695 AD
Queen Mo Tsak-tin of the Da Zhou Dynasty
Lady Tsun
Ngan Sui-wan
Cho Yuet
Lady Chor
Sheung Koon Yuen-yee trusted follower of Mo Tsak-tin
Tik Ching-luen, eldest daughter of Tik Yan-kit
Long live Your Majesty...
You may skip the formalities in this flower appreciation feast
Thank you, Your Majesty
Great Madam, how are you doing?
I'm fine, Your Majesty
Be seated
Thank you Your Majesty
for inviting her to attend today's flower appreciation feast
she became so excited that she couldn't sleep last night
Yan-kit, stop being cheeky in front of Her Majesty
Great Madam, don't worry Minister Tik is always outspoken
Talking of insomnia I had a dream last night
It'd disturbed me so much that I couldn't go to sleep afterwards
Your Majesty, would you like to share your dream with us? Maybe we can help
I saw in my dream a fruit platter with big and fresh pears, peaches, lychee and grapes
I just picked a pear. Then it was split into 2 halves but I didn't eat it
I wonder if my dream is telling me anything
'Fun Lei' (Splitting a pear) and 'Fun Lei' (Parting) are homophones
Your Majesty had summoned Lady Tsun and Lady Chor to the palace 2 months ago
Since Prince Lo Ling is still in Fangzhou
maybe your dream is about the parting of the 2 ladies from their husband
Your Majesty, it's true splitting a pear and parting are homophones
But a split pear shows its seeds
it's a metaphor for family reunion ('Seeds' and 'Kids' are homophones)
King-fai, don't chip in grownups' discussion
Yes, mom
Take no offense at a child's babble. By the way, how come you have such a view?
It's because I told my kid a classical allusion a few days ago
During the Han Dynasty, there was a minister whose named was Yeung Tsun-yin
One day, his only son suddenly disappeared without a trace
Then he had a dream about the split pear
but he scratched his head in vain over its meaning
The next day he sought help from an oneiromancer
The oneiromancer told him 'a split pear shows seeds (Kids)'
Prophesizing that he could find his son
It didn't take long before he could find his son and have a family reunion
Though 'a split pear' is inauspicious for husband and wife
it's a belated omen of bliss for Your Majesty and your son
Your Majesty, you don't have to feel worried
I've also heard of this classical allusion before
'A split pear shows seeds (Kids)' sounds quite convincing
It's true I'd summoned his 2 wives to the Capital suddenly
I did it just because I'd like him to take this chance to steel himself
If he's staying with his family, he may become more or less too dependent
Your Majesty, able men in our Da Zhou Dynasty are coming forward in multitudes
Like my son Yin-ming
he's diligent and loyal and has both talent and virtue
He's got eminent martial art skills too
When the imperial guards are under his command
I'm sure Your Majesty can sleep without anxiety
as there'll be prosperity and peace within and without
Now it's the Da Zhou Dynasty
it comes natural to us the descendants of the Mo family
to serve the state and be loyal to Your Majesty
Yin-ming, Yin-tak, you two brothers are people of ability
With your dedicated service, our country is prosperous and the people are at peace
The Sunny Terrace
Be seated
Thank you, Your Majesty
The flowers this year are more beautiful than those of last year
It's a picturesque scenery
Your Majesty, thank you for your hospitality
Great Madam, come more often if you have time
Thank you, Your Majesty
Serve the wine
Thank you, Your Majesty...
The scenery is beautiful and the music is pleasing to the ear
Would any of you pick some poems about flowers?
I'd like to guess their names
Your Majesty, let the youngsters do it It'II be a test of their literary grace too
Sure
I remember Your Majesty has written a poem before
'A visit to the garden is planned tomorrow morning'
'Let's tell Spring to get ready for it'
'Bushes must blossom overnight'
'AII must be ready before dawn'
Then the next day, all the bushes in the palace blossomed
Your Majesty is really awe-inspiring Even plants would not dare to defy you
Good! Very good! I'll give you a gift
Yuen-yee...
Thank you, Your Majesty
Madam Tik has just made this ring for me. It's the only one of its kind
It's engraved with a bright moon climbing high in the sky
There's a pomegranate flower below it
The implied meaning is 'perfect conjugal bliss', right?
