Original subtitles

I thought that Wang Ye saved me... because you have me in your heart

I didn't realise that it was just a dream of mine!

Lian Er!

Wang ye, do you know?

When a person stands in an ice cellar

watching the sunshine outside, lovely and warm,

outstretching their arm,

they find that they can't touch anything.

Do you know what kind of feeling that is?

If I was that person,

I'd rather not see the sunshine

Wang Ye, please let me leave

Greetings, Mother

No need for formalities

Mother,when did you arrive?

I've come for a while

I saw you in the middle of practice

so I didn't disturb you

How has your health been recently? Good?

Mother,my health has been good

As strong as a cowThat's good

Mother, you've came to visit so suddenly

Is there something urgent?

The Forbidden City is too big...

It makes one afraid

So I wanted to come here to see you

According to ancestral rules,

once one's son has been titled as a "Wang" (Duke)

As a parent

I'm supposed to follow my sonand live outside

However, the Emperor is filial

and insists on keeping me by his side

If I was to go by my own wishes,

obviously living here,I'd be most happy and most comfortable

I'd be most keen on the idea

Only.. in history

when has an Empress Dowagerever lived at a Wang Ye's residence

Aren't you afraid of others saying thatyou dote on your younger son?

Mother has been thinking a lot.

I feel that whether I become Empress Dowager or not

is not such a big deal.

What is the point of being together after death?

As long as your father, in heaven,

knows that I have him in my heart,

it is what is important.

That's why I say my son,

you can stop worrying.

As long as you brothers

can live in harmony

that is my most blessed wish.

oh yeahi heard er muo say that

you fancy a girlis that right?

that er muo has such a big mouth

son,since you fancy her

then leave her by your side

I don't want to use my child's lifelong happiness

for the sake of a title.

Mother, this...

Royal children

have a lot of pressure and restrictions.

Not very many are happy.

mother hopes that, you won't turn out like that

do you understand?

go, go find her

Take advange of the court's current draft.

I might as well take care of yours as well.

I believe your late royal father

will also be happy for you

Yes

I'll listen to your orders

I'll take my leave now

have a good day, prince

Dowager concubine, did i step out of line?

no

you're the only one who knows what i really want

no matter gold or reputation

there's nothing more important than my son's happiness

I hope he can understand

and he will appreciate

hopefully

Prince?

Does your highness wish to enter

or dont wish to enter

i wish to enter

but i'm worried i'll be shooed out

then were you prepared to stand here the while night?

If you didn't come out, that was my plan

what do you want

I came to tell you

there only a dew more day till you enter the palace

you should be prepared

So you came to remind me to keep my promise

Don't worry, I'll remember

Lian' er

Even when princes choose their wives

they have to go through the imperial household department

and approved by the emperor and dowager concubine

what has this to do with me?

I want you to be my wife

Are you willing?

Then what about concubine dowager Qin?

My mother told me

my happiness is more important

I'm someone who thinks too much

and carries too many burdens

I've never taken a single risk in my life

But this time,

i want to make my own decisions now

i want to make the sun shine on you

Lian'er

whats taking so long with just empty the basin

Oh, I'm coming in now

hey, you haven't given me an aswer

I'm this year's candidate to enter the palace

i'll respect whatever decision

the emperor and dowager concubine have

Good! Good!

No,

Without bow and arrow

how can a fighter be considered a fight still?

Your Majesty, we're only acting out a show

does it need to be so detailed?

we need to be detailed

or else its not respecting the show anymore

Servants! Yes!

Bring the late emperor's golden bow here

Yes

Your Majesty, drink some tea

You're all sweaty

So this is the golden bow?

It's the first time seeing this for me

Your majesty,

can you fire an arrow from this

for me to see?

Don't you know?

In the whole world, other than the late emperor,

no one can draw an arrow from this bow

Really?

But I've heard from the dowager

when the late emperor was still around,

the 17th prince did manage to draw an arrow from this bow before

Arrow!

Your Majesty!

I've spoke out of place

I'll return to my palace now to reflect on my mistakes

Your Majesty! Please! Your Majesty!

Please! I'm wrong!

Your Majesty, I won't do it again!

I've said the wrong thing! Your Majesty!

Please! I'm wrong!

I won't do it again! Your Majesty,

Please forgive me! I won't do it again

Please spare my life

Your Majesty, the dowager wishes for an audience

No!

Yes! Wait!

Tell her I'm busy.

