"Episode 8"
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.
Besides, my mum is still a wanted criminal.
Ah Jiao and Ah Qiao entered the palace because of me.
So are the girls from the Pear Blossom Academy.
Actually, I can't be separated with the palace anymore.
You serve by Her Majesty's side.
You probably have suffered a lot of intolerant behaviour.
Actually, a few of the concubines in the harem do things their own ways.
We can choose to serve a wise master.
-I'm afraid not. -Why?
Noble Consort Fu, Concubine Fang and Zhao don't get along with Her Majesty.
If I can turn to them, I might have a way out.
They have their minds set that we're Her Majesty's people.
How could they possibly trust us?
Besides, it would be worse if we couldn't please any of them.
Let's go.
I need to think this through.
What's the matter?
It's rare to see you being so serious.
I can be even more serious.
No wonder there are more guards in the palace as though,
they're faced with a formidable enemy.
It turns out His Majesty has released Yan Kuan,
and plan to interrogate him in secret in Jing Fa Palace.
His Majesty even asked for my presence.
I insist to put on airs for once.
Ning Zhi, Wei Guang.
Go on behalf of me.
Your Majesty, how's that right?
His Majesty did this probably because he has made up his mind.
If that's the case,
it's pointless for me to go there again.
Your Majesty.
Tell Eunuch Qin.
Let Ning Zhi and Wei Guang go in my stead.
Yes.
If I don't put on airs in the harem,
or make a show of authority as an empress,
everyone would think I can be easily bullied.
They would think that they can step all over me as they please.
Of course.
Help me keep an eye on Yan Kuan when you get there.
Your Majesty, after we leave,
don't stay by yourself.
What a joke.
Do I need you to remind me of that?
Greetings, Your Majesty.
Yan Kuan.
I heard that you made it known in the prison,
that the harem will be in a trouble.
I let you out now.
If you don't explain it to me,
I'll order people to seal your mouth.
Your Majesty, do you still remember something?
Noble Consort Li from six years ago was deeply loved and favoured.
But she contracted a weird disease.
Her whole face turned as red as the jujube.
The imperial physicians treated her for month but to no avail.
They concluded it was incurable.
She couldn't take it and committed suicide under the banyan tree,
in the Imperial Garden.
Since then, strange visions keep showing up.
You found Xiao Hua injured under the banyan tree.
I think Noble Consort Li had some unresolved issues in heart.
Her resentment led to endless strange visions.
If it's like what you said...
what will happen next?
Next...
Her Majesty needs to watch out.
As the head of the harem,
Her Majesty failed to find out the cause of Noble Consort Li's disease.
-Then, it's the empress dowager. -A bunch of nonsense.
Take him away.
Yes.
Mr. Wei Guang is here.
Greetings, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty, have you noticed?
Each time we discovered Fu Shi Gui's whereabouts,
he always had a way to escape.
Seems like there's Noble Consort Fu's spy beside Your Majesty.
Who could it be?
I don't know yet.
But when we discuss about Fu Shi Gui in the future,
I hope Your Majesty can dismiss everyone.
That includes Mr. Lang.
Lang Kun has served me for so many years.
I trust him.
No one knows how the news got out.
Mr. Lang has a wide connection.
What if he has a slip of tongue?
For safety precautions,
it's better not to let him know the inside story.
Mr. Lang is here.
Your Majesty.
The physician that I previously mentioned has arrived.
You came at the right time.
Wei Guang is talking about Yan Kuan.
You should listen to it too.
Go on.
Lang Kun, why don't you step out first?
Your Majesty.
I'll ask for you if there's anything.
Yes.
It's obvious that Yan Kuan,
is trying to help Fu Shi Gui get away with his crime.
Perhaps...
it was his plan to have Fu Shi Gui to pretend to be crazy.
Wei Guang, what do you think?
We can try to hear Ning Zhi out.
All right. Go on.
Actually, it's simple.
