Your Majesty?
Your Majesty...
sis Xu!
sis Xu! It's me, I'm back!
Meiniang? Why you?
sis Xu...
Where have you been?
since I left the Palace,
I went to the battlefield in the northern boundary
where I found His Majesty.
so you came back with him?
Yes, I came back with him.
Don't cry, silly!
We should be happy we're reunited.
Why are you crying?
I really missed you!
Your Majesty, Consort Xu and Wu... Cairen!
Now that she's back,
let her start from a Cairen again.
Aye!
Consort Xu and Cairen Wu met in Ganlu Hall just now.
They broke down and wept with tears of joy.
That's good!
Father, did you say Cairen Wu?
Wu Meiniang is back.
she is? That's wonderful!
You should be happy.
You had such an amazing encounter after you left the Palace.
Not only did you find His Majesty,
you even helped bring about the triumphant return!
I'm full of envy just listening to you.
This is good material for small talk.
If I had to do it again,
I probably wouldn't dare.
Jinle Palace belongs to the Able Consort.
This is the first time I've been inside.
since you left the Palace,
I missed you so much,
I've put up your favourite chrysanthemums in every corner of this chamber
to remind me of you.
You're too sweet.
Come, follow me.
It feels like a life time away when we first came to the Palace.
Remember how we used to stand from afar
to watch the Four Consorts.
I kept wondering then
when we'd find a place of our own inside this enormous harem?
Now you're the lady of Jinle Palace,
you've finally got your wish.
I lived alone these past few years.
The bigger the chamber, the more dismal I feel.
Now that you're back,
you can keep me company.
Milady, your dish is ready.
This is cold donkey meat.
It's still warm!
How dare you serve it to me!
Don't be scared, as long as you know your mistake.
Tell me your name.
Chen Yali.
You may go. Tell the kitchen to serve me another bowl.
Aye!
What a stupid maid!
This is rather embarrassing.
she seems afraid of you.
Afraid of me? What for?
I'll be honest with you, since I came back,
I've heard that everyone is afraid of you.
What have you heard?
What did they say?
I've become ruthless?
I'm worse than Consort Wei?
I know there must be some misunderstanding.
Misunderstanding?
There is none. The rumours are true.
What I have done is not important.
The point is why I did it.
Do you know how I spent the last few years?
When I first became the Able Consort,
I had no foundation and His Majesty was away
Chancellor Zhangsun, Chancellor Fang and other trustworthy courtiers like them
cannot interfere with the harem.
I may carry the title of the Able Consort,
but I had no one I could trust
and no one to do my bidding.
Every step was difficult for me.
Faced with endless incidents of framing and provocation,
I had to resort to extreme measures
in order to secure my position.
I had no choice but to kill some unruly minions to establish my reputation.
No one treated me like the Able Consort.
sometimes, how we carry on, we don't exactly have a choice.
It's because of the perilous situation facing us.
Your enemies are always pushing you one step at a time.
I see.
I didn't realise you were so unhappy.
Milady...
Treat Cairen Wu like you'd treat me.
You can say anything.
You have a message from Li Yifu.
You're excused!
Aye!
sis, why are you burning it before you read it?
Li Yifu comes from a poor family.
It hasn't been easy for him
to achieve his current status.
But because of his humble background,
he was unable to make further progress.
He's trying to curry favour with anyone who can back him up.
Concubines who wish to gain a foothold in the harem
do need the help of a courtier who has clout.
But if you look at the courtiers,
you'll notice most of them are from aristocratic families.
Why should I bother with this man?
What is it? You seem absent minded.
Nothing! It suddenly dawned on me, somehow you and I
are not the same Xu Hui and Ruyi who first came to the Palace.
Yes! After so much has happened, you and I are not the same anymore.
About what happened to you after you left the Palace,
did you tell anyone else?
Except for you, Rui'an is the only person who knows.
Don't worry, I trust him.
Of course you can trust him.
But he's still young, he might disclose the truth by mistake.
You should be careful!
You're quite right!
Your Highness!
The Crown Princess and Liangdi Xiao have prepared a night snack.
They're waiting for you and...
Tell them I have things to do and I'll be late.
Tell them to turn in early.
