Original subtitles

Subtitles by DramaFever

[The Virtuous Queen of Han]

Episode Five

You neither have concrete proof, nor do you have any witnesses.

Not to mention the lack of motive.

It is utterly ridiculous that you have reached a verdict.

Lady Rui's death will now be re-investigated by the representative of law.

Lady Wei is to be acquitted of murder charges!

- Thank you, Your Majesty. - And if I won't allow it?

What would you do?

Happiness and peace to Grand Empress Dowager.

Happiness and peace to Grand Empress Dowager.

Your Majesty.

You may all get up.

Thank you, Grand Empress Dowager.

What brings Grandmother here?

I heard that the Emperor and Empress are investigating a murder in the harem.

I'm worried that the proceedings might be biased, so I came to have a look.

To say that Lady Wei is the murderer is a one-sided statement.

There is neither the motive nor the evidence or witnesses.

Therefore, I have acquitted her.

Lady Rui's death will be investigated by the representative of law.

Mother. Your Majesty.

I have a witness, and she can reveal the motive behind this murder!

Summon the witness then.

Servant Xiao Qian greets Grand Empress Dowager.

His Majesty and the Empress.

Don't stand on ceremony.

Answer the questions that we ask of you.

Yes.

Xiao Qian, how did Lady Wei treat Lady Rui?

Tell us all that you know.

Grand Empress Dowager, Your Majesty, Empress

I delivered meals to Lady Rui and Lady Wei every day.

Lady Wei often complained to me about the hardships of caring for Lady Rui.

She even hated Lady Rui for causing her pain when she acted out of madness.

- No! - Shut up!

I'm not lying.

She was bitten by Lady Rui.

Lady Wei was afraid that she might be bitten by Lady Rui again.

She was worried about her own life.

In order to survive, she had to strike first.

Xiao Qian, we have no grudges.

Why are you framing me?

Zi Fu...

I'm sorry.

But in front of Grand Empress Dowager, His Majesty, and the Empress

I have to tell the truth.

- No! I... - You also said that

Lady Rui was insane and scary anyway, so no one would care if she died.

You were sure that you could get away with it.

You are lying. I've never said such words before!

Since we now have the witness, and the motive

she will be sentenced to death according to her crime!

- Guards! - Present!

Who instigated you to do this? Speak up!

Your Majesty, I have never once thought of hurting Lady Rui.

Not even to mention being manipulated by others.

But now there is a witness who claims that you have the motive to kill.

The witness is lying!

I was indeed hurt by Lady Rui.

But she never meant to do so.

I have never hated her for that.

Your Majesty, this case is now made clear to us all.

Moreover, Grand Empress Dowager has already announced her verdict.

Why would you give the murderer another chance?

Auntie, the verdict of Lady Wei as the murderer is but based on

the testimony of one witness, the palace maid, Xiao Qian.

This is indeed very suspicious.

If Lady Wei is the murderer, where did she get the poison from?

Your Majesty is wise.

Lady Wei is but a new person of the household.

How could she be so bold as to stash poison in the palace?

If what Xiao Qian said is true

it means that Lady Wei poisoned Lady Rui so as not to be abused.

That is self-defense instead of a premeditated murder.

If so, could Lady Wei possibly carry poison with her at all times?

What is her motive then?

Your Majesty, this means that she has been harboring evil intentions.

She originally wanted to deal with more than just Lady Rui.

She might have other malicious intentions.

We might as well order to have her executed as soon as possible.

It seems that the Empress agrees as well that this isn't simply about

the murder of an old concubine.

There is a hidden plot behind this.

I couldn't close the case like this.

I must investigate very closely!

Your Majesty, there are still various other suspicions.

There might be unspeakable plots and schemes behind this case.

I won't rest until the truth is out!

Your Majesty, a crafty woman who sneaked poison into the palace

should be sentenced to death for poisoning someone

whether she had other intentions or self-defense.

It is but a speculation to say that she has hidden schemes.

