All credits for subtitles belongs to D-Addicts. Ripped by jcsoh.
Having won the favor of King Zhou,
Daji now calls the shots in the palace.
Lord Deng and Pipa all can't wait to cury favor with her.
If these blooms are trying to steal the limelight from Your Ladyship,
they fail miserably.
Our Ladyship, there's a rumor going round. I wonder if it's true.
What is it?
The Queen wants no peony planted in the Imperial Garden.
I see.
While Your Ladyship had been busy perusing the petitions,
Lady Su and the Queen held a private talk.
Is that so?
What they talk about?
They were lamenting the lack of talented men in the imperial court.
They were deliberating whether new blood should be injected.
They wanted to curb your intervention in state affairs.
Ungrateful and gossipy lot! They don't appreciate Lady Su's efforts!
Your Ladyship must get His Majesty to redress your grievance.
Why kick up a big fuss over a trivial matter?
What matters, I surround myself with capable subjects and...
know how to rule the country.
Pipa, just listen to what Lord Deng has to say first.
The Queen plans to assign four competent officials to..
recruit and recommend talented men to His Majesty.
Lady Su, are you hungry? Shall I bring you some snacks?
No, thanks.
The sun is so glaring here. It's bad for your snow white complexion.
Shall we return to the palace?
Lord Deng and I are having a serious discussion here.
From what I gather, the recruitment of talented men is actually
a ploy to undermine Your Ladyship's power.
Mei Bo, Zhao Gon min and Bi Gan pose no threat.
The man you should guard against is West Marquis.
We should be wary of that man!
He actually mouthed the words "a woman ruling the roost".
A woman ruling the roost?
Ji Chang pays his respects to Your Ladyship.
- Rise. - Thank you, Your Ladyship.
What may I do for Your Ladyship?
Your Excellency is an erudite man.
Having had little schooling,
I need you to explain a few characters to me.
I'm at your service.
What does "pinji sichen" mean?
Day and night are ordained by Heaven.
Yin and yang, and the Five Elements have their rightful places.
"Pinji sichen" means being out of one's rightful place.
What has this got to do with a crowing hen (pin ji)?
It's only an analogy.
What analogy? Do enlighten me.
I'm but a man of little talent and learning
How can that be so? Your Excellency is a sage from Xiqi.
Even a slave understands what that phrase means,
let alone Your Excellency.
Are you unwilling or afraid to explain it to me?
Since Your Ladyship knows what it means, I needn't explain it no more.
I want to hear it from your lips.
I'm now sitting on the dragon's chair.
Would you consider this "pin ji" (a crowing hen?)
I peruse the petitions on His Majesty's behalf.
Do you call this "si chen" (heralding the break of day)?
My wise sage from Xiqi, say yes or no. Go on!
Yes!.
Outrageous! The audacity of you to confront me!
You have no respect for me.
My beauty, who has made you so angry?
Your Majesty, I don't dare to help you anymore.
Why?
I wanted to ease Your Majesty's burden.
But someone's accusing me of trying to rule the kingdom.
I won't dare to interfere in state affairs again.
My beauty, I don't understand a word you're saying.
Your Majesty you must redress the wrong I've suffered.
You must have upset my beloved beauty!
Men, throw him into prison!
Your Majesty! Take him away!
My beauty, don't be angry.
It's late. Why haven't you turned in for the night?
I'm pondering over how I should help you run the country.
No point losing sleep over an inept official.
Just give him 200 strokes of the paddle!
It won't work. He's a very stubborn man.
The usual punishment won't work on him.
Is this bronze pillar carved with the late king's words?
Yes. What do you want?
Let's singe the pillar and pin West Marquis's body against it.
Not only will he suffer physical pain.
He'll also be reminded to have the country's welfare at heart.
What do you say, Your Majesty?
Wonderful! Only you can come up with such a brilliant idea.
Use the hot pillar as a tool of punishment. How interesting!
Father, don't worry. West Marquis will be fine.
But he's gone to see Lady Su.
Mistress is back!
Master, Mistress is back!
Pipa, you're back. Is West Marquis in any trouble?
He offended Her Ladyship. He'll be pinned against a hot pillar!
What happened? What did he say to offend Lady Su?
What else but "a woman ruling the roost!"
But, he promised me not to mention it again.
