Original subtitles

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Subtitles and Timings By The Qing Hair and Those Who Dare Team @ Viki.com

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♫The sounds from the sheng and xiao die away in the distance, in the sparse, declining light ♫

(T/N reed instrument made of vertical pipes; end-blown flute)

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♫ Memories of my past, my companions in youth. ♫

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♫ Over boundless years, old affairs have become difficult to recall. ♫

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♫ I’ve used a lifetime of truth to put up a pretense. ♫

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♫ Parting without opening these cupped hands full of tears. ♫

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♫ Clears my vision and permits me to resist ♫

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♫ Perhaps when targeted by love it is not wise to separate ♫

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♫ The morning wind can not dispel the aftermath. ♫

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♫ Whose hidden tears made the blooming flowers blush, ♫

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♫ And in the desolate and dreary torrential storms to painfully droop low, ♫

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♫ Unwilling to blossom again alone? ♫

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♫ The coming day belongs to the young. ♫

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♫ As the glimmer of dawn becomes again the setting sun. ♫

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♫ Who is this person who does not sleep soundly in the middle of the night? ♫

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♫Sitting and watching the autumn wind puff out and penetrate the palace curtains. ♫

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♫One strand held in remembrance, shackling sentiment and concern.

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♫ Always submerged in the fragrant incense of fleeting time ♫

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Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace

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Episode 37

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[ Anhua Hall ]

22

Greetings to Empress Dowager.

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Royal Mother. How are you here?

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Emperor. There's something,

25

no one dares to tell you.

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Only I can come.

27

Royal Mother.

28

I am worried about Yongcong.

29

Other things --

30

I don't want to hear it. I don't want to know.

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Emperor.

32

Yongcong has left already.

33

Emperor. Without Yongcong,

34

I am very sad too.

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But even though we don't have Yongcong, you've got other sons.

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Emperor, you must endure the aching sadness.

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Or else Forbidden City's sky will collapse.

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Your Highness. You should at least eat something.

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His Majesty is at the family banquet and he can't come.

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This is someone His Majesty especially had someone deliver.

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Please preserve your royal health.

42

Hengti, every time you come into the palace.

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I always feel time goes by too fast.

44

After the new year, I will go with your royal brother for eastern tour.

45

I will not see you for some time.

46

Actually this is Royal Brother's first eastern campaign since his ascension.

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I bet it's going to very grand.

48

Emperor Wu of Han won power through eastern campaign.

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And held grand ceremony at Mount Tai.

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This new year is not going smoothly.

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We've had funerals in succession.

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And His Majesty is confined in the palace, making it more sentimental.

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It'd be better to go out and walk and dissipate the worries.

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His Majesty is filial to be asking you accompany him.

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Just that I hear Empress is so ill she's all bones.

56

We're not sure if she can go.

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I don't worry about this stuff anymore.

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Now I worry only

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about you, my daughter.

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Hengti. At your age.

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You should be long married already.

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Mother, I don't want to marry.

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I just want to stay by your side and accompany you a lot.

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Silly child.

65

Who doesn't marry when they're old?

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Sister is already married to far away place.

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Mother, can you spare me?

68

Of course I can't.

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Talking about your sister, my heart aches.

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So Hengti, your marriage.

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No matter what, I won't let you be like your sister.

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Marrying so far away.

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Mother.

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Greetings to Royal Mother.

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Why are you crying?

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Royal Mother, I worry about you.

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Your brother is gone. Crying is useless.

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Royal Mother, brother is gone.

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But you've got your daughter still.

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I will be your dependence. I will win success for you.

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A daughter is useless.

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With a son, a daughter is just an embellishment on top of a brocade.

83

Without a son,

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a daughter is less than charcoal you deliver through snow.

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It's only better than nothing.

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Royal Mother. You really disregard me so much?

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It's not that I disregard you.

88

It's that I disregard myself.

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Someone like me, a mother who can't even preserve her son.

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What meaning is there for me to live?

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Royal Mother. Don't say that.

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If you are so despairing yourself.

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Then what do I do?

