Prince Yongxing, your back is against the wall.
What are you going to do?
Prince Yongxing?
Highness, reveal yourself to placate them.
Heshen, how dare you come here!
What trick are you playing?
I am here to warn you,
your brother the emperor is on his way with troops.
Since I became leader, the gang has been law-abiding.
Even the emperor and his troops can't change this fact.
Sire is convinced the gang and I are in collusion.
He's in a rage.
He's here to personally settle the score with the gang.
You set the gang up.
By handing you over to Sire, we can prove our loyalty to him.
You hid your identity as the leader of the gang.
You have lied to him.
Handing me over will not remove Sire's suspicion.
I was appointed by His Late Majesty.
I'll explain it to Sire.
He has he mandate of heaven and the support of the people.
He'll see through your trick.
Highness, you are good at fortune-telling.
Why don't we take a gamble?
If Manchu inscription comes on top,
it means Sire has the mandate of heaven, your name will be cleared.
You just hand me over to Sire.
Highness, the answer is right here. We leave it to fate.
Highness, why?
It's about the Canal Trade Gang's future. I won' leave it to a coin.
You are a smart man.
I am sure you already have a decision.
I know what to do.
Day 22 of the Lunar Year
No way would I've guessed you are the leader of the Canal Trade Gang.
Sire, greetings.
At ease.
Have you found me the identity of the new Canal Trade Gang leader?
Sire, greetings.
At ease.
Thank you, Sire.
His Majesty knew that Sire is inquiring about the new Canal Trade Gang leader.
I am sent over to assure Sire the gang is loyal to the court.
Sire shouldn't worry about it nor find out the identity of the new leader.
I am ordered to pass the message loud and clear,
that Sire will not misunderstand it.
Well then, it is closed.
No wonder Father wouldn't let me dig into it.
He had already everything arranged.
The gang was fighting against the court.
Father tackled them during his southern inspection.
He won them over and appointed me as the leader to ensure their loyalty.
Why was I kept in the dark?
I just executed Father's order. It's not for me to second-guess him.
What I have done was to steer the gang onto the right track.
There were no other motives.
I believe you. At ease.
Thank you, Sire.
What about the loss of Fuchang'an's men?
Shouldn't the gang be held responsible?
Sire, Heshen set the gang up to facilitate his flee.
He means to undermine our bond so he can fish in troubled waters.
Sire, please understand.
The Canal Trade Gang is the largest gang in the country
with tens of thousands of members.
They control our water transportation.
They will be a great threat if they turn out to be treasonous.
I need be cautious.
I can guarantee it with my life. The gang is not treasonous.
Sire, please understand.
Even if they are loyal today,
they may change their mind in future.
To be safe, convene all the chiefs tomorrow
Pass the leadership to me in public.
It'll ensure me their loyalty and their own safety.
Aye.
Qingyun Hall
Sire, something's wrong?
No. Let us go.
Master...
It seems everything goes smoothly in the capital.
Master, you can be relieved.
I trust Yuan Bao's capability.
By playing Yongxing against Yongyan, we'll have the upper hand.
Who would have known Prince Yongxing is the leader of the Canal Trade Gang.
He's known to be an unambitious astrologist.
He's just carrying out His Late Majesty's plan.
The Canal Trade Gang is the largest gang in the country with great influence.
Yongyan will not let him control it.
Once Yongyan forces him to hand over the leadership,
Yongxing will cooperate with me for his own survival.
Master, how smart of you.
Fuchang'an listened to you in the end.
He's just a pawn.
He's allowed to live so long as he's still useful.
I'm sure it's what Yongyan thinks.
Sire arriving.
Sire, greetings.
At ease.
Thank you, Sire.
Loyalty as glorious as the Sun and Moon.
Nothing more honorable than death in the battlefield.
The sacrificed are the country's heroes.
Give my order.
Their surviving families will each receive 100 taels of silver
and a letter of commendation.
