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[Beyond the Realm of Conscience]

Episode Thirty-Two

I knew you would come.

You knew Siu Shun and I aren't mother and son.

Therefore, you suggested taking a blood test to help me?

Why did you lie to me?

At first, I thought you killed Kat Cheung. I hated you so much.

Subsequently, you treated Siu Shun as if he's your own son.

I played along to torture and trick you.

But subsequently, you knew I didn't kill Master Bo.

Why didn't you tell me the truth?

Because when you and Siu Shun were like mother and son, you felt so happy.

I didn't want you to feel disappointed, so I just kept quiet about it.

That's what you meant by the white lie?

- Yes. - Where's my son then?

I just know Kat Cheung took him outside the palace. He didn't tell me where.

I'm sorry.

But wasn't Siu Shun given such a name because his mom dumped him in the river?

Siu Shun's biological mom was a prostitute.

She couldn't raise him after his birth, so she dumped him in the river.

Kat Cheung saved him and took him into the palace.

So it's only a coincidence?

Actually, it's fate that allows you two to become godmother and godson.

- Who is it? - Siu Shun?

No wonder you are so nice to me. You even made me your godson.

It's because you thought I was your own son.

Godmother, you knew long ago. I'm not her biological son.

That's why you told us to do the blood test?

Yes.

Siu Shun, I do find you clever and sweet.

I want more people to love you. That's why I didn't tell you the truth.

I really feel happy to have you as my godson.

I didn't mean to hurt you. I just wanted you to feel happy.

- Please don't be mad at us. - Right.

Why would I feel mad? Now everything's clarified. Nothing has changed.

My mom abandoned me.

Master Bo took me in.

Then I became the godson of Chief Chung and Mistress Yuen.

I have two godfathers and two godmothers right?

- Is that right? - That's right.

- Do you two still love me. - Yes.

It's all right then. Why feel troubled?

I'm in charge of the palace.

Now Lady Lai, you accused Mistress Yuen of having an affair.

You interrogated her without authority. Do you have any respect for me?

Please forgive me, Your Highness.

If Lady Tak didn't tell me the truth, I'll be still be ignorant about it.

You've crossed the line this time.

I just wanted to take up the burden for Your Highness. I got desperate.

That's why I decided the case. I came from the four departments.

I have my root in them. I care about them so much.

When I heard that someone had an affair, I got so mad.

That's why I conducted the interrogation.

You were reckless. You even tried to use torture.

Thank Heaven that Lady Tak stopped you. Otherwise innocent people would get hurt.

I know I was wrong. Please forgive me, Your Highness.

Back then Empress Kwok gave me this hairpin, Phoenix Welcoming the Sun.

She wanted me to drive away bad luck and bring good luck to Tang.

When I was wearing this hairpin

I kept reminding myself that I must behave and play my role properly.

I mustn't make any mistakes and get punished.

Now I'll give you this hairpin.

I hope you will remember what I've told you.

Thank you, Your Highness. I've already learned a lesson.

I will never forget it. I won't make a mistake again.

- At ease. - Much obliged, Your Highness.

Lady Tak is prudent and modest. You must model on her.

I will do that for sure, Your Highness.

I've said something to offend you before, sis. Please forgive me.

If you are sincere in working for the palace, sis

you don't need to ask for forgiveness.

Please take care, Your Highness. Why don't you go inside to get some rest?

[Yunzhou Villa]

General Ma, we'll arrive at Tai Mountain in two days.

General Ma, I've found dynamites in the villa.

Dynamites? Where?

In a lot of hidden places in the villa.

Security in the Yunzhou villa is tight. There's no unauthorized entry.

Something's wrong.

No wonder His Majesty agreed to go to Tai Mountain to make an offering.

He knew my troops are stationed here, but he still came here.

It's because he's got a hidden agenda.

His Majesty wants to set you up, General?

General, His Majesty invites you to a drink tonight.

