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 42]

Who are you people?

Where are you taking me?

Are you trying to get rid of me?

Listen up.

The Great Song has its rules and laws.

If you kill me,

you guys won't be spared either. Let me go!

Stay still! Don't move!

Get down. Quick!

-Go! -Let me go.

Su Yi Jian?

I knew it was you.

What do you want?

The men

will take you to a place where you should be.

And if I refuse?

I'm going to find out the truth for my sister.

Li Zai Feng.

You may not value your own life,

but don't put Consort Chen in harm's way.

What's happened to my sister?

What did you do to her?

Remember this.

If the rumours are dispelled,

Consort Chen will be able to stay in the palace in peace.

But if the rumours spread uncontrollably,

that's forcing His Majesty to take action.

What happens next depends on you.

Fine, I'll leave.

I've arranged for Li Zai Feng to leave the city.

Where did you send him?

It doesn't matter.

I told the escorts that they need not report back

or return.

I guess it's for the best.

Your Majesty.

Yi Qin, where is Shou Yi?

The nanny took him to where His Majesty is.

Go there with them.

Shou Yi has been very fussy these days.

If His Majesty is tired,

bring him back quickly.

I'll see to it right away.

Are you still not speaking to His Majesty

due to Concubine Pan?

It's not that I'm purposely avoiding him.

These days, he's been unwilling to see me.

So I'd rather not bother him.

You should know

that His Majesty felt really bad

about your recent miscarriage.

What did you two suggest?

Empress.

What you should worry about is to safely raise my royal offspring.

Didn't you just come back from praying at Xiang Guo Temple?

Why aren't you resting after

but instead came to meddle?

I will not be attending the new year eve's banquet later.

[His Majesty thinks the miscarriage that happened on new year's eve]

[was a result from your quarrelling that day.]

[Thus, His Majesty has been feeling guilty]

[and, for some time, avoided seeing you.]

What's the point in feeling bad?

My miscarriage had nothing to do with His Majesty.

Right.

His Majesty is indeed exempted,

but you can't say the same for the Pans.

What else do you know?

[The reason His Majesty]

[was ruthless in disposing the whole Pan family]

[was due to one major factor.]

[Pan Liang had confessed.]

[The woman that offered you sweet dew water at Xiang Guo Temple]

[was doing his bidding.]

Sister.

He was also the one who killed that woman's family.

Force it down.

Please have mercy!

Take her away.

[He had to get rid of evidence.]

Evidence?

Did you know that

sweet dew water induces miscarriage?

Yuan Kan.

From today on, Yu Chen Palace will be sealed off.

The Pan family is no more.

Some things

are better left buried in the past.

Some things

that should be forgotten

should be erased from memory.

Yuan Kan.

Do you think I'm being cruel?

My wish

is to hand the world over to a capable ruler.

You're fit to be a mother and an empress.

Even if I

couldn't see the day where Shou Yi takes up the mantle,

I believe that you

would be able to keep Shou Yi safe

amidst the tumultuous and astounding

political landscape.

And you'd raise Shou Yi into a responsible king.

If I have to be cruel to make it happen,

so be it.

I'm willing to pay the price.

Yuan Kan, I understand.

The burden you bear is great.

No.

Not only me.

You, Consort Chen,

have also suffered.

But I know

that you'd bear even heavier burdens in the future.

I will never forget Consort Chen's sacrifice.

The royal Zhao family will not forget.

What I owed her,

I guess I could only repay it in the next life.

Great effort is required to protect a nation.

I will be right here to share the load.

[Qian Yuan Gate]

[Ten years later]

Greetings, Your Majesty.

We are late. Please accept our apology.

Be at ease.

Minister Ding, why are you dressed like that?

Your Majesty.

Before leaving the house today,

I received an invitation from the master of Hui Ling Observatory.

He said that they finished digging the lake at the observatory.

He asked me to go and take a look.

