"Beauty in the Closet" "Episode 3"
Deputy Head Hua.
Was this closet placed at The Hall of Supreme Harmony...
...inside His Majesty's chambers?
Since you've said that you've seen it there before,
it was probably placed there along with the two concubines.
Deputy Head Hua has arrived!
Hurry up, my lady!
Hurry!
Greetings from my sister and I, Deputy Head Hua.
My sister has been punished to be silent, so she can't talk now.
We hope you can understand.
On the day of the late emperor's death,
were you two at The Hall of Supreme Harmony?
We were waiting to serve the emperor inside the closet.
This is the picture of the imperial jade seal.
Have you seen it before?
You want this...
Was he looking for that imperial jade seal thingy that day?
Somehow it's in my possession now.
The imperial jade seal is part of the emperor's regalia.
Illegal possession of it entails the death sentence.
I've never seen it.
What about you, sister?
In order to verify your claims,
pardon me.
Search their room!
Yes, sir.
This...
We've just finished our nap, so we haven't cleaned up our room yet.
Do pardon us, Deputy Head Hua.
This...
How could you mess up a palace room like this?
This is preposterous.
Let's go.
Send Deputy Head Hua out.
Luckily everything's fine.
I was so frightened just now.
Sister.
Where did that big rat come from?
I cast my camouflage spell, of course.
Watch carefully.
I-Isn't this...
...the imperial jade seal that Deputy Head Hua was looking for?
You...
It's all your fault.
You almost got my sister and I killed.
What imperial regalia?
You're just a block of stone.
Since I can't just simply throw you out,
I can only bury you for now.
Rest in peace.
What are you doing?
I'm planting a tree.
Why are you here again?
Didn't I ground and silence you?
Wait.
Can you keep me company for a while?
Silencing is just a formality.
Just keep the lesson in mind.
Do you hate seeing me that much?
Perhaps things will be in your favor...
...and you won't have to see me again.
Hold on, King Jiang.
Speak.
By orders of the regent,
I have come to seek for verification.
May I ask...
...if you've just visited the Empress Dowager just now?
So what if it's true?
The regent just wants to know...
...if you were persuading the Empress Dowager...
...to support you as the new emperor.
How bold!
I was just visiting my grandmother.
Do I need your permission for this?
The regent has ordered you...
...to return to the state of Fu immediately.
Liu Ke Ming.
Don't think that having my Sixth Uncle under your thumb...
...means you can do whatever you like!
Please leave the palace immediately, King Jiang.
Return to the state of Fu!
Stop!
Let's take a break here.
Let's go!
Xiao Chun!
Rumors are abuzz in the palace now.
King Jiang was assassinated, and his condition's unknown now.
The regent has removed his strongest rival.
He's already preparing for the coronation.
Then...
What's going to happen to our ladies?
That's what I worry the most.
Don't tell them.
No wonder he seemed preoccupied that night.
He said a lot of weird things.
Did he predict this beforehand?
I don't know either.
Exactly.
Him? You mean Li Han, that King Jiang?
He can't be really dead.
Didn't you hate him all along?
You disliked him.
Why are you so worried about him so suddenly?
Of course I'm worried about him.
His life is mine.
Don't tell me that the uncle-like regent is going to be the emperor.
You mean that fat, old guy...
...who looks like a...
He's not that horrible.
What's wrong?
The thought of having to charm that fat old uncle...
...makes me feel disgusting.
Sister.
When did you start spewing such toxic words?
I was just stating the truth.
If I had to choose,
I'd rather choose that bad guy, Li Han.
At least he's younger and more handsome.
Maybe...
He's not as bad as we imagined.
Sister.
It seems that...
...you don't hate him so much anymore.
A dying man is a kind man.
Haven't you heard of this before?
But he's the one who's dead.
Just take it that I'm pitying him.
The regent shall ascend the throne as of today.
Upon his installment as emperor,
he shall follow his ancestors' steps..
...and bring glory to their legacy.
He shall perform his duties with sincerity,
uphold justice in the nation,
and treat his subjects with benevolence.
He shall lead the country to prosperity and peace.
The regent has just ascended the throne.
