Thanks.
Don't.
I advised you a long time ago to choose your own husband but you didn't.
Now, its too late to regret.
It's much better for you to marry 8th Prince instead, right?
Take care and don't worry. I have to go now.
For the next few days, I cannot come. Take good care of yourself.
14th Prince.
Thanks.
4th brother, I followed your instruction and listed those people who are connected to Crown Prince.
But I still don't understand why Crown Prince wanted to marry Ruoxi.
Crown Prince's biggest supporter, Souertu died of starvation in jail.
That's why his position is shaken.
Moreover, Imperial Father approved Princess Minmin and Prince Zuoyin's marriage.
If the Crown Prince can marry Ruoxi, he will be connected to the Mongolians by marriage.
With their backing, his position will be more stable.
The Crown Prince is really calculative.
But poor Ruoxi will be sacrificed.
This matter will give her a good lesson. At least, that will be good for her.
This will teach her about being flexible before anything major happening.
She must know that not everything can be resolved by being cheeky.
I can relax after hearing you say that.
Don't assume that I'm 100% confident.
But you look confident.
What else can I do?
In the end, we have to leave it to her own fate.
Give this name list to 14th brother.
That's akin to giving to 8th brother.
4th brother, are you sure you want to work with 8th brother to topple Crown Prince?
At least we could make the Crown Prince so busy that he will not think about the marriage request.
That's killing two birds with one stone.
But this matter must be kept a secret.
If not, we will not be able to save Ruoxi.
We will also get ourselves into trouble.
I think I don't have to say 4th brother's intention.
But what about Crown Prince's relationship with you guys?
Everyone knows the character of Crown Prince. We're doing this for Ruoxi.
I don't know if Ruoxi is fortunate or not.
Even though she has this problem, but so many people are helping her.
That's all we can do.
The rest will have to depend on you guys.
Since 4th and 8th brother is joining forces, I'm sure Ruoxi will be fine.
It has been a long time since I served you.
Bei'le?
Are you having some problem on your mind?
Everything in court is problematic.
I know.
I'm just worried about you health. I also don't know how to share your burden.
I cannot wait for Hong Wang to grow up quickly and share your troubles.
I don't want him to be like me. When other children are carefree and playing,
I've already learnt to watch other people's mind.
Ming Hui.
I really need your help with something.
I want you to ask Zhenguo Gong, Jingxi Wangye
to report that the Crown Prince has allowed his men to do bad dealings.
Are you 100% confident?
Only Heaven has 100% confidence.
What are the odds of winning?
I know that you don't like me to ask about court affairs. I didn't ask because you asked my uncle to help.
This is an extremely dangerous thing to do. How can I not worry?
I will ask someone else to help.
This matter concerns Ruoxi, right?
I heard that the Crown Prince asked His Majesty to give Ruoxi to him.
At this moment, you wanted to attack him.
It's hard for me to ignore the link between these two matters.
Ruoxi is one of the reasons.
I know that you knew what was on my mind.
I did have the intention to have her as Ce'fujin.
But she has already rejected my request.
Why did you risk your life to help her?
It's alright if you don't want to help me. Just forget what I said.
I will talk to my uncle.
As long as you can stop worrying about it. I will do my best to help you despite the difficulty.
It pains me to see you like this.
Maybe, this is what a married couple is all about.
We shall suffer together.
I never regretted my decision to marry you.
Ming Hui. I said this before. No one can ever replace your position.
Jie'jie! Jie'jie! What are you doing? Are you crazy?
Yutan.
I can't drink this medicine.
Why?
Yutan, all these years I've treated you like my real sister.
I really don't want to marry the Crown Prince.
But now, I have no other ways.
I can only use my sickness to delay them.
However, I cannot pretend to be sick.
If Eunuch Li asked Imperial Physician, they will know.
So, you must continue to give me the medicine but throw them away behind their back.
Jie'jie, you are too weak now. You can't afford to do this now.
Right now, staying sick is the only way I can save myself.
Yutan.
Don't stop me if I'm your friend.
Slowly.
Yutan.
Don't get the Imperial Physician yet. Let my hair dry more and get help when my forehead feels hotter.
Li Dequan.
Yes, Your Majesty.