- Your Majesty. - At ease. Have a seat.

Much obliged, Your Majesty.

I can see the moon and the stars tonight. I've got the mood to drink.

But it's no fun to drink alone. I know you like drinking too, General Ma.

So I've invited you to join me.

Hold on. I've got some nice wine too.

Your Majesty... General Ma, here's the wine.

You think the wine I provide isn't fine enough, General Ma?

So you've brought your own wine?

The imperial wine is nice of course.

But I want to try the local wine here in Yuzhou.

- Stand down. - Yes, sir.

Let me pour the wine for Your Majesty.

I'll go first. I wish you good health, Your Majesty.

Nice wine. Again, General.

I enjoy drinking with Your Majesty. I love it.

There's peace in the country. Why don't we drink as much as we can, General? Cheers.

Your Majesty keep pouring wine for me. Do you want me to get drunk?

Why not? Tonight let's drink as much as we can, General.

I can drink a lot. I never get drunk.

I'm afraid Your Majesty will feel disappointed.

Your Majesty, just now I got nothing to do.

- I checked the fortune. - Well?

The oracle is number forty-seven It's about getting trapped in water.

Is anything bothering you, General Ma?

I'm not, but you are. I checked the fortune for Your Majesty.

Trapped in a stone. Stuck in caltrop. Not seeing your wife when home.

Bad. It means Your Majesty is caught in a difficult situation.

When you return to the palace, your ladies have already disappeared.

This is a sign of misfortune. It's really bad, Your Majesty.

How can you believe in such a thing? You can't tell what's on God's mind.

It's harder to tell what's on Your Majesty's mind.

Back then I helped you to the throne. I've got much credit.

But you aren't grateful at all.

You are in command of the army. You've got so much power and personal wealth.

But you still aren't satisfied.

I'm of no use to you anymore. You want to take over the administration.

So you are making a risky move.

I'm the emperor. Of course I must be in control of the administration.

I won't allow anything hurt the innocent people.

Even if I have to kill the bad officer, I must go ahead.

I don't want to be a sitting duck.

Why do you want to get killed doing so?

I'm doing so for righteousness. I have no regret.

In terms of trickery, Your Majesty aren't good enough.

You've placed dynamites everywhere in the villa. Too bad I've discovered it.

I've already removed all of them.

You...

At first, you will die on the day the prince is born.

Too bad you've asked for the misfortune yourself. You are so eager to go to hell.

Your Majesty.

- Seize him. - Yes, sir.

Come on. You guys want to kill me? Let's go to hell together.

Take General Ma away first.

Run.

How are you, Your Highness? You have a nightmare again?

There's a fire in my dream. There's smoke everywhere.

I still feel terrified. I feel worried.

His Majesty is away from the palace. You miss him much.

Therefore, you have bad dreams lately.

I feel so worried about His Majesty's safety.

His Majesty is the emperor. God will keep him safe for sure.

You don't need to worry, Your Highness.

But I feel hot all over my body, as if I was on fire.

Maybe it's due to your illness only... Lady Lai.

- Your Highness. - At ease.

Much obliged, Your Highness. It's time for taking the medicine.

You've been taking care of me for days. I should get well early.

You help me take the medicine every time. I believe you didn't sleep well.

You must be tired.

I'm just doing my job serving Your Highness.

You need to get more rest and take the medicine on time.

Then you will get well very soon. You can take the medicine now.

This is plume poppy. It's poisonous.

A little dose of it will give you a heartburn. Your limbs will tremble.

You'll feel so weak. A heavy dosage will confuse your sense of temperature.

You'll feel uneasy and become deranged. You will even go into a coma.

I want her to be poisoned without a trace.

Then you can put it in her medicine. It will accumulate in her body bit by bit.

She will feel confused and become deranged in less than ten days.

She will then go into a coma.

General Ma, I've searched the place thoroughly.

I found two burned bodies among the debris.

