowd♪

914
00:46:35,881 --> 00:46:39,881
♪Without a word, you lit up
half my life♪

915
00:46:41,601 --> 00:46:46,281
♪In silence, a love too deep for words♪

916
00:46:46,601 --> 00:46:49,281
♪Kept close within my heart♪

917
00:46:50,361 --> 00:46:55,201
♪From now on, no one else
is worth waiting for♪

918
00:46:58,721 --> 00:47:05,641
♪I turn away, afraid no one
will ever come home to me again♪

919
00:47:06,521 --> 00:47:13,001
♪If we can build our future together,
no storm can chill my heart♪

920
00:47:13,881 --> 00:47:17,401
♪The warmth of your hand in mine♪

921
00:47:17,841 --> 00:47:22,201
♪Still makes us want to believe♪

922
00:47:22,401 --> 00:47:28,121
♪One promise for a lifetime,
echoing long after we part♪