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 46

Xiao Quanzi.

Concubine Ling summons you.

You once said this.

That you'd

climb the mountain of knives and enter the sea of fire.

The words still ring in my ears.

Can't be that you forgot?

Concubine Ling, what did you need your servant to accomplish?

You'll know in a bit.

Empress Dowager, from these past three months,

the collection of donations by all the palaces are all here.

Plus many duchesses and noble women have loosen their purse strings generously upon hearing the news.

The palace market is put up here for a day first.

The attendees are all the high ministers and palace personnel.

When they finish setting up outside Gate of Divine Might, the palace market will relocate there.

Open to the people and the merchants.

At that time, all the profits will be donated.

Empress Dowager, Noble Consort Chun has set up the plan long in advance.

Once His Majesty has had a look, it will be implemented.

In the future, outside Gate of Divine Might, the market will be open every 4th, 14th and 24th.

There will be hundreds of goods exchanged.

The old goods in the interior bureau's warehouse won't need to be transported elsewhere.

We can just have them cleared from here directly and the income can supplement expenses or donate entirely.

Empress Dowager, if you have time,

you can come and stroll around the palace market too.

You can regard it as spectating the sentiments of merchants.

Of course,

I am only just integrating,

previous dynasty's circumstance and setting it in stone.

If Empress Dowager deems there's a lack,

- I will rectify right away.- Alright. Alright.

These ideas of yours are great. I like them.

You've troubled yourself.

Not so. Empress Dowager, let's go see upfront.

There are some bronze works from Emperor Xuande's era.

And interior bureau's newly created enamel goods.

Concubine Ling, how does it feel to act like a barmaid that sells liquor?

It's at least better than watching an empty room with a mouthful of sourness.

You're only being favored short-while. Don't be such a savage.

Being favored once is still having being favored, and you can say I haven't lived in vain.

It's still much better than some other person who's never been favored once.

- You . . .- Mingyu, that cup is pretty.

It is.

That Wei Yingluo!

I'll watch and see how long your satisfaction lasts.

- Yes, yes. - Empress Dowager, the enamel stall is still up ahead.

I heard lots of Western goods were transported in, all very rare.

Empress Dowager, aren't these the items Shoukang Palace lost?

How can that be?

Look. That jade ring.

And that clear jade wish wand.

And that flower pot.

Aren't these all old things from Shoukang Palace from the past?

They all just disappeared.

We looked all over the forbidden city thoroughly but never saw any trace of them.

Now, they actually show up here in the palace market?

Mistress, isn't that the embroidered belt pouch you lost?

Empress, your emerald jade bracelet and pearl earrings are here too.

How is this a palace market? It's clearly the thief's nest.

Items lost in our palace are all for sale at this market.

The money we get is supposed to supplement palace deficit?

What a clever calculation.

Empress Dowager, someone must know the palace market is open.

And they mixed in these jewels on purpose.

To sell them on this opportunity but I really didn't know.

Empress Dowager, the market opening in and out of the palace.

It's easily quite chaotic.

Noble Consort Chun can't oversee everything so someone found an opportunity but that's hard to avoid.

What a light way of putting it.

The eunuchs in the palace have untidy hands and feet.

Countless mobilizing quietly behind our backs.

How should they be transported, how to get over the walls, and how to do this unnoticed.

And how to share the pilferage too. Layer after layer and set after set.

Who knows if our Noble Consort received a benefit somewhere.

To become one of the links?

Empress Dowager, I really am unaware.

I don't know what lowlife is trying to profit from this chance.

I will surely get to the bottom of this.

May Empress Dowager forgive.

I'm getting tired. I'll go first.

Mistress.

Noble Consort Chun, your work is carried out too carelessly.

A nice and proper palace market and stolen items are mixed in.

Empress Dowager is lenient and merciful to not blame you.

But when this gets out, it will surely harm your reputation.

I hope you get to the bottom of this and find out the exact details.

Yes.

This one. These two.

And that one.

These are all from our Yanxi Palace. Also that, that plate.

