Original subtitles

[English subtitles are available]

[Palace of Devotion]

[This drama is based on historical data and legends]

[The story and characters portrayed are fictitious]

[Episode 1]

[It was the first year of the Northern Song Dynasty.]

[Following Emperor Taizu of Song, Zhao Kuang Yin's death,]

[His Majesty's younger brother, Zhao Kuang Yi, assumed the throne]

[and adopted the name of Zhao Guang Yi,]

[thus becoming Northern Song's second emperor.]

[During his reign, he desired to conquer the Youyun Sixteen Prefectures.]

[Twice he led his army,]

[only to return with nothing]

[but arrows in his flesh.]

[As his wounds refused to heal, he feared his days were numbered.]

[The time had come to anoint a crown prince]

[to secure his empire's future.]

Your Majesty.

Bring it over.

Your Majesty.

The arrow wound has spread to your meridian.

But please don't worry.

My dear minister, do you know?

[Zhao Guang Yi, Emperor Taizong of Song Second Emperor of Northern Song]

Emperor Taizu once tried to give me acupuncture.

So I heard.

Upon hearing my screams of pain,

he began to prick himself

so that he could share in my agony.

[Wang Ji En, Head Eunuch]

Emperor Taizu had a big heart.

[Zhao Pu, Prime Minister]

Not to mention an immense loyalty for his brothers.

The appointment of my successor

must not wait.

What are your thoughts on the three princes?

I dare not say.

Fear not. You may speak your mind.

In my humble opinion,

the Eldest Prince possesses a kind disposition

and a big heart.

However, he lacks the decisiveness required to seize power.

The Second Prince is valiant

with the ambition to rule,

but he is tactless.

The Third Prince has the brains and the brawn.

Though he has shown little interest in the throne,

he cares deeply about the country and its people.

Much like you when you were young, Your Majesty.

He has the makings of a great emperor.

What worries me

isn't my three princes.

The way I see it,

according to the old rule,

your powers should be passed on to Duke Qin.

However, given Duke Qin's haughty demeanour,

if he were crowned,

it might displease the public.

You mean...

Take matters into your own hands.

And go against the Empress Dowager's commandment?

By heaven's order

and the Emperor's decree,

[Guo Xian, Grand Preceptor]

whoever among the three princes to first sire a son

[Zhao Yuan Kan, Duke Xiang Third Prince of Emperor Taizong]

[Zhao Ting Mei, Duke Qin, Fourth Brother of Emperor Taizong]

shall be anointed as the Crown Prince.

[Pan Bo Zheng, Grand Protector]

[Zhao Yuan Zuo, Duke Chu, Eldest Prince of Emperor Taizong]

[Zhao Yuan Xi, Second Prince of Emperor Taizong]

God bless the Emperor!

[Xing Zhong He, Chief of Astronomy]

[Wang Qin Ruo, Left Counsellor Remonstrant]

Rise, my dear subjects.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Father knew Yuan Kan's wife was expecting a child.

Now, he's offering the throne

to the first prince to sire a son.

Isn't it a little biased?

Father has favoured Yuan Kan since he was little.

You know that.

Then again,

Father has broken the Empress Dowager's commandment

just so he could make Yuan Kan

the Crown Prince.

Preposterous.

I'm kind enough

to appoint you as the Crown Prince,

yet you're so ungrateful.

What are you afraid of?

It may very well be your god-chosen destiny.

What choice do you have?

I must admit that my erudition is poor and my wisdom lacking.

Besides, I have two older brothers.

I can't undermine them.

Your Majesty,

General Pan Liang has urgent news from Yunzhou.

Send him in.

[Pan Liang, Commander of the Army]

Your Majesty, Yunzhou reported

an attack by General Xiao Ta Lin of Liao and a 50,000 strong battalion.

The border is lost.

He is now advancing south, to Daizhou.

Father, I beseech you

to let me lead the defence.

[Qian Yuan Gate]

The Liao army is here! Run!

Give me back my land!

[Northern Song Dynasty, year one.]

