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 23]

You've regained the title of Noble Consort.

His Majesty even gave you Cheng Ping Palace.

Both Master and Young Master have been promoted in court.

The Pan family is full of good news now.

Please don't feel sad anymore, my lady.

What's so great about Cheng Ping Palace?

It's no different from the other halls.

This is just another new prison.

My lady.

If I may say something...

You should forget about Young Master Zhong.

It'll only invite trouble.

Zhong Qiao is besotted with me.

I'm carrying his child.

How can I...

My lady, stop talking. Someone is coming.

Greetings, Noble Consort.

I wish you good health and happiness.

Why are you here, Eunuch Lei?

My lady,

His Majesty has just given orders that

with the royal child on the way,

you are to rest in Cheng Ping Palace

and not roam beyond these walls.

First, for the safety of your pregnancy.

Second, for prevention against contracting smallpox

which can hurt the royal child you are carrying.

I got it. You may leave.

My lady.

One more thing.

The imperial physician said that smallpox is aggravated by sunlight.

You must stay away from the sun

to keep the royal child safe.

Hence, from today onwards,

Cheng Ping Palace must be shielded from sunlight

to protect you.

How is this done?

According to the decree,

windows in Cheng Ping Palace must be sealed.

Are you imprisoning me?

My lady, His Majesty is showing concern

towards you and the royal child in you.

Please appreciate the thoughtfulness of His Majesty.

Servants.

Seal the windows.

Yes.

Take care, my lady. I'll take my leave.

If this isn't a prison,

tell me what it is.

My lady.

Yue'er.

Aren't you Yue'er?

It's you, Miss Qing Yi.

It has been some time. How is the Noble Consort?

Thank you for your concern.

The pregnancy seems stable.

Her health is improving,

but she is still feeling weak.

So she asked for the imperial physician

to improve her health further.

I've thus gone to the Imperial Academy of Medicine

to fetch the imperial physician.

I have not seen him before.

Is he new?

Yes, he is new to the Academy.

Of course you have not seen him before.

In that case, I won't be in your way.

You have to take good care of the Noble Consort.

Go on.

Yes.

Zhong Qiao. I'm here.

Yu Shu.

Why is the place all sealed up?

His Majesty is afraid I would contract smallpox.

The imperial physician advised that I should stay away from sunlight and wind.

His Majesty is also worried about the child inside me.

Child?

My child.

Let me hear it.

Your Majesty.

Let me take care of the prince.

You can take a rest.

I'm not tired.

Let him sleep.

He's still so young

but he has to read and write every day.

It's really hard on him.

You treasure the prince dearly,

but you have to take care of yourself too.

You're not a mother.

You won't understand a mother's heart.

Today the Emperor loves one woman,

tomorrow he loves another.

But I only have this child to love.

Don't be too sad over it, Your Majesty.

The Noble Consort is still early in her pregnancy.

It's normal if His Majesty favours her.

I'm not the bitterly jealous type.

This is not her first time.

Carrying the royal child means

expanding the harem,

which is a good thing.

Your Majesty, I'm not sure

if I should tell you this.

Just tell me what you see or hear.

There's nothing to hide.

Your Majesty.

I bumped into Yue'er.

She was leading a new physician

to check on the Noble Consort.

The physician looks young.

Even I have not seen him before.

He looked very nervous.

I kept having a weird feeling about him.

Have you ever told anyone

about any of this?

Except for you,

I've never told anyone about this.

This is a serious matter.

Your Majesty.

Let me greet you, Your Majesty.

Many blessings to Your Majesty.

Is the Noble Consort inside?

Yes, she is.

Your Majesty.

I'll inform the Noble Consort first...

That is not necessary.

I need to see her urgently.

I didn't know you're here, Your Majesty.

Please forgive me, Your Majesty.

No worries.

You're carrying a child.

I'm here to visit you on behalf of His Majesty.

Sit down now.

Which mediocre physician came out with this idea?

Sealing up windows and doors with planks.

It doesn't let any sunlight or draft into the room.

This is not good for your baby.

I think we should remove these planks.

Your Majesty.

This is His Majesty's decree.

Staying away from light and wind is to protect the royal child.

You can't go against the Emperor's decree.

Fine.

But I think there's a foul smell in here.

There is?

It's better to open up the windows.

Your Majesty.

In that case,

let the servants do it.

Don't trouble yourself, Your Majesty.

My lady.

My lady. What's wrong, my lady?

Blood!