Even if we really do investigate it, we might not get to the bottom of this.

How could a scheme be so paradoxical?

I already have a suspect!

She could manipulate others to give their lives up for her.

She could use her connections in the harem to stir up trouble.

This person could be you...

Princess Pingyang!

You were the one who got Lady Wei into the palace.

How could this chaos be of no relation to Pingyang Manor?

Your Majesty, I have been close to you since we were little.

I have nothing to hide from you.

I offered Lady Wei to you then

in hope of sharing your worries and burdens.

Who would expect that my act of nobility would end up being read as treachery?

Investigate me all you wish, Your Majesty.

I won't rest until you get to the bottom of this matter!

I would like to see what schemes you could possibly say I am up to.

Fine. But know that if I do discover anything

the punishment will be severe even if the culprit is my family!

Otherwise, I'd have failed my grandparents!

Che Er, in investigating this case, you have implicated your own sister.

You have even sworn in the name of your grandparents.

Is that so?

Grandmother, I know that Lady Rui was once your maidservant.

Grandmother came here to listen to the interrogation out of

your past affection for her.

You do not wish Lady Rui to die a wrongful death.

In respect to Grandmother's affection for your maidservant

as well as your reputation, I must unravel the truth.

Good!

I'll let you do it your way.

Thank you, Grandmother.

- Mother! - Grandmother!

I will give you five days.

- Duan Hong! - Present!

Take Lady Wei, Fan Niang, and Xiao Qian, to Feichang Palace.

Yes.

Grandmother, I am the leader of the harem.

I should be in charge of the witness and criminal of this case.

Grandmother!

This is an unusual case.

It might implicate more than just the harem.

It might even implicate the imperial court!

Enough! Both of you!

Stop fighting over this.

They will all be under my watch.

Fan Niang and Xiao Qian will be kept in the side court of Changxin Palace.

All personnel from Pingyang Manor will be kept in

Empress Dowager's Changqiu Palace.

None of them are to leave the palace.

As for Lady Wei, she will be imprisoned in Starry Pavilion, alone.

Che Er, within these five days, I am sure to keep her safe and sound.

If you can prove that she is innocent, I will release her immediately.

If not, I will offer her head to Lady Rui as a memorial!

That songstress is indeed a jinx.

She's implicated us all and had us imprisoned here!

When has the Pingyang Manor ever been in such a predicament?

Greetings to Marquess and Princess.

Lock him up anywhere else.

Just don't lock him up here with us.

He is by no means related to Pingyang Manor!

You are dismissed. Marquess was just joking with you.

Yes.

Joking?

Your Highness, His Majesty will punish us anytime.

He is the brother of that songstress.

It's normal that he's implicated but now our whole manor is dragged into it.

Isn't that unjust?

My sister and I have implicated Marquess and brought you trouble.

I beg you for your forgiveness.

But in my humble opinion

His Majesty will not put Princess in a difficult position.

This could be a way to stall time in order to save my sister.

Shut up. Do you really think that you've progressed here in the palace?

What do you know?

The Emperor is indeed trying to stall for time.

Couldn't you tell?

Get up.

Thank you, Your Highness.

Of course I realized that!

But the mind of the Emperor is always unpredictable.

Although His Majesty is stalling for time

we are all still here in the palace as suspects.

Aren't you smiling a bit too cheerfully?

It's okay that we're locked up here

so long as you are reunited with your daughter?

Just let them be.

They all serve at Pingyang Manor.

It's normal that they would want to get together and have a talk.

Are we to weep and whine instead?

Your Highness!

Princess. Marquess.

His Majesty has orders

to ask Your Highness over to Feichang Place for questioning.

Questioning?

We are about to have our meal.

His Majesty has already prepared wine and food.

An eight-person sedan chair is also sent for Your Highness.

Your Highness is respectfully invited.

An eight-person sedan chair?

Marquess, this is an honor extended to a prestigious guest.

Good...

Your Highness, you'd better hurry along.

Go ahead.

Didn't you say that you have questions to ask me?

