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Watching the person in the mirror's countenance pale and grow haggard,
Examining love together with regret, both new and old.
Keeping watch still by a lantern though it is daybreak, drenched with tears,
Watching others meet as promised, as twilight falls.
Story of Yanxi Palace Episode 59
Chen Mixia before also offered a batch of western guns as tribute.
They are way inferior to the guns you confiscated from the battlefield.
The guns you gathered can hit farther and more accurately.
I've instructed the Imperial Armory and the Imeprial Workshop to imitate it.
Your Majesty, Zhang Tingyu has succumbed from illness.
His son is earnestly asking permission to bring his soul back to their hometown.
In his last years, he was muddled and did a lot of wrong things.
But he is after all an old subject that brought merits to the Qing Empire.
Spread my decree.
Follow the last decree of the former emperor and allow him to enjoy a spot in the imperial ancestral temple.
I thank you in behalf of Lord Zhang.
Get up.
I know that
since my 14th year of reign,
I've been demoting and reprimanding him a lot.
Haven't you all been discussing about in behind my back too? Saying that I'm too heartless.
But whenever I remember the hardships of Liu Tongxun,
I would get more irritated on how old and muddled Zhang Tingyu was.
Both are the stabilizing pillars of the Qing government. One has become ill from toiling too much to the point of vomiting blood,
while the other one only cared about the glory after his death.
I understand.
He and I
have been fighting for so many years. Now that he's suddenly gone,
I feel lonely and ashamed.
Your Majesty,
you are the best honor that a subject can have.
Lord Zhang's soul in heaven will surely feel very grateful for it.
He surely will curse me for frightening him before.
I heard that you went to Yuanming Garden to visit Empress Dowager.
I went to visit Empress Dowager there,
but too bad, she was praying to Buddha then and I wasn't able to see her.
I instead saw Her Highness Consort Ling.
I told her that Lord Aibida brought back a world-renowned beauty and offered it to you as a tribute.
In less than three days, she packed up her bags and returned to the palace.
Really?
Your Majesty, there is still a pile of memorials in the Council of State office.
I must immediately go back. I'll just return later to inform you of the important details.
I'll take my leave.
Fuheng, stop right there.
Your Majesty, do you still have any other instructions?
You usually are busy with official work.
Let Fuca An'er enter the palace to study with the princes.
Thank you for you grace, Your Majesty.
Get up.
How is the condition of Consort Ling?
Replying to Your Majesty, other than being unable to sleep at night,
she's also showing signs of disharmony between her liver and stomach.
I've prescribed some fragrant thyme and stomach soup to slowly nurse her health.
Disharmony between the liver and stomach?
Because of irregular meals, her stomach would ache.
How were you attending to her? How come she's having irregular meals?
Your Majesty, used blood to copy the Avatamsaka Sutra.
She continued to do so even when we were in Yuanming Garden. As days passed by,
she suffered a lot of blood and energy losses, and developed loss of appetite. Hence, the problem with her stomach.
Mingyu, organize the twenty pages
and tell someone to deliver them to Yuanming Garden.
Your Majesty?
Why did you come?
No need.
You're now sick, so stop acting tough.
Thank you for understand, Your Majesty.
What's wrong with your hand?
It's nothing. Just a small wound from bleeding myself.
I order you to stop writing!
- Your Majesty, please forgive me but I can't obey you.- You...
Since I've promised Empress Dowager that I'll complete the 80 pages,
I can't stop midway.
I...
...so want to just let you emerge and perish on your own.
But giving considerations on how you meticulously cared for Empress Dowager,
hence, I gave you such an advice. However, if you insist to not listen,
you must bear all the consequences.
If Empress Dowager asks about it in the future, no one should be implicated.
I understand.
Do you still remember your promise?
You said that you won't let anyone bully me.
Tonight, you came to my Yanxi Palace. Everyone in the inner palace has already seen it.
If you just leave now, how could I make a foothold here in the imperial harem?
I fear that I won't be able to stay any longer here in the Forbidden City.
Tonight, I'll stay here,
just to preserve your honor. About others, don't even think about it.
Li Yu.
I'm here.
Go and clean up the side room.
Tonight, I'll sleep here.
This...
Yes.
Get out.
Your Majesty.
There's a rat in my sleeping chamber. I'm afraid.
If there's a rat, go look for someone to catch it for you.
I'm not leaving!
Your Majesty! Your Majesty! I didn't wear any shoes.
If I go down like this, my feet will get cold.
Your Majesty!
Wei Yingluo, I haven't forgiven you. Immediately get out.
- I'm not coming down.- Get down!