He has sentenced the previous emperor's entire harem to death.
What?
Why is this happening, sister?
I thought that fat uncle would treat us better.
Exactly!
He's badder than that bad emperor!
Exactly!
Everyone in the palace are wicked!
Shall you drink this yourself?
Or do you need our help?
I don't want to die, sister.
Me too.
What should we do, then?
Hey there, brothers.
Look.
We're about to die.
Can I ask for one last favor?
What is it? Tell us.
That is...
Louder.
Sister.
Will they die?
Dying in the hands of a beauty...
...should make their afterlife merry.
Don't you think I'm pretty amazing?
Amazing.
You're amazing, sister.
Let's go quickly.
It's Li Han, King Jiang.
W-Wasn't he killed by assassins?
And now he's brought back so many men.
I know.
He must be trying to take the throne.
So if he's the emperor,
are we still leaving?
Of course not.
I really thought something had happened to him.
I was even a little upset for him.
What a scumbag.
I'll have him wrapped around my little finger someday.
How bold!
The regent is now the emperor.
He is the Son of Heaven now.
How dare you bring soldiers into the emperor's quarters!
Are you planning to rebel?
You're the one who's rebelling!
Are you disobeying the royal decree, King Jiang?
Shut up, Liu Ke Ming!
You abetted my Sixth Uncle in tampering the late emperor's will...
...to usurp the throne!
And you even attempted to assassinate me!
On behalf of the Empress Dowager, I have returned...
...to punish traitors like you!
Divination Army!
Take on both Liu Ke Ming and the regent!
Capture the traitors!
Protect His Majesty!
Come on!
T-This place is chaotic!
Let's use our signature moves now!
What signature moves?
Our feral instincts, of course!
Run away!
Hurry! Stop them!
Go and stop them!
Stop them!
Go on!
Just go!
Take them on!
How dare you disrespect the emperor!
Those who escape are considered traitors...
...regardless of who they are.
Death is imminent.
Faster!
Come on!
Stop him!
Go and stop him!
Sister!
Why are there so many dead people...
...and so much blood?
These people are crazy!
Go!
Let's get out of here now!
Okay?
But if we leave like this,
our people will be killed later!
Sister.
S-Spare my life, King Jiang.
N-No! Your Majesty!
Spare your life?
Your Majesty...
How I wish to kill all of you corrupted officials...
...and restore order to the court!
It seems that Li Han will be the next emperor.
Before he receives the protection of the dragon force,
we need to take care of him!
My ladies!
You're finally awake.
-Zi Lan Palace. -Zi Lan Palace.
Get up first.
Who sent us back?
Of course it's His Majesty's men who sent you back.
Li Han, King Jiang?
It's His Majesty now.
King Jiang has ascended the throne.
He is now the emperor.
He's killed so many people to be the emperor.
He will receive his retribution someday!
Do you want to be silenced again?
You might not be so lucky this time.
They might execute you any time.
Sister.
He looks so scary when he's killing people.
Incoming royal decree!
Is he going to kill us?
I don't know.
Let's hear what he has to say first before doing anything.
Hear ye, Huang Qing Feng and Hu Fei Luan!
By the mandate of heaven, this imperial decree hereby says.
The emperor has followed the will of Heaven...
...and has ascended the throne.
As the new emperor,
he shall receive the title of Emperor Da He.
He shall serve the Heavens with respect...
...and treat his subjects with benevolence.
He shall use his wisdom and virtue...
...to rule the nation...
...and maintain order in the court.
Today, the nation shall come together...
...to celebrate this joyous occasion.
All past sins shall be pardoned in concurrence.
That is all.
Can you put that in simpler words?
Tell us what he wants in one sentence.
Actually, His Majesty is very happy...
...and has decided to let bygones be bygones.
By the way,
His Majesty has also bestowed upon you some gifts.
Please rise first, my ladies.
Please rise.
Come in.
Are pies falling from the sky now?
Why is he giving us so many gifts?
His Majesty is a person with high moral standards.
He is especially respectful towards his ancestors.
He is committed in maintaining his ancestors' legacy.
Does that include fox-hunting...
...and expanding his palace in Mount Li?
His Majesty is not interested in hunting.
