Music
Consort Li went to the imperial garden to enjoy the bright moon
on a whim
on her way back to the Palace of Eternity.
Unexpectedly...
Master.
I searched all palaces
when I had the chance.
But I didn't find the copper box.
The imperial palace is so huge.
We're almost dredging for a needle in the sea
in this way.
We'd better get the storage list
of the treasury
and figure out where the copper box is stored
or who it was given to.
I'm trying to
make friends with Li Defu, chief of eunuchs.
Wait a minute.
I think someone is stalking us.
Two men.
They breath heavily.
I don't think they have great marital arts.
But they're stalking us sneakily.
I'm afraid they have malicious intentions.
At that time
in order not to expose ourselves
we couldn't use the flying skill
or fight back.
We could only protect our vital parts
with smart skills.
- But it seemed... - Help.
They were after Consort Li only.
Help!
Assassins!
Help!
I pretended to slip by accidently
and pushed one of them into the pond.
The other one still tried to kill her.
- Luckily the patrol came. - Who?
They rushed over
when they heard us.
Assassins!
Hurry!
- Help! - Over here!
Stop running!
Help!
Hurry.
He ran that way.
He ran that way. Stop.
Go get the assassin. Over there.
Stop.
Stop running.
Who the hell are they?
Have you got any clue?
No.
It's not hard to catch him.
Unfortunately
we can't expose
our marital arts.
Did someone see through Qingcheng?
Impossible.
If they did
they shouldn't have come to kills us.
They should have exposed us.
The two men in mask
managed to escape from imperial guards.
They should be in the palace
with a high position.
Someone must be behind them
for tonight's assassination.
Not too many people can order a murder inside the palace.
Oboi?
But what reason did he have
to kill Qingcheng?
Wait.
You reminded me that
the figure and eyes
of one assassin
looked very familiar.
He seemed to be
Eunuch Li.
Eunuch Li?
So that explains.
Eunuch Li
must be the spy Oboi sent to Kangxi.
Oboi possibly thought
Qingcheng stood in the way of Yihuan.
So he asked Eunuch Li to kill her.
I'll meet Oboi tomorrow
to get some information.
Big Brother.
Qingcheng.
You're awake?
Big Brother.
She isn't awake, I suppose.
She's just talking in sleep.
Master Xueyi.
Allow Qingcheng to leave the Forbidden City.
We'll look for the copper box in some other way.
No way.
Since Qingcheng came to the palace
she has won the favor of His Majesty.
Now, she's trying hard to associate with eunuchs.
I believe
we'll soon get the storage list
of the treasury
and find the copper box.
At such a critical moment
how can I give it up?
But it's too dangerous
to leave her here alone
to serve our enemy
and it's too unjust.
Compared to the lost country
what she is suffering
is not even worth mentioning.
Your Highness.
If you insist on being hesitant
and immersed in love
won't you disappoint thousands of righteous fighters
of the whole alliance?
Consort Li's wound has been handled.
Thank you, Dr. Li.
May you excuse me.
I'll get her
some healing potion later.
See you, Dr. Li.
Dr. Li.
Junior Consort Huan.
Dr. Li.
I'll go with you to get the potion for Consort Li.
Thank you, Your Grace.
Bro. Zhu.
You know what?
I heard Sis. Xue
calling your name when she was in a coma.
That was a coincidence.
When someone is weak
she'll easily think of her families.
Master Xueyi is her closest family.
But she yelled your name.
Bro. Zhu.
You can't be too dull
to know her feelings, can you?
Yihuan.
Stop kidding me.
I'm not kidding.
When I was in the Pearl Valley
I shared the same bed with Sis. Xue.
I heard her calling your name many times.
You know what?
She likes you so secretly
that she doesn't dare to tell you.
Yihuan.
Even if
we know something
we don't need to lay it bare.
Because it doesn't help
except making us embarrassed
or disturbing us.
You must understand that
I only care for you
in my heart.
To me
everyone else is just a friend
or a family.
