Episode 34
Are you alright?
Send all those who attacked Wei Guang...
as well as all the servants in Chang Nian Palace...
away from Yandu.
Tell them to never speak a word of this...
or I will exterminate their families.
The same applies to you.
Yes.
Your Highness.
Your Majesty.
What exactly happened?
It's nothing serious.
Wei Guang ran into mountain bandits.
Some of his brothers were killed...
and he's upset about that.
After learning about that,
I went over to comfort him.
Wei Guang isn't an emotional man.
They were all Wei Guang's trusted aides.
In fact, they all died for him.
Alright. Enough of that.
How come you came back at a time like this?
I heard that Chief Commander Wei was under attack.
I thought something serious happened in Yandu.
So, I came back immediately.
It wasn't anything serious.
Luckily, it was just mountain bandits.
It's good that you're back.
You can take a few days' break in the palace.
Just leave the disaster relief to Ban Ling Er.
The process will be supervised by the officials.
Nothing will go wrong.
Alright.
Mr. Zhou and the others are very responsible people.
I can trust them.
What brought you over?
How do you feel?
I'm fine now.
What exactly happened?
Why were there mountain bandits?
Ordinary mountain bandits are no match for you.
Also, how did you get so drunk at Chang Nian Palace?
I believe His Majesty...
told you what happened.
He said...
you were drowning your sorrows...
because your brothers died.
I don't believe it at all.
Judging from your personality,
you'd rather investigate the mountain bandits.
Also,
look at these injuries.
You weren't attacked by beasts.
Ning Zhi.
There are things...
you should not know.
Am I not allowed to know things about you?
Please promise me that...
you'll stop looking into this matter.
Alright?
I understand.
I was too selfish.
I shouldn't have let you stay.
Having survived this ordeal,
I'll probably have better days ahead.
Ning Zhi.
Don't blame yourself.
You're bound to face worse situations in the future.
Alright.
Then promise me that...
you will protect yourself.
Alright?
Alright.
I promise.
Are you sure they were from the Winged Tiger Army?
Of course.
They planned very carefully.
They first shot from every direction in the forest.
Even if I could survive that,
I wouldn't be able to escape the soldiers hiding in the marsh.
His Majesty wanted to have me killed in the marsh.
If you die there,
your corpse will sink in...
without leaving behind a single trace.
I heard the entire Imperial Guard was dispatched.
They searched the whole area...
within a radius of 100 miles.
How did you escape?
I went all out and fled to a place...
no one would go to.
It's actually the place...
you know best.
Mount Lang?
No one could enter Mount Lang...
and get out alive.
Aren't you a survivor yourself?
I can't believe you've the mood to joke at a time like this.
Wolves were everywhere in the mountain.
Yet, I had only one sword.
I killed every wolf in sight.
I've no idea how many wolves I slew.
Then my sword broke.
I fought as hard as I could to get out.
I learnt that loving someone...
gives you more strength than you could imagine.
His Majesty went too far.
I knew that...
His Majesty has ceased to trust me.
I knew he wouldn't spare me.
But this is where my heart lies.
I can't leave.
Your heart is with Ning Zhi.
You're the same.
The palace is such a dangerous place.
Yet, you still chose to stand by Her Majesty.
That's because...
Never mind.
You need to be extra careful.
It was Ning Zhi who saved me.
Back then, I recalled...
a tricked she once used.
His Majesty thought that I consumed the arsenic.
But the truth is, I already swapped it.
The drug in the wine was fake.
I'm not afraid of death.
But I wish to die in the battlefield...
and not in the deceptive palace.
Have you gotten to the bottom of the incident...
in Chang Nian Palace yesterday?
Is His Majesty telling the truth?
Is it true that Wei Guang was drowning his sorrows...
and His Majesty was there to comfort him?
The empress dowager's spies...
told me another story.
Yesterday, Wei Guang was attacked...
by the men sent by His Majesty.
What is your opinion?
Even though His Majesty doesn't trust Wei Guang,
he needs to assure the folks at a time like this.
If Wei Guang dies,
the court will plunge into disorder.
Besides,
Wei Guang fought with his life for the country several times.
I don't think His Majesty will be so cruel to him.
He will be.
Human hearts are unfathomable.
You think you know a person very well...
after living with this person for a few years.
But when your relationship is put to the test, you will see that...
this person you know could be as good as a stranger.
His Majesty's attitude...
depends on whether or not his interest is threatened.
