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 26]

Your Majesty.

Greetings, Your Majesty.

Rise.

The Tangut's rebellion has subsided.

Shaanxi Circuit is now peaceful.

All thanks to your help in commenting the memorials to the throne,

we're saved from a calamity.

Your Majesty have been keeping close watch watch on them.

As a man with great foresight,

Your Majesty have stationed an army at Shaanxi Circuit.

I did nothing but commented on a report.

What I did

is nothing to speak of.

You've contributed a lot

in stifling the rebellion.

It's a rule in the imperial court that

the harem is prohibited from taking part in politics.

However, this rule is not applicable on you.

If it weren't for your interference,

the consequences would have gone out of hand.

Your Majesty have over-complimented me.

I've decided to make you the Empress.

Your Majesty.

Thank you for the thought.

However,

it might be impossible for me

to give birth again for Your Majesty.

The officials

will use that as an excuse to stop Your Majesty.

I don't want to put Your Majesty in a tight spot.

No matter what they have to say,

it won't stop me.

Now, you're the only person

I can rely on.

Only when you're by my side,

can I keep the harem and imperial court in check.

What if my illness comes back repeatedly?

What if I die because of the illness?

What if the officials

learn that it's an incurable disease?

What would happen to the Song Kingdom?

Your Majesty, don't think too much.

Your Majesty will recover soon.

We'll be fine.

I've you with me.

It's indeed a fortune for me.

And a great fortune for the imperial court too.

Hurry up!

Turn around.

Let's go!

Yuan Zuo, my fifth son has been missing you.

I brought him here to pay you a visit.

Your Highness.

Yuan Fen, you've grown up.

The last time I saw you,

you were only this big.

You're so tall now.

Yuan Zuo, I'm Yuan Fen.

This is my son.

This is your uncle.

Hello, Uncle.

You're Yuan Fen?

You've grown up.

The last time I saw you,

you were only this big.

You're so tall now.

Let me have a talk with Yuan Zuo.

Bring him out to play.

Sure, here. Let's go.

Yuan Zuo.

Are you crazy for real or are you pretending?

I...

I'm in trouble. You must help me out.

Tell me.

Let's have a talk inside.

Take a seat.

It's like this.

His Majesty personally led the army to Chanyuan

and told me to preside over the imperial court.

I don't have any ulterior motive.

I just want to share His Majesty's burden

so that he can fight the enemy in peace.

The main problem lies in my father-in-law, Cao Jian.

He has some terrible motives.

It's my fault for trusting him.

However, he forced me to do everything.

I didn't mean to do that.

Yes.

Now, His Majesty must have known about it.

Yuan Zuo, what say you?

Should I seek for forgiveness from His Majesty

and beg for his pardon

or should I call out my father-in-law

to protect myself?

Yuan Fen.

Please speak, Brother.

You've grown up now.

The last time I saw you,

you were only this big.

You're so tall now.

I got it.

Since you've become crazy,

I'll leave you alone.

I wish

I could become crazy too.

Yuan Fen.

Come here.

Come here.

Brother.

Let me tell you.

The last time I saw you,

you were only this big.

You're so tall now.

-Hey. -Let's go.

You were just this big.

This big.

I heard from the eunuch that

your wife is going to give birth soon.

Yes.

She's due on the tenth of the coming month.

You're so lucky, Yuan Fen.

Am I going to be childless

for the rest of my life?

My sons died one after another.

I suffer from the pain of losing my son again and again.

I yearn

to have a son to cheer me up.

However, will my dream come true?

Please take care, Your Majesty.

I'm not extraordinary.

My children have not accomplished anything.

They're nothing but naughty.

Because of Your Majesty's kindness,

they get to live a comfortable life.

I don't have any child.

However, the Song Kingdom can't do without a successor.

You've so many children.

I've thought about it.

You're reliable as you're righteous and noble.

I'll appoint you as the Crown Prince.

Please don't do that, His Majesty.

Get up.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Take a seat.

Take a seat.

When I first ascended to the throne,

I was just like you.

I was powerless and I had little talent.