Hearing this
I feel sadder for Sis. Xue.
With the desperate feeling
from unrequited love
she must be miserable.
Say no more.
Children growing up in the Pearl Valley
especially me
aren't even qualified to feel miserable
before we complete our great cause
not to mention feeling happy.
Miss Qianying.
Do you like the clothes
I gave you?
They're good.
They're of good quality
and are delicate.
They fit me well.
Thank you.
Then why don't you wear them?
I'm fatigued
with the journey.
I...
I'm loath to wear them.
Miss Qianying.
Wipe off your sweat.
Stop.
Childe Yingqi, what do you want?
Find a quiet place
to get us away from the summer heat.
We'll leave after it cools down.
Yes, Childe Yingqi.
I'm almost losing.
Miss Qianying
you're not only great in martial arts
but also plays chess so well.
I'm from a poor family.
But many talented guys
live in our village in seclusion.
They were enthusiastic
and always taught us.
So...
we could do some
cultural arts
and marital arts as well.
Oh, I see.
During the change of dynasties
some talented guys from the previous dynast
would rather live in seclusion
to teach students
than work for the new emperor.
In this way
they can stay aloof and care for the country together.
I really admire them.
Wu Sangui has great power over the country.
But everyone curses behind him
as a traitor to sell his old master.
But according to Wu Yingqi
he sounded that
he also felt dissatisfied with his father.
Childe Yingqi.
If your father
hears you
I'm afraid he'll be angry.
Exactly.
In front of my father
I really don't dare to talk wildly.
But...
in front of you
I can talk freely
without concern.
I didn't expect you to play the flute so well.
When I heard your beautiful song
I played it
on a whim.
I've played the song
for many times.
But I've never enjoyed it so much before.
You gave a perfect playing of the flute.
How delighted I feel
for the ensemble!
Awesome!
General Shi.
I didn't expect Childe Yingqi to play the zither so well.
He masters lute-playing, chess, calligraphy, and painting.
Unfortunately, he doesn't play martial arts.
But with a master like you around him
I think he can lay aside all anxiety and rest content.
Childe Yingqi
loves playing this song most.
But I'm a rough fellow.
I've been fighting wars and know nothing about songs.
Childe Ye.
Do you know what song he was playing?
It's Ask Any Girl.
Wrote by Sima Xiangru.
It's said that
he used the song
to confess his love to Zhuo Wenjun
and won her love in the end.
Really?
You said you were a hunter.
I didn't expect you to be so wealthy in knowledge.
You're flattering me, General Shi.
I'm not wealthy in knowledge.
In my village
a teacher from a private school loved the zither.
I heard him playing this song.
You and your sister behaved well.
Tonifying pills for this month.
Don't worry, My Lord.
My sister and I will do our best
to work for you.
How is Consort Li's wound?
She was badly wounded.
With my careful cure
she barely survived.
But she has lost too much blood
and needs more care.
In fact
you don't need to cure her
too carefully.
I don't understand.
His Majesty summoned Yihuan
for three consecutive nights.
But only made her
a junior consort.
Later, he summoned Consort Li
for days.
It won't take long
before Consort Li gets promoted again.
She's such an obstacle.
Why should we keep her alive?
You mean?
Consort Li, Shu Wanxin
is the single daughter of Commander Shu Jian in Shanxi.
Shu Jian
was promoted by Songni.
Songni always didn't get on well with me.
Luckily
a few years later
he died of illness and old age.
But ministers on his side
are still
a big obstacle for me.
So I don't think
we should allow Shu Jian's daughter
to win the favor of His Majesty.
So the assassins?
I sent them, of course.
My spies in the palace
don't have great marital arts.
But they should have easily
handled a weak girl.
Unexpectedly, they failed.
They told me that
Consort Li
looked panicked
but she protected vital parts successfully.
She seemed to do some martial arts.
Consort Li is the daughter of a general.
It's possible that
she can some marital arts.
So we need a better way
to get rid of her
without trace.
