Original subtitles

Your Imperial Highness.

Meiren Ji.

Your Highness is always by Fengqing’s side.

Fengqing can always sleep so sweetly.

Meiren Ji,

why are the palace intermediaries

all wanting to harm Fengqing?

Because Fengqing’s mother

is a person from a race of unidentified origin,

and also because your mother, the Empress,

was targeted by talk and persuaded she is an evildoer.

I like Fengqing!

Fengqing is not a monster!

Though he’s younger in age,

he still has outstanding intelligence!

Together we’ve been able to figure out a lot of

odd and yet amusing notions!

As Crown Prince, Your Imperial Highness has been training your sword skills

in order to project Fengqing?

Yes, in addition to protecting the country.

Great.

But my physical health from an early age hasn’t been good.

Commanding General Xue explained

that it’s not my fault I’m not the best material to study martial arts,

therefore

I will have to work even harder in the future!

My cut is gone!

Even the best palace imperial physician

is not as good as Meiren Ji!

This drop of blood

will make Your Imperial Highness stronger,

to permit Your Highness to be able to

protect Fengqing properly your entire life

defend the country as well.

Absolutely!

Meiren Ji,

this precious gem, would it be possible for you to give it to me?

This stone has an innate spiritual nature.

In the future, it will probably leave me to seek

to become part of its true owner.

Your Imperial Highness is very precious to the Emperor,

and it is prudent Your HIghness remember this at all costs.

Absolutely do not ask for something from the hand or body of another person,

in order to show respect to other people.

People are not really good or evil, merely caught in the moment of an ill-considered action.

I, Fengming, will remember

Meiren Ji’s instructions.

People are not really good or evil, merely caught in the moment of an ill-considered action.

What are you doing here?

Today is Your Highness’ natural mothers’ death anniversary.

I thought Your Highness

might want a bit of warmth?

Your HIghness, I like you--!

Jieyu Bao,

I do not need any warmth!

I find it impossible to like you!

In addition,I want you to conduct yourself with a bit more dignity.

You are the Emperor’s woman!

Your HIghness,

I still am not the Emperor’s woman.

I feel Your HIghness and I are people fated to be joined together!

If Your Highness wishes it,

the Emperor might possibly bestow my hand to you.

Really? You’re really fond of me?

I’ve liked Your Highness for a very long time already!

So...

if I should ask you do do something,

you’ll be willing?

Elder Sister, you’re seriously going over to the Jade Pavilion?

Of course, the Empress Dowager detests

Meiren Ji’s residence.

In the future, Sister, you should be more careful!

You think that if I follow the rules rigidly

the Empress Dowager will be pleased with me?

My existing here in the palace

is to find out her secret,

provided that’s at all possible.

She’s itching to kill me to keep me silent!

Sister,

The King of Rui can’t be annoyed with you any more.

You still need to go back and think

about that missing crystal coffin matter!

Meiren Ji is the King of Rui’s natural mother,

as well as my own childhood

life-saving benefactor.

This matter,

how can I possibly explain it if I set it aside?

It’s just one night.

Even if the Empress Dowager grows suspicious,

misses me and wants to check it out,

it’s also not possible to muster a large enough force.

Still be in the palace vicinity,

and moreover in a group of people.

We’re going up into that palace

as there may exist a secret room.

Help me!

Xia Lan,

do you hear a voice crying for help?

Help! Is there anybody?

There seems to really be one!

Let’s go. We’ll go out and take a look.

Very well.

Save me!

I’m begging you, please save me!

Help me!

Let me down! Let me down!

Respectfully greeting Your HIghness the Empress.

You may all rise.

Who is that hanging up there?

Reporting to Your HIghness, it is not known.

Then why are you not now hurrying to rescue this person?

This insignificant one did not know

if what is suspended up there is really a person or possibly a ghost!

You’re talking nonsense!

If it’s a ghost, how can it call for help!

I, Wushuang, will take a look.

Who’s that shouting up there?

It’s me! It’s Jieyu Bao!

Hurry up and get me down!

Jieyu Bao?

Why are you not hurrying

to go help Jieyu Bao down from there!

Yes.

Slowly, slowly.

In the middle of a chilly spring night,

why are you being seen almost completely naked in this place,

suspended up there by some person?

