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Court Lady

Ep08

Hurry up.

You have some nerve.

You promised to send it this morning.

Now it's already sunset.

Her ladyship is upset now.

All of us will be in trouble.

What are you waiting for?

It occurred to me that I have an urgent errand.

I'll come later.

Stop.

How is anything more important than her ladyship's instructions?

She's waiting inside.

Hurry up.

You have some nerve!

How dare you present this rubbish to her ladyship!

What happened?

It's my fault, my lady.

Someone else gave me this.

But I didn't check it carefully.

It was too late when I saw the quality.

I could only present this for now.

I'm asking for another chance, my lady.

By sunset tomorrow,

I'll present an eligible product, my lady.

You are quite honest.

Have you ever thought of

looking for an excuse to get through this?

Telling the truth is better than lying.

You said that someone else gave this to you?

Who?

I was too careless.

I didn't notice it was defective.

And I think

the person who gave it to me

didn't know that, either.

You are so kind.

It's not about kindness. It's my responsibility.

I am in charge of the department.

If something goes wrong,

I am responsible.

I will forgive you this time.

Thank you, my lady.

You don't need to thank me.

I heard

that you embroidered a peony screen

and Her Majesty loves it a lot.

Yes, my lady.

I like lotus.

Can you embroider one for me,

the same style but with lotus instead?

That was a brilliant idea.

With no fuss,

you made a fool of that newbie.

She's not careful enough.

She has no one to blame.

You're right.

After Directress Wen left,

it should've been you to be promoted.

How could we let the new girl take advantage?

To be honest,

I don't care

whether I became the directress.

Our youth is fading away in the palace.

The most important thing is to get the attention of His Majesty.

Look at Sun.

She was just a housekeeping servant,

making the bed for His Majesty.

One day His Majesty suddenly became interested in her

and now she's a secondary concubine.

If she gets pregnant someday,

maybe she could be a Royal Concubine.

Directress or manager.

It's one step away.

But it's always the directress

who presents things to His Majesty.

It's even not easy for a manager

to meet His Majesty.

Look at this new girl.

She offended His Majesty's favorite Concubine Yan on her first day.

Let's just wait and see.

That should be easy.

Madam.

Manager Li.

There's one account book you should've given to me.

Which one?

The one which records the use of

money, utensils, fabric, and silk,

the one which has all the details.

Where is it?

The book of consumables

can be quite complicated with years of numbers.

Madam may get confused.

When Madam Wen was in charge,

she asked me and Yuan

to keep the detailed account

and just report the monthly total to her.

This is the established practice.

Established practice?

Tomorrow,

I'll go and learn palace etiquette.

I'll ask Directress Situ.

Maybe she knows

where the established practice comes from.

Once it's clear,

we can follow the rules better.

But...

Please don't bother Directress Situ.

If Madam needs to see the account book,

I'll try to find it in a day or two.

Is the book lost?

No.

It's well maintained.

In that case,

why do you need to look for it?

I want to see it next morning.

Yes, Madam.

The embroidery for Concubine Xi

should've been sent by the middle of this month.

Why are we still working on it?

We are short of hands.

We could never make it.

When Madam Wen was in charge,

we always put off deadlines.

They know we don't have enough people

and have never blamed us.

No blame doesn't mean we're doing well.

Starting from today,

everyone works three shifts

to finish the delayed deliveries.

Why are you suddenly quiet?

Madam, maybe you should talk to Manager Li first.

Right.

She has been here for many years.

Everyone trusts her.

Indeed.

Looks like

Manager Li

is quite popular here.

To win the trust of everyone,

it takes time.

She wants to control everything as soon as she comes?

How naive!

Maybe she's an expert in embroidery.

But she thinks she can handle everything?

I'm afraid she may notice something in the book.

When I really think about it,

I shouldn't have given it to her.

She's just an embroider from King Han's Mansion.

I bet just the categories in the book

will frustrate her enough.

So even though she has it,

she can't read it.

