The two ceremonies are fixed! Yin and yang are in place! Ordering the start of the Supreme Ultimate, and a pure and virtuous woman ascends! Those who follow shall flow! Return to the Dragon Hall! Descend! Bow! Approach the hall! Congratulations! Drinking the nuptial wine together! On this auspicious month and day, may the wedded couple begin the ceremony! First, bow to Heaven and Earth as they share this joy with you. First bow to Heaven and Earth. Second bow to the high altar! Second bow to the high altar. Third bow to the officials from within and outside the empire! Fourth bow to each other as a united husband and wife! After bowing to each other, the ceremony is completed! May the court officials congratulate the wedded couple! The celebration is complete and shall be recorded. High officials shall bow. The auspicious betrothal ceremony of Crown Prince has been completed. Worshiping with restraint this great blessing. With such extraordinary nobility and virtue, we extremely feel happy. Respectfully wishing you a long life! We wish for the Li Empire to enjoy ten thousand years of glorious reign! That it will have eternal prosperity! Ten thousand years of glorious reign! Have eternal prosperity! Ten thousand years of glorious reign! Have eternal prosperity! Lower the carriage! Related Lady of Excellence, we've arrived at Qingluan Palace Hall. [Profound and Simple] Miss, this Qingluan Palace is decorated with a cheerful atmosphere. It's because we're sharing the crown princess' spotlight. But His Highness the Crown Prince planned to marry you first into the Eastern Palace, which the empress didn't allow. She insisted that you marry into the Eastern Palace today. Who doesn't know that today is the marriage ceremony between His Highness and that Xi State's princess? Everyone is congratulating the crown prince, so who would still remember us? The empress is telling me to know my place. She's bullying you too much! As long as the crown prince's heart only has me, whether or not I am the crown princess or not, is no longer important. Your Highness, I will take my leave. Your Highness. Pei Zhao, go get me some wine. Your Highness, tonight is the first night of your wedding. You shouldn't get drunk. If I can't get drunk, then I don't know how I can survive this long night. Slow down! Oh, my, slow down! We have a new type of wine coming tomorrow. - You are welcome to come and try it.
- Goodbye, lady boss! Be careful. You're drinking so much again. That isn't wine. It's water? No matter what, I won't get drunk today, so it's better not to waste any wine. Mi Luo, have you every had anyone you loved? I love wine and dancing. Loving people? It's too tiring and tormenting. You are correct. Love... is tiring. I used to think that if there were a next life, I must find her and give her happiness. But I found out that even if I can relive my life, the ending would still be the same. As long as she is with him, she will remember those things sooner or later. I don't want to see her sad. I also don't want history to repeat itself. But even if I take her with me, I cannot give her happiness. Only now did I finally understand that for certain things, you only have one chance to choose. If you chose wrong, you cannot turn back. There are certain people that if you missed out for a moment, you then would miss out on them for eternity. For people, as long as you can live long enough, then anything can happen. [Mi Luo Drinking House] Your Highness. You may leave. [Qingluan Hall] Your Highness. - Sese!
- Slow down. - Your Highness the Crown Prince!
- Sese! Sese! Sese! Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince! Sese. Your Highness! Jin'er, hurry. Escort His Highness inside. My Lady. Why is he so drunk on his first marriage night? As long as the place he has gone to is Qingluan Hall, I don't care about anything else. You're right. Today is the wedding of the crown prince and his consort, but he came to our Qingluan Hall. You can see that he doesn't care for the crown princess consort. ♫ A fox ♫ ♫ is sitting on top of the sand dune♫ ♫ Sitting on top of the sand dune, looking at the moon ♫ ♫ But actually, it's not watching the moon ♫ ♫ It's waiting for the shepherd girl to come back ♫ ♫ A fox ♫ ♫ is sitting on top of the sand dune ♫ ♫ Sitting on top of the sand dune, basking under the sun ♫ ♫ The fox ♫ ♫ could not wait for the shepherd girl to come back ♫ ♫ The fox ♫ Crown Princess Consort! Crown Princess Consort, you're back! Crown Princess Consort! Crown Princess Consort, you're finally back. Crown Princess Consort, where did you go? Why are you still dressed like this? - Hurry and escort her inside.
- That's right. It's warmer inside. - Hurry, make some tea.
- We were so anxious about you! You're finally back. Hurry and go inside. Come, let's go inside. Crown Princess Consort, you're up so early. Why does your complexion look so bad? Did you not sleep? Yongniang, tell them to take all these decorations down. I don't want to see any bright red color. It only makes me think of the blood from the people of Danchi. It's not something I should celebrate. Yes, I understand. Crown Princess Consort, I'll help you change. According to traditions, you should pay your respects to the empress today. Jin'er! - My Lady.
- When did the crown prince leave? Replying to My Lady, the crown prince left at early dawn.
