His Majesty still dotes on 2nd Prince. No matter what decision you make, don't forget this.
We can't ask Ruoxi or Li Dechuan.
Let's ask Imperial Father directly.
I want to ask him on his choice of Crown Prince.
9th brother.
8th brother.
We really cannot wait any longer.
Everybody in court is saying that Imperial Father will reinstate Second brother as Crown Prince.
That's only rumors.
8th brother.
Where there's smoke, there's fire.
I'm sure Imperial Father have that intention too.
If Imperial Father really have that intention, we cannot stop him either.
Then, let's stop Imperial Father's intentions.
I know there's a lot of supporters who wanted 8th brother as the Crown Prince.
If they can submit a petition and nominate 8th brother as Crown Prince. Imperial Father will know that you have everybody's support.
-Aren't we forcing Imperial Father? -No, we are just reminding him.
That's good, we don't have to do anything and you can be the Crown Prince.
Imperial Father dotes on 2nd brother.
It's not easy to make Imperial Father give up on him.
8th brother, when did you become so wishy-washy?
8th brother, this is urgent. If we drag our feet, the position of Crown Prince will be gone.
8th brother, can you bear to let 2nd brother become the Crown Prince again?
Ruoxi.
Where are you going in a rush?
Greetings, 4th Prince. Greetings, 13th Prince.
Rise.
It's only been a few days since we last met but you seem to be acting cold to us.
That's not true. I'm just busy.
Alright, continue with what you were busy with.
Wait.
I've something to ask you.
I will go now.
What did my Imperial Father said to my 2nd brother that day?
That day, I'm outside the hall while His Majesty and 2nd Prince are inside. I don't know what they said.
-You were just standing outside, I'm sure you heard something. -Nothing.
Did you say the same thing to your brother-in-law?
Yes.
Are you still angry at me about that night?
I don't dare to be angry.
As long as 4th Prince don't get angry with me, I'm fine with it.
At that time, I may have misunderstood your intention.
It's good that 4th Prince understands.
But I don't regret the kiss..
Why don't you wear it?
What? The necklace.
I kept that in my room.
I will return the necklace to you when you enter the palace next time.
Since you took it, there's no reason to return it.
You may have started this but you cannot just end it yourself.
One day, you will wear the necklace willingly.
Good sister, why are you in such a rush?
Where's 8th Prince?
8th Prince?
All of them returned after court session ends.
To 8th Prince.
Is this Heaven's decree?
Ruoxi Jie'jie.
Congrats to you, Jie'jie.
Wangxi, don't be cheeky. What do you want from me?
I don't dare.
I'm really congratulating you, Jie'jie.
I don't have anything for you to congrats about.
You didn't know? There's a big event in the Qianqing palace.
What is it?
30 ministers petition to Imperial court to nominate 8th Prince as the Crown Prince.
His Majesty just summoned 8th Prince and the other Princes.
If 8th Prince becomes the Crown Prince, you will ride on his success and your status will be elevated.
Ah Lingah, Er Lundai.
Wu Xu, Wang Hongxu.
You guys with many other ministers and many Princes nominated 8th Prince as the candidate for Crown prince.
Imperial Father, I think that 2nd Prince is still the best choice for Crown Prince.
Imperial Father, I have the same views as 4th brother.
Imperial Father, 8th Prince is known to be kind and wise. Everybody knows that he is the best person for the job.
That is also the wish of the Ministers.
I see that everyone thinks 8th Prince should be the Crown Prince.
So it means that...
2nd Prince is not the right choice.
I must be blind and crazy to have selected 2nd Prince as the Crown Prince.
9th brother don't mean that. Please be appeased, Imperial Father.
If that's not his intention, does that mean that this is a stack of useless paper?
Are you here to have fun and celebrate my birthday?
Are you trying to revolt?
Are you trying to revolt!?
Please be appeased, Imperial Father.
They were worried that the Crown Prince position was vacant for a long time, which would cause some uneasiness. Please don't blame them.
If they are worried about the country and people, what about you?
Do you desire to be the Crown Prince?
I'm willingly to back out from the selection of Crown Prince.
Please don't blame the rest of them.
No wonder they call you "The Virtuous 8th Prince."
At this moment, you stood up for them. But in my opinion, you are a scheming 8th Prince.
I always hate to see you guys in collusion with each other and form cliques, which disrupts the court.
You colluded with 1st Prince and made him snatch the Crown Prince position for you.
Now, you even make the Ministers petition and force me to make you the Crown Prince.
-I had no such intention. -8th brother did not have such intention.
All of you shut up.
