You have just got a promotion But now you've wounded Mo Yin-tak
How can I explain it to Her Majesty?
You're too reckless. I won't feel at ease to let you marry my daughter
It's my fault. I'II take the blame I won't get Your Honor into trouble
You'll be my son-in-law soon and you're also my subordinate
How can I stay aloof from the affair?
Your Honor...
I have 2 sons. Kwong-yuen has no lofty aspirations at all
But he's working hard in the courthouse and I know I shouldn't expect too much from him
King-fai is intelligent by natural endowments but he's still a child
so I only have high hopes for you
I think highly of you so I'm strict
It's a man's duty to protect his home and defend the country
Apart from courage
he needs knowledge, wisdom and discretion
These will put him in an invincible position
You must bear what I said in mind
Since I passed the cadet exam, I'm resolved to take Your Honor as my model
I want to become an honest and upright official who loves the subjects he serves
I swear I'II bear in mind what Your Honor has taught me
This Persian wine is unique
It's priceless and it's also Your Majesty's favorite
I'm your aunt but we haven't drunk to our heart's content for a long time already
so I must pick the best wine today
Aunt, I appreciate your kindness and hospitality
Since I conferred Hin the Crown prince again
my ministers still have lots of debates on it
But he's my son and blood is thicker than water
Yes. I'II try my best to talk them round
You play a decisive role in the government
I hope you'll assist Hin like what you've done to assist me
I'II give my best and give my all to assist Prince Lo Ling until my heart stops to beat
Dad... You've drunk too much!
Why are you wounded?
Sung Ting-yuk tried to spoil the wedding plan of Yuen-yee and me
So I had a fight with him
He's ridiculous! I'II help you get even with him
But I don't think I can really help
What's up?
Before Her Majesty made a decision in the past
she used to summon me to an audience with her in the palace
But now she's conferred Prince Lo Ling the Crown prince
She did it before summoning me to the palace
She even asked me to assist Prince Lo Ling
What she was trying to say is
that I must stop having any inordinate ambitions
If I ignore her, she'II take my life
Her Majesty is your aunt She won't kill her nephew
Prince Lo Ling will come to treat your mother 2 days later
Now your mother is mentally deranged
She keeps saying she's the queen
If Prince Lo Ling hears it, he'II suspect we've the intention to overthrow the regime
We can tell him honestly that mom is ill
It won't help. Now no one trusts what I say
Your mom's illness is incurable
She's mentally deranged. She looks like neither a ghost nor a human
I've been pondering sometimes
if we must do something direct and fast... to end her suffering
Dad, don't tell me you'II...
If I do it, I do it for the family and you
If I hadn't been at the end of my tether
I wouldn't have thought of resorting to such an unwise move
Don't do it
Her Majesty has given her blessing to your marriage
If anything happens to us, Sheung Koon Yuen-yee will also be implicated
I may ask Her Majesty to annul the marriage
It's too late. We can't defy Her Majesty
Yin-tak...
in order to save our family
and safeguard the future of you and Yuen-yee
we can only sacrifice your mom
Mom, drink your decoction. Drink slowly
Mo Shing-tsz, you want to kill me?
You'll poison me? You'll poison me?
Mom, I'm Yin-tak
You want to poison me? Mom...
You want to kill me, Mo Shing-tsz? Mom
Mo Shing-tsz... Mom...
Mo Shing-tsz, I won't let you off...
Mom... Mom...
A human won't do it! I knocked her out
No, no, don't force me to do it
If you can't do it, let me do it Dad...
Dad...
Don't do it
Dad...
I can't do it either
We two are the same. We can't dump your mom
Dad, there should be other ways
You're right. We can take her to another place
But I'm still worried about one thing
Yes?
You mom has said before that she's written a letter about all our wrongdoings
If anything happens to her someone will take the letter to Her Majesty
If we hide your mom
that person will think that something untoward has happened
We'II also meet our doom by that time
I know where that letter is
Now nothing will be a threat to me anymore
Mom can set out now
Yes. It's a long trip
Mom, mom
Death is this wicked witch's just deserts
She thought she could blackmail me with that letter
You had no intention to take mom to another place
You just deceived me into getting the letter for you
I was too stupid
I trusted what you said
Your mom had to die. She would spoil bro's plan to become the emperor
Yin-tak, your mom had become a big obstacle to my plan
I must be ruthless if I want to become the emperor
The throne will be ours sooner or later
It's a price I don't want to pay You're not my father anymore
Where're you going?
I'II go and talk to Her Majesty
Really? I must kill you too
Where's he?
