Original subtitles

I want Imperial Mother! I want Imperial Mother!

Eldest Prince, let’s go.

I want Imperial Mother!

Imperial Mother,

what child

does not want to be with his mother.

When they are small,

all the children in the world

love and listen to their mothers.

They do not seem to do so when they grow up.

I am now

an old woman, unrestrained and carefree.

I can only spend time with my treasured grandchild.

Your Majesty is not going to abuse your power, right?

Will you not let me spend my

remaining days happily in my grandson’s company?

Imperial Mother...

Come.

Imperial Mother! Imperial Mother!

Seeing Ziyan

reminds me of the time

when Your Majesty was young

and was very filial to me.

Imperial Mother! Imperial Mother!

Concubine Du, you are pregnant with an imperial heir.

When you are free,

come to Shangyuan Palace to accompany me.

This female servant thanks Imperial Mother for her grace.

Imperial Mother, I miss you!

Imperial Mother! Imperial Mother!

Cousin,

if you cannot let go of Ziyan,

I can accompany you

to visit him at Shangyuan Palace.

Maybe I will be able to persuade the maternal aunt.

It is of no use, Fuxiang.

I already went there.

In the end,

I came back to Yi Palace alone.

My aunt took Ziyan

to threaten me.

Threaten you? With what?

Fuxiang,

have you not

figured it out

why does Empress Dowager want to take

Ziyan away from me

and why she is arranging for pregnant

Concubine Du and Concubine Yun

to come to Shangyuan Palace so often?

Has she ever

given up the imperial power in her heart?

But what will Empress Dowager

do to His Majesty?

Could it be that the imperial garden’ issue

was orchestrated by Empress Dowager?

Let’s not talk about it.

I do not know why

but I think this al

is truly a bad omen.

How can it be like this?

Who was so cruel

to destroy all the flowers?

Did my mother get angry because I did not want to

leave with her

and took everything

that she left in the palace?

Everything withers,

just like this flower field.

Is your arrow injury better?

King of Rui's Consort took good care

about me and the injury.

That’s good.

Where is your gemstone?

It is not here.

Maybe my mother took it back,

not willing for it to protect me anymore.

Can you tell me

if these flowers

were really created by Meiren Ji?

I don’t know.

How about you tell me something?

When a woman does not love someone...

Let’s say...

Let’s say if you went to Donglin Temple,

would you destroy the peach blossom forest?

You have to be unpleasant

to feel satisfied, am I right?

Did I say something wrong?

Look at this flower.

It did not die even after

such calamity.

It resembles you.

Royal Highness.

King of Rui's Consort and Mama Ling came.

I have to rush to Yi Palace

to report to Her Majesty about the flowers.

I shall not bother King of Rui.

This is for you.

Imperial Medical Bureau asked King of Rui's Consort to check

if the flowers were destroyed by a man.

Old slave especially accompanied her here.

I did not expect you to not only possess the medical skills

but also the knowledge about the flowers.

Sometimes

flowers and plants are more appealing than people.

Empress Dowager has just burned King of Rui’s Mansion down.

Today, the flowers in the garden

and the fish in the palace ponds died.

I did not do this for revenge.

It seems that

Empress Dowager’s move

was her dying kick

before losing her power.

Wet Nurse,

do you think it is possible

that my mother came back

and destroyed all this with her own hands?

No.

Meiren Ji loved

this palace more than anyone else.

She wouldn’t do such a thing.

What does His Majesty think about this matter?

In addition to ordering a thorough investigation,

Third Elder Brother did not say anything.

Did he let you investigate it?

Wang Sengbian

It seems that His Majesty

has some doubts about you.

Third Elder Brother would not.

It is better not to talk about some things

at the time when power is easy to shift.

Empress Dowager is atrociously cruel to His Majesty

Then it is strange that His Majesty

treated you this way.

Refrain from hurting others

yet guard yourself against those trying to hurt you.

Especially this Zhaoyi Nie.

After you married Imperial Physician Du,

she can change from loving you to hating you in a moment.

Many things have to happen

before you can really see a person clearly.

She wouldn’t do that, Wet Nurse.

