"Episode 21"
"Guang Xuan Palace"
Imperial physician, how's His Majesty?
Your Highness.
His Majesty may have a relapse of cold disease again.
Give me some strong medicine.
You must make sure to keep the cold under control.
-Yes. -No.
This can't get out.
If not, I will kill your entire family.
Yes.
Your Majesty.
I'll ask them to get the heater for you to warm your body.
No.
The weather's warm.
If the others know I'm using the heater,
they'll know that I have a relapse of cold disease again.
This can't ever get out.
Greetings, Your Highness.
Judging from your look...
did something happen to His Majesty?
His Majesty's illness has relapsed.
The imperial physician has checked on His Majesty.
But I think...
His Majesty has a more severe psychological disorder.
A psychological disorder?
His Majesty probably is lacking courage.
Your Highness, since you know His Majesty well,
Your Highness surely know Princess Royal and Prince Guang Ding too.
These two are the cause of His Majesty's psychological disorder.
Noble Consort Ning.
I have three children.
All of them are my favourites.
I'll feel sad no matter which of them is in a bad situation.
Your Highness, if you could step in to solve it...
There's an old saying.
The younger generations will do all right on their own.
As parents, we can't always be worrying about everything.
Just serve His Majesty well.
It's your job to console His Majesty.
-But... -I'm tired.
You are dismissed.
I shall take my leave.
Your Highness.
Her Highness has a task for you and sent me here to to pick you up.
Please get on the palanquin.
I just returned from Her Highness's palace.
Isn't Her Highness taking a rest?
Your Highness will understand when you meet the empress dowager.
Let's get moving before the spies in the palace notice us.
Why did you bring me up the mountain?
-Where's the empress dowager? -Your Highness.
Her Highness is at the front.
Your Highness.
All of you are dismissed.
This is called Mount Lang.
In the past, when the imperial concubines defeated their opponents,
they would abandoned them here.
There are so many wolves on the mountain.
They abandoned them here?
My saviour was abandoned here.
Your Highness, who was your saviour?
It's all in the past.
This place is deserted.
So, I'll come here whenever I have things to talk about.
I brought you here today...
because I need your help with something.
I don't understand.
Your Highness, when you were in Cheng Xiang Palace,
you didn't allow me to talk about Princess Royal and Prince Guang Ding.
The Princess Royal knows everything about me inside and out.
If we talk in Cheng Xiang Palace,
the news will get to her in no time.
I didn't expect Princess Royal to plant spies in Your Highness's palace.
You came to Cheng Xiang Palace because you wanted me to step in,
to persuade the Princess Royal and Prince Guang Ding, right?
That's right.
His Majesty got all worked up because they're conspiring to revolt,
which causes his illness to relapse.
His Majesty is afraid they'll raise a stink if the spies discover it.
-His Majesty dares not get treatment. -Ning Zhi.
You have the intention to help His Majesty with the trouble.
It can clearly be seen that you care about Liang and the people.
So, I think you're the only one who can do this.
Your Highness, I'm at your command.
I want you to approach the Princess Royal.
Approach the Princess Royal?
Why?
At Cheng Xiang Palace...
you said that I know Princess Royal and Prince Guang Ding well.
But they think I've always favoured His Majesty.
If I could dissuade them,
I would have done so when they used you...
to bring down the empress during my birthday banquet...
a few years back.
It's a shame.
We belong to the royal family.
In this world, there is no family love when it comes...
to the competition for the imperial power.
What does Your Highness want me to do by Princess Royal's side?
Do what you can.
Stop them from trying to make a move on the throne.
If they can exercise restraint after knowing the serious consequences,
or if they can give up out of the love for the family,
I'll advise His Majesty to have a peaceful coexistence with them.
Your Highness.
Your Highness couldn't do it as a mother.
How could I?
That's because you have a lot of tricks.
You can think of things that ordinary people can't.
Those are just some gimmicks.
Actually, I know a thing or two about the Princess Royal's plan,
and I've been trying to use some other methods to guard against it.
But as a mother...
I want to give one last try to stop my kids from mutual destruction.
Your Highness.
Can I really do it?
You're the best candidate for this.
