Is anybody here? Help! Somebody help me!
Fu'en! Fu'en!
Fu'en!
Day 21 of the Lunar New Year
Fu'en!
What happened to Fu'en? What happened to him?
I'm asking you! Answer me!
Answer me!
It was me. It's always been me.
No, you did nothing wrong.
Yongyan is responsible for Fu'en's death!
Wait!
You can make your own lantern for Lantern Festival next year.
I will make you a big one, Grandfather.
Sure, it's a promise.
Fu'en, let me help you put on your shoes, then you won't fall over easily.
Life and death take their destined courses.
Dust to dust, may we all be reunited one day.
Death can't separate people from love. Don't be too sad.
Don't worry, Master. I will be alright. I must stay alive and fight the tyrant.
You are the only one I can rely on.
I will make Yongyan pay double the price for the deaths of Helin, Fu'en, and Dieyi.
I'm not the only one you have. Madam Mei has been supporting you all along.
Otherwise Fengshen-Yinde would never have found you in Tianjin.
Is it time to pick up Madam Mei?
As long as Chang Mei is safe, I'd rather stay like this.
Are you still angry with her?
She risked her life for me again and again. I couldn't ask for more.
That's why I can't let her stay with me.
Yongyan is ruthless. If she stays with me, she will be in danger.
Our separation might not be a bad thing. Let fate take its course.
Xianfu Palace
Zhu Gui, how is the deployment going?
Your Majesty, my army in Anhui will be arriving in a few days.
Your Majesty, I suggest deploying Prince Yi's forces in Gansu.
I'm thinking the same thing.
Highness, please stop...
Let me go and have a look.
Highness, please stop...
Your Majesty!
Greetings, Your Majesty.
Prince Fu'en?
What happened?
My deepest condolences, Your Majesty.
I ordered you to hunt down Heshen! What happened to Fu'en?
I failed to protect Fu'en. He died in an accident.
I let you and Shuangshuang down. I will accept any punishment.
Your Majesty, we shall find out whose responsibility it is.
I will handle it.
Life is unpredictable. Accidents happen.
Fengshen-Yinde, I don't blame you. Please rise.
Please let me take Fu'en to his mother so that she can see him one last time.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
You all may go.
As you wish, Your majesty.
Your Majesty...
Go.
Fu'en! Fu'en! Fu'en...
Fu'en!
Shuangshuang, I brought Fu'en back.
Fu'en...
This can't be true! Fu'en!
Shuangshuang.
You said Fu'en would be all right! What happened?
What happened?
I'm sorry.
Take Fu'en to Jingren Palace.
No! Don't take Fu'en away!
Shuangshuang, Fu'en is gone.
You lied to me!
You said the three of us would never be apart!
Why did you lie to me? Why?
I'm sorry.
Why did this happen? Why?
Xiansong Monastery
Fu'en, the lighted lanterns will guide you along the way.
Remember to follow the lights. Don't be afraid. Don't turn back.
I hope you will be reborn into a fortunate family
with joy aplenty and no more suffering.
My deepest condolences, Lady Heshen.
Fu'en was just like all other children, growing up happily with their parents.
But he was used maliciously and sacrificed in the power struggle.
Mind your words, Madam.
I have no control over anything anymore. What's there to be afraid of?
The heartless tyrant wants to kill Heshen and everyone related to him.
Even a five-year-old boy is no exception.
It's an unfortunate tragedy.
For whatever reason His Majesty kept Fu'en and Gulun Princess Hexiao in the palace,
he never meant to harm them in any way.
Have you forgotten what happened to Prince Yongxuan?
His Majesty would kill anyone who might threaten his throne,
especially his brothers. Not only Prince Yongxuan,
but also Prince Yongxing, Prince Yonglin, and Fuchang'an.
What are you trying to say?
I don't beat around the bush.
No one knows Fuchang'an's true identity better than you.
I forgive your thoughtless words because you just lost your grandson.
If you're done with the ritual, please leave.
I do not wish to be disturbed in my retreat.
Shurong, may we meet again in the next life (An)
I can't believe you left me after all.
I heard Doukou and Lin Gan left this morning.
Let me send someone to inquire about them.
Nature has its own way, and so does love. It's all destined.
It's about time. We can come back when things cool down.
I failed to avenge my family. I feel ashamed of myself.
You did nothing wrong. Fate played a joke on you.
Indeed. Why did I get to live? Why did I have to meet Heshen?
Your parents only want you to be happy. They wouldn't care about revenge.
We have no control over life and death.
As long as they stay in your heart, they should have no regrets.
