Original subtitles

A NETFLIX ORIGINAL SERIES

EPISODE 1

My lady, you mustn't delay any longer.

Prince Chaoyong has arrived at the palace.

I hate green.

My lady, are you mistaken?

Sorry, please forgive me.

-Your Highness, please forgive me! -Go receive ten canes.

-Yes. -My lady.

The new servants don't know the rules yet.

I will teach them.

Next.

Let them all in.

Everyone, come in.

Your Highness, slow down!

Walk slower, Your Highness!

Zhaohua.

Prince Chaoyong oversees north of the Gobi Desert.

He has brilliant achievements.

He is His Majesty's most trusted Mongolian prince.

You must not act willfully in front of him.

HALL OF MENTAL CULTIVATION

Your Highness.

Prince Chaoyong is in the audience with His Majesty.

I will announce your arrival.

Hey.

Lhawang Dorji.

Is my daughter not good enough for you?

The princess is of royal birth. I am unworthy of her.

Please rescind the imperial edict.

Five years ago, when I proposed this betrothal,

you had no objections.

Now, upon returning from the north, you wish to decline this marriage.

Tell me why!

Your Majesty, Seventh Princess is here.

Good day, Your Highness.

Thanks to you, it's not a good day!

Please forgive me, Your Highness.

Hey.

Hold on, Your Highness.

His Majesty is waiting for you!

Stop right there!

Stop!

Your Highness, what's the matter?

Prince Chaoyong.

The entire world knows you are the future Seventh Prince Consort.

Now you're breaking it off.

I won't let this matter rest

until I receive a satisfactory explanation!

What would be a satisfactory explanation for Your Highness?

It's either you are a eunuch, or you'll enter your grave tomorrow!

Otherwise, you belong to the imperial family, dead or alive!

Your Highness, I am not the only candidate for the prince consort.

Stop! You can't leave.

You have no other choice but to answer me.

Your Highness, you're the eldest daughter of Imperial Noble Consort Ling,

the Emperor's favorite princess,

and the apple of the Empress Dowager's eye.

You think that all the best in the world should belong to you

and cannot tolerate my rejection.

However, I don't need the glory of being a prince consort,

nor do I need a woman like you.

What kind of woman am I?

When you were ten years old, isn't it true

that you turned your back on the wet nurse who raised you

and expelled her from the palace?

Yes.

When you were 12 years old, your beloved pet dog died.

You flew into a terrible rage and had a young eunuch caned.

Isn't that true?

Yes.

So what?

You're as beautiful as a rose in full bloom,

yet possess such a vicious heart.

Is it true that you would punish a servant on a whim

over a piece of clothing?

I am a princess of the Qing dynasty.

I have the right to punish servants as I please.

Understand?

All right.

In that case, please choose another prince consort, Your Highness.

I am not good enough for you.

You!

Stop right there, Lhawang Dorji!

-Outrageous! -If you destroy the flowers,

others will call you violent again.

Who's there?

Guess.

Who are you?

Scoundrel, show yourself!

-Hold on. -What are you doing?

Who are you?

Your Highness, this is our second meeting.

-The second meeting? -Yes.

I once saw you from a distance when I was studying in the palace.

The Emperor later ordered me to pray at Yonghe Temple

and I haven't seen you since.

Yonghe Temple?

You are Fuk'anggan?

Greetings, Your Highness.

How dare you!

If a maniac like you belongs to the Fuca family,

then I ought to inform my father so he can discipline you.

Your Highness, you are quite fierce for a lady.

-No wonder your fiancé was scared off. -You!

Scoundrel, what do you think you're doing?

Your Highness, despite your appearance,

you don't possess the other three virtues.

You...

Nobody would want you.

Not even a beggar on the street, let alone Lhawang Dorji.

However, I could just grudgingly accept you.

-You! -Hold on.

No physical contact between opposite sexes.

If you hit me,

you'll have no choice but to become my wife.

Outrageous!

Is there no end to your insubordinate behavior?

Your Highness, if you speak of this to others,

you'll have to marry me.

Fuk'anggan, you scoundrel!

Father.

Father, you must kill Lhawang Dorji!

Your marriage to Prince Chaoyong is set in stone.

You'll become a widow if he is killed.

So be it!

I'll get to spend the rest of my life with you and Mother.

Zhaohua.

Don't be willful.

Are you going to allow a subject to bully your daughter?

What of your prestige and the imperial family's dignity?

Prince Chaoyong's family has defended north of the Gobi Desert for generations.

They are distinguished warriors and unswervingly loyal.

At the age of 13, Lhawang Dorji went to war alongside Ts'ering.

