Original subtitles

[Royal Feast]

[Episode 37]

You explained it in such a sensible manner.

Who taught you to say that?

Your Majesty,

I have had an unfortunate fate since young,

where I've experienced warmth and hostility of the world.

Only Noble Consort Sun treated me sincerely,

which had melted my heart filled with hostility.

Her Highness ordered me

to prepare meals

and collect the world's stories on food

to make the Empress happy.

If someone only does it

to have a good reputation,

there's no need to go this far.

If His Majesty punishes the innocent Empress

because of a misunderstanding,

won't Noble Consort Sun's painstaking effort

be ruined in an instant?

So I'm saying all these

to speak up for the Empress

and plead on Noble Consort Sun's behalf.

Your Majesty,

don't believe what she said.

She'll speak the truth

as long as we throw her into prison

and interrogate her.

I'm only reporting the truth.

Please judge this fairly, Your Majesty.

Directress Yin is related to this incident.

We mustn't let her have her way.

We'll discuss this matter later.

Just leave for now.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Directress Yin,

you sure have a gift at speaking.

You could come up with such an explanation

in such a short time.

Not only did you redeem yourself,

but you had also

cleared Noble Consort Sun of suspicion.

If I may be bold to say this.

You've always

followed and waited upon the Empress.

Now she's been confined,

I don't see you visit her at all.

Who are you planning to frame

by going to Qingning Palace anxiously?

Have a pleasant day, Lady of Bright Deportment Wu.

[Qingning Gate]

Directress Yin.

Directress Yin, I...

Directress Yin.

That day, I saw...

Things are always hectic at the Imperial Food Service.

So I didn't think much of it.

But something happened after that.

Directress Yin,

do you think Directress Su...

I'm aware of this.

Don't tell anyone about this.

But Directress Yin...

You can go now.

Yes, Directress Yin.

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty, His Majesty is here.

His Majesty is here to see you.

Didn't you make a scene wanting to see me?

Here I am.

What exactly do you want?

You finally thought of me.

Is she still alive?

You confined me here.

I should be the one asking.

What else do you want?

Depose me?

Summon the imperial physician to check on the Empress.

-Yes, Your Majesty. -I'm not ill.

I'll be here

waiting for you to depose me from my position.

Didn't you wait a long time

for this day to come?

Ever since Lady Sun entered the palace...

No.

It wasn't then.

You must have detested me

before that.

You've always disliked people playing tricks.

You're even tired of officials' reports

on auspicious omens.

But look at me.

Do I look like a person

from head to toe?

No.

I'm not a person.

I'm only

an auspicious object created by the Hu family.

I'm an exquisite tribute

sent to the royal family.

But you must admit

that I'm not of no use at all.

Do you know what you're saying?

Did I say something wrong?

Your birth

brought Yongle Emperor an auspicious dream.

As supposed to be the grandson

who'll prosper forever.

With you,

Yongle Emperor managed to achieve his ambition.

Naturally, the wife of the Great Imperial Grandson

shouldn't be someone of the ordinary.

Such an auspicious object like me

shouldn't be among the people.

It must be

in the Forbidden City.

Am I right?

You hate auspicious objects.

You even hate

to have an arranged fate.

What about me?

What did I do wrong?

Is it because I'm an unfilial daughter-in-law,

not a virtuous wife,

or didn't give birth to a prince?

But she has none too.

No one in the imperial harem

has any sons either.

Empress,

I've given you my trust

all these years.

I had

high expectations from you.

But how did you repay me

again and again?

You lied.

You've already fed up with me.

You're scared.

Scared of what?

Yes,

you're the Emperor.

There's nothing you're scared of doing

or can't do,

except for that one thing.

What is it?

You love your brother dearly.

You wanted to spare Noble Consort Guo.

But there are ancestral instructions of the Great Ming to follow.

The person who ordered her to sacrifice herself

is the present Empress Dowager.

The mother whom you respect the most.

When you saw

what had happened to Noble Consort Guo,

you're worried

and scared.

You're worried

that I'll also order

the person you love to die with you.

Am I right?

Would you?