I will never forget them.
That's more than enough.
The world is vast, but where is my home?
My teacher once told me to explore the world and get a taste of life.
Look at me.
If I hadn't embarked on an adventure, I would never have met you.
If I hadn't asked you to help me get revenge,
you would have become an excellent swordsman.
I owe you.
Do you remember I chose to stay with you for a silver coin?
I have kept a master with me for years with just a silver coin.
I was quite good at making deals.
You're indulging in self-praise.
Thank you for putting up with me all these years. You're like my family.
Not just family.
We can start a new life somewhere else.
We can be desert riders or sailors.
Wherever you go, I'll be there for you through thick and thin.
I never thought...
Then start thinking about it.
Doukou, I need you and Lin Gan to rescue someone.
Who?
Eunuch Changdong. He knows the truth behind the murder of His Late Majesty.
With Changdong's testimony, His Majesty can't deny it anymore.
Changdong?
That's Changdong?
So he came to Tianjin. I recognized him even with a fake mustache.
The hawkers are pleased to see him. He must be a regular customer.
One catty of garlic chives please.
No more garlic chives. That young man bought them all.
All of them? Does he own a restaurant?
He is the new chef at Qingyun Hall.
He needs a lot of ingredients to cook for a big crowd.
How about choy sum? I will give you some good ones.
No, thank you.
He probably became a chef to hide his identity.
The physician checked your pulse.
He said you fainted from physical and emotional exhaustion.
Shuangshuang, we can't bring Fu'en back to life.
His Majesty has permitted us to leave.
You hate the cold weather in the north.
We can go to Jiangnan when you feel better.
I'll take you anywhere you want to go.
No.
Folk customs of Jiangnan fascinate you.
When His Late Majesty talked about his trip, you were very much tempted.
We can go to Wuxiang Temple in Hongnan Town and try their jade girdle cake.
You will love it.
Everything stays the same except the people.
Father and even Fu'en have left me. Why do the people I love keep leaving me?
Did I do something wrong? Did they die because of me?
Let life and death take their own courses. You did nothing wrong.
No matter what you do, the results will be the same.
I don't want to hear it! Go away!
Fu'en?
Fu'en, is that you?
Fu'en!
Fu'en, I'm coming to save you!
Shuangshuang!
Fu'en fell into the water! Hurry up and save him!
Why would Fu'en fall into the water?
I saw him with my own eyes! He was standing right here!
I rushed over here and he was gone! He must have fallen into the water!
He doesn't know how to swim! He's afraid of the water!
Fu'en, I'm coming!
Shuangshuang, you are delusional.
Delusional? I saw him with my own eyes! He was standing right here!
What are you waiting for? Save him!
Shuangshuang, Fu'en is dead!
Dead?
Fu'en is dead?
You killed him!
Fu'en did nothing wrong!
He was my only child! How could you do that to him?
You taught him to read and write! How could you be so heartless?
Do I care what happened between you and Heshen?
Why did you do this to me?
Why? Why?
Call in a imperial doctor.
Aye.
Four-flavor soup can calm the mind. I know many things have happened lately.
Perhaps you will find the soup comforting. I asked Xiaodezi about your preferences
and replaced poria with job's tears to reduce the bitterness.
The soup is delicious. I like it.
I wish I could carry your burden. It's the least I can do for you.
It's quite enough.
Qing'er, you need to take care of yourself and the baby.
Being pregnant made me understand the meaning of kinship.
Your sister has lost her sanity and even tried to kill herself.
It breaks my heart to see her like this.
With Fengshen-Yinde by her side, she will get well soon.
But she will never forgive herself for causing her son's death.
Sis Ling'er secretly escorted Fu'en out of the palace.
She deserves heavy punishment.
I know you feel sorry for Shuangshuang. I will handle it.
But what Sis Ling'er did was...
You said you had swollen feet.
You should get some rest and stop worrying about others.
A lot has happened lately. I feel drained.
Don't make me worry about you. Understand?
Watch your step, Highness.
Shut up! Don't tell me what to do!
I dare not. I'm worried about you and the baby.
For your own sake, please don't be angry.
Get up and give me a hand.
His Majesty always favors Sis Ling'er.
She let Fu'en go. Fu'en died because of her.
But His Majesty forgave her. He even told me to mind my own business.
How do I secure my place? Even the baby can't help me.
Her Highness is very lucky to be pregnant. Now His Majesty must go easy on her.
It's just my bad luck.
I thought the baby would bring me luck, but then she also got pregnant.
She always gets in my way.