Aye!
You may go too! I want to take a walk alone.
Aye!
A candle stand like this,
Hanxiang Hall has only two left.
They used to be in Jieyu Chen's chamber.
Thank you, Wu Gong-Gong!
If Cairen Wu wants them,
I'm happy to bring them over.
To be able to serve Cairen Wu...
This Wu Gong-Gong...
I asked him to bring me the candle stands before.
But he refused and made up excuses.
Now that I mentioned your name,
he brought them over respectfully.
Rui'an, you're still investigating Wenniang's death?
You must remember
a candle stand with her name engraved at the bottom was missing from her room.
It must have something to do with the killer.
I'm more convinced the candle stand was the murder weapon.
The killer took it and might have thrown it away,
or buried it somewhere.
Or just maybe...
...the killer is keeping it.
That's why over the years,
every time I see a candle stand like this,
I would flip over and check the base
to see if Wenniang's name is engraved on it.
There must be tens of thousands of
candle stands like this in the Palace.
You'll be looking for a needle in a haystack.
Even if there were 10,000 of them
and I checked two a day, in 14 years
I would have gone over them all.
I don't want to give up.
I will find the killer and avenge Wenniang.
By the way, Rui'an
I saw sis Xu today.
What do you think of her?
No doubt she has changed.
But she has also explained to me
when she first became the Able Consort,
contrary to popular belief, she was alone and helpless.
she has ineffable reasons for her extreme measures.
Maybe.
Do you trust her?
Up to now, the friends I have in the Palace
are down to a handful.
I don't want to suspect or give up anyone too easily,
especially a sworn sister like sis Xu
who risked her life to save me more than once.
Don't worry, Rui'an!
If someone wishes to hurt me, I can feel it.
As long as you take precautions
I have nothing to worry about.
sis...what is it?
Father, in the battle of the Heli Mountains
we crushed the reinforcements for Anyan
and captured their commander Liu Boyan. It was a huge victory.
Why do you seem so gloomy?
Victory? It was a defeat.
We didn't crush the enemy.
We lost more than we gained when His Majesty was injured.
How is he?
The doctors have cleaned his wound and removed the toxins.
He's much better now.
Father, there's one more thing that's rather odd.
What?
His Majesty has brought Wu Meiniang back to the Palace.
Where did she go after she left the Palace?
Why did His Majesty summon her back?
According to the edict,
after she left the Palace, she had stayed in Luoyang to repent.
When His Majesty went on the expedition,
she prayed day and night for His Majesty's safety.
His Majesty was touched by her repentance,
so he took her back.
He's just making a good case.
Father,
Wu Meiniang's sudden disappearance back then
and her sudden return now
are closely tied to His Majesty's partiality.
Is it possible he has truly fallen for her?
Wu Meiniang's relationship with His Majesty seem more intimate now.
You suppose His Majesty wants to make her a consort?
After all, there's only one Able Consort in the harem right now.
We'll see how things unfold.
Milady, His Majesty is here!
He summons you to the Jinle Palace Garden.
Alright! You may go!
Aye!
Wenniang, this is my destiny.
To me, Wu Meiniang
is not someone I can avoid or get away from.
Over the years,
I've managed the harem well.
Even Empress Wende couldn't have done better
You suppose His Majesty would change his mind
and love me instead?
I have been to Jinle Palace's garden before.
It wasn't like this.
This is the new look.
I spent quite some time on the garden.
Had you come 2 months earlier,
7 types of flowers here would not have been ready.
If my memory serves me,
you were never too keen on flowers.
But I know you like them,
especially over wine and by the pond.
Two people enjoying the flowers is twice the pleasure as one.
I laboured over this garden for my selfish reasons.
I hope you would come to Jinle Palace more often
and enjoy the flowers with me.
Good! I'll come more often.
What is the purpose of your visit today?
You've been managing the harem by yourself,
it must have been tough on you.
Not at all, not when the work is for you.
But there're so many things to attend to.
One's energy is limited, and you just can't attend to it all.
I intend to let Meiniang help you.
Let her assist you. What do you think?
I couldn't have asked for better.
I know you're such good friends,
you'll be happy to hear this.
