Timing and Subtitles brought to you by the Legend of the Phoenix Volunteer Team @ Viki
[Legend of the Phoenix]
[Episode 37]
The side concubine accompanying His Majesty doesn't has a good reputation
and killed many, committing a horrible crime.
If such a person goes to worship the heavens,
has it not provoked the god's outrage?
Empress, don't tell me that in front of all the generals and officials,
y1ou'll bring up the Inner Palace again?
Do you have any dignity left?
Consort Ning has arrived! Grand Marshal Wei has arrived!
-Greetings, Emperor and Empress. -Greetings, Emperor and Empress.
You two really do take your time.
Emperor, since you're going to ask for mercy from the Gods
then please solve this unjust case as well.
I have come to appeal for a redress of this dead soul.
Memorial tablet of Superviser of Rations, Lord Zhou Guan Zhong
He is the Supervisor of Rations, Lord Zhou Guan Zhong.
I already said to go to Tai Temple for Sacrificial Day. We must not miss the lucky timing.
Your Majesty, this has to do with Bei Huai's thousands of victims.
I said it already. We will discuss this when we get back.
Why aren't you all leaving?
I really want to leave,
But for this deceased official,
For the hundreds of innocent transportation guards,
For the thousands of starved victims,
I cannot take a single step back.
May we ask, if Your Majesty were to take along this kind of grievance to pray at the Sacrificial Day,
Is it to be disrespectful to heaven and earth?
The heavens won't allow people like you to go worship.
Alright, I want to hear just what
You're going to tell me.
Hurry and speak!
Half a month ago, someone asked me
to personally deliver the grains to Bei Huai.
Then showed off the success and acted on their own,
not listening to Lord Zhou's advice, insisting on having the rice grains delivered through the Yue Hua Mountains.
The result was an encounter with mountain thieves.
It caused all the transportation officials
and a hundred guards to die.
It also troubled thousands of victims.
Sister, I know you don't favor me,
But, how could you frame me like this?
Don't be in a such a rush.
Unless, Consort Ning is talking about you?
You're right. The person I'm talking about is Consort Min.
After it happened, not only did she not try to resolve it.
She also colluded with local officials to push all the blame onto Lord Zhou.
Lord Zhou wouldn't take blame, so she bribed the doctor
to change up Lord Zhou's medicine.
Letting Lord Zhou think that he has got an incurable disease.
Nonsense!
Lord Zhou was such a kind person...but you forced him
that he didn't want his life or reputation anymore!
He hanged himself after signing the confession letter.
He left three last wishes.
One, not to trouble his family.
Second, be kind to the descendants of the peers.
Three, he asked of the Imperial Court
To immediately send out grains to Bei Huai again.
I...there wasn't such a thing.
What Lord Zhou...what doctor...
They're all false charges!
There is a large eucalyptus tree.
The common people would hang their wishes on the tree.
The officials over there flattered you.
They must have said that the trees full of wish tags
were all congratulations on being conferred Her Highness.
You must've been very pleased.
But, in honest, everyone's wish
Was that the Great Liang would no longer have any more wars.
After Lord Zhou's death, that tree is filled in white.
Return Lord Zhou and his innocence!
Seek justice for Lord Zhou! Return our local magistrate.
You're talking nonsense! Do you have evidence?
If you don't have evidence...how dare you say this.
Right. Consort Ning, Wei Guang, what evidence do you have?
These are the confessions of eighteen officials.
The doctor who made a false diagnosis for Lord Zhou is also among them.
I've already sent them to prison.
If Your Majesty wants to personally conduct the interrogation, it can be done too.
Your Majesty...
Officials, please don't listen to what they say!
It was my idea to deliver the grains by Yue Hua mountain?
Why would I do that?
How would I benefit from that?
Ban Ling 'er, because of your selfishness and ignorance,
A whole generation of officials and thousands of people died.
It caused a public official and the people to be disappointed.
Your Majesty, please don't believe them.
They already were a scheming couple.
Naturally, when the husband sings, the wife will follow.
They must know that their lives are almost over and want to frame me!
