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 55]

You're a thoughtful child.

I didn't dote on you for nothing.

Don't you worry.

I have made plans regarding His Majesty's marriage.

The position of empress will be chosen from the women by His Majesty's side.

Firstly,

she must be considerate of His Majesty.

Secondly,

she has to be loyal to me.

Think about it.

Who else could it be but you?

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Alright. Stand up.

Are you feeling relieved now after I said that?

Your Majesty.

There's one more thing I'm concerned about.

His Majesty is always going out on his own to meet Cao Ru privately.

I'm worried about him.

He goes out on his own without any security detail.

I worry that something bad might happen to His Majesty.

As the emperor,

he is too carefree.

Ru'er.

Are you done making the snacks for me?

I'm here, Grandfather.

Slow down. Don't run.

Grandfather, these are the snacks I made for you.

-Try it. -Let me taste.

Is it good?

It's not good.

I was just joking with you.

Grandfather, you always tease me.

The snacks my grand-daughter makes

taste even better than the tributes offered in the palace.

They're my favourites.

Grandfather, I've learned some new recipes.

The good ones are coming up.

Ru'er.

I have something to ask you about today.

What is it, Grandfather?

Tell me.

Alright.

Come.

Let me test you first.

Do you know who gets to call the shots in this world?

The Empress Dowager.

My dear Ru'er is smart.

You see things clearly.

Alright.

Let me tell you more about the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager

holds the nation together as the regent.

His Majesty doesn't hold the authority.

But His Majesty

is of the age to take over the administration.

Empress Dowager should hand over the power to His Majesty.

But Her Majesty

can't bear to to return the power to His Majesty.

I know you and His Majesty grew up together.

You two studied and played together.

I remember

that His Majesty is quite fond of you, isn't he?

But Empress Dowager

favours that girl

from the Guo family as a suitable candidate for empress.

At yesterday's imperial court session,

they were busy discussing about His Majesty's marriage.

Despite His Majesty's refusal,

it's not something that could be helped.

Grandfather.

His Majesty sent me a letter yesterday.

He spoke about the matter.

Listen to me, my dear.

From today on,

keep your distance from His Majesty.

You have to give up on wanting to be with him.

I know it hurts.

I also know

that you and His Majesty are close.

But His Majesty doesn't get to decide.

I do not wish for you to be embroiled

in the power struggle of the court and clans.

Ru'er, listen to my advice.

Stay away from His Majesty.

Stay away from the imperial court.

I understand.

Your Majesty.

You need to have a calm mind while shooting.

I don't want to hear nonsense.

Ru'er?

Why are you dressed like that?

This was Wang Jian's idea.

Earlier today, my grandfather specifically told me

not to see Your Majesty again.

Why won't he let you see me?

Grandfather doesn't want me to get involved in the court

or power struggle among the clans.

What has the court and clans

got to do with you?

This must be Mother's directive.

Since you can't disobey Her Majesty,

you should listen to her.

I do not want this matter

to cause any disagreements between you Her Majesty.

Ru'er, you don't have to be so cautious.

I'll go and see Mother today

and tell her my real thoughts.

You mustn't anger Her Majesty

because of me.

What's wrong with that?

I'm the emperor of Song.

I'm not some clueless three-year-old.

Ding Wei still hasn't changed.

There was a drought in Suzhou this year.

Once reaching there,

he monopolized all water sources

and sold it at a high price to the citizens.

To gain power over the people,

he's done every imaginable thing.

Thank goodness for you.

You had men keep an eye on him early on.

Otherwise, being here in the capital,

I wouldn't have known what treachery he's committed there.

Should we arrest and interrogate him?

Ding Wei has a lot of spies in the court.

The roots of a big tree go down deep.

If we wish to take him down,

we'd need to wait for the right opportunity.

Understood.

Your Majesty, the Emperor is here.

Greetings, Your Majesty.

Mother.

Did Mother instruct Grand Tutor Cao

to stop Ru'er from meeting with me?

What made you think that?

Mother, as the ruler of the nation,

do I not have control over

where I wish to go or whom I wish to see?

If that's the case,

I rather not be the emperor.

Get someone else to do it.

You...

The moment you put the crown on your head,

you can no longer take it off.

You bear responsibilities to Song,

the people

as well as to the late emperor's last will.

How could you say such irresponsible words

all for the sake of a girl?

