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 48

Won't you?

Maybe in Your Majesty's heart, my existence is trifling.

But no matter how lowly my background is,

I do know what loyalty and having a sense of honor mean.

Your Majesty, in my life,

I only have one master

and only one husband.

But I...

hate being accused by mistake!

If Your Majesty is this petty again,

I won't see you anymore.

Who allowed you to address me as "you"?

If people hear it, do you want to die?

Your Majesty gets mad

because you care!

Although I got some slightly cold treatment,

I still am a bit happy.

In this world, only you

dare to talk with me like that. If this were anyone else...

Because I'm the one and only!

What did you say?

I've already said it once. I won't repeat it.

I know.

Didn't you say that Your Majesty admits your mistake,

that Your Majesty misunderstood me?

Your Majesty, what about those flowers of mine that you moved away?

I'll pay you twice the number.

No, three times.

Those flowers were used to remove the fragrance of commodes.

You just keep those for yourself!

Then I...will go look for a better, more beautiful flower for you.

It's exactly because Your Majesty treated me coldly

that I got bullied.

Look. Just to embroider,

my hands are full of pinpricks.

I guarantee that starting today,

I will never let anyone bully you.

What if someone spreads gossip to sow discord between us?

Kill without pardon.

Young Master, you rarely drink.

How come tonight...

Today is the first time I tricked His Majesty. It's worth getting drunk about.

Tricked His Majesty?

Yingluo caught Xiao Quanzi stealing.

She borrowed his hands to sell stolen goods in the palace market

and drag Noble Consort Chun down. That's the first step.

She keeps not making any move, fooling the younger Imperial Concubine Jia

that her tricks have worked.

She then blackmailed Xiao Quanzi to bite back the younger Imperial Concubine Jia.

That is the second step. But just those two steps are not enough.

Although she's favored, there's still one hidden danger.

Young Master is talking about the past of Imperial Concubine Ling?

I once asked His Majesty for marriage,

and repeatedly contradicted him because of Yingluo.

It left a thorn in the heart of His Majesty.

When I returned from the battlefield,

His Majesty surely has still remembered this grudge.

He's the Emperor...and also a man.

He can never allow his harem having any private affair with someone else.

Moreover, that someone is even his brother-in-law.

His trusted aide. As long as this thorn is still around,

regardless if Imperial Conbuine Ling is favored,

she will only be treading on thin ice, always in danger.

Rather than that, why don't I just actively

pull out that thorn?

You're saying that Imperial Concubine Ling did it deliberately?

How did you know?

From the time that she stopped me in Changchun Palace...

So, you haven't left yet.

Mingyu, go out and guard the doors.

Your Majesty, look. I was right.

The two of them are indeed having a tryst here.

I already guessed that I'm her third step.

Is getting out of favor within her scheme?

Endure what others can't endure to obtain what others can't.

For example, the heart of the Emperor.

Yingluo needs me

to catalyze the feelings of His Majesty towards her.

In her,

His Majesty experienced what failure, jealousy, and yearning all mean...

for the first time.

What is she trying to do?

Before,

she was just an out of favor Imperial concubine.

From now on, she will be the woman

that truly has entered the heart of the Emperor.

If His Majesty learns of the truth...

When he was still young and studying, His Majesty could recite a book just by reading it once.

We all couldn't surpass him.

When he ascended to the throne, he tried his best to destroy the alliances made by Zhang Tingyu and Ortai,

and disintegrate the plans of Hongshi to usurp the throne.

Whether within or outside the government, all were impressed.

For such a smart person, how could he not sense anything?

Maybe a feeling like that was so agitating and interesting,

so he willingly let himself get lost in it.

But Young Master, this is too unfair for you.

As long she needs it, I will be around.

No matter in what method.

This time, have you given up?

Even without that Imperial Concubine Ling, he still has this flower who can understand his words.

Third Brother will never look back.

This is my business.

It has nothing to do with you.

The artistic mood of an orchid should be made of loose flowers and simple leaves.

Have you seen the orchid painting of Noble Consort Chun?

