She made a huge mistake
no one dares to mention.
Liar.
My sister isn't that type of person!
If you don't believe so,
you can go to ask Zhang mama.
You mean,
you mean Zhang mama knows everything?
Your sister was her most valued embroidery woman,
How can she not know?
You see?
It's like this.
Here.
Mama, be careful.
Alright.
You go ahead.
Easy easy, you can't do it like that.
Zhang mama
Yes?
You watch it for me
Be careful
What's going on?
So hasty.
Wei Yin Ning is my elder sister.
Follow me
How many times has me told you?
Do not mention that name again.
It's taboo.
But you never told me
My sister and A Man are the same person.
They are the same person.
A Man is a name that I chose for her.
What about it?
Why?
What do you mean 'why'?
I don't let you mention it,
Because I'm disappointed in her,
very disappointed.
Your sister made a big mistake.
Everyone said my sister made a mistake.
but what kind of mistake did she make?
Momo
Please say something.
Why is it that everything I mention this question
Everyone goes silent
I put in a lot of effort to enter the forbidden city
just so I could get to the truth
Momo
Please tell me!
A Man
She committed a shameful act
and was found out.
What shameful act?
For a woman,
what is more important than her virtue?
One night, she didn't return.
The next morning, when she returned,
she just happened to get caught by General Manager Wu.
At the artificial mountain in the Imperial Garden,
we discovered
her dirty inner skirt.
My sister is a kind and good person,
I don't believe that she could do such a thing like that.
I don't believe it either.
A Man is gentle and kind
How could she do such a thing like that?
But I personally asked her.
No matter how I asked
she still only said one thing.
No one forced her
she was willing.
When something like this happening
the Palace law call for the rod
At that time, it was almost the Empress Dowager 's birthday.
They didn't want to see blood in the palace.
therefore
she was punished 50 lashes
and was removed from the palace
Who would think
your sister could not come to terms
and took her own life
Everyone said my sister
was ashamed to see everyone
so she committed suicide.
But I checked her wounds,
I found the finger bruises on her neck -
My sister was strangled to death by someone!
What?!
Strangled?
Right.
If she was willing to do that
How could she get murdered?
So, there must be a hidden reason behind this.
Momo,
I have to find out the truth,
I can't let my sister die for no reason.
But,
this incident happened so long ago,
how can you find out?
Oh right, Madam.
Have you ever seen this piece of jade before?
You recognize it, correct?
I don't recognize it.
This piece of jade is inscribed in Manchu.
Mama has lived in this palace for such a long time,
you must know what is inscribed here.
If Madam doesn't want to tell me,
I will ask someone else.
Stop!
Momo,
please tell me.
Fu Cha Ha La
What?
The owner of this jade
is the Emperor's brother-in-law's
Royal guard -
Fu Cha Fo Heng
Fu Cha Ha La
The owner of this jade is the Emperor's brother-in-law
the Royal guard,
Fu Cha Fo Heng
Miss Yin Luo, You seem to be very biased against men
Yin Luo, I remind you of one thing
Don't investigate your sister's death again
She committed a big, shameful act
No one dares to mention it
Willow next to the palace walls
Jade hairpins
Soft and nimble hand
Lonely wine
hiding melancholy
Hard to open the heart
Emperor, listen
Wat a nice little tune?
Willow next to the palace walls
Jade hairpins
Soft and nimble hand
Lonely wine
hiding melancholy
Hard to open the heart
Concubine pays respect to the Emperor
Who's tune is this?
Replying to the Emperor's question,
This was written by this concubine
Made for the Emperor's enjoyment
Willow next to the palace walls
Jade hairpins
Soft and nimble hand
Beautiful imagination
It's just that there is no willow tree here
You look at a bunch of bamboos and sing about willow tree
Are you stupid or blind?
Emperor, Emperor
That is because this concubine's childhood was in JiangNan
So, I especially like the willow tree
So today I casual made up the song
I have no other intentions!
It's neither early nor late,
you came to the Imperial Garden to sing
you are counting on me being besotted with beauty
and can tolerate your wilfulness, right?
You like singing, right?
Then sing for a whole night in the Imperial Garden tonight.
Li Yu
Minion here
Find someone to watch her.
