Your Highness! Your Highness! Why shout so early in the morning? What are you doing? I am waiting on Your Highness to get washed and dressed, and then to greet your parents later. Your Highness, who is over there? Nothing. Get up! The floor is cold. I will be there later after you. All right. Isn't she our crown princess consort? - Why are you out?
- Your Highness. I haven't knelt to the crown princess consort yet. Greetings to the crown princess consort. Your Highness, please rush your way to get dressed. Why did you come out? How would I know the crown princess consort is outside? Are you afraid that she may tell on us? If she really tells Their Majesties about us, we will be doomed. Your Highness, I am waiting to see her telling on us. They have known about us long before last night. I wonder if they will kill me or not. - Emperor Father.
- Empress Mother. - Please drink the tea.
- Please drink the tea. Emperor Father. Empress Mother. Please drink the tea. Days ago I asked people to send some glitzy garments to the Prince of Jin's Manor. Do you disfavor them? Since those garments were bestowed by Empress Mother, of course, I love them very much. Just because I treasure those dresses dearly, so I dare not to wear them recklessly. I thought such glamorous dresses like those should be saved for some big occasions later on. For normal days, simple clothes will do. You were the princess of the Liang State, and are now a princess consort of the Sui dynasty. But you can remain an unadorned style which is very hard to come by. That is an overstatement, Emperor Father. I am merely taking Your Majesties as examples. Now since you two are both married, and live in the Eastern Palace and the Prince of Jin's Manor respectively, you should attend to each other on a daily basis. Since we are a family, please don't feel estranged. Especially Crown Princess Consort and Princess Consort of Jin can learn from each other. Assist your husbands on separate goals. Yes, Empress Mother. Emperor Father. Empress Mother. Since the start of autumn has passed, I am wondering if the whole family can plan for a mountain hunt. It doesn't necessarily have to be pageantry, but simple family time for fun. That is not a bad idea. Since Your Majesty has been working hard strenuously, it would be good to stretch our legs. What do you think, Your Majesty? I agree with your suggestion. Then I will hand over the planning to Guang'er and Princess Consort of Jin. Yes, Emperor Father. Your Majesty, it is time for the imperial court assembly. Okay! Since yesterday you two just had your big days, I permit a day off from the court assembly. Thank you, Emperor Father. The flowers are so pretty. I picked this for you by myself. Your Highness, it smells so nice! He claimed that I was ill so he could avoid joining the hunt. But now he is flirting with... It is pretty. It looks good on you. Thank you, Your Highness. Xia'er, your pretty looks fit well with the flower. Crown Princess Consort! Crown Princess Consort, wake up! Help! The crown princess consort passed out. Someone help! Help! The crown princess consort fainted! Help! Crown Princess Consort! The hunters with most gains go to Second Brother and Fourth Brother. Go ahead! What do you want for rewards? Your Majesty, our teams are male pairs. However, the teams of Prince of Jin and Secretariat Gao are all mixed-doubles. Since it appears unfair to them, we feel unworthy of any rewards. Yes, Your Majesty, I also think that the feast is already a bliss just by gathering everyone for a reunion. We are not that greedy to expect any more rewards. You look down upon us, girls. Losing is losing. We lost fairly and squarely. If you don't receive awards, I would not be happy. Ling'er, don't mess around. Father, I am serious. Ling'er is more ambitious than men. She suits my taste. All right, you can all throw away the unnecessary politeness. Today is a family reunion. Rong'er, don't be too strained. Come and have a seat. Yes, Empress. As far as I can see, you two guys are not as outspoken as Ling'er. If you can't come up with anything you want, then I will randomly choose some to reward you. Your Majesty, may I ask for a reward for my husband on his behalf? Definitely! What's on your mind? Could Your Majesty cast away the idea of sending my husband to battlefield anymore? Cut off your nonsense! Your Majesty, Rong'er is an ignorant woman and does not know much. If Your Majesty needs me to fight for glory, I will join the service without any hesitation to guard the Sui dynasty. I feel like Princess Consort of Cai is serious about this matter. A man of men all wishes to be on the warhorse on the battlefield and fight for their country. Sister-in-Law, just speak your mind. Why don't you want Second Brother to join the service? Your Majesty, a string of nightmares has struck me lately that my husband was hacked by people with his blood spewing all over the battlefield. Every morning I wake up, I am scared almost out of my wits. I am so frightened that the nightmare will come true one day. I already said they were just dreams. Dreams always go against reality. Don't take them seriously. Husband! Your Majesty, Rong'er wears her heart on her sleeve. Since Second Brother has been bestowed as prince and Rong'er as the princess consort, they could just relax in their own manor. However, one of them is training the army on the drill ground, while the other is straining herself in the imperial palace. Because we are family, sometimes, our candid words seem to lack thinking. I hope it didn't offend you, Your Majesty. Yes, Your Majesty. Rong'er is blunt to say something so inconsiderate. Your Majesty, you know me well and I am far from being afraid to die. Your Majesty, Second Brother has always been accountable without the slightest of slackness. Second Sister-in-law messed up for worrying too much. I hope Your Majesty won't pin blame on her. Okay. I haven't blamed her for anything. Why does everyone intercede for her already? I understand the suffering of Princess Consort of Cai and the loyalty of Second Brother. Rewarding was supposed to be something cheerful, but it made everyone pull a face. Forget about it! I will not reward anything today. I feel frightened that I ruined Your Majesty's uplifted spirits. I plead for punishment. It's all fine! I did not blame you. Get up! You should thank His Majesty. Thank you, Your Majesty. Today should be a hard-earned delightful day that everyone is able to gather together. It would be better if Third Brother, the crown prince, and Lihua could be here. I heard the crown princess consort caught an ailment, so the crown prince stays in the Eastern Palace to attend to her. Their affections are obvious to see. After the crown princess consort recovers, everyone can reunite again. Speaking about affections, I heard Prince of Jin and Princess Consort of Jin are shadows of each other. Is it a mockery or jealousy from Sister Ling? If you envy us, go find a good husband as soon as possible. Prince of Jin's words touch a chord with me. Ling'er, you hear that? Be quick to find me a good son-in-law. Father! Let's drink! - Here.
