Father, get in!
Your Highness,
Hao Gong-Gong from Chenxi Palace is here to see you.
Hao Gong-Gong is...
He's with the Imperial Kitchen.
What does he want with us?
He said it's about succession.
If you won't see him,
he's certain you'll regret it.
I'd like to see how a eunuch from the Imperial Kitchen
can make me regret anything.
send him in!
Aye!
Your Majesty!
I have bad news, Your Majesty!
What is it? You're panicking!
The Mongolians...
Watch out!
Meiniang!
Let go!
Are you alright? Are you hurt?
Why is there so much blood?
silly girl! How could you grab the dagger with your hand?
Of course there's blood!
Assassins, Your Majesty! Let's go!
I'm afraid it's too late.
One has to die anyway. It's just a matter of time.
such is fate!
I thought all women are good at accepting their fate.
If I'm destined to die
I'd rather fight than accept.
If we can't get away,
dead or alive, we're in this together.
Let's fight them off!
Give me the dagger!
Kill them all!
Meiniang!
Greetings, Your Highness!
Hold on!
Report to Father at once in Chengqing Hall!
Then send for my Uncle, Chu suiliang, Wei Zheng and other courtiers.
Aye!
What is it, Hao Gong-Gong?
Wait!
This is very important.
I suggest you hear me out before you send anyone to His Majesty!
How dare you! You don't make orders around here!
Go make the report!
I came here to present you with a big present.
Present? How big?
As big as Tang. Is that big enough?
Who do you work for? What do you want?
Liars...
No, you've cooked up a story and you're lying to me.
The Prince of Qi and Master Yin are on their way to Chang'an.
But it's not just them.
They've brought the army from Qizhou.
If Li shimin survives, they'll be taken out by the troops sent to intercept them.
You'er wouldn't be coming to Chang'an.
He wrote back and said that.
Milady,
you must recognise his writing.
I used to serve the Yin clan
and I came to the Palace after the old Master passed on.
Master Chengxin is quite right.
There should be a dozen die hard supporters of the Yin clan
at Chengqing Hall right now, keeping His Majesty company.
Your so-called present is the assassination of my Father?
You should know the answer to that.
If His Majesty is dead tonight, tomorrow you'll be the new Emperor of Tang.
I'm the Crown Prince,
I'll eventually inherit the throne.
You think because I want to become the Emperor sooner,
I'd do something beastly like assassinating my own Father?
Chengxin, arrest him!
Mother, forgive me for lying to you.
When you see this letter,
I have set out with Uncle and the Qizhou army
on my way to Chang'an.
I'm not coming for the capping ceremony.
This time, I'm not leaving.
son...How can you be so foolish?
Why are you so foolish?
I only wish to ask you one thing.
You want your son or your husband?
Think it over.
Zhang Gong-Gong,
please spare me and my son.
You're acting against Heaven,
you'll get my son killed.
You'll definitely get my son killed!
If your position as Crown Prince was secure,
I wouldn't have risked coming here.
Based on your performance at the Grand Assembly,
and His Majesty's reaction.
I seriously doubt it. If you keep waiting,
who's likely to inherit the throne?
Prince of Wei? Prince of Wu? It's unlikely to be you.
Chengxin, what are you doing? Arrest this traitor!
I think he has a point.
You too?
You think my position as Crown Prince is not secure?
He's not looking after my interests.
He's doing this for Yin Hongzhi.
Of course I am!
To kill Li shimin and avenge his father
has been his lifelong wish.
But you also have nothing to lose.
You won't have to second guess His Majesty ever again,
or worry about what the courtiers think of you,
or about your brothers' backstabbing.
Back off!
The gamble has started.
Do you have the guts to follow?
Has there ever been a time like tonight
when you're so close to the throne?
Or has there been a time like tonight when you're in control of your fate?
Your Highness, why don't...
shut up!
I'll kill you if you say that again.
Just think, if you give up,
you'd be putting your destiny into someone else's hands.
You're so right!
Congratulations, Your Highness! You came to your senses!
Guards!
Yes, Your Highness?
We have assassins in the Palace.
