Episode 38
You finally came to see me.
I came to appeal on behalf of Consort Zhen.
This case is fishy.
Please investigate. Do not be swayed by emotions.
You want to poke your nose in my family business?
The emperor has no privacy.
Moreover, this matter involves the eldest prince.
Your Majesty must be cautious.
Too bad. It's too late.
I've ordered to send poison wine to the Cold Palace.
I don't want Rui Er to see it. -Your Majesty!
Do you know what you are doing to the eldest prince?
Your Majesty once said to the late emperor that...
competition between brothers jeopardizes the state.
Are you going to repeat...
the mistakes of Yuan Shao and Liu Biao?
How dare you! -I must be honest.
Your Majesty, think about it carefully.
Who will benefit from Consort Gou's miscarriage?
Consort Zhen's son is the heir apparent!
Why would she need to take the risk to harm Guo Zhao?
She'll only get herself and her son into trouble!
This is a cruel scheme to kill two birds with one stone!
They can kill Consort Zhen and harm Guo Zhao at the same time!
If Your Majesty grants Consort Zhen death...
the culprit will achieve his or her objective!
Does the emperor really want me dead?
Consort Zhen.
I am forced to do this as well.
Please...
drink this wine.
Ah Weng, please help me to pass a message to the emperor.
When I'm gone...
please treat Rui Er and Dong Xiang well.
You may leave.
"In the nearby pond grows the rush"
"The leaves appear to me so thick and lush."
"In men's eyes, I am well-blessed like the rush."
"But I discern it better than the rest."
"As groundless gossip even melts the gold."
"We are torn apart before we grow old."
"Ever since I lost favour with you...
I have often sat alone in woe and rue."
Consort Zhen!
There's something I must say.
This cup of wine... -Summon the imperial physician!
Your Majesty. -Summon the imperial physician!
Your Majesty! Wait! -Summon the imperial physician!
Wait! Your Majesty! I deserve death!
There's no poison in the wine!
Your Majesty, Consort Guo ordered me to change the wine.
She said that she will explain to you.
I believe that we should protect the eldest prince...
and investigate the case of Consort Guo's food poisoning.
You changed the wine?
Good job!
Your Majesty, if it makes you feel better...
I will drink it even if it is poison wine.
Why did you stop me from poisoning her?
If you wrong her, you will miss her forever...
"because of regret.
You might even hate me.
I'd rather die...
than be hated by you.
If I can no longer bear a child...
you are the only one left in my life.
When peace is restored across all lands...
I must travel with you.
We will admire the mountains and rivers.
I will take you to my hometown...
to taste the sugarcane there.
That is the sweetest thing ever.
I'm most envious of the trust between you...
and Sima Yi as well as others like Wu Zhi.
You once said this to me in your letter.
"Floating sweet melons in the clear fountain."
"Dunking crimson plums in its cold waters."
"When the bright sun had gone into hiding...
we carried on by the glow of the moon."
"Sharing a single carriage or driving side by side...
we were off to outings at the inner gardens."
I felt very upset at that time.
I can only stay in this royal harem.
I cannot share your sadness and happiness.
Those unconscious happiness, yearning and sadness...
are feelings I haven't felt for a long time.
Every day, I think of...
realizing my father's last wish as soon as possible.
But, I've forgotten...
what that person called Cao Pi is living for...
outside of being the emperor.
I don't know if I still have a chance...
to experience the happiness of the good old days with you again.
You will. There will be a chance.
Did you sleep well? -Your Majesty.
In my humble opinion...
Consol1 Zhen must be framed. -Enough! Say no more!
Everything went as you wish again. Don't worry.
Consort Guo is feeling much better now.
I'm only left with a few people by my side today.
I will treat them well.
I was just too angry and sad earlier.
I lose my composure whenever Zhen Fu is involved.
I know who did it. - Your Majesty is wise...
careful and a great conqueror in the future.
Your Majesty must consider the eldest prince's feelings.