Why can't the emperor

meet with the person he likes?

Your Majesty.

Allow me to be frank.

The reason Her Majesty

chose Guo Chong Xin's daughter as the empress

is for Your Majesty's own good.

Guo Chong Xin holds the military power.

If Your Majesty appoints Guo Qing Wu as the empress,

Guo Chong Xin will surely pledge loyalty to you.

That's how Your Majesty's throne can be secured.

As a member of the royal family,

you need to accept your fate.

The Emperor's marriage concerns the whole nation.

It has never been up to you to decide.

So you get to decide, is that right, Mother?

Qin Shi Huang ascended the throne at age 13.

Emperor Wu of Han took over at age 16.

I'm old enough to administer court.

Why am I still not allowed to?

How much longer do you want to control the imperial court?

Your Majesty...

Your Majesty, in order for you to take over sooner,

Her Majesty has been putting in the work, playing the game

in order to have everything under control.

Her Majesty requested for the name list

so that she could weed out possible threats

and recruit useful talents.

Ministers of the court

all claim

to serve Your Majesty whole-heartedly.

In truth, they have ulterior motives.

The only one who truly cares

about Your Majesty and Song

is Empress Dowager.

As for why Her Majesty hasn't returned power of administration to you,

that's because the time is not yet ripe.

Since Empress Dowager and Minister Su

think that I shouldn't administer court,

there's no point in me arguing.

However,

so long as I'm the emperor,

I will never appoint Guo Qing Wu as the empress.

-Your Majesty. -Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Surely, someone is trying to slander you.

I will find out who.

Jing Zong.

Sit down.

That's...

Have a chat with me.

Please don't let what transpired today bother you too much.

The young emperor isn't rebelling against you.

It's just that he hasn't come to understand your intention.

I mean, the late emperor

often went against Taizong's words too.

Right.

Back then, the late emperor

was locked up in prison numerous times by Taizong because of me.

The late emperor truly cherished Your Majesty.

And Your Majesty has always been devoted to him.

Things are finally turning around.

Good things are worth fighting for.

Jing Zong.

In your opinion,

the way I'm binding His Majesty,

choosing a wife on his behalf,

am I following in Taizong's footprint?

Back then, Yuan Kan and I endured so much hardship.

So why can't I let His Majesty have his way now?

Perhaps I shouldn't be so controlling.

Your Majesty is right to take control.

Your Majesty has chosen Guo Qing Wu as the empress

because it is for the best.

His Majesty might not get it now,

but one day,

he'd understand your thoughtful actions.

Hearing you say that

has reassured me.

Sometimes,

I feel like Yuan Kan is still here.

He's right there in the Imperial Study, going over the memorials.

He's there reading and writing.

Jing Zong.

It's as if you just came from the Imperial Study

to relay Yuan Kan's message to me.

If the late emperor was alive,

like me, he'd definitely agree with you too.

That's why the things you said

made me believe

they were words from Yuan Kan spoken through you.

Having you here gives me the assurance.

When the late emperor was alive,

there were many years when Your Majesty weren't by his side.

Whenever he felt burdened

and couldn't share with anyone,

he came and told me.

Sometimes, he would talk to me

all through the night.

Oh, how exhausted I was.

Then,

the late emperor would pinch my ear

and blocked my nose,

saying that it would force the sleep bug to fly away.

I served Emperor Zhenzong for over 20 years.

Now I continue to serve Your Majesty.

This is my life's greatest blessing.

It's getting late.

You should go back and rest.

Your Majesty.

Your headaches have been occurring a lot lately.

Let me get the imperial physician for you.

No need. It's a chronic condition.

There's no curing it.

It happens once in a while. Don't worry about it.

You may go.

Your Majesty, I will be here if you need me.

Lord Wang.

What made you come at this late hour?

Well...

I have been troubled lately.

After much thought,

out of all the ministers,

only Lord Grand Tutor

could help alleviate my worries.

Lord Wang, just tell me what's bothering you.

I'll do my best to help.

I'll be frank.

After the court was adjourned the other day,

we haven't had a chance to properly talk.

To avoid heresy,

some things are better said outside of the court.

Even if you didn't say it,

I already have an idea what this is about.

Lord Cao is perceptive.

Yesterday, during the court,

Empress Dowager asked all officials

to submit the names of their kin.

I share the same concern on this matter as you, Lord Cao.

