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[The Virtuous Queen of Han]

[Episode Forty-Six]

I have doubts on my mind and they won't go away.

- Duan Hong, accept the decree. - Present.

Great General was just recently buried.

There are still many things yet to be arranged.

I command you to take charge of those issues in Maoling.

You are to leave the capital first thing in the morning!

Who are you going to kill with this poison?

The Emperor? The Empress?

What's wrong?

You summoned me over urgently

so there must be something that you wish to tell me!

What is this?

Greetings to Your Majesty.

Greetings to Your Majesty.

Get up.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Whose letter are you reading?

Sister sent it over.

She has already arrived back in her old manor in Pingyang County

with Xi Niang and Uncle Yi.

They are getting ready to head to my deceased mother's tomb

to make offerings on behalf of Wei Qing.

I thought it was a letter from Duan Hong.

He left in a hurry and didn't even manage to bid me farewell.

I hope that he can write soon to let me know that he's arrived safely.

Your Highness, Madame Li's prenatal soup is ready.

Prenatal soup?

I've ordered the kitchen to prepare prenatal soup

for Madame Li recently.

Send it over now or it won't be good when it goes cold.

That's not necessary.

Why?

Madame Li is dead.

But she was fine! How could she die so suddenly?

She was poisoned to death.

Who poisoned her?

I'd like to know that as well.

Perhaps...

I have to ask you for an answer.

What do you mean by that, Your Majesty?

You have been sending soup over to Madame Li every day.

Your Majesty suspects that I poisoned Madame Li?

I have no choice but to suspect you.

This is the letter that she left for her godfather before she died.

'Dear Godfather'

'your daughter is at a loss.'

'I have been in constant fear.'

'Empress has forsaken her duties.'

'She has scandalized the harem with her indecent affair.'

What?

I have always been prim and proper.

How could I do anything like she said in the letter?

I had an affair with Duan Hong?

This is a slander! She is framing me!

Could she have used her and the imperial heir's lives

to slander and frame you for this?

This handkerchief and scented ink were both bestowed by me.

This is also her handwriting.

Therefore, this letter couldn't be forged either.

It says in the letter that she didn't dare to tell me about it

so she summoned Yuan Shu over urgently to discuss the matter.

I can also prove that Yuan Shu had just arrived in the palace

at the time of her death, after being summoned urgently.

She wrote that she was afraid that she would be silenced if the affair

between Duan Hong and me were to be exposed.

Therefore, Your Majesty assumes that I was the one who killed her?

Is that right?

Your Majesty believes that this is the truth?

I don't know who to believe!

Every time I see you, you're always pure and innocent.

- But... - But.

But Your Majesty still suspects me.

I don't wish to suspect you either!

But I really don't have any evidence to prove that Madame Li lied.

I also can't prove that you and Duan Hong are truly innocent.

Why would Your Majesty say so?

All the events that occurred recently led me to suspect

how deep your friendship with Duan Hong truly is!

Your Majesty, please explain.

The concern you have for him and the protection that he has for you

are both without any hesitation, and completely selfless.

That is the kinship between siblings!

At the convenience of providing relief to the poor

you both left to head back to your hometown without notifying me!

I've already told you that we received false...

The both of you even rode back on the same horse.

You were very intimate.

I witnessed that with my own eyes!

I was too eager to see my brother.

Yet the rainstorm had damaged the bridge

and only horses could make it through the route in the mountains.

Duan Hong had no choice but to come up with this solution.

- Duan Hong said so as well. - Because it is the truth.

But is it really the truth, or a lie that you both made up?

I can no longer tell them apart!

I thought that by sending Duan Hong away, I could...

You sent Duan Hong away to guard the burial grounds because of this?

You didn't do it for my sake or my brother's?

Your Majesty misunderstood Duan Hong

because I was in a hurry to see my brother?

Are you blaming me?

The first time that you ever argued with me

was for the death of Duan Hong's father.

And now you are blaming me for the first time because of him as well!

It seems that you are indeed very close.

Then it is not impossible that you killed for his sake!

Your Majesty made such a hasty conclusion.

Do you consider yourself a wise ruler?

I am just making a judgment based on the evidence I have at hand.

I just hope that Your Majesty will not be blinded by jealousy

and eventually get to the bottom of this matter.

Uphold justice for me and Duan Hong.

I will definitely investigate it.

I hope that the truth will be just as Empress has said.