She's not allowed to stop until dawn.
Emperor, concubine was wrong.
Emperor, Emperor, Emperor
I'm wrong, Emperor!
Shu Guiren, stop shouting
You should better save some energy
You
Yes
Remember to stare at Shu Guiren
listen to her singing until tomorrow morning
Yes
Your Highness
Later on the Imperial doctor will come over to check your pulse
Go tell the others,
to prepare a bath.
My lady, you better not do that
your body is already weak
It's too cold in the middle of the night
Quickly go do it
Yes
Your Highness,
The water is really cold
Pour
Your Highness, Can we stop?
I can't stand it anymore.
Keep pouring
Sir
Your Majesty
Where is Chun Fei's post?
Answering the emperor
Chun Fei is sick again
Jing-shi-fang went through her post
Let's go to see her
Tell Yan-Xi-Palace that the Emperor has chosen
Yes, sir.
Good to see you, Emperor.
Nice to see you, Emperor.
What are you doing?
I know that I'm still sick.
have nothing to do right now.
So I'm just sitting there.
His majesty has come at just the right time
I just concocted a new kind of sleeping fragrance (incense).
I was about to ask you if you want to try.
No rush
Onyang Xiu has a poem "The Beauty"
In the poem it speaks of a beauty who was full of romantic feelings
but was unable to express her feelings to anybody
she resigned herself
to playing/stirring the fire & kindlings
and pouring out/confiding her feelings to the fire
I don't know if Chun Fei has any hidden feelings
to emulate this way of expressing herself
No I don't have any secret thoughts (feelings) that cannot be disclosed
I was just bored
and wrote some words.
Is it so?
The word "harmony"?
What does it mean?
Emperor's request
World peace
harmony and happiness within the country
The concubines/consorts request
only for the Empress's health and well-being
and six palaces in harmony
However, to reach this state of "harmony"
is not easy
For example
Gui Fei and the Empress
are always provoking each other
She barely talks about it.
Although the Empress is generous,
also doesn't mind about her.
However, she is still The Empress.
and this is disrespectful.
Is that true?
Right.
I see.
Emperor,
You're the highest authority in this country
But you are unusually tolerant to GuiFei
Is it because she came from a noble and powerful family?
or
You aren't worried about the noble families
But Er Tai that is behind them
You're worried about aggravating Gao family.
and upsetting the Wu-Er-Tai family's interest
which in turn will cause a shake-up / chaos in the palace?
Chun Fei,
the Imperial Harem is not allowed to be concerned about politics.
Please keep this in mind.
If it happens again,
I won't accept it.
*Courteous farewell*
Master,
How can you still laugh?
That exchange frightened me.
How could you say these things?
If I didn't speak about those things
How could he leave so quickly
Emperor,
Why are you leaving?
If someone doesn't want to keep me,
why do I have to stay?
Emperor, then what was the point of coming here?
Too much curiosity.
Always trying to find a reason to refuse
I want to see
what's next.
Back to Yang-Xing (Yang Sheng) Hall (Emperor's own residence)
*Orders to move the Emperor to Yang-Xin Hall*
Hold on.
Go to Chang Chun Palace (the Empress's residence)
*Orders to move the Emperor to the Empress's residence*
Emperor,
Where did you come from?
I just came from Zhong Cui Palace.
Emperor, Chun Fei is...
no doubt stand off-ish.
But where in this world
do you find an outstanding woman
who doesn't have her own temperament?
Emporer, I implore you to
occasionally..turn a blind eye to it?
Well, my feelings on this is that
she shuts herself away and is emotionally unavailable
and seems to be very secretive
and appears to find ways to stay away from me
Emperor
Consort Chun does not have any secret
She is just a bit sensitive
Her thinking is just a bit more sensitive
you should take more care of her
Let's not talk about her
Empress
Emperor
I've been thinking...
I have something I must tell you
When the prior empress was still alive
One carpet in the palace
could be used for 30 to 40 years
But now the carpet in Gao (Chu Xiu)'s palace
gets replaced every single year
And also ivory mats are used
Outside of the ChuXiu Palace
Long red candles are lighted until she is asleep
Imperial harem acts like this
Then royal court will do the same
such indulgence and wastages
will lead to comparison among the palaces
In the long-term
such a culture is toxic and damaging
So you're implying...?
