A NETFLIX ORIGINAL SERIES
ADAPTED FROM TIANXIA GUIYUAN'S NOVEL HUANG QUAN
EPISODE 23
THE DECEASED WIFE OF THE GU FAMILY
As a husband,
I couldn't grow old
with my wife.
As a father,
I couldn't raise my child.
I, Gu Yan,
failed to fulfill my duty to you.
I can only avenge you
to appease the hatred in my heart.
Ning Chuan has died.
The both of you
can now rest in peace.
"In July, the weather is hot.
In September, women start making clothes.
Without any clothes, how do I spend the winter?"
Zhu Yin.
Have you already seen how big this world is?
We have avenged your death.
You can now rest in peace.
In our next lifetime...
Let's become sworn sisters.
Zhu Yin.
It would be great if you were my real sister.
Unfortunately, I have no family or relatives.
I don't have such privilege.
Why don't we become sisters
again?
Does it make you happy to laugh at a cripple?
Yes.
I'm very happy.
Does it make you happy to humiliate me?
It makes me very happy.
I wonder why it is that nothing in this entire world
aside from you
makes me happy.
Ning Yi.
You lousy tailor.
Don't forget why my leg is hurt.
One day, I'll make you pay me back double.
Let's see if you can laugh then.
I am relieved.
Looks like we're still enemies.
It's better than being strangers.
Today is Winter Clothing Festival.
I'll have a drink with them.
Come on.
Sit down.
Them?
Ning Qiao.
Now that you've had your revenge and your wish fulfilled,
are you happy?
Yes.
I'm very happy.
"People differ from generation to generation,
but the moon above the river remains the same."
No matter how hard I try
or what I do,
it won't change anything.
Ning Qiao.
Zhu Yin.
Huo Laosan.
They won't come back.
That's why I hope
you will let Shaoning live.
I was saving you.
I was taken by the former Crown Prince as hostage.
Your Highness hurt me to save me.
I understand that.
You still don't understand.
You have to eliminate the weed by its roots.
But this weed's roots
are already entangled. You can't eliminate all of it.
Your Highness, do you understand?
All right.
Don't argue with me today.
You're already a government official.
One day, you'll understand
what I mean.
If you can continue
to keep your heart pure as it is now,
maybe I'll be happy for you.
GRAND SECRETARY YAO YING'S REPORT
FENGYUN PALACE
What happened with Official Xu?
Official Xu wants to spare Chang Hai.
He was in a hurry to see His Majesty.
And he disturbed His Majesty, so he made His Majesty angry.
He won't receive his salary for half a year.
Colonel Qiu.
Chang Hai and Chang Yuan are basically one.
Chang Yuan helped His Majesty become an emperor.
His Majesty treats him like his own brother.
He was even given immunity from death.
How can Chang Hai be killed?
I know all of you want to spare Chang Hai.
Chang Hai is charged with treason.
If we spare him, will there still be any sense of righteousness in the world?
Colonel Qiu.
Does the report in your hand recommend sparing him or otherwise?
This is a serious matter.
How would I dare to provide an opinion?
Whether to kill him or otherwise,
His Majesty has his own judgment.
Regarding what happens to Chang Hai, does it even need to be discussed?
He indulged the former Crown Prince in treason.
His whole family should be executed.
The late Empress and His Majesty
loved each other very much.
Because of that,
His Majesty didn't punish the Chang family.
He is executing only Chang Hai.
You can see how benevolent His Majesty is.
Grand Secretary Yao.
I just made a random comment.
Please don't get mad.
Minister Peng, who doesn't know that you're with Chang Yuan's party?
That's why you must protect Chang Hai.
However, this is how Chang Hai ended up.
Minister Peng.
Think about what to do with yourself.
The former Crown Prince has died.
These people don't have a leader.
They must be living in constant anxiety
and are eager to find a new person to support.
I believe
you should be benevolent
and be like the former Emperor, Wen Wusheng.
Before he became the Emperor,
and after he eliminated the secret Crown Prince,
he collaborated with the well-known scholars
and gathered forces to be next-in-line to the throne.
But I believe
that if my mother's name
is not cleared,
Father will not trust me.
The biggest stumbling block
to clearing my mother's name is the Chang family.
If we want to achieve both of our objectives,
shouldn't we eliminate Duke Chang?
The case of Consort Yan's treason was decided by His Majesty himself.
Since it involved internal affairs, His Majesty gave orders to seal this case
and all the evidence.
If you want to reinvestigate,
it'll be considerably harder compared to Ning Qiao's case.
I believe
he who is capable of great things shouldn't mind a little shame.
One who achieves much shouldn't bother with little.
The Chang family has great power.
To eliminate 1,000 of them, we may lose 800 of our men.
We should use them instead.
Once Your Highness succeeds, then we kill them.
Your Highness just has to endure your hatred for now.
