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Court Lady

Ep44

Father has been leading troops for many years.

He won't lose to a young man like Du Ning.

It's fine if he behaves.

If not,

he will be killed.

No.

Why not?

He is sent by His Majesty, after all.

If he is dead,

how should the Duke explain it to him?

It's inevitable to have casualties during a war.

He won't blame Father.

Even a formidable one like Sheng Chumu

almost got killed once,

let alone a scholar.

Why are you so nervous?

Didn't you promise me

to kill less for our son's sake?

Alright.

I'm just saying.

He is sent His Majesty after all.

If nothing happens,

we won't target him.

If something happens...

I know.

Kill less.

Bless our son.

I won't go on the battlefield this time.

I'll spend more time with you at home.

Documents from all offices have been submitted.

Please take a look, Matron Fu.

Leave them here for now.

Thank you for your hard work today.

You are dismissed.

Yes, Matron.

We'll leave you to it.

Directress He.

You stay.

What can I do for you, Matron Fu?

I heard that

you made a list of court maids in the Palace Penal Service.

People on that list

are banned from the tryout for the 24 offices.

What's this all about?

Those are just women related to guilty officials

and maids that often make mistakes.

Only dirty work suits them.

They are not qualified for the tryout.

I meant well,

thinking that I can save court ladies

in other offices some trouble.

Directress He.

Do you know why

the six palace services and 24 offices were established?

Please enlighten me, Matron Fu.

To ensure that everyone will do their job

and avoid crossing boundaries.

As for the tryout method of the 24 offices,

it should be decided by court ladies from those offices.

They don't need you

to save them the trouble.

Is that clear?

Yes.

Is there anything else, Matron Fu?

No, there isn't.

Then I will...

But I have a piece of advice.

Yes, ma'am.

I am all ears.

I am dull and inflexible.

Every decision I make will be based on the palace rules.

Therefore,

I suggest you read the palace rules carefully,

especially the ones

about abusing power and crossing boundaries.

Matron Fu, I...

People say that a new broom sweeps clean.

But in my case, as I am new to this,

I don't want too many changes

in the six palace services and 24 offices.

I believe

if you can just do your job well

as the directress of the Ritual Reception Office,

it'll be a good thing.

What do you think,

Directress He?

Yes, ma'am.

I will review the palace rules carefully.

She kept saying that you like to read.

In fact,

she was the same.

She liked you so much.

I think it's because you like to read.

Her Majesty often read Book of Sui and Records of the Grand Historian.

Sometimes, she'd even read till late at night.

She was just stubborn like this.

Even with bad health,

she still stayed up late

and exhausted herself.

Now,

she has left me cruelly.

With Her Majesty gone, the harem lost its leader.

With so many things to be dealt with,

I'm afraid it will get chaotic.

Indeed, someone should be appointed

to manage the great amount of work in the harem.

How about Consort Yan?

Your Majesty is so wise.

In terms of seniority in the harem and interpersonal relationships,

Consort Yan ranks the top in the harem.

In that case, Consort Yan it is.

Your Majesty.

I venture to say something.

Matron Fu, you are no longer Directress of the Communication Office,

but you still like to offer advice.

Fine.

Since I gave you the power to offer advice,

I won't take it back.

Say it if you want.

When Her Majesty was alive,

she also asked Consort Yan to help her manage the harem.

Was she good at it?

Her Majesty said

Consort Yan was dedicated.

Unfortunately, she was in poor health.

Back then, she helped Her Majesty make new rules of the Palace

and then got seriously ill.

Her Majesty felt very sorry.

Therefore, since then,

she had seldom let Consort Yan assist.

Consort Yan is poor in health.

Her Majesty was in bad health.

To manage the harem,

she was drained of energy,

and her health got worse day by day.

In the end, she passed away.

So, if Your Majesty assign

everything to Consort Yan,

I worry that she won't be able to take it, either.

But apart from her,

I can't think of anyone else more suitable.

Your Majesty is right.

Managing the harem

requires both seniority and interpersonal relationships.

Her Majesty just passed away. People in the harem are upset.

For now,

how about we find someone

who is respected by all and experienced?

Who?

Consort Dowager Wang.

Consort Dowager Wang?

