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[The Virtuous Queen of Han]

Episode Three

Whose daughter is it that could make Your Majesty keep her on your mind?

It is just a peasant girl.

But she could empathize with all.

What about your sister, Zi Fu?

My sister and I have been staying here in Pingyang Manor.

Duan Hong, the one playing the chimes is my sister.

You haven't mastered your skills well, and dampened His Majesty's mood.

Beg for His Majesty's forgiveness immediately.

We beg for Your Majesty's forgiveness.

It's fine.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

You must be tired, my dear brother.

Have some rest.

I'll pick an obedient one to serve you in getting changed.

Sure.

Greetings to Your Majesty.

You may get up.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Maid-servant Wei Zi Fu is here to serve Your Majesty in getting changed.

Don't be frightened.

I am but a peasant girl.

It's impossible for me not to be frightened before

the Emperor's majestic presence.

Emperor's majestic presence?

Is it so frightening?

Your Majesty is appointed by the gods.

You reign over the lands and seas as well as life and death of all people.

Who wouldn't be taken aback?

Good, well-said. You have a silver tongue.

You've been educated?

Your Majesty, I haven't been educated much.

You know more than some officials in court about what an Emperor is.

I...

I... I only heard it from Marquess and Princess.

You heard it from them?

I'd like to know what the Emperor is like in your opinion.

I'd be so bold as to tell you the truth.

I think that as the Emperor, you should be concerned about the world

experience, and observe the lives of people.

Why have you stopped talking?

You think that I'm not a good Emperor, who pays attention to my people?

Or do you think that I was kept in the dark and know nothing of it?

I wouldn't be so bold as to say so.

Why don't you tell me what life is for the people out there

so as to see if I really have been kept in the dark about it?

The people are suffering and starving. But officials tease them, for fun.

They tempt people with gold pellets and make people run after them.

The people are suffering and yet they are teased by chasing gold pellets?

How would you know these words?

I have once been rescued by Chancellor Dou Ying.

I repaid his kindness with these words.

So you are the one.

You're the one that I've been thinking of these days.

The gods are truly too kind to me.

- Let's play the engagement game! - Yes! Yes!

Play it with me?

I won't play it with you.

I'll play it with you.

You have sores all over your face!

Yuck! I won't play with you!

Duan Hong! Duan Hong!

I'll play with you!

I'll be your bride.

Sure!

Here.

Let's go.

This is for you!

Sure.

Here you go!

Zi Fu, from now on, you are my wife.

From now on, we'll always be together.

You're still munching on these?

Listen up! It's all because of you that my daughter was not picked by the Emperor.

Mother.

Mother, don't say that.

I'm already very fortunate to be a middle-grade dancer with my looks.

You'll be teased for saying that.

Who would dare to tease you?

Have you come to me for something?

I'm here to see Uncle Yi.

I'd like him to make a few delicious treats for Zi Fu to congratulate her.

You still congratulate her?

You let her show off so much!

She should be here to thank us!

Your daughter is truly sensible.

You're fortunate Zi Fu was kind enough to give your daughter assistance.

If she had dampened His Majesty's mood

then both of you would have been punished for it.

Don't worry. I'll be sure to make her favorite dishes.

If you're smart enough, you should go and butter her up.

Once Zi Fu makes it into the palace, she will be one of the concubines!

Concubine?

Concubine?

Once Zi Fu gets into the palace she is a concubine?

It won't be that easy.

Do you think that every woman that was favored by the Emperor

gets to go into the palace?

She is just a performer. That won't be easy.

If she doesn't move up from rags to riches

no one will marry her because she once slept with the Emperor.

Wouldn't she then live a lonely life?

- That can't be true... - Yes, that won't be the case.

Zi Fu is kindhearted, she will be repaid with good fortune.

Sister, are you in there?

- Sister! - Come in.

Sister.

Sister...

I'm fine, please don't be worried.

By the way...

Do you remember who this is?