You're smart.
You should know what to do, huh?
You mean...
You want me to poison her during the treatment?
But if someone finds that
I'm afraid I'll be killed.
Feel free to do it.
With me around
I'll protect you.
Yes, My Lord.
You're getting better.
It's weird.
It's been days since Consort Li was assassinated.
His Majesty
conveyed his greetings twice.
But hasn't ever come
to see her.
His Majesty
dotes on Consort Li, doesn't he?
Why is it weird?
Doting on doesn't mean love.
His Majesty is young and romantic.
He has many consorts.
He doesn't really care for me.
Even if Kangxi doesn't love you with his true heart...
Oboi dared to collude with the eunuchs
to assassinate his consort.
That was a great challenge
to the authority of his throne.
Kangxi will never tolerate that.
He must have some other reason
when he doesn't come to see you.
I'm new in the palace
and haven't met Kangxi yet.
But I can feel that
he's an emperor hard to read.
Big Brother.
Ask Yihuan to find Long San asap
and tell him that
Oboi is behind the assassins
to test how Kangxi will react.
Since Long San knew
Yihuan had been
lying to Kangxi
Long San had been angry
and never showed up.
He even ignored the meeting signal
Yihuan sent him.
Maybe he didn't ignore her
but was looking into my case
on the command of Kangxi.
I think
Yihuan should contact him proactively.
This is a great chance to bring up the conflict
between Kangxi and Oboi.
We mustn't miss it.
Okay.
Long San told me that
he often worked in the imperial study.
I'll ask Yihuan to have a try
and see if she can find him.
Stop.
According to your dress
you should be a junior consort.
Have you lost all decency?
Why do you come to the imperial study?
You...
Why do you look so familiar?
Oh, I remember.
So you're also an imperial guard
and work in the imperial study?
Where's Long San? I want to see him.
You are...?
Don't you remember me?
About three month ago
a group of criminals were sent to the
execution ground.
We met there.
You were with Long San.
Do you remember?
Hey, kid.
What are you doing?
It's you?
Yeah.
You're a girl.
And become a junior consort.
Where's Long San?
Long San?
Don't you know he's...
I know.
He's an imperial guard
working in the imperial study, isn't he?
He told you that?
Oh, I see.
He's not here today.
You're a junior consort
from the imperial harem.
If not asked
you shouldn't have come here
in case you might disturb His Majesty.
His Majesty
is on his way here from the morning audience.
You should leave.
Long San isn't here.
Fine. I'll go.
Why can His Majesty be easily disturbed?
Here comes His Majesty. Hurry.
Why don't you kneel to His Majesty?
You... you...
you're the emperor?
Eunuch Li.
The junior consort... Who is she...
Shush.
This is about His Majesty.
Don't ask
or bother about it.
Who... the hell are you?
The emperor or Long San?
Shush.
I'm not the emperor. I'm Long San.
Why did they call you His Majesty
and kneeled to you?
I'm not the emperor.
I look like His Majesty and sound like him.
So I work as his substitute.
You're his substitute?
Yeah. I'm his substitute.
The Qing dynasty
has been founded for decades
but doesn't have a firm foundation.
His Majesty is young
and has just taken over the reins.
Surviving supporters of the Ming dynasty
and powerful ministers who want to rebel
may both assassinate His Majesty.
Taking Oboi as an example.
He even dared to kill Suksaha
and colluded with the eunuch to poison His Majesty.
Because of this
His Majesty often asked me to disguise like him.
Oh, that explains.
You're freaking me out.
How can you be the emperor?
If you were
how could you steal food in the imperial kitchen
in the middle of the night
or become my sworn brothers, right?
Yes. Yes.
So His Majesty wore a mask
and didn't show me his face
when I spent the nights with him
just because he didn't want me to recognize him, huh?
Yeah.
So now you know
why no one knows me
in the palace.
Because I'm not an ordinary guard.
I don't take shifts.
All I need to do is to pretend to be His Majesty
when necessary.
