We have been rivals our entire lives.
In the end, friends have turned into enemies
and enemies became buddies.
Allow me to salute you.
Greetings, Your Highness!
At ease, gentlemen!
Thank you, Your Highness!
I'm entrusting the Crown Prince to you.
Yes, Your Highness!
still up?
I'm not sleepy, might as well wait for you.
All these years, it must have been tough for you.
Am I too old for you now?
If there comes a day when you have only grey hair,
I'll still love you.
Getting old has never bothered me before.
But at this age,
I can't help but feel a bit panicky and think about a lot of things.
sometimes I'd rather not look into the mirror.
When I was younger, I used to say
only plain and mediocre women
would worry about losing affection when beauty withers away.
I'm not one of those women.
Your Majesty!
No women in this world is not afraid of growing old.
I like you just the way you are.
You used to be able to handle anything and nothing could faze you.
Now, even Wu Meiniang is faced with a big problem.
You're making fun of me!
What a shame this is one problem I can't help you with.
All I can do...
is growing old with you.
I've been getting word from Luoyang
saying my Mother is seriously ill.
But she still doesn't want to see me.
she thinks I'm responsible for my sister's death.
Look at me, Meiniang!
Even if Zhong'er betrayed you,
the courtiers repeatedly slander you
and Lady Rong is wrong about you,
none of it is a big deal.
You must remember you need not please anyone.
No matter what, you still have me.
Milady, urgent news from Luoyang!
Lady Rong has passed away.
At ease, Minyue.
Didn't you spend time in the Palace before?
Just behave like you did back then.
You can still call me Auntie.
Thank you, Auntie!
I was so worried you would have forgotten about me.
Back in the Palace,
you used to play with Hong'er and Xian'er
and almost tore down Taiji Palace.
How can I forget you?
Minyue, do you know why I brought you here?
No!
Women are like flowers,
they may bloom beautifully but will eventually wither and fall.
But you're an exception. You're still in full bloom after decades.
A flower that can survive wind and rain is definitely not a fresh flower.
You're a towering pine,
holding up the entire Tang kingdom.
What a lovely child, come...
Minyue, Grandmother is gone.
It's my duty to look after you.
Take my advice, while you're in your prime, find yourself a husband.
Pick someone from the Court, and you can marry him.
I only want to be with you.
You want to go to Chang'an?
Grandmother is dead,
except for you, I have no other family.
Life in Chang'an is not necessarily better than Luoyang.
Between Chang'an and Luoyang, you must choose carefully.
spare yourself of regrets afterwards.
I want to go to Chang'an with you. I won't regret it.
Your Majesty!
You're back! Yes!
Come here.
Is the funeral taken care of?
These past years, you'd rather let your Mother hate you,
than let her hate your sister.
It's so unfair to you.
Let's not bring up the unpleasant past.
While you were in Luoyang, I came to a decision.
From now on, we'll handle state affairs together.
We'll be known as Heavenly Emperor and Empress.
Definitely not, Your Majesty!
As it is, the courtiers are displeased with my interfering with imperial governance
If I blatantly show up in Court, I'm sure they'll object.
In the end, they'll give you a hard time.
Don't you think I know that?
But the likes of Li Yifu still don't carry enough weight in the Court.
I need someone strong and dignified,
someone I can trust totally to help me face the courtiers.
And you, you're the sharpest sword in my hand.
Tonight,
we welcome Minyue back here.
Your Majesty, when they were little
Xian'er, Hong'er and Minyue were very close.
Listen up, you two, now that Minyue is back,
I want you to take good care of her. Understand?
Miss Helan, you must bow to His Majesty.
No need!
This is a family banquet.
We won't stand on ceremony.
Minyue, come to me!
Yes, Auntie!
Your Majesty! Auntie!
Come here...
Did you run over here? You're all sweaty!
You've been away from the Palace for years, you must have forgotten the rules.
It's alright, we'll learn from the beginning.
I have a special present for you.
Come on, Rui'an!
Look, Minyue!
They're gorgeous!
Your Mother left you these jade bangles.
I've kept them for you. Now I'm giving them to you.
Take good care of them, understand?