Tell the Imperial Guards to save Father in Chengqing Hall.
summon Zhangsun Wuji, Chu suiliang and Wei Zheng
for an urgent meeting.
Aye!
You...
so what if I've come to my senses?
I'm not that heartless!
I can't do it!
For you own good, hurry up and confess
who's involved in tonight's assassination attempt.
Chengxin is an expert on torture.
You're too old for that.
For someone who acts so foolishly,
I'm surprised you have a kind heart.
Fine...I'll tell you!
To be soft like a woman when you're caught in a power struggle,
it won't do you or anyone any good.
If you don't want a dismal ending,
you should reconsider my suggestion.
Your Highness, pardon me for my treasonous behaviour
and for letting him bewitch me.
Get up!
You were doing that in my interest.
Let's go save Father now!
Hurry!
Hurry! Take them away!
Yes!
Greetings, Your Majesty!
At ease!
Thank you, Your Majesty!
What's going on, Your Majesty?
It's a long story. Return to your chamber
and consult the doctor.
I'll explain everything later.
Run along!
Aye!
Out...
Aye!
Yin Hongzhi thinks he's so smart,
when in fact Your Majesty has been onto him a year ago
and had him monitored.
You're most wise, Your Majesty!
Yin Hongzhi is like a tiger next to me.
It's not a bad thing he brazenly revolted.
I can finally make up my mind.
Everything has come to an end.
I don't think so.
There's still a Yin inside Chenxi Palace.
Consort Yin?
Yes!
I believe she's not involved.
so much has happened lately
but Chenxi Palace has turned a deaf ear and a blind eye.
I find that rather odd.
Can I interest you in a bet, Your Majesty?
I bet Consort Yin will pay you a visit at Ganlu Hall tonight.
Fine! If she doesn't,
she's exempted from this
and can continue to stay in Chenxi Palace.
If she comes, you must be very careful.
I will.
Your Majesty,
what about Wu Meiniang?
she's rather tight with Consort Yin
and she pleaded on her behalf at Taiji Hall.
I brought her here because I suspect her.
But when the assassins showed up,
she risked her life to save mine.
It wasn't an act.
Wu Meiniang is clean.
It's over, Milady!
How did it go?
Dead! They're dead! It's over!
If His Majesty is safe, you have failed!
Milady, I'm so sorry!
I put the Prince of Qi in harm's way.
You're all so stupid and arrogant!
After you make a big mess,
you can't make it up by saying you're sorry
You just rely on us women to pick up the pieces.
Nothing you say will help now.
If we kill His Majesty before dawn,
maybe it's not too late.
Greetings, Father!
I'm glad you're safe.
I heard you came to my rescue at Chengqing Hall.
When I arrived,
you have already taken out the assassins and returned to Ganlu Hall.
I'm so ashamed.
It's enough you had the heart.
They said a eunuch tried to assassinate you.
Did you get hurt?
No!
Good! I thought I'd had everything covered,
but I left you out.
I'm glad you're safe,
or else I wouldn't know how to face your Mother.
Go get some rest.
You too, Father! I'll take my leave now.
I'm in no hurry! I may have a guest.
Aye!
Your Highness!
Your Highness, how did it go?
I made a grave mistake.
What did you do?
I should never have let that eunuch enter Eastern Palace
and let him delay me
and arrived at Chengqing Hall after the assassins were killed.
If Father got wind of what we talked about,
you suppose he would think I gave my consent?
And because the assassination attempt failed,
I pretended to come to his rescue.
Your Highness!
Let's go! Right!
Milady,
Wang Gong-Gong said His Majesty was exhausted. He has gone to bed.
In that case,
he doesn't want to see me tonight.
He hosted the Grand Assembly for days,
and there was an attempt on his life tonight
Maybe he was really exhausted.
You're still his favourite,
why wouldn't he want to see you?
His favourite? When he was in Chengqing Hall,
why was Wu Meiniang with him and not me?
send someone to find out for me
if any concubine could go inside Ganlu Hall.
Yes, Milady!
I heard just now in Chengqing Hall,
you were in great danger.