I'm willing to emulate Marquis Jing
and go ahead of you.
Ziyan.
Why don't you wear the clothes I made you?
Dahua is the one who decides what I wear daily.
I can't make the decision.
All right. Then I'm not going to make clothes for you anymore.
How could you do that?
Your Highness, you still have to make clothes for me.
Spare Chang Hai again.
Only two people recommended killing Chang Hai,
Hu Shengshan and Yao Ying.
Chang Hai has become my big worry.
Go.
Get Chang Hai from the prison cell.
-Yes, Your Majesty. -Wait.
Disperse the officials outside.
Xu Baiqing should go home and reflect.
Issue my order.
Ask Prince of Chu, Ning Yi, to come.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Colonel Qiu.
We're both connected to the Chang family.
My words don't count. I can't do anything.
But you're different.
You're an official valued by His Majesty.
I hope you can speak to His Majesty about sparing Chang Hai.
The Emperor gave his order.
Chang Hai's case will be discussed another day.
Xu Baiqing should go home and reflect upon himself.
Everyone, please go home.
I pay respect to Prince of Chu.
To eliminate 1,000 of them, we may lose 800 of our men.
We should use them instead.
Every dog has his day.
You deserve it.
Chief Gu.
You look good.
I believe you'll get promoted soon.
Congratulations in advance.
I hope what Your Highness says comes true,
but I didn't do anything to be promoted.
His Majesty might not allow it.
Chief Gu.
You're always so humble, unlike other officials.
Just because they helped His Majesty become an emperor,
they think they can do whatever they want.
Father has long been fed up.
Luckily, you're thorough and discerning.
You gathered all the evidence.
That's why we could question him today.
That really...
That really brings satisfaction to everyone.
We just did our jobs.
We don't dare claim any merits.
I hereby pay my respects to Father.
You may rise.
I don't have much of an appetite lately.
I miss the tea you make.
I always thought
that you didn't care much about important affairs.
But you're good at weaving and making tea
even without being taught.
You're strange indeed.
I think you're like your mother.
I am a frivolous person.
Father, you manage the empire.
How can I say something about that?
Frivolous, you say.
All right.
Since you made tea for me, I'll allow you to speak your mind.
Let me ask you.
If you were me,
what would you have done
with that person outside?
I don't dare to comment.
If I am charged with defiance,
I might not even be able to go back to Zongzheng Temple.
I absolve you from any charges.
You can tell me.
Then I'll say it.
Actually, you don't need to worry about that person.
Just kill him and be done with it.
-Won't that end your worry? -Kill him?
Kill...
That Chang Hai
can also be considered your uncle.
When you were a kid, he taught you how to read and fight.
Have you become heartless now that you have grown up?
I'm at a loss
after suddenly hearing Father
mention the heart.
Father.
I'm impetuous.
I'm making a wild guess.
Do you want to forgive Chang Hai,
but the law won't permit it?
I can find an excuse for you.
In that case,
I order you to be the Chief Prosecutor
for Chang Hai's case today.
But I'm not a government official.
How can I prosecute a high official?
The imperial sword is here.
Go ahead and prosecute him.
Take care, Father.
Your Highness, Prince of Chu.
Chang Hai is here.
Chief Gu.
Can you let me speak to Duke Chang alone?
Your Highness, I'm worried that--
When His Majesty was leaving,
he said Duke Chang is the late Empress' brother,
who can be considered my uncle.
Why should you worry?
Upon Your Highness' request, I'll take my leave.
Duke Chang.
Father is merciful.
He is keeping the Chang family's meritorious service in mind
and wants to spare you.
But your sin is too grave.
It's unforgivable.
For lack of a better option,
Father asked me to discuss with you
to see if we can find an excuse
so that it won't trouble him, and you can continue living.
What excuse does Your Highness want?
A smart person
asked such a dumb question.
How does one take away the guilt?
With a scapegoat.
If you want to be spared,
you can tell me
who that scapegoat is.
Who
incited you
to commit treason?
What if I tell Your Highness
that no one incited me?
Read it.
"The sinner, Chang Hai, made a confession.
The one who incited the former Crown Prince to commit treason
is Lord of Minhai, Chang Yuan."
Ning Yi.
You're forcing me to blame the innocent.
What is your purpose?
I'm trying to save you.
Furthermore, didn't you do the same
when you handled cases before this?
I'm just giving you a taste of your own medicine.
It doesn't matter whether or not you sign that today.
After you're executed,
I can still use this confession letter
to eliminate the evil leader of the Chang family,
so that the dead can be at peace.
Ning Yi.
I asked you to prosecute Chang Hai.
How could you kill him?
Your Majesty.
I killed Chang Hai
so that you can believe that I'm indeed frivolous.
Doesn't that make you feel relieved?
I'll take my leave.
