Is he found?
Sire...
What's going on?
It's my fault! Prince Mianning is missing...
Missing?
You alright?
Sire arriving...
Sire, greetings...
Father, I don't want to go back to my princely house.
I want to see Mother...
It's alright. Let mammy keep you company.
It's going to rain. Go back.
Father...
Take Prince Mianning back.
It can't happen again!
Aye.
Highness, come on...
Xiaodezi, replace all prince chamber underlings tomorrow.
Give spanking to those on duty this evening.
It is our fault. Please have mercy on us...
Day 7 of the Lunar New Year
Who's it?
Sire?
What did you just say?
Why were you asking for the empress's forgiveness?
She died in the Qianqing Court fire.
Was there something behind it?
Are you hiding something from me?
No, I have not...
No? Why did you ask for the her forgiveness in your dream?
Was it out of a guilty conscience?
I had a nightmare.
How can words in a nightmare be taken for facts?
Answer me.
Where were you when the fire broke out?
Where had you gone? What had you done?
Please forgive me.
I was at the scene when fire broke out in the Dongnuan Pavilion of Qianqing Palace.
Why were you there?
I was on my way to pay Her Highness a visit.
I saw her going the way of Qianqing Palace,
so I followed her.
Did you know why she went there?
I didn't.
Later we had a spat.
A candlestick was upset and a curtain was ignited.
Then fire broke out.
And you ran for your life and left her there to die?
A pillar fell on her.
It's beyond my effort.
I could only save my own life.
Still, in a sense, I was responsible for her death.
What was your spat about?
I... forgot my position and upset Her Highness.
She put me in my place.
I shouldn't have talked back and caused the tragedy.
I have since been filled with remorse.
That's why I put all my heart on raising Mianning up to be a proper ruler.
It's the only thing I can do for Her Highness's spirit in heaven.
Shurong and you were as close as sisters.
How could you?
You hid it from me all along!
I was blind! I loved you in vain!
Highness, greetings...
At ease.
Year 2 of Jiaqing Era
It's said the empress is not feeling well. I am here to pay her a visit.
Her Highness is having a rest.
Highness, please come later.
Sis Shurong, it's said you are not feeling well.
I'm here to pay you a visit.
Xiaoshurui, Empress
It's you? Come on in...
I have a cold, I'm not in full spirit.
I heard that you are not feeling well.
I have a charm procured for you.
It'll ensure you good health.
It's very kind of you.
You are indisposed.
An open window may aggravate and prolong your illness.
You are right. Thank you for your concern.
The usual place at midnight
Sis Shurong...
Ling'er...
The note...
I'm here to meet a nanny who's leaving the palace.
Ling'er, don't be too nosy.
Stop lying to me.
You are here to meet the man who was in in your chamber in Chuxiu Palace that day.
Adultery is a mortal offense. It means execution!
What man? What adultery?
Are you smearing my name?
I heard a man's voice from your chamber.
He already left from the window when I got in.
Did he give you this bracelet of cat's eye stone?
Please, stop it here and now!
Cut your ties with this man.
Or your life will be in danger.
Were it not for him, I would have long jumped to my death!
He saved my life.
Without him, I see no reason to stay alive.
But you are Sire's beloved.
You should be happy and contented...
The palace is just a cage to me!
You feel free to be Sire's favourite consort,
just leave me free to do what I please.
We are sisters, not each other's keeper.
How shameless!
Immoral woman!
You want Ling'er to cover it up for you?
Your Majesty...
You are the empress, the most noble.
Yongyan was good to you.
Yet you failed him and committed adultery!
Empress? I feel like a caged bird!
Sis Shurong...
I have been living like a puppet all these years.
Married to one that you don't love is worse than death!
Your wish is granted!
Come...
Your Majesty, please don't be upset.
Her Highness didn't mean it.
For Mianning's sake, please... forgive her...
Don't plead for her!
Your Majesty, the culprit is the man.