8th Prince is guilty of being scheming and forming cliques to disturb the peace in court.
Upon my order, remove all his titles and lock him away for investigation.
Please be appeased, Imperial Father.
8th Prince did his best for the court, I'm sure he didn't plot against the Crown Prince and...
He didn't intent to revolt.
Please re-investigate this incident.
The facts are clear. You still want to deny?
8th brother did all his best for this country but now he's in trouble. I want to fight for 8th brother's rights.
14th brother, stop it.
8th brother was being nice to everyone but you accuse him of forming cliques.
2nd Prince did wrong but you said 8th brother framed him.
All these are false accusations.
Am I slandering him?
Imperial Father, you asked the ministers to nominate the candidate for Crown Prince. They followed your request and nominated 8th Prince.
However, you punished 8th brother instead.
I don't understand and I cannot accept this.
14th Prince.
Is this the right attitude to talk to me?
Since Imperial Father was unfair, I must speak up.
I cannot stand by and watch my brother suffer injustice. On account of our brotherly love, please reconsider.
Brotherly love?
What kind of brotherly love is this?
I will bet on my life.
You want to use your life to save him?
I shall grant you your wish.
Imperial Father, please be appeased. Don't do this.
14th Prince is just being rash. He don't intent to be rude. He was just doing that out of brotherly love.
Imperial Father, we didn't collude with each other.
How did I get all these unfilial sons?
I am unfilial. Please punish me.
Alright.
Today, I will let you brothers off.
Somebody.
Take 14th Prince away and give him 20 strokes of beating.
8th Prince will be removed of his Bei'le title and will be investigated.
The other Princes must return home and reflect on your own mistake. If anyone tried to help 8th Prince again, I will execute that person.
We will follow your order.
Jie'jie, have some water.
Yutan.
I feel as if my heart has been stabbed by a thousand needles. It hurts so much.
Jie'jie, are you alright?
I want to go back and see 8th Prince.
Jie'jie.
You don't look too good. Do take care of yourself first.
Even if you go now, you can't help him. If you anger His Majesty, you will be in trouble.
My good sister, His Majesty is still angry now. If you make any mistakes, your head will roll.
Yes, Jie'jie. I know that you are worried about Bei'le and your sister.
But you can't help them if you go back now.
That's right. Yutan is right.
At this moment, you shouldn't create more trouble.
Jie'jie, you must bear with it.
It's not easy to leave this palace.
I understand.
Jie'jie, take a rest while we return to Qianqing Palace. If there's any news, Yutan will come and update you.
I know the result of this incident in history but don't know the details.
So a simple ending actually has so many painful process.
What else will happen in future?
What other details are unknown to me?
How did the Crown Prince get reinstated?
What will happen in between?
Jie'jie.
How's the situation in Qianqing Palace?
It looks normal now.
Don't worry.
Jie'jie have always served His Majesty well. You are also kind and nice to everyone. His Majesty also treated you well.
I'm sure this incident won't implicate you.
Furthermore, they are all His Majesty's sons.
He was just angry at the moment and punished them.
After a few days, he will cool down and everything will return to normal.
Yutan, thank you.
I'm safe, don't worry.
I see that they used to respect me due to 8th Prince.
Ruoxi.
Eunuch Li.
You are back.
Yes.
Buck up and don't mess up.
Ruoxi Jie'jie.
-My master have instructed me. -What did he say?
My master says that you will continue to serve His Majesty.
If you can be safe today, you don't have to worry about being implicated.
Do you understand? Yes.
I just hope that I'm not the only one who will be safe.
My master says that you are smart. He's sure that you can do it.
Will everything be fine after today?
Your Majesty, I've something to say.
I've ordered that if anyone tries to speak up for 8th Prince again,
I will execute that person.
Do you still have anything to tell me?
Ruoxi, His Majesty have shown mercy. You need to back down.
Even if I will offend you, I must speak my mind.
This.
Speak.
When I served your Majesty, I saw how much you loved your sons.
Especially when 18th Prince passed away, you were heart-broken.
You even fell sick because of his death.
I can see your love for your sons.
But, Your Majesty.
Why can't you be more lenient to the sons who are still around you?
-Father and Sons. Emperor and his Courtiers. -Enough.
Your Majesty is a benevolent father.
I'm sure you want to enjoy the family love.
As the old sayings goes -- If the father is benevolent, the sons will be filial.
Leave.
Your Majesty.
Ruoxi has offended you.
She is becoming more and more audacious.
Your Majesty.
While Ruoxi is certainly rash,
she remains calm and grounded regardless of favor or disfavor from others.