I, Qiu Shangqi, pay my respect to Princess Shaoning.
Colonel Qiu.
I want to ask you about someone.
Who is it?
Scholar Wei.
I remember he called you Uncle at Qingming Academy.
Do you know that Wei Zhi saved my life at Chengming Palace once?
I should reward him for saving me.
I also want to thank him for that.
However,
I'm not sure how to reward him.
It troubles me.
You should inform His Majesty.
His Majesty will reward him.
Also, how can I help Princess Shaoning?
You only need to tell me
if Wei Zhi's parents are still alive.
Does he have any siblings?
Does he have a wife and children?
Scholar Wei and I are distant relatives.
We live very far from each other.
Please let me check Scholar Wei's family background first.
Please.
Colonel Qiu came out of the blue. I'm sure it's not good news.
Mind your words.
Don't worry. I'll act accordingly.
My uncle always played up to the rich and powerful to promote his stature.
He is probably here to play up to His Majesty's man of the hour.
Greetings, Uncle.
What is so urgent that you came here directly from the palace?
I'm not your uncle.
You're shameless.
When did I ever embarrass you, Uncle?
You're pretending to be a man and are holding a government position.
You are deceiving the Emperor. Do you know that?
I'm here to tell you
that you have three days to resign from your position.
If you don't do that, I'll open the ancestral hall.
I will banish your mother and Feng Hao
from the Qiu household.
You want me to resign after making these small comments.
How did you suddenly become so naive?
-How dare you speak to me that way? -I'm calling you Uncle
because my mother respects you.
Do you think I'm still that Feng Zhiwei who begs for food
at the Qiu household?
You don't know how serious the matter is.
Let's set aside the fact that you're pretending to be a man
and are a government official.
As a girl, you even dared to seduce the Princess.
Be careful. Toying with the royal family
will cost you your life!
"Seduce the Princess"?
WEI RESIDENCE
You eat it.
You'll be happier after eating.
You know I'm unhappy?
Because of your mother.
Have you ever been unhappy because of someone?
No.
They're all dead.
Do you mean people who made you unhappy are dead
or people who can make you unhappy are dead?
They're all dead.
But I want them to live
a good life.
The complications in government surpass that of the world.
So Nanyi's ways are not applicable to scholars.
Then do you have any good ideas?
The only thing we can do is to strike a balance.
Colonel Qiu has comrades.
But he must also have enemies.
My uncle never speaks in absolute terms, leaving room for compromise.
His reputation may not be great,
but you can't really get him for anything major.
He's also a first-level official.
How many people in the government can suppress him?
Actually, you've always known that there was someone
who can easily help you.
I just don't understand why you're unwilling to seek his help.
I don't want to be indebted to him.
You're both in the government now.
He's a prince. You're an official. You'll get a chance to work together.
You'll be able to repay your debt.
But he's ruthless and vengeful.
I'm afraid I'll owe him too much.
I might need to repay him with my life.
His Majesty used you to kill Chang Hai.
How brilliant.
He can't easily do things to Chang Hai.
Chang Yuan is a top official.
He holds the army.
Anything related to the Chang family
would make Father think twice or even thrice.
Your Highness, Wei Zhi is here.
Wei Zhi pays respect to Prince of Chu.
You usually hide from me.
What is it that made you come today?
I have a favor to ask Your Highness.
Knowing your personality,
you wouldn't ask me for a favor even on the brink of death.
Tell me.
What is so important
that you're humbling yourself to ask me for a favor?
My uncle, Qiu Shangqi,
wants to banish my mother and Feng Hao from Qiu Residence.
My mother won't be able to take that humiliation.
Then, how can I help you?
By the way, why should I help you?
Do you still remember what you told me?
I'm here today to give you a chance to return that favor.
I want you to go to East Palace and switch out the wooden figure.
I'm sending you to Qingming Academy to keep an eye on what goes on there.
You have to go whether you like it or not.
You taught me to repay kindness.
Did I say those things?
Why don't I remember?
All right.
I can help you.
I can even help you get fame and fortune.
I don't want fame and fortune.
I just want my mother and Feng Hao to be safe.
I have an excellent idea.
Work for me.
I was wrong about you.
Goodbye.
Are you letting her go just like that?
Go.
Look for the dirt I have
on the former Crown Prince's accomplices.
I want to check them one by one.
I knew it.
You're going to secretly help Feng Zhiwei again.
But I don't understand.
Why do you have to help her?
Who told you I'm helping her?
Correct. You're not helping her.
You're deceiving her.
Someone sent a report about the former Crown Prince's wrongdoings.
The report mentioned that he used Dacheng's Bloody Pagoda
to frame loyal officials,
kill their families, and obtain their wealth.
Over ten plots of land in the capital
were pocketed by the former Crown Prince.
Chang Hai
owned three of such properties.
