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=The Road to Splendor=
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(Adapted from China Literature author
Zhizhi's novel of the same name)
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=Episode 27=
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Why are there sesame flatbreads here?
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Don't you know I can't tolerate spices?
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Young Madam,
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this...
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Concubine Wu made it herself.
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She said she specially learned
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how they make it in Ganlin.
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Enough.
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She meant well.
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(Graceful and Virtuous)
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Young Master.
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The tea is ready.
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Today,
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you went to see her?
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You gave me a home, Young Master.
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Now I no longer
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worry about my next meal.
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You and Madam Zhao
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are both my benefactors.
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What else did you talk about?
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I've never been to the northwest,
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so I chatted with her
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about the wind and sand in Ganlin,
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and...
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horses galloping
through the desert poplar forests.
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00:03:52,240 --> 00:03:53,919
I went to see Miss Wu today.
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She told me
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Madam Yu
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meant to use
the Grand Empress Dowager's wish
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to be buried beside the founding emperor
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to set a trap for you.
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At the birthday banquet,
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the reminder not to honor only my father
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while neglecting my grandmother
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seemed to be meant for me,
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00:04:10,759 --> 00:04:11,680
but in truth,
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it was meant for His Majesty.
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00:04:15,240 --> 00:04:17,240
Others saw you at odds with
Grand Secretary Yu
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and didn't want to get involved,
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00:04:19,000 --> 00:04:20,319
so no one warned you.
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00:04:22,920 --> 00:04:24,480
No wonder His Majesty's
attitude changed so suddenly.
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Anyone in his position
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would have been angry.
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His Majesty personally raised me
through the ranks.
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Yet in this matter,
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I fell right into someone else's trap
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and put him in a difficult position.
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Then His Majesty must blame me
for two things.
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First,
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for being incompetent.
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Second, my lack of foresight.
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I'll go ask for His Majesty's
forgiveness tomorrow.
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Mr. Zhao,
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00:04:56,560 --> 00:04:58,199
your loyalty may be sincere,
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00:04:59,439 --> 00:05:00,959
but you still need to be careful.
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00:05:02,040 --> 00:05:03,600
The man who sits on the throne today
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is no longer the Sixteenth Master
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we knew in Yongning.
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When a man
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gains absolute power,
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how much of his old innocence
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00:05:26,279 --> 00:05:27,439
can really remain?
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The Emperor's favor is easy to lose
and hard to regain.
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00:05:34,120 --> 00:05:35,399
We need to think this through carefully
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if we're going to turn this around.
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Back then,
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00:05:47,279 --> 00:05:49,439
I urged you to accept Sixteenth Master's
letter of introduction,
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believing it was a rare opportunity.
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Take care, Young Master.
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My Lady,
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try this.
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After all these years,
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how could he possibly remember
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what Madam Zhao's sesame flatbreads
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tasted like back then?
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He's just found an excuse
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00:06:47,079 --> 00:06:48,839
to indulge in his own sentimentality.
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The two people who truly love each other
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only ate that sesame flatbread
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to stave off hunger on the march.
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00:06:57,519 --> 00:06:58,720
Look at them now.
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00:06:59,199 --> 00:07:00,000
Do they still eat it?
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00:07:01,000 --> 00:07:03,240
(Hold Fast to the Mean)
"I misunderstood Your Majesty."
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Then tell me.
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00:07:06,519 --> 00:07:07,160
What
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exactly were my intentions?
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00:07:09,360 --> 00:07:09,959
Your Majesty,
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I was foolish.
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All the people under heaven
are Your Majesty's subjects,
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yet I cared only for one corner
of the realm
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00:07:16,439 --> 00:07:17,439
and failed to understand
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Your Majesty's concern
for all your people.
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00:07:21,160 --> 00:07:22,160
I deserve punishment.
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I gave you the courtesy name Huchen
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so you could
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help shoulder my burdens,
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00:07:27,439 --> 00:07:29,439
not create more problems for me.
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Rise.
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Your Majesty,
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I
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have thought about this day and night
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and am deeply ashamed.
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I beg Your Majesty to give me
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a chance to redeem myself
through service.
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Have you
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found some way to raise money?
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00:08:04,439 --> 00:08:05,600
To meet the immediate need,
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00:08:08,680 --> 00:08:09,759
we could reallocate some funds.
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00:08:12,319 --> 00:08:13,519
The other day, I heard
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that Grand Secretary Yu mentioned
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that the Ministry of Works requested
one hundred thousand taels
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to renovate the imperial mausoleum.
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I believe
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that project could be postponed.
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Zhao Ling.
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Did you know
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that I
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grew up in the Cold Palace?
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00:08:41,919 --> 00:08:42,799
I...
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have heard something of it.
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My father doted on the Noble Consort
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and neglected the other consorts.
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My birth mother
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was only a palace maid.
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Fearing the favored consort
would harm me,
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she hid me away in the Cold Palace.
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My father didn't even know
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he had a son until I was six.
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Later,
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my grandmother took me out
of the Cold Palace
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and raised me with great care.
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00:09:08,720 --> 00:09:09,960
Everything I have today
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is entirely
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thanks to her.