I've made some pastries
and brought them over to calm your nerves.
Thank you for your concern,
I'm truly not worthy of it.
Don't say that!
As if you haven't tried my cooking before.
I was told
you pleaded my case.
You gave up your own advancement
and asked His Majesty to revoke my grounding order.
Consider these pastries a token of my appreciation.
All these years,
how many dishes have you prepared for His Majesty?
Yet he knew nothing about them.
The thought of that makes me sad.
What I did was not worth mentioning.
I feel it's something I must do.
Your hand...
was wounded by the assassins in Chengqing Hall?
It's just a flesh wound.
These assassins have such audacity,
I wonder who they're working for.
I don't know.
They were all killed in Chengqing Hall.
It'll take some time to find out their identities.
Is His Majesty safe?
He's fine! Don't worry, Your Highness!
His Majesty was valiant.
He personally killed one of the assassins.
That's good!
The reason you're here was to make sure he's safe.
so I got to taste your cooking again all because of His Majesty.
Bring it here!
I've made nectar soup.
Try it.
Nectar soup?
I know, with fleece flower root,
deer sinew and deer blood.
Allegedly it can rejuvenate someone
and may even turn grey hair black.
You know about this?
The first month after I arrived
I learnt from the Imperial Kitchen about nutrition and diets.
That's why I remember.
Nectar soup is an excellent tonic
for men who suffer chronic fatigue.
It's perfect for renewing vital essence.
Your Highness, you made this for His Majesty?
so what?
Regardless of how many dishes I make
I don't have the courage to bring them to him.
Your Highness,
I think tonight is the opportune time
to let him try your cooking.
It's now 11 o'clock!
s i re!
Consort Yin is here?
No, it's Cairen Wu!
send her in.
Aye!
Greetings, Your Majesty!
At ease!
Thank you, Your Majesty!
You came to see me at this late hour to bring me nectar soup?
Yes, because you have been so busy with the Grand Assembly
and might have been shocked just now in Chengqing Hall.
This nectar soup
is perfect for replenishing your energy and blood.
Does it still hurt?
Life is full of surprises.
I didn't expect you to risk your life to save me in Chengqing Hall.
Just like I didn't expect you'd be the one to visit me at this hour.
What do you mean, Your Majesty?
I don't quite understand.
I'm pleased you're so concerned about me.
This nectar soup replenishes energy and blood.
It's good for you too.
I'm awarding this to you.
Thank you, Your Majesty!
You should eat first.
No, you go first.
I'll finish the rest.
Did you ask the Imperial Kitchen to make it?
No!
You made it yourself?
No, Consort Yin made this especially for you.
Your Majesty.
What are you doing?
Consort Yin made this?
I was wondering why she wouldn't let me tell you she made the soup.
Aye!
Now I know you have the heart for the entire state,
but no room for a woman who has made a mistake,
a woman who made soup for you!
What did you say?
I said Your Majesty took Consort Yin's love for granted.
Do you know over the years, how much time she has spent on cooking for you?
And how many dishes she's made for you?
The silver needle turned black. The soup contains a lethal poison!
Please forgive my negligence!
Poison? Impossible!
Your Majesty, I...
Love?
she used you and almost killed me!
send for the Insignia Guards!
Aye!
search the premises!
Kneel down!
Nothing, Gong-Gong!
No?
Where's Consort Yin?
Wang Gong-Gong,
I don't know where she is!
You don't know?
Follow me!
Your Highness...
Why? Why did you do it?
Why else? I was doing it for my son.
How did you find me?
Rui'on told me
when you were young, His Majesty often took you on a boat on Jingchu Pond.
I came to try my luck.
I've lived in fear all my life,
treading on thin ice.
And this is how it ends.
such is life.
Come to think of it, on this Jingchu Pond,
I did have some of the best times of my life
Go look over there! Aye!
You, go that way! Aye!
I've committed such a heinous crime,
I'm too ashamed to face His Majesty.
I will be accountable for what I have done.
I beg you to relay a message to His Majesty.
The child is innocent.
