Episode 6
Mr. Lang.
You are truly loyal to Her Majesty.
You slapped yourself so hard.
What exactly do you want?
I want to make you miserable.
Lang Kun.
Because of you, we became fugitives!
You even persecute us behind Her Majesty's back...
and condone the murders of your subordinates!
I must defeat you.
I want justice for those who were wronged!
Defeating me is one thing...
and serving Her Majesty is another.
You might lose your life...
before you can fight me on the same level.
Here in Yong De Palace,
you should worry about yourself first.
You'd better hope that you don't make a single mistake.
I'll make you lose everything.
By then, you won't even have a chance to run for your life!
This Wuyi tea is the latest tribute we received.
I think it's pretty good.
Taste it and tell me if you like it.
It's good tea indeed.
Mother, I heard you're unwell lately.
Why are you suddenly in mood to have tea with me today?
So, you think I summoned you...
not for the tea,
but for the matter of the disaster relief?
I am...
aware of that issue.
Lang Kun already reported to me.
I can't intervene in state affairs.
So, I didn't look into it any further.
Wei Guang.
Greetings, Your Majesty.
I believe Mr. Lang has accused me of treason...
to conceal the matter of...
his abuse of authority.
But, however eloquent Mr. Lang may be,
if I send a letter to the Supreme Court,
the Ministry of Defense will investigate right away.
I believe the truth will prevail.
By then, this will affect...
more than just a few people.
It is a huge case that will shock the court.
You summoned me to reprimand me, mother.
You're not a woman interested in state affairs.
My days are numbered.
You will be fully in charge of the royal harem in the future.
Why do you need to be so impatient?
If you say the word,
I will forget what happened...
and never speak a word of this.
It's not like I've a choice anyway.
I'll do as you suggested, mother.
Let's leave this matter at that.
If that's all,
I shall excuse myself.
Your Majesty.
It's windy outside.
Why don't you go tomorrow?
Do you think I can let this matter slide?
I heard from Chen Xue that...
you haven't had lunch ter.
You might get a stomachache.
Should you dine before you go?
I'm so sick of Noble Consort Fu that...
I've lost my appetite!
That despicable woman...
complained to the empress dowager that...
I'm overdoing things.
Does she even have any idea what she's talking about?
I need to see Yan Kuan again.
With his assistance,
Noble Consort Fu is all puffed up.
Then I'll come with you.
Yan Kuan, why don't you switch sides and serve me?
Maybe you will be able to get out of this place sooner.
Do you think this tiny cell...
can trap me?
I'm just staying here...
because it's not time to leave yet.
Yan Kuan.
You're so stubborn.
Do you want it the rough way?
Even if you send men to torture me,
I won't give in.
So please...
stop wasting your time.
Never mind.
I don't intend to torture you either.
I just want you to know that...
back then when you were sentenced to death,
I pleaded for you and saved your life.
Even if you don't wish to serve me,
you should still repay me, right?
Your Majesty is indeed clever.
You knew that I'll buy the soft approach.
Since you demand for repayment,
I shall tell you a secret.
Then I shall no longer be indebted to you.
What secret is it?
Tell me about it.
It's in the Imperial Garden.
Do you know...
the big banyan tree at the southeast corner of the Imperial Garden?
Tell Ye Ning Zhi to come and serve me.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Ning Zhi.
I need to go carry out Her Majesty's orders.
You need to be on standby here.
Never leave.
Her Majesty will summon you anytime.
What if I need to go to the toilet?
Then you've to hold it.
There was once a palace maid...
who left to bandage her injured knee after a stumble.
When Her Majesty called for her,
no one answered.
Because of that,
that palace maid got flogged.
She's still bedridden today.
You know what to do.
Please don't summon me.
Don't summon me.
Ning Zhi.
Coming!
Your Majesty.
How may I help you?
Do you see anything special in this banyan tree?
This...
Forgive me for my folly.
I don't see anything special at all.
Legend has it that...
while passing by Mount Tianmang with his army,
Emperor Taizu was obstructed by a gigantic green python one day.
Emperor Taizu was not afraid at all.
He even cut the giant python into halves with his sword.
His bravery became the talk of the nation.
What does this story...
have to do with this banyan tree?
The story doesn't end there.
The son of the green python, a red-eyed black python,
entered Emperor Taizu's dream to avenge his father.
In the dream, Emperor Taizu battled the black python for a long time...
and finally subdued it.
But, Emperor Taizu was kind-hearted.
He spared its life...
and confined it under this big banyan tree.
The grateful black python...
then told Emperor Taizu that...
if he runs into trouble one day,
he can make a wish under this banyan tree...
and his wish will come true.
