I'm going to get the
Imperial Physician now! Don't. I had a dream just now. The Emperor... he... Today is the death
anniversary of Empress Xiaoxian. Did you think of her again? I am going to argue with Empress Xiaoxian. You are confused by your illness. I'm going to heat up the medicine for you. You should drink this first. I'm not drinking this. - Come.
- I'm not drinking this. What's the use of drinking this? I have been drinking this for many
years, and it's not effective at all. You are missing your mother too much. My mother suffered and died miserably. If she hadn't died young, Imperial Father wouldn't
have treated me coldly and lost the loving relationship
between a father and son. Mistress! Mistress. They sent word from the
First Prince's residence. They said that he won't be able to make it. Does Noble Consort Chun know? The First Prince's wife
is reporting to you first. I already sent someone to
inform Noble Consort Chun. Prepare the carriage now. I'm going to tell His Majesty. Let's go. Elder Sister, take care. Yonghuang. Yonghuang. Imperial Noble Consort Xian has arrived! Greetings, Imperial Noble Consort. Rise. Everyone, rise. Imperial Noble Consort,
look at his condition. What did Imperial Physician Qi say? - Mother...
- The Imperial Physician said that he has nightmares. He doesn't feel at peace every day,
and his breathing has been ragged. Ever since His Majesty reprimanded him,
he has been worried for the past two years. He refused to tell me anything, and
woke from his dreams several times. He even cried out that he was not filial. On the death anniversary
of Empress Xiaoxian, his nightmares became worse. He said that he wanted to
find her to argue the theory... What nonsense are you spouting? Yonghuang is the most filial son. Why would he want to look for the deceased
Empress Xiaoxian and discuss any theories? He is confused, and you said that he's not filial? Based on what I see, his bad health was provoked by people
like you who don't have any knowledge! Enough, stop it. Noble Consort Chun is already
anxious because of Yonghuang. Yes, I know that I was wrong. Can you hear me? Mother, Mother. Yonghuang. Mother, Mother. Yonghuang is calling for his biological
mother, Imperial Noble Consort Zhemin. Your Majesty. Sanbao just reported
that First Prince is not doing well. What? Prepare the carriage
now. I want to see Yonghuang! Yes. What medicine is this? To answer the both of Your Highnesses,
this is a stimulating medicine. I fear that the First Prince has
recovered consciousness just before dying. If there is anything that needs
to be said, please say it now. Yonghuang. Mother. (T/N Previously calling for his birth
mother, now recognizing the mother who adopted him) Yonghuang. Mother. Yonghuang has something to say
to the Imperial Noble Consort. Let's withdraw. Wait outside. Thank you, Mother, for
still remembering me. You are still here to
see me at this moment. Ever since the first time when you
called me "Mother" when you were young, you became my son then. You will always be my son. I lost my birth mother during childhood. When I was bullied and humiliated, you gave me love and a new life. I have never forgotten your kindness in raising me, Mother. It's just I have wronged you. I wanted to work hard, and even developed thoughts
of scheming against you. Today, I fear that I
won't have the opportunity to be filial to you again. What mother would argue with her son? Yonghuang, your illness
came from your anxiety. You shouldn't think too much. By taking care of your health and nursing it back
to health, this is how you can be filial to me. I know that I wouldn't
be able to make it soon. I have been dreaming of my birth mother. It's time, for your son to go and
find my birth mother. If your mother, Imperial Noble Consort
Zhemin, found out in the underworld, she would want you to nurse your
health back too and not think of nonsense. Mother, Mother. It was Empress Xiaoxian who
caused the death of my birth mother! Imperial Father... scolded me for
not being filial to her as Empress. I'm really wasn't filial. I... I... I hate her! Yonghuang, this is how
rumors are in the palace. But you can't leave this way
with such gossip held in your heart. This is not gossip. Someone secretly told me about this. Someone who told me about
that year, when Empress Xiaoxian couldn't tolerate my mother
giving birth to me as the eldest son. She couldn't tolerate it. She blamed my mother
for being pregnant again, and took actions to cause
the death of my birth mother, and also my unborn younger sister. Someone told you this? Yes. Yes. It's a pity it's a pity that when I found out, Empress Xiaoxian had already passed away. Once I found out the truth,
I couldn't get the opportunity to take revenge for my birth mother. Mother, Mother. My heart is full of hatred! Who told you this? It was... Jia... Imperial Concubine Jia. Yonghuang? Imperial Physician Qi! Imperial Physician Qi! Your Highnesses, the First
Prince has passed away. Yonghuang. Thank you, Mother. What did you call me? Mother. [ In the fifteenth year of Qianlong's reign, his eldest son, Aisin-Gioro Yonghuang died. He was
posthumously named Prince Ding'an of the First Rank. (T/N April 21, 1750, he was only 21 years of age) ] Your Majesty. You are here. Have you made the arrangements
for Yonghuang's funeral? Yes, I've taken care of them. Your Majesty, don't worry. Look at this jade. It's a pair, a lioness and her cub. It's Zhuying's dowry. Although both were from the Fuca Clan, her family background was
inferior to Empress Xiaoxian's. Hence, this jade is not
that renowned or expensive, she always wore it. It was only removed when she died. Thus, I told someone to
preserve it as a memento. Look at how close the lioness and cub are. Domestic bliss. No animosity at all. Your Majesty, you miss
Imperial Noble Consort Zhemin. I know that you find it hard to accept but today, Royal Consort
Zhemin and Yonghuang are considered to have been reunited. Ruyi, it's not that I
wanted to disregard Yonghuang by not going to his funeral. I didn't dare face it. When Yonghuang was sick, I didn't want to hear
news about him being sick. I didn't want to see him because I feared that if I saw him, I would only see the hatred in his eyes. I didn't want another child
of mine dying before me. I understand. That's why I already relayed Your
Majesty's message to Yonghuang's family. The princes, dukes, and their wives have
