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[The Virtuous Queen of Han]

Episode Seven

Distribute the grains!

Those refugees could not wait any longer. Listen to the agonizing screams outside.

Do you know who I am?

I am a member of the imperial family and my surname is Dou!

Just because your surname is Dou

does that mean you can stock up government grains in your manor?

There are floods and droughts every year.

Even if the Emperor was here today

he would have to show me respect for the sake of his grandmother.

Who do you think you are?

Go ahead and kill me. Kill me!

Kill him!

Was that enough respect?

Well said.

I think nothing of your powerful patron.

I order you to open up the granary immediately!

Starting from the civil governor's manor!

Yes!

I think that as the Emperor

you have to be considerate of your people and observe their lives.

I will make a thorough inspection this time.

Your Majesty puts the people first. I thank Your Majesty on their behalf.

You are indeed different.

You understand me.

Daylilies are always like this.

It was still in blossom this morning, but now it has withered.

It blooms in the day and withers in the night.

It makes one forget about their worries...

But to forget one's worries is also to forget about one's feelings.

I'm afraid it means that our fate and love has come to an end.

This winter orchid still blooms on such cold winter days.

It is still fragrant.

It proves that it is strong, unique, and a thing to treasure.

It is just like her.

Your Majesty, it is especially cold on this wintry night.

You have to mind your health.

Have some wine to warm you up.

I had once promised to plant orchids all over her residence.

I have not fulfilled that promise yet.

Your Majesty has been out eliminating corruption for over a year now.

When the famine dies down at the end of this winter

we should consider heading back to the capital first.

The Palace can not do without its ruler for too long.

As for the rest of the arrangements, I'd be honored to share your burden.

Please consent to my suggestion.

All right. I command you to head south to intervene and mediate.

I have received the decree.

I will not let Your Majesty down.

Have I startled you?

Are you here to make offerings to Lady Rui as well?

Today is Lady Rui's birthday.

I didn't want her to be lonely so I came over to keep her company.

I haven't been here in over a year.

I didn't expect it to be so clean in here.

You must have made quite an effort to maintain this place.

I had also once taken care of Lady Rui.

I know that she likes to look pretty

so I brought her some silk and brocades

to decorate this place that she once lived in.

It's a pity that her belongings are here, but she isn't.

Lady Rui had once taught me that

only the betrothed is the wife, the eloped is a concubine.

Apart from the Empress

all other concubines are not married so they don't count as real wives.

Lady Rui once taught me that as well.

There are always new favorites.

Besides waiting endlessly, what else could past lovers do?

This is because the Emperor is heartless.

This is perhaps the last time that I'll be here to pray for Lady Rui.

Why?

On the fifteenth of next month is the Leaving Ceremony.

All who wish to leave the palace can apply to it.

His Majesty will then make his decision.

We can apply to leave the palace?

This is a rare opportunity. It is hard to come by.

When disasters are frequent, the Han palace will pay tribute to the gods

by cutting down on expenses and personnel.

Some concubines and palace maids have been in service for too long

so new faces are recruited into the palace.

This is when they will allow us to apply to leave the palace.

Rather than waiting endlessly but never getting to see His Majesty

why don't we use this chance while we are still young

to get together with our families?

We could start fresh.

Farewell.

What? Leave the palace? Have you gone insane?

You gathered us here to tell us about this?

Wei Qing, talk your sister out of this.

Sister, have you really thought this through?

I have already applied to the Administrator of Palace Revenues.

Is it because His Majesty hasn't been here to see you

although he has been back for days?

Have you fallen for someone's trick?

Perhaps that Lady Zhao is persuading others to leave the palace

so that she can become the favorite?

You believe her?

I don't.

Even if she did take care of Lady Rui once

she wasn't close to her at all.

Lady Rui doesn't like wine. She prefers licorice soup.

Lady Rui doesn't like silk brocades in vibrant colors.

She wasn't truly there to make offerings to Lady Rui.

She was just pretending to do so.

You've still decided to leave the palace despite knowing that?

It's all the more necessary for me to leave because of that.

His Majesty has just returned to the palace

and those who want me to leave have already made their move.

If I don't leave now, they will try something else the next time.

