Original subtitles

Subtitles by TVB

[Beyond The Realm of Conscience]

Episode One

Third year in Taichung of Emperor Suen Chung's reign in Tang dynasty.

General Ma Yuen Chi of the Special Tactics Force was corrupted and unruly.

He planned to overturn the administration

by killing the emperor and usurping the throne.

He murdered those who challenged him or was loyal to the emperor.

He hunted down Emperor Suen Chung's bodyguard, Ko Hin Yeung.

He even set a trap to kill Emperor Suen Chung.

He took of the administration and consolidated his power.

He went as far as falsifying an imperial order

and appointed himself as the overseer of the kingdom.

He ruled the world.

I pray to heavenly mother.

Please reward the good and punish the evil.

I pray for the empress to get well and rule the palace again.

Please keep His Majesty safe

he will return to the palace and the administration again.

Both you and I are His Majesty's concubines.

We are equals.

It might be so before.

But now the overseer of the kingdom, General Ma, has agreed that

during this period when the empress is rehabilitating

I'll be in charge of the palace. You must listen to my order.

You've taken side with Ma Yuen Chi? You know he's a villain.

You're working hand in hand with him?

Kam Ling, even though we aren't good sisters anymore

I had really hopes that you will get on the right track again.

Do you know I'm pregnant too? I'm carrying His Majesty's child.

Whether you and I are carrying a prince or a princess is still unknown.

But I will say this.

You could never hope to be at my level.

It's never crossed my mind to compete with you.

You just won't believe me.

I got smacked because I believed you.

My lips were stitched together because I tried to help you.

I have suffered so much humiliation because of you, Lau Sam Ho.

I, Yiu Kam Ling, hereby swear that I will never trust anyone again.

Let others suffer the humiliation and the pain. I've had enough.

You always say we must do good deeds

speak good words, and show goodwill.

Tell you what. You are wrong.

Everyone cheats in the palace.

It's a place of tricks and deceit.

To survive, you have to play along and grab the chance.

That's how you climb up.

There are so many outdated practices in the Imperial Household Bureau.

Once I'm in charge of the palace, I'll replace all those who are in charge.

You once worked in the Bureau before.

How could you of all people not understand?

I regret it now. I shouldn't have spared you.

If I had exposed your bad conduct back then

you wouldn't have gone down this road.

Enough!

You're the one who wants to play your role like a sitting duck.

You like following the rules.

If you think kindness is so important...

you should wear this Phoenix hairpin.

Mother made this hairpin. It's a gift from the empress.

So what? Let me warn you.

If you behave properly, I will allow you to remain as Lady Tak.

Otherwise, I'll give the order to have you killed.

Mom, before you died, you told me to have a good heart

speak good words, and show goodwill.

I've done that already.

But you asked Kam Ling and I to help and support each other. I'm sorry.

I can't do it.

She isn't the Kam Ling I know anymore.

She isn't my good sister anymore.

[Twenty years ago]

- Sam Ho, Kam Ling. - Mom.

Madam.

You are hungry, yes? Go ahead.

Young mistress, you eat this.

- Let's share this. - Okay.

Here... Mom.

You eat it, Sam Ho. I ate before I came home.

Madam, is there any news about the old master?

He will be taken to Linzhou.

We'll hit the road early tomorrow morning so as to stay close to the old master.

At least we can look after him.

Why did the emperor exile dad once he came to the throne?

Every emperor has his own rules.

If a new emperor comes to the throne, will dad come home then?

You two must be careful. We are wanted.

Don't let the soldiers find out our identity.

Otherwise they will take us to the palace and we'll become slaves and maids.

We won't be free anymore.

It's good you know that. Now go to bed alright?

Let me sing you a song to help you sleep, alright?

I want to listen to the children's song of our hometown that you and dad always sing.

Red windmill, please turn for me.

Bless my home.

Give us good harvest and rain.

Don't be afraid, my flowers.

Red flowers blossom, give me a smile.

Bless my home.

