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[Beyond the Realm of Conscience]

Episode Thirty-One

I'll go see Prince Qi on your behalf.

You can use the pretext of escorting General Man back home for rehab.

You may make a detour to see Prince Qi.

To save His Majesty's life we must thwart Ma Yuen Chi's plan.

To make Lady Yin miscarry?

Let me do this tough job for you, Your Highness.

Sis?

Sis, you've woken up? Let me help you up.

Where's Yuen Wah?

She went to the Food Department to get you some sweetened plums.

I've made you a bowl of medicine... Fei Yin.

What's this medicine? It smells so strong.

Dr. Ng told me not to take replenishing medicine casually.

This isn't for replenishment. It's for abortion.

What did you say, sis?

It's for abortion. You hear that? I want you to abort your baby.

Where's Yuen Wah? Yuen Wah...

Save your breath. Even her ghost can't come to help you.

Lady Lai, what do you want?

You don't know?

Ever since the selection of ladies, I've hated you.

You were so arrogant because of your status

as General Man's daughter and Ma Yuen Chi's goddaughter.

I was wrong before. I apologize to you. Don't be mad at me please.

Shut up. You don't deserve to be my sis. You aren't even good enough to be my maid.

Back when I tore apart the pearl necklace to make you slip, you were so lucky.

You didn't get hurt. This is so unfair.

You were so wicked to set me up.

I didn't just set you up.

Do you know your mom Suen Ka Bik was killed by me too?

Yes, I planted the evidence.

I told Dr. Sze to put the rag doll in her bedroom.

She's executed for practicing black magic in the palace.

You killed my mom. Yiu Kam Ling, you are so vicious.

Treachery and trickery are the common practice in the palace.

Who doesn't exhaust all means and tricks to win His Majesty's favor?

Who doesn't want to be queen?

It's never my intention to compete with you.

Can you compete with me? You are so stupid.

You even call me your sis.

You like the scent of flowers on me. Do you know what the scent is? It's fennel.

I steam my clothes with fennel everyday.

I want you to smell the scent so that you will miscarry.

Everyday when I see His Majesty and Her Highness treat you so well.

I really want to beat you up with a staff till your belly bursts open.

I'll report this to His Majesty and the empress.

You want to turn me in?

Do you think you'll have the chance? Get me the medicine.

Don't dream about it. I won't drink it.

Can you say no? It's the order of the empress to make you miscarry.

I don't believe it. The empress won't do so.

You just made it up. You're lying.

Blame your godfather, Ma Yuen Chi. He wants to kill His Majesty.

Once your baby is born, he will kill His Majesty.

Her Highness would rather give up her grandson so as to keep His Majesty alive.

It isn't true.

Drink the medicine.

I won't. I want to see His Majesty.

Fei Yin, hold her down.

Help... Help... Help...

Your Highness, please use some tea.

Your Highness.

How's Lady Yin doing?

Your Highness, I've explained everything to sis.

She understood the situation.

She drank the medicine to give up the baby and save His Majesty.

But... I'm so sorry.

After taking the medicine, sis didn't just miscarry, but also became weak.

The medicine was too strong for her. She's passed away.

Your Majesty, Lady Yin took medicine to abort the baby.

She's found dead in her bedroom. The imperial doctor was too late.

She and the baby are dead.

What happened? What happened? Lady Yin wouldn't hurt herself.

She must be set up. Conduct an investigation immediately.

Yes, Your Majesty.

There's no need for investigation.

- Mom. - You are dismissed.

- Yes, Your Highness. - Mom.

You don't need to pursue this further. I gave the order.

I killed your son.

At first, I just wanted Lady Yin to get a miscarriage. I didn't mean to kill her.

Mom, why did you do that? Why did you hurt my son?

My grandson died. No one is more heartbroken than me.

But I didn't have a choice.

It's because I know when my grandson is born, you will be killed.

Mom, you know Ma Yuen Chi's plot?

