Original subtitles

[English subtitles are available]

[Palace of Devotion]

[This drama is based on historical data and legends.]

[The story and characters portrayed are fictitious.]

[Episode 21]

My father is already old.

He can't afford to take such an arduous journey, Your Majesty.

Please let him repent at home, Your Majesty.

Father,

please spare my grandfather.

I'll surely study well with my grandfather

and listen to you, Father.

You'er, you may rise.

Help your mother up.

I've already made you the Empress.

I've rewarded the Guo family handsomely.

When I went for the battle in Chanyuan,

the Head of the Secretariat did nothing in the capital.

It's unforgivable.

In the battle of Chanyuan,

Liu E contributed greatly.

Now I just

want to make Liu E Virtuous Consort,

yet the Head of the Secretariat gathered the ministers to object to it.

I'm disheartened.

Your Majesty,

my father knows he did wrong.

You can strip him of his position and title.

He can be demoted to a commoner.

I won't say anything about it.

However, if you banish him to Dingzhou,

he won't survive, Your Majesty.

That's my father, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty, take care.

You should drink the medicine first.

Go back and tell Guo Xian

since he's already repenting,

he doesn't have to be banished to Dingzhou.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

You may leave.

Your Highness, please rise.

The Emperor has already granted your request.

Please return.

You'er, come on.

The imperial court meeting was halted a few days ago.

I received many memorials in the palace.

Why are all of you

silent during the imperial court meeting today?

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

The imperial court is worried about you, Your Majesty.

We failed to share your burden.

It's our negligence.

I'm already old.

I'm afraid I can't assist you anymore, Your Majesty.

I hereby resign.

Please grant my request, Your Majesty.

I'd indeed meted out a harsh punishment on you two days ago.

I hereby withdraw my order.

As for your resignation, how about this?

From now on, Official Guo

will be in charge of Second Prince's education.

You don't have to show up at the imperial court every day.

I, Guo Xian, thank Your Majesty.

Official Kou.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Official Kou, you used

the Three Rites as a basis and suggested

for Consort Liu to guard the late Emperor's tomb for three years

before she can accept an appointment in the palace.

Prince Zhao Ji's spirit tablet can be placed in the Imperial Ancestral Temple.

I've ordered the Imperial Academy to verify it and draft a decree.

Official Kou, do you have any objections?

No, Your Majesty.

Gentlemen, do you have any objections?

No, Your Majesty.

No?

So that's my three-year agreement with all of you, gentlemen!

Three years later,

if anyone objects to it,

I'll punish him!

[Du Yun Pavilion]

Sister, the luggage is ready.

The carriage is waiting outside.

Wan'er,

it will last for three years.

Won't you regret following me

to guard the imperial tomb?

Wan'er, if you don't want to join her,

you can stay in Dongjing.

I'll arrange

a good marriage for you.

No.

I'll go wherever Sister E goes.

I will never regret it.

Please grant my wish, Your Majesty.

Please rise.

You're sincere.

I'll grant it.

Your Majesty, the carriage is ready.

They may depart.

You may depart.

Yes.

[Du Yun Pavilion]

I, Ye De, greet you, Lord Su.

Greetings, Mr Ye.

I'm on the Emperor's order

to escort Consort Liu and Ms Wan'er

to the late Emperor's tomb.

Mr Ye, please take care of them.

Please tell the Emperor not to worry.

I've been at the imperial tomb for over a decade.

I'm familiar with the culture and the landforms here.

I'll surely do my best

to take care of Madam Liu and Ms Wan'er.

Thank you, Mr Ye.

Madam, this way, please.

Madam, this way, please.

Thank you, Mr Ye.

Don't mention it.

Madam,

you will stay here.

Mr Ye,

they're guarding the late Emperor's tomb.

Why are they staying in such a dilapidated place?

Madam is of a noble status.

Do you have a better place?

Lord Su, my apologies.

This is how the tomb guardians usually live.

Please pardon me, Lord and Madam.

No, you...

Yi Jian, don't force it.

Although the furniture is old,

I feel at ease.

Madam and Ms Wan'er, please unpack.

I'll make a move first.

Thank you, sir.

Madam,

this is so shabby.

