"Episode 7"
Kang Er, repeat it after me.
May Imperial Father be blessed with longevity and good health.
May the country be blessed with prosperity and good fortune.
May Imperial Father be blessed with longevity and good health.
May the country be blessed with prosperity and good fortune.
Good boy. You did well.
But not fluent enough.
You need more practice. Got it?
I know.
Sister, Kang Er is only five years old this year.
Don't be too harsh on him.
I want Kang Er to be more relaxed too.
But if his father was an ordinary man,
I won't be harsh on him.
But his father is the Emperor.
The Son of Heaven.
If I'm not being demanding of him,
how will he get his Imperial Father's attention?
Black Python Deity, I'm here late at night,
to make a second wish to you.
I want you to help me come up with a way to deal with Noble Consort Fu.
Let the empress release Wei Guang.
Senior Supervisor Hua said...
although Her Majesty is a hateful person and loves power,
she's actually not a vicious person.
So...
I sincerely make a wish to you.
I hope you can help me.
Who is it?
Who's there?
Miss.
Why are you so badly injured?
Let's check over there.
-Come on. -Search the garden carefully.
Yes.
Hurry up!
Are you all right?
Which palace are you from?
It's Fu...
Fu...
I heard him say something about the river bank.
Help...
Help me.
Ah Jiao, Ah Qiao, hurry.
Hurry.
Look.
Do you know her?
I think she's Xiao Hua, Noble Consort Fu's personal maid.
Noble Consort Fu's personal maid?
Why would she be injured and came here?
Let's not bother.
She's badly injured. Let's send her to Yong De Palace first.
Hurry.
Why are you acting impetuously?
-Mr. Lang. -What's going on?
Who is this?
Why did you bring her to Yong De Palace?
Mr. Lang.
She's Xiao Hua, Noble Consort Fu's personal maid.
I don't know who did this to her.
When we found her, she was in a bad shape.
Noble Consort Fu's maid?
Why did you bring her here?
-Quickly get her out of here. -Hold on.
Greetings, Your Majesty.
Rise.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
You stay. The rest are dismissed.
Remember not to spread this out.
Should anyone leak it out...
you'll be beheaded.
Yes, Your Majesty.
-Take her away. -Yes.
Chen Xue.
Get the imperial physician who attends to me.
Yes.
Ning Zhi.
Tell Lang Kun the entire course of events right from when,
you found Xiao Hua.
Yes.
Your Majesty, why is that?
This is Noble Consort Fu's personal maid.
Now that this has happened.
There must be something behind it.
Perhaps, it's directly related to Noble Consort Fu. So...
Let's save her first.
Ning Zhi, you did well.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
-I have another suggestion. -Do tell.
Since this matter has something to do with Noble Consort Fu,
why don't we invite Mr. Wei over as well?
He knows well of Noble Consort Fu's tricks.
He can help to come up with a plan for Your Majesty.
Perhaps, he can even find out the truth behind this.
Go to the empress dowager's palace and get Wei Guang here.
Your Majesty.
She has lost a lot of blood, and her pulse is weak.
Her life is in dire danger.
No matter the method, this person must be saved.
Yes.
I shall take my leave.
I think she's awake.
Xiao Hua.
You're in Yong De Palace.
No one will bully you.
Who did this to you?
You can tell me.
I'll do you justice.
Fu...
What is it?
River...
What else?
All of you are dismissed.
Yes.
Just now, Xiao Hua mentioned Fu He.
It should be the murderer.
Do you have any idea?
Your Majesty, I'm very familiar with the members of Fu's family.
But I've never heard anyone by the name of Fu He.
I think the person Xiao Hua was referring to...
is probably not Fu He.
Perhaps, it's a name that's similar in pronunciation.
I remember there's General Fu He in the cavalry guard regiment.
It sounds more like this name.
This person is very close to Fu.
-Also... -Fu Shi Gui.
You mean...
Noble Consort Fu's brother, Fu Shi Gui?
Wei Guang, I know you're eager to win a merit.
Let's not mention the word "He" is not related to Fu Shi Gui.
He is Noble Consort Fu's biological brother.
Even His Majesty extends his love to her family,
and holds Fu Shi Gui in high regard.