I'll go meet her once I'm free

Yes

Whether or not I can draw this bow,

I'm still the emperor

Yes

E'Ling'E greets your highness dowager

rise

your highness still has not recovered?

its an old sickness

i don't think its going away

I've enjoyed wealth and luxury all my life

i've no more regrets

Its just that

I don't know if i'll have to carry the misunderstanding by his majesty

to the coffin with me

His majesty still refuses to meet with you?

it's actually all my fault

putting him on the spot

you've brought him up and took care of him for so many years

His Majesty should know your character well

I'll go talk to his majesty

Sir!

E Ling E!

Down

Your highness

you can't suffer all alone like this all the time

He's the emperor

He's also your son

you don't know his temperament

he won't listen to you

Seeing as we've grown up together

i beg this of you

No

I must go

That time I didn't hold on to the one I loved

I've regretted all my life

If this time,

I still can't serve as your loyal servant

I don't know what meaning there is

in my living on now

please let me do as i wish

what did you say?

Say it again

Filial is the most important value in life

Kindly make a trip to Kang Shou palace

to greet the dowager

Are you accusing me of being unfilial

No your majesty

I'm just trying to remind your majesty

You're the role model for all the subjects

All eyes are on your majesty

This is my family business

there's no need for you to worry about it, retreat

Your Majesty!

How dare you, E Ling E!

Just because you've worked over 2 dynasties

I wouldn't dare to punish you?

I'm just trying to advice your majesty like Bi Gan

Just like Bi Gan? (loyal minister in previous dynasty)

If you're Bi Gan then who am I?

I'm Shang Zhou Wang? (Very violent, cruel king of Bi Gan)

Fine!

You just want to be a loyal subject

I'll grant your wish

Guards

Take E Ling E down!

to be beheaded today!

Your Majesty!

The dowager has took care of you since young

The dowager has put a lot of effort in bringing you up

your majesty need to remember what she did for you!

Your Majesty!

There are so many other more precious pearls in the house

but i've never seen you so happy before

E Mo, please don't make fun of me anymore

Have you settled the business of chosing of palace maids?

Don't worry

the first few steps won't be a problem

there's only the dowager left

she loves you so much

its now just a matter of speaking up

you can just get ready to be the groom

wang ye! There's a problem!

E Ling E has been taken prisoner by his majesty

I've heard that he's to be beheaded today!

What?!

Greetings, mother

Son,

you've came at the right time

help me to beg of the emperor

to forgive E Ling E

Don't worry mother

Su Gong Gong

can you please let the emperor know

I would like an audience with his majesty

17 Prince, please forgive me, i'll not beat around the bush

E Ling E was punished because he tired to speak up for the dowager

If both of you insist on getting an audience right now

there's no doubt you're just adding fuel to the flames

forcing his majesty to carry out E Ling E's punishment immediately

Then what should be done?

you can't ask me to watch my master die

I have an idea

I wonder if your highness will like to listen to it?

tell me

There's a law saying that anyone related to the royal family commits a crime

can be spared from the death sentence

its about time for the girls to enter the palace

I've heard that E Ling E's daughter

Jia Jia, is one of those girls

If your highness can take JiaJia as your wife,

E Ling E's position will be changed then

I can tell that actually,

His Majesty doesn't really want to kill him

Even if you don't beg,

His Majesty will let him go anyway

What do you think?

Seventeenth

Your master has help us both a lot

and this time, he's stuck in this situation because of me

you have to find a way to save him

let me think about this

miss, you're about to get married right?

She's entering the palace tomorrow

Wow, that's great!

Miss you're so pretty,

even if you're not the empress,

you can surely be a Noble Consort (3rd rank)

it's great honour! such great honour!

I don't wish to be the empress or imperial concubine

Lian'er

this is your destiny, no one can stop it from happening

I hope what you say comes true

come

Hey, who are you looking for?

Is Lian'er at home?

My sis, she's not around. You are?

It's fine, since she's not home,

i won't disturb u any longer

Rong'er, who are you talking to?

Mother, you're back just at the right time.

there was someone looking for sis just now

who was it?

I don't know.

He's quite tall and well built, spiritful eyes,

He doesn't look like an ordinary person.

could it be the prince?

where're you going?

Shy?

Mother!

