I used to gaze at the mountains and the sea.
The vault of heaven opened all of a sudden.
Do you know love can last a lifetime?
A willow is no match for the wind,
the sea is no match for a mote.
We wait for our love to last forever
until we're grey-headed.
I'm playing a sorrowful tune on the lute.
But I've got no one to appreciate my music.
A beauty is reduced to a lonely life.
With tears in her eyes, she's reluctant to leave.
Time elapses so quickly.
The vermilion gates and the green tiles have long gone.
I hope you'll show pity on me
and allow me to exist for love.
I'll be reincarnated time and again for you.
All I ever want is to be part of your life.
Even if it's just a dream,
I'd love to indulge in it and never wake up.
I come for you, my love
is the tenderest dialogue.
The mortal life is transient, but my love for you is permanent and always the same.
Dreaming Back to the Qing Dynasty Episode 26
What a clever move of Yinsi.
Now that Wei has been prisoned and Yinzhen has been deemed treacherous,
Yinxiang must be restless
like an ant on a hot pan.
Tell me about it.
We have only used Wei
to get both Yinxiang and Yinzhen.
It has saves us a lot of trouble.
In my opinion,
it's because they are too weak.
They should have assessed their strength
before picking up a fight with Yinsi.
They looked for trouble and have only themselves to blame.
But I have to
pour cold water on your excitement.
We have succeeded
not because Yinzhen and Yinxiang are weak
but because we have got their soft spot.
You are quite right.
We couldn't have made it without your idea.
Thank you.
But Yinzhen and Yinxiang
are really fearless.
They lied to His Majesty only for Wei.
Even we were deceived at one time.
Never mind.
Wei is going to die anyway.
And she has given us a hand before she dies.
In my opinion,
we should expose them to His Majesty.
With this treachery,
they will be both doomed.
Yes, Yintang is right.
At the morning court tomorrow, let me...
Wait.
Don't do it.
Why, Yinsi?
Have you forgotten
that father
hates fighting
among the brothers.
If you accuse Yinzhen of treachery now,
father will get upset.
It will be no good to us.
What do we do then?
Aren't we going to do something?
No.
We wait and see.
It will further mess things up whatever we do.
Whoever messes things up will make father unhappy.
Yinti is quite right.
Although it was
a trap we planned,
we must not get involved now.
We have to pretend to know nothing about it.
It's better that we stay clean.
It is a serious matter now,
and there is no need for us to get involved.
Father will see to it.
We just do what we are supposed to do,
and should do nothing unnecessary.
Yes, Yinsi.
Rest assured.
As long as we do nothing,
Wei is certainly going to die.
What else are you going to report today?
Your Majesty, I have something.
The Ministry of Justice has lately reviewed previous crimes
and has found that a major case that shocked the court and the commonalty
is not yet over.
I think it's necessary to report it to Your Majesty.
What is it?
Your Majesty,
the case where Thirteenth Princess Consort
played talismanic magic on the Crown Prince
caused a great disturbance.
Thirteenth Princess Consort was sentenced to death.
It was Your Majesty's amnesty that her family was spared.
But someone
rescued the death prisoner,
faked her death, and deceived Your Majesty and everyone else.
Who dared to defy His Majesty?
I have investigated and found out the truth.
It was Fourth Prince who defied the law
and Your Majesty
by rescuing the death prisoner and faked her death.
It's a serious crime. Are you sure about it?
I dare not vilify a prince.
I have exposed him to Your Majesty
only because I have convincing evidence.
A witness has seen
Thirteenth Princess Consort, alive.
I think it's better to hand it over to Your Majesty for a final decision.
Yinzhen.
Father, please calm down.
Yinzhen is always discreet and steady.
It is impossible that he could have
disobeyed father's order.
Let alone a major treason by
rescuing a death prisoner.
If there is a witness,
we can call him in
and ask him whether he saw
Yinzhen rescued Thirteenth Princess Consort.
If he did not,
Yinzhen would otherwise be wronged.
Your Majesty, please think twice.
Fourth Prince always follows principles and has never done anything wrong.
If it is an accusation made by unruly people,
I'm afraid they just want to vilify the Fourth Prince.
He's right, Your Majesty.
It's yet early to make any decision without any evidence.
As it is a previous case,
it'll be better that the Ministry of Justice look into it further.
A decision can be made when there is convincing evidence.
If there is not,
Fourth Prince would otherwise be wronged.
Yes.
That's right.
Ministry of Justice, what do you say?
Please allow me to look into it carefully
before reporting to Your Majesty again.
How could it happen?
Yes.