I don't have anyone that I can entrust this to.
Remember.
There are my people beside the Princess Royal.
When necessary, he'll come and help you.
Come on. Mr. Wei, have a drink.
This wine is really aromatic.
Wei Guang.
Sister.
Look who I brought.
Noble Consort Ning.
Why are you so badly injured?
-Should I call the imperial physician? -It's fine. Just some flesh wounds.
Do you know where I found her?
The forest behind the Imperial Garden.
She was taming the wild horse.
She fell from the horse countless times and still didn't give in.
It's hard to tame the wild horse.
You're a noble consort. Why torture yourself over this?
Your Highness, what happened?
She wanted to die.
Wei Guang, actually, Ning Zhi has never changed.
There's only one person in her heart.
That's you.
A few years ago...
that incapable ruler saw Ning Zhi at empress dowager's birthday banquet.
He has been attracted to her, and wanted to marry her.
Of course Ning Zhi didn't obey him.
So, that incapable rulers threatened Ning Zhi...
with her mother's life and the lives of the people in the circus troupe.
His Majesty went to Beidian,
and found my mother and everyone in the circus troupe.
They rebuilt the circus troupe in Han City.
But...
they are actually being put under house arrest by the imperial guards.
God forbids that this incapable ruler continue to live on.
Wei Guang.
That incapable ruler doesn't deserve to have Ning Zhi.
Since both of you are in love,
no one can separate you.
I've been young and frivolous too.
I know...
how it felt to love someone and couldn't be together.
Both of you love each other.
You shouldn't give up so easily.
If that incapable ruler stops you, you should fight him courageously.
You're never alone.
Ning Zhi, you did a good job.
This is the permit to leave the palace.
The guards are my people.
You can secretly leave the palace at any time.
Thank you, Your Highness.
I shall take my leave.
Report!
Your Majesty.
I found this box in a sheepskin leather bag.
This is it.
Your Majesty.
What is Your Majesty doing here?
This is the box that the four-legged eunuch gave you...
to save Wei Guang, right?
What are Your Majesty going to do with this?
Your Majesty.
You're the mother of the nation and the role model for the harem.
How could you break into other people's palace,
and take the things?
You said that yourself.
I'm the mother of the nation.
There's nothing in the harem that I cannot take.
-What happened? -Mind your own business.
Your Majesty, Senior Supervisor Hua and Junior Supervisor Rong are here.
Greetings, Your Majesty.
Well, there's nothing special really.
Perhaps, I'm getting older.
I've been thinking about the things in the past.
Do you still remember how did Lang Kun get into Yong De Palace?
He is no longer my people.
Don't be afraid. Just speak your mind.
Mr. Lang entered the palace about 17 years ago.
He hates people talking about his past.
I heard that...
he came hiding in the palace because he had a lot of debt.
He once said that he was from Yong Du County,
and he has relatives there.
But I've never seen him having any dealings with the relatives.
He was always a yes-man in front of me.
But now, I'm really curious.
How did he treat you?
Before he was held in high regard by Your Majesty,
he was kind to us.
He has the gift of the gab to cheer the palace maids up.
He even knows fortune-telling and acupuncture.
He treated the palace maids with some minor illness like headache and fever.
-He knows acupuncture? -Yes.
But he isn't proficient in it. Just some slight knowledge of it...
to please the palace maids.
I'm a little tired.
-You're dismissed. -Yes.
Greetings, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty asked to see me...
It's so painful.
Why can't I get a hold of the acupuncture point?
Your Majesty are learning acupuncture?
That's right.
Someone offered tuber fleece flower as a tribute to me.
I wanted to personally give it to Princess Royal.
But I've been having a headache these days.
That's why I asked you to come over.
Your Majesty, are you all right?
I'm fine.
I noticed that Princess Royal has some white hairs.
So, I would like to trouble you...
to bring this tuber fleece flower to Princess Royal...
an expression of good will.
Your Majesty.
Maids! Her Majesty has fainted.
Maids!
-Your Majesty. -Maids!
-Your Majesty. -Her Majesty has fainted.
-Your Majesty. -Summon the imperial physician. Go on!
Are you all right?
