Original subtitles

Episode 12

Thank you commander Han for your trouble, helping me to find my way.

It's my duty.

Miss, you don't need to thank me.

Last time commander Han came to my rescue

I still haven't expressed my gratitude.

I just didn't want to owe you a favor.

So you don't need to keep it in the heart.

There's no such thing as favors in this Palace.

Some things are best forgotten,

as they won't necessarily do you any good.

Commander Han just said you don't want to "owe me any favors"

and also "there's no such thing as favors in this Palace".

Aren't these statements contradictory?

Miss you're certainly eloquently spoken.

No wonder everything goes your way.

You're most worthy of becoming the future Royal consort.

Within this eerie Palace

Commander Han occupies a high place.

Presumably just like myself

for the sake of self-protection,

you can't not make things go your way.

Miss, you have a special identity.

I can't escort you further.

Up ahead turn when you see the Hall,

then you'll see the maiden's courts.

Please.

Commander Han.

Commander Han,

I didn't intend any satrical meaning just now.

It's just that commander Han has come to my rescue yet again,

so I can't thank you enough.

I've long since considered you a friend.

If my words were in anyway offensive,

then please forgive me.

Farewell.

Second Prince,every year's poetry and literature gathering

no one has ever correctly guessed your riddle.

How about this year, you make a simpler poem?

Rumour has it that this years maidens

are highly able and insightful.

I still think I should use this one.

Perhaps someone will figure it out.

This path..what exactly is this place?

A lovely poem.

The cheek, trespassing the Palace of Eternal Youth!

Don't you know that this is the second Prince's property?!

Xiao He, you musn't be rude to the lady.

Miss, you even said that this is a lovely poem.

Could you recite this poem aloud?

I'm going to look silly though.

The "moon" character is slanted, the "pillow" character is upside-down,

the "door" character is missing one half.

This reads as "A slanted moon; one's head rests on a pillow the; door is half-open".

And in a similar fashion:

the "night" character is lengthened, the "hourglass" character is shortened,

the "come" character is missing a "person" radical.

"A long night; the hourglass runs shorter; no person comes".

The "hope" character is broken in the middle,

the "liver" character is lengthened,

the "trust" character is lacking a dot.

"Hope is broken; gut feelings are lacking in trust"

Then what about the last line?

The last line:

there are three "geng" characters overlapping,

this character looks like it's written backwards,

the "golden" radical of the "hairpin" character is broken.

This reads as "the third night watch period; one looks back on the broken golden hairpin".

"A slanted moon; one's head rests on a pillow the; door is half-open;

a long night; the hourglass runs shorter; no person comes;

hope is broken; gut feelings are lacking in trust;

the third night watch period; one looks back on the broken golden hairpin".

It's a lovely, desolate, 7-character lined piece about womanly complaints.

Miss was so quick

to figure out my riddle.

Truly a show of extraordinary ability and insight.

Very good.

You... mother?

Mother..mother..

Mother.. is it really you? Mother?

Have you come to see me?

Second Prince, you have mistook me for someone else.

Second Prince, I am Maiden Pan Yu.

No, I did not mistake you as someone else.

You are my mother, you are?

Second Prince.

You really have the wrong person.

You aren't her..

You aren't her.. You aren't her . . .

Miss,

I was recklessly disrespectful just now.

Miss please rise.

Thank you second prince.

Miss, Imperial father previously decreed

whoever could follow my poem

would be heavily rewarded by my Imperial father.

So tomorrow

I will bring you to meet him, if it's alright?

What did you say?

Qi Yun wants to bring Pan Yu

to go see Father?

Yes.

Early this morning

the news spread through the Palace,

Saying that this years poetry and literature

gathering is not going to be held.

Because the second Prince's riddle

has already been solved by Lady Yu.

How could Pan Yu have met Qi Yun?

Who led her towards the Palace of Eternal Youth?

Prince

what should we do about the matter at hand?

Think of a rut

to stop her.

What is it?

Nothing.

Is there something on my face?

Its nothing.

When Father sees you

He will definitely be ten times happier.

From the first time I entered the palace

all the people who see me

reacted weirdly to me.

The Empress did,

concubine Han also did.

And now even you Second Prince react weirdly

Could it be that my appearance

has some unusual feature?

Kang Zi pays respects to the second Prince.