I've never heard of such a thing before.
Yintang, have you asked the Ministry of Justice
to expose Yinzhen to father?
How could I do such an unnecessary thing?
Yesterday Yinti
asked us to wait and see.
Yin'e,
did you find it too difficult to curb the urge?
How dare I?
Yinsi has asked
us to stay clean of it.
I would never do it.
It was not you or me.
Who did it?
I'm afraid
it was not our people.
Was it the Minister who could not bear it
and volunteered to tell father?
You've got to be kidding.
Wei's faked death
became known to father only with our trick.
How could the Ministers get the news before us?
Well,
what happened then?
I guessed someone has played a trick secretly.
It's not as simple as it seemed.
We should be
more careful now.
Who on earth has undermined our plan?
It must have been Yinzhen and Yinxiang.
They exposed themselves?
How...
Isn't it playing with fire?
They are good to
put themselves in danger.
It seems they are not waiting for death
but are secretly retreating in order to fight back.
But,
why have they done this?
Yinti,
I've got something to discuss with you.
Are you going to deal with Yinsi?
I did not want to get involved in your fight.
But Wei is in danger now.
I have to do something.
Yinti, if you stand out this time,
all that we have done for Wei before
would fail.
Even if it's for Wei's sake,
How can I stand by
when Yinsi is in danger?
So I have to bet
on you not standing out this time.
How can you be so sure?
I know you have deep affections for Yinsi,
and I'm not sure about my bet.
But who would know what's going to happen
before the end?
I only hope that you, as affectionate as you are,
would consider that would happen to Wei.
We are leaving.
Your Highness, how is it?
How can there be a rainbow here?
It's not rained.
It's a glass bar.
That you can't see it does not mean it does not exist.
Move. You are blocking the light.
How is it?
Your Highness, it's really a rainbow.
Wei will certainly understand when she sees this.
Yinxiang,
are you telling me
that I should hold on and never give up?
Right?
Thank you.
Whatever happens, I will hold on
till the day we meet again.
My best regards, Crown Prince.
Forego formalities.
It looks like a land of peace here.
It's refreshing.
There may be nowhere
so comfortable like here
across the Forbidden City.
You are exaggerating.
I'm just doing what they say in the poem:
Not disturbed by prosperity and adversity,
I witnessed the blossom and wither of flowers;
not minding staying or leaving,
I watched the scudding and clearing of clouds.
If anyone can treat
gains and loss so coolly,
it has to be you.
Even if His Majesty trusts and values me so much,
even if I am the Crown Prince who is superior to all but His Majesty,
I still have to carefully
plan every single step,
and I can't do what I intend to.
It's really lonely at the top.
There are complications in the court and it's like we are besieged on all side,
and everyone has his own plans.
Who can still hold on to his conscience?
Yinxiang, don't be so pessimistic.
There are at least you and me,
who are still holding on.
I have to thank Wei
for helping me find my conscience.
About Wei,
although I live a secluded life, I've heard about it.
It's really good
that Wei escaped death.
But father has taken her prisoner.
I'm afraid she cannot escape it this time.
Do you have any solution?
To tell the truth, I've come
to ask a favor.
It's a shame that my power
is not as high as this position even if I want to help.
Even if I beg father for mercy,
I'm afraid my words won't mean anything to him.
Not necessarily.
I've come
not to ask you to talk to father.
What for then?
I'd like to ask for a favor.
We are brothers.
Besides, I haven't returned the favor
of Wei for saving Xiaochun.
As long as I can do it,
I will try my best.
I know you value love and integrity.
But if you are going to
do what I ask,
you have to abandon the affection
for father and brothers,
as well as the ancestral laws
and the principles of serving the Emperor.
You may even lose
whatever you have now.
Yinreng,
are you still willing to do me this favor?
Yinxiang, do you think
I would flinch
for the position of the Crown Prince
or for power and wealth?
They are like clouds
and mean nothing to me.
I have already lost what I value most.
I've got nothing to lose anymore.
What do I fear?
I will always remember your kindness and righteousness.
Even if anything happens,
I will never let your sacrifice go in vain.
This time Wei will certainly be saved and evil eradicated.
The court will be balanced and stabilized.
I volunteer to sacrifice anything.
I only want to
have a clear conscience.
The Great Qing Dynasty rules by filial piety.
The Imperial Ancestral Temple has collapsed now. It's a serious crime against filial piety.
I can hardly absolve myself from the blame and feel guilty for the ancestors.
I am guilty.
Your Majesty, please punish me.
I have failed Your Majesty. I am the one to blame.
Father, it's not their fault.
