Episode 31
This wine is good.
- What a weather. - Who are you?
May I know if Mr. Deng Ai works here?
We only have Ai Ai, the petty official here.
Who...
Who is looking for me? -Mr. Deng.
Mr. Zhong.
I read your essay about the agriculture system yesterday.
It's really enlightening.
It's a strategy that benefits both the country and the people.
Look at him. -I specially came today...
in order to learn more about it from you.
It's pointless. -Please listen to me.
You have a great potential to be unravelled.
How can we let the Rectification Board deny you?
Please come to my place and let my father read your essay.
My father will recommend you to the Secretariat.
But...
Who exactly are you?
What are you doing here if you have no business here?
If I tell you, it's like I'm bullying you.
So, it's better if you don't know.
Like I care. I'm going to bully you today.
Move. Don't stand there. -Go away.
Are you picking a fight? -Deng Ai!
Who is Deng Ai?
I... I am.
You're recommended by the Vice Censor-in-Chief.
I'm ordered to take you to the registration counter.
What's going on? -How would I know?
The Vice Censor... -Vice Censor-in-Chief, Sima Yi.
Do you know him?
L...
This man is so unbelievable.
Is there anything in this world he doesn't know?
Zhong Da, you're still here.
I happen to have something to discuss with you.
What happened to your face? -This one?
I knocked into something at home.
What about the one over here?
I knocked into another thing.
I bet it's caused by a disobedient wife.
Did your wife and concubine get into a fight?
My wife hit me.
It's a long story. She threatened to stab me.
That's ridiculous.
Zhong Da.
Do you need me to teach you a few tricks?
Brother Chang Wen, those tricks of yours...
will only work on your virtuous and docile Madam Xun.
If it's Zhang Chun Hua...
There's only one best way to handle women.
Touch her head and reason with her.
Reason with my wife? She's holding a sword.
That's easier. If she's violent...
touch her head. To touch her heart...
you need to be emotional first.
If necessary...
Zhong Da, aren't you usually very eloquent?
How come you can't persuade your wife?
I know. Why don't you...
take me home tonight? I'll talk to your wife personally.
Mr. Sima, we've just received the list of...
recommended candidates from Runan.
Leave it here.
Send the reviewed ones back. -Yes.
Zhong Da.
This time, the generals of Cao Family...
over 800 people.
I ordered to check their resumes...
and it turned out that most of them are illiterate.
How should we handle this matter?
Accept the resumes and let the Rectification Bureau filter...
strictly according to the criteria of...
background, character and capability.
Eliminate the incompetent ones.
If we strictly follow the system...
I'm afraid not many will make it.
How do we explain to the generals by then?
Brother Chang Wen, a small leak will sink a great ship.
Leniency will lead to a huge disorder.
The new policies will become meaningless in a few years.
How do we explain to the emperor by then?
You are right.
If the new policies can be implemented...
it's worth it even if I die of exhaustion.
Alright. Let's leave it at this.
We've to give the new policies some time.
Your family problem is the most urgent one now.
Zhong Da, take me to your place. I'll persuade your wife.
No. I...
I'll hide for a few more days.
I'll stay in our office.
Zhong Da, I can't handle your sad face.
Trust me. I'll use both emotions and logic to convince her.
A wife has to obey her husband, right? Trust me.
Today, I will conquer and return. -Really?
Yes. -I'll be troubling you.
Let's go.
Young Master Yi, ever since you left...
Madam Chun Hua hasn't had any food or drink.
Master, Young Master Fu...
and the two little young masters all persuaded her.
I tried my best as well. But, it didn't work at all.
Do you think Mr. Chang Wen can convince Madam Chun Hua?
He said that he will use both emotions and logic.
How's it at the western chamber?
I send them whatever they want to eat.
They are eating well. - Did they come over?
Yes, twice. They were scolded and told to leave.
Madam Chun Hua, you don't have to see me off.
I'm fine.
Is it wrong to obey your husband?
It didn't go well?
I finally managed to talk some sense into her.
That's not enough. She hasn't eaten for a day.
You need to persuade her to eat. -She hasn't eaten for a day?
That's not convincing at all.
It's true. -Chang Wen.
You must finish your work.
You need to get it done at one ago. Conquer and return.
It's impossible. I've never seen a woman like this.
I haven't said much and she started attacking me.
I'm leaving.
