Honorable Heshen has a boat prepared for you.
You'll be picked up once you get to the capital.
He still has me in mind at such at trying time,
it seems he has something for me to do.
My task is your rescue.
I know nothing beside it.
Search...
Yes...
I'm sorry...
White Lotus rebels here...
You betray me?
Go over there...
After him...
Day 23 of the Lunar Year
Fuchang'an, not a moment too soon.
Fuchang'an, kill Heshen.
Do it and what you have done will be forgiven.
You two have always seen me as your puppet.
My life is just a means to your end.
We figured it out.
To cease being a puppet,
I should kill the puppeteer.
It is the way to unshackle myself and be free.
You are right.
Kill your puppeteer here!
You don't have to kowtow to him anymore.
Just do it!
Don't let him manipulate you anymore.
I honor my words.
Kill this traitor.
I can guarantee nothing will happen to you.
Fuchang'an, don't be so naive.
He will not let you off.
He's found out your affair with Empress.
It's unforgivable.
He has long distrusted you.
You cuckolded him.
Will he suffer this humiliation?
Your only choice is to work with me.
Only by killing your puppeteer can you escape death.
Heshen, give your alienation trick a break.
I don't believe a word of it.
Fuchang'an, though you are a romantic man,
I know you would never cross the line.
Kill this traitor and you will become a hero to Qing.
You are guaranteed glory and fortune.
You think you can walk out here alive?
Why not?
I have you as my hostage.
I dare anyone to lay a hand on me.
You've committed adultery.
I can't wait to chop you and the slut into pieces!
A couple means the husband and wife are as one.
Shurong never bonded with you.
Sire, be quiet.
My digger recognizes no royalty.
Walk...
Protect Sire! Fight the fire!
Yes.
Get Heshen no matter what!
Don't let him escape!
Aye.
Sire, the entry is not in my handwriting.
You mean it's doctored?
Fuchang'an, do you know whose bracelet is it?
Father must have known about their affair.
He doctored the Imperial Diaries to cover Fuchang'an up.
Sire will not let you off.
He's found out your affair with Empress. It's unforgivable.
That's the truth!
Fuchang'an had the nerve to pull wool over my eyes!
Sire, grant me an audience.
Come in.
I came too late. Sire had a fright.
Please punish me.
How come you suddenly disappeared?
I caught sight of Doukou and Lin Gan.
I fell into Heshen's trap in my pursuit.
I was held captive.
Why did you manage to get away?
I managed to untie myself and killed Heshen's men after he left.
I rushed back to report to you.
Head up!
Heshen is cunning.
Don't let your guard down.
At ease.
Thank you, Sire.
How's the situation in Qingyun Hall?
Sire, the fire's put out.
Fuchang'an's body was found.
But it's burnt so badly it's undistinguishable.
What about Heshen the traitor?
I've searched everywhere. There's no sight of him.
He must still be in Tianjin.
Give my order. Impose curfew.
Conduct a door to door search.
Get Heshen no matter what!
Aye!
Prince Yi, how come you are here?
I got your letter.
You asked me to get you the transfer to Gansu from Sire.
You were already put behind bars when I got here to see you.
I had you watched or I couldn't have saved your life
It's you who saved me!
I was shot with an arrow. How come?
It's this that saved your life.
My mother left me this talisman!
Her spirit in heaven has been watching over me...
It's not easy to snatch you from the jaws of death.
Cherish your life...
Why should you risk so much to save me?
You can't be put in the dark anymore.
I saved you because of your true identity...
It's rumored that Fukang'an's your illegitimate son.
It's just a decoy?
The illegitimate son is Fuchang'an!
No wonder you are so partial to him.
I wronged him.
He couldn't be a prince.
I could only give him his due through bestowment.
It's thoughtful of you.
No way can his real identity be leaked during his lifetime.
It's my lifelong regret.
Please take good care of him for me.
Make sure that he can live his full life in comfort.
I won't fail you. It will be done.
His Late Majesty is my father?
Mother and he...
Your mother and I grew up together.
I will ensure your safety just for it alone
It's not possible! I don't believe it.
No? Check out your talisman.
You can see I am not lying.
Dews rolling on autumn lotus leaves are carefully poured into dainty dishes
Sire, what do these lines mean?
I wrote this poem for a soulmate who loves tea as much as I do,
and understands that the importance of water in tea brewing.
This soulmate collects dews on lotus leaves for tea brewing
and shares it with me.
Your soulmate sounds so much like Mother.