also gone there to give their condolences. Since I ascended to the throne, I have been personally governing and
loving my citizens, worshiping the heavens. But how come my children are
dying before me one by one, leaving me with grief? What mistakes have I made? I know that Yonghuang
died of a mental illness. After Empress Xiaoxian died, I know that he developed
intentions of obtaining the Crown Prince position. As a father, watching your
son grow up is a happy thing. But if they grow up
incompetent, it makes you worry. If they have wild ambitions,
it makes you scared. Since time immemorial, princes fighting for
power is the most feared matter of an Emperor. Your Majesty, you are in the prime of
your life, like the sun at high noon. After noontime, it will be sunset soon. Just to guard against my
own children being unfilial, I guarded against
Yonghuang and berated him. But I really did love him. After all, among all my children, he is the one who was with me the longest. If Yonghuang knew about
Your Majesty's thoughts, he would be resting in
peace in the netherworld. Before leaving, Yonghuang kept calling
for Imperial Noble Consort Zhemin. He was deeply sad that he was
not able to be filial to her. Yonghuang also told me that it was
Imperial Concubine Jia who told him that it was Empress Xiaoxian who caused the deaths
of Imperial Noble Consort Zhemin and Second Princess. Hence, he bore a grudge
against Empress Xiaoxian. That's why he was disrespectful to her during
her funeral, causing you to publicly lecture him. If not because Imperial Concubine Jia instigated him, he
would not have lost your favor and died in depression. Before Empress Xiaoxian died, I did ask her about the death
of Imperial Noble Consort Zhemin. She made an oath and
refused to admit the crime. But after Imperial Consort Zhemin died,
there was indeed such a rumor in the palace. If Imperial Concubine Jia
indeed told Yonghuang such words, she most likely just believed the rumors. At the bottom of it all, other than Yonghuang
having the desire to be the Crown Prince, my doubts also pushed
Yonghuang to his death. Ruyi, I am above millions,
watching over them. But being above millions means
you are alone at the summit. I have always felt alone. Come stay by my side.
I want to be with you. Aren't I always by your side? Ruyi, from the start, you are the one that I had chosen to be my Princess
Consort while still a Prince, and my legitimate wife. After Empress Xiaoxian left, I have always
wanted to give you the Empress position. Your Majesty, I feel frightened of taking
on the Empress position. Frightened? Why are you frightened? Is it because of your aunt? Ruyi, you are different from your aunt. What makes us different? We both are the daughters
of the Ula-Nara clan. The man we love is the Emperor. So what if you are from the Ula-Nara clan? For the past situations,
I was left with no choice. But all those are in the past. I now get to decide who
I want to be my Empress. Listen. I am the Emperor,
and also a husband. The one by my side is my Empress, and also my wife. Your Majesty, I have
never wanted to be Empress. But before Aunt died,
she asked me one question. I hesitated. What question? Aunt asked me, "Do you want to
share the same blanket while alive" and be buried in the same tomb upon death with
Hongli?"(T/N burial with husband normally goes to the wife) I do want this, but the only person who can share the same blanket and be
buried in the same tomb with the Emperor is the Empress. This means that we are
destined to be together. Ruyi, on this deserted summit, I feel so lonely. I want you to be by my side. I also only want you to be by my side. Okay? Okay. Good. Good. Go to the Office of Careful Punishment and get
your fifty strokes of caning as punishment. Starting today, you do not need to report
for work in the Internal Affairs Department. Your Highness the Imperial Noble Consort, please
forgive me...! Your Highness, please forgive me! Sanbao, bring that palace maid here. Yes. Come over here for a moment. Yes. Sanbao, inform the Internal Affairs
Department to be more fair in their actions. Otherwise, Zhao Quancai
will be the example. Yes. Thank you, Imperial Noble
Consort, for giving me justice. You are a straightforward
person and are quite bold. But are you not afraid of being treated
unfairly after saying all those words? It is fine for me to suffer, but I cannot
let my sisters who have no money suffer too! You have your own stand. I like you. Come work at Yikun Palace then. Thank you, Imperial Noble Consort. - Let us go.
- Yes. Go back to the palace. In the end, it's still her turn. Mother, what did you say? Previously, His Majesty
chose her as the main wife. It's just that the late Emperor
and Empress Dowager pulled her down. So now as Imperial Noble Consort, will the seat of the
Empress be given to her? Mother, don't worry. Even
if she becomes the Empress, you still have Yongxuan and I. She doesn't have anyone else. Son. I can't count on the
post of the Empress anymore, but you must be the
Crown Prince, absolutely. Although the ceremony for the installation
as Empress have past examples to follow, the Department of Rites and House of
Internal Affairs have the authority. There's no need for Elder Sister to ask about the ritualistic
formalities, I will still be by your side helping out. It's just like when I married
His Majesty before his enthronement. I only needed to put on a wedding dress. That's right, Elder Sister. The quantity
of the gifts have already been confirmed. The phoenix crown has already been made. (T/N Double meaning to this: Fengguan is the headpiece brides wear to marry,
and the phoenix is the emblem of the Empress as well... she will become the legitimate wife by the remarriage and title) Although there are
still precedents to uphold and His Majesty still feels awkward,
they still need to be elaborately done. Mistress, Mistress Yu,
please have some snacks. You even rushed back from outside
the palace. You are very considerate. The accession of Mistress as the
Empress is a major event in the kingdom. I so want to be serving by your side
every day, and showing you my care. By the way, Elder Sister, how's Rongpei? I saw that she didn't smile or talk? Rongpei... Rongpei is brave and
resolute. She's agile in doing tasks. She is also cautious. She's not bad. What about the specific details?
Did you investigate thoroughly? Sanbao has already investigated the specific details.
