Lan Ling Wang
[Prince of Lan Ling]
[Episode 22]
You'll search for Xiao Dong, won't you?
Stop brooding over it.
It's pointless to keep thinking about this matter.
Xiao Dong left the Manor in order to avoid being with you.
We can only wait for him to think things through.
He'll return when he gets over it.
Look at your expression!
You are pulling such a long face!
All right now.
Be good.
I'll send out my army right away.
No...
I mean that I'll send some men to Beggars Village to look for Xiao Dong, all right?
All right.
I'm off.
By the way
Grandmother is staying with us at the moment.
You'll have to pay more attention.
She won't stay here for too long.
Because she's especially afraid of the heat.
When it starts getting warmer she always goes
to a cooler region to get away from the heat.
She is here to visit us before she goes to a summer retreat.
My grandmother is not one to admit her old age.
She's very playful.
You have to take good care of her.
Make sure that she doesn't bump into anything or bruise herself.
We have Empress Dowager here in our manor.
That is a great responsibility.
I understand.
Please take extra care.
- Please! - Go on!
Villagers at Veteran's Village are still waiting for me.
And yet, Xiao Dong you left without a word.
Is Zheng Er really that badly injured?
Why haven't I seen her around at all?
I don't understand what Your Highness is asking after.
Nursing Xue Wu to great health to get pregnant
is just one of the reasons that brought me here.
Most importantly
I've heard that a maid of Lan Ling Manor
was badly injured from saving Prince of Lan Ling.
Su Er put his work aside
and left his court officials to carry the maid to a doctor.
I sent out my men to investigate this matter.
Only then did I realize that the maid is Zheng Er.
I immediately felt very uneasy.
So I came up with a reason
to visit Lan Ling Manor.
I can only go on a summer retreat and pray to the gods
after I looked into this matter.
After all, Zheng Er once tried to harm Xue Wu.
She almost had Su Er killed for a planted crime.
I have the same worries as Your Highness.
Xiao Cui hereby pleads Empress Dowager
to protect Fourth Prince and Princess Consort.
Go and bring Zheng Er to me.
Be quiet about this.
No one must know about it.
Yes, Your Highness.
Your Highness, Zheng Er is here.
Come in.
Greetings, Your Highness.
Get up.
Your Highness, you mustn't do so.
You've had a rough time.
You shouldn't be on your knees.
Offer her a seat.
Yes.
Thank you, Your Highness for offering me a seat.
Offer her tea.
If it hadn't been you
who shielded Su Er from harm
Su Er would have been injured.
You're too polite, Your Highness.
I have sinned.
It is only right that I am loyal to my master.
I know that you did wrong out of your affection for Su Er.
You were merely manipulated by villains.
Thank you for being so understanding.
I know that you are a fine young lady.
You shouldn't be a maid all your life here in Lan Ling Manor.
You're beautiful and talented.
As an orphan of Lord Ying Guo
you should be married to a good family.
Your Highness, I am a sinner.
I am here to atone for my sins and wrongdoings.
All I wish for is to serve Fourth Prince and Princess Consort all my life!
Otherwise, I'll never clear my conscience!
Su Er and Xue Wu are very forgiving.
They must have already forgiven you.
I have decided on this matter.
Before I leave on my summer retreat to pray to the gods
I'll make sure that Su Er finds you a good husband to enjoy a life of bliss.
I dare not ask for such a favor!
I just want to serve Fourth Prince and Princess Consort till the day I die!
Your Highness, please don't give my hand away to anyone in marriage!
How outrageous!
What did you say?
I made an effort to make arrangements for your marriage
but not only did you not accept it with gratitude
you acted as if I set out to harm you!
Would I harm you?
I dare not think so!
I thank Empress Dowager for bestowing such graciousness.
You may go now.
Yes.
Your Highness, you're so sharp!
Are you happy now, lass?
It's really warm these days.
I'm tired.
Take me back to my room now.
Your Highness, please allow me to wait on you for your nap.
Fourth Prince already gave us orders.
He said that you're afraid of the heat and get warm very easily.
So I've already prepared chrysanthemum tea for you in the kitchen.
I'll let it cool so Your Highness can have some when you wake up later.
Please forgive me, Your Highness!
I'm sorry! I shouldn't have fallen asleep!