Blood.

My lady.

Your Majesty. Is Consort Pan alright?

The imperial physician has examined her.

The royal child is fine.

She just needs two days of rest.

It is indeed fortunate the royal child is not hurt.

My foolishness

has nearly caused a tragedy.

Please forgive me, Your Majesty.

Regarding Consort Pan's pregnancy,

how can you as an Empress

listen to the rumour of a maid

and barge into Consort Pan's chamber to question her like that?

Qing Yi has served me for many years.

She has never lied to me.

I was just afraid that there's a crisis in the harem.

Empress.

Consort Pan is carrying the royal child.

I'm well aware of it.

Don't you question it.

If I didn't have to consider Qing Yi's service to you,

I would have punished her.

Where is Qing Yi now?

I've spared her life.

The Head Eunuch of the harem has expelled her from the capital.

She'll never be allowed back again.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Get up.

From now onwards,

regarding Consort Pan's pregnancy,

I don't want to hear anyone talk about it.

Also,

The Court of Judicial Review has reported to me

about the assassination attempt of Consort Liu at the imperial tomb.

It has been found that

your father Guo Xian is behind this.

I'll consider his contributions in the upbringing of You'er

and stop probing this further.

You go back and tell him.

If he tries anything again,

I'll punish him according to the state law

without mercy.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Don't get up.

Give it to me.

Leave us.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Here.

The Empress barged into Cheng Ping Palace for no good reason

and caused you distress.

I have reprimanded her for it.

Here.

I have given orders

for the servants to guard outside Cheng Ping Palace.

From now onwards,

nobody can come here

without my permission.

Here.

Thank you, Your Majesty for your love and concern.

I'll definitely bear you a royal son.

Good.

Your Majesty.

This is killing me.

My, my, Li San Feng.

Look at you.

What's the use of being so tall?

You get tired so easily.

This work is tiring.

Li San Feng.

What's the matter?

Someone is dead. Li San Feng.

What's all the screaming about?

Notify the local government. Notify the local government.

I don't believe

he hanged himself to death.

He told me he'll take me far into the woods and mountains,

away from this unfortunate place.

He promised me

a wooden home.

After I give birth to this child,

he'll take me away from the palace

and we'll live like a normal couple.

We didn't want wealth.

We just wanted to be together every day.

Don't be sad, my lady.

What's done is done.

You have to take care of your health.

This child I'm carrying

is the royal child.

I'll bring him into this world.

When he grows up,

I'll live a peaceful life,

never to be wronged again.

Your Majesty has been busy with court matters

and worried about the spread of smallpox so much

that you have no appetite all day.

I have prepared some quail soup.

Please drink it while it's still hot.

Your Majesty.

I heard that

an Imperial Guard servant called Zhong Qiao

hanged himself to death nearby the training field.

I heard he was close with the Pan family.

His death will be investigated by the Ministry of Judicial.

Why do you mention this person?

Just take good care of the harem.

Don't bring this up anymore.

Where are you going, Your Majesty?

To court.

Gather all the officials to discuss the treatment strategy for the smallpox.

Your Majesty, the Imperial Academy of Medicine is working on a prescription

to counter smallpox.

These imperial physicians are useless.

Smallpox has broken out for days.

Not only is there no sign of mitigation,

the epidemic has even started to spread in the capital.

Your Majesty.

Smallpox is an incurable disease.

I beg you, Your Majesty.

Don't go to court these coming days.

When it starts to spread,

contracting it is easy in crowded places.

Please use the Imperial Study

for court matters.

The people are suffering.

If a cure for smallpox can be found

to bring health and peace to the people,

I won't hesitate

to exhaust the national treasury.

Your Majesty. The Duke of Han has been searching

for a miracle doctor among the grassroots.

He is working out a prescription with the imperial physicians.

It may mitigate the spread of smallpox.

If it can stop smallpox,

I will reward him abundantly.

Let's go to the Imperial Study.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty, why do we have to talk about benefits

when we can talk about good morality?

Your Majesty, why do we have to talk about benefits

when we can talk about good morality?

When a King always thinks of his own benefit,

then his ministers will also think of their own benefits...

Your Highness.

When reading the books of sages,

you must not get distracted.

My body itches badly.

Let me take a look.

This is...

Are there rashes all over your body?

It itches. It itches.

You'er. What is it, You'er?

You'er. What is it, You'er?

Here, let me see.

What is this?

Has anyone called the imperial physician?