Yes.

When the Grand Emperor was in reign,

Consort Dowager Wang kept the harem in order.

Her Majesty also said

she got much advice from Consort Dowager Wang

when she just started managing the harem.

So she had always been grateful to her.

My mother died young.

When I was still King Jin,

Consort Dowager Wang was very good to me and the late Empress.

Where is she now?

After the Grand Emperor passed away,

all consort dowagers without children went to

Taoist temples for spiritual practices.

Consort Dowager Wang gave birth to a son,

which was Shijun, my fifth brother.

Unfortunately,

when he was 14,

he was killed by rebels.

Consort Dowager Wang had served the Grand Emperor for many years.

She should be revered.

Send my order.

Here.

Bring Consort Dowager Wang back.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Then Consort Yan...

Matters in the harem

will be managed by Consort Dowager Wang.

She is more senior and experienced.

As for Consort Yan,

she can assist in it.

In this way,

she won't be strained.

The harem

can also enjoy peace.

Your Majesty is so wise!

It was supposed to be a done deal.

However, Fu Rou suggested Consort Dowager Wang

and ruined the plan.

The late Empress deserved her title.

She is already dead

but still managed to ruin my plan.

Matron of the Six Palace Services.

I want to see

how long this pawn left by the late Empress

can survive in the game.

I didn't expect that you can go out to battle with the army.

If you can do it,

why can't I do it?

Looking back,

when we were in Guangzhou the first time,

you were beaten hard by your father.

Now we think about it, how time flies!

If it wasn't for that trip to Guangzhou,

I wouldn't have met Fu Yin,

and you wouldn't have met Fu Rou.

I told you many times. Don't mention her.

What on earth has she done

that you can't even bear to hear her name?

Fine.

I won't mention her.

I am leaving soon.

I can't hold back what I want to say.

Du Ning.

I'll only ask you one thing.

Without Fu Rou,

can the former top playboy in Chang'an

become General of Cavalry today

who is a versatile talent

and the pride of the family?

I risked my life to earn the title of General of Cavalry.

It has nothing to do with her.

Feel your conscience and say it again.

That's enough.

Forget it.

I'll go home and pack my bags.

Take care, Du Ning.

You are a civil official. Don't leave the camp.

I know.

Learn the military rules by heart.

Don't let Lu Yunji get the goods on you

and set you as an example.

Rest assured.

What else?

Take care.

You already said that.

Matron Fu.

These are the maids for the 24 offices selected from the Palace Penal Service.

Xiaolu?

Matron Fu.

This girl was educated.

She was selected for providing polished answers.

Let her stay here.

Yes, ma'am.

The rest of you, follow me.

Yes, ma'am.

Matron Fu.

Does it mean I can receive

education from you from now on?

If you're willing to learn, then I can teach you.

I will absolutely study hard.

Your Highness.

Master, I've waited a long time for you.

I was occupied with work.

Today I will tell you the story of The Fisherman in Zhuangzi, alright?

Alright.

Master, who is she?

This is Xiaolu.

Xiaolu, greet His Highness.

I am also Matron Fu's student.

In that case, I am your senior.

But you are younger than me.

I started learning from Master Fu earlier, so I am a senior.

The seniority in education should be based on one's knowledge.

May I ask Your Highness,

what is the aim of acquiring knowledge?

Xiaolu.

You got too bold when you learned His Highness is kind.

Apologize to His Highness.

No need.

She is more interesting than those maids that only follow orders.

Tell me, what is the aim of acquiring knowledge?

Mencius said, "The aim of acquiring knowledge

is only to regain one's heart."

Acquiring knowledge is for the relief of having a heart.

I see. It's for a kind of relief.

I am relieved to hear that.

You embarrassed yourself.

Alright, let me explain this part to you.

Xiaolu, come here.

Sit next to me.

A maid can't sit next to a king.

There is no such distinction in learning.

Here, we are both Master Fu's students.

Sit here.

You can go.

The enemy has retreated to Xiangzhong town

for fear of the Tang's military might.

Their leader is called Hong Ze.

He is quite prestigious in Sheng Country.

Many people there responded to his call

and brought their own weapons and food to follow his lead in wars.

People in that country are all ungrateful barbarians.