- Here. Cheers. Lihua. What are you doing here? It is getting cold now. I made a cloak for you. Cut off your hypocrisy, I don't need it. Empress, let's leave here. Lihua, the resentment is like a thorn in your flesh. It doesn't prick others, but always hurts yourself. You are holding a grudge against me and refusing to see me. I have nothing to complain about. But your younger brothers have never treated you wrong, and I hope you don't sever ties with all of them. They are grown up now and have gotten married. Your sisters-in-law are all smart, virtuous, and of high caliber. I hope you try to get acquainted with them whenever you are free. They are your close relatives and the people to rely on in the days to come. I can't help thinking that if one day your father and I pass away, at least there will be someone to look after you. Latest hearsay goes that the city of Duhui of Daxing is bustling with 120 industries, 3,000-plus stores, and 400-some restaurants with hills of inventories. The city of Duhui is not the only city like that. I heard from my businessman brother-in-law that the city of Liren is also very flourishing. He said that hotels dot the 141 districts, with industry variety reaching to 66 high. My intention was to ask you to scan for problems by holding the Association of Titled Ladies. Now you gave me piles of compliments. Empress Mother, I believe the ladies are not complimenting for the sake of complimenting itself. Although I got married into the family not long ago, from a bystander's view, the Sui dynasty is indeed prosperous across the board as these ladies just lauded. And people are living comfortably. So it may be hard for nitpicking problems. But there is no perfection in the world. Failing to find problems lies in the problem itself. Empress Mother, although these ladies open their hearts to people's well-being, they don't live with them under the same roof after all. So asking them to pinpoint the exact needs of the masses may seem hard for them. I have an idea but I wonder if it is proper to bring it up. Just speak your mind. The people who know their desperate needs are those people themselves. We could let themselves say it. I am wondering whether we could establish an official department to receive their reports like living needs and current hardships. After verifying the genuineness, we could reward them based on the importance of their suggestions. Brilliant! It is indeed a good idea. Getting something straight from the horse's mouth cuts off misunderstandings from tongue-wagging, which adds more credibility. But raising an official department is no small deal, I have to discuss it with the emperor before confirming. Yes, Empress Mother. Princess Consort of Jin is so smart and carries the bearing of empresses of the past. I am flattered, Madam Yang. I dare not draw a comparison with Empress Mother. Now the later generations are much better than we used to be. It seems we can rest easily in the future. [Thousand Years Hall] So, tell me what popular problems did they report today? In the recent two years, I have seen the number of their reports decreasing. Today, they even claimed they can't find any. Are those ladies growing to be slack? I don't think so. In today's meeting, they all lauded your achievements, and said they can't find problems anymore. Based on my knowledge about them, they were not being obsequious. A vast country like ours cannot be without problems. Just like what Princess Consort of Jin said, these ladies have not been living with the masses under the same roof. How could they sense people's desirable needs? So she came up with a suggestion. What is her suggestion? She said we can set up an official department to encourage people to report the problems they want to be addressed. Once the suggestion is investigated, they could be rewarded on the priority of their advice. This is a brilliant one. In the Warring States Period, King Yanzhao established the "Golden Platform" to attract talents. Now we can also make a takeoff by setting up an official department to elicit popular wishes. Let me discuss it with the ministers on how to carry out the plan. Yes, Your Majesty. I never thought Princess Consort of Jin would come up with such a wise recommendation. Guang'er will have great achievements with such a smart wife. Just like I married you years ago to come this far today. I am flattered, Your Majesty. My Jialuo is worthy of the praise. However, that crown princess consort... If your comments flew to the crown princess consort's ears, I am afraid that child will be sad. Actually, the crown princess consort is also clever, but she is in poor health and is always catching ailments recently. So she was unable to join the Association of Titled Ladies with us. If her health is poor, then go get the imperial doctors to nurse herself. Right? Being the crown princess consort, she always carries a sickness aura. How could she assist Yong'er's? You should tell the crown prince couple to exchange mutual assistance with the Prince of Jin couple more. All right, I will arrange that. The previous report just stated the crown princess consort caught a cold, why has she still been recuperating after so long? Yes. News from the Eastern Palace says the crown princess consort's health is not severe, some rest will do. - To the Eastern Palace.