It's confirmed to be His Majesty and Master Bao.

Good. This lousy emperor wanted to go to hell with me? He's so stupid.

He's asked for his own death.

His Majesty died in the fire.

Are you returning to the palace to announce that, General Ma?

How dare you! Who says His Majesty is dead? He's the emperor. He's safe.

He's just changed his itinerary.

His Majesty went to Tai Mountain to make an offering. He got the calling from God.

He's decided to stay in the monastery for the time being

to worship and to pray for the empress.

As to the national affairs, His Majesty has given me the order to be in charge.

I'll discuss the national affairs with the officers and officials.

Excuse me, General Ma. When will His Majesty return to the palace?

Who knows? His Majesty hasn't fixed a return date yet.

What shall we do about the reports?

His Majesty has appointed me the Acting Chief Executive.

All the reports submitted to His Majesty

will be approved by me and executed accordingly.

The empress has fallen sick.

His Majesty should return to the palace right away after hearing that.

But he stays in the monastery. This doesn't make any sense.

It's because Her Highness is sick

that His Majesty stays in the monastery to recite the scriptures and pray for her.

His Majesty is a role model for filial piety.

Has His Majesty fixed a return date? I miss him so much.

Your Highness, you must mind your health.

Your Highness.

The water is too hot. I don't want to drink it.

It's lukewarm. It's right for drinking.

My head is spinning. I want to rest.

General Ma, you summoned me in the name of His Majesty. What's the matter?

I want to compliment you on behalf of His Majesty

for serving the empress so diligently.

But I wonder whether you are serving her medicine or poison.

What do you mean, General Ma?

I want to tell your ladyship that

I'm much more skillful than you are in administering poison.

I know all forms of poison and their effect.

Take the five-stone powder for example. It's so hot and strong.

It will make you feel burning after taking it. It confuses the mind.

As for zhen poison, it's the most toxic. It's colorless and odorless.

It can kill without a trace.

There's also plume poppy. It's really toxic.

It makes one feel so tired and confused after taking it.

It damages the sensory cells. It causes derangement in the end.

If my guess is correct, you are using plume poppy.

I don't know what you're talking about.

If you don't admit it, I can still prove it.

At first, Dr. Sze denied it too.

But after being tortured, he told me everything.

Dr. Sze tried to kill Her Highness. It's a capital offense.

I've already executed him.

But before he died, he confessed to me who the mastermind is.

It's you, Lady Lai.

I've got nothing to do with this. Dr. Sze made it up to frame me.

I believe you are framed. You are kind and virtuous.

How are you wicked?

Besides, you are carrying His Majesty's baby.

How can you get on your knees? Please get up.

How come I'm pregnant?

It's because I say so. I also say you will give birth to a prince.

As such, you'll become the queen and be in charge of the palace.

But this may not come as true as you wish when His Majesty returns to the palace.

Back to the palace?

I can foretell what's going to happen.

His Majesty has already decided to stay in the monastery permanently

for the rest of his life.

He will never return to the palace.

You are really my friend, General Ma.

When I give birth to a prince later, I'll return your favor.

I'll make the prince your godson.

Good. Very good. The new emperor is my godson.

This will bring inevitable changes to the government.

Lady Lai, just now I went to Ching Sz Chamber to visit Her Highness.

But no one's there.

Subsequently, I found out that you had moved Her Highness to Tsz Mei Chamber.

Yes. I made the arrangement.

The empress is sick. Tsz Mei Chamber is so remote.

It's hard to take care of her there. How can you put her there?

When did our viewpoints become so different?

Lady Tak, you think Tsz Mei Chamber is remote, but I think it's quiet.

You think it's inconvenient to the patient. I think she won't get disturbed there.

I moved the empress to Tsz Mei Chamber after careful consideration.

I don't want people to disturb Her Highness.

Cut the excuses. His Majesty told me to take care of the empress diligently.

I want you to move her back to Ching Sz Chamber right away.