Thank you, Auntie!
Purple suits you.
Come on, get up!
Now that you're back,
I have a special assignment for you.
His Majesty has overworked himself.
I'm too busy with state affairs.
Though we have help, I need someone to watch him for me
to make sure he takes his medication and gets enough rest.
Now that you're here,
you can help me watch him.
When he takes his medication, when he gets rest,
if he's hiding somewhere up to no good,
you must report to me.
Don't worry.
I'll take good care of His Majesty.
Your Majesty!
You must listen to me from now on.
If you get well, Auntie won't have to work so hard.
she'll have time for me and for Hong and Xian.
You're such a brat!
How dare you! Your Majesty!
Minyue! Did I scare you?
I was thinking about something and didn't know it was you.
But you covered my eyes first and gave me quite a scare too.
Let's call it even.
That's a lame excuse. I haven't said anything.
You don't look so good, Your Majesty!
Just an old ailment.
I'm fine.
I came out for some fresh air. I'll be fine in a bit.
Luckily, I brought your medication.
Auntie sent me to watch you. Please don't give me a hard time.
Of course! Your Aunt is not to be trifled with.
We'd better do as we're told.
I envy her.
Why?
If I can find someone like you who loves me whole-heartedly,
someone who listens to everything I say.
You're still young.
I know you'll find someone like that who dotes on you.
Please take your medication, Your Majesty!
sit over here.
Would it be too much trouble for you to serve me my medication?
On one condition.
How dare you negotiate with me!
Very well, what is it?
I know you like shadow play.
I want to learn, can you teach me?
This is your condition?
I can...
...agree to that.
Really?
You're the Emperor, you mustn't lie.
Very well!
I'd like to ask the wise one from Tang to pick the most beautiful flower,
on one condition.
You can only pick once and you must not retrace your steps.
Tang is full of talented people,
don't tell me you can't do something this simple.
Exactly! How hard is it to pick a flower?
The chrysanthemum in my hand is the only one left,
obviously this is the prettiest.
Your Majesty!
Is that what my Aunt said?
That's awesome!
she was indeed!
I still remember I was sitting not far from her.
she was in high spirits.
she was so beautiful!
Has His Majesty had any relapses lately?
Not for a while.
Really? He must be in a good mood.
Miss Helan has been talking and joking with him.
You can hear His Majesty's laughter from afar.
Greetings, Milady!
Let me try...
What are they doing?
His Majesty is teaching Miss Helan shadow play.
Let me announce you.
Wait!
I'll go in myself.
...What happened then?
Meiniang came galloping on the horse holding the flower,
my Father had the arrow ready on the bow.
Auntie has guts!
You have no idea how dangerous it was.
Let's do the shadow play!
Let's do it again...
You're not going in, Milady?
Now I finally know why His Majesty hasn't had any relapses lately.
If Minyue can spend some time with me, talking and chatting,
I won't feel so tired.
It's Miss Helan's good fortune
to have earned yours and His Majesty's grace.
An Emperor must be virtuous,
feudal lords should be courteous and ministers abide by the law,
scholars must have integrity...
Your Highness, please repeat what I just said.
I was distracted just now.
For what reason, may I ask?
An old acquaintance.
The Empress' niece, Miss Helan?
How did you know?
Everyone in the Eastern Palace knows.
You've neglected your studies and left your heart in Hebi Palace.
Who's living in there now?
Certainly I know the answer to that.
Gentlemen desire beautiful ladies.
It's a good thing.
But what if the woman is undesirable?
I don't understand.
Everyone is worried about His Majesty's offsprings.
They propose that he should take on more Imperial wives.
Why did Miss Helan show up at the Palace at this time?
Right now, Empress Wu is in power.
If a Consort Helan shows up in the Harem,
the Tang kingdom will be in danger.
You mean Minyue and Father?
That's impossible!
There are rumours inside the Palace and out.
Miss Helan is allowed to come in and out of Ganlu Hall.
You must know there's no smoke without fire.
In my opinion, I'm afraid the Empress is doing what Consort Wei did back then.
You're looking for me?
Minyue!
Is it true what they say?
Who's they? What is true?
Let go of me!
