Mother, I saw wood and bricks outside when I came in.
What's going on?
Didn't you make a fortune,
and ask your brother deliver it?
He also sent men to help us renovate the walls and house.
His name is...Shan Tung.
My brother?
Mother, Shan Tong, aka Shan Xiongxin, is the brother I told you about.
I asked him to deliver a letter to you,
I didn't know he...
I have to properly thank your brother some day.
Don't stand on ceremony with us.
You've had a long journey.
Come sit down, let me fix you guys a meal. You must be hungry.
Auntie, let me give you a hand. Sure.
Come on...
I get to eat.
That's not the way to slice lotus roots.
Watch.
Like this.
Auntie, you're an adept with chopper.
It's what women should know.
You'll pick it up once you get married.
Married?
I don't want to get married.
All men want concubines.
I don't want to share a man
and wait for my turn with him,
and get teary when I'm passed over.
No way...
You have to get married,
find an honest man who will grow old with you.
If I have to get married,
what if the man doesn't cherish me? what can I do then?
Find one who will cherish you.
Cherish me?
Mother. Aunt.
Mother, Uncle asked us to see Governor Tang Bi.
Then go.
Right, just go.
I'm helping with the cooking, leave things here to me.
You can cook?
Aunt, we must go.
Come back soon for dinner.
Let's go.
Mother, we have to go.
Auntie, let's not talk about getting married.
Teach me how to prepare lotus roots.
Peel it first, watch...like this...
Your Honor.
It's been several yea rs,
you've grown into a dashing young man.
Uncle, you're getting younger and younger.
I jokingly called you Cool Face Silver Spear Handsome Luo,
you do live up to the name.
Cousin, so His Honor gave you that nickname?
Come sit down...
Uncle, he's my cousin.
Qin Qiong, aka Qin Shubao, the Chivalrous.
Your Honor, at your service.
Don't stand on ceremony with me, sit down...
Where do you live?
I'm a native of Licheng County of Shandong
I'm a constable.
My uncle Lord Beiping asked me to pay you a visit.
It's alright...stir-frying's like that... the oil is hot.
You should put in the spring onion first, understand?
Cooking is no fun at all.
Try it again. I quit.
Brother...
Shixin, what are you doing here?
Brother is nowhere to be found.
They've gone to see the Governor.
Then I'll go there to look for him.
Wait...I've had enough of cooking, let me take you there.
Good.
Where are you going?
Auntie, we're going to join Brother Qiong.
We'll be back very soon, don't worry.
Yes, Mother, we're going to get Brother.
Be back soon for dinner. Yes.
Come on.
So it's you.
As for finding you a position here,
I've thought about it,
it shouldn't be a problem to make you a liaison officer.
We have a vacancy for a fourth rank officer
You can fill it.
But it's not just up to me to decide.
I have to speak with General Lai, Commander of Shandong first.
Who's this General Lai?
His name is Lai Huer, Sire's trusted man.
Don't be fooled by his looks, he's a cunning man.
Though he's my subordinate,
he's here to put me under surveillance, in case I get rebellious.
That's why my every decision has to pass through him.
Your Honor, thank you for thinking so highly of me,
don't make it difficult for yourself on account of me.
Whether I get the position or not is fine with me.
No difficulty at all,
he'll be here for other matters anyway.
When he's here, I'll recommend you to him
Come, have some tea.
Governor's House
Shixin, go see if your brother's inside.
I...
Come on, just go.
Halt! I'm here for my brother.
I'm going to look for him myself.
Halt! I'm here for my brother.
Trespassing Governor House means death.
I'm here for my brother.
What are you doing? Why you won't let us in?
Your Honor...
Come... Yes.
Don't let this idiot in. Yes.
Throw him out.
We're here to look for someone, let us in.
No...
General has given the order, you can't go in.
You let the fatso in but not me?
I want to go in. No.
Shixin, be a good boy...
They're bullying me... Take it easy...
I want my brother, they won't let me in...
Your Honor...
General Lai here.
General Lai, please sit.
Greetings, Your Honor.
General Lai, let me introduce.
He is Qin Qiong, aka Qin Shubao of Shandong
He's a constable in Licheng county.
He's a martial arts adept,
he's known as Master Fist Qin Qiong.
He is...
This is Commander of Shandong, General Lai Huer.
Your Honor, that was rude of me.
Qin Qiong at your service.
Whatever, a mere constable.