He sent me to the Cold Palace for the negotiation.
So, humans...
are the most complicated existence in this world.
Your Majesty.
The political situation is relatively stable now.
I believe His Majesty will consider reinstating you.
It's not that simple.
When the Princess Royal laid siege,
he sent me to the Cold Palace.
If he releases me...
right after the crisis,
it's no different from telling the world that...
he abandoned his wife in times of difficulty.
Since you know His Majesty so well,
I believe you understand that...
whether or not you'll be reinstated...
depends on yourself.
You want me to beg His Majesty?
The empress dowager once told me that...
the emperor is the exterior of the country.
Wei Guang managed to escape death...
because he satisfied His Majesty's ego.
You could just do the same.
All His Majesty wants is for you to give in...
and apologize,
so that the entire nation believes that...
his decision to demote you was right.
Then he can show his benevolence...
and reinstate you.
You are manipulating the emperor.
Ning Zhi.
You're so different now.
You're so closely reasoned when you talk.
You're just like Wei Guang.
But you've a good point.
I agree that I should apologize to His Majesty.
I'll also request to...
make up for my sins...
by leaving the palace to pray for the people.
I'm glad you understand.
Ban Ling Er.
As a new female official,
you should do your best to supervise the disaster relief.
I hope that you will...
become a female official loved by the people.
If others can do it,
you can do it too.
Please make way.
Mr. Zhou.
Madam Ban.
The progress seems slow.
When will the food arrive?
Around dusk.
His Majesty is very worried.
The situation is getting worse...
and he wants us to do our best.
Madam Ban.
You don't have to worry.
I've thought of a good way to transport the supplies.
I believe we can...
deliver the food to Guangbei within 3 days.
The time taken will be shortened by half.
So, we can save even more victims.
What method is that?
We'll first spend 2 days...
to transport all supplies to Nan Ming County.
What?
We're supposed to help the folks in Guangbei.
Nan Ming County is in the opposite direction.
There's a canal in Nan Ming County that leads to Guangbei.
The supplies can reach Guangbei in just one day by ship.
I know that canal.
It's very shallow.
It can't support the ships.
God is merciful.
Every year, from the...
third to the fifth day of this month,
there'll be high tide.
As such, the canal will be able to support our ships.
I see.
Yes.
I came to supervise the disaster relief...
on behalf of His Majesty.
You are dutiful.
But, His Majesty is really worried about the victims.
In order to assist His Majesty,
I came up with an idea...
to transport the supplies to Guangbei within 3 days.
I hope you consider my suggestion.
What is your advice, Madam Ban?
We can first transport all supplies...
to Nan Ming County.
Then we'll transport them to Guangbei via the canal.
That canal in Nan Ming County is too shallow.
I'm afraid it can't support ships.
I've sent men to inspect.
There'll be high tide in this period.
The canal will be able to support ships.
As such,
we'll need to hurry up.
You are so clever, Madam Ban.
This is such a great solution.
It's too early to be happy.
Do you know...
how we can gather more ships?
I'm in charge of cargo ships.
In this case,
the two of you shall be in charge of gathering ships.
The two of you shall supervise...
the delivery of the supplies to Nan Ming County.
As for Mr. Liang and Mr. Zhou,
please head to Guangbei ahead of us...
to inform the victims that...
we will transport the supplies via the canal...
and tell them to wait at the shore.
Understand?
But...
Madam Ban is supervising us on behalf of His Majesty.
Her idea is feasible.
Dear all.
Let's get to work immediately.
Yes.
-Greetings, Your Majesty. -Greetings, Your Majesty.
What brought the two of you over?
I came to apologize.
Your Majesty put me under house arrest...
and I should have followed the rules...
without a word of complaint.
Is that all you want to say?
It's a bad year and the country is plagued by natural disasters.
I'd like to make up for my sins...
and pray for the disaster victims on behalf of Your Majesty.
Please approve my request.
That's thoughtful of you.
It's a good idea.
I'll send soldiers to escort you.
You may go.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty.
The position of the empress has been vacant for long...
and there hasn't been a suitable candidate.
Why don't you reinstate Her Majesty...
once she returns from her prayer?
She might have been unruly,
but it's a good thing that she's remorseful...
and caring towards the people.
I'm willing to do so.
By the time she returns, I shall reinstate her.
-Thank you, Your Majesty. -Thank you, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty.