You...
Your Majesty, I take contraception because I'm afraid.
What are you afraid of?
I'm afraid to die.
I don't understand.
When a woman gives birth,
one of her leg steps into the gates of hell.
I'm selfish. I'm afraid to die.
I don't want to be like my mother...
...dying in bed because of difficult labor. I'm so afraid.
Afraid...
Hence,
I asked Ye Tianshi for contraception.
Your Majesty, I don't have the courage to get pregnant and have children.
I'm not yet ready to be a mother.
Why didn't you tell me about this in the past?
When my mother passed away,
everyone said that she was great
for continuing the descendants of the Wei family.
But does a woman live just to give birth to children?
Don't tell me there's no other meanings for them.
Your Majesty.
When I told you this,
would you think that I'm a heathen?
I understand.
If you are not willing, no one will force you.
Your Majesty, are you still angry with me?
You distinctly know that
I'm angry with you not only because of this matter.
Regardless of what the reason is,
it's already in the past.
Your Majesty, don't be angry with me anymore.
Come here.
Yingluo, you knew what I wanted to ask.
Why did you avoid answering me?
- What are you laughing at? - It's rare to see the failure of your strategy.
His Majesty left in the morning. He didn't even pass his greetings.
You are still happy?
- Who's side are you on? - Enough, don't be angry.
If it doesn't work this time, try again next time.
With your ability, are you still afraid that you can't hold on to His Majesty?
I fear it won't be that easy this time.
Come in.
My Lady, His Majesty has gone to Li Jingxuan to have breakfast with Imperial Concubine Shun.
Greetings, Your Highness.
- You can forego the formality. - Thank you, Your Highness.
Consort Ling stayed for a long time at Yuanming Garden. Now that she's back,
does everyone not recognize her?
Consort Ling is proud and arrogant.
She actually showed up here today?
Did she lose her position to Imperial Concubine Shun
and remembered us thereafter?
Consort Jia, the grudge between you and Consort Ling is already in the past.
You have been pardoned, had Eleventh Prince and been promoted.
What else are you still embarrass with?
That's right. Whether we were friends or enemies in the past,
we have a common enemy now.
Why can't we get along?
Consort Ling, I have offended you many times in the past. Please forgive me.
Consort Shu is now a fourth-ranked consort, unlike the past.
There's no need to be so formal.
Enough. Since you are here,
take a seat then.
In treating Imperial Concubine Shun,
His Majesty would hold him so carefully in his hands, afraid of her getting broken;
hold so carefully in his mouth, afraid of her getting dissolved.
If we talk about the divine grace,
even Consort Ling at that time, can't be compared to her.
She's just a woman from the wild mountain.
Does she still think she's a fairy?
Your Highness, we are just like headless flies.
After encountering this, we still need to take your decisions?
There are many consorts and concubines in the harem. I have never been jealous and fought for favors.
I have never asked who His Majesty favors.
Imperial Concubine Shun is behaving improperly now.
She doesn't stop singing and dancing daily at Li Jingxuan
and draws His Majesty to indulge in sensual pleasures, causing the Imperial court to debate on this.
Your Highness, what should we do?
I have a proposal on how to deal with Imperial Concubine Shun.
When that time comes, I will need the co-operation of the three of you.
You only need to exert half the efforts but the result will be doubled.
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Yingluo, I feel uneasy about your gathering just now.
Doesn't it seem like the gathering of bad women?
I want to see what they will do
to ascertain the realities and falsehoods of Imperial Concubine Shun.
But I'm afraid you will be misguided by Her Highness and will find it hard to get out.
You will never be able to go back again.
Whatever I want, His Majesty will give it to me.
But I still want to go out of the palace.
The green tiles on the red wall in the Forbidden City
makes one feel suffocated.
When I'm feeling bored,
I would ride my pony
and circle Li Jingxuan
again and again.
This way, it will seem like I have gone back to the past.
Imperial Concubine Shun, the bottom must be stable.
That's right. Look ahead and continue to maintain this.
Yingluo, tell me. After time has passed,
if I tell His Majesty that I would like to leave the palace for a walk,
would he agree?
Yingluo...Yingluo!
My Lady, are you okay?
Yingluo, are you okay?
I'm sorry. I'm still not used
to these flower pot bottom shoes.
Are you really fine?
Imperial Concubine Shun, you are not careless and dropped this.
Show it to me.
His Majesty personally engraved this and gifted it to my mistress.
"The calm moon shadow is reflected in the bottom of the water, like a piece of jade that sinks". I don't quite understand this poem.
I wonder what it means.
His Majesty is praising you.