As for expanding the palace,
that may still be possible.
His Majesty has also emphasized...
...the late emperor's respect for you two ladies.
Everything will be done accordingly.
That includes the construction of the Hibiscus Stage for you ladies.
It is now being completed.
After the coronation, you two ladies...
...can show off your dancing in front of His Majesty.
Oh, no.
I can't dance in front of His Majesty.
Besides, my sister and I are not good at dancing.
Even if we can't dance, we must dance.
How can we refuse?
Please tell His Majesty...
...that we shall prepare for this.
I guarantee that His Majesty...
...will be dazzled and overwhelmed by our performance.
Your Royal Highness.
How forgetful of me.
Your Majesty.
Would you like to drink something and rest?
Or would you like some food?
I can order someone to prepare for you.
I'm neither tired nor hungry.
Don't get so nervous and uptight over me.
I have served you for so many years, Your Majesty.
I have seen you undergo various hardships in life.
You have finally ascended the throne today.
How can I not feel excited and nervous about it?
Your Majesty.
Today is your big day.
Everything has to be perfect.
It's normal for me to put in more effort and make this event memorable.
Greetings from your humble servant, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty.
The preparations for the coronation is now complete.
Rise.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
Let Deputy Head Hua serve me.
You may take your leave for now.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Can I be of service to you, Your Majesty?
You deserve the biggest credit for who I am today.
I would like to reward you.
Your Majesty.
I am only performing my duties.
Don't you even want to know what your reward is?
Don't go easy on me.
Didn't I just tell you?
Don't go easy on me.
Why didn't you fight back?
Come.
I dare not do so, Your Majesty.
Are you injured?
Of course not.
Didn't we wrestle each other often?
What's wrong today?
Why are you still kneeling?
It's just the two of us here now.
Stand up.
Your Majesty is still the emperor.
I am just your servant.
Everything is now different.
Is it because of Wang Shou Cheng?
Both of you are at loggerheads with each other.
And yet, I have favored him.
I even used his army...
...to eradicate Liu Ke Ming from the palace.
I am no different from my Sixth Uncle, actually.
Both of us rely on corrupted officials' military power...
...to ascend the throne.
And I...
...am still restricted by the Empress Dowager.
You are different.
I know this.
You are bearing such humiliation for the country's sake.
In that case,
why must you change?
Why can't you be my confidant and listening ear?
Why have you distanced yourself so?
I wanted to remind you, Your Majesty.
You are no longer King Jiang of the past.
You are the head of the monarch now.
Your Majesty.
Your robe is wrinkled.
Let me straighten it for you.
I am not an ungrateful man.
I will always remember...
...memories of my childhood.
I shall be a good emperor.
This is a new experience for me.
I really need someone to advice and support me.
And I don't want to lose you as a friend...
...just because I'm the emperor.
Sister.
Are you nervous?
I...
I'm very nervous.
Don't be scared.
I'm always here for you.
Are they still sleeping?
When they perform in His Majesty's coronation ceremony later,
make sure there are no delays.
Better be quick on your feet later.
Okay.
Please change into your costumes, my ladies.
What are you doing here?
I just can't trust you girls.
Let's activate the Charm Fruit.
Why are you the only one getting rewarded?
I didn't even want these rewards.
And during the dance,
his eyes were only fixed on you!
I don't know why, too.
We foxes are noble by birth.
Furthermore, Fei Luan is the child of the tribe chief and a nine-tailed fox.
She was born with extraordinary talent.
Both of you are like a cloud and a pile of mud.
What do you mean?
Are you saying that I'm a pile of mud?
Do you even need to ask?
I may be a pile of mud,
but aren't you a nine-tailed fox?
Why didn't you get His Majesty's attention and rewards?
Moreover,
Granny sent my sister and I to complete this mission in the palace.
Not you, you holier-than-thou vixen!
That's a fancy story you've got there.
Two emperors have died shortly after your arrival in the palace.
What have you done all this while?
So, your mission...
...is to send them off in their funerals.
All these are out of my control.
What can I do if they're meant to die so fast?
My target now is Li Han.
If it weren't for you causing trouble today,
I'd have completed the mission.
