"Episode 27"
Mr. Yan.
I've searched carefully.
The layout of this room is exactly the same as that of Yong De Palace.
You're sure?
I used to serve by Her Majesty for three years.
Lang Kun took 17 years to build such a long mountain path,
and built a log cabin with the same arrangement as the empress's chamber.
Interesting.
It's getting more and more interesting.
Search from the inside out.
Let's see if there's anything suspicious.
Yes.
-People. -Yes.
Open this.
Lang Kun.
I need you to do something.
Take this letter and look for Li Wen Xiang in Guang Ning County.
The empress dowager.
I see.
I got it now.
I understand everything now.
You're here.
Greetings, Your Majesty.
Did anyone follow you?
Of course not.
Your Majesty, why are you looking for us in such a hurry?
Lang Kun has built a cabin for me.
I thought of having a place to live in,
if I get into trouble.
But someone reported that Yan Zheng has found the cabin.
Yan Zheng, the scoundrel,
resorted to every means to expose our identity.
Now, he has found the cabin.
He'll surely kick up a fuss.
You're being so nervous.
What's in that cabin?
The layout of the cabin is almost the same as that of my chamber.
Anyone who gets in there will know it's built for me.
The most important thing is that there are letters from,
the empress dowager to Lang Kun in that cabin.
I'm worried that the letters are in Yan Zheng's hands now.
If Lang Kun's cover is blown,
both your covers will be blown too.
The consequences will be dire.
I met Prince Guang Ding and the Princess Royal this morning.
Both of them seemed calm.
Prince Guang Ding is like an open book.
He wouldn't be able to fake it.
I'm afraid Yan Zheng hasn't told them yet.
He tried to expose us several times but failed.
This time, he must plan ahead.
He should be looking for more evidence now,
to dig up the relationship between the empress dowager,
and the three of us.
What should we do now?
Since we've revealed a flaw,
we might as well use a bigger flaw to cover up this flaw.
Let's plot it step by step to lure him into the trap.
Your Highness, quickly return to Wan Xiang Palace.
I'll just say these.
Wei Guang.
I need to know your plan.
And I must be included in your plan.
Your Highness has the courage that's different from before.
Chief Commander Wei, you must be kidding.
I'm still that Ye Ning Zhi.
This robe merely allows me to do more.
See you at Chenghuang Temple tomorrow.
"The tomb of Chief Commander Wei Yan"
You still came.
Lang Kun told you that my dad is buried here, right?
When you mentioned Chenghuang Temple yesterday,
I've figured it out.
Mr. Lang told me a lot about your dad's past.
Is that so?
What did he say?
Mr. Lang made jokes about your dad and you.
He said both of you must be indebted to the late emperor and His Majesty.
That's why you're here in this lifetime to live in infamy.
That's the ruler-subject relationship.
My dad and I are the subjects.
We had to do this for the emperor.
He also said...
the late emperor wanted to make his mark,
and insisted to pursue the enemy.
In the end, 8,000 soldiers were annihilated.
The late emperor pushed the blame on your dad.
Your dad was demoted from the position as general for two years.
Am I right?
My dad and I are not giving blind loyalty to the emperor.
If the emperor is overthrown,
the world will be in chaos.
Whenever an empire rises or falls, the people get the worst of it.
With political instability,
the ones who will suffer in the end are still the people.
The late emperor was too much.
Such a loyal minister was wrongfully executed.
But the Princess Royal keeps thinking,
that my dad hurt her.
What did you say?
Didn't the Princess Royal cause your father's death?
A palace maid who served the Princess Royal told me.
Your Highness.
I'm just a military man.
And I'm married too.
I dare not claim connections with people in higher social class.
Who on earth can be devoid of feelings and emotions?
This word will be with me for the rest of my life.
Are you that ruthless?
Ask my maids.
All of them said I used to be elegant and polished.
But right now, because of you,
I'm not in the mood for anything.
Is this how you treat me?
I deserve to die.
Every time you go into a battle,
I'll wait for you at the gate.
I look forward to your return.
And you?
I miss you so much.
But what do I get in return?
Is that all you have to say to me?
I'm a descendant of the royal family.
I keep begging you.
