A NETFLIX ORIGINAL SERIES
ADAPTED FROM TIANXIA GUIYUAN'S NOVEL HUANG QUAN
EPISODE 41
Hello, Mother.
Ning Qi.
Mother,
I have something for you.
Please come with me.
Ning Qi, I saw the same hairpin at Noble Consort Chang's palace.
I knew that you liked it,
so I had them make a similar one.
In the past, you always worried about people gossiping,
so you didn't dress up.
Now, your rank is ascended.
You should dress accordingly.
It looks wonderful on you.
Mother...
You've always been a good son.
But what the Emperor values the most
is our unwavering loyalty to him.
If we dote upon these luxurious treasures,
how are we different from the Changs?
Mother,
we deserve this.
Why are you so concerned?
The Chang sisters used to be the most adored in the harem.
They were loved much more than I was,
yet, their lives ended tragically.
We do not have a prestigious background.
What will happen to us?
Listen to me.
Go back to the border.
Be a prince without heavy duties.
-That way, I can-- -Mother, say no more.
The day I came back,
I decided that
I would never leave your side.
I would rather die fighting
than compromise and live long.
Failure
only costs a man's life.
It's better
than being tortured for a lifetime.
I'll take my leave, Mother.
Ning Yi pays respect to Father.
What do you need of me?
Ning Yi, I've been thinking.
The Chen Shao incident has long passed.
The Ministry of Justice is back on track.
Have you thought of stepping down as the Head of the Censorate?
The title might bring you down.
I will do whatever you wish.
You're very filial nowadays.
Then you don't know me well enough, Father.
I've never been filial as a child.
Now that I'm all grown up, I'm still the same.
Father,
could you give me another options?
You need to be grateful for what I give you.
For what I take from you, you must also be grateful.
Thank you, Father,
for using me as the bow and discarding me once you shot the bird.
Congratulations, Your Majesty.
What is it?
Wei Zhi has brought
Yan Huaishi from the Yan family to see you, Your Majesty.
He said that they brought a map of the location of the Minhai pirates.
Please take a look.
MINHAI
Is this true?
-Call them in. -Yes, Your Majesty.
Wei Zhi, you may come in.
Wei Zhi pays respect to Your Majesty.
Yan Huaishi pays respect Your Majesty.
You may rise.
Wei Zhi,
where did you get this map?
Could you allow Yan Huaishi from the Yan family to explain?
I'll allow it.
Your Majesty,
my family had many people and resources
work on this map while we did business on the seas.
It shows the areas controlled by all the Minhai pirates.
Lord of Minhai!
That Chang Yuan!
Ning Yi, come look.
There aren't many areas, yet he didn't get rid of them during all these years.
Do you have a plan?
Father, Lord of Minhai is disloyal
not only in his efforts to eliminate the pirates.
I think since Wei Zhi brought this map to you,
he must have a plan.
Maybe you should hear it.
Wei Zhi.
Your Majesty,
the prestigious families in Minhai
have been harassed by the pirates, which has caused great trouble.
If you are determined to get rid of them,
you should send an official to Minhai as a contact
to let these families see your determination.
I believe that with the power of these families,
they will be able to get rid of the pirates together
without requiring resources from the palace.
You know me well, Wei Zhi.
Still, I need to think about whom I should send.
I'll consider it.
You may leave.
I'll take my leave, Your Majesty.
Prince of Chu.
Father.
You will continue to be the Head of the Censorate.
Understood, Father.
There's one thing
that you're very good at.
You're very pretentious.
Incredibly pretentious.
Too pretentious.
You're doing this to ask of something, aren't you?
I don't even use my real name.
Of course, I'm very pretentious.
How dare you, Wei Zhi?
Let me remind you,
you're pushing your luck here.
Tell me. What do you want?
Since you're asking, Your Highness, I'll have to tell you the truth.
But promise me
you won't get mad and yell at me.
You sound like
I often yell at you and you're afraid of my anger.
All right.
Was that real or pretentious?
Pretentious.
Why do I think that it was real?
You're afraid.
You're afraid of the struggle of the royal power.
Like starved demons fighting for food.
You're running away, aren't you?
I'm afraid too.
I don't know if one day,
I'll become one of those starved demons.
I don't know
who will help me
when that day comes.
You should go. The farther, the better.
Leave this treacherous palace.
You are like a starving demon,
yet you are Zhong Kui as well.
However,
I'm just a normal human being.
It's better for me to watch you from afar instead of being by your side.
Please allow me to leave.
You're very vengeful, Your Highness.
Let go. Let...
Ning Yi, you and I are not done.
You're leaving,
so I had to get even.
He has good teeth.
I, Ning Qi, will receive the order.
Leave now.
Why should they leave?
I want to see more.
Keep dancing.
What Ziyan wants is what I want.
