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 48]

The Emperor

had spent too much time at the peak of Mount Tai.

This has aroused speculations.

If the ritual tomorrow is cancelled,

people will get suspicious.

Do you expect us, the officials, to conduct the ritual?

Lord Xing, don't panic.

We can find a way to create an illusion that he's here without showing up.

Exactly.

Even if we're going back to the capital,

it's not going to happen in just one or two days.

The current imperative

is to send someone back to the capital

and pass the message to the Crown Prince and the Empress

so that they are prepared.

Gentlemen,

which one of us

is the best candidate?

Why isn't Lord Su here?

Lord Su is bidding the Emperor farewell.

Your Highness, it's late.

You should go back and rest.

Your Highness, are you observing the stars?

I know nothing about astrology.

Me neither.

But I recognise the Cowherd Star and the Weaver Girl Star.

It's a pity that today is not the Qiqiao Festival.

We can't witness the meeting of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl.

The Weaver Girl is on one side of the river, the Cowherd is on the other.

Not wading through the river, they look at each other from afar.

Your Highness, do you miss the Emperor?

In the past few days,

I've been feeling a little uneasy.

I have a feeling that something will happen.

Your Highness, you've been thinking too much about the Emperor.

Logically,

they should have completed the Feng Shan ritual.

Why haven't we gotten any news?

Maybe the Emperor is already on the way back.

It's just that he wants to give you a surprise.

Your Highness, be patient and wait a little longer.

Just now,

I bid farewell to the Emperor.

I plan to leave tonight

and rush back to the capital with the message.

I just thought I'd inform you.

Lord Su, looks like you want to be the messenger.

Prime Minister Wang, what's wrong?

Of course it's wrong.

Why?

Chancellor Ding and Prime Minister Wang are in charge of the palace at Mount Tai.

Lord Cao and Lord Xing are your helpers.

I figure my absence

will not make a difference.

Lord Su, you're the Emperor's personal guard.

If you return to the capital hastily,

it'll surely cause suspicion.

If there's a big mess,

Lord Su, can you handle the consequences?

Chancellor Ding, you're exaggerating.

I think

Chancellor Ding is right.

Lord Su, you've never left the Emperor.

If you leave, it'll be noticeable.

Besides, no one is more familiar

with the palace's security measures than you.

Chancellor Ding and Prime Minister Wang, you're determined

to stop me from delivering the message, aren't you?

We have to think of the greater good.

Do you two

have ulterior motives?

Ulterior motives? What do you mean?

We just want to keep the situation under control.

Think about it.

Is it appropriate for you to leave hastily?

What if I insist on leaving tonight?

You're stubborn!

You're neglecting the greater good.

Lord Su, please calm down.

This is a critical period.

We shouldn't let our differences divide us.

As for who is going to be the messenger,

we can discuss it later.

I've made up my mind. Goodbye.

Lord Su!

Lord Su, the guard that's on duty outside the temple tonight

is my son, Ding Xian Rong.

Chancellor Ding, what do you mean?

I just think that

the messenger

shouldn't be you, Lord Su.

Chancellor Ding, do you want to keep me here

by force?

Chancellor Ding, don't you think this is a bit excessive?

Does everyone here have to submit to Chancellor Ding alone?

Chancellor Ding, let me remind you.

The Imperial Guards here

are not solely under your son's command.

Are you sure?

Try it and see.

Lord Su, what are you going to do?

That depends on whether you can keep me here, Chancellor Ding.

What are you up to?

You people are raising fists at each other.

How do we clear up the mess if anything bad happens?

In my opinion,

it doesn't matter who the messenger is.

If you can't reach an agreement,

I'll go to the capital

and pass the message.

Lord Xing.

You're the chief priest for the ritual tomorrow.

Now that the Emperor won't be showing up,

are you going to be absent, too?

How about this? Lord Ding and Lord Xing.

Ding Xian Rong will be the messenger.

No way.

He is tasked with security.

In fact, I should be the messenger,

but my feet are injured.

I'll go.

I'll deliver the message.

Lord Cao.

You should stay.

Lord Su, why do you say so?

Prime Minister Wang and Chancellor Ding.

What do you think?

I think he should go.

Great.

Among us,

Lord Cao is the best candidate for this critical task.

Lord Cao.

Lord Su, if you have anything to say, just say it.

Can I trust you?

Your Majesty.