Your writing is quite good.

My father is a scholar.

He taught me to read and write.

But it seems that

your math is not as good.

Please enlighten me.

The amount of gold flakes is wrong.

Should be more.

The book is quite complicated.

You've just started on it, Madam.

Maybe you overlooked something.

You're the daughter of a scholar.

You can read and write since you were a kid.

I'm the daughter of a businessman.

I learnt to read account books when I was a kid.

Since the beginning of this year,

five bundles of gold flakes

and 12 bundles of gold cords have gone missing.

Some first-class Sichuan brocades

are missing, too.

Madam.

What's the punishment

for embezzling?

Minor offenders will be sent to Yeting Palace to do hard labor.

Felons will be executed.

I beg for your mercy.

Madam,

there are so many people in our department.

If something's missing,

I'm not the only one to blame.

But you keep the book.

I just praised your handwriting.

And you did admit it, didn't you?

But...

I...

I...

I only do it under Manager Li's orders.

Shifting the blame to your boss?

This is not good.

No.

I'm not shifting the blame.

It was Manager Li, honestly.

She embezzled materials of the department

and rewarded me some

in order to earn my loyalty.

As for the rest of the missing materials,

she used them to make clothes for herself.

Madam.

I wonder what's the urgency

at such a late hour.

This.

This is what Yuan and I

found in your room.

Madam,

you're good at this.

The clothes are not bad.

But do you have any chance to wear them?

Fine, you won.

But I will never beg your pardon.

A court lady

should dress according to the rules.

Even if you have some gorgeous clothes,

you dare not to wear them.

If you want to draw His Majesty's attention,

why don't you put your mind

into your daily robe?

My robe?

If you can be innovative with the most common things,

His Majesty might notice you.

Even though embroidery is just a skill,

it's a precious one.

It's only based on the effort of our ancestors

that this craft can prosper.

Take the golden color for example.

At first, embroiders used dyed golden silk threads.

But the color was not bright enough.

So they replaced it with gold threads.

Later on,

there came gold flakes and cords.

Two shades to four shades of gold threads

are woven into a colorful brocade.

That's how

we have the brilliant gold brocade.

You've said so much.

Are you trying to

make me feel grateful to you

and then be your loyal subordinate?

Unfortunately,

I already have a grudge against you.

Even if you forgive me,

I will not stay in this department.

You're right.

If we don't trust each other,

why do we work with each other?

I also hope

that you leave here as soon as possible.

If you want to get some attention,

apart from color,

you can also use light.

Light?

Your Majesty has peonies on the screen.

Concubine Yan then asked Directress Fu to embroider lotus flowers on hers.

Lotus is not simple.

In Daoism,

lotus is unspoiled in the world of five evils.

Lotus symbolizes hard work and achievement.

But if Lady Yan's screen

turns out more beautiful than Your Majesty's,

it will not be appropriate.

Maybe I should tell Directress Fu

to make that lotus screen...

No need.

Things are complicated in the palace.

One needs to be smart enough to survive.

If the Sewing Office doesn't understand this,

maybe they should be taught a lesson.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Remember,

less is more.

Manager Li.

Madam.

Is the sachet for His Majesty ready?

Yes.

Please wait a second.

Madam.

The embroidery craft of a manager

is undoubtedly outstanding.

Thanks to your advice, Madam,

I made some improvements.

You mentioned the importance of light,

which really inspired me.

You really got it?

Yes.

This is my first time to present something to His Majesty.

I need someone experienced by my side.

Why don't you come with me?

Thank you, Madam.

Who's that official

whose robe has a brilliant rim?

Call her in.

Excuse me.

Whose robe has a brilliant rim?

His Majesty summons her.

Your robe

is quite different.

Your Majesty.

In the Sewing Office,

I often see some leftover silk threads.

They are too short to use.

But it's such a shame to throw them away.

So I collect them

and weave the threads into my robe.

It looks just the same most times.

But under the sun,

the silk threads may reflect sunlight.