I am not like others so rich and magnanimous.

I am so poor.

I need to take all these treasures back.

Noble Consort Chun.

Earlier, did my words offend you?

Wei Yingluo, you are so skilled.

Noble Consort Chun, what ever do you mean?

I'm just claiming what's mine.

Why are you so mad?

Can't be that what they said is true?

You sheltered the thieving eunuchs?

No, no. You are an artist from Suzhou.

Money is so filthy.

Naturally you won't let it taint you.

Others won't believe you but I will.

Alright. Good.

Take all the Yanxi Palace items back. Leave none out.

I thank Noble Consort.

Take all these now.

Your Highness. 5th Prince is ill.

I didn't come right away. May you forgive.

You've heard it all?

I have.

It's very obvious someone is framing you on purpose.

To plant stolen items in the palace market.

To disturb Empress Dowager's mood and kill your merit.

I prepared diligently to court Empress Dowager's glee.

Now with this, forget the merit,

I'd be lucky not to be remembered as a demerit.

Now everyone's saying, the eunuchs are privately

using the palace market I planned to sell off goods.

That maybe there's some unseeing defrauding.

My good reputation of years.

All bereaved by one blow.

Your Highness. You needn't worry.

Empress Dowager and His Majesty still trust you.

it's just a momentary obstacle to your prestige.

After the chaos is dispersed, all will be alright.

That Wei Yingluo used to love to rampage straight on.

She went and stayed at Yuanming Garden for two years.

And now she's starting to play more sinister tricks.

You didn't see the petty triumphant look on her.

- I am so furious that my heart aches. - Do not be angry, Sister.

Sooner or later, I will tidy her up for you.

Xiao Quanzi, you did great.

Those stolen items, once they're transported out,

I know so clearly where they're sold.

But in the beginning, I was curious too.

Why would Her Ladyship buy these and for what?

I didn't think Her Ladyship would graft one twig to another.

Slamming Noble Lady Chun a blow out of nowhere.

Alright there.

You made amend to your offense with your merit.

In the future, you must live honestly instead of keeping up with the stealing.

I don't dare. I will never dare again.

You may go.

Yes.

Stop there.

Your Ladyship.

Your reward.

I thank Your Ladyship for the grace.

From now on, I will climb the mountain of knives and into sea of fire.

That talk of going up and down the mountain of knives and sea of fire again.

You're not tired of saying it but I am tired of hearing it.

Don't worry. Even if you can't remember it.

I will still remember it clearly.

Yes. I take my leave then.

Yingluo, you didn't get to see Noble Consort Chun's face at noon.

Turning so pale white upon seeing the pilferage goods.

She couldn't utter a word of excuse when questioned by Empress Dowager.

It really dispels any frustration.

It's just a small display of the chopper.

Who spread the rumors that went rampant all over Forbidden City?

Other than the junior Concubine Jia, it's she who propelled.

I want her to taste too.

How it really feels to be talked about by everyone.

Let's not talk about that anymore.

In three days, it's Late Empress's memorial.

I will prepare the cakes and fresh flowers.

However . . .

Why are you swallowing your words?

On that day, Lord Fuheng will surely go to Changchun Palace to pay respect.

We can go later to evade him.

[ Be Strict to Cultivate Spirit ]

Young Master, what are you looking for?

Where's my scented pouch?

It's there. You were keeping it on you but you dropped it accidentally when you were changing.

I saw it was dirty so I cleaned it.

You are not allowed to touch my items carelessly again.

Alright. You may go.

An'er. An'er.

Little Young Master.

Hurry and come out. Don't scare your mom.

- An'er. An'er. - Little Young Master.

Madam, don't worry. I'll go over there and look.

- Hurry and go. You must find him. - Yes.

- An'er. - Little Young Master.

Little Young Master.

An'er, come out.

An'er is missing?

I was upset today and scolded him a few words and he went hiding.

I beg you. Help me find him. We must find him.

Alright. I will help you find him for sure.

Steward. Steward!

