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 44]

Wang Qin Ruo isn't a suitable candidate to be Prime Minister.

In your opinion,

who is suitable for the position?

Come on, father-in-law.

Congratulations on your promotion, father-in-law.

Father-in-law.

It's all thanks to the Emperor.

Yes.

Come on.

Back then,

you and I plotted against Kou Zhun.

Who would've thought that

one day, the position of Prime Minister

will be mine?

You deserve this position.

Father-in-law, I bet the Empress

isn't pleased with this.

It's not what the Emperor wanted, too.

Father-in-law, you could tell?

The Emperor trusts the Empress and puts her in an important position,

but he is also wary of her.

The throne

belongs to the Zhao family to begin with,

whereas the Empress is supported by the Guo family.

At the Imperial Court, there's Su Yi Jian.

You and I

are only the Emperor's

pawns to restrict the Empress' actions.

We're considered fortunate.

However, the current situation of us

competing with Su Yi Jian at the Imperial Court

will remain this way for some time.

Father-in-law,

the Emperor doesn't trust the Empress completely.

Certain opportunities still exist.

Moreover, regardless of whether Su's relationship with the Empress

is good or bad,

probably one day

it'll backfire on him.

Congratulations on your promotion again, father-in-law.

Good.

Your Majesty, after finding out the Crown Prince of Song

had a coming of age ceremony,

Liao's emperor Yelu Longxu

specifically sent his sixth prince, Yelu Zongyuan, as an envoy

to bring us gifts.

How long will it take for them to reach Dongjing?

About two weeks.

It's said that in recent years, Yelu Zongyuan

has been a favourite of Liao's emperor.

It seems Liao's emperor

takes this matter seriously.

Pardon me, but I don't think so.

Last month, Yelu Longxu

assigned Duke of Dongping, Xiao Pai Ya, to be Military Attache

and led 100,000 soldiers to attack Goryeo.

According to the tip-off,

the war didn't go smoothly.

Now they're sending their sixth prince here.

I'm afraid they might be harbouring an ulterior motive.

Perhaps they wish to borrow troops from us?

That's unlikely,

but now we have friendly relations with Goryeo.

I think Liao's emperor is worried that we'll assist Goryeo.

With Chanyuan Treaty in place,

how can we possibly attack Liao?

They might be worried that we'll secretly assist them.

Back then, the Emperor and Prime Minister Kou

set a policy to help neither country.

It's for them to restrain each other.

Regardless of why Liao's envoy is here,

since they claim that it's a trip to bring gifts,

we'll just treat them with due respect.

As for the war between Liao and Goryeo,

surely we'll abide by the policy set by the Emperor and Prime Minister Kou.

I think

all officials should know how to deal with it, right?

A wise decision, Your Highness.

Liao's prince is coming.

Then, our Crown Prince will welcome them in the Emperor's place.

Wang Qin Ruo and Guo Chong Xin will assist him.

Yes, Your Highness.

Understood.

Rise.

Dear officials,

if there's nothing else, you shall be dismissed.

You're dismissed!

We'll make our move, Your Majesty.

How come I don't see Kou Zhun around?

I remember he hasn't attended the Imperial Court for days

nor greeted me.

Did he fall ill?

This medicine does nothing! Why should I take it?

Your Majesty.

Wasn't this prescription modified?

Why isn't it as effective as before?

Your Highness,

the new prescription is naturally more effective.

However...

However, the Emperor...

Just tell the truth.

Say it!

Yes, Your Majesty.

The Emperor's illness is becoming more serious.

It's hard to control it with medicine alone.

From now on, three acupuncture sessions is necessary in a day.

Your Majesty, we've decided

to add herbs to deal with the pain in the new prescription accordingly.

Scram, all of you!

You all can't even treat

a simple headache!

What's the use of having imperial physicians?

Pardon us.

That's enough. All of you should wait outside.

Scram!

Yes, Your Majesty.

