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[English subtitles are available]
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[Palace of Devotion]
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[This drama is based on
historical data and legends.]
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[The story and characters
portrayed are fictitious.]
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[Episode 56]
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Don't cry, my lady.
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You're ruining your makeup.
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I tried so hard,
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but the Emperor didn't even look at me.
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The Empress Dowager
endorses this marriage.
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Why are you so worried?
12
00:02:02,760 --> 00:02:04,830
Even the date of the wedding
has been chosen.
13
00:02:05,800 --> 00:02:07,080
But the Emperor's heart
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00:02:08,630 --> 00:02:10,160
is with Cao Ru.
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I can't take it anymore!
16
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Your Majesty,
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I have checked.
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Cao Ru is not in her residence.
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I never thought
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the Emperor would do such a thing.
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He must've promised Cao Ru
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he'd elope with her.
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I have ordered a full deployment
of the Imperial Guards
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to search within and outside the city
for the Emperor.
25
00:02:45,360 --> 00:02:47,160
If the Emperor has left the city,
26
00:02:47,190 --> 00:02:49,190
I don't think he has gone far.
27
00:02:49,190 --> 00:02:50,440
Tell the Imperial Guards
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00:02:51,270 --> 00:02:53,360
to keep this under wraps.
29
00:02:54,270 --> 00:02:55,829
Defiance is punishable by death.
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00:02:56,390 --> 00:02:57,520
Don't worry, Your Majesty.
31
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Everything has been arranged.
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Your Majesty.
33
00:03:02,550 --> 00:03:03,240
Your Majesty.
34
00:03:05,880 --> 00:03:06,670
Your Majesty.
35
00:03:07,160 --> 00:03:09,320
Tell me, what's the
Empress Dowager's condition?
36
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Your Majesty, please pardon
my incompetence
37
00:03:15,670 --> 00:03:16,720
before I speak.
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00:03:16,880 --> 00:03:17,600
Just say it.
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00:03:18,670 --> 00:03:20,079
You are pardoned.
40
00:03:23,390 --> 00:03:27,630
Your illness has become terminal
and incurable.
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00:03:31,750 --> 00:03:32,800
How dare you?
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00:03:33,240 --> 00:03:34,600
What did you say? Say that again!
43
00:03:34,600 --> 00:03:35,630
I wouldn't dare.
44
00:03:35,910 --> 00:03:38,160
The Empress Dowager's pulse is faint,
and her meridian is sluggish.
45
00:03:38,160 --> 00:03:39,079
She's gravely ill.
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00:03:39,550 --> 00:03:42,960
Her days are numbered.
47
00:04:01,960 --> 00:04:02,630
Your Majesty.
48
00:04:05,030 --> 00:04:08,470
I would exchange my worthless life
49
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for your health.
50
00:04:10,960 --> 00:04:15,600
I would give up my life
in exchange for Her Majesty's health.
51
00:04:18,390 --> 00:04:19,950
My sickness
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00:04:21,550 --> 00:04:23,000
is no surprise.
53
00:04:26,200 --> 00:04:27,480
Don't worry.
54
00:04:27,790 --> 00:04:29,600
I won't be joining the late emperor
55
00:04:29,600 --> 00:04:31,720
as soon as you think.
56
00:04:32,000 --> 00:04:37,600
I must witness the Emperor's wedding
with my own eyes.
57
00:04:40,230 --> 00:04:42,040
I must see him
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00:04:43,200 --> 00:04:49,510
sit firmly on the throne
of Song's Emperor.
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00:05:39,480 --> 00:05:40,390
Greetings, master.
60
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Go get Ru'er.
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00:05:43,110 --> 00:05:43,950
Yes.
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00:06:00,270 --> 00:06:01,110
Master.
63
00:06:01,950 --> 00:06:03,440
Master, bad news.
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00:06:04,230 --> 00:06:04,920
The young lady.
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00:06:05,830 --> 00:06:07,270
The young lady is missing.
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00:06:07,270 --> 00:06:08,880
Missing? How?
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00:06:09,320 --> 00:06:10,600
She was not in her room.
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00:06:10,880 --> 00:06:12,760
I've gone through the whole house,
69
00:06:13,670 --> 00:06:15,000
but she was nowhere to be seen.
70
00:06:17,880 --> 00:06:20,510
Last night, when I was serving
the young lady,
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00:06:21,000 --> 00:06:23,510
she said she needed some peace and quiet
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to read her scriptures.
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So I went out.
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00:06:27,640 --> 00:06:28,600
Since then,
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I have not seen her.
76
00:06:33,159 --> 00:06:36,000
What are you worried for?
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00:06:43,000 --> 00:06:45,480
But master, the young lady...
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00:06:46,110 --> 00:06:47,480
It's alright.
79
00:06:49,830 --> 00:06:50,950
Go out there
80
00:06:50,950 --> 00:06:54,159
and tell my mother and wife
not to worry.
81
00:06:54,950 --> 00:06:56,830
The young lady has gone
with the Emperor.
82
00:06:57,920 --> 00:07:01,550
She'll be back home after a few days.
83
00:07:02,160 --> 00:07:03,550
Gone with the Emperor?
84
00:07:03,760 --> 00:07:06,920
No need to ask. Just go.
85
00:07:07,510 --> 00:07:08,320
Yes.
86
00:07:13,760 --> 00:07:14,480
Wait.
87
00:07:17,830 --> 00:07:21,440
You are only to tell my mother and my wife
about this.
88
00:07:21,920 --> 00:07:23,670
And no one else.
89
00:07:24,350 --> 00:07:25,440
I understand.
90
00:07:44,950 --> 00:07:46,920
Wang Jian, where are you taking us?
91
00:07:47,880 --> 00:07:49,830
Your Majesty, you only told me
to take you outside the capital.
92
00:07:51,159 --> 00:07:52,320
I kept driving southward
93
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after we had left the capital,
94
00:07:54,350 --> 00:07:55,350
and you didn't say a thing.
95
00:07:55,880 --> 00:07:57,270
I don't even know where we're heading.
96
00:07:57,790 --> 00:07:59,000
I've never left the capital.
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00:07:59,880 --> 00:08:01,110
I don't know where we can go either.
98
00:08:01,600 --> 00:08:03,070
In that case, Your Majesty,
99
00:08:03,070 --> 00:08:04,230
why don't we turn back?
100
00:08:04,950 --> 00:08:05,950
Wasn't the reason for this trip
101
00:08:06,200 --> 00:08:08,270
to show your mother that you
disapprove of the marriage?
102
00:08:08,760 --> 00:08:09,640
The Empress Dowager
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00:08:09,640 --> 00:08:11,440
must be worried sick right now.
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00:08:12,110 --> 00:08:13,070
Her Majesty
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00:08:13,110 --> 00:08:15,000
probably got the message.
106
00:08:15,640 --> 00:08:16,790
Let's just go back.
107
00:08:16,790 --> 00:08:17,550
Nonsense.
108
00:08:18,070 --> 00:08:18,760
We've finally made it out.
109
00:08:18,760 --> 00:08:19,950
How can we turn back so quickly?
110
00:08:20,880 --> 00:08:21,640
Besides,
111
00:08:22,320 --> 00:08:23,350
I didn't run off
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00:08:23,760 --> 00:08:25,480
to rebel against my mother.
113
00:08:26,270 --> 00:08:27,390
I'm the Emperor of this country.
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00:08:28,160 --> 00:08:29,320
Yet I spend my days in the palace,
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00:08:30,320 --> 00:08:31,950
never having worked a field or known
the difference between rice and barley.
116
00:08:32,200 --> 00:08:33,549
How can I rule my country in the future?
