Original subtitles

Subtitles by TVB USA

[Beyond the Realm of Conscience]

Episode Fourteen

The person who will become Head of the Furnishings Department is...

Yuen Tsui Wan.

The Furnishings Department and the Jewels Departments

are completely different.

Jewels and furnishings are two separate things.

Bureau Chief, why is there such an arrangement?

I make jewels in the Jewels Department.

I'm not familiar with making furniture or daily necessities.

You can take your time to learn.

The Department Head usually works on the design.

She seldom does the job herself.

Besides, the principle is universal even if they are different.

You are a clever person. You learn fast. You just need to make an effort.

Nothing is too hard for you.

The jewels you design are already so wonderful.

Now you need to get some experience in other areas.

This is beneficial for you in future.

Bureau Chief, according to the usual practice

the promotion for Department Heads and Deputy Heads is decided by seniority.

This time it's a lateral transfer.

Will the other departments find it hard to adjust?

Apart from the usual practice there can be exceptions.

Take Deputy Head Lau for example.

She's transferred from the Embroideries Department to the Jewels Department.

She's performed very well. This is a very good precedent.

Bureau Chief, who will take my place then?

I've got a plan already.

Lau Sam Ho will become Head of the Jewels Department.

Yiu Kam Ling will be promoted to the post of Deputy Head.

I'm still green in terms of experience.

This is the order of Empress Zheng. You must obey it.

Say thanks to Bureau Chief.

I'm grateful, Bureau Chief.

Aunt, why did you lie to me? Back then I kept the secret for you.

You promised me you would make me Bureau Chief in future.

Yes, I did.

Why did you break your promise then?

You made Yuen Tsui Wan Head of the Furnishings Department.

You even told her to get some experience in other areas.

You are paving the way for her to become Bureau Chief in future.

Although I'm the Bureau Chief, I don't have the say in everything.

I have to follow orders.

This is the empress's idea?

She doesn't need to say so expressly. It's good enough for her to imply it.

I can read between the lines. I dare not defy her order.

You think it's so easy to set the scene? You have to consider all the factors.

You need to set priorities. You also need to analyze the pros and cons.

All the moves are related.

Actually I've exhausted my wit to make the best arrangement this time.

The empress wants to return Yuen Tsui Wan's favor.

Aunt, that means I won't get the chance to become Bureau Chief, right?

Not really. You need to assess the situation.

Look at Yuen Tsui Wan and Chung Suet Ha, they were often at odds with each other.

But through Sam Ho's mediation, their relationship seems to have improved a lot.

Maybe they'll become sisters again very soon.

That should be the case.

But think about this

if I hint to Yuen Tsui Wan that she will become the Bureau Chief in future

do you think Chung Suet Ha will surrender?

Of course she won't. They fight each other all the time.

Given Chung Suet Ha's character, she won't submit to Yuen Tsui Wan so easily.

However, Yuen Tsui Wan isn't stupid.

They will try to eliminate each other for sure.

That's right.

They will compete with each other. I can take advantage of this.

No aunt, how about Lau Sam Ho?

Sam Ho? She doesn't play tricks.

She doesn't know how to make use of authority. She won't bluff.

What's the use of being nice to others? It's so easy to deal with her.

You're my niece. Of course I'll help you.

Let Chung Suet Ha play dirty tricks against Yuen Tsui Wan.

Then I can finish them off once and for all.

You'll become the Bureau Chief for sure.

Thank you, aunt.

Don't make haste. You must wait patiently.

Back then Wu So Yan used the tangible diamond powder to poison others.

Now you play tricks to finish people off without a trace.

From a general perspective, you are the best, aunt.

Your Highness, do you feel better?

Much better.

Back then I tried the acupuncture for Sam Ho.

The imperial doctor was afraid my hand couldn't move

so he taught me how to massage it. He said it would reduce the pain.

I can't believe I could use it today to help Your Highness.

Everyone knows Sam Ho is kind and gentle

but in terms of being helpful both of you are the same.

Thank you for your compliment, Your Highness.

Here comes His Majesty.

How are you, Mom?

- Your Majesty. - At ease.

Grateful Your Majesty.

