Original subtitles

I didn't expect that he found an opportunity

and got away

I can't believe that the Empress and Songgotu

suspects that you and Yi Huan are the spies of Wu San Gui

It is good that Kang Xi trusts deeply in the both of you

so he will not believe it

It seems that everything is so complicated

First, it was the mysterious person

who stole the copper box from Yongle Residence

Then, we discovered a spy of Oboi's in the Pearl Valley

Now the spy of Wu San Gui in the palace

has given himself away

There are unseen dangers everywhere

We need to be careful from now on

Eldest Senior, don't fret

No matter the danger

we will face it together

Thank you, Qing Cheng

Let's go

Shanxi is a rich and populous land

but I saw with my own eyes, the citizens suffering

And the local officials act on their own will

receive tax under all sorts of pretences

The silver taels and grains supplied by the Imperial Courts

were exploited by the officials

The actual amount received by the disaster victims

were not even enough to fulfil 1 out of 10 people

The disaster victims are all famished

and homeless

whereas the officials are living luxuriously

and extravagant

On the orders of the Emperor

I order

a thorough investigation of the corruption in Shanxi

To stop all the corruption in the government

By the Emperor himself

All right, Brother Long

I've finished writing

Take a look, what do you think?

Boss

it seems like under my supervision

your writing is getting better.

But I didn't expect a girl like you

would be able to write similarly to me

Mainly is because the contents of this edict are good

Listening to it, it is straight to the point

When I was younger, at my old home

everytime there is a famine

and a lot of people die

watching it happen

I felt exceptionally miserable

That time

you must have cursed me hundred of times?

Of course!

All the citizens are starving

it must be your officials who didn't serve well

The Emperor is not an official

Why isn't the Emperor an official?

Although the ones who exploited the supplies are Shanxi's local officers

but

you as the Emperor are the biggest official

This is all because of you neglected your duty

This kind of words, if they are spoken at the Imperial Court

by anyone else

I will not let them go

But we are not in the Imperial Court now

and I am not anyone else

Then you tell me, who are you to me?

Boss

This time on my tour

I felt a lot of different emotions

I not only saw the citizens feelings

but also learned a lot of things that I would

never be able to learn in my study and the Imperial Court

Especially after I experienced

some situations that shake us to the core

These are memories that I will never be able to forget in my life

Take a look at this

I still remember you saying

that this word ‘deaf'

is made out of the word ‘dragon' and ‘ear'

That means that the Emperor's ears are just an accessory

He can't hear the pain and suffering of the citizens

After hearing what you said

I felt very shocked

So, after I got back to the palace

I straight away added this word to the fan

To remind myself all the time

to not be a deaf Emperor with ears only as an accessory

You knew I said it randomly

why did you listen to me?

Yi Huan

after I've done dealing with the corruption in Shanxi

I will properly deal with the situation between us

What situation do we have between us?

Do you really want to just be an office assistant forever?

Then wait for your fiancé to come back

and marry him?

Although you are just a normal maiden

and I cannot make you my empress

but out of the 3,000 maidens in the Imperial Harem

no one can replace your place in my heart

That's why I want to raise your status

and take you into the Imperial Harem

No, I won't agree to this

I remembered you once said

that the Emperor is the person who doesn't deserve a woman's love

But in that grass hut in Shanxi

didn't you change your perception of me?

I once said

that you are the one person that doesn't deserve love

But now, I take back what I said

you are really very nice

In that grass hut

we lived together for a few days

I've seen your body

and gave up many of my first times to you

If you really want to do this to me

then go and marry your fiance whom you haven't heard of so far

At most, I won't get married

I don't marry him

but I still won't marry you

Why?

Brother Long

You are a good Emperor

but what I want is a husband

A husband that belongs to me alone

And not an Emperor loved and feared by the woman of the Harem

But I've never made you afraid of me

Are you really scared

when you are alone with me?

Brother Long

Could you be a husband to me alone?

You can't

I don't want to share a husband

with the empress of the northern and western palace, do you understand?

A wife who wants to see her husband, but can't

Everyday, she dresses up nicely

and awaits her husband's pitiful arrival

crying to the candles

This is not a life I want

Moreover, you already have 3,000 women in the Harem

what is one less to you?

