In the past, I could confidently say
His Majesty would not.
But today,
I really dare not say that.
Your Majesty, I won't make it difficult for you.
Li Xiao
served as my personal guard for over a decade,
his loyalty was unquestionable.
Why would he take it upon himself to kill Meiniang?
Your Majesty, you didn't carry out
your promise to take Wu Meiniang's life in 3 months' time.
I said I would put an end to it,
I never said I would kill her.
"To take care of" her and "to kill" her
is hard to differentiate literally.
For Li Xiao to misunderstand your meaning
is not that surprising.
Fuji, does that mean
you admit Li Xiao was doing your bidding?
I wouldn't dare, Your Majesty!
You wouldn't dare?
Fuji, we...
You...get out!
Aye, Your Majesty!
Your Highness!
You sent for me?
The fun I was expecting
ended up as such.
That Crown Prince brother of mine,
why didn't he obey Father and stay in Eastern Palace?
Why did he show up in Lishan?
It was fine he went there.
I thought he would get reprimanded,
but he blundered onto the scene and saved Wu Meiniang
and earned a great merit with Father.
Don't be upset, Your Highness!
How can I not be?
I don't care if Wu Meiniang lives or dies,
I just didn't expect my brother to be able to read Father's mind.
What has he been eating?
The scariest part is that
not only is Wu Meiniang alive,
the Crown Prince benefited from it.
If they join hands,
for you to become the Crown Prince
will be harder than ever.
Harder than ever? I know that!
Help me think of a solution!
Yes, Your Highness!
In my opinion,
don't worry about Wu Meiniang.
Even if you don't fix her,
knowing Consort Wei,
she won't last long in the harem.
I thought with the prophecy
naturally
the fire will burn in the Crown Prince's direction.
But Consort Wei made her move out of the blue.
We should fan the fire towards the Crown Prince again.
How?
At the morning assembly tomorrow,
tell Wei Yuancheng to find someone reliable
but dispensable at court
to come forward and propose
the prophecy can be stopped by replacing the Crown Prince.
The fire will be burning in our backyard.
You should know your brother.
He's good at running scared and exposing his shortcomings.
The tree wants to stay still, but the wind won't stop.
After you...
Chancellor Wei is here!
Your Highness!
shifu, I finished writing this.
see if this is good enough.
Good! This self-expostulation
proves you're genuinely remorseful.
Present it to His Majesty at the morning assembly tomorrow.
shifu, was it wrong of me to save Wu Meiniang?
Rest assured, Your Highness!
I've always thought one's life lies in one's hands.
It's not Heaven's will.
Even if Heaven
wills her to perish,
she's still alive because of you.
For the same token,
if this woman is meant to crumble Tang,
I myself, or Zhangsun Wuji,
even Chancellor Fang and Chancellor Chu
will not let her live.
Anything else you wish to discuss?
Your Majesty, the war with Qara-hoja
has been decidedly won by Tang.
Will you consider dispatching troops to take out
the rebel army that has occupied the north for years?
Emperor Yang of sui
ordered several military expeditions against them but failed.
Hence the sui Dynasty was toppled.
Considering the whole picture,
we'll have to take out the rebel army sooner or later,
but we don't have the ability to engage in two major expeditions in a row.
Let's wait!
The rebels in the north have been around for years,
unlike Qara-hoja.
I need to personally lead the expedition.
The day Chengqian can prove to be a competent regent
is the day we set out.
I will make every effort to help share your troubles, Father.
Your Majesty, I have something to report.
What is it, Zhang Yuanji?
Recently, the prophecy has been troubling Tang
and has had everyone running scared.
Then Vice Minister Li died suddenly
without identifying "the woman ruler named Wu",
which threw the court and the harem into constant agony and jealousy.
This is something I don't wish to see.
I have a suggestion
to end the prophecy once and for all.
What do you suggest? Tell me.
Thank you, Your Majesty!
