Subtitles by DramaFever
[Scarlet Heart] [Episode 16]
Greetings, Your Majesty.
Ruo Xi, after two months of hard work
let's see what you've got for us tonight.
- I'll ask them to get started. - All right.
- Let's go. - Please.
Plum blossoms?
Where would you find plum blossoms in a place like this?
Fourth Brother, looks like it's going to be a great show.
Ruo Xi, you've turned Min Min into a dazzling Mongolian star.
Thank you, Fourteenth Prince.
But Min Min's a dazzling star in her own right.
All I did was unveil the black cloth that's been covering this star.
But this star hasn't even laid her eyes on the moon once tonight.
It only took her two months to change from being an impulsive young girl.
She's no longer looking at the moon
because the sun's already appeared in her life.
I hope so.
From now on, whenever you see plum blossoms
you'll always think of Min Min.
This is amazing.
It's beautiful.
Absolutely.
Not bad at all. Ruo Xi, come here.
His Majesty summons Ruo Xi!
- Your Majesty. - What an amazing show.
It's absolutely incredible.
If I knew you're capable of this
I would have asked you to organize all our banquets and shows in the palace.
This is pretty much all I can do.
I don't think I can come up with any other ideas.
Please don't challenge me, Your Majesty.
Min Min should take full credit for such a perfect and beautiful dance tonight.
Princess Min Min.
Your Majesty.
You did a great job with your beautiful ribbon dance.
You danced with such grace
like willows swaying in the breeze.
I thought you were a fairy.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
- Grant her the jade scepter. - Yes, Your Majesty.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
I'd like to give Ruo Xi something.
Go on, thank the king.
Thank you, King Suwanguaerjia.
Min Min also has the same piece of jade.
She used to have a twin sister.
I was overjoyed after they were born
and I happened to have a beautiful piece of jade.
So I asked someone to make two jade charms with it.
But before the jade charm was finished
her sister had already passed away.
This jade charm carries your love for your daughter.
I can't accept it.
Since I've given it to you, you should accept it.
- Then just accept it. - Thank you, King Suwanguaerjia.
All right, get up.
I'm getting tired. Let's go back now.
Please.
- Crown Prince, you can take over. - Yes.
- Goodbye, Royal Father. - Goodbye, Your Majesty.
Serve us some wine.
In order to say farewell to He Shu and Zuo Ying
let's all drink with them.
- Thank you, Crown Prince. - Thank you, Crown Prince.
Cheers.
Let's get drunk tonight. Cheers.
Sis, what are you thinking about?
Seeing how all these beautiful flowers
are blooming in this bare and deserted place...
I can't help but feel great pity
for the fact that this is entirely God's will.
What?
Nothing.
I'm just a little sad to see you go tomorrow.
Happy moments are often short-lived.
I wonder when we can see each other again.
I've prepared a present for you.
I promised you before.
What is it?
Crown Prince, I'd like to play a song for everyone.
Sure.
We all know you're great at playing the flute.
We'd love to hear you play a song for us tonight.
For some reason
I suddenly really want to leave this place
and have some peace and quiet.
People often say if you choose not to listen, then it'll eventually die off
but if you choose to love someone, then you'll definitely end up getting hurt.
Perhaps staying out of love
is the only way to avoid trouble.
It always seems especially cold and deserted after a joyous gathering.
Do you think Min Min and Zuo Ying will be together?
What do you mean, Fourth Prince?
You couldn't stop watching the two of them last night.
I do hope they can really be together.
What about you, Fourth Prince?
Prince Zuo Ying's very competent.
But King Yiergenjueluo doesn't favor him as he's only the son of his concubine.
Since they don't think it's a favorable task to come and see Royal Father
that's why he was given it.
But I don't think it's such a bad thing for him.
His father and brother will probably have quite a headache in future.
So do you think it's best for Min Min to marry Zuo Ying?
That's none of your business.
You should worry about yourself instead.
Do you really want to be alone all your life?
Don't try to use your mother as your excuse again.
I'm tired.
I've had enough of all the rules and tricks in the palace.
I'm sick of having to think again and again before I say or do anything.
That's not the kind of person that I am at all.
I just want to go far away
and laugh whenever I want
and cry whenever I want.
