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 20

Why?

It clears heatiness and eliminates dampness.

- Physician Ye. - Here.

Did that servant drank the medicine.

With Your Majesty's verbal decree, she surely would drink it.

It's just that I don't quite understand

why you let her drink Gold Thread?

That servant is full of evil tricks.

She's already oozing with poisonous saps.

Gold thread dampens heat and eliminates poison. It's just right for her.

By the way,

what other prescriptions are there which are even more bitter?

Your Majesty, why don't you just kill her?

How could you torment people like this?

I'm a wise king.

How could a wise king just casually kill a meritorious subject?

If this spreads, won't I be criticized as having no tolerance.

Yes... I was tactless.

Replying to Your Majesty, in terms of the most bitter medicine,

gold thread, akebia, and gentian are all very bitter plants,

but the most bitter is still bitter ginseng.

Starting from today, for her three meals,

give her a different bitter medicine every meal.

If she refuses to drink it, force her too.

A bitter medicine is good for one's illness.

I'm doing this in consideration for the life of my savior.

Do you know what I mean?

Yes, I will strictly abide the verbal decree of Your Majesty.

Chief Steward Li, say, if His Majesty really hates Miss Yingluo,

he could just give her poison and end it. Why must he torment her like this?

Didn't His Majesty already say it?

Although Wei Yingluo spouted disrespectful words, she cured his illness.

She's a meritorious subject.

Just say that she died because she didn't get treated,

won't that be simpler?

What do you mean?

It's so hard to predict the might of the heaven.

The temper of the emperor is not something that mere mortals like us can guess.

Just do whatever His Majesty has instructed.

Stop worrying.

Got it.

♫ Willow by the palace walls, jade hair clasp ♫

♫ Slender rosy soft hands ♫

♫ The wine of solitude locks away the sorrows of spring ♫

♫ It is hard to speak about matters of the past ♫

♫ Willow by the palace walls, jade hair clasp ♫

♫ Slender rosy soft hands ♫

♫ The wine of solitude locks away the sorrows of spring ♫

♫ It is hard to speak about matters of the past ♫

♫ Waving of the sleeves cannot carry it away ♫

♫ Thinking about those worries ♫

♫ After waking up from a pipe dream ♫

♫ Gossips will last until old age ♫

♫ Gossips will last until old age ♫

Is it him?

Miss Yingluo, it's me.

Doctor Ye.

This sulfur ointment is a cure for furunculosis.

It's not right for your illness. Change it to this one.

Thank you, doctor.

- But, Miss Yingluo, there's one thing I don't understand and I want to ask you about it. - Ask away.

You clearly know that you're allergic to peanuts, so why did you still take it in

and caused you to have so many rashes?

You even asked me to fake a medical record with furunculosis.

You really want to know?

I deliberately angered His Majesty.

Once he recovers from the shock, he surely will ask me to pay for it.

If I get sick,

no matter how angry he is,

he wouldn't punish me anymore.

After all, everyone knows that I got sick for taking care of him.

So that's the case.

Only you are able to scold the emperor that way

and still retreat unharmed. I'm impressed.

I scolded His Majesty

just to cure him.

But His Majesty said that you used the opportunity to vent your anger.

See? As the old saying goes, "A loyal advice jars the ear. It's hard to be a loyal servant."

I'm now being misunderstood.

But I still have to thank you in helping me escape this disaster.

I'm very impressed with your loyal heart.

Don't worry. I surely will do my best

not to show any lapses.

Thanks.

Where's that maidservant?

Your Majesty is talking about Miss Wei?

Miss Wei has fully recovered and has moved back to Changchun Palace.

When?

Just last night.

Your Majesty, please forgive me. I have committed a mistake.

Do you know what is your mistake?

I...ask Your Majesty to clearly explain it.

She clearly got infected after me.

The course of her illness should have lasted for at least a month.

How come she recovered before me?

This...maybe, her illness is lighter?

Stupid!

Because she's not sick from the start!

You actually let her go?

Your Majesty, I saw it with my eyes.

There are so many big red rashes.

You'll get scared when you see it.

Wrong. If those rashes were fake,

Your Majesty, this would be a crime of deceiving the emperor!

You must strictly punish her!

Change my clothes. I'm going to Changchun Palace personally and punish her.

Wei Yingluo offended His Majesty, yet she was able to come out of Yangxin Palace safely.

She was still able to safely leave after offending His Majesty, that's quite a surprise.

That day, at Yangxin Palace, even the table got destroyed.

His Majesty was so angry.

