Original subtitles

[English subtitles are available]

[Forbidden Love]

[Episode 1]

[During the feudal era, the Emperor was esteemed as an agent of Heaven, and must be served in death, as in life. His consorts, concubines, and maids in life must accompany him in burial, entering into the afterlife.]

[This was called "tribute," and these innocent women were termed "Tribute Ladies."]

[As the saying goes, "The Emperor's nobleman have just been enfeoffed, but pitiful are the women who have been made tributes!"]

In the 11th year of Longhua,

Emperor Yuanzhen passed away.

The Ye Dynasty was thrown into chaos.

Prince Rong was still young,

so the ministers, members of the inner court,

and other ambitious parities

fought for control over the Prince

so as to control the court.

And among them,

the most formidable,

led by the eunuch Xiao Duo,

was the Zhaoding Bureau.

Let me wipe it for you.

Please… Please forgive me.

[Chief of the Zhaoding Bureau, Xiao Duo]

Please spare my life.

Please spare my life.

When did this happen?

[Attendant Eunuch of the Zhaoding Bureau, Cao Chun'ang]

He was dead before 7 in the morning.

His Majesty left in a hurry

and didn't even leave a decree.

Shangqiong Palace is in chaos.

I don't know how the Cabinet got the news.

Grand Secretary Zhou Chengde

has led a group of eunuchs

to gather at the palace gate.

They say they want to see you.

He tried to commit suicide a few times.

Fortunately, you had stationed people

to stop them outside the palace gate.

Did he die?

No.

Our men stopped him.

Don't stop him. Let him be.

Let him see some blood before letting him in.

In less than half an hour

after His Majesty passed,

news traveled to the Grand Secretariat.

What a coincidence.

How dare the spies of the Grand Secretariat

enter Shangqiong Palace so blantantly?

How audacious.

Cao Chun'ang,

make a trip

down to Fengyi Palace and Chengyuan Palace.

Invite Her Majesty the Empress,

Noble Consort Shao, and Prince Rong

to come to Shangqiong Palace to discuss

the matter of His Highness ascending the throne.

Send an order

to ring the mourning bell and raise the white banners.

The tribute ladies accompanying the burial

must be sent on their ways as soon as possible.

Yes.

[Peaceful Spring and Illuminated Sights]

[Shangqiong Palace, In Mourning]

[Personal Maidservant, Tongyun]

-What do you think? -Tongyun.

Tongyun.

Mistress.

Where did you go?

I was raising money for you.

[Lady Bu Yinlou]

Stop it.

I'd be long dead by the time you have enough.

Listen to me.

Go to the Imperial Service Bureau immediately

and give all the money

to the chief.

Tell him your master

has already escaped

and you're no longer a member of Xiecui Garden

Ask them to reassign you right away.

Are you really going to run?

Will it work?

All right, off you go now,

before anything else changes.

Mistress, don't worry.

You won't die.

Although I can't save you,

there is someone who can.

You sent a message to my house?

Yes.

Wasn't I smart this time?

I raised money and called for help at the same time.

One of these

is bound to save your life.

All right, go now.

Lady Bu.

It's time. This way, please.

[Xiecui Garden]

Let go of me!

Let go of me!

The late Emperor has passed away.

[Head Eunuch Yan Sunlang]

Those who have not bore a son, should not be set free.

-All must follow in death. -Let go of me!

I don't want to be a tribute lady.

I don't want to be a tribute lady.

Why are you crying?

This is a fate one can only enjoy

thanks to the good karma of their ancestors.

[Beauty Li Pingru]

If I had known this would happen,

I wouldn't have entered the palace.

As a tribute lady,

serving the late Emperor in the afterlife,

you will be rewarded by the court.

In the future, when your families are enfeoffed,

wouldn't they be thankful for

all of you?

This way, you can repay the debt

of their raising you.

Do you see the Futu Pagoda?

That is a treasured land.

All the late Emperors of the Ye Dynasty

bestow grace upon tribute ladies in that tower

in their afterlives.

So don't worry.

Once you enter the pagoda,

it makes this lifetime you've lived

an illustrious one indeed.

I want to go home.

I want to go home.

You, why aren't you crying?

I'm hungry.

This morning, when the Imperial Kitchen

delivered breakfast,

I shouldn't have been

stingy with my money.

I should have paid them off,

gotten some more pickled cucumbers.