Isn't this the one who helped me at the wine store...

No, he is our childhood friend.

How could you not recognize him?

Zi Fu!

Zi Fu!

Zi Fu.

- Zi Fu. - Duan Hong, I got lost.

It became dark and there is heavy fog.

Don't be scared. I'll take you home.

Didn't you say that the Big Dipper can point the way?

But I can't see the stars now.

Zi Fu, don't be afraid.

Although we can't see any stars, I can be your Big Dipper.

Sure.

You are...

Duan Hong!

You still remember me?

I couldn't forget you!

Whenever I'm in the wilderness, or when I'm unhappy

I remember my Big Dipper, Duan Hong.

It turns out that the peasant girl you were talking about

who cares about the world, is Zi Fu.

Who knew that she'd had such an encounter with Chancellor Dou?

Do you think that this is destined?

She has talent, beauty and insight.

She is indeed wonderful.

How lovely...

Lovely indeed.

She is truly lovely.

Since she is so wonderful

have you thought of taking her back to the palace to keep her by your side?

Are you concerned that the Empress is easily jealous?

What do you think?

The Empress isn't your only concern.

If so, you'd do better to treat it as a fling and forget about her.

But I find it quite a pity.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Sister, have I rewarded all those in your manor that should be rewarded?

Your Majesty, Wei Zi Fu has not yet been rewarded.

Yes, she'll be rewarded a pair of white jade bangles.

One emerald and one agate necklace.

Thirty taels of gold.

Yes.

Summoning Wei Zi Fu!

I'll head back to the palace early tomorrow morning.

Your Majesty's and your subjects' luggage has all been loaded.

All right.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

If a peasant girl could empathize with the people's suffering...

The people are suffering and starving.

But officials teased them for fun.

They tempted people with gold pellets and made people run after them.

The people are suffering and yet they are teased by chasing gold pellets?

You're the one that I've been thinking of these days.

Greetings to Your Majesty.

Zi Fu, go and pack your belongings.

Leave with me tomorrow morning.

I'd like to have you by my side.

You'll witness how I change the situation of

'the people are suffering and yet they are teased by chasing gold pellets.'

Thank you, Your Majesty.

I'll have the princess pick out someone to go with you

to take care of you.

Princess said that you're very close to your brother, Wei Qing.

I'll appoint him to a position in Jianzhang Palace so that he may join you.

Your Majesty, you who love the tree, love the branch, I...

We won't be able to serve Your Highness anymore, after we depart.

We have nothing to repay your kindness. Please accept our subservience.

You may both get up.

Wei Qing, you must be dutiful and pioneering.

You must keep it in mind not to let His Majesty down.

Thank you, Your Highness, for your teachings.

I will definitely keep that in mind.

Zi Fu, it's indeed quite difficult to have you brought to the palace.

His Majesty had quite a few concerns in the first place.

In the end, despite the pressure, he's decided to take you with him.

You must serve the Emperor well.

Be sure to abide by the regulations.

I will know where I stand and know my place.

Just like this cherry blossom tree, all I did was to plant the seed.

It's up to you to have it all turn out well.

I understand.

Wei Qing.

You must remember when it blossoms

you shouldn't forget the one who planted the seed in the first place.

Your Highness has taken great care of us both over the years.

We will certainly keep that on our minds.

I hope that the future looks bright for the both of you.

- Thank you, Your Highness. - Thank you, Your Highness.

Duan Hong!

Zi Fu, are you ready?

I'm here to escort you into the palace.

Housekeeper Chang just told me that an officer would arrange my transport.

I didn't expect it to be you.

I didn't expect it either.

I didn't know that I'd be escorting my childhood best friend

into the palace as a concubine.

To have you escorting me feels as if I'm escorted by my older brother.

I feel at ease.

It's good that you're at ease.

Zi Fu, although you'll be respected as the Emperor's concubine

I'll always be an older brother to you, if you're okay with that.

