"Episode 15"
I'm not a physician.
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. -Buy some buns.
After taking the medicine from that imperial physician,
this is how I walk now. I can even go marching.
Do we need to pay for this prescription then?
Of course not. Take it.
-Thank you. -Thank you.
He's a good man.
Madam Ye.
Ban Ling Er.
-How is it? Did anyone follow you? -No.
Did anyone from the academy notice that you sneaked out?
No. I told them I'm going out for a while.
I didn't even tell Ah Jiao and Ah Qiao.
That's good then.
Madam Ye.
What took you so long to come find me?
I couldn't sleep these few days. I was afraid something would happen.
I'm really scared.
Am I not scared then?
It's a human life after all.
He's dead now.
The most important thing is that we must live well.
The Supreme Court won't investigate on me now.
Of course it won't lead them to you too.
Don't worry.
Right, Madam Ye.
His Majesty made you as a concubine.
Why so sudden?
Everyone was so astonished.
Ban Ling Er, if you want to be safe,
don't bother or ask about this.
From now on...
pretend that it never happened.
I got it.
Madam Ye.
Can you make me your maid?
I'll serve you well.
Madam Ye.
You're my saviour.
If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be able to keep my virginity.
I won't be able to stay alive.
I...
I don't know how to repay you.
Get up.
No need to kneel to me.
I don't even know how my future looks like.
It's better for you to stay in the Pear Blossom Academy first.
"Wan Xiang Palace"
Your Majesty.
Look at you.
Where did you go to in the middle of the night?
Let me remind you.
You're no longer a palace maid or Madam Ye.
You're Concubine Ning.
You must keep that in mind.
Yes.
Your Majesty, please go to Rong Hua Palace.
The coronation ceremony will begin in another four hours.
Tell His Majesty.
I suddenly have a headache.
I couldn't leave the palace.
But, Your Majesty...
His Majesty knows why I suddenly have a headache.
His Majesty will understand.
-Just report what I said. -Yes.
Hold on.
Although I couldn't attend, let's not forget the etiquette.
After the coronation ceremony,
get Concubine Ning to perform the formal etiquette to me.
Yes.
Perform the formal etiquette.
Kneel.
Bow.
The mid-autumn is over, but the weather is still so hot.
That's not a good sign.
The ceremony is over. Everyone is dismissed.
Concubine Ning.
You stay.
I want to talk to you.
Yes.
Your Majesty.
I know you have grudges in your heart.
I don't know where to start.
I've come to this because I had no choice.
But I'll always remember the kindness that Your Majesty has shown me.
Stop pretending.
There are scores in everyone's hearts.
You thought you've done a favour to others.
But they might not think so.
Concubine Ning.
I really want to know.
What are the scores like in your heart?
You lied to me but I didn't kill you.
You're so clumsy in doing things.
I merely scolded you.
You dare to talk back to me.
But I asked the empress dowager to take you in.
I was afraid that you would be killed by other masters.
But...
In the end?
You approached His Majesty.
Ye Ning Zhi, what a good plot.
Your Majesty.
I didn't betray you.
One day, Your Majesty will understand.
You didn't betray me?
From the moment you put on this costume,
you've already betrayed me.
All I know is that...
my heart is with Your Majesty.
Ye Ning Zhi, you still want to lie?
But I'm awake now.
But Wei Guang isn't awake yet.
He's fighting alone at the border.
What for?
To marry you, this ungrateful woman.
Your Majesty.
Is that what Your Majesty think of me?
What should I think of you?
Who are you?
Do you really understand yourself?
Do you really know yourself?
You thought you like Wei Guang.
You thought you are loyal to me.
Actually...
you merely didn't realize your inner desire.
Noble Consort Dong was the same.
At first, she treated me like her sister.
But in order to get what she wanted...
she abandoned our friendship.
Ye Ning Zhi.
You'll turn out like this in the future.
That's right. That's what I am.
Ever since I entered the palace, I've got what I wanted.
But you're the legal wife, and I'm just a concubine.
You put on peony, and I, only the rose.
Your Majesty, are you satisfy now?
I shall take my leave.
A total of ten taels.
-Here. Thanks. -Thanks.
Come.
Brother, I've never seen such a strange person like you.
Every year, you come to buy so many bricks.
You build a new house every year?
Do you really want to know?
Every year, I marry a concubine.
You do have luck with women.
-I'll take the rest later. -All right.
Be careful, brother.
All of you are dismissed.
There's a news from the front line.
Wei Guang advances victoriously. The war will end in two months.
Two months?
Your Majesty, didn't you say it will take four to five months?
What happened to your face?
-Summon the imperial physician. -No, don't be nervous.
You're having smallpox?
How is this smallpox? Look.
It's fake. Just rub it, and it'll come off.