Your Majesty is brilliant This is exactly what it means
Your Majesty is always very innovative
Even the gift you pick is in a class by itself
Snowing in mid-spring is celestial phenomena portending peace and prosperity
It's auspicious snow
Spring is the time when all things on earth start to burgeon
Snowing in mid-spring will certainly impede farming
The view that it's auspicious snow is quite a bit of silly nonsense
Minister Tik has a point
Snowing in mid-spring has its unique beauty
Your Majesty, what if we move indoors and watch the snow scenery there?
Stand!
Madam, how're you?
Sis, how're you? Madam...
Madam, may I?
I'm fine. I've just caught a cold. I feel a little dizzy only. I'm fine now
Go and ask the imperial doctor to give Lady Tsun a checkup. Hurry up!
Yes, Your Majesty
Let me escort Lady Tsun back to her place
The lmperial Study
You're sure the snowstorm will bring about a calamity?
Your Majesty, the farmers have just planted the seedlings
I'II afraid the coldness will impede their growth
Minister Tik, maybe you're overanxious
Let's wait until the day of the Grain in Ear before we decide what we must do
Minister Tik, you have a good suggestion?
We may get new seedlings from the south where the weather is much warmer
Then we'II supply the farmers with the seedlings
so they can plant them again immediately after the snowstorm
This suggestion is good. You two will take care of it
Yes, Your Majesty...
Your Majesty, General Mo Yin-ming and Dr. Suen Luk-yeung have arrived
Let them in Yes
Long live Your Majesty...
Skip the formality Thank you, Your Majesty...
Dr. Suen, how's Lady Tsun?
Congratulations, Your Majesty! Lady Tsun is in excellent health
She's 4 months pregnant
Yuen-yee, help me send a letter to Fangzhou
I must let Hin know about the good news immediately
Yes, Your Majesty
Lady Tsun's Court of Residence
Sis
Congratulations, sis!
Conceiving a royal descendant is Heaven's blessing
Why do you look so miserable?
His Highness is still in exile. We're forced to stay apart with one another
We're his wives. Of course we should be worried
Sis, don't be overanxious
Her Majesty's dream that a split pear got seeds (Kids) is confirmed by your pregnancy
It's destiny so you think reunion is still a long way away?
Your Majesty...
Long live Your Majesty...
Rise
Thank you, Your Majesty
Lady Tsun, since you're pregnant, you can skip the most solemn of ceremonies
I told them not to tell you I was on my way here
just because I didn't want you to busy yourself in greeting me
Now you're conceiving a royal descendant
You must be careful in everything
You must avoid those unnecessary and elaborate formalities as much as possible
I'm grateful for Your Majesty's great kindness
Yuen-yee Yes?
Instruct the Internal Affairs Office to send a few more maids to serve Lady Tsun
Yes, Your Majesty
Your Majesty, Tsui-lin has been very good already
It's really not worth taking great pains to make that arrangement
Lady Tsun, I'm impressed by your modesty, forbearance and abstemiousness
I asked Madam Tik some time ago to make this gold hairpin for me
The pomegranate and the bat
have the implied meaning of 'happiness and prolific descendants'
Now I'll give it to you as a gift. I hope you'll help the royal clan to proliferate
Thank you, Your Majesty
The gold hairpin you made shows excellent craftsmanship
Your pomegranate flower design has brought about a happy event in the palace
To show her appreciation, Her Majesty has now sent you several bolts of brocade
Pomegranate has many seeds
I love its auspicious connotation What happened was just a coincidence
Mo Yin-ming was given the 'Perfect Conjugal Bliss'
Then Lady Tsun was given 'Happiness and Prolific Descendants'
Finally, King-fai got 'A Split Pear that Shows its Seeds'
It's destiny when all these coincidences are added together
Mom, you really deserve to get the credit
The palace is full of happy events
I hope His Highness will benefit from this celestial auspiciousness
Then it won't take long for him to return to the court
Old Master, you feel very hopeful about it?
Though it's the will of Heaven
one still has to count on the readiness of the people involved
Her Majesty will give her blessing?
