"Beauty in the Closet" "Episode 24"
After Li Yu Xi return to the palace,
he ordered the guards to search all the wells within the palace.
He said one of the ladies have lost something given to her by His Majesty.
But, he didn't say what it is.
That is indeed strange.
They're searching for His Majesty's gift,
yet don't know what the gift is.
I think they know,
they just can't tell me.
Can't tell you?
Could it be the Imperial Seal?
Why do you say that?
I told you before.
I suspected it's Lady Huang who took the Imperial Seal.
I've questioned her before,
and in the end she admitted to it.
But, she can no longer find it,
or else she'd have return it to His Majesty.
You said they were searching the wells,
that reminds me Lady Huang is afraid of the water.
Maybe it's not so much as she can't find it,
but that it's troublesome for her.
If that is the case,
that they are looking for the Imperial Seal,
then why do they search for it now?
His Majesty is not in the palace now.
That is indeed weird.
But other than the Imperial Seal,
I couldn't think of a better explanation.
Whatever the truth is,
I will order my men to watch their moves.
I'll also contact King Zhang and ask about the situation in the state of Wei.
I'll investigate it secretly as well.
If King Zhang has the Imperial Seal,
with his prestige within the country,
it will be easier to ascend to the throne.
Be careful.
Are you concerned about me?
I just don't want you to ruin the plan.
I want to help Hua Wu Huan,
but why can't I find the seal yet?
Why is this well full of negative energy?
How could this be?
So she's searching for the seal as well.
No, I can't let her get her hands on the seal.
Hurry and pull it up.
That's it! I've seen this before.
Thank goodness!
Now we can save His Majesty.
We need to hurry.
Who are you?
His Majesty was trapped at the village,
yet General Li didn't ask for my help.
Instead, he returned to the palace to search for the seal.
This proves that His Majesty is already suspecting me.
His Majesty gave you the Dragon Token to acquire the rations quickly.
But just after you left,
someone ordered the soldiers to seal off the village.
Obviously he'd suspect you.
That's why he won't ask for your help.
Wang Shou Cheng is definitely responsible for this.
I was told they're preparing the rations as fast as they can.
The magistrate who was stalling me...
...is a student of Wang Shou Cheng.
But he didn't treat me that bad.
Some of the officers knew I had the Dragon Token,
but they still chose to make things difficult for me.
They said they only recognize the Imperial Seal,
that even if His Majesty went to help them,
he has to have the Imperial Seal to proof he is indeed the emperor.
What nonsense.
You can't blame them.
His Majesty usually sends out decree using his personal signet's seal,
so his decree will need to go through the officers.
Obviously many people could intercept the decree.
Besides, the decree may be faked or misread.
That's why there's a saying: His Majesty's decree won't work outside Chang An.
Yeah.
We need the Imperial Seal to make the rest of the country obey us.
Only then can the Emperor's decree reach rural areas.
The current flood in the state of Wei became so serious...
because the magistrate didn't act according to the decree.
They're lying and leeching off money.
When I first went to the state of Wei, I had trouble with them, too.
Even if he has a grudge with you,
and obeyed Wang Shou Cheng's order to take avenge on you,
but he should know that His Majesty is within the village.
If later His Majesty investigates who's the one who sealed off the village,
he could blame all of it on you,
saying he acted on your orders.
Then, you'll be charged with attempted murder and overthrowing the throne.
Such a ruthless plan.
I do intend to ascend the throne,
but I won't use such lowly tactics!
This is the Imperial Seal.
I give it to you.
With the Imperial Seal,
people will think I'm the rightful heir to the throne.
But I will go to the stare of Wei to rescue His Majesty.
You're noble in choosing to rescue His Majesty.
But even if you cleared the charges of attempted murder,
when people talk about the seal getting stolen,
the first suspect they think of will be you.
People will still think you attempted to overthrow the throne.
Then what do you advise me to do?
I shouldn't rescue His Majesty?
If you choose not to rescue His Majesty,
then His Majesty must die.
Or else everything will be blamed on you.
If that happens, you won't be able to clear your name.
If His Majesty pass away?
What happens then?
Wang Shou Cheng will use it to his advantage.
By then, even if you ascend the throne with the Imperial Seal,
people will still think you committed regicide.
Deputy Head,
if you are in my shoes,
what would you do?
I'm serving you now.
No matter your choice,
I'll give it my all to help you ascend the throne.
I've promised Consort Qiu that much.
Your Highness!
Greetings, Your Highness.
Ditch the formalities.
I heard the Imperial Seal was stolen.