She's an orphan, and has no one to rely upon. Her background is clean. Be careful with the details. Those
precious ones are for Yikun Palace. Is Her Highness the
Imperial Noble Consort here? You are here. Our
Mistress is in. Come in now. Head Supervising Eunuch Qin Li
from the House of Internal Affairs is here to deliver the
satin from Shanggong. Send those back! The Imperial Noble Consort would
never want such brightly-colored satin. You are... I'm the new maid,
Rongpei, from Yikun Palace. So, you are new here. I'm afraid that you don't know what the Imperial
Noble Consort likes and the rules of the palace. This satin is to be worn
before the conferment. These are naturally bright! If you don't
use these, should plain satin be used then? Plain satin is better! You really don't understand
the importance of rituals! Come, deliver these items inside, and
let the Imperial Noble Consort take a look. These dazzling items are not allowed
to be brought into Yikun Palace. Who do you think you are? - Eunuch Qin.
- Are you fit... Respectfully greeting Your
Highness the Imperial Noble Consort. Your Highness, it was I who didn't
allow these to enter the palace. The Eldest Prince has just died and it has not been one
hundred days yet, Mistress is still grieving about it. How can we thus accept these colorful
fabrics from Internal Affairs Department? Will that be against the
benevolent maternal heart of Mistress? For this reason, I clashed with Eunuch Qin. I'm preparing these for the Imperial
Noble Consort to wear before the ceremony. His Majesty also said that
these satin are tributes. But these are merely to
be worn before the ceremony. The best tapestry will be
delivered after the conferment. May the Imperial Noble Consort
please accept this for the time being. Yonghuang just passed away. I don't
want to accept this for the time being. Just replace these with
those in plain colors. Yes. I'm taking my leave then. Come in with me, Rongpei. Yes. May Your Highness please forgive me. If Your Highness wants to punish me for arguing
with Eunuch Qin Li, I have nothing else to say. But I feel that I didn't do anything wrong. Do you know who Qin Li is? He's the Head Supervising Eunuch
of the House of Internal Affairs. Why did you still argue with him then? Qin Li brought those red and bright satin
fabrics and said those flattering words. But Your Highness, if you wear those
newly-tailored clothes, people might criticize you. They will say that you are
not sad over the First Prince. Your conferment is a happy occasion. You will also be dragged
into the whirlpool. I didn't wanted Your Highness
to be gossiped about by others. Rongpei, you discern things very well. The staff of House of Internal
Affairs does things out of old habits. You could see these details and
think on behalf of Elder Sister. You are neither servile nor
overbearing. You are a reliable person. With Mistress having someone
like you, I'm relieved. Rongpei. When you were working at Yuan
Mingyuan, you were looked upon with contempt. So when someone argues with you, you won't accept it
and when you are being stepped on, you are not afraid. I like your being here with me. Thank you very much for
Your Highness' compliment. Your Highness saved me
from further humiliation. So other than Your Highness, I
won't listen to or acknowledge others. Suoxin, take Rongpei and show
her to everyone in the palaces. Let everyone know that
Rongpei will be replacing you as the Gugu who will handle
the matters at Yikun Palace. Yes. Thank you, Your Highness! Yongzhang. (T/N Third Prince,
son of Noble Consort Chun) When you were studying in Shang
Shufang, I checked your work. Among the four of you, you
are the laziest in studying. You have the most shallow knowledge. Tell me. How will you able
to guide your younger brothers? Imperial Father, when I was
waiting to study at Shang Shufang, Fourth Brother was the most diligent and Third Brother
was the most wise. (T/N Yongcheng, Imperial Concubine Jia) Third Brother knows that Sixth Brother and I are very
intelligent. (T/N Yongrong, Imperial Concubine Jia) We only studied hard. Hence, Third Brother would always stop and explained to us. Isn't that so? That's right. So please don't blame Third
Brother anymore, Imperial Father. As the younger brother, you
even dare to plead for him? It's clear that his academic results are not up
to par and he's still teaching you and Yongrong? Imperial Father. It's because Third
Brother always guided Sixth Brother and I. That's why he fell back in his lessons. But in my heart, Third Brother is the kindest. (T/N
speech by the Fifth Prince, Yongqi, son of Consort Yu) Yongzhang, you love to protect your
younger brothers. You are considerate. That's enough. I won't
tell you to progress. Go back and read up on filial piety. It's better for you to
understand filial piety. Noble Consort Chun,
what are you doing here? Greetings to the Imperial Noble Consort. - Rise.
- Thank you, Elder Sister. His Majesty called Yongzhang
here to ask about his studies. I was afraid... afraid that His
Majesty would reprimand Yongzhang, but fortunately the Fifth
Prince spoke on his behalf. I'm afraid His Majesty will still ask
about their homework. Let's go back first. Thinking about before His Majesty became
the Emperor and Yongzhang was just born, he was just a chubby baby. You had just become a mother,
and I would often visit you. Yes, time really flies. I heard that you are reading the Buddhist
scriptures and are eating vegetarian food now. Ever since the death of Empress Xiaoxian, I didn't know what mistakes I made to cause His Majesty to be unhappy with me. It's because you were eager to learn.
