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 PalaceEpisode 69

Let's go.

Mistress, Prince He of the First Rank is in-charge of the defense in this trip.

He said that he'll find a chance later to meet with you.

I got it.

Mistress, there's one more thing I must report to you. When we pass by Yangzhou,

The local officials and businessmen along the way has set up an opera stage as a tribute for His Majesty and Empress Dowager to enjoy.

But before we left, they chose two uniquely special lean horse and placed them in the escort ships.

This morning, it has already been delivered into our imperial ship.

Once you saw them upon entering the main hall, please don't get mad.

- Lean horse?- Yes.

Sending in a woman from the brothel into the ship,

how bold of them.

Your Majesty.

Throughout our journey, Your Majesty has been testing local officials on governance, inspecting the river works, giving tax amnesty, and consoling the citizens.

You've committed so many meritorious deeds and is being widely praised.

But the local officials are too focused on flattering and fawning on you,

that they would actually offer Jiangnan prostitutes so openly into the imperial ship.

If this news gets out, it might harm your reputation.

In my opinion, why don't we just let these prostitutes leave

and just let the Music Harmony Office play us some music.

Your Majesty, my words may not sound pleasant, but since time immemorial, the loyal suggestions are those that are harsh to hear.

If I'm not the Empress, I can be like the others

and pretend to not see or hear this. But as the Empress,

if I just sit here and enjoy this obscene lyrics and seductive tunes,

I might get blamed by the citizens behind my back.

Empress Dowager just went to rest. If she learns of this,

she surely will blame me for not doing my empress duty well.

I came late. May Your Majesty forgive me.

Sit.

Yes.

Noble Consort Ling, as the noble consort, you have the duty to give good advice.

Now, these Yangzhou lean horses have been sent into the ship.

What is your opinion?

This beautiful woman has such charming smile and large beautiful eyes.

Compared to the pretty women in Forbidden City,

it's uniquely tempting.

No wonder Your Majesty likes watching this.

I also feel happy watching them.

Having beautiful scenery, beautiful wine, plus pairing it with beautiful women,

can bring out the best in each of them.

It's still Yingluo who has taste.

Noble Consort Ling.

Your Highness Empress, Confucius said that appetite and lust are just natural.

Which person in this world doesn't love a pretty person?

I just hate that I'm not a man.

If I'm a man...

What will you do?

Hugging one left and right, enjoying the pleasure of life.

Too bad, you're a woman. It's hopeless in this lifetime.

You can't be sure.

I indeed am unable to admire beautiful women.

I'll just look for some handsome eunuchs and place them in my palace.

Look at them from time to time, and I can already pair them with my meal.

Your Majesty, after looking around,

your Eunuch Desheng in Yangxin Palace is quite not bad.

Your Majesty, can you bear to part with him?

Your Highness Noble Consort Ling, don't joke around with me.

Noble Consort Ling, Desheng has always been quick-witted.

His Majesty surely can't bear to part with him.

It's better that you choose someone else.

In my palace,

there are some who do look quite handsome.

Later, I'll send you some.

I only have sloppy men in my palace. I dare not dirty Your Highness sight.

If you like,

I'll personally choose some next time.

Thank you. Thank you.

Remember, not only must he be handsome,

he still must be very eloquent and humorous.

Behaving atrociously.

Stop dancing.

Let the people from the Music Harmony Office come.

Yes.

Those words you said earlier

would implicate me if it was heard by the Imperial Censor.

Your Majesty said it right.

There are so many imperial censors that came with us.

Just one spit from each of them can drown a person.

Noble Consort Ling, I think you should be more careful with your words.

I just want to place some beautiful looking eunuchs in my palace

to look at. How come it can't be allowed?

Shut up already.

Anyway, just in front, it's already Hangzhou.

A paradise full of beautiful people.

Will Your Majesty even be covering my eyes?

I heard that Hangzhou has a famous performer who is both beautiful and talented.

Once she sings, it will stun the world.

I will pay a lot to invite her to sing here.

If I don't call in any performing prostitutes, don't even think you can.