The servant is fetching Physician Dong.

He will be here any minute.

You'er, you'll be fine.

All will be fine when the imperial physician is here.

Mother is here.

You'er. You'll be fine.

Physician Dong. Come quick.

Physician Dong. Take a look at the Second Prince.

Come here, You'er. Sit down.

You'er. You'er.

Let the physician take a look.

Second Prince. Let me take a look.

It itches.

You'er.

Your Majesty.

Please let the Second Prince rest in the side room first.

I have something to tell you.

Feng Yi, come here.

Your Majesty.

You'er, go take a rest.

Follow me.

You'er. Be good, You'er.

-It itches. -Be good, You'er.

Physician Dong. What is wrong

with the Second Prince?

Forgive me, Your Majesty.

Second Prince

has contracted smallpox.

Impossible.

The Second Prince has never left the palace since he was little.

How can he contract smallpox?

You must have made a mistake.

Your Majesty. The Second Prince is burning up.

He has rashes, headaches, and nausea.

These are all symptoms of smallpox.

It's definitely smallpox.

He must be isolated.

If not, it will spread to the entire palace.

What should we do?

Didn't the Duke of Han find

a miracle doctor who can treat smallpox?

Bring him here.

Right.

That miracle doctor is just a swindler.

He can't treat smallpox.

He's just taking advantage of the situation

for the money.

He contracted the disease himself

and was executed by the Duke of Han yesterday.

He must be the one who brought the disease into the palace.

Your Majesty.

Smallpox is an incurable disease.

It can only be prevented

but never fully cured.

As to whether the Second Prince can recover,

it all depends on his fate.

Duke of Han, why did you deceive me?

I dare not deceive you, Your Majesty.

I was trying to share your worries

by searching high and low for a doctor who can treat smallpox.

But nobody seemed to know.

I found a miracle doctor who claimed he can.

So I brought him into the palace.

Who knew

he was bold enough

to con the palace.

It was my impatience

that turned me blind to his tricks.

You still call him a miracle doctor?

He is just a quack.

A bane.

I met You'er two days ago.

He was in good health at that time.

But as soon as he met the quack,

he contracted smallpox.

If I don't tear him into pieces,

I can't vent my anger.

I have ordered for his execution.

This is my fault.

Please calm down, Your Majesty.

Take care of your health.

And you three.

I told you to do whatever it takes to prevent the smallpox

but it still found its way into the palace.

You're useless. You fail in your duty.

We are useless. We fail in our duty.

We accept your punishment, Your Majesty.

Jing Zong.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Keep the rewards open.

Anyone who can treat smallpox

must be brought into the palace immediately.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Take these three away.

Give them 30 lashes each and make an example of them.

-Guards. -Your Majesty.

Take them away.

Your Majesty. Your Majesty.

Get out.

Quick.

Father-in-law.

You'er has contracted smallpox.

What should we do?

Poor You'er.

Don't worry, Father-in-law.

Although smallpox is an incurable disease,

the prince is young and healthy.

He can still heal if treated in time.

Father-in-law.

I heard that a female miracle doctor

in the outskirts west of the imperial tomb can treat smallpox.

What are you waiting for then?

Bring her here this instant.

I'll give everything

to cure You'er.

Don't worry, Father-in-law. I'll go now.

Don't waste anymore time. Immediately depart.

Depart now.

Quick. Quick.

Excuse me, buddy.

Is this where I can find the miracle doctor who can treat smallpox?

Has somebody contracted smallpox?

You're here for the prescription?

Are you the miracle doctor?

No, I'm not.

If you want to see the miracle doctor, follow me.

Thank you.

These violets, shrubby sophora and wormwood

found in the mountains

are very effective in detoxification.

Distribute them to the villagers

together with this medicinal wine.

It's a pity we're lacking in manpower.

We need to let more villagers know of this prescription.

Only with everyone's help

can we cure the smallpox.

When we went up the mountain in the past two days,

we've gathered the villagers

to teach them about the herbs.

They are aware of the prevention and treatment.

That is good.

Madam, Madam.

Please take a look at my child.

Look, Chief Butler.

The smallpox has manifested.

Take this medicinal wine

and these herbs.

Boil them down for your child to consume.

Thank you, Madam.

You're really a saviour.

Don't say that.

Go back quickly.

-Say thanks to Madam and the old man. -Thank you, Madam.

Madam.

An official is here for your prescription.

My lady.

Lord Cao.

You are the savior who can treat smallpox.

