Original subtitles

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♫ No indulgence in self-admiration, no desire for splendor. ♫

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♫ Living in a scene of bustling prosperity, viewing oneself as a made-up mirror image far away. ♫

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♫ Removing her ornate woman's attire, ♫

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♫ donning martial armor. ♫

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♫ Gentle and wonderful scenery fills the eyes, ♫

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♫ how is this not still a battlefield? ♫

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♫ Autumn departs, winter arrives, just as Bailu ("white dew") turns to frost. ♫

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♫ The road is distant, the days are long, and only finished by death in battle. ♫

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♫ My heart wants to spend its last years with you, placed at your side. ♫

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♫ However long our lifetimes, ♫

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♫ there's no time for melancholy. ♫

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♫ In the ash-grey sky, love exists above all, ♫

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♫ just lift your head and look up hopefully. ♫

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♫ Brave and chivalrous bones, yielding emotions forged into steel, ♫

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♫ sharpened by practice to a cutting edge. ♫

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♫ Time is like a blade carving every moment onto your face, ♫

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♫ one will have no regrets, if you have loved. ♫

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Oh My General

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Send people out to spread this rumor.

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Say that a prophet has calculated.

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In this life, she reincarnated as a woman, but hasn't finished paying for her retributions and her innate character is violent.

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In the future, she might harm the Emperor and destroy our Song empire.

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What a great plan. A great plan!

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Your Majesty, this is not only a family matter, it's also a matter of the country.

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The Imperial court isn't stable yet. If the inner palace (Imperial harem) will also have a change in leadership...

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Even though Fan Zhongyan isn't perfect,

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even more he exudes unyielding uprightness.

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I fear that he is a rare, able and intelligent subject.

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What Royal Brother suggests...

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Do you know about the birth puzzle of His Majesty?

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How dare you! Do you want to die? You dare talk about private Imperial matters?

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For these next few days, keep watch of His Majesty more strictly.

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Immediately tell me if there are any movements.

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Yes.

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There's only one way. That is to lure His Majesty to go to Qingyuan Palace.

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Lure him to Qingyuan Palace?

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I know that you also have grudges against me.

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But I was left with no other choice back then.

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Episode 23

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Now, I want to ask you a favor.

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Empress Dowager, just give me the instructions.

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Let that matter... rot inside your stomach... and never speak it out loud.

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Empress Dowager, don't worry.

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I will take this secret with me into my grave.

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I believe you.

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Thank you very much.

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You mustn't... You mustn't, Empress Dowager!

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You deserve this respect, Imperial Consort Chen. I owe you this.

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Empress Dowager, if you're like this...

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how can I endure such a thing?

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Empress Dowager...

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Imperial Consort Chen, recuperate well.

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I'll visit you again next time.

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Your Majesty.

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We've traveled for an hour.

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Both people and horses get tired. Can we rest here for a while?

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Absolutely not. I still want to race with Ye Zhao.

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Your Majesty, it's still early. We can race a bit later. I'm also a little thirsty.

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Qingyuan Palace is just nearby. How about Your Majesty take me there to ask for some tea?

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Qingyuan Palace?

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The lodging of Imperial Consort Chen.

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Okay.

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Greetings to Imperial Mother.

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Greetings to the Empress Dowager.

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All of you can rise.

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- Eunuch Jiang.

- Here.

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Why did you bring His Majesty here?

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Also, General Ye, why are you also here?

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Ye Zhao and I were racing our horses and felt a bit thirsty when we were passing by this place.

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We then came over to ask for some water to drink.

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It just happens that these are also the chambers of Imperial Consort Chen, so I also thought of visiting her.

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This is perfect. Imperial Mother, why don't we have tea together?

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No need.

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You all just go visit her.

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Respectful greetings to Your Majesty.

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Rise. I passed by this place and just came in to have some tea.

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Ye Zhao, sit.

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Thank you, Your Majesty.

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Ziyan, go and make some good tea.

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- Yes.

- Serve His Majesty and the General each a cup.

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I will go and make some tea now.

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Go and assist Imperial Consort Chen out to see His Majesty.

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Qiu Shui, you go make the tea.

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Yes, General.

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Miss, may I ask where the kitchen is?

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Ziyan, listen to the General.

