Original subtitles

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

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

Examining love together with regret, both new and old.

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

Watching others meet as promised, as twilight falls.

Story of Yanxi Palace Episode 14

Yingluo. Your elbow keeps shaking.

How can you write well?

My hand, whenever it picks up the brush,

the elbow just wants to shake subconsciously.

Your Highness, if I put my elbow on the table and practice . . .

I think that's . . .

No.

When you practice calligraphy, you must overcome that.

If you can't pass this barrier, how can you improve?

Continue.

Yes.

Yingluo, what are you doing?

Come. Someone come.

Yingluo. What's got you in despair.

That it's so serous you want to commit suicide?

Yingluo, what's wrong?

Yingluo, are you crazy?

Committing suicide in the palace is a grave crime.

You don't want to live but don't implicate us!

When did you ever see someone hanging to die,

with such a low loop?

Then, what were you doing?

Empress is teaching me to write.

I must overcome the shaking elbow obstacle.

But my hand starts to tremble when it leaves the table top.

I thought about it,

and got the idea that I can put my hand into the loop and use the strength of the rope to steady my hand.

When I get use to it later on,

I can leave the loop and do it on my own.

Wow, you only just started not long.

You practiced writing so many words already

Diligence can make up for clumsy.

I am just a bit dumb and I'm getting a late start.

So I have to come up with a trick.

Zhenzhu, you should see clearly next time.

I know. Just that shouting earlier.

My heart almost leaped out.

- It's true. - All done spectating?

You guys aren't like her.

You don't have the mistress's favor, teaching you to write personally.

Hurry and go work.

Let's go.

Yingluo, how many pages are here?

About 150 pages, I think.

- Yingluo. - Zhenzhu, are you deaf?

Wei Yingluo, don't think you can make the mistress like you so you're that mighty.

Careful of climbing too high. You might fall and die.

Climb high and mighty for a while.

That's better than putting in all your might but still can't climb up.

But you should hope that I can climb even higher.

But never falling down.

Or else the first one I squash,

will be you who's staring at me from below.

Alright. I know you're a sharp tongue.

I can't beat you in words. I'll just see how much longer your contentment lasts.

- I sprayed it so finely. - Mine's more fine.

Right, Sister?

Yingluo.

Look. Yingluo, you're back?

Yingluo?

Yingluo?

What's wrong with her?

Erqing. Mistress favors Wei Yingluo so much now.

She doesn't see her for a second and she's anxious to find her.

I told you she's calculating and you wouldn't believe me.

Now, not to mention me.

You're about to lose a spot to stay too.

Alright, Mingyu.

Mingyu.

Yingluo seemed worried.

I found out how Yingning really died.

I'll wait for you tonight at the imperial garden at three geng (11pm-1am).

[27, 29]

What's wrong, Fuheng?

Prince Yi of the First Rank seems to be seeing Qingxi quite often lately.

Qingxi is hoping to be promoted soon.

What's strange about him making connections with Prince Yi of the First Rank?

It's not strange for Qingxi to want to go up the ranks.

What's strange is...why would Prince Yi of the First Rank lower himself down?

[Noon]

Yingluo, do you have a problem?

None.

You still say there's none.

Look at the word 'noon' you wrote. It's one stroke less.

Your Highness, I...

If you're tired, then go back early to rest.

If you're not focused, you won't be able to learn well.

I'm fine.

Then focus on learning.

Yes.

Your Highness,

I indeed have to attend to something. I want to ask for a leave.

Leave?

Wei Yingluo.

Let go of me!

Come help! A thief!

Stop! Don't run!

Help!

Hit him! It's him! Hit!

It's him!

Stop!

I'm an imperial guard of the Gate of Heavenly Purity. What are you all trying to do?

This is the Inner Palace! Why is an imperial guard of the Gate of Heavenly Purity isn't doing his duty there

and instead came to the Imperial Garden? This is a grave crime!

Hit him! Hit him hard!

Hit!

Stop!

Continue hitting him!

Stop!

Are you all blind?! I'm still here!

Get up.

What's going on here?

It's her, Wei Yingluo.

She secretly invited me to meet here in the Imperial Garden. She wants to seduce me!

Seduce you?