No way. Serve the empress?

Now that His Majesty isn't in the palace, the empress isn't here either.

Lau Sam Ho, don't pretend to be kind and virtuous anymore. I've already decided.

I won't change my mind.

If you have the power to remove Her Highness

then I have the power to move her back.

You are wrong. You don't have any authority to do so.

Both of us are ladies. Our ranks are equal.

It might be so before.

But now the Acting Chief Executive General Ma, has already made me

in charge of the palace during the rehabilitation of the empress.

You must obey my orders.

You've taken side with Ma Yuen Chi? He's corrupt and unscrupulous.

How would His Majesty appoint him the Acting Chief Executive?

Obviously, Ma Yuen Chi made up the story.

You know he's a villain, yet you still cooperate with him?

General Ma serves the country diligently. He's an important officer.

As we hold different views about this, there's no point to discuss further.

Kam Ling, even though we aren't sisters anymore

I still hope you will get back on the right track.

I'm already on the right track. You are stupid not to be aware of it.

Do you know I'm carrying a baby for His Majesty too?

Whether we'll give birth to princes or princesses is still unknown.

But I can tell you something. You can't compete with me at all.

It has never crossed my mind to compete with you. You just don't believe me.

I believed you, so I got smacked. I helped you, so my lips got stitched up.

I was humiliated time and again because of you, Lau Sam Ho.

I swear I will never trust anyone again.

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

You are really incorrigible. No one can help you.

I don't need any help. You do.

You always say do good deeds, speak good words, and show goodwill.

Tell you what. You are so wrong.

There's only treachery and trickery in the palace.

To survive, you must be cunning.

You assess the situation and grab the opportunities.

Only then can you go all the way up. Now I'm in charge of the palace.

The Imperial Household Bureau is so old fashioned.

Chief Chung and the others are deplorable.

Once I consolidate my authority, I'll replace all of them.

How can you do that? You worked in the Imperial Household Bureau too before.

You are so ungrateful. I regret it so much for letting you go back then.

I shouldn't have allowed you to burn the yellow paper.

I shouldn't have covered up for you

when you planted the evidence to frame Missus Man.

If I had exposed your evil conducts

you wouldn't have done so many bad things and hurt so many people.

Enough. You are the only one who wants to follow the rules and do your jobs properly.

As you think kindness is so important

you should wear this Phoenix Welcoming the Sun.

My mom made this hairpin. The empress gave it to you.

So what? Listen carefully.

If you play your role properly, I'll allow you to carry on in your status as Lady Tak.

Otherwise, don't blame me for giving the order to have you killed.

Mom, before you died, you told me to do good deeds

speak good words, and show goodwill. I've managed to do so.

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

I can't do so.

It's because she is no longer the Kam Ling I knew before.

She's no longer my sister.

Heavenly father, please award the kind and punish the evil.

Please help the empress recover from her illness

and regain her charge of the palace.

Please bring His Majesty home safe to reclaim the administration.

Sam Ho.

Hin Yeung, it's good to see you.

Sam Ho.

Hin Yeung, I feel so helpless.

Ma Yuen Chi is in control of the administration.

Kam Ling cooperates with him too. She's put Her Highness under custody.

You aren't here with me. His Majesty has also disappeared.

Hin Yeung, I really don't know what I should do.

You do, Sam Ho. As you say, kindness attracts and evil alienates.

You will work out a solution.

But I'm all alone. Everything's uncertain. I can only see difficulties lying ahead.

You mustn't give up.

How can you smell the scent of plum blossom if you don't suffer the chill first?

No matter how bad the situation maybe, I will always be there with you.

Yes. You will always be there with me. You will be in my heart forever.

No matter what happens, I will never give up.

Every time when I feel helpless and lost

you give me sweet lotus seeds to tell me that there's sweetness in bitterness.

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 will give it to me in another capacity.

Not as Sam Ho but as my Lady Tak.