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The Grand Empress Dowager's kindness
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is clear
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00:09:17,399 --> 00:09:18,440
to all ministers.
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Filial devotion is the foremost virtue.
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In my heart,
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I want to grant her every wish.
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But I am the Emperor.
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If I am to rule through filial virtue,
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I cannot honor only my grandmother
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while dishonoring my late father.
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My father refused her wish
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for the same reason.
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Thank you, Your Majesty,
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for telling me the truth.
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The imperial mausoleum
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must be renovated
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to fulfill my grandmother's wish
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to be buried beside my grandfather.
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And the cost
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will be far more than one hundred
thousand taels.
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It truly puts me
in a difficult position.
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00:10:05,159 --> 00:10:05,879
Commander Zhao,
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00:10:06,559 --> 00:10:07,919
what His Majesty just said
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came from the heart.
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00:10:11,919 --> 00:10:13,519
But when it comes
to the imperial family,
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you must read between the lines.
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00:10:18,399 --> 00:10:20,360
This business of renovating
the imperial mausoleum
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is a poisoned chalice.
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(Virtue Blesses the Hometown)
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What I'm afraid of
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is that His Majesty never wanted
the mausoleum renovated at all,
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much less grant
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Her Majesty's wish
to rest with the late emperor.
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Yes.
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But given who he is,
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he's the one person
who can't say it outright.
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I've crossed swords with Madam Yu
several times.
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This time
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was the hardest trap to escape.
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(Hall of Supreme Harmony)
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00:11:00,039 --> 00:11:01,120
As for the drought,
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open the granaries
and release grain first
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to meet the immediate need.
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Then proceed with the salt reform
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to replenish the treasury
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for future needs.
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As Your Majesty commands.
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00:11:11,600 --> 00:11:12,480
My ministers,
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is there anything else to report?
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Your Majesty,
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the Grand Empress Dowager has ordered
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the imperial mausoleum to be expanded.
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00:11:19,919 --> 00:11:20,960
The budget of one hundred thousand taels
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is nowhere near enough.
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00:11:22,519 --> 00:11:24,519
We've spent days trying every way
to raise more funds,
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but with so little silver available,
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00:11:26,279 --> 00:11:27,720
no one dares take on the task.
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00:11:27,879 --> 00:11:28,519
Your Majesty,
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00:11:28,799 --> 00:11:30,519
we truly don't know what to do.
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00:11:41,240 --> 00:11:41,840
Your Majesty,
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00:11:42,279 --> 00:11:42,960
I am
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willing to assist the Ministry of Works
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with the project.
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Good.
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You've always been resourceful.
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If you handle this well,
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you will be richly rewarded.
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00:12:08,960 --> 00:12:09,519
Grand Secretary,
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00:12:09,600 --> 00:12:12,080
Zhao Ling really doesn't know
what he's getting himself into.
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He actually dared to take this on.
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00:12:13,840 --> 00:12:14,720
Sooner or later,
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he'll either anger His Majesty
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or offend
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the Grand Empress Dowager.
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00:12:18,120 --> 00:12:18,879
Either way,
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00:12:18,879 --> 00:12:20,399
he's doomed.
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00:12:21,320 --> 00:12:22,080
Lord Liu,
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00:12:23,360 --> 00:12:24,559
whether he wanted the job or not,
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00:12:24,559 --> 00:12:26,039
was never really up to him.
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00:12:26,559 --> 00:12:27,519
After all,
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00:12:27,519 --> 00:12:29,120
he's desperate to turn things around.
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00:12:29,120 --> 00:12:30,879
Do you think he can?
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00:12:31,159 --> 00:12:31,879
We
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00:12:31,879 --> 00:12:33,519
can just wait for the good news.
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00:13:07,480 --> 00:13:09,360
Word just came from court.
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00:13:09,360 --> 00:13:10,080
They say
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00:13:10,080 --> 00:13:12,120
Commander Zhao has taken
on the imperial mausoleum project.
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00:13:13,000 --> 00:13:14,480
Did I hear that correctly?
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00:13:15,600 --> 00:13:16,600
Zhao Ling
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00:13:17,039 --> 00:13:19,120
has taken on the imperial mausoleum
project?
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00:13:23,120 --> 00:13:25,679
I've raised this every year,
and every year it was put off.
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00:13:26,720 --> 00:13:28,200
Why did he
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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.
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00:13:37,720 --> 00:13:40,519
My grandson does care for me after all.
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00:13:40,840 --> 00:13:41,559
Indeed.
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00:13:42,320 --> 00:13:43,759
I remember
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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
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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
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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
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a tribute from a foreign kingdom.
265
00:15:18,279 --> 00:15:19,840
There's only enough for one person.
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00:15:20,600 --> 00:15:21,679
The imperial physician says
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00:15:21,799 --> 00:15:23,200
it can relieve headaches.
268
00:15:23,799 --> 00:15:25,120
As it happens,
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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.
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00:15:36,320 --> 00:15:37,519
The tonic is precious.
275
00:15:37,840 --> 00:15:38,879
Your Majesty,
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00:15:38,879 --> 00:15:39,799
please drink it while it's hot.
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00:15:42,480 --> 00:15:44,039
There's only one bowl each day,
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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♪
61837
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