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[Beyond the Realm of Conscience]

Episode 6

I'm not a loan shark.

I found the book in Mistress Chung's room. She's the most suspicious.

You planted it there to set me up.

There's concrete evidence. You can't deny it.

Shut up.

You two insist on your respective stories, right?

I find both of you guilty. You two will be executed together.

Please don't get angry, Your Highness. I know I've let you down.

I've failed to manage the Bureau to have let this happen.

May I please have your permission

to find out what actually happened to make up for my mistake?

You think you can handle this?

Your Highness said before that it's hard to do good but easy to do bad.

I beg Your Highness to give me a chance to rectify my mistakes.

I'll give you a chance then.

If you can't find the culprit in three days, both of them must die.

I'm grateful, Your Highness.

Guards, put them in the imperial cell.

This is serious.

General Ma, will you please assign more people to find out what actually happened?

I've got nothing to do with this case.

The loan shark Lin Fong Ching was a member of your Internal Services.

How come you've got nothing to do with this?

But Lin Fong Ching is dead.

There's no further need for the Internal Services to conduct any investigation.

If so, the Imperial Household Bureau will conduct the investigation alone.

But if I find any evidence, I'll play by the book then.

Of course. Actually I do want to conduct a joint investigation

with the Imperial Household Bureau.

But my subordinate Lin Fong Ching was involved.

If I take part in the investigation

I'm afraid people will say I'm not impartial.

I must avoid any possible conflict. However, you're appointed by Her Highness.

You must really discharge your duty faithfully in the investigation.

If the culprit is really a member of the four departments

you mustn't cover up for her.

Besides, you'd better refrain from coming to the Internal Services so often

lest people will gossip about it.

Siu Yung's so pathetic.

She borrowed from the loan shark to pay for her mom's medical expenses.

I thought God was merciful to Siu Yung as her life's saved.

I can't believe there are so many things behind this.

Now both Mistress Chung and Mistress Yuen are held in custody because of this.

I wonder how they are doing now.

Of course they are treated like inmates. How will life be easy in prison?

Mistress Chung and Mistress Yuen are at odds with each other.

How would they work together as loan sharks?

I guess just one of them did it.

Who do you think is the loan shark?

I think it's Mistress Chung.

Usually, when people give us a red packet

she will take half of the money first before giving the rest of it to us.

She's so greedy. She's capable of doing so.

That sounds probable.

It's hard to draw a conclusion basing on that only.

I agree. It's hard to read a person's mind.

The less the person appears to be the one the more likely she is.

If I were her, I would play the good guy too.

So I think it could be Mistress Yuen too.

It's lucky that our Furnishings Department and Food Department aren't involved.

Do you really think your two departments are immune?

This case is getting out of hand.

In the end, the entire Imperial Household Bureau will go down

because of one person's fault.

Don't scare us. We are already so terrified.

Aren't I right about it? That's the rule in the palace.

When a person makes a mistake

all those who are related to her will be executed too.

If we are found guilty this time, I'm afraid we won't just get smacked.

What matters now is to help Mistress Chung and Mistress Yuen.

No matter how difficult it may be, I'm sure Chief Choi will figure out a way.

Besides, Master Bo and Siu Shun have left the palace.

to look for Lin Fong Ching's family members.

Maybe they'll get some clues. So don't worry, alright?

I hope this would work.

Look. She appears to be so relaxed as if this has nothing to do with her.

Now both Mistress Yuen and Mistress Chung are in trouble.

But she doesn't feel concerned at all.

You really didn't set me up?

I told you I found the accounting book in your room.

I've never seen it before. If you didn't put it there, who did?

It must be done by the loan shark.

She planted the evidence there to frame you.

The empress has taken up the case.

The loan shark found it hard to get away.

So she tried to plant it on someone else.

I happened to go into your room and find the accounting book there.

But there are so many people, why me?

You often offend other people.

- Who's your arch enemy? - It's you.

You're really a bitch.

You still want to start a fight at this juncture?

I get into this because of you. I still have a score to settle with you.

You still have a score to settle with me? You aren't entitled to do so at all.

Back then, I treated you like my sister. I've regretted it in all these years.

I regretted not taking precautions against you.

Now you got the chance to double cross me.

Hey, get out.

- Madam Tsui, here's the prisoners. - Good.

Move forward. On your knees.

What are you doing?

What am I doing? Answer me. What have you two done?

Are you entitled to interrogate us?

You're talking back?