Fluffy cloud listens to the wind.

Don't be afraid, my child.

Sam Ho.

Mom eats the two big ones. Kam Ling and I will eat one each.

Young mistress...

Mom... Mom.

[Imperial Household Bureau]

Bureau Chief.

The empress will view the flowers on the third of this month.

It's still chilly in the spring.

The Furnishings Department must prepare a hand warming pan

- lest the empress will catch a cold. - Will do.

I'm sure the empress will like this glass you designed.

I will be honored, Bureau Chief.

The empress has been coughing these past few days.

Why don't we prepare the honey dew dumpling instead of the crystal cake?

It's soothing for the throat.

Let's also put a Persian date in the tea to make it sweet.

- You do that, Head of Chefs. - Yes.

The Jewels Department does know how to please the empress.

You guys know she likes the Phoenix pattern.

Don't forget to give a lucky name to the hairpin.

Deputy Head Yuen has suggested a name.

Grateful for your comment, Bureau Chief.

What is it?

It's 'Phoenix Welcoming the Sun'.

The emperor has come to the throne recently.

The empress will assist in the administration.

The name fits the situation perfectly.

Good.

Thanks for your compliment, Bureau Chief.

Our Embroideries Department is in charge of the seasonal attire in the palace.

Now it's springtime. The flowers blossom.

I think this jacket is perfect for the empress when she looks at the flowers.

It seems that you need to put some birds there.

Yes. But we need to match the ornaments the empress is going to wear.

We've already asked the Jewels Department time and again.

But they still can't give us a definite answer.

Now you know it will be a phoenix, can you finish on time?

We shall expedite the work. We won't fail you, Bureau Chief.

Then get ready. Don't make the Bureau a disgrace.

Yes, Bureau Chief.

There are some new maids.

I want to assign them to your respective departments.

Some of them are the family members of the imperial prisoners.

I want to discuss with you all where to assign them.

Bureau Chief, do you mean Madam Lau from Yangzhou?

People say she's good at needlework.

The Embroideries Department wants to see how good she is.

Actually Madam Lau makes jewels better than doing needlework.

Her maiden home, the Kong in Yangzhou

has been making jewels and ornaments for three generations.

Even though they aren't official craftsmen, they are renowned Jiangnan.

Although Kong Choi King is a girl, her dad loves her very much as she's really clever.

He's taught her everything.

Head of Jewels Sung, it appears that your subordinate

needs to learn good manners apart from learning how to make jewels.

Or will you say she's forgotten that

when the Chiefs are talking, the Deputy Heads shouldn't interrupt.

Head of Embroideries Chung.

The Embroideries Department is in charge of sewing and knitting.

In theory, you would only prick yourselves.

How come you prick others too?

I just told everybody what I knew.

Stop, we just work according to order. We should help each other out.

Bureau Chief, actually, I've asked Madam Lau to wait outside.

Let's meet her then.

Then we'll decide which department she should join.

Bureau Chief.

All of us are imperial maids in the palace.

Condemned or not, all of us work for the empress and His Majesty.

We are equal in status.

So long as you are faithful, I won't treat you bad.

I'm grateful for your teaching, Bureau Chief.

We heard your craftsmanship is superb.

Let the heads ask you some questions before we decide which department to put you in.

I'll do my best then.

The theme for this gold hairpin is the Phoenix Welcoming the Sun.

The empress is going to wear it when she looks at the flowers.

The eye of the phoenix will be a luminous pearl from Persia.

A luminous pearl is round and crystal clear.

It's small in size, but its brightness is top of all the pearls.

You can see it a hundred miles away.

Madam Lau is really knowledgeable.

How about the tail of the phoenix? What will you put there?

I'll put rubies and turquoises there alternately

and tie them together with golden thread. It will be bright and grand.

Madam Lau, don't be afraid. Feel free to talk.

No matter you are right or wrong, Deputy Head Yuen will remember it.

As the phoenix eye is a luminous pearl

it will become the focus of everyone's attention.

