"southeast Gate of Yeting, tonight at 9:00. Hui."
How dare you act on your own?
I'm sorry, Milady!
Wu Ruyi spells trouble.
I only wanted to help put a stop to future trouble.
Nonsense!
What kind of place is Yeting? Don't you know?
For the rest of her life,
chances are slim for her to get out.
she's innocent.
We should spare her.
What a sin!
Please don't be upset, Milady!
I've made a mistake.
I'll mind my own business from now on!
Ruyi!
sis Hui!
Ruyi, where are you?
I'm over here!
Where?
Here!
Ruyi!
sis Hui!
This is a good idea!
sis Hui!
I can finally see you!
How are you?
What about you?
You're such a great chess player.
Not only can you recite all of His Majesty's poems,
you knew when he wrote them and all the stories behind as well.
You knew everything by heart!
No wonder His Majesty is so fond of you.
As spring turns into summer, birds have flown and flowers have withered.
I was fond of his poems first before I knew he wrote them.
Then I tried my best to find a copy of all his poems.
After I'd read them over and over,
I thought it'd be great if I could meet him.
I didn't know I'd meet him in Chang'an.
Before you came to the Palace,
you had already fallen in love with him?
You look so calm and composed,
when in fact you're very passionate.
Deep down, you're a very warm person.
I must tell you something,
you're now His Majesty's favourite,
you'll be a thorn in people's eye.
People can be treacherous in the harem,
you must be very careful with whatever you eat, wear and use.
I'll be honest with you,
the food you sent me was poisoned.
How did that happen?
I ate the food I sent you as well.
You can be so silly.
Of course I trust you.
I'm just worried about your safety.
I'll remember what you said.
How Wanyan died...I will never forget.
I'll prepare some jewellery pieces
and give them to eunuchs and maids who work in Yeting.
It's the same everywhere in the Palace.
You'll suffer if you don't pay them.
You're so nice to me!
Don't be silly! In this big Palace,
you're the only one I trust.
Who else but you would I be nice to?
Thank Heaven!
His Majesty promoted me to a Jieyu,
or else I couldn't help you.
I have one more wish tonight.
What wicked idea do you have now?
On July 4th, 637, I, Xu Hui...
Wu Ruyi...
...become sworn sisters.
From now on, we'll be sisters.
Through thick and thin...
we'll support each other...
...and never leave each other.
What is this?
This bracelet is for you.
This is...
Before I came to the Palace, my Mother gave me this bracelet.
From your Mother?
That's too precious! You can't give it away! I can't accept it!
Precisely because it's from my Mother, that's why it's most precious to me.
I'm giving it to you because
you're the only person I cherish.
Your Highness, alchemy is about
strengthening yourself using outside substances.
This immortality pill is extracted from over 100 herbs, gold and mercury
and heavenly water from songyang Temple.
In 6 months, I can guarantee...
Hold on!
6 months is too long!
I have to be inediate during these 6 months?
Your Highness, it's necessary.
I have to be inediate for 6 months?
Give up meat and other delicacies?
Fine! Give him 20 taels of silver.
Thank you, Your Highness!
Then give him 20 canes and get rid of him.
Your Highness, this pill is very effective!
Your Highness! Get out!
Yes! Your Highness, the silver...
Your Highness!
You threw out another alchemist?
This one expects me to give up meat and wine for 6 months.
How can I stand that?
Good riddance! This quack is after money!
Your Highness!
This is the 5th alchemist I found for you.
You drove away the rest before him.
You never take what they prescribe.
Look at this...
Don't I look like I'm in good spirits?
Younger?
Your Highness...
say no more, I know what you want to say.
You want to tell me
I'm not as valiant as the Crown Prince
and not as reserved as the Prince of Wu?
I'd love to be valiant like the Crown Prince
and handsome like the Prince of Wu... but it's too hard.
I understand, perhaps someday...
Gentlemen, thank you for your trouble!
You may all go!