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Hurry and assist your mistress out to see His Majesty. I'll go make the tea.

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Yes.

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Your Highness...Your Highness!

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Your Highness, His Majesty... His Majesty is here to visit you.

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- Hurry.

- Hurry.

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Greetings and health to Your Majesty.

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Imperial Consort Chen, you're sick. Please rise.

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Your Highness the Imperial Consort Chen, be seated.

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Your Highness the Imperial Consort Chen, has your health improved?

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Your Majesty, you now look so similar to the late Emperor.

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So true.

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Among the sons of the late Emperor, the current Emperor looks the most similar to him.

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In a blink of an eye, His Majesty is already this old.

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Time is long, but growing up can happen in just a blink of an eye.

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Your Highness the Imperial Consort Chen, I can see that you're still very weak. What supplements do you take?

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If you need anything, I'll let Jiang Luhai deliver them here.

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No need.

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I don't need anything.

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Eunuch Jiang will usually deliver me everything. I don't lack anything.

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That's good then. I bumped into Imperial Mother outside earlier.

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Good thing that she usually takes care of my deceased father's wives and helps me handle proper social etiquette.

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Imperial Mother?

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The Empress Dowager....

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The Empress Dowager will frequently come to reminisce with me.

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Since this is the case, I don't have to worry then.

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Your Highness the Imperial Consort Chen, rest and recuperate well. I won't disturb you anymore.

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Your Majesty!

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Your Majesty, won't you sit for a while longer?

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General Ye and I already have an appointment for a horse race.

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Okay.

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Ziyan, serve Imperial Consort Chen well.

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Yes, Eunuch Jiang.

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Your Majesty!

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Imperial Consort Chen, no need to walk us out anymore. The wind outside is strong.

♫ To be keep watch and stay close clearly is my inclination ♫

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♫ Not willing to be too selfish ♫

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♫ I'm willing to die for you ♫

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♫ Life is just like that ♫

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♫ A thousand times, ten thousand times, I will not refuse to do it ♫

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♫ Brilliant reds and purples, this bustling world is so colorful ♫

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Your Majesty...Your Majesty... !

♫ There exists more than one kind of favor. ♫

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You had an appointment with His Majesty for a horse race today.

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I heard that you passed by Qingyuan Palace and in passing, went in to visit Imperial Consort Chen.

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So what if I did?

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You do know it would be suicidal for me to do this?

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Suicidal? That is your understanding.

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I just did something that a subject should do for his master.

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Are you feeling very arrogant and proud now, especially proud?

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Just to fulfill your duty as a subject must you destroy the lives of others, even your own family,

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in exchange?

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You are thinking too much into this.

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I only let His Majesty meet who he should meet.

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A woman who's dying.

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Did you even think about this?

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Once this leaks out, you and I, and my mother and the entire Zhao family,

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and the entire Ye family will find it hard to protect our lives!

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You already told me this yesterday. You don't need to repeat it.

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I already said that I will bear the consequences of my own actions. I will not involve you in this.

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You are not being reasonable.

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Wait.

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What is this?

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Open it and read it after you have gone back.

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She is too much.

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What is this?

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Divorce paper?

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"I, Ye Zhao, have been carefree and unrestrained since I was little.

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I am not willing to get bound to my family.

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Today, I'm willing to give Zhao Yujin a...

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divorce?

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Each living their own lives, not interfering with each other."

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This foolish woman

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is really uncultured. It's so scary.

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Qing'er.

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Qing'er.

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Qing'er.

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Your Highness the Imperial Consort Chen, why are you here?

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Qing'er, I'm leaving.

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I won't be able to do anything for you today.

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This is the most painful

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thing in my heart.

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Hope that in the next life,

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Qing'er won't get reincarnated again into the Imperial family.

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That way I can still continue our mother-and-son fate.

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And then, I surely will not leave your side.

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I will do everything personally and

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raise my Qing'er.

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Your Highness the Imperial Consort Chen, what are you saying?

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The Empress Dowager is my mother.

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Yes... you are the Empress Dowager's son.

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But you are also my son.

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Your Highness the Imperial Consort Chen, what do you mean?

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Qing'er, I'm leaving.

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In the other world,

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I surely will bless you to be safe for a lifetime.

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My Qing'er, you must live well.