Her Majesty and His Highness are of one blood
I don't think she can be too merciless
Old Master, if you're aware that Her Majesty has such a thought
why don't you make use of this opportunity
to ask Her Majesty to summon Prince Lo Ling to court?
The time isn't right yet
Now Lady Tsun is pregnant, it should be a golden opportunity, right?
Prince Ngai was also in the palace today
If I made a request in his presence I'm sure he would put a spoke in my wheel
Now Lady Tsun is pregnant
it's true it offers His Highness a chance of staging a comeback
but I still need to plan carefully for my next move
How long will you need to plan for your next move?
It takes 10 months to conceive a baby I have ample time. I don't have to rush
Old Master, you're prudent and meticulous
I've been working in the government for ages
I'm not like those reckless youngsters
Sweetie, you must know a remark may flourish a state or cause a national crisis
It was His Highness who made an indiscreet remark and caused a disaster
It's nothing to do with me!
A remark is like an arrow You mustn't shoot it haphazardly
Once it's entered a person's ear there's no way you can pull it out
Prince Lo Ling was deposed and now live in exile
because his indiscreet remark had backfired on him
14 years ago
Emperor Zhong Zong Lee Hin, the son of Mo Tsak-tin
Long live Your Majesty...
Rise
Thank you, Your Majesty...
What on earth has happened? This is only an ordinary morning briefing
How come the whole place is surrounded by the imperial guards?
Whose idea is it?
I'm talking to all of you. How come no one responds to my question?
All of you are daydreaming?
It's my idea
Your Majesty, if you'd like to know the reason, you ought to answer my query first
Then I'II tell you why there's such an arrangement
Mom, what's your query? I'II try my best to answer it
I've heard it said that Your Majesty has the intention to give a gift to a minister?
I don't get it!
Wai Yuen-ching is the governor of Yuzhou and also the father of the queen consort
Your Majesty said you have the mandate of Heaven
so everything is at Your Majesty's discretion as long as Your Majesty is happy
You said you could even give away the throne and the state to Wai Yuen-ching?
Mom...
Yes or no?
Yes, I did say that
I wanted to promote Wai Yuen-ching to the post of the Chief of Aids and Staff
But Kau Yim spoke out against it
I was foaming at the mouth at that time That's why I made that indiscreet remark
An emperor should never make any indiscreet remark
Your Highness, His Majesty has ascended the throne for 2 months only
He still hasn't too much experience
No wonder he may sometimes talk and behave inappropriately
I hope Your Highness will forgive his indiscretion
Your Highness, our young emperor has ascended the throne for a short time only
But His Majesty has already been talking wildly
It'II set tongues wagging at His Majesty's impertinence
This will damage His Majesty's celestial authority
Your Highness, you must treat this matter seriously
His Majesty was being provoked
His Majesty just made those remarks with tongue in cheek
One must think thrice before one speaks and it's the teaching of the ancient sages
To err is human. Even an emperor is a human
If a human errs, he loses money and his family
If an emperor errs, he loses his throne and state
I'm remorseful now. Mom, forgive me, please
Your Highness, forgive His Majesty, please
Your Highness, forgive His Majesty, please...
A state thrives when a wise man rules
A state meets its doom when a moron messes things up. Read out the decree
It's decreed by Her Highness the Queen Mother that
Emperor Lee Hin would be deposed and his new title would be Prince Lo Ling
He'll be sent into exile and required to stay in the place of Fangzhou
Help me take away Lee Hin's crown and dragon robe
The incident happened ages ago
Old Master, you still brood on your failure
to ward off that sudden rainstorm for Prince Lo Ling?
