Empress
You are the mother of the country
You are envying an uneducated palace maid
Are you crazy?
Emperor
Do you still remember?
After our big wedding
First
We paid respect to Empress Xiao Jing Xian
That time
The current's Empress Dowager
was still Consort Xi
The power of the Six Palaces
All was in the hand of Empress Xiao Jing Xian alone
Impolite
Hongli, this is the wife
your father and mother selected for you
are you satisfied?
Mother, I will always remember your kindness in my heart
Come over
This hairpin
Is my meeting gift to you
I hope that you can come to this palace often in the future
and chat with me
Thank you mother
I will remember
I will always visit the palace in the future
I have also prepared a gift for mother
It is a set of clear jade pavilion screens
I had personally embroidered the images on the screens myself
Hongli, you go visit your father
I have something to say to your wife
Yes
Kneel
I don't know what I did wrong
Mother, please explain
Copy the <> a hundred times
You will know what you did wrong
Empress Xiaojingxian has always been merciful
Why would she punish you?
Because I
Spoke a word more than the emperor
Spoke a word more?
Yes
A virtuous man's wife
speaks little
and is cautious
Your husband spoke a word
You spoke two
This is wrong
I...
I don't understand
I remembered
Empress Xiaojingxian was bestowed another honorable name
To be known as Yuzhi Cuihe
of agreeable and gentle nature
Managing women's place
To fulfill the laws of women
And so the women law-abiding
and adhering Empress
How would she ever allow
The wife of the King Bao (crown prince title)
be even more
articulate than King Bao himself
much less being care-free and undisciplined
Absurd
A man might find this absurd
But to a woman
it's virtue
Putting her husband first at all times
Always honoring her husband
Her husband's goal is her goal
These are the expectations for women
much less me
the empress, the mother of a country
a single misstep is unallowed
Otherwise, the entire Forbidden City
and the entire Qing empire
would condemn me, just as Empress Xiaojingxian did
Unconscientious
Incompetent
Empress
This was never my intention
You are the world's best empress
But your highness
I am no longer my best self
From the day I married you
I was no longer just Fucha Rongyin
My true self
is tightly trapped
Every step I take
Needs to be impeccably perfect
I must be tolerant
I must be modest
I must be virtuous
That is the perfect Empress
It's not just me
Everyone in the Forbidden City has to abide by these rules
No one's allowed a single misstep
But Yingluo is different
Only she's different
because she doesn't follow the rules
Overstepping boundaries
But
She's being herself
Wei Yingluo
is just Wei Yingluo
She is alive
She is stubborn
She is rebellious
Not like the others
Who are willing to a manipulated puppet
Your Highness
I...
Wasn't firm enough then
And so I became the way I am today
This is the reason why I want to protect Yingluo
It's like protecting a younger me
And so
You will never
Let me hurt her
Yes
I will never
This is the first time that I've gone against you
I am begging Your Highness
Let me be willful just this once
I've just realized today
That I've never really known you
Your Highness
The Department of Hard Labor
Isn't she a born rebel?
Just let her self-destruct
The Department of Hard Labor is all hard work
Miss Yingluo might not be up to task
Not up to task
She would come crying and begging
If she cries a single tear
It would prove her Empress' claims
It'd just be a simple promotion
Return to Yangxin Palace
Where's Imperial Guard Fucha?
The emperor has sent him on a task outside the palace
And so he's not here
He's not here when you need him
But everywhere when you don't
All men are worthless
Miss Mingyu
How can you say something like that?
Am I wrong?
Yingluo is sent to the Department of Hard Labor as punishment Is that humane?
I'm afriad she won't come back
If Fucha were to be here
At the very least, he'd be able to plead for her
Something happened to Yingluo?
How do you know my name?
It was embroidered on the fragrant satchel
Give that back!
Tell me what happened to Yingluo first Why.. Why would she be sent to the Department of Hard Labor
Miss Mingyu, are you okay?
I've told you before
You have delicate bones and shouldn't move too much
Are you crazy?