We can't find him
Go and look for him. Kill him and take his corpse to me
Yes
Keep searching Yes...
Mom's fickle. It was a long trip to take her to the temple
But she told us to go away after she'd arrived
She'd like to give us a chance to do some sightseeing here
Really? That's great! I'm about to pour out endless whispers of love to you
We're an old couple already There're still endless whispers of love?
Only half of what you said is right
I'm over 50 so it's very reasonable to say I'm an old hubby
But you're young and beautiful. It's really too unfair to say you're an old wife
Besides, there's no upper age limit regarding the conveying of whispers of love
It's OK as long as they come from the bottom of one's heart
Old Master, even Siu-yue is laughing at you
Madam, I laughed because I agreed with what Old Master had said
You're helping Old Master?
No, madam. What I said came from the bottom of my heart
Siu-yue is a quick learner
When I was in the temple, I forgot to ask about the white jade's implication
I wonder if this is an omen of misfortune
No, of course it is not. Though the jade shatters, people are intact
so it'II help us ward off calamities and turn misfortunes into blessings
We should be optimistic. Don't worry
Old Master, I'll benefit from what you said for my whole life
Old Master, your face is red. You're hot?
A bit
I'II go and get some water so I can help you wipe your face
Sure. Thank you
Madam, the flowers are beautiful
Right
Old Master...
Major Mo?
Major Mo, what's up? Why are you hurt?
Someone ambushed you? Feel free to speak up
I'II send someone to inform Prince Ngai so he can come and pick you up
Don't do it, please
I... I don't want anyone, especially my father, to know my whereabouts
Your Honor, keep this secret for me
Why?
Don't tell anyone, please I beg you not to ask anymore
We'II let you get some rest
I'II ask Kwong-yuen to look after you. If you need anything, feel free to talk to him
Mom, I think we can build a West Town in Luoyang
It can serve the traders of the western territory
It's also a great convenience for trade
Minister Tik, what do you think?
Bustling business activities not only increase the state's strength
but they also bring about a lot of business opportunities for the commoners
Your Majesty... Your Majesty I've got to report something
Prince Ngai, rise, please
What's happened?
Your Majesty... Lady Ngan has passed away
How come?
I was about to ask Hin and the imperial doctor to go and see her
I'm grateful for Your Majesty's kindness
But fate has decreed otherwise
It's a pity she can't return Your Majesty's favor
It's true that our fate is sealed
Your Highness, has Major Mo known about it already?
Once Yin-tak was told about the death of his mother
he lost control of his emotions and ran away
I have yet to find out where he is
Yin-tak is a good son. The yin-yang dissociation must make him very upset
What he did is understandable
Scholar Sheung Koon...
You look very tired
Thank you for your care and concern
Excuse me, have you seen Major Mo?
You came with him together last time
So I haven't seen him for 2 days already
Thank you No problem
Minister Tik has sent many people to look for him already
What if you get some rest first?
What I'll do is none of your business
I just don't want you to strain yourself
I must look for Yin-tak first
In that case, let's me go with you
Let's go Hands off!
Stop feigning mercifulness
I thought you'd like Yin-tak and I to break up?
Now he's missing. You should be very happy?
It's really what you think of me?
I don't know. I just feel that you're very troublesome and annoying
Tik's Mansion
Major Mo has run away
You were not having an eye on him?
He knocked me out when I was helping him to walk to the lavatory
Are you all right?
I'II be OK. I'II get some medicinal ointment
Sorry, dad. It was my fault
You couldn't stop him if he was determined to leave
I'm just worried about his safety
When he was taking off his shoes the other day
I saw a black and shiny feather dropping out from his shoe
He hid it with his foot immediately It seemed he didn't want me to see it
He'd been to a place but he doesn't want others to know about it?
It's possible. Go and find out the name of the bird with black and shiny feathers
Sure
Commander in Chief Madam Sung, what a surprise?
I've brought you some cakes
So Commander in Chief would like to drop in on Madam Sung too?
What're you talking about? I came here with him? Why you said he'd drop in on me?
I wasn't talking about you, Madam Sung I was talking about the future Madam Sung
But they shouldn't meet before the wedding
Right
But they can't stand the pain of being lovesick so they must see each other
I'm not too rigid
I know they miss each other a lot
so bringing cakes for you is the excuse I used to let them see each other
Ching-luen, do you agree?
Madam Sung...
Don't greet her as Madam Sung Now your must greet her as mom
Right, do it
You should stop teasing her. A pink flush has spread over her cheeks already
Commander in Chief will be cross with you
Be careful...
Are you all right? I'm OK
Is it about Scholar Sheung Koon?