Yuan Kan.

Yuan Kan.

Yuan Kan.

Ying'er.

Ying'er, my illness...

It won't.

You'll recover.

Do you believe in your own words?

If I really die...

Yuan Kan,

you won't.

Sickness and death are part and parcel of life.

I won't live forever.

Shou Yi is still young

and you've only participated in politics for a while.

I cannot stop worrying.

I keep thinking

to hold on

until Shou Yi gets older.

Even if I'm not around,

you two will be able to protect yourselves.

Yuan Kan,

you promised me

you'd watch Shou Yi growing up with me

and grow old with me.

I promised you.

So I'll try my best.

No, you have to fulfil it.

All right.

[Prime Tortoise of the Record Bureau]

Prime Minister Wang.

It took...

It took me eight years

to finish it, as per the Emperor's order.

Prime Minister Wang, it's all thanks to you.

This grand masterpiece

couldn't have been done by me alone.

You and Sun Shi,

as well as many other scholars, have contributed to it.

It's the result of our hard work.

Also, the Emperor had the excellent judgment

to order the compilation

of this great collection, which records the deeds of past emperors and officials.

You're right, Prime Minister Wang.

It's our honour

to participate in it.

If it benefits the future policies

and the readers,

it's also an act

of your contribution for the future generations.

Hurry up, Yan Shu.

Present this memorial to the Emperor.

Prime Minister Wang, why don't you do it yourself?

I'm going to sort out all the documents

and present them to the Emperor.

Hurry up.

Let the Emperor have a look at it first.

Yes, sir.

Yan Shu!

Greetings, Your Highness.

What are you holding?

This is the Prime Tortoise of the Record Bureau.

You and Prime Minister Wang have finally compiled it?

Congratulations.

Thank you, Your Highness.

Last time, you asked Crown Prince to relay a message to me.

Did you wish to tell me something?

I...

I...

I've received the Classic of Poetry that's returned by you.

You saw it?

Your Highness.

The Empress asked you to go to Ji Ying Hall at once.

Noted.

Are you going to the banquet tonight?

I will after presenting the Prime Tortoise of the Record Bureau

to the Emperor.

All right, then I'll get going.

Make sure you're there.

All right.

Princess Shou Kang's coming of age ceremony

will begin now.

Kneel.

The first bestowment.

This is bestowed on you on this day of happiness.

May you get rid of the childish mentality and acquire virtues of adulthood.

By doing so, you will live a long and happy life with good fortune.

First bow!

Serve your family with filial piety and treat others with kindness.

The second bestowment.

This is bestowed on you on this day of joy.

You will be respected for your good virtues.

You will live long with blessings.

Second bow.

Gentleness, frugality and etiquette.

The third bestowment.

The year is right and the month is the order.

You're bestowed with this. Your siblings are present

to witness and offer good wishes, which will last until your old age.

It's celebrated with the heaven.

Third bow.

Don't get conceited. Don't slander nor deceive.

Traditional lessons are a formality which you must keep.

Arrange the sweet wine.

Tasty sweet wine and dried meat are presented

to the ancestors for blessing to the nation.

Thanks to heaven's blessing, the good reputation will always be remembered.

Protagonist of coming of age ceremony.

Your Majesty, you should come up

with Shou Kang's other name.

Since the ceremony is ready,

you will be given your name on this day of happiness.

With love, gentleness and virtues,

and blessings,

you'll be named as Yuan Ji.

Thank you, father and Your Highness.

Although I'm not smart,

I will fulfil my filial duty.

We've now reached the end of the ceremony.

Congratulations to Princess Shou Kang on this coming of age ceremony.

[Yelu Zongyuan, the sixth son of Yelu Longxu]

You may rise.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

I'm fine.

Your Majesty.

Your Highness.

Your princess is beautiful

and very talented.

I fell in love with her at first sight.

