"Episode 14"
I took pity on you.
So, I pleaded for you.
What should you do?
I...
Come find me at the food tasting room in the Imperial Kitchen at 9 pm.
I want you to serve me to the meal.
No way, Your Highness.
There are so many people in the palace.
If someone finds out, I'll be committing a crime.
Don't worry.
It's the Mid-Autumn Festival tonight.
They'll watch the lanterns in Imperial Garden with empress dowager.
At that time...
I'll dismiss everyone in the Imperial Kitchen.
No one will know.
But we've a rule in the Pear Blossom Academy.
We can't leave after 9 pm.
-I... -You promised you would do anything.
Are you burning the bridge after crossing it?
If you dare not come tonight,
I'll have the guards arrest you tomorrow.
You trespassed the forbidden land, and escaped the punishment.
This can't be solved with just 30 strokes.
Your Highness.
I have promised Madam Ye Ning Zhi,
to do something for her.
-Madam Ye asked for me... -It's her again?
You're obviously using her to suppress me.
Don't forget.
I am His Majesty's nephew.
Speaking of status...
who's more honourable?
I'm sorry, Your Highness.
I have something to do.
I can't go.
This is beautiful.
That's right. It's not bad.
It's beautiful.
Right?
Who's that thin and tall old man over there?
What's his rank of nobility?
Hurry. Recall it for me.
If not, I'm going to pinch you.
That's Marquis An Le. He holds a post at the Ministry of Rites.
You passed the test.
Mr. Gao.
Your Majesty.
Stand there.
Are you willing to serve me in the Imperial Kitchen now?
Come here.
-Let go of me! -Let's go.
You're a wench.
Do you think I don't know what you're thinking about?
The place you got caught by the imperial guard the other night,
was Guang Xuan Palace.
If I hadn't come out from His Majesty's place,
how would I run into you?
I think you were trying to seduce His Majesty.
You want to make a meteoric rise to fame?
You think my status is not high enough.
So, you want to burn the bridge after crossing it?
Please.
Don't hit me.
I'll do anything.
Let go of me!
Let go.
Be good.
-Serve me well. -Let go.
Let go of me!
What are you doing?
Madam Ye.
Are you all right?
You're here at the right time.
Both of you belong to me.
Let me go!
Don't be afraid.
I'll take you to see His Majesty.
Tell His Majesty the entire course of events.
His Majesty will do you justice.
Let's go.
Madam Ye.
Madam Ye, look at him.
He...
Prince Bei Ying.
Pretending to be dead, huh?
Do you dare to meet His Majesty with me?
What's the matter?
He's dead.
He's dead?
Madam Ye.
I killed someone.
I killed His Majesty's nephew.
I would be executed if they found out about it.
What should we do?
-Madam Ye. -Calm down!
Madam Ye.
Why don't you send me out of the palace?
He molested me. I didn't do anything.
I didn't kill His Highness.
-Please send me away. -Hold on.
Don't be nervous.
Calm down.
Wait here for me.
I'll go out and take a look.
No, Madam Ye.
I'm scared. I don't want to stay here.
I won't leave you behind. I'm just checking out the situation.
If there's no one, I'll come back for you.
All right?
Madam Ye, I...
I'm scared.
I don't want to stay here.
How about this?
You stay here.
I'll go out and have a look.
All right?
All right.
"Imperial Kitchen"
Stand there!
Sir.
Aren't you the new palace maid from the Pear Blossom Academy?
I remember your last name is Ban, right?
It's late at night.
Why did you come to the Imperial Kitchen?
-Trying to steal the food? -No. It was...
It was Madam Ye.
She asked me to check if her favourite pastry is ready.
When I got here, I realised...
everyone in the Imperial Kitchen has went over to the south kitchen.
Of course.
Today is the Lantern Festival.
Let's go.
No way.
I ran into a few guards outside.
They know I'm Ban Ling Er. They know me.
If we were to leave now,
they'll suspect me if they find the body.
Don't be nervous. I'm here.
Think of a way.
We...
Let's wipe away the blood.
Then, tidy up the things.
Wrap the body with the carpet.
Then, we'll take him out of the palace and bury him.
But can we carry him?
We have to.
I'm a fourth rank officer.
Before 9 pm,
I can leave the palace with my official pass.
But if it's after 9 pm...
I can't do anything about it.
But...
What time is it now?
The Lantern Festival starts at 7 pm.
The fireworks is the last program of the Lantern Festival.