It's the result of my incompetence. I have failed.
I have failed father's expectations
and I have failed the ancestors.
I
am the only one to be punished.
I will do my best to remedy it.
I can only hope to redeem myself.
Your Highness, what will you do to remedy it?
The girder of the Temple has collapsed.
It needs reconstruction of almost all of it.
It will be an overall renovation.
In my opinion,
since the North Star has been eroded by evil spirit lately,
it would be better
if the Crown Prince is not involved in the matter of the Temple,
or otherwise it may be ominous.
Father,
I think a serious matter
as repairing the Temple
requires coordination among all sides.
No mistake is allowed in any process.
The Crown Prince
did not intend to ruin the ancestors' estate.
Father, please be lenient.
The Imperial Ancestral Temple has suffered a natural disaster
instead of a human one.
I have no intention to punish the Crown Prince.
The repair work is complicated
and it is inevitable
that certain things get neglected.
The Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Rites
shall assist the Crown Prince with all your force
and shall provide advice to him.
Father is quite right.
I've been studying construction works.
In my opinion,
since only the girder has collapsed,
the Temple does not require reconstruction.
Instead we need to select other materials to reinforce it
so it will stand solid for hundreds of years.
I offer my service to repair the Temple as soon as possible.
I will do my best to solve the difficulty for father.
Your Majesty, since Eighth Prince has a solution,
let His Highness take charge of the repair.
Right, Your Majesty.
Heaven has blessed the Great Qing
with Eighth Prince who has both integrity and competence and is willing to share Your Majesty's burdens.
Relying on Eighth Prince's capabilities,
I'm convinced the Temple will be repaired
and the ancestors' estate will be consolidated.
Then answer me,
can you restore the Temple to its original state
in one month?
Father,
I will not let you down.
Well then,
you will be in charge of this.
Thank you, father.
As you wish.
Did you see how embarrassed
the Crown Prince was at the court?
Yintang and I almost burst into laughter,
if not for the look from Yinsi.
Yinxiang and Yinzhen
didn't even say a word.
I feel so happy to see them like that.
The Crown Prince has stumbled hard this time.
I'm afraid he has nearly got himself out of the Eastern Palace.
Unfortunately you were not there to see
how all the courtiers supported Yinsi
when he volunteered
for the Temple repair.
The Crown Prince has lost his power and influence.
Yinzhen and Yinxiang are busy with all sorts of problems.
Only Yinsi has the right momentum.
It can be expected that Yinsi is going to become the Crown Prince soon.
Things are not the same as they used to be.
My power at the court
is now quite different from the past.
As long as I complete the repair,
I will gain father's trust.
Again,
I have to thank you for your idea.
I'll offer my best wishes for you
to move in the Eastern Palace soon.
Yet too soon.
It's up to father.
His Majesty has made it clear.
When the Corn Prince was so embarrassed,
no one said a word for him.
I'd say father
has given up on this Crown Prince.
Yinti, what would you say?
Yinti seems to be mad at me.
When we proposed to sabotage the Temple,
Yinti opposed it fiercely.
But it is what it is now.
I think Yinti felt quite uncomfortable now.
It has happened. Why do you still mind it now?
Yinti, anyone who wants to achieve something
has to sacrifice before gaining.
A man should also be resilient.
It is difficult to maintain loyalty and justice at the same time.
But I can promise you
that I will apologize
to the ancestors
when the Temple is repaired.
Yinsi, Yinti is always stubborn.
I'll talk to him later.
OK.
Yinsi,
do you really think the Temple thing
is as simple as it seems?
If it's a scheme by someone,
aren't you jumping directly in to their trap?
Yinti, you didn't say anything in the inner chamber just now.
Do you still have concerns?
No matter what is the cause,
this is in our favor.
So we have to take the advantage.
But Yinsi, don't you think
the courtiers have overpraised you?
I'm afraid it will turn to something else in father's opinion.
Don't forget that we cut down straight tress first
and empty sweet wells first.
I do know
your concerns.
But look at the situation now.
The bow has been drawn. How can it go back?
I have now
only to shoot the arrow right into the target.
Even if the bow and arrow break,
I will have tried my best.
Therefore, no matter what the result is,
I will bear it.
It's late and cold. You have not gone to bed
but are drinking alone here.
Is anything bothering you?
In the cool wind of the late evening,
it's right the time for drinking and chatting.
Don't you have something to tell me?
I saw you brooding
at Yinsi's today.
I guess
you were thinking about the same thing as I do.
The courtiers now have
showed support for Yinsi
to repair the Temple.
Yinsi now has great power.
