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[The Virtuous Queen of Han]

[Episode Twenty-Four]

Are you keeping something from me?

Empress Dowager has taken away the two princesses.

What?

Weizhang is such a good girl.

She always yields to her young sisters.

Brother, how should I reward them?

It is yet another illusion that I saw.

I can't make out what is real... and what is false.

I've passed this spot before, on my way from the palace.

The last time, I knew that you were hiding behind the trees.

I believe that you were afraid to be accused of meeting me in private

and adding fuel to the widespread rumors.

You avoided seeing me then

but now you stand here waiting for me.

Aren't you afraid of the rumors?

I am.

I'm very afraid of them.

But...

To make you disregard your fear of rumors and the damage of your reputation

this matter must be related to your sister.

I'm on my way to visit her in the palace.

I knew that Your Highness was going to the palace.

That is why I've been waiting here for you.

I have a favor to ask of you.

What is it?

My sister has been having delusions very frequently these days.

Her condition is worrying.

I'm afraid...

I ask that Your Highness allows my sister to meet her three daughters.

I know that this is a very difficult task.

But my sister... hasn't seen her daughters for a very long time.

She misses them at all times confined to her bed.

I really have no one else to turn to.

I beg Your Highness to grant me this favor.

Empress Dowager guards them very closely.

His Majesty had already made this request, and she turned him down.

If they can not meet up this time

I'm afraid that the princesses will live in regret for the rest of their lives.

And my sister...

All right.

I promise to help.

No matter what, I will get the princesses out of Changxin Palace

to reunite with their mother.

Thank you, Your Highness!

Zi Fu, I've already come over earlier than usual to help you get dressed.

Who knew that you'd wake up earlier than I did?

I'm very happy.

Shen Jia, help me get dressed in the outfit that Zhu Yi said was pretty.

- All right? - I heard you.

I've already had it prepared for you.

And put on the dangling hairpin that Shi Yi loves to play with.

Zi Fu, if you're feeling unwell

we'll meet up with the princesses some other day.

How could I do that?

I'm finally getting the chance to see them.

Princess Pingyang must have made a huge effort to let us meet up.

I have to go to see them.

Go get me my hairpins and dangling ornaments.

Help me with my grooming.

I'll look more energetic with some make-up.

Go on.

What is the matter?

Nothing.

Zi Fu!

I look like neither a human or a ghost.

I'll definitely frighten them.

Will I never be able to see them again?

Auntie, why have you quarreled so badly with Grandmother?

Your grandmother was worried that you'll trip and fall if you play too hard.

Therefore, you must be good.

Don't run around.

I promised to take you back to her safe and sound.

As long as we get to see Mother, we would promise anything.

We won't run around and get Auntie into trouble.

Yes, yes!

Look, she's there.

- Look. Let's go over there. - Mother! Mother!

- Mother! - Let's go.

- Mother! - Good girls.

Mother.

I miss you all dearly.

We miss Mother dearly as well.

I miss you even more!

Mother, you have so many flowers on your face.

Is it pretty?

- Pretty! - Pretty!

You're fulfilling filial duties on behalf of your father

to keep your grandmother company.

so I've come up with a new trick in my free time.

It is a surprise.

I want to draw it as well!

I want to draw it as well!

All right, we'll do it one by one.

I knew that you'd all like it.

Here.

It's so pretty.

Then I'll add the petals on.

It's done.

Am I beautiful?

You're so beautiful.

Mother, I want one as well.

I'll go first! I want a butterfly!

Sure, one by one.

You have to remember that beauty comes from within.

The beauty in your appearance fades away easily.

Only the beauty of kindness in your heart lasts forever.

Will you remember that for me?

We will definitely remember what Mother says.

- Done. - Is my flower pretty?

It's so pretty!

You're so pretty as well.

What is this?

It's a wooden pigeon buggy!

I saw that your old wooden buggy was broken

so I've made you a new one.

- Here you go. - Thank you, Mother.

But you must remember...

We must love each other and play together without fighting.

We must be courteous to one another!

It's good that you remember.

This wooden buggy is even better than the old one.

It can even move its tail.

Yes, this wooden buggy can only be pulled forward

to prevent the pigeon's tail from dropping.