I'm willing to offer the title of the princess

to ask for her hand in marriage, Your Majesty, Your Highness.

What did you say?

Your Majesty.

Please give your beautiful phoenix

to Liao's plains.

I promise to present the grandest bride price

and the highest form of ceremony in our nation

to marry Song's princess.

Bring it here.

Are you asking to marry Song's princess?

Yes. Although this is our first meeting,

I fell deeply in love with her.

I promise you I'll treat her well.

Your people have a saying.

"A married couple love and respect each other for a lifetime."

If I marry the princess,

I'll definitely respect, cherish and love her.

Your Majesty.

I didn't expect

you're a passionate person.

I hope you will agree to it.

Ling Yang.

What do you think about Prince Yelu?

Your Majesty,

Prince Yelu is bold and good-looking.

He's extraordinary.

As a lady,

you're complimenting a man whom you've first met this way.

It must mean you like him.

Your Majesty.

Since the two of you have feelings for each other,

I'll grant your wish.

I hereby agree to the prince's sincere proposal.

I'll let Song's princess marry you.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Long live the Emperor!

Father!

Father!

Father!

Shou Yi.

You sound anxious. What happened?

Where is my father? I need to talk to my father.

The Emperor has fallen asleep.

You shouldn't go in and disturb him.

First Mother, can the decree of marrying off Sister Shou Kang to northern region

be reversed?

I knew you're here for this matter.

First Mother.

A decree has been issued.

Your father said so as the Emperor.

I'm afraid it can't be withdrawn.

How can Sister Shou Kang marry a guy from Liao

and suffer in that tough and cold place?

Shou Yi.

First Mother, please.

Think of a way to stop this marriage, all right?

An emperor doesn't go back on his word.

This is your father's decision.

Father agreed to his proposal

because he's ill!

Crown Prince!

What are you doing?

I'm going to talk to that guy.

I'll make him withdraw the proposal even if I have to fight him.

Stand right there!

Do you want Liao to be aware of your father's illness

so that problems will arise between the two nations again?

Yelu Zongyuan relayed the news of his marriage

back to Liao using horses that travelled fast.

Liao's emperor values this political marriage

and specially sent their grand chancellor

to lead the procession.

They passed Xiongzhou Pass yesterday.

That's quick.

This cup of tea is an apology,

as well as a request.

The Emperor doesn't have many children.

He pampers each of them,

especially Shou Kang.

He dotes on her.

He lets her do anything at will

and never lectures her once.

At the banquet,

if he didn't mistake Ling Yang for Shou Kang,

thinking that the former liked the prince,

he definitely wouldn't have granted the marriage.

I'm sure you know something

about the Emperor's condition

in the past few years.

When the Emperor said it,

I knew

this couldn't be reversed.

So, I beg of you,

as well as on behalf of the Emperor,

to agree to this marriage.

Does it still matter at this point whether I agree to it or not?

Yes, it does,

because you're Shou Kang's mother.

I still remember.

Back then, I was a teenage girl.

My brother was the one who brought me here.

I was filled with joy and admiration.

What did I say?

I'm indeed the person you love.

Yes, that's right.

I've always loved the Emperor

without fighting for his favour

nor harming anyone.

However, the Emperor only has sympathy for me.

He's never loved me.

As time goes by,

only I realise the pain of having left my home country.

After giving birth to Shou Kang,

she became my only hope.

It's ironic.

Her destiny and mine are alike.

Yelu Zongyuan will definitely treasure Shou Kang

and treat her well.

You've seen the way he looked at Shou Kang

at the hall.

You should know.

I hope so.

Noble Lady Wen, here is the decree.

As heaven wills it, the Emperor said,

"Noble Lady Wen

is gentle and humble."

"Your good virtues

are well-deserving of praises."

"You're hereby conferred the title of Consort Xian."

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Consort Xian, please accept the decree.

Your Highness, I've sent the gifts

given by the Emperor to your palace.

Thank you.

