Meiniang, I can't read you anymore.
But we're still good friends.
I hope next time you're in Taiji Palace,
please don't forget,
Zhinu and Meiniang are still here.
As for the rumours,
they're usually an omen of a conspiracy inside the Harem.
Based on what I know about His Majesty,
he summoned you
because he doesn't want your resignation
to somehow validate those rumours.
I urge you to continue to have faith in His Majesty.
What happened in here tonight, no one will ever find out.
Please also don't take it to heart.
I must go now.
Get out!
Your Majesty!
Why are you here, Your Majesty?
Tonight, I want you!
Morning assembly is adjourned if there's nothing else.
Where is the Prince of Wu?
Your Majesty,
His Highness is out sick.
It is said that he had the cold.
He needs to rest at home for 3 days.
He asked me to tell you.
Your Majesty, I have something to report.
Go ahead!
since the Qin and Han dynasties, Wude and Zhenguan eras,
every generation names the eldest trueborn as the heir.
Now that Tang is enjoying prosperity and peace,
I believe it's time to name the Crown Prince
I agree.
I can't decide if I should go by age or virtue.
What do you think?
Your Majesty,
since the beginning of Tang,
the eldest is always the Crown Prince.
Your Majesty...
Your Majesty,
I think the Prince of Chen is a good choice.
Your Majesty,
the Prince of Chen is kind, he's a good choice.
Your Majesty, name the Prince of Chen!
Name the Prince of Chen!
Name the Prince of Chen...
It wasn't easy for you to return to Taiji Palace.
Why didn't you attend the morning assembly?
Why come fishing and drinking with this old man?
The only agenda today is naming the Crown Prince.
I have barely secured my own position,
I don't want to help His Majesty and offend everyone else.
You were never afraid of offending anyone.
You skipped the morning assembly
because on this issue you agree with Chancellor Zhangsun.
You second the idea of naming Li Zhong.
If you understand that,
why keep taking sick leaves?
Why don't you attend the morning assembly?
If His Majesty had your support, he wouldn't be so helpless.
Taiji Palace has become a place where only Zhangsun Wuji has any say.
Even His Majesty must follow the way he had everything mapped out.
You're still young.
Only when the late Emperor has conquered the neighbouring states
and was hailed as the Tian Kehan
before he started to enjoy certain freedom.
Relax! While this old man can still enjoy fishing by the lake,
Tang will enjoy peace.
However, I have a word of advice for you.
I'm all ears.
You shouldn't have come back.
Your gift is on the battlefield.
But you don't know how to
survive in the Court, that's why as soon as you're back,
you got caught up in the fight of the Harem.
I only want to help His Majesty.
I had no intention to get involved in his personal affairs.
Whether it's reprimanding Pei Xingjian or about naming the Crown Prince,
every case is related to Zhaoyi Wu.
since time immemorial, with courtiers, regardless of their power and blood ties,
those who got involved with the Harem,
hardly anyone came to a good end.
Take my advice,
find an excuse to leave Chang'an.
General, I'm afraid it's easier said than done.
You claim to be indifferent to fame and fortune,
but you may not be able to do it.
What do you mean, Your Highness?
You managed to detach yourself
because you think there's a fine line between you and Zhangsun Wuji.
You don't get involved in state matters, while he stays clear of the army.
But I'm afraid the subtle balance has been broken by Zhangsun Wuji.
Lately, he started sending the likes of Pei Xingjian
to join the army in the Western Regions.
Haven't you heard?
Looks like you came to see me today for yourself, not His Majesty.
Exactly! I need your support. Long-term support.
To see His Highness in such despair really makes me feel bad.
A man of great ambition must go through trials and tribulations.
Ke is only suffering a temporary setback.
When he ascends the throne, and looks back on this experience,
he may feel differently.
Next, I'll tell Fang Yi'ai and those snubbed by Zhangsun Wuji,
such as Xue Wanche and Chai Lingwu, to hang out with Ke.
Now that Wu Meiniang is back
and is caught up in a fight with the Empress
It's time for His Highness to take over the army.
The timing is not right.
Let Ke attend the morning assembly for now.
