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[The Virtuous Queen of Han]

[Episode Forty-Three]

Who would have expected that I, Chen Jiao

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

Cao Xiang fell ill suddenly in the prime of his youth.

Princess Pingyang must be worried and upset.

May Cao Xiang recover very soon

so that the Princess can be at ease.

My condolences to Sister...

Xiang Er passed away.

Unfortunate events have occurred one after another.

Sister must be in great sorrow.

Xia Hou Po had an affair with his father's chambermaid.

He was found out and killed himself to avoid any punishment.

He deserved no better.

My sister had already divorced him anyway.

It's just that my sister had placed all her hopes on her son

but now this is such a cruel twist of fate.

She lost the only person that she could rely on.

Princess is a woman of great capability.

She won't break so easily.

Now that Princess is willing to move back to her manor

in Chang An from Pingyang County

it means that she has already accepted the facts.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have written to Your Majesty

to inform you of her agenda.

I hope that it is just like you said.

I'm just worried that my sister is too proud

to have her sorrow noticed by others.

It's difficult to recover from sorrow if she keeps it buried in her heart.

Your Majesty.

You are going to offer prayers to the gods on the dam.

You are sure to go by Pingyang Manor on your way back to the palace.

Why don't you get together with your sister?

If she could have Your Majesty's concern

she will certainly be comforted.

Your Majesty is her only close kin now.

I couldn't be at ease either if I don't get to see her.

Hopefully, I can help relieve some of my sister's pain on my visit.

[Pingyang Manor]

Welcome, Your Majesty.

Great blessings to Your Majesty.

Great blessings to Your Majesty.

Don't stand on ceremony.

Greetings to Princess.

You may all get up.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

For the past few years, you've made me miss you so much.

Too much has happened in my life.

I know that Your Majesty is worried about me.

But I am not invincible.

I've been through too much sorrow from the passing of loved ones.

I needed some time to myself.

What are your plans now?

Fate is destined. What will happen will happen.

I won't be trapped in memories of the past and stay stricken by despair

as days go by and dear ones disappear.

I'll just enjoy the rest of my days and stay hopeful in life.

It's good that you can stay optimistic.

I haven't seen Great General for a long time.

How have you been?

Now that the foreign enemies have fled faraway

the nation is at peace

and Duan Hong is inspecting the nation for His Majesty

I can be at ease to arrange security at the frontier and train new soldiers.

Apart from military affairs, you should also enjoy the peaceful era.

You spent a large portion of your life creating it.

In the future, you should go hunting and play chess with me more often.

I'll obey your orders.

Since you've come back here, you should settle down in Chang An.

Enjoy the blessings with us.

I could then also feel at ease.

Don't worry, my brother.

Since I've already returned to Chang An

I'll be the Princess Pingyang that I used to be.

That's good to know.

Empress had me bring over the hundred scents wine to you

to wish you a flavorful life from now on.

It looks like it has taken effect before I've brought it out.

My sister's demeanor and presence are just as glorious as before.

A flavorful life has always been what I desired.

I'll thank Her Highness for keeping me on her mind.

But if we are to talk about demeanor

I can't be compared to the lady that the people of Chang An talk about.

The song of this lady's charm and demeanor are sung by all.

I wonder if you have heard of it?

What song is it?

'There is a beauty in the north'

'you can find no match to her across the world.'

'One glance at her, soldiers would lose their town'

'At a second glance, a monarch would lose his crown.'

'How could the soldiers and monarch neglect their duty?'

'For town and crown are overshadowed by her beauty.'

Is there really such a beauty as described in this song?

Is this beauty not already in my harem?

Besides the Empress, who could claim to make all men neglect their duties?

The Empress is definitely a woman of unmatched beauty.

But the beauty in this song is another.

She also happens to be in my manor.

Why don't you have a look for yourself?

Your Highness, Great General seeks audience with you.

Greetings to Princess.

Have a seat.

Your Highness knew that I would come over here.

Time flew by. We met up and then parted again.

I haven't had a drink with you for a long time.

Yes.

I am relieved to see you well.

You've been taking good care of Fei Luan and Jun Yi?