Okay, okay. Go chase after him then

Daughters aren't meant to be kept at home.

forget it, i won't chase after him.

i'll be meeting him soon anyways

i'm going in

Your highness

Greetings mother

rise

Thank you mother

you're here to see your teacher?

yes

a long long time ago,

i was just a palace maid then

he was a guard at QianQing Gate

at that time,

we had a lot of great memories together

when he found out

i fell in love with your father

he tried lots of ways to help me,

creating opportunities for me

all these years,

he's seen me

rising through the ranks from Noble Lady(6th rank) Qin to Noble Consort(3rd rank) Qin

and from there,

becoming the dowager concubine

i really feel very grateful towards him

I've told him we're the best of friends

But,

I know deep in my heart,

What he's given me,

is his love

Actually all these,

i've never planned to share with anyone this whole life

but now that's i've said it out loud,

i feel much better now

mother,

don't you worry,

I'll definitely save my teacher

i will

he doesn't want you to save hime

he said you're still young

he's already old,

he doesn't want you to abandon your future just because of him

it's not worth it

it's getting late,

go back and get some rest

it's your big day tomorrow

your teacher and I

both wish that you will be happy in life

do you undersatnd?

i understand

From ShanXi, Daugther of FuCha Wen Hao, minister of ShanXi, FuCha Ming Yue

From JiangNan, Daugther of NaLan XiuJi, owner of cloth factory in JiangNan, NaLan Jin

Daughter of DongJia ShiLan, Minister of Justice, DongJia Huixin

switch with me

Lian'er, it's really you!

That's great!

YuShu?

I didn't know we're in the same batch

That's really great! Do you know,

I was just thinking when i came out,

i didn;t know anybody here

it's good now,

now that i've seen you

from now on, we can have each other's company

you're so confident you'll be chosen?

actually i didn't have the confidence

i've just looked around

and my confidence came back really quickly

the both of us will be chosen for sure!

you're always so self confident!

i really didn't think i'll meet you here

Lian'er, let me tell you, the both of us...

within the palace grounds, no whispering allowed

Yes

Daughter of Lord Xu, XuJia XiXiang

Daughter of Geng DeJin, Minister of Security, GengJia YuShu

Daughter of fourth rank minister of culture, LingZhu, NiuGuLu Lian'er

time really flies,

my first day in the palace just feels like yesterday,

but it's been twenty odd years already

that's why, we need to live everyday to the fullest,

if not, you'll regret it once you've lost the moments

seventeenth

seventeenth

do you understand what i'm trying to tell you?

mother, I...

come

you're my son, i know you well,.

how can i not know what you're thinking right now.

but today,

is his majesty's big day,

it's also the day he picks a marriage for you

if you put on this face to attend the ceremony,

what will his majesty think?

what will all the royal relatives think of his majesty?

in this enormous family,

misunderstandings will only increase

one more misunderstanding,

it will all be a hot mess

i understand

it's just that, i feel...

you have to bear it even if you feel bad

this is your first marriage,

it's once in a lifetime.

Think about it, if even you can't face it, how can your wife face it?

and your teacher will also feel bad with you

even his majesty won't be happy about it

rather than feeling bad,

why don't you make the situation as smooth as possible,

maybe once the emperor is in a good mood,

all the misunderstandings can be dissolved.

everything will be solved easily

reporting to your highness,

Imperial household minister, LiQingXi, Li gong gong has reported

the girls are waiting outside Palace TiYuan right now

has the emperor arrived?

His Majesty is very busy,

still reading the reports in Hall of Mental Cultivation

His Majesty, really..

although the political issues are important,

the expanding of the imperial family, creating the next generation

is also as important

Go. Go get the Emperor.

Yes

Come, give me a smile

you must smile on such an auspicious day

Your Majesty,

the girls are already waiting at Palace TiYuan

should we depart for there?

The Dowager Concubine has just sent someone to ask us over

Forgive me your majesty!

What is taking the emperor so long to come?

On such an auspicious day,

this is not a good sign! Guards! Bring her down! Yes!

don't trouble his majesty

Sir,

how long more do we need to wait here?

that's right. we've been standing here for more than half a day,

I'm really hungry

i miss my mother, i want to go home

i want to go home,i miss my mother

What is wrong with you?

His Majesty might be arriving any moment now and you're crying

aren't you scared of the punishment?

Sir,

We've left our homes behind to enter the palace,

if we're chosen, we can't leave the palace forever,

we won't see our parents again.

this kind of separation from family, how can one not cry?

How dare you?

His Majesty has always said that

he wants to rule the kingdom with kindness and justice

but now,

he's dismissing our anxiousness before the ceremony

making us wait here for so long.

may I know, where is the kindness and justice in this situation?

You! Guards!

Bring this gossip spreading girl down! Yes!

you can lock me up or even kill me

but you can stop the people from talking

Guards! Bring her down!