This way, Lord Cao.

Please bring Lord Cao a chair.

Thank you.

Drink some water.

I didn't expect

to find you serving your duty here

and living in this bitter condition.

You must have suffered, my lady.

After living here for some time,

the bitter life in the mountains

is better than the riches in the capital.

Why are you here, Lord Cao?

Smallpox has spread to the capital.

Patients are increasing.

I'm here on the order...

On the order of the Grand Preceptor

to look for the miracle doctor.

I hope you can follow me back to the capital.

I have written a letter to His Majesty

about the spread of smallpox.

Moreover, the Imperial Academy of Medicine

can come up with preventive methods.

How can it spread so fast?

My lady.

The imperial physicians

are at a loss about the disease.

It especially breaks everyone's heart to see the Second Prince.

The Second Prince contracted smallpox too.

You'er contracted smallpox too?

His condition is getting worse.

The Second Prince's life is in danger.

Only you can save him.

Smallpox is an incurable disease.

People say I can treat it,

but all I did was give him some herbs and medicinal wine

as a prevention.

Besides, my duty to protect the imperial tomb is not over.

I can't leave this place yet.

My lady.

It was my father and the Grand Preceptor who

prevented you from entering the palace,

Because of that, you're here serving three years of duty.

Both of them truly regret it now.

I hope you can let bygones be bygones

and follow me back to the capital

for the sake of the Second Prince and people in the capital.

I don't intend to give you a hard time.

I bear no grudge towards your father and the Grand Preceptor.

They are just being dutiful officials.

But I really can't return to the capital.

I do have some medicinal wine, herbs

and a prescription

that you can take back with you.

If You'er's condition is not too serious yet,

he may still be treated.

My lady.

If I can't bring you back,

I really can't answer to the Grand Preceptor.

Wan'er.

Get all the medicinal wine we have,

some herbs and the prescription.

Give them to Lord Cao.

Yes.

Lord Cao. Time is of essence now.

Alright.

Since you've made up your mind,

I won't insist.

Take care, my lady.

You too.

If she's a saviour, she should aid all beings

to do good and accumulate merit.

She...

Why didn't she want to come to the capital?

You actually know this saviour.

I know her?

Who is she?

Consort Liu.

Liu E?

It was your father and I

who led the court officials to prevent her from entering the palace.

Now that You'er is in difficulty,

how would she be willing to help?

Don't worry, Father-in-law.

Although Consort Liu was unwilling to return,

she gave me some medicinal wine and herbs.

I have sent them to the palace.

The prince must be taking them now.

The Empress is right.

Consort Liu does have a big heart.

Nevertheless,

we should ask her to return to the palace

to treat You'er.

This would ensure that the treatment is infallible

and all will be well.

But Consort Liu is adamant about it.

Who can change her mind?

I know I can't.

Well...

In that case,

only Su Yi Jian can do it.

It's raining again.

Let me do it, sister.

Take them all in.

Lord Su.

Sister.

Yi Jian.

My lady.

Why are you here?

Greetings, my lady.

Come in quick.

Come.

Let me help.

Come in quick.

Why are you here?

Have a seat.

How have you been doing, my lady?

I'm good. Drink some water.

Lord Cao was here last time

but failed to persuade you to return to the capital.

When the Grand Preceptor knew about it, he was very anxious.

He came to see me

and wanted me to apologize to you on his behalf.

He bought 20 carts of provisions

and 1,000 taels of fine silver

for me to distribute to the villagers here.

I have already seen to it.

The Grand Preceptor is really generous.

It's a great charitable act.

His intention is aimed at

persuading you to return to the capital

to treat the prince.

When Lord Cao came,

I had already made up my mind to return to the capital.

Why didn't you?

I wanted to prepare more medicinal wine first.

After Chief Butler Ye is done preparing the medicinal wine,

I will then return to the capital.

No wonder you kept taking Feng'er and me

to gather herbs from the mountains.

You were making preparations to return to the capital.

The herbs grown around the imperial tomb

are effective in preventing and treating smallpox.

Nevertheless,

even if we get these herbs to the capital,

they are just a drop in the bucket.

Since you've made up your mind,

we should depart this instance.

Yi Jian.

I'm returning to the capital

to treat the prince

and mitigate the spread of the smallpox.

You have to keep this under wraps.

His Majesty must not know of this.

After the work is done, I need to return to the imperial tomb.

My lady.

Since you're going back to the capital,

you don't have to come back here again.

