Original subtitles

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Subtitles brought to you by The Gentle Empress Team @ Viki.

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Watching the person in the mirror's countenance pale and grow haggard,

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Examining love together with regret, both new and old.

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Keeping watch still by a lantern though it is daybreak, drenched with tears,

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Watching others meet as promised, as twilight falls.

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Story of Yanxi Palace

Episode 36

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When I said these things before, maybe you didn't care to listen.

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But now...

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did I hurt you?

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Remember. Pain can awaken you.

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Sister.

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Sister, you have been dreaming for years.

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It's time to wake up now.

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Your looks stand out.

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Your talents are known.

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If you're willing, you can still salvage everything.

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Your Highness.

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Isn't this from my sister? This is my matter. I won't trouble you.

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Fuheng.

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Remember. Pain can awaken you.

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If you don't have a child,

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your final days will be so bleak.

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You have been dreaming for years. It's time to wake up.

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Fuheng. In three months, it's your wedding.

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You really don't regret this?

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I don't regret it.

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Li Yu.

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Your Majesty.

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Tell me, how do I treat Wei Yingluo?

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This...

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Tell me. Tell me the truth.

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Half a word of deception and it's the crime of deceiving your Emperor.

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Your Majesty. Well...

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Desheng!

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Your Majesty.

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He doesn't dare tell me, so you say it.

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How do I treat Wei Yingluo?

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Your Majesty, you treat Miss Wei very well, naturally.

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What did you say?

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Your Majesty, in this Forbidden... no.

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In this entire Qing Dynasty, you are the only master.

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So everyone is your servant.

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However the master says is what the servant does.

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How can anyone speak against Your Majesty in the palace?

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This Wei Yingluo has offended this rule so many times,

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but her head is still there.

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It's because Your Majesty is merciful.

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Enough!

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Your Majesty. Where are you going, Your Majesty?

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Take it.

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Look at how you speak, so unruly!

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But I only said the truth.

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It's because it's the truth that you can't just say it. Wait until I get back and take care of you!

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Eunuch Li, what about Consort Chun? You took her western...

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Hurry and go to Zhongcui Palace. Got it?

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Go to Changchun Palace.

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Escort the royal sedan to Changchun Palace.

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No. Don't go to Changchun Palace.

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Your Majesty, um... how about we stroll through Imperial Garden to get some fresh air?

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Change to Imperial Garden. Hurry, hurry!

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Your Majesty, let's find a place to shelter from the rain.

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Such a faint rain that doesn't even get your hair wet. What shelter? Go away.

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Your Majesty, you must preserve your royal health.

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Your Majesty. I greet Your Majesty.

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- Get on up.

- Thank you, Your Majesty.

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It's already so chilly and you keep a fan.

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This is..?

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This is the grand view of West Lake. (T/N beautiful freshwater lake surrounded by hills on three sides)

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When I was young, I resided in Hangzhou with my grandmother.

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This fan was left for me by my late grandmother as well.

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I've never heard you mention it.

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But Hangzhou has beautiful scenery of both mountains and water features. A majestic place on earth.

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No wonder you are so soulful and talented.

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My grandmother was an open-minded person.

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She would take me to look for cinnamon under the moonlight up in the mountain temples.

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Watch the tides from a pitched pavilion.

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Such leisure and freedom.

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I never thought my father would send me into Prince Bao's manor,

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and I would be bound forever in the Forbidden City.

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Forgive me, Your Majesty, for my momentary lapse in speech.

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You are speaking your mind.

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What fault is there in that?

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I am always frowning and unhappy.

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It's because I miss the scenery of my hometown.

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I miss my late grandmother,

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and I miss even more the happiness and freedom that I lost, never to return to me.

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Your Majesty. Do you still blame me?

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I never blamed you.

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Just that your words now,

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why didn't you tell me sooner?

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I was afraid.

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Afraid of what?

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The palace if full of glamour and beautiful people.

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A momentary favor, how long can that last?

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Like Consort Mei of Tang Dynasty's Emperor Ming. She was once favored.

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But later, the palace had Consort Yang.

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Suddenly she was cast to the back.

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So I...

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I didn't dare to go near you before.

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And I don't dare lose my heart.

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You made up your mind to get what you want.

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Why do you shed tears over it?

