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 44

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Have you sent someone to find her? When is she returning?

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I have. I think she'll be back soon.

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It's always people waiting for His Majesty.

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But your mistress is just great. Backwards? Is there any rules?

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Well...

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His Majesty didn't say he was coming.

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It's improved quite a bit.

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Forgive me, Your Majesty.

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Noble Lady Wei personally made ice tonight and she went to deliver it

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and chat with the Empress Dowager at Shoukang Palace.

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Until now?

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Since Empress Dowager was in a rare great mood today,

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Her Highness was talking about the past when she went on a private tour to Jiangnan with the late Emperor.

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It sure invited such envy from Noble Lady Wei.

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Now I'm afraid she won't return.

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So she leaves me hanging here?

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Your Majesty, Noble Lady Wei accompanying the Empress Dowager is completely out of filial devotion.

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Or you could chose a different place to go?

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You want to die? To speak in such a way!

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Your Majesty, you can't blame Mistress Wei for this.

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Filial piety is the utmost priority. She can't just abandon the Empress Dowager.

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Each one of you is learning from your mistress.

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Just see how I fix you later!

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Sister Mingyu.

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Why did Noble Lady Wei lure His Majesty to come here but she won't see him?

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What does a little homely maiden know? Go now.

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Yes.

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What's wrong?

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It's nothing.

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Noble Lady, you were a chat companion for so long so you must be tired.

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Rest up.

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Ming...

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Your Majesty.

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You...didn't you leave earlier?

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I've never been tricked by anyone like you before.

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Wei Yingluo, who gave you the nerve?

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Sister Mingyu.

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Now I understand. The Noble Lady is so skilled!

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Stop talking nonsense or I'll squeeze and break your mouth!

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I'm wrong. I really am wrong!

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Disturbing His Majesty and the Noble Lady is a capital crime.

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Hurry and be quiet.

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Greetings to Your Highness the Imperial Concubine Jia.

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Noble Lady Wei, do you know your offense?

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I am dull-witted. I am ignorant of my offense.

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Yesterday you had someone hang a sunshade in the palace path.

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- Yes.

- That's it then.

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A crowd of people making so much noise.

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Disturbing my afternoon. It's deserving of death.

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But they were just servants,

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so naturally, I came seeking their mistress.

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Your Highness the Imperial Concubine Jia, the reason I did so was all for His Majesty.

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If I said you did something wrong, then you did something wrong.

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Just a mere Noble Lady, and you dare to talk back to me?

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Kneel now!

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You...

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Your Highness the Imperial Concubine Jia is right to teach me. I disturbed Your Highness' nap.

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I deserve to die.

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Since you know your offense, continue to kneel

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until...the sun sets.

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You want to vie for favor against me? You think you are worthy?

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Noble Lady, how could you just kneel when she said to?

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- Why is Noble Lady Wei kneeling?

- I don't know.

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Let's go.

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Your Majesty. I entered the palace so long ago.

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I have never endured such anger.

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Noble Lady Wei hasn't been in the palace for long, but she dared to talk back at me!

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It's all because she thinks Your Majesty favors her!

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Alright.

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Stop crying.

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It's not some grand incident. The crying isn't a good image.

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Hurry and rise.

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Your Majesty.

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You won't blame me anymore?

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I know this isn't some grand event to Your Majesty.

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But in the palace, there are customary rules. She speaks in an unruly manner.

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My punishing her isn't in discord with rules of seniority.

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I know Your Majesty favors Noble Lady Wei.

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I only said a couple things to her,

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but she turned on me right away and left.

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What about the compromise I suffered? Where do I complain?

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I'm just afraid you might listen to the idle talk outside

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and you might think I was bullying her on purpose.

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Then I can't clear my honor even if I have a hundred mouths!

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Alright. I didn't blame you.

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- Your Majesty won't blame me?

- I don't blame you.

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Stop crying. Alright?

