Let me accompany you back.
Who is it? Who is it?!
I'm already here, you still want me to go over ask myself?
Please spare your servant.
If the Emperor finds out, I won't even have a place to bury my dead body!
Gu'gu, Gu'gu, Gu'gu!
It's Yutan!
Yutan.
Gu'gu, Gu'gu!
Yutan, Yutan, Yutan!
Get away!
Why did you do this?
I have a reason for what I did.
Get better first, then I'll give you an explanation, alright?
She's my sister.
You think of her as your sister, but she never treated you like one.
It's not that I didn't give her a chance.
Go away, I don't want to see you.
Go away.
Don't get so agitated.
You're pregnant.
The Imperial Physician's has confirmed it.
It's been two months now.
I hate you.
If you want me to leave,
then I will leave right now.
But please take care of yourself and the child.
Mei Xiang, Ju Yue,
Yes.
Take care of Mistress.
Yes.
Your Majesty, Miss Ruoxi's health is already poor.
Adding to that this recent blow,
it's affecting the baby.
I will look for every possible solution
to ensure the safety of both mother and child.
That is, worry and anxiety is hard to cure.
I just need you to use everything you have to save Ruoxi, make sure nothing happens to her.
I will take care of the rest.
I will.
You may leave.
Yes.
Greetings, Imperial Brother.
Excused.
Thank you, Imperial Brother.
What is Imperial Brother worrying about?
Ruoxi is pregnant.
She is?
Then Imperial Brother should be happy.
She doesn't want to see me.
I had Yutan steamed to death in front of everyone as a warning,
but she saw it with her own eyes.
She's having a fever that won't go down,
and has also affected the baby.
Haven't you already given her a warning before?
What did she do to make you suffer this much?
9th was inciting Hong Shi to fight for the crown prince position,
and also ordered Yutan to use the relationship between 8th, 10th and 14th
to spoil the relationship between Ruoxi and I.
If I do not do anything to stop it, they are just going to get bolder and bolder.
Ruoxi has been in the palace for so many years.
She should know by now.
Some conflicts cannot be prevented.
But, she is someone who values relationships.
She wouldn't be able to accept this all of a sudden.
As of now, I will find a chance to explain to her.
I'm afraid that once she understands, she will still hate me.
You can go.
Yes.
With Heaven as our witness,
from today onwards, we will be as close as real sisters.
To love, respect and protect each other.
When the previous servant was sentenced to death,
I promised you myself,
It doesn't matter what you did wrong.
I would protect you.
I thought with the love the Emperor had for me,
I will be able to keep you safe in this palace.
But who knew, he treated you like that.
Gu'gu, Gu'gu, Gu'gu!
Call the Imperial Physician!
Your servant greets Jie'jie.
Leave.
Sit down.
I don't dare.
What does Jie'jie want me to do?
That day, Yutan...
What was the situation that day?
She went quickly. She didn't suffer too much.
Did she say anything before she left?
She just smiled the whole time and didn't say much.
How are you doing?
I am well.
Since Jie'jie doesn't want anything else,
I will take my leave now.
I'm tired. Help me over there.
Rest well.
I will excuse myself.
I beg of Jie'jie to keep my family safe.
I know my time is up.
I had always hoped to be able to explain everything to you myself.
But I have no chance to clear things up now, to have to leave so suddenly.
Yet at this point, everything I want to say seems pointless.
I am just a foolish person.
Yutan has no regrets and no complaints.
Please don't be sad.
She once said she never learned to read and doesn't know how write.
But with this blood letter, Yutan,
how many things have you been hiding from me?
Gu'gu, 13th Prince came to see you.
Come in.
Your health is already bad.
And now, you're also pregnant.
How can you continue ill-treating yourself?
Do you hate Imperial Brother so much that you don't even want your child?
No.
If you don't, then look after yourself.
For one thing, it's your first pregnancy at your age.
It's already dangerous.
Also, you've always been sickly, and now you've affected the baby.
Imperial Brother is also worried,
but no one can do anything, and you won't take care of yourself.
Imperial Brother was afraid that you'll be worried, that's why he did not tell you.
I wanted to tell you to just look on the bright side,
but looking at you now, I might as well tell you everything.
If you still want this child, then follow the physician's instructions.
I will do my best.
But I can't bear my heartache.
Can you teach me how to stop hurting?
Maybe, knowing the truth will let you feel better,
but it might make you feel worse.
Tell me.
Yutan was the spy that 9th brother's sent to Imperial Brother's side.
She's always been giving him information about Imperial Brother.
Because of you, he was not very strict on her.
Many times, he used various ways to warn her.
But she didn't seem to know better at all.
What angered His Majesty this time is because
she tried to spoil the relationship between him and Hong Shi,
creating quite a few problems between father and son.
