Your Majesty?
Forgive me!
Cairen Wu, are you alright?
How long has the morning assembly been?
Cairen Wu, more than an hour already.
Hurry up and help me get changed.
I need to go to the Imperial study to read memoranda with His Majesty.
Cairen Wu, before His Majesty left, he said you should get more rest.
You don't need to go to the Imperial study.
General Hou Junji will be back to Chang'an today?
Today at the earliest.
General Hou has won a battle against the Tibetan army invading Jiannan Circuit.
His Majesty certainly will reward him.
His presence in Chang'an will be of great help to you.
All of us in the Eastern Palace are loyal and devoted to you.
Other than General Hou, Du Zhenglun, Yu Zhining, and Li Ji
are ready to risk their lives for you, not to mention your tutor Wei Zheng.
Wei Zheng was appointed by my father to be my tutor.
Don't forget he once said I did not look like a sovereign.
We'll see if he's really on our side.
Has the location for the swordplay academy been decided yet?
Yes, it's within a secluded complex in the suburbs.
The walls have been converted into buildings.
The door is kept locked. No one can go inside.
In name, it is a swordplay academy run by merchants from the Western Regions.
It may be secluded, but do stay cautious.
Rest assured. All the people there are General Hou's henchmen.
They will not leak a thing.
Once everything is ready,
the highly skilled martyrs will be at your service.
No rush. We don't need martyrs at this point.
During the discussion on the expedition to Qara-hoja this morning,
I will propose General Hou Junji.
His military achievements will be advantageous to me.
Who is this?
How dare you come to Taiji Hall in armour on horseback!
When His Majesty and I were fighting on all fronts,
you were still in your mother's womb! Out of my way!
What an honour, General Hou! Congratulations on your victory!
You have a keen eye!
I have travelled a thousand miles to see His Majesty in my armour!
Do you know what I've been through?
General, His Majesty has authorised you to wear armour on horseback in the Palace.
I dare not stop you.
It's inappropriate to carry this indeed.
Catch it!
Make way!
Your Majesty, Qu Wentai of Qara-hoja disregarded your warning
and are colluding with the Mongolian forces.
The united forces of Qara-hoja and Mongolia are invading Karasahr.
The new trade route across the desert has been blocked.
Recently they have started slaughtering our messengers.
Your Majesty, it's time to teach Qara-hoja a lesson.
Qu Wentai thinks he's smart.
He thinks he can do anything because the desert is holding us back.
My mind is resolute. send an army to attack Qara-hoja!
Gentlemen, let's discuss who should be leading the army.
Father, I'd like to propose General Hou Junji as the commander-in-chief.
I object, Your Majesty.
Not only is Qara-hoja far away, but also it has the desert as a natural barrier.
This will be a tough expedition.
I think we should pick a strong young man to be the commander-in-chief.
I propose Provincial Governor of Beiting, Chen Wuling.
General Hou is brave and astute, but he's getting old.
He has just returned exhausted from Jiangnan Circuit. I hope...
Who's speaking ill of others?
Who says I am old and exhausted?
Greetings, Your Majesty.
As I have said no need to bow in your armour.
Why did you bow to me?
Thank you, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty, my entire life I've never served any god or any man but you.
That's why I always bow before you. I'm more than happy to do so!
As for others, I don't mess with anyone unless someone messes with me.
Who just said I was old and useless?
General Hou, you have misunderstood me. I just thought...
General Hou,
I always encourage everyone here
to speak their mind freely for the sake of Tang.
I think Wei has a point. Don't be a nuisance.
Yes, Your Majesty.
If it came out of someone else's mouth, that person must be up to no good.
But it came out of Honourable Wei's mouth.
He is a man of indomitable spirit.
He will never do a treacherous thing like stabbing someone in the back.
Honourable Wei, do you have more to say? Please go ahead.
Please go ahead!
That's all I wanted to say.
Good. since Honourable Wei is done, allow me to say something.
Your Majesty, the heart of a hero in his old age is as stout as ever.
I can still eat three catties of paomo and two catties of meat every day.
I'm not in my old age yet.
Let me capture Qu Wentai of Qara-hoja and bring him to you!
Your Majesty, I concur with the His Highness's proposal.
We all know General Hou is well-experienced in the Western Regions.
Thus, I propose appointing General Hou as commander-in-chief.
Very well.
As advised by Fuji, I hereby appoint Duke of Lu
as the commander-in-chief of the Jiaohe Circuit army
to be dispatched to Qara-hoja today!
Yes, Your Majesty! I won't let you down!
The prophecy came at the right time. Heaven is on my side.
Don't worry, I've had everything arranged.
soon enough the prophecy will be spread all over Chang'an.
Right, once it comes out, Wu Meiniang will become a target of public criticism.
Then you can advise His Majesty to kill that woman.
Looks like we are not on the same page.