Your Majesty, why do you look so tired?

I discussed national affairs with Commissioner Wai

General Shek and the other officials. That's why I feel tired.

Mind your health. Don't exhaust yourself, understand?

I will listen to your teaching, Mom.

There's something I want to discuss with you, Mom.

What's the matter?

After Dad had passed away.

Empress Kwok and the other officials helped

my third elder brother to come to the throne.

My second elder brother was killed.

Even his name plate wasn't allowed to be put in the temple.

I've decided to overturn the prohibition

so his name can be put in the list of ancestors.

Son, it's right to do so.

The generals under my second elder brother were wrongfully accused.

They were alleged to have stolen from the vault in Luoyang.

All of them were exiled outside the border.

Now the Penal Department has found them innocent

I would overturn the decision too.

It's good to set the record right.

I dare not say I can give the people a rich life

but at least they can live in peace if the law is properly enforced.

You've done a good job, son.

I heard that you're having headaches recently, Mom.

Do you feel better today?

Just now Kam Ling did massage for me and reduced the pain.

I wanted to give her a reward.

What do you think I should give to Kam Ling?

I don't want any reward, I just hope Mistress Lau's wish can come true.

Sam Ho?

Your Majesty mentioned the theft in Luoyang's vault.

Sam Ho's father was involved.

So you want to help them meet again?

Sam Ho's mom died early. Her dad is her only family left.

Will Your Majesty please help her?

Kam Ling, you are so nice.

You don't want a reward. You just care about Sam Ho?

The two of them are really like blood sisters. You get up first.

If so, you give her your promise then.

Alright. Your wish is granted.

I'm grateful, Your Majesty.

Mom, I'll become Head of Jewels Department, I haven't failed the Kong's.

I know you've been giving me your blessing all the time.

I'll follow the teaching of you and dad strictly.

- Dad! Dad! - Sam Ho.

Dad! Am I dreaming? How come you've come to the palace?

The Penal Department has decided that old master is innocent.

His Majesty has already ordered to overturn the case.

He's even made the special arrangement for you two to meet.

His Majesty's grace is so bountiful. Now I can see you again.

I won't get any regret even if I have to die.

Mom, Dad is fine at last. He's come to see you.

I'm sorry, honey. I'm useless. I've made you suffer so much hardship.

How will there be families without the country? Mom's never mad at you.

Kam Ling told me that you will be promoted as Head of the Jewels Department soon.

I'm sure your mom will be very happy in heaven.

I feel the happiest seeing you, Dad.

But you are in the palace. I have to leave very soon after meeting you now.

Not really. Sam Ho told me that you are good at planting flowers and trees.

In future, you come to the palace regularly

to take care of the flowers and plants in the palace.

You two can see each other more often then. You don't need to part from each other.

- Your Majesty. - Your Majesty.

Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty. I want to bow to you.

Thank you, Your Majesty, for allowing me to see my dad again.

- Please get up. - Much obliged, Your Majesty.

Actually it's Kam Ling who made this happen.

She requested me to do so.

Kam Ling, thank you.

We are good sisters. I just model on you.

Speak good words, do good deeds and show goodwill.

Anyway, thanks to His Majesty for granting my request.

I've read the reports.

A lot of monks don't have a fixed abode.

They go from door to door to beg for alms. They are in a miserable state.

Back then when I was in misery, the master in charge of a monastery welcomed me.

I don't want to see the monks suffer.

Your Majesty, the late emperor suppressed Buddhism and encouraged Taoism.

Therefore monasteries were destroyed.

Monks were forced to return to their homes.

That's why they are so miserable.

Your Majesty can support both Buddhism and Taoism.

You can rebuild the monasteries so that the monks can stay there.

They don't need to wander on the streets then.

Heaven is merciful.

I've decided to build more monasteries in Luoyang and the capital.

I will donate money to repair the damaged monasteries

so that the Buddhist followers may go there to worship.

Your Majesty is kind-hearted. You will be loved by the people.

Your Majesty is wise.

I've perused the report from the Penal Department.

It points out that the theft case regarding

the vault in Yangzhou during Emperor Hin Chung's period was wrongfully decided.