The country needs an emperor.

Your safety will affect Tang and the people.

I can't let anyone hurt you.

I will sacrifice even myself if necessary, not just my grandson.

Mom.

Your Majesty, you know Lady Yin's baby is your greatest threat.

He will get you killed.

But I know you will never sacrifice an innocent person for self preservation.

So I made the decision for you. Let me take up the guilt.

This is my vow to you, Your Majesty. Here's the poem.

I want to be with you forever.

I won't part with you until mountains eroded and rivers dried

until there's thunder in winter and snow in summer

until the sky and earth close up as one.

Don't worry, Brother Man.

When we get to your hometown, I'll ask a craftsman to fix it for you.

You get some rest tonight. We'll hit the road again tomorrow.

- Sir, may I come in? - Come in.

Sir, do you want to refill the charcoal for the heater?

The heater doesn't work.

The pipe is blocked. I'll take it out to fix it for you.

It's cold here. General Man is unwell. We must keep the room warm.

Yes, sir.

- Officer Ko. - Is the boat ready?

Everything's set.

Everything is working out as planned. Brother Man, it's tough for you.

Brother Man, you hang in there. I'll be back to rescue you very soon. Run.

Kill him.

Heavenly father, please help Lady Yin and her baby forget their suffering.

Let them go to heaven.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

I was just informed that General Man was ambushed on the way. He's disappeared.

And Hin Yeung... Hin Yeung was stabbed many times.

He fell off a cliff... He's dead.

No, no, Hin Yeung won't die.

It's not true. It's not true.

Your Majesty, please tell me this isn't true.

I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.

No!

He said that when I see Tsun star he'll be back.

He won't lie to me.

I don't believe he will leave me unless I see his body.

He promised to plant wild Chinese viburnum trees outside our house in Yangzhou.

I will put a lamp at the door to show him the way home.

That's what we will do.

- Tsui Wan. - Godmother.

Mind your health. Don't be so sad.

I can't believe our meal the other day was

both the first time as well as the last time.

Godmother.

I know everything's predestined. I just hope God will have mercy on us.

Let His Majesty find General Man's body.

I don't want him to be eaten by bugs or animals.

I hope he will rest in peace.

Don't be so sad. God will take care of General Man.

He wouldn't suffer anymore in this world.

I don't have money, power or authority.

The only thing I can do is to pray for godfather.

Let him rest in peace.

Siu Shun, you are so nice. You are really General Man's godson.

What a shame you two didn't spend too much time together.

Don't be so sad. Mind your health.

Godmother, don't be so sad.

Bureau Chief, Mistress Yuen it's good you two are here.

What's the matter?

General Ma said the empress wanted everyone in the Imperial Household Bureau

to gather at Tsz Ling Hall.

Your Highness, Lady Lai.

- At ease. - Much obliged, Your Highness.

I summoned you guys here because General Ma received an anonymous letter

alleging that someone in the Imperial Household Bureau has breached the rules.

So I've decided to conduct a thorough investigation.

The letter said someone had stolen some medicine from the imperial pharmacy.

The stolen medicine must be expensive.

Was it the ginseng from Tianshan or the bears' paws

from the northwestern territory?

The medicine stolen isn't anything expensive.

It's for pregnant women. The one who stole it for use must be pregnant.

I believe someone in the palace has done something immoral and got pregnant.

General Ma, it's a serious offense for

a maid to fall in love and sleep with others.

The offender must be executed. Are you really sure this is the case?

I've checked the record in the imperial pharmacy.

The medicine was really stolen.

Did anyone breach the rule?

Turn yourself in now. I'll spare your life.

Your Highness, there's no need to do so. I know who the offender is.

Really? Why didn't you tell me then?

I got an anonymous letter again right before I came to Chi Ling Hall.

Therefore I didn't get a chance to report to Your Highness.

I beg for your forgiveness, Your Highness.

Who's the offender according to the letter?