Fei Luan is getting old.

He is becoming weaker.

Jun Yi is doing very well and has surpassed his father.

He is even braver and more robust than Fei Luan in his younger days.

I know that you have a lot of questions for me.

You can speak your mind.

Your Highness, you brought up the song to present the songstress

Lady Li to His Majesty and had her serve him.

Is there a plan and some sort of worry behind it?

I wouldn't say that it is a plan of some sort.

But I am indeed worried.

Foresight?

His Majesty cares about Princess.

The officials and people respect you greatly.

Why would you worry?

His Majesty cares about me.

That is because he pities me for having lost my son.

I am now all alone.

The officials and people respect me because His Majesty supports me.

But His Majesty's sympathy won't last forever.

Since I've decided to get back on my feet...

You have to contribute beauties to His Majesty to win his favor?

Now that I have neither husband nor son

who can I depend on if I don't rely on my own tricks?

There are many whom Your Highness can rely on.

His Majesty and you are very close siblings.

I am also willing to stay in your service forever.

And the Empress as well.

We only hope that you can lead a flavorful life

and live in great bliss.

But once anything happens, you would look after yourselves first.

It is just like how your sister dealt with the rumors of

conspiring with imperial relatives.

She was scared to be accused of manipulating power with me

so she sacrificed our marriage.

Your Highness, that is not true!

It is all in the past now.

It's pointless to say anything more about it.

Anyway, what I did today was not to go against your sister.

After all, I am no longer the high and mighty Princess Pingyang.

Your Highness...

Lady Li is but a lifeline to me in my now precarious life.

When I decided to come back to Chang An, the gods had me come across her.

She might just be a street performer from a wretched family

but her looks and personality are extraordinary.

I knew right away that if I held on to her

I might be guaranteed a life of comfort and ease.

Your Highness...

Can you trust her?

She is kind by nature.

And she has also been through hardships in life.

Even after she enters the harem

she will treat others with modesty, like your sister.

Moreover, the Empress is virtuous.

His Majesty is very affectionate and devoted to her.

Nothing will change because of Lady Li.

Don't worry.

No matter what happens, I would never harm your sister.

I can be at ease now that I have your word.

Please forgive me for behaving recklessly.

If Great General Wei still acknowledges me as a bosom friend

then please have this goblet of wine with me.

What is the matter?

You've discovered my first strand of gray hair?

This doesn't have to be hidden away.

Years of youth went by and gray hairs gradually appear.

That is all inevitable.

I just have to adapt to it.

Your Highness is as gorgeous as ever.

You haven't changed at all.

How could anyone's appearance remain the same forever?

Days of youth go by quickly and one's appearance age easily.

It isn't frightening that dark hair is dyed gray with age.

I just hope that my heart and spirit can stay the same forever.

It's just like the affections that His Majesty has for you.

Your Highness, His Majesty has arrived at the gates.

He will enter the palace from the imperial river.

I hear that a woman has accompanied His Majesty back here.

It is really beautiful.

A mere songstress like me can actually get to see the palace.

This is just like a dream.

You don't just get to see it, it will soon be your home.

I really can't believe this.

Your Majesty, what is that tall palace?

The area that is surrounded by trees is Shanglin Imperial Park.

That is where I go hunting.

That is the front hall of the palace.

That is where I hold the imperial court sessions.

That is Xuan Hall.

That is where I discuss national affairs.

It is indeed majestic.

What palace is the paprika red building?

Why are those palace walls in paprika red?

It is so beautiful.

What place is it?

That is the Empress' palace.

It is indeed fit for the palace of the head of harem.

That is Jiaofang Palace.

It is the Empress' palace.

It is the palace of the head of harem?

Back when the Empress entered the palace

she was just as excited and nervous as you are.

But she went through obstacles and hardships to be in the palace.

What obstacles are there in the palace?

- I... - You are much more fortunate.

The current Empress is kind and virtuous.

Under her management, all the concubines get along well.

You do not have to worry at all.

Then I must certainly meet this virtuous Empress.

Exactly. Everything in the harem is decided by the Empress.

The very first thing that you must do when you get to the palace

is to seek audience with the Empress in Jiaofang Palace.

