Changdong, what illness do you have?
Why do you need to seek treatment outside the Palace?
Your Majesty, I was scared.
I was awake at night because of Changchun...
I heard him calling my name all the time.
That's why I was in poor spirit.
Luckily the Royal Noble Consort granted me sick leave outside the Palace.
How dare you spread rumors to delude the others!
I didn't know.
Please have mercy on me, Your Majesty!
Did you scatter Changchun's ashes under the plum tree?
It was Changchun's favorite tree.
That's why I did it.
Please spare me. I didn't know anything...
What did Changchun tell you before he died?
The late Emperor's sudden death
kept us all very busy.
I have not seen Changchun before he died.
Please spare me, Your Majesty!
Here's your chance to make amends.
Thank you, Your Majesty!
Who laced the poison?
Day 10 of the Lunar New Year
I dare not say.
Speak up. Everyone here will help you.
Who poisoned the late Emperor... Prince Yongxuan
What are you talking about?
You told me His Majesty poisoned the late Emperor.
Spare me, Your Majesty!
Prince Yongxuan has beaten the confession out of me.
I only said that to save myself.
How dare you shoot off your mouth...
Enough! Conduct yourself properly!
Changdong, you said Prince Yongxuan poisoned the late Emperor.
Do you have proof?
I saw him, Your Highness!
How dare you frame me!
You saw me? When and where?
I can confirm that.
Bring the evidence
and summon Dr. Xu.
Greetings, Your Majesty!
Xu Jingyun, examine this ginseng.
Aye!
Your Majesty, it's poisoned.
Yongxuan, you presented this to Father on New Year's Eve.
You personally supervised the cooking process
and served him yourself.
Cut this Joseon ginseng into half.
It can give Father more energy.
You'll lose your heads if the Imperial Academy of Medicine messes up.
This soup is from a 1000-year-old ginseng.
It can make you well.
Yongxuan, how could you be so heartless?
Even if you're angry with Father for passing the throne to me,
you shouldn't have done this.
Yes, it was my ginseng
but it was not poisonous.
I was set up.
Don't bother to deny it.
How do you explain this powder found in your mansion?
Dr. Xu!
The color and smell of this powder
are identical to the poison found in the ginseng.
How do you explain that, Yongxuan?
Changdong, tell me!
Why did you set me up? Why?
Yongxuan, not only did you poison Father,
you tried to use Changdong to frame me for patricide!
No, I was framed!
I get it... you're behind this!
You used Changdong to set me up!
You're the unfilial son guilty of patricide.
Watch what you're saying, Yongxuan!
We're brothers after all.
I meant to protect your reputation
but you showed no remorse and tried to hurt me.
This is unforgivable.
Are you hurt? I'm fine!
Don't!
Let go of me!
Calm down!
Let go of me! It's over! Don't fight it.
It'll only confirm you're the traitor.
Our ancestors and Father will know
I'm innocent.
Father's real killer will die horribly!
Take him to the Imperial Clan Court.
Aye!
Sentence Dr. Sha Weiyi to death for negligence.
Now that we caught Father's killer,
this matter is closed
and let Father rest in peace, understand?
Yes, Your Majesty!
I understand!
Heshen, you have something to say?
The way you handled the case is so perfect
even the late Emperor would look at you differently.
His Majesty's ruthlessness surprised even me
Yongxuan is a dead man for sure.
His Majesty took enormous risks
He let Prince Yongxuan investigate Changchun
And dig his own grave and become the scapegoat.
It's a well-executed plan to rid himself of the opposition.
Even I must hand it to him.
He still can't compare to you about being farsighted.
You flatter me, Your Highness!
His Majesty won by a narrow margin,
but Prince Yonglin still has much to gain.
He has earned His Majesty's trust
and that will facilitate our future move.
Yonglin is willing to risk his life for His Majesty.
We're reaching for the moon if we expect him to revolt.