The lighter your stroke is, the more it shows that your character is unique.

No...! What are you doing?

I don't like these simple orchid paintings.

The more vulgar, the better.

Your Majesty, look. Isn't this fine too?

You're being unreasonable.

Your Majesty, if you like looking at the drawings of Noble Consort Chun,

go and draw with her.

Anyway, I'm a vulgar person to begin with.

The paintings I make will of course be vulgar too.

Just a slip of the tongue.

Say, this painting of yours has improved a lot.

I was wrong.

Look at Wei Yingluo, she's the one and only.

Why must I compare her to others?

Are you no longer angry now?

I'll be vulgar with you. Are you satisfied now?

You're vulgar to begin with.

How am I vulgar?

Where are you going?

Chief Steward Li, say, what method did Imperial Concubine Ling use?

I just couldn't see it.

Here. You serve this by yourself.

- I'm going?- You think about it.

This painting, "The Autumn Colors on the Que and Hua Mountains",

you still got it back?

What are you doing?

One stamp. Two stamps.

Three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine...

A total of fourteen stamps.

All these are ink and stamp treasures Your Majesty left.

If you're happy, you put one on it! If you're not,

you put one on too.

This is the same with the dog-skin medicated plaster

that I saw under the Tian Bridge.

I was unable to remove it!

How preposterous!

Your Majesty.

I'm just pointing out how vulgar you are

and you're already this mad?

Try to put yourself in my shoes.

Your Majesty told me that I'm vulgar earlier.

Of course, I'm unhappy.

Okay already.

I'm not mad anymore.

Your Majesty also shouldn't be mad anymore.

Okay? Your Majesty...

You dare make up nonsense again,

I'm going to let you copy my poems a hundred times!

I don't like...

all those poems of yours.

If you're going to punish me, let me copy the Tang poems.

Wei Yingluo!

Fine. I'll copy your poems then.

But...I still don't have a good inkstone

in my palace.

This wujin inkstone of yours (T/N "black crow" - from the color, likely to be a She style black stone)

is precious and looks pleasant.

Just gift it to me, okay?

Unruly.

This wujin inkstone isn't publicly available

and is so valuable. I even only have a corner-style one of them! (T/N Qianlong has a 24-volume list of his inkstones!)

Fine, it's yours... I'll give everything to you.

Come over here first and finish your painting.

What are you drawing?

- Mantis.- Mantis?

The foot...

Did you see it clearly?

I did! I did!

Chief Steward Li, I've been in the palace for so long.

It's my first time seeing a woman like Her Highness the Imperial Concubine Ling!

Not only you,

but me too!

Think about it. There are so many women in the Imperial harem.

Each one gentle, kind, respectful, and submissive.

Imperial Concubine Ling is the only strange flower among them.

Chief Steward Li, I heard earlier

that Imperial Concubine Ling called His Majesty vulgar.

That she doesn't like his poems.

His Majesty got so mad that he got speechless.

Oh my...my heart

almost jumped out from shock!

I even thought that a head would be falling in the next second!

Isn't that right? Let me tell you that everyone is treating His Majesty as the most respected person.

Only she

treats His Majesty as a commoner.

She laughs or throw tantrums all based on her mood.

When she's unhappy, she even scowls at His Majesty.

This Imperial Concubine Ling is so scary.

She kept stroking the chin of His Majesty.

Even if others learn of her secret in obtaining His Majesty's favor, who would dare imitate her?

If they are not careful, their heads will be gone!

Your Majesty, Noble Consort Chun has come numerous times.

She said that she has found out the truth behind the selling of stolen goods in the palace market.

She wants to ask Your Majesty to decide on it.

Let's go to Zhongcui Palace.

Yes.

Go to Zhongcui Palace!

- Wait!- Stop!

Go and get it for me to see.

To a long silk thread, it entrusted all its movement.

Whether to be released or not, all is controlled by me.

Being covered by paper, its frame feels no worries.

It got pulled at will by a wind that blew by.

