Time's up! The match is over!
Good!
I injured the Prince of Wu by mistake,
please punish me.
A match is like a war. Injuries are inevitable.
I pardon you and your men.
Esteemed Tian Kehan, the match is over.
When can I enjoy the chrysanthemums?
This is an excellent way to enjoy the flowers.
since the Prince of Wu is incapacitated,
looks like we're the winner of this year's polo match.
Nonsense! It's a tie.
If it's a tie, please send someone else in the prince's place,
so that we can carry on with the match.
I heard the Crown Prince is an outstanding polo player.
Why don't you take the Prince of Wu's place?
Don't be rash, Your Highness!
Don't go!
Prince Mutu, the safety of the Crown Prince has an impact on Tang.
If he's injured again like the Prince of Wu,
it's bad for Tang and Mongolia.
Let's take this as a tie, we're co-champions
wait for the next Grand Assembly and we'll have a winner.
Tie? No way!
Why not? Your last goal was scored after the referee waved his flag.
But...
Esteemed Tian Kehan,
allow me to a say a few words.
Master siyun...
Esteemed Tian Kehan,
there's something improper on both sides.
You know that at every Grand Assembly
there has to be a winner for the polo match.
There has never been such a precedent.
If we carry on with the match,
you know we'll be declared the winner.
But the Prince of Wu's injury
was undoubtedly caused by our recklessness.
Why don't we settle this by a compromise?
What compromise? Please explain yourself.
Mongolians have great respect for the courageous and the wise.
We have witnessed the Prince of Wu's valour,
as long as someone from the great Tang
can answer my question
and give me a satisfactory answer,
we'll admit defeat.
Or else I hope you'll declare that
the victory belongs to us.
He's taking advantage of us!
What a sly old fox!
Looks like I have no reason to refuse.
Ask away...
It's a simple question.
The chrysanthemums before us are pretty.
I'd like the wise from Great Tang to pick the prettiest.
But the rule is
you can only pick one and cannot retrace your steps.
This is a rather odd question.
Jieyu Xu, what do you think?
Your Highness, you can't define beauty.
Whichever one we pick,
they can always say another one is more beautiful.
It's an impossible task.
I'm just asking you to pick a flower.
As the sovereign state, Tang is filled with talented people.
someone must be able to do this.
Exactly! Picking a flower is nothing at all.
Ruyi, don't try to be a hero.
You dress like a Cairen,
can you answer this question?
You dress like a Prince,
don't you know you should not judge a book by its cover?
You...
You have a sharp tongue.
You may be witty, but not wise.
You're right! Picking a flower only requires a little bit of wit.
Understand?
That is the prettiest flower?
I thought we had a genius, but she's only a fool.
she was too hasty!
I'll pick one for you
that's 10 times more beautiful.
Ruyi, if you don't understand the question,
you shouldn't have come forward.
All the chrysanthemums are gone
except the one in my hand.
Naturally, it's the prettiest.
I see! Brilliant!
Your Majesty!
Forgive me for destroying the flowers.
There's nothing to forgive, get up!
You're quibbling!
We lost, Your Highness!
I'm very impressed, Cairen!
That was unconventional but a brilliant move. Bravo...
The polo match requires horsemanship, not archery.
I heard the Tian Kehan is the No. 1 archer in Tang.
Could I have the honour to witness your archery?
That's not quite right.
His Majesty's magnificent archery is well known on the battlefield.
Now that he's the Emperor,
he can't possibly demonstrate that in front of you..
show me what you can do.
I hope I won't make a fool of myself
by showing off in front of the expert.
Good!
If you wish to put them in their place,
I have a plan.
What is it?
Come on!
I'm on!
Ruyi, you have faith in me?
Yes! I'm just afraid the horse is too fast and the flower stem is too supple.
Don't worry! Go!
Brother, sis Wu is very pretty!
Brother?
If I were anything like her,
perhaps His Majesty wouldn't snub me.
sheng'er!
What's her name?
Wu Ruyi.
Wu Ruyi?
Your Majesty!
This contest...
I admit defeat willingly.
Great Tang is full of hidden talents.
set aside the Prince of Wei and the Prince of Wu,
and their civil and military expertise,
even an ordinary Cairen
has such bearing and demeanour.
Your horsemanship and courage are equal to that of a man.
May I know your name?
My name is... Hold on!
I'm giving you a new name.
When Cao Zijian first saw the Luo River Goddess,
he wrote a verse about her beauty and charm.
I'll call you Meiniang from now on.
Remember this, Prince Mutu.
she's Wu Meiniang of the great Tang.
Meiniang...
Hear ye, Wu Meiniang...
Cairen Wu Zhao is studious and sensible,
I hereby bestow her with the name "Meiniang".
As of today, she'll assist me in the Imperial study.
Yes, Your Majesty!
Long live Your Majesty!
Get out of my way!
Cairen Xiao, I beg of you!