For Your Highness to say this, I would like to hear your explanation.
You're still denying?
Grand Marshal Wei, you can stop acting.
You always secretly enter Consort Ning's bedroom and meet privately.
When she was poisoned by the flower, you were there too.
All of her maids saw, can you deny this?
I never met privately with Consort Ning.
But on the day she was poisoned by the flower, I was definitely there.
That's Consort Ning's bedroom.
A man like you going there...
Other than meeting privately, what other excuse is there?
I was always researching the Yan brother's death and explosion.
And waiting to report to His Majesty.
His Majesty believed that Yan Kuan would die for sure, so I had to look for more solid evidence,
However, I discovered that Yan Kuan disguised himself as Dong Fang Xuan and snuck into Noble Consort Ning's chambers.
That was a close call and Noble Consort Ning wasn't feeling well.
In order to protect His Majesty's consort,
As a subject, of course, I'm duty bound.
That day, Yan Kuan disguised as Dong Fang Xuan,
used the Emperor as the excuse to retreat everyone.
We were the only ones left in thechamber.
I was ill and helpless, my life was on the line.
Grand Marshal Wei came and saved me.
I am extremely grateful.
Thank you very much for saving me.
Your Majesty!
Your Majesty...if you believe those two but not me...
Then please bestow upon me three feet of white silk. [Three feet of white silk was often given to concubines for them to hang themselves ]
In front of the court officials, I will die to clear my name.
God, tell everyone.
Tell them what they're saying is a lie, a lie!
Officials, Consort Min is right.
What Consort Ning and Grand Marshal Wei said...
Is all false.
The witness they found could be bribed.
Also, what Consort Min just said,
Could be false. The maids she brought up..
Could also be bribed.
Don't tell me that it's an open case.
My dignified Great Liang, and all the officials here,
can't but solve a food transportation case?
Then allow me,
to talk about the things we in the imperial harem hear about.
March 24th, the explosion at Yong Eastern Gate had nearly a thousand deaths. For four days and three nights,
The one who went without sleep to help save the victims,
who got up after fainting to help the victims...was Consort Ning.
Two months ago, when there was a drought in the Ning state, even with a sickness,
The person that at the scene was still Consort Ning.
What was Consort Min doing at that time? She was seducing the Emperor!
Your Majesty, you can't see clearly here
So how about if you go under that eucalyptus tree and ask all the people who hung wishes.
If Consort Ning really has skill!
To bribe all of Great Liang's citizens to frame Consort Min!
In Bei Huai, everyone could attest to the fact that Lord Zhou was a fair and honest official.
It's disheartening when such an upright official died with injustice in our Great Liang.
Fellow officials, we all are officials of this court.
Ask yourself, who isn't devoted to the citizens of Great Liang, and who doesn't exhaust themselves for Great Liang .
But in the end, no one knows of your contributions, your reputation is slandered, and you die a vengeful death。
With this type of court, how could the country feel safe?
The Court of Judicial Review asks the Emperor for permission
to allow me to immediately open a trial.
When so many calamities, we need to give the citizens an explanation.
Your Majesty, I think we should temporarily set aside the Sacrificial Day.
If we don't investigate this disaster, it will disrespect Heaven and won't comfort the people.
Affairs within the family probably should be set aside for now.
Your Majesty, please order an investigation to this case.
Your Majesty.
Your Majesty...
Your Majesty still didn't punish Consort Min in court today.
Seems like he still feels sorry for her.
We must not give Ban Ling'er the opportunity to overturn the situation.
No matter how scheming she is, she wouldn't dare meddle with the Ministry of Justice.
Even more so, her father is a criminal.
In court, she don't have any officials she can team up with.
By her side, she only has His Majesty.
Because she has nothing,
she will grip onto his Majesty tightly.
Also, she will do anything to drag into this.
But His Majesty will not disregard the law because of her too.
His Majesty disregarded the law because of me in the past.
His heart is with Ban Ling'er.
For her, it's not impossible.
I pay my respect's to your Majesty.
Your Majesty, today in court.
All officials believe Consort Ning's story.