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Live well... for me.

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Your Highness the Imperial Consort Chen.

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Your Highness the Imperial Consort Chen!

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Your Highness the Imperial Consort Chen!

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Your Highness the Imperial Consort Chen!

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Your Majesty? Your Majesty, what's wrong?

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Her Highness the Imperial Consort Chen has left.

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Your Majesty, you had a nightmare, right?

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Her Highness the Imperial Consort Chen visited me in my dreams and said that

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she is leaving.

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It must be because this morning,

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you and Her Highness the Imperial Consort Chen had a little talk.

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In the dream, Her Highness the Imperial Consort Chen told me that

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I'm her son.

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Your Majesty, you are the son of the Empress Dowager.

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How could you be her son?

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When I met her during the day,

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she felt so familiar and close.

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Her expression was so gentle and amiable.

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Your Majesty, you dreamed of her.

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It can also be said to be a fate between Your Majesty and Her Highness the Imperial Consort Chen.

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But dreams are purely imaginary. You mustn't treat them as true.

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Your Majesty, you have a court session tomorrow morning. Go to sleep now.

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Your Majesty, last night you didn't sleep well.

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Come back early today and rest after your court session.

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My beloved consort, no need to worry. I just slept less than four hours.

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It won't cause a big problem.

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Eunuch Jiang would like to meet Your Majesty.

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Enter.

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Greetings to Your Majesty.

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Her Highness the Imperial Consort Chen of Qingyuan Palace has died.

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When did she pass away?

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During the hour of zishi. (T/N: Between 11 pm-1 am)

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She has indeed left.

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Your Majesty, please instruct how I should handle this.

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Imperial Consort Chen is the wife of the late Emperor.

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Do it as the Empress Dowager instructs.

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Yes.

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Your Majesty.

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Use this dress.

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Your Highness looks great in red.

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It's joyous and suits the Empress Dowager's poised and luxurious bearing.

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In this lifetime of mine,

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the wind and fire never stopped blowing and spreading.

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Red represents fire. It suits me.

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Once the Empress Dowager puts on this red Imperial court robe and sits in the court,

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who among the ministers below will dare to not listen to the Empress Dowager?

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Your Highness is most imposing.

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Informing the Empress Dowager, Her Highness the Imperial Consort Chen has passed away.

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Why did you only report now?

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When Miss Ziyan of Qingyuan Palace informed us about it last night,

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it was just past sangeng. You were already asleep. (T/N the third watch hour, 11 pm to 1 am)

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I was thinking that since Her Highness the Imperial Consort Chen was just a...

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What was she?

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She... was someone who didn't receive the late Emperor's favor.

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Therefore, I didn't dare to disturb the Empress Dowager and delayed it until now.

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Your Highness, please don't worry. I heard that she died peacefully.

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Did Imperial Consort Chen... did she say anything unusual

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to His Majesty yesterday?

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They only drank tea and chatted for a while.

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His Majesty then left with General Ye for the horse race.

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If she has passed away, let it be then.

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This is the will of heaven.

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Prince Qi asks for an audience!

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You may withdraw.

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Yes, Your Highness.

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Respectful greetings to the Empress Dowager.

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Long live the Empress Dowager.

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Rise.

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Thank you, Empress Dowager.

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Prince Qi, why are you here to see me early in the morning?

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Is there anything urgent?

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Empress Dowager, Her Highness the Imperial Consort Chen has passed away.

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I believe the Empress Dowager is already aware of this?

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So what if I know?

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I would like to know how I should arrange the funeral of Her Highness the Imperial Consort Chen?

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She's just an ordinary consort who was by the late Emperor's side.

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Just follow the rite of an ordinary consort.

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Empress Dowager, I think that we should give Imperial Consort Chen a grand funeral.

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Based on what reason?

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Just based on the fact that she's Imperial Consort Chen.

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Her Imperial Consort position was only conferred by me out of pity.

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I considered that she has remained in her proper sphere all her life.

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Empress Dowager, Imperial Consort Chen had a dreary life.

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She finally got conferred as an Imperial consort and then already passed away.

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She took all the pains with her and left the palace with peace.

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If Empress Dowager can provide her a grand funeral, then her soul in the afterlife

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will surely be grateful to the Empress Dowager's extreme grace.