That's why you were instigated by others. We have known each other for many years. How
could I not know that you have a good disposition? I didn't expect that you would be the
only one to comfort me at this moment. No wonder you will
become the future Empress. I failed in family life and
also succeeded in family life. Not only was I not wise, I wasn't
filial to Empress Xiaoxian either. Perhaps because of this, His
Majesty chose me to be the Empress. Frankly, all these years, I didn't
have any requests to seek from him. I only hope that my
son can grow up in peace. But those who were
pressuring me are already gone. I was born with wishful thinking, and also
listened to Imperial Concubine Jia's sweet talk. I thought that I had the substance
to fight for the post of the Empress to give my son an identity. I was really very clueless., but I hope you can
understand and forgive me. Rise, rise. I understand. I'm not blaming you. I don't have a child from the Emperor. Thus, I
won't be biased toward any sons of the Emperor. I won't argue with you
over old matters either. Really? I won't do that. It's because
we brought up Yonghuang together, and also because we were close friends
before His Majesty ascended the throne. If this is what Your Highness means, please protect me and my son. [ Cining Palace ] Greetings to Empress Dowager. Rise. Be seated. All of you are dismissed. Yes. Tomorrow, by the first
daylight, for your greeting, you shall be calling
me "Royal Mother" then. I am most displeased by the
Emperor making you his Empress. But in the end, it is you who have
made the journey to this position. I have this today all from
depending on you, Empress Dowager. I wouldn't dare to accept
this dependence of yours. It's the Emperor who
insisted on selecting you. At the time back then,
when I said this to you, I only wanted you to
weigh things carefully, and not be like your aunt and
bury yourself in your own cocoon. I remember. I remember back then
I said to Your Highness that I had no intention to
take the Empress position. Yes. Afterward, the Emperor
set you as Imperial Noble Consort. Now you are about to be Empress. How do you explain this now? I still dare to say I never
begged for the Empress' throne. You should be pleased with yourself. Your position as Empress
wasn't something you fought for. It was given to you on
a platter by the Emperor. For His Majesty's love and
generosity, I am deeply grateful. I don't dare to be so
pleased. I only cherish it. Empress Dowager, I want
to ask you one thing. Did the late Emperor ever
shed a tear in your attendance? When Yonghuang passed away, His Majesty fought
back his tears before me. He said he didn't dare
to face Yonghuang's death. His Majesty said he is joyful
at the growth of the princes now, but he also is afraid of the time when the princes
have grown up. (T/N reference to succession battles) He said he's above everyone,
but at the same time above no one. He's alone with no company. At the time, I only
wanted to tell His Majesty what His Majesty always said to me, "With me here, you shouldn't worry." Then the Emperor said
for you to accompany him and become his Empress? Yes. Then that's perfectly
suitable to what you want. I do want to be shoulder to shoulder,
holding hands with the one I love. But as for the Empress position,
I was honest with His Majesty. Facing the throne as an
Empress, I feel frightened. Because of your aunt? My aunt's aspiration for
me, you are well aware. This aspiration, after all
these years, I never understood. Until His Majesty
mentioned the Empress's seat, I have kept evading it in my heart. But it was what His Majesty
said that suddenly woke me. All these years, it might have
been the aspiration of my aunt, that I became confined to the position
of the central palace as the Empress. It's just that none of this
is what I want or desire. What I really want and care
about is only His Majesty's love. His Majesty's words, what were they? His Majesty said he is the
Emperor, but also a father. He wants someone by him who is
the Empress, but also his wife. Empress Dowager, my heart does
not point to the Empress' seat. Instead, it points to
being His Majesty's wife. I had thought you were
more advanced than your aunt, but your saying that makes you
not much stronger than she was. Emperors are the rulers
of the sky above all. No one is higher than they are. They will never truly
become one woman's husband. Even the Empress is their
subject and their servant. Empress Dowager, did you never think, that you wanted to be
late Emperor's proper wife? I never was the Empress. Of course it's impossible that I
never thought of becoming Empress, but I never really
cared about being Empress. Even more so, I never obsessed
about the Emperor's heart. Because the Emperor's heart always the hardest to grasp and
understand in this world, and also the one you can least trust. All right. Today you came and said so much. I understand your intention
and your desire of love. You are the Empress
handpicked by the Emperor. I have nothing else to add. Just that I warn you once again. Being the Step-Empress of the Emperor is not an easy task since the founding of Great Qing. Your Ula-Nara clan's
Empress, that much less easy. Perhaps I can't see the Empress' seat
clearly or the path before me clearly, and I can't see His Majesty clearly enough. But I can see my heart clearly. I don't want to be in the
high position, alone and cold. Because His Majesty suffers loneliness,
I only want to go and be by his side. Go then. The Emperor's waiting for you. Step by step, walk by his side. I thank you for your help, Empress Dowager. I thank you for your help, Empress Dowager. [ Portrait of Qianlong's First Empress, Fuca
Langhua, posthumously Empress Xiaoxian ] It's been two years. Langhua, I've
decided to set in place a Step-Empress. I picked Ruyi. I came
to tell you especially. I hope you can understand my
decision from the underworld. Royal Father. Jingse, you're back. (T/N Third
Princess, daughter of Empress Xiaoxian) I greet Royal Father. Hurry and get up, rise quickly. Come. Let me take a good look at you. Royal Father's promoting the new Empress
and you wanted me to come and watch, so I am happy to rush back. It's been two years since we parted.
Are you living well in the border land? Everything's well with me. Good. Sit. Royal Father, I heard the successor Empress
my mother recommended before her death wasn't actually Mother Xian. Perhaps to your mother,
Ruyi isn't the best choice, but to me she is. I heard from Royal Mother that Mother Xian
was someone Royal Father was fond of early on. But Mother Xian has no
family power and no children. I fear our other mothers wouldn't feel it's
right? (T/N the rest of the Inner Court) It's precisely because she doesn't have family influence
or children that she won't have to be like your mother was, always exhausting herself for
her clan and for her children. Royal Father's made up the mind, I can't say much more. It's just that I heard you let
my Uncle (T/N Lord Fuca Fuheng) Be the envoy for the coronation? Yes. Your uncle's presence
will add to Ruyi's glory. But Uncle is my mother's
real younger brother. How can he be the envoy of the
coronation of the Step-Empress? He's my subject, and this is his duty. What can be done and what cannot, your uncle is well aware. It's your decision. Then that's good. You stay and talk to
your royal mother a bit. I will return to my palace now. Sending off Royal Father with respect. Mother... you left. (T/N address is as
her natural mother, not her royal position) Royal Father is finally going to make
that Ula-Nara woman the Step-Empress. But don't be sad. Where there's favor, there's loss of favor. You bore a son and daughter,
and had family influence, but you still had sorrow. I will bear it. Wait it out until that Ula-Nara woman has
her day of despair and sorrow! Elder Sister. You've finally walked the path to this day. Mistress' being dressed in the
Empress' court attire is truly beautiful. Elder Sister. I really want to
accompany you like this forever, regrettably Suoxin and I still
need to go make ceremony preparations. We can't walk you out of the door. You all go prepare. Don't worry. I will walk step by step
well until I reach His Majesty's side. [ Lord Fuca Fuheng ] Worship. Kneel. (T/N before the Envoy
Staff, as symbol of the Emperor) Proclamation. My central palace has been empty for a long
time. (T/N Empress' position and palace both) Imperial Noble Consort
Xian of Ula-Nara clan is graced with nobility
and blessed with virtues. Since her entrance to the Prince Bao Manor,
she's shown expertise in house management. With the merciful blessing
of the Empress Dowager, and golden book, set in place as Empress. Signed personally by the
Emperor. Receive your golden book. Bestowing of treasure.
