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[The Virtuous Queen of Han]

Episode Nineteen

The Emperor's secret imperial decree! Amnesty to Marquess of Weiqi!

Postpone the execution!

Audacious Duan Hong! How dare you barge into execution ground!

- Arrest him! - Duan Hong!

I'm content that you're here to see me off!

Kill him!

Duan Hong delivers a false decree! Execute him on the spot!

Anyone who keeps the guards off will be killed for the same crime! Behead him!

- Yes! - Stop!

I am the Superior Grand Master that His Majesty appointed.

I am here on His Majesty's orders!

Which one of you dares to defy the imperial decree?

Duan Hong!

Let's go!

I'm going to see His Majesty now!

I'll see how you plan to handle this matter!

Superior Grand Master Wei Qing and Archery Steward, Duan Hong

of the Imperial Guards are here to seek audience with you.

- Duan Hong? - Yes.

It is Duan Hong.

- Summon them in. - Yes.

- Greetings to Your Majesty. - Duan Hong greets Your Majesty.

Duan Hong, you've finally returned.

What is that about?

Your Majesty, Steward Duan and I are here to ask for your forgiveness.

- Greetings to the Chancellor. - How is it?

Chancellor, His Majesty is in the middle of a discussion.

He cannot meet you at the moment.

Is His Majesty meeting Master Wei and Steward Duan?

Chancellor, please head back first.

After His Majesty concludes his meeting, he will summon the Chancellor.

All right. I understand.

Let's go.

Interrupting an execution.

Delivering a false imperial decree.

You are both indeed audacious!

It isn't enough that one of you got into trouble. You had to meddle in it as well?

Your Majesty, it was a critical moment.

I've just closed a very difficult case

and now you have both given me another difficult case.

Wei Qing, delivering a false decree is an automatic definite death penalty!

I've heard that Your Majesty has been worried about enemies near the frontier.

You frequently asked about Steward Duan's progress in the western regions.

Steward Duan suddenly returned

so I assumed that he must have pressing issues to report to you.

Your Majesty would have wanted to know the details.

I conveyed your intention in advance at the execution grounds.

I was not really delivering a false decree.

At most... I had only anticipated what Your Majesty would have done.

What about you?

Did you rush back to the capital because there are urgent matters at the frontier

or did you come back to save the man from execution, to repay his kindness?

I've returned to rescue the faithful and eliminate the evil.

Do you know I can have you beheaded with those words alone?

I did not say anything wrong.

The Chancellor has indeed framed the faithful subjects.

I am just carrying out the will of the gods.

How audacious!

You said that the Chancellor has framed the faithful subjects.

Do you have any evidence?

But Guan Fu's indulgence of his clan members

was proven by irrefutable evidence from Yin River.

According to the law, he had to be beheaded.

What about Marquess of Weiqi?

He pacified the rebellion of the seven states.

He also risked his life to stop Grand Empress Dowager from appointing

King of Liang State as the Crown Prince

so that the late emperor would pass the throne on to you.

His merits encompassed both reigns.

Why is such a faithful subject sentenced to death?

Isn't it because after Your Majesty has had control over your throne

you sided with your own uncle

and distanced yourself from the faithful Marquess of Weiqi?

You forgot all about the merits of your faithful subject?

Shut up!

In your opinion, I was ungrateful and wrongly killed a faithful subject?

Your Majesty, Steward Duan's loyalty to you is obvious to all!

His agony has caused him to make such direct remarks.

I beg Your Majesty to overlook his offense to you.

Offense to me?

I can overlook that.

But how am I going to deal with the fact that he tried to interrupt an execution?

Should the people think that I am unjust in my verdicts

they would all interrupt executions. Is there still law in this nation?

If I pardon him, how can I face my people?

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty, the Chancellor...

Didn't I already say that I won't see him?

The Chancellor has already entered the palace with Empress Dowager.

Greetings to Your Majesty.

Greetings to Mother.

- Greetings to Empress Dowager. - Greetings to Empress Dowager.

Forget about the greetings!

Chancellor, don't stand on ceremony.