His Highness had to be blamed for his indiscreet remark
but it'd be going too far to depose him and seize the Tang's state power
Dad, what you said suggests that Her Majesty was a usurper
This is extremely disrespectful
If Prince Ngai hadn't fanned the flames and added insult to injury
Her Majesty wouldn't have acted so mercilessly
Prince Ngai has always been casting his covetous eyes on becoming the heir
Of course the banishment of Prince Lo Ling
and the holding of court audience by Her Majesty
will always work to Prince Ngai's advantage
Now Lady Tsun is conceiving a royal descendant
it's a chance for Prince Lo Ling to turn the tables on his opponents
There're always sudden and perplexing changes in the imperial harem
To snatch someone's favors from a rival one always creates trouble out of nothing
Now it's a struggle for the throne each will try to outwit one another
Lady Tsun must take great care to protect her baby
Man proposes, Heaven disposes
Old Master, you don't have to be too worried
Sudden rainstorm is always the sun the moon and the stars in the court
It's a matter of common occurrence
What Prince Lo Ling has gone through will surely give him a chance to steel himself
You've shown up finally
I wonder if flowers in Fangzhou are blooming like a piece of brocade like here
I wonder if it's also a luxuriant spring there like here
Your Majesty, what you need to do is to just give it the nod
It won't be too hard for the luxuriant spring of Luoyang to hover over Fangzhou
You also feel that I should let Hin return to the palace?
Your Majesty, your generosity knows no bounds
Of course Your Majesty already know what to do
I really daren't give any presumptuous advice
What I just saw in the pool was
'white feather gliding in the water and red webs paddle up ripples'
A happy and harmonious family will complement the spring scenery perfectly
Your Majesty...
Prince Ngai, Prince Leung, Minister Tik and General Mo are requesting an audience
Let's go
Clear the way, please
Prince Ngai, how's it?
We've lifted the body from the water but it's too late
To avoid upsetting Your Majesty, we'd like Your Majesty to stay away from here
I wasn't scared even
10,000 soldiers from the enemy forces were bearing down at the border
I wonder how a dead body can upset me
But how come you all look so grief-stricken? Who's that drowned person?
That drowned person is... Lady Tsun
Lady Tsun?
It was very foggy this morning. Maybe the path near the lake is wet and slippery
so Lady Tsun tripped over fell into the lake and got drowned
His Highness is right. Lady Tsun's death was an accident
Your Majesty, it was a murder, not an accident
What?
If Lady Tsun had tripped over, moss and grass would've stuck to her dress
But I'd just checked her dress. I couldn't find any moss or grass on it
Her forehead was wounded. Her arm was covered in bruises caused by a violent grab
My guess is that Lady Tsun was murdered Then the dead body was dumped in the lake
Losing one's footing is just throwing dust into people's eyes
Minister Tik has a point
I wonder who has the guts to commit such a crime in the palace
I won't let the criminal get away with it
Minister Tik, everyone knows you're adept at investigation
Now I order you to investigate this case and seize the real murderer quickly
Yes, Your Majesty
According to the laws of Da Zhou
the imperial harem falls within the jurisdiction of the imperial guards
Now someone was killed so we should let General Mo take up the investigation
My incompetence has led to the death of Lady Tsun. My crime deserves 10,000 deaths
Your Majesty, please permit me to investigate this case
I'II arrest the murderer so as to make amends for my faults by good deeds
It's true if it isn't my job, I mustn't worry about it
but this criminal has committed the most heinous crime
I hope I can assist General Mo
There may be things that I can be of help to him
I'd also like to share Your Majesty's burden and do my best to help
So I'II count on all of you to catch the culprit and avenge Lady Tsun's murder
Yes, Your Majesty...
The imperial harem is always a place where one is apt to get into trouble
Lady Tsun was just pregnant but an unexpected calamity had happened to her
It was supposed that her baby would bring her great honor and high status
It turned out all of a sudden that both had died a violent death
At this stage, the case still resembles the lily seen through mist
We should avoid making premature judgment before having substantial evidence
Minister Tik, you're adept at investigation I wonder if you'd tell us your views on it
We must first find out where Lady Tsun was killed
We must search every place in the palace
Once we know where she was killed we could look for suspicious evidence there
Follow the vine to get the melon, I'm sure we can seize the culprit eventually
We'II act according to what you said
Yin-ming, search thoroughly every corner of Lady Tsun's Court of Residence
You must find the place where the murder had taken place
I won't tolerate any delay or errors
Yes, dad
Minister Tik, you'II question the guards who were on the nightshift last night
Sam Sz, you'II go with Minister Tik and provide assistance
Let's go to the guard's duty room right off
Sure
Yin-ming, it's a good chance for you to win merit
You must get the culprit before Tik Yan-kit
Then Her Majesty will think more highly of you
Hey!
