Episode 22
Greetings, Noble Consort Ning.
Has the empress dowager gone to bed?
Yes, Her Highness has gone to bed.
Please come tomorrow.
I don't have anything very important to say.
Please inform Her Highness tomorrow that...
the incense of comfort she ordered me to find...
is no longer available.
The monks in the temple can't produce it anymore.
I'm afraid we won't be able to obtain the incense of comfort.
Alright then.
I will inform Her Highness tomorrow.
Your Highness, if my prediction is correct,
Liang is about to face an unprecedented situation.
For example,
there might be a female emperor.
Is that so?
But Your Highness,
you must watch out for 5 problems.
What are they?
I'm a prisoner now.
I can't do much for you.
But my younger brother, Yan Zheng,
might be able to assist you in your endeavour.
Hurry up!
Come here for meat!
Hurry! Go!
-Go! -Yes!
Ning Zhi.
You're always away lately.
What are you busy with?
Haven't Your Majesty sent men to monitor me?
You need to know that...
you're my favourite consort.
Your attitude affects the political situation too.
I befriended Prince Guang Ding and the Princess Royal.
Why did you do that?
The Princess Royal is garnering support.
She approached me...
and I thought...
I should perhaps just play along...
and stay close to her,
so that I can obtain some information through our interaction.
This will benefit both the country and Your Majesty.
Then it must have been hard on you.
You've always been a straightforward person.
You don't enjoy socializing.
But for me, you're forcing yourself.
As Your Majesty said,
I am your favourite consort.
My action affects the political situation.
Now that I'm a noble consort,
I can't be selfish like before.
Do you often...
meet Wei Guang at the Princess Royal's place?
There is nothing inappropriate between Wei Guang and me.
I want to know...
if Wei Guang has already...
taken sides with the Princess Royal completely.
Is he planning to join hands with the princess to overthrow me?
Your Majesty.
If someone got my father killed for no reason,
I would waver too.
But I believe that...
Wei Guang will figure out...
who the honest one is.
The Wei family has always been loyal.
I'm sure Wei Guang too...
cares for the well-being of the folks.
But I might not be the one he is loyal to.
What's the difference, Your Majesty?
The Princess Royal is manipulative and deceptive.
Wei Guang might have been fooled by her.
Ning Zhi, if you see Wei Guang,
you must convince him to trust me.
I know how it feels to love someone.
He will listen to you.
I will.
However,
if either the Princess Royal or Wei Guang makes a move,
you must inform me in time.
I know you're smart.
But, you're in the royal harem...
and the competition in the court is complicated.
You must never be reckless.
Yes.
Ning Zhi.
You're my beloved wife.
In this crisis,
we must stay united.
Your Majesty.
We will make it through this crisis together.
Greetings, Your Majesty.
Is your body alright?
I'm fine now.
Thank you for the concern.
Wei Guang.
You've never trusted the Princess Royal, right?
There are many plot holes...
in the story she told me.
She said she went to the execution ground...
to rescue my father.
She said she saw my father torn apart.
But the truth is,
my father was...
killed by a general in the forest.
That general did that...
in order to keep my father's body intact.
I helped to bury my father that day.
The Princess Royal has been selfish all her life.
When she couldn't have your father, she destroyed him.
The older she is, the more impudent she gets.
Now she's going as far as to initiate a coup.
Wei Guang.
You must be having a hard time.
You see the person who killed your father every day.
Yet, you've to play dumb and serve her.
Of course there is hatred.
But now, I should endure.
The Princess Royal has managed to garner...
much more support than we expected.
Once the two parties turn hostile and a war breaks out,
the innocent folks of Liang will have to suffer.
Blood will flow like a river.
I saw that name list.
Her network has grown too big.
I can't make her change her mind.
To prevent civil war,
we must crush her plan.
Wei Guang.
Let's join hands...
and crush the Princess Royal's plan together.
Ning Zhi.
Why don't you just live comfortably in the royal harem?