Continue.
I'm glad you think of me as your closest friend.
I'll drink to that.
Dear closest friend,
do you know what I'm thinking about now?
Weakening local powers.
Father has his mind set.
We need to send a person to inform His Majesty about the plan.
Lord of Minhai has a big family.
He has 17 sons and nephews.
But he trusts his eldest son, Chang Zhongyi, the most.
I'm willing to go and persuade His Majesty
to spread his grace and grant titles to the Chang children.
They will receive land in Minhai.
Titles...
What's important is dividing up the land.
That's a good idea.
Zhufu Yan did it before.
It'll make Lord of Minhai mad,
but unable to refuse.
Good.
Who cares if he's mad?
As for Chang Zhongyi...
His name means loyal and righteous, but he isn't.
We should have him come to the capital
and be loyal and righteous to Father.
But we need to think of a good reason to transfer him back,
or Lord of Minhai will be suspicious.
Leave now.
Father has the idea of finding a husband for Shaoning.
Shaoning is from the Chang family.
It's reasonable for Chang Zhongyi to come back for her.
Should I send these dancers to Dahua at your house?
No need.
How about two?
No, Your Highness, that was a good plan.
You're getting smarter.
I'll go see the Emperor tomorrow.
No need.
Why couldn't I come up with that idea?
Thank you.
You're getting smarter and smarter.
Soon, you won't even need me.
I am.
I really am getting smarter.
Ning Qi pays respect to Father.
You may rise.
Thank you, Father.
Did you go see your mother?
I did, a few days ago.
Mother is grateful to you, Your Majesty.
She always tells me to be responsible and a good son to you.
Father, how about I make some tea for you myself?
I can serve you.
What do you think?
Sounds good.
I'll try Ning Qi's tea.
Ever since I came back to the capital,
I've been fascinated by how complicated tea is.
When I was at the border,
we would just crush the tea leaves, put them in a bowl,
and pour in hot water.
One time, Mother mentioned what you like,
which is how I found out that you like to drink tea.
I started learning more about it.
Excuse my clumsiness.
Please forgive me, Father.
It's not your fault.
I sent you to the border
when you were just a child.
It's been more than a decade.
I hope you don't resent me.
Father,
I've never resented you.
Whether I stay here in the capital to serve you by your side
or go out there to protect the border and make sure that Tiansheng is safe,
I am forever grateful to you, Father.
Father.
Please have this tea.
I'm not skilled enough.
Please forgive me, Father.
If you had another chance,
would you have chosen to stay here,
or go back to the border?
I would've chosen
to stay in the capital.
I want to stay here
so that I can be by your side and serve you all the time.
I want to be a good son.
I want to learn things from you in the palace
so that I can do whatever I can to help you expand Tiansheng's territory
and make sure Tiansheng will last for many years.
Yet, I know that excess is just as bad as deficiency.
It's just like the art of making tea.
The amount of water, tea leaves,
and the process of brewing tea
all have to be done very carefully.
This is what I have realized while learning about tea.
I would never be like my brothers and go against you, Father.
I am more than willing
to be one of your pawns, Father.
I would sacrifice my life for you.
How about this?
Starting tomorrow,
I'll let you go to the Chancellery
to read all Court papers.
Learn as much as you can.
Thank you, Father.
Wei Zhi.
-Stop right there. -Your Highness.
Why are you always avoiding me?
Your Highness, I wouldn't dare.
I didn't see you coming.
I was busy thinking about what His Majesty ordered me to do.
-I-- -Stop making things up.
Your Highness, I wouldn't dare.
I really have things to do.
Please forgive me, Your Highness.
Excuse me, Your Highness.
Wei Zhi.
This bracelet
was given to me by Ning Chuan when I turned 12.
Can I exchange it
for something from you?
Please forgive me. I have nothing of value.
I don't dare accept this gift from you.
Shaoning.
Scholar Wei.
Scholar Wei, please rise.
Your Highness.
If you don't mind, could I talk to my sister for a second?
Of course I don't mind, Your Highness.
Excuse me.
I was looking for you.
Prince of Wei.
Could we talk over there?
What is the matter?
I do have an urgent matter.
I need your help.
Two days ago, I received an order from Father.
Father suddenly gave me the order
to help find a husband for you.
What does this mean?
Father trusts you.
That's why he wants you to be in charge of finding her a husband.
It's not that simple.
Father locked up Ning Sheng and allowed Noble Consort Chang to die.
When Lord of Minhai finds out,
he'll very likely send troops to attack us.
At this time,
Father wants to find a husband for Shaoning.
It's probably a job no one wants to do.
Your Highness, I heard some rumors. I'm not sure if I should tell you.
-Tell me. -Yes, Your Highness.
I was outside Fengyun Palace and I heard the eunuchs chatting.