I've decided to overturn the decision back then.

Those who are still alive may return to their hometowns.

Those who are dead can be buried in their hometowns too.

The law is properly enforced. It's a blessing for the people.

You aren't allowed to go inside the hall.

Empress Kwok, don't break the rule please.

Your Majesty, Empress Kwok has barged into the hall without permission.

The hall is for the emperor to discuss administration matters with the officials.

Women are not allowed to come in.

Please ask Emperor Kwok to return to her chamber.

- Yes, Your Majesty. - Yes, Your Majesty.

The late emperors are here. Who dares to get in my way?

You see the late emperors' name plates. Why are you still standing there?

Where's your manners? Do you know the proper etiquette?

So you still know the late emperors.

Why did you suddenly take the name plates of the five late emperors here?

I want everyone to see clearly who the real emperor should be.

The five late emperors came from the royal family of Tang.

Emperor Hin Chung was my husband, Emperor Muk Chung was my son.

Emperor King Chung, Man Chung and Mo Chung were the children of Muk Chung.

They came from the same bloodline, they inherited the throne.

They were the real emperors.

Are you implying that I'm not the son of Emperor Hin Chung

and that I'm not predestined to become the emperor?

The background of your mother is humble, she's so cheap.

How can you be the match of my son and grandsons?

There's no point to argue whether I'm illegitimate

but you can't deny that I'm the son of Emperor Hin Chung.

I came from the bloodline of the Lee's.

Are you predestined to be the emperor or did someone put you on the throne?

Do you deserve to get the title?

I'm not afraid of what the historians will write about my conduct.

You don't need to worry either.

I don't want to worry about it, but the late emperor talked to me in my dream.

He said he felt so hurt.

His son fools around once he's become the emperor.

He's a disgrace to his family reputation. He's afraid he will do harm to the country.

I came to teach you for the late emperor.

Will the empress please tell me how I fool around?

After Emperor Hin Chung died

the traitors wanted to put his second son on the throne.

They deserved to be executed.

But Emperor Muk Chung spared their lives. He just exiled them outside the border.

He's really so generous.

Now Your Majesty wants to overturn the decision and pardon the traitors.

You even allow them to return to the capital.

In doing so, you are actually implying that the late emperor made a mistake.

You are giving him a slap in the face. You are so unfaithful, unkind and unjust.

How can you be a role model for the officials and the people?

Back then the so-called traitors just served a different master.

The theft of government revenue wasn't committed by them.

Now the Penal Department has found out what actually happened

I'm doing the right thing to overturn the case.

The law must be properly enforced to convince the people and rule the country.

What Your Majesty say sounds reasonable. Of course you must set the record right.

But I remember back then it's General Ma who hunted down the traitors.

If you say the traitors were being set up

that means General Ma arrested the innocent people.

They were punished wrongfully.

Your Majesty, if you want to overturn the case for the traitors.

Then you should punish Ma Yuen Chi as he was the culprit back then.

Why don't you say anything, Your Majesty?

Empress Kwok, you are not playing your proper role.

Women aren't allowed to express their opinions here.

You'd better return to your chamber.

Why are you so afraid of me? Is it because you're guilty?

Back then Empress Mo, during the rule of Emperor Ko Chung

also expressed her opinions regarding the administration.

Your Majesty, why don't you punish Ma Yuen Chi? You are the emperor.

You dare not to offend an eunuch? If so, how can you do your job as the emperor?

How can you make people shut up? The emperor?

Ma Yuen Chi, do you know you're guilty? On your knees.

I was guilty. I made a terrible mistake, I should be executed.

Now Your Majesty has overturned the case. It shows you're just and impartial.

The traitors are allowed to come home. It shows Tang is a benevolent country.

What Empress Kwok says is absolutely right. I did make a mistake.

Your Majesty's reputation is tainted, I'm so guilty. I deserve to be executed.

You've served five different emperors. How could you make such a mistake?

Back then I was eager to serve my master, I didn't want anyone to get away.

That's why the innocent persons were punished too.

I regret it so much now.

I know I've made a terrible mistake.

Who doesn't err at all?

The greatest kindness is to correct yourself.