How can I allow such a great asset to be killed in a fit of rage?

Fine, you don't have to kill him.

Kill Fuk'anggan then!

What has Fuk'anggan done?

He angered me. I won't stand for it.

Father, if you truly love me, then--

When did the Hall of Mental Cultivation become a battlefield?

What is this talk of killing?

-Greetings, Your Majesty. -Right.

Come out.

I heard your voice.

Mother.

Come.

Repeat to me what you said earlier.

Help me.

Well--

A rejection puts you in a murderous rage.

Pathetic.

Mother!

Lhawang Dorji is breaking the marriage agreement.

It's the same as a slap in the face!

Why are you scolding me instead of defending me?

Yingluo.

Zhaohua.

This is a Manchu-Mongol marriage alliance

decreed by His Majesty.

Lhawang Dorji is refusing this marriage at risk of death.

Why don't you reflect on your own mistakes?

I didn't do anything!

It's his fault!

Mother, what should I do?

You need to find a way to make him fall in love with you.

You must make him want to marry no other but you.

He has made his rejection very clear!

Make him take back his words.

Yingluo, what are you saying?

Zhaohua.

A marriage can be attained by imperial edict,

but you must rely on yourself to win Lhawang Dorji's heart.

Remember this.

Make him kneel and beg for your forgiveness.

Make him weep and beg for you to marry him.

Me?

Can I?

Our fate may be predetermined, but there's nothing else we can't achieve.

Thank you, Mother. I understand now.

Willful.

Your Majesty.

Zhaohua grew up at the Empress Dowager's side.

She is known by all as the capricious princess.

Your Majesty should be used to her behavior.

I meant you.

You know she wasn't like that

before that incident.

It is the outcome that matters, not the means.

If Lhawang Dorji breaks off the engagement,

Zhaohua will become the laughingstock of the Qing dynasty.

Given her haughtiness,

will she be able to accept that?

She won't.

Nor will you.

By then,

Lhawang Dorji will have to be killed.

It will hurt Your Majesty to do so.

Your Highness, are you really going?

Father appoints Lhawang Dorji as grand minister of the guard.

That is a chance for me.

If I don't make use of it,

I will become the laughingstock of the empire.

So, I must win his heart.

You have never ingratiated yourself with anyone.

I feel aggrieved on your behalf.

I just have to swallow this affront.

Once he is my prince consort,

I'll never let him set foot in my residence.

Lhawang Dorji?

Princess Siwan? Why are you here?

Seventh Princess.

Father fell into a pitfall while hunting.

Thankfully, Prince Chaoyong was passing by and saved his life.

I came to thank him.

I was wondering who was filling his ears with gossip.

So it was you.

Your Highness, how could you say that?

Your Highness,

my lady has meticulously cared for this Pure Heart Cymbidium.

How could you do this?

He is single and I am unmarried.

May he take me as his wife and we shall be inseparable forevermore.

Siwan, is that your pure heart's desire?

Your Highness, this Pure Heart Cymbidium is a rare orchid.

My lady brought this as a gift of thanks.

She didn't have the intentions you implied.

Guards!

Slap her mouth.

-My lady! -What are you doing?

Stay back!

This is merely a thank you gift, nothing more!

You are mistaken!

-My lady! -Mistaken?

-My lady, help me! -Your Highness.

Anyhow, I am a princess. How can you humiliate me in such a way?

Princess Siwan.

You are Prince He's granddaughter.

Prince He and your mother passed away when you were young,

so His Majesty brought you into the palace.

However, you shouldn't forget your place.

You are always vying with Princess.

You even allow your maids to be insubordinate.

Her Highness has already shown you respect by not having her caned to death.

Keep slapping her.

Please stop, Zhaohua.

Let her go!

Spare her!

-Please let her go! -Stop!

Prince Chaoyong!

What happened?

Prince Chaoyong.

I heard your father's consort is fond of orchids.

I have been searching for one since you came to the capital.

Father sent me here to deliver an orchid.

It was merely in thanks for saving his life.

I didn't expect the princess to misunderstand.

Please make a plea for Dingxiang.

She cannot endure any more!

-Continue! -Stop!

Lhawang Dorji!

This is the Office of the Imperial Guard, not Yanxi Palace.

If you insist on punishing her, you'll be asked to leave.

I was planning on having a polite discussion with you.

Are you free right now?

Your Highness should leave.

I heard from Father that

you saved a young deer from a black bear on the hunting grounds a few days ago

and was injured.

I had herbal soup made for you.

I had amicable intentions.

But now, it seems...

That's no longer necessary.

