Subtitles by DramaFever
[The Female Assassins in the Palace]
[Episode 26]
It's just that Nanny Su was also my wet nurse.
It hurts to know that she's dead.
Wei Tang, as the imperial guard of the Intelligence Unit
do you have any good leads so you can arrest the murderer as soon as possible
to avenge Nanny Su?
The hairpin killers are hidden
and they aren't in a fixed location.
Once they take off their robes, they are just ordinary women.
It is not easy to find them.
I have an idea.
I wonder if you're willing to try it?
What?
You wish to use Batu as bait
to lure out the hairpin killers?
Exactly.
Your Highness, in my opinion
when Batu and Wei Tang went after Mo Yun
not only did they expose Mo Yun's plan
but they also forced her to come out of hiding.
Mo Yun is very narrow-minded
and she will seek revenge for every little thing.
If she could send someone to kill Nanny Su
she must have Arch Lord Batu in mind as her next target.
She will surely look for another chance to strike again.
If your assumption is correct
how do you know that she won't target Wei Tang next?
The hairpin killer who murdered Nanny Su
was obviously after Princess Caidie.
Since she failed in that attempt
judging by Mo Yun's personality, she will surely attempt it again.
Therefore, we have had a preliminary discussion.
Should we choose not to use Arch Lord Batu as the bait
then Princess Caidie will have to do it.
However, Princess Caidie isn't as skilled in martial arts as Arch Lord Batu.
Should anything go wrong with our plan
Her Highness would likely be unable to protect herself.
I understand your good intentions.
However, should anyone learn that we used Batu as bait
it wouldn't be good.
Please don't worry, Your Highness.
Arch Lord Batu is a Karchin warrior that is second to none.
He will surely be able to protect himself.
We mustn't delay the arrest of Mo Yun any further.
Otherwise, all the officials will be in panic and live in constant fear!
Please reconsider this, Your Highness!
Your Highness.
Prince Boerji and Young Mistress Dana were both murdered.
Arch Lord Batu is the only child that Vice Prince Shalu has left.
What if...
Enough.
Should anything happen to Arch Lord Batu
it will be hard for me to explain to Shalu.
I swear to risk my life to protect Arch Lord Batu.
I won't let Mo Yun or the hairpin killers harm His Lordship!
This is a very serious issue.
Let me think about it.
That is all for today.
Tang Mi, give me a minute.
I'll have the filling ready soon
and I'll bring it over to Her Ladyship.
Let me help you.
Sure.
Take this wood ear fungus.
Xiao Cha! It really is you!
The one and only.
There is no other.
Xiao Mi! I've been looking everywhere for you!
I know!
When I look at the bracelet I remember how it was eight years ago
when we got our first mission.
We had to live apart from each other.
Madame Mo wanted us to put on our masks
and put on our hairpins.
From then on, we could only identify each other with our hairpins.
Madame Mo reminded us repeatedly
that no one would know about our identity besides her.
We were no exception.
It was as if all the sisters would never ever meet again.
I've always hidden this bracelet on me.
I believed that you'd find me some day.
It's been eight years.
Xiao Cha, you're so pretty now.
If it hadn't been for this bracelet I wouldn't have recognized you.
By the way, how did you recognize me?
I couldn't recognize you either.
But the gods took pity on us.
Didn't Her Ladyship hit you that day?
This is so infuriating! How dare you fool me?
Let's see how you like it when I teach you a lesson!
It was that scar.
It reminded me of how you risked your life to shield me from the arrows.
But it's been eight years.
You weren't sure if you got it right
so you used the bracelet to test me.
Am I right?
Xiao Mi is indeed Xiao Mi.
You're the smartest.
Do you know that I thought I'd never see you again?
Even if I did, I surely wouldn't be able to recognize you.
But now we're actually holding hands and talking to each other.
I'm really happy!
So am I.
But... madame Mo has warned us repeatedly
not to get in touch with each other in private.
Now that we're reunited we've broken the rules.
Rules...
Don't you find that rules just make our lives short and bitter?
We've been servants all our lives.
We have to live our lives fearful of the superiors.
Now that we just want to look after our own sisters
how could that be wrong?
Don't worry.
If neither of us tells anyone
Madame won't know about it.
That might not be so.
As far as I know, there are other female assassins
besides us in this manor.