You won't be able to wait for that day.

We have the Great Ming's ancestral instructions.

Empress Dowager will be watching.

The people of the world

and the civil and military officials will be watching.

You won't be able

to depose the Empress.

You can try

if you don't believe me.

Your Majesty,

deposing the Empress will shake the empire's foundation.

It also concerns

Your Majesty's name in history.

Your Majesty, you must be prudent!

Your Majesty!

The Empress Dowager has arrived!

Greetings, Your Majesty!

All rise.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

There you are, Mother.

Both of you can leave.

What are you up to?

[Qianqing Palace]

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Even if the Empress has done something wrong,

she mustn't be deposed this easily.

You must dissuade His Majesty

from making a big mistake.

That's right, Your Majesty.

Don't let His Majesty depose the Empress.

There will be an uproar

among the court and the people

if this matter gets out.

Your Majesty, you have

to persuade His Majesty.

His Majesty has long to do this.

We're only his subjects.

How can we stop him?

Sirs,

let's not make it difficult for Empress Dowager.

If His Majesty does something wrong,

it's our responsibility as ministers to dissuade him.

You don't hesitate to flatter the Emperor

for your own glory.

You're not worthy of being a minister!

Let alone a person!

Official Zhang,

watch what you're saying.

Watch what I say?

I'm even going to hit you.

How dare you try to flatter the Emperor!

Empress Dowager is present.

How dare you behave impertinently!

We were out of line.

Forgive us, Your Majesty.

All of you are important ministers of the imperial court

whom His Majesty trusts.

How would I not know of your concerns?

It's just that His Majesty has already decided.

He won't even heed my words anymore.

All of you should return and discuss

the way to help the Empress.

His Majesty is a filial son.

How could he not heed your advice?

Your Majesty,

you must intervene.

Please rise.

Your...

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty! Your Majesty,

you must intervene!

It's hard to believe

that such an absurd matter

will ruin His Majesty's reputation.

No.

We can't sit by and do nothing.

We'll call everyone together and discuss this matter.

Sirs, you can leave the palace now.

Sirs,

please.

Let's go.

Is this really happening?

Is His Majesty deposing the Empress?

This incident

had never happened in the Great Ming before.

[Foods Office]

You can't enter.

Guards!

Guards! You can't go in!

Let her in.

Directress Su,

what makes you barge

into my chamber regardless of your position with such a gloomy look?

Noble Consort Sun is still alive.

If the Empress is deposed,

she's likely to be the Empress.

Perhaps it's not her time to die yet.

It's not like

I have power over a person's life and death.

Why are you venting your anger at me?

But

do you hate her that much?

Oh, right.

I almost forgot about your hands.

They're supposed to...

Shut your mouth.

But that's fine.

Once the Empress is deposed,

she'll be condemned by the people

as an evil woman

after she replaces the Empress.

It won't end well for her anyway.

It's not peaceful in the palace lately.

Don't come here anymore.

Lest our plan gets leaked.

I know what to do.

But you must be cautious

in your plan next time.

Don't leave any trails

that could implicate me.

It turns out Prince of Han has planted

another helper in the palace.

Greetings, Your Highness.

Looks like

he told you everything.

I thought he had a legitimate son

at the fief.

You already knew

His Lordship sees only you

as his successor.

When he has achieved his ambition,

the world will also be yours.

Your Highness,

we should discuss

our next step.

Your Majesty,

Her Highness seems to be waking up.

Zijin.

Zijin?

Everything is all right now.

You finally wake up.

Come and take a look at her.

Your Majesty,

Her Highness will be all right

after resting for another half a month.

Great.

That's great.

How are you feeling now?

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty, I have something to report.

Your Majesty,

the ministers are kneeling outside the palace.

Take good care of the Noble Consort.

Don't bother her with anything.

I'll punish you severely

if you disobey me.

Fu Jiang,

what's going on in the palace?

Jin.

Your Highness, you just woke up.

You should focus on recuperating.

Imperial Physician Sheng

has prepared a new prescription for you.

We'll invite him over to check on you.

Official Yang.

