Episode 12
Your Majesty.
Did the assassin come clean?
That assassin wouldn't reveal anything at all.
After reading your statement,
I ordered to arrest the commander of the Imperial Guard.
Unfortunately, he already left Yandu.
I've set up roadblocks to intercept them.
I can't believe...
the enemy infiltrated even the Imperial Guard.
Mr. Qi is suspicious indeed.
I already informed him that...
there were assassins in the palace.
Yet, he kept it from Your Majesty...
and never took any security measures either.
Qi is just a tiny pawn.
The mastermind is still hiding in the dark.
You don't have to worry so much.
A girl like you shouldn't be worrying about state affairs.
You should think about yourself.
Think about myself?
Like what?
You saved my life.
I'm indebted to you.
Don't you want a reward?
I'm obligated to protect Your Majesty.
I'm glad enough that Your Majesty...
doesn't find me incompetent.
I'm a fair person.
I must reward you for your contribution.
Tell me.
What do you want?
I'm afraid Your Majesty can't give me what I want.
The whole country belongs to me.
What can't I give you?
Then I...
I...
I hope you put Wei Guang in an important position...
and let him fight for the country in the battlefield.
Wei Guang?
That day in the Imperial Garden, I asked you...
if you have feelings for him...
and you denied.
You're guilty of deceiving the emperor.
I dare not!
I'm a girl after all.
I was just shy.
Do you know that Wei Guang is the son of a sinner?
His father was convicted of treason back then.
If it wasn't for the empress dowager,
he wouldn't even have survived.
According to the laws of Liang,
descendants of traitors cannot be accepted into the court.
I cannot change the rules.
But, Mr. Wei is truly a talent.
Her Majesty knows this very well.
He contributed the most...
in exposing Noble Consort Fu.
Your Majesty even said that...
he's important to Liang.
You insulted Confucianism! Do you understand your mistake?
I did not insult Confucianism!
I only said that...
Legalism is for administration...
while Confucianism is for education.
The same goes for the military.
The army must be disciplined.
This is Legalism too.
You're such a bad student!
Young but intelligent.
Moreover, Old General Wei...
could have been wrongly accused.
What makes you say so?
Did Wei Guang complain to you?
No. That's not the case at all.
He didn't say that.
I heard it from others.
Enough.
If Wei Guang wants a promotion, he needs to work for it himself.
I said I'm a fair person.
You're the one that should be rewarded.
Tell me.
What do you want? I'll grant you
In this case, I boldly request that...
I want to be a female official.
You want to be a female official?
You surprised me.
You really love to make challenging requests.
There is precedence.
But you...
After I entered the palace,
I realized that life is completely different here.
Out there, we believe that justice lies in the hearts of the people...
and that reasoning is the way to solve problems.
But here in the palace,
everyone believes that...
there is no justice and that power is everything.
Powerful and influential people...
can do whatever they want.
They can bully
Powerless people...
seem worthless.
They have no one to turn to.
For this reason,
I want to be an official.
An official has the rights to speak.
I want to be able to speak...
and fight for the palace maids...
who do not have a voice!
Well said.
However, you're just a palace maid now.
If I promote you all of a sudden,
it's unjustifiable.
I saved both the emperor and empress.
I contributed to the court.
As for my current identity,
just cross out my name in the list of palace maids...
and I'll be an ordinary person.
I really want to be a good official.
Alright.
If this is your ambition,
I'll give you the position of the Director of Integrity.
May you uphold your integrity..
in investigating the injustice in the royal harem.
You may report to the prime minister.
Is this good enough?
Thank you, Your Majesty!
I...
I shall...
give my all to serve Your Majesty!
Look at you.
You're copying them.
Rise.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
Ms. Feng.
Did you see Ning Zhi?
She's over there.
Thank you, Ms. Feng.
Wei Guang.
Look.
Aren't you impressed?
Mr. Wei.
Madam Ye.
You're not allowed to eat the bananas.
At this rate,
you'll eat all the bananas!
I want you to spit it out!
Otherwise...
This is outrageous.
How dare you do this to an important official like me!
Pay with your life!
Madam Ye, I'm sorry.
Enough!
Enough.
Stop it.
