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 45]

Sister Shou Kang!

Wait, Sister Shou Kang!

Sister Shou Kang!

Wait!

Sister Shou Kang!

Sister Shou Kang!

I even wondered just now

if little Shou Yi was crying

and reluctant to see me off?

Take this.

I've delivered that thing.

Don't just keep studying.

I wish that one day, you'll be

a wise ruler who's adept at academic and military matters.

Also, you must eat more.

You've said that you want to be taller than me.

Have you forgotten about that?

I'll go now.

Take care, Sister Shou Kang.

Take care, Sister Shou Kang!

[Qian Yuan Gate]

Sister Shou Kang!

Sister Shou Kang!

Sister Shou Kang!

Sister Shou Kang!

Sister Shou Kang!

I'm having more white hair, right?

A woman's beauty lies in her charm.

Although it's not the first time I'm seeing

the totem on your back,

whenever I see it,

I just feel that it's out of this world.

It's just a tattoo.

By the way, Your Majesty,

Lord Kou has presented a memorial.

What did he say?

Here's what he wrote in his memorial.

"Although the country is currently peaceful,"

"we still need to rely on our troops"

"to defend our land and people,"

"as well as maintaining the prestige of the country."

So Lord Kou is suggesting

to introduce conscription in the entire country

to strengthen our border defence.

Isn't he currently serving as a magistrate in Shanzhou?

Yes.

I wonder since when is he with the Bureau of Military Affairs.

Your Majesty.

Lord Kou is a patriot.

Not only you're not complimenting him,

you even...

Lord Kou is right.

We mustn't overlook

our border defence.

Well then,

I shall let you and Yi Jian

be in charge of it.

Yes.

Your Majesty.

I mentioned

summoning Lord Kou back to the capital.

I feel great

after taking a hot bath.

The weather has turned cold.

Remember to let Shou Yi enjoy a hot bath.

I haven't seen him for days.

Your Majesty and Your Highness.

The Crown Prince has suddenly fainted.

Be careful, Your Majesty.

Shou Yi!

Greetings, Your Majesty.

Shou Yi.

He caught a cold.

Why is he having a high fever?

Your Highness.

The cold triggers the internal body heat.

Is it serious?

All of us here had a discussion.

We'll come up with a prescription to reduce Crown Prince's body heat.

It can be prepared immediately for him to take it.

So long as his fever subsides,

he should be fine.

Aren't you sure? If anything bad happens to him,

all of you of Imperial Medical Bureau shall die!

Spare our lives, Your Majesty.

What are you waiting for?

Prepare the prescription.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Go now.

Hurry up. -Yes.

It was my fault.

I thought

Shou Yi was upset with me

because of Shou Kang.

He hadn't come and see me for days.

I didn't send anyone to check on him.

I didn't expect you to catch a cold.

Didn't you all take good care of him?

Calm down, Your Majesty.

When did it start?

Your Majesty.

On the day Princess Shou Kang got married,

he got wet in the rain.

He didn't get changed immediately when he came back.

He had a cough.

Why didn't he see an imperial physician?

Why didn't you inform me?

He wouldn't let us.

It was raining continuously.

He was feeling down.

He ordered all servants to leave.

He just wanted to be alone.

This afternoon,

he told us that he wanted to rest for a while.

A few hours later,

I found out that he was still lying in bed.

He's suffering from a cold.

Shou Yi.

It's all the servants' fault!

Jing Zong!

Yes.

All of them shall be given 20 lashes.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Forgive us, Your Majesty!

Why are you still standing there? Get out.

Move it.

I wasn't being a good mother.

My carelessness

caused Shou Yi to catch a cold.

Empress.

Shou Yi is the Crown Prince.

He's blessed.

I'm sure he'll get well.

It's normal for a child to fall sick.

Stop blaming yourself.

In our culture, it's a sin to have no son.

A great ruler needs an heir.

Emperor Taizu had four sons.

Emperor Taizong had nine sons.