I, Cao Li Yong, hereby vow

to send the message back to the Crown Prince

and the Empress without delay.

I won't let you down.

If I break this vow, I shall end my own life

and follow you to the afterworld.

Lord Su, you're worried about Lord Cao, aren't you?

Chancellor Ding, do you think

I shouldn't worry about this?

Lord Su, it seems

that you're unhappy

about my decision of not assigning you as the messenger.

I dare not.

The Emperor has passed away.

Prime Minister Wang sprained his ankle in Mount Tai.

In this palace,

Chancellor Ding, you're the highest in command.

Officials like us

can only obey you.

Lord Cao volunteered to take on this important task.

He should know what to do.

Lord Su, couldn't you tell?

Lord Cao and the Grand Tutor may not be of one mind.

He's from the Cao family after all.

Compared to the contribution of a kingmaker,

why are you so confident

that he'll choose the hard task

and give up that honour?

The Empress is ruling the capital.

Lord Su, you don't have to worry too much.

Chancellor Ding, have you ever thought about it?

What if Cao Li Yong goes to Duke Ji's mansion

instead of the palace

after returning to the capital?

The Empress and the Crown Prince will be caught off guard

and helpless.

A bloody coup will inevitably take place.

It'll even land Song in trouble.

By that time,

we will not only let the Emperor down,

but also the people.

You and I will go down in history as sinners.

I'm the one who made the decision.

I'll naturally bear responsibility for it.

Chancellor Ding, you have great courage.

The Emperor came all the way here

to pray for the Crown Prince.

Who'd have thought?

On the day before going up to Mount Tai,

the Emperor had a private talk with you.

Did he tell you anything?

To the Emperor,

only the Empress and the Crown Prince mattered.

The ones he was most worried about

were the Empress and the Crown Prince.

After we go back to the capital,

we should immediately help the Crown Prince assume the throne

and fulfil the Emperor's wish.

Chancellor Ding, what do you think?

It's only right for the Crown Prince

to assume the throne after the Emperor's death.

There's no doubt about it.

What kind of emperor

do you think I am, Ying'er?

You rule the world with virtue and the people are exempted from rent.

You are strict with your officials without restricting their voices.

The Chanyuan Treaty has brought peace to the border

and a chance for the people to recover.

You focus on production to expand the nation's power.

To the society and the people,

you're a meritorious emperor.

Ying'er, I'll entrust

Song to you.

My poor Shou Yi is going to lose his father at a young age.

However,

he can still depend on his mother.

Raising a child is not easy,

let alone a future emperor.

The road ahead is long and bumpy.

You will have to work hard as a mother.

You'll plan for him, counsel him,

and watch over him,

so that he becomes a wise emperor.

Yuan Kan.

How I hope

I could grow old with you.

We tied the knot a few decades ago.

Why do I feel

that a lifetime is not enough?

This lifetime isn't over yet.

I am leaving.

No.

Yuan Kan.

Yuan Kan!

Yuan Kan!

Yi Qin!

Your Highness, Lord Cao has entered the palace

with the royal token.

He's outside the Imperial Study, demanding to see you.

Lord Cao?

Which Lord Cao?

It's Lord Cao Li Yong.

Cao Li Yong?

Isn't he in Mount Tai for the Feng Shan ritual?

Help me to get changed!

Yes.

Your Highness, the Emperor passed away

at the summit of Mount Tai.

What?

What did you

just say?

Your Highness.

The Emperor

passed away

at the summit of Mount Tai.

What happened on Mount Tai?

I'll give a detailed account later.

Your Highness,

the current imperative is to stabilise the capital.

Chancellor Ding, Lord Su

and several officials have agreed

to keep the Emperor's death under wraps for now.

They will secretly escort the Emperor's casket back.

It will take them some time to arrive at the capital.

Although I rushed here as quickly as I could,

there were many people along the way.

I cannot guarantee that the news hasn't been leaked

and spread to the capital.

Your Highness, please make a decision now

and pass an order to stabilise the situation,

lest the unforeseen happens.

Summon

General Guo Chong Xin

to the palace.

Yes.

[Qian Yuan Gate]

Your Highness, bad news!

Your Highness!

What's the matter?

Your Highness, bad news.

The Imperial Guards have broken in.

Greetings, Duke Ji.

General Guo.

May I know why you broke into my residence at this hour?

By the command of the Empress,

you are to go to the palace immediately.

-Si Qi? -Mother.