It is the same in life.

Whether life is going well or not, we have to keep moving forward.

Don't look back.

Can you remember that?

- Can you remember that? - Yes, Mother.

It is a good thing to remember.

I'll take them with me to play with the wooden buggy.

You must remember to keep moving forward.

Don't look back!

Yes!

Keep moving forward.

Don't look back.

Zi Fu!

Zi Fu! Zi Fu!

Anyone there?

Here.

Your Majesty.

What are you doing here?

How could I not be here?

They said that I've scratched Your Majesty.

Don't listen to them.

Don't think too much.

Understand?

Your Majesty...

I never thought that I'd be in your arms again.

This is so lovely.

If you like it

I'll hold you like this from now on.

I came from a lowly rank.

Yet I got to know Your Majesty

and fall in love with you.

And I have three clever and thoughtful daughters.

I have no regrets.

If I should leave this world

I ask Your Majesty not to be sad.

You have no regrets and nothing that you couldn't bear to leave behind?

I have so much that I can't bear to leave behind.

I have so many people that I can't bear to part with.

But life and death are determined by the gods.

I don't care about that!

You said that I am like the gods to you.

Then you have to obey my orders.

I order you never to leave me.

Do you hear me?

I order you to teach and raise our daughters into talented women.

I want them to be as gentle and virtuous as you are.

I order you to place their bridal ribbons on them

and see them off on their wedding day.

I order you to give me a son to inherit my empire!

I order you to...

grow old with me.

Then I can only obey the imperial decree.

I'll fight to survive.

I take your hand...

until death do us part...

Search the palace?

Yes. I've thought about this all night.

I think that this is the only way to save Madame Wei.

This is a very serious matter.

We must not make this move unless we are very certain.

The imperial physicians are clueless

and Zhang Tang hasn't finished his investigation into Chu Fu.

Investigations take time but Madame Wei doesn't have any.

Your Majesty!

I had the same idea in mind as well.

I have already stationed all the guards.

All I need is an order from Your Majesty.

Hold it.

I know that you're anxious to save her

but if you lock down the palace for a thorough search without evidence

it will be hard to report to Mother.

The poison wouldn't leave the palace.

It is bound to be kept somewhere discreet for further use.

We need to find the poison to uncover the mastermind and get the antidote.

And if you can't find anything?

Mother already has a very deep prejudice against Zi Fu.

Locking down the palace for a search is not a small matter.

If you can not come up with a valid reason for the search

Mother will believe that you've lost your composure for a concubine.

If the Empress realizes that this action is directed towards her

once she turns against you, Zi Fu will be the first to suffer.

She will be driven out of the harem or even moved to Northern Palace for good.

I can't consider all that now.

I had wanted to draw the snakes out of their hole

and round them all up to put an end to all the troubles in the harem.

But Zi Fu might not be able to hang in there much longer.

I can't consider what Mother will think.

I don't care if Empress turns against me either!

I can only choose to save her first.

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty, Attendant Censor Zhang Tang seeks audience.

- Summon him immediately! - Yes!

- Greetings to Your Majesty. - Don't bother.

Did you manage to find anything about that witch, Chu Fu?

Your Majesty, the witch used to reside in the western regions.

She is renowned for taking lives with voodoo, poison, and witchcraft.

Did her victims have similar symptoms to Madame Wei's?

They all lost control of themselves and suffered from delusions.

They were both depressed and anxious, and had dark circles on their eyes.

I'm afraid Zi Fu must have really been harmed with poison.

Zhang Tang, you came at the right time.

- Duan Hong! - Present!

Gather all the imperial guards.

Lock down the palace and get ready to search!

Put this on the stove.

I'll wait for His Majesty to enjoy it with me.

Yes.

Your Highness!

I just got back from Northern Palace.

I nearly couldn't make it back.

What?

All the palaces are now locked down.

I saw so many imperial guards on my way back here.

All the roads are blocked.

Everyone must be checked for an entry permit.

I heard that every palace is going to be searched.

Search the palace? What are they searching for?

No one would say a word.

This is a serious matter. Why didn't His Majesty inform me?

Greetings to Empress.