I want to help the Third Elder Brother.

I can sense that

Empress Dowager will be going

against the Third Elder Brother again.

Royal Highness,

never offend

Empress Dowager again.

Third Elder Brother saved my life.

I must protect him.

But...

But I really don’t understand.

is the power really that important?

Empress Dowager can unexpectedly

sacrifice her own son for power.

Actually, His Majesty is not Empress Dowager’s

biological son.

It was Empress Dowager’s murderous scheme.

Never let others

know about this matter.

How could this be?

My elder sister

was Empress Dowager Wang’s palace maid that year.

I was the only one she told about this matter.

But when one day

she has died of a sudden illness,

I suddenly knew

that I have to pretend

to be ignorant of the matter

to survive in the palace.

But I was afraid that

if I didn’t tell you about this matter,

this secret will be like a rock dropped into

the sea. (it will completely disappear)

Therefore, you should never

feel inferior because of

your mother’s identity.

If the Late Emperor

had enthroned Meiren Ji back then,

you would have been the crown prince.

Stop talking about it.

Wet Nurse, stop talking about it.

I will pretend

I have never heard these words.

What is it, Deshun?

Is there gold on the roof?

After coming back, King of Rui's Consort

went to the eaves.

She sits there like Royal Highness at ordinary times.

What is it?

Is King of Rui's Consort picking herbs on the roof?

I'm looking at the sky that someone often looks at,

thinking about seeing everything as he does.

You will never understand it.

I know.

Why did you not leave?

Because you did not leave.

I am telling you,

I am a man...

that cannot control you

but a man that can control myself.

Why are you so persistent?

Du Ruo,

you cannot be broken-hearted.

You have married him.

You have to be patient.

You have to wait

till one day

he forgets about Wushuang and falls in love with you.

I will leave sooner or later.

It is not worth waiting.

Wushuang has disturbed Your Majesty.

I ask Your Majesty to pardon the offence.

Wushuang, it turned out to be you.

Wushuang heard Eunuch Li say

that Your Majesty has been sitting

in the imperial study for two shichens (two double-hours)

and should have a rest.

It will hurt your eyes if you look on the memorials for too long.

Ever since Your Majesty returned to the palace from Jiangnan,

you are preoccupied.

Wushuang wonders

if she can share Your Majesty’s worries.

Withdraw, you all.

Yes.

I have been wondering

about something these past days.

If Meiren Ji was to reappear

in the Lan Palace,

should I help Imperial Mother

do deal with her

or help her to redress

her grievances towards my Imperial Mother.

Your Majesty is overanxious.

If Meiren Ji

really wanted to deal with Empress Dowager,

she would have made King of Rui

return to the palace the moment the Late Emperor died.

Why would she wait in the crystal coffin

for so many years.

I think so too.

With my understanding of Fifth Younger Brother,

he would never betray me.

Truly, sometimes not saying something

does not necessarily mean betrayal.

King of Rui will use his life

to protect Your Majesty.

So to say,

Meiren Ji has nothing to do

with the withering of flowers and plants in the palace.

But since it happened when Empress Dowager

relinquished her power to me,

there must be a reason for this.

Wushuang, uhm...

What do you think of Imperial Mother’s release

of the military power.

In Wushuang’s opinion,

Empress Dowager relinquishing the power

was only an immediate defeat.

What she wants is to raise Your Majesty’s overwhelming manly spirit

so you pursue the supreme treasure

to unify North and South.

Li State has long been eyeing this matter.

When the time comes, feudal lords who sway over different regions in turbulent days

will fight each other.

It will be the time for Empress Dowager to close the net.

Wushuang is indeed smart.

The withering of flowers and plants in the palace

has nothing to do with Empress Dowager.

What Empress Dowager wants

is a flourishing era that Your Majesty will bring back

and not the ravages of war.

It does not seem

like Empress Dowager’s usual behaviour.

But Wushuang has an idea.

I do not know if it is proper to mention it.

Just speak out what is in your mind.

Wushuang feels that this matter

was caused by a human being

to separate Your Majesty and Empress Dowager

after Your Majesty took over the power

as well as make Your Majesty distrust King of Rui.