That would have been worth it.

You...

You're still in a mood to eat?

Why are you standing here?

Get a chair.

Yes.

Bastard!

Going in and out of the imperial city the past few years

as if it's his own

residence grounds.

Even more like a master than a master.

You have a death wish?

Spies of the Zhaoding Bureau are everywhere,

in and outside of the palace.

Don't drag me with you even if you want to die.

I heard about the loyalty of Grand Secretary Zhou

who wanted to die along with His Majesty.

So, he didn't die after all.

Xiao Duo!

When His Majesty was alive,

you brown-nosed him

[Grand Secretary Zhou Chengde]

and overstepped the rules of the court.

His Majesty passed,

leaving only Prince Rong,

as his sole offspring.

Don't you dare think that...

that just because

you've taken care of His Highness,

your Zhaoding Bureau

can abuse your power

and do whatever you want!

In your opinion then,

what should we do?

Hand over the powers of reviewing memorials immediately.

We'll ask the Empress Dowager

to appoint regent ministers

to assist the young Emperor.

His Majesty has only just passed,

and the Grand Secretary already cannot wait to appropriate the powers of regency,

How immense your loyalty is.

Right.

The Grand Secretary has always been concerned with state affairs.

On the 15th of last month,

the Grand Secretary held a birthday celebration.

It so happens that the six judges presiding over the

Spring Imperial Examinations this year

were invited.

You ordered the courtesans

to slip them

a name list of prospective scholars.

Xiao Duo.

I, Zhou Chengde, am a Grand Secretary.

How dare your Zhaoding Bureau

insert your minions

into my residence?

You're just a eunuch.

What right do you have?

My lord.

I was personally appointed by His Majesty

as Seal-holding Chief of the Zhaoding Bureau.

I command the Inner Court

and supervise the officials of the Outer Court.

I act on authority granted by the Emperor

and wield imperial vermilion ink.

I am His Majesty's eyes,

and I am his hands.

Do you think

I am not qualified?

Guards!

Grand Secretary Zhou Chengde

engaged in bribery and fraud,

and used his power for personal gain.

Throw him into the imperial prison immediately.

What an egregious violation of the laws! The state is falling to ruin!

The state is falling to ruin!

[Lady Zhang Yujin]

Beauty Li, give me a break.

Your crying is annoying.

I'm scared. Aren't you scared?

What are you scared of?

In no time at all,

I will get out.

Sir, Her Majesty the Empress said

her niece, Lady Zhang,

will be in your care.

This is your reward.

Lady Zhang.

Lady Zhang.

Lady Zhang,

someone made a mistake.

You are not on the list of tribute ladies.

You may go back.

Thank you, Eunuch Yan.

Lady Zhang.

Lady Zhang!

Sister Zhang, I beg you.

Please bring me with you!

Move!

Lady Zhang!

What do you think you're doing?

You don't come from a good family

and couldn't bear a child.

This is your wretched destiny.

Who can you blame?

Tomorrow at noon,

you will enter the Pagoda as sacrifices.

Once you enter Futu Pagoda,

there is no getting out.

Are you all...

aware?

Sir, sir.

Sir.

Is this enough?

Sir! Sir!

Sir! Sir!

Please look at what I have.

Sir, look at mine.

Yinlou.

These eunuchs in Zhaoding Bureau

want money in exchange for our lives.

I have no money or connections.

But you're different.

Your father is the Grand Tutor.

Your family

will come to save you.

I beg you,

please help me.

If my father really cared,

he wouldn't have let me

enter the palace on behalf of my legitimate sister.

My mother and sister

are waiting for me at home.

I really don't want to die.

I still want to eat

my mother's osmanthus fish.

What did we do wrong?

Why do we have to die?

We won't die.

You don't have to comfort me.

I promise you

we won't die.

There's no way.

Let go of me!

Let go of me!

What do you want to do to my mother?

Mother! Mother!

[Fengyi Palace]

I remember when you first entered the palace,

you liked wearing crimson dresses.

How His Majesty

adored you.

Other than you,

no one was allowed to wear crimson.

But no matter how bright the color,

there will come a day when it becomes inappropriate.

[Empress Rong'an]

His Majesty loved you so much,

why don't you go keep him company?

You can leave these white robes

for me.

Listen.

From now on,

your son

can only call me "Mother,"

and only kneel for me.

Rong'an, you evil woman!