You don't know? Divine Doctor Ye tried to imitate Hua Tuo.

He wanted to anger His Majesty so he could eliminate his bloody sputum, but no one dared to offend the emperor.

Only Wei Yingluo dared to bravely step forward and speak, hence, saving His Majesty.

- Really? - She's so daring. - Right.

I even heard that this Wei Yingluo not only was bold to speak,

- she even developed furunculosis because of attending to the sick emperor. - Look at her fate.

She is already the most favored palace maid of Changchun Palace.

Now, she's a loyal servant that has saved the emperor. She mustn't be offended.

If you ask me, our emperor was able to endure something that others couldn't endure.

He's a magnanimous wise king. If this was others, they would have executed Wei Yingluo.

If this matter gets out, who wouldn't praise our emperor as being benevolent and magnanimous?

- Wei Yinglong's loyalty and bravely is worthy of praises. - This can be considered to be a story of deed that would surely spread far and wide.

Your Majesty, are we still going to Changchun Palace?

Turn around.

Didn't you hear it?

She deliberately angered me to save me.

She got infected with a grave illness because of attending to me when I was sick.

Even if this gets out, people will praise her as being a loyal servant that didn't fear any power.

Moreover, she's now fully recovered.

We will never find any evidence anymore.

If I punish her now,

won't I become a muddled king who doesn't know to appreciate kindness?

This time, I'm like a mute who has eaten a goldthread, unable to express my grievances!

Your Majesty. Keep up!

Your Majesty!

Guess who I am.

Yingluo, don't make such a joke.

If others see it,

it will taint your reputation.

- That severe? - Yes.

Why then did someone secretly take care of me for a night?

What did you say?

Every time I have allergy, my body will itch all over.

Doctor Ye increased the dose of my medicine, hence, I was dizzy and drowsy.

But every night, there is a River Snail Prince

that would come to my room to take care of me.

Wasn't that River Snail Prince you?

You're sick? Where do you feel unwell?

Hasn't you've been taking care of me? How could you not know?

Whenever I stay in the palace overnight, I surely will be on guard duty. How could I go take care of you?

It's not you?

Then..who could it be?

Could it be that you dreamt of

whom you've been thinking all day?

Yingluo, I'm in your dream?

I...

How is that possible? Why would I dream of you?

Really none?

Forget it...

Since it's not you, I'm going now.

Miss Yingluo.

Hey, I won't take your shift anymore. I've been on continuous duty for 10 nights.

My bones are falling apart.

Fuheng! You're shameless!

- Shameless? - Yingluo!

Big mouth!

I... What was that?

Yingluo. Don't be mad.

It was clearly you.

Sneaking into my room and then pretending to not know.

- Keep pretending. What do you want? - I...

You clearly are bullying me. I'll tell this to Her Highness Empress.

Yingluo!

Sorry... I didn't mean it.

Tell me then, why did you pretend that it wasn't you?

Recklessly entering your room is indeed against proper reasons.

But you're sick. You need someone to take care of you.

I could only do it then.

So, you think you're a gentleman.

Your actions are upright and aboveboard.

I am.

Why then did you kiss me?

I...

I...

Your Highness Empress, the landscape painting

has such smooth brush strokes, so open and vast.

In the "Ode to the Goddess Luo" painting, you let the form depict the god. It was very clever.

His Majesty will surely like whatever painting you choose to give him.

I've thought about it for a long time, but was unable to decide.

Hence, I want to ask you to judge them for me.

But in the end, you also didn't have a choice.

Yingluo, what do you think?

Of course, the landscape painting!

There were fewer brush strokes, but they were vigorous and brisk.

It's even the copy of the 'Summer' part in the "Landscape of the Four Seasons" given by Imperial Guard Fuca.

Mingyu, Consort Chun didn't ask you.

How could you speak without permission?

You're being unruly. Leave now.

Your Highness, don't be angry.

Mingyu is just being frank and outspoken.

I'm worried that if she doesn't mend her old ways,

it might lead to big problems in the future.

Hence, I'm excessively strict with her.

Hope that she can understand my painstaking intention.

Yes.

Yingluo, you still haven't talked.

Consort Chun, if you're going to let me choose,

I surely will choose the "Ode to the Goddess Luo" painting.

Why?

Goddess of Luo looks intelligent and refined, with such lingering sentiments.

Her face is a bit similar to Your Highness Empress.

Every time His Majesty looks at this painting, he'll remember the painter.

Isn't that better?

Clever! That's exactly what we want!