Let me talk.
Ning Zhi.
I just hope...
you don't get yourself into an irreversible situation.
Ning Zhi.
Can you promise me that?
If you've made a choice, you've to stick to it.
Now that I've become an official,
I must play my part properly.
In fact,
I want to help you realize your biggest dream.
Her Majesty has arrived!
-May Your Majesty be blessed. -May Your Majesty be blessed.
Rise.
-Thank you, Your Majesty. -Thank you, Your Majesty.
Madam Ye.
I heard you got promoted.
I've to see you in new light now.
I'm flattered.
I see you have...
cool new clothes.
Come.
Turn around and let me see.
The clothes are great.
But on you,
they just don't look proper.
A monkey in human clothes...
can't become a human.
Am I right, Mr. Lang?
Yes.
Wei Guang.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Have you completed the work I assigned you?
Your Majesty.
It's done.
Then go to Yong De Palace and report the details to me.
Yes.
Greetings, Your Majesty.
What brought you over at this hour?
Your Majesty.
I came to make a request.
Why are you so greedy?
I just made you a female official.
Your Majesty.
I hope you...
spare my life.
Did you get yourself into trouble?
No.
I didn't.
I'm just...
worried about getting into trouble in the future.
You should have said it properly.
You scared me.
Your Majesty.
You don't understand.
After I entered the palace,
the line I've heard the most is,
"Drag him out and behead him!"
There are too many rules in the palace.
The slightest negligence can cost one's life.
I don't want to become a headless zombie, Your Majesty.
My mother wrote me a letter and said...
she dreamt of me...
becoming a headless zombie.
Your Majesty.
Please help me.
Fine.
Stop crying.
I promise.
From now on, regardless of your mistake,
I will spare your life.
You must keep your word.
The emperor does not lie.
Thank you, Your Majesty!
Come. Place your bet.
Put down your stakes.
Come.
Put down your stakes.
Come.
I'll bet on "big".
-Come. -I'll bet on this.
-"Small". -Alright.
I'm going to win.
Let's go.
Madam Ye.
What a coincidence.
Her Majesty wants to reward us for our hard work.
She gave us permission to have fun at night.
There's no injustice in this, right?
Pay no attention to her. Let's carry on.
Place your bet.
Come on. Let's play.
Come.
Place your bet. Come.
You all bet on "big"?
Alright.
-Let me see. -Place your bet now.
Place your bet and hands off.
Come.
Place your bet.
Do you want to die?
I dare you to hurt me.
Believe it or not, I can chop off your head!
Madam Ye!
Calm down.
Let's talk nicely.
Lang Kun!
How many palace maids of the Pear Blossom Academy did you bully?
How did you bully them?
Say it out loudly and honestly!
Otherwise,
you will lose your life.
Inform Her Majesty at once!
Don't move!
I'll count to three.
If you don't say it at the count of three,
I will cut off your head.
Don't be crazy.
One.
Two.
-Three! -Fine!
Fine.
I introduced Zi Ling,
Wen Qi...
and Ruo Xi to Mr. Zhu and the others for their concubines.
That I know!
How much money did you receive from these perverts?
-Speak! -Fine.
I received 50,000-60,000 taels...
and a few mansions in Yandu from them.
You beast!
I already told you! I told you everything!
Really.
You all heard it.
Mr. Lang just admitted it himself.
If the prime minister looks into it,
all of you...
are witnesses!
Your Majesty.
You're still awake.
I've something to inform you.
I found out from the palace maids of the Pear Blossom Academy that...
after becoming an official, Ye Ning Zhi...
roped in Consort Qi and Consort Zhao.
They plan to join hands to bring you down.
Tell me about it.
What do they plan to do to me?
The first step...
is to get rid of your aides.
They will accuse me and Mr. Wang of harassing the palace maids.
Next,
she will take advantage of the fact that she saved His Majesty's life...
and lie to His Majesty,
saying that you're not managing the royal harem well.
Then...
It hasn't even happened.
Yet, you seem like you can predict everything.
Lately, I've been wondering...
whether the people in the palace...
will be sad or happy...
if I die of illness one day.
Your Majesty is the mother of the nation.
The folks and imperial consorts all love you.