We don't have much time.
Let's gamble it.
Hurry up!
-Look. -It's so beautiful.
-It's nice. -That's right.
It's so beautiful.
-It's better than last year's. -That's right.
-Look. -It's so beautiful.
One, two, three.
Hurry up. The Lantern Festival will end after the fireworks is over.
There will be a lot of people. We won't be able to leave.
Come on.
Let's go.
Stand there.
-Madam Ye, you are... -Mr. Lin.
The imperial guards are so outrageous.
Look. They asked such a thin palace maid,
to carry such a huge carpet to Hua Xiang Palace by herself.
I can't bear to see it.
So, I helped her out.
I'm giving her a hand.
No wonder everyone said that you're a kind-hearted person.
What's the use of being a kind-hearted person?
Hey.
Exert some strength.
Don't let me carry it alone.
The palace gate is closed.
Madam Ye, what should we do?
Madam Ye, you must save me.
Don't panic.
I won't let you get caught.
But the banquet is about to end.
The officers will come out soon.
We're stuck either way.
What should we do, Madam Ye?
Let's bury him at the back of the mountain.
If someone finds out about it, pretend you don't know anything.
I'll take care of this for you. I have a way to stay alive.
-Let's go. -All right.
-Are you all right? -I'm fine.
Madam Ye, there's something that came off Prince Bei Ying's body.
Ignore it first.
Let's take care of the body first. Come on.
One, two, three.
Three, two, one.
Greetings, Your Majesty.
Ning Zhi, where have you been?
I sent three men to find you but they couldn't find you.
Did you have too much fun that you got carried away?
The empress is looking for you too.
She said you suddenly disappeared.
Something came up at home.
I went to talk to my sisters from before I entered the palace.
What happened?
It's nothing serious.
It's about the circus troupe.
-It's been settled. -All right.
Let me tell you a good news.
Wei Guang had another victory.
Look.
Your Majesty.
Your Majesty, this is bad.
What happened?
Prince Bei Ying is dead.
He's buried behind the mountain in the Imperial Garden.
We found Madam Ye's jade tag there.
-You're dismissed. -Yes.
Prince Bei Ying is dead.
An hour ago,
the imperial guards found the blood trail at the palace gate.
Then, they found a wild dog digging the ground on the opposite hill.
After Prince Bei Ying is dead...
he was wrapped in a carpet,
and buried on the mountain.
Why would this happen?
Mr. Lin from the Ministry of Rites saw you carrying a carpet,
with a palace maid and headed to the palace gate.
The guard found a jade tag at the place where the body was buried.
That was the jade tag that I bestowed to you when I made you,
the female officer.
I lost that jade tag a few days ago.
Ning Zhi.
Are you trying to lie to me?
You can't hide it from me.
You're all smiles when you get news of Wei Guang's victory. But today?
You're so preoccupied.
Tell me.
What happened?
I'll do you justice.
Your Majesty.
Your Majesty, you said it before.
No matter what I did, you would spare me, right?
Did you really kill Prince Bei Ying?
It was by mistake.
Although Prince Bei Ying deserved it...
I've committed a murder despite it all.
Your Majesty.
Your Majesty, I can't die yet.
I haven't found my family yet.
I haven't met Mr. Wei yet.
I want to protect my sisters at the Pear Blossom Academy.
Your Majesty.
Please save me.
Here.
Your Majesty, is there no other way?
You promised me you'd spare my life.
Your Majesty has given your words.
If I give a decree to exempt you from death...
that means I'm telling the world,
that you killed Prince Bei Ying.
The emperor is harbouring the murderer.
It's a disrespect to the law and to my fellow clansmen.
The only thing I can do is to stop them from investigating the case.
This is the only way that I can come up with.
Listen to me. Drink it.
There's no other way.
Why would it be like this?
Why would this happen?
Your Majesty, we would like to seek an audience with you.
Sir, it's the Mid-Autumn Festival.
His Majesty had a drink, and is feeling tired.
Your Majesty.
We've an urgent matter to seek an audience with you.
Your Majesty.
Prince Bei Ying is dead. Why are you shutting us out?
Open the door.
Your Highness, I dare not.
I'm asking you to open it.
Yes.
Your Majesty.
Greetings, Your Majesty.
Why are you here?
Convey my order.
From today onwards...
Ye Ning Zhi is my concubine.
Confer her the title as Concubine Ning.
-Greetings, Imperial Mother. -Greetings, Your Majesty.