His Majesty even allows him to enter the palace as he pleases,
to accompany Noble Consort Fu.
How would someone like this do this to a regular palace maid?
Your Majesty, are you aware...
of the damaged Southern riverbank that happened half a month ago?
I have heard of it.
The damaged Southern riverbank...
affected seven cities and counties along the way.
His Majesty is very furious about it.
That time, a dozens of officers were investigated.
So, the word "He" might not be unrelated to Fu Shi Gui.
Fu Shi Gui presided over the repair of the Southern riverbank.
What does this have to do with Xiao Hua?
Everyone fights over the flood control and the repair of riverbank,
because they can embezzle a lot from it.
Over the past few years, Noble Consort Fu gains the favour.
The lucrative job of the repair of riverbank goes to Fu Shi Gui.
I think Fu Shi Gui is likely to embezzle,
a large amount of money for the repair of the riverbank.
The damaged of Southern riverbank must be related to him.
Sooner or later, the investigation will point to him.
Xiao Hua heard him when he came to ask for Noble Consort Fu's help.
That's why she's faced with the fatal disaster.
Otherwise, as Noble Consort Fu's personal maid,
would Xiao Hua suffer such bad injury in the palace that's heavily guarded?
It must be the work of Noble Consort Fu's people.
In that case, that's quite possible.
But his sister, Noble Consort Fu, has always been smart.
She always act gentle and virtuous in front of His Majesty.
She couldn't possibly act wantonly under His Majesty's watch.
Fu's family throw their weight around, commit all kinds of atrocities,
that provoke public anger.
Noble Consort Fu dotes on his brother too.
This is very likely to be his doing.
There's nothing Noble Consort Fu can do with this brother.
Regardless if it's true or not,
this is an opportunity for Your Majesty.
Either way, there's a plan for each situation.
Also, we'll find out the truth soon.
If this is true...
Fu Shi Gui is too audacious.
Lang Kun, arrest Fu Shi Gui.
Get His Majesty and empress dowager here.
I want to confront Noble Consort Fu and his brother in front of them.
Your Majesty, hold on.
Xiao Hua is still unconscious.
Even if we catch Fu Shi Gui, there's no way to testify against him.
Our top priority is to help Xiao Hua recover and get enough of evidence.
Order the imperial physicians to do their best to save her.
Give them whatever medicine they need.
Wei Guang, you have no assistant outside of Yong De Palace.
I'll assign Ning Zhi to you.
Whatever you need, get Ning Zhi to convey it to me.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
Mr. Wei.
How is she now?
This is the most crucial time.
She'll be fine if she can get through these few hours.
We couldn't get her to take the medicine.
Her meridian system is a mess.
It's not looking good.
You have to save her life no matter what.
Yes.
It looks like we have to strike first.
Strike first?
Xiao Hua isn't awake yet.
How confident are you?
The only variable is Lang Kun, who serves by Her Majesty.
He is dissatisfied with me because Her Majesty holds me in high regards.
I'm afraid he might secretly pull some tricks.
Don't worry. It's a small matter. Leave it to me.
Your Majesty.
Is Xiao Hua awake?
The imperial physician said she's at a risk of losing her life.
Your Majesty, it's a critical situation now.
We must arrest Fu Shi Gui at once.
Since she hasn't woke up,
what's the point of arresting Fu Shi Gui?
If we don't arrest him now,
we'll not have any evidence when Xiao Hua is dead.
Indeed.
The injury isn't looking good as the time goes by.
Wei Guang, bring my decree.
Capture him and bring him to Yong De Palace at once.
Yes.
Ning Zhi, let me ask you.
You went to the banyan tree last night.
Were you there to make a wish for yourself or me?
I wouldn't dare to lie to Your Majesty.
Of course I made a wish for Your Majesty.
Have you made a wish for yourself before?
Nothing gets past Your Majesty.
I did make a wish before.
-It was for myself. -What did you wish for?
What else can I wish for?
Of course I wished that I could meet Mr. Wei as soon as possible.
The Black Python Deity really answered my prayer.
After I made my wish...
Mr. Wei showed up in front of me.
Did something bad happen after that?
