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[The Virtuous Queen of Han]

Episode Ten

Is there compulsory acquisition of land for the expansion of Jianzhang Palace?

There is a huge area of plains in the northwest.

Do you know that most of these lands belong to relatives of Grand Empress Dowager?

If Marquess plans to acquire land, go for the farmlands in the south.

Since those are Grand Empress Dowager's relatives' lands

how could I take their lands?

He is so smug after a few compliments.

He has great ambitions but little talent.

He is as timid as a mouse.

The moment I mentioned Dowager Dou he went completely stiff.

He should have at least done some research.

Those lands are already under my name.

Sir, if the Marquess opts to acquire those farmlands, it won't be easy.

His Majesty has emphasized having the people and their lives as priorities.

Imperial relatives are not to take over people's assets either.

But if these farmlands are not acquired by force, how could they acquire them?

That is Cao Shi's problem.

I'd like to see how he plans to acquire those lands.

With the grace of the Emperor you are honored to have your lands expropriated

for the expansion of the palace!

This is your blessing!

I have already filed a report to the imperial court

to ask for a bountiful compensation for you.

From now on, none of you will need to do laborious tasks like farming anymore!

You could start a small business!

- We don't know how to do business! - We only know how to farm!

Marquess! We have been farmers for generations.

What do we know about doing business?

- Exactly! - That's right!

Then just take the compensation and do farming elsewhere!

Where could we go? We are not going anywhere!

We are not going anywhere!

Even if we could move away, we can't take our ancestors' tombs with us!

That is abandoning our ancestors and our clans! We would never leave!

Right! We cannot leave!

This has been decided by the imperial court. Who dares to object to it?

- We are not going anywhere! - Shut up!

We would never leave!

Bold peasants! Are you trying to rebel?

I heard that His Majesty bestowed favors everywhere he inspected.

How could he possibly force us to tear down our ancestral tombs?

Exactly!

Could it be this conniving official wants to take our lands for himself?

Insolent!

- Marquess... - Wei Qing!

Arrest all those who are making a scene here! Await my verdict!

Hit him!

Barbaric peasants!

Barbaric peasants! All of them!

Let's leave now! Hurry!

Follow me!

- Conniving official! - Don't get so agitated!

You only bully the civilians.

Marquess, leave now!

Hit him!

Marquess, leave now!

Marquess, leave now!

You can yell out if it hurts a lot. Your sister won't hear you.

I can tolerate this bit of pain.

Now that things have gotten to this stage

I feel upset about it.

This is the Marquess' duty.

You are but a small soldier sent from Jianzhang Palace.

It's enough that you are doing tasks like relaying messages or coordinating.

Why would you worry so much?

How can I think like that?

I have to give my best in whatever I do.

That is strange then.

When the villagers rebelled, you should have fought back with all your might.

How did you end up getting so badly injured?

The villagers are protecting their homes and ancestral tombs.

How could I bear to hurt them?

I could only blame myself for having no importance nor influence.

I couldn't help the Marquess or the villagers.

The Marquess has the princess to help him. Why would he need you?

If you want to help anyone, help yourself first!

You made no improvements and still hope to help others.

Isn't that a big task?

I am worried that I haven't made any improvements

and ended up making mistakes that would implicate my sister.

Don't be all gloom and doom.

You just need to be more focused and more cautious in everything.

Then how could you make any mistakes?

I'm not flattering myself.

But I've never made any mistakes in my cooking.

Why is that?

Because I have complete understanding of everything in my kitchen.

I take five steps from here... One, two, three, four...

The salt urn is here.

Take one more step

and thirty centimeters to my right is the pot with a spout.

If I take three steps backwards, one, two, three...

here is the cooking wine.

Have a taste of it.

Uncle Yi, you're brilliant.

What? How is that brilliant?

Who doesn't know such matters?

As a cook, I should know which knife to use for which kind of meat.

Pork, chicken, and beef.

All meats are different in structure.

When I cut into the meat, I slice the gaps between the meat and the tendons.