You've found something?
Hey!
Your Worship, you've read this book of duty roster several times already
It's just come to my knowledge after I've read it several times. It's about Kwan Ping
He's suspicious?
His handwriting is quite good
Your Highness, Your Worship...
Her Majesty has instructed me to investigate the murder of Lady Tsun
Chan Yau-fook Yes, Your Worship
Cheng Shing Yes, Your Worship
Kwan Ping Yes, Your Worship
You were on the nightshift last night Did you notice anything suspicious?
No, Your Highness...
I was also on duty last night. It's true there was nothing suspicious
You were on duty last night?
How come I didn't see your name appear in the book of duty roster?
It's because Cheng Shing threw up and felt ill after eating his late supper
I took over his work after I'd been informed about it
Your Highness, Your Worship...
Ching-luen, why do you come here?
I was told about the murder of Lady Tsun
so I'd like to assist you in seizing the culprit
We're fine. The case is now being handled by Prince Ngai, Prince Leung and General Mo
There's ample manpower
But it's a good chance for me to learn from Prince Ngai and Prince Leung
Dad, let me help you, please
Your Highness, I've finished the enquiry here already
I'd like to go to the imperial garden now
Minister Tik, the snow has just started to thaw so the ground is wet and slippery
I really don't want anything to happen again
You're right. You may call it quits It's OK for us to go there ourselves
Come with me Yes, Your Worship...
Your Worship, we've found nothing here
Check other places Yes, Your Worship...
Dad, I'm sure Prince Ngai has instructed Prince Leung to have an eye on you
He just lets you ask some guards of no importance
He doesn't let you ask important people like Lady Chor or Tsui-lin
Obviously, he doesn't want you to find out the truth
What he is up to is just too evident
I'd like to hear your views
I'm sure the murderer is Prince Ngai
Now Lady Tsun and her baby are dead
Who will benefit most from it? It's of course those with Mo as their last name
Stop being too arbitrary. You need evidence to support an allegation
OK...
Your Highness... Your Highness...
Your daughter is giving you a hand? I'm impressed by your unity and team spirit
Ching-luen won't give up the chance of learning from Your Highness
Feel free to correct her if anything she does is wrong or unsatisfactory
Ching-luen is intelligent
by natural endowments
Of course she hasn't got anything that needs others to correct I've spoiled my
daughter since she was a kid
Your Highness, since you think she isn't too noisy
what if we do a swap? You teach my daughter and I'll teach your son
y the way, General Mo, have you found anything in Tsui-lin's testimony?
Tsui-lin doesn't know too much. What she knows is routine and trivial matters
so it has no direct relevance to the case
Then how about Lady Chor?
She said she was ill and asked us to talk to her later
Your Worship, there's something in the 100 Flower Pavilion in the park's northern side
I remember Lady Tsun had wounded her forehead
Ching-luen, come over here
Lady Tsun was half a 'fen' taller than you
so the blood stain found on the column might come from the forehead of Lady Tsun
This is the place where Lady Tsun was killed?
Possible
The blood stain might belong to Lady Tsun the maid servants, the craftsmen or anybody
Dad...
I remember this silk
handkerchief belongs to Lady Tsun
She'd used it in the flower appreciation feast
It has peach blossom embroidery on it
The silk handkerchief is a proof that Lady Tsun had been here before
Maybe Lady Tsun had lost it before she was killed. It's nothing surprising
Since this case is very serious, we must carry out our investigation carefully
Maybe I've to question Tsui-lin again before we can make a judgment
I was too anxious to seize the culprit so I was a bit overhasty
General Mo, I'm impressed you're so prudent and meticulous
Prince Ngai's Mansion
Bro, did you stay outside last night?
Why asked?
I saw someone like you when I was patrolling the imperial garden last night
What're you driving at?
You know very well I was off duty last night
How could I be there?
You suspect I'm related to Lady Tsun's death?
Don't get it wrong. I just...