If you put precious stones at the tail, I'm afraid it will be inappropriate.

Why?

The brightness of the luminous pearl's soft.

It's already the focus.

You shouldn't put other precious stones there to distract people's attention.

Besides, the luminous pearl is light and the precious stones are heavy.

You need a very meticulous layout to make the pin balance.

What's your suggestion then?

You should use the feathering method for the tail.

When a phoenix flies, it shows its beautiful feathers.

You should glue the feathers of a river kingfisher to the tail of the phoenix.

It will be so bright and colorful.

Meanwhile, it won't outshine the luminous pearl.

I'm afraid Deputy Head Yuen may not be able to do so.

Everyone knows the feathering skill is really delicate.

You must be extremely focused when doing the job. It's really difficult.

- There's the time constraint too. - I can do that.

Bureau Chief, why don't we let Madam Lau try?

Deputy Head Yuen, let Madam Lau try it.

Yes, Bureau Chief.

Is there enough time to finish making the hairpin?

There should be enough time. I'll do my best.

There mustn't be any 'should be' You must get the job done.

I can assist if you need a hand.

Do you want to assist or get the credit?

Head of Embroideries Chung.

You got an assignment the moment you came here.

Someone may get jealous.

You will be in a vulnerable position.

Although you aren't officially assigned to our Jewels Department yet

I've already treated you as one of our own.

Beware of those who call you their own.

All of us are imperial maids.

Who's an outsider here?

Well, if someone gives you a difficult time over there

and makes you feel unhappy, just let me know.

The door of the Embroideries Department is always open for you.

Thank you for your concern.

She's new here, but she can easily point out the problem of the hairpin.

You are so desperate for an assistant.

Aren't you afraid she will be a threat to your position in future?

You don't know how to rebut me or you dare not?

Oh yes, you rank below me.

You aren't allowed to talk back to your superior.

Hey, why don't you pray that you get a promotion sooner

so that we'll rank equally? We can talk then.

Deputy Head Cho, your previous head left the palace because she was seriously sick.

Therefore someone took her place.

Will you curse your superior too for a promotion?

Head Sung of Jewels Department is in very good health, right?

I don't think you get a chance at all.

Madam, where will they take me to when you go to the Jewels Department?

You will learn how to work as a maid in the Imperial Household Bureau.

Later, they will assign you to one of the departments.

Kam Ling, the palace is full of danger. Every step you take can be risky.

You must mind what you say and do. Be good and prudent.

Thank God Sam Ho isn't here.

Mom.

Mom.

Sam Ho?

- Sam Ho! - Kam Ling.

They caught you?

It's all thanks to your daughter.

She sneaked into the palace inside the food carriage.

I was spanked three times because of that.

Young mistress, why didn't you flee when you got the chance?

I want to be with mom. I won't leave her.

Don't keep talking.

I was told to take you all to the Jewels Department. Come on.

It's wild Chinese viburnum. It's the flower of Yangzhou.

It's so beautiful. Wow, the flowers are so beautiful.

Seeing the flowers of my hometown here makes me feel like I'm home.

Sam Ho, Kam Ling, from now on we'll make the palace our home.

All right, let's go.

Sir, why is she throwing the sand into the well?

How can people drink from the well then?

There's no water in the well.

Is she filling up the well with the sand?

Those are ashes.

When a maid dies in the palace, her body will be cremated.

Her ashes will be dropped into the well. It's a kind of closure.

They won't get a tomb.

The well is the final destiny of the maids.

Do imperial maids die easily?

There are many rules in the palace You get killed if you do something wrong.

You get killed if you say something wrong.

You get killed when the master is in a bad mood.

Don't be afraid.

Is it true that one can never leave the palace even after death?

Don't ever think of leaving once you're inside the palace

unless you rank high or earn the masters' favor.

Then you may be allowed to leave the palace when you are old.

But you may not live till then.

It's all right.

So long as we work with honestly and perform our tasks properly

we won't get punished by the master.

