Congratulations Your Majesty
Isn't this maid...
You're inside the hall now,
why haven't you removed the yellow silk (cover)?
Yes...
The emperor bestows rewards!
Rise!
Greetings to Her Majesty the Empress
Wishing Your Majesty good fortune, longevity, good health and peace
Please rise
your majesty
the emperor ordered me
to offered the birthday gifts to you
I'm thankful for his grand mercy
other concubines, please rise
Sisters, no need to be so restrained
please sit
Your majesty,
For this year, despite the regular gifts
the emperor has prepared a special present for you
yeah?
this is...
a clock?
your majesty
just because of you, the emperor has ordered the Clock Office to make one long before you birthday
They spend tons of time and made a clock for the purpose of celebrating the birthday
but the emperor said
our Qing dynasty doesn't have a tradition of giving clocks for gifts.
therefore
he asked them to recreate it
you see, this is now a makeup box
and it can give the time correctly
your majesty, I caught a cold last night
and I feel terrible
I have to go now, please forgive my absence
Your majesty
YongCheng is also sick
So I should probably leave now
I wish Your Majesty a happy, long live life
Your Majesty
Excuse your servant have to report back to the emperor
Pls excuse me
I will personally convey my thanks later,
Embroidery maid, pls reveal what you have,
Yes
This doesn't look like gold thread,
and is not silver thread either,
neither is it peacock feather;
it's made from animal fur...
How dare you!
using such low cost poor quality material
to confuse the Majesty (the Queen)
Your servant dare not
Are you tired of living
What exactly is this material?
My Highness
In the past years we always use gold and silver threads
and also peacock feathers
this is thread made from deer tail fur.
Why does the Embriodery department
decide to use this thread?
We understand that the Highness has a frugal nature,
and gold and silver threads are both luxurious and bourgeois,
and in respect and honor of our ancestors,
where all the clothes and accessories,
were all produced using deer tail fur threads,
your servant respectfully
discard gold and silver threads
and uphold traditions,
On one hand this is in line with the austerity and frugality principle;
and also serves as a reminder,
to remember the hardships of our pioneering ancestors,
A lowly court maid
spoke so eloquently and logically,
this is incredible!
Therefore,
what she had said do make sense
Nonsense!
do not be fooled
There must be more behind the story,
Nonetheless this little maid
is quick witted and
it is true that now in the palace
there is much extravagance and luxury
If everyone could remember the hardships of our ancestors
renounce extravagance and live frugally with thrift, it is good.
Come
What exactly did Ying Lou say,
not only is there no punishment,
but rewards for us instead?
Where is Ying Luo, why isn't she back?
After receiving the rewards,
of course she has to see Her Highness to offer her thanks and gratitude
Everyone has left,
why are you still kneeling outside the palace?
Your Highness,
I am here to seek your forgiveness
What sin / crime have you commited that require forgiveness?
In fact, we the Embriodery (sewing) department misplaced the peacock threads,
we have no other option,
but to substitute with deer tail fur threads
in order to pass the quality checks,
have to invent an excuse,
I knew that
Every year the Embriodery department
will gift a suit of traditional palace custume,
but such animal fur has never been used
At the palace I did not expose you in public
because it was my birthday grand occasion,
and I did not wish to spoil the mood with any unpleasant incident.
Do you understand?
My kind Highness,
Your servant I will always remember this.
Er Ching said that earlier while waiting outside the palace,
You were waiting for someone and kept delaying your entry to present your gift, why was that so?
What were you waiting for?
Your Highness pls do not get angry,
or I would not dare say why.
I will not hold it against you, go ahead
Your Highness is held in deep affection by the emperor,
Your servant suspect that
today the Emperor will surely send his gifts
therefore I waited for your Highness to receive Emperor's gifts,
leveraging on the Emperor's "East Wind" (Good tiding),
your Highness should be in a good mood,
as such,
when I enter the palace with the bad news,
your Highness will not be furious.
What audacity!
Your servant has come prepared,
if your Highness wish to melt out punishment,
I will accept all responsibility,
do not implicate the entire haberdashery team, they are innocent,
Aren't you afraid of death?