With the help from the officials,

I managed to keep myself steady on the throne.

The Liao army fiercely travelled to the South.

I personally led the army and entered into the treaty of alliance.

We made peace with the Liao army.

No war from then on.

The people of Song live a peaceful and flourishing life.

I think I've not wronged our ancestors.

Furthermore, after passing the throne to you,

the Grand Tutor, Cao Jian, and the other officials

will do their best to assist you.

Your Majesty, my father-in-law is ageing.

He should have retired to live off his remaining life comfortably.

The Grand Tutor is a lucky person.

With his knowledge,

he can teach your children well for sure.

Your Majesty, please stop talking.

I would rather leave the palace

and become an ordinary people.

My family and I would rather live a poor life than staying in the palace.

Please give me your blessing, Your Majesty.

If anyone in the palace said that

I intend to rebel,

they must have ulterior motive.

If Your Majesty don't believe me,

you can relocate me now.

-I'll depart on the same day. -Enough, Yuan Fen.

Please leave now.

Your Majesty...

I told you to leave.

Do you hear me?

Please take care, Your Majesty. I'm leaving.

I'm leaving.

Father, when His Majesty was absent for the first few days,

you worried that something had gone wrong.

See? His Majesty is sound and safe.

His Majesty attends the court as usual.

His Majesty

sometimes skips the assembly when he's not feeling well.

It's normal.

Stop thinking too much.

Father, it's full.

Father, water brims only to overflow.

The moon waxes only to wane.

Now, the Cao Family is second to no one in the Imperial Court.

Are you not happy yet?

Why are you colluding with Duke Ji?

Don't interfere in this.

Your opinion is not needed.

Though I'm not part of it,

I know Duke Ji's attitude towards this matter.

He's an academician.

All he cares are writing and drawing.

He doesn't want to be the emperor.

Do you really have to

force him

onto the throne?

You fool.

His Majesty doesn't have any sons.

To who should he pass the throne?

Only by passing the throne to Duke Ji,

can the kingdom be secure.

I'm not doing this for the Cao Family.

It's not for Duke Ji too.

It's for the Song Kingdom.

I'm doing this to honour the former emperor too.

Father.

The former emperor chose His Majesty, not Duke Ji.

Every man should confine himself to his own duties.

You can't stop thinking about recommending Duke Ji.

You even drag those senior officials into this.

What are you doing?

Are you imitating the first emperor?

Are you going to drape yourself with the Imperial yellow robe and...

usurp the throne?

The Song Kingdom belongs to His Majesty.

Do you want to see Song in peace

or do you want to

stir up the kingdom?

You're a rebellious son!

Greetings, Your Highness.

Bring all my children

to me.

Yes.

The chillness of autumn and winter is near and miserable.

Life and death cannot be controlled.

Peas of the same pod are treated like weeds.

The cicada is abandoned in the end.

How fun.

Your Highness, why do you want to see us?

His Majesty will punish us soon.

Instead of awaiting for our doom,

why don't we kill ourselves?

Isn't it great if we can die as a family?

Father, look at this.

Isn't it nice?

Your Highness!

Your Highness!

He's out for blood!

-Your Highness! -His Majesty chased me out of the study.

He didn't even look at me.

His Majesty has become suspicious. He will kill us all for sure!

No, Your Highness!

Go get the Grand Tutor!

Let go of me!

Master Cao, we received information from Duke Ji's servant.

Duke Ji worries that His Majesty will punish him.

He plans to kill everyone in the family

to prove his innocence.

Please check on them.

What a useless man! Get the sedan chair ready!

Yes.

Your Highness!

Please spare the children, Your Highness.

Since Your Highness is determined,

I'm willing to die together with you.

Please spare our children, Your Highness.

Even if I spare their lives,

they'll only suffer for the rest of their life.

His Majesty will spare them.

Let us live, even if we become ordinary people.

Even if we have to beg for life.

Have you forgotten how our fourth uncle died?

Did you forget how my second brother died?

Your Highness.

His Majesty won't let go of them.

No way His Majesty will spare us!