I spoke bluntly to you and you failed in seducing me, hence, you got mad.

Why don't you look in the mirror first? You think you're even worthy?

You gathered people to hit others!

Prince, I've already informed you about her secretly asking me to meet.

You must be my witness. Strictly punish this shameless palace maid.

You all heard it? Arrest her!

I'm a personal maid attendant of Her Highness Empress.

Without permission from the empress, who dares to touch me?

Now that things are like this, you still don't know to repent on your mistakes?

If you're not secretly meeting Qingxi, why would you appear here?

It's midnight.

Don't tell me that you're here to look at the scenery.

Give it to me!

Have you seen it clearly?

It's getting hotter by the day now,

master can't stand de smell of the anti-mosquito herbs.

I‘m thus collecting tuberose, but stumbled onto him.

He deserved all the beating!

If I were truly having a rendez-vous, why would I bring so many people.

Do I need spectators?

I don't want to hear your excuses.

Tell it to the Office of Careful Punishment.

Take her away!

What are you all doing in the middle of the night!

Fuca Fuheng, you're not on duty today,

What are you doing here?

The Emperor just finished the military matters and is spectating the moon in the Imperial Garden.

He invited me for a game of Go.

Do I need your permission for this?

I just started enjoying the tranquillity which was quickly disrupted.

His Majesty is here.

This servant girl is in fact secretly meeting a guard.

I caught her in the act and wanted to take her to the House of Respectful Affairs.

I shall not disturb his Majesty with this.

Take her away.

Wait!

His Majesty is in the pavilion ahead.

If you have something to say, say it to his Majesty.

I rarely have the opportunity for a game of Go and you ruined it.

Is this the Imperial Garden or a food market?

What are you yelling about?

Why is it you again.

Your Majesty, I don't want to disturb your mood either.

It was Fuheng who took us here,

he wanted you to be the arbitrator over this small matter.

I can handle this myself.

His Majesty, if it's an inner palace matter. The Empress should handle it.

But a guard of the Qianqing Gate is involved here.

Please be the judge of this matter, your Majesty.

- Your Majesty. - I'm not deaf!

If you were able to handle it, would you be here at all?

What going on, tell me.

Your Majesty, this servant girl tried to seduce me.

I refused several times but she kept insisting.

While I was on duty today, she wanted to meet me in the Imperial Garden around the midnight.

I knew that the relationships are forbidden between the servant girls and the guards.

I thus reported the matter to the Prince Yi of the First Rank.

He was furious. Because the matter impacts the palace's morality, therefore it shouldn't be handled lightly.

He instructed me to wait for her.

To catch her in the act, then to reinforce the positive morality.

She wanted to meet with you?

The majority of the guards within the Forbidden Palace are of noble birth and have a bright future.

They easily catch the attention of some flirtatious ones.

I'm very strict with my subordinates. I once given three orders and five explanations (repeatedly reminded) strictly prohibiting this matter.

The guards strictly abide by this rule and dare notI to break it.

Wei Yingluo is a servant girl from the Changchun Palace,

she knows no shame and treads on the rule over and over again.

He already refused her numerous times.

But she doesn't let him go.

I know that the guards can't leave their poste without permission,

but in order to persecute this negative morality,

I felt obligated to take the risks and set this trap to lure her in.

If a servant girl breaks the rule, the inner palace should be handling the matter.

Since when is it okay for you to take over?

If this gets out, we'd be ridiculed.

We are the guards of the Qianqing gate who are responsible for all security matters.

We are charged with inspection duties within the Forbidden Palace.

Your Majesty, Qingxi is involved here therefore this isn't to be handle by any person.

You can let the Office of Careful Punishment to handle it.

Wei Yingluo is the close servant of the Empress.

If her Highness wanted to shelter her, who would dare to touch her.

Your Majesty, I stated this clearly already,

I wanted to fetch some tuberose for her Highness to make a scented pouch.

Her Highness was thoughtful and sent some eunuchs along with me.

If it were a rendez-vous, why would I bring this many people.

That's...because I refused you.

You wanted meet with me in the Imperial Garden and had people ambushing nearby.

You brutally hit me like I was a thief.

You are clearly holding a grudge because of the unrequited love.

How is that only nonsense come out when you open your mouth.