You and Duan Hong have neither killed...

nor had an affair...

His Majesty has just sent you to Maoling to guard Great General Wei's tomb.

Why has he summoned you back when you were only halfway there?

There was news from Chang An that Madame Li suddenly passed away.

I wonder if I'm to be entrusted a new mission because of that.

When I arrive in Chang An tomorrow

I'll know what it is about when I seek audience with His Majesty.

Go and have a rest.

We will have to rush back early tomorrow morning.

Yes.

I am the godfather of Madame Li.

Madame Li has just passed away.

I am here to pray for her soul on His Majesty's orders.

Therefore, I hope that you can prepare lean meals for me.

Sir, my condolences. I will surely have that arranged.

Thank you.

Sir, please come this way to your room.

- After you. - After you.

The top of the word 'zhi' is the same as that of the word 'hou.'

'Zhi' and 'hou' are very similar in the shape of the characters.

You must be closely related to our current Empress?

The word 'zhi' can be taken apart into the word 'jie.'

If I use the word 'zhi' to sum up your entire life

I can express it in three sentences.

Half a lifetime of merits.

A lifetime of loneliness.

Difficulty in romance.

I know who you are!

Since you mean to lure me over

why would you be afraid to show yourself?

You're skilled in martial arts and swordsmanship.

What is your intention in pretending to be some fortune-teller?

Your Majesty dismissed my maids because you have discovered

new leads to Madame Li's death?

Or do you have questions for me?

I am here to ask you about Duan Hong's whereabouts.

Didn't Duan Hong leave for Maoling to guard my brother's tomb?

I summoned him back. But he has gone missing.

He is missing?

Could he have run into some danger?

He is very skilled in martial arts, so what danger could he run into?

I hope that he has not fled for fear of being exposed by Madame Li's death.

It seems that Your Majesty already believes

that Duan Hong and I have had an affair.

You believe that we are guilty.

May I be so bold as to ask what concrete evidence you have?

I would also like to get to the bottom of this.

But how can I investigate when he has gone missing?

Your Majesty, I have been thinking

that everything is linked to Madame Li's death.

If we can find out the cause of death, we might have a clue.

I've also been studying the poison that Madame Li could have been poisoned with.

I hope to reveal the truth.

Fortunately, we now have access to the western regions.

Medications and poisons that we knew nothing of are now made known to us.

Actually, there are rare flowers and herbs in the western regions.

They can be made into odorless and tasteless poisons.

Your Majesty?

Is this the truth that you speak of?

Perhaps this is the truth instead?

You gave this to Duan Hong in person.

This is the pouch that contains the dirt from his father's tomb.

He carries it with him at all times.

Don't tell me that you don't recognize it.

I definitely recognize Duan Hong's pouch.

But what is it doing here?

Because Duan Hong was here.

No!

Otherwise, you would have noticed such a special pouch by now.

Or the maids would have discovered it when they were cleaning the halls.

Someone must have planted it here to frame me for it.

Madame Li said that you had an affair with Duan Hong.

You said that it was a set up.

I found Duan Hong's pouch here in your chamber.

You said that it was planted here.

Who set you up? Who framed you?

Is it me?

Your Majesty, the truth isn't what you see!

Duan Hong has no other family.

You are the closest to him.

Duan Hong went missing so I had to ask you for information and clues.

I wanted to clear my doubts in your just and righteous words.

But that is not what has occurred.

I ended up confirming that all my doubts are true after all.

Please appease your anger, Your Majesty.

I have not seen Duan Hong.

Now that he is missing...

Your Majesty, Chamberlain of law reports back in urgency.

He has arrested Commandant Duan outside the palace.

Now he is no longer missing.

Good!

Bring him over to see me and the Empress.

Yes!

- You are dismissed. - Yes!

Duan Hong, Empress heard that you went missing.

She was afraid that you would be in danger.

What exactly happened?

I was ambushed on my way back to Chang An.

That was why I didn't make it on time to meet Your Majesty.

Are you injured?

I wasn't hurt but I passed out from inhaling toxic incense.

When I woke up, I wasn't too far away from Weiyang Palace.

If it were an ambush, why would you only be intoxicated?

Why weren't you killed?

I don't know either.

I find this matter suspicious as well.

I was eager to investigate, so I hurried back to the palace.

Did you pretend that you rushed back to the palace

because you were caught sneaking into the palace?