Of course they'll all be sad.
The truth is, we both know that...
if I fall,
everyone will only feel happy.
However,
Ye Ning Zhi will not.
Your Majesty.
Did Ye Ning Zhi pull a trick to deceive you again?
Why do you still trust her so much?
I went through Ye Ning Zhi's statement...
recorded by the Ministry of Justice.
She tailed me that day...
because she knew that I might get attacked.
So, she tried to protect me.
But, this is just her groundless claim.
Maybe she was just there...
to meet Wei Guang.
I saw it very clearly that day.
The day His Majesty was under attack,
when you were passing the painting to me,
I saw Ning Zhi standing in the distance.
She looked restless and worried.
But, I didn't know why.
Now I finally understand.
God is kind to me.
I found a person who is true to me.
Did you come to meet me at this hour...
because the assassin came clean?
Your Majesty.
There is no progress in this case for the time being.
But now,
we've something even more important to inform Your Majesty.
Your Majesty.
Wuci attacked without a warning.
Those barbarians...
What's the current situation?
Your Majesty.
They've split up into 3 troops.
They dispatched 300,000 soldiers...
and they are all their elite ironclad soldiers.
All 16 prefectures in the northern region have been captured.
At this rate,
in less than a month's time,
they'll reach Yandu.
I...
declare war.
You may each propose a candidate for chief commander.
I want to hold an internal test as soon as possible...
to find the man that will avenge us!
Do you know that Wuci is attacking us?
This is a big news.
Of course I know.
Do you have a plan?
-I... -You know what to do!
I knew it!
What do you want?
I want you to write down your plan.
You want me to write it down?
Wei Guang.
I have faith in you.
God won't waste your talent.
Useless things!
I'm sorry.
I wasn't talking about you.
I was talking about those useless officials.
They are all cowards.
They are telling me not to go to war.
The enemy is already marching towards me.
If we don't fight back,
will anyone have any respect for Liang?
Your Majesty.
Please have a look at this.
Did you write this?
Even though I'm an official too,
I don't have the capability to save the country.
This is written by Wei Guang.
Isn't he far-sighted?
Isn't he a talent?
Madam Ye.
Do you know that...
you're abusing your authority?
But I didn't violate any law.
I'm just trying to help Your Majesty.
We still need to follow the rules.
Tell Wei Guang to take part in the test...
and properly earn the approval of the officials.
Your Majesty is wise!
Mr. Wei.
You're in mood to fish today?
Whenever you're fishing,
you're think about important things.
Is something bothering you?
I've waited for this for 10 years.
Finally, tomorrow is the day.
Thank you, Ning Zhi.
You should thank yourself.
Your article convinced His Majesty.
Otherwise, he wouldn't buy my suggestion.
But, I had served Her Majesty for so long.
I more or less know what's going on in the court.
We're talking about the chief commander.
It's such an important position.
Every clique covets this position.
You've no one supporting you.
Is it really possible?
Since His Majesty gave me permission to take part in the test,
I must do my best...
and prove myself tomorrow.
Ning Zhi.
Just wait and see.
Alright.
I'll be waiting to...
greet the new chief commander.
Thank you, Madam Ye.
If you become the chief commander...
I heard that if the chief commander returns triumphant,
the emperor will grant him any wish at all.
So, if you win,
what is the first thing you'll do...
upon returning?
I'll go to my father's grave...
and tell him that...
I've finally followed in his footsteps.
And?
I'll ask His Majesty to...
a secret from many years ago.
My father was a meritorious general...
and he did not commit any misdeed.
Why did the late emperor sentence him to death?
Apart from rumours,
is there no other valuable clue?
I suspect that my father's death...
had something to do with a strange woman.
Guang Er.
They sell kites,
masks, pellet drums and wooden swords here.
You can pick one.
Which one do you want?
I'll take this sword.
Father, I'll take this sword.
I want this sword.
You're an ambitious child.
You're my son indeed.
Boss, how much is it?
One bronze coin.
Here you go.
Thank you.
Guang Er.
This sword is yours now.
Father, that lady came again.
That slim...
Don't look at her.
Guang Er.
Listen to me.
If you see her again, act as if you don't see her.