Your Highness, it's all my fault.

Sorry for the trouble.

-It's all right. -Your Highness, don't misunderstand.

Zhaohua and I grew up together.

I know her very well.

She is a bit overbearing

and never allows others to touch her toys or pets.

When she saw me here, she was immediately furious.

She merely has a bad temper.

She doesn't have ill intentions.

If the relationship between the two of you is destroyed because of me,

I will never be able to stop blaming myself.

My lady!

With the way she usually treats you, how can you still defend her?

Dingxiang.

Thank you, my lady.

You should leave as well.

The orchid has been ruined.

I'll have another sent over.

Mother, I want to break off the engagement!

Break off the engagement?

Yes.

I don't want this marriage.

Who does he think he is? I should have dumped him!

I have to break it off!

Zhaohua.

Do you know the history behind Lhawang Dorji's grandfather, Ts'ering,

and Princess Chunque during Kangxi's reign?

No.

The two were betrothed at a young age.

However, while in his prime, Ts'ering secretly married another woman.

They even had two sons.

What happened after?

After?

Only the son he had with Princess Chunque, Tsenggun Jabu,

was named the crown prince.

Tsenggun Jabu's son, Lhawang Dorji, inherited his noble title.

What about his first wife?

Sentenced to death.

Sentenced to death?

What about the two children?

Ts'ering is an intelligent man.

During a war, his two sons were captured as prisoners to force his surrender.

He said,

"My loyalty lies with the princess.

Only the princess's progeny are legitimate heirs.

Even if my two sons are returned to me, I will kill them."

Smart,

yet ruthless.

Ts'ering is a matchless and intrepid general.

His ancestors were generals who defended the empire.

As powerful as he is, he must still yield,

let alone you and Lhawang Dorji.

Mother.

Is this marriage really that important?

Kangxi Emperor had eight princesses,

six of them married the Mongols.

Many became widows at a young age, ultimately dying in a foreign land.

Marrying you to a prince consort who resides in the capital

is the best I can do for you.

Zhaohua, bear this in mind.

No matter how much your father loves you,

his love will never outweigh his duties to the empire,

or the Qing dynasty's traditions.

You must marry Lhawang Dorji.

This is the price you must pay for the past 15 years of wealth and luxury.

Your Highness, the princess is still young.

Your words were a bit harsh.

She's always like a raging fire.

Someone has to douse her with water and wake her up.

Your Highness!

Don't follow me.

Damn!

Damn it!

How pitiful.

It's you.

Everyone says Seventh Princess is egotistical.

I can't believe you're hiding here.

Your Highness, what has made you unhappy?

Perhaps I can help.

Scram.

I'm afraid you'll cry even harder if I leave.

You have such gorgeous eyes.

It'll be a shame if you cry them out.

Was I crying?

Of course not.

All right, stop crying.

If you keep crying,

-I won't have the heart to leave. -You're just like them.

All of you are scoundrels!

Do you mean Lhawang Dorji?

Don't mention his name!

Lhawang Dorji is selfless and upstanding.

-Of course he wouldn't want a bratty wife. -Shut up!

What do you know? Who are you to lecture me?

It's rumored that you defamed your wet nurse.

What do you know?

She repeatedly stole items and divulged gossip about the palace.

If I didn't punish her and she ended up in Mother's hands instead,

then she really would've died.

You had a eunuch caned.

He committed a mistake and was punished by his superior.

He then took out his anger on a dog.

You willfully punished a maid over a trivial matter.

See? You can't explain.

How could the cunning Imperial Noble Consort Ling

have a daughter who is so easy to read?

Your Highness, you fly into a rage at the slightest provocation.

You won't be able to win over Lhawang Dorji like that.

Stand up.

Leave me alone.

Let me help you.

-How? -I'll help you win Lhawang Dorji's heart.

Why are you helping me?

It's your fault.

Your tears have melted my heart.

Fourth Uncle, what brings you here?

Where have you been?

Did you forget?

I'm an imperial bodyguard. I've been serving at the palace.

Have you forgotten how your mother died?

I won't forget.

I will never forget it.

I hope you won't.

Ask His Majesty to let you resign from your post.

Never step foot into the palace again.

I can't.

Fourth Uncle.

I finally have access to the Forbidden City again.

Why would I leave so easily?

What are you planning?

Your Highness, Fuk'anggan is fickle by nature and behaves improperly.

His Majesty doted on him dearly, but still sent him away from the capital.

Do you know why?

His Majesty said he was a fine scholar and soldier

and appointed him as an imperial bodyguard.

However, after less than three months,

he was embroiled in a scandal with a palace maid.