(Yinshi - from 3:00 to 5:00 a.m.) At this time, he is probably with the crown princess consort going to pay their respect together. The wedding ceremony is over, so blow out the red candles. The wedded couple comes in front of the altar (parents) to make their respectful bows. The husband offers preserved dates. The wife offers dried meat. Be respectful and cautious early on. Always do self-cultivation. No need to labor too hard. Here's a cup of wine as thanks. Once the wine is drunk, happiness and blessings will be long. Serve a cup of tea to your mother-in-law. - Crown Princess Consort!
- What's wrong with the Crown Princess Consort? Replying to Empress. Crown Princess is very feverish. She must've caught a cold. Yesterday, she was still fine. How come she's like this now? It's I who didn't take care of her well. Please forgive me. Hurry and get the imperial physician. Empress, the Crown Princess Consort's body was invaded by chilly air. Plus, the fact that she had been exposed to the cold for too long and has pent up sadness in her heart; hence, this illness came so fiercely. She needs rest for a few days. Exposed to the cold for a long time? Wasn't she with the Crown Prince yesterday? Crown Prince, you tell us what happened? Last night, I went to Qingluan Hall. I also don't know how she got exposed to the cold. You just got married with the Crown Princess Consort yesterday, yet you stayed all night at Qingluan Palace? That breaks with propriety. I'll go wherever I want, but definitely not to her place. Preposterous! - Wei Chen.
- Present. Pass my decree. Related Lady of Excellence Zhao bewitched her husband and disregarded proper hierarchy of position. She is penalized with two weeks of house confinement. No one may visit her, - including Crown Prince.
- Imperial Mother! This matter has nothing to do with Sese! Do you think that I penalized her wrongly? It's all right if you don't follow propriety, but Zhao See, as the Related Lady of Excellence, how could she not know the palace regulations? She didn't dissuade you and just allowed you to stay in her chamber. That is bewitching her husband! If you feel that I penalized wrongly, then you can invite the Court of the Imperial Family to debate about it. But perhaps at that time, there will be a harsher punishment than two weeks of confinement. Imperial Mother, please calm your anger. I was wrong. Greetings, Your Imperial Highness the Crown Prince. A'Du. No need. - She's still unconscious?
- Your Highness the Crown Prince, Crown Princess Consort hasn't woken up since coming back from Clean and Peaceful Palace. Your Highness, I will order the Imperial Buttery to prepare some food. A'Du, you come with me. Come now. Why is she so hot? Don't come near me! Get out. What is the matter? I knew you were faking your illness! Sese was placed on house confinement for two weeks. Are you satisfied now?! Crown Princess Consort must be confused due to high fever. Please don't be angry with her. Pass my command to the Palace Pharmaceutical Service that they are not allowed to treat the Crown Princess Consort! If I find out anyone has brought an imperial physician to treat her, don't blame me if I go overboard! But...Crown Prince! Your Imperial Highness! Your Highness the Crown Prince! The oral decree of the Empress. Related Lady of Excellence Zhao betwitched her husband and disregarded proper hierarchy of position. She is to be placed on house arrest at Qingluan Palace for two weeks. No one may visit. I will accept the decree. His Highness the Crown Prince clearly came to Qingluan Palace on his own. Why must My Lady be the one to be punished? Jin'er, don't ever speak in this way again. Empress has never favored me. She keeps looking for a chance to step on me. But unknowingly, the more she steps on me, the more the crown prince will dote on me. Inside the Eastern Palace, as long as the crown prince cares about me, it is enough already. Your Imperial Highness. How is her illness? Crown Princess Consort is gravely ill this time. She needs to recuperate for a few days. Your Highness, are you really not going to let the Palace Pharmaceutical Service treat the crown princess consort? Sese has been put on house arrest. If I don't pretend to be angry, she might become suspicious. But the crown princess consort's illness can't be left untreated. I know. But every item in the Eastern Palace is recorded. So, I would like you to bring some good medication from your home. Oh, right. That Yongniang by her side is Imperial Great-Grandmother's servant. She's very trustworthy. You go give her the medicine secretly. Don't let anyone find out. Also, take this chance to investigate how many people in the Eastern Palace are spies for Prime Minister Gao and the empress. Yes. Take good care of the crown princess consort. Thank you, General Pei, for your help. If it weren't for your help, I wouldn't know what to do. All right. Hurry up and brew the medication for her. Yes. A'Du, help the Crown Princess Consort up. Handkerchief. Your Highness, it took a lot of effort to find this medication. Make sure you drink it all. Your Highness, have a bit of this. Here, I'll feed you. I don't want to eat. The medicine won't help you as much as food. Just take one bite. Just eat one bite. I'll feed you. I'm tired. You go rest, too. Who's there? Cousin? No one saw you, right? Why did you come to see me? During your wedding with the crown princess consort, did the Xi State envoys offer some tributes? - Yes.