Her Majesty's hands are cold. Go and get the medicated oil.
Yes.
Mr. Lang, I heard that you know acupuncture.
Perform acupuncture and save Her Majesty.
I...
I merely have a slight knowledge of it.
I'm not proficient at it, and it won't save Her Majesty.
It's a matter of urgency. Her life is hanging in the balance.
It's too late by the time the physician comes.
Why don't you give it a try?
-I'm not a physician after all. I... -Just give it a try.
-No way. -Just give it a try.
-Give it a try. -I really can't.
I really can't.
Hurry. Let's help Her Majesty back to the chamber.
All right.
-Come on. Be careful. -Your Majesty.
Slow down.
Your Majesty.
I don't know what's your purpose for approaching the Princess Royal.
But this...
is not something that you should do.
I'm no longer a young girl who knows only how to turn a somersault.
I know what I'm doing.
Should anything go wrong,
it will alert the enemies on all sides and turn the weapons around at us.
The things that you are dealing with are different from those in the harem.
The gains and losses, and humiliation in the harem...
are but just a fight between women.
But the real battlefield is full of dead people.
Some broke their arms.
In order to survive, they kept crawling back,
leaving a trail of blood along the way.
Some had their heads chopped off.
But their eyes were still opened.
It was as though they were in disbelief that they were already dead.
I've never seen anything like that.
But I know...
When the men fight the enemies,
the women are waiting for them.
The women are supporting them from behind.
Ning Zhi, this is very dangerous.
I don't want you to get hurt.
But I am already in danger.
Whether you like it or not,
there's no turning back now.
Besides...
instead of taking refuge under your wings,
I'd rather fight with you.
I know you're not the enemy.
We're on the same side.
Noble Consort Ning.
I have something to ask of Your Highness.
What is it?
Prince Guang Ding went to Pear Blossom Academy again.
His Highness wants me to serve him at Hua Xiang Palace.
From the look in His Highness's eyes,
I know I'll not be able to keep my virginity.
Ban Ling Er, get up first.
Don't worry.
I will persuade Prince Guang Ding.
Your Highness.
Must we be bullied...
just because we are slaves?
I want to stay by Your Highness's side.
I'm willing to do anything.
I want to live like a real person.
I'm afraid that even you're with me,
things will get more difficult for you.
This is also the reason why I asked Ah Jiao and Ah Qiao to stay behind.
I take pity on you.
That's why I can't accept you as a palace maid.
Your Highness, please show me mercy.
Get me out of the abyss of suffering.
How about this?
I'll make you His Majesty's palace maid.
Then, you don't have to be afraid anymore.
Thank you, Your Highness.
Your Majesty.
Ning Zhi.
Where have you been all day? I couldn't find you.
I heard of a physician outside the palace who treats the cold disease.
So, I went to enquire about it.
How was it?
He has an undeserved reputation.
It's similar to the imperial physician's prescription.
Imperial Physician Han has told me.
I'm afraid this might not be a relapse of the cold disease.
Perhaps, it's because of emotional issue.
That's why I feel that I have cold.
If so, Your Majesty should relax your mind.
I happened to bring a smart palace maid.
With her serving Your Majesty, I'll be at ease too.
Greetings, Your Majesty.
Let her stay then since you brought her here.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
You're dismissed.
Long live Your Majesty.
Rise.
These five people do resemble me a lot.
Your Majesty, this is...
They are my stand-ins.
Only the Grand Marshal, the Prime Minister and you...
know about my whereabouts from now on.
The palace maids who serve me,
and the soldiers who protect me,
will be changed daily.
Your Majesty, don't worry.
I'll help Your Majesty.
Be sure to relax your mind and recuperate...
to have the energy to deal with Princess Royal and Prince Guang Ding.
Of course I believe that...
you'll help me.
You've made a vow, right?
Your Majesty, rest earlier. I shall take my leave.
"Restaurant Xin Hui"
How was your observation?
Is Lang Kun trustworthy?
Lang Kun can be trusted.
Trust me, sister.
It's a serious matter.
I can't be negligent.
We have to test him again.
Your Highness, how could you do this to the late emperor?
