Music
Bro. Zhu.
I feel so scared
when I think of the hidden dangers around us.
Don't be sacred.
When I'm around
I won't get you in danger.
If there is some accident
I will protect you
even if I have to die for it.
Bro Zhu, I don't want to be safe alone.
I want everyone to be safe.
I kind of regret now.
If I knew it
I would have studied hard in the Pearl Valley.
And I wouldn't have been a burden to you.
Now you regret, huh?
But...
But you're making progress.
After we complete the mission
I'll go back to the Pearl Valley with you
and study everything
you should have learnt.
When you manage to master all skills
I'll go travelling with you again.
I was just kidding.
If you want me to go back
to study hard
I don't think I'll do that.
Now in this room
we're alone.
Tell me the truth.
Had you known that
Dr. Li would assassinate me last night?
Otherwise
he made such a scene in my room.
Why did no one of the patrolling guards
hear us?
My Lord.
You really are
getting the wrong idea on me.
Last night, Dr. Li told me that
he would sneak into your room
to steal the secret letters.
I didn't expect you
to have a fight.
Besides, you're the bravest warrior of our nation.
How could he manage to stab you?
What a surprise!
Don't play dumb!
Your father
was my enemy
before he died.
If he were alive now
he would let go of old grudges
under such circumstances
and cooperate with me.
But now, you help an unknown man
to scheme me
regardless of the overall situation.
If...
your father knew it in the heaven
he would not agree with you.
My Lord.
Dr. Li told me that
he was exposed when stealing the secret letters.
He had no choice, but to stab you
to get away.
We both are sensible.
Since he dared to steal letters from you
he must have been ordered.
If I keep asking him
I'll be asking for trouble
won't I?
What a fool you are!
You know what? I met the spy
I plant in the Anti-Qing Alliance.
He told me that
Dr. Li
and Li Yihuan are both from
the Anti-Qing Alliance.
Especially Li Jianqing.
He's more special.
He is exactly the...
I don't want it. I don't want it.
Don't tell me about that.
My Lord.
If you think you're telling the truth
with solid evidence
you can write a secret memorial
to His Majesty
If you find it embarrassed to meet His Majesty
give it to me.
I'll give it to His Majesty for you.
Oh, Songgotu.
Stop playing dumb
in front of me, will you?
You know his Majesty hates me.
Now I'm accused of felony.
Dr. Li and his sister
are favored by His Majesty
because they helped to catch me.
Expect what the spy said
I've not other evidence.
If I told on them right now
how would His Majesty trust me?
He will think
I collude with the spy
to frame them up
and to take revenge.
My Lord.
Even you don't dare to tell His Majesty the truth
why did you ask me to do it?
Tell me.
Aren't you killing two birds with one stone?
Songgotu!
You cunning guy!
If Dr. Li and his sister
weren't favored by His Majesty
like you did
do you think
I would like to beg a political opponent like you?
I know.
You also realize that
they're suspicious.
But you don't dare to show it.
Instead, you fawn on them.
Now
I've told you
about their identities.
You can verify it
and tell His Majesty.
What great merit it will be!
Well, since we've come this far
My Lord, I'm telling you, too.
As the minister
I believe in only one rule.
Mind my own business
talk less
and be modest.
I want no merits, but no mistakes
so that I can work for His Majesty
without trouble.
As for something else
I won't think too much.
Since you're well
see you then.
Such jerks
will ruin our country sooner or later.
Big Brother.
You pretended
to make a deal with Oboi.
Would he
also be pretending
and having another plan?
Your Highness.
It seems we should change our plan asap.
We can't keep Oboi to pin down Kangxi.
Nor can we try to find out the spy
from Oboi.
We have to kill him asap.
Otherwise, once he makes up his mind
to forgive His Majesty
and works for him with loyalty
we, even the entire alliance
will be in danger.
I understand.
We must kill Oboi.
As soon as we can.
But he and I are almost of the same strength.