You mean you're not using the prophecy to help me get rid of Wu Meiniang?
Wu Meiniang is just my father's new toy, definitely not a threat.
Hou Junji is our top priority.
I heard he made eight war horses die from exhaustion
just to make it back in time to fight for the commander-in-chief position.
His success will greatly increase the Crown Prince's power.
You mean the prophecy can be used against the Crown Prince?
Of course.
If it weren't for his lack of virtue,
Heaven wouldn't have sent Venus, the sign of calamity,
the woman ruler named Wu.
We shall give Li Chunfeng some guidance on helping us with his prophecy.
Between overturning the Crown Prince and killing Wu Meiniang,
the former is more important to us.
I don't agree. I think they are equally important.
They can't be compared to each other.
I requested a sick leave this morning to come and tell you...
Don't let your grudge against Wu Meiniang ruin our plan. Understand?
What a pity. Wu Meiniang is on the edge of a cliff.
If someone pushes her from behind, she will die without a burial place.
Don't think too much.
It's a lot of work managing the Harem. You should take care of your health.
since you're already here, why are you hiding? Please come out.
Honourable Li, I must admit I'm very impressed.
Chen Gong-Gong. Honourable Li.
I have been asked to bring you a gift.
What is it?
Wu Meiniang's head.
What?
Recently you've been worrying about
how Wu Meiniang, the woman ruler named Wu, will harm our empire.
Looks like walls do have ears.
Whoever sent you here must really hate Wu Meiniang and even want her dead.
But I suggest that you do not act hastily, because His Majesty is still struggling.
We should not get our hands on the head His Majesty wants to keep.
If you're willing to cooperate, I can provide a method.
Just tell His Majesty someone has been using witchcraft in the Palace lately.
His Majesty will order an investigation.
In Wu Meiniang's room, there will be two confidential letters
talking about how Wu and her mother put worms along His Majesty's usual route
as a conspiracy to kill His Majesty.
such evidence is more than enough to get Wu Meiniang killed.
The practice of witchcraft is a taboo in the Palace.
I won't cooperate with you. Please leave.
Honourable Li, the outcome is what matters. How it is achieved is not important.
Or do you think Wu Meiniang doesn't deserve to die?
Wu Meiniang deserves to die only because she is the woman ruler named Wu,
not because she uses witchcraft on His Majesty.
Killing is acceptable, a false allegation is not.
When it comes to death, what's the difference?
You're wasting your breath. The difference is like black and white, day and night,
but someone like you won't be able to understand it.
If you don't leave, I'll have to take you to His Majesty.
I'm sure he will be curious to know who the mastermind is.
You ungrateful fool!
You've been hiding long enough. Are you going to come out?
If you insist, don't blame me.
Cairen Wu?
Honourable Zhangsun, do you think...
The answer will come in a few days.
Honourable Zhangsun. What is it?
Go.
Right. Exactly.
Yes? Father.
some words formed by ants appeared on a wall at Qiankun Building in the West Market today
Thousands of ants clumped together to make two sentences.
Tang will end by its third generation as the woman ruler named Wu takes over.
The woman ruler named Wu?
Perhaps a calamity is coming down on Great Tang?
Unusual events often come with rumours. Anything else?
People are saying...
the Crown Prince's lack of virtue has brought Venus, the sign of calamity.
The woman ruler named Wu, is to jeopardise Tang.
It's not hard to make ants form words. Putting syrup on the wall will do the trick.
I believe those two sentences didn't appear for no reason.
It's time to make a visit to Li Chunfeng.
say it. We're not against each other. Who ordered you to harm me?
As you just saw, I'm a Taoist, not a backstabber.
I stick to my principles. No one can order me.
If I tell His Majesty to kill you, it's all because you're the woman ruler named Wu.
Your existence is disastrous to Great Tang.
You must be killed for the sake of our country and our people.
This is Heaven's way.
People? It's such a noble reason.
How many people have been ruthlessly plunged into misery for this noble reason?
The sovereigns can use this reason to savagely kill every single person,
because they are nothing compared to "the people". It's fine to sacrifice them.
You asked His Majesty to kill everyone with the surname Wu in the Palace.
Let me ask you, are they not "the people"?
Yes, but just a few.
You call yourself virtuous and moral, but you have a heart of stone!
You don't understand Heaven's way! so, you deserve to die!
If you kill me, it will prove you are the evil Venus!
You're jeopardising me! Do you really think I dare not kill you?
Dare you? Then go ahead!
We're not against each other. I don't mean to ruin your life of wealth.
But if I don't kill you, perhaps one day you will seize the Tang empire!
Wealth, the empire, or whatever! I don't care about those things!
You, as well as the officials going to Taiji Hall every day,
keep saying how much you care about the state, our land and the people.
Honestly, the one thing you really care about is power!
Do you people have no conscience?