Young Master, what instructions do you have for me?

Why is Little Young Master here?

Little Young Master, let's go play outside.

- Let's go. - No. - Hurry.

Hurry.

Go tell the nanny to come fetch the child.

Yes.

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

An'er.

What are you trying to do?

What do you think I was going to do?

I am not you. I won't harm innocent lives.

And I won't engage in stupid acts of malicious revenge.

Hitara Erqing, since you became a mother.

You must see to that responsibility fully.

Don't leave the child to wander recklessly.

You found An'er.

Young Madam, Young Master has a great family and a great temperament.

Now he's also contributed merit in battlefield and set himself distinguished and high. So many are envious of you.

Even if there were a thousand misunderstandings in the past,

now on Little Young Master's account, at the very least,

you should let all that come undone and spend life in beautiful harmony.

Looking at how Young Master treated Little Young Master earlier, you still have a chance.

You must think it through clearly.

Those who wish to push their sisters in here.

Push their daughters into the manor. Is there only a few of them?

If you continue to be stalemates, you are giving others a place.

Who is it?

Why are you here?

Because I thought it through.

I hated you so much before.

That's because you were so infatuated with Wei Yingluo and never held me in your thoughts.

Now she's already Concubine Ling and it's an impossibility with you.

Even if you were so infatuated, you will still turn back to me, right?

At this time, if I continue to be stalemates with you,

I am pushing you into other's bosom.

Then I'd become the greatest fool.

I really don't know what you're thinking.

Fuheng. Fuheng.

I was wrong. I was wrong.

All this is my fault.

I didn't think clearly before and these last three years,

you were in the battlefield and even though I resented you with my words,

but I missed you and longed for you all along.

Every moment and second I wished for your return soon.

Even though I knew you hated me.

But I still missed you.

What exactly are you trying to do?

You once broke my heart.

And I took my revenge too.

Fuheng.

Now I want to reconcile with you. I want to live well with you.

I guarantee I won't throw tantrums anymore.

I guarantee I will be a good daughter-in-law of Fuca.

Be a good wife to you.

I can manage the house and care after Father and Mother.

I won't entertain anymore.

I won't transmit news to my grandfather anymore. Anything you say, I am willing.

I beg you. Forgive me, please.

Aren't you . . .

Aren't you so good to An'er?

For you,

I can birth a son that's all our own. Can we?

Hitara Erqing. The world won't go as you please.

When you're irate,

you want to pull everyone into deep abyss of pain.

But when you've regretted,

you then want to remedy with a light stroke.

Let me tell you. From the moment you made the wrong step,

you are never ever again the wife of Fuca Fuheng.

Fuheng. Fuheng! Fuheng.

No. No.

I will make you forgive me.

I will make you forgive me.

They say we are soiled.

You are an esteemed subject who's set high merits.

His Majesty won't trouble you, naturally.

But he's venting anger at me. So please stay far away from me.

Do you still remember that day with heavy snow?

You and Erqing stood together.

A pair of beautiful people. From that day on,

I swore to myself.

From now on, I will wield out my sword and cut off ties.

Strangers upon meeting.

Young Master, it's breezy.

Careful of your health.

Qinglian.

Do you think I was wrong?

Three years have passed.

She's already the emperor's woman.

But I still hold on unable to forget.

Young Master. You are a man living in the past.

Living in the past?

I've never seen Imperial Concubine Ling.

But in a short period of half a year she soared to the top.

It clearly means she's someone with clear awareness.

Someone like her is usually someone smart.

Someone who knows the past cannot be chased upon and only sets their sight on the future.

You're right.

Yingluo is someone who will only look forward.

Someone clever like her is often heartless.

Because all the beautiful and good of the past,

will be all abandoned by them.

Not just memories but the people too.

What you're saying,

is that I am that person that's been thrown away?

No. It's that you preserve to hold onto a past dream.

And you're unwilling to wake up.

Since I started to serve you,

I discovered you treasure old things especially.

Even minor things like an inkstone, or a military book.