I'm not sure
if I try to kill him without careful consideration.
How about this?
I'll sneak out of the palace tonight.
Let's work together
to kill Oboi.
Okay.
Uncle.
I don't think
Oboi is driving a wedge.
Maybe Dr. Li and his sister
really are with the Anti-Qing Alliance.
You should help him
to expose them.
Your Grace, you're wrong.
Oboi barely escaped
and entrenched himself.
If he makes more merit
won't he
be our greatest threat
again?
Besides, he has no solid evidence
but the secret report from a spy.
What if he's lying
and trying to use us to take revenge?
What's more, His Majesty is now
very interested in Li Yihuan.
Oboi will manage to
kill two birds with one stone, won't he?
You made some sense.
But I'm afraid if they really are with the rebel party.
Then what should we do?
Right now
Oboi is our mortal malady.
Dr. Li and his sister are only close trouble.
For the sake of this moment
why don't we work with them
and fight Oboi completely.
In this way
no one in the royal court
will be our rival.
As for Dr. Li and his sister
we can mop them up
when His Majesty becomes less interested in Li Yihuan.
When it comes to such things
you're more farsighted than me.
I'll listen to you.
But you must keep an eye on them
in case they might make trouble.
Yes.
Your Grace, rest assured.
I will keep a close eye
on them.
Why are there so many guards?
Didn't you have a tacit mutual understanding with Songgotu that
he would withdraw the guards?
Songgotu is ordered to protect Oboi.
So, he must do something.
As long as we make some noise
we'll draw the guards off
in close cooperation.
Huan'er.
Go draw the guards off.
His Highness and I will go assassinate Oboi.
Got it.
Master Xueyi, Bro. Zhu, be careful.
Be careful.
Go.
You, stay here.
The rest of you, come with me.
Screwed! Screwed!
Master is mad!
Come on!
Damn thieves!
Fuck off.
Master. It's me. Master.
Where are you running to?
Master.
Damn thieves!
What are you doing?
Damn thief!
Fuck off.
I'm the bravest warrior!
How dare you hurt me?
I'll chop you!
Li Yihuan.
How dare you cheat me!
I'm killing you right now!
Who... who are you?
Oh, Kangxi!
I knew
you would come to kill me.
Good.
Don't you remember
I saved your grandfather?
I fought wars everywhere
for your family.
Fine.
Watch this!
Kangxi!
Today
I'm going to die with you.
Kill!
- Master Xueyi. - Kill you.
It seems Oboi is really mad.
Kill you.
Kill you!
Something wrong.
- Fall back! - Go!
Kill!
Kill! Kill! Kill!
What? Oboi is mad?
Your Grace.
Last night, Oboi suddenly became mad.
He killed several imperial guards and his own men.
He almost killed his concubines.
Humph
he's mad at a perfect timing.
Go. Take me to have a look.
See you, Grandma.
See you, Your Grace.
Why would he
suddenly be mad?
How did you take care of your master?
Your Majesty
Master had been delirious
since he was hurt the night before last.
Yesterday, Dr. Cai came to check on him
and said he would get better
in only a few days.
Unexpectedly
in the middle of last night
Master yelled that he felt hot.
Fuck off.
He yelled in the room
and then
he was mad.
Your Majesty.
Fine.
Hurry and check
what's the problem with Oboi.
Yes.
My Lord.
Give me your hand.
It hurts.
Your Majesty.
He's not ill
but poisoned by the knockout pill.
Knockout pill?
Songgotu.
Here.
What happened?
Your Majesty.
Oboi's men take care of
his daily routines
and meals.
According to your order
I haven't ever interfered.
Therefore, I have no idea
when Oboi was poisoned.
Dr. Li.
Is there a cure to that?
Sorry, I don't have one.
Your Majesty.
Be careful.
What if he's pretending?
It's okay.
Lord Oboi isn't only muddle-headed
but also wounded.
He's not strong enough to hurt anyone.
Oboi.
Do you still recognize me?