You are excused.

Miss Yu

I have an urgent matter to report to you.

What's wrong?

Eunuch Hua, of Lady Yu's house,

after consuming some food

is suddenly vomiting blood, he's dying.

How has this happened?

If you ask me, I don't know the answer.

Just,

please follow me Miss Yu

to go save him.

Second Prince

I'll meet the Emperor another day,

Pan Yu must take her leave now.

Humble servant must take my leave.

Ye ye. Ye ye.

What's wrong my girl?

Who bullied you?

You can tell Ye ye.

What is the matter,

why are you crying like this?

What is the matter here?

Your not dead yet?

Why did you put a white cloth on your face?

I was taking an afternoon nap

and this fiesty mosquito kept

pestering me.

I'm using this handkerchief to cover

my face, to prevent it from biting me.

You didn't cough up blood?

I coughed blood . . .

Which little imbecile

cursed me so?

Kang Zi!

Why did you trick me?

Why did you trick Miss Yu?

I... It was... It was the First Prince.

Why did you trick me?

Haven't I been jesting with you all along,

how are you not used to it by now?

You're scared I'll go see the Emperor

and say something wrong, right?

You think you can meet the Emperor?

Of course. I solved the riddle.

The second Prince said that he'd bring me to meet His Majesty.

Moreover, I would be handsomely rewarded.

How shallow and naive.

You really believe you'll get to meet

the Emperor?

I'm telling you

the person you're meeting is King of Hell.

How can you say that about your own father?

Could it be that he's like your Imperial mother...

Be quiet!

Have you forgotten your promise to me?

If you remain at this Imperial Palace

you must be careful of what you say and how you act.

Yes. First Prince

And I thought you were so powerful,

as it turns out you get scared too.

I'm telling you this now.

If you really

go and see the Emperor later.

Not only me, but you

Hua Gong Gong, Yun Zhu

we'll all end up six feet under

because of your ignorance.

After I entered the palace

when the Empress took a look at me

her reaction and expression was really weird.

One moment

she wants nothing else but to kill me,

one moment she's treating me nicely.

Then there's Han Niang Niang

Once she saw me

She was so shocked her asthma started acting up

and she kept saying

that I looked like an old friend.

And then

the second prince saw me

he said 'So similar, so similar'.

Who am I similar to?

Who ever sees me, acts like I'm a ghost.

Oh no! Oh no!

What if

there's a ghost which looks like you,

all cute and beautiful,

then everyone will want to become a ghost!

Oh look at me. I'm so cute and so beautiful...

Elder, stop being silly.

I'm about to die of stress here

and your joking around.

What Ye ye thinks

is that for this matter,

if you want to find the exact answer

you can only go to the First Prince.

An enigma like him,

when does he ever give straight answers when asked?

Then you need to understand,

in this palace,

there is no real person you can really trust.

What do you mean there's no one?

Ok fine. I'll go look for him.

What are you doing? Going to look for him now?

Its night time now

perchance you'll be caught by someone.

Wait until tomorrow morning.

No

if I don't get an answer today

I won't be able to sleep.

You really must go?

She's so heavy!

Be good.

Go.

Niang Niang

the matter of Pan Yu entering the Palace

was really the first Prince's

single-handed doing?

This Pan Yu

looks like that slut Mei

but so what?

The First Prince really is naive.

He wants to use this little bitch

to create a big ripple effect.

The First prince, I think, is not naive at all.

On the contrary, he still has a grasp

of his Imperial father's mentality.

Because even though slut Mei is already dead,

she's still the Emperor's most beloved.

But I didn't think

this son of mine's ideas

would turn out to be so elaborate.

What a good way to kill two birds with one stone.

That Pan Yu always spends free time with frivolities

and furthermore her appearance is

born identical to that slut Mei.

How could Xing'er even be able to escape

her timely flattering words?

Marrying her as Royal consort

will happen sooner or later.

You're right

the first Prince indeed wants to use this chess move

to pry on your every activity.

Then Pan Yu's function

is just that of a spy?

If a spy then that would be easy to handle.

This unfilial son,

is relying on this chess move to make his comeback

and once again seize his high seat.

The darkest point of this chess move

is that Xing'er will be affected.

Pan Yu's scheme has been ruined since I've already seen through it.

