At the morning assembly
His Majesty decided to put Consort Yang in charge of this year's Glass Banquet.
Milady, judging from the current situation,
Consort Yang is likely to replace Consort Wei
as head of the consorts,
or even become the Empress.
What should we do?
Consort Yang and I don't socialise much with each other.
It's too late to play up to her now.
Let me think it over.
All I want is to have my son You'er near me.
If he remains the Prince of Qi,
it's unlikely I'll see him more than 10 times for the rest of my life.
I probably won't be a part of the important occasions of his life
like getting married and having children.
That's all I ever wish for.
Why is it so hard?
What does the letter say?
Mother wants me to fake an illness.
Use it as my excuse to stay in Qizhou
and not go to Chang'an.
What should I tell her, Uncle?
Just say you'll do as she asks.
Your Mother has made progress in recent years.
If you didn't tell me,
I wouldn't know you had received such a letter.
I know Mother loves me.
But she doesn't know what I really want.
You need another dosage, Uncle?
No need.
Don't worry, for the Grand Assembly,
I have been planning for a long time.
The day the Grand Assembly ends,
is the day you'll get your wish.
Father, this is from the frontier.
It's as bad as I thought.
What's the situation in Qizhou?
It's still relatively peaceful.
According to Quan Wanji
Yin Hongzhi's health is failing.
His days are numbered.
That's good news.
I placed Quan Wanji inside the Prince of Qi's mansion
to keep an eye on Yin Hongzhi.
Because I'm worried he'd start a rebellion to avenge his Father.
When he's dead,
Tang will be more stable.
He'll follow the Prince of Qi to Chang'an for the Grand Assembly,
and perform the capping ceremony.
Chong, as long as the Qizhou army stays in Qizhou,
even if Yin Hongzhi comes to Chang'an,
he can't do much on his own.
Besides, His Majesty gave him his consent.
Let him come.
The next important thing
is the Grand Assembly in a month.
Greetings, Consort Yang!
At ease!
Thank you, Consort Yang!
Please take a look at the fabric on both sides.
I told the Imperial Household Bureau
to have these ordered for the Grand Assembly
I invited you all here so that you could pick your own fabric,
and have your measurements taken for a new gown.
Two maids from the House of Attire will be assigned to each of you.
Tang's honour is key of the state's concern.
The Glass Banquet hosted by the harem
is also about Taiji Palace's prestige.
You should know that after the Glass Banquet,
The makeup of the womenfolk of the Tang harem
as well as fashion and hairstyle
will be imitated by the city of Chang'an,
as well as the foreign states across the four seas.
That's why, on the day of the Banquet, you must all dress up, and look your best
as a manifestation of how the Tang women can shine like the sun and the moon.
Yes, Consort Yang!
Qingxuan, take the tailor-made red peacock brocade robe for Consort Yin
over to Chenxi Palace.
Yes, Milady!
Look!
Come...
Look at this!
This cloud brocade looks refined and tranquil.
It's perfect for you.
No one knows me better than you!
How did you know this was the only one I liked?
Really?
I knew the only thing that caught your eye
was the fan Consort Yang is holding, right?
Come!
What a coincidence!
The person who fights me on everything is always Cairen Wu.
Let go!
Ruyi!
Cairen Xiao, did you see the red peony brocade over there?
That bolt is inlaid with golden threads and has a soaring phoenix pattern.
I think it's embroidery from suzhou.
It looks very distinguished.
I'm sure you'll complement each other.
Cairen Xiao, if I were you,
I'd go grab that red peony brocade.
I'm sorry to disappoint you.
I only like the cloud brocade you're holding
Like?
What you like may not be what's suitable.
Look, Cairen Xiao...
the cloud brocade is elegant but plain,
but you're domineering and bossy.
It's not compatible with you.
You...
If sis Hui wears the cloud brocade, it can bring out her elegance.
If you put on something not suitable for you
it'll be neither fish nor fowl. You'll only be the laughing stock!
You... That's enough!
Let her have it.
Ruyi, let's pick something else.
No, this cloud brocade...
is mine.
You want to fight me? You're out of your league.
Qiang'er, mind your manners!
Aunt!
Greetings, Consort Wei!
At ease!
Aunt! I saw the cloud brocade first.