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Fine now.

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Your Majesty. Do you still remember before?

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Before Noble Lady Wei came into the palace?

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You treated me so well.

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But since Noble Lady Wei entered the palace, you've never came to visit me.

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Tell me, Your Majesty, what's wrong with me

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for Your Majesty to be annoyed with me already?

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I am really quite busy lately,

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so I didn't go to Chuxiu Palace to visit you.

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When I'm done with the busy period, I will visit you.

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Your Majesty, you are not lying to me?

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I'm not lying.

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I'm busy, so you should get going.

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I've just...

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Then...

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- Go on.

- I'm leaving.

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Keep your word!

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Supervisor Li.

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Li Yu.

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Your servant is here.

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Wei Yingluo, was she really so audacious?

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Well ...

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Your Majesty. I didn't see it personally, so I don't really know.

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I think she needs a lesson.

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Before, she talked back at me when we were in Changchun Palace.

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Now she's more out of control with the favor.

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Your Majesty, then you mean..?

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Get rid of her tag.

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Yes.

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Yes, over there.

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Tie it tightly.

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It must be that younger Imperial Concubine Jia who fanned the flames.

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That lady is totally a thief who cried thief!

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How many times have I told you

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to not tie it down but tie it up?

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His Majesty removed your name from the list of bed attendants. Why are you not anxious at all?

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Right. Right. Higher.

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- Noble Lady!

- Tie it tightly.

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Besides the a swing, set me up a painting table too.

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Noble Lady Wei didn't come even once?

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No.

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Zhengzhu, push me!

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Give it more power!

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Zhenzhu, push me higher!

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Push harder!

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Push harder!

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Your Majesty...

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- Right.

- Chief Steward Li?

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Chief Steward Li, why is His Majesty here?

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Say, that little Imperial Concubine Jia keeps throwing muddied water onto Noble Lady Wei every day,

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but she's not even trying to approach His Majesty.

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If His Majesty doesn't come here, she also won't go to him. She's even here playing on a swing!

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This...does she think she has a long life?

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Higher!

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Didn't anyone see me?

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This... Your Majesty, Noble Lady Wei is playing on the swing.

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She probably didn't see you.

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Didn't you stay behind to remind her?

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They didn't notice you?

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His Majesty came earlier.

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Push harder!

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Noble Lady!

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You're blocking me!

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Push harder!

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Don't go!

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Zhenzhu, push harder.

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Zhenzhu, push harder!

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Your Majesty, calm...calm down, Your Majesty!

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Your Majesty, I'm here to check your pulse.

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I don't need it. Leave now.

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No, Your Majesty,

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look at how strong your inner heat is.

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It's better that you let me check your pulse.

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When I said that I don't need it, I don't need it!

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Doctor Ye, you had better just go back. His Majesty is currently very angry.

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No, His Majesty shouldn't refuse to be medically checked.

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Look at this Noble Lady Wei.

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- Who did you say?

- Noble Lady Wei.

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She hurt her knees and didn't seek treatment right away.

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It caused her to develop multiple bruises.

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It almost affected her future mobility!

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- Really?

- Right.

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What did you say?

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Your Majesty.

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Your Majesty.

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I said that you still have to have your regular pulse check.

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You mustn't delay it.

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What did you say about the legs of Noble Lady Wei earlier?

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Noble Lady Wei...

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Didn't Imperial Concubine Jia punish Noble Lady Wei to kneel for four hours?

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She hurt her knees by kneeling for so long and had to nurse them for a long time.

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It just improved a few days ago.

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

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Noble Lady Wei, all these were bestowed by His Majesty to you.

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Look.

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This is Zhao Mengfu's (T/N Song imperial family descendant, Yuan Dynasty official of Hanlin Academy)

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"Autumn Colors on the Que and Hua Mountains". (T/N Currently in the National Palace Museum, Taipei)

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Noble Consort Chun even asked His Majesty for this,

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but His Majesty couldn't bear to give it.