If it wasn't because you are the late emperor's children,
we would have turned you in to His Majesty.
That's right.
-We would have turned you in. -That's right.
We would have turned you in.
-Turn you in. -That's right.
Will we endure it if you're not the Princess Royal?
-That's right. -Turn her in.
Your Highness.
Are these ministers yielding ground yet?
They are all about the late emperor.
I got it.
-No need so many people. -How could you do this?
I can handle it by myself.
Turn you in!
The late emperor loved the people and done us great favour.
Liang is a long-lasting dynasty.
This is the late emperor's empire.
That's right. It's the late emperor's empire.
How could you do that to the late emperor?
That's right.
-Mr. Lang. -Lang Kun.
Mr. Lang, what are you doing?
-What are you doing? -Are you going to rebel?
How dare of you to kill the government officer?
Put the axe down.
-Mr. Lang. -Mr. Lang, please calm down.
A person who has no desire is of no use to us.
His eyes are full of desire for power.
We're the only one who can give him the power.
Lang Kun can be put to good use.
I'll send you to meet the late emperor today.
He dares to do anything for the master.
He's a good crazy dog.
Good.
Mr. Lang.
Let's see if you still want call for the late emperor.
I'll send you to meet the late emperor.
I've long heard that you know tricks that can cheer Imperial Mother up.
-It's true indeed now that I see. -It's just to cheer the elderly.
I think someone is watching us.
Who cares?
Wei Guang.
I want to be with you.
The reason we asked all of you here...
is because our great plan...
requires the cooperation from all of you.
Chief Commander Wei went to Bei Shou County to win over the generals.
It's half the work, twice the effect for us.
I know everyone still have doubts.
Worried that our strength is meagre,
and couldn't defeat that incapable ruler.
That's not the case.
Many people in the court have taken our sides.
Of course I believe Princess Royal and His Highness.
But I don't know who these people are.
I'm afraid that we might hurt our fellow comrades.
Xiao Yu.
This booklet is the answer.
Everyone can have a look.
But you've to burn it after you're done reading it.
Don't mention a single word in it.
Understood.
I'll not breathe a word.
All right.
General Wei and I have agreed.
We'll start the plan...
three months later.
Look at the map.
Beidian is that incapable ruler's weak spot.
This is where we will get started.
Right now...
the soldiers from eight counties are on our side.
We're counting on you in this.
I'll do my best to get the things done.
Thank you, Noble Consort Ning.
Sister, it's as you expected.
She got off the palanquin three miles away from here.
Instead of going to the palace,
she went in the direction of Nan Feng County.
Could she really be the spy who's sent by His Majesty?
Sister, what should we do now?
I've sent people to keep an eye on her.
Tell your men.
If she didn't return to the palace,
or attend to any personal matter,
or met some unrelated people,
ask them to disguise as thieves,
and kill her.
Kill her?
Sister, she is the imperial concubine.
Her assassination will bring shock the world.
I'm afraid that this will affect our business.
Instead of serving His Majesty in the palace,
the imperial concubine personally left the palace.
She ran into the thieves,
and died in a disaster.
What does it have to do with us?
There's only the imperial guards to be blamed...
for not looking after her and allowing her to leave the palace.
That's right.
Even if they investigate this,
they won't find any evidence.
But I hope it's just a misunderstanding.
Ning Zhi is that incapable ruler's favourite concubine.
She has good relations with people in the palace.
If she's at our disposal,
it will be good for us.
But this person is just like Wei Guang.
It's not easy to manipulate her.
If we don't handle it well, it will backfire on us.
If so...
I might as well get rid of her first.
Miss, are you staying here?
You didn't pay back the money you owed me!
You hit me?
-I'm hitting you. I... -Miss.
Why are you fighting?
-Do you have a room? -There's one.
-This way, please. -Both of you.
-Don't fight. -Fight outside if you want.
Why are you fighting here?
Do you hear me?
You can stay in this room.
Waiter, can you get me a piece of paper?
-A paper? We have no paper here. -Please!
-All right. I'll find it for you. -All right. Thank you.
Enjoy.
Sorry.
-No more room for today. -Let's go.
Who are you looking for?
What are you doing? Don't rummage through the things.