But water can carry a boat and overturn it.
It's not always good to be in the spotlight.
What risk do you think there is?
Yinsi's power has now
by far exceeded the Crown Prince.
In front of all the courtiers,
the Crown Prince is degraded to grassroots.
Yinzhen and Yinxiang have always taken the Crown Prince as authority.
I'm wondering
how they feel now.
I don't believe the calculating Yinzhen
would stay indifferent.
Yinti,
won't you talk to Yinsi about it?
Before it's too late,
it's better to keep it down
than making such a splash.
But Yinzhen and Yinxiang
have done nothing now.
It's quiet.
There is not a single sign.
But you and I both know it's just...
I won't interfere anymore.
Yinsi understands
that the cost has to be paid
for him to take the high position.
It's like climbing a dangerous cliff
where bumps and risks
are inevitable.
People have to sacrifice something
before getting what they want.
What about you?
What do you want to get?
What would you sacrifice everything for?
It's late. I'm tired.
Fine.
Let's see how it will go.
Yinxiang,
I know you will come to rescue me.
Won't you?
Wei, tell me
what I should do.
Your Majesty.
Your Majesty, shall I inform His Highness?
No need.
Leave.
Yes.
Father.
I didn't meet father earlier.
Please forgive me.
Rise.
Thank you, father.
You seem tired.
I wanted to let you sleep longer.
So I didn't wake you up.
Are you still studying the repair?
Father,
although I'm no longer in charge,
I'm concerned about the progress.
And
it was my fault.
I should identify the causes and reflect on them.
You are really trying hard.
I've come to tell you
that I won't blame or punish you
for the collapse of the Temple.
It was caused by the improper materials used by the Ministry of Works.
Even so, father,
the Temple collapse
has disturbed peace of the ancestors.
I feel unfilial
and incompetent.
I have failed father again and again.
I'm not trustworthy.
This has caused disturbance in the court.
I'm unfaithful to have caused such great disturbance.
I
feel guilty for father.
I think you are too harsh on yourself
for this matter.
Don't speak so harsh.
As the Crown Prince,
you should be able to bear the ups and downs.
Take this as a lesson.
If you can learn
something about life,
it'll be worth it.
Yes, father.
Father has been teaching me carefully.
Father has told me to learn truth from small things
and to learn how to be a man of wisdom and virtue.
Yes.
You have been gifted and clever since you were a kid.
I have valued you much.
Father has always been caring for me,
in a way different from my brothers.
When I was a kid,
father taught me how to ride and shoot
and how to read and write yourself.
I remember
I fell from the horse
and I saw sweat on your forehead.
You carried me to my bedroom,
holding tight my hand all the way
and telling me
not to be afraid.
Ever since then,
father has been everything to me.
Father has high expectations on me,
but I am so useless
and have failed you.
I am sorry, father.
I have not well protected you
and you have suffered from injustice.
Father,
please
dethrone me.
What?
Dethrone me.
Please.
Bullshit.
How can you say it?
What do you think
I can say to your dead Mother?
No more such nonsense.
Before her death,
she held my hands and asked me to take care of you.
If I dethrone you today,
I will be too shameful to meet your mother.
Father, I've long be a target of all.
Although I am the master of the Eastern Palace,
I've long lose my power.
Dethroning me is but to let me live.
Mother would not blame you.
Do you like to see me insulted again and again like this?
I's rather die than be tortured like this, father.
I've never thought
being the Crown Prince
has given you so much pain.
All right.
I'll do it.
I will... dethrone you.
Thank you, father.
For what you have suffered,
I
will do you justice.
The Forbidden City lies amidst the winds of change
and the court may change at every moment.
The Eastern Palace is changing hands again.
Everything is changing
overnight.
I think father will make the announcement
after tomorrow.
If we can
successfully turn the tables this time,
it is because of the Crown Prince.
I owe him this one.
He has been enduring humiliations.
He has given up the crown,
and suffered from cold shoulders and sneering.
After this, I respect him even more.
He has abandoned power and position valued so much by others,
only for the righteousness he's been holding.
In front of such nobleness,
I feel much ashamed.
If he
could hold on to this integrity
and inherit the crown,
I'm sure he would be a good emperor.
Yes.
It's a pity that he is determined to leave the court.
He enjoys a casual life
like wild stock or floating clouds.
I envy him for leading this
unfettered life so early.
After I rescue Wei,
I'm going to take her away
and we are going to live a carefree life.
Yinzhen,
we can't let the Crown Prince sacrifice himself for nothing.
It is a draw this time.
We'll see who is the winner soon.