Beat the drum in the palace and the sound travels far beyond.
This conflict that seems to be a current issue...
actually started from my father's reign.
Someone is already trying to target the crown prince.
Are you going to leave?
Your Majesty.
When my father was alive...
he did not enjoy even a moment of peace.
L...
am a bad son.
Peace? Our fathers did not enjoy that.
Let alone us.
Aren't we working on restoring peace for the next generation?
Do you intend to let me fight alone...
in this war not known by the future generation...
or fight alongside me?
Think about it.
Ms. Ling Yun, he came.
My dear.
My dear, did you bring up the matter of the crown prince...
when you met the emperor?
I only told His Majesty to consider Prince Rui's feelings.
The culprit isn't targeting Consort Guo...
or Consort Zhen. Prince Rui is the real target.
Everyone knows that the emperor favours Cao Li.
But, he's only less than 3 years old.
If he ascends the throne...
he'll surely need the nobles' assistance.
Someone has started planning. My dear, you must plan as well.
Yes. At a time like this, Wei cannot afford to be...
put through a competition for heirship.
Cao Rui is the eldest. He is also very studious.
Appointing him stabilizes the political situation...
and makes way for the new policies. What do you think?
I only know that Shi Er is a fighter...
while Zhao Er is a strategist.
I can only take care of my own sons.
As a court official, I can't poke my nose in...
the emperor's family business...
or attempt to read the emperor's mind. What say you?
Yes. Officials involved in the competition for heirship...
all ended up in misery. Take the latest case for example.
Because of Cao Zhi...
Ding Yi was punished with familial extermination.
"No thought for the future leads to trouble close at hand."
My dear, you need to make plans in advance.
You're right. I'll keep that in mind.
I'm going back to my room.
Xiao Yuan, did you draw this?
What's wrong? -You draw well.
Our lady can draw even better. -That's good.
Ms. Ling Yun, the master isn't straightforward at all.
He always says things indirectly. -This man...
is too cautious because...
he is always surrounded by dangers.
Let's go.
Your Majesty, I don't understand what you mean.
He's your friend.
Don't you know him? -What did he do...
to deserve such punishment?
Drag him out and behead him.
Drag him out! -Yes!
Your Majesty, what are you doing?
What does this have to do with me?
"What does this have to do with me?"
Let me tell you the answer now.
Your Majesty! I'm sorry! Please forgive me!
Your Majesty, she is the daughter of Duke of Shanyang.
If you kill her, the historians...
will criticise you. Your Majesty must not kill her.
Your Majesty, please calm down.
Your Majesty.
Guards. Send her to the Cold Palace. Lock her room.
Just leave a hole to feed her. -Hurry!
Let go of me! Your Majesty! I want my father!
Let go of me! I want my father!
Let go of me!
L...
spared your life only because of Liu Xie.
Your Majesty, what about her sister?
Send her back to Shanyang. Give her a land of 500 households.
She may continue to be a princess. -Yes.
Ah Wang.
Your Majesty. -I'm aware that she's innocent.
I don't want to ruin her life.
Find a good husband for her in the future.
Your Majesty is compassionate.
This word is read as "mother".
Have you memorised it, Li Er?
Your Majesty.
Mother.
Your Majesty, this... -Do you like it?
If you like it, reply him.
Your Majesty, I can't do this. -Why?
Don't you love children? He's only 3 years old.
If you raise him from now, when he grows up...
he'll treat you like his real mother.
That's not what I meant. I know that...
Your Majesty wishes to make my child the crown prince.
But, he's only 3 years old.
We shouldn't let him get involved in this conflict.
The mother of the crown prince is the empress...
the future empress dowager...
and the person who will be buried with me.
Don't you want this? - Of course I wish to...
stay by Your Majesty's side forever.
But, I'm no longer young. I don't want to experience...
all the deaths, parting and dirty tricks anymore.
More importantly, I don't want your love for me...
to affect the new policies.
Please be understanding.
Come, Li Er. Come to your aunt.