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She's just one palace person. Why must we take such grand actions?

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Empress Dowager, forgive me for being frank.

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If we give Imperial Consort Chen a grand funeral, we can show the citizens the Empress Dowager is a magnanimous person

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and has deep affection towards the late Emperor.

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Also... all the officials and officers of the government, all Liu officials,

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most of them have received your protection.

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Doesn't the Empress Dowager want to give the Liu clan honor that will last forever?

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Fine, just do as you say.

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We'll bury Imperial Consort Chen with the honor given to a top-ranked official.

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Thank you, Empress Dowager, for accepting my suggestion.

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I'm taking my leave.

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Wait.

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Giving Imperial Consort Chen... a grand funeral is your suggestion.

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Therefore, for this matter, you're the most diligent.

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Hence, I'm giving you full control in handling this matter.

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I will obey.

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I...

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should still go to court.

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Xiao Guizi...

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Xiao Guizi...

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Your Highness the Empress Dowager!

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Your Highness the Empress Dowager!

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Call for the physician!

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Your Highness the Empress Dowager!

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Wake up, Your Highness!

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What the Empress Dowager has is a wasting disease. (digestive tract illness)

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You should rest and nurse your health.

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You shouldn't overexert yourself again.

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If I still overexert myself, what will happen?

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Just tell me the truth.

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I will not blame you.

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Then forgive me for being frank.

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If you still overexert yourself, your life will be in danger.

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Empress Dowager, what's wrong with you?

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Grandson, you're here.

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Everyone else may withdraw.

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Empress Dowager, you are sick...

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so stop working too hard.

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Don't worry. I'm fine.

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I'm feeling much better.

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I'm still waiting to see... if my grandson's child

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is more adorable than you.

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Not only will you see your grandson's child,

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you will also see the child of my grandson.

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A person will finally die.

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The point of living is to come up with descendants.

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I have His Majesty..

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by having his own children,

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that is also continuing my life.

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The wedding between you and General Ye was bestowed by me.

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So the two of you as a married couple must be of one mind and cheerfully and optimistically live your lives.

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We will cheerfully and optimistically live our lives.

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You must be happy, too.

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Empress Dowager, why did you suddenly get up?

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The wind is very strong out here. You should go to your room now.

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I have been lying on the bed every day.

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Even if I'm not sick, I will be sick from lying down.

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I think I should come out for a walk.

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Perhaps, I will get better from my illness.

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Yes.

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In front of us, so many living things are withering.

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Spring is still better.

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Living things come back to life.

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Hundreds of flowers are blooming.

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It's cold in winter. I don't like it.

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I'm afraid that my winter...

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has finally come.

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In a few days, when the weather has grown warmer,

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the Empress Dowager's illness will then get better.

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Xiao Guizi... I keep feeling lately

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that my strength is getting weaker day by day.

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This winter... is really long.

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If I want to wait for spring... I'm afraid it will be somewhat difficult.

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Empress Dowager, you are thinking too much about this.

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As long as you take good care of yourself, you will definitely be able to see the spring!

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Memorial Tablet for Her Highness the Zhangxian Mingsu Empress, Empress Dowager Liu (T/N: As Regent, Empress Liu was the second Empress Regent in Chinese history, the first, Wu Zetian)

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Your Majesty, this is a silver tree-ear fungus and bird's nest soup that I personally cooked. (T/N: Tremella fuciformis)

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Drink it while it's hot.

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Your Majesty.

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You haven't eaten for two days.

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If the Empress Dowager were to know, she would be very sad.

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Since I was little, I was deeply loved by the Empress Dowager.

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Ever since the Empress Dowager left,

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I'm without a mother.

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Your Majesty, your health is important. Even just for the Empress Dowager,

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you can't do this to yourself, too.

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Imperial Consort Dowager Yang is asking for an audience!

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Little Mother, why are you here?

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I heard that Zhen'er has been depressed lately and couldn't eat.

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I was very worried.

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I really don't have an appetite.

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A person leaving is like a light going out. They can't be revived. Your Majesty must take good care of your health.

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Ever since the Empress Dowager left... I felt that...

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I felt that the whole world has gone empty.

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I wonder if I can get used to living without the Empress Dowager.

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Your Majesty,

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certain things... are not what you think they are.

