The Empress of China Episode 2
What I don't have
No one else wants to have
So
I can allow you His Majesty's attentions
And a place among the supreme concubines
But I will never
Let you give birth to a single child
Leave it with her
Yes, Mylady
Liu Xianfei
Don't go, what are you going to do outside?
It's safer here
Say,
It's probably not a ghost, right?
Nonsense
I can hear it's obviously just a cat
The closest by
Should be Liu Xianfei
Living in JinYue Palace
But..
Stop
What are you dancing?
Is it "Green waist"
Or "Springtime Songbird's Song"?
I've told you
This is "King LanLing Enters Battle"
Please interpret
The expression of King LanLing entering battle
Dancers must have the appearance of horses and spears
Zhao HanYan, Department of Ceremonies
Tell me
What is this dance?
What are you dancing?
Again, from the top
Madame Zhao
We've already practised for hours without rest
I really can't dance another step
Long-haired people really
Have short-lived attention
This unique chance
Right here, in front of you
You simply don't treasure it
In the middle of this inner court
Other than Guifei, Shufei, Defei, Xianfei
The supreme concubines constant power
Of His Majesty's favour
You can also earn an Imperial visit
It is incredibly difficult to achieve
Even more so for you
You are all new arrivals
I don't know
When you will
Have an opportunity to meet the emperor
I misspoke just now
In this, our Taiji Palace
We now only have
Gui, Shu, De, three supreme concubines
Presently no Xianfei
Xianfei = Lowest rank among the supreme concubines
Last night, Liu Xianfei killed herself by hanging
What
How could this
This could be your chance
This "King Lanling enters battle"-dance
Was the deceased empress' favorite dance
Each year the lead dancer
Has a chance to visit His bedroom
This year is no exception
I'm a fair person
Tomorrow, I will see your skill
And pick a winner to be our lead dancer
Now is not too late
You want to rest?
Or practice?
Decide for yourselves
Our previously offended sister Shufei
Sister made it up to you, didn't she?
The most offended of all would be Xianfei
In this Taiji Palace
Yet another innocent will haunt the night
Enough
What are you crying about..
It's just a dead person
She's burning "Gold paper" A.K.A "ghost money" to help the deceased in the afterlife
Your Majesty
This servant won't disturb
His Majesty and Xianfei's last moment
This servant withdraws
Don't go
Accompany Us for some words
This court
Is a place of human life, like any other
Your Majesty, don't grieve so much
The Dragon should stay healthy
Vixen
Us taking a rest is normal
These years
We owe you all so much
As long as His Majesty is well
It is we who owe you
ChunYing
Mylady, what is your wish?
Those old ladies of Yeting Palace
What are they howling for this time?
Mylady
Servants already instructed them
Not to disturb
Mylady's rest
Oh, well
Go tell Eunuch Chen to find a solution
A few tongues cut out, that should do it
Yes, Mylady
And also
Remember to remind that child, Xiao Qiang
The recently entered shouldn't make displays
And rush to see me
As for His Majesty
I'll help her arrange it myself
Yes, Mylady
Your servant will
Definitely tell Xiao Cairen properly
Mastering this dance to such a degree
In such a short time
Not easy for two Cairen
You two, I want to ask
What is your interpretation of this dance?
This dance is a battle dance
Exquisite
A heroic, free-spirited display
An indomitable will, pressing forth
History has recorded
King LanLing had a bloodthirsty nature
Thus losing his sanity
Until his wife
Sacrificed herself for him
Spitting blood on her deathbed
Spraying it all over King LanLing's mask
Restoring his sanity
And so, RuYi believes
This "King LanLing Enters Battle"-dance
Should show a force of great development
But most of all
It should have a note of regret
King LanLing marched across all the land for so many years
He probably really regretted
Because of his own arrogance
He lost his beloved wife
Pretending at knowledge
You're not King LanLing
How could you know if he regretted anything?
Neither are you me
How do you know
I don't know he regretted it?