Wu Ruyi and Xu Hui fought me for it.
Please rule on my behalf!
Don't let the kids upset you!
Do you know what you have done wrong?
No!
You have no sense of authority!
Xu Hui is a Jieyu, you have no right to fight her!
You're out of line, and broke the rules of the harem.
Chun Ying, take her outside.
Don't let her get up until she has knelt for 4 hours.
Yes, Milady!
Aunt!
Let's go, Cairen!
Pardon Xiang'er's insensibility.
I must apologise!
That's an overstatement!
Look at this...
you must have put in a lot of effort.
I usually ask the House of Attire
to take everyone's measurements at their chambers
and assign a fabric to them by rank.
You obviously have an original idea and are being more thoughtful.
Everyone gets to pick something they like,
I'm sure they'll be radiant at the Banquet.
Thank you for your compliment. I'm just doing my job.
You must be bored in Xianling Palace.
You try to play to the crowd and put on such a show
to let the concubines fight among themselves
That's exactly what you wanted, I'm sure!
For this year's Glass Banquet
I hope everyone in the harem will work together
and give Consort Yang a hand.
Just like you have helped me before.
I'll do as you say, Your Highness
and try my best to help Consort Yang.
Look...
What?
I will also try my best to help Consort Yang
Congratulations! With their help you'll be like a tiger with wings.
I won't impose on you anymore.
I don't want to ruin your fun.
Get up!
Goodbye, Your Highness! Goodbye!
Let's go!
Wait!
Get lost! You're a cat crying over a dead mouse!
What a hypocrite!
How can you be so stupid?
You can't even scold someone!
If we are cats, you're the dead mouse!
You... Ruyi!
Consider it my fault.
I only meant to provoke you.
I didn't expect you'd be punished.
I apologise.
I owe you one, alright?
she's still ignoring me!
You consider yourself so clever
and promised to help me become the Empress.
But this time you sat on the sideline.
I see...in your eyes, the Wei clan is not good enough for you.
You're mistaken.
I objected to your uncle's proposal from the start.
But he wouldn't listen to me.
He recklessly brought up the subject in Court
and landed us into this passive situation.
There's also my Uncle Zhangsun Wuji to consider.
I'm becoming more convinced he's not entirely backing the Crown Prince.
He only supports the Zhangsun lineage.
He's observing all my Mother's sons.
That's why I must not let him catch onto what we're doing.
In that case, your younger brother Li Zhi is also a threat.
Leave Zhinu out of this.
Unlike Chengqian, he's just a boy.
He has nothing to do with this cut-throat scheming.
There's no need to get huffy with me!
I was being impudent. I'm sorry!
Please forgive me!
The contest in the Imperial Garden tomorrow
is a tryout for the polo team captain at the Grand Assembly.
Are you prepared?
Not for something I can't possibly win.
It's better to watch the fire burn across the river.
Looks like the Prince of Wu has a bigger chance of winning.
I'll arrange for someone in his mansion to tell him
Consort Yang has passed on a message to him.
At tomorrow's contest,
it's likely he'll throw in the match.
Just sit tight for the show at the Imperial Garden tomorrow.
Good swordsmanship!
Chengxin, how do I compare with my brother?
Tell me!
You're about neck to neck.
Father is obviously being partial to him.
This match is tailor-made for him.
Tell me, Chengxin...
Will Father make Consort Yang the Empress?
Not really!
Chancellor Zhangsun attended the morning assembly today.
His Majesty wanted to wait till
after the Grand Assembly to discuss the issue.
I think His Majesty is encouraging you to pick yourself up.
No, your thinking is too naive.
It's definitely not that simple.
Ke is a good swordsman, but he may not beat me.
I will become the captain of the polo team.
I want to show the ambassadors the best prince of Tang is me,
the Crown Prince, Li Chengqian.
Chengxin, let's practise.
Let's...
Come on!
I finally understand why His Highness is always with Chengxin.
At least he can help him for now.
Milady, Xianling Palace sent over a red peacock brocade robe.
Qianxiang Palace sent one with a golden phoenix.
What do you think we should do?
It's time to make a decision.
If you wear that dress
and dance at the Glass Banquet,
you'll beat all others and catch His Majesty's eye.
still angry with me for punishing you?
Qianxiang Palace is not what it used to be anymore.