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00:08:34,789 --> 00:08:37,280
I should travel incognito and see what
life is like for the common people.
118
00:08:39,080 --> 00:08:42,110
But Your Majesty, how can we
travel incognito with a destination?
119
00:08:42,640 --> 00:08:44,550
We don't even know where we are going.
120
00:08:44,840 --> 00:08:46,200
How are we supposed to observe the people?
121
00:08:47,200 --> 00:08:49,640
Wang Jian, if we travel south-east
from the city,
122
00:08:49,670 --> 00:08:51,150
we should reach Suzhou, isn't that right?
123
00:08:51,590 --> 00:08:52,640
You are wise.
124
00:08:52,760 --> 00:08:54,880
Suzhou does lie south-east
of the capital.
125
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Good.
126
00:08:56,960 --> 00:08:59,200
I remember Su Ming Yun's home
is in Suzhou.
127
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Let's go and find him.
128
00:09:02,350 --> 00:09:03,200
Your Majesty.
129
00:09:08,470 --> 00:09:13,520
The Emperor may be absent,
but I still have to give morning audience
130
00:09:15,280 --> 00:09:17,790
and face all the officials.
131
00:09:19,640 --> 00:09:25,230
Otherwise, the country
might just collapse.
132
00:09:26,550 --> 00:09:29,670
Your Majesty, you work too hard.
133
00:09:40,110 --> 00:09:41,320
Yi Qin.
134
00:09:44,550 --> 00:09:46,910
I've become old, haven't I?
135
00:09:47,110 --> 00:09:48,280
You're not old, Your Majesty.
136
00:09:49,080 --> 00:09:50,080
In my eyes,
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00:09:50,710 --> 00:09:53,440
you're more beautiful than
when I first saw you.
138
00:09:54,110 --> 00:09:55,080
More commanding.
139
00:09:58,550 --> 00:10:00,670
It's all thanks to your
140
00:10:01,960 --> 00:10:03,640
makeup skills.
141
00:10:04,790 --> 00:10:07,440
It really is like magic.
142
00:10:08,150 --> 00:10:10,880
You're still as attractive
and stunning as ever.
143
00:10:11,230 --> 00:10:14,320
Your looks have not faded one bit.
144
00:10:18,910 --> 00:10:20,910
Greetings, Your Majesty.
145
00:10:22,710 --> 00:10:25,110
Jing Zong, come here.
146
00:10:27,080 --> 00:10:28,320
See
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00:10:29,110 --> 00:10:31,710
if there are any flaws
148
00:10:32,470 --> 00:10:34,350
in the makeup Yi Qin has given me.
149
00:10:36,350 --> 00:10:40,840
Gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous.
150
00:10:42,470 --> 00:10:43,440
Your Majesty,
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00:10:44,150 --> 00:10:46,760
your face is rosy and radiant.
152
00:10:47,320 --> 00:10:48,440
You are looking healthy.
153
00:10:49,080 --> 00:10:51,760
Much healthier than usual.
154
00:10:55,080 --> 00:10:56,440
Has Yi Jian arrived?
155
00:10:57,230 --> 00:10:59,470
Lord Su is already waiting outside.
156
00:11:00,470 --> 00:11:01,840
Ask him to come in.
157
00:11:01,840 --> 00:11:02,520
Sure.
158
00:11:13,550 --> 00:11:14,960
Your Majesty, Lord Su is here.
159
00:11:16,710 --> 00:11:18,400
Greetings, Your Majesty.
160
00:11:18,550 --> 00:11:20,150
Any news of the Emperor?
161
00:11:20,350 --> 00:11:22,760
Last night, I ordered the Imperial Guards
to barricade the city
162
00:11:22,760 --> 00:11:23,710
and carry out a search,
163
00:11:23,710 --> 00:11:26,470
but the Emperor has yet to be found.
164
00:11:26,670 --> 00:11:28,280
Most likely, the Emperor
has left the city.
165
00:11:34,760 --> 00:11:36,640
If the Emperor has left the city,
166
00:11:37,910 --> 00:11:39,670
and there are no clues
as to where he went,
167
00:11:41,520 --> 00:11:43,520
it'd be difficult to find him.
168
00:11:43,590 --> 00:11:45,520
Fret not, Your Majesty.
169
00:11:45,590 --> 00:11:48,080
I have planted spies throughout the land
170
00:11:48,280 --> 00:11:50,230
and sent orders to them
by horse and pigeon
171
00:11:50,280 --> 00:11:51,350
to move out at once.
172
00:11:51,550 --> 00:11:54,200
They'll do whatever it takes
to locate the Emperor.
173
00:11:54,440 --> 00:11:56,550
Perhaps it was I
174
00:11:57,760 --> 00:12:01,520
who disciplined the Emperor too firmly,
175
00:12:03,550 --> 00:12:06,910
causing him to commit an
act of rebellion?
176
00:12:07,350 --> 00:12:09,230
You have the Emperor's best interests
at heart,
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00:12:09,230 --> 00:12:10,880
You ought to be strict with him.
178
00:12:11,640 --> 00:12:14,400
It's just that the Emperor has yet to see
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00:12:14,400 --> 00:12:16,230
the kindness behind your actions.
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00:12:19,000 --> 00:12:21,080
Your Majesty, it's getting late.
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00:12:21,320 --> 00:12:22,280
It's time to hold court.
182
00:12:32,030 --> 00:12:33,280
Hold court?
183
00:12:33,760 --> 00:12:34,470
Yes.
184
00:12:36,440 --> 00:12:39,080
Greetings to the Empress Dowager.
185
00:12:40,230 --> 00:12:43,550
Your Majesty, if I may be
so bold as to ask
186
00:12:43,790 --> 00:12:47,350
why isn't the Emperor present
at today's court meeting?
187
00:12:47,350 --> 00:12:49,280
The Emperor is a bit under the weather.
188
00:12:50,400 --> 00:12:52,200
He needs to convalesce.
189
00:12:52,470 --> 00:12:56,080
From today onward, he will be
exempted from holding court.
190
00:12:58,350 --> 00:13:01,640
Present your memorials
or the court meeting is adjourned.
191
00:13:02,030 --> 00:13:04,230
Since the Emperor is ill,
192
00:13:04,590 --> 00:13:07,230
it is only right that we visit him.
193
00:13:07,230 --> 00:13:08,710
The imperial physician said
194
00:13:09,550 --> 00:13:12,000
the Emperor should recuperate
in the harem.
195
00:13:13,110 --> 00:13:14,910
I will convey
196
00:13:15,760 --> 00:13:18,280
your regards to the Emperor.
197
00:13:18,280 --> 00:13:19,470
Thank you, Your Majesty.
198
00:13:19,790 --> 00:13:22,150
But I wonder what illness has befallen
our Emperor.
199
00:13:22,350 --> 00:13:23,960
Could you please tell us,
200
00:13:24,280 --> 00:13:27,030
lest we fear the worst?
201
00:13:27,030 --> 00:13:29,640
My dear subjects, you need not
be too concerned.
202
00:13:30,550 --> 00:13:33,760
The Emperor is in no serious danger.
203
00:13:34,280 --> 00:13:37,550
Then we hope the Emperor recovers swiftly.
204
00:13:38,030 --> 00:13:41,910
May the Emperor recover swiftly.
205
00:14:06,350 --> 00:14:07,910
Greetings, Your Majesty.
206
00:14:07,910 --> 00:14:08,760
Eunuch Zhang.
207
00:14:16,590 --> 00:14:18,880
I never noticed
208
00:14:19,350 --> 00:14:21,550
how much you resemble the Emperor.
