Subtitles brought to you by The Gentle Empress Team @ Viki.
Watching the person in the mirror's countenance pale and grow haggard,
Examining love together with regret, both new and old.
Keeping watch still by a lantern though it is daybreak, drenched with tears,
Watching others meet as promised, as twilight falls.
Story of Yanxi PalaceEpisode 13
Young Master.
You... What are you doing?
Why did you fool Hailancha?
Are you scheming something again?
Tell me, what really is your motive?
It's very painful!
Let go of me!
I don't understand what you're saying.
Wei Yingluo, stop pretending.
That fox skin you gave has a black spot on its tail par.
But I remember that Xueqiu is white all over.
I'm sure that you tampered with it.
Say it. Why did you do that?
Are you planning to frame Hailan Cha?
No!
I really am not!
I don't believe you. Come with me to see His Majesty now.
Xueqiu. Don't bark.
Why is it here?
Young Master...
Dog is just an animal.
It doesn't know to discern right from wrong.
If it meets a good master, it will guard your home and courtyard.
If it meets a bad master, it will only get harmed and used.
I don't want Xueqiu to innocently die like that.
Hence, I switched it and secretly cared for it here.
Now...can you let go of me?
Sorry.
Sorry...
Sorry.
Give it to me.
Why?
How big is Forbidden City?
If it gets discovered, you'll be sentenced for deceiving the emperor.
Don't you want your live anymore?
But you still mustn't kill it.
Who said that I'm killing it?
I'll personally take it out of the palace.
Really?
Young Master, can you promise me one thing?
What?
Find Xueqiu a master that will truly care for it.
Okay. I promise you.
Young Master, you're such a good person.
Xueqiu, you heard that?
Young Master Fuheng said that he'll take you out of the palace.
Are you happy?
Your wrist...
Young Master, you exerted too much strength earlier.
Look. My wrist is all red.
Sorry. I was too suspicious.
I now believe that you didn't mean to do it.
What?
Nothing.
Young Master...
If you can blow it for me, my wrist won't hurt anymore.
Sorry. You're too close to me.
It's inappropriate!
I remember it very clearly.
After entering Forbidden City, my knees seem to be not mine anymore.
No matter if it's in the fake mountain or on the stone paths,
as long as I meet the masters, I would automatically kneel.
Momo.
Try putting this cover or your knees.
See if it's more comfortable.
Your hands are really skillful.
I also just saw those eunuch wearing them.
I just couldn't find a good animal skin.
Once I was able to get one, I'll change that.
What's wrong?
Yingluo, Xueqiu's skin is clearly white all over.
Why did you choose one with a flaw on it.
Because Imperial Guard Suolun and Fuheng are good friends.
I don't understand anymore.
Imperial Guard Suolun is careless and negligent, while Fuheng is very smart.
He surely will quickly notice that I tampered with it and had saved Xueqiu.
But why do you want him to find out?
Last time, I gave him a hog bladder.
Although I bluffed my way out, once he was able to think about it,
he surely will get suspicious. How then can I eliminate his suspicion?
Only by making him feel that I'm kind
and safe to be with.
Momo, I'm very evil to begin with.
Just to seek vengeance for sister, I will get more evil.
Don't advise me against it anymore. I will never change.
How could an evil person repeatedly save Noble Lady Yu?
Even to the point of not hesitating to be enemies with Noble Consort Gao.
How could an evil person save Xueqiu,
even saving her own meals just to feed it?
Just to clear myself from my crime,
I used a dog. Of course, I would feel guilty.
Yingluo,
in this Forbidden City,
if you want to be evil, then you should make it complete.
Tough mouth but soft heart, leaving some kindness behind,
would instead lead to greater disaster.
[Chuxiu Palace]
What is this?!
Your Highness, that is the West Lake longjing tea that the Imperial Household Department has sent earlier.
I've always loved drinking yunwu tea and everyone in the palace knows that.
Right now, I haven't fallen out of favor yet.