Lady Su is a bright lady. She brought it up herself.
That's strange. Why would she mention it?
It's not easy waiting on Lady Su Seeing her day and night,
I've run out of things to tell her.
And I have to watch what I say to her. It's been hard on me!
It doesn't help that Lord Deng is always trying to upstage me.
I have to take care of the well being of this family.
We'll be in deep trouble if we fall out of favor.
I just want to know how Lady Su came to know about this phrase.
Lady Su loves listening to gossip. It was a slip of my tongue.
You blurted it out?
You promised not to blurt it out.
To think you'd buy Lady Su's favor with idle chat.
It was no idle chat! I was only repeating a fact.
A man answers for his actions! Why should he try to cover up his deed?
It was never my intention for West Marquis to be punished.
You want to hit me, eh? Go ahead!
Stop it. How could you do this to Pipa?
Brother, you should apologize to Pipa.
What! I'm in the wrong?
Even Mother says you're in the wrong!
Go on. Are you defying your mother as well?
She's brought calamity upon West Marquis for crying out loud!!
Father, you're not in the wrong.
Father, whatever has happened to your assertiveness?
Outrageous! How dare you ask your father to hit me!
Go and repent before your ancestors!
Father!
Go!
Jinzha, Muzha, I've brought you food.
It's been a while since we three ate together.
I'll eat with you together.
You've not eat every day. You must be hungry.
Do take care of your health so that you may serve your country.
Try my cooking. I cooked this food myself.
Are you still upset with me?
We know the difficulty you're in.
Grandmother and Aunt can't tell right from wrong.
You have to put up with much humiliation.
This is no longer like a home.
We used to be so happy when Mother was around.
We miss Mother and Nezha.
The bronze pillar outside Xuanyuan Palace was commissioned by
the late king.
Thirteen days before his death,
the frail king carved words of admonishment on the pillar.
He declared the loyal officials of Shang as pillars of the country.
He wanted King Zhou to accord them due respect and
treat them like he would to is own father and brothers.
A woman ruling the roost!
But by a freak turn of events,
the pillar will be used against loyal Officials.
This form of punishment is known as the hot pillar.
A woman ruling the roost...
West Marquis Ji Chang has shown utter disrespect towards Lady Su,
offending her with insolent words.
He's committed an unpardonable crime.
The pillar commissioned by the late king shall hereby be used
as a tool of punishment.
One, the physical pain shall serve as a deterrent to future offenders.
Two, the guilty official shall be reminded of the late king's words.
Wait!
Sister, I just returned to the palace with the Queen.
I heard that West Marquis will be pinned against the hot pillar.
I beseech you to show him mercy.
Why should I?
One, though West Marquis showed you disrespect
he's a loyal official who has contributed much to the country.
And?
Two, West Marquis is a sage. He's well loved by many.
If he is subjected to such a torture,
I'm afraid the people will...
I've heard enough.
Begin.
Sister!
A woman ruling the roost!
Carry on.
Stoke the fire!
Your Ladyship, please show West Marquis mercy!
Sister West Marquis has been punished. Please show him mercy.
Heaven advocates benevolence. I shall spare his life.
Thank you, Your Ladyship!
Future offenders will be given the same punishment. Understand?
Her Ladyship asked you a question!
Yes, I understand.
I'm returning to the palace.
- These are lovely fruits. - Thank you.
I've been fishing all my life. I'm approaching 80 soon.
No one believes I can catch a fish with a straight hook.
You're the only person who believes I can.
I do believes you! The kids are ignorant.
I've lived long enough to know miracles do happen.
There must be a profound truth behind your unconventional method.
You're my bosom pal indeed.
Your wife has left you What are your plans?
She'll come back to me once I catch a fish.
By the way. Why isn't Nezha with you?
He's given me much frustration.
He just won't listen to me. He's still as flighty as ever.
I've no idea where he's gone.
Doesn't your husband help you to take him in hand?
Owing to my average looks, we've separated.
Isn't it tough bringing up a boy on your own?
Not at all! It's been a breeze.
Your husband didn't know what a good wife he had in you.
The same goes for you.
All the men want to serve and shed blood for the country.
In the end, it's the women who suffer.
I've got to go I have to cook for my son.
Goddess Nuwa, Nezha has a request to make.