But while His Highness remains sidelined,
his opinion doesn't carry much weight.
Without control of the army, how can he rebel?
It's useless to give him control of the army right now.
He still treats Zhinu like a brother and wants to assist him.
With this mindset, he won't stage a coup even if you give him the entire army,
That's why, you must be patient.
Have you forgotten
why we brought him back to Chang'an at all costs?
How could I forget?
We're trying to turn them against each other
Make him completely disappointed with his brother
and convince him he's the more suitable Emperor of Tang.
To pave way for Ke,
we must sow discord between Zhinu and his courtiers
especially Zhangsun Wuji.
That's why we tried so hard to bring Wu Meiniang back.
As long as Zhinu wants her to stay,
he'll alienate everyone around him.
When the Court is a mess, it'll be easier for Ke to stage his coup,
and we can do away with Zhangsun Wuji and his lot.
Keep Ke idle for the time being.
It won't be long before Meiniang will give birth to a child.
Poor scholars like Li Yifu and Xu Jingzong
will come to power
and the time will be right for Ke to usurp the throne.
May I ask you...
everything you have done for His Highness is out of revenge for the monk?
Is it worth it?
Everything Consort Yang had done was out of revenge as well.
Father ruined my life I won't let him get his way either.
It's an eye for an eye.
Don't worry, when it's over,
I'll reward everyone accordingly.
At least if I should fall in love with another monk,
no one would dare come forward to criticise me anymore.
I see.
Congratulations in regaining His Majesty's favour, Milady!
I have overestimated Wu Meiniang after all.
It only took her a few days to piss off His Majesty!
I guess it's all for the better.
Or else I wouldn't know when I'd see His Majesty again.
Now that you have regained His Majesty's grace,
shall we...
Exactly what His Majesty is thinking, I'm still not sure.
Though I have regained his grace, my position is not secure.
If I make a move now, I'll give people an excuse.
Let me think this over
and come up with a foolproof plan.
With His Majesty's grace, I shouldn't waste this golden opportunity.
I must plan ahead and make a bright future for sujie.
Milady, the Chancellor sent word.
Rumours have been circulated outside the Palace
about Wu Meiniang being a seductress.
From the late Emperor to His Majesty and the Prince of Wu.
They're all under her spell.
You could make use of this opportunity and banish Wu Meiniang from the Palace.
since time immemorial, infidelity within the Harem, is most indefensible.
If we play our cards right, this may work.
Let me think it over.
The Chancellor wants you to make up your mind quickly,
as undue delay may bring trouble.
I know.
Zhong'er should be ready.
Let's go there now or we'll miss the hour.
Aye!
You're too kind to the Prince of Chen.
Everything is settled and I feel really bad.
I hope to see him before the Empress picks him up.
I only want a word with him and tell him
whether in Eastern Palace or Lizheng Hall, he should never forget his mother.
Mother, I know they killed you.
First the Empress poisoned you,
then Zhaoyi Wu persuaded you to commit suicide to frame the Empress.
I know that.
When I become the Emperor, I will avenge you.
I will.
Zhong'er, it's time to go!
Yes, Mother!
Greetings, Your Highness!
At ease!
What brings you here today?
Your Highness,
I came to visit the Prince of Chen.
How kind of you!
Before the inauguration ceremony
Zhong'er will be living in Lizheng Hall.
You're welcome to visit him anytime you wish
solhaveheard.
I also heard he has been named the Crown Prince.
Congratulations, Your Highness.
Why? The trueborn eldest son is always named the Crown Prince.
You, on the other hand, are enjoying His Majesty's grace.
How we all envy you!
You flatter me.
I tend to think good fortune and bad go hand in hand.
Today's good fortune may bring tears later on.
The future is hard to predict.
Well said! I will keep that in mind.
Precisely because life is unpredictable, you should take care.
so must you!
Bianji, everything is within my control and proceeding as planned.
Ke will stage a coup because he still wants to be the Emperor.
In this world, only power can protect love.
Imagine back then, if I were the Emperor,
no one could have separated us.
I'm sorry! You sacrificed yourself but I let you down.
Not only did I fail to topple the Empress, she also took Zhong'er.