Empress Dowager wants to know every one's background

in order to get rid of non-conformists, strengthen her own party

and then have full control over the personnel.

I heard

Her Majesty wrote down all the names

on a screen

and pored over it daily.

None of the names on the screen will be employed.

What a brilliant Operation Screen Names, huh?

Empress Dowager is scrupulous.

You and I have to be careful.

Indeed. Ding Wei is my son-in-law.

After his demotion,

my position in the court is no longer secure.

In Her Majesty's eyes,

I'm merely a thorn in the side, a nuisance.

Clearly, she's waiting for the time to come.

Sooner or later,

she is going to get rid of me for good.

The court has countless officials.

But Her Majesty only trusts

Su Yi Jian and Guo Chong Xin.

That's right.

Aside from those two, every one else is at risk.

It's possible that Her Majesty

would get rid of the ministers one by one

and then appoint her own kin into position.

Lord Cao, if this goes on,

how are we supposed to protect ourselves?

All the officials must work together

and pressure Her Majesty to give power back to the Emperor.

That's how her plan could be stopped,

and the court be reinvigorated.

You're right, Lord Cao.

I'm willing to work with you.

We'll advance and retreat together.

I'll be honest with you.

I've been busy writing letters.

I'm planning to get all the disciples to congregate in the capital

to prepare a petition,

requesting for Empress Dowager to relinquish regency.

You're the only person who can initiate this, Lord Cao.

You have my utmost respect.

I will follow your suggestion.

I will write to Ding Wei immediately

and ask him to gather

supporters in Suzhou

that can come to the capital

to bolster the movement for you.

Good.

The silken soup prepared by the Imperial Kitchen today

tastes light and smooth. I enjoy it very much.

I will relay to the Imperial Kitchen

to prepare foods that are similar in the future.

Your Majesty,

The Chief of Astronomy has chosen this date,

in October of the Yisi year.

On this day,

the five stars are in alignment with the six gods.

An auspicious date for matrimony.

Having His Majesty's wedding on this day

will ensure a prosperous household filled with offspring.

Alright. Let's mark the date.

-Yi Qin. -Yes.

Go and tell His Majesty

to prepare himself to wed his empress.

Understood. I'll do it right away.

Mother disregarded by request entirely.

Telling a palace maid to pass the message

and that's supposed to seal the deal?

In her eyes,

am I even the ruler of the nation?

Wang Jian.

Yes.

Go and ask Her Majesty.

If I do not agree to the marriage,

is she going to force me to kowtow?

Your Majesty, asking Empress Dowager like that...

I do not dare to.

Ask her so, word for word.

If you miss out a word,

I'll break your leg.

Alright, I'll go and ask right away.

Pass my message.

The news of the wedding has been publicly made known.

His Majesty is the emperor of Song.

Is he going to let the people down

and shame the royal family?

Even if His Majesty refuses to marry,

the Guo family has received the decree.

Guo Qing Wu will be the empress.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty...

-Take it off! -Your Majesty.

Remove it!

You must not, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Get lost!

Empress Dowager chose the empress.

Empress Dowager announced to the world about the wedding.

All of this is Empress Dowager's own idea.

I never agreed to it!

Guo Qing Wu is whose empress?

Not me, for sure!

Your Majesty...

What?

Are you going against me too?

Are you going to control me too?

I wouldn't dare.

Go away! Get lost!

I'm going to stay in the rain and get sick!

I will ruin this stupid wedding!

Go and tell Mother.

I will never marry that Guo Qing Wu!

Pass my message word for word.

Go!

Go on!

You, hold the umbrella.

Go!

Your Majesty.

Remove it!

Take it away.

You may go.

Put in more effort in persuading His Majesty.

Understood.

Your Majesty.

Qing Wu has been with me since young.

She's the one I favour.

She is the perfect match for His Majesty.

I didn't expect

that His Majesty would argue with me so vehemently

over this Cao Ru girl.

It's unexpected.

His Majesty is going through the same thing.

Nothing in this world is easy.

His Majesty is the emperor of Song.

An emperor's relationship

is never purely about love and sentiments.

The emperor's wedding is an important state affair.

His Majesty has to accept the fact.

Your Majesty.

Empress Dowager previously gave an order

to set up a Public Opinion Agency within the court.

My proposal is for there to be six members.

They will not have other roles

and be full-time advisors.