So, did Emperor Taizu come here and make a wish?
Not even once.
Because the grand preceptor told Emperor Taizu that...
the black python was extremely powerful and wicked.
Even though it could make your wish come true,
it would also bring forth a disaster at the same time.
But of course,
the country was peaceful and wealthy at that time.
He didn't need to make a wish.
So Your Majesty believes in this legend?
Ning Zhi.
Do you have a wish?
I don't have a wish.
That can't be true.
Do you have a wish or not?
My wish is...
Say it to the tree.
Say it!
I wish for...
Your Majesty's good health...
and the longevity of Liang!
Say something else.
Say your honest wish.
Say it!
Your Majesty.
I'm just a commoner.
I'm content with my life.
I've no other wishes.
Fine.
Then from now on, I want you to...
keep coming to this tree to make wishes on behalf of me.
Are you willing to do so?
Your Majesty.
This is just a story people made up.
Do you really believe it?
Is this a no?
Of course not!
I'll do anything at all for Your Majesty!
Just leave the wishing to me!
Alright.
I will remember what you said.
Is there anything unusual about the imperial consorts lately?
No, Your Majesty.
Is that true or are you incompetent?
Your Majesty, it's true.
I'm sorry.
You can't even do something so simple!
Get lost at once!
Yes, Your Majesty.
How did Lang Kun do this?
How did he earn the empress' trust?
If I want to defeat him,
I must earn the empress' trust.
But, now that I'm Her Majesty's attendant,
I'm in greater danger than before.
I've to be so cautious every day.
Mother.
Please hang in there.
I will clear your name.
And Wei Guang.
Where are you, Wei Guang?
If you were here,
I wouldn't feel so lost.
Almighty Black Python.
Are you there?
If you're real,
please...
make my wish come true.
I want to see Wei Guang.
I want to be reunited with Wei Guang.
The sooner the better.
I wish I can see him tomorrow.
Where are you, Wei Guang?
Do you enjoy hiding yourself and being mysterious?
Didn't you say that...
you'll come to me?
Where exactly are you?
I miss you so much.
Sisters!
Look who came!
Hurry.
You're back, Ning Zhi.
Look what I brought you all.
These are pastries from Her Majesty's palace.
Ning Zhi.
Last night, I saw you...
brooding and walking alone in the Imperial Garden.
Did something happen?
Did Her Majesty reprimand you?
What?
What's with the sad faces?
Most of Her Majesty's new maids...
got flogged and ousted in less than 3 days.
But, look at me.
I'm perfectly fine.
I haven't been punished at all.
Are you impressed?
I'm warning you.
When you serve Her Majesty,
first of all, watch your manners.
Secondly, watch your word.
Careless words will get you into trouble.
I understand, Senior Supervisor Hua.
Go ahead and eat.
The empress dowager has arrived!
I knew...
you're just by my side.
Ye Ning Zhi.
Were you really trained in the Pear Blossom Academy?
How can you lie down like this?
Sister Xue.
Don't you think it's tiring to serve Her Majesty?
I did that because I was too tired.
Let me ask you a question.
Are you related to the empress dowager?
Are you so fearless because you have...
the empress dowager backing you up?
The empress dowager?
Prior to this, I once performed in her birthday banquet.
But, I haven't met her again after I became a palace maid.
I don't think she's aware that I'm here.
A palace maid from Cheng Xiang Palace...
just came to deliver a letter.
It's for you.
The guard you saw was me.
I was saved by the empress dowager.
However, my conflict with Lang Kun remains unsettled.
I cannot come to you for the time being.
Please be patient.
Thank god.
What does it say?
You look so happy.
It's nothing important.
The empress dowager praised me.
She praised me.
Enjoy the compliment.
See you.
Be patient.
I must be patient.
I'm so glad you're fine.
Thank you, Almighty Black Python.
You turned out to be real.
You're not wicked at all.
Ye Ning Zhi!
You're Ye Ning Zhi, right?
You don't know me. I'm from Cheng Xiang Palace.
A palace guard sent me to deliver this letter to you.
A palace guard?
I miss you so much.
Let's meet in the warehouse of Yong De Palace at 9 pm tonight.
Where were you?
Do you know how worried I was?
Do you know how much I missed you?
Do you know that I wrote you a lot of letters....
that couldn't be sent out?
Silly girl.
I was worried too.
I missed you too.
Your mother and the rest...
should have arrived in Beidian by now.
For now, you don't have to worry about them.
Thank you for saving them.
I knew you care about me.
Why are you...
the empress dowager's guard now?
Come.
Let's sit down and talk.