Since I ascended the throne,

I'm always diligent.

I have never slacked.

I may not have done anything great

with the blessings from heaven,

but I've been self-disciplined all along.

I've at least helped the people.

I've safeguarded the throne.

It's just that my sons died early.

Lin'er.

You'er.

Your Majesty.

Get out of the way!

Your Majesty!

I want to see You'er one last time.

Get out of the way!

You can't go in, Your Majesty.

You'er!

You can't go in.

You'er!

Ji'er.

The way of great learning is all about virtue.

Thank you, Father.

If Shou Yi

dies, too,

I'll have let my ancestors down.

I won't be worthy

as the ruler of the people.

Perhaps I'm not blessed enough

and I live with great trepidation.

I pray to you, my ancestors.

Protect my son from harm and help him to recover.

I'm willing to give up my good fortune

in exchange for a peaceful life for him.

Shou Yi.

You're finally awake.

Mother.

Imperial physician!

Come over! The Crown Prince is awake!

Are you thirsty, Shou Yi?

Hurry, the Crown Prince is awake.

How is he doing?

He's much better.

Your Majesty.

Is Shou Yi awake?

He's awake.

Father.

Your Majesty and Your Highness.

His fever is gone.

His body heat has reduced.

He's finally out of danger.

Looks like he just needs to recuperate for a couple of days.

He'll recover soon enough.

Okay, get him the medicine.

Yes.

Shou Yi.

I'm sorry.

I shouldn't have let you kneel there.

I even ignored you.

No, Mother.

It was my fault.

I shouldn't have fought with you.

It's good that you're finally awake.

Your Majesty.

Yuqing Zhaoying Palace was completed a few days ago.

It's completed?

Yes.

We need seven or eight days

to decorate the whole place.

Then you and the Empress

can pick a good day to visit it

and pray there.

You're really something, Lord Ding.

You didn't let me down.

It was supposed to take 15 years to complete.

You actually got it done within ten years.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

It's thanks to you, too, Your Majesty.

Draft an edict.

Lord Ding deserves credit for building

Yuqing Zhaoying Palace and wishing the Crown Prince well.

You're a pillar of the country.

You'll be promoted to be Vice Counsellor.

You'll be rewarded with 50,000 taels of gold and feeding fief of 10,000 families.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Long live the Emperor.

Rise.

You're adept at planning.

You're experienced in construction.

I shall bestow on you an extra title of the Officer of Mausoleum.

So you'll be in charge of the construction of my mausoleum.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Lord Xing.

Yes.

Pick an auspicious day.

I'm bringing the Empress and Crown Prince

to pray for good fortune at Yuqing Zhaoying Palace.

Yes, Your Majesty.

When the construction of Yuqing Zhaoying Palace started,

the Crown Prince was delivered smoothly.

The Crown Prince is unwell now.

I'm sure he'll get well

after the prayer.

I hope so.

Our state is blessed.

I suggest

building more prayer halls

throughout the country.

to bless the Crown Prince with good health

and Song with prosperity.

For this...

The Crown Prince has taken the medicine, Your Majesty.

He's recovering.

Let us

just take him to Yuqing Zhaoying Palace to pray.

Although he's the heir of the throne,

if we build prayer halls

throughout the country just for the sake of him,

won't it trouble others and cost a lot?

It's the summer season with frequent rain.

There is news of flood everywhere.

We shouldn't spend lavishly and trouble the people.

You're right, Empress.

Let's not mention that anymore.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Lord Su, the Emperor has previously ordered

all provinces to prepare for flood.

How's the progress?

Your Majesty.

Although early preparation is made,

the local governments

will still receive financial and food aid in time.

Many places that are close to the sea

will still suffer from the flood.

For instance, the areas around Taizhou and Chuzhou.

These places are close to the sea.

So the cities are easily flooded by the sea water.

The people living there will suffer.

I've read the water conservancy annals.

There's a defensive causeway around that area.

I am aware of that, Your Highness.