The Penal Department reopened the case because they didn't want further mistake.

I did it only to serve my master.

I was loyal to my master. I loved my country.

Emperor Tai Chung often said

'Look at the mirror to see how you dress.'

'Look at history to see how an administration is replaced by another.'

'Look at others to see what's right or wrong.'

General Ma is courageous enough to take up the responsibilities.

He's willing to be punished. He's a role model for every officer.

I can learn from him too.

The late emperor was kind in his administration.

Everyone loved him. I've decided to model on him. I won't punish General Ma.

On the contrary, I'll give him a cash reward.

Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty.

You are so kind, Your Majesty.

This is really crap, you are covering up for him.

You can fool others, but you can't fool me.

If you care about the country so much

you could summon me to your chamber and give me a lecture.

You don't need to disturb the administration here.

You shouldn't disturb the five late emperors.

You...

I need to escort the late emperors' name plates back to the temple.

All of you follow me. We need to apologize to the late emperors.

Sis.

Heaven has turned a blind eye to the misconduct of that bad son.

The late emperors won't rest in peace.

Sis, let's return to the chamber to talk.

Now your son has become the emperor. Your status is totally different.

You are so arrogant. I'm all alone.

The officials don't show me respect anymore. Who will listen to me now?

If you behave yourself, you can still live happily in the palace.

I can't live a life like this. I won't listen to anyone.

Back then when I was a lady, you were just a foot-washing maid.

You were so wicked.

You did everything to seduce the late emperor.

Now you've won.

You've become the empress. Of course you want to give orders now.

I just want to get along with you.

You are the winner. I'm the loser. Your son talks about kindness all the time.

He's actually wicked and sly.

He pretended to be an idiot for so many years

because he wanted to become emperor.

Now he's even pardoned the traitors to please everyone.

He can fool the officials, but he can't fool me.

I won't remain a sitting duck.

If you insist on saying that my son has done something bad

there's nothing further I can say.

Your son is a bad son!

He thinks he can win everyone over? He doesn't deserve it.

Today I'll kill myself. I'll jump off the city wall.

I want everyone to know you and your son have driven me to death.

See if they still trust this so-called good emperor.

I want him to be criticized by everyone. I want him to become notorious.

No, don't do it.

Don't do it, Your Highness. Get down.

Don't do it... Don't do it, Your Highness. Don't do it.

Let me go.

How dare you to hold me back. Let me go!

You treat me like this! You'll die terribly!

You will all die terribly. I won't spare you and your son.

You don't allow me to die, then you guys must die!

The empress has lost her mind.

Take her to Sheung Yeung chamber to get rest.

I've lost my mind?

Bitch! You want to put me in a remote chamber.

I won't go there!

I won't go there! Let me go! I won't go there! Bitch! Let me go, bitch!

Why do you come here?

Your Highness has moved into Sheung Yeung chamber.

I came to see how you're doing here. It's a nice place.

But too bad you live alone.

- Come over. - What's the matter?

Hit me as you like.

There's no one in the chamber.

No one comes here except to deliver meals to you.

You were so authoritative before.

- But now. - Shut up.

What if I don't? Do you think you are still the Empress Kwok before?

Whoever offended you would be smacked or even executed? It's different now.

I've got all the power and authority.

You? You've got nothing.

You're an abandoned empress.

Back then if I hadn't promoted you, would you have got the chance to excel?

Could you have become so powerful?

You owe it to this abandoned empress your accomplishments.

I really can't believe you would turn against me now.

I've failed to notice your intention.

My intention is so obvious. Different emperors have different styles.

I've served five emperors.

It shows I'm good at making adjustment. You were so stupid.

You wanted to bluff His Majesty with the name plates of the late emperors?

You asked for the humiliation.

You even tried to drag me down. You're so stupid.

I put His Majesty on the throne.

How would he turn against me? He doesn't have the guts.

You are stupid like a pig.

You aren't clever either.

You think you can make use of the emperor to control everyone?

You treat the emperor as a puppet.

Now he listens to you because he isn't strong enough.

But when he can take over the authority, he won't spare you.

You'd better remember this, Ma Yuen Chi, you'd better have a plan.

Shut up.