That's why he was forced to leave for a year at a distant post.

A scandal with a palace maid?

Your Highness shouldn't know about such a shameless matter,

but since you asked, I had to say it.

The maid, Xiang'er, was found pregnant with his child.

No matter how much His Majesty wanted to protect Fuk'anggan,

he had to punish him.

If not for His Majesty's respect for Lord Fuca,

he won't be able to return.

Everyone calls him Master Fuca.

They're saying he's lucky to have a second chance.

What's the matter, Your Highness?

Forgive me, Master Fuca!

It's just what I heard.

Since it's the truth,

why should I be afraid of gossip?

Chisu, let's go.

Hold on.

Don't you want to learn how to win Prince Chaoyong's heart?

Can you really help me?

Do you have any other choice?

Then tell me what I should do.

It's simple.

Break off the engagement.

What did you say?

I said...

break off the engagement.

-Break off the engagement? -Yes.

-Weren't you-- -Five years ago,

I became betrothed to you.

I've always been looking forward to become your wife.

Now you're suddenly refusing to marry me.

Of course I would be upset.

I said some unpleasant things in the moment.

I hope you won't mind.

In truth, I have a short temper.

Even Father says I go off like a firecracker.

I should be with the princess.

The princess goes everywhere with an entourage.

It keeps others at a distance.

No man would like such a condescending woman.

Do you understand?

Did I scare you on that day?

I was also at fault.

I should have explained earlier.

No, I was wrong.

It was my fault for thinking too highly of myself.

After that time, I learned how dislikeable I can be.

Frankly, I don't dislike you at all.

Really?

Your Highness, if you speak like this, others won't misunderstand you.

My mother said

for years, Mongolian girls married into the Forbidden City,

and princesses of Qing dynasty married Mongolian princes.

They devote their lives to upholding the Manchu-Mongol friendship.

It will never be destroyed.

So, I agree to breaking off the engagement.

But it must be done slowly, all right?

Thank you, Your Highness.

Just call me Zhaohua.

Your Highness is royalty, while I am the subject.

I dare not be presumptuous.

You can't be my husband,

but your grandmother is from our Aisin Gioro clan.

You are both family and friends.

I'll call you Lhawang Dorji.

You can call me Zhaohua.

All right.

That dratted Fuk'anggan.

His trick really did work.

What a drastic change.

It depends on one's looks.

It works extremely well

when a beautiful woman willingly humbles herself.

This is bad.

Your Highness?

You're here too?

I am with my fiancé.

It's none of your business.

How tactless of me.

I've angered Your Highness again.

I didn't mean to.

I came out for a walk to enjoy the spring scenery.

I didn't expect to bump into the two of you.

Prince Chaoyong, I had an orchid sent to your manor

and received a gift from the princess consort,

which I felt was more than I was entitled to.

-Please help me thank her. -Is that all?

I really don't understand.

What have I ever done to you?

Did I dig up your ancestor's grave in the past life?

You always have to step in when there's something I like.

You always covet what others have.

You must've been a beggar in a past life.

Your Highness, how could you say that?

We are family after all.

Who are you to claim as my family?

At least...

At least we grew up together and are as close as sisters.

Speaking of the status, my father is the Qing Emperor.

Your father is the Duke of Baarin.

They are a master and a servant. How are we a family?

As for the seniority, your mother is my older cousin.

You totally did not qualify for claiming to be my sister.

I have four words for you.

Have you no shame?

Zhaohua, even if Princess Siwan used the wrong term,

your overbearing attitude is unbefitting of your imperial status.

I'm educating my cousin's daughter. Outsiders have no say.

Your Highness, it's all my fault.

I am not eloquent enough,

thus causing Her Highness to misunderstand.

Please do not argue because of me.

Your Highness, I am to blame.

I apologize.

Nauseating.

Zhaohua!

Seventh Princess is arrogant and despotic. She will be abandoned one day.

Do not say such things.

I'm sorry, Your Highness.

Zhaohua and I have always been at odds with each other

even though we grew up together.

The Empress Dowager says she is fire while I am water.

Fire and water will never be compatible.

Every time I wish to explain,

I find myself with my foot in my mouth, leading to even deeper misunderstandings.

I should have stayed away instead of interrupting.

Princess Siwan, this is not your fault.

Goodbye.

It would truly be a waste,

for such a remarkable man to end up with Seventh Princess.

Fuk'anggan, your lousy idea didn't work at all!

Look at yourself.

What do you mean?

The word "wicked" is written all over your face.

You!

In comparison to the gentle and tender Princess Siwan,

you have no redeeming features.