It was built before the Tang dynasty.

It was abandoned after that.

I don't think it can be used to prevent a flood.

Then repair it.

Lord Su.

Order the officials overseeing the rivers and canals

to come up with repair solutions.

Yes, Your Highness.

We're fighting with the sea. I admire you for your boldness.

I'm doing this for the people who live along the coastline.

I know it's an uphill task,

but I hope every one of you

can stand together with the Emperor and I

to give it a try.

Both of you are wise.

Your Highness.

Stepmother.

Greetings, Pure Consort.

Don't worry, Stepmother.

I feel much better.

I just need to recuperate for days according to the imperial physician.

Then I'll fully recover.

I'm Qing Wu. Greetings, Your Highness.

Who are you?

Where did you get the wooden puppet?

I'm Grand Preceptor Guo's granddaughter.

This comes from the palace where I live.

Your palace?

Did you let her live in Sister Shou Kang's palace?

I won't allow it!

Listen carefully.

You can't play with the wooden puppet.

Also,

move out from Sister Shou Kang's palace.

I don't welcome you.

You're not welcomed in the palace!

Go back to where you came from!

Your Highness.

I dislike you because you're bad!

I dislike you!

You're not allowed to take Sister Shou Kang's wooden puppet!

Your Highness!

Get out!

Return it to me!

You're not allowed to take Sister Shou Kang's wooden puppet!

Return it to me!

Get out!

Earlier on, in the hall,

you seemed to have something to say, Lord Wang.

I...

The Empress isn't here.

Speak up.

I got a piece of news.

I heard something strange happened on Mount Tai again.

Again?

It looks like you're having too much free time

as the Prime Minister.

I...

You are only focused

on something.

It's a mountain.

Stop teasing me, Your Majesty.

Tell me what the strange thing was.

A couple of days ago,

the water of the Queen Mother Lake of Mount Tai

suddenly turned reddish purple.

The purple energy appeared in the east, Your Majesty.

It's an auspicious omen.

I must inform you about this.

If the Empress heard these words

in the Imperial Court meeting,

she'd reprimand you on the spot.

You're right.

Here's my opinion, Your Majesty.

Praying for good fortune

has already existed since ancient times.

This also prevails among the common people.

It must be so effective

that it's passed on through generations.

You and Ding Wei shall go ahead

to carrying out the construction of prayer halls.

However, the Empress...

I'll handle her.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Your Highness.

I don't feel like eating.

Why would you torture yourself?

Also, you still haven't recovered yet.

Stop nagging me.

Otherwise, you'll end up like the annoying girl.

Get out.

Leave us.

Shou Yi.

Get up and eat something.

Get up.

You're still throwing a tantrum.

Qing Wu has been crying non-stop after the fight with you.

She's insisting on returning to Guo Mansion.

Your stepmother is coaxing her now.

Then let her be.

She's just a little girl , Shou Yi.

You're meeting her for the first time,

yet you made her cry.

I dislike her.

Nobody can replace Sister Shou Kang.

Also, I'm not a kid anymore.

I don't need a playmate.

Shou Yi.

I'm done eating.

How's Qing Wu?

Clean the table.

Let the chef stand by.

Make something for the Crown Prince

if he feels like eating anytime.

Yes, Your Highness.

You mean he dislikes Qing Wu?

It doesn't matter.

They're just kids.

It's normal to fight with each other.

Women mustn't interfere in state affairs.

If that happens,

it'll be a disaster for the country.

Do you recognise this totem, Lord Xing?

It looks simple yet complex, Your Majesty.

It's actually impressive.

It must be an ancient totem.

There's no way to fathom its meaning.

Please come here to have a look with me.

Your Majesty.

Here, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

I've been observing the sky.

Something extremely weird appears.

Even you have never seen this before, Lord Xing?

I'm afraid not.

Please look over there, Your Majesty.

The sign spans across the Purple Forbidden, the Supreme Palace

and the Heavenly Market enclosures.