I thought that Your Majesty was so occupied with work

that you wouldn't even see your mother.

I do indeed have matters to attend to.

I was held up, so I didn't summon Uncle right away.

I didn't expect Uncle to return with Mother.

He returned so swiftly.

Speaking of speed, how can we be compared to Grand Master Wei and Steward Duan?

They just violated the law and they're here seeking audience with the Emperor already.

Does the Emperor know what law and order are?

If the law is not to be followed, how can there be order?

If the nation isn't in order, I think there will soon be chaos!

Mother is absolutely right.

Law and order of the nation must be enforced.

Criminals must be punished.

But I don't quite understand, who has committed a crime?

Your Majesty, these two people delivered a false decree.

They interrupted and obstructed an execution. They defied orders.

Each and every of these crimes can have them sentenced to death!

The local people and the guards at the execution ground are all witnesses.

They even left behind a personal sword and the imperial banner flag of the envoy.

These are solid evidence.

Your Majesty, we have both witnesses and solid evidence here.

Please look into this, Your Majesty!

Deliver a false imperial decree?

Why would you think that it is a false decree?

Your Majesty!

They both claimed that Your Majesty had sent them there.

But they had neither a written decree or an official imperial decree.

What else can that be if not a false decree?

Bai Min!

Present.

Summon the Censor-in-chief.

I'd like to ask him about the new laws.

Yes.

Hold it.

I'd better write down an imperial decree before you summon him over.

This is to avoid having you accused of delivering a false imperial decree.

I would be troubled by that.

Yes.

Bring the sword over to me.

Wei Qing.

Do you have to leave your sword behind every time to vouch for your words

when you convey my verbal decree?

Is that because my words are taken so lightly?

Your Majesty, my position is ranked low and my words are taken lightly.

No one believed that I was there to deliver your verbal decree.

It was all too sudden so I had to leave my sword behind and left with Steward Duan.

Low position? Taken lightly?

It seems that I should promote you again.

Chancellor, it seems that you were being far too cautious.

This is just a misunderstanding.

You may get up.

Yes.

Your Majesty, since Wei Qing was really delivering your decree

I have nothing to say about it.

What about this person?

He obviously interrupted the execution.

He must not be pardoned.

If he is to be punished, I'd punish Uncle first!

Your Majesty, I don't understand.

Please explain it to me.

Do you know what that is behind you?

This is the imperial banner flag that Steward Duan took with him

as an envoy to the western regions.

He brought it to the execution grounds and left it there.

All the officials and people at the scene can be the witnesses.

Your Majesty, that is true.

Since that is true

doesn't the Chancellor know that this flag is a symbol of my command to the envoy

to represent Great Han, to represent the Emperor

and see it the same as seeing me?

I handed this banner flag to Duan Hong.

Even if he has committed a crime

he still has to see me in person to return the imperial banner flag.

Yet Chancellor had no regards for the law and rites.

He insisted on beheading Duan Hong on the spot.

Duan Hong was forced to fight back.

I'd like to ask the Chancellor if you had only eyes for murder

but no respect for me?

Your Majesty!

Chancellor might have been a bit reckless in sentencing Duan Hong to immediate death

without considering that Duan Hong is the emperor's envoy.

But that was just because he was too eager to uphold justice in court.

Can anyone do whatever he wishes just because he holds this flag?

- In the future... - Mother, do not worry.

Chancellor committed insubordination and nearly murdered Han's envoy.

Severe crimes as such, including his disrespect for me...

In consideration of his attention to law and order...

no punishment will be given.

As for Duan Hong

although the reason for his return was unknown in the first place

he can't be forgiven for crashing the execution on the basis of sentiments.

In terms of the law, this is unacceptable! I will not let you off easily.

- Guards! - Present!

Flog him heavily fifty times to serve as a warning to all!

- Yes! - Yes!

Move it!

Don't!

Report! Master Steward, Madame Wei is here.

Don't stand on ceremony, Duan Hong.

Madame Wei.

We haven't seen each other in six years.

Now that we have finally met up, I am in such a distressed situation.

You tried to help Marquess of Weiqi out of your friendship for him.