Official Yang.

Sirs, please get up.

Sirs, please get up now.

It's raining heavily.

What do you want me to do?

Official Yang.

Official Xia.

Sirs,

please get up.

You're...

Please inform His Majesty

that I have an important matter to discuss with His Majesty.

His Majesty has ordered

that he won't see anyone.

I want to see His Majesty.

Noble Consort Sun, please return.

His Majesty has summoned

Grand Academician, Official Yang Shiqi.

[Qianqing Palace]

Your Highness, you have just recovered.

The weather is harsh.

You won't be able to endure this.

Moreover,

His Majesty doesn't have any spare time

if you look at the current situation.

Why don't you return to your palace?

Eunuch Chen.

Eunuch Chen!

Your Highness,

do you see the ministers?

They're here to oppose

the removal of the Empress.

Evil woman!

You seduced the Emperor.

You'll surely be spit on

by the people!

Take him away.

Yes, sir.

Your Majesty!

You must not

listen to the words of a villain

and depose the Empress for no reason!

Wait!

-Wait! -The Empress is innocent!

You evil woman!

Noble Consort Sun,

if I were you,

I'd return to Yongning Palace right away.

I'd stay in Yongning Palace

before this matter has settled.

Sir,

criticizing the Emperor as fatuous

is the only thing left Duke of Ying hasn't said.

Judging by the situation,

there will be chaos

in the imperial court

if His Majesty still insists on deposing the Empress.

What about the Prince of Han?

Hold on a little longer.

What are you doing?

Why?

Are you hiding something from me?

Aren't you hiding something

from me too?

Don't you already know

that I want to depose the Empress?

Why are you looking at me like that?

Empress Dowager will never agree to that.

She already agreed.

Impossible.

I told Empress Dowager

that there was only one reason

I wanted to depose the Empress.

Lady Hu is not fit to be the Empress.

Your Majesty.

The Empress is not only

my wife.

She also carries the heavy responsibility

of being an exemplary moral character to the empire.

No one in this world knows

how to be an empress from the moment they are born.

It's the Empress's first time ascending to her throne...

Shouldn't you be happy

that I'm deposing her?

Why?

Are you going

to oppose me like

those purists?

If you depose the Empress,

everyone will criticize you

for your mistake.

I don't want you to leave

a bad name in history.

Instead of worrying about being criticized,

you're concerned about me.

It's a pity.

It's already too late.

I'm not trying to amuse you.

Get up.

Zijin,

you must trust me.

There's always a reason

for every decision that I make.

Your Highness,

you can't do this

to your health.

Please have some.

This duck dumpling

is tasty and not greasy.

Look at this.

How about trying this emerald shrimp bucket?

The shrimp is topped with smoked meat.

It has a pleasant taste.

Directress Yin...

Are the ministers still kneeling out there?

Your Highness.

Your Highness,

Empress Dowager requests for you.

Your Majesty.

Remember this?

Your Majesty,

it's the Empress's seal.

The Empress sent it

to Qingning Palace

early this morning.

All the items used

during the ceremony of her appointment as the Empress

are also here.

Since the day you entered the palace,

you've been waiting for today, right?

Now,

you've got what you wanted.

Noble Consort Sun.

How dare you look at Empress Dowager directly.

You're being disrespectful.

I should've known.

Do you think

everything in this world

is within your expectations?

The Zhang family chose me

to enter the palace.

I don't know

if it was good or bad.

Since I've accepted the jade pendant

from Yongle Emperor...

Noble Consort Sun...

After the Great Imperial Grandson married a new wife,

the Zhang family

still refused to give up on me,

who was

a pawn they had nurtured for years.

So I still had to enter the palace.

So what if it is?

I look forward to the day

I become the Great Ming's Matron of the Imperial Food Service.

But you ruined it for me.

I treat the Empress

more sincerely than waiting

on His Majesty.

I didn't do that so I could be an empress.

I was almost there.

It was one last step.

Now, you're asking if I'm happy?

All right, then.

I'll let you see it

for yourself today.

Guards!

-Guards! -Fire!

-Get help now! -Somebody!

