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 Palace Episode 21
Taking inventory of the treasures was a task Empress gave you.
But you snatched it back.
You yourself disappeared too.
Now you dare to push the blame on me? Not a chance!
I tell you this.
This is the Buddhist stone Empress Dowager dearly wanted.
Not just you or I.
Even Empress will have to pay dearly for this.
Who said I am pushing off blame?
Zhenzhu, who returned to Dongci Hall first earlier?
It was me. It's all my fault.
I though Qianqing Palace had strict security and no one would dare to scheme the birthday gifts.
So I ran out to watch the fireworks with everyone.
But not long after I went out I saw Sister Mingyu.
She scolded me and I ran back.
Did you discover anything strange?
I think there was a human shadow that passed by.
Who did you see? Who was it?
I . . .
Hurry and say it.
Zhenzhu, take your time and think clearly. Who was it?
I think it was Noble Lady Shu.
Alright. Come with me to see her.
Stop. What will you say when you see Noble Lady Shu?
Zhenzhu is our witness that it was Noble Lady Shu who stole the Buddhist Lotus.
Buddhist Lotus was a tribute given by Noble Lady Shu.
Why would she steal it back when no one is looking?
More importantly, for the sake of setting off fireworks,
all the lamps in the hallway were put out.
Just by the testimony of one palace maid. Who would believe?
But at the time the fireworks were in the air and I saw clearly.
I believe you saw it correctly but we haven't the proof.
The timing is so tight so whoever stole it wouldn't have the time to sneak it out.
Furthermore, the Buddhist Lotus is so precious so it wouldn't be carelessly handled.
It's very possible that it's still on her right now. We need to report it to His Majesty.
Report and what? His Majesty will order for a body search?
This won't do and that won't do either.
Empress Dowager wanted the Buddhist stone so badly.
Now we lost it and how would His Majesty forgive easily?
Even if Empress begs for our mercy, you and I can't escape a severe punishment easily.
The more I think about it, it's all your fault.
Zhenzhu.
It's useless to blame her.
If they already plotted the scheme,
even if Zhenzhu was present at the time, they would've sent her away.
Now the only chance we have,
is to reclaim the Buddhist Lotus before the family banquet is over.
How is that possible?
Instead of waiting around, better to make the first move.
Mingyu. I know you hate me.
But this regards our life and death.
Are you willing to put away your bias and collaborate with me?
Fine. If you can get us out of this,
I'll help you once.
Sir.
Hailancha, gather everyone to seal Qianqing Palace and ban access for all.
Your Highness, there's an urgent report.
What is it?
What?
Empress. What happened?
Your Majesty, in the past years, the last performance is always a variety show.
Today, how about we switch it to something different?
Empress, what is your suggestion?
Your Highness the Empress.
might find the old uninteresting so they prepared something new.
This year, allow our Changchun Palace to show our talent.
Start.
Just a commoner's petty trick.
She dares to bring it up to the hall to show her lameness?
Watching a petty trick now and then is interesting too.
I am aware that this act is coarse,
so I only use it as the opening number.
Today what I really want to perform,
telekinesis.
Telekinesis?
Look over there.
Glazed Buddhist Tower?
Glazed Buddhist Tower should be placed at Dongci Hall along with other gifts.
How is it here?
What telekinesis?
Just a blinding trick.
Hiding this tower in her robe.
Then when others are looking elsewhere,
she sneaks it out quietly.
But no.
Where is the Buddhist stone on the glazed tower?
Yes, where is the Buddhist stone on the tower?
The trick is good but how can you lose the most precious one?
Mistresses, you needn't worry.
I was afraid my power wasn't enough.
So I moved the Buddhist stone on the tower separately.
Then, where is that Buddhist stone now?
It's precisely . . .
On Noble Lady Shu.
Don't talk nonsense. How is it on me?
Right. Originally it's impossible.
But I put it on you on purpose.
Wei Yingluo. You never came near me.
How did you place it?
If I have to be near you to move an item on you,
then it's no longer called telekinesis.
Noble Lady Shu, look carefully.
The Buddhist stone is on you for sure.
Imprudent.
I only want to reclaim the Buddhist lotus.
How am I imprudent?
Since the treasure's been sent out, it belongs to His Majesty.
Noble Lady, can't be that you can't spare to part with it?
- You! - Don't move.