Isn't staying here for three years

a little too harsh for you?

Yi Jian, you worry too much.

I'm happy

to come here, away from

the capital's hustle and bustle.

It's as if I'm back at home.

I think I'm tired after all these years in the capital.

I feel like resting here for some time.

All right.

By the way,

when you return to the capital tomorrow, please tell the Emperor

that I'm fine here.

Tell him not to worry.

Noted.

I'll make a move first.

Take good care of Madam.

Yes.

Have a safe trip.

Sister, please get some rest.

I still remember

the last time I drank with you

in Chanyuan.

A war was imminent. The officials were apprehensive.

My Ji'er

was still in Liao's military base.

Song and Liao ended the war

and formed an everlasting alliance.

The Eldest Prince

contributed greatly.

However, my Ji'er...

As the Emperor,

all the land belongs to me.

All the people are my subjects,

yet I can't even protect

my beloved woman and son.

I feel guilty.

In my opinion,

you sacrificed yourself

in exchange for everlasting peace for Song.

You shouldn't feel guilty, Your Majesty.

Come on.

Did Ying'er ever mention me in front of you?

Does she

blame me?

Your Majesty, you worry too much.

Consort Liu is understanding. She doesn't resent anyone.

Compared to her guarding the tomb,

you're all alone and helpless here, Your Majesty.

Consort Liu wants me to pass a message to you.

When she's not around,

she hopes you'll take good care of yourself.

If you love your parents, you don't hate others.

If you respect your parents, you respect others, too.

Devote yourself to loving and respecting your parents

before instilling such values in the people.

Be a role model to the people. That's how...

Your Highness,

what do the lines I'm reciting

mean?

Which part is it?

Your Highness, when you're studying the Classic of Filial Piety,

you should hold it in awe and veneration.

With respect and humility, then only you can master it.

You should practise what you preach.

The meaning of this passage is

love and respect your parents.

Be a role model to the people

to instil such values in them.

That's the filial piety of an emperor.

Your Highness, you will be the Emperor one day.

You should lead by example

to respect the Emperor and the Empress.

Study hard

so that you can lead and influence the people.

Then they can benefit from your benevolence.

When I was reciting this part of the Classic of Filial Piety,

you're dozing off, Your Highness.

You shouldn't have done that.

I am sorry.

If you know your mistake and repent, it's good enough.

Your Highness, please copy

the second chapter of the poem

that I've just recited twice

and memorise it.

Yes.

Zi Shan Hall's morning class should have ended.

It's been two hours.

Why isn't You'er back yet?

Your Highness, don't worry.

I ordered a palace maid to make inquiry.

He'll be back soon.

Your Highness,

I met Second Prince at Zi Shan Hall.

He asked me to tell you that

he needed to copy the Classic of Filial Piety

and he's not coming back for the meal.

How can he skip a meal just to copy the text?

Where's Lord Guo?

Your Highness,

Lord Guo has not left Zi Shan Hall.

He's accompanying the Second Prince.

He says

the Second Prince isn't allowed to go for his meal

until he's finished copying the scriptures he's learned today.

Send him some food

or the prince will starve.

Yes, Your Highness.

You'er's grandfather

is too harsh on him.

Your Highness and Lord,

I'm on the Empress' order

to send food to the prince.

Put it aside.

I'll have it after I finish copying

the Classic of Filial Piety.

Yes, Your Highness.

Jing Zong, summon You'er.

I want to test him on his understanding of the Classic of Filial Piety.

Your Majesty, the prince will be here right away.

I will not ask him about the text.

[Classic of Filial Piety]

I'll test

whether he's truly a filial child.

[Devote yourself to loving and respecting...]

Your Highness, you're still young,

but your strokes are powerful.

There isn't a typo throughout.

You live up to my expectations.

Lord, I'm on the Emperor's order

to summon Second Prince to the Imperial Study.

Why does the Emperor want to see him?

The Emperor wants to see

whether the prince understands the Classic of Filial Piety.

Your Highness, you have been studying the Classic of Filial Piety lately.

You remember all of it.

When the Emperor asks you, don't be nervous.

Just answer him accordingly.

Noted.

Go on.

I...

It's so hot.