Your Highness Empress, give the "Ode to the Goddess Luo" painting as a birthday present

to His Majesty then.

Your Highness Empress, the Changchun Palace has a copy of the "Landscape of the Four Seasons"

by Liu Songnian during the Southern Song Dynasty. Can I borrow to see it?

- Erqing. - Here.

Quickly get it and give to Consort Chun as a gift.

Gift?

Your Highness Empress, you mustn't.

It's not some very precious item.

Since you like it, just take it.

Thank you, Your Highness.

Aren't you going to be more nimble?

Yes.

Please wait. I'll go inside and inform Her Highness.

What's going on?

Sister Mingyu, Noble Lady Shu and First Class Attendant Qing

are here to visit Her Highness Empress.

I'll go inside to inform her now.

Her Highness Empress is currently resting. It's inconvenient for her to see any guest.

Miss Mingyu, I especially asked someone

to bring me some blood swallow from Fujian.

I want to gift it to Her Highness Empress. May miss go in and inform her about it.

The Changchun Palace is highly favored by His Majesty.

What precious item has we not yet seen?

It's just a measly blood swallow. You think we haven't seen one?

Miss Mingyu, that's not what we meant.

I said it already that Her Highness is not seeing any guests.

Please just come back next time.

Please leave.

You...

Okay. We'll just come back next time to visit.

Let's go.

Sister Mingyu, this doesn't seem right.

They are just two unfavored imperial consorts. I'm not afraid,

so why are you?

But...

Don't you still understand?

Nalan Chunxue has come here so many times.

It's either giving gifts or appreciating flowers. You think she's sincere?

Let me tell you that she just wants to use Her Highness Empress

to seek for a chance to get near the emperor.

Her Highness Empress is generous person, so she couldn't refuse her.

Just let me be this evil person, so she would stop coming here.

Not right. There must be someone inside,

but she instead fooled us that Her Highness Empress is resting.

This is such a huge insult and belittling.

Sister Nalan, why bother inciting trouble? Forget it.

If this place doesn't want us,

there will be a place for us.

Sister, where are you going?

Wait for me.

I've long heard that the daughter of Assistant Minister

well-educated, a model of propriety, intelligent, and beautiful.

I had been very curious.

But you only came to visit me today.

Your Highness, please forgive me.

A few days ago, I was sick, hence, I dared not come here to disturb you.

I was afraid to infect you. After I recovered, I immediately came to visit you.

You're sick?

Do you feel better?

Of course, I've fully recovered before I dare to come here to Chuxiu Palace.

Just because Changchun Palace didn't accept you, you come to my Chuxiu Palace.

What do you treat this place?

Leave!

We've shouldn't have disturbed Your Highness. We'll leave right away.

Sister.

It's because Changchun Palace belittles people,

that's why, I left in rage.

But this Chuxiu Palace turns out to be the same, despising imperial consorts...

...like us of lowly status.

Yes, I'm indeed inconspicuous now,

but how sure are you

that I won't sky rocket to fame in the future?

I'll take my leave.

Stop right there.

Your Highness, do you still have other instructions?

You want to join my side but couldn't endure just a few cold words.

What future are you still talking about?

Your Highness.

There is a bad dog in Changchun Palace

that's always barking. So hateful.

Since you want to defect,

I'll then give you a chance.

Your Highness, you want me to

eliminate that bad dog?

Your Highness, don't worry.

I will surely not disappoint you.

Sister Nalan, what are you trying to to exactly?

Look at how cowardly you look.

I brought you to pay respect to Noble Consort Gao.

As for you, you are so scared that you are unable to speak.

I'm very scared.

Enough, I know you are scared.

I will take care of this matter.

You don't need to know.

Sister. Sister Nalan, wait for me.

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

Empress.

Empress. The painting's been mounted.

I didn't think Ruyi Hall worked so fast.

I thought it would require a couple more days.

Your Highness, are you thinking again . . .

Now it feels like it's His Majesty's Birthday.

Then that's the end of your sister's matter?

I have no more leads.

But as long as I can wait patiently,

sooner or later the truth will be discovered.

You are just so stubborn.

I can't convince you.

You just be careful though.

Don't worry, Supervisor. I am aware of it.

By the way,

there used to be a bag of Lake Jili silk in the embroidery house.

Sent as tribute from Huzhou.

I went to look for it earlier. Where did you hide it?

Look at how bold you're getting.

That Lake Jili silk is a treasure.

Why do you want it?

Supervisor.

I want to help Empress.

Empress?

Yingluo, I just don't understand you more as time goes.