-Fire! -Fire!

Bring the water!

Help!

Your Majesty!

Why panic?

-I... -Fire!

Hurry!

Quickly now!

I want to prove

that you're wrong.

The audacity to rebel to this extent.

You should've asked

if His Majesty,

I,

or heaven let you.

I'll take my leave.

Your Majesty, let's leave now.

Your Majesty!

Report this to the Emperor.

Let him see this for himself.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Mother, what happened here?

Well,

your favorite concubine did it.

I can't believe you laughed.

Mother,

you refused to believe it before.

Now, you've seen it for yourself.

If she wanted to be an empress,

she wouldn't have burned

all the items for an empress's appointment ceremony

in front of you.

Your Majesty,

she's not after the position of an empress.

But what she wanted was more valuable

than this position.

More valuable than being an empress?

Don't tell me

she wants to be the next Wu Zetian?

She wants to win the people's hearts.

It's not just the ancestral law

that she's trying to change.

I'll be frank with you.

Just this wild ambition of hers alone

has beaten

the rest of the women in this palace.

If she did resort to unscrupulous means

to be an empress,

she wouldn't be

the person I have laid my eyes on.

You can't defend her forever.

Have a pleasant night, Mother.

This imprudent woman.

She almost burned down my palace.

Yuan Qi,

send all these burned copper items

for smelting

to make incense burners.

Look, is this all right?

Maintain the shape of the crab.

That's it.

Cover the crab shell too.

All right.

Be careful!

Run! Leave now!

Everyone, get out of here!

Hurry!

Watch out!

Be careful!

Make haste!

Over here! Go this way!

Hurry!

Run!

Be careful!

Hurry!

Come out now!

Come here.

That scared me.

Do a headcount

and see if anyone is injured.

All right.

Changqing and Changsheng.

Pick six eunuchs

to follow me to the storeroom.

Now?

What do you want to do there?

We still need to prepare meals in the palace.

We need

to sort out food ingredients and utensils that we can use.

Follow me.

Let's go.

Are you hurt?

No, I'm fine.

I'm glad you're all right.

Is everyone all right?

Your Majesty,

the earthquake struck

from the southeast to the city's northwest.

More than a hundred zhang of the city walls (*a customary Chinese unit of length)

and more than 800 houses had collapsed.

We have to rebuild the walls and the people's homes.

So we need the Ministry of Revenue to allocate the funds.

It's Your Majesty's fault that heaven struck us with disasters.

Duke of Ying.

Your Majesty favors a scheming person

and deposes the Empress for no reason.

You're defying the ancestral's instructions

and going against heavenly principles.

Your Majesty should issue an edict on your sin.

Take him away and flog him 20 times.

Guards!

Your Majesty,

Duke of Ying is the imperial court's right-hand man.

You can't flog him.

-Your Majesty! -Your Majesty,

you must rescind your order.

His Majesty has ordered

that the Duke of Ying be flogged 20 times

outside the palace!

Your Majesty deposes the Empress for no reason.

It's a warning from heaven! Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

The Great Ming

must never depose its Empress without reason!

Otherwise,

Your Majesty will regret this one day!

The sun and the moon shall bear witness

to my loyalty!

Sir,

even the earthquake won't stop

His Majesty's determination.

He's serious about deposing the Empress.

His Lordship has sent words many times.

Inform Father

to respond to Prince of Han's coup.

Yes, sir.

Wait.

Let me think.

Wait?

Sir,

what are you waiting for?

You've caught a cold

when you woke up this morning.

I'll head back to get your mantle.

Go to the Medicines Office

and request them to send a Manager of Medicines

to check on Her Highness.

Yes.

[Le'an]

Your Lordship.

[The Emperor is deposing the Empress for no reason and refusing to change his ways.]

Look at my nephew.

For the throne,

he murdered his father.

He even listens to the corrupted ministers

and uses all kinds of means

to oppress me, his uncle.

Now, he's deposing the Empress without reason

and received a warning from heaven.

Yet, he refused to change his way!

Since only corrupted ministers

are in the imperial court,

how could I sit by

and watch the people suffer?

