Original subtitles

You shot me. You have to die.

If someone had to die to save everyone here, please kill me, sir.

Brave and devoted. You're a real man.

Ever since I've come to China, I've seen so many selfish cowards.

If all Chinese people were like you, China wouldn't be in such a state.

I gave you my word. I will keep it. You guys are free to go.

Take all movable items and burn the rest.

I can't believe our books have either

been taken or burned by the Japanese thugs.

I'm so mad.

Thanks to Dr To for reacting fast enough

and hiding most of the only surviving copies of the medical classics.

Thanks to him too for saving the Japanese colonel so we could live. Otherwise...

I beg to differ. Just now he played hero with our lives.

We're lucky the Japanese colonel kept his promise.

Otherwise we would have all died with you.

Besides, the Japanese thugs came to loot our country.

They deserve the die. Yet you saved that bad guy.

How are you different from a traitor?

If you're so righteous.

Why didn't you stand up and argue with the Japanese thugs just now?

Knock it off. Let bygones be bygones.

Go home and tell your family that you're safe.

Those guys didn't speak a word just now. Now they have so much to say.

I really can't stand them.

This is your fault.

You came for no reason at all and caused such trouble.

What? We agreed to meet at North Main Gate at noon.

You didn't show up. I was worried. So I went there.

Anyway, thanks for saving my life again.

You don't need to thank me. I did it for everyone there.

If Yam Sik-kan had been in trouble, I would...

You would have risked your life to save him too, right?

I'm not as selfless as you say.

Otherwise I wouldn't have let Consort Zhen go missing.

This is my fault.

We must figure out a way to get into the palace and find her.

The sun is setting soon. We shouldn't go to the palace now.

Let's think about what to do tomorrow.

But...

But what? Aren't you hungry after running around all day?

We just cheated death.

Let me cook a meal for you tonight to return your favor.

You don't need to return my favor.

What do you mean I don't? Don't be a sissy. Stop arguing.

If we don't go buy food now,

we'll really need someone to save us from hunger tonight.

Leung Tsai Tsan Clinic.

Pak-hop, I can't find a carriage to leave the capital.

It's quieter outside today. I'll go out and see how things are.

See if I can find a boat to leave.

You and Lin-chi stay here. Wait for me to come back. Don't go out, OK?

OK, Dad. Lin-chi.

Don't worry, sir. I will take good care of Mrs. To.

You must be careful.

OK. Come with me.

Mrs. To, shall I help you inside to rest?

No. When Dad has gone later, go home with me.

What? You heard what he said.

It's really chaotic out there. It's dangerous to go out now.

I don't care.

Wai-Shan must be really worried when he

didn't see us when he went home last night.

I must go home and see him.

Maybe he's in the Imperial Hospital and didn't go home.

If we go home now, we might not see him.

If you're scared, I'll go home myself.

How could I let you do that?

Since you insist on going home, I'll go with you.

To's Mansion.

At first I wanted to cook you something nice.

But a lot of shops are closed. I couldn't buy anything nice except for this.

OK. It's fine as long as I'm full.

Actually this meal isn't that bad.

It's much better than what I ate in Guangzhou.

I guess your life in Guangzhou wasn't easy.

It was OK. People in Guangzhou have a saying

"Get off the horse and walk when it's dead".

Cantonese is really evocative.

Right. Some are even better.

Have you ever heard the phrase, "a gigantic toad leaping on the street"?

I've never heard nor seen that before.

There's another phrase, "fooling a ghost into eating tofu".

How?

Don't fool me into eating chili sauce just because I'm a kid.

Come on.

Just this?

Are you eating or not?

OK. But eating yam is like eating you.

Right.

Put it in.

OK.

Wai-Shan.

Miss Ling?

Pak-hop.

Wai-Shan, you're really home?

Yes. Didn't you go to your hometown Changping with your dad?

That was our plan. But there's chaos everywhere. Dad couldn't find a carriage.

So we went to Leung Tsai Tsan Clinic.

Master Tsan had asked us to stay there.

But Mrs. To missed you. So she insisted on coming home.

So why are you here, Miss Ling?

Well...

It's because... You explain.

It's a long story.