If I don't return from this trip

you take this and leave the palace with the empress right away.

As the empress is sick, I've decided to appoint Lady Lai

to be in charge of the palace with immediate effect.

Besides, the imperial doctor has confirmed

that Lady Lai is carrying His Majesty's baby.

God bless His Majesty.

She will give birth to a son who will succeed to the throne.

I've already sent someone to bring this piece of good news to His Majesty.

As you've brought the good news to His Majesty, General Ma

why don't you ask him when he'll be back?

I'll take care of the administration for him.

Why bother to find out when His Majesty will be back?

But the country needs an emperor.

I think we should go to the monastery to see His Majesty

to report to him the national affairs.

His Majesty wants to pray for Her Highness quietly.

He's already given the verbal order that he won't see any officials.

There isn't a fixed return date either.

Here comes His Majesty.

You are just a lady. How dare you claim to be His Majesty?

You've disturbed the administration. You are guilty.

How dare you yell in the hall, Ma Yuen Chi?

Seeing the seal is like seeing His Majesty himself. On your knees.

At ease.

Before His Majesty left, he gave me his seal and asked me to act his place.

I'll be in charge of the palace as well as the administration.

There are so many other officials in the administration.

Why did His Majesty entrust the job to you?

It's so dubious. It's really hard to believe.

According to you, General Ma

His Majesty appointed you the Acting Chief Executive.

Is there a written decree? Or is it only your words?

But I've got His Majesty's seal as proof.

If you still have doubt over that

we can go to the monastery together to see His Majesty.

Let him clarify this in person.

As you've got nothing further to say, then from this moment onward

I will take over the administration and manage the palace in place of His Majesty

for the time being.

All national affairs and military maneuvers must be reported to me

until His Majesty is back.

How's the empress?

She's fine. She's a bit tired. Let her rest.

She'll get well in due course.

His Majesty is really so clever.

He gave you the seal before he left, just in case.

He said if there's a situation in the palace

I should carry the seal and leave the palace with the empress.

But she's seriously ill. As we can't leave, we've got no choice but to stay.

I must ensure the safety of Her Highness.

I must also keep the Imperial Household Bureau safe.

But Ma Yuen Chi is cunning and tricky. I'm afraid the seal won't help us for long.

Over half of the officials are in his camp. Now Lady Lai has joined him too.

I think they won't give up so easily.

Here comes Lady Lai.

Lady Lai.

I told you Her Highness wouldn't get any rest staying in Ching Sz Chamber.

Now it's proven that I'm right.

You didn't just come here to tell me this, did you Lady Lai?

I come here to visit the empress.

Stop there.

Before His Majesty left, he asked me to take good care of the empress.

Do you want to defy his order, Lady Tak?

His Majesty has given me his seal. What I say will be the imperial order.

From this moment onward

you aren't allowed to come to Ching Sz Chamber without my permission.

Now you do look so authoritative, right?

The Imperial Household Bureau is backed up by Lady Tak.

You can stay in your post longer. Right, Chief Chung?

The Imperial Household Bureau serves the palace diligently.

We won't favor anyone.

No matter whom we are serving, we'll still do our very best.

No more cynical comments, Lady Lai. You'd better return to Joy Chamber.

You've got His Majesty's seal, Lady Tak. How would I dare defy your orders?

The seal is heavy. You must hold it tight.

If you drop it, you'll get hurt.

Don't worry, Lady Lai. Of course I'll hold it tight.

You don't need to worry about it.

Damn it! That bitch has become a bully holding His Majesty's seal.

She isn't just in charge of the palace.

She even wants all the officials to listen to her.

I can't believe that lousy emperor had a second plan.

He gave Lau Sam Ho his seal.

He's using this woman to suppress me.

What does Lau Sam Ho know?

She just tells people to do good deeds and show goodwill.

She's so stupid to say something like that in the palace.

She thinks she can do anything at will by holding His Majesty seal in her hands?