Fu Shi Gui hurt Xiao Hua.
Then, he discarded her body in the bushes.
Then, he found out Xiao Hua wasn't dead.
So, he went to ask Yan Kuan for help.
Yan Kuan is really vicious.
He actually resolve the attack by striking back.
How so?
Fu Shi Gui has killed someone.
But he is not guilty.
That's because he was possessed by evil spirit to come back for revenge.
He's innocent.
They brought up the case that happened few years back,
and said the disease that caused the face to be red isn't incurable.
But Your Majesty did nothing about it.
If so, how would people submit to Your Majesty?
Go on.
In my opinion,
this should be her plan.
Fu Shi Gui suddenly went missing.
Then, so many strange visions followed suit.
Those visions came to Your Majesty, and the empress dowager alone.
It makes both of you worried and scared in order to drive you crazy.
Noble Consort Fu came up with a really good plan.
Let's talk again after I meet the physician.
Your Majesty.
Judging from the situation,
Fu Shi Gui is not possessed.
But he didn't fake it either.
No ordinary people can fake it.
He probably has a mental illness.
I've only seen this illness twice in my life.
The patients think of themselves as some other people.
He would think of himself as the emperor,
and demands others to bow before him.
At times, he would think of himself as a little girl playing hide and seek.
At times, he would even think of himself as a lady from the brothel,
trying to attract customers.
Such an illness do exist?
I saw it with my own eyes.
It's strange.
That patient couldn't read.
Yet, he could recite the "Diamond Sutra".
He's an old man in his fifties.
But when he thought he was a lady from the brothel,
he started acting like a lady at the entertainment venue.
How many personalities can a patient have?
The patient I met had 18 personalities.
Is it possible...
that Fu Shi Gui has this disease?
Even if there is such an illness in the world...
why would Fu Shi Gui so happen to have the personalities,
of those related to Your Majesty?
Wei Guang, you've always had a lot of ideas.
I'm counting on you this time.
Your Majesty, thank you.
Even now, I have a lot of doubts.
You and Ning Zhi are in love. I can see that.
If you can solve this,
I will surely reward both of you.
I'll allow you to return, and get married in your hometown.
Your Majesty, Mr. Wei wishes to stay in the palace.
He has a great ambition. I...
It's good enough if I could stay by Your Majesty's side.
I can tell at a glance if it's your true feelings.
Forget it.
No matter what you have in mind,
so long as you can help me with the calamities,
I'll agree to any of your requests in the future.
Wei Guang.
Are all the records about Noble Consort Fu here?
Yes.
I went to collect the royal family's records with Her Majesty's decree.
I don't think there'll be anything missing.
Why is there no record of Noble Consort Fu and her brother,
before entering the palace?
Perhaps, it's because Noble Consort Fu was born a commoner.
So, they omitted her life as a commoner.
So, what are we looking for?
If Fu Shi Gui doesn't have mental illness,
there must be other reasons, and this reason...
might be concealed...
in his and her sister's life experiences as commoners.
You mean...
So, we need to find out the places that they used to live in,
and find some clues from His Majesty's notes,
on Noble Consort Fu's everyday life.
You're so smart.
Lately, the rumours in the palace are becoming more frightening.
It's just some pretences.
Actually, some people have hearts that are worse than ghosts.
And these people...
are like a ship without a rudder.
They sail in the direction of the wind and it goes very naturally.
It's so natural that it makes people cast a sidelong glance at them.
Young lady.
Your walking pace is getting better.
Even your manner of speech is more refined.
Come clean with us.
-Are you influenced by Mr. Wei? -Cut it out. Don't let others hear it.
Mr. Lang will pass by this place from time to time.
Don't bother about Lang Kun.
Ah Jiao, Ah Qiao.
Mr. Wei and I are looking for a physician,
who can concoct the medicine that can turn a person's face red.
He's outside the palace. Also...
why does Fu Shi Gui have six voices?