But the Imperial Tea House is already treating me this lowly.
What messed up thing did they send to brush me off?
Your Highness, please calm down. This year, there was continuous rain in Lushan and the tea roots got damaged from getting soaked.
It's not that the Tea House doesn't want to send us yunwu tea leaves, there really aren't any.
I don't believe it.
Go and get me the Tea House Head.
- This...- You're still not going to hurry?!
Yes.
Greetings, Your Highness.
You even dared to come at this time
You think you haven't caused me enough trouble?
Your Highness, everything was my fault.
I belittled that servant too much.
Please forgive me just this time. I'm willing to repay you with the best that I can.
Your Highness.
Why are you still not leaving?
Can't I order you around now?!
I dare not. When I just got out of the gates, I bumped into the messenger eunuch
of Prince Yi of the First Rank.
What did he say?
Reply to Prince Yi of the First Rank
that he can just handle it according to the law.
Just relay my words to him.
He would then understand what to do.
Yes.
I can forgive you.
It's just that flea from Changchun Palace that kept jumping to and from
is really such an eyesore.
As long as Your Highness is willing to forgive me this once,
I surely will make amends for my mistake.
Your Highness, what are you thinking?
I'm worried about Changshou. He's sick while in prison.
No one's taking care of him.
We've sent the money out.
Madam will surely think of a way to let the doctor see him in prison.
Be at ease.
Changshou is indeed a good-for-nothing.
Always creating troubles.
But he's still my biological brother.
When we're growing up,
he'd always protect and respect me.
When he knew that I'm going to be married off to the manor of Prince Bao of the First Rank,
he cried until his eyes were red.
He kept asking to come with me.
Afterwards, he got a hard beating from father.
While limping,
he came to send my carriage off.
When I refused to ask for leniency for him this time,
maybe he would blame me.
Your Highness, you've done everything that you can do.
Young Master knows about your heart. He won't blame you.
I'm only looking forward that Changxiu can get better soon.
He will. He surely will.
Are you looking forward for Changshou to get better
and continue destroying my empire?
Greetings, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty, why did you come?
I didn't even go out to welcome you. Please forgive me.
You still haven't answered my question.
Your Majesty, Changshou is too young.
Because of a thoughtless moment, he committed a mistake.
But I know the laws, so I won't beg for leniency.
I'm just worried of his suffering in prison.
This is just normal human behavior. Your Majesty, why must you strongly denounce it?
Your younger brother is young and muddled.
What about that good father of yours?
Are you going to say that he's too old
that's why, he's more muddled?
Your Majesty, my father
has always did his duty with fairness, just, and cautiousness.
The only criticism about him is he wasn't strict in disciplining his son.
Why then did you say such a thing?
Today, Prince Yi of the First Rank submitted a memorial saying that your father,
Naerbu, personally offered him some silver.
Impossible!
Why would he give Prince Yi of the First Rank silver?
Because I ordered Prince Yi of the First Rank to join the public trial.
Naerbu requested Prince Yi of the First Rank
to be lenient in sentencing Changshou.
Your Majesty, my father is so honest and just.
Where will he get the silver to bribe anyone?
Consort Xian, the silver that Naerbu gave him
was those 500 taels that Empress rewarded you during the lychee banquet.
I sent those 500 taels to them to get a doctor to treat Changshou.
You're saying that father used it to bribe people? I would never believe that even if you cane me to death.
I completely believe the character of my father. What you should be doubting
is the motive of Prince Yi of the First Rank.
Why would I suspect him?
Everyone in the imperial court knows that Prince Yi of the First Rank
is very close with the father of Noble Consort Gao.
He slandering my father of bribing
might be the instruction of some people.
Shut up.
Your Majesty, I believe that my father will never bribe anyone.
I'm willing to use my life as a guarantee.
The truth is already like this, yet you still are covering your eyes with a leaf.
Okay! I'm allowing you to go to prison
so you can ask that honest and dutiful father of yours.
You are falsely accusing a loyal subject. You surely will regret this.