The sentiments are moving, and your loyalty to friends is commendable.

With your words, I no longer feel so ashamed.

Your chivalry is tremendous. Of what is there to be ashamed?

This medication circulates blood flow externally and internally .

It can soothe the swelling, stop the bleeding, and help muscles to grow.

It's great for your wounds.

His Majesty says that this is a tribute from the southern tribes.

It is a life-saving medication. It is very precious.

He'd left it at the Imperial Medical Bureau for them to do research on it.

He knows that you'll need it so he retrieved it for you.

Then I can only thank His Majesty for his kindness.

I know that you are still angry.

You have indeed been wronged in this matter.

But if it hadn't come to this

the Chancellor and Empress Dowager wouldn't have given up so easily.

You would have lost your life.

Bruises and scratches are not worth mentioning.

Madame, you don't have to worry.

There are wounds that can not be healed by this medication.

Duan Hong. Both Master Guan and Marquess of Weiqi once saved me.

How would I not understand your feelings?

But now the dead is dead and cannot be brought back to life.

You must get back on your feet.

I'm sure that if they are watching over us they wouldn't want to see you so.

I would be upset as well.

Don't worry, I will pick myself up.

On the day of the Marquess' funeral

I will be there to scatter the rice and pin down the flags.

I will mourn for him properly, and then I'll embark on my journey.

Embark on your journey?

Duan Hong, what does that mean?

After this incident, I have thought some things through.

Both Guan Fu and Marquess of Weiqi are faithful and brave men.

However, they have come to such an end.

Since the gods are blind and our master is heartless

I may as well resign and leave the capital.

I will leave this imperial court that can no longer tell right from wrong.

I don't wish to serve as an official anymore.

All my faithful subjects have left me.

Those who are left, how many of them are loyal to me?

And how many of those have the intention to rebel and overthrow me?

Do not be bothered by it, Your Majesty.

It is like the sun now. It might already be setting

but it is still casting its rays over the palace and the lands

making everything as red as flames.

It's majestic and grand.

These lands need the ruling of a good emperor.

A good emperor?

Even Duan Hong distrusts me.

I have now become a fatuous emperor who cannot tell right from wrong.

Dou Ying and Guan Fu are both your benefactors.

Now I've sentenced them both to death.

Have you ever blamed me for it?

I do not have the intelligence to see through the underlying purposes.

I only know that I should have trust in Your Majesty.

Your Majesty would never just kill any faithful and and wise men

who once served and assisted you.

There must be a reason behind this.

If not, Your Majesty wouldn't still be bothered by the matter.

I was frustrated then

and didn't understand the predicament you were in when Mother suspected you.

Instead, I even vented my anger at you.

Not only didn't you blame me

but even asked to visit Duan Hong on my behalf.

- I... - I understand how you felt then.

I was ashamed of myself for not being able to share your burdens

so how could I possibly blame you?

I just hope that however little I can do to help

can soothe you and make you forget about your troubles momentarily.

Only Zi Fu knows me best.

You're here?

Duan Hong greets Your Majesty.

May I ask why Your Majesty has summoned me here?

Do you still remember this place?

I do.

This is the place where I got to know Your Majesty.

Back then, Your Majesty was commemorating the faithful.

You were paying your last respects to two wise subjects, Master Zhao and Wang.

I remember that you killed a poisonous snake with this sword, to protect me.

This sword was given to me by Marquess of Weiqi

to protect Your Majesty and the nation.

But now, the sword is still here and yet he died as a victim of injustice.

Every word you say now is going head to head with me.

This proves that you still hold a grudge against me.

I wouldn't dare to. I am just being honest.

If Your Majesty thinks that I have offended you

I ask that Your Majesty punish me

or that I can hand over my seal and be allowed to resign.

Come here.

You blame me for sentencing Dou Ying to death.

But do you know that

I am the last person who would want to kill Dou Ying!

Years ago, I was here to make offerings to both my mentors.

Now that I am back here again

I am also making offerings to the loyal subject who sacrificed for me!

Can Your Majesty be referring to Marquess of Weiqi, Dou Ying?

