Episode 42
Pass me my sword.
Zi Dan, did you play a pan in...
Uncle Zi Lian's behaviour that day?
Bo Ren, don't make any irresponsible remark.
Uncle Zi Lian and I are uncle and nephew.
I will surely avenge my teacher.
We'll repress the noble generals first.
Then, the Secretariat will appeal for teacher.
You need to be careful yourself.
After all, Cao Hong is a general of Cao Family.
He deserves this. - You're right about that.
But, you're being extremely foolish.
What did I say to you that day? I told you to be...
even more tolerant of the emperor's relatives.
Now, you're getting your teacher killed...
for the sake of your own revenge.
Madam Bai, what do you mean by that?
Madam Zhang.
Cao Hong saved the late emperor's life before.
If Cao Hong is executed, the nobles will be enraged.
Even the whole military will be enraged.
You are the Governor of Military Agro-Colonies...
your teacher's student and your teacher's implementer.
If an outrage breaks out...
even the emperor can't put things under control.
By then, you and your teacher...
will be sacrificed to appease them.
L... This...
Shi Zai, did you consider what Madam Bai said?
I... I did not think of that.
Madam Zhang!
Shi Ji. Greetings, Madam Zhang and Madam Bai.
Look at what you did!
Do you know that you'll get teacher killed?
You made a huge mistake!
Shi Ji! -Calm down.
I was blinded by hatred. -You...
Madam Zhang, I just came back from the prison.
Teacher said that Cao Hong must not die.
The country can't afford this unrest.
I think there is only one way to save teacher...
and that is to save Cao Hong first.
I'll go and plead with the emperor right away.
Please rest assured, Madam Zhang.
I will pay with my life if I get teacher into trouble.
You're so silly.
But, will that really work?
The emperor is stubborn, decisive, harsh and willful.
I'm afraid Deng Ai's plea won't make him change his mind.
Actually, there is another person...
who can save Cao Hong. -Who is it?
Your sister, Empress Guo.
But, both of us must not enter the palace at a time like this.
It's true that we can't enter the palace.
But, someone can.
Your Highness, Mrs. Sima came. -Let her in.
Yes.
Greetings, Your Highness. - We're one family.
Rise at once and let me see your face.
Thank you, Your Highness.
What a pretty young lady.
Come. Bring it over.
Jade represents loyal love and bangle represents infinity.
Come. This is a small gift for you.
May you be blessed with a happy marriage.
Thank you, Your Highness.
Shi Er grew up under my care.
He's like my own son.
It's a pity that I live in the palace.
I don't get to see my relatives at all.
I couldn't even attend your wedding.
I'm the one who should thank you.
Thank you for visiting me.
Is everything alright at home?
The newlywed is very shy. You may all retire.
We're just going to have a casual chat.
You may speak now.
My mother-in-law has a request.
Sister Chun Hua?
Your Majesty...
please spare Cao Hong considering the fact that...
he saved the late emperor's life.
Aren't you a righteous man who dares to defy the powerful?
You were the one who reported Cao Hong.
What's going on? Did Cao Hong's family bribe you?
I dare not accept bribery.
Blinded by personal revenge...
I failed to perceive the true situation.
Your Majesty, if you kill Cao Hong...
the generals and soldiers will blame...
Mr. Sima and the new policies for his death.
Please release Cao Hong for the sake of Mr. Sima.
Since when do you have the right to advise me?
This is my empire. I determine the situation.
Do I need you to tell me who to kill?
Your Majesty, if you kill Cao Hong...
my teacher will never be released from the prison.
Let me ask you a question.
Who is more impoflant to you?
Your teacher or me?
If the emperor still won't come...
I'll depose the empress.
I can't interfere in state affairs.
But, I've the right to manage the royal harem...
and educate my daughter-in-law!
Greetings, mother.
What did the empress do to make you so angry?
She failed to assist you properly...
and as a result, you are being ridiculous.
She deserved to be deposed.
Please tell me if I have done something wrong.
Cao Hong is your uncle. During the war back then...
he saved your father thrice.
If it wasn't for him, Cao Family would be a goner.
Do you remember the defeat at Bian River back then?
It was Cao Hong who found a boat...
for us to cross the river while he brought up the rear.
Does this embezzlement overweight his contributions?
I wouldn't mind if he's only guilty of embezzlement.
He also openly challenged the country's law.
It's true that Cao Hong is a little unrefined and greedy.
But, you only need to demote him for these mistakes.
Must you kill your own family member?
Zi Huan.
I beg of you.
Mother, please rise. You must not do this.
I'm at fault for failing to advise the emperor.
I'm willing to renounce my position.
Fine. I shall...
do as you wish, mother.
I shall excuse myself.
Ah Zhao, return to your suite.
Yes.
Don't think I can't tell.
You're clearly trying to save Sima Yi.
It's not Cao Hong you want to save.
I dare not intervene in state affairs.