That you're like a jade within the water, so perfect and flawless.
I'm tired today. Learn again tomorrow.
- But I still...- Escort the guest out.
Yingluo, why are you suddenly angry?
Is it because of this jade?
Can't you tell that I didn't like you from the start?
Based on your personality, if you really hate me,
you would have kicked me out earlier.
You heard me babbling. This proves that you don't hate me, right?
Are you two deaf?
See the guest out.
It wasn't his intention for me to approach you.
It's just that...
It's just that it's too lonely.
I merely wanted to find someone to talk to.
I brought this jade here without any other intentions.
Xiao Quanzi.
Imperial Concubine Shun, why don't you leave first for today?
Yizhu, why did you talk so much today?
Mistress, this was a gift from His Majesty.
I didn't say anything wrong.
But by saying this, Consort Ling thinks that I'm deliberating showing off.
Consort Ling is not sincere with you.
She wasn't even serious in teaching you the rules.
Because I like it.
I don't understand. She doesn't give you any face.
What do you like about her?
A person who has a cold smile on her face
is far better than those women with a sinister smile.
I don't understand what you are talking about.
You will never understand what I said.
Mistress, why haven't you changed at all?
If outsiders were to see this, they will say you don't have any deportment again.
Chief Steward Yuan, for the requirements in the death anniversary celebration of Princess He'an,
Imperial Concubine Qing is currently preparing them and will deliver the list to the Imperial Household Department later.
For the meals, pastries, milk teas, wines,
and fresh fruits, just prepare them according to the list.
As for the praying lama...
Yingluo, only the ceremony for emperors and empresses can there be a lama praying.
As for ranks from the Imperial Noble Consort downwards, there isn't such a tradition.
Even if the Imperial Household Department agrees to it, those censors will not.
They won't dare complain Empress Dowager, hence, will surely vent their anger on you.
Yuan Chunwang, are you muddled?
You dare directly call my name.
Yuan Chunwang, starting on the day that you betrayed me,
you're no longer my sworn brother.
You're just a servant. Please remember your status.
Yes.
It's indeed not appropriate to have a lama praying,
but we can allow it in consideration for the love of Empress Dowager to her daughter.
In my opinion, just set the praying lamas in front of the tomb of Princess He'an.
Invite female shaman into the palace instead.
Just for a minor thing, you have angered Consort Ling. Leave now.
Yes.
Your Highness Empress, I wasn't able to welcome you appropriately.
May you forgive me.
Empress Dowager personally chose you to organize the ceremony.
It's really going to be tiring for you.
I've checked it earlier. Everything is in order.
It's all thanks to you knowing the likes of Empress Dowager so well, that everything has been done so smoothly.
Thank you for your praises, Empress.
I'm just doing my best to organize it.
Don't know if Empress Dowager will be satisfied with it.
Since you're here, can you give me some guidance?
Not much should be changed.
It's just that regarding the little Buddhist flower,
if you burn it in front of the offering table, Empress Dowager might become happier.
Little Buddhist flower?
Every death anniversary offering ceremony or during the closing of the year, they will use a little Buddhist flower.
Seeing how His Majesty puts great importance to the death anniversary of Princess He'an,
Empress Dowager and His Majesty will surely reconcile to like how they were used to.
Thank you for your advice, Your Highness Empress. I will remember it.
Empress Dowager hasn't seen Imperial Concubine Shun yet.
During that day, may Consort Ling personally introduce her.
Yingluo, what's wrong?
Empress is making her move.
Making her move?
Great trouble will soon befall on Imperial Concubine Shun.
Empress Dowager, Consort Ling is currently in the Imperial Household Department verifying the items needed for the offering ceremony.
She ordered me to let you see the list again and see if there's still anything missing,
so she can immediately have them done.
After now seeing you for 3 years,
you've become more prudent.
Consort Ling said
that you exerted a lot of efforts for this offering ceremony.
It is my honor to do something for Princess He'an.
Empress Dowager, you have journeyed for quite a long time to come here.
You haven't yet noticed that Lijing Pavilion has been renovated, right?
Lijing Pavilion?
Last night, I heard that songs and dances were playing there all night.
It seems like Imperial Concubine Shun has choreographed a new dance
which was absolutely fabulous. Even His Majesty can't stop praising it.
If given a chance, I also want to see it.
I fear that you won't dare to watch it.
Why won't I?
I heard that in that beautiful dance, one must remove one clothing every time you finish dancing a part.
Once you're done dancing, your whole body would have been naked.
Would you dare watch?
Empress, I wasn't here in Forbidden City for a long time.