After cutting off the thread, it now floats to the ends of the world.

I'm unable to pull it back, or see where it has gone.

Don't know in whose house it ended up.

Your Majesty, what was written on here?

Lyrics from a Yuan Dynasty song, an unpopular one.

Let's go to Yanxi Palace.

Yes-- Ha?

Go to Yanxi Palace!

Tell Noble Consort Chun that I'll see her tomorrow.

Yes.

His Majesty said that he'll come yesterday, but he instead went to Yanxi Palace.

Could he not be coming again today?

When His Majesty said he'll come, then he surely will come.

Yes. Your Highness especially prepared an exquisite chess set,

and by all means found the favorite book of His Majesty. You surely will be able to make him stay.

Greetings, Your Majesty.

No need for formalities.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty, I've already thought of a way to solve

the chess game you left last time.

You said that you've already solved

the palace market case. I want to hear

what's the truth behind it.

Yes. I've already investigated it well.

The stolen goods that appeared in the palace market last time

were all taken from several antiques shops in Liulichang.

According to the owners, the person who bought them

was perfectly fair and had a high-pitched voice.

It might be a eunuch from the palace.

Your Majesty,

it was I who meticulously arranged the palace market,

so as to make Empress Dowager happy.

In the end, it became a place to sell stolen goods.

This clearly is a frame up.

Who would frame you up?

I now have the position of Noble Consort and have the Sixth Prince as a son.

I have easily become an obstacle in the ascent of new Imperial consorts.

New Imperial consorts?

Your Majesty, although Empress Dowager didn't clearly state it,

I know that she was dissatisfied with me.

Everyone in the palace is also talking about me.

To say that no one meticulously planned it,

who would believe it?

Being falsely accused, I feel so aggrieved.

I can only beg Your Majesty to come and give me justice.

That's a drum sound.

And the sound of the long zither.

From afar, it sounded like a musical troupe. How did they do it?

Your Majesty, earlier, I was talking about—

I still have to do something. Let's talk about it next time.

Your Majesty!

- Listen. It's really the sound of a drum.- No, it's a zither.

It's like fairy music from the heaven.

What is going on?

You're curious? Go ask Imperial Consort Ling.

Wasn't it her who personally made those Kongming lanterns (T/N aka Zhuge Liang, Three Kingdoms era strategist)

that's producing those weird sounds?

Give it to me.

Didn't Your Majesty go to Zhongcui Palace?

Why are you here?

Didn't you deliberately lure me here?

Your Majesty can really joke.

I'm just bored

and created some Kongming lanterns to have some fun.

How were you able to make it produce music?

Guess it.

Inside the Kongming lantern,

you placed paper drums. Hence, these lanterns

will make drumming sounds.

Not only paper drums,

there are also metallic reeds (like a whistle). This way, when the Kongming lantern flies up into the sky,

it will produce a zither sound.

Interesting.

I'm done releasing the lanterns.

Your curiosity has also been answered. You can go back and continue with your chess game.

I won't play chess anymore.

Accompany me to admire the moon instead.

I'm tired now

and going back to rest.

Your Majesty just do as you want.

Stop right there!

Your Majesty!

You think I'm that easy to brush off?

Accompany me to admire the moon.

This is inappropriate!

Put me down!

- Look, Kongming lanterns!- Yes.

It seems to be coming from inside the lanterns.

What are you all doing? Why are you not working?

Disperse! Disperse!

What's so good about that?

Entire palace of concubines, and Imperial Concubine Ling is the craftiest.

Before even if His Majesty favored Noble Consort Chun, others still had chances.

But since she entered the palace, with all tricks to get favor,

no matter which palace His Majesty wishes to go, she dares to intercept halfway.

She's got the most tricks.

Yesterday sending off some passion-poem kite.

Today, she's got this singing Kongming lantern.

Who knows what trick she's going to play come tomorrow.

This woman is very interesting.

Your Highness, what's interesting about her?

Just that she's got a poisonous gut with all sorts of bends.

Zhen'er, a general needs to win the battle.