Aye.
Sire, I thank you on their behalf.
Fuchang'an, do you have anything to tell me
Sire, Heshen colluded with the Canal Trade Gang.
I failed in my mission. Please forgive me.
Your men were all wiped out.
Yet you only suffered a minor injury.
How can I forgive you?
It's my fault.
Sire, I beg for leniency.
Please allow me to retire and go back to my hometown.
Sire, please grant me the wish.
You failed in your mission and now you want to go away just like that?
What do you take me for?
I can swear to heaven.
I had no ulterior motive when I came for Heshen's arrest.
Sire, please believe me.
You say you are loyal to me,
I give you a chance to confront Chief Gu of the Canal Trade Gang.
Thank you, Sire.
Nayancheng, take him away.
Sire...
Grounding you here is to ensure no accidents.
I want everyone to know,
taking Heshen's side against me will get no leniency.
Nayancheng, Fuchang'an is not allowed to leave here without my permission.
Kill him if he crosses the line.
Aye.
Everything goes well on Master's side?
Thanks to your incriminating evidence,
Fuchang'an had to listen to Master and did as he said.
It's heaven's will that I could bump into Empress's maid.
Fuchang'an couldn't fight heaven in the end
You are lying.
It's not your lantern. Whose is it?
I don't know what you are talking about.
No? Or you don't want to live?
Spare me...
This note was found inside the lantern.
Who wrote it?
Tell me!
It's Honorable Fuchang'an.
He made me put it there for Empress's blessing.
Uncle Quan bids me to pass you a message.
Everyone is fine.
If you have the time, please write Master a letter.
I'm glad to hear that.
I'll write him a letter when I think fit.
Yuan Bao, do something for me.
Do it in secret. Don't distract Master.
I got it. Just tell me.
Madam Mei, you alright?
Yuan Bao, you may go.
I want to be left alone.
You'll be called here later.
Yes, Madam Mei. Excuse me.
Let me get you a physician.
Don't bother. I am fine.
Year 57 of Qianlong Era
Madam Mei, your feet are swollen.
It must be the pair of western shoes.
Why didn't you ask me to get you another pair?
It's not convenient in the middle of my business talk with Mr Stanley.
That bit of pain is no big deal.
You just wait here. Let me get you help.
Milady...
Milord...
Are you alright?
The pair of shoes doesn't fit.
Just a minor scratch.
How careless!
Let me take you back to your room.
Mudan is getting me help.
You don't have to bother.
No way will I let other people touch you.
I am your husband, right?
Hold on tight.
Milord, it's a long way. Put me down.
I don't want to be your burden.
From the day I took you down from the bridal-sedan chair,
I was determined to carry you on my back forever.
You are my most valuable wife.
You aren't a burden at all.
I said I didn't want to be your burden.
I still mean it.
Fu'en...
Highness...
Fu'en... where are you?
Highness...
Fu'en...
Fu'en... Let's go to the garden for the snow.
The feathery snow is so pretty.
Let us go...
Highness...
Her forehead is so hot... yet she's shivering.
She has caught a cold amid her grief.
Get her an imperial physician.
Set up a fire in her room.
Aye.
Royal Noble Consort, greetings.
At ease.
Thank you.
Shuangshuang, you aright?
It's you! You killed Fu'en. Why?
Shuangshuang...
Highness...
Shuangshuang, it's me...
Highness...
Why?
Highness...
Prince Consort, she loses control whenever she sees you.
I don't think you two should meet for the time being.
I take her back to her room first. What do you think?
Thank you.
I need to prepare for Fu'en's funeral.
Please excuse me.
Fu'en...
Qiuyue, add more charcoal to the fire.
Highness, our Hongluo charcoal allowance is shared with Gulun Princess Hexiao.
We don't have much left.
The Imperial Household has not sent over more as I said?
They have. But what's sent is black charcoal, not Hongluo charcoal.