A piece of old garment. You store them carefully.

If it's only a love of the old, it's really not an obstacle.

But Young Master, you ask too much of yourself too.

To the point of being harsh.

Qinglian,

are you scolding me?

Qinglian doesn't dare.

Qinglian has heard that during the military march,

you trekked long distances, toiling upon horse back.

But in order to discuss military strategy and arrange for reports, you often stayed up all night.

Even His Majesty would cast decrees to take away your engraver by force after the hour of the dog.

Young Master, you are so strict with work and with yourself.

Not to mention, when it comes to love.

I am not as good as you say.

No, even if a million say you are not good, to me,

you are the best young master under the sky.

Tomorrow is my sister's memorial.

Help me make preparations.

Yes.

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

Young Master, it's getting late. Go and rest soon.

You may go first. I want to stay with my sister a bit.

Sister. All things are as you predicated indeed.

How are you carrying that sacrifice meat, to splatter it all over Lord Fuheng?

I deserve to die. May you forgive, Lord Fuheng.

Lord Fuheng needs to go to Yangxin Hall. To look like this would be a discourtesy in His Majesty's attendance.

Lord Fu, he's new to the palace and knows nothing.

All your fault. Wait and see what I will do to you.

Alright. It's just a young teenage kid.

You don't need to fuss over it.

But Lord Fu, how will you go see His Majesty like that?

Perhaps I can wash it clean for you. Is that alright?

I am in a rush to go to Yangxin Hall.

You can change out the clothes and I will only wash the soiled part.

And iron with a metal iron and it will be very quick.

You'r so clumsy and you dare to spill Late Empress's sacrifice item.

I'll deal with you later.

Sister Feicui, let me iron it. To make amend for my offense.

I'm glad you know your wrong. Come on now.

Yes.

Lord Fu, your clothing is ready.

Put it down.

Lord Fu, do you need my help?

I don't. Just leave it.

Then, if you don't like a palace maid serving you, allow the young eunuch to make amend for his fault.

Xiao Luzi.

Yes.

Come bring the clothes in for the lord.

Yes.

You knocked the Late Empress's memorial item.

It's a big crime deserving of death.

What happened today, it's best you don't talk about it.

When you work in the palace, you must be extra cautious.

Yes.

If something goes wrong, no one will treat you like a kid.

Yes. Thank you, Lord Fuheng.

Hold your step.

So you haven't left.

I am on my way to Yangxin Hall.

I take my leave.

Wait.

Mingyu.

You go watch by the door.

Yingluo.

Go.

Then make it quick so no more trouble arises.

Why haven't you left the capital still?

On this matter, after I returned,

I thought about it over and over for long.

I kept thinking you entered the palace for a motive.

You thought,

I entered the palace for what?

Fuheng. Don't think wildly.

I got tired of staying at Yuanming Gardnen.

I didn't want to

be a palace maid who's lower than others.

And I wanted less to be a servant forever.

There are two possibilities.

First. It's because my sister's death is suspicious.

Late Empress died from suicide.

How is it linked to others?

If it's not that reason,

then it's because you hate me.

What did you say?

Yingluo,

you have been hating me all along.

I have not.

I swore I would take you as my wife.

But I married Hitara clanswoman instead.

At your temperament,

you would never ever forgive me.

You regard yourself too high.

Matters of the past.

I have forgotten them all long ago.

If you lash out at me and condemn me directly,

the matter is resolved but you just wouldn't.

Yingluo. I understand you too well.

All who owe you, you will never forgive.

No. I am not blaming you.

I sowed the cause for it myself.

I am willing to bear the consequence.

Fuheng.

You do not belong in Forbidden City.

This place is full of traps and schemes.

You belong to the battlefield.

You can set merit and build your future.

Spread out your lifelong ambitions.

Go.

Go immediately.

But I am worried about you. If I stay,

I can at least see you.

When you're faced with danger, I can do something for you.

- Fuheng. - Yingluo, no matter what you're trying to do.

I only say this to you.

