Original subtitles

Subtitles brought to you by The Gentle Empress Team @ Viki.

Watching the person in the mirror's countenance pale and grow haggard,

Examining love together with regret, both new and old.

Keeping watch still by a lantern though it is daybreak, drenched with tears,

Watching others meet as promised, as twilight falls.

Story of Yanxi Palace Episode 25

If not because His Majesty kept suppressing it,

I don't know how huge this matter could have escalated.

Empress Dowager...

Empress Dowager, I beg you to save Hongzhou.

I beg you to save Hongzhou.

Rise quickly.

Hongzhou was sickly since he was little,

but he's especially close to his royal brother.

Every time he had some delicious food or fun games,

he would remember to share them with him.

In his heart, the words "royal brother"

are more important than I am.

Even if Hongzhou indeed did something very bad,

may Empress Dowager and His Majesty consider the past

and spare him!

Hurry and assist your mistress up first.

It's not that I don't want to help you.

The public is now watching closely and there are rumors spreading everywhere.

Even His Majesty is being pressured by the Imperial relatives.

He's really in a difficult spot.

Your Majesty, you usually are very resolute.

How come only towards Prince He of the First Rank...

Forgive me for being talkative. I know that you have a benevolent heart.

But this matter of Prince He of the First Rank has incited public rage. If he doesn't get severely punished,

I fear that we won't be able to silence the critics.

It's all his fault for being usually too arrogant.

He has offended so many people.

Even if I want to save him,

I must rethink it many times.

Your Majesty, I actually have an idea.

What idea?

No one personally saw

Prince He of the First Rank committing this absurd act.

If...we secretly...

handle Wei Yingluo,

you then delay this matter for three to five years,

once the scandal has passed, no one will remember this case.

Would Prince He of the First Rank not be fine then?

You're asking me to execute Wei Yingluo?

Your Majesty, this idea is indeed a bit sinister but effective.

Get lost!

Yes.

Yingluo!

Imperial Consort Dowager Yu wants to see you.

Imperial Consort Dowager Yu, what are you doing?

Miss Yingluo, I went to the Prince He of the First Rank Manor earlier.

I already know all the story behind this case.

It was Hongzhou who did wrong.

As his mother,

I apologize in his behalf.

A person should take responsibility for his own actions. This has nothing to do with Your Highness.

Hongzhou is my biological son.

He makes mistakes because I didn't discipline him strictly.

Now, he's unconscious from shock

and is gravely ill. The Imperial physician said

that this illness will reduce ten years from his lifespan.

I know that these ten years of life won't be able to pay for A'Man's life.

Even more so, it's not enough to eliminate your hatred towards him.

But I beg you, whatever hatred or grudges,

just let me pay for it. I beg you to let him go.

As long as you're willing to forgive him,

I can agree to any conditions of yours.

No!

Her Highness the Empress guaranteed my testimony in front of His Majesty.

If I retract it now,

what kind of person will I make Her Highness the Empress look like then?

Wei Yingluo, you're just a lowly palace maid.

With the status of Imperial Consort Dowager, she still is kneeling before you now.

Don't push it too much.

All mistakes in the world can be forgiven,

only a human life can't be repaid. If you want me to forgive Hongzhou,

resurrect my sister first.

You...

Enough. Bailing, don't blame her.

I came this time

just to exert whatever effort I can and leave the rest to heaven.

For Hongzhou to end up in this state

is not someone else's fault.

Miss Yingluo, sorry to have disturbed you.

Respectfully sending off Imperial Consort Dowager Yu.

Doctor Ye!

Doctor Ye!

Doctor Ye!

Doctor Ye!

I came to return you the medicine pestle.

Doctor Ye!

Stop right there!

It's me.

Hateful!

I already told you not act recklessly.

You just won't listen. Do you know that you almost died earlier?

I...

You're worried that Hongzhou will silence me, so you stopped me from investigating the real culprit?

Hongzhou is severely ill and currently unconscious. How can he have you killed?

The person trying to kill me today

isn't Hongzhou?