Your Highness!

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty, something bad has happened!

Your Majesty.

Something happened in Duke Ji Residence.

What happened?

We received information from Duke Ji's Residence.

Duke Ji seems to be possessed by monster.

He's trying to kill his wife and children

to show his loyalty to Your Majesty.

Ridiculous! Summon Duke Ji to the palace.

Your Majesty, Duke Ji is murderous now.

No one can stop him from killing himself.

I'm afraid that His Highness won't accept the Imperial Order.

Get the sedan chair ready.

I'm going to his residence.

Yes.

Your Highness!

Stop!

Your Highness!

What are you doing?

Stay away, Father-in-law.

Father-in-law, after killing my children,

I'll kill myself.

You can then report to His Majesty that

I, Zhao Yuan Fen, am no longer a threat to the throne.

Father-in-law.

Your Highness.

Stay away!

Are you going to kill your children?

Fine, kill me first.

Father-in-law.

His Majesty is here.

Yuan Fen, what are you doing?

Your Majesty.

Bring the Imperial Physician now!

Yes.

Your Majesty.

They are your flesh and blood. How can you do that?

Your Majesty.

Since Your Majesty is going to punish me,

it's better for me to kill myself.

Why would I punish you?

What have you done that you deserve punishment?

I wanted to have a sincere talk with Your Majesty.

However, Your Majesty chased me out of the palace.

I've never eyed on the throne.

I'm not the talent to rule the kingdom.

The practice

is the old system adapted by our ancestors.

It doesn't have to be adapted in our generation.

Your Majesty, I've told you

what's on my mind.

Please don't get me wrong, Your Majesty.

I was having a headache.

I didn't want to make you worried.

That's why I told you to leave.

Yuan Fen, why did you

misunderstand my kindness?

We've four siblings in total.

Our eldest brother has become crazy.

Our second brother is dead.

Only the two of us are left.

Of course I cherish you.

Why would I harm you?

You!

I remember

you drew a drawing before.

You drew King Cheng of Zhou in his childhood.

King Cheng pretended to be the emperor while playing with his brother.

He pretended that a leaf was a jade tablet.

He gave it to his brother and appointed his brother as a Duke.

Many years later,

King Cheng of Zhou ascended to the throne.

He honoured his promise

and appointed his brother as Duke Tang.

The siblings respected each other and their story became a legend.

I know what's playing on your mind.

Since you're not willing to rule the Imperial Court,

I'll fulfil your dream.

But why did you...

Your Majesty.

I didn't plan to rebel.

Your Majesty.

You're a loyal person, Yuan Fen.

I know it.

Grand Tutor Cao.

All of you are loyal officials.

Thank you for the trust, Your Majesty.

I'll be loyal and devoted to my last breath.

I won't let Your Majesty down.

Let the messenger of the Liao Kingdom in.

Greetings from Yelu Liushou.

General Yelu, you may rise.

Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager and Emperor of Liao

know that Your Majesty have just lost the Empress and the Prince.

Hence, they sent me to send their regards.

Please take care, Your Majesty.

Please thank Empress Dowager Xiao for me.

Her Majesty sent me to Kaifeng

for two other matters.

Please say it.

As for the first matter, please hold on, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty, please take a look.

Jing Zong.

Your Majesty, this is Princess Xiao Yang.

She's the daughter of Pure Consort Xiao.

She's 28 years old.

Empress Dowager intends to marry Princess Xiao Yang to Your Majesty.

The marriage will unite the Song Kingdom and the Liao Kingdom.

Please thank Empress Dowager for her kindness.

Your Majesty, as for the second matter,

Liao have been struck by many disasters in the past few years.

Winter is approaching and our granary is almost empty.

We seek Your Majesty's indulgence to donate silks and silver coins

to help the Liao people survive the winter.

We'll pay back in the coming year.

I've been informed of what you just said.

Your Majesty.

The messenger came from far.

I've arranged accommodation for them.

I think it's better to let them take a rest first.

As for the marriage,

Your Majesty should decide on it after careful thought.

You're right.

