Episode 17
As long as she's miserable
It will bring me great satisfaction
Greetings Imperial mother.
Your Majesty, The imperial decree for the marriage
Did you really ask father for it?
Can't you see I'm busy
selecting a date for your older brother and Wan sister
He won't agree to it
It's not his choice
He doesn't like sister Wan. Imperial mother, why are you doing this?
Why?
Why did you hide the truth from me?
What did I hide?
Your big brother and Pan Yu
have always been involved
Yet you're still protecting them.With such a soft-heart,
in future, how will you handle the great responsibility of being a Kingdom's sovereign?
I'll take care of it myself. You don't need to interfere
You'll take care of it yourself?
If I don't interfere
Would you even be able to speak before me?
The severity of the situation
is no longer love
but your position of crown prince
Your big brother is colluding with Pan Yu
with treacherous intent
If anyone blocks your path to becoming emperor
I will take action against him
Then what about me?
Whose path did I block?
Why does Gu Gu antagonize me?
Maiden Wan
Watch your manners before Niang Niang
Move aside!
Gu gu, tell me
Why are you doing this to me
I shared with you
the news of Qi You and Pan Yu
secretly collaborating
I thought that this way
I could become Tai Zi Fei
But even if I didn't become Tai Zi Fei
why arrange for me
to marry that Meng Qi You?
Qi You is also
and heir of the royal family
What's not good about marrying him
It's just not good
I'm the daughter of a marshal
Why am I arranged to marry a Prince
who's unloved by his father and mother.
Who could be framed and murdered
at any time?
If Gu Gu wants me
to become a widow
directly order me
to shave my head and become a nun
Why beat around the bush
and torment me?
What are you saying
Who wants to harm the First Prince?
If you don't want anyone to know what you've done,
don't do it.
Better if I don't say it out loud
I don't want to listen to your nonsense anymore
Take her out
Go.
It's not nonsense
Fine if you don't like your son
but why harm me also?
So what if you're empress
If my father didn't support you behind the scenes,
would your empress position be so steady?
Say someting, say something!
Go!
Let go!
Maiden Wan
I advise you to let go
and give up already.
You lowly servant
you're nothing
You dare lecture me like your master?
Go ahead, be pleased with yourselves
There aren't many good days left
I'm telling you
My father controls an army of millions
If he really wanted to take out anger on my behalf
there's no telling who will become emperor
Stop
What
Hearing me threaten you with my father's rebellion,
are you scared?
Scared? Me scared?
I wouldn't be afraid
of you stupid girl (who makes threats but does not carry through)
This is the royal palace
Do you think it's our Du family's backyard?
If you cause a commotion with your missy attitude
This is a place of right and wrong. Saying one wrong thing
is enough to wipe out your nine generations
Do you want your parents
and the entire Du family to die with you?
Auntie. . .
Don't call me Gu Gu
I don't want to be buried with you
I have pampered you so much
but you're so immature
I have loved you for nothing
You have loved me for nothing
You used to love me so much when I was young
why are you forcing me now
Gu Gu doesn't love Wan Er anymore
Get up
If I didn't love you
would you be free to talk so much nonsense?
I would have had the emperor kill you long ago
Child, you should put the big picture first
Big picture?
All of this is your workings
I have no part in it
Imperial order is like a mountain
You must marry whether you're willing or not
Besides, you're well aware of
who Xing Er really likes
Forced union can only result in unhappiness
If among the high-class you would
pick someone
I'm afraid they would not be worthy of our family status
Among the many princes
only You Er is the most outstanding
If he is the most outstanding
why does Gu Gu remove him from the crown prince position?
If I'm going to marry someone, he has to be the most exceptional of people
Otherwise I would rather not marry
including a prince who has lost power
Listen clearly
I want you to marry him
because I still consider you family
Gu Gu will tell you the truth
You Er has always had a conspiring heart
Gu Gu hopes that you can
watch beside him for me
being mindful of his every move
Afterwards
I will naturally reward you
The dumpling does not withstand pulling
reveals stuffing after a few pulls
For yourself, Gu Gu
would rather sacrifice someone else's happiness
I'm telling you
I only have one thing to say today
Ask me to marry Meng Qi You
I would rather go die!
