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 51]

A scholar has lofty aspirations.

I've underestimated him.

I didn't expect the son-in-law

whom I have carefully selected to be such a power-hungry person.

My dear, do you regret it?

Not really.

But things may turn to the opposite when they reach the extreme.

Too big of an ambition

can backfire

and get Yu Ru and the Wang family into trouble.

You'd better advise

the son-in-law before it's too late.

The new Emperor has just been enthroned.

The Empress Dowager and several officials are assisting him as regents.

The balance of power in the court is shifting.

If Ding Wei can use this opportunity to make a comeback,

undermine the Empress Dowager, and steal her power,

it may not be a bad thing for the Wang family.

But I still think

it's too risky.

Fame and wealth come with risk.

My dear, you're one of the regents.

Why don't you fight for it

or help Ding Wei?

My wife,

it'll take some days before my leg recovers.

There is no rush. No rush.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Cover your eyes and don't peek.

Do you hear me?

Count properly.

Count properly. Don't look back.

Don't look back.

Count to 100. Do you hear me?

Focus.

Don't look back.

11, 12, 13,

14, 15...

Focus. Count to 100.

Don't look back.

18, 19, 20,

Focus.

21, 22, 23...

Are they looking for you?

You are...

Where are you going?

Stop following me.

Watch your step.

Your Majesty! Your Majesty!

Your Majesty, where are you?

Your Majesty! Your Majesty!

Seriously?

Your Majesty, please come down!

Where is he?

Your Majesty, please come down! Your Majesty!

Your Majesty, please come down!

What are you doing?

Your Majesty, please come down!

Who told you to come up here?

Go down.

You look upset.

So I want to accompany you.

No need.

Please come down!

It's my negligence.

[Guo Yu Xian, Cao Li Yong's wife]

I have been very busy lately.

I only learned that Qing Wu has caught a cold

this morning.

This isn't your fault.

Your Majesty treats Qing Wu like your own daughter.

It is a blessing for her.

As well as for our entire family.

My sister-in-law died young.

Qing Wu's grandmother

loves this granddaughter dearly.

She's very worried when she heard that the girl was sick

and insisted that I come to see her.

Hope you don't mind.

Of course, I don't.

Your Majesty, please come down!

It's too dangerous!

Your Majesty, come down! It's too dangerous!

Your Majesty! Your Majesty!

-Be careful or you'll fall off! -Please come down!

Your Majesty, be careful.

Please come down!

How are Godfather and Godmother?

It's been raining for days.

Mother is experiencing leg pains again.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have asked me to come.

Why don't I send an imperial physician to check on her?

We've sent for the best physician in the capital.

Medication and acupuncture have greatly relieved her pain.

Don't worry too much.

Yi Qin.

Yes.

Go get the Zituan Ginseng offered by Jingdong.

Yes.

I'm glad to hear that she's fine.

I haven't seen

Godfather and Godmother in a long time.

Right.

Your Majesty.

Why are you here?

Where is His Majesty?

Over there.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty!

How did you get up there?

Mother, I'm here!

Mother!

Your Majesty, don't move!

Go help him down now.

Hurry up.

Yes. Yes.

Your Majesty, don't move!

Stay there!

Hurry up.

Your Majesty, please come down.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty, please come down.

Be careful, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Be careful.

Slow down, Your Majesty.

All right.

Be careful.

Your Majesty, be careful.

Come.

Don't help me.

Watch your head.

How did you get up to the roof?

Shouldn't you be in Zi Shan Hall right now?

I know what I'm doing.

Then tell me,

what are you doing?

Your Majesty, it must be my naughty Ru'er

who brought His Majesty up there.

Don't blame His Majesty.

This little girl

is you and Lord Cao's daughter?

Yes, Your Majesty.

Ru'er,

greet the Empress Dowager and the Emperor.

Cao Ru greets the Empress Dowager

and Your Majesty.

Come, let me have a look at you.

What a pretty and polite girl.

Your Majesty flatters her.

Ru'er and Qing Wu have been very close

since they were toddlers,

always playing together.

She insisted on coming with me

to visit her cousin.

She also said

she wanted to stay here.

Really?

You want to stay here?

Did you bring

His Majesty to the roof just now?

You're so bold.

Do you want to give me a lecture?

