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[The Virtuous Queen of Han]

[Episode Twenty-One]

Why are you so naughty?

But I'm nowhere near as naughty as you are with your ploy.

Mine cannot compare to your clever schemes.

Next, you must get Grand Princess Dou to offer her Changmen Garden

to please His Majesty.

First, we'll secure the Empress' position.

Then we'll get rid of Madame Wei.

We'll make Madame Wei suffer through hell to make the Empress happy.

Then, we'll make their lives a living hell as well.

By then, we will lead a life of eternal extravagance.

We can get whatever we want.

I'd be as happy as a lark just to put my arms around your slim waist every day.

Look! The fish are coming over here.

Be careful.

- I want to play too. - Be careful, Princess.

- Grandmother! - Come here.

- Grandmother! - Come here to me.

You're such a little thing.

Here.

Have a bite of this. Good girl.

Cui Er, take the young princesses to wash up and get some rest.

Yes.

Good girl.

Let's go.

The three young princesses are more cheerful staying in Changxin Palace.

Mother is also looking much better.

Yes, it hasn't been quite so lively in Changxin Palace for a long time.

If only Princess were around

then Mother would be even happier with your daughter by your side.

Princess has rarely visited the palace recently.

I wonder how Marquess of Pingyang is faring?

I've just recovered from my illness

and yet Marquess of Pingyang has fallen ill.

She is busy taking care of him.

I heard that Marquess of Pingyang has a severe illness.

He now has boils all over his body. That must be really painful.

Chu Fu is right after all.

If it isn't that the jinx is too powerful

why would Marquess of Pingyang, outside the palace, be affected?

She originally came from Pingyang Manor, and she's very close to Princess.

At first...

I didn't believe that she was a jinx.

But now, I have to believe that it is true.

Mother, she is here.

Warm blessings to Empress Dowager. Happiness and peace to Empress.

Don't bother.

The Dragon Boat Festival is right around the corner.

I've made some sachets for Empress Dowager to use in the baths.

Dragon Boat Festival?

Isn't that the day to expel bad omens and toxins?

We do indeed need to expel bad omens.

I'm already tired. You may leave now.

I won't disturb you any further.

The princesses have stayed in Changxin Palace for days.

They must have brought you much trouble.

- They must also have... - It is someone else who worries me.

I will take the princesses home today

so as not to disturb you from your rest.

The princesses are all worn out from having too much fun.

They are now sleeping in the chambers.

Don't wake them up.

I'll come over tomorrow to pick them up.

I'm taking them to Floral Woods tomorrow to look at flowers.

Then I'll take them back with me the day after tomorrow.

In the future, you won't have to take them back with you anymore.

Just let them stay here at Changxin Palace.

I'll take care of them myself.

Empress Dowager, have I done something wrong?

You don't have to come over to Eastern Palace if nothing arises.

You don't have to greet me here either.

Have I done something wrong to infuriate Empress Dowager?

If I have done something wrong

I'm willing to be punished by Empress Dowager without complaining a word.

I beg Empress Dowager to take back your orders.

Please allow me to take my daughters back with me.

You didn't do anything wrong.

It was my mistake that I allowed you to stay in the palace

to serve the Emperor in the first place.

Although I couldn't stop the Emperor from being close to you

I won't allow you to get close to my grandchildren.

Why would Empress Dowager tear us apart?

How audacious! How dare you talk to me like that?

Madame Wei, stop making Mother angry.

You'd better return to Orchid Palace.

Pardon my ignorance

but my daughters and I are connected by flesh and blood.

How can you tear us apart without a valid reason?

Please explain the reason for doing this.

Otherwise, I'll find it difficult to leave Changxin Palace.

Who are you to decide whether you get to stay here or not?

Not only could I get you out of Changxin Palace

I could kick you out of the capital altogether!

It would be easy for Empress Dowager to kick me out of the palace.

But all things must conform to the course of nature, ethics, and morality.

It is natural for mothers to give birth to children and raise them.

Daughters are filial to mothers, and respect them due to morality.

But now Empress Dowager wants to tear us apart.

You wish to repel me from my duty as a mother

and deny my daughters their wishes to be filial to me.

This is against the course of nature, as well as ethics and morality.

How could this be justified?

Sister, have you forgotten about the regulations in the harem again?

How can you talk back to Mother like this?

I am the Empress Dowager.

Whatever I say is justified.

You've disrespected the elderly many times.

If your daughters stay by your side

they will be led astray by your poor manners, and will misbehave!