Hungry.
I'm hungry.
Hungry.
Oboi.
Dessert for you!
Enjoy it.
Dessert?
Yeah.
You said you were hungry, didn't you?
I brought it for you from the imperial kitchen.
Enjoy it.
Bah.
How dare you!
It sucks!
I want tasty dessert!
Go get some.
I want tasty dessert.
It sucks!
Dr. Li.
Will he lose his mind when poisoned?
Your Majesty, from his pulse
I can only tell that he's poisoned by the knockout pill.
Whether his mind
has been totally lost
I don't dare to draw a rash conclusion.
I've got an idea.
But not very proper.
I don't dare to use it.
Try it.
Whatever your idea it is
I'll approve of it.
Yes, Your Majesty.
My Lord.
Get up.
I've got something delicious for you.
It sucks.
Liar. I'm not going to have it.
My Lord.
Here is a gate.
Go through it
and you'll see the dessert.
Master, don't!
You damn gate!
I must go through it!
Warriors.
Come with me!
Kill!
Kill! Kill! Kill!
Master. Master.
Don't do that.
Kill.
Kill! Kill! Kill!
We won!
We conquered the gate!
Your Majesty.
It seems that
he really is mad.
Oboi used to have the right over the country
even overwhelming me.
Though he was put into prison
he was still proud.
Now he can crawl between your leg.
It seems that
he really is mad.
Songgotu.
Here.
Take all his families
to the Ministry of Punishments
for investigation.
You must find out who poisoned him.
Yes.
Dr. Li.
Why didn't you kill Oboi directly?
That'll be better than poisoning him.
That'll finish him once for all.
It wasn't me.
I tried to assassinate him twice
but failed.
Not you?
Who else could it be?
Could it be Songgotu?
This is
too odd!
You must be very cautious.
and keep a low profile.
Leave us.
Yes.
Oboi is poisoned?
Do you know who did it?
I asked Songgotu to find it out.
Your Majesty.
I know you hate Oboi.
But you're too rash.
Grandma.
I didn't ask anyone to poison him.
Who else could it be?
Songgotu was ordered to protect him, wasn't he?
Why would someone manage to poison him?
I found it odd, too.
Could Oboi plant spies
in the guards?
Now Oboi lost his power.
The spy didn't want to be controlled anymore
and then poisoned him.
Since Oboi is mad
we'll have no way
to get his information network.
Grandson.
Though you get rid of Oboi
and have great power within you grasp
there's still much burden
on you.
You mustn't let down your guard.
Grandma, don't worry.
I won't let you down.
Oboi is mad.
So our alliance and we are safe
for the time being.
We don't need to kill Oboi
in case we may attract other's attention
and get us suspected.
You're right, Master Xueyi.
But since Oboi is mad
we have no more clue
to find out the spy.
Who could have poisoned him?
Oboi was surrounded by a lot of families and servants.
His home was also heavily guarded.
But that man had a chance to poison Oboi.
The Ministry of Punishments has been working on it for days
but haven't figured out
how Oboi was poisoned.
Maybe just as Eunuch Li said
Songgotu did it?
Because no one else could do, expect him.
If Songgotu poisoned Oboi
the Ministry of Punishments will get nothing
however hard they investigate.
But why did Songgotu poison Oboi?
Don't forget.
Songgotu is the son of Songni.
In old years
Songni and Oboi were imperial ministers.
They fought for power and profits over a dozen years
with great hatred.
Songgotu, however, is cunning
and overcautious.
He wants to kill Oboi.
But he's ordered to protect Oboi.
I don't think he would poison Oboi
for private interests.
Could Songgotu poison Oboi
under the order of Kangxi?
Junior Long?
But why would he poison Oboi
at such a time?
I'm not sure, either.
Maybe he wants everyone else to know that
Oboi has completely fallen
and force his subordinates to find another way round.
Then he'll have a chance to take over
the information network in the charge of Oboi.
Not possible.