Highness is carrying Sire's child, the most noble.
They had the nerve to send over inferior charcoal.
It's smoky and burns out fast.
They are outrageous.
Highness, report it to Sire to have them punished.
Though I am in the doghouse and grounded,
I am still the Royal Noble Consort.
I don't think they had the nerve to maltreat me.
Do you mean it's switched?
It must be Consort Xian's doing.
Walls have ears.
Just put in more black charcoal.
Don't let Mianning catch a cold.
Aye.
Highness, greetings.
What brought you here?
I am now running the imperial harem on your behalf.
I am worried you will be slighted just because you are now in the doghouse.
I am here to make sure everything is fine.
No wonder it is so cold here.
It's because of the charcoal!
We are short of Hongluo charcoal.
It gets chilly here.
You are carrying Sire's child. It's not the place for you.
Sire can't care less about you already.
If I leave you to yourself as well,
It'll be so wretched here.
Fu'en...
Have you seen my son?
Hold her!
She's mad. What if she harms my child?
Can you answer to Sire?
Mother...
It's fine...
Mother? Fu'en...
Highness...
Fu'en...
Fu'en, it's alright.
I'll protect you.
Fu'en, good boy...
Gulun Princess Hexiao has lost her mind.
She mistook Mianning for Fu'en.
For my own safety, I should stay away from Jingren Palace.
Royal Noble Consort is too nosy for her own good.
Gulun Princess Hexiao is mad.
Some pushing around may lead to a miscarriage.
Highness, greetings.
I want to see Sire. Please announce me.
Sire is in a retreat.
I am given the order to turn people away.
Highness, please turn back.
I want to see Sire.
Who are you an underling to stop me?
Highness, its Sire's order.
It must be executed.
Highness, allow me to say it.
Sire is not in a good mood.
Do not ruffle and make him mad.
You...
Please forgive me.
I said it for your own sake.
Highness, please turn back.
Alright. I just go back.
Highness, take care.
It's Sire's order.
Let no one set foot in Xianfu Palace.
Yes.
Sire, it's me. I miss you...
Sire is not here?
Xian Consort sent you?
Why should she be so kind?
Fu'en, let us go back.
Highness...
Mother...
Highness, he's Mianning, not Fu'en...
Let go of me...
Highness...
It hurts... Go away... Let go of me...
Hold Gulun Princess Hexiao...
Let go of me... Go away...
Prince Mianning, you alright?
Let go of me...
Fu'en... Mother here...
Highness, what is going on?
Take Gulun Princess Hexiao and Prince Mianning back.
Her Highness is ill.
Have her watched. Get it?
Yes.
Thank heaven you happened to pass by.
I would have failed Sire if something happened to them.
But you already have failed Sire.
You are now out of Jingren Palace.
You disobeyed his order. How outrageous.
Mianning was taken away by Gulun Princess Hexiao.
I was too anxious to take him back.
I didn't mean to leave Jingren Palace.
Our ancestors have made it clear.
Unruly consorts should be punished.
You are the head of the imperial harem.
You should set an example.
Come, gravels.
Yes.
Highness, walk back on the gravels.
I am the Royal Noble Consort.
I will not be humiliated.
I want to see Sire.
You broke the rule.
Even Sire can't help you.
Moreover, he's not in the palace.
You are the Royal Noble Consort.
You all the more should keep your composure.
Otherwise, how will others respect you?
Help Her Highness take off her shoes.
Highness...
Qiuyue.
Allow me to take the penalty for Royal Noble Consort.
She is pregnant with Sire's child. It's too much for her.
If she were not pregnant,
she would have been thrown into jail.
Since you are so loyal,
you share her fate.
Take her shoes off as well.
Halt!
Qiuyue, take my shoes off for me.
I crossed the line. I should be punished.
Highness...
Now we are back in Tianjin, we should go to Yipin House.
Of course! It's gravy noodles is famous...