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The past six months, you never came to Zhongcui Palace once.

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You never came, and I also never obtained,

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the freedom and happiness I imagined.

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What's left is only loneliness and regret.

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Now I finally realize.

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Rather than never seeing the sky,

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it's better,

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to rile up courage,

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to beg for a bit of tender pity from Your Majesty.

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Your Majesty. Do you still want me?

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Never seeing the sky?

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The sky.

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If you look up, you will see the sky though.

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Here.

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You're laughing at me?

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I'm glad you're smiling.

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Your Majesty.

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Are you still angry at me?

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Let's go. I'll escort you back.

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No.

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I don't want to return to Zhongcui Palace.

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When did I say I'd take you to Zhongcui Palace?

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I'll come and visit you at Zhongcui Palace when I'm done with work.

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Your Majesty.

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Tremella and lotus seed porridge.

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Li Yu. Last time Empress Dowager already gifted

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the "Consoling Letter" to me. Find it and deliver it to Zhongcui Palace. (T/N "Pingfu Tie" - written by Lu Ji 3rd Century CE, the unequaled "Precursor of Modern Calligraphy")

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Consort Chun will certainly like Lu Ji's writing.

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Yes.

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Also, deliver the jade chess board I usually use as well.

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Tell Consort Chun I will play a game with her in the afternoon when I have a break.

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Yes.

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Summon Fuheng right away.

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Yes.

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Respectfully greeting Your Majesty.

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Fuheng. I have kept you by my side.

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It's to cultivate you well.

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Now you are able to stand alone firmly.

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After your marriage, you will report to a new post at the Ministry of Revenue,

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as Assistant Minster of Revenue.

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Your Majesty, I am still young in age.

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To take on such a high post suddenly, I'm afraid...

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Fuheng.

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My aspirations for you don't end at Ministry of Revenue.

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I know your ambition doesn't end there either.

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A journey of a thousand li begins with the first step.

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You need to establish your contributions and success to prove to everyone

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that my discernment was right. Now, the Ministry of Revenue,

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it's your starting point.

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I bow to thank Your Majesty for the heavy grace.

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Rise.

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How's the wedding preparation going?

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It's in the process.

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Fuheng.

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Elevating your name in government and having a nuptial night,

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they are happy events in life.

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Today I've given you a post and granted you a wife.

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But how is it that there's no sign of happiness on your face at all?

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Your Majesty's grace, I shall never forget in life.

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But your expression clearly states otherwise.

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What is it?

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There's nothing to explain either?

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I don't wish to deceive Your Majesty.

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Get lost.

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I take my leave.

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Your Majesty, is it this board? I will deliver it now.

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Deliver what?

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Has everyone in Sinzheku died off?

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Your Majesty, every year at this time, we do the charcoal cleaning. The Heating Office only has twenty-five eunuchs.

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When we don't have enough hands, we send over Sinzheku personnel.

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Greetings to Your Majesty.

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How are you here?

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They should be sending a eunuch to do this dirty and hard chore.

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Why did they send a maid?

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You've been at Sinzheku for so long.

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You don't wish to return to Changchun Palace?

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I am with offense. I don't dare to aspire.

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You can come and beg me.

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I am not so brazen.

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Miss Yingluo.

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His Majesty is giving you a chance, so go gently.

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The Empress is awake.

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She's been sick in bed for a long time and can't go around.

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Now she's in a very bad mood and won't see anyone.

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Wei Yingluo, you have received great mercy from the Empress.

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Don't you wish to return to serve her?

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I beg Your Majesty to be lenient.

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Allow me to return to Changchun Palace to serve Her Highness the Empress.

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You can go back.

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But I can't disallow you to go unpunished for defying me multiple times.

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I am very willing to be punished.

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First, do it.

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Whatever Your Majesty says, I will see to it for certain.

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Brother.

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A'Qian.

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It's your wedding today. How are you standing here alone?

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I don't know.

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Has the happiness gone to your head?

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The bride is still waiting. Hurry and go in.

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Let's go. Let's go.

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Go.

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Groom, come and unveil her now.

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May all things be pleasing and may each step be successful.

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Groom, you sit there.

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Groom, sit.

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Wishing you two prosperity and happiness.

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Lucky and long life. Children in abundance.

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Harmony for a hundred years. Blessed with lots of children.