Why don't you go ahead and ask me?

I'd like to ask my dear sister if this new betle wine

is the best of all the lovely wines that you have tasted?

This is not bad.

Since my sister likes it, I will save them all for you.

My brother has troubles.

As siblings, we should share the burden.

Good wine is hard to come by.

Why don't we share it instead?

I have troubles and you came to my aid without a second thought.

As for such a small gift, how could I not give it all to you?

Mother is a bit displeased.

But don't you worry.

I told her that I treat this as spending a few days with my brother.

We aren't really at each other's throats.

Mother is already much relieved.

But you have to close the case as soon as possible.

Everything will be fine after you seek Mother's forgiveness.

I'd love to close the case as soon as possible.

I'm worried that Auntie was very careful in her actions

and didn't leave behind any traces.

You are very frank about this.

Zi Fu is modest and kindhearted.

Besides arousing jealousy in others because of being in my favor

are there other reasons that could get her into this trouble?

Fan Niang arranged for Zi Fu to learn about palace regulations from Lady Rui.

This was a trap right from the beginning.

As for that Xiao Qian, she might seem feeble

but she can be relentless when it favors her.

All her allegations of Zi Fu strummed on the heartstrings of Grandmother.

It's easy to tell that someone is behind all this.

Who could that person be?

We all know fairly well who it is.

We will start investigating Lady Rui's cause of death.

We need to confirm the cause of death and find out where the poison is from.

Then we can follow up the clues to get to the truth.

Greetings to Your Majesty and Princess.

You're back. What did the imperial physician say?

According to the imperial physician's examination

Lady Rui did indeed die of poisoning.

As for the type of poison, they are still debating

and have yet to reach a conclusion.

Could it have been tampered with in the kitchen?

After Lady Rui's death, in case the kitchen staff were involved

the imperial physician has already gone to investigate there.

He even saved the remains of her food to examine closely.

None of the above is suspicious.

I will continue to look into Fan Niang and Xiao Qian.

I have already made a decree that whoever reports to me will be rewarded.

Those who come to me with clues will also be rewarded.

Those who come with evidence will be rewarded even more.

I will use my contacts in the palace to look out for clues.

I hope that the truth can be announced very soon.

Now our greatest enemy is... time.

Happiness and peace to Grand Empress Dowager.

These fish are quite thoughtful.

They know that if they starve to death, their owner will be displeased.

Therefore, they always have their fill at all three meals.

Some people won't eat even when they are fed, to stir up trouble.

Are you deliberately going against my wishes?

Do you mean to put your life in danger

so that my promise to the Emperor will be broken?

Or have you lost your appetite from the guilt of killing someone?

Grand Empress Dowager, I didn't choose to only drink and not eat

for the past few days in order to go against you

but to grieve the passing of Lady Rui.

This is something new.

Anyone would have been amused to hear you say so.

Do you think that I would have believed in such a lie?

I'm sure Your Highness will understand.

I have never lied.

All creations in this world have feelings.

Even the fishes are considerate of their owner's feelings.

Not to mention that Lady Rui and I had spent many days together.

We naturally felt for one another.

Hadn't she hurt you when she had a relapse of madness?

Come over here and let me have a feel of that wound.

She bit deep into your flesh.

It must be very hard for you.

I think it is possible that you killed her because of this.

But to say that you have feelings, and grieved for her

I don't believe that!

Lady Rui only injured me because of the relapse of her illness.

I have no reason to harm her.

Are you too pure and innocent or too crafty and cunning?

You're behaving like a hypocrite in order to be free of the charges?

I did not kill her.

Apart from the times when she had relapses of madness

Lady Rui had treated me very well.

She was forthcoming in teaching me about regulations of the palace.

In my eyes, she was pitiful.

But above all, she was very respectable.

Respectable?

How was she respectable?

She knew that she was no longer favored

but when she was in her clear senses she would groom and dress up.

She would have her makeup done and put on the dangling

hairpin with twin butterflies that she cherished.