I didn't expect to bother Your Majesty.

It was my fault.

A country only prospers when its people are affluent.

To be affluent, one needs to start with frugality.

Making the best use of things

is a virtue.

What are you apologizing for anyway?

What do you do in the palace?

I am

a manager at the Sewing Office.

The sachet

on Your Majesty's belt

is made by me.

"To express my deep affection,

I'll make you a sachet."

You have deft hands.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Raise your head.

Stand up.

Thanks, Your Majesty.

By the grace of His Majesty,

Li is now a Secondary Concubine.

Lady Li.

Please rise.

Manager Li,

are you really not coming back?

We should call her lady now.

We've spent so many years together.

Before I leave,

I would like to say

that Madam Fu is a person of integrity

and she is an outstanding embroider.

With her,

our department will get better and better.

Do you understand?

Yes, do.

Take a seat, my lady.

I don't deserve such etiquette

This is to thank you

and also apologize to you.

Madam is virtuous

and upright.

I admire you sincerely.

We don't have any feud to begin with.

Why should we be enemies?

By the way,

I want to ask you something.

I'll tell you everything I know.

You gave me a notebook.

You said

it recorded the preferences of ladies and princesses.

That was fake.

If you follow that,

you'll be in trouble.

This is the real one.

I won't need it anymore.

Thank you.

Is this the lotus screen for Lady Yan?

Yes.

You must be careful.

Why?

With the peony screen for Her Majesty,

you became an official.

Now Lady Yan asked for a lotus screen.

If you don't do it well,

you'll offend Lady Yan.

But if you do it too well,

you'll offend Her Majesty.

It's difficult either way.

Everyone knows.

But they don't talk about it.

No one wants trouble.

You are so nice to me.

I'll be honest with you.

Madam,

you need to think carefully.

Good tea.

Brother.

- Your Royal Highness. - Your Royal Highness.

When did you come back?

Just today.

Sit.

Shouldn't you visit Concubine Yan first?

Why are you here?

Indeed I haven't seen my mother for a while.

But our little brother

owed me

an Admonitions Scroll

by Gu Kaizhi.

I want to present it to Mother.

So I came here to ask for it.

No wonder people say

that you,

King Zhou, is difficult to deal with.

Just a painting.

How could you

blame me in terms of filial responsibility?

This is too much.

I'll get it for you right away.

Hurry up.

Brother,

when are you going back to Zhouzhou?

I've talked to His Majesty

about staying in Chang'an longer.

For one thing,

Her Majesty's birthday is coming soon.

For another,

I want to leave after your wedding.

Great.

Here you are.

Thanks.

When I'm free,

let's go hunting together.

Brother,

it seems that you've got better at archery.

You know, Your Royal Highness,

it was so boring at Zhouzhou.

So I went hunting every day.

I certainly made some progress.

It's a good thing,

as long as you keep your arrows on your preys.

Understood.

His Royal Highness is just kidding.

His Majesty is much respected everywhere.

Who dares to aim his arrow at Chang'an?

Your Royal Highness,

you wanted to watch a play, right?

It's ready.

Good.

Brother,

fancy a play?

OK.

Let's go.

What an exquisite piece!

It's precious.

I'll give it to Mother.

She will like it.

Don't.

Why?

Your Royal Highness,

which one is more precious, the gift to Her Majesty,

or this one?

Of course the gift to Her Majesty is valuable.

But in comparison,

Gu Kaizhi's Admonitions Scroll

is more precious.

Then this one should go to Her Majesty.

But my mother...

She doesn't care about a painting.

What she cares about

is that Your Royal Highness

stays away from trouble.

I'm already being good enough.

They don't allow me to stay here,

so I went to Zhouzhou.

They don't want me to be too ambitious,

so I just went hunting every day,

pretending to be just a playboy.

What else do they want?

Your Royal Highness is different.

You had learnt from our top scholars since you were eight.

You know poetry and rites.

You started reading even two years earlier than crown prince.