You went to Changchun Palace for your sister's matter.

But how is it that you care so much about Empress now?

I'll tell you but you can't laugh at me.

I won't laugh.

Empress is especially good to me.

No matter how many times I commit wrongs, she tries to protect me as much as she can.

She even teaches me to write and read personally.

Every time I see Empress smile,

I feel like I am seeing my sister.

So I want to help her.

Empress has a high status and she is the master of the six palaces.

You? How do you help her?

Don't underestimate me.

A petty man can have mighty talent too.

You are !

I've been long anticipating your painting, Empress.

Can we bring it out to see it now?

Today you received the gifts of the ministers and subjects at Taihe Hall.

What rare treasures haven't you seen already?

Mine pales in comparison.

When Royal Father was alive, he already complimented your calligraphy.

This painting with thick ink and clear strokes.

The strokes are sturdy and strong. Indeed displaying the aura of a master.

Oh? You used a dry brush for the pavilion, I think.

Your Majesty has good discernment.

The calligraphy is elegant yet imposing.

Great paiting. Li Yu, put it to care.

Yes.

Your Majesty, I have no talent matching Empress.

I can't bring about a painting like that.

I thought about it over and over and I can only borrow a flower to pay tribute.

This tune.

The sound of this instrument.

Your Majesty. I am bold.

May I ask Your Majesty to personally unveil this?

What instrument are they holding?

I don't recognize any of it.

That long tube must be the flute.

So fascinating.

I've never seen it.

These are Western instruments of Emperor Kangxi.

Before, two Western musicians brought these instruments and came to the forbidden city.

Emperor Kangxi even learned from them for a period of time.

Once, by coincidence, at the interior bureau's storage,

I saw these dusty instruments and thought how regrettable.

So I put in effort to find two Western technicians for repair.

And it turned out quite effective.

These Western instruments laid idle in the interior bureau for so long.

I didn't think I could witness these personally today.

That flute was a gift from a French musician.

This violin.

This violin was made under the guidance of Emperor Kangxi's Western music teacher Thomas,

by a Great Qing artisan.

Emperor Kangxi cherished this.

And he studied a couple of years under Thomas.

He could even play a tune by himself.

Noble Consort. Putting together this Western music orchestra.

It sure required so much of your time and thought.

Repairing wasn't the hardest part.

The hard part was to find these people who can play the Western instruments.

But as long as Your Majesty is happy,

no matter how much effort I put it, it's all worthwhile.

I'm happy. I've not been this joyful for long.

Continue.

Sister Nalan, these are just some Western instruments.

How is His Majesty so happy?

What do you know?

Our Majesty was Emperor Kangxi's favorite back then.

He brought him into the palace to cultivate him personally.

When it comes to His Majesty's Grandfather, Emperor Kangxi,

His Majesty adored him more than Late Emperor.

Think about it. How many years has it been since Emperor Kangxi passed away?

Now, His Majesty is seeing again these Western instruments that Emperor Kangxi was fond of.

How can he not be touched?

Sister Nalan, you are so resourceful.

So what though? The interior bureau isn't just anywhere.

To put together this orchestra was extremely hard.

It's just regrettable that such a great idea.

I had to concede to another.

Your Majesty, it is not just I who put in effort for your birthday ceremony.

Noble Lady Shu put in all her effort too.

Would you like to see her gift?

Noble Lady Shu?

Your Majesty, I prepared a glazed Buddhist tower for you.

May you cast your royal gaze.

It is delicately made.

This is Buddhist stone?

Your Majesty, a common Buddhist stone is nothing astonishing.

But the Buddhist stone on the tower is translucent.

It looks like a lotus flower.

It was from Tang Dyansty's High Monk after his ascension from this world.

The most precious stone among the over 700 stones.

It is legendary that it was transformed from his heart.

So it was later dubbed, the Buddhist lotus.

Your Majesty, isn't Empress Dowager looking for this Buddhist lotus?

I've dispatched people to Suzhou numerous times before.

They never found the Buddhist lotus.

I had thought it was only a vain legend.

I never thought this was actually true.

Put it to care.

I was lucky too.

That I received this by coincidence at a mountain temple on Mount Tai.

Buddhist Lotus is a rare treasure.

It should belong to someone who is linked to Buddha.

Naturally I don't dare to keep to myself.

May Your Majesty present it to Empress Dowager.

You're thoughtful.

Empress. Other than this glazed Buddhist tower,

pick a few gifts that are interesting

and send them along to Empress Dowager.

Yes.

Yingluo. Look after well,

this glazed Buddhist tower.