An officer needs to serve the people.

A concubine needs to fight for favor. Or why else is she in the palace?

Why are you speaking on her behalf instead now?

I find her amusing.

Because no matter what, she is always original and swims ahead of others.

Her phoenix robe in the embroidery house rose above others.

At Changchun Palace, she coaxed the late Empress to love her the most.

Even if she goes to the Yongxiang to scrub the chamber commodes, she will still do it in a standout fashion.

No matter where, who, how or when, nothing stops her ascension step by step.

All the might coming from her own nerves.

What a pity.

What's the pity?

What a pity she's not a man.

Your Highness. I don't comprehend.

What are you really thinking of?

I am thinking that tonight, the mistress of Zhongcui Palace

will surely have a hard time falling asleep.

Your Highness the Empress, I am not so narrow-minded.

It's that Imperial Concubine Ling who is too much of a bully!

His Majesty clearly flipped my tag that day.

But she used being sick as an excuse to invite him to her.

Imperial Concubine Shu, I know what happened that night.

Yanxi Palace did summon the royal physician.

His Majesty rushed there after hearing upon it.

It wasn't Imperial Concubine Ling tormenting you on purpose.

You can say the first time wasn't on purpose.

But she did it so many times!

Your Highness, you can ask everyone.

Since Imperial Concubine Ling entered the palace, it's like we entered the icehouse.

It's true, Your Highness the Empress.

In the harem, morale conduct is valued.

She's not seducing with beauty, but those crass ways from outside the palace.

Using them to court His Majesty's favor.

What is a crass way?

Your Highness the Empress, you aren't aware.

Imperial Concubine Ling heard that in the prior dynasty, a palace maid could make green plum carvings.

So she knocked down all the green plums of an entire tree.

That's one thing, but His Majesty is waiting anxiously for her finished product.

Then she just quits carving it!

And turns around to deliver a crock of green plum wine to Yangxin Hall instead.

His Majesty is even so pleased by it. What do you say this is?

And there's more. She plays cuju games in the palace. (T/N 2000 year old soccer-style Chinese game)

She even designed a blue jade-colored Han robe.

Strolling under the moonlight with His Majesty.

Looking so tender and elegant.

What's wrong with blue jade color?

That's the kind of conduct done by Noble Consort Yuan of a prior dynasty.

She's learned that so masterfully.

She's an enchantress that brings disaster and suffering to the nation and the people.

Actually, Imperial Concubine Ling is very versed in making Xiaohan flowers. (T/N a type of artificial flower)

She puts them on her maids, made by her personally.

I saw it and thought it was so amusing.

What do you know?

Your Highness the Empress. What's most hateful

is that she drew a painting of a mantis playing on an orchid

and forced His Majesty to hang it at Three Hopes Hall.

Noble Consort Chun, what are you staying quiet?

The concubines are all different.

Empress, you are dignified and prudent.

We are all concubines and consorts,

we must try out utmost to make His Majesty happy.

It's your skills that are lacking.

What is there to say ?

Empress, I must let you know about Consort Yu's absence.

She's got the chills and afraid she's ill.

So she's nursing her illness at Yonghe Palace.

Consort Yu is being too cautious.

She's already told me this.

But why does she trouble you to say it again?

Too much courtesy is not a fault. Consort Yu has always been very rule-bound.

Today I came to discuss an urgent matter.

In the past the fabric and fans that came into the palace as tributes,

yellow incense and lacquered fans from Annam,

and camlet, white silk, sappan wood and spices and more from Russia.

They've been accumulating for many years, all piled up.

They should be rushed to sell off through the custom house outside Chongwen Gate.

These matters used to be managed by Her Highness the late Empress.

Now they've been tarried.

Noble Consort Chun's point is a real matter.

I will report this matter to His Majesty

to arrange for a sell-off soon.

You all need to learn more from her, to be composed in all things.

Don't be fretting all day as that will only put off His Majesty.

Yes.