Alright
Tomorrow's the dance rehersal
No one wants to be late
Yes
You
Sister, please have tea
I remember sister's old mother
Is chronically ill
This is Snow Ginseng, a tribute of Liaodong
It's really great medicine
Please, sister, kindly accept this little gift
No need
Please speak bluntly, sister
Tomorrow, you decide
Who will be King LanLing
I don't know if sister
Already has someone in mind?
Naturally, I do
But you will have to wait until after tomorrow's rehersal
To know the result
If sister
Came today in order to chat
Please set a date
Xu sister
Why don't you practice?
I'm not very good at dancing
Practicing would be a waste of hard work
How about you?
You still have a good chance at becoming King LanLing
You should definitely keep practising
Today, suddenly
Hearing of Liu Xianfei's death
I don't feel so good
Tell me
She'd already made Xianfei
Why would she kill herself?
In here
She must have been terribly wronged
Seems my mother was right
This Palace
Is a place that eats people
Before, sister
Was Empress WengDe's favorite
Naturally, you don't have to cater to a nobody like me
But there is one thing I'm not clear with
I want to ask my sister
In the third year of Zhenguan
During the Taiji Palace memorial service
Several musical instruments were bought
Panpipe clappers
Spending no less than four thousand silver tael
More than three times the market price
I don't know if Empress WenDe
Was properly informed?
Despicable girl
You dare threaten me
Sister wouldn't dare
Sister just wants to persuade sister
To accept Concubine Wei's good will
Then, why did you enter the Palace?
Anyway, I've already entered
I will accept my fate
I'm thinking, even if His Majesty
Is a bald, great fatty
I'll still have to strive for His dotage
It's the only way
I can help my mom
Live an even better life
Did you know?
His Majesty's poems are written excellently
Really?
The you will have to
Show me some
I remember
When I was little, mom told me
That the feelings between men and women are very mysterious
If destined
Then, the moment you see him
You will feel it
If it's not
Even if he's both talented and good-looking
Powerful enough to cover the sky
If you don't like him, you just don't
No matter who, they're still inadequate
You understand?
What are you at now?
What power this strange woman has
To fearlessly argue with His Majesty
You up for it?
This talk of looks and family
Dancing
What isn't our sister Xiao
Best at by far?
If you wish to compete with her
You'll lose for sure
Oh, yes, you're right
If we're discussing brandishing claws
Rampant domination
Really, I..
Appoint Xiao Cairen the one on the wind
This bitch doesn't know good from bad
What are you doing?
What's with randomly hitting people?
What's this?
Not practising your dance, being noisy
Go give me dance practice
Still poking around?
You lot
Let's go, go
Go practice, practice
Wu RuYi
Tomorrow we'll see who dances best
Just watch
It's the one who wins who'll reach His Majesty
That Xiao Qiang, so arrogant and bossy
She's definitely got someone backing her
Forget it
Don't lower yourself to her level
In this court
There must be someone who's sensible
I won't believe
She can simply snag the victory
All imperial wives
The time has come, rise up
Can't wait, let's go
Let's
Ruyi
Ruyi, wake up, quickly
Shush..
Wake up, already
Hurry up, everyone's gone already
What
They're gone
Gone?
Quick, quick
Time's up, close the doors
Wait
Xu cairen, Wu cairen
Out of the line
Yes
Madame Zhao
We really weren't late
I never said you were late
These few days dancing
Everyone worked hard
And there's a big pile of laundry
May I trouble the pair of you
To take the laundry
To Yeting's washing yard?
Yeting, isn't that the cold palace?
Silence
Quickly go there and back
Don't worry about the dance rehersal
I will wait for you
Yes, ma'am
Let's go
Here
Put it here
Let's go, okay? Let's go
Not so fast, I have a letter
To be given madame Zhao, may I trouble you?
Wait for just a moment
No, no, we have to go
Such a small thing, of course we can
I see
This cairen is reasonable
Thank you, I'll be right back
Ruyi
You
I understand your reasoning
You're saying we just entered the palace
And a maid like this
Is someone we cannot afford to offend
Clever
Shouldn't we wait for Ruyi?
