Lan Ling Wang
[Prince of Lan Ling]
[Episode 32]
Here.
It's all right, I'm not thirsty.
No, you have to drink this.
Those rumors you heard were all true.
An evil person like me can't risk having anyone know where I am hiding.
That was why I thought of you.
I can't help inviting you over to catch up on our lives.
But you saw me in person.
How could I possibly allow you to have the chance to tell others?
Drink this poison.
Then I have nothing to worry about. Come on.
Xiao Lian.
Come here.
Come on.
Drink it up.
Aren't we best friends?
How could you do this to me?
It is exactly so.
We've both served in the Queen's court.
You haven't been around many people.
Fewer people will suspect anything of your disappearance.
I know you inside out.
That's why I'm taking your identity to live my life as Feng Xiao Lian.
Should anyone ask of you
I will know how to handle the questions.
I beg you!
I beg you not to kill me!
Didn't you want to be with me forever?
- Feng Xiao Lian will be here forever. - No...
No! No...
If you won't drink it, I'll get someone to drown you in the pool.
- No... - You'll drown to death.
Don't come any closer...
Haven't you always been scared of water?
Be good.
Xiao Lian... drink this up.
Hurry up.
Don't...
I can take over your obscure life.
No...
And make it known to the world.
I will be envied by all.
I will lead your life for you.
- No... - It will be different from now on.
I will never be so cowardly and undignified again.
Those who despised me
will now suffer for that.
Xiao Lian...
Xiao Lian... I've always know that
you are the nicest to me in the world.
In our next life, we will still become best friends.
All right?
I'm sorry!
Who said that you're allowed to burn incense sticks here?
That is what the imperial physician taught me.
Drag them out and chop their heads off!
Zheng Er, what are you doing here?
Eunuch Xi saw that you are having trouble sleeping
and asked me to come over.
Zheng Er, you're not hurt, are you?
I just wanted to share your burdens.
I understand.
It's just that this is the same incense
that the deceased king had in his chamber.
I could never forget the smell on Father's royal robes on the day he died.
Zheng Er.
Zheng Er, come here.
Don't burn any more incense.
Look at your fingers.
They are all scalded red.
Come here, I'll...
Your Majesty, I have something to say to you as well.
Speak your mind.
I now have a new identity.
Really? Tell me who you are now.
Don't you remember me?
I am that palace maid who is always beside Zheng Er.
Zheng Er's best friend, Feng Xiao Lian.
Where is Zheng Er then?
At the borders.
After being thrown out by Prince of Lan Ling
she hanged herself in the woods.
- Eunuch Xi! - At your service!
At dawn, announce my orders.
Palace maid, Feng Xiao Lian will be given the title of Decent Consort Feng.
Yes!
Thank you, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty, please grant us the funds needed at the military borders.
Don't we have a cease-fire agreement?
What's the rush in having the funds now?
After a few major battles the army and military resources are severely depleted.
Therefore, military funds must be supplied swiftly to the remote frontiers.
I understand.
We are currently replenishing the treasury.
Money is to be spent on the most important necessities.
Why don't we spend these funds on helping the poor
or repairing and improving agricultural irrigation?
What is your opinion, General Hulu?
You are wise, Your Majesty!
Are there any more official reports?
Your Majesty, I have a few words to say.
You may voice your opinion.
I have been to the countryside many times.
The people have much to complain.
They said that regional officials have been robbing them of their possessions
by increasing their taxes.
I hope that Your Majesty can investigate into this matter and
punish the corrupted officials severely.
I don't see it that way.
I wonder if you've heard of the story
between Zhou's founding king, Yuwen Tai
and the famous scholar, Su Chuo?
I am happy to listen to it.
Su Chuo told Yuwen Tai
'If you want others to lay down their lives for you
you have to give them benefits.'
'When you don't have enough money
give them power.'
We allow corrupted officials to rob people of their hard-won earnings
and therefore, they gained benefits.
What can corrupted officials benefit Your Majesty with?
Officials are corrupted because of the power given to them by the King.
If they want to safeguard their benefits
They will have to safeguard the King.
This way, the ruler's power is secured.
Su Chuo also said that if officials are corrupted
you then have their weakness in hand to control them.
Once you seize them and object to corruption
the people will think that you govern the state well.
The ruler's power is once again secured.
Your Majesty.
If you allow officials to stay corrupted
what will you do with the people's fury?