Exactly!

Years ago, Your Majesty was controlled by Grand Empress Dowager.

You could not do as you wished.

But now that Your Majesty has power to control the nation

you could have spared him if you didn't want to kill him.

How would you know that I hadn't spared him?

I went to the Prison of Imperial Kinsmen once, in secret, to visit Dou Ying.

He didn't not beg me for his life.

He asked to die instead.

I beg Your Majesty to sentence me to death.

That will fulfill my last wish.

No!

Foreign enemies are loitering on the outskirts

and conniving officials are here in the court.

I cannot allow you to die a wronged death.

You have to stay alive to assist me in disciplining the court

and eliminating corruption.

Your Majesty!

I will never forget how you assisted me back then

how you recommended wise officials and promoted Confucianism.

You taught me the principles of running a nation.

I can now stay firmly on the throne because of you, Chancellor Dou!

It is because my surname is Dou that I have to die!

My surname will only arouse suspicion of monopolized power of imperial relatives

and further aggravate the internal strife between court officials!

This is one of the reasons why I must die.

Moreover, the late emperor bestowed a secret imperial decree to me.

In times of crisis, I can present it to seek audience with the emperor.

I had wanted to meet Your Majesty by using this secret decree

in order to defend Guan Fu.

But this decree can't be found in the Imperial Board of Secretaries!

Your Majesty, how is that possible?

If I hadn't forged the decree

- then it must be... - Someone has stolen the copy!

Your Majesty, the only ones who can steal at the Imperial Board of Secretaries

must be those of the highest ranks who hold power over the others!

Your Majesty is wise. You should know who I am referring to.

Your Majesty should be able to guess who it is.

Guan Fu made some criticisms.

It was but an incident that occurred out of drunken stupor.

How could it be escalated into killing his entire clan?

I was accused of forging the posthumous decree.

This is a deadly sin!

Did Tian Fen do all this just because he can't tolerate us?

Are you saying that there is more than meets the eye?

Guan Fu mentioned one matter that made Tian Fen arrest and imprison him.

People thought that Guan Fu got so drunk that he was muddle-headed

and talking nonsense!

What was the matter about?

Tian Fen was involved in a vicious plot that would get his entire clan killed.

- He had conspired against Your Majesty! - What?

He is already the chancellor as well as the emperor's uncle.

He is also ranked the highest among all officials.

This doesn't make any sense.

It was perhaps when he was still just the Commander-in-chief

or that he plotted against you when he was idle without a position.

Guan Fu told me that Tian Fen once told his conspirators

that Your Majesty hunts all day long.

You put your life at risk but you have no offspring.

Should you pass away one day, Han would be left with no ruler.

Then they can do great things.

Can this be true?

Guan Fu is dead and his home raided.

Nearly his entire clan is wiped out.

I'm also imprisoned for trying to save his life

and falsely accused of a deadly crime.

Your Majesty, the truth of this matter lies in whether you believe it or not.

That is to say you have no evidence at all?

It's true that we do not have any concrete proof.

Only my death can convince Tian Fen that Your Majesty believes

I have wrongly accused him of treason.

That would then have him let his guard down.

Your Majesty can make use of this chance to seek out evidence

and prepare the troops for deployment.

Take out Tian Fen and the rest of his gang in one strike!

This is the second reason why I have to die.

If what you said is true that there is such a huge conspiracy going on

I can't allow you to die all the more!

I want you to investigate into the truth of Guan Fu's wronged death

and seek out evidence of Tian Fen's plot to rebel.

Wouldn't Your Majesty be accused of covering up for a sinned official?

I am not afraid of any accusations!

I am the Emperor.

If I don't allow you to die

- then you are not allowed to die! - Your Majesty!

I still have a third reason why I must die!

That day, Guan Fu refused to attend Tian Fen's wedding.

He only attended because I persuaded him to.

This got him killed in the end.

Guan Fu died because of me.

How can I not be ashamed to stay alive?

I ask that Your Majesty governs the nation with law

and kill me to assume authority!