That is my valid reason!

Moreover, you are a jinx.

You will jinx the elderly and the young.

In order to guarantee the safety of the imperial offspring

I won't allow you to take the princesses with you.

This is done on the basis of affection.

Do you understand it now?

Leave now if you understand me.

Empress Dowager!

The tale of the jinx is but a groundless statement.

How could a fictional theory surpass the course of nature?

Appease your anger, Mother.

Why don't we ask His Majesty to make the final decision?

We don't want Madame Wei to think she is being bullied.

She'll assume that you're using your authority to rob her of her children.

Foreign enemies are causing disturbances at the frontier

killing people and stealing their grain.

This is an urgent matter.

Chancellor Xue and Grand Prefect of Agriculture

have already been waiting hours for Your Majesty to discuss this issue.

I know that.

Come up with a few solutions among yourselves first.

Make sure that the people near the frontier of the west will be safe.

In addition, think of solutions to take back those stolen lands.

Then present the solutions to me later.

Yes, Your Majesty.

I will join you shortly.

Yes!

Greetings, Mother.

Greetings to Your Majesty.

I will keep all three princesses with me in Changxin Palace.

I really do not wish to trouble you even more.

But it is perfectly justified for a mother to raise her children.

I beg Your Majesty to ask Empress Dowager

to let me take my children back.

His Majesty is busy with both national and family affairs.

I'm willing to share your troubles and propose an idea.

Do tell, Empress.

It's joyous to be with one's grandchildren

and a blessing as a grandmother.

But 10 months' pregnancy is a bond of flesh and blood.

How can we be torn apart?

I understand.

Madame Wei can't bear to part with her daughters because she loves them.

But now, we're in a dilemma.

Everyone wants the best for the three princesses.

May I be so bold to make a suggestion?

Madame Wei can take back Princess Weizhang and the second princess.

The youngest princess will stay at Changxin Palace temporarily.

All three of them are my grandchildren.

I will protect them all.

They must not be harmed by this jinx.

The rumor of the jinx is a groundless statement.

I beg Your Majesty to make a fair judgment.

Sister, do you wish to leave no room for alternatives?

If the two princesses are healthy and unharmed with Madame Wei

Mother wouldn't worry about the tale of the jinx anymore.

By then, the youngest princess could return to Orchid Palace.

What do you think about this, Your Majesty?

Good.

Your Majesty, the three princesses have grown up healthily under my care.

Even when they were ill, it was just a cold and nothing serious.

There is no proof of me being a jinx that will harm our daughters.

The youngest princess is still little

and now she is forced to be apart from her mother.

They will be frantic.

My good sister, Mother is very close to all the princesses.

You don't have to worry.

Allow the princesses to keep their grandmother company

and add more merriment to Mother's palace.

They can also carry out filial duties for Your Majesty.

It shall be done as the Empress suggested.

The two older princesses will go back with Madame Wei.

The youngest princess will be in the care of Mother.

- Your Majesty! - I have already decided!

Haven't you often said that you'd like to give me a harmonious home?

Then we'll go with the Empress' suggestion

so that my family can live in harmony.

I'm already troubled by the state affairs.

I wouldn't like to be further troubled by such a matter.

Just treat this as sharing my burdens for me.

All right! I'm already tired.

I'm heading back to the palace to rest now.

- Bai Min. - Present.

We'll head towards Xuan Hall.

Yes.

These are some scrolls that Master Zhang Qian took with him

as well as supplies and objects that his army carried with them.

Take them with you, and do some research.

Compare them to all the objects we have found throughout these years.

Hopefully, we will be able to track down Master Zhang Qian's whereabouts.

Yes.

By the way, have Chen Zhao and his troops headed back here?

Yes, they should reach Chang An tonight.

Good, I have another task for him.

You should go and make some arrangements.

I'd like to meet up with Chen Zhao tonight.

Yes.

Duan Hong.

Why is Madame Wei here?

I've been feeling rather disturbed recently.

I came here to burn some incense and practice writing.

I hope to calm my mind down and reflect on myself.

I heard that Empress Dowager has kept the third princess in Changxin Palace.

You must be troubled over this matter.

I've frustrated His Majesty by arguing with Empress Dowager.

I realized that my mind isn't calm enough.

I've forgotten about the word 'hardship.'

Hardship?

When my family was in poverty

we were grateful to your father for giving us food.

Those hardships that I went through in childhood

made me determined to assist my brother in becoming accomplished.