Go on!
The day you move into the Eastern Palace,
you won't feel so hungry.
How can you say something so treasonous?
Why are you here?
We got word.
she wants to meet you at 7:00 this evening
at Yehu Lane to discuss something important.
Tonight?
Yes!
I didn't realise you had such a kind heart.
This forest is the burial ground
for descendants of sui and Tang who died young.
Who knows? I may have relatives buried here.
Greetings, Milady!
At ease!
As I have said,
if you're willing to work with us the Wei clan,
there's no need to be punctilious.
Thank you.
If you treasure family ties,
why are you fighting with the Crown Prince?
Why won't you settle for being a prince?
For vindication, just like you.
Besides, only brothers who won't stand in my way are my true brothers.
If I was heartless,
I wouldn't pick June 4th, a taboo day, to meet with you in the Yehu Lane.
What is it you want to discuss with me?
Didn't you promise to help me become the Empress?
It's premature to name the Empress right now
Then when is the right time?
At least wait another year or two.
A year or two?
You're allegedly the smartest among all the princes.
This is your suggestion?
A year or two goes by quickly.
The so-called smart person is only more patient than others.
Chu suiliang has such audacity!
What has he done, sire?
He wrote a report to impeach Wei Yuancheng.
since Wei became the Minister of Defence,
he has abused his power and formed a clique for personal gains.
There is solid evidence and material support
Congratulations, sire!
Congratulations?
After all these years,
the first impeachment on Wei Yuancheng.
Really?
The first step is the hardest.
I wonder what Chancellor Zhangsun would say.
As far as I know, it has been going on for some time.
Father!
What is it? Wait till after the assembly.
It's urgent! It'll be too late then.
What is it?
Wei Yuancheng plans to propose naming a new Empress.
Father...what's wrong?
Chest pains! Father!
Chancellor, are you alright?
Chest pain...like a knife in my heart!
It's painful...
What now? Get the Imperial Doctor!
Father has a chronic heart condition.
He needs to go home and take his medication.
Excuse us, gentlemen!
His Majesty the Emperor!
Long live Your Majesty!
At ease! Thank you, Your Majesty!
The upcoming Grand Assembly is held once every 3 years.
Ambassadors from various states will gather in Chang'an.
As the hosting state, we must show hospitality
and keep our guests entertained.
Anything to report?
Your Majesty!
The most important event of the Grand Assembly
is the polo match between the princes
of Tang, Mongolia and silla.
As the participating states are all aware
that the polo match represents the strength of their cavalry.
Last time we beat Prince Mutu of Mongolia by one point,
and secured peace at the border for the past 3 years.
Mutu is born dauntless.
Ke is only his equal in terms of skills.
We beat him last time probably because of luck.
I invited you two here
about the Glass Banquet, held once every 3 years.
We always host the Banquet in the harem.
His Majesty takes it very seriously.
As the host,
not only must we entertain the womenfolk of the ambassadors,
we must also exhibit
the grace and elegance of the Tang women.
Over 6 months ago,
I designated the Imperial Household Bureau to make preparations.
Chun Ying!
Yes, Milady!
Consort Wei instructed
the Houses of Jewellery, Attire, Furnishing and Food
to prepare these specially for the Glass Banquet.
Please have a look, Your Highnesses.
Engraved flowers embedded in a gilded bowl!
I have never seen such exquisite handicraft!
If we serve soup in this bowl, the golden flower will blossom.
It'll be such an eye-opener for the foreigners.
Enamel? This is from the Western Regions.
It's very rare in Chang'an.
An enamel container is something every lady in town scrambles for.
To use such a rare craft in making a fan is simply ingenious!
I must hand it to you.
If you like it so much,
I'll give it to you as a gift.
And I'd gladly accept. Thank you!
Good! That's all for today.
If there's nothing else, this assembly is adjourned.
Your Majesty!
I have something else to report.
Go ahead!
