Original subtitles

Subbed and Timed by the Healing Team @ Viki. Please do not reuse or reupload our subtitles.

♫ Not meeting each other, not meeting each other That one person, that one glance ♫

♫ Not resenting the years we wasted ♫

♫ In a certain year, that one gaze, who is nostalgic, who is silent? ♫

♫ Brushing past each other's shoulders, do not argue about our fate ♫

♫ If not for that one look, the fleeting sense of yearning ♫

♫ I would be unaware I had loved that person for a lifetime ♫

♫ Until now, even if the city is abound with rumours, do not explain ♫

♫ Using up the world's medicine, it is still hard to cure the affections of the mortal world ♫

♫ The heavy rain is coming and the ground is dampThe memories are fading in front of my eyes ♫

♫ Many years later, all the stories turn out to have similar endings♫

♫ Don't say you love someone, don't say butPlease do not overdo the tears ♫

♫ Gains and losses will always come around in a cycle ♫

♫ Gains and losses will always come around in a cycle ♫

The Imperial DoctressEpisode 43

All the traditional herbal therapies and prescriptions are only intended for usage in this drama. Please do not test or imitate.

Please take care, your Majesty. Do not misunderstand.

How is it possible that I don't misunderstand after seeing them behave like that?

Your Majesty, Official Hang and retired Empress Qian are like sisters.

Besides, she managed to escape from the Oirats after suffering a lot with retired Emperor together.

They just behaved that way after remembering the past.

Though it's not suitable, it's still reasonable and understandable.

Think about it. Official Hang even sacrificed her life for you.

She walked thousands miles alone.

How tough it must have been for her to finally arrive at the Capital!

Your Majesty, what Eunuch Ma said is right.

But you still have to be careful,your Majesty.

Though Official Hang is still pure and noble,

the retired Emperor still seems to hold bitter feelings towards you.

What if he has some bad thoughts about Official Hang..

What bitterness?

There's someone in Southern Palace from Eastern Depot.

The retired Emperor has been talking bad things about you with some officials these days.

Sometimes he said you used some insidious scheme to force him retire.

Sometimes he said he didn't fight for the position because he didn't care.

Moreover, he said the people would say that you abandoned your brotherhood.

Even those officials echoed his words that...

What did they say?

Ye Xian was hit by the lightning which is the wrath of heaven.

Now you break your promise,

they are afraid that you cannot escape from the punishment of God.

Moreover, some officials even persuaded the retired Emperor

to gather the army of Prince Qin and seize the throne.

Official Cao, how could you tell his Majesty such nonsense?

Are those words nonsense?

I think his Majesty will know.

So how did the retired Emperor answer?

He didn't agree.

He wouldn't dare to either.

- Cao Jixiang.- Present.

Give me a list of the officials that have made an audience with the retired Emperor.

Whoever wishes to meet with the retired Emperor needs to be approved by me in the future.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Xiao Ma'zi. Arrange for Yunxian to enter the palace tomorrow.

Grant Liu Ping'an the title of Supervisor of the Imperial Bureau of Medicine, to be effective immediately.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Also, keep all the supplies to the Southern Palace as they were before.

There's no need to add extra maids and eunuchs.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Didn't he turn his nose up at this throne?

I want to see, without eunuchs and maids,

how will he act as a retired Emperor?

I am very worried, hence I ask that Official Hang returns to the Inner Palace immediately.

She will be given the residence Wan'an Palace.

Leave now?

Yes.

Please leave immediately.

This is an imperial edict. You cannot put it off.

All right.

Take care.

Take care.

Ruxiang, you must take good care of Qian jiejie.T/N: "-jiejie" is an endearing term used to address older females

I will return to visit you.

The Emperor received her into the palace in the imperial carriage?

Your Highness, calm down.

I will calm down.

I must calm down.

The Emperor is accepting her into the palace to show her favor.

If I were to throw a tantrum,

wouldn't I be giving the Emperor something to be unhappy about?

- Lancao.- Present.

Find a few ornaments and send them to Wanan Palace for me.