I'll protect you forever.

I thank the gods for being so kind

to have given me such a courageous and caring brother like you.

Thank you, Duan Hong.

Since you're like my sister, then Wei Qing is a brother to me.

I'll take good care of him now that he will serve at Jianzhang Palace.

I'll leave my brother in your good hands.

Duan Hong, I know that serving in the palace

is a great opportunity for Wei Qing.

But all these years we have never been apart.

Zi Fu, we have all grown so much.

Wei Qing will make a name for himself.

Ease your mind and get ready to depart with me through Zhangcheng Gate

and meet up with His Majesty at the imperial river to enter Weiyang Palace.

Yes.

I wish Lady Wei smooth sailing, and great fortune.

Thank you, Duan Hong.

Please lead the way.

It has been a tiring journey.

Was it exhausting for you to come so far from Pingyang Manor?

It wasn't.

It was fine with Duan Hong's arrangements.

Duan Hong?

Yes. It was fortunate that Your Majesty visited Pingyang Manor.

Not only did I get to serve you

but I also got to meet up with a childhood friend that

I got separated from during the big flood years ago.

It seems that I was already connected to you by fate.

The gods had you stay in Pingyang Manor

and then arranged for you to meet Chancellor Dou.

You then wrote down 'The people are suffering and yet they

are teased by chasing gold pellets.'

Words that touched me.

And now Duan Hong is my officer.

At first, I didn't know whether it was good to take you to the palace or not.

But since the gods have made such an arrangement

it seems that my decision couldn't be wrong.

Zi Fu...

You're destined to be my woman.

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

That is where I go hunting.

This palace court here is the Front Hall.

That is where I conduct the Imperial Court.

Why is that palace court in red?

It's so beautiful.

What place is that?

That is the Empress' Chamber Palace.

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

Zi Fu.

Although I have the right to appoint concubines

the Empress is still the head of the harem.

I have to respect her wishes as well.

I will abide by Your Majesty and the Empress' orders.

Princess Pingyang also told me that

Your Majesty has many concerns in taking me to the palace.

I would never put you in a tight spot.

To have a bosom friend like you whom I could share all my troubles with

is worth whatever obstacles that I might have to overcome

to keep you by my side.

We will all abide by Your Highness' orders.

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

- I wish you happiness and peace. - I wish you happiness and peace.

- Greetings to the Madames. - Greetings to the Madames.

- I wish you joy and bliss. - I wish you joy and bliss.

Which of you is the one who was favored by His Majesty

and thus given the honor to enter the harem?

It is I.

Come here. Let me have a look.

Don't be afraid. Come closer.

I heard that you have beautiful hair.

I'd like to have a look as well.

Yes.

Lift your head up.

You are indeed one of a kind.

You're pretty, with delicate features.

Your fine hair is indeed dark and glimmering as well!

What a temptress!

I heard that you are but a songstress from Pingyang Manor.

Who are you to enter the harem?

Your Highness is wise.

When you struck her, she turned to the side with such flirtatious moves.

This body of hers must truly be very attractive.

We're not either of royal blood or prestigious clans

but now a songstress comes along.

What should we do?

The Empress is the granddaughter of Grand Empress Dowager

and the daughter of Grand Princess Dou.

Do you still hold Her Highness in regard with those words that you said?

Turn your head!

You dare to disobey my orders?

Turn your head!

The Emperor arrives!

Stop it!

Great blessings to Your Majesty.

Great blessings to Your Majesty.

You may rise, Empress.

You may all rise.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

When I arrived back at the palace, I was going to visit you

after I had greeted Grand Empress Dowager.

I didn't expect you to have summoned Lady Wei.

I wonder if Empress has received my gift?

Are you referring to that golden lampstand in the shape of a house?

I liked it very much.

But I happened to knock it over when it was sent to me.

It's already broken.

The lampstand is a reminder of the promise you made years ago

to keep me in your house.

That's exactly what I meant.