Even if I get married
I'd only be going from Forbidden City's big cage to another smaller cage.
I probably won't be any happier than when I'm in Forbidden City.
So why should I get married?
Considering the conflicts that go on between the concubines
I'd rather shave my head and become a nun.
Based on your status
you won't have any say in it.
The more Royal Father favors you
the less likely it is for you to decide on your own marriage.
Take the jade charm that King Suwanguaerjia gave you, for example.
He's obviously hinting that he sees you as his own daughter.
Min Min and her brother also treat you even better than they do Crown Prince.
I don't know what King Suwanguaerjia has in mind
but if Royal Father wants to find you a husband
I'm sure he'll be very careful with his selection.
But if you want to follow the other servants' footsteps
and wait until you get released from the palace
then you might as well give up that idea.
You might as well think about how you can convince Royal Father
to choose a husband whom you're happy with.
If I don't want to get married, nobody can force me.
Then you can prepare a rope to hang yourself.
Don't forget that your death
will also affect your father as well as your whole family.
The palace isn't a place to have dreams.
You better wake up soon and think about your strategy.
Otherwise you'll just have to put up with whatever's going to happen.
Why must I get married?
Why can't I stay unmarried?
Why must he find a husband for me?
Can't you understand what I said?
Or are you just refusing to understand?
Royal Father's the one who can make all decisions.
All you can do is obey his orders.
Isn't there anyone who you'd want to marry?
Isn't there anyone who won't make you feel as if you're locked up in a cage?
I've read a report that has infuriated me.
Some officials have embezzled the funds that were allocated
to the victims of the disaster in Fujian
and a lot of people have died from starvation.
If there wasn't any backup
why would these local officials dare do such a thing?
I love my people.
But my staff has actually trampled on so many people's lives
in order to benefit themselves.
After I asked Fourth Prince to investigate the matter
we discovered that including the Ministry of Revenue officials
there were 120 people involved!
Tell me what I should do with these 120 people.
Eighth Prince, what do you think?
Royal Father.
We shouldn't forgive officials who are corrupted.
But this case is an exception
as it involves a large number of officials.
In order not to cause too much commotion
I'd suggest you consider the overall situation and handle this carefully.
We can get the officials to give back all the funds
and give warnings to those who show regret for what they've done.
Fourth Prince, what do you think?
Royal Father.
If we forgive them, then they'll never learn their lessons.
If we don't punish them just because there are too many officials involved
then these corrupted officials will only do even worse things in future.
They'll definitely gang up to ruin the palace's reputation and harm our people.
If you surrender to them
then no one will ever respect you again.
Royal Father, a ruler must be harsh with discipline.
I also think we shouldn't forgive these corrupted officials so easily.
Crown Prince, what do you think?
I think a harsh punishment will frighten everyone in the palace
and cause a lot of commotion among our people.
It might scare them so much that they'd lose their loyalty to the Great Qing.
It won't be a good thing for our people.
So I think we should just teach them a lesson
by giving them a warning.
What you said is very reasonable.
All right, then let's do that.
Royal Father, please take back your order.
If we don't punish them harshly
then corruption will only get worse.
I've already made up my mind.
Royal Father.
In the last corruption case
when you didn't punish Xu Gan Xue and Gao Shi Qi
our people already felt let down by you.
They've even made up a song that goes
"All our money goes to Xu Gan Xue"
"and our country's treasures belong to Gao Shi Qi."
You really can't let them off the hook so easily again.
I said I've already made up my mind.
I won't blame the peasants for not understanding my reason for doing this.
But as my son
why would you want to punish all those officials
just like an ignorant peasant would?
It's not something that a wise ruler would do.
I thought you should know better.
Royal Father, what Fourth Brother said was true--
You're dismissed.
Yes.
I'm all right. You can go back first.
I want some time to myself.
Eunuch Wang, we can't find Fourth Prince.
- Keep looking. - Yes.
Thirteenth Prince, we can't find Fourth Prince.
- Keep looking. - Yes.
Thirteenth Prince, we can't find him either.
- Keep looking. - Yes.
- Ruo Xi, have you seen Fourth Brother? - No. What happened?
Royal Father wants to see him, but he's nowhere to be found.
Why would he go missing?