Today in the Imperial Hospital... Dr To, it's better if you explain.

Since you're home, Pak-hop, I'll leave.

Wai-Shan, it's so late. You're still up?

I'm jotting down the palace's recent medical cases

It's late. Why haven't you gone to sleep yet?

I have something I want to tell you. But you must promise not to be mad at me.

What is it?

Today, on my way home, I ran into some Boxers.

What? That's so dangerous. Why didn't you tell me? Were you OK?

I was lucky someone rescued me.

Stop it.

You want to play hero?

You Boxers are thugs.

The guy's from Chuen Yan Clinic.

Really?

You should remember Chuen Yan Clinic.

Why?

Chuen Yan Clinic is run by the family of that Miss Fuk

who almost became your concubine.

Spiritual tablet of the Fuk ancestors.

So?

It's such a coincidence. So how is that Miss Fuk doing now?

It's been years. How would we know what's happened to her?

It's late. I'm going to wash my face. Then we should go to sleep.

OK... Hey, did you sleep here last night?

Oh, yes. I was reading till very late. So I slept here.

The foreigners have agreed not to loot the harem chamber.

They will only station their troops at the gates outside the Forbidden City

in case the Boxers make trouble.

We owe our thanks to Noble Consort Yu

for making a quick decision to order everyone to remain in their posts

so that the harem chamber is now safe.

I was just carrying out the Empress Dowager's order

and did my best to safeguard the peace of the harem chamber.

As for the administration,

I had the support of Prince Chun and all the officials here.

Your Highness, the foreigners have taken

the initiative to set out the terms of a peace settlement.

We just need to promise to severely punish the culprit behind the Boxer's Uprising

and pay the allies damages in the sum of 400 million taels,

then they'll withdraw their troops.

400 million taels is no small sum.

The allies are so greedy.

I'm inexperienced. I just learned from the Premier.

When the Premier signed the Treaty of Shimonoseki on Qing's behalf.

The damages paid to Japan alone already amounted to 200 million taels.

The eight-nation alliance is asking for just double that sum now.

How can we say it's too much?

If the problem can be solved by paying damages, then it's not a problem.

But I was told that Germany wants Qing to send a member of the royal family there

to apologize to them for the murder of their consul.

Don't worry, Your Highness.

I will go to Germany on Qing's behalf to apologize to them.

Prince Chun, this is too much of a humiliation for Qing.

The Premier is of course much more experienced than me

in bowing and bending his knees to foreigners.

I have much to learn from you.

The premier is overly worried about national affairs.

That's why you're sick now. Why don't you go home and get some rest?

I'm fine. Thank you for your concern.

Any comment on Prince Chun's suggestion?

It's imperative that the foreigners withdraw their troops

so that Empress Dowager and His Majesty can

return to the capital as soon as possible.

I agree. But this is a major decision.

It must be decided by Empress Dowager and His Majesty.

Prince Chun, you will be fully in charge of this.

I will do my best. I won't let you down.

Your Highness... Stop it please. There'll be trouble if someone sees this.

Why worry? I've given the order that

no one may enter Renshou Hall without being summoned.

Just now we were talking about the administration.

Now it's time...

I have a meeting with the various consuls.

What's the matter? Spend some time with me please.

I'll be content if you spend just a little time with me.

Have you forgotten what I said?

I know. We must prioritize. But I really miss you so much.

Remember,

If I do a good job while Empress Dowager is hunting in the west,

I'll be able to climb all the way up. Then we can do whatever we like.

But...

Be patient or we'll screw up. For our future, you must be patient.

Prince Chun, Miss Deling wants to see you.

Come in.

Thank you... George.

Deling.

So what do you need me to do today?

I need you to translate the documents

that I'll need later for the meeting with the various consuls.

You guys have held so many meetings already.

How many more do you need before you can reach a settlement agreement?

Soon. Once there's an agreement, I'll be able to keep you company every day.

Most important of all, I can be with the person I love.

I can take care of work and personal life at the same time. Isn't that great?

To's Mansion.

At the time, there were so many Japanese soldiers outside Chaoyang Gate.

The garrison in the city kept fighting. They fought from dawn till night.

No back up came.