209
00:14:21,840 --> 00:14:23,000
From now on,
210
00:14:23,000 --> 00:14:25,640
you will stay in the Emperor's chamber,
never to step outside.
211
00:14:26,200 --> 00:14:28,200
You'll show yourself to no one
apart from me.
212
00:14:28,200 --> 00:14:29,400
Just a back view will do.
213
00:14:30,030 --> 00:14:31,110
Yes, sir.
214
00:14:32,590 --> 00:14:33,640
Come here, all of you.
215
00:14:37,840 --> 00:14:39,110
From now on,
216
00:14:39,470 --> 00:14:41,400
if anyone wants to see the Emperor,
217
00:14:41,400 --> 00:14:42,470
you are to stop them from entering.
218
00:14:42,790 --> 00:14:43,550
Understand?
219
00:14:43,550 --> 00:14:44,200
Yes.
220
00:14:47,230 --> 00:14:48,200
If this thing
221
00:14:48,960 --> 00:14:50,590
leaks out ever so slightly,
222
00:14:51,760 --> 00:14:53,790
I'll skin you alive and exterminate
your entire family.
223
00:14:55,030 --> 00:14:55,790
Have mercy, sir.
224
00:14:55,910 --> 00:14:57,470
Get up, get up!
225
00:14:59,110 --> 00:15:01,280
Once you wear the Emperor's gown,
you are the Emperor.
226
00:15:01,280 --> 00:15:02,280
How can you kneel to anyone?
227
00:15:02,960 --> 00:15:03,760
Yes, sir.
228
00:15:05,320 --> 00:15:06,960
Alright. Off you go.
229
00:15:06,960 --> 00:15:07,550
Yes.
230
00:15:07,910 --> 00:15:09,520
Stop being so jittery!
231
00:15:10,910 --> 00:15:11,640
Yes.
232
00:15:18,790 --> 00:15:19,960
Grand Tutor,
233
00:15:20,790 --> 00:15:22,110
the word on the street
234
00:15:22,520 --> 00:15:24,840
is that the Empress Dowager is putting
the Emperor under house arrest,
235
00:15:25,440 --> 00:15:28,230
not letting him hold court
or see the officials.
236
00:15:28,670 --> 00:15:30,960
Once Her Majesty has
made the Emperor obsolete
237
00:15:31,350 --> 00:15:33,640
and ushered in a new government
like Empress Wu Zhao did,
238
00:15:34,640 --> 00:15:37,710
the Emperor will have a hard time
getting back on that throne.
239
00:15:37,910 --> 00:15:41,230
Lord Wang, to be honest with you,
240
00:15:42,590 --> 00:15:46,150
the Emperor isn't in the palace right now.
241
00:15:47,440 --> 00:15:49,280
Lord Cao, what do you mean?
242
00:15:50,030 --> 00:15:52,470
Empress Dowager said
the Emperor has caught a cold
243
00:15:52,470 --> 00:15:54,790
and needs to rest in bed for a few days?
244
00:15:55,230 --> 00:15:56,590
Do you really believe that?
245
00:15:57,150 --> 00:15:59,470
Don't you have an ounce of suspicion?
246
00:16:01,400 --> 00:16:05,030
When you said you wanted
to visit His Majesty,
247
00:16:05,030 --> 00:16:06,670
the Empress Dowager shot you down.
248
00:16:07,230 --> 00:16:09,840
Could it be that, at that time...
249
00:16:09,840 --> 00:16:12,910
At that time, the Emperor was no longer
in the palace.
250
00:16:14,470 --> 00:16:15,640
I heard
251
00:16:15,840 --> 00:16:17,960
the Emperor had a quarrel with his mother.
252
00:16:18,080 --> 00:16:19,550
In a fit of rage, the Emperor
253
00:16:20,350 --> 00:16:21,590
ran away from the palace.
254
00:16:22,760 --> 00:16:24,110
Now he's missing.
255
00:16:25,880 --> 00:16:27,150
The Emperor is missing?
256
00:16:28,840 --> 00:16:30,760
Not so loud, Lord Wang.
257
00:16:30,880 --> 00:16:32,440
If the Emperor isn't in the palace,
258
00:16:33,280 --> 00:16:36,400
what will the Empress Dowager
tell the people?
259
00:16:39,110 --> 00:16:40,110
Lord Wang,
260
00:16:40,440 --> 00:16:43,670
good opportunities
don't come around often.
261
00:16:45,000 --> 00:16:47,280
It's time for the Empress Dowager
to step down.
262
00:16:51,470 --> 00:16:54,230
I wonder if it was Cao Ru's idea
263
00:16:54,640 --> 00:16:56,440
or the Emperor himself
who wanted to do it.
264
00:16:56,640 --> 00:16:58,910
In any case, I have ascertained
265
00:16:59,110 --> 00:17:02,110
that the Emperor was with Cao Ru
when he left the capital.
266
00:17:03,550 --> 00:17:05,640
The great Emperor of Song
267
00:17:06,710 --> 00:17:08,470
actually eloped with a girl?
268
00:17:09,560 --> 00:17:11,000
If this gets out,
269
00:17:11,680 --> 00:17:14,160
it'd become the people's laughing stock.
270
00:17:15,680 --> 00:17:17,310
Since the Emperor decided to go out,
271
00:17:18,400 --> 00:17:20,230
he must have his reasons.
272
00:17:20,470 --> 00:17:21,829
He must be heading somewhere.
273
00:17:22,710 --> 00:17:23,950
I've ordered my men
274
00:17:24,069 --> 00:17:26,000
to scour the southern cities.
275
00:17:26,000 --> 00:17:27,589
That little Cao Ru
276
00:17:28,230 --> 00:17:29,710
is too wild.
277
00:17:30,590 --> 00:17:33,160
Not like the sophisticated young lady
one expects from a distinguished family.
278
00:17:33,160 --> 00:17:35,000
How did Lord Cao, a Grand Tutor,
279
00:17:35,040 --> 00:17:37,520
raise such a granddaughter?
280
00:17:38,430 --> 00:17:40,520
I must get to the bottom of this.
281
00:17:43,880 --> 00:17:47,070
Your Majesty, are you sick today?
282
00:17:48,400 --> 00:17:49,070
Shall I
283
00:17:49,230 --> 00:17:51,470
ask the imperial physician to give
you a checkup?
284
00:17:51,470 --> 00:17:53,190
It's just an old bug.
285
00:17:54,310 --> 00:17:55,560
It's nothing serious.
286
00:17:56,640 --> 00:17:59,110
Never mind. Off you go.
287
00:18:07,280 --> 00:18:09,040
Help me to my room.
288
00:18:09,040 --> 00:18:09,800
Yes.
289
00:18:21,640 --> 00:18:25,110
I greet you, Your Majesty.
290
00:18:25,430 --> 00:18:29,430
May I know why you summoned me?
291
00:18:29,430 --> 00:18:30,560
Grand Tutor Cao,
292
00:18:31,680 --> 00:18:34,800
how much longer do you intend
293
00:18:35,520 --> 00:18:38,400
to keep the Emperor's escapade a secret?
294
00:18:40,640 --> 00:18:41,560
Your Majesty,
295
00:18:42,710 --> 00:18:47,640
the Emperor has secretly left the palace?
296
00:18:48,000 --> 00:18:50,230
Why haven't I heard?
297
00:18:50,640 --> 00:18:52,520
When did he leave?
298
00:18:52,640 --> 00:18:54,230
Where is he now?
299
00:18:54,350 --> 00:18:56,590
Please tell me, Your Majesty.
