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[The Virtuous Queen of Han]

[Episode Twenty-Nine]

The auspicious beast fell.

It might seem to be nothing out of the ordinary

but the place that it fell from was Yongshou Hall of Changle Palace.

Now it is a sign of misfortune.

The auspicious beast fell because of the dry weather.

The wood is all dried up and cracked.

The palace should be repaired if there are damages.

People should be given aid when there is drought.

Why would you only talk about some misfortune sign?

This is just shying away from duty, and ignoring the needs of my people.

Or are you simply stupid and ignorant, and unworthy of being in my court?

It's just because the drought has been raging on for too long

and everyone is in a panic.

The King of Huainan, Liu An, has submitted a report

that the capital will soon be struck by disaster

due to the shift of the constellations.

There is the appearance of a jinx.

Your Majesty, the King of Huainan prides himself

as the elderly relative of the imperial family.

He asks Your Majesty to grant him permission

to come to court to plead for rain.

Chancellor, do you think that I should

allow Liu An to plead for rain here in the capital?

This...

This uncle of mine has always liked divination and theomancy.

It is fine if it is for his own entertainment.

If he's using this as an excuse to come to the capital

to spread wild rumors to mislead my people

I won't allow it!

Your Majesty is wise!

Your Majesty is wise!

There are fixed times and regulations as to when feudal kings

can come to the capital to seek audience.

Apart from the regulated times and without permission from the emperor

feudal kings who enter the capital can be punished for treason.

Why are the regulations so strict?

This is to consolidate the force of the capital

to prevent feudal kings from entering at will and conspiring for power.

Chancellor Xue, did you hear that?

You should reply to King of Huainan to stay in his territories.

He is not to enter the capital!

Yes!

Since there is a drought now

our first priority is to relieve and aid the people from disaster.

How is the situation of droughts in various regions?

Your Majesty, the situation is more pressing in some regions than others.

There are already several counties in which no more grains are harvested.

I'm afraid that they will run low on food supplies soon.

Opening up the granaries could meet their pressing needs

but it isn't a long term solution to live on grains without any water.

- Prefect of the Gentlemen-of-the-Palace! - Present!

Gather up men to come up with solutions to find water.

We'll see if we can find more water sources to relieve the drought.

I obey your orders.

Your Highness, I think it is best to believe in

all sorts of auspicious and inauspicious signs in the palace.

These items to avoid calamities are from us, as blessings.

Please keep them with you to feel at ease.

I thank everyone for your kind thoughts.

When natural disasters strike

only the unpredictable nature of weather is to blame.

Instead of worrying ourselves with fictional assumptions

why don't we come up with ways to relieve the disaster?

All the court officials are greatly troubled by this matter.

We are in the harem so how can we help relieve the disaster?

We can cut down on our usage of water and ice.

Cut down our usage of water and ice?

The weather is so warm and unbearable.

The heat is too hard to bear without some chilled fruits...

How are we to get through the days?

A lot of people no longer have clean water to drink.

Many of the elderly and the young have died of thirst.

On the contrary, we are using the ice to chill our drinks

or just to cool ourselves down.

This is extravagance.

Your Highness means for us to keep the ice frozen in the ice chambers

and cut down on our usage so should the drought continue

the ice can serve as a source of water here in the palace?

Ice can be melted into water.

If necessary, it can be used to relieve the people from drought.

You are right. Cutting down on our usage is just enjoying less of our luxury.

Yet, we can contribute to the relief of the drought.

I am willing to comply.

We are willing to comply as well.

Good! Besides cutting down on the usage of ice, we need to save water.

I hereby make it a rule.

Water usage in all palaces will be reduced by half.

Used water must be recycled to be used in cleaning.

You are not to draw water.

You are not to play with ice or water.

Those who violate these rules will be punished.

We will obey the orders of the Empress

to cut down on the usage of ice and water

to relieve the people from disaster.

The owner of the store shoots his mouth off and your customers are stupid!