What more do you want me to do?
You said that...
you can't give up on your wife.
All right.
I can let her be your concubine.
I don't mind if you have a son.
I told you.
I'll treat him like my own son.
What more do you want me to do?
I treat you well. Why are you doing this to me?
You've put me in such a state.
Do you have a heart made out of stones?
I was still young back then.
Every time this woman came...
I would be very scared.
She was so madly in love.
Never did I expect.
In the end,
my dad lost his life to her.
A person like this...
is a disaster to others and herself.
Being crazy for love.
If you're not careful, you'll fall into the abyss.
You can talk about your plan.
This plan can only work with you.
General Wei.
Go to the north.
Contact the men over there.
I will give you the list one by one.
-All right. -Why not leave this mission to me?
Recently, that incapable ruler keeps having a relapse of cold disease.
He ordered me to search for a master who can cure his cold disease.
This makes it convenient for me to carry out this task.
Noble Consort Ning.
I think you're just using this as an excuse to get out of the palace.
You probably just want to secretly meet up with Chief Commander Wei.
I think both of you are being too impatient.
Don't get too anxious.
After we achieve our goal and when that incapable ruler abdicates,
sister and I will personally hold the wedding for you.
Prince Guang Ding.
How could they have love affair?
I saw them secretly meeting up seven times outside the palace.
They were properly dressed each time.
There was clearly no intimacy between them.
They didn't even hold hands.
If others see them, I'm afraid they will think,
that they are just faking the intimate relationship between them.
Mr. Yan.
Although I'm not a woman who would follow her husband in death,
I know how to be reserved as a woman.
Mr. Wei and I love one another but restricted within the moral standards.
We're not married.
How could we possibly be together?
What more being intimate at places where you could see us.
Is that so?
I'm afraid you're just faking it.
Pretend to have a love affair,
so that Her Highness lowers her guard against you.
But you're actually just being a spy for the emperor.
Mr. Yan.
Let me tell you a touching love story.
Twenty years ago, a princess fell in love with a general.
The princess was very beautiful.
She was only 17 years old.
And that general was over 30 years old.
He was married with a son.
But that princess didn't mind.
She loved this general with all her heart.
She even carved his name on her.
The princess didn't ask the general to marry her.
And she restrained herself.
That's because she knew,
this relationship would give the general,
a bad reputation.
She wasn't willing to do that,
because she was so in love with the general.
Chief Commander Wei, why did you talk about this story?
The princess had a deep feeling for the general.
Each time the general went on battle,
she would sit on the stone wall at the city gate tower...
and waited until he returned.
She was born into the royal family.
If she asked for it,
the emperor would have issued a decree to bestow them in marriage.
She could then get the person she yearned for.
But she didn't do that.
Mr. Yan.
Do you know how was it like when the princess,
was alone with the general?
How was it?
She never stepped out of line.
At most, she would just peek at him.
Because she was afraid of implicating the general.
Based on what you said,
could they be faking their relationship too?
What a lame argument.
How is this an evidence?
Mr. Yan.
I admire you a lot when it comes to plotting strategies.
But when it comes to love,
perhaps, you don't understand it.
A true love is not about burning with passion.
It's like a thin stream that flows forever...
and deep like the ocean.
Chief Commander Wei.
Say no more.
I believe...
the relationship between you and Noble Consort Ning...
is true.
Let's continue with the list.
All of you are dismissed.
Yes.
The princess's love for general was worthy of praise and deeply moving.
I was really afraid that my dad in heaven...
would hear the things that I said earlier...
and strike me to death,
with the lightning.
But Yan Zheng suddenly made things difficult for us today.
It caught me off guard.
Good thing you're smart.
Otherwise, the Princess Royal would have suspected us.
He wanted us to give the game away.
He's being anxious.
If so, we need not be panic.
Wei Guang.
There's something I don't understand.
The Princess Royal caused your father's death.
But why was she so touched to hear the things you said?
Is it possible...
that she still loves your father?
Human emotions are complicated.
Love turns to hate in an instant.
Besides, the Princess Royal keeps thinking that...
she's the victim in this relationship.
That's why she was touched by herself.