Then go die!
Originally I had even
chosen a date for you
preparing costs for your wedding
Now you actually want me to prepare for your funeral
Fine, whether funeral or wedding
to me they're the same
just expenditures
You think it over
Pick a date for your funeral
Gu Gu! Gu Gu!
How could you treat me this way?
Brother Xing, what's wrong?
Your majesty crown prince, your hand...
Let me see
It's nothing
Brother Xing, you have a precious status now
You must be cautious of demeanor
to prevent others' gossip
and discord
Is second brother lecturing me?
Brother Xing, you're mistaken
Brother Xing
You are now East Palace crown prince
Your demeanor draws attention from others
Second brother doesn't want outsiders
to see you carelessly throwing tantrums
and to gossip
Thanks for second brother's reminder
Tell me now
What exactly happened?
Big Brother...
Big Brother's marriage is a joyous event
Second Brother, you usually stay inside Chang Sheng Palace
You haven't dealt with Sister Wan
you don't know what she's like.
Big Brother and Du Wan's marriage
Wasn't that decided by the empress?
How is it unsuitable?
Du Wan
was originally a maiden under selection for Tai Zi Fei
Could it be that...
Could it be that Brother Xing likes Du Wan?
Of course not!
I like Sister Yu, not Sister Wan
Anyways, this is not right
Go ask big brother for the details
I'm going to the imperial doctor for some medicine
Brother Xing, Brother Xing!
Su Yao
You and Du Wan are both maidens
Could it be that she isn't good enough for my big brother?
I'm not familiar with Sister Wan
But the daughter of a military commander
would naturally have some tempers
The empress is big brother's biological mother
Imperial father also approves
I think this marriage arrangement should be not bad
Big brother is getting married
What gift do you think I should get him?
Second Prince and First Prince are fellow brothers
First Prince also isn't really a stickler for formalities
First Prince will understand Second Prince's good intentions
Su Yao, you are not only well read
but also so accurate at reading people
You're right
Big brother has an easygoing temperament
How could he care about those superficial gifts
I was just guessing. Second Prince praises too much
Yu Er praised you
to be an untainted lotus
but I feel
you're an understanding and considerate begonia flower
What did you say?
Du Fei Hong wants Du Wan to marry First Prince?
Did you hear wrong?
The emperor ordered the decree today
Everyone in the palace knows, how could it be wrong?
And I thought I was cold-hearted..
It's hard to imagine
someone would stick a dagger in his own son
Compared to Du Fei Hong
what am I?
Hasn't Du Fei Hong always hoped
her niece would become Tai Zi Fei?
Why would she suddenly bend with the wind?
That's not difficult to guess
She must have discovered
First Prince
and Princess Fu Ya's secret love affair
But that disappointing Qi Xing
doesn't like Du Wan
always wrapped around Pan Yu
And so,
for the sake of her
precious younger son
she couldn't afford to not
take swift, effective action
against her older son.
What a ruthless mother
what a deadly maneuver
This woman takes action quickly and ruthlessly
so we have to hurry
and let Princess Fu Ya
and the emperor meet as soon as possible
Master, master
I was bitten by a poisonous snake
Save me, save me
Of course I know you were bitten by a poisonous snake
because I released that snake
Master
Why would you let a poisonous snake bite A Nu?
Don't worry, if we really want to compare,
In comparison to that poisonous snake
you're hundreds and thousands of times more poisonous.
Look
You're more poisonous than the snake
A Nu, tell me
how I've treated you these years
Master has been very gracious to A Nu
Without master,
A Nu wouldn't be here today
But with the way you are today,
are you happy?
Yes, I'm happy...happy
You're rarely this loyal
Come, try these medicines for me
Master, this, what is this?
Peacock Gall and Red Crane Crown
Shut up
If someone else can cure it,
then I don't believe that I cannot!
Master, am I cured?
Am I cured?
Take your shirt off and look at your chest
Master. . .
Master, save me
Exactly who cured Meng Qi You's poison?
Save me!
Could it be her?
Does it still hurt?
Not bad, mother can bear it
Compared to back then
the pain of being engulfed in flames
this is nothing
Ya Ya, don't worry
You've already used double the anesthetic
There should be no problem
Accept the mandate of Heaven; presenting the Imperial order from the Emperor.