Lang Kun issued unauthorized orders to...
the soldiers transporting the resources for disaster relief.
Once he's exposed,
he'll lose his life...
and even get the empress into trouble.
That's why Lang Kun lied to Her Majesty...
and blamed me for everything.
Then he sent many of his men to silence me.
If I didn't take a chance back then...
in attempt to resolve the conflict between me and Lang Kun,
so that I could go back to serving the empress,
I wouldn't have gotten into such trouble.
I was attacked one day...
and as I was severely injured,
I had no choice but to use...
the token granted by the empress dowager...
to sneak into the palace and seek help from the empress dowager.
The empress dowager saved me when my father was falsely accused.
She believes in the loyalty of Wei family.
This time, she saved me again.
You're injured?
Where's the injury? Let me see.
I'm fine.
It's not serious.
Why didn't you come to me earlier?
There's a conflict of interest between the empress and empress dowager.
If I show up too soon,
another conflict might arise.
So, the empress dowager wants to put this matter on hold...
to observe and look for the perfect opportunity.
Observe and look for the perfect opportunity?
It's obvious who the crook is!
What's so difficult?
It's not as simple as you think.
Issuing unauthorized orders to the logistics troop...
can be considered treason.
The empress might be conceited,
but she is still the mother of the nation.
Prior to this, she never committed any misdeed either.
The empress dowager doesn't want to make a big deal out of this.
Lang Kun, is the information reliable?
Are the two of them really in a relationship?
I believe it's true.
We'll just have to interrogate them to know.
The problem has been solved, right?
Why did you write me a letter...
and tell me to be patient?
The empress won't allow anyone to plot against her.
She was greatly embarrassed...
in front of the empress dowager that day.
This is also why the empress dowager...
seldom gets mad at the empress.
Even though the empress never talks back to the empress dowager,
she'll certainly make me pay for that.
By the way,
Lang Kun has spies in the palace.
If he learns that we're in contact,
would he take the opportunity to...
Ning Zhi.
You wrote me a letter and asked to meet up here, right?
What?
You wrote me two letters.
The first one said you can't come to me...
and the next one told me to come here.
I even compared the handwriting.
The documents I wrote were archived in the Bureau of Imperial Household.
It's not difficult to copy my handwriting.
This must be a trap.
Hurry. Let's leave separately.
You'll go this way.
Alright.
Wei Guang.
You'd better behave.
If you resist, I'll kill her.
Wei Guang!
Lang Kun.
Let Wei Guang go.
Do you have any idea that...
the empress and empress dowager made an agreement?
You're going against Her Majesty's interest!
Take them back and interrogate them.
Mr. Lang, this is what you need.
Wei Guang.
I saw highly of you.
I can't believe...
you did something like this.
You're such a letdown.
Ning Zhi.
I thought you were clever...
and planned to put you in an important position.
But, I can't believe you did something so stupid as well.
Your Majesty.
Please let her go.
This has nothing to do with her.
Mr. Lang is dragging the innocent into our conflict.
There's hanky-panky between you and her.
Yet, you want me to release her?
Your Majesty!
There was no hanky-panky!
They tore my clothes!
He even knocked Mr. Wei out...
and falsely accused us!
Ye Ning Zhi.
Do you remember that...
I once told you that...
I hate people who hide things from me.
If there's nothing between you and Wei Guang,
why did you two meet up at a place like that at night?
Do you take me for a fool?
Your Majesty, I do not.
Ning Zhi, no need to waste your breath.
Her Majesty doesn't care about the truth.
She only wants us to admit that we're in relationship.
Wei Guang.
Did I give you the permission to talk?
Lang Kun.
Interrogate them!
Yes.
Beat me alone.
Don't beat Mr. Wei.
He's injured.
It's alright.
I'll be fine.
Lang Kun, don't beat him!
Lang Kun!
Your Majesty!
There's nothing between me and Wei Guang!
If you don't believe me,
you may summon a nanny to examine my body!
Then you'll know that...
there's nothing between me and Wei Guang!
Your Majesty!
Please spare Wei Guang!
I beg of you!
I'll do my best to serve you!
Your Majesty, you know whether we're guilty or innocent.
I'm a lowly person.
Do you know why the empress dowager...
decided to save me back then?
The empress dowager saved my life...
because she didn't want me to die of injustice with my father!
You should understand that you should never overdo things.
Is that so?
Thank you for the advice.
Beat him!
Don't beat him!
Ning Zhi!
It was me!
It was me who fell for Mr. Wei!
I stalked him!
I started stalking him since we were outside of the palace!
Mr. Wei has never liked me.