Your Highness.

It's time for the imperial physician to check the Emperor's pulse.

The Emperor keeps mentioning your name.

Tell the Emperor I'll be there shortly.

Yes, Your Highness.

Congratulations.

Why do I feel that this title

is exchanged using my daughter's happiness?

Mind what you say, Jia Ling.

Now that Shou Kang won't be by your side,

I'm sure she'll want you to be well.

She's my only daughter.

Now she's going to a faraway place. I...

Forget it.

I hope she'll be happy.

She will be.

Your Highness!

Sister Shou Kang!

Sister Shou Kang, I'm Shou Yi!

Your Highness, maybe the princess isn't around.

[Wang Jian, the Crown Prince's eunuch]

I'm sure she is.

Sister Shou Kang!

Your Highness, you have been knocking for so long.

You should help me instead.

-Princess Royal! -Sister Shou Kang, I know you're around!

-Princess Royal! -Sister Shou Kang, open the door!

Is Sister Shou Kang in?

Your Highness.

Your Highness.

The princess doesn't wish to meet anyone.

Not even me?

Sister Shou Kang!

Sister Shou Kang, are you in?

I'm Shou Yi. Sister Shou Kang!

Your Highness,

please leave her alone.

Your Highness, where are you going?

First Mother.

I'll do anything

so that Sister Shou Kang doesn't have to be married off to a distant country.

Shou Yi,

I know you and Shou Kang grew up together.

However, you two are the Crown Prince

and the princess respectively.

Certain things are not up to you.

So what if we're Crown Prince and princess?

Does it mean a princess

can't even be with

the person she likes?

Don't let me hear you say that again.

First Mother!

Shou Kang's mother has agreed to it.

Stop acting wilfully, all right?

I'm not.

I've gone through the coming of age ceremony.

I'm no longer a child.

You're not a child?

Sister Shou Kang and I grew up together.

She's like your daughter.

If you don't help her,

no one else can.

First Mother, I know

only you're able to solve this matter.

You'll surely have a way to convince my father

to withdraw his decree,

right?

The marriage between Shou Kang and Yelu Zongyuan

is already known in both countries.

This is of great importance.

If Sister Shou Kang was your biological daughter,

would you still be so ruthless?

Do you know what you're talking about?

Go back

and think about it carefully.

As the future Emperor of Song

who has completed the coming of age ceremony,

how should you behave?

First Mother.

Your Highness!

Your Highness.

Leave!

Your Highness.

Leave!

Second mother, no need to convince me.

If First Mother doesn't agree to help Sister Shou Kang,

I won't get up.

Let him kneel

and reflect on what it means to be the Crown Prince.

Ying Luo, stay for dinner.

His actions

are fitting for a Crown Prince.

You can't change his mind.

He's the Crown Prince

who'll bear the responsibility of ruling the country in the future.

Certain things must be done, while certain things mustn't be.

It's not necessarily a bad thing.

Your Highness, the princess wishes to meet you.

Bring me to Sister Shou Kang.

Yes, Your Highness.

Sister Shou Kang!

Sister Shou Kang!

Sister Shou Kang!

Princess Royal.

Sister Shou Kang.

Your Highness, you are here.

All of you may leave.

I'm going to have a chat with the Crown Prince.

Yes, Princess Royal.

Sister Shou Kang, are you all right?

Come with me.

Look, my wedding dress was sent over.

These are the tiara and the robes.

There's also the jewellery.

They're all in the colours and patterns that I like.

Do you want to try them on?

The wedding dress is bright red.

Doesn't it suit your sister?

They say my dowry is a lot.

There're gems, precious stones, as well as gold and silver.

There're all sorts of things.

I wonder if Father is going

to empty the treasury for me.

Also, I heard

Father agreed to the Empress' suggestion

to give me boxes of books from the Palace Library.

Perhaps they're worried

that I might feel bored in Liao.