But only one person didn't say anything.
That's your Majesty.
I hope you can tell me,
In your heart, do you believe Noble Consort Ning,
or Consort Ming?
Your Majesty...
If you don't talk, it means that you don't believe in Consort Ming...
Your Majesty is my...
only loved one in this world. I...
my life here,
should end too.
Your Majesty...
I don't want to bother Your Majesty in giving me the white cloth.
I prepared it myself.
I will end myself when I get back to my place.
And live in a cold world.
I
believe in Consort Min.
Consort Min, why are you standing?
Your Majesty, we still didn't solve that case yet.
I'm still a criminal. I don't dare to sit and eat.
If I say you can then you can.
Sit and accompany me while eating.
Thank you, your Majesty.
That's right. Sit down and have a meal with me.
Look at you. You are so exhausted that you're not looking well.
If you are still like this,
I will stop coming here.
Yes, I will go back later and tidy up myself.
Come.
I haven't been in a good mood.
After eating, accompany me to the garden after.
-Consort Min, look. -Your Majesty
I have a feeling that the officials attitude would change soon.
They will think that there are a lot of flaws in Lord Zhou's case.
And Consort Min might did nothing wrong.
Or after a while.
Everyone will think she's innocent,
And will praise he of being a good Consort.
It seems like his Majesty's attitude is very obvious.
Those officials will follow the wind and change their mind.
This must be tough on Ningzhi and Wei Guang.
After taking out Princess Royal and Prince of Guangding,
a vicious woman like her appear.
I'm worried that this battle will be harder to fight than the previous one.
Thousands of blessings to Consort Ning.
Rise now.
Thank you, your Majesty.
Previously I was mistaken and punished all of you for gossiping.
Now that every thing is clear and you guys are not involve.
I came here to apologize .
Consort Ning, we do not dare to accept apologies from you when you are innocent.
I brought some pastries that His Majesty gave me.
These are top-grade bird's nest.
I hope you all could accept this gift.
We wouldn't dare.
I'm also from Lihua Academy.
We're all sisters.
Your Majesty rewards me every morning and night.
I can't finish these, so instead of leaving them to rot,
I may as well share them with everyone.
I haven't visited you in a long time, are you good?
Dongmei, take Kang'er out to play.
Yes.
I want to discuss about Lord Zhou's case.
His Majesty don't plan on letting anyone handle the case. He will do it personally.
Also, at the Grand Hall that day,
those who highly suspected me,
are now lying low and hiding at home. They don't dare to make any noises.
You came here just to tell me this?
I came here to warn you.
His Majesty sincerely loves me and I sincerely love him.
If you don't have feeling with His Majesty then don't come and bother us.
Do you dare to deny that during last year's Mid-Autumn Festival, at the Lotus Lake,
You told me that you only have respect toward His Majesty and not love.
I do remember.
I also remember, during the Mid Autumn Festival,
Lord Bei Ying died when he tried to save you.
You cried for help.
If wasn't for you, I would not become Consort Ning.
Then do you remember
that you once told me
how you keeled in front of the Empress and told her how she will always be the official wife.
You will always be a concubine.
So what?
I didn't expect the prophecy has unfortunately come true.
You are fated to be a concubine.
Even if the Empress enters the Cold Palace again,
you will never be the most noble person in the harem.
Ban Ling'er, how long has it been since His Majesty favor you?
You are even thinking about something this far in the future.
Do you remember Consort Hua?
His Majesty favor Consort Hua.
What about now? She was sent to exile at the border.
And have to withstand the cold. She looks old now.
And the Empress? The Zheng family was going downhill, all the ministers were against proclaiming her as empress.
But His Majesty overruled everyone.
There is no flower that stays red for 1000 days, and no person that 100 good days in a row.
I advise you to curb your arrogance.
In case His Majesty's love will float away like the river and never to return.
Your crying days are ahead.
Just you wait.
-Your Majesty. -Your Majesty.
The Ministry of Justice has set aside the case of the military rations.
Even the witness and evidences can't waver his Majesty's love toward Consort Ming.
Our Emperor really is...