You must remember to be well-mannered and pay attention to the Empress' words.

Yes, I will be very mindful.

- Greetings to Your Majesty. - Greetings to Your Majesty.

Don't stand on ceremony. You may all rise.

Thank you, Your Majesty!

How was everything in the harem while I was away?

Your Majesty left the palace to pray for the people.

The entire harem also prayed wholeheartedly

for the people of Great Han.

My sisters have been waiting for Your Majesty's safe return

to share with us what you have seen in the local regions.

I have seen and learned much on this trip.

It has been very fruitful.

But what made me the happiest is that my sister is finally back on her feet.

She is in a better mood.

I am finally now relieved.

I hope to get together with her soon as well.

Of course.

She is already back here in Chang An.

You will be able to meet up more often in the future.

I've also brought back a person from her manor.

So I have heard.

I heard that Your Majesty is in favor of a songstress.

Why don't I see her here with Your Majesty?

I would only summon her here if you are willing to see her.

Since she is whom Your Majesty took a liking to

I would definitely like to witness her beauty for myself.

Sure. Summon Lady Li in.

Yes. Send Lady Li in to seek audience!

Your servant Li greets Your Majesty and Your Highness.

Great blessings to Your Majesty.

Happiness and peace to Your Highness.

Greetings to all the sisters.

You may get up.

She is indeed fair and elegant.

She knows her manners very well.

If we are to speak of elegance and manners

my Empress is second to none.

You have to learn from the Empress.

We will obey Your Majesty's orders and live up to Her Highness' teachings.

I have just entered the palace and am still ignorant.

I hope that Your Highness can guide me along the way.

I will certainly obey Your Highness' orders.

As for how Lady Li is to be settled into the harem

I'll leave it to the Empress to make the arrangements.

I am willing to obey Your Majesty's orders.

I wonder if you think that it is suitable

to award her the title of Madame?

Lady Li is so elegant and lovely.

Her modesty and good manners have won the heart of His Majesty.

She is indeed worthy of the title of Madame.

It's just that this is unprecedented.

Lady Li, would you be disappointed

if I made you a person of the household first?

I am a bit disappointed.

But I entered the harem with the favor of His Majesty

and I already feel very much honored.

How could I dare to ask for more?

It is only right that I serve Your Highness and the sisters

while I learn the regulations in the palace as a person of the household.

What do you say to looking after the late emperor's Queen Dowager?

I will obey Your Highness' orders.

It would be even better if I could help with cleaning and tidying

Empress Dowager's halls to carry out filial duties when I have time off

from looking after Queen Dowager.

Why is that so?

Isn't filial piety the priority in the imperial clan of Great Han?

But you won't get to see His Majesty if you have to look after Queen Dowager

as well as clean up Empress Dowager's halls.

Then... it has to be so.

In the harem, the will and orders of the Emperor and Empress must be followed.

Whether I can stay in favor is up to the gods' blessings

and cannot be forced.

Since that is so

Lady Li, step forward to accept your title.

Get down on your knees to accept your title.

Lady Li behaves with great conduct, purity, filial affection, and modesty.

She shall be awarded the title of Madame Li, as His Majesty indicated.

Thank the Empress quickly for her graciousness.

Thank you, Your Highness.

I would definitely keep Your Highness' teachings in mind.

I will be modest and carry out my duties.

Since you are now given the title of Madame

you will wait to be awarded a palace hall by the Empress.

I wouldn't dare to ask for that much.

Since the moment you entered my halls

there has been an underlying fragrance in here.

Why don't I award her Fragrance Halls?

Sure.

Fragrance Halls is good.

Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty and Your Highness.

You may get up now.

All concubines must look after the new Madame Li.

We should all get along well and look out for one another.

We will serve His Majesty together.

Yes.

I was quite worried

that taking you back with me to the palace might not do you any good.

But since this is gods' will, my decision couldn't be wrong.

Zi Fu, you are destined to be mine.

When I was traveling the country-side

I would think of you every time I looked up at this starry sky.

Zi Fu, do you know that when I first looked into your eyes

I thought that I was looking upon a whole galaxy of stars?