Do you know how to spell 'shameless'?

Enough.

Clearly no one wants to back down, I don't want to hear your arguments.

Is there any proof?

Your Majesty, I have proof.

Your Majesty, this is the letter she had someone brought to me.

Please take a look.

Take a look yourself.

'Midnight tonight, meet me at the east gate of the Imperial Garden, see you. By Yingluo.'

- Take her away! - Your Majesty...

Your Majesty, I didn't write this letter.

I heard your are studying calligraphy with the Empress.

But your writings are very crooked, it's extremely ridiculous.

Who are you trying to fool?

I also have proof.

What is this?

Her Highness is very kind and teaches me calligraphy herself.

I'm not very bright but I know my place.

I dare not waste her Highness' efforts.

I have been practising intensively for over a month now.

I tried different practising methodes.

To compare the progress to see if I've advanced,

Therefore, I especially numbered the sheets I've wrote.

But this afternoon, I discovered that the page 28 has disappeared.

There are from page 27 and earlier.

There are from page 29 and later.

Only page 28 has gone missing.

Someone must have stolen my writing and wanted to frame me.

Maybe you made it up.

May I ask you on what kind of paper this letter is written?

This is regular rice paper for practising calligraphy.

Your Majesty, I have limited income. I dare not waste rice paper.

That's why I've been using snippets of toilet paper.

In other words, white cotton paper.

But this letter is not.

Your Majesty, the letter supplied by Qingxi,

is written on a white tightly woven paper without many textures.

This paper is a produce of Jing-county in Anhui.

This is of the highest quality.

Her papers are just white cotton papers, normally used for making toilet papers.

If you don't believe me, you can search the Xi'er room in Changchun Palace.

See if you can find a top quality paper there from Anhui

Therefore, some one must have stolen my writings and tried to mimic my style.

The goal was to frame me but they didn't notice the difference in paper quality.

Maybe you did it to avoid suspicion.

Who says there's no top quality paper to be found in Changchun Palace?

I dare not speak boldly,

but according to her Highness,

these 150 papers shows my daily progression.

You are afraid that I'd find out so you didn't take the newest one.

You only took from the middle.

Page 28 from one month ago.

You can compare it to my recent writings and you'll see a difference.

You bastard, how dare you to frame her!

Your Majesty, looks like Qingxi has been lying all along.

It must been him!

Prince Yi of the First Rank,

are you saying Qingxi of Qi's family failed to seduce me and therefore is framing me?

Guard from Qi's family, did you hear it loud and clear?

Prince Yi of the First Rank failed to frame me and wants to throw you aside.

If you don't speak the truth now, no one can save you later.

Your Majesty, Prince Yi of the First Rank threatened me and wanted to frame Wei Yingluo.

I don't know his motives.

Everything was instructed by him.

I can swear to the heaven.

Hongxiao, as a distinguished prince of the first rank, you dare to do a trick like this.

Don't you have any shame?

Your Majesty, please calm down.

You must easily believe the words of this dog-like thing.

He's just dragging me down for he was unable to implicate Wei Yingluo.

Your Majesty, when I learned that my writing was lost,

I immediately reported it to Her Highness Empress.

With her permission, I brought men to capture the person who caused this mess.

But I never expected that this matter will involve Prince Yi of the First Rank.

After all, I've been living deep in the inner palace.

I have never met Prince of the First Rank, so how could I have offended him?

Prince Yi of the First Rank, may I ask why you slander me?

I said it already that all these are the doing of Qingxi.

I just got deceived by him. Don't make unfounded accusations.

After thinking about it, Prince Yi of the First Rank doesn't seem to be targeting just me.

Maybe, he wants to drag Changchun Palace down too.

Empress manages the six palaces and holds a revered status.

There must be someone coveting for her position and wants to use this to destroy her reputation.

What's worse than a close attendant of the empress having illicit affair with an man from the outside?

Having such a crime, you're going to doubt the ability of the empress to manage the six palaces.

Even use this chance to make things difficult for her and then take away her power.

I said already that this is just a misunderstanding.

It's not as scary as you said.

What's scary is not my guess,

but the person who masterminded all these.

They want to punish me, drag Changchun Palace down,

vilify Her Highness Empress, and even make a disturbance in the whole inner palace.