Scholar Sheung Koon is worn-out because of the disappearance of Major Mo
As her friend, I'm worried about her
Everyone's fate is sealed Why are you so worried?
Right, you'd better worry about Officer Tik
What's happened to her?
You two will get married soon but there's still another woman in your heart
You're not afraid your future Madam Sung will be jealous?
I'm not so small-minded
Right, stop talking nonsense
Right, stop talking nonsense. My future daughter-in-law is exactly like me
We both are virtuous pretty and intelligent
Let's eat the cakes What're these?
Come on!
Let's eat the cakes Sure
You first... You first. Help yourselves...
We've to get everything on the list We must be meticulous and impeccable
The bride's family is a family that has produced officials for several generations
Everything we do must adhere to traditions and customs
Ours is now the same My son is a Commander in Chief!
Right, right Of course
Mom, you want to kill me?
Don't curse yourself!
What if you go and get the things on the list
Could you do it for me?
I'm busy. If I do everything for you what if I marry your wife for you too?
Then we'II be brothers-in-law?
Be serious. Stop talking nonsense
You must go home before shenshi (3 to 5 pm) I've made an appointment with Tailor Cheung
OK
OK, see you
Let's go and buy some ginger and vinegar
Is it too early for us to buy ginger and vinegar?
I'm anxious to get a grandkid
People told me Sis Luk's ginger and vinegar will bring the customers good luck
Those who buy from her will get male offspring eventually
Officer Tik looks sturdy She'II bear 3 kids in 2 years
Not enough. I expect 6 kids in 3 years...
Madam, what's happened?
Don't worry. Tell me and I'II help you...
This pair of shoes should be too tiny for me
Silly girl. You won't wear them. It's for the auspicious connotation they convey
'A kid's shoes' are the homophones for 'togetherness'
Your marriage will be harmonious and long-lasting
How about this pair of ivory 'chopsticks'?
It means you'll 'bear offspring very soon'
I'II be happy if you can bear 2 kids in 3 years
I wonder if labor is painful
Take a look. Take a look
I'm glad it didn't chip If it chips, it's inauspicious
Sis, Bro Sung... He was ambushed in a back alley
He's seriously injured
Step back! Step back! Step back!
Ting-yuk, get up! Stop playing! Get up!
Ting-yuk, get up!
Talk to me, please. It's too cruel of you to leave me like this
We still have to get married and do many things together
Ting-yuk
Who did it?
This hairpin is the murder weapon
Scholar Sheung Koon...
This hairpin belongs to Scholar Sheung Koon
You suspect I'm the murderer?
It's true he and I had arguments before
But I always treat him as a friend. Why should I kill him?
I don't want to suspect you but this is the murder exhibit
Did anyone see you give this to Major Mo?
That's enough! You just want to frame me I also want to know who the murderer is
Besides, Yin-tak is missing without a trace How's the progress of your investigation?
Scholar Sheung Koon, calm down, please
I'm very calm and I also know very well
your family is responsible for the death of my dad, granddad and mom
You've got all the credit in front of Her Majesty already
Why do you still want to frame me?
Why do you hate my family so much?
You've been mistaken about it
I wish you were right!
You don't want me to marry Yin-tak
You're afraid I'll help his family to ruin your big plan
so you asked Commander in Chief to stop me going out with Major Mo
Now you slander me. You said I'm a murderer
Your intention is outrageously malicious
What's happened?
Your Majesty
Minister Tik, I heard Yuen-yee say
you've maliciously alleged that she's a murderer. Why?
Commander in Chief was killed. The murder weapon is Scholar Sheung Koon's hairpin
Your Majesty, I didn't kill anyone
Your Majesty, I'd just like to clear up all the doubts
I've heard about what happened to Commander in Chief
Like everybody, I'm also filled with deep sorrow
I'm grateful, Your Majesty. So I want to get the murderer as soon as possible
Scholar Sheung Koon, I'd like to know where you've gone today
I've been staying with Her Majesty in the palace the whole day
It's true she's been with me the whole day
Minister Tik, you don't trust what I said?
Forgive me, Your Majesty
No matter what grudges you've harbored against each other before
don't frame the innocent because of a momentary grief
Yuen-yee, come with me Yes
Yuen-yee, don't be upset
I trust you implicitly
I'm grateful, Your Majesty
Prince Ngai and Prince Leung are asking for an audience with Your Majesty urgently
Approved
Let them in
Your Majesty...
Skip the formalities. What's happened?