Then it is bound to be done with ease.

Unlike you. You are now incapable of coping with the situation.

You're not only scared of hurting the villagers but also offending the Marquess.

You're even more worried about implicating your sister.

But I am but a soldier. What else could I do?

How many doors are there in Jianzhang Palace?

Which doors have a phoenix on them?

How many steps are there in the front hall?

Don't assume that these facts are not important.

If you know what is carved on the doors

you will know what and who this door was constructed for.

If you know how many steps there are, you can know the distance.

You can be more accurate in placing troops on garrison duty.

Lady Wei, what brings you here?

Xi Niang told me that Wei Qing is here.

So I came over to take a look.

I must be muddle-headed.

He came here to see you but I made him apply ointment for me.

I had just sprained my waist.

Uncle Yi, are you all right?

I'm all right but I have held him up.

My brother, are you in a hurry to get back?

Yes, I'll come by in a few days to visit you.

Are his injuries all right?

I can't keep anything from you.

Just pretend that you know nothing about it.

He ran into trouble when expropriating the lands. They are just external injuries.

That's fine then. Thank you, Uncle Yi.

Uncle Yi, I'm treating someone to dinner tonight.

Please prepare more dishes.

It is for two.

Yes.

Lady Wei, where is your guest?

He is already here.

I'd like to have a good talk with Uncle Yi

to thank you for your great help.

What are you thanking me for?

Not only is my great food to Empress Dowager's liking but also His Majesty's.

That's made you quite proud, right?

Have a seat, Uncle Yi.

Am I right?

Uncle Yi, here's a toast to you.

I'm just doing my job.

What are you thanking me for?

Lady Wei, you've made me a bit embarrassed.

I'll drink first in respect.

Lady Wei, you're being so polite.

I would be disrespectful if I don't drink it.

I'll drink it.

Uncle Yi, thank you for teaching my brother the philosophy of life.

You're like a doting elderly relative.

You've actually overheard the conversation between me and Wei Qing?

I was just making things up and teaching him random ideas.

You don't have to treat it so seriously.

Uncle Yi wasn't just making things up. Every word that you said made sense.

The great help that you gave me isn't just the mentorship of Wei Qing.

The more you say, the more confused I am.

Back then, if Uncle Yi hadn't thrown up the seed of the dried date

and tripped Shen Jia over

I wouldn't have helped her with my hair loose

and won the favor of His Majesty.

That was just an accident!

If Uncle Yi hadn't given me that pendant, I'd have left the palace.

How could I become the owner of Orchid Palace?

The first time could be an accident.

What about the second time?

You would call it a coincidence?

Since I ran into Uncle Yi when I was little

you gave me the words of 'Don't fight, don't stand out, don't show.'

These words have benefited me for life.

Zi Fu knows that Uncle Yi is no ordinary person.

Since Uncle Yi won't admit it, you must have your reasons.

I shouldn't probe any further.

I'll just treat Uncle Yi as an answer to my prayers.

Be it gods' will or not, Lady Wei, you are kind-hearted.

It's the people's blessings to have you by the side of the Emperor.

I should toast to you instead.

Uncle Yi, you've flattered me.

I am nothing like what you said.

Aren't you? Then I am not as amazing as you said I am.

You don't have to be so modest, Uncle Yi.

Anyway...

There's more left in what is unsaid.

There's more left in what is unsaid...

All right!

Uncle Yi, let's have a few more drinks tonight, and have a good talk.

I won't stand on ceremony then.

But if I should get drunk, don't blame me for sleeping on the job.

Sure!

Here!

Wei Qing!

Shen Jia? Sister?

What brings you here?

Marquess had originally planned to discuss work with the craftsmen.

He suddenly told me that I don't have to go with him.

I have nothing else to do, so I came here to ask Uncle Yi some questions.

That's good. Whenever you're free, visit him as often as you can.

You will benefit from that.

What are you both doing here?

There's a banquet in the palace soon, to admire the blossoming flowers.

