Original subtitles

My beloved Anding is dead!

I'm right here...

She's dead!

One month before Empress Wang,

only two people touched the golden silk threads in stock.

Guiren Chen of Hanxiang Hall and Princess Gaoyang.

On the anniversary of Father's death,

the Imperial Guards on duty outside Ganye Temple

will be commanded by a general from the Guanlong aristocrats.

Brother Ke,

I can only count on your 5,000 cavalrymen.

Rest assured, Your Majesty.

A few days ago,

I appeared to have sent them back to Songzhou, when in fact

they are hiding in a col outside Chang'an,

and will be at your command.

They can be at Ganye Temple to help you take control.

You can then spell out Zhangsun Wuji's wrongdoings in front of all the courtiers.

You can also take out the rest of his clique.

But General Cheng Zhijie...

is also part of the Guanlong clique.

He's also friends with Uncle.

Though he's stationed in the border of the Western Regions,

the Imperial Guards still take orders from him.

Brother Ke,

if someone should buy off this division and pitch them against us,

there are 6,000 of them!

Your Majesty...

don't forget the largest army stationed in Chang'an

is under General Li Ji's command.

They can decamp anytime and reach Ganye Temple in an hour.

Even if Cheng Zhijie were to summon his 6,000 Imperial Guards,

from Taiji Palace to Ganye Temple

would take him at least 6 hours.

Li Ji has remained neutral all these years,

but on the anniversary of Father's death,

if you're determined to put Zhangsun Wuji in his place,

I'm sure General Li Ji will take your side.

That's why...

whether it's the guards at Ganye Temple

or the 6,000 Imperial Guards,

will no longer be a threat.

Good! I'm relieved to hear that.

Come...

You don't have the heart to do it?

He's our Uncle after all

and he hasn't done anything treacherous.

He's just too domineering.

This...

really makes me uneasy.

Your Majesty, our objective is not to kill Zhangsun Wuiji.

We only want him to stop meddling at will in your personal and state affairs.

If you cannot make up your mind,

it's not too late a put a stop to this.

Too late...the arrow is on the bow.

Or I'll regret it for the rest of my life.

After we've taken control at Ganye Temple,

take this written order

to discharge all the Imperial Guards who are loyal to Uncle.

Aye! As you wish!

Milady!

His Majesty and the Prince of Wu are in Ganlu Hall.

They dismissed the entire staff and have been drinking for over 2 hours.

What did you say? They're in Ganlu Hall alone?

Yes!

Drink up!

Bring us more wine!

No, Your Majesty! We've had enough tonight.

You have to get up early to read the memorials.

It's alright. Someone will do it for me.

Who?

Meiniang!

Since my headaches are getting worse,

Meiniang has been helping me with state affairs.

Brother Ke,

since Anding's death,

I have tried to keep Meiniang busy

so that her mind won't wander and...

Your Majesty!

Greetings, Zhaoyi Wu! Your Highness!

I thought if you were done drinking,

you could enjoy the hangover soup I made.

I guess His Majesty has no such luck.

Rui'an!

Help His Majesty go lie down.

Aye!

Hurry!

I'm rather drunk myself. Excuse me.

What's your hurry, Your Highness?

I've ordered the Imperial Kitchen to make the hangover soup.

It took them 4 hours to make it, and I've put in a lot of effort.

If you don't mind, have a seat and savour it.

I'm happy to oblige.

Serve the soup.

Father!

As expected, Li Ke's cavalrymen did not return to Songzhou.

They're stationed in the woods of Dongfo Ravine 20 miles to the south of Chang'an.

If we report to His Majesty,

we can charge Li Ke with treason.

A report of this situation is not sufficient proof of Li Ke's intention to rebel.

You'll only alert him.

Chong,

the anniversary of the late Emperor's death is coming up in a few days.

I need to know Li Ke's concrete course of action

and how he plans to use his 5,000 cavalrymen.

Any word from our spy?

Not yet!

There's something odd about Li Ke's return to Chang'an.

If he plans to usurp the throne,

he must have the support of the army.

But up to this point, he's made no contact with Li Ji.

None whatsoever.

Tell your man to watch Li Ke closely.

Aye!

As I've heard,

because of Princess Anding,

you became so dispirited

that you locked yourself in Penglai Hall and refused to come outside.

Even His Majesty couldn't reason with you.

Is that right?

I'm just curious...

what brought you out of Penglai Hall today?

Today is the last day of Anding's mourning period.

I want to send her off

and also take a look at her resting place.

I see.

Looks like something is on your mind.

It's nothing really.

Each time I return to Chang'an,

the feeling of different faces in the same places

is getting stronger and stronger.

But as I recall,

you were gone for just over a year.

A lot can happen in a year.

I remember the last time I was in Chang'an,

I had an encounter with you.

Things were not going too well for both of us,

but as good friends, we were at least sincere towards each other.

What do you mean by that?

What are you implying?

Zhaoyi Wu, you seem to treat me...

like a treacherous usurper who is capable of hurting His Majesty.

Why would you think that?

