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[The Virtuous Queen of Han]

[Episode Forty-Two]

Hong Er...

Both of them have now left Chang-An for good...

The Wang sisters dared to covet your position.

Then they would dare to instruct Hong Er to vie for Crown Prince.

Only by sending Hong Er to his territories sooner

can we avoid strife between the brothers

and chaos in the palace.

But then Your Majesty will be separated from your son.

I was born in the family of emperors

so I have to bear with this pain of separation.

These two sisters are as useless as you said they would be.

One is beheaded and the other is sent away to Qi State.

I'm afraid that she will never return to the palace again.

The Wei family has great power now.

I really don't know when we will have another opportunity.

The winds change direction and so will one's power.

No matter how long I have to wait, I, Yuan Shu, will fight to the end!

Even if I die

I will drag that evil Empress down along with me

to make that damn Emperor suffer for all eternity!

Senior-in-law, you picked up that bamboo slip in my senior's box.

What exactly was written on it?

After reading it, you became more enraged and vengeful.

A prophecy was written on it.

My senior went to have her future told?

What sort of future was told?

What prophecy did she get?

'You feel like you are treading on ice.'

'The river is frozen and you can go no further.'

'Two lovers are now separated.'

'Disaster shall befall you and implicate your child.'

Disaster shall befall you and implicate your child?

This is a prophecy for our child.

My senior was pregnant when she was executed?

Liu Che. Wei Zi Fu.

Not only have you killed my Chu Fu, but also our child!

As soon as the sun reaches the meridian, it begins to decline.

When the moon has become full, it begins to wane.

You might be at the peak of your power now

but you can decline in the next instant!

When that opportunity arises, I will drag you both down.

You shall both crumble and fall

to be the sacrificial offering to my wife and child!

Just kicking the ball around isn't good enough for you anymore?

I... I'm happy!

Is it because His Majesty listened to your plea

and you were proven right when Madam Wang implicated herself?

I was just trying to help Auntie get rid of a troublemaker in the harem.

That is indeed gratifying!

It's right of you to feel good about it!

This young chap...

He's even competing with me in soccer.

We'll let him have his fun for a while.

We'll team up later and see how cocky he is then.

Sure!

I'm not playing anymore.

What is it?

Are you afraid to lose to us because we're teaming up?

I'm not playing anymore.

Didn't you say that you fear no one, young lad?

I'm afraid that if I keep playing

I'm going to humiliate you and Uncle.

I'm going to nick some of Auntie's steamed bread.

Qu Bing.

Qu Bing?

Qu Bing!

Anyone there?

Auntie!

Auntie...

What is the matter?

Have I scared you?

How dare you deceive me?

Look at you.

You're a commander of the national army

and yet you're so mischievous!

I just wanted to get you to make me some steamed bread.

What are you laughing at?

I'm laughing at how you would do anything for a piece of steamed bread.

That's because Auntie's steamed bread has an exquisite taste.

What taste is that?

It tastes like home.

Whenever I see steamed bread, I think of your love for me.

Don't you find me too naggy?

A bit!

But you've been like this my whole life.

I've pretty much gotten used to it.

Besides, Auntie is the only one in the world who will nag me.

I find it very precious.

Who would expect the Minister of War

who doesn't even flinch at the sight of thousands of enemies

would say something so sweet?

Your Highness, the steamed bread is almost ready.

Please have a look at it.

Really? Bring it over quickly!

Don't be anxious. I'll go and have a look.

I'll bring it over if it's ready.

Is it that interesting?

What fancy tricks does he have?

Somersaults and flips.

Side kicks.

Balancing stunts.

There's also a high kick.

The hat trick.

Shoulder stunt.

Is he that good?

Next time, you have to wait until I'm done with work.

Then you can play soccer.

I'm going to compete with him.

- Sure. - Good!

- Qu Bing. - Qu Bing.

Qu Bing.

Get up now.

Let him sleep.

Qu Bing. Qu Bing?

His Majesty is here.

Qu Bing, get up and greet His Majesty now.

- Greetings to Your Highness. - Greetings to Your Highness.

At ease.

- Great blessings to Your Majesty. - Don't stand on ceremony.

He pretended to pass out just now to deceive me.

Now, he is trying to deceive you.

Huo Qu Bing, Minister of War.

Quit fooling around.

Isn't it too much to trick me twice in a day?

Get up now. I've brought you good wine and snacks.

Everything is ready for you.

- Qu Bing. - Wake up, Qu Bing.

Qu Bing.

Stop playing around with me.

Get up now. You're not to be naughty.

Has he really passed out?

Summon the Minister of imperial medical affairs immediately!

Qu Bing, get up!

Stop scaring me!