She too collects dews for tea brewing.
Your mother will go to such a length for a cup of good tea...
She indeed sounds very much like my soulmate.
I am sure she's a gentle woman with a sweet character.
Fuchang'an, be a filial son, get it?
Aye, Sire.
His Late Majesty told me about this poem before.
He said he wrote it for a woman he admired.
I had a burnt corpse dressed as you.
You are now dead to Sire.
Forget about the past.
Live your life as a recluse from now on.
Think about it.
You had always treated me as a son.
You in fact are my father.
It seems there's something in your mind.
I have a request.
Sire, please appoint me the suppression of rebellion.
Fuchang'an, how did you get your name?
Sire, it's bestowed by you.
Your name means longevity and safety, a life of ease and good fortune.
I know you care for the country
but your brother is known for his military success.
He'll come back victorious.
Now I understand.
Thank you for celebrating my birthday with me.
Year 2 of Jiaqing Era
I was racking my brain for a special birthday present for you
when this pot of premium wine was presented to me.
Let us drink till we are drunk.
You celebrated my birthday with me every year,
I can't be more honored.
Now we can drink with abandon together.
Isn't it a pleasure?
My toast to you!
Thank you, Your Majesty...
Your Majesty...
More...
Dews rolling on autumn lotus leaves are carefully poured into dainty dishes...
It's fate...
You reap what you sow...
You took a fatal step...
I shouldn't make another mistake...
I'll ensure your safety in future.
His Late Majesty kept it a secret all these years,
it's to ensure your safety.
Don't be mad at him.
Leave the capital.
Canal Trade...
Yongxing, talk to me on your feet.
It's not proper.
Sire, I had not been honest with you.
However, the Canal Trade Gang has always been loyal to you.
We harbored no treacherous intent.
Sire had a flight last night.
I am to blame.
You didn't start the fire.
Why should I blame you?
I failed to keep my men in line.
I was forced to pass my position by Heshen and the chiefs.
But I have found out who colluded with Heshen.
Gu Chuan, you colluded with Heshen.
You tried to prevent the gang from pledging our loyalty to the court.
You are our traitor!
Leader”
Sire, please forgive me taking out our traitor in your presence.
I can swear as the leader of the Canal Trade Gang.
We pledge our loyalty to the court.
Our members will carry out Sire's every order.
Our loyalty knows no bounds.
Yongxing, I don't know you are really loyal to me
or just trying to save your own skin.
To play safe, you will be locked up until we are back in the capital.
Sire...
Take him away!
Sire...
Canal Trade Gang chiefs, listen!
Pledge me your loyalty and the past will be forgiven.
I should reward you for maintaining water transport operation.
Taxation will be deducted.
You will be informed once I have decided on the new leader.
Thank you, Sire.
Long live Sire.
Doukou, please forgive me for leaving without saying goodbye.
I promised you I help you find your foe.
Your foe is now found.
Your revenge is your decision alone.
My part's done, I can leave with no regret.
Best wishes. Take care.
Lin Gan and I grew up together.
I don't know if we can meet again...
If it's in your destinies,
you two will meet again even if you two now are far apart.
Don't feel bad about it.
We will meet again.
Master, Changdong is locked up.
He's being tightly watched.
What should we do next?
We can't let Yongyan see him.
We need to throw him a false lead.
I've exposed myself.
Yongyan must have sent out people looking for us.
Tianjin is no longer safe.
We need to go back to the capital.
I need to see a man before I go.
Uncle Quan, you and Doukou take Changdong back to the capital.
I'll go back by another route.
But...
It's safer for us to split up.
We meet in the capital.
Be careful.
Halt!
What are you carrying?
The bodies of my late mother and brother.
My father and I are taking them home for burial.
They died of a freak illness.
Open it.
What happened?
I don't know either.
They suddenly fell ill.
Their bodies began to rot. It stank.
Do you want to check out my son as well?
No! We don't want to get infected.
Now go...
Thank you...
If you want to go back to the capital alive, play no tricks.
The Canal Trade Gang has pledged their loyalty to Sire.
You have nowhere to go anyway.
We just want you to talk.
Play no tricks. Or we'll chop your limbs off.
Money...
Pick them up...
Changdong...
Stop...
Tianjin
Father, help...
What do you want?
It's not just your son.
Your family are now my house guests.
If you want them to be safe, be smart.
Father, help...
For your family's safety, don't be rash.
Now go back to Sire and be his loyal subject for the time being.