This concubine does not know!

This concubine was in the middle of my palace and had already gone to bed!

Asleep until the middle of the night...

when I suddenly felt an unexpected blast of cold

and woke...woke to discover

I had been suspended up here!

This might have been a ghost...

All of you talking about ghosts

can see this with your own eyes!

What’s more, the Imperial Palace has very positive yang energy,

no ghost can therefore come in or move around.

Your Highness the Empress perceives this clearly!

Your subject really did...

really did wake up

to find myself suspended up here!

I previously heard it’s possible for someone to sleepwalk

but is it possible to do that this way?

Matter of fact that’s simply insane!

Nie Wushuang, you mustn’t slander me!

Who was sleepwalking!

You’re sleepwalking right now!

Enough!

It’s the middle of the night, not a one of you are asleep,

and all of you are talking nonsense

about the middle of our palace being haunted!

Anyone following this is in opposition to me!

All of you should go back now!

The Emperor is still outside on tour reviewing the new army recruits.

I am determined to investigate this matter thoroughly!

Yes.

Reporting to Your Majesty

this is on behalf of Lan State with a marriage proposal,

got here just in time.

- They will arrive in three days from Lan State. - Explain!

But...it’s a little unclear to your subject, not obvious...

You’re not clear on a lot of matters!

Speak!

This marriage...

why is it being provided to the Empress Dowager?

Why should she not be the First Lady of Lan State?

Lan State’s new army’s experience is still extremely shallow.

The Empress Dowager’s hands could seize the military authority.

Xiao Fengming has only half of the complete ruling authority.

Essentially, it’s still in the hands of the Empress Dowager.

The marriage sent to her will be

used to gain more reverence in their hearts.

Just for this, Imperial Mother will agree to this

on behalf of her precious child, Xiao Fengming,

she’s only using

this marriage to appear virtuous and gain a sage name.

Arriving tomorrow from Lan for the marriage matter?

The Princess and those of Lan State along with others will be meeting about the marriage matter.

it’s imperative to take action

now that the Princess is being married off to Lan State

Are you ready to follow her and join her in the palace for a good opportunity?

General, rest assured.

Long ago, I already received His Imperial Majesty’s decree.

Carefully watch Xiao Fengqing

he’s been hiding that priestess for many years.

If her only son were to have an accident,

then she might make an appearance.

Shennaio ordered this meeting and as a result may appear.

I, Jiao Tong, understand.

In the Lan palace, the chess pieces were laid out long ago.

Everything...

inside it is entirely within our control.

Your Highness, please rise.

Hurry up and make yourself presentable.

Zhaoyi Nie has come to see you.

Your Highness...is something wrong?

Is there something wrong with your eyes?

I am head of the sect of Donglin Temple.

I always intended to summon you

to the Supreme Palace.

You think you can escape this calamity?

My instructions on this matter

have not yet been carried out.

Instead, Nie Wushang has established great merits.

Do you think I should not punish you?

I--. Rise.

You have the necessary courage and insight.

How will you achieve this great event?

You really should take lessons from my younger sister, Concubine Yun.

She’s comparable to you, but so much more decisive in the end!

Take that tea to drink again later.

Imperial Physician Du,

are you looking into Her Highness Concubine Yu’s matter?

How did I suddenly become so dizzy?

Imperial Physician Du,

Her Highness’ eyesight,

if there’s no change, will she go blind?

Her Highness Concubine Yu

did you recently go somewhere

and come into contact with something?

Did you drink anything?

Ever since returning from Donglin Temple to the palace,

in addition to that event,

the Empress Dowager summoned Her Highness

to also visit the Supreme Palace.

Her Highness has absolutely not

otherwise left Ziwei Palace.

What exactly is this drug, Imperial Physician Du?

Replying to the Empress Dowager,

This drug just arrived as a tribute from a foreign land,

it is an extremely malevolent slow poison.

After one dose of this drug,

it will cause you to grow hoarse.

After that, you will slowly over time go blind.

and continue until you have lost your six senses.

Ultimately, it will then cause the entire body’s

muscles to atrophy and die.

Death will become preferable.

So that’s why this malevolent drug

cannot be kept at your Imperial Medical Bureau.

otherwise there will be no peace in the palace!