They were bright and lively.

What are you thinking about? You seemed so engrossed in it.

- Your Majesty... - Don't stand on ceremony.

It's already so late. What brings Your Majesty here?

Can I not come over to my Empress' bed chamber?

But today is Madame Li's...

What is the matter?

Do you think that I would definitely be staying over at Fragrance Halls?

Your Majesty has many others to think of and look after.

I wouldn't make any assumptions.

Tonight the starry skies are bright and shiny.

What I would like to do is to invite my Empress along

to the front courtyard to admire the stars with me.

Let us not waste this beautiful night.

I'm afraid that this night in spring might suddenly turn chilly.

Not at all. It is very warm.

Because of Your Majesty's affection, I feel very content.

You really didn't take it to heart?

What should I mind?

I was supposed to just visit my sister

but then I fell for Lady Li when I was at the manor.

It was a slip of the tongue that I promised to make her a Madame.

I kept thinking how I should tell you about it on my way back home.

I was worried that you would be put on the spot.

When Your Majesty said to award her the title of Madame

I had already guessed that it might have been so.

I didn't mind at all.

I'm just worried that the others might not be too pleased with it.

Fortunately, Lady Li is modest and well-mannered.

In response to the questions that I raised

her answers demonstrated a good conduct of behavior.

That was good enough to pacify any possible grumbling.

It is also better for Your Majesty and Lady Li.

Come here.

Zi Fu always has my best interests as your priority.

You make me feel even more uneasy that way.

I'm afraid to make you feel aggrieved.

'Who says that the sow thistle is bitter?'

'It is as sweet as Shepherd's Sprout.' (a common weed)

'You feast with your new wife'

'as you would lovingly with your brothers.'

You're afraid that I will be too attached to Lady Li

and forget about my old love?

You feel so bitter that not even the sow thistle tasted bitter to you.

But I feel at ease to see you in such great joy.

I feel comforted to have your concern.

As your Empress, not only will I accept her wholeheartedly

I would also remind the others to get along with Madame Li.

When I brought Lady Li to the palace with me from the imperial river

and as I gazed at the scenery on both sides of the riverbanks

do you know what came to my mind?

It was all those memories of taking the imperial boat with you to the palace.

You were curious and excited then when you pointed at Jiaofang Palace

asking, 'What is that pretty paprika-red palace?'

Now I am in this palace.

Time flies and years have passed.

Yet Your Majesty still remembered it all so clearly.

I remember how I brought you into the palace.

I also remember that I promised to be your Big Dipper.

Affections of the Big Dipper shine brightly on this love.

It stays brightly up in the skies.

For all of eternity.

Despite how time goes by and all things change with it

my love for you will never change.

In my heart, you will always be second to none.

I know that your sentiments for me will never change.

Empress does truly have His Majesty's deepest affection.

In the grand hall, His Majesty gave her great respect in all things.

Madame was given a title the moment you entered the harem.

No one can be compared to you.

In terms of beauty, age, dancing and musical talents

you are the best in the harem.

That is true.

Most importantly, His Majesty is already captivated by the fragrance of my skin.

That night, I only tempted him slightly.

He already promised to make me a Madame and give me palace halls.

He even bestowed all sorts of top-quality gifts to me.

It means that Madame is already on a strong footing

and is the only favorite of His Majesty now.

Now you just need to give birth to a prince.

You have nothing to fear, be it the Empress or Crown Prince.

My godfather has told me that they are still very powerful.

We must handle everything with great modesty.

We shouldn't be too cocky.

I mustn't let all my efforts go down in vain.

I will get the luxury and extravagant life.

We must heed my godfather's advice.

I have to practice even harder to keep His Majesty captivated

with my beauty, fragrance, and dances.

External charm lies in physical appearance.

Internal charm lies in expression.

Tender hands twirl

and slender fingers flick lightly.

Fragrance seeps through, and takes no physical form.

If I didn't create this extraordinary fragrance and the finger trick

how could she possibly get His Majesty infatuated so quickly?

Make it lighter.

It is best to seduce with a more elegant scent.