I am the queen
I must take the lead
First
I will be the first one do not wear pearl and jade
Change to straw and velvet flowers
Next
I've decided
to reduce the cost of my palace
To be a role model to other places
You are correct
The Imperial Harem should not be wasted
the subjects will follow in the steps of the superior
Leading to an undesirable culture
But
it is not advisable to rush this matter
Why not take it slow
Emperor
Then what about the rules of reducing expenditure?
You just make the decision
I am tired
You also take rest
yes
Empress, you have to find a way to produce a male heir
What are you talking about? you are the most valued person in the emperor's heart
and previously, you were grieving over your dead son
but now that your misunderstanding with the emperor is resolved,
you must not miss this opportunity
Or
Consort Gao will be more arrogant
How can I get close to Fuheng (Queen's brother)
This year's spinsters in the embroidery workshop
Are all working on the emperor and the empress dowager's clothes.
It also happens
to be the Empress' birthday next month. Every single palace and department
are preparing a gift.
The Embroidery department will follow past traditions
and present a phoenix robe for the Queen.
The design for this year will be "The Phoenix pierces the peonies". As for the main seamstress,
it will be Ying Luo.
Granny,
you only think about Ying Luo when it comes to the good things.
- What about the rest of us? - You still dare
to ask me?
Do I not treat you all too well normally? Huh?
Take a look for yourself.
The embroidery work in your hand, what on earth is that?
Can you even
differentiate between a chicken and a phoenix? - I...
It's true that I am not as skilled as her
but not to the extent where a phoenix
can be mistaken for a chicken.
This is what I have to say for today.
If there's anyone brave enough to stand up
and declare that they are better than Ying Luo,
then I will leave this work to her.
If there are no objections,
then just focus on your own work.
Granny!
Granny Zhang!
Granny. I have
something to ask you.
You may leave first.
Embroidery skills require experiences accumulated over time. I am still young.
No matter how good I am, my skills are still limited.
The embroidery maidens,
and masters invited from outside the palace,
all have far more superior skills.
Why would you choose me?
The palace tradition states that the Empress' and Noble Consort's birthday robes
are all to be prepared
by newly entered palace maidens.
On their birthdays, if they are happy, there will surely be great rewards.
Even if you did not do a good job,
they will not overly criticise you.
This is a good opportunity for you to showcase
your skills and stand out.
You just love to ask so many questions.
Your silly sister
was my favourite disciple.
Because of her, I will look out for you.
Alright.
You mustn't look so down. Regardless of when, you must always
wear a smile. Your masters
will appreciate the look.
Ying Luo! So this is the peacock thread?
Granny Zhang says
the peacock thread is
created by weaving gold and silver threads together.
Even the most skilled seamstress
can only weave one metre a day.
Look! Under the light,
it looks rainbow-coloured.
It's so pretty! I want to try it too!
Ying Luo. If you do a good job,
maybe in the future you will get to sew a Dragon Robe. (for the Emperor)
Fools.
To make a Dragon Robe, the RuYi House has to first sketch a design.
After gaining the Emperor's approval,
it will be sent to the workshops of Suzhou, Jiang Ning and Hang Zhou.
After the first phase of sewing,
only then will it be sent back to us for completion.
The Emperor's Dragon Robe
requires the efforts of 595 seamstresses over
the course of two years to make.
With your current skills,
forget the Dragon Robe,
you won't even be able to handle the Imperial robes for court.
Alright.
Go back to sewing the spring costumes. -Yes.
Ying Luo.
This peacock thread
is extremely precious. Use it well.
There mustn't be any mistakes.
If not,
we will lose our heads.
Yes.
Everyone, go and have dinner now.
Ying Luo,
put aside your sister's matters for now.
Focus on finishing the Phoenix Robe in front of you.
Ying Luo. You are using the Ping Jin Method? (type of sewing method)
Yes. The peacock thread
is different from normal threads.
Using this method of embroidery will be more suitable.
But, even if you have to work,
you can't do it on an empty stomach.
Go and have dinner first, okay?
It's fine. I will
stay in the workshop.
The peacock thread is very valuable.