The value of every one of them
was such that Chang Hai could not afford them
even if he worked for 70 or 80 years.
What's that called?
Corruption and abuse of the law!
The former Crown Prince is now dead.
His accomplices remain.
I don't want to perform slaughter in the palace.
I just want to warn you.
Regardless of what you did in secret,
as long as you return the property titles you pocketed
to the Real Estate Bureau,
I won't hold you responsible.
Another thing.
Duke Chang's position is vacant.
Do you have any candidates in mind?
Father, I want to recommend someone.
Speak.
Major Zuo Liangyuan.
Your Majesty, I recommend him based on merits regardless of affinity.
Zuo Liangyuan is my trusted man.
He has fought battles with me for over ten years.
He is loyal and adept with both the pen and the sword.
I recommend Zuo Liangyuan as well.
Hu Shengshan.
Yes, Your Majesty.
What do you think of Zuo Liangyuan?
Zuo Liangyuan is brave and highly skillful in warfare.
But he's known for being a drunkard.
He has made mistakes a few times due to his drunkenness.
I think it'll be difficult for him to take on such a huge responsibility.
Do you nominate anyone?
I recommend
Chunyu Hong's son, Chunyu Meng.
Like father, like son.
He is the most suitable candidate.
Your Majesty, Chunyu Meng hasn't accomplished anything yet.
He's a newcomer. How can he handle such a huge responsibility?
Please consider carefully.
Ning Yi.
Why are you so indifferent today?
Father, if I make any recommendations,
Ning Sheng would have a lot to say.
Wouldn't that disturb your peace?
I think you should ask Scholar Wei.
Why should I ask him?
Ning Sheng mentioned newcomers earlier.
Scholar Wei is a newcomer.
I believe his recommendation would be fair.
That may minimize the arguments.
All right.
Wei Zhi, any recommendations?
Your Majesty,
I recommend the seventh prince, Ning Qi.
The former Crown Prince is gone.
These officials want me to assign a new heir immediately.
You haven't been in government for long.
But I trust your insight.
Tell me your thoughts.
Your Majesty, I'm in awe of you.
I don't dare comment on the royal sons.
This is not the palace.
It's just a casual conversation between us.
I absolve you from any charges.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
Prince of Yan handles matters carefully.
Ning Ji is young.
He hasn't been involved in official matters.
Prince of Chu is decisive
and is exceedingly brave and insightful.
However...
Scholar Wei, His Majesty asked you
to come up with a plan,
not to make judgments regarding the royal sons.
Your Majesty.
I heard someone mention the seventh prince
who is currently guarding the border.
The seventh prince, Ning Qi?
What a coincidence.
He just sent me a report a few days ago.
In that case,
why doesn't Your Majesty ask him to return to the capital?
With the current situation,
if I ask him to come back myself,
those officials will think that I want to support Ning Qi
and suck up to him.
Won't that harm him then?
I'm willing to assist Your Majesty.
Ning Qi?
Ning Qi has been at the border since he was a kid.
He doesn't understand government affairs.
I must consider whether he can handle this responsibility.
Father, your concern is valid.
Ning Qi left the capital many years ago.
He's unfamiliar with many things.
He might hold up military affairs.
What do you think, Prince of Chu?
Father, I think it's a great idea.
Ning Qi has merits guarding the border.
He can lead the army.
Furthermore,
you should also let him come back to be filial to you.
You just reminded me.
Ning Qi has been guarding the border for over ten years.
It's time for him to come back
and live in the capital with me.
I order Ning Qi to come back to the capital immediately.
-Take care, Your Majesty. -Take care, Your Majesty.
Why did Your Highness do that earlier?
You mentioned that I also am a newcomer.
If you have advice to give, why not say it directly?
Scholar Wei, you're very smart.
Why do you need me to advise you?
You and I just followed Father's wishes.
As His Majesty's official,
part of my job is to follow His Majesty's wishes.
But if Your Highness didn't mention me, His Majesty wouldn't have thought of me.
I didn't have to take the lead.
Actually,
I was doing it for you.
I wanted you to stand out.
I never expected to get blamed for it.
I feel so distressed.
Your Highness is toying with me, so that I'll be in danger
and have no choice but to get a strong supporter.
How promising.
Your Majesty.
How could you go to that shabby place?
If Your Majesty wants to see Lady Wang,
I can ask her to come see you.
I can't remember what she looks like.
But I remember
that she was Noble Consort Chang's embroiderer.
I remember.
Your Majesty saw how lively the peonies were on Noble Consort Chang's clothes.
That's how you met Lady Wang.
Lady Wang was pretty
and had lovely eyes.
It was love at first sight for Your Majesty.
Your Majesty favored her and she got pregnant.
After Lady Wang delivered Ning Qi,
Noble Consort Chang arranged for her to be settled down in the palace.
Subtitle translation by Coleen Chua