When you went to pray,
the people of Huai Qing City showed you a lot of support.
You should be happy.
Depression will worsen your condition.
The disaster victims are starving every day.
On the other hand,
I led an extravagant life in the palace...
and yet, I was insatiable.
I always made a huge fuss over trivial matters.
Now that I think of it,
I feel so guilty and ashamed.
Your Majesty is so concerned about the folks.
On top of praying for them, you travel incognito...
to learn more about their lives.
You've changed a lot.
Charge!
Move!
Charge!
Your Majesty, run!
Run!
Your Majesty!
Your Majesty! Are you alright?
Let's run!
Your Majesty.
Stop!
-Hurry! Get them! -Stop right there!
Help!
-Are you alright? -I'm fine.
It's not serious.
Are you alright?
I'm fine.
You're worried about me even though you're badly hurt.
Even if you've 9 lives,
at this rate,
you'll lose even your last life.
I believe so.
The mountain bandits have left.
We're safe now.
I've been so unlucky.
I got sent to the Cold Palace for no reason...
and after I left the palace,
I ran into mountain bandits.
Luckily, we weren't captured by them.
Your Majesty is just a fragile woman.
You're not useful to the mountain bandits.
You...
Greetings, Your Majesty!
We came late!
Please forgive us!
Your Majesty.
Dongfang Yu and Dongfang Xuan are here.
Alright. You may retire.
Yes.
-Greetings, Your Majesty. --Greetings, Your Majesty.
Why haven't you returned to your country?
We're worried about Liang.
Your Majesty's trusted aide, the commander of the Imperial Guard,
saw Wei Guang secretly meeting the Princess Royal.
Yet, you still allow Wei Guang to be the chief commander.
At this rate,
he'll grow into a huge threat.
You're so concerned about Liang...
and I'm thankful for this.
However, the operation of Liang...
will be taken care of by the Liang people.
The two of you...
should just return to your country.
You shouldn't stay in Liang for too long.
Looks like we're not welcomed.
It's alright.
We're leaving soon.
But, before we leave,
we'd like to tell Your Majesty a secret.
What secret?
While stargazing last night,
we saw that the Phoenix Star...
beside the Emperor Star...
fell all of a sudden.
Are you saying that...
misfortune is going to befall...
someone in my royal harem?
You may all retire.
Yes.
Your Majesty.
Noble Consort Ning and Wei Guang...
are having an affair.
I regard the two of you...
as exceptionally wise men.
I show you a lot of respect.
Yet, you've just falsely accused Noble Consort Ning!
You should be punished.
Your Majesty.
It has been proven that Wei Guang is treacherous...
as I previously asserted.
If you keep on enduring...
and biding your time,
in less than 3 months,
the secret affair between Wei Guang and Noble Consort Ning...
will become a national scandal.
By then, Liang will suffer...
from bad luck.
I know Noble Consort Ning...
very well.
Mr. Dongfang.
Please return.
Since Your Majesty is so angry,
we shall excuse ourselves.
However, we will always be ready...
to return upon your order.
You're back.
-Kang Er. -Greetings, Your Highness.
Consort Liang was sickly back then...
and Your Highness entrusted the little prince with me.
It's been 2 years since then.
I brought the prince back...
to meet Your Highness.
Thank you for saving my life.
I've always remembered your kindness.
I've been wanting to return to kowtow to Your Highness.
Rise.
Don't mind the formalities.
You're just a child. You don't have to act like an adult.
Now that you're back, you should enjoy your stay.
I'll tell the Imperial Kitchen to prepare snacks for you.
Thank you, Your Highness.
It's only been a few years...
and the little prince has learnt so much.
Really?
I guess...
Noble Consort Fu must have neglected the prince...
in the midst of the competition for power.
That's why the prince...
started learning later than other children.
You wrote well.
I'm rather impressed.
Your Majesty.
The little prince isn't just good at calligraphy.
He can even recite poems.
Madam De.
You educated Kang Er very well.
He may continue to stay in Qingzhou...
under your care.
He shall return again a few years later...
and I will reward you generously by then.
Your Majesty.
I dare not take credit for this.
The little prince is so competent today...
all because Noble Consort Ning saved him back then.
If it wasn't for Her Highness,
the little prince wouldn't have improved so much.
Ning Zhi.
Thank you for everything.
Your Majesty.
I've packed our bags.
We may depart to the palace tomorrow morning.
Bitter medicine again?
Drink it.