Miss Mingyu
This lady is a little too feisty
She must have grown up eating chili peppers
Your highness
This is such a good painting
Why don't you want it anymore
Looking at this from different angles
This orchid looks more like a leek
Your highness
plum blossoms, orchid, bamboo and chrysanthemum (the four gentlemen) The orchid is the most elegant
How would it look like leek?
Even worse than a leek
You can still eat leeks
But Consort Chun loves orchids the most
She said that the orchid are the gentlemen of flowers
Your highness
Did I say something wrong?
Confucius once said
Irises and orchids are found in valleys With no person around they don't stop being fragrant
For a gentleman to be of noble character
He would not change in spite of poverty
Is she trying to praise the orchids?
No, she is trying to praise herself
Forget about the orchids
Look at that bamboo
It's so bare, that's the point?
Doctor Shi Those scholar officials
Elevate the Four Gentlemen
They just want the world to know
Oh I have lofty morals..
Oh I'm so independent
To put it bluntly
They're just fishing compliments
and can be sold for the highest bidder
Speaking of the arts
I was trained since young
My skills are no worse than others'
But I
Just prefer singing
But we're not allowed to sing
Can't sing. Can't sing.
Even I can't sing, I refuse to paint this damn thing
Your highness
What's the matter?
Your highness, I have joyful news
Concubine Dowager Yu was struck by lightning?
Your highness
Concubine Dowager Yu's funeral is a sad affair
Where's the joy in that? This Concubine Dowager Yu was a devout Buddhist
In the end, she was still struck by lightning
That has got to be the biggest joke in the Forbidden City
Yes
If it isn't Concubine Dowager Yu
Is it Changchun Palace?
After that Weiyingluo angered the Empress
she was sent to the Department of Hard Labor
She's just an unworthy servant
Does she deserve any good news?
Without this dog watching the door
Changchun Palace is no longer untouchable
This requires long deliberation
and careful execution
There can't be any signs
Don't worry your highness. I understand
Changchung Palace
Is impenetrable even by wind
I could grow fur from waiting
And now
Things are about to get interesting in the palace
You were previously the empress' most important maid Everyone paid their respects to you wherever you went
Now that you've entered the Department of Hard Labor
You need to forget all that
Here you are
a sinner condemned to hard labor
Everyone has a role at the Department of Hard Labor
Mostly the dirty work that no one wants to do
Walk up when rooster crows and sweep the palace grounds
Cut the grasses at 3am
From dawn to dusk
You will attend to miscellaneous tasks of the different palaces
As for you
You will start from the simplest
These are waste barrel from the different palaces
You're responsible for cleaning them
Who are you
Are you the one responsible for returning waste barrels?
That person
It's weird
What's that smell
Aren't you a familiar face?
Everyone
Do you know who she is
No
Let me make a introduction
This Wei Yingluo came from Changchun Palace
She is favored by the Empress
The number one most arrogant person in the palace
How... In a blink of an eye
Did she end up here with us
That's right
Most people rise as time goes on
How did you manage to sink?
If it were me,
I'd run into a corner and die Totally
Rather than
dragging out an ignoble existence
and become a laughing stock
Wei Yingluo what are you trying to do
This is the Department of Hard Labor
And I have seniority
I'm not afraid of you
You're so scared of me
I guess you didn't forget how you got in here
You mentioning that makes me mad
If you didn't pretend to have an affair
and mislead me into tattling
Good to know that you didn't forget
It'll save me the trouble of reminding you
Wei Yingluo
Let it go. Let it go.
We will have opportunities in time.
That's right
Let's go
It's fine. We won't stoop to her level
Good night
That's just leftover charcoal from the different palaces
It's mid-summer
What do you think she's collecting charcoal for?
Need I remind you, this person is conniving
Best if you keep your distance
Lest you get implicated
Brother Yan! Brother Yan!
Brother Yan Brother Yan
Why are you ignoring me？
Brother Yan
Jinxiu, shot down again?
I have already told you
Brother Yan won't like you
Stop wasting your energy
Not like me?