- Could you pick some out to gift to Xiaofeng? Just say that her family sent them to her. Also, tell her that this letter was written by her royal father. Why? She still doesn't know that her mother is dead. She has been sending one letter after another home. She's alone in the palace and there's no one to take care of her. Now that she's your wife, the only person she can trust is you. Treat her a little better. You care a lot about her. Give all these items to the crown princess consort. Tell her that you've received a reply letter and gifts from the king of Xi State. Yes. Oh, right. You have to remember that I haven't given anything to the crown princess consort. A third person can't know about this. I understand. The crown prince— It's good that you understand. Crown Princess Consort! Crown Princess Consort! A letter came in from Xi State! Dad said that everything is good in Xi State. He told me to not worry. He said he misses me a lot. But because there are too many state issues, he can't come to visit me. This letter is already enough to lessen my homesickness. Greetings, Crown Princess Consort. General Pei. I've already prepared the carriage. I want to take you somewhere. Please come with me, Your Imperial Highness. [Prolonged Peace Gate] Buns! Buns! Your Highness, please. [Names hang under heaven and earth for eternity] [Gods shining along the sun and moon] Crown Princess Consort. When the crown prince came back from the Western Border, he requested for this memorial temple to be built. The crown prince said that Khan Tömür had been a hero his whole life and deserved a proper burial. Grandfather! Grandfather! I'm now here to see you, Grandfather! Don't cry, Xiaofeng. I'm here. [Bearing Graces Hall] Take her there. If she resolves her emotional burden, her illness might get better. Oh, right. Make sure you don't tell her that I told you to bring her there. Did Li Chengyin ask you to bring me here? No. I wanted to bring you here myself. General Pei... The conflict between the Li Empire and Danchi has been going on for several decades. Whether a war will erupt or not isn't under the crown prince's control. If there are states, there will be war. War means there will be bloodshed and death. It doesn't matter if they are warriors from the Li Empire or Danchi. Once they go onto the battlefield, they might not return. The Li Empire also had many warriors that died on the battlefield. Even now, some of their remains can't be found. Their fathers, mothers, wives, and children suffered the same unbearable pain. I hope Your Highness could put yourself in their situation and resolve your emotional burdens. Don't hate the crown prince too much. I understand that no one can prevent war from happening between the two states. But the person who died was my grandfather. The leader of the attack on Danchi was my husband. General Pei... How could I resolve my emotional burdens? What would happen if I resolve them? Would my grandfather come back to life? If I don't blame him, then who should I blame? Who should I hate if I don't hate him? Fate has a way of being cruel. Why did I have to become his crown princess consort? The Crown Prince is here! - Sese!
- Welcome, Your Imperial Highness Crown Prince. Sese, it's been hard on you. As long as I can see Your Highness again, I don't feel wronged at all. For the past half month, I've been blaming myself every day. But now that I see you are all right, I feel more at ease. I knew that if you saw me in a haggard manner, you would blame yourself more and be more concerned. Knowing that Your Highness also missed me every day makes me very happy. Crown Princess Consort, your writing looks better and better now. Now that I have more time on my hands, my writing will naturally improve. Ying'er, did you hear? Yesterday, Qingluan Hall's restriction has ended. The crown prince then rushed to see Related Lady of Excellence Zhao at once. Over there, they were put under house confinement, so the crown prince couldn't enter. We aren't even under house confinement here, but it feels like we are. Look at crown princess consort, she has been sick for about a month now. Right? Besides coming the first day and making a scene, His Highness the Crown Prince hasn't returned at all. Don't be so loud! The fact that the crown princess consort isn't on the crown prince's good side isn't something new. What's there to be surprised about? I'm going to rip the mouths off of these senseless servants! Yongniang, Forget it. Just let them be. Crown Princess Consort... I'm not the person he likes anyways. I was forced upon him. He's unwilling and I'm unwilling, too. But Your Imperial Highness, you clearly care about the crown prince. If not, you wouldn't have been sad for this long. I was sad before because I couldn't go back to the Xi State and I married someone who I didn't want to marry. But now, I've figured it out. Since I can't go back, I should just be happy here. - I'm not going to think about those sad things anymore.
- Your Highness... Yongniang, by thinking this way, I would feel a lot better. Isn't that a good thing? It's good as long as it makes you happy. Crown Princess Consort, since you have free time today, why don't you go visit Related Lady of Excellence Zhao? Concubine Zhao? Why should I go to visit her? You and her both live in the Eastern Palace. Last time, she was grounded for half a month. If you don't express anything, people will gossip behind your back. Moreover, the crown prince misunderstood you last time. You can take this chance to reconcile your relationship. Won't that be good? I'm not going. He can believe whatever he wants. Crown Princess Consort! Yongniang, I know you want what's good for me, but I only want to live happily for myself. There's no need for me to please him nor the person he likes. Your Imperial Highness! I know that you feel wronged. I'm just concerned about you. I wish for you and the crown prince to push aside your past feuds soon and for everyone within the Eastern Palace to get along. But unfortunately... Unfortunately, I am useless. I've let the teachings of Grand Empress Dowager down. - May Your Highness bestow death upon me!