She would then wrap up her scarred foot.

She still honored her identity as a person of the household.

Lady Rui insisted upon being elegant.

She would fulfill her duties whether anyone saw her or not.

The first regulation that she taught me was to know superiority

and be faithful to our masters.

That's enough!

Did she ever mention to you how she ended up where she was?

Because of her loyalty to her mistress?

I don't want an abortion!

I want you to have the abortion!

- Drink it! - I don't want to!

If Lady Rui had been disgruntled about what happened to her

she wouldn't have taught me what loyalty means.

She...

Did she ever tell you... if she hated anyone?

- Let go! - No!

My child...

Did she have any regrets before she died?

Lady Rui never spoke explicitly about her hatred and regrets.

I didn't want to probe into it either.

She only once deeply sighed.

'A step into the palace and one falls deep.'

'An involuntary action and one regrets deeply.'

Falls deep...

Regrets deeply...

What about you?

Do you empathize with her?

What I learned when I was little is to take life as it is and be happy.

Stay strong yet kindhearted, and live in harmony with others.

And...

Life is easier with a smile.

Good.

I will have your meals made vegetarian

so that you may continue to grieve her passing.

Thank you, Your Highness.

May I be so bold as to ask Your Highness for a loom and silk threads?

I heard that you already asked palace maids for cloth and thread

to make fabric flowers to pass your time.

Now you are asking me for a loom?

I sewed fabric flowers in order to decorate the coffin of Lady Rui.

Now that I've met Your Highness

I would be so bold as to ask you for a loom and silk threads

to weave three meters of red linen to cover the scar on Lady Rui's foot

in hope of easing her mind so that she could leave the world in peace.

Come over here.

You are indeed a beauty.

But unexpectedly, you are considerate and thoughtful as well.

No wonder the Emperor fell head over heels in love with you

and forgot to act with propriety.

Back then, the Emperor doted on me the most.

He complimented me on my feet and said they were smooth like jade.

Then I had a scar on my feet, and I was ashamed to face the Emperor.

- Your Majesty. - How is the investigation?

Your Majesty, Fan Niang's uncle used to be an imperial physician.

He once traveled with the army to the west of the river regions.

She could have learned about poisons and medicines from him.

Then she poisoned Lady Rui in secret.

This indeed make sense.

But, her uncle passed away three years ago.

It will be difficult to investigate further into this.

Your Majesty, are there any clues in the medical scrolls that

the imperial physicians sent over?

Would I still be so anxious if there were any?

There were only Lady Rui and Lady Wei in that room.

They both had the same food, but only Lady Rui was poisoned.

It seems that this poison is used very meticulously.

Sadly, we don't have much time left to figure it out.

Xiao Qian has a fairly simple background.

She is just an ordinary palace maid.

Fan Niang, on the other hand, is a lot more complicated.

She has no siblings but she is raising a nephew outside the palace.

I will investigate further into that.

Despite the rewards, no one has come forward with information.

Zi Fu's life is in the hands of gods.

The dawn is about to break.

I used to love watching the sun rise.

I always found it invigorating and full of hope.

But for the past few days, I had hoped that dawn would never break.

The days are going by even more quickly.

Happiness and peace to Empress.

Joy and bliss to Grand Princess Dou.

- Happiness and peace to Mother. - Happiness and peace to Grandmother.

Don't stand on ceremony.

- Qiu Ping, you are dismissed. - Yes.

Grandmother, I have brought you a sachet that

contains gastrodia, tuckahoe and lavender.

It said to calm nerves and restore stamina.

It will help you sleep very well.

'Golden butterflies by my side, sounds of bells surround me.'

You should know that I haven't touched

this dangling hairpin with twin butterflies for many years.

And I won't allow anyone else to touch it either.

I have heard about it.

In your opinion, why have I taken it out and pinned it on my head?

I'm afraid... that you must be thinking of an old friend?

So you do know about it.

Although I have put some things away

it doesn't mean that I would forget about them.