This is why

you're seen as promising.

Thus,

you should be more careful.

You're right.

I know what to do.

Good.

What a smart young man.

You did the right thing.

Your safety

is more important than any painting.

Right.

Thanks to Mr. Qian.

Qian Wenjing

is truly a talent.

His Majesty assigned him to you.

You see,

His Majesty

really cares about you.

My lady.

This is King Zhou, my son.

Your Royal Highness.

the Sewing Office used to be slow.

But after Directress Fu came,

it has changed a lot.

I didn't expect

I could have the screen so quickly.

Come on.

Raise the curtain.

Let me see

the craft of Directress Fu.

Yes, my lady.

Why is it black and white?

Don't you have

all sorts of thread at the Sewing Office?

Or,

do you think

that I don't deserve precious materials?

Forgive me, my lady.

I only used black and white threads

because only in this way

can it represent the nobleness of my lady.

Peony is the queen of flowers,

gorgeous and stunning.

Only colorful as well as gold and silver threads can achieve that.

But lotus

is unspoiled out of the mud,

proud and noble.

What color other than white

can represent the nobleness of lotus?

And only black

can perfectly match white.

I've given this

many thoughts

and finally decided to use black and white

to render your favorite flower, my lady.

Did you hear that?

You've really put your heart into it.

Fine.

Since

Her Majesty's peony screen came first,

my lotus flowers

don't mind a quiet corner

to show their elegance.

Thanks, my lady.

However,

what I asked for is waterlily.

Why do you keep saying

that they are lotus flowers?

Waterlily or lotus.

It's the same flower.

It's just that

different people

call them differently.

But in my humble opinion,

lotus

is better than waterlily.

Why?

In my hometown,

I often see elder people

put lotus flowers in their ancestral temple.

They say

that lotus

means inclusiveness

and harmony.

Only when family members live in harmony

can a family prosper.

Inclusiveness

and harmony.

Yes.

I understood.

You did a great job.

Thank you, my lady.

If there's nothing else,

I'll excuse myself.

Wait.

Your Royal Highness.

The lotus embroidery

is quite nice.

I'm glad to see it.

I want you

to make a sachet for me.

What pattern do you like, Your Royal Highness?

Given that you are so smart,

I'll leave it to you.

Understood.

Inclusiveness

and harmony.

Right, Your Majesty.

She also said

that only when family members live in harmony

can a family prosper.

What a smart young lady.

The flowers above

better have the same color as those below.

Madam Fu.

Lady Yan really likes the lotus embroidery you made.

This is your reward.

Thank you, my lady.

Madam,

you've done a great job recently.

This reward is from Her Majesty.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Take it for Madam.

Excuse me.

So great.

Her Majesty and Concubine Yan rewarded us at the same time.

This is the first time in our department.

Madam is so brilliant.

Indeed.

That's right.

- Madam is so good. - Great.

Manager Li left,

but the shortage on the book is still there.

What's your plan?

I'll do my best to fix the shortage.

You can do it alone?

Over the years,

I've saved some money.

If still not enough,

I request madam

to give me more time

to get the money.

We'll make up for the shortage

with the rewards from Her Majesty and Concubine Yan.

No, we can't.

That is for you, Madam.

I would like to help you.

In that case,

thank you, Madam.

I have something else

that I need your help with.

Anything.

In terms of seniority,

you should be promoted to manager.

But in terms of craftsmanship,

as well as management of materials,

I think

maybe Xue is a better choice.

How dare I think of these now?

Whatever decision Madam makes,

I'll follow.

Both Workshop Service and Housekeeping Service have approved.

From now on,

Seamstress Xue

is officially Manager Xue.

Seamstress Yuan is more experienced than I am.

We all know your abilities.

It's only appropriate

that you become a manager.

All of us

will support you

with all our hearts.

Ying.

Ying.

- Leave me alone. - Ying.

All right.

Why didn't you eat?

Everyone in Chang'an knows

that I have a red mole on my back.