Do you have any candidates in mind?

I've come up with six names.

The Censorate already exists.

Why the need for a new advisory agency?

Your Majesty, in past dynasties and generations,

there has always been officials working as advisors.

During the Wei and Jin dynasties,

the Censorate was set up

to admonish advice.

During the Tang Dynasty, the Censorate oversaw

the Admonishment, Palace and Detection Branches.

Each had its role to play.

They were responsible for different sectors

and advised the emperor as such.

In my opinion, it is a good system to replicate.

An open communication channel

is needed to pinpoint the strengths and shortcomings of the government.

The setting up of the Public Opinion Agency is a necessity.

Previously, Emperor Dowager said that

government posts are bureaucratic and redundant.

Now you wish to set up more unnecessary offices.

What is the use?

If you say so,

let's put aside the matter

of the advisory agency for now.

Lord Wang, regarding the royal wedding,

how are the preparations coming along?

Your Majesty...

Leave that for another day.

Dismiss.

Mother, why must it be Guo Qing Wu?

Because she is the eldest daughter of Guo Chong Xin.

Guo Chong Xin holds the military power.

If Your Majesty wishes to sit securely

on the Dragon Throne,

can you do it without the support of the Guo family?

Mother sure has worried a lot over this.

Using Su Yi Jian to control the scholars within the court

and now securing Guo Chong Xin's loyalty

by using my marriage.

In that case,

both scholars and warriors within the government

will acquiesce to you.

All you care about is the imperial court,

the grand scheme of things.

Have you ever cared about me, your son?

I am merely

a pawn within your game.

Your character and temperament

are much like your father's.

If Father was still here,

he wouldn't have allowed you to do as you wish.

You're wrong.

If your father was alive,

he would definitely support me.

Even before I brought up the idea to you,

he would've chosen Guo Qing Wu for sure.

Your father went through Duke Qin's rebellion,

experienced the fight for the throne,

suppressed the threats from Tangut and Shu,

allied with Timo by personally going to Chanyuan.

After going through all those ordeals,

your father had come to understand that as the ruler of a nation,

what it is that he had to bear and to sacrifice.

This chart on the screen you made

resulted in countless kins of court officials

being forever stuck in the lower tiers without possibility of reform.

But then you appointed Tutor Guo's granddaughter as the empress.

Isn't that because you

once accepted Tutor Guo as your god-father?

Aren't you just trying to promote the Guos?

You claim you're doing all this for me.

In conclusion,

all this is so that you could

have sole authority in the imperial court.

If that's the case,

I shall return this empty title

as the emperor of Song,

one without actual power,

back to you, Mother.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Father-in-law said

Grand Tutor Cao has gathered the higher-ups

within the court in the capital

to force Empress Dowager to relinquish power.

This letter was sent

to bring together the officials in Suzhou

in support of Grand Tutor Cao's movement.

With Grand Tutor Cao's initiation this time,

the Empress Dowager's days of administration will finally be over.

Lord Wang and Grand Tutor Cao are leading the charge in the capital.

Meanwhile, you will be overseeing the ground operation in the south.

The plan will succeed.

Tomorrow, invite all the officials in Suzhou

to meet with me

to discuss further action

on how to assist Grand Tutor Cao's plan.

Understood.

Your Majesty, His Majesty insisted

that he will not marry.

He even threw out all the wedding gifts

you sent over.

The Imperial Wardrobe's tailors, dressers,

[weavers, embroiderers and servants]

[were all kicked out.]

Leave! Get out of my sight!

Take these things away!

If His Majesty won't allow his measurements to be taken,

then inform the Imperial Wardrobe

to use His Majesty's old measurements

to make the wedding robe.

As for the other details,

the Ministry of Rites will continue preparing.

Alright, I will do it right away.

The Imperial Wardrobe

is busy making the wedding gowns for Your Majesty and the empress.

The Ministry of Rites has also started preparations.

The officials are all bustling about.

For Your Majesty's royal wedding,

the whole palace is moving like clockwork in preparation.

The wedding is happening for sure.

Empress Dowager's words are final.

Your Majesty will not be able to avoid it.

Empress Dowager also set a ban.

Before the wedding,

Your Majesty is not allowed to leave the palace.

Your Majesty, you're the emperor of Song.

You are the head with a harem full of concubines.

Even after marrying Guo Qing Wu,

you can still confer Cao Ru as Noble Consort.

