Sung Ting-yuk is your subordinate
you should hand over the case
just to be fair
Her Majesty has ordered me
to escort the felons to prison
pending her verdict
We're not handing over Sung Tik-yuk
Father...
I dare you to defy Her Majesty's order
Ching-luen
Great Madam, Madam Sung is here
Get rid of her
No!
Great Madam... please save Ting-yuk
It was my fault
for offending you earlier
I beg you to have mercy
You can scold me
but please save my son
You enjoy moral eminence and high esteem
Even Her Majesty listens to you
No! You and your son have done enough damage
He got himself into trouble
because he released the prisoners
We had no peace at home
thanks to you and your son
Please have mercy
Please save my son
I will kowtow to you
Please save my son
Please save my son...
Give it up! Nothing you do will help
I beg of you, have mercy!
Grandma...
Great Madam...
How can you be so cruel?
You're a Tik! Who's closer to you?
Stop siding with an outsider
Grandma...
Great Madam!
I can't deal with it!
Great Madam, please...
Major Mo, I wish to see Captain Sung
Without Her Majesty's consent
nobody is allowed to see him
Please bend the rules
Major, To Sam killed himself!
Stop following me!
You have no business here!
I'm worried about Ting-yuk
I've done everything I could
You believe To Sam killed himself?
Don't you find it strange?
I have my suspicions
You must fight for it
I guess someone paid To Sam
I know it's Mo Shing-tsz
Watch your mouth!
It's the truth!
Don't be so pigheaded
Suspicion alone won't do
Prince Ngai, Prince Leung
Minister Tik is right
We need evidence not speculation
But I agree with you
To Sam's death is not an accident
there's more to it
Someone paid them off?
I'd say yes if I were Minister Tik
Because it's the only way
to save himself and Captain Sung
Her Majesty is too smart
to believe in accusations without any proof
What if someone thinks his glib tongue
can fool Her Majesty?
It's not the first time someone tries to defame us
Justice will prevail
Ching-luen, it's not your place to speak
Only Minister Tik has a sense of propriety
I don't intend to discipline your daughter
but a petty lieutenant
has no place in the Palace hall
Even your Father is barely qualified
She's too in love with Captain Sung
and has forgotten etiquette
If Captain Sung gets a verdict of immediate execution
She may not see him at all
That's true!
Greetings, Your Majesty
Sung Ting-yuk, you're a captain
but you released a prisoner for personal reason
and created chaos and fear in Luoyang
getting innocent people killed
How do you plead?
I'm guilty
Please hear me out, Your Majesty
What is it?
No doubt Captain Sung is guilty
but he atoned his offense
by arresting the felons within the deadline
Your appreciation of talents
should persuade you to go easy on him
Sung Ting-yuk is a talent
and I pity his situation
A country has its laws
we need rules to function
You must convict Sung Ting-yuk
as a manifest of your authority
To rule with benevolence and forbearance
will earn your people's admiration
Da Zhou is in need of talents
Why not let him serve you?
I urge you to reconsider
The state is peaceful where you rule
There are plenty of talents around
Minister Tik is equally guilty
You have no right to intercede for someone else
Don't argue, I have a decision
Mind your health, Your Majesty
Prince Ngai is right
we need rules to function
Sung Ting-yuk have rendered his service
but he cannot be pardoned
I banish him to Lingzhou
as a warning to others
Wise decision, Your Majesty
Sung Ting-yuk, hurry up and thank Her Majesty
Thank you, Your Majesty
Permission to speak, Your Majesty
Go ahead!
Minister Tik cannot be excused from this mess
I urge you to make a verdict
Right! It was his incompetence
that resulted in this uproar
As governor of Luoyang
I was reckless and have alarmed Your Majesty
Please punish me
Your Majesty, in order to apprehend the felons
Minister Tik took enormous risks
His loyalty is obvious
Please go easy on him
To be over lenient is to breed evil, Your Majesty
Please reconsider
Please punish Tik Yan-kit
Minister Tik's mistake lies in his benevolence
He took enormous risks to apprehend the fugitives
His resourcefulness is impressive
I'm willing to let his merit offset his offense
but we have our laws
In order to shut people up
and close the case for good
I'II dock your pay for a year
Do you agree, Minister Tik?
Thank you, Your Majesty
Ting-yuk
Young Master
There's no need to see me off
Why did you bother to come?
Can you give us a minute
and let us have a word?