When we were discussing a corruption case this morning
Royal Father scolded Fourth Brother because they had a disagreement.
Why would he have a conflict with the emperor when he's always so careful?
It's a long story.
But the point is Royal Father wants to see him now.
I think I know where he is.
Come with me.
Do you want to come or not?
Wait.
Fourth Brother!
- Fourth Brother! - Fourth Prince!
Look over there.
Fourth Brother.
We've finally found you.
Royal Father wants to see you right now.
Greetings, Fourth Prince.
Let's go back.
How can he be so relaxed about it?
Can you remember that?
- I bow before you, Royal Father. - I bow before you, Royal Father.
- Rise. - Thank you, Royal Father.
Crown Prince, tell them.
Yes.
Royal Father has decided
to investigate the corruption case in Fujian.
He wants to know if there are any other officials involved
apart from the 120 officials who are already found guilty.
Fourth Prince.
You and Thirteenth Prince can assist Crown Prince with the investigation.
Yes.
Are you wondering why I'm investigating this case
after I rejected your suggestion just now?
I don't understand.
The reason why you don't understand
is because you're still not experienced enough.
Take a pail of dirty water, for example.
Even though we can't drink it anymore
we can still use it to water our flowers and grow vegetables.
We don't necessarily have to pour it away.
Understand?
Yes, Royal Father.
When you're the ruler of a country
you can't be that harsh all the time.
I've been an emperor for many years
so you must remember every word that I teach you.
I will always remember your teachings, Royal Father.
Fourth Brother, I thought Crown Prince has a lot of men of his own.
Why did Royal Father ask us to help him with this investigation?
Do you really think Royal Father doesn't know what Crown Prince is really like?
You mean that Royal Father's worried the Crown Prince's men were also involved
so Crown Prince might be biased in his investigation?
That's right.
Royal Father knows Crown Prince trusts you most out of all the princes.
So if he asks you to keep an eye on him
at least he won't object to the idea.
It's a very dangerous task.
If anything goes wrong, not only will I make Crown Prince upset
Royal Father might even accuse me of failing to do my job.
Fourth Brother, don't worry.
All you need to do is to take a nap on the boat
and look at those lotuses.
Then you'll come up with a lot of great ideas.
You're usually very straightforward.
Why would you say something like that?
You used to tell us everything as well.
How come I never knew about your secret spot but someone else did?
What's the point of mentioning something so petty?
Ruo Xi only happened to find out by coincidence.
Coincidence?
What a great choice of words.
Don't try to change the subject.
You better figure out a way
to help me survive this challenge.
You're making it sound too serious.
This should teach Crown Prince a lesson.
At least it'll give his men a warning.
I'm not worried about Crown Prince.
It's Ninth Brother who I'm worried about.
This is what Ninth Brother's been doing over the past few years?
I know a lot of officials would try to bribe Ninth Brother all the time
but I didn't expect he'd accept
such a large sum of money from them.
What should we do with this accounting book?
I'll have to ask you a favor.
My lord.
Let's go to the temple before we go home.
Is there a special occasion today?
No.
I just suddenly feel like going to the temple to pray for a blessing.
You want to pray for the investigation on the embezzlement case in Fujian?
I know I shouldn't interfere with the palace's political affairs.
But Ninth Brother...
I'm worried that Ninth Brother will drag you into it.
Don't worry.
My lord.
You should know why those people had wanted to bribe Ninth Brother.
It's certainly not because of Ninth Brother's power.
It's because they know he's very close to you.
But Ninth Brother actually used it as an excuse to keep accepting bribes.
If I'm correct
Fourth Brother must have given this accounting book to us.
I don't get it.
This is a record of all the bribes that Ninth Brother's accepted.
Why didn't Fourth Brother give it to Royal Father?
He can then take credit for it on the one hand
and use it to attack us on the other hand.
Why did he give it to us instead?
But it's certainly something that'll give Fourth Brother a headache.
Why?
He can give it to Royal Father so that Ninth Brother will get caught
but he'll run the risk of being scolded by Royal Father
for not considering brotherly love.
What you said makes sense.
But it was Royal Father who asked Fourth Brother
to assist Crown Prince with the investigation.
If he doesn't report him, then he'll be accused of failing to do his job.
Isn't he worried about being accused of being biased?