- Yes, mom. - Yes, madam

Now, we work as imperial maids in the palace.

Don't call us madam or young mistress again.

From now on, you two are sisters. Your status are equal.

I always treated Kam Ling as my younger sis.

Bureau Chief.

The craftsmanship is really outstanding. It's so bright and colorful.

But how come you haven't put in the luminous pearl yet?

Part of the work process hasn't been completed yet. We'll put it there tonight.

It will be done then.

The empress will like it for sure.

Let me see. It's really beautiful.

We need to thank Head Sung for allowing us from the Embroideries Department

to look at the hairpin here.

This is a good chance to ask why you can't make it when someone can.

I heard the seniors say that the phoenix hairpin for the empress is completed.

I know that. There's a luminous pearl on the hairpin.

It must be the hairpin mom talked about. Right.

It's luminous at night.

It's bright like the sun even if you look at it a thousand miles away.

- Are you exaggerating? - It's true.

- That's impossible. - If it's bright, it will hurt your eyes.

- Who asked you to talk? - Why did you push her?

I like it. What do you know?

Of course we know about the phoenix hairpin.

Sam Ho's mom made it.

Really? Tell me what it looks like.

Of course we know how it looks like.

But we're not going to tell you guys. Especially you, Chin Fei Yin.

Is it alright to come see mom so late at night?

Everyone's asleep. No one knows we're here.

I haven't seen mom for days. I miss her so much.

We can take this chance to look at the luminous pearl too.

I wonder if it is as beautiful as they say.

Right.

- So mom hasn't gone to bed yet. - Let's go in.

How come there's the flower for separation?

Your Highness, some lucky flowers are sewn next to them.

When they are put together, it means there's very good luck.

Oh, the craftsmanship of this hairpin is better than before.

It's because the Jewels Department has recruited an imperial maid recently.

She's very skilled at feathering.

The phoenix stays on the hairpin.

Hundreds of flowers are sewn and knitted on the jacket.

It connotes that spring has come and the phoenix is here.

Your Highness, it's exactly like the present situation.

Good. I'll allow you guys to tour the garden with me.

Besides, I'll give the Jewels Department

two rolls of fine Sichuan silk and a pot of peony.

Thank you for your gift, Your Highness.

Your Highness.

You may have a seat.

Much obliged, Your Highness.

General Ma, you've been busy. But today the weather is really nice.

You should take a break and tour around the garden with me.

It is my honor to tour the garden and look at the flowers with Your Highness.

We go a long way back. You can cut the formality.

You once eradicated the rebels and protected the royal family and the nation.

I must treat you well.

Much obliged, Your Highness.

Come in quickly. Go over to the empress. Come on. Faster.

General Ma, he was limping just now. What happened?

He failed to discharge his duty earlier, so he was spanked three times.

If you do a good job, you will be rewarded.

If you make a mistake, you must be punished.

I was wrong, Your Highness.

Please have mercy on me.

You're a slave. You've served your master for so many years.

You still can't tell what his mood is?

In future when you become a master, how can you enjoy the service of others?

- Get up. - Thank you, Your Highness.

Sis, how's my hairpin today?

It's so grand and beautiful. You look so charming wearing it.

Everyone says I'm beautiful. I don't know whether they are telling the truth.

Back then Lady Cheng did a very good job washing your feet, Your Highness.

She served you so well. We really weren't her match.

Hey, Mama Tsu, she's now an imperial concubine. Her status is different.

How can you be so rude to talk about the things in the past?

I'm sorry.

Where's the Thirteenth Lord?

He wouldn't dare come into the garden without being summoned.

It's good for him to play his proper role. You are his mother.

You should feel content being an imperial concubine.

It's really a blessing for you to tour around the garden with me.

I know that.

You aren't at will to sit on the imperial seat of His Majesty.

You aren't even allowed to think about it.

If I ask you to sit, you sit.

If I tell you to kneel... I bet you wouldn't dare say no.