You're his substitute.
Does it mean
you should take assassination for him?
As his subordinate
I must serve him with my life.
Besides, His Majesty is good to me.
I'm willing to die for him.
Junior Long.
How poor you are!
You're the substitute of His Majesty.
He's good to you
just because he wants you to protect him.
Since ancient times
all emperors have been the same.
They're selfish
cold-blooded and shameless.
Big brother.
Could you stop complaining about His Majesty
in front of me?
Aren't you embarrassing me?
Why are you coming to the imperial study
for me today?
How dare you ask!
You ignored me for days.
I have something important to tell you.
Something important?
Hearing Consort Li was assassinated
His Majesty suspected Oboi.
So he really was behind this.
Yeah!
Oboi
colluded with the eunuchs to assassinate a consort.
How heaven-daring he was!
He didn't even respect His Majesty.
Big brother, you have no idea.
Oboi controlled the royal court for years.
He has his men
all over the royal court and the palaces.
His Majesty sent guys for the inspection for days
but got nothing on him.
So he'll let it go?
A little impatience spoils great plans.
It's not time to fall out with Oboi.
So...
His Majesty has to pretend he doesn't know anything.
Oboi
refused to give up his evil plan.
He forced my brother to assassinate Consort Li again.
You must tell your brother
not to take Oboi's orders.
His Majesty is secretly thinking of a way
to kill Oboi.
So please ask your brother
to contend with Oboi for a few more days.
Don't worry.
My brother won't hold the candle to the devil.
But do you think the plan
of the young emperor will work?
Will it be dangerous?
Big brother.
His Majesty isn't
as useless
as you imagine.
He's young
but brave and smart.
He's kind of a wise emperor.
Junior Long.
You really are born to be a slave.
Look what a situation we're in.
But you're still defending your master.
What wise plan can he have?
According to me
he doesn't care for you at all.
He wants you to die for him
at the critical moment!
Understand?
Big brother.
Stop complaining about His Majesty
in front of me, all right?
Aren't you embarrassing me?
Fine.
I talk freely to you
because I regard you as my best friend.
If you don't want to hear that
I'll just tell you
what you like to hear.
All right. I'm not that mean.
How can I not be generous enough
to tolerate a girl's madness?
I know.
Your curse His Majesty
because you care for my safety.
Am I right?
Sure.
Junior Long.
In the world
you're my closest friend
only second to my families.
Listen to me.
Don't get killed
just for the emperor
you master.
In case of danger
you must protect yourself.
Don't have blind devotion.
Got it?
Okay.
Don't worry.
I can
tell you the plan of His Majesty secretly.
Tell me his plan?
It's so important.
Don't you fear I'll betray you?
In the palace
I trust you most
except the emperor and the empress dowager.
Because you're the purest, aren't you?
Li Defu.
Take Junior Consort Huan back to the Palace of Eternity.
Yes.
Unexpectedly
Kangxi is so cautious
that he has substitutes for him.
In our original plan
we should get the copper box
and then assassinate Kangxi.
We need a well-conceived plan.
And we must figure out who the substitute is
and who the real emperor is
so that we can succeed at one blow.
We need Yihuan to think of a way
to figure out Long San's whereabouts.
When will he disguise as Kangxi?
And how to distinguish them?
That's easy.
At least, the real Kangxi
will spend the night with his consorts.
When we get the copper box
and he asks you for the night
we'll have a chance.
Master Xueyi.
We may manage to assassinate Kangxi
but we'll ignore the safety of Qingcheng.
I'm afraid it's not the best plan.
With your concern
it'll be worth it, however dangerous it may be.
Well...
Assassinating Kangxi is the next step.
We still have a lot of time.
Now we should think about
what we are going to do.
Kangxi will have
some wrestlers
to catch Oboi.
This plan
is even more risky than ours.
Why don't we
tell Oboi about
Kangxi's plan?
Oboi will not wait his doom.
He'll fight with Kangxi.
