Minmin's relationship is nothing but sincere and true.
There's no pain and sacrifice.
Perhaps that suits her best.
What about me?
I can only wait for what fate has in store for me.
Is my happiness defendant on
waiting for fate's arrangement?
Stopping here, I dare not walk any further.
To prevent the tragedy from playing out.
I know I'm selfish and willful.
Right now, the only thing that remains between us is the memories we made.
Even if you can't marry me,
I won't let you forget me.
At least, you can't forget me before I forget you.
Do you remember what I've said?
The fragrance of the magnolia cannot mask the wound.
No longer able to see.
the glimmer of the sun through the clouds.
No longer able to find
our own paradise
No longer able to sigh.
Imperial Father.
My mother's death anniversary is approaching.
I humbly request Imperial Father's permission
to allow me to return first
to prepare the memorial service for my mother.
How quickly has it been two years already.
Go.
Please talk to your mother on my behalf.
Make an early start.
I obey your order.
Concubine Liang is not concerned with worldly affairs.
It's too bad that 8th Prince is too ambitious.
Tomb of Concubine Liang
Mother, your son is unfilial.
When you were alive, I couldn't let you witness with your own eyes.
Your son accomplishing a great cause.
I...
Have already gained the support of many ministers.
In all the places, I have prestige and a good reputation.
Although Imperial Father refuses to give me his support,
but he cannot deny it.
Even if Mother was born from a lowly background,
I will defy the will of Heaven.
Master, you must take care of your health.
I have always been working hard,
but in the end Mother wasn't able to wait
for the day when I'd become successful and accomplish my goal.
Everything is too late.
Mistress Liang will be aware even in the afterlife.
She will surely understand your intentions.
Let's go.
Master, I've heard that with regards to the hunt,
the Emperor has captured a considerable amount
and is extremely delighted.
On the 26th, there are plans for a grand feast in the palace.
Should we hurry back?
It's too late to go.
From the hot springs area,
I will offer my congratulations to Imperial Father.
Then, Master...
What gift would you like to give?
If the messenger is able to set out tonight,
we should be able to make it.
We should send a gift.
It must fit the occasion but not be too grandiose.
Let me think about it carefully.
Come, sit, sit, sit...
Everybody, have a seat.
Master Liu, please.
Please. Please...!
When I went riding and hunting in my younger days,
I won't feel tired even after many hours.
Now, I am old.
Li Dequan.
Your Majesty.
Do you still remember shortly after I ascended the throne, I was conducting a tour of Nanyuan?
Of course I remember.
That was the time when Your Majesty
made your first prominent appearance.
I still remember the very first time I shot a deer.
Time has passed in the blind of an eye.
Your Majesty.
8th Prince has sent men to pay his respects.
Send him in.
Yes.
Congratulations and greetings, Your Majesty.
Rise.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
8th Prince offers his congratulations and greetings.
He has specially ordered us to bring a bird from Haidong
to offer as a tribute to Your Majesty.
He rarely shows his filial piety.
Raise it up and let me take a look.
Yes.
8th brother's gift is a very thoughtful.
Not too longer, Imperial Father
Just wrote about "Haidong Qing".
The poem praises that there are over three hundred and sixty types of birds.
Haidong Qing is the most lively and eminent.
Its character contains golden quality and with the virtue of fire.
Its outstanding quality could shines on the Yaoguang star.
-Calm down, Your Majesty. -Calm down, Imperial Father.
Detestable!
3rd prince, help me draft out this edict.
Yes.
8th Prince -- born of a lowly woman.
Since childhood, he was treacherous and had high ambitions.
When I last fell ill,
all the ministers unanimously asked me to make 8th Prince
the heir to the throne, trying to leave me with no choice.
I had no choice but to release the ex-Crown Prince which I did not appoint.
I had been upset about that for several years.
8th Prince still has not given up on his initial notion.
Forming a faction with corrupted officials and traitors.
Secretly forming treacherous plots.
I'm afraid that in the days to come,
The dogs and pig on the same path as him
will make use of my kindness
and send his supporters to make things difficult,
so that I will be forced to abdicate.
Making 8th brother the Emperor.
If that's the case, I'm afraid that I can only die with a smile on my face.