It's the God's will, and the Emperor's command:
Since I inherited the crown
from the emperors preceding me,
I have been cautious and conscientious,
I have shown mercy on the courtiers,
I have provided for the masses,
and I have always taken welfare of the country as my responsibility.
I have recently found that Yinreng, the second son of mine,
is too frail in health to inherit the crown.
An announcement is hereby made to the country and the Ancestral Temple
that Yinreng is dethroned and removed from the Eastern Palace.
That's all!
He's dethroned.
Then Yinsi will become the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince has been dethroned.
Share your opinions.
There is no need of whispering.
Your Majesty, the dethroning
comes all of a sudden.
Although His Highness failed Your Majesty's expectations in repairing the Temple,
His Highness has made no serious mistake
since moving into the Eastern Palace.
His Highness has shared burdens of Your Majesty.
Now His Highness' health does not allow him to continue the cause,
another capable prince shall be crowned.
Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has been dethroned,
but the Eastern Palace needs a master.
For a stable court
and for assisting Your Majesty,
it is now urgent
to name the new Crown Prince.
Who will that be?
Tell me.
Do you have any candidate?
Your Majesty, seniority should be taken as the criterion for crowning a prince.
I think First Prince should
take this position.
A crown prince with virtue
is the best for the masses of the Great Qing.
I think Eighth Prince has
both the capabilities and virtues
and is the best candidate.
Your Majesty, I don't think
there is a point to use seniority or virtue as the criterion.
It has been difficult to set the criteria for being virtue since the ancient times.
The Great Qing is now prosperous and the people live in peace.
What we need is an impartial Crown Prince.
In my opinion,
Fourth Prince is impartial and incorruptible
and will certainly execute our laws and do justice.
Execute our laws and do justice?
Don't forget
Fourth Prince has
been involved in a big crime yet to be investigated.
As you said it is yet to be investigated,
His Highness should not be held guilty.
Don't forget that His Majesty said
no conclusion should be made
before the truth is found out.
I think it is more appropriate to name
the virtuous and innocent Eighth Prince,
compared with Fourth Prince.
What does that mean?
Is Fourth Prince not innocent?
I didn't mean that.
Well...
Your Majesty,
I think
Eighth Prince should be crowned.
Yes. Your Majesty,
Eighth Prince is virtuous and steady,
and is the best candidate to inherit the crown.
Your Majesty, I'd also recommend Eighth Prince.
Yinsi,
you are recommended by so many.
It seems you are in favor with the majority.
What do you say?
Father, I dare not.
I dare not.
Dare not what?
Dare you deny your ambition of the crown?
Dare you deny you have played tricks to force the Crown Prince to step down?
Father, I'd never dare to do that.
I have not forced him to step down.
Your Majesty, peace.
I made the recommendation not under His Highness' instruction.
Your Majesty, please calm down.
How dare Eighth Prince disobey Your Majesty's orders?
There must be some misunderstanding.
Look at them.
Look.
So many of them speak in favor of you.
How capable of you!
You can get anything you want even at my court.
So many people follow your lead.
Father,
I dare not.
Father, peace.
I dare not.
You coerce others by power and form a clique to pursue your own interests.
You make trouble.
You force your own brother to step down as the Crown Prince.
You have no regard of brotherly affection.
You just do whatever you like and punish whoever offend you.
What dare you not?
As capable as you are,
why have you held your hand
to force me to step down?
Father,
Yinsi always respect you.
How dare he form a clique?
Father, please rely on your good judgement.
Yinsi would never disrespect you in any way.
I have just dethroned a Crown Prince.
I may as well dethrone a prince.
Shut yourself up and think over your mistakes.
About the new Crown Prince,
we will discuss another day.
I'm sitting on the rooftop.
The breeze kisses my face.
I feel it light.
The scenery is gorgeous,
but I feel so lonely.
You and I
live in two different spaces.
In your space it's also spring.
There's also a gentle breeze.
There's also this beautiful scenery.
Your face is close to mine.
I can feel your breath.
Your smile has been engraved in the azure sky.
On the lonely rooftop I find no trace of you.
Engraved in my mind
is your tearful face.
I'm no stronger than you.
Deep inside, I'm weeping.
But I want you to remember
my smiling face.
Your face is close to mine.
I can feel your breath.
Your smile has been engraved in the azure sky.
On the lonely rooftop I find no trace of you.
Engraved in my mind
is your tearful face.
I'm no stronger than you.
Deep inside, I'm weeping.
But I want you to remember
my smiling face.
I'm no stronger than you.
Deep inside, I'm weeping.
But I want you to remember
my smiling face.