4th Prince. On the 15th day,
you will go to Tiantan on my behalf and fast respectfully.
to perform the ceremony of sacrificing to the Heaven.
I will do as ordered.
This matter had always been taken care of by the Crown Prince.
It seems that 4th brother is truly the Emperor's favorite.
Your Highness.
Is there anything wrong?
Imperial Father ordered you to host the ceremony of the sacrifice of Heaven.
Seems like the Eunuchs have almost finished preparing.
You can leave anytime to the temple.
Wait a little more.
Your Highness.
If you delay anymore, time will be tight.
I cannot leave at this time.
Are you worried about His Majesty's illness?
Relax, Your Highness.
Heaven will bless a good man like Imperial Father.
There definitely won't be a problem.
Thats enough.
I have my own decisions.
Just wait for a while.
Your Majesty.
Leave for now.
Okay.
4th Prince.
I would like to say something to you.
Your son is listening.
I've served the kingdom and the people.
I know 4th Prince...
I know you are like me, we are of one mind.
I have been listening to your advise since childhood.
Imperial Father has been my role model for everything.
You should know that...
The thing I do not wish to see the most
is that you and your brothers would plot against each other for the throne.
Resulting in brothers hurting each other.
I do not have many days left.
Imperial Father. You have the most fortune.
You will live on for hundred years.
I hope that you could strive the most for the Imperial Court and for my country of the Qing Dynasty.
I already ordered someone to write the decree.
Imperial Father.
4th Prince.
You...
You must promise me something.
Your son greets Imperial Mother.
Go back for now.
Ruoxi, I have something to say to you.
When you were switched to Laundry Department,
did you wash your brains into a mess?
This is your best opportunity.
You need to grab it!
If you do not grab it,
I wouldn't be able to help you even if I wanted to.
I know that Eunuch Li treats me well.
I wouldn't dare to do it again.
You're a rare smart person in the palace.
Even though I made the decision privately this time,
I could not have done that without the Emperor's special favor.
Whatever you do, don't let anything go wrong again.
Yes.
There's a question on my mind.
I don't know whether I can ask Eunuch Li?
You may ask.
Eunuch Li has always understood Emperor's thoughts.
Do you think the one His Majesty supports in his heart
is 4th Prince or 14th Prince?
I just said that you need to be careful in your action and words.
Did you even hear what I said?
I already said that we are servants.
We can't get involved with palace affairs.
Even if you asked me guess,
I would not have a clear answer.
Both princes were doted by His Majesty.
Also, His Majesty said before that everything is under his control.
All this time, he decided not to appoint a Crown Prince so he could control the fight and competition.
His Majesty will not announce the successor until the last moment.
Your Majesty, please look after your health.
Don't tire yourself out so much.
As long as I can see the country prosper and the common people at peace...
All the common people have food to eat and clothes to wear...
It does not matter how tired I am, it is worth it.
However, I was not able help Your Majesty with your worries.
You've already helped me.
All these years, you've served me dutifully.
I have been completely aware of it.
I would not dare to create trouble for Your Majesty.
I only hope that 14th Prince can come back earlier.
Then, Your Majesty can feel relieved.
14th Prince is braver than others.
I am very confident in him.
This is all your contribution.
I would not dare to take the credit.
I only hope that 4th Prince and 14th Prince
can help Your Majesty ease your worries and issues.
Then I will be satisfied.
Out of the two brothers, which one do you like?
The two of them are both my sons.
There is no difference.
To me, you have been more strict towards 4th Prince.
That's right.
I only wish that he could be a good role model for 14th Prince.
Did you know?
Sometimes I suspect the silent and reticent character of 4th Prince
was because you were too strict towards him.
Your Majesty.
My skills of guidance is lacking.
I've let the princes suffer.
I deserve to die for my crimes.
Don't talk about assigning blame.
As a father, I'm to be blamed even more.
Your Majesty is handling tens of thousand matters each day.
How would you have that much time?
That is why if the child was not bought up right, it was the father's fault.
Unfortunately, a ruler of a country
cannot be the same as regular people.
Going out to work after sunrise, coming home to rest after sunset.
Sitting under the big tree every night...
They could accompany their children cool off and tell stories.
Sometimes, when one of them was sick,
I couldn't even go to see him.
The princes will understand.
There are times where I am not sure whether they're truly filial towards me
or whether it's because of the Emperor's seat.
Your Majesty, the way the princes treat you is true.
Men at birth is fundamentally good in nature.
Moreover, Your Majesty treats them nicely.
and makes pain staking efforts in educating and training them.
Right now, it doesn't matter whether it's real or fake.
I do not care.
I only care about their future.
They are all my own blood and flesh.
I really hope the brothers will not destroy each other.
I, Long Keduo, greets Your Majesty.
Rise.
Thank you.
I am getting old.
Today, I am also ill.
Bless the Emperor with long life and good fortune.
I plan on having 14th Prince return.
When he returns this time,
I don't plan on having him go back to the battlefield.