- Jeez, Yongniang. Don't be like this. Hurry and get up. I'll go! What gift should we prepare for her? Gift? My Lady, the crown princess consort is here. Quickly escort her in. Greetings, Crown Princess Consort. Ever since you married into the Eastern Palace I haven't seen you yet, so I decided to drop by today. Thank you, Your Imperial Highness. A'Du. This is? Where did you get that rotten stuff from? And you have the nerve to give it to someone? Sese, this a grape wine fermented for several years from Xi State's royal city. It's the best! It looks this way because it has to be covered in mud to trap the essence of the wine. I especially took it from my dowry to give to you. What kind of good things would that barbaric place of yours have? I think you're just bluffing. What do you mean bluffing? Why don't you try it? Who knows what kind of weird stuff you put in there? Who dares to drink it? What do you mean? Why would I put weird stuff in there? Let me tell you. The first time you saw Sese, she fell into the pond. The second time you caused her to be grounded. It's not more than once or twice that you tried harming her. I won't be surprised if you would try harming here again. I don't want to get bothered by you! Sese, this is for you. Who wants this trash? Take it back! I'm giving it to her! None of your business! If I don't allow it, then she can't take it! Just in case you bring her harm again! Who is harming anyone? I harm others but you even killed people! Me killing people on the battlefield and you harming someone, can they be the same?! Petty kindness. - Your Imperial Highness, the crown princess consort doesn't mean any harm.
- Who are saying has petty kindness? - Be quiet!
- Be quiet! Let me tell you. If you don't want to drink it. I'll drink it myself! Let go! My Lady! My Lady! My Lady, are you all right? My Lady! Sese, you... Are you all right? Are you all right? What are you trying to do now?! She's bleeding! You need to stop it! Leave! If it weren't for you, she wouldn't get hurt! - I...
- Starting today, you are not allowed into Qingluan Hall! I... - Sese.
- Go! Get out! - What are you doing? Let go!
- Get out! Get out! Sese. - Hurry! Hurry and call the doctor!
- Yes! Yes! Sese. Does it hurt? Your Highness, aren't you going to check on the crown princess consort? Why would I go see her? She caused this injury and you still want me to care for her? I think you really don't hate her. What do you mean? I mean, even if you dote on me, you shouldn't be so obvious. You are indeed the gentler and more sensible one. It's fine now. You should rest. I'll leave now. Will you come back here tonight? Grand Mentor wants me to learn court governance; hence, I won't come over anymore. To prevent Imperial Mother from saying that I am ignoring court affairs and vent her anger at you. Right. If the love between two people is destined to last long, then why would they need to spend days and nights together? For you to be diligent in court affairs is a blessing for the citizens. Your Highness and I have a lot of time together in the future. You're right. I'll leave then. Fifth Brother, your water skills are great. Good thing, you saved the ninth princess in time. General Pei! How about it? Do you want another gourd of the wine you drank last time? You're a girl. Don't you know you should act more reserved? Then why didn't you catch me? People coming here for drinks are all looking for happiness. What is being reserved? Is that worth money? I'm looking for Gu Jian. It's actually quite weird. Young Lord Gu hasn't had a drop of liquor lately. - Where is he?
- In the kitchen. He owes me too much money, so he's cleaning dishes to repay it. I can't believe you can stoop down and do this type of work. With this type of work, I don't need to use my brain and I can even workout. Compared to the matters Godfather assigned me, it's way easier. Sir Chai has left the empire. I'll find a way for him to come back. You should refrain from going to the palace for now. Did something happen again? The crown prince and the crown princess consort's relationship isn't good these days. But don't worry. Crown Prince is just pretending for the eyes around him. He still cares a lot for her. Caring is one thing, knowing how to care is another. Don't think of her, but hurt her at the same time. Stop thinking about the past. They've already forgotten it. Everything is starting fresh. No matter what, they are husband and wife. We, as outsiders, cannot interfere. Every time you talk about the crown princess consort, you end up talking much more than usual. Not only did you wrong her, I also did. I want her to be well. Greetings to Imperial Mother. Rise. Crown Princess Consort, your complexion looks much better. Your health must have improved greatly. Thank you for worrying, Imperial Mother. I am all right now. Crown Prince, she has just recovered from an illness. You should show her more care. I think that she's not even sick. She's just exaggerating it. I'm not sick, but you are. Barbaric girl with no manners. You have manners? You broke my gift for Related Lady of Excellence Zhao and even kicked me out of Qingluan Hall. You're really good at being unreasonable. His Imperial Majesty has arrived! Greetings to Imperial Father. Greetings to Your Imperial Majesty. Rise. Rise. Everyone may rise. We are all a family. It's not good to be so formal. How come Your Imperial Majesty was able to visit the Clean and Peaceful Palace today? In a couple of days, it will be the Bathing the Buddha Festival.
