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 36]

My stomach is getting heavier.

That's because our little prince is growing bigger.

You look tired, Your Majesty.

Do you want to take a rest?

I'd like that.

Get the servants to prepare some tea.

Okay.

I do feel a little tired today.

It's getting late.

His Majesty is organising a feast to treat the court officials and concubines.

It's starting soon, right?

If you really do not wish to attend the new year eve's banquet,

His Majesty won't hold you to it.

Greetings, Your Majesty.

Eunuch Zhang. Is something the matter with His Majesty?

Your Majesty.

His Majesty is in a fit of rage at Chui Gong Hall.

Lord Su Yi Jian asked me to come

to get Your Majesty to calm him down.

Why is His Majesty so angry?

I think it's related to the Tangut envoy.

I'll go with you right away.

Sister, let me go with you.

You don't have to come.

Go back and get yourself dressed for the banquet tonight.

Your Majesty.

Why are you so worked up?

Ask them.

Your Majesty.

Lord Wang and I

have agreed on some terms with the Tangut envoy.

Stop talking, Yi Jian.

Wang Qin Ruo, you tell.

Repeat what you told me to Her Majesty.

I said, speak!

The Tangut envoy suggested

that we treat them as we do Liao,

sending them money and silk annually.

Also, to treat them as we do the Timo tribe

by conferring on Li De Ming the title of king.

Preposterous!

Such shameless conditions!

You two should've put him in his place back there!

How dare you relay those terms to me?

Calm down, Your Majesty.

In a peace agreement,

it's normal for both parties

to state their terms and conditions.

They so boldly want me to appoint officials and confer titles.

What do they take Song for?

Go and tell him.

Fight us if he wishes.

I won't accept his threats!

Your Majesty, if money and tributes can secure peace at the border,

the terms are worth considering.

I have no intention to discuss with him.

But the government

is spending huge amounts on border control every year.

In comparison,

the tributes are far less significant.

Making Li De Ming a king

means he will be a subject of Song.

I rather not have greedy, obnoxious people like that

as subjects of Song.

-Your Majesty. -My mind is made.

Save your breath, Empress.

Since the Tanguts have laid out their conditions,

you two

should've also told him our conditions, right?

Yes, Your Majesty.

What did you suggest?

Empress.

This matter isn't something you should worry about.

Your job is to give birth and raise my royal offspring.

Didn't you go to pray at Xiang Guo Temple today?

Why aren't you taking a rest after returning,

but came here to complicate things further?

After being out the whole day,

I do feel a little tired.

I'll go back to rest now.

I won't be attending the new year eve's banquet.

Yue'er, go take a look.

Yes, I'll go now.

Sorry I'm late, Father.

You're not the only one who's late.

Liu E is not here. The Tangut is coming.

This reunion dinner will be especially lively.

The imperial harem is filled with countless women.

The absence of one is nothing to speak of.

Isn't it the same in the imperial court?

I heard you're having some trouble

with the repair of the palace.

Thanks for your concern, Father-in-law.

There are just some small matters.

I know how to take care of them.

I have full confidence in you.

Why is the princess consort not here with you?

Yun Huai has fallen ill. She's worried about him

so she stayed back to look after him.

The ones who should be here aren't,

but the ones who shouldn't be here are.

Foreign tribes come to send greetings every new year's eve.

Shouldn't the Tanguts be here?

Our relationship with the Tanguts is precarious right now.

Li De Ming is overstepping his bounds,

asking for tribute and a title.

You should get yourself up-to-date with the current situation.

Even if you can't...

Duke Chu, have some grapes.

-No, I don't want it. -Eat.

No.

Father, don't be harsh.

When it comes to national affairs,

you should be more informed and concerned, Your Highness.

I understand. Don't worry, Father-in-law.

Lord Su. It's new year's eve.

Why isn't the Empress here yet?

Well, Princess Ling Yang is also not here.

I think it's because the Empress and the Princess

were busy preparing for the banquet beforehand.

Lord Su seems to be very concerned with my wife.

Don't take it wrongly, Prince Consort.

It's just that both the Empress and the Princess have yet to show up.

I made a blind guess, that's all.

A blind guess. Really?

She said she's feeling ill.

Perhaps if Lord Su pays a visit,

she'd recover right away.

Lord Su.

Come, Lord Ding.

Cheers.

Cheers.

Come.

Is it good?

Yu Shu

should grab the chance.

I prepared a new year's gift for you, Father.

Buddha said, hold your tongue.

Mother, I want to eat this.

Don't just think about food.

Do you remember what I taught you?

I remember.

Shou An.

Let's go and greet your father now.

-Okay. -Let's go.

Come.

Father.

Come here.

Father.