Your Majesty, why would you say so?

Because you and Empress poisoned Madame Li to death.

This matter was exposed, so you sneaked back into the palace

to discuss the strategy with Empress, right?

Your Majesty, why would Empress and I have anything

to do with Madame Li's death?

Madame Li discovered your affair with Empress

so the both of you teamed up to poison her to death.

You thought that killing her would cover up your affair.

But she left a letter behind before she died

and exposed the affair between the both of you!

How could Your Majesty make such a hasty conclusion and malicious accusation!

Why would Empress be so enraged?

Is it because you feel guilty?

It's because I am wrongly accused without valid reasons.

Or is it because you're afraid that your Duan Hong will become a prisoner?

Your Majesty! Her Highness has always only been devoted to you.

How could she have an affair with me?

If there isn't an affair between the both of you

and you didn't kill to cover up the affair

why did you meet with the Empress in secret before you saw me?

I've just entered the palace.

How could I possibly have been to see Her Highness?

What is this then?

I found this pouch in Empress' bed chamber.

If you've never been in there, why would the pouch be here?

Your Majesty, Duan Hong passed out from intoxicated fumes.

His personal belongings must have been stolen at that time.

There are many people going in and out of my palace.

What's difficult about planting a pouch in there?

I suspect that there is one person behind all these schemes and plots

to frame me and Empress.

Who is it?

Madame Li's godfather, Yuan Shu.

Yuan Shu has no grudges against the both of you.

Why would he set you up?

I don't understand either.

But it was indeed Yuan Shu who ambushed and attacked me.

And he was very skilled in martial arts.

- Really? - Ridiculous!

I also believe that Yuan Shu is up to something.

Both he Madame Li aren't just any ordinary people.

Moreover, I witnessed the drastic change in Madame Li's attitude.

I have now also witnessed the drastic change in Empress' attitude.

This matter concerns the wisdom of Your Majesty

and the innocence of Her Highness.

I ask that Your Majesty investigates thoroughly.

I have evidence to prove that Madame Li's godfather

is the culprit who attacked and framed me.

Fine.

I will summon Yuan Shu into the palace then.

I will have you convinced to confess to your crimes.

Si He has already made all the arrangements

for the offerings tomorrow.

After the ritual, we will take a detour over to Maoling.

We'll visit Wei Qing's tomb before heading back to Chang An.

Your Highness has been traveling so much between Maoling

Chang An, and Pingyang County.

- I'm worried that you'll be tired-- - Princess can only be at ease

if she sees it for herself, so we'll accompany her there.

Your Highness, Commandant Duan's subordinate Zhang Xin

is here to see you for an urgent matter.

Greetings to Princess.

Madame Li died from poisoning in the palace.

His Majesty suspects that Empress and Master Duan killed her

to prevent her from exposing their affair.

He has already arrested Master Duan.

What about the Empress?

When I left Chang An, I only heard that His Majesty had summoned

Madame Li's godfather to confront Master Duan.

The case hasn't been concluded yet.

But His Majesty is furious and doesn't believe

the innocence of Empress and Master Duan.

I once came across this Yuan Shu in the palace.

He is not some ordinary man.

I'm afraid that there is a huge conspiracy behind this matter.

And I believe it is targeted at Her Highness.

Si He, pack up my luggage.

We'll head back to Chang An immediately.

Yes.

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

Greetings to Your Majesty.

Empress comes here with a sword and a basin of water.

Are you imitating officers who present water and sword

to proclaim their innocence and willingness to kill themselves

should they be found guilty?

I hold the basin of water to ask that Your Majesty make a fair judgment.

Should it be true that I have not been faithful to you

I will take my life with this sword.

Your Majesty, I am willing to confront Yuan Shu here in the hall

to rid me of injustice.

Since I am involved in this case

I ask that Your Majesty give me a verdict as well.

If I am not wronged, I will then take my own life as my punishment.

I will be tried according to the law of the nation.

Your Highness...

Since we are both innocent, what have we got to fear?

I'm only worried that the trial will be unjust.

Fine!

If the both of you are innocent, I will rectify your reputation.

If you truly are unfaithful to me

I will have you punished according to the law!

The Empress can take her own life after a fair trial.

I will make a fair judgment!

I'm willing to confront Master Duan for the sake of my goddaughter.

I only ask to uphold justice for my goddaughter

in order to comfort her soul in heaven.

Yuan Shu!