That wicked dog had been barking at me for the whole night
Now it's your turn to upset me?
That case is already a big headache
I wonder if you'II let me have some peace and quiet
Bro, bro, where're you going?
Do I need to get your permission?
Dad, mom
You saw Yin-ming in the imperial garden last night?
It was very dark so I wasn't too sure about it
Hold your tongue if you're not sure
Did you tell anyone else about it?
No
Remember, your bro didn't leave home last night
The one you saw in the imperial garden wasn't him
It must be someone else
Have I made myself clear?
Yes
OK, it's very late. Goodnight
Yes, mom
Dad, mom, Tim-shau said you'd like to have a word with me
Close the door!
What's up, dad? Close the door!
I have questions for you
Were you in the imperial garden on the night Lady Tsun was killed?
Are you related to her death? Dad... Answer me!
You look perplexed and absentminded since her death
What on earth has happened?
When you interrogated Tsui-lin your questions were entirely irrelevant
You've been very absentminded since you started the investigation
You can't deceive me even you can deceive others
Dad, I'm in deep water
I am at your back!
What on earth has happened?
It was an accident. It was just an accident
You'd killed Lady Tsun?
Yes What?
Tell me everything now
Lady Tsun and I had an affair since I escorted her from Fangzhou to the Capital
Adultery is a capital crime already
Lady Tsun is His Highness's concubine and Her Majesty's daughter-in-law
but you got the nerve to touch her?
You'd be executed 9 times even you got 9 lives
I knew I'd made a terrible blunder
But when I decided to sever my connection with her
she told me she was conceiving my baby
I told her she must stop conceiving the baby
I first thought she would take drugs to induce a miscarriage
After the imperial doctor had confirmed her pregnancy
I suddenly realized a great calamity was impending over me
I asked her to see me last night so we could give the matter further thought
but she just asked me to run away with her
When I refused, she threatened to mess things up
I was in a state of panic. I pushed her so she hit the column and blacked out
To cover it up, you threw her into the pool?
You thought you could get away with it if others thought her death was an accident
How come Dr. Suen said Lady Tsun was 4 months pregnant?
Money can move the gods
But you can never buy off Tik Yan-kit
You're lucky I'm now in charge of the investigation
If Tik Yan-kit had taken charge of it you would've been beheaded a long time ago
I'm remorseful now. Dad, you must rescue me
Since Dr. Suen is involved, must we kill him to prevent divulgence of secrets?
No way!
Acting rashly only alerts the enemies and the result will be just the opposite
But he'II be a threat to us
If he had decided to expose Yin-ming
Yin-ming would've been beheaded a long time ago
Don't forget he's owed me one
I think he'II stay quiet in order to save his own skin
Dad, what will you do to rescue me?
Delay will only complicate the issue
The only solution is to seize the culprit as soon as possible
Closing the case will be a wise move
You'll tie your son up and turn him over to Her Majesty
Her Majesty has instructed Yin-ming to investigate this case
He has to do something anyway
The culprit must be seized. The question is who will become the culprit
It's General Mo's order that no one is allowed to go inside without his consent
Minister Tik has instructed me to carry out an investigation
I need to talk to Tsui-lin urgently so you two step aside immediately
We daren't defy General Mo
Sorry
What's up?
I'd like to talk to Tsui-lin
I'm afraid you can't do it
As Tsui-lin hasn't carried out her duty properly and she's not too honest either
I've locked her up and also stopped supplying meals to her for the time being
She's just a maid servant. I wonder what she can cover up
In Lady Tsun's murder case
you not only don't investigate it thoroughly
but also keep impeding the investigation
General Mo, I feel you're the one who wants to cover things up
You can suspect me but you must show me the evidence to support your allegation
If you have the evidence, I'II go to see Her Majesty with you immediately
I'II ask Her Majesty to give her verdict
If you haven't any evidence you must stop talking nonsense here
Get lost! You...
The murderer is still at large. I wonder why you have the nerve to see Her Majesty
Scholar Sheung Koon...
The murder of Lady Tsun has upset Her Majesty very much already
We all should do our best to share her burden and sorrow
We shouldn't spend our time having fights here
Yee-lan, go and bring Tsui-lin here Yes
Where would you like to bring Tsui-lin to?