There's a big chance he'll try to pass that girl towards the Emperor.

Just on the basis that this girl looks identical to that slut.

Then won't the Emperor become enamoured by this resurrected ghost?

When that time comes,

the Emperor will become enemies with Xing'er

and destroy Xing'er.

Then the new choice of Crown Prince

will definitely be his first-born son.

Then these vast lands of Shu Kingdom,

won't they be snatched up by the first Prince?

This outspoken,

blunt and straightforward son...

How did he turn out to be this

calculating

and incomprehensible?

Though if this son

was still so outspoken,

how could he have survived until this present day?

This is his fate

and sorrow of being born into the Imperial family.

But who can he blame?

But the first Prince,

even if he has numerous greviances

cannot treat you as an enemy.

Your Highness,

with our precautions with the first Prince

why not gain the upper hand by making a move first?

Your Highness,

your humble servant knows

you've always been merciful of mind.

But that first Prince

is a waste of resources.

If he wants to be hostile

he won't spare you a shred of leniency.

Your Highness,

if you don't wish to act personally,

your humble servant will on your behalf.

I will go tell him

in show of your earnest pondering

you'll grant him a happy demise

by his own hands;

death ends all one's troubles.

Who are you wishing will "end all one's troubles"

and seek "a happy demise"?

The first Prince, of course.

Then who's the first Prince the son of?

Well of course

he is the Emperor's son.

Your Highness have mercy!

Stupid fool! Who do you think you are?

In this world

aside from me, Du Fei Hong,

no one is allowed to do anything to him.

If anyone else dares to touch a hair on his body,

I will want them dead!

Today, I will settle on giving you

this very light punishment.

If in the future

you continue to

unrestrainedly spout rancid ideas...

Next time, I will be removing your head!

I admit my wrong,

your Highness don't be angry, don't be angry.

This move of yours was like inviting someone to their death,

it was very absolute.

Very well done.

I never anticipated

it would be so convenient, to see her

mistakenly wander to the Palace of Eternal Youth.

Perhaps this was God's plan.

Think of it this way

if she appears in the palace grounds

especially

appearing in front of the Emperor

what the results would be.

By then, we would not need to show our hands

for there would be a massive (scary) reaction.

Sister, didn't you hope that

the more lively the Palace is the better?

Yes,

if the Palace becomes more lively

I will become more happy.

Brother, you've made progress.

Tell me, which of these should I wear?

Sister naturally has

beauty that can drown fish and descend geese.

Further to that your illness is completely healed.

Unlike the Empress and fellow concubines

with a head packed full of adornments and garb.

As before, you stand out from the rest of the Imperial harem.

Brother you're humouring me again.

At present time in this Palace

everywhere is filled with

the Royal consort pageant's fair maidens.

Whereas I am a woman past my prime.

No, in my heart, sister will

always be as I first saw you,

an incomparable elegance.

Milady,

the Emperor is truly worthy of being a Kingdom ruler,

and is a Heavenly son after all.

Look at this literary skill.

This little gift is really make people feel pleasant.

Compared to the time

concubine Han sent us some rewards,

this is even more valuable.

Lady Yu,

your servant is very amusing.

Could it be that last time you

didn't meet the Emperor was because of him?

To Pan Yu, Elder Hua

is as close as family.

He has cared for me from childhood to adulthood.

So I forfeited His Majesty's grace

because I had felt deeply terrified.

No wonder.

The Emperor has been rather reclusive these last few years,

he has seldom grant audience to anyone,

You missed the opportunity this time,

don't know next time...

May I petition with Your Highness

for our mistress

to have another opportunity?

That time, my elderly self

wasn't dying...I...Elder!

I...I didn't die yet, I was brought back to life.

That must have been

all thanks to the noble Emperor's grace.

I wish the Emperor ten thousand years of boundless longevity;

eternal life as the sun and moon.

Miss Yu, I never thought that

your servant would be this insightful.

I'm convinced that

it's a result of heavy influence from you.

But I wonder whether or not Elder Hua

is also good at poetic versing?

Second Prince, why do you ask?

You're also aware that

I'm gifted at poetry and literature,

and I fluorish when putting ink to paper.

Just so happens that Miss, you're also superb at such things.

Why don't we start up

a poetry society here, at the Palace?

Further to that we invite Elder Hua

to do the poetry recitals.