They are constructing a stage here.

Zi Fu is worried that the bird nests here would be destroyed

so she came over here to help the birds move.

What's the matter?

Have you gone to Orchid Pavilion to pick flowers today?

How did you know that?

This is the seed of Cocklebur.

Cockleburs could only be found here in the palace on the way to Orchid Pavilion.

You even tripped and fell today.

Are you hurt?

You can tell that as well?

It's because you have a muddy stain on your robe.

Are there stains on my face as well?

You're missing an earring.

I must have dropped it this morning when I fell down.

It should still be there.

I'll go and look for it.

Zi Fu, I'm going to go look for my earring.

I'll be right back.

Go on.

My brother is now so observant.

That's good.

It is indeed useful to pay attention to all things at all times.

Didn't you say that you were going to visit Uncle Yi?

You'd better hurry. He'll be purchasing ingredients outside the palace.

You'll miss him if you get there late.

Don't you need my help?

Do you remember the library in Pingyang Manor?

I used to climb up and down the ladder in there to clean the shelves.

Would I need your help with such a small task?

You'd better hurry.

Be very careful.

Your Majesty, this Jiaodi Opera is very different from the previous ones.

The stage has to be big enough to look grand.

It will also allow more people in the palace to watch it

and bring everyone closer.

Duan Hong, Empress has arranged for Grand Empress Dowager to come watch.

I'll leave it to you to arrange the placement of the guards.

Yes.

As for the craftsmen, I have already made the arrangements.

I have also notified everyone in every palace.

Your Majesty would just have to show up for the performance.

Your Majesty!

Are you all right?

Great blessings to Your Majesty. Joy and bliss to the Empress.

Don't stand on ceremony.

They are all fine.

Please do not worry, Lady Wei.

This is great.

Why would Lady Wei remove the bird nest?

I heard that the trees would be taken down to clear space

for constructing the stage in two days' time.

- I was worried that... - That the bird nest would fall

and the eggs would all break?

The birds have already laid their eggs. They might be weak

but they are still lives.

I hadn't thought about the birds.

Empress, many trees will have to be taken down if the stage is built here.

Why don't we just watch the opera in the palace like we always do?

We'll watch it in the palace then.

It's fine as long as Your Majesty is happy with it.

I've already notified all the palaces that a stage will be built.

But now we are calling it off now!

All for some birds eggs!

Is that a shot at my infertility?

His Majesty even threw my hand in front of the servants to rescue that bitch!

I was completely embarrassed!

Jiao Er, it won't do you any good to get so worked up.

Why don't you just keep on nourishing your body

and wait for the formula to take its effect?

I've been soaking in the itchy Yuyan powder

and swallowing those revolting medications

and having those steaming hot stones on my back...

I even have to be pricked by needles now?

Jiao Er, you won't suffer in vain.

Should anyone let you suffer in vain

I will avenge you!

By then, someone will lose his head!

Grand Princess Dou, the gems that I have presented are getting brighter.

The begonias in the palace are also blossoming more than ever.

These are all auspicious signs.

Good tidings will come.

Your Highness, I am ready.

Imperial Physician Xue, take a look at the Empress!

- Yes. - Hurry up, Imperial Physician Xue!

Chun Ling, how has the Empress' appetite been these days?

Your Highness, the Empress hasn't been eating much.

Has she menstruated?

No.

Really?

Imperial Physician Xue how is the Empress?

Imperial Physician Xue, speak up!

The pulse is round and smooth and flows evenly like beads.

It curves evenly up and then back down.

What is it? Tell us quickly!

Congratulations, Your Highnesses!

It is the pregnancy pulse!

Really?

Jiao Er.

Really?

The pulse does indeed indicate the presence of the imperial heir.

But it is best for Her Highness not to get too agitated.

- This is wonderful! - In my opinion

Your Highness must be very cautious for the sake of the child.

My effort in picking out Imperial Physician Xue out of many

to offer treatment to the Empress has now paid off!