300
00:18:56,590 --> 00:18:59,680
Drop the act, Grand Tutor.
301
00:18:59,800 --> 00:19:02,280
Aren't you concerned about
302
00:19:02,280 --> 00:19:04,310
where your dear granddaughter has gone?
303
00:19:04,310 --> 00:19:05,070
Ru'er?
304
00:19:08,430 --> 00:19:11,310
Ru'er has always abided by the rules.
305
00:19:11,470 --> 00:19:14,110
She'd never leave the palace
without permission.
306
00:19:14,110 --> 00:19:16,350
But recently, she has run away from home.
307
00:19:16,880 --> 00:19:19,110
I myself am frantically searching for her.
308
00:19:19,110 --> 00:19:20,920
Judging by what you've said,
309
00:19:21,000 --> 00:19:22,710
could Ru'er's disappearance
310
00:19:22,710 --> 00:19:25,190
be connected to the Emperor's?
311
00:19:25,190 --> 00:19:26,590
Right before his wedding,
312
00:19:26,590 --> 00:19:28,800
the Emperor left the capital
with your granddaughter.
313
00:19:28,800 --> 00:19:30,000
How do you explain that?
314
00:19:30,000 --> 00:19:33,310
I have always been strict with Ru'er.
315
00:19:34,040 --> 00:19:37,640
When I found out you have chosen
Miss Guo as the Empress,
316
00:19:37,950 --> 00:19:39,680
I advised Ru'er repeatedly
317
00:19:39,880 --> 00:19:42,230
to cease her relationship
with the Emperor.
318
00:19:42,400 --> 00:19:44,190
And Ru'er assented.
319
00:19:44,230 --> 00:19:47,040
And still, right after the wedding
date was chosen,
320
00:19:48,070 --> 00:19:50,560
the Emperor left the capital
with your Ru'er.
321
00:19:52,280 --> 00:19:53,950
How did you advise
322
00:19:53,950 --> 00:19:56,520
your precious little granddaughter,
Cao Ru?
323
00:19:56,880 --> 00:19:59,310
Did you ask her to stop seeing
the Emperor
324
00:19:59,350 --> 00:20:01,400
or seduce him,
325
00:20:01,560 --> 00:20:03,470
so that you could get one up
on the Guo family?
326
00:20:03,470 --> 00:20:06,190
The Cao family has never coveted
327
00:20:06,920 --> 00:20:10,280
the seat of the Empress.
328
00:20:10,430 --> 00:20:12,400
The Emperor is the ruler
of the country, after all.
329
00:20:12,520 --> 00:20:15,190
If he went against your wishes
330
00:20:15,430 --> 00:20:17,760
and asked Ru'er in private
331
00:20:17,950 --> 00:20:19,640
to run away with him,
332
00:20:19,760 --> 00:20:22,310
how could Ru'er refuse?
333
00:20:22,430 --> 00:20:23,830
In that case,
334
00:20:25,280 --> 00:20:27,350
are you accusing me
335
00:20:27,950 --> 00:20:30,470
of being too permissive of the Emperor?
336
00:20:30,470 --> 00:20:31,760
I wouldn't dare.
337
00:20:33,430 --> 00:20:35,350
But one thing puzzles me.
338
00:20:35,830 --> 00:20:37,310
What was the reason
339
00:20:39,000 --> 00:20:41,190
the Emperor left the palace?
340
00:20:43,880 --> 00:20:46,710
That is a private matter between
me and the Emperor.
341
00:20:47,800 --> 00:20:49,920
There's no need for you
to know, Grand Tutor.
342
00:20:49,920 --> 00:20:51,520
Forgive my bluntness,
343
00:20:53,280 --> 00:20:57,760
but was it your harsh teachings
344
00:20:58,160 --> 00:21:02,710
that caused the Emperor the run away
from the palace?
345
00:21:03,800 --> 00:21:05,920
Grand Tutor, are you telling me
346
00:21:07,280 --> 00:21:10,230
to hand over the reins to the Emperor
347
00:21:11,160 --> 00:21:13,350
without any concern for his behaviour?
348
00:21:15,280 --> 00:21:17,190
Forgive me, Your Majesty.
349
00:21:17,280 --> 00:21:18,680
The Emperor is an adult now.
350
00:21:19,710 --> 00:21:20,920
He knows the principles
of rulership
351
00:21:21,800 --> 00:21:23,520
like the back of his hand.
352
00:21:23,920 --> 00:21:26,350
As for handing over the reins to him,
353
00:21:28,880 --> 00:21:31,070
I beseech you to consider it
354
00:21:32,310 --> 00:21:34,470
and make a decision soon.
355
00:21:40,520 --> 00:21:42,470
No need to be hasty, Grand Tutor.
356
00:21:43,070 --> 00:21:46,110
When the Emperor has a better grip
on his emotions,
357
00:21:46,640 --> 00:21:48,190
when he can tell truth from lies
358
00:21:48,470 --> 00:21:50,760
and good from evil,
359
00:21:50,760 --> 00:21:51,950
when he has a mind of his own
360
00:21:53,350 --> 00:21:57,710
and is no longer susceptible to
other people's manipulation,
361
00:21:58,800 --> 00:22:01,760
I will naturally hand the reins
over to him.
362
00:22:26,040 --> 00:22:27,000
Jing Zong,
363
00:22:27,470 --> 00:22:31,230
do you think he's telling the truth?
364
00:22:31,350 --> 00:22:32,520
I understand
365
00:22:32,560 --> 00:22:34,160
there's a consensus among the officials
366
00:22:34,430 --> 00:22:37,760
that Grand Tutor Cao has the Emperor's
best interests at heart.
367
00:22:38,520 --> 00:22:41,160
But I wouldn't be so quick to agree.
368
00:22:41,590 --> 00:22:43,590
Grand Tutor suggested that the
Emperor should take the reins.
369
00:22:43,830 --> 00:22:45,280
As to his intentions
370
00:22:45,470 --> 00:22:46,710
and motives,
371
00:22:47,040 --> 00:22:49,400
one can only guess.
372
00:22:49,640 --> 00:22:53,280
This hearkens back to the time
the Grand Tutor supported Duke Ji.
373
00:22:56,470 --> 00:22:59,070
You've never asked about
the court's affairs.
374
00:23:01,070 --> 00:23:03,560
But everything you said just now
375
00:23:04,400 --> 00:23:07,000
about Cao Jian was spot on.
376
00:23:09,950 --> 00:23:13,520
I sensed hostility in him, too.
377
00:23:15,350 --> 00:23:19,000
We must be wary of him.
378
00:23:20,400 --> 00:23:21,160
My lord.
379
00:23:42,280 --> 00:23:43,040
My dear.
380
00:23:43,760 --> 00:23:45,470
Another letter from Father?
381
00:23:48,560 --> 00:23:50,680
What does the letter say?
382
00:23:50,880 --> 00:23:52,310
Father-in-law said in the letter
383
00:23:53,680 --> 00:23:55,880
that the Emperor has secretly
left the palace.
384
00:23:56,680 --> 00:23:57,590
He ran away.
385
00:23:57,710 --> 00:24:00,040
The Emperor ran away? Seriously?
386
00:24:00,760 --> 00:24:02,310
The court must be in disarray.
387
00:24:02,350 --> 00:24:04,110
The Emperor secretly left the palace
388
00:24:04,880 --> 00:24:07,070
without any followers
389
00:24:08,350 --> 00:24:09,880
besides a young eunuch.
390
00:24:10,160 --> 00:24:11,110
The other person
391
00:24:11,800 --> 00:24:14,680
was Grand Tutor Cao's
granddaughter, Cao Ru.
