Story of Yanxi Palace 21
Counting the jewelries is the job the Empress assigned you to do
Didn't you take the job back?
You're nowhere to be seen as well.
And now you're absolving yourself from responsibilities
No way
I tell you
The Empress Dowager has longed for this Buddha's relic a long time ago
Let alone you and me, even the Empress
will get implicated wrongly
Who said I am shirking the responsibility?
Zhenzhu (Pearl)
Who was the first to come back to the east secondary room just now?
It was me.
It's all my fault.
I thought the Qianqing Palace had strict security
No one would dare to steal the Emperor's presents That's why I ran outside to watch the fireworks with everyone.
It turned out that not long after I was outside, I saw Mingyu
and she scolded me.
Then I came back straight away
Did you notice anything strange?
I think I saw someone walking away
You saw the thief?
Who was it?
I...I...Speak it out quickly
Zhenzhu (Pearl)
Think about it clearly
Who was it?
She seemed to be Shu Guiren (Rank 6).
Good
You come with me to find her.
Stand there. What will you tell Shu Guiren (Rank 6) when you see her?
Zhenzhu has witnessed it. It must be Shu Guiren who stole the Buddha Lotus.
The Buddha Lotus was Shu Guiren's gift.
Why would she steal it when it was not guarded?
What's more important,
when the fireworks started
all the candle lights in the corridor was out.
Just based on some maid's testimony, who would believe it?
But at that time the firework was lighting up in the sky
I saw it very clearly.
I believe you didn't recognize the wrong person,
but we don't have evidence yet.
In such limited time, the person who stole it doesn't have time to transfer it outside.
What's more, the Buddha Lotus is incredibly valuable, it will not be handled randomly.
Very possible she still has it on her now.
We must report it to the Emperor.
So what if we report to the Emperor?
Will the Emperor give the order to search her?
This doesn't work out, that doesn't work out.
The Buddha Relic that the Empress Dowager always wanted was lost like that.
How will the Emperor forgive easily?
Even the Empress ask for mercy for us, you and I will definitely face severe penalty.
Now that I think about it,
it's all you fault, Zhenzhu.
It's useless to blame her.
If she has planned for it long ago,
even if Zhenzhu was present, Zhenzhu would've been sent away from the place.
The only option we have,
is to take the Buddha Lotus back before the Family Feast is finished.
How is it possible?
Doing our best
is better than doing nothing.
Mingyu, I know you hate me a lot,
But this matter concerns our lives.
Are you willing to put away your prejudice and help me save our lives?
Alright.
If you could reverse this situation,
I will help you this time.
Hailancha, convene everyone immediately and seal off the Qianqing Palace.
Forbid anyone from entering or leaving easily
Empress, I have something important to report
What is it?
What?
Empress
What has happened?
Emperor
the last show is always acrobatics performance every year,
Why not change to something new this year?
Empress, do you have any suggestions?
Her Majesty
The Logistics Department worried that masters were fed up with old performances and would feel bored,
has prepared a new performance.
This year, let our Changchun Palace
perform and celebrate the emperor 's birthday.
Get started.
It's just normal tricks from folk
How could you dare to perform it in the imperial palace?
To watch small tricks occasionally, is quite interesting.
I am aware this trick is simple and not delicate,
so it is only for the opening.
What I actually intendto perform today,
Telekinesis (move objects by mind)
Telekinesis?
look over there
The glaze Buddha tower?
The glaze Buddha tower is supposed to be with the other presents
in the east secondary room. Why is it here?
What telekinesis?
It's just a blindfolding trick.
To hide this Buddha tower inside the sleeve
When everyone's attention is on the yellow cloth
Then move it out quietly
Something's wrong
Where's the Buddha Relic in the Buddha tower?
Right. Where's the Buddha Relic in the tower?
The magic trick is good.
But how come the most valuable treasure got lost?
No need to worry, everyone.
I was worried that the transfer wouldn't work
so I intentionally transferred the Buddha Relic by its own
Then where is the Buddha Relic now?