I've already told you many times that Hongzhou is indeed absurd,

but he never killed anyone. Your sister's death

was really not his doing.

Could it be His Majesty is trying to silence me

to protect his biological brother?

Before, I'd also guessed that possibility.

Just to preserve the reputation of Hongzhou,

he might have eliminated the victim A'Man.

For His Majesty, this doesn't count as murder.

It's just lightly brushing away some dirt.

If it's really His Majesty, you will never be able to seek vengeance.

I'd rather that you don't know anything, so you can be safe.

If the Empress didn't come that day, His Majesty would indeed have killed me to vent his anger!

No. The matter today proves that everything has nothing to do with His Majesty.

He's the Emperor of the Qing Empire.

If he wants your life, he could just give instructions

to secretly execute you. Why would he still resort to such a huge ruckus?

If it's not the Emperor,

then there's only one person left.

Let's quickly save Doctor Ye!

Your Majesty, Imperial Consort Dowager Yu sent her servant to deliver some water lily snacks.

I heard that Imperial Consort Dowager went to Jinshui River early this morning to pick some water lilies.

She then sent them to the Imperial Kitchen to make this snack.

Empress Dowager said that this is your favorite snack when you're little.

Imperial Consort Dowager Yu then sent her servant to bring some here.

I think...she has an ulterior motive.

Hongli, you and Hongzhou entered the palace to accompany Royal Grandfather.

Although you're able to earn his favor, you got separated from your family.

Second Madam misses you a lot. Hence,

she especially asked me to bring you your favorite water lily snack.

This...my mother made me these?

Third Brother, thank you.

Have a taste. It's still hot.

Give me one! I want to eat one!

Hongzhou!

Third Brother was petty, thus Royal Father didn't like him.

He feared that the biased love of Royal Father toward me would affect the fight for the future Crown Prince position,

so he thought of making the first move of eliminating the obstacle, which was me, to gain the upper hand.

If not because Hongzhou was naughty, I'm afraid I would have eaten that water lily snack.

Afterwards, although Hongzhou was able to be revived,

his health drastically deteriorated.

This move by Imperial Consort Dowager Yu...is to remind me to never forget

that I owe Hongzhou a life.

[ Ice ]

- What is this?- Ice delivered by the Imperial Household Department.

It indeed feels a bit cooler.

Summer came quite early this year. Your Highness has also been afraid of heat.

I was even worried that the Imperial Household Department would drag in their work.

Never thought that this time, they were quite fast.

Later, once we open and fan it,

the cool wind produced will surely be more comfortable.

Oh, right. Have you delivered the snacks to Yangxin Palace as I instructed you?

Imperial Consort Dowager, don't worry. I sent them early this morning.

This is so delicious!

Wei Yingluo, you are getting bolder.

You're now meddling with my affairs.

Your Highness, although watermelon juice is good,

it's a cold item.

You really can't drink another cup.

I'm ordering you to pour me one more cup.

I'm just following the instructions of Doctor Ye.

As long as it's for your good, I'm willing to get punished.

- Wei Yingluo!- Your Highness, please calm down.

- So lively.- You're getting more and more—

Greetings, Your Majesty.

The weather is really too hot.

Oh, right. I remember that you're afraid of extreme heat the most.

I especially asked them to deliver you some ice. Do you feel better?

Thank you for your care, Your Majesty.

But this year, Yingluo came up with a good idea.

It's very useful.

What is this thing? What's new about it?

Your Majesty, this is an ice mirror. Yingluo.

Yes.

What's wrong?

What is that?

What should we do!

What's the lead paint for?

Replying to Your Majesty, it can block off the external heat and preserve the temperature inside the box.

Because of this, if you want to eat a cool fruit or drink, it will be much easier.

Li Yu! Tell the Imperial Household Department to make two of these and send to Yangxin Palace.

And then send another one to Empress Dowager.

Yes.

Oh, right, Empress, I still want to tell you one thing.

What is it?

After two Imperial physicians have examined Prince He of First Rank, they concluded that he's severely ill

and needs to recuperate in peace.

I can only wait for him to fully recover before dealing with him.