[Disasters raged on,]

[aggravating the fear that had been gripping the court.]

[The future was bleak.]

Wan'er!

[Guo Qing Yi, Duchess Xiang]

Wan'er!

Madam!

Madam!

Madam!

[Li Wan'er, Duke Xiang's Maidservant]

Madam, are you alright?

Nanny! Nanny!

[Nanny Wang, Duke Xiang's Nanny]

I'm here. What is it?

Madam. Madam.

She's going into labour.

Get some water, quickly.

Father!

Father!

-Your Highness! -Your Highness!

Find the Emperor!

I'm over here.

Somebody save me.

Somebody!

Your Majesty.

Ting Mei.

Your Majesty.

Ting Mei, is that you?

It is I.

Madam.

Madam, you have a child.

It's a boy.

Look.

Here, Wan'er.

Here.

Father!

Father! It is I, Yuan Xi!

I'm here to save you!

I'm over here.

Father!

Over here!

Here, hold him.

-Your Majesty. -Your Majesty.

-Your Majesty. -Your Majesty.

-Your Majesty. -Your Majesty.

-Your Majesty. -Your Majesty.

God bless the Emperor!

Rise, my subjects.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

In the face of disaster,

you came to my rescue.

For that, I'm most grateful.

Henceforth, the court will be closed for three days,

so that all of you may stay home

and look after your wives and families.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty, during his confrontation with the Liao army, the Third Prince

[met with an earthquake.]

Your Highness!

Your Highness!

He's dead.

I failed to save him.

I deserve to be punished.

Ting Mei, no need to struggle.

Every man has his time.

So it was fate that our brother died?

Looks like we won't live to see the day.

All I ask is that you tell me the truth,

so that I can rest in peace.

In order to seize the throne,

I killed our brother.

For the throne,

I forged a commandment

in Mother's name.

Today, we lay buried beneath the palace

as a punishment for my sins.

If I ever make it out alive,

I'll anoint De Zhao as the Crown Prince.

Madam.

Madam.

Madam.

His Highness is still alive. In fact, he's just returned.

What did you say?

He's alive?

Where is he?

He's back.

He's right outside the gate.

[Duchess Qin]

My dear, I was concerned about your health, so I had the servants

bring you some medicine.

Your Highness, why are you so angry?

Seat the guest.

I'm afraid my servant's tea-making skills aren't up to scratch.

The Emperor's tea is now ruined.

Many apologies.

And I thought something was troubling you,

hence the outburst.

I've just escaped death.

I couldn't be more thankful.

Why should I be angry?

God blesses Song

and watches over the Emperor.

I owe my luck to the Emperor.

If god truly blesses Song,

why would a disaster befall the royal family?

What do you mean?

Duke Xiang, in an extraordinary act of courage,

risked his life and went into battle.

He's the prime candidate for Crown Prince.

Yuan Zuo and Yuan Xi are just outside.

They'll surely save us.

At this point,

don't count on your two sons.

Right now, everybody knows

that you're going to choose the Third Prince as your successor.

Yuan Zuo and Yuan Xi must feel indignant towards you.

And now, you're stuck here.

Who knows what those two princes are thinking of?

Your Highness.

Father isn't even dead yet,

and here you are making a commotion.

Your Highness.

Not dead?

You know full well that if Father dies,

the throne

will belong to you.

Now you're pretending to search for him.

I think

you're not searching for Father

but his royal seat!

I'm over here!

Over here!

Heave!

Father! I'm coming for you!

Save the Emperor!

[Liu E, Shu Commoner]

Your Highness.

Your Highness.

Since you're new here,

let me get you up to speed.

His Highness has many royal relatives.

Let's start with the closest.

His Highness has two brothers.

Duke Chu, the eldest, and Duke Xu, the second eldest.

He also has a younger brother named Zhao Yuan Fen.

He's very young and is seldom seen.

Then there's an uncle

who's quite the celebrity in the capital.

Duke Qin is the Emperor's younger brother.