I have to go to Zi Shan Hall after hearing it.

Shou Yi.

I know you're going through

a tough time.

But you can't just hide yourself

and make people worry.

You even climbed up the roof.

It's so dangerous. What if you fall down?

I'm the Emperor, not a child.

I know what I can

and cannot do.

I know

you're a boy.

Some things you're only willing to tell your father.

Shou Yi.

Why don't I ask

your uncle to take you on a hunt someday?

I told you, I'm not a child anymore.

I don't need someone to hang out with me.

Besides, Uncle is Uncle.

Father is Father.

One cannot replace the other.

Why do you always think

that you can replace

what you've lost?

That isn't what I mean.

I certainly know

that some people and some feelings

are irreplaceable.

You've grown up.

I don't know how to talk sense into you.

I still vaguely remember

your sweet and innocent look

when you were a baby.

I've let you down.

Shou Yi, your father is no longer around.

You're the new Emperor.

When it comes to the country,

you'll have to shoulder

the burden of governing the country from now on.

When it comes to the family,

you're my only support.

I won't let you be exposed to any danger.

I remember your father once said

that he would do everything he could

to protect us.

But right now, our protection

is gone.

Even if my powers are limited,

I won't let any harm come to you.

I'll do my best to protect you.

I'll prevent anything bad from happening to you

and stop you from making mistakes.

Do you understand?

Mother.

You're supposed to be a carefree teenager.

But unfortunately, you're born into a royal family.

Sometimes,

I wish you could grow up faster

and take on the duty of the sovereign as soon as possible.

But other times,

I don't want you to grow so fast.

I hope you can enjoy the happiness

that you deserve at this age for a few more years.

I want to grow up faster

and become a good emperor like Father,

so that I can protect Song

and you.

You're indeed your father's good son.

Father, Father.

Father, Father.

Ru'er, you're back.

Come, let me give you a hug.

My dear.

Ru'er, tell me.

Did you have a great time in the palace?

Not bad.

Not bad?

Come, have a rest.

Tell me.

Did you come across

anything interesting in the palace?

I met a person.

Who's it?

His Majesty.

His Majesty?

Did His Majesty talk to you or tell you...

My dear.

Ru'er, be good. Go practise your qin.

I'll spend time with you later, okay?

Okay, Father.

Good girl.

Xiang'er, come over.

Take Ru'er away. Slowly.

Ru'er already met His Majesty.

Why isn't she in the palace?

Didn't I ask you

to let her stay in the palace to keep Qing Wu company?

I brought it up.

But Her Majesty didn't respond.

I couldn't force our daughter to stay there.

Does Her Majesty like Ru'er?

I can't tell.

You can't tell?

What about His Majesty?

Does he like Ru'er?

My dear, the child is too young.

How can you think...

Preparation ensures success,

and laxness spells failure.

His Majesty

[You're so bold.]

seems to have taken a liking to Ru'er.

What did you say?

I said, His Majesty

seems particularly partial to Ru'er.

Have you done what I told you to do?

I've done as you said

and found a tutor for Ru'er.

Find the best tutors for embroidery, music and tea-making

in Dongjing City.

I want the best.

My dear, the child is too young.

How does she cope with all these lessons?

I'll do it myself.

Housekeeper.

Lord Su, this way.

It's okay.

Su Yi Jian greets Lord Kou.

Who let him in?

My dear.

Don't mind him.

I've brought Lord Kou some herbs

for nourishing his body.

I hope you'll accept it.

Don't take it.

Thank you Lord Su. Please have a seat.

I'll go make you some tea.

Thank you, madam.

Lord Kou,

Physician Zheng told me on my way here

from the palace

that your condition hasn't improved.

To be frank,

I'm rather concerned.

Don't worry.

Once I feel better,

I'll look for the late emperor's will.

This isn't what I mean.

To tell you the truth,

the Empress Dowager has been looking for it

in the palace.

Lord Kou,

if, as you said,

the late emperor has left behind a will,

then it's a sacred edict

that must be obeyed by you,

me and all the people of Song.

But what does it mean for the Empress Dowager?

Have you ever thought of that?

That is her husband's dying wish.

You have served the late emperor for years.

I need not recount his relationship

with the Empress Dowager.