Your Majesty, don't easily believe the rubbish said by Wei Yingluo.

It's because I easily believed the words of Qingxi.

Empress and I never had any grudges between us and I even admire her character.

How could I dare destroy her reputation? May Your Majesty investigate this well.

Your Majesty, I'm innocent.

Her Highness Empress is being wronged!

The whole Changchun Palace is being wronged!

All of you, shut up!

Qingxi, you casually framed a palace maid of Changchun Palace.

You indeed are not worthy to be an imperial guard of Qianqing Palace.

You are to be caned 100 times, removed from your post, and be under investigation.

Your Majesty, I'm innocent!

It was all Prince Yi of the First Rank who forced me to do it!

I'm innocent, Your Majesty!

Your Majesty...!

I'm innocent, Your Majesty!

Your Majesty! Your Majesty!

As for you,

this rubbish is still considered calligraphy?

You still have the cheeks to say there is improvement every day?

I find it hard to bear for the Empress.

It took strenuous efforts to be convinced.

Go back now

and copy it a hundred times. If you didn't complete it, you are not allowed to rest.

- Your Majesty. - Leave.

Leave now.

Your Majesty is wise and not biased.

I believe your judgement is divine.

You dare to intimidate me?

Your Majesty, Wei Yingluo has suffered.

She spoke in haste and doesn't know what she's talking about. Please don't be angry.

- Roll it. - Yes.

Hong Xiao.

Your Majesty, I'm being falsely accused. It's true.

Falsely accused? Falsely accused?!

Do you know the origin of the hat you are wearing?

The Thirteenth Emperor racked his brains for the Great Qing

and dedicated his life for the Emperor in exchange for it.

As the first born descendant of the Emperor,

you should be loyal

and responsible.

But as for you, you are full of resentments every day

and blame me for not giving you the opportunity.

Why don't you think about what you have done?

Palace maid, imperial guards and secret tryst.

What do you take the Forbidden City as?

Who do you think you are?

I must interrogate you on this laughable mocking case. Why?

Because it's embarrassing.

It's embarrassing. Do you know that?

You embarrassed the Thirteenth Emperor. You embarrassed Aisin-Gioro.

Your Majesty, I know my mistake.

Your Majesty, please don't be angry. Prince Yi was momentarily confused.

On behalf of the Old Emperor, please forgive him.

Speak. Who established ties with you?

If you don't speak, I will punish you severely.

Your Majesty, I personally saw Prince Yi

meeting with Noble Lady Jia of Chuxiu Palace.

Hong Xiao.

Your Majesty.

Director of Rites, Jin Jian and I have always been close.

Because Noble Lady Jia was demoted from imperial concubine to noble lady status.

All deemed as done by Palace Maid Yingluo, so a secret revenge was plotted.

I thought Yingluo was just a palace maid and an easy task so I accepted it.

I was confused. I know my mistake.

I know my mistake, Your Majesty.

- Li Yu. - Here.

Go to Chuxiu Palace now and issue an edict.

Don't take away my child.

Noble Lady Jia, this is His Majesty's intention.

Don't make it hard for us. Give me the child...

No.

Yongcheng is my son.

Why is His Majesty taking him away?

Why is His Majesty doing this to me?

I want to see His Majesty. I'm going to see His Majesty now.

Noble Lady, others don't know what's going on.

You should know what's going on.

What did I do wrong?

Ah Shuang has already explained everything. Tell us what you did wrong

that you must provoke Prince Yi to get into trouble.

Once the incident provokes, wouldn't you implicate yourself?

She's just a palace maid. How would I want her life?

Mother.

I suffered for ten months of being pregnant for His Majesty.

Having him didn't bring me any merits but hardship instead.

Your Majesty, how could you do this to me?

Noble Lady, you are just pretending to be dumb.

You framed Wei Yingluo.

You violated a prohibition on a palace maid who's close to Her Highness.

This is publicly slapping Her Highness' face.

Don't even talk about Changchun Palace. Even His Majesty

will not spare you.

It's not like this.

I...

I was forced to do it, Eunuch Li.

Noble Lady Jia, who did you say it was who forced you to do it?

Greetings, Noble Consort.

Li Yu, I'm the head of Chuxiu Palace.