Get up now. It's nothing to worry about.
It's easy to get drowsy when the weather is so warm.
All right, help me up now.
Your Highness, you must be thirsty.
I'll bring you some tea.
Go on.
Xiang Xiang! Where's the tea that I prepared for Empress Dowager?
It's still brewing.
Go on with your chores. I'll get it.
It's pretty hot!
Your Highness I've brought you some tea.
Your Highness, here is your tea.
What is this tea?
I heard that Your Highness wants to rid your body of heat.
So Wang went and bought some chrysanthemum tea sachets.
It is a blend of chrysanthemum
mulberry leaves and bugleweed.
This is to reduce the impact of heat on your body.
Your Highness, does it taste all right?
Your Highness! Are you all right?
- Your Highness! Wang, she's fainted! - I'm coming!
- Your Highness! - What's wrong with Empress Dowager?
- Are you all right, Your Highness? - Your Highness!
Your Highness!
Xiao Cui, go and get some help!
- Your Highness! - Help!
- Slowly... - Empress Dowager has fainted!
- Help! - Slowly...
This is called a gourd planter.
This was invented six hundred years ago to help sow the seeds.
In fact, we only need to put seeds into this gourd.
Then tilt it slightly forward.
With the gourd planter in one hand
and a rod in the other
then tap on the tip of the planter gently.
That makes sowing seeds easier!
Do you see how it's done?
Is that how it's done?
She's the only one who can think of a method like this.
- The seeds can be sowed evenly. - Yes, exactly!
This is great!
A lot of you are not physically fit to sow seeds manually anymore.
It will be easier for you with the help of the gourd-planter.
You can also sow the seeds more evenly as well.
This is great news for us.
Disabled people like us can sow seeds easily now, can't we?
Yes!
Your Highness, you really are Divine Sorceress!
You're sent here to assist and aid the poor and helpless!
- Exactly! - Please don't say that...
Otherwise, how would you have such great knowledge?
Thank you so much for being here to relieve us from destitution!
- Thank you, Divine Sorceress! - My Lady!
- Thank you! - Please don't...
My Lady, Empress Dowager has fainted!
What?
What's wrong?
What happened?
Now that Empress Dowager fainted
it seems that the Taoist's words have come true.
But...
Should Fourth Prince really need to get a concubine?
I don't know...
What nonsense is that?
Xiao Cui, what did my grandmother drink?
My Lady.
Where did you get this tea from?
My Lady, I got this prescribed at Zun Sheng medical store.
This is the mulberry-chrysanthemum infusion that can relieve heat!
But why is there the smell of cinnamon in it?
- I... - Cinnamon has warming effect.
Her Highness is of a warmer physique so she can't have this infusion!
All right, don't look into this anymore.
If we really are going to investigate this matter
Not only Xiao Cui and Wang
but also Zun Sheng medical store will be held responsible and punished for it.
Listen up!
No one is allowed to mention this incident to anyone.
Su Er mustn't know about this either.
Otherwise, we will all have a hard time.
As long as I'm healthy
let's just not make a big deal out of this anymore.
Grandmother...
My Lady!
It's a serious matter that Empress Dowager fainted.
Shouldn't she return to the palace and have her examined?
Grandmother, Zheng Er has a point.
There's no need for that.
I know the condition of my health better than anyone else.
I've only had cinnamon by mistake and gotten too warm.
Don't make a fuss out of it.
- Fourth Prince! - Fourth Prince.
Grandmother, are you all right?
Shall I summon the Imperial Physician over?
A doctor came by earlier on.
It's nothing serious.
I have an ingenious granddaughter-in-law by my side.
I'm fine. Don't worry.
Haven't you been keeping Grandmother company?
I've always dreaded the heat.
It's normal to get a sunstroke when it gets so warm.
How could Xue Wu possibly predict this in advance?
I'm fine. Don't worry.
Grandmother, have a good rest.
I need a few words with Xue Wu.
I'll come by to visit you later.
I have a few questions for you.
Grandmother!
I suddenly feel dizzy again!
- I... - Are you all right?
Should I summon the Imperial Physician?
If you're so keen on driving me back to the palace
go and summon the Imperial Physician by all means.
You might as well invite your uncle over here.