The way you looked at me when you came in.

And also when you saw His Majesty safe and sound,

the look of relieve

gave you away.

I'm afraid you're mistaken.

Mistaken?

About something like this?

If you still consider me a friend, I hope you'll level with me.

Very well!

Someone told me you're back in Chang'an to stage a coup.

Are you talking about Zhangsun Wuiji?

Is that why you left Penglai Hall and went to Chongjing Temple?

You both think I'm plotting a rebellion?

Don't look so surprised.

If Zhangsun Wuji can put me under watch,

I can do the same to him.

Tell me...

Why do you believe him? I do not.

But he has evidence.

Evidence?

If I wanted to kill His Majesty,

why would I wait till now?

Back then at the North Gate and at my mansion.

I had plenty of opportunities to kill him.

But I didn't. Instead I saved his life.

Maybe the time was not right then.

Or perhaps you were not confident you'd succeed.

Fine! Let's lay everything out in the open.

Tell me about your doubts and your so-called evidence.

See if I can defend myself.

Do you own

an extremely thin and sharp dagger?

Yes!

I carry it with me at all times. How did you know about it?

You had a guard called Li Gong

who was killed outside Ganye Temple

amidst the confusion during the fighting.

I killed him.

Because he was spying on me for Zhangsun Wuiji.

I grabbed my chance to finish him off.

What's wrong with that?

A year ago,

there was a shipment of armour and weapons to Chang'an.

Was Yang Qingxuan the real buyer?

You said you would answer all my questions.

No.

It wasn't Qingxuan.

You were the real buyer.

That's why you killed someone investigating you.

Am I right?

What do you need the armour and weapons for?

Smuggling these items is considered treason.

I have no intention to rebel.

Then what was your motive?

I'll be honest with you.

His Majesty ordered the shipment.

Because of you,

he was fed up with Zhangsun Wuji's domineering and meddling.

He designated me to train

shadow guards who will take orders from him.

It was the reason why I got back to Chang'an from Anzhou overnight.

If you don't believe me,

when His Majesty wakes up tomorrow feel free to ask him.

It never occurred to me

Qingxuan would assassinate His Majesty over this.

Maybe that's why you got it all wrong about me.

Mother!

Mother!

Mother! Zhong'er!

Zhong'er! Mother!

Zhong'er! Mother!

Zhong'er! Mother!

Mother!

Zhong'er! You can't open the door. Watch your hands.

Mother, I've brought you food.

Yeting is heavily guarded round the clock.

It wasn't easy for me to get inside.

I will eat it...

Mother, I know Wu Meiniang framed you.

I'm pretending to listen to her.

When I become the Emperor, I will make her pay for this!

Zhong'er, listen to me.

Forget about revenge.

Secure your position as the Crown Prince and try to protect yourself.

You must find a way to survive.

I will, Mother!

I really missed youl!

Zhong'er! Mother!

Zhong'er!

This is His Majesty's written order.

On the anniversary of the late Emperor's death,

I will lead my cavalrymen straight to Ganye Temple.

We'll go after Zhangsun Wuiji and other leaders of the Guanlong clique.

After that, we'll take out the other members in Chang'an.

I'll be counting on you...

We'll follow your lead and risk our lives...

Father, a note from Chen Zhixuan.

Dear Grand Chancellor,

The Prince of Wu is not conspiring against the state.

He's working on His Majesty's order

to topple your Excellency and take out the Guanlong clique.

Meiniang!

Your Majesty, how do you like your hangover?

My head feels like it's about to split open.

But after drinking your soup,

I'm feeling much better.

Thank you, Meiniang!

Oh no! I'm due for the morning assembly.

I still have memorials to read.

Those on your side are finished.

Meiniang!

You've been up all night doing these?

Thank you!

Has it crossed your mind, a year ago

the shipment of armours and weapons smuggled into Chang'an

belonged to the Prince of Wu? It wasn't him.

The real owner of the goods... ...Is me.

By the way, when we were drinking last night,

I thought I heard your voice.

Are you worried he would hurt me?

You do care about me, right?

If you have time,

visit Empress Wang at Yeting.

What?

Your deposed Empress, Wang Yuyan is locked up in Yeting,

She wants to see you.

I think you should go.

After all, she loved you with all her heart.

Your Majesty!

I don't want you to see me like this.

Your Majesty!

(The butterfly may keep looking, lingering amongst the flowers)

(Yet months and years would just fly by)

(Life is a game of seconds)

(Love is an immortal secret)

(A moment's charm is only to go to waste)

(Stories about us pile up and live on)

(We met and we parted. How would you know my pain when you're gone?)

(It's easy to leave some things behind)

(Yet at times I'd rather have you on my mind)

(and relish a loss even till the end of time)

(Who can shake the world like I do)

(and charm the earth even when in tears?)

(In our past life we vowed to meet again)

(Who is now preparing for me the most brilliantly painful goodbye?)

(Oh if I could find you in the next life!)

(Memories fly like cotton in the wind...)

No! His Majesty wouldn't do this!

