Episode 7
My trick to lure him away...
killed 2 birds with 1 stone.
That spy in the palace has no loyalty at all.
This is the only way...
to inform the other me in time.
Schizophrenia...
is often caused by some kind of childhood trauma.
Prince Lian Cheng probably...
experienced a huge shock when he was still a child...
that caused today's split personality.
His emotions are so unstable.
But,
he might also be addicted to acting.
He just loves to act.
He feels restless if he doesn't act regularly.
That's right.
It's exactly like that.
You're so good at imitating him!
That's how he looks when his personality changes.
When he's angry, he knits his brows.
His face will be as long as...
a horse's face.
Jing Xin.
You imitated him too well.
Show me how I look then.
You came to me on your own.
You can't say that I broke my promise.
Looks like you take our promise very seriously.
Of course I'm the one...
that came to you.
Mo Lian Cheng, you hopeless acting addict!
Stop coming to me...
when you feel like acting!
Did anything unusual happen...
in the household over the past 2 hours?
Everything was normal.
Alright.
You may leave.
Yes.
Sir.
If everything is normal,
what was the objective of...
the person who wrote that letter to lure you away?
This is puzzling.
Yu Hao.
Enter the palace immediately and meet up with our spy.
Confirm why he failed to meet up with us.
If he wasn't the one who sent the secret letter,
change the secret code immediately.
The worst case scenario is that...
there's a problem with this spy of ours.
Jing Xin, you little traitor!
It was so dangerous earlier.
I can't believe you ran away and left me behind.
Xiao Tan.
Did the prince do anything to you?
He...
Who am I?
Who can bully me?
Prince Yi Huai came?
Is this from him?
Prince Yi Huai didn't come.
Prince Lian Cheng came.
How can I let him torture me with his split personality all the time?
I'm going to change my attitude and fool him too.
Jing Xin.
If we only work 5 days a week...
and 8 hours per day...
No.
Four double-hours (ancient format).
What do you think?
It's a good thing.
But, there has never been such rule in a royal household.
There is no creation without destruction.
We'll start from Prince Lian Cheng's household.
If you're unwell,
you may leave.
Thank you, sir.
I'm indeed unwell.
But, I'm not the only one feeling unwell.
What do you want?
You may be frank.
The roster system requires us to work every day in a year.
As a result, the maids are physically exhausted.
Naturally, we can't serve you well.
If we can come up with a reasonable holiday system,
the situation will instantly change for the better.
How dare you!
Do you have the right to change the rules here?
So, in your opinion,
what kind of holiday system should we establish?
We have 7 days a week and we can work 5 days every week.
Each day, we'll work 8 hours.
There can be morning, afternoon and night shifts.
During menstruation, we're entitled to a leave.
When on holiday, we'll be free to go out.
With this, the maids will work with much more enthusiasm...
and make lesser mistakes while serving you.
Housekeeper Zhou.
Tell Ms. Qu the problem you told me yesterday.
Yes.
We've recently adjusted the allowance system.
Maids who have served for more than 3 years...
will receive double the daily allowance of...
maids who have served for 3 years and below.
In fact, the former will work 3 days lesser...
than the latter every month.
Count and tell me...
the allowances of these two types of maid...
for this month.
If you can solve this question, I'll do as you suggested...
and establish a holiday system.
If you fail to solve the question,
all maids will be denied allowances for the month.
Isn't this a middle school mathematics equation?
What's the budget for the allowances?
A maximum of 1,900 taels.
The amounts given should be in integers...
for convenience of distribution.
What are the numbers of maids...
who have served for over 3 years and 3 years and below...
respectively?
Thirty-three and fifty-seven.
Those who have served for over 3 years...
can receive a maximum of 28 taels per month per person.
Those who have served for 3 years and below...
can receive a maximum of 17 taels per month per person.
With that,
there'll still be a balance of 7 taels every month.
That's correct.
I heard...
the male servants receive double the maids' monthly pay.
But, the working hours are the same.
This is too unfair.
If it's the same work, the pay should be the same.
There shouldn't be unfair treatment...
because of gender difference.
Ms. Qu, you say surprising things.
Although some of your suggestions are against the norms,
you do seem to have a point.
I can't equalize the pay yet.
However,
since you solved a problem Housekeeper Zhou could not solve,
I'll promote you to 3 ranks higher.
You'll be on the same level as Housekeeper Zhou.
Thank you, sir!
I'll be in your care, Zhou.
She has strange but brilliant thoughts.
Who exactly is she?
Greetings, Your Majesty.
Lately, each time I consume the medicine you bring me,
I get an unbearable headache.
It seems to have lost its original efficacy.
Have you stopped putting in effort...
and preparing it personally?
Your Majesty.
I dare not entrust your medicine to an outsider.
The pharmacist must have made a mistake in the dosage...
and that must have caused Your Majesty's dissatisfaction.
I'll dismiss him for investigation immediately.
That's unnecessary.
Rest early.
