Original subtitles

[English subtitles are available]

[Story of Kunning Palace]

[Episode 1]

When I was very young,

Wan Niang told me that

[Young Jiang Xuening]

the most noble woman in the world is the empress.

The palace that the empress lives in

is called the Ning'an Palace.

I asked Wan Niang,

what does the Ning'an Palace look like?

I don't know either.

I sat under a leaking roof in the countryside,

and thought to myself,

if I could become a swan goose flying in the sky

and fly to the bustling capital

and the palace

to see what the Ning'an Palace looks like,

how nice would that be?

Later,

I came to the capital.

But everything that happened

was different from what I had imagined.

The bustling world

was also a battlefield.

I led an absurd life

and made so many mistakes.

The one who loved me

lost his entire family to slaughter.

Now, he hates me instead.

The one who saved me

lost his kin because of me.

Now, his life is at stake.

The one I saved

conspired against the palace

and stained the Imperial City with blood.

Everyone

wants me to die.

[Viscount of Yan Mansion, Yan Lin]

The offending minister, Zhou Yinzhi,

and the offending Concubine, Xue Shu,

have been executed.

Xie Wei, you traitor!

How dare you take advantage of His Majesty's illness

and rebel against the country?

Even if you win the throne,

the Shen family will never let you go.

[Crown Prince Grand Preceptor, Xie Wei]

Shen’s empire?

Then I will wait right here.

I’d like to see

what you can do.

An assembly of high-ranking official here,

yet not a single loyal soul to be seen!

The country, the emperor, and the subjects are all in shambles.

What a great Imperial City!

From today onwards,

the Yan's troops will guard and take control of the Imperial City.

Those who disobey

will be executed.

The building has collapsed.

[28th Feburary, third year of Jingxi]

The altar has been destroyed.

It's time for me, the evil empress, to be executed as well.

In this life,

I've done too many evil things

and bore too many consequences.

I might as well

use this life of mine

to do one last good deed.

Thank you for seeing me.

Your Majesty, please speak your mind.

You must have a just explanation

for your actions this time.

I'm willing to admit to the crime of killing the emperor.

From now on, you will help the country,

assist the court,

and select a new emperor.

I only ask that you promise me one thing.

What is it?

I have made use of

too many people in this life.

But come to think of it,

I've let Yan Lin down,

and he took revenge on me.

His Majesty is still alive.

I'm still the empress.

How dare you barge in?

Yan Lin, are you crazy?

Since the day my family was killed at the coming-of-age ceremony,

yet you told me you wanted to be the empress,

I was already crazy.

What?

Have you forgotten?

Then I'll make you remember

everything one by one!

I made use of Xue Dingfei,

Zhou Yinzhi, and the likes of them.

They also took advantage of me to gain power.

I set Shen Jie up

and became the empress.

But now,

I have to die for him,

and leave the waking world together.

I don't owe them anything.

But only one person

has always been upright.

He once upheld justice through strict laws.

But I threatened him, forced him,

and made him go astray.

[Vice Minister for Justice, Zhang Zhe]

I ruined his reputation.

He is a good official.

I hope you could consider

the kindness you received

when I fed you my blood on your the way to the capital,

and trade my life

for his life.

Please spare him.

You would trade your life

merely for Zhang Zhe?

Please agree.

Fine.

♫A dark night♫

♫A flash of fireworks♫

♫Lend me half a lucid dream♫

♫I knew there's no right or wrong♫

♫Love has no cause and effect♫

♫But I didn't know on the day of snowfall♫

♫You were here♫

♫How much do I have to give♫

♫In exchange for the love I deserve♫

♫I thought letting go was the best choice for memory♫

♫Lend me a breeze♫

♫To pursue the unsolved dream♫

♫But it disappeared as the snow fell♫

Xie Wei.

You killed her.

[She accidentally entered the palace, trapped in a cocoon of grandeur.]

[In the end, Ning'an Palace became her dying ground, a tomb in which her life was buried.]

[Jiang Ning]

[Chief Editor's Office]

Darling.

Are you done writing?

I don't want to write anymore.

What now?

Do you know?

your novel, "Story of Kunning Palace",

has become the top ranking work.

Aren't you happy?

The direction of this story

is not what I wanted at all.

Look at the current heroine.

Look at what she has become.

These are not the values

that I wanted to convey.