I'm sorry. I've forgotten that you're a eunuch.

How will there be a plan for a eunuch? My mistake.

Even if you can control the administration as well as the country, so what?

You won't get a successor You can never become the emperor.

What's the point in doing all these then?

Aren't I right about it? You are castrated.

How can a castrated person become the emperor?

- A castrated emperor? - Enough. Shut up!

Empress Kwok was sent to the remote chamber. She felt upset.

Therefore she became deranged and died. Please don't be so sad, Your Majesty.

The country will mourn for her.

To avoid gossips among the people

Your Majesty should announce that Empress Kwok fell sick and died.

You do that. Although Empress Kwok was never the queen before.

I'll allow her to be buried with the ceremony for a queen

to give face to the late emperor.

Your Majesty is so kind. I'll go get the job done.

Your Majesty is so generous in dealing with

Empress Kwok's funeral despite what she did to you before. I do admire you.

Empress Kwok was the mother of the late emperor after all.

I don't want people to say I'm bad.

If Ma Yuen Chi makes this an excuse to incite the other officials

it will take me a lot of trouble to pacify them.

You're getting smarter and smarter, Your Majesty.

There are traps everywhere. I can't tell who's loyal to me. I must be cautious.

Now Empress Kwok is dead, both Your Majesty and Lady Zheng can feel relieved.

Compared to Ma Yuen Chi Empress Kwok was nothing.

Here comes Empress Zheng.

Your Highness.

You're sick. Don't mind the formalities.

Much obliged, Your Highness.

You've got a nightmare again?

Your Highness, I'm afraid I'm possessed.

Back when I held Empress Kwok back at the city wall, she bumped against the wall.

Shortly after, she fell sick and died. I saw her in my dream.

She came to take my life. She said I killed her.

Empress Kwok died of a natural cause. No one is at fault.

Back then if you didn't hold her back, she would have jumped off the city wall.

- She would have died right there. - But...

You didn't just save Empress Kwok, but my son and me too.

If Empress Kwok killed herself, people would gossip about it.

It would affect His Majesty's reputation greatly.

He just came to the throne.

He couldn't afford any mistake. He couldn't get criticized.

Thank you for helping us solve the problem.

Please don't say so, Your Highness. It's my duty to work for Your Highness.

Back then the situation was critical.

I couldn't stand aside without doing anything.

You are really so kind.

But I still feel guilty about it. The dream feels so real. It's so scary.

Don't be afraid. No matter what happens, I'll be there to help you. Don't be afraid.

You'll be fine. I'll give you some herbal tea to help you calm down.

You won't get nightmares then, alright? Don't be afraid. You're fine.

Congratulations on your becoming Head of Jewels and Head of Furnishings today.

I'm serving tea instead of wine to drink with all of you.

Thank you, Your Highness.

We are still mourning for Empress Kwok in the palace.

All the feasts will be canceled.

Today's meal is just an ordinary gathering, I hope you will understand it.

It's the honor of the Imperial Household Bureau

to be invited by Your Highness to this meal.

Tsui Wan, you are the new Head of Furnishings. Are you having any problem?

Furnishings and jewels have different responsibilities.

I'm afraid I need to spend some time to adjust.

You are clever. I'm sure you will bring changes to the Furnishings Department.

Mistress Yuen is resourceful. She will pick up very soon for sure.

But Mistress Lau is still green in management.

She still needs Mistress Yuen's advice from time to time.

Bureau Chief, fellow department heads

please give me your advice from time to time.

Sam Ho, everyone thinks you're the right candidate.

You don't need to belittle yourself. Sit down.

Thank you for giving me a chance, Your Highness.

Chief Choi, you've got very competent assistants.

Your Highness, after I was transferred to the Furnishings Department

I've got a funny idea.

Mistress Yuen, you always get your own views. Please share with me.

I want to mix the designs of the Furnishings Department

with the techniques of the Jewels Department.

Such fusion of the two departments

would definitely create some special and unique items.

The Jewels Department will do our best to accommodate the Furnishings Department.

If the two of you can work together, you will do a good job for sure.

Mistress Yuen, you are new there. You've already got so many ideas?