Just leave these dangerous missions to me.
I have my own objectives.
Ning Zhi.
I'm enduring all this for your sake.
No matter how much I hate the Princess Royal,
ensuring your well-being...
is my responsibility.
For you, I can cast my hatred aside for the time being.
So, I don't want you to put yourself in danger.
Wei Guang, I'm Noble Consort Ning.
I see the emperor...
and listen to political news every day.
I understand your concern...
for the folks.
That's why I must do this.
The Princess Royal does have a reason to rope me in.
So, I must make use of my position properly.
Sister.
I don't understand why...
you need this person's help.
He's neither meritorious nor respected.
All he does is stand there.
What is his doing?
He's Yan Kuan's younger brother.
You're no longer...
the girl who kept coming to me for help.
But now,
we can at least stand side by side.
I'm content.
Since we're comrades now,
can you explain...
Lang Kun's actions?
You think he's more than meets the eye too?
While he seems vicious,
he helped us a lot indirectly.
When I was investigating Noble Consort Fu and her brother,
I sensed that he must be hiding a secret.
So, I started paying attention to him...
to learn more about him.
But so far, I'm still clueless.
However, I am certain that...
this man...
is not as vile as he appears to be.
He's just concealing his motive.
Should we find out from the empress?
Mr. Yan.
What have you gathered...
after all the observation?
Ye Ning Zhi is obviously a spy...
and Wei Guang is suspicious as well.
I think Lang Kun isn't trustworthy either.
All three of them are up to no good?
What a joke.
Xiao Yu.
Don't be rude.
Am I wrong?
All of them are treacherous...
and only Mr. Yan is loyal.
If Mr. Yan said that,
he must have his reasons.
Please sit down, Mr. Yan.
Even Mr. Yan's brother, Yan Kuan, don't get things right all the time,
let alone him.
I couldn't care less about Ye Ning Zhi and Wei Guang.
But, what's the problem with Lang Kun?
If Lang Kun is up to no good, I'll gouge my eyes out.
Xiao Yu, sit down.
-Sister! -Sit down.
Mr. Yan.
What do you think of the empress?
In the past, we were enemies.
But this time, she expressed goodwill.
I'd even say that she's currying favour with me.
Based on my observation of Her Majesty's facial expressions,
she seems to be plotting something in secret.
But, we don't seem to be her target.
So for now, we don't have to spend too much effort on her.
Mr. Yan.
I don't get it at all.
What makes you suspect Lang Kun?
What did he say or do to arouse your suspicion?
I'm really interested to know.
This is my intuition.
Intuition?
Did you just say intuition?
Xiao Yu.
Mr. Yan.
Do you know how influential these three are?
Wei Guang represents the army.
Ye Ning Zhi and Lang Kun represent the royal harem.
And with that foolish emperor...
If these people join hands to bring us down,
Mr. Yan,
do you have a solution for that?
Please rest assured.
I know how to play this game.
I don't plan to...
eliminate all of them at a time.
Give me one month.
In one month's time,
I will tackle them one by one.
Have some tea.
Your Majesty.
How did it go?
Noble Consort Ning and Wei Guang met in a tavern outside the palace.
The talked at the balcony...
and did not do anything improper.
How long did they talk?
They talked for an hour.
That long?
Continue to check on them and report to me anytime.
If we monitor Noble Consort Ning like this,
Chief Commander Wei will notice it very easily.
So what if he notices it?
Am I not allowed to monitor my own woman?
Please forgive me. I've made an indiscreet remark.
But you still need to do it covertly.
Don't let the Princess Royal know.
Understand?
Go.
Yes.
Greetings, Your Majesty.
You may all retire.
Yes.
Stand up and speak.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
Any findings?
As Your Majesty instructed,
we searched in the 15 county seats in Yongdu.
No one has ever seen this person.
However,
some people recognize this person.
Especially the owner of a tile shop.
He said this person buys tiles from him every year.
In fact, he buys 350 kg at a time.