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Royal Father has so many wives and children.

95

But I only have you.

96

It's too much. You're so sick.

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But Royal Father is still so busy with eastern campaign.

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Eastern campaign?

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What eastern campaign?

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Royal Father is going to take consorts to the land of Qilu.

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They will go hike up to Mount Tai. Offer sacrifice at Temple of Confucius.

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This is His Majesty's first eastern tour in his 13 year of reign.

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I am the mother of the nation. How can I not go?

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Royal Mother, you can't go. You're still ill.

105

Actually, His Majesty would like you go with him to tour east.

106

But he's worried you're

107

overly sadden and your health can't bear the toil of carriage.

108

So he never said it to you.

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But if I don't go,

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then everything

111

will be taking over by Noble Consort Xian from me.

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Royal Mother, she's only a noble consort.

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What can she do anyway?

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She's a noble consort.

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But she's a noble consort

116

that's pulled ahead of me in a number of things.

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No.

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Even if Yongcong and Yonglian are both gone,

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I am still the empress. Do they think I died?

120

- Royal Mother.

- Mistress.

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I am useless.

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But I am you and Royal Father's only daughter.

123

No matter what you decide on,

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I will accompany you no matter what.

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Sulian. Get Physician Qi.

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I must have him treat me.

127

Yes.

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Your Majesty's first eastern tour. By the look of the sky,

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the 4th of February is a very auspicious date to depart.

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Alright. This eastern tour, Empress insists on coming.

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I also wish for her to get rid of her worries.

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Your Majesty, there's a matter I don't dare not to say.

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Speak.

134

The sky is showing change. The guest star is seen in the matar.

[ Astrology Office - Lan Zheng ]

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It signifies the central palace is about to be faced with misfortune.

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Central palace is suffering illness from the pain of losing her son.

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She's already been met with misfortune. What's this ominous talk of yours?

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I am with offense.

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Jin Zhong, take astrology office away.

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Yes.

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Li Yu. Empress means well.

142

She's willing to accompany me in eastern tour. You arrange it.

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That the trip must be stable.

144

Yes.

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We've come out from the capital for half a month now.

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Empress, you've toiled in riding in carriage over mountain and water.

147

You must be tired.

148

With you accompanying me always.

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I feel great.

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The people watch you and Empress in such harmony,

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they are all jealous and touched by your love.

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Yes, my eastern tour,

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I wanted to bring Empress out to get some fresh air.

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I thought she would be too ill to come but I didn't think she could recover so fast.

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It's your first eastern tour since your ascension.

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Of course I must accompany you.

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You and I went to Mount Tai a few days ago.

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We prayed at Jade God Temple.

159

And I've been seeing Jade God in my dreams.

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Summoning me in my dream.

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The story among the people is that Jade God is magical.

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It can protect your body and health.

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Empress, you keep dreaming of Jade God summoning you.

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I think your wish will come true. Great auspicious sign.

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It's an auspicious sign.

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But I'm just still recovering.

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I need Physician Qi to be on standby to treat me when need.

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Empress's royal health is well and we are at ease.

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Yes.

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Royal Mother is the mother of the land so she's naturally protected by the Gods.

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You're all just concubines.

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You must serve Royal Mother with diligence.

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Jingse.

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Princess is right.

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Your coloring is still good.

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But you can't sleep well at night and you're so drawn.

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Good thing you dress me up every day.

178

Two hours of work,

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to hide my haggard look.

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Your Highness, this is energy potion prescribed by Physician Qi.

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You should drink it while warm.

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How is it thicker than the one from a few days ago?

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Physician Qi added double the herbs.

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Saying you're toiling from the travels.

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If it's not heavier, your health can't bear it.

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Physician Qi said.

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You must suck ginseng slices all the time.

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To restore your energy.

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Actually you shouldn't have bothered with the trouble of eastern tour.

190

Your body can't take it.

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Emperor's first eastern tour.

192

If I don't accompany him,

193

the world will laugh me. That the empress is only in name.

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Then I will lose the dignity of Fuca clan.

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All the people are praising you and Emperor love like no other.