Kangxi is rather shrewd.
When he held back his anger and negotiated with Oboi
I don't think
he could turn back on his words so fast.
Speaking of such major issues
you always have a penetrating analysis.
Do you think the one who switched the copper box
poisoned Oboi?
That's possible.
Maybe not someone
did that.
But a gang of them.
I wonder who they can be.
They're not only thoroughly familiar with Kangxi
but also know much about us.
What's more
they have the access to the palace
and Oboi's house which was heavily guarded.
I wonder if they're
a friend or foe.
If they're a friend
why didn't they work with us?
If the latter
why didn't he tell on us to Kangxi?
Eunuch Li is coming.
His Majesty commanded
Imperial Concubine Li to meet him in the imperial study.
Yes.
Could you hear His Majesty wrong?
His Majesty has never asked Imperial Concubine Li
to the imperial study in the daytime.
He only asked me to wait on him.
You must be kidding, Lady Attendant.
I'm getting old.
But I'm not deaf
at all.
His Majesty wanted Imperial Concubine Li.
Well, Eunuch Li.
Do you know
why His Majesty asked Imperial Concubine Li
to the imperial study?
His Majesty was reviewing memorials to the throne
when he suddenly smote the table and rose to one's feet.
Then he wandered in the imperial study
for a long time before he calmed down.
Then he asked me to get Imperial Concubine Li.
Your Grace, come with me.
Okay.
Bro. Zhu.
Greetings, Your Majesty.
Best wishes.
Wanxin.
Don't stand on ceremony.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
Did you get me to play chess with you
when you were tired with the memorials?
What's wrong, Your Majesty?
Wanxin.
I summoned you
for something important.
Your father...
What's wrong with my father?
Urgent news from the Ministry of War said that
Commander Shu Jian of Shanxi
escorted the second son of Duke Pingxi to the capital
and were robbed on the way.
Some of Emperor Yongli's remains were taken away.
Commander Shu was also...
How is my father?
He's badly wounded
and is at the last gasp.
Wanxin, don't worry.
I asked the doctor
to save your father as far as possible.
When he was in a coma
he gibbered your name.
You're his only daughter.
He must be missing you.
It's my bad
when I can't take care of my father.
One month ago, in fact
your father sent me a secret memorial that
most ministers in Shanxi
were secretly promoted by Oboi.
They colluded with each other
embezzled the relief materials
and grabbed farmlands illegally
to make local people homeless.
Consequently
I covertly asked your father
to collect relevant evidence
and send it to me
with Emperor Yongli's remains.
Unexpectedly
they were robbed halfway.
Your Majesty
you think my father was robbed because of the secret order?
Perhaps.
Maybe also because of Emperor Yongli's remains.
In his remains
there is a special golden key.
Those robbers
might come for the golden key.
Golden key?
This golden key
is concerning a great secret of the previous dynasty
and may even imperil our country.
Wanxin.
This is not
a common robbery.
Many important secrets are involved.
Your father is still lying
in a hostel near the happening place
and couldn't be moved.
If your father...
Then all the secrets
will be buried with him.
So, I've decided to
get to Shanxi to see your father
investigate the robbery
and the corruption case your father reported.
Your Majesty, you're leaving the capital?
Yes.
In case those behind the case make a reckless move
to kill your father
or to assassinate me
on my way
I had to get out of the palace secretly
in plain clothes.
Meanwhile
to fulfil your father's wish
I'm going to take you with me
so that you can meet him.
I'm... I'm going, too?
What? Don't you want to see your father?
Sure, I want it.
I want to see my father.
But...
a consort shouldn't leave the capital.
If you have too much partiality for me
I'm afraid other consorts
will feel unfair.
Don't worry. Everything is on me.
I've got a plan.
We'll leave and come back quickly
so that no one in the palace
will be informed.
When I suddenly heard my father was dying
I was completely distracted.
Your Majesty, I'll just listen to you.
Wanxin.
Don't be sad.