Prince Qi You,
is to comply in the role of carrying on
the Royal bloodline through marriage.
To the Du family marshal's daughter named Wan
who is elegant, talented and virtuous.
Thus suitably worthy of
marrying into the Royal family.
She is hereby betrothed; date of wedding ceremony pending.
Fu Ya, what's wrong with you?
Nothing
Poor child
Helping mother treat the burn scar
has taken you two hours
You must be very tired
Mother, I'm fine
You should be happier
After another month, your scar
will slowly improve
Don't only look after mother
I think you don't look well
Should let Zi Qiao look at your pulse
There's nothing wrong with your body?
Nothing, it'll be better after some rest
Then go home early and get some rest
Don't hit! Don't hit, don't hit
You silly girl, what are you doing?
Dressed like a ghost...
you want to scare me to death?
Does it look good?
Like a ghost!
Exactly, I wanted to disguise as myself a ghost
Do you have nothing better to do?
Are you bored??
Sleepwalking?
They have enough troubles
don't you cause them more trouble
Hua Ye Ye, I'm not causing trouble
I'm the considerate, understanding Yun Zhu
I thought of a good idea
to handle that Miss Du
and help First Prince
What idea did you think of, huh?
Disguise as a ghost to scare people?
Yes, I want to scare people as a ghost!
I want to scare that Du girl
I want her to be frightened stiff
If not that serious,
at the very least
scare her back to the general's residence
As long as it can
delay by one, two months
First Prince will surely think of a solution
By then the marriage can't happen
Hey, Yun Zhu
Didn't you always say
First Prince was yours?
How come now
you're giving them your blessing?
That's right
I do really like First Prince
but who made me
your princess's
sworn sister?
As big sister, I should be
more generous
I'll reluctantly share half with her
But if it were anyone else
fighting with me for First Prince,
I would fight her to the death!
What fighting to the death?
This is the royal palace, you know?
If you're caught disguised as a ghost,
you'll also drag our princess into trouble
Not possible!
Hua Ye Ye, then what?
What are you doing?
Hua Ye Ye
Don't you know kung fu?
Can't you do it?
I have kung fu
Dress up like you?
So shameful! No way!
Aiya! No way this, no way that
then what?
You...
This has to be planned with long, careful consideration
How long will it take?
We can't provoke the emperor or empress
We'll start with Du Wan
Mother
How come you're here?
These things
you can have Yan Er take care of
In the future,
don't bother with so many formalities
Serving your daily rituals is my job
These formalities are not much,
Xiang Yun can abide
Only...certain rules in this palace
are not very humane
Don't know if mother
could show some mercy
What is not very humane?
Tell me
Mother, the palace maids
spend their lives in the palace
Those imperial concubines with princes and princesses
are fine,
but the other unfavored concubines and maids
have no support or relatives deep in the palace
So I was thinking
if one could set age limits
to release the old and intake new
On the one hand, the palace work force is more effective
and won't age
On the other hand, they can return home
to visit parents, relieving their homesickness
and counts as an act of kindness
You're rarely this considerate
As such, I'll follow your wishes
Thanks mother for your mercy
Mother shows leniency
and boundless virtue
How did you suddenly think of
releasing the palace servants?
Thinking of home? of returning to Chu kingdom?
No
Xiang Yun cannot even remember
what her own parents look like
How would I miss my family?
You've married into Bei Han
so many years already
The emperor has never favored you
You suffering here for a lifetime...
I cannot bear
Then...mother's meaning is...
I mean that
with your position as princess of Chu kingdom
it shouldn't be difficult to marry a young, talented man
Only...
whether to leave or stay...
you make the decision
No, mother. Xiang Yun won't go back
Since Xiang Yun has already married into Bei Han
I'm a person of Bei Han in life
and a ghost of Bei Han in death
Besides
these years Xiang Yun has already considered imperial mother
her own mother
Mother
How could you bear your child
leaving you?
Mother
I beg you to not send me away
Mother
Niang Niang, please show mercy
Princess has been here many years
If you
return her now
to Chu kingdom,
how do you expect her to have the face to survive?