Steward Duan, do you know that this is Jiaofang Palace?

How dare you take such a stance bringing guards into my palace?

How bold you are!

I only know to obey the imperial decree.

I know about nothing else.

Imperial decree?

What imperial decree?

Madame Wei is poisoned and her life is at risk.

His Majesty ordered to have the palace searched thoroughly

to seek out the evil doers who have harmed Madame Wei.

Isn't the culprit who harmed Madame Wei already arrested?

Why is there still an investigation?

His Majesty is wise. He already knew that Yi Han is innocent.

Someone tried to distract us and frame him for the crime.

His Majesty went along with it so the culprit would let their guard down.

I see.

His Majesty is so meticulous.

Fine, you can search all you want.

I'm not afraid of being searched.

If you can't find what you are looking for here in Jiaofang Palace

I will ask His Majesty and Empress Dowager to compensate me

for the humiliation that I suffer today.

None of you will get away with this.

Do not worry, Your Highness.

I am not here to search your palace. I am here to guard it.

I am here to guard everyone here in Jiaofang Palace

in order to protect Your Highness.

If someone is really harming others with poison

the evidence would never be found near them.

It would definitely be placed in the safest and least suspected spot.

The search is so thorough.

Here, one of you can come over and search me as well.

See if I have hidden any poison on me to harm the Emperor's favorite concubine.

Please appease your anger, Mother.

The culprit would think that His Majesty wouldn't search Mother's quarters

and thus choose to hide the poison here.

If the poison is really in here

and Mother touches it by accident, you will be in danger.

I am worried about Mother's safety.

Don't make it sound so nice.

You're just doing this for Madame Wei.

There are so many imperial guards searching in and out of my palace.

Should anyone hear about this

what dignity will I still have as an Empress Dowager?

The people in my palace would never commit such an evil crime!

Who would dare to hide poison here in Changxin Palace?

Your Majesty, I found some medicinal liquid

contained in Empress Dowager's deer-shaped bottle.

I suspect that this is the poison used to harm Madame Wei.

Ridiculous!

This deer bottle is a treasure placed in my bed chamber.

No one has ever dared to touch it.

Where did the poison come from?

Is someone trying to frame me and pin this unrighteous deed onto me?

Whoever could hide this poison in Mother's chamber

must be someone who can go in and out of there at will.

She is the one!

Cui Er?

That couldn't be...

Please spare my life, Your Majesty!

I had no choice! I was just obeying orders!

Please spare my life, Empress Dowager!

I'll confess. I'll confess everything.

Please don't torture me.

Don't torture me.

Cui Er already testified that you're the one who poisoned Madame Wei.

Why would I need your confession?

I only want one thing from you.

The antidote to save Madame Wei.

So that is what you want?

If you can conjure up the poison

then you are bound to have the antidote.

The antidote that Your Majesty seeks is among them.

This is the antidote.

It's also the poison of the Poison-feather bird.

Once drunk, you'll bleed from your seven orifices and die immediately.

This could also be the antidote.

And it is also a numbing medicine.

One's breath is hectic and frozen.

One can not be saved after taking this.

You are already a convict.

Stop playing tricks with me!

These drugs counteract one another.

They can be used to save people, but also kill them.

Only I know how to use them.

If Your Majesty kills me, then Madame Wei will surely die.

I must not be frightened.

Otherwise I might not remember which one is the antidote.

Sure! I will help you remember it!

I believe you have never tasted the poison that you made?

Now you have to remember which one is the antidote.

Reach for your antidote and take it.

Even if I do point out the antidote

Your Majesty will still sentence me to death.

Why would I bother to save myself?

Isn't it better that Madame Wei dies with me?

You sure are a vile witch.

Your Majesty is wise.

I make a living by being vile and evil.

If you want my antidote

I'll ask Your Majesty for something as well.

Speak up!

I want Your Majesty's imperial decree to spare my life!

It is all up to Your Majesty to kill or spare me.

But it isn't so difficult for Your Majesty to decide

whether Madame Wei's life is more important, or mine?

Fine.

As long as your antidote can save Madame Wei

I'll spare you from the death penalty of poisoning Madame Wei.

An emperor does not go back on his word.