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Bring the pastry.

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Here.

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Is it raw (birth)?

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Raw (birth).

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Good.

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Here.

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"Shuangxi" - Double Happiness (T/N Traditional symbol for marriage)

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Fuheng.

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You...

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Do you regret this?

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I am so worried about you.

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No.

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- I don't regret it.

- I don't regret it either.

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Even if I know you still hold her in your heart,

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as long as I can marry you and be your wife,

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I am willing to do anything.

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I am willing to endear any hardship.

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Erqing. From the moment I married you,

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I made up my mind to forget her.

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Really?

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You're really willing to forget her?

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I married you and I must be responsible for you.

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You are my wife.

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The one I will grow old with.

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After today, I will always remember this day.

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But...

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she is still in my heart.

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Please give me time.

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Let me forget her slowly.

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Now,

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I still can't.

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I understand. I understand it all.

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It's alright.

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As long as I have these words from you...

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I am willing to wait,

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no matter how long it takes.

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Thank you.

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Your servant deserves death for her offense.

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Your servant deserves death for her offense.

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Your servant deserves death for her offense.

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Your servant deserves death for her offense.

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Your servant deserves death for her offense.

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Your servant deserves death for her offense.

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Your servant deserves death for her offense.

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Eunuch Desheng. What's this?

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His Majesty said at the first snow in the Forbidden City,

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Wei Yingluo is to walk from Qianqing Palace all around the six palaces.

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A bow for every three steps, and walk for twenty-four hours.

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Then His Majesty will forgive her indiscretion and allow her to return to Changchun Palace for service.

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Fuheng. Let's go.

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Your servant deserves death for her offense.

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Assistant Minister Fuca, go.

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You should go thank His Majesty for his graces.

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Your servant deserves death for her offense.

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Did you forget your words to me?

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Did you forget?

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Assistant Minister Fuca, go.

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Your servant deserves death for her offense.

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Is she still bowing?

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Yes.

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How many hours has she walked?

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Your Majesty, she's walked for six hours.

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Your Majesty, this Wei Yingluo is a woman after all.

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Such a big snowstorm.

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A bow for every three steps and walking for twenty-four hours.

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I fear she will be frozen by then.

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Your servant deserves death for her offense.

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I gave her a choice.

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It was she who was didn't know to appreciate my goodwill.

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I give you two choices.

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First option, you go tell Fuca Fuheng

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that you never liked him sincerely.

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That everything was because you wanted wealth and status,

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so you deceived him.

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Second option. When the first winter snow falls

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in the Forbidden City,

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a bow for every three steps and shout out your offense,

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until you fulfill twenty-four hours of walking. You choose between the two.

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Your servant deserves death for her offense.

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Your Majesty, Assistant Minister Fuca and Madam Erqing of Hitara Clan is here.

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Your servant deserves death for her offense.

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Assistant Minister Fuca, His Majesty said he won't see you today.

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May you go straight to greet Her Highness the Empress.

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Fuheng. Fuheng!

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Fuca Fuheng.

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I won't consent to the first condition.

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Because I don't wish to go against my heart.

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I, Wei Yingluo,

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have once loved you truly.

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However, starting today,

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you and I are have no more emotional ties.

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We will be strangers.

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Respectfully greeting Your Highness the Empress.

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Hurry and rise.

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Erqing, come.

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I wish you two to have harmony and to grow old together.

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Thank you, Your Highness.

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Erqing.

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You are a noble Madam now, but will you still keep me as a sister?

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Mingyu, what are you talking about?

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You and I served Her Highness the Empress together.

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We are sisters. How can I not?

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Good then. I have lots to ask you. Come.

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Go on.

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Fuheng.

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Don't forget what you said.

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Sister. What did you say?

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Since you already made your choice,

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the wood has already been made into a boat. Do not regret.

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Sister. I...

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There are lots of grand choices in life.

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They don't allow you the chance to turn back.

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You knew it was irrevocable.

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But if you insist on yearning, that is most painful.

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Since you made your choice,

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why not be wrong all the way?

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Yes. I understand now.

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But Sister, it's snowing so hard outside.

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Those inside the rooms aren't cold at all.

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But she's alone in the massive snowstorm.

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She must be so cold.

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So cold.

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Yingluo.

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Yingluo.