I left in a hurry

before I could change.

I came to the hunting ground right after with Lord Wang.

The lake.

The three ministries funded the digging of the lake.

Yes, Your Majesty is right.

Hui Ling Observatory had always been at risk of fires.

With the completion of the lake,

this problem is now taken care of.

Moreover, Hui Ling Observatory is a popular tourist spot.

The scenery has become more vibrant.

I heard the sand that was dug up to make the lake

had been moved to Lord Ding's residence

to strengthen the house foundation.

That's right.

I was only upcycling what would've been thrown away.

Minister Ding is proficient at maximising profit.

You flatter me, Your Majesty.

Visitors to Hui Ling Observatory have increased,

resulting in congestion.

I would therefore like to make another request,

which is to build a scenic route.

It's approved.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Lord Ding's residence is located nearby Hui Ling Observatory.

Once the scenic route is up and running,

the narrow streets around the residence

will undoubtedly see more traffic.

Lord Ding's ideas are always impressive.

Lord Kou,

I do my best for the betterment of the people.

Right you are.

I heard Lord Ding is quite the superstitious man,

observing geomancy.

He always pays attention to what the master says

in order to draft up the pros and cons.

Seems like the rumour is true.

It's true, indeed.

Lord Kou.

If you're interested,

why not I ask the master from Hui Ling Observatory

to go to your residence for a reading.

I'm afraid I do not have time for such leisure activities.

That's fine.

Alright, then. Go sit down.

Yes, Your Majesty.

An hour has passed.

Why isn't Shou Yi back yet?

Yi Jian is with him.

He'll be fine.

Besides, Shou Yi has grown up.

It's time for him to toughen up.

But he is still a child.

He's also Great Song's Crown Prince.

Right.

-Hold the grip. -The grip.

Raise the bow, aim with your sight and pull back fully.

Hold your breath.

Release.

It dropped.

It's okay. Do it like this.

Hold it higher.

Look at the target.

Steady your breath.

I shot it!

Uncle, I did it!

Go check it out.

Your Majesty, where are you going?

Since the Empress is worried,

I shall go and take a look. Prepare my horse.

Your Majesty is not feeling well.

Let me go with you.

-Your Majesty. -I've been to Chanyuan.

-Your Majesty. -I'm not a divine son of heaven

who stays all day in the palace,

oblivious to the harsh realities of the world.

Your Majesty, if you wish to go hunting,

I'll accompany you.

You're too old, Chancellor Kou.

So are you, Your Majesty.

I'm younger than you.

-You guys stay put. -Your Majesty.

Let's get Lord Cao to go together with some men.

I'll feel more at ease.

That's right, Your Majesty.

Minister Cao can come along then.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Stay close.

Your Majesty.

That way.

Why aren't they back yet after so long?

Your Majesty, this is...

Gentlemen,

what are those things flying in the sky?

I'm sure you two would claim

that those are celestial cranes,

reincarnations of spiritual beasts.

Reporting.

Your Majesty.

His Majesty has... Has fallen off the horse.

How is his injury?

Is it serious?

Your Majesty.

I've conducted a detailed check-up on His Majesty.

Aside from some scratches,

His Majesty did not break anything.

But why hasn't he woken up?

Ying'er.

Father.

Your Majesty, you're awake.

Father.

Do you feel pain anywhere?

Thank you, physicians.

Write down the prescription quickly.

Prepare the medication and bring it here.

Yes, Your Majesty.

-Jing Zong. -I'm here.

Go outside

and inform the waiting officials

that His Majesty has come to.

They can go back now.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Ying'er, there's no need to fret.

I'm fine.

You call this fine? Today, at the hunting ground...

Shou Yi.

Did you find any game at the hunting ground today?

Father.

I shot an elk today.

To be fair, I only managed with Uncle's help.

I've asked the servants to bring it back

to present to you, Father.

That's good.

I have a good son.