But in the current market...

You've been forcing me with the market.

You insisted on adding those angsty tropes for the sake of it.

But Jiang Xuening is my hard work.

It shouldn't have ended like this.

I have to write according to my own ideas.

Otherwise, I would rather terminate the contract and pay the fine

than write it.

Calm down.

As long as you keep updating the story,

everything else is negotiable.

Tell me.

How do you want to change it?

I want to

let Jiang Xuening go back to the past

with her memories of this life

and experience everything again.

Let her know what she did wrong

and what she neglected,

so she can make up for them.

It'll also let her figure out

what she really wants.

So, she won't repeat the same mistake.

If I knew this would happen,

I would not have wasted my life

chasing after fame and power.

I should have traveled far and wide.

To see the vast land and waters,

to be free like the birds.

This time,

Jiang Xuening

will never enter the palace again.

How dare you!

[Lord Linzi, Shen Jie]

[Second daughter of the Jiang Mansion, Jiang Xuening]

[Viscount of Yan Mansion, Yan Lin]

What did you do to her?

What can I do?

We're both men.

What's going on?

I was in Ning'an Palace just now.

Why did I suddenly appear here?

It seems

Shen Jie hasn't ascended the throne yet,

and the Yan family hasn’t been killed yet.

What's wrong?

No.

This happened when I was 18.

What year is it this year?

Who am I?

This year is the 20th year of Wanzhen.

What's wrong, Ning?

Why are you talking nonsense?

Yan Lin.

I have something to do. I have to go.

Shen, my friend.

That was rude of me.

I'll make a toast to you next time as an apology.

Ning!

-Ning! -Jiang, my friend!

You drank so much. I'll take you home.

You're only going to make a toast?

See?

It's just a misunderstanding.

Jiang is still drunk.

Besides,

we grew up together.

If I had any ideas,

I would have targeted you first.

Your Highness, mind your words.

Even if I did offend him,

what can you do? Chop my hands off?

I will.

You...

Oh no.

Mr. Xie is holding a lecture in Wenhua Hall today.

We'll be punished if we're late.

Do you want to die?

Watch where you're going!

How many lives do you have to lose?

Yes.

I'm just as confused.

How could something so ridiculous happen in this world?

Hurry.

I'm late.

Please punish me, teacher.

Where is your qin?

[Crown Prince Grand Preceptor, Xie Wei]

Qin...

We apologize, Junior Preceptor Xie.

Junior Preceptor Xie.

I...

Forget it.

Maybe I didn’t make it clear yesterday.

Don’t blame yourselves.

We are having a qin lesson today.

Have a seat.

-Thank you, sir. -Thank you.

Go.

Viscount Yan.

You were in such a rush.

Did you come from some tavern?

It's fine that you lack discipline.

But you even implicated His Highness, Lord Linzi.

Xue Ye, what nonsense are you spouting this time?

We all know if it's nonsense or not.

The Yongyi Mansion is made up of a bunch of barbarians.

How dare you challenge us Ding Mansion?

A bunch of barbarians?

I think Ding Mansion is made up of a bunch of barbarians!

Yan Lin, don't fight.

Yan Lin!

A gentleman does not argue nor fight.

He shouldn't disturb his mind before the music either.

You two.

Stand at the corridor for the duration of a joss stick

and calm yourselves down.

Any objections?

I'm also at fault today.

Thank you for your teaching, Junior Preceptor Xie.

I shall stand with them

and reflect on my mistakes too.

Let's resume the lesson.

[Jiang’s Mansion]

Looks like I'm really back.

[Four years ago]

-Second Young Lady. -Where are you taking Wan Niang?

Wan Niang has disrupted

the legitimate bloodline of the Jiang family.

She made a huge mistake, you know?

That's why she can't be buried in the Jiang family's graveyard.

We can only find a spot somewhere

in the mountains nearby

to bury her.

Let go of me!

-Second Young Lady. -Second Young Lady!

Second Young Lady, listen to me.

Let go of me!

-Miss. -Wan Niang!

My lady!

Wan Niang...

Unfortunately,

some things can no longer be changed.

You still know to come back?

[Four years ago]

Here.

Congratulations, Madam.

I brought the Second Young Lady back safely.

[Madam Jiang, Lady Meng]

My Ning is back!

You're finally back.