The basis of a state
lies with the Emperor and not the troublemaker.
If Tang was to end by our third generation,
perhaps it's because the Crown Prince
is mediocre, muddleheaded and inept.
I urge you
to replace him to change the fate of Tang
and crush this ominous prophecy.
Zhang Yuanji, you're just a consultant.
How dare you impeach the Crown Prince!
What you just said
was insubordination
that can be construed as treason!
Put Zhang Yuanji on death row.
His Majesty orders that Zhang Yuanji be put on death row.
Your Majesty...
I pledge my loyalty to Tang!
Heaven can vouch for my loyalty...
Please contain your anger, Your Majesty!
This man raved insults at the Crown Prince.
That's a crime punishable by death.
Assembly adjourned!
This is infuriating!
Darn that Zhang Yuanji...
Your Highness!
Get out!
Calm down, Your Highness!
This is no time for any medication!
Your Highness, your hand is bleeding!
Your Highness!
Let me take a look!
I'm fine!
Tang will end by its third generation!
Chengxin, am I so muddleheaded and inept
that I cannot run the state?
No! Forget it!
You're part of the Eastern Palace.
Of course you think highly of me.
I'm afraid in Father's eyes,
I'm a hopeless case.
Remember what you told me when the prophecy first came out?
If I had written a report to Father to have Wu Meiniang removed,
I wouldn't have been caught in this mess.
Definitely not!
Your Highness, definitely not!
You simply cannot submit such a report.
Chancellor Wei, it's wrong of you
to barge into the Eastern Palace without being announced.
If Chancellor Wei has something important to discuss with His Highness,
I should excuse myself along with irrelevant parties.
Chengxin!
Please stay, Milady.
Unless you're bringing me the news of Zhang Yuanji's execution,
no matter what,
I'm asking Father to kill Wu Meiniang,
or else the next report,
would be one requesting that I step down.
Because of a prophecy
you want to kill Wu Meiniang.
What if there are other prophecies in the future?
Will you kill more?
That would only prove
you are as muddleheaded as they say you are
and you don't deserve to be the Crown Prince
someone has impeached me,
so I need to do something.
The self-expostulation is good enough.
Zhang Yuanji is on death row
which means your position is not as insecure as you think.
Wu Meiniang is still alive today.
That proves how important she is to His Majesty.
The Eastern Palace needs a friend like her in the harem
to help us get through this crisis.
Have you forgotten what I said before?
A friend who brings coal in the snow is most precious.
You saved Wu Meiniang in Lishan,
so she should be grateful to you.
The incident with shizicong
proved she's not like any ordinary woman.
someone as smart as Wu Meiniang
is well aware of her situation.
We should strike while the iron is hot.
To make Wu Meiniang come over to our side, this is the best time to do it.
How can you do the opposite?
What you're saying is
I need Wu Meiniang to understand
I will not put her in harm's way to save my own neck.
Yes, let her know
you're on the same side.
saving you both is the only way to break the prophecy.
Just think, even with Wu Meiniang dead,
the rumours and impeachment against you,
will they stop?
No!
I see.
I'll write another self-expostulation.
But you also said
it's inappropriate for you and I to contact anyone in the harem.
Maybe I can help.
That's what I have in mind.
Did Zhang Yuanji confess?
Is he doing Wei Yuancheng's dirty work?
He's tough.
We have tortured him but he won't confess.
Then keep at it!
Aye!
But I have my doubts!
Tell me!
What is it?
I don't think Wei Yuancheng was the real instigator.
He ordered this fellow to impeach the Crown Prince in public,
why did he do it?
Consort Wei has been in the Palace for a long time,
but she has no children.
If they succeed in replacing the Crown Prince,
who is their candidate for the new owner of the Eastern Palace?
Level with me.
Which one of my sons do you suspect?
I dare not make any wild guesses.
But this person's plan
is almost identical to the means we used against sui.