Would he like you instead?
Based on your looks?
We aren't blind
Who doesn't know that Brother Yan's handsome
But he's colder than ice
All the girls who's entered the Department had tried
They were all shot down
What makes you different?
That he would look at you differently? I'm different from the rest of you
I'm younger and prettier
Laugh?
I hope you become a laughing stock
All of the girls at the department say that You don't talk to them
Are you mute?
I forgot
Mutes can't enter the Palace
You carry night soil here every day
And I scrub the waste barrels
I guess that makes us colleagues
Where aren't you speaking a word to me
All the girls say they like you
They say you're handsome
I think so too
I've been in forbidden city for so long
and had never seen such a handsome eunuch
Why did you hit me
You think I want to talk to you?
I work so hard every day
And everyone else ignores me
I'm only talking to you so I don't go crazy
But
Jinxiu used to hanker after Fucha
Imperial Guard Fucha. Do you know who he is?
He is the Empress' brother
An imperial guard of the inner Palace
But back then
Jinxiu didn't seem to pester him as much
It's hard to tell
If she really likes you
You're not getting food?
There'll be nothing left after lunch hour
I got you one
It wasn't easy to get hold of this
This is
Your highness, you have forgotten
This is a jade piece you used to wear as a girl
It wasn't worth a lot of money
and is a sentimental object
So we didn't try to sell it the last time
Quick， help me get ready I want to go to Shoukang Palace and give Concubine Dowager Yu my respects
Your highness
You must not do that
Concubine Dowager Yu was punished by having
Even the Empress was stopped by the Emperor from visiting
What are you going for?
Hurry up. Stop nagging
Yes
King He
Please accept my condolences
In the large Forbidden City
with two palaces filled with concubines
They all say my mother was punished by heaven
And that she's a villain
To be avoided like plague
Why are you here
It's not unusual to have lightning strike in the Forbidden City in the summer
and for it to burn down a palace hall
This is just an unfortunate accident
Furthermore we must respect the dead
It is the right etiquette to do so
I'm only here to burn incense
and to spare some kind thoughts
Your highness take care of your health
It's nothing
You've been mourning at Shoukang Palace for so many days And no one can get you to leave
You're still sick. Why are you suffering like this?
Everyone says that I'm ridiculous
And they are cruel when they speak to me
Consort Xian
You should leave
Before anyone gossips
Your highness has lost a kin
I'm going through the same thing
Please take care
If not for yourself
Do it for Concubine Dowager Yu
She loved you, her son, dearly
If you don't take care of yourself
Would she be able rest in peace?
Consort Xian
What is it Your Highness?
Young master, try one
Stop the thief
You should go back in your highness
Your highness
What did you want to go to Shoukang palace
When I was a girl, I have saved someone
and sent him home safely
But It was a long time ago
Even I forgot about it
He must have forgotten too
So I had to think of a way to remind him
Consort Xian
What is it Your Highness?
Thank you
I only know that he's ridiculous
And is to be avoided
With the emperor so beloved
Hong Zhou can only be ridiculous
The more ridiculous the better
Your highness I'm lost as to what you mean
Mistress
Consort Chun is here
She's been waiting for more than an hour
Fourth Brother
Hong Zhou
Are you okay
Hong Zhou Brotherhood is more important than sword-fighting
Who gave you permission to presumptuously hurt the Fourth Prince
Mother I didn't mean to
Swords don't have eyes
Fifth Brother didn't mean to
Consort Mother Yu need not worry
The Fourth Prince is magnanimous
I will be stricter with him the future
and make sure he never offends you again
Fourth Prince, let's get your wound treated
Mother, I really didn't mean to
Scoundrel
What did I alway tell you
Hong Li is the Emperor's favorite
He has already chosen Hong Li as his heir to the empire
What you did today could kill the both of us
You know that?
Whatever I've told you
You've forgotten
Did it all leave your brain?
We are all his sons
We are all Qing Princes
On what grounds must I always give in?
On what grounds?