General Mo, though you're in charge of this case
I'm in charge of the imperial harem
Now I'll take care of her
Rest assured that I won't let anyone get close to her
Leave Yes
I can't tell you anything
If you insist on looking for Tsui-lin
I'd suggest you go and talk to Scholar Sheung Koon
I didn't have to ask you if she was helpful
You'd better tell me where on earth she has hid Tsui-lin
I really don't know
I still have work to do. Goodbye
How's it? How's it?
That Sheung Koon Yuen-yee thinks she has Her Majesty at her back
so she can do whatever she likes to do
The palace isn't too big. I'm sure I can find out where Tsui-lin is
Dad, you don't have to talk to her
She's just brought Tsui-lin away and she doesn't let me interrogate her
Now she's interrupting your work
Obviously she doesn't want to find out who the real murderer is
She has an ulterior motive
I think you've been mistaken about it
Hand over Tsui-lin if you don't want me to be mistaken about it
Stop being impolite
Scholar Sheung Koon has questioned Tsui-lin already
She came to talk to me since she felt something fishy was going on
I thought she was trying to impede your investigation?
I think I've explained it very clearly. I wonder why you still keep asking questions
Because of Lady Tsun's death, Her Majesty has no desire to eat or sleep
so it doesn't make sense I don't want to seize the real murderer
I've questioned Tsui-lin already
She said she always did the most she could to serve Lady Tsun
Even when Lady Tsun had gone to bed
she would stay outside her bedroom and sleep with half-open eyes
But on the night Lady Tsun was killed
she didn't understand why she was fast asleep for the whole night
What a coincidence!
I also felt that it was strange
Then Tsui-lin remembered Lady Tsun had offered her some late supper that night
She also said whenever there was late supper, she would be fast asleep
The late supper sounds fishy
Knockout drops in the food?
Lady Tsun wanted to go out after midnight
but she didn't want Tsui-lin to know about it
The best way would be making her fast asleep
Where would she go at that time of night?
She'd watch the moon or flowers when no one was outdoors in the small hours?
Maybe she was missing a male friend?
Are you suggesting that Lady Tsun had an affair with someone?
Everyone in the palace has been thoroughly questioned except Lady Chor
Why?
Lady Chor said she'd been feeling unwell
so we weren't able to drop in on her
Really?
Yuen-yee, what's Lady Chor's illness?
Lady Chor and Lady Tsun were like sisters
Now Lady Tsun had died a terrible death
Lady Chor has been so upset that she's become ill
Even she's ill, I wonder whether she and Lady Tsun were like sisters
I don't get it
According to the testimony of Tsui-chuk, who's Lady Chor's maid servant
Lady Chor threw a tantrum after Your Majesty had given Lady Tsun a gold hairpin
She let off steam by smashing objects in the palace
One would be jealous sometimes. It's nothing surprising
Minister Tik, what do you think?
Minister Tik
Your Majesty?
You look worried and absentminded You've been troubled by something?
My mother has been ill for quite a while so I've been in a disturbed state of mind
I thought you were worried about national affairs
It's only some family matters
Your Worship, we're having an audience with Her Majesty!
Minister Tik, feel free to tell me your problem
My mother is over 70 and her physical condition is unstable
I can't help worrying about her
Your Majesty, I have a request
Speak
Your Majesty, please permit Dr. Suen to give my mother a checkup
It's a minor ailment only but Dr. Suen is the imperial doctor
My family doctor is also very good
Let him help your mother and I guarantee he'II cure her ailment
Your Highness, I wonder if there's a doctor better than the imperial doctor
It's not right and proper for the imperial doctor to treat someone outside the palace
If Her Majesty permits it it'II become right and proper
Minister Tik is a very good son He's the role model for everyone
I'II permit Dr. Suen to go outside the palace to treat Great Madam
I hope she'II recover soon
Then Minister Tik can focus on the investigation again
Thank you, Your Majesty
Great Madam is short of breath
Her limps are cold and these are the symptoms of deficiency of kidney 'qi'
She must take some medicine for it
She's required to take 2 dosages a day for half a month
Then I'm sure she'll recover by then
Dr. Suen, you're a brilliant doctor My mother is lucky and I'm relieved
Thank you. I'm just carrying out my duty
Well, I've heard it said that the death of Lady Tsun has made Her Majesty ill
Dr. Suen, I think you must be very busy
It's my duty. I'II do my best
Lady Tsun was conceiving a baby when she was killed
A joyous matter has turned into funeral affairs
Everyone feels sorry about it
If there's nothing else I'II go back to the palace
The government sedan chair has been awaiting you outside already
Ko Tsun Yes
Walk Dr. Suen to the door
Yes, Old Master
Goodbye Take care
Dr. Suen, please
What do you think?