My three years of guarding the tomb is not over yet.

I can't fall short

and leave a mistake that can be exploited by the court officials.

Alright, as you wish.

[Qian Yuan Gate]

Lord Su.

Who is in the palanquin?

The daughter of His Majesty's nanny.

Miss Ying Luo.

I went to visit my hometown

and now I'm returning to the capital.

I beg your forgiveness, Lord Su.

The palace is a restricted area. I need to be meticulous.

Can I check?

Miss.

Are you still worried?

I'm sorry. Please enter.

Rise the palanquin.

Lay down the palanquin.

My lady. You're finally back in the palace.

Remember.

The Noble Consort is back

to treat the prince.

Don't let anyone know.

We have to protect her.

Yi Jian. You have worked hard.

Take care, my lady.

Follow me, my lady.

You've had a long journey, my lady.

We'll get you changed first

before meeting the Empress.

Alright.

Liu E.

How is You'er doing?

Is it bad, Liu E?

The people at the imperial tomb said

you can treat smallpox.

When can You'er recover from it?

Say something, Liu E.

They call you a saviour.

Can you cure You'er?

Your Majesty.

At the imperial tomb,

I only managed to save those who are mildly infected.

I only helped them recuperate.

But the Second Prince...

If You'er can't make it,

I can't live too.

Your Majesty.

I will try my best to take care of the Second Prince.

The Second Prince is young. His body is weak.

The poison of smallpox has entered his core.

I'm afraid...

-Your Majesty. -Your Majesty.

Your Majesty. Please get up.

Liu E.

I only have this son.

I'm begging you.

You have to save him.

You have to save him, Liu E.

Liu E.

Liu E.

I only have this son.

I know.

I'll do my best.

I'll do my best.

My lady, I have asked around.

Consort Liu is indeed in the palace.

How dare she?

Her three years of guarding the tomb is not over yet.

She doesn't even have His Majesty's permission.

How dare she sneak into the palace?

Consort Liu is this bold because of the Empress.

She brought medicinal wine and herbs from the imperial tomb.

Now she's in the Empress' chamber

treating the Second Prince.

Second Prince?

What happened to the Second Prince?

His Highness is gravely ill.

His condition hasn't improved even after taking the medicine.

But Consort Liu's prescription has spread throughout the capital.

The menace of smallpox

is not as bad as it was.

Does His Majesty know about this?

No.

It looks like Consort Liu and the Empress intend to keep this from His Majesty.

Consort Liu is indeed cunning.

I wonder what is her real intention

of returning to the palace?

My lady.

Why are you scratching so much?

Let me take a look.

Why are there rashes on your arm?

Your neck and your back too.

My lady, it must be smallpox.

What should I do?

Go fetch the imperial physician.

Yes, my lady.

No, wait.

My lady.

Go get Consort Liu.

Will she come?

Tell her I'm carrying His Majesty's child.

I need her help.

Yes, my lady.

Go quickly.

Thank you for your grace, my lady.

Everyone says you are a savior. A miracle doctor.

You can definitely cure smallpox.

Smallpox is an incurable disease.

Not even a miracle doctor can cure it.

But everyone in the capital is saying that

when you were at the imperial tomb,

you have cured many patients.

The situation varies according to each person.

Those who were serious died of it.

Those who were mild survived.

It really depends on fate.

My lady.

Give them to me.

Sister. You came.

Please take a look at me.

Did I contract smallpox?

Yu Shu.

Don't be scared. Let me take a look first.

I need to check thoroughly for the diagnosis.

Sister. I don't want to die.

I know. I know.

You must save me.

Don't be scared. Turn over.

Fortunately this is just the early stage.

The poison has not spread.

I have brought some medicine from the imperial tomb.

Some are applied externally. Some are to be consumed.

Let me apply this medicine for you now.

Don't scratch it.

Here.

Why are you willing to help me?

Shouldn't you hate me?

You should hate the Pan family.

I treated you badly.

It's all in the past.

Don't agonize over it.

I'm here to save those in need.

Besides,

you're carrying His Majesty's child,

who will be coming soon.

I don't want His Majesty to worry.

Turn over.

You'll recover soon.

As for how to use the rest of the herbs,

I'll give the instructions to Yue'er.

You have to take them duly.

Don't be sad.

I am going now.

Sister.

If

I'm able to get through this,

I'll definitely repay you.

You don't need to.

Thank you.

Farewell.

[End of Episode 23]