It's time...
What is it?
Please examine this piece.
Is this the pipa you normally use?
I was being negligent.
It's not, but it looks like the one I use.
Fuji, look at this.
Your Majesty, Wang Julin has the audacity!
In the face of a Mongol invasion, as Commander of Yizhou,
he backed up 20 miles without authorisation.
By law, he should be executed.
Maybe there's more to what meets the eyes.
Your Majesty!
The Minister of Defence Wei Yuancheng requests an audience.
send him in.
Yes, Your Majesty!
His Majesty summons the Minister of Defence Wei Yuancheng!
Greetings, Milady!
Everything at Que Building is ready.
When the pipa player from Qara-hoja comes forward with the challenge
and Consort Yang accepts,
there's no way she can win.
Good! Let Consort Yang understand
who really runs the harem.
Aye!
It's best not to focus on digging out the truth.
The key is to find another pipa player
to take on the Qara-hoja musician.
Do we have a replacement?
Yes, but the injured musician is the best pipa player.
someone else may not be able to win.
How do you like this song, Your Highness?
Very good!
Your pipa is superbly crafted.
You only complimented the pipa.
Does that mean you don't like the song?
That's an overstatement.
Though I'm not an expert, I can tell
the song you played was ingenious.
But, pardon me for being blunt,
your skill is quite ordinary.
This is the No. 1 ancient tune from the Western Region.
Few people in Qara-hoja can play it.
The way I play it is considered sound from Heaven.
sound from Heaven? That's an overstatement!
I might as well tell you, a song like that
any Palace maid in the Tang Court
is capable of playing it.
Any? Can you play?
Not really!
Get lost!
But the song you played
I have been practising it since I was a child.
Ruyi, what's going on?
We had an accident in the side chamber.
I'll give you a full report later.
Does this maid know the tune?
Don't worry!
If we cannot use force, we'll use guile.
Except for the injured musician,
can anyone else play
the song chosen by the Qara-hoja musician?
I have heard of it, but I can't play.
I know a little.
I can play, but not too well.
You know how?
Good! Take off your uniform
and change into a maid's outfit.
When the Qara-hoja musician finishes playing
go up to her and pour her some wine.
But I...
Relax! Just play the song.
This is not about skill.
Good!
If a Palace maid can play it, why am I here?
It was unfair to our musician to make her wear a maid's outfit,
but it's the only way to make Qara-hoja admit defeat.
This is also a battlefield.
You did the right thing. AII's fair in war.
Jieyu Xu!
Why is your face all red?
Maybe it's the wine.
Go easy on the drinking.
You're up against Motsube Amamori shortly.
Yes, I know.
What is it, Minister Wei?
Your Majesty,
Commander Wang Julin of Yizhou received a report yesterday
about a Mongol cavalry sneaking inside Tang territory.
Wang Julin ordered his army to retreat,
planning to engage the enemy in battle.
He didn't realise he was misinformed.
Last night, I personally contacted Wang Julin
and ordered him to return his troops to base
and punish the party responsible for the false report.
You have done a great service!
Thank you, Your Majesty!
You may go!
Excuse me, sire!
Your Majesty, Commander Wang Julin of Yizhou
was once under Wei Yuancheng's command.
But according to the scouts I sent,
they've made no contact in 10 years.
I underestimated Wei Yuancheng and the Wei clan.
Wulige, spiritual Advisor of India,
presenting a relic of India
for the humble price of 100,000 taels of gold.
100,000 taels of gold is hardly a humble price.
What is it that you're presenting?
It's a relic of a saint.
When Zhiling became a saint, he left behind this piece of relic.
That's a relic? What's so special about it?
This is a treasure from Tang.
It is hard and nothing can scratch or break it.
This relic from India can penetrate anything
The hardest object within Tang can be crushed by it.
Asking for 100,000 taels of gold is almost like giving it away.
sir,
you said nothing can break this relic.
I don't quite believe you.
It's indeed imcomparably hard. You're welcome to give it a try.
sure!
Pardon me!
Cairen Wu, you...
Ruyi!
What's going on?
Your Majesty!
Greetings, Your Majesty!
You may all rise!