Young Master Yi, are you not going to go in?
Bring food to her every day and keep an eye on Ms. Bai.
Yes. -Am I disfigured?
No. You're fine. -Luckily, I dodged fast.
It's right to obey your husband. -Yes.
Right. -You're lucky...
she wasn't holding anything. Look at this.
She hurled things at me. - I feel so sorry for you.
Zi Ye! -Brother Ai.
What happened? Why are you so happy?
Thanks to you, I got recommended.
I'm a candidate for a government position now.
Really? That's great.
Let go of my daughter!
Stupid brat! Let go of my daughter!
Stupid brat! Come back!
Mrs. Sima, I heard from Housekeeper Hou that...
you haven't eaten anything for days.
I was very sickly when I was little.
My mother would always make me a few dishes from our hometown.
I made a few dishes for you to try.
Mrs. Sima, please take care.
Thank you. But, no thanks.
I know that you love Mr. Sima very deeply.
But, aren't you worried about hurting Mr. Sima?
Mr. Sima is busy with his work lately.
I can help him.
For this alone, can't you compromise?
Are you saying that your existence in this family...
won't do harm to him?
I've been his wife for more than 20 years.
All these years...
I've been treading on thin ice.
Being his wife isn't just about taking care of this family.
More importantly, it's about protecting him from danger.
I know that I can't make decisions for him.
I also know that...
I can't stop you from staying in Sima Family.
But, I can at least...
make decisions for myself.
Mr. Sima, are you willing to sacrifice...
Mr. Sima's future and even his life for that?
I'm not asking anyone to sacrifice anything...
and I know what I'm doing.
Don't worry. I'm not threatening anyone.
Thank you.
I'm tired.
Father.
What are you doing here? -You haven't returned for days.
I can only come here to see you.
Father, do you plan to hide here forever?
I'll go back when your mother cools down.
I think it's a bad idea to keep on hiding like this.
It won't solve any problem.
Tell me your good, average and bad ideas then.
Of course it is best if you and mother work together...
to please this woman...
so that she is happy to be a member of our family.
How do we make her feel happy to be a pan of us?
That'll depend on you.
This is between a man and a woman. Besides...
you're good at lobbying. If you can win her over...
she'll say good things about you to the emperor.
What's the average idea? - The average idea is to...
let her live separately from mother...
with zero interaction.
It's just that it'll be tough for you.
You've to please both of them at the same time.
What's the bad idea? -The bad idea?
The bad idea is to hide like this...
and ignore the mess at home. You'll regret it.
Why will I regret it?
Mother hasn't eaten anything for 4 days.
And what are you doing now? -|...
You and your pathetic ideas.
Do you want to let your mother starve to death?
Father, isn't this what you're waiting for?
So, what kind of idea is this?
The best idea you cannot disclose to outsiders.
Mother, please take a bite.
At this rate, you'll collapse.
I'm not eating. -Mother.
Mother, father is back. -Father.
Chun Hua, are you alright?
Mother, please cool down.
You can't blame it entirely on father.
This is between me and your father.
It has nothing to do with the two of you.
Shi Er, take your brother out.
Please comfort mother.
Father, we're counting on you.
It's been hard on you. -Even if you didn't remind me...
I'd do the same. I'll protect my own...
family and husband.
My dear, everyone in our family is clever.
There is a difference between being clever and stubborn.
We try to be clever in order to make life better.
If you starve yourself...
and fall sick in order to oust her...
you're just being stubborn.
You just have to put up an act in front of outsiders.
Eat something.
If necessary...
will you use your clever tricks to make her stay too?
I'm not acting with you.
I've thought about it. If she really stays with us...
I'll never be able to live on properly.
I'd rather die of starvation now.
My dear, I struggled for so many years...
in order to protect my family.
If you die...
I'll kill myself. To me...
the emperor's order isn't as impoflant as you.
Sometimes, I wish you're still the ordinary scholar back then.
I wish we never came to Xudu or Yecheng...
and got involved in all these conflicts.
I'm still the same old Zhong Da.
For 20 years, we supported each other...
unconditionally as a couple. There's nothing we can't overcome.
Mrs. Sima. Mr. Sima.
I can't afford to hurt neither you nor Mrs. Sima.
I shall go to the emperor right away...
and say that I don't want to stay here...
since I'm a bother anyway. It's just a waste of my time.