Who's so kind

to fan me and make me feel cooler?

Father, it's me.

Come here.

Come on.

Let me ask you.

What's your understanding of the Classic of Filial Piety?

I've memorised it.

In the process of memorising it,

did the Grand Tutor teach you about the homework?

The Grand Tutor did. So did my grandfather.

Grandfather put a lot of remarks in the 18 chapters of Classic of Filial Piety.

He keeps telling me

to memorise the whole text.

He wants me to apply it in other aspects, too.

Which is your favourite chapter among the 18, You'er?

The third.

Then I'll test you.

I'll ask you about the second chapter, Filial Piety in the Son of Heaven.

Recite it.

All right.

If you love your parents, you don't hate others.

If you respect your parents, you respect others, too.

Devote yourself to loving and respecting your parents

before instilling such values in the people.

Be a role model to the people.

That's how the Emperor fulfils his filial duty.

The penal law of Marquis Lu stated that

if an emperor is benevolent, the people will trust him.

I met You'er at the Imperial Study yesterday

and asked him about his studies.

You'er recited the Classic of Filial Piety.

He's impressive.

Among all virtues, filial piety comes first.

It's important, especially in the royal family.

One has to be a filial son

before he can be a wise emperor.

You'er's achievement

is thanks to Official Guo's teaching.

Official Guo, come forward.

Your Majesty.

Official Guo, You'er is a filial child,

thanks to your teaching.

You're

hereby reinstated.

Moreover, I'll appoint you as the Grand Preceptor.

I, Guo Xian, thank Your Majesty.

You may rise.

You'er has learnt much,

thanks to the Grand Preceptor and the Grand Tutor.

He'll surely be a great emperor one day.

Your Majesty, after forming the alliance of Chanyuan,

the state is peaceful.

I suggest

a salary cut for officers of third rank and above in the army

and strict control on military funds and provisions,

to benefit the people and the state.

Your Majesty,

a great nation should have a great army.

We should be intimidating to our enemies

to maintain peace in regions like northwest and southwest.

Although there isn't a war now,

we should not be complacent.

Prevention is better than cure.

In my opinion,

the salary, military funds and provisions shouldn't be reduced.

Instead, it should be increased and replenished.

Please think twice, Your Majesty.

It's a peaceful era.

The ancient scholars

beat swords into ploughshares

and gave up military training for culture and education.

A saint wouldn't want to resort to violence.

I strongly agree

with Lord Kou.

Your Majesty.

Say no more.

Master, the Grand Protector is visiting.

Lord Wang.

Lord Pan.

Today I came unannounced.

I'm honoured to have you here,

Grand Protector.

Lord Pan, take a seat.

All right.

After the treaty of Chanyuan was inked,

all that contributed were promoted.

Kou Zhun is appointed as Prime Minister,

yet you're only the Grand Secretariat of the Administration Bureau, Lord Wang.

It's really unfair.

It's hard to know what the Emperor thinks.

The ministers are scheming.

Sometimes, one's achievement is not recognised.

I'm okay with that.

Well,

everyone in the imperial court knows

you're appointed as the Grand Secretariat of the Administration Bureau

because of Kou Zhun's schemes.

Lord Wang, can you accept that?

Everyone in the imperial court is controlled by Prime Minister.

I'm not the only one

who can't accept it.

Lord Pan, weren't you excluded from the Bureau of Military Affairs

because of Kou Zhun?

Lord Wang, you're wise.

Same to you.

Even so,

I'm willing to help you

so that you will be reinstated, Lord Wang.

By then, I hope you can help me.

I'm grateful

for your help, Lord Pan.

What do you plan to do?

Prime Minister Kou Zhun roams Chan Prefecture!

He rebuilds Song! His achievement is unrivalled!

Prime Minister Kou Zhun roams Chan Prefecture!

He rebuilds Song! His achievement is unrivalled!

Prime Minister Kou Zhun roams Chan Prefecture!

[He rebuilds Song]

He rebuilds Song! His achievement is unrivalled!

Look.

Prime Minister Kou Zhun roams Chan Prefecture!

He rebuilds Song! His achievement is unrivalled!

Prime Minister Kou Zhun roams Chan Prefecture!