Hurry up and get changed.
The procession is about to start.
His Majesty will be in Taiji Hall soon.
Liar! You're all liars!
Considering my background and looks
the wench Wu Ruyi can't possibly beat me!
Right...
she has no right to show off like this!
Didn't you tell me
I will earn His Majesty's affection?
she's allowed into the Imperial study
what's the bloody use for me to dress up for Taiji Hall?
I'm not going!
Cairen Xiao... Don't stop her!
Let her...
Aunt! You!
Get up and keep smashing!
Go ahead!
Why? Too embarrassed?
Crying, screaming and kicking
are the tactics of a shrew.
You're not going to Taiji Hall anyway.
Take your time to trash the place.
Do this step by step, when you're done,
find yourself a piece of white silk
and hang yourself from the beam.
Don't worry, I'll be here, no one would get in your way.
sorry, I was wrong!
Definitely not!
Not you! I was wrong to lie to our dear Miss Xiao.
Pardon my slip of tongue. Please forgive me.
What are your plans?
Go to Taiji Hall.
That's a good girl!
Don't cry anymore.
His Majesty doesn't like a woman with puffy eyes.
Aunt!
Are you going to Taiji Hall too?
They say the participating states
have arranged for their musicians, dancers and acrobats
to perform in the procession.
I don't want to see the smug Wu Meiniang.
Meiniang? she's a seductive little tramp!
Your Highness, after this beacon tower
we would have left Qizhou.
Uncle!
Didn't you say the Qizhou army is stationed here?
Why is it...
Well!
Our army is divided into 6 divisions.
They're stationed within a 5 mile radius from here.
Your Highness!
Please go up the beacon tower!
Right!
It's still early!
According to plan,
the assassins I sent
won't strike until 9 o'clock.
Please be patient, Your Highness! We'll take a rest out here.
The Imperial Palace is heavily guarded,
can they sneak inside?
There's a procession at Chengtian Gate tonight.
They're disguised as acrobats performing for the procession.
Then they'll sneak inside the Palace,
and change into the uniforms of the Imperial Guards.
Mongolia and Qara-hoja have agreed to cover up for them.
That won't be a problem.
The army is stationed here and we have come this far.
There's no turning back.
Uncle, if they fail...
If they succeed, they will light the safety torch
and we'll get the signal.
Then we'll head straight for Chang'an.
If they fail, there will be no signal.
Then you and I will go to Chang'an for the capping ceremony.
It's a foolproof plan. Don't worry!
All we have to do now is to wait.
My beloved consorts,
the triennial Grand Assembly is finally over.
It has been a great success.
Let's all drink to that.
Greetings, Your Majesty!
At ease!
Thank you, Your Majesty!
What is it, Yan Liben?
I was watching the polo match yesterday
and it prompted me to draw something.
Please take a look.
It's called shooting a Chrysanthemum at a Polo Match.
It's you!
Me?
You drew this?
Yes!
Wang De!
Yes, sire?
Take this to Ganlu Hall.
Give Yan Liben a huge reward.
Yes, sire!
Thank you, Your Majesty!
Congratulations, Your Majesty!
The Great Assembly went without a hitch.
All thanks to you
and to you two as well.
In the past Assemblies,
we have never seen someone like Meiniang
who is an expert chess player
and has such great horsemanship.
You flatter me, Your Highness!
Not at all!
You have done well at the Grand Assembly.
I intend to reward you properly.
You already did, Your Majesty!
You gave me a name
and allowed me into the Imperial study.
That's not a reward!
It's not?
In that case,
I do have a request.
Tell me!
I'd like to ask Your Majesty
to revoke Consort Yin's grounding order
and reinstate her allowance.
Meiniang, you'll get your own reward.
Don't ask for anything for Chenxi Palace.
Your Majesty, please forgive her!
she's too young to understand the rules of the Palace.
Why do you plead on Consort Yin's behalf?
I just thought
she'd already got the punishment she deserved.
Besides, for the Grand Assembly and Glass Banquet,
Consort Yin has put in great effort for Your Majesty's sake.
If you were to ask for the title of a Jieyu,
I'd be happy to oblige.
Isn't it a shame if you miss this chance?
I understand.
Very well, as you wish!
Wang De!
Yes, sire?
Lift Consort Yan's grounding order.
Everything back to normal in Chenxi Palace.
Yes, sire!
Thank you, Your Majesty!
At ease!
Father, at the Grand Assembly,
the Prince of Wu and the Prince of Wei have done well.
In comparison, the Crown Prince...
He was anxious to win and too eager to please.
He was so agitated that he lost his bearing.
But Wu Meiniang really caught me by surprise.
I thought she sided with Consort Yang,
why is she tight with Consort Yin lately?
I saw her at the Grand Assembly.
she may be witty,
but cozying up to Consort Yin
only proves she lacks careful deliberations,
and has committed a cardinal sin of the harem.
Please get in, Father.