Call me "auntie". -Auntie.
What a good boy.
Does it hurt?
Promise me that you won't do this again.
I'll protect you. This won't happen again.
Good boy, Rui Er. Rui Er, when you went to Sima Yi...
did he look afraid or try to reject you?
No. After learning that you were in trouble...
he rushed over without taking off his mourning clothes.
He's a loyal official. I'll repay him in the future.
Rui Er, I want to meet Sima Yi once more.
Can he take me out?
Mother, he is an external official.
Father won't let you leave the palace.
You can just let me pass the message for you.
It concerns something very impoflant.
It's something even more impoflant than my life.
I need to say it to him personally.
You're the cleverest child.
I'm sure you can think of something for me, right?
Mother, wait for a moment.
Give me a pack of candied dates. -Alright.
Thank you. -You're welcome.
Mother, try this. This is my favourite snack.
It's tastier than the one in the palace. Is it tasty?
You can have all.
Mother, since Sima Yi is surely still in his office...
why don't we shop around first?
The capital has changed a lot in the past few years.
The population increased and people have become wealthier.
I heard it's all thanks to Sima Yi's new policies.
I'm glad that you're concerned about the people.
Mother, I know a stall that sells tasty dried persimmon.
Let's go and try it. -Rui Er.
There are too many people here. Let's leave quickly.
Alright.
Mr. Sima!
Greetings, Prince Rui. Greetings, Consort Zhen.
Mr. Sima, please rise. -I dare not.
Consort Zhen, you are an imperial consort.
You shouldn't leave the palace without permission.
I know that this is a crime.
But, at this point, I must take the risk today.
Rui Er, aren't you thankful to Mr. Sima...
for saving my life?
Kowtow to him on behalf of me. - That won't do, Consort Zhen.
Mother, he is my subject. -Kneel.
Thank you for saving my mother. - I don't deserve this at all.
Please rise, Prince Rui.
Zhao Er. -Sister Hui, you won't...
tell others what you saw, right?
Of course I won't.
Zhao Er, I'm your brother's wife.
I won't betray Sima Family.
Please rest assured.
You didn't see anything.
You're hurting me.
Rui Er, I need to talk to Mr. Sima.
Wait for me outside.
Prince Rui, please stay close.
Mr. Sima. -Yes, Consort Zhen.
You are extremely clever.
You should know why I took the risk to come out.
The emperor made Cao Li Consort Gu0's foster mother.
I have no choice but to come and beg you.
Consort Zhen, Consort Guo won't be your enemy.
I know. But, the emperor hates me.
He takes out his frustration on Rui Er...
"because he hates me.
So, I must meet you and entrust Rui Er to you personally.
I beg of you. You once...
made the emperor the crown prince.
Please save Rui Er this time.
Please rest assured. I will surely do my best...
to assist and protect the eldest prince.
I understand that there must not be another...
competition for heirship in Wei.
Consort Zhen.
I want you to make an oath with me.
No, Consort Zhen!
On the way to your residence...
I saw...
peace and prosperity in the streets.
I hope that...
you can assist Rui Er well and make him...
a crown prince...
who loves the people.
If that can be done, I...
will die with no regret.
I will surely do my best...
to assist and protect Wei's future...
".
Ms. Ling Yun, I found out something.
Speak. -I saw Consort Zhen.
Consort Zhen?
Where? -Here.
Consort Zhen is an imperial consort. She won't come.
You must have made a mistake. -It's true.
She dressed up as a eunuch.
I can tell from her demeanour. I'm sure it's Consort Zhen I saw.
In fact, Duke of Qi is here as well.
Prince Rui came too?
I heard it clearly. Master promised Consort Zhen...
to make Prince Rui the crown prince.
Ms. Ling Yun, you can't be soft-headed at a time like this.
It's a capital offense to meet an imperial consort in private.
Moreover, they are plotting for the...
position of the heir to the throne. No.
I'll inform the emperor now. -Xiao Yuan, come back.