- Yes. Your Highness! Your Highness, are you okay? Your Highness! Are you all right, Your Highness? Your Highness, here is the medicine. Please drink it up. I don't want it. I am not feeling any better after so many doses. I won't take it anymore. But if you don't take the medicine, you will not get better. Does it really matter whether I recover or not? Does anyone care about my illness? Maybe if I stay this way, it will not only satisfy others but will also fulfill my wishes. Crown Princess Consort, what are you saying? Greetings to the empress! Don't move, child. You may all rise. Thank you, Empress. I heard you just caught a cold, how did it deteriorate to such an extent? What did the imperial doctor say? Empress Mother, don't worry too much! I am fine. Do you still want to hold it back from me? You tell me! What illness does the crown princess consort have? Why is it taking so long to recuperate? Empress, the crown princess consort indeed caught a cold at the beginning, but then it developed into a bad cough. Later... Later... What happened later? Later, the imperial doctor said the gloom the crown princess consort has been suffering encroached her lung, so the cough could not be recovered. This is caused by anxiety. Where is the crown prince? You caught such a severe illness, why is he not here to care for you? Empress Mother, the crown prince has state affairs to deal with. He always drops by to attend to me. Pass me the medicine. Come! Be at ease! Let me feed you. Your Highness, come catch me! I am here. - Here!
- I am coming. Come catch me! Where? Why did the music stop? Empress Mother. Kneel down! How dare you to seduce the crown prince! - Someone.
- Yes. Take her away, beat her 20 times, and then expel her from the palace. Yes. Empress! Empress Mother, please don't! Ruoxia is now pregnant with my child, Empress Mother. You unfilial son! You've embarrassed the imperial family for your flippancy. I have urged you to leave this minx early, but how dare you ignore my words! You really want to anger me! Empress Mother, you are so in love with Emperor Father, why can't you tolerate my love for her? I am your biological son, and she is my love. If you leave no room for her, you are equally leaving no room for me. Should I take that as a threat? Are you suggesting you are willing to abandon your mother and father and your crown prince position for her? - Your Highness.
- If I had known early that you were so incompetent, I wouldn't have painstakingly plotted your future at all. Emperor Mother, your grandson is in her belly, can you really harden your heart against him? Grandson? Only a baby carried by the crown princess consort is my grandson. I am making myself crystal clear to you today, I won't accept this so-called grandson. You can forget your thought that I could accept Lady Yun after she gives birth. In your dreams! But I don't love Yuan Zhen. Then, remember my words! From this moment, if you treat the crown princess consort wrongly, you are against the honor of the whole imperial family. Don't even think about your crown prince title! You better unclog your muddy mind for me! Empress Mother! Empress Mother! Are you all right? Get up. Your Highness. Empress Mother will not... Empress Mother will not harden her heart in this way. [Nourishing Dew Hall] I didn't know he had lost his morality to such a degree! It is ridiculous! Completely ridiculous! Your Majesty, you know everything? Such a big accident happened! Should it still be kept from me after everyone is talking about it? I heard you have urged him to evict that Lady Yun out of the palace. But how dare he to disobey your order! Your Majesty, the crown prince used to be a sensible child, how could he act like a fool this time? That woman is the daughter of a shoemaker. Isn't the stereotype of that kind always acting decently? How could she be so immoral to even carry a baby now! It's despicable! Don't be angry, Your Majesty! It is bad for your health. How can I not be angry! The crown prince's morality doesn't deserve the post. I can't rest easy at the thought of handing over the vast land of the Sui dynasty to his hands. Plus, it's not his first time making this mistake. Your Majesty... - Leave us.
- Yes. Your Majesty, revocation of the crown prince is huge, and we were saying we would wait and see. Although the crown prince has made mistakes, strict disciplines will do. If we revoke his title needlessly, it may result in an unimaginative outcome. There are rumors spreading in the palace that you are going to revoke the crown prince. I.. I was too angry at that time, so I said something recklessly. I just told the crown prince to treat Yuan Zhen sincerely or he cannot keep his title. That was just a stern admonition, please don't take it seriously. Since I know the imperial harem can't interfere with state politics, how could I say something about revocation? This issue is not a small matter. Don't worry! I know what needs to be done. How will you deal with Lady Yun? If it was in the past, I would have evicted her out of Eastern Palace without hesitation. But now she is conceiving a baby, which is indeed the flesh and blood of the Yang family. Blood is thicker than water. I suggest to let her stay here temporarily until the baby is safely born. What do you say? The crown prince planned to use the baby as a bargaining chip long before he made her pregnant. Fine. To the crown princess consort, appease her well on my behalf. Yes. That poor girl, it equals to a sin. I will send reliable people to keep an eye on the crown prince. From this moment, his every move will determine his political future. Everything will depend on his behavior. Jialuo, I know you have deep affection for Yong'er. But I also want to remind you, do not lose your mind in the process of pampering him. Are you coming for the rumor, too? Yes. We know you must be panic-stricken, so we are here to comfort you. I never thought you had the guts to hide Lady Yun here, and let her conceive a baby. Uncle, what you are saying is useless. The deed is already done. If you are to persuade me to send the Lady Yun outside the palace, you are forcing me to be cruel. The baby in her belly is mine, who is the flesh and blood of the Yang family. Brother, we are here not to convince you to evict the Lady Yun, but to convey the decree from Their Majesties. They said since the Lady Yun is pregnant, she can stay in the Eastern Palace momentarily. - Leave the rest to the future.