You speak nothing but nonsense!

If I ever come again, it will stain my status as a Lady!

If the gods are watching

they will rid you of all customers so that you have no business!

Xi Niang?

What are you doing here?

You have such a vicious tongue.

I can tell that you are but a peasant woman!

You still dare to claim that you're some Lady?

You are blind as a bat!

Stop it!

Restrain yourself a bit.

If you keep on arguing with them, not only do you look like a peasant

but also a crazy woman!

How dare you help him!

Do you know what he just said?

He said that drought struck right after the empress was crowned.

The Empress brought us ill luck.

How could I not scold him?

It isn't just drought!

Right after she was crowned, His Majesty's half-brothers, King of Ru

and King of Changsha, died from illnesses.

Isn't she a jinx?

Boo!

Matters of birth, death, illness, and old age, are inevitable.

Who doesn't have family who have passed?

Knock on wood! You're the one who has dead family!

Boo! I do have family members who have passed away!

Who doesn't have joyous events and funerals in your families?

When there are joyous events, we claim that it is due to our own good luck.

When there are people dead, we blame it on others.

What kind of thinking is that?

Exactly! What idiocy is that?

The feudal kings both died from sickness.

What has it got to do with Empress?

I can also speak out my ass

and claim that your destiny collides with that of the kings

and you jinxed them both to death!

Do you feel wronged?

The changes of the weather are unpredictable.

We've had all sorts of natural disasters since the ancient times.

But you're now putting all the blame onto one single person!

You're ignorant and foolish!

Crazy man!

Well said!

Well said!

- Well said! - You've done well scolding him!

You're even fiercer and more vicious than I am!

You're the one who told me to restrain myself.

You were just scolding them to vent your anger.

I was telling them not to be confused by wild rumors.

Moreover, I am but a cook and you are the Lady.

You have to take your status into account.

Then what is this cook doing outside the palace?

I'm out to do great things!

I'm here to deliver some things to the daughter of my ladyship

the wife of Marquess of Guannei, Shen Jia.

Thank you, my Lady.

You... Why are all of you suddenly so overly polite to me?

These are the cakes that Uncle Yi brought here.

Have them while you chat.

I'll definitely have more since Your Ladyship served them to us.

Do you think that she's just here to bring us delicacies?

She is here to bring her care and concern to her husband!

Uncle Yi is teasing me again?

I'm not teasing you.

I'm praising you!

I'm praising you for doing a good job as the wife of the marquess!

My Lady, could you warm up some more good wine for us?

Sure, you can chat first.

Wei Qing, you're too uptight.

We're not strangers.

We won't mind if you're a bit more intimate with each other.

- Uncle Yi, I... - Let's get back to our topic.

All right, how can this old, but slightly witty, cook help you?

I had originally wanted to make use of these eight rivers of Chang An

and draw water from them to relieve the drought.

But didn't you say that it might be too time-consuming?

Moreover, these eight rivers are only enough to supply their own regions.

If we draw water from them, it might affect the lives

of the people in those regions.

Although the officials of water conservation are discussing this idea

they have been debating for a long time without coming to any conclusion.

Water induction engineering work takes a lot of time.

Aid has to come now.

It seems that we will have to come up with another plan.

Uncle Yi, can you spot any signs of rainfall that could relieve the drought?

The waxing and waning of the moon brings the rise and fall of the tides.

The rising and sinking of constellations also influences the weather.

It is difficult to make out the influential factors in a short time.

Drought is upon us right after the Empress was crowned.

Rumors are widely spread in Chang An City.

I'm afraid that they will be spread even more widely in the future.

This would be unfavorable to the Empress.

The people are easily influenced.

Should the drought continue

the rumor of the jinx will only be more widespread.

Speaking of the auspiciousness of celestial signs

I do have one idea that we can try.

In 'The Book of Changes', it states that mountains connect to energies.

Therefore, mountain folk thought of ways to find water resources.

They dug holes in the mountain areas and put in burning mugwort plant.

