Original subtitles

Episode 21

I have no sons or daughters

all thanks to you.

How could you blame your own failures

on me?

If you didn't call me

Big Sister,

an infertile woman like you

I could ask the Emperor

to isolate you in the cold palace.

You should be grateful for my kindness

Yet you find excuses to frame me

You...

Emperor, please immediately issue a decree

giving Pan Yu the title of Xiao Lun Princess.

Otherwise your majesty,

you will not be saving me any face.

Your majesty, you can't issue the decree

The Empress is treacherous and cunning

Her insistence on Pan Yu becoming princess

must have ulterior motives.

Han Zhao Yi!

I thinking for the Emperor,

why fear you?

Enough!

Why are you two in such a hurry?

I will give Pan Yu a title sooner or later

Thanks your majesty

Don't be so quick to thank me

As for the title...

just wait for my imperial decree.

What did you say?

Mother wants Father

to grant Yu Er the title of Princess?

Yes, but Zhao Yi Niang Niang

seems opposed to it.

Before the Emperor,

she started arguing with the Empress.

Oh no, Mother must know

Father has other intentions towards Yu Er

to make this move.

You're saying...

First Prince you're saying...

The Emperor and Maiden Yu...

but the Emperor's so old.

No matter what

he's still the Emperor.

Whoever he wants

he just needs to say the word.

First Prince

I just saw Zhao Gong Gong

leading a group of imperial guards

towards the maidens' quarters.

If you want to talk to sisters,

go by yourself.

Why drag me along?

I want you to come with me

Let Su Yao and them see

and regret always laughing at me.

Ai ya

The Emperor's imperial decree is here

Unconcerned people step aside

Miss

Zhao Gong Gong

is heading towards Sister Yu's room.

This charming slut must know sorcery

She splashed urine all over

the Emperor's face and head.

Not only does he not blame her,

he completely stupefied by her.

Who knows

what she asked the Emperor for this time.

Sister Yu saved the Emperor's life

Even rewarding her with a gold or silver mountain

is well-deserved.

Exactly, Sister Yu saved his life

She should be heavily rewarded

What reward do you wish for her?

I'm telling you

Although I'm your concubine now,

but if anyone dares

fight with me for Royal Consort,

I will not tolerate it!

Have you seen Zhao Gong Gong?

He went to Sister Yu's room with the decree

The Emperor must be rewarding her

That's not right...Zhao Gong Gong carried the imperial decree

followed by 10 imperial guards

And

he had no gifts with him

as if to capture someone

I said so

This slut insulted the Emperor with urine

How could she be fine?

This is called you get what you deserve

Stop gloating over others' troubles

I believe Father

is offering a reward to Sister Yu

Big Brother, what do you think?

The Minister of Rites is also here

Father is making such grand gestures

for this.

Maiden Pan Yu, accept decree

Kneel to accept decree

Accept the mandate of Heaven; presenting the imperial order from the Emperor

Maiden Pan Yu has credit in saving the Emperor's life

The Emperor is overjoyed

because of Pan Yu's morality and virtuosity.

Pan Yu is granted the title of Virtuous Concubine

to be immediately betrothed to the Emperor.

Issued by the Emperor.

Quickly accept the decree

No, I won't accept the decree

How dare you! The Emperor has made you concubine

That is a rare honor

How could you refuse and disobey?

Come!

Here!

How is this granting a title?

More like snatching people

Hua Gong Gong

First Prince, this decree is unacceptable

Imperial orders cannot be violated

The consequence is death

The consequence is death

How dare you!

I am Virtuous Concubine

Who dares touch me?

Sister Yu...you

Your Highness crown prince

I'm the crown prince. You dare restrain me?

The Emperor has orders

Whoever dares block Virtuous Concubine's way

will be executed by law.

Yu Er

Ye Ye, don't worry

I'll ask the emperor for an explanation

It would be best if he takes back the decree

If he doesn't, I have countermeasures

I also want to find imperial Father

to ask for an explanation.

You don't want to live anymore?

I don't want to be a widow

What's already been settled...

We can't get our hands tied in this

we won't be able to make a clean break later on.

Go back with me. Go!

I...

Hua Gong Gong!

Hua Gong Gong! Don't be impulsive

Scoundrel

Fine if you can't save Yu Er

But you're helping your father snatch her

I've been blind...