I'll kill you!

I'll kill you!

Come on!

Come on!

How dare you...

This way, Your Highness.

Didn't Your Highness

make an agreement with me?

As long as we support Prince Rong's

ascension to the throne,

even if His Majesty is gone,

as long as I'm here,

you will remain the head of the Six Palaces？

Why are you in such a hurry?

I just can't stand watching

that wench Shao

live a happy life.

It's so cold today.

Your hands are warm.

I am deformed,

my body is dirty.

I dare not disrespect you.

You are my servant.

Do you dare

disobey my orders?

His Majesty just passed,

there are countless pairs of eyes at court

scrutinizing Fengyi Palace.

It takes only one misstep...

It's not a big deal for me to lose my life,

but to stain your reputation would be dire.

Noble Consort Shao is dead.

When Prince Rong ascends the throne,

I will become the Empress Dowager.

When the Prince of Nanyuan comes to the capital to act as regent,

with his position in court,

let's see who dares to disrespect me.

Whatever I want to do

I will do.

The King of Nanyuan, Yuwen Liangshi.

When did you join hands with him?

Are you jealous?

These are troubled times.

He holds military power over Western Shu.

Of course I have to rely on him.

After all, all these years

you have been biased towards that old man.

He's in charge of everything at Zhaoding Bureau.

If I didn't act behind your back,

one day, if you betray me,

who would I rely on?

My heart

is on your side.

Don't worry.

Everything I've done

is for you.

Your Highness.

The funeral is complicated.

I am afraid my subordinates are incompetent.

I must supervise them personally.

Please excuse me.

Fengyi Palace is cold.

Can you bear to leave me alone?

We are about to succeed.

There is plenty of time ahead of us.

[Zhaoding Bureau]

Why is the Chief so angry?

Did Her Majesty get her way?

Cao Chun'ang.

Look into everyone who has been in and out

of Fengyi palace in the past six months.

Let's see who dares to play messenger

for the Empress and the Prince of Nanyuan behind my back.

Find an excuse

to throw him into the imperial prison for interrogation.

Don't alert Fengyi Palace.

Yes.

The Empress wants to join hands with the Prince of Nanyuan.

Let her die with him then.

[Zhaoding Bureau]

I'll talk.

I'll tell you about everything.

No rush.

Every thing that needs to be done,

do them one by one.

Every punishment you should bear,

will come to you one by one.

Ah Duo,

I climbed to this position

so that I can avenge you.

Wait for me for a while longer.

Ah Duo,

I will kill the King of Nanyuan.

Hurry up.

-Yes. -Yes.

Godfather.

There are only a few days left before the Prince of Nanyuan arrives.

We don't have much time left.

Should we send someone to intercept and kill him?

Yuwen Liangshi has always been cautious.

When he was in Western Shu,

he lived in seclusion and was heavily guarded.

Our people couldn't get close to him

no matter what we tried.

Now that he has left his home,

he will only be more careful.

Instead of taking action rashly,

it's better to wait for him to enter our territory,

and end him in a fell swoop.

Godfather, you want to wait

to act after he enters the capital.

But he has joined forces with the Empress.

I'm afraid it might not be ideal

after he enters the capital.

If the Prince of Nanyuan wants to be the regent,

he will have to rely on Prince Rong.

As long as I control Prince Rong,

I can lure him into a trap.

But now Prince Rong

is held captive by the Empress.

Although you are in a high position,

it is still just the Eunuch Service afterall.

All these years working for the late Emperor,

you also offended many major officials in the court.

If we take Prince Rong by force,

I'm afraid all the officials

won't give up easily.

We need a person.

Someone with royal status

who can compete legitimately

with the Empress.

Chief.

Come in.

Chief. Prince Fu sent someone to invite you.

[Chief of Zhaoding Bureau, She Qilang]

Who?

The Lantern Prince, Murong Gaogong?

The useless one

who only knows how to make lanterns?

No.

Why is he making trouble

at this critical moment?

Good timing.

Since Prince Fu wants to see me,

let's meet him.

[Prince Fu’s Residence]

Sir, please make an exception.

I'll only go out to get lantern paper

and then I'll be back.

[Prince Fu, Murong Gaogong]

Please make an exception.

A small gift...

Please don't make it difficult for me.

It's not safe outside lately.

Her Majesty specially

assigned me to protect you.

Without her permission,

you cannot leave the palace.