Empress Dowager,

why not take this drug

and hand this humble servant over for punishment!

Drug? What drug?

I was never here,

and you were never here either, Imperial Physician Du.

Understood.

Imperial Physician Du, Her Highness Concubine Yu’s illness,

can you find a method to medically treat it?

I’m really very sorry.

Her Highness Concubine Yu’s strange illness

this humble servant is helpless to cure it.

Imperial Physician Du!

Imperial Physician Du, bad news!

The King of Rui’s wet nurse

suddenly cried out and now is unable to speak!

You’re being asked to return to the Imperial Medical Bureau

right away!

Brother Du, you’re quick to inform me

that my wet nurse has been struck by something poisonous?

Your wet nurse has indeed been struck down by poison.

It’s from a foreign land, and it has been circulating here.

Its toxicity is unusually potent.

The first time you take this drug, it will start to make you hoarse.

If you come into contact with it again,

it will cause both your eyes to lose their sight.

Most seriously,

the body itself will atrophy and die.

But luckily,

my father previously

did research into the antidote.

Ruo’er! You mustn’t just say that without thinking!

What’s this about an antidote?

Inside this palace, how could there ever be such a thing?

Father.

Your Highness Concubine Yu,

did the Empress Dowager poison you?

Why would she poison you,

is it because you know something?

Your Highness Concubine Yu, don’t be afraid.

Just tell me

who targeted you with poison?

Following soon after Mama Ling,,

why would the Empress Dowager think it vital to injure you?

You may be blunt with me.

I may be able to get the Emperor to help you.

I mustn’t allow the King of Rui to find out

I have seen Meiren Ji

in the Supreme Palace inside a hidden room.

Only now the Empress Dowager’s poison is starting to silence me--

You want to tell me something?

I cannot tell you.

I mustn’t tell you that the Empress Dowager

holds a crystal coffin containing a woman

inside her storehouse.

Concubine Yu,

would you really like to come see me again later?

I can allow your mouth to open up to speak again,

so you may be permitted again to serve your lord

and take back

a lifetime’s worth of dignity?

My...

My eyes

are becoming more and more blurry.

The Empress Dowager, she wants to exterminate me!

Of course the Empress Dowager wants to kill you,

you have failed to keep her trust.

Why should I believe you?

If you don’t believe me,

there’s no reason to await my return.

Oh by the way...

has Xiao Fengqing made any movements lately?

The Empress Dowager

gave the King of Rui’s wet nurse

a poisoned drink that was very close to the same as my own poisoning,

it made the wet nurse unable to speak..

Then Xiao Fengqing knows

about your mishap,

about the Empress Dowager’s treacherous assault?

I didn’t dare tell him,

nor dare send a message out to him.

I didn’t realize then

why the King of Rui was drawing me closer by taking my hand.

At once, he knew my secret thoughts,

he has can change himself and has the ability

to directly hear my unspoken thoughts.

You don’t need to know about those things,

you only need to remember

that the Empress Dowager has given you a calamity,

and that I alone may allow you

a way to survive this.

Should I disappear,

your voice will also disappear.

Here. Drink this down.

Your eyesight now probably will not be affected.

I understand.

Then it is important for me to know where to find you--

Don’t worry.

I’ll very soon

be arriving inside the Lan State Palace,

along with your voice.

I’m glad I insisted on taking away from you,

Fifth Brother,

this Miao Minghu!

He really is a remarkable military commander!

Not only is training new recruits coming naturally,

he’s as imposing as a rainbow!

In short, inside this three month period,

this unexpectedly allowed

the new armies to change beyond recognition!

I have decided to request a proper title as a reward for Miao Minghu,

seize the day!

We have a great many divisions

who need to be brave and good fighting men in the new army.

To go on a ninth expedition to support the Li State

can be looked upon

as a whetstone sharpening our new armies.

I am convinced that it won’t take three years

for our Lan State to possess sufficient support

to be ever-victorious over mighty armies!

The final wishes of the Late Emperor

may well then quite rapidly be achieved.

Fengqing

Fengqing, when all is said and done, how is it?

Congratulations, Your Majesty!

Except how is this possible without the world’s best field commander?

Isn’t he

already within this palace’s walls,

just waiting to emerge?