If...
your father dies
I'll take good care of you.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
Your Grace.
Your know it.
How many dangers are there
out of the capital?
But to make a quick trip
His Majesty insists on taking only a few guards
and travel in plain clothes.
What if something happens on the way?
I can't bear
such great responsibility!
The emperor thinks
he can't observe the people's condition in the palace
or rule the country.
Therefore
he will go to Shanxi
for two major problems
and observe the people's condition by the way.
I agree with him.
Luckily, Oboi is mad now.
Ministers become
loyal to the emperor.
I can stay to command.
When the emperor leaves the capital for a few days
I don't think he'll make big trouble.
But I'm afraid if the news is oozed out
some guys with ulterior motives
may lie in wait
and assassinate His Majesty.
That'll be...
Don't worry.
I'll give a decree that 00:32:09.14]
the emperor will stay with me
in seclusion
and recite passages from scriptures
to pray for our country.
Only a few of us know
he will leave.
You can pick some strong guards
to protect the emperor secretly.
If anything goes wrong
you'll be held responsible.
Yes.
Finished.
When I leave the palace tomorrow morning
I'll turn myself
into Commissioner Long San.
I saw you giving a decree
to make yourself the commissioner.
It reminded me of someone.
Who?
I can't tell you.
Stop sniveling.
When we're alone
you always speak carelessly.
Fine, I'll tell you.
It reminded me of Emperor Zhengde of the previous dynasty.
He made himself as Mighty General
and kept promoting himself
until he usurped his own throne.
How dared you compare me with Emperor Zhengde, the self-indulgent ruler!
See? See?
See?
Angry, huh?
So narrow-minded.
I just thought of the story
and was meant to think about it in my heart.
I hadn't planned to tell you.
You made me.
But you got angry after I told you.
Emperor Zhengde
had never realized
his duty as the emperor.
He took the throne as a game
and took his people
as the chip for his game.
I should take warning from his example.
I will never learn from him.
I wrote this decree
to make it convenient for me to solve cases.
Yes. Yes. Yes.
My Junior Long
is the best emperor in the world.
He's a saint and the son of the heaven.
Zhengde was a bungler.
He didn't even deserve to
work for you.
Right?
That sounds nice.
Flattering always helps.
In the Forbidden City
only you dare to tease me.
I felt depressed
when I thought Shu Jian was dying
and the golden was robbed by someone we didn't know.
Unexpectedly, I feel relaxed
after joking with you.
Fine.
With this decree
and the gold mental representing me
I think we can handle everything
that may happen after we leave here.
Let me keep it for you.
No. No way.
You can even get yourself lost.
I can't leave the decree and gold metal
to a careless girl like you.
You look down on me, don't you?
You protect me in the palace.
After leaving the palace
I'll be protecting you.
Go on. Keep boosting.
You don't need to pay for boosting anyway.
Give it to me.
Will you?
Finally, we're out of the Forbidden City.
How do you feel, Master?
It must be your first time to leave the capital, huh?
Don't you feel fresh
about the outer world?
Sure.
The Forbidden City is
a mere man-made palace.
How can it be compared to such beautiful natural scenery?
What's this?
This...
The bride is returning to her parents' home.
It's folk culture.
Now you know?
The big world out there
is much interesting
than the Forbidden City.
This really broadens my outlook.
But...
We can't only enjoy the scenery.
We must hurry on with our trip.
Commander Shu is badly hurt.
He may die at any time.
I, the lord, am rushing to meet him one last time.
Wrong. Wrong.
No more lord when you're out of the Forbidden City.
Only I...
Yes... I...
I'm so used to it
that I can't change quickly.
When you pretended to be Guard Long San
to cheat me
you were lying so smoothly
and didn't make a slip of the tongue.
Well, I did.
But I made it up
before you could realize.
Well, you think you're smart.
But you turn out to be stupid.
I'll always remember that.
Okay.
Please do always remember it.
So do I.
The road ahead of us collapsed.