Then they cover it up and observe the surroundings.

If the smoke comes out from other spots

then those can be dug into wells and used as water resources.

This does sound like a feasible solution.

How are the results?

Although I've used this solution in the south

no water resources have been found as of yet.

We are now trying in the villages to the north.

Your Majesty!

It is reported that King Liu An has already entered the capital.

How audacious!

I didn't allow him to enter and yet he dared to disobey my imperial decree!

Did he bring any troops?

According to the soldiers' report, he rode in on a donkey.

The cart carried two buckets of water.

He's only brought a few of his personal guards.

He said that he's going to Zhang Village to plead for rain for the local people.

I've also once looked for water resources in Zhang Village.

The wells were all dried up and the farmlands have withered.

There is no water there at all.

His actions are suspicious.

I'm afraid that he's using the drought to stir up trouble.

He is up to something else.

- Duan Hong. - Present.

Take some men with you to invite King of Huainan over to see me.

If he comes with you willingly, treat him with politeness.

If he dares to resist and causes disturbances among the people

kill him on the spot for entering the capital without permission!

Yes!

I beg the gods to take pity on us!

King of Huainan, Liu An, is willing to use the waters of Huainan

to save the people of Chang An!

I beg the gods to take pity on us!

I, King of Huainan, Liu An

am willing to use the waters of Huainan

to save the people of Chang An!

Please save us.

- Yes. - Yes.

- I beg the gods for water! - We beg the gods for water!

Please save us.

Prefect of the Gentlemen-of-the-Palace Duan Hong greets King of Huainan.

Greetings to Master Duan.

I am here on His Majesty's orders

to invite you to the palace to see His Majesty.

I haven't met with His Majesty in a very long time.

Since I've come to the capital

I'm sure to seek audience with His Majesty.

King of Huainan, this way, please.

Master Duan, could you wait for a moment?

I've just pleaded with the gods for water to relieve the people here.

I only ask to wait for a moment to await the answer of the gods

and then I'll come with you to the palace.

To be honest with you

I've brought my men here once to look for water resources in this area.

This well is already dried up and won't be wet again.

- I ask that you don't stall... - Water is flowing out!

- Come with me... - Water is flowing out!

- There really is water! - Water is flowing out!

- There really is water! - Thank you, King of Huainan!

- Thank you, King of Huainan! - It's so sweet!

Sir, there really is water.

- It's so sweet! - The gods are watching!

Thank you, gods!

Gods! Thank you for saving my people of Great Han!

Thank you, gods!

- Thank you, King of Huainan! - Thank you, King of Huainan!

This is great! We finally have water!

- He really is our savior! - Thank you!

Why have they gone to Changxin Palace?

King of Huainan and Master Duan's men

just entered the palace and were taken right away to see Empress Dowager.

- She said... - What did she say?

Empress Dowager said that King of Huainan is your uncle.

He is also known for his virtue.

Now that he is in the capital, he should be treated as family.

If he sought audience according to the regulations

I would welcome him with the right etiquette.

But he barged into the capital without my permission.

It is totally justified for me to kill him!

Your Majesty, Empress Dowager is kindhearted and generous.

I'm afraid she wouldn't like you to punish him so rashly.

Mother treats him with the etiquette as she would with family.

As the younger generation, I should greet King of Huainan.

Why don't I come along with Your Majesty?

The Emperor and Empress arrive!

Greetings to Your Majesty.

Greetings to Empress.

- Warm blessings to Mother. - Warm blessings to Mother.

You may all rise.

- Thank you, Mother. - Thank you, Mother.

Sister-in-law now has an elegant and dignified daughter-in-law.

Congratulations!

I haven't thanked you for your generous gift.

Items for the nourishment of health are very useful.

I am grateful.

Those are but small gifts. They aren't worth mentioning.

Uncle has always been modest and respectful.

Why has Uncle defied the imperial decree

even after I have ordered you to stay in your territories?