I'll bear all the consequences on my own.
Mrs. Sima, please eat and take good care of your body.
Good bye.
This is what being clever means.
Please wait while I see her off.
I'm actually quite envious of Mrs. Sima...
"because she has a husband like you.
If I were her, I'd also be willing to...
risk my life to protect my husband.
Jealous women are as fierce as tigers.
It's been unfair to you.
You should think of how to deal with the emperor...
and the noble generals.
The Nine-Rank System is being implemented...
and there are people who are up to no good.
Your success in life will be determined by this.
Angering the emperor at a time like this...
is really bad for you.
You're far-sighted. Thank you for the reminder.
Mr. Sima, you act very well.
Please don't overthink. Me and my wife...
are not Zhou Yu and Huang Gai. Besides...
my family has no warship to burn.
You don't have to say so much.
I've only planned to be your helping hand.
Take care.
Helping hand?
You're just a prettier version of Jiang Gan.
Close the door.
She really left? -Yes.
This is what being clever means.
No. It's your persistence.
She really left?
Will Cao Pi spare you?
A man like His Majesty...
won't give up so easily. - What else does he want from us?
Must he destroy our family?
He wants to rule the world.
He doesn't care about our family's happiness.
But, at least we made it through this one.
He once said that if...
if I don't marry Bai Ling Yun, he'll...
What? -He'll make me divorce you.
What do you plan to do?
What do you think?
Divorce me then. I already gave birth to two sons for you.
I don't need any title. But, even if you divorce me...
you can't marry that woman.
I won't marry that woman. Even if I divorce you...
I'll still live with you until the end of my life.
What can he do to me? My dear, it's my last resort...
to divorce you.
So be it.
Let's eat. -Alright. Let's eat.
Hou Ji! -Coming, Young Master Yi!
How may I help you? - Chun Hua wants to eat.
Madam Chun Hua wants to eat? Thank god.
I'll prepare food right away. -Wait.
Chun Hua hasn't eaten anything for days.
Remember to serve some soup first.
Alright. Don't worry.
Thank god.
Scoundrel!
Xuan Er got this name list from the Secretariat today.
I was shocked too after looking at it.
Even I know that Sima Yi is going against us...
I didn't expect him to be so arrogant and bold...
was to eliminate almost all the 800 people we recommended.
Only a few got accepted.
On the other hang, over 80 students from...
the Imperial Academy got accepted.
Right. Look.
Zhong Yads son, Zhong Hui, is in the upper class.
Sima Yi is clearly using the country's...
"system of recruitment...
was a way to curry favour and build his clique.
He's too arrogant!
Zi Dan.
Should we inform the emperor about this?
It's impossible to win against Sima Yi...
in an argument in front of the emperor.
Fine. In this case...
we don't have to take action personally.
Didn't he eliminate 800 people?
We'll let these people go to Sima Yi.
Let Sima Yi explain to them one by one.
These people will wreck the Secretariat.
But, if it turns bitter... - Bitter? That's what we want!
If it turns bitter, we'll watch from the sidelines.
Greetings, Your Majesty.
Do you contact that sister of yours very often?
We occasionally meet to talk about family affairs.
We never talk about politics or palace affairs.
Family affairs? Have you heard of...
what happened in her family lately?
A little.
This sister of yours is quite mean.
She even ousted the concubine I gifted my official.
Your Majesty, it's true that...
my sister is a little ill-tempered.
But, she went through so much with Brother Yi over the past 20 years.
She only wants a marriage with loyalty.
Please be forgiving.
A marriage with loyalty?
When Zhuo Wen Jun learnt that...
Sima Xiang Ru wanted a concubine...
she wrote the "Song of White Hair" to lament.
Sima Xiang Ru then realised his mistake...
and reunited with Zhuo Wen Jun. So much sadness is hidden in this.
The deed praised far and wide...
is just a lie. Do you actually believe it?
Of course I believe it. "I wish for a faithful love...
where we will not be apart until death.“
When you jumped into my embrace back then, did you...
think of becoming a praised figure in history?
Back then, I thought that it is an honour even if...
I will get into trouble with you...
and become another regret in history.
I'll make you a praised figure then.
You're an imperial consort now.
You've the right to manage wives of officials.
Go back and persuade your sister to accept Bai Ling Yun.
Your Majesty, please retract your order.