No matter what he has done,
on the account they're father and son,
spare my child.
sure. I won't let you down.
Over there!
Greetings, Your Majesty!
What happened?
This pair of shoes
is the only thing she left behind.
Did she leave word?
she said she's guilty, but not her child.
she hoped you could forgive the Prince of Qi.
she chose
this place where you both had a good time,
to end her life.
Though she wanted to kill me,
I believe I owe her more.
I'm sure if she heard what you said,
she would go in peace.
What is it, Your Highness?
It's something in my eyes.
Your Highness, look!
It's the safety torch! They did it!
Give my order to charge ahead to Chang'an!
Aye!
Your Majesty!
Chancellor Zhangsun has ordered them to lit the safety torch.
The Prince of Qi and Yin Hongzhi
should be approaching Chang'an with the army.
Tell the troops stationed along the way
to guard their posts and wait for further instructions.
Also tell them
not to hurt You under any circumstances!
Aye!
sis Hui!
You're finally awake!
Did I hurt you?
How long have I been asleep?
It's now 1 o'clock in the afternoon.
You were physically and mentally exhausted from last night.
You've been sleeping for 12 hours.
I've already changed your dressing twice.
What's that?
These were sent over while you were asleep
from everyone and every department in the harem.
Not only Consort Yang,
even Consort Wei sent you blood nest.
Even the Crown Princess whom you barely know
sent you a silver armlet
and a silver jewellery case.
You shot to fame at the Grand Assembly
and helped protect His Majesty last night.
These people are counting on your bright future
and wanted to curry favour with you.
Please help me up!
Be careful! Right!
Let's go get a drink!
A drink? Your hand is wounded.
Don't be silly!
I've been sleeping too long.
I'm aching all over!
I need to get some fresh air.
Besides, I had a close call.
Won't you drink with me to calm my nerves?
You!
How audacious and reckless!
Your Majesty, the assassination attempt
was engineered by Yin Hongzhi
and involved many people from Chenxi Palace.
The leader Zhang Rengui and his supporters are in custody.
send the others to the Grand Court.
As for Zhang Gong-Gong,
his loyalty deserves our respect.
Let him die without any bloodshed.
Where is Yin Hongzhi now?
He's 70 miles outside Tong Guan.
Your Majesty, their assassination attempt has failed,
they're destined to die.
They are unpopular and have no back up.
Your Majesty!
We've dispatched troops to attack them from 3 sides.
At the earliest,
we can wipe them out tomorrow in Tong Guan.
Your Majesty, though Consort Yin has committed suicide,
she was vicious to try to assassinate you.
The evidence is irrefutable.
I think we should...
I want to keep her name clean and bury her in Zhao Mausoleum.
An assassination attempt is a capital crime.
It's wrong to cover up for her.
You may go. Let me think about this.
We'll take our leave...
Your Majesty, I have something to say.
Go ahead.
The Crown Prince was foolish to let that eunuch inside Eastern Palace.
I wonder what you think of this.
I wish to ask you
to trust the Crown Prince has the innocence of a child.
Do not fall into someone's trap and suspect his intentions.
Please get up!
I did choose the right tutor for him!
What are you looking at?
This barren sight is nothing to look at.
Barren or bustling
I only want peace of mind.
I have you and His Majesty.
That's all I've ever wanted.
You'll get your wish.
Come here...
Zhang Gong-Gong was given poisoned wine!
Really? serves him right!
Let's go and have a look!
Let's go!
Zhang Gong-Gong?
They say he used to serve the Yin clan.
He stayed in the Palace all these years
because he wanted to avenge his old master.
He's one of the plotters of the assassination attempt.
To bear a grudge for several decades
and not forget it.
That's so pitiful!
Let's not go and watch!
Your Majesty, Consort Yang is here.
send her in!
Aye!
Greetings, Your Majesty!
At ease! Be seated!
Thank you, Your Majesty!
Why are you here?
Because of Consort Yin.
Your Majesty...
Your Highness...
Why are you in such a hurry?
Greetings, Your Majesty!
I came here
to ask you to punish me and revoke my conferment.
Make me a commoner.