Who do you think would do such a thing then?

Wushuang cannot guess

who the evildoer is.

It seems that Wushuang and Gao Yan

are still bound by mutual affection.

Your Majesty should not guess indiscriminately.

After all, Concubine Du is carrying the imperial heir now.

It will be impossible for her

to not think about her own child.

I am afraid it was done by another person.

There are many concubines

in the imperial harem.

Only Wushuang

can communicate with me.

I have a hunch

that there will be more and more dangers

in the palace in the days to come.

If something happens to me one day,

you have to promise me

to leave the palace immediately.

My Dragon Shadows will protect you.

Wushuang will not leave.

Wushuang will not leave

Your Majesty alone

and leave Great Lan.

Did Your Majesty forget

what you said before?

You said that you wanted

to unify North and South.

Wushuang wants to see Your Majesty

fulfilling these words.

Wushuang...

Your Majesty,

you are Wushuang’s benefactor,

King of Rui’s most trusted Third Elder Brother,

Great Lan’s beloved monarch.

You are not alone.

There are many people

waiting for your blessing and protection.

You must not only protect Wushuang,

protect Great Lan,

but you must protect the whole world.

Why there is only one

Wushuang in this world?

King of Rui's Consort doesnt’ even talk

to Zhaoyi Nie usually.

Why did she come for advice on needlework today?

The smartest way

is to make friends

with your rival in love.

Will she be able

to rob your man when this happens?

A woman's mind is hard to fathom.

It is good that Yang Zhi is unable to enjoy it.

You cannot be too careless.

The distance between each stab

needs to be the same.

Look, it has to be like this.

it is so hard.

It is harder than taking one’s pulse.

My mother taught me all this when I was a child.

My mother didn't get a chance to teach me this.

You...

Try again.

Why did you tear the place

that was sewn?

I want you to sew every

stitch on it

so it has nothing to do with me.

Can we take a rest for a bit?

Xia Lan, Yang Zhi.

Go and prepare some refreshments.

Yes.

Do you know

that I am really happy

that you came today?

Is that so?

Have you ever thought about my purpose in coming?

I do not want to guess and I do not want to ask.

It is because it was you who taught me

that King of Rui is worthy of a second glance.

By the way,

Zhaoyi, I want to ask you something.

These clothes were just hanging

in the yard to dry that day,

Why did you

draw them all?

Wushuang has been gifted

with an extraordinary retentive memory since childhood.

Then… I talked to Mama Ling the day before yesterday.

What colours did I wear when I met

Zhaoyi Nie in the imperial garden?

Blue.

Wrong. It was grey.

Zhaoyi is not gifted with the retentive memory

but very concerned

about King of Rui’s matters.

King of Rui's Consort, do not misunderstand.

King of Rui and my conduct was always proper.

There is no affection.

Whether it is love or righteousness

is beyond your control or mine.

I think that, just like the relationship

between His Majesty and King of Rui,

this relationship can only be controlled by Heavens.

What does King of Rui's Consort want to imply?

I think Zhaoyi Nie

is a thorn in Your Majesty

and King of Rui’s relationship

but also a bridge.

There may be

a change in the unstable situation in the palace these days.

Zhaoyi is Your Majesty’s most trusted person.

No matter what happens to King of Rui,

I hope Zhaoyi Nie can save him.

King of Rui's Consort rest assured.

Even if you didn’t come to Cuihua Pavilion today,

I would do my best

to protect the friendship between His Majesty

and King of Rui.

I also have a protective talisman

to give to Zhaoyi Nie.

What protective talisman?

It is a matter of great importance.

I tried to tell it to King of Rui

but he is too impatient by nature

so I am afraid he will miss this major undertaking.

This matter

is related to the diplomatic relations between Li and Lan.

Is it related to Concubine Du?

I once took Concubine Du’s pulse.

She was pregnant

even before entering

Lan Palace.

Does His Majesty know about this matter?

I dare not jump to conclusions.

But after I thought about it,

this matter cannot be disregarded.

Zhaoyi Nie is so smart,

she should know better than I what to do.

Elder Sister Concubine Yun came to Guanju Palace

to sit with younger sister.