If she talks to you, whatever her question is,
say you don't know.
But, always be polite to her.
Never offend her.
Do you understand?
Yes.
Let's go.
Did your father tell you who that woman is?
He never told me.
But I remember that...
that woman spoke to me once.
I'm sorry.
I didn't mean it.
It's alright.
I really didn't mean it.
Why are you so worried?
I'm alright.
Look.
I'm not hurt at all.
Good.
Wei Guang.
I'm your father's friend.
Let's sit down and talk.
Alright.
Wei Guang.
Your mother died so many years ago.
Is your father still missing her?
Yes.
What about you?
You lost your mother at such a young age. Poor thing.
If your father gets a stepmother for you,
will you be happy?
No. I only want my mother.
She had a tattoo of 3 fireballs on her hand?
My father's name is Wei Yan.
"Yan" is made up of 3 "fire".
I remember that woman as...
an extremely skinny woman who couldn't walk steadily.
Three days after...
she talked to me,
my father got into trouble.
The late emperor said my father defected...
and colluded with the enemy in attempt to overthrow Liang.
He ordered to tear him apart.
Guang Er!
But, my father was so loyal.
He wouldn't do something like that.
Moreover,
the late emperor trusted my father very much prior to that.
Why did he suddenly sentence my father to death?
Grand Marshal.
I'm done.
That's fast.
You've a lot of time left.
I'm ready to submit my paper.
Enough. Say no more.
They are just repeating the same stuffs.
Although I've never led an army myself,
they can't fool me with these old strategies.
By the way,
any suggestion from Wei Guang?
Your Majesty.
Wei Guang's idea is simply weird.
I believe it's not worth considering.
That means,
he suggested something different.
According to him, in order to win this war,
the first thing we must do...
is execute the assassin who attacked Your Majesty that day...
and announce to the entire nation that...
the case has been closed and that there is no mastermind.
Officials of all levels shall not be allowed to look into it any further.
What is Wei Guang's intention?
What does the war have to do with the assassination?
These are two completely different matters.
Wei Guang.
I can't believe the empress called you the best strategist in Liang.
I thought you'd impress me.
Yet, you only suggest to close the case of the assassination.
Days ago,
I read your article...
and it was full of reasons to wage war.
In today's test,
I want to hear your strategy.
What I wrote is my strategy.
The assassins had the nerve to attack Your Majesty...
and their plan seemed almost perfect.
There must be a mastermind.
If you're aware of that,
shouldn't you help me identify the mastermind?
As long as you continue investigating,
the truth will prevail one day.
However, if you investigate now,
the consequence might be costly.
Explain clearly.
The person who attempted to assassinate Your Majesty...
is definitely no ordinary man.
Who will benefit from your demise?
I believe Your Majesty knows the answer.
A person capable of doing this...
must have spies in the court.
He might have even become extremely powerful in the court.
It's fine if the country isn't facing a war.
But now, Wuci has attacked.
Think about it.
If there's power struggle within the court,
Liang will still be Liang.
But, once we're defeated by Wuci,
the country will perish...
and Liang will cease to exist.
Even if I stop investigating,
the mastermind...
will not spare me.
They tried to assassinate Your Majesty in order to usurp the throne.
Their only objective is the throne.
Liang's defeat will not benefit them.
But, if you investigate strictly...
and corner these people,
they'll surely collude with Wuci.
By then,
Your Majesty will be in a passive position.
Now, it's better to unite against the external threat.
We can always...
deal with those rebels after repulsing Wuci's army.
You do have a point.
We shall do as you suggested.
I will issue an order...
to put an end to the investigation.
Your Majesty is wise.
Wei Guang.
Did you take part in the test...
because you believe that you are qualified to be...
the chief commander in this war?
Who else...
can we count on?
Wei Guang.
You've no experience at all...
and you've never been in a big war like this.
That's indeed my shortcoming.
But, it's also my biggest advantage.
Wuci must be fully prepared.
They must have studied...
the styles of all our reputable military leaders.
But, they will never expect the court to send...
a completely inexperienced person.
They can't predict my moves.
More importantly, they don't know my style.
We haven't even attacked...
and we already have an advantage over Wuci.