I guess if your two departments work together

- there will be surprises for sure. - This is great.

Your Highness, the Food Department has made a dessert specially for this dinner.

It's called the Four Happiness dumplings.

I hope everyone will feel happy after eating it.

There are four colors for the dumplings.

It symbolizes the harmony and union among the four departments.

The fillings inside are different according to each person's preference.

How come the dumpling for the Jewels Department isn't blue in color?

I used the color green because it means you will do a better job, Mistress Lau.

Your Highness, why aren't you eating? Are the dumplings too hot?

No. Dumplings symbolize union. They make me think of Empress Kwok.

Now she's dead. I feel a bit sad.

I'm so negligent. I've failed to understand your mood.

The dessert I made caused your sadness, I beg for your forgiveness.

It isn't your fault. You guys carry on. Don't waste the effort of Mistress Tam.

It's my birthday in three months.

I've decided to cancel the birthday celebration to mourn for Empress Kwok.

The Imperial Household Bureau doesn't need to make any arrangements for me.

Your Highness is the Head of the six chambers.

The Imperial Household Bureau will follow Your Highness

and prohibit all the parties and banquets in the Bureau.

Chief Choi, you are both competent and virtuous.

I feel relieved that you are in charge of the Imperial Household Bureau.

Mistress Chung, will I be interrupting you?

What's the matter?

Our Food Department made some snacks, I've taken some here for you.

Dumplings again?

Don't tease me. Just now I nearly made a terrible mistake.

Thank Heaven the empress was so kind. She didn't hold me liable.

I've got you milk cakes.

Thank God the empress is kind.

If it was Empress Kwok, she would punish you if she felt a little bit unhappy.

I wouldn't dare make any new desserts if it was Empress Kwok before.

But in terms of interpersonal skills, I'm really far from the match of Yuen Tsui Wan.

Even you think so too?

You saw what happened.

Even the Bureau Chief tried to flatter Yuen Tsui Wan and Lau Sam Ho

in the presence of the empress.

Their status today is so different.

Besides, she's saved the empress's life before.

I guess if we have any argument in future, the two of us must make concession.

I think you are over sensitive. Your worries aren't justified.

Back then Yuen Tsui Wan was still polite to the other three departments.

Who would believe once she's become the Head of Furnishings.

she immediately wants to take over the Jewels Department as well.

She's really so aggressive.

Maybe later, she will try to control our departments too.

I think the Bureau Chief won't allow that to happen.

Sam Ho respects you so much. Why don't you recruit her under you?

So long as you are competent and do your jobs well, you'll be safe in your position.

Why do you need to rely on others to make you look stronger?

If you are so confident, Mistress Chung

there's no point for me to say anything further. I won't interrupt you then.

- You can see yourself out. - Alright.

I'll see how long you can survive.

This book has recorded the quantity of gold plates and silver threads used.

This book has recorded the jewels and stones retrieved from the used hairpins.

They must be put in separate records so that no one can take advantage.

Now that I'm Head of Jewels

I've learned that it really isn't easy to be in charge of a department.

It's already such a headache to check the records.

It's good that I can ask you for advice, Mistress Yuen.

You can learn all these in due course, but there are some changes that you must make.

Yes?

The four grades in a department have their respective duties. You are the head.

You must show the proper authority, you must be firm and fair.

You must keep the distinction between different grades.

Don't allow anyone to cross the line.

I understand it. Thank you for your teaching, Mistress Yuen.

What do you think of this jewel box?

The craftsmanship is outstanding. You made it yourself, right, Mistress Yuen?

Yes. Tomorrow is Mistress Chung's birthday.

I've made a gold hairpin for her as a birthday gift

but the Bureau Chief has ordered us to follow what the empress does.

All parties and banquets are prohibited

so I will give it to Mistress Chung the day after her birthday.

You won't violate the prohibition, and you can show your goodwill.

It's a very good idea, but I intend to give this jewel box to her tomorrow.

I just won't say it's a birthday gift.

I feel so glad that you two have become friends again.

We are sisters after all.

I don't want to wait till my ashes lie at the bottom of the well before we make up.

Wow, it's so delicate.

- It's so beautiful. - Hey, give it back to me.