Even if you fought with your life

would you be able to get her back from the imperial guards?

Even if I can't save her, I have to try!

Worst case I lose a life

Even if you get her back,

can you escape from this royal palace?

Hua Gong Gong

we can't escalate this matter.

It would be unfavorable to Fu Ya

and her mother.

They will both be in danger

The Empress of Chu is still alive, and in the Shu palace?

Look, I've lost my senses

I forgot about Niang Niang's safety

First Prince...this...

I overreacted...and over-exerted myself

Did I hurt you?

I'm ok

Right now our priority

is to think of a countermeasure.

Countermeasure?

But we're overpowered

Who can fight against the emperor?

It seems that

perhaps one person

can help us.

Where's the Emperor?

Is Virtuous Concubine impatient?

to immediate serve the emperor

and quickly receive his favor?

How dare you!

Since you know I'm Virtuous Concubine,

how dare you make such careless comments?

Servant deserves to die

Niang Niang please forgive me

Yu Er, what a dignified manner

Servant greets the Emperor

Leave now

Yes

The imposing manner with which

you reprimanded that servant,

one would have thought

you were my empress.

Pan Yu is only an insignifcant maiden

I wouldn't dare compare to the empress

You are my Yi Fei

only one title below the empress.

What is it?

You're not happy being my concubine?

The Emperor's tender care

Pan Yu would not dare accept.

Please take back your order

You don't want to marry me?

Pan Yu has always regarded the emperor

as a respected elder.

Moreover, the Emperor's profound love for Mei Fei Niang Niang

Pan Yu sincerely admires.

To suddenly take Pan Yu as concubine,

Pan Yu disrespectfully asks the Emperor --

is this

fair to Mei Fei Niang Niang?

to the deep love between you?

Yun Er once said to me

that Mei Fei,

to comfort his memory of her,

specially sent you to meet him.

I also believe

that you are the gift Mei Fei sent me.

Otherwise

on the day of Mei Fei's remembrance,

how could I meet you?

I was intoxicated by someone and brought to the plum blossom forest

Someone must be harboring ill intentions

using Pan Yu to endanger the emperor.

Please reconsider

Don't let those villains succeed in their plans.

I have ruled for so many years

How could a weak female harm me?

I know someone wants to harm you

so I granted you a title by decree.

Don't worry

Under my wings,

they won't act recklessly.

If your majesty really cherishes Pan Yu,

please take back the title

to prevent Pan Yu from becoming a public enemy

and a dishonest, unfilial, and immoral person.

Does marrying me

make you dishonest, unfilial, and immoral?

Pan Yu and Second Prince are peers

If I marry the Emperor as concubine,

others will say

I purposely got close to Second Prince

to intentionally boost my status with the emperor.

Is that not immoral?

The Empress and Zhao Yi Niang Niang

have treated Pan Yu well.

To compete for your favor, is that not dishonest?

Pan Yu's parents died in vain

Before passing they wished I would leave the royal palace

and live as a commoner.

If I agreed to the Emperor,

would I not be unfilial?

To bear the weight of being dishonest, unfilial, and immoral

Pan Yu will not have the face to live.

This means

you're not willing to marry me?

Pan Yu has already decided

Emperor please show mercy

How can a ruler's words be so easily changed?

Like man cannot forcibly change their own ambitions,

I cannot change my heart.

Do you know

the consequences of disobeying an imperial decree?

Pan Yu would rather die

than bear this stigma

and shame my dead parents.

Woman, have you no grasp of real perspective?

I treat you sincerely

and you consider it a stigma!

Your majesty sincerely cares for Mei Fei Niang Niang

Only Pan Yu's appearance

deceives you

Don't worry your majesty, Pan Yu has a way

to no longer deceive you.

How could your appearance

be carelessly ruined?

Your majesty treasures this face

because Pan Yu resembles Mei Fei Niang Niang.

But Pan Yu is not Mei Fei Niang Niang

If your majesty keeps insisting,

Pan Yu only has death.

I treasure your appearance

but I'm not a shallow person.

I truly care for you

I hope you will

replace Mei Fei by my side.

Your majesty

I have ruled and expanded territory for so many years

I refuse to believe

that I can't make your heart surrender.