Wan'er,

that's quite a mouthful.

How can she remember it all?

[Alright.]

[We'll keep it to just Duke Xiang's household, then.]

[The Duke is about to become the Crown Prince.]

[The Duchess, who presently manages the household,]

[will become the Empress who oversees the empire.]

[And this household will become a little palace.]

The Duchess holds the power.

No one

can ever supersede her.

The Duchess comes from a prestigious family.

Or she wouldn't have become a duchess.

Obeying the Emperor,

managing the royal household,

aiding the Duke.

Do any of these things sound easy to you?

If it were an ordinary woman,

abilities aside,

even if she could win His Highness' heart,

once the honeymoon is over,

she's bound to be cast aside.

Miss, you seem like a smart girl.

You should know how to earn your place in this household.

I got it.

But why did the Duchess

allow new girls into the Duke's household?

The Duchess is the Duke's lawfully wedded wife.

She's a virtuous lady.

She's been telling His Highness to take in another concubine,

so they'll have more children

to liven things up.

Is it hurting again?

You're bleeding again.

Hold on.

Help me.

Help me.

Don't move.

Child,

you're having a miscarriage.

What woman in the world

would lay another woman

at her husband's bed?

Every girl hopes to grow up

and try out for court lady.

Selections are held every spring and fall.

They would get in shape

for the fall selection

in hopes of entering the palace and marrying a royalty.

I've examined her yesterday.

She's had a baby before.

Probably some village girl that His Highness brought in

as a servant for the household.

You don't have to worry.

♫ The crescent moon shines upon the land ♫

♫ How many families rejoice and how many grieve? ♫

♫ How many couples are united? ♫

♫ How many are wandering out there? ♫

You brought our child into this world despite the chaos in the capital.

I'm grateful to you.

Now that we have Lin'er,

according to the Emperor's decree,

you'll become the Crown Prince.

If I hadn't led our army,

even if I'm anointed,

I'd still have trouble garnering the court's support.

Do you love

that girl you brought back from your campaign?

For a commoner like her

to enter a duke's household is a great blessing.

Why don't we keep her as a maid?

I'll take her to Father.

He'll decide her fate.

It's been a long day. Get some rest.

Greetings, Madam.

Get up.

Thank you, Madam.

Duke Xiang told me last night

that you saved his life

and I should treat you well.

I've prepared for you ten rolls of silk,

1,000 taels of silver

and a pair of mutton-fat jade bangles

as a token of my appreciation.

When I saved Duke Xiang,

I wasn't aware of his status.

Nor did I expect to be rewarded.

I suggest you accept Madam's gifts.

You'll be set for life with these gifts.

You can live a comfortable life in the capital.

I don't deserve it.

Please keep your gifts.

Braving the elements, I birthed a son

and helped His Highness secure his seat as the Crown Prince.

Yet His Highness doesn't seem the least bit happy.

He hardly visited my room in the last few days.

His Highness is about to assume the throne

and preside over an empire,

and you will be his Empress.

Even if he no longer loves you,

there's still the child.

He'll be your bastion for life.

What do you have to worry about?

Miss, you're up?

It's cold here at night.

Don't sleep here.

Sleep in the bed with me.

That's not a good idea.

Why not?

Please, come in.

There are rules in this household.

Maidservants aren't supposed to sleep.

Just lie down here.

I can't sleep anyway. I'll keep you company.

Come on.

Is something

keeping you up?

I don't know when I'll see him again.

Have some porridge.

Where are you from?

I'm from Shu.

But the war

took my home away.

♫ The crescent moon shines upon the land ♫

♫ How many families rejoice and how many grieve? ♫

♫ How many couples are united? ♫

[Old Lady]

♫ How many are wandering out there? ♫

Don't kill me!

[Xiao Ta Lin, Grand General of Liao]

Go!

Granny, the Liao soldiers are coming.

Run, child. Run!

It's too late.

Open up!

Granny, go.

You go.

Go now!

You go.

I want to wait for my son.

I want to wait for my grandson.

Granny.