When I first met you...
you were like a blockhead in love.
I didn't expect you to have such deep feelings.
When the feelings grow in time...
you'll understand it.
There's one more thing that I don't understand.
Did Yan Kuan really find the letter empress dowager sent to Lang Kun?
If he did, why didn't he take it out?
If so, it would be beyond dispute for us.
I think he probably has it.
Otherwise, he wouldn't try to feel us out.
He's still waiting to get more solid evidence.
After all, that letter,
only proves the relationship between Lang Kun and the empress dowager.
This person is too devious.
You have to be careful.
Your Majesty.
You are the emperor.
Greetings, Your Highness.
How long has Imperial Mother been sleeping?
It's been a while.
Does Imperial Mother usually talk in the sleep too?
When Her Highness doesn't sleep well,
she'll talk in the sleep.
It'll be fine after a while.
Well, what does she say?
It's just some trivial matter in the palace.
I can't remember it clearly.
Imperial Mother isn't sleeping well.
-I should take a look. -Leave.
Your identity...
-has been discovered. -Imperial Mother.
Who are you asking to leave?
Your identity...
What identity?
has been...
Greetings, Your Majesty and Your Highness.
Get up.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty.
After everything,
I still think he is the most suitable person.
I think so too.
Chen Fu.
I have a secret mission for you.
Tomorrow morning, I'll send someone to secretly get you out of the palace.
-Yes. -You're dismissed.
This plan closely linked with one another. I...
-still feel nervous. -Your Majesty.
We'll make this move together.
Isn't this the "right people" mentioned in the military book?
What? You even read the military books?
I can't be ignorant and incompetent,
if I stay by Your Majesty's side.
Your Majesty, don't worry.
Wei Guang has thought it through.
Are you telling us or not?
-Are you telling us or not? -Tell us!
Tell us!
-Tell us! -Tell us!
Are you telling us or not?
-Mr. Yan. -How is it? Did they talk?
Mr. Yan.
These people are badly beaten by us.
But we didn't get anything out of them.
Tell us!
-Are you telling us or not? -Tell us!
So stubborn of you!
So stubborn.
Mr. Yan, what do you want us to say?
My son-in-law, Huo Yang Hong, once cured Mr. Lang.
He's here to repay his kindness. So...
That's enough.
It's not that simple.
Am I right?
Look.
Four out of seven of your children are dead.
Is it possible...
that you want them dead too?
No one will be able to pay last respect to you then.
And all of you...
have seen Lang Kun.
Didn't you notice anything?
When he comes to offer sacrifice every year, he merely greets us.
We've told you everything.
What else do you want us to say?
-That's right. -That's right.
What do you want us to say?
Quiet!
How about this?
If they don't confess,
for the fathers, beat their children.
As for the husbands, beat their wives.
Remember. Beat them to death.
I'm one who gives due rewards and punishments.
When the sun sets,
if anyone gets any information,
I'll promote him up three ranks.
For those who fail to get any information,
I'll take it that you're Lang Kun accomplices,
and be punished as spies.
Do you hear me?
Yes, Mr. Yan.
It’s only a few hours away from sunset now.
Still not getting to it?
Beat them! Beat to death!
Report!
Mr. Yan.
Noble Consort Ning has left the palace for a few hours.
From the looks of it, Her Highness headed to Yun Long Town.
We found out that Wei Guang reserved a room in Yun Long Inn.
Go on.
Many from Winged Tiger Army dressed up in disguise,
and infiltrated Yun Long Town.
-How many are there? -Not sure.
But there are at least 100 to 200 of them.
There are over 300 of them in Winged Tiger Army.
At least half of them came out.
Is it possible that the emperor is here?
Keep investigating and send more people. I'm right behind you.
-Yes. -Hurry.
"Yun Long Inn"
Your Majesty.
Sister.
You're here.
Your Majesty suddenly asked for me.
What's the matter?
You've returned to the palace for some time.
Both of us haven't had a chance to have a good chat.
I just want to have a small talk with you.
Is that so?
Do you think we could fool him?
That depends on Her Majesty's acting skills then.
Your Majesty.
Look what you're saying.
Both of us are siblings.
Your kingdom is mine too, isn't it?