I am deeply angered.
I am specially pointing this out to everyone, including the princes present.
Everyone should be considerate of my kindness.
Follow my orders.
That is the way as a son and minister.
The Emperor's wise words are stated in black and white.
He won't even 8th Prince a chance to explain.
Once the imperial edict is passed, it will destroy
all of 8th Prince's chances of finding a way out of this situation.
His dreams of being emperor has been crushed.
Thoroughly and utterly crushed.
The ministers here who were once full of praises to 8th Prince
have pushed him to the edge of a precipice.
Now, no one even dares to speak on his behalf.
Jie'jie, you still have brothers and sisters by your side.
They're not princes or royal grandsons.
If you make a move now,
I'm afraid it will only cause His Majesty to hate 8th Brother more.
He may even suspect that 8th Prince placed you by his side.
To be a pawn who spies on the Emperor day and night.
That offense will cause heads to roll.
Greetings, Imperial Father.
Where's 8th Prince?
Imperial Father.
8th brother has fallen ill at the hot springs.
I've already sent men to take a look.
But they have all been rebuffed.
The remaining attendants have been dispersed.
Only the usual servants have remained.
Now they are on the way back to the Capital.
14th Prince.
Did you send anyone to look?
I've sent men to visit him.
8th brother refuses to see them.
He has a hidden agenda.
His location is secretive.
I'm worried.
Bring him back here.
Yes.
Bei'le, you must've had a rough journey.
8th Brother.
14th Brother, you can go back first.
14th Brother.
You must be tired too.
You should go home and get some rest first.
If there is anything,
wait until you've gotten some rest before talking about it.
Looks like your 8th Brother is also exhausted.
Ok, I'll leave first then.
8th Brother, get some proper rest.
Bei'le, get some rest first.
Don't think about anything.
Ming Hui.
In what aspect was I not careful?
Who was unworthy of my trust?
I also have no clue.
But for now, the situation has not been settled.
Bei'le still has a chance to make a comeback.
It's him.
Did he betray me?
Whether or not it was 14th Brother...
The truth of the matter will come to light one day.
I blame myself for being too smart for my own good.
Who wouldn't be tempted to heir to the throne?
Why didn't I raise my guard against people around me? Such a simple principle and I didn't even take precautions.
I asked for this consequence.
Bei'le.
I want to be alone.
You go in first.
Jie'jie.
You suspect that 14th Prince is the culprit?
I don't know either.
The 14th Prince today is close to the Emperor.
8th Prince has been crushed.
This indeed benefits him.
Those who have originally been supporting 8th Prince
are now changing allegiance to him.
Because of this, he has to cut all brotherly ties.
It's not impossible.
Since matters have come to this stage,
what good can come out of it if Jie'jie continues thinking about it?
That's right.
What good can come out of thinking about this?
The people involved...
Eunuchs and attendants have all committed suicide.
Where can I go to find evidence or witnesses?
But I'm not willing to resign myself.
I want to see how cruel this palace can be.
Greetings, 14th Prince.
Rise.
Yutan, go out.
Yes.
Whatever complaints you have, we can talk about it face-to-face.
Do you hate me for not begging for 8th brother?
Why would I blame you for something I didn't even do myself?
Does this seem like you're not blaming me?
All right. Indeed, I don't understand at all.
The year when the Crown prince was stripped of his title,
14th Prince once pleaded mercy for 8th Prince.
You didn't care about the threat of death and held on to the Emperor.
Even until the Emperor took a sword and almost wanted to kill you,
14th Prince was without any fear.
But this time...
14th Prince, even until now,
you haven't even said one word.
In the end, doing that not only could have saved 8th brother,
but because of my impulsiveness, Imperial Father was even more fearful of 8th brother.
He thought that we, brothers didn't respect him as a father.
That we were rebelling against him under 8th brother.
Imperial Father has become more alert of 8th brother, that he will send in supporters to make trouble for him.
To force him to abdicate.
Six years have passed.
Am I to make the same mistake twice?
And continue being rash and reckless without sparing a thought for the consequences?
Besides, this situation was totally different from the previous.
Last time, when Imperial father punished 8th brother,
it was because many ministers recommended to make him the heir, which infuriated him.
8th brother didn't do anything wrong.