By then, I will start a huge anti-corruption campaign.
I will get rid of disobedient officials
and keep those who obey my orders.
By doing so, I don't have to make any efforts at all
and I get to confiscate what they ripped off from the people
to replenish the treasury.
Isn't this great?
You're wise, Your Majesty.
You're wise, Your Majesty!
But Your Majesty, I still think that it is best to have
honest and uncorrupted regional officials.
You are not in my position and therefore
it is difficult for you to think in my shoes.
Can't you see that all the imperial officials in court agree with my opinion?
Imperial Tutor, you are well-read in all books.
Why didn't you put in a few words for General Hulu and my brother?
His Majesty is well-read in all books since he was young.
Although he tends to use petty tricks
and never follows the regulations
he might have a reasonable point.
We have to give him some time.
Let's wait and see.
I understand.
Let's go.
Aren't these maids from the Bureau of Rites?
Greetings to Fourth Prince, Fifth Prince Imperial Tutor Duan and General Hulu.
Please don't stand on ceremony.
Are these ceremonial headdresses and robes prepared for His Majesty's new concubine?
It is exactly so, Your Highness.
This is quite sudden.
I'm Ye City's nosy parker but I haven't heard that
His Majesty is taking any imperial ladies as his concubine.
Decent Consort Feng isn't an imperial lady.
She was a maid in the Harem.
Decent Consort Feng?
His Majesty is taking a palace maid as his consort?
Tell me the details.
I don't know much about this.
Even the Harem's maid Qian Wan has never met Decent Consort Feng.
It's said that Decent Consort Feng has been hidden away in Yi Xia Palace.
I've only just received orders today
to confer Decent Consort's title upon her.
The Decent Consort is still waiting for us.
We have to take our leave.
I have one more question.
- I... - Let them carry out their task.
Why does that person seem so familiar?
Fourth Prince, let's go.
Greetings to Your Highness.
Who have you met?
Your Highness, they are Prince of An De, Prince of Lan Ling
Imperial Tutor Duan and General Hulu.
I've never met Prince of Lan Ling.
But I heard about his steadfast love with the Divine Sorceress.
I am extremely envious of them.
Your Majesty and Your Highness will be even happier than them.
I've long admired the Divine Sorceress.
I'd like to meet her.
My Lady!
Here's a letter for you from the palace.
It's all right.
The King has a new Decent Consort Feng.
She happens to be feeling unwell today.
She heard of my identity as Divine Sorceress
as well as my knowledge in medicine
so she would like me to visit her in the palace.
She used to be a palace maid.
His Majesty dotes on her a lot.
You have to do your best in the treatment.
She used to be a palace maid but now she's a concubine.
This is like a Cinderella story.
Xiao Cui, can't you be more ambitious?
This King isn't a good person anyway so his concubine...
Han Xiao Dong!
You don't even know her.
How could you have such an assumption?
Exactly.
My wife is right.
My Xue Wu is so cheerful and loved by all.
Decent Consort Feng will definitely like her.
You...
Greetings to Princess Consort.
Please don't stand on ceremony.
The Decent Consort is already waiting for Your Highness.
Please come with me.
I'm sorry. Her Highness is shy.
She has given orders that only the Princess Consort is allowed in.
She's shy?
Can't you tell Her Highness that I am Princess Consort's maid?
It's all right, Xiao Cui.
Don't put her on the spot.
Reading the pulse and giving a diagnosis won't take me too much time.
I'll be back soon so wait here for me.
This way please, Your Highness.
Your Highness, the Princess Consort is here.
Greetings to Your Highness.
Please don't stand on ceremony.
What is the matter, Your Highness?
I'm fine. It's just that I find Her Highness' voice very familiar.
I've been a palace maid for years.
I might have met you somewhere.
Perhaps.
- Hong-E, offer her a seat. - Yes, Your Highness.
- You may dismiss. - Yes.
I am very shy.
Therefore, I don't interact very well with others.
I'm sorry for having you read my pulse through the curtains.
It's all right.
Your Highness, why don't you tell me your symptoms?
I can't really put it into words.
I just don't feel well.
What is your opinion, Divine Sorceress?
Could it be anxiety, Your Highness?
Why is it so?
You don't have any illnesses.
Your pulse is calm.
But your liver, spleen and lungs are weak.
This reminds me of a chapter in Medical Classic.
It says that anger harms the liver
desire harms the spleen
and sadness harms the lungs.