It is...
on Shu Guiren
Don't speak nonsense. How would it be on me?
True
It wasn't possible before,
but it's me who put it on Guiren (Rank 6) on purpose
Wei Yingluo
You never came close to me How did you place it?
If I had to come close the person to put the item on you
Why would this be called "telekinesis"?
Shu Guiren
Please check carefully
the Buddha Relic
must be on you
How rude
I just want to take the Buddha Lotus back
How is it rude?
Since the treasure has been given away
it now belongs to the emperor
Do you regret giving it away?
You...
Don't move.
the Buddha Lotus
My gosh
This is so magical. It was indeed on Sister
I didn't see it very clearly just now
You perform it one more time. Is it okay?
I can't.
The same trick shouldn't be performed twice on the same day.
This is the rules
Even though I only learned some easy tricks
from old artists under the bridge
I still have to abide by the rules
Qing Changzai (Rank 7), I am very sorry and have to ask for your forgiveness
Wei Yingluo
You're impressive
I just wanted to celebrate the emperor's royal birthday
I dare not to ask for credit
Shu Guiren doesn't have to reward me
A good performance,
has to be rewarded
If so,
I thank Shu Guiren then.
Long live the emperor
Good. Good magic trick.
I dare to ask Shu Guiren, did I offend you anywhere?
You didn't.
Then why did Guiren do this?
It's just a worthless life.
It's just like...
It's just like a wild dog on the roadside.
I could kill when I am willing to. Does it need reasons?
This is too much.
The Changchun Palace is indeed a strange place
A vicious dog just came to bark on people
then came another one.
That's rare
I am sorry
The emperor flipped my name plate today
I... have to go back to prepare
The two of you
just keep barking at each other, kay?
why'd you stop me?
I have to settle this with her.
Didn't she say it already?
We're just vicious dogs from the Changchun Palace.
We could be killed out of nowhere. Don't even need reasons.
Even though we're servants, we're still human beings.
You allowed her to badmouth us like that?
You want revenge?
I just wish I could kick her from the Qianqing Palace. Hard.
To hit a snake, you have to hit it on the seven-inch spot.
To retaliate against someone,
the best method is to take away what she wants the most.
What do you mean by that?
Shu Guiren
Isn't she about to sleep with the emperor tonight?
Listen to yourself. We're just little maids,
how could we influence the emperor to flip whose name plate.
Do you want to cooperate with me one more time?
Hasn't the Buddha Lotus been taken back successfully? You should be delighted.
Why are you still sighing? She wanted to ask...
why the Empress didn't offer the painting of Goddess Luo today
I am the Empress after all
It is alright to enjoy and admire privately
To offer the painting of the beauty publicly...
seems frivolous and reckless.
But my Empress...this Goddess Luo painting is so vivid,
and conveys artistic and peaceful aroma
Everyone who sees it will fall for it
You painted it meticulously and elaborately, yet you didn't give it out
Isn't this a pity?
What's to pity on? Put it away.
Her Majesty Empress
If you dress like the Goddess Luo, you must look very gorgeous as well.
What nonsense are you talking about?
Her Majesty
Yingluo made a Goddess Luo dress for you.
Now would be the perfect time to put it on.
Wouldn't it bring the painting to life?
I saw the Empress painting last time...
and I thought
I should make the same Goddess Luo dress for the Empress
It's the perfect time to put in on now. You people are being more and more ridiculous.
I dress as the Goddess Luo...How inappropriate it would be.
Erqing... Mingyu...Let's help the Empress to dress it on.
Compare with the Goddess Luo
and see who is prettier.
Alright.
Come, Empress, hurry up, Empress
Don't be ridiculous, behave.
Madam, madam
I am the Empress
No one's around
It's just us... Hurry up...
Have the three of you lost your mind?
Empress, put it on
Hurry up... Have you lost your mind?
Empress, I chose good-looking hairpin decorations for you.
Go now.
Empress
Hurry up...Hurry up...Do you people know any rules?
Are you aware what place this is? Ah?
You could ramble randomly?