Why should I rebel against you?
Even a three-year-old kid could tell,
the great future that you and Prince Guang Ding planned.
I'll make concessions.
I'll confer you the title as the Lord Protector of North and South.
I can give you all the 18 counties in Jiang Bei.
Are you satisfied?
Your Majesty.
If there's nothing else,
I shall take my leave.
Sister, please go ahead.
Mr. Yan, someone sent you this secret letter.
Give it to me.
-You're dismissed. -Yes.
Yan Zheng, let's make a deal.
Give me back the body of my saviour's wife.
Leave her family to me.
I'll tell you who my master is...
and my accomplices.
If you're interested with this trade,
I'll meet you at Restaurant Jing Xuan in Nan Xi County at noon.
Is anyone in?
The weather changes abruptly.
It was just fine. It's raining heavily all of a sudden.
Greetings, Your Majesty.
Forego the formalities.
Why did Your Majesty come here alone?
Aren't you Mr. Yan, the Princess Royal's strategist?
That's me.
-Waiter. -Your Majesty.
I need to use this place for an urgent matter.
So, I've sent everyone away.
Please forgive me.
Hope Your Majesty can do me the favour.
Can't I have two dishes?
Forget it.
I'm travelling incognito.
I've some personal matters to attend to. So, I didn't bring anyone.
I hope you won't tell anyone about this.
Understood.
But I really have an urgent matter to do.
Could Your Majesty leave this place?
If the rain...
affects Your Majesty from travelling, I could get people,
- to take you elsewhere. -No need.
I secretly left the palace.
I don't want anyone to see me.
Since you have things to do,
I'll leave then.
Farewell, Your Majesty.
What a coincidence.
Let's not wait. Take my permit.
Bring those prisoners back to the palace.
Do it today.
I need to make a move in advance.
Yes.
Empress.
Princess Royal.
Where are you going...
in such a hurry?
It's nothing.
The empress dowager is feeling better,
and asked me to go to Cheng Xiang Palace to talk to her.
That's all then.
Let's not let Imperial Mother wait.
"Guang Xuan Palace"
"Hua Xiang Palace"
Princess Royal, is there anything?
Who are they?
Greetings, Your Highness.
Brother.
Why did you ask me here in such a hurry?
The three of you.
Mr. Yan is looking for you.
Does Mr. Yan have anything to tell us?
Close the door.
No one gets in or out.
Yes.
Everyone is here.
Let me tell you a bad news.
That incapable ruler caught 36 generals of ours.
That's because there are spies among us,
who reported the names of these generals to the emperor.
Wei Guang.
Lang Kun.
Noble Consort Ning.
Am I right?
If I can't ferret out the spies,
I'd rather not be considered human.
What now, Mr. Yan?
We are spies just because you said so?
Where are the witnesses and the evidence?
Your Highness should recognise the handwriting on this letter.
This is the letter,
that proves Lang Kun worked in collusion with the empress dowager.
Let me read it out.
Lang Kun.
I need you to do something.
Take this letter,
and look for Li Wen Xiang in Guang Ning County.
Your Highness.
Look. This is indeed the empress dowager's handwriting.
Yan Zheng.
I'm very grateful to you.
If you didn't hand over the list of rebels to me...
my kingdom would be in danger.
Your Highness.
That incapable ruler's handwriting is very special.
Your Highness should be able to recognise it.
Yan Zheng.
I can come up with 100 fake handwritten letters.
All of these are written by Mr. Liu from Run Fang Study.
You're using this as evidence?
You're clearly trying to frame me.
Prince Guang Ding.
After everything,
is Your Highness still going to believe them?
Each time Your Highness handed over the list to them...
our men would be either dead or arrested.
Does Your Highness really believe these are all coincidences?
Of course it's not a coincidence!
There's indeed a spy...
among us.
But it's not the three of us.
It's you, Mr. Yan.
What a joke.
Yan Zheng.
This move of yours is really amazing.
You're the emperor's man,
and hide by Her Highness's side as spy.
In order not to be suspected...
each time you betrayed Her Highness,
you would throw us under the bus and took us as the scapegoats.
Same thing happened with the explosion at Yong Dong Gate.