Thank you, Your Majesty!
Ruyi, you have no sense of propriety!
What have you done to the relic from India?
This is not a relic, Your Majesty!
Do you remember it was recorded in Liezi,
there was a foot-long sword that can cut through iron
by the name Kunlun?
Like that sword, this relic from India is also made of carbite.
Wulige!
How dare you try to pass off a stone for a relic
and con 100,000 taels of gold from us!
What punishment do you think you deserve?
Forgive me, Tian Kehan! I was conned.
I didn't know it's a fake!
Raise your head!
You really didn't know?
I'm telling the truth!
Ignorance can be forgiven! I'll spare you!
Thank you, Your Majesty!
You may go!
Please be seated!
I've been told Motsube Amamori is the best chess player in Japan.
Which one is he?
I am! Greetings, Your Majesty!
I heard there are specialists in your Hanlin Academy
who are expert players.
It's my wish to play against a Tang master.
I hope you'll grant me this opportunity!
I'd like to try, Your Majesty,
to make the Banquet more enjoyable.
What say you, Mr Motsube?
I've come a long way,
to seek out the best player in Tang
and solve this endgame,
but to play against a woman...
I was told Mr Motsube is a genius.
You learnt to play at 3 and at 13 you beat
the No. 1 Imperial chess player Kibi Mao at Jubango.
I heard Kibi Mao was almost 50 at the time.
When he took on a young man
like yourself, Mr Motsube,
did he feel insulted or angry?
I heard that the Chinese have a saying
if you don't become a national player in 10 years, there's no more hope for you.
Mr Kibi respected my ability, why would he feel insulted?
If age is not an issue, neither is gender.
What makes you think
a woman is not as good a player as a man?
Jieyu Xu is a woman, but she's an expert chess player,
who's just as good as any Tang player.
I suggest that you be more careful.
If this Jieyu cannot solve the game,
please send another player
and I want her to apologise to me on her knees.
What if you lose?
If I can't beat her today,
I will commit hara-kiri right away.
Your Majesty, what now? We don't want to lose,
but if we win, we'll hound him to death!
Taking a life over a game of chess,
is not how a sovereign state should behave.
No wonder they say Japanese are stubborn!
Win or lose, it's just a chess game! Is it worth it?
You're quite right! What now?
Ruyi!
I think Jieyu Xu is not feeling well.
Is it because of the wine?
she has a very high tolerance.
Besides, she has exercised restraint in drinking just now.
Jieyu Xu...
Oh no!
sis Hui! Jieyu Xu...
What's wrong with her?
Why did she pass out all of a sudden?
I'm not sure, Your Majesty!
I only played with Jieyu Xu for a very short time,
but I can tell she's very gifted.
What should we do about this game?
Or perhaps this Cairen can carry through with our agreement?
Wait!
I'll play with you.
since when is she good at chess?
she volunteered.
she should know what she's doing. Let's wait and see.
Do as I say, understand?
Yes!
Go! Aye!
Milady!
Be careful!
How is she?
Milady, Jieyu Xu fainted.
send for the doctor! Aye!
Over here...
Be careful!
Your Majesty, this move...
is a continuation of Jieyu Xu's strategy.
I didn't know she's quite the expert.
Look, Ruyi!
This game is fascinating with endless options.
But it boils down to this final move.
It's a tie if I place it here.
It's a win if I put it here.
Your Majesty!
she could have solved the game,
why did she...
If Motsube Amamori is a sensible gentleman,
he should accept Cairen Wu's good intentions as a favour.
Mr Motsube, your skill is beyond praise.
I'm lucky to be able to tie this game.
I accept my defeat. Bring me a knife.
Wait!
Mr. Motsube, as the top chess player in Japan,
you must be a refined gentleman.
You took on two of my players alone, it was not an easy task.
If we did beat you, it's because we had an unfair advantage.
Chess is not about winning or losing,
but about learning from each other.
It's a good thing we've ended up with a tie.
Why must you cut open your abdomen?
You'll spill your guts all over my floor
and ruin the appetite of my guests.
I forbid you to commit hara-kiri.
The chessboard is a place where you can try to win,
but it's not necessary to put your life on the line.