If that imperial censor will stroke his brush,

won't I truly have become a laughing stock of the future generations?

If you're shameless, I still want my reputation.

I don't feel well. I'm taking my leave first.

- Mistress.- Have you found him?

Replying to Mistress, we've found Miracle Doctor Ye.

I'm the one in-charge of the security of this southern trip.

As long as we plan it properly, we surely will succeed.

We don't have much time.

You can't keep wavering.

Even if you don't want to think for yourself,

you must think for the sake of 12th Prince.

Please believe me.

I surely will help you.

For so many years, only you were by my side relentlessly.

I remember your affection,

and understand your intention.

How could I not believe you?

Don't worry. I surely will proceed according to your plan.

What's wrong?

Her Highness Empress has another plan.

A crafty rabbit will have three burrows.

Moreover, Her Highness Empress is such a shrewd person.

Even if she's sick, she is still more cautious than everyone else.

Will there be a change in our plan?

It's fine. I will inform Prince He of the First Rank to act earlier.

Fifth Prince, does this leg have sensation?

When the weather changes, it will hurt a little.

I seem to be unable to move it.

I must use a cane to walk.

Miracle Doctor Ye, can my leg still be cured?

Of course, it can be cured. If your leg nerves have been completely severed,

your right leg wouldn't have any sensation at all.

But...

But what?

Replying to Your Majesty, we have to break the bone then remove the necrotic tissues.

Let the bone regrow.

But this method is very dangerous.

There is a possibility that his leg nerves might get complete severed and the pain is unbearable.

I'm willing to give it a try.

Yongqi, think about it well.

Breaking the bone that realigning them is a very painful ordeal.

As long as I would be able to walk normally,

I'm willing to pay any price.

Yingluo,

you should believe Ye Tianshi.

The more you should believe Yongqi.

You're mad?

Your Majesty, you shouldn't have let Yongqi do what he wants.

What if Ye Tianshi fails?

What about Yongqi?

Yongqi is my son.

I know him better than anyone.

If you're going to let him walk with a cane for the remainder of his life,

it's better to just kill him.

Even if he's unable to stand up forever,

that's way better than losing his life.

Yongqi isn't as shameless as you.

The more he acts that everything is fine and calm,

the more his heart cares about it.

You must understand him.

But...

Yingluo, the child has already grown up.

Don't arrange everything for him.

Understand?

Your Majesty, there are signs of rebellion in Hangzhou.

Prince He of the First Rank is currently in the Flower Hall waiting for you.

I'll accompany him in his room.

You go to work.

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Doctor Ye, I'm ready.

Fifth Prince, the pain of breaking a bone isn't a trifle matter.

I fear that you might not be able to endure it, hence,

it's still not too late to change your mind.

The one who can't endure it is Consort Ling.

Hence, I insisted on sending her out.

Doctor Ye, I want you to be honest with me.

How much are my cure chances in breaking my bone and realigning them?

Oh.

Around 80%.

Let me be honest, 40%.

What will happen if you fail?

Fifth Prince, your leg was injured by an explosive.

We need to break the bone and then realign it.

Some people would die from fear during the removal of necrotic tissues.

Once the anesthesia effect is gone, they would be in unbearable pain. Even if we're able to connect the bones together,

there might also be a lot of sequelae that will come out in the future.

For example, joint deformity,

bone attachment gangrene, bone necrosis, such complications.

These can't be predicted.

If any unexpected event do happen,

remember to relay to Royal Father

that I've disappointed him.

Send him my apology.

And one more important thing,

that I ask you to relay to Mother Ling.

Her Highness Noble Consort is just outside waiting.

Mother Ling just let 15th and the others do what they want,

while she excessively cares for me. I know that

she was afraid to disappoint my mother's trust.

Thank her for me.

Just say that she was able to do everything that mother has asked her.

And she did very well.

I will forever remember it.

Oh, right. Remember to tell little 15th

that I'm done making the wooden bow I've promised him. I've place it under his bed.

Prince, don't worry. I've memorized everything.