Ning Zhi.
You'll feel unhappy if you don't come up,
with something new every day to scare me, huh?
This is part of my plan to leave the palace.
Two months later, Mr. Wei will return with victory.
But he has to leave the palace to recuperate because of his injuries.
And Concubine Ning gets smallpox.
Soon after, the pretty girl dies.
Turns out you've come up with a plan...
to leave this place.
I've to plan this well.
I saw the sculptor carved empress dowager's sculpture.
It's so real.
I hope the sculptor will make one for me.
Then, I'll put it in the coffin,
without anyone knowing about it.
But before leaving the palace, I have so much to do.
Your Majesty has to help me,
teach Lang Kun a lesson.
Let's show him what I'm capable of.
Also, we need to overturn the unjust ruling in the harem.
Your Majesty.
Are you all right?
It's indeed been hard on Wei Guang.
It's time for him to take a break.
I know.
You'll leave sooner or later.
Be it Wei Guang or you.
I...
can't get any of you to stay.
Your Majesty.
The Princess Royal is back.
I don't know when she'll rise in revolt again.
The sister of mine has never approved of me as the emperor.
I have a feeling,
she's back this time to plan to usurp the throne.
I think there's no family love in the royal family.
As an emperor, I have no friends.
Until one day...
I met you and Wei Guang.
In a light trance, I feel like...
there are people whom I can share my thoughts with.
But who knows that you'll have to leave after all...
to live your own lives.
I'm left to face the slaughtering between family,
and the mutual deception.
Which officers can I rely on, and who will betray me?
I'm left alone in this huge palace.
I'll have sleepless nights.
Your Majesty.
It's my fault.
In order to save my life...
you've paid a great price for it.
And all I think about is myself.
Your Majesty, don't worry.
Even if I'm gone,
Wei Guang will take care of the Princess Royal for you.
Mr. Wei, I've come up with an excellent plan.
When you're back,
I'll secretly leave the palace with you.
But I think His Majesty is really pitiful.
If we leave...
His Majesty wouldn't have anyone to talk to.
I've told you everything.
Since His Majesty's heart is moved with love for her,
His Majesty will get Ning Zhi no matter how.
If you still have doubts,
when you return to Yandu,
get to the bottom of things with the eunuch who serves His Majesty.
Greetings, Your Highness.
Wishing you all the blessings.
Rise.
Thank you, Your Highness.
Time flies in a blink of an eye.
I remember when I first entered the palace...
this is where I learned the etiquette.
Her Majesty passed by this place, and paid us a visit.
Never did I expect...
when I put on this costume...
I realised that's how it feels.
Drag them out, and give them 40 strokes!
-Spare us, Your Highness. -Spare us, Your Highness.
-What's going on?
Why are you so timid?
I was just joking. Quickly get up.
Your Highness, we're really scared.
That's right.
When I see someone with the concubine costume,
I can't help but tremble.
Do you want to be so weak for the rest of your life?
Did your parents bring you to this world,
just so you can be humiliated by people in these costumes?
Sometimes, I wonder.
This costume is not an ordinary costume.
It's the armour that God has bestowed to me.
I'm destined to fight this war.
Concubine Ning, if you say this,
Her Majesty will not spare you.
It doesn't matter anymore as to what Her Majesty thinks of me.
What matters is all of you.
From now on...
I'll find a way to make a good arrangement for all of you.
Your Highness, what does the good arrangement mean?
Your Majesty, the news of victory keep coming in endlessly.
Why does Your Majesty still seem preoccupied?
I heard that...
the Princess Royal went to the front line to meet Wei Guang.
It looks like she has made up her mind to rope Wei Guang in.
Wei Guang is loyal to Your Majesty. He'll never betray Your Majesty.
Why are you so nervous?
Who else can I trust if not you and Wei Guang?
I just promised the empress dowager,
to let Prince Guang Ding return to the palace.
He'll arrive in these few days.
But didn't Your Majesty say that,
Prince Guang Ding and the Princess Royal's ambition is an open secret,
and will never allow both of them to step into Yandu again?
I have no choice.
Half the officers submitted the memorials today.
Even the Prime Minister can't turn them down.
I can't let the people think that I'm one who has no virtue,
and sense of kinship.
When the late Emperor was still around,
he once said that my biggest weakness is my soft-heartedness.
Indeed, this is where I've failed.
All these years...
due to the sense of kinship,
I've allowed a free rein to them.
I didn't expect that instead of being grateful,
they're secretly building a force to go up against me.
Right now, I can't do anything to them.
That person is Prince Guang Ding.
Prince Guang Ding?
He's not only arrogant.
He's also a lecher.
Is he His Majesty's brother?
He's moving back to the palace.
After sometime, the Princess Royal will be back soon too.
You must be careful of these two.