392
00:24:16,040 --> 00:24:18,230
The Emperor's most precious
female companion?
393
00:24:19,830 --> 00:24:21,830
Could it be that he is eloping with Cao Ru
394
00:24:22,160 --> 00:24:23,520
in protest of his arranged marriage?
395
00:24:25,830 --> 00:24:28,310
Father-in-law stated in his letter
396
00:24:29,110 --> 00:24:31,400
that the Emperor is likely
to come to Suzhou
397
00:24:31,590 --> 00:24:35,000
upon leaving the capital.
398
00:24:35,640 --> 00:24:36,350
By the way,
399
00:24:37,400 --> 00:24:40,310
there's a prominent family in
Suzhou called the Sus.
400
00:24:40,800 --> 00:24:42,760
The eldest son, Su Ming Yun,
401
00:24:43,070 --> 00:24:46,110
was once the Emperor's friend
in the palace.
402
00:24:46,430 --> 00:24:49,040
Furthermore, they are distant relatives
of the royal family.
403
00:24:51,950 --> 00:24:53,040
If the Emperor
404
00:24:54,070 --> 00:24:56,230
has indeed come to Suzhou,
405
00:24:57,070 --> 00:24:58,680
he'd surely be at the Su Mansion.
406
00:24:59,110 --> 00:25:01,470
I'll send my men to
Su Ming Yun's residence
407
00:25:01,470 --> 00:25:02,430
and spy on them.
408
00:25:02,520 --> 00:25:04,110
Okay. Get to it.
409
00:25:04,350 --> 00:25:07,230
If there's any hint of the Emperor,
report it to me.
410
00:25:07,430 --> 00:25:08,040
Yes.
411
00:25:13,640 --> 00:25:14,640
Here, Ru'er.
412
00:25:17,430 --> 00:25:19,310
I know what you're thinking, Eunuch Wang.
413
00:25:19,850 --> 00:25:22,250
[Su Xun, Mrs Kou's remote nephew]
414
00:25:19,950 --> 00:25:22,000
Giving the Emperor such plain
and simple food
415
00:25:22,310 --> 00:25:24,310
is indeed a little disrespectful.
416
00:25:25,160 --> 00:25:25,880
Are you kidding me?
417
00:25:26,350 --> 00:25:27,470
I've never had
418
00:25:27,470 --> 00:25:28,680
such tasty food in my life.
419
00:25:28,880 --> 00:25:30,520
Not even the imperial kitchen
can make something this good.
420
00:25:32,040 --> 00:25:33,710
You've been living lavishly
in the palace for so long
421
00:25:34,110 --> 00:25:35,470
that you got tired of imperial cuisine.
422
00:25:35,760 --> 00:25:37,830
That's why you found
this peasant food enjoyable.
423
00:25:39,160 --> 00:25:40,760
I meant no offence, Your Majesty.
424
00:25:41,400 --> 00:25:43,920
It's just that it's been a calamitous year
for Suzhou.
425
00:25:44,110 --> 00:25:46,400
Even a rich family like mine
426
00:25:46,760 --> 00:25:48,190
has to contend with this food.
427
00:25:48,680 --> 00:25:49,710
For regular families,
428
00:25:50,040 --> 00:25:52,760
even such a humble fare
is hard to come by.
429
00:25:53,110 --> 00:25:55,680
Ming Yun, what disasters
have befallen Suzhou?
430
00:25:56,040 --> 00:25:57,230
If I may be frank,
431
00:25:57,680 --> 00:26:00,230
the crops in Suzhou have yielded
very little this year.
432
00:26:00,310 --> 00:26:01,560
The water sources around Jiangnan
433
00:26:01,560 --> 00:26:03,040
have been seized by renegades.
434
00:26:03,520 --> 00:26:06,070
Water has become more scarce than oil.
435
00:26:08,000 --> 00:26:08,920
These things,
436
00:26:09,470 --> 00:26:11,470
how come I've never heard of them
in the palace?
437
00:26:11,560 --> 00:26:14,110
The local magistrate never reports
such things to the capital.
438
00:26:14,190 --> 00:26:15,640
Of course you wouldn't know.
439
00:26:16,070 --> 00:26:16,880
What's more,
440
00:26:16,950 --> 00:26:18,000
instead of relieving the famine,
441
00:26:18,000 --> 00:26:20,000
they issued promissory notes
as a means of embezzlement,
442
00:26:20,400 --> 00:26:23,000
lining their pockets with the citizens'
hard earned wealth.
443
00:26:24,430 --> 00:26:25,880
The people are suffering.
444
00:26:26,000 --> 00:26:28,190
Sons and daughters are sold
to make ends meet.
445
00:26:29,590 --> 00:26:30,640
And I thought
446
00:26:31,520 --> 00:26:34,280
Suzhou is Jiangnan's most prosperous
and stable province.
447
00:26:35,070 --> 00:26:37,950
Never did I imagine it would
be this rough and inhospitable.
448
00:26:38,400 --> 00:26:39,880
As Song's emperor,
449
00:26:40,110 --> 00:26:41,430
you must have your
people's livelihood at heart
450
00:26:41,710 --> 00:26:42,920
and understand their struggles.
451
00:26:43,880 --> 00:26:46,190
Otherwise, the renegades would
collude with the local magistrate
452
00:26:46,400 --> 00:26:48,000
to exploit the people.
453
00:26:48,430 --> 00:26:49,760
Not only would it be an insult
to the court,
454
00:26:49,830 --> 00:26:51,640
but a sacrilege to you, the Emperor.
455
00:26:51,760 --> 00:26:53,110
As the supreme ruler,
456
00:26:53,280 --> 00:26:54,560
you mustn't simply rest on your throne
457
00:26:54,710 --> 00:26:56,000
as the officials kowtow to you.
458
00:26:56,000 --> 00:26:57,710
Instead, you should be looking
after the commoners.
459
00:26:58,110 --> 00:26:59,950
That is your god-given duty.
460
00:27:00,470 --> 00:27:03,000
If you live a pampered life in the palace,
461
00:27:03,110 --> 00:27:04,430
oblivious to the sufferings
of this present time.
462
00:27:04,680 --> 00:27:06,680
How can you win the hearts of the people?
463
00:27:06,760 --> 00:27:08,950
How can Great Song live long and prosper?
464
00:27:09,430 --> 00:27:11,710
Mr Su, His Majesty has had a long journey.
465
00:27:12,110 --> 00:27:13,110
He needs his rest...
466
00:27:13,110 --> 00:27:14,800
Stand aside. Shut up.
467
00:27:15,110 --> 00:27:15,800
Yes.
468
00:27:17,350 --> 00:27:18,430
Ming Yun is right.
469
00:27:19,710 --> 00:27:21,070
All these years, I sat in the palace
470
00:27:22,560 --> 00:27:24,070
believing all is well with the world
471
00:27:24,430 --> 00:27:25,560
and the people are thriving.
472
00:27:25,950 --> 00:27:27,190
How blind I was.
473
00:27:28,350 --> 00:27:30,040
I'm not fit to be an emperor.
474
00:27:30,560 --> 00:27:31,680
Don't be too hard on yourself.
475
00:27:32,000 --> 00:27:34,160
You said you wanted to see
how the people are doing.
476
00:27:35,070 --> 00:27:36,520
Now that you're in Suzhou,
477
00:27:36,880 --> 00:27:38,280
it's the perfect opportunity.
478
00:27:39,160 --> 00:27:41,470
Tomorrow, I shall survey
my country incognito
479
00:27:41,920 --> 00:27:43,000
and see how the people are doing.