It was patronized by two emperors.
The First in the Land Kangxi A New Height Qianlong
The soul of gravy noodles is the gravy.
The gravy is of the right consistency, rich without being greasy.
It can't get any better than this.
Good!
The first in the land. It is so true.
No wonder Emperor Kangxi would endorse it.
The gravy indeed is neither too thick nor too thin. It's perfect.
What if I give the restaurant a plaque as well?
What do you think I should write on it?
What about the Greatest Honor?
It's patronized by Father and us.
Isn't it the Greatest Honor?
Yongxing, what do you think?
Father, what about...
Don't hem and haw.
What about Live up to Its Name?
So-so...
Yonglin, you have a better one?
Yes... I came, I saw...
What nonsense!
Yongyan, your turn.
A New Height.
Leader, here you are.
I was looking everywhere for you.
Leader, what should we do now?
Sire's mind is made up.
Opposing it will only ire Sire and lead to suppression.
If we want to survive, we can only do as he says,
As your former leader...
Leader, we have never crossed the line.
You are Sire's brother. Won't he cut us some slack?
We did keep him in the dark.
I really don't know if he'll let us off.
Qingyun Hall
Doukou, you've decided to leave. Why should you worry about Heshen?
It's of vital importance.
If Changdong is found, Heshen will have a way out.
This is the last time I helped him.
Reward
You guys check it out over there.
Report any suspicious people to me.
Yes.
Give me two.
Sold out.
Sold out?
What are these?
It's full! How outrageous...
Indeed...
Doukou, here we meet again.
Run...
Heshen? Heaven has eyes!
Gotcha!
Run...
There are wanted posters of you everywhere.
What did you go out for? You have a death wish?
What about you?
You knew Nayancheng wanted you.
Why showed yourself to him?
It's for you. I had no choice.
Or you would have been captured.
I did it for you too.
I bumped into Changdong.
Get him and your life can be saved.
What? You bumped into Changdong?
He's with the Canal Trade Gang.
I'll get him.
Leave him to me.
Nayancheng saw you.
You need to leave Tianjin.
No.
You must.
The longer you stay here, the more dangerous for you.
You want me to go.
You think I may meet Fu'en's fate.
It's because you had chosen to leave.
I don't cry over spilled milk.
You deserted me. Now leave me alone.
Let's make a clean break. Let's not meet anymore.
We are too entangled to have a clean break.
Are you really that heartless?
Yes.
If so, why should you keep the bracelet?
I can't forgive myself for the harm done to you.
I have no excuse to keep you beside me.
When I learned that you are linked to my family's demise,
I did think of going away.
Then I bumped into Changdong.
I couldn't help but to tail him.
I knew I could never put you behind.
My fate was set the day you gave me the silver nugget.
I shouldn't fight fate.
My life is yours.
Our fates are in our own hands.
I always believe I set my own fate.
You entrusted me with your life,
I will never let it go.
We go through thick and thin together. We live and die together.
Qingyun Hall
Who would have guessed it?
Our leader is a prince!
What's more, Sire would come here. I don't know if's it's good or bad.
Leader long meant us to pledge our loyalty to the court.
A courtier will be sent here to take over the gang.
Will Leader betray us to court Sire's favour?
If so, he has broken our rules.
The offender must pay with his life.
Guys, take it easy.
If it really is the case, Leader must have things all sorted out.
Let's wait till he's here.
Leader long meant us to pledge our loyalty to the court.
A courtier will be sent here to take over the gang.
Please, spare me.
If you want to live,
Take this string of coins and
go to Wanli Inn in Tianjin,
ask for Room Di2.
You will be slipped into the Canal Trade Gang to ride it over.
Then you will be put in a secluded place.
Shurong?
You aren't very meticulous, are you? It's worrying.
What happened?
I deserved it.
I killed my own trusted men to save my own skin.
If you lost your life, who would be left to avenge your brother?