Sis Shurong, ask His Majesty for forgiveness.
Reveal who the man is...
Just kill me.
I won't drag another down with me.
Sis Shurong, it's not just about you.
Mianning will be implicated.
Do you get it?
I got it.
You are the informer.
She will die with me...
Sis Shurong...
Help...
Fire...
Sis Shurong... no...
Help...
Mianning... take care of him...
You can be rest assured.
I'll raise him up...
An... An...
Your Majesty, is the identity of Empress's lover known?
He's an imperial physician surnamed An.
He's taken care of.
Bear this in mind.
The fire was an accident.
For Yongyan's sake, tell no one about it, especially him!
Xiaodezi, whom do you think I loved more?
Shurong or Ling'er?
Be honest with me.
I think Sire loved them both. But...
Go on!
Empress became unapproachable after giving birth to Prince Mianning.
Sire and Royal Noble Consort were similar in character.
You had spent more time in Jingren Palace.
Do you find Royal Noble Consort jealous in nature?
It's not for me to make comments.
Just feel free to say it.
Royal Noble Consort is kind and forgiving in nature.
She's easy-going when it comes to other consorts.
There was this one time,
a relieved turtle bit her and wouldn't let go.
She wouldn't let it be killed for her immediate safety.
It shows she's kind in nature. She's not the jealous type.
She's tender and considerate.
I don't believe the fire was caused by her jealousy.
There must be another story behind it.
They met in Dongnuan Pavilion that night
and had a spat.
Afire broke out subsequently.
Empress failed to get out and died in the fire.
Xiaodezi, what do you think about it?
I too think that it's not that simple.
Dig up every detail of the fire.
Do it in secret.
Let no one be alerted.
Aye.
This letter from Changchun was found on the little girl.
I am fine. Don't worry about me.
The whole family were killed for this ordinary letter.
Someone was worried Changchun would leak out some secret in his letter.
They were silenced as a preventive measure.
They won't give up before the letter is found.
We can't let it be known that there is a survivor.
She's put in a safe place.
She'll be escorted out of the capital when the chance comes.
Don't worry about her.
Have a good rest.
Heshen's Mansion
Your Honor, you had the foresight to use Liu Huanzhi.
The Stomach-ache rendition caught them off guard.
Know thyself and thy adversary to be ever victorious.
Liu Yong prided himself on his integrity.
Wasn't it karmic that he had to sentence his son to death?
Besides relieving us of our plight,
this move demoralized Sire and those old rascals,
and damaged the name of the Anti-corruption Council into the bargain.
It's fantastic!
Your Honor, a toast to you!
Good! Cheers...
Cheers...
Sire won't give up.
Gentlemen, lie low.
Let no one get your number.
It's not yet Insect's Wake.
Yet there are bugs everywhere already.
Get lost!
Your carriages are ready.
Honours, let me see you out.
After you.
Your Honor, goodbye.
Take care.
Grand Secretary Heshen, congrats.
You have chalked up another death.
I was carrying out Sire's anti-corruption order.
Huanzhi was a kind and honest man.
He wouldn't have died if you had not set him up!
He's the Liu family's only heir!
Their line is now broken!
You will get your just deserts for your wicked doings!
It's his bad luck that he's Liu Yong's nephew.
Liu Yong was the one in charge of his case.
He sentenced him to death and oversaw his execution.
The day will come.
I'll make sure Sire can nail you in the end!
Whatever. You may not see me as your father.
You are always my son to me.
Doukou here.
Hello...
How come's she's hiding in the corner?
She refused to get out.
She wouldn't eat or talk.
Hello, my name is Doukou.
Does it smell good?
It must be yummy.
Don't worry. I have the bad people chased away.
You just stay here.
The bullies can't find you.
However, if you won't eat, you will fall ill.
Your parents will worry about you.
Come on, have a bite.
It looks yummy.
What's your name?
You are a good-looking girl.
You must have a sweet smile.