Mistress Lau of the Jewels Department.

Mistress Lau always behaves herself. Is this a misunderstanding?

That's right, General Ma. You mustn't smear Mistress Lau.

She always behaves herself and observes the rules strictly.

How will she sleep with someone and get pregnant?

I've got concrete evidence. I didn't smear her.

Just summon the imperial doctor here to check her pulse.

Then we can find out whether she's pregnant.

I beg for your forgiveness, Your Highness. I did breach the rule.

How can this be covered up?

As Mistress Lau has made a confession, I would ask Your Highness to sentence her.

Sentence her?

As Lady Lai said just now

it's a serious offense for a maid to fall in love and sleep with others.

The offender must be executed.

Have mercy please, Your Highness.

Mistress Lau has served the Imperial Household Bureau diligently.

She's got much credit.

Please pass a lenient sentence on her and spare her life.

Mistress Lau always observes the rules. This is an inadvertent mistake.

Will Your Highness have mercy on her.

Will Your Highness have mercy on her.

Will Your Highness have mercy on her.

Even the emperor will be found guilty like a commoner if he breaks the law.

Your Highness is in charge of the palace.

You are the leader of the maids. You must enforce the law strictly.

How can you spare her? Will Your Highness sentence her right away?

Lau Sam Ho must be executed. The baby she's carrying must be killed too.

Who wants to kill my son?

- Your Majesty. - At ease.

Much obliged, Your Majesty.

Mistress Lau is carrying my baby.

I was about to make an announcement to make Mistress Lau my lady.

Your Majesty's child may succeed to the throne. This is serious.

We must investigate this thoroughly.

You think I don't know what I've done?

I know very well that Mistress Lau is carrying my child.

There's no need for investigation.

Lady Yin is dead. I lost my wife and my son.

But God has mercy on me. He gives me a son again.

This is a blessing for Tang.

There's no room for doubt. Mistress Lau, I'll make you my lady.

Mistress Lau, Lau Sam Ho, you've lived up to your name.

You are virtuous.

I'm making you Lady Tak. You'll move into Tak Hing Chamber.

I'll also give you robes and jewels.

The Imperial Household Bureau will prepare the proper attire for Lady Tak right away.

The furnishings of her chamber must be grand too.

Yes, Your Majesty.

This bitch Lau Sam Ho slept with His Majesty.

She called me her sis.

Did she ever think about me when she slept with His Majesty?

Please don't be mad, my lady.

How can I withhold my anger? His Majesty has driven me so mad.

I saw Lau Sam Ho throw up in the morning. Her appetite has changed.

She didn't consult a doctor or take any medicine.

So I wrote an anonymous letter to inform Ma Yuen Chi that she's pregnant.

I wanted him to finish her off. He would find her guilty of sleeping with others.

But it has never crossed my mind that she's carrying His Majesty's baby.

Why is God so unfair? I was badly humiliated.

I had suffered so much hardship before I became a lady.

But Lau Sam Ho did it so easily.

How come she's got so many people helping her?

Why is it so difficult for me in every step I take?

Maybe this is what Lau Sam Ho says 'Kindness attracts and evil alienates.'

What are you talking about? Listen carefully.

Don't ever say that again before me. I don't buy that. You hear me?

Yes, my lady.

I'm not alone. I've got Ma Yuen Chi.

I just wrote him an anonymous letter.

He then made up the story.

Obviously, he knew the empress favored Lau Sam Ho.

So he exposed her in public and forced Her Highness to deal with her.

Both Ma Yuen Chi and I want Sam Ho dead.

What are you going to do, my lady?

I could take out Lady Yin. I can take out another one too.

I'll see how long Lady Tak's luck will last.

Here comes His Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Now you're already Lady Tak.

You still call yourself a maid? You guys are dismissed.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Now there are just the two of us.

We can talk like we did before, right, Sam Ho?

Thank you for helping me, Your Majesty.

Otherwise, I would have been imprisoned and killed already.