Buddhist Lotus.
By goodness. That's so wondrous.
It really was on you, Sister.
I didn't see it clearly earlier. Can you perform it once again?
I can't.
The same trick can't be played twice in one day.
That is the rule of the trade.
Though I only learned two petty tricks from an old artist
under the bridge.
I sill have to abide by the rules of the trade.
Attendant Qing, I must only seek your pardon here.
Wei Yingluo. You are good.
I am only performing my duty to celebrate His Majesty's birthday and I don't dare to seek reward.
Noble Lady Shu, you don't need to reward me especially.
Your performance was good.
Naturally you should be rewarded.
In that case, I thank you, Noble Lady Shu.
Everlasting and longevity to His Majesty.
Congratulations, Your Majesty, for your everlasting life.
Good. Great performance.
I dare to ask you, Noble Lady Shu, how have I offended you?
- You never did. - Then why did you have to do this?
You're just a cheap life.
Just like . . .
Just like a wild dog on the roadside.
If I want to kill it, I kill it. Is there a reason required?
She's too much.
Wow. This Changchun Palace is such a peculiar place.
A fierce dog just came by to bark at people.
Now comes another one.
What a peculiar happening.
Sorry. His Majesty flipped my tag for tonight.
I need to go prepare well.
You two continue your barking at each other then.
Why did you stop me?
I must even the score with her.
She already said it.
We are just fierce dogs of Changchun Palace.
She can just kill us without even a reason.
Though we are slaves, we are still human.
You are just going to let her belittle you like this?
You want a revenge?
I want to throw her out of Qianqing Palace hall with one kick!
If you want to beat a snake, you have to beat it where it hurts.
If you want revenge, the best way,
is to snatch away what she wants the most.
What do you mean by that?
Noble Lady Shu is going to attend in bed tonight, right?
Look at what you're saying though. We are petty palace maids.
Are you saying we can wield His Majesty's tag flipping?
Want to collaborate with me once again?
Didn't you already succeed
in reclaiming the Buddhist Lotus? You should be happy.
- Why the sighing still? - She wants to ask.
Why didn't you present the Goddess painting today?
I am the empress after all.
I can just admire it privately.
To publicize the beauty portrait seems reckless and pretentious.
But Your Highness, this Goddess Luo painting is so artistic and vivid.
Mesmerizing completely all who see it.
You painted it with all your diligence, but you don't present it.
- Isn't that so regrettable? - What's regrettable about it?
Put it away.
Your Highness the Empress. If you dress as Goddess Luo,
- you will surely be so beautiful too. - What is that nonsense?
Your Highness. Yingluo made you a Goddess Luo dress.
It's perfect time for you to put it on now.
You'd bring this Goddess Luo to life.
What?
Yingluo saw last time how you were painting.
I thought then I should make the same exact Goddess Luo dress for your highness.
- Now you can put it on. - You are all getting so ridiculous.
I dressed as Goddess Luo? How improper!
Erqing.
Mingyu, let's help Her Highness dress.
And we will compare her with Goddess Luo to see who is prettier.
Alright. Your Highness. Come.
Stop the ridiculousness. I am the empress.
No one else is here.
- Come on. - Are you three mad?
Your Highness, put it on. Come on.
Your Highness, I picked out pretty accessories for you.
Your Highness.
Hurry.
Do you know rules or not?
Do you know where you are?
Does it allow you to roam around aimlessly?
Speak. What's the story?
Chief Eunuch Li, I heard at the fireworks,
A star befell at Changchun Palace.
Now everyone's gone there to see the fairy goddess.
Have you gone completely insane here?
The fairy goddess hasn't landed on earth.
It's your eyes and mind that have gone blind.
- So pretty. - Yes.
So pretty.
She's so beautiful.
Your Highness, you dressed like this, you are too gorgeous.
You look like a beauty walking out of the painting.
Your Highness, you talked about the story of "Chubby Huan and Skinny Yan" last time.
Yang Yu Huan was so alluring she made cities collapse.
Zhao Fei Yan was as light as a swallow. But both were dance masters.
Such beautifies. Yingluo finally gets to see one today.
But their dancing, I can only seek through the books.
If you want to witness it, you can beg her highness. Everyone says Noble Consor Gao is versed in dance and singing.
- But that's because they never saw Her Highness in the past. - Her Highness in the past what?