His Majesty, by doing this, you will need to endure the pressure from your Imperial relatives,

and suppress the different criticisms against him.

You are so magnanimous towards Prince He of the First Rank.

Hope that he can mend his ways and cherish your grace.

Prince He of the First Rank is my biological brother.

No matter what mistake he commits, I must be the one to personally sentence him.

I also will not allow anyone to do it...on my behalf.

Mingyu. Have you prepared the ice bowl that Her Highness the Empress keeps asking for?

Soon. Soon. I'll be done soon.

Why didn't you use honeyed peach or melon in this bowl?

What do you know? His Majesty loves to have iced grape bowl every peak summer.

This is just my first year in the palace. Of course, I don't know that.

If you don't know, then move aside. Don't block my way.

How would I know that it must be grape?

Chief Steward Li!

Miss Yingluo, why are you running in such a hurry?

Does Her Highness the Empress have any instructions?

No. It's because I had two ice containers made.

One is being used by Changchun Palace now. Yangxin Palace doesn't need to have another one made.

He can just have a ready-made one. I've even cooled the fruits already.

Okay... Thank you...

- Quickly carry it here. - Miss Yingluo, you really do things so thoroughly.

No wonder Her Highness the Empress dotes on you so much.

Slowly.

Lift it well!

Your Majesty, what's wrong?

The commode...the commode!

Send in the commode!

Send in the commode!

Coming.

Li Yu! The commode! The commode!

Commode! Commode!

Desheng! Desheng!

Chief Steward Li, what's going on with His Majesty? He has called for the commode five times just this afternoon.

Quickly call the Imperial physician!

Li Yu! Li Yu!

The commode! The commode!

Is it calling for the commode or the Imperial physician?

Send in the commode! Wrong... Send for them both!

Okay...

- You... - Sorry... - Move! Move!

[ Imperial Medical Academy ]

Say, Doctor Ye, how could you complain to His Majesty about us?

- I didn't say anything.- You still say you didn't.

His Majesty harshly scolded the Imperial physicians of the Imperial Medical Academy.

Saying that they are envious of other capable people, unable to bear important responsibilities.

He ordered me to discipline them well.

Tell me, if it wasn't you who told him things, who did?

Hey, Medical Investigator Zhang, don't falsely accuse me.

There are so many people coming in and out of the palace.

Maybe it's someone who wasn't able to control his tongue and got heard by His Majesty.

- I swear that I didn't tell His Majesty even a word.- Then...

Forget it. Starting tomorrow, you can have a regular duty shift like other Imperial physicians.

- Really?-It's true. It's more real than a pearl.

Thank you then, Medical Investigator Zhang.

Quickly come with me! His Majesty...

If there's any problem, say it slowly. What's going on?

- His Majesty is having a stomach upset. Why do you have say so much crap? Quickly come with me!- Okay...

Out of nothing, why would His Majesty suddenly have abdominal pain?

Doctor Ye.

Miss Yingluo, you are so full of ideas.

I didn't say anything, but His Majesty was able to guess it and the matter has been settled.

- I came today to see you for an important matter.- Say it then.

Her Highness the Empress has became healthier by following your nourishing method.

But during the summer, Her Highness lusts for cold things, and loves to eat cold fruits.

She must not. Didn't I already tell you

not to allow Her Highness to take in too many cold fruits? Especially cold grapes.

In this palace, everyone loves to drink tea.

Grapes help in defecating and proper bowel movement.

If you drink a lot of tea afterward with those two mixing together, one would have diarrhea.

Doctor Ye, don't worry. I followed your order and kept hindering her.

But Her Highness keeps saying that it's hot.

Is there any other method to relieve the heat?

Why don't I get you some tangerine peel?

Make a tea for Her Highness to take.

It nurses one's energy and stomach, and even avoids the heat. It's the best remedy.

- Thank you, Doctor Ye.- You're welcome.

What's wrong?

Yangxin Palace also must have tea every day.

Maybe His Majesty also got afflicted by that.

No, I must remind Eunuch Li about it next time.

No, why are you laughing?

Did I say anything wrong?