I've specially made you some steamed bread

so that you can enjoy it to your heart's content.

I've made you steamed bread, Qu Bing!

Didn't you ask to have the steamed bread that I make?

Get up now!

Did we just get some tributes of elixir and some panacea?

Go and get them for me now!

Yes!

And that rue incense!

It has the effect of lifting one's energy and spirit.

Bring it here and light it up right away!

Yes!

- Huo Qu Bing! - Qu Bing!

I order you to get up now!

His Majesty ordered you to get up! I want you to get up now!

Don't scare me...

Qu Bing, get up now...

This can't be...

This can't be...

He is always so energetic. He will be all right.

You promised to be a valiant and modest commander.

I saw Uncle command platoons of soldiers in this armor when I was little.

You looked so valiant and mighty. I was extremely envious of you.

Now that I can finally fight alongside Uncle to eliminate the

foreign enemies I must make sure that no arrow is shot in vain.

No arrow is shot in vain?

I remember that when I return home in victory last time

you said that when you gave me this jade thumb ring.

You still remember that?

Your uncle said that a jade archer's thumb ring is easily shattered.

He couldn't wear it to war.

Just use it in daily life then!

Show off your mightiness as the Great General.

Wear the armor when you go to war.

We'll go on the battlefield and kill the enemies together.

Sure!

We'll storm through the battlefields together

to protect our home and nation!

If things could start all over again

I'd make you steamed bread every day, whenever you wanted.

You would never have a reason to feign passing out.

Be it real or a pretense, I won't allow either.

If things could start all over again

I would make sure to tell you every time before you go to war

you are our Great Han's most pure-hearted hero.

You were never distracted.

All you ever thought of was how to bring peace to the nation

and expand our territories.

If things could start all over again

I would preach less and praise you more whenever you return in victory.

Qu Bing, you were made a marquess at a young age.

Then you announced victory at Khentii Mountains.

I was so proud of you.

But I was also worried about your safety.

You were so daring and energetic. You inspired awe in the deserts.

I admire your spirit greatly.

But I also worried that you were liable to be attacked in a high position

and might attract unexpected disaster.

I never meant to nag at you.

I just cared too much for you.

You said that steamed bread tastes of home.

As long as you like it, I will make it for you.

I'll make it for you on your birthday, and your death anniversary.

I'll make it for you when I dream of you and when I miss you.

I hope that wherever you are, you can feel as if you were at home.

I'll keep you company.

Your Majesty...

He was still so young.

He was loyal and faithful to Great Han.

How could the gods be so cruel to have him die in his prime?

If it will make you feel better...

just see it as the gods' jealousy of those who are talented.

Whenever I close my eyes

all I can see is how energetic and charming he was.

He accomplished at such a young age

what many will fail to succeed at in a lifetime.

His military achievements are uncountable.

He is sure to be remembered for generations and generations.

He has nothing to regret.

But I have much to regret.

I always only reprimanded him.

I never gave him many compliments.

You reprimanded and scolded him.

You were angry and furious at him.

But he never once held it against you.

It proved he had always understood that you meant well.

You treated him well wholeheartedly.

You raised him as if he were your own child.

He treated you well wholeheartedly and took you as his mother.

He might have passed away

but his affections for you will last forever

Don't be upset anymore.

I've already given orders to the elite troops of vassal state

to line up all the way from Chang An to Maoling

to escort his coffin to his tomb.

His tomb is to be constructed in the shape of the Qilian Mountains

to commemorate his military achievements

in defeating foreign enemies and pacifying the frontier.

Qu Bing never sought fame and fortune.

He always preferred the gorgeous scenery at the frontier.

I am deeply grateful to the thoughtfulness of Your Majesty.

Qu Bing's funeral is on one side of Maoling.

He will keep me company when my time is up.

He will always be my strongest aide.

I want the Wei family, the entire nation of Great Han, and future generations

to be proud of Huo Qu Bing.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Lady Li.

The tune you just played...

Last time, you played this tune with the Empress.

I saw how much you put your heart into it.

I realized how much you love this tune.

So I've been practicing it diligently.

I hope that I can play it in a duet with you some day.

You didn't have to practice it so hard.

Your interpretation gives the tune a different charm.

Just play whatever you prefer.

Since Minister Huo passed away

you've been very depressed.

I only play this tune in hopes of lifting your spirits.

I haven't played for a long time.

I've already gone rusty.

Not at all.

I've performed poorly.

That's not true.

You've played very well.

I know that I've made a fool of myself with my poor skills.

How could I compare myself to the Empress?

That is but a childhood tune that we played in the countryside.

The Empress is just more familiar with it, that's all.

Your interpretation has a different charm.

I've made you some snacks.

We had them at the Empress' banquet last time.