Why are you here? What happened outside?

Father.

The mansion is surrounded by the Imperial Guards.

No entry or exit is allowed.

Send someone to find out what happened.

Who is the commander of the squad surrounding our mansion?

Bring him in. I want to see him!

Shou Yi.

Mother.

Mother, why are you shaking?

Nothing.

What happened?

Nothing.

I'm here.

Mother.

Ying Luo, from now on,

you and Qing Wu will live here with Shou Yi.

Don't leave the chamber without my order.

Also, please

see to their daily needs personally.

Take them to bed.

I'm Cheng Yu. Greetings, Grand Tutor.

What actually happened

that you went to the trouble

to surround my mansion?

Grand Tutor, don't worry.

It's not only your mansion.

Every official's mansion

and every nobleman's residence

is protected by Imperial Guards.

Who gave the order?

It's the Empress' order.

What's the situation in Duke Ji's mansion?

Duchess Ji,

Duke Ji is guarded by General Guo Chong Xin personally.

However, Duke Ji has been brought into the palace.

What?

Duchess Ji, you can't go out.

Father.

Si Qi.

It's all right.

The Emperor

has passed away.

This is no time to grieve.

We must control our emotions.

Before the Emperor's casket reaches the capital,

we need to keep the situation under control.

The Imperial Court and the Imperial Harem mustn't be in disarray.

Your Highness, Duke Ji has entered the palace.

Noted.

Take care of Shou Yi and Qing Wu.

Your Highness.

Duke Ji is waiting in the side hall.

Lord Cao, please stay in the palace for the next few days.

Yes.

Your Highness, I came straight to the palace after arriving in the city.

I have not met anyone.

Lord Cao, please rise.

Thank you, Your Highness.

Lord Cao, you did a great job.

Thank you once again.

Your Highness, it is my duty.

Lord Cao, please wait outside.

Yes.

Greetings, Sister-in-law.

May I know

why you summoned me to the palace late at night?

As I was entering the palace,

I saw the guards being deployed.

Was it by your order?

Also, why is Lord Cao in the palace?

Shouldn't he be protecting the Emperor on Mount Tai?

Did my brother...

Did something happen during the Feng Shan ritual?

The Emperor

has passed away.

The Emperor passed away?

Did the Emperor really pass away?

Lord Cao came back as a messenger.

Before the Emperor's casket reaches the capital,

please stay in the palace, Duke Ji.

Sister-in-law, are you putting me under house arrest?

I'm just asking you to stay here for a few days.

You're afraid I'll try to usurp the throne amidst the chaos, aren't you?

I just want to control the situation in the capital.

This is my brother we're talking about.

He has just passed away.

Why would I seize the throne amidst the chaos?

Besides, I've made it clear to my brother so many times.

I'm not interested in the throne. You know that.

Duke Ji, it's not up to me to judge

whether you want the throne or not.

However, I know

there are people around you

who won't let go of this great opportunity.

By then, you won't have a choice.

The throne

may be noble and supreme

to you and the world.

But to me,

it's not even comparable to a pool of clear ink.

In that case,

Duke Ji, please stay in the palace peacefully.

I'll be the bad person.

I'll help you

get rid of all the noise,

so that you won't be in a tough spot.

Well.

Well.

Well.

Your Highness, you're wise.

I'm impressed.

Your Highness, the imperial city and palace have been secured.

General Guo is responsible for defence in the east

and the army around the capital.

I've taken over the Imperial Guards in the palace

and am responsible for the palace's security.

I can rest easy with you

and General Guo in charge.

As for Duke Ji,

Your Highness,

which general do you think should keep watch on him?

Lord Cao, can't you do it?

Your Highness.

Duchess Ji is the daughter of the Cao family.

In the eyes of others,

the Caos and Duke Ji are close.

Aren't you afraid...

The Caos are the Caos. You are you.

Since I have the courage

to entrust me and the Crown Prince's lives to you,

how can you let me down?

I will not let you down.

I'll personally see to Duke Ji's daily needs

and not let any accidents happen.

Send Duke Ji some brushes, ink, papers and inkstone.

Yes, Your Highness.

Greetings, Your Highness.

General Guo, you've worked hard.

How's the situation inside and outside the capital?

Your Highness.

Although many officials

and some generals

have doubts about the sudden and strict measures taken,

everything is under control.

Nothing will go wrong.

However...

General, you may just say it.