Get a chair for Lady Cheng.

The hairpin... The hairpin!

The phoenix bleeds?

Guards, take her out.

Please spare my life, Your Highness. Please spare my life.

We beg for your pardon, Your Highness.

I will pursue this for sure.

Sir, please save my mom.

Right. Please help her.

She's offended the empress. No one can help her.

She'll only be spanked thirty times. Her Highness is already so gracious.

Mom hasn't even met the empress before. How would she offend the empress?

Mom.

- Madam. - Mom. Are you all right, mom?

Bureau Chief, Head Sung just recommended Kong Choi King to make the hairpin.

Even though she failed to supervise her, she shouldn't be relieved of her duty.

Please ask Her Highness to have mercy on Chief Sung and pardon her.

We four Chiefs are in the same boat. We are interdependent.

Today, Chief Sung is punished.

Who knows when it'll be our turn.

We must do our best to help Chief Sung.

You think I don't want to help her?

I can't.

Get up. The phoenix bleeds.

The empress thinks it's a very bad sign. How will this be a minor issue?

If the empress feels unhappy, she won't just punish Chief Sung.

Even you three will be punished.

The case is closed.

As to the vacancy of Head of the Jewels Department.

I've already submitted a candidate for Her Highness' approval.

How's Kong Choi King doing?

She was spanked thirty times. She can't get off the bed yet.

I heard that she got a temperature this morning.

I guess she's caught a cold.

You get her some medicine. I hope she will...

You hope she will die sooner, right?

Chief Sung.

Are you so kind to give her medicine? I'm afraid you want to give her poison.

She needs urgent treatment. You go to the Jewels Department now.

Yes.

You were outshone by Kong Choi King earlier.

Now you pretend to give her medicine.

You kill someone and cry in front of her tomb.

You are so wicked even though your words are kind.

Head Chung, just now you claimed before Bureau Chief Choi

that you wanted to do your best to help Head Sung.

I found it so odd back then. Actually, that's an excuse.

You just didn't want me to get a promotion.

You're afraid that I'll have equal rank with you

so you wanted to strike first, right?

You know what's on my mind? Can you read my mind?

There are so many different patterns for your embroideries.

Now I understand it's because you are really imaginative.

I guess I need to learn from you.

I've got something else to do.

Please excuse me.

Head Chung, don't forget my curtsy to you just now.

I guess very soon I don't need to curtsy to you anymore, right?

Head Chung.

Head Chung, see what I've brought you?

It's a ginseng.

Have you found the evidence yet?

Have you got any evidence yet?

I don't have any evidence yet.

But I've found out that the so-called phoenix bleeding is actually wax.

Wax?

Back then the empress was close to the hand warming pan.

The wax melted because of the heat so it dripped.

It must be her. She's the only one who would benefit from the incident.

She's so wicked. I won't allow her wish to come true.

Mom has been sleeping for two days. She's still in a trance.

Don't worry. I prayed for her just now. She will get well for sure.

Mom's so skillful. How would there be wax on the luminous pearl?

I don't know.

Oh, did she do that?

It was so late that night. Why was she in the workshop?

Who are you two talking about?

The promotion ceremony will begin.

The Jewels Department, the Embroideries Department, the Food Department

and the Furnishings Department.

all belong to the inner chamber.

They serve the three palaces and six mansions.

They have serious responsibilities.

Today you will be promoted to the post of the Head of Jewels.

You must use your best endeavors to serve the imperial court.

You mustn't be slack. Do you understand?

I, Yuen Tsui Wan, will do my very best to serve the inner palace wholeheartedly.

Good.

She isn't qualified to serve as the Head of Jewels.

How dare you! You have the nerves to say that arriving late?

She isn't qualified take up this post.

For the sake of getting the promotion. she set up Head Sung and Kong Choi King.

The two of them are innocent. But she's wicked.

That is a lie.

You set people up. I really can't put up with that.

You want to get rid of both of them in one shot.

I don't hold any grudges against them. Why would I do that?

