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 37
You're hurrying that much to get into my embrace?
Your Majesty, please forgive me!
These clothes... Those servants made a mistake about what clothes and jewelry to put on me.
I'll change them right away.
Aren't you going to remove them?
Why are you not undressing now?
Your Majesty, my original clothes are soaking wet.
I dare not offend you.
Come over here.
I told you to come over here.
The Empress said...
that I took a liking at you.
What do you think?
Your Majesty, you must be kidding.
There are so many beautiful and gaily-dressed maidens in the inner palace.
I'm vulgar and disrespectful.
I'm just a wildflower by the side of the road. How could I dare tarnish Your Majesty's sight?
After carefully thinking about it,
only when the inner palace has several kinds of blossoming flowers will it become spring.
I'm sick of seeing obedient and gentle pretty ladies.
A thorny one like you
is quite interesting too.
Your Majesty,
- I...- What?
You're unwilling?
Your Majesty,
I only wish to accompany Her Highness the Empress.
Your Majesty, why destroy your relationship with Her Highness
just because of a moment of interest?
Moreover, you're the Emperor. You have the whole world and a vast open mind.
Also...
Also, just one Imperial decree of Your Majesty's
can already gather the most beautiful women in the world.
As plump as Yang Yuhuan and as skinny as Zhao Feiyan, you can have everything that you want.
Your Majesty, why force other people?
It will only harm your health.
Looks like...
you're really unwilling.
How could a house sparrow be in the same group as a phoenix?
I know my limits.
"Far the nine continents, their realms displayed.
Why here to seek thy bride, doth thou delay?”
I'm the Emperor of the Qing Empire, the master of the nine continents.
I'm can pick as I want among the
beautiful women in this world.
Why would I waste my time with an unwilling woman...
It's not fun at all.
Yes.
You were hoping that I'd say something like that.
Let me tell you this.
This is my first time forcing a woman.
I find it very interesting.
The more you refuse me,
the more I want to have you.
Your Majesty!
What else do you want to say?
Your Majesty...
Actually,
what I said earlier was all against my heart.
I actually wanted to get near Your Majesty for a long time.
It's just that there are so many beautiful women in the Imperial harem.
My background is very lowly. Hence, I totally have no chance to get near Your Majesty.
So...I deliberately provoked you.
A sword moving with sideways strokes. So I could attract your attention. (T/N using an unconventional manner)
Now, Your Majesty has really grown to like me.
I'm very happy.
I'm willing to attend to His Majesty.
But...
But what?
I don't want to be a palace maid anymore.
I want to be a Noble Lady. (T/N trying to negotiate a sixth rank position down from Empress)
You are quite scheming.
So...
you've been waiting for me.
Your Majesty, do you agree or not?
You dirty woman,
you're not worthy to get in my bed.
Your Majesty!
I was wrong...
Get lost.
Yes.
Wait!
Starting today,
you're a common servant in Changchun Palace.
Serve the Empress well.
Stop having wild illusions.
I will never want a woman with ulterior motives. Get lost.
Yes.
Miss Yingluo.
You must thank me well.
Thank you?
I was the one who prepared your clothes.
Save it for yourself!
[ Changchun Gate ]
Your Highness!
I'm back!
Please open the doors, okay?
Your Highness! Please open the doors!
- Don't open them for her!- Your Highness!
- Your Highness the Empress!- Let her leave.
Yingluo, did you hear Her Highness' words?
Quickly leave.
Your Highness the Empress,
I knelt all the way from Qianqing Palace to come here.
I've bowed so many times.
All just to return to Your Highness the Empress' side.
Your Highness!
Why won't you see me?
Why!
Your Highness! Let Yingluo in.
Mingyu! Open the doors!
Your Highness.
I heard that you're awake.
I really am so happy.
Have you completely recovered?
It's none of your business.
Get out.
Your Highness,
His Majesty has issued a decree
to pardon my crime.
I can't enter the Workhouse anymore. If Your Highness drives me away,
where can I go?
Just go where you want to go.
Changchun Palace doesn't welcome you.
Your Highness...
Your Highness, why won't you speak the truth?
You clearly were so worried about Yingluo.
Now that she's back, why are you driving her away?
Mingyu!
Your Highness, did I do anything wrong?