No matter who he is,
his wits and guts are comparable to yours back then.
But his wits and guts
if accompanied by inappropriate ambitions and desires.
will be like a sword hanging over yours and the Crown Prince's heads.
He should be executed for his intentions.
save it!
Thank you, Your Highness!
Is the medicine ready?
Yes, Your Highness!
Please take a look!
This medication is made of top grade herbs
and is good for Jieyu Xiao's condition.
she just needs to take the daily dosage accordingly.
Foolproof?
I guarantee that.
starting today, you're responsible for writing the prescription
as well as decocting it
until Jieyu Xiao fully recovers.
Don't pass it to anyone else.
If anything should go wrong,
having 10 heads is not enough for you!
Rest assured I'll do my best
to ensure the baby is safe.
I hope my sudden visit
would not seem rude to you.
If I'm not mistaken,
you're here because of the Crown Prince.
What happened in court today...
You must have heard, the Crown Prince...
He was implicated.
He must hate "the woman ruler named Wu"
and want to kill her.
I'll level with you, when he came back to the Eastern Palace,
he wanted to draft a report urging His Majesty to have you killed.
A report? Where is it now?
Chancellor Wei tore it up!
Chancellor Wei?
Chancellor Wei thinks
safeguarding you and the Crown Prince
is the best way to break the prophecy.
The other day at Lishan, His Highness saved my life.
I have wanted to thank him properly,
but didn't really have a chance.
Now that you're here,
you can convey my gratitude,
and pass on a message to Chancellor Wei.
What is it?
Before Li Chunfeng could identify "the woman ruler named Wu"
he died quite suddenly.
I suggest...
we help finish his prediction.
What do you mean?
Just pass the message to Chancellor Wei,
he'll know what to do.
What a brilliant idea!
Predict? How?
Li Chunfeng is dead, who has the ability to identify "the woman ruler named Wu"?
Besides... You're quite mistaken!
What Wu Meiniang means is that
everyone is merely guessing
the real identity of the woman ruler.
They can say it's a Cairen today,
and pin it on you tomorrow.
We should manufacture a so-called real "woman ruler named Wu"
in order to shut everyone up.
If I'm not mistaken,
this is something His Majesty would like to see.
But...how can we do this?
Don't worry, Your Highness.
I know what to do.
What's the purpose of this late visit?
I came at this late hour
about "the woman ruler named Wu".
Not you too!
Without this prophecy,
Zhang Yuanji wouldn't have impeached the Crown Prince.
As his tutor,
I feel that I should speak up.
Is Chengqian reading too much into the situation?
After Zhang Yuanji's impeachment,
the Crown Prince was worried, terrified
even resentful.
But such is only human nature.
By law, Zhang Yuanji should be executed.
But Your Majesty only put him on death row
and did not execute him.
The Crown Prince is deeply terrified
because he thinks you're considering the suggestion of replacing him.
Nonsense! I did not kill Zhang Yuanji
because I have other considerations.
If he's bothered by this,
I'm very disappointed in him.
Please don't be upset, Your Majesty!
I think the prophecy has turned into a sword,
hurting you and those dearest to you.
Keep talking!
Please take a look at this.
Li Junxian?
Home town, Wu'an;
Commander of Imperial Guards at Xuanwu Gate;
granted the title of Duke of Wulian County.
What a coincidence!
His ancestry, position and title all contain the word "Wu".
What's more coincidental
is his nickname Lady Wu.
I remember now.
He's a member of Wei Yuancheng's clique.
Exactly!
I'll let you handle this.
Aye, Your Majesty!
Li Junxian?
What do you think?
He's the commander of the Imperial Guards at Xuanwu Gate,
Duke of Wulian County and nicknamed Lady Wu.
If you say he's "the woman ruler named Wu",
you'll make a good case
and it's more convincing than Cairen Wu,
not to mention he works for Wei Yuancheng.