Younger sister is really happy.

Younger Sister Concubine Du has just conceived an imperial heir

it is only natural for me to ensure

that you are exposed to the wind and sun.

Cai Ying

Li State has sent

many jujubes today. (jujube fruit, also known as red or Chinese date)

I heard that Meiren Ya

is adept in cooking.

Take Zijuan and Cai Ying

to the imperial kitchen

to make some jujube cakes for everyone.

Yes.

It is Elder Sister Concubine Yun’ favourite food.

Go. There is no harm in going.

I will chat with Concubine Du.

Yes.

I have a lot of time to practice dancing, writing and painting.

I heard that Elder Sister’s script is exceptionally beautiful

so I especially want to ask for advice.

Younger Sister Concubine Du is too polite.

Elder Sister,

the book that you have copied for me last time

is still only partially finished.

I remember.

Maidservant will prepare

inkstones for both Imperial Concubines.

I did not copy this.

Of course not.

This is what I asked Cai Ying

to copy at random.

In fact, Concubine Yun

has never copied

anything for me.

Pin Yu, you cannot hide in front of me

because you cannot copy Concubine Yun’s

treat of holding her head high.

Ever since you made a remark

that you missed your sister

and moved Meiren Ya

to Mingfu Palace

I was more and more convinced

that the dead Pin Yu

is in fact Concubine Yun.

I do not know

what are you talking about.

Should I invite the His Majesty and Her Majesty

to come over?

Wait.

You monster,

what exactly do you want?

Why can I not get rid of you

in any way?

Because you

have a child in your womb

that is still useful to us.

I’d rather die.

Are you willing to give up?

You are pregnant with an imperial heir.

What if it is a son?

he could be like Ziyan.

He could become the crown prince

and your whole life

will change.

You do not want to

or do not dare to think about it?

Nie Wushuang

knows about your matter as well.

Why are you not afraid of her betraying you

but take every precaution against me?

Zhaoyi Nie would never hurt me.

If you are Concubine Yun,

you must be on the same side

as we are.

Because who hates

Nie Wushuang more than her?

If you want to

replace Concubine Yun,

you have to be on the same side as us

and deal with Zhaoyi Nie.

What if I refuse?

You have no choice.

Otherwise, this will be your end.

It was you who destroyed the flower fields in the palace!

Guilty official Xue Mingyi

pays respects to Empress Dowager.

Rise.

Thank you, Empress Dowager.

It is so late at night

Why did Empress Dowager

make the guilty official

dress like this?

Xue Mingyi,

stop pretending

in front of me.

You know exactly

what you have to do

to save your head.

Speak.

Where is the prince that I gave birth to

that year?

I am worried

that if I die...

Look,

I have been burying this secret

in my stomach for more than ten years.

No one else in the world

will know it anymore.

Xue Mingyi!

Don’t think

I cannot kill you!

Empress Dowager, calm your anger.

I really feel unworthy

towards Empress Dowager.

Look, Empress Dowager

has been loyal to the Late Emperor

for so many years.

You worked hard regardless of criticism.

But the Late Emperor

was always wary of Empress Dowager,

therefore he gave out a secret order

for the guilty official would take away the boy

that Empress Dowager gave birth

to with a second twin.

You are truly something, Xue Mingyi.

I can’t believe you did not tell me

about this secret until today.

Guilty official was entrusted by the Late Emperor

He was unable yo decline the order.

The birds are over, the bow is put away. One

boils the hound once it caught the rabbit.

I am afraid

it will be difficult to

survive in the palace

without a saving card in one’s hand.

So when are you going

to tell me this secret?

Where on earth is my son?

Empress Dowager wants to know

the whereabouts of the child.

It is easy.

As long as Empress Dowager

reinstates guilty official

and restores Xue Family’s glory, splendour,

wealth and rank in full,

you will know it immediately.

Are you forcing me

to destroy the emperor?

Empress Dowager is exaggerating.

Guilty official has never meant it that way.

Everyone knows

that my Xue Family has fallen from grace now

I have lost all my followers.

Everyone thinks

that our power in the court

has ended

and that His Majesty can

sit firmly on the dragon throne

but who knows

who will laugh at the end.