Ning Zhi and Wei Guang have already worked very hard going against that little evil spirit.
Unless, she's harder to defeat than Princess Royal and Yan Kuan!
His Majesty hasn't changed. He put aside the case of Lord Bei Ying for me in the past.
Really, Wei Guang and I didn't suffer the most, Lord Zhou did.
And the victims who are waiting for the grains while starving.
Yong De Palace
Based on your pulse, your condition is turning back around and getting better.
Really?
That's why I haven't felt as nauseous these days.
Brother Lang, you haven't been a doctor in a while, how come your skills are improving?
It's not my skills that are improving, I've received tips from someone honorable.
I suddenly understood and changed the prescription.
Otherwise, I would still be stuck.
Which person was it? I need to reward them greatly.
It's unspeakable.
Why are you hiding from me?
The only one who could teach you is your master, but he passed away.
So then, who else?
That person...won't allow me to give their name.
I've already made a promise.
This time, it is really all thanks to you.
Don't thank me.
Doctor Jiang, I thank you for Her Majesty again.
Thanks to you, her condition has improved greatly.
I should thank you.
If it wasn't for you Yan Kuan would have taken me to Beijing.
I would have become a servant to those two traitors.
Doctor Jiang, what are you planning now?
I plan to conceal my identity and name,
With my family in the countryside,
and practice medicine.
Lord Lang, may I speak directly?
You can't control Imperial matters.
You have to take care.
I can't control Imperial matters, but I still want to put in effort.
Doctor Jiang, we shall meet again.
Hope to see you again.
I thought His Majesty would take away my title.
And will affect Consort Ning.
But, who knew it's still peaceful right now.
This is just the calm before the storm.
Our Great Liang may be in war and chaos again.
Princess Royal and the Prince are hiding at Bei Dian.
They should be too weak to do anything.
Who knows what method Yan Kuan
utilized to persuade the Kings of Wu Ci and Xia Shan.
If they join hands, the consequences will be unthinkable.
After Yan Kuan ran away, I wasn't able to sleep well at night.
Who would have thought
he brought so much damage.
They are all connected. Princess Royal is trying to make a move.
His Majesty wouldn't dare do anything to us.
I'm in a good mood today. Let not think about this.
How about we enjoy the moment.
Here, I propose a toast for everyone.
Here.
Master Jiu Yun, why did you want to meet me at such late hours?
Congratulations, your Majesty.
What is there to congratulate about?
While observing the stars, I noticed that you will carry a royal baby within three days.
This baby is unspeakably noble and precious.
In the future, he will become Liang's Emperor.
Really?
I did a reading on you before. Which one of those did not come true?
If it's really like you said,
then I have something to look forward to.
But your Majesty should be very careful.
The auspicious forecast is mixed with ominous signs, and the Emperor star turns from bright to dark intermittently.
It means that his Majesty favoring toward you is not stable.
You have to think of a way to grab his Majesty's heart.
Then what should I do? Please enlighten me.
I can only speak up to here. The rest is up to you, your Majesty.
Your Majesty, according to scouts' reports,
Yan Kuan and those two traitors.
They just met with King Ping Yuan of Wu Ci.
How was their talk?
The details aren't known,
but according to the spies, they seemed very happy.
King Ping Yuan even personally bid them farewell.
Prime Minster, you will represent me to visit Wu Ci State
and try to cajole King Ping Yuan to our side.
If needed, we can give him a few benefits.
We must not let King Ping Yuan ally with those two traitors.
Your Majesty, I shall immediately leave on my mission.
Prime Minister, wait.
Your Majesty, I have a request.
I heard that King Ping Yuan greatly pampers his queen.
If I can accompany the Prime Minister,
I can use this opportunity to get near the empress and start with her.
This is a spectacular plan. You are indeed my favorite Consort.
After you go, you have to think of a way
to make friends with the Queen of Wu Ci.
Yes.
I received you message. You said Consort Min left the palace to see a Taoist.
Did you find out the Taoist priest's real identity?
This Taoist priest seems like he appeared out of nowhere.
There are no traces of his past whereabouts.