I believe, not after long,

you will be like Mei Fei

and willingly marry me.

That old man has finally taken Ma Fu Ya as concubine

Niang Niang

Then your plans have succeeded

Now is time for the final step

Afterwards our work will be done.

Du Fei Hong, you fight with me

and you will die at my hands!

At whose hands the deer will die, no one knows yet!

Who wins and loses,

sister don't judge too early.

I was wondering which celestial being that was

It was you Sister

Quickly, sit

What matter

does Sister condescend herself

and visit my Feng Yi palace for?

If there's anything,

just summon me to visit you.

Didn't you say I already lost the battle?

To beg forgiveness,

I would naturally condescend myself.

Sister stop mocking me

I was just joking to myself

Please don't take it seriously

Although Sister is only joking,

I am not.

Dare I ask, in this chess game

where did I fail?

Make an error?

Please advise

Would Sister really like to know?

You rarely have the opportunity

to gloat before me.

Why not seize the opportunity?

Then excuse me for any offenses

Sister appears astute and capable,

but I think you're confused.

How am I confused?

I understand your personality well

You are incorruptible by wealth,

unshaken by poverty,

and unyielding to force.

Your personality

is more suitable for a dignified man.

But Sister

is unfortunately a female.

You also like to fight with men

What man

would like a woman of your kind?

Your personality refuses to lose

First you lost to Mei Fei

Then you lost to me

Now you've lost to Pan Yu

You've lost three times in a row

How could you not understand

the reason for this?

Sister has lost

Why laugh so happily?

I haven't been this happy

in a long time.

I want to thank Sister

for removing my doubts,

for letting me know

I've never lost.

How do you explain that?

Sister you're so shallow

I don't need to overestimate you

In your eyes,

this is the distinction between victory and defeat?

Then it seems

I never lost.

I'm still winning

Sister has lost the Emperor's favor for a long time

How could you still dream

of winning?

You said I lost to Mei Ying?

But she can only

watch her reflection and lament in the afterlife.

She has no part

in this world.

And you?

You are only a lowly Zhao Yi

But I am

the prominent Empress!

One day

when my son becomes Emperor,

I will become Empress Dowager

Even the Emperor of Shu

will abide by me

Even if Mei Fei and I give way to you...

Pan Yu is different

Now she's already

received the Emperor's favor.

You prominent Empress

What can you do?

I need to guard against everyone

except this girl.

I don't need to guard against her at all

I'm already this age

and head of the six palaces.

You think I would, for some small romance,

fight with her over jealousy?

Even if the Emperor favors her head over heels,

the one defeated

will be you, not me.

I think you're pathetic

letting Pan Yu

steal your rightful favor.

Are you sure

Pan Yu is working for you?

Will she listen to you?

Even if she doesn't,

she certainly won't work for you.

You're so confused

Are you sure you understand her personality?

She is also unyielding to force, unshaken by poverty,

incorruptible by wealth

The exact same as me

You think she would side

with you depraved witch

or with me?

Sister, you've read so much

flaunting yourself as a talented scholar.

You should use history as an example

Didn't Wu Zetian

bring the wolf into his own house

and bring himself calamity?

Really sorry

I came to listen to Sister's criticisms,

how did I end up criticizing you?

Sister, don't be angry

Niang Niang,

the Empress is only putting on a front.

She's very afraid inside

Du Fei Hong analyzed correctly

She has long lost

the Emperor's favor.

Pan Yu receiving favor

is irrelevant to her.

But the person we're against

is not the Empress,

it's the Emperor.

She was right

Ma Fu Ya is not ours yet

But...

the Empress of Chu is in our hands.

She wouldn't dare

Exactly because the Empress of Chu's

life is in my hands,

she views me as an enemy.

I have to be careful

Maybe one day

she'll come back to deal with me.

Then what should we do?

Use both gentle methods and force.Have a common enemy.

That way she'll become mine

and work for me.

That slut is too calculating

She doesn't control Pan Yu yet

So, she pushes her towards the Emperor.

She's made a careless mistake.

Although Pan Yu is not hers,

she's not ours either.

Just now,

I only defeated her verbally.

Actually,

I'm not sure whether I can win this battle.

Reporting to Niang Niang,

First Prince went to your palace

saying he had important things to discuss.