Empress Wende left us over a year ago.
since then, things in the harem have been handled by the eunuchs.
Without an Empress, there's no one to lead in tackling matters in the harem.
Your Majesty has had to make all the decisions,
thereby taking on an extra burden.
You're saying...
I urge you to choose someone
among the consorts to head the harem
and make her Empress
so she can help share your burden.
Your Majesty!
I think Minister Wei's proposal
requires further deliberation.
Your Majesty, it's inadvisable
to delay in choosing an Empress.
This is a serious matter
that must be discussed with Chancellor Zhangsun.
Unfortunately, he's out sick today.
Your Majesty, this is a pressing matter.
Wei Zheng, what do you think? should I choose an Empress?
Minister Wei has a point.
Carry on!
Do you have a candidate in mind?
Well...
The Empress must be someone capable.
Among the 3 consorts,
Consort Yang is dignified and elegant, but she's been ill for over 6 months.
Her poor health has rendered her unfit to share Your Majesty's burden.
Consort Yan is virtuous and benevolent,
but she has a rather weak personality
and can't handle matters in the harem.
What you're saying is that
only your niece Consort Wei is a suitable candidate?
I'm just pointing out the facts for Your Majesty's consideration.
This silk dress with feathers was specially made for Xiang'er.
Though most women of the harem are very talented,
but I dare say I'm not being biased,
Xiang'er is the best dancer among them.
What do you think?
You're so right!
But I remember on the anniversary of Empress Wende's death,
the one who led the dance as Prince Lanling
was Cairen Wu and not Cairen Xiao.
Cairen Wu?
You're right, I almost forgot about her if you hadn't brought it up.
How can someone sentenced to Yeting dance at the Grand Assembly?
see? How silly of me!
I'm so sick even my memory fails me.
Please forgive me.
Of course! The harem is forever expanding.
With more people, there are more things to attend to.
I can't possibly do everything alone.
For this year's Grand Assembly,
I hope that you will, as always,
assist me in any way you can.
starting today, the harem must work together,
anyone from any department who has any new ideas
or any precious items, feel free to pass them onto me.
The Banquet comes before anything else.
Yes, Your Highness!
Chu suiliang, what's your opinion on the matter?
With regards to Empress Wende,
I think we must hear from Chancellor Zhangsun.
You're just making an excuse.
Chancellor Zhangsun is obviously not here
how can His Majesty talk to him?
Then we'll wait for him to recover.
I've been pondering on the issue for some time.
Minister Wei was right to bring it up, but the gravity of it
makes it necessary for us to wait for Chancellor Zhangsun.
Let's leave it at that.
Now let's discuss the Grand Assembly.
For this year's Glass Banquet,
who do you think should be in charge?
Your Majesty!
Consort Wei has always been in charge.
Yes, that's why whenever I think of how hard she has worked for it,
my heart goes out to her!
But...
For this year's Glass Banquet,
I want to put Consort Yang in charge. What do you think?
Come...have another drink!
Drink all you want...
Good! Drink up!
Have fun! Yes!
Chancellor Wei, you can't go in...
Chancellor Wei...
step away!
Fill it up! Drink it!
Your Highness!
Chancellor Wei!
step aside...Pour a cup for Chancellor Wei! Quickly!
I have heard so much about you, the exemplary advisor.
I'm so glad to make your acquaintance.
I am Chen Wuling. Here's a toast to you.
I'm late, I'll drink this!
Drink up!
I thought you were having a good time.
Please excuse us, Chancellor!
Goodbye, Chancellor!
I just want a drink,
why are you such a spoil sport?
Today at Taiji Hall,
the Minister of Defence proposed to make Consort Wei the new Empress.
What do you think?
What did Uncle say?
What about Father? What did he think?
On his way to the morning assembly,
Chancellor Zhangsun had a relapse.
He went home without reaching Taiji Hall.
His Majesty was noncommittal
but he put Consort Yang in charge of this year's Glass Banquet.