Your Majesty, I've discovered something about Sung Ting-yuk's death
Tell me about it immediately
I've found the bodies of Sung Ting-yuk's mother and her maid
I suspect the murderer is Tik Yan-kit
It's not a trivial matter. Don't make a malicious remark carelessly
Your Majesty, after I'd found the bodies I sent my men to their home to investigate
They found a secret letter there
According to the secret letter
Tik Yan-kit and Sung Ting-yuk's mother had collaborated together
in liaising people who favor the restoration of the House of Lee
They'd been making weapons and recruiting followers everywhere
They'd even collaborated with the state of Tujue in a plot to overthrow Da Zhou
The letter has the Golden Moth Gang's stamp and Sung Ting-yuk's mama is the gang leader
These guys are traitors and usurpers and they're audacious in the extreme
Your Majesty, it's a matter of great urgency
Tik Yan-kit has liaised with the people of the House of Lee
like Prince Ching and Prince Sun and also the king of Tujue
to stage an insurgency simultaneously in many places on the 5th day of the 3rd Moon
Your Majesty, a group of old ministers have also been bought off by Tik Yan-kit
They'll act in collusion to force Your Majesty to abdicate
Tik Yan-kit is scheming and calculating
I've been quite nice to him and I've trusted him implicitly
If what you said is true, his crime is too wicked to be pardoned
Your Majesty, the evidence is irrefutable...
Why were Sung Ting-yuk and his mom killed?
Tik Yan-kit has just framed me for murder. Are all these related?
I suspect there's internal dissension even before the insurgency is staged
Tik Yan-kit was afraid that his plot would be exposed
so he killed both mother and son to prevent divulgence of his secrets
Your Majesty, Tik Yan-kit has tried to shift the blame onto Scholar Sheung Koon
His motive is as plain as the nose on his face
He intends to isolate Your Majesty by getting rid of someone you trust
Then he can deceive Your Majesty and get whatever he wants to get
Tik Yan-kit is outrageously muddle-headed
This sort of feathers is similar to the one dropped out from Major Mo's shoe
Dad, these are the coffin crows
They can be found nowhere in the East Capital except this deserted temple
I've talked to some old men. They said this temple was very popular in the past
But since the coffin crows have appeared many misfortunes happened in nearby places
Now on one has the nerve to enter the 10-li circumference of the temple
Why did Major Mo come here?
It's not the way he must use when he goes to the palace
The nearby villages are deserted too
Step back... Step back...
Prince Lo Ling is suspected of being abetted by Tik Yan-kit to plot a rebellion
His treasonable act is a hideous crime
Her Majesty has now decreed that he's put under house arrest until further notice
Tik's Mansion
Where's Tik Yan-kit? Ask him to come out
The Tik's Mansion is a solemn place It's very rude of you to boss around here
Tik Yan-kit has secretly plotted to overthrow the government
The evidence is irrefutable. Her Majesty instructs me to arrest this traitor
He isn't here
Search!
Mom, mom...
It's OK. Don't worry
Bro, we've searched the whole house but there isn't any trace of Tik Yan-kit
Remand them in custody
Step back... Step back...
Dad... I want to save them
You're seeking your doom if you go out Don't be reckless. Be patient and prudent
I'II fight the two brothers to the finish
You must kowtow before His Highness
Kneel down!
Tik Yan-kit has conspired with Cheung So-ngo, Sung Ting-yuk and the others
like the state of Tujue in an attempt to stage an insurgency
I've got all the evidence and I've also submitted all the evidence to Her Majesty
Nonsense!
Mo Shing-tsz, you said we've betrayed the state
Actually, you're the one with a wicked heart
You've racked your brains to harm the loyal and innocent
Then you can arrogate to yourself all the powers of the state
You're full of wild ambitions!
That's too unbridled!
How dare you take such liberties!
Guards...
Use a dagger to scrape her mouth clean
I really wonder if it's true that one can't find ivory in a dog's mouth
Yes, Your Highness
Stop it!
Our family has been loyal to the court generation after generation
The late emperor had awarded me this golden medallion
Seeing this medallion is like seeing the emperor
None of you can hurt anyone of us
Bro...
You... You have the guts to be disrespectful to the late emperor?
Grandma is old. Don't make life difficult for her
I don't fight with women and kids
I'm sure Tik Yan-kit will pop out as long as I've got you guys in my hands
Lock them up for me
Yes...
Walk...
Walk... Walk...
Mo Shing-tsz has brought a charge against you in front of Her Majesty
He's accused you of collaborating with the state of Tujue in staging an insurgency
Now everyone of your family is remanded in custody
He also said if you don't turn yourself in
he'II execute all of your family one by one
He's a wicked man. I'II go and rescue them
Kwong-yuen!