Even if
even if princess endures those malicious gossips
and survives,
one day without seeing the crown prince
is equal to taking princess's life
I won't allow your nonsense
Towards Cheng Er
you're that infatuated?
Niang Niang, these are from the court subjects
in honour of the First Prince's marriage,
wedding gifts.
First Prince's marriage
can't be unpresentable
Go to my place
pick some good ones
and send them to First Prince
Yes.
Sister is so busy today
Yes
My two sons are to be married
Once I'm done with Qi You's marriage,
I'll have to start with Qi Xing's
Once Yu Er
becomes my daughter-in-law,
I can save worry
and live a happy, prosperous life
Why wait until
after Pan Yu becomes Tai Zi Fei
before you live a prosperous life?
Aiya, I'm just afraid that
some ill-willed people
will steal Yu Er away
Once Yu Er becomes mine,
Sister,
you can also save some worry
Lately
you've been scheming to the point of exhaustion
I'm even tired for you
Speaking of saving worry and living prosperously,
perhaps Sister
is not as fortunate as me
I have no children
don't need to expend effort
fighting my own son
On this point,
Older Sister is indeed very troubled
Both sons are mine
I can do whatever I want
Is it your place to intrude?
Of course not,
but for Sister
to treat her own son this way
it seems you want the crown for yourself
When Older Sister
gets the crown one day,
please be lenient towards Younger Sister
Sister, your words
do you still have any regard for the emperor?
Older Sister may have the emperor in her eyes,
but only the emperor's position in her heart
I know why Younger Sister came to incite me
It's because Younger Sister's defeat is just in sight
so worried you can't sit still
Older Sister is right
Compared to your shrewdness
and viciousness,
how would simple me
be a worthy opponent for you?
Today, I saw Sister in a good mood
so I came to ask for forgiveness
I hope that in the future, Sister will show mercy
towards me.
No need
Sister will be leaving now
If you saw this day coming, you'd never have crossed me in the first place.
Did Niang Niang really admit defeat?
Yes
You didn't see me asking forgiveness?
Seeing Du Fei Hong's complacent attitude,
Servant feels disgruntled
She's in the limelight now
I want to loosen her will
Pan Yu isn't Tai Zai Fei yet
We still have an opportunity to win
But once First Prince's marriage is finished,
in a flash it'll be Tai Zi and Pan Yu's turn
But in a flash, Mei Fei's remembrance day
is also very soon
Am I right?
Sister Wan, this is my humble gift
Congratulations on your marriage to First Prince
You've spoken too soon.
What's so great about marrying the dethroned First Prince?
Our Sister Wan
in the future
will be Tai Zi Fei
Sister Wan marrying First Prince
is only to kill him
to remove a powerful enemy for the Crown prince.
Am I right, Sister Wan?
Scram! Everyone get out!
Scram! Scram! Scram! Scram!
If our lady wore this flower,
it would pale in comparison!
Put the flower to shame!
Exactly!
Once First Prince gets married,
it'll be
Tai Zi and our lady's turn!
Not before long,
our lady will be Tai Zi Fei!
You think that once our lady
becomes Royal consort,
then
we won't have to endure
that big Miss Du's temper?
She thinks that
the palace belongs to her family
even then
she didn't become Tai Zi Fei!
Right!
Back then I really thought
she was sincere towards Tai Zi,
didn't think it was fake!
Once the decree came...look...
she obediently followed the order
Exactly, she's not sincere at all
If I like someone,
I would throw myself all over him!
You unmarried girl,
aren't you ashamed of your words?
But, but
it's the truth
If you like someone,
then think of a way
to make it happen!
That Sima...
Sima...
Sima Xiang Ru
Right! Zhuo..
Zhuo Wen Jun
Right! and that Hong Fu
Hong Fu Nu who eloped with Li Jing.
Right
Look
didn't the woman initiate in all those cases?
You...
If you don't take the initiative
how do you take control
of your own life?
Right!
Tomorrow is your big wedding
I should congratulate you
After tonight,
I won't have anything
This is all I can leave to you
Keep it well
Qi You
Turn around
I'm leaving
I don't want you to see
the shadow of me leaving
Take care
Why are you crying?
Tomorrow is the day of my big wedding
How could you cry?