Commandant Duan claims that you ambushed him with toxins

and stole his pouch to plant it in Empress' bed chamber

in order to set him up!

I bear no grudges against Master Duan.

Why would I do anything so despicable?

Your Majesty, this man conceals malicious intentions.

It's either he bears grudges against me or the imperial court.

A few years ago, he pretended to dress up as a fortune-teller...

So it was you?

I remember it now.

Your Majesty, I'd once set up my divination business outside a bar.

I met Master Duan once.

If I remember correctly, I could tell then that he is close to the Empress.

I was right after all.

I've also heard that Duan Hong had his fortune told.

Little did I expect that

I foretold the affair between Master Duan and the Empress

so many years ago.

But now, my daughter died because of it!

- You made up this nonsense! - You made up this nonsense!

First you intoxicated me and stole my pouch

and then you planted it in Empress' palace.

These are all schemes that you've planned carefully in advance!

You intend to frame me and the Empress!

What evidence do you have?

The evidence is on him!

When I was ambushed, I retaliated with a blow.

I believe that there must still be a bruise on Yuan Shu's right shoulder.

If there is a bruise

we can prove that Yuan Shu planted evidence to set us up!

Then there is also a different story to Madame Li's death.

Your Majesty, in order to prove my innocence

please pardon my manners.

Master Duan, take a close look!

Are there any bruises or wounds on my body?

There must be something behind all this.

You purposely showed up at the courier hostel

and then lured me into the wilderness.

I believe this must all be part of your plan!

You...

Your Majesty, I have just lost my beloved daughter

so I went around looking for evidence.

I stayed in different hostels and inns during my trip.

How could I have planned anything in advance?

Fortunately, the gods took pity on me.

I managed to find a witness!

It's presumptuous of me, but I have brought her here to Your Majesty

in order to reveal the truth!

Who is this person?

It is Lady Li, the abandoned wife of Commandant Duan!

Summon her in!

Summon Lady Li in to seek audience!

Greetings to Your Majesty and Your Highness.

Lady Li, now that His Majesty is here, you can tell him the truth.

Back then, why did Master Duan divorce you?

I was divorced because I did not bear any children.

But the truth is that Master Duan had someone else on his mind.

He couldn't forget about her and didn't want to let me down anymore.

The truth is, Master Duan and I were only husband and wife in status

but the marriage was never consummated.

After years of marriage together

I felt that Master Duan only cared for the Empress in every way possible.

They even met in private.

On the day that Your Majesty bestowed marriage to us

I witnessed with my own eyes that Master Duan...

burned all the love letters he had from the Empress.

Lady Li!

Why do you make up such lies to slander me?

I'm only telling what I saw and heard.

But none of it is true!

Enough!

Apart from Empress and Duan Hong, all of you are dismissed!

- Yes! - Yes.

The basin of water and sword.

A fair trial and judgment.

Duan Hong.

Now, even the witness can prove that you are disloyal.

Your Majesty, all that Lady Li has said were lies.

I have always been faithful to Your Majesty.

Otherwise, I wouldn't go to Huainan alone and put my life in danger.

I didn't even get to see my father before he passed away.

Are you holding that against me?

I am not.

I just felt regretful and wronged.

To say that I am unfilial, that is true.

To say that I am disloyal, I feel too aggrieved.

You're unfilial?

When Empress Dowager wanted to kill you for the death of Tian Fen

I went against my mother to protect you.

I chose my loyalty to my friend over filial piety.

That is because Your Majesty is wise.

You knew that I was innocent, and Tian Fen deserved to die.

I went to the western regions in search of Zhang Qian to share your burdens.

That was why I couldn't make it back in time to save Chancellor Dou.

Tian Fen killed the loyal subjects and conspired against you.

But you intercepted the execution and announced a false decree.

Those crimes were enough to sentence you to death!

But I still protected you.

I covered up your crimes in front of Empress Dowager.

When Your Majesty left the palace in secret

I also risked my life to hold Grand Empress Dowager Dou back

to keep your secret.

Now that I think about it

were you truly being loyal and dutiful then

or were you trying to protect the mistress of Orchid Palace?

That remains unknown.

Duan Hong has served by your side for so many years now.

He has been loyal and protective of Your Majesty.

He laid his life down for you.

How could Your Majesty suspect him so?

This isn't just my suspicion!

It is the truth that lies right before my own eyes!

Your Majesty!