You're begging me

to help you save Pan Yu?

Yes

Why don't you get Han Zhao Yi to help?

or Tutor Yang?

You're very close with them

However close they are, they can't compare to you

Your are my Imperial Mother.

My own mother

You are begging me?

Yes, today your child has hardship

In this palace,

Mother is the best at scheming

and the same flesh and blood as me.

To save Pan Yu,

I am willing to pay all costs.

Please guide me through the maze

You're really willing to lose everything?

Yes

I didn't think

you were so in love with that girl.

As long as it can save Pan Yu,

I would rather die.

If I were in mortal danger,

would you also be willing to sacrifice your life for me?

Never mind

These words

are an invitation for insult.

Mother...

Let's talk business

You're really willing

to die without hesitation for Pan Yu?

Then let's gamble

see if your father has any shred of a father's heart.

Pan Yu defied orders but it was useless

Now you must defy orders

I thank Mother for advising me

I know what to do

Go

You Er

Niang Niang, why are you helping him?

Didn't you say

he would be

disadvantageous to you and the Crown Prince?

He's right

We are the same flesh and blood

It's the first time

You Er has ever begged me.

The first time I felt

he's also my child.

It's a pity

he only begged me for another woman.

My You Er...

What should I do?

What should we do?

Who are you thinking of again?

Your majesty

Don't be afraid

I said, I wouldn't force you

Come, get me wine

I want to

drink and have an intimate talk with Yi Fei Niang Niang

Yes

Sit down, have a drink with me

Pan Yu does not drink

Your majesty, please forgive me

This world belongs to me

My subjects and the people also belong to me

but I feel

so alone.

Your majesty, you have an unsteady heartbeat

The spider poison in your body is not yet completely eliminated

Such heavy drinking is inadvisable.

I've imprisoned you, coerced you

You should be hoping for my early death

Why do you still care so much about me?

I'm a doctor

I treasure every patient's life

Your face

has attracted how many men to be fascinated with you?

Please let go

I'm giving you great wealth and position

Why aren't you willing to be my concubine?

In the Emperor's heart, great wealth and position

may be the most valuable.

But to Pan Yu,

they have no meaning.

Since ancient times beauties love heroes.

I'm a hero

Why don't you like me?

You think I'm too old?

Or are you in love with one of my sons?

Do you think that by seducing Yun Er,

you will change my mind?

Your majesty

Pan Yu and Second Prince

have no love affair.

Then who is it?

I am the son of heaven

Whatever I want, you must give

Emperor, please conduct yourself with dignity!

Emperor, the emperor's actions are not taken lightly

This is our Meng family's

heirloom treasure.

Your mother and I are different

Only you stand on my side

This jade pendant,

give it to your future consort.

So it's because of him?

I heard you're refusing food and water today

Why?

This is for Father, even more for Mother

for Pan Yu, even more for myself

I only took a concubine

Yet you are so disgruntled

I thought

Father would love Mother for life.

But I didn't think Father would cease to be faithful

for someone who looks similar in appearance.

Father loves Mother

only for her outward appearance?

I feel sad for Mother

Father's love for your mother

has never changed.

If Pan Yu didn't resemble your mother,

I wouldn't even bother to look at her.

But Pan Yu is innocent in this

Because of her similar appearance,

must she become her shadow?

And you? What's wrong with you?

Father. Father. I...

Do you like her?

Imperial Father

Yu Er has a gentle nature

does not dispute with others

I earnestly ask Father to take back the order

Don't let Yu Er end up like Mother

Falling victim to the jealousy of others

and being denied a happy ending.

You are blaming me

for not having protected your mother back then?

I wouldn't dare

I just don't want Yu Er to drown

in this pervasive

internal palace conflict

over time.

You're so thoughtful of her

Yu Er's personality agrees with mine

So what?

It doesn't mean this girl

is in love with you.

Besides she told me

she only sees you as a friend

not a potential lover.

Regardless of her feelings towards me,

Pan Yu sees Father as an elder.

Father cannot, for your own amusement,

drag her through this dirty place.

Nonsense! This is my back palace!

I've only taken a concubine

I don't care what others say

But you're my favorite son

You also criticize me?

I am not accusing Father

but the endless dangers in this back palace

are real!