My efforts have not been in vain.

Congratulations, Your Highnesses.

Good! I am sure to reward you heavily!

All sufferings have their rewards.

We have to report this to His Majesty and Grand Empress Dowager immediately!

Mother, there is no rush.

I've already waited for years and now I'm finally expecting the imperial heir.

I don't want to report this to His Majesty so easily.

Are the actors and actresses ready?

Your Majesty, 'Master Huang of the Eastern Sea' is a full-scale opera.

It takes quite some time to get the props and costumes ready.

But they are almost ready.

The opera will begin shortly.

Why are we kept waiting?

Why don't we get Grand Master Han to give us a performance first?

Last time when Grand Master Han sang the opera

he won quite a lot of rewards from Grand Empress Dowager!

I have been taught by a master recently

about the art of glyphomancy. (Fortune telling with Chinese characters)

If Your Majesty is interested in it I could entertain everyone with that.

Your Majesty, why don't you come up with a character

and have Han Yan analyze it?

We'll play it for fun.

The Empress loves ridiculous games like these.

The flowering season has just ended. We're here to admire flowers

and enjoy some singing and dancing.

I'll give you the character 'Xiang' (enjoyment) for fortune-telling.

'Xiang'...

Great joy to His Majesty!

This is the blessings of Han!

Please accept my bow!

Don't keep us in suspense.

Tell us now, what do you mean by great joy?

Your Highness, the word 'Xiang' consists of a roof

and under the roof is a mouth.

The prosperity and decline of the people lies in its population.

There is the character of 'son' under the mouth.

This refers to offspring!

This word 'Xiang' came from His Majesty's mouth.

This is indeed an auspicious sign.

I could confidently say that among all of His Majesty's consorts

there must be one with child.

What's the matter, Jiao Er?

What's wrong?

Jiao Er, have you drank too much?

Do you need to take a rest?

Jiao Er hasn't had much appetite these days

and feels unbearably nauseous.

She gets dizzy and sleepy easily. She also dreams often.

Has the imperial physician been to see you?

I have seen the imperial physician.

He said that...

Empress is pregnant?

Really?

Yes.

This is such joyous news. Why didn't you tell us sooner?

I wanted to wait until I reached a stable period in pregnancy.

After all, this is Your Majesty's first child.

It is better to be more cautious.

Guards! Summon the Minister of imperial medical affairs right away!

Congratulations, Your Majesty.

You have read the character extremely accurately.

- You will be rewarded heavily! - Thank you, Your Majesty!

Congratulations to Your Majesty on expecting your heir!

Wonderful!

It is worth Jiao Er's effort in being attentive to her diet

and nourishing her health.

She could finally produce an offspring and great bliss for the Emperor.

The palace will now be lit up with great vitality.

You must all look up to the the Empress

follow her footsteps in continuing the bloodline of Han

by producing more offspring!

We will follow the teachings of Grand Empress Dowager.

At first, I thought that Lady Wei would be the first to get pregnant

as she is the favorite of His Majesty.

This is unexpected that the gods' have blessed me with such an opportunity.

Jiao Er, don't be so modest.

Children are always god-sent.

It must be that the gods have blessed Great Han with kindness

that you are carrying the Emperor's child.

Grand Princess Dou is right.

It is indeed the gods' blessings bestowed upon the Empress.

Congratulations to the Empress.

Well said, Lady Wei.

When the Minister of imperial medical affairs has confirmed it

you will all be rewarded!

- Thank you, Your Majesty! - Thank you, Your Majesty!

The pulse is round and smooth and flows evenly like beads.

Is the imperial heir doing well?

Minister, you'll have to prescribe nourishing herbs for the Empress.

Her Highness shouldn't be having any nourishments.

Is the child not faring well?

Actually...

Actually, the Empress is not pregnant.

The Empress said that an imperial physician diagnosed her as pregnant.

But you say that she isn't!

Which one of you is right?

The Empress is indeed not carrying a child.

She has a very special illness.