Wouldn't Her Majesty be more anxious

than anyone else?

I know

Her Majesty's character fairly well.

But when it comes to power,

especially the supreme imperial power,

who can guarantee

that a person's character won't change?

When Wu Zhao first held the court,

did she intend to replace Tang with Wu Zhou at the beginning?

All right.

I know nothing I say

can change your mind.

Let's wait and see

if the Empress Dowager harbours the same vicious intent as Empress Lu.

Provided that

you become

as healthy as before.

The imperial physician comes to your house

and checks on you three times a day.

This is what Her Majesty has instructed him.

In fact, I've wanted to visit you.

But I'm afraid

you might drive me out of your house.

So I waited until today.

Her Majesty has also urged me to come

as she wants to tell you

that after you recover,

you'll be reinstated.

Please go and supervise the court in person.

Then you can set your mind at ease.

As long as I'm alive,

I won't allow anyone to overthrow the Zhaos' empire.

Yes, Lord Kou.

Heaven can bear witness to your loyalty to Song.

Please believe

that Her Majesty and I

share the same goal as you.

Hope you can distinguish friends from enemies.

Lord Su,

he becomes very hot-tempered as he gets old.

If he's said something unpleasant,

hope you can bear with him.

We're discussing something.

Why do you interrupt us?

Don't forget to take your medicine.

Lord Su, have some tea.

Thank you, madam.

It's almost time for dinner.

Lord Su, please stay

and have dinner with us.

No, thanks. Madam, I...

Just stay.

Wouldn't you be alone

when you go back home?

Okay. Thank you, Lord Kou.

I'll go prepare the dinner.

Go ahead. Hurry.

Come, Lord Kou.

drink the medicine while it's hot.

Lord Su,

did you want to tell me

that Ding Wei has grasped all the power?

It seems his support for the reign behind the curtain

was a long time in the making.

You're right. Presently,

you're gravely ill,

and Chancellor Wang has taken a leave to absolve himself of responsibility.

Ding Wei is the most powerful man in the court.

Neither I, Lord Cao, Lord Guo,

nor the rest of the officials can do anything to him.

Only the Empress Dowager is able to stand against

and suppress Ding Wei.

Lord Su,

help me pass a message to Her Majesty.

Yes, Lord Kou.

His Majesty and Her Majesty

only hold court on the first and fifteenth days of the month.

It is indeed very easy to lose control of the court.

The only way to address this problem

is to keep an eye

on the person who presents the memorials.

Greeting to Your Majesties.

Please rise.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Mother.

Do you want to sit on my throne?

No, I can stand.

You sit.

Bring the seats.

Bring the seats.

Lords, please sit down.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Bring the tea.

Bring the tea.

Lord Ding.

Here are some memorials.

Feel free to have a look.

[Approved by Ding Wei]

Chancellor Ding,

The memorials we submit to the Emperor and the Empress Dowager

have all been discussed by the ministers

and signed by the four of us.

Why are these memorials

only signed by you?

I'm occupied with work.

Do I have to personally check whether the three of you

have put your signatures?

The three of you

didn't review the memorials.

I have yet to blame you for neglecting your duties.

You...

Chancellor Ding,

You've clearly approved all these

behind our back.

Yet, you accuse us of not fulfilling our duties.

This is too much.

Watch your words, Lord Cao.

You said I made the decisions behind your backs.

Do you have any proof?

Your Majesty, is this not proof?

I hope Your Majesty looks into it.

I was just carrying out my duty

of reviewing the memorials and signing them.

As to why the three of them didn't sign them,

as the Vice Counsellor,

it's my fault that I didn't monitor them.

But I'm not as authoritarian as Lord Cao claimed.

Lord Ding,

Lord Li Di, the magistrate of Yunzhou and Vice Minister of Revenue is demoted

to Vice Military Training Officer of Hengzhou.

Demotion is a major decision.

The four of us

should discuss with other ministers

before submitting the memorial to the Emperor and the Empress Dowager.

But only your name

is found on this memorial.

I don't remember

that you've discussed it with us.

Since I've signed it,

it means I've approved it.

Perhaps it's submitted

before you signed

or brought it up for discussion.

I'm not the servant who presented the memorials.

How am I supposed to know everything?

You...

Impressive.

Chancellor Ding manages to evade all the responsibilities.