Just say that I'm sick.

I will see her in a few days.

Yes.

When the Emperor's enthusiasm is exhausted,

that's when I'll deal with her.

Yunxian,

do you know why I received you into the palace so suddenly?

I don't know.

Yunxian, look who's here.

Grandma!

Yunxian, have you been well?

Why have you become so thin?

His Majesty knew Official Hang must miss her family,

and especially brought Old Madam to the palace in a royal sedan.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

My Lady.

- Dingxiang.- Greetings, My Lady.

Aren't you...?

She used to serve Consort Quanli,

and was the one punished because of the Feiyun pill.

Since Consort Quanli has left the palace

and the Emperor knew that she received your care, he specially assigned her and I to serve you.

Are you glad?

Qiyu, thank you.

Yunxian.

I will go right away.

Madam,

Spend some time with Yunxian. Go back after dinner.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Yunxian, I have urgent matters. I'll leave first.

Yunxian, you scared me to death.

You actually hid from me that

you coerced the prince into the palace. What guts you have.

I was thinking for the Emperor.

Didn't you also say that you didn't want to restore the retired Emperor?

You even have an excuse?

Mother!

What do you mean by this?

Your Majesty!

You're becoming gutsier.

I forbade you from killing the retired Emperor,

so you took the nephew to coerce him.

Think about it. What Emperor of any dynasty has done something like this?

Aren't you afraid of what the historians will record or the censure of the people?

It was clearly Brother who withdrew from the position himself.

I completely didn't know.

Stop denying.

Duke Wang is only an external minister. Without your support,

would he dare to do such a thing?

Your Majesty, your actions are this despicable. You're no match for your brother.

So what?

I am the Emperor now! Don't forget.

It was you who imposed the Empress on me from the start.

It was you that told me Duke Wang was loyal and trustworthy, and could enter the State Council as Prime Minister.

It was you who wanted to be rid of Zhu Qizhen from the start.

It was you who forced me to succeed the throne from the start!

Now you're pretending to be a loving mother with me.

My mother did do wrong,

but it was all for my sake. But you?

You repeatedly said that nothing will change when the retired Emperor returns, but what are you doing now?

Don't think that relying on Wang Ying's family means

that you can disobey my discipline!

The Emperor is wished a long life of ten thousand years.

The Empress Dowager is a thousand years.

Why must I be disciplined by you?

Fine.

I can't control you,

but I can control the Inner Palace.

Consort Wu, kneel!

Mother, get up!

She dares!

Recite the edict that the former Empress Dowager gave you!

Palace lady Wu is of lowly birth,

and though she has caught the eye of the Emperor, she is the descendant of a traitorous official.

Hence, she is not allowed to live within the Palace.

She is hereby granted a separate residence outside the Palace

so the social status quo will not be ignored.

Enough!

Mother, let's go!

Remember it!

Don't let me hear of the horrible things you've done again!

I was able to make you the Emperor.

I can also reduce you to a pariah!

I thank you for your guidance.

I wish to take my mother back to her palace.

Your Highness!

Sit quickly.

Your body is so frail, why become so angry?

Duke Wang is relying on his position of Imperial father-in-law,

and hasn't come to pay his respects for a long time.

In order to stay on the throne, the Emperor has been walking more and more on the fallen path.

If my person can no longer put fear into him,

I really don't know what other irreparable things he will do.

Grandma,

I came so close to not being able to see you.

Your father misses you too.

He was injured by the Oirats and couldn't walk. It took him days to walk here.

You don't know. When he's at home, he often sighs and sheds tears.

He chides himself for being useless enoughto have fallen into the hands of the enemy

and almost implicated you.

It was clearly I who implicated Father.

If the Wang Family hadn't wanted to eliminate me...

No, Yunxian.

Grandma.

Are you all right now?

I'm fine. I'm fine.

I'm already this old and she made me kneel!

What's the point of being an Empress Dowager? I might as well die!

Enough, Mother! Stop making a fuss!

How am I making a fuss?

I'm an Empress Dowager too! Why should I?

You may all leave.