So that the King can punish you.
As long as my precious granddaughter-in-law is with me
to talk to me
I'll get well right away.
My head won't spin anymore.
Before I'm fully recovered
don't you dare think of taking Xue Wu away from my side.
Yes.
Grandmother, rest well.
I'll attend to other matters.
Go on.
Grandmother...
The rest of you should get back to work as well.
You should all leave.
- Let's all leave now. - Yes.
Hurry up!
Xue Wu, don't blame yourself for this.
When I was your age
I wanted to leave the palace for adventures every day.
Even at my age now
I still can't stand to be trapped in the palace all day long.
This health condition of mine has nothing to do with you.
Do you understand?
Thank you, Grandmother.
But...
I think that I should go talk to Fourth Prince.
It's not good for him to keep words bottled up.
Go on.
Have a good rest then.
What's the matter?
Don't pull a face.
Don't be upset about it.
What can I do to cheer you up?
Xue Wu...
Could you be a wife that relieves me from worries?
Your husband has been out and about all day.
He just wants some hot tea when he comes home.
Could you be a wife who is tentative and considerate?
I've already reminded you.
Grandmother is at a delicate age.
I've asked you to take good care of her.
You've already promised to do so.
Where were you today?
Why weren't you at home when Grandmother fainted?
I've always allowed you to be carefree.
I've never asked you where you are off to every day.
That's because I trust you and care about you.
Could you care more about me as well?
Since you've promised me you should keep your words.
If not, you shouldn't have promised me.
You're right.
This is all my fault.
Since I made you a promise I should have stayed true to it.
From tomorrow
I'll be solely in charge of Grandmother's treatment.
Don't worry.
As for your tea, I'll get Xiao Cui to bring some over.
- My Lady. - Is Grandmother asleep?
She is.
Here.
My Lady.
Empress Dowager is asleep?
My Lady...
I'll take care of Her Highness.
It's all right.
Go and have some rest.
You're not in bed
so Fourth Prince can't seem to fall asleep either.
Don't worry.
I think that Fourth Prince must be busy with court affairs.
My Lady...
It's all right. Go and have some rest.
I'll take care of her.
Xiao Cui!
I'm almost done with assisting Veteran's Village.
But I have to make one last trip there tomorrow.
Please take care of Grandmother for me while I am away.
I'll try to get back as soon as I can.
Yes, my Lady.
It's really my fault that Grandmother fainted.
If I continue to be so careless
I don't really have a say if Fourth Prince wants a concubine.
My Lady, don't listen to the nonsense that Taoist said to you.
Don't take those words to heart.
I know Fourth Prince's sentiments.
Whatever the Taoist said didn't matter much to me.
It's just that
I really do think that I've been careless this time.
If I've stayed in the Manor to take care of Grandmother
Fourth Prince wouldn't have gotten angry.
It's no one's fault but my own that we now have a rift between us.
My Lady...
Fourth Prince's plan to finance the treasury
doesn't seem to be going well.
It will be very wrong of me
if I still make him worry about other matters now.
Fortunately, the issues at Veteran's Village are almost resolved.
I just need to wrap things up and bade them farewell tomorrow.
Then I won't have to go over anymore.
Fourth Prince can then see how the village's turned out.
I can take care of Grandmother without any distraction
as well as the other chores here in the Manor.
I think that this is the Princess Consort that Prince of Lan Ling needs.
My Lady, don't exhaust yourself.
Please have some rest soon.
I will.
And so should you. Go to bed now.
Fourth Prince, aren't you in bed yet? It's already very late.
I've made you some tea.
Fourth Prince, have some tea.
Why aren't you in bed yet?
I noticed that you and Princess Consort had an argument
regarding Empress Dowager's condition.
Honestly, I am to be blamed as well.
Is there anything that I can do to help?
It's all right.
Patients should rest more.
You're still reading official documents at such a late hour?
If it hadn't been for raising funds
I wouldn't be so caught up with work that I can't manage the Manor.
Have you got a plan?
Our people are going through difficult times.
We can't burden them with more taxes.
Everyone in the palace are well fed and dressed luxuriously.
But no one is willing to have their wages reduced.
They have all sorts of excuses.
Would you allow me to offer you a possible solution?
What do you have in mind?
I do have an idea.