After that?
Your Majesty knows what happened after that.
Someone falsely accused Mr. Wei and I of fornication.
But Your Majesty is a perspicacious person.
-That's how we got spared. -That's enough. Say no more.
Your Majesty.
-I have something to report. -Go on.
Xiao Hua is in Yong De Palace.
But if this news gets out,
Noble Consort Fu will surely send people to get rid of her.
But if Mr. Lang keeps watch at the door,
I believe no one can fish in troubled waters.
Your Majesty, the guards will suffice.
There's no need for me to attend to it personally.
How can the guards be as wise as Mr.Lang?
Ning Zhi is right.
Lang Kun, keep watch at the door.
Don't let anyone in.
Yes.
Greetings, Your Highness.
Isn't this Wei Guang?
I heard you've committed a serious offence.
You killed a few government officers.
And you still have the guts to come back.
It wasn't my doing.
It was a gang of bandits who killed the government officers.
They impersonated me.
Her Majesty has investigated it.
The empress dowager has vouched for me too.
The Ministry of Justice has closed the case.
Is that so?
Why did you bring so many people to Qiu Ye Palace?
Last night, we found a palace maid who was near death in the Imperial Garden.
She was severely injured.
We have identified her.
She's your personal maid, Xu Xiao Hua.
She pointed out that it was your brother...
Fu Shi Gui who did that to her.
Ping Province is very close to Jin Province.
Drop by Ping Province to visit our aunt.
Help me bring some tonics for her.
All right.
I haven't seen aunt for a long time too.
Fu Shi Gui, come with me to Yong De Palace.
What are you doing?
Is this a place where you can behave atrociously?
Guards, get in here.
-Yes. -How dare of you, Wei Guang?
How dare of you to arrest him here? Who gave you the nerves to do that?
This is Her Majesty's jade plaque.
Her Majesty puts me in charge of this case.
Whoever obstructs me is obstructing Her Majesty. Take him away.
Sister.
Wei, you came prepared. I can't do anything to you.
But if you take him away, you need to know the consequences.
Your Highness need not tell me that.
I shall take my leave.
Yesterday afternoon...
you entered the palace to report the military situation to Mr. Tang.
You didn't leave even up until the evening.
Based on the imperial guards' record,
you haven't left the palace ever since.
Where did you go last night, and what did you do?
Yesterday, I was having small talk with my sister in Qiu Ye Palace.
You can ask my sister about it.
Also...
we talked about His Majesty's past.
You can verify it with His Majesty.
Xu Xiao Hua is awake. She testified against you.
Is that so?
Since she's awake...
get her here to confront me in person.
I'd like to see why is she falsely accusing me.
Here. It's going to be okay.
What's the matter?
Imperial Physician Xu, take a look. It looks like she can't make it.
It's useless. She's dead.
Quickly inform Mr. Wei.
Imperial Physician Xu, guard Xiao Hua's body.
You know best of the entire course of events.
Come with me to inform Mr. Wei.
If you don't confess, don't blame us for inflicting torture on you.
You ganged up to accuse me just to plot against my sister.
Let me tell you. Don't even think about it.
She's dead.
What's the matter?
-Greetings, Your Majesty. -Your Majesty.
We searched all over the palace.
We haven't found Fu Shi Gui's hideout.
But we've gave an order to have,
the imperial guards guarding each palace gate.
I'm sure he's still in the palace.
Your Majesty, I find this to be odd.
We shouldn't proceed with the investigation.
Wei Guang, quickly hand over Her Majesty's jade plaque.
Return to the empress dowager.
Ning Zhi, return to Pear Blossom Academy.
Lang Kun.
His Majesty has never made a decision for me. Can you?
Your Majesty, I'm only doing this for your own sake.
Some people in the palace said that Fu Shi Gui has six different voices.
How is that possible for him to have six different voices?
Your Majesty.
Back then, there were rumours spreading in the palace,
about the vision from the Heaven.
Even the empress dowager was shocked by the vision.
Your Majesty asked His Majesty to pray at the Imperial Ancestral Temple too.
In the end, it was a catastrophe brought into being by the villains.
This is a rare opportunity to uproot the evil force in the royal harem.