We can't be sure that the others won't discover us
and report us to Madame.
Xiao Mi, you mustn't forget
that we were both unwanted orphans when we were born.
The gods gave us our lives.
No one could stop the gods from taking our lives when they want to.
Instead of worrying about it
we should make the best of the time we have right now.
I finally found you.
I can now take good care of you from now on.
Do you understand?
I do.
I know that.
It's just that...
If the gods don't want us dead
but it is others who want us dead
we have no choice either.
Xiao Mi, what does that mean?
Explain it clearly.
There was one time when Madame Mo summoned me
and she unconsciously revealed
that quite a few of our sisters
have been assigned to Arch Prince Chong's manor.
It's a pity that we can't reunite.
One of our sisters is the concubine of Vice Prince Zhang.
She was renamed Qin Er.
But Qin Er lost her life for the sake of a mission...
Don't think too much about it.
The twelve female assassins were all trained
by Madame Mo to be her weapons.
Once the weapons are used for too long they will surely wear out.
I don't expect to escape unscathed.
I just hope to be with our sisters for as long as I can be.
I believe that one day
all of our sisters will be able to reunite.
I hope that all the remaining sisters can accomplish
their missions as soon as possible
and escape safely.
This is our destiny.
We see this as a path of no return.
Now that we can be together
we'll just cherish the time we have.
Let's just live in the moment.
It's better than having regrets when we're on our last breath.
Am I right?
You're absolutely right.
I'm glad that we've reunited.
If Xiao Yu, Xiao Zhu, Ju Er, and Wu Shuang...
And Xiao Lan, Xiao Yang, Ying Ying, and Shu Zi...
I wonder where they are now.
Even if we run into them
we surely wouldn't be able to recognize them now.
I wonder if that's good or bad.
We've been chatting for so long that we lost track of time!
We still have to report back to Her Ladyship.
You're right!
I'll surely heed your advice this time.
I'll prepare all the ingredients first
and let Her Ladyship do minimal work
to make delicious dumplings!
Let's go!
I can't believe that I made these dumplings of four joys.
The dough is thin and the filling is tender.
It's tasty and juicy.
It tastes wonderful.
Your Ladyship is greatly blessed.
Qing Er truly does have good taste.
She knows that Your Ladyship is naturally gifted
and quick to learn anything.
The dumplings of four joys are of no difficulty for you.
Should we just decide on this dish?
We won't need a new dish.
Mi Er is absolutely right.
The dumplings taste great and they look very appealing.
They look so adorable.
And they taste even more unique.
It will surely help Your Ladyship win the contest!
All right.
If that is so
I'll use the dumplings of four joys to compete against
the other concubines and princesses.
Now that I think of it, there are so many servants and concubines in this manor.
Whoever His Highness fancies will get to have a say in the manor.
Fortunately, I still have my son, Tu Er.
But that child is always inferior to Zi Hui's son, Hong Hao.
- Qing Er. - Present.
You've done well in teaching me how to cook.
If you help me look good in front of His Highness and Grand Noble Consort
I shall reward you handsomely.
Thank you, Your Ladyship.
- Housekeeper Wang. - Present.
Take these away.
I don't have any appetite.
What are you waiting for?
- I told you to take them away! - Yes.
Your Highness, you should eat something.
It's fine. Don't worry.
You must be troubled.
Otherwise, why wouldn't you have any appetite for lunch?
Even if Your Highness didn't tell me
I also know that
Your Highness must be troubled about the hunt for Mo Yun?
I really couldn't keep anything from you.
This morning, the Ties and Yabulan
offered me a plan to arrest Mo Yun.
It might be a good plan
but it puts me in a dilemma.
I'm troubled about how to answer them.
This matter must be very serious if it troubles you so much.
I'm too slow-witted to be of any help.
But if Your Highness could settle your mind
it will surely help you to figure some things out.
Settle my mind?
That's easier said than done.
How do I calm my mind?
Why don't we have Hui Yu over to play a tune for you?
Hui Yu's music and temperament are both very soothing.
I'm sure that she can help Your Highness settle your mind.
What do you say, Your Highness?
Once I round up Mo Yun and her assassins
I rid myself of my biggest woe.
But if I chose to use Batu as the bait
not only will it be hard for me to explain to Vice Prince Shalu
but also His Majesty will be alerted.