- Really? Of course! Do we look like we are fooling you? I knew my parents would not be so ruthless. I knew it. Your Highness, it has affected you in a bad way, more or less. What's the bad influence? Are my parents really sprouting a telling remark of revocation? Brother, that was just Empress Mother's angry words on a whim. Don't take it to heart! It is not like you have committed a felony. Put it in another way, revocation of the crown prince shakes the ground of a country. As meticulous as our parents, they will not practice it. Guang has a point. Your Highness, I think you should learn the lesson and act cautiously to avoid capsizing. Although revocation is an unconsidered bluntness, the rumor is now flying in the air. A repeated slander makes others believe, and malicious people may take advantage. Anyway, you need to behave yourself to not let Their Majesties down. You are right, Uncle. Empress, you have a gray hair here. Pluck it and let me see. Yes. Look! I am, indeed, old enough to grow gray hairs now. Empress, you are not old, it's just lots of things have been weighing you down lately. Xin Lan, have you prepared all the gifts I am going to give to Madam Zheng Qiye? Go check. Yes, I will go right now. Ruyi, I leave the rest to you. Sure. Father! Ruyi! The hairpin doesn't suit the empress's dress today. Right things should be done at the right time, so do a dress and hairpin. Understand? I understand, Princess Consort of Cai. You can leave. Yes. Rong'er, how has the Eastern Palace been recently? Your Majesty, the crown prince accompanies the crown princess consort often. As the crown princess consort turns to a better mood, so does her illness. He does have a little conscience. Keep an eye on him for me. Yes. Ruyi. Aunt, I almost finished her off, why did you stop me? How brazen of you to say this! Do you know you almost ruined my plan? Have you forgotten what I told you before? What words? I don't remember. Ruyi! Yang Jian and Dugu Jialuo killed your grandfather for the throne. So what ahead of us is to muddy the waters in their imperial family. The mutual hatred will incite killing among them. Also, you think you can run away after killing Dugu Jialuo? You will die uglier than her. Is Dugu Jialuo the only target in your plan? Of course not! I want to take revenge on their whole family. But Aunt, the mutual killing in your plan will not be easy either. Then you don't know the power of the throne, which will drive people to ruthless demons. Despite their closest relationship, they will feud over each other. Only by making Yang Jian and Dugu Jialuo torture each other can they taste the agony of paining the loved ones and delighting the enemy. So stop your reckless behavior and listen to my arrangement. Yes. Empress, do not be overwrought. How can I not be worried? An earlier report said she was better, and why the deterioration all of a sudden? Hurry! The empress arrives! How is the crown princess consort? Empress, the crown princess consort... Spit it out! Empress, forgive my incompetence. My child. Empress Mother. Hang in there. Where is the crown prince? Where is he at this moment? Empress, the Lady Yun is giving birth, so the crown prince is attending to her. What? How disobedient! Go get him here! Yes. Use strength! Almost! Push! Push! Push hard! Use strength! Almost! Push harder! What exactly is her illness? How come it's severe to such a degree? Your Majesty, since the crown princess consort caught a cold earlier, her body weakened quite a bit. Plus, she has been always overanxious that the gloom damaged her viscera. And the stagnation of the liver has been eating her strength recently. I heard from the maid that the crown princess consort passed out this morning, then... The stagnation of the liver... This was caused by the anger at the crown prince, himself. Child, hang in there and get better. After you recover, I will be your rock. We are sorry for you. Empress Mother, it is my fate. It is Yuan Zhen's destiny. I don't blame anyone. I beg Empress Mother not to pin blame on others; otherwise, I will be very unsettled. Okay, stop talking nonsense! You will get better. Hurry and think! I don't care whatever means you use, but cure her! Yes. Empress Mother, nobody knows my condition better than myself. Don't be silly! Hang on! The crown prince hasn't arrived yet. No need! I miss... I miss my mother. I am about to see her. Mother... Try harder! The baby is born! The baby is born! Congratulations, Your Highness! Both are safe. It is a boy. Give him to me. My son. Your Highness, please go check the crown princess consort. She is about to die. Die? She has just been checked by the imperial doctors. My child... The crown princess consort has passed away! Crown Princess Consort! [Thousand Years Hall] Your Majesty, the posthumous condolence have been carried out, and her family has been appeased properly. Appeased properly? How can it be called proper? He angered their daughter to death. He hurt the feelings of a loyal minister. - Emperor Father! Empress Mother!
- Crown Prince. Crown Prince. Crown Prince, you... What are you doing? Emperor Father. Empress Mother. I know I am indebted to Yuan Zhen, but our marriage was loveless. Under these circumstances, you are still arguing love with me? Have you no conscience? Have you no remorse? But Empress Mother, the dead cannot be resurrected. Is following her to die a sign of my remorse to you? You.. Emperor Father. Empress Mother. Take a look! This is my son. This is your grandson. This is the flesh and blood of the Yang family. I know deeply that I have disobeyed your order but the child is innocent. What on earth are you trying to say? Emperor Father. Empress Mother. I want to give this child a status, also to Lady Yun. I know you disfavor her, but she is the biological mother after all. I would like to marry her as soon as possible and confer her consort. You have angered the crown princess consort to death, and you should feel mighty benevolences that Lady Yun was allowed to live in the Eastern Palace. Now you even want to confer her as consort? Do you want to anger me to death as well? Huh? Look at the good son you taught. Is any sentence he speaking humane? Please calm down, Your Majesty. I failed to nurture him well. Please spare me some time, and I will take care of the matter. Empress Mother, are you hardhearted enough to leave them untitled their entire life? Your Majesty, although the Lady Yun is hopelessly immoral, but the baby is the eldest grandson. He needs a place in the royal family. If his mother is not conferred any title, I am afraid the child will live in shame in the future. I see why you came in holding the baby. You are threatening me. Am I right? You are threatening me with the baby. Emperor Father. Yong'er, I've warned you in the past to know when to advance and when to retreat. If you confer Lady Yun a title, what about the feelings of the Yuan family? The feeling of the ministers? And the feeling of the world? If you really care for Lady Yun and your son, go find yourself another crown princess consort first. If you continue to cause a scene, I am afraid you will lose Lady Yun forever. A dragon has nine sons and they differentiate astonishingly. I have no words for you, neither do I want to see you again. - Emperor Father.