The seal of the Empress. I bow to thank Your Majesty's royal grace. Carry out the six ritual moves,
kneeling three times and three full bows. His Majesty personally set the second day of Bayue as the day of your becoming Empress. (T/N second day of the
eighth lunar month, September 2, 1750, in Western calendar. She originally married him as a side consort in 1734.) This is a propitious day. When I joined the Prince Bao Manor,
it was also the second day of Bayue. May Your Highness the
Empress proceed to Taihe Hall. I, your subject of the Ula-Nara clan, by the
Emperor's royal grace, ascend to the Central Palace. I vow to do my utmost
to manage the Inner Court. I bow to thank Your Majesty's royal grace. May the Emperor and Empress take flight together
as soaring phoenixes [ Hongzhou, Prince He ] with synchronous songs, with heavenly
bliss and eternal harmony of hearts! Kneel. May Your Majesty live ten thousand years! Long live, long live the Emperor! (T/N Full
formal salute, note the Inner Court, Imperial Court officials, and Imperial family members) May Your Highness the Empress live one thousand
years! Long live, long live the Empress! First kowtow. Second kowtow. Third kowtow. Rise! Emperor and Empress are joined
together and all things flourish! Subtitles and Timings By The Qing
Hair and Those Who Dare Team @ Viki.com ♫ Being your favorite and being forgotten both are argued
in my heart, at a loss to arrive at an explanation. ♫ ♫ You bear witness to constant changes in my well-being, my
sorrows and my joys, the path of my dreams forever cut off. ♫ ♫ You draw my hand to embroider all alone in my
loneliness, silken clothes pile up under the moonlight. ♫ ♫ Telling myself they might be
used for warmth, but who would dare? ♫ ♫ Whose life after life is filled with
paired images of love and resentment? ♫ ♫ One side is beautiful, the
other expressionless and silent. ♫ ♫ From a distance, visits come
around without word of your approach, ♫ ♫ filling time between acts perhaps? ♫ ♫ Feelings fracture, forgive and wistfully anticipate,
forgetting they're part of the paired image, ♫ ♫ One day in cold indifference,
the next in warm recollection. ♫ ♫ If only we might perpetually
walk in the brilliant sunlight ♫ ♫ This lifetime has been
so dismally overcast. ♫ ♫ From now on, this lifetime will be... ♫ ♫ without clouds. ♫ Subtitles and Timings By The Qing
Hair and Those Who Dare Team @ Viki.com. Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace. Episode 48. Your Majesty, the dragon horn
lift. It's time to lift the veil. Sit to receive blessings. Drink the nuptial wine. Your Majesty, Your Highness,
please drink the nuptial wine. [Wife of Prince Shen] - [Wife of Prince Cheng]
- Wishing Emperor and Empress to be harmonious for a hundred years. And have many children and grandchildren. May Your Majesty and Your
Highness have many children. It is raw? That is exactly what we want. Thousands of gold will not be able to compare
with those words from you. ['Sheng' means raw and also to give birth] If Empress say that it
is raw, then it is raw. The ceremony is over. Congratulations, Your Majesty and
Your Highness on your happy occasion. If I had known earlier,
I would have relaxed. Your Majesty, I'm exhausted from today. That's right. My face
is stiff from smiling. I know you are exhausted from
the etiquette for today's ceremony. My back is going to break soon. Is that so? Let me knead it for you. How do you feel? Is my strength okay? Yes. Your Majesty, you have great strength. Ruyi. Do you know? My heart is really at peace now. Not only have you become the Empress, you can finally be with me now. I know that you have suffered a lot. But you are my legal wife now. We can be emotionally connected
and be together forever. Your Majesty, I hope that
we can be together forever. Not deceiving or disappointing each other. Okay, let's grow old together. Not deceiving or disappointing each other. My words are to be taken seriously. I'm not only the Emperor of the kingdom, I'm also your pillow. Why don't we go to bed then? I can't open my eyes anymore. Look at how tired you are. Okay then. Attendants, change our clothes. The conferment ceremony was very beautiful. His Majesty treats Her Highness very well. Her Highness is very beautiful. What are you talking about? His Majesty is resting
and you are still talking. Go and pack up now. Yes. Master Ling, you have worked hard. Eunuch Li, this is His Majesty's
happy occasion. I can't leave you. Today is a happy occasion. I'm
still happy no matter how busy I am. That's right. I'm going to check over there. Eunuch Li, you have worked hard. Mistress, you should change
your clothes and go to sleep. This is the first time I
witnessed the conferment. It's really very lively and grand. No wonder, everyone wants
to climb to this position. Mistress, you have a long path ahead. In the future, you will have a
rapid rise in your position too. Rapid rise in position? I fear that I will never become
the Empress in this lifetime. If I can become the Royal
Consort, I will be fully contented. This way, my mother will
not look down on me again. Mistress, why don't I
help you to go in and rest? You drank a lot and you are still
drinking. Aren't you torturing yourself? I'm really very happy today. Being that His Majesty has
married, you want to have a wife too? This is what you said. Don't stop me. I really have a woman now who makes
me keep thinking of her every day. She's Lancui from Imperial
Concubine Ling's palace. She is that person with
Imperial Concubine Ling. Dream on. What's wrong? Are you worried
about Imperial Concubine Ling again? His Majesty has enthroned his Empress. Are you
afraid that she will be given the cold shoulder? Who says that whoever sits in the Empress
place, she will be happy and full from worries? Buddy, you must not spout
nonsense regarding this. I feel that, there may be more pain and heartbreak. Who's making you worried?