Father insists on taking her as concubine

That's the same as making her the enemy,

putting her through danger,

and killing her!

The imperial decree has been declared

Even if she dies, she is still my concubine!

This is her fate

Father!

Don't say anymore!

I've already decided

She must marry me

If it weren't

for the sake of your mother,

for what you just said

I could punish you with 100 death penalties!

If my 100 deaths

can give Pan Yu freedom,

it's worth it.

Father won't let you die

You're my most beloved son

When I marry Pan Yu,

it'll be as if your mother were still alive.

We as a family

will be reunited.

Sad melodies are like weeping

Gazing afar is like returning

No one wishes to go home

No boat wishes to cross the river

Thoughts cannot be expressed

In the intestines wheels turn

Miss! Miss!

Miss, Miss

What is it?

Northern Han replied to our letter

Miss, what are you looking for?

Just now, when I was thinking of home,

I copied a sad song verse.

How could it be gone?

If a bystander picks it up,

it will draw suspicion.

Even if someone picks it up,

it's only a poem, not a letter.

Who could be so smart

to guess that Miss is homesick?

Tidy up everything

Let's go back

Look at these flowers blooming so beautifully

When crown prince takes the throne,

you will enjoy life in comfort and happiness.

I haven't walked in the imperial garden

for a long time.

These flowers are so beautiful

I want your life!

Stop it!

You crazy girl

are you done?

Princess!

No fun!

I pose as an assassin

and Mother recognizes me right away.

Preposterous

You just returned from studying martial arts with General Huang

I thought you would be better behaved

But you pose as an assassin to scare me!

What is this?

Isn't it all

Sister Yan's fault?

Normally when we fight,

you always yield to me on purpose.

If I don't dress like this,

would she show her true abilities?

Before she could show her true abilities

you already gave yourself away.

Imperial Mother

How did you see through me?

The assassins I've seen

When they fail

they either run away or commit suicide

I've never seen one like you

biting others when you lose.

Nobody else in the world

would do this

I'm telling you

that's my assassin weapon

Go, count the Buddha rice

Again?

What?

Don't want to count? Then be punished

Niang Niang's illness came suddenly

and because of her old age.

Humble servant is only reporting the truth

For Niang Niang to fall ill

immediately upon rising in the morning

it's really a thorny situation.

Shut up! You common doctor

You're full of nonsense

How dare you curse my mother?

Kill him!

Your Highness please spare my life

My illness

I am well aware of

Don't take your anger out on the imperial doctor

Do more good deeds and be merciful for Mother

Thank you Niang Niang for your mercy in sparing my life

Prepare the best medicine. Go

Yes

Yun Er

Your body hasn't recovered yet

but you come to visit me.

So filial

Imperial Mother, you must take care

Xiang Yun

only has you

to cherish as elder.

Cheng Er, help Mother up

Cheng Er

When the sun was rising,

I had a dream

I dreamed of your Imperial Father

furious

Your Imperial Father scolded me

"You vile woman,

why haven't you given the throne

to Cheng Er yet?"

Mother said

"Cheng Er hasn't married and established himself yet.

The royal bloodline has not been passed on yet."

Your Father then scolded

"That's because you didn't

choose a good Royal Consort for him.

He's unhappy."

Mother had nothing to say in reply

Cheng Er

In this world you blame mother

In the afterlife your Imperial Father also scolds me

Both this world and the afterlife are intolerant of me

Do you know how unjust this feels?

I lived a lifetime for nothing

Xiao An Zi

Servant is here

Summon the minister of rites

Official Zong Zheng

Obeying Niang Niang's orders

Mother

Why are you summoning them?

Mother wants to pass the throne onto you, let you officially register

Mother doesn't want to leave a posthumous edict

and miss your coronation ceremony.

I want to let you officially

take your position on the throne.

Imperial Mother! Imperial Mother!

Imperial Mother!

If I just leave like this,

Nothern Han will be in chaos.

How will I rest peacefully?

Imperial Mother,

don't blame yourself.

I know what to do

Cheng Er

You still don't know what to do

So

Mother is very concerned.

After you Northern Han

won't have an heir.

In the afterlife,

your Imperial Father will still blame me.

So,

for Mother,

light incense before your Father's grave.

Yun Er, take care of Cheng Er for Mother