Fifth Prince.

Please, Doctor Ye.

Now, the rebels are hiding in the Suzhou and Hangzhou regions.

I'm sure that they are plotting something big.

Because there was too much guards before, the ship wasn't able to sail very smoothly.

I especially decreased the accompanying guards and soldiers from the eight banners.

I think that the rebels will use this opportunity to wreak havoc.

Why don't we avoid Hangzhou?

We won't be able to avoid it.

Moreover,

the route of the southern trip has been decided early on.

If we change it now, what will the citizens say?

Moreover, there are three shifts of guards going on duty in turns.

Plus the Defending Army and Battalion of Excellency in Catching (Shan Bu Ying) on the riverbanks waiting for my command anytime. That's more than enough.

Yes. I'm too panicky.

I heard that Miracle Doctor Ye is treating Fifth Prince. Aren't you going to check on him?

I have a more important matter to do.

You're turn.

Hurry! Bring me my medicine box!

Endure it!

Fifth Prince, this is a kind of decomposing bugs. It mainly will help remove the necrotic tissues on your leg.

You must not move. Endure it.

Yongi! Ye Tianshi,

what are you doing?!

Not right...

What are those?!

Your Highness, I don't know. These are not the usual decomposing bugs I use.

- Zhenzhu, quickly call for help!- Okay.

- Quickly!- Help! Help!

- Yongqi! Yongqi!- Your Highness!

Your Highness!

Help! Help!

Your Majesty, I'll go check it now.

I'll personally go see it.

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty, the chamber of Empress Dowager is on fire!

Li Yu.

Quickly! Quickly! Put out the fire!

Hurry! Go and get water! Move faster! Hurry!

Someone, hurry!

- Go and get some water! - Okay.- More people here!

- Royal Brother, the fire is too strong. You can't go in.- It's too late.

If I just watch and not save my mother, what's my difference with a beast?!

- Royal Brother!- Your Majesty! Quickly save the emperor!

Save the emperor! Save the emperor!

Save the emperor! Your Majesty!

Hurry! Move faster!

- Hurry! Put out the fire! Get more water!- Hurry! Hurry!

Hurry!

The rebels have taken the opportunity to attack the ship!

Hurry!

Your Highness Empress, the chamber of Empress Dowager is currently burning. The fire is spreading.

There are also rebels attacking.

Your Highness should follow the arrangements of Prince and ride the boat to leave.

- Your Highness Empress!- Without His Majesty,

- I won't go anywhere.- Your Highness Empress!

- It's dangerous.- Your Highness Empress!

You all come with me.

Yes!

Hurry! Hurry! This way!

More people please!

This fire is too strong.

- It's too late.- Save them! I order you to save them! You hear me?!

- I said that it's too late!- Your Highness.

His Majesty! His Majesty is inside!

If the fire continues to burn room after room like this,

the whole ship would get destroyed.

Immediately go to the adjacent rooms and throw away items that would burn easily.

- Yes!- Don't let the fire continue to spread!- Yes!

- His Majesty is inside.- Your Highness.

- His Majesty is inside! He's your biological brother! Save him!- Your Highness!

- Your Highness!- Empress! Things have come to this.

You're regretting it now?! It's too late!

While His Majesty is not around, I must take charge.

Once the fire spreads, the whole ship will get destroyed.

Empress, you must consider the greater picture.

Think about the several hundred lives in this ship.

- Get lost!- Your Highness!

Prince!

Prince, the rebels would be attacking here soon.

The Flower Hall is tightly guarded. Take Empress there.

Leave the rebels to me. Once I'm done pacifying them, we'll meet up.

I surely won't disappoint you.

The rebels burned the ship and create a huge disturbance.

- Kill everyone right here! Don't leave anyone alive!- Yes!

Prince, I sent men to the room of Fifth Prince, but no one is inside.

They're gone?

Yes. Maybe, they've escaped during the chaos.

I'll send people now to chase after them.

Search the whole ship. Don't let anyone live.

Yes.

Prince, the governor of Hangzhou sent men to reinforce us.