Can you let us see Hoifa-Nara Changshou?
His Majesty has give orders that you can only see Naerbu.
Father!
Your Highness Consort Xian!
Father, what time is it already and you're still caring about such things.
No matter what, I'm forever your daughter.
It's His Majesty who allowed you to come here?
His Majesty let me come see you.
I...am ashamed to face His Majesty.
I indeed disappointed his graces.
Father, this isn't your mistake.
Prince Yi of the First Rank has always been colluding with the Gao family.
I also kept refusing to bow down to Noble Consort Gao.
This must be her throwing a stone to our family who's already fallen into a well.
I'm the one who dragged you down.
Father, don't worry. I surely will do my best
to clear your name.
I'll go beg His Majesty now to reopen the case and give you justice.
Don't go. You must not go.
Why?
Father.
Could you have...
I'm sorry.
I wronged our Hoifa-Nara clan!
It was all my fault. It was because of a thoughtless moment...
...I committed such a grave crime.
Father, you have always
looked down on those officials who shelters evil practices.
For 20 years, you never received any dirty money.
How could you go bribe?
How is that possible?
I also didn't want to do it,
but your mother was threatening me with her life.
She forced me to go and beg for leniency.
Finally, they spared the life of Changshou.
Changshou is my only son.
He's the only descendant of our family. Tell me, I...
Just to save Changshou,
you bribed Prince Yi of the First Rank?
What about the words you taught me before? You said that a person can lose anything
except for his conscience. You said that as an official,
you will never break the law and go against your initial character.
You don't ask for a high position or salary, for wealth or a noble status,
but just to be honest, upright, and have a guilt-free conscience.
In the palace, no matter how hard my life is,
I would follow your instructions. Now, you're telling me that
you bribed someone?
Father, I believed every word you said.
I've always been proud of you.
But today, you actually...
It was my mistake! Shushen, forgive me!
Sorry...
Help me! Save me! Shushen...
Zhen'er, let's go.
Shushen...!
Shushen, don't go! Shushen...
In this world, only you can save me now.
Shushen...
Your Highness, we're about to enter the Gate of Divine Might.
Stop crying.
Yes, I'm fine.
No need to worry.
Consort Xian, your mother is here.
Shushen!
Shushen, you're father...
It was you who forced father to beg Prince Yi of the First Rank. Am I right?
I can't watch your little brother just lose his head like that.
I also was out of methods.
I just wanted to beg Prince Yi of the First Rank to be magnanimous.
Allow that he be transferred out so he could be treated.
The prison is so dark and moist.
That's not a place for people.
How could his body take it?
For so many years, you kept pressuring father to progress in status.
Father wasn't willing to join alliances, you then forced Changshou.
Now, you've forced him into the prison.
But that's not enough, you even forced father to bribe people.
Now, even him has gone in!
This...is also not my fault.
If it's not yours, who should we blame?
Since I was little, I would hear you complain about how useless father is
or how I'm not thinking of improving my status.
We both are useless people who couldn't bring you glory and wealth.
Now, our whole family is gone. Are you satisfied?
- Am I right?- Your father has been an official all his life.
but he's still just an Assistant Captain. He's really useless.
I'm eager to excel. Although I kept blaming him,
gave him supercilious look, and ridiculed him, I still sold all my dowry
to make up for our house needs. When I go back to my maiden family
to drink some tea, I would suffer supercilious look from them.
Good thing, I was fortunate to have you.
I didn't care about your brother and gave you all the good food and clothes.
I only hoped to send you into the palace
and that you can excel.
I'm also a woman!
I want a good future. I want wealth and splendor!
Is there anything wrong with that?
I don't want to hear it anymore.
Shushen! It's all my fault! I don't want anything anymore!
I don't want wealth and splendor!
But you must not ignore your father and your little brother.
It's not that I don't want to save them.
Now that the matter has come to this,
I also can't do anything anymore.
Madam, Young Master is gone.
What?