Water can hold and sink a boat.
Devotion is Prince Yonglin's virtue,
but precisely because of it,
if he learn of the truth behind the late Emperor's death,
what do you think he would do?
Without any proof, it's just idle talk.
I don't mind waiting.
With you working with me from inside the harem,
as long as His Majesty is careless enough and gives himself away,
then we'll have proof.
I see. I'll need to trouble you with this.
Yonglin is like a son to me.
I don't want him to lose a hair over his precious brother again.
Don't worry, I'll do my best.
A traitor like that should be struck down by thunder.
Your Majesty, I find this matter a bit suspicious.
Prince Yongxuan may have brazen arrogance,
but you have been the Emperor for some time,
why wait till now to kill the late Emperor?
I fail to see how that would benefit him.
The human heart is hard to fathom.
I can't second guess Yongxuan's plan.
Why didn't we know you were onto him?
Due to the gravity of the situation,
His Majesty didn't want to alert him.
We already announced the late Emperor died of a sudden illness.
An investigation would compromise his reputation.
That's exactly what I'm thinking.
May I ask what you intend to do with Prince Yongxuan?
I have a hard time deciding.
Even death cannot atone Yongxuan's crime.
Your Majesty should carry on the investigation,
catch his accomplices and punish them too.
The late Emperor's reputation is at stake,
we should keep a low profile.
Yes, we should do this secretly.
Aye!
It's late. You may go.
We'll take our leave.
Ji Xiaolan, please stay.
I remember you taught me
whatever is good for the people, I should disregard the rules.
For the State and its people
the Emperor should be willing to make sacrifices.
I will always bear this in mind.
And you have.
In order to remove Heshen,
Agui was willing to bear the name of a traitor.
For the greater good, as reluctant as I am,
I'm also willing to sacrifice anyone.
Do you understand?
I do and I will follow you.
Good! I have a question.
Ask away.
Why did you leave the Palace to look for Changdong?
I wanted to know the truth behind the rumors about Changchun.
And also because I was doing someone a favor.
Jingren Palace
Milady, it's past 11 o'clock.
Let me help you undress and turn in.
You haven't had any sleep for days.
I'm afraid you may fall ill.
Sewing this robe is the last thing I can do for the late Emperor.
I must have this ready for the ceremony tomorrow.
You were the late Emperor's favorite.
He can't bear to see you wear yourself out.
Greetings, Your Majesty!
At ease. You may go.
Aye. May we be excused?
About Changdong... thank you.
I should not have sent the maid to contact a courtier.
Please punish me.
You were worried Yongxuan might uncover something harmful to me.
That's why you sent Qiuyue to Ji Xiaolan,
so he can beat Yongxuan in finding Changdong.
I know members of the harem should not interfere with State matters.
But I can't think of anything else.
Too bad I didn't hear back from Minister Ji and Prince Yongxuan...
I sentenced him to the Imperial Clan Court for patricide.
Prince Yonxuan?
Have some ginseng tea, Your Majesty.
Remember Yongxuan presented a bowl of 1000-year-old-ginseng tea to Father?
I heard Prince Yongxuan's Mother brought it from Joseon
as part of her dowry.
His Highness used it to make soup for the late Emperor when he fell ill.
You're brothers after all, it's a bit...
You think I'm being heartless?
I wouldn't dare.
To straighten out State affairs, sacrifices must be made.
I have no qualms about my ruthlessness.
Everything you did was for the good of the great Qing.
I understand your pain and helplessness.
I'm telling you the truth because I trust and love you.
That's why I don't hold out on you.
And you? Do you trust me?
Will you tell me everything you know about the fire in Qianqing Palace?
I'm sorry, I promised to keep this secret.
I must not go back on my word. Please forgive me.
In that case, I won't force your hand.
Thank you, Your Majesty!
Will you spare Changdong and Prince Yongxuan?
I know what to do.
Of course!