It took me a few attempts, but I think I finally got them right.

Your finger is hurt?

I am too clumsy.

I cut my finger during one of the attempts to perfect the snacks,

It must have hurt a lot when you were playing the zither?

It's all right as long as you like it.

It's not painful.

Lady Li...

I've decided to set you free.

I'm the only heir to my bloodline, but you bore me no child.

I used that excuse to ask His Majesty to grant us a divorce.

His Majesty has already agreed to it.

You don't want me anymore?

I'm too foolish. Have I done something to make you angry?

I can correct it. I am willing to change in any way.

You haven't done anything wrong.

You are a good woman.

You will also be a good wife.

Unfortunately, I'm not your ideal husband.

Instead of burdening you with the false title of Duan Hong's wife

and making you lead a lonely life until death...

I'd rather let you free earlier.

Duan Hong, I don't feel aggrieved.

I know that you have someone else on your mind.

But I really don't mind it at all.

I'm willing to stay by your side forever.

How could I let you compromise that much?

You should ask yourself honestly.

What is it that you want?

Is it not an everlasting affection and a wonderful marriage?

Is it not to have children and grandchildren with the one you love?

Is it not to have a loving family?

I cannot give you what you seek.

I cannot provide you with a loving family either.

I cannot even make you any promises.

All I can do is to let you go

so that you can go in search of your true happiness.

I thought that if I did well, then you would eventually accept me.

It isn't that I don't accept you.

I've just always treated you as my sister.

I feel bad about this decision. I wonder if I am being too cruel.

This might be too unfair to you.

But Qu Bing's death made me realize that life is unpredictable

and should not be wasted.

What I can see from your actions is that you still have your hopes up.

But this hope will come to nothing.

Therefore, I am certain that my decision is appropriate.

Lady Li, you are a good woman.

I really should not hold you up anymore.

I've already arranged a horse carriage

money, food supplies, and basic necessities for you.

Once you've packed your belongings, you can depart.

Duan Hong.

Duan Hong.

Have you finished packing?

The horse carriage is already waiting outside for you.

I'll send someone to assist you along the way.

I'm really grateful to the gods that I could meet you.

You are a faithful and sentimental man.

Unfortunately, I'm not destined to be in such a bliss.

I'm not destined to be your wife.

I am the one who has let you down.

When I first learned of your decision, I was indeed very upset.

But I have now thought it through.

I understand that you did this with my best interests at heart.

I sincerely hope for a husband who will love me dearly.

I can bear his children and grow old with him.

It's good that you can think so.

I know that you have someone on your mind.

I'm really envious of that lady.

She owns your dearest affection.

But maybe you should try to be like me.

Should the relationship come to a fruitless end

you should let it go and perhaps you will be happier.

I also hope that everything will go well for you.

No matter what, I am grateful to you.

If I can really find my happiness

it is because you saved me in times of peril

and made this decision today.

A lovely lady like you will surely find a great husband.

You will then spend a lifetime with the one you love.

If I can really get married and have children...

I'll tell my husband and children that

I once met a wonderful man like you.

I'll see you out.

Greetings to Your Highness.

Your Highness, we have prepared the flowers.

These are the ones used to pray for His Majesty's longevity

and prosperity for the imperial family.

There are also flowers to pray for Master Duan's next marriage.

What flower have you chosen for him?

I've prepared some cherry blossoms.

Have you picked any peonies for Empress Chen?

Your Highness wishes to pray for her speedy recovery.

How could I possibly forget about that?

I've prepared some peonies with gold pistil on the side

to send over to Changmen Palace as her birthday gift.

Your Highness, Empress Chen sent someone over

to say that she would like to see you.

Empress arrives!

Warm blessings, Your Highness.

You're feeling unwell so don't stand on ceremony.

Here, have a seat.

Are you feeling all right?

Have you gotten better?

Let me know if you've run out of anything that you need here.

I'll get someone to send it over.

Thank you for your concern, Your Highness.

Everything's been supplied for as usual.

There isn't a lack of anything.

As for my health, it has been lacking for ages.

Since my mother passed away, I have no other cares in this world.

I just wish to be with her soon.

How can you think so?

If Grand Princess Dou is watching over you

she wouldn't want to see you so low-spirited.

It's your birthday in two days.

I wanted to send you some peonies with golden pistils

to add to the joyous occasion.

Thank you, Your Highness.

You really treat me too well.

I owe it to you that my mother's funeral could be held with integrity.

After my mother passed away

no one else has visited me except you.

Not even to mention my birthday.

Back in the old days, His Majesty would host my birthdays for me.

The entire palace would be decorated with lights and ribbons.

Grandmother and my mother would celebrate it with me.