Your Highness Consort Xian, the condition of Young Master rapidly deteriorated.
He didn't get revive.
He's dead?
Changshou is dead...
Your little brother is dead...
If you care about him,
you would have begged His Majesty.
- He then wouldn't have died in that cold prison.- Mother...
You want to be lofty.
You want to be a good person.
Even if I have committed so many mistakes,
I'm able to face the Hoira-Nala Clan.
What about you? In this Forbidden City,
you live worse than a dog!
Who can you face?
Mother...
Listen well.
Hoifa-Nara Shushen,
your family was ruined and its members died...
...all because of your fault!
The thing I regret the most in this life
is to give birth to an incompetent daughter like you!
Mother!
Someone come here! Save my mother!
Mother, it was all my fault.
Come back!
I don't want anything anymore.
Come back, mother.
Mother...
Yingluo, come write too.
Yes.
[Wei
Ying...]
My god, is that writing a word or drawing some caterpillar?
It is exactly because I couldn't write well,
that's why, I want to learn from Her Highness Empress.
You will never compare to the beautifully written words of Her Highness even if you write for a hundred years.
How could a student compare herself to her teacher?
That's disrespectful.
You're such a rascal. When did Her Highness said that she's taking you in as a student?
I was bold and said the wrong words.
Yingluo was right.
It is exactly because she doesn't know how to,
that's why, she must be diligent in practicing how to write.
Yingluo is very smart.
I believe that in the future, your handwriting will become very good.
I also am very happy to have a student like you.
Your Highness, bad news!
Chengqian Palace is in trouble.
That face of Consort Xian right now must be so good to look at!
Too bad, I'm currently reflecting.
I have no way to admire it.
Your Highness, I don't understand.
You initially could have used the bribery case of Naerbu to threaten Consort Xian.
How come you did it like this?
That woman is so stubborn.
Can being contented with poverty and striving for virtue be converted to food to eat?
I repeatedly recruited her, but she didn't appreciate it.
Why would I give her another chance?
Your Highness said it right.
That Consort Xian didn't know what's good for her. It is indeed time to teach her some lessons.
But after all, it was Empress who showed her graces first.
No matter what you do now, she wouldn't feel grateful.
Why not kill the chicken to warn the monkeys
and let the people here in Forbidden City see your methods.
Methods?
If I have methods,
I wouldn't have tolerated a lowly servant to behave atrociously.
That is because Empress kept defending that servant.
She's also a rascal who can do anything.
Because we have some qualms, we are then sparing the rat to save the dishes. (being cautious)
But...we couldn't kill her,
still someone can.
Who?
One matter shouldn't bother two masters. Your Highness, don't forget,
there's still one Prince Yi of the First Rank.
He?
Although Hongxiao inherited the nobility title of the old Prince Yi of the First Rank,
the power of the House of Prince Yi has dwindled after the death of the former emperor.
Although he is also a legitimate royal bloodline,
he was only able to became an imperial guard of Gate of Heavenly Purity,
and didn't even get promoted to an imperial bodyguard. He is bearing a huge grudge about this.
Now, he and Young Lord Gao are best friends.
He is bent on getting some promotions from you, so he surely will do everything to be on your good side.
Or else, he wouldn't have sent you the news about Naerbu.
But he is an imperial guard of the Gate of Heavenly Purity.
With so many eyes looking,
could his hands extend to the imperial harem?
Your Highness, if you're going to hit a snake, you should hit its weak spot.
I've already sent men to the Embroidery House and ask around regarding Wei Yingluo.
I discovered that she once had a scandal with an imperial guard.
Your Highness Empress, please forgive me.
When my mistress returned, she locked herself in her room and wouldn't come out regardless who calls her.
- I'll tell her now that you're here.- No.
Since Consort Xian is not in the mood,
I will not force it anymore.
You must take good care of her. Got it.
Yes.
Go now.
Let's go to Yangxin Palace.
Your Highness, why are we going to Yangxin Palace?