Even if you want to die,
you'd better not involve Fei Luan.
Do you think that hiding your murderous intent...
...won't trigger the dragon force?
If things were that easy,
why do you still need the Charm Fruit?
How do you know?
What are you two talking about, sisters?
Don't listen to her nonsense.
She's here to create trouble.
I'll have you know that I was sent by Granny.
I'm here to check on your progress.
If I hadn't interrupted your dance earlier,
you would have been dead now.
I say that you're still indignant about my sister and I eating the Charm Fruit.
You're just trying to steal our credit under a guise.
You might have trained several centuries earlier than us.
But without the Charm Fruit,
you have no chance of replacing us.
When we were performing just now,
His Majesty didn't give you more than a single glance.
Is that so?
You may have had the Charm Fruit,
but I didn't see His Majesty passing any glances on you.
-You! -What are you doing?
Please don't fight anymore, sisters.
Why don't I give all these to you?
Why are you all staring at me?
Why...
...did His Majesty only look at her?
His Majesty actually gave Liu Ke Ming's entire quarters...
...to that deputy head, Hua Wu Huan!
Does he even remember who helped him to get his throne?
It was me, Wang Shou Cheng!
Indeed, and this proves...
...that Hua Wu Huan's relationship with His Majesty...
...is closer than you have imagined.
I'm meeting the emperor right away!
My adoptive father.
This will only make His Majesty be more cautious around you.
It's not worth it.
But if His Majesty favors Hua Wu Huan,
this will be a big threat to my power!
So we need to get rid of him...
...before he establishes himself.
Do you already have a plan, my daughter?
Let me ask you, father.
What is missing...
...inside His Majesty's decree?
Let me see.
The decree is only signed with his personal signature.
But the imperial jade seal print is missing.
The imperial jade seal is the symbol of the emperor.
His Majesty may have already been enthroned,
but his title is still incomplete.
So he must have ordered Hua Wu Huan...
...to look for the missing jade seal.
Think about this.
If we find the jade seal first,
everything would be in our favor.
So we'll have to send someone...
...to keep an eye on Hua Wu Huan.
But the deputy head works in the imperial harem.
As the nation's Supreme Commander...
...and a prominent member of the Divination Army,
being seen in the harem is inconvenient and disgraceful for me.
You have me, don't you?
As the head of the Ministry of Rites, it's normal for me...
...to enter the harem and perform rites for the ladies.
This is completely natural.
I'll leave this to you then, my daughter.
As long as His Majesty doesn't have the jade seal,
I'm still the emperor here!
No.
The seal must be returned to His Majesty.
Why do you say so?
His Majesty's authority...
...is akin to a puff of smoke.
Wherever the wind blows,
the smoke will follow.
Since you can't become the emperor,
you need to be the wind that controls the smoke.
I understand now.
As long as I'm the one who found the seal,
I can still take charge of the whole palace!
My good daughter.
You are more meticulous than any other person here.
No wonder you are highly favored in the palace at such a young age.
The Head of the Ministry of Rites, indeed!
If it wasn't for your support, father,
I'd still be a lowly servant for the princess.
You are the reason behind my current achievements.
Go in and search!
Yes, sir.
The jade seal!
This is bad.
Search!
Chase it!
Yes, sir!
That was my sister's voice just now.
Go! Faster!
Faster!
Go!
Since you want the jade seal, you can have it.
Who is she?
What's with her weird smile?
Deputy Head Hua.
Supreme Commander Wang is heading here with an army of Divination Soldiers!
I couldn't stop them!
Keep this in a safe place.
Make sure it doesn't fall into Wang Shou Cheng's hands!
Hurry!
Yes, sir!
Open the gates!
You have come here in person along with the Head of the Ministry of Rites.
May I know why?
Hand it over.
Is there a warrant from His Majesty?
Deputy Head Hua.
I saw you taking the jade seal from the ground with my own eyes.
Don't you know that it's part of the emperor's regalia?
May I know why you're hiding it?
I don't know what you're saying, Officer Quan.
Illegal possession of the seal is an act of traitorship.
My adoptive father is the Supreme Commander...
...as well as the Lieutenant of the Divination Army.