Is this a gift?

Who did you make this for?

Do you think Deputy Head Yiu likes this color? It's alright for Mistress Lau.

She likes whatever I give her.

I see. They're promoted. So you want to flatter them?

Didn't you hate them so much before?

Don't talk nonsense. That isn't true. We are good sisters.

Oh no, I've forgotten Mistress Yuen, I'm so careless.

What are you guys doing here?

Good morning, Mistress Chung.

Why aren't you dyeing the cloth? I told you we need them urgently.

Mistress Chung, we didn't get the dye

so we're doing something else while we wait for your further instructions.

How come? I saw some dye being delivered to the palace yesterday.

This morning I went to the Security Bureau to check.

The dye was delivered but it's taken to the Furnishings Department.

Didn't you report in advance that our Embroideries Department needs it?

I did. I made the request at the beginning of the month.

The Furnishings Department made the request just two days ago.

I don't know why it's given to them first.

Isn't it the rule to follow the time of request?

How do people in the Security Bureau do their jobs?

For the masters, the rules depend on who gets a stronger background.

Now Mistress Yuen is favored by the empress, of course they want to flatter her.

That's true. The situation is different now.

They are the pets of the empress. How can we compete with them?

I'm afraid someone will be so aggressive to suppress us in future.

Enough. Let me handle this.

- You guys get back to work. - Yes.

Mistress Chung, it's good to see you here.

I was going to the Embroideries Department to look for you.

Great. I want to ask you something too.

Yes?

I want to remind you that there are rules in the palace.

Everything has a clear order to be followed.

What do you mean? Why don't you tell me expressly?

Our Embroideries Department ordered the dye

earlier than your Furnishings Department did.

I don't know why the dye was delivered to you.

We did get the dye today. As to whether this is a mistake, I need to find out.

What are you two talking about so early in the morning?

- Bureau Chief. - Bureau Chief.

What are you two talking about? It appears that you two are arguing.

I just want to clarify the matter. Someone ordered dye two days ago.

She's got it already, but the Embroideries Department has waited for a month.

We still haven't gotten anything.

Is that true?

The dye was delivered to me, but I don't know too much about the details.

We always follow the rules. That's the usual practice. When did this change?

If it's confirmed that there's a mistake

I'll ask someone to send it back to the Embroideries Department right away.

It's good that the problem is solved.

It's lucky that the Bureau Chief's here

so that you two won't quarrel again over a trivial matter.

I asked Mistress Yuen politely. We didn't quarrel.

You mustn't get me wrong.

I mean if you two make concessions for each other

then there won't be any problem.

There will be peace.

It's good to clarify this. I don't want people to gossip and say that I don't

follow the rules because I've got someone to back me up.

There are always gossips in the palace.

Never mind what outsiders think, but we shouldn't get it wrong ourselves.

I haven't got it wrong. The fact is someone thinks she's got support.

Therefore she doesn't follow the rules.

Am I supposed to keep quiet if something unreasonable has happened?

It's a trivial matter.

What's the big deal? There's no need to get mad.

I don't care who made the request first.

Now if the Embroideries Department needs it urgently

you send it to them right away.

Yes.

Suet Ha, the situation is different now. Don't make trouble. Let it go.

I'm not making trouble, I just want fair treatment.

There's never fairness in the palace. It's all about survival.

You've been in the palace for so long. You still haven't learned?

Like it or not, that's the reality you must accept.

You don't want to flatter anyone.

Head Tam told us to be smart. We mustn't offend the empress's pet.

Everyone knows who's in authority. She doesn't need to remind us.

I heard that this morning even Chief Choi told Mistress Chung not to make trouble.

She told her to make concessions for Mistress Yuen.

No wonder Mistress Chung looks so angry.

- What happened? - Right. What happened?

It's probably because of the dye.

I told you long ago that Mistress Yuen's the empress's pet.

But Mistress Chung can't accept it. She insists on fighting her.

In the end, she's the one who suffers.

You didn't say so this morning.

What I said doesn't matter. What matters is that Mistress Chung is humiliated.

She's defeated. I'm afraid our days in future will be hard.

Subtitles by TVB USA