Naerbu bribed an official, and Consort Xian suffered because of it.
His Majesty is currently very angry about this matter.
You must not make him unhappy too.
How could I not know that His Majesty is very angry right now?
But if even I don't meddle in this matter,
Naerbu will then indeed be beyond redemption.
If he couldn't be saved, that's their family's matter.
What's that got to do with Changchun Palace, with Your Highness?
Yingluo, what is your opinion?
Your Highness Empress isn't really meddling with state affairs,
but pitying Her Highness Consort Xian.
Right. Consort Xian and I have been together for so many years.
I deeply know her personality.
She's generous and magnanimous.
She strictly adheres to the righteous principles and has helped a lot of people.
If a person like that would have this kind of fate,
isn't that the heaven being blind?
That's why, I want to help her
save her father.
Then, you must not be too frank with your words.
Don't anger His Majesty.
His Majesty is very intelligent.
If one makes circular reasoning in front of him, that's inviting trouble.
- What do you suggest then?- Of course, you should be direct and blunt.
But you must say it in another way.
You're not begging for leniency in behalf of Naerbu,
but begging for Consort Xian.
What's the difference?
The difference is very big.
Your Majesty, Her Highness Empress is here.
Greetings, Your Majesty.
Empress, why did you come here?
I heard that you've eaten a lot of lychees today
and didn't even eat much of your meal.
If you dry the leaves of the lychee and make it into tea,
it can reduce internal heat and exhaustion. Your Majesty, give it a try.
Yingluo.
If this was in the past, you surely will urge me against giving into my food cravings,
so that my health won't get affected.
How come today, you didn't mention that at all
and even made me some tea?
Of course, it's to
fawn on you and make you happy.
Why?
I...
...want to ask for leniency in behalf of Consort Xian.
Empress.
Your Majesty, I know that the imperial harem mustn't meddle with state affairs.
But I came here not for Lord Naerbu,
it's for Consort Xian.
Consort Xian entered the Manor of Prince Bao of the First Rank when she was 14.
Calculating it, it has been 9 years.
Your Majesty, a woman who has been by your side and has attended to you for 9 years,
now lost her mother and younger brother
successively. If Naerbu gets sentenced to be executed,
Consort Xian will truly become alone from now on.
Empress, I mustn't waive implementing the law just for personal reasons.
I know.
For Lord Naerbu to bribe Prince Yi of the First Rank when the wind and waves are the highest (peak of scandal)
is indeed a reckless act and unpardonable.
But Your Majesty, those 500 taels
were given by me to Consort Xian.
If that time, I instead sent the imperial physician to the prison,
maybe, the situation would be different today.
But I was worried that time
that there would be people gossiping.
Saying that I was deliberately recruiting Consort Xian to my side, hence, I showed her graces.
Never thought that because of avoiding suspicions,
it instead led to Changshou's death.
Empress, everything that happened has nothing to do with you.
Don't assume responsibility for all the offenses.
I earnestly beg Your Majesty
to give Naerbu a chance to live.
Even if it's just leaving Consort Xian some decency.
Or else, not only will Consort Xian be overwhelmed with grief that she won't desire to live anymore,
even I will feel guilty for the rest of my life.
Your Highness! Your Highness!
Your Highness, I got news from Yangxin Palace that Empress personally went there to beg for leniency.
His Majesty has agreed to pardon Master.
Get out.
- Your Highness. - I told you to go out.
Yes.
In this Forbidden City,
you lived worse than a dog!
Who can you face?
Listen well.
Our Hoira-Nala Clan getting ruined and its members dying...
...is all your fault!
The thing I regret the most in this life
is to give birth to an incompetent daughter like you!
Your Highness, where are you going to this early?
To thank Her Highness Empress for her graces.
Yes, we should indeed thank Her Highness Empress.
Greetings, Your Highness Consort Xian.
I came to greet Her Highness Empress.
Her Highness is currently reading books.
I'll take you to see her now.
Thank you, Miss Erqing.