In the end the Japanese soldiers took down Chaoyang Gate around 11pm.

They killed every Boxer they saw or captured. It was so scary.

You're so bold. You weren't afraid of seeing people killed?

I stayed in my room all night and locked the door.

I didn't even go out to the bathroom.

What I said just now was the story told by the neighbors afterwards.

I was so scared the whole night. I felt so uneasy.

I wanted to ask Wai-Shan to prescribe some tranquilizing tea for me.

But he's not home.

He went to the Imperial Hospital early this morning because he's on duty today.

On duty in the Imperial Hospital?

Didn't Empress Dowager, His Majesty, the Queen and consorts all leave the palace?

They went to Xian.

You had better tell Wai-Shan not to go to the palace.

If something bad happens to him, there won't be any offspring for the Tos.

I'm really useless.

This is the fault of the concubine who eloped back then.

Wai-Shan is now afraid of getting a concubine.

Pak-hop, Miss Fuk's been steaming and massaging your legs for you.

Have your legs gotten better?

Miss Fuk? Do you mean Miss Ling?

Yes. I'm old. I'm forgetful. Pok-hop, don't take what I said to heart.

Just pretend you didn't hear anything, OK?

We're lucky the shops in the market are open today.

Otherwise I wouldn't know where to buy food.

I can't believe order's already restored

since the foreigners came into the capital.

Chuen Yan Clinic.

Aunt Chu, Madam Kot, are you two done buying food?

Yes.

I bought a fish. I'll cook it for you later.

No, thanks. Something urgent came up. I need to hurry to the Imperial Hospital.

Bye.

Ling.

Why are you leaving in such a hurry? Why don't you finish lunch first?

No. How about this?

Save the fish and cook it tonight when I'm home. Bye.

The consorts and ladies in the palace have left.

Why does she have to hurry to the palace?

I bet she's going there to meet that guy To Chung.

They've gotten back together in the end, after so many twists and turns.

She shouldn't have broken the engagement and eloped back then.

Miss Fuk, Ling, breaking the engagement, elopement?

Butler, where's Miss Deling?

I told you to ask her to wait for me in the study.

Just now Noble Consort Yu sent someone

here to summon Miss Deling to Summer Palace.

She said she wanted to discuss something important with her.

Where's Deling?

You suddenly summoned her to the palace. What's your intention?

I heard that you had made friends with a smart and beautiful girl recently.

I was curious. So I summoned her to the palace to get to know her.

Cut the crap. Where are you hiding Deling?

Seeing is believing. Miss Deling is really beautiful.

No wonder you're bedazzled. You've even forgotten me.

You're the late emperor's consort. There's no future for us.

I have to get married sooner or later.

I knew that long ago. But I don't like being betrayed.

Besides, I won't let anyone get what I can't have.

What's the point of doing that?

Zaifeng, don't forget that

you got the status you have today because I praised you in front of Empress Dowager.

Let me remind you, I built you up, but I can also ruin you.

You really want us both to get hurt?

Hurt? Have you forgotten your good friend?

I'm warning you. If you hurt Deling, I won't spare you.

Aren't you afraid that your Miss Deling will hear what you said?

Your Highness, I've translated the documents for your perusal.

That won't be necessary. I trust you.

Deling, you're so clever and pretty. Is there someone you love?

If not, I can be your go-between.

Thank you for your kind offer. I have someone I love already.

He must be a talent to win your favor. Don't you agree, Prince Chun?

Dr To of the Imperial Hospital would like to see Your Highness.

Ever since Prince Chun returned from Summer Palace,

he's been drinking here. He's drunk a lot.

What does it matter to you if I drink? Get out.

Yes, sir.

Your Highness, are you OK?

Don't worry. It's just a couple of glasses. I'm not drunk.

You came so suddenly. What is it?

You mean Consort Zhen is still missing?

I've failed His Majesty.

I failed to deliver Consort Zhen from danger

before the allied troops got into the palace.

She's still missing.

She's been missing for a long time. I'm afraid she's dead.

I know the chance is slim. But I don't want to give up.

I hope Your Highness can help

by sending your guards to look around for her.

Don't worry. I will do everything I can.

Much obliged.