Set up posts to question the passers-by.

Arrest those with food enough for three days,

with ironware,

and who look suspicious.

Yes, sir.

Wait.

General Lu, I don't think it's a good idea.

Secretary Du, what idea do you have?

The riot in Sheng Country started because

the officials imposed excessive taxes and bullied commoners.

In my view,

we should mainly pacify them.

His Majesty sent me here to suppress the riot,

not to pacify those rebellious sinners.

But you mustn't turn the rest of them against you in that process.

I have a suggestion.

Please tell me.

His Majesty exempted Sheng Country

from three years of taxes.

The commoners should've been grateful.

The discontent among them with the Court

came from guilty officials' exploitation.

There is a big misunderstanding.

Hong Ze was made the leader of the rebels.

He is not so much a man intended

to rebel than a man forced to do so.

We can try to send an envoy

to see if we can sway him

and avoid a huge battle.

Your words make sense.

How about this?

We send an eloquent man

to the rebels to find out about what's going on.

If it works,

you will be the major contributor.

Much appreciated.

General, are we really listening to that scholar?

He was sent by His Majesty.

We need to act as if we respect him.

But as for what we really think,

there is only one word about this battle.

Delay.

Delay?

Delay it as long as possible.

We will rest here.

Build the city defense slowly.

As for the rebels in Xiangzhong town,

let them have a few good days.

Won't that boost their power?

It will also boost our power.

We are like hounds kept by His Majesty.

It won't make a difference

if a hound kills a rabbit.

But if it kills a tiger...

That is what I call a major contribution.

So we have to delay it.

Delay it as long as possible.

Wait until the rebels grow

from rabbits to tigers.

Got it.

Is this your first time here in the Forbidden Court?

I dared not enter without any orders before.

There are 24 pavilions

and many precious animals.

Go ahead, and you'll see

the garden supplying fruit and vegetables to the Palace.

The Palace Catering Service is in charge of the diet of royals.

And the fruit and vegetables they eat mostly come from here.

I need to have a look in person.

They are the 100 cavalries.

His Majesty gave them

special permission to train here.

Keep practicing.

Yes, sir.

General Sheng.

This is the new...

Matron Fu.

Congrats on the promotion.

Prepare the register of fruit and vegetables.

I'll come later.

Yes, ma'am.

Why did you congratulate me against your will?

Just say what you want to say.

It's not against my will.

I have nothing to say.

Chumu.

Who are you mad at?

You.

You pursued someone else.

How dare you be mad at me?

Yes.

I like Lianyan,

and I am mad at you.

So what?

Do you want to punish me?

Shameless.

Right. I'm shameless.

You are noble.

You curried favor with the late Empress nobly.

You turned to King Zhou nobly.

You even stood aside nobly

and witnessed the announcement of my sister's execution.

How dare you pin Queen Han's death

on me!

It's not that I chose to stand aside.

But I couldn't do anything.

You couldn't do anything?

From a servant in the Palace Penal Service

to the head of the Palace Etiquette Service,

you are so good.

You were right beside the late Empress on that day.

Why didn't you send me and my brother-in-law a message?

If we had gotten just a heads-up,

my sister might not have to die.

I...

What?

You kept saying that you love me.

Have you ever loved me?

You fell in love with King Zhou a long time ago.

You don't care about me at all.

Why would you care about my sister?

You worked so hard to win the late Empress's favor.

Why would you give that up for my sister?

Right, I like Lianyan.

Do you know why I like her?

Even if she worked in a brothel,

she is still 100 times

better than you, who are fake and vain.

If you do this again,

I won't go easy on you.

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I can get up myself.

Let me walk you back.

There's no need.

Any advice, Your Highness?

You don't need any advice.

You were doing great.

You did everything I want.

Thanks.

With so many choices,

you rejected King Zhou,

King Liang,

and Yan Zifang.

Yet you chose Sheng Chumu,

who is ungrateful and not loyal.

Alright. Stop crying.

Otherwise,

people would think

I beat you to tears.

Look what he has done to you.

Why are you still thinking about him?

Forget him.

I also want to forget him,

but I can't.

When I see flowers,

I'd think of the one he gave me.