So, I asked for Her Majesty's permission.
Tomorrow, both of you can go out the palace with me.
Let's find out Fu Shi Gui's secret.
-We can go out of the palace? -That's so great.
If I continue to stay here, I'll suffocate to death.
Don't get so excited just yet. This is not over yet.
Besides, you'll still have to come back.
But don't worry.
One day, I'll gain a complete trust of Her Majesty.
-Then, I'll step all over Lang Kun. -Step him.
I'll avenge my mum, the circus troupe...
and the girls from Pear Blossom Academy.
Finally, we have left that place.
The air outside is different.
The sky is bluer than the inside.
Remember to act according to my plan.
Look.
If anything happens, send someone to tell me about it.
I want to eat it.
I got it.
You kissed me in the storeroom the other day.
I haven't settled the score with you.
All right.
I'll be waiting.
Let's go.
Ning Zhi.
Be more careful.
You too.
Don't worry.
He has left.
I can feel that I'm full of energy.
I can fight another 300 rounds with Noble Consort Fu.
Let's go.
Miss.
These are the only two capsules of pill that can make a person's face,
turn hot and red.
Keep it well.
Don't lose it.
I'm old now.
I can't concoct it anymore.
Thanks, Physician Wu.
I'm old now.
I can't go to the palace to testify.
I'll write you a letter.
It's to prove that I concocted these two pills.
Wait here.
Thank you, Physician Wu.
These two pills...
Tell me.
Can these two pills really make a person's face turn red?
Physician Wu is so old.
He even needs someone to help him walk.
Who knows if he's sober?
I can't bring fake medicine back to the palace.
If Her Majesty finds out about it,
we'll be beheaded.
What should I do?
There are two pills. Why don't...
one of you give it a try?
I don't want to.
Try it.
-Help me. -Ah Qiao, help her out this time.
Xiao Hua died a terrible death.
Do you have the heart not to help her find the murderer?
That's right.
Did you swallow it?
Yes.
Let me see.
It might need a moment.
Ah Jiao, how about this?
Later, both of you return to the palace first.
Report the situation to Mr. Wei.
I'll continue to look for the next evidence.
How's my face?
It's so red.
You're more beautiful than before.
Ladies, please have some tea.
Ghost!
Your Majesty, Ning Zhi sent us message.
Turns out there's such a medicine that could turn a person's face red.
Is that so?
That's great.
Also...
I've found out where Fu Shi Gui is hiding.
It's in a palace near the Cold Palace.
The Chang Nian Palace that caught fire and hasn't been repaired?
Yes.
Why is he hiding there?
I think he had no choice.
The imperial guards guarding the palace are Your Majesty's people.
He can't get out of the palace.
But the guards inside the palace are Noble Consort Fu's people.
It's considered well-hidden for him to hide in there.
You must help me catch him.
"Chang Nian Palace"
General Shi.
Don't go offending those people with high authorities because of me.
Your Majesty.
He keeps talking to himself.
Eunuch Gao.
I'll surely help to avenge you.
Your Majesty, are you all right?
Your Majesty, what's the matter?
Quickly leave.
Escort Her Majesty back to the palace.
Your Majesty, are you feeling better?
I have taken the medicine.
I'm fine now.
Where's Lang Kun?
Why don't I see him?
I didn't see Mr. Lang.
Jeez.
He always go missing whenever I'm in trouble.
If you see him, ask him to see me at once.
Yes.
Wei Guang.
-I'm afraid I can't escape this. -Your Majesty, don't be discouraged.
Things will surely take a turn for the better.
That's just a trick Fu Shi Gui came up with to get away with his crime.
But I saw it with my own eyes.
I saw a few people coming out of Fu Shi Gui's body.
All of them told me that they won't spare me.
Didn't you see it just now?
I didn't see anything.
I was watching Fu Shi Gui. I merely saw him talking to himself.