Consort Yang! Father wants her as the Empress?
You don't want to be Crown Prince anyway.
Why do you care who's the new Empress?
Unlike Consort Wei, Consort Yang has a son.
The Prince of Wu.
You said you didn't want to be Crown Prince because you were indignant.
You indulge yourself in a drinking binge, hoping to catch His Majesty's attention.
You want to tell him nothing came of the case of the scared horse
and you feel wronged and angry.
What's the point of maintaining this attitude?
The Crown Prince of Tang can be so childish. How disappointing!
seeking justice is childish?
Your so-called being mature
is nothing but being a two-faced hypocrite.
You're angry inside, but act like you're happy and carefree,
hypocritically trying to keep peace.
To me, maturity means for you to understand
the path from being the master of the Eastern Palace to becoming Emperor
is like rowing upstream.
Behind you is a bottomless abyss.
Either you reach your goal or you'll be smashed to pieces in your fall.
Don't do anything out of vindication.
You should think about using the Grand Assembly
to turn things around for yourself.
Well?
You look divine and gloriously elegant, Milady!
Really?
Of course!
Only this golden phoenix embroidered robe
can match your unsurpassed dignified disposition.
What are you doing at the House of Attire?
Because of the Grand Assembly,
everyone inside the harem have their hands full.
You should do your part at the House of Food
instead of coming over here and flatter me with pointless sweet talk.
Now that's so unfair!
I came over
to offer you a gift.
Look at this...
This shoe...is quite interesting!
This phoenix platform shoe
was made with golden silk for the sole,
in the shape of a phoenix spreading its wings.
I had it specially made for you by a master shoemaker.
Do you like it?
How sweet of you!
I heard in a few days
the Prince of Qi will be in Chang'an for the capping ceremony.
A trip from Qizhou is not easy.
I'll speak to His Majesty,
on account of my hard work in the Glass Banquet,
he'll agree to letting the Prince of Qi
stay in Chang'an a bit longer,
so that he can spend time with his Mother.
Would you like that?
I'll never forget your benevolence!
Don't mention it! It's nothing!
The shoe is pretty,
but a shoe is something you must wear.
I wonder if it'll fit.
This pair of shoes
was made according to your size.
Of course it'll fit.
I'd love to try it, but my back is acting up
I can't bend over. What should I do?
Milady!
I will... step down!
she's out of line. Please forgive her!
We're like sisters,
let me help you put them on.
I can't let you...
Please get up!
Your back hurts,
let me help you.
Milady!
What is it?
I have something important to report!
Can we do this in private?
Go ahead! We're like family!
Just say it!
But...
Go ahead!
Yes, Milady.
At the morning assembly
His Majesty decided to put Consort Yang in charge of this year's Glass Banquet.
What?
Your Highness!
As soon as Wei Zheng showed up
those dandies who hung out with the Crown Prince,
must have run for the door, right?
Please don't bother yourself with such trifle matters.
I have bad news!
someone proposed at the morning assembly
that Consort Wei be made Empress.
Consort Wei? she has no children.
Maybe it's not so bad... What did His Majesty say?
He didn't say anything.
But he proposed putting Consort Yang in charge of the Glass Banquet.
Consort Yang?
He wants her to be the Empress?
Are you hurt, Milady?
I'm fine! But why, out of the blue?
His Majesty wants a different Crown Prince?
His Highness has not done anything out of line lately.
Except for Chengxin.
Yet His Highness wouldn't listen to reason.
He threw a fit each time I brought up the subject.
What can I do?
If His Highness won't send him away,
we must make him leave on his own.
That's retribution. His Majesty must have finally realised
Consort Wei only pretends to be virtuous
when in fact she runs amuck in the harem.
I believe
Consort Wei will fall from grace from now on
Yes and no.
His Majesty knows all about her evildoing.
He just chooses to ignore it.
If she's to fall from grace for good,
it's because something is about to happen in Court.
You mean about the Wei clan?