Noble Lady Jia committed a mistake and can't raise Fourth Prince.

He should be sent to me.

How can he be sent to Consort Xian?

To answer you, My Lady,

this was His Majesty's intention.

His Majesty said that Noble Lady Jia is staying at Chuxiu Palace.

He fears that Fourth Prince will be under bad influence.

He should stay far away from here.

Be good.

Come, let me take a look.

Come here.

My Lady, My Lady.

Let me take a look.

Stop crying.

My heart breaks when I look at you.

Forbidden City is huge.

Even if it's at Chengqian Palace,

I will still get you.

My Lady... - Be good and go.

My Lady!

My Lady!

- I'm taking my leave. - Yongcheng.

- Yongcheng! My son! - Shut up.

Yongcheng.

Useless brat

Your crying is very annoying.

His Majesty is merely giving you a warning

by sending Fourth Prince to Chengqian Palace.

He didn't say you can't visit him.

Noble Consort.

Noble Consort.

If you have the time to be sad, why don't you think about

how to get your son back?

Noble Consort.

Noble Consort, do you intend to adopt Fourth Prince?

If I want a child, I can give birth to one.

Why would I want to raise a stupid child?

You are...

It has been many years.

Noble Lady Jia has done quite a lot of tasks for me.

She knows too much

but as long as Fourth Prince is here,

she won't be able to turn anything upside down.

You are wise. Now that Fourth Prince has been taken away,

will he still be able to return?

This will depend on how capable Noble Lady Jia is.

Your Highness, please spare me.

Your Highness.

Your Highness, please spare my life.

Your Highness.

I didn't expect

there would be a planted spy in Changchun Palace.

Since the lychee was last destroyed,

I have always felt there was a planted spy in Changchun Palace.

We were waiting for him to take actions.

Who knew they would be so impatient

and actually took risks again.

Poor Fourth Prince.

He's very young

and he left his mother's side.

Blame Noble Lady Jia for reaping what she has sowed.

If she didn't harbor evil intentions and took revenge,

how could she have been separated from her son?

No matter what, His Majesty, by doing this,

he's also giving you face.

His Majesty didn't have the intention to uphold justice.

What did you say?

Towards Noble Lady Jia,

His Majesty is angry. She used evil tactics

to harm the reputation of Changchun Palace.

At the same time, His Majesty doesn't want Fourth Prince to be with a narrow minded mother

who uses evil tactics.

From the beginning till now,

my being falsely accused, and justice,

His Majesty has never taken them into consideration.

- Yingluo. - If His Majesty really wants to seek justice,

why did he let her off that lightly and took away the Fourth Prince?

Noble Lady Jia is the mother of Fourth Prince.

By doing this, His Majesty is giving Fourth Prince some dignity.

Even if this is the case,

what about Prince Yi?

Prince Yi is the younger brother of His Majesty.

- How could His Majesty... - Your Highness.

You know it very well too. Isn't that so?

I'm just a humble palace maid.

Don't even talk about having suffered a bit.

Even if I lose my life, His Majesty doesn't even care.

His Majesty is furious.

He blames Prince Yi for participating in the disputes in the inner palace.

It's an embarrassment and the Royal family has lost its dignity.

That's why Noble Lady Jia was disposed of.

As for Prince Yi, he's still relaxed and happy.

Prince Yi is the son of the Thirteenth Emperor.

He's the King of the Great Qing.

His Majesty can't blame him.

If one day,

what if he really commits a major mistake?

Miss Yingluo!

Aren't you Miss Yingluo? Where are you going?

Her Highness Empress instructed me to deliver some item to Yonghe Palace. Chief Steward Wu,

this is...

Kunning Palace has two offering ceremonies day and night. Every three months, there's a major ceremony. Tomorrow is the major offering ceremony day.

His Majesty is rewarding the Imperial Bodyguards and the high officials some meat to share the blessings.

Eat meat to share the blessings?

An old rule. You'll see it tomorrow.

Chief Steward Wu, you must be joking.

I'm always in Changchun Palace. It's rare to have a chance to come out and walk around.

I don't even know major events like this.

Before, Her Highness Empress was sickly.

His Majesty especially allowed Her Highness Empress to not attend.