Yes.

One figurine of Wise Longevity Buddha.

A pair of celestial crane and deer vases.

A pair of everlasting life brocade patterned lamps.

What are you doing?

Registering and preserving treasures.

It's always been my task.

I don't need you to meddle beyond your duty.

It was Her Highness the Empress that instructed me to register.

Didn't you hear His Majesty's instructions?

Select two or three items that Empress Dowager would like.

Do you know Empress Dowager's liking?

Since you know nothing, don't get in the way here.

Zhenzhu, continue.

It hasn't been too long since I entered the palace so I indeed don't know what Empress Dowager's inclinations are.

I shall trouble you, Mingyu,

to register clearly in detail.

Select carefully one by one.

You're just throwing the chores at me and leave like that?

You're exerting yourself to perform so I shouldn't snatch your merit.

Don't worry. I will report to Her Highness the Empress that all the work was done by you.

Wisecrack!

If the night Sister died,

someone went from Qianqing Palace to Imperial Garden to commit the murder,

how much time does one need to make the round trip?

Can one evade the patrol?

It's me.

Young Master?

My foot's about broken by your stamping.

Who told you to frighten me on purpose then?

Where is this place?

Huh?

In the depth of the stone beam, a night of hiding play.

Mist and fog shielding the moonlight.

Catch the royal clothes and let go.

Fragrance of flowers flying out of your sleeve.

Young Master, you clearly know I've not studied much.

But you recite an old poem to me. Isn't that akin to playing music to a cow?

A Ming Dynasty Emperor loved to play and hide here.

But he kept getting discovered by palace maids.

Because he always kept scented pouches hidden in his sleeves.

I think the one fitting for a scented pouch is actually the pretty young palace maid.

The Ming emperor got caught by her on purpose.

The rules of forbidden city were strict during Ming Dynasty.

All the eunuchs and palace maids had no authority to walk on the terrace or the royal road.

They passed through these tiger holes instead.

When it came to our dynasty, slowly, no one uses them anymore.

Then why did you ask me to come here?

To play hide and seek with you?

Earlier, you wanted to retrace the path between Qianqing Palace and Imperial Garden, right?

Yes.

I've asked Li Yu.

That night, no one left Qianqing Palace.

But I thought, there were over 400 people present. Very possible for omission.

What if someone sneaked out.

And that person took less than an hour back and forth?

I've walked this path many times. The round trip is quick.

But if you won't want to be discovered by the patrol guards,

that's impossible.

What if that person is of high ranking with guards who can help to conceal?

Guards are only allegiant to His Majesty.

They only mobilize by one person's order.

A mere clansman won't have the power to do so.

That's not an absolute.

That Prince Yi listened to Noble Consort Gao's urging and gave me trouble on purpose.

What's that noise?

Look.

So pretty.

Your Majesty, look over there. How pretty the fireworks.

Empress.

Such beautiful scenery is a rarity. Enjoy with me.

Yes.

Look over there.

Noble Consort. Hurry and look.

The fire blossoms rising up into air, like countless flowers.

Blooming between clouds and ocean.

What a wondrous view.

Consort Chun, then you enjoy.

Give me one.

Sister, give me one.

Sister, one more.

Alright.

Here, giving you one.

So pretty.

Yes.

Sister, what's wrong?

The fireworks are so beautiful.

Over there.

Hey, where did you go earlier?

I went to Dongci Hall to take inventory of the gifts.

But that's . . .

Look at that one. Looks like a goldfish.

So pretty.

Why are you here too?

I told you to continue the inventory taking at Dongci Hall.

Sister Mingyu, but I want to be in the action too.

Hurry and go back.

If something goes amiss, I might skin you.

What?

The sheriffs can set fires but the people can't light a lamp?

No wonder they all like Wei Yingluo and dislike you.

Yingluo, Yingluo. Why do you keep mentioning Yingluo too?

I don't ever want to talk to you again.

So pretty.

Where's Sister Nalan?

So pretty.

Look at that one.

So pretty.

Look over there.

I told you to watch Dongci Hall but you sneak out to see fireworks.

Now, what are we supposed to tell His Majesty?

I didn't know this would happen either.

You . . .

What happened?

Why are you protecting her still?

Look for yourself.

If you hit Zhenzhu, can you get the Buddhist stone back?

Wei Yingluo, don't think you can talk as a bystander.

Empress told you to take inventory of the gifts.

But didn't you snatch that from me?

You were no where to be found.

Now you can blame it on others?

Not a chance!

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.♫ff