I wonder how you feel about this?

Writing poems! That...

Thi-this...tha-that...

I don't know how to...

Verses can be emoted,

famous mountains can finally have their say.

This hum-and-song, elegant delivery,

would be this Palace's

most emotionally expressive affair.

Whenever second Prince starts up the society,

you can count Pan Yu as a member.

There's no time like the present.

Why not establish it today?

Lady, please.

Even the Emperor has bestowed a reward

of rare treasures to Pan Yu.

This Royal consort pageant show

has been seen by everyone now.

Reporting to your Highness,

your humble servant

has learnt not to make rash assertions ever again.

Those treasures were all of the highest quality.

We can see from this that

the Emperor

is favouring the Crown Prince highly.

Your finger had been broken,

have your brain been fried as well?

The matter of choosing the Prince Consort,

has not been officially tabled;

how would the Emperor know

Xing'er is thinking of Pan Yu as Consort?

He presented these gifts,

had nothing other than to do with Meng Qi Yun

and not Xing'er.

Even if it was because of second Prince

the Emperor has no obligation to

to give so generously.

That slut, Mei Ying...

She has already died for so long

but your dark spirit still lurks.

What a heartbreaker the Emperor is

giving her and her son

such great prestige.

Fine, I will no longer be courteous with you.

Your Highness, what do you plan on doing?

Immediately go and make ceremony preparations.

I want Xing'er and Pan Yu

to get married immediately.

Qi You,

did you really think that just because of this girl

you could knock me off my horse?

Imperial mother shall make that sly wench

to become my

usable chesspiece, forever!

Following the poetry and literature event,

the matter of who is to be Royal consort will need to be decided.

No doubt Pan Yu will be anything less than first choice.

Which is why we need to act quickly.

All we need to do is make the Emperor see Pan Yu,

then Du Fei Hong's plan

will fall through.

These recent years the Emperor has been reclusive

and rarely granting audience.

Last time I heard that Pan Yu was summoned to audience

but the meeting didn't happen in the end.

If we exert all of our efforts again

on this opportunity,

I fear that old geezer

will feel that we're being too deliberate.

We may actually end up outsmarting ourselves instead.

Though it's in that old geezer's nature to be paranoid

but when it comes to the people he loves most

he's never inclined to be defensive.

To make him see Pan Yu as soon as possible,

must appear to be through his favourite son's

arrangements.

Are you referring to the Crown Prince?

Who said that Qi Xing is the Emperor's most favored son?

You're talking about Qi Yun?

Well saying it's the Crown Prince is not technically wrong

but that would be after the dethroning of Qi Xing

and establishment of Qi Yun as heir apparent instead.

In that case,

Qi Yun has been quietly plotting his move

and has long since had the intention of seizing power of the East Palace?

Then we can only observe

who are his supporting powers from behind...

If I say that he has, then he has.

There are times when I feel that some matters

are also very ironic.

Numerous people have risked everything

in their ascent to the revered throne of Prince.

Yet there are some people

who don't even need to do a thing

and the position of Crown Prince

will just fall into their laps.

This world is far too unfair.

Fair...this world is actually very fair.

My silly brother,

let's put this in the context of Pan Yu:

from this day onwards,

no matter who is seated on the revered throne of Prince

she shall always be a Royal consort.

Clearly, this girl's former

hard work

will not at all go to waste.

The grain millet does not appeal to Lord He to eat.

Hopes for the loyal official asking for more peace

In the morning he goes to attack but only at night, not the evening, does he return.

Returning at night, not evening, it's wrong.

In what way is it wrong?

Maiden Su Yao bows in salute to the second Prince.

You are excused.

Sister Yu has a matter and so will be late.

I'm here on her behalf. Second Prince please forgive her

but it'll be just a moment.

Second Prince, if you feel that

my presence here is inappropriate,

I will take my leave.

Wait a minute, It was Yu-er who told you to come here.

Yu mei mei said

second Prince is compiling an anthology of works from preceeding dynasties.

Su Yao just happen to answer the poem verse

I have studied it somewhat

Which is why I came to see

whether or not I could lend a helping hand.

Women all prefer southern dynasty poetry anthology.

Those liking pieces from the Northern dynasties

are rarely seen.

The feeling from mournful poetry is the reason things and matter show emotion.