But in doing so, you made me your lady. It's really...

Hin Yeung and I are like brothers.

Hin Yeung gave his life for Tang and died for me.

I must take care of his wife and child.

But you are the emperor. You made me your lady for the sake of Hin Yeung.

You even called my child your son.

I can't leave you in danger without doing anything. Let me handle this.

You don't need to feel guilty.

The baby you are carrying is the only offspring of the Ko's family.

For the sake of Hin Yeung

you should put aside your grief and give birth to a healthy baby for him.

I will pull myself together. I believe Hin Yeung is alive unless I see his body.

I know you won't give up so easily.

Back then when I left the palace you gave me sweet lotus seeds.

You told me there's sweetness in bitterness.

When I was hunted, you asked Hin Yeung

to give me a silk handkerchief with a sweet lotus seed sewn on it.

You told me not to give up. I'll never forget what you've done for me.

I just worry Ma Yuen Chi will make trouble again as he's failed to hurt you this time.

Your Majesty is already troubled by national affairs.

Now you have to worry about my safety too.

I know how to eliminate evil for the sake of the country.

As for you, I will never allow anyone to hurt you or your baby.

I thank you on behalf of the Ko's family.

It's late. You go to bed early, Sam Ho.

General Ma, you want to reorganize the Special Tactics Force?

Right now there are the left wing and the right wing in the Force.

I suggest setting up a middle wing as well.

If so, the number of soldiers will be greatly increased.

Right now, there are a hundred thousand soldiers.

To add one more wing, the total number will become a hundred and fifty thousand.

Only then can we deal with all the matters in the palace.

It's both sensible and reasonable to expand the Special Tactics Force.

I need to consider this further.

You do that, but make it quick. It's related to the defense of the palace.

There shouldn't be any delay.

Your Majesty, the empress wants to see you.

- Your Highness. - Your Majesty.

Mom, what's the matter?

Just now I saw the gods in my dream. They looked so angry.

They stared at me in anger. Then I saw the late Emperor Hin Chung.

He said there would be a monster in Tang. There would be catastrophes and upheavals.

Your Highness, dreams aren't true. You don't need to take them seriously.

This is a warning from God. We must believe it.

To save Tang from the catastrophes.

Your Majesty must make an offering to God to show your respect.

Earlier I suggested to Your Majesty that

you should go to Tai Mountain to make an offer to God.

But you didn't like it. You turned me down. Now Her Highness has raised this again.

Shouldn't Your Majesty reconsider it?

Mom, making an offering in Tai Mountain will involve so many people.

Let's talk about that later.

God has forewarned Tang that there will be catastrophes.

Why do you still procrastinate? I've been unwell for so long.

Maybe this is the cause.

Mom.

You must make an offering to God. You must follow God's will.

Otherwise, if there are catastrophes in Tang, you will regret it.

If you insist on this, I'll proceed as you wish then.

I'll go to Tai Mountain to make an offering to God.

I'll pray for Tang and you.

The troops stationed at Tai Mountain are under General Ma's command.

I'm sure my security will be well taken care of.

You don't need to come with me, General Ma.

No. The place is under my jurisdiction. I have the duty to ensure your safety.

I must go with Your Majesty.

Fine. Then you'll go to Tai Mountain with me to make an offering to God.

I'll make the necessary arrangements right away.

Your Majesty, you're leaving soon.

Have you planned everything for taking out Ma?

Everything's set. Don't worry, mom.

This time you used the pretext of making an offering so as to kill the enemy.

It's really risky.

I'm not sure whether I did the right thing making up the story of the nightmare.

Mom, the bad guy set up the loyal officers.

If I don't make up my mind to take the risk

the loyal officers will be killed by him one by one.

I must take immediate action.

You are the emperor.

It's your duty to take out the evil officer to bring peace to the country.

I will pray for you everyday.

May God give you his blessing so you will come home sooner.

Don't worry, mom.