Yes I am afraid,
but I also know it is futile to feel fear,
since life or death,
is entirely your Highness's prerogative and a quick decision,
(Crack up amused)
What a manipulative maid!
I beg your forgiveness
You counted on me being pleased with the emperor's gifts,
and using the opportunity
to divert attention from your own mistake,
this maid
is too manipulative!
If the Emperor knows about it he will be furious
However,
you lost the peacock threads,
I will have to punish you for that
The punishment is to produce another set of common wear,
using deer tail short fur threads.
Do you get that?
Yes
I have never seen
such a crafty maid before
If you like her
then summon her to Chang Chun Palace
just for entertainment
I quite like her
How about this,
when she has finished sewing the common (daily) wear
have her transferred over
However out of the blue,
there was an incident of theft in the palace,
get this incident investigated.
You are so lucky
to say that before the Highness
If it was me
my knees would buckle out of fear
Chi Xiang
Be meticulous in future
must not make any more mistakes
Ying Luo
I have a question for you
Why do you tell Her Highness the truth
I told her the truth voluntarily
It's better than she finding out from somebody else in future
But I still feel that
this is extremely risky
If Her Highness is like what Zhang Mo Mo said,
a gentle and benevolent Empress with oversight of the 6 palaces,
then I had won myself a chance of survival
As long the risky situation is managed well
it becomes an opportunity for advancement
By actively admitting my mistake
and all the little childish tricks
exposing them before her
maybe I can win her over
What do you plan to do now?
I am thinking of going to Chang Chun palace
whatever for?
Fuzha (loyal palace guard) is the Empress's brother
me at Chang Chun palace
naturally will have more chance meetings with him
Are you not interested in Pang Long?
I was only fooling you!
Have you heard
the Empress likes Ying Luo
Supervisor Wu instructed Zhang Mo Mo
to transfer Ying Luo to Chang Chun palace!
so as to wait upon the Empress
what luck she has!
Yes it is enviable but
I do not have such courage as her
to speak such outrageous words in the palace
and regardless
it was a disaster turned blessing
Ling Rong, such a pity for you
Why is that so
Of course it's a pity
in terms of look, and embroidery skill,
you are as good as her
but Zhang Mo Mo
is just so biased
If it had been you who presented the gift
going to Chang Chun palace now
Ying Luo does not stand a chance
anyway it is good she is gone
you (Ling Rong) have a chance to show yourself
in future all of us depend on you. (Chorus: Yes!)
this cloth is so silky, more smooth than my hands
of course
this is imported goods from Jiang Nam
Ying Luo is so lucky
Let me touch. I want to touch too, for auspiciousness
before I Ieave Embroidery
must find a way to catch the thief
Alright stop touching
these are all the gifts from the Empress
If any slightest damage,
we'll be accused of disrespect
Be careful not to damage
Huh, so petty
Ying Luo is right
gifts from the Highness
must treat with utmost care. Let me help you to pack.
Alright, all packed away.
Ling Rong
the person who stole the peacock threads
is you, right?
Ying Luo
What are you saying!
Firstly,
someone with the opportunity to use the coal-pot to cause a commotion
has to be a maid from the Embriodery team,
secondly,
intentionally pick a time when I was not watching over the peacock threads
and chose to act when Chi Xiang is around
this person (the thief) must know both of us (our relationship)
very well
thirdly, Embriodery team unable to present the expected gift,
all maids will be punished,
unless someone intensely hate me
will not resort to this sabotage act
First attempt failed, you will resort to a second attempt
That's why ...
I intentionally ask to have the gifts packed and stored,
to lure out the thief
Ying Luo
I have never seen such beautiful gifts
I know...that you've always dislike me,
that's why I only dare choose a time when no one is watching,
I only wanted to admire the gifts quietly, how can you say I am a thief?
It wasn't you? Who could it be then?
It wasn't me
who was it then
all my life since I was a child
no one has ever accused me unfairly
and you accused me of stealing
I will die to prove my innocence!
all of you have to believe me
it really wasn't me!
Ying Luo, you are too much
Ling Rong just want to touch
it is not as if she has committed serious crime
how can you bully her like this
based on what do you accuse her
Ying Luo
I think it is not Ling Rong either
maybe there is a misunderstanding
Whatever one is doing
the heaven is watching
I do hope too that you are innocent
Supervisor Wu
where is supervisor Wu going? He seems to be in such a hurry...
what's up?