He buys tiles every year?
Did he get the wrong person?
The owner of the tile shop said he remembers him very well.
I don't think it's a mistake.
Senior Supervisor Hua.
Tell me your opinion.
Every year, Lang Kun took a two-week leave...
to visit his relatives.
But, he doesn't have any relatives in his hometown.
Why would a Regular Palace Attendant...
buy 350 kg of tiles every year?
What exactly is he up to?
Your Majesty.
I don't understand either.
Is there anything unusual about him lately?
I don't think there's anything unusual.
Ever since he left to serve the Princess Royal,
he became even more arrogant.
He's mean towards us.
Fortunately, after getting punished by Your Majesty twice,
he stopped being that mean.
By the way,
Your Majesty, would His Majesty...
refuse to let you leave the palace?
His Majesty has no time for me.
It's fine as long as there's no conflict between us.
He'll agree to all my requests.
His Majesty has agreed...
to let me hold...
a prayer ceremony in Fengpu for him.
The news will be announced nationwide a few days later.
Senior Supervisor Hua, come with me.
Fengpu is near Yongdu.
We'll make a secret trip to that tile shop.
Your Majesty plan to bring me along?
I was trained in the Pear Blossom Academy too.
And you're a person I trust.
What a coincidence.
Greetings, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty.
If His Majesty finds out that you snuck off,
you'll be guilty of misbehaving.
Please think twice.
Don't worry.
I've planned it properly.
Greetings, Your Highness.
Greetings, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty.
Lang Kun has left to serve the Princess Royal.
What is this?
Even though he has left for the Princess Royal,
you still want to complain about him?
You once said that...
Lang Kun is your most trustworthy aide.
When he was with you,
he did his best to assist you.
Even when he was serving Noble Consort Fu,
he obeyed your orders.
So this time,
could it be that he has a special reason?
What is this?
Are you trying to get an answer from me for the princess?
I'm aware that...
you've recently befriended the Princess Royal as well.
Isn't it funny for you to ask a question like that?
To me,
you're no better than the Princess Royal.
Greetings, Your Majesty.
May Your Majesty be blessed.
Greetings, Your Highness.
Your Highness, His Majesty is looking for you.
Even when His Majesty thinks of Yong De Palace,
it's because of you.
Go.
Then I shall not be a bother.
I shall excuse myself.
I too want to know...
Lang Kun's real identity.
Your Majesty, why are you in the mood to drink today?
People say that hard liquor can drive away cold.
I want to try...
and see if it can drive away the cold energy in my body.
Come. Drink with me.
Then I shall drink a little.
But, this wine is very strong.
It got me drunk that day.
So, please don't drink too much.
Just drink enough to warm your body up.
Your Majesty.
I think I'm getting drunk.
I'm feeling a little dizzy.
Should I escort you to the bed?
Come.
Ning Zhi.
-You seem to hold your liquor... -Be careful.
better than me.
I actually...
Be careful, Your Majesty!
Please rest early, Your Majesty.
I shall excuse myself.
Ning Zhi.
Can you talk to me?
In this great palace,
I always feel...
so alone.
At night when it's quiet,
I can't find someone to talk to.
Only you...
You are the only one...
I can pour my heart out to.
Do you have any idea...
how happy I feel whenever you're with me?
Why are you crying?
What are you doing, Your Majesty?
We're husband and wife.
Why can't we spend the night together?
Didn't you promise me that...
you won't force me?
Yes.
I promised you that I won't force you.
But, will it take you forever to forget Wei Guang?
Don't you believe in time?
I sent you to approach Wei Guang...
because I want to know if he's loyal to me.
I'm scared.
I fear that you will go back to him!
Your Majesty.
Wei Guang and I...
will never cross the line.
I'm just trying to spy on the Princess Royal.
Do you know...
how manipulative and influential...
I know!
I know.
The officials I meet in the court every day...
are no longer my loyal subjects!
That's why I want to know what you're planning to do.