Allow me to fulfill my wish to honor Guan Fu as my friend

and to stay loyal to Your Majesty!

How can I bear to let such a loyal subject

who is faithful to me and the nation, die a wronged death?

I am content that Your Majesty has called me a loyal subject.

Before I die, I have one more advice for Your Majesty.

As a ruler, you have to be ruthless sometimes.

You have to be determined!

I beg Your Majesty to grant me my wish to be killed!

This is the garment that Dou Ying wrote on for himself.

Using this to cover his body will prove that he lived up to these words.

I deserved to die.

I did not try to understand Your Majesty's difficulties.

I have offended you in every way.

What wrong have you done?

I suffered agonizing pains to have Dou Ying died a wronged death.

But I cannot say it to anyone.

You're angry because you feel the same way as I do.

Why would I blame you?

Duan Hong, you were away for six years.

Do you know that during these years it had been as if I've lost a right arm?

Duan Hong, don't go to the western regions again.

With this situation that we are now in, stay and assist me

to continue the will of Dou Ying.

Assist me in the search for evidence of Tian Fen's treason.

I promise to serve Your Majesty loyally at my very best

till the very end of my life.

This jade cicada

was carved by me to for Dou Ying as his mouth piece.

I cannot be there in person to pay my last respects to him.

I hope that you can place this into Dou Ying's mouth to comfort his wandering soul.

A jade in the corpse's mouth will stop the body from decaying.

It will slowly be mummified.

It is to symbolize his immortality.

A jade cicada also means to be reborn.

I hope that Dou Ying can be away from all troubles

and leave his achievements to be judged in history.

Marquess of Weiqi would be able to become what Your Majesty hoped

for him in the netherworld.

He will be reborn soon.

Mourn Dou Ying for me, to express my grief.

Clear conscience to all.

Mourning the valiant soul of Marquess of Weiqi?

Chancellor, it's an altar mourning Dou Ying!

Ignore him.

- We'll take a detour. - Yes.

The spirit of Marquess of Weiqi seeks the blood of conniving villains!

Seeks the blood of conniving villains!

These are but a few trivial tricks!

Do you think that you can scare me?

Ignore him! Let's go!

Yes!

The spirit of Marquess of Weiqi, bless me in seeking revenge for you!

Make the ones who harmed those that are loyal come to a tragic end!

Duan Hong sets up a mourning altar here on this path

to mourn the brave soul in heaven!

May the spirit of Marquess of Weiqi watch over Han!

What on earth are you doing?

Those who deceive one's superiors and delude one's subordinates

shall not sleep in peace nor taste the goodness in food!

You're insulting me! Are you trying to end up like Guan Fu?

Mourning the brave soul on this path and eliminating conniving villains!

It has nothing to do with Chancellor, so why would you be insulted?

This was handwritten by the Marquess before his death!

It is his burial gown!

- Chancellor, get into the carriage! - Let's go!

May the innocent keep their conscience clear and the evil suffer retribution!

Disturbance of discipline in court!

Suffer the consequences of your actions!

- Hurry up! - Evil doer!

Bound to die a painful death!

Bound to die a painful death!

Bound to die a painful death!

Killed those who are faithful! Oppressed and exploited the people!

Bound to be punished by the gods!

Bound to be punished by the gods!

Jia Er, who is so thoughtful

to have prepared this pair of chopsticks and spoon

that are so suitable for you and Duan Hong?

Such an auspicious sign. There is even a pair of mandarin ducks on it.

We'll use these tonight at the banquet.

Mother, please stop saying that.

I've already told you that I...

You're still making up excuses? I don't believe that you're not his admirer.

He was away in the western regions for so many years.

Not only have you waited for him, I have also been waiting for him.

Fortunately, he isn't married yet.

Otherwise, your affections would have been in vain!

This is your wishful thinking! Don't make a fool of yourself.

How is this any of your business that I care about my daughter?

What's there to made fun of?

My daughter, Duan Hong has been lonely for years away from home.

You just need to make a bit of an effort this time. He is sure to fall for you.

Can you stop trying to push your daughter out there?

Perhaps Duan Hong prefers to be single and carefree?