How is it going with Prince Bei Ying's case?
Is it related to Ye Ning Zhi?
Your Majesty.
We just saw Madam Ye.
-But we can't investigate her anymore. -Why?
The emperor made Ning Zhi the concubine.
She's conferred the title as Concubine Ning.
What?
That's right, Your Majesty.
Since she's His Majesty's concubine,
that makes her the royal family.
According to our law,
for cases that are related to the royal family,
the Six Ministries have no authority to investigate it.
Your Majesty.
Don't bother going.
The emperor and Concubine Ning have returned to the chamber.
Your Majesty, what are you thinking?
Prince Bei Ying is dead.
The Supreme Court's officers suspected Ning Zhi.
His Majesty suddenly conferred Ning Zhi the title as concubine.
These two things must be related.
Your Majesty.
Have you thought about it?
Actually, these two things are not related.
Prince Bei Ying was killed.
Perhaps, it has nothing to do with Madam Ye.
In the process of the investigation, the Six Ministries,
played along with His Majesty.
They ran into His Majesty having a sexual intercourse with Madam Ye.
That's impossible.
Ning Zhi isn't such a person.
I've asked the people around the empress dowager.
The empress dowager and a few palace maids witnessed it.
His Majesty and Madam Ye were drunk.
They were having a sexual intercourse in the study room.
It's impossible.
If they ran into Ning Zhi doing something,
she must have her own reason.
Also, I know it well.
There's no one else in her heart,
but Wei Guang who's thousand miles away.
It's not possible for her to do that with His Majesty.
Your Majesty.
Ye Ning Zhi does not like His Majesty.
But what about His Majesty?
Does His Majesty not like Ye Ning Zhi?
His Majesty treats Ning Zhi well.
But that's because Ning Zhi has saved His Majesty before.
Perhaps, Your Majesty isn't aware.
His Majesty has admired Ye Ning Zhi for a long time.
What did you say?
I found out about it after I bribed the eunuch who serves His Majesty.
When His Majesty went on a trip to observe the commoners,
His Majesty saw Ye Ning Zhi performing in Ping Province.
His Majesty has fallen in love with her at first sight,
waited for her for seven days.
Go on.
After His Majesty returned to the palace,
His Majesty couldn't get her off his mind.
His Majesty even sent the General,
to find Ye Ning Zhi's whereabouts.
But Ye Ning Zhi's whereabouts was unknown.
His Majesty found it regrettable.
So, His Majesty asked a painter to paint Ye Ning Zhi,
and always looked at it.
His Majesty couldn't get her off his mind.
Lang Kun.
If anything you said is fake...
I won't let you off lightly.
I dare not lie.
If Your Majesty has doubt...
Your Majesty can question those who serve His Majesty.
Greetings, Your Majesty.
Rise.
Ning Zhi, don't worry.
I've announced it in public that you're my concubine.
The Six Ministries have no authorities to investigate on you now.
I'll write a secret letter to Wei Guang,
and explain the situation to him.
Your Majesty, thanks for saving my life.
Ning Zhi, get up.
Ning Zhi, you saved me before.
I'm just returning the favour.
But you need to keep this a secret.
You can't let the empress and the palace maids know about it.
I'm the emperor.
I did something so absurd to save a woman. If this gets out,
I'll lose my prestige.
Also, that will cause the people to have doubts about me.
I under Your Majesty's intention.
I'll surely keep it a secret.
Tomorrow, I'll order the Imperial Astronomical Officer﻿,
to pick an auspicious date,
and hold the coronation ceremony for you.
Your Majesty, you saved my life.
Although the Six Ministries have no authorities to investigate this,
it's a death of a prince.
The Ministry of the Imperial Court will surely investigate it.
Also, Her Majesty as well.
I've caused too much trouble for Your Majesty.
It's better to let me fake my death,
leave the palace and conceal my identity.
Your Majesty, please look after my sisters at the Pear Blossom Academy.
Ning Zhi.
Do you know...
how serious is the crime for murdering a prince?
Your Majesty.
Prince Bei Ying died in the palace.
It seems like a royal family's affair.
But His Highness was in charge of the Ministry of Personnel.
I don’t know if this involves the political affairs.
Your Majesty, please investigate it thoroughly.
Prime Minister, it looks like you are overthinking it.
Yesterday was the Mid-Autumn Festival. Everyone was on good terms.
The people got drunk, and someone caused a trouble.