-Hurry. -Let's go.
Isn't this Concubine Ning?
Do you still remember me?
Of course I remember.
Prince Guang Ding.
It's been a year.
Concubine Ning turns from a palace maid,
to His Majesty's favourite concubine.
This palace is really interesting.
I believe everyone knows that Prince Guang Ding has returned.
His Highness needs the palace maids in Hua Xiang Palace.
We need to send ten people there.
Pack your things tonight if your name is called upon.
Go to Hua Xiang Palace tomorrow.
Zi Ling.
Chen Yu Yun.
Feng Qin.
Wu Jing Wen.
Ban Ling Er.
Ban Ling Er, where are you going?
Everyone, stop her!
-Hurry! Stop here! -Ban Ling Er!
Ban Ling Er!
-Ban Ling Er! -Ban Ling Er!
Ban Ling Er, calm down.
Calm down.
Ban Ling Er, listen to me.
Ban Ling Er, calm down.
Ban Ling Er.
Calm down.
Listen to me.
What are you doing?
Prince Guang Ding wants ten maids from Pear Blossom Academy.
Ban Ling Er is one of them.
Ban Ling Er.
Trust me.
I'll take care of it for you.
You can't help me.
It's the usual practice for the prince to pick maids to serve in his chamber.
I'm so unfortunate to be chosen as one.
Everyone knows...
that Prince Guang Ding is a brutal man.
Entering Hua Xiang Palace is as good as dead.
His Highness is empress dowager's favourite youngest son.
Who dares to lay a finger on him?
Even if you save me using your status,
His Highness will choose other palace maids too.
Aren't the sisters in the academy innocent as well?
At this moment, you could still consider for other sisters.
Concubine Ning.
You've helped me a lot.
Perhaps, this is my life.
One can't go up against God's will after all.
Your Highness.
Take care.
If there is another lifetime...
I'll surely repay your kindness,
and be deeply grateful till I die.
Ban Ling Er!
Ban Ling Er, remember this!
Remember this.
You're not alone now.
Whatever it is...
we'll help you solve it.
Trust me.
That's right.
Whatever the difficulties, we'll solve it together.
Look at me.
Ban Ling Er.
Look at me.
Trust me.
"Hua Xiang Palace"
Concubine Ning is here.
Greetings, Your Highness.
Concubine Ning.
Why would you have time to come to Hua Xiang Palace?
Your Highness, I would like to talk to you.
Your Highness, you got to be kidding me.
You're my sister-in-law.
It's not appropriate for you to come to my place.
You dare not, huh?
Are you afraid that His Majesty will blame you?
What a coincidence.
I've asked my brothers out for a drink today.
If there's anything,
you can come again next time.
All right.
I'll go back and ask for an edict from His Majesty.
Then, I'll pay you a visit again.
If you have something to say, go ahead then.
I heard that Your Highness picked ten maids from Pear Blossom Academy.
What a coincidence.
I've picked them beforehand.
I wonder if you could somewhat do me a favour.
Let me have them.
Concubine Ning.
A concubine gets a certain number of palace maids.
Given your rank...
with those in your palace, and an additional ten maids,
you're more ostentatious than Her Majesty, huh?
Your Highness, you've misunderstood.
Some of my maids are old now.
I'm preparing to send them out of the palace.
According to Liang's rules...
I'm a grown-up prince.
I have the right to choose the palace maids that I like.
Let me tell you.
I want these ten palace maids.
I'm not stopping Your Highness from picking the palace maids.
I just think the palace maids from Pear Blossom Academy are too young.
I'm afraid they can't serve Your Highness well.
That's my own business!
If you want these ten palace maids...
you'll have to drink with me. Are you scared?
It's just a drink.
I can do it.
Your Highness knows about this too.
I come from the circus troupe outside of the palace.
I'm well aware of the drinking methods outside of the palace.
In this palace...
Concubine Ning is considered a unique person.
I heard that this wine is very strong.
Ordinary people can't drink more than three bowls of it.
Do you dare to gamble with me?
For every bowl that I drink...
you'll give up a palace maid to me.
Prince Guang Ding doesn't even have the guts to make the bet?
I'll make the bet then.
Drink it.
Concubine Ning.
Please.
One.
-Two. -Good.
Three.
Four.
Concubine Ning, four.
Concubine Ning, it's seven now.
You drank seven bowls in a row.
Hats off to you.
No need to drink the remaining three bowls. You may leave.
It's not over yet.
How many bowls was I at?
You drank eight bowls.
I'll keep my promise and give up eight palace maids to you.
You're too anxious.
Move.
No one can be left behind.
Concubine Ning.
-Concubine Ning. -Concubine Ning.
-Why are you so drunk? -Go get a pillow. Hurry.
Here. Put it at the back.