If Your Majesty gives in because you're afraid,
that means you've lost.
Your Majesty.
Yesterday, Fu Shi Gui's complexion turned as red as the jujube.
This doesn't make any sense.
I heard that a few years ago,
someone in the palace contracted this rare disease too.
In the end, it was found out that he ingested,
the wrong medicine concocted by a folk physician.
-This is just a rumour. -That's enough.
Say no more. I know one should have a strong sense of righteousness.
Wei Guang, proceed with the investigation.
Yes.
-Your Majesty. -Your Majesty.
-Are you all right? -Your Majesty.
-Summon the Imperial Physician. -Your Majesty, wake up.
Your Majesty.
What did you see?
Just now, I saw...
I saw six phantoms.
They passed by my bed.
Your Majesty, how's that possible?
There are guards at the door. How could someone get inside?
One of them was Noble Consort Li.
The other was General Shi Ke.
The last one.
It was the four-legged eunuch.
But all of them are dead.
The four-legged eunuch﻿?
What's a four-legged eunuch﻿?
That was the eunuch who used to serve Noble Consort Li.
His name was Eunuch Gao.
Later on, he fell sick due to old age.
Then, he got a hunch back.
When he walked, both his hands dangled on the floor.
It's like he was walking on four legs.
Later on, everyone in the palace called him as the four-legged eunuch.
Your Majesty, what you hear might not be true.
So are things that you saw with your own eyes.
I haven't figured it out yet.
But I will find out the reason.
About Fu Shi Gui,
Noble Consort Fu will surely come up with a series of moves.
Keep this in mind.
Don't believe in gossip.
Your Majesty once taught me to wait.
One should have a strong sense of righteousness.
-Your Majesty. -Greetings, Your Majesty.
-Quickly check Her Majesty's pulse. -Yes.
Your Majesty, we shall take our leave.
Why are you looking at me?
You're like a guy.
I suppose you won't be afraid with today's incident.
It could make Her Majesty to be so fearful even in her bedroom.
I think something is wrong with Yong De Palace.
You're worried about Her Majesty?
There are many people protecting Her Majesty.
I don't have anyone to protect me.
That's why I'm going to watch you...
walk back.
So, you're worried about me?
You have got quite some nerves.
You actually dare to do this here.
With you around, I'm not afraid of anything.
Let Wei Guang handle the case impartially.
Let the law take its course.
Imperial Mother.
I'm really worried.
Right now, everyone in the palace is panicked.
If this goes on, the harem will be in a chaos.
Empress.
You need to take care of the rumours.
Imperial Mother, it's a complete nonsense.
But the concubines are cowards, and believed in the rumours.
This keeps spreading around as though it is true.
Don't worry, Imperial Mother.
I'll surely clarify it with them.
Imperial Mother, I'll listen to you.
I'll leave it to Wei Guang to handle my brother's case.
But as for the rumour...
I've came up with a good idea.
The State Preceptor﻿, Yan Kuan, is good at this.
Instead of keeping him in the prison like a trash,
why don't we release him?
We can't release Yan Kuan.
Releasing Yan Kuan,
-it's not that big of a deal. -Imperial Mother.
Yan Kuan has committed an extremely serious offence.
How can we release him that easily?
If so, what have we taken the law for?
-Your Majesty. -How about this?
Bring Yan Kuan to my palace.
I'll arrange people to keep an eye on him.
Once we get to the bottom of things,
I'll send him back to the prison at once.
Imperial Mother.
His Majesty has made it clear when he gave me the golden seal.
I'll be in charge of the harem.
What's the matter?
Am I not able to call the shots in regards to the prisoner?
I shall take my leave.
So be it if you're not releasing him.
This matter has to be discussed at length.
Report. His Majesty learned the news in the palace at the hunting ground,
and sent me to deliver a message.
His Majesty said to release Yan Kuan to get things straight.
Greetings, Your Majesty.
Arrest Fu Shi Gui.
Yes.
Why are you here instead of protecting Her Majesty in Yong De Palace?
I got news Fu Shi Gui was hiding in the storeroom. I came to arrest him.
He has escaped. Quickly go after him!
-After him! -Hurry!
