Your highness is awake?
Just now...Did it scare your highness?
It was just a young eunuch.
He accidentally knocked down the screen.
The Emperor was in a rage about it.
He left angrily.
It was just that?
I thought something more important happened.
Currently the most important thing in the Changchun Palace,
is to take care of your highness' pregnancy.
Nothing else is more important
Ying Luo,
Someone just suggested me,
to offer you to the Emperor.
Are you willing to?
Your highness
I'm not willing
Why?
You always aim high and arrogant.
If you become the Emperor's concubine one day,
no one will ever bully you.
Ying Luo
This is the Empress's favor and benevolence.
Think clearly before you reply.
If you do become a royal concubine,
people will treat you differently.
I...
would like to thank your kind intention.
But this is too much for me to take.
Aren't you always very loyal to the Empress?
Now the Empress is pregnant,
she can't serve the Emperor.
If you could replace it,
that's the biggest loyalty from you.
Your highness
treats me
with ultimate kindness and mercy.
Even if I had my body smashed to pieces and yet I couldn't return the favor.
If I became the Emperor's concubine,
If I weren't favored by the Emperor, how could I fulfill loyalty to the Empress?
If I were favored by the Emperor,
and give birth to children,
as time goes on, I will have selfish motives
could I still be loyal to the Empress wholeheartedly?
This is for public affair.
What about for private affair?
Ying Luo
would like to make a sharp remark:
in my mind,
the Empress is not only my master,
but also my respected teacher.
I already took the Empress as my elder sister.
I made a vow,
I will be loyal to the Empress my whole life.
The Emperor is the Empress's husband.
He is even the most important person in the Empress's heart.
Every woman in this world
would want to become the Emperor's concubine,
I will definitely not.
If I had done so,
it would be a betrayal to the Empress.
and also to my own promise.
Er Qing
Have you heard it?
Ying Luo is right.
Come over
Ying Luo
You didn't let me down.
Don't worry
I...
will never let you serve the Emperor.
Because if it is like that,
it would be unfair to you.
Some day,
I will proudly and magnificently,
marry you to someone.
Thank you for the Empress's kindness.
Stand there
What is it? Ying Luo
What have you said to the Empress just now?
Don't overthink it.
I was just hoping the best for the Empress.
That's why I made that suggestion.
Alright
If so,
then I would like you to know,
the Empress
isn't that kind of person
who uses close maid to please the Emperor.
So please don't bring up about it ever again.
Ying Luo
why do you become so serious all of a sudden?
You scare me.
In the Palace, it is normal to consolidate favor from the Emperor.
I was just overthought about it and regarded you as that kind of person as well.
I will never talk about it again.
Er Qing
You have been served the Empress by her side for many years,
You should have noticed, she loves the Emperor so much.
She just couldn't express it considering rules and laws in the Palace.
If someone by her side that she trusts the most,
takes advantage of her pregnancy,
and plays up to the Emperor.
Then for the Empress,
it is a heavy blow.
So,
not only that I won't do that,
I will never allow, anyone in the Changchun Palace to have such idea.
Sister
How nice of you to have the time to visit me today
This painting looks familiar
It is a painting from Empress' collection
that I borrowed to copy
I remember
It looks so much like the <> Fucha that gave
It is truly an exquisitely rendering
Would you mind lending it to me?
Yuhu
Sister, I'll be sure to return the original
once I'm finished with my reproduction
But you've lent me the reproduction
Aren't you being a little petty?
Please don't blame me
I need to return the original to the empress
If the painting gets even the slightest damage
I wouldn't be able to explain myself
I have no choice but to inconvenience you
by lending you my copy instead
Your reproduction is also an exquisite rendering
I will be sure to cherish it
My lady, what are you thinking about?
Zhen'er
What do you think about Consort Chun?
I can't really say but
Everyone in the palace knows about her devotion to the Empress
No intention of fighting for the emperor's affection
A true supporter of the Empress
That's right.
A while ago, there was some scandalous gossip about their relationship
What do you think that Consort Chun is planning?
If she really has ulterior motives,
She should desperately approach the emperor
What's the point of being nice to the Emperess?
Isn't that counter-productive?
From what it looks like,
Consort Chun is truly loyal to the Empress
Counter-productive...
No
Perhaps she's trying to get close to
someone else
Eunuch Desheng
Miss Yingluo
You've heard about the Emperor's wrath
and you've changed your tune
a little bit too quickly
Look at what you're saying Miss Yingluo
I'm not trying to avoid you
It's that the imperial astronomer forecasted thunderstorms tomorrow night
I'm, um, just going around to warn the different palaces
and remind them to be vigilant
Thunderstorm
It often rains in summer
and we hear thunder as often
What's so strange about it?