They said that before Noble Consort Chang died,
she begged the Emperor to be kind to Shaoning.
I believe that he still values their many years of marriage.
That's why he's doing this.
But just as what you said, it is a critical time.
If His Majesty handles it himself, those in the palace will be suspicious.
That's why His Majesty decided to have someone he trusts take care of it.
Then,
I'll have to do a good job.
Father trusts you.
How can I help?
Selecting a husband has to do with your happiness,
which is why I'd like to ask you if there's someone you have in mind.
Since you're willing to help me,
I'd like to use this bracelet
to exchange it for Wei Zhi's love.
Wei Zhi?
Scholar Wei is favored by Father.
If he marries you, he'll have to leave the palace.
I'm just worried that Father won't agree to it.
If you're able to persuade Wei Zhi, I'll talk to Father myself.
I won't cause you trouble.
Of course. I'll do what I can.
Thank you, Ning Qi.
Your Majesty.
Wait. Slow down.
Your Majesty, you should rest for a while.
Before the imperial doctor left,
he repeatedly reminded me
that Your Majesty
can't sit for too long.
You must stand up and walk around.
Or else,
your lower back pain...
I really...
I really don't know what to do.
You're more talkative the older you get.
Your Majesty.
You want to walk around with me?
I mean,
I can walk around the garden with you.
Xin Ziyan will be here soon.
He said it was something important. Let him wait.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Slowly.
Your Majesty.
Is your lower back bothering you again?
Your Majesty.
You should take His Majesty for a walk.
I was just about to take him to the garden.
I can do that. What do you think?
-Zhao Yuan. -Your Majesty.
Give him a seat.
-Yes, Your Majesty. -No need.
Zhao Yuan.
Your Majesty.
My lower back...
I'm getting old.
What is the urgent matter?
Tell me.
The matter I have in mind is very serious.
I don't know what will happen.
So, I came here to bet
with Your Majesty.
You're quite bold.
You're the only person in the entire palace
who dares come to Fengyun Palace to make a bet with me.
Very well.
What are we betting on? What is the wager?
I'd like to play a round of pitch-pot with Your Majesty.
It'll be good for your body.
As for the wager, it's a person.
The person has something to do with the matter?
Of course.
Or else I wouldn't dare bet with you.
I came here
to give Your Majesty an idea to weaken the local powers.
Yet, this plan must be carried out by someone sharp.
If I win today,
please grant me the power to decide who will carry out the plan.
What if I win?
That would be tricky.
How about this?
If Your Majesty wins,
I, Xin Ziyan, will go and carry out this plan myself.
What do you think?
All right, whatever you say.
I won't go easy on you.
I would never lose on purpose either.
Give me everything you've got, Your Majesty.
-Please. -Please.
You go first.
You're not feeling well today, Your Majesty.
If I go first, it wouldn't be fair.
You should go first.
-Are you okay, Your Majesty? -Go away.
You should go first.
If you insist, Your Highness.
I'll go first, then.
Your Majesty,
you scared me.
Go.
Go to Wei Residence.
Tell Scholar Wei that I have something important to tell him tonight.
You should meet him in person.
Yes, Your Highness.
Is Lan House ready?
Everything was done according to your orders.
My plan is to transfer Chang Zhongyi back to the capital.
You can give him a good title on the surface
and monitor him secretly,
preventing him from returning to Minhai.
Then, you will give out titles to the local officials in Minhai.
Choose those that are loyal to you. Take back army commanding rights.
Then, Lord of Minhai will be on his own.
Later on, you tell him that he must return to the capital.
I doubt he'll refuse.
That's a very good plan.
I must send a clever person to Minhai.
That person...
must be you, Headmaster Xin.
Then you have to win.
Only then will I go.
Your Majesty.
That was pure luck.
It truly was.
Also, Your Majesty isn't feeling well today.
How about
we start over?
I'm an emperor. I do not go back on my word.
But if the person you appoint doesn't do a good job,
you'll be responsible.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Tell me.
Whom do you want to send to Minhai?
Prince of Wei, Ning Qi.
Ning Qi?
Yes, Ning Qi.
Ning Qi is not only clever, but also very mature.
He has great patience which others don't have.
He's the best person to go to Minhai.
Your Majesty, Prince of Wei is here.
I haven't told anyone about this plan yet.
We'll talk about this later.
-Let him in. -Yes, Your Majesty.
Ning Qi pays respect to Father.
You may rise.
Thank you, Father.
I am sorry to interrupt your game with Headmaster Xin.
I've picked candidates for Princess Shaoning's husband.
I'm here to ask for your approval.
-Headmaster Xin. -Prince of Wei.
"Yao Yangyu.
Son of Yao Ying. Nineteen years old.
Chunyu Meng.