When I see a tree,

I'd think of the one he climbed.

Even if he hates me,

even if he said those unreasonable words,

and even if he is in love with someone else,

my heart still fluttered for him

when I

saw him earlier.

Then?

Your fluttering heart

was teared up by him.

How tragic!

General. Bad news.

General, do you still remember

that you sent someone to persuade

the rebels in Xiangzhong town last time to make Du Ning look good?

What?

Hong Ze swayed?

Yes.

He sent envoys here

to learn more about surrendering.

I wanted to make him stronger,

yet he wants to surrender.

What a coward!

The envoys have arrived at the camp.

Do you want to see them?

Does Du Ning know?

Everyone in the camp is loyal to us.

No one will tell him.

I'll see them.

Yes, sir.

General Lu.

Were you sent by Hong Ze?

Yes,

Our leader is in awe of the Tang's military might

and wants to avoid a war.

We were exploited by officials

and lived miserably.

Then we were framed for breaking into a station and murdering people.

We had no choice but to revolt.

We are all commoners.

Please allow us to surrender

and let us live on.

Surrender.

Good.

About this,

I need to think about it carefully.

Let me ponder over it.

You need to wait.

May I ask how long we should wait?

Till your next life.

Stop!

General, why did you kill them?

They were assassins sent by Hong Ze.

They pretended to be envoys

to assassinate me.

They wanted to assassinate you?

What?

You don't believe me?

Every soldier here

can prove it for me.

Right.

They wanted to assassinate the General.

With what?

They didn't bring any weapons.

Secretary Du.

Do you want to interrogate me in my camp?

Among those going out to battle this time,

there is one that I know

right in his lordship's camp.

I'm kind of worried about his safety.

What's his name?

His name is

Du Hai.

How did you know him?

He taught me to draw.

He was my teacher.

Your teacher.

I thought he was

your lover.

Rest assured.

Tomorrow,

I will write a letter to the camp

and ask my father's assistant

to take good care of your teacher.

No need for that.

It's too much trouble.

For you,

it's no trouble.

Let's go.

Deliver it to Chang'an now.

Hand it to His Majesty in person.

It's too dangerous here, my lord.

Come with me.

If I'm gone, no one will monitor Lu Yunji.

It's likely he'll plot something.

Once he colludes with the enemy

with such a large army,

it will lead to a huge disaster.

My lord,

you need to be extra careful.

Rest assured.

I will stall him

and keep the situation here from worsening.

Tell His Majesty

to replace Lu Yunji with another general ASAP.

As soon as a new general arrives,

we can take over the army

when Lu Yunji is not prepared

and deprive him of his power.

Then the situation will be settled.

Set off now.

Take care.

Yes, my lord.

Secretary Du.

General.

The memorial to the throne is ready.

Have a look.

Is there something wrong?

Did you make a mistake?

"The rebels attacked the camp

and killed three of my subordinates."

Why is my name

on the list of the sacrificed?

Dying for your country.

Isn't this what you want?

You're still wet behind the ears.

How dare you pull tricks behind my back!

Bring him in!

General.

A secret letter was found on him.

I am an official serving the Tang dynasty.

My loyalty

lies with the Tang dynasty.

Well said.

Then sacrifice your life for the Tang dynasty.

It hurts.

It hurts so much.

Come in.

What can I do for you, Your Highness?

I haven't seen you for half a day.

Where were you slacking off?

I was serving the Consort Dowager.

Now I'm doing the laundry.

All you do is serving the Consort Dowager.

The one you should serve the most is me.

Reapply the medicine.

Didn't I just reapply it this morning?

I just want it to be reapplied again.

Yes, Your Highness.

You don't have to be that discreet.

I am your wife.

You can look at me all you want.

Right.

The doctor said your injury is almost healed.

I don't need to reapply the medicine tomorrow morning.

What does that quack know?

Reapply it when I ask you to.

Come earlier tomorrow.

Yan Zifang.

Your Highness.

Sit.

When did you arrive?

A while ago.

I dared not interrupt you two,

so I didn't say anything.

Look how envious you are!

I don't want to lecture you,

but it's time you got married.

You can have all the fun out there,

but your wife is the best at home.

Look at me.

Look.

Your Highness.