Of course, Minister, if you say so
We still have time
Take your time
Much obliged!
Please look after my son along the way
Of course...
I cooked for you, Ting-yuk
Eat this, you'II need the strength
Why are you not eating?
I want to, but it's too hard
Hard? That's impossible!
You're right? Why is that?
I know! I must have used glutinous rice instead of flour
Eat something else!
Mother, we know about your cooking
Please let Tsau-kuk do the dirty work
My cooking has actually improved
But you're leaving in such a hurry
I didn't have time to prepare
She was up all night cooking
I'II bring these with me
Maybe they'll become softer in a few days
You must be careful, son
I have alerted my friends from the underworld
from here to Ching-lung county
all the way to Yanmen Pass
you'll be well taken care of
I thought you're not in touch with them anymore
I wasn't
but you know the clout I have
they volunteered to look after you
I can't say no
Eat this... not this one
Eat this... wrap them up for him
Yes!
Out of a sense of pity
you're banished to the border
I must face the consequence of my own actions
but I'm sorry to get you involved
I feel terrible about it
Remember, a gentleman dies for his confidant
I will remember it, sir
Keep your able body to serve your country
While there is life there is hope
Yes, sir
I'm done, Ching-luen
Mother and I made this over night
Please thank her for me
Ching-luen, can you promise me one thing?
What?
Forget about me
What we had is a dream
Why?
I'm banished to Lingzhou
Don't know when I'II be back
We have no future
I cannot promise you that
We must fight for our happiness
I'II wait for you in Luoyang
for as long as it takes
Don't worry about your Mother
I'II look after her
I won't let anyone bully her
My Lord, I followed your order
and put powder into Madam's potion
How is she?
She's very suspicious
I soaked candied fruits in salt water
when she said it's salty
I insisted it's sweet
and I ate it in front of her
I think she has gotten worse
Well done!
Thank you, My Lord
Our plan is moving along quite well
Money can make anything happen
Even the bitch's maid is working for me now
We'II see how she can fight us
I'm surprised you're interested in picking flowers
I was shooting off my mouth
and mentioned to Her Majesty about putting flowers in the tea
and she ordered you to pick flowers
Whatever pleases Her Majesty
Yin-tak is so insensible
It's so cold and he didn't
bring extra clothes to camp
I meant to bring it to him
but to avoid any gossip
I had to trouble you
It was nothing
The camp is bitter cold
You must look after Her Majesty during her inspection
and remind her to keep herself warm
Don't worry, it's my job
You too
You share Her Majesty's trouble
you must not get sick either
The powder inside can help you
If you're sick or have a headache
Smell it and you'll feel much better
Really?
Yes!
Thanks
You're welcome
I'm surprised to see a military man
can be so thoughtful
Perhaps I have learned from experience
unlike Yin-tak who's still young
and prone to make mistakes
You keep mentioning Yin-tak
looks like you're getting along very well
Father and son won't hold a grudge
Yin-tak is young and impetuous
It'II take time for him to learn
He seems quite capable
You don't understand
He's all brawn and no brains
Like father like son
with a father like you
He'll make something of himself
Smells good!
I learnt this soup from your medical books
the herbs are precious
and very nutritious
Then I must have more
My Lord, Lady Wai
He won't be seeing Lady Chor today
Go away!
Lady Chor has chest pains
She wants to see you, My Lord
How is she? Tell me more
My Lord, after nightfall
Lady Chor suffers from chest pains
Her hands and feet are cold
and has broken into a sweat
I had no choice but come to you
You should fetch the imperial doctor
How dare you disturb My Lord!
I meant to
but Lady Chor won't let me
I remember when we were in Fangzhou
when she had chest pains
you can cure her with acupuncture
That's why I came
My Lord is not to be disturbed
Go away!
My Lord
Tsui-lin, take her outside
Yes, please go
Wait! I'll go to Wing Ling Palace
My Lord
Don't worry, I'II be right back
Very well
Milady, His Highness is here
He's here?
Yes!
Greetings, My Lord
At ease!
Are you having chest pains again?
I dare not trouble you, My Lord
Are you still angry with me?
I wouldn't dare
I made a mistake
I thought I'd never have the chance to apologize
I'm delighted you're here
Milady wakes up at night thinking about this
and suffers from chest pains
You shouldn't have
You have been so good to me
When we were in Fangzhou
you cured me with the needles
and kept me alive ever since
But because of my jealousy
I almost got you in trouble
How are you feeling?