How could it be related to the political affairs?
Your Majesty.
The imperial guards discovered Prince Bei Ying wrapped in a carpet,
and buried on the hills.
It's not an accident.
Where was he hurt?
At the back of his head.
It seems like he died,
when the back of his head hit the vase fragments scattered on the ground.
Is this not an accident?
Don't forget.
It's a family banquet.
Your Majesty.
The prince died tragically, and it raised a few eyebrows.
We need to answer to the people.
We can't be vague about this.
Are you accusing me?
Your Majesty.
Yesterday, I found Madam Ye's...
No, Concubine Ning's jade tag in the vicinity.
Perhaps, Her Highness has saw something.
Last night, Concubine Ning was in my chamber and never left.
You saw it too.
Your Majesty.
Concubine Ning was indeed present during the banquet.
I was wondering if Her Highness saw something,
on her way to Guang Xuan Palace.
What is it? You want to interrogate the concubine?
Don't forget your identity.
I've asked the Imperial Astronomical Officer to pick,
an auspicious date for Concubine Ning's coronation ceremony.
How dare of you to interrogate the concubine?
Do you have no respect for the royal family?
Your Majesty.
I dare not overstep the bounds of etiquette.
We can let the Inner Court investigate this matter.
But we must investigate Prince Bei Ying's death thoroughly.
It's such a shocking murder case.
According to our law,
the entire clan of the person,
who committed the crime will be implicated.
If we reach the verdict hastily, it's hard to answer to the people.
This will completely obliterate the law of our country.
This is detrimental to the royal's prestige.
You're making it sound so terrible.
Right now, the war at the front line is critical.
There are also natural disasters in the south.
Instead of thinking of a way to solve the crisis,
you keep grasping on to my family affairs.
Your Majesty.
If the murder in the palace is not resolved,
what will the people think?
How does the royal family deal with it?
An unclear law will jeopardize the nation.
-That's enough. -Your Majesty.
It's my nation and my clans's jurisprudence.
I'll do as I see fit!
This ends here.
If anyone brings this up again,
you're disobeying the emperor's order.
Yes.
On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival,
I had a fight with Prince Bei Ying.
I pushed him under the influence of the alcohol.
I didn't think it would cause such a great mistake.
Did Prince Bei Ying conduct himself in an offensive manner to you?
Yes.
Since it was an accident,
why won't you let the Ministry of the Imperial Court take care of it?
I was drunk at that time.
I was panic.
So, I asked Ye Ning Zhi, who was by my side,
to take care of it.
Was Ning Zhi in your palace all the time?
Yes, she was there all the time.
When you had a fight with Prince Bei Ying,
Ning Zhi saw it as well?
Yes.
Imperial Mother, I'm begging you.
Please come forward as the clan matriarch,
to appease Prince Bei Ying's family.
I was wrong.
I won't do it again.
Please help me out this once.
Prince Bei Ying had always been arrogant and had no regard for law.
I have been tolerant with him.
I didn't expect him to contradict me under the influence of alcohol.
That's why...
If it was your doing...
this matter couldn't be made known to the world.
Prince Bei Ying asked for it. I pains me too.
Forget it.
I'll have to sacrifice my dignity in exchange for the royal family's.
I wonder how many more disasters,
can I withstand with this weary old body of mine.
Leave this to me.
I obey your order.
Chief commander, His Majesty has sent you a secret letter.
This is the secret letter.
Wei Guang.
You must have heard about Ye Ning Zhi.
I have my reasons for doing this.
The Imperial Astronomical Officer has picked an auspicious date.
The coronation ceremony will be held in Rong Hua Palace,
on the fourth of next month, at seven o'clock in the morning.
From now on,
Ning Zhi will be my concubine.
Are you conferring her the title as Concubine Ning,
to cover up for Prince Bei Ying's death?
I don't want to hide from you.
It's because...
I really like Ning Zhi.
But not long ago, the empress said Ning Zhi and Wei Guang...
Ning Zhi, are you willing to be a concubine?
I dare not disobey His Majesty's order.
What is this?
Imperial Mother, I really like Ning Zhi.
I'm willing to be a loving couple with Ning Zhi like the commoners,
and stay in harmony.
Never did I expect that you're a besotted man.
Well.
I'll approve it then.
But...
as to both of your identities,
you should be in the know.
I understand.
Ning Zhi.
Quickly greet Imperial Mother.
From now on,
you must pay Imperial Mother a visit with the other concubines.