Sorry for coming late.

It's fine.

Thank you.

Why did you ask me out? What is it?

I asked you out.

Didn't you leave a note in my study asking me to come out?

What? Didn't you tell Lin-chi to deliver a letter to Chuen Yan Clinic

asking me to meet you here?

Why would I ask Lin-chi to go to Chuen Yan Clinic?

That's right. I told Lin-chi to ask you two to come here.

Pak-hop.

Wai-Shan, so you've known Miss Fuk's real identity for a while.

No, Pak-hop. Please listen to me.

What is there to talk about? I can't believe you would lie to me

though we've been husband and wife for so long.

Not just you but also Aunt Ping and even everyone in the Fuks

know of your relationship.

I'm the only one who didn't know Wai-Shan, why are you so cruel?

How long were you going to keep this from me? For the rest of my life?

Pak-hop, you mustn't get the wrong idea.

He did that because he didn't want you to get the wrong idea.

Wrong idea?

If you two were decent and proper, would I get any wrong ideas?

My relationship with Fuk Ling isn't what you imagine.

When the allied troops

entered the city and fought ferociously with the Boxers, do you know

what I was thinking back then?

When Dad was looking around for a carriage to leave the city,

do you know what I was thinking?

I was only thinking of you.

I didn't know where you were, what you were doing, or whether you were in danger.

Do you know how scared I was? I was afraid I'd never see you again.

I risked my life and went home to see you.

I really didn't expect to see you two

sitting there chatting and laughing together

No, Pak-hop. Please let me explain.

Actually To Chung had saved my life in the Imperial Hospital that day.

I just cooked him a nice meal to return his favor.

I know you wanted to return his favor.

That's why you slept over in my home. You even slept in Wai-shan's study.

How did you know?

So the lipstick mark I saw on the blanket is really yours?

Yes, I did sleep in your study that night.

That's because it was too chaotic outside. I couldn't go back to Chuen Yan Clinic.

So I stayed there.

I slept in my own bedroom that night. We really didn't do anything.

If there's nothing between you two, why have you been lying to me all along?

One is the closest person to me and the other is my best friend.

Why did you both betray me together?

Pak-hop, I'm sorry. This is my fault. I lied to you all along.

But please believe me.

I've never cheated on you. I've never betrayed you.

I know nothing I do will make you forgive me.

But I swear to God that Fuk Ling and I really haven't done anything.

Pak-hop, I swear to God too that To Chung and I are clean.

We weren't in love before. We aren't now. We will never be in the future or else...

I will die horrendously.

Wai-Shan, why did you curse yourself like this?

How can I live without you?

As long as you don't leave me, I can pretend nothing's happened.

Don't worry. I will never leave you.

Wai-Shan.

To Chung and I are clean.

We weren't in love before. We aren't now. We will never be in the future.

I know you're decent. But I'm devoted to my husband.

I must return the pearls to you. I wish we had met before I was married.

Fate plays tricks.

Guangxu Year 27 March,

Qing government sent Prince Chun Zaifeng to Germany

to apologize for the murder of the German Consul Ketteler during the Boxer Uprising

In July the same year,

Li Hongzhang, on behalf of Qing, signed the Boxer Protocol with 11 countries

including Britain, the USA, Germany, France, Russia and Japan.

Subsequently Li Hongzhang fell sick due to weariness

and died of gastric bleeding at the age of 78.

In November the same year,

Empress Dowager Cixi returned to Beijing

with Guangxu, Queen Longyu and Consort Jin.

I had a meeting this morning with the consuls from various countries.

They heard that Empress Dowager and His Majesty

would be returning to the capital tomorrow.

They seemed to be very happy. They gave us their blessing.

Those foreigners are so shameless.

Several consuls expressed their intention

to meet Empress Dowager and His Majesty to show cordiality.

Prince Chun is really competent.

He reached an agreement with the foreigners so soon

and succeeded in getting them to leave the capital.

During the period, Prince Chun has been working hard

at negotiating with the foreigners.

He's been so busy that he hasn't even had the chance to visit us in the palace.

Thank you for your compliment.

During the occupation of the capital by the allied troops,

Your Highness guarded the entire harem chamber.