There are some people whom I would not see

but it doesn't mean that I do not care about them.

Lady Rui played a crucial role in

my being the favorite of late Emperor Xiao Wen.

I had wished for her to live peacefully ever after

but someone had to destroy that favor of mine!

Grandmother, it was that bitch Lady Wei who destroyed your favor.

Don't try to manipulate me!

I have spoken to that person of the household.

I know what sort of a person she truly is.

Haven't I already said it once?

My eyes may be blind but not my mind!

Mother!

Have I done something wrong to upset you?

If so, I beg for your forgiveness.

I had no other choice.

Mother!

Mother! Jiao Er is suffering.

In the harem, even the Empress would have to act cautiously.

Yes, Jiao Er is indeed a bit spoiled and willful.

But she has no evil intentions.

Moreover, Jiao Er hasn't produced any offspring for so many years.

You can imagine the pain that she is going through.

Mother...

Grandmother...

Mother, you are already someone of greatness

but you still needed help in securing your position.

That goes without saying for Jiao Er.

The harem is full of danger.

Sacrifices have to be made in order to survive!

Grandmother, I do not hope to be the only apple of the Emperor's eyes.

But I hope to at least have a spot in his heart.

However...

Lady Wei is but a songstress from Pingyang Manor.

Yet His Majesty put up an act in front of Mother

and intends to pin treachery on Princess Pingyang

in order to stall for time in this case.

Lady Wei has only just entered the palace

and she has already made a laughing stock out of the imperial family!

Mother...

You might find this person of the household likable

and would like to let her off.

But all people are unpredictable.

She may be good now, but what about tomorrow?

How can that be compared to kinship that will never change, Mother?

Grandmother...

I just want to stay by your side and serve you.

Other than that, I have no other desires and will be content.

Jiao Er...

The sachet that you brought me...

Does it really help with regaining stamina?

Let me have a try.

Grandmother will definitely like it once you've tried using it.

Grandmother, have a whiff of it.

According to the rumors among the servants

Fan Niang must have an adulterer in the palace

but no one knows who he is.

I also think that there is more than meets the eye about

the relationship between her and that nephew she is raising.

If she really had committed obscenity in the palace

she could have been threatened and manipulated because of it.

If there really is some sort of poison

that could have different effects on different people

physicians are sure to record them down.

If not...

Could it be that Lady Rui's death is not caused by poisoning?

But the imperial physician has already confirmed that Lady Rui died of poison.

Actually, poisoning isn't always the result of poisons.

You could get poisoned as well if you have the wrong foods.

Look. Xi Niang had grilled rabbit meat and then she had cabbage soup.

She's older and weaker now

so after she had food from food groups that clashes

she is feeling sick.

I've worked in the kitchen for years so I've seen a lot of such examples.

I remember they found out that Lady Rui likes licorice soup.

What ingredient would licorice clash with?

That is very difficult to tell.

Because the ingredients, seasoning, and the methods of cooking

could have contributed to the clash.

This is osmanthus powder. It's ground to powder from dried osmanthus.

Could this have clashed with Lady Rui's food?

Osbeckia? (a kind of herb)

I can't be sure of this.

This is the herb that the cook Dong Yu uses to season the food.

Dong Yu?

He likes to grind dried flowers and herbs for seasoning.

He knows a bit about medicine and has never made any mistakes.

Which one of them is Dong Yu?

Summon him here for questioning.

Dong Yu went back to his hometown to visit relatives some time ago.

He's dead?

I tracked down the house that Dong Yu lived outside the palace.

Little did I expect to find his body in the well near his house.

People have said that many accidents have taken place in that well.

Someone had once fallen into the well and drowned.

Such a coincidence?

Do you believe that?

I don't. I believe that Dong Yu took part in this matter.

I looked into his background and discovered some clues.

It's a pity that they wouldn't be good enough to overturn the case.

Are you sure that there is a problem with that osbeckia?

I once guarded the northwestern regions.

I know that this herb comes from the western regions.