Wei Guang, what are you doing?
Ning Zhi.
Can a person have such great strength when he goes crazy?
Your Majesty.
Mr. Wei and Ning Zhi learned of Fu Shi Gui's whereabouts,
and went to catch him.
Mr. Lang is not here too.
Why don't I get them back to protect Your Majesty?
No need.
Get me my court dress.
Get out.
-Your Majesty. -Get out!
Yes.
I'm alone now.
Whatever the demons and ghosts, come out now!
Aren't you trying to scare me?
I know.
It's because I'm the empress.
I'm second to the emperor.
That's why you're scared, aren't you?
I know.
The more I'm scared,
the more you try to scare me.
I want to see Her Majesty.
Her Majesty has ordered not to let anyone in.
Come out. I'm not afraid of you.
From now on, I won't be afraid anymore.
You should be the one to be afraid of me.
Come out!
-Your Majesty. -Your Majesty.
-No.
-Your Majesty, it's me.
-It's me. I'm Ning Zhi. -Go away.
-No. -Your Majesty, are you all right?
Quickly go and pour a cup of soothing tea for Her Majesty.
-All right. -Summon the Imperial Physician.
-Yes. -Ning Zhi.
I'm here.
I saw Fu Shi Gui just now.
He's hiding behind that.
His entire face was red.
He was dancing like a little girl.
It can't be disguised by a man.
It's impossible.
Don't be afraid. I'm here.
-Your Majesty. -He's right behind there.
-Quickly hide. -I'll check it for you.
There's really no one there.
Be careful.
Look.
Don't be afraid.
Your Majesty.
-That's impossible. -Are you all right?
I saw it very clearly just now. He was right behind there.
Your Majesty, are you all right?
I'm fine.
Didn't you tell me that you have Fu Shi Gui's whereabouts?
-Did you find him? -He got away.
Why were you so careless?
Forget it.
I was worried that he would escape the palace.
But now I know.
He's still in the palace.
As long as he's still in the palace,
we'll surely have a chance to catch him.
Convey my order.
For anyone who can catch Fu Shi Gui,
I'll reward him with these jewellery.
-I know what to do. -Ye Ning Zhi.
You must help me find out...
what exactly is Fu Shi Gui up to.
Yes.
Ning Zhi, come here.
Come.
Sit down first.
They're coming.
What did the imperial physician say?
I've asked him.
He said the medicine that could turn a person's face red is long gone.
No one can concoct it now.
But Imperial Physician Guo gave me this medicine.
He said the effect of this medicine is a little close to it.
Let me try.
Don't simply take the medicine.
It's so dangerous.
Concerned about me?
Of course.
The imperial physician said it's safe.
Really?
All right. Don't take too much of it.
How is it? Has it changed?
There are no changes at all.
It's impossible.
Take a good look, and see if it has changed.
Why do I feel like my face is hot?
I don't think there are any changes.
I'm starting to have cross-eyed.
I don't know if my face has changed. But...
Mr. Wei, your ears are red.
This place is dark.
-You've seen it wrongly. -I'm not.
Let me take a closer look. I'll come closer.
Let me take a closer look.
-Don't. It's itchy. -Is it red?
I think it's very red.
-It's itchy. -If you pull again, I'll pull yours.
He who is unjust is doomed to destruction.
A guilty conscience needs no accuser.
Her Majesty is well aware of the good and bad deeds she has done.
It's nothing strange now that Her Majesty is being haunted.
We spent so much effort to investigate it.
It's still pointless. Don't you think?
How many times have I told you?
Don't talk bad about Her Majesty.
If Her Majesty hears it, we'll be dead.
Her Majesty has said it.
If I can solve this for her, Her Majesty will set us free.
I hope that you can leave the palace.
That way, I'll have lesser thing to worry about.
What about you?
I'll stay.
Only then...
I can help to fulfil my dad's final wish.
I remember you've told me before.
You'll marry me officially.
I believe in you.
You should believe in me too.
I often hear from the elders who live a long life.
Destiny is in god's hands but fate is in our own.
I, Ye Ning Zhi, am the master of my own affairs.
Don't distinguish your destiny and mine.
From now on...
we share the same destiny.