Granny.

Granny!

Run!

Granny!

I want to wait for my grandson.

I want to wait for my son.

Granny!

Open up.

Come to Dongjing with me.

From now on,

you won't be homeless or miserable anymore.

Back in Yunzhou,

I didn't know he was a duke.

I treated him as an ordinary folk.

He asked me to come with him,

and here I am.

If I knew it'd be like this,

I wouldn't have come here.

But you get to wear the finest clothes and eat the best food

in the Duke's household.

I'd rather live on tea and rice

if it means having true love.

He doesn't have to be a blue blood,

and I don't have to be a duchess or a concubine.

We'll be like an ordinary couple,

staying by each other's side until our hairs turn grey.

My sister said the same thing once.

Where is she now?

She's gone.

That year, Liao decided to attack with full force.

Both my sister and her husband were killed.

I have a little brother.

But he's been missing ever since.

Wouldn't it be great if I can call you "sister?"

Of course.

I could use a sister, too.

Sister, let me show you a place.

Where?

Look, Sister. That's the palace.

And this is His Highness' manor.

His study room is over there.

Since his campaign,

he's been pouring over executive policies,

often-times late into the night.

No one's allowed inside.

Isn't Duke Xiang's compound big?

When I'm free,

I'd fly kites there.

Don't be afraid. Come.

Madam, there's no need to be concerned.

In a royal family,

these things are bound to happen.

Cheer up.

In this entire household,

you're the only one who can soothe my heart.

Did you sleep well?

Today, I'll present you to Father at the court.

I'll ask him to give you a title.

I don't care about that.

Just promise me

we'll always be together.

I promise.

We'll be together, always.

Bring it over.

Okay.

Come on.

-Take it easy. -Okay.

Come on. Be careful.

Slowly.

Take a rest.

I bid you greetings, Father.

Rise.

Thank you, Father.

Bring my grandson over to me.

It's been a while since there were children in the palace.

Let me hold him.

It is I, your grandfather.

Why are you crying?

Hush, Lin'er.

Hush, baby. Hush.

Hush, Lin'er.

My grandson sure is cranky to see me.

Perhaps this is a bad sign?

Don't cry, Lin'er.

Hush, Lin'er. Hush.

Good boy, Lin'er.

Madam, may I?

Your Majesty.

♫ The crescent moon shines upon the land ♫

♫ How many families rejoice ♫

Who is this?

I, Liu E, bid you greetings, Your Majesty.

Father,

during my campaign against the Liao army,

I was heavily injured in an earthquake.

It was Liu E who saved my life.

I'd like to accept her into my household.

With your kind permission,

I'd like you to grant her a title.

Rise.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

We're in the wake of a great disaster.

Now is not the time to be having weddings.

Seeing Liu E pacifying the baby

gave me an idea.

I suggest a celebration for the birth of my grandson.

You'll accompany Lady Guo and Liu E

with the baby in her arms to Qian Yuan Gate

as the people confer their wishes.

After the ceremony,

you'll be able to marry Liu E.

Thank you, Father.

At the Emperor's mere whim,

I have to parade Lin'er in public

as they bestow their blessings on him.

There might be a plague after that disaster.

Us adults will be fine.

But a little baby?

I just don't feel safe bringing him out.

His Majesty sees a great future in his grandson.

He wants him to be blessed by the people's love,

so that he grows up to become a benevolent ruler.

But for some reason,

I just have a bad feeling.

My heart's been thumping since this morning.

And my eyelids keep twitching.

Madam, His Highness won't be sleeping over tonight.

You and the baby should turn in.

Father has acknowledged you today.

Soon,

I'll be able to marry you and take you back to my residence.

I don't care about that.

Two hairs interlocked in matrimony, two lives intertwined in love.

That day,

as our life and death converged in that ravine,

I knew,

and I silently wished,

that I could spend the rest of my life with you.

The sea has calmed and the river has cleared.

The central plains shine with hope once again.

However, the flood at the Yellow River

has caused the people of Henan much distress

and suffering.