The hardships that I endured when I stayed in Lateral Courts

made me determined to pursue a harmonious family.

After my three daughters were born

I was only concerned about my kinship with my children.

I've forgotten about the Emperor's hardships.

I've forgotten that His Majesty has to look after all his people

as well as settle conflicts in his harem.

I didn't empathize with His Majesty.

Don't say that.

You've been sharing His Majesty's burdens all this time.

His Majesty knows it deep in his heart and we can all bear witness to it.

This time, you offended Empress Dowager out of your love for your daughters.

It is just acting out human nature.

His Majesty dotes on you and loves you.

Yet, you are so harsh on yourself.

This isn't empathizing with His Majesty.

I just wanted to remind myself to be calm and composed at all times

so that His Majesty can be at ease to manage the state affairs.

If I encounter any hardship, I will endure it alone.

Every time you go through hardships, you always have a new perspective.

Not everyone is capable of that.

A tinge of sweetness in hardship?

You had a tough childhood, but you were happy with your family.

You had a tough time in Lateral Courts, but you had the trust of Lady Rui.

You had a tough time in the harem, but you made friends with the consorts.

In the future, don't just keep the word 'hardship' in mind.

Remember 'A tinge of sweetness in hardship.'

Mother, Mother!

I want to learn martial arts

practice horseback riding, archery, and study the art of war!

I want to be just like Grandfather, Emperor Gaozu

and I'll conquer the lands for His Majesty!

Xiang Er is such a good boy. Come here.

Greetings to Father!

Such a good boy. Be seated.

Marquess, why aren't you resting in your room?

I feel much better today, so I came out to stretch my legs.

I saw how ambitious Xiang Er is when I walked in.

- Good! - Father.

Can you quiz me on the art of war?

Xiang Er, why don't I quiz you instead?

What is supreme excellence?

Supreme excellence lies in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.

What leads to victory?

Precise knowledge of self and precise knowledge of the threat.

What a good boy.

Well done!

Xiang Er is already so outstanding at a young age.

He is sure to accomplish great things in the future.

Princess, thank you for teaching Xiang Er so well.

Xiang Er is our son.

Why would you thank me so often for that?

Father, you've promised me that when I memorized Sun Tzu's 'Art of War'

you'd teach me horseback riding.

Let's go horseback riding?

Xiang Er, be good. Let your father have a good rest.

It's already late now. Why don't we go some other day?

Father, have a good rest then.

I... I gave you my word.

Since Xiang Er kept his promise, I, as his father, should as well.

So Father, you've agreed?

- We'll go horseback riding tomorrow? - Yes! Yes!

Si He, take young master in to get some sleep.

Yes.

Off you go.

Why did you promise to go horseback riding with him?

Don't worry. I'm getting much better.

It isn't so unbearably itchy anymore.

We'll go horseback riding tomorrow?

Greetings to Marquess, Princess, and Young Master.

Fei Luan looks very energetic.

He was quite restless a few days ago.

He was probably ill, but he is all right now.

I just spent some time training him.

He is galloping around with great energy.

I'd like to ride a horse. That one looks fine.

Father, why don't you ride with me?

Wei Qing, you know this horse well.

Why don't you ride with Xiang Er?

Yes.

Yes, yes.

Be careful.

Here.

I studied Sun Tzu's 'Art of War' very well

before coming here to learn horseback riding.

I should be ready to fight in battles soon!

You've already studied the military strategies?

All right.

Sun Tzu said, 'The art of war...'

'... is of vital importance to the State.'

'It is a matter of life and death.'

Well done!

The Young Master is doing very well in horseback riding!

I know how to ride a horse now!

Xiang Er, you're so good at it!

I know how to ride a horse now!

Father, look! Look!

How is he?

I will do my best.

I'll prescribe him another medication, and see how it works.

See the imperial physician out.

- Bring back the medication. - Yes.

- This way, please. - Yes.

Don't be too hard on the imperial physician.

Don't waste any of those precious medicines either.

Your Highness, don't overexert yourself because of me.

- I am already... - That's enough.

If you don't want me to be exhausted

you have to recover soon and take good care of me.

- I'd like to see... - I know.

I'll go and get Xiang Er for you.

It's not Xiang Er.

I'd like to see... Wei Qing.

Marquess asked for me?

Take a seat.

Wei Qing...

You were in Pingyang Manor for quite a long time.

Do you know what my most cherished treasure is?

Treasures that can be placed in here must all be Maquess' cherished items.