I believe that

yuefu poetry,

although lacking in the pure grace of Southern dynasties' poetry.

But simple, frank and sincere.

Not something carved

and are more relatable to ordinary hearts.

Ordinary heart.

Let things take their own course...no struggle...no desire for greed... be content with one's situation.

Gains and losses are according to fate, the heart does not change.

These things define an ordinary heart.

Yu Er mention about you before.

Says that you are her sister

and also praised your benevolent nature

and insightfulness.

That's sister Yu saying things to be kind.

Yu Er is talented

Her compliment

I don't think it is false.

Just now miss says that

this chengnan battle poem is wrong.

I would like to seek for your consult.

I don't dare consult.But I would like to share.

This poem

is for the officers and men who sacrificed their lives to die in battle.

To commemorate them.

Morning they go out to attack...nighttime, not evening, they return... is wrong.

Rather it be evening not night to return.

In the early morning they go out to war.

The evening night had already died in battle.

Can't return to the palace.

Morning born, evening die. Morning response to evening.

For the night's character is really not proper.

Perhaps the previous scholar made a mistake.

All it needs is an amendment.

Miss, your words are both pretty and meaningful.

Second Prince overpraises me.

I've heard over a long time ago,

that second Prince is gifted

and talented.

So to be able to discuss poetry with second prince

is Su Yao's good fortune.

Miss, you've compared me on a level on par with Cao Zhi.

Really it is appropriate

People like us

who have little power and influence.

It can be assumed that our life situation is identical.

You and I becoming friends

really isn't something fortunate.

A flower a world

As soon as wood float, comes to life

Su Yao can deal with others to only speak about the predestined

but to seek sincerity from the heart.

The unpredictable hearts of man,

how do we distinguish sincerity and hypocrisy.

If there were no sincerity

then how could you even discuss sincerity?

Miss, I was being overly sensitive,

please forgive me.

In a group of three, there is surely one who can teach me

Second Prince should not mind.

To sincerely make friends

is something sister Yu taught me.

Yourself and Yu'er are good sisters,

and I'm a friend of Yu'er.

Similar people tend to flock together like birds of a feather.

It looks like its true after all.

The second Prince is being too courteous.

My Feng Zhu (Pheonix Bamboo) poem

was only meant to

make fun of those self-proclaimed high-class people

who pretend to be well-read.

I didn't think

it would spread to the Emperor and be awarded.

Sister,

this pearl necklace is elegant and charming.

It really suits you.

Here.

I can't.

Such a big pearl necklace

it's a rarity on this earth.

No matter how rare it is,

it cannot compare with

the feelings of our strong sisterhood.

My little sister

such a valuable gift

your older sister cannot acceot this.

Just take it.

Older sister

it doesn't matter how expensive this necklace is

it will still be less than

a tiny fraction of my phoenix hairpin.

Yu'er rarely are you so giving

and generous to others.

Sister I,

should've gotten closer to you earlier

like true sisters.

These leftover things

Could you let me have some of them?

You greedy girl.

Get out of way

Yu mei mei

on the day you were composing poetry,

I was applauding

applauding the loudest of everyone there.

I understand all of your intentions.

But these things

are all from the Emperor.

If I don't properly keep them

then I would disappoint

his majesty's good intentions.

Yes, now if you don't mind

I will put these things

away now.

Put them away properly.

What's so great about her?

I'm not someone who wants garbage!

You ungenerous devil.

Next time

I won't let you think so highly of yourself.

Instead,

everytime I see you I'm going to step on you.

I'll definitely

get this arrogant woman

and stomp all over you.

Mei mei

Didn't you just purposely

offend them just now?

You gave me the present

but they got nothing.

So what if they get offended,

it does not bother me.

It may not bother you, but it does bother me.

You have already gone through so much trouble;

if because of this incident,

they bully you,

how are you going to last in this palace?

I'm going to intercede on your behalf.

Yao Jie jie . . .

I never thought

this Su Ya is so kindhearted.

However, all people will have their differences in opinion.

She wants to help intercede on your behalf,

it'll be as difficult as scaling the Heavens.

Ya Ya

your conduct today

was a little strange.

Strange? How so?

Your usual view on riches is

that they're mere worldly possessions.

Except today,

all the Emperor's gifts

you kept them all.