I want to help Your Majesty protect this country.
I want to help you defeat the Princess Royal.
I want to help you make it through all challenges.
I want to repay you for saving my life...
and helping my mother.
And because I saved Wei Guang, right?
So, you're doing all this...
just to repay me.
You are still an important person to me, Your Majesty.
You're just trying to repay your debt.
You think you're indebted to me.
My heart can't move you.
Your Majesty.
I've always thought of you...
as a benevolent emperor.
This is why I feel relaxed in your presence.
I don't feel pressured by your prestige at all.
I respect and admire you.
I'm happy for the people of Liang...
because they have a good emperor like you.
The day I became an imperial consort,
I swore that...
I would do my best to assist Your Majesty.
But,
ever since you learnt that the Princess Royal...
is plotting a coup,
I found that you changed.
The war isn't over yet.
How could you give up?
Your Majesty suspect Wei Guang and me.
Wei Guang and I...
are both determined to protect the country.
Enough.
I'm just paranoid.
You may return.
I shall excuse myself.
You...
What do you want?
You told me that you met this man.
Right?
Yes. I met him.
Did he tell you what he wanted to do with the tiles?
He bought the tiles not to build a house,
but to construct a mountain trail.
A mountain trail?
So is there any new mountain trails nearby?
I... I'm not sure.
He transported the tiles alone.
He couldn't go far.
Let's search in this area.
Yes.
Report!
Your Majesty.
We found a hidden...
tiled mountain trail.
Where is it?
It's just ahead.
Your Majesty, here it is.
This mountain trail is so remote.
Where does it lead to?
Your Majesty, it's a long mountain trail.
I believe it leads to the hilltop.
The hilltop?
Does anyone live there?
I've asked the nearby residents.
There's no one living at the hilltop.
I want to go up and check.
Your Highness, it's a rugged path with overgrown weeds.
We'll check for you.
Protect Her Majesty!
Your Majesty.
Be careful.
Your Majesty.
-Your Majesty. -Be careful.
Your Majesty, it might be dangerous inside.
Please let us scout first.
No.
I'm alright.
Greetings, Your Majesty.
How may I help Your Majesty?
Do you still remember...
the story I told you?
Story?
When I became the empress...
in my early 20s, I suffered from severe cardiopalmus.
The imperial physicians couldn't do anything about it.
I thought that...
after all the struggle to become the empress,
I had to end my life miserably.
I was very unhappy.
But then His Majesty...
found an excellent physician from outside the palace.
Your Majesty did mention this.
If I recall correctly, his name is Huo Yang Hong.
Every day he checked on me,
he told me different jokes.
Back then, I laughed my head off.
So I wondered...
why Physician Huo...
knew so many jokes.
Then I found out that...
Physician Huo was constantly collecting jokes.
Whenever he found something funny,
he would write it down...
and practise telling the joke in front of the mirror at home...
until he could make himself laugh.
One day,
Physician Huo took a leave...
to go back and discuss my condition with his master.
He said he would return to report to me the next day.
But that night,
I woke up in the middle of the night...
and saw through the window that...
Physician Huo was standing outside.
He was already waiting outside of my palace.
It's not even daybreak.
You came so early.
Do you have something urgent to tell me?
I just wanted to meet Your Majesty sooner.
Your Majesty, I've found a cure for your illness.
If you follow my instructions...
and change the prescription,
you will recover completely in less than half a year.
You don't have to worry anymore.
Thank you, Physician Huo.
Your Majesty need not thank me.
It is my honour to treat you.
Physician Huo was the kind of person...
who wouldn't make others worry.
He was always assuring others.
I've heard that...
Physician Huo was a kind-hearted man.
Yes.
He was a good person.
Physician Huo.
I feel much better now.
Have you thought of leaving the palace?
You're so capable...
and you previously served as an imperial physician.
You'll definitely rise to fame.
Your Majesty want me to leave?
The royal harem is not a good place for you.