Thank you, Your Honor. Take care
You take care too
Dad, I want to save grandma and mom I'm worried about Sis Luen and King-fai too
Mo Shing-tsz is using this trick to force us to show up
If we pop out, we're putting our heads into his noose
But we can't step back and watch them die
If we die, who will help us reopen the case and reverse the wrong verdict?
Our lives are not so important
But I'II disappoint the late emperor if I can't help restore the Tang Dynasty
Mo Shing-tsz wants to get rid of me so he can deceive Her Majesty and get the throne
I won't let him do it
Your Highness would like to have an audience with Her Majesty?
Even Tik Yan-kit has staged an insurgency, we have nothing to do with it
It's not fair to put us under house arrest
Besides, Minister Tik has always been loyal to the state
It's absolutely impossible for him to stage an insurgency
It must be a set-up. I must talk to mom to stop the innocent from being harmed
Your Highness, I understand what you want
But it's a pity Her Majesty has been feeling unwell recently
so Her Majesty wouldn't be able to see Your Highness
Besides, Prince Ngai is given full authority to deal with Tik Yan-kit's case
It seems we mustn't do anything to disturb Her Majesty
Sheung Koon Yuen-yee, I'm astounded to hear what you said
You're very disrespectful
We're Her Majesty's family!
It's a pity you two are criminals now
Though Her Majesty has yet to give her verdict
Her Majesty has decreed that you two should be put under house arrest
I'm sorry your request to meet Her Majesty is declined
Take my advice, please
Keep calm and obey Her Majesty's orders
Your Highness, if there's nothing else, I'm off now
This petty person is ridiculous!
Your Highness, what should we do now?
Ting-yuk, you've passed away for 7 days already
I can't pay a visit to your grave
I pray that your spirit in the netherworld
will help me find the murderer
Ching-luen, you haven't eaten anything for 2 days already
Not eating anything is detrimental to your health
Come on, eat something
I haven't had any appetite
If you refuse to eat, I'm sure Ting-yuk will be upset
3 days have passed but Tik Yan-kit is still missing without a trace
It seems he's decided not to rescue you
I'II stick to what I said Now I'll kill one of you
I'II let you decide who will die first
I'II certainly give her a very good meal
I'm old. My days are numbered so you should let me die
No, you're the pillar of the family so you mustn't die
Mom, let me die
No
You should let me die
Ting-yuk has met his tragic doom I'm so sad that I don't want to live either
Grandma, let me join him
No, you two are still young
You still have to do many things in future
Our family's future has to count on you
Grandma, let me die, please
No, let me die
No, grandma, let me die Let me die...
Stop arguing, please. Since all of us are willing to die, let Heaven decide it for us
There're 3 straws here
The one who gets the shortest one will go to the execution ground tomorrow
Let me draw first
This is mine
Impossible! Impossible!
We have a deal that Heaven will decide our fate
Heaven is going to let me die
You two must live on for the family
Mom...
Ching-luen, you'II look after grandma and King-fai in future
You must help them get out of here, OK?
Mom... I can't look after you in future
Forgive me, please
You're a good daughter-in-law
Mom...
King-fai, Siu-yue told me you've been well-behaved in the last few days
I'II give you this chicken leg
I don't want chicken leg. Mom, I want you
King-fai, I've to go to a faraway place
You must be nice to Sis Luen and grandma in future, OK?
Mom, don't leave me
It's time to leave
Mom, don't go away
King-fai, be a good boy
If you're not well-behaved, I'll know it
Mom, I'II be a good boy
Let's go
No...
Mom...
Ching-luen...
Mom, I'm off
You're a good daughter-in-law
Mom...
We're late. Walk...
No, no... Mom... Don't leave me...
Walk... Mom...
Madam Tik, we wish you a safe trip...
Old Master, don't pop out. Don't pop out
Madam Tik...
If Tik Yan-kit shows up, I swear there's no possible escape even he has a pair of wings
Old Master, don't pop out. Don't pop out
We wish you a safe trip... Madam Tik, we wish you a safe trip...
Mom...
The Execution Ground
Bro, there's still no trace of Tik Yan-kit
I didn't know he could be so coldhearted
OK, he'll get what he wants
'Who's pacing up and down in this moonlit night? '
'Wondering the whereabouts of one's beloved'
'Gazing ahead aimlessly'
'Wishing the moonlight to guide one to one's beloved's place'
Madam Tik, we wish you a safe trip...
Execute her
Yuet...
Yuet... Yuet...
Mom...