You know that I am an Emperor

I cannot only have one woman

Fine

Even if I am an Emperor

I cannot have everything my way

I can only value the time I have with you

Imperial Physician Li

Eunuch, what orders do you have for me?

I see that the look on your face is off

What is wrong? Did you see that the Emperor is favouring Yi Huan

and you feel upset?

Isn't this what you both wanted?

To gain the trust and favour of the Emperor?

This is not what I wanted

Yi Huan is young and naive

in regards to love, she is very ignorant

I am afraid she...

You dragged Yi Huan into the palace

to gain the trust and favour of the Emperor

but you didn't think that the Emperor would fall in love with Yi Huan

so you are not relishing in it

I was too careless

I didn't expect that things would turn out this way

I see that you both have made things this way

I also feel restless

But I cannot do anything

I know that you and your father wants to restore the Ming Dynasty

and I cannot convince you otherwise

But what you are doing is very dangerous

I am afraid that at the end,

I might get dragged into this as well

I urge you quickly take Yi Huan and leave the Forbidden City

I am old

and cannot take the shock

What? You and Yi Huan want to move out of the palace?

You've seen all this while

the situation between Kang Xi and Yi Huan

I cannot let Yi Huan stay in the palace

I understand the pain in your heart

Then, you both should move out first

Leave the task of finding the copper box and the spy in Pearl Valley

up to me

The current situation in the palace is too complicated

Leaving you alone in the palace is too dangerous

Your worry for me is enough already

Don't worry

I will take good care of myself

I'm sorry, Qing Cheng

Am I too selfish?

Eldest Senior, don't say that

If we allow the relationship between Yi Huan and Kang Xi

to continue blossoming in the palace

it is a torture for you

For Yi Huan and us in the alliance

it may not be a good thing

Taking advantage of the fact that their relationship is just starting

we should move her quickly

Thank you, Qing Cheng

Only you

will think for me

all the time

But I cannot reciprocate you

Eldest Senior

Your safety and happiness

is the biggest repayment for me

I don't want to leave

I want to continue staying in the palace

Why?

Do you really have feelings for Kang Xi?

You can't bear to leave him?

I didn't

Yesterday at the study

Kang Xi hugged you with no control

but you didn't refuse

I...

Yi Huan

Previously, you are very oblivious to matters between man and woman

but didn't you realise

that you have a change of heart towards Kang Xi?

Brother Zhu

I don't know

My heart...

I cannot leave you in the Forbidden City anymore

You need to follow me immediately

But we haven't found the copper box yet

Oboi's spy

in the Pearl Valley is not found yet

Qing Cheng has said

that the task of finding the copper box and spy

she will do it

But leaving Sister Xue in the palace alone

it is so dangerous

After saying so much

so still cannot give up Kang Xi

am I right?

This is like a big, golden cage

I cannot stay here for the rest of my life

Sooner or later, I would have to move

But before I leave, can you give me some time?

Brother Long said

that Liu De Zhao is on his way to the Capital

Don't you want to see him judged

and trialled on the spot?

Moreover, should our decision

be reported to my father

and ask for his opinion?

Maybe in this time

we will find the copper box

and the spy

Then we can leave together with Sister Xue

If we leave Sister Xue alone here

it is morally unjust

Although I know these reasons are just excuses you came up with

but I have no heart to reject you

Yi Huan, you promise me

after Liu De Zhao is trialled

we leave immediately

I knew it

I always knew that you treat me the best

You! You only know how to bully my weak heart

You are not allowed to be so close to Kang Xi.

If he still touches you

you need to reply him well

And not let him take advantage of you again

I know, I know, I know

Brother-in-law

Wei Ba Zan sent 3,000 elite soldiers

into Shanxi to fetch Long San

He never arranged to meet you in person

and didn't even send someone to greet you

And now the Emperor ordered you to meet Long San in the palace

I keep feeling something is up

Actually, my heart is restless as well

At first, I thought that this Long San

is just an officer from a rural area

He has no background in the Imperial Court

It is only because he acts devoted

that's why the Emperor selected him as an Imperial Commissioner

That's why he doesn't understand at all our rules

He just wants to use me to get ahead only

Based on this

I am confident I can overthrow him

But I didn't think

that he has such deep connections with Wei Ba Zan

Wei Ba Zan is of imperial lineage

In his hands are the Imperial Court's finest soldiers

But for personal use

he brought the troops into the boundaries of Shanxi

Based on this

can we punish him?