Meiniang, come outside with me to watch the fireworks.
Yes, sire!
Jieyu Xu!
You look a bit distracted.
Is something on your mind?
Maybe because I just woke from a coma,
I still have a headache.
I believe you must know by now
you fainted at the Glass Banquet
because your fan was laced with poison.
I have reported to His Majesty
to assign someone to conduct an investigation.
Your Highness, how come you're not in charge of the investigation?
Anyone who has touched the fan is a likely suspect
and should not get involved including Consort Wei, me...
And Cairen Wu!
shut up!
I'm sorry! Please don't get mad!
Pardon my impertinence, Your Highness!
You must be tired.
You should go get some rest.
Yes, I'll take my leave now!
Come...
Vice Chancellor Zheng, did you bring what I wanted?
Chancellor Zhangsun's carriage has 3 different routes
for returning home from the Palace.
He'll pick one among them.
This scroll contains tonight's route.
Hold this!
Very well.
You have done us a great service.
Fine!
As agreed, I held my end of the bargain.
Now it's time you tell me who murdered my daughter.
There are eyes and ears in the Palace.
I can't tell you now.
Go home, I'll tell you in 3 days
who killed your daughter.
No! Why must I wait?
You must tell me now!
What? Or else...
Or else
I'll alert the Imperial Guards on duty have you taken into custody.
Let's see why you're sneaking around and what Chenxi Palace is up to.
Vice Chancellor Zheng, this is for your own good.
Why are you cornering us?
Will you tell me or not?
Alright...
This is very important.
We must be careful. The walls have ears.
Who's the killer?
The killer is...
Who is it?
Who? It's...
Let me go!
I didn't mean to kill you,
but you've left me no choice.
You...
You want to know who killed your daughter?
I'll tell you now.
It's Consort Yin!
You...
How long must we wait?
After the ambassadors bid their farewells in Taiji Hall,
Li shimin would go to Chengqing Hall at 9 o'clock
to mourn Empress Wende.
It's not heavily guarded over there
and that's the best time to strike.
I see.
You may go! Yes!
Let's go!
Once the Grand Assembly comes to an end
and the ambassadors leave Chang'an,
I can set my mind to rest.
The land under the sky belongs to the Emperor;
everyone within the four seas are your subjects.
Living in such a flourishing age
is a wonderful feeling.
Meiniang,
you really think this is a flourishing age?
since the Zhou Dynasty,
there has never been a time better than the Reign of Zhenguan.
I don't really care.
I just think this is the best of times.
If you think this is not enough,
I'm willing to follow you the rest of my life
and see for myself
how you can make things better bit by bit.
Who's there? Come out!
Your Highness?
Pardon my impertinence!
You should be resting at this hour.
Chenxi Palace is bustling because of you.
How can I sleep?
Zhang Gong-Gong! Yes?
My brother arranged for you to wait on me.
Why must you start so much trouble?
You're forgetting who you are!
Master Yin wanted me to relay a message.
The Yin clan served under the sui Emperor.
That's why many clan members
were killed by Li shimin and his father.
We must not live in fear and regret for the rest of our lives.
This is a score we must settle.
We want revenge.
He's starting a rebellion?
After the Grand Assembly,
Empress Wende always accompanied you
for a stroll in the Palace?
Yes, at this moment in the past,
she was always beside me.
That's why I want to be in Chengqing Hall.
Everything that happened the night the last Grand Assembly ended
is still right before my eyes.
Can't believe 3 years have gone by already.
If you come here every time,
you shouldn't make an exception tonight.
You can cherish the memory of Empress Wende
and revisit this place with me.
Let's go!
He's wary of His Majesty and sent assassins.
Is this your plan?
I won't go along with it!
Zhang Gong-Gong, I urge you to give it up.
Tell my brother to dismiss his supporters,
go home and spend the rest of his life in peace.
Milady, I'm afraid it's too late.
Fine! I dare you to kill me first!
Or else,
I'll alert the Imperial Guards.
I will not sit by and watch you harm His Majesty.
Milady!
Your Highness, that's enough!
Before His Majesty left,
he put you in charge.
If His Majesty and Chancellor Zhangsun found out you're drunk,
it won't look very good.
Don't worry, Chengxin.
Listen to me, first of all,
the Grand Assembly is over, so nothing will happen.
secondly, I've been enough of a disappointment,
things can't go any worse for me.
Your Highness! Master Chengxin,
an urgent matter from the border.
What is it?
Mongolia has dispersed troops to the border.
It appears they intend to invade.
Our troops are on full alert.
This is rather unusual.
Does Father know?
Probably not!
Chengxin, do you know where he is?
He's probably with Cairen Wu at Chengqing Hall.
It was right here, a year ago when we met for the first time.
Were you drunk that night?
Was I?
Your Majesty!
I have bad news, Your Majesty!
What is it? You're panicking!
The Mongolians...
Watch out!