Fuk'anggan!

You're a good-for-nothing prodigal son!

If not for Father's affection for Empress Fuca and Lord Fuca,

you would've lost your head already.

You have no right to lecture me.

Say that again.

Am I wrong?

Did you not get a palace maid pregnant,

and never violate the Forbidden City's rules?

Did you not tarnish the Fuca name?

I have a violent temper and am loathed by everyone.

But at least I admit to being a bad person. Do you?

Fuk'anggan, I don't need you anymore. Get out of my way!

Your Highness, the Emperor bestowed that!

The Empress Dowager gifted that!

This is a lesson arranged by Imperial Noble Consort Ling.

There are only two stitches left and you must turn it in tomorrow.

You used to pull at your hair whenever you are mad,

and nearly lost all the hair on your head.

Imperial Noble Consort Ling said if you do that again,

she won't let the imperial physician give you hair oil.

Just give it up.

It won't be easy to get close to Prince Chaoyong.

My mother said that when there is a will, there is a way.

One day, I'll have Lhawang Dorji begging me on his knees!

The scoundrel Fuk'anggan will also have to kneel!

Yes, you're right.

His Majesty just sent word that he received an elaborate chiming clock.

He invited you for a look.

All right, now. I'll help you dress.

Imperial Guard Fuca,

His Majesty said that if you are here for that matter,

you may keep your thoughts to yourself.

Chief Eunuch Li, please tell His Majesty that

I will not leave until I have his promise.

Fuk'anggan.

I made myself clear when I sent you to Yonghe Temple

to reflect on your errors.

If you dare mention this matter again, you will immediately receive 80 canes.

I accept the punishment.

I only ask that Your Majesty to grant my request.

You shall receive 80 canes first!

Imperial Guard Fuca, His Majesty has always doted on you.

Why must you disobey His Majesty? You are breaking His Majesty's heart.

Apologize and never bring up this matter again.

I will take my punishment.

Look at you.

Very well!

I'd like to see

whether your bones are tougher than the canes.

Father.

What happened?

Begin!

Follow me inside.

Imperial Guard Fuca.

Why are you doing this?

Chief Eunuch Li, what has Imperial Guard Fuca done?

Father.

Isn't there a new chiming clock from the Imperial Household Department?

What's this?

They're not skilled enough to make this.

This is a music box from the West.

Listen.

Father.

What did Fuk'anggan do?

You dislike him, don't you?

I'm just curious.

Everybody knows you dote on him.

What has made you so furious?

Your Majesty, have some tea.

Your Majesty, Imperial Guard Fuca is in the prime of his youth.

He merely succumbed to a moment of impulse.

It will break your heart after he receives 80 canes.

How about...

Ask him to come in.

Do you admit to your mistakes?

I am the only one to blame.

Xiang'er and the baby are innocent.

If Your Majesty must punish someone, I will accept it without complaint.

I only ask that Your Majesty allow them to leave the palace.

Preposterous!

Fuk'anggan, you are guilty of indecent misconduct in the palace.

I have given you many chances,

all for Fuheng's sake.

He died in battle and his merits will be remembered for ages.

But you?

Tell me.

You're openly begging for my forgiveness for an insignificant woman.

I have shown the greatest mercy by sparing their lives.

Yet, you wish to make her your concubine?

Your Majesty.

Xiang'er is critically ill.

The child is malnourished.

You mercifully forgave them.

Can't you save their lives too?

So you can welcome that woman and child into Fuca Manor?

You haven't taken a wife yet.

Yet, you have a concubine and a son,

who have such scandalous identities.

No daughter from a respectable family will want to marry you.

As long as Your Majesty agrees

to let Xiang'er and the child leave the palace,

I will never take a wife.

-Fuk'anggan! -Your Majesty, please have mercy.

Very well.

Fuk'anggan.

You are lost in the error of your ways.

I will let you be!

Father.

Fuk'anggan deserves to be punished for defying you.

But he was right about one thing.

The baby is innocent.

Kill him if you want,

but spare the mother and child.

All right?

This is none of your business.

Father.

Fuk'anggan deserves to die,

but he is a descendant of the Fuca family.

Mother's birthday is coming up.

She has always kept the late Empress's kindness in mind.

If you kill someone at this time,

she will blame you for bringing her bad luck

and be mad at you.

Right?

Father, why don't you be magnanimous and spare them?

All right, Father?

Fine, leave us.

You give me a headache.

Fuk'anggan.

Take the mother and child out of the palace today.

Do not settle them in at your residence or disclose this to the public.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Save it.

Thank your aunt and father instead.

Get out.

Reflect on your actions.