He wouldn't!

Wu Meiniang...it's you!

Isn't it, Wu Meiniang?

Come out, Wu Meiniang!

Come out...let go of me!

Let her go!

Madam Wong, by order of His Majesty,

you must be dead by I o'clock.

You have about 15 minutes.

Don't give me a hard time.

Before the joss sticks burn out,

Consort Xiao and I would finish the wine.

You may go!

I remember when you first came to the Palace,

you were prettier than I was

and enjoyed His Majesty's favour.

I was jealous of you.

I thought if I were sincere towards you, we could be like sisters.

But you kept trying to provoke me.

What's the use of bringing that up now?

We have been fighting for so long

only to let Wu Meiniang beat us both.

If you had listened to me and worked with me,

we wouldn't have ended up like this.

You wanted a more prestigious title,

I wanted His Majesty's love.

Even without her,

you and I were destined to fight each other until one of us was dead.

Such is the fate of the women in the Harem.

Unless you want nothing or do not love.

Either way, the ending is the same.

It can't get any better.

My dear sister...

I don't want to die! Not yet!

Why don't we go beg His Majesty?

Ask him to take pity on us for old time's sake.

Beg? With what?

His Majesty gave her everything.

His love and prestige,

neither of us have any of it.

So what if we begged?

At best, we'd drag out our pitiful existence

and let any of these minions trample on us at will.

Is that how you want to live?

No, I don't want that.

I don't want to die! Not yet!

Your Majesty...

Come out, I want to see you!

Open the door, Your Majesty...

Think about your children.

If you're dead,

perhaps His Majesty would pity them

and they could go on living.

If you prolong your life,

they'll never be able to hold up their heads

Think about them.

Children?

My children...

You're right!

I won't give Wu Meiniang any excuse to hurt my children.

If I'm alive, she'd take it out on my children.

I can't let that happen.

I won't give her any chance.

Wu Meiniang,

don't even think about hurting them!

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty, the deposed Empress and Consort Xiao

have been executed.

Did they leave any word?

Your Majesty, they did not.

By the way,

Chancellor Zhangsun has been waiting in the Imperial Study.

Your Majesty,

Li Ke's 5,000 cavalrymen did not return to Songzhou,

but are hiding outside Chang'an.

That proves Li Ke has treacherous intent.

I urge you to order General Li Ji to take out the rebels

and charge Li Ke for treason.

Perhaps you're mistaken, Uncle.

Maybe it's just a misunderstanding.

Whatever his reasons, to hide cavalrymen outside Chang'an

is a crime punishable by death.

Please order for Li Ke's arrest right away!

Uncle, I think we should talk about this.

Let me send someone to look into it.

Send someone else?

The cavalrymen outside the city...

You knew about it?

Why do you say that?

This is absurd!

How utterly absurd!

I have always been cautious.

How could I be so naive to think we wouldn't have mutual suspicions?

I deserved this.

Uncle, please get up!

Your Majesty, since you ascended the throne

I have been arrogant and stubborn

and have repeatedly upset you without realising it.

I'm too ashamed to stay in the Court.

Your Majesty, on account of my meager contribution to Tang

and the fact that I'm your Uncle,

please allow me to resign and retire from the Court.

While I'm alive, I will not meddle with state affairs anymore.

I've lived a life of honour and glory,

and do not wish to be the subject of gossip.

Please allow me to retire, Your Majesty.

Very well!

Thank you, Your Majesty!

They've learnt about our plan?

My objective was to make him back off.

Now that he has decided to retire,

we won't need to fight!

Your cavalrymen...

I'll send them back to Songzhou right away.

Congratulations, Your Majesty!

As wise and capable as Father was,

he relied on Uncle all his life.

Yet I've forced him to retire.

Don't worry so much, Your Majesty!

Even the best pair of shoes may not fit everyone.

Do you think you're indebted to Chancellor Zhangsun?

I let Uncle down

just like I have let you down.

Meiniang, I promised to make you the Empress,

but out of the blue Uncle tendered his resignation.

Those aristocratic courtiers will naturally tie that to you

and try their best to object.

The only person who can turn the table is Li Ji.

But he still remains indoors,

busying himself with military affairs.

I don't know him that well.

But an army man is usually full of valour and vigor

and he's clear about what he likes or dislikes.

He's the top man in the army.

Why has he remained neutral and maintained an ambiguous attitude?

He's always been like that.

Even during the Xuanwu Gate incident he didn't take any sides.

He didn't?

If the Prince of Wu plans to stage a coup,

he needs more than soldiers.

He also needs the support of the royal family.

Perhaps you can start thinking apart from His Majesty,

which prince or princess in the family is on friendly terms

and has been in contact with him.

On the anniversary of the late Emperor's death,

who's in charge of security at Ganye Temple?

Brother Ke.

Maybe Chancellor Zhangsun was right.

Perhaps the Prince of Wu has treacherous intent after all.

Princess Gaoyang is probably his collaborator in Chang'an.

They may act on the day of the anniversary of the late Emperor's death.