I'm fine
Don't talk about that
As long as you learn from your mistakes and repent
Tsui-chuk, prepare the wormwood
I need that for acupuncture
Yes, My Lord
Thank you, My Lord
When did you start having these pains?
When I heard you died in Fangzhou
I couldn't sleep at all
I felt like there was a piece of lead on my chest
I thought about joining a nunnery
or killing myself
Heaven took pity and you were safe
For some reason, whenever I'm sad
or when I think about this
I feel a dull pain in the chest
So it's my fault
No, it's my fault
Don't worry, I will cure you
Thank you, My Lord
Where are you going?
Wing Ling Palace
My Lord
Lady Wai?
Sister
I thought you're sick
but you're having a late snack with My Lord
Thanks to My Lord's needles
I have recovered
Now that you're here
You should try Lady Chor's cooking
The dumpling with osmanthus is delicious
You flatter me, My Lord
Would you like to try?
I'm not interested in dumplings
I have prepared my own snack
waiting for My Lord
I was hungry earlier and ate too much dumplings
Now I'm quite full
Suit yourself
I can't eat anymore
Lady Wai, I'll come to you later
You can eat whenever you want
But it's already 11
Lady Chor is sick and needs rest
Shall I accompany you back to my chamber?
I can't leave yet
Why not?
I need to apply the needles every 2 hours
I need to do it 3 times to be effective
I'm much better now
It's late, perhaps you should go back
I can't let it fail in the last minute
Lady Wai, you should get going
How is your chest pain?
I'm fine
Don't let her fool you, My Lord
She's faking it
Let me check your pulse
I dare not trouble you
Come on
She looks perfectly fine
Her cheeks are rosy and she's glowing
She's not sick at all
Shut up!
I can tell if she's sick
I don't need you to tell me
I will decide where I'II spend the night
You have no business here, please go!
You'll break her heart, My Lord
I know what I'm doing
Greetings, My Lord
Is this pretty?
I wouldn't dare trouble you
I'II take my leave
Tsui-lin, let's go
Are you still mad at me?
I wouldn't dare!
I'II only upset you if I stay
Of course not
You didn't want to see me last night
I was worried about Lady Chor's health
that's why I sounded harsh
Tsui-lin!
Yes!
Tell the imperial kitchen to prepare dinner
Take this flower to my chamber
I'II leave you alone
You're not mad anymore?
Need you ask?
I knew you're open minded
Come out!
My Lord! Sister!
You planned this, My Lord?
Please forgive my ignorance
and for everything I did in the past
My Lord is right
We should try to get along
It was nothing
Good! While the flowers are in bloom
you should take a stroll
I have things to do
Goodbye, My Lord
You really mean to apologize?
If saying yes will make you feel better
I'II say yes
You don't have chest pains
How can I be sick when I'm with My Lord?
You!
Want to know what we did last night?
Of course we did more than
eat dumplings and acupuncture
You...
Watch it!
If anything happens to me
My Lord will come after you
How dare you toy with me!
You're no match for me
The potion is bitter...
The well is freezing...
Yee-mui, leave me alone
I don't want the hairpin
I want my life back
No... leave me alone!
What's the matter, Mother? It's me
Yin-tak? I'm glad you're here
I'm scared...
What happened?
I hear Yee-mui's voice when I close my eyes
I'm really scared
Don't be silly, it was a dream
No... not a dream
It was a ghost... a lot of them
Tell me what happened
I want the truth
I think Lady Ngan is losing her mind
She's getting suspicious
She claims she has seen Yee-mui
When I gave her candied fruits
she said they were salty
I served her tea
She said it's laced with poison
I ask her to go to bed
she said there are snakes
None of it is true
It's all in her mind
She won't eat or sleep
I'm really worried about her
She listens to you
Please speak to her
about consulting a doctor
You're lying!
Madam...
You're lying...
No...
What are you saying?
Madam...
No, Mother...
Get out!
Wing-kam, you should go
Get lost!
No, Mother
You must believe me, Yin-tak
I'm not lying... l'm not
I trust you...
Since the plague in Luoyang
and Mother was poisoned
Occasionally, she would discuss
state policies with me
and talk leisurely about family matters
All these years in Fangzhou
I never expected Mother and I can talk so casually
I can't believe it's happening
It's obvious you have gained her trust
Congratulations!