Mother,

If you hadn't taken the prince into the palace at first, you wouldn't have provoked her.

If I hadn't done that, would you be the Emperor now?

Yu'er, whatever brotherly affections are fake.

Only when you're sitting on the throne and your mother is officially the Empress Dowager

are we fit to be buried next to the previous Emperor.

Unlike Zhu Qizhen's mother who was buried all alone in the concubine mausoleum.

I already suffered for over twenty years.

I don't wish to suffer any longer. I really don't want to.

Mother,

don't bother about outside matters.

I will not let you endure suffering again.

We won't hold the morning court tomorrow.

Summon Yu Dongyang into the palace. I have urgent matters to discuss with him.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Empress?

Why are you here?

I'm here to ask your forgiveness.

What sin have you committed?

I heard that Duke Wang coerced the Crown Prince into the Inner Palace with the Empress Dowager.

I am very ashamed, and have come to apologise and ask for punishment.

As a daughter-in-law, I have been unfilial to mother,

and made her endure humiliation. This is my first crime.

As the Empress, I couldn't restrain my family,

and caused him to commit treason. This is my second crime.

I have no son, and no children under me,

causing the Emperor to lack heirs.

I have no way to face you.

Your Majesty, please depose me to further enforce the rules of the Inner Palace.

Get up, Empress.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

You two may leave.

Sit.

This matter...

you really didn't know?

I can swear upon my life

a husband's words are everything to the wife, and that officials must pay the price for their ruler's humiliation.

Your Majesty suffered so much under the Empress Dowager today.

I...I...I'm even contemplating killing the Empress Dowager.

I saw the gifts you sent to Wan'an Palace.

You did well.

That is my duty.

Sister Hang just entered the palace.

I should have gone to see her,

but...I was afraid Sister Hang would misunderstand, so I said I was sick.

I ask for your understanding.

You are the Empress. She's a Minister.

She should be paying respects to you,

but her health has not been good lately.

I am worried that she'll transmit her illness to you.

So we'll talk about paying respects later.

Yes.

Keep your father in check.

I know he is loyal. However, I am the Emperor.

Tell him to stop doing things that exceed his authority.

Yes. I apologise on behalf of my father.

However, the Crown Prince's matter

might be spread outside the Palace.

Rather than hear the complaints of the ministers then, why not strike first to gain the initiative?

How would I do that?

The Empress Dowager has humiliated your birth mother. She should be punished accordingly.

If the Emperor is willing, I will tell people to spread the news that

the Empress Dowager is guilty of two crimes.

The first is an assassination plot on the retired Emperor,

and the second is using the Crown Prince's life to coerce the retired Emperor to fully abdicate.

Empress, you are willing to do something like this?

She is your biological aunt.

Your Majesty, speaking frankly,

even if you aren't the Emperor, you are still my husband.

You are my sky, my earth.

So no matter who opposes you, I surely won't let him off!

All right.

I know the pain you have for me.

Tonight...

Tonight, I still have to see Mother.

When I'm free in two days, I'll go see you.

Yes.

Then...I take my leave.

Greetings, Minister Hang.

Senior, there is no need for such courtesy.

I dare not take the title of Senior.

Please let me feel your pulse.

Your Highness' chi is weakened, with diminished levels of yin and toxic heat in the lungs, leading to a decrease in important nutrition.

Though the pulse is thin, thankfully it is still strong.

However, it is not serious.

As long as you simmer soup with donkey hide gelatin,

eaglewood, ginseng and the root bark of white mulberry,

and drink the gelatin eaglewood soup every three days, you will recover.

The Emperor has arrived!

Welcome, Your Majesty.

Rise quickly.

Remember, in my presence, you never need to bow.

Sit quickly.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Cheng Cunxia, you may rise.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Let me ask you. How is Yunxian's health now?

Your Majesty. Her illness is severe, but after recuperating for a while, she will surely recover.

Good.

I've been looking forward to your recovery sooner.

Fine. You may all leave.

Yes.

Are you used to staying in the palace?

Has your grandmother left?