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I will keep this love.

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And when His Majesty grants marriage for Jingse,

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let her marry

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a good family that can assist the Fuca clan.

200

Your Majesty, is there something upsetting you?

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Do you know that Khorchin Mongols want to

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seek their heir, Septeng Baljur

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to be granted the princess of the legitimate wife.

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You know that child.

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He's always been a study mate to the royal princes in the capital.

206

Later, two years ago, he was promoted as Assistant Duke.

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We know his roots and character.

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Must we marry the legitimate princess to him?

209

Other than Royal Mother's youngest daughter, High Princess Hengti,

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it's only you and my Jingse.

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Can't be that Khorchin wants Jingse?

212

That Khorchin only mentioned a legitimate wife.

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They didn't specify which princess.

214

So I need to think it over.

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If it's marrying into the capital, then it's a bit better.

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This will be done by Khorchin's generational custom.

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The son of the king must live in Khorchin upon marriage.

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Then that's marrying far.

219

Leaving her parents. That's too harsh.

220

Greetings to Concubine Mei.

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I heard Empress's illness is much better.

222

I came especially to visit her.

223

His Majesty is inside now.

224

May you wait a bit.

225

Fine. I'll go stroll around the garden first.

226

Sister Hengti is perfectly ripe for marriage.

227

Your Majesty, though Khorchin is a large Mongol clan.

228

They are the most noble and wealthy.

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But our Jingse is still young. She can't marry so far.

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I agree with you.

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But the subjects of the court are opposing it.

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To me marrying Princess Hengti marrying far.

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The reason being Princess Hengchuo already married to Dzungar.

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If Princess Hengti marries far too,

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Royal Mother would be too heart-broken by it.

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I've just lost Yongcong, but to have Jingse marry far now,

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it's asking my life.

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Empress, don't panic. Help Empress sit.

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Yes. Your Highness.

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Empress, don't say that.

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I know your thought.

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I can't spare marrying Jingse far either.

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When I heard about the court discussing the legitimate princess.

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I thought His Majesty didn't come to you.

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It must be with Empress that he went discussing.

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I used the excuse of paying visit,

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and indeed I heard Empress protecting her own daugther.

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She wants to marry off your daughter, High Princess Hengti,

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off to Mongolia.

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Empress cares about her own daughter.

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She doesn't care about mine at all?

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A human heart is made of flesh.

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Whoever birthed the daughter loves that daughter.

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You're a filial one. I know that.

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Before, you did whatever I told you to do.

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Now, you took matters in your hands first.

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I once had my own child too.

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How do I not know how your heart aches for your daughter?

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I just want to help ease your troubles.

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- Very mature.

- I just find it strange.

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Empress was so sick she couldn't get up.

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Now she just got better suddenly.

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Empress isn't better.

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She's using medicine to subsist.

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Then -- Princess Hejing will really marry far.

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Empress, how can she endure that sorrow?

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Empress can't bear it.

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But I can bear it?

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I've already married one daughter far away.

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Forget it. You may go.

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I take my leave.

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Concubine Mei says her health isn't well.

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But she's still useful. Much better than Attendant Qing or Concubine Shu.

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Concubine Shu cares only about the emperor.

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She won't open her mouth for my matters.

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But marrying Hengti far away is a grand matter.

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No matter what the emperor thinks.

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You must talk to Narqin and them.

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The high subjects must oppose it.

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Oppose till the end.

281

Yes.

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Princess Hejing is brash.

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Marrying far to Mongolia to cultivate her temperament is good.

284

She's always bragging about how she's the legitimate daughter.

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Then it's time she pays up duty of the legitimate child.

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Your Highness. Empress.

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Mistress.

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Greetings to Consort Jia.

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What brings you here? Don't be cordial. Sit.

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Lixin.

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Yes.

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What breeze blows you here?

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I heard her body won't fare.

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All hanging by medicine.

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Since her illness is on the hang,

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then she can't bear upsetting.

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But if her only daughter,

298

must marry far away,

299

then she must be so upset, huh?

300

I guess she won't bear it through.

