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The Virtuous Queen of Han

Episode Twenty-Three

Do you know that I haven't yet added another of my secret toxins

that will make Madame Wei lose her senses and take her own life?

A thick soup would cover its smell

and once Madame Wei takes it

not even the deities could save her.

I can't wait any longer.

By then, I'll be able to dance for you every day.

We would be so carefree.

Madame, the sedan chair is ready.

We could leave for Orchid Palace.

Look at this soup.

Didn't I order you to prepare a light broth?

Why is it still so thick?

I think...

A thick soup would probably be more nourishing.

When did you start making your own decisions?

You've been acting more and more strangely these days.

Could you be keeping a secret from me?

Speak up! What is it with this soup?

No... nothing.

If you won't come clean I'll take this soup to His Majesty!

Madame!

Are you going to beg His Majesty to sentence you to death?

Greetings to Empress.

I discovered that my palace maid is acting very strangely.

I suspect that there is a problem.

I think that you're the one with the problem.

What a busybody.

She was carrying out my orders.

Your Highness gave her orders?

If this soup isn't thick how could it disguise the smell?

What did you put in?

What did you add in all the food that we brought Madame Wei?

You don't have to know what was added.

Madame Wei has been bad-tempered and mentally unstable recently

because of this?

Some things are better kept to yourself.

No... I would never harm Madame Wei like this.

Empress may be the head of the harem

and your authority is that of His Majesty

but you want me to harm someone

I'm afraid that I could not obey your orders.

Don't be in such a rush to defy my decree.

Make your decision after reading this.

I'm afraid that you might even beg me to let you carry out my orders

after reading it.

- Pass it to me! - Slower! Slower, Princess!

- Here! - Pass it to her slowly.

Slower.

Catch it.

Be careful.

Good!

How have you been, Madame?

You've been here to see me very often and that cheers me up.

I feel much better when I'm in a good mood.

Don't blame me for speaking out of turn, Madame Wei.

In the future, avoid arguing with Empress Dowager

and just go along with whatever she says.

I don't know what I did that day either.

I made Ming Yue tell me in details about what happened.

Then I realized how terribly I had offended the superiors.

But the imperial physicians couldn't make out what the problem is.

I'm really worried that I might have contracted some sort of illness.

If this continues, Empress Dowager would surely take away

Princess Weizhang and Shi Yi sooner or later as well.

It will be all right.

You will definitely get better.

Don't just keep staying in your palace all the time.

Go and have a walk outside more often.

Enjoy the sunshine and the scent of the flowers.

Your worries will naturally fade away.

I don't have the will to move.

Sometimes, I spent the whole day just sitting here.

I get all groggy and sleepy.

Sometimes I get restless and frustrated.

I'm thirsty. Let's have some soup?

I'm worried that I might act up again like the other day

and frighten my daughters.

Princess!

Princess, be careful!

Be careful! Don't get yourself burnt!

I've been too careless.

Did Princess get scalded?

Hurry up and get someone to clean it up.

Yes.

I was worried that the soup is still hot and they would burn their tongues.

But then I scared them instead by being so anxious.

You mustn't take any food without asking for permission.

Do you understand?

Sister, they are still young.

Please don't take it to heart.

- It's all right. - Both princesses are tired.

I'll take them away to get some rest.

Let's go.

Go slower.

Madame, this soup isn't too hot to drink now.

It smells so good.

Zi Fu, what is wrong?

Do you feel unwell?

I'm all right.

How long have I slept?

You felt tired after Madame Xu Li left

so you got into bed and slept till now.

It's midnight now. Where are you going?

I'll take a look at the children to see if they are tucked under the blankets.

Or else they would catch a cold.

Both of them are fast asleep.

You could have some rest in ease.

I could only be at ease after I've taken a look.

I'll take a look for you.

You haven't been able to sleep well recently.

You'd better go to bed and don't go over to their rooms.

You won't be able to sleep well again after going to their rooms.

Are you keeping something from me?

What has happened to Weizhang and Shi Yi?