Fengqing

Third Brother.

There is something I wish to ask of you.

Please, you must tell me the truth.

Is this a proper way to ask me?

Ask.

When has your Third Brother lied to you?

Where is my mother?

Fengqing

Even though you know my mother is here,

I still don’t blame you

for not informing me all this time.

Fifth Brother,

before you search the Supreme Palace for her,

I’m not to blame if you don’t find her.

You mustn’t listen to idle chatter!

You mustn’t ask about this matter again!

There’s no point in increasing your sadness.

I’ll keep asking everyone,

even if everyone in the capital lies to me!

Third Brother probably hasn’t lied to me.

Informing Your Majesty,

the Empress Dowager has requested

that Your Majesty proceed toward the Supreme Palace.

Is there some urgent matter to discuss with me?

Li State’s requested credentials have just recently arrived.

Chi State’s requested credentials?

Why would they send that directly to the Empress Dowager?

This..

By your appearance,

Grand Eunuch Li here

has heard something over there, right?

Speak!

Your Majesty, please calm your anger.

I’ve heard that this isn’t merely

a simple request for getting credentials,

but rather would join with Great Lan in a marriage alliance?.

This is from Li State’s Emperor,

who earlier presented me with personally-written credentials?

Xue Jing, take a look.

So, actually it turns out

the Emperor wants to turn over his own younger sister, Gao Yan,

giving her to be married off to HIs Majesty

for reinforcements.

High Minister Xue Jing, how do you see this matter?.

Answering Your Highness the Empress Dowager,

your subject believes this Li ruler sent this secret letter

because our Great Lan

has not recently dispatched any troops to assist him.

Therefore, he’s somewhat worried,

taking this opportunity to become related by marriage to show his sincerity,

while simultaneously urging our Great Lan

to rush with all speed to his rescue.

As for being capable of convincing our Emperor,

only you, Empress Dowager, may do this.

Primarily, Li State’s ruler

is very aware of my Great Lan’s military power.

In addition,and in return,

if Li State’s Princess ends up in my hands,

then this chess piece may be well-used by me,

so that is advantageous to me.

If our Great Lan sends troops to support him,

who will be the military commander,

who truly can our Great Lan centrally depend upon?

High Minister Xue, there’s no harm in being straightforward, tell me.

If it were my decision for the army,

it would have to be Miao Minghu centrally in command,

to let everyone know in this world

that this Lan State’s military is actually in the palm of the Empress Dowager,

as well as the Emperor!

I shall take appropriate action.

Informing the Empress Dowager,

His Majesty was inspecting the new army troops this morning and has returned,

will bathe, change clothes,

and stop by the Supreme Palace.

You’re dismissed.

Yes.

My return letter to

Li State, where it is?

Already on its way, on the road to Li State.

Imperial Mother already gave Li State an official reply letter?

Your Majesty is not presently in charge of the dynasty.

This correspondence involved both states,

so it was proper for me to handle it myself.

To ally both nations by marriage...is not a trifling matter!

Imperial Mother, why did you insist

in making this hasty decision

and not meet with the state officials to discuss this?

Your Majesty is dissatisfied

with the arrangements I’ve made?

Since I’ve decided that Miao Minghu

will lead the new army,

not following my instructions

will leave little room for error.

This subject wouldn’t dare.

I also send a greeting

to the Emperor of Li State

to show my feelings, since the letter

showed they were afraid to directly propose marriage to Your Majesty,

that Your Majesty would reject it.

I too found it difficult,

but was concerned for the relationship between the two nations.

To make matters worse,

Your Majesty is my own flesh and blood,

and the common folk of Great Lan

and no I don’t really blame them,

have been divided by this north and south rift for a long time,

the common folk have suffered unspeakable misery.

fearing the disaster of a war.

Li State’s princess being married off here

will provide the common people of both states

with a period of peace.

The great unwashed masses

by the thousands will avoid a calamity.

Located inside this palace,

there already is an Empress.

Anyone arriving now can only be below her, as a concubine.

Was this not your plan all along, Imperial Mother,

as you were the mastermind of this plan?

Certainly.

It would have also go against my wishes.

Recently,

Your Majesty conferred a title

on that Zhaoyi Nie.