Have you forgotten that feudal kings aren't to enter the capital at will?

I know that I've done wrong.

How would I dare to defy Your Majesty's orders?

It's just that I've heard about the serious drought here in the capital

so I plucked up my courage to come here.

I didn't bring any of my soldiers.

All I had were a few servants as my escorts.

I only hope to pray for the people and beg the gods for water.

Your uncle might have violated the law

but he is here for the sake of pleading for water for the people.

Your Majesty, please be lenient.

Your Majesty puts the people first.

If Uncle is here for the people, and you punish him...

For the sake of Uncle's benevolence, I will spare you from punishment.

Get up now.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

- Duan Hong! - Present!

Prepare a horse carriage.

Arrange our men to escort King of Huainan

out of the capital to Huainan tomorrow.

Yes!

Your Majesty, I am here in the capital for another matter as well.

If this matter is not resolved

I'm afraid that I cannot obey your orders to leave the capital.

I hope that Your Majesty will give me your permission to do so.

What else are you here for?

Sister-in-law, this drought happened due to the jinx in the palace.

As an elderly relative of the Liu family

I have to do my best to rid the imperial family of disasters

to protect the people and the nation.

King of Huainan dares to bring up such a fictitious theory.

Theories of auspicion and inauspicious are used by people to seek comfort.

Judging by the reputation of King of Huainan

why would you stoop to the same level as ignorant folks?

Since people are in need of comfort

why don't we take actions to comfort the minds of the people?

I beg Your Majesty to hold the ritual to plead for rainfall.

We have already had the ritual for rainfall.

It is reasonable to set up a public ritual to ease the minds of the people.

Thank you, Empress Dowager.

But before and after we hold the ritual for rainfall...

I ask that the Empress leave the palace for a short while

in order to answer to gods' will.

Empress is the head of the harem.

How could she leave the palace so rashly?

Don't assume that because Empress Dowager and I chose not to punish you

means that you can overstep authority!

King of Huainan has offended his superiors again and again.

His sins cannot be pardoned!

Your Majesty, I've been observing the constellations at night.

I was shocked to see the appearance of a new star!

Soon after that, drought struck.

That was when I knew that the new empress was crowned.

Goddess of Drought has jinxed the people with the power of the imperial family.

Uncle is implying that I am the Goddess of Drought?

How ridiculous!

There are numerous stars in the skies.

Dead stars fall and new stars appear. This is all natural.

Empress is kindhearted and virtuous.

The people all know about that.

King of Huainan's accusation is a slander to confuse the people!

If you truly are being careful with your words

how could Empress be a jinx?

What I say was told to me in my dreams by the god Tai Yi. (god of sun)

I am just telling the truth.

How audacious of you!

An ordinary person couldn't have pleaded for water in a dried well.

It might not all be lies that King of Huainan is telling.

We'd rather believe in it than not.

Why don't you let King of Huainan give it a try?

Then we shall know if what he said is true.

I beg Your Majesty to allow me to give it a try for the sake of the people.

Although this is the first time that I've met Uncle

I've already heard about how respectable King of Huainan is.

But what you've just said is indeed ridiculous.

If I am the Goddess of Drought

with the wisdom of His Majesty and Empress Dowager

how could they not have known?

Empress has always been well-composed and treated others with kindness.

I'm afraid that this jinx theory that King of Huainan said is but nonsense.

With the presence of the Emperor and Empress

our imperial bloodline of Great Han exists.

Should anything happen to the Empress

it is sure to impact to the nation.

Your Highness, since you care about the people and you're kindhearted

why would you be reluctant to leave the palace

to save the people from suffering?

It is because I am the Empress

and my every move sets an example for all.

Moreover, I must not lead the people to superstition.

It is not difficult for me to leave the palace.

What is difficult is that this gesture will mislead the people

to believe in the superstition of gods and evil spirits.

Once that is done, it will be difficult to correct it.

What Empress just said are my sentiments exactly.

But it is of our customs to respect and pray to the gods and ancestors.