Minyue, how I feel...
Do you know how I feel?
Actually...
What are you talking about?
Minyue, are you willing to be with me?
What do you mean?
Be with me, like the Crown Princess.
But...
I don't want to marry you. Why?
You love someone else?
Who is it?
There's no one else.
Please don't ask me again.
I know who.
He's in the Palace too.
It's Father, right?
Though Father already has Mother,
you still want to be with him?
Yes, I came back because of your Father.
Alright?
Mother arranged it?
Why?
Yes, she arranged everything.
Do you know what life was like for me and Grandmother in Luoyang?
The enormous Palace was so empty.
It felt like a cemetery at night.
I had always wanted to leave Luoyang.
I belong to Taiji Palace anyway.
Auntie promised I could become one of the 4 Consorts,
maybe even the Noble Consort.
Please don't bother me again.
If you provoke your Mother, you may lose your Crown Prince title.
Why did you come to the Eastern Palace, Uncle Guo?
His Highness is becoming more upset about the Empress' disregard of propriety
While His Majesty is ill, she has interfered with court affairs and dominated the Harem.
He can't stand it anymore.
The incident with Helen Minyue is yet another provocation for him.
It appears, His Highness' relationship with the Empress has deteriorated.
The fact that he didn't show up at Chengtian Gate is proof enough.
It's time we let him know about the two people.
But we don't know where they are.
We must arrange for them to come to the Palace.
No need. They're right here.
You're saying...
they've been hiding in the Palace?
Yes. They have been living in Yeting.
It was Princess Gaoyang's plan.
I discovered them by accident,
but kept it to myself.
They're thoroughly convinced
if they had not been hiding in Yeting,
Empress Wu would have killed them already.
Yeting?
Your Highness,
aren't you tired of reading the Book of Rites?
Take a break.
I have a different understanding each time I read it.
Besides, it's a gift from my mentor Guo Yu, I'm used to it.
You brought me crispy cakes and octagon-shaped fried dough?
Yes, I made them myself.
I hope you'll like them.
Well?
It's not to your taste?
It's very good.
It reminded me of someone.
Consort Xiao's daughters,
Princesses Yiyang and Xuancheng.
They were pretty and kind.
They would often come play with me.
The first time Princess Yiyang cooked something,
she made crispy cakes and octagon-shaped fried dough.
I ate them all.
sounds like you have fond memories.
But it's so sad. They both died early of illness.
Who said they're dead?
Mother.
she must be mistaken.
They're very much alive. They're in Yeting right now.
Yiyang? Xuancheng?
You're Yiyang?
I'm Li Hong! Your brother!
Who?
Eat slowly. It's all yours.
stay back! What do you want?
I'm here to take you away.
Look at us!
We're too ashamed to see anyone.
If you care about us, just send us food.
Also, don't let the Empress know we're alive.
Please...
Please get up!
Yiyang, don't worry! Everything is over.
I will take you away from here.
Because I'm the Crown Prince.
I'm your brother. I can protect you.
Ming Chongyan is here.
Congratulations, Your Majesty, Your Highness.
What for?
I have improved the phlebotomy procedure with needles.
Really?
At ease! Thank you, Your Highness!
How confident are you in curing His Majesty?
70%.
How long do you need to get ready?
Everything is ready.
I can start the treatment any time.
Excellent! Let's get started right away.
Aye!
Your Majesty!
Meiniang!
You'll have to handle the morning assembly by yourself.
Don't worry!
Long live the Heavenly Empress!
At ease! Thank you, Your Highness!
Mother, I have something to report.
What is it, Hong'er?
Do you remember Princess Yiyang and Princess Xuancheng?
Of course!
They died many years ago.
No, you're wrong! They're still alive!
They've been locked up in Yeting for the past 19 years.
That's not possible!
Return of the dead? This is interesting!
The Crown Prince came prepared.
If that's the case,
it's a major oversight by the Yeting administration.
Hong'er, tell me...
How are they?
Anyone who's spent 19 years in Yeting with practically no food and clothes
can't be doing very well.
I wish to seek permission for their immediate release
and arrange for a marriage fit for a princess.