I've come to Weishui to seek Jiang's help to regain my body.
But he won't help him unless he's caught his fish.
But he uses a straight hook! It'll take him forever to catch a fish.
I wonder if that old man is serious about helping me.
I'm in a sorry state now. Being made of lotus root,
my limbs break easily.
I don't know when I'll ever regain my fleshly body.
When will I ever be freed from this suffering?
Goddess Nuwa, I feel so miserable.
Please show me the way out. I'll be eternally grateful to you.
Are my eyes playing tricks on me? Goddess Nuwa, you've shown up!
Nezha, you're destined to be a celestial general.
The trials and tribulations that come your way are preparing you.
I'll give you my divine creature, the zool.
It'll show up soon and lead you to Celestial Lake.
Immerse yourself in the water and you'll regain your powers.
Thank you, Goddess Nuwa!
Remember, the zool has had 300 years of cultivation.
Do learn from it
I will! When will it show up?
That could be Heaven's secret Thank you, Goddess Nuwa!
I'll take my leave. Thank you, Goddess Nuwa!
This creature looks like a cross between an ox and a deer.
Just what is it?
Just what is it's motive in passing off as Goddess Nuwa to trick Nezha.
Where did he go? Are you pinching the food?
No!
You got me so worried! Where were you?
I've got good news! I'll be regaining my fleshly form soon!
What did you say?
Goddess Nuwa showed up.
She told me she'd be giving me one of her divine creatures.
I'll get back my fleshly form soon!
You're daydreaming!
Son, there are only four divine creatures.
They are the Celestial Dog, Five Colors Bull and...
the pair of phoenixes. There's no zool.
Only someone with years of cultivation will own one.
Son, you're still so young.
You've done nothing to earn your fleshly body back.
It's too good a bargain!
Son, one has to be down to earth. Take one thing at a time.
Have an early night. You'll go fishing with Jiang tomorrow.
What! You call that man's way of fishing down-to-earth while
my seeking help from Goddess Nuwa is otherwise?!
You just wont believe me.
It's not that. But your mother has seen more of life.
Take her advice.
Goddess Nuwa watched me grow up. She won't leave me in the lurch.
It won't be long before the zool shows up!
Son, I think the divine creature has shown up.
Where is it?
I'm the divine creature!
You take out your frustrations on me,
share your joy with me and make me your scapegoat in times of trouble.
I go to your rescue all the time. Aren't I your divine creature?
Since you like divine creatures so much, I'll play one then!
Stop it, Mother!
A creature is blocking the bridge.
The divine creature has shown up!
Stop eating!
Make way! We've got to cross the bridge.
Excuse me.
It's blocking your way?
It won't let us go on the bridge.
We are pressed for time.
I'll help you.
No! Mother!
Are you the zool under Goddess Nuwa?
There, I told you! It's really Goddess Nuwa's zool!
And you believe it,
it nodded it's head!
It's yours? Pull it aside.
Don't be impatient.
Zool, be good. Make way.
You can't block people's way.
Be good. Move aside.
The bridge has collapsed!
So you were blocking their way to protect them?
Had it not blocked our way, we'd have fallen to our deaths.
We must thank this young man.
You're most welcome!
See, that's my divine creature! Good boy!
Don't just look down and smile. Look more imposing.
Mother, don't I look smart?
Stop! Just who are you demon?
Stop shaking your head! You may fool the kids but not me!
It's a divine creature. Don't do this to it.
It's a divine creature? Stand aside!
Stop hitting it.
Leave!
Smart of you to leave or I'll have killed you!
Who has been the best person to you?
you.
Who will never lie to you.
You.
Who risked her life to have a son made of lotus root?
You.
Between me and the freak, who do you want?
You.
- Mother... -She's left
Let's go.
My respects to Your Majesty
My beauty, you're here!
Come have a drink with me.
Your Majesty, I came to bring you good tidings.
Our army has won victory after victory in the war.
Heaven has shown me great favor by
giving me such a capable concubine.
Your Majesty, morale in our troops is at an all time high.
This is an excellent time for us to launch an attack against Guifang.
I especially came to discuss this with you.
I want to enjoy my wine right now. We'll talk tomorrow.
In war, it's all about timing.
I can always have a drink with you another time.
There's no need for a war.
If you just saunter past the enemy's troops.
they'll fall prey to your charms and beg you for mercy.