Since I entered the palace, the harem has been in chaos.

If I don't leave, His Majesty will just become more troubled.

Zi Fu.

You're doing this so that His Majesty won't be troubled?

I don't have a family that can offer His Majesty any assistance

nor do I have any achievements that can honor His Majesty.

If I choose to stay, I would only attract jealousy and hatred.

His Majesty would just be even more troubled.

Now, apart from leaving the palace, what other choice do I have?

I really can't tolerate this anymore.

Up until now, you've only had the Emperor's best interests at heart.

But he hasn't even been to see you yet since he got back to the palace.

How heartless.

Perhaps His Majesty isn't heartless. He has simply forgotten.

But this is all for the best.

I can make my decision at ease.

It's a pity that I tried so hard to come to the palace.

And you're already leaving.

What about my Jia Er...

Zi Fu leaves, I leave.

Mother, don't worry.

I will definitely talk to the Princess to arrange for you to leave the palace.

Why has everything all come to naught?

Could you not just think for yourself?

Sister, can you really bear to do this?

No regrets? No yearning?

I have no regrets.

I would just like to see His Majesty one last time.

Even if it was only from afar.

If you really want to see him one last time, you only have to leave the palace.

His Majesty will be at the Leaving Ceremony.

This is how life is.

If you stay, you can't see him.

If you want to see him, you can't stay.

If you stay, you can't see him.

If you want to see him, you can't stay.

Your Majesty, the Leaving Ceremony will be held at noon tomorrow.

This is the list of those who have applied to leave.

Please take a look and make the decisions.

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty, Steward Duan has sent a report by horse

to say that after five days in Changyang the famine has now receded.

Your Majesty can be at ease now.

He will continue to travel south before he returns to Chang An.

I'll leave this task to you.

I won't look at the list.

Yes.

After I've finished reading these scrolls

I'll go to the Lateral Courts tonight.

I will make the arrangements for Your Majesty now.

The Empress arrives!

Great blessings to Your Majesty.

Get up.

I know that after Your Majesty returned to the palace

you've been staying up all night to read through the accumulated scrolls.

Hence, I have prepared some food

so that Your Majesty can relax for a second.

Your Majesty is tired. If this continues, you might fall ill.

After I've served the meal to Your Majesty, you can get back to work.

I am sure to be quiet and will not disturb you.

I only hope to stay by your side.

Sure.

You're still laughing?

I'm about to part with my child!

How many days will you be apart?

Zi Fu is already leaving.

Are you worried that the Princess won't let you leave the palace?

Zi Fu, I bought this in the market.

It might not cost much, but it conveys deep affection.

You must have this on you and keep me on your mind.

Who would want to keep you on their mind? You're so shameless.

Thank you, Uncle Yi.

We're leaving now.

- Jia Er. - Mother.

We are actually already connected to each other by fate.

And now, the gods have arranged for this to happen.

It seems that my decision is right.

Zi Fu, you are destined to be mine.

Even if there are obstacles ahead of us

it is worth the effort to keep you by my side.

The Empress arrives!

Happiness and peace to the Empress!

Why has only the Empress shown up?

His Majesty is occupied with affairs of the nation and cannot be here.

I will host the Leaving Ceremony.

Personnel of the Lateral Courts have fulfilled your duties.

You have been diligent, respectful, orderly, gentle and obedient.

Hence, you are to be rewarded today for your efforts and achievements.

The Emperor and Empress bestow grace upon you and permit you to return home.

You may all marry whom you wish, and may you be blessed by the gods.

- Everyone... - The Emperor arrives!

Warm blessings to Your Majesty!

Greetings to Your Majesty.

Your Majesty, the ceremony has come to an end.

Your Majesty has been tired. Didn't we agree that I'd host it on your behalf?

These concubines and maids who are leaving the palace

have once served me or made errands for me.

Now that they are leaving the palace today

I should be here in person to bid them farewell.

I thank all of you for having served the imperial family.

You have been loyal.

Now that you are leaving the palace to return home today

I wish that all will go well for you

and you may all marry whom you wish. May the gods' blessings be with you!

Thank you, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!

The Emperor leaves for the palace!