She must think the baby will secure her place in the harem.
In her dreams.
I'll see how long His Majesty can put up with her.
Your Majesty, Prince Yonglin is here.
Let him in.
Greetings, Your Majesty.
Rise.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
May I know why you called me in on such short notice?
I have something important to discuss with you.
I have no significance. You may want to discuss things with your ministers.
If you will excuse me, I shall be going.
Stay there! How dare you talk to me like that!
The emperor-subject relationship is built on gratitude.
The emperor and his subjects are like the heart, head, hands and feet.
If the emperor treats his subjects like dirt,
he will become their foe.
You are my dearest brother. Do you want to defy me?
I dare not. If you still value family, please have mercy on Shuangshuang.
Fu'en's death is too much for her to bear.
If you hadn't escorted Fu'en away, the tragedy wouldn't have happened!
You know very well why it happened.
Who would sacrifice everyone to get rid of Heshen?
So? Was I wrong?
Of course not. Heshen is to blame.
I am your subject and your brother.
Even though the whole world is warning me the emperor has the heart of a tiger,
I still believe in brotherly love.
Am I just being naive?
Xiaodezi, take Prince Yonglin back to the mausoleum right now!
Aye.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty, Royal Noble Consort heard what happened to Prince Fu'en and fainted.
Greetings, Your Majesty.
Fu'en, sorry.
I'm responsible for his death.
It's not you, Ling'er, it's me.
Shuangshuang trusted me and respected me,
but I deliberately dragged her and Fu'en into this power struggle.
As Yonglin said, I would do anything to defeat Heshen.
A price must be paid in the end.
No one understands me like you do. People don't need a second emperor.
Heshen regarded himself as a second emperor and formed cliques.
I must get rid of him to secure my empire.
Ling'er, I need your support in this fight.
His Majesty.
How are you feeling, Highness?
Was His Majesty here?
Yes, Highness.
Qingyun Hall
That's very generous of you.
Allow me to say thank you on behalf of the gang.
You let me use your sea route. I must offer something in return.
Once the vessel arrives safely, an extra bounty will be offered.
Thank you, Your Honor.
I need your help with one more thing.
Please tell me what I can do for you. I will do my best.
I'd like to meet your leader.
You want to meet our leader?
With my human relations and your geographical convenience,
our cooperation will be fruitful.
If I can convince your leader, you can also expand your power.
Wouldn't it be nice?
This is serious. Let me talk to Chief. Just a moment, Your Honor.
You mean he is here? I heard he rarely shows up.
He is here today to discuss something important.
Master, something is not right.
Chief will be right with you.
No, don't let me stop him from doing his work.
I'll come back another day. Uncle Quan.
I come and go as I please. Even the Son of Heaven can't stop me.
What can you people do?
Fuchang'an, I thought you learned your lesson.
You just love being a lackey, don't you?
His Majesty's orders must be obeyed. Please come with me, Your Honor.
How can I let an old friend down?
I haven't been to the Tianjin yamen in a long time. A visit would be nice.
Fuchang'an, my old friend, I hope you're right this time.
Heshen, I'm only here to bid you farewell. You can stop wasting your breath on me.
Yongyan has known you and your brother for many years, but what has he done?
You must avenge your brother's death,
unless you have decided to let it go and live in disgrace.
It's never too late.
As long as I stay around, there will be plenty of chances.
Do you really think killing me can earn Yongyan's trust back?
He is just using you.
There should be a report on your activities on his desk right now.
He doesn't trust you at all.
So what? If you die, at least I'll be safe.
Wrong. If I die, you will only die sooner.
Yongyan is skeptical.
Do you think he can forgive you after all the betrayal?
Once I die, you're no longer needed. Yongyan will kill you at once.
You can save your breath.
As long as I play by the rules, His Majesty can't incriminate me.
Is adultery a crime? If Yongyan knows you slept with the late empress,
do you think you'll be able to live?
That's a slanderous accusation!
May we meet again in the next life. To Shurong from An.
I recognize your handwriting. Shurong was the late empress's maiden name.
Here's the proof of your affair with the late empress.
Say anything you want!
You think you can slander me and the late empress with a random note?
His Majesty won't believe you!
Will he believe Madam Qingwen guarding the late empress's lantern for you?
How about the imperial diaries altered under His Late Majesty's command?
Imperial diaries?
Why did Emperor Emeritus call me in on such short notice?
You are to alter the imperial diaries.
Imperial diaries?
This is a serious matter. Please keep it confidential.
Thank you, Your Honor.
His Late Majesty secretly ordered me to alter the imperial diaries.