301

I greet Your Majesty.

302

Get on up.

303

You're waiting for me?

304

I heard you're not in great mood.

305

So I wanted to stroll around with you for some fresh air.

306

No need.

307

Is it because of the matter of princess marrying far.

308

That you've got something to say too?

309

You're truly angry then.

310

The high ministers are opposed to Hengti marrying far.

311

They argued with me for over two hours.

312

And Concubine Mei came to jump on the hot wagon too.

313

And you? What do you wish to say?

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Marrying the princess far away is a matter of court affair and I've got nothing to say.

315

Then you want me to go see Royal Mother?

316

If you wish to see her, you would do so naturally.

317

If you don't wish to for now, you will have your reason.

318

Just that, if you don't feel like getting some fresh air,

319

I will leave.

320

Then why did you come?

321

I just wanted you not to be so tired.

322

Not so worried.

323

Alright. I got it.

324

You may go.

325

Mistress, Empress Dowager asked you to talk in favor of her.

326

Why didn't you say anything?

327

Emperor is weary-minded and I don't want to add to that.

328

Empress Dowager can just blame me for being incompetent.

329

I told you to persuade the emperor and how did you do?

330

Please don't be angry.

331

Emperor was weary-minded and I didn't want to add to it.

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I understand your heart aches for your daughter but His Majesty is a father too.

333

He too can't spare his only daughter with Empress, Princess Hejing.

334

You are so caring of the emperor.

335

Why won't be care about me?

336

You must see that I marry off two daughters far away for you to be happy then?

337

I don't dare. I ache for you.

338

But I can't spare His Majesty.

339

I really don't know how to persuade him.

340

So in the end, I said nothing.

341

You forgot how I helped you grant your wish and let you become his concubine?

342

If it weren't for me, could you have today?

343

Empress Dowager slapped me right. I am incompetent.

344

I can't repay your grace to me.

345

But Empress Dowager, you know how devoted I am to him.

346

You know I can't do it.

347

For long now, you won't speak to Emperor for me.

348

I pitied you had a true heart.

349

And I never asked you much. But this is different.

350

This is for Hengti. You know I can't be separated from my flesh again.

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I know your panic and sadness.

352

I am useless. Please dissipate your anger.

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If I knew how devoted and soft-hearted you are, I should not have helped you.

354

You will suffer a big blow sooner or later.

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Subtitles and Timings By The Qing Hair and Those Who Dare Team @ Viki.com

356

I greet Your Majesty.

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What are you doing here?

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I came to greet Empress.

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Empress isn't in the mood. You needn't visit her.

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Stroll with me.

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Yes.

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You seem tired.

363

I argues two hours with the high ministers.

364

Then Empress bawled her plea to me.

365

To marry a princess,

366

has the harem and the court in such a chaos.

367

Empress Dowager and Empress are both mothers.

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Naturally they can't spare their children leave far away.

369

One's a daughter and one's a sister. I can't spare either.

370

If I had to marry one to Mongolia,

371

I am in such a difficult position.

372

If Hengti won't marry and insists Jingse goes,

373

then Empress will be in despair and sorrow.

374

Her health will not recover.

375

Empress has Physician Qi watching over her.

376

You needn't worry too much.

377

Marrying matter.

378

In a few days, Empress Dowager and Empress will both see through it.

379

You will have a decision then.

380

I summoned you here at night like this, Empress,

381

because there's something I want to give you.

382

I have been sick and I couldn't come greet you on time.

383

I am lacking in decorum.

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I don't dare to accept anything from you.

385

You're the daughter-in-law I hand-picked. No need to be so cordial with me.

386

This is something when I was promoted to Noble Consort,

387

that Late Emperor granted me, pearl necklace.

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Look. These pearls are each so shiny.

389

I know you're used to dressing modestly.

390

But Jingse is of age.

391

This item of mine.

392

Let me add to her dowry.

393

Come, Fujia.

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Empress.

395

What a coincidence. I am of the same mind as you.

396

Sulian.

397

I am not used to luxury. I have this pair of gold ducks.