Is Your Highness troubled by emotions of anger, desire and sadness?
You are indeed the Divine Sorceress.
Your words explained exactly of my anxiety issues.
You're too kind, Your Highness.
According to you, how should this issue be tackled?
This...
According to the inter inhibition of the five elements
there is a treatment for that.
Anger harms the liver but sadness overcomes anger.
Desire harms the spleen but anger overcomes desire.
Sadness harms the lungs but happiness overcomes sadness.
So you mean that I should relief my sadness
vent my anger and be as happy as I could, am I right?
Exactly!
Seek your salve where you get your sore.
If something is troubling you
you can try to resolve it.
Or if you need to get it off your chest
I'm willing to help.
Anger, desire and sadness.
These three words are an exact reflection of my problem.
I wonder if you can keep a secret for me?
I promise not to tell anyone.
I'm sorry. Are you all right?
I'm fine.
Before His Majesty took me in
I was once in love with a young master.
All I could think of then was how to get his affection.
But he disregarded all my efforts
and even hurt me intentionally.
I was so shrouded in sadness
and couldn't free myself from it.
But now that I am with the King
I realized that all my frustration isn't worth it at all.
I am now ranked the highest apart from the king.
That man who hurt me will now have to pay the price.
Sometimes, forgiveness is the best remedy.
It is well-known to all that
Princess Consort and the Prince are deeply in love.
How could you possibly understand how I feel?
Your Highness!
Bad news, Your Highness.
Why are you so anxious?
The golden bracelet that His Majesty gave to you is missing.
What?
I was going to show you the bracelet
and I had it with me along the way.
But it went missing when I got into the palace.
How could a gold bracelet go missing for no reason?
Have you got in close contact with anyone after you took the bracelet?
I know that the bracelet is very precious
so I didn't stop to greet anyone on my way back here.
But right outside the court
I did bump into the maid from Lan Ling Manor.
Get down on your knees!
Xiao Cui!
Hong-E.
We haven't investigated yet so you shouldn't be rude.
Your Highness, I would never steal the gold bracelet.
You must believe in me, my Lady!
Your Highness, Xiao Cui will never steal anything!
Please investigate into this matter.
Divine Sorceress, my maid will never steal anything either.
She did run into your maid.
In your opinion
how should I deal with this matter?
Xiao Cui.
I know what you are like.
You will never steal anything.
But we have to convince others of that.
Then... search me!
I didn't steal anything
so the bracelet won't be with me.
Hong-E, why don't you and Divine Sorceress search her?
If you falsely accused the maid of Lan Ling Manor
I won't let you off easily.
Yes, Your Highness.
Your Highness! I really didn't steal it!
I don't know why your gold bracelet is in my sleeve.
Your Highnesses please investigate further!
Your Highness
Xiao Cui would never steal anything!
Hong-E, what is the punishment for theft in the palace?
Your Highness, the punishment consists of fifty strokes of flogging
and the dismemberment of all fingers.
There must be a misunderstanding.
Divine Sorceress, we now have the evidence to prove it.
Will you still refuse to admit the mistake that your servant made?
Your Highness.
I firmly believe that Xiao Cui isn't a greedy person.
My Lady...
But the evidence showed that Xiao Cui is the thief.
This means that I have failed to discipline my maid.
Please punish me as well.
I am willing to bear all consequences.
My Lady!
How could I allow you to suffer because of me?
Please get up right away.
Zheng Er?
Please get up, Princess Consort.
I never mean to reprimand anyone.
I just want these servants to know
that they will have to pay a price should they steal from us.
Let's not let this matter affect our friendly relationship.
From now on, I will have to trouble you quite often to share my burdens.
Here, get up now.
You may leave.
Thank you, Your Highness.
How did she become Decent Consort Feng?
She was already banished by Fourth Prince at the borders of Qi and Zhou State.
She is really tough.
What worries me is every word that she told me
is about seeking revenge on a young master who once rejected her.
Does she mean Fourth Prince?
I was already wary of the Crown Prince.
I meant His Majesty.
I'm worried that he will deal with Fourth Prince.
And now with the addition of the Decent Consort things just keep getting worse.
I'm afraid that Fourth Prince will be in more danger than ever.
What should we do?
Should we keep him from knowing about Zheng Er's current identity?
There's no way we can keep him in the dark.
Besides, Decent Consort has revealed her true identity without hesitation.