- You can excuse yourself now. Do not anger your father again. [Gao Manor] Greetings to Your Highness. Rise. Today, Their Majesties asked me to pay a visit to you and Ling'er, I hope I am not intruding. Your Highness, this way. Your Highness, it is the first time you dropped by since the establishment of the Sui dynasty. Here! Your Highness, let me drink a toast to you. To you! I know you have been pushed to drop by from the order of Their Majesties. I wasn't being forced. I should have visited you and Ling'er. Back when we were young, you treated me and my siblings as your own, and we regard you as a close relative. I knew Your Highness is a kinship-and-friendship type. All right! So I will be frank. Please! Their Majesties' ordered for Your Highness to select a new crown princess consort. Your Highness must be uneasy and is bearing complicated feelings. Though they favor Ling'er, I still hope Your Highness can follow your heart and marry her when you like her. If you don't like her... Your Highness, why are you staring at me? Ling'er. Forgive my rudeness. Ling'er, where is your courtesy? - Greetings to Your Highness.
- Rise, rise. Take a seat. I was going to say you were as valiant as a guy when we were drilling together in Dingzhou. But now you are nurtured with elegance, which is jaw-dropping! You still remember these things from years ago? But it's not worth mentioning. It's nothing. Of course, I remember; with the lasting memory. I think Your Highness should refine your military skills so to win glory and triumph for the country and the people in the future. How is your martial arts? Just skin-deep. I guess Sister Ling's martial arts must have crested by now. I dare not to brag I am unbeatable, but it is refined daily. That is great. Actually I am acquiring an interest in martial arts, so I need virtuosos to stand by. The honor will be entirely mine if Sister Ling could stay by my side. Do you want to recruit me as your palace guard? Definitely not! Of course not! My silly daughter. Your Highness, let's have a toast. Please! Your Majesty, look at Yong'er. Our method took effect by asking him to visit the Gao Manor. No one knows a man better than his mother. You once claimed that only girls like Gao Ling who are fearless and straightforward can hold Yong'er and cease the storms in the future. I hope that he can change and constrain himself. Don't go overboard. Greetings to Your Majesty, Empress, and Your Highness. Rise. Take a seat! Thank you, Your Majesty. Ling'er. Our Ling'er looks like an earthly fairy after being dolled up. Is Your Majesty suggesting I am an ugly duck if I don't dress-up? Ling'er! Your Majesties, I have pampered her too much. I beg your forgiveness. How could that be? Ling'er carries childish charm, which resembles Brother Gao in your youth. Indeed! And her outspokenness is more precious than those with a treacherous interior underlying obedient exterior. I found Sister Ling is easy to get along with because of her pureness. Yong'er seems like he can't wait. Empress Mother. Since our son has the heart, does Ling'er feel the same way? Your Majesty, I feel embarrassed to answer like that. That's rare! I didn't know you would have a stuttering moment. Father! Great! Since your feelings are self-evident, we as parents should fulfill your wishes. When you were kids, Secretariat Gao once implied that it would be superb if our two families could get closer by tying the knot. It seems Heaven is smiling on us. Right, Your Majesty, why don't you propose the marriage now? Look at you. You are more rushed than the kids. Great! I bestow the marriage to Yang Yong and Gao Ling today. Go and select an auspicious day to get married. - Thank you, Emperor Father.