Strong men went hunting for prey, but only my son made a kill.

I'm proud of you.

Thank you for praising me.

I'll take you again next time.

Again?

To the shooting range, to practise archery.

Do you mean it, Father?

A king means every word he says.

Father.

Your Majesty.

Is your head hurting again?

It's alright.

Father.

Your Majesty.

King of Xiping, Li De Ming, submitted a memorial.

Hand it up.

He's asking for a million dan of grains.

According to the Tangut envoy,

numerous prefectures

within the state are experiencing severe famine.

Your Majesty, we should not trust the Tangut's words so easily.

I believe they're just using this as an excuse to get food.

Even if it's true,

the request is a bit much.

Just end of last year,

the government provided them with 500,000 dan of grains.

Presently, a big drought is expected in Jiangnan.

During sowing season,

the people were unable to sow seedlings because there hasn't been rain.

In a few months,

the prefectural court in Jiangnan would most likely

experience famine.

I've been wondering

if the Three Ducal Ministries would be able to provide more food

for disaster relief.

If we were to reject Li De Ming's request straight out,

that wouldn't be nice.

Lease. Why don't we lend them?

Ping Zhong, Minister Ding had explained.

Presently, the food supply in Song

can run out anytime.

We are neighbours.

If we turn them down,

I'm afraid we'd continue to receive complaints.

Moreover, people would start looking down on Great Song

and our ability to generously provide.

There would be condemnation,

rumours would start to circle,

about how our Great Song

is not amicable to surrounding states.

Thus, rather than being led by the nose,

it's better to stand our ground.

We propose to lend because we do not want to lend.

What do you mean?

We will inform Li De Ming

that within Dongjing City,

there is a ready supply of millions of dans of grains.

The Tanguts are welcome to send men to retrieve them.

A wise move of advancing while standing down, Lord Kou.

If it's a million dan of grains,

will Li De Ming be able

to transport it back with only a few men?

If we do as Lord Kou suggested,

it would give Li De Ming a chance

to lead an army into the capital of Song.

That would depend on whether he has the guts.

He has proclaimed alliance with Song.

What is the strength of Tangut's army

that they dare challenge Song?

This will put Li De Ming in checkmate.

It will be troublesome.

Since the ministers have no objections,

Yi Jian,

send a reply to the Tanguts as per Chancellor Kou's suggestion.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Shou Yi, stop! Stop running away!

Come and get me.

Oh, how beautiful she is when she's laughing.

Shou Kang.

You're becoming more and more like your mother.

Mother, stop praising her so much.

Or else someone's going to get carried away.

Thank you for the compliment.

Stop right there!

It's almost your 15th birthday.

I've discussed it with your mother.

We'll organise a coming-of-age ceremony.

I've asked the palace to make preparations.

When it comes to etiquette,

the palace maids will teach you.

Alright, I will do as you ask, Queen Mother.

A girl is ready for marriage

when she turns 15.

Once you have the ceremony,

does it mean you're going to get married?

You... You're asking for a beating.

One more thing.

Regarding the drought in Jiangnan.

Does anyone have any solutions?

Your Majesty, we should prioritise

on amassing as much grains now in preparation for famine.

Doing that doesn't solve the root of the problem.

Your Majesty.

Seems like Chancellor Kou has a way to solve the problem entirely.

Your Majesty, I heard that due to the drought,

many prefectural courts were involved.

I do think that delivering water to and fro is not a long-term solution.

So I...

I haven't come up with a solid plan.

We will...

We will dismiss the session today.

Go back and ponder on the issue.

I want to hear a good solution soon.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Come here.

That's enough.

There, Shou Yi.

Pass me the scissors. Come here.

Queen Mother, look, he's always bullying me.

You're the one bullying me.

Hey.

You two

have been together since childhood.

Yet you are still such troublemakers.

Come, Shou Yi. Turn around.

Did you make something new for me again?

Let me see if it fits.