My sister truly wanted you to be happy.

Release you to freedom so you can be happy.

That was my sister's only wish.

Don't sacrifice for anyone.

For yourself.

You must live happily.

If you meet any trouble, you've only have to say it and I will help you no matter what.

Don't shoulder everything yourself.

You're a human.

You're not a God.

Your Majesty, look. I was right, right?

Those two are indeed having their tryst here.

Fuheng greets Your Majesty.

Your concubine greeting Your Majesty.

Your Majesty, look at the two of them.

They were always clinging together when they were at Changchun Palace in the past.

Now Concubine Ling is already your concubine but he still won't give up.

They're mingled together again.

Your Ladyship, Concubine Jia, may you not speak absurdly.

Today is Late Empress's memorial.

Concubine Ling used to serve Empress.

They ran into each other by coincidence here.

There aren't that many coincidences in the world.

It's all because you made plans in advance.

Your Majesty, today is Late Empress's memorial.

These two choose to have their tryst here.

It's not only shameless, it's also rebellious.

Tryst?

You saw clearly yourself that we were embraced and kissing?

We just exchanged a few words and that's a tryst?

The entire Changchun Palace has dozens of eunuchs and palace maids.

They are all dead?

You two have calculated that His Majesty is gentle-hearted.

That he would believe your nonsense.

So you chose this place to have your tryst.

Your Majesty, these two have long held fondness of each other.

Now we caught them red-handed but they still dare to quibble.

You can't believe her no matter what.

Other than coincidence, what more can you explain?

Nothing.

Wei Yingluo.

Your Majesty, today is my sister's memorial and I came to pay respect especially.

Due to unforeseen circumstance, I was delayed and that's how I ran into Concubine Ling.

We did have a few exchange of words but all related to Late Empress only.

I didn't ask you. I am asking her!

Your Majesty.

I've already said what needed to be said.

If you insist on not believing me,

I have no measure either.

What is this?

It's a hairpin.

This hairpin looks so familiar.

Your Ladyship, did you forget? This is Concubine Ling's favorite hairpin.

There's a very unique gardenia pattern on the top.

And you still say it's not a tryst?

You even have a token of your love.

Now we truly have the thief and the stolen good together. A pair of adulterers caught together.

Wei Yingluo. This is the answer you give me?

Your Majesty, this hairpin is an item Her Ladyship lost.

Someone is framing on purpose. It's a trap.

Where is that eunuch from before?

Feicui, hurry and fetch him.

Yes.

Your Majesty, that eunuch earlier carried the sacrifice item and ran into me.

I undressed to get it cleaned and that's how he got his opportunity.

Lord Fuheng has such quick reaction.

Even if it's as you said, someone laying a trap on you,

then someone needs to steal this hairpin of Concubine Ling's first.

But who would go through such trouble,

to frame you two?

I have never seen any hairpins.

I don't know.

Concubine Jia. Your show is acted out too poorly.

I can't bear to watch anymore.

What do you mean?

Bring the person.

Speak.

If you don't speak, climbing up the mountain of knives and going down into the sea of fire.

You will need to really experience that.

Your Majesty, it's Concubine Jia.

All things were instigated by Concubine Jia.

She told me to steal Concubine Ling's hairpin.

I was just greedy momentarily and made the mistake.

May you be lenient. May you spare my life, Concubine Ling.

Nonsense. You're spewing blood on me.

Your Majesty, you must never believe this junior eunuch.

You must believe me, Your Majesty.

If you don't fess up honestly,

I will gift you to Noble Consort Chun.

And let her know how you planted the items to frame her.

I'm sure she would be so happy.

To have caught you, the main culprit.

Your Ladyship, I did everything by your order.

Come now and you are selling me off?

You eat Yanxi Palace food.

But you're inclined towards Chuxiu Palace. You're an ingrate.

I am not going to shelter you.

Your Ladyship, you mean . . .

You're playing a chain ruse?

You think it clearly through.

Your Majesty, I can swear to Heaven.

That this is all installed by Concubine Jia.