I cannot make any mistakes. -Ah? You're just going to
stand guard here all the time?
Sewing this robe will take
at least a month.
Are you throwing your life away?
How about this?
I can rotate shifts with you.
It's fine.
I can manage. -What do you mean you can manage?
You have other tasks to do during the day.
At night, you are staying up.
You really think you wouldn't collapse?
If you won't let me help you stay up at night,
then let me assist in keeping an eye on it for a while.
Just for a while?
Hurry up and take your dinner.
It won't take you longer than 15 minutes anyway.
Hurry up and go. Go!
it's fine!
Then you have to keep an eye on it well.
I got it. There won't be a problem. Don't worry.
Hurry and go! -Please be careful.
This is bad! Fire! Fire!
Somebody help!
Why would there be a fire?
Be careful!
Take that away!
Who did this? -Why did
this happen?
Who is so inconsiderate
to use coal fire in a room to dry their clothes?
There was almost a fire! -Goodness,
if there really was a fire, where would we sleep at night?
Exactly.
-Whose clothes are these? -Hey aren't they mine?
Who placed them near the coal pit? -Jixiang, you did this,
didn't you?
Why would you dry your clothes in the room? -Yeah exactly.
You frightened us all. -No you got it wrong.
Jixiang. Why are you here?
What about the workshop?
I heard people shouting that there was a fire in our quarters
so I ran here without thinking twice.
You fool.
What's happening? -Ying Luo!
Ying Luo! -What's with her?
I think something's wrong. Let's go take a look.
Ying Luo!
Why are you so anxious?
How did this happen?
What's happened?
My goodness.
The peacock thread is gone.
You deserve it.
You got all the good things. This time,
who's the unlucky one now?
That's right. -Let's see how she's
going to handle this. If Granny
had entrusted me with this, I wouldn't end up like her.
She's going to
be kicked out of the palace this time.
More than just getting kicked out. She will
lose her head.
You all will be keeping me company
on the road to the underworld.
I won't feel lonely at all.
You...what nonsense are you spouting?
This is your mistake.
Why should we pay the price? -The phoenix robe
is the embroidery mill's gift. One person's actions represent all.
If the Empress decides to investigate,
do you think she will only blame it on one individual?
If you have time
to gloat, why don't you worry
about your own lives?
Then what should we do?
I don't want to die. -You must not mention death in the palace.
How can you still be concerned about taboos at this hour?
She's probably lying.
I don't believe it.
But the robe is indeed a representative gift from the Embroidery mill.
Now that the robe is ruined,
we have no gift to present.
What should we do?
That's right. What's going to happen to us?
What's the matter?
Who is the culprit?
Who did this?!
Granny.
This is my fault.
Granny Zhang.
This is all my fault.
I lost the peacock thread.
If somebody needs to pay with their heads,
then take mine!
The peacock thread is gone too?!
Get up!
What use is taking your head? Will that atone for the crime?
Granny Zhang.
I should take the most responsibility
for what happened today.
But at this point, killing and torturing
anyone is useless.
If we cannot present the Empress' robe,
none of you can get away with it!
If everyone sets aside their tasks
to burn the midnight oil,
we still have time to make a new robe.
But,
what can we do
about the missing peacock thread? -We can go to
the Imperial Household Department to ask.
Imperial Household Department? And let them know
we lost the peacock thread? Then all of
us here will lose our heads with you.
Let's start making the robe first.
As for the matter of the peacock thread,
I will come up with something.
What else can you come up with?
Making the robe first
is better than sitting around waiting to die.
Ying Luo.
I'm sorry. This is all because
of me. I was too careless.
I didn't expect
there to be a thief in the royal palace.
If the Empress wants someone to pay with their life,
push all the blame onto me.
Ying Luo, I'm so sorry.
I really didn't mean to do it.
Sorry.
Stop crying!
If crying solves problems, the Forbidden City
would long since be flooded with tears.
I already said this.
You are not to be blamed.
I am the one at fault.
Now that it's come to this,
if you have time to cry here,
why not think about
what the peacock thread can be replaced with.
Ying Luo Ying Luo.
Is this okay?
This is gold thread. The peacock thread
appears rainbow-coloured under sunlight.