So many people in the court are on the Princess Royal's side.
Open the door, sir. I'm the waiter.
Open the door.
Open the door!
After her!
Over there.
Lang Kun?
Why are you here?
I should be asking you that.
Why are you here?
It's not easy for me to come out.
That's why I wanted to go to Nan Feng County...
to visit my friend in the circus troupe who is badly injured.
I didn't expect that this place is so dangerous,
and I actually ran into the thieves.
Are you making this up to fool the idiot?
How presumptuous!
You dare to be disrespectful to me?
I'm not going to beat around the bush with you.
Cut the crap and remove your clothes.
What?
I said. Take off your clothes. Got it?
Change your clothes, Your Highness.
How dare of you to take advantage of me?
You girls are so troublesome.
You...
That's strange.
Why are there words written on Your Highness's clothing?
It's all names.
They look so familiar.
These are the names from the booklet, right?
Lang Kun.
How dare of you to remove my clothes?
I'll report it to His Majesty,
and you'll be dead tomorrow.
Over 40 names.
Your Highness have a good memory.
Your Highness could memorise almost all the names on the booklet.
I'll tell you the truth then.
Princess Royal asked me to do this.
It's for safety precaution.
We want to see who will make a move on this clothing.
That makes him the traitor.
If you don't believe me, you can ask her...
if she believes in me or you.
All right, then. I'll ask the Princess Royal.
What's the matter?
Ye Ning Zhi, let me tell you.
From today onwards, you have to listen to me.
You'll do whatever I ask you to.
Got it?
Otherwise, I'll hand over this clothing.
You should know...
that the Princess Royal has seen you in this clothing.
You can't deny it.
What will Her Highness do to you if she knows you betrayed her?
The Princess Royal won't believe you.
Let's give it a try then.
I've seen the Princess Royal's way of doing things.
Her Highness will make your life a living hell.
I've checked.
Uncle Kun from your circus troupe passed away a few days ago.
Go back and tell them...
you were on the way to pay respects to him.
So happened someone knocked on your door at the inn.
You thought it was the thief and you escaped through the window.
Do you remember it?
Who exactly is Lang Kun?
Mr. Lang, you saved us from the Princess Royal,
-but you kept us here instead. -Calm down.
I'm here to take you away.
When we get to the West River, a boat will take you away.
Lang Kun, whose side are you on?
Why did you save us?
That's right.
Don't ask anything.
Hide your identities and find a place to hide.
Did His Majesty send you?
The Princess Royal is throwing her weight around.
Liang is having internal and external conflicts.
If we leave now, what will happen to Liang?
That's right.
I've said it. Don't ask anything.
One day, when Liang needs you...
someone will bring you back.
-This... -All right. Let's go.
-Let's go. -Let's go.
Your Majesty.
Greetings, Your Highness.
Where's His Majesty?
Your Highness.
I've been waiting outside for a long time.
I don't know which palace His Majesty went to.
I don't know His Majesty's whereabouts either.
Your Majesty, what's the matter?
I feel so cold.
I've just recovered from the cold.
It relapsed again.
Maids!
Bring some hot soup and get the blanket.
-Yes. -His Majesty fell sick again.
I need to get the imperial physician at once.
Right, go to Wan Xiang Palace and get Noble Consort Ning here.
Yes.
I accidentally fell down just now.
It's inconvenient for me to walk.
Get the imperial physician.
Yes.
Both of you, stand guard outside the door.
Yes.
Your Majesty.
It's fine. The imperial physician will be here soon.
Please forgive me.
I can only warm you up with my body.
Noble Consort Ning is here.
Your Majesty.
How are you doing?
I have a relapse of cold disease again.
It's the same as before.
Have you summoned the imperial physician?
We did just now.
Noble Consort Ning.
I haven't seen you for a day.
Where have you been?
Your Majesty, I went to launch the sky lantern behind the mountain,
and pray for Liang.
Ning Zhi.
Tonight...
stay and keep my company.
Your Majesty.
Take a good rest.
I'll be here to watch you sleep.
Then, I'll return to Wan Xiang Palace.
I'm fine now.
Go back...
and rest earlier.