If I end up making a bad name for myself in order to catch Mo Yun
wouldn't that be falling straight into her trap?
I wonder how Batu will respond to this plan?
Your Highness, I wonder if I should bring this matter up.
Go ahead.
Your Highness, this calming tune of the sutra can settle one's mind
only when the audience is willing to listen to it.
Your Highness, why don't you close your eyes
and listen to it carefully? Don't think about anything.
Let this calming sutra relieve you of all your troubles.
I was really wrong not to have appreciated the music.
Who would have though that I can't even
conceal my troubles from a servant?
Your Highness!
Your Highness! Did Hui Yu not play well enough
that she infuriated you?
Please forgive me, Your Highness!
I don't know how I've offended Your Highness.
Please punish me.
I suspect that Hui Yu isn't blind at all.
Otherwise, how would she know that I didn't close my eyes
when I listened to her play?
But then I tested her by pulling out my sword abruptly.
She didn't know that I was pointing my sword at her throat.
She is indeed blind.
Hui Yu, since you can't see
how did you know that His Highness listened with his eyes open?
Your Highness, whenever I play the calming sutra for His Highness
he always falls sound asleep.
However, when I played for His Highness a moment ago
he was taking very sharp and quick breaths.
It's very different from the slow breaths that he takes when he's asleep.
Therefore, I boldly assumed
that His Highness was listening with his eyes open.
I see.
Who knew that Hui Yu's hearing is far more keen anyone else's?
It seems that I've wronged you.
Have a seat.
I apologize for frightening you.
I wouldn't dare accept it.
It's already a great honor for me that Your Highness appreciates my music.
You're skilled in music and yet you're still so modest.
It's really rare.
Your Highness, Princess Duan Min seeks an audience.
- Invite her in. - Yes.
You may be dismissed.
Yes.
Your Highness, since Duan Min is here to see you
I'll take my leave as well.
All right, you can retire as well.
You don't have to be so nervous.
I won't eat you.
I wonder what Your Highness would like to advise me on?
Just now, I noticed that His Highness seems to like you.
I wouldn't dare think so. I'm very loyal to His Highness.
I don't dare to think otherwise.
If I've offended Arch Princess Consort in any way
please forgive me!
What are you doing?
Get up quickly.
If Your Highness won't forgive me
I'd rather keep kneeling here.
What are you talking about?
I'm definitely not a jealous person.
I've never fancied fighting for adoration.
I just want to take good care of Arch Prince and Hong Hao.
That will make me very happy.
Get up now.
Her Highness told you to get up, so you should.
Thank you, Your Highness.
His Highness is often busy with state affairs.
He works very hard.
However, the most unfilial act of all is not to have an heir.
His Highness doesn't have many sons.
I really hope that he can pay more attention to his concubines
rather than just the state affairs.
Therefore, I'd like to ask you
if you're willing to serve His Highness with me?
We could address each other as sisters.
Your Highness...
Nanny Su was my wet nurse.
She was murdered for no reason.
It upsets me greatly.
I'd like to make a visit to Arch Lord Manor
to pay my last respects to Nanny.
I hope that Father will allow me to do so.
It isn't that I don't want to allow you to go to Arch Lord Manor.
It's just that since the hairpin killers appeared
I've ordered General Chang to keep watch on those coming in and out of our manor.
If it isn't for important matters
no one is to enter or leave the manor without permission.
Moreover, Arch Lord Manor has now been targeted by Mo Yun.
I'm worried that you might run into danger when you leave the manor.
But I heard from Housekeeper Wang
that Imperial Guard Tie has already reinforced security at Arch Lord Manor.
Nothing is likely to go wrong that soon.
Please allow me to make the trip.
All right. However, you have to be back as soon as possible.
I'll get General Chang to escort you.
Thank you, Father.
Duan Min...
You've been kneeling here for a long time without eating or drinking.
If you continue to do so... Nanny would be upset if she knew.
Caidie... It was all my fault.
Nanny died because of me.
If I don't kneel here
I'll feel terrible.
That's not true.
Nanny died because of me.
The hairpin killer was here to kill me.
It's my fault.
Nanny died trying to protect me.
It's all my fault.
I should be blamed for this.
My mother died when I was young.
Father was very strict with me.