What happened to Ruoxi?
She seems to be sick for a long time, has she recovered?
Has Imperial Physician checked on her?
Replying to Your Majesty.
I asked Imperial Physician to see her and asked Yutan to take care of her.
But her illness is serious and her fever refuses to go.
Ask the Imperial Physician to pay more attention and use whatever medicine they need.
Yes.
Your Majesty.
Zhengguo Gong has an urgent petition for your Majesty.
Bring it on.
Where's Zhengguo Gong?
Your Majesty, he's waiting outside the court.
Summon all the Princes to court.
Yes.
Zhengguo Gong reported to me that he suspected the Crown Prince was forming his own political group.
This involved about 10-20 people.
Military Commander, Tou Heqi.
Commander, E'shan.
Law Secretary, Qi Shiwu.
Military Secretary, Geng'e.
Many eight main division First commanders,
Second-in-commanders and important people in the military.
Imperial Father, there's no such thing. I'm being framed.
Zhengguo Gong.
Did I say something wrong?
Your Majesty, what you said is what I reported.
In the name list, there are important people who hold army power.
If they band together, it will pose a threat to Your Majesty.
That's why I must report this to your Majesty even if it costs me my life.
Imperial Father, don't believe him. It's a pack of lies.
Crown Prince.
Did you join them in their feast?
Imperial Father, I didn't.
Crown Prince, you will be committing a huge crime to lie to His Majesty.
I advise that you think about this before you reply.
Imperial Father, the Crown Prince needs to entertain those people sometimes.
It's normal to have various people in such feast.
You cannot conclude that the Crown Prince is forming his own political group.
Yes.
Imperial Father, I knew that Imperial Father hated people who tried to form groups.
Why would I do that?
Please investigate.
If this happens once in a blue moon, we cannot conclude your crime.
But if you always see the same group of people, that's a different story.
Imperial Father.
Alright.
Whether it is true or not cannot be determined right now.
3rd Prince.
Yes.
You shall investigate the truth.
If this is a false accusation, I will definitely punish those who created this rumor.
If this is true, let the Law Bureau handle this.
Yes.
Jie'jie.
This morning, Zhengguo Gong requested His Majesty to re-investigate a corruption case involving Tou Heqi and other ministers.
Zhengguo Gong and 8th Prince belongs to the true blue division.
He should be his supporter.
Tou Heqi works for the Crown Prince.
They are targeting the Crown Prince.
Unless, this is the so called change?
Did you find out what His Majesty said?
His Majesty was really serious, he ordered for an investigation.
Jie'jie, why are you smiling?
The knife that was hanging over my head has finally been removed.
Jie'jie, what do you mean?
Since His Majesty ordered an investigation of Crown Prince's allies,
it shows that he is suspicious of Crown Prince.
Therefore, there is no reason for him to marry me to Crown Prince.
Jie'jie, I still don't understand.
If what they said is true, I am linked with two of Mongolia's great tribes.
Why waste such a good advantage on the Crown Prince?
Jie'jie's reasons are good.
Jie'jie, this is Haven's will.
I'll bring Jie'jie some good food.
Thanks.
I thought I would have to wait until next year.
I never thought that bad news turn into good news now.
Looks like this time, 4th Prince and 8th Prince worked together to attack the Crown Prince.
I am only a catalyst.
Imperial Father.
This time, Crown Prince's colluding with military officials is an important matter.
Imperial Father, Crown Prince's action showcased that he wanted to rebel.
I am afraid that he is with Suoetu's henchmen,
destabilizing government and emperor's position.
Magnolia?
Why does 4th Prince like magnolias?
Come back.
Greetings, 4th Prince.
Rise.
This hairpin looks good on you.
Why did you take it out?
No reason, I thought 4th Prince would laugh at me.
Reason?
This magnolia hairpin, I have kept until now.
I unknowingly put it on today.
Afterwards...
Afterwards what?
Afterwards...
Is the 4th Prince willing to marry me?
Right now, I'm not willing to marry you.
You're not willing to?
If I have to marry the Crown Prince, I would rather die.
That won't do either.
Don't forget.
I saved your life.
Without my permission, you're not allowed to die.
I'm sure you're aware about why the Crown Prince suddenly wants you.