Luckily King Zhang acquired the seal and went to the rescue.
Thank you for your work, generals.
Your Majesty!
Your Majesty, you've finally return!
I was so worried about you!
Greetings, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty...
-Your Majesty! -Your Majesty!
-Your Majesty. -Your Majesty!
I want to see His Majesty!
If you stop me, I'm going to get angry!
His Majesty has given an order.
He suspect he might have contracted the plague.
Other than the Imperial Physicians, no one is allowed in.
Especially not you two.
The plague?
But we ran out of the Star Herb.
Sister, what should we do?
I can save him with or without the Star Herb!
But you need to let me in!
No, Lady Huang.
His Majesty made it clear.
If I let you two in,
I'll be killed!
You...
Sister, what should we do now?
You think I'd give up because he said so?
Little weasel,
is that you?
It's really you.
I remember Qing Feng told me...
...that the weasel is smarter than a fox.
It seems she's right about this.
I am the weasel, you idiot.
You won't let me in despite being so sick.
You're fine now because I helped you.
Idiot.
Xiao Xiang and Xiao Fu won so much yesterday.
I must win some money back from them today.
Huang Qing Feng.
Hu Fei Luan.
I'll definitely make you pay for this!
I'm sure you'd never expect this.
It turned out to be a blessing for me.
I've absorbed all the negative energy in the well.
I won't let you two off the hook.
You... How did you get in here?
Did the fever fried your brain?
I've been here since last night.
Impossible.
I've ordered the guards not to let you in.
Plus, I was holding the little weasel last night.
Little weasel?
That little weasel must have saved your life.
Your Majesty, don't you feel much better now?
The fever is gone and you're no longer coughing.
That's true.
It seems the weasel was here to save me.
That weasel is my saviour.
Of course it is.
I'm praising the weasel, why do you feel proud about it?
That's because...
My surname is Huang.
I share the same ancestor with that yellow weasel, so I feel happy about it.
One is a human, the other an animal,
how could you share the same ancestor?
Only your eyes look similar to the weasel.
That's it.
That's why I can be proud of it.
Huang Qing Feng.
Time and again you disobeyed me.
Do you have a death wish?
Of course not.
But protecting you is more important.
I'm not joking.
Did you know that I contracted the plague?
You're a woman, what if...
Don't underestimate me.
I may be a woman,
but I have a strong body.
As strong as two men!
I don't know what to do with you.
What are you trying to do?
I haven't return for quite some time,
there are many urgent matters I need to attend to.
You can't.
You just recovered, you shouldn't tax yourself.
Lay down and rest.
I'm fine now. Really.
You can't!
You must rest for today.
Don't even get out of bed!
-But... -Don't move!
Fine.
I promise.
You should be tired, too.
Why don't you go get some rest?
You're trying to get rid of me, then do whatever you please, right?
I was merely concerned for you.
You're worried about me,
naturally, I'm worried about you, too.
Besides, if you stay here with me,
I would have kept staring at you...
...and wouldn't rest properly.
Really?
Why woud I lie to you?
That makes sense.
I'll trust you for once.
Rest and don't get out of bed.
If I found out you didn't rest properly,
I'm going to give you an earful.
That's more like it.
I knew you wouldn't be obedient.
Your Majesty!
I left something in your room!
I need to search for it.
Come in!
Where is it?
Your Majesty.
Why are you sweating so much?
That means I've truly recovered.
Why does it looks like cold sweat to me?
Did you stay in bed and rest?
Of course I did.
-Really? -Yeah.
Your Majesty.
I meant out of time.
Apparently you are no shoes.
You're the emperor,
your words are law.
Yet, you'd lie to me.
I'm impressed.
Truly impressed!
Even though we're alone in here,
but Lady Huang,
please be careful with your words.
Disasters strike and the people are suffering.
How can I rest right now?
I didn't have to lie to you.
I merely didn't want to make you worried.
I know you're concerned about me,
but I didn't expect you'd taunt me.
I'm disappointed in you.
You're angry?
Are you truly angry with me?
Your Majesty, look!
It's a flying pig!
A thousand-year-old tortoise!
Little weasel!
Where?
You... You lied to me again!
I didn't.
You merely didn't see it.
-You... -Please excuse me.
You'll have to search for that weasel on your own.
"Lady Huang are good-natured and talented."
"She has pulled a remarkable feat in sharing some of my burden."
"I hereby pardon her of all crimes."
"She shall be promoted,"
"and return to the Zi Lan Palace."
"That is all."
Sister.