It allows the people to have something to rely on for comfort.

Your Majesty and Empress' affection is deep.

I have witnessed that.

But because of this affection, you fear damage to Empress' reputation

and therefore overlook the interests of the people.

I'm afraid you've let the nation down.

Rituals might comfort the minds of the people

but they cannot summon rain and wind at will.

Holding it or not has nothing to do with the interests of the people and nation.

I am willing to guarantee with my own life

that should my plea for rain be fruitless

I will leave my life in your hands.

Uncle has already made such a solemn oath.

If the Empress is still unwilling to leave the palace

the theory of the jinx will then be proven as true.

Your Majesty, if you should hesitate

I am willing to kneel here until you make up your mind.

There is no need for you to kneel, Uncle.

I'm willing to leave the palace to assist you in pleading for rainfall.

Since King of Huainan means well for the people with all his heart

and even pledges with his own life

I will not hide in the palace and ignore the needs of my people.

I am willing to put my reputation at stake.

Qiao Qiao, I'll leave you to take care of the prince.

Regular meals must be fed at the fixed times with the fixed amount.

It is cold early in the morning and late at night.

Remember to dress him up warm and add another blanket on.

Yes.

You must also pay attention to the studies of the three princesses.

They must also diligently practice their needlework.

Shi Yi seems to be coughing these days.

You can give her some herbal brew.

If she doesn't get any better, then summon the imperial physician.

Yes.

Since Empress is so worried about the prince and princesses

why did you agree to leave the palace?

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

Don't stand on ceremony.

You are all dismissed.

Yes.

If you hadn't agreed to it

I'd never allow Liu An to do as he wishes.

Your Majesty, if I insisted on staying in the palace

should the drought persist, wouldn't I really become a jinx?

If I leave the palace

but there is no rain when King of Huainan pleads for it

his lies will then be exposed.

The people can then know the truth and no longer be confused.

But what if he really can summon the wind and rain?

Has Your Majesty wavered because he pledged with his life?

He is so persistent.

It seems that he really does have the confidence.

If that is so, then thousands of people will be saved.

It doesn't matter if I am to be labeled as a jinx.

After all, the people come first.

No matter what happens you only need to remember

that I am like the gods to you.

I will protect you.

I believe in Your Majesty's protection, so I've never been worried.

This time that I'm leaving the palace is just like a trip to visit friends.

I can visit Pingyang Manor where I used to live

and catch up on news with my old friends.

Today, when my sister spoke

I felt that there were some underlying tones in her words.

Are there any misunderstandings between the both of you?

Princess Pingyang has always been extremely intelligent and kindhearted.

Even if there is any misunderstanding, we can meet on this trip to squash it.

Zi Fu has a pure heart and spirit.

You always help me out with both family and national affairs.

I just hope that you can break King of Huainan's rumor of the jinx

and patch things up with my sister.

I hope all goes as I wish.

- Greetings to Empress! - Greetings to Empress!

Greetings to Empress!

Sister, please rise.

You may all rise.

Thank you, Your Highness!

Empress is of great nobility, I'm not fit to be addressed as your sister.

I think that it is more appropriate for you to address me by my title.

Empress is here to visit so I've tidied up the chamber for you.

Therefore, I didn't make it in time to greet you at the gate.

Please forgive me.

You're too polite, Sister.

I only wish to revisit my old haunts on this trip outside the palace

and renew some old friendships.

I hope to stay up talking to you all night by the fire.

Your Highness is teasing me. How am I worthy of that?

Moreover, my tiny Pingyang Manor isn't worthy of the Empress' visit.

If it hadn't been for King of Huainan's rumor of the jinx

why would the Empress condescend to visit my place?

Princess Pingyang has overstated.

Empress was originally from Pingyang Manor.

Why would she feel that she has condescended?

May I ask where the Empress' quarters are situated?

I will take the servants there to organize the luggage.

- Housekeeper Chang. - Yes.