I will not let Ru'er down.

Marriage is sacred and love has to be mutual.

I'm set on having Ru'er as my empress.

Not that Guo Qing Wu.

What do we do then?

Your Majesty can't fake being sick to avoid getting married.

I don't care.

Your Majesty.

Envoys from Liao and Tangut

have arrived in the capital

to extend their wishes.

Empress Dowager will be having a banquet at Ji Ying Hall tonight.

Please be there on time.

I'm not going.

But... If Your Majesty won't go,

I won't be able to answer Her Majesty.

Is this eunuch new?

He looks a little bit like me.

Not at all.

Alright. Go and inform Empress Dowager

that I will attend the banquet promptly.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Dear subjects, Great Song's has been prosperous these past years.

The people are well-off.

Now, the royal wedding is reason for celebration.

I've prepared today's banquet

to welcome representatives from other states.

No need to stand on ceremony.

Do enjoy yourselves tonight.

Thank you, Empress Dowager.

Be seated.

Lord Guo.

You know your ways.

Accumulate merit.

Good deeds are rewarded.

Now the Guo family has produced another empress for Song.

Congratulations, Lord Guo.

You flatter me.

It's all thanks to Empress Dowager's compassion,

allowing the Guo family to be honoured once more.

Please accept a toast from me, Grand Tutor.

Let's all drink.

Keep your chin up.

Don't embarrass yourself now.

Representatives from other states extend their well wishes for the wedding

and have brought gifts.

Congratulatory gifts from the Tangut envoy.

Sheep skin of Bai Bao Tan, 120 sheets.

Black pearls, two hu.

Gold items. 36 pieces.

Silver items, 72 pieces.

Congratulatory gifts from the Li envoy.

A painting of Buddha.

Silk, 36 bolts.

Custom-made jewellery, 48 pieces.

Congratulatory gifts from the Liao envoy.

The best Liao horses, 100 mares.

Queen Licheng holding silver poppy, one pair.

Brocade pillows, one pair.

Gold bowls, 12 pieces.

Agate cups, 12 pieces.

Amber crystal beads, eight strands.

I, Emperor of Liao, congratulate the Emperor and Empress of Song.

May your marriage be blessed with happiness and offspring.

Is Shou Kang doing well?

Why didn't she come with you?

Your Majesty, the Princess is fine.

She should've come together

to send our wishes for the wedding.

However, she is with child,

so it's inconvenient to travel.

The Princess made these unity bracelets.

Wishing Your Majesties good health

and harmony.

It's a little gift from the Princess.

I've received Shou Kang's gifts.

Thank her for me when you return to Liao.

Will do.

Please.

-To you. -To you.

Here.

Your Majesty, I know today is a happy occasion.

But don't drink too much.

Be moderate, lest it harms your health.

Pour it.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

What are you doing?

Your Majesty.

Go help His Majesty change.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Jing Zong.

What can I do for you, Lord Su?

Go and take a look.

Why hasn't His Majesty returned after so long?

Alright.

Lord Yu.

Lord Su.

This drink

will surely provide some clarity.

Your servant greets His Majesty.

Your Majesty was accepting toasts one after the other.

Are you feeling unwell because of that?

Your Majesty.

What's the matter?

Why are you shivering?

Your Majesty.

Sir.

Forgive me, sir.

His Majesty made me do this.

Why are you here? Where is His Majesty?

I don't know.

You...

Spare me, sir.

You scoundrel! You stay right here!

Don't go anywhere.

I'll settle with you later.

Sir... Forgive me, sir.

Sir.

Forgive me.

What?

Lord Su, Empress Dowager looked a little pale.

Is she feeling unwell?

I wonder what happened.

Everyone.

Empress Dowager has been busy preparing for the wedding.

It is undoubtedly tiring.

The energy is lacking

so Her Majesty left early to rest.

I, Su Yi Jian, hereby offer a toast to everyone here.

I wish everyone

to have a wonderful time tonight. Drink and be merry!

Yes, that's great.

-Drink and be merry. -Drink and be merry.

Here, slowly.

Empress Dowager.

Physician,

go and check on Her Majesty.

Yes.

Jing Zong.

I'm here.

Make a trip to Cao Residence.

Cao Residence?

Understood.

Make sure nobody hears about this.

Don't worry, Your Majesty.

I know what to do.

[End of Episode 55]