Besides, this is not the only endgame.
Don't you want to spend your life
solving all the endgames in the world?
There are endless chess maneuvers,
but the ending is often a split-second decision.
I can be enlightened if I set aside my persistence.
I will heed your advice.
How do you rank among Tang chess players?
Me?
I'm afraid I'm only No. 7.
Do I have the honour of meeting your top player?
Perhaps not.
If you can beat me
and No. 6, 5, 4, 3 and 2
then you can meet No. 1.
Even without the experts you produce,
such demeanor alone deserves respect.
You may go!
Thank you for enlightening me, Cairen Wu!
Have a seat, Mr Motsube!
Your Highness!
Ruyi!
How is she? sis Xu...
she'll be fine!
His Majesty the Emperor!
Get up! Attend to her first.
Please get up! Thank you, Consort Yin!
Thank you, Your Majesty!
Dr Zhou, how is she?
she's fine, Your Majesty! Don't worry!
Come with me!
Do you realise the importance of that game?
Under so many pairs of watchful eyes,
how could you tie the game?
You have such audacity! You don't think I'll punish you?
But you didn't say you would.
I want to hear your explanation before I decide if I should punish you.
Tell me!
Based on a chess game alone,
winning it
can only prove Tang players are better.
It's not enough to win them over.
Motsube Amamori is the top player in Japan,
he must have realised I can beat him.
I tied the game because I wanted him to know
Tang players are not only better players,
we are modest, polite and willing to keep good neighbourly relations.
This is a manifestation of Tang's prestige.
We did not win the game,
but we won the hearts of the people.
Isn't this what you want?
You made a wild guess! Don't do it again!
Aye!
But Your Majesty...
It was sis Hui who solved the game.
Now the lady of the hour is lying here.
What should we do?
Don't worry! Dr Zhou will cure her!
Go on!
Thank you, Your Majesty!
Here...
Relax, Cairen Wu! Don't be so worried!
Luckily the doctor came just in time and confirmed
Jieyu Xu has been poisoned.
she took the medication and the poison has been neutralised.
she's not in any danger.
Poisoned?
You mean
she's in a coma because she was poisoned?
Yes! We found out
the enamel fan was laced with a deadly poison.
Mixed with wine, the poison will penetrate the skin.
The victim will blush and have rashes,
and die when the poison reaches the inside.
How is that possible?
I gave her the fan!
You two are like sisters, I trust you!
Greetings, Your Highness! At ease!
sis...
Must be tough for you! Go get some rest!
Then I'll trouble you.
You may all go! Yes!
The fan might have been laced with poison after I gave it to you.
Or maybe when I gave it to you
it had already been poisoned.
What do you mean?
It wasn't my fan.
Consort Wei gave it to me before the Grand Assembly.
someone swapped the pipa chord, Jieyu Xu was poisoned...
Everything that has happened...
You think it's a coincidence?
I see...you're saying
regardless of whether the intended victim was you or sis Hui,
the result would have been the same...
the Glass Banquet sabotaged.
Except for Consort Wei,
I couldn't think of anyone else.
Your Highness, you must rule for us!
Don't worry! What Consort Wei has done,
has breached the harem rules in fighting for attention.
His Majesty has authorised me to conduct a full investigation.
When we have the result,
I will ensure justice is served.
Thank you, Your Highness!
siyao Liu, wait up!
Why are you standing in my way?
What is it?
Consort Yang wants to know
why you swapped the pipa chord.
Please come with me to the Attending Office.
Go ahead!
sis...
siyao Liu has been in custody for 4 hours already.
We should try to get her out.
Why?
I wanted Consort Yang to interrogate her.
she's worked for you all her life.
she won't betray you.
I wonder if they'll torture her.
What if she can't stand it and...
You're worried she'll finger me?
Relax! If anyone were to betray me,
it'd only be you, not her.
Without your consent, she won't say a word.
Why do you say that?
Just when she was taken away,
Chang Gong-Gong went to see you in disguise.
He serves Consort Yang,
what message did he relay to you for her?
Consort Yang promised
if siyao Liu confessed she was doing your bidding to sabotage the Banquet,
she'll let You'er return to Chang'an within 3 years.