Long live, my beauty!
Your Majesty, get up.
This matter is of grave concern to the Shang Dynasty
I want to hear nothing about affairs of the state.
Have a drink with me.
Lady Su, didn't you go and see His Majesty regarding state affairs?
How come you're back so fast?
The sight of that man just nauseates me.
I'm tired, I handle state affairs in the day and
keep that man company in the night.
I have to do everything by myself.
Isn't there anyone in the palace who can assist me?
How about Bi Gan?
He's a man of mediocre talent.
- Mei Bo? - He's not up to the mark.
How about Lord Deng? He's warmed his way to your heart
In my eyes, he's but only a dog.
That's true. None of the officials are fit to be your right-hand man.
Even West Marquis has been punished.
All the men lack substance. Women are the capable ones.
Do you agree, Your Ladyship?
Where's Bo Yikao?
How timely, Your Ladyship!
He's submitted a petition to plead for leniency for West Marquis.
He does beg others for mercy too?
Ignore him. Have you forgotten how he...
Pipa, remember what I told you about magnanimity of heart?
Don't you remember my words?
Don't take too long. I'll be in trouble.
Your Excellency!
You are?
I'm Ningxiang. I'm Su Hu's daughter.
It's you, Lady Su
I had to bribe many guards before I could come and visit you.
This balm is excellent for treating burns.
Thank you. Thank you for your concern.
Without my sister's idea,
you wouldn't have landed in this state.
Before I came to the palace,
I divined my own fortune.
I knew a disaster would befall me.
It's Heaven's will. Don't feel bad about it.
Lady Su, how's the situation out there?
It's a peaceful and jubilant mood out there.
Our troops have returned from the war in victory.
Is this Heaven's will? Is Shang destined for doom?
Why did you say that?
What's wrong with winning a war?
Your sister is not cut out to run a country.
She knows nothing about deployment of troops.
It have been a blessing if we had lost the war.
But our troops have returned victorious.
It'll only make her more arrogant
His Majesty will trust her even more.
She'll be the one to call the shots in the kingdom.
Shang Dynasty is headed towards doom!
Your Excellency, my sister and I have brought this upon you.
It's Heaven's will.
Lady Su, could you do me a favor?
Bo Yikao is known for his filial piety.
No way will he allow his father to suffer such torture.
He's brought with him treasures to seek an audience with King Zhou.
Little does he expect this trip to be his last.
It'll open a chapter of great tragedy in this story.
We'll see an honest official framed by the evil Lady Su.
Let's see how Bo Yikao will be turned into white rabbits.
Bo Yikao pays his respects to Lady Su
Dispense with ceremony.
I rushed here to meet you as I'd visited West Marquis in prison.
He wants you to stay away from the palace.
He divined your fate. It didn't augur well.
The moment you enter the palace, disasters will befall you.
Trust West Marquis's divination have always been accurate.
His prediction about the fire in Xuanyuan Palace came true
What's more, my sister a changed person.
For the sake of your safety, go back to Xiqi.
Thank you for your concern.
But filial piety should be accorded to one's parents.
My father is in trouble.
How can I leave him in the lurch?
I'll be presenting the Three Treasures of Xiqi
to His Majesty and Lady Daji.
I hope they'll change their minds and let my father off.
Bo Yikao pays his respects to Your Majesty.
Long live Your Majesty!
How dare you still show up!
I beseech Your Majesty to pardon my father.
What audacity! Your father insulted my favorite concubine.
Had it not been for her, he'd would have been killed by hot pillar.
How dare you still plead for mercy!
Your Majesty. I've brought three treasures to presents you.
They are the wine-sobering drink, white-faced monkey and a chariot
Please accept my gifts.
Wine-sobering drink?
It's said to keep one sober, despite having had many drinks.
This will keep Your Majesty sober in the pools of wine.
Your Majesty will be able to make merry through the night.
Wine-sobering drink? How interesting!
Rise! Thank you, Your Majesty.
Bo Yikao, what about the other two gifts?
Your Majesty.
This chariot was used by the late King Xuanyuan.
One just needs to point where one wants to go while seated on it.
It'll move in the direction one points towards.
What a rare treasure!
I want to give it a try.
Beauty join me.
Since it's a gift for Your Majesty. you should give it a go first.