I did whatever I could to get closer to him.
But he...
He's a good man.
I'm the indecent one!
Your Majesty.
Yan Kuan is a crook...
and he's bent on serving Noble Consort Fu!
You can't get rid of him!
I'm the only one that can get rid of him!
If you let Ye Ning Zhi go,
I will be yours to command!
In fact, I won't demand to return to the court!
Your Majesty, please let Wei Guang go.
You can punish me however you like.
It was me!
It was me who fell for Mr. Wei!
I'm the indecent one!
If you let Ye Ning Zhi go,
I will be yours to command!
In fact, I won't demand to return to the court!
Your Majesty.
Are you alright?
I'm fine.
I'm just reminded of an old friend.
I once...
witnessed the same thing.
It happened again today.
It's as if my old friend...
appeared before me.
Who is that?
There was a person who gave up everything for me.
But that love...
was trampled upon.
Enough of my sad past.
No matter what,
I will always serve Your Majesty.
Does it still hurt?
Her Majesty has arrived!
From now on,
I want you all to stop fighting against each other.
My aides should work in unity...
on one thing...
and that is to reinforce my position.
Come to think of it.
The two of you make a wonderful couple.
Ning Zhi might be a reckless girl,
but she is very clever.
Wei Guang is calm and resourceful.
I've a suggestion.
If the two of you assist Lang Kun properly...
and do your best to help me manage the royal harem,
I will forgive...
and even promote both of you.
If so,
you will enjoy endless fame and fortune.
But, if the two of you...
don't serve me properly,
I'll have to make you pay for everything.
Do you agree to my conditions?
Your Majesty.
Just leave everything to me.
Let Ning Zhi stay out of this.
It doesn't matter.
All I want is the result.
If everything goes well,
all of us will benefit from this.
Otherwise,
the two of you...
will have to pray for the best.
Lang Kun, free them.
Guards! Free them!
Thank you, Your Majesty.
Be gentler.
Be gentler. It hurts.
Are you alright?
This is outrageous.
How could he whip you so many times?
Now you understand.
You're her personal attendant now.
You need to be extra careful.
But, she was right about one thing.
We make a wonderful couple.
Good thing we're smart.
Otherwise,
we'd be dead meat.
The only good news is that...
I finally met you again.
We really need to be extra careful from now.
Else, we might get ourselves killed.
Does it hurt?
I don't even dare to touch you.
Mr. Wei.
You're such a tough guy.
Others would have fainted.
Yet, you're still talking normally here.
How impressive.
People who serve powerful figures like us...
are always prepared for this, right?
Mr. Wei.
Your wounds will hurt a lot tonight.
This is anaesthetic cream.
If the pain gets unbearable,
just apply it onto your wounds.
I shall excuse myself.
Thank you.
Goodbye.
You got whipped so many times?
Wait. Look.
This is a man's room.
How could you...
come in so suddenly?
This is the way I am.
What about you?
How's your injury?
I came from a circus troupe.
This is nothing to me.
Can you show me your wounds again?
I'm a man and you're a woman.
How can I let you see my wounds?
It's not your body I want to see.
The imperial physician gave you some anaesthetic cream, right?
You can't apply it yourself.
I'm not trying to take advantage of you.
If you don't like the idea, I'll just go back.
Thank you.
Thank you for shielding me.
You used to be a blockhead.
What changed you?
It's all thanks to Mr. Lang.
The whipping...
opened up my mind.
Besides,
if a girl like you can be so fearless,
as a man,
I shouldn't be so shy.
In a nutshell,
you think I'm not girly enough.
Yes.
You...
What's the matter?
Does your wound still hurt a lot?
Do you need some medicine?
I'll apply it for you.
You want to apply it for me?
No.
You just said that physical contact is inappropriate.
You think I'll take advantage of you?
No.
My wound is on my back.
I can't let you see it.
I'm leaving.
I won't let you go before you let me treat you.
Alright.
If you don't want to show me your wound,
I'll blindfold myself.
Alright then.
Is it here?
Does it still hurt?
No.
This medicine relieves pain.
The imperial physician said that.
Alright. I think it's done.
Put on your clothes.
Are you done?
Not yet.
I'm done.
You got hurt because of me.
I'll never do you wrong.
Ning Zhi, it's dangerous in the palace.
A girl like you shouldn't stay here.
Once I find a chance,
I'll send you out...
and let you reunite with your family.
Wait for me outside of the palace, alright?
Alright.
Ning Zhi, I must give you a proper wedding.
Because you're the one...
I want to protect the most.
I'll wait.
But, you're in danger now.
How can I leave you at a time like this?