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Beloved consort, please leave us.

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Your Majesty, don't be too sad.

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For example, the Empress Dowager wasn't your real mother.

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The unfortunate Imperial Consort Chen was Your Majesty's real birth mother.

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Little Mother, what are you saying?

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I'm saying,

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that Imperial Consort Chen was Your Majesty's real mother.

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How could this be possible?

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How could Your Majesty know about the grudges of the past generation?

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Thirty-five years ago...

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your mother Lady Li was still a maidservant by Empress Liu's side.

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His Majesty is here.

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Your Majesty, you're finally here. I have been waiting for you.

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Your Majesty...

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Qing'er, don't be afraid, don't be scared.

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Mother is here. I will carry you. Don't be afraid.

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Cairen Li's son was replaced by someone.

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Your Majesty was taken to Empress Liu's side.

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Empress Liu was very concerned about the government.

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She frequently helped the late Emperor handle official matters.

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She didn't have time to take care of you.

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The late Emperor could only send me to take care of you.

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From then on, you called Empress Liu your "Big Mother."

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You called me "Little Mother."

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I treated the Empress Dowager as my real mother for thirty-five years.

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I really didn't imagine that

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it was Her Highness the Imperial Consort Chen who was my real birth mother.

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Your Majesty, don't worry. When Her Highness the Imperial Consort Chen was buried,

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His Highness Prince Qi personally took care that Her Highness will get buried wearing the Empress robe.

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She was buried with all the proper honor for an Empress. (T/N: Raised posthumously to Empress Dowager Zhangyi)

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Prince Qi has even instructed me to make sure to guard Her Highness' tomb well,

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that I must not make any mistake.

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Imperial Mother,

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I came too late.

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Imperial Mother... I was not filial.

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I wasn't able to give you delight with my children and pay proper filial duties to you while you were still alive.

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I was not filial! I was just palace walls away from you,

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yet we were like strangers that never had any interactions.

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I was not filial.

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I am the high and mighty Son of Heaven, yet I let my Imperial Mother...

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suffer the chill... of the cold palace. (T/N: lodging for a discarded or out of favor Imperial harem member)

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Imperial Mother,

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I was not filial.

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In the next life,

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let's continue with our fate.

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Your Majesty, please don't be sad.

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Her Highness the Imperial Consort Chen would always pray for Your Majesty's good fortune.

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She prayed that the heavens bless Your Majesty with good health and the citizens to stay safe and sound.

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Ziyan, you have been devoted in guarding this tomb. You achieved merit in guarding your mistress.

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I'm conferring you the position of being my goddaughter.

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Guard my royal mother's tomb forever and you'll forever receive salary for it.

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Thank you for Your Majesty's abundant grace! Long live Your Majesty!

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♫ From disaffection and doubt until trust is formed ♫

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♫ How many times must two people embrace tightly before one won't feel like a stranger? ♫

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♫ Turning back to think about the past life, while living in the present lifetime ♫

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♫ In this lifetime, to never casually mention separation ♫

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♫ Sincerely you embrace me, to remember my body's warmth ♫

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♫ In the center of my heart, your fingerprints are engraved ♫

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♫ Both love and hate, seriously taken to heart ♫

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♫ Only for one not to live one's life in vain ♫

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♫ I am willing to be loyally steadfast to you ♫

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♫ Using this in exchange for a missing depth of affection ♫

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♫ I'm grateful for your recognizing my worth ♫

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♫ For granting me a healthy body ♫

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♫ Even though the world is rich and diverse ♫

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♫ It cannot compare to your pure and honest gaze ♫

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♫ I am willing to be loyally steadfast to you ♫

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♫ Using this in exchange for a missing depth of affection ♫

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♫ I'm grateful for your recognizing my worth ♫

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♫ For granting me a healthy body ♫

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♫ Even though the world is rich and diverse ♫

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♫ It cannot compare to your pure and honest gaze ♫

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♫ I am willing to be loyally steadfast to you ♫

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♫ Not caring about the scars ♫

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♫ Setting aside my pride ♫

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♫ and submitting to you ♫

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♫ Even if I disappoint the entire world ♫

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♫ I will never turn my back on you ♫

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♫ My only care in this life is one person ♫

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♫ It's you ♫