I'll go to Qingning Palace to discuss with Meiniang tomorrow,
and announce to everyone
Meiniang and I will look after the harem together from now on.
Xu Hui, since you came to the Palace,
I know you're most considerate
and would understand what I'm thinking.
Your Majesty, it's time for the Imperial study.
I'll drop by when I'm free.
Whether we enjoy the flowers, practise calligraphy or write poetry,
I'll spend the whole day with you.
Get some rest.
Goodbye, Your Majesty!
At ease!
Over to the Imperial study!
Meiniang, don't blame me. Blame yourself!
You shouldn't have come back!
Listen....
go to Qingning Palace and collect Rui'an's writing for me.
I need to copy his handwriting.
Aye!
Your Majesty, what about Chancellor Fang Xuanling's memorial?
What's your reply?
Write this down...
A courtier and the Emperor may get along,
but not quite as swimmingly as we do.
We'll go down in history as an exemplary pair,
to be envied by all in the generations to come.
Done?
Done!
Next!
Drought in Hedong District.
Magistrate Chen Guodong of Hezhong requests opening the state granaries
in the counties of Linfen, Zhenping and Jichang to help the victims.
Granted!
Aye!
Oh no!
What?
I've spilled cinnabar ink on the memorial.
What if Magistrate Chen thinks it's blood?
That's not a good idea.
What should I do?
You have a point.
Chen Guodong is not bold but attentive.
Maybe he'll read too much into the idea.
Write a footnote to explain.
Aye!
Let me see!
"The spot is from my desk. Don't want you worried".
Good!
Your Majesty!
The mold for the Kaiyuan tong bao is ready.
Please take a look.
Put it down.
This is the mold for the coin?
How rare!
Watch out, Cairen Wu!
Pardon me, Your Majesty!
The mold is made of wax,
In this hot weather,
It's easy to leave a mark by sharp objects like Cairen Wu's nails.
Oh no!
What? Let me see it!
Your Majesty!
You left a mark!
The crescent-shaped mark isn't too bad.
Your Majesty,
this mold for the coin...Is it ruined?
I'm forever so careless.
Please punish me, Your Majesty!
Don't worry!
They can always make another one.
I've seen it. Take it back!
Aye!
Next!
Aye!
This is from Censor Luo Jun.
It says here Princess Gaoyang and
the abbot of Huichang Temple Bian...
Bianji!
What?
Bianji...
This abbot of Huichang Temple is a famous monk.
He's also Xuanzang's protege.
Princess Gaoyang is spending a lot of time with him
probably...because of her interest in Buddhism.
Luo Jun is an old courtier who served under me his entire life.
With regards to the Princess' misconduct,
if he had no proof,
he would not have submitted a memorial.
No one would risk his reputation, life and fortune over a joke.
I have heard a few rumours myself.
They call Bianji a "jade monk".
I presume he's rather good looking.
What would you do about it?
After all, Your Majesty...
you have not spent much time with Princess Gaoyang.
she's at the age where she may step out of line,
but it's forgivable.
I should be blamed for allowing this child to run wild.
It's time we found her a husband to keep her in line.
I remember Chancellor Fang's youngest son Fang Yi'ai...is still single...
Zhinu...
What is it, Gaoyang?
Father has issued an edict. He wants me to marry Fang Yi'ai.
Can you talk to Father about it?
I don't want to get married.
Father has issued the edict already. There's nothing I can do.
Besides, you really should have stopped seeing Bianji.
You wouldn't help me either?
Father's mind is made up.
There's nothing I can do.
There's always something you can do.
You're just a coward and didn't want to upset Father.
If you don't care whether I live or die,
I'll kill myself!
Gaoyang...
Rui'an, this snow ginseng is a tribute from Liaodong.
It's best for expelling the cold accumulated inside sis Xu.
Can you send this over to Jinle Palace?
Aye!
Did you know last night a maid in Jinle Palace was caned to death?
No! What about? Who was the victim?
A maid called Yali.
Nobody knew the details.
You want me to look into it?
No! I don't want to know.
Aye!
Tell me your name.
Chen Yali.
she seems afraid of you.
Afraid of me? What for?
Watch out, Your Highness...