Isn't it a pity that the lamp was broken?

A pity?

The promise made then has since been forgotten as years went by.

That is a true pity.

If it hadn't been for your new love

you wouldn't have brought up this promise again?

I am of the royal prerogative.

I have the duty to continue the bloodline of the imperial family.

It's inevitable for me to have consorts and concubines.

The Empress is the leader of the harem.

Therefore, the duty of continuing the bloodline is your duty as well.

Why won't you be liberal enough to tolerate the other concubines?

I understand. You're indicating that I haven't produced an heir?

That is not what I meant.

I just hope that Empress could be understanding and know your place.

What Your Majesty means by knowing my place

is to allow you to bring back singers and dancers and lowly women to

mess up the harem?

Please show some respect!

Is Your Majesty trying to intimidate me for the sake of this lowly songstress?

Since I am the leader of the harem, this vixen will be managed by me!

If Empress wants to run the harem, you have to serve as a role model.

You should be obedient and polite to your husband.

You should respect and obey the Emperor of Great Han dynasty

instead of making a scene and being insolent!

Why would the Emperor of Great Han throw such a huge tantrum?

Warm blessings to you, Your Majesty.

Mother, His Majesty brought some random songstress back to the harem.

He's committed such a folly and yet he's preaching me about manners.

How is she random when she comes from Pingyang Manor?

I expect the Empress to not take things so personally, and act with grace.

Mother!

You! You brought this upon yourself.

Your Majesty, the Empress breached propriety with a temper.

I have failed to teach my daughter well.

Please don't take it to heart, Your Majesty.

Why would it be the fault of Auntie?

You... As the Empress, you should know the manners better than anyone else.

Your words and actions must conform to the virtues and be convincing to all.

The Emperor is the son of gods.

He is fully aware of all the regulations in the imperial court and the harem.

Why would you have to worry about it?

How would he not know about the new concubine's upbringing and background?

How would he not know that a peasant woman must learn the regulations

of the imperial palace before she can be awarded a title?

Am I right, Your Majesty?

As an older sister, you should serve as the role model.

You should teach her properly so that she can serve His Majesty soon.

I couldn't teach His Majesty's woman.

That is true.

When it comes to teaching, the potential is fairly important.

But Your Highness, the regulations must not be overlooked.

Someone will have to teach her, even if you won't.

After she is properly taught, we can discuss her title.

That's what it means to be liberal and know one's place.

Am I right, Your Majesty?

Auntie has a point.

Now I feel at ease.

By the way, when you went to greet your grandmother

did you mention that you've brought a songstress back to the palace?

Empress Dowager seems to be displeased upon hearing about this matter.

But since Your Majesty will handle this matter appropriately

Empress Dowager won't be unhappy about it anymore.

Che Er, you have to be clear-headed.

You mustn't get on bad terms with Empress and Grand Princess Dou

for the sake of a songstress.

Mother, I understand the dynamics behind this matter.

But as the ruler of a nation, I must not give in to them in every aspect

and allow Empress to step over the line.

I'm just winding her up a bit with the virtues that she is bound to.

Have you forgotten that I was made the Empress then

so that you could be chosen as the Crown Prince

only because of your auntie's help?

Auntie only recommended me because I once promised to marry Jiao.

Simply put, she wanted an Emperor that she could manipulate.

But Mother, I will be restrained by no one.

Empress is the granddaughter of Grand Empress Dowager.

Grand Princess Dou is her favorite eldest daughter.

Both of them are your grandmother's favorites.

Mother, I have already agreed not to award a title to Lady Wei immediately.

That is already a compromise.

Che Er, why don't you come up with a plan to put some distance

between you and your new love so that Empress can feel secure?

It will be tricky if she causes drama with Grand Empress Dowager.

Mother!

My brother, Tian Fen, was removed from office by Grand Empress Dowager

because of your two mentors.

It proves that I am not an Empress Dowager

who can shelter you from harm.