- Duan Hong! - Present!

Take my sword.

If I should go back on my word, use this sword to take my life!

Yes!

Everyone here can bear witness to this.

Give me the antidote now!

Your Majesty, you're exhausted. You should have some food.

I won't.

Your Majesty, your health comes first. Madame has just taken the antidote.

It will take some time for the antidote to take effect.

Take time?

She already writhed in pain and threw up everything.

She threw up all the toxins and tainted blood

until she could throw up no more.

Why hasn't she gotten better?

Could it be...

that the witch has tricked me?

I fed Zi Fu poison instead?

I've sent her to her death?

Zi Fu...

You promised to grow old with me.

You have to keep your promise.

Zi Fu...

Your Majesty...

I have obeyed the imperial decree.

I've fought hard to stay alive.

I take your hand...

Until death do us part...

Madame Wei took the antidote

and she is now all right.

Since Your Majesty has promised to bestow to me an imperial decree

to spare me from death

then I ask that Your Majesty release me now.

Release you?

Of course.

Imprison Chu Fu to await her execution!

An emperor would not lie.

Your Majesty agreed to spare my life! Those words still ring in my ears!

I remember that I promised not to kill you for poisoning Madame Wei

in order to attain the antidote.

I will keep that promise.

If so then...

You may escape from the death penalty for poisoning Madame Wei

but now I'm convicting you for another capital crime.

You instigated the Empress to drug me with her Collar Soup!

What drugs? What soup?

I don't know what Your Majesty is talking about at all.

Don't try to deny it!

Duan Hong, what did you find in the Empress' Collar Soup?

Your Majesty, the Minister of Imperial Medical Affairs has examined it

and confirms that there is indeed opium from the western regions.

If opium is used in small doses, it can relieve pain.

But it is poisonous as well.

It is addictive and one's heath can be harmed through its poison.

Although I have poisoned Madame Wei

could I have poisoned everyone else in the world?

Then we will have to see if we can get the culprit who poisoned His Majesty

to confess with the help of some torture tools.

Your Majesty is a wise ruler.

You wouldn't extort confessions under torture, would you?

I usually wouldn't.

But when I deal with evil and ruthless people

I quite like to see how they struggle in pain and torment

so as to rid me of my hatred!

- Guards! - Present!

Your Majesty must want to know who the mastermind is!

I'll tell you who the mastermind is to make up for my sins!

Please spare me from torture!

I don't want to see you anymore!

Even if you die a 100,000 times

it won't relinquish the fury in my mind!

Attendant Censor!

Zhang Tang at your service.

The witch Chu Fu poisoned the Emperor.

She committed numerous sins and can not be pardoned!

Pick an execution date. Chop her in half from her waist!

Yes.

Chop... Chop me in half from the waist?

No! My waist!

- Take her away! - It's so painful!

Yes!

No! Don't!

No!

- Great blessings to Your Majesty. - Don't bother!

I can't bear to be greeted by evil and vicious women!

The harem of Great Han has been cursed by witchcraft!

This is the day that I will have the chaos put to an end.

The evildoers will be punished and removed!

- Grand Scribe! - Present.

You and the historians are in charge of documenting the history.

All the merits and sins are to be recorded without any obscurity!

You have to stay neutral and record this day down properly for me!

Everything that happens and is said in this palace will be recorded

to serve as a warning to the coming generations!

Yes!

Fine, Your Majesty didn't even ask to have a discussion in court

and now you wish to pin crimes onto meritorious statesmen.

I'd like to see how the Emperor plans to treat his own aunt

who is also a meritorious statesman!

Grand Scribe! Make sure you record everything!

I didn't expect Auntie to sound as if you have done nothing wrong.

I'd like to hear how you can justify yourself.

Anyone with merits can justify themselves.

The gods are watching and the history is recorded.

I'm afraid that what you claim to be a merit can not make up for your sins!

My merits are so great that any sin can be justified by them!

When the late emperor was still in reign

besides the Crown Prince, there were still many other princes.

If I hadn't devised strategies for you to rid you of obstacles

how could Your Majesty have succeeded the throne?

My first merit!

Assisted the emperor in inheriting the throne!

Write it down!