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Today, he eagerly had it sent here.

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Really?

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But I don't understand calligraphy painting.

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It's such a waste for His Majesty to send me such painting.

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Moreover, that painting is so precious.

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I dare not accept it.

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Noble Lady, His Majesty knows that you're practicing calligraphy painting lately.

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His Majesty meticulously picked this to give to you.

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This...I've already brought it here.

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I can't just return with it, right?

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Noble Lady, do you understand the intentions of His Majesty?

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Understand what?

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Noble Lady, His Majesty knows that he has falsely accused you.

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He feels so upset.

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But...His Majesty can't lower his pride,

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so we have to let you suffer a little and go to Yangxin Palace instead.

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Is that okay?

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Noble Lady, I've served His Majesty for so long.

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It's my first time seeing someone that His Majesty cares about a lot.

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This...if you don't show up, it's fine too.

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But at least let the House of Respectful Affairs include your jade name tag in the bed attendant selection.

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That should be okay with you, right?

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No.

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Noble Lady's throat was exposed to some wind while playing on the swing.

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Her throat is a bit uncomfortable.

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It's better to wait for her to completely recover first.

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This... Say, Noble Lady,

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how could one get sick so often?

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Haven't you been sick so frequently this month?

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Take them away!

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Your Majesty, calm down!

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If she's unwilling, don't let her attend to me in bed ever again! Get out!

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Yes.

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That was so funny!

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If you ask me,

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that Noble Lady Wei is really unappreciative of her blessings.

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His Majesty repeatedly asked her to step down from her stance.

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She instead keeps refusing to step down.

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But now, it's really great. His Majesty said

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that she isn't allowed to attend to him anymore. Let's see if she'll continue to be happy from now on.

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In this Forbidden City,

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there are all kinds of women, but I've never seen one like her.

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It's not only unappreciative,

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but I think she doesn't want to live anymore.

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Let's wait and see. Once she loses the favor of His Majesty,

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everyone will step on her.

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Let's see how she'll continue to live.

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What is that Wei Yingluo trying to do?

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Could it be...she wants to anger His Majesty and completely lose favor?

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Every woman in this world thinks that they are special.

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Especially those at the early stage of obtaining His Majesty's favor.

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But as the days go by,

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they will realize that there is no such thing as being special in the eyes of His Majesty.

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In my opinion, that Wei Yingluo wants to do something different

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so that His Majesty will remember her. But never thought that she would go too far

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and completely infuriate His Majesty, so she has now become a joke.

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This is good then.

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No need for us to do anything

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and she already lost favor.

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Does she still

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go to Shoukang Palace lately?

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Yes. Seeing that she has lost the favor of the Emperor now,

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she has become more diligent in fawning on the Empress Dowager.

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Don't know what trick she has used

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that there is nonstop laughter inside Shoukang Palace. Empress Dowager likes her a lot.

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It shows that she's not that stupid.

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She knows to use the Empress Dowager to save her life.

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What a pity that the Empress Dowager hasn't interfered with palace affairs for a long time.

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I don't think she'll be able to protect her.

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It's rare that His Majesty has changed his mind.

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Why not just find a step to go down to?

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Now that you have infuriated His Majesty, didn't you lose more than you have gained?

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Let him be angry then.

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Yingluo!

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It's so late at night.

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I'm going to sleep. If there's anything else,

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let's just talk about it tomorrow.

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Talking about Jiangnan's local cultures,

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of course Suzhou has the best one.

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There are fewer old palaces and leisure areas, but a lot of water canals and small bridges.

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Night markets selling water caltrops and lotus. (T/N Named for seed shape, genus Trapa, important offering item)

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Spring boats transporting beautiful fabrics.

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What a pity that when Your Highness the Empress Dowager traveled with the late Emperor

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you didn't pass by Suzhou,

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or else you would be surprised that there is a place as gentle as water in this world.