Son of Chunyu Hong. Twenty years old.
Wei Zhi.
Vice Minister of Rites. Nineteen years old."
They're all worthy of marrying my daughter.
Good job, Ning Qi.
Thank you, Father.
Your Majesty.
If Her Highness finds a good husband,
there will be two things to celebrate.
Two things? What's the other thing?
Chang Zhongyi.
Chang Zhongyi is Her Highness' cousin.
That's right.
It's not just my daughter who is getting married.
How wonderful.
Ning Qi.
Yes, Father.
Among the three,
whom do you prefer the most?
Father, it is not important whom I prefer.
What's important is
whom my sister likes the most.
That's true. My daughter is very hard to persuade.
If she doesn't like the man,
it'll be difficult to arrange.
Ning Qi.
Do you know what she thinks?
Father, my sister once asked me
to give her bracelet to Scholar Wei.
Wei Zhi?
Shaoning has a good pair of eyes.
She has a pair of good eyes indeed.
Yet,
Wei Zhi is one of His Majesty's favorite officials.
If Her Highness chooses him,
according to the rules, he must leave the palace.
Your Majesty, that would be such a shame.
Such a shame.
Father, I believe that rule
was to prevent officials
from becoming too powerful by marrying royal members.
In this case,
Scholar Wei has no background,
and Father also favors him.
I'm sure we could find a way.
Therefore,
I don't think that would be a problem.
Ning Qi.
Why don't you find out what Wei Zhi thinks?
He seems to be very gentle, but he's also very stubborn.
Don't mess things up and ruin this delicate matter.
Yes, Father.
Ning Qi,
you must do a good job.
Of course, Father.
Headmaster Xin.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Draft the titles for the Minhai local officials.
Make a detailed plan
-and send it to me. -Yes, Your Majesty.
Please excuse me.
What did you want to discuss with me today, Your Highness?
You just want me to cut to the chase, don't you?
If I didn't make it sound important, how would I be able to invite you here?
I just want to get to know you better.
I hope you won't embarrass me, Wei Zhi.
Your Highness, I would never dare to.
If it's not important,
how about we just talk about the scenery and weather?
Of course.
If we're going to talk about those things, we must have beautiful women here.
Ladies.
Your Highness.
Lady Xiwen,
this is the Ultimate Scholar you admire.
Go and serve him.
Thank you, Your Highness.
Scholar Wei, your face is...
You look as talented as you are.
Your Highness, I'm not used to being served like this.
Don't worry, Scholar Wei.
Don't underestimate Lady Xiwen.
She's a famous courtesan at House of Lanxiang.
They compare her to Xue Tao.
You're exaggerating, Your Highness. I'm not that talented.
I've heard of the Ultimate Scholar, but I haven't had the chance to meet you.
Today, I finally get to meet you. How wonderful!
You're too kind.
It's just a title they gave me.
Since Prince of Wei asked you to be here, how about you play something for us?
-What do you think? -Sounds good.
Of course.
Scholar Wei.
You're very handsome, Scholar Wei.
You must have many admirers.
You're at a suitable age to marry.
I wonder if you have anyone in mind?
The music is wonderful.
It's wonderful indeed.
Your Highness, let's drink.
Cheers.
-I'll drink with you. -Cheers.
Cheers.
Do you admire Scholar Wei as well?
Look at that, Scholar Wei.
I'm too uncivilized.
When I am with you,
even these ladies don't bother looking at me.
Forgive me, Your Highness.
Of course, that's not true.
This scholar has a fair face.
I almost feel like I've seen him before.
He makes me think of Zhu Yin.
Zhu Yin?
That famous courtesan everyone in the capital knew about?
Yes.
Unfortunately, I can never see her again.
I heard about her at the border.
Maybe the person you've seen before
was a loyal patron of Zhu Yin's?
No wonder he doesn't care for you two.
-Your Highness, -Let me.
-that's not what I mean.
I've seen one of Zhu Yin's sisters.
She looked exactly like Scholar Wei.
They almost look like the same person.
You mean
Scholar Wei looks like a woman?
How dare you say that?
Did Prince of Wei have you come here
to insult me?
Don't be angry, Scholar Wei. She's just joking around.
Here.
I'll drink three times to you.
Your Highness, forgive me.
Let's drink.
-Scholar Wei. -Huaishi.
Huaishi!
What's wrong, Scholar Wei?
-Prince of Wei. -Forgive me, Your Highness.
-I've had too much to drink. -Scholar Wei.
Scholar Wei.
-You must be drunk. -I'm not feeling well. Escort me.
All right.
Excuse me, Your Highness.
Please excuse me.
I'm terribly sorry.
Should I escort you back?
Please excuse me.
Come.
Tell me about that woman
who looks like Scholar Wei.
Subtitle translation by Sophie Chang