Same goes for the arrest of the 36 generals.
The culprit turned the tables around and twisted the fact!
Lang Kun, you're diverting attention to cover your misdoing!
Your Highness.
Didn't you tell me that the name lists have been given to Noble Consort Ning?
Yesterday morning,
I saw Noble Consort Ning handed the lists to Wei Guang,
in Yun Long Inn at Yun Long Town.
Then, Wei Guang handed the lists to another person.
And that person...
was that incapable ruler who was travelling incognito.
Is that so?
Mr. Yan.
You really saw the emperor and I in Yun Long Town yesterday morning?
Of course.
You must be seeing ghosts then.
That incapable ruler told me that,
he had a meeting with Princess Royal yesterday morning.
Also, he wanted to sue for peace with Her Highness.
But he was met with a sharp rebuff.
Your Highness.
Did you really meet the emperor yesterday?
The one Your Highness saw was a fake.
I heard that the incapable ruler has at least five substitutes.
Her Highness and the emperor grew up together.
Wouldn't Her Highness be able to recognise her own brother?
I got it now.
It's a trap.
The emperor that I saw yesterday was a fake.
Wei Guang, you're the one who set up this trap!
You're a traitor.
You said the emperor Her Highness saw was a fake.
Then, you said the emperor you saw was a fake.
So, it's true that Prince Guang Ding and I saw you with the empress,
in Restaurant Jing Xuan?
We saw you entered the restaurant with our own eyes.
Soon after, the empress arrived.
We didn't know what you were talking about.
After the empress left,
you left too.
Did I say anything wrong?
Did I falsely accuse you?
Yesterday, my sister told me,
that she saw the empress secretly went into Guang Xuan Palace,
and met that incapable ruler.
After that, the 36 generals of ours were arrested.
It's obvious you left the palace and gave the name lists to the empress.
Then, the empress gave it to the emperor.
Yan Zheng.
It's such a shame for those 36 generals.
They were wrongfully executed.
Also, the niter vault that my sister and I spent so much effort to build.
All of it ruined in your hands.
Your Highness.
I've always been by your side to put forward plans and ideas.
I'll get rid of anyone that gets in your way.
Do you really believe that I'm a spy?
Mr. Yan.
One can't be impartial.
Back then, you wanted to sentence us to death,
based on groundless accusations.
Your words and deeds become abundantly clear.
Are you still trying to pass the buck?
Actually...
I really don't want to believe it.
But when I went to Cheng Xiang Palace,
a few days ago to visit the empress dowager...
I heard her mentioned...
the name of the spy in her sleep.
I've asked the palace maids.
I didn't expect that...
they've heard this name repeatedly.
This spy...
is you.
Yan Zheng.
You're really good.
Hats off to you.
Take him down!
Wei Guang!
There's no need to be afraid anymore. You can tell the truth now.
Your Highness.
My daughter died 18 years ago.
This scoundrel dug out her coffin!
There were 16 of us in the family.
Now, there are only the four of us left.
Your Highness, he killed my son and force me to accuse the others.
He's a scoundrel! I want to kill him to avenge my son.
Beat him to death.
Beat him to death!
-Beat him! -Beat him!
-I want to kill him! -Beat him!
Beat him!
Beat him to death!
-Beat him! -Beat him to death!
Beat him to death!
-Beat him to death! -Beat him to death!
Beat him to death!
-Beat him! -Beat him to death!
Beat him!
"Hua Xiang Palace"
Drag this scoundrel out and have him beheaded.
Your Highness, don't kill me!
Your Highness, I'm really not a spy.
There's irrefutable evidence.
Yan Zheng.
Are you still trying to twist and turn the fact?
Your Highness wants me dead,
just because of the things the culprits said?
What about the others who follow you?
They'll be bitterly disappointed.
Even if Your Highness wants to kill me,
you have to give me a chance.
Your Highness.
How do you want to prove your innocence?
Something's going to happen tonight.
Your Highness will then know that I'm not a spy.
If I'm wrong, it's not too late to kill me then.
All right.
Take him away.
Execute him tomorrow.
Yes.
Your Highness.
Your Highness, you have to trust me!