480
00:27:45,040 --> 00:27:47,830
On behalf of the people of Suzhou,
I thank you, Your Majesty.
481
00:27:59,190 --> 00:27:59,880
Ming Yun,
482
00:28:00,000 --> 00:28:01,280
we should visit as many places
483
00:28:01,280 --> 00:28:02,310
as possible tomorrow.
484
00:28:02,800 --> 00:28:03,760
We must find out
485
00:28:03,950 --> 00:28:05,520
who's behind all this.
486
00:28:06,350 --> 00:28:07,560
Are you sure
487
00:28:07,950 --> 00:28:10,830
this man was a guest at the Su Mansion?
488
00:28:10,950 --> 00:28:12,230
I saw it with my own eyes.
489
00:28:12,350 --> 00:28:13,190
The guest at Su Mansion
490
00:28:13,350 --> 00:28:14,880
looked exactly the same as
the Emperor's portrait.
491
00:28:19,350 --> 00:28:21,040
Just as I predicted.
492
00:28:25,590 --> 00:28:29,190
Keep observing the mansion and that man.
493
00:28:29,640 --> 00:28:31,520
If you see any suspicious activity,
494
00:28:32,000 --> 00:28:32,710
report to me immediately.
495
00:28:33,110 --> 00:28:33,800
Yes, sir.
496
00:28:35,280 --> 00:28:35,950
My lord,
497
00:28:36,760 --> 00:28:38,800
since we know the Emperor's whereabouts,
498
00:28:39,280 --> 00:28:41,350
what should we do next?
499
00:28:42,430 --> 00:28:44,470
Mr Clerk, go out into the streets
500
00:28:44,800 --> 00:28:46,800
and clear out all the beggars
501
00:28:47,040 --> 00:28:47,950
and drifters.
502
00:28:48,310 --> 00:28:50,190
All who oppose will be imprisoned.
503
00:28:51,560 --> 00:28:52,230
Yes.
504
00:28:52,430 --> 00:28:53,880
Don't let the Emperor see you.
505
00:28:54,280 --> 00:28:57,040
One more thing. Have you found
a storyteller
506
00:28:57,560 --> 00:28:58,310
like I asked?
507
00:28:58,760 --> 00:29:01,160
I've found an old storyteller.
508
00:29:01,560 --> 00:29:03,640
He will be stationed in a teahouse
at the main street,
509
00:29:03,950 --> 00:29:05,590
ready to do your bidding.
510
00:29:10,110 --> 00:29:14,310
The look I'm creating for you today
is called the "sunset look."
511
00:29:19,230 --> 00:29:23,430
I like the sunset look better than
the peach blossom look.
512
00:29:24,400 --> 00:29:25,230
Indeed.
513
00:29:26,760 --> 00:29:29,880
Here. Touch it up for me, will you?
514
00:29:36,560 --> 00:29:37,830
I look much brighter now.
515
00:29:38,760 --> 00:29:40,230
Thank you for your help
516
00:29:41,470 --> 00:29:42,760
all this while.
517
00:29:44,920 --> 00:29:46,040
In the Emperor's absence,
518
00:29:46,560 --> 00:29:49,430
you must maintain the gravitas
of an empress dowager
519
00:29:49,680 --> 00:29:51,160
in order to hold the court together
520
00:29:51,640 --> 00:29:53,590
and keep the officials in line.
521
00:29:54,640 --> 00:29:56,800
My hard work is nothing.
522
00:29:59,640 --> 00:30:00,520
Jing Zong.
523
00:30:01,070 --> 00:30:02,920
Your Majesty, it's time for your medicine.
524
00:30:03,230 --> 00:30:05,000
Any news of the Emperor?
525
00:30:06,400 --> 00:30:07,350
Your Majesty,
526
00:30:08,310 --> 00:30:09,590
Lord Su Yi Jian
527
00:30:09,590 --> 00:30:11,110
is trying his best to find the Emperor,
528
00:30:11,110 --> 00:30:13,680
but so far, nothing has turned up.
529
00:30:21,070 --> 00:30:22,000
Drink your medicine.
530
00:30:38,110 --> 00:30:41,000
Shou Yi, I'm waiting for you to come back.
531
00:30:43,470 --> 00:30:45,800
If you come back late,
532
00:30:48,230 --> 00:30:51,040
I might not be around to see you.
533
00:31:05,230 --> 00:31:06,040
Your Majesty.
534
00:31:06,160 --> 00:31:06,920
Your Majesty.
535
00:31:07,640 --> 00:31:10,950
You're not feeling well. Why don't
you call off the meeting?
536
00:31:13,190 --> 00:31:14,070
I can't.
537
00:31:15,710 --> 00:31:20,160
The Emperor's absent, and now
I'm calling off the meeting?
538
00:31:21,430 --> 00:31:25,040
Who knows what rumours those
officials will come up with?
539
00:31:28,230 --> 00:31:29,520
Time to hold court.
540
00:31:30,040 --> 00:31:30,800
Your Majesty.
541
00:31:32,640 --> 00:31:33,470
Your Majesty.
542
00:31:42,880 --> 00:31:45,230
The streets may seem a little gloomy,
543
00:31:45,830 --> 00:31:47,640
but it's not like people are dying.
544
00:31:49,920 --> 00:31:51,880
My lord, the Emperor is coming.
545
00:31:52,110 --> 00:31:54,230
Alright. Let's pay His Majesty
our respects.
546
00:31:56,590 --> 00:31:59,310
Your Majesty, isn't that Lord Ding
up ahead?
547
00:31:59,310 --> 00:32:00,470
We'll reduce the corvee,
abolish the taxes,
548
00:32:00,470 --> 00:32:01,800
and give out food to the victims.
549
00:32:01,830 --> 00:32:02,280
Yes, my lord.
550
00:32:02,280 --> 00:32:03,040
Hide.
551
00:32:06,350 --> 00:32:08,310
Only then, will Suzhou...
552
00:32:08,830 --> 00:32:09,560
Your Majesty.
553
00:32:11,350 --> 00:32:14,000
It is you, Your Majesty.
554
00:32:15,000 --> 00:32:17,590
Lord Ding, please. Get up.
555
00:32:19,230 --> 00:32:20,430
I'm on an undercover expedition.
556
00:32:20,640 --> 00:32:21,920
I can't let the people recognise me.
557
00:32:22,190 --> 00:32:23,470
As you wish.
558
00:32:23,830 --> 00:32:25,680
I didn't know you were coming
to Suzhou.
559
00:32:26,000 --> 00:32:27,160
Forgive me
560
00:32:27,280 --> 00:32:28,350
for not welcoming you.
561
00:32:28,350 --> 00:32:29,310
I can't blame you.
562
00:32:29,470 --> 00:32:30,800
Since this is an undercover expedition,
563
00:32:30,830 --> 00:32:32,190
I have to keep my movements a secret.
564
00:32:32,350 --> 00:32:34,000
That's why I didn't go to the
government's office.
565
00:32:34,110 --> 00:32:35,070
I understand.
566
00:32:35,830 --> 00:32:36,560
By the way,
567
00:32:37,000 --> 00:32:39,470
I heard Suzhou was plagued
by disasters this year.
568
00:32:39,680 --> 00:32:42,230
Why have I not received a memorial
from you?
569
00:32:42,640 --> 00:32:43,590
It's a long story.
570
00:32:44,230 --> 00:32:45,640
There's a teahouse nearby.
571
00:32:45,880 --> 00:32:47,110
Would you like to join us?
572
00:32:47,190 --> 00:32:49,230
I'll give you the full account.
573
00:32:49,950 --> 00:32:51,590
Okay. Lead the way.