Be honest.
I dare not lie to Your Majesty.
You admit it.
Please punish me.
What did you do wrong?
I actually need to thank you.
Your Majesty.
Your Majesty, I've realised my mistake.
I'm senile. I'll return the 860 barrels of grains.
I won't do this again.
Your Majesty, please spare me for once...
considering the fact that...
I fought loyally alongside the late emperor. Your Majesty.
Zi Dan. Wen Lie. Say something for me.
Your Majesty, please be merciful.
I want to be merciful too. But, if I really spare you...
it's against the law and the people's wish.
Your Majesty, please be merciful.
Your Majesty, please be merciful. -Enough.
Alright.
I've yet to issue a great amnesty...
after installing my empress.
This time, I'll issue a great amnesty for Uncle Zi Lian.
All prisoners shall have their punishments commuted.
What say you? -Thank you, Your Majesty!
Your Majesty's kindness makes me feel so ashamed!
Uncle Zi Lian, please rise. -Rise!
Thank you, Your Majesty. - Thank you, Your Majesty.
In this case, I can't kill Sima Yi either.
I'll dismiss him and let him go home...
to mourn for his father. What say you?
Your Majesty, that won't do.
Why? Are you saying that I should revoke the amnesty?
Your Majesty. -Zi Dan, you need to save me!
Yes, Zi Dan. -Zi Dan.
Uncle Zi Lian will just be stripped of his title.
Sima Yi will be demoted to the status of a civilian.
Don't you know how to judge properly?
Your Majesty is wise.
- Thank you, Your Majesty!
Your Majesty is wise.
Now you can leave...
while I have to stay here and live anxiously every day.
Zhong Da, how can you bring yourself to do this?
It's exactly because of your anxiety that...
you made it through so many years safely.
Your anxiety is your advantage.
Thank you.
Brother Chang Wen, in "Classic of Poetry"...
there's the phrase "treading on thin ice".
Brother Chang Wen, look.
That's the feeling when you sit on that seat.
Yet, people still desire that position.
This is human ambition.
Perhaps the emperor will order you to return...
when he cools down.
Brother Chang Wen, after thinking about it carefully...
I believe the emperor is doing this to protect me.
The generals of Cao Family hate me the most.
If I don't leave, they'll hate the new policies.
It's been 3 years. The new policies are on track.
Brother Chang Wen.
Now you can lead these young men.
Defending the new policies means defending the state.
I'm going to take a break.
Are you sure about this, Zhong Da?
Unless the emperor changes his mind...
you will be getting...
a lifetime's worth of rest.
If that's the case, you can sit there...
and tread on thin ice for lifetime.
Teacher.
Mr. Sima. -Mr. Sima.
Teacher, we'll meet the emperor and beg for your reinstatement.
Yes. We'll appeal together.
Cao Hong is just stripped of his title.
Yet, you're demoted to the status of civilian.
This is unfair. We want to argue with the emperor.
Yes! We need to argue! -Teacher.
Rise at once.
You all are the talents of the nation.
Here in the secretarial...
you only need to remember a few words.
"Advantages", "disadvantages" and "circumstances".
Always think of the advantages and disadvantages of a strategy.
Always act according to the political circumstances.
These are the principles we must uphold.
If I stay in the secretarial...
the new policies might face more challenges.
With all of you here...
I'm no longer indispensable to the Secretariat.
I'm returning to my hometown to mourn for my father...
and make up for my sins.
I'll leave the Secretariat...
to you all.
Brother Chang Wen, I'll be troubling you.
Teacher. -Teacher.
Distraction, come. -My dear.
You're back. -I'm back.
Come. It's time to eat. - Are you done packing?
Yes.
What about my books?
Don't worry. I won't leave any of them out.
Eat up.
Look at him.
Maybe he knows that we're leaving.
He's so excited. He keeps trying to climb out.
His house is a little too small for him.
Let's give him a bigger one when we get back.
Eat up. -Alright.
I can't believe he really released you.
Do you find it unfair?
My dear, do you remember?
The year I broke my leg...
you carried me to the Ministry of Works...
and Minister Cao looked at me and said...
“he's lying comfortably right outside of my residence.“
"It's just as the ancient song says."
"What do I care about the emperor and his might?"
But, I later on...
still entered the court...
and worked hard for an emperor.
When we picked up Distraction in Xudu...
he was just crawling in a relaxed manner.
Now, we're in Luoyang and he's still so relaxed.
When he gets to Wen County...
he'll still be so relaxed.
He's the one who has the right to say...
"what do I care about the emperor and his might?"
A being like him can be carefree and relaxed anywhere.
What about her?
Is she going to our hometown with us?
Why aren't you answering?
Don't hit him. The more you hit him...
the more he hides in his shell.
I'll let you decide.
Go to her room after this.
See if she has packed up.
What are you reading? - The memorials you wrote.