Its element is extremely cold.

The old and the weak must not take it.

If Lady Rui had been drinking licorice soup for many years

it would clash with this herb.

There is a high possibility of it being dangerous.

Unfortunately, this is only what you heard on the frontier.

We couldn't use it as an evidence. It would not be convincing enough.

The cooks might have seen Dong Yu using osbeckia to season Lady Rui's food

but they couldn't tell how much was used in it.

Even if we summon the imperial physicians to study it now

we would need time before we could prove that

Lady Rui died from the poisoning caused by the clash of these foods.

But we have less than a day...

Your Majesty, what we have at hand needs time to be proven.

We don't have time to spare.

It seems that there is only one last resort to take.

What?

His Majesty is coming over?

We were just notified.

He should be here very soon.

We have to close the case tomorrow.

Yet he chose to visit me now... Could he have discovered something?

Greetings to Your Majesty.

Get up now.

Get up.

Have you had your meal?

Not yet.

We'll have the meal together then.

Look, I've brought you some snacks and fruits from the south.

They expedited the delivery by horse.

I've brought them over especially for my Empress.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

You don't have to stand on ceremony.

Here.

- You may all be dismissed. - Yes.

Empress, I just took over the throne and want to accomplish many things.

You might think that I have been neglecting you.

I understand.

Please don't worry, Your Majesty. I have no complaints about that.

Empress is very understanding.

I now have nothing more to worry about.

Your Majesty...

We've known each other since we were little.

We often played together.

Our relationship is very strong.

We used to share the delicacies like this when we were little.

How could this relationship be easily influenced?

Don't worry, my Empress.

No matter what, you will always be my Empress.

I am so happy to hear you say so.

That's good then. Please keep this in mind, Empress.

Let's forget about all the obstacles and troubles we've had.

We will trust each other like we once did.

Stop vying with all the other concubines.

Your Majesty means...

After days of investigating Lady Rui's cause of death

it's highly possible that she died from

the poisoning that resulted from the clash of foods.

This usually stems from accidents.

It has nothing to with Lady Wei.

Is that so?

This whole matter is very suspicious.

This might not necessarily be a murder from poisoning.

Why should we forfeit a life by making a wrong judgment?

Why don't we...

Your Majesty hasn't been so gentle to me for such a long time.

I should be happy about it.

Grandmother has always doted on you the most.

If you could tell her the truth in person, and resolve this crisis

I will definitely be grateful to you.

We will then live in harmony, and our relationship will be stronger than ever.

Didn't our relationship start when we were little?

Why would it only get stronger if I choose to help her?

I wouldn't dare to disobey Grandmother.

Lady Wei killed Grandmother's friend.

I wonder if it is because you don't dare to disobey her

or if it's because you're so keen to get rid of Lady Wei

that you would risk sacrificing an innocent person?

Innocent? If she is innocent

Your Majesty should have investigated the case thoroughly by now?

You don't have to put on a false front to coax me into pleading on her behalf.

Ever since you took the throne, when have you spoken to me so tenderly?

Now you're only doing this for the sake of someone else!

Why should I help you?

Why? Because of this relationship between us!

Because of the capacity that you should have as the Empress of Great Han!

Like you said, as the Empress of Great Han

there is all the more reason why I could not be biased!

So much for not being biased.

I understand now!

Your Majesty, Her Highness said that she would like to rest now.

She asked you to come over tomorrow.

Head back and report to her again.

Tell her that I have an urgent matter to discuss with her.

Yes.

His Majesty said that he has an urgent matter to see you about.

I just heard from Grand Princess Dou

that the Emperor has gone to ask Jiao Er for a favor for Lady Wei.

Now, what?

Jiao Er wouldn't help him so now he's come to me.

Go and tell the Emperor that I am feeling unwell

so no one is allowed to disturb me!

Yes.

She won't see me?

Did you make it clear to her that I have an urgent matter?

I did but Her Highness is feeling unwell

and she had orders that no one is allowed to disturb her.