And you.

You're fighting back?

Aren't your hands invaluable?

One is in charge of the Embroideries Department

and the other the Jewels Department.

Now I'll squeeze your fingers. See if you still deny you're the loan sharks.

- Guards, do it. - Yes.

It hurts bad, right? Make a confession and I'll spare you the torture.

I didn't do it. I won't make any confession.

Keep asking and the answer is still no. We are innocent.

Squeezing your fingers can't make you confess, right?

Pull their fingernails off one by one.

- Stop it. - Bureau Chief.

Madam Tsui, how can you torture them like that?

I'm in charge of the interrogation here, I have the authority.

The empress has given me three days to find out what happened.

The deadline isn't due yet.

But you are now using torture on them.

You want to beat them into making a confession?

So you mean they are innocent? Do you get any evidence to support that?

I believe them. How about you?

Why did you come to interrogate them in private?

Who gave you the authority? Answer me.

Don't mind her. Pull all their fingernails off.

- I dare you. - Do it.

You go with me to see the empress. Let Her Highness decide this.

I told the Food Department to make this cinnamon cake specifically. Do you like it?

It's so fresh and sweet.

I wish you good luck in everything after eating it.

Your talk is as sweet as the cake.

I like it.

Your Highness, Chief Choi and Madam Tsui want to see you for something urgent.

Send them in.

- Your Highness, Lady Wong. - At ease.

Grateful, Your Highness.

What's the matter?

Just now I went to the imperial cell to visit Mistress Chung and Mistress Yuen.

I saw Madam Tsui torture them.

I did so by the order of Lady Wong.

It's true, Your Highness.

I want to find out sooner what happened so as to clear the name of the innocent.

I want to relieve your burden only, Your Highness.

You're right. What matters is finding out who the culprit is.

Who cares how it is done?

Besides, I've never said torture is prohibited.

You hear the empress, Chief Choi?

I've worked with Mistress Chung and Mistress Yuen for years.

They are faithful and loyal.

They are honest and decent.

I guarantee on my life that they are framed.

The loan shark has got to be someone else.

If we use torture on them

they'll only make an involuntary confession.

An involuntary confession? You guys are in a team.

You think you aren't responsible for what happened?

Now you still make a scene in front of Her Highness.

You've really talked too much.

Madam Tsui, just now I asked you who gave you the authority to use torture.

But you didn't disclose it.

Actually, you did so according to Lady Wong's instructions.

You've got a hidden agenda in doing so.

Even if I told you the truth

I bet you would still insist on coming here to disturb Her Highness.

Would you show any respect for her ladyship?

You guys have set this up to trap me.

How dare you! You mean I planned this?

How dare you saying something so unruly?

I wouldn't dare.

I heard you say it. Lady Wong is your master.

How can you insult her that way?

There's so much trouble in the Imperial Household Bureau.

I've given you chance after chance.

But you don't appreciate it. You are unruly.

Your words are spiteful.

Guards, put Choi Chung Ping in the imperial cell.

When the three-day period is due, relieve her of duty and punish accordingly.

Luk, take her away immediately.

Yes, my lady.

Your Highness, they are really innocent. Please find out what happened.

Your Highness, they are really innocent. Your Highness... Your Highness.

Just giving me cinnamon cakes won't make me feel happy. Wise up.

Don't ever take things into your own hands again.

Don't ever think what you did is right.

Just now I defended you.

as I didn't want the reputation of the royal family to get tainted.

Besides, Madam Tsui serves me. Don't boss her around.

I'm sorry, Your Highness.

I can walk.

Bureau Chief!

What happened?

I was set up.

By Madam Tsui?

And Lady Wong too. They set a trap to make me go see the empress.

I couldn't hold myself back. I offended Her Highness, so I ended up here.

Madam Tsui is really too much.

She's aggressive. She wants the post of Bureau Chief.

What's the matter? Don't scare me. Oh no. Why is your hand so cold?

She hasn't eaten. Besides, she's tortured. That's why she's passed out.

Let me give her some congee. She'll be fine after getting some rest.

Let me do it. You're wounded.

- Come on, Suet Ha. - Come on.

Eat some congee. Take it easy.

The four departments are interdependent.

If Chief Choi is in trouble, that means all of us are in trouble.

The four departments must take immediate action.

We must kneel before the empress to ask for Chief Choi's release.

We've got no choice but to take the risk.

Luk, why are you hiding there? What do you want?

I'm so sorry to disturb Your Highness.