Speak out. What on earth is going on?
Supervisor Li, We heard when the fireworks were lighting up,
a ray of light landed on the Changchun Palace
Now everyone is rushing to see the fairy Goddess.
Did you go crazy?
I say it's not the Goddess who landed on earth
It's you who's just blind and stupid
The Empress is so beautiful. Empress, you look so gorgeous dressing like that.
It's as if the beauty came out of the painting.
Madam, last time, you talked about story of "Huan Fei Yan Shou" -
Yang Yu Huan is alluring that caused cities collapse (exaggeration)
Zhao Fei Yan is light as a flying swallow (exaggeration) And they are both good at dancing. A beauty like that,
I have the chance to see her in person today.
But their dancing movements and postures,
I could only search and find in books
You want to see the live performance? Beg the Empress then.
Everyone said that Noble Concubine Gao (Rank 3) is so good at singing and dancing.
That's because they haven't seen the Empress back then.
How was the Empress back then?
How was it? Mingyu...
I heard old Momo say that, before the Empress was married,
she was absolutely talented and had stunning dancing skills
the Nobel Concubine's trivial skills could not compare at all
It's such a pity that after the Empress got married,
she never danced again.
Empress
I really hope I could have the chance to see you dance today
Empress, please just dance for once
Please dance. Yingluo...
Empress, none of us have ever seen you dance
Please dance just this once
Please dance, Empress...Please dance
Empress, please dance
Greetings to the Emperor
Empress doesn't need to worry about it.
I have given orders to clear the people standing outside
The news of your dance won't spread
Thank you Your Majesty
I was being indiscreet today
I have never seen you dressed like that.
You were elegant and exquisite
Different from usually
Even the Emperor is making fun of me.
I will go change this clothes
There's no rush.
I want to look at it a little bit more
This person... Beautiful. Dancing is beautiful as well.
I never could've imagined
the Empress, dressing up today,
could be this elegant
It is really stunning.
The emperor is teasing me.
I haven't danced for fourteen years.
I danced just now and found my whole body was stiff.
This can't count as a good dance
The empress is being too modest.
It was extremely hard for her to get a night with the Emperor
Now it's gone
After this, that Shu Guiren won't act so smug anymore
I haven't practiced the calligraphy task that the Empress assigned me today.
I'll go practice my calligraphy.
Everyone get back to your work.
See how cocky you look now. You almost got into big trouble today.
You have to thank Yingluo
This little kick to Shu Guiren makes me so happy
No matter what you say, I won't get mad.
You thought...she did it just to get back at Shu Guiren?
What else would it be for?
She planned this thinking ahead, and thoroughly compared to you.
Think about it carefully. The dress from today
is like custom made for the Empress
The size completely fits
An exquisite dress like that...
can't be weaved in under half a month of time
She must have been preparing for it long ago
She planned to help the Empress steal others' opportunity long ago?
You little fool
She wants to help the Empress
stay close to the Emperor, give birth to a legitimate son early, (son with wife not concubines)
If Shu Guiren wasn't overly arrogant and agressive today,
she wouldn't take it out tonight
How cunning
Guiren...
it's about time...
please go back
Get lost
Zhenzhu, you spun around so many times
Don't get dizzy
Feicui (Emerald), look
It is really quite alike
Let me teach you. Alright
What are you doing? ... Yingluo
Recently everyone loves to dress up. We're just playing with it.
The two of you...go finish your work first
If you were seen by masters, I will not beg forgiveness for you.
Right. Right. Right. We will go now
Zhenzhu, do I look like Zhao Fei Yan like this?
Yes. But you need a Divine Luo Dress.
Ask Yingluo to make one for you someday
Stand there
Yes
What is that on your forehead?
To reply to Guiren,
It's the Palace's new trend to dress up these days
So we're imitating Shouyang Princess (plum blossom on forehead)
and drew plum blossom on our foreheads
Guiren
Get lost
Yes
Madam, please wait up
I heard that the Empress dressed up as Goddess Luo
that's Madam had to wait the whole night for nothing.