I really did not have an affair with the Empress.

But I have thought about it.

You now admit that the lady whom you couldn't get off your mind

is the childhood friend, Wei Zi Fu

with whom you had the friendship of intertwined hair?

My Empress?

Your Majesty, Her Highness has always only had eyes for you.

She knew of my obsession and reprimanded me.

She broke my gift of a comb to sever any romantic ties between us.

I ask that Your Majesty investigate into it!

Your Majesty, Duan Hong is of indomitable spirit.

He has since been protecting me as my elder brother.

He has never once misconducted or behaved inappropriately!

Empress takes Duan Hong's side in everything.

Have you once considered the dignity of the Emperor of Great Han?

The feelings of your husband?

Because I regard Your Majesty as the love of my life

I feel my heart ache so badly.

That is why I disregarded my manners to advise Your Majesty

not to wrong a good and loyal man.

I can't tell what feelings you have for me.

But I can see very clearly that you truly care and feel for Duan Hong.

I am indeed guilty for being attached to my childhood sentiments.

I will accept any punishment from Your Majesty.

If my death can appease Your Majesty's doubts and suspicions

then as Your Majesty's loyal subject and the Empress' older brother

I will die with no regrets!

Fine!

I will do as you wish.

Where are the palace guards?

- Present! - Present!

Duan Hong left his post without authorization.

He has not lived up to my expectations.

Take him away!

He is to be executed tomorrow at noon!

Yes!

- Your Majesty! - As for the Empress...

She is to be grounded in her palace to await her punishment.

My daughter...

You can finally rest your soul and go to heaven.

His Majesty is wise.

He would not let you die wrongfully!

Greetings to Your Majesty.

Don't bother.

Your Majesty, thank you for being here to mourn the loss of Madame Li.

Madame Li died too abruptly.

Everything is chaotic in the harem.

I'm out taking a stroll to calm my mind and clear my head.

Your Majesty, isn't the truth already revealed?

- Empress and Duan Hong had an affair. - Stop it!

Please appease your anger, Your Majesty.

I know that Your Majesty is kind and sentimental.

Even if Empress and Duan Hong have cheated on you

Your Majesty still has feelings for them.

It is just that it seems unfair to my daughter...

She died such a wrongful death...

Shut up!

I didn't say that I would be lenient!

Tomorrow, Duan Hong will be executed as scheduled.

I would like to think in silence.

Step down now.

May I be so bold as to ask Your Majesty how you plan to deal with the Empress?

I want to leave the palace.

But His Majesty is still in a fit of anger.

If Your Highness disregards the order to have you grounded

I'm afraid that... It would be even more difficult for

Your Highness and Your Majesty to reconcile.

I have always conducted myself properly over the years.

Now that I've been set up and my reputation tainted

Duan Hong was wrongly sentenced to be executed.

I cannot allow Duan Hong to die a wrongful death

even if His Majesty will misunderstand me even more.

We are at your command.

Ming Yue, prepare my seal.

Yes.

Your Highness, please halt!

Your Highness, please halt.

Your Highness, please halt!

I beg Your Highness for forgiveness!

His Majesty has orders. Your Highness, please head back.

The Empress of Great Han holds the same authority as the Emperor.

Who dares to hold me back!

We are following His Majesty's orders to keep Your Highness in Jiaofang Palace.

I beg Your Highness for forgiveness.

General Fang of the

Gentlemen-of the-Palace of the Doors.

You have guarded Jiaofang Palace for years now.

What do you think of my character?

Back when the Deity Halls caught on fire

Your Highness spared us all from severe punishment.

Previously, when the plague raged on in the palace

Your Highness handed out medications to all the servants without any fear.

Your Highness even provided relief to spare the people from hunger.

All these actions and words can prove Your Highness' kindness.

Even so, you still think that I should stay here to suffer such an injustice?

Or should I uphold justice and prove my innocence?

Even though we believe in Your Highness' innocence

we cannot defy His Majesty's orders.

I beg Your Highness for forgiveness.

Should I insist on leaving the palace to save an innocent man

and safeguard His Majesty's reputation as a wise ruler

would you stop me by force?

Would you kill me with your sword?

We wouldn't dare to disrespect Your Highness.

We wouldn't dare to harm Your Highness in any way.

But if we do not have any valid reasons to present to His Majesty

I'm afraid that we will all be deemed guilty and punished.

Our families could even be implicated.