General Yelu, I've accepted Princess Xiao Yang's portrait.

Let me discuss with the officials first.

I'll inform you my decision later.

Please take a rest at the stopover station.

Thank you, Your Majesty. I'm leaving.

Your Majesty.

Who is this?

She's the daughter of Pure Consort Xiao, Princess Xiao Yang.

Xiao Chuo sent a messenger to deliver this portrait to me.

She proposed a marriage alliance.

Have you agreed?

Ying'er,

do you want me to agree?

She looks stocky.

She must be really fertile.

No harm taking her in.

Empress Li passed away not long ago.

I'm exhausted.

How do I take in another woman as consort?

After all, it's important to have offspring.

Your Majesty

should be at ease.

The union is just an excuse.

In the name of marriage,

they want a million silver coins

to help them survive the winter.

That's not asking for a loan.

They're blackmailing us.

What should we do?

Xiao Chuo is not a simple person.

Though we've entered into Chanyuan Treaty,

she still eyes on the Southern Pass.

Your Majesty should be more cautious.

Perhaps, taking a loan is just a veil

to test our capability.

You're right.

Xiao Chuo's intention is unclear.

We must not simply lend money to them.

Just pay Liao

the annual tribute of 300,000 yuan as usual.

In addition to that, pay them 30,000 bolts of raw silk and taels of silver.

They don't have to pay back.

It's to show our generosity towards Liao.

It's also to stop them from coming again.

You spent a lot of time with Xiao Chuo.

You know her well.

Your suggestion

is great.

As for Princess Xiao Yang...

It's simple.

I'll just turn down the messenger.

With regard to the marriage,

what do you think?

Your Majesty, I'm against it.

I opine that Empress Dowager Xiao is not sincere in proposing the marriage.

She's an ulterior motive.

She's never stopped eyeing on our kingdom.

I don't agree with you, Lord Su.

Your Majesty agreed to unite with Timo tribe through marriage.

Your Majesty appointed Wen Jia Ling as Noble Lady

and had Princess Shou Kang.

She procreated for the royal family.

We are at peace with the Timo tribe.

Why can't we do the same with Liao?

Timo Tribe is loyal to the Song Kingdom.

Liao, on the other hand, keeps bringing trouble to us.

It's not the same.

Your Majesty, I'm against it too.

We'll stop discussing about the marriage.

Let's discuss about

the loan requested by the messenger.

What do you think?

Your Majesty, in my view,

requesting for a loan is a veil.

They just want to check on

the treasury of the Song Kingdom.

You mean...

Liao is greedy.

We must not lend them the money.

If we don't approve the loan,

does it make us look stingy?

Your Majesty, how about this?

We'll pay them the annual tribute of 300,000 yuan as usual.

In addition to that, pay them 30,000 bolts of raw silk and taels of silver.

They don't have to pay us back. That's to show them our generosity.

That's great. We'll do as per your suggestion.

The messenger of Liao is already in the capital.

When the money is ready,

send him back to Liao.

Your Majesty, we don't have to give them the answer so soon.

We can test on the patience of the messenger from Liao.

Let them stay for some time.

Let them know that

though our kingdom is rich,

it's not easy

to get money from us.

Kou Zhun solved a huge problem for me today.

It was nicely handled.

I'm really impressed.

Your Majesty.

A person who is good at solving problems should be appointed as the Prime Minister.

No wonder someone sent a plaque to Kou Residence

as they think that he is meritorious for making the Song Kingdom great again.

Your Majesty.

I looked into the person who got him the plaque

to find out the truth.

As Your Majesty think highly of Kou Zhun

and dote on him,

someone in the Imperial Court is jealous of him.

That's why they got a few plaques

and sent them with fanfare to Kou Residence.

They boosted his reputation on purpose

to make him look great

so that Your Majesty keep a sharp look out and stay away from him.

I've never thought of that.

What a plan to achieve evil ends.

Do you know who it is?

He said that he didn't know the purchaser.

He just did it for money.

Your Majesty, in my opinion,

we should not look into the matter.

Nothing can be too ideal.