Nothing suspicious. Let it go.
Royal Noble Consort may have made a mistake,
she is pregnant with Sire's child,
and she's Sire's favorite.
How come Consort Xian had such a nerve?
Unless... Sire's not in the palace.
Really?
So what?
Highness, greetings...
Highness, why is Sire not in the palace?
He left in secret, it must be about some secret.
He doesn't need you two's permission, does he?
No...
He put me in charge of the imperial harem before he left, so...
If it's Sire's arrangement, did he leave a written order?
What nerve!
Would I dare penalize Royal Noble Consort without Sire's authorization?
Highness, take it easy.
Who are you to disobey Sire's order?
Highness, please forgive her.
Concubine Ru was confused. She didn't mean it.
Please forgive me...
She didn't mean it...
It's my fault.
Highness, please forgive me.
It won't happen again.
Alright.
You've been a concubine for some time.
I let you off this time. Get up.
Thank you.
She has learned her lesson.
You are carrying Sire's child. Don't get upset.
Tell no one about Sire's absence.
I'll hold you accountable if it's leaked. Get it?
Yes...
Go back to your own chamber.
You are not allowed to see other concubines or consorts for the time being
Yes...
Highness, smart move indeed.
Grounding Consort Hua and Concubine Ru shows that you are now above others.
You've replaced Royal Noble Consort's position.
By suppressing Sire's absence,
no one can stop you from becoming the head of the imperial harem.
I need to take one person out first.
What happened?
Master...
Changdong escaped. It's careless of me.
Get him back no matter what.
Yes.
What about the palace?
Everything prepared as planned.
Are you injured?
No worry. A bit of scratch from walking too much in a pinching shoe.
Let me dress it for you.
Highness, it's lunch time.
Prince Yonglin has the vegan dishes prepared for you.
He's a filial son.
Though I am in the doghouse, he still cares about well being.
Lady Heshen?
Highness, greetings.
You have the nerve to come.
It must be about something important.
Please sit.
Thank you.
You look pale.
Highness, you live a quiet life here. That's why you look so good.
I spend my time praying for Qing. I have Buddha's blessing.
If so, Prince Yonglin will land on his feet
What do you mean?
I've got the news that Prince Yongxing is locked up.
Sire will soon direct his suspicion to Prince Yonglin.
Highness, you have to do something.
I am grounded here.
Though I worry about Yonglin, what can I do?
If you go back to the palace, you can help Prince Yonglin.
It's not so easy.
If you work with me, it can be done.
It suits you...
Thank you.
Let me buy it for you.
Great...
Madam Mei, you alright?
Uncle Quan...
You look pale. What happened.
It's the poison I took. My end is coming near.
Poison? Let me take you to a physician.
Don't bother.
The poison has no antidote.
It's granted by Sire and I took it on my own accord.
It's expected.
Sire forced you to tell Master's whereabouts?
I took it to gain Sire's trust.
It also bought me some time to facilitate my husband in secret.
I have to tell Master about it! He will have a way to save you.
Don't! I am a walking dead.
Telling him will only shake him.
Please, it's my deathbed wish. Don't ever let him know about it.
Aright, you have my word.
Thank you.
Madam Mei, what else can I do for you?
Prince Mianning, you still need to eat.
Royal Noble Consort has made you dumplings.
Eat them while hot.
Her dumplings are the best.
Please deliver it to Royal Noble Consort.
Right away.
Honourable Liu?
I am here to bid you and Gulun Princess Hexiao goodbye.
How very kind of you.
We may not meet again.
I wish you and Her Highness longevity and happiness.
Thank you.
Please forgive Her Highness. She can't thank you in person.
Imperial favor is transient.
There is no telling of Sire's heart.
Leaving here is a blessing in disguise.
I just want us two to get away from it all.
I'll take good care of her and grow old with her.
Other things are not for me and beyond me.
Tears from the parting sorrow, Stain my robe like drizzling rain.
Take care.
Let's go.
Milord...
Halt.
Shuangshuang, you alright?
Are we leaving the palace?
You aren't lying, are you?
I need to see it with my own eyes.
Shuangshuang, look,
we are out of the palace once we pass the gate.
Good... Let us get out of here.
Fu'en is waiting for us.
Sire arriving...
Sire...
At ease.
I know you two are leaving the palace.
I am here to bid you goodbye.
Thank you, Sire.
What is your plan?
We will seek a quiet village and spend our lives there.
We'll put political intrigues behind us.