I get it now.
They must have come for me.
-That's why I can see it but not you. -You're overthinking, Your Majesty.
Stop comforting me.
I saw it with my own eyes.
It won't be fake.
I'm well aware of it.
After I was crowned as the empress, I went back to visit my parents.
The local squire gave his heirloom, the Night Pearl in order to please me.
Actually I've always regretted it.
I have everything. Why did I covet it?
If there's a chance, help to return this to them.
Also...
if I couldn't escape this calamity...
please help to implore His Majesty in my stead to grant general amnesty.
Help to accumulate merits for the empress dowager and I.
Your Majesty, don't give up.
I will keep an eye on Fu Shi Gui.
Ning Zhi is on her way back.
The disclosure of truth is imminent.
It should be around here.
Where is it?
-It's like a haunted house. -Let's take a look at the front.
Is anyone in?
This is a haunted house. It's full of ghosts.
Who are you looking for?
I'm sorry.
We didn't mean to offend you.
We...
would like to ask if you know Fu Shi Gui.
I don't know.
Ask the living about the living people.
Grandma.
Eat up.
I know Fu Shi Gui.
He's the brother of Noble Consort Fu,
the emperor's favourite concubine.
Back then, both of them were orphans.
It was me.
-I taught them the skills. -What skills?
The dancing skills.
Fu Shi Gui is very talented in dancing.
But later on...
He went to make a living with his second master.
The second master?
His second master has good ventriloquism skills.
Ventriloquism?
Ventriloquism.
Do you know where that master is now?
The next village. It's very close by.
What should I say?
Just say that there was a pretty girl who came to me today.
An average looking girl came to me today.
Why are you so annoying? But his voice is the same as mine.
That's right.
Of course.
I make a living using this skill.
Without it, how do I survive in the pugilistic world?
I know ventriloquism as well.
It means to speak from the stomach.
Ventriloquism?
Turns out there's such a skill.
My mum did mention it. But I don't know what is it.
Sister.
I'm Shi Gui.
Master said I'm a better student than you in learning ventriloquism.
You're amazing.
Can anyone prove that Fu Shi Gui learned ventriloquism from you?
Why isn't he talking?
Why did you say? I don't understand.
Someone sent me here.
Of course you understand what I'm talking about.
Well, do you understand what I'm saying then?
I make a living using this skill.
Without it, how do I survive in the pugilistic world?
We're from the pugilistic world too. We know the rules.
Let's walk around.
Take a look. It's new arrival.
Young lady, what are you doing?
We're being watched.
They must be here for this bag.
Go back to the palace first.
Leave after I distract them. Got it?
Someone stole my horse!
-Stop! After her! -Don't run!
Stop her! Hurry up!
Stop!
Mr. Wei.
Why are you here?
Many people were after young lady and I on our way back here.
She distracted them with the evidence, and I came back here first.
But I think she'll be in danger. Please save her.
-Where did you split up? -The market in Long Hua Town.
They headed east when we split up.
Your Majesty.
Why did you ask to see me?
Have you found Lang Kun?
Not yet.
What about Wei Guang?
I haven't seen Mr. Wei.
You're dismissed.
Yes.
Your Majesty, are you all right?
-What's wrong? -Summon the imperial physician.
Your Majesty, are you all right?
Your Highness.
We've received a letter that's sent to you in private.
It says Ye Ning Zhi has left Long Hua Town.
She might be hiding somewhere near Jin Feng Town.
Send a secret order to Commander Li.
No matter the method he uses,
help me get the evidence from Ye Ning Zhi.
Yes.
After her!
Search.
After her!
Stop!
What's on the cart?
The straw.
Who are you?
-Why did you break the coffin? -It wasn't me.
Stop.
All right. I'll pay for it.
I won't accept anything lesser.
Give me the bag.
Don't think about it.
Give it to me.
No.
Stop!
If you don't stop, I'll slit her throat.