Actually I wanted to wait till Your Highness has finished breakfast.

It seems that someone else wants to disturb me.

Your Highness, Mistress Tam, and Mistress Wu of the Imperial Household Bureau

are waiting outside the chamber with all the maids from the four departments.

They want to see Your Highness.

The empress won't see you guys. Just leave.

The four departments gathered here to talk to the empress about Chief Choi.

Please relay the message for us once again.

You think the empress will see you just because you're making a request?

You'd better leave now.

If the empress gets mad, you will be charged with treason.

This is Her Highness's order.

Did the empress really say so?

Do you mean I've falsified her order? I'll say it once again.

The empress won't see you guys. Now leave.

We won't leave until we see Her Highness.

All of us in the Imperial Household Bureau are in one heart.

We'll kneel here until the empress comes out to see us.

Otherwise, we won't get up.

Fine. You guys came here to make a scene. You're threatening Her Highness.

We wouldn't dare. We don't mean to show disrespect.

Fine. Just kneel there as you like. I'll see how determined you guys are.

Hey, you've come around? Do you feel better now?

Bureau Chief, you've taken care of me for the whole night?

Both Tsui Wan and I did so. She just took a nap.

She gave you her congee. She didn't get anything to eat herself.

Look at you two.

Why still think about what happened in the past?

It happened years ago, holding grudges won't help at all.

We are imperial maids. Our chance of leaving the palace is slim.

No matter we are friends or foes, we'll just become ashes in the end.

Our destiny is the dried well.

Just now, a guard told me that Mistress Tam and Mistress Wu

took all the maids to see the empress.

Why are they taking such a risk? It's because they want to save our lives.

They want to save the Imperial Household Bureau.

You two have been in the palace for so many years.

You know very well that when a person makes a mistake

other people will be punished too.

If you two weren't blinded by hate

you could clarify the matter when the accounting book was found.

Then no one could set us up. We wouldn't have ended up like this either.

It's my fault. I've got everyone into trouble.

I've got the four departments in trouble. I've got you into trouble, Bureau Chief.

It's good you understand it now.

Don't ever make the same mistake in future.

I wonder if there's a future anymore.

It's been several hours. You guys must be tired.

Thank you for your concern, my lady.

No matter how long it takes for us to kneel here

we'll persist until we see the empress.

I hope the empress will understand our intention.

My lady, please explain to the empress our intention.

Don't worry. I'll implore Her Highness to release Chief Choi and the others.

Hey.

Hey, will you guys really kneel here until you see the empress?

Yes, my lord.

What? What if you can't see her? Then you won't get up?

Yes, we'll keep kneeling here.

Madam Tsui pretends to get the authority.

I wonder if she has told the empress the situation.

What? How dare she?

What isn't she capable of doing? Let's see when the heaven punishes her.

Punish you or me? You damn maid. You curse me?

You won't learn a lesson if I don't smack you. You are so shrewd.

If I don't teach you a lesson, I won't get any respect.

Get me needle and thread. You talk so much?

I'll stitch your mouth up.

I'll do it stitch by stitch. See if you dare curse me again.

No.

Madam Tsui, why take issue with a maid?

Take issue? She's doing so with me. She insists on kneeling here.

She even badmouthed me. She's so talkative. Her mouth must be stitched up.

Great. Good job.

Madam Tsui, do you mean whoever talks too much must have her mouth stitched up?

Yes. Whoever is talkative must have her mouth stitched up.

Seize her. Come on. Seize her. You are the most talkative.

You said whoever talks much must be punished. No one speaks a word here.

Only you talk a lot. If I don't teach you a lesson today, I won't get any respect.

No. Let me do it personally. Hold her down. Don't move.

No! No! Don't stitch up my mouth.

You run?

- No! No! - Don't run.

My lord, please don't stitch up my mouth. No!

It won't take long! Stop there.

Please don't, my lord.

Stop it, Prince Kwong.

But I haven't stitched her mouth yet.

This is way too much.

Your Highness.

Your Highness, the four departments beg Your Highness to release Chief Choi.

Chief Choi drove your Highness to anger

just because she tried to defend her subordinates.

Will Your Highness please forgive her?

The three-day period hasn't passed yet.

Please release Chief Choi so she can clear the name of her subordinates.

How dare you! There's concrete evidence. It can't be denied.

Do you think you can threaten me? Listen carefully.

I've already given my order. No one can change it.