Apart from that,
why should I choose you?
I have the determination to serve the country...
and the loyalty in the blood of the descendants of Wei family.
Is this not enough?
Back then, your father colluded with the enemy...
and attempted to overthrow Liang.
What is...
your opinion on this?
There is only one answer in my heart.
I believe Your Majesty knows the true answer.
The integrity of Wei family...
will prevail.
Wei Guang.
If it is true that...
Old General Wei was treacherous,
I cannot trust you.
If he was falsely accused,
I do not dare to trust you.
If your father was not wronged,
Wei family is definitely treacherous.
If he was wronged...
Old General Wei died of injustice...
and Wei family became a subject of condemnation.
You became homeless at a young age.
Aren't you resentful?
I am.
I'm bitter as well.
But, I can't go against Wei family's injunctions.
Back then, the last thing my father said to me was,
"No matter what,
our country is our home...
and members of Wei family...
must not be disloyal to the ruler of Liang."
"This loyalty is above life and reputation."
This is why my father walked into the execution site...
without a word of complaint.
Ms. Ning Zhi!
Ms. Ning Zhi, we asked Eunuch Ling!
-There's precedence! -What?
An imperial physician cured the late emperor who was very sick.
The late emperor offered to reward him.
He said he was in love with a palace maid...
and the late emperor married her to him.
If Mr. Wei returns triumphant,
he can ask His Majesty to let you marry him!
You're so happy because of this?
I've already asked Eunuch Lin myself.
Ms. Ning Zhi.
Even though you're a powerful official now,
you're still so in love with him.
What's wrong with that?
Am I not allowed to love someone now?
Ms. Ning Zhi.
Then you should go to Mr. Wei...
and tell him to talk to His Majesty.
Mr. Wei is about to head to the battlefield.
He's putting his life on the line for the country.
How can I bother him for something like this?
Obey my order, Wei Guang!
Wei Guang.
I hereby appoint you as...
Chief Commander in the War of the East.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
Wuci might be a small state,
but against an army of 300,000 soldiers,
this is our biggest war after the conquest of Emperor Taizu.
I entrust the future of the country with you.
This is an extremely dangerous war.
As extra motivation,
I want to know...
if you have any other request.
When I return triumphant,
please clear my father's name...
and announce to the entire nation...
to restore his reputation.
If you return triumphant,
the contributions and feats of Wei family...
will surely be acknowledged.
I will not let you down.
I'd also like to know...
a secret from 18 years old.
I know the question you want to ask.
If you emerge victorious,
I will tell you everything I know.
What else do you want?
I do have another request.
It is personal.
I shall make the request when I return with glory.
If you defeat Wuci,
I can even...
grant you 300 wishes, let alone 3.
I grant you a prized sword.
Slay the enemy for me...
and I will I grant you my prized horse as well...
for you to ride in the palace for 3 days...
while the officials congratulate you.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
Chief Commander Wei.
The country...
and the people...
will all be counting on you.
Chief Commander Wei.
You're so different now.
I've to climb all the way up here just to talk to you.
You really have the tone of an official, Madam Ye.
The superior is always scary.
It's so beautiful.
How did you find this spot?
I don't have a lot of friends.
Whenever I was alone,
I would come here...
and look at the stars in the distant...
as well as the lights.
Then I won't feel lonely anymore.
Now,
I can finally clear my father's name.
Now,
I don't have to be lonely anymore.
I've something for you.
This is my father's sword tassel.
I've been keeping it as a charm.
I've always had it on my sword.
I never took it off.
I'll give it to you now.
No matter where I am,
my heart is with you.
No matter what,
we'll never be apart.
Wei Guang.
I have a question.
What was...
the third wish...
you mentioned in the hall today?
Once I return triumphant,
I'll ask His Majesty to grant us marriage.
Can I start preparing my wedding gown?
Then you should eat less.
Else, by the time I return,
you won't be able to fit into the wedding gown.
How could you say that?
Take this!
Be careful.
By decree of the Emperor of Liang,
the army shall depart now! May god bless Liang dynasty...
and assist our army!
Victory and success for Liang!
May Chief Commander Wei...
emerge victorious and triumphant!
Go!