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Everyone is saying that Suzhou and Hangzhou are like paradise.

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Although I've never been personally there,

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just looking at you, Noble Consort Chun,

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I already know that the women of Suzhou and Hangzhou

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are gentle like water,

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warm and adorable.

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His Majesty has arrived!

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Greetings, Royal Mother.

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You came just in time.

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I'm currently chatting with Noble Consort Chun

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about the scenery in Jiangnan.

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Too bad, I wasn't able to go to Suzhou and Hangzhou last time.

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I'm unable to see the beautiful landscapes of Jiangnan anymore.

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But today I obtained a beautiful painting of Ji'nan.

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If Your Majesty is interested,

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why don't you take a look at it.

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Sure.

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Bring the painting here!

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This is the "Autumn Colors on the Que and Hua Mountains" by Zhao Mengfu? (T/N the painting he gave Yingluo...)

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This is a painting given to you by Noble Lady Wei?

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That's right!

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Your Majesty, don't you always love paintings like this?

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If Your Majesty likes it, take it back with you.

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Of course, I can't refuse

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such kindness from you.

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Your Majesty! Your Majesty!

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What is it, Noble Consort Chun?

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I should be the one asking Your Majesty that.

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You look very angry.

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I'm fine.

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I just remembered that I have official matters to attend to and I'm rushing back to Yangxin Palace.

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Your Majesty, state affairs will never end.

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You should put more importance on your health.

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Or else, I will be worried.

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Weird.

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Your Highness?

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That painting ended up in the hands of Wei Yingluo.

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It must have been given to her by His Majesty.

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But in this world, there is actually a person who would dare to

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casually give an Imperial gift to someone else?

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That's so funny. An item bestowed by His Majesty

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just went in a circle and returned to him again.

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No wonder, His Majesty was so mad. In my opinion,

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it's game over for Wei Yingluo this time.

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For a very intelligent person like her,

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why would she seek death?

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- Your Majesty! Your Majesty!

- Noble Lady! Noble Lady!

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What? Where are you going? Why are you interfering?

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But His Majesty looked so mad.

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Wasn't it your mistress who brought this on herself?

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She gave the Imperial gift of His Majesty to someone else!

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But it's not some other person. It's the Empress Dowager!

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It is exactly because it was the Empress Dowager

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and thus your mistress didn't get executed!

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Her head would have been gone in an instant!

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Your Majesty, what are you doing?

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Even if I falsely accused you, aggrieved you,

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you could have argued with me!

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You endured it and didn't tell me, and you blame me for treating you coldly?

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Why?

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I'm just a Noble Lady.

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Suddenly obtaining Your Majesty's favor

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will of course invite the envy of other mistresses of palaces.

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If I tell Your Majesty about it every time,

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once or twice, you may still believe me.

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But it's been too many times,

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so even if Your Majesty believes me, you will get annoyed.

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Hence, I'd rather just shut up.

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Why did you offer the painting I gave to you to Empress Dowager as a gift?

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Empress Dowager liked it, so I naturally should offer it to her.

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You're lying!

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Why does Your Majesty think I did it then?

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Among the Imperial harem, even one with a position as respectable as the Empress,

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they are all very submissive to me. Only you

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are so daring and unrestrained!

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Your mood is so unstable.

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You want me to always think of you.

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You want me to always worry about you deeply.

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Wei Yingluo, you think I can't see through your devious scheme?

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Since you've seen through it,

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why are you still mad?

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You...!

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If Your Majesty is angry,

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I'll just go to the Empress Dowager

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and ask for the painting back.

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It's no big deal.

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Being mad will harm your health.

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Try saying something unpleasant to the ears again,

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do you believe that I'll break your neck!

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Did I hurt you? I didn't exert any effort?

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You deceived me again.

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Your Majesty!

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Wei Yingluo, if you dare anger me again,

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I will never be lenient. Got it?