She is speaking out of concern for Your Majesty.
Your Majesty.
Greetings, Concubine De.
Okay, Rise.
Hold on. Keep lying down.
Can't you care more about your health?
How's it? Still hurt?
Rest assured.
The physician has applied medicine.
Look at you! You've irritated your Imperial Father
and offended His Majesty's feelings.
Your son is aware of his rashness.
However, in order to save 8th brother,
I can't just stay put without a fair word.
A person's flesh and accessories originate from their parents.
I have to tell you.
In order to save your 8th brother, you didn't think about yourself.
In the future, you should think again prior to anything you are going to do.
You can't be rash.
I understand.
I'll never be rash again.
4th Prince has arrived!
I send my greetings to Mother.
Greetings, 4th Prince.
Excused.
14th brother.
I've brought the best wound healing medicine.
- Will you try some? - No need.
My outer injury is nowhere near the hurt I feel inside.
As a brother, you could only watch me die and do nothing.
It was 5th brother who prevented Imperial Father from killing me.
Since 4th brother wants to protect himself,
then don't pretend to be kind.
I also heard about it.
4th Prince.
How do you justify it?
If I plead with His Majesty, I only fear that would make things worse.
It would displease His Majesty more.
14th Brother and I are both your biological sons.
I worry others might think I'm biased towards him.
To steer clear of others gossiping,
so you disregarded your brother's life?
4th Prince.
You have always been cautious.
However today I have to say something.
Both of you hail from me.
No matter what happens in Palace,
the two of you must help each other out.
4th brother, I have fine wine with me.
Would you care to have a cup?
4th brother. It's natural for 14th brother to be angry.
You don't need to worry about that.
How about having a drink and talking with me?
I understand it's only human nature that Mother and 14th brother are angry with me.
How can I complain about that?
4th brother, you are cool-headed, not cold-blooded.
I believe that you couldn't possibly have watched Imperial Father kill 14th Brother.
You definitely had a reason for not running to his aid.
It's impossible for Imperial Father to kill 14th brother.
Even a vicious tiger will not eat his cubs.
Let alone that His Majesty is such a loving father who care so much about family relationships.
Even when he is agitated, he would not bear to.
You're right.
If even you also pleaded,
that would make His Majesty alone on his side,
which may have made things worse.
If that's the case, the situation may have been out of anyone's control.
No one knows me better than you.
Then, how about a drink with me?
Your one sentence is already better than a thousand cups of wine.
You know...
I don't like to drown my sorrows in wine.
Keep the wine for your own enjoyment.
Your excessive calmness causes others
to frequently misunderstand you as cold-hearted.
If even one other can truly understand you,
your life is without regret.
Since there's no regret,
you simply don't need to sulk over those who don't understand you.
Let's go.
Ruolan.
Greetings to Bei'le.
Let's sit and talk.
Yes.
Ruolan, you never ask about news from outside these walls.
There are some things you may not know yet.
The Emperor has stripped me of my titles.
Everyone recommended that I become the Crown Prince.
But there is no hope.
Ruolan, my heart is suffering.
Please say something to me.
What would Bei'le like me to say?
Then I won't interrupt your recitation of the sutras.
4th Brother.
Why do I see you here?
I was wandering around.
I didn't think I'd run into 8th Brother here either.
Although the palace is large, it's still contained within four walls.
If one wants to find a truly quiet place,
there aren't many options.
You're right.
Greetings, 4th Prince, Greetings, 8th Prince.
-Go about your duties. -Yes.
Jie'jie, I'm going to take over the shift.
Greetings, 4th Prince, Greetings, 8th Prince.
Rise.
8th Brother.
An encounter is so much better than an arrangement.
Why not let Ruoxi prepare a cup of tea for us?
4th Brother's suggestion is not bad.
Ruoxi, we'll have to trouble you then.
Yes.
This isn't Qianqing Palace.
Ruoxi, you should sit as well.
Your servant dares not.
We're only two brothers having tea.
Not to mention we're guests.
You're the Lady of the house and we're your guests.
You should sit.
How rare to still have something a bit sweet during the hardships.
8th Brother.
Imperial Father is merely in a fit of temper,
so he has stripped you of your titles.
I think, give it some time.
He will certainly realize 8th Brother's talents and capabilities.
Imperial Father...
He still dotes on Second Brother very much.
I was the one who couldn't discern the severity of this situation.
I've also implicated all the ministers and Princes who have done nothing wrong.
That's right.
Is 14th Brother's injuries serious?
It was only 20 strokes.
He can take it.
But...
His heartbreak isn't only from these 20 paddles.