Your Highness the Empress, His Majesty just sent a decree

to promote Imperial Concubine Ling to Consort Ling. (T/N from 4th rank to 3rd rank down from Empress)

Your Highness.

A gentleman is ready to help others.

Lord Fuheng, you are truly such a noble character with such integrity.

I finally realize that Wei Yingluo,

she only used you to climb up.

Fuheng, are you in so much heartache now?

Noble Consort Chun, may you speak prudently.

Am I not telling the truth?

By background, by talent,

by sacrifices made for you, I am above her in all.

But you only have affection for her.

You even endured heart-piercing pain to help her!

Tell me, what was it all for?

Noble Consort Chun, you must remember your status.

Stop asking questions that only humiliate yourself.

I take my leave.

Don't be too happy too soon.

Even if Wei Yingluo is now Consort Ling,

she had better not try to block my path.

Your Majesty, the case of the Hushuguan Commander Anning embezzling tax money.

I've already looked into it thoroughly.

In the last three years of managing Hushuguan,

For every two-fifths of tax received,

he falsely reported as having received one-fifth. Omitting sacrifice money numerous times.

Bridge and mooring money. Silver-box money.

Court-dress cap money from every port. Over eight thousand.

The specific accounts are detailed. I've written them clearly in the report.

A vermin like him. He must be killed to ease the people's hate.

Your Majesty, I don't agree with Fuheng's opinion.

Speak.

Fuheng is too young. Forging ahead undaunted is good.

But you don't understand how custom houses work.

Anning has sixty-eight bailiffs working for him, plus seventy-nine in his household.

These over a hundred individuals are needed to assist in running the custom house,

but their names are not rostered in the court.

Anning raising the tax,

is to compensate this usage.

He can raise the tax to his content if it's for compensation?

Do you know that Anning reduced the burden of the custom house but in return he increased the burden on the people!

If everyone follows him and adds taxes to their liking,

how can the common people live?

Lord Fuheng. You're skilled in fighting battles,

but in government affairs, you are far off.

Water that is too clear has few fish. (T/N muddy water has nutrients to keep the fish alive and hide them, defending the graft of the officials in this way)

Are you saying all the administrators are supposed to live on wind?

No need to quibble.

Even if Anning has his circumstances, it's true he is mismanaging.

I will send a decree to rebuke him harshly.

But Hushuguan is a complicated matter.

It's not easy to switch him out, so let's just leave him for now.

If there's more cover-ups, punish severely in lump sum.

Your Majesty is sage.

- Your Majesty. - Kneel to bid me farewell.

- Your brother takes his leave. - Your subject takes his leave.

Prince of the First Rank He, even if you object to me,

you shouldn't use a vermin like Anning to go against me.

Didn't I say? Anning has his circumstances.

Anning stashed away six farm fields, and the farms equal over one hundred units.

Prince He, you don't know about that yet, right?

For the Jiangnan corruption case,

you resolved it very beautifully and I was very consoled to see you're willing to work seriously.

I didn't expose you earlier.

It's because I don't want you to experience a setback and collapse again.

You think I would be grateful to you over it?

I don't want your gratitude.

This is my last time.

May you not use national affairs as a game to target me.

You must remember, you are Great Qing's Prince of the First Rank He.

You have a heavy responsibility over your head.

At any time, if you neglect logic over personal venting,

you will only be despised.

Little Young Master!

Come.

Are you alright?

An'er! An'er!

Little Young Master!

Qinglian, how dare you try to harm Little Young Master!

- Attendants! - Young Mistress.

- Capture Qinglian! - Yes!

Young Master. Qinglian pushed Little Young Master into the carp pond,

so she was taken away by the Old Madam.

Mother. Where is Qinglian?

I had thought that maidservant

was proper in looks and gentle in temperament,

so I was going to raise her up. (T/N give her a promotion or marry her to Fuheng)

I didn't imagine she had such a motive

to push An'er into the water!

Qinglian isn't someone who would.

Everyone in the entire garden saw it

and you still protect her!

Where is she now?

- I sold her. - Don't listen to Mother speaking out of anger.