I just didn't expect
the Wei clan would go down faster than I thought.
Looks like trying to please Consort Wei
in exchange for You's longer stay will not work.
should he be brought back for the capping ceremony?
When my brother insisted that
he should attend the Grand Assembly,
I had my misgivings.
I have a feeling he's up to something.
He wants to use Consort Wei to help You'er stay in Chang'an.
But considering her current situation...
I must write to You'er.
Tell him to fake an illness and stay away.
This letter must reach him directly.
Don't let my brother intercept it. Yes!
Greetings, Your Highness!
You sent for me?
What do you really want?
Money? Women? Land or title?
As long as you leave His Highness,
I'll give you anything.
You're wrong about me.
Don't you realise His Highness is in imminent danger?
If his position was secure,
no one would dare suggest naming a new Empress.
You dare say your sticking with the Crown Prince
has no impact on his position?
Leave him if you're truly grateful to him.
Milady!
You only see the trouble I bring him.
But in my humble opinion,
I can help him in a lot of ways.
Like you said, at this critical time when he's in danger,
I must not leave him.
Please understand and excuse me.
Father!
Wei Yuancheng proposed naming a new Empress.
Wei Zheng and Chu suiliang had their respective reasons to object.
And His Majesty suddenly suggested
putting Consort Yang in charge of this year's Glass Banquet.
It's just like telling us Consort Wei will never become Empress.
Wei Yuancheng was too impatient.
Ever since he handed over his control over the army,
and became the Minister of Defence,
the Wei clan has been on the decline.
If not for the fact that the clan still has family members in the army,
His Majesty wouldn't have any qualms about him.
Wei Yuancheng is well aware of that.
That's why he recommended his niece for the Empress title,
so that her clout in the harem can make up for his decline.
That's just his wishful thinking.
To compare his niece with Empress Wende, he is just overconfident.
You suppose Consort Yang is His Majesty's choice for Empress?
Then the Prince of Wu is likely to become Crown Prince!
What has the Crown Prince done today?
He indulged in drinking with a group of dandies.
I heard Wei Zheng caught them in the act.
There were rumours about the Crown Prince's misconduct earlier on.
He allowed Zhang Wenliang to kill someone
which led to the case of the scared horse.
Instead of introspection,
he has indulged in drinking and womanising.
If His Majesty gets wind of it,
his situation will just be unthinkable.
He's not acting wilfully,
he wants us to know the grievance he has suffered.
As for naming the Empress,
Consort Yang or Consort Wei won't matter.
The point is,
what His Majesty thinks and what the Crown Prince would do.
He's giving his uncle such a hard time.
Without changes in Heaven and Earth, nothing will be created.
Without changes in yin and yang, things will not prosper.
With the current peace and the upcoming Grand Assembly,
amnesty is granted to those not on death row...
The Grand Assembly is held once every 3 years.
It is a manifestation of the heyday of Tang, and also a day to grant amnesty.
Wu Ruyi survived a year's imprisonment in Yeting
and was finally released.
sis Hui!
I missed you so!
Greetings, Cairen Wu! Per Jieyu Xu's order
Rui'on will look after you
at Qingning Palace from now on.
Qingning Palace?
His Majesty reinstated your status as Cairen
You won't go back to that rotten chamber.
You'll move into Qingning Palace now.
When Consort Wei tortured me,
I almost died in Chengqing Hall.
The harem is about the survival of the fittest.
If we resign to our fate
without fighting back, we'll be condoning the evildoing,
and allowing Consort Wei's arrogance to grow by the day.
I'm not resolved.
We must do something.
You're a Cairen,
I'm only a Jieyu.
What can we do?
What do you think of Consort Yang?
she has done you a favour
and she takes care of us.
We wouldn't be here today without her.
since she has shown us benevolence,
it's time we returned a favour.
You're suggesting we seek refuge with Consort Yang?
Only if we help her gain her influence in the harem
can we counter Consort Wei's power.