In that case,
you still think Wu Meiniang deserves to die?
I never believe in
any sort of divination or prediction of the future.
But I can't speak for the others.
I insisted that you kill this "woman ruler named Wu",
because the prophecy stated
that this person would bring down Tang.
If we don't kill this person,
we can't shut people up
and pacify the peasants.
If the Crown Prince falls from grace due to the impeachment,
the state will face many problems.
I'm sure you have recently received
numerous reports criticising the Crown Prince's misconduct,
and Venus, the sign of calamity falling upon us.
That's why "the woman ruler named Wu" must die,
for the security of Tang.
Whether it's Li Junxian or Wu Meiniang makes no difference to me.
But...
What? I...
I don't know why you bother
to tinker with this woman in the first place.
I'm worried.
About what?
Wu Meiniang is only a Cairen,
and you already dote on her to this extent.
If she stays in the harem,
she'll inevitably become one of the 4 Consorts.
If she should give you a son,
I'm worried
that may affect the succession of the throne
You said you didn't believe in prophecies.
Why do you still have misgivings?
In the past, I probably wouldn't
and am contend to let her stay by your side,
regardless of what possible havoc she'll wreak.
But now...
I'm getting old.
Yes, we're all getting old.
Leave her alone,
I promise I won't get her pregnant.
Your Majesty!
As for Li Junxian,
get him out of Chang'an, make him the Inspector of Huazhou.
Aye!
Milady!
Commander Li Junxian
was suddenly transferred from Chang'an
to be the Inspector of Hauzhou.
Rumour has it, he's the real "woman ruler named Wu".
Looks like Cairen Wu came to her senses
and found herself a scapegoat.
I knew I was right about her.
At first I was afraid she'd be like any ordinary woman
and was full of benevolent talk.
someone who's too soft,
will end up being meat on someone's chopping block.
If she could get it through her head,
at least I didn't waste my time on her.
Honestly, I thought I had seen them all.
Women of the harem
are either too weak or too vicious.
They either end up being ruined or ruin themselves.
But Wu Meiniang shows discretion, and knows when to be tough or gentle.
Her future in Taiji Palace is boundless.
What a shame, at Lishan,
Ke failed to grab his chance,
and allowed the Crown Prince to save Wu Meiniang.
Now two people who are like oil and water
could suddenly join forces.
You have been good to Wu Meiniang.
You saved her life on several occasions
and got her out of one bind after another.
she should be eternally grateful to you.
But I don't know
who's more important to her now,
Xianling Palace or Eastern Palace?
I hope she's a sentimental person.
Invite her to Xianling Palace tomorrow for lunch.
Aye!
Invite Xu Hui as well.
You have eaten enough, Your Highness!
One bowl after another,
you should have vented your frustrations.
Your Highness!
This is really irritating!
I thought with the prophecy,
my chance of deposing Chengqian would be within grasp.
Who'd have expected, nothing would come out of it?
Nothing!
Who would have guessed
the crisis brought about by the prophecy
could end with someone like Li Junxian?
He's just the fall guy for Wu Meiniang.
Your Highness!
We have underestimated her.
With her helping the Crown Prince,
your campaign to depose him
is now suddenly full of unknown variables.
When Consort Wei wanted to kill her,
I thought she was being short-sighted.
It appears
if we don't do something about Wu Meiniang,
she's likely to spoil everything for me.
His Majesty dotes on her.
Consort Yang is on her side
and now with the Eastern Palace's support,
she's rather invincible.
Not necessarily!
We can start with someone close to her.
Jieyu Xu!
What is it, Lin Gong-Gong?
I just got word from the Imperial study.
His Majesty gave order, you need not...
...need not go there anymore.
Why is that?
I'll take my leave, Milady!
Don't you get it?
Father doesn't need you anymore
because Wu Meiniang is back.
Greetings, Your Highness!
I know what you're going to say.
I suggest you save your breath.