It's not your fault.
It's mine.
If not because of protecting me,
you wouldn't have become
involved in this tempest of power struggle.
YIngluo,
leave now.
- Stop staying by my side.- Your Highness.
Look at these legs of mine.
I can't stand anymore.
Although His Majesty still considers our past affection,
and so he takes extra care of me,
unfortunately the Qing Empire
doesn't need a crippled Empress.
Although Changchun Palace looks flourishing and beautiful,
it is actually in a very dangerous situation.
At this time, no one would want to continue staying here.
Do you understand?
Your Highness, if you drive me away,
I have nowhere to go.
I'll make an Imperial decree
to let you leave the palace.
I'm not going back to that home.
When my mother gave birth to me,
my father assumed that I had jinxed my mother to her death.
He threw m into the river.
How could he bear to treat a child like that?
It was a kind passerby that saved me.
Sister brought me back home.
It was her care
that allowed me
to grow up safely.
Your Highness, you treated me well.
You're just like my real sister.
Hence, I'm not leaving the palace.
I want to accompany Your Highness the Empress forever.
Yingluo...
Your Highness...
Your Highness, don't give up.
As long as you practice,
you can stand up and walk.
Even if you
really can't stand anymore,
I'm willing to be Your Highness' cane forever.
Yingluo.
Don't forget me.
I'm also accompanying Your Highness.
Young Mistress, you look so beautiful. (T/N Hitara Erqing, now Third Young Mistress of the Fuca household)
Dujuan,
the weather is getting colder.
Yes.
The wind gently riffles in the fine willow branches.
The wicker confusingly weaves together thousands of sorrows. The sea otter hasn't been drenched by the drizzle yet.
The pear flowers have blossomed like snow. Too bad spring is already half spent.
This is "Bewitching Eyes" by Wang Pang. (T/N Song Dynasty poet, 11th century CE)
You also like this poem?
Who is he?
Third Young Mistress, that's Fourth Young Master.
I never heard Her Highness the Empress mention him.
There are four Fuca brothers. The first three were sons of Old Madam.
They have the same mother as the Empress. Only the Fourth Young Master is a son of a concubine.
Previously, because of a sickly body, he has always been under the care of old Grand Master.
Last year, he was able to pass the Imperial civil examination and became a juren, hence, earning some prestige. (T/N "recommended man" - passed the triennial provincial level exam, lower than the jinshi of the palace examination)
Now, he's preparing for his marriage.
The Qing Empire was obtained through horses.
They never settle arguments through scholarly means. Among the high officials right now,
which one started from the Imperial examination?
Indeed.
Our Third Young Master is now the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Revenue.
He has a promising career.
Fourth Young Master will never compare to him.
Here.
Quickly!
Desheng!
Miss Mingyu.
Where are you delivering all those gifts?
Miss Mingyu, you still don't know yet? Mistress Chun of Zhongcui Palace is pregnant!
His Majesty has rewarded her a lot of gifts.
Miss Mingyu, send my regards to Her Highness the Empress.
I'll take my leave now.
Go!
You're frowning upon entering. Who offended you?
Your Highness the Empress, Consort Chun is pregnant.
They are making a huge scene of delivering gifts to Zhongcui Palace!
This is a good thing.
Go find a nice gift from my personal items.
Personally deliver it to Consort Chun.
Anyone who wants to go can go. Anyway, I'm not going.
- Mingyu.- Your Highness, Consort Chun has always been very close to you.
But how come Changchun Palace knows nothing of such great news?
What does she mean by this?
- Stop talking about it.- I'm telling the truth.
If Consort Chun comes to tell you, you only will feel happy for her.
Who would be jealous of her?
The fickleness of the world and of human nature.
I finally got to see it.
Your Highness, that Mingyu is too sharp-tongued.
Your Highness.
Respectfully greeting Your Highness the Empress.
Quickly rise. No need for these formalities.
- Thank you, Your Highness.- You are now of two bodies.
It's different from before. Quickly have a seat.
Your Highness the Empress, do you feel better?
I'm much better. You're now pregnant.
If you need anything, just instruct your servants to do it.
The wind outside is strong. You might catch a cold.
I'm grateful for Your Highness' concern.