Put your hands down and let me see it.
Your highness. Shu Guiren is here.
I didn't finish the job nicely
Your highness please punish me
You didn't finish the job nicely means that you're a useless person
What do I need a useless person for?
Your highness
I heard that the Empress Dowager is coming back to the Palace from Changchun Palace
So what?
Your Highness Noble Concubine (Rank 3). Please give me one more opportunity.
I guarantee you
This time I will not only get rid of that vicious dog,
the Empress will lose favor with the Empress Dowager as well.
And the Empress will always feel ashamed in front of you.
*sings* If you disappoint me
*sings* If we're not on the same page
*sings* I will
Will
*sings* I will throw you out of the Palace
*sings* break your bones into pieces and crush your body into dust
I will not let Your Highness down.
Yingluo
The Empress ordered us to accompany the Empress Dowager in the garden
The Empress Dowager has returned to the Palace? Hurry up.
The Empress is waiting for us. Be quick
Mind your step.
Okay
These days
While I prayed to the Buddha in the Changchun Palace
You had to take care of both sides.
I appreciate your effort, Empress.
To manage the Inner Palace,
and look after the Empress Dowager,
That is my job
I dare not ask credit for it.
The Empress Dowager doesn't know, but the empress has noble character, pure and elegant personality
Everyone in the Palace sees the Empress as their role model
They try to imitate the Empress's every emotion and action
to gain favor from the Emperor
The Empress is impartial
She has an elegant and decent character
In the whole Palace
If other concubines could learn thirty percent from her
I would be really satisfied.
The Empress Dowager's words
are overpraising me.
Everyone have a seat.
You don't need to be modest.
I know you the best.
The Emperor is diligent
He does everything by himself
He doesn't take care of himself well enough
In the whole Palace
there are countless trivial things,
and all types of personnel
You have to supervise those from top to bottom
Now that the Emperor can focus on national affairs
And everyone in the Palace gets along in a cozy way
That's all due to your hard work
In my point of view,
in this world
no one is more apt than you.
Ei
That day,
Nalan Guiren, the one who gave the glaze Buddha tower,
Where's she?
Shu Guiren. Hurry up, and show yourself
Greetings, Empress Dowager
To be able to find the Buddha Relic, means that you have a fateful link with Buddha
I didn't expect that,
You're actually such good-looking beauty
You're much better than your father Yongshou
To reply to the Empress Dowager,
I look more like my mother
Empress Dowager, ahead of us is the Yanhui Chamber The peony flowers are blossoming in front of the chamber
It is really beautiful
Alright. Alright.
Go have a look. What's going on? Zhilan, hurry up.
Mingyu
Hurry
Zhilan
Let me go
Zhilan
what's the rush?
Let go of me!
Let me help you wipe your sweat. Hey hey hey
Get off! You deaf?
Zhilan, don't go. Did you twist your ankle?
Let me look
I'm telling you to get lost!
I wouldn't have imitated the Empress if I knew this would happen
This is a huge mess
It's all your fault.
Why did you push her?
I was just playing with her
Who could've known she'd lose her balance?
Nevermind. Hurry up and take a look.
No no no, I don't have the nerve.
My feet are shaking
Stop it
We can't just leave her there and do nothing. Hurry
Why are you so ungrateful
I'm doing this to help you
Don't block my way. You don't understand human language huh?
Let go of me. Let go.
Such a severe incident. Blocking me is useless.
The Nobel Concubine ordered me to see what's wrong
But you always block me. What's your goal?
The Empress Dowager is here.
What on earth happened here?
To reply to the Empress Dowager,
This palace maid fell from the building and died.
Her face was severely damaged
To avoid scaring the masters
I hid her face with a handkerchief
As for why she fell,
I didn't have time to ask why Are you maids from the Yanhui Chamber?
Speak up.
The three of us are sweeping maids of the Yanhui Chamber
We were playing with each other. We didn't know she would miss a step
and suddenly fall from there
We didn't expect this to happen
and didn't react in time..
So...
This was a life.