[Jiang’s eldest daughter, Jiang Xuehui]

I'm your mother.

Your biological mother.

It doesn't matter.

You just came back.

You need time to get used to it.

Hui.

Come here.

Come here.

This is your older sister, Xuehui.

This is your younger sister.

Sister.

Are you okay?

If you want to make it up to me,

tell everyone that

I'm the only legitimate daughter of the Jiang family.

And she...

she's the illegitimate daughter of Wan Niang.

You can't blame her

for this.

Wan Niang thought highly of herself back then

and disrespected the legal wife.

She was sent to the village as punishment.

She was resentful and switched the both of you.

Besides, our Jiang family

is a prestigious

and esteemed household.

How can we let such a disgrace

be known to the public?

In the future, tell the public that

you had your fortune told by a master.

He said a disaster would befall you before you turned 14,

so you had to stay away from the bustling scene

to get through it safely.

You only managed to return to the mansion now.

From now on, I'll tell everyone that

you are the second daughter of the Jiang family.

Why?

All I want is for her to return

what's mine.

Wan Niang, that despicable woman.

How did she teach you all these years?

How could you be so intolerant of others?

Wan Niang is not despicable.

If she's not, who is?

Back then, we gave birth on the same night.

If she hadn't played tricks

and switched the two of you when you were babies,

how could we have been

separated for so many years?

Yes.

I was raised by Wan Niang.

I'm barbaric, vulgar,

and unforgiving.

So what?

At least I'm not fake and

pretentious like you.

How could you be so treacherous?

Listen up.

From now on,

no one is allowed to mention Wan Niang.

Aren't you Wan Niang's flesh and blood?

Why aren't you speaking for her?

Say something!

What are you doing?

Stop messing around!

Madam!

Madam! Madam!

-Mother. -Are you alright?

It's an ill fate.

It really is.

Look at you now.

You're the daughter of a noble family.

How can you

dress like this?

You regularly disregard your seniors and ignore family rules.

Fine, I can put up with that.

But this time,

you stayed out all night.

Isn't that too much?

Looks like you need to learn a lesson.

Nanny Yang.

Teach the Second Young Lady a good lesson,

so that she may remember it.

Madam.

Second Young Lady was flogged a few days ago.

Please forgive her this time.

Yes, Madam.

My lady!

Stop!

Second Young Lady.

Madam is doing this for your own good.

This is the way of filial piety.

Please accept the punishment.

I've been away for too long.

So long, that I forgot.

Last time,

it was full of conflicts and quarrels too.

What are you talking about?

I once thought that

since we are related by blood,

I may earn your genuine love

if I obeyed you.

But later I figured it out.

We're always

separated by Wan Niang.

Although you have given birth to me,

the grudge between us is inevitable.

If you are not destined to receive something,

don't force it.

Jiang Xuening.

Father has given me permission

to venture outside, disguised as a man.

I'm afraid your showcase of authority

is misplaced today.

How insolent!

Is this how you talk to your mother?

How dare you disrespect me?

Mother, calm down.

Your health is the most important.

I didn't expect

you to be so naughty

and hard to discipline.

Aren't you capable?

Fine.

You can stay right here

without going anywhere else.

Reflect on yourself.

Mother, take care.

Jiang is actually

the second daughter of the Vice Minister of Revenue?

Keep your voice down.

Let me tell you.

I'll make one thing clear.

Ning is mine.

Don't even think about wooing her.

Since you treasure her so much,

why did you introduce her

to me yesterday?

Just hide her.

That's becauseI I treat you as my brother.

Who wants to hear it?

But...

Miss Jiang has a bad reputation

in the capital.

Everyone knows that she is arrogant and domineering.

Not everyone

has a unique taste like you.

Those are all false.

Stuff like her being born in the countryside,

or being mischievous and unsightly. It's all false.

Why do you listen to such rumors?

I know very well

what kind of person Ning is.

You can ignore it.

But Jiang...

I mean, Miss Jiang.

She's a lady after all.

If you keep bringing her around with you like that,

I'm afraid it won't be good for her reputation.

She's the result of my doting.

Naturally, I'll be the one to marry her.

My coming-of-age ceremony is in two months.

When the time comes,

I'll officially propose to the Jiang family.

Ning Er...

Is Ning inside?

I brought her some medicine.

Mother was harsh on her today.