You can't avoid it.
This bitter medicine...
is like torture.
When can I stop drinking medicine?
When you've recovered.
Is something bothering you?
I'm worried about Ning Zhi.
I don't know why,
but I've a bad feeling.
If you're worried,
I can go...
examine her pulse.
I'm worried about what His Majesty might do.
I've a feeling that...
His Majesty will try to get rid of Wei Guang.
It's probably going to be chaotic.
Your Majesty is clever.
Wei Guang was attacked that day...
and it was His Majesty's deed.
Really?
Then why didn't Wei Guang leave?
Noble Consort Ning...
is his only reason to stay.
I fear that Wei Guang...
might end up like his father.
I don't understand.
Wei Guang fought for the country with his life.
Why did His Majesty do that to him?
You're a man too.
Don't you understand men?
Is His Majesty suspicious of...
Noble Consort Ning and Wei Guang?
Noble Consort Ning and Wei Guang...
have always kept to the standards of decency.
His Majesty knows this.
In fact, he permits it.
Will this displease him?
It's different now.
Prior to this, he had to deal with Prince Guang Ding and the princess.
Of course he could leave them alone.
He could even send Noble Consort Ning...
to curry favor with Wei Guang.
But now, the crisis is over...
and his male ego is surfacing.
Think about it.
Would His Majesty allow his consort...
to interact with another man so closely?
Of course not.
Moreover, from what I see,
Noble Consort Ning has never loved His Majesty.
This is why Your Majesty...
must regain your position as soon as possible.
You need power...
in order to deal with the possible future crisis.
Kang Er.
The next time you return, please recite more poems for me.
I'd love to see you again soon.
I'll study properly.
Good boy.
Your Highness.
I will take the prince...
back Qingzhou after sightseeing in the nearby counties for a few days.
I shall excuse myself.
Please take care.
Take care, Madam De.
Chief Commander Wei is on his way back to the palace.
If nothing goes wrong,
he'll arrive tomorrow.
You may retire.
Yes.
Greetings, Your Majesty.
How may I help you?
My mother's death anniversary is approaching.
The country is plagued by natural disasters...
and I must stay in the palace to make decisions.
The empress has yet to be reinstated.
So, I'm thinking of...
sending you to venerate my mother on behalf of me.
Yes.
What's going on?
Your Highness.
What happened?
The little prince is in trouble.
Madam De sent me to report to you.
Where's the nearest military camp?
It's the military camp under Chief Commander Wei.
-Inform Chief Commander Wei at once! -Yes!
The rest shall come with me to rescue the little prince!
Yes!
Wait.
There's miasma ahead.
Tear off your shirt and dampen it with water.
Then use the cloth to cover your mouth and nose.
Find Madam De and the little prince at all cost!
-Yes! -Yes!
Hurry!
Give me some water.
-Prince Kang! -Kang Er!
Prince Kang!
-Prince Kang! -Kang Er!
Prince Kang!
Let's split up and search!
-Yes! Come with me! -Split up!
Yes!
Prince Kang!
-Prince Kang! -Kang Er!
Prince Kang!
-Prince Kang! -Kang Er!
Prince Kang!
-Kang Er! -Prince Kang!
Kang Er, where are you?
Kang Er!
Wake up, Kang Er!
Your Highness.
I'm here for you.
Here you go.
I'll take you out.
Alright?
Hang in there.
Let's go.
Your Highness, what's the matter?
Kang Er.
Carry on without me.
I'll catch up in a while.
No. We must get out together.
Where's Noble Consort Ning?
There's miasma in the forest.
Noble Consort Ning is inside!
Let's go!
-Hurry! -Prince Kang!
Ning Zhi!
Prince Kang!
Ning Zhi!
-He's still breathing. -Take the prince away!
Yes!
Ning Zhi.
Come.
What did you say?
Noble Consort Ning and the prince were poisoned by miasma?
That's what they said.
How are they doing now?
Luckily, Chief Commander Wei happened to pass by.
He rescued both Noble Consort Ning and the prince.
Noble Consort Ning and the prince are sick now,
but they are sound and conscious.
I believe they'll be fine.
Good.
I'm glad they're fine.
Send an imperial physician...
to give Noble Consort Ning additional treatment.
As for the prince,
bring him back to the palace.
I'll send someone to look after him.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Wei Guang.
You again.
You showed up...
so timely.
Will the prediction of the Dongfang brothers come true?