Empress Dowager has taken away the two princesses.

What?

This evening, Empress Dowager sent someone to take away the princesses.

She said that she was concerned that your illness...

Zi Fu...

She stole my children again, didn't she?

Zi Fu!

I'm going to see his Majesty.

I'm going to see Empress Dowager!

Zi Fu, it is already late at night.

You won't get to see them even if you go over there.

Just lie down and get some sleep.

- We'll go tomorrow morning, all right? - I will go to see His Majesty now!

Zi Fu...

His Majesty no longer cares for me, right?

I annoy him every day

and he is already sick of me.

I'll never get to see His Majesty...

and my daughters ever again...

That won't happen.

It will...

Madame Wei has been having mood swings.

She gets angry easily and finds it hard to suppress her anger.

It was inevitable that

Mother took away Weizhang and Shi Yi.

But Madame Wei lost her composure

because she misses her daughter too much.

I'm afraid that by taking away the other two princesses

would make her lose control over herself even more.

I know that.

I have tried to talk her around

hoping she would try to bear it down and wait patiently.

But she always ends up crying and begging me for her daughters.

I tried to persuade her then she would say that I have no empathy for her.

Mother wouldn't give in either.

This is all my fault.

I couldn't help with your troubles.

No, you mustn't blame yourself.

There are too many things going on in the harem.

It must be difficult for you that you have to mediate between them.

And you even have to listen to my complaints and whining.

This is my blessing.

I'll visit Madame Wei tomorrow

and try to talk her around.

I'll tell her about Your Majesty's concern for her.

That would help improve her condition.

Recently, I'm already frustrated enough by trying to

come up with solutions to resolve conflicts at the frontier.

Now I am caught in a dilemma between Madame Wei and my mother.

I could only have some peace when I am here to drink Collar Soup.

I hope that my Collar Soup could bring Your Majesty

some peace and quiet.

It's delicious!

If Your Majesty is busy dealing with national matters and could not make it here

I could make Collar Soup for you and bring it to Feichang Palace.

Why wouldn't I come over here?

I will definitely come over.

I'll definitely be here.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Only at Jiao Er's place could I forget all about my troubles.

It's good that you could forget about your troubles.

I hope that Your Majesty is happy and has no worries.

I hope that you will always keep Jiao Er in this golden palace.

She wouldn't eat, no matter what.

I fed her but she threw it all up.

She even scolded me.

Why would a perfectly well person suddenly become like this?

It seems more and more likely that

she has lost her senses and become insane.

Why don't you say something?

You always have so many ideas and you know all about the works of nature.

Why don't you say something?

What exactly is going on?

None of the imperial physicians could do anything about it.

Will she ever be well again?

It's difficult.

What nonsense are you saying?

How is it difficult?

If our speculation is accurate

then it must be so.

Aren't there any new findings?

I'm still not certain.

What on earth are you talking about?

Zi Fu is just like our family.

Don't keep anything from us!

This is just our speculation so far.

We couldn't be sure so we couldn't say it out loud.

Saying it wouldn't help with anything at all

and we might even get everyone in Orchid Palace killed.

You... Don't try to scare me.

We have to come up with a solution to help her.

Or else if she acts up again

she might hurt herself.

Shen Jia, put all the sharp objects away.

Hide all the fragile utensils away.

Don't take out any ribbons or linen strips.

This is a precaution.

Is it really so bad?

Something's wrong! Madame...

Madame has gone missing!

When I came in to serve Madame for grooming

the chamber is already in this mess.

I've searched everywhere, but I couldn't find Madame.

When I came to check in on Zi Fu she said that she has let the little princess down.

She broke her promise to her.

Are there any sharp objects missing from the chamber?

Where are the scissors?

The scissors are here!

The awl is missing.

Greetings to Empress.

Steward Duan, why are you in such a hurry?

I have to seek audience with His Majesty about an urgent matter.

His Majesty is dealing with national affairs at the moment.

I'm afraid that he won't have the time to see you.