I remember in the past, when Marquess had to give out presents

you always tried your best to pick one out

but you could never bear to part with any of them.

It's good of you to remember.

But these treasures are nothing to me now.

I can't take them with me.

Marquess...

Although that is the case, I don't find it a pity at all.

Among these, there is one treasure that is the treasure among treasures.

Even after I have passed

I find it hard to leave this treasure behind.

This treasure can not be traded for any other exotic treasures.

Do you know what it is?

It is Princess Pingyang.

My Princess...

I might be a marquess by blood

but I have no military achievements or talent in governance.

Princess was Emperor Xiao Jing's favorite daughter

and His Majesty's closest sister.

She has such great ambitions but she married a mediocre man like me.

I wouldn't agree with Marquess.

Marquess and Princess are deeply in love.

Everyone is envious of you.

Everyone is envious of me?

You know that I'm completely unworthy of Princess in the eyes of others.

I know that I don't deserve her either.

Marquess loves and respects Princess, everyone in the manor knows that.

Princess surely understands.

Love and respect...

That isn't enough to make up for the wrong that I've done to Princess.

Princess should have been with someone who is brave and intelligent

resolute and motivated.

But I...

Marquess...

It would be hard for my sickly body to ever recover.

I could no longer take care of Princess anymore.

I am really worried about her.

Wei Qing...

I know that you can be trusted.

I hope that you can take care of my wife and child for me.

Protect them from harm.

I am originally from Pingyang Manor.

I will never forget the kindness of Marquess and Princess.

Marquess, please don't worry.

Even if I have to sacrifice my life

I won't allow anyone to mistreat either of them.

Your word is worth more than gold.

I...

can now be at ease.

I'm relieved...

I've led my whole life with a muddled brain.

I thought I kept all my treasures in the chamber.

But now, looking at this sunset, I realize how silly I have been.

Such a beautiful sight...

How could it be kept in a treasure chamber?

I know how deep your affection is for me.

It's a pity that it is already too late.

No... I won't allow you to say that.

I am so useless.

Yet Princess always kept my best interests at heart.

You even treated Xiang Er with great affection.

The gods have been so kind to me.

My wish is now granted.

I get to die before the Princess.

Don't speak of such nonsense.

If I've never had Princess by my side

my life would have amounted to nothing.

Xiang Er would never be successful.

He might even get into big trouble.

But without me...

Princess will have one less burden.

No, you are not a burden to me.

You are a good husband...

A good father...

I won't allow you to leave me and Xiang Er.

Princess,whenever you throw a tantrum, I tremble from deep within my heart.

But this time...

I feel so warm inside.

It is wonderful... to have you with me.

This is indeed a beautiful place.

If you like it here, I'll come back with you again.

In the future...

we'll come here together.

We'll look at the rain in springtime.

We'll look at lotuses in summertime...

We'll look at snow in wintertime...

And...

We'll bring Xiang Er here to ride horses.

- Greetings to Grand Princess Dou. - Greetings to Grand Princess Dou.

At ease.

Congratulations, Grand Princess Dou.

It is indeed worth celebrating Cao Shi's death.

First you catered to the Emperor's pleasure

luring him back to Jiaofang Palace with the zither and incense.

Next, you sowed dissension

making Empress Dowager believe that Wei Zi Fu is a jinx.

Then, by using their love for princesses

you dealt a blow to Wei Zi Fu and got Jiao Er back in the Emperor’s favor.

These three strategies were planned out really well.

Well done.

But what has Cao Shi's death got to do with getting Jiao Er back in favor?

Once Cao Shi is dead

his death is enough to get Madame Wei forsaken by friends and family.

It will be the death knell of the Wei family.

What does that mean? Explain it to me.

Do not be so anxious, Grand Princess Dou.

As long as we have nimble hands that can summon rain and wind

we can make the enemies of Your Highness die a terrible death.

Grand Princess Dou, I'll repeat my words.

It is great that Cao Shi died.

How audacious!

Please appease your anger, Empress Dowager.

I do not know what I have done wrong.

Your Highness summoned me here urgently.

Please explain it to me.

I will correct my mistakes if I have made any.

Do you really not know, or are you just pretending?

The rumors have already spread to the palace!

I do not know of any rumors.

That is because it is too embarrassing!

No one dared to mention it in front of you.

The siblings of Wei family play up to the imperial family.

The older sister is a consort

and her younger brother clings onto the princess.