You deserve the greatest credit.

What I did was nothing in comparison with Prince Chun's effort.

When Empress Dowager has returned to the capital,

I will sing your praises in her presence.

Thank you for your kind words in Empress Dowager's presence then.

To's Mansion.

Pak-hop.

Wai-Shan.

Pak-hop, you're here?

Dr To, you're home?

Yes.

You're home so early today?

The Imperial Hospital is moving.

I didn't want to interfere with the work. So I came home early.

What will happen to the original site of the Imperial Hospital in Dongjiaomin Lane?

The foreigners will use that place for their legations.

It's because we've signed the humiliating treaties with them.

Wai-Shan.

Yes?

It doesn't matter where the Imperial Hospital is.

It's the imperial doctors who are the most important.

Dr To, please have some tea.

Thank you. So how's the progress with you massaging her legs?

I don't know why I can't learn Miss Ling's techniques.

I'll go prepare dinner.

Let me massage them for you.

OK.

How do you feel?

Ouch...

You can feel? Your legs can feel?

I tricked you.

Have you forgotten that my legs have no feeling whatsoever?

Are you mad? Please don't be mad. It was just a practical joke.

No, I'm just worried about you. Your legs have no sensation.

What if there's danger? You won't notice.

Don't worry. It's been like that for years. I'm used to it already. I'm fine.

OK.

Pak-hop, I want to resign from the Imperial Hospital.

I don't want to be an imperial doctor anymore.

Why? Are you unhappy at work?

I want to spend more time with you. We've never left the capital.

I want to travel and see the world with you.

But my legs can't move. Where can we go?

Don't worry. I'm here.

As long as we're united, nothing is too difficult for us.

Fuk Ling, you must work harder to find our contact person in the palace.

Uncle Tsat, I want to talk to you about this.

Can the organization assign me a different mission?

Why?

I've been probing around in the palace for so long.

But I haven't found any leads.

I'm afraid people will get suspicious if I keep probing.

It was so hard for you to get a job in the palace

and become well acquainted with the Queen and the consorts.

How will I find a replacement all of a sudden?

But...

Fuk Ling, do you have difficulties? You can tell me. See if I can help you.

For the sake of the revolution, we must make sacrifices.

Our personal concern is nothing. Do you understand?

I do. I will stay in the palace and do my best to find our contact person.

Yingtai.

You mean Consort Zhen has been missing since the hunting in the west?

I failed to discharge my duty.

It's OK. Perhaps Cui Yugui left with Consort Zhen

to get away from the foreigners.

How is Cui Yugui involved in this?

When I had left in a hurry with Empress Dowager and the others,

to hide our identities, we dressed like ordinary peasants.

I'm the emperor. But I've failed to protect my beloved wife.

Since Your Royal Highness won't let Consort Zhen come with us,

I have no choice but to go back to the Forbidden City and stay with her.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty...

You mustn't do that.

Your Majesty, you know you're the

emperor. You should consider the situation.

If you go back to the palace recklessly and get captured by the foreigners,

Qing will be greatly humiliated.

Aren't we afraid of losing face

if the Qing emperor's consort is captured by the foreigners?

Your Majesty, you...!

Please don't be mad, Your Royal Highness.

Your Royal Highness.

Your Royal Highness, His Majesty has a point.

If Consort Zhen gets bullied by the foreigners, it will be a scandal.

OK, Consort Jin. I know Consort Zhen is your sister.

Cui Yugui.

Yes.

Go back to the capital immediately

and pick up Consort Zhen in the Forbidden City.

Then hurry back to join us.

Yes.

That's odd.

I searched in the Forbidden City for days. But I didn't see Cui Gong-gong.

That's impossible.

He rushed back to the capital the next morning.

Did he have an accident along the way? Then Consort Zhen...

It's all my fault Her Highness went missing.

I shouldn't stay here anymore. Please have me dismissed.

Get up. It was so chaotic in the capital back then.

How can you be blamed for this?

If you think you've failed me,

you should work harder to find Consort Zhen for me to make up for your mistake.

Your Royal Highness ordered Cui Yugui to pick up Consort Zhen.

But we still don't know their whereabouts.