Her Majesty, the Empress is here

Greetings, your majesty

Rise

Thank you, Your Majesty

the words of this girl,

I've heard from afar

such courage at your age,

is somewhat of a rarity

Qing Xi!

Your Majesty

release her on my orders

your majesty

this girl has just insulted the emperor

according to the law, she and all her family members should be killed.

releasing her now,

it might bring shame to the imperial family

hope your majesty will carefully consider your decision

reporting to your majesty,

i disagree

today is a grand ceremony of concubine selection

but his majesty has not turned up after so long,

isn't this telling the people

his majesty is really busy

even on such an important day, that he has no time for nonsense like this

this girl must have misundestood.

that's the reason she said all those things

and fortunately she had the understanding and forgiveness of your majesty

isn't this also letting the people know,

his majesty is a great leader

even in the imperial househole, under your majesty

there's justice and kindness, understanding what the people are going through

what you said sounds justifiable

QingXi.

Yes, your majesty

Everyone's been standing here for a long time today,

some complains and grumbles are unavoidable

today is his majesty's big day

don't let small matters like this

get in the way of our main event

yes

I...

I think your majesty's tea is cold now,

i just want to get you another cup of warm tea

wait

how did you reply the dowager

regarding the choosing of concubines today?

Reporting to your majesty,

i didn't know how to reply, so i didn't give a reply

it's been so long

go

tell her i'm busy with official business, no time for that

ask her to settle the matter herself

Thank you, your majesty for understanding my situation

you're really kind hearted

your majesty must have known i'm tired from kneeling,

i'll go now..

His majesty really isn't coming?

reporting to your highness

His Majesty did say,

there are too many reports from officials

so he won't be coming over any time soon

Whomever pleases the dowager, you may

let them be accepted into the palace, his majesty has no objections

no matter how much work there is,

it's only a short amount of time he needs to spend here.

Your highness, there's still work to be done in the Hall of Mental Cultivation,

Can i take my leave first?

I'll take my leave now

Mother

Mother

I went to visit the emperor yesterday,

I did see there was a lot of official documents at his work place,

His majesty must really be busy,

that's why he couldn't make it here

Also,

I think,

his majesty has another reason for not coming.

That is

him trying to be a filial son to you

mother, think about it.

traditionally, marriage is set by parents, carried out by matchmakers.

His majesty not being present, means he wishes for mother to make the choice for him

that's showing his trust in you

i know

you're a filial child

these girls have waited a long time

since his majesty has sent the word,

then we'll start the selection process

mother, i have another idea.

why not let the 17th prince choose first.

Err.

we don't have this kind of law from our ancestors

rules are set by men anyways

since his majesty is not here, it means

there're none that he likes among the girls here

then why not let the prince choose first

so as not to waste any talents we can find here

i know mother you take the rules very seriously all the while

but

why don't you let me do as i wish this once

let me us my position

as the master of the imperial household

to do as i please this once

17th

quick thank your imperial sister in law

thank you

we 're all of the same family, no need to thank me

Prince, please choose

i want you to be my wife

are you willing?

i will definitely save my teacher

i will

she's teacher's daughter

Daughter of First rank minister of PanShu Garden, E Ling E

NiuGuLu Jia Jia, Royal yellow bannerman of machurian

give your gratitude to the dowager

her majesty the empress, 17th prince

for their generosity

thank you, your highness dowager, your majesty, the empress and the 17th prince

i was just thinking what kind of person

can only be a good match for the prince

i only understand now the choice is made

mother,

are you agreeable to this?

if he thinks its ok, then its ok

then bring her down

mother

now its time to choose for his majesty

I'm old already

My eyesight are not as they were before

They all look the same to me

I think its best if you took over for me

me?

I..

you're in charge of the palace

you're the one who needs to live with them

that's why, do you think its more important that my choice is good

or yours is better?

yes

Send all the girls to QianXi Palace

stop

Greetings, 17th prince

your highness

If nothing's the matter, i'll take my leave first

let's go

Greetings, young masters

Greetings, Gugu

Young masters,

Xiu Chun Gugu is the senior official of QianXi Palace

Before you receive your title

she will be the one taking care of your everyday needs

and teach you the rules in the palace

do you understand

Gugu, please take good care of us

Young masters,

since you were able to beat the competition and enter the palace

i believe all of you have both beauties and intelligence

one in a million

the day of glory and wealth is not far ahead

but before that

i hope all of you will be careful of what you say and do

learn all the rules of the palace for me

those that do well,

naturally i'll let the empress know

so that she can reward accordingly.

those who don't do well,

i hope you don't mind if i don't give you any face

i hope all the young masters don't blame me

now i've said all the awkward things up front

yes

both the east and west wing have been cleaned

two person to 1 group

wherever you want to go, then you can go there and settle down.

there's a lot matters to attend to tomorrow

come let's go. let's go

there, lets go there

there's good air flow in this room

Lian'er, let's choose this one

what are you doing?

this room is mine

both of you should leave

i chose this room first

why should i give you

why?

because i'm the daughter of the internal cabinet TaMu

royalty within the upper manchurian bannermen

Open the door!