But Fourth Prince will have to make a personal appearance.
I won't be able to do it alone.
As long as you can help me tackle this frustrating task
so that I can spend more time with Xue Wu and Grandmother.
Could you take me to the palace with you tomorrow?
Fourth Prince.
Fourth Prince!
Princess Consort told me to hand this to you.
I know that I am at fault.
Could we have dinner tonight to express my apologies?
Where has Princess Consort gone?
Her Highness?
She...
She's gone to the market early in the morning.
The grocer's sold me two servings of vegetables for the price of one.
It was such a good deal!
Let's take these in and cook up a meal.
Since I was little, groceries are always bought and delivered into the manor.
What groceries are Princess Consort getting?
Occasionally, there are special seasonal groceries to choose from.
Don't I do that quite often as well?
Your Highness, please stop making this difficult for me.
Princess Consort ordered me not to say a word about it.
You should ask her in person.
Fourth Prince!
The horse carriage is ready so we can leave now.
You haven't fully recovered.
Will you be all right to travel such a long distance?
I'm more than happy to be able to help Fourth Prince out.
Fourth Prince, where are you going with Zheng Er?
What's going on now?
I asked my servant a question but she refused to answer.
Now you are asking me a question?
Here, have some water.
- All right. - Here you go.
Here, have some water.
Here you go.
Thank you.
Be careful.
Divine Sorceress is here!
- Princess Consort is here! - Divine Sorceress!
My apologies to all of you.
I've recently neglected my duties in the Manor.
As both the Lady of the Manor and Princess Consort
I really shouldn't be out so often.
This is all I could do for you.
Divine Sorceress, we are grateful for all you've done for us.
We'll be deemed ungrateful should you apologize to us.
- Exactly! - Godmother!
Look! These are the very first sprouts that sprang from our fields.
Without the help of Fourth Prince and Princess Consort
these sprouts wouldn't have existed.
Bring it back to Fourth Prince.
Please treat it as our appreciation and gratitude.
- Thank you, Your Highness! - Please don't!
- Thank you! - Get up now! Please!
- No. - Thank you, Your Highness!
Divine Sorceress, we can feed and support our families here in Veteran's Village.
We are no longer the burden that Prince of Lan Ling carries, right?
- Yes! - Thank you, Princess Consort!
All right, I know. Please get up now.
My fellow villagers, let's get up now.
I really didn't do much at all.
It's truly a blessing that Fourth Prince
no, that the State of Qi
has a divine sorceress like you as our Princess Consort.
Exactly! It truly is our blessing!
It's a true blessing!
My Lady!
Greetings, my Lady.
Where should I put this?
Which place can be easily spotted by Fourth Prince?
You've got a smile on your face.
I don't...
Are you thinking of Su Er?
Su Er wasn't upset with you last night?
I was at fault.
I should be reprimanded.
But I've invited him to a home-cooked dinner as an apology.
Xue Wu is truly a wonderful granddaughter-in-law.
You treat your husband as your priority.
This is such a rare virtue.
Well done.
Grandmother, it's time to take your medication.
Does it taste all right?
Here.
- I'll let you get back to work. - Yes.
Xiao Cui!
My Lady!
What's the matter? You seem to be a bit shifty.
What are you up to?
Nothing much. I'm just checking to see if Fourth Prince is home.
I've never seen you wait around like this.
It's different today.
I'm waiting to change Snowy's reins.
Xiao Dong's not around so I've taken over this task.
I need to ask you for some advice about some things later.
Sure, my Lady.
You've served Fourth Prince for years.
You must know what he likes.
I plan to demonstrate my culinary skills to the fullest this evening
and make him a feast.
You have to help me out.
Definitely!
By the way, why isn't Zheng Er around?
My Lady, I've just brewed some medication for her.
So now she's asleep after taking it.
That's good then. I'd better start preparing the ingredients.
Fourth Prince, where have you gone?
Is this the preparation for five-colored water used in worshipping the gods?
Yes. In ten days, it will be the birthday of Buddha.
It's a grand event in Qi State.
His Majesty is bound to be there in person to worship the Buddha.
These concubines will do all that they can to be chosen
to produce the five-colored water.
These five concubines before you
must have already defeated thousands of concubines to be qualified.