Madame Wei has gone missing.

It is very urgent. There is no time to waste!

Why would Madame Wei be missing?

Has she gone to the palaces of the other sisters?

Or could she have gone for a stroll in Floral Woods?

I'm worried that something might happen to Madame Wei.

I ask to see His Majesty right away!

Haven't I already told you that

His Majesty is currently occupied with national affairs?

Matters of the harem should be left in my hands.

You don't have to worry. Head back first.

I'll send out men to search for her.

This is a critical matter. I have to see His Majesty!

His Majesty has given a verbal decree that no one is to disturb him.

If you barge in

you'll be defying the imperial decree.

If His Majesty gets mad

could you bear the consequences?

I can.

Steward Duan! Steward Duan!

Greetings to Your Majesty. Madame Wei has gone missing!

What?

Zi Fu is missing?

Have you sent anyone to search for her?

We've already been everywhere she used to frequent.

I heard from Shen Jia that

since Princess Weizhang and Shi Yi were taken away from her

Madame Wei's illness aggravated and could no longer contain herself.

She turned the chamber inside out before going missing.

She even cut the robe she made for Princess Zhu Yi.

- And... - Speak up!

And an awl is missing from Madame Wei's sewing kit.

We're afraid that she took the awl to kill herself.

I ask that Your Majesty order a thorough search in the palace!

Why would this happen?

What did she say or do before she went missing?

Xi Niang said Madame Wei said that she has let Princess Zhu Yi down.

She broke her promise to her.

Mother said that she'll take me to Orchid Pavillion to look at streams.

We'll watch the streams flow by and by.

Your Majesty!

This is all my fault.

I've broken all my promises to you.

I didn't take good care of you.

I'm not fit to be a mother.

I deserve to die.

Don't!

Zi Fu! Zi Fu!

Zi Fu!

Zi Fu!

You're all right now. I'm here with you.

It's all right.

I'm here to protect you.

It's all right now.

Your Majesty...

It's all right now.

Zi Fu!

Zi Fu!

Greetings to the Emperor and Empress.

Don't stand on ceremony.

I've just returned from purchasing war horses.

The minute I arrived I heard something happened to my sister.

What is it...

She's been delirious recently

and she just attempted suicide.

What?

Fortunately, Duan Hong saved her in time.

She is fine now.

The Minister of Imperial Medical Affairs is seeing to her now.

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

How is Madame Wei?

Madame Wei is...

Her pulse is in chaos. It's fast and then slow at times.

It's hollow and then solid at times.

Even in her sleep, she is still haunted by her nightmares.

It is a mixture of depression and aggression. This...

What illness is it?

I've never seen any illness like this before!

As the Minister of Imperial medical affairs

you couldn't even tell what illness it is?

Could it be an illness due to anxiety?

If depression builds up and develops into an illness

you'll have to treat her with her methods.

Could she have missed her daughters so much that she went crazy...

Madame Wei is gentle and kind.

May the gods bless her.

Yes, she might get better after a few days' rest?

We will all pray for her.

Is this due to psychological issues or is there some other problem?

You have to get to the bottom of it as soon as possible!

Please grant me a few more days

and I'll gather all the imperial physicians for consultation!

- Then we will find... - Enough! Hurry up and do it!

If it is an illness, then it could still be cured.

What if she was possessed by evil spirits?

This would be a blow to the reputation of Great Han.

I'll get going right now!

Your Majesty, your health comes first.

National affairs are your priority.

Just leave Madame Wei to me.

Don't worry about it, Your Majesty.

This is so frustrating.

Empress, have you made any of your Collar Soup today?

I'd like to have some.

Yes, I've made some every day for Your Majesty just in case.

Why don't you have a rest at Jiaofang Palace?

Get some energy back before you come here to visit Madame Wei.

Depart for Jiaofang Palace!

Yes!

Your magic potion is really working.

His Majesty could not contain his eagerness for it.

He is always thinking about going for soup at the Empress' quarters.