All we could do now is to notify Fourth Prince as soon as possible
so that he can be on his guard.
How did Zheng Er become the Decent Consort?
Isn't the Decent Consort called Feng...
Feng something...
Feng Xiao Lian.
Right. So how did she become Zheng Er?
I couldn't figure that out either.
Zheng Er grew up in the palace.
She knew the King since they were children.
She could have gone to seek help from the king after she left.
That's very likely.
When Fourth Prince was on the mission to capture the bandits
the King went as his reinforcement.
Perhaps Zheng Er went to seek refuge from the King
after her schemes were revealed by Fourth Prince.
Zheng Er is extremely devious.
She isn't the right person to be conferred the title of Consort.
I have to speak to His Majesty about this tomorrow.
But Your Highness... Will His Majesty listen to you?
Moreover, when Zheng Er met me today
she implied that she is seeking revenge from you.
She is such a crazy woman!
It seems that her love for Fourth Prince has now turned into hatred.
That's why I should all the more speak to His Majesty.
I can't have the King fall for the same trick.
You do have a point
but that is a private matter between them as a couple.
Others can't say much about it.
I understand what you mean.
I'm just worried that Zheng Er... might turn into
venomous consorts in history like Consort Bao Si or Da Ji.
It will cause an impact on the state and our people.
That will truly be a misfortune to Qi State.
That won't do. I have to speak to His Majesty tomorrow about it.
Your Highness.
If you insist on giving the King a warning then go ahead and do it.
But if His Majesty refuse to heed your advice
do not get into an argument with him.
Your Majesty, Prince of Lan Ling now seeks your audience.
- Summon him in quickly. - Yes.
Greetings to Your Majesty.
Please don't stand on ceremony we are a family after all.
You are Qi State's Warrior Prince.
I have a lot to learn from you now that I am on the throne.
Why have you said so, Your Majesty?
I will definitely do my utmost best till the day I die.
Good, that's great.
Let me have a guess.
Are you here today to talk to me about Decent Consort Feng?
Exactly. How did Your Majesty know?
I am very fond of the Decent Consort.
She also informed me about meeting my sister-in-law yesterday.
You usually do not seek audience with me in private.
So I put these two matters together and reached that conclusion.
Why have you come to see me today?
Your Majesty.
Please forgive me for being so blunt.
Be it Feng Xiao Lian or Zheng Er
neither of them is suitable to be conferred as a consort.
Please annul her title.
My dear brother, I've just told you that
I'm very fond of the Decent Consort.
Your Majesty might not know about this
but during my mission to capture bandits
Zheng Er schemed and conspired with the bandits
for the sake of her personal interests.
Even though she has courage, wits and good looks
she has a crooked mind!
It will eventually cause Your Majesty great harm to have her by your side!
Your Majesty a good advice is harsh to the ears.
Please re-consider.
I understand.
- Eunuch Xi. - Yes.
Let's head for Yi Xi Palace and cancel the ritual scheduled
for conferring Decent Consort's title.
Yes.
Thank you for your sincere advice.
Your Majesty's decision is a true blessing to the people of Qi State!
You're too polite.
His Majesty arrives!
Greetings to Your Majesty.
You may both rise.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
Prince of Lan Ling just came to see me.
We had a talk.
The best advice is always harsh to the ears
so I decided not to confer you as Decent Consort Feng.
I'm already aware of the reports that you've handed in.
I will read through all of the submitted scrolls.
You will just have to follow my orders.
You are wise, Your Majesty!
Before I dismiss the court I have another announcement.
In regarding to conferring Decent Consort Feng
my brother gave me a great advice.
Hence, I decided to heed his advice.
Fourth Prince's remarks on the Decent Consort are
talented, courageous and beautiful.
The position of the Queen has long been empty.
Therefore, I have decided to crown Decent Consort Feng as my Queen.
A date for the coronation ceremony will be chosen later.
I have to thank my brother profusely in regards to this matter.
If he hadn't told me that
Decent Consort Feng is no ordinary woman
I wouldn't have had such an idea.
Since Your Majesty has already decided
I can only give you a harsh advice.
Decent Consort Feng is the exiled slave, Zheng Er.
I don't know how she sneaked in here and become Decent Consort Feng.
Nor do I know how she managed to win over Your Majesty.
It is obvious that she is fortunate and also devious.
She could either do great or turn evil.