This fast?

Your Highness.

Are you all satisfied now?

Mistress, Prince He of the First Rank is just thinking for yours and 12th Prince's sake.

May Mistress not blame him.

Your Highness Empress, I've already eliminated the rebels in the ship and put out the fire.

Too bad, the ship chamber has already been completely burned.

I've sent men to search the corpses of His Majesty and Empress Dowager.

Your Maejsty...

Your Majesty! Your Majesty!

Your Majesty...

Your Highness Empress and Prince, I wasn't able to find Noble Consort Ling and Fifth Prince.

But I found the other two imperial consorts.

When the shouting started, they hurriedly hid under their bed and cabinet.

They spent the whole night in fear.

Good thing, the rebels weren't able to enter the back chambers, hence, they were able to escape death.

Your Highness Empress,

I thought that my life would be lost in this ship.

If I've known that this would be this dangerous,

I would have just stayed in Forbidden City.

I wouldn't have ended up this disheveled.

Noble Consort Ling and Fifth Prince can't be found until now.

Could something bad happened to them?

Have you searched the whole ship?

Li Yu led some men to the back chambers.

Where is he? Has he gone missing too?

Yes.

Could they have been abducted by those rebels?

Or maybe...

Maybe during the fights, they accidentally fell off the ship?

More than half of the rebels have escaped.

It's possible that they have abducted Noble Consort Ling and Fifth Prince.

If that's really the case, I fear that their life would be in danger.

What should we do then?!

I, Liu Zhi, the Governor of Hangzhou, greets Your Highness Empress!

Prince, did His Majesty and Empress Dowager really...

Last night, Empress Dowager's chamber was set on fire.

His Majesty risked his life

and jumped into the burning room to save Empress Dowager.

Who knew that the ceiling would collapse and blocked off the exit.

Empress Dowager and His Majesty...

It's all my fault.

If I entered the burning room earlier than him, things wouldn't have progressed like this.

Your Majesty! Your Majesty!

I was late to save you!

No! It's my fault.

I failed on my guard duty. I should be sliced into pieces.

Even if I die a thousand times, I wouldn't be able to pay for my sins.

Prince He of the First Rank, now is not the time to be grieving.

Everyone is still waiting for you to be in charge of the situation.

The officials along the route are waiting for His Majesty.

What should we do next?

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Your Majesty!

Greetings, Your Majesty and Empress Dowager!

Oh, you're all here.

Your Majesty.

Empress Dowager, when I heard that misfortune befell you, I almost fainted from crying.

Good thing, the heaven blessed you.

Empress Dowager has such auspicious fate. You were able to turn danger into fortune.

Empress Dowager, are you alright?

I'm fine.

Your Majesty, you're not hurt?

Mother, please go up your seat.

Royal Brother, I wasn't able to ensure your safety.

I almost committed a grave mistake. May you forgive me.

It's just that, how were you able to...

This dragon ship has secret passages when it was designed.

Why? Fuheng didn't tell you?

Lord Fuheng?

Yes. Fuca Fuheng.

This imperial ship has secret passages all around it.

They are safe and well-hidden. Fuheng designed it.

So, that's the case. I'm indeed still inexperienced.

I'm way inferior to Lord Fuheng in being thorough when handling things.

He actually thought of setting up secret passages, just in case.

Your Majesty, I, Liu Zhi, the governor of Hangzhou,

came late in rescuing you. I was so frightened.

Good thing, Your Majesty and Empress Dowager are both safe.

This is really the great blessing of the citizens and the empire!

Get up!

You did well!

You came faster than my Battalion of Excellency in Catching and the Defending Army stationed on the riverbanks.

The Defending Army is mainly to ensure the safety on land.

Although their base camp is quite far

and won't be able to see the fire on the ship,

there are still cavalries moving along with the ship.

Checking and observing.

How come no one reported anything?

Bring him in!

Kneel!

Empress Dowager, this person is in-charge of the communications between the soldiers on land and on the ship.

They would change shifts every 8 hours. Ride their horses and move with ship.