You didn't even try to meddle when such a person has entered the palace?
May Empress Dowager forgive me. I once warned His Majesty
that he's favoring Imperial Concubine Shun too much.
If I excessively advises him, I fear that it might lead to an opposite effect.
I can only slowly plan it.
For just a woman, the emperor is making such grand acts.
This is so unimaginable.
As the empress, you have the power to manage the imperial harem.
Now that such a bewitching woman has appeared in the palace,
you instead are passing the blame. This is so outrageous.
Empress Dowager is right for lecturing me.
I have a gentle temperament and wouldn't dare meddle too much in His Majesty's personal matters.
I fear of having a reputation of a jealous empress.
Now that you're back in the palace, I now have a backer.
I will do everything according to your instructions.
Good.
So, you're attending to me like Bodhisattva
just to hug onto my feet
not long after.
Empress, you're the master of the six palaces.
You decide on what to do.
Respectfully sending off Empress Dowager.
The preparations for the offering ceremony still hasn't been completed.
I will take my leave now.
Before, she got promoted because of Consort Ling.
Now that there is trouble, she's still weak and inept.
Your Highness Empress, Empress Dowager doesn't seem interested to meddle in this matter.
What should we do?
That's right, Your Highness Empress. If Empress Dowager won't intervene,
would we just allow Imperial Concubine Shun to continue with her arrogance?
After going through so many things, when will you two change your attitude?
Who said that Empress Dowager isn't meddling?
Is the offering ceremony all set up?
Everything has been arranged appropriately. May Your Highness not worry.
What about the female shaman?
I've made the arrangements with them.
I've always been at ease when you do things.
You can leave.
Yes.
Yingluo, His Majesty kept favoring Imperial Concubine Shun.
I fear that he won't easily look back.
If the plan of Empress is successful,
that's removing an eyesore for you.
In my opinion, just treat it like you don't know anything. Okay?
Don't help any of them. Just let Imperial Concubine Shun's fate
decide the outcome.
I completely don't have any other motive in approaching you. I'm just too lonely,
hence, I want to find someone to talk to. In this whole Forbidden City,
we all live under a pretentious mask.
Being able to be oneself in front of each other
is such a good thing.
This is the first time that Empress Dowager invited me over to Shoukang Palace.
I should be wearing my banner clothes to show respect.
You couldn't even wear these shoes well. If you slip and fall, won't that be too embarrassing?
It's all Consort Ling's fault for not being serious in teaching you.
It's not her fault. I'm the one to blame.
You are not allowed to say bad things about her again.
- Yingluo.- Your Highness Consort Ling, what are you doing?
- Yingluo! Yingluo! What are you doing?- Mistress! Mistress!
- Saving your life.- Where are you going? Mistress!
The shaman is here!
This is so weird.
In the death anniversary of a princess, they have to gather all of us here to pray Buddhist scriptures.
Isn't this too inappropriate?
I only heard of praying to the heaven, to the earth, to the ancestors.
I've never heard of doing any death anniversary ceremony to a dead princess.
His Majesty is famous for being filial.
As long as it can make Empress Dowager happy, he's willing to be follow her every whim.
If not because today is a major court meeting day,
he would even personally come here.
You're unhappy? Then go tell Empress Dowager that.
Have you memorized "The Original Vows of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Sutra"?
Don't let Empress Dowager hear you reciting it wrongly.
- Not only were you unable to fawn on her, you'll even get scolded.- You...!
Please stop talking. Being able to copy sutras for the princess
is also accumulating good karma for oneself. What's bad about it?
Greetings, Empress Dowager.
This is the "The Original Vows of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Sutra" that I've copied for princess.
Hope princess can go to the paradise in the west.
Fire! Fire!
Quickly put out the fire!
- He'an! He'an!- Fire! Fire!
- He'an!- Quickly put out the fire!
Hurry! He'an!
- He'an!- Quickly come and put out the fire!
My He'an...
Your Highness, be careful. Quickly splash the water!
- Hurry!- Hurry!
My He'an...
For so many years, I've been organizing a death anniversary ceremony for He'an.
This matter has never happened before.
What's going on today?
It's just an accident.
- Don't worry.- Miss Shaman,
with the offering ceremony becoming like this,
would that affect my He'an? Would it?
Informing Empress Dowager, Princess has died from a young age.
Her lifespan has ended, still hasn't reincarnated, and has no chance of going to the west.
It was because Empress Dowager wanted Princess to go to the paradise in the west,
hence, you kept doing kind and charitable deeds all your life.
Actually, you'll be attain your wish in just two more years. But too bad, today,
it got destroyed by this evil witch.