Go ahead.

An assassin! Guards!

Madam...

Take the child.

Take the child.

Quickly.

Guards.

Nanny.

Where has Liu E

taken Lin'er?

Why aren't they back yet?

Madam, you're injured.

Here, take this medicine.

Where did Liu E go?

It's been so long.

Wan'er, did you send a search team?

Where is my child?

Nanny.

Where has Liu E taken my Lin'er?

Why are you all so quiet?

Madam.

The Little Prince isn't coming back.

What?

The Little Prince...

Miss, do you know where Duke Xiang's residence is?

He was killed outside the palace.

My child.

Madam.

-Madam. -Madam.

Madam!

Wan'er.

It wasn't Sister.

She would never do such a thing.

Sister?

Are you worried about Liu E?

Madam asked me to look after Sister the other night.

I fell asleep.

She was ill,

yet she got up and covered me in her clothes.

Nanny, you know what?

She even invited me into her bed

and kept me company through the night.

I was but a maidservant,

yet she treated me so kindly.

Sister has the heart of a Buddha.

She wouldn't hurt anyone.

Nanny, will you do Sister a favour

and talk to Madam?

This isn't something we can talk her out of.

Wan'er, it's her fate.

Nanny.

What should I do?

My lord.

My lord, I'm innocent.

I didn't kill the child.

Liu E is innocent.

Preposterous!

I've chosen you as the Crown Prince

so that you may one day rule the country.

How can you be so blind?

Lady Guo is the daughter of Mr Guo's first wife.

The favourite daughter

of the prolific Guo Han Lin.

With her on your side, you'll have the scholars' support.

With her on your side,

you'll have the civil officials' backing.

But now, because of a peasant girl from Shu,

you've neglected an already frustrated Lady Guo.

Lady Guo has a family.

Liu E doesn't.

I'm all she has.

It was I who brought her to Dongjing City.

How can I let her die because of a monstrous accusation?

Since you're so sincere,

I'll grant her a peaceful death.

By poisoned wine.

Father!

Please reconsider, Father!

If you plead for Liu E,

His Highness will be grateful to you.

Not to mention reinforce your reputation of benevolence.

Could it be that she's not the culprit?

His Highness said

only by keeping Liu E alive

will the truth come to light.

Madam, I think you should listen to him.

You should pay a visit to the palace.

I received a command token from Father's messenger.

Pass it to Su Yi Jian.

Ask him to save Liu E.

I know Su Yi Jian.

When he first came to the capital, he had few connections

and would often reach out to His Highness.

He is a grateful man.

You won't regret letting him take care of this matter.

Sir, this is a matter of grave importance.

I'm counting on you.

No need to thank me.

That's all from my mistress.

[Su Yi Jian, Civil Official]

Tell your mistress and Lord Guo

that I'll try my best.

Okay. Here's the command token. Keep it safe.

I'll leave Liu E's matter to you.

-Farewell. -Wait.

What's her name?

Liu E.

The person I'm saving is Liu E?

Precisely.

Alright.

Alright, miss. I got it.

Farewell, sir.

My dear, I'll find the real culprit.

I beseech you, Your Majesty.

Please forgive Ms Liu.

You're pleading for Liu E?

My husband is a loyal man.

Besides, he owes his life to Ms Liu.

Looks like Guo Han Lin has raised

a daughter with the heart of a Buddha.

Too bad she's blind to wickedness.

Father, I beg you to reconsider.

You have a dutiful and virtuous wife by your side,

yet you don't cherish her.

Instead, you're bewitched by a girl of dubious origin.

Save your breath.

The sentence has been passed.

Father!

-Your Majesty! -Father!

Go back.

Father...

Don't worry, Your Highness.

Father has figured out a plan.

He'll try to save Ms Liu.

Thank you, my dear.

Okay. It's time.

Let's go.

Guards.

Bury her outside.

Yes.

Your Highness. Madam.

I was too late

to save Liu E.

Madam.

A decree by the Emperor!

[End of Episode 1]