(commemorating the birthday of Buddha) This year is different from the past, because we now have a Crown Prince and Crown Princess Consort. The world also knows about this. Hence, I would like to take this chance to let Crown Prince and Crown Princess Consort represent the royal family and welcome the envoys from the different states. This way you'll be able to gain some experience. Empress, what do you think? I think that's a great idea. Oh, right. You told me before that you were worried that the crown prince and crown princess consort's outfits might not be complete due to the lack of time, right? How's the preparation going now? What a coincidence! Your Imperial Majesty, take a look. The casual attire and the dress for the offering ceremony have just been delivered. I was preparing to let Crown Prince and Crown Princess Consort try them on. Do you want to take a look, Your Imperial Majesty? Crown Princess Consort. You go and see if it fits. The work of the Palace Weaving Service is really different. It's so detailed. Crown Princess Consort. You take care of this outfit well. It was specifically made for the Bathing Buddha Festival. According to the palace rules, you can't wear this during normal days. Thank you, Imperial Mother. I understand. Yongniang, it's just an outfit. You don't have to take care of it like that. I think this outfit is very delicate and complicated. It would be bad if I tear even a string from it. This outfit was indeed made so exquisitely. I remember when I was younger, I saw Consort Mingyuan had one, too. I accidentally ruined one of the gold silk strings on it. When Your Imperial Highness wears it, you have to be extra careful then. Don't touch it recklessly! You are so clumsy. If you touch it, all the silk thread might fall off! Greetings, Your Imperial Highness the Crown Prince. What are you doing here? Your Highness, do you want to eat dinner here? He won't eat here! Nevermind. You can leave now. Don't prepare anything. I'm just going to sit for a while. Yes. What did you come here for? Imperial Mother wanted me to teach you the rites during the Bathing Buddha Festival. Do you know its origin? Bathing Buddha Festival is a day to remember the birth of Buddha. That morning we will go to the Temple of Ten Thousand Buddhas to pay respect to Buddha and provide meals for the monks. We will perform the Bathing Buddha ritual of sprinkling water onto the Buddha statues to clean them. Then we will start to splash water on each other, start the fireworks, race with dragon boats, - and rush to display—
- All right. All right. Stop pretending like you care. You killed so many people, but you have to pretend to be merciful in front of Buddha? That's ridiculous! You're the crown princess consort now. Could you think before you speak? You can say that in front of me, but once you leave this room, don't say it anymore. I'm scared you'll embarrass me! Don't raise your voice at me. Just because I haven't stabbed you with a knife doesn't mean I've forgiven you. Let me tell you. I'm just being a little more polite towards you because you built a memorial temple for my grandfather. What's the connection between the memorial temple and you?! I built it because I want to honor Khan Tömür as a hero! You can do whatever you want! But you better assess yourself first if you can really do it! Get out! I don't want to go to the Bathing Buddha Festival with you! When I think about having to go there with a cold-blooded killer like you, I feel disgusted! You feel disgusted about going to the festival with me? I don't even want to take you! Do you know how many people want to go to the festival with me and don't even have the chance?! You're talking about Sese, right? You came today so that I would give the outfit for the Bathing Buddha Festival to your Zhao Sese to wear, is that right?! I'll give it to you! I don't care anyway! I won't go anymore! Who said I— You're really smart! You won't go and want Sese to go, so that you can go snitch to my mother and let Sese be punished again! Am I right?! Don't worry! I'll just say I'm sick! I won't get your Sese into trouble! I... Then, you better act well! Crown Prince! Crown Princess Consort! Why did His Imperial Highness take the outfit with him? Let him take it! I don't care anyway! [Bearing Graces Hall] I didn't come here to fight with her. What am I doing? [Bearing Graces Hall] Your Imperial Highness! What's that? The crown princess consort caused your hand injury. This is the apology gift. But that was made to be worn by the crown princess consort. It would be against the rules if I wore it. If the empress finds out, she will scold me again for not understanding my status and rules. It won't happen. You won't be blamed this time. Thank you, Your Highness. Crown Princess Consort, are you really letting Related Lady of Excellence Zhao go to the Bathing the Buddha Festival on your behalf? Of course, girls from Xi State never go back on our words. Moreover, Concubine Zhao's hand did get hurt because of me. If she's happy from receiving the outfit, Li Chengyin will also be happy. He then won't come to my place and wreak havoc, I'll also get some peace and quiet. But if you don't attend the Bathing Buddha Festival, aren't you afraid of angering His Imperial Majesty and Empress? I've been sick for such a long time, so getting sick once in a while from the cold should be normal. Either way, His Imperial Majesty and the empress only need someone to display. They don't really mind whether it's me that's going. But Crown Princess Consort... Yongniang, I don't want to go while she wants to. Isn't this the best way? Stop making a fuss about it. Yes. Where is the crown princess consort? She didn't come? The crown princess consort caught a cold two days ago, so she asked to take a day off. It's against traditions if the crown prince has no one by his side, so I ordered Related Lady of Excellence Zhao to be the substitute for we must ensure that the ritual agenda is done. Wasn't she fine a couple of days ago? Is it because her illness has not fully recovered