Shou An and I wish Your Majesty good health.

Peace and prosperity to Song.

Thank you, Father.

Good girl.

You did a good job raising Shou An.

Thank you for the compliment.

It's all part of my job.

You eat too, Father.

Your Majesty, why isn't the Empress here?

Why bring her up?

Recently, I was grounded by Your Majesty.

I'm grateful to the Empress for pleading on my behalf.

Her Majesty is with a child.

It's inconvenient for me to see her usually.

I was thinking of using the opportunity tonight

to give a toast to Her Majesty.

First, to thank her for her graciousness.

Second, to apologise for previously

causing injury to Her Majesty.

That's thoughtful of you.

Is it good, Shou An?

Yes.

Can I have the last piece?

Here.

It's tangy and sweet. Jing Zong.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Prepare a plate of jujubes for the Empress.

Will do.

Is it nice?

Yes.

Sister has recently started to prefer sweet and sour foods.

I'm sure Sister will enjoy the jujubes.

Your Majesty is always thinking about Sister.

While Sister also remembers

Your Majesty's preferences.

A few days ago, she specifically reminded the imperial physician

that Your Majesty does not like the fishy smell of earthworms.

She asked him

to switch out the earthworm with something of similar function.

I was saying

why the medicine

hasn't been that hard to stomach recently.

So it was because of the Empress.

Your Majesty's baby is a little affected due to being agitated.

But it's nothing serious.

You need only rest.

I'll prescribe you with some tonic to strengthen the pregnancy.

I'm already feeling better.

Imperial Physician Dong.

You can send over the tonic tomorrow.

Today is new year's eve.

You should go home early

and spend time with your family.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Sister.

Ying Luo, why aren't you at Ji Ying Hall?

Since you're not going,

I decided to accompany you.

Look.

Check out what I brought for you.

Orange fermented crab.

Steamed quail bloom.

Yin Yang fried intestines.

While His Majesty is having a big feast out there,

we'll have our own little feast here.

These dishes

were all made by me.

You have to indulge me

and try every dish.

Thank you, Ying Luo.

No need to thank me, Sister.

I've sent someone to get my mother.

Later, the three of us

can spend new year's eve together happily.

If His Majesty hears about it,

I'm sure he'd be jealous.

Talking nonsense again.

Your Majesty.

Our neighbours, Liao, Tangut and Timo have sent

their envoys to extend new year greetings.

-Summon them in. -Sure.

I, the Tangut envoy, greet the Emperor of Song.

I wish Your Majesty prosperity.

As you were.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty, this is the declaration of alliance from us.

Please accept.

In addition, following orders from my lord,

I've brought 500 horses and 300 camels as tribute,

on top of 600 cows and 600 sheep.

It represents our sincerity to be allied to Song.

I have received your lord's proposal.

Regarding the reconciliation,

Lord Wang and Lord Su have discussed with our party

and came up with the terms and conditions.

What is Your Majesty's opinion about it?

Tonight is new year's eve.

Let's leave the official business for another day.

Please take a seat and enjoy the festivity.

Your Majesty.

General, His Majesty has made it clear

that we shall discuss this again.

But Your Majesty...

Tonight is a time for celebration.

Please do take a seat, General.

Enjoy some wine.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

It's snowing!

It's snowing!

It's snowing.

-Come. -Come, let's go take a look.

It's snowing.

Snow is falling!

Come on.

It's snowing...

It's snowing...

-It's snowing. -It's so pretty.

Sister.

Don't get a chill.

It's snowing.

It's snowing...

Look, Sister.

They're releasing fireworks over at Ji Ying Hall.

So much snow, Your Highness.

Look at that! That one's beautiful!

More! More fireworks!

So lovely. We will be blessed.

That one's beautiful!

Your Majesty, I've got the jujube wine.

Jujube wine.

This is His Majesty's favourite wine.

We only get to taste it at your place.

I forgot.

You can't drink wine now.

Today is new year's eve.

It's okay to take a sip.

Your Majesty.

What's the matter, Sister?

Your Majesty!

Sister, what's wrong?

Go, go and get Imperial Physician Dong!

-Okay, I'll get him. -Your Majesty.

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty, you're bleeding!

Lady Beauty.

Why are you in such a rush?

Have you seen Imperial Physician Dong?

No. What's the matter?

Sister is having stomach pains.

Imperial Physician Dong just left.

I need to get him.

Wait.

These are jujubes from His Majesty for the Empress.

Take it. I can run fast. I'll go after him.

Eunuch Zhang.

-Mother, come with me, quick. -What is it?

-What's the matter? -Something's wrong.

Something wrong with who?

Her Majesty!

-Quick, come. -What's happened?

Her Majesty is having stomach pains.