We've been through all sorts of difficulties in these years.

We'll make it this time.

- Your Majesty, Your Highness. - Your Majesty, Your Highness.

- At ease. - Much obliged, Your Majesty.

Tomorrow I'll go to Tai Mountain to make an offering.

During this period

you two must take good care of the empress so she will recover sooner.

Don't worry, Your Majesty.

I will serve Her Highness diligently to ensure she's safe and healthy.

I will also do my best to take care of Her Highness.

Please don't worry, Your Majesty.

During this period, mom will miss me so much.

You two must keep her company.

Go to places with her. Do everything you can to cheer her up.

Your Majesty take this trip to pray for Tang.

God will bless you.

Your wish will be granted. How will I feel worried?

Besides, Lady Lai and Lady Tak will keep me company.

I believe when you return to the palace I will have got well already.

So you don't need to worry about me.

- Your Majesty. - Sam Ho?

Your Majesty will leave the palace very soon.

I've got something for you.

I know Your Majesty are planning something else

although you say you're going to make an offering to God.

You'll encounter much danger.

Every time when I feel helpless and lost

you give me sweet lotus seeds to remind me that there's sweetness in happiness.

I don't know Your Majesty's plan.

But I'm sure it must be related to taking out the wicked.

There's much danger in this trip, but Your Majesty is chosen by God.

You will be safe.

You will accomplish your task and return to the palace in due course.

I'll do my best. May God help me. That's the only thing I can do.

As for whether I can return to the palace, I dare not make any promise.

I'm afraid I may let you down.

Your Majesty.

I've been keeping something to myself all the time. I dare not tell you about it.

But I know if I don't say it tonight, there may not be a chance for me to do so.

I'll regret it for the rest of my life.

What's the matter, Your Majesty? Please feel free to tell me.

I owe Lady Yin and Lady Lai certain duties.

But there's only one person I'm most devoted to.

The person I love the most is... you, Sam Ho.

But the person I envy the most is Hin Yeung.

It's because he's the only person you love.

Your Majesty.

Therefore I've already hidden my love for you deep in my heart.

I'm sorry Hin Yeung is killed by that monster.

You two can't live together anymore.

To protect Hin Yeung's child, I have no choice but to make you my wife.

We are a couple by law, but not by desire.

This is so ironic.

Back then I've kept the silk handkerchief together with my love for you in a box.

Now I'm leaving the palace very soon. I don't know when I'll be back.

So I'll return this to you. Please keep it in your safe custody for me.

If I can accomplish my task and return to the palace

I hope I'll get it back from you.

But I hope you'll give it to me in another capacity.

Not as Sam Ho, but as my Lady Tak.

His Majesty has already left the palace.

Your ladyship needn't keep the empress company anymore.

You can enjoy yourself and relax.

Relax? I want to establish my authority in the palace during this period.

I want to take the offensive to outshine Lady Tak.

You are really clever, my lady. You've planned everything.

You go the Imperial Household Bureau.

Tell them it's my order that from now on all my clothes, jewels, bed sheets

and blankets must be made by the department heads.

But that isn't the practice in the Imperial Household Bureau.

Even if they promise to do so, they won't actually do it.

They dare not defy my orders.

Lady Tak is acquainted with the people in the Imperial Household Bureau.

They will listen to her.

If anything happens, Chief Chung and the others will take side with her.

They will be at her service.

So what?

Even though Lau Sam Ho is a bully

and those in the Imperial Household Bureau will help her

I can still deal her a fatal blow.

She won't have her way in the palace.

Mistress Yuen and Siu Shun are over there.

Why do we need to talk in secret?

I know you will leave the palace to buy stuff today.

I want you to go to Tsz Kwong Temple for me.

Here's some money.

You hire several monks to perform a ceremony for General Man

so that he will go to heaven sooner. Here.

So you want me to do this for godfather. He's really unfortunate.

First his wife was executed. Then Lady Yin and her baby died.