It's not like I haven't lived in the palace.

Grandma has already left.

In the future, can I let my grandmother into the palace more often?

Of course, you can.

Yunxian,

do you know how glad I am?

I even dreamed in the past of a time when we can be together like this.

Now that dream has come true.

Yunxian,

promise me. Take good care of your health.

Keep yourself healthy and beautiful.

I will hold the most magnificent ceremony to welcome you into the palace.

Then I can openly dote on you and openly love you.

We have to bear a group of little princes.

What do you say we should name our first prince?

Yunxian.

What are you thinking of?

I was thinking...Why is it that Qian jiejieT/N: "-jiejie" is an endearing term used to address older females

has been unhappy these days?

I was talking about the two of us.

Why did you bring up someone else?

How is Qian jiejie "someone else"?T/N: "-jiejie" is an endearing term used to address older females

If not for her, I wouldn't be here now.

Qiyu, the day that the retired Emperor returned to the palace,

did something happen between the two of you?

Yunxian, you are someone who is to become my consort.

Isn't it unsuitable for you to keep thinking of the retired Emperor's family?

These are two different matters. Also,

I haven't decided if I'll marry you.

Why?

I know.

Is it because the Empress' maidservant once hurt you,

so you feel unhappy when you think of her?

What do you think?

Yunxian,

the Empress didn't do those things.

Can't you just forget it?

I am the Emperor now. I obviously hope that all is peaceful in the Inner Palace.

I also wish to appoint you as the Empress, but with the current situation, how can I do that?

Empress Wang and I are just a married couple by name.

She only has the noble title. Why must you be so...

Just by name?

Then why did you make a huge celebration a few months ago

because she was expecting?

Was it Ding Xiang who told you again?

No.

Is there anyone in the land who doesn't know?

Carry the order!

Court lady Ding Xiang is ordered to the changing rooms!

Why are you punishing Ding Xiang?

I'm the Emperor. Why can't I?

If you punish Dingxiang, I will leave the palace immediately.

Do you think you can leave?

Then I won't eat my medicine. Will that do?

I see. You're just propped up by the fact that I like you.

Order court lady Ding Xiang to the South Palace, and prevent entry to the main palace!

Your Majesty.

I will be leaving for Kunming Palace.

Yes, Your Majesty.

The Emperor has arrived!

The Emperor?

Your Majesty.

Usually the Empress is dressed in a stately fashion. I do not see you in this casual dress often.

Forgive me, Your Majesty.

- Leave.- Yes, Sir.

You're awake, Your Highness?

Where's His Majesty?

Minister Yu requested to see him, so His Majesty left already.

He told me not to disturb you.

Congratulations, Your Highness.

What's there to congratulate?

If the Buddha was able to send a prince last night

that would be something to congratulate.

With the favor the Emperor has for you, that will happen sooner or later.

I'm not like those concubines.

Do you expect me to fight for the Emperor's grace?

Ever since His Majesty saved me in Nanzhou,

my heart

has only been with His Majesty.

Those concubines just know how to dress in racy attire to appeal to His Majesty.

But he's not a perverted person, how could he like them?

Only I can help the Emperor.

And only I can adorn the phoenix on my head.

But of course.

Your Highness, don't worry.

As for the one in Wan'an Palace, the Emperor didn't agree to her pleas on the first night.

He even punished Dingxiang.

The way I see it, His Majesty will eventually get tired of her.

Your Highness, try this.

These are the fresh tomatoes granted to you by his Majesty.

Is this...as effective as the Emperor says?

This is a treasure of the south.

The concubines in Annam rely on it to help them fall pregnant.

His Majesty presented them so that Your Highness could quickly conceive a Crown Prince.

Help me dress. In a while, I still need to greet the one in Renshou Palace.

How do you have time to come visit me, Empress?

My father committed such treasonous acts.

What face do I have to visit Renshou Palace?

Since the Emperor accepted Miss Hang into the palace,

I really don't know what to do.

I can only complain to Aunt.

Miss Hang has entered the palace?

She returned with the retired Emperor.