What evil witch? When she appeared,
the Buddhist flower and offering items all got destroyed.
- You're making up nonsense!- Imperial Concubine Shun, don't be unruly. Shaman,
are you saying the truth?
You all dare to doubt me?
I didn't do anything.
Your Highness Empress, I know that you've always been benevolent.
But, this Imperial Concubine was born with such an excessively pretty face,
and her actions are bewitching the emperor.
Maybe, she's really an inauspicious person.
Shaman is an envoy that bridges the communication with the ghosts and deities.
How could we doubt her words?
Consort Ling, why are you not speaking?
Empress Dowager, I don't know much about ghosts and deities.
I dare not make any rash conclusion.
Consort Ling, you clearly are defending that inauspicious woman.
Empress Dowager, allow me to say a few words.
Your 30 years of efforts all got destroyed today.
Princess He'an got dragged down by this inauspicious woman.
The dream of her going to the paradise in the west has become burst bubbles. If you still tolerate her,
don't know how many of us would still get affected by her?
Empress Dowager!
- Arrest her!- Empress Dowager.
Empress Dowager, this person is slandering me.
I really don't know what has happened.
- You're saying that you were slandered? - It is slander.
There must be someone who bribed the shaman
and tinkered with the offering stage.
Now that everything has been burned into ashes, I'm unable to show you any evidence.
But as long as you interrogate the shaman,
- you will know the truth?- Who is shaman?
Even Empress Dowager must show her some respect.
How can you be allowed to destroy her reputation here?
Even if His Majesty is here, he won't be able to save you.
But I can swear by the heaven that I really don't know what has happened.
I'm not an inauspicious person.
Quickly take her away.
Let go! Let go!
Empress Dowager! Empress Dowager!
Please look at me carefully.
I'm a person with blood and flesh, a living human being!
Take her away!
- Don't!- Wait!
You...
Come with me.
What's going on?
Shaman said that she's an inauspicious being.
Why then did Empress Dowager easily let her off?
Your Highness Empress, this...
Respectfully sending off Your Highness Empress.
When were you born?
Reply to my question.
Zi hour (11 pm to 1 am) of the 15th day of the 9th month.
Why do you ask?
15th day of the 9th month...
You're...
Take her away first.
Gugu Liu, what are we doing?
Please wait here for a while.
When it's time to release you, you'll get released.
- Empress Dowager.- Sit.
You initially trusted the words of the shaman.
Why did you suddenly change your mind?
Do you still remember that I once told you
that when He'an was gravely sick,
I went to beg for mercy to all temples,
kept kowtowing and burning incenses to Buddha everywhere,
hoping that he'll just take away 10 years of my life
in exchange for He'an' life?
That time, there was a high monk who told me
that I can leave a mark on the child.
Even if I'm unable to make her stay in this life,
I would still get a chance to reunite with her on her next life.
Hence, I hardened my heart and placed two holes...
at the bottom part of her lips, around this area.
But earlier, when Imperial Concubine Shun threw herself at me,
I discovered that she...
Talks on reincarnation is too absurd.
You shouldn't believe such things.
But her birth
was also during zi time of the 15th day of the 9th month.
The same birth time and date. The same mark.
Are all these just coincidences?
Quickly! Quickly!
Move more quickly!
Greetings, Your Highness Empress Dowager.
Greetings, Your Majesty.
Royal Mother, where is Imperial Concubine Shun?
Royal Mother, you mustn't believe the words of the shaman.
Chenbi surely isn't some inauspicious being.
Emperor, you gave the shaman a title of worship,
but you're asking me to not believe her. Isn't that contradictory?
Royal Mother, I gave shaman a title and position
so she can do her duty during the day and night offering ceremonies.
It is to continue the old customs of our old ancestors,
so as to urge everyone to not forget how hard this empire was obtained.
Not to let her dominate your thoughts and dictate your decision.
Please believe me that Chenbi is just an ordinary woman.
She surely isn't some inauspicious being.
Your Majesty, don't worry. Imperial Concubine Shun is currently very safe.
I left you by the side of Empress Dowager
not to sow discord or eliminate your competition.
I had never said anything bad against Imperial Concubine Shun.
You've misunderstood Yingluo. She's not that kind of person.
Royal Mother, you are too biased with this woman.
Maybe, she's not as kind as you think.
Chenbi, come over here.
Okay already, Emperor. We'll turn this leaf over.
Don't make things too difficult on the shaman too.
Take your favored imperial consort away with you then.
Quickly thank Empress Dowager for her graces.
Thank you for your graces, Empress Dowager.
Let's go.
Wait!
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