Now that he is obsessed with the Empress

the Empress is really happy about it.

She rewarded me another piece of jade.

It's a pity that Madame Wei didn't die.

Otherwise...

She would have rewarded us the entire high street in Chang-An.

What are you so anxious about? Madame Wei is already heavily poisoned.

She is sure to die sooner or later.

As long as the Empress is in favor

why would you have to worry that we won't lead a life of luxury?

Add more potion into the soup then.

Make the Emperor miss the Empress even more every day and night.

Look! There isn't much opium left.

I'll have to trouble you to take a trip to the Western Regions.

Sure.

After I've left for Western Regions

you just need to be on alert but don't make any moves.

Just watch the events unfold.

But now...

We shall have a night of passion first.

Why is Che Er so unhappy after admiring the flowers with me?

Is it because of that woman again?

Zi Fu does indeed make me troubled.

Mother, perhaps I could take the three princesses to see her?

It might help with her illness.

Illness?

I think it is just an act.

That woman is pretending to be insane so that you would take pity on her.

She is deceiving you to get her daughters back.

You might be deceived but I won't be.

Mother, the minister said that her pulse is chaotic.

It is out of the ordinary. I'm afraid she really is ill.

Even if she really is ill

I think it is just insanity.

I wouldn't let you take my granddaughters to her all the more.

What if she hurts them?

All right then. Don't be angry, Mother.

What scares me the most is that

you'll fall ill again when you get too angry.

Mother, when you were ill

the imperial physicians couldn't do much about it at all.

Didn't you soon recover after being ill for a long time

when you were treated by a skilled physician?

I was wondering why Che Er is being so filial today

to stroll in the gardens with me today.

It turns out that you're here to ask me

for your daughters and a good physician?

Mother...

Please help me out.

All right, I'll send Chu Fu over to take a look at her.

I'd really like to know if she is truly ill or just pretending to be crazy?

Thank you, Mother.

Your Majesty, Madame Wei is suffering from breath stagnation and blood stasis.

There is excessive internal heat in her body that attacks her mind.

Hence, she is often disturbed and troubled by illusions.

She's ill and not possessed by evil spirits?

She isn't possessed by evil spirits.

Madame Wei has dark circles around her eyes.

It is caused by the accumulation of toxins in her body.

She is poisoned?

Yes.

This poison seems to be extraordinarily vile.

Now it is all accumulated in her skull.

It is showing through from beneath her eyes.

As the poison exceeds the maximum amount

the patient might...

How could she be poisoned in the depths of the palace?

Poison that is added to food is usually difficult to detect.

You're solely in charge of all the food here in Orchid Palace, right?

Your Majesty, I am in charge.

But from the minute the ingredients are delivered into the palace

then washed, cooked, and served they have all been examined carefully.

There couldn't be any problems.

Lady Wei is now severely poisoned.

How dare you say that there couldn't be any problems?

Guards!

Present!

Imprison him to await his sentence.

Seal up the kitchen in Orchid Palace.

If any poison is found in it

- interrogate him right away! - Yes!

Your Majesty, someone is deliberately framing me for this.

If Your Majesty wishes to find the poison

- how difficult could it be? - In your opinion

you mean that there is definitely poison in the kitchen?

So you have already confessed?

Good. Take him away.

Torture him!

I'd like to see what ulterior motive you have.

Please spare him, Your Majesty.

Please have mercy on him Your Majesty.

Your Majesty...

This definitely has nothing to do with Uncle Yi.

I beg Your Majesty to look into it.

You are still severely ill.

Your mind is confused, your blood and breath circulation is weak.

I wouldn't bother you with this matter.

Leave this to me.

Go and get some rest now.

Your Majesty, I know Uncle Yi very well.

He would never harm me.

It's hard to really know someone.

I will get to the bottom of this matter for you.

Don't meddle into this.

Take him away.

- Move it! - No! Your Majesty!

Your Majesty! I beg you to spare him.

Let go of Uncle Yi first.

I'm begging you, Your Majesty!