No one is allowed to disturb her?

Yes.

Then there's nothing I can do about it.

Duan Hong!

Present.

Didn't you tell me that you have already found evidence

to prove that Fan Niang is the true murderer of Lady Rui?

Exactly.

Arrest Fan Niang immediately!

Yes!

Qiu Ping, show my imperial guard the way.

Please forgive me, Your Majesty.

Grand Empress Dowager has orders that

no one is allowed to disturb the two witnesses, Fan Niang and Xiao Qian.

The circumstances have changed.

Grand Empress Dowager is now feeling unwell.

She has already said that she must not be disturbed.

But I have to investigate this case impartially.

I could only investigate first and then report to her later.

Get up now to lead the way.

Don't give the criminals a chance to escape!

Yes.

What is the matter, Qiu Ping?

Fan Niang.

We have found evidence to prove that you are involved in the murder of Lady Rui.

I'm now taking you to the Emperor.

Don't say such nonsense.

What evidence do you have?

Do you recognize this?

We found this in your room in the Lateral Courts.

You used this osbeckia to kill Lady Rui.

How is that possible?

I don't even know what that is.

How could that sort of thing be in my room?

Is that so?

Your uncle was once an imperial physician

who served with the army at the frontier for years.

How could you not even know about osbeckia?

So what? That was my uncle!

He's already been dead for three years.

You had made copies of medical scrolls for your uncle.

You should know that osbeckia and licorice clash in elements.

Using them together will produce poison.

You have used this knowledge to poison Lady Rui, and framed Lady Wei for it!

This is just an assumption! You have no concrete proof!

Should I bring Dong Yu here to confront you?

Who's Dong Yu? I...

I don't even know him.

Then why did you go in and out of his room?

Why is your hairpin in his bedroom?

This hairpin does not belong to me.

You've forged evidence and slandered me!

Guards! The evidence is solid.

- You... - Take her away!

Yes!

Does His Majesty really plan to torture me for a confession?

Sir, Grand Empress Dowager has kept me and Xiao Qian in Changxin Palace

for fear that we will be wronged.

Her Highness is wise!

Once she learns that you used Dong Yu to kill Lady Rui

she will not let you off easily.

I beg Her Highness to uphold justice for us!

Grand Empress Dowager!

Master Steward, you have the duty to carry out His Majesty's orders

but you have to have the evidence in order to take her from Changxin Palace.

If not, even His Majesty would be in a difficult position.

Dong Yu has already confessed to the crime.

He said that Fan Niang is the mastermind.

This is a lie! Dong Yu is already dead!

He's made up the evidence and the witness!

Didn't you say that you don't know Dong Yu?

How do you know that he's dead?

- Take her away! - Yes!

Jiao Er, today is a sunny day.

It's a great day to send that woman to her death

to regain your dignity and appease your anger.

These few days have been so long.

I couldn't wait for a minute longer.

Don't worry. It's been days and His Majesty couldn't find anything.

He even went to you for help.

That bitch, Lady Wei, will not live to see tomorrow.

Just sit back and enjoy a good show.

Grand Empress Dowager arrives!

Grandmother, I'm here to greet you in the morning.

Happiness and peace to Mother.

You may both get up.

The Emperor arrives!

- Great blessings to Your Majesty. - Great blessings to Your Majesty.

You may both get up.

Your Majesty is here in Changxin Palace early in the morning.

You must be here to plead for mercy on behalf of Lady Wei?

Grand Empress Dowager is righteous and a woman of her words.

If Lady Wei isn't the murderer

Grandmother would not make things hard for her.

If she is the murderer, she will be punished severely.

Che Er.

Since the truth is already known, you should just close the case.

Yes.

Duan Hong! Bring them here!

Greetings to Grand Empress Dowager.

Greetings to Your Majesty.

Greetings to Empress.

I have already brought you the criminals.

Greetings to Grand Empress Dowager, Emperor, and Empress.

How did you poison Lady Rui and then frame Lady Wei for it? Speak up!

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