Capturing traitors is part of his duties.
Search the place, men.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs...
...may not be searched without a warrant from His Majesty.
You should remember that it was me who spared your life years ago.
That's how you barely survived till this day.
Don't think that you can disregard everyone else...
...just because you're the Deputy Head of a ministry.
Your past actions, Commander Wang,
will be judged by the Heavens someday.
Search!
Lieutenant!
This eunuch was trying to escape from the back.
And he wouldn't hand over this thing in his hands!
Announcing the royal decree!
Wang Shou Cheng.
And Hua Wu Huan.
Please meet the emperor in Zi Cheng Hall.
-Greetings, Your Majesty. -Greetings, Your Majesty.
Please rise.
You two were exchanging swords in the Ministry of Internal Affairs...
...all for this jade seal.
I headed to the Ministry of Internal Affairs to search for verification...
...after hearing that Hua Wu Huan was keeping the jade seal for himself.
Not only did he refuse to hand over the seal,
he even tried to resist with his sword.
The jade seal is related to the entire imperial legacy.
I was concerned about the royal family and Your Majesty.
That's why I decided to take action before reporting to you.
And I've made a discovery.
Commander Wang.
See for yourself.
This jade seal is not real! It's...
It's a fake.
Since the Qin dynasty,
the jade seal has always been the emperor's regalia.
After Wang Man split the Han dynasty into two,
he coerced Empress Dowager Xiao Yuan to hand over the jade seal.
The Empress Dowager was furious.
She threw the seal onto the floor...
...and one of its corners was chipped off.
Wang Mang ordered for the seal to be repaired with gold.
But the crack on the seal remains.
Commander Wang.
The seal in your hands...
...is in perfect shape.
It's obviously a fake.
I just wanted to trick Hua Wu Huan by conjuring a fake seal.
I didn't know that the real seal has a chipped corner.
Since the jade seal is fake,
there is no need for Deputy Head Hua to give me the seal.
What crime has he committed, then?
You are indeed wise, Your Majesty.
Unfortunately, my efforts...
...were misconstrued by some.
But you knew that this jade seal is fake.
Why didn't you say it earlier, and waited to meet...
Commander Wang.
Looks like you were rather reckless this time.
Your Majesty.
Everything I do is for your throne.
The Heavens can vouch for me.
I understand.
It's not easy to dispel rumors.
Furthermore, many officials have told me...
...that you disregarded the emperor...
...because you helped me to ascend the throne...
...and because of your veteran status.
You had no respect for the court, it seems.
It's rather hard for me to convince everyone...
...that nothing has happened.
I am willing to receive punishment.
Please rise, Commander Wang.
I understand your effort.
In that case, hand over your duties as the Supreme Commander...
...to Deputy Head Hua here.
Let him share your burden.
Your wish is my command.
But, Your Majesty...
Officer Wang.
Are you disobeying my orders?
I shall follow your orders.
Throw it into the well.
The water should cover its scent.
They won't find it so easily, then.
Why am I so smart?
If Wang Shou Cheng, that old sneak...
...knew what was in for him,
he probably wouldn't have laid a finger on you.
He was too impatient.
Otherwise, he would have realized that the jade seal was fake.
I only gave you Liu Ke Ming's old quarters.
And that triggered him.
He has to pay for his own actions.
Nevertheless,
where did you get this fake jade seal?
Don't tell me...
You saw this coming?
I have been wondering as well.
Who would make this fake jade seal?
And why?
I will look into it as soon as I can.
It was rather funny, though.
This fake jade seal...
...was found in the royal gardens after we were led by a weasel.
A weasel?
I remember that when I was young,
I was left alone in the hills.
It was also a weasel that led me out of the forest.
Now, I am once again helped by a weasel.
And I finally got to reduce Wang Shou Cheng's power.
Looks like I have an affinity with weasels.
Come. Have a drink.
I wasn't able to find your jade seal.
This drink serves as a punishment.
Good.
That's how a noble's descendant should behave.
May Your Majesty...
...eradicate corruption and restore order to the court.
Good.
With you by my side,
I don't believe that I can't eradicate corruption...
...and restore order to the court!