An Imperial Guard stationed at Cao Mansion reported that

Duchess Ji has been requesting to see Duke Ji in the palace.

Why is Duchess Ji in Cao Mansion?

It's said that the Grand Tutor is ill,

and she happened to go back and visit him.

General Guo, what's ailing my father?

Is it serious?

I have no idea.

Would you like to go back and visit him?

No.

I mustn't show my face in public,

lest the news gets out.

I appreciate your putting the country's needs above your own.

Lord Cao, rest assured.

I'll send an imperial physician to treat the Grand Tutor.

Thank you, Your Highness.

General Guo, please send an imperial physician to Cao Mansion.

Also, since Duchess Ji wants to enter the palace,

bring her to Duke Ji

in the palace.

Yes, Your Highness.

Your Highness, do you know what's going on?

Why are you still in the mood to paint?

My brother gave me this painting of brotherhood

to tell me that we should show love and respect to each other.

Your Highness, this is no time for brotherly love.

Think about who will take the throne.

Your Highness!

I entered the palace

to pass my father's message to you.

If the Emperor has indeed died on Mount Tai,

here in the palace,

Liu E and her son are alone and helpless.

This is

the best time for you to rise to the top.

Si Qi, I don't want to hear this.

Your Highness!

My third brother passed away.

Your Highness!

Have you forgotten

how fearful and anxious

the members of your mansion

have been all these years?

Have you forgotten?

When Liu E took our son hostage in the palace,

weren't you resentful?

I was.

Though I am weak,

I am a mother.

I absolutely don't want my children

to live in suppression and fear

throughout their lives

just like their parents.

I'm not interested in the throne!

I am incapable of being the Emperor!

If your brother could,

why can't you?

Besides, the opportunity has come knocking.

Why are you letting it slip by?

Say no more.

Your Highness!

Si Qi.

Your Highness, if not for yourself,

can't you do it

for our sons

and the child in my womb?

Si Qi, don't make it difficult for me.

Please, Your Highness.

Now you and I are controlled by the Empress.

What else do you want?

All you have to do is say yes.

What we must do now

is to pass the news of the Emperor's death to my father,

so that he can pull some strings

and plot a takeover.

Si Qi.

The Empress won't let us take one step out of this hall.

The guards here are her most trusted men.

The Empress is smart.

She won't give us the slightest chance.

Maybe you can

make use of my pregnancy.

No.

Your Highness.

Come in.

Brother?

Your Highnesses.

It's time for lunch.

Was the messenger

my brother?

Brother.

Your Highnesses.

Lunch is ready. Please enjoy.

Brother, please wait!

Brother!

Brother...

It won't work.

Your brother is now on the Empress' side.

Your Highness.

General, just speak up.

Your Highness.

I don't understand.

Why did you assign Lord Cao to keep watch on Duke Ji?

They're

in-laws after all.

If Lord Cao has an ulterior motive,

when he arrived in the capital,

he'd have gone to Duke Ji

instead of coming to me.

I can count on

his loyalty to his country and his Emperor.

Your Highness, you're wise.

Issue an edict.

From now on, the whole city will be put under a curfew.

The officials need not attend court.

Any memorials will be sent to Da Qing Academy.

Yes, Your Highness.

Depart.

Off you go.

Qing Wu wants to go back to the palace

to fetch her clothes and toys.

So I allowed Stepmother to bring her back.

Mother,

please don't blame me for doing this without your consent.

I won't.

I heard

that besides the palace,

a curfew is also enforced inside and outside the city.

Yes.

You don't need to go to Zi Shan Hall in the next few days.

However, don't miss your schoolwork.

You have to read those memorials

that I gave you.

Ask me if there's anything you don't understand.

Mother, are you not going to tell me

what happened?

Eat more.

I'm the Crown Prince.

Mother, don't be sad.

If you don't want to say it,

I won't ask.

Don't be sad.

My Shou Yi has completed the coming-of-age ceremony.

He's an adult now.

His small shoulders

are going to carry the burden of the country.

You are not only the Crown Prince,

but also the Emperor of Song.

Mother.

Your father has passed away.

What?

Your father is gone.

He's left us forever.

Mother, you're lying to me, right?

I don't believe it!

Shou Yi.

It can't be, Mother.

You're lying to me.

I don't believe it.

Shou Yi, you are the Crown Prince.

You're not allowed to cry.

You can't cry.