Picking chrysanthemums on the eastern fence
with the Zhongnan Mount showing its face...
it's my ideal life too...
We must get out of here, we must...
If it helps you forget the unhappy past, don't regain sanity...
Don't go back in.
It's the ten courts of Hades.
It's the eighteenth circle of hell.
Every hall is filled with demons.
They are after me and Fu'en.
Don't go back in.
I must leave... I must...
I must leave...
No one can harm you again.
You have my word.
Xiaodezi...
This token will open every door for you.
Thank you, Sire.
Fengshen-Yinde, though she may never be her former self again,
she is always my favorite sister.
Take good care of her.
Come on...
Open the door...
Royal Noble Consort is ill.
It may affect the child she's carrying.
Open the door.
Get her an imperial physician.
Open the door...
Get her an imperial physician...
Try no more...
Yes, Highness...
Highness...
Don't bother.
The eunuchs outside must have been bought by Consort Xian.
They can't care less.
Highness, it's chilly at night.
You can't catch a cold.
Let me help you go back in.
Or your illness will get worse.
Highness...
Consort Xian, greetings.
It's said that you are not feeling well.
I am here to see you though it's already dark.
How very kind of you.
I am not feeling well.
I am in no position to receive visitors.
Please go back.
You look pale and you have a temperature.
You have a fever.
It's serious. I can't ignore it.
Come,
help Royal Noble Consort put it on.
Yes, Highness.
How come it's icy cold?
It's put out on the snow for hours.
It's a cure for fever.
It's a folk remedy.
Your temperature will go after wearing it for two hours.
My constitution is weak; I am pregnant.
I'm warned not to catch a cold.
How can I wear an icy cold fur cloak?
If I catch a cold, it may harm Sire's child
Can you be responsible?
Indeed, folk remedies are hearsays.
We should get Her Highness an imperial physician.
What nerve!
Are you saying I bear Royal Noble Consort ill intent?
Highness, delay treatment will harm Sire's child.
Come! Help Royal Noble Consort put it on.
No taking it off in two hours!
Yes.
What nerve!
Who are you to touch me?
Hold her!
Yes...
Highness...
Let go of me...
Highness...
Let go of me...
Stop!
Highness...
Sire...
Go away!
Ling'er... I came too late.
You've suffered.
Sire... You finally came to see me...
It's alright now...
Highness... You alright?
My belly... It hurts...
You are bleeding!
Keep my baby... no matter what...
Sire, take care.
Consort Xian is blessed.
The mother and child will be fine.
My child is no weakling... It will survive...
How's Consort Xian?
Serve Her Highness decoction.
Highness, take your decoction.
What's it?
Is my child alright?
Tell me, how's it?
Highness, you are still young.
You will bear Sire children in future.
Come on, take the decoction to cleanse blood clots.
Please...
No, I won't take it...
Highness...
No one can harm my child.
My child is fine...
Jingren Palace
Sire arriving...
Qiuyue
Sire, greetings...
At ease.
It's my fault.
Sire, don't be upset.
Please punish me.
It's not your fault. It's my fault.
I should be the one punished.
I am so useless...
Others had to clean up the mess for me every time.
Shurong cheated on me.
You and His Late Majesty hid it from me to spare me the humiliation.
Gulun Princess Hexiao left the palace in a daze.
She couldn't recognize me.
I did it to her...
This time around I failed to save my own child.
I am useless...
His Late Majesty picked the wrong successor
No! You have the mandate of heaven and the support of the people.
His Late Majesty picked the right man.
To me, you are always a good emperor and a good husband.
Ling'er, I wronged you too. Shouldn't you be mad at me?
Sire, you burnt the midnight oil for the country.
It's your style to be hands-on.
Your plates are already full.
I don't want to be your burden.
Sire, so long as you believe my loyalty,
I am willing to bear anything.
It's my good fortune to have you by my side
Sire, if you are willing,
I will share your weal and woe.
You have my word,
I won't let myself be hurt.
I'll do anything to protect our child.
I'll give you heirs to continue the family line.
I'll make sure our child is fine.
Sire, Prince Mianning is missing...
Listen! Find Prince Mianning no matter what.
I can't afford to lose another child!
Aye.
Sire, Prince Mianning is blessed.
He'll be fine. He'll be found.
Safety pendant was first created
by jade craft master Lu Zigang.
He's forte was pendants.
Safety pendants are oblong in shape
and simple in design.
It means safety and auspiciousness.
It never goes out of style.