I beseech you to influence her with your righteous mind.
It will then be a true blessing to the people of Qi State.
I think that you worry too much.
If I can rule an imperial court full of imperial officials
how could I possibly have no control over a fragile woman?
Thank you, Fourth Prince.
If there are no further issues you may all dismiss.
Dismiss!
Long live the King!
Zheng Er isn't one to meddle with.
Now that the King has crowned her as his Queen
there's bound to be more trouble.
That was exactly why my brother went to see the King.
He did promise not to confer her as a consort
but he is now crowning her as the Queen.
He even deceived other officials into thinking that it is my brother's idea.
The King is conveying a message to Fourth Prince.
He is the King.
Should it be matters regarding the state or his concubines
he will be the one to make the final decision.
His Majesty is too petty-minded.
This is truly disappointing!
We have all been deceived by the King!
Fourth Prince shouldn't have trusted in His Majesty
and come back here to resume his post.
All is said and done.
It is pointless to say so.
We can only hope that Zheng Er will focus on managing the Harem
and stay out of the state affairs.
Fourth Prince and I molded you into a human figurine.
You are now part of our family.
Could you tell me
what the King has in mind?
How can I protect Fourth Prince?
My Lady!
My Lady.
I've got you the sulfur, saltpeter and charcoal that you wanted.
Thank you so much, Wang.
You're welcome.
Don't let Fourth Prince know about this.
Yes.
But my lady, these are all highly inflammable.
You have to keep them in a safe place.
I know that.
These materials can be very powerful.
I won't use them unless I have to.
My Lady, I'll get back to my chores.
Your Highness.
You're home.
Were you talking to the figurine?
Yes, I was!
Did the King really annul her title of Decent Consort?
His Majesty has already crowned Zheng Er as his Queen.
Well? Are you happy with my decision to crown you as my Queen?
Thank you, Your Majesty for your great affection!
A mere prince is butting his head in your decision in conferring consorts.
Prince of Lan Ling is asking for an insult.
He is indeed butting his head in every single thing that I do.
He's even meddling in my personal life.
I've just taken over the throne.
If I don't make my point
how could I demonstrate that imperial authority can't be questioned.
Your Majesty, there is something that I don't understand.
Speak your mind.
I grew up in the Harem.
The coronation of the Queen is a major event.
It often takes months of discussion with imperial officials
before a decision can be finalized.
But your announcement of crowning me as your queen
didn't stir up any disagreement among the officials
despite the fact that no one really knew me at all.
This is such a surprise to me.
In regards to that I can't understand the reason either.
Even my mother had to make quite a lot of effort for
a long time before she was chosen to be crowned the Queen.
Why has it gone so smoothly today?
It means that the officials are in fear of Your Majesty.
They don't dare to go against any decision that you make.
In the imperial court today
I said that you are nominated by Prince of Lan Ling as the Queen.
So the official are actually fearful of Prince of Lan Ling.
Your Majesty, please forgive me!
If he hasn't put on a false front as a loyal subject
and the fact that the army of Zhou fears him greatly
I would have sacked him a long time ago!
How could I possibly allow him to keep outshining me with his merits?
Your Majesty.
A loyal subject might not always be good.
In my opinion
his loyalty to you
be it true or false
he's won over the hearts of the officials and the people.
One day, should someone rebel against you under Prince of Lan Ling's namesake
both Imperial Tutor and General Hulu
will make Prince of Lan Ling announce himself as the King.
That will be a real threat to you.
Based what you said
the day will come when I can no longer tolerate my brother.
You are a wise ruler.
So how could you kill a loyal subject?
Prince of Lan Ling is loved by the people
and holds the military power.
If you ordered to have him killed
you are bound to force him into holding a rebellion.
Zhou State will have much to gain from it.
If so... As the King
you mean to say that I can't lay a finger on him?
Your Majesty, I have an idea.
It will definitely make that arrogant Prince of Lan Ling
bring upon his own demise.
Go on and tell me about it.
When I decided to make you my Queen
my intention was just to let everyone know that
my authority is not to be challenged.
I never thought that you'd be so witty.
You're indeed a great queen of mine.
Your Majesty, thank you for your affection.
You've made me the Queen.
This is what all women desired.
Have some rest, Your Majesty.
All women want to be the Queen.
That's because she can have anything that she asks for.
But even as the Queen
Gao Chang Gong will still never be mine.
If I can't have you
no one else can either.
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