Exactly.
That's why the best solution for him
is to pass this problem back to Ninth Brother.
As long as Ninth Brother's men know they're being watched
Crown Prince's men will also stop being so corruptive.
Then Crown Prince won't be able to stick up for his men again, right?
It'll also make Fourth Brother's job a lot easier
as the auditor of this investigation.
It's certainly a very smart trick that Fourth Brother has come up with.
I'm actually starting to admire him.
I actually admire you for having worked out his trick.
You're much more thorough in your thinking than I'd expected.
You seem to be able to read Fourth Brother's mind.
You're both very smart indeed.
When Greek meets Greek, then comes the tug of war.
It's a pity that we're born as princes.
Otherwise the two of you would be able to work together
and achieve amazing things.
Eighth Brother, can you promise me something?
After you become the emperor
can you let Fourth Brother leave the palace and become a free soul?
If you ask Fourth Brother the same question
what do you think he'd say?
- Come on. - Cheers!
Ninth Prince, did you know how much money we've made this month?
All the money that they didn't dare accept has come to us instead.
Come on, let's drink to Ninth Prince.
- Come on, Ninth Prince. - Cheers.
Cheers.
Listen up, everyone.
From now on
all the bribes that people offer us
must be rejected.
Ninth Prince.
We just have to be a bit careful, that's all.
- Exactly. - Crown Prince's men are still doing it.
If we get into trouble
they won't be able to get out of it as well.
I totally agree.
They'll be the first ones to get executed.
You agree with him?
Does that mean you don't agree with me?
Ninth Prince, what I mean is
it takes courage to be successful
or else you'll always be a nobody.
Do you agree with me?
- Yes. - Very well said.
Crown Prince's men all live in huge mansions
but what about us?
Whenever we see his men
we don't even dare raise our heads to look at them.
Ninth Prince, people would laugh at a master if his dogs are skinny.
That's right, Ninth Prince.
- Are you done yet? - Ninth Prince, we--
Get out of here.
Get out!
Let's go.
You're all useless.
Do you really think a simple accounting book will stop me?
If Eighth Brother hadn't told me to stop
I'd never let such useless people look down on me.
Anyone want to buy buns?
Hot and delicious buns!
Anyone want to buy buns?
Fresh and delicious buns!
Anyone want to buy buns?
Fresh and delicious buns!
Fourth Brother, Thirteenth Brother, goodbye.
- Goodbye, Crown Prince. - Goodbye, Crown Prince.
Ninth Brother, since Royal Father didn't say anything just then
that means Fourth Brother didn't report his findings to him.
So should I bow to him and thank him?
I don't know why you're so afraid of him.
Ninth Brother.
Eighth Brother will take care of it for you.
Stop causing trouble.
Fourth Prince, I've finished.
Thirteenth Brother.
Take a look at Ninth Brother's accounts.
So he's still doing it.
What should we do?
I better talk to Eighth Brother about it.
- Fourth Brother. - Eighth Brother.
I better return this to you.
Ninth Brother might have been a bit lost
but I'm sure he's now back on the right track.
I thought Ninth Brother had always listened to you.
But I guess I was wrong.
Ninth Brother's a very stubborn person.
He never considers the consequences of his actions.
If he has offended you in any way
I'd like to apologize to you on his behalf.
Until yesterday, I was going to forgive him for his mistakes.
But I now have an even more difficult problem.
I'd like to discuss it with you.
If it's a problem that even you would find difficult
I really don't think I can help you either.
- Get me the accounting books. - Yes.
Is this the problem that you were referring to?
I'm certainly not as ruthless as you are.
Can I ask you something?
Is Ninth Brother the only one who has been found to be corrupted?
You're a smart person.
I've already done all I can to help.
Once Royal Father began investigating, everyone stopped accepting bribes
including Crown Prince.
Ninth Brother was the only exception.
You're only doing your job, Fourth Brother.
Just do whatever you have to do.
Fourth Brother can't do anything to me.
Just because he's got Crown Prince behind him
he thinks he's so powerful that he can do whatever he wants.
Have you all become mute?
Eighth Brother, what should I do?
Tell me.
If you want me to kill Fourth Brother, I'll get my sword right now.
Eighth Brother, say something.
Fourteenth Brother, I know.