574
00:32:52,160 --> 00:32:55,110
Is this Lord Cao's daughter?
575
00:32:56,950 --> 00:32:57,710
She is.
576
00:32:58,110 --> 00:32:59,160
After you, Your Majesty.
577
00:33:00,430 --> 00:33:01,430
Come on, Ru'er.
578
00:33:03,880 --> 00:33:04,710
Please come in.
579
00:33:05,590 --> 00:33:06,680
Come on in, gentlemen.
580
00:33:07,710 --> 00:33:10,430
There was war and chaos everywhere.
581
00:33:10,430 --> 00:33:11,000
Here.
582
00:33:11,400 --> 00:33:12,710
Once the clouds clear up...
583
00:33:12,710 --> 00:33:13,710
Waiter, serve the guests.
584
00:33:15,710 --> 00:33:19,040
The trees stand eternal,
but rain comes and goes.
585
00:33:19,160 --> 00:33:22,680
Though history stretches infinitely,
there is nothing new under the sun.
586
00:33:23,880 --> 00:33:24,920
Have a seat, Lord Ding.
587
00:33:25,070 --> 00:33:27,110
Thank you, Your Majesty.
Have a seat.
588
00:33:27,110 --> 00:33:30,880
No one knew which dynasty, which year,
or which month.
589
00:33:31,350 --> 00:33:34,190
No one knew which city
590
00:33:34,560 --> 00:33:36,640
or which emperor.
591
00:33:37,470 --> 00:33:38,190
And then...
592
00:33:38,520 --> 00:33:39,230
Lord Ding,
593
00:33:40,000 --> 00:33:43,070
I heard Suzhou has been plagued
by disasters.
594
00:33:43,350 --> 00:33:44,520
Why haven't I received
595
00:33:44,590 --> 00:33:45,950
a memorial from you?
596
00:33:46,280 --> 00:33:47,040
Your Majesty,
597
00:33:47,230 --> 00:33:49,280
there is indeed a drought
in the Suzhou area.
598
00:33:49,400 --> 00:33:52,190
But I've already figured out
ways to deal with it,
599
00:33:52,350 --> 00:33:54,230
relocating the victims,
600
00:33:54,280 --> 00:33:55,950
distributing food to every family,
601
00:33:56,310 --> 00:33:57,680
and finding new water sources.
602
00:33:57,760 --> 00:34:00,350
So far, the drought has been
greatly alleviated.
603
00:34:00,470 --> 00:34:02,710
I have refrained from reporting
it to the capital,
604
00:34:02,830 --> 00:34:05,350
lest the Empress Dowager and you
get alarmed.
605
00:34:05,680 --> 00:34:07,800
In fact, before I met you
on the street just now,
606
00:34:08,949 --> 00:34:12,230
I had been coordinating
the relief efforts.
607
00:34:13,190 --> 00:34:14,469
But I also heard
608
00:34:14,630 --> 00:34:17,120
that the Suzhou magistrate is
in cahoots with the merchants,
609
00:34:17,320 --> 00:34:19,800
issuing promissory notes
as a means of fraud,
610
00:34:20,000 --> 00:34:21,080
stealing the people's wealth.
611
00:34:21,630 --> 00:34:22,800
Is that true?
612
00:34:23,670 --> 00:34:27,190
May I ask where you got that
information from?
613
00:34:27,360 --> 00:34:28,670
The so-called promissory notes
614
00:34:29,000 --> 00:34:31,630
were only used in the Sichuan
and Xiaxi regions.
615
00:34:31,909 --> 00:34:34,040
It was introduced in Suzhou, too,
616
00:34:34,040 --> 00:34:35,710
but it was quickly outlawed.
617
00:34:36,429 --> 00:34:38,600
The embezzlement by means
of promissory notes
618
00:34:38,840 --> 00:34:41,120
must have been a scandal
619
00:34:41,190 --> 00:34:42,150
or mere sensationalism.
620
00:34:42,469 --> 00:34:45,080
I implore you not to worry too much.
621
00:34:45,360 --> 00:34:47,280
If what you say is true,
622
00:34:47,389 --> 00:34:48,710
then I can rest assured.
623
00:34:49,190 --> 00:34:50,760
Still, I hope you'll look into it.
624
00:34:51,000 --> 00:34:52,000
Don't worry, Your Majesty.
625
00:34:52,000 --> 00:34:54,000
I'll try my best to investigate.
626
00:34:56,080 --> 00:34:58,120
But life is unpredictable.
627
00:35:00,320 --> 00:35:02,520
The Empress miscarried by accident.
628
00:35:03,390 --> 00:35:05,230
The child was sacrificed.
629
00:35:06,120 --> 00:35:09,800
The Empress' heart was broken.
630
00:35:10,910 --> 00:35:12,630
So, she hatched an idea...
631
00:35:12,630 --> 00:35:14,630
I wonder which period or dynasty
he is referring to?
632
00:35:15,000 --> 00:35:17,190
Then again, this storyteller
is quite engaging.
633
00:35:19,470 --> 00:35:22,120
These stories are purely for fun
and entertainment.
634
00:35:22,150 --> 00:35:24,000
Please don't take it seriously.
635
00:35:24,630 --> 00:35:25,800
And the Empress
636
00:35:26,470 --> 00:35:30,520
handed a box to the wet nurse.
637
00:35:30,600 --> 00:35:34,840
The wet nurse was overjoyed
at the reward.
638
00:35:34,840 --> 00:35:39,670
So she and the physician went straight
to the Imperial Concubine's labour room.
639
00:35:40,800 --> 00:35:42,630
What was in that box?
640
00:35:43,320 --> 00:35:44,600
Good question.
641
00:35:44,870 --> 00:35:46,150
The box
642
00:35:46,760 --> 00:35:50,150
contained a skinned raccoon.
643
00:35:51,190 --> 00:35:54,000
Hairless and slick with blood.
644
00:35:54,560 --> 00:35:55,800
The others saw it
645
00:35:56,230 --> 00:35:59,470
and mistook the content of the box
for food.
646
00:35:59,870 --> 00:36:05,280
No one was the wiser.
647
00:36:09,560 --> 00:36:13,190
Meanwhile, the wet nurse
arrived at the labour room
648
00:36:14,430 --> 00:36:16,320
and helped the concubine
deliver her baby.
649
00:36:16,910 --> 00:36:18,870
But right at that moment,
650
00:36:19,600 --> 00:36:21,840
a fire broke out in the palace.
651
00:36:22,470 --> 00:36:23,710
Hurry!
652
00:36:23,950 --> 00:36:25,120
Fetch the water, quickly.
653
00:36:25,560 --> 00:36:28,840
All hell broke loose in the labour room.
654
00:36:29,670 --> 00:36:32,710
Amidst the confusion, the wet nurse
placed the raccoon
655
00:36:32,950 --> 00:36:35,080
at the concubine's side
656
00:36:36,040 --> 00:36:39,560
and secretly made off with the prince.
657
00:36:42,520 --> 00:36:47,190
Just as the Imperial Concubine was
about to be consumed by the flames,
658
00:36:47,670 --> 00:36:50,800
her younger brother came to visit her.
659
00:36:50,800 --> 00:36:51,950
Where is Consort Chen?
660
00:36:53,360 --> 00:36:54,710
Upon seeing the fire,
661
00:36:55,230 --> 00:36:57,760
he charged into the palace,
risking his life,
662
00:36:58,840 --> 00:37:01,040
and rescued the Imperial Concubine.
663
00:37:03,120 --> 00:37:05,430
When the Imperial Concubine woke up,
664
00:37:06,150 --> 00:37:10,430
she heard that she had birthed
a raccoon-like monster.