They must think

that I'm some kind of frivolous girl.

I'd rather die.

Who dares?

Nobody thinks so.

My sister,

nobody thinks so.

They all do.

Ying.

Ying.

That damn Sheng Chumu.

It seems that our timing is perfect.

Some show is going on.

What's happening there?

Young Master Sheng and Young Master Lu

are fighting.

Our big brother?

Lu Qi is in trouble this time.

After all the practice,

he'll beat Lu Qi to death.

Brother.

Go away.

Will you say it?

Yes. Yes, I will.

I will. I will.

I've never seen your sister naked.

I knew about that mole of her

only through some servant.

Have you all heard that?

My sister, Lu Ying,

is innocent.

From now on,

if anyone dares to defame her,

this is the consequence.

Brother.

Brother.

Are you all right?

- Are you OK? - I'm fine.

I pretended to lose.

I'm saving my energy

for our competition in the palace,

so that I will beat him.

If I heard it correctly,

you plan to beat me in the palace competition?

I may not be as good as you now.

But who knows if I'll beat you then.

I'll bet 1000 coins that you won't.

Lu Qi,

don't you go too far.

Shut up.

I dare you.

Alright.

Ten thousand coins.

I want to help with the momentum.

Fine.

Ten thousand.

Remember what you said.

Don't go back on it.

I'll wager ten thousand as well.

What a bet!

Young Master Sheng,

can we take part in this?

Sure.

Go ahead.

One to one payout.

One to one?

One to one payout?

Do you think

I'm as useless as you?

If I win,

you get double your money back.

If Sheng Chumu wins,

one to ten payout!

Aren't you full of yourself?

Even with a 1:10 payout,

not even 1 in 10 people will bet on you winning.

How about you bet on yourself?

The stores owned by your family in Chang'an,

those rice shops,

leather shops,

and accessory shops,

may need a new owner.

Brother,

this is all I have.

Brother,

this

is all my savings.

Brother,

why do you have so little?

Shut up.

Brother,

we've learnt so much from you.

We know

you took one step back in order to advance.

So we fully cooperate with you.

We played quite a show in front of Lu Qi.

Take these back.

Brother,

you were beaten so hard by him

and it's not pretending?

Brother,

don't tell us

that you really couldn't beat him.

That's not good.

I thought our brother was just pretending.

And Lu Qi will lose.

I also asked those people to bet on our brother.

If they won,

at least

they would buy me some drinks.

Those people didn't necessarily believe you.

Everyone saw

that our brother was beaten hardly there.

Any rational person would bet on Lu Qi.

Should we bet on Lu Qi, too?

It won't hurt his feelings, right?

Chujun,

don't you think you're a bit ungrateful?

What heartless brothers I have!

Didn't even pass my test.

So disappointed.

So you were actually pretending?

I said,

take these back.

Brother,

I know, we just

hesitated a little

in our confidence in you.

But we are brothers.

Of course we'll stand by your side.

Of course.

If you eat meat,

we can at least share the broth.

I mean

this is not enough.

No?

Not enough?

It's rare

that Lu Qi made such a big bet.

We should at least bet

our deeds of houses, land, and stores.

But all these things

are kept by Mother.

Bastard.

Calm down, Your Majesty.

No matter how arrogant Sheng is,

it's still a minor issue.

I didn't want to start a war.

But if I still don't take any action,

they'll think I'm too soft.

Calm down, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty, I would like

to lead the army.

I'll teach them a lesson

on behalf of Your Majesty.

Duke,

you are as valiant as before.

However,

you've shed enough blood for Tang.

Stay home

and be by my side.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty,

I would like to lead the army.

Duke of Cai,

you just solved the threats on our borders.

Now,

you volunteered again?

You don't need to exhaust yourself.

Your Majesty,

just because I came back from a battle recently,

I haven't slackened off.

Staying in Chang'an,

if my life is too comfortable

and I don't have a chance to practice,

I'm afraid

I'll lag behind in my skills.

How aspiring!