- Zi Fu... - You're muddled.

Get up now, here.

Take him away.

- Madame Wei, don't get angry! - Your Majesty!

- Yi Han will be fine! - Don't take him away!

- Zi Fu... - Your Majesty!

- Zi Fu... - Don't!

No!

No...

Uncle Yi! Uncle Yi!

- Your Majesty! - Uncle Yi!

- Zi Fu! - Uncle Yi!

- Zi Fu... - Zi Fu...

- Zi Fu! - Your Majesty!

Your Majesty, you're horrible!

You couldn't tell right from wrong!

- You wronged an innocent man! - Zi Fu...

- Let go of me! - Zi Fu!

Hurry and take Madame Wei to the chamber quickly!

- Yes. - Zi Fu!

- Zi Fu, let's go. - Stop it!

Madame, it is all right. Have some rest now.

Your Majesty couldn't tell right from wrong.

You wronged an innocent man.

I have been deceived by you.

Your Majesty, Madame didn't mean to say that at all.

She could not control herself in her illness.

Please pardon her, Your Majesty!

How outrageous!

This is so hateful!

It's no wonder that Your Majesty is angry.

You did everything for her sake but she...

Your Majesty, she has lost her senses.

Why don't you forgive her?

Don't you want the imperial physician to take a look at this?

That's not necessary.

I don't wish to see anyone.

It's good enough for me to have Empress apply ointment for me.

Empress, I'm fortunate to have you taking such good care of things.

Otherwise, I would have...

Your Majesty is caught between national and family affairs.

I just hope to stay by your side.

I'm only afraid that I haven't been doing enough.

You're all that I need.

With these words from Your Majesty I'll be happy to do anything.

Your Highness, the Collar Soup is ready.

Your Majesty, have some soup.

Sure.

Empress, do you think that Madame Wei could be cured of her poisoning?

I wish all the best to Madame Wei.

It's just that Chu Fu has already said

that the poison has seeped into the skull.

I'm just afraid that she might not recover from her insanity.

By then, she would hurt others as well as herself.

She would bring on scandals and troubles to the harem.

Would others find me heartless if

I move her to Northern Palace to recuperate?

For peace and safety in the harem it is inevitable to do so.

She'd have to put up with it then.

But she did give me three daughters.

She mustn't be treated too shabbily.

Don't worry, Your Majesty.

I will definitely make the appropriate arrangements.

Find her a bright and spacious palace over there for her.

Try and have it decorated in the same way as in Orchid Palace.

The curtains should best be of the same colors.

And plant in orchids in the courtyards.

Your Majesty treats Madame Wei with such care.

I thank you on her behalf.

It'd be great if only her relocation

could be done as soon as possible.

Don't worry, Your Majesty.

I will get someone to make the arrangements right away.

I'll go to Northern Palace later

to look for a suitable palace for Madame Wei to live in.

I'll leave this to Empress then.

Yes.

Your Majesty, I have indeed found poison in the kitchen in Orchid Palace.

Is it the same poison that is used to poison Madame Wei?

- This will still require... - Please halt, Grand Master Wei!

Greetings to Your Majesty!

I know that you would come over.

Then I'll straightforward with you.

My sister is affectionate and loyal to Your Majesty.

Why is Your Majesty moving her to Northern Palace when she is so ill?

Wei Qing!

Moreover, Uncle Yi has always taken great care of my sister.

Why is he now imprisoned for further interrogation

and accused of poisoning my sister?

Your sister is critically ill because her food was poisoned.

Who would I arrest if not Yi Han?

Hasn't it ever crossed Your Majesty's mind that

he could have been framed?

I ask that Your Majesty seek out the truth

and arrest the real culprit to save my sister.

Who does Grand Master Wei think is the real culprit?

It is very obvious.

I'm only afraid that Your Majesty wouldn't dare to investigate!

I wouldn't dare to investigate?

Why would you say so?

If further investigation is conducted the harem is sure to be shaken up!

Once Empress Dowager steps in

Your Majesty would be in a dilemma.