I suspect that after Cui Yugui had picked up Consort Zhen,

he holed up in his hometown with her in order to stay away from the foreigners.

That's why they don't know that we've already returned to the capital safely.

Consort Zhen is Your Majesty's consort.

She's staying outside the palace now. This is already a scandal for Qing.

Now you even want to publicize this? You're such an idiot.

If we had picked up Consort Zhen when we went hunting in the west,

this wouldn't have happened.

So you're saying I caused Consort Zhen's disappearance?

I dare not. I just want to find Consort Zhen sooner

so that she won't have to suffer outside the palace anymore.

Consort Zhen went missing. No one knows what's going on.

Was she afraid to die and left Northern Three Places on her own

so Cui Yugui couldn't find her?

Cui Yugui is missing now too. How do you explain that?

You...

Your Royal Highness, Your Majesty.

At ease.

Much obliged.

Prince Chun, you came in a hurry. What's so urgent?

I've finally found Cui Yugui.

It's a blessing to see Your Royal Highness again.

Cui Yugui, get up.

Prince Chun, where did you find Cui Yugui?

After the allied troops left the capital,

they immediately turned over

all the prisoners-of-war with a list of their names.

I saw Cui Yugui's name on the list.

So I ordered a thorough investigation immediately.

That's how I found him.

I will never forget your grace.

Is Consort Zhen's name on the list?

I don't think so.

Talk, slave.

Empress Dowager ordered you

to go back to the palace to pick up Consort Zhen. Where is she?

I had rushed back to the Forbidden City.

But I was caught by the foreign soldiers before I could find Consort Zhen.

They forced me to carry treasures out of the palace.

Then they locked me up in prison.

I'm useless. I never saw Consort Zhen.

I deserve to die. I'm useless.

Your Majesty.

Summon the imperial doctors.

Summon the imperial doctors.

Consort Zhen...

Why? Why are you returning the engagement gift I gave you?

Consort Zhen... Where are you going? Consort Zhen... Please don't leave.

Consort Zhen.

To Chung, I saw Consort Zhen. Has she come back?

You were dreaming just now.

It wasn't a dream. I saw her. She even returned the engagement gift.

Was it really a dream?

She suddenly came into my dream. She even returned the engagement gift to me.

She must be telling me she's already dead.

Your Majesty dreamed of Her Highness because you miss her very much.

No, she suddenly came into my dream. It must mean something.

To Chung, you must find Consort Zhen for me, no matter what it takes.

Guan Yin Temple.

Dr To, is His Majesty fine?

He's fine. But...

Deputy, Commissioner,

the Imperial Household Office informed us again that

some eunuchs and grannies have continued to

get the runs and vomit in the Forbidden City

They want to summon imperial doctors there to follow their cases.

How many patients are there today?

Nine.

That's more than yesterday and the day before yesterday.

Don't worry.

I bet the eunuchs and grannies just haven't been paying attention to hygiene.

It's just food poisoning.

But lots of people have been poisoned these past couple of days.

It's very likely from the water source so everyone who's drunk from it got sick.

Drinking water in the Forbidden City mainly comes from wells.

All the wells in the palace are connected through underground channels.

In other words, if one of the wells has a problem,

all the others will be contaminated too.

So we have to check them one by one?

Of course.

Why haven't we found anything after checking so many wells?

Think positive. We've narrowed the scope.

That means we'll find the well with the problem very soon.

OK. But I need to go to the bathroom first.

OK.

Hey, where's the closest bathroom? Could you please show me there?

Brother To.

OK.

What a coincidence! Did I get you hurt?

Of course I'm fine. I know Kung Fu. Are you OK?

I'm fine too.

What a coincidence! I've seldom seen you in the palace lately.

Right. I've been spending more time at home keeping Pak-hop company.

This is serious, Brother To.

What's the matter?

This is serious. We found a dead body in the well up ahead.

Over there.

Well? Do you know who it is?

If you're not afraid, take a look yourself.

What?

Wow, why is it like that?

The body has been underwater for a long time. It has decomposed.

I think this is the source of contamination.

Fuk Ling, come over here.

What is it?

Do you remember this outfit?

Consort Zhen!