What do you mean?
He is Deputy Luo Cheng, son of Lord Beiping
Deputy?
Your Honor, what did you ask me here for?
I have something to discuss with you.
Qin Qiong here is an outstanding man,
He's just a constable now.
It's a waste of his talent.
We're in need of talent,
we have a liaison officer vacancy,
I was thinking of letting him fill it,
what do you think?
No wonder I couldn't make my brother-in-law liaison officer,
you already had a candidate in your pocket.
Well, Master Qin looks imposing,
I'm sure he can fill the position.
But people in the Governor House talk,
this rash decision may lead to gossip.
You mean...
Let him spar with me.
If he can beat me, that will shut people up.
You want a fight? You don't need my cousin,
let me entertain you.
Cousin, don't be rude.
Honorable Tang, Honorable Lai, thank you for your kindness.
I'm just a martial arts practitioner,
I'm in no position to spar with a general.
Maybe you should find another talent for the job.
May I be excused?
Hold it.
Qin Giong, so I'm not in a position to fight you?
Your Honor, I am too unkempt to fight a general.
Qin, spare me your phony humility.
If you're not an adept,
Governor wouldn't have recommended you.
I have the weakness of walking my talk.
You may not want the position,
but you still have to fight three rounds with me.
Come on.
Brother Qin, he picks on me all the time,
he's arrogant and haughty,
Don't pull any punches or cut him any slack,
or it'll be difficult to keep your position.
Since Your Honor insists,
it is my pleasure.
Your Honor really is an adept, I can't compare.
And you want to be liaison officer?
I haven't had enough yet.
Since Your Honor wants more,
let me entertain you.
You? Don't go crying all the way back to your dad.
One move and I can tell you're far too inferior.
It's more like bullying on my side.
Alright, I'll fight you with just an arm and a leg.
That hurts...
I won't wait anymore. Shixin...
Shixin, awesome!
Brother...
You alright? Fine.
Brother...
My turn now.
Let me straighten you out for your dad.
Brother...
What a crowd.
Let's go look for Brother Qiong and Luo Cheng.
Brother...
Alright...
General, please get up.
Drop dead...
Report.
Your Honor, an idiot insisted on coming in,
he has injured dozens of our men,
he can't be stopped.
Give way...
Brother, so you're here.
Brother Qiong.
Shixin?
How come you're here?
He missed Brother Qiong, so I tagged along.
Trespassing Governor House is a crime.
Come, throw him out! Yes...
Your Honor, he's my brother.
If he has offended you, please forgive him.
Shixin, apologize to General Lai.
But this fatso pushed me at the gate.
Don't be rude.
Alright, I won't fight Luo Cheng,
I want to fight him.
If he can beat me, Qin Qiong will get the position.
You couldn't beat me,
now you want to take advantage of him?
I dare you to fight me.
Your Honor, my brother is not a martial arts practitioner,
he knows no moves at all.
Please don't take his words seriously.
What's been said can't be taken back.
I must fight him.
Well, Brother Qin, if General insists,
let them have a round.
Brother, don't worry,
this fatso isn't even on par with a cow.
Watch me twist his head off.
Mind your words.
Alright, I won't use a weapon,
or you'll say I'm bullying him.
Are you made of iron?
My turn now.
Twist your head off...
No, don't do it.
Beat you up...
Stop!
Shixin, bravo!
Brother, I won.
Your Honor.
Shixin, watch out!
Stop it!
Your Honor, my brother is an ignorant man,
if he has offended you, please forgive him.
Don't worry about it.
Your brother is an adept, I'm impressed.
Good...friendship from fighting.
You guys are all sweaty,
come have some tea.
Good.
General Lai, about Qin Qiong's appointment,
do you still object?
No.
It's not easy to win General Lai's approval
Qin Qiong. Yes.
Go thank General Lai.
General, thank you.
Save it.
Your Honor, I have other things to tend to,
Please excuse me.
Take care.
Mother, I asked for this talisman from the temple.
The reverend said it should be placed under the pillow.
Together with 49 days of praying,
it will bring forth a speedy recovery.
Thank you.
Thank you for your concern.
'Finger. Yes.
You have court matters to tend to,
you don't need to stay here.
I just need her to be here.
Alright then. Please excuse me.
Mother, take care.
Help me up.
I know you and Ying'er are a loving couple.
But I still have to remind you.
Ying'er will become emperor,
You will then be empress of Sui.