Although Arch Princess Consort treated me very well
she isn't my mother, after all.
Only Nanny truly loved me and doted on me.
She cared for me.
She was the only one who treated me so.
Now that Nanny is gone
I'm all alone...
No... You still have me, Duan Min.
I'll treat you well like Nanny did.
Don't worry.
I promise you that I'll arrest the hairpin killers to avenge Nanny.
Your Highness, please at least have some food.
Since Nanny Su passed away
I haven't seen you eat anything.
If this goes on you'll wreck your health.
Please have a bite to eat.
Yes, Your Highness.
I'm worried about your health.
Please try to have some food.
I'm begging you...
You may all be dismissed.
I'm not in the mood to have any food.
I don't have the appetite. Take the food away.
This...
Leave now.
Nanny, just wait and see.
I'll arrest the hairpin killers
to avenge your death.
Greetings to Your Lordship.
Caidie hasn't eaten anything again?
Your Lordship, since Nanny Su died
Her Highness has been very upset.
She hasn't eaten for days.
I brought the meal to Her Highness just now.
I saw Her Highness and Princess Duan Min crying.
She said that she couldn't eat.
I'm really worried about her health.
Duan Min, don't be too upset.
Sit down and have some tea.
What is it?
Do you smell something greasy?
You're right.
Who is cooking?
Bang Chui, find out what is going on.
Housekeeper Zhang!
Your Highnesses.
Why is there suddenly such a strong smell of grease?
Is someone cooking?
Yes.
His Lordship said that Princess Caidie refuses to eat anything
so he's going to cook for Her Highness.
He's cooking for me?
Yes.
What are you doing?
It smells so greasy in here.
Can't you tell?
I'm cooking.
Why are you cooking?
You're such a clumsy man.
You've even burnt the pot.
What will you do when the oil splatters in your face?
You're already very ugly.
You don't have to look at me.
You talked back to me?
Look at that carrot. Are you breaking bricks or chopping vegetables?
Be careful. Don't cut yourself.
Yes. Batu, as a man
and an arch lord you're of an honorable status.
You really shouldn't do such chores.
The saying goes, "Gentlemen shouldn't get close to cooking or the kitchen."
It's best for you to leave the kitchen.
Why?
Can't a gentleman be in the kitchen?
This is my way of commemorating Nanny Su.
Although I can't cook well
I have good intentions and I hope that Nanny Su can see this.
You think that you're good enough?
How could you possibly cook like Nanny Su in your first attempt?
No, I can't.
But can you?
After all, I was taught by Nanny herself.
I'm still much better than you.
She did teach you personally.
But did you learn well? Can you cook well?
You didn't put your heart into it so you can't cook well.
What a lame argument.
Honest advice is harsh on the ears.
Anyway, I have put my mind to it, and I'm cooking.
Caidie, why don't I tell you a story?
Now you're telling stories?
What can you expect from a hog but a grunt?
Just listen to it.
Tell me then!
Don't leave me hanging.
There was a boy in Karchin
who lived alone with his mother.
This little boy loved the blossom cake that his mother made.
His mother later died of illness.
The little boy was consumed with sorrow.
He became depressed.
One day, he was lying in the meadows
and he seemed to see his mother appear before him.
His mother told him to get back on his feet.
Be it good or bad in life
you have to be able to withstand it.
Since then, this little boy learned how to live on his own.
He then achieved great success.
Blossom cake?
Why haven't I heard of that before?
Did you make that up?
Honestly, blossom cake sounds beautiful.
It should be very tasty.
Blossom cake is a snack in Karchin.
It's made from all sorts of colorful flowers.
Some flowers are bright while some are dull.
It's the same in life.
We have to go through all sorts of problems in life.
You're already discouraged by a momentary sadness.
What would Nanny Su think if she is watching over you?
What do you say?
You made it sound so easy.
But it's easier said than done.
Could you do it?
Yes, I'm not doing it well enough.
But I have the confidence and I'm trying very hard.
Didn't Nanny Su teach you how to cook?
Have you cooked?
If Nanny Su is watching over you
she'd want to see you put what you learned to good use and cook well.
I think that you should use this chance to practice.
This is also a way for you to commemorate her.
Arch Lord Batu took such pains to console me and Caidie.
I'm truly ashamed.
You could have simply said so.
Why beat around the bush?