You can't show a trace of sadness at this moment,

got it?

Mother.

You still have me.

Lord Cao.

Is everything all right in there?

Sir, everything is fine.

That's good.

Go away!

Si Qi!

What happened?

Brother, it hurts.

Where?

My abdomen. I think my baby is hurt.

Why are you standing here? Get an imperial physician here!

Yes!

Si Qi, get up and go to the bed.

Get up, quickly.

Brother, I have something to tell you.

Leave us.

Yes.

Go to the bed.

Brother!

Si Qi, what are you doing?

Brother, please help us.

All right, get up first.

Brother, you are free to move about

in the palace, aren't you?

The Empress entrusted me

with guarding the palace.

It's heaven's will.

I am thinking

of getting you to tell Father about the Emperor's death.

Since the guards in the palace are under your control,

why should we do it the hard way?

Brother, please act quickly.

Seize Liu E and her son

and help my husband assume the throne.

Your Highness, is this what you want?

Si Qi, you're pregnant, get up.

-Get up. -Brother.

This is not too much to ask.

If my husband succeeds the throne,

the royal line of succession will be fulfilled.

My husband is the rightful successor.

The Crown Prince is the rightful successor of the throne.

That means

you refuse to help us, isn't that right?

Your Highness.

The Emperor had never doubted you or done your family wrong.

You've always been close to the Crown Prince.

After he assumes the throne,

he won't do you any harm.

What about Liu E?

She seized my child.

Brother, don't you pity your sister?

Surely, you exaggerate.

Did she seize your child?

Your child merely spent a few days in the palace.

Wasn't he sent back to Duke Ji's mansion afterward?

The Empress is smart and capable.

However, she's also forgiving and merciful.

As long as you don't cross the line,

the Empress won't hurt you.

You only think of the Empress.

Lord Cao, don't forget

that your surname is Cao.

You are also from the Cao family.

I'm an official of Song.

An official of Song?

Lord Cao, our father has been opposing Liu E's appointment

from the beginning.

Later, she took back her son's ashes from Liao.

Father led the officials to stop her from entering the palace

and her son's ashes from being placed in the Imperial Ancestral Temple.

Father was opposed to her being crowned the Empress, too.

On the night the Crown Prince was born,

the palace was on fire because of Father's birthday.

Do you think Liu E

will look past those things?

Lord Cao, don't be naive.

You may have been at her beck and call,

always loyal and devoted,

but does that mean you can trust her?

Your Highness, you have been worrying a lot.

You should get more rest.

Let me bring

these supplements to Duchess Ji.

She is pregnant after all.

Now she's confined in the palace.

I won't rest easy if I don't come here personally.

Greetings, Your Highness.

Greetings, Your Highness.

Imperial Physician Huang, why are you here?

Your Highness, I heard that Duchess Ji wasn't feeling well.

So I am going to treat her.

Looks like I wasn't thoughtful enough.

Guards!

Lock Duchess Ji up elsewhere.

-Yes. -Yes.

How dare you lay a finger on her?

Cao Li Yong, she is your sister!

Duchess Ji is talking nonsense.

It is not advisable for her to stay with the Duke.

You are so cruel.

For your career,

you turn your back on your family.

You will get retribution.

Take her away.

Yes.

Go away!

I'd like to see

who dares to lay a finger on Duchess Ji?

-Take her out! -Don't make me do it!

Your Highness, are you sure

you want to make it so difficult for both of us?

What are you doing?

Greetings, Your Highness.

Duke Ji.

What are you doing?

You cross the line when you hurt Si Qi and my child.

No one is going to hurt Duchess Ji.

And no one is going to hurt your child.

Lord Cao is Duchess Ji's brother.

I believe

Lord Cao will never

hurt Duchess Ji.

Your Highness.

Your Highness.

Duke Ji.

Now do you believe

what I told you earlier on?

Yuan Fen.

I mean no harm by keeping you in the palace.

It's just a precaution

to deal with the current situation.

Since you call me sister-in-law,

you should trust me.

Imperial Physician Huang.

Yes.

Please treat Duchess Ji now.

Yes, Your Highness.

Also,

Duke Ji and his wife are allowed to stay here together,

overseen by Lord Cao.

Yes, Your Highness.

Si Qi!

Si Qi!

Master, you haven't recovered.

Don't stand too long. Go back to the room and rest.

The weather has changed. It's an inauspicious sign.

[End of Episode 48]