So much for assisting me in taking the throne.

Unfortunately, your sin comes with your merit.

Because of her merits, Grand Princess Dou is domineering

and interferes with affairs in court. She shows no respect for the Emperor.

First sin!

Using her merit to suppress her master. That is considered disloyalty!

Write that down for me!

Your Majesty took the throne at sixteen years of age.

There were feudal kings who coveted your throne.

Your Majesty became who you are today because I went around

and persuaded our relatives to help suppress the feudal kings.

My second merit!

Protected and assisted the young emperor!

Stabilized the nation.

Write this down!

Your Majesty's grandmother Grand Empress Dowager Dou

was visually impaired in both eyes.

I took great care of my mother and shared her burdens.

My third merit!

Assistance given from the Eastern Palace!

Shared my mother's burdens!

Write it down!

Grand Empress Dowager was righteous and virtuous.

In order to protect you, she reluctantly covered up your sins.

Lady Rui's murder and Wei Qing's abduction were all related to you!

Not to mention how much you have extorted from the people

as well as interfering with national affairs.

Grand Empress Dowager took on the blame and forgave you in the name of kinship.

Second sin!

Ruining the reputation of one's mother is considered unfilial!

Write it down!

You plotted evil schemes and conspired with the Empress.

You harmed concubines in order to win my favor.

Then you framed others for your sin.

Third sin!

You harmed others for your own personal interests! Ingrate!

Write it down!

Lady Wei is a temptress who got cocky after she won your favor.

Everything that I did was to rid you of villains and keep the harem safe!

It is your own safety that you are guarding!

You harmed others with witchcraft and drugged my food.

Even now, you sound as if you think you're right!

Mother!

Duan Hong, what is the truth about that witchcraft case?

Tell me!

Grand Princess Dou sounded so resolute. Her merits are greater than the gods.

I'm afraid that I'd be criticized for slandering a meritorious statesman.

I've asked all the historiographers here to get the truth revealed.

Someone presumed upon her merits to defy and offend me.

Why would you have any fear in reporting about the villains?

Then I can only be fearless and straightforward with my words.

Grand Princess Dou and Empress instigated the witch, Chu Fu

to harm Madame Wei with poison, and make her lose her senses!

May I be so bold as to ask Grand Princess Dou

where your conscience is?

Have you ever considered that the three princesses might be hurt

should their mother have a relapse?

That would be a severe crime in harming the imperial offspring!

His Majesty was once injured by Madame Wei when she had a relapse.

That is harming the Emperor.

That is treason and heresy! A death penalty!

These are all the statements of confession from Chu Fu and the servants.

Most of them said that they were threatened by the authority of

the Empress and Grand Princess Dou and had no choice but to comply.

The evidence is concrete.

Would Grand Princess Dou like me to read them all out loud?

Disloyal and unfilial.

Inhumane and unrighteous.

You've committed so many sins that

there aren't enough scrolls to write them in!

How dare you pride yourself as meritorious?

Your merits can not make up for your sins!

Grand Scribe!

Write this down!

Record every word in the historical records!

So much for saying that my merits can not make up for my sins!

In your words, I do still have merits!

Then I ask that Your Majesty consider these merits as the Empress's.

I can bear all the sins.

Of all things, I am to be blamed for everything.

The Empress is very pure-minded.

It was I who made my daughter commit all these offensive crimes.

Mother!

I am willing to be executed.

I beg Your Majesty to spare the Empress from the death sentence!

Mother!

This is my fault. I've implicated you.

I've forced you to do well and fight for favors.

That is why you ended up like this.

That isn't true!

Just let me do one last thing for you.

Your Majesty!

I beg Your Majesty to spare the Empress from death.

Even if the Empress drugged your soup, she just wanted to keep you by her side.

She is devoted to Your Majesty. She never meant to harm you!

Your Majesty, for the sake of years of marriage with the Empress...

Don't bring up our marriage!

If we had affection for one another in our marriage

why couldn't she be understanding?

If we had affection for one another in our marriage

why would she plot against me?

Your Majesty, it isn't so.

Both mother and daughter brought chaos upon the harem!

Your sins cannot be pardoned!

You deserve to die!

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