- Thank you, Your Majesty. Your Majesties, I still have one more request. I know what you are going to say, your father has plans. Since you have married such a virtuous wife, we can rest easy. As for Lady Yun, since she gave birth to our eldest grandson, she will be promoted to Consort Yun Zhaoxun. The eldest grandson's name is Yang Yan. Thank you, Emperor Father. Recently, I had always consulted popular livelihood policies with so-called recommended talents. Though they are scholars, seldom do they know about how to handle popular livelihood. Though they have read thousands of volumes of books, how can they be helpful in assisting me? Tell me. Where lies the problem? This.. We can't explain.. Emperor Father, I think if few talents act this way, odds are they are special cases. But if most selected talents fail, then the selecting system must be defective. What's your opinion? I think although the nine-ranking selection system has largely rectified the shortcomings of prefectural officials taking bribery in wantonly selecting subordinates. And it has helped the imperial court to pick up governing seeds. A famous saying goes like "A person's gift does not lie in his family background." However, this system has been controlled by renowned clans with family backgrounds being the only grading criteria. The cause is the poor are declined by a high-ranking circle, while lower-ranking circles see no scholars But how can those scholars of famed background know the ways to solve the problems of the impoverished? Your thorough understanding of the issue impresses me. Enlighten us on how you plan to address the issue? This.. I think problematic systems should be scrapped. Scrap? That's a rush. Too flippant. Right. Your Majesty! Your Highness, the nine-ranking selection system has been carried out for hundreds of years, which has exported numerous talents to the court. How can it be scrapped recklessly? Is time the only factor to speak for its applicability? Although it was workable before, since it has been misused by others, it has lost its purpose. Your Majesty. Imperial Brother. The nine-ranking selection system involves many clans with its profound influence. If we scrap it before enacting a better alternative, it will cause a mess then. Your Majesty, the Prince of Jin's worry makes sense. The act is doomed to stir the imperial court. Causing the turbulence of the court is because we touch their interests, which vice-versa indicates the system is rotten. In that case, it must be scrapped. The purpose Emperor Father established the Sui dynasty is for the masses of the world and not for the interest of clans. Your Majesty, I think the crown prince has a point. If the nine-ranking selection system is no longer workable, then a new efficient system which picks up real talents should be put on the agenda. From the Head of the Chancellery's perspective, what new system should be brought up? Your Majesty, I don't have a specific one now. As far as I see, if a system can calibrate the really gifted, then it is a good one. Especially if the ambitious from humble backgrounds can be selected, that system is useful for the Sui dynasty. Yes. The Head of the Chancellery is right. In that case, the scholars of the Sui dynasty will all feel like they are of use, and the masses will be working harder by seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. By that time, the Sui dynasty will surely manifest a refreshing look. Emperor Father, the crown prince is right. But stabilizing attributes of a new system is also a factor to consider. A steady environment nurtures stable civilians. Since scrapping the old will trigger big turbulence, we need to think over before taking action and not rush it. Your Majesty, I give full support to Prince of Jin. The crown prince and the Head of the Chancellery have reasonable concerns; while the Prince of Jin and Censor Yang have meticulous minds with considerate thinking. It won't be easy to dismiss a four-hundred-year system with a new replacement. Let's give it a thorough plan. Yes. I need to give Father-in-Law full credit for the hint that Emperor Father had been complaining about the difficulty of scouting talents lately, and may consult resolution. So it gave me time to prepare early to get Emperor Father's appreciation. I merely hinted you the topic. It was your own effort to propose a workable suggestion to get the praise. I dare not take the credit. Anyway, without your reminder, Father-in-Law, my parents won't give an about-face towards me. I truly appreciate that. Spare the courtesy for we are family. So long as you keep up the good work, your crown prince position will be as steady as a rock. I still rely on your teaching in the future. Your Highness, you can't put the chess piece here. - Gao Ling!
- Your intention to let Dad win is so evident. Ling'er, a cultivated man will not interfere with the chess game. You never heard of that? When will you correct your cut-in behavior when watching the game? I am not a cultivated man; I am a girl. I can't deal with you. - Ruoxia.
- Your Highness. Why did you bring Yan'er out? I have to bring him out for he can't stop crying when you are away. - Please come to play with him, Your Highness.
- Yan'er. What does he know about playing? Let me help you. - Yan'er is a good boy.
- Good boy. - Yan'er is so handsome.
- Smile. Aren't you handsome? Yan'er is smiling. Look! He is smiling! Interesting! Even his biological mother, Ruoxia, is out of means to handle him, but Ling'er can work her magic. It seems there is an affinity between Ling'er and Yan'er. Of course, we are family. The baby is hungry. Go feed him quickly. Yes. Being a mother already, why does she still like to throw tantrums? I heard after giving birth, some women will experience Qi and blood disorder, and they will become moody. Your Highness, you should care more about Sister. Okay, Ling'er is so sweet. - Here.
- Thank you. - No problem.
- Give me a bowl. - Here, slowly.
- Thank you. Give me one more. Thank you, my benefactor. Thank you. Thanks. Thank you. Your Majesty the Empress arrives! Greetings to Your Majesty! Rise. Thank you, Your Majesty! Don't stop! People are waiting in line. Yes. Empress Mother, we have sorted it out. These refugees came from Chen State. Chen State? I thought calamities broke out somewhere in the Sui dynasty to cause so many refugees. Do you have any idea why these refugees came to the Sui dynasty? It was said once Emperor Chen, Chen Shubao, ascended the throne, he favored luxurious, large-scale constructions, ignored state policies and the people's livelihood, and imposed heavy taxes on people. People's livelihoods in Chen State are waning day by day. His negligence of duty eventually has led to masses of hungered and tattered civilians. The muddied emperor has antagonized his people badly. It is a pity that these people were born in Chen State. If they were born in the Sui dynasty, how could they be reduced to such a degree? Yes. They knew our Sui dynasty was flourishing, so they swarmed in in groups. What if we enlist these refugees to our citizen rosters? I was always aware of the behaviors of that Chen Shubao. I've been waiting for his abandonment by the people of Chen State. But I didn't expect that day came so soon. Haven't you been mentioning the ministers' proposal to wipe out Chen State and unite the north and the south of China? This