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Yingluo.

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I know I can't persuade you.

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It's alright. This road,

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I will accompany you.

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Yingluo. Come.

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Your servant deserves to die.

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Your servant deserves to die.

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Yingluo, you rest a bit.

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The royal decree didn't say you can't drink water.

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I'll get you some water.

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Erqing, are you happy?

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Why do you ask me that?

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You and I entered the palace together to serve Her Highness.

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You're intelligent and prudent and understanding.

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I always admired you.

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- Her Highness always also said...

- Mingyu.

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What do you really want to say?

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I saw you today, and you seemed like a different person.

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Completely like a noble woman.

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I didn't recognize you.

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My status has changed.

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Naturally I am different from before.

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But no matter what, our ties together, I will not forget.

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From now on, you are by Her Highness' side.

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You must look after her well for me too.

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Erqing. Is this really good?

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Didn't you say before that my grandfather is a minister of bureau?

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Now, I can marry someone I like.

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The entire family has raised our banner.

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We are a true official's family.

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Prominent clan. Only through marrying Fuheng,

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can it be a suitable match made by heaven.

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Isn't it so?

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Being under others,

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I have endured it for six years.

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Now there's joy after suffering.

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Aren't you happy for me?

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I am happy. So happy.

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In this palace, you are always just a servant.

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Bowing and cowering.

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You should make some plans for yourself too.

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No. I won't go anywhere.

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I will be by Her Highness the Empress.

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You don't wish to,

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and I won't force you.

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In the past, in the palace, I feared the snow the most.

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Feared the snow would ruin the flowers and Her Highness would be upset.

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Feared I might run into some palace mistress.

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Kneeling on command and that bone-piercing chill.

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Now, I can finally admire the snow.

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Your servant deserves death.

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♫ The willow by the palace wall follows the wind ♫

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♫ Kowtowing once for every step ♫

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♫ Love is long-lasting, hate is long-lasting ♫

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♫ Make a cocoon and imprison myself ♫

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♫ Who said that love endures for all of eternity? ♫

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♫ Having torn apart the fur coat worth a thousand in gold, ♫

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♫ Dreaming of being intoxicated at the River Viewing Pavilion ♫

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♫ Who cares about those lasting worries? ♫

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Isn't it because Your Majesty has a selfish motive?

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Perhaps Your Majesty is fond of Wei Yingluo...

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and you wish to make her your own.

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Hurry and take her away and clean her up.

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Yes.

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Supervisor Li, what does His Majesty mean by "cleaning her up"?

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Can the words of the master be easily understood by you?

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Figure it out yourself.

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Figure it out myself?

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Supervisor Li, I really don't dare to figure it out myself this time.

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Whatever you say is what I will do.

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Take her there.

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Understand me?

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I understand, I understand.

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What are you doing?

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Miss Yingluo, you walked in the heavy snow for eight hours.

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His Majesty was lenient and pardoned you.

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Really?

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- Where are you going?

- I'm going to Changchun Palace.

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Even if you want to return to Changchun Palace, you can't go like this.

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You will startle Her Highness the Empress.

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What does this mean?

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Congratulations, Miss Yingluo.

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Congratulations?

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Open the door.

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You open this door!

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What is this?

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Subtitles brought to you by The Gentle Empress Team @ Viki.

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♫Softly falling into the hollow of my palm,♫

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♫Resting frozen in the center of my palm.♫

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♫Our meeting across past incarnations was inevitable,♫

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♫Joined together, deeply experiencing and holding onto the end of happiness.♫

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♫Though plainly given words of discouragement,♫

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♫Pretending to hear nothing but exhortation.♫

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♫ Endless tears, believing it cannot be true,♫

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♫ In this life, being born under an unlucky star♫

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♫I hear the sound of the snow slowly falling♫

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♫ Though I close my eyes, it's impossible to stop the vision.♫

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♫ Nothing you can do about being approached, not being inconsistent in love,♫

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♫ Though merely holding onto it from the outside, prone to this sort of circumstance.♫

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♫ I hear the sound of the snow slowly falling♫

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♫ As though you are holding me closely, and speaking sweetly.♫

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♫ Opening your eyes to a sky filled with merciless snow falling,♫

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♫ Who, after suffering this loss for a lifetime, is fond of this scene?♫