-I'm going out... -Here.

Here.

Your Highness.

Your Highness, the paper is here.

This paper shop is so bold.

[Head Eunuch of Prince Fu's Residence, Sun Taiqing]

Your Highness, you ordered lantern paper long ago.

Their delivery only came today.

What is happening?

Are we not allowed in?

No.

I asked for the paper.

Come in. Let them in.

A clerk from a paper shop

has such a tender skin?

He's just a clerk.

I'll send him away after delivering the paper.

Please make an exception.

I see.

You want to remind me

it is not in my destiny to be a master.

That's what you mean too.

Okay, I'll call you all my master.

Are you satisfied now?

Master!

Master!

Master!

Is this necessary?

Just for this cart of paper,

you're making life hard for His Highness?

I... Forget it.

Let him go.

OK. Come on in.

Come in. Come in.

Your Highness.

Your Highness.

Get up, Your Highness.

Is this necessary?

[In Mourning

Hurry up. Go inside.

Go inside.

Slowly.

Your Highness.

Leave.

Sorry to offend you, Chief Xiao.

Her Majesty sent troops

to keep the Imperial Clan under house arrest.

This was the only way I could help you

enter the residence.

Greetings, Your Highness.

I want to ask you...

ask you to help me...

help me save someone.

[Xiecui Garden]

Move! Hurry!

What's going on?

Who checked the vegetables?

Please calm down.

I checked the dishes,

they were not poisoned.

What's wrong with them?

This...

I'm afraid she's infected with dysentary.

Sir, what should we do?

Why don't we call an imperial physician?

What imperial physician?

We must not blow this matter up.

It must not be suspected to be caused

by uncleanliness in the food.

If Chief Xiao finds out,

we’ll all be in trouble.

What should we do?

Remove them

from the namelist of tribute ladies.

Send them to the Imperial Mausoleum immediately.

No one can find out.

If they die halfway,

bury them on the spot.

Yes.

Go.

Guards!

It hurts!

Take him away.

Take him out! Hurry!

Eunuch Yan.

Lady Bu.

Please leave Bu Yinlou.

I want to see her.

Yes.

Although you're a baseborn child,

I watched you grow up.

Seeing you suffer,

my heart aches for you too.

[Madam Bu]

Your father knows

you have to be a tribute lady.

He worries so much that he can't eat

nor sleep.

How hard it is for him.

It's not that your father doesn't want to save you.

It's that we can't break

the rules of the palace.

How can the rules be graver

than the life of their own daughter?

Look at them.

Dialogue: 0,0:30:19.61,0:30:20.68,Default,,0,0,0,,Which family hasn't spent some money

to get it done?

Those eunuchs in the Zhaoding Bureau are greedy.

They don't care

about the rules.

Others can bribe the Bureau

but our Old Master cannot.

The Zhaoding Bureau and the Grand Secretariat

are locked in a fierce tension.

I heard even Grand Secretary Zhou

has been imprisoned.

Although your father is close

with the Grand Secretariat,

if at this time the Bureau

gets hold of incriminating information on him,

he could lose his life.

Mother,

what do you want me to do?

Yinlou,

for the Bu family to have

a tribute lady like you,

is a glory

that other families can only dream of.

I know you're a good child.

Your birth mother is not in good health,

you know that.

I think

you should be sensible,

let her live out her life

without worry.

Right?

How about

you go and serve the late emperor?

There are many things to do at the residence.

I'll go back first.

Remember. Be good.

Madam, where are you going?

Why are you leaving?

Mistress...

Madam.

This one.

Lady Bu

has fallen seriously ill.

According to the rules,

she cannot be a tribute lady.

I heard that Eunuch Yan

wants to purchase some properties in the capital.

What a coincidence.

My nephew is looking to let go of

a few restaurants, all in prime locations.

Eunuch Yan, why don't you take a look?

Madam.

this child has always been healthy.

Yes.

What serious illness?

It must be because she is about to go

serve the late emperor.

She cannot conceal her loyalty to the Emperor,

so she's having an emotional response.

Yes.

The Bu family has been loyal for generations.

Please ensure the fulfilment

of the loyalty of our family.

Madam and I

are old friends.

Naturally, I will share your burden.

Other families are clamoring

to redeem their daughters.

Sir.

What does Madam Bu mean by this?

This woman

is very scheming.

She's not a legitimate daughter.