However, I mustn't be disrespectful and unruly just because of your care.
Your Highness the Empress is the head of the six palaces. Regarding my pregnancy,
I should have informed you first.
Your Highness the Empress, this wasn't my mistress' fault.
Mistress just suddenly fainted, so we asked for an Imperial physician to examine her pulse
and learned that she is pregnant. She has just gotten better
and didn't mind the cold wind to come to your Changchun Palace to apologize,
because she was afraid that you'll misunderstand.
- Yuhu.- Consort Chun, there's no need for that between us.
I've always known your affection towards me.
What's important now is
peacefully giving birth to this Imperial child.
Stop pulling on it!
If you keep pulling on this tree, it's going to go bald!
What's wrong?
You're mad that Consort Chun didn't come.
Now that she's here...
Consort Chun used to come to Changchun Palace so diligently.
But since Her Highness got sick, she stopped coming.
Now that she's here, who knows if it's really to apologize or to show off?
She clearly knows how sad Her Highness was in losing her child. How could she...
- How could she dare to—- Mingyu, stop saying it.
Her Highness the Empress has always taken care of Consort Chun.
She sincerely feels happy for her.
Why must you bring up unhappy things? That will only make Her Highness the Empress feel anxious.
Moreover, once Her Highness' health has fully recovered,
she can also bear a legitimate son.
You're the forgiving one. I'm the only who is petty here! Rise up!
A person will usually move up.
Water will move down.
As long as Her Highness Consort Chun doesn't harm others,
what wrong did she commit?
Mingyu,
if you have the time to get mad here,
why not be a cane with me?
Your Highness, rest first if you're tired.
Your Highness!
Be careful.
Your Highness.
No...
I really can't.
Your Highness!
Your Highness.
When the Old Madam of the Vice Minister comes,
she usually goes back teary-eyed.
His Majesty will frequently secretly come to see you.
But His Majesty is afraid to bring you pain,
so he will secretly turn around
every time he reaches your chamber.
Your Highness, everyone is concerned about you.
So don't give up. Okay?
♫ I hear the sound of the snow slowly falling, ♫
♫ Though I close my eyes, it's impossible to stop the vision. ♫
♫ Nothing you can do about being approached, not being inconsistent in love, ♫
♫ Though merely holding onto it from the outside, prone to this sort of circumstance. ♫
♫ I hear the sound of the snow slowly falling ♫
♫ As though you are holding me closely, and speaking sweetly. ♫
♫ Opening your eyes to a sky filled with merciless snow falling, ♫
♫ Who, after suffering this loss for a lifetime, is fond of this scene? ♫
With such a joyous event, why are you crying?
I'm happy.
You...are going overboard.
Cry!
- Beloved consort.- Your Majesty.
Greetings, Your Majesty.
You body is heavier now. No need for such formalities.
Come... Sit down.
I'm unable to keep sitting.
This little thing kept kicking me.
I heard it from the Imperial physician. He keeps disturbing you all night.
It shows that this will be a very naughty child.
But my beloved consort is
smart, steady, and outstandingly-talented.
If it's a little prince, he surely will be very intelligent and will win my favor.
If it's a little princess,
she surely will be well-endowed with talents, energetic, and adorable.
He kicked you again?
Your Majesty, he said that he wants to hear you play the zither.
Want to hear me play the zither?
Is that okay, Your Majesty?
Sure.
Since it's his request, of course, I will do it.
Subtitles brought to you by The Gentle Empress Team @ Viki.
Is that His Majesty playing the zither?
How did you know, Your Highness?
"Standing on the summit of the palace, one's mind set on the flowing turquoise spring."
How could I not distinguish it?
It's hard for His Majesty to be in such a relaxed mood. If I go in now, it might disturb his concentration.
No need to inform them anymore.
Yes.
Your Highness.
This mistress of Zhongcui Palace now is highly-favored.
If she really gives birth to a little prince, won't she surpass you?
There are so many consorts in the Imperial harem.
Whoever His Majesty will favor, who will be allowed to bear him children, is one's fate.
Look at what you're saying.
Do you want me to hinder people from giving birth?
If I'm really going to hinder them, my hands will be so full.
Your Highness, you are still joking at this time?
Think about it. Her Highness the Empress is now sick.