If I ask for your hand from Father now,
then won't I be snatching you from the Crown Prince?
Going down that train of thought,
what concerns Imperial Father the most?
I'm afraid that if I put in the request,
it would rouse Father's suspicions.
So for now, no one dares to marry you.
You can only wait.
Wait?
Since you're already wearing my hairpin
and you said you want to marry me,
what do you think you have to wait for?
Thank you for helping me get past this problem.
I didn't do anything.
You merely fell sick at the right time.
Hurry and go back.
You've just recovered.
You should rest more and recuperate.
You look really pale now.
I don't want to marry an ugly woman.
Thank you, 8th Prince.
Rise.
The Crown Prince is lecherous. Everyone knows this.
I couldn't possibly watch you marry this kind of person.
Even if you don't marry me,
I don't want you to suffer with him.
8th Prince, you should go back.
It's not good for your to stay here for too long.
Do you have any plans regarding your marriage?
What kind of plans can I have?
As a servant, I cannot make my own decisions.
Furthermore, this is your decision.
Why are you concerned about me?
You have someone else in your heart, don't you?
Why do you always ask me this question?
I have no control over what becomes of me.
Don't tell me that you want to control my heart as well?
I hope it's not 4th Brother.
Otherwise you'll only suffer and waste the efforts I've put into help you today.
Whether or not that is the case, it has nothing to do with you.
In any case, both of us know.
This matter can only be decided by the Emperor.
If you're willing only to abide by Father's decision,
then just take it that I did not say everything I just said.
Master.
Mother.
8th Prince.
Mother.
I just asked the Physician.
He said that you're getting better.
Soon, you can get off the bed.
Even if I can leave the bed,
there won't be many days left for me to walk around.
You still have many days.
If I can live for one more day,
you'll have to suffer one more day on my behalf.
Mother, don't say that.
If it weren't for the fact that I was born into a lowly status...
When everybody nominated you as Crown Prince.
Your Imperial Father would definitely have let you be Crown Prince
Whenever I think about this, I feel like I've let you down.
These are two completely unrelated matters.
How could you link them together?
This is the fickleness of the world.
Who doesn't look at birth status?
If I came from a good family...
Your path wouldn't have been so rocky.
Mother, tell me frankly.
In your eyes, how are my achievements to date?
You definitely have not...
You definitely have not lost to the other Princes.
Your Father once told me.
In terms of ability and talent,
many of the Princes cannot compare to you.
It's just that...
It's only because of me that you can't be Crown Prince.
What is bestowed by others
cannot be compared to what one earns by his own means
If I didn't have the strength,
would I dare to rise to the challenge?
You have drive.
Mother, you should feel comforted.
With a son like you, I have no regrets in life.
These many years...
Everything I've done was all to enable us to gain a sense of self respect.
And not let others belittle us.
Seeing you with such certainty like this...
I believe you will succeed.
Mother will help you.
I will... I will definitely help you.
Nurse your body back to health.
Become the Empress Dowager. That will be helping me.
No matter how low our status was when we were born,
we will surely attain wealth and rank in our future.
Alright.
In the future.
Alright.
I know you have many things to do.
Go back first.
I want to spend more time with Mother.
I'm tired.
I want to rest.
Don't worry about things.
I will resolve everything.
Master.
The only way I can help is to not drag you down.
Master, it's time for your medicine.
From now on, I cannot eat medicine anymore.
Pour it away in secret.
Don't let anyone know.
Yes.
Jie'jie, what's wrong with you?
Are you all right?
The lotuses Jie'jie drew are really beautiful and lifelike.
It's such a pity that it was ruined just like this.
Ruoxi Jie'jie, bad news!
Bad news! Mistress Liang has passed away.
What? She's passed away?
Why is it so sudden?
It's not really sudden.
I heard that about a week ago, she was already unwell.
She even saw the physician but no one took it to heart.
But who knew she would leave so suddenly.
The 8th Prince must be devastated.
Of course.
Myriad things are all different and who those believes in Taoism.
She's not in line with all the other flowers.
Her spirit is distinct and her character is noble.
She could not be distinguishable on earth.
When she returns back to Yaotai (Eastern Heaven),
only in the Goddess realm, her beauty and elegant can be viewed.