Master Duan, this way please.

You are all dismissed as well.

Those who are in charge of preparing food or performances

should all get it done well.

Yes!

I still remember that day when Han Yan stood arrogant and tall.

He acted violently and injured Wei Qing.

He was even going to take us away.

If you haven't intervened in time

and stopped Han Yan with the screen bestowed by Grand Emperor

to get him to back off

how could I be of such an honorable status now?

Such trivial matters that happened years ago aren't worth mentioning.

Your Highness does not need to keep that on your mind either.

Sister's acts of protection are always on my mind.

The grandeur of Princess' attitude when facing an influential official

and dismissing him with but a few words is most impressive.

Sadly, I have failed to judge well and observe people correctly.

I have not lived up to Your Highness' flattery.

I don't understand the meaning of your words.

I only remember that under the tree in the courtyard

I promised to remember the person who planted the seeds.

Is that so?

Your Highness only said so because you didn't expect to make it to the top.

But now that you are the Empress

nothing is more important than your status and reputation.

Be it the friendship of the seed planter or the savior or the protector.

If someone had cared a bit about our past friendship

I wouldn't still be in Pingyang Manor now.

Sister, you must have misunderstood me.

Now that we can use this opportunity to talk in depth

we should resolve our misunderstanding.

There is no need for that.

I plan to leave right away to take care of Xiang Er in Pingyang County.

Therefore, forgive me for not being able to keep you company.

It is already quite late now.

Why don't you leave tomorrow instead?

I believe that Your Highness knows well what it is to miss one's child.

If Your Highness finds my manor quiet and boring

you could invite your bosom friend

who is now your sister-in-law Shen Jia to keep you company.

You could have her by your side.

- Sister... - Si He.

Come with me to pack and get the horses ready for the journey.

Yes.

Just like this peach blossom tree, I only planted the seeds.

It is up to you if the flowers can bloom.

I understand.

Remember the one who planted the seeds when the flowers bloom and fruits grow.

Your Highness has always taken great care of us for all these years.

We will both definitely keep that in mind.

Your Highness is upset about the Princess' animosity?

Wei Qing married for love.

But it seems that Princess didn't understand what it meant.

She only thinks that he married for the sake of kinship.

Therefore, she takes it out on you.

My brother married for love...

It seems that you know more about this matter than I do.

It is only because Wei Qing confessed his feelings after getting drunk

that I learned about it.

Now that Wei Qing has married another

the rumor of the Princess planning treason is now broken.

That was what Wei Qing set out to do and he did in the end.

Unfortunately, he suffered for it, and so did Princess Pingyang.

Since Your Highness understands the suffering of the Princess

don't be bothered by her animosity.

I believe that she will eventually come to understand.

Why would I take it to heart?

I just feel guilty that I couldn't do anything to help them.

Only those who are in love can understand the bitterness and happiness

of their relationship in order to help themselves

resolve such matters of the heart.

How could you help them?

I hope that they can break it off completely and start anew.

Duan Hong, look.

The Weaver's star.

The Cowherd's star.

The Deneb's star.

These three stars are shining above at the same time.

According to the legend

the Weaver and the Cowherd were separated by the Milky Way.

They only get to meet up when the magpies form a bridge for them.

This magpie bridge is that Deneb star right next to the Weaver's star.

But I felt that the Weaver star is but wandering on its own

and the three stars aren't connected.

The Weaver star is on its own...

Three stars aren't connected...

I hope that all stars can be paired up

so that they can be released from any intertwined struggles.

- These words... - Uncle Duan taught us these

when he taught us how to identify the stars.

Have my words about the three stars made you think of your father?

How could I not miss him?

It's been years since I last saw him.

I don't know if he's dead or alive.

His Majesty has sent his men in search of him.

I believe that your filial affection will move the gods.

You will definitely reunite with your father.

I also hope that the gods grant me a chance to serve my father.

Duan Hong, when you meet him again

what do you think Uncle Duan will ask you?