Although I don't love riches

but money is required to make certain things possible.

Ye Ye, say it.

We've suffered so much

staying in the palace.

What was it for?

Reinstating our Kingdom!

That's right.

When the time comes, many things will need funding.

Raising an army and buying horses need money.

Feeding and paying the soldiers need money.

This needs money, that needs money.

Ya Ya

You've really thought this through completely.

But

one must be careful, the walls have ears.

I've put them all away now.

No one will be able to find them.

That's good. Please prepare some brush and ink,

I am meeting up with 2nd prince.

I need to get to the Hall of Prosperous Culture to compile anthologies.

Alright.

What do you think you're doing?

I have an appointment with the 2nd Prince

to compile anthologies at the Hall of Prosperous Culture.

Haven't I reminded you before,

don't get close to him!

The reason I'm close to him

is for your benefit...

is because of our big plans

What do you mean?

Ever since I'd been in the palace,

I have never

seen the Emperor.

A Kingdom's sovereign

yet leaves the Empress and Han Zhao Yi

to dominate the Imperial harem.

Isn't this very strange?

I hear that only the second Prince is

is allowed to directly meet with the Emperor.

Which is why I'm being close with him.

First,

I can get to know the real situation about the Emperor.

Secondly, with his help

we could weaken the empress's power

and can get back your crown prince position

its good for a lot.

Fool!

Even brothers born from the same mother

can't trust each other

nonetheless outsiders.

Yeah, but I'm also an outsider

and you still trust me

In this isolated palace, you've had little help.

Now there's another person to help you

it has to better than having enemies.

Qi Yun is...

Don't you mention him to me!

Qi Xing is only a child.

whatever he does, I believe him.

But with Qi Yun it's different.

Appearing to be courteous

and uncompetitive.

He's not pretending.

He really is courteous

and uncompetitive

How do you know?

You recite a few poems with him

and there's romance in the air

then you understand him?

You've become his best friend?

Stop being so suspicious

you're a fake gentleman with a sinister heart

Who's being suspicious?

Although they weren't born from the same mother

they're still brothers.

You know that brother Xing already likes you

and wants to choose you as his wife

so he tries harder and harder

to get close to you.

Who's being a gentleman?

Aren't you Qi Xing's big brother?

When have you ever treated him like a true brother?

You..

Wow, there smell of vinegar is so strong (jealousy)

Who says who's jealous?!

Whats wrong?

I'm just eating pickled vegetables.

Whats wrong?

What does me eating pickled vegetables

have to do with you two?

What does eating pickled vegetables,

and being jealous

have to do with you two?

What's the matter?

Here, have some...

Have a little bit...

Why are the both of you acting so weird today?

Who's acting weird?

It's your mistress who thinks herself to be

dumb like a pig.

You might as well teach her a lesson.

Hey, You are the P...

First prince, please be careful.

Honestly!

Why is your face so red?

This is vinegar and not wine,

are you drunk?

Issues...

The Emperor has laid down orders

no one is allowed into the Palace of Eternal Youth.

Do not be rude to Miss Pan.

Dismissed.

OK

I am here to see 2nd Prince over something.

He had mentioned before

I can at anytime

come look for him here.

Come this way Miss Yu.

Actually, my mother Mei Ying

was in actual fact, the Empress's maid servant.

Because of her warmth, virtuosity, elegance

and many talents

lead my father to love her

with all of his heart

and take her as his wife

but the Empress was jealous

and always tried to harm my mother.

And so,

Father could only give older brother

to my mother to raise

First,

with my mother's generous nature

She can properly raise my older brother.

Secondly,

to give the Empress a warning

and make her fear taking action.

But in the vast inner palace it is impossible to see everyone's ill intentions.

After my father and mother

gave birth to me

they grew more and more worried day and night

because this palace is dark and evil.

There wasn't a day when they weren't worried

and felt safe living.

Thats why, Father

in order to protect us, mother and son

he ordered people

to use my mother's favorite plum trees

even through the night

to complete this

garden of ten thousand plum trees

to be a refuge for my mother and I.

From then on

my mother and I

have never stepped out of this Plum tree garden.

Thats why

other than our last ancestors

very little people apart from my Father

And the Empress

As well as Zhao Yi Niang Niang

very little people

have seen my mother's face.