Why do you always care about others and not yourself?
Because it's enough that you care about me.
You've been confined to Jingren Palace for days,
don't you want to move around?
You mean...
You have slacked off long enough.
It's time you run the harem again.
Thank you, Your Majesty!
Changdong, Sire granted you the mercy. Leave the Palace now.
Don't kill me... help!
Run...
Are you alright? I'm fine!
Lady Ying, thank you for running the harem in my absence.
Luckily the ladies behaved themselves
and didn't give you too much trouble.
That's an overstatement.
Now that you're back in charge,
I'm glad to be rid of the burden.
The late Emperor named the Royal Noble Consort the future Empress,
you must all obey her, understand?
Aye!
I urge you to punish me.
What makes you say that?
I was wrong about you and shot off my mouth.
Please punish me for being disrespectful.
Before the Empress title is filled,
the Royal Noble Consort rules supreme inside the harem.
Lady Xian should be punished for insubordination.
I showed no respect and contradicted you.
Please forgive me, I made a mistake.
I was at fault, I'm sorry.
I made a mistake, I'm sorry.
I was at fault, I'm sorry.
I made a mistake, I'm sorry.
I was at fault, I'm sorry.
I made a mistake, I'm sorry.
I made a mistake...
That's enough! If you know your mistake,
I'll dock your allowance for 3 months.
Thank you, Your Ladyship.
Get up!
Thank you!
Xueying, present the antler from Changbai Mountain to the Royal Noble Consort.
I hope you'll like it.
It's His Majesty's good fortune if the harem remains harmonious.
Please don't forget.
As your wish, Your Ladyship!
His Majesty works very hard on the affairs of State.
I urge you all to show him compassion and understanding.
Be careful with what you say and do.
Don't cause him any trouble.
As you wish, Your Ladyship!
The Royal Noble Consort seems to have a gentle temperament,
but she's still a woman,
capable of holding a grudge.
Apologizing to her sooner won't hurt you.
Thank you for being so thoughtful.
She still has His Majesty's favor despite what she has done,
that proves how much he loves her.
You can only blame yourself.
She was under house arrest,
yet you failed to win His Majesty's heart.
You have no one to blame but yourself.
That's because she gets to look after Prince Mianning.
If I can bear His Majesty's child,
I'm certain His Majesty will dote on us.
It's idle talk until you're with child.
Revenge is a dish best served cold.
Patience is the key inside the harem.
You're quite right, let her gloat.
I'll pay her back in tenfold for today's insult.
You said before she married His Majesty,
she was in love with someone else.
Is that true?
Of course. I heard it was Heshen.
Don't believe in hearsay
unless you have proof.
Look into it carefully.
This may be your chance to turn things around.
Yes, Your Ladyship.
Captain Qi, by order of His Majesty,
the Vanguard Battalion comes under my command from now on.
You need my permission for any deployment.
Here's the commanding tablet.
I was put in charge temporarily.
I'm now handing it back to you.
I have also sorted out the roster of the Battalion.
Please keep this for your reference.
I'm not familiar with the operation of the Battalion,
I'll be needing your assistance.
Don't mention it, I'm just doing my job.
Show me the Battalion.
Aye!
Yongxuan, this is your favorite Song Ling wine.
It was also Father's favorite.
You're not worried about getting in trouble for visiting me?
Tell me... did you do it?
I swear to Heaven above,
if I had any intention to hurt Father,
may I be chopped up to pieces.
My only fault was dreaming of becoming the Emperor.
But it's just not meant to be.
I already submitted to him,
but he still won't spare me.
What's the use of getting so worked up now?
You're smart enough to stay out of harm's way.
What a shame His Majesty is mediocre,
and is willing to kill innocent people to counter dissidents.
What's the result of Prince Yongxuan's hexagram?
Avery bad omen.
Check for yourself.
I won't be spared either.
We don't have a choice being born into royalty.