is a great opportunity now. I already have plans to subjugate Chen State. But waging a war needs a sensible reason. Although Chen State is sorely deteriorating, that is their domestic issue. It would not be appropriate to launch a battle hastily. Your Majesty, isn't the reason always named by the attacker? Jialuo, you have another good idea? Since Chen Shubao ascended the throne, he has been living luxuriously, levying heavy taxes, squeezing money out of people, favoring the crafty and slaughtering the innocent. Rumor has it that he ridiculously cordoned off a street to win a smile of a beauty. The righteous ministers all abandoned him, the leftovers in the court are only those treacherous apple-polishers. Talking about his sins, the number is too astronomically high to be recorded. Jialuo, you are suggesting? Your Majesty, if you publicize all his sins to the people in Chen State, what messy scenes would sprout out? If those in deepwater of Chen State sympathize what they dare not to speak out, then their pent-up grievances will burst out in the air. With public resentments to Chen Shubao, people's loyalty is bound to fluctuate. If I note down each sin of Chen Shubao and disseminate them to each corner of Chen State, the troops we dispatched will become justice deliverers against a thuggish ruler. By that time, the crumbling people of Chen State will refuse to fight. Exactly! Jialuo, you are really the brainpower for me. Your Majesty, this is a decisive battle that matters to the unification of the south and the north, the country and the people. I plan to excuse myself to leave the palace for a few months to pray in the Buddhist temple for you and Sui. May Buddha protect and welcome the Sui dynasty to embrace brand-new prosperity. Your Majesty, what concerns came about suddenly? As I wage battle, Guang'er will surely accompany me. There should be a regent in the court. Although the crown prince is the only candidate, I can't be at ease to leave the country to him. Since Yong'er married Ling'er, he has made profound progress. He has, indeed, matured now without causing more absurd troubles. Old habits die hard. A feeling of uneasiness weighs me down, and I'm afraid he will cause some disasters again. Your Majesty, kids still need time to go through trials and tribulations. Let's wait and see to watch them grow. I believe you have heard about the refugees from Chen State. Although Chen Shubao controls a patch of land, his lust is as deep as the abyss. Now, every alley of Chen State has been squeezed out by him. Levying heavy taxes and swimming in extravagance; beheading the probity and killing the innocent; ripping the people's livers and sharing their blood; failing the divine will and lying to the masses. He even mobilized troops to scout money for his sheer pleasure. Thuggish rulers such as him are rare in history. As a result, candid ministers have all abandoned him, and even normal people are seeking shelter from us. I resort to your suggestions on how we should dispose of the situation. Your Majesty, Emperor Chen is asking for annihilation. We should follow the divine will to send our troops to Chen State. I suggest we need to launch a battle immediately by the divine inspiration. - Right.
- He deserves to be wiped out. Right. We should do this. Please launch a battle immediately. Great! However, I think the masses in Chen State are complaining, but they are not excited enough. In this case, I decided to decree a list of twenty crimes of Chen Shubao to manifest my determination to root out the corruption of the Chen dynasty and to save the people from the abyss of suffering. Print out 300,000 copies and spread them into the boarder of Chen State. By the time our forces enter Chen State, we are bound to fight effortlessly and be hailed by the civilians on their own. [Important Material Hall] Your father is working strenuously for state affairs and I can't persuade him to rest. But it's a relief that Yong'er has become very sensible lately. This is owing to his marriage with Ling'er. Though Ling'er seems lively and unbridled with trivial matters, she knows how to conduct herself. Yong'er likes her very much. It's the reason for the Eastern Palace to have ceased all the fuss. Guang'er and Qiang'er are very much in love. Qiang'er is smart and always comes up with suggestions for me. I believe she will become the right-hand helper for Guang'er. Now the Sui dynasty is prospering, and your brothers all found their loves. But I always feel indebted to you. I don't hope you to end your life here alone. So I was thinking maybe I could find you another lover, someone who will love and attend to you for life. Dugu Jialuo, don't come here again! Don't tell me this nonsense! I don't want to hear it! Lihua. Dugu Jialuo, I won't forgive you. I won't forgive you for the rest of my life. I said this for your own benefit. You always find yourself reasons. It is either for family, for outsiders, for the people, or for the state. But what you think is beneficial may not be received the same by others. Go now and stop forcing me. If you force me again, I will die in front of you. Fine! I will leave. [Important Material Hall] Why does it take so long to dress? It is wasting my time. Your Highness, I made the new gown especially for Your Regency. Look, isn't it nice? But it's troublesome to put on. It will be done soon. - How can I not be rushed?
- Wait, it'll be done soon. Emperor Father trusts me so much to name me the regent. Plus, there are piles of state affairs waiting for me. Your Highness's good looks don't need to be ornamented by such complicated garments. Comfort clothes will do. What do you know? Being the crown prince and regent, he needs to dress decently. Don't expect everyone to be like you, losing face of the Eastern Palace by dressing down. Cut it off! Even a garment can spark a fight? Be quick! Your Highness arrived so early. Be quick! Hurry up! Greetings to Your Highness! Dear Ministers, I thought I had told you to come early today for the piles of state affairs. Why are you all late? Your Highness, we were half an hour early already and will be even earlier next time. Forget it! What issues need to be addressed today? Your Highness, the flood of the Yellow River needs new resolution desperately. The early proposal failed to adequately address the calamity. What are your suggestions? This.. Your Highness, bad news! Consort Yun caught an acute illness and it's an emergency. What? She was fine in the morning. How did the sudden illness happen? Let's wrap up today. Let's go! Respectfully seeing Your Highness off. Didn't you catch an acute illness? You look just fine. Your Highness, easy come easy go. That's the nature of an acute illness. You seem to care a lot for me. Look, you are sweating. You are fooling around, you know that? Your Highness, I am sorry. But I did this for Yan'er. He can't stop crying without you in his sight. I have no way but to come up with this idea. You-- Do you know how many state affairs just slipped away? Your Highness, the ministers are gone by now if you go back. Leave the business for tomorrow. Your Highness. Yan'er, look who came to see you? Say "father." Be good! Can he utter any words? He can! I taught him this morning. Am I right, Yan'er? "Father." Did you hear that? What did he call me? He called you "father." Yan'er can say "father"? - I didn't lie to you.