Nothing! Doctor Ye, Her Highness is still waiting for me to get back.

Quickly hand me the tangerine peel.

Okay... Wait for me. I'll get it for you.

You're really not going to Changchun Garden Park anymore?

They say that when illness comes, it's like a collapsing mountain. When illness goes, it's like spinning silk.

After Hongzhou had this illness, he seems to have lost half his life.

I really am very worried. Hence, I should just stay behind and keep him company.

Hope Hongzhou can remember this benevolent maternal heart of yours.

Empress Dowager, Hongzhou already regretted his actions a lot.

If not because he couldn't get up from his bed, he would have entered the palace and asked for punishment.

His Majesty has repeatedly defended Hongzhou

in consideration of their sibling relationship.

His relationship with the Imperial relatives right now is quite strained.

While this scandal hasn't passed, just let Hongzhou recuperate in peace at home.

He shouldn't come into the palace for now.

Empress Dowager, Hongzhou, he...

His Majesty is so filial.

He ordered the Imperial Household Department to make an ice mirror and had it delivered here.

It was quite convenient.

If you are interested, let's go have a look.

Empress Dowager, I...

Imperial Consort Dowager Yu, His Majesty already shown extreme benevolence and utmost duty towards Hongzhou.

Empress Dowager, don't get mad. Don't harm your health.

From now on, I surely will strictly keep watch over Hongzhou.

I won't let him commit any more mistakes.

Okay already. I'm tired. You go back first.

I...

It's all that bitch's fault, causing Hongzhou to get so sick.

Now, even Empress Dowager has rejected us with disdain.

Imperial Consort Dowager, Wei Yingluo is very good at flattery.

She was able to amuse Her Highness the Empress to be so kind to her and even personally vouched for her words.

I heard that ice mirror was improved by her to earn the favor of her mistress.

It even became a trend here in the Forbidden City.

Now, all palaces have instructed the Imperial Household Department to quickly make them one.

She's really smart and quick-witted.

Bailing, let's go to Changchun Palace.

What Your Highness means to do is...

Bitch.

What did you say? Shoukang Palace sent a servant to call Yingluo?

Yes.

You clearly know that Imperial Consort Dowager Yu is blaming Yingluo for the incident with Prince He of the First Rank.

Why did you still let her go?

Imperial Consort Dowager Yu already gave instructions beforehand

that she's asking Yingluo to go there and guide the palace maids on how to use the ice mirror.

This request is very reasonable. How could I refuse it?

Your Highness, if you really go, Yingluo will then indeed be unable to return.

Why do you say so?

Imperial Consort Dowager Yu has been accompanying Empress Dowager in Shoukang Palace for so many years,

and is the birth mother of Prince He of the First Rank.

She's very respected here in the palace.

If you go, isn't that openly slapping her face?

Initially she just wanted to vent her anger.

She didn't want the scandal committed by Prince He of the First Rank to get exposed.

If you pressure her too much, she might not care about anything anymore.

By then, Empress Dowager will surely vent her anger on Yingluo.

Your Highness, Yingluo is smart and quick-witted. She surely have a plan.

She will come back safely.

I hope so.

There is a small hole below

where the melted ice water can successfully flow out.

Place a basin on the side. The ice water can decrease the temperature of the whole room.

Just to earn the favor of your mistress, you really have exerted a lot of efforts.

Imperial Consort Dowager Yu, I'm done explaining the use of the ice mirror.

I'll take my leave now.

Imperial Consort Dowager...

Imperial Consort Dowager Yu, what are you doing?

I instead want to ask you what's the meaning of that hand?

Everyone knows that you are a devout Buddhist.

You don't even go to the Imperial Garden during the summer

because you're afraid to step on an ant.

But who knew that behind this benevolent face of yours

hides a jackal-like heart.

Not only did you kill my sister,

you even want to kill me to vent your anger.

I only sent the gift you gave me back to its owner!

A bunch of rubbish. You dare slander Imperial Consort Dowager Yu!

Whether it's just a bunch of rubbish, only Imperial Consort Dowager Yu knows it in her heart.