It's rumoured that supervisor Wu is taking Zhang MoMo
to help track down the thief who stole the peacock threads
do you think they will succeed?
Until they find the thief
supervisor Wu will not give up easily
How do you manage to get a bowl of noodles?
I exchanged this for some haberdashery with the kitchen
its your birthday treat
How do you know its my birthday today?
When the eunuch in charge read out the name list
didn't he announce and confirm our birth dates
and you actually remember!
You were just standing next to me
When you leave for Chang Chun palace
I will not be able to see you often
JiXiang
You have to be vigilant
and feel free to discuss any matters with me
Remember this
absolutely be very alert and careful
Only my grandma had shown me such concern
I am missing her
I miss my sister too
You have a sister?
I've never heard you mention her
She is no more alive
Ying Luo I am sorrry
It's alright
No matter where I am
I can feel sister's presence with me
In which case
let us take care and look out for each other
just like sisters do
Sure, watch out for each other
here
have this handkerchief
JiXiang
wish you many birthdays to come
Thank you. Wah it is so beautiful.
I will cherish it greatly
have your noodles
I have work to do
I have to go
certainly
Jixiang, do you detest me
before we enter the palace we were on good terms
but now we grew apart
you blame me for picking on Ying Luo
however
put yourself in my shoe
where embroidery is concerned, I am not inferior to her
but Zhang MoMo is always inclined towards her
it's natural for me to feel scarred
But even then, you should not always target her
I know I am in the wrong
Ying Luo hates me,
now you too, giving me cold shoulder
I am regretful
Jixiang, your step mother used to treat you mean
and my mum took you home and offered you food
our friendship
were like that of sisters from our childhood
even though I had made some mistakes
will you not forgive me?
Do you promise not to cause more troubles?
I swear to heaven, if ever I have any ill intention
heaven will punish me severely
with a horrible death
Oh no don't say such inauspicious words
So, will you forgive me then?
Oh yes, it's your birthday today
I so happen to have a present for you
Really? where is it?
Why so mysterious
I wonder what is that Ling Rong is giving me
huh?
Jixiang
Yes supervisor Wu
I said, how could it be that the thief is not found
it is not like he could fly away or sneak into the ground,
well, in fact the truth is, the thief is in plain sight
a maggot in the Embroidery team seeking revolt
Supervisor Wu, what are you saying
What I said
will be plain when you unfold the satchet
Isn't this what you stole?
No, supervisor Wu
what thief will confess to their own theft
It's Ling Rong
she said she has a birthday present for me
Shut up!
It's nonsense
I seriously did not steal this supervisor Wu
Not me!
Zhang MoMo I did not steal this
Zhang MoMo you have to believe me
Jixiang
Jixiang has always been honest and truthful,
she will definitely not perform theft
I am afraid this is a misunderstanding
how about you investigate further
Nothing more to investigate
thief and loot both caught together
furthermore, Empress gave only 2 days deadline
now that the thief is caught
we can report the case closed
Zhang MoMo
pls do not expand the scope (create side issues)
understand?
Supervisor Wu
how do you plan to handle this then?
stealing peacock feather threads
yawn...
death by beating naturally
Ling Rong, stop your crying
Look your eyes are swollen
I grew up with Jixiang together
I really cannot believe it
that she is such a person (who steals)
I am sure something is wrong
[Staring at empty seat]
Her best friend is gone
and not a single tear drop!
as the proverb goes;
"Time will show a person's true color."
at times like this
one sees who has true feelings
even if Jixiang has indeed done wrong
but she was a sincere friend
and when she was late for meals, Jixiang even kept her own food for her (Ying Luo)
She (Ying Luo) is just so cold and heartless
Yes agree, surprised to see that she is such a person!
Take a look yourself
The stitches and color combination are all wrong!
I am sorry Zhang MoMo, I will redo
Do you know what material this is
not one that allows you to unpick and redo!
I am really disappointed in you
Ying Luo has too much work recently
and made accidental mistakes due to lack of focus / concentration
Zhang MoMo
Pls do not mind her too much
if there is any work, assign them to me!