I'll call you Xiaoxiao, it means smile.
You miss your parents, right?
They are now in heaven.
They are watching you from there.
Like you, I miss my parents too.
You know what I would do?
You play this tambourine to call out to them.
Their spirits in heaven will hear it and know you miss them.
One by one... line up.
All they get is just a bowl of thin congee?
There is not enough food to go around.
Everyone is half-fed.
White Lotus rebels are wreaking havocs everywhere.
Granaries were looted.
The people are the victims.
I'll have them exterminated so that the people can live in peace again!
Why wasn't rice shipped from elsewhere to relieve the shortage here?
The rivers are frozen up.
Water transportation has stopped.
Sire was understanding.
He ordered the Puji Society to conduct the relief effort as a temporary measure.
Folks, we are out of congee.
Please come again tomorrow.
No congee?
We haven't got any! Please...
What?
Please...
Folks, easy...
If they can't feed you, let me.
No way! He's a profiteer!
We four biggest rice merchants of the capital have made a pledge.
We are donating a thousand catties of rice to ease your plight.
Zhengyong...
It's true...
You are not lying, right?
Your Honor...
Why wasn't it sold to the people?
Your Honor, we are food suppliers.
It's normal that we have reserve as continency.
I am willing to sell it to the court to make up the shortage,
so that the relief effort can be continued.
Your Honor, could you ask the court for permission?
Xianfu Palace
Their asking price is 30% higher than the normal price.
It is highway robbery!
Those heartless profiteers should be beheaded!
We need rice for the relief effort. We have no bargaining power!
What's the most important,
the four rice merchants are just Heshen's frontmen.
My men told me that his wife met the four merchants not so long ago.
It means Heshen hoarded rice ahead of the White Lotus disturbances.
No wonder the sect targeted court granaries.
Heshen is in collusion with the sect!
Sire, let us assign more men to have food transported to the capital.
If the rice supply is restored, they can't blackmail us.
It won't help our immediate need.
It has to be done at all costs.
I won't let the people starve, even for a day!
Buy rice from them!
And reopen transportation at the same time!
I'll settle the score with Heshen later!
Aye...
Sire, good news from Honourable Helin in Shandong.
The White Lotus headquarters was uprooted and the followers were exterminated.
Mentors, what do you think?
Sire, Heshen and the sect are in collusion.
Helin's report may not be true.
Indeed. The siblings are two of a kind.
Helin can't be trusted either.
Sire, Helin's military might is Heshin's biggest support.
Call him back with bestowing reward as a pretext.
It's the way to curb Heshen's power.
Sire, greetings.
At ease.
Thank you, Sire.
Xiaodezi.
Your Honor...
It used to belong to your brother Fukang'an.
It is now in your care.
Year 60 of Qianlong Era
Fukang'an
Good! Halt!
Fukang'an, you won.
The Sabre is now yours.
Kill enemies and quell rebellions with it for me!
Thank you, Sire.
Sire, I will not fail you.
You love this Sabre.
I'll give it to you upon my victorious return!
I knew my proposal for a match was not for the Sabre.
It's to make you stay away from battles.
You aren't fully hailed yet.
You can be rest assured.
I'll quell the White Lotus rebels and come back safe and sound.
We will drink for three days and three nights!
Fukang'an had done much for the court.
If he were alive, he would weed traitors for me.
Youn father and sons are Qing's loyal subjects.
Will you pledge me your loyalty when it is demanded?
Sire, you have my undying loyalty.
Good!
Set out for Shandong.
I don't care how you do it.
Bring Helin back to the capital.
It is confidential.
Aye.
Is the packing done?
It's about time we set out.
It's done, Your Honor.
Honourable Fuchang'an...
Honourable Heshen, it's an urgent order. I didn't have time to inform you.
Yet you got wind of it already.
You are ordered to go to Shandong.
If I didn't know about it, I had paid my men in vain.
Are you ordered to see Helin?