If Your Majesty can show your top favor

to some foreign dancing girl.

Why can’t the next one

for the balance of power between both states be the Li State Princess?

To have this get around

would bitterly disillusion the commoners!

No, that would not appear

to be the Li ruler’s marriage objective!

It’s not that simple,

I’ll be showing the wolf into the house (introducing trouble).

It seems Your Majesty

thinks she is the Li ruler’s chess piece?

Then why

take hold of her and change her

to make her our chess piece?

Controlling this woman

by meeting her in the capital and moving her emotions,

if only Your Majesty would properly take care of her,

even the most unyielding person

who is duty-bound not to turn back and

be steadfast until death.

will abide by the rules and be at your side.

Your Majesty’s marriage

with the Li State Princess, Gao Yan,

is either fortune or calamity,

all held within Your Majesty’s hands,

isn’t that so?

Mother and child not being of the same mind,

is this not a disgrace to our national reputation?

I also cannot force you into this,

but rely on Your Majesty’s capability to make a good decision.

Any state official could have negotiated this marriage,

but Imperial Mother is also

capable of personally agreeing to answer this matter?

I unexpectedly learned of the marriage negotiations.

Tell me your considions.

Primarily,,

this time helping Li

is important to establish Miao Minghu as commander-in-chief.

The Emperor may wish to say this,

but I don’t think the old founding ministers

will not believe His Majesty is accepting the new army’s

success in their stead?

This time, the northern expedition will indeed be hazardous.

Manning this with Miao Minghu

as he is well-acquainted with his homeland,

I wouldn’t say I was planning this

in a way to unexpectedly diminish the will of the troops.

By allowing us to send troops, it’s half the work and twice the reward.

Then the second reason?

Second,

helping Li in their request for Great Lan’s help now, so in future

Imperial Mother will be capable of properly burying Meiren Ji.

This will allow Fengqing to untie his knot,

as it really is a sore point for him.

As a matter of fact, this equates to telling the realm

that the Late Emperor had not forgotten that evildoer,

and all along had this evildoer in their possession

deep within a palace storehouse,

forcing me to stand in guard over here coffin!

Your Majesty, do you think you can allow your Imperial Mother

to keep some prestige?

Imperial Mother, please be at ease.

I’m determined to seek out personally

the single best way of doing this

to protect you, Imperial Mother,

while in the midst of proving the realm’s military prowess.

It seems I have no choice but to agree.

Fengqing, I hope you’ll smile.

I promised Meiren Ji,

who asked that I forever protect you,

as your Third Brother and Crown Prince,.

and when grown up and becoming the ruler.

to get ahold of your mother’s precious stone, search the capital to bring it back.

Is this true?

Furthermore,

you mustn’t consider yourself an orphan.

Your Third Eldest Brother will forever be your closest relative.

What do you want by coming here?

Yin Deshun told me

the King of Rui’s mood wasn’t good.

It’s not necessary for you to handle His Majesty’s affairs.

In meeting His Majesty,

has something happened?

I don’t want my matters

to implicate you.

What would implicate me?

I only know that you have treated me with kindness,

you saved my elder brother.

allowing him to stay in Lan State

and start anew.

You also rescued me!

Yes.

You’re located at my Third Eldest Brother’s side,

and getting a fresh start!

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty, drink some tea.

Your Majesty, is being in the middle

of Li State’s marriage proposal vexing your mind?

Zitong, you’ll tell Imperial Mother,

why in any case would I meet you to discuss

anything instead of making my own decision?

Your Majesty talks like this,

your servant reveres Your Majesty.

My being persuaded to rise and go to Your Majesty’s palace,

how is the Empress Dowager to blame for this?

Zitong,

you mustn’t by any means think this way.

You’ve known me ten years,

even if Imperial Mother had not added this additional layer of relationship.

As Empress,

you are entirely worthy of the title.

What

part of your conduct as Empress

is your being involved in discussions about a marriage alliance?

In your humble servant’s opinion

the Empress Dowager in this way insists

on the marriage matter to restrict any freedom of action.

But this matter for now appears

that it will do more good than detriment to Lan State.

Li State’s Princess would enter the inner court (harem)

surpassed in rank only by myself, the Empress.