Consort Chun is pregnant. You should tightly grab hold of a chance during times like this.
Only once you've given birth to an Imperial child can you be sitting easily in the boat despite the storms. (T/N idiom - remain calm during a tense situation)
Silly girl.
It's not yet the time. I still have a lot of official affairs to handle.
Let's go.
[ Chengqian Palace ]
Liu He, have you gotten so bold?
You dared to slack off and cheat on the task instructed to you by Her Highness?
Your Highness, I've already delivered to your maiden clan's manor
the leather fabrics you asked me to. All are top-quality fabrics.
What people did you send to deliver them?
Four eunuchs.
They kept praising my father and amusing him to the point of confusion, then asked him for reward money.
Four people taking in two hundred taels of silver.
Your Imperial Household Department really dares to do their tasks this way!
Your Highness! This...
I didn't know!
Although Father has been pardoned by His Majesty
and has returned to his official post, he's still honest and incorruptible like water.
But just to reward you servants, he even pawned the gifts I bestowed him.
Your Highness, please forgive me. I wasn't able to discipline my men well.
I deserve to die! I deserve to die!
- I deserve to die!- Enough.
Tell me, how should we handle this?
Your Highness, don't worry. I'll deal with them when I get back.
They won't dare be an eyesore to you anymore.
One is your assistant.
Once he dies, the post will be vacant.
For the choice for the post naturally,
I will follow Your Highness' instruction.
Yuan Chunwang!
Respectfully greeting Your Highness the Noble Consort.
You did well on your job as a supervisor in the Workhouse.
Starting today, follow Supervisor Liu and learn how to manage palace affairs well.
Don't disappoint me.
Thank you for your grace, Your Highness.
I surely will do my best and swear to repay you until death.
Yuan Chunwang, in just a short period, you've climbed to the assistant supervisor post of the Imperial Household Department.
You've spent quite a lot of effort on Her Highness Noble Consort Xian.
Supervisor Liu, you've overpraised me.
From now on, I still have to ask you to teach me a lot.
Subtitles brought to you by The Gentle Empress Team @ Viki.
Assistant Minister Fuheng, you're here.
I'll go inform Her Highness the Empress.
Yingluo, you can leave now.
Yes.
Sister, I heard that you can already walk normally.
Mother is so happy.
She insists on coming to the palace to visit you,
but since the start of spring, her vision has gotten worse.
His Majesty bestowed a favor to let Ye Tianshi go to the manor to check on her.
Unfortunately, he says that Mother's illness has been neglected for too long. It can't be cured anymore.
It is I who was unfilial and brought Mother harm.
Mother also said that for you to have fully recovered
means that the safety amulet worked.
Once her eyes are better, she'll go ask for one more.
She hopes that you can have a successful, peaceful, and worry-free life here in the palace.
Fuheng, I heard from His Majesty
that you are doing well in your official position.
Therefore, he plans to send you to Shanxi for training.
In just a few years,
you started as an Imperial guard and have gone up the ranks.
Now, you're going to Shanxi to be an inspector-general.
This is a huge grace.
But I have to give you some warning.
Throwing oil onto a blazing fire makes it burn splendidly,
but that isn't necessarily a good thing.
Sister, don't worry. I know how to act properly.
I won't disappoint His Majesty.
I also won't bring humiliation to the Fuca reputation.
You have always been diligent when it comes to official matters.
I'm always at ease.
It's just that lately, Erqing frequently comes here
full of grievances.
Official work is indeed important,
but don't ignore your wife.
Sister.
There are some things that should be put down
when it's time to.
Yingluo has already let it go.
How come you can't?
Could it be that you're more petty than a woman?
Sister, don't worry. I will take good care of Erqing.
I won't be unfaithful to her.
Yingluo, are you not sad?
The legs of Her Highness have recovered.
I'm so happy about it, so why would I be sad?
I thought that after seeing Imperial Guard Fuca, those sad memories would come back.
Mingyu.
Have you seen refugees?
Refugees?
When there is a disaster, there would be a lot of refugees entering the capital.
One warm bowl of soup can get you a slave contract.
Starting then, I understood
in favor of survival,
everything else must yield.
So for a person with my background,
how can I have the time to be troubled by love?
- I'm very busy.- What are you busy doing?