Chung Suet Ha and Yuen Tsui Wan will be executed when the time comes.

Choi Chung Ping will be relieved of her duties too.

Please don't get mad, Your Highness. Mind your health.

If you guys like kneeling there, be my guest.

I'll see how long you can kneel there.

Sis, you come with me to look at the flowers in the imperial garden.

Yes, sis.

Her Highness is coming.

I know this is tough for you guys.

For the sake of saving Chief Choi and the Imperial Household Bureau

you must hang in there. You must keep kneeling.

We are interdependent. We mustn't give up. All of us must hang in there.

Deputy Head Cho.

Deputy Head Poon, will you please take care of Deputy Head Cho?

Why do you stand up?

Kneel.

Mistress Tam told you to kneel. You hear her?

We must take concerted action.

No one is allowed to betray the Imperial Household Bureau.

Mistress Yuen and Mistress Chung are so nice to you.

Now you want to double cross them?

Chief Choi is nice to you too. Now she's in trouble. You want to abandon them?

If they are punished because we've failed to act in one heart, can you live with it?

To save Chief Choi, the four departments must be in one heart.

Whoever leaves will no longer be a member of the Imperial Household Bureau.

Lau Sam Ho, if you leave now, don't ever think you can join us again.

Sam Ho, wait for me.

Damn it. They are traitors.

From this moment onward, Lau Sam Ho and Yiu Kam Ling

are no longer members of the Imperial Household Bureau.

Sam Ho, why do you come here?

Just now, I saw a red mark at the bottom of the accounts book.

What?

The pattern is like this.

If my conjecture is right

it's printed there as the color from certain knitted materials has come off.

But how is it related to the Imperial Household Bureau?

I remember seeing this pattern before.

- It's sewn on a camel. - A camel?

The cloth wasn't made in China. It's a tribute from Persia.

The color used was bright. The red pattern was used with the camel.

But their dyeing skills were inferior to ours.

So the color came off once it came into contact with water.

That's why you think the mark on the book was printed there

when the color came off?

I remember the tribute was delivered here in the first year of Wui Cheong.

I get it. You insisted on leaving as you wanted to look for the evidence.

You want to check the yearbook of the first year of Wui Cheong to find out

what's made with the piece of cloth and for whom it's made.

It's very likely that this person is the loan shark

who set up Mistress Chung and Mistress Yuen.

Come on.

It really isn't here.

That's impossible. All the Wui Cheong yearbooks are here.

We've got Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth year of Wui Cheong.

But the first year of Wui Cheong is missing.

How come? Where's the yearbook for the first year of Wui Cheong?

According to the record, this piece of cloth was a tribute from Persia.

But the dyeing skills weren't refined, so the queen and the ladies didn't like it.

Several blankets were made with it and delivered to Japan as gifts.

The rest of the cloth was used to make a purse for someone in the palace.

That person is you, mom.

Yes. The camel pattern was rare. The color looked nice too.

I thought I could use it carefully.

I didn't mind even though the color might come off.

The pattern on the camel is unique in Persia.

It stands for the words of blessing. So I've got a deep impression about it.

I saw the mark on the accounts book. I found it so familiar.

I remember seeing you using such a purse after I returned to the palace.

The pattern on your purse is exactly the same as that on the accounting book.

You think I'm the loan shark? So you've stolen the yearbook to cover up for me?

I believe you aren't the loan shark.

I've stolen the yearbook because

I'm worried that if someone recognizes the pattern like I do

they will check the record and trace it back to you.

This will get you into trouble, mom. So you can't keep the purse any longer.

It must be destroyed as soon as possible, Mom.

The purse isn't in my possession. It was made a long time ago.

I've put it away for a long time. I just took it out recently.

But once she saw it. she said she liked it so much.

She said it was so fine and delicate. I had no choice but to give it to her.

The person who's bold enough to ask you for the purse must be Madam Tsui.

I can't believe she's the loan shark. Now there's concrete evidence.

Let's report it to the empress.

No. You said you gave it to her. But she can deny it.

Furthermore, the empress will make use of this incident to frame you

and call you the loan shark to kill both of us.

This is too risky.

Although the purse isn't in our possession, we still can't keep this year book.

But without the yearbook, we can't prove Madam Tsui is involved in this case.

We can't clear Mistress Yuen's name either.

She's saved our lives before.

We can't let her die just because we want to stay alive.

I'll protect you, mom. I'll save Mistress Yuen.

I'll also punish the culprit Madam Tsui.