Sit down.
Why are you still standing there? Get her the hangover tea. Hurry up!
None of you...
have to go.
Your Highness, what are you talking about?
Where is it they need not go to?
You don't have to serve Prince Guang Ding.
-No need to go to Hua Xiang Palace. -Your Highness.
-We don't need to go. -Is it for real?
All right, Ning Zhi.
Come on. Have some hangover tea.
Drink up and you'll be fine. Here.
Ning Zhi.
-Concubine Ning. -Let Her Highness rest on the bed.
No way. The imperial concubines can't stay outside.
Quickly take her back to His Majesty's place.
Hold her.
Slow down.
Be careful.
Hold her.
None of you have to go.
Slow down.
None of you have to go.
What's the matter?
Greetings, Your Majesty.
Is Concubine Ning drunk?
Your Majesty, when the palace maids from Pear Blossom Academy,
sent Her Highness back, she was already unconscious.
-You're dismissed. -Yes.
None of you have to go.
Your Majesty.
Why am I here?
Did I scare you?
What happened?
Why did you drink so much?
Do you know how long have you been sleeping?
It's been six hours.
I've misbehaved, Your Majesty.
Where are you going?
I...
Why are you leaving? You haven't sobered up yet.
I have something to show you.
Look.
Who is this?
This...
Is this me?
Could it be me?
When you just entered the palace two years ago...
you performed for the empress dowager's birthday.
At that time, I've noticed...
that you're smart and quick-witted.
You won't ask for help, and you won't put others to harm.
You're different from other palace maids.
But Princess Royal and the empress had locked horns back then.
I had no time to look for you.
After that, I heard that you left the palace.
At that time, I thought...
perhaps, it suits you better to be outside the palace.
After that, I was up to my ears in work.
I wanted to go for a walk outside the palace.
I didn’t expect to see you on the street by accident.
You were performing with the circus troupe.
You smiled at me.
I didn't know why.
I can't help but to smile too.
I wanted to keep the smile on your face.
I wanted you to stay.
But you left after that.
I sent someone to look for you.
But your whereabouts was unknown.
My mum fell sick. So, we went back to the hometown to recuperate.
One year later, you entered the palace again...
and became the empress's maid.
You saved my life again by accident.
I think this is God's will.
Ning Zhi.
I...
really like you.
Your Majesty, I've things to do. I shall take my leave.
Greetings, Your Majesty.
I want to leave the palace.
Please approve it.
Why?
Are you that eager to leave me?
Did I scare you?
Your Majesty treats me well.
But...
I don't want to stay in the palace anymore.
I know.
You were born a commoner.
You're not used to the life in the palace.
But don't worry.
I'll gradually eliminate the barriers in your heart.
I will treat you well.
I won't let you feel any discomfort.
Your Majesty.
I think you're aware...
the one in my heart...
isn't you.
I know.
I just feel that...
even if you don't like me now...
but in time...
when you see my sincerity...
perhaps, you'll understand that I'm worthy of your love.
Besides, there's a political instability now and I really...
can't do it without you.
I know.
Wei Guang is still at war.
The Princess Royal and Prince Guang Ding are ambitious.
Your Majesty is very worried and troubled.
But...
what can I do even if I stay by Your Majesty's side?
I'm just a woman.
I can't control the political situation.
Do you really think you can leave so easily?
You need to know.
The person you killed is Prince Bei Ying.
If you leave from under my protection...
his henchmen wouldn't let you off lightly.
Not only will you be in danger.
Your mum and everyone in the circus troupe,
will be implicated by you.
Well.
Mr. Wei has told me.
The war will be over in two months.
I'll continue to stay in the palace for two months.
Your Majesty, during these two months...
don't come to Wan Xiang Palace.
The news will get out that I lost Your Majesty's favour.
Then, I'll find a chance to contradict Your Majesty in front of everyone.
Your Majesty can use this as an excuse,
to demote me to a commoner's rank and banish me from the palace.
I guess...
no one will remember me then.
Your Majesty.
I've another request.
No matter what...
please save my mum.
Don't let her be dragged into this.
Your Majesty.
I'll never forget...
the kindness that Your Majesty has shown me.
We'll do as you say.
Mr. Wei.
Let me tell you a good news.
His Majesty has promised me.
When you return with victory,
I'll be demoted to a commoner's rank, and banished from the palace.
The first thing I want to do after leaving the palace is to find my mum,
and reopen the circus troupe.
Right now, I'm training secretly in the palace.
In no time...
I'll be able to perform like how I used to.
Mr. Wei.
Didn't you say that you love to watch me perform?
Right now, I can perform at a higher place.
When I leave the palace,
you have to be my first audience.
Your Majesty.
The carriage has left the palace for quite some time.
Where are we going to?
You'll find out soon.