But this time, it was because he was unfilial.
It was a serious offense that curses Imperial Father.
Are you telling me that even you believe that 8th Prince was the one who did that?
Of course not.
The guard and eunuch who delivered the bird have both committed suicide.
Imperial Father is very astute.
Can't he tell if there is something fishy about this matter?
8th Brother has always been the person Imperial Father feared the most.
All these years,
Imperial Father has tried to think of ways and means to weaken 8th brother's influence in court.
But 8th brother's power and influence kept growing.
It has directly and indirectly affected Imperial Father's power.
The matter of the dead bird this time...
You could say it's the best chance for him to take a blow at 8th brother.
The virtue of filial piety is the most important.
If 8th Prince cannot even accomplish this basic human kindness,
his reputation as the 8th Virtuous Prince will be in shreds.
How could the officials continue supporting a person who curses his own father?
The royal family is cruel.
No wonder 8th Prince has not refuted the accusations.
He just fell sick without a sound.
Because he knows whether he really did it or not,
that wouldn't be important in the Emperor's eyes.
If the Emperor thinks that he did it,
then he did it.
The Emperor would actually treat his own son like this.
From now on and one thousand years,
8th Prince's name is already tarnished.
A lifetime of work leaks out like water.
Imperial Father has hardened his heart so that he could write the report.
He is making sure that 8th brother cannot question the Emperor's authority.
Looking at the situation now,
I must consider the big picture.
Only by protecting myself, can I protect 8th brother.
Or we'll both lose out.
We will never have a chance to turn things around for ourselves.
Everything that has been formulated and planned...
8th Brother's many years of efforts has been lost.
The falcon that 8th Prince sent...
Why should it be dying?
When it was sent out, it should have definitely been fine.
Someone must have done something on the way.
The servants 8th Prince sent must have been with him for many years.
People he deeply trusted.
Who could've arranged these people to be by 8th Prince's side?
So that these eunuchs could do such a big thing?
And who's the one that will get the most benefits out of this?
I've explained so much to you.
You are not mad because I didn't beg on behalf of 8th brother.
You're suspecting me!
You're certain it was me who gave up on brotherly ties
and did something so despicable.
Ruoxi, I misjudged you.
Are you acting or really disappointed and angry?
You must be the one who set up 8th brother.
What do you mean?
The Crown prince is under confinement.
The relationship between 8th brother and Imperial Father has been severed.
Who benefits most from this?
Looking at your flustered manner...
Are you being suspected as well?
So you want to find the real culprit to clear your name?
Besides clearing my name,
I want justice for 8th brother.
You're taking revenge for 13th brother,
that's why you are using utterly heartless methods to frame 8th brother.
Utterly heartless?
The innocent party knows his conscience is clear.
Are you talking about me or yourself?
With regards to this matter, whether I have gained or lost is still unknown.
But you are different.
8th brother's many years of painstaking effort to build up everything...
Isn't that all yours now?
I am not a person who will betray my kin and behave worst than a beast.
Then that's good.
Your son offers his wishes to Imperial Father.
May the sky, earth, sun and stars are all peaceful.
May the people, family and everything is harmonious.
Your son offers his wishes to Imperial Father. that the sky, earth and people are harmonious.
Your son wishes Imperial Father ten thousand years of boundless longevity.
Your son wishes Imperial Father for a happy new year.
Your son wishes Imperial Father for everything to go smoothly.
Your son wishes Imperial Father and the fate of Qing Dynasty prosperity.
On behalf of 8th Prince, your daughter-in-law wishes Imperial Father a happy new year.
I wish that all of Imperial Father's wishes are fulfilled.
And that you have a happy new year.
Rise.
Thank You, Imperial Father.
8th Prince intended to come to wish Imperial Father a happy new year.
However, the Imperial Physician said walking would not be beneficial to 8th Prince.
I understand.
Thank You, Imperial Father.
Today is the new year. Everyone can be more at ease.
No need to emphasize on the manner between the Emperor and Minsters.
Li Dequan.
Yes.
This is the manuscript written by His Majesty.
The new year gifts to all the princes.
Your son thanks Imperial Father.
Everybody open it and look.
"Stay home and think about your mistakes."