9th also ordered Yutan to make use of the relationship you have with 8th, 10th and 14th
to stir things up between you and His Majesty.
These two matters angered His Majesty,
forcing him to give such severe punishment.
It is also to give 9th a strong warning.
So the lord who saved Yutan's family that winter was 9th. All these 20 years,
it seemed like it wasn't because of me that she was always so troubled.
What exactly was the story between her and 9th?
Ruoxi, aren't you angry?
No matter what,
our years of sisterly affections were not faked.
She was just caught between two people.
As for the others, who doesn't have helpless moments?
If I have to blame anyone,
I can only blame heaven for being so cruel.
You're always so willing to forgive.
Willing to remember only the beautiful things.
The Emperor could have prevented this from happening.
But he did not do anything.
The Emperor wanted to let Yutan out of the palace.
When Yutan was just posted to where she was,
His Majesty ordered Gao Wuyong to let things be, instead of punishing those who went against the rules of Yangxin Palace.
When the previous servant was being punished,
it was especially for Yutan to watch, to serve as a warning.
Maybe the Emperor
wanted to let her out of the palace.
But 9th Prince didn't want to let his spy go.
So Yutan came to beg me.
But His Majesty left things as they were, and allowed Yutan to stay.
Because if Yutan left,
he wouldn't know what tricks they will be up to.
Might as well leave a spy he knows around, and know what to expect.
I know whatever I say, you will not be able to accept it.
But Imperial Brother really wanted Yutan to change over a new leaf,
he did not want to hurt you.
If he wasn't so overly anxious about you this time,
he wouldn't have hated Yutan so much.
Yutan was forced to her death by the Emperor and 9th together.
And I was the accomplice.
I know you're upset because of her,
but you cannot push the blame onto yourself just like that.
13th Prince.
Do you know what I have been going through these days?
How Eunuch Li died...
I'm sure you already know.
Yutan was just like my sister.
Even if she was at fault,
why did he have to use such cruel means?
As well as others who were not involved.
Eunuch Zhang might have been at fault, but he did not deserve such a punishment!
How much is there that I don't know?
In the palace...
All I know now is fear, and more fear.
You've only seen Imperial Brother's strict side.
You did not see how well he actually treats you.
According to palace rules,
when a maid makes a mistake,
her family is also supposed to be killed.
But because of you, he did not do anything else.
Ruoxi.
You cannot ignore this fact.
I want to rest.
Little baby, mother has let you down.
You won't be able to see your Royal Father these days.
Having been born into the Royal family,
in other's eyes, it seems like such luxury.
But I'd rather you be the child of a commoner.
Don't be like your Imperial Father, where there's endless fighting because of the throne.
This is not what I want to hear!
All I want is a proper explanation!
As a prince, you only know how to create strife.
Don't think that I don't know what you are trying to do.
Teaching 10th Brother to lead the Zhang's into defying an imperial edict.
Don't treat my compassion as a weakness!
They are all blood brothers,
but he's just shaming them in front of everybody, leaving them no pride at all.
Your servant greets the Princes.
Save the trouble.
You're already of such status, and you're still bowing to me.
Isn't that just another crime I've committed?
I have something to speak with 9th Prince about privately.
What was it that you were looking for me?
Don't you feel any guilt towards Yutan's death at all?
Since she sees me as her master,
to sacrifice for her master is expected.
What guilt are you talking about?
Since she died for me.
I will naturally take care of her funeral,
and take care of her family for her.
You do not have to worry about this.
Everyone says that the 9th is cruel and ruthless.
The way I see it, you definitely lived up to your reputation.
Do you mean to say that Yutan is just
a chess piece you've hidden in the palace for 20 years?
Now that she's failed, forgetting her is to be expected.
She's not even worth a single mention?
Yutan was just a lowly servant.
To have received my recognition,
to be my tool is her blessing for generations to come.
If you want to speak a word of fairness for your sister,
you should go search for your Emperor.
He's the real murderer.
4th, you owe me too much!
8th Brother.
9th Brother, sit.
8th brother.
4th was being ridiculous today.
He was scolding us in front of everybody.
It was 10th who was delaying the Zhang family, because they didn't want to come to the Capital,
but he pushed the blame to you all the same.
What are you going to do about this?
Tell 10th to return tot he Capital quickly and stop finding trouble with that general.
In case the Emperor uses this to find faults in future.
8th brother.
We cannot keep retreating!
He will only go overboard!
The one who led us into fighting for the throne was you!
The one who is suffering now is also you!
Can't we fight properly one more time?
It's better than being forced into a corner by him!
The dust has already settled.
He is the Emperor.
I will do what he wants me to do.
Whatever he wants, it's up to him. Even if it's confinement.
With things as they are, why bother doing more,
only to let him find more reasons to blame us?