Make sure she's not hurt.

Thank you, First Lady.

[Jiang Xuehui's maid, Mei'er]

What a coincidence.

The things from First Young Lady's place

are always good.

I'll take the medicine.

You old woman,

know your manners in front of the First Young Lady.

This medicine is not for you.

Back then,

I took the Second Young Lady back to the capital.

Second Young Lady trusts me.

I'm in charge of

everything in her place.

You...

It's all the same.

When did you start

calling the shots here, Nanny Wang?

You misunderstood, my lady.

Your health is precious.

I just want to

try the medicine for you first.

Not everything

can be used on you.

Am I right?

Nanny Wang, you sure are concerned about me.

In the past, whenever the Second Young Lady was unhappy,

she'd surely make things difficult for us.

Why is she so peaceful today?

In this house, apart from Lian'er and Tang'er

who are loyal to me,

the rest treat me as a fool.

I didn't care about them before.

But they were so rampant behind their back.

I see.

They stole pretty much everything.

Come here.

My lady.

Stand closer.

Why are you so afraid of me?

I won't eat you.

My lady.

I didn't steal it.

I've always behaved myself and remained loyal.

Please don't sell me off.

I used to be arrogant and domineering.

I scolded and hit the servants a lot too.

I have to put up an act

so no one will be the wiser.

Please spare me.

-I will never... -Shut up!

If you keep talking,

I won't let you eat for three days.

And you have to

wash all the clothes in the yard yourself.

Then, I'll sell you to be a laborer.

That's right.

She's back to normal.

So you just like

an unreasonable lady?

I was worried that you're sick.

Alright.

Stop it.

As you can see today,

Nanny Wang has no respect even for me.

Even the other servants are stealing from me.

So they really think

I don't know what I have.

They're stealing from me on a regular basis.

I have to discipline them.

But, my lady.

We don't have any evidence.

How will you

identify them and make them confess?

I was studying the chess manual today,

and chanced upon some puzzling parts.

I suddenly remembered that I received your guidance

when I first came to the capital.

So I came uninvited today,

hoping I may receive your advice.

I hope I'm not bothering you.

Junior Preceptor Xie, your shouldn't say that.

You are the emperor's half-teacher.

I dare not give you any advice.

[Vice Minister for Revenue, Jiang Boyou]

It is at most

a discussion between us.

It's no bother at all.

If you don't mind,

you can just call me Ju'an.

Is that okay?

What's going on?

What does the Second Young Lady want?

That's right.

Second Young Lady.

Well...

There are many chores in the mansion that needs tending to.

You know that.

Many chores

are waiting to be done.

You suddenly called everyone here.

Is there something you wish to announce?

It's nothing important.

My boxes are empty, that's all.

Return everything

you took in the past.

No one took anything?

Second Young Lady.

You have really

wronged us.

Everyone

serves you in this yard.

We have prioritized you

in everything we do.

You are the master.

Who dares to take your things?

It doesn't matter.

I knew this was going to happen.

Please wait.

If I can't handle you,

someone else can.

Master! Master!

My Lord!

What's wrong?

Something happened to the Second Young Lady.

What happened to Ning this time?

Tell me, what happened?

Second Young Lady said

she wants to discipline the servants who stole her things.

Did she really say that?

This girl.

Why has she suddenly changed her mind and approach?

Did the anger get to her head?

Let's go. I need to see this.

Master, the...

Ju'an.

I'm afraid I'll have to keep you waiting for a while.

Some unlawful acts have occurred in my residence.

I need to deal with it.

You...

No worries.

Mr. Jiang, please go ahead.

Okay.

Okay.

Come on, let's go.

Second Young Lady.

We've been here for a while now.

If the chores are delayed,

Madam is sure to blame us.

It won't bore well for any of us.

Yes.

Nanny Wang,

when did you become so timid?

Look.

Isn’t he here?

What's wrong, Ning?

Greetings, Father.

I'm incompetent,

and I'm unable to discipline my servants.

So I could only trouble you.

What are you talking about?

With me here to uphold justice for you,

everything can be solved.

That's good.

Please take a seat, Father.

Okay.

I've said it just now.

Anyone who took my stuff

ought to find it and put it back.

I can let bygones be bygones.

What?

Have all of you

gone mute?

If anyone dares to lie to me,

I'll break your limbs

and sell you off!