Do you know that I have to change your clothes every few months?

You're growing too fast.

Nothing fits me better than

what you personally made, Mother.

Since childhood,

Shou Yi has never worn clothes prepared by the Royal Wardrobe.

Every piece you wear

was handmade by Queen Mother.

Mother dotes on me.

Just accept the fact.

Queen Mother.

Mother, are your eyes okay?

They're fine. They will be okay after some rest.

I enjoy making clothes for you.

Shou Kang, here.

I prepared these for you. Take a look.

You prepared clothes for me too?

The colour and patterns

are my favourites.

Thank you, Queen Mother.

Step aside. I want to see.

What? What are you doing?

They always pester each other.

Let me see first.

Gosh! I'm older than you.

You should let me since you're older.

You two should stay

and have dinner with the Emperor and I.

-Okay, Mother. -Okay, Queen Mother.

Your Majesty, should we serve the food now or wait for His Majesty?

Wait for His Majesty...

Your Majesty, His Majesty's headache is acting up again.

The physician has been summoned.

Eunuch Zhang asked me to come and get you.

Why did His Majesty suddenly get a headache?

I'll go right away.

Yi Qin.

Watch the crown prince and princess.

Understood.

Your Majesty, I heard physicians were summoned late last night.

I wonder if everything is okay?

Nothing serious.

Regarding the matter of the drought in Jiangnan we spoke about,

have you come up with any ideas?

Her Majesty has arrived.

Greetings, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

I went to prepare some dishes. Sorry for being late.

Please forgive me.

Please rise, Empress.

My loyal subjects,

the royal banquet today

was personally organised by the Empress.

Empress, this...

Your Majesty, you told me

about the drought that has befallen on Jiangnan.

The people are worried about their livelihood.

Hence, how could the palace still be eating lavishly?

Only by personally experiencing hardship can one know how best to help.

The Empress always has the people's best interest at heart.

Indeed,

if you, me and the officials sit and enjoy feasts despite it,

then I would've failed as the people's king.

You lot would've failed as officials.

We do not deserve the positions.

You are right, Your Majesty.

Your Majesties both care about the people's well-being.

We are blessed.

Pass my order.

From today onwards,

the imperial court and magistrates

are forbidden to indulge in food.

Your Majesty is wise. We shall comply.

Sit, my loyal subjects.

Let's eat.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

It's aged Chen Wine? Pour it.

Yes.

Jing Zong.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Are you forgetting what the physician said?

Just one cup.

Serve His Majesty tea.

Understood.

Lord Kou, the rice tastes somewhat unfamiliar.

How do you like the food, ministers?

Your Majesty.

The simple porridge and vegetable

managed to bring out the subtle flavours.

Lord Ding is insightful.

Nevertheless,

if we don't find a solution

for the drought soon,

in a few months,

the people living in Jiangnan

might not even be able to have simple porridge with greens.

Did any of you realise

that the rice porridge is different?

Your Majesty.

The porridge does not have the typical fragrance of Jiangnan rice.

Your Majesty used rice from the Chen Valley.

A new type of rice.

The grains used to make the porridge

do not seem to come from the Central Plains.

Last month, the envoy from An'nan sent tributes,

which included this Champa rice.

It is also known as drought rice.

The porridge we're eating today

is made with drought rice.

I've heard that drought rice

is different from rice grown in the Central Plains.

It has long ears without awns and the grains are smallish.

Hearing your description,

I now recall

what the envoy had said that day.

That the rice is drought resistant, easily planted.

From sowing to harvest,

it only requires 50 days.

I've been mulling over the drought for days.

Never did it cross my mind that this rice

could be the solution we need.

Your Majesty has a lot to take care of.

It's fine for me to handle such matters.

This rice came at an opportune time.

Thank you for your idea, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty, we could procure

the Champa rice in bulk from An'nan

and then distribute them to the prefectural courts in Jiangnan.