This servant is muddled. Wake her up.

What are you doing?

Imperial Consort Dowager Yu!

Let me go!

Correct. I was indeed the one who killed your sister.

She wanted to seduce Hongzhou. She was a bitch!

She deserved to die.

It's Hongzhou who was a pervert!

You instead blamed it on my sister and even killed her.

It's you people who are turning the truth upside down!

There are so many women wanting to climb up a tree to become a phoenix. (T/N climb up the social ladder)

Are we going to blame the Chinese parasol tree for having high branches?

It's all because of baoyi bitches like you

who climb into a man's bed that caused Hongzhou to be in his current pitiful state.

Let me tell you...that I had you come today just to tell you one thing.

Listen well.

You're currently a favored servant of the Empress.

Also a loyal servant that attended to His Majesty when he was sick.

I won't openly kill you.

But don't forget, Wei Qingtai is currently a manager in the Imperial Household Department.

Just one word from me and he'll leave Forbidden City horizontally! (T/N dead, carried out)

From now on, you had better keep your tail between your legs.

Don't offend me again.

If you dare to offend me again,

not only will your head fall,

your whole Wei family must die with you!

Get lost!

Even if she has firm bones,

I will pull them off, one by one.

Be careful!

Those are top grade materials for awnings. Don't damage them.

Quickly go!

The window screen! Where are the window screens?

Chief Steward Wu, I've already went to the Embroidery House to rush it.

The embroidery maids are too busy and couldn't finish them.

Then do it overnight. Quickly go and rush them again.

Miss Yingluo.

- Chief Steward Wu.- What happened to your face?

Excuse me, Chief Steward Wu. I'm rushing to go back to Changchun Palace.

Hey, Chief Steward Wu, by the way she looks, she must be aggrieved.

Don't they say that Imperial Consort Dowager Yu is the most benevolent mistress?

She also knows to make things hard on the servants?

When working in the palace, it's like a chicken eating fireflies.

Make your heart bright and your mouth tightly shut.

- I understand.- Go back to work.

- Just a bit more.- Indeed.

One more time.

Don't rush.

- You all try it.- You do it.

Yingluo! You're back.

Yingluo.

- Come.- Here.

What are you all playing?

Have you forgotten? Today is the seventh day of the seventh month, the Daughter's Day. (T/N Qixi Festival)

We're playing "begging for skills".

That's right. Placing a needle on the water.

If the sun can pass through its eye, the Weaver Girl will then bless you with clever hands.

Let me try.

Annoying.

See? Even the Weaver Girl is laughing at you for being poor at women's crafts.

Saying that you're a little wooden club.

You're the little wooden club. I'm just careless.

I won't tease you anymore.

Hey, Yingluo. You have the most clever hands among us. You give it a try.

That's right, Yingluo. Quickly try it!

It was indeed I who killed your sister.

She wanted to seduce Hongzhou. She's a bitch.

She deserved to die.

She even was from the Embroidery House.

- I think she's worse than I am.- That's right!

Let me give it one more try.

It's fine. Give it another try.

Yingluo, do it slowly.

You surely will succeed.

Wei QIngtai is currently a manager of the Imperial Household Department.

You must know that just one word from me, he'll leave this place horizontally.

Your hand...keeps trembling.

I'm fine. Let me try it one more time.

Yingluo, this is just a game. We all didn't succeed.

- She just has to be the best at everything. She won't even let a game off.- Mingyu.

Let me try again.

Enough... You go play by yourself.

We're walking, we're walking. Let's go...

From now on, don't offend me again.

You had better put your tail behind your legs.

If you dare offend me again,

not only will your head fall,

your whole Wei Clan must die with you!

She's been like this since she came back from Shoukang Palace?

Yes. Don't know what trauma she encountered.

It's just a game. It's fine to fail.

But she keeps practicing. It's been six or eight hours already.

The sun is about to set.

Yingluo has a strong personality. She never shows any weakness.

For her to be this anxious,

she must have encountered a huge problem.

How come the killer gets to escape punishment,

while the victim gets trampled upon?