Master, please spare my life!

Please spare my life!

My lady.

If you could bring out a ledger

and confront us one by one,

we may be convinced.

But you don't even know what you have.

Today, you said the things in the boxes

are missing.

But you can also say there are too many things inside.

Everything is only according to your words.

Yes.

So you mean

I'm framing you?

I dare not say that.

It's just that we are all from poor families.

We really don't have money to contribute to your lackings.

Yes.

Please uphold justice for us, Master.

Please help us!

We are innocent!

Master! Master!

Ning.

What is going on?

Father.

They're certain

that I couldn't provide any evidence.

That's why they dare to distort the truth.

Do you really think

I have no idea?

Tang'er.

Get the ledger.

There's really a ledger?

It's the sixth book from the left

on the third rack of my bookshelf.

Go.

What ledger?

I don't know.

Do you know?

What ledger?

I don't know.

Yes.

[Book of Poems, volume 5]

Is there really a ledger?

Let me take a look.

On my eighteenth birthday,

Father gave me a red jade Ruyi pendant,

and a kingfisher plume headpiece.

Father, look.

Did I remember it correctly?

Let me see.

That's right.

Also.

Prince Yan gave me a pair of white porcelain flowers,

a luminous pearl from the State of Yi,

and a nine-chain puzzle carved from

a whole piece of fine white tallow jade.

This item is official-made.

If any of you

foolishly pawned it,

I'm afraid you'll be sent to jail.

Nanny Wang.

Am I right?

I see how it is.

Now we have solid evidence.

If you don't admit it now...

Guards!

My Lord.

Search every room.

When they find the stolen goods,

I will punish you severely.

Yes.

Please spare my life.

What should we do?

Master, please spare my life!

Please forgive me, Master.

I'll tell you everything.

I was wrong.

I was blinded by greed.

My Lord.

I'm confessing too.

My lady, please show mercy!

Master, I confess.

I was wrong.

You finally confessed.

Don't worry.

Today, while Father is here,

you can take your time confessing every single one

of your crimes.

We confess. We confess.

All of us.

My girl Ning has grown up.

Now I can rest assured.

But how did you come up with

the idea for the ledger

just now?

And you remembered it so clearly.

Father, you're exaggerating.

I'm not that capable.

Yan Lin taught me all that.

It's that brat again.

Even if you get along,

you're both grown up now.

You can't stay together all the time.

By the way, Father.

What are you going to do

with those servants?

In your opinion,

what should we do?

As the saying goes,

no one is a saint, everyone makes mistakes.

They were originally just servants.

After all, it is

my indulgence towards them

that led to this outcome.

Since both sides are at fault,

I don't want to go too far.

Excluding those who talked back,

the rest will be flogged five times

and have their two months' salary deducted.

In the future, as long as they serve me wholeheartedly

and never steal again, they will all be forgiven.

If they do it again,

I'll single them out,

and settle the old and new scores together.

I'll sell them straight away.

What do you think, Father?

Why are you looking at me like that?

I thought,

with your personality,

you'd definitely make a fuss out of it.

By the way,

did Viscount Yan

teach you to say these as well?

It seems that Yan Mansion

has a worthy successor.

Since Father said so,

about Mother grounding me...

-About this… -Mr. Jiang.

Ju'an.

Pardon me.

I couldn't sit still,

so I came out to enjoy the scenery.

I didn't expect the Miss Xuening to be here too.

Excuse me.

It's my fault, Ju'an.

Sorry to keep you waiting.

Ning,

go back to your room and rest.

Remember.

you must greet your mother tonight.

It's been years

since we went our separate ways.

My impression of Miss Xuening

was still that of the past.

Having met you today,

you seem more mature and mellow now.

Oh, that's right.

Ning,

when you came to the capital alone,

I heard Ju'an was on the same way.

So I asked him to accompany you

and take care of you.

Do you remember me?

I am Xie Wei.

[Four years ago]

I'm here on Mr. Jiang's behalf.

Sorry to bother you.

Ning.

Why are you just standing there?

Don't be rude

in front of the guest.

It doesn't matter.

Miss Xuening was busy strategizing just now.

She must be tired.

It's better for her to return to her room

and get some rest.

You're right. Here.

Bring her lady back to rest.

-Yes. -Come, Ju'an.

This way.

To the study.

Come on.