Shouldn't you thank His Majesty?
Thank you, Your Majesty.
These are gifts from His Majesty.
Sister!
Come, choose whichever ones you like!
Yuan Xiang, Xiao Chun, come and choose!
Sister, this matches you well.
This matches you!
Allow me!
You can't!
It's His Majesty's gift for you!
I'm close with my sister,
anything I own are hers, and vice versa.
I have Fei Luan's gifts with me.
Greetings, Your Majesty!
Rise.
Fei Luan, these are for you.
Thank you.
Sister, look.
This is exactly the same as yours.
It's not the same!
Yours have more gems on it!
My gifts were presented by Eunuch Wang,
yet he came here personally to present your gifts.
Your gifts are better and prettier!
This is not fair!
Qing Feng.
You have been promoted,
now you hold the higher rank.
I have to do something to make up to her.
Your Majesty.
Let's give all these to Qing Feng.
As long as she's happy,
I'd be happy, too.
See?
Fei Luan is so generous.
Qing Feng, you should learn from her.
Thank you.
You're beautiful.
I'll go prepare some meals to celebrate this.
Please excuse me.
Your Majesty.
Weren't you here to visit me?
That's right.
By the way, I have something for you.
What is it?
Here.
What is this?
Heart Wreath.
Heart Wreath?
What's written here?
"Time flies, yet pleasure has no end."
"Wishing you safe from all disasters."
What does that mean?
I hope disasters would stay far away from you,
so that you no longer has to put yourself at great peril to help me.
This is also a charm to protect you against life-threatening danger.
Your Highness.
Your Highness!
You can't drink wine.
I don't want to have any medicine ever again.
Your Highness!
We worked so hard for it,
but in the end, Li Han acquired the Imperial Seal.
It's indeed a shame.
But Your Highness, now is not the time to take action yet.
If we make our move now, we won't have the people's support.
We should conserve our strength now and pick our battles.
I personally think King Zhang made the right choice.
Yes.
You're right.
One setback is nothing in the grand scheme of things.
Wu Huan, have a drink with me.
-Your Highness... -Here.
You really shouldn't drink.
So I should just have my medicines?
I don't want to be the coldly Consort.
I just want to be a friend. A true friend.
I don't want you to treat me politely.
You acted so restrained.
Wu Huan.
Don't you feel tired, having to act so restrained every day?
After my family's death,
I entered the palace.
Since then, I serve another,
and no longer live for myself.
Even if you want to serve that Consort...
Even if you want to serve me,
you should have preferences of your own.
Do you like me who was always acting coldly?
That's who you are.
But I'm different now.
Besides, I know you prefer who I am now.
The current me.
I've said it before, you are you.
There's no difference between then and now.
I have matters to attend to, please excuse me.
Wait.
If you don't want to have a drink with me,
then take a walk with me.
Your Highness.
How did you know about this place?
Didn't you brought Cui Huang and the prince to here when you escaped from the palace?
Was it Cui Huang who told you about this place?
Of course.
Kids are troublesome.
But if you don't learn to take care of kids,
you can't do anything when kids cry, right?
These...
Someone else must have left it here.
Whoever left these here must like the place.
What's the matter? You don't like it?
It's not that.
When you act like this,
it reminds me of someone.
Who?
Is it Cui Huang?
Yes.
Your Highness.
Why do you seem familiar with this place?
It's not "seem",
I am familiar with this place.
You must be wondering.
Everything here reminds you of Cui Huang.
Isn't that right?
You're wondering why the Consort Qiu in front of you...
...acted like Cui Huang.
Yes.
You do act like her.
Now, tell me.
Do you prefer the current me?
Wu Huan.
You must be confused now.
Your Highness.
How did you learn of all these?
Cui Huang wouldn't have tell you these details.
The hairpin you gave me as gift,
do you still have it?
Tell me honestly.
When you buy this hairpin,
who were you thinking of?
I'll ask you again.
Who were you thinking of?
I don't know what you mean.
You know.
You're simply not willing to accept or admit it.
You are you,
there's no way you're someone else.
You're afraid.
You're afraid the current me is not Consort Qiu.
You're afraid you'd betray your feelings for her.
That's not true!
It's because you've fallen in love with the current me! Am I right?
Enough!
You once told me...
...that I'm in no position to send you gift.
Your Highness, please return the hairpin to me.
You know I'm not that bumbling consort who dreamt of butterflies.
This hairpin was meant for me, wasn't it?
If you won't return it,
I have to take it back by force.
It's me.
I was out of my mind.