We need to take another way.
Oh, that explains.
Fine.
You two, go find another way separately.
Yes.
Isn't that Nasai?
Why are they disguising as imperial guards
and riding in single file?
Songgotu
picked thirty masters
to protect me secretly.
I don't allow them to get too close
in case they may expose us.
Therefore
I divided them into three groups
one for exploring the way
and one for bringing up the rear.
That's thoughtful.
Songgotu used to be
badly suppressed by Oboi.
He had to hide his capacities and bide his time.
He can be very capable
and loyal to me.
Master.
Nothing is unusual in the next thirty miles.
But a stone bridge ahead of us
was washed away by mountain torrents months ago.
So, we must take a detour
to another stone bridge one hundred miles away.
Take a detour for one hundred miles?
Yeah.
Since the bridge collapsed months ago
why hasn't it been repaired yet?
Uh... uh...
It seems
to be within the jurisdictional zone of Shuntian Prefecture.
What is the governor doing?
Maybe they don't have
enough funds?
Don't have enough funds?
Days ago, some ministers
complained that
Governor Gan Guotai accepted
at least a dozen gold Buddha statue
in the name of his mother's seventeenth birthday
last month.
Now he's lacking funds
to pave the road or repair the bridge for our people?
It's okay when he doesn't repair the bridge.
But passers-by have to take a detour of one hundred miles.
Is the inconvenience of people
so insignificant in his eyes?
Yeah, Master.
Don't get angry.
Master, don't get angry.
On our way
we'll definitely meet many odd things
that we didn't use to see in the palace.
If you're angry at all of them
when can you take a breath?
How about this?
Look!
I'll keep everything we meet
in the record.
You can deal with them
after you come back.
What do you think, Lord Suo?
Yeah. Yeah.
Lady Attendant made sense, Master.
Fine, then.
There is degree of urgency.
I'll deal with them when I come back
after meeting Shu Jian.
Let's go.
Come on, let's go.
Master Xue Yi.
What must we discuss right now?
Songgotu and Eunuch Li
are leaving with Kangxi for his urination.
They are coming back soon.
We must hurry up.
Your Highness.
It's a rare chance.
Shall we kill Kangxi halfway...
No way.
Why?
Huan'er, don't forget who you are.
Kangxi is our foe
who is absolutely irreconcilable with us.
I know.
But don't forget.
Songgotu is taking
thirty imperial masters.
His Highness, Qingcheng and I
can handle them.
You're in the same carriage with Kangxi.
If you hit him with a sneak attack
they don't have time to defend him.
I...
You want me to kill him?
I can't.
I can't do that.
You must.
Bro. Zhu.
Master Xueyi.
We can't kill Kangxi now.
Why?
Didn't you say
Kangxi is smart, well-read and hard-working
as our great enemy?
Yes.
But we're going to overthrow the royal court
instead of Kangxi alone.
Even if we kill Kangxi
the royal court
will have someone else from his family
be the king.
It'll still be the Qing dynasty.
It doesn't really help
our career to recover our Ming dynasty.
And if we kill him
we'll be exposed.
All efforts we made
by risking ourselves
will be wasted.
But if we can help Kangxi
to complete this trip
we'll win further trust from him.
By then
we'll have a chance
to find the copper box in the heavily guarded Forbidden City.
Also, we'll have the chance
to arise the conflict between Kangxi and Wu Sangui
and cause destruction to both of them.
This...
is the best plan to recover the Ming dynasty.
Yeah. Yeah. Master Xueyi.
That's what I meant.
But Bro. Zhu made it clearer.
Master.
I also agree with him.
Only when we find the copper box
and get the treasure
can we be powerful enough
to collect all rebelling forces
build up a strong army
and complete our business.
Master Xueyi, don't blame Sis. Xue.
I know.
You've been thinking of
revenging hundreds of your dead families.
But just because of this
we should consider the overall situation, shouldn't we?
Master.
Since all of you object
I have nothing to argue.
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