The main body sits in the Purple Forbidden enclosure.

I'd never seen this sign before.

There isn't information on this in the books.

However, the totem that you showed me

is strikingly similar to the sign.

Are you sure you've never seen this sign before?

I'm only telling the truth.

No research is ever done on this.

I hope you don't mind me asking.

Where have you seen

this ancient totem?

Does the appearance of this sign

signify any anomaly?

It may not be an anomaly.

It's just that the sign has been spanning across the sky.

It overwhelms Purple Emperor Star and makes it look dull.

Give me a smile.

You're smiling.

You're such a good boy, Xiao Yu.

You look so cute.

The little guy is smiling.

Greetings, Brother and Sister-in-law.

Drop the formalities. We're family.

Yes.

Why isn't Si Qi here with you?

Si Qi is pregnant again, Your Majesty.

She's pregnant again?

She's pregnant again.

You're blessed with many children.

You're a lucky man, Yuan Fen.

It's a blessing from you, Brother.

Now you have a son, too.

Now the three of us have our own successors.

I'm organising this first bath ceremony today

to bless the descendants

of the royal family.

You're right, brother.

Please be seated.

Come here, Yuan Fen.

Come over, Yuan Fen.

Congratulations, Brother and Sister-in-law.

Look.

This is your nephew.

Look at his little hand.

Why isn't Shou Yi here today?

He fell sick in the past months.

His condition fluctuates.

The imperial physicians are simply a bunch of fools.

Shou Yi is getting better.

I'll get Ying Luo to bring him here.

The more, the merrier.

He'll be bored to death staying indoor.

He should come out and get some fresh air.

Greetings, Father and Mother.

Come here, little Shou Yi.

Uncle.

This is my son and your...

He's your cousin.

Yes, he's your cousin.

Let me see him.

He's awake.

He's so cute.

Uncle.

Next time I'll bring him

the toys you gave me.

All right, good boy.

Here, Shou Yi.

Go.

Tell your father about your condition.

Father and Mother.

I'm getting much better.

Your Majesty and Your Highness.

Shall we begin the first bath ceremony?

Let's begin.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Let's go.

Calm down, Brother.

Your Majesty.

What are they doing, Mother?

It's called Red Basin.

It signifies good fortune.

My grandmother told me that

red was auspicious.

Please start stirring the content in the basin, Your Highness.

It's time to add more. After you, Your Majesty.

Hold on, Brother.

Let's compose a poem as a blessing

when each of us does this.

What do you think?

I'm totally clueless about poems. Don't simply suggest anything.

Ling Yang is right. I'll go first.

There's a tiny little boy.

He enjoys his hot water bath.

Good.

Good.

The great bow hangs on the door of the bridal chamber.

A fine young man immerses in a herbal bath.

Good.

He who's calm and dignified shall be the pillar of the country.

His pair of eyes are clear and sparkling.

Good.

A child of royal birth starts making sound.

He's wrapped in a cloth after a bath.

Shou Yi!

Summon the imperial physician, Jing Zong!

Summon the imperial physician!

Imperial physician!

Come here.

What happened to him?

Why did he suddenly faint?

The Crown Prince is fine, Your Majesty.

He's fine?

Are you sure?

The Crown Prince hasn't fully recovered from his cold yet.

So he's still physically weak.

He's lethargic.

He'd easily faint when he's in contact with the autumn breeze.

He's not recovered from the cold yet?

It's been months already, and he still hasn't recovered.

You imperial physicians are simply useless!

You even told me

that he'd recover within days.

I think the Imperial Medical Bureau

is operating in vain!

Calm down, Your Majesty.

Where are you, little Shou Yi?

Little Shou Yi!

Your Highness.

What's the time now? You're still asleep, Shou Yi.

-Your Highness. -Your Highness.

Little Shou Yi is ill.

The imperial physician is checking on him.

He's ill?

Please don't do that, Your Highness.

Let's wait for a while, shall we?