That was transgression.
Please forgive me.
-You... -About the hairpin.
If you like it, then keep it.
You still won't face me?
It's getting late. we should return to the palace.
I'll prepare the horses.
Who is it?
Who are you? What are you doing here?
Forgive us, General Li.
It's okay.
By the way, you're the palace guards,
why are you here?
It's His Majesty's order.
His Majesty's order?
Yes, we're merely following orders.
We don't know the reason.
It seems I can't meet up with Yu Xi now.
Hua Wu Huan!
It's Cui Huang.
Hua Wu Huan, why are you always avoiding me?
-As you were. -Understood.
We have different masters and jobs,
naturally, we won't have much chance to meet.
It's not that I'm avoiding you.
What about Consort Qiu?
She has been summoning you for the past few days,
why won't you meet her?
Enough!
I'm super busy with works at the Ministry of Internal Affairs!
Do you recognize this?
I do.
This is the hairpin I gave to Consort Qiu.
Wrong.
You gave this to me!
This is not a unique hairpin,
maybe you bought an exact replica on purpose.
What do you mean "not unique"?
The store owner said that this is one of a kind!
It's unique!
Put it on my hair.
Stop messing around.
Hua Wu Huan!
You're the one messing around!
-You knew that I have feelings... -Regardless of who you are,
I only have Her Highness in my heart.
My loyalty towards Consort Qiu has never wavered.
You... You're lying to yourself!
That's right!
I'm doing this willingly.
What can you do?
Hua Wu Huan.
Don't you think you're being cruel towards me?
Are we going to keep doing this?
Keep torturing each other and ourselves?
Is it really that important...
...if we admit it, or if we get together?
I think that...
...we don't have to express our love towards another.
I've never asked you to do anything for me,
so you'd never get the outcome you wish for.
One day...
One day I'll make you admit it.
I'm worried that if the surveillance continues,
it will be a long time before I meet up with Yu Xi.
It's all my fault.
You returned to the palace only because you wanted to clear my name.
I landed you in this mess.
Sister, don't blame yourself.
It's because I left the palace without permission,
that's how I landed myself in this situation.
Enough.
We don't have to fight over who's in the wrong here.
I'll definitely come up with a way to help you!
Lady Huang, Lady Hu.
His Majesty summoned Lady Huang to serve him.
Okay, I'll be on my way soon.
Understood.
Now it's our opportunity,
Sister, what are you planning to do?
I'm going to help you.
Sister!
Greetings, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty, what are you worrying about?
Peace has returned to the country.
Everything is under control now, isn't it?
I may be the emperor,
but there are many things and people not under my control.
The throne is firmly in your grasp now,
plus your disaster relief efforts...
...restored everyone's faith in you.
What else is there to worry about?
I worry about you.
Me?
Empress Dowager, Wang Shou Cheng, King Zhang.
They're all out to get me.
They've tried multiple times to dethrone me,
and you were there beside me, helping me.
Every time it happened, I get more worried.
I'm not afraid of them.
Maybe you don't, but I do.
Your Majesty, when did you become so cowardly?
It's because I care about you.
When I was trapped at the plagued village,
I feel it clearer than ever, I need you in my life.
That's why I'm afraid you'd be in danger.
Look at this.
It's the Heart Wreath I gave you.
I'll carry this with me all time,
so that no matter what happens, I won't be harmed.
I hope that is true.
Have you forgotten?
I'm your mascot.
Since I can bring you good luck,
I must have been blessed with good luck myself.
You're the only who'd claim that you yourself are auspicious.
But when I look at your eyes,
it did remind me of that weasel that kept bringing me good luck.
In this palace, I worry about you two sisters the most.
Your Majesty.
I saw that there are four guards outside of Zi Lan Palace.
Is that because of my sister?
Fei Luan left the palace without permission,
saying she had a fight with you.
But I know it's not that simple.
She don't want to tell me, so I won't force her.
Regardless, I won't let that happen again.
Your Majesty, do you know my sister well?
Do you know what she's thinking?
She may look gentle,
but she has a mind of her own.
She'll only be with the one she has feelings for.
Once she has decided, she'd stay loyal to him,
no one would be able to change her mind.
Now that you mention it,
it seems I don't know Fei Luan at all.
Tell me,
what does she like and dislike?
I'll accommodate her as best as I can.
She likes...
Being free!
She likes to do whatever she likes.
She despise being chained down.
To her, life in the palace is suffocating.
It's chaining her down.
She's literally suffocating because of it.
Do you understand...
...what I mean?