How come it started so quickly?
How come they're still not back?
Exactly
Excuse me, do you know
The maid just now
Where- where does she live?
What's wrong?
She- she has no tongue
We'd best get out of here, then
Let's go
Granny
Granny, are you alright?
Where are you hurt?
I never accept favours
Granny Peng
What are you planning?
We weren't planning anything
We just wanted to help you
We should probably help her, right?
Come
I can do this myself
Granny, this is really heavy
You can't even lift it
What year of Wu De is it?
Granny
Emperor Gao Zu was the previous emperor
It's the eleventh year of Zhen Guan now
Zhen Guan
Granny, what's in your bag?
How come it's so heavy?
It's people
People?
How could it be
How could people
Grow into this?
People change
Silly girl
If you're in Yeting
For a few decades
You'll look like me
After another few years
You'll be like what's in that sack
Run for it
We're back
So tired
Yeah, let's hurry
Let's go back and have some water, dying of thirst
Bloody chickens
How come you
Come back this late?
Don't you know
Xiao Qiang is
Already King LanLing
Right
Just where did you go just now?
It's such a pity
Well, we're leaving first
Let's go
Let's go back
What?
Xiao Qiang was chosen for King LanLing?
Didn't you say madame Zhao
Preferred Wu Ruyi?
Yes, originally that was so
Madame Zhao is empress Wende's
Old favorite
And has always been cold towards QianXiang palace
Only this time
I don't know how she was bribed
Qing Xuan was careless
Mylady, please punish me
Not bribed
She's been forced
Don't be depressed
The milk is already spilled, the damage is done
But, tonight, His Majesty
Will meet Xiao Qiang
As to concubine Wei
Xiao Qiang is merely
Another Liu Xianfei
One day, this child
Won't have it easy, I fear
Alright
Bring this gift to Ganlu palace
Tonight
Xiao Qiang will be able to meet His Majesty
Xiao Qiang definitely
Bribed madame Zhao
Otherwise, this opportunity
Would definitely
Be Ruyi's
Alright, alright, stop saying it
Reporting to master
Xianling palace's Yang Shufei
Sends this scroll
As a token of gratitude
For those years of friendship with empress Wang De
And has meticulously drawn..
Asking master to have a look
Drawn well, it looks like her
Hang it up in the palace
We want to see it every day
Your servant obeys
Reporting to Your Majesty
Tonight's cairen to be visited
Has arrived
Cheng Qing Hall
Cheng Qing Hall = Hall of celebrations
This is a good place
Cairen Xiao Qiang greets Your Majesty
Your Majesty
Unwittingly
It's been a year since you left
Already We cannot remember
When was our last drink
Tonight, have your fill for once
I'll drink this cup for you
You once told me
The "King LanLing"-dance
Although it speaks of battle
It has in fact a word of regret
Then, I'll be off to XuanWu gate
Whether victory or defeat
Empress Wen De
Remember to write me
If victory
I'll make them inform you first
If defeated
I'll use this to die
Don't say that
The children are still young
How could they be without you?
Meeting the prince back then
Was simply this servant's fate
This servant will accept that fate
Without regrets
Go on
Don't worry
We will only win, never lose
These days the mask of "King LanLing" remains
But We will never again see
The sight of you dancing
WenDe, Our life
Honestly, it carries too much of you
This dance is "King LanLing enters battle"
Dedicated to His Majesty
The lights of GanLu palace have gone dark
I suppose His Majesty has already gone to sleep
Before
His Majesty would have come
To our QianXiang palace
Mylady, servant's hearts
Don't understand
You say "Wei" is great
What are you getting so anxious for?
Mylady these two years
That Empress WenDe
Has been buried for a year already
This really is an opportune time
For mylady to advance further
At such a time, why does Mylady insist on
Sending some Xiao cairen?
Besides, your servant heard
This Xiao cairen
Is a mere concubine's daughter
Did you
Forget the lesson with Liu Xianfei?