What's there to feel sorry for?

As the family

to a tribute lady,

the men in the family

may be promoted to an official position.

A concubine's daughter dies

for a legitimate son to gain power.

Isn't it worth it?

It is.

What do you say, Chief Xiao?

His Highness asked me

to save a tribute lady.

Yes.

She is innocent and fragile,

and naive to the ways of the world.

And she and I...

We are very close.

I can't bear to see her

meet such an end.

Your Highness, you can't say that.

If people find out,

it’s a serious crime of debauchery.

Chief Xiao can't take this kind of risk.

Eunuch Cao,

how could you

speak disrespectfully to His Highness?

It's no matter.

Everyone in the capital knows

that your position

is second only to the Emperor.

You command all matters of the palace,

big or small.

I believe

this won’t be difficult for you.

Princess Hede is now

a favorite of the Empress Dowager.

She is of the same mother as His Highness,

and you are related by blood.

Why didn't you tell her directly?

Wanwan.

She is all the way at Tanxi Temple

praying with the Empress Dowager.

She's too far away to help.

And the Empress has sent troops

to confine all members of the Imperial Clan.

Look at me.

Everyone in the Murong family

has been placed under house arrest.

I…

Chief Xiao,

there's no one who can help me.

Guyu Huqiu. How rare.

What a pity.

This tea is rare.

Delicate nourishment by the soil, rain, and dew

can only produce a modicum of it.

I think everything in the world

is just like tea.

Obtaining what one desires

comes at a price.

Am I right, Your Highness?

Yes.

Yes.

What do you want in exchange?

As long as it's within my abilities,

I can offer anything.

One condition.

I agree.

You're not asking what the condition is

before agreeing?

Aren't you afraid that afterwards

you might regret it?

Don’t worry.

I won’t regret it.

Then please

keep your promise.

Thank you, Chief-

What's her name?

Bu Yinlou.

Bu Yinlou.

Yes.

[Xiecui Garden]

Who is he?

You're a hypocrite.

It turns out that

she is eagerly waiting for you to die.

Can she sleep well at night?

My brothers are useless.

They finally got the chance

to become the family of a tribute lady.

Rather, they'd be sleepless

if I don't die.

Mistress, I was wrong.

You told me to stay in the room

and not to go anywhere.

I should have listened to you.

It’s my fault. It's all my fault.

I have something important

you have to do for me.

Mistress, please tell me.

No matter what it is

or what I have to do

I will get it done.

Last month when we played mahjong,

Noble Lady Cao lost three taels of silver to me.

I hid the chit on the beam of my room.

Remember to get it.

Chosen Attendant Zhu and Chef Jiang of the Imperial Kitchen

are close.

If you're not getting enough food,

just drop her name.

You might get two more bowls of rice for it.

And

I saved four or five taels of silver

and some jewellery,

they're hidden in my room,

in the case.

I don't need these anymore.

I'll give them all to you.

Mistress.

These are all of your belongings,

don't be so generous.

These are nothing.

My mother said

this jade tablet is for worshipping the Fish Immortal.

It will help me transform calamities to blessings.

I have someone up there,

I have a stronger backer than anyone else.

Even the King of Hell

has to treat me courteously.

That's it for this lifetime,

all the good and the bad.

I'll start anew in my next incarnation

and it'll definitely be a better life.

It's different for you,

you have a long life ahead of you.

You have to live a good life.

Sleep well,

eat well. Okay?

I don’t want to leave you.

It's time.

Your Highnesses,

it's time to go.

I don't want to go.

I don't want to go. I don't want to die.

Leave now.

Mistress.

Mistress.

Go fast. Don't cry.

Mistress.

It's time to go.

[Xiecui Garden]

[Futu Pagoda]

♫Wind sweeps through the bottom of my heart♫

♫Blowing ripples into our past♫

♫Sighing and lamenting♫

♫ We can't escape parting ♫

♫ How can ripples form in a mirror ♫

♫ The wind cannot dispel my loneliness ♫

♫ But the sorrows and joys of this world ♫

♫ Look upon desolation and recklessness ♫

♫ Not knowing when I can return ♫

♫ How can we be calculating in this ephemeral world ♫

♫ The wind has risen in the smoke and rain ♫

♫ Even if the road ahead is rough ♫

♫ The wind has risen and can hardly continue ♫

♫ I'll pledge my life to you ♫