Sit down.
What we say is decisive. We need to be extra careful.
Else, the smallest mistake will cause not just the...
extermination of Sima Family, but even...
bloodshed in the political scene. Understand?
What should we do now? -Let me think.
Your Majesty, you... What brought you over?
All beneath the sky belongs to the royal family.
Isn't the palace my home? Am I not supposed to be here?
No. I'm just surprised to find Your Majesty here.
It's just that I haven't come...
for a long time. -I don't even remember...
when was the last time Your Majesty came.
So, you want to look around outside of the palace?
After escaping death...
I suddenly yearned to see the world outside.
I made Rui Er take me out. Please punish me alone.
Don't punish Rui Er.
See the world outside?
Did you see anything different?
I saw everything I've never had in my life.
Loving couples, happy families...
and ordinary but peaceful lives.
Everything you've never had.
Are you saying that you've never loved me?
What about Your Majesty?
Have you ever loved me?
I liked you before. It was since the first time...
you ran into my arms.
Your hair was this long as well.
But, you stopped loving me since our wedding.
I haven't been able to figure it out.
Why do you hate me so much?
If you don't love me, why did you marry me back then?
Don't you know?
This question has tortured me for 16 years.
Please tell me...
what I did wrong. -It's been 16 years.
Both of us have lost our youth.
You're a clever person as well. Why can't you tell?
My father married you to me...
"because he knew that Zi Jian likes you.
He wanted to make Zi Jian hate me and compete for heirship with me.
It turned out that...
I've only lived as a pawn of resentment.
Why did you save me back then?
Why didn't you let me die?
Why did you let me fall into the hands of Cao Family...
and live so miserable for so many years? Why?
It's been 16 years. Yet, our relationship...
hasn't changed at all.
If you would say this to me the night we got married...
16 years ago, we wouldn't be in this state now.
I know that you don't love me anymore.
Can we at least give each other some respect?
You know it better...
how terrible a competition for heirship is.
My life has been ruined. I beg of you.
Please don't ruin our son's life. I beg of you.
You're not the only one with a ruined life.
Young Master Yi, you're still awake.
I can't sleep.
People in this house are all getting sleepless.
Apart from the two of us...
who else is sleepless? - When I was walking over...
I saw Madam Ling Yu sitting by the pond.
It's so late already.
I'm surprised she has the mood to admire the moon.
I don't think she's admiring the moon.
She's missing you.
It's been so long since she moved in.
Yet, she sleeps alone every day.
I don't think it's good if this goes on.
I have no say in this.
Why don't you talk to Chun Hua?
I dare not. Madam Chun Hua might scratch me.
Madam Chun Hua is so scary.
I think the two in the western chamber are scary too...
especially that girl sewing Madam Ling Yun.
She eavesdrops.
Did she eavesdrop...
in the afternoon...
when I was in the main hall? -Yes.
Hou Ji. -Yes.
Help me to keep an eye on her.
Don't let her leave this house. -Young Master Yi.
I can monitor her if she is in the house.
But, I can't stop her from going out to buy stuffs.
You can follow her.
Follow her when she goes out...
and find out who she interacts with.
Understand? -Yes.
Where are they?
You're done practising? -Yes.
It's late and cold. Why are you still awake?
The moon is bright and it is a cold, but beautiful night.
When I see my man, should I not feel at ease?
I suddenly feel very emotional.
I can't sleep. My dear, why are you awake as well?
Today...
I obtained too much information. So, I can't sleep.
What is the matter causing your insomnia?
The new policies.
You really work hard for the country.
Fortunately, we are beginning to see success...
in the new policies.
Everyone says that you saved the country...
and that you are the Lord Xinling of the era.
Lord Xinling betrayed his king...
and fled Wei. He was an unfaithful subject.
Ms. Ling Yun.
You compared me...
to the wrong person.
You reminded me that...
Lord Xinling's biggest misdeed...
was not his flight from Wei.
It was his conspiracy with the king's favourite consort