Perhaps this could help

tide over the drought this year.

You're right, Lord Su.

But we have never planted Champa rice in the Central Plains.

I'm afraid no one here knows how to grow it.

That's true. In addition,

the climate in the Central Plains may not be suitable.

I worry that we would waste precious labour and resources.

Lord Wang and Lord Cao's concerns are understandable.

I've asked the An'nan envoy for more details.

Champa rice can be grown in most terrain.

It is drought resistant.

Which makes it most suitable for the current dry climate in Jiangnan.

As for the planting method,

I have also asked about it.

In my opinion,

we could ask them about the planting method

when we go to An'nan to procure the seedlings.

We could also invite experts in the field

to come and teach the people of Jiangnan.

The Empress has thought of everything.

Let's do that then.

Who would've thought

that this simple porridge

would contain such deep thoughts.

What do you mean, Lord Kou?

The Empress is the head of the Imperial Harem.

Since when did Your Majesty

start to take an interest in the matters of the court?

Lord Kou.

Her Majesty only just found a solution for the drought problem

that we court officials were having trouble with.

Thus...

Thus, is the imperial harem allowed to blatantly

intervene in the matters of the court?

Lord Kou.

The Empress is the nation's mother.

Helping out the people

is part of her responsibility.

In the imperial court, only the Emperor has authority.

Official orders must not come from the imperial harem.

That's enough, Ping Zhong.

Have I ever said

that I'd allow the Empress to manage official affairs?

What Lord Wang said is right.

The Empress is the mother of the nation.

What is wrong with being concerned with the people's well-being?

I agree with your beliefs, Ping Zhong.

The harem should not intervene with the court.

We have to abide by the ancestral system.

What Ping Zhong said just now is a little excessive, no?

The Empress made an effort

to find a solution.

But you only see it as her having other intentions.

Isn't that being too harsh?

Lord Kou.

Your Majesty.

I did not mean to criticise what Her Majesty did.

It's just that the rules set by our ancestors

and the court protocols

should not be simply ignored.

Sit, Ping Zhong.

Yes.

The matter of the Champa rice

shall be handled by Yi Jian and Minister Ding.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Come.

Set it on the step.

Okay. Leave it here.

Leave us.

Alright. Go.

Go, go now.

The heavens gift us great wine.

The earth gifts us great springs.

Date wine is truly one of the best.

It smells mellow and fragrant.

You can't help but be drawn by it.

-Your Majesty. -Don't stand there.

Come and sit.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Ping Zhong.

Your Majesty, please allow me.

Just now during lunch,

the Empress was watching,

so I didn't dare to take a sip of wine.

If Her Majesty finds out

that I'm secretly drinking wine with Your Majesty,

I wonder what kind of punishment would be meted out.

Secretly drinking?

Among all the officials,

you are the only one who dares speak to me this way.

I get it.

Why the patriarch of Taoism, Lao Tzu,

had presented Confucius with wine back then.

Good wine. Pour more.

Your Majesty. I heard that

the physicians asked you to stop drinking.

Better for Your Majesty to drink less.

The Empress isn't around.

Let's skip the nagging.

Will you?

To be fair, Her Majesty

does it for the sake of Your Majesty's health.

Do you know

about my illness?

According to the physicians' record,

it's wind chill.

Do you believe it?

Your Majesty, I implore you to be frank with me.

In recent years,

I've often felt unwell.

Sometimes, I lose consciousness.

A short episode would last a few hours.

A long one,

several days.

The physicians are unable to find the cause.

As such,

they have been unable to treat it effectively.

Your Majesty, is the illness...

It can't be cured.

Your Majesty is suffering from illness,

yet I am unable to share the load.

I feel terribly sorry.

Rise, Ping Zhong.

Hearing you say that

is enough to make me feel better.

Come.

Every time I lost consciousness,

the Empress would be the one taking care of me.

Truth is, the Empress helping me with official matters

isn't something new.