Take care, Your Majesty!

Dismissed!

Once you and Lady Wei leave the palace gate

the reward that I'm giving you is enough to offer you a lifetime of comfort.

Zi Fu, don't be upset anymore.

This will all be over once we leave the palace gate.

Hold it!

Wei Zi Fu is summoned to an audience with His Majesty!

Greetings to Your Majesty.

You may get up.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

May I ask what Your Majesty has summoned me for?

Why are you leaving the palace?

Have you been threatened or has someone troubled you?

I'd rather hear you say that you had no other choice.

No one has threatened me

nor troubled me. I wasn't left without choice either.

I had chosen to leave voluntarily.

Why do you want to leave?

Because I... have no reason to stay.

Is reciprocal affection not a reason?

Is a lifetime of marriage not a reason?

Is the lack of a title the reason?

Is the lack of luxury the reason?

Or...

Is it out of sight, out of mind?

I entered the palace holding Your Majesty's hand.

I admired the palace by your side.

Why would I blame you for the lack of a title?

I am dressed warm, fed well and led a life without worries in the palace.

How does my life lack luxury?

There are hundreds and thousands of concubines in the Emperor's harem.

I am already blessed to have been favored once.

How is that out of sight, out of mind?

Give me a reason for leaving.

I have no achievements, nor do I have a prestigious family.

I really can't assist Your Majesty in accomplishing your goals.

If I cling on to my affection for you

I'll cause you trouble in your family and inability to realize your ambition.

I would then deserve to die.

So... you're doing this for my sake?

But you actually mean that I need the help of my wife and concubines' families

to hold on to my position as the Emperor securely?

Is that so?

Please forgive me, Your Majesty.

That is not my intention.

But isn't that what you just said?

Since you are so considerate of me

you'd have had your wish fulfilled once you leave me?

Then why did you cry?

I am asking you, what were you crying about?

The reason I cried is not the point.

I only ask that Your Majesty allows me to leave the palace.

You want to leave the palace so much?

Fine.

Answer my question and if I am pleased with your answer

I will let you leave the palace.

Why can't you answer me?

You couldn't bear to leave me?

Lift your head up and look at me.

You clearly couldn't bear to leave me and yet you insisted on leaving.

Would I be at ease after you have left? Who do you take me for?

Do you think that when I was out traveling alone

I wasn't thinking of you?

I was tempted to return every time you entered my thoughts.

Your Majesty...

If you had remembered my feelings for you

you wouldn't have wanted to leave me

because you aren't from a powerful family

and would bring me trouble.

You wouldn't have left like this.

This is all my fault.

I really...

I couldn't believe that Your Majesty would keep me on your mind

and wanted to see me upon your return.

Why couldn't you believe in that?

Do you know that every morning when I get dressed

I think of your hands when you first came to undress me in the dressing chamber.

When there was a light breeze during the journey

I would think of your dark, flowing hair when we sailed on the imperial river.

When I gazed up at the stars at night

I would think of the one who awaits my protection in Chang An.

When I saw you among the parade of those who were leaving the palace

I was so upset.

I wanted to ask the Empress if she had forced you to leave.

Then I wondered if it had been because

I was so occupied with reading the heap of scrolls upon my return

that I couldn't visit you right away

had that made you so disappointed that you wanted to leave?

Do you know...

I felt as if my heart was slashed by a knife?

Please forgive me, Your Majesty.

You deserve to die for your crime.

But for your tears...

I can spare you from death.

You have underestimated my love for you.

You must be punished heavily for that.

I sentence you to never leave me again.

Whatever reason it might be, even if you say that it is for my sake

I will not allow it!

Do you understand?

I understand.

- You are dismissed. - Yes.

Why aren't you taking your medication?

The Minister of Imperial Medical Affairs

said that you have to keep on drinking this medication

in order to get your body well enough to have children.

What is the point of that?

He has only eyes for that bitch and keeps her on his mind.

You should get better all the more in order to compete with her.

Compete? How could I do that?

He said that he wasn't going to attend but then he showed up.

He didn't see her and she was already leaving

but then he turned around to take that one last glance.

The gate was already opened, he should have let her go!

But then Bai Min made it there in time!