Why is your heart feeling bad? You are already an adult. Why don't
you have a family instead of being alone? I don't know why I'm alone every day too. I also don't know when she started leaving an
impression in my heart and I keep thinking of her. I can only keep a distance
and don't go near her. I can only see her from afar. But I know when she's happy
or sad. I know everything. Now that she's doing well, naturally, I should be
happy. I'm extremely happy. But other than being
happy, I'm still worried. I wonder how much pain and tribulations
she will go through in the future. Look at you. You are still
thinking of Mistress Ling, right? Come, I will drink with you. Qingying. Qingying, you have
finally become the empress. You are indeed a woman
from the Ula-Nala Clan. [Yikun Palace] Her Highness Empress is here. Greetings, Your Highness Empress! Get up. Thank you, Your Highness Empress. Sit down. Noble Consort Chun, I have here a
coral brush rack and one Huzhou brush. Yongrong is currently practicing how
to write. Take it back with you later. I am grateful for the care
of Your Highness Empress. Imperial Concubine Jia has really dolled
yourself up in a very bright and beautiful manner just to celebrate the coronation
of Her Highness Empress. In serving Her Highness Empress, no matter how good we all wear, we
just want to earn a smile from her. Today, Imperial Concubine Jia is
wearing just brightly colored clothes. Could it be just to make
Her Highness Empress happy? Imperial Concubine Ling is just
focused on making Empress happy, but in my heart, I only
remember that His Majesty said that he likes me wearing red. Your Highness Empress will
not blame me for that, right? I and His Majesty are
of one body and heart. If Imperial Concubine Jia thinks of His
Majesty, then you are also thinking of me. Your Highness Empress is a new empress, but this Yikun Palace is your old palace. Yi means to assist. It is a palace that was meant
to assist the Middle Palace (Palace of the Empress). Now that you are the
head of the Middle Palace, how come you are still
living in an assist palace? Although you only are of Imperial Concubine
rank, you are so concerned about the six palaces. Empress is empress. She is the official
head of the six palaces. No matter where she lives, she is
the official wife of His Majesty. Although all are official wives, the succeeding ones are still
different from the first married wife. Oh, right, Noble Consort Chun,
you are from the Han Banner. You surely remember that there
is this saying among the commoners. Is it proper to call it 'xu xian' or 'tian fang'? (Both refers to a wife married after
the previous one died; Xu xian - continue the string, tian fang - filling up the room) Your words are too harsh. Harsh is harsh, but what I said is true. What Imperial Concubine Jia said
is true. I am just a second empress. It is just Imperial Concubine
Jia, you should understand that whether it is 'xu
xian' or 'tian fang', what is important is who is
sitting on the empress throne now. You have never sat on the empress throne, hence, you surely will
not fully understand. How about this? Yesterday was my coronation celebration. Today, I am happy too. Since Imperial Concubine Jia
put so much importance on status, I will then reinstate you as Noble Consort. It is not the idea of His Majesty? I am the one in-charge of the
matters in the imperial harem. Noble Consort Jia, are you still not going to quickly
rise and thank the graces of Her Highness Empress? Thank you, Empress. Noble Consort Chun, you are the most
experienced among the imperial harem. From now on, you must help me restrain
everyone to strictly follow the palace rules. I will remember the teachings
of Your Highness Empress. Get up. - Rongpei.
- Here. Go and get me the earrings that I have prepared to be
gifted to Noble Consort Chun and Noble Consort Jia. Yes. The left one is for Noble Consort
Chun. The right one is for Jin Yuyan. Okay. Her Highness Empress made you stay,
so you can watch everything closely. Noble Consort Chun is of higher
standing, so I will start with you. This one is Her Highness
Empress gift to you. These agate beaded
earrings are so precious. Thank you for you graces,
Your Highness Empress. This one is a gift of Her Highness
Empress to Noble Consort Jia. These are carnelian earrings. What? Noble Consort Jia does not want to
accept the gift of Her Highness Empress? I will immediately wear the earrings that
Your Highness Empress gave to show my loyalty. Thank you, Your Highness Empress. I will wear it upon returning to my palace. Imperial Concubine Jia, if you
are sincere, just wear it now. Do not forget. Your Noble Consort position
was given to you by Her Highness Empress. When Empress Xiaoxian was alive,
she hates extravagance the most. I really could not dare
wear such luxurious earrings. Carnelian is not as precious as agate. That is because Noble Consort Chun is very
experienced and has both sons and daughters. It is just proper that her position
is above that of Noble Consort Jia. This is also my fault. I thought that everyone in
this palace knows about it. Hence, I did not immediately tell Noble Consort
Jia the difference of agate and carnelian. It is also just Noble Consort Jia who would
think that carnelian is a precious gem, and one can use it to reach
the sky in a single bound. Women like us from the Mongolian Man tribe surely
know to differentiate between agate and carnelian. Even those from the low
classes know about it. I know how to differentiate the two. No need for you to teach me. I understand the purpose
of Your Highness Empress. Do you? Do you understand what is right and wrong?