yet? The crown princess consort is no longer your usual imperial consort. As the empress, you should take care of her. I understand. Don't worry. It will be fine. Depart for the Temple of Ten Thousand Buddhas! A'Du, I've been seeing really weird memories these days. The imperial doctor told me these were just dreams, but they were so realistic. On the other hand, the stories told to me by the empress of encountering desert bandits, I don't have any recollection of that. I feel like I've lost a really important memory. I want to find it. Teacher, what are you doing here? Isn't today the Bathing Buddha Festival? All the imperial relatives will be visiting the Temple of Ten Thousand Buddhas to pray. I was waiting outside the temple to see you, but you never came, so I came here. I'm sick so I can't go. Sick? Why are you sick? I'm not really sick. I just told the empress that I was sick. Why did you do that? Isn't it to fulfill the wishes of Li Chengyin and his Zhao Sese? Either way, imperial ceremonies are cumbersome and complicated. You're better off not going. But the most interesting part of the Bathing Buddha Festival is the temple fair. It's a waste if you don't go see it. A fair? What is fun at the fair? The fair has a lot of fun things. They have dancing lions, fire acrobats, catching goldfish, and performances from of the Western Border. I heard that the Persian sorceresses are better than our fortune tellers. They can see your past and present life with just a look. Persian sorceresses? They can see the past and present life? I want to go see. Good! Great! Good! Good! Good! Shopkeeper, can I have two sugared figures? Here you go. Don't cry. What are you crying about? Wait for me. Are you the Persian sorceress? Can you look at my fortune? I'll take a look. Gu Jian, this is the Persian sorceress you told me about. You should let her look at your fortune, too. Come. You two... have an affinity of two lives, but they both will not end well. You two should separate now. What do you mean affinity of two lives and born to be against each other? This is my teacher! I really thought you could see my past and present life, but apparently, you are a scam. You're not accurate at all! Let's go. Xiaofeng, go to the wishing pond in front with A'Du first. I'll find you guys later. I want to see what else this scammer has to say. Hurry then. Accessories! Take a look! Keep talking. You are living to repent your sins. You are holding onto this sin as you live on. When you are done repenting, and your heart's soul has been released from the guilt, by that time, you body will suffer from the pain of a thousand arrows piercing through your heart. Is it worth it? She is right. You aren't accurate. Even though I am feeling like there are a thousand arrows piercing my heart, I'm not planning to die yet. I am planning to live on for a long time and suffer. Buy a turtle! Buy a turtle and set it free, so you can lengthen your life span! Buy a turtle and set it free! A'Du, we ran onto more swindlers. Would you believe that the turtles we just released will come back very soon? Let's go. Come with me. Every year, I'm able to accompany Your Imperial Majesty here on top of Vermilion Bird Tower to celebrate the holiday with the citizens. I am very happy. This year looks more lively than the past. Every Bathing Buddha Festival, I would pray for Buddha to look over the Li Empire, for the wind and rains to come on time, for peace and prosperity, and for my citizens to make a good living. Today, I can see all of it. I feel happy and assured. Your Imperial Majesty is virtuous, cares for the citizens, and manages the country well. Your contributions are a blessing for the people. Your Imperial Majesty is wise! You all have also contributed to the peace and prosperity of this land. Thank you, Your Imperial Majesty! Minister Gao, ever since you became the Minister of Revenue, the economy has been rising, and there's a balance in income and expenditures. The military rations are also abundant. Because of people like you who are willing to exhaust themselves for the sake of others, our citizens are able to live a life of peace. Minister Gao, I must reward you accordingly! Your Imperial Majesty, you are overly praising me. I am just fulfilling my duties. Your Majesty has been changing the tax system every year to lessen the amounts of tax paid by the citizens. Every time there is a disaster, you open the grain warehouse. Every citizens of Li Empire has a house to live in, the farmers have land to farm, and the merchants are able to do their businesses. You care about the citizen's ideas and feelings. Everyone is thanking you for your excellent rule. All right. All right. Only one more is left? Are there still any? - There's no more?
- No rush! There are more! Here they are! I'll take one! Give me one! Stop pushing! Don't fight! Why did she cut the line! Get in line! Get in line! Little turtle, we see each other again. Miss, you like this one? It's not that I like this one, I just found it again. Miss, what do you mean? What I mean is... you are using the excuse of releasing living creatures to make a scam. - Miss, you are spouting such nonsense.
- Don't talk nonsense! I'm not. I saw it with my own eyes. First, you sell turtles here. Then, after everyone releases their turtles, you catch and sell them again. With a cycle like that, of course, you can't run out of turtles to sell the whole night. - That's too much.
- What are you all being loud about? Miss, you shouldn't say things like that. What evidence do you have to say that this turtle was caught and resold by us? Tell us. Where's your evidence? Everyone, look at this. This turtle is the one I just bought from him earlier. I released it. If you didn't lie, then why is it here again? Right! She's right. The turtles in the world look the same. Just because you claim that turtle is yours, does that make it really yours? Right. He's right. Everyone look! I personally tied this white cloth on it. You see it? See it? - Do you see it? You can see it, right?
- Indeed! - See?