Duke of Cai,

hereby

I appoint you

Commander in Chief in the war against Sheng.

I, Lu Yunji,

accept the mission.

Tell me.

Where are

the deeds of our houses,

lands, and fields?

Give them to me right now.

We can't, Mother.

We already bet them.

What?

We wager them on a match.

- Mother. - Mother.

Mom.

- Mom. - Mom.

Mom.

Mom.

Mom, listen to me.

Mom.

Dear.

We are doomed.

Dear.

The two of them...

What?

The two bastards

will make us broke.

What happened?

The deeds of our houses,

lands,

fields,

were all wagered on a match.

Really?

You losers.

I...

Dad.

- Dad. - Dad.

We did this for the reputation of our family.

What do you mean?

Dad.

Calm down and listen to me.

Our brother and Lu Qi decided to compete with each other.

Lu Qi says our brother will certainly lose.

He even offered a 1:10 payout.

Ten to one?

That Lu Yunji

embarrassed me so much

in front of His Majesty.

Now they even made a bet to humiliate my son.

Don't worry, Dad.

Our brother will make you proud this time.

Don't worry.

I bet all my savings on my brother.

Dear,

that's all assets

of our family.

You have to take it back.

You woman.

Being fearless

and valiant like a man.

This is the real asset of the Sheng family.

Whatever deed of land or house,

I don't care.

If we give up now,

taking back

what we bet,

what dignity do we have

in Chang'an?

Tell me.

How long have you hidden this from me?

Dear,

I won't do it again.

Come here. Come.

Come.

Quickly.

Have you heard?

Sheng Chumu and Lu Qi will compete in the palace.

Outside the palace,

the payout is as high as ten to one.

What?

Ten to one.

We are stuck here

watching others make money.

Therefore,

Leader Cao suggests

that we have our own party here.

Everyone can have some fun.

Are you interested?

I bet on Lu Qi.

Me too.

Lu Qi.

- Count me in. - Lu Qi.

- Lu Qi. - Me too.

- And me. - Me too.

You all bet on Lu Qi?

Then how do we play this?

Someone has to bet on Sheng Chumu.

But

I heard

that Sheng Chumu

was completely defeated by Lu Qi.

Who would bet on him?

Indeed.

But someone has to.

I'll bet on Sheng Chumu.

Directress Fu.

If Leader Cao is the bookie,

we're playing for real money.

Are you sure?

Yes.

Your fathers

and grandfathers

made great contributions to Tang.

Today,

I expect you to show your best.

Don't humiliate Tang's reputation.

Yes, Your Majesty.

The competition starts now.

Brother.

Lu Qi, son of Duke of Cai, one point.

Sheng Chumu, son of Duke of Lu, one point.

My brother is invincible.

My brother is the best.

He's invincible.

He's the best.

Beat him.

Beat him.

Go for it.

Lu Qi, son of Duke of Cai, one point.

Sheng Chumu, son of Duke of Lu, one point.

Brother.

I shouted too hard.

I'm thirsty.

I'll get some tea.

Go for it.

Beat him.

No wonder I searched throughout King Han's Mansion

and still couldn't find you.

You daring little servant.

How dare you come here?

Shut up.

Have you greeted the princess?

Princess?

You...aren't you...

Yes.

I am Princess Xinnan.

What are you waiting for?

Your Royal Highness.

Keep it that way.

Have I asked you to rise?

Of course.

Enough. Rise.

Pour me some tea.

Not you.

Why are you so proactive?

Pour me some tea.

Me?

I've never seen an idiot like you.

Yes, I meant you.

Hurry up.

Sure.

You served it well.

Thanks, Your Royal Highness.

According to rules in my family,

for those who did a good job,

I'll reward her a...

Nonsense.

How dare you!

Get out.

Have you heard that?

Get out.

Stop.

I asked you to leave.

Get out.

Yes.

You even dared to threaten me.

I already died once

since I stole your first kiss.

His Majesty can't kill me twice.