I've decided

to follow Yongle Emperor's footsteps

and rebel against the traitors!

We shall be with Your Lordship

and vow to serve you

to the death!

Your Lordship,

Commander Jin Rong from Shandong

promised to lead the army

as long as you gave out the order.

Good!

Mei Qing,

sneak into the capital city

and coordinate with Zhang Fu, the Duke of Ying.

When I set out with the army,

please ask him

to lend me a hand from inside.

Yes, Your Lordship.

I heard

the Empress refused to see you

when you visited her twice.

Is that true?

Are you here

to taunt me?

No.

The Empress locked herself in her palace

and refused to see anyone.

I'm worried about her health.

Noble Consort Sun,

I have a plan

that could change the Empress's mind.

But I'll need you

to go to Kunning Palace.

Why are you doing this?

I've entered the palace for many years.

She took good care of me.

I can never repay for such kindness.

The Empress has ended up in this situation.

I don't feel at ease at all.

I may not be powerful.

But I sincerely

want to help the Empress

and help you

to get out of this difficult situation.

Jin,

His Majesty has planned

to have his meal here at noon.

Please head to the Qianqing Palace

and apologize on my behalf.

Yes, Your Highness.

[Kunning Palace]

You've already gotten what you wanted.

Why do you still want to see me?

There was a time

I really wanted to trust you.

I was too naive.

You only wanted

to be the Empress.

Your Majesty...

I've studied the art of healing for ten years.

I only know how to save people.

I don't know anything about scheming

or harming others.

It's only natural

for a useless person like me

to end up like this.

Seeing kindness

as weak

and malicious intention as scheming.

These are the scariest things

in the Forbidden City.

Your Majesty,

you call yourself useless.

So is it useful

to scheme and harm

the innocent?

Your Majesty,

there are some heartfelt words

I wish to tell you.

But...

All of you can leave.

Yes, Your Majesty.

I've told Huaping

that if you burn this incense with calming effect for too long,

it'll lose its effectiveness.

Noble Consort Sun taught me how to make this citrus fragrance.

I add some fragrance with calming effects.

So it's especially refreshing.

Miaoxian,

what was it that you wanted to tell me?

Your Majesty,

I've worked hard

to prepare your lunch.

Why don't you have your lunch

and I'll report it to you, then?

[Two Phoenixes Return to the Nest]

Noble Consort Sun,

you've gone too far.

Your Majesty.

Get out.

The Empress told you to leave.

Step back and don't enter.

Lady of Bright Deportment Wu,

you said you wanted to help me advise the Empress.

Is this how you're advising her?

Your Majesty,

the Forbidden City

has no room for two empresses.

His Majesty is determined to depose you.

Why won't you permit it?

You should take the initiative

to step down from your position.

His Majesty is a benevolent person.

He'll definitely think for old time's sake.

You'll still have

your titles, maids,

and all the privileges

an empress would have.

Is this your idea

or the Emperor's idea?

Forgive me, Your Majesty.

I did come here

to persuade you on behalf of the Emperor.

You should let go when it's time.

Stop being stubborn.

Your Majesty...

If His Majesty has something to say,

he can tell me directly.

I'm going to see him now.

Your Majesty...

Noble Consort Sun,

you'll suffer from inflammation of the liver.

Do you see the Empress?

The more emotional you are,

the faster the properties

of the herbs will flow

all over your body.

I admit

I was the one

who tampered

with your food.

You had the chance

to poison me.

Why didn't you just take my life?

It's not that hot anymore.

Well,

if something happens to the Empress,

who do you think the people will suspect?

Me or you?

Lady of Bright Deportment Wu,

even if you've succeeded,

you were also in the palace.

You'll also be suspected.

Noble Consort Sun suddenly fell out with the Empress

and hurt someone after losing her senses.

I was injured

because I was trying to protect the Empress.

Your Majesty, are you all right?

Your Majesty!

See?

The witness is here.

Your Majesty!

-Guards! -No!

Guards!

Don't do it!

Summon the imperial physician.

Take her away.

Your Majesty.