My sister gave all her affection to her husband.
She can't accept it.
Your Majesty, it's been 20 years.
Do you still doubt Brother Yi's loyalty?
Heads change. It is like how I originally...
did not suspect your loyalty. -You mean...
you suspect my loyalty now?
I just issued a decree...
to restrain relatives of the royal family...
and my favourite consort takes sides with her family...
while my most impoflant subject is henpecked.
Yet, you ask me if I trust you at a time like this.
Are you taking our discussion lightly?
Are you going to defy the emperor's order?
Both Your Majesty and Sister Chun Hua...
are equally impoflant to me.
I can't harm my sister for my own interest.
Please punish me.
Stand up!
I've indulged you all.
As a result, all of you are so egoistic.
Can you really take the punishment?
Defiance is a serious offense.
Can you really take the spanking and whipping?
Shi Chun. -Yes.
Your Majesty.
Consort Guo is guilty of going against me.
From today onwards, she'll reflect in the Cold Palace.
Deliver my order to Sima Family.
I want Zhang Chun Hua to bring Bai Ling Yun back immediately.
If she refuses to obey my order...
there's no need to kill her.
Just let Sima Yi divorce her.
Yes. Let Sima Yi divorce her to fix his family's problem.
Your Majesty, you only have to punish me alone.
If you have the guts, you must also take responsibility.
I'm done talking to you. -Your Majesty!
Your Majesty!
Consort Guo, you know the emperor's personality.
You shouldn't anger him.
Ah Weng, please save my sister.
This is going to get my sister killed.
Consort Guo, please take care. I'll do my best.
Consort Guo, you're so clever. Don't you understand?
The emperor is afraid of being threatened by him in the future.
That's why he chose to issue the order today.
Today? Why today?
I'm going to deliver the order.
Ah Weng!
Brother Yi, don't be nervous or scared...
when you meet those impoflant officials.
Just talk slowly and you won't stutter.
Just imagine them as me and you can speak properly.
They aren't as tall and pretty as you.
Zi Ye, I'm going off. -Go.
Let's go! The Secretariat is conducting a repeat test today!
Let's demand for an explanation from Sima Yi!
Demand for an explanation! -Let's go!
Demand the court to punish Sima Yi the corrupted official!
Let's demand for an explanation from Sima Yi!
Ms. Bai.
Please wait here while I present the decree.
Eunuch Shi, please don't give Mr. Sima a hard time.
Don't worry. You know that Mr. Sima is a clever person.
Ms. Bai, please wait for me here.
Eunuch Shi.
Mr. Sima, where are you heading to?
I'm going to the office of the Secretariat.
You need to accept the emperor's decree first.
Please come in.
Hou Ji, prepare a table. -Yes.
Yes. -That's unnecessary.
It's an oral decree.
The emperor won't get the Secretariat to issue a decree...
for a trivial matter like this.
Mr. Sima, if it's written black and white in a decree...
you'll be embarrassed.
It's easy for the emperor.
But, it took me one morning to memorise it.
I'm so tired. Tell Mrs. Sima to come quickly.
She is involved in this matter.
Hou Ji. -It's alright. I'm here.
I've been expecting you, Eunuch Shi.
Don't go.
Don't go in. -Since it's an order for us...
I'll accept it.
Mrs. Sima, you're a clever person.
Must you be so stubborn?
You don't have to persuade me. Just tell us the emperor's order.
Alright. Sima Yi, Vice Censor-in-Chief...
and wife, Zhang Chun Hua, kneel before the emperor's order.
“The virtues of women are emphasised in poetry.“
"Respect and filial piety reflect a woman's manners."
"A disobedient wife is like a treacherous subject."
"It is the collapse of morality."
"Zhang, the wife of the Vice Censor-in-Chief...
is arrogant, unreasonable and dominant in the family."
"Sima Yi shall give his wife a light punishment...
and Zhang shall treat her husband's concubine well."
"if Zhang refuses to correct herself...
she may be divorced."
My throat got so dry from saying all that.
Mr. Sima, give me some water.
Hou Ji. -Yes. Please wait.
I'll go at once. -You didn't have to memorise.
You just have to say that...
the emperor wants my husband to divorce me...
who is deemed lacking in virtues...
if I don't accept that woman.
Am I right?
I've long heard that Mrs. Sima is very blunt.
The rumour is true.