As empress, you must run the harem yourself,
don't delegate it, understand?
I understand.
I'll take good care of my husband.
I don't think you understand me.
I want you to keep an eye on Ying'er,
to make sure you give birth to all his sons
to prevent half siblings fighting for power, you understand?
I'll follow your teachings.
Mother, get some rest.
Half siblings fighting?
For the throne, full siblings too will spring at one another's throats.
How naive of you.
I'm much smarter than you.
Shubao. Yes.
Will this business trip take long?
Mother, don't worry.
I'm on Governor Tang Bi's order,
to deliver a birthday present to Duke Yue Yang Su in the capital,
I'll be back in no time.
Since Cousin is delivering a birthday present to the capital,
I'm going with him.
Aunt, when your birthday comes,
I'll be back to see you.
Cheng'er, give my regards to your parents.
Aunt, you take care too.
Shixin, when I'm not around, listen to Mother,
No running around, don't make her worry about you, OK?
Yes.
Brother, come home soon,
or I'll carry Mother to look for you.
Mother, take care.
You two take care too.
Don't see me off.
Be careful on the way.
Take care. Let's go.
Come on. Take care.
Goodbye, Mother.
Brother Qiong, take care.
Take care.
Luo Cheng, take care.
Mother...
How's Mother doing?
We've done our best.
Useless!
Ying'er, don't blame them.
Mother, you'll be fine.
My days are numbered. No...
There's still one thing on my mind.
Just tell me.
Call Yong'er here, I have something to say to him.
Just go. Yes.
Mother, Sire here to see you.
Mother...
Mother... Yong'er...
Who told you to come?
I...
I asked for him.
I'm already in this state,
can't I see him one last time?
Whatever he's done, he's still my son.
Yong'er...
I have something to say to you.
Just go ahead, I'm listening.
Don't blame me for being partial.
Your brother has the qualities of a leader,
he has what it takes to be emperor of Sui,
you understand?
Ying'er... Yes.
Ying'er, when you become emperor...
Yes...
Put the country first.
When you ascend the throne and grant amnesty,
pardon Yong'er, and set him free.
Mother...
Yes, it will be carried out.
Sire...
Sire, I married you when I was fourteen.
It's been 45 years.
People think I'm the most fortunate woman.
I have the affection of Sire,
I'm mother to the country,
I should be content.
Sire, do you know,
all my life, I've envied loving couples who live a simple life?
You're the love of my life,
yet I also hate you the most.
Why be so cruel to me?
If there is reincarnation,
I'll never come to the palace,
so you can never fail me.
Dear...
Dear... Sire...
Sire...
Dear...
Mother...
Dear...
In AD 602, Empress Dugu died from illness in Yongan Court.
The same year, Emperor Wen also fell ill and moved to Renshou Court to convalesce.
Running the court gradually fell into Crown Prince Yang Guang's hands.
Sire, I hate you,
you've forgotten our vow.
You're fickle-hearted.
Dear... I died lonely.
You may be the ruler of a country,
but you failed to be an exemplary man.
Dear...
Sire...
I just did my duty as your woman,
But I was banned to the Penalty Court and made to live in humiliation,
Dear... Sire, do me justice...
I hate you the most... No...
Sire, do me justice...
I hate you the most...
Dear... Penalty Court...
Dear... I hate you...
Sire...
Dear... Sire...
No... Sire...
Dear... Sire...
No... Sire...
Sire...
Sire, you were dreaming again.
Sire, I heard you calling out to Mother in your dream.
I may be the emperor,
I rule the country,
yet I failed to keep my family in order.
Sire, it was just a dream.
It's not a dream.
She said she died lonely.
When she was gravely ill,
I failed to be there for her.
Sire, take it easy...
Take it easy...
Sire, have some.
Sire... Sire...
Summon the imperial physician. Yes...
Sire, you'll be fine...Sire...
Sire...
Sire, you alright?
I don't think I will get well.
Your mother resented me, it's retribution.
I want to move to Renshou Court to convalesce,
Court affairs are in your hands.
Don't disappoint me.
Sire, I still need your guidance.
Please don't keep saying that.
You'll get well.
I can tell your understanding of court affairs is superior to mine.
I'm sure you'll make a good emperor.
If you encounter difficulties, you can come to me.
Yes.
Sire, your Order's been carried out,
Lord Yue and Honorable Gao are here.
Bring them in.