He will ask me about my mother first.

Then he will ask me if I am married.

Duan Hong, when you reunite with Uncle Duan

if he sees that you're married and you already have children

he will be very comforted.

In order to make your father happy, you have to work harder now.

Please don't worry, my sister. I will do my best.

But now I'm more concerned about breaking the rumor of the jinx

to uphold justice for you.

We must not let those villains who made use of this disaster escape free.

And I wish all the more for rainfall to ease the sufferings of the people.

The gods will not let you down for your concern of the people.

Uncle Yi, what are you looking at?

The clouds are swirling and moving with the winds.

It is about to rain soon.

It is a sunny morning.

It seems to be a sunny day, Uncle Yi.

Look at these ants.

They have already deserted their colony to move away.

Since yesterday, my scabs have been itching.

It has always been so before a heavy rain.

I am even more certain this morning after I got up to have a look.

You mean that the drought can be relieved?

My sister won't be slandered as the jinx by King of Huainan?

That's not right. My sister has already left the palace.

Rain falls after the Empress has left the palace.

Doesn't it prove that the Empress is the jinx?

I have been too careless.

I've only just discovered these signs.

In less than four hours, the ritual for rainfall will be held.

The signs of rainfall have already appeared.

No wonder that King of Huainan dared to pledge with his life.

This man put so much effort into this, but claims that he has no conspiracy.

It is too hard to believe in him.

Uncle Yi, what are we to do under such circumstances?

May the gods take pity on us!

God of sun, Tai Yi, take pity on us.

King of Huainan, Liu An, sets up a ritual to plead for rainfall.

I beg the gods of mountains and rivers to bestow upon us rainfall

to save the people of Great Han!

King of Huainan is a kind man.

Exactly.

Thank you, King of Huainan.

What people of Great Han?

He's really seeing himself as the Emperor?

He didn't even mention that His Majesty permitted him to hold the ritual.

May the gods bless that Zi Fu overcome this obstacle safely.

Thank you, King of Huainan.

Thank you, King of Huainan.

King of Huainan is a kind man.

Dig tunnels?

Pour water into a dried well?

Drought is raging.

As long as you look for a deserted dried well in the south of the capital

and dig a tunnel from underneath it

when I get to the capital to put up an act of sorcery

you will get your men to pour water into the tunnel.

Then the miracle of King of Huainan will be known to all.

You will be respected by all and your virtue will surpass that of the Emperor.

Once I win over the people when I rebel

against the Emperor and march into the capital with my army

your Jiao Er will be freed.

As long as my Jiao Er can be freed from that cage

I am willing to give it my all to serve you, my brother.

You are wealthy in Chang An and you have a network of friends.

Gather up more people to cheer me on to make me look more impressive.

Sure.

God of sun, Tai Yi, take pity on us!

Bestow rainfall upon us!

Bless the people with rain!

Bestow rainfall upon us! Bless the people with rain!

Bestow rainfall upon us! Bless the people with rain!

May the gods take pity on us.

Relieve the people from sufferings!

Relieve the people from sufferings!

Relieve the people from sufferings and rid us of the Goddess of Drought!

Relieve the people from sufferings and rid us of the Goddess of Drought!

Ants left their colonies and insects scurry away in haste.

The directions of the wind keep changing. These are all signs of heavy rainfall.

Why would King of Huainan need to put on a show here?

Is it because you pretend to plead for rainfall

to make yourself godly to deceive the people?

You are Marquess of Guannei, General Wei?

Exactly.

You're the Empress' younger brother?

So what if I am?

You are of the same bloodline as the Empress.

You also carry the inauspiciousness of the Goddess of Drought.

Now that you've come onto the platform

I'm afraid that you'll hinder the ritual of the rainfall

and cause this ritual to fail.

Please leave the platform right away so as not to offend the gods.

General Wei, get off the platform!

General Wei, get off the platform! Don't offend the gods!

General Wei, get off the platform!

Don't offend the gods!