If I had, would you have been able to take my words in?
Why wouldn't I?
Haven't I already understood?
All right, leave now.
Don't mess up my nanny's kitchen.
Duan Min and I have a lot to do.
What are you still doing here?
We have a contest coming up tomorrow.
You mean...
Caidie means that we need time to practice our skills.
We have to win the contest tomorrow.
After we win the contest we'll report to Nanny Su.
Then Nanny Su will be pleased and at peace. Right?
This is great.
I didn't waste my breath.
I'll leave the rest to you then.
I didn't get to eat any of the dishes that you made last time.
Don't let me down today.
Listen, I'm going to work some magic.
Go out and wait for me.
I'll be waiting.
Since I'll be cooking for Batu
I must do well
to impress Batu.
Your Highness.
Greetings to Your Highness.
Don't stand on ceremony.
Thank you, Your Highness.
Zi Hui, what brings you here?
I've made some soup for Your Highness.
It smells so good!
That's good.
Please enjoy it while it's hot.
Zi Hui, what is the matter?
Your Highness has been working hard. You should get some rest tonight.
I understand.
You made me soup and now you're telling me to get some rest.
You're complaining that I've been ignoring you lately?
I'll go over to your place for the night then.
It's not that, Your Highness.
I have a better suggestion.
Your Highness... Why don't you spend the night at Hui Yu's?
Hui Yu?
But her status...
Your Highness will just have to inform Noble Consort to list Hui Yu
in the household
as a concubine and that should make it official, right?
Hui Yu is beautiful and elegant.
She also plays the zither so well.
Moreover, she is very considerate.
If Your Highness spends the night with her tonight
you could leave your troubles behind
and even get a good rest.
Congratulation, Miss Hui Yu.
His Highness has had the Ministry of Rites
list you as his concubine.
Your Ladyship can now enjoy the luxury and wealth of the manor.
You'll have an abundance of clothing and food for life.
Housekeeper Wang, is that true?
Of course.
Would I dare to joke about such a serious matter?
This chamber is the residence quarters that His Highness has bestowed to you.
It's very close to my quarters.
Feel free to come to me anytime if you have any problems.
Thank you for looking after me, Your Highness.
Your Highness, I'm honored to be chosen as a concubine by His Highness.
From now on, I swear to be faithful to Your Highness to repay your kindness.
All right.
Save all the polite talk.
You must remember that you're now the fifth concubine.
We're now sisters.
It's only right that we look after each other.
Yes.
- Xin Er. - Present.
Fifth Concubine is now your mistress.
You have to attend to her properly.
Make an effort and be quick-witted.
- Do you understand? - Yes, I understand.
I'll attend to Her Ladyship well.
Shouldn't you greet her now?
Xin Er greets Your Ladyship.
- Get up now. - Thank you, Your Ladyship.
Thank you, Your Highness.
Your Highness?
You should address me as your sister.
Yes. Thank you... Sister.
Caidie, stop picking at the food.
Bring me those ingredients quickly.
- These two? - Yes.
Can we have dinner yet?
I'm starving.
It's almost ready.
What's the rush?
We'll call you when it's ready. You're so annoying.
Were you a hungry ghost in a previous life?
You're sneaking a bit before dinner. That's so rude.
There aren't any outsiders here.
The food tastes quite good.
Your cooking skill is totally different from how it was a few days ago.
All the dishes you see here were made by Duan Min.
If you want to praise anyone, praise her.
Just think about it. Do you think that I could make such complicated
and delicious dishes?
- Don't you know me well? - I've overestimated you.
I found it weird as well.
How could you improve so drastically in just a few days?
Look!
You can tell by the way Princess Duan Min is cooking that the food will be tasty.
I won't get sick of it even if I eat it every day.
If Your Lordship likes it, I can make it for you every day.
That won't do.
After all, my wife is Caidie.
Make me delicious food in the future to satisfy my taste buds.
Nasty Batu! Listen up!
I can only make one dish.
It's already here! This is it!
Osmanthus cake.
If you expect me to learn to cook the other dishes, you can starve to death.
You made the osmanthus cake?
I did.
I wonder if you made an effort?
I'll try it.
You can't have it yet.
Why not?
Didn't you say that you want to savor it?
You just had the savory dishes!
And now you want to try mine?