Mother is always kind to the servants.

Even if Qinglian committed a wrong,

- it's only to have her family come claim her. - Really?

If it weren't for Erqing speaking on her behalf,

she would've been beaten to death long ago.

She wouldn't have lasted until now.

I'm tired.

Help me return to my room to rest.

Qinglian wouldn't harm An'er.

Fuheng. You really don't understand women.

Qinglian is young still, so it's hard to avoid having an ulterior motive.

Now we've sent her out

to allow her parents to marry off. Isn't that great?

Is it?

As long as you don't intend to take her as your concubine,

not only will I not torment her,

I will also add a dowry for her

as allowance for her devotion to you.

As long as you're willing to live well,

I am willing to change my temperament

to become the image you like. I guarantee it.

Do as you have said. Add a dowry for her.

Play ball with me, Father.

It's not far enough.

- Harder. - An'er.

So this is where you are.

Take the ball and play by yourself first.

You play with me.

Father has to to go to the administration office. I'll play with you when I return.

Alright. I will wait for you here.

Young Mistress, you are truly so resourceful.

Look at Young Master's attitude towards you now.

It's much more gentle than before.

Sir.

Sir. Slower.

Lord Fuheng, you really won't

join us for a few drinks here?

Two lords like you should drink few cups, but you mustn't drink at a brothel.

Sir, please don't joke now.

With Great Qing's laws watching over us,

we won't want to get those sixty strokes of flogging!

Also, even if we want to drink at a brothel, where would we go?

Right?

Indeed. With His Majesty's strict command here,

all the brothels in the capital are about to go extinct.

Don't worry, Sir. We'll just have a few drinks here.

Thank you, Sir, for your escort.

It's on my way.

Let's go.

Careful.

Make way.

Respectfully sending off Lord Fuheng.

Lord Fuheng is so young, but he's so old-fashioned.

No fun. Not fun at all.

- Sir, this way.- After you.

Stop there!

You stop right there!

Stop! Stand still!

Running?

Stop the carriage.

You were good before.

Run? You dare to run?

Sir, you don't know the situation.

- She's our inn girl but she's disobedient, so we're teaching her. - Inn?

There are lots of tea and wine inns in this district. Some are the unruly kind,

[ Fuca ] running illegal prostitution businesses.

- Get lost.- Let's go.

Didn't you see? His carriage has "Fuca" clan insignia.

Let's go! Quick!

Give these silvers to her.

Take the money and seek a doctor.

What's wrong? You don't want the money?

You don't want money? Take it.

Qinglian?

Dress her and change her medicine. Don't ask too much.

Yes.

- Young Master. - Didn't I tell you investigate clearly?

How did this happen?

Young Mistress linked a good marriage prospect for Qinglian.

I saw with my eyes that she went into the wedding sedan, so I was relieved.

But who would've thought as soon as the wedding sedan left the city gate, she was transferred into a small sedan.

Then she was sent into the illegal prostitution inn.

Qinglian wouldn't bear the humiliation and she kept getting beaten and tortured.

She's almost not looking like a person anymore!

What happened in the latter is all my fault in oversight.

Qinglian? Oh, no! Qinglian swallowed gold to commit suicide!

Oh, no, someone come!

I know the three words, "I am sorry."

They only hold meaning if there is true amends.

Those that schemed behind your back, I will not forgive them no matter what.

And your family. I will arrange them to suit.

If there's any other wish of yours, I will get them accomplished.

Young Master. Young Master.

Qinglian. What do you wish to say?

Someone so filthy as I am,

I don't deserve to see you again.

This isn't your fault.

Every time I addressed you, Young Master,

your gaze would always become so tender.

At first, I harbored hope too.

But later on, one day,

I suddenly realized it.

What you wanted to hear was only the two words, Young Master.

Isn't that right?

All along,

everyone thought I was yours.

But they were all wrong.

Young Master misses one person.

Longs for one person. You never held anyone else in your gaze.

Young Master, I, Qinglian,

have only one wish now.

Can you hold my hand?

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?♫