Yes and no? Remaining in one's proper place? I am giving you these carnelian earrings to always remind you not to cause trouble and disappoint my deep meaning. The hook of this earring is twice as wide than usual. My earring holes are too fine. It won't pierce through. In wearing the earrings, no need to
trouble Noble Consort Jia for that. Whether it will get
worn or not is my ability, but whether you are willing to let
me wear it on you is your decision. Regaining your noble
consort status is not easy. Little Sister, do not lose it again. Take note of your claws.
Be careful of harming me. Noble Consort Jia,
please endure it a little. Just to remember the
lesson, one must suffer a bit. It really hurts! What's wrong with your finger nail covers? Finger nail covers? You first sent this to the Office of
Careful Punishment. I didn't do anything. But aren't those attendants
from there your "claws"? Whether your claws will follow
your order, I do not know. But now, I don't listen to your orders
anymore and you insist that I drill your ears. Tell me what I should do? Your Highness, look at how
your attendant is bullying her. Imperial Concubine Jia, you
are an imperial concubine. As the empress, Her Highness
can only teach and not punish. How then are you being
bullied and humiliated? Your Highness, Suoxin's have been ruined., The Office of Careful Punishment
has punished her too harshly. His Majesty has also punished me. His Majesty doesn't fuss about me anymore. Are you still blaming me? His Majesty and I are of the same mind. This is a reward and not a punishment. You are using reward as a
personal issue to take revenge. Imperial Concubine Jia,
don't make any more mistakes. - I'm not happy.
- I'm the Empress. I'm sitting on the phoenix
seat where you most desired. Thus, I can reward or punish you. Just like how His Majesty punished that
Wang person who forced his wife to die. Even though Master Wang committed a mistake,
His Majesty has already punished him. It's not for the women in
the harem to discriminate. Her Highness is open minded and generous. As an imperial concubine,
you speak without respect. You even wore bright red and
clashes with the middle palace. Imperial Concubine Jia, no matter how
honorable you are and how far you have come, you are just like us, a concubine. I once heard that the Yu
Clan follows Confucian laws. A concubine will always be
a servant of the main wife. A concubine's child will be the
servant of the child of the main wife. How could your deceased
mother not know this difference? I want to remind you, all your mistakes have already
affected your two princes. You should carefully think about this now. Imperial Concubine Jia, stop
struggling and moving around. Or else, you will be careless
and harm your own ears. Moreover, if you will just behave a little, I will be able to put them on
faster and you will suffer less. Does everyone thinks that it looks nice? Yes. I think so too but does it hurt? It's good that Your
Highness knows that it hurts. It's good that it hurts. If it hurts, you will remember your lesson. Lixin, you should go back and teach
your Imperial Concubine Jia well. Don't be like Uncle Shu who
was careless and kicked out. Uncle Shu has his mother to go
back to. You don't have anyone. Yes. Imperial Concubine Jia,
your tears are too precious. If you want to cry,
don't cry in front of me. In my eyes, your tears are no different from
the dirty water dripping from the eaves. But if you want to show your
tears in front of His Majesty, I would clarify this in
front of everyone then. Her Highness gave this to you as a reward
and I was the one who put it on for you. If I have hurt you, just come at me. I have nothing to say. If you want to pour dirty
water on Her Highness, you can just forget about it. Everyone here already saw that you were willing to accept this. You should accept this for what you have
done without any conscience. You deserved it. I saw with my eyes and heard with my ears. Your Highness is not responsible for this. Rongpei, go and bring
the rewards for everyone. Yes. Mistress, bear with it.
I will remove it for you. Stop removing it. Mistress, you have suffered a lot today. Everyone was laughing at you. Let me help you to remove them. The winner is the king
and the loser is derogated. Be done with it if she humiliated me. She actually had to mention
about Duke out of nowhere. Is she qualified to mention him?! This won't do. I'm going to wear these to see His Majesty. I will not allow her saying bad things
about Duke in front of His Majesty. Mistress, Her Highness
merely guided you today. Rongpei was the one who took actions. If His Majesty wants to blame anyone,
he won't blame it on Her Highness. I can't swallow this. Mistress. Your Highness, you didn't need to punish
Imperial Concubine Jia for me in front of her. Ever since you came out from the Office
of Careful Punishments covered in blood, I told you that I will
not let you suffer in vain. It's just that no matter how I
punish Imperial Concubine Jia, you won't be able to replace your legs. I have been doing well. It's true. You don't need to worry about me. It wasn't easy for you
to be in this position. I only hope that you will be safe and well. Not be in any trouble just because of me. It wasn't easy for Older Sister
to slowly get to where she is now. She also needs to be strict
and harsh to check and balance. Today, Older Sister appeased Imperial Concubine Chun
and also applied pressure on Imperial Concubine Jia. She wanted them to differentiate between
rewards and punishments, rights and wrongs. Also, Sister now is the Empress. Towards the imperial wives, as long as there is enough
evidence, it is not excessive to teach them a lesson. Even if Imperial Concubine
Jia reports to His Majesty, he wouldn't say anything too. Hence, Suoxin, you
don't need to be worried. I know when to be harsh and strict. Greetings to Your Majesty. Ruyi, you came just in time.