Wait, Imperial Physician Dong!

Eunuch Zhang.

Imperial Physician Dong, please come with me.

What is it?

Her Majesty is in trouble.

Hurry!

Your Majesty, it's alright. Don't panic.

-You'll be fine. -Where is the doctor?

Why isn't he here yet?

Eunuch Zhang is chasing him. He'll be here.

Go and get water!

Alright.

Your Majesty, a virtuous person like you is blessed.

The baby has the protection of the gods.

It will be fine.

Don't panic, Your Majesty.

It's okay.

How long has it been?

It's been about an hour.

Why didn't you tell me sooner?

I went to get Imperial Physician Dong.

Wait here.

Alright.

-How is the Empress? -Your Majesty.

Your Majesty, I... I'm trying my best.

Don't try. You must!

You must ensure the mother and the child's safety!

Understood.

Your Majesty...

Ying'er.

Promise me.

No matter what,

you have to protect our baby.

It will be fine.

Don't worry. You'll be fine.

-Your Majesty. -Your Majesty.

What's happened?

-Ying'er! -Sister!

Have a good rest, Your Highness.

You may leave.

Yes, Your Highness.

Your Highness, the young master sent you a letter.

[The Empress accidentally drank sweet dew water that causes miscarriage.]

[Go and take a look.]

Help me change.

Alright.

Excuse me, Eunuch Zhang.

May I go in and see Sister?

Consort Chen, sorry for being rude.

His Majesty has ordered that no one is allowed inside.

How is Sister doing?

Lady of Complete Beauty, what are you doing?

His Majesty has said that no one is allowed to go in.

What do you mean, Eunuch Zhang?

Your Highness, it's His Majesty's order.

No one can go inside.

It's already late. Please return.

Insolence!

A servant doesn't tell me what to do!

Step aside!

-Your Highness. -You're the insolent one.

Greetings, Your Majesty.

Greetings, Your Majesty.

You try to barge into the Empress' palace so late at night.

What's your intention?

You may rise, Consort Chen.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Shou An has been having trouble sleeping lately.

She's having nightmares.

I was hoping

Your Majesty could go and take a look at her.

What did you say is wrong with Shou An?

She can't sleep well.

Say it again.

-Shou An can't sleep... -Again.

Am I a physician?

Shou An is having trouble sleeping. What is the nanny doing?

As her mother, what are you doing?

Have you called for an imperial physician?

Not yet.

Get one, then! Why are you hanging around here?

Understood. I'll go back and look after Shou An.

I'll get an imperial physician.

Your Majesty, is Sister...

Wan'er. Don't be stubborn.

You're pregnant. It's very late.

It's snowing heavily outside.

It's best you stay put in your palace.

-Jing Zong. -Yes, Your Majesty.

Escort Consort Chen back to her chamber.

No more detours.

Understood.

Your Highness.

Consort Chen sure is lucky.

After many years of serving His Majesty,

you're finally pregnant with child.

Take care of the baby well and you'll enjoy a good life.

-You... -Lin Lang.

Your Highness, are we going back?

Obviously.

Do you prefer to freeze outside?

Alright.

Your Highness, your rank is higher than her.

She has no right

to be rude to Your Highness.

Let it be. She was once the Noble Consort.

She's used to acting with arrogance.

Consort Chen is kind and generous.

There's no need to stoop to her level.

Your Majesty, I've failed you.

I deserve to be punished.

How is the Empress?

Her Majesty had a miscarriage.

My condolences, Your Majesty.

Was it a boy?

Yes.

[He kicked me.]

[He must be a prince full of vigour.]

[When I'm sleeping at night,]

[he moves a lot more.]

[It's a blessing from Your Majesty.]

[All negativity can be resolved.]

Your Majesty, it's cold outside.

You've been up the whole day.

Why don't you step inside to rest?

How is

the Empress?

The imperial physician gave her some calming medication.

Her Majesty has just fallen asleep after taking it.

Your Majesty.

Do not neglect your own health.

Please don't worry too much.

You lost a royal offspring,

but there's another in Consort Chen's belly.

Who can be sure

that Consort Chen is bearing a prince?

I had two chances.

But now...

Nanny,

the stake is all on one now.

I can't afford to gamble.

Your Majesty is still young and able.

There are many more concubines in the imperial harem.

Even for the Empress,

so long as she takes care of herself,

it is still possible for her to bear a child.

I know I'm lacking in procreation.

You need not try to comfort me.

Do not be overly depressed, Your Majesty.

From my years of experience,

the baby Consort Chen is carrying

is very likely a prince.

If Consort Chen manages to give birth to a prince,

he will be my only heir.

Does that mean

I'll have to appoint Consort Chen as the Empress?