Gastric emphysema causes bloating and upper abdominal pain.

Therefore, there are symptoms of the loss of appetite, nauseousness

dizziness, and sleepiness.

The symptoms are similar to that of morning sickness.

It is highly possible to make the wrong diagnosis!

What?

What do you mean that the symptoms are similar?

You're unskilled in medical training! Stop blabbering nonsense here!

Has the Empress drank any concoctions with mugwort plant?

Traditional fertility formulas usually contain mugwort plant.

Mugworts can relieve coldness and staunch bleeding.

It will also cause a disruption in menstruation.

Hence, it usually misleads people into thinking that they are pregnant.

And the imperial physician must have performed acupuncture on the Empress.

That's enough said!

Stop it.

You're not needed here. You are dismissed!

Yes.

Since the Empress is ill, be sure to have her nursed back to health.

Jiao Er.

Do not be too upset.

You are still young.

There is still time.

If you get your health restored now, you'll still get the chance.

Grandmother, are you tired?

Yes, I'm indeed quite tired today.

I'll escort Grandmother back to your palace first.

You may all stay to watch the opera and enjoy yourselves.

But the Empress is unwell. It is best not to over-exert herself.

Salutation of departure to Grand Empress Dowager.

Salutation of departure to Your Majesty.

You are all dismissed.

Dismissed.

Jiao Er...

Mother...

Have you found that charlatan?

He must have known that his trickery has been exposed

and fled from the palace.

I have sent guards to arrest him.

Don't worry, Jiao Er.

I won't allow that charlatan to get away so easily.

Didn't I end up just as badly?

I had wanted to be proud and elated.

But then I ended up making a fool out of myself in front of everyone.

The Emperor did not blame you at all.

He didn't probe into our experiments with traditional fertility formulas.

This proves that His Majesty is still concerned about your dignity.

Jiao Er!

What dignity do I have left?

That bitch must be laughing her head off.

His Majesty must hate me a lot!

I can still see Grandmother smiling expectantly before my eyes.

I can still hear the congratulations and blessings from everyone...

It doesn't matter if they meant it or not, I felt so loved and blessed...

- Jiao Er... - And glamorous...

That bitch was eager to flatter me.

His Majesty had his eyes on me all the time.

That was but a dream.

I'm now awake.

It is all gone in the blink of an eye.

Jiao Er...

Don't be upset anymore, Jiao Er.

'May the Empress be blessed with a child soon.'

'May the Empress be in good health.'

These are your wishes?

Don't get up.

Why have you made so many well wishes for the Empress?

But mine is only 'May His Majesty have success in his reign.'

I thought you'd say that the Empress is unwell but I am healthy

and therefore, you have to pray more for the Empress.

That is exactly the reason.

I remember the last time that you made these lanterns

to pray for the recovery of the Empress' injury.

I came here for some tranquility, but you only asked me about her.

I was so upset then.

After that, Your Majesty left the palace to relieve the people from disasters.

A year went by.

Yes, some things never change.

You're the same as before. No matter how others treat you

you have always treated them with great sincerity.

You wish them well with all your heart.

There isn't much that I can do.

I can only pray to the gods to bless everyone in the harem

with joy and peace.

I pray that I can get along with all the concubines and the Empress.

Is that really possible?

With your intelligence, you should know that the Empress is only

pretending to be kind to you.

Look at how smug she was when she thought she was pregnant.

She even jabbed at you with words of sarcasm.

Every word that her Highness said was appropriate.

I didn't think that she was being sarcastic to me.

If everyone in the palace is like you

I'd have been at ease even without a child.

Are you willing to let me help you with this?

I'll carve one myself.

'May Zi Fu be well.'

I'll send out this prayer.

With Your Majesty by my side, everything is well.

There is no need to pray for it.

I'm leaving again tomorrow.

Li Guang reported that there are problems at the frontier.

I've decided to take a trip to Fushi in the vessel state of Shangjun

to inspect the situation in person.