There must be a way.

You two left because you wanted to find the evidence here?

Yes. Whether we can rescue Mistress Yuen depends on whether anyone remembers

what was made with this piece of cloth and for whom it's made.

It's more or less like this. Kam Ling, Officer Ko, have you seen this before?

No.

So you guys are hiding here.

Master Bo.

We went to the empress's chamber, but we didn't see you guys.

We've been looking around for you.

You two went to Lin Fong Ching's home. Have you got any clue?

Her family has moved. We've asked around to see if anyone visited them before.

But the neighbors weren't aware of any.

Kam Ling, Sam Ho, why aren't you two kneeling like the others?

Have you discovered anything?

Sam Ho saw this pattern at the bottom of the accounting book.

She remembers that it's a tribute from Persia in the first year of Wui Cheong.

She thinks it's printed there because the color has come off.

By the way, do you know if anyone in the palace

uses something made with this piece of cloth?

Who's there?

How come there are so many people here?

My lord.

I came here to give some sweet lotus seeds to Sam Ho, but now you guys...

One, two, three, four, five...

Oh no, there isn't enough. Now what? Hey, Sam Ho, why do you frown?

Hey, it's this camel again?

- My lord, you've seen it before? - Yes.

My lord, where did you see it?

You suddenly ask me this question. I don't remember.

My lord, several lives are at stake. Please think carefully.

Don't force me. Give me some time to think.

Where did I see it before? Oh yes.

I saw this pattern before on a purse.

A purse? Whose purse is it?

That bitchy woman. She likes buying things. She's...

I know. It's Madam Tsui. I saw her purse before. It looks like this.

Are you sure?

I'm not sure, but it looks like it.

It won't be hard to verify this.

Madam Tsui, this piece of jade is crystal clear. Its color is so nice. It's rare.

You want to please me and ask me to beg the empress to have mercy on Mistress Chung?

I really can't keep anything from you, Madam Tsui.

You think you can bribe me so easily with this piece of rotten jade?

Of course not. Madam Tsui, will you help me if I give you this too?

Just this? Maybe I can sing you a song then.

But now two lives are at stake.

The empress herself is in charge of the case. I really can't help you.

Madam Tsui, Madam Tsui. How come you can't help me?

The empress trusts you so much. How about this?

I'll give you twenty strings of silver. Please take it.

I really can't help you. You'd better ask someone else to help you.

Only you can help me. What matters now is for you to take the money.

Whether you can help me is another matter.

Come on. Thirty strings of silver. Don't say no.

Just take your purse out and put the money in.

I told you I can't take it.

Don't bother me again or I'll tell the empress that you tried to bribe me.

- Madam Tsui. - My lord.

Mom said I was wrong trying to stitch your mouth before.

She told me to give you some sweet lotus seeds as a token of apology.

You know you shouldn't do so. Now you want to make it up to me?

Make payment, make payment. Please make payment.

You said you would treat me to it. Why do you ask me to pay now?

I don't want to talk to you.

Hey, you've eaten the food. You must pay. You either pay or regurgitate the food.

If you don't regurgitate, you pay me then.

All right, all right, I'm afraid of you. You are such a nuisance. I'll pay you.

Hey, why did you snatch my purse? Give me back my money.

I've found treasure.

Give me back my money. Hey!

Give me back my purse, my lord.

It's here.

My lord... My lord, give me back my purse.

My lord! My lord!

Give me back my purse. My lord ... My lord. Give me back my purse.

Look.

My lord... My lord...

Give me back my purse.

You made me trip. Look. My hands are scratched.

You ate my sweet lotus seeds, but you refuse to make payment.

No wonder everyone says you're greedy. You ask people to buy things for you.

But you won't pay them back. You're no different from a thief.

What? You call me a thief?

Shut up or I'll tell the empress that you're a thief.

I don't want to talk to you.

How are you, my lord? Are you all right?

I'm fine. Thank you.

Thank you.

I saw it clearly this time.

The camel pattern on Madam Tsui's purse is exactly like what Sam Ho drew.

In other words, Madam Tsui is the person we are looking for.

But she's got the empress to back her up.

The three days are passing soon. What shall we do now?

Their lives are at stake. I need to take a chance. Let me talk to the empress.

- What? - That's too risky.

This the only way out.

If we don't take the risk, we won't get a chance at all. Don't worry.

I'll be careful.

According to the legend

Emperor Yiu invented the chess and taught his son Dan Chu how to play it.