You failed to cure Consort Tao and Consort Shu.
Yet, you managed to cure me.
What will they think?
It's not that I don't want to cure them.
It's just beyond my capability.
Your illness might have seemed very serious,
but it is curable.
Their illnesses might seem minor,
-but they are actually... -Of course I understand all that.
But, that's not what those consorts think.
They'll think that you're acting upon my orders.
Physician Huo, are you married?
Not yet.
But I have a fiancee and a few years from now...
Let's make it today.
Leave the palace and get married.
I have prepared generous wedding gifts for you.
May you have a happy marriage.
Leave.
Your Majesty!
You've yet to fully recover.
Without timely treatment...
Why can't you understand?
I'm not ousting you!
I'm trying to save your life!
You can't cure Consort Tao and Consort Shu.
They will bear a grudge...
and see you as my aide.
They won't spare you.
The royal harem is a dangerous place.
You're just an imperial physician.
How are you doing to fight against His Majesty's favourite consorts?
I understand.
But healing is the duty of a physician.
I put the interest of my patient above everything.
Please think twice.
Because of jealousy, Consort Tao and Consort Shu...
conspired to harm Physician Huo.
At first,
I thought they were just jealous too.
But little did I expect them to...
find someone to copy Physician Huo's handwriting...
and falsely accuse Physician Huo of writing me a love letter.
They were just after my position.
They should have just come at me!
Why did they have to harm Physician Huo?
I couldn't believe...
how vile human hearts could be.
In order to help me,
a good person like him...
was destroyed by them.
Do not be angry, Your Majesty.
His Majesty is surrounded by so many consorts...
and new women are constantly coming in.
Yet, he couldn't allow anyone to love me.
I explained to him that...
Physician Huo was engaged...
and that he was eager to go home and get married.
But, no matter how hard I tried to explain,
His Majesty wouldn't listen.
He believed the two despicable women...
and punished Physician Huo.
My empress.
Say no more.
I've made up my mind.
I won't take back my order.
I have evidence to prove that the love letter is fake.
That letter was forged.
His junior and senior were lying.
They were bribed by Consort Tao and Consort Shu.
But, everyone in the royal harem agrees with them.
If you have evidence and witness to convince them,
I will reconsider my decision.
As I said,
they are brushing me off.
Once I walk away,
they'll still say that Huo Yang Hong is guilty!
That shows that your evidence...
isn't enough to convince them.
Your Majesty.
Do you know why they don't believe me?
It's because they aren't even interested to know...
if Huo Yang Hong is innocent!
They are only interested to talk about the dirty things in the palace.
They only enjoy gossiping.
They won't listen to my explanation.
Even when I present solid evidence,
they don't bother to look.
My empress.
I'm already exhausted from dealing with the state affairs!
Must you argue with me?
Why can't I?
Whatever it is,
you no longer love me.
I'd rather put in effort...
to save the life of Physician Huo who genuinely wishes to cure me.
If Your Majesty insist to kill Physician Huo,
please execute me as well.
I've spent a lot of time with Physician Huo.
If Physician Huo has feelings for me,
I'm partially responsible.
So please execute both of us...
and let the whole world know that...
something so embarrassing happened in our royal harem!
You're being unreasonable!
In the end,
I threatened to bang my head against the wall...
and His Majesty gave in.
He spared Huo Yang Hong's life...
and sent him to the frontier to serve the army.
So, that was how Physician Huo got expelled.
But he was unlucky.
After surviving that,
he ran into a mishap at Mount Lang.
It was no accident!
It was planned.
Consort Tao and Consort Shu feared that...
Physician Huo might one day return to the palace...
and cure me completely.
So, they bribed the soldiers who escorted him.
When passing through Mount Lang, they pushed Physician Huo down...
and let the wolves kill him.
Fall in!
Did you hear a wolf's cry?
Physician Huo might be nearby!
Toss the meat!
Hurry!
Go!
Hurry up!
Come here for meat!