Playing a game in such a clumsy way like kids
This is ridiculous.
The Empress Dowager is right
The three of you were on duty. You should've been doing your tasks.
Why were you playing with each other here?
Tell the truth now
If you irritate the Empress Dowager,
Beware, you'll be heavily punished
Please forgive us, Empress Dowager.
Recently everyone plays dress up games in the Palace
Everyone wants to imitate ancient beauties and play around.
We were just having fun, but got too careless
that's why,
that's why we created this enormous mishap
That's right. Your Majesty Empress Dowager.
We didn't do it on purpose. Please forgive us, Empress Dowager.
What dressing up game?
It was...
It spread from the Changchun Palace.
The Empress...
To reply to the Empress Dowager,
According to my assumption,
Just now this maid was dressing up
as Noble Concubine Yang
And accidentally fell from the Yanhui Chamber,
that's why she lost her life.
As for why she dressed up as Noble Concubine Yang,
it's probably because of the performance of Gao Guifei in
"The drunk Noble Concubine (Yang)." Too heartwarming.
all the maids are trying to imitate her
"The drunk Guifei"?
How so?
Gao Guifei sings opera in the Palace?
Damned dog of a servant
Who told you to speak nonsense here?
When did I let people imitate?
Your Highness doesn't need to say anything
You doing it in person will do. (teach by action)
Chuxiu Palace plays music everyday non-stop
Operas are performed one after another
Today is "Long Live Imperial Hall",
Tomorrow is "Farewell to the Concubine",
Especially "The drunk (Yang) Guifei" performed by Gao Guifei. This one.
The singing is perfect
The dance moves are gentle and graceful
So much that The Emperor became fond of it
And professional opera artists would admit defeat.
The maids are jealous and envious in their hearts,
they want to be like your highness Noble Concubine
to win the Emperor's affection
It's just human nature.
Mingyu
Am I right?
Yes Yes Yes
Your Majesty Empress Dowager,
yesterday I saw someone imitating Concubine Yu
Your Highness Noble Concubine,
please do not blame me for speaking it out,
"Farewell to Concubine Yu" foretells the extinction of the nation
it's really inauspicious.
Your Highness Guifei,
You should sing "The drunk (Yang) Guifei" instead
I told you to read more books when you have spare time.
Who said the Yang Guifei opera is good?
Can't you see it caused someone's death?
And also, Noble Concubine Yang died in Maweipo
The Great Tang Dynasty's fortunes declined after the "An-Shi Rebellion"
Really a pity. Not auspicious.
Not auspicious. All of them bring bad omens
Right. I didn't receive enough education.
I used to listen to people reading books
They only got to the Han Dynasty. I haven't learned about Tang Dynasty yet.
Your highness Guifei,
next time please sing "Lady General Mu Takes Command”
That look, that figure. It's so cool.
That's not okay neither.
"the drunk Guifei" caused a death,
It will be uncontrollable with sword dances
Shut up
Both of you shut your mouths
Clearly this dressing up was spread from the Changchun Palace
How could you frame the Noble Concubine?
Wei Ying Luo, do not wrongly accuse Noble Concubine here
Be careful, disasters might come from your words
The Empress doesn't know how to sing "the drunk Noble Concubine"
Nor has she dressed up as Nobel Concubine Yang in public
Why this matter has connection with her?
But there are opera performances on opera stage from Chuxiu Palace everyday
Everyone could hear it. Watching operas is only for killing time.
Not to mention Nobel Concubine
Every palace has opera performance
When the new year is approaching, there are operas one after one
How could you blame Chuxiu Palace for this matter?
Alright. All of you don't argue any more.
Empress
In this Palace when did dressing up started?
Your Majesty Empress Dowager
I...
If Empress Dowager allowed me,
I could prove it to everyone.
What evidence could you have?
How would it be like that?
Return to the palace
Empress, you do raise a good dog.
I...I...
Retreat. Stand there.
Empress, this maid fell from height for no reason.
It's strange.
We should detain these two maids
and interrogate
Come
Take them away
Empress, I am leaving now