He rebuilds Song! His achievement is unrivalled!

He roams Chan Prefecture!

[He rebuilds Song]

He rebuilds Song! His achievement is unrivalled!

[His achievement is unrivalled]

[Hero of Chanyuan]

Prime Minister Kou Zhun...

Stop shouting! Stop!

What are you doing?

How dare you cause a scene

in front of Kou Mansion!

Lord Kou has great achievement.

We're here to publicise it.

Where are you from?

Prime Minister Kou Zhun!

Prime Minister Kou Zhun roams Chan Prefecture!

Madam, look.

They're praising Master.

Prime Minister Kou Zhun roams Chan Prefecture!

Don't get involved with them.

Just go in.

Shut the door.

Prime Minister Kou Zhun roams Chan Prefecture!

He rebuilds Song! His achievement is unrivalled!

Who do you think ordered these people?

They caused a scene and got everyone's attention.

They're not praising me.

They're implying that I'm overshadowing my master!

Master, you mustn't leave the mansion.

Once you do,

they'll put the plaque on you

and you won't be able to explain yourself.

No, I must meet the Emperor

to clarify it in person!

Master.

Master, you're as straightforward as before.

You oversimplified the matter.

Since you returned from Chanyuan,

the Emperor rewarded those who contributed.

Master, you contributed the most.

You're promoted to be Prime Minister.

Your colleagues are jealous of you.

I bet many

are badmouthing you to the Emperor.

Master, this is not the right time

to prove your innocence.

Dear,

how do you think I should deal with these rogues?

Just sit idly by and let them be.

Come on, take a seat.

When they fail to get a response,

they'll surely leave.

Have tea.

Well done.

Your Majesty, your strength and eyesight are as good as ever.

Your Majesty,

I

passed by Kou Zhun's mansion today.

It's really merry.

Some people made it known to everyone that they're presenting a plaque.

They wanted to praise him

for his contribution in the battle of Chanyuan.

What's stated on the plaque

is disheartening.

What's stated on the plaque?

It read, "He rebuilds Song.

He surpasses past and present. His achievement is unrivalled,"

and so on.

So Kou Zhun is seen

as the only contributor in the battle of Chanyuan.

This...

Your Majesty, if you

didn't personally lead the army,

how could Kou Zhun

have defeated the 200,000 strong army of Liao?

Your Majesty,

pardon me for saying this.

If you asked me,

we defeated the enemy in Chanyuan,

thanks to you, Your Majesty.

The credit goes to you, Your Majesty.

However, the people

think Kou Zhun was the sole contributor.

I have no idea where the rumour came from.

I even heard scholars talking about this

in a teahouse,

saying that the agreement of Chanyuan was a treaty signed under coercion.

This...

A treaty signed under coercion?

How can anyone compare the agreement of Chanyuan

to a treaty signed under coercion?

That's right.

The Commentary of Zuo described

Song as a small country

pinned down by the Chu army,

incapable of fighting back.

And Song's ruler

had no choice but to sign a treaty under coercion.

It's a disgrace.

According to the scholars,

as an emperor, you went all the way to Chanyuan

and ended up signing a treaty under coercion.

I'm afraid the future generations will talk about you that way.

Pardon me for saying this, Your Majesty.

You went to the trouble of going to Chanyuan,

yet you ended up...

You ended up being criticised.

What about Kou Zhun?

He advised you to go to the war in person.

He's risking your life, Your Majesty.

This...

However, the people are praising him instead.

They're ignorant.

Your Majesty, I just feel bad for you.

It's all right.

Again.

Return to the palace!

[Hero of Chanyuan] [He rebuilds Song]

Master, come out. They're gone.

"He rebuilds Song."

"His achievements are unparalleled?"

Those people are evil.

They want me dead.

Master.

Fine.

Master, why are you sighing?

Liu E went to the imperial tomb

and Yu Shu

has one less competitor to deal with,

However, the Second Prince is growing up.

He's the only prince in the palace.

The Emperor is placing all hope

on him.

Moreover, Empress Guo, the Guo family and the Cao family

are supporting him.

But what about Yu Shu?

She's married to the Emperor for years,

yet she remains childless.

How will Yu Shu survive in the palace?

Yes.