So what if you're royalty? Just that and you can bully us?

Forget it

although the tree here does provide some shade,

but those crickets on the trees are really noisy

let's choose another room

Lian'er.

Fine, i'll you have this room then.

i hope the crickets annoy you to death everyday

seems like they are all going to be troublesome

they're all like that when the just enter the palace

whether they can fit in here or not,

will all depend on how well they can persevere

Lian'er

why are we letting Xi Xiang

have that room?

Even if she's the royalty of the upper bannermen

but now we're in the same batch entering the palace

we're of equal status now, why should we be afraid of her

we've just entered the palace,

and don't know anything yet

if you make a big scene with her

there may be no going back

If Xiu Chun Gugu sees that and leaves a bad impression

we'll even be punished if it spreads to the empress

it's really not worth all those just for that room

Lian'er

you really are more considerate and thoughtful

Lian'er you see,

we've met outside the palace and now inside the palace

we're really fated to be friends

why don't we become sisters

what do you think?

you're more thoughtful than i am

next time, if there's anything that i don't do well

you can look after me

as for me, if i have anything good,

i'll think of you, ok?

thoughtful?

if i;m really that thoughtful, why didn't i think of this

didn't think of what?

i didn't think that

the weather here is so cold

cold? how is it cold?

i;m really cold

just like in an ice cave

you want to crawl out

but everywhere you touch is cold

from your pores to your marrow

little by little, little by little

is making me shiver all over

are you sick?

i'll go get a coat for you

it's useless

then what should i do?

i know! come!

i'll hug you. is this better?

you think

now that we're in here, when can we leave this place?

the palace is not a simple place

all past lovers are now just strangers to you

at least the palace maids

still have something to look forward to

once you reach 25 years old, you can leave and marry as you wish

we as the concubine candidates, there should be no way we can leave the palace in this life

what's wrong

Do you perhaps

have somethings that you wish to do outside the palace?

there;s something i want to ask

really want to ask

what is it?

your highness

didn't you say you are going to marry me?

why didn't you keep your word? why?

your highness, who is she?

ignore her

she's just someone who is after my money

take these money and leave

i never once thought of wanting your money

if its not money you want then what is it that you want?

you want a place in my house?

you're just a daughter from a low ranking minister

your father has never even been an official all his life

you really think you can become a princess just like that

this isn't real

i know you like me

i'm the 17th prince of the late emperor, why will i fall in love with a commoner's daughter

funny! its really funny

No

Yu Shu!

don't shout!

i don't mean to harm you

i just need a favour from you

keep quiet please

come

i'm actually your neighbour

i'm from 2 batches before you

my name is wen yue

how do you want me to help you?

his majesty is going to call on me tonight

i need someone to hold my lantern for me

but

but

all the people here are evil

they look down on me

don't want to hep me

don't be sad. i'll help you

you'll help me?

you're really kin. you're not like them

don't worry

next time, when i'm by his majesty's side

i'll repay your kindness

repayment is not important

it's really ot easy for someone

to fulfill their wishes

if you have the chance to do so,

then it's great news

this is the greatest that has happened to me in my life

then let's hurry, don't keep the emperor waiting

once i'm the master of my own palace,

i'll make those who look down on me

those who want me dead

pay for their crimes

that time, you and me

we'll both eat great food

and wear the prettiest clothes on earth

Miss WenYue,

aren't we here to meet the emperor?

what are we doing here?

over there

His Majesty is waiting for me there

can you see? let's go

can you see?

greetings, your majesty. i'm here

i'm leaving now

why are you leaving?

are you doubting me

no i don't i don't

you do. i don't

why won't you believe me. i believe! Let me go!

Why don't you believe me? you're crazy!

i'm not crazy

quick go catch both of them

his majesty is asking for me soon

Gugu! Help me! Gugu! Don't come over here

Help me!

Let me go!

you're all evil

Gugu!! You all want me to die1

Let me tell you! I won't let you win

I won't let you win

you won't win!

why won;t you believe me? why?

Gugu! Save me!

why do you all want me to die