665
00:37:14,390 --> 00:37:16,630
"No!" she cried.
666
00:37:17,120 --> 00:37:19,080
The Emperor, in a fit of rage,
667
00:37:19,760 --> 00:37:22,190
banished her to the cold palace.
668
00:37:22,710 --> 00:37:25,870
The poor Imperial Concubine
had no one to hear her grievance.
669
00:37:26,470 --> 00:37:29,150
The Empress claimed the stolen prince
670
00:37:29,560 --> 00:37:32,870
as her own flesh and blood.
671
00:37:33,910 --> 00:37:36,040
The Emperor made a proclamation
to the world.
672
00:37:36,280 --> 00:37:41,470
And thus, the people believed the Empress
was the mother of their country.
673
00:37:41,760 --> 00:37:45,760
Sadly, the little prince
never learned the truth.
674
00:37:45,950 --> 00:37:48,000
He was kept in the dark,
675
00:37:48,600 --> 00:37:54,000
treating his enemy as his mother.
676
00:37:57,040 --> 00:37:57,710
Say,
677
00:37:57,710 --> 00:37:59,950
I wonder which period
this story is from?
678
00:38:00,040 --> 00:38:00,870
How can there be
679
00:38:00,870 --> 00:38:02,800
such a vicious woman in the world?
680
00:38:03,630 --> 00:38:05,150
The storyteller
681
00:38:05,230 --> 00:38:07,040
deliberately kept the setting a mystery
682
00:38:08,040 --> 00:38:10,120
to protect his own skin.
683
00:38:10,560 --> 00:38:12,390
The story of the prince and the raccoon
684
00:38:12,560 --> 00:38:14,600
alludes to an old incident
685
00:38:14,600 --> 00:38:16,520
that took place in the palace of Song.
686
00:38:17,040 --> 00:38:19,950
The prince who got replaced
by a raccoon is the present Emperor.
687
00:38:21,360 --> 00:38:22,280
Are you sure?
688
00:38:22,870 --> 00:38:23,670
Insolence!
689
00:38:23,870 --> 00:38:26,360
How dare you blaspheme the Emperor
in broad daylight?
690
00:38:27,600 --> 00:38:29,040
What's it to you?
691
00:38:29,080 --> 00:38:30,150
Who are you?
692
00:38:30,230 --> 00:38:31,600
What's it got to do with you?
693
00:38:31,630 --> 00:38:32,430
We're just talking here.
694
00:38:32,430 --> 00:38:33,520
Take it easy, gentlemen.
695
00:38:33,520 --> 00:38:34,670
We're all here for a good time.
696
00:38:34,710 --> 00:38:36,230
I'm on an undercover expedition.
697
00:38:37,080 --> 00:38:38,710
My identity mustn't be revealed.
698
00:38:40,560 --> 00:38:44,390
Song is supposed to be a country
led by compassion.
699
00:38:44,840 --> 00:38:47,910
How can the Empress do such a thing?
700
00:38:48,470 --> 00:38:51,800
This story has been circulating
all over the land.
701
00:38:51,800 --> 00:38:54,280
Everybody knows it.
702
00:38:54,950 --> 00:38:56,910
And you've just heard about it today?
703
00:38:58,670 --> 00:39:00,230
How embarrassing.
704
00:39:01,760 --> 00:39:03,560
Your Majesty, these people
are talking rot.
705
00:39:03,630 --> 00:39:04,600
Their senseless gossip
706
00:39:04,600 --> 00:39:06,120
is disturbing your tranquility.
707
00:39:06,150 --> 00:39:07,390
Let's go somewhere else.
708
00:39:07,710 --> 00:39:09,000
You've been out for a long time.
709
00:39:09,150 --> 00:39:10,840
You should get back to Su Mansion.
710
00:39:10,910 --> 00:39:11,600
That's right.
711
00:39:25,040 --> 00:39:25,760
Come here.
712
00:39:25,760 --> 00:39:26,520
My lord.
713
00:39:27,230 --> 00:39:29,080
Here's you two
and the storyteller's reward.
714
00:39:29,080 --> 00:39:30,760
You mustn't tell anyone.
715
00:39:31,320 --> 00:39:32,280
If word gets out,
716
00:39:32,320 --> 00:39:33,800
it'll be death penalties for
the three of you.
717
00:39:34,080 --> 00:39:35,470
We wouldn't dare.
718
00:39:38,150 --> 00:39:38,870
Your Majesty.
719
00:39:39,670 --> 00:39:40,470
Your Majesty.
720
00:39:48,190 --> 00:39:48,840
Lord Ding.
721
00:39:50,280 --> 00:39:50,950
Your Majesty.
722
00:39:51,520 --> 00:39:52,280
Let me ask you,
723
00:39:53,040 --> 00:39:54,230
why did those people say
724
00:39:54,560 --> 00:39:56,360
that I was the prince in the story?
725
00:39:56,910 --> 00:39:58,800
Your Majesty, the teahouse draws crowds
726
00:39:58,840 --> 00:40:00,630
from all walks of life, including scum.
727
00:40:01,080 --> 00:40:02,760
They're only parroting
728
00:40:03,000 --> 00:40:04,150
what they've heard on the road.
729
00:40:04,710 --> 00:40:06,840
There's no need to take it seriously.
730
00:40:07,080 --> 00:40:08,120
There's no wave without the wind.
731
00:40:08,360 --> 00:40:10,190
The storyteller sounded mighty convincing.
732
00:40:10,230 --> 00:40:11,710
And so did his listeners.
733
00:40:11,870 --> 00:40:13,000
Unless there's a kernel of truth,
734
00:40:13,120 --> 00:40:14,950
why would they make fun of my life?
735
00:40:16,080 --> 00:40:18,280
Your Majesty, this matter...
736
00:40:19,230 --> 00:40:20,760
Let's just not dwell on it.
737
00:40:20,910 --> 00:40:22,000
Why not?
738
00:40:22,230 --> 00:40:23,910
Every person under the sun knows
about it.
739
00:40:24,150 --> 00:40:25,280
Are you going to keep it from me forever?
740
00:40:27,120 --> 00:40:27,800
Your Majesty.
741
00:40:28,120 --> 00:40:30,230
You'd better tell me everything you know
about this.
742
00:40:30,670 --> 00:40:32,360
Or I'll convict you
of deceiving the emperor.
743
00:40:32,390 --> 00:40:37,800
Forgive me for telling you the truth,
Your Majesty.
744
00:40:37,870 --> 00:40:39,390
The case of the Imperial Concubine's child
745
00:40:40,360 --> 00:40:43,280
is practically common knowledge
among the officials.
746
00:40:44,280 --> 00:40:47,390
That's why it spread to the commoners.
747
00:40:47,390 --> 00:40:49,390
You mean I'm the prince in the story?
748
00:40:51,000 --> 00:40:52,840
And Mother isn't my real mother?
749
00:40:56,520 --> 00:40:58,190
The Empress in the story
750
00:40:58,670 --> 00:40:59,950
refers to the present Empress Dowager?
751
00:41:01,470 --> 00:41:02,390
Yes.
752
00:41:05,430 --> 00:41:07,320
Then who is the Imperial Concubine?
753
00:41:08,560 --> 00:41:10,870
You should be able
to guess it, Your Majesty.
754
00:41:33,760 --> 00:41:34,670
Who are you?
755
00:41:47,360 --> 00:41:49,800
Could it be Consort Chen?
756
00:41:52,390 --> 00:41:53,120
Yes.
757
00:41:57,440 --> 00:42:01,080
[End of Episode 56]
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