Meiniang and I are like sisters.
she's my best friend and only friend.
But your only friend
has won Father's heart.
And through the Crown Princess,
she's now connected to the Eastern Palace.
she has secured her position in the harem.
Did she share any of that with you?
she's so intelligent.
she must know what you really want.
For love and for the man she loves,
a woman is capable of anything.
For thousands of years, women fight in the harem.
some end up hurt and depressed
not because of her enemies
but because of her friends.
Pardon my impertinence, excuse me!
Let me remind you,
for as long as Wu Meiniang is beside Father,
he'll never take notice of you.
If ever you need my help to solve any problems,
look up Mo Gong-Gong in the laundry room.
I urge you to revoke your order
and allow sis Hui to come back to the Imperial study,
and assist you.
That won't be necessary. Get up!
Your Majesty, she loves you very much.
You were so attentive towards her earlier.
Why give her the cold shoulder now?
I'm worried she can't take it.
I was nice to her
because I wanted to be indifferent to you,
so that when I parted with you at Lishan,
you'd leave without any lingering.
Now that the crisis is over,
I don't want to give Xu Hui any fancy ideas.
No matter what
you must show her consideration.
After all, she's like a sister to me.
Wu Meiniang...the more you have, the more you want.
If you won't let go of anything,
I'm afraid you'll lose everything.
Thank you, Your Majesty!
What is it?
I only wish to tell you
since I came to the Palace,
this is the best time I've had. No matter what happens next,
I'm content and grateful!
Don't think too much.
In the days ahead I will spend time with you.
And with Meiniang, right?
Yes!
Let's have a drink.
Congratulations, Meiniang!
One who survives a disaster is blessed.
It wasn't easy for you to get through this crisis.
You mean about Meiniang's encounter with the assassin at Lishan?
His Highness took good care of me.
Here's a toast to you, Your Highness.
Please don't mention it.
I'm rather ashamed to talk about it.
Ke wasn't much help to you
at the critical juncture.
He has the heart but not the means.
He doesn't deserve any praise from you.
This silly boy is good with archery and horsemanship,
but he's unaware that the human heart can be treacherous.
He really should learn from other princes.
Because I was with His Majesty
I have met the Crown Prince and the Prince of Wei.
And because I'm closer to you and His Highness,
I have heard about His Highness.
If you ask me, among the three princes,
only the Prince of Wu
takes after His Majesty in looks and temperament.
Among all the princes,
his character and appearance is second to none.
You should not sell yourself short, Milady!
That's an overstatement.
Ke is not that outstanding.
Am I right, Meiniang?
sis Hui has a good point.
But I think the princes each
have their own virtues and shortcomings.
There's really no need to compare.
One should act according to one's disposition,
and pursue one's dream.
Make the best of one's life
and that's good enough.
What an interesting point!
Here! A toast to you!
Cheers!
I'd rather have Ke spending his life in peace.
That's all I want.
Let's start eating!
Thanks for your hospitality! I'll take my leave now!
Me too, Your Highness!
I hope you'll come again!
Mother, you should turn in early!
I should go.
It appears Xu Hui supports His Highness,
but Wu Meiniang kept changing the subject
as if she wanted to sit on the sideline.
That's not true.
she has chosen to side with the Crown Prince
Haven't you noticed
something has changed between them?
Did I do something to offend you?
You're doing fine! You did nothing wrong.
Then why won't you look at me
or talk to me?
If I've said something wrong
you can just tell me.
You're reading too much into this.
No matter when and where,
if you have done or said something wrong,
I would always tell you.
Because we're the best sisters.
Right?
Let's go!
since we came to the Palace, we were like sisters.
We became sworn sisters.
I'm your sister, not your shadow.
Definitely not your dispensable replacement!
Thanks to you,
His Majesty has turned a blind eye to me!
Meiniang, I can do without your hypocritical charity.
Only when the harem is rid of you
can His Majesty and I break free.