What are you looking at? Quickly go back to work!
There's something different with Her Highness Consort Xian.
A person who is in mourning will naturally look different.
Quickly go back to work.
The matter is more or less like that.
I will go back then.
Prince Yi of the First Rank!
Prince Yi of the First Rank, who are you talking to?
That palace maid earlier looks familiar.
I lost the sheath of my fan.
I asked her if she saw it.
Really?
Are you suspecting that a distinguished Prince of the First Rank like me
will have any affairs with a palace maid?
Of course, I dare not.
Fuheng, don't think that because His Majesty favors and trusts your Fuca Clan,
you are not going to give me any importance.
I inherited my noble rank when I was 9. I'm an iron-cap prince based on the rule of nobility inheritance.
You want to surpass me?
It's too early.
Greetings, Prince Yi of the First Rank.
Get up.
Qingxi, I heard that you're preparing to get promoted.
Prince, you're joking with me. I'm currently just a second-grade imperial guard.
Who doesn't want to be on the top level?
If I recommend you,
it surely will not be difficult.
Prince, you're helping me?
As long as you help me with one task,
I'll immediately see the Grand Minister in Attendance to promote you
once you're done with it.
Don't say just one task.
Even if you ask me to go up a blade mountain or go down the sea of fire,
I will do so to repay you for appreciating my skills.
It's just stepping on a little ant to kill it.
I will just need you to exert some effort on lifting your leg.
No need for you to go up a blade mountain or go down a sea of fire.
One who owns the world is the world's master.
One who heads a country is the country's ruler.
I am already its master.
What does this mean?
I am already its master...
King Wen of Zhou saw a decaying bone by the road.
He then ordered his men to give it a proper burial.
His officer asked him, "Why must we bother with a decaying bone which no one is claiming?"
King Wen answered,
"If you're blessed to have the world, then you're the world's master.
If you have a territory, then you're that country's ruler.
Now, since I saw this bone, I then am its owner.
How could I bear to see it just exposed out here in the wilderness?
What this story means is an emperor who have the world
is responsible for the all the citizens in its territory.
He should give them adequate care.
Am I right, Your Highness Empress?
But, I'm just a lowly palace maid.
What's the use of learning grand principles like this?
Each of us have a different status and position.
We then have to bear their corresponding responsibilities. For example, the emperor.
He must be diligent in governing, love his citizens, and share his blessings to everyone.
For example, me. I should manage the six palaces and be a motherly model to the world.
And you, other than doing well on your designated duty,
what else is there that you can do for others?
I feel that just having self-discipline
is enough.
If you're lacking, then pay attention on your moral uplift despite getting isolated.
If you're eminent, share it with the world.
Let's just talk about that once I'm really well-off.
Yingluo, your elbow kept trembling.
How could you write well like that?
Whenever I lift a brush,
my elbow just involuntarily trembles.
Subtitles brought to you by The Gentle Empress Team @ Viki.
♫The Forbidden Palace's walls surround them, feeling like a good place to reside.♫
♫As the walls sever the setting sun's rays, they lose their past dreams as it grows cold.♫
♫Decaying leaves cover the neglected shuttered window, that remembers the cold winds of twenty harvests.♫
♫Knowing only how to go with the flow, and pass the years.♫
♫Unmarried and hopeful, the heavy, dark gates are locked, ♫
♫Cultivated and proud, gem-like beauties, and yet somehow♫
♫Flowers who stay may endure breakage, causing them ask to change their karma♫
♫Can not an empty branch give them a carefree place to rest upon?♫
♫Longing to be together with him, separated as the illumination in the western window declines,♫
♫At leisure to be melancholy, also perplexed and worried about it all.♫
♫A pretentious, showy vision on a stage.♫
♫Longing to be together with him, separated as the illumination in the western window declines,♫
♫At leisure to be melancholy, also perplexed and worried about it all.♫
♫Who will pity her, and record her lifetime full of misery?♫
♫A pretentious, showy vision on a stage.♫