8th sister-in-law. Let me see what is written on the paper.
10th brother, look at mine first.
Look.
10th brother, let 8th sister-in-law see what yours say too.
Harmony. Good!
You and Mingyu should understand Imperial Father's hope for you.
When everyone is in harmony, luck will come.
I admired wholeheartedly at the lady who fights for 8th Prince alone.
She could have avoid all of these,
but she came with a smile and is well mannered.
No one could be picky about her.
She turned all the mockeries into jokes.
Good. Good!
8th Fujin, please wait.
Greetings, Fujin.
Rise.
What's wrong?
If you want to know about your sister,
she's doing very good.
I was very impressed by you just now.
Facing all kinds of looks,
you still remained well-mannered and appropriate.
Since there's nothing more to lose,
what else is there to be afraid of?
The only thing I could do for Bei'le is to protect his dignity.
I want to let everyone know
that we don't need anyone's pity,
and we would not allow anyone to look down on us.
This is not something just any woman can do.
You can do it too...
If he lives in your heart.
Is 8th Prince's health improving?
It's rare that your appetite is so good today. Eat some more.
You had to take care of me during the Spring Festival.
It's been hard on you.
Not at all.
When I see you getting better each day, I'll be happy.
Master.
What are you so flustered about?
I just found out that His Majesty just ordered to stop your salary and pension rice.
Okay, dismissed.
Yes.
What is this?
He's pushing things too far!
How can the Emperor do this?
It's already been two months since the situation occurred.
The order from Imperial Father is just clearly letting everyone to know
that he will not forgive me.
It's to give a clear warning to those who still want to wait and see, and those ministers who still support me.
We don't need those charity.
All of our saving together could support eight life spans.
Even if we did spend it all, there's still my father.
Even if my father doesn't care about us, you still have me.
Jie'jie, the flowers are blooming beautifully this year.
Eunuch Wang.
Good Jie'jie.
There you are! Your Majesty wants to see you. Quick, follow me.
Yutan, bring back these flowers.
Okay.
This way, Jie'jie.
What's wrong?
I don't know.
Master had me looking for you. Just come.
If Master blames me, Jie'jie, please speak out for me.
I know it is my fault. I should not pick plum flowers.
Greetings, Your Majesty.
Stand up.
Ruoxi, you been with me in the palace for many years already.
Everyday, I have watched you grow.
From the "Clueless death seeking 13th sister"
to the elegant and slender, careful and cautious person you are now.
Did you know, you spent more time with me, than I spent with my own daughter?
I have thoroughly thought about your marriage.
Originally, that was for your own good... But now it seems like I've delayed you.
Your Majesty, this servant would rather serve you for the rest of her life.
What silly words are you talking about?
How can you not marry for the rest of your life?
No matter how much I can't bear to let you go, I'd have to.
You and 14th Prince are about the same age.
Plus, your relationship with him is not bad.
I think he will not treat you badly.
Ruoxi, why are you not replying to Your Majesty?
Thank you for Your Majesty's kindness.
This servant
This servant is will-
What's the matter?
This servant is unwilling.
Ruoxi. This is defying His Majesty's order.
Your Majesty.
Are you not afraid of punishment?
I disappointed the Emperor
I am willing to be punished.
Your guts has become bigger and bigger.
Ruoxi. If you defy His Majesty's order, all of your family will be killed.
Since the old days, wise Emperors gives reward and punishment specifically.
My father is loyal to the Emperor in the northwest, and never made mistakes.
To abandon a good official just because of a humble girl is not what a wise Emperor would do.
Emperors who were wise among history definitely would not do that.
Outrageous servant!
Your Majesty.
Shut up!
Female officer, Maertai Ruoxi
has become spoiled because of my doting, and is behaving badly. 20 strokes!
Send her to the Laundry Department to wash clothes for the palace maids and eunuchs.
I obey.
Ruoxi.
You dare to disobey a royal command?
Master.
Give Ruoxi 20 Strokes.
Go.
Yes.
Jie'jie, bear with me.
We almost there.
Yutan, Yunxiang. Hurry!
How come there's so much blood?
Don't ask.
Hurry, prepare water and medicine!
Quick, quick! Okay.
Hurry! Move the screen here.