Ling Rong
she showed you faces
We came into the palace together, we should help out each other
Who doesn't make careless mistakes sometimes? Should one not help?
Alright
Do this again properly
But if this poor workmanship happens again, I will not let it go easily.
Yes.
Ying Luo let me help you.
There is no need.
Why so careless
Ying Luo
They all say that you are heartless
but I know
that Jixiang's death, has also caused you sorrow
Jixiang is not the thief
she was framed, and I will find out who framed her.
I do not believe either
but we have to accept the facts
Well then you tell me
why would Jixiang wants to steal the peacock feather threads
Jixiang's mother passed away early
and her dad remarried
she was brought up by her grandma from young
recently
her grandma was gravely ill
she was trying to raise fund for medical
So she was raising fund for the medicine?
Act. Carry on acting...
Sooner or later I will find the murderer who despised Jixiang
and clear her name
just wait and see
The embroidery official in charge of the Emperor's casual wear has taken ill
she has a set of robe yet to be delivered
we need someone to help out
to complete the rest of the work
Zhang MoMo, may I?
Zhang MoMo, I will do
Zhang MoMo, let me have it
Pass to you? Can you do it?
Casual wear is not as elaborate as dragon robe and official palace wear
furthermore my embriodery skills has recently
improved greatly
Zhang MoMo
Usually these sort of work were assigned to me
the quality of the sewing
depends on individual capability
since you were so keen to do this
why not we both have a competition
To think that your prejudice against me
is so deep rooted
Just tell it
dare to compete or not
Yes, what's the big deal
Ling Rong, accept her challenge
Ying Luo, go for it! (Fighting!)
Ying Luo, we support you!
Fine, if you wish to compete
be my guest
alright then, in 3 days time
I judge only base on final product
to see whoever's embriodery skill is better
The stitches on this clothing is so beautiful. The stitches on the seam are just as good.
I am only half way through
You wish to beat me with just that?
Ying Luo, watch what you say
Just like painting, a dragon's eyes are the most important part
Dragon eyes should be lively and full of spirit
You...are you good enough to sew that?
Ling Rong is not done with her sewing
how do you know she cannot do it?
Good, we shall see.
Ying Luo is not back yet
Look at her. Our usual workload
are the spring wear for the courtesans, servants and maids
or at most,
sewing clothes for the concubines,
but never work (clothes) for Yan Seng Palace (for the Emperor)
all that were assigned to very experienced sewing experts
looks like she is determined to beat Ling Rong
Ling Rong
That dragon was really amazing
majestic and regal
so very life-like
Yes, your embroidery skills
gets better and better!
show us how to do it!
Well I just did my best
Ling Rong
Where is my sewing?
What do you mean
When I got out of bed
I discover my sewing has been swapped
this sewing is obviously not mine
Ying Luo, you are confusing me
this...isn't this your sewing?
Whose sewing is this then?
Ying Lao, Ling Rong handed her sewing to Zhang MoMo,
and she was very satisfied
and delivered it to Yan Sheng palace immediately
If you lose, you lose, be a good sport and accept that
Yes exactly. Absent minded everyday,
cannot meet the timeline herself,
and want to shift blame onto others
Ling Rong,
do you dare to swear by the heavens
that the clothing you handed over to Zhang MoMo
was your own work?
Yes I swear by the heavens, it was my work!
Very good then
Ling Rong, ignore her, she was simply envious of you
Why can't I locate her! (referring to the palace maid whom he has been tasked to locate and identify)
Say, do you think she has supernatural power (in disappearance)
Supervisor Li you must be kidding
who on this earth
have such supernatural disappearing power
Well then why can I not find her
The Forbidden city is crowded
not finding her is normal
To be assigned this task
I had thought will be a sure chance for reward
who knows, instead of reward,
I have become a laughing stock
This is Chong Yong Dai's submission
take a look
Your Majesty
this is Chong Yong Dai's request to impeach chief of army Er-Sung
accusing him of taking bribe of ten thousand taels of silver pieces
Not only Er-Sung, he also accused Chan Ting Yue
Do you not notice anything strange?