Princess Gaoyang, be careful!
stay where you are and shut up!
I'll jump if you come any closer.
No... Princess...
Come down, Your Highness...
Be careful, Princess...
stay where you are!
Where's Father? I want to see him!
You can't see him like this.
It's rather improper...
That's right! Fine!
You said it! If I don't see him today,
whatever happens to me is your fault.
No... Your Highness...
Go tell His Majesty! Please come down...
It's too dangerous... Careful...
Be careful, Your Highness!
Your Highness...
Tell His Majesty right away! Go!
Your Highness...
Cairen Wu!
Don't! If His Majesty comes over, she'll definitely jump.
Cairen Wu...
You're all excused. I'll be here to keep the Princess company.
What if after we're gone and the Princess jumped in...
Don't worry! she wouldn't.
When no one is around, she definitely won't jump.
I'll be held responsible if anything should happen.
You may all go!
Thank you, Cairen Wu! Let's go!
What are you doing? Come back...
I didn't say you could go!
You don't think I'll jump?
I'll show you...I'm jumping in...
I have several things to remind you.
First of all, I'm a dryland duck.
I can't swim.
secondly,
the bottom of Jingchu Pond is full of hard rocks and undercurrent.
If someone who can't swim falls in,
it'll take 2 or 3 days to retrieve the body.
Thirdly, they say the pond is haunted.
As far as I know,
there are at least 2 people down there
and they look rather horrifying.
Princess Gaoyang, do you find any of this scary?
Milady, it's taken care of.
Inside Rui'an's room,
we found letters written to Wenniang.
His handwriting is easy to copy.
The letters written in his hand have been sent out to the courtiers.
Good! I bet the great fortune teller Yuan Tiangang
should have arrived in Chang'an.
Tomorrow is the anniversary of Li Chunfeng's death.
Yuan Tiangang comes to Chang'an every year at this time,
to pay his respects to his protege.
This year won't be an exception.
Milady, you wish to meet with Yuan Tiangang?
I'm not the one he should meet.
I only want to remind someone Yuan Tiangang is at his disposal.
That would be quite sufficient.
Did Father send you?
He's not that stupid.
You and I have never met before,
for me to persuade you to get married is not a good idea.
Just like if you jump into the water in front of your Father
to show your determination.
Your Father won't change his mind.
Then what should I do?
I don't even know Fang Yi'ai.
I don't want to marry him.
Do you observe the etiquette of womanhood?
Of course not!
Why else am I in love with a monk?
I hate the fact that I wasn't born a man.
If I were a man, and Bianji were a nun,
I would have brought him into the Palace.
None of this would have happened.
Very well. In that case,
it makes no difference whether you get married or not.
If you ask me, even after you get married,
you will still try your best to rendezvous with this monk.
Don't go overboard. Enough is enough.
What more do you want? You want the monk to send a bridal sedan chair for you?
Now I'm sure Father didn't send you.
And you're not much of a heretic either.
I guess I'll be marrying Fang Yi'ai.
What is he like?
He's not a scholar, but he's valiant, and quite a warrior on the battlefield.
They say the city of Chang'an are full of women who adore him.
Wu Meiniang, you're truly interesting.
Too bad, after I get married. I won't see much of you anymore.
Gentlemen, like my Father,
you have all received the same secret letter
What do you think?
What's said in the note...is it true?
I've checked.
8 out of 10 of that should be true.
I still don't know who sent it,
but it's certainly sent from the Palace.
Good then.
I don't care how it got out.
It's probably a ploy to fight for His Majesty's favour.
The key is Wu Meiniang,
as a member of the harem, had the nerve to follow the army
and breached the law laid down by the late Emperor Gaozu.
Not to mention she interfered with military decisions.
That alone deserves the death penalty.
Chancellor Zhangsun,
the aristocrats from Guanlong will follow your lead.
What do you think we should do?
she must be removed from the Palace,
or else disaster will follow.
Kill her!
That's right! Kill her.
I'll go home and prepare the memorial.
For a woman to take such liberty,
she must be executed at once.
These charges may not be sufficient to kill Wu Meiniang.
His Majesty would come up with excuses to overrule your petition.
We need something bigger.