These years, my father and honored brother
One by one, left this world
The clan's slowly been dying
ChaoZhong now relies on my uncle
One person's support
The power of the Wei family has almost passed
Uncle has his plans and ideas
Sending Xiao Qiang to the palace
Is also an act of precaution
But if not for mylady
Being in this palace for so many years
The Wei family wouldn't have
Reached the power they did
As the Wei family
Makes their arrangements
They should at least respect Mylady's feelings
Your words are a little childish
Our favour
Is also from the Wei family's power
In the end, who gives power tho who
It's hard to say
Greeting mylady
News from GanLu palace
Xiao cairen
What of Xiao cairen?
Xiao cairen entered GanLu palace
Shortly after
His Majesty left
And went alone to ChengQing hall
You're saying
His Majesty didn't see her?
Don't know why
Up until now, Xiao cairen
Still kneels in GanLu palace
When everything is perfectly alright..
Why would His Majesty go to ChenQing hall?
Mylord's awake
When did We return last night?
Last night, Mylord fell drunk in ChenQing hall
It was servants who
Carried mylord back
It is now nearly dawn
In a moment it will be morning
Last night
Last night, after His Majesty left
Xiao Qiang, Xiao cairen came to visit
And didn't dare move
And knelt in GanLu palace all night
After which your servant decided
And took her to the side hall to wait
Where she presently remains
Tell her to return, then
Your Majesty.. Xiao cairen..
She's the niece of Wei Guifei
Of the Wei family?
You see
Ours, this full moon jade
Give it to her
Yes, mylord
This servant had one more thing
Tell me
ChenQing hall's
Empress WenDe's
"King LanLing" mask is gone
This is the Empress'
Most beloved item
Right, right, a person who steals such a thing
Truly committed an unforgivable crime
Investigate quietly
Be sure to find her
Yes, mylord
Ruyi
Don't mind yesterday's visitation
I heard, yesterday Xiao Qiang knelt outside all night
Never even seeing His Majesty's face
Call the physician
How could this be
Xiao cairen
You're awake
Here, slowly
Slowly
Xiao cairen
You have a cold
You should rest well
What time is it?
I should go practice
No need
Xiao cairen.. You've been sick..
For two days and two nights
As for "King Lanling"
Someone else has already been chosen
Really, using this method
To see His Majesty
Wasn't the best, was it?
Is aunt very disappointed in me?
Twice in a row you've lost
Opportunities to meet the emperor
Who could be happy about that?
You tell me
However, mylady said
Things in this palace
Are all about careful, continued efforts
Mylady's afraid you
Haven't enough experience yet
So, don't take this to heart
Making this servant come see you
This, what is this?
This servant forgot
Congratulations, Xiao cairen
This thing is the Full moon jade
It's something
His Majesty always carries around
The meaning..
The moon fills and wanes, people part and meet again
These things
Have never been easy
Although His Majesty did not meet you
However giving you this
Could also be considered special treatment
And demonstrate Imperial favour
Majesty
Who replaced me?
Was it Wu Ruyi?
Give me a proper search
Give me a careful search
This servant wishes Xiao cairen a good rest
And quick recovery
And Xiao cairen's forgivenesss
Eunuch Wang
What's all this for?
Recently, ChenQing hall
Lost a treasure
Xiao cairen might know
What treasure?
Treasure
A "King LanLing" mask
The empress WenDe's
Most beloved item
What kind of person would steal this treasure?
No matter who
Stealing this treasure is a capital offense
His Majesty is greatly angered
And ordered this servant
To thoroughly investigate the palace
Where are you at?
Master, as you see
This entire wing has been searched
And we haven't found the item
Leave two people to tidy up
The rest will continue the search
Dig deep
And find this thief
Yes, Master
You two stay here
Yes
Ruyi
Why aren't you leaving?
Sister, you go first
I'll wait a while
Translated by Iseria2you Timing from ai::bowo-subs
Thank you~