- It is true indeed. - You guys are so wicked.
- See? - You can see it, right?
- How could you people do this?
- Right! It really is there. So wicked of them. - Refund our money!
- Refund! Men! Step away! You're trying to bully by outnumbering us? Today, I will show you what more bullying the less means. That's right. Let's go that way. I'll stay here for a bit. I like places that aren't crowded. Xiaofeng! A'Du, hit him! Chase them! Chase them! Chase them! Don't run! Stop right there! Stop right there! Don't let them run! - Halt!
- What are you doing?
- Don't run! Stop! If I don't settle my scores with you...
- Over there! Don't run! Stop! Don't run! Over there! Stop! Don't run! Move out of the way! Over there! Hurry and chase! If you have guts, don't run! Halt! Don't run! Stop! What's going on? - What is happening?
- Right. Right. You should do that. Come here! I'll hit you! Good! Good! Very impressive! Everyone, look carefully! Don't be fooled by this trickster! - I'll beat you!
- Good! - Zhao, go see what the situation is.
- Yes. - I'll reprimand you on behalf of everyone!
- Right! Good! Good! Don't move! Get up! Don't move! Crown Princess Consort, are you okay? General Pei Zhao, why are you here? Look, this girl must be a good person. She was able to hit those dirty swine like that. They obviously outnumbered her. They were bullying her just because they outnumbered her. That's not right. - Is that the emperor up on that tower?
- That lady has good martial arts. - Who does things like that?
- Who is that man? Go back to the palace and properly figure out what just happened. Do not let the ministers see this as a joke. - I will obey your commands.
- Prepare the carriage and return to the palace! His Imperial Majesty is returning to the palace! Crown Prince, bring the Crown Princess Consort and Related Lady of Excellence Zhao back to Clean and Peaceful Palace with me. Yes, let us return to the palace. Crown Princess Consort, return to the palace with me. Then, what about these items that I've ruined? Don't worry, Crown Princess Consort. I will pay them back in double. Please. They should have been taught a lesson a long time ago. You're right. Right? It's satisfying to watch. Indeed. These bad people, they'll be punished. What are you doing? In a moment, say that it was I who did not allow you to go. Your Highness the Crown Prince, the empress is waiting. Please come in. - Paying respect to Imperial Mother.
- Rise. Crown Prince, you said that the crown princess consort was sick and could not get up, that is why you had Related Lady of Excellence Zhao attend on her behalf. Why then did Crown Princess Consort appear at the fair by herself? Imperial Mother, she was the one who faked being sick. Her legs grow on her own body. How would I know where she will go? Crown Princess Consort. Responding to Imperial Mother, it is I who did not want to go. The Bathing Buddha Festival is a grand event, but I don't understand all the rules and traditions of the Central Plains. I was afraid of hurting the reputation of the royal family if I went. You! Aren't those words deliberately making my Imperial Mother think that I didn't allow you to go? First, you faked an illness and said you can't go. Then, you show up at Vermilion Bird Tower to let Imperial Father and Mother see you! You're doing this because I went to Sese's place on our wedding night. Jealousy has become a habit of yours! You are willing to do anything just to take revenge on me! I'm taking revenge on you? Stop misinterpreting my acts just because you're evil! Who was it that went to my place and started a huge commotion, said that I'm a barbaric girl and that I will ruin the royal family's reputation? Who took the clothes away just so Related Lady of Excellence Zhao could attend the festival? Yongniang can be my witness! That is right! I did not want you to go! I was afraid that you would cause the imperial family to lose face. Be quiet! Do you know that if we pursue any charges, you all have just committed the crime of lying to the emperor？ Xiaofeng is the Li Empire's Crown Princess Consort. Even if there was impropriety, who would dare comment on it? Are you telling me that by allowing a concubine to attend the festival instead of the crown princess consort, the imperial family would not be disgraced? Related Lady of Excellence Zhao, you have some guts. Empress, I do not know what I did wrong. The crown prince is always careful with his words and actions. This time, it must be you bewitching him into doing so. You pestered the crown prince and forced the crown princess consort to fake an illness, so you could substitute her. I did not! In consideration that it is your first offense, I'm punishing you to stay in your own palace, reflect on your wrongdoings, - while kneeling and reading Buddhist manuscripts for three days.
- Imperial Mother! Empress, I'm not the one who committed these mistakes. Why are you punishing me? You even dare to defy me? Since you do not know what you have done wrong, then I will punish you to kneel and pray for a month. You are to kneel for six hours every day and are not allowed to take even half a step out of Qingluan Hall, until you have figured out what you did wrong! Imperial Mother, this situation has nothing to do with Sese. It was I who did not wish to bring the crown princess consort. That is right, Imperial Mother. It was I who did not want to go. - It has nothing to do with Concubine Zhao.