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This is how I am. I will never change.

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[ Yanxi Palace ]

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Li Yu, spread my decree.

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Order Minister Hadaha of the Ministry of Works as the main envoy,

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and Grand Secretary Wu Ling'an of the Secretariat as the vice envoy,

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to handle the conferment ceremony of Noble Lady Wei as Imperial Concubine Ling.

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Also, tell Imperial Concubine Jia that she is grounded for a month to reflect on her actions.

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She is to copy the "Virtues of a Woman" a hundred times.

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Yes.

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The word "ling" comes from the Shijing Da Ya. (T/N The Book of Songs, aka Classic of Poetry, "Major Court Hymns")

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"Elegant temperament and good character, wonderful reputation and morality, worthy of being admired."

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One should be as perfect as a jade to be worthy of such a title.

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What's wrong with His Majesty now?

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He was still furious days before this.

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But in an instant, he gave her this kind of title.

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Wei Yingluo is indeed outstanding.

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She has just been added to the inner palace for three months,

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but it's like she's climbing up a cloud ladder. It's really frightening.

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From the looks of it, this person shouldn't be allowed to stay here anymore.

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Your Highness is making a move?

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Even if I'm going to make a move, I mustn't dirty my own hands.

393

Your Highness,

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what you mean is...

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Presently, isn't the person who hates Wei Yingluo the most

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that young little Imperial Concubine Jia?

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Your Majesty! Your Majesty!

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Your Majesty, great victory against Jinchuan! General Fuheng personally commanded the army

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and conquered several military fortresses of the Jinchuan!

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Really?

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We defeated the Jinchuan? Fuheng won?

402

A great victory! Great victory, Your Majesty!

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Tribe Leader Sha Luoben already submitted a surrender letter!

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The main army will be immediately setting out to return to the !mperial court.

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Good! I wasn't wrong.

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That Fuheng is indeed a rare military talent.

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Spread my decree, tell Fuheng to return to the capital first to report on his duty.

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Yes! Yes!

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Third Young Master is back!

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Third Young Master!

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Third Young Master is back!

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Mother, I'm back.

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It's been three years since you left.

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I have missed and thought about you

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every day. You still know to come back?

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Mother, aren't I here now?

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It's good that you're back,

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so Mother and I won't keep worrying.

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You just left and abandoned her.

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She had a difficulty labor and almost died from it.

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Good thing I asked the servants to forcefully break open that door,

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or else I wouldn't have a grandchild.

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Isn't everything fine now?

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Fine. Everything is fine.

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Quickly go see your son.

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An'er!

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An'er! Come.

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Come. Quickly call him "Father".

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Call him that!

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Mother, I still have to go to the palace to report on my duty. I can't stay here for long.

431

I'll just chat with you later.

432

Quickly assist Old Madam back to rest.

433

Come.

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Fuheng, Father personally named him

435

as Fuca Kang'an. He's your son.

436

How come you're not happy at all to see him?

437

Stop right there!

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If not because you were so heartless as to lock me inside my room,

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I wouldn't have almost died.

440

Now that you're back,

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won't you even apologize at all?

442

There was a doctor and midwife inside the room.

443

But what I needed was the concern of my husband.

444

Since you made that wild decision,

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Fuca Fuheng is already not your husband.

446

The reason you're able to stay here

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is because I left you a last layer of cloth to cover your shame.

448

Since you've given birth to this child, then be a qualified mother.

449

Don't bring insult to yourself.

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Are you so rushing to enter the palace

451

to see the person you love?

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What are you saying?

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You probably don't know yet.

454

She's already Her Highness the Imperial Concubine Ling of His Majesty.

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Look at yourself.

456

I embarrass you, but you don't even care.

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Fuca Kang'an's existence doesn't give you any heartache either.

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But now I just mention her and your complexion changed.

459

It's been three years.

460

Three years and you still keep her in the apex of your heart!