Brilliant or not, no one is spared.
Let's worry about the future later.
I believe there's always a way out.
What worries me the most is my family.
I'm counting on you to look after them.
Don't worry, I'll do my best.
We're brothers, don't do this...
Xianfu Palace
Sire,
I checked the Imperial Diary for the past 2 years
and questioned the relevant staff.
I finally found out from a retired eunuch,
on the day of the fire at Dongnuan Pavilion,
the late Emperor summoned Minister Fu.
Fuchang'an? Why wasn't it recorded in the Imperial Diary?
I don't know. I'll look into it.
Whatever you find, report back to me right away.
Aye!
Why did the late Emperor hide from us
he summoned Fuchang'an to the Palace?
I'm too stupid to know what he was thinking.
But I'm sure he didn't want us to know.
The Royal Noble Consort said she promised to keep a secret.
Looks like it had something to do with the late Emperor.
Since Minister Fu was involved,
why don't you ask him?
Heshen's Mansion
Have some coffee, it can pick you up.
After today's ceremony,
I'm on night watch at Guande Hall.
His Majesty appointed you on purpose.
It must be another conspiracy.
The late Emperor had been benevolent towards me.
I don't mind if this was another ploy.
His Majesty wants to be a filial son,
he won't resort to violence in front of the late Emperor.
He'll only give me a hard time.
He's becoming more somber.
He made progress, but still won't amount to anything big.
He's no match for me.
I need a favor from you.
I know it'll be tough for you.
But this is so important,
I don't trust anyone else to do it.
Just tell me... I'll do whatever I can to help you.
This way, Lady Heshen!
Thank you!
Master Heshen asked me to give you this letter.
He needs a favor from you.
You're cut from the same cloth.
I'm afraid I'm not much help to him.
He won't ask if he can do it himself.
You're certainly very emotional.
You mourn the death of a stranger.
Stranger or not, it's still a human life.
You have worked for Master long enough.
You haven't done anything against your conscience?
To you, human lives are expendable.
For Master, 100 lives are expendable,
let alone a little girl.
Whether you like it or not,
one thing will never change.
There's only one Lady Heshen.
If you can't stand that, feel free to leave.
That means you have lost.
Here's Master's letter.
You can decide what to do.
I'll get on it right away.
His Majesty is unfilial, disloyal, cold and heartless.
I'm afraid I can't keep my word.
Qianqing Palace
Bow!
Again!
And again!
Father entrusted me with a huge burden
that left me trembling with fear.
Father's sudden death left me devastated.
During Father's 60-year reign,
he slept and ate very little and worked hard for his people.
I saw all these with my eyes.
Under his rule, we have enjoyed peace and prosperity
that benefited his descendants
for which I am truly grateful.
I have no way to repay him
and have decided to mourn him for the next 3 years
and expect the others to do the same.
Kneel!
Fuchang'an, you're the Viceroy of Water Transport,
you must know the location of the granaries and their stock.
Tell me and I'll let you live.
Go to Hell! I order you to let me go!
You're mouthy for someone about to die!
Killing Qi Lin is not enough to make you people learn?
The Qing Court will eradicate the lot of you.
Stop it!
Shut up!
Show them a good time.
Let's find out how tough they are!
Lock them up!
Yes, Chief!
Let me go!
Why bother to lock them up?
Why not just kill them?
Fuchang'an is a senior courtier.
It'll be a shame to kill him like that.
Let's kill him after we interrogate him.
Yes, Chief!
Time to eat!
It stinks!
Pigs deserve pigwash.
Fire! Give us a hand...
Fire...
Come back! Let us out! Help! Anyone?
Let us out! Hello, anyone? Let us out!
We're stuck here... anyone? Let us out!
Help! Anyone out there?
Looks like someone purposely let us out.
Maybe someone from the Court infiltrated the White Lotus Sect.
Fuchang'an, you won't get away!
Come with me quietly.