- What? - Mingyu.
I heard from the elder supervisor that before Her Highness married,
her talent was immense and her dancing was stunning.
Noble Consort's petty tricks can't even compare.
It's regrettable that after Her Highness married,
she never danced again.
Your Highness. Yingluo really craves to see it today.
- Your Highness, please do one dance. - Your Highness, one dance.
- Yingluo. - Your Highness.
Everyone's not seen your dance.
Please dance one.
- Dance one, Your Highness. - Your Highness, one dance.
- Dance one. - Dance one.
Dance one, Your Highness.
Your Highness, dance one.
♫ The willows of the palace wall, a jade hairpin. ♫
♫ Delicate and soft rose-tinted hands. ♫
♫ Lonesome wine locking away the Spring sorrows. ♫
♫ Matters of the past hard to bring about. ♫
♫ The willows of the palace wall, a jade hairpin. ♫
♫ Delicate and soft rose-tinted hands. ♫
♫ Lonesome wine locking away the Spring sorrows. ♫
♫ Matters of the past hard to bring about. ♫
♫ Swinging of the sleeves cannot take it away. ♫
♫ My yearning bearing such sorrow. ♫
♫ Awaken from the golden millet dream. ♫
♫ The fiddle faddle that will never end. ♫
Greetings to Your Majesty.
Bidding royal wellness to Your Majesty.
Empress, there's no need to worry. I've already sent the people outside away.
Your dance today won't be known by others.
Thank you, Your Majesty. I was too disrespectful today.
I've never seen you dressed like this.
You indeed look beautiful that's beyond this world.
Very different from your usual look.
Even Your Majesty is mocking me.
I'll go change my clothes now.
No rush. I still want to see it.
The person is beautiful. Your dance is also beautiful.
I never expected this.
Your current look is so refined.
It's really pleasantly surprising.
Your Majesty, you are kidding with me.
I've never danced for 14 years.
After dancing today, I noticed how stiff I've become.
That totally couldn't be considered as some dance.
Empress, you're being humble.
It wasn't easy to get a chance to attend to His Majesty,
but in an instant, the bubble burst.
This time, that Noble Lady Shu surely won't be able to feel so proud now.
I still haven't practiced the words that Her Highness Empress asked me to do today.
I'm going to practice now.
Everyone, go back to your work.
Look at happy you are. You almost got into a huge trouble today.
It's all thanks to Yingluo.
After taking a little vengeance on Noble Lady Shu, I feel so happy.
No matter what you say, I won't get mad.
You think she was only seeking vengeance on Noble Lady Shu?
What else?
She's thinking more thoroughly and way ahead than you think.
Think about it carefully. That dress today
seems to have been especially made for Her Highness Empress.
The measurement isn't off at all.
A perfect dress like that would take half a month to make.
I'm sure that she's been preparing for it beforehand.
She already thought of helping Her Highness Empress stop the emperor's carriage?
You silly girl. She wants to help Her Highness make His Majesty stay, so she could bear a legitimate son soon.
If not because Noble Lady Shu was too arrogant today,
how could she have brought it out tonight?
So cunning.
Noble Lady, it's time to go back.
Leave!
Zhenzhu, you've been turning so many times.
Be careful in getting dizzy.
Biecai, look.
- It really does look very similar. - Let me teach you. - Okay.
- What are you two doing? - Yingluo.
Everyone likes to doll up lately. We're just having some fun.
You two go finish your task first.
If you get seen by mistress, I won't ask for leniency in your behalf.
Yes... We'll go now.
Zhenzhu, do I look like a flying swallow?
You do. You just lack the dress.
- Next time, let's ask Yingluo to make you one too. - Right.
Stop right there!
Yes.
What's that thing on your forehead?
Replying to Noble Lady, this is the latest make-up trend in the palace.
We all are imitating Princess Shouyang
and placed flowers on our forehead.
Noble Lady!
- Leave! - Yes.
Your Highness! Wait for me, Your Highness!
I heard that Her Highness Empress dressed as the River Goddess Luo,
causing you to wait in vain for a night.
I'm so furious.
Quickly put your hand down and let me see.
♫ Sitting alone in the royal palace
♫ for years in a row.
♫ His Royal Favor ♫
♫ I lead the way. ♫
Your Highness, Noble Lady Shu is here.