However, look, as a princess who doesn't like to read,

I might let the Empress down.

I'm sorry.

Your apology

doesn't make any sense.

I'm apologising to you

on behalf of Father and First Mother.

Sister Shou Kang, you don't like that Liao prince.

Nor do you wish to marry him.

I don't wish for you to marry him either.

What I think

doesn't matter.

I also feel bad

and upset for you.

However, you also know

Father granted this marriage because he's ill.

I can't possibly blame Father.

First Mother did so for the stability between Song and Liao.

I can't possibly blame First Mother either.

So, I can only accept this fate.

I'm going to be sacrificed

by Song to mend ties with Liao.

I was only joking.

That's the fate of a princess.

Since I enjoyed the riches of the palace,

I have to accept the mission given by the palace.

Don't you think so?

Sister Shou Kang.

How many times have I told you?

You're still young.

Don't act like an old scholar.

Actually, it isn't so bad to be married off to northern region.

Have you forgotten?

My mother is from Timo.

I've heard about the vastness of desert and plains ever since I was a kid.

I yearn for that lifestyle.

It's much better than these palace walls.

Now it's even better.

Now I can go and take a look at the places.

Don't you feel happy for me?

Do you mean it?

When have I ever lied to you?

Very often.

Sister Shou Kang, I can't bear to part with you.

Me neither.

In the future, when you grow up

and have the ability to protect me,

you can bring me back.

That's the case for Aunt Ling Yang.

All right, I'll become strong as soon as possible.

At that time, if you still wish to come back,

I'll definitely bring you back.

Sure, I'll wait for you.

I'll wait for you to bring me back.

Sister Shou Kang.

Don't cry.

I'm not crying.

Getting married is a good thing.

Why should I cry?

When you're gone,

what will happen to Mr. Yan?

What do you mean?

There...

There's nothing going on between me and him.

Come on, Shou Yi.

Pass this to Yan Shu.

Do you have anything to say to him?

No.

There's nothing.

[Qian Yuan Gate]

Greetings, Your Majesty, Your Highness.

I'm being married off to a distant country today.

I won't be able to take care of you, Father.

Father, I hope you'll remain healthy

and Song will remain prosperous.

Best wishes

and endless happiness to the Empress.

Come on.

Shou Kang, my daughter.

You're my pride,

as well as Song's.

Don't forget my expectations for you.

Don't worry, Father.

I'm a princess of Song.

I'll always remember my own identity

and my mission.

I just want you to be happy

and abandon the constraint brought by your identity

to live a carefree life.

Father.

You've always been lively since young,

just like your mother.

You're meant to live at a bigger place.

I'll remember your words, Father.

Your Highness,

I don't know when I'll be back again.

I hope you will take care of my mother on my behalf.

Thank you in advance.

No need to bow again.

Don't worry.

I'll surely look after your mother.

Although the northern region is far,

Song and Liao send envoys to each other often.

That applies for messengers as well.

You must write back often.

Yes, Your Highness.

Although Prince Yelu isn't from our country,

I can tell

he'll be a good husband.

Your Highness, you're right.

Do you have any idea how I hope

to have a daughter like you?

Prince Yelu.

She's the noble princess of Song,

the Emperor's most precious daughter.

From today onwards,

we'll entrust her to you.

I hope you'll be loving and respectable to each other as a couple.

Thank you for your trust.

I vow

to marry no one but Princess Shou Kang.

I won't get any concubine.

When it comes to my wife,

I'll protect her with my life

and be loyal to her always.

You're truly sincere.

I appreciate that.

It seems my daughter found herself a good husband.

I also wish you will have a happy marriage.

May peace remain in the two countries.

Liao also has the same wish.

My marriage with Princess Shou Kang

will be the best testimony for our friendly relations.

Your Majesty, the auspicious time is approaching.

Take care, Father.

Depart.

It's the auspicious time.

The princess will now depart!

[End of Episode 44]