The emperor is actually doing the two of you a favour.
Can't you tell? Mrs. Sima, please cut it out.
Just accept that woman and treat her well...
just like how Zhuang Jiang treated Chen Dai Wei in the past.
You're already the official wife. The bond is strong.
No one can steal your husband's affection.
You shouldn't let others call you a jealous woman.
It is mentioned in the emperor's order that...
there is honour and faith in a marriage.
What is honour and what is faith?
It is honour to support each other.
It is faith to unite our heads and one minds.
Since our heads and minds are one...
my head is the same as his.
So, none of us is superior to the other.
I want his love and not his fondness.
If marriage means that I must compromise unconditionally...
and gladly allow him to take in concubines...
I'd rather give it up. -You...
We want the Secretariat to explain!
Explain!
Explain! -Tell Sima Yi to come out!
Come out! -ls your new policy...
for the country's interest or for your personal interest?
Your personal interest! - Tell Sima Yi to explain!
Tell Sima Yi to explain! - What should we do?
This...
Mrs. Sima, is there any other wife out there...
who dares to stop her husband from having concubines?
What kind of wife are you? - We're doing very well.
Our family business is none of the emperor's concern.
I can't believe His Majesty is interfering...
in his subject's romantic relationship.
What kind of emperor is he?
Mrs. Sima, you can't say that.
You'll be guilty of a capital offense.
I'm not afraid. -Say no more, my dear.
I've brought some water.
Please help yourself. - I'm not in mood to drink.
Mr. Sima, say something.
I, Vice Censor-in-Chief, Sima Yi...
obey the emperor's order. -That's right.
Mr. Sima is wise indeed.
In this case, let Ms. Bai come in.
I obey the emperor's instruction.
Since my wife won't allow Ms. Bai to enter the family...
I shall...
divorce Zhang Chun Hua.
This... -Yes.
This should satisfy the emperor.
Mr. Sima, you know the emperor better than me.
Don't you know the emperor's intention?
How do I explain to the emperor?
Please tell the truth. I obey His Majesty's order.
Thank you, Your Majesty. -You...
You all are so foolish.
I can't believe it came to this. -Don't worry, father.
Brother Yi isn't serious. - Mother will still be...
Sima Family's mistress. No one can bully her.
Can't you see that mother is pleased?
Our parents have pride.
Enough. Say no more.
Good job. Now that he has divorced me...
the emperor should be happy.
How foolish. -ls Zhong Da done?
Uncle, you're here too. Shu Da is here as well.
Is Zhong Da done receiving the emperor's order?
Yes. -You're done. Come with me.
Hurry. Come with me quickly. The Secretariat is surrounded...
by hundreds of scholars we eliminated.
Really? -Hurry.
They said that we chose Zhong Hui...
for personal interest. They want an explanation from us.
Let's go.
Mr. Chen, you finally came.
It's true that he has received the order.
But, he'd rather divorce his wife...
than let Ms. Bai enter his family.
Please persuade him.
Sister Chun Hua. Zhong Da.
Is that true?
How can we take the emperor's order lightly?
But, how can you do this? -What is this?
It's like anyone at all...
can interfere in the matter of our marriage.
Sister Chun Hua, you can't say that.
Zhong Da devoted his life to the country.
So, his family affairs aren't just family affairs.
They are state affairs as well. Please be considerate of Zhong Da.
Obeying the husband...
I dare not ask of you to obey your husband again.
But, this...
A woman should take care of her husband and children, right?
What does it mean to take care of one's husband?
You should assist Zhong Da like how Zhong Da assists the emperor.
Having another woman to take care of Zhong Da...
is like having your own assistant general.
She can even chat with you when you're bored.
Isn't this a wonderful... - Chat about what?
Zhong Da and I have been married for so many years.
Have I ever let him starve or suffer in the cold?
Why do I need an outsider to serve him?
Zhong Da, have I ever mistreated you?
My dear, I'm only greatly indebted to you.
Without you...
this home won't be a home.
Yes.
So, Mr. Chen and Eunuch Shi...
for my wife, I cannot marry Ms. Bai.
Brother Chang Wen and Eunuch Shi...
please report to the emperor as it is.
Eunuch Shi. -This... Look at this.
The emperor is perceptive indeed.
The emperor said that...
if both of us fail to persuade you all...
we can take out the second decree.