Other than power, do you people have no passion for anything else?
something worth cherishing other than power?
Just thinking of it can make you cry!
You can't sleep at night because you can't get it!
Do you know what Heaven's way means to a woman?
Why are you crying?
Forget it. someone like you can't possibly know what true love means!
Although you didn't kill me, I will keep offering my honest advice to His Majesty.
Listen. Even if the woman ruler named Wu does exist in the Palace, it won't be me!
I will find her and prove you wrong!
Who is it?
Open the door, Chunfeng! It's me!
His Majesty?
Your Majesty.
Why did you lock yourself in your room?
I was reading "I Ching". It's quieter with the door closed.
Your Majesty, what can I do for you?
Li Chunfeng, let me ask you again. Is Tang really in jeopardy?
Your Majesty, if the woman ruler named Wu remains in the Palace,
the calamity will come upon us.
How sure are you the woman ruler named Wu is Wu Meiniang?
I'm 60% sure.
60%? That means you could be wrong.
There's one missing.
Never mind. Forget it. This is probably Heaven's will.
Goodbye, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty...
Why are you gentlemen here? What's the matter?
Your Majesty, we came to ask Vice Chancellor Li what he meant by
"Tang will end by its third generation as the woman ruler named Wu takes over."
That's Li Chunfeng's prophecy. Leave him alone for now.
When his seclusion ends ten days later, we'll know who the woman ruler named Wu is.
You're dismissed.
Yes, Your Majesty...
Your Majesty.
Escort His Majesty back!
If His Majesty saw me here, it'd be hard to explain.
Honourable Li, thank you.
Like I said, I'm a Taoist, not a backstabber.
You didn't kill me, so I didn't expose you to His Majesty.
Now we're even. You may go.
If you're indeed the woman ruler named Wu, I'll keep advising His Majesty to kill you.
If there's indeed a woman ruler named Wu jeopardising Tang,
it definitely won't be me.
Venus is finally hiding today.
Father, do you believe what they say about Venus?
Do you?
I'm just curious. Wu Meiniang is merely a Cairen.
Without political background or support from court officials,
even though His Majesty is dazzled by her intelligence, what can she possibly do?
His Majesty is a statesman being assisted by virtuous and talented officials like you.
How can Wu Meiniang build a new dynasty?
Also, based on her behaviour, I think she loves His Majesty very much.
I don't see why she would harm the state.
But Venus is a sign of Tang's fall, so...
Chong'er, you're still young.
Don't let kindness mislead your wisdom.
His Majesty is not the one she will overthrow.
His Majesty is not the one?
Tang will end by its third generation.
she is not against His Majesty but the Crown Prince.
After the death of His Majesty, there will be a new emperor.
By then, whoever remains will soon die of old age.
That's the time when the woman ruler named Wu comes to power.
In terms of talent and vision, the Princes are no match for her.
In terms of competitiveness,
has His Majesty ever missed a session because of a woman?
Just be patient. Ten days later, unless the results point to another woman,
that woman must be killed without mercy.
Your Majesty, have some ginseng soup and take a break.
There have been more memoranda these days.
stay in the Imperial study during the day and go back to Ganlu Hall with me at night.
someone will bring over meals. Anyway, don't leave Taiji Palace these days.
You mean except when you're attending the assembly,
I shall spend all my time with you?
As you wish, Your Majesty.
Your Highness, except during the morning assembly,
His Majesty and Wu Meiniang are always together.
Her position is even more secure.
Did Li Chunfeng come out this morning?
Li Chunfeng is a stubborn fool. He can't be bribed or threatened.
If it turns out the woman ruler named Wu is someone else,
Wu Meiniang will pull through and bring more trouble in the future.
I don't think she's that lucky.
Master, your meal is here!
That evil man Li Chunfeng should die a thousand deaths!
The Tang Dynasty is flourishing! Why would it end by its third generation?
According to him, it's all because I have no virtue!
He's just inciting my father to punish me!
Vice Chancellor Li only gave a prophecy!
It's the common people who started commenting on your virtue!
That's because they heard the prophecy! Anyway, I want Li Chunfeng dead!
This is a critical time! You must do something!
What can I do?
The prophecy says the woman ruler named Wu will destroy Tang.
That means killing the woman will bring peace.
Li Chunfeng will come out in a few days.
You can advise His Majesty to kill whoever he says that Venus is.
Honourable Zhangsun, why isn't he out still?
His Majesty is here!
Your Majesty...
At ease.
Thank you, Your Majesty...
Is it time yet?
An hour has passed. Li Chunfeng is never late.
Yes? Wang De.
Open the door. Yes, Your Majesty.
Master Li? Master Li?
Your Majesty.
Wu Zhao, courtesy name Ruyi?
Your Majesty, it's Cairen Wu!
Your Highness, it's not looking good!
What happened?