Sire is newly given full rein. He can't afford any missteps.
My mission is to reward Helin for quelling the White Lotus sect.
He means to cultivate courtiers with military might.
Isn't it timely? Sire does the right thing.
Would you do me a favour?
We siblings weren't reunited for the new year.
Helin missed the reunion dinner.
Army meals are far from sumptuous.
Could you pass him this bag of pine nuts as a treat?
Sure. You can be rest assured.
I'll give it to him in person.
Thank you indeed.
Heshen's Mansion
Milord, tea.
Milady, wait.
I have the East India Company specially sourced these bitter tea beans for you.
See if you like it?
New coffee beans?
Thank you.
Milady, I need to go to the court for sutra copying for His Late Majesty.
I'll be back in the evening to spend it with you.
You took the coffee beans.
What happened last night is now forgotten, alright?
Am I this petty to you?
Of course not!
You are resourceful and graceful.
Spare me.
Milord, you and Yuan Bao went to Fuchang'an's residence.
What was it for?
He's ordered to go to Shandong to reward Helin.
Sire distrusts your brother. Why this bestowing of reward?
It's just an excuse to have him taken back to the capital,
to put me in place.
Will Fuchang'an do as he's told?
Yes.
I tried him out.
He hid the true purpose from me.
He has gone over to Jiaqing.
He's a weak-willed man who always bends with the wind.
You should have cut him off a long time ago.
He has no loyalty to speak of.
However, I suspect his real relationship with His Late Majesty.
He may be the pawn that can bring down Sire.
Do you mean he actually is...
I am not sure yet.
We'll see once I have concrete evidence.
Heshen's Mansion
Peng Yuanrui, do as I said.
Yes, Your Honor.
You were responsible for His Late Majesty's imperial diaries.
Peng Yuanrui, Minister of Works
Answer me.
Do you remember where His Late Majesty
was when fire broke out in Qianqing Palace?
Yes. His Late Majesty happened to be in the imperial garden nearby.
It was two years ago, how can you be so sure?
His Late Majesty was so close to the fire scene.
It's fortunate he was not harmed.
It gave me a big fright.
How could I forget?
It's not what it says in the diary.
It says His Late Majesty was in Yangxin Hall at that time.
Yangxin Hall?
Sire, it's not my handwriting.
You mean the diary was doctored?
Sire, you can compare it with the handwriting in other pages.
It indeed is different.
Since it's not your entry, it's not your business.
Tel! no one what I just asked you.
You are excused.
Aye. May I be excused?
Sire, you suspect the diary was doctored?
It's recorded that due to the wind,
the fire quickly spread to the adjacent Jiaotai Hall.
It's a strange fire.
What's stranger still, why should Father change the diary entry?
Why should he tail Empress to Qianqing Palace?
Xiaodezi, what do you think?
I am too stupid to figure it out.
Sire, I have something to report.
It's said that Doukou of Mi House went to Changchun's house last night.
It seems Grand Secretary Heshen is investigating Changchun's death.
Is he in the palace yet?
He's copying sutra in Ziguang Pavilion.
Ziguang Pavilion
Honourable Heshen, greetings.
What's it?
Sire has a request.
We siblings used to spend day seven of the lunar new year with Father.
Father passed away and the New Year celebration is skipped this year.
Still, I want to take a leaf from him,
We siblings should still share longevity noodles in Yangxin Hall together.
It means unity and longevity.
Sibling unity, how appropriate.
It's very considerate of Sire.
We siblings should spend more time bonding.
Sire, His Late Majesty's spirit in heaven must be very pleased.
Sire, it's a very good idea.
However, we need to pick an auspicious day
for this annual longevity noodles gathering
to ensure sibling harmony and prosperity.
Sire, you are the emperor. Your order is our command.
I'll be present anytime.
Sire, what about this year's longevity noodles?
I have a good idea.
Sire, longevity noodles can be served.
Aye.