I, your subject, would watch her closely

to prevent Li State’s machinations from taking the opportunity.

Li State’s Princess will need to be provided

with a title and living

allowing her to join properly with Lan State

with respect to her dignity,

even if it’s an undeserved reputation,

and thus showing understanding as Li State is powerless.

Zitong, you’re quite attentive.

I will immediately confer her as “Imperial Concubine De”.

the third-ranking concubine.

This should be good enough to keep up

Li State’s prestige.

Your Majesty is wise.

Your Majesty, in addition..in short,

not sure it’s appropriate for me to tell you?

Empress, please tell me.

Zhaoyi Nie’s peculiar status

as your subject, I’m afraid

that if Your Majesty continues to show her special favor,

by being pampered, she may grow arrogant.

Just in case--

This one really has you, the Empress, that worried...

or is it that the rest of the concubines in the Imperial harem are worried?

As your subject, I’m useless,

I shouldn’t bother Your Majesty with my own troubles.

With regard to Zhaoyi Nie’s matter,

that’s my choice.

If she really is a danger to Lan State,

I’ll dispatch her myself.

The success or failure of the army

will play a critical role in Your Majesty’s imperial power.

I understand

Zhaoyi Nie

is being used to control Miao Minghu as a chess piece.

I will control more than

Miao Minghu with this person.

Imperial Physician Chen,

can you take a look at this prescription?

This prescription...

Ruo’er!

Father, you’ve returned!

His Majesty ordered the Imperial Physician Bureau

to develop a treatment for the Mama Ling.

and an antidote for Her Highness Concubine Yu.

His Majesty is coming over.

Yes, Zhaoyi Nie

brought an oral order from HIs Majesty.

You’d better examine this.

You take care of it!

In that case, let’s rush over there!

Okay, that’s fine..

Father, what’s going on?

Ruo’er, you’ve just entered the palace

and still don’t understand

the subtle relationships in the palace.

Concubine Yu, along with Mama Ling,

were poisoned and made speechless.

Naturally, there is someone

who unexpectedly does not want them to open their mouths to gossip.

Even though His Majesty has acquiesced

to Zhaoyi Nie’s assistance in manufacturing an antidote,

behind his back,

there was an order someone made to vent their anger at the Imperial Physician Bureau.

The antidote manufacturing has been completed,

so now they have been defeated.

Father,

are you saying you really don’t know anything about it?

Don’t ask me ever again.

Concubine Yu had previously lost her influence.

Mama Ling

is only the King of Rui’s former wet nurse.

We haven’t got the necessary influence to go in.

Both of them

are already considered taboo by the Empress Dowager.

This one matter

can only cause them to grow weaker over time.

As time progresses,

Zhaoyi Nie will naturally find out what’s going on.

But Mama Ling...

how can she be to blame, as just the King of Rui’s wet nurse?

The King of Rui is truly a thorn in Empress Dowager’s side.

Why do you always seem to care about him?

Um....

The Imperial Physician Bureau is having some difficulty in requesting some medicinal ingredients,

I’d better go check on that now.

Elder Sister, you’re awake!

That Eunuch Li,

why does he keep coming back here?

I waited on Eunuch Li again,

he requested that Elder Sister please make your way to the Supreme Palace tomorrow

to take part in a Buddhist meeting.

Up to now, there hasn’t been any unexpected news.

It’s a Buddhist meeting?

Right! It’s the Empress Dowager’s,

on behalf of Princess Yunle’s older brother.

Everyone annually attends this Buddhist meeting,

the entire city and the harem!

The masters of Donglin Temple

are here and have already entered the palace!

Is that so?

Xia Lan...

in this harem...

is there a place called the “Jing Pavilion”?

There seems to be one next to the Supreme Palace.

The Late Emperor put his scriptures there.

This inner court of the concubines is really big!

I should go back the direction I came from.

Master Yun told me

the Imperial Palace has a very large

collection of sacred books.

Some are handwritten copies

that even Donglin Temple does not have!

More than likely, that’s it here!

Zhaoyi Nie!

You’re Qingyuan, the young monk?

You aren’t planning to go to the Buddhist meeting?

Yes, maybe the Empress Dowager

will unexpectedly miss me!

Young Master, why is this record here?