Surrender yourself!
Kneel!
Helin, I'm here on His Majesty's order.
Let me go and I might just let this slide.
Don't throw your weight around in front of me.
You won't get out of my camp alive.
You beat me because you outnumber me.
I dare you to fight me one-on-one.
You don't scare me.
Give him a saber and I'll show him.
Fuchang'an, that's cheating!
Mingliang, you betrayed me!
Sorry! A wise servant chooses his master.
With the late Emperor gone,
Heshen lost his patron.
You wish to oppose His Majesty?
Heshen and his clique are finished.
If you pledge your allegiance to the wrong side,
the Fucha clan may suffer when His Majesty settles the score.
You and I are cousins.
Our fathers are brothers,
I won't hurt you.
Helin may appreciate your ability
but you have more than repaid him all these years by risking your life for him.
The stage is set.
Following Heshen will make you a traitor
and get yourself killed.
If you follow me, you'll bring glory to your family.
How would you choose?
Get the horses ready and take him back to the Capital.
Aye!
We've been traveling in a killing pace.
The horses won't make it to the Capital.
Let's take a break at the civilian homes up ahead.
Here we are!
Madam, we're passing through.
Can we stop here for water and feed the horses?
Have a seat. I'll go get ready.
We can't stay. Let's go!
Guande Hall
Let's hope after we moved the late Emperor over here,
he'll find peace away from the hustle and bustle of the Court.
I started serving the late Emperor as a child,
and we have known each other for years.
There are things I must tell you.
Whatever happened is over now.
His Majesty is in power.
You can't fight him.
The trees can't stay still in the blowing wind.
We have no control over what happens to us.
Rather than be a sitting duck,
I'd rather strike first
and fight for a slim chance of survival.
His Majesty the Emperor...
Greetings, Your Majesty!
Father, rest assured
I will do my best to protect the great Qing
and come down hard on those who jeopardize the Court.
Your Majesty, if there's nothing else,
I'd like to prepare for tomorrow's worship.
Very well. Thank you!
Xiaodezi, give him a hand.
Aye!
You gave the late Emperor the temple name of Gaozong.
That was so ingenious.
What are you trying to say, Heshen?
When Emperor Gaozong of Song died,
Emperor Xiaozong was so grief stricken he couldn't eat.
I wonder how he compares to you.
I have no guilty conscience towards Heaven, Earth
my ancestors and my Father.
History will judge whether or not I'm a filial son.
As my courtier, I owe you no explanation.
Of course not.
Judging from the temple name you have chosen for the late Emperor,
is it possible you blame him for something?
The Emperors Gaozong in history all had their inadequacies.
Emperor Gaozong of Tang was under the control of Wu Zetian;
Emperor Gaozong of Song misplaced his trust in the traitor Qin Hui.
And the great Qing has you.
Previous emperors mistrusted fawning courtiers
and brought disaster for the State and its people.
But I won't repeat their mistake.
I will rid the Court of corruption
and restore peace and order to Qing.
History books will hail Father's political and military achievements.
I hope you will succeed.
Ever since you presented me with a jade ruyi and made me a puppet,
I have decided not to let you run my life.
Why would I do that?
I only wish to do my job
and help you run the State.
You pitched Yongxuan against me
and made us fight against each other.
You call that doing your job?
If you have a clear conscience,
even if people suspect you,
rumors can't hurt you.
Heshen, because other courtiers support you
and Helin controls the army
you have nothing to fear.
I already have evidence against you.
As soon as Helin returns to the Capital,
I'll be able to convict him.
Your clique will turn against you
and I can officially punish you.
Heaven disposes what man proposes.
You may not get your wish.
Your Majesty!
Where is Helin?
The Imperial Diary was a record of the Emperor's daily activities
documented by historiographers.
Other than recording the Emperor's private lives,
it also documented his whereabouts,
worship of Heaven, paying his respects and contents of imperial edicts.