♫ The palace is empty ♫
♫ such loneliness. ♫
♫ putting to vain the wish of Chang'e (Goddess of Moon). ♫
♫ Sleeping in solitude. ♫
I didn't do my task well. May Your Highness punish me.
Unable to do a task well means that you're useless.
Why would I still want a useless person?
Your Highness!
Your Highness, I heard that Empress Dowager is coming back from Changchun Garden Park.
So what?
Your Highness Empress, give me one more chance. I guarantee
that this time, not only will that bad dog gets eliminated,
Empress will also completely lose the favor of Empress Dowager.
She won't be able to lift her head again in front of you.
♫ Sip, sip, spit. ♫
♫ If you fail her ladyship ♫
♫ in discord with her ladyship ♫
♫ then I will go and report to court ♫
♫ go, go you slave ♫
♫ I will throw you out of the palace ♫
♫ and crush your bones to pieces ♫
I surely will not disappoint you.
Yingluo! Her Highness Empress has decreed
for us all to accompany Empress Dowager in touring the garden.
- Empress Dowager is back in the palace? - Stop dilly-dallying.
Her Highness Empress is waiting. Hurry. Let's go.
- Be careful of your steps. - Okay.
These past days,
I was in Changchun Garden Park praying to Buddha.
It's been hard on you, since you have to take care of matters on both sides.
You've worked hard, Empress.
Managing the inner palace and attending to you
are my duties.
I dare not ask for any merit.
Empress Dowager, there's something you don't know.
Her Highness Empress has lofty character and a pure and refined heart.
The whole palace sees her as their model.
They even tried to imitate her actions, speech, and smile,
so that they might be able to obtain the doting of His Majesty.
Empress has always been fair in handling matters
and has a composed behavior. In the whole palace,
if the imperial consorts could just learn even a third of it,
I'll already be contented.
Empress Dowager, I'm not worthy of your praises.
Everyone, sit down.
Stop being humble.
I know you very well.
His majesty is very diligent in his work.
He surely will do things personally.
It couldn't be helped for him to be lax in taking care of himself.
In the inner palace, there are so many miscellaneous affairs
and a complex array of personnel. They all need you
to manage them.
For His Majesty to be able to focus on state affairs
and the whole palace being harmonious and unified,
these are all thanks to you.
In my opinion, in this world,
no one is more appropriate than you.
Where is that Noble Lady Nalan who gifted me the Crystal Buddhist Pagoda?
Noble Lady Shu, quickly go up there.
Greetings, Empress Dowager.
You were able to find the Buddhist stone.
It means that you're fated with Buddha. Never thought
you are even
such a beautiful lady.
You look better than your father, Yongshou.
Replying to Empress Dowager, I look more like my mother.
Empress Dowager, it will be Yanhui Pavillion in front.
The peonies in front of the pavilion have already bloomed. It's really a wonderful sight.
Okay...
- Go look what's going on. - Zhilan, quickly go!
Yes!
Mingyu.
Hurry!
- Zhilan. - Let go of me!
Zhilan, don't rush.
- Let go of me! - Let me wipe your sweat.
- Move aside! I told you to move aside! - Don't go.
Zhilan, your ankle has twisted.
- Let me take a look. - Get lost!
If I've known this will happen, I wouldn't have imitated Her Highness Empress.
We actually would incite such huge trouble.
It's all your fault. Why did you push her?
I'm just kidding around. Who knew that she wasn't standing stably?
Don't say it anymore. Let's quickly check on her.
No.... I couldn't dare. My knees are weak from fear.
Stop dilly-dallying. We can't just leave here there.
Let's quickly leave.
[Yanhui Pavilion]
How come you don't know how to appreciate kindness? I'm doing this for your own good.
Stop blocking me! Don't you understand human language?!
Let go of me! Let go!
With such a huge incident happening,
even if you block me, it's a waste of time.
I was ordered by Noble Consort to come here and investigate,
yet you kept blocking me. What is your motive?
Empress Dowager is here.
Investigate what has happened.
Replying to Empress Dowager, because this palace maid fell from a high place and died,
her face was badly injured.
I was afraid that it might scare all of you, so I especially covered her face with a handkerchief.
But why did she fall, I still haven't verified that.
You are palace maids of Yanhui Pavilion?
Talk.
The three of us were sweepers of Yanhui Pavilion.