Fine!

His Majesty bestowed the seal to me to appoint me as the Empress.

That is how I came to reside in Jiaofang Palace.

- Ming Yue! - Present!

Leave the seal on my phoenix throne.

Yes.

General Fang, what command did you say that you are following?

We are commanded to guard Your Highness and keep you in Jiaofang Palace.

An official without his seal cannot try a case.

A general without the tiger tally cannot command an army.

An empress without her seal is then not the mother of the nation.

The seal is here.

It represents that the Empress is right here in Jiaofang Palace.

General Fang, you should obey orders from His Majesty

and safeguard the Empress here in Jiaofang Palace.

Deputy General Ruan.

I have an urgent matter to report to His Majesty.

What is it about?

Her Highness left her seal behind and left Jiaofang Palace on her own.

But His Majesty is now meditating and taking a rest.

Nobody is to disturb him.

This...

I think that His Majesty must have already fallen asleep.

Chamberlain of law Du Zhou greets Your Highness.

Greetings to Your Highness!

I didn't come here as the Empress.

I can give up both my throne and my imperial seal.

My life can be forfeited as well.

Please cherish your life, Your Highness.

But I have to go in there right now to save the innocent

so as to uphold His Majesty's reputation as a wise ruler.

Please lead the way, Chamberlain.

Since I've been ordered to guard Commandant Duan

no one is allowed in without His Majesty's orders.

I cannot bend the law for personal reasons.

I beg Your Highness for forgiveness.

The purpose of law is to punish the evil and compliment the good

to manifest humanity and justice.

Chamberlain Du, do you think that Commandant Duan is the evil

that should be punished or the good that should be complimented?

Liu An could be executed

because Commandant Duan took the risk to go undercover in Liu An's camp.

Such a loyal subject should definitely be complimented.

I might not be outstanding

but I'm not afraid to die for the sake of a loyal subject.

It's just that as the chamberlain of law, I must not defy the law.

I do not mean to make you defy laws and regulations.

Since ancient times, there have been 'Eight Deliberations.'

Relatives of the sovereign, individuals of great virtue and great ability

meritorious individuals, high officials, and guests of the sovereign.

I am the Emperor's wife and the mother of Crown Prince.

I am a relative of the sovereign. I lead the harem.

Even if I render no meritorious services, I have been dutiful.

I should be considered zealous at my official duties.

You have done more than that.

The prestige of the Empress is that of the Emperor.

Your Highness' great virtues are known to all in the world.

Since you recognize me as one of the eight for commutation of sentence

you admit that you have no right to try me.

You have to report to His Majesty to make a verdict.

I am here to barge into the prison at night.

Won't you have to seek for His Majesty's advice

before you can take any action?

Then during this time when you are away to ask for advice

whatever happens here in the prison

will not harm a loyal subject, nor will it make you defy the law.

Your Highness is wise. I am deeply impressed.

I will seek the advice of His Majesty.

However, please forgive me for my ignorance.

I will have to think about how I should report this to His Majesty.

I'm afraid that this will take even more time in the process.

Your Highness will have to wait for an even longer period of time.

It is the great fortune of Duan Hong and me

to have such a reasonable and virtuous subject.

It is also the blessing of Great Han.

Your Highness is virtuous and Commandant Duan is faithful.

You are naturally assisted by the gods and the people.

I take my leave.

I don't want any dinner.

For one who is about to die, hunger makes no difference.

Since you won't die, you will have to eat.

Only then can you go far.

Your Highness!

Duan Hong, I am here to set you free.

You should leave right away.

You mean to defy the decree to set me free?

I have always regarded you as my family.

I cannot allow you to be wronged

nor can I let you die a wronged death because of me.

My life means nothing.

This matter started because of me.

I am the one who implicated you.

I must not make mistake after mistake and put you in grave danger.

If you set me free

not only would you be sentenced to death for defying the imperial decree

but your reputation would also be marred.

Don't worry, Duan Hong.

I am, after all, Empress of Great Han.

If His Majesty wishes to take my life, it isn't that simple either.

It is more important that you can stay alive.

But you have been grounded in your palace to await the verdict.

Now you have left the palace to barge into the prison against orders.

If I leave now, wouldn't you...

I would never do anything that would cause you harm.

Please forgive me for not obeying your command.

Please leave now, Your Highness.

Your Highness!

Zi... Zi Fu...

Please get up.

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