You say that because you are not capable of finding a spouse.

Duan Hong was focused on achieving his goals and making accomplishments.

Now he is already a merited official who returned from the western regions.

He is also highly regarded by His Majesty.

Our Jia Er is good at sewing and house-chores.

She is good at everything.

Where can anyone find such a wonderful lady like you?

I'm going to the imperial kitchen now to prepare the ingredients for tonight.

Mother, please do not say too much tonight.

I have my own ideas.

Bring more Sichuan pepper over.

Wei Qing will join us for dinner after he finishes his training.

You know that he likes it.

Seize the right timing later to have her sit next to Duan Hong.

Are you so great now that you can arrange the seating for Madame?

Where will Wei Qing sit?

Mother, I suddenly feel unwell.

I won't attend the dinner tonight.

I... I'll go and have a rest now.

How are you unwell?

Just let her be!

It's useless to drag her there.

I really don't know what to do with her!

We saw Su Er enter the palace.

She was also threading needles for blessing that year with Jia Er.

In less than two years, she already left the palace to get married.

But if Jia Er continues to behave like this

I really have no hopes for her!

Didn't you just say that Jia Er can sew, do house-chores, is best at everything?

Why are you worried?

I'm still fuming mad, so stop trying to provoke me!

All right, all right...

Give it to me.

Duan Hong.

Duan Hong, try the spicy broth.

There are flavors of sour, sweet, numbing, and saltiness.

You have to try every one of them.

This has a sweet aftertaste. Delicious!

Help yourself to more of it then.

The vegetables are fresh and the meat is sweet.

Zi Fu handpicked them all.

I've been away for all these years.

I've missed gathering with all of you, talking and drinking the night away.

There will be more of these gatherings in the future.

Don't find it a nuisance then.

- Sure. - Here!

Here's to the safe return of Duan Hong.

Here's to the safe return of Duan Hong.

- Bottoms up! - Bottoms up!

This ocarina was meant to be given to you a long time ago.

You left without bidding farewell.

When I rushed out to the palace walls

there were no signs of the troops anywhere.

I could only play the ocarina to pray that you would be safe.

I'm sorry.

I was afraid to be too sad upon my departure, and I would want to stay.

That was why I decided to leave without saying a word.

I didn't manage to hand this ocarina to you that day.

Today, I can finally hand it to you in person.

Thank you, my sister.

Steward Duan, since you left, Jia Er has been thinking about you

and hoping that you would return safely.

Why isn't Miss Shen Jia here?

She said that she is unwell and seems to be very uncomfortable.

What's wrong with her?

Miss Shen Jia is just down with a minor illness.

She will be fine after having a rest.

Isn't this what you like, Duan Hong?

Have more of it.

Steward Duan likes to play the ocarina?

For all sorts of music, it only sounds good when it is played in harmony.

My Jia Er is also trained in music.

Why don't we ask her to play a tune with Steward Duan for entertainment?

Why don't I go and get her?

She should be fast asleep by now.

How can she play well if you make her get up now?

How about this?

We haven't heard Zi Fu play the zither for a long time.

I wonder if we have the honor to listen to it?

Sure. Duan Hong, why don't we play a tune together?

Sure. This is a long awaited reunion.

Should all this fantastic food get to go along with wonderful music

wouldn't it be even better?

All right, please bear with my poor performance.

This way, please.

Do you have something to say to me?

No.

I know that you've already moved on.

It's good that you understand me.

I'm staying only to repay the kindness of Chancellor Dou and His Majesty.

I'm here to contribute to the court as well as my friends.

I have no other purposes.

I saw how unperturbed and upright you were just now.

Indeed, I no longer harbor any doubts.

All I have is the guilt towards you.

Why would you say so?

You were away in the western regions for years.

We rarely had news of you.

Whenever there were urgent reports from outside the Great Wall

I always feared for you.

Then guilt came rushing in.

I was afraid that... I had become a sinner.

Don't say that.

In order to protect your sister it was inevitable to make me leave.

Otherwise, I wouldn't have got over it like I have now.

That is exactly what I had hoped to see.

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