When the ship was in trouble, he immediately

escaped and not report it.

Empress Dowager, do you know why?

You have colluded with the rebels?!

No. I really didn't.

You still say you didn't?

If you weren't colluding with the rebels, how would you have neglected your duty?

He didn't neglect his duty.

He received order from his superior instead.

That if the imperial boat suffers gets on fire, he is to ignore it.

A superior who dares to make that order.

Who would that be?

Hongzhou, you were in charge of the southern tour's security.

How could this happen?

Your Majesty. Empress Dowager. I failed at my duty.

However, whoever that's secretly bribing the soldiers to throw a revolt pending the opportunity.

I will surely investigate who that is to the clear.

Hongzhou.

Stop your acting.

Emperor.

Empress Dowager is sage. You must realize who plotted all this.

So why are you still afraid to believe it?

Hongzhou! You dare to usurp a revolt?

Your Majesty, your royal brother did not!

Those people are all rebels.

Scheming after the land of our Great Qing.

How could I be that bold?

I did not. Your royal brother never would!

The rebel faction that escaped, as soon as they arrived ashore, they were completely arrested.

Shall we have them testify against you?

I want to know.

Who really leaked intelligence about the imperial boat's defense power.

And who secretly colluded with the rebels.

Of course. Perhaps the so-called rebel faction,

is only an assassin that you, Prince He of First Rank, supports.

Royal Brother. You and Fuheng set this trap.

To lure me to take bait on purpose.

You abetted the local officials to offer the lean horses.

You proclaimed wantonly that I am on this southern trip to select beauties.

You set Empress Dowager's boat cabin on fire.

If I don't jump into the fire, I would die at the hands of the rebels.

An emperor who indulges in pleasure and ludicrousness without restraint.

He deserves death then.

And you, Prince He of First Rank, would be only left with a case of not protecting the emperor well enough.

Once returned to Forbidden City, you give your allegiance to a newly ascending emperor.

Then you will become the second Dorgon.

Royal Brother. Your imagination is quite rich.

What new emperor are you talking about?

Empress. You tell me.

Your Majesty. Prince He of First Rank committed an act of usurpation.

How is that linked to me?

A great chaos on the boat.

Prince He sent assassins to kill Noble Consort Ling and Yongqi.

Consort Qing and Consort Shu had no one to tend to them. Only you, Empress.

From the start, you had a small boat prepared.

To help you leave first.

I think, this new emperor,

must be the 12th Prince then.

Your Majesty, when the big fire broke out in the boat cabin, I did not leave.

When the rebel faction surrounded to kill, I also did not leave.

Because you were on the boat.

And now you actually suspect me?

Sir Liu, you tell His Majesty.

Who exactly gave you the news.

that His Majesty would be in danger so you are to come and provide rescue.

Your Majesty, Empress gave me the news in advance.

That's how I was able to rush through the night to come.

Your Majesty and Prince He of First Rank are in discord.

Prince He of First Rank tried to entice me to his side, but I cut him off with a no right away.

I wanted to tell you in advance at first.

But since Your Majesty trusts Prince He so much, I didn't want to warn off the snake with a strike of grass.

And I was worried your Defense Guard and the Battalion of Excellency in Catching might have been bribed by someone.

So I sent message to Hangzhou which is closest in distance.

Your Majesty, you may suspect anyone in the world.

But you should not suspect me.

Is that so?

Of course.

Your Majesty. I don't dare to protect Empress anymore.

Your Majesty, Empress and Prince He are having an affair!

The two already schemed long ago

that on the way back from the southern tour, they would attempt to assassinate

Your Majesty and Empress Dowager.

And to return to the capital to set 12th Prince as new emperor.

Such aggravating act is deserving of death!

Yuan Chunwang, what are you saying?

Empress, in order to entice me,

she even offered her beloved maid Zhen'er to marry me.

Your Majesty, though it's a marriage by name,

it's actually to monitor me day and night.

So I can't leak out any news.

Your Majesty, it's not so. It's not so!