I can't let that happen!
Your Highness.
Her Majesty will return in a few days...
and Madam Ban...
will be back tomorrow.
Alright.
It's a little stuffy here. I'd like to go out for a walk.
Your Highness, you can't go out.
Why? The imperial physician said I'm fine.
Your Highness.
His Majesty ordered us...
to not let you leave Wan Xiang Palace.
Otherwise,
His Majesty will punish us.
Yes, Your Highness.
His Majesty ordered...
not to let anyone apart from him...
and Madam Ban visit you in Wan Xiang Palace...
and that includes Her Majesty and Chief Commander Wei.
Your Highness, please rest well,
so that you can recover quickly.
If you feel bored,
maybe we can...
come up with something for Your Highness to kill time.
No need for that.
I'll just stay in Wan Xiang Palace.
Yes.
We shall excuse ourselves.
With Noble Consort Ning here,
Your Majesty need not worry.
Noble Consort Ning...
saved the country several times.
Our son picked a good consort.
Yes.
Eunuch Chen.
Madam Ban.
It's been a long time.
Where's His Majesty?
His Majesty went to Consort Chu's place.
I'm afraid he'll only be back in Guang Xuan Palace tomorrow morning.
His Majesty has arrived!
Greetings, Your Majesty.
I thought you said you'll only be back tomorrow.
Why are you back already?
I missed Your Majesty.
So, I travelled as far as I could...
and arrived 16 hours earlier than scheduled.
Really?
You didn't have to rush.
You should take good care of yourself.
Why are you looking down?
Don't you want to see me?
Ban Ling Er.
Why are you crying?
What happened? Tell me.
I'll help you.
I met Noble Consort Ning today.
What about her?
Her Highness is fine.
It's just that she mentioned Your Majesty a lot...
when I talked to her.
Clearly, she loves Your Majesty very much.
Yet, you went to another consort...
right after she regained consciousness.
I'm the ruler of Liang.
It's normal for me...
to have many women.
I know.
It's understandable that...
Your Majesty needs company.
I'm just feeling sad for Noble Consort Ning.
Fine.
I'll stop going to Consort Chu.
She's known for being a cold beauty.
And I agree.
She was so cold to me earlier.
Otherwise,
I wouldn't have returned to Guang Xuan Palace so soon.
Then I shall not disturb Your Majesty any longer.
I shall excuse myself.
Now that you're a female official,
you don't serve me like before anymore?
Your Majesty.
Noble Consort Ning is still sick.
Noble Consort Ning isn't a woman with a small heart.
I'm going to make you my consort.
Do you want that?
My country...
will be yours too.
Do you like it?
Of course I'm happy...
to have Your Majesty's affection.
But, the country has yet to recover from the natural disasters.
Could Your Majesty announce it later?
Then when do you...
want me to announce it?
The 2nd day of next month is my mother's birthday.
She suffered from obstructed labor while giving birth to me...
and almost lost her life.
So, I'd like to officially become an imperial consort...
on that day,
so that I can tell her that...
I've married the most important and powerful man in the country.
Alright.
As you wish,
I will announce it on the 2nd day of next month.
I shall confer to you the title of Consort Min.
Did everything go well in your trip?
I guess so.
The situation out there is too serious.
By the way,
how's Ning Zhi?
Is she recovering well?
Ning Zhi has not left Wan Xiang Palace for 10 days.
I haven't seen her for 10 days...
and the imperial physicians wouldn't tell me anything.
If she was poisoned by miasma,
she should have recovered in just a few days.
Why hasn't she come out?
That foolish emperor wouldn't allow anyone to visit her...
or let her leave.
He even ordered the Imperial Guard to lock Wan Xian Palace.
No one is allowed to enter.
Isn't that no different from confining Ning Zhi?
Why is His Majesty doing this?
What is he up to?
I'm perplexed too.
That's why I came to Your Majesty.
Greetings, Your Majesty.
Greetings, dear sirs.
The news of Your Majesty's prayer...
has spread across the palace.
I heard you've even exposed numerous corrupt officials.
This is such a good news.
You've done a lot as well.
I'm a far cry from Your Majesty.
I've scheduled to leave the palace at this hour today.
I shall excuse myself.
Goodbye, Your Majesty.
She's starting to...
look like someone.
Who?
Like the ignorant me...
acting confident in desperate attempt to rise to power...
at 18-19 years old.
Now I find it disgusting.