Therefore, I need to pick someone to replace him.
We must think carefully.
We can not be too hasty in making a decision.
Your Majesty, please look after your health.
Bring a cup of tea.
Do you have someone in your mind?
Jie'jie, what's wrong?
Go and bring His Majesty a cup of tea.
My emotions tell me that I hope it will not happen.
I do not want 4th Prince to be upset, disappointed and in pain.
Rationally, I think that is the best solution to everything.
If 14th Prince steps on the throne,
perhaps everyone would still be alive.
If 14th Prince become the Emperor,
would he really not kill those brothers who were not on his side?
Hurry, hurry!
One of the greatest Emperors finally must reach the end of his life.
Men!
Yes.
Send the order out.
Send in large troops to surround Qianqing Palace immediately.
Without my permission, no one can come in or out.
Use my nameplate to send the order.
Impose martial laws on all nine gates.
Even for the princes of any status.
Without my permission, it's forbidden to go out and come in privately.
Yes.
Eunuch Li.
Do you think my arrangement is complete?
Your arrangement is reasonable and fair.
Send people to pass the order.
No one can leave without permission.
No one can approach without permission.
Whoever violates this order will be beaten to death right away.
Understood.
I've already ordered someone to draft the decree to pass the throne to 14th Prince.
In the future, you will assist him with all your heart.
Calm, Peace.
Your Highness, we have news from the palace.
His Majesty is in a critical condition.
Right now, both inside and outside of the Qianqing Palace is sealed. No one can go in or out.
You can leave.
Yes.
The win or loss of so many years of hard work is will all be determined by this moment.
Prepare to enter the palace.
Action.
Your Majesty has passed away.
Your Majesty!
His Majesty just told me the decree was already drafted.
The throne would be passed to 4th Prince.
Then, suddenly he fainted.
I didn't imagine that Your Majesty...
Before His Majesty passed away, he already instructed me --
"4th Prince was noble and was similar to me."
He will inherit the throne.
Therefore, he will ascend the throne in the next few days and be the new Emperor.
Greetings, Your Majesty.
Constraint everyone separately.
Do not allow anyone to approach privately or spread the news.
Understood.
Miss, please.
This way is good too.
I will not witness the final conflict right before he ascends to the throne.
The former Emperor passed away. The whole country is in mourning.
I beg Your Majesty to take care of yourself.
Please, for the sake of the country.
Pick an auspicious day to quickly ascend the throne.
So that whole country could be notified and shown the prosperity of the Qing Dynasty.
And to show Your Majesty's heavenly grace.
The most important thing right now is the funeral arrangement of the former Emperor.
We can talk about ascending the throne later.
Your Majesty, you absolutely mustn't.
Even though our Qing Dynasty is at its peak,
but the countries surrounding us all have their own ambitions.
Given any opportunity, they'd want to invade us.
Right now, the former Emperor suddenly died.
Our enemies would have been waiting a long time for that.
If Your Majesty do not ascend the throne and be notified to the world, there will be no official ruler.
That will cause the country to be in unrest.
I also agree on that suggestion. Your Majesty.
The great Qing Dynasty could not be without Emperor for one day.
I beg Your Majesty to put aside your sadness,
and ascend the throne as soon as possible.
I agree as well.
Right now, the Ministry of Rites (Confucian) has posted the former Emperor's posthumous decree to the whole country.
Everyone under the Heaven knows.
I beg Your Majesty to make a decision immediately
to stabilize the common people's minds.
We beg Your Majesty to pick an auspicious day to ascend the throne.
4th Brother.
How dare you! Although Bei'le is a prince,
but how could you lack in manners in front of His Majesty?
You should immediately knee down and ask for forgiveness!
How dare you?!
Is Bei'le of the Great Qing Dynasty someone a dog servant like you could curse?
8th Brother!
I don't know what 4th brother is discussing about.
Why did you not notify our brothers and discuss it together?
I am talking about the funeral arrangement of the Former Emperor.
You're also talking about faking the Imperial Edict to get the throne,
and attempting to be the Emperor.
9th brother. How could you talk nonsense about the posthumous decree of the former Emperor?
4th Brother.
You usually focus on farming and the colors of spring.
If the posthumous decree wrote
that you were given one hundred acres of good farm land, I would believe that.
But if the will stated to pass the throne to you,
that may be a joke.
If you say another absurd word,
do not blame me for not honoring our brotherhood.
What can you do?
The day Imperial Father passed away,
all of us were blocked outside of the Emperor's palace.
We could not even see our Imperial Father for the last time.
Not sure how you were able to that day.
How did you persuade Imperial Father so that he'd pass the throne
to an unconcerned person who treats farming as enjoyment?
The former Emperor made a determination a long time ago regarding the successor.
He could not be persuaded by others in a few sentences.
When Imperial Father was still alive,
he already treated 14th Prince as his favorite.
He entrusted 14th Prince with heavy responsibilities and trusted him with them.