You don't know
This time, large storm clouds have amassed in the skies
It's still better to give preparations instructions
lest our masters get frightened
Large storm clouds
What do you want to say?
Miss Lingyuo I'm speaking out of turn. But...
Whatever woman the emperor wants, he gets
Isn't that right?
No matter how capable you are, you can't escape the Forbidden City
Also, the emperor is handsome and talented
He's the best on earth
You rejecting him like that...
You're just courting death.
Desheng
How did you hear about this?
It isn't what you think
I'm not assuming anything, I assumed nothing at all
I have other work to do. I'm need to go.
Thunderstorms
What are you doing?
Yingluo
Is the emperor making things difficult for you?
No
You're lying
You know that the emperor is upset
Why are you still bringing it up?
I've told you. I care for you and I want to marry you
Thank you so much for your kind thoughts
This will be enshrined in my heart
However
The emperor's opposition
has made things clear for me
We're not the same
We can never be together
No matter what the emperor says, It would never change my mind
Fuheng
What does that have to do with me?
If you didn't have feelings for me,
why did you give me a fragrance satchel?
Yes,
I admit it
I like you
But in my heart
Revenge is the most important thing in my life
What about men?
What about love?
That's absolutely unimportant to me
If you get in my way,
I'll kick you aside
This is who I am. Don't you understand?
Is this how you really feel?
Fuheng
From this day on
Go as far away as you can
Don't get in my way
Don't blame me for being callous
Young master
I'm doing this for you
It can only be this way
It has to be this way
I'm sorry
Careful
Put them closer together
Fasten them firmly
Is this almost done?
The window screen are already here
Everything should be done by 5pm I think you are treating us unfairly
If this were the Empress Dowager This would have been done by July
Here we are after countless reminders
You're clearly avoiding your duties.
I wouldn't dare These window screens
they are all custom-made by the embroidery department
all made with the finest organdy
requiring a large amount of labor
How is this the finest organdy?
It felt so coarse when I felt it
I think you're trying to pass these shoddy goods
Miss Bailing, what you're saying...
Even with all the nerves,
I wouldn't dare offend Shoukang Palace
Let them hurry
Don't disturb me unless there's something important
I'm going to read scripture
Don't worry Concubine Dowager
You all heard her
Finish everything before sundown
Yes
Be sure to cover every crevice
Don't let even a fly in
Lest it disturbs her lady's peace
Hurry up. Get to work.
It looks like it's about to rain
Mannang Feicui
Hurry Come. Hurry.
What's the matter Erqing?
Cover up the flowers with the rain tarp
Hurry up. -Yes
Both of you too
Come hurry
Hurry hurry
Swiftly
Lend a hand
Unfurl this
Over there Unfurl this
Get moving everyone
Cover it up over here
Come help out
Why are you here?
Your wrist hasn't recovered
Don't get in the way I can't keep still
Hurry. Hurry. Where's Yingluo?
She's gone at this time?
Relax, I've instructed Zhenzhu to find her.
Over there too
Hurry
Spread it out. Spread it out
Yingluo isn't in the warehouse
It's about to rain. Where could she have gone?
Nevermind. Hurry up and help
Ok. -Hurry
I have an important matter to discuss with Concubine Dowager Yu
Please notify her
Concubine Dowager Yu is reading scripture
and is not be disturbed
I must see Concubine Dowager Yu today
You can't enter What nerve for you to show up here
What?
Is Concubine Dowager Yu guilty and afraid to see me?
Wei Yingluo
I must remind you
This is *the* Shoukang Palace not a place for the likes for you to enter freely
Out of respect for Changchun Palace
I will let you keep some dignity
Before I lose my temper, scram.
Concubine Dowager Yu
I know a huge secret about King He
I must tell you today
Are you all made of wood?
Take her away!
Concubine Dowager Yu
Guards!
This secret could tarnish your reputation
I must let you know
Do it quick!
I must report this
Concubine Dowager Yu
What's all this?
This girl must be crazy, causing a scene here
I was removing her
Wei Yingluo
Have you all but forgotten my warning?
From this day on, You better live with your tail between your legs
don't get caught by me ever again,
If you're caught by me again,
Not only will I have your head
Your whole clan
will join you too!
Concubine Dowager Yu
It is hard to forgot your warning
But my sister died so tragically
That's even harder to forget
If I am unable to avenge for my sister in this lifetime
by denouncing your crime to the world
I would die with everlasting regret
Everyone, listen up
On the 10th of January
Hong Zhou, King of He trespassed palace grounds
Sullying imperial seamstress Ah-man
That is the first crime
Concubine Dowager Yu covered up her son's crime
heartlessly killing an innocent
That is a second crime
Is she telling the truth?