Even the gods are helping her.

How could I compete with her?

If the gods were to bully my Jiao Er, I will fight the gods.

If the world is to belittle my Jiao Er, I will fight the world.

I would never allow you to be aggrieved.

This first thing you should do in order to compete

is to get your body fully recuperated.

The second is to be tolerant.

Mother, you want me to tolerate a lowly songstress?

After His Majesty saw that bitch, did he question you?

- He didn't. - That is it.

His Majesty still cares about the bond between husband and wife.

If you're tolerant, His Majesty will be grateful that you know your place.

If you aren't, then you will lose His Majesty's favor forever.

You must stay by your husband's side, and do things to win his favor.

Jiao Er, we'll let Lady Wei let her guard down

and then get hold of her weakness.

What is to be weakened must begin by being made strong.

One who would be a taker must begin as a giver.

I have lived through two generations of battles in the harem.

What schemes and plots have I not seen?

Why would I be scared of a powerless songstress without an adviser?

Don't worry.

From this day on, I want you to put on the belt for me every day.

Your Majesty has numerous concubines in the harem.

How could I put on the belt for you every day?

I might have numerous concubines but I'm forced to do so by the circumstances.

It was not my intention.

It is the same with the Empress.

Everyone thought that the promise I made her about the golden house

is the proof of our affection.

But when I made that promise, I was but a child.

What did I know about romance?

Now that I've met you, I finally know what true love is.

Your Majesty...

there's something that I've wanted to give to you.

My feelings for you in this past year are all projected unto this silk banner.

After Your Majesty left the palace

I turned my thoughts for you into silk threads.

From reeling and spinning silk, to weaving a silk banner

and then using silk threads to embroider all the territories.

As I embroidered the territories, I kept thinking where you might be

and what you might be doing.

This is Bogu.

Famine struck this place in the peak of summer.

I opened up the granaries here to relieve the disaster.

You once said that you forced to flee from your home because of disasters.

This is Chiyang.

Snow fell everywhere here in winter.

I distributed warm clothes here.

Late at night when it got quiet

I'd think of you spending your first winter in the palace.

All by yourself.

I wondered if you were dressed warm or if you ate well.

I have been well.

I've just missed you.

Fortunately, as I embroidered

I could see the world that you reign over.

It was as if I could see Your Majesty reigning over the world.

Reigning over the world...

There are numerous natural and man-made disasters in the world.

This inspection tour allowed me to feel strongly of my people's lives.

Now I must reform the power of politics in court.

I have to correct the misconduct and corruption of

the court officials and royal relatives.

I will use their ill-gotten wealth to fortify our nation and military powers

in order to keep our enemies at bay.

Your Majesty...

And then...

I'll show you around all nine provinces.

We'll go to all the territories that you've embroidered on this banner

to witness the joy and affluence of our people.

Then I have to embroider the character for 'harmony' unto this banner.

I wish for Han harmony and abundance.

Great! Since you wish great harmony for my nation

I'll give you my summer chamber as a gift.

Your Majesty, you've allowed Shen Jia to keep me company.

That is already a valuable gift.

I wouldn't need...

Bai Min!

Present!

Convey my decree.

Wei Zi Fu is pure in heart and spirit.

From this day on, she will live in Orchid Palace.

Yes!

This is already different.

Is it not? This is all good.

It is so extravagant.

Look! Over there! Look!

How wonderful!

Look! Over here!

Zi Fu, it's so exquisite and elegant here.

It suits you so well!

His Majesty is really attentive.

I told you that His Majesty has our Zi Fu on his mind

and loves those who are close to her as well.

Even this old chap and I get to move to the new palace.

It shows how much our Zi Fu is favored.

I'm sure that she will get the title of Madame soon!

Didn't you say all emperors are heartless?

That was then, this is now. You just like to pick on others' mistakes.

Why don't you study more and build up on your knowledge?

I...

I think that we owe it to Uncle Yi this time.

If he hadn't given Zi Fu the trinket that caught His Majesty's attention

His Majesty probably wouldn't have known that Zi Fu was leaving.

It was just pure luck.

And it was by Zi Fu's luck.

Still, I have to thank Uncle Yi.