I believe that Your Majesty knows it well

who it is that hates Kou Zhun.

[The Emperor of the Song Kingdom is solemnly writing to]

[the Emperor of Liao.]

[Song]

[Both kingdoms will obey by the treaty.]

[As a gesture of goodwill, the Song Kingdom hereby]

[donate 200,000 bolts of raw silk and 100,000 taels of silver.]

[As for the annual tribute, an additional of 300,000 yuan is paid.]

Farewell.

[Huazhou]

The flute music is wonderful.

I wonder if I have the honour

to take a look at you?

How dare you?

How could you request to look at my master for no reason?

I'm the Secretary of Treasury, Ding Wei.

You're Ding Wei?

I heard that you're on a par with Han Yu and Liu Zong Yuan.

Your poem is as good as Du Fu's.

The Ding Wei, known as the Great Scholar?

It's an over-praise.

I don't deserve it.

I just enjoy writing.

I've a request.

I wonder if you'd agree.

Say it.

You're talented.

Can you make a poem

based on the flute music?

If you're happy with my poem,

will you let me see you?

Sure.

Understand the world through heavenly music.

Understand the Emperor's heart through melody.

The willow song

goes well with the heavenly music.

The drum is made from animal skin.

It's difficult to look for a fine piece.

The drum at the Wu School has stopped playing.

It's easy to find immortal couple.

Are you happy with the poem?

There is a pretty lady with clear eyes and fine forehead.

When I meet the clear-eyed, my desire's satisfied.

Is that how you talk?

Sorry for being rude.

If I made you uncomfortable,

I apologise in advance.

However,

it's from the bottom of my heart.

I've heard that your flute music

is the sound of Heaven.

It's as if I accidentally barged into the Heaven.

It makes my heart flutter.

Finally I saw your beauty.

If I can't this face again,

I'm going to miss it like crazy.

Please sympathize me

and spare me the suffering of love-sickness.

The Queen Mother holds a banquet by the lotus pond.

I live deep in the forest alone.

The jade flute brings heavenly music.

I'm waiting for the day when the feeling becomes mutual.

Please hold on.

When you solve the poem,

you can look for me again.

Of course.

I've something to return to you.

What is it?

What do you mean?

I've a request.

I wonder if I have the honour

to put it on for you?

Well...

Thank you.

Thank you for the handkerchief.

Mr Ding looks gentlemanly.

However, he's quite bold.

Young lady.

Young lady.

What did you say?

Young lady, you fell in love with him, right?

Don't talk nonsense.

Mr Ding is an official, just like your father.

If you have the intention,

you can request his lordship to propose to him.

It depends whether he is sincere.

We'll talk about it after he's solved

the poem.

It's not too late to talk about it then.

The Queen Mother holds a banquet by the lotus pond.

I live deep in the forest alone.

The jade flute brings heavenly music.

I'm waiting for the day when the feeling becomes mutual.

Yu Ru of the Wang Family?

Wang Yu Ru?

I bet Mr Ding

likes you very much.

He put on the hairpin for you.

No doubt he's gone too far.

Don't get mad at him.

That means he likes you.

Why did you say that?

In my hometown,

after the proposal is made by the matchmaker,

before getting married,

the groom will pick a date and pay the bride a visit.

They may go to a park

or a lake

[to meet up each other. It's called a blind date.]

[If the feeling is mutual,]

[the man will put a hairpin for the woman.]

[It's known as putting on the hairpin.]

[If the feeling is not mutual,]

[the man will give two bolts of brocades to the woman.]

[It's known as getting over a shock.]

I didn't know such ritual exists.

[I think Mr Ding knows the rule.]

[That's why]

[he insisted to]

[put on the hairpin for you.]

Wan'er.

Sister.

This is the portrait of the Princess of Liao.

Tell the inner-depository to keep it.

After the messenger of Liao left,

His Majesty has not mentioned about

the marriage again.

Yes, I'll go now.

Wan'er.

Is there any other order?

When the messenger of Liao left,

Mu Yi went back to Liao with them.

[End of Episode 26]