Since her prevailing illness
Mother is not as strong as before
I came up with different tonics
but they can only calm her nerves
She often stays up late to read the reports
and gets tired very easily
I feel so sad
Her Majesty is getting on in years
I'II find an appropriate time
and suggest she names her heir
After you become the crown prince
and the matter is settled
the Mo tribe will back down
and there'll be peace again
I'II never forget
what you have done for Tang
You flatter me
I have yet to decide
how to persuade Her Majesty
Come in!
Master, Your Highness, Madam Sung is here with Sung Cheung-kwai
Really?
I have met with Sung Ting-yuk
Madam Sung must be here on a serious matter
I don't mind seeing them
Thank you, My Lord! Send them in!
Yes, sir
Greetings, Your Highness
At ease! I'm also a guest
Don't be too punctilious
Thank you, My Lord
Please sit down
Thank you, Minister
Please sit down, Auntie
Be careful, Uncle Kwai
I didn't know you have a guest
I'm sorry to intrude
Don't worry about it
Judging from your outfits, are you going away?
You're leaving Luoyang?
We came to say goodbye
You did us a huge favor with Yat-fu
I don't know how to repay you
That won't be necessary
It was my duty
Uncle Kwai, you have not recovered
Why are you leaving?
I'm much better now
I hope to recuperate at home
Even if I die
at least I'll be at home
Father, please don't say that
Uncle Kwai!
Hangzhou is a long way from here
Can you manage?
Fa-ho and Madam Sung will look after me
Shall I take your pulse?
That's wonderful! You're so lucky
His Highness is a brilliant doctor
For him to diagnose your condition
that's more than you can ask for
Don't be shy, Uncle Kwai
Thank you, Your Highness
Cough for me... that's enough
How is he?
He's very weak
The key is to keep an open mind
and don't worry too much
I'II give you a few prescriptions for the road
to invigorate you and improve your breathing
so you can arrive in Hangzhou safely
Thank you, Your Highness
What did I tell you?
Take a few tonics and you'll be fine
Thank you, Your Highness
Ching-luen, see them off
What are your plans?
What else? Ting-yuk is far away
He always wanted me to retire
Now his wish will come true
I'm never coming back to Luoyang
Take care, Ching-luen
Auntie
Perhaps I'll look for Ting-yuk in Lingzhou
If you go, let me know
so we can go together
Ching-luen, you're a nice girl
Don't waste your time on Ting-yuk
You have other choices of bright young men
who are better than Ting-yuk
I won't give up so easily
I told him I'll wait for him
You said everyone should keep their word
I will wait for him
He's lucky to have met you
I hope he's lucky enough to marry you
But I'm sure no matter where he is
He'll have the will to fight
I'm sure Ting-yuk won't give up either
we'II meet again someday
I'm surprised to see
you can wield the needle as well as the sword
People grow up, Father
I can't help you with Ting-yuk's banishment
and you're forced apart
My love life is nothing
compared to your state matters
What is it? You can tell me
If I tender my resignation
Will you be upset with me?
You're going to Lingzhou?
Please forgive me
My biggest wish is to be with Ting-yuk
No matter what you decide
I'II always back you up
We go through thick and thin together
You're making a shoe? Let me help you
You know how?
I will if you teach me
How hard can it be?
Be careful, Father
I guess there are 50 needle holes
My fingers may hurt
but don't feel bad
I only feel bad for Ching-luen
She's wasting away
and I can't help her
You already did
You patched things up for her and Mother
That's a great help
I asked Mother
if someday Ting-yuk should return
will she still object to him and Ching-luen
What did she say?
She'II leave it up to the Gods
She sounded more positive
But if Ching-luen goes to Lingzhou
we'II both talk to Mother
I'm more worried about Prince Ngai
You should deal with him
I'II take care of the family
Don't worry
With a wife like you
what more can I ask for?
My Lord, I get splitting headaches
and my limbs are weak
What's wrong with me?
Your pulse is normal
but your limbs are cold
I can't say for sure what's wrong
Don't worry, My Lord
She probably has the flu
Sister, you must get more rest
Don't make My Lord worry
I'II prescribe something for you
that may help your condition
Thanks, My Lord
You hardly ever get sick
But now you can hardly move
Maybe you'II die just like that
Not in your life...
Look at you!
You're barely alive!
Maybe you caught a rare disease
Is it contagious?