I have a clear conscience.

It seems

the mistake is caused by the servant

who presented these memorials.

Eunuch Zhang, who is in charge of this?

Your Majesty,

it is handled

by Lei Yun Gong, the Assistant Chief Eunuch.

Summon him immediately.

Yes.

Summon Lei Yun Gong.

Mother, do you want to sit down and rest?

I'm not tired.

Greetings to Your Majesties.

Eunuch Lei,

the memorials are all presented by you, isn't that right?

Yes, Your Majesty.

But on these memorials,

only Chancellor Ding's signature is found.

The other three ministers' signatures are missing.

Did you check

before presenting them?

Well...

I...

I don't know about it.

I always check them one by one.

There should be no mistakes.

Maybe I have overlooked.

How dare you!

Overlook is not an excuse

for the mistake.

It's your job to present the memorials.

How can you present memorials

with incomplete signatures

to His Majesty and me without checking them,

causing confusion in the court?

Your Majesty, please forgive me.

I really don't know about it.

There are many memorials submitted each day.

I might have missed a few.

Your Majesty, please forgive me.

Your Majesty, Eunuch Lei's words make sense.

I hope Your Majesty has mercy on him.

You make it sound like

it has nothing to do with you.

Eunuch Lei already said

that he overlooked.

What wrong have I done?

Enough.

Lei Yun Gong is to be blamed.

Your Majesty.

Chancellor Ding is the head of the regents.

He has too many duties.

It's understandable that he is unable

to inspect every detail.

Besides,

what is missing

from these memorials are your signatures.

You three also serve as regents.

You should be more careful when putting your signatures on the documents.

Thank you for Your Majesty's advice.

Thank you for Your Majesty's understanding.

As for Lei Yun Gong...

Your Majesty, it was an honest mistake on Eunuch Lei's part.

Thankfully, it didn't cause any serious consequences.

I'm too busy in the capital

to fulfil my duty as the Officer of Mausoleum.

Hence, I request

sending Eunuch Lei to Luoyang to oversee

the construction of the late Emperor's tomb on my behalf.

Since Chancellor Ding pleads for you,

Lei Yun Gong,

you'll be stripped of the title

of Assistant Chief Eunuch

and be appointed as the Officer of Mausoleum.

You'll depart for Luoyang now

to supervise the construction.

Thank you for Your Majesty's mercy.

A deliberate act to show power.

What a brilliant move.

Looks like I'm going to lose this game.

Thank Lord Kou for me.

Okay.

How is he?

Not so well.

I'll ask

an imperial physician to check on him again.

Watch over him for me.

I will.

Didn't I ask you

to send the dessert to His Majesty?

Your Majesty, I already sent it to His Majesty.

Miss Guo and Miss Cao are both there.

His Majesty asked

the servant to make more.

So I brought some back.

Miss Cao?

Lord Cao's daughter, Cao Ru.

How do you know?

Does she come here very often?

Qing Wu was sick a few days ago.

Mrs Cao came to visit her with her daughter.

I saw that the girls had a close relationship.

So I asked Cao Ru to come and keep Qing Wu company.

Just say it if you have something to say.

Nothing.

It's just some gossip in the palace.

Go on.

It's said that Lord Cao pays money

to some maids for information

regarding Miss Guo's daily life in the palace,

the books she reads,

the etiquette lessons she receives, and so on.

Flatten it out.

Your Majesty, what is this for?

I used to perform the puppet show with Sister Shou Kang.

It's for building the stage.

Your Majesty knows how to perform the puppet show?

You don't believe me?

I can put on a show for you

as you played me a tune last time.

Do you really mean it?

Look.

This puppet is so well made.

It looks real.

Of course.

It's made by the best craftsman

in the capital.

Of course it's good.

But the puppet show has to be accompanied

by drums

to showcase its beauty.

Your Majesty, Ru'er,

come fly a kite with me.

I've never flown a kite before.

What?

Don't bury yourself with books.

How old are you?

Do you have to learn all the arts?

Uncle and Aunt are not here.

You can play for a while. It's okay.

Don't force her.

It's very hot outside.

I don't want to go out either.

Ming Yun, come here.

What can I do for you, Your Majesty?

Ming Yun, go fly kites with Qing Wu.