Sire, greetings.
At ease.
Thank you, Sire.
Heshen, His Late Majesty loved the longevity noodles you made.
He has passed away.
I wonder if the noodles you made is still as good?
His Late Majesty was too kind to me.
My first bowl of noodles should be offered to His Late Majesty.
Serve!
How very loyal of you.
His Late Majesty had not trusted you in vain.
What's so secretive?
You don't trust me?
I do!
You should know the fewer people know about it, the safer it is for Xiaoxiao.
So her name is Xiaoxiao!
She's not mum anymore.
I gave her the name.
I want her to forget the unhappy past and will smile again.
You see her as your sister.
We have the same past.
She's small and yet she has lost all her kin.
I'll take care of her from now on.
You go back to Mi House at once.
You alright?
I'm fine.
Gan...
No... Let her go... No...
Where's Changchun's sister?
No... Let her go... No...
Tell me! Tell me...
What are you doing? No...
If I don't see Changchun's sister in two hours,
the ground here will be soaked with her blood.
Go!
Heshen's Mansion
Heshen, come out!
Where's Heshen?
Who are you?
You have the nerve to come in and call our master by his name?
Doukou is in trouble.
I have to see Heshen.
He's gone to the palace to copy sutra for His Late Majesty.
He's not at home.
Doukou is kidnapped.
She'll die in two hours if she gets no help!
It's you?
Your friend came to ask my husband for help.
He's gone to the palace.
I don't think you can wait for that long.
The two men in black are taken care of.
Come on, run...
Two?
Xiaoxiao is in danger! I have to save her.
Miss Doukou...
Sis Doukou...
Thank you for showing us the way.
Go!
She's just a child!
She knows nothing at all!
Don't kill her...
Your job is done. Now go.
Lady Heshen, thank you for your help.
Xiaoxiao...
You are their accomplice! You...
Heshen's Mansion
The physician said that though she has lost a lot of blood,
she's saved in time.
She just need more rest.
The decoction is being prepared.
She will have it once it's done.
I'll tell my husband once he's home.
Thank you for saving her life.
You don't care for your friend's life, do you?
He doesn't know the girl's whereabouts.
Doukou alone knows where she is.
Why are you here?
I want a deal with you.
I want Doukou. You can get your job done without any casualties.
Spell it out.
I know how to lead you to the girl.
I don't care what you will do with her.
I just want Doukou back safe and sound.
Why should I believe you?
If my guess is correct,
my husband is deliberately kept in the
palace to buy time for you to find the girl.
If you fail in your mission,
do you think you can survive your master's wrath?
Alright, you have a deal.
Doukou, what is it? A nightmare?
Where are you going?
It's cold outside. Don't go out...
Don't follow me.
Why? Why did you let Xiaoxiao die?
Because your life is more important than hers.
I promised her I would protect her no matter what.
I was willing to die in her stead!
Why should you be so nosy?
I don't care for your life or death, but my husband does.
So I wouldn't let you die.
She's just a child! She knew nothing at all.
She's innocent!
You and I know who wanted her dead.
She couldn't escape the fate.
Moreover, her kin were all dead.
What's the point for her to stay alive?
We are talking about a life!
She deserved to live even if she's left alone in the world!
Did you really care about her life or you just projected yourself onto her?
Petty kindness gets in the way of greatness
My husband thinks big.
You work for him.
You should know where the priority lies.
You should have finished her off when you found the letter.
Letting her live was putting everyone else in danger.
No one can hit my wife.
Do you know...
I would have done the same.
So a life means nothing to you two.
Yours sure is a match made in heaven.
Milady, thank you.
No thanks at all. I was just doing my job.
I know it broke your heart too.
Thank you...
I am sorry. I did nothing to stop Lady Heshen.
You don't have to stay here with me.
Doukou, I...
I want to be left alone.
I am sorry. I failed to protect you.
The moon waxes and wanes, life is filled with regrets.