Now that she's better,

how could she not attend a major offering ceremony to eat some meat?

Not only Her Highness Empress, other Imperial Consorts will get a share too.

I won't talk to you anymore. I must hurry. Please send my regard to Empress.

Sister Erqing!

Yingluo, you're back so quickly.

Her Highness Empress is inside waiting for your updates.

- Sister Erqing. Let me ask you about something. - What is it?

I heard that Her Highness Empress is preparing to attend the offerings for the god in Kunning Palace.

Is this matter true?

I'm actually worrying about this matter.

That offered meat may sound nice,

but it's just boiled in water and actually tasteless.

Sometimes, most of it is still raw.

Her Highness Empress has never liked eating such things.

One time, she had a stomach upset because of it.

If Her Highness Empress doesn't like to eat it, can she just not eat it?

She can't. It symbolizes blessings.

Whoever refuse it, that's being disrespectful to the ancestors and the gods.

One time, an official vomited it

and got caned 80 times.

That severe?

Sister Erqing, can you take me with you?

I've never seen an offering ceremony in Kunning Palace.

That event is not that nice to see. You're sure you want to go?

Go! Take me with you!

Your eye is having cramps?

No. There's a beautiful palace maid looking for you.

Look. Can you see it?

Didn't you monitor Prince Yi of the First Rank because of her?

Now, she personally came to thank you.

I'll be back very soon.

Why did you come here?

I have something to ask.

You want to ask why I was in the Imperial Garden that day?

I discovered that Prince Yi of the First Rank is frequently meeting Qingxi.

Hence, I closely monitored them.

I discovered that Qingxi was secretly monitoring Changchun Palace,

that's why, I became suspicious.

Afterwards, Qingxi especially changed the day of his shift, hence, I concluded that they are making their move.

That's why, you deliberately lured His Majesty there?

Looks like, the two of us are very much fated.

Or else, why would the heaven let Young Master come to my side

during the time that I need help the most?

Young Master, thank you.

Young Master, thank you.

No need to thank me.

Wei Yingluo!

I'm a distinguished iron-cap prince of Qing Dynasty.

You're just a lowly palace servant.

So what if you complained to His Majesty about me?

What can you do to me?

Why are you glaring at me like that? I'm so afraid.

So what if you got connections with Fuheng?

A servant is a servant. You won't be able to be shown to others.

One day, I would be pinching your brain off.

I will tell you what's the meaning of superior, subordinate, honored, and lowly.

What's the meaning of high, low, noble, and cheap.

Young Master.

- You all leave first. - Yes.

Why are you here?

Waiting for you.

You need anything?

This is...

Spiced salt?

I heard that the offering meat is just half-cooked and flavorless.

There's usually people who vomits and gets punished. I then especially prepared some spiced salt.

Just rub it on when someone isn't looking and you'll be able to take the meat in.

Yingluo, this is inappropriate.

Just secretly hid it in your sleeve.

There are so many people that time. Who would notice?

I'll treat it that you've accepted it.

Her Highness Empress is still looking for me. I must leave now.

Serve the meat!

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

♫The Forbidden Palace's walls surround them, feeling like a good place to reside.♫

♫As the walls sever the setting sun's rays, they lose their past dreams as it grows cold.♫

♫Decaying leaves cover the neglected shuttered window, that remembers the cold winds of twenty harvests.♫

♫Knowing only how to go with the flow, and pass the years.♫

♫Unmarried and hopeful, the heavy, dark gates are locked, ♫

♫Cultivated and proud, gem-like beauties, and yet somehow♫

♫Flowers who stay may endure breakage, causing them ask to change their karma♫

♫Can not an empty branch give them a carefree place to rest upon?♫

♫Longing to be together with him, separated as the illumination in the western window declines,♫

♫At leisure to be melancholy, also perplexed and worried about it all.♫

♫Who will pity her, and record her lifetime full of misery?♫

♫A pretentious, showy vision on a stage.♫

♫Longing to be together with him, separated as the illumination in the western window declines,♫

♫At leisure to be melancholy, also perplexed and worried about it all.♫

♫Who will pity her, and record her lifetime full of misery?♫

♫A pretentious, showy vision on a stage.♫

♫A pretentious, showy vision on a stage.♫