Your Majesty, I don't really like...

Okay.

After you, Miss Guo.

Your Majesty, you promised to draw on the kite for me,

but you haven't drawn it.

If you don't go now,

there will be no wind to fly the kite.

Okay, then.

Let's go, Su Ming Yun.

Qing Wu is older than you,

but you're more

like a sister.

Cousin is outgoing and very active,

unlike me who's unenergetic.

It's better to be gentle and demure.

If Your Majesty doesn't mind,

I can play the drums

for your puppet show.

That will be great.

Ever since Sister Shou Kang left,

no one has put on a puppet show with me.

Take it.

Cao Li Yong.

What do you think about him?

He has a good survival instinct and knows when to act.

Spot on.

When the late emperor passed away on the peak of Mount Tai,

I was restricted by Ding Wei

and was at a loss at that time.

Cao Li Yong volunteered to deliver

the message to the capital.

I was a little worried back then.

Surprisingly,

he accomplished the task without delay

and helped you take over the capital.

I was impressed.

He is a smart man.

He knows which side he should take.

Compared to the stubborn Grand Tutor Cao,

he is more tactful, enigmatic and sketchy.

What do you think of him

using his own daughter?

Some things in this world

can be strategised and planned for.

But matters of the heart are the most difficult.

In a few years, Shou Yi will reach a marriageable age.

I should be right about this.

Qing Wu is innocent and guileless,

smart and kind-hearted.

She is the best choice.

The two of them can develop their relationship slowly.

I hope so.

With my hair first cut across my forehead, I folded flowers in front of the gate.

You came by on a bamboo horse, playing with green plums round the course.

Living together in Changgan Lane, the two of us were young and plain.

There is a little boy living on Bird's-Nest Island

who's good at playing flute.

His family is very poor,

so he became an oarsman on a fishing boat when he was 15 going on 16.

On this day, they set sail

to catch fish in the sea.

They cast the net

and move to different spots over and over again.

Yet, they catch nothing.

"Young oarsman,"

"play us a song to relieve our worries"

"and boredom."

The young oarsman sits on the bow and plays his flute.

The pleasing and melodious tune reverberates in the air.

And they catch a big golden fish.

"Young oarsman, cook the fish"

"so that everyone can enjoy it."

"Yellow fish, yellow fish,"

"The boss asks me to cook you."

"They want to eat you."

"But I can't bring myself to do so."

"Young man, please let me go."

"You can speak human language?"

"Young man,"

"I'm the third princess of the Dragon King of the East Sea."

"I turned into a yellow fish and came out of the water"

"to find the man who played the flute."

"But I fell into the net accidentally."

-Lord Lei. -Chancellor Ding.

I was very careful on my way here.

No one saw me.

Please sit.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Lord Lei.

The first drink is to apologise to you.

What are you saying?

If you didn't strongly defend me in front of Her Majesty,

I don't know how she would punish me.

Moreover, you've helped me

get such a good job.

I should thank you.

The memorials was my oversight.

I'm relieved that you didn't blame me.

The second drink is to bid farewell to you.

After leaving the palace,

you'll be out into the big wide world.

There are plenty of opportunities

to show your talents.

Hope you can help me out in the future.

Try the food.

I spend all my time serving the inner court.

I don't know much

about politics.

So I wonder if you can give me some advice on the construction

of the imperial tomb?

Burying the late emperor in the imperial tomb

is the top priority of the court.

The Officer of Mausoleum is a low-ranking position with great power.

No official dares to treat you with disrespect.

You mean...

You have full authority

over the construction in Luoyang.

Aren't all the accounts

handled by you?

But the Chancellor of Treasury...

I was the Chancellor of Treasury before.

The current Chancellor of Treasury is a student of mine.

Then I'd really appreciate it

if you'd look out for me.

Take this promissory note.

Chancellor Ding, I don't think it's a good idea.

When you reach Luoyang,

you can go to my exchange house

and exchange it for cash.

There's a new official.

You'll need the money.

I'll gladly accept it then.

There's no need to be polite with me.

I'll repay you.

Chancellor Ding, don't worry.

I'm no fool.

Lord Xing,

what do you think of the divine tortoise?

Have you not heard of

the legend of the He and Luo Diagrams?

[End of Episode 51]