You have to laugh, understand?
I can't
First Prince, you don't have to laugh either
I know you feel bad inside
Nonsense
How could I feel bad?
I am incredibly happy inside
Imperial father and mother have granted me a marriage
I have to laugh loudly
so they see
the pain in my heart
Laugh!
Miss, tomorrow is the big wedding
just bear for a moment
and try on your wedding clothes
Why should I bear it?
I won't try it. Take it out
Miss, I know you hate in your heart
But, this imperial order cannot be violated
If you defy orders and disobey
you'll be sentence to death
What is to fear about death?
If I can't become Tai Zi Fei
and empress,
I would rather die
Miss, don't be this way
don't take it too hard
Perhaps
the First Prince will be good to you
Scram!
What I want
is not the affection of man
I want to be Tai Zi Fei!
I want to be empress!
But tomorrow you're...
it's not tomorrow yet!
Since the heavens won't let me be
Tai Zi Fei,
then I will take my destiny into my own hands!
Miss means that...
there's still room to turn around?
Anything Du Wan wants...
since I was young I've never lost
I say I'm Tai Zi Fei
so I will be Tai Zi Fei
Everyone in this Shu Kingdom
wait and see!
Son thanks Father's generosity
Get up
Thanks
Father knows
you have someone else in mind
so you're not willing to marry Du Wan
But your mother insists,
saying the crown prince
had already chosen another maiden
for Tai Zi Fei
To appease Du family's anger,
you must marry Du Wan
Father has no choice either
Son knows he is royal offspring
Marriage
and matters of the state, what's more important,
Son is well aware
Sister Wan is from a general's family
and a good match in status
Son has no complaints
Father knew
you follow reason
put the state first
It's just a pity
the love between you and that maiden
The piece of jade Father gave to you last time
did you give it to her?
Yes
What I know is that
I've given my whole life and heart to her
But this word fate
is determined by the heavens
We were not meant to be
so she'll choose someone else
Why are you here?
Sister Yu
I really didn't reveal your secret
Whether it was you or not
is not important anymore
Who said it's not important?
Sister Yu, your every furrow of the brows and smile
to me is more important than anything
Sister Yu
I beg you to not treat me like this
You can hit me, scold me,
but don't ignore me!
Don't mistake me!
Sister Yu
I beg you, don't be like this
I know you're not in a good mood
If it helps you vent,
hit me
Hit me!
Your Highness, please go back
Sister Yu
Your Highness crown prince
let Sister have some peace
She doesn't blame you
just a little tired
and doesn't want to say much
Your Highness, please go back
I promise
once she calms down she'll be fine
Why be this heartless
In the future,
when Father helps you regain the position of crown prince,
it won't be too late to marry her
Father, this palace does not suit her
Being part of the emperor's family suits her even less
Better to follow her wishes
and let her be a commoner
Marriage is a joyous event for commoners
But for our royal family...
Big Brother's marriage is also a joyous event!
Yun Er
Father, Brother
Brother Yun
Father
Son thinks
you don't look very happy
What?
Is it the fear that once Brother marries
and has a wife, he'll forget his relatives?
But indeed,
Big Brother
Sister-in-law is a tiger lady
very ferocious
Afterwards you won't have any freedom
Yun Er
Is it seeing your elder brother
get married,
that you want to get married also?
Ha ha, Father understands son
Big Brother, I am really happy for you
because starting tomorrow
you'll have someone intimate
to accompany you day and night
How nice
I think my mother from the heavens
would also be happy for you
Thanks Brother Yun
Big Brother is too polite
Since Big Brother returned to the palace,
we have drifted apart
Big Brother
Before you loved Younger Brother the most
You knew that I liked to drink wine
so you took us
secretly to drink at the imperial winery
In the end,
we were drunk in the wine cellar
Mother searched for us for a night
Brother Yun,
Big Brother does not intentially alienate you
It's just that I've left the palace so long,
I don't know where to start saying
No problem, take your time
Big Brother
Today
I specially prepared this wine
We brothers
should toast
Yun Er
Tomorrow your brother will be married
Drink the wine tomorrow
Father, my wine
was specially
prepared for Big Brother's marriage
Tomorrow, Big Brother will marry sister-in-law
With the wedding festivities and everything going on,
Later,
we won't have a chance to drink together
Big Brother
you won't refuse me?