Impossible
Sullying a palace maid is a grave crime
This is too absurd even for King He
The two of them:
One shamelessly preposterous
The other is truly vicious but deceptively dignified
I saw through them
To destroy evidence, they're silencing me with death
Concubine Dowager Yu is the most compassionate person in the palace
She wouldn't even eat meat
She wouldn't kill anyone
I don't know, Yingluo sounds so certain..
What if it's true?
Who gave her such galls to barge over Shoukang Palace
Don't let her speak another word
Did you hear that?
If they didn't do that
Why would they be so fearful of my words?
Did you hear that?
Stop right there
The law determines guilt
Justice belongs in one's heart
As a devout buddhist, I hold compassion dearly
In my life, I have never wronged anyone
nor harmed another life
Your accusations
are simply absurd fabrications Weiyinglou has publicly defamed Concubine Dowager Yu
This is an unforgivable crime
Restrain her!
Concubine Dowager Yu claims to be a devout buddhist
Do you dare to swear in the name Buddha
that you didn't cover up for King He
that you didn't murdered my innocent sister Ah-Man
that you didn't misuse your power to harm the weak
hiding the truth from the masses
You could practice vegetarianism
and become a devout buddhist scholar
But that doesn't change that you have blood on your hands
If there were an ounce of lie in your words
Heavens will surely punish you
onto the deepest circle of hell
never to be reincarnated
Could it be true? -No way!
I haven't let heavens down
or bowed to the ground like a deciduous shrub
or have dirty water spilled on me
I dare to swear to the heavenly gods and Buddhas
i do good deeds in this lifetime, try to be a good person
bearing my crosses alone never asking anyone
nor taken a life
if there is any half truths, I'm willing to accept heavens' punishment
Thunder God above
Please listen carefully
to every word that Dowager Concubine Yu said
if there is any half truths in her oath
implore Buddha to punish her
Wei Yingluo
anyone who slanders goodness
will go to hell
my compassionate nature will not punish you
but palace regulations are
never to allow you to talk nonsense slander an innocent person
This time
Even the empress couldn't save you
carry out the sentence
Thunder God up high
Sincerely entreat Xin Nu
If Dowager Concubine Yu is a murderer
please punish this evil person according to Heaven's decree
Please punish this evil person according to Heaven's decree
Simply a raving lunatic
Punish evil person
Right wrongs according to Heaven's decree
Dowager Concubine Dowager Concubine
Severely punish evil person
Look!
Do you see!
See!
Quick! Go seek help. Quick! Save Dowager Concubine
Go save her
Quick, go seek help!
Heaven's thunder has descended to earth and punished the evil person.
It is heaven's punishment
Emperor
Dowager Concubine Yu has been struck by lightning
Dowager Concubine Yu
She lived her whole life as a sanctimonious person
a sham
But from now on
When people speak of her
they will remember her for incurring Heaven's wrath
A wicked person who cannot be allowed to live
a sinner
Elder sister
I remember that you've once told me that
Servants of previous dynasties
who have nowhere to go
were buried in a deep well
I know that you don't care for our family's tomb
or to be separated from me
And so I will bury you here
Elder sister
I hope your spirit will rest well knowing this
What happened?
Did you hear what happened at Shoukang Palace?
Everyone saw it with their own eyes Dowager Concubine Yu was struck dead by lightning
She must have did something wrong and angered the gods
How is that possible?
She's such a devout buddhist follower
It must have been all an act
Shoukang Palace is in such a bad situation
Supervisor Li had to instruct people to dispose her body
and not to spread this news
With news this big, it's unstoppable
It has already been shared multiple times within the palaces
Your Highness
What happened?
There was a lightning strike at Shoukang Palace last night
You were there weren't you?
Yes
Why were you there?
Dowager Concubine Yu murdered my sister
I was just there to ask her some questions
And then?
And then, she was struck by lightning
Naturally, I have nothing to do with this
You're still not telling me the truth
I was only asking if Dowager Concubine Yu was the murderer
Dowager Concubine Yu swore on her life
That she didn't do anything wrong
Nor kill a person
Should there be any half-truths, she would go to hell
As soon as she was done
A blinding light appeared in the sky
And she collapsed
Really
Wei Yinglou
You're still lying to me
Yes
I admit
that I was rude to Dowager Concubine Yu
But it was the Thunder God who acted
Punishing a villain
There're so many people at the scene
But no one else was hurt
Only Dowager Concubine Yu was punished
Struck dead by lightning
This proves that she's a murderer
Who dared swear before heavens
Thereby angering heavens
This is simply unforgivable
You're still being so glib with your words
I don't want to argue with you
Changchun Palace might be vast
But now
It can no longer tolerate the audacious Wei Yingluo
Your Highness
You want me to leave?