I want to see little Shou Yi.

All right, Your Highness.

Be patient.

I want to see little Shou Yi!

Quiet!

Tell me. When will the Crown Prince wake up?

I can give him another prescription.

Your prescription is totally useless!

Can we try acupuncture, Your Majesty?

Shou Yi.

Your Majesty.

Shou Yi.

We'll give our all to cure the Crown Prince.

We'll ensure he recovers.

You gave me a scare.

Mother.

You're fine now.

You're fine now.

Your Majesty.

Brother, is Shou Yi...

Yi Jian.

Yes.

Summon Wang Qin Ruo and Ding Wei

to the palace.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Greetings, Your Majesty.

I summoned both of you

to discuss something important

with you.

Please go on, Your Majesty. We're all ears.

I

intend to perform the Feng Shan ritual on Mount Tai.

Why did you suddenly make this decision, Your Majesty?

The Crown Prince's condition fluctuates.

So I wish

to pray for him.

You're wise, Your Majesty.

Perform the Feng Shan ritual

and let heaven know your merits and virtues.

You shall rule by the mandate of heaven.

Heaven will surely bless us all.

The Crown Prince will get well soon.

I think when the sky shows an auspicious sign,

you can proceed to carry this out, Your Majesty.

Some years ago,

didn't you relay to heaven to bless us all?

I believe

that even if there's no blessing,

you're able to get heaven to shower us with blessings.

I'm flattered.

Let me be fully in charge of this.

You can count on me.

Are we financially sound

to carry out this grand ceremony, Lord Ding?

No worries, Your Majesty.

Good.

[Qian Yuan Hall]

I've ordered Wang Qin Ruo and Ding Wei

to carry out the plan to perform the Feng Shan ritual on Mount Tai.

There's no stopping me, Empress.

I know

this grand ceremony

will deplete our treasury.

There are also many others

who think that I don't deserve to do this.

I don't care.

For the sake of Shou Yi,

I don't care what others say about me.

I don't care how history will portray me.

I must go to the peak of Mount Tai

to relay to heaven and earth

so that my son

and Song will be blessed.

Your order is my command.

As parents,

we're willing

to do anything for our children.

I am

really worried about Shou Yi.

Ying'er.

-What's wrong? -Nothing serious.

You've been taking care of Shou Yi

day and night.

Are you falling sick?

I have a sore throat, that's all.

Jing Zong.

Yes.

Summon an imperial physician.

Yes.

Let's go back.

Let's visit Shou Yi on our way back.

Sure.

Here.

The spring water tastes like liquor on Mount Tai and a dragon appears.

We've gotten the second divine memorandum on Mount Tai.

Just read it aloud.

Yes, Your Majesty.

You're promoting filial piety and nurturing the people.

The people know the good deeds you've done.

You remain discreet and know my intention well.

Your reign shall last for long.

The divine virtues are revived, Your Majesty.

All nations have submitted to us due to your benevolence.

Now heaven is responding.

So we're blessed with the divine memorandum.

You may now perform

the Feng Shan ritual, Your Majesty.

I'm just curious, Lord Wang.

How did you discover this divine memorandum?

Have you checked its authenticity?

Half a month ago,

a carpenter by the name of Dong Zuo

saw a piece of silk swaying in the forest on Mount Tai.

There are some words on the silk.

The news finally reached me.

[You're promoting filial piety and nurturing the people...]

So I sent my men to check it out.

What's written on it was similar to the previous divine memorandum.

So I retrieved it and presented it to the Emperor.

However...

General Guo, you have been stationed at the border.

I'm afraid you have no idea.

There was indeed a divine memorandum from heaven.

This showed that Song had the mandate from heaven.

This made Liao's army retreat in shame.

[Qian Yuan Gate]

The latest one is actually similar to the previous one we got.

Heaven is our witness.

I don't think Lord Wang would dare to lie to the Emperor.

You're absolutely right, Your Highness. I worried too much.

[End of Episode 45]