Yes.
Your Majesty.
I don't have...
many reliable aides left.
Why isn't Cheng Er visiting me?
Take this medicine away.
Yes.
His Majesty has noticed that I've increased the dosage.
Go. Tell General Wei to come.
It's time to discuss about...
how to get rid of our enemy once and for all.
Yes.
If your sworn enemy becomes the heir to the throne,
I'm afraid you'll be too ashamed...
to face your parents in the afterworld in the future.
His Majesty intends to name Prince Lian Cheng his successor?
If you don't take action now,
I'm afraid it'll be too late...
by the time we receive the news.
Do not worry, Your Highness.
I have a plan in place.
There'll be an update tomorrow night.
Xiao Tan.
This board is too steep.
Come down. You might fall.
This is my first time abusing my authority...
after becoming a female official.
How can I give up so easily?
It looks interesting.
Not bad.
That's amazing.
Watch out!
Xiao Tan!
Are you injured?
No.
Xiao Tan, are you alright?
This is too dangerous.
Blood.
Don't touch him. I'll help him.
As soon as I reached out to him,
he acted as if he's severely injured.
Is Tan Er the only one he wants help from?
Sir, you're a prince.
Just let Xiao Tan help me up.
You're severely injured.
Let me do it.
Forty-eight.
Forty-nine.
Fifty.
Fifty-one.
Fifty-two.
Fifty-three.
You're awake.
Your heartbeat was slowing down.
I thought you were dying.
Don't move.
I almost forgot.
Why did you get up?
Lie down.
Mr. Liu Shang.
Tan Er, my heart hurts so much.
Mr. Liu Shang, let go of me.
Let go of me.
Mr. Liu Shang.
I've something serious to tell you.
An old man came and asked me...
to pass you this letter once you regain consciousness.
Where's the letter?
I'm leaving.
Stop acting.
Where's the letter?
The letter.
Why does this fellow behave like...
that liar, Mo Lian Cheng?
Could it be that he's also pretending to be unwell...
like that scoundrel?
The spy in the palace will take action tonight.
You must stop the other you from heading out.
Is the prince at home?
He went out 2 hours ago.
He's not severely injured at all.
The prince is an actor.
His advisor is an actor too.
They are all the ancestors of that scoundrel, Mo Lian Cheng!
Be careful, sir. There might be an ambush.
This was where...
I was ambushed by the spy.
Why is it that Liu Shang's moves...
are so similar to mine?
Who sent you?
How dare you attack Prince Lian Cheng!
It was Prince Yi Huai.
Prince Yi Huai threatened to kill my family.
Prince Lian Cheng, please spare me.
Brother Yi Huai, I can't believe you've the mood to drink.
Haven't you heard?
Mo Lian Cheng was attacked outside of his residence...
and the assassin claimed that you were the one who sent him.
Someone has been wanting to sow discord between us.
But, he waited so long to take action.
I'm surprised by his patience.
You can tell what's going on.
But, outsiders don't see it like that.
Brother Lian Cheng doesn't trust people easily.
It's hard to believe that the mastermind can be caught...
right after the attempted assassination.
Brother Lian Cheng is a suspicious person.
He'll surely suspect that it's a set-up.
Brother Yi Huai, I'm not as clever as you.
However,
according to our spy,
Liu Shang was present during the attempted assassination...
and his moves were extremely similar to Mo Lian Cheng's moves.
After daybreak,
I'll pay a trip to Brother Lian Cheng's residence...
to investigate the assassination.
Prince Yi Huai.
Stop right there.
This jade bangle...
is Tan Er's favourite item.
She wouldn't even take it out from its box.
What's the special occasion today...
that brought it out?
Is Tan Er unwell...
or is she having some problems?
Sir.
Ms. Tan Er doesn't even remember this bangle.
She's always trying to pawn it.
She just brought it up again today...
and I had no choice,
but to hide it from her.
You don't have to worry too much.
Tan Er has yet to recover.
Amnesia is normal.
But,
did you just come out from Tan Er's room?
Sir, you are very attentive.
Prince Lian Cheng treats Ms. Tan Er very well.
He doesn't let her do any of those dirty and tiring chores.
Today, he even allowed the carpenter to...
make a wooden board for Ms. Tan Er to play with.
But,
Ms. Tan Er almost got herself into trouble again.
Brother Lian Cheng is being so nice to Tan Er.
Could it be that he developed feelings for Tan Er?
Prince Yi Huai has arrived!
Brother Yi Huai, have you ever seen this sword?
There's nothing special about this sword.
Even if I've seen it,
I can't tell.
This ordinary sword...
almost took my life.
I've heard.
So, I sent my men to investigate.
As a result,
I found this stamp...
in Wei Zong Heng's residence.
This is the stamp for communicating with my spy in the palace.
Brother Yi Huai, you've many spies indeed.
They are everywhere.
If you're willing to join hands with me,
I'll help you to regain...
the authority to command the Imperial Garrison.