I better ask My Lord to stay in my chamber
in case you pass it onto him
You...
If anything happens to you
You can rest assured
I'II take good care of My Lord
How dare you!
You're too weak to fight me
You should know your place
You won't take My Lord from me
If he's named the crown prince
only I'II be his crown princess
Only if you're still alive
but if you're dead
I'II be the only crown princess
You're going to die!
You had it coming
Are you alright?
My chest... it hurts
How are you feeling?
I'm sorry to worry you
Don't say that, get some rest
I'II find a way to cure you
Thanks, My Lord
My Lord, her illness is unusual
Her pulse seems normal
but she's in so much pain
Why is that?
She shouldn't stay in her chamber
Not only will she suffer
the scandal may alarm Her Majesty
What are you saying?
Send her to the Medical Institute
the doctors can help her
and she can get better
The Medical Institute?
I'm concerned about her health
That's all
Let me think about it
Mother assigned me to build the gate tower
I have work to do
That's more important
I'II stay and look after sister
The gate tower is almost completed
You can inspect it anytime
I gave you this assignment not too long ago
It's finished already? Not bad!
Thanks for your compliment
You have been working very hard
Since the plague
You restructured the Medical Institute
and trained more doctors
I hope that you can work on other areas
so I can rely on you more
Her Majesty is always tied up with state affairs
she needs your help dealing with them
I'm always at your disposal, Mother
Come sit next to me
Have some tea
Thank you, Mother
State affairs are not as simple as a medical book
You must learn to run government affairs
I'II let you handle the ambassador from Ko Kui Lai
Yes, Mother
I heard Lady Wai is ill
and she moans in pain
Is she alright?
I can't diagnose her yet
I'm using acupuncture for now
and see how she reacts before I decide
She's a princess of Da Zhou
You must look after her
I will
Assassin!
Your Majesty, an assassin in Wing Shou Palace
I saw a shadow slipped into your chamber
Watch what you're saying
Why would anyone barge into my chamber
at this time of night?
I saw it with my own eyes
You must be seeing things
Major Mo, you were on duty
did you see anyone entering my chamber?
I didn't see anyone, Lady Wai
You...
Greetings, Your Majesty
What happened?
I was resting in my chamber
I saw a shadow by my bedside
will probable ill intent
I screamed in fright
and the shadow left
and went inside Wing Ling Palace
I'm sure it was a man
Watch what you're saying
I'm not hiding anyone, Your Majesty
Please understand
Let them search your chamber
to prove your innocence
There's nobody inside
Major Mo
Yes?
To be on the safe side
Search Wing Ling Palace thoroughly
Yes, Your Majesty! Guards...
Yes!
Let me see
The date and time when I was born
How dare you use voodoo in the Palace!
No wonder I get headaches and chest pains
and my limbs felt like they're pricked by needles
Not even My Lord can make a diagnosis
You used voodoo on me
and put me in such pain and misery
How vicious of you!
Careful!
What is that?
Your Majesty
The nerve of you
I didn't do it, Your Majesty
It's not mine, really...
It's not enough you target against me
How could you harm Her Majesty?
What's wrong with you?
I didn't do it, Your Majesty
It's not mine
Someone planted it to frame me
This is your chamber
Who could have incriminated you?
Milady, I warned you against it
I told you using voodoo
on Lady Wai and Her Majesty
is punishable by death
But you wouldn't listen
Now look what you have done
You little bitch!
You betrayed me!
I must confess, Milady
I don't want to die
Her Majesty is a capable ruler
You should not harm her
Your Majesty, please understand
I had nothing to do with it
Why did you do it, Lady Chor?
I only wanted her dead
With her out of the way
and when I die
Prince Lo Ling will inherit the throne
so you'll be the queen
That's why you want me dead?
No, I really didn't do it
I was framed
I really was framed...
Throw her in prison
Guards!
Yes!
Your Majesty, I was framed...
My Lord... Your Majesty
Please get some rest
Don't trouble yourself over this
I knew that within the Palace
jealousy in the harem is common
I didn't expect history to repeat itself
Yuen-yee, you think Lady Chor really wants me dead?
I don't know the circumstances
I don't want to speculate
In any case, Lady Chor must die
Pass on my order tomorrow morning
Give her white silk to hang herself
As for the maid Tsui-kuk
though she came forward
she betrayed her mistress
I can't keep her in the Palace
Relieve her duties and send her home