No matter which one of them wins
we can earn a profit without working for it.
What?
Kangxi trained
some eunuchs and guards
to wrestle?
And will arrest me in a wrestling game?
Is that reliable?
He suspected that
you were behind
the assassination against Consort Li.
So he arranged more guards for Consort Li.
I tried a lot
but failed to get close.
Kangxi is young, but mature.
If he really wanted to arrest me
he wouldn't have told anyone
about it.
Besides
I'm the best warrior.
Why does Kangxi
expect to arrest me
with some little wrestlers?
What a na?ve plan it is!
Maybe
he wants to fish me.
He wants me to rise to the bait.
If I take actions first
I...
I'll fall into his trap.
Then he'll arrest me
with a reason.
It's so thoughtful of you, My Lord.
I really admire you.
However...
we would rather believe it to be true.
If His Majesty asks to see you alone
you'd better be cautious.
I'm the best warrior.
And that's well earned.
Why would I be scared of
some wrestlers?
Besides
I have arranged many trusted followers in the palace.
If Kangxi
dares to fall out with me
I will
make him regret.
Your Majesty.
Here comes Junior Consort Huan.
Greetings, Your Majesty.
Get up.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
It's you, Junior Long?
You bully me.
Why are you pretending?
We two look exactly the same.
How do you know I'm Long San
instead of the emperor?
How can I not know?
When His Majesty spent nights with me
he wore a mask
in the dim light.
But I saw his eyes.
Totally different from yours.
Your eyes
look gentle and considerate.
But he isn't.
Were his eyes
cold and indifferent?
Not really.
When he looked at me
he was kind of
looking at his prey.
I can't explain.
But it feels wired.
I don't think he's a serious emperor.
If you didn't have different eyes
I may not have recognized you.
Oh, why do you call me here?
I called you here
to say goodbye.
Goodbye?
Where are you going?
Do you remember
the plan to arrest Oboi
I told you last time?
It's going on today.
His Majesty
summoned Oboi
to meet him in the imperial study alone.
So I must lead
the guards and eunuchs
who have been trained
to arrest Oboi.
What?
You'll fight Oboi?
He's the best warrior.
If you fight him, you'll be dead.
His Majesty can't truly take over the reins
until Oboi is killed.
Besides
Oboi has great military power.
His Majesty doesn't dare to order anyone to arrest him.
But Oboi...
is very proud
because of his great marital arts.
He will never realize that
His Majesty may arrest him
with some wrestlers.
An unexpected plan might work.
His Majesty also asked Eunuch Li
to drug the tea.
When Oboi drinks it
he'll lose his internal force.
Eunuch Li?
His Majesty asked Eunuch Li to help you?
Yeah.
He came to the palace since little
and served the first emperor and the decreased emperor.
The empress dowager trusts him greatly.
But he...
What?
Forget it.
Forget it. It's okay.
Junior Long.
Don't be stupid.
Don't die for His Majesty.
You will die.
Could you please not go?
So I asked you here
to say goodbye to you.
Since I was little
you're the most special friend to me.
In this life
I may only be your Junior Long.
And your sworn brother.
But in the next life
I hope I can be your childhood sweetheart.
Big brother.
Why are you crying£¿
I...
We're sworn brothers.
We swore to share each other's fortunes and misfortunes.
You're dying.
I can't save you
with my poor skills.
But if you die
I will die, too.
I don't want to die.
I still have a lot of delicious food to try
and a lot of wishes to complete.
Then don't die with me.
Let me die alone.
I won't blame you in the hell.
I'll haunt you as a ghost at most.
Pooh-pooh.
You know the anxiety is killing me.
And you still say that.
Big brother, fine.
Stop crying.
The plan
isn't sure to lose.
Maybe it will work.
I've said goodbye.
Get back to the Palace of Eternity and wait.
Junior Long, don't you have another way out?
No chance to change anything?
His Majesty will be a real dragon
after he wins today.
Otherwise
he'll be a coward.