I heard a piece of bad news.

You Jianming plans to suggest

sending you to Liang city to His Majesty.

You Jianming.

I did nothing wrong in Chang'an.

Why is he bothered by it?

Kings should reside in their own lands.

This is the Court's rule.

As the censor-in-chief,

reporting things like this

is his responsibility.

Bullshit!

He has a finger in every pie.

How dare Du Ning

pull tricks on Father!

Although he is just a scholar,

he is quite bold.

Luckily, the General is experienced

and saw right through him.

Otherwise, if His Majesty gets that letter,

there will be serious consequences.

Did Father punish him?

He made a prompt decision

and...

We say to the public he was killed by the rebels.

Good.

Dare to play against us?

The only ending

for him is to go to hell.

Yin.

Yin.

Are you hurt?

What's wrong?

You killed him.

Who?

You killed Du Ning.

You killed him!

Stop it.

Why are you so agitated?

You knew him?

You killed him.

Murderers.

You are all murderers.

Why are you

acting crazy for a man?

Tell me.

When did you two get together

behind my back?

Tell me!

Right.

I was with him long before.

I was already with him

before I knew you.

What did you say?

He taught me calligraphy

and drawing.

We loved each other.

We swore to live our lives together forever.

He is the man I truly love in my whole life.

Shut up.

I want to say it.

I want to tell you everything.

Do you know

why I left him and came to you?

I came for revenge.

Revenge for my mother.

She was the third madam in the Fu family.

Do you still remember the Fu family?

The one whose house was set on fire

and burned to the ground under your order.

The woman burned to death in the fire that day

was my mother.

You killed my mother!

You are...

My last name is Fu.

I am the third daughter of the Fu family, Fu Yin.

That's enough. Stop talking.

From now on,

don't say a word!

Lu Qi.

You are so stupid!

I came to you

only for revenge.

Yet you noticed nothing.

Lu Hanxing set my family's house on fire,

so I killed him.

You even covered for me

in front of your father.

Oh right.

And the letter that put you in prison.

Jasmine didn't lose it.

I burned it.

I told you! Don't say a word!

Stop!

Can't you hear me?

I am by your side every day

waiting to see the punishment your family will get.

I asked you not to speak!

I told you!

Stop talking!

Stop it!

Stop it!

Stop it!

Stop it!

I asked you to stop it.

Stop it!

Stop it.

Stop it. Stop it.

Your Highness.

This horse is very wild.

Let me do it.

You gave me this horse.

I'll tame it myself.

Your Highness.

This horse is very wild.

With Your Highness's restricted mobility,

you may get hurt.

Who gave you the nerve?

Who gave you the nerve?

Come on!

Who gave you the nerve?

Your Highness!

-Your Highness! -Your Highness!

Your Highness!

Your Highness!

Are you alright?

My love!

Your Highness!

Watch out!

My love!

My love!

Are you okay?

I was scared to death.

Luckily he was there.

Sheng Chujun greets Your Highness.

Her Ladyship also mentioned

there was a man who often went to see her.

This man...

Is his last name Sheng?

Yes.

He is from Duke of Lu's family,

called Sheng Chujun.

Shuangxi.

Take her back for some rest.

Your Highness.

Sheng Chujun.

You saved the Crown Princess.

I will reward you well.

Thank you, Your Highness.

Sister,

please help me.

I don't want to marry Lu Qi.

Your Highness.

What you are holding is

the hairpin of the Violet Bird.

Your Highness recognized it?

It was treasured by my sister.

How come you have it?

Lingwei once said

she didn't want to marry Lu Qi.

Was it because of you?

Yes.

Did you like her?

Yes.

Did she like you?

Yes.

Good.

My poor sister.

At least before she died,

she had a taste of mutual affection.

On the night she was poisoned,

I met with her.

She was as happy as a bird freed from the cage.

She said you agreed to help her.

You wouldn't let her marry Lu Qi.

Thank you, Your Highness.

Because of your promise,

at least she was still happy

right before she died.

I haven't thanked you for saving me today.

You are Lingwei's dearest sister.

I failed to protect her in the past.

But I must protect you.

I will never let those

evil people who killed Lingwei harm you

even if I need to risk my life.

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