Making lotus cake!
Wei Yingluo, you dare to dirty my face?
Look how I'll deal with you!
Have you delivered the letter?
Yes. But I'm afraid that Young Master might not be happy about it.
Why?
The Fuca Clan and the Hitara Clan are relatives by marriage.
One's glory or downfall will affect the other.
I'm just writing my grandfather a letter to just for mutual help.
With his being so inflexible, only I could do this.
Oh, right. I've asked you to invite some madams to come here for some flower viewing. Have you made the arrangements?
Young Mistress, don't worry. I've sent out the letters.
Look.
What?
Young Mistress, I noticed that every time you come out of our courtyard,
Fourth Young Master secretly looks at you.
This has happened so many times.
[ The Diary of Zeng Wenzheng ]
Young Mistress, it's the study of the Young Master up ahead.
How about we just go back?
What? I can't go inside the study of Fuheng?
But Young Mistress, other than the cleaning servant,
Young Master doesn't allow anyone to enter his room.
Young Mistress.
What are you hiding in your hand?
I...
I'm asking you what you're hiding in your hands.
Young Master!
- Young Master, you're finally back.- What's wrong?
Quickly go to the study to look. Qinglian is about to die.
Erqing, what are you doing?
What am I doing?
Can't you see it already?
Take her away.
All of you, get out!
I didn't let her go yet!
I've asked everyone to leave
just to give you some dignity. Are you going to continue causing trouble?
I'm causing trouble?
Fuca Fuheng,
we've only been married for a year.
You live in your study every day and never enter my room.
So, it's all because of her?
What are you saying?
I saw with my own eyes...
saw how she prepared your bed.
"Studying while being accompanied by a beautiful woman is such a pleasurable and carefree thing!"
While I'm left behind guarding an empty room.
How could you treat me like this?
It's not like what you think.
What is it then? What is it then!
What is it then?
When I had just arrived in the Ministry of Revenue,
I still hadn't made a foothold and there were so many things to do.
I was so busy that I neglected you.
But it has nothing to do with that maidservant.
I won't believe you anymore!
For the past year, I've looked forward to seeing you every day,
waited for you every day, but how did you treat me?
You promised me that we'll live our days well,
but have you done it?
You've become irrational.
Let's just talk once you've calmed down.
You can't go! You can't go!
If you don't explain it clearly, you're not allowed to go!
You must clear this matter up with me!
Fuca Fuheng! Fuca Fuheng!
You told me that you don't have an affair with her. This is the evidence!
This is the evidence!
Fuca Fuheng!
I had initially planned to gift you that hairpin.
But from the looks of it now, there's no need for it.
Fuheng!
Steward Liu.
- Young Master.- How is she?
Young Master.
Be honest with me.
The doctor has examined her.
Young Mistress used a heated iron broomstick to hit her, so her body is full of wounds.
The fingernails from both her hands have all been removed.
She's drenched with blood, so appalling to look at.
She's totally crazy.
How come a maidservant entered my study?
The footman cleaning your study got sick.
I temporarily had someone do it.
Never thought that Young Mistress would walk in on her.
Let the doctor continue treating her. Tell her to recuperate in peace.
Young Master!
Young Master...
Subtitles brought to you by The Gentle Empress Team @ Viki.
♫Softly falling into the hollow of my palm,♫
♫Resting frozen in the center of my palm.♫
♫Our meeting across past incarnations was inevitable,♫
♫Joined together, deeply experiencing and holding onto the end of happiness.♫
♫Though plainly given words of discouragement,♫
♫Pretending to hear nothing but exhortation.♫
♫ Endless tears, believing it cannot be true,♫
♫ In this life, being born under an unlucky star.♫
♫I hear the sound of the snow slowly falling♫
♫ Though I close my eyes, it's impossible to stop the vision.♫
♫ Nothing you can do about being approached, not being inconsistent in love,♫
♫ Though merely holding onto it from the outside, prone to this sort of circumstance.♫
♫ I hear the sound of the snow slowly falling♫
♫ As though you are holding me closely, and speaking sweetly.♫
♫ Opening your eyes to a sky filled with merciless snow falling,♫
♫ Who, after suffering this loss for a lifetime, is fond of this scene?♫