You were jealous of Kong Choi King's skill.

You coveted the position of the Head of Jewels.

And playing this trick, you nearly put the Imperial Household Bureau in jeopardy.

Bureau Chief, she's talking nonsense. You mustn't believe what she said.

Do you get any evidence?

Yes, I've got two witnesses.

Tell everyone whom you saw the night before

the hairpin was given to the empress.

That night we sneaked out and went to the Jewels Department.

We saw the glow of the luminous pearl shining through the window.

At first I thought mom was still up, so we wanted to go inside.

But then we saw someone come out. But it wasn't mom.

Is she the person who came out?

Yes.

What do you have to say now?

Yes, I did go to the workshop at midnight, but I didn't go there to set anyone up.

I just took some snacks there for Kong Choi King.

She hadn't gone to bed yet.

I talked to her for a while.

She was tired. So I left.

I did take a look at the hairpin.

If you don't believe it, you can ask her.

You can say anything you like now. She's so sick.

She doesn't have the strength.

You dripped the wax into the slit of the luminous pearl

while Kong Choi-king was getting some rest.

- I didn't do that. - Actually...

Have you forgotten to tell us something else? Don't be afraid.

Feel free to talk.

Actually we were outside all the time.

We didn't see her drip the wax on the hairpin.

We are trying to clear your mom's name.

If someone else is liable, then there's a chance to prove your mom's innocence.

I didn't see it. I can't make up stories.

Do you want your mom to get well? Talk.

Enough.

Yuen Tsui Wan has admitted that she did held the hairpin that night.

But no one saw her drip wax on it.

As there isn't any concrete evidence, there's no need to keep arguing.

Let's carry on with the ceremony.

From today onward

Yuen Tsui Wan will be officially in charge of the Jewels Department.

Mom, how are you? I'll go make the medicine for you.

You stay here and keep me company.

You won't get well if you don't drink the medicine.

I won't get well.

You will get well for sure.

You will go with us to find dad so we can be together again.

Mom is useless.

I can't care for the two of you anymore.

You two must be good.

Behave yourselves. Days will be better then.

- We will. - So will I.

Your dad said he would take me to my hometown

to look at the wild Chinese viburnum.

I think I can't go now.

I wish I could see the flowers again.

You will. Mom, you will see them again for sure.

How dare you pick the flowers without permission?

I didn't. I picked it up only I'm not tall enough.

You talk back?

The flower was blown to the ground by the wind. I really only picked it up.

You aren't allowed to pick it up either.

She got hit for picking up the flower. Should someone be killed for crushing it?

Am I right Madam Tsu?

Prince Kwong.

I guess this little imperial maid is a newcomer in the palace.

It isn't surprising that she doesn't know the rules.

But you've been here for so long, Madam Tsu.

You broke the rule knowingly. Aren't you more guilty?

If you say so, my Lord, I'll turn myself in to the empress now.

May I be excused.

All the flowers are torn. Why do you still pick them up?

Wild Chinese viburnum are the flowers of our hometown. My mom is sick.

She wants to see them again.

So you want to give them to your mom?

Is this one big enough?

Thank you, my Lord.

Mom.

Mom, look at the flower. It's so beautiful.

It's so fragrant too.

When you get well, we'll go to the garden with you to look at them, alright?

I won't get the chance to do so.

Mom, don't leave Sam Ho behind.

Do you remember why dad gave you the name Sam Ho?

He wanted you to do good deeds, speak good words, and show goodwill.

Kam Ling, you must remember this.

From now on, you and Sam Ho must support and help each other.

Understand?

- We will. - We will.

I feel tired. Why don't you sing a song to help me fall asleep?

- All right.

Red windmill, please turn for me.

Bless my home.

Give us good harvest. Listen to the wind.

Don't be afraid, me flowers.

There's time for full moon and crescent moon.

There's time for snow and rain.

Thoughts are like a kite.

It's linked to the thread though you don't see it.

Subtitles by TVB