The Empress is smart and knowledgeable.

Her Majesty deserves credit

for assisting Your Majesty in all matters.

The people of Song should be grateful towards Her Majesty.

Despite that,

Ping Zhong,

you are still against her being involved in politics.

No one knows

my own body better than myself.

My health is deteriorating.

Even...

Even here. My memory sometimes fails me.

I've become forgetful.

I'm telling you honestly.

While handling matters of the court,

I can no longer stay focused.

Your Majesty.

In the Classic of History, it is stated that

a hen does not announce dawn.

It means women do not intervene in affairs of the court.

Your Majesty, remember the wife of Xia Jie, Mei Xi,

and the wife of Shang Zhou, Da Ji.

The two concubines meddled in official affairs.

The Xias and the Shangs rebelled.

They fought for power and brought down the Hans.

In the Book of Han, it records the rise of Wang Mang,

the appointment of Empress Xiao Yuan

and the 60 odd years of reign.

Wu Zhao's direct intervention in court also usurped Li Tang.

In the past, there have been many instances where chaos ensued

due to women becoming rulers.

Please be cautious, Your Majesty.

Shou Yi is still much too young.

If I pass away

before he grows up...

-Your Majesty. -Be frank.

I have to make plans for the future.

I have to find someone dependable to guide him.

A naive lord with a powerful mother is the source of chaos.

Then tell me.

What do you suggest?

The Crown Prince concerns the people's expectations.

You may allow him to be officially presented sooner

through a coronation ceremony.

Prioritise the stability of the clan.

Pass down the royal regalia

to ensure subordination of all officials and auxiliaries.

It is the safest way.

Father-in-law,

how much of what Lord Kou said

do you think is true?

Do you remember

how His Majesty managed to ascend to the throne?

The three princes were fighting,

resulting in one becoming insane and one dead.

In the end, only Duke Xiang was left.

And thus he became the Emperor.

It was a close call.

That's right.

Throughout history, the power struggle of royals

has resulted in uncountable losses.

I can't help but sigh.

It was at that time

that Kou Zhun became the Emperor's confidante.

He put in a lot of effort

in helping His Majesty win the throne.

Even though he's angered the Emperor numerous times

and was relieved from duty,

he was reinstated each time.

What are you saying, Father-in-law?

The Emperor is a loyal man.

He puts a lot of weight

on the friendship with Kou Zhun.

Naturally, Kou Zhun and His Majesty

are much closer as compared to us.

I suppose our concern is 80 to 90 percent true.

Kou Zhun will be guiding the Crown Prince in governing the nation.

The Emperor is sick. The Empress has no authority.

That means Kou Zhun would have

the most power in controlling the military and court.

I worry when all seems well,

trouble is brewing just beyond sight.

I do feel bad for the two of us.

We don't get along well.

If Kou Zhun becomes the right-hand man,

forget about us wanting to climb the ranks.

An unrelenting and narrow-minded person like him would likely

not grant us a place in the court.

The one who strikes first has the advantage.

Since we have this information in advance,

it must be heaven's plan.

What are you thinking?

We must meet with His Majesty in the palace right away.

Your Majesty quietly went to drink again, didn't you?

I did not.

You didn't?

I don't remember.

Do you not remember

or are you just tricking me?

My memory is becoming worse.

You know that.

Ying'er.

It's been more than ten years since we met, right?

I remember

it was at...

Where did we meet again?

Outside of Xingzhou.

[That's right.]

[You saved me back then.]

[It feels like a long time ago.]

Eating and chatting, growing old together.

You dance while I play the music, the husband and wife are happy.

I'm lucky to have you by my side.

The moment I met you

[is still vivid in my mind.]

[I no longer have any regret]

[now that I've met you.]

Age

is catching up to me.

But you are still as radiant as ever.

Why haven't you aged at all?

You're trying to coax me again.

[End of Episode 42]