Do you hear that?

That sounds more like it!

Sister! Look who I brought over to congratulate you.

Duan Hong!

Lady Wei.

When did you get back?

I just got back from the south.

I heard that you were going to leave the palace.

That's all in the past now.

This Orchid Palace seems fine.

It is absolutely gorgeous. Master Duan, you got back at the right time.

We are having a feast to congratulate the new resident of Orchid Palace.

All of us will be cooking.

We will make our specialty dishes and share it with everyone.

- Sure! - Sure!

Duan Hong, why don't you join us?

My sister is cooking today.

There is definitely going to be almonds cakes that we both like.

If you aren't around, I will be forced to eat them all.

Sure! Zi Fu happens to have an occasion to celebrate upon my return

so I'll stay to enjoy the celebration with everyone.

Great!

Duan Hong, was everything all right on your trip to the south?

It is quite all right.

I've already reported to His Majesty about the disaster relief.

His Majesty has great ambitions to draft a permanent strategy

to relieve the people.

He has decided to stabilize the commodity prices

and have grains and wealth evenly distributed.

That is good but... Will it work?

His Majesty says that it will, and it must.

It's just that the old policies have been around for ages.

The interests they concern are deeply rooted.

There will be great obstacles to overcome.

His Majesty calls it 'even grains, even wealth'.

This is obviously an attack on the officials' benefits.

All in all, His Majesty is making this move to get hold of the court

and challenge Grand Empress Dowager.

It is indeed so.

Now that His Majesty is using the relief of the people's poverty as an excuse

and Grand Empress Dowager is sympathetic of the people she might not object to it.

Sir...

What is it, Uncle?

I have just received a tip from Chen Qi.

Ji An has opened up the granary in He Nan!

How dare he!

Civil governor of He Nan Prefecture, Chen Qi?

Isn't that the nephew of the Marquess of Tangyi

who is the husband of Grand Princess Dou?

Ji An is incredibly bold.

Chen Qi has already explained that those grains are army provisions.

He even dared to take army provisions! That is indeed bold!

Hasn't Ji An gone to He Nei to look into fire disasters?

Why would he be opening up granaries in He Nan?

Who ordered him to open up the granaries?

He must have pretended to act on His Majesty's orders.

Uncle, you said that this is a secret report.

Does His Majesty know about this?

His Majesty shouldn't know about this matter yet.

We have to act fast should there be any changes!

Difficulty in dispatch? Spoiled corruption?

They are just covering up for one another!

These imperial relatives are fighting for their own interests.

They call themselves the Lius...

or like Grand Empress Dowager, the Dous...

or like Empress Dowager, the Wangs!

When it gets in the way of their interests

who still cares about their relative, the Emperor!

Please placate your anger, Your Majesty!

Placate my anger?

This concerns the safety of the nation.

The life and death of my people!

How could I placate my anger?

None of you are allowed to meddle in this matter anymore!

- Your Majesty! - What's wrong?

Who is seeking an audience this time?

Who is here to ask me to be considerate of this and that?

It is Chancellor Xu Chang, Censor Zhuang Qing Zhai and...

Announce for them to come in!

- Greetings to Your Majesty! - Greetings to Your Majesty!

Chancellor, have you drafted the details of the new policies?

Your Majesty, we have important matters in need of your answer.

Speak up!

Your Majesty's representative Ji An was sent to He Nei but...

What about He Nei?

Fire has struck thousands of families in He Nei. People were rendered homeless.

I especially sent Ji An over to inspect the disaster.

The Chancellor has been working hard on the new policies

and forgotten about relieving the disasters.

Or do you mean to imply something else?

I wouldn't dare to.

It is just that local officials have reported that

Ji An has used his authority in He Nan

to force the civil governor Chen Qi to distribute the army provisions.

Since Your Majesty sent Ji An to He Nei

Ji An's actions in He Nan are an abuse of your decree.

I am abusing the imperial decree?

Sinned official, Ji An, greets Your Majesty!

Ji An... What is this about?

Your Majesty, after relieving the disaster in He Nei

I went by He Nan on my way back.

I saw that He Nan was struck by floods and running low on food supplies.