For revenge, I became a disloyal coward!
Shurong, will you despise me?
If you were a disloyal coward,
you wouldn't be this remorseful.
I know you have not changed a bit
I'll be there by your side whatever your choices.
Shurong, I failed to protect you.
You died such a lonely death.
I am not lonely. You have me in your heart.
You feel sorry for me, you long for me, you cry for me.
Yongyan be the one dead, not you nor brother.
Just because he's the emperor, I am powerless to do anything.
I thought collusion with Heshen could topple Yongyan
Yet I ended up being a pawn between the two
I am useless, I really am useless...
You are a straightforward man.
As for them, one is cunning, the other ruthless.
You don't stand a chance.
Just let go.
It's too late to let go now.
There is always a way out.
You have your brother's and my blessings.
You will find a way out.
Take care.
Shurong...
Fuchang'an, come with me.
Are you sent by Heshen?
Get out of here first.
Come on.
Chiefs and brethren,
I've decided to pledge our loyalty to the court.
Our gang will be run by the court from now on.
Did you make this decision as Prince Yingxing or as our leader?
Either way, I have the survival of the gang in mind,
have your interest in mind.
The court is getting suspicious of us.
Accepting the court's offer is our only way out.
The court and Sire aren't getting suspicious of the gang,
it's you, Prince Yongxing.
Heshen?
You have the nerve to show up here?
Chiefs, this is my order!
Get traitor Heshen!
Canal Trade Gang members are all heroes.
The chiefs are perceptive.
They won't follow you blindly to be running dogs of the court.
Brethren, it has always been our position
that we neither side with nor against the court.
Why did Leader make this decision?
Was he being partial to the court?
I understand why you are wary of my identity.
But think back of all these years,
if I were not appointed by His Late Majesty as your leader,
you might have met the same fate of the White Lotus Sect.
Our gang too would have been suppressed.
But His Late Majesty is no longer around.
To Sire, your gang is too strong to his liking,
and it is under the command of you, Prince Yongxing.
If you harbor treasonous intent...
Heshen, you forced me to reveal my identity to Sire.
I made the decision for your sake only.
It's not for my own interest.
You offered the gang up to save your own skin.
The gang is expendable to you.
We cannot tolerate such a leader!
Remove him!
I concur... Remove him...
Your gang needs to elect a new leader.
This man should be able to take the gang to a new level.
Brethren, I propose Gu Chuan.
I concur...
I agree...
Brethren, I won't fail you.
Congratulations for having a new leader.
Leader Gu, congratulations.
Thank you.
Brethren, please sit.
Birds of a feather!
It's a setup!
Heshen, how cunning of you!
Sire, greetings.
You are all excused.
No leaving without my permission.
I will decide on the gang's fate.
Now I have a score to settle with Heshen.
Chase...
Chang Goong Goong, you have nowhere to run.
Qingyun Hall
Sire, I didn't know I meant so much to you.
You had to come all the way here.
Have you ever wondered how I knew your whereabouts?
Heshen, you can never escape the evil of your own doing.
What my evil?
I have seen the evils you have done though.
His Late Majesty, Gulun Princess Hexiao, Fu'en...
How many kin do you still want to take out?
What nonsense!
Your corruption gave Father a bad name!
If you had not faked death, Shuangshuang and Fu'en wouldn't have met such a fate.
You did them in!
A fish rots from the head down.
A country must weaken before others can humiliate it.
Sire, could I alone wreak such havocs?
Or it's your incompetency?
You don't have it to be a ruler.
Shut up!
I did nothing wrong.
You are the culprit.
You thought making Fuchang'an change side again could save your skin,
you could have the table turned.
This is reckoning time.
Coal and charcoal used in the palace
was supplied by the Works Ministry
and fell under the Imperial Household.
Hongluo charcoal is the premium grade.
It doesn't smell and is smokeless.
Only those at the top could have it.
Charcoal, then, reflected status.