Intimate lovers, tenderly attached.

Marquess dies and the lovers reunite.

There is even more of it but I can't bear to say anymore.

Your Highness, this must be misinformation.

My brother would not have been with Princess Pingyang...

Shut up! You have no right to speak of my daughter.

Marquess of Pingyang just passed away.

Your dear brother has already taken advantage of one's sorrow

to make moves on the princess.

He is indeed shameless!

This is all because you didn't discipline your brother well!

That is why the princess' reputation and innocence are now tainted.

How should you be punished?

This isn't true!

My brother has always been honest and compliant with the rites.

He complies with the rites? So this is all my daughter's fault?

Empress Dowager, that is not what I meant.

I believe that someone must have made up this rumor.

It is unfounded and baseless.

Rumor?

There is no smoke without fire.

You have always indulged your brother.

Now that he's gotten himself in big trouble

I bet that you will cover it up for him again.

I wouldn't dare to do so.

I am sure to question my brother very sternly.

Even if it proves that this is but a baseless rumor

I will remind him to avoid anything that would arouse suspicion.

Avoid arousing suspicion?

That is very good!

It is best that the Wei family stays away from us all!

Zi Fu.

What is going on?

I've sent my men to track down Guan Fu's cadre.

We now have some information.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty, the maidservant from Jiaofang Palace, Chun Ling

came to report that the Empress has already prepared dinner.

Ask the Empress to wait for a short while.

Yes.

Track down Guan Fu's friends the best that you can.

Hopefully, we will find out who was conspiring with Tian Fen.

This concerns the safety of Han.

Yes!

I'll leave you to it.

You have other matters to report?

Your Majesty, I have heard quite a few rumors recently.

Grand Master Wei is rumored to have had an affair with Princess Pingyang.

That is ridiculous. How is that worth discussing?

The issue is that this rumor started right after Marquess of Pingyang died.

Fortunately, my sister is not foolish.

I believe that she would not pay any attention to it either.

Tell Wei Qing that there is no need for him to be worried.

I'm afraid there is more to these rumors than meets the eye.

These rumors were swiftly spread throughout Chang An City.

This must be the deliberate work of someone.

This is a power struggle between the court officials.

There is no end to it.

First of all, Wei Qing is an imperial relative.

Secondly, he is highly valued by me.

He is already the thorn in a lot of people's side.

He has to ignore the rumors and win people over with his talent and virtue.

This is the best way to fight back.

This matter does not only affects Grand Master Wei.

Empress Dowager summoned Madame Wei over to reprimand and question her.

She didn't mention it to me.

Madame Wei intended to keep this matter from you.

Madame Wei felt guilty for talking back to Empress Dowager for her daughters

and caused Your Majesty to worry both about the nation and the family.

She is not the cause of this matter.

I do not blame her for it.

But Madame Wei felt that she didn't empathize with Your Majesty

and felt guilty about it.

I ran into Madame Wei at Shiqu Chamber the other day.

She was practicing writing for meditation.

She said that no matter what hardships she might face in the future

she would be content to keep them to herself.

She would not trouble Your Majesty again.

What are you writing?

Your Majesty.

The hunger of the people was due to the lack of food.

They looked up to the gods and asked to know why they were hurt.

This was the situation of a famine that I witnessed when I was little.

Now that you're living in abundance

why would you still look back at those days of hardship?

Remembering the hardships of the past remind me how fortunate I am now.

Do you feel blissful?

I have the affection of Your Majesty

the company of friends who are like my family

and the joy of three daughters.

I am definitely in bliss.

But you feel sorrowful.

Am I right?

Your Majesty...

I've neglected you recently.

I've had you part with your child, and suffer the wrath of my mother.

Why didn't you tell me that you were wronged and aggrieved?

I am not upset.

I know that Your Majesty is very busy with national affairs.

I am content that you still have me on your mind despite all that.

You have suffered for me.

My heart aches so badly.

This isn't a suffering but a tinge of sweetness.

It is just like when I was little.

despite the famine, my family received food from our neighbor, Uncle Duan.

It proved that there is still kindness.

That tinge of sweetness in life can never be forgotten.

All right, you are writing a poem and I will write it with you.

You want to remember your hardships, then I will remember them with you.

You want to taste sweetness in life, then I shall taste it with you.

Do you still remember what I said to you before you entered the palace?

Of course I do.

Your Majesty said that you would rewrite these words with me.

'The people are suffering, and yet they are teased by chasing gold pellets.'

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