From now on
I no longer require your service
Go to the Department of Hard Labor
And reflect on what you have done
Your Highness
I am indebted to your kindness
and wish to repay you loyally with my life
Please don't chase me away
From now on I promise that
I would toe the line
And not disobey Your Highness
I don't need your gratitude
Leave this place
You're now with child
You're now a target of schemes
Let me stay until your safe delivery
Once the Little Prince is born
I would leave immediately
I will not stay to become an eyesore
If you don't wish to listen to any of my explanations
I can stop speaking
I'm begging you
To let me stay
Look at what you're saying
Such arrogant tone
What?
Without you at Changchun Palace
I can't take care of myself?
Erqing and Ming Yu have served me for many years
You're not more considerate
or conscientious
Keeping you here?
I'll just be courting trouble
Leave
Leave immediately
Your highness
Your highness is right
I...
love causing trouble
I wouldn't dare to imagine staying
But I
have benefitted from your Highness' kindness
And I'll never forget that
If there comes a day where you need me
I'll be willing to do anything for you
Even at the cost of my life
Not another word
Leave immediately
Your humble servant
wishes for
your highness' good health
And safety
Your highness
Concubine Dowager Yu was punished by heavenPick
Everyone saw that
She's nothing but a criminal
Why must you chase Yingyuo away?
You are all dismissed
I want to be alone
Your highness
Out
You too
What are you doing
Aren't you full of ideas?
Why don't you back Her Highness
She's so kind
You failed this time but try begging harder
If her heart melts
Would you be able to stay
Ming Yu
Did you want me to leave the most?
Why you trying keep me?
Right
As you such a bad woman gone
then there is no competitors would grab Guard Fucha with me
Exactly
So you should be pleased now
I, I am pleased
I am pleased
I should be pleased
Honestly you are no so bad
that I would like to forgive you actually
Could you stay here
Mingyu
Hold back your tears
Remember what I am saying
Our queen's heart is too good
that she seldom be wary of the others
The human heart is a mystery.
in the Forbidden city, however
After my leaving
You must keep Changchun Palaces in safety
Check out everything which may contact with
our empress carefully
No matter who he is
don't trust him so easily
If you face any difficulties
You can come and ask me
What are you worrying about
we still have Erqing
Rather than relying on others
It is more reliable to trust yourself
You must deeply remember what I said
Don't you ever forget
What exactly happened last night
Bailing, the emperor is asking you
Thunder
The thunder
A lightning flashed
Grand concubine's gone, she's gone, gone
Lightning, thunder
Your majesty, since the previous dynasty, Many palaces have been burned because of thunder strike
We couldn't have imagine that Concubine Dowager Yu had to leave so tragically
What a pity
Is that woman
It's her. It has to be her.
Concubine Dowager Yu killed her sister
She called upon the Thunder God to strike Concubine Dowager Yu
She was so scary
Who is she
Your highness
Baling witnessed struck Concubine Dowager Yu' dead by lightning
She's deranged
And is now spouting nonsense
You need not believe her
I am asking you
Who is the woman in Baling's story
Responding to Your Highness
It was the top-tier maid of Changchun Palace, Wei Yingluo
She was here to interrogate the Concubine Dowager
If she had killed her sister
Concubine Dowager Yu swore on her life
If she had sinned by killing
She will be willing to accept Heaven's judgment
What resulted..
What resulted was a lightning strike
Your highness, Concubine Dowager Yu lied to the gods
This is heaven's punishment
I saw it with my own eyes
She was barely done speaking when she was struck
It was Concubine Dowager Yu who angered the gods
That's why she received this punishment
Yes. Yes. Yes.
Your imperial brother
greets Your Highness
Go look at your mother
Mother
Your Highness, the Emperor is suddenly here
He looks infuriated
What's the matter your highness?
You don't seem nervous at all
What was coming
Had to come
Li Yu
Seize Wei Yingluo
There is no need
She no longer at Changchun Palace
What do you mean by that
Yingluo has offended me
In the midst of anger
I punished her
To hard labor
Your highness
You are a little bit too late
I take that you know what happened
And punished her before I could
Saving her from condemnation
If this is regarding Concubine Dowager Yu
There must be some misunderstanding
That matter
Had nothing to do with Yingluo
What's the most confounds me the most is
Why you keep protecting her
How did she bewitched you
into being wrapped around her finger
Even if you've sent her to the Department of Hard Labo
I won't let it slide
Don't you want to know
Why I've been so protective of Yingluo?
You're willing to speak?
It's because
She represents my hope
What did you say