All right. If it's fun, you'll join me!
Your Majesty, please.
Move forward!
Stop!
My beloved concubine, it's fun!
Turn left!
It's fun! I'd like to go on it.
Stop!
This is fun!
Your Majesty, I'd like to go on it. Lady Su, join me.
I'll pass.
Let's go!
I've not had enough fun yet. Wait a while.
Turn right!
Help His Majesty!
Your Majesty!
Bo Yikao, how dare you trick His Majesty!
Bo Yikao, how dare you present me a demonic gift!
You're out to assassinate me!
Men, have him executed!
Your Majesty, have mercy on me!
Wait!
Your Majesty, Bo Yikao is consummate in playing the qin.
If you kill him, it'll mean the demised of beautiful music.
Your Majesty loves music and dance.
Let Bo Yikao teach me how to play the qin.
This way, we'll still get to hear beautiful music.
Also, I'll be able to entertain Your Majesty with music in future.
Brilliant idea!
Not only do you assist me in state affairs.
You also desire to learn music.
I've not lived my life, in vain.
Bo Yikao, I'll spare you this time.
You'll give Lady Daji music lessons from now on, understand?
Thank you for your mercy, Your Majesty.
Men, take him away!
- How do you feel? - It hurts.
Why are you playing on your own. Are you here to teach me?
Why did you stand up? If you don't sit beside me,
how are you going to teach me?
Your Ladyship is a woman of nobility.
I'm not fit to sit beside you.
In terms of status, I am above you.
But you're my music teacher.
What's wrong with sitting together?
Your Ladyship, please pay attention.
Is this how I play?
His Majesty arrives!
Greetings, Your Majesty.
How's your lesson coming along?
I'm making slow progress. He just play the Qin by himself.
You're here to teach Lady Su, not perform before her.
Shall I've you beheaded?
Your Majesty. Bo Yi is a filial son.
He probably can't focus on teaching me as he misses his father.
Why don't you let father and son meet?
All right. Whatever you say, my beauty.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
You should thank Her Ladyship.
Thank you, Your Ladyship.
Why didn't you listen to Lady Ning xiang?
I asked her to warn you against coming here.
Why did you still insist on coming?
How can I bear to let you suffer in here?
I did a divination for you. It was an ominous one.
By coming here, you'll get killed.
You'll only be sending yourself to the slaughter.
I don't want Shang to lose another good man.
Father, I'll be fine.
I've given His Majesty the three treasures of Xiqi.
His Majesty loves pleasures. He's very taken with the gifts.
What's more, Daji loves to hear me play the qin.
I'm now her music teacher.
They won't do me any harm
My son be very careful in all that you do.
-Sir! - Madam Yin, you're early.
I'll be busy afterward. So I've brought you food first
What will you be busy with?
Only my son, Nezha is capable of keeping me busy.
He keep hoping to regain his fleshly form.
He told me Goddess Nuwa had given him a divine creature.
That's odd. Where is that divine creature now?
I drove it away! It's no divine creature. It has an aura of evil!
I wasn't deceived into believing it was a divine creature.
Tell Nezha I'll be able to help him once I catch a fish.
One can't be impatient.
I know that But he doesn't.
He's not given up on that beast If I don't keep an eye on him,
he'll go and look for it.
You'd better go back. You may just lose him.
Good thing Mother left to chat with Jiang or I'll be cooped up at home.
She keeps such a close watch on me. She makes me so uncomfortable.
Your mother told me to keep an eye on you. Don't you wander off.
Or she'll scold me.
You've become a nag like my mother.
If it were in the past, I'd have cut your wings and fried them.
And I wouldn't have given you the time of the day!
Your mother will be cooking. Let's go and buy food.
That's so boring.
Are you coming? Wait here for me.
- Don't wander off. - All right!
Zool!
I'm so happy to see you! Are you taking me to the Celestial Lake?
Really but I can't go. I promised to be home before dark.
Is the lake far?
It's not far away.
What's wrong? Are you all right?
Beast!
Mother!
I let you off the last time. How dare your show up again!
Go to hell!
Beast! Come to me if you must. Leave my son alone!
Stop fighting!
It farted!
Mother, are you all right?
- Where is it? - It's left.
In the next episode, Jiang Ziya meets King Wen when he turns 80.