Did you send a gift to Cairen Wu a while ago?
Yes, I'd like to be her friend. Is something wrong?
something unusual happened at Qiankun Building in the West Market today
Countless ants formed two sentences,
Tang will end by its third generation as the woman ruler named Wu takes over.
Those in the Palace with the surname Wu might be in trouble.
The woman ruler named Wu?
Luckily many people have sent gifts to Cairen Wu all this while.
Yours is not particularly noticeable.
Your Highness, we must stay away from Cairen Wu
or we'll be dragged into the calamity.
If I avoid her, who can teach me how to win a man's heart?
No, as long as she can help me win back His Highness's love,
even if she's indeed the evil Venus, I must befriend her.
Your Highness, Honourable Wei is here.
Greetings, Your Highness.
Honourable Wei, what brings you to the Eastern Palace today?
Chengxin.
There's a catastrophe coming. How could anyone not feel it?
such blindness is so disappointing.
What are you trying to say?
What I'm trying to say is, you turned down Hao Gong-Gong's offer out of benevolence
and saved your father, but that's not how His Majesty perceived it.
I've repeatedly given His Majesty advice, but it didn't help much.
General Hou's military achievements,
along with the power of those martyrs at the swordplay academy,
are still no match for Prince of Wei's "Journal of Geography".
How do you know so much?
I don't know much, but you know way too little.
Your focus on plotting and scheming makes you overlook the things outside.
You don't know what's going on inside and outside the Palace.
Are you saying I'm deaf and blind?
If you have clear eyes and sharp ears, you should know
Vice Chancellor Li Chunfeng suddenly died this morning.
Of course I know that. I also know there was a note in Li Chunfeng's grip
with Wu Meiniang's name on it.
May I ask if you have a plan for this matter?
I'm drafting a memorandum to request the execution of Wu Meiniang.
I was worried you'd do that. That's why I came to see you.
Rumours are saying
the disastrous woman ruler named Wu is emerging because of your lack of virtue.
Do you want to escape those rumours by killing Wu Meiniang?
Of course. If the woman ruler named Wu dies because of my memorandum,
the talk about lack of virtue, or a calamity will no longer be an issue.
What's wrong with doing that?
First of all, His Majesty doesn't want Wu Meiniang dead.
You should concur with your father instead of going against him.
secondofall, do you know who your real enemy is?
What's that supposed to mean?
I know you consider Prince of Wu your enemy, but is Prince of Wu your only brother?
Are you talking about Qingque? Do you have proof?
One thing I'm sure of is that
Prince of Wei is closely associated with Wei Yuancheng, not to mention Consort Wei.
A prince is teaming up with an official and a consort.
What do you think he wants?
You don't have to believe me now,
but it doesn't hurt to take anything possible into consideration.
What does this have to do with whether Wu Meiniang is dead or alive?
Now that Li Tai is teaming up with the Wei family,
it will be too late if the Court and the Harem gang up on us.
Although you do have power over the Court, the Harem is not on your side yet.
Who in the Harem is in the most favourable position?
Wu Meiniang.
Also, Wu Meiniang is against Consort Wei. The enemy of our enemy is our friend.
so the woman ruler named Wu is not our enemy but our stake, our friend.
But Wu Meiniang herself is in big trouble because of Li Chunfeng's prophecy.
Lending a hand to a friend in trouble can make a friendship last.
But the problem is that we are not supposed to approach any woman in the Harem.
Honourable Wei, in the past year we got to know each other well.
I never respected you as my tutor.
But I still want to assist you with all my heart.
Why is that?
Your heirship to the throne could be lost overnight.
If you still have a tiny bit of ambition,
if you refuse to hand over the throne or become like a puppet,
please meet me tonight at 1 a.m. in my house in Chengnan. Goodbye.
You all think Wu Meiniang is the woman ruler named Wu?
Your Majesty, the four pillars found in Vice Chancellor Li's grip
are indeed Cairen Wu's four pillars.
The coroner has examined Vice Chancellor Li's body.
He died from congestive heart failure.
His death was an accident. He couldn't have framed Cairen Wu.
That's the basis of your argument?
It could be a coincidence.
Perhaps Li Chunfeng was calculating Wu Meiniang's four pillars when he died.
Further investigation is required. That's all for today. You're dismissed.
Yes, Your Majesty...
Jieyu Xu.
Lin Gong Gong.
You're early, Jieyu Xu.
Are you expecting His Majesty to summon you to the Imperial study?
Of course not. I'm just reading and practising writing.
I was just curious. However, waiting for a rabbit...
I mean waiting for His Majesty endlessly doesn't sound like something you'd do.
Otherwise you'd be disappointed.
I heard His Majesty summoned Cairen Wu after the morning assembly.
But Cairen Wu is a good sister to you.
Her relationship with His Majesty will be beneficial to you.