I won't forget what I promised you.
I will bring the Empress down and get Zhong'er back.
Is that for Maiden Liu?
Greetings, Your Majesty!
There's something I couldn't figure out.
Maid Liu accused the Empress before she died.
It's such a coincidence
we just happened to enter Lizheng Hall at the time.
As if... Your Majesty!
Maid Liu knew Your Majesty would enter
Lizheng Hall at that very moment...
Because...we planned it that way.
Why?
Because we wanted you to believe the Empress poisoned her.
Why did you frame the Empress?
Maid Liu didn't get a title
and blamed the Empress, I can understand that.
But you...
I told you at Gaoyang's birthday party,
there was nothing wrong with your tea.
You may not believe anyone else,
why wouldn't you believe me?
It's has nothing to do with the baby.
Then why?
The Empress is kind and prudent,
without any solid proof
you should not try to implicate her.
You have changed.
You would never victimise anyone before.
Me? If the Empress is kind and prudent,
then who put poison in Maid Liu's drinking water,
leaving her only 7 days to live?
Poison? I thought she had an illness.
You can ask Dr Zhou
and you'll know if Maiden Liu was sick or poisoned.
The Empress wanted to adopt Zhong'er but Maid Liu turned her down.
Then she was poisoned.
If I hadn't shown up, she would have died.
Who do you think was behind it?
If she was poisoned, why didn't you tell me?
What's the use?
Inside this Harem,
Maid Liu was an insignificant nobody.
Even if she had accused the Empress,
nothing could have come out of the investigation.
Maid Liu knew it and I thought we should not trouble you over this.
That's why I told Dr Zhou to tell everyone Maid Liu was stricken with a serious illness
You didn't wish to trouble me so you conspired against the Empress?
For Maid Liu, it was revenge.
she didn't want her beloved son to grow up around her killer.
For me... the Empress tried to kill Maid Liu,
that's why...
Wu Meiniang!
Is this her revenge or is it yours?
What are you talking about?
Was I wrong?
Very well! Tell me...
Tell me you went after the Empress because you love me.
Tell me and I'd believe you.
I would even kill her myself for you
and see justice served for Maid Liu.
Just say it...
I...
You can't!
Because inside your heart, there's no room for me.
I also know... No!
you only agreed to stay in the Palace
because you want to avenge your child.
You really think I don't know what you're thinking?
I know about it but what can I do?
Because I know this is the only chance for us.
I wanted you to stay so that I could spoil you and love you.
I thought someday you'd be moved.
But why can't it be me?
Why does it have to be Ke?
What are you talking about?
The Prince of Wu? No! There's nothing between us!
We're clean!
Clean?
That's what I used to think.
Don't tell me you believe in those rumours.
I wanted to believe the rumours were meant to hurt you
and to sow discord between me and the Prince of Wu.
How naive of me!
Does that mean you believe them?
Tell me where you were last night?
Who were you with?
I was...
I saw everything in Chengqing Hall.
No, it's not what you think.
There was nothing personal between me and the Prince of Wu.
I was in Chengqing Hall.
I saw a shadow,
I thought...it was the late Emperor, so I...
I'm sorry!
Your Majesty! Wu Meiniang!
Must you be so cruel?
I...
Do you realise since you helped me become the Crown Prince,
I have been living under Father's shadow?
My courtiers, my subjects, including you would not stop reminding me
to be a wise and able Emperor like Father.
I have tried. I have tried my best.
I did everything I could to be the Emperor.
But did anything change? No!
To them, to you...
I'm still the weak and ignorant Zhinu, Prince of Jin from back then.
Your Majesty!
No!
Your Majesty!
It was ridiculous!
I told Ke if anyone should grow old with you,
it wouldn't be Father, it wouldn't be him. It must be me.
Looks like I'm just dreaming.
Meiniang, all your life, you'll never fall in love with me, right?
No!
That's not true!
You were so convinced that
deep down in my heart, I have no loving feelings for you, right?
That's not true! You think I'm staying only because I want revenge.
You think I didn't care about you, right?
That's not true either!
You accused me of overlooking everything you have done.