Yuan Chunwang is lying. He is the one who schemed it all.

Your Majesty! I have evidence.

To prove Empress and Prince He are having an affair indeed!

Your Majesty, if you don't believe me, you should have Prince He body-searched.

Body search.

Bring it.

This jade pendant.

I've personally seen you wear it.

Now, what more have you to say?

You betrayed me!

This mistress of ours.

She needs you to give her a push.

Me?

You help me, from Empress's jewelry box,

retrieve an item for me.

Your Highness.

I didn't.

It was Yuan Chunwang who told me.

That it was all for Your Highness's sake.

It was all for 12th Prince.

Your Majesty. I stole the jade pendant.

Her Highness the Empress really isn't aware at all.

If she really wanted to plot a revolt in secret,

why would she leak out the secrets?

Of course it's to leave a backup plan for her.

If the revolt fails, then everything,

can be blamed all on Prince He alone.

You shut up!

Oh wow. I only said a word of truth.

Empress, you are quite skilled.

Hongli. Hongzhou is indeed enamored with Empress.

But it's unrelated to Empress.

In order to save your life, she almost lost her own life.

You should not suspect her.

Your Majesty. You and I have been together for decades.

Even if everyone in the world will harm you, I would not harm you.

We can say the jade pendant was stolen by Zhen'er.

And that the revolt was colluded by Prince He and Yuan Chunwang.

Your Highness the Empress is just so clean and ignorant of it all completely!

Your Majesty! What kind of a person am I?

Without the will of Empress,

I wouldn't even dare to do this if you forced me with death.

Noble Consort Ling, please.

You are still alive?

Empress, at the time of the incident, His Majesty told me,

to protect Noble Consort Ling and 5th Prince so naturally they are both well.

Empress. What are you laughing about?

Aisin-Gioro Hongli.

I regarded you as my most intimate husband, whom I love and respect.

I've devoted my entire life to you.

Prince He has committed usurpation.

So even if he vouches he can make Yongji the successor,

I never thought of betraying you.

Why didn't I tell you about Prince He's scheme?

Because I wanted you to know that even if the entire world leaves you, I would still stand by you and protect you, together.

So I unsparingly trampled on Hongzhou's devotion.

Stepping on his jubilation from winning your favor.

But you? What did you do?

- Empress. - Yes.

I coveted power and longed for the empress seat. I exhausted myself with misdeeds for that.

I owe the world but I never owed you.

Hongli. You can resent me and blame me and hate me.

But you cannot humiliate me. You cannot suspect me. No!

We will discuss this another time.

You go back to your own chamber right away to rest.

I ask you one question only now.

When the imperial boat was met with danger.

Did you think of me even for half a second?

Did you?

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Forgetting Each Other

♫It's very likely that recalling vivid images will throw me into upheaval,♫

♫The past graceful, concerning passions have gone only into hibernation.♫

♫Along with my lord, my original aspirations are now distant, the promises and wishes to accompany each other♫

♫Are proof of yearning endured, trembling in the endless night.♫

♫How true our feelings were, even though our fate was shallow,♫

♫Hearts locked away in dark halls from the light, difficult to find and recover.♫

♫Other people envy my splendid, bright clothing, the warmth beside my pillow, (T/N the love of her lord)♫

♫Then turning round sigh admiringly, through wet tears in somber-colored robes.♫

♫Who clearly would cling to a moment of being in love and inseparable?♫

♫The end of passion becomes merely a sentimental entanglement.♫

♫If one uses separation to cut away the bindings,♫

♫Forgetting one another is also difficult in the depths of one's dreams.♫

♫Who clearly would still cling to these deep feelings and desire them again,♫

♫And give free rein to this state of mind over and over in their dreams?♫

♫Glory and splendor give shelter to appearing to forget the pain,♫

♫From dreams awakening after a time, with nothing new to worry about.♫

♫Treating them like smoke dissipating, ashes flying away, cold hoarfrost under the moonlight...♫

♫All the memories of love, memories of hate...♫

♫All the memories completely vanish.♫