Fourth Brother's your brother, so you can't say anything.
But do you really think he treats you as his own brother?
Tenth Brother, I know you don't usually have too many ideas.
But you must figure it out for me today.
Tell me what I should do.
Ninth Brother, I don't mean to lecture you
but why didn't you stop when Eighth Brother warned you?
You've given Fourth Brother even more evidence.
I don't need a lecture from you.
Eighth Brother, can you think of anything?
I've already asked Fourth Brother to give the accounting books to Royal Father.
Eighth Brother, what did you say?
- I've already done my best. - Have you?
You've only done your best to protect yourself.
Ninth Brother, how can you talk to Eighth Brother like this?
I'm only stating the facts.
That's right. I've brought this upon myself.
I thought we were in the same boat.
But I guess I was wrong.
Fine, don't worry.
No matter how Royal Father punishes me, I'll make sure none of you get involved.
- Calm down. - How can I calm down?
What would you do if you were Eighth Brother?
If he asks Fourth Brother to hide it from Royal Father
it might get him into trouble instead.
Eighth Brother, I know what you should have done.
If you had burned those accounting books
then Fourth Brother wouldn't have any evidence.
Tenth Brother, just go home.
Your ideas are so stupid.
What do you mean?
I'm just trying to help you.
In that case, you should go home and bring your brain here
before you think of any ideas.
How can you say something so nasty?
I have to put up with Ming Yu at home and now I have to put up with you.
I'm not born to put up with people like you.
That's enough!
Whatever.
I'm going to be a real man and keep my word.
Don't worry.
Even if I'm going to die
I'll definitely get Crown Prince to die with me.
Crown Prince's men have already stopped accepting bribes.
Don't panic.
I'm sure Royal Father won't do anything to you.
[Accounting Book]
So this is the pillar of our country...
and the foundation of our country.
I now announce this case closed.
There's no need to arrest or interrogate the officials who are involved.
But they must give back all the bribes.
You're dismissed.
- Goodbye, Royal Father. - Goodbye, Royal Father.
Ruo Xi, come here.
Greetings, Fourth Prince, Thirteenth Prince.
Rise.
Why are you standing in the rain?
Ruo Xi.
Can you tell us what you think we should do to punish those corrupted officials?
I'm just a servant.
How would I know?
Stop making fun of me, Thirteenth Prince.
Don't change the subject.
I know what a smart girl you are.
People only become corrupt because they're not scared of the law.
Since no one's there to enforce the law
they think it's perfectly fine to steal from our people.
In order to gain benefit for themselves
people are often willing to bribe, steal, rob, break the law
or even take people's lives.
Just get to the point and answer my question.
Punish them harshly.
If you let them off the hook
then there'd be no morals.
Immorality is even worse than corruption.
If our officials don't look after our people
then how would they survive?
What if I tell you
it's Ninth Brother who's broken the law?
What should we do?
Just do whatever you need to do.
You don't honestly believe that everyone is equal before the law, do you?
Make him give back all the money that he's taken
and give him enough beatings to keep him in bed for half a year.
Then make him beg on the streets for three months
to have a taste of what poverty is like.
Then he should learn his lesson.
All other officials should be punished harshly
as a warning to others.
Tell them that no one can be exempted for breaking the law.
That should put an end to all corruption.
Your ideas are certainly very creative.
But are you sure your brother-in-law will be all right with that?
So has Ninth Prince been found guilty?
Not yet.
But Royal Father already said
that he won't pursue the matter any further
and that they only have to give back all the bribes.
Was that all he asked for?
A total of more than 400,000 silver pieces was found to have been bribes.
One acre of land only sells for seven to eight silver.
One silver is enough to feed a family of five for one month.
So that's enough to feed two million people for a month.
Since the case is already closed
there's no point to thinking about it anymore.
Why did Fourth Brother disappear so quickly?
I'm right here.
I've got an appointment to go to, but the rain still hasn't stopped.
I better get going now.
I'll take my leave.
I wanted to give this to you after we came back from Mongolia.
But too many things got in the way.
I can't accept it.
Fourteenth Brother.
- You lied? - But it worked.
- Why are you so scared of him? - No, I'm not.
If you keep chasing me, then Fourteenth Brother will definitely see you.
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