9th, you need to keep your temper in check.
Going against him will only bring harm to those around you.
There is nothing to be gained out of it.
Master, there is news from the palace.
The Emperor wants you to enter the palace immediately.
I know.
9th, think about what we talked about today.
Sister-in-law.
I would like to hear your thoughts.
Just as Bei'le has said,
why do something only to give the Emperor something to catch you with?
Bei'le is doing this for the well being of everyone.
No.
If we're going to be brought down,
he is going to suffer along with us.
We all need to hide from him,
how are we going to do that?
Forget it.
I have something interesting to say.
It's about Ruoxi.
Not sure if sister-in-law is interested to hear.
Second Miss. Second Miss.
Qiaohui.
I am Qiaohui.
Leave, this isn't a place you can stay!
Second Miss.
It was His Majesty who ordered me to take care of you.
I knew it was him.
That's why I want you to leave!
Second Miss.
Your servant heard Eunuch Gao said that you were pregnant.
How can you not take care of yourself?
If you have anything in your mind, please talk to me about it.
I've served your sister since she was young.
So I've also watched you grow up.
I should not say this,
but in my heart, I've long thought of Madam as my elder sister,
and Second Miss as my biological younger sister.
Second Miss. Nothing is more important than the baby.
If Madam knew that you are in this state,
she will definitely be very sad.
Haven't you promised Madam, that you will take care of yourself?
Gu'gu!
Shall I tell you a joke?
Tell me another day.
Let me sing you a song then.
Another day too.
I'm in no mood to listen to anything today.
Gu'gu, I've been practising my zither very hard.
When you can play your zither properly,
you father will be very happy.
How about it? My aunt is very pretty, isn't she?
Count your blessings that you've seen her today.
Greetings, Gu'gu.
Get up.
She's new?
She transferred here not too long ago.
Because Gu'gu has been sick these few days, you haven't seen her.
Your aunt will get better.
- Greetings, Your Majesty. - Greetings, Imperial Uncle and Father.
Rise.
Thank you, Imperial Uncle.
Cheng Huan, who asked you to play this song?
I chose it myself.
This song is nice, did I play it badly?
No, it's very good.
Are you speaking the truth, Gu'gu?
Your aunt dotes on you.
When it comes to her, she'll always like it no matter how you play.
Imperial Uncle, do you like it?
Yes, I do.
I heard brothers saying that you love pastoral music.
This song seems to be what it's about.
Cheng Huan, you made your aunt laugh.
I will reward you properly.
Who knows if you and Imperial Brother would pamper
Cheng Huan or your own child more.
They're both sisters. I will pamper both.
Why are they sisters?
I would very much prefer a prince.
He will accomplish great things in future.
And be my successor.
I just want a clever and lovable daughter.
The throne is such a temptation.
I don't want my own children fighting amongst themselves without regards for each other.
Imperial Brother.
I still have matters to handle,
I will take my leave.
Your health isn't good, rest more.
Thank you for you concern.
Cheng Huan, let's go.
I'll bring you home.
Yes.
I will also take my leave.
It's been over ten days.
Shouldn't your anger be ceased by now?
Even if you don't want to see me,
the child wants to see his/her father.
You're with a child now.
I'll need to title you.
Let's discuss this.
What title do you want?
I don't want any title.
Not many people know that you're pregnant.
But in a month, your stomach will start to show.
Even if you don't want to be my wife,
the child cannot do without a father.
Do you wish for the child to be looked down upon?
Let me out of the palace.
Once I'm outside, there will be no one to mock him.
I will never allow you and the child to leave me.
Don't even think about it!
Do you only feel hate towards me now?
How I wish that I only hate you.
But even if I wanted to,
I can't bring myself to hate you.
I'm only afraid of the palace, afraid of the Emperor.
Why is he so cruel?
So much so that I'm petrified.
Don't be sad anymore.
It's not good for the baby.
Ruoxi, I will always be your 4th Prince.
But I am also the Emperor of this Forbidden City.
There are many of things that I can't help with.
Indeed, many things cannot be helped.
But perhaps when it's handled by someone else,
there would be a different way of doing it.
Yet you have always chosen the most extreme methods.
You just end up hurting yourself and all the people around you.
Why?
Why must you hate to such extreme?
What are all these bits and pieces of cloths for?
They are used to make "a hundred families' clothes".
What is "a hundred families' clothes"?
Once you wear "a hundred families' clothes",
you can live till you're seventy-seven.
It's good for children.
Is it made for little bother?
It could be a little sister too.
Cheng Huan, come here. I have something to ask you.
The song you played that day,
who chose it for you?
You've finally asked me, Gu'gu.
You knew that I was going to ask!
It was the servant who was looking after me.
Rui'er chose it for me.
She said I can tell Gu'gu if you asked,
but other than you, no one else can know a thing.