I can also help you to get rid of Wei Zong Heng and his clique...
to get back at him for attempting to assassinate you.
I believe...
you have an objective behind this.
My only wish...
is that...
you'll let me have your maid, Qu Tan Er.
We swore to stay together forever and that is a very important oath.
How can I exchange her for...
the authority to command the Imperial Garrison?
What do I need to do to make you free her?
Since we've sworn to stay together forever,
only death can set us apart.
Sir, Mr. Liu Shang requests to see you.
This man...
has a figure similar to that of...
the mysterious man who saved me when I was drunk.
Brother Yi Huai, why are you always so interested in...
the people in my household?
If that's all, please return.
About Tan Er,
I won't let go so easily.
Sir, I believe you know that...
yesterday's attempted assassination...
was not Prince Yi Huai's deed.
How did you come to this conclusion?
First of all,
the statements of the assassin and your spy are too consistent.
They might be in cahoots.
Secondly,
Prince Yi Huai came early in the morning...
and showed no sign of guilt or anxiety.
In fact, he even bargained with you.
This is enough to prove that it wasn't done by Prince Yi Huai.
Now, the main suspect is...
Noble Consort Dugu's clique.
To make use of Brother Yi Huai's clique...
to bring down Noble Consort Dugu's clique,
Qu Tan Er is perhaps,
the best bargaining chip.
What's the matter?
You don't agree?
Ms. Qu Tan Er...
should not be used as a pawn in the competition for the throne.
Looks like you're very concerned about Tan Er.
You thought of Tan Er's safety first...
instead of pointing out the flaw in my statement.
I...
You may leave.
Yes.
Brother Lian Cheng.
Why are you so mysterious today?
I can't believe you asked me to meet you at a place like this.
What do you think?
You once said that...
this robe is too plain and simple...
for a member of the royal family.
How come you put it on today?
I know.
Women groom up to impress the men they love.
The logic is the same for men.
Could it be that you put on this robe...
and changed your clothing preference...
for that woman you mentioned that day?
Which woman...
are you talking about?
Brother Lian Cheng, you must be kidding me.
You wouldn't tell me that day...
and now, you're asking me.
In your opinion,
what else about me has changed?
Right.
You used to hate steamed dumplings.
But now, you want steamed dumplings every day.
I believe this must have something to do with that lady.
Days ago, Tan Er was almost punished for stealing steamed dumplings.
Could it be that he has really fallen for Tan Er?
Mo Lian Cheng.
Why can't you control yourself?
Brother Lian Cheng, although we're princes,
it's normal to fall in love.
Jing Xuan.
Don't tell anyone about...
our conversation today.
Don't talk to me about this either.
Rest assured, Brother Lian Cheng. I'll surely keep this secret.
The only thing that can relieve my sadness is...
lots of money.
But, even after claiming my allowance,
I don't get to spend on bags here.
Isn't it meaningless to make money then?
That's quite pretty.
Of course.
I'm just taking a break here.
I'll prepare tea for you right away.
I haven't been able to...
get used to the tea you make.
So, I came to drop you an advice.
From now on, let the tea be as cold as possible.
Only extremely cold tea...
can relieve heat.
Understand?
Yes.
Do the ancients drink herbal tea too?
Xiao Tan!
Coming!
Xiao Tan! Housekeeper Zhou is looking for you!
Sir...
The country will be at threat if...
we don't get rid of our external enemy.
If there is disunity...
due to conflicts between political groups...
at a crucial time like this,
His Majesty might think that...
the two of you are disregarding the well-being of the country...
for personal interest.
Mr. Wu, are you saying that...
Brother Lian Cheng and I should support General Wei and...
let him guard the frontier with the military tally and Emperor's Token?
That's what I'd like to suggest.
Mr. Wu must have taken sides with Noble Consort Dugu's clique.
But, Jing Xuan can't tell yet.
The other me wants Mr. Wu to leave.
But, he can't say it directly as it'll be rude of him.
That's why it's so awkward now.
Tan Er, what kind of tea is this?
Why is it as cold as ice?
How do we drink this?
As the saying goes,
"no sooner has the person gone away than the tea cools down".
This biting tea...
suits the current mood.
Mr. Wu, since you can't serve me any longer,
I won't insist that you stay.
See our guest off!
Mr. Wu, please proceed.
Tan Er, you did a good job serving cold tea.
I will reward you generously.
Go. Prepare 3 cups of hot tea.
Yes.
Tan Er, how did you come up with that?
They say kings are like tigers. But, that's not a big deal at all.
What's scarier than a tiger is...
a schizophrenic prince.
What's the matter?
These people can even make use of tea.
Sometimes he wants it cold...
and sometimes he wants it hot.
If I continue to stay here,
I'll surely develop schizophrenia.
Jing Xin.
After serving tea later,
let's go to Mo Yi Huai and flash our secret code.
I've had it planned.
2 hours later, you can meet Prince Yi Huai at the usual place.