How could you do that?
This isn't to fill you up.
I can't be bothered with all that theory.
I want one!
I won't let you have it.
Are you going to let me try it or not?
I won't.
I'm going to snatch it from you.
You can't get it.
You're so childish.
You can't have it! Don't move!
- Give it to me! - You won't?
Give it to me!
- Let me try it. - No...
Although Caidie and Batu bicker all the time
it still makes me envious to see them like this.
They don't seem to be putting on a show.
They seem like a real couple.
That's fine.
Hui Yu, get some rest.
Have a seat next to me.
Yes.
I'd like to talk to you.
Yes.
Your Highness, I hear you sigh very often these days.
Are you troubled?
You're right.
I have a plan in mind.
But I don't know if I should go ahead with it.
But...
Your Highness assists His Majesty in governing the world.
Anything that benefits His Majesty will benefit the people.
Your Highness, if you think that it should be done
you should just go ahead with it.
You don't have to think too much about it.
It's just like... how I'm willing to do anything for Your Highness.
What you just said goes straight to my heart.
You're right.
If I continue to be indecisive
how can I handle the tasks that His Majesty gives to me?
I have an answer in my mind now.
It's already noon.
Why isn't His Highness in his office yet?
Could he still be at Hui Yu's?
Your Ladyship, if that is true...
The newly appointed fifth concubine must be really remarkable.
It's very rare for His Highness not to be working in his office
so late in the morning.
That vixen.
I got myself a competitor for no reason.
Zi Hui had better not shoot herself in her foot.
- Greetings to Your Highness. - Greetings to Your Highness.
What brings you here?
I've been thinking about Your Highness so I came to greet you.
Good...
Your Highness, you seem to be in great spirits today.
Do I have the honor to share your happiness?
It's nothing really.
It's just that I now have an answer to a question that has been bothering me.
I now feel very relieved
so I look a lot more relaxed.
Congratulations, Your Highness.
I'm very happy for Your Highness.
Your Highness.
Your Highness, did you rest well last night?
Of course.
You have such good taste.
The concubine that you chose for me is a great choice!
Well done!
Your Highness flatters me.
I don't have such a good taste.
All I did was to observe Your Highness's feelings.
Frankly speaking, Your Highness was the one who picked out Hui Yu.
Your Highness is the one with great taste.
All right...
Very good!
Since Your Highness is in such a good mood today
you must savor the dishes at the culinary contest properly.
Pick out the one dish that could boost your appetite.
I saw that you've been too troubled to eat these days.
I've been so worried.
All right. I know that you're the most thoughtful one.
All right, don't worry.
I know that Imperial Grand Noble Consort means well to hold this contest.
I'll surely cooperate.
Your Highness, let's go.
It seems that I have to win the contest
in order to impress His Highness.
- Mi Er. - Present.
What are your orders, Your Ladyship?
Mi Er, everyone is going to prepare their dishes at the kitchen, right?
Yes, Your Ladyship.
Who do you think is most likely to defeat me in this contest?
I think that Your Ladyship's dumplings of four joys is the best dish.
I'm asking if you know what the others are making for the contest.
Your Ladyship, all the concubines and princesses were all very secretive.
I don't know what they are making.
You don't know?
You plan to get away with saying that you don't know?
What have you been doing?
May I be so bold as to say
Your Ladyship's dumplings of four joys are the most outstanding in appearance
taste, smell, and meaning.
The other three contestants aren't a match for you.
Please don't worry about it.
You're right.
If we're simply looking at the dish itself
I believe that no one can defeat me.
But His Highness has always favored Caidie.
If His Highness is biased
Caidie will be my biggest competitor.
Attention!
Housekeeper Wang reminded us about the contest today.
You're in charge of serving the dishes to His Highness.
You're to carry out your task
in the order that was assigned to you.
Don't make any mistakes.
If you displease His Highness
we'll all have a hard time.
Understand?
All right!
It's getting late.
You should all get ready.
Yes!
I'm here.
Good.
I'll only say this once.
Poison the dish that Caidie made.
Do you understand?
This...
Forgive me for being slow-witted.
His Majesty favors Arch Prince Chong and he's instructed that all food
presented to the arch prince must be tested for poison.
Madame knows about this.
Therefore, she never assigns such a task to us.
Is there a mistake with this command?
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