But have you thought about me?
Yes...
To say I don't hate Empress Wang and Consort Xiao,
that would be wrong. I loathe them.
I helped Maid Liu not only because I promised her.
But also because I didn't want to give anyone the pretext to influence you.
For my sake, you made me a Zhaoyi so that I could stay.
When Chancellor Zhangsun wanted to make Li Zhong the Crown Prince,
you couldn't and wouldn't say "no".
You've been so good to me already,
on the Crown Prince issue,
I didn't want you to change your mind because of me.
That's how it is.
I did not... Meiniang...
I didn't lie to you!
Why wouldn't you believe me? I really...
Meiniang!
Doctor!
Doctor! How is she?
Congratulations, Your Majesty! Zhaoyi Wu is pregnant!
Meiniang...
sujie, what's this word?
"Bright".
And this one?
"Eye".
smart boy!
Look, we have learnt so much today.
Do you remember...
Milady! The one in Penglai Hall is pregnant.
What?
she's pregnant just when I have regained His Majesty's grace?
Good boy, sujie!
You must be a good boy and study hard.
I will make plans for you
to ensure they'll pay for what they have taken from you.
Good boy!
Nanny!
What should we do, Milady?
The Prince of Chen is now the Crown Prince,
if Wu Meiniang gives birth to a prince,
His Highness will face a bigger threat.
Prince? Let's see if she can actually give birth!
You mean...
Don't worry, in this Harem,
someone else doesn't want to see this child more than I do.
But then again, the Palace needs good news.
Hiring someone for prayers is not that inappropriate.
You mean a monk or a sorcerer?
You think I'm that stupid?
Help me change, I'll go to see the Empress.
Her Highness, Consort Xiao is here.
Consort Xiao!
I bet she's here because of Wu Meiniang.
she chose to come see me now probably because she's at a loss.
send her in. I'd like to see what she's up to.
Aye!
Greetings, Your Highness!
At ease! Please be seated.
Thank you, Your Highness!
Long time no see, my dear.
I heard there's something on your mind.
What a coincidence, me too!
You may all go!
Aye!
You can speak your mind.
You must know Wu Meiniang is expecting.
In a few months, inside the Harem,
in addition to the Prince of Chen and sujie,
there might be another young prince.
Having more heirs is a good thing.
You must be joking.
I have sujie and you have the Prince of Chen
if Wu Meiniang bears a son,
you suppose His Majesty will name her son the Crown Prince?
I came here to share your troubles.
Try me.
We haven't had such a happy occasion in the Palace for a long time.
You can invite a sorcerer to bless Wu Meiniang's child.
Whether the child will be born
will depend on how efficacious the sorcerer is.
What? since when
have you become a believer in such omens and prodigies?
It doesn't hurt to try different means.
After all, there have been such incidents in the Harem
and some successful precedents.
You want to use me to get rid of Wu Meiniang?
Your Highness, I am well aware that naming a Crown Prince depends on seniority,
and I have long fallen from grace.
sujie cannot compete with the Prince of Chen
If Wu Meiniang gives birth to a son,
considering His Majesty's love for her,
you suppose he would name her son the heir instead?
However much you hate me back then
is however much I loathe Wu Meiniang now.
I don't ask for much.
I dare not hope for the Empress position and the Crown Prince title.
I only pray that Xianling Palace will regain His Majesty's grace.
You're still as forthright as ever.
Whether or not you can regain His Majesty's grace,
will depend on your luck.
You have said your piece, you may go.
I'll give this some thoughts.
You and I have our lives ahead of us.
Let's deal with our common headache first.
I'll take my leave now.
You heard what she said?
Do you believe in those ways?
I have heard about it.
In my hometown, those who want a son
would ask a sorcerer to perform a certain ritual.
It's quite common.
I have also heard
Emperor Yang of sui was so fond of Lady Xuanhua
and the Empress was so angry that
she sought help from the sorcerer Zhao Guizhen
who caused Lady Xuanhua to have consecutive miscarriages
until she finally fell from grace...
Pardon me for speaking too much, but I think it's worth a try.
You're excused.
I need to think it over.
Aye!