Chong Yong Dai is a follower (supporter) of Wu-Er-Tai
(a wealthy and well known political figure)
Correct
therefore this impeachment request
is Wu-Er-Tai explicitly declaring war on Chan Ting Yue
and using me as his sword
Both Chan Ting Yue and Wu-Er-Tai
are high ranking officers during your father's reign
this matter must be carefully weighed and not rushed
Precisely because they were father's indispensable officers
I have been patient and tolerant
but what have they achieved?
Last year the Joint Chief of Staff (Lui)
had requested impeachment of Chan Ting Yue
citing Tong Chen and Chang Yao
occupied half of Xiang Shen Ru (place name)
I thought he was exaggerating then
But now it appears
there were definite truths there
as for Wu-Er-Tai
his second son Er-Sung
as soon as his first wife passed away
he married a well educated socialite immediately
and became a relation of Consort Gui
what do you say is he up to?
Your Majesty
at present most Hans are followers of Chan Ting Yue
while the Manchu lean towards Wu-Er-Tai
Not only the high ranking officers
even the various regional governors are taking their stand
such that Wu-Er-Tai and Chan Ting Yue know that
they need to bid their time before making any moves
But I have waited long enough!
Your Majesty, do not be angry!
Saying goes, "To catch a thief (or criminal), first apprehend the mastermind"
I want to call a meeting of all relations,
Professor Wu-Er-Tai
Chan Ting Yue, Shu-Pen
and question/ interrogate all in one sitting
first I will deal with Er-Sung
Ouch
Your Highness I beg your pardon!
what is this?
a needle?
Your Majesty,
could have been a careless mistake and
not an intentional attack
Your Majesty please do not be angry
this batch of maids are all useless idiots
to cause such injury to the Majesty!
Your Majesty
Your servant have been negligent
This is unthinkable
you have been too lax and careless
go and get those responsible!
all who were involved
to be punished without exception!
Supervisor Wu
this is Ling Rong
Take her away
Supervisor Wu
Supervisor Wu,
what wrong have I done
What wrong have you done?
what do you think?
having the honor to sew the clothes for the Emperor
how dare you be so careless as to leave a needle at the collar
do you know what this means
in the worst case, could be construed as a deliberate attempt on the Emperor's life
and all of us have our heads taken off
A sewing needle
I have no idea
It's Ying Luo
it was she who made the clothes!
definitely she was careless
and left the needle in the clothes!
Ying Luo, quick, tell supervisor Wu
the clothes was sewn by you
you were careless, and left the needle, it was purely a careless mistake
it wasn't me, it wasn't me
Supervisor Wu,
indeed it was Ling Rong who sew the clothes by her own hands
and she passed it to me personally
no doubt about that
Drag her away!
Supervisor Wu
really wasn't me
MoMo
not me...
For a maid charged and jailed
to receive a visitor
is indeed very rare
however, there is no such practice to allow visitor here, pls go back!
Gong Gong (a respectful greeting)
Just a quick stop (he opened his palm)
will not cause you any delay
Lets go and have a break (a cup of tea)
You! It's you! You framed me!
No, not me.
I've been preoccupied and thinking about Jixiang's death
and absent-mindedly left the needle behind
before delivery
I would have checked
but you were too anxious to pass it off as your own
or perhaps
it was Jixiang punishing you
I have absolutely no idea what you are saying
You killed Jixiang
No, I did not
I did not
Jixiang
would never steal
it was you
who stole the peacock feather threads
and then, afraid that supervisor Wu might uncover the truth
and to find an escape route
you tricked Jixiang
to go to the Embriodery work area at night
such that both she and the stolen goods were captured
that day happened to be Jixiang's birthday
I suspect (guess) you must have told her
that you have hidden a present
to give her a surprise
but Jixiang was naive
she would never have imagined
such despicable trickery you would deploy
to make her the apparent culprit
Nonsense! You have no evidence!
Under the present circumstances,
is there any necessity to hide the truth?
Yeah right
I let Jixiang take the blame for me
She was so stupid She deserved to die anyhow
You want to frame me
to get revenge for Jixiang, right?
Ha, it was only a careless mistake.
The emperor has declared the punishment
Eighty strokes with a stick
Exiled to Ning Guta (place name)
Never to return to the Capital.