I was about to go see you. Come, sit. Then you and I had a heart connection. Of course. Your Highness,
you came just in time. His Majesty listened so long to
Noble Consort Jia and he's tired. Luckily I made some lily
porridge for you to try. Lily is great. Lily signifies harmony for
a hundred years. A good omen. You try some too. Is it good? Flavor is good. Ruyi, earlier Noble Consort Jia
came to Yangxin Hall to see me. She was teary and said
you injured her earlobe. Since you know it, I
won't need to speak much. Noble Consort Jia has
never been humble to you. Now you've just become the empress,
and if you don't put more pressure on her, I fear she will be hard to manage later on. Your Majesty, I not only wish
to remind Noble Consort Jia, what I want to do is manage the custom of
relying on one's maiden clan in the harem. Because of the Yu clan, you have always
been merciful with Noble Consort Jia. She not only shows gratitude for your grace, she also
tries to rely on her maiden clan to do as she pleases. That Noble Consort Jia cares
more about the Yu clan than me. Before it was also because she lamented in
full sob over the matter of the Yu clan king, that she ended up having trouble
in labor and the 9th prince died. Now, she is speaking out in disrespect. I already punished her to go to Fengxian
Hall to repent before the ancestors. Your Majesty is sage. Forget it. Let's not talk about that. Ruyi, come. In a few days, it will
be my birthday celebration. I thought of preparing a gift for you. It's your birthday celebration so I should
prepare a congratulatory gift for you. Why are you doing the reverse? Ruyi. You stayed in the cold palace for so many
years and the toil you suffered is unspeakable. And in the cold palace, most of them are
abandoned concubines of the late emperor. I've already sent my decree, to relocate them to
Rehe Palace to live out their old age in wellness. Let them not to suffer
such bitter days anymore. You mean... I mean from now on
there's no more cold palace. The wives and the king of the palace are one. There's
no such thing as abandonment upon end of fondness. Your Majesty is a man of devotion and
love. The six palaces are in your grace. Ruyi. Not only for the six
palaces. But more so for you. Today you are the empress. I will promote your late father
Narbu as first class Duke of Chengen. And your mother as Duchess of Chengen. In a few days, I will arrange for your
mother to enter the palace to visit you. You two mother and
daughter should catch up. I thank Your Majesty for
thinking thoroughly for me. Ruyi, you are finally my empress. We can finally be in the same portrait. I already told Lang Shining to prepare. We can be in the same portrait and we
can rely on each other until old age. After some time, I want to take
you to burn incense at Mount Wutai, and to the ancestral mausoleum. I want to go and report to the
ancestors and report to the world. We have so many places to go together. Your Majesty. The mist dragging the good air from the mountain ridges
and the sun coughs out from the clouds the purple smoke. Ruyi, it's just the two of
us between the heaven and sky. It's like we are free and
roam as clouds do. Such leisure. Your Majesty, you only brought me out alone
and that seems to be against the rules. I only want to be alone
with you for some time. It's not biased favoring then. This is the world's emperor
and you are my proper empress. I bring you out to see some
pretty scenery. What's not right? Come. Promise me. That you will accompany
and walk like this forever. Mistress. Since you were
shamed by Empress with earring, His Majesty not only did
not find justice for you, he even has you coming to Fengxian
Hall to kneel as punishment daily. To pray for 9th Prince's
transferring to next world. Now he went to the ancestral mausoleum and
His Majesty didn't even take you with him. Emperor and Empress are
having their newlywed period. If a third person goes
that will just make an extra. I don't need to bother with that trouble. This Fengxian Hall is pretty nice. I can see the images of the
ancestors and it seems hopeful. What do you mean? The portraits hung here
are all the Qing emperors. I hope one day my son can be like them too. To become a reigning king of Great Qing. Duchess Chengen, his Majesty
gave us special instruction. Since you're elderly in age, you will
always enter the palace in a carriage. Thanks to His Majesty for his care. We are almost at Yikun Palace.
Empress must be so anxious. Mother. Please accept my bow. Empress, please get on
up. I can't accept it. Please take my bow as your
daughter and then treat me as empress. Empress. Let me carry out my national bow. I greet Empress ten thousand peace. Hurry and get up, Mother. Hurry. Empress. His Majesty treats you well? You accompanied His Majesty to the mausoleum
and traveled to high mountain and low river. Has it been difficult on you? I am with His Majesty
so it's not difficult. As long as you live well, I am at ease. Come, sit, Mother. Sit here. You sit too. Madam, Her Highness has been
instructing us since early morning. These are all the snacks you love to eat. Good. Good. Empress is sincere and filial. Since you became Empress, the House of Ula-Nara
has reclaimed the glory of the old days. Your father and aunt, in the next world, can finally rest in peace. How difficult this road has
for you. I saw and I ached. Being Empress has its share of difficulty. Thinking of the final years of your aunt, I am really so fearful. Mother. I will be cautious. His Majesty will treat me well. His Majesty treasures you
and that's the most important. You became Empress and those who come to
our home seeking marriage with your sister. They are about to break the door frame. All are of nobility and high power. Mother. A woman is best if she
can marry someone who treasures her. It doesn't need to be a
great and mighty family. You are very right. I also consent to it. So we can evade getting
tainted by richness or power. And His Majesty might find us greedy. I'm glad you understand where I come from. My brother as well. Just a nobility title
is enough. Do not let him get a court title. I will do as you say. Mother have some snacks. Your hand is cold? No. Your Majesty, you and Empress
holding hands is very nice posture. Alright, then you paint it. Watch us hold hands and look
at each other without tiring. Yes. Your Majesty, this is against the rules. It is against the rules. But it agrees with how I feel. Subtitles and Timings By The Qing
Hair and Those Who Dare Team @ Viki.com ♫ Being your favorite and being forgotten both are argued
in my heart, at a loss to arrive at an explanation. ♫ ♫ You bear witness to constant changes in my well-being, my
sorrows and my joys, the path of my dreams forever cut off. ♫ ♫ You draw my hand to embroider all alone in my
loneliness, silken clothes pile up under the moonlight. ♫ ♫ Telling myself they might be
used for warmth, but who would dare? ♫ ♫ Whose life after life is filled with
paired images of love and resentment? ♫ ♫ One side is beautiful, the
other expressionless and silent. ♫ ♫ From a distance, visits come
around without word of your approach, ♫ ♫ filling time between acts perhaps? ♫ ♫ Feelings fracture, forgive and wistfully anticipate,
forgetting they're part of the paired image, ♫ ♫ One day in cold indifference,
the next in warm recollection. ♫ ♫ If only we might perpetually
walk in the brilliant sunlight ♫ ♫ This lifetime has been
so dismally overcast. ♫ ♫ From now on, this lifetime will be... ♫ ♫ without clouds. ♫