They are really bullying people intolerably.

Yingluo!

Your Highness the Empress.

If you give too much importance on your gains and losses, how can you win?

Sometimes a man's determination in conquering nature is the right course.

If on the path you're walking

you encounter a huge hindrance

making you unable to continue forward,

don't just keep thinking of your goal.

Try calming yourself down.

Focus your attention and do your task well.

Maybe there will be a moment when the willow tree gives shade, the flower gives light.

Yingluo, I know that you are a very competitive person.

But I want you to remember

that not everything will go one's way.

As long as you're human, you will have failures.

Hence, you must learn to wait patiently.

Up to when must I wait?

Wait until your heart is strong enough.

Wait until one day, you're not anymore being restricted by anyone.

Wait for the right time, topography, and people connection.

What are you doing?

A fragrance pouch given by the girl you like. You don't want it?

This wasn't from her.

How did you know?

She's one of the best embroidery maids of the Embroidery House.

How could she sew an orchid into a chive?

No way. Her handwork is quite unique.

Also, it's very fragrant. You really don't want it?

There hasn't been anyone who gave me a fragrance pouch. I'll accept this then.

Hailancha! Quickly remove that.

Why?

If this fragrance pouch was really given to me by someone,

I can refuse her feelings,

but I can't give it to others.

That is belittling her.

I don't care.

Once it reaches my hand, there's no more return.

Hailancha!

Will Imperial Guard Fuca like it?

How come that fragrance pouch is with you?

Someone gifted it.

Just with your looks, who would gift you a fragrance pouch? Stop daydreaming!

Wow! How come you talk like that?

I'm tall, handsome, and fight well. It's just normal for me to have an adoring fan.

Who adores you? Return the fragrance pouch to me!

You're so unreasonable.

This was given to me, so it's mine. Why must I give it to you?

- That's a fragrance pouch that I sewed! Give it back to me!- Don't get physical!

- Return it to me!- I'm not touching you, but you got physical first.

Don't go overboard!

What's wrong?

My hand...

I have such thick skin. Hitting me would only feel like tickling for me.

Look at you, why must you exert so much effort? You harmed your wrist instead.

Why did you steal my fragrance pouch?

How is this stealing?

Fuheng didn't want it so he gave it to me. I then put it on.

So unreasonable. You just charged toward me and started hitting me.

Hey, don't cry. You mustn't cry.

Why are you like this? You were very fierce earlier.

Now, you just suddenly changed. I didn't do anything.

It's your bone that was too weak, so you hurt yourself.

The fragrance pouch! You don't want the fragrance pouch anymore?

Your bones are so soft. Remember to have it look at by a doctor!

Wei Yingluo, I clearly liked Imperial Guard Fuca first.

What right do you have to climb up first?

If you saw a piece of jewelry you liked in a jewelry store

but didn't reserve it and it got bought by someone else,

can you then go to that person's house and ask for it?

You're being unreasonable. He clearly is a person,

not an item.

You also know that he's a person.

That is he has his own likes.

If he likes me, what can I do?

If not because you were shameless and actively seduced him,

would he still like you?

Subtitles brought to you by The Gentle Empress Team @ Viki.

♫Softly falling into the hollow of my palm,♫

♫Resting frozen in the center of my palm.♫

♫Our meeting across past incarnations was inevitable,♫

♫Joined together, deeply experiencing and holding onto the end of happiness.♫

♫Though plainly given words of discouragement,♫

♫Pretending to hear nothing but exhortation.♫

♫ Endless tears, believing it cannot be true,♫

♫ In this life, being born under an unlucky star.♫

♫ Though I close my eyes, it's impossible to stop the vision.♫

♫ Nothing you can do about being approached, not being inconsistent in love,♫

♫ Though merely holding onto it from the outside, prone to this sort of circumstance.♫

♫ I hear the sound of the snow slowly falling♫

♫ As though you are holding me closely, and speaking sweetly.♫

♫ Opening your eyes to a sky filled with merciless snow falling,♫

♫ Who, after suffering this loss for a lifetime, is fond of this scene?♫