According to the spy's faraway look,
this spy is an expert at identifying faces.
This is his drawing of the Taoist priest.
Greetings, King Ping Yuan.
So you are Great Liang's Prime Minister and Consort Ming?
It's truly better to see you in person.
When I was at Great Liang,
I heard about the empress beauty.
After seeing you, it is true.
Thank you, Consort Ming.
I received a notice that Great Liang will send an ambassador here.
The first person I thought of was Grand Marshall Wei.
Back then, when we went to war.
I fought against Grand Marshall Wei in the battlefield.
You can say we know each other.
It's too bad I can't see him today.
The Grand Marshall Wei is busy with affairs.
So the Emperor sent us here.
Your Majesty,
I've specifically brought a few presents for you.
Have a seat.
Please.
These two pearls are called Twin Dragon Pearls.
At night, it can light up the whole room just like it is day time.
If they are sewn onto your slippers,
you would shine with sparkles,
Just like a fairy coming down to earth.
Then I'll have to have a good look at it.
What is your mission, Prime Minister, to come here?
Actually...
You are a top ranking minister representing Great Liang's Emperor.
I'm afraid it's not as simple as gifting me.
Does it have to do with Princess Royal meeting me?
Yes. His Majesty sent me here to discuss about forming an alliance.
Form an alliance?
I don't have such wishes. Perhaps we will discuss again when the timing is right.
Here, let's drink first.
The pearls are beautiful, but they are probably too heavy to be sewn onto slippers.
Of course not. You'll see after wearing them.
This is a pair of golden silk shoes that are custom made.
The outside is sewed with golden strings.
Your Majesty, you will definitely like them.
Here, have a drink.
Prime Minister, why didn't you listen to me?
I've said before that negotiation is all about strategy.
Consort Min,
We are not familiar with King Ping Yuan yet.
You mentioned the alliance right away.
Of course he would think we are too hasty.
How can we continue? This is a failure.
How do you plan to account to the Emperor?
Your Majesty, I plan to-
Beloved Consort?
My beloved Consort, I've been missing you every day.
You're finally back.
How's everything?
I've become instant friends with the Queen. She is very nice to me.
King Ping Yuan is also very friendly and kept asking about Your Majesty.
So there is hope for an alliance?
Of course.
However, it also depends on Your Majesty. Will you accept them?
Are you sure?
But previously
King Ping Yuan was reportedly very close to Princess Royal.
Princess Royal and Prince Guang Ding are your siblings.
Of course King Ping Yuan could not offend them.
But, if you think about it more,
they are only failed traitors.
What benefits can they give King Ping Yuan?
He would obviously choose Great Liang's Emperor when he weighs the pros and cons.
You are absolutely right.
King Ping Yuan was defeated by me.
Only I can win his respect inside and out.
That's why you don't need to worry about the alliance.
Right now Wu Ci State needs Great Liang more.
Your Majesty, the journey was arduous.
I would like to take my leave now.
You worked hard, Prime Minister. Go ahead and rest.
Prime Minister looked exhausted.
Did anything go wrong in Wu Ci?
Prime Minister is getting old and gets tired easily.
When we were at Wu Ci,
he often couldn't answer King Ping Yuan's questions. I had to jump in to help out.
Otherwise, King Ping Yuan would have looked down at us.
It seems that I need to consider a new candidate.
The scenery here is still so beautiful.
This scenery... I don't know how long it will last.
Why do you say that?
I ran into the Prime Minister today. He wanted to resign, but I stopped him.
Prime Minister's mission to Wu Ci was considered successful.
He should have been rewarded, why would he...
What happened at Wu Ci is totally different from what Consort Min said.
King Ping Yuan was not interested in an alliance with Great Liang at all.
It's obvious that he is already on Princess Royal's side.
Why did Consort Min tell His Majesty that King Ping Yuan was very enthusiastic?
This will create problems in the future.
His Majesty prefers to believe flattering lies.
Does His Majesty really believe Consort Min?
Consort Min always tells him what he wants to hear. That's how she can fool him.