Qiu Gui

about this

we will pretend not to know

Why?

The imperial lineage holding on to large troops

and collaborating with the Imperial Court

this is not what the Emperor wants

What do you know?

After Long San went back to the Capital

he must have reported my crimes to the Emperor

Until now

the Emperor hasn't sent anyone to arrest me

but only ask that I come to meet Long San in the Capital

What does this mean?

That means that I managed to get ahead of Long San

and my report to the Emperor about Long San

has come to good use

Qiu Gui

at this delicate time

we need to focus all of our time and energy

to take down Long San

To avoid making too many enemies

What you say is right

How about the maiden that we suspected

who was impersonating the Noble Lady?

We really couldn't have imagined that

This Noble Lady and Shu Wan Xin

look exactly alike

Until now

we still haven't found the real Shu Wan Xin

How can we prove

that the Noble Lady is a fraud?

Shu Wan Xin eloped with Meng Xiang He a long time ago

I am currently investigating...

There is no more time

I will go to the Capital first

Let's not bring up the issue of the Noble Lady for now

Qiu Gui

when I find the real Shu Wan Xin

find me in the Capital immediately

Then, we have the chance to turn the tables on them

Brother-in-law

I have already sent many people to find her

Do you think she can still run?

Sir Suo, walk slower

What's wrong?

I have seen you before

What are you saying?

- Don't do this - No...

Sir Suo

I don't have other meaning

I just want to ask you

to give me some hint

This time I enter the Capital

is it good or bad?

You...

I...

You...

Sir Suo, you are right

You

don't have to worry too much

We are both officers of the Imperial Court

People accusing us

should be a common thing for us

Isn't it?

I understand what you mean

You are saying

that the Emperor is not fully trusting the accusations

of Long San towards me

You, don't worry and go for the meeting

You will definitely be shocked but not harmed

Thank you, Sir Suo, for your hints

All right, let's go

Go ahead...

Your Majesty, Shanxi's Provincial Governor, Liu De Zhao is here to see you

Let Liu De Zhao in

Yes

Liu De Zhao

the Emperor asks for your appearance

This way

Liu De Zhao

Quickly kneel down and greet the Emperor

Your Majesty, Shanxi's Provincial Governor Liu De Zhao in your presence

Heavens bless the Emperor!

Sir Liu

Your Majesty

these are all accusations from Long San about me

He made it all up

All of these crimes

are all made up

Liu De Zhao

the Imperial Commissioner has nothing against you

why would he make things up to accuse you?

In reply to you, Your Majesty

Long San tried to demand bribes from me but failed

so he kept a grudge for me

He secretly gang up with violent criminals

and rob my personal property

This Long San also

made his own imperial jade seal

and forged his edict

and disturbed my governance of Shanxi

Your Majesty, every one of these claims

have been investigated by me

Your Majesty

please take a look

- Liu De Zhao - Here

Your writing skill is quite good

Indeed, you are good in projecting your points

No wonder you can keep rising in the courts

Thank you for your compliment, Your Majesty

I don't dare to say so

Also, Your Majesty

this is the imperial jade seal

and edict that Long San forged

evidence that he robbed the official funds

Please take a look

That is right

This imperial jade seal and the edict is fake

Your Majesty, besides these material things

I also have a witness

This person is Shanxi military general Shu Jian's caretaker

He can stand claim

that when Long San stayed at the Shu Residence

he once disguised himself

and ganged up with bandits to steal from my store

If you want to question him yourself

I can ask the person to come into the palace

Then, this matter can be made clear

That is not needed. There are three witnesses here

All of them are more important that the caretaker of Shu Residence

All of them can prove that Long San sent a fake edict

and forged an imperial jade seal

disguised himself, and robbed the official funds

He even tried to assassinate an Imperial officer

and killed your soldier by the name Yang

Your Majesty, you are so excellent!

Your Majesty, you really are excellent!