Thanks to such a dad for creating this interesting game for his son.

Otherwise, how will people get the entertainment?

Your Highness is so learned. I do admire you.

The most interesting thing about chess is the variation in every game.

You can never foresee what's going to happen. It's so mesmerizing.

I don't get it.

Make one wrong move and you'll be defeated.

That's true in life too.

Sometimes we are misled.

We believe something happened because a certain person says so

when the actual culprit is the person close to us.

Please forgive me for taking the liberty in saying so.

No wonder today's chess game was like a puzzle.

You want to use chess as an analogy. Do you have grievances?

I take the liberty and great risk to say this to save people's lives.

Before, you risked your life playing with the Japanese chess player.

Now you risk your life again for someone unrelated to you.

If a dishonest person is in charge, the nation and the people will suffer.

I'm not trying to save lives only, but also doing so for the country.

I beg Your Highness to listen to me.

How dare you talk to me like this?

The sage taught us to make friends with decent people and alienate bad guys.

You will find out who the bad guy is if you give the order to interrogate her.

You want me to use torture in the interrogation?

But I don't want to see a bloody and painful face.

I don't want to hear wailing and crying either.

At ease... It's really comfortable to sit here.

It's comfortable to lie in a casket too. Why don't you try it?

You damn maid. What do you want? You want to attack me?

Are you afraid? You are so dirty and mean. You abuse your authority.

You've done so many bad things and said so many bad words.

Your conduct is improper. But you yelled at me and said I talked too much.

You wanted to stitch up my mouth?

Yes, I did. What can you do about it?

When there were people around, I really couldn't do anything about it.

But now everyone is kneeling in front of the empress's chamber.

There's only you and me in the entire Imperial Household Bureau.

Do you think there's anyone to stop me from doing anything?

Do you want to kill me? Even if you have the guts, you don't have the strength.

At first, I just wanted to teach you a lesson.

But talking about killing you makes it sound like such a good idea.

You dare? I'll report it to the empress for sure.

Only if you can get out of here alive.

Where is this place?

This is our destiny ... It's the bottom of the well.

Bottom of the well? How did I get here? This is the bottom of the well?

You are dead. You were cremated. That's why you're here.

I'm dead?

- Madam Tsui. - Who are you?

I'm Hung the maid. You don't remember me?

Hung? Aren't you dead?

Yes, I am. I know you've come. So I've come to see you specifically.

- Madam Tsui. - Who are you?

I'm Siu Heung the maid.

Siu Heung? Don't come over. Didn't you hang yourself?

I did. That's why there's the mark of the rope on my neck.

You... Who are you?

Madam Tsui, you don't remember me?

- I'm Master Lin. - Master Lin?

You have no conscience.

You didn't burn any paper money for me after my death.

I helped you make so much money lending money to other people for you.

You made a lot too.

Come on. The king of hell wants to interrogate you.

You've killed so many people. You'll go to hell.

I was a money lender only. I didn't kill anyone.

How about those three persons in the imperial cell? Didn't you get them killed?

I didn't want to kill them. I just wanted them to take up the guilt for me.

I put the accounting book in Mistress Chung's room.

But then Mistress Yuen came in. That's how she got involved.

How about Chief Choi?

I coveted her post.

I thought if she got involved too, I would get a chance to become the Bureau Chief.

That's why I set her up. I didn't mean to kill them.

Even if they are to be killed, it's the empress's idea only.

She's killed the greatest number of people. The king of hell should deal with her.

Your Highness.

So it's you. You've committed such illegal activities in the palace.

Your Highness, just now I talked nonsense as I thought I saw the ghosts.

They set me up. You mustn't believe them. Your Highness.

You're still making excuses? You still want to embarrass yourself?

I could have tortured you for a confession.

But I didn't want to hear you cry or see you bleed.

Madam Tsui, you acted so well in this scene.

This is good. I like it.

You are just a damn maid. How dare you to dream of leading the four departments?

I must punish you severely today so that

those who get the aggression to climb up the ladder without the self-awareness

will learn a lesson.

Guards, put her in the imperial cell pending judgment.

Yes, Your Highness.

Your Highness, please spare my life. Lady Wong, please help me.

Your Highness, please don't kill me. Your Highness.

I hereby order that

Chief Choi, Mistress Chung, and Mistress Yuen are to be released.

Bureau Chief.

It's been so tough for every one of you. Please let me bow to you.

Bureau Chief.

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