How audacious!

King of Huainan first slanders the Empress

and then humiliates the general who fought to protect Great Han.

You've treated me like some ignorant child.

Do you expect to manipulate me?

What exactly is your intention?

Your Majesty, please look around.

I only came here to plead for rain on behalf of the people.

Empress left the palace upon the will of Tai Yi in order to plead for rain.

At this critical moment

I hope that Your Majesty can put the interests of the people first

and order the man who is tainted by inauspiciousness to leave!

Let the ritual for rainfall continue

and we may pray to the gods to plead for rain!

I beg Your Majesty for the sake of the people!

King of Huainan is a kind man.

He loves the people like his children.

General Wei, get off the platform!

Your Majesty, please get General Wei to step down from the platform!

Your Majesty, have pity on us!

Get General Wei to step down from the platform!

Brother, didn't you say that after putting on your show

you'd return to Huainan to prepare for your great plans?

You're now holding a ritual to plead for rainfall

but if it should stir up any trouble, wouldn't it become a hindrance?

Ants are moving and the crows cawed late.

Wind and rain are sure to come.

When I first entered Chang An, I noticed those signs.

The gods are in my favor.

How could I not make good use of that?

The Empress is now jinxed as the Goddess of Drought

and she is favored by a fatuous emperor.

I can win over the hearts of the people in this battle of good versus evil

as the godly wise man.

Your Majesty, have pity on us!

Your Majesty, have pity on us!

I beg Your Majesty to understand the sufferings of the people.

May the well-being of the people be taken into account!

The well-being of the people is not decided on a ritual for rainfall.

King of Huainan incites the people and

deliberately mystifies a common phenomenon.

Are you not to be suspected of winning fame for yourself?

I beg Your Majesty to uphold justice.

Besides the welfare of the people, I have no other intentions.

I beg Your Majesty not to hinder the plea for rainfall

because of the affection you have for your wife.

Why is there a need to plead for rain?

The gods have already taken pity on us

- and the rain will soon be upon us. - What is this man doing? Who is he?

Stop right there!

I'd like to hear what a civilian has to say.

Allow him to step onto the platform.

- Yes. - Thank you, Your Majesty.

He's gone insane.

How can this sacred platform be demeaned and the gods offended?

Obstructing the plea for rainfall will bring suffering to the people.

It is a deadly sin!

I am but a cook.

Am I not one of those people that you claim to protect?

With King of Huainan's great virtue, why would you have me killed

for asking a few questions?

Well said!

I allow you to ask him questions.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

I look up to King of Huainan for your great knowledge of books.

Have you heard of 'Gan and Shi's Celestial Book'?

It says that all constellations are drawn by gravity

that causes the rivers to flow.

It can cause droughts and floods. These are all signs of nature.

It has nothing to do with the power of gods.

Constellations do influence the climate.

But the changes in the palace will cause constellations to move.

I have another book in my hands.

It says here that on the first moon of spring in the year of Yin

there are floods early in the year and droughts later.

In the year of Chen there are droughts earlier in the year and floods come later.

Light famine.

A year of bad harvest.

Light famine from war.

The year of Wu is one of severe drought.

May I be so bold as to ask King of Huainan who wrote this book?

This was written by King of Huainan.

It is the chapter of 'Patterns of Heaven'

in the book of 'Philosophers of Huainan.'

According to what King of Huainan wrote in his own book

floods and droughts happen throughout the years

all following the cycle of the nature.

It has nothing to do with jinx or the gods.

But now King of Huainan keeps on insisting that

the Empress is possessed by the Goddess of Drought.

You're superstitious but also knowledgeable about celestial patterns.

Isn't this paradoxical?

There are changes in everything.

This drought is not within the pattern of nature.

Since the Empress left the palace, signs of rainfall keep appearing.

It is evident that the Empress is related to the drought.

It is enough to prove that in the Empress' absence

the wind and rain would come.

The Empress arrives!

Happiness and peace to the Empress!

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