- Your Highness, shouldn't you be discussing state affairs right now? Why are you here? - I--
- His Highness stopped by just to see me and Yan'er. See you? Don't you know that Yan'er has learned how to say "father." So I sent a messenger to call His Highness back. What? Your Highness, you put the state affairs aside and came back to hear Yan'er call you "father"? How can you live up to the faithfulness of Their Majesties and those ministers? She is fooling around and you are matching her by doing so? Gao Ling, don't be so arrogant! Is the crown prince someone you can throw your temper at? I haven't gotten to you yet! Being the consort of the crown prince, you are of meager help to his political future, yet you are dragging his feet to dispose of state policies. If this gets spread, do you have any little sense that it may lead to his political downfall? Don't be an alarmist! I am not, but you are just ignorant. You-- You are jealous of his tenderness to me! Envy you? What a laughable joke! You are jealous of me. - No, I am not.
- You are!
- I am not! - You are!
- I...
- That's enough! Princess Consort of Jin, Greetings to the Princess Consort of Cai. If my guess is right, Princess Consort of Jin is also here to see Yan'er? Indeed. I heard Yan'er can speak now. As his auntie, I have to send congratulations. Great! I will go with you. Please. Your Highness, is Yan'er asleep? Yan'er just fell asleep. You are too courteous. The gifts are too much. Your coming is already good. We are one family. I heard Yan'er can speak now, so I and Princess Consort of Jin prepared some modest gifts. This courtesy can't be spared. I didn't expect the crown prince was in the Eastern Palace, too. I thought you were drowning yourself in heaps of political affairs. He especially came to see me and Yan'er-- The state affairs for today are done, so I was relieved to come back early. Your Highness is a real governing talent, handling state affairs with such proficiency. Entrusted by Emperor Father to let me supervise the country, it leaves me no nerve to dally around. I get up around 4:00 a.m. to work. Thank you for your hard work. Your Highness needs to watch out for your health, too. This imperial court gown is so elegantly embroidered, and it must have been made by a virtuoso. I sewed this. What do you think? Doesn't it comply with the crown prince's regal presence? Definitely! This elegant garment reinforces your royalty even more. I admire Sister's nimble fingers. If your lavish style is known to Their Majesties, especially doing this when they are not around, you will get more than you can take. Your Highness, Minister Wang Yi is asking for an audience. - Send him in.
- Yes. Greetings to Your Highness. Rise. Your Highness, I dare not rise. Why? Your Highness asked us to solve the flood of the Yellow River, but I'm ashamed for failing to come up with any method. How come? Get up and talk. Thank you, Your Highness. I intended to look for archives of flood in Linzhi Hall. But I was obstructed by the officials of Linzhi Hall and they did not allow me to enter. I pleaded hundreds of times but they insisted not letting me in. Is that all? Since confidential volumes have needed to be moved out of Linzhi Hall recently, so Emperor Father had issued a "no trespassing" order before he left. If you need anything, I will find and send them to you. Thank you. Your Highness, I don't know whether these words are proper or not. Spit it out. I said Your Highness sent me in. But the officials said... They said what? They said, "So what if it was the crown prince? He's not the emperor." They said that? Yes. I dare not to lie to Your Highness. How bold they are! Your Highness is the future emperor, and is carrying the regent post now. They are acting so arrogantly! If these words got spread, Your Highness's prestige would be shattered. That's right! If even a mere official of Linzhi Hall can sniff at His Highness, I am afraid those ministers will not treat you seriously in the future. Severe punishments should be carried out as a warning to all. Wang Yi. Yes. I confer you a royal token, in the future, you may enter the Linzhi Hall whenever you want. Whoever hinders business will be inexcusably killed. Yes. [Jiankang] A.D. 589, the ninth year of Kaihuang (the Reign Title). The army of the Sui stormed the capital of Chen State, Jiankang city, and swept all the way to the imperial palace. They captured Emperor Chen, Chen Shubao, and Princess Chen Wanyi who were hidden in a dried well. The Chen State perished along with the surrender of Chen Shubao. The battle ended the long-term separation of the south and the north of China... - Unify the world!
...leaving the 200-year of the Southern and Northern dynasties period Unify the world! Unify the world! Unify the world! Unify the world! Unify the world! The Sui dynasty is ruled under the name of Yang. The unification of the south and the north is on the horizon. Rong'er, you're just worried about my safety. The Yang family carries the name of fighting till death, and I always come back safe and sound after many battles. Plus, everyone knows the emperor is personally leading an astronomical high number of 500,000 soldiers to subjugate the Chen State with an unbeatable aura. The word "failure" is not in his dictionary. [Honors and Achievements of the Prince of Cai] [Honors and Achievements of the Prince of Cai] I told you not to go. But you insisted on going. Husband, the dynasty only belongs to Yang Jian and Dugu Jialuo. Why must you overdo yourself? Why do you care so much? Great! Now that you've left, we are separated by the line of life and death. They must have forced you to charge the front, am I right? Why didn't they fight the battle themselves? They should be the ones that died! Husband, that couple tore apart my Yuchi family, and my father committed suicide on their account. You are their biological brother, and they didn't waver the thought of sacrificing you for their benefits. What do you know about them? They only do things for themselves. They want to dominate the world and be the utmost ruler. But you are the pawn for them. Don't worry. I will make them be miserable in a living hell.