Everyone in the Imperial Court and all of us have noticed that.
Imperial Father's intention is understood without saying.
So may I ask, how could Imperial Father suddenly change during his dying time?
14th brother is extremely talented.
He could be called the model among all princes.
I am very happy about that too.
I will entrust him with heavy responsibilities.
I already told our 14th brother to come back for the funeral.
You have no need to use his name when you question me.
Li Dequan.
Your servant is here.
Since all Bei'le and Bei'zi have doubt in their minds,
you should read the posthumous decree again in public.
Yes.
The Former emperor said --
"4th Prince is noble and is similar to me."
"He will respectfully carry on my inheritage."
"He will be the successor on the throne after me and become the Emperor."
Li Dequan!
You bastard of a servant!
Didn't Imperial Father treat you well when he was alive?
However, you dare to fake the Imperial Edict and help the bad guy.
What you do is contrary to Imperial Father's wish.
That day, several of us were not there.
No one knows whether the posthumous decree in your hand is real or fake.
If you hoped that we'd willingly knee down to you and be your servants because of that decree,
that's impossible! Don't even think about it!
That day, both Eunuch Li and I
were witnesses right next to the former Emperor.
As a nine gate Tidu entrusted by the Former Emperor,
I guard the Qianqing palace and the former Emperor.
How could I falsify?
Shut up!
Imperial Father could be baffled by you.
However, do not think that we do not know about your background.
Your servant, Nian Gengyao has returned to protect Your Majesty.
Greetings, Your Majesty.
Rise, everyone.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
While the whole country is in mourning,
I can understand your feelings.
The most important thing now
is the funeral arrangement of the former Emperor and the Imperial matters.
From this day onwards, General Ma, Long Keduo,
8th Brother and also 13th Brother will become the prime ministers.
Confer a title to 8th Prince Heshuo Lian Qinwang.
13th Prince as Heshuo Yi Qinwang.
I hope everyone will cooperate with me,
and that we will go through the difficult time together.
We receive the order and thank Your Majesty.
I accept the order and thank Your Majesty.
8th brother. How could you kowtow just because you were given a Qinwang title?
How would we, brothers continue arguing?
Argue?
I originally thought Imperial Father's attitude was obvious.
14th brother would definitely be the successor
and step on the throne as an Emperor.
Who knew that just in one night, that dream will be in vain.
The Imperial Throne now is in 4th brother's hand in a blink of the eye.
That's right, 8th Brother.
I really don't understand.
How could you let it go just like that?
You are just giving the Imperial Throne away.
We do not have any control of the army in the Capital.
It is already difficult to deal with Long Keduo.
Now that Nian Gengyao is also here,
which one of you can withstand him?
The most important thing is --
Long Keduo has the oral instruction of Imperial Father,
and has Li Dequan as an witness.
Now that posthumous decree is published all over the country.
Unless we have the intention to rebel,
we do not have the ability to turn it around otherwise.
Don't worry, you two.
Although this time 4th may have ascended the throne,
but if names are incorrect, arguments cannot be tenable.
We will have opportunity in the future to push him off the throne.
The strategy now is wait for action until we have an opportunity.
Concubine De is always more fond of 14th brother,
and she is the birth mother of 4th brother.
4th brother will have a hard time dealing with his own Empress Dowager.
Your Highness, please don't be too sad.
Please look after your health.
Invite 4th Prince in.
Yes.
Greetings, Your Majesty.
Excused.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
You may leave.
Imperial Mother asked me to come right away.
What is it for?
4th Prince. Tell me the truth.
Are you really faking the posthumous decree?
When your Imperial Father was alive, he liked your 14th Brother the most.
He would never pass the throne to you.
14th Brother and I are both your biological sons.
It does not matter which of us ascends the throne, you will be titled Empress Dowager.
Mother, why do you favor 14th brother?
You really believe that I won't be a good Emperor?
I am your Imperial Father's concubine.
I need to follow the former Emperor's posthumous wishes.
Whether your Imperial Father gave the throne to my own son
or not, I will still speak for him.
The Former Emperor has sent the order personally.
The Imperial Throne belongs to me. It is absolutely legitimate!
Absolutely legitimate?
Whether it's absolutely legitimate or not...
Your know in your heart better than anyone else.
Even though I have not ascend to the throne yet,
I am already the true Emperor of the Qing Dynasty.
Today, I would like to tell you.
Even if the entire world recognizes and accepts you as the Emperor, I would never do so!
I was only detained for seven days,
but I cannot stand it any longer.
13th Prince didn't have any freedom for 10 years.
How did he get through it?
If 4th Prince ascends to the throne,
13th Prince will definitely be released.
I will finally see him again.
Gu'gu, please follow me back to the palace.
Note: Gu'gu means aunt, but is also polite way of addressing someone older.
Did the Emperor have the coronation ceremony?
Replying Gu'gu. The Enthronement Ceremony has just finished today.
It was announced that next year, the title of the country would be changed as well.
What about the 8th Prince and his people?