Do you plan to raise funds through personal connections?
I grew up alongside Queen Hu.
I've never met these concubines because they aren't well-known.
All I know is that if we are to raise funds for the treasury
their desire to win the favor of the King is our best chance.
Your Highness, the treasury is empty.
Shouldn't everyone in the palace make an extra effort?
Please take a look at their outfits.
I am aware of how extravagant it can get in the palace.
Maids alone can go up to a thousand people.
A skirt can be easily priced at hundreds of taels.
A mirror can cost thousands.
These concubines must have spent even more money.
Fourth Prince.
Please do not stand on ceremony.
You're making five-colored water for worshipping the Buddha?
I hope that the King's worries could be relieved on that day.
Pardon me, Your Highness.
What is the King worried about?
We have disasters year after year and the treasury is empty.
There aren't any extra budgets in bureaux to cut.
Why don't the prince report back to the King that
I, Concubine Wan has always been thrifty.
I've never liked extravagance.
I'll be glad to hand over all of my jewelry to His Majesty.
So that the people can be fed and sheltered from the cold.
I'm also willing to donate my jewelry.
Your Highness, please report to His Majesty that
Talented Lady Yang is willing to share his burden in difficult times.
So does Talented Lady Li.
We're willing to raise funds among the rest of the concubines.
We hope that Fourth Prince can relate our sentiments to the King.
Yes, we're all willing to do whatever we can to help.
Your Majesty, these jewelry are donated by the ladies of the palace
to help raise funds for the treasury.
They wanted to share your burden and contribute to Qi State.
What now? Have you decided to seek funds from the Harem?
I beg your pardon, Your Majesty.
When the ladies heard that Your Majesty is greatly troubled by
insufficient funds in the treasury
all of them were very generous and immediately wanted to help.
These donations came at a perfect timing.
We now have plenty of funds in the treasury.
Moreover, the ladies' donations proved to set a model
for the rest of the court officials.
Chang Gong, you're so witty!
It's just that this gesture of donation from the Harem
will require me to return the favor am I right?
I'm not a fatuous ruler.
I know the difference between the civilians and the privileged.
Court officials and royalty are extravagant and sumptuous.
Even their servants are well-dressed and eat extravagantly.
It is difficult for them to switch to a thrifty lifestyle.
Chang Gong, this action of yours has taken a burden off my shoulders.
This idea of yours is truly ingenious!
Your Majesty, this isn't my idea.
This is actually an idea proposed by one of my servants.
Do you have such an intelligent servant in Lan Ling Manor?
It is Zheng Er who was framed by Imperial Astrologist Zu.
She was banished as a slave as her punishment.
She's been though a lot of torment.
She's already paid dearly for the crime that she committed.
So I kept her in my Manor in hope of clearing her name in the future.
Then she can be cleared of her title as a banished slave.
My Lady.
Didn't you say that he's read my letter?
Fourth Prince must have been held up by court affairs.
You are aware that
he's greatly troubled by the King's initiative to raise funds.
Please don't overanalyze this situation.
It's unlike him to behave in this manner.
He would have sent a messenger.
He won't keep me waiting.
Unless...
He's still mad at me?
He's mad at me for not being a virtuous wife.
It's not so, my Lady.
I need some fresh air.
My Lady.
All right, it's been a long day for you.
Go and have some rest now.
Fourth Prince!
You pleaded His Majesty for pardon on my behalf.
I already know about it.
I'm already deeply grateful that
you're willing to forgive me for what I did.
You are so thoughtful but I'm not worthy of that.
You deserve to atone your sins with acts of merit.
I have nothing to thank you for.
This jade pendant that I inherited may not be of much value
but it has been blessed by the Buddha and will then
protect Fourth Prince from harm and ensure your victory in wars.
I acknowledge your gratitude but I can't accept your gift.
When I was banished as a slave
I once made a wish with the Buddha.
I must give this jade to the person who helped me.
You must accept it or I will break my promise to the Buddha.
If that is so, I... I'll accept it.
Thank you.
Thank you, Fourth Prince.
Fourth Prince!
What's the matter? Are you all right?
Because I've spent the entire day with you
I'm a bit tired but please don't worry about me.
You've worked hard these days.
Have a good rest.
Subtitles by DramaFever