The Emperor wants to grant her the title of Noble Consort, and escorted her into the Palace with a royal sedan.

The Emperor is becoming unreasonable.

Aunt, you can't blame the Emperor. You can only blame Miss Hang for being so bewitching.

She has put on airs in front of me already.

In the future, how will I pass my days?

Come. Come here.

As a woman of the palace, you must endure certain sufferings.

Which Emperor doesn't have numerous women in the Inner Palace?

Even I had to endure it as the deceased Emperor graced all the ladies with favours.

You did punish her once.

This time, let her feel special for now. You'll also be seen as a magnanimous Empress.

But...I can bear anyone else.

Only Miss Hang...she's different.

What's different?

You are the Empress. She's a consort.

In your presence, she'll always have to lower her head.

Remember. You mustn't do anything foolish.

As long as I'm here, you'll forever be the Empress.

But...what I want

is not just the title of Empress.

I want the Emperor's heart to stay forever mine.

Then you should do your best to bear a prince.

For men, having heirs are the most important matter.

You must remember.

Don't cause trouble for Miss Hang.

It wasn't easy for her to return alive.

Yes.

Aunt, don't be mad at the Emperor.

His Majesty was lost for a moment, but he will know that you mean him well.

I don't care about the Emperor's matters.

I'm old.

If you have the time in the future, come to Renshou Palace more often and accompany me.

As long as Aunt isn't angry with me, I will definitely come every day!

Your Highness, the lotus seed soup you wanted is ready.

- Bring it here. - Yes.

Aunt. This is freshly picked lotus seed.

I made it specially for you.

It has a pleasant fragrance.

Let me serve Her Highness.

Come, Aunt.

It's not bad.

It's good that you like it. I'll make it for you more often in the future.

Good.

I plead Your Majesty to investigate the assassination plot thoroughly.

This is the badge that Guard Zhouqiang

risked his life to pull off from the assassin.

Left Defense of the Imperial Guard?

Is this true?

I'll have the Eastern Depot investigate this right away.

Your Majesty. This is related to your honour.

I plead Your Majesty to investigate this matter carefully.

I will keep your words in mind.

It's just that the criminal can be found, but a punishment is hard to mete out.

So you must give me a little more time.

Your Majesty, the retired Emperor has returned to the Capital,

yet His Highness the Crown Prince was suddenly brought into the Inner Palace.

There are many rumors circulating in Beijing.

Now, with the assassin plot...

this issue must be investigated thoroughly and quickly.

The longer you drag it, the difficult it will be to resolve rumors.

It's not that I don't know.

It's just that you cannot expect a son to spill his mother's treasonous actions.

Forget it. The honesty between ruler and official is more important than the relationship between mother and son.

Even if I will be blamed for this,

I must bring justice to imperial brother.

my Lady, you should eat some breakfast.

I'm not hungry.

The Emperor may have gone to Kunming Palace last night,

but he still favors you.

Look, today's breakfast includes imperial Zipao tea.

There is only one in the palace, and it's with the Emperor.

Not even the Empress Dowager could taste it often.

Do you think I'm sad because I might lose favour?

Accompany me to Changshou Palace.

You can't, My Lady. His Majesty has instructed

that you must stay in the palace to recuperate.

Although my illness entails recuperation

I still need to be active and be exposed to the sun.

I only left for a year,

why is there no one here in the Imperial Pharmacy?

How did it become like this?

Since the Empress was enthroned,

she said there were too many people without fixed duties, so she released many maids and eunuchs.

The Imperial Pharmacy was dissolved.

Currently, there are only a few eunuchs remaining.

The remaining maids in the pharmacy have been sent to take care of the Imperial Garden.

As long as I'm still in charge of the Imperial Pharmacy,

I cannot just leave it be.

Lvxiang. Go find the remaining maids for me.

- I wish to see them.- All right.

Minister! Minister Hang! You're back.

I already heard.

I couldn't believe it was actually you.

This is great. Ah Yun, Ah Chan, you two are still here.

I wanted to ask you if you're be willing to revitalize the Imperial Pharmacy.