Mistress Liang, Ruoxi will send you off from here.
Stop.
Move on.
So this is the Emperor's love.
It's nothing but a mere moment's worth.
Miss Ruoxi.
The Emperor would like to see you.
I'll go immediately.
Yes.
Your Majesty.
Ruoxi.
The Crown Prince said that the person kneeling by the back wall was you.
So it really was you.
In the past, I've been to Mistress Liang's palace and helped her draw some designs.
She was very pleased and complimented them.
Today, I just happened to pass by
and couldn't help but kowtow to her,
so that I wouldn't let down the goodwill she had towards me in the past.
You may rise.
If you have the time, go and see the 8th Prince.
Advise him.
Even if he is grieving, he has to mind his health.
Yes.
You are dismissed.
Greetings, 14th Prince.
One can call you heartless,
but you actually kowtowed before Concubine Liang's palace.
One can call you compassionate,
but since 8th Brother's mother passed away,
he has been grieving and holing himself up at home.
His health has never been good.
And now a leg ailment has suddenly flared up.
Even walking is a problem now.
Even those who are completely unrelated would offer their condolences.
But you remain indifferent.
It's as if you didn't know.
You didn't even ask the basics of how he is.
Ruoxi, do you really not care
about how 8th Brother looked after you in the past?
Let's not even talk about the past.
But even recently. If it weren't for 8th Brother,
you'd probably be the Crown Prince's woman by now.
Ruoxi, do you know how disappointed 8th Brother is?
14th Prince, do you know what longing feels like?
It's like a needle in your heart.
How the heart is wounded, how the heart hurts.
You don't understand.
Since two people can no longer be together,
then why hinder them by doing things that make it so hard to let go,
to let their heart continue to hurt.
Now, the more he's disappointed,
the easier it is for him to forget.
I would rather him feeling a great amount of hurt right now, and then forgetting me completely.
From now on, he won't think of me anymore.
A needle in the heart?
What feels like heartlessness is actually heartfelt concern.
If you're willing to wait.
It's still possible.
Wait?
There's no turning back anymore.
Moreover, will His Majesty let me wait forever?
Then can you forget 8th Brother?
I've already forgotten.
I can see that your situation fits the old saying --
Help each other when both are in humble circumstances.
I'm the silly one here.
Alright then.
Since you've already made it so clear,
I can at least put down this burden from now on.
Even I cannot predict what will happen after today.
From now on, you have to be very careful.
What you can avoid, avoid.
For many things, it only takes a moment to make a huge difference.
Don't ever repeat the situation like today where someone can find fault in you.
When a dog is forced into a corner,
it will react in panic and without reason.
In case that happens,
The few of us may not be able to ensure your safety.
I understand.
That's good.
It's snowing. Why are you in a daze?
I'm not in a daze.
I'm admiring the blossoms.
You've watched them grow onto the walls.
What are you thinking about?
The days in this palace are becoming harder to live.
I have to be scared about this and that.
So I was thinking if I could find a small courtyard and ensconce myself in it,
it would be safer than staying in this palace.
Have I said something wrong?
Not everyone likes to hear the truth.
Women are natural actresses.
Lies, I know how to tell them as well.
If 4th Prince wants me to pretend to be gentle and sentimental,
I am willing to act out this game.
But I feel that you prefer to hear the truth.
Even if it hurts.
Where's the hairpin?
It's in the house.
And the earrings I sent you last year is also left unused in the house?
What a waste of my sentiments.
I'm wearing the necklace.
Ruoxi.
Could it be that you do not understand your own heart?
There are too many fears and concerns.
Everyday, you tried to balance yourself and have become too careful.
It hurts. Why did you hit me?
Hurry and go back.
You can daydream in front of the heater.
Aren't you leaving?
I don't understand my own heart.
What is it saying?
Can he understand my heart?
Actually, I need to understand my thoughts and feelings.
More importantly, I need to know how to live safely
in this tumultuous palace.
It's been more than two months since I last saw the 8th Prince.
Has his grief lessened?
A person's heart is originally hard to understand.
I can't read it clearly.
But I must make a decision.
I know that much.
Cutting ties is not easy.
It will hurt.