It is extremely sandy and windy there. Your Majesty must take great care.

It's all right for me. But what worries me is you.

You were almost in grave danger while I was away on both trips.

The Empress is in a foul mood this time.

I wonder if she would stir up any trouble again.

Just to be on the safe side, I have ordered Duan Hong to stay behind

to keep you safe and sound.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

I will stay true to my duties and avoid annoying the Empress.

Please feel at ease to head out on your inspection, Your Majesty.

He's gone to the vessel state of Shangjun?

Yes, the news came very suddenly.

There's a report of foreign enemies harassing the frontier.

Some civilians were injured.

He left without even saying a word?

He isn't even willing to spare me a glance?

This is all your fault!

I know that I've done wrong!

It's my fault that I did not make the right judgment.

But after much difficulty, I have already executed Physician Xue.

I have avenged Your Highness.

Please pardon me on behalf of my services to his Majesty

and our childhood friendship growing up together!

Pardon you?

I'll spare you this time. Stop being an eyesore here.

Head home and start thinking of ways to make up for your mistakes!

You may dismiss!

Thank you, Grand Princess Dou! Thank you for your mercy, Empress!

I will certainly make it up to you. I take my leave.

Jiao Er, this Han Yan has a huge network of connections.

I think that he is still of use to us.

Put up with him for now and make him pay you back two-fold in the future.

Mother! You told me to be tolerant and I did.

I've put up with it no matter how hard it was.

You clearly know how much I have suffered!

But look how I ended up.

His Majesty left without a word of farewell.

His Majesty is the ruler of the nation.

It is inevitable that he puts the affairs of the states first.

If you keep feeling sorry for yourself

you'll just keep pushing His Majesty further away from you.

Aren't you creating more opportunities for Lady Wei?

There is still time.

I'd like to see how long that bitch can stay smug!

Sister!

Are you all right?

Xi Niang told us that you're extremely ill.

That's why we came here.

Xi Niang, what nonsense have you said this time?

Look! Don't I look well?

But it is true that you haven't been eating and sleeping well.

You haven't been energetic either.

I did exaggerate it a bit.

This is quite mild.

But you've made Wei Qing rush over and Duan Hong hurried here overnight.

How could I be at ease if Duan Hong had been interrupted at work or sleep?

His Majesty ordered me to protect you.

Your safety comes before any of my other tasks.

Although it may not be as as severe as Xi Niang has said, you don't look well.

Are you really all right?

I am fine.

I might be slightly worried because His Majesty isn't around.

I am a bit unsettled, that's all.

We should summon the imperial physician.

Jia Er has already gone to ask him over.

I'll head back after the imperial physician confirms that you are fine.

You've been running a slight fever, so have some soup first.

Sister...

Lady Wei, have you been running a slight fever recently?

- Yes, but it isn't too serious. - Why don't you let me read your pulse?

You can read pulses?

I'll trouble Uncle Yi then.

How is it? Say something!

Lady Wei, you aren't ill indeed.

You're pregnant.

Do you really know how to read a pulse? Don't act as if you do.

It's a huge taboo now to claim that she is pregnant if it is not true.

Lady Wei, when the Empress claimed that she was pregnant

do you have all the symptoms that she mentioned?

I do feel a bit dizzy and nauseous.

I feel weak as well.

I thought it was due to the changes in the seasons

so I didn't pay much attention to it.

Then you...

This... This does sound more and more likely that...

Could she really be pregnant?

Uncle Yi...

I'd better go and get Jia Er to fetch the best imperial physician.

You mustn't be wrong or she'll be laughed at like the Empress.

You should go after Jia Er to stop her from alerting the imperial physician!

What do you mean by that?

Were you lying and now you're scared of being exposed?

Lady Wei is definitely pregnant.

But if it is confirmed by the imperial physician now

it will cause a commotion in the palace.

That's even better! It's awe-inspiring to cause a commotion in the palace.

His Majesty isn't in the palace now.

There's no need for all that!

Why not?