Did the water come? Quickly! Quickly!
What was the reason, Jie'jie?
When I came, my master was in a good mood.
It didn't seem like something bad was going to happen.
Don't ask. Knowing more is not for your benefit.
In the future, please just follow Eunuch Li well.
Pay more attention and talk less for all situations.
You are pretty clever, but talk too much.
You don't have the sense of carefulness that your master has.
Eunuch Wang.
Get out. Get out!
Yes.
Jie'jie. Endure it.
Your cloth is soaked with blood and attached to the wound. Removing it will hurt a bit.
Go ahead.
Jie'jie. Bear with it.
What are you looking at? Leave.
Yes.
How is she?
The medicine has been applied.
Eunuch Wang. What happened exactly?
I am also trying to ask Jie'jie as well.
At that time inside the room, only my master and Jie'jie were there.
I am also confused now.
Eunuch Wang. You go back for now. I will take care of her.
Okay, I will leave first.
You take good care of her. If you need anything, just let me know.
Yes.
It's done.
Jie'jie.
What happened exactly?
The reason behind this...
I am afraid that the Emperor does not want others to know.
I can only say the Emperor has been quite magnanimous to me already.
If what I did was known,
For the crime I've committed, it wouldn't even be too much if the Emperor ordered my death.
If you knew, it wouldn't be good for you.
Yutan. You need to take good care of yourself.
You are always cautious anyway. I don't need to worry too much.
The Emperor is allowing Jie'jie to leave the palace?
The Emperor is sending me to the Laundry Department.
What? How can this be?
Jie'jie's family background is noble. How could you go to such places?
Even I am not afraid, what are you afraid of?
What...? Ruoxi was punished by Imperial Father with 20 strokes?
And now she is to be switched to the Laundry Department?
How can this be?
8th Brother... Let's quickly go and find 8th brother to discuss this.
You can't look for 8th Brother!
There's no use looking for 8th brother.
Right.
Now, 8th brother can barely help himself.
Then what do we do?
We can't just sit around and not care.
We have to find a way to save Ruoxi.
That's why I came to find you.
To talk it out and see if there is a solution.
What should we do?
Let's go and beg Imperial Father.
Just like the last time.
Let's kneel for three to five hours,
kneel for one day and night.
Besides, Imperial Father is a reasonable man.
I believe this will be resolved quickly.
Go, go, go!
10th Brother! We mustn't act impetuously!
What do you mean act impetuously?
We have to save her first!
Unless you want to see Ruoxi demoted to the Laundry Department?
Of course not!
We don't even know why this happened to Ruoxi.
How can we plead for her?
Let's understand the situation first before we do anything else.
What can it possibly be?
You won't go?
If you won't go, I will go by myself and reason with the Imperial Father!
10th brother!
Stop!
Where do you want to go?
Something bad has happened to Ruoxi.
14th brother and I are going to plead for her.
Because we have known each other for so long.
I heard just now.
Do you know what Ruoxi did wrong?
Why does the Emperor want to punish Ruoxi?
Twenty beatings and being sent to the Laundry Department...
Do you think that was a small mistake?
Imperial Father, who favors and dotes on Ruoxi so much...
It was definitely not a small mistake if he gave her such a severe punishment.
Do you think that if you go and beg, everything will be alright?
Why could that work with your skill?
Your ability? Your capability?
10th sister-in-law has a point.
We do not understand the situation.
We can't act blinding without thinking.
Otherwise, we may not be able to help Ruoxi.
We could shoot ourselves in the foot and bring more trouble to her.
14th brother is right.
Don't worry.
Your 10th brother has me here.
He won't dare to mess about.
Okay.
Let me go first to find out the situation.
10th Prince. Is this okay?
Yes.
Jie'jie.
Did 4th Prince come and visit you?
No.
Why do you ask?
When I came back just now, I saw 4th Prince
standing far away outside the courtyard.
I turned the corner and walked closer...
And he disappeared.
I thought he may have come to see Jie'jie.
Jie'jie, don't you think these flowers are pretty?
Pretty. This really goes by the saying that the person is prettier than the flower.
I asked Jie'jie to admire the flowers.
Instead Jie'jie makes fun of me.
If you have time, come and help me pack some stuff.