We were fooling around earlier.
Who knew that she would lose her footing and fell from a high place.
I was so shocked and wasn't able to pull her on time.
Hence...
This is one life.
Just brushing it off as goofing around,
isn't that too child's play?
What Empress Dowager said is so right.
Since you three are on duty, you should have done your work well.
How come you're here goofing around?
Quickly tell the truth.
If you anger Her Highness Empress, be careful of getting severely punished.
Empress Dowager, please forgive us!
Recently, there's an on-going trend in the palace to do dressing up games.
Everyone wants to imitate the look of a butterfly beauty and have fun.
We also were just being mischievous for a moment,
and eventually ended up committing such a huge mistake.
Yes, Your Highness Empress Dowager. We didn't mean to.
May Empress Dowager forgive us.
What dressing-up game?
It's....
It came from Changchun Palace.
Her Highness Empress...
Replying to Empress Dowager,
based on my guess, this palace maid earlier was trying to imitate Noble Consort
and accidentally fell from the top level of Yanhui Pavilion, hence, lost her life.
As for why she was imitating Noble Consort...
Maybe because the "The Drunken Beauty" act of Noble Consort was so moving.
Hence, the palace maids all want to be like her.
"The Drunken Beauty"?
What?
Is Noble Consort doing opera performances here in the palace?
How dare you lowly servant! Who told you to spout nonsense here?
When did anyone try to imitate me?
Your Highness Noble Consort indeed doesn't need to convey it in words.
You just need to sing loudly.
Everyday, there are sounds of huqin coming from Chuxiu Palace.
The performances would go on one after the other.
Today, it's "The Palace of Eternal Life".
Tomorrow, it will be "Farewell My Concubine".
Especially that "The Drunken Beauty" of yours,
you sang it in perfection.
Your dancing figure was also so gentle and beautiful, that His Majesty likes it very much.
Even those opera singers have to admit inferiority to you.
The palace maids admires her for it.
Wanting to imitate her
to earn the liking of the emperor is also just normal.
Mingyu, am I right?
Yes...
Empress Dowager, yesterday, your servant saw someone imitating Consort Yu (Chu-Han Contention) even.
Your Highness Noble Consort, don't blame me for being talkative.
"Farewell My Concubine" shows the death of an empire. It's really quite inauspicious.
It's better that you sing "The Drunken Beauty".
I told you to study more when you're doing nothing.
Who said that Noble Consort Yang is better?
Didn't it end up causing someone's life?
And Noble Consort Yang died at Mawei Station.
And the national fortune of Great Tang befell after the Anshi Rebellion.
It was also quite a pity.
Inauspicious. All are inauspicious.
Yes, I'm indeed uneducated.
Before, when I listened to the storytellers,
I was only able to listen until the Han dynasty, and not yet about the Tang dynasty.
Noble Consort, next time, you should sing "Lady General Mu Guiying".
Such look. Such command. So great.
It's not good too.
“The Drunken Beauty" already caused a life.
If you still include some fight scenes, what would happen?
Shut up! You two shut up!
This kind of make-up style clearly came from Changchun Palace.
How could you falsely accuse her to be imitating Her Highness Noble Consort?
Wei Yingluo, don't slander Noble Consort.
Be careful that disaster might come from your mouth.
Her Highness Empress doesn't know to perform "The Drunken Beauty".
She also has never publicly played as Noble Consort Yang.
What does this matter got to do with her?
But in Chuxiu Palace, there's an opera performance every day.
Everyone can hear it.
Listening to operas is just to idle the time away.
Not just Noble Consort, other palaces also have opera performances.
When it's nearing new year, there would be successive performances.
How could you blame this matter to Chuxiu Palace?
Enough! Stop talking!
Empress,
when did the inner palace start to have opera performance?
Your Highness Empress Dowager, I...
If Your Highness Empress Dowager will allow it,
I can prove it to everyone.
What evidence can you have?
How come it's like this?
Return to the palace!
Your Highness Empress, you really have bred a good dog!
I...
You two are still not leaving?
Stop right there!
Your Highness Empress, this palace maid
just suddenly fell from a high place.
It's really very strange.
These two should be detained and interrogated well.
Men, take them away and detain them.
Your Highness Empress, I will take my leave now.
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.♫
♫Who will pity her, and record her lifetime full of misery?♫
♫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.♫