This golden thread will be
easily seen through.
Gold and silver threads, we have them all.
But where are we supposed to find peacock threads?
And there isn't much time left.
Jixiang!
What's that?
It's leather and fur normally used for making winter robes.
They're also second class goods.
It's useless.
Why aren't the doors opening?
She's been inside for half a day.
Without the peacock thread,
how is she planning on finishing the robe? -She locked herself inside,
she can't be feeling sorry for herself right?
Doesn't matter if she's feeling sorry,
what if she drags us down?
If the Empress flies into a rage, we have to bear
the consequences as well.
Jixiang, did Ying Luo tell you
what her plan is?
I asked,
but she refuses to say.
Refuses to say?
She wants to leave some hope for us I guess.
- Why am I so unlucky
to work in the Embroidery Department?
I do the most work, yet I can't even protect my own life.
Even if the Empress decides to blame someone,
surely it won't reach the extent where everyone loses their heads?
At the most,
we will receive a severe warning.
However, the peacock thread is way too precious,
and this incident also involves the Empress' birthday.
The Imperial Household Department
will probably not let us off so easily.
Then,
Ying Luo will be
used as a scapegoat?
Is that right?
She's out! She's out!
What's she going to do? Where is she going?
What is she doing?
She's so foolish.
She's going to the Eternal Spring Palace like this?
I have prepared a pair of jade
to wish the Empress prosperity and longevity.
Empress,
This is
the gift I prepared.
Chun Fei Consort, what is this?
This is a piece of warm jade.
The warm jade you refer to,
is simply a Hetian Jade.
In our palaces, they are very abundant.
I'm not sure if,
the jade in Chun Fei Consort's hands,
has any uniqueness?
This piece of warm jade when worn during winter season
will gradually emit heat.
This is very suitable for the Empress' body condition.
Birthday presents
should ideally come in pairs. Unfortunately,
after searching the entire country,
we only managed to find one of its kind.
Please forgive our sins. -You are
too thoughtful.
I like this gift a lot.
Empress.
I specially instructed people
to craft a flowerpot out of gemstones,
and added rubies onto every single flower. Even embellished it in gold.
Do you like it?
It's really pretty.
The Empress is too highly esteemed
to appreciate your tasteless gift.
Empress.
Noble Consort.
You are late.
I was busy preparing a gift for the Empress.
Do excuse me for being late.
I wonder what Noble Consort
has prepared?
Empress.
I specifically ordered people
to craft a
child-giving GuanYin statue for you.
Do you like it?
The Empress has yet to recover from the pain of losing her child.
By doing so, the Noble Consort is publicly
adding salt onto her wounds.
According to our ancestors' traditions,
only the Empress is allowed to use pure gold instruments.
Which is why I specially invited the Blacksmith Department
to craft this statue
out of pure gold.
Only then can it be worthy
of your highly esteemed position, Empress.
Look.
This is pure gold.
Noble Consort.
This GuanYin statue
should stay in your Chu Xiu Palace.
I am still young.
If I want children,
there are plenty of opportunities in the future.
Hence this statue,
should be given to the one who needs it most.
Noble Consort Gao
has good intentions.
This lavish gift,
I will accept it.
Blacksmith Department, present your gift.
The Empress is in a bad mood.
All of you be cautious.
Yes.
The Blacksmith Department presents
a pair of purple sandalwood peacock fans.
A flower sculpture of purple sandawood，
a pair of crane wax tables of silk and enamel
Jade Department presents two boxes and four pieces of jade vessels
two discs of prosperity jade
Pottery Department presents
two jade vases
two crystal vases of twin fishes
Glass Department presents
a pair of ivory-carved flower accessory boxes
one enamelled mirror.
The maiden over there,
are you from the Embroidery Department?
Why aren't you going in to present your gift?
Sister, can you let me wait a little while longer?
What are you waiting for?
From start to end there were barely any impressions of a smile.
I originally wanted a reward, but now
escaping any punishment is already a blessing.
Embroidery Department, present your gift.
Alright, hurry up.
It's already the final hour.
Otherwise, we will be delayed.
Wishing the Empress
eternal youthfulness
and longevity.
Isn't she...?
Why are you still not taking off the veil?
Yes...