Because I'm afraid to be caught in a dilemma

I'd rather sacrifice your sister.

Is that what you think?

Exactly!

Wei Qing!

His Majesty is already investigating into this matter.

I have indeed neglected your sister recently.

But I wouldn't be so muddleheaded.

I wouldn't dare to think so.

I had already expected to find the poison in the kitchen.

But it might not be the poison that was used on Zi Fu.

Why would the real culprit leave traces behind for us?

I thought so as well.

The real culprit is just trying to distract us.

Your Majesty imprisoned Uncle Yi because...

It's just an act to make the culprit think that we have been hoodwinked.

There must be more than one person who has harmed your sister.

In a further investigation

there are many concubines who have visited Orchid Palace lately.

There are even more servants coming in and out of there.

They all claimed to have visited Zi Fu out of concern.

They ate and drank with her so anyone of them could have poisoned her.

Your Majesty.

It seems that they are many accomplices in this case.

These people are all ruthless and cold-blooded.

I must look into this very carefully.

None of them are to get away with it!

I think that only by seeking out the mastermind

could we find the antidote to save Madame Wei.

I have been too reckless.

I beg Your Majesty for forgiveness.

You and your sister are very close so I understand how you felt.

Honestly, you're not the only one who is angry.

I'm also very angry at myself.

Zi Fu has been harmed so badly

but I didn't even have a clue!

All I could think of was Empress' Collar Soup.

I'll have this soup examined later.

It is also a strategy to get the culprit to let down the guard

by sending your sister to Northern Palace

so that the culprit would then give oneself away.

I hope that Zi Fu won't hear about the move to Northern Palace too soon.

I'm just afraid that she would find me ruthless.

When I saw how ill she was that day

and yet she even got down on her knees.

When I saw her act up because of her agitation

my heart hurt so badly.

When she said that I had deceived her

I was even more...

Please don't worry, Your Majesty.

I will do my best to comfort my sister

so that she would not misunderstand Your Majesty.

Please also give me a chance to repent for my mistakes.

You are Zi Fu's younger brother.

You might have already been under surveillance.

It is best for you not to make any moves.

You just need to pretend to complain about how unfair I have been.

Yes.

I have already lured out Chu Fu from Empress Dowager.

I'll leave the rest to you.

I've already ordered Attendant Censor Zhang Tang to investigate into this.

Zhang Tang?

He is very meticulous and thoughtful.

You have indeed chosen well.

Good. We will draw the snake out of its hole.

Sister.

Brother.

Do you still remember playing the game

of counting falling flowers when we were little?

Of course, I do.

You were so fast and accurate.

Brother and I couldn't defeat you.

I recall those days

when the flowers began to fall.

They were our happiest days.

Yes, we had nothing then.

We didn't have any toys.

Flowers and grass used to be our best companions.

I remember that besides counting flowers, we also loved to

play tug-of-war with leaf stalks.

The stalks of those leaves that you chose never seem to break.

When we were little, you always acted up like this when you lose a game.

Even now, you haven't learned to choose the right leaf.

You still go for the ones that look strong but are in fact weak.

I remember that although you were still young then

your words always made a lot of sense.

You said that this sort of leaf seems fragile, but is in fact strong.

You are exactly right.

I saw how you have pulled through all these years.

This is the kind of strength that you have been using.

You used it to overcome all obstacles and challenges.

What I said then was silly, but it did make some sense.

Everything that you say makes sense.

That is why I know that you would be able to pull through.

Wei Qing, look!

My girls are counting falling flowers just like we did when we were little.

Weizhang is such a good girl.

She always yields to her young sisters.

Shi Yi is very smart.

She counts very fast.

- Twenty-seven! - You're so good at it, Sister.

I've only counted to 25. Sister, you've won!

Weizhang and Shi Yi care a lot for your youngest sister.

You have done very well!

I'm going to give you a reward!

Brother, how should I reward them?

I see, just another illusion.

I couldn't make out

what is real...

and what is false.

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