Well, wait for me.
What are you going to do?
Don't come in.
Don't come in until I ask you.
Don't come in.
Big brother, are you done?
Come out. Oboi is arriving soon.
I see. I see. In a minute.
Big brother.
I'm coming in.
Big brother, are you done?
Big brother.
Are you going to have sex with me
because you think I'm dying?
Pooh-pooh.
Why do you sound
exactly like the emperor?
Who keeps company with the wolf will learn to howl!
Here. It's for you.
It's the golden silk vest.
Oboi gave it to me.
It's said to be invulnerable.
It doesn't help me, anyway.
Put it on
and you can protect yourself.
It smells so good.
Big brother.
I can still feel your smell and temperature.
Why are you staring at me
with such lustful eyes?
You look filthy. Don't you know?
Put it on.
I wore it next to my skin.
I don't use it anyway.
When you wear it
it can protect your vital parts.
Since you wore it
I'll put it on, too.
Or could you put it on for me?
What the hell are you talking about?
I don't want to speak to you.
Big brother.
I'm the Big brother and you're the junior.
You must listen to me, got it?
You mustn't die.
Yes.
Yes, Big brother.
Master Xueyi.
Kangxi is right on his way
to arrest Oboi.
What do you think it will end up with?
It's hard to tell.
Kangxi is young, but mature.
He also has the support from
the empress dowager and loyal ministers.
Oboi is experienced and astute
with deep roots in the royal court.
In a struggle between two tigers
it's hard to tell
who is going to win.
It doesn't matter which one of them will win.
We have everything to gain
and nothing to lose.
Why don't we just sit and watch?
Sis. Xue.
Yihuan?
What's wrong?
Sis. Xue. Master Xueyi.
Go help him!
What happened? Help whom?
Help Long San!
What's wrong with him?
Kangxi is going to arrest Oboi in the imperial study today.
He doesn't dare to go.
He asked Long San to disguise as him
and arrest Oboi with wrestlers.
He also asked Eunuch Li
to drug Oboi's tea.
But Eunuch Li is with Oboi.
He must have told Oboi about everything.
Yihuan.
Are you getting dopey?
Make Kangxi fight with Oboi.
Why are you anxious?
I won't be anxious
if the real emperor is going.
But my brother Long San is going instead of him.
We're sworn brothers.
What should I do if he dies?
We should share each other's fortunes and misfortunes.
You became sworn brothers with Long San
just for fun.
Why are you getting serious?
Bro. Zhu, what are you talking about?
We swore carefully.
We weren't doing that for fun.
Long San used to be nice to me.
If I leave him to sink
how terrible will I be?
But it'll be dangerous
if we all take actions
to save Long San.
We may easily get ourselves exposed.
Yihuan.
Do you really
regard Long San as your sworn brother only?
Bro. Zhu.
Look what a situation we're in!
Why are you still guessing around?
Big Brother.
Yihuan is naughty and willful.
But she has her own principles.
She must be regarding Long San
as her sworn brother only.
Sis. Xue knows me best.
Exactly.
I don't want to owe him anything.
Nor do I want to owe him a life.
Yihuan.
Don't forget who you really are.
You're the princess of the Ming
and the future wife of the crown prince.
Compared to that
your identity
as Long San's sworn brother
isn't even worth mentioning.
Besides
Long San isn't dying for you
but for his master, the emperor.
But...
Fine.
We're not going to help Long San.
That means
when Long San fails, Kangxi fails, too.
Once Kangxi fails
Oboi will stage a coup
and be the emperor.
Oboi is born cruel.
When he becomes the emperor
he'll be harder to deal with.
And what can you do then, Sis. Xue?
If we change our plan
and help Long San and Kangxi
to defeat Oboi...
by then
we'll win the absolute trust of Kangxi.
Then you'll have the chance
to search the treasury for the copper box.
Greetings, Your Majesty.
Don't stand on ceremony. Have a seat.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
Get him some tea.
Yes.
Music