Famine was raging. Father and child were eating each other.

I could only take expedient measures.

I acted on your authority to distribute grains to help the refugees.

Your Majesty, Ji An took such actions to relieve the disaster.

This is understandable.

Ji An distributed army provisions.

Your Majesty, it is stated in The Art of War

'An army without provisions is lost.'

That's enough!

I have been bold but I could not ignore it.

I feared that Your Majesty's orders were abused and thus so, your integrity!

I am willing to be punished in order to recover Your Majesty's integrity!

Guards!

Arrest Ji An and have him await his punishment!

Your Majesty, if a mere Ji An could open up granaries at will.

Should the new policies be announced

that grains are supplied to cover the needs

it would be beyond the imperial court's ability

to stop all the government granaries from being opened!

This new policy must not be made!

Greetings to Your Majesty.

Play the game of itch-pot with me.

I wonder what's the matter with me today. I'm really bad at it.

Why don't you bring me some luck?

How could my luck be compared to yours?

But I do have a matter to report to Your Majesty.

Speak up.

I heard that Chancellor Xu intends to report to Grand Empress Dowager

about Ji An's breach of authority in opening up the granary.

He plans to persuade Her Highness to object to the new policies.

Your Majesty, Ji An opened up the granary without permission.

This is a serious matter.

This now implicates the new policies.

I'm afraid that this will invite more criticisms. Why don't you...

That's enough!

I won't insist on the new policies nor will I care about anything else!

Duan Hong! Convey my verbal decree.

There is to be no morning session in imperial court tomorrow.

State affairs will be left in the charge of

Chancellor Xu Chang and Censor Zhuang Qing Zhai.

Your Majesty!

I am obstructed in everything that I do anyway.

I'd rather enjoy some dancing and music.

Your Majesty, is it because I've played poorly and the tune is terrible

that I couldn't help relieve you from your troubles?

If it hadn't been for your music, my anger would have gotten to me already.

Here, Zi Fu.

Am I still the Emperor?

Why would you say so, Your Majesty?

The Emperor commands the world and governs the people.

But an Emperor like me can't even manage my officials.

My orders don't even get as far as the gates of Weiyang Palace.

It's normal for people to be content and idle so that one could be more at ease.

Now that Your Majesty wants reform it is natural for everyone to be gripped by fear

and seek to hang on to the old policies.

But with Your Majesty's intelligence, what could possibly hinder you?

Is that so?

When we first met, you didn't know much about the lives of the people.

But now?

Your Majesty is already an Emperor who has gone to inspect

the lives of the people and have grown close to them.

Zi Fu knows me the best.

What's wrong, Your Majesty?

If I really do have countermeasures but it will put you in a difficult position

would you be willing to help me?

Your Majesty is Zi Fu's Emperor, you're my everything.

If I could contribute to Your Majesty's great ambition

I would be willing to help you no matter what it is.

All right. I wish to think things through quietly here

at Orchid Palace for the next few days.

I do not wish anyone to disturb me.

I will only have your music to keep me company.

Empress!

- Please allow me to notify... - Get out of my way!

Your Highness!

Your Highness! Please allow me to announce your arrival!

Happiness and peace to the Empress.

Lady Wei, I have brought some cakes here for His Majesty.

Get out of my way.

His Majesty is having a rest. I wouldn't dare to disturb him.

I beg Your Highness for forgiveness.

Could His Majesty be unwell?

Chun Ling, summon the Chief physician.

I am going in to take a look at His Majesty.

Yes.

How dare you block the path of the Empress?

His Majesty has orders that

he is not to be disturbed during this period of contemplation.

May I ask Your Highness to return to your quarters for the time being?

Should His Majesty summon for you

I will head to Jiaofang Palace to invite you over in person.

What did you say?

Don't assume that you could do as you wish because you are now his favorite.

I am the rightful spouse of His Majesty.

I want to see His Majesty.

A servant like you expects to hold me off? Get lost!

I might be a servant but His Majesty is the son of gods.

He is everything to me.

His Majesty asked me to guard this door, so I will not take one step back.

How audacious!

Get lost!

I have an imperial command to carry out.

Please show some self-respect, Your Highness.

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