Later on I found out it was meant to cover the late empress's affair.
Much to my surprise, the adulterer was not her physician, but you.
His Late Majesty must really like you.
Heshen, what do you want?
Report back on Canal Trade Gang raiding the Tianjin yamen
and brutally killing officials. If you do that, I will spare your life.
You will kill all my inferiors?
No, you will.
Let's get drunk tonight!
Thank you, Your Honor!
Cheers...
Botuo'e, ever since you were a teenager,
you've been fighting with me through all the adversity.
Thank you for all these years. Here's to you.
I'm nothing but a brute, but you accept me for who I am.
Without you, I would be lost. I respect you from the bottom of my heart.
You are a man of talent and integrity.
Without me, someone else would see the good in you.
I might have made your life easier, but it may not be a good thing after all.
You are the best thing that has ever happened to me.
We all see how you treat your inferiors.
We have nothing to offer in return except our lives.
All of you are true heroes.
Unfortunately, good people never live long.
We swear eternal loyalty to Honorable Fu. If one day we die on the battlefield,
may we all be reunited with Honorable Fu for better, for worse, forever.
I did what you asked me to do.
In order to convince His Majesty, you'll have to go all out.
There are two sides to every coin. It's all about choices.
We successfully convinced Fuchang'an, but what about Canal Trade Gang?
The coiling dragon staff bestowed by His Late Majesty
entitles them to imperial power.
His Late Majesty stopped by Tianjin during a trip to the south
and secretly met with their leader to sign an agreement.
That means it's unlikely that they would submit to us and turn against His Majesty.
Not for me, but we don't know what they would do to save themselves.
This man took over leadership more than ten years ago.
He never reveals his whereabouts. Even Chief Gu rarely sees him.
What about the thing I asked for?
It's right here.
This manuscript includes all major events
happened to Canal Trade Gang in recent years.
Just like you thought,
every time something happened, this man would disappear.
He must be no ordinary man.
Let me unveil your true identity.
Everything is going as planned. We didn't come to Tianjin for nothing.
One more thing. How did you find out about Fuchang'an and the late empress?
Well, our spy accidentally spotted Qingwen when he was watching Prince Yi
and informed me immediately.
The information came just in time for you to blackmail Fuchang'an.
Master.
All good. Taigong Wang
Taigong Wang? Not Yuan Bao?
He sent a message to tell me the fish has been hooked.
Qingyun Hall
I wouldn't dare to kill any officials! Trust me! I didn't do anything!
So what if I trust you? The imperial court was informed that
Canal Trade Gang harbored Heshen and killed officials.
What do you have to say for yourself?
I didn't harbor Heshen! I handed him over to Honorable Fu!
I thought we could take some credit!
You fool! You're no match for Heshen! He's a sly old fox!
He was trying to sow discord between Canal Trade Gang and the imperial court!
You're a man of intelligence indeed. Apparently my tricks don't work on you.
Heshen, how dare you come here!
You sinner! Have you forgotten who's in charge here?
Heshen, our gang has nothing to do with you.
If you leave this instant, I'll pretend I didn't see you.
If you want to stay uninvolved, I'm afraid it will be difficult.
I will handle the yamen incident.
I'm not talking about the killing or harboring a criminal.
Your own safety is in jeopardy.
Chief, we're being besieged by government troops!
The people inside Qingyun Hall, listen up!
Put down your weapon or else we will kill you all!
His Majesty is asking you a question! Answer immediately!
Your Majesty, our leader is not here!
I know he's in there! Tell him to come out!
The leader of Canal Trade Gang, come out and greet His Majesty at once!
Any delay that displeases His Majesty will lead to dire consequences!
I don't like to wait.
Have mercy, Your Majesty!
Have mercy, Your Majesty! Your Majesty...
That's going too far!
Any disrespectful remarks or behavior shall be punished with death!
Have mercy...
All lands and people are assets of the emperor.
Canal Trade Gang is no exception.
If you ever forget that, I will make you remember!
Answer my question before I kill you all!
Have mercy, Your Majesty...
Your Majesty, what is the commotion all about?
I dare not disobey your orders.
Everyone has their own destiny. Take things as they come.
It's you?
Your Majesty, I am the leader of Canal Trade Gang.
Fengshen-Yinde and Gulun Princess Hexiao
were married under Qianlong's command.
Their dwelling was located at
Heshen's Shuchun Garden.
As mentioned in Heshen's confession,
its decor resembled that of Yuanming Garden,
implying that the luxury construction
was comparable to Yuanming Garden.