14th Brother is angry that 4th Brother did not speak on his behalf to help?
Concubine De dotes on 14th Brother.
It seems 4th Brother is enduring some hardships.
Even my own mother and brother won't forgive me.
What else can I say?
4th Brother still has 13th Brother by his side.
He will understand 4th Brother.
It seems that a bit of warmth can help express one's emotions.
I'll borrow some of 4th Brother's words.
Give it some time.
It's hard to meet friends with light tea and a simple meal. It is indeed rare today.
Since it's so hard to come by...
Ruoxi.
You should drink a cup with us.
Yes.
We should have one more cup.
Here.
Ruoxi Jie'jie, Yutan.
Good news.
At Court today, the Emperor has restored the 2nd Prince as the Crown Prince.
All congratulated. His majesty is very pleased.
This is indeed happy news.
Also, the Emperor was in such a generous mood
that he titled the 3rd, 4th and 5th Prince as Princes of the first rank.
7th, 9th, 10th, 12th, 13th and 14th Prince were titled Bei'zi.
He also restored 8th Prince's Bei'le title.
This is great. The rain finally stopped and the skies are clearing.
Jie'jie, you don't have to worry anymore.
Jie'jie, all the bad things have already passed.
You can put down the stone weighing down your heart.
Enduring such difficult period... I truly thank you.
Jie'jie, no need to be so polite.
We're all standing your side. We are biased towards you.
Then we'll go back to our duties now.
I will leave now.
It is not only Wang Xi who's biased.
His Majesty prefers Crown Prince,
as the force he's fostered and also can control,
rather than accept 8th Prince's force growing in court.
Ruoxi.
Greetings, 10th Prince. Greetings, 14th Prince.
Rise.
Yutan said you went to pick lilacs.
We thought this is the only place with lilacs.
We really did find you here.
Well? Aren't I clever?
Why are you looking for me?
Do you hear that?
She's forgotten!
You remember everyone else's birthday but you've forgotten your own!
Which girl would want to remember her own birthday?
It only reminds her that she's growing old.
See, now it seems like it's our fault.
Forget about whether you're old or not.
Tell me, what present do you want this year?
Just give me something small, as you have for the past few years.
How can that be?
We never did it properly in the past.
This year, I definitely have to give you something really special!
If Jie'jie can accompany me on my birthday,
that would be the best birthday present.
But how can the two of us meet so easily in the palace?
Not to mention the ruckus over the Crown Prince has just blown over.
8th Prince rarely comes to the Palace now.
There's no need to give him trouble just so he could satisfy my selfishness. People's tongues will wag.
Just get me something fun, and it will be fine!
You've been in the palace for too long.
You've learned to speak words with only 30% of sincerity.
It's only a birthday.
Actually, as long as you are all fine, I'll be very happy.
The rain died down.
Where are you going?
I'm going to pick flowers.
I'm taking advantage of these few days. Since I have more time, I'll pick more.
If I miss this, then I have to wait until next year.
You can't miss out on these flowers.
But don't forget --
Pluck flowers as they bloom. (Seize opportunities as they come)
Wait and you'll have only the twigs. (Hesitate and it will be gone.)
What does that mean?
Let's go!
Tomorrow will be my birthday
Many years have passed.
Seems like there's no chance of returning home.
From now on, I am just Maertai Ruoxi.
Maertai Ruoxi, happy birthday.
Come in.
Greeting, Miss Ruoxi
We are Concubine Liang's servants.
Our master randomly saw one of the servant's hankerchief. The designs were very unique.
We only learned it was made by you after we asked.
Master has asked if you could make some paintings for her.
Alright. I'll go with you immediately.
Concubine Liang.
Isn't she 8th Prince's mother?
Miss, you can go in by yourself now.
Greeting Concubine Liang and Fujin.
Ruoxi.
When I saw how well you painted those flowers,
I asked someone to invite you here to create some specimens.
Ruoxi's work is careless.
It's rare that you could like them.
That is my honor.
It's also hard to see Ruolan in the Palace.
It was a mere coincidence that you two sister could meet each other.
Ruoxi.
You can paint there.
Ruolan, you can guide her on which styles I like.
Yes, mother.
Several day ago, 8th Prince informed me
to come into the palace and visit Concubine Liang today,
and to greet her.
I was wondering whether today was either a celebration or a holiday,
and why I was asked to come into the Palace.
Then, I suddenly realized.
It's your birthday soon.
Then I knew I'd definitely be able to see you.
So 8th Prince arranged it.
Oh, Jie'jie.
What kind of flower design does Concubine Liang like?
Fresh and elegant colors.