He's really brilliant His diagnosis is accurate
It took 3 doctors a long time to find out mom's problem
But Dr. Suen got the same diagnosis by the time half a joss stick was burnt
I have no doubt about his medical skills
He's good and that's why Her Majesty had asked him to give Lady Tsun a checkup
But when Lady Tsun blacked out during the flower appreciation feast
I'd hurriedly checked the pulse for her
But I felt she wasn't 4 months pregnant
Are you suggesting that Dr. Suen had made a mistake?
You just said he's a brilliant doctor
The pulse of a pregnant woman isn't sort of unusual or strange illness
I wonder if he could make a mistake easily
I'm just afraid... that he wasn't too honest
Old Master, Great Madam would like to have a word with you
Mom, you're looking for me?
Help me offer a joss stick to your ancestors
I told your ancestors you're a good son
When you know I'm ill
you've even asked the imperial doctor to come and give me a checkup
I pray for your ancestors' blessing I really don't want anything to happen
Mom, relax! Dr. Suen said it's a minor ailment. Nothing will happen
Nothing will happen to me but something may happen to you
I'm not so ignorant
A doctor has been treating me already
I've been taking his medicine too. Now you suddenly asked another doctor to come here
He's the imperial doctor too
You're my son. I know you well
Asking him to treat my illness is just an excuse
You take the chance to know him better?
Mom, you are really... What?
You're really awesome. I can't keep anything back from you
Stop being so cheeky
I'm serious
I'II look serious
Ching-luen told me you're investigating Lady Tsun's case
The imperial harem is a troublesome place
Once you're there trouble will trouble you soon
It's true you'II catch the murderer
But you don't know whom you've offended too
Then you'll get yourself into trouble
I know the official circles are treacherous places. I'II be very careful
I just repeat what I've repeated over and over again
Being loyal to one's nation is the duty of every government official
But apart from being loyal
one must do one's best to preserve one's life
It's the duty of a son
Yes, mom
Good
Tik's Mansion
'Watching flowers through mist'
Old Master, have some tea
Ming Ding Sweet Dew is my favorite
You really know what I like
You'll practice calligraphy whenever there's a setback in an investigation
It appears this case is very challenging
You really can read my mind
Please help yourself. I won't disturb you anymore
I think the tea will taste better if I can share it with you
Thank you
Hey! What's this?
It's the "Perfect Conjugal Bliss' ring
I made this ring for Her Majesty
On the day of the flower appreciation feast
Her Majesty had given it to General Mo as a gift
I think I've seen it somewhere else too
Lady Tsun might've lost the silk handkerchief before she was killed...
Old Master...
What've you been pondering about?
Your tea is not only refreshing. It's so enlightening that I'm filled with wisdom
The flower has become more visible in the mist now
Dad, it's really the same
Your Worship, he's Ho Kau
responsible for repairing and maintaining the 100 Flower Pavilion
Your Worship, you have some questions?
According to our record
you were responsible for painting the table and chairs in the pavilion?
Yes
When did you paint this table?
Around shenshi (3 to 5 pm) On the day of the Spring Equinox
The Spring Equinox was the 15th day of the Second Moon
It was also the day of the flower appreciation feast
How long would it take for the paint to dry?
About 4 hours
But on the day of the Spring Equinox it was raining so it was quite humid
the paint would take 8 to 10 hours to dry
As I'd painted the table around shenshi
the paint would only become completely dry before dawn