I won't let her do so.

You aren't allowed to make any reckless moves without my permission.

So you will allow Lau Sam Ho to become a lady emperor?

You want to submit to her?

Even His Majesty himself couldn't foresee how he ended up at last.

I could deal with His Majesty. Why should I be afraid of her?

I'll let her enjoy this for a while. She won't keep the seal for long.

[Juzhou]

Your Majesty, I'm your servant Pan Yat Fu.

At ease, General.

Once I got your confidential letter.

I came right away to see Your Majesty here in Juzhou.

I just arrived this morning.

My plan in the Yunzhou villa has worked out fine

all due to the assistance of Ma Yuen Chi's subordinate Major Tsang.

He risked his life to help me.

- Seize him. - Yes, sir.

Come on. You guys want to kill me? Let's go to hell together.

Run.

Master Bao and I managed to escape.

Major Tsang put two burned bodies there to cover up for us.

Ma Yuen Chi thought you were killed in the fire. You've put him off-guard.

Actually, Major Tsang knew Ma Yuen Chi wanted to poison General Man.

He couldn't stop it. He pretended to be cooperative. But he reduced the dosage.

He managed to keep General Man alive.

Now he's still taking the risk working as a mole for me in Ma Yuen Chi's camp.

Your Majesty, have you liaised with Prince Qi yet?

This morning I sent Master Bao to his residence, but he refused to see me.

However, I won't give up. I'll send him a letter again tomorrow.

To take out the bad guy, Prince Qi is my only hope.

I won't quit until I've seen Prince Qi.

Your Majesty, there's a confidential letter from Major Tsang.

I believe Prince Qi will see me for sure this time.

Tsz Lan.

Tsz Lan...

Tsz Lan.

Lady Lai? Why are you here?

I miss you, Your Highness. so I came earlier to see you.

Lady Tak doesn't allow you to come here. Why do you still come here?

I can go wherever I like. Lady Tak can't stop me from doing so.

I want to see Lady Tak. I want to tell her...

Don't trouble yourself, Your Highness. Why don't you save your breath?

You won't have a chance to see her again.

You don't need to say good morning to me.

Go away.

Did I say I came to say good morning to you?

I came to say goodbye.

I thought you would get better as I haven't given you the medicine on time.

But you are still so sick.

You fed me poison?

People say a person's mind is particularly clear before she dies.

You've really figured out everything now? Too bad it's too late.

You go to hell to see your son.

His Majesty is dead?

Not only that. Very soon, I'll send Lady Tak to join you two.

You'll have a family reunion.

Sheung Yee.

Where's Sheung Yee?

Where's Master Pak?

Your Highness...

Your Highness.

Your Highness...

General Ma.

Master Pak, why are you in panic?

Just now a junior eunuch found Tsz Lan and Sheung Yee drowned in the fish pond

in the imperial garden. Both of them are dead.

Tsz Lan was the empress's personal maid. How come she's drowned?

Let's go to Ching Sz Chamber right away to see the empress.

Your Highness... How dare you, Lady Tak! You assaulted Her Highness?

I didn't.

When I came here, Her Highness was already lying on the floor.

Then I was knocked unconscious.

General Ma, the empress is dead.

I didn't do it. I didn't kill the empress.

How dare you, Lady Tak! You killed the empress.

You are caught red-handed. There are witnesses and evidence.

- You still deny it? Guards! - Yes, sir.

- Arrest her. - Yes, sir.

His Majesty appointed me the Acting Executive Chief. Who dares touch me?

I'm just enforcing the law. You are the Acting Executive Chief.

But you've broken the law knowingly. You are all the more guilty.

I've got His Majesty's seal. How can you decide the case without any investigation?

You've shown no respect for His Majesty's authority.

You murdered the empress. It's a capital offense.

Even His Majesty can't protect you.

You are under arrest. I'll get the seal too.

Subtitles by TVB USA