Yes.
Why are you looking for me?
Is it like what they said?
It's because...
Ye Ning Zhi is conferred the title as concubine?
Since ancient times, the young replace the old in every profession.
Your Majesty, don't you think...
Ye Ning Zhi resembles...
who you were before you became the empress?
Take a look around.
Take a look.
She's out.
She's leaving.
Let's go.
Sister, have some tea.
How was it?
I've contacted the former officers.
Most of them are willing to stand on our sides.
But...
there are a few who refused.
Not only they didn't appreciate the favours,
they even scolded us...
for having wishful thinking.
These people are no longer the officers.
Their intention is to speak of the late emperor's will.
They are old now. It easy for them encounter mishap.
Sister is wise.
Right. There's something really odd.
A few days ago, the spy inside the palace told me,
that Ye Ning Zhi has been conferred the title as concubine.
Isn't she Wei Guang's lover?
She and Wei Guang love one another.
The sudden change heart...
Something is fishy.
Chief Commander, the Princess Royal is here and wants to see you.
The Princess Royal?
Why did Her Highness suddenly come to the front line?
Who did Her Highness come with?
Only 300 elite soldiers to protect Her Highness.
Three hundred elite soldiers?
They could actually come to the front line without a trace.
Where is Her Highness now?
In the military discussion tent.
I didn't know Your Highness is here. Sorry for not welcoming you.
Chief Commander Wei, please have a seat.
I heard that Mr. Wei put the enemy to rout.
So, I came to congratulate you.
Your Highness is flattering me.
But it's really sad.
Just a small Wuci actually came right to our door.
If the late emperor knows about this,
I wonder if he would regret,
for passing the throne to such an incompetent person.
Princess Royal.
You made a gaffe.
I didn't.
All I know is to be loyal to the emperor.
Are you doing this for salary?
If that's the case,
how much does it cost to buy Mr. Wei's loyalty?
Wei family is a loyal family.
We don't serve two masters.
Of course I know that your family is a loyal family.
But does His Majesty know?
Everyone knows of your talent and military strategy.
But His Majesty overlooked it.
May I know what's the use of such loyalty?
His Majesty went against the masses and put me in an important position.
I thank His Majesty for recognising my worth.
That's because His Majesty wants you to throw your life in for him.
You're at the front line to charge and break through enemy lines.
His Majesty is in the palace...
and made Ye Ning Zhi his concubine.
Your Highness, why are you trying to say?
The relationship between you and Ms. Ye,
has spread throughout the harem.
Besides, His Majesty has a suspicious nature.
You made a great contribution, and that threatens His Majesty.
Chief Commander Wei.
You should know,
what's the ending for you at that time?
I don't understand what Your Highness said.
I have work to do. Excuse me.
Wei Guang.
The subjects with great merit which threatens the emperor,
will suffer a bad ending.
You're a smart man.
You should know how to protect yourself.
Wei Guang.
You'll come to me eventually.
Why do you seem to be in a very good mood today?
The storm is coming.
This is the last song that I can play.
The rainstorm should have come two years ago.
This time...
we won't be able to escape.
Go away. Get out.
Go away.
If you've no money, why come to the physician? Get lost.
Leave.
-Get out. -You...
Don't waste our time.
Leave.
-Leave. -You...
Come to the physician with no money? Get lost.
Be careful.
-Come on. -Wife.
Come on. Be careful.
Sir, what happened?
My wife has a lower back pain.
We have no money to pay the physician.
We asked for the physician to show us mercy and charge us half the fee.
But he threw us out.
Sir, hold on.
We can't do nothing if we have no money.
An Ling City is filled with poverty-stricken people.
Sir.
I've been here before a decade ago.
It was very prosperous back then.
Why would it turn into this now?
Ever since the Princess Royal came here,
we didn't get to live a good life.
She took all the money to train the soldiers.
Old man, cut it out, all right?
The other time, when people talked about the Princess Royal,
they were beheaded.
If the officers hear you...
I'm afraid that this outsider will be implicated too,
and caused him to die in a foreign land.
Madam, don't worry. I'm not afraid.
I'm someone who has escaped the doom.
I've been through all kinds of ordeals.
Madam, I think your lower back pain isn't that serious.
I have a prescription here.
Would you like to try?
What is it?
Are you a physician?
I'm not.
But I know an imperial physician.
He has a prescription that works.
My lower back pain used to be worse than yours.
I had to walk like this.