461

How regrettable.

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She's already His Majesty's woman.

463

You are lying to me.

464

You'll know if you go and see for yourself now.

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Fuheng.

466

Fuheng, have you gone mad?

467

His Majesty is still waiting for you at Yangxin Hall. What are you doing here?

468

- I have to ask her something.

- Fuheng.

469

Fuheng!

470

Now you've seen it with your own eyes, you should let go.

471

Greetings to Your Majesty.

472

Rise!

473

Fuheng.

474

You didn't disappoint me.

475

This time, against the Jinchuan, you've contributed a great merit.

476

I shall reward you.

477

Tell me.

478

What do you want?

479

Your Majesty, no matter what I want, will you give me anything?

480

Deliver my decree.

481

Fuca Fuheng, promoted to first rank Duke, with title of "Zhongyong." (T/N "loyal and brave")

482

To be given the gemstone hat and four-dragon badge square. (T/N One of the "Eight Privileges" - see next NOTE)

483

T/N - "Eight Privileges" were exclusive to the top six ranks of the Imperial hierarchy, essentially royal clan privileges of the direct lines and the cadet line. Unlike previous dynasties, peerage not granted lands.

484

Your servant thanks Your Majesty for his grace.

485

Alright.

486

- You can go for now.

- I take my leave.

487

Why?

488

Young Master, you haven't had anything to drink or eat all day.

489

You won the battle and received a promotion. All great things.

490

Why are you still so sad?

491

When the war was at the more dire point,

492

His Majesty sent twelve decrees in succession...

493

commanding me to withdraw the troops from the front.

494

But I defied his decree.

495

I wagered my last breath for a must-win victory.

496

Because only through victory,

497

I could ask His Majesty for a wish to be granted.

498

Just one step too late.

499

I'm just one step too late.

500

Young Master, what did you want?

501

I wanted a person.

502

I wanted to trade my battle merits for one person.

503

That one person that I lost.

504

The one person I want to reclaim with my own life.

505

On the battlefield.

506

The tip of the blade almost pierced through my heart.

507

I had thought then...

508

"If I return alive...

509

I will disregard her will and obtain her."

510

Even if she resents me,

511

hates me.

512

I want to confine her to my side forever.

513

Young Master, this doesn't sound like you at all.

514

I had thought before....

515

that as a man, I must be generous.

516

I must be lenient.

517

As long as she's alive,

518

I wanted her to have happiness.

519

But now she's living very well.

520

She's Imperial Concubine Ling.

521

She became a woman favored by His Majesty.

522

And I can't bear it.

523

Qinglian.

524

Do you know the taste of jealousy?

525

It's like a poisonous snake.

526

It's gnawing at my heart all the time.

527

Young Master.

528

After having tasted jealousy,

529

anyone will become ugly.

530

So when His Majesty asked me what I wanted,

531

I couldn't even say anything.

532

I knew clearly, clearly...

533

that I would bring her trouble.

534

But I couldn't contain myself.

535

I really can't endure it.

536

Young Master, this isn't your fault.

537

It's life's circumstance messing with people.

538

You ask too much of yourself.

539

You're a person. Of course you have joy, anger, sadness and bliss.

540

You don't need to always control yourself.

541

My sister once said to me...

542

that I will surely regret it.

543

But now I really do regret it so much.

544

I really regret it.

545

What am I to do?

546

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547

♫Softly falling into the hollow of my palm,♫

548

♫Resting frozen in the center of my palm.♫

549

♫Our meeting across past incarnations was inevitable,♫

550

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

551

♫Though plainly given words of discouragement,♫

552

♫Pretending to hear nothing but exhortation.♫

553

♫ Endless tears, believing it cannot be true,♫

554

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

555

♫I hear the sound of the snow slowly falling♫

556

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

557

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

558

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

559

♫ I hear the sound of the snow slowly falling♫

560

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

561

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

562

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