As their brother, you should show them benevolence.
Hong'er, you've done well.
I approve your request.
I will personally arrange for their marriage.
Well? You have something else to say?
I must get something off my chest.
The Harem abandoned 2 princesses
and had them locked up for almost 20 years.
If they had not been strong enough, they would have been long dead.
How can such a disgrace happen to the royal family of Tang?
Mother, as head of the Harem, you can hardly absolve yourself from the blame.
The real reason for such an oversight
is because you've spent too much time handling state affairs.
I hereby urge you to focus on the Harem
and stay away from Taiji Hall.
Hong'er, you're using Yiyang and Xuancheng's misfortune to charge me for misconduct.
Is this an impeachment?
Fine. Do you realise you're already guilty of insubordination?
I'm simply defending propriety.
Propriety?
After the morning assembly, stay put inside the Eastern Palace
and mull over your propriety.
Aye!
Your Highness, big news!
What is it?
Are you sure?
How is His Majesty?
Your Highness,
we've checked His Majesty's pulse.
sorcerer Ming's acupuncture and steaming treatment is very effective.
The pulse indicates he's on his way to recovery.
Very well!
You may go!
Thank you, Your Highness!
Chongyan, thank you so much!
It's my duty to do so.
After this treatment, even if we cannot cure His Majesty,
as long as he takes the medication that improves the circulation in his brain,
he should be fine.
The next phase is most crucial.
He must not get too agitated.
Any major mood swings in the coming month will undo everything we have achieved.
The next relapse will be 10 times the magnitude.
If that should happen, nothing can be done.
I understand. I'll be careful.
You may go! Aye!
summon the Crown Prince! Aye!
Wait!
Your Highness!
You may go!
Aye!
Why are you still up?
You need rest.
What do want with Hong'er?
I heard about what happened at the morning assembly today.
I want to ask him
I have been teaching him how to be an Emperor
and a filial son.
Has he learnt nothing?
He can't even tell right from wrong?
sorcerer Ming told me, you must avoid any major mood swings.
Hong'er is still young, don't be so hard on him.
Meiniang!
He's the future Emperor.
What's wrong with being demanding on him?
You can't protect him forever.
He found an excuse to impeach his own Mother.
His reckless behaviour in the Court
will prove the Crown Prince and the Heavenly Empress had a falling out.
Doesn't he understand that would bring chaos?
such ill-advised and unfilial conduct must be reprimanded.
Your Majesty!
His conduct is a result of my attendance in the Court.
You can't blame him.
In my opinion, judging from his behaviour,
which was no doubt reckless,
I find him straightforward and courageous.
Besides, Yiyang and Xuancheng wasted away in Yeting all these years
because of my oversight.
You can't blame Hong'er for blaming me.
This is good. Your condition is getting better.
Hong'er's impeachment can be my excuse to withdraw from the Court.
I'll make arrangements for Yiyang and Xuancheng.
But Hong'er... Don't worry!
This grudge between us, I'm confident I can resolve it.
He's my son, after all.
Mother and son won't have hard feelings.
One more thing,
I want everyone to know,
regardless of what Hong'er has done or said to me,
he's still the Crown Prince of Tang.
The trouble you go through for him, I hope he appreciates it.
Wait!
If you make that move, you'll lose this game.
Take it back.
There's no turning back.
Mother, am I deposed?
My brother Li Xian is gifted with the sword and pen,
and beats me in wits and courage.
He's a good choice as heir to the throne.
I only ask you to go easy on Yiyang and Xuancheng.
Their marriage has been properly arranged.
Mother...
Locking them up in Yeting wasn't my idea.
Hong'er, you're very kind and always take pity on others.
Yet you have never shown me any consideration.
Think about it.
If I swapped places with Consort Xiao,
if she had won and I had lost,
you think you could live to be of marriageable age?
No, you'd be long dead!
You're right!
On this matter, I was selfish and narrow-minded.
But I was only hoping
you'd stay away from the trouble of the Court.
All these years,
I attended the assembly not because I wanted to control the Court,
but because your Father has been ill.
But now, he's getting better
and you're growing up.
It appears it's time for me to leave Taiji Hall.