398

It's granted me by Late Emperor when I married His Majesty. It's very precious.

399

But now High Princess Hengti is about to marry Khorchin.

400

I wanted to grant this to add to Sister Hengti's attire.

401

The tea is cold. Switch to hot, Fujia.

402

Yes.

403

Jingse was birthed by you and Emperor. Compared to her illegitimate sisters,

404

this legitimate princess is that much more precious.

405

Jingse always brags about her being the legitimate daughter too.

406

So she was promoted as Princess Gulun Hejing early on.

407

She disregards her illegitimate siblings.

408

So she's most suitable for marrying to Khorchin.

409

Jingse is young in age and doesn't decipher her speech yet.

410

She can't be married yet.

411

I will keep her by me and teach her a few years.

412

When she's shapely enough, we'll marry her off then.

413

You can wait but Mongolia can't wait.

414

Since the olds, a good mother pampers her child.

415

Once Jingse marries and becomes a daughter-in-law,

416

she will learn the rules naturally.

417

It's better than you teaching her personally.

418

Besides, the Khorchin tribe that asks for a legitimate princess,

419

it's the chief of Mongol tribes. A very lofty position.

420

We've got Sister Hengti all ready to go though.

421

Only Jingse is suitable.

422

By age, Hengti is older and she's Jingse's aunt.

423

Of course we need the senior to marry first before worrying about the junior's.

424

Your Majesty, it's getting late.

425

Please drink some calming brother and rest up.

426

We've yet to settle on which princess to marry and I'm anxious.

427

Your Majesty, Empress Dowager summoned Empress.

428

I heard the two mistresses are at it.

429

Aunt Fujia sent someone to ask you to reclaim the harmony.

430

They went at it? I will go see.

431

If I go, they will both ask me for the bottom line.

432

Your Majesty, but Empress Dowager and Empress holding this out isn't proper either.

433

Empress was brash. It wasn't settled yet.

434

I'm busy avoiding Royal Mother.

435

But she sent herself to her.

436

Li Yu, go invite Empress back.

437

Your Majesty, the two mistresses are there.

438

There's no place for me to utter a word.

439

Incompetent.

440

Yes.

441

Your Majesty, how about this?

442

Empress is ill. Let's send Physician Qi to send medicine to Empress.

443

And they can each can have a step to come down.

444

Great. Let's go with that.

445

Let's have Royal Mother deem Empress as sick and confused.

446

If she misspoke, Royal Mother wouldn't find fault in her.

447

Yes.

448

Your Majesty, Sir Zhang Tingyu begs your attendance.

449

Why is he coming so late?

450

Ruyi, you go hide behind the screen.

451

Yes.

452

- Send him in.

- Yes.

453

I've already married one daughter far.

454

To marry another far?

455

Empress, you're my daughter-in-law.

456

You can spare seeing me upset?

457

I don't dare.

458

Royal Mother. Yongcong is gone.

459

Jingse is my only child now.

460

She wants to stay by me to be filial to me.

461

- And console me my sorrow of losing Yongcong.

- You're the main wife.

462

All of emperor's children are all yours too.

463

But Hengti is my own daughter left.

464

Without her, who will be filial to me?

465

His Majesty is filial.

466

Even if Sister Hengti marries to Khorchin,

467

Royal Mother always had His Majesty as your son.

468

Furthermore, as the sister-in-law,

469

I feel rushed for Sister Hengti too.

470

The book of poetry says, a tree with bear seven years of plum blossoms.

471

May the gentleman of mine come to me.

472

Sister Hengti is already at the plum blossom years.

473

She shouldn't be delayed her marriage anymore.

474

It's really not an easy sister-in-law position for you.

475

So many storms that year,

476

and it was nearly Noble Consort Xian that became the main wife, the empress.

477

If that were the case, the one who should be calling herself the princess's sister-in-law --

478

Should be Noble Consort Xian.

479

If Noble Consort Xian became Hengti's sister-in-law,

480

I don't know if she would be more caring of me.

481

Noble Consort Xian has no son or daughter.