Is Yu Shu having a health condition?

Why did she keep miscarrying?

Haven't you been seeking physicians

for Yu Shu?

I found a great physician lately.

He's great at curing infertility.

The housekeeper has gone to invite him.

He'll come here today

to treat Yu Shu.

Master!

Grand Secretariat Wang Qin Ruo of the Administration Bureau

invited you to Song Xiang Pavilion.

Master, didn't you go to his mansion earlier on?

It seems this trip

worked.

[Song Xiang Pavilion]

Lord Pan, yesterday,

I followed your suggestion

and ordered people to present the plaque at Kou Zhun's mansion.

Now everyone in the capital

has heard of it.

Great.

Does the Emperor know?

The Emperor was unhappy when he heard of this.

The Emperor was unhappy when he heard of this.

He even missed the target when he's shooting.

All rulers

dislike ministers that overshadow themselves.

Kou Zhun was promoted as Prime Minister. He's successful.

The Emperor is unhappy.

Sooner or later,

he'll dismiss him from his post.

By then, the position of Prime Minister

will belong to you, Lord Wang.

What a great solution.

Thank you for enlightening me, Lord Pan.

I'm grateful.

You're welcome.

Come on, let's drink.

Lord Pan.

This is good.

Your Highness.

Your Highness, I am back.

This pomegranate tree is indeed different.

I've ordered the eunuch

to invite the Emperor here to try it.

Pluck a few and place them in my chamber for the Emperor.

Yes.

The pomegranate is quite sweet this year, right?

It looks great.

Why did Master summon you to the mansion?

Your Highness, let's talk in the chamber.

What's the matter?

Tell me.

Your Highness, Master ordered me

to bring this to the palace secretly.

What is this?

A blood lancet.

A blood lancet?

To draw whose blood?

The Emperor's.

How dare you!

Your Highness, lower your voice.

Why do you need the Emperor's blood?

Master invited a great physician to the mansion

and told him about your symptoms.

So the physician thought of this solution.

Only by sampling the Emperor's blood

can he investigate

the real cause of your miscarriages.

Deceiving the Emperor aside,

the act of drawing his blood alone

is punishable by death.

Don't worry, Your Highness.

The needle is coated with a knockout drug.

Just jab it while the Emperor is asleep

and he won't notice.

The Emperor is of a noble status.

How can I do this?

My father

will land the Pan family in trouble.

However, Master told us

we must take the Emperor's blood,

no matter how risky it is.

No.

I won't do it.

Your Highness!

Your Highness, do you know the consequences of not doing this?

Even if you get pregnant again,

you might still miscarry.

You have been childless for so long.

You're letting the Emperor down.

Isn't it a crime, too?

Only when you've obtained the Emperor's blood

and investigated the truth behind your miscarriages

can we think of a solution.

Your Highness,

Master also knows this is illegal,

but he's doing it for you and the Pan family.

Now you're demoted to Lady of Cultivated Deportment.

If you remain childless,

you might fare worse than the servant in the cold palace.

In order to make a comeback,

you must have a child.

Greetings, Your Majesty.

Greetings, Your Majesty.

You may rise.

Where did the pomegranate tree come from?

A few days ago,

my father and Lord Wang went to Song Xiang Pavilion

and saw

many good pomegranate trees there.

This was the best one.

So Lord Wang bought it and sent it to the palace.

It signifies the luck of having many children.

Many children?

That's what I want.

I already ordered Yue'er to pluck some.

Your Majesty, please enter and try it.

All right. Come on.

You're teasing me.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty, you're awake.

I'll tie it for you, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty, did you sleep well last night?

It's windy last night.

I thought you'd wake up.

Your Majesty.

The belt.

The belt?

There isn't a belt, Your Majesty.

Yu Shu.

It's my fault.

Yu Shu, why are you distracted today?

I'm not.

Even if you don't tell,

I know why.

Yesterday, the Grand Protector applied for a leave as he's unwell.

Yu Shu, you must be worried about your father's health.

You want to go back

to visit your father, right?

That's right.

Yu Shu, don't worry.

I'll allow you

to return to the mansion to visit your father

and fulfil your filial duty.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

You may rise.

[End of Episode 21]