You think the Wei clan is still 3 feet from Heaven?
I don't want to see you suffer from injustice.
silly girl!
Why fight her for a banquet?
Even if Consort Yang is in charge,
it's only temporary glory for her.
What we're after is the Empress title. Understand?
But why Consort Yang of all people?
Is she His Majesty's choice for Empress?
There are over 3,000 concubines in the harem.
Anyone can become the Empress but not Consort Yang.
Why?
she's His Majesty's Pure Consort
and also a princess from the sui Dynasty.
Emperor Yang's blood is running in her body.
This is the kind of blood His Majesty and Tang are fearful of.
since my Father passed away,
my Uncle is the only one left in the Court.
And he can't clap with one hand.
I'm not getting any younger,
and my ability is falling short of my wishes
Remember this, Xiang'er,
you're our only hope.
You're young and your whole life is ahead of you.
Learn to draw in your claws and be meticulous in all this,
you'll make it to the top.
Just hold your temper.
I'm sorry!
I won't forget your teachings.
For you, for the Wei clan.
My dear Xiang'er,
I'm so glad to hear that.
Look at Consort Yang,
with Wu Ruyi and Xu Hui's help,
we must not take them too lightly.
You must practise your dance.
With your gift and a little practice,
you can dazzle everyone at the Banquet.
Don't let Wu Ruyi and Xu Hui upstage you.
Chun Ying, take my gifts for Cairen Xiao to her chamber.
Yes, Milady!
Thank you, Aunt!
I'll excuse myself.
What about the phoenix platform shoes?
shall I send those over too?
Moron!
Those phoenix platform shoes... No one but me is worthy of them.
I was stupid to offend you, Milady!
Please don't be upset...
Milady, Consort Yan is here.
sendherin.
Yes, Milady!
It has only been a few days,
you're a much better player now.
You had me heavily surrounded,
how can you say I'm getting better?
You're just letting me win.
And I thought you wouldn't be playing with me today.
Why don't you make your move?
You turned things around completely.
I must hand it to you.
Don't admit your defeat so quickly, the game is far from over.
Where there is danger, there is a chance.
You must create danger.
Only an expert player can do that.
When all seem lost,
one crucial move can turn things around.
I'm so grateful for your advice, I really learned so much.
You're smart, you know the rules of the game are applicable to the harem.
As always, I'll follow your lead.
You lose!
Now, let's get back to business!
What happened at the Imperial Household Bureau,
please don't take that to heart.
Your grievance and your kindness
I understand that completely.
You flatter us by saying that, Your Highness
Ruyi and I are in the wrong too.
We forgot your teaching and caused you trouble.
Ruyi...
Please blame me for everything.
I was impetuous and reckless.
I gave Consort Wei an excuse to cause you grievance.
What are you talking about?
You really complement each other.
One is gentle like water, the other unyielding like fire.
One is bullied, the other comes forward.
One is rash, the other holds her back.
Your deep affection for each other makes me rather jealous.
We're embarrassing ourselves, really.
It's the cloud brocade!
You left empty handed the other day.
I asked the House of Attire to reserve this bolt
so that I can give it to Xu Hui, and...
I specially ordered this chrysanthemum ocher brocade with gold silk
as a gift for Ruyi.
Thank you, Your Highness!
Is that the cloud brocade?
Yes!
How did you know I like chrysanthemum in gold silk?
Not only that, I also know you like my enamel fan, right?
I'm so ignorant. It's so embarrassing.
This fan of yours is so elegant and rare.
I have never seen it before.
Did you say it's an enamel fan?
No wonder!
Yes, it is rare indeed.
A rarity deserves an owner who appreciates it.
I'll give this fan to you.
For me?
Thank you, Your Highness!
Look!
It's beautiful!
Because of the Glass Banquet, there's still a lot of work to do.
I hope you'll give me a hand.
I'll do my best to lessen your burden.
Milady, will you say yes to Consort Wei?
she made it very clear.
And she has a point too.
The clout of the Wei clan won't disappear overnight.
Putting someone else in charge of the Glass Banquet,
is a test for Consort Wei by His Majesty.
He couldn't possibly make Consort Yang the Empress.
Like me, Consort Yang is a descendant of a convicted courtier.
We can never become Empress.