The moment when guilty official

emerges from the Pingnan Mansion

will be the time when Empress Dowager

reunites with her own flesh and blood.

Are you making a deal with me?

Guilty official knows

what Empress Dowager

is thinking about.

In fact, everything

has started already,

hasn’t it?

Bi’er has come.

Son greets Father.

Father was upset by some unkindness.

Rise.

It’s nothing.

Son is the imperial son-in-law now,

elegantly dressed and feasting on delicacies

while Father suffers hardships.

I have been in this world for decades.

How many meritorious contributions

did I make for Great Lan?

How many talents have I fostered...

Which cabinet minister

did not admire Xue Mingyi?

Now His Majesty has me imprisoned here,

How will he

face the Late Emperor in the future?

Bi’er, father will tell you something.

Now the power struggle between Empress Dowager

and His Majesty may be triggered off at any moment.

You will have to deal with both of them.

The overall situation is undecided.

Success or failure, gains and losses

everything can turn for the better.

All right, Father.

Son understands.

By the way,

son has received a letter from Mother.

The letter said that the trip

Jiaozhou Mountain was long

and that she is exhausted by it.

Family members were infected with the foul disease.

Fortunately, no one is in direct danger of dying.

Please rest assured, Father.

Son has already arranged everything.

How can I be at ease?

Father is afraid

that he will never see his family again in his life.

Fortunately, you, the eldest son

are by my side.

It is

a true blessing in disguise.

Here are some pastry, tea

and some wine.

Son is worried about the meals

that are given to Father

so he brought some food over.

Bi’er,

although Xue Family

has suffered a misfortune at present,

father can see that this matter

has made you grown,

has made you mature.

That is why Father has a mission for you.

I want to entrust a big secret to you

that will make my Xue Family

come back to life

and turn its defeat into victory.

What secret?

A secret that made

Empress Dowager

keep this old man’s life.

Do not ask about it.

Remember.

No matter what happens

to our Xue Family in the future,

you do not have to care about it.

Father only wants you to take good care of yourself

and build our Xue Family’s ancestral temple.

Father,

why do you care about building the ancestral temple

when our Xue Family has been ruined so far?

What do you know?

Since your wedding,

your father

has been building an ancestral temple

for the purpose of holding

this monk Qingyuan

in the palm of your hand.

Isn’t he the young monk

that was scolded by Empress Dowager?

Keep an eye on him for me.

He can make your father resume his position.

When the time comes, I will get rid of Miao Minghu for you

to avenge our Xue Family.

My Lord Imperial son-in-law! My Lord Imperial son-in-law!

You cannot enter!

Princess Yunle is not inside.

I cannot enter the mansion when the Princess is in.

I cannot enter the mansion

when the Princess is not inside.

Do you want to bring more people here

to kick me out?

Maidservant dares not.

Get lost.

Yes.

Yunle,

do you really hate me so much

that you’d rather sleep alone all your life?

He...

General,

is that not Commander Xue?

What did he throw away?

It’s Princess Yunle’s box.

General.

What’s in this box?

Princess, Imperial son-in-law has come.

Quizi, ask Imperial son-in-law to leave.

I want to be alone for a while.

There is no need for it.

I was waiting for Princess to return to the Mansion

only to ask her

how many times did she write

“does he like me

or dies he not like me”.

Is “he” Xue Bi?

Xue Bi,

where on earth

did you hide it?

I lost it.

It is in a place

that you will never find.

Xue Bi!

Xue Bi!

Princess!

Xue Bi!

Careful!

Stop right there!

Princess, I will chase him for Princess.

Xue Bi! Xue Bi!

Xue Bi, I am begging you.

Why don’t you give me my things back?

I am begging you.

This is the first time

you have held your husband’s hand

since your wedding.

Let go.

Let go!

Give it to me!

No.

Give it to me!

No!

You often hold it in your hand.

Give it back to me.

It was him who gave you this jade pendant, right?

Give it back to me!

Is this your love pledge’ token?

Give it back to me!

Stop dreaming!

I will bury this jade pendant

together with the other things!

No! No!