I'll be frank.

In my heart,

the only person who can assist me in managing the nation

is the Empress.

I believe

that only the Empress has the ability to take on the task.

Despite that,

the Empress will still only be the step-mother.

It's not the same after all.

Do you know what I mean, Nanny?

If Your Majesty is determined about that,

perhaps Her Majesty's miscarriage was an act of God.

What do you mean by that?

Only with this

can we guarantee that the Empress' baby is the Crown Prince.

That the Empress is destined to be the Crown Prince's mother.

Your Majesty.

To have a baby boy or girl,

no one has the power to decide.

But now,

we can be sure that the Empress' baby is a boy.

What are you saying?

If Your Majesty gives consent,

I shall find a baby boy among the commoners

and replace the Empress' lost child.

Now, we have to preserve the royal bloodline.

If Consort Chen, whose pregnancy term is similar to the Empress',

gave birth to a baby boy,

we will then switch them.

Thus, the child the Empress raises,

who will be the ruler of Song in the future,

will still be of Your Majesty's lineage.

By Heaven's will, the Emperor commands.

People of the world

all wish for peace and avoid dangers.

The Great Song and Tangut will come together with the same goal,

to leave behind past evils for a greater good.

In so, becoming one big family.

The lord of the Tanguts, Li De Ming, is hereby appointed

as Legate of the Ding Nan Army

and conferred the title of King of Xiping.

He will be paid a legate's salary.

Meanwhile, Tangut envoys are allowed to recommence trade.

On behalf of my lord,

I thank the Emperor of Song.

Long live Your Majesty.

Please rise, envoy of Tangut.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Please send my regard to the King of Xiping.

Will do, Your Majesty.

I will convey your goodwill to my lord.

I take my leave.

Safe journey.

Jing Zong.

By Heaven's will, the Emperor commands.

An heir shall be named so that

the country will continue to prosper

and its greatness be inherited by generations to come.

The royal offspring born by the Empress will be the legal heir.

With Heaven's providence,

he shall be named as the Crown Prince.

Let it be known to all.

Your Majesty.

My mind is made.

All of you need only accept the decree.

Announcing to the ancestors,

the Emperor has come to the Imperial Ancestral Temple to pay respects.

Proceed.

Ancestors of Zhao.

I, the third Zhao emperor, Zhao Heng,

am here to formally and humbly announce

that Empress Li is blessed with a prince.

Our Great Song now has an heir.

With the ancestors' protection,

may prosperity abound.

Let the Crown Prince be born safely.

Bless us with growth and success.

May the Great Song last forever.

With utmost sincerity, I bow to you.

Kneel!

Bow!

Long live the Emperor of Song!

Ying Luo.

Greetings, Your Majesty.

I'll do it.

You may go.

Alright.

Here.

It's not hot.

Have a bite, Ying'er.

No appetite?

I'll get the servants to make something else.

Servant.

Your Majesty.

You're finally talking to me.

Why did you do that?

I lost the baby.

Why did Your Majesty insist on

naming the Empress' child as the Crown Prince?

You even announced it to the ancestors.

What are you trying to do?

Nanny must have told you the plan.

I will not be a part of the plot to cover up the royal bloodline.

If Consort Chen gives birth to a boy,

we will switch the babies.

That's not fair to Wan'er.

I've been a mother.

Separating mother and child,

not being able to meet, greet or get close.

It's too cruel.

My empress.

You're the matriarch of the nation.

What you should think about are not issues of mother and child

or sisterhood.

The well-being of the people,

the foundation of the kingdom, have you considered them?

We both know very well

the kind of person Consort Chen is.

Do you think

she is capable of bearing the burden as the Empress?

Or is she able to help Song nurture

a well-rounded and strong Crown Prince?

I am sure

that she would make a good mother.

But she's unsuited to be the Crown Prince's mother.

If my health

hadn't been deteriorating over the past few years,

did you think

I'd be this worried and perturbed

over choosing the mother of the future Crown Prince?

I give you my word.

It doesn't matter who Consort Chen raises in the future.

They are both my children.

As for her,

she will be given due credit.

What if Wan'er gave birth to a princess?

Does that mean the adopted son

will inherit the royal legacy?

The people of the world are the people of Song.

So long as he is willing to address you as mother

and me as father,

then he shall be our son.

As long as he's capable,

I will entrust the well-being of the people

over to him.

And I will feel neither regret

nor guilt.

Ying'er.

Ying'er.

Quickly, His Majesty is coming.

Imperial Physician Dong.

I asked you to get the Empress' pregnancy pulse.

Did you bring it?

Here you are, Your Majesty.

Did your record her pulse down today?

In detail, Your Majesty.

[End of Episode 36]