Otherwise, she will definitely die.
What else did she say?
She said that if you asked, I have to say
as long as you're willing to give up,
Two Seven (Er Qi) will follow accordingly.
Two Seven?
14th!
No wonder the Emperor is so strict with the servants.
Gu'gu, what are you talking about?
Remember, Rui'er helping you choose the song.
About her teaching you what to say, pretend all these never happened.
Never.
Look for an excuse to have Rui'er sent away.
Send her to do other things.
Whether it is laundry or sweeping the floor, whatever works.
Why? I like her very much.
It's because you like her, that's why you need to do this.
As long as one has no worth,
she can stay in the palace peacefully until she needs to leave.
Second Miss, Eunuch Gao is here.
Come in.
Go and play.
Gu'gu. The Emperor had me send this over.
I will take my leave.
What's there to see?
It's still better to take a look.
What's written on it?
The Emperor has chosen some titles and asked me to pick one.
Qiaohui knows Second Miss is angry at the Emperor.
But you still need to think about the baby!
You need to think of your father,
and your dead mother and Madam.
If Madam knew what was happening,
that Second Miss was pregnant but didn't even have a title,
she would be sad for Second Miss.
I know Second Miss has the Emperor in her heart.
So why can't you be the Emperor's concubine?
Qiaohui, with a title...
I would need to be tied with this Forbidden City forever.
Second Miss.
8th Fujin wants to see you.
She's already here.
Did she say what it's about?
She didn't say.
If Second Miss don't want to see her,
I will respond back to her.
No.
I owe her a big favor over Jie'jie's matter.
If the Emperor knew about it,
just say I was the one who wanted to see her.
I understand.
Greetings, Fujin.
Greetings, 8th Fujin.
Even though it is not officially acknowledged,
you are still the Emperor's woman.
I do not deserve such formal greetings.
Fujin! The Emperor is going to title Second Miss very soon!
Qiaohui.
I have some things to say to Fujin.
Keep a look out for me.
Yes, I take my leave.
What did you come looking for me for?
A few days ago, the Emperor reprimanded Wangye,
pushing the blame for what 10th did to Wangye.
What happened was that that general purposely made things difficult,
so 10th went against him.
But the Emperor put the blame all on Wangye.
Now, Wangye never bothers much about these issues.
Whether things go up or down,
he doesn't dwell on it.
Whatever the Emperor commands, he will do.
To be confined or not, it's also up to him.
He even tried persuading 9th, not to go against the Emperor anymore.
With things as they are, what else is there to fight for?
Every step along the way, the Emperor has been testing us and discouraging us,
and we have always been giving way.
But he's always taken advantage of us.
Whatever reports he did,
the Emperor will always look through them himself.
The court subjects also side with the Emperor,
always looking for his faults.
Wangye has worked hard for half his life.
Doing almost everything.
But it's as if he had never done anything for the Qing Dynasty.
If Wangye was still attached,
I would have gone crazy by now.
I have never thought about not caring about you anymore.
I just hoped for you to live well.
You have no idea how painful it is to live with a knife above our heads.
Who knows how much longer we're able to live for?
We all know that that knife will come down one day.
But every single day, we must still worry about when it will happen.
I was still terrified in the past. But now,
I feel that the sooner it is, the better.
Why did you come to see me today?
9th told me something interesting.
The reason why the Emperor hates us so much now, other than having
fought for the throne for so many years,
there is also another main reason.
It was because back then, Wangye tried to set him up and failed,
which caused 13th to be confined instead.
Forcing him to be on his toes all the time now.
But you're so clever.
Have you ever thought of why Wangye wanted to go against
the Emperor back then, when they were still on friendly terms?
If it was only for the throne,
why did he not do the same to the 3rd, who was also eyeing the throne?
Could it be that she thought 8th was going against the Emperor because of the relationships?
That definitely couldn't have happened in a span of 2-3 years.
Looking at the time,
I wasn't together with the Emperor yet.
Why?
The funny thing about this whole issue is this.
I heard from 9th.
Back then, someone, and not just once,
especially warned Wangye to be careful of the Emperor,
and even listed a whole list of names.
Although Wangye was dubious,
but to be on the safe side, he decided to do something about it.
If that was the case,
the Emperor seems to be hating the wrong person.
The bitterness that 13th brother suffered for 10 years
cannot entirely be blamed on His Majesty.
The mastermind is someone else.
Someone else.
Guess.
If His Majesty knew about this, would he be more sad or angry?
I really want to see His Majesty's reaction.
You came out of Bei'le's estate
and received so much from Wangye over the years.
He wants you to cut off all ties with us --
How can it be that easy?
That's right.
9th brother wants me to tell you.
If we have to suffer any pain,
we'll give you at least 50% of it!