But I don't know where those three people are now

Sir Liu

you've been in good health since the last we met

Your Majesty

this maiden is a servant close to Long San

Liu De Zhao

I am also one of the witnesses

Don't you remember me?

Your Majesty

this person is also Long San's henchman

He was also involved in the robbery!

Your Majesty, no matter what they say

you must not listen to their lies! Your Majesty!

It is not just the both of them who were involved

Liu De Zhao

Yes, here

Why don't you lift up your head and look at me?

This is my first time meeting you

and I am feeling scared

I don't dare to look you in the eye, so...

I want you to lift up your head and look at me

Your Majesty

I...

I deserve death!

It is true...

It was really funny

It was too funny

Miss Yi Huan

what happened after that?

What happened to Liu De Zhao after that?

After that, Liu De Zhao

didn't dare to say anything else

His whole body was shaking continuously

like a leaf

It was quite interesting

It was a shame

that I couldn't see it for myself

Luckily, you weren't there to see it

You didn't even know

suddenly, a burst of foul smell,

guess what happened?

He got so scared he wet himself

It was so stinky

that Brother Long quickly asked someone to take him away

I really didn't think

that the Liu De Zhao who was a tyrant in Shanxi

is actually such a wuss

I know, right? You don't even know

when he was dragged out

he was so scared that he didn't dare to say anything

his eyes even rolled back

and he was foaming at the mouth

Just like that

It was just like that

It is so lively here in Yongle Residence

Well wishes, Your Majesty

Well wishes, Your Majesty

Your Majesty, your servant at your presence

No need for the formalities

This Yongle Residence

is the most relaxed and happiest place

in the whole Forbidden City

You can just be yourself

Yi Huan, Yi Huan

You really are my delight

Everytime I see you

I see your smile

hear your laughter

I feel a sense of relief

and my heart is filled with joy

Brother Long, you are the Emperor

how can you eavesdrop on others?

Do I need to eavesdrop?

With your voice

even the people from the other side of the Residence can hear

It looks like your foot doesn't hurt anymore?

My foot doesn't hurt anymore

but when I walk I am still limping

It doesn't look good at all

Are you looking at the way you walk now?

Previously when you walk

you are bouncing about

with no shame

No such thing!

Your Majesty

in a few days is the death anniversary of our mother

I want to take my sister

to Yongfu Temple at the suburbs to pray for our mother

I wish for your approval

Kang Xi has passed the case of Liu De Zhao and Gan Guo Tai

to the Ministry of Punishments to be trialled

The both of them would be punished

and is considered a big relief for everyone

Yi Huan

Can you go with me now?

My father is coming back to the Capital in two days

how about we wait till my father comes back

and we discuss it before deciding?

Your father once said

anything outside of the Pearl Valley

is left to me to decide

But...

What? You have a change of heart?

No, I just feel

that if we move out of the Forbidden City

if we don't move properly

Kang Xi will be suspicious

When he investigates thoroughly

what about Sister Xue?

You don't have to worry about this

I have already arranged properly

Sister Fan and Brother Ye

has followed Wu Ying Qi's fleet into the Capital

Then

we will use the guise of our mother's death anniversary

and go to the Yongfu Temple to pray for her

Then I will arrange a group of people

disguised as Shi Qing Hong's people

to kidnap us

This way

we can successfully disappear

We can also blame it on Wu San Gui

and create a rift between him and Kang Xi

All right

All right, I will approve it

Then, I will ask the Board of Rites and Ceremonies to prepare

a Memoriam at Yongfu Temple

Thank you, Your Majesty

Our mother being able to enjoy such honour

is our biggest pleasure

Don't thank me so fast

I still have another important task for you

I am not sure if you are willing to do it

I would like to listen to what you have to say

Liu De Zhao and Shuntian Magistrate, Gan Guo Tai's cases

has been handed to the Ministry of Punishments for trial

But I know

that in the Imperial Court

there must be many other Liu De Zhao and Gan Guo Tai

I want you and Songgotu to investigate

Form a group of capable officers

and investigate other officers in secret

And see if there are anyone who purposely creates erroneous cases

and exploit fortune

This is a start to rectify the corruption

Your Majesty, I am afraid...

What is it? You are not willing?

If you have any problems, just tell me

I will solve it for you