If King Ping Yuan is really in league with Princess Royal,
how will Ban Ling'er take responsibility in front of all the people of Great Liang?
She only needs to please His Majesty.
She wouldn't care about the future.
It won't be long before the righteous ministers to be pushed out.
The treacherous ones will appease His Majesty
while forming fighting factions.
If any strife occurs in the outer region,
then how can the tens of thousands of families be protected?
Since you are already predicting a crisis,
you probably have thought of solutions too.
I understand you too well.
There is actually no good solution this time.
When the country is half collapsing,
I can only use my whole life to hold it up.
We have overcome so many obstacles throughout our journey. It will be the same this time.
Wei Guang,
you could have left for a comfortable life after winning the high honors.
But you stayed on for me.
Now you are surrounded by dangers.
You...
No regret.
♫ I really want to let go of my name and identity ♫
♫ I will watch the peaceful marketplace with you ♫
♫ I will wait with you for the rain to stop ♫
♫ I will light the light of love to shine into your life ♫
♫ So that all the dangerous rivers can soften your eyes ♫
♫ Like the crystal tears in the dead of night ♫
♫ My heart has become more transparent and stronger ♫
♫ Even if it aches, it will not break ♫
The writing is just like the person.
Your writing is excellent at such a young age.
You will achieve good accomplishment in the future.
All right, you can take your leave.
Thank you, Royal Father.
Your Majesty, you are in good spirit today.
Yes, I've been receiving a lot of good news lately.
Naturally I feel pleased.
Your Majesty, you must have already pacified the traitors to feel so at ease.
I was worried about Princess Royal getting together with our neighboring country to attack me.
Now, Wu Ci is ready to make peace with me.
There are no other big problems.
So why would I worry about those two traitors again?
Wu Ci previously lost greatly in a battle with us.
Don't they hold any grudge?
The world is motivated by profits and gains.
Great Liang is strong and prosperous.
Wu Ci State is also being pragmatic.
I heard that many officials are complaining
that their salaries have been reduced.
It's based on an advice from Consort Min.
She meant to help.
Our treasury has been hurt by greedy officials.
They are never satisfied by any salaries.
Emperor Taizu had set a rule that no one in the harem should interfere in state decisions.
I've never set any barriers against using good talents.
Consort Min is smart and willing to learn.
I am also willing to let her do a few things.
If she doesn't understand anything, I will teach her.
Besides, you used to cross the line quite a few times, didn't I allow you too?
About your accusation against Consort Min that time at court,
I've investigated and found it to be a misunderstanding.
I cherish Consort Min,,
and I also care about you.
So, Yan Kuan is a top problem,
but Ban Ling'er is truly evil.
Ban Ling'er is actually helped by His Majesty unknowingly.
Wei Guang, what do you think about King Ping Yuan?
Do you know what is on Wu Ci State's battle flag?
It's a jackal. When you kill one jackal, the other jackals will swarm after you.
They will not stop until they bite into their enemy's throat.
When I led the army to fight Wu Ci, we killed 100,000 of their soldiers.
So they will definitely revenge. The question is when.
Wu Ci people are fiery-natured. They won't wait long.
But this war won't be decided by Wu Ci,
it will be hinged on Xia Sheng State and Qiu Yan State.
Timing and Subtitles brought to you by the Legend of the Phoenix Volunteer Team @ Viki
♫ In the clear sky, thousands of fireflies drift around ♫
♫ You were once the most ordinary firefly of them all ♫
♫ When you approached me, time stopped ♫
♫ My heart started racing ♫
♫ It was like a dream ♫
♫ I travel against the light in search for a faraway shadow ♫
♫ The crowded mountain cities, but I find it so peaceful ♫
♫ I really want to let go of my name and identity ♫
♫ I will watch the peaceful marketplace with you ♫
♫ I will wait with you for the rain to stop ♫
♫ I will light the light of love to shine into your life ♫
♫ So that all the dangerous rivers can soften your eyes ♫
♫ Like the crystal tears in the dead of night ♫
♫ My heart has become more transparent and stronger ♫
♫ Even if it aches, it will not break ♫