Of course, we're willing!

I still haven't forgotten the medical text the Imperial Physician taught.

That's great!

Then tomorrow, I'll ask the Emperor

to reopen the Imperial Pharmacy.

Ask me to do what?

Greetings, Your Majesty.

It's the third month, so it's still quite cold.

Why don't you wear more?

My temper was poor yesterday.

Don't take it too personally.

I know Dingxiang has always disliked me,

so leaving her in the palace

did make me unhappy.

But since she is your closest companion,

what is the harm in assisting the former Emperor in the South Palace?

Don't worry.

I have granted her the position of female historian.

Being a female official in the South Palace

is still more desirable than being a court lady, isn't it?

All right. Don't be mad.

Forgive me this one time.

All right.

You came at a good time.

I wish to ask Your Majesty to reopen the Imperial Pharmacy

and recall all the scattered palace maids.

What are you busying yourself with this for?

We'll talk about it after you've recuperated, all right?

Promise me now.

You know that I'm a workaholic.

Now suddenly having me recover in the palace

and not having anything to do will definitely make me more ill.

Qiyu, promise me.

All right. I promise you.

Do what you wish.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

There are definitely not enough people in the Imperial Pharmacy.

Could I appoint court ladies and not eunuchs

and choose from the court ladies educated in medicine?

It's all up to you.

Whoever you want, whatever you need,

just instruct the Chief Eunuch.

There's just one thing.

You mustn't tire yourself out.

Taking care of your health is the most important thing right now.

Yes.

Reopen the Imperial Pharmacy?

Even selecting people on a grand scale in the palace?

The Emperor still really favors her.

She originally entered the palace as an Imperial Pharmacist.

If I don't control her, she'll become triumphant.

It looks like I must find someone to remind her.

Otherwise, everyone in and out of the palace

will take me for a puppet.

Quickly find my father to send someone to investigate.

Let's see what good things she did

while she was with the Oirats.

Yes.

Look. Take those medicine

Grind the medicine into powder.

When you're finished, just place the medicine in the cloth with your name on it.

Let's start with the first row.

Go.

Subbed and Timed by the Healing Team @ Viki. Please do not reuse or reupload our subtitles.

Yu Xiang,

inform everyone of the results.

The results are out.

Cai Xia, Hui Xing, Cai Yun,

Ming Zhu, Zhi Ling,

follow the Minister inside.

Yes.

As for the remaining people, just go to the entrance of the court to receive your money, and you can return.

We... weren't selected?

Yes. Grinding the medicine was the criteria.

Having you all grind medicine was a test to see your patience

and how thoroughly you work.

Look. The few who were chosen

If it wasn't the finest powdered medicine,

then it was the least wasteful.

So you must study more.

The court ladies selected this time usually came from households that sold medicine.

There were also a few who know how to read, or worked in the Imperial Hospital before.

Good.

Get Ah Yun and the more experienced ones to mentor them first.

Teach them all the herbs first.

Yes.

Minister, why did you test the maids on so many things this time?

From what I heard from Dingxiang jie, we didn't have these rules in the past.T/N: "-jie" is an endearing term used to address older females

Because I don't only wish for them to become palace maids,

I also have other hopes for them.

♫ Used to think the winter had always been this cold, ♫

♫ unrelated to my stubborn obsession ♫

♫ If the heavy snow froze everything ♫

♫ I will wait at the beginning, waiting for you to appear. ♫

♫ Perhaps our vows will change, ♫

♫ as will the times. ♫

♫ Constant, yet ever changing ♫

♫ even if the world changes ♫

♫ Even if my complexion ages with time ♫

♫ I am still the young one in white ♫

♫ until the day I return to meet you ♫

♫ When that day arrives, we will return to familiar places ♫

♫ Appreciating the colourful world, and watching the light dance across your face ♫

♫ When that day arrives, we will return to the first snowfall ♫

♫ Forgetting our obsessions and the past we have lost ♫

♫ Even if my complexion ages with time I am still the young one in white ♫

♫ until the day I return to meet you ♫