But while the Court is unstable,
Consort Wei can still bide her chance and ashes can burn again.
since you've made up your mind,
I wouldn't dare make any comments.
But Consort Wei has never been kind.
I'm worried you'll always be under her control.
I don't mind.
As long as I can be reunited with You, I can bear with anything.
Come here, I have a job for you...
Ladies...
The princes are competing in the Imperial Garden.
Rui'on, you want to watch?
I don't like fighting.
I don't want to go.
You can't even lie!
You suppose His Majesty will be there?
His Majesty? Probably...
This is not an ordinary match.
It's a tryout for the polo team captain.
His Majesty dismissed the morning assembly quickly today.
Maybe he's on his way over.
Did you hear that?
since you left Yeting, you haven't been happy.
You probably missed His Majesty.
Here's your big chance.
Let's go to the Imperial Garden.
Even just one glance of him,
will make you feel better.
If he wanted to see me, he would have summoned me.
If he doesn't want to see me,
even if I go to the Imperial Garden, it would be a waste of time.
You two go ahead! I'll head back.
Ruyi!
Where's Zhinu? Why isn't he here?
I don't know!
I heard His Highness went out early today.
Your Highness, please come down!
If anyone sees you, I'm dead.
Don't worry! No one will punish you.
Hang on, Your Highness!
Help....
Help!
Don't stand there! Go get help!
Help!
Milady, can you help me?
What is it?
Look!
Help!
His Highness is up on the tree and I'm too weak,
I cannot carry his weight.
Can you keep an eye on him
so I can go get help?
Alright, run along!
No, get a man, not a woman!
Right! Get a man!
Moron! You're a man! Come back...
Help...
Don't be afraid, just jump!
I'll catch you!
No, you should go!
I don't know you, we must keep propriety between man and woman.
No way!
Don't fuss!
Jump if you don't want to die from the fall.
You!
It's you!
I was wondering which prince on the tree is so adorable.
Prince?
Greetings, Your Highness!
If you're alright,
I'd better take my leave!
Wu Ruyi!
I hurt my leg.
Can you help me over to the Imperial Garden?
Come on!
I thought I'd made progress,
but compared to you,
I still fall short.
Congratulations, Brother!
You won the first round.
I have yet to take on the Prince of Wu.
Don't worry!
He said he's planning to throw...
What?
I...
He's going to throw the match?
He said on the anniversary of Mother's death a year ago,
Cairen Wu mentioned how pitiful Mother had been.
Though she was the Empress, she died early out of grief.
That's why he feels sorry for you, me and Zhinu.
He knew you wanted to be the captain,
so he has decided not to let you down.
What's the big deal about the Prince of Wu?
He has no rights to pity Mother!
I don't need his charity either!
He only means well...
Ke, they all say you're the best swordsman,
and you're as good as Father was when he was your age.
Let me take you on
and we'll know who deserves to be the captain of the polo team.
I must observe the rule of seniority.
There's no need to compete, I concede.
Concede?
Yes!
I told you. I won't do anything out of line.
Consider this my defeat!
"Consider"?
You're my brother. You're not inferior to me.
You won't be out of line!
Besides, considering your ability,
you can't possibly hurt me.
stop trying to decline the challenge.
I said it wouldn't be necessary!
Let's go!
I lost!
You don't deserve your reputation!
such is life!
Barking dogs have no bites.
Li Ke, I know you threw in the match!
Pick up your sword if you're not resolved.
It won't be necessary, Your Highness!
The result will be the same.
Not necessary? Or you're afraid?
I don't want any trouble.
You made your point in front of all.
I want to go.
I didn't expect the proud Prince of Wu
would lay low and run from a challenge.
Your sick Mother must have taught you that.
What did you say?
Backing off to make an advance
is different from being a coward.
Talk about pitiful, pretending to be pitiful
won't make her the Empress.
Don't repeat her mistake, my dear brother!
shut up!
You're due at the Imperial Garden for the match.
I didn't want to go.
I'd be eliminated anyway.
I guess they should have the result by now.
You're purposely putting it off!
You're not afraid His Majesty would punish you for being late?
As long as I stand among my brothers,
Father won't notice me.
You're clever but naughty!
I'm not a child!
Very well, Prince of Jin.
No!
Ke!