Do you think that I listen to music all day long out of my own pleasure?

I just want to seek new amusement for your grandmother, to win her favor.

Mother...

You will only be firm on your throne if Grand Empress Dowager is happy.

I will only be at ease while you are on the throne.

Che Er, you are my hope.

Please don't worry, Mother.

I will leave the palace to take a trip to observe the life of my people.

I will not put Mother in a tight spot.

In order to prevent local officials from covering up the truth

I will inspect the lands in the name of Marquess of Pingyang.

It will be easier for me to understand the real situation of the disasters

and the needs of my people.

Che Er, I'm relieved that you have it in you to carry out such a task.

It is indeed true that prestigious families

don't participate in any farming, or hunt in winter and at night.

It's actually still quite peaceful even if they do nothing.

Bush rats are the worst.

'Bush rat, bush rat, eat no more of the millet we grow.'

'Bush rat, bush rat, eat no more of the wheat we grow.'

Poets wrote about bush rats in the past

to refer to corrupted officials and businessmen.

I've only read about them in the past.

But I'll observe and inspect properly on my trip this time.

Your Majesty puts the people first.

I thank Your Majesty on their behalf.

You're indeed different. You understand me.

You aren't just eager to be favored.

There has never been another consort like you.

I am too flattered.

It's just that I was born a peasant.

Therefore, I know a bit more about the lives of the people.

Then you have to tell me more about it in the future

so that I can understand more about the lives of my people.

You are my greatest worry after I set out on my trip.

Please do not worry, Your Majesty.

I am doing fine here.

As long as Your Majesty keeps me on your mind...

When I am outdoors on a quiet night and I gaze up at the vast sky

I will think of...

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

I thought that there was an ocean of stars swimming in them?

They were bright and sparkling.

When I first saw Your Majesty's eyes

it was as if I had seen the brightest star of all.

You made me feel so warm and at ease.

What star makes you feel the most at ease?

The Big Dipper!

Because it can show you the way.

Whenever I'm at a loss, I feel protected when I see it.

Then I won't be afraid anymore.

All right, then I will be your Big Dipper.

My Big Dipper?

I'll be here to protect you no matter what happens.

After I've left the palace, you have to be extremely cautious.

Wait for me to come home.

Protect His Majesty until death, with great loyalty!

I only knew that you were very skilled in sword fighting.

But you're actually very talented in many aspects.

What else should I know about you?

I've been learning swordfighting since I was little.

When I'm exhausted from my practice, I play the ocarina to amuse myself.

Ordinary people may not understand what I have just played.

Not even to mention playing along with my tune.

I can hear from your playing that you are calm, yet vigorous.

This is indeed very rare.

I am not anywhere near Your Majesty.

I could hear the soaring aspiration in Your Majesty's performance.

There is so much power and grandeur in your heart.

Sadly, the soaring aspirations can only be fulfilled when I truly get to power.

The dark clouds may gather but the wind will disperse them.

Your Majesty.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

It is the Big Dipper.

Indeed.

I wonder if the skies are filled with sparkling stars in Chang An?

Even if the stars are dim, the Big Dipper will still shine

to guide people along the way.

I hope all is well with her.

I hope all is well with her.

Lady Rui knows the regulations in the palace the best.

She was the favored concubine of the deceased Emperor Xiao Wen.

She is much older and a lot more feeble.

She needs to be cared for.

Lady Rui is sure to teach you all that she knows.

You must learn well from her.

Thank you for the reminder, Fan Niang.

Please take care of Shen Jia, who accompanied me here.

Don't worry. I know that she is very skilled in embroidery

so I've sent her to the weaving room to work on rugs.

That's good then.

Xiao Qian, this is the newcomer who is here to take care of Lady Rui.

She is Lady Wei.

Lady Rui?

Who are you?

I am Wei Zi Fu.

You! It's you again!

Lady Rui!

Lady Rui!

Is anyone there?

Open the door!

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