We went by so many towns and villages

before we finally found this naturally gifted woman

who sings and dances so well.

I took her in as my goddaughter and trained her diligently.

Now, all my years of effort have paid off.

This time, you also owe it to my skills of temptation.

One glance at her, soldiers would lose their town.

At a second glance, a monarch will lose his crown.

I taught her every skill, day after day

to nurture her great looks and charisma deliberately.

This is the day that I've been waiting for.

Now, the timing is just perfect.

If Princess Pingyang hadn't returned to Chang An

we would have had no way to present this beauty to His Majesty.

However...

How did you know that she would present Lady Li to His Majesty?

What else could an unfortunate woman do to stay in favor of her brother

except to use her old trick of presenting a beauty to undress him?

It was even better that she ran into your goddaughter!

Lady Li has not let us down.

She merely performed a bit of her skills in front of Princess Pingyang

and was immediately selected.

Pingyang Manor already contributed an Empress

so it is an auspicious location.

That is how I had the advantage of a good location.

Then my special fragrant powder and the pills that

could make her skin give off fragrance came into play.

That Emperor was completely infatuated with it.

Recently, there have been many physicians going in and out of

Great General's manor.

It seems that Wei Qing's life is probably soon coming to an end.

It's said that a right location is better than right timing

and right connections are better than a right location.

Once Wei Qing is dead, the Wei family will die out.

I will then have the right timing, right location, and right connections.

The current situation is in my favor.

I believe that by going with the tide and taking advantage of it

we will drag that evil Queen down.

I will then make that wretched Emperor suffer great agony!

If I win this game of chess, it is just taking advantage of you.

I've placed it in the wrong spot again.

You made a wrong move just now and that gave me the chance to win.

But now, I gave you the chance instead.

You can read one's mind through a game of chess.

You seem to be distracted.

It's difficult for you to multi-task with your mind.

There are nine levels in playing chess.

The first is to concentrate.

Neither of us can focus on the game and keep making mistakes.

This game of chess can go no further.

Are you worried about your sister?

It seems that we are both worried about the same matter.

That Madame Li won His Majesty over when she first entered the harem.

It is difficult to get hold of what her background is.

As a brother, how could I not be worried about my sister?

I've just returned from inspecting all the regions across the nation

and there's already a new Madame Li in the palace.

Moreover, her beauty and good virtues are made known to all.

She is second to none.

Madame Li is indeed well-mannered and virtuous.

But I somehow have doubts about her.

She comes from a mediocre family, but she is outstandingly elegant.

I'm afraid that she might be up to something.

She could be hiding a dagger beneath her mild demeanor.

I hope that after all these years in the harem

the Empress has learned from her past experiences

and is able to see through pretense.

Great General, Princess Pingyang sent someone to your manor to look for you.

Did he mention what it was for?

Princess.

I rushed all the way here but it seems that I still didn't make it in time.

Fei Luan already passed away?

I had wanted to wait for you

so that you could see him before he died.

But I really couldn't bear to see him suffer anymore.

I just went ahead with it.

I fed him datura (poisonous herb) juice with my own hands.

Fei Luan knew that you couldn't bear to see him suffer in pain.

He died in peace and happiness.

He is galloping freely above the clouds by now.

Life is over in a glimpse.

It is so short and miserable.

Everything is over so quickly, like a dream.

Yet dreams are hard to come by.

There are many regrets in life.

Your Highness, don't be depressed over this matter anymore.

Fei Luan had Jun Yi by his side as he grew old

as well as our company.

His life was worthwhile.

There are many who care about Your Highness.

As long as you cherish the moment, then you won't have any regrets.

I've already thought it through.

I should cherish the one who stands before me

and the one who dotes on me and cherishes me.

I must not give him up again.

Fei Luan witnessed how we became bosom friends from a lord-serf relationship.

We could have taken that one more step to a different relationship

but fate played a joke on us.

Someone deliberately came between us.

But now, Fei Luan is dead.

I feel lonely and bitter but I have come to understand

that my biggest regret in life

is having missed being with you again and again.

Your Highness...

Now, you are a widower and I am a widow.

If we miss out on each other again

we will have let each other down completely.