I, Chen Jiao, was once high and mighty.

But now...

You shouldn't take it so hard.

What you should be doing is working to get healthy again.

What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?

Should I summon the imperial physician over?

I've had more medicine than food in the past few years.

However, I've been getting weaker and weaker.

The past few days, I've been even more so.

I know that... I don't have much longer to live.

But I would turn in my grave if this wish of mine will not be fulfilled.

I just hope to see His Majesty one last time before I die.

I hope that on my last birthday, I can get to see His Majesty

and admit all of my past mistakes to him in person.

I would like him to know how much I've missed him and thought of him.

Your Highness, this is my last request.

Please hand this letter of repentance to His Majesty.

I know that only you can get His Majesty to grant me my wish.

No!

I will not do as she wishes!

Your Majesty, this letter speaks of Chen Jiao's repentance

and her thoughts for you.

Every word spells out her pain.

Her only wish is to see you.

What if she wrote hundreds of thousands of words of repentance?

Could those victims who were once harmed by her and her mother

forget about those painful memories?

I will never again greet the person who once plotted and conspired against me.

Not to mention that she attempted to harm you several times in the past.

Whatever she did wrong is in the past.

Besides, I hardly remember it anymore.

Now that I have my loving husband by my side

and adorable children to bring great joy to my life

I am unbelievably fortunate.

But Chen Jiao...

She has regrets that she can tell to no one.

She has one whom she misses but cannot see.

Chen Jiao's illness has aggravated recently.

I wonder if she will ever have another chance to see you.

She deserves it!

But she is, after all, the favorite grandchild of Grand Empress Dowager.

Your Majesty, even if you don't want to do as she wishes

couldn't you treat it as doing what Grand Empress Dowager wishes

and what I wish for?

Your Majesty, even if you don't want to do as she wishes

couldn't you treat it as doing what Grand Empress Dowager wishes

and what I wish for?

As a husband, I would like to do as you wish

but as the ruler of the nation, it is impossible for me to do so!

Do you know what deadly sins her mother committed?

Grand Princess Dou conspired with Liu An in secret.

My aunt assisted Liu An in making water flow from the dry well

to slander you as the jinx!

In order to free Chen Jiao, she would even commit treason!

I've already allowed them to die a natural death.

That is already my way of being filial to Grand Empress Dowager.

I have already done what I can!

Your Majesty...

Zi Fu, I hope that you can consider my feelings.

I'll assist you back inside.

- Your Highness... - The medicine is ready? I'll do it.

Your Highness...

Please don't leave me.

Stay with me for a bit longer.

- Put it down first. - Yes.

Look out the window.

The moon is clear and bright.

Its light has made everything more beautiful.

It's so nice and quiet in here.

It's a great place to admire the moon tonight.

I remember that I was reluctant to even glance at you in the past.

But I now hope that you will stay by my side.

I have let you down.

I didn't manage to persuade His Majesty.

I believe... I believe that you have done all that you possibly could.

I also understand that His Majesty will never see me again.

It's fine.

I've been waiting here for such a long time already.

I should have known that it would come to this.

You don't have to be upset for me.

I brought this upon myself.

His Majesty knows that you have repented your ways.

It's just that...

His Majesty has his own reasons.

I hope that you can understand.

You really are so lovely.

You are great in every way.

But you are too soft-hearted.

It never crossed your mind that I could have ill intentions

and pretended to repent my ways

so that I could use you to get back into the harem?

I believe that my sincerity will be repaid with kindness.

But one's lust for power...

Your sincerity can easily be taken advantage of by others.

Do you know that there are many who covet your position?

You have to take precaution.

There are many people in the harem.

It's inevitable that they all bear different thoughts in mind.

Even if I treat them with sincerity

there will always be some others who will plot against me

for power, profits, for His Majesty, and for love.

Thank you for the reminder.

I will be cautious and take preventive measures.

But I have always believed that

there are ones who would hurt others for their own desires

and there are also ones who would sacrifice themselves to help others.

Ones who treat everyone with sincerity

will be blessed by gods and assisted by people.

Does Your Highness think that Weiyang Palace is like a vase?

Women in the harem are like flowers in full bloom

waiting for His Majesty to come over to admire the flowers.

Yesterday, the peonies were in full bloom.

Today, the orchids give off great aroma.

But what about tomorrow?

Flowers bloom and then wither.

It is the norm.

We can only go along with life as it is.

We will not waste our beauty when we are in full bloom

nor will we lose our spirits when we wither.

Flowers bloom and then wither.

New flowers replace the old.

It is fairly normal to those who admire the flowers.

But as I stood by and watched...

I am utterly devastated.

Who would have expected that I, Chen Jiao...

would be in the arms of a virtuous empress when I...

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