She told me to steal and make myself look like I was greedy.

To use that opportunity to muddle through.

I committed a grave offense but Concubine Ling gave me chance after chance.

So I am telling the truth.

Your Majesty, it's all Concubine Jia's doing.

Your Majesty. That junior eunuch is from Yanxi Palace.

Of course he will speak to benefit Concubine Ling, Your Majesty.

Concubine Jia, the gold you gave me, I've put then under the bed.

It was through your senior palace maid Lan'er. If you don't believe me, Your Majesty,

You can interrogate Lan'er and she will confess it all.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty. Your Majesty!

I didn't. I really didn't.

From now on, Concubine Jia is to be confined in Chuxiu Palace.

She is not allowed to leave without my order.

No, Your Majesty. Your Majesty!

I know my wrong. I really know my wrong, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty! Your Majesty!

Wei Yingluo, you dared to ruin me?

Is it indeed you ruining me or me ruining you?

Whore. When did you know?

Stealing palace treasures.

But why select this handkerchief? I guessed . . .

It must be to counterfeit a love token.

So I kept Xiao Quanzi well.

It was to lure you to bite.

Then, I should actually thank you.

Xiao Quanzi is very thorough in his work.

You really gifted me a good talent.

You think you won?

I tell you this. His Majesty is loathing me but he didn't forgive you either.

Your tryst is the truth and His Majesty never wants to see you again.

Wei Yingluo, if I am done,

you can't be much better either.

Humph.

Supervisor Li, clearly it was the junior Concubine Jia framing Concubine Ling.

Why is His Majesty still angry?

Framing is true, but back then, Lord Fuheng,

he begged to marry Wei Yingluo and that's also the truth.

But that's all in the past.

Also, His Majesty already knew about it before he took on Concubine Ling.

Say, are you dumb?

Knowing is knowing but seeing the two together with his own eyes is a different matter.

Our Emperor.

He wears the dragon robe, takes it off and puts a new one next time.

What about women then?

You mean,

His Majesty gave up on Concubine Ling for good?

You rascal is doing well. You can guess the royal mind now.

You've got a future. Stop the dazing around and wipe for me.

Who is in charge of boiling the water? It's not hot at all.

Come. Hurry and come.

I'm sorry, Sister Mingyu. I was doing laundry in the backyard and didn't hear you right away.

You are a inner chamber maid. How is it your turn to do laundry?

Sister Mingyu, everyone's busy.

Busy?

There's no one in the inner hall. No one in the tea room, no one in the side room and no one in the yard either.

Where are all the others in Yanxi Palace busy with?

Sister Mingyu.

Those people were all transferred out by Interior Bureau.

Saying Zhongcui Palace needs someone to mend the roof.

Chengqian Palace needs someone to tidy the inner courtyard.

Imperial Garden lacks sweepers too.

Interior Bureau has so many servants.

Why are they putting chores on Yanxi Palace people?

Sister. You still don't understand?

Concubine Ling is getting the cold shoulder from His Majesty and everyone's seeking a way out.

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

♫Softly falling into the hollow of my palm,♫

♫Resting frozen in the center of my palm.♫

♫Our meeting across past incarnations was inevitable,♫

♫Joined together, deeply experiencing and holding onto the end of happiness.♫

♫Though plainly given words of discouragement,♫

♫Pretending to hear nothing but exhortation.♫

♫ Endless tears, believing it cannot be true,♫

♫ In this life, being born under an unlucky star.♫

♫I hear the sound of the snow slowly falling♫

♫ Though I close my eyes, it's impossible to stop the vision.♫

♫ Nothing you can do about being approached, not being inconsistent in love,♫

♫ Though merely holding onto it from the outside, prone to this sort of circumstance.♫

♫ I hear the sound of the snow slowly falling♫

♫ As though you are holding me closely, and speaking sweetly.♫

♫ Opening your eyes to a sky filled with merciless snow falling,♫

♫ Who, after suffering this loss for a lifetime, is fond of this scene?♫