Everyone in his family died. No one will pay respect to them.

No one will do anything for them. Too bad I'm his godson only.

I'm not even entitled to arrange his funeral.

I wish godfather really has a son.

You are his son.

Godmother, what are you talking about?

I won't keep it from you anymore.

You are the illegitimate son of General Man and I.

How come?

It's a long story.

Still, you have to tell me the story. I am curious too.

But let me summon everyone in the Imperial Household Bureau first

so that they will see how an offender will end up.

They will learn a lesson then.

Yuen Tsui Wan, you are a female officer in the palace.

How dare you breach the rule and have an affair with General Man?

You even gave birth to the illegitimate son, Bo Siu Shun.

Do you know you're guilty?

My lady, Bo Siu Shun is only our godson.

He isn't an illegitimate son as alleged. It's a misunderstanding.

My lady, what Mistress Yuen said is true.

I heard about their becoming godmother and godson too.

Maybe she's inarticulate.

She used the wrong word to cause your ladyship the misunderstanding.

This is nonsense. I heard Yuen Tsui Wan admit the affair.

She said Bo Siu Shun is the illegitimate son of General Man and her.

You say I heard it wrong? Did Fei Yin hear it wrong too?

My lady, I'm really Bo Siu Shun's godmother.

General Man is his godfather.

How dare you! You want to deny it?

I guess you won't make a confession unless you are tortured.

Take them to the cell and torture them.

Yes, your ladyship.

Wait.

Lady Tak.

Lady Tak.

Sis, I heard that you think Mistress Yuen has an affair with someone

and Bo Siu Shun is her illegitimate son.

You want to punish them. I came to see what's going on.

I heard Yuen Tsui Wan admit her immoral conduct.

I need to find out if this is true.

What happens in the palace should be reported to the empress

so that she will make a decision.

Now the empress is ill.

Let's wait till she's got well. Then she'll conduct a trial.

That won't be necessary.

This is a trivial matter. I can deal with it.

A female officer in the palace has an affair with a man.

If this is true, the offender will be executed. How will this be trivial?

As you know this is serious, you should stay in your Tak Hing Chamber.

Let me find out what happened.

You shouldn't come to interfere with the trial.

It's an immoral act to have an affair.

As Her Highness can't preside in the trial, I'll carry out her duty in her place.

They won't make a confession unless they are tortured. Take them away.

Stop it.

Do you want to work against me, sis?

Sis, you carry out Her Highness's duty as she's sick.

If so, I can do that too.

I want to preside over the trial too.

Lady Tak, you are doing so to help this bitch Yuen Tsui Wan.

Everyone here knows she's like a mother to you.

However, having an affair is a serious offense.

I won't allow you to cover up for her.

Exactly, having an affair is a capital offense.

You can't pass a judgment casually. I won't allow you to frame her.

I've got evidence. There's rumor about Yuen Tsui Wan and General Man long ago.

How can you take a rumor seriously? It's just a joke.

There must be a cause for the rumor.

You need evidence to support using torture and passing a sentence.

I heard her admit it. What I say is the evidence.

Your ladyships needn't argue any further.

Just get a drop of blood from each of Mistress Yuen and Bo Siu Shun respectively.

The truth will be known then.

All right, we'll do a blood test to find out.

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

Get me a needle and a bowl of water.

Yes, my lady.

Fei Yin, you get a drop of blood from each of them.

Yes, my lady.

Lady Lai, I'll take up all the responsibilities. Will you please?

Yuen Tsui Wan, shut up.

Their blood won't mix.

That proves I'm not Mistress Yuen's biological son.

The test result shows that they aren't related in blood.

Lady Lai, it seems that this is a misunderstanding.

Now it is clarified. It's good to find out the truth.

Mistress Yuen, Bo Siu Shun, learn a lesson. Mind what you say and do in future.

Don't cause any trouble again.

We will remember your teaching, Lady Tak.

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