Hong Zhou
Mother knows that your talents are extraordinary
But
You are not the emperor's chosen heir
If you continue trying to compete
You'll live a painful life
I don't need you to be influential or illustrious
I just need you to stay alive
Mother wants to protect you
You know that right?
Hong Zhou
Mother is begging you
Give up
This is mine What should I give it up?
Consort Xian
I heard that Concubine Jia's sister is entering the palace
You should look out for yourself
Look out for myself？
When she enters the palace
She will try all means to get Yongcheng
After all
That's the reason she's here
So long as Yongcheng lives well
Does it matter who takes care of him
You might say that
But you should really plan for yourself
To say something unpleasant
You've been here for so many years
And have nothing to show for it
Without any descendents
What will happen to you?
Look at Concubine Dowager Guo and Concubine Dowager Yu
Even though
They're both the late Emperor's consorts
One died mournfully
The other, though punished by heaven
She still had a son to give her a proper burial
That radically different
Sister, you sure know how to plan for me
Why don't you take advantage of your youth
and plan for yourself
I have followed the empress my whole life
I plan to treat the Empress' sons as my own
I only hope that
When it's my time to leave
Someone would remember my sincerity
and offer me some incense
If so, I'll be content
Sister is so loyal to the Empress
It is truly commendable
Loyal
Yes
It is loyalty
Sister, I win
I lost my thought for one moment
and misplaced a tile
and lost the whole game
Sister
That was a good match
Yingluo
Your Highness
I enjoy this tea very much
It has sweet and sour notes
What did you put in there
Yingluo had left me a note
saying that pregnancy will change your taste
With instructions to stop using tea leaves
and to add sour plums into your water
Your Highness
Can she ever return?
You never seemed to like her
She fought with me everyday
But it brought some excitement
It's so quiet after she left
I'm not used to it
It's just that I...
Can't let her return
I don't know if
Fuheng knows what happened
The Forbidden City is locked for the day
You can't enter
I won't let myself be discovered
Fuheng, I've checked
This was the Empress' order
You can disobey orders
Fuheng
Stubborn
Why can't I just get this clean
Why are you here
Come with me
What?
Fuheng
I want to bring you to see the Emperor
and ask him to get married
I'm not going
Yingluo
I don't want you to stay at a place like this The Emperor has already said
He will have my head if I get too close to you
Did you think that I would give up my life for you?
I won't let him hurt you
And then
You will anger the Emperor and be condemned
I don't want to be a sinner's wife
Unable to face the world
You're using words to hurt me and to drive me away
Isn't that right?
I have reflected on each word you've said
You regard the Empress as your benefactor
and don't wish to implicate my career
Or the Fucha Clan
So you thought of many ways to avoid me
Your type of protection
is a form of self-hurt
You don't think that
I have the courage to shoulder this burden?
Young master
You were born into a noble family
Of both martial and literary talents
And you're an imperial guard
You have a bright future
I'm not worth it
for you to give up all that I don't care about wealth and ambition
And you don't need to care
But what about your dreams?
Whenever I visited the Imperial Guard Post
I'll see your bedside table
Overflowing with military books
You want to go to war
You want to create a career for yourself
And be remembered in history
Am I right?
Why does that matter?
For a woman
You are willing to anger the Emperor
And lose great opportunities
Do you wish to live life without accomplishing anything?
With nothing to his name?
Yingluo
I just want to ask to you
You distinguish gratitude and vengeance so clearlyTake
You approached me
Tried to lure me
And you're giving up just because you say so
But what do you owe my feelings?
But what do you owe my heart?
How would you make it up to me?
You can't
Can't you?
Why don't you spend your life repaying me
You want me to return the favor
Don't you?
I'll return it
What are you doing?
Did you want me to return the favor
I'm returning it
You are really capable of doing anything
Do you know the punishment for misconduct?
I rather die than to owe any favors
You are really the most vicious woman I've ever met
Maybe
You think that I reek now
That's not my fault
You really think that I'm a gentleman?
And that I'm helpless around you
Let me tell you
A gentleman is a man too
You are mistaken