482

Mongol's marriage seeking, the only one she can marry off,

483

would be only Sister Hengti.

484

His Majesty wouldn't have to suffer argument from ministers.

485

Great. Great.

486

What a daughter-in-law hand-picked by me!

487

No wonder Emperor praises you too.

488

So much with the air of empress.

489

I thank you for your praise.

490

Greetings to Empress Dowager and Empress.

491

I am talking with Empress. You dare to burst in here?

492

Empress Dowager, please don't be angry. Empress is ill.

493

She is weak in health and must take medicine on time.

494

Or else her royal body won't bear through.

495

Yes, Empress Dowager, Empress needs to take medicine.

496

She depends wholly on medicine to stay at her wit.

497

Empress, you must be mindful.

498

You must preserve your body well.

499

So you can protect your daughter for long.

500

Royal Mother, I will bear through.

501

To watch my daughter marry in my old age side by side with Emperor.

502

Alright.

503

I will wish for you and Emperor to grow old together.

504

Your Highness, bear through.

505

I must bear through.

506

I must wait till His Majesty,

507

give the decree to marry Hengti off.

508

You talked back to Empress Dowager and we were so scared.

509

For Jingse's sake, even if I throw everything out,

510

I will keep her by my side.

511

I thought about it back and forth.

512

And High Princess Hengti marrying to Khorchin,

513

is really unfitting.

514

Hengti is the legitimate princess. What's unfitting?

515

Your Majesty, think in detail.

516

High Princess Duanshu married to Dzungar, versed in war.

517

If High Princess Hengti also marries

518

off to Khorchin who is noble and affluent,

519

then the two largest clans of Mongolia,

520

will both become Empress Dowager's son-in-laws.

521

Then Empress Dowager's power in the court and harem,

522

will be added that much more.

523

Then you mean?

524

Perhaps, Princess Hejing,

525

could be married to Khorchin.

526

Your Majesty, think it backwards.

527

The court's opposition might not all be for Empress Dowager's sake.

528

They might also be worried for your reign.

529

Forget it. I concede. I won't play anymore.

530

Your Majesty's mind isn't here.

531

When I think about the court, I feel restless.

532

Narqin took the ministers,

533

and pushing for marrying Jingse, not Hengti.

534

Zhang Tingyu is considered someone pretty distant from Royal Mother.

535

He is considerate of me and says to marry Jingse as well.

536

I don't know if he really means it.

537

He should be.

538

Minister Zhang's words, I heard them yesterday as well.

539

If Hengti really married to Khorchin,

540

what will grow is indeed Empress Dowager's power.

541

I'm a father and I'm a brother.

542

And I'm the emperor of all. Many decisions,

543

are truly difficult for me.

544

You feel guilty and you feel weary of Empress Dowager.

545

With Princess Hejing, you have father and daughter's blood-thick fondness.

546

But you are also the king of the world.

547

You have many roles and you have that much more worries.

548

Then it depends on what's most important to you.

549

I'm the emperor, king of Great Qing.

550

In my heart, I can't just hold my family and ignore my court.

551

Subtitles and Timings By The Qing Hair and Those Who Dare Team @ Viki.com

552

♫ The dawn rises, sweeping over the beautiful woman,♫

553

♫ glacially increasing frost to temples’ raven locks.♫

554

♫ Lightly caressing the pillow’s edge with tears,♫

555

♫ only to realize old dreams are like acts in a play.♫

556

♫ Year after year, aspirations have merely served as situations that have already allowed one’s heart to regret.♫

557

♫ Ruby lips, rosy cheeks pale with one’s youth brief as a flash in time, disastrous to pursue.♫

558

♫ Gazing wistfully at the bright pearl moon through layer upon layer as it waxes and wanes.♫

559

♫ Regarding the world as act after acts in a play, departing from one’s own self.♫

560

♫ Reasons to leave the aging, worn pavilion, willing to become Zhuang Zhou’s dream butterfly, (T/N Zhuangzi, Warring States period philosopher)♫

561

♫ balancing on the wintry edge of a plum blossom branch for a single day.♫