- Be quiet! Crown Prince, do you think that the punishment is not severe enough? - Imperial Mother—
- Your Imperial Highness, say no more. I am ready and willing to receive my punishment. I thank Empress for your grace. Related Lady of Excellence! After saying so much, do you know what you did wrong? You wish to vent your anger out onto Sese. I have nothing more to say. How can you still speak up for her? If that Concubine Zhao really has womanly virtues, is respectful and obedient, even if you want her to substitute the crown princess consort into going, she should have refused it. How could she ignore the palace traditions and wear the dress designated for the crown princess consort? You are the crown prince now. You mustn't dote on Concubine Zhao alone. Xiaofeng is the true crown princess consort of the Eastern Palace. Yes, I know. I will take my leave now. Empress, as His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince was leaving, he looked very upset. I am afraid that he did not even listen to a single word of advice I gave him. Empress, you do not need to be too worried. The crown prince's current favorite is Related Lady of Excellence Zhao, so it is natural for him to cherish her this much. After a while, this novel feeling will go away. Do you think that the crown prince is only temporarily infatuated with Concubine Zhao? The crown prince is still young. Since he is full of vigor and vitality, it makes sense for him to be enchanted like so. I keep feeling that the crown prince is not like how he was. Although before, he had a dull personality, he was affectionate towards me. But now, I keep feeling that he has distanced himself from me. Especially after that Concubine Zhao entered the palace. He will frequently defy me for her. The Zhao and Gao families have always been at odds. If Prime Minister Gao finds out that he only dotes on Concubine Zhao, I am afraid that the prime minister might develop other goals. It's fine if that crown princess consort isn't being favored by the crown prince. With her personality, even if I help her now, she may not necessarily be of use to me in the future. Since it is like this, Empress, why not find someone you can control and give her to the crown prince as a lower-rank concubine? - Out of the way!
- Your Imperial Highness the Crown Prince! Crown Prince! Empress has made an imperial decree that no one is allowed to enter Qingluan Hall! - Sese!
- Your Imperial Highness the Crown Prince! Your Imperial Highness, please sympathize with Related Lady of Excellence, so that she will not receive more punishments. - I will have a few words with her then leave. Step down.
- Yes, Your Imperial Highness. Sese! Sese! Your Imperial Highness. Sese, it is I who implicated you. If I had known that having you enter the palace to be by my side would result in this situation, I would rather part with you and allow you to live in a carefree manner. I would never let you bear these grievances. Your Highness, do you still remember the words I wrote for you? "One flower, one world. One leaf, one pursuit. One melody has its sad moments. One life for one person." I have never regretted the decision I made at that time. My only hope is that in this life, we will never abandon each other. Sese... This situation has really aggrieved Sese. I had originally planned to put all the blame on myself, but I didn't expect that I would bring suffering to Sese. Zhao, do you think I am being too biased by doing so? This is your house affair. House affair? A man should manage his household, govern a country, and bring peace to the world. But as the distinguished Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace, I couldn't even protect my wife. Zhao, I am going to Bearing Graces Hall now to put on a show. I must let everyone know that it is I who behaved like a scoundrel and bullied the crown princess consort. This way, if Xiaofeng does any wrong in the future, they will think that it was I who forced her to do so. They will not blame her. It will be done like this. - Where is the crown princess consort?
- Your Imperial Highness, she has already retired for the night. Your Highness, she is already resting! I've long known that you were a person who didn't stand by your words. I trusted you wrongly! What do you mean? You only told me that the two of you would go to the Temple of Ten Thousand Buddhas. You did not tell me about going to the Vermilion Bird Gate. You are ignorant and incompetent. If you had properly researched the rites during the Bathing Buddha Festival, then you would have known that Imperial Father and Mother would appear at the Vermilion Bird Gate at that time. I was not even going to attend that Bathing Buddha Festival, so why would I research on its rites? Okay, even if you did not understand those things, since you said were sick, you should have stayed in the palace. Yet, you were rambunctiously playing around in front of the Vermilion Bird Gate, right under the watchful eyes of Imperial Father and Mother. What was that about?! It is because you lacked foresight. If you knew it would be like this, you should have tied me inside Bearing Graces Hall. I would not be able to go anywhere then. Then you admit it? You are doing this on purpose! First, you made an insincere promise. Then, you purposely made your appearance. You caused Imperial Mother to vent her anger on Sese and punish her! Li Chengyin, since coming through the doors until now, only you have been talking. Let me tell you. Related Lady of Excellence Zhao cherishes you, but I do not! You two better keep your distance from me. Let's have nothing to do with each other! Okay, remember the things you said today. The two of us have nothing to do with each other! Your Imperial Highness the Crown Prince! Your Imperial Highness! Strange. Your Imperial Highness! - No one is asking you to cherish me.
- Your Highness! - Your Highness, please calm down!
- Stay where you are! Shi'en! Shi'en! - I am telling you.
- Your Imperial Highness. Relay my order. From this day forward, no one in the Eastern Palace is to speak to the crown princess consort! If I find out that anyone spoke to her, I will have their tongue plucked out and punish them with menial labor! What happened? - The crown prince getting this angry is a rare sight.
- Right. - How come he is like that?
- I do not know.