I still have some opinions to share with you.
I'm no longer an official.
Why do you bother to read my memorials?
We're returning to Wen County tomorrow.
You need to get ready as well.
Pack up quickly.
My dear, are you going to take me along?
I've never been to Wen County. What do you...
plan to do there?
What else can I do?
We still have our old house...
a small farmland and hundreds of mulberry trees.
From now on...
I'll be a farmer.
What about me? What can I do in Wen County?
There are words...
I've been wanting to say to you.
For years...
even though we've never slept together...
you bear the title of my concubine.
I shall be frank.
As you were sent by the emperor...
I was wary of you.
But, I'm aware that...
since the day you entered this family...
you've been defending me.
Until today, I still remember...
how you tried to protect me...
when I was stabbed by Xiahou Mao...
on the way to Shouchun.
L...
have been unfair to you.
But now, it's all good.
I'm no longer an official.
You're no longer burdened by your duty.
You no longer need to worry about...
my plans and actions.
I no longer have to...
put up an act in front of you...
and be "utterly grateful".
If you don't mind...
you can come with us.
We can lead an ordinary life...
was farmers and grow old together.
Thank you for the kindness. But...
I can't go to Wen County with you.
Please don't misunderstand.
It's not because I desire a comfortable life.
I once said that I am willing to be like Hou Ying...
who sewed Lord Xinling.
If it is really the end of your career...
I will follow you no matter where you go.
But, I don't believe that you'll really leave the court
So, I'll stay for you.
The court is...
full of uncertainties...
complications...
and danger.
Life is unpredictable. Who can be sure of something?
Before the emperor granted me to you...
I secretly observed you.
The first time I saw you...
I felt that your ambition and aspiration...
are as tall as the sky and as deep as the river.
The man I acknowledge will not give up on...
the career he worked hard to build so easily.
So, I will stay...
like a pawn in a game of chess.
If I stay in Luoyang...
you will know the situation in the court...
even when you are in the countryside.
I'm the only one who can do this for you.
The world is like a game of chess.
Thank you for being...
willing to be a pawn...
to struggle with me...
in this game of life.
I no longer have any regret...
in my life.
"Though you are thousands of miles away...
your head still holds the head of mine."
You don't have to say a word.
If the situation allows you to return...
I'll be here waiting for you.
If we turn out to be fortune's fools...
I'll go to Wen County to find you.
My dear, do you know?
To tell the truth...
I once hoped for...
a glamorous life as well.
But, ever since I fell in love with you...
fame and wealth became unimportant to me.
If I go to Wen County to find you...
I will stay with you...
in the countryside as an ordinary woman...
until I die of old age.
Ling Yun.
You understand me.
Alright, my dear. You should go back quickly.
Madam Zhang is waiting for you to do the packing.
My dear.
You locked the door. -I'm sleeping.
I need to sleep too.
Ling Yun.
My dear, why are you back?
My wife put the light out...
and locked the door.
I'm grateful to Madam Zhang.
It must be difficult for her.
What do you think?
The world is so vast.
Yet, the court has no place for me...
and my house has no bed for me.
Ling Yun, where do you think...
I should go to?
If you came back...
because Madam Zhang forced you to do $0...
I'll have to ask you to...
find a place for yourself...
and a bed for yourself.
But, if you are back here for yourself...
I have a question. -What question?
Were you tempted that day?
Which day?
The day the emperor...
ordered you to bathe and sleep.
You said you were not in the condition.
I said you were not in the mood.
Were you actually tempted?
That day?
To me, the feeling of liking a person...
is not infatuation triggered by lust...
but a feeling developed through companionship.
If I fell for the temptation that day...
I would have sullied my relationship with my wife.
But today...
the feelings I have for you...
are feelings of...
constant appreciation and yearning which I cannot let go.
I have only one thing to offer...
and it is called love.
You can take it...
or leave it.
Good!
Prince of Pingyuan. Come.
Father. -Do you see it?
You'll practise with that fawn.
Draw the bow to the fullest.
Pull harder.
Little deer.
Shoot.
Little deer.
Shoot.
I can't bring myself to kill it.
Pick it up.
Pick it up! -Your Majesty killed the mother.
I... I can't bring myself to kill the child.
This flower smells so good. Sniff it.
Father. Brother Shi. Drink some water.
Slow down. -What is father thinking?
With just the three of us, this will really take forever.
Why won't he hire a few farmers? -Just do as father said.
Don't complain. Go back to your work.
Father.
This land has been abandoned for too long.
Let's clear more of it and grow some black sesame.
Then, we'll have a good life next year.
Brother Shi, father won't be doing this for long.
Don't be fooled by him.
He's still concerned about the court
He is the one who devised the new policies.
He can't possibly give up so easily.
The emperor has dismissed father.
He has no choice but to give up.
Kneel!
Long live Your Majesty!
Kneel!
Long live Your Majesty! -Rise!