Of course not
That's good!
Then tonight, let us brothers
toast each other and have a good drink
until we're drunk!
Done!
Sister,
although I don't know
what happened
between you and First Prince,
but it's already come to this,
cannot be restored
Sister only wants to advise you
Sister is so not herself
If people with agendas see this,
have you thought of the consequences?
Do you want others to say
that you have a secret affair with First Prince?
Sister,
Staying alive is more important than anything
You're right
Living is more important than anything
Silly sister, you can't cry
First Prince's marriage is a joyous occasion
You are a candidate for Tai Zi Fei
You should be happy
You can only smile, not cry
Only smile, not cry...
Sister, you're mistaken
I am happy for First Prince
Look I'm so silly
crying even out of happiness
I really am happy
on behalf of the First Prince.
I can't cry. I can only smile
I'm happy
I am happy
Drink.
Big Brother
I really admire you
You've been to so many places
Really great
Wherever you go next time,
bring me with you
Brother Yun
Father loves you the most
How could he be willing to
let you leave this palace?
I'm not a child anymore
This outside world
I should go experience
the drizzle in Jiang Nan and the vast lonely deserts.
Brother Xing, why are you here
I know!
Brother Xing must know
Big Brother is getting married tomorrow
He came here specially to congratulate Big Brother
right?
Big Brother
I didn't say it
Sister Yu doesn't believe me
Do you believe me?
Big Brother believes you, Big Brother believes you
Alright now.
Let's not discuss these matters
Come
Tomorrow
if your brother's big happy day
We three brothers
Let's not discuss anything. Drink!
Right
We have to drink tonight
Brother Xing, come
Big Brother, come
Brother Xing,
you have to drink this wine tonight
We three brothers
rarely have the opportunity to drink together
Right?
Pick up the wine
Come, join Second Brother
in toasting Big Brother
Wish Big Brother and sister-in-law a life of conjugal bliss
Big Brother
Let's drink.
Come, Brother Xing
Good sister, I toast you
ok
I toast you again
Again!
Sister, don't drink so much
Come
Drink another cup
What do you think, Big Brother?
Good
Worried drinking face?
Really very worried and sad!
Brother Xing, listen to Second Brother
Drink,
you won't feel sad if you drink!
Big Brother, you go tell Sister Yu
tell her not to ignore me ok?
Big Brother can't go
Big Brother let her down
Let her down
Why can't you go?
Brother Xing,
what do you want to say to Yu Er?
Second Brother will go, Second Brother will tell her for you
Big Brother are you ok?
I'm ok
Sister Yu
thinks that I told your secret
to mother
Brother Yun, Brother Xing drank too much
Took those rumors and slanders
for real
Don't believe it by all means
I understand
Where are you going?
Big Brother, I am also your brother
I won't believe others over you
You said you would drink with me
Sister Yao, wake up!
Sister Yao, continue drinking with me!
Get more liquor!
Crown Prince, please stop drinking
Scram!
I want to drink like Big Brother
Like a man!
Your Highness, Your Highness!
Keep drinking, Sister Yao
Miss, I thought you were also drunk
I was acting
If I continued drinking with Sister like this,
if we both got drunk,
who would take care of the other?
Miss is so careful, so kind
Get some hot water
then tell Hua Ye Ye
Tell him
she will be resting with us tonight
Ok
Keep drinking
Sister Yu, you're mine
You're my Tai Zi Fei
I'm your husband! Sister Yu
Drink
Ok, ok
Come, Sister, wipe your face
Don't touch me!
Here
Congratulations to First Prince
Yes, congratulations to First Prince
First Prince accepts your good intentions, ok?
At tomorrow's wedding,
wish them hundred years of harmony
Yes, hundred years of harmony
Don't touch me!
Good sister,
I know you feel wronged
Don't cry anymore ok?
Go to sleep early, ok?
Imperial Father, I will kill Ma Yi Fang
to avenge father's death
Imperial Father? Ma Yi Fang?
Could it be...
Chu Kingdom's missing princess from the previous dynasty?
Ma Fu Ya...