She will be in grave danger to have her pregnancy discovered now.

The Empress is extremely disappointed after discovering that she isn't pregnant.

If she learns about my sister's pregnancy

she is sure to be furious.

Therefore, in order to keep my sister safe, we must act ignorant.

Every concubine is eating and behaving as usual.

- No one is using fertility drugs? - No.

That's good then.

Your Highness, although all is as usual

there is an absence in the records at Orchid Palace.

Show it to me.

She should have been examined by the bailiff of the Drying House recently.

But she excused herself from it.

Is there anything else that might appear amiss?

Lady Wei hasn't made many appearances recently.

She'll usually look after the orchids with Shen Jia in the courtyard.

But Shen Jia has been doing that alone these days.

Moreover, they have been acting very strange recently.

Their maidservants seldom speak to others now.

They are very secretive in throwing things away as well.

All right, you are dismissed now.

Yes.

Mother, could that bitch be so lucky?

Don't be anxious. We have to investigate into it first.

It would be to our advantage if that bitch keeps her pregnancy a secret.

Accidents happen all the time.

She could have a miscarriage anytime if she isn't careful.

Since no one knows that this little bitch is already pregnant

she can't blame anyone if she has an accident.

She only has herself to blame for it.

No one is wise enough to advise oneself.

Aren't we a victim of our own cleverness?

They are now out in the open but we are in the dark instead.

Xi Niang, don't say that.

We might be overreacting.

Zi Fu, I wouldn't have believed it either

if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes.

Someone did sneak in to go through our things!

I recognized one of them.

She was from Jiaofang Palace.

Did they find the residue of the prenatal nutrients?

I'm not sure.

I had kept them to burn them when I went to cook.

But I'm not sure if they took some away with them.

I was going to make use of the fact that I could go in and out of the palace

to get some medications for my sister without alerting imperial physicians.

It seems that we are still found out after all.

Since they wanted to probe into this, we might as well make it known to them.

What do you mean by that?

Didn't you say that we should keep this a secret?

That was then, this is now.

Haven't you heard of that?

Changing tactics is the key in the art of war.

It seems that the best way to protect my sister

is to make everyone know that she is pregnant with the imperial heir.

What should we do to make it known to everyone in the palace?

Do we have to invite everyone to a Jiaodi Opera like the Empress did?

That is not necessary.

We only need to inform one person.

Exactly!

That one person is enough.

Greetings to Grand Empress Dowager and Empress Dowager.

Don't stand on ceremony.

Greetings to Empress and Grand Princess Dou.

Jiao Er, you have come at the right time!

That Han Yan is quite something.

He foretold that there is to be a joyous occasion in the palace.

Minister of imperial medical affairs confirmed that Lady Wei is pregnant!

I have to congratulate Mother and Empress Dowager then.

This is such a joyous occasion!

Exactly... I've said that Lady Wei would be the first to become pregnant.

I was right.

Grandmother finally has a great-grandchild now.

I'm happy for Grandmother.

Jiao Er puts general interests above all else.

You know me well.

Come over here.

This is the Emperor's first child.

This is the most important matter in the palace now.

Of course.

Che Er is away at the moment.

Although servants at Orchid Palace will take good care of Lady Wei

and Steward Duan will protect her

I cannot be completely at ease.

Jiao Er, you are the head of the harem and manage affairs of the harem.

I will leave Lady Wei in your good hands.

I would be relieved if you are in charge of protecting the Emperor's child.

I thank Grandmother for your trust.

But it is a great responsibility to protect the Emperor's heir.

- I'm afraid that I... - Could it be that Jiao Er...

would like me to be in fear all day?

No, how could that be?

- It's just that... - Mother, do not worry.

Jiao Er knows her priority.

She won't be careless.

Yes, I will do my very best in leading all the concubines to

protect Lady Wei and her child.

- I won't allow Grandmother to worry. - Good.

The mother of our nation has made a promise.

I have no reason to be worried.

Thank you, Your Highness.

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