Wei Qing, life is short.

Don't leave any regrets.

No.

Your Highness, do not bring this matter up again.

Xia Hou Po, who spread the rumor, is already dead.

Your sister is already firmly on the throne as Empress.

Even her son is the Crown Prince.

What scruples do you still have?

Your Highness, my sister really had nothing to do with our fate.

It was Empress Dowager who was concerned that your reputation would be tainted.

She persuaded me to...

It was Mother?

At that time, my sister was willing to give up on being the Empress

so that we could be together.

But I saw that Xia Ho Po was more outstanding than me

in terms of upbringing and appearance.

He seemed a better match for Your Highness.

I had hoped that Your Highness could be blessed

with a compatible and outstanding spouse.

That was why I sacrificed my own feelings for the sake of love.

Even if all the rumors have now long been forgotten

even if Mother had talked you out of this back then

and now she has already passed away

even if we were of a different social status then...

Now that you are the Minister of War, we are more than compatible.

We...

Your Highness!

I don't care about whatever reasons you may have.

I don't care if there are great difficulties ahead of us.

As long as we are fearless

we will be able to spend the rest of our lives together.

Fearless indeed.

Then I ask that Your Highness take a good look at this!

This is but a tiny fraction that you see.

The title of Great General sounds so awe inspiring.

It represents a lifetime of honor.

But it also comes with the price of injuries and illnesses.

Wounds can heal but internal injuries are hard to cure.

I have to take medications every day.

Who knows how much longer I still have to live?

Even if I could make it past this winter

would I be able to see the apricot blossoms next year?

How could I still protect Princess with this broken body?

But you covered all this up in front of everyone else.

You would rather suffer such pain alone...

Your Highness' deep affections for me...

How could I possibly feel nothing in response?

But... I'd rather have you suffer for a short while

than to go through the pain of losing another husband.

It is because life is short that I must not let you down in this lifetime.

Your Highness, Princess Pingyang is here to see you.

Pingyang greets Your Highness.

Here.

What matter is so serious that Sister bows so formally?

I am here to ask Your Highness to repay my kindness.

Years ago, when Han Yan came to stir up trouble in the manor

Your Highness relied on me to escape from a disaster.

His Majesty watched the dance while I encouraged him.

That was how you could enter the harem after being favored.

Empress Chen tried to harm you many times and I took risks to help you.

That was how you emerged safely out of danger.

Do you still remember all that?

Princess did more than just that.

My son was made Crown Prince and His Majesty has me on his mind.

That was all because of Princess' sincere advice to His Majesty.

I am deeply indebted to Princess.

I have always kept that on my mind.

Your Highness is virtuous.

You are praised by all.

In the case of the voodoo poisoning

you stood your ground against all others

to save the life of Chen Jiao, who deserved to be killed.

Since Your Highness was even willing to help Chen Jiao...

Today, I ask that Your Highness return all my favors to me.

Today, I ask that Your Highness return all my favors to me.

Princess and I are sisters-in-law.

We belong to the same clan.

Princess is my sister and you bestow great kindness to me.

I am sure to do all that I can to assist you as long as you need me to.

I will make it clear to you then.

I want to marry Wei Qing!

Sister, look.

The flying swallow that I'm embroidering

can be used to wish you both a blessed marriage.

Zi Fu...

I've misunderstood you for so long.

Wei Qing has already admitted to me

that it was my mother who broke us off, for my sake.

But I have wronged you for so long.

The past is already in the past.

I was embroidering this swallow for Princess.

I hope that the swallow can bring you merriment.

But now it is to wish you merriment of new marriage.

I should embroider another swallow, swallows flying side by side.

But Wei Qing refused to be with me.

I am here today to ask Your Highness to persuade him for me.

Why has he refused?

Your Highness, do you know about his health condition?

He is afraid to make me worried.

How could he possibly be honest with me?

But I have figured it out, more or less.

This brother of mine is unparalleled in his meritorious services.

But he always keeps his sufferings to himself.

He is very faithful to love.

He is determined not to let you down.

How could I possibly talk him around?

There is, however, one person he would have to listen to.

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