I want to know what you can do for me.
You chose to side with me before the Grand Assembly,
because you knew I'd sabotage the Glass Banquet.
You only got involved so you'd have the dirt on me.
Now you have become a key witness.
Consort Yang and I would do anything to bribe you.
What a brilliant move!
I only want my son in Chang'an as soon as possible.
I've finally come to realise
unless I resort to extreme measures,
no one in this harem would help me.
If you offer better terms than Consort Yang,
I'll make sure siyao Liu keeps her mouth shut,
and take the blame for everything.
You're not happy with the terms Consort Yang offered?
she's known to be benevolent.
she keeps her word and has better credit than you.
But I have nothing on her.
That's why you don't trust her.
But you seem to have forgotten something.
siyao Liu is your confidant,
if she pleads guilty, you can't really detach yourself from this mess.
Everyone would think you wanted to sabotage the Banquet.
Whoever the winner is between me and Consort Yang,
His Majesty would still punish you.
There's a price for everything.
I'd be guilty for covering up for siyao Liu,
get my conferment revoked
and go back to being an ordinary concubine.
Except for my son You, I have nothing.
If I can get him back in Chang'an,
I'd gain more than I lose.
But you and the Wei clan behind you can't afford to lose.
The question is, why do you think I'd lose?
If siyao Liu's testimony is not enough,
I can also testify against you.
Do you know why, all these years,
I have been so mean to you?
Because I know some dogs always bite its master.
When the time is right,
you'll bare your fangs towards me.
Consort Yang picked this time for a showdown and you decided to switch sides,
not because of the evidence on the sabotage,
but because you think the decline of the Wei clan
will no longer provide me with any backup.
This is a letter from my Uncle.
Read it!
Commander Wang Julin of Yizhou
takes orders from the Wei clan?
Looks like the Wei clan has far greater clout in the army than I have expected.
A letter from my Uncle
is good enough to command the army at the frontier.
You still think if you exposed me for sabotaging the Banquet,
His Majesty would punish me?
That would only cast a chill over those who are loyal to the Court.
You and Consort Yang are only digging your own graves.
Minister Wei has done a huge service for the Court,
and placed you in an invincible position.
Looks like I have no bargaining power to negotiate with you.
Wait.
If you take orders from me from now on,
I'll bring the Prince of Qi to Chang'an.
I'll ask His Majesty to let me adopt Li You.
Within a year, at the earliest,
you can be reunited with your son.
What guarantee do I have?
You have none. But didn't you just say,
you have no bargaining power?
You have no choice, but to rely on me and take my word.
What do you want me to do?
Consort Yang wanted to gather evidence against me.
I want you to give her a hand.
Tell siyao Liu to confess I told her to swap the pipa chord
to sabotage the Banquet.
Let me...
Careful! It's hot!
slowly...
Your lunch is ready!
Just leave it there.
Rui'on!
What can I do for you?
Turn around!
Were you in a fight?
It was nothing.
I taught 2 young eunuchs a lesson.
If it's an ordinary quarrel,
why wouldn't you let me see that?
Was it about me?
Of course not!
It's just a spat.
Don't lie to me! You always touch your nose when you lie.
Tell me what happened!
Wasn't it just a spat? Don't make me go to them!
Alright...I'll tell you.
I was on my way to the Imperial Kitchen.
when I heard those contemptible minions gossip about you.
They said you poisoned Jieyu Xu.
What else?
I argued with them, I said it was impossible
I told them Consort Wei gave the fan to Consort Yang.
But they said, "Really?"
Even if you didn't lace the poison yourself,
you must have known about it.
You wanted to show off at the Banquet,
that's why you gave the poisoned fan to Jieyu Xu.
I was so angry I beat them up.
Next time you run into a similar situation,
don't fight with them again.
Where are you going? Let me go with you.
Take care of sis Hui for me, I'll be right back.
How is Jieyu Xu?
she's out of danger, but she's still in a coma.
I feel bad about that girl.
I should look in on her when the Grand Assembly is over.
Think nothing of it, Milady.
Xu Hui can only blame her own bad luck.
According to plan,
Cairen Wu was the intended victim.