[ Yuan Ge Xing by Hu Xia ] ♫The country has a fortress, enclosed by walls♫
♫The fortress has an emperor, benevolent to all♫
♫Ministers are capable and loyal, supporting the country♫
♫The emperor has his empress, supporting him properly♫
♫Sons of age, lacking heirs, decline and fall behind♫
♫Daughters, though lovable, anxious and stubborn of mind♫
♫Rightly, all people are the emperor's children♫
♫Bringing peace to the streets, pacifying the common men♫
♫Only hoping every day, willing to do it solely♫
♫From my heart, not obedience or ceremony♫
♫As a man, not wanton or willful inside♫
♫As Father groomed me carefully to be, at his side♫
♫Knowing subjects from the start, not disaffectionately♫
♫If only I can be entirely with moral integrity for him suitably♫
♫Also as a ruler, not worry Father at night or at dawn early♫
♫A cautious emperor, with good cultivation♫
♫With the people as the realm's foundation♫
[ Serenade of Peaceful Joy ] ♫Pacifying the four seas, not venturing to be daring or reckless as a nation.♫
[ Episode 12 ]
Translation and Timing carefully crafted by the Mei Daxia Team at viki.com
I haven't seen He'er in a few days.
Then will Your Majesty rest at Yifeng Pavilion today?
It's only a few steps.
You come with me to Yifeng Pavilion.
Yes.
Maoze.
Your Majesty.
Go get the two ink sticks that newly came in,
and a few ornate line brushes,
send them to the Empress.
Yes.
His Majesty personally plows the ancestral field, and Your Highness chooses nine grain and various plant seedlings.
But why did His Majesty privately choose
and bring them to you?
It seems he was looking for a reason to come see you.
Stop your nonsense.
His Majesty was only using the rice planting
to praise Fan Zhongyan as devoted to his duty,
devoted to the emperor and the people.
His Majesty is even happy to tell you about things that happened in the previous reign.
Isn't this what the folk story book calls, "raising the tray to eyebrow level"? (T/N idiom: mutual respect in a marriage)
Earlier I saw you and His Majesty, and you were just like in the folk story!
The way you looked at His Majesty, and the way he looked at you, Miss.
Hearts linked together as one.
You've been reading "Women's Commandments" for such a long time, but you still haven't finished it.
So it was because you went to look at folk story books.
Those folk story books have their merits too.
For example, the scholar falls in love with the young lady.
He doesn't know what she thinks, or how to say it.
So he finds some excuses to go to the lady's home to probe.
His Majesty often finds one or two happenings from the last dynasty to come and talk to you about.
He does seem a bit like the scholar that's in love with the young lady.
Your nonsense is getting more extreme.
You shouldn't just read "The Analects" or "Spring and Autumn Annals" either.
Would you like to take a look at the folk story book too?
Or His Majesty just talks about state affairs with you,
and after done talking about the state affairs, it should be family affairs!
But why does he just leave, and Miss, you don't try to keep him?
If he leaves, it's because he doesn't want to stay.
If he wanted to stay, then he wouldn't leave.
Miss. Like today, it was already at such an hour,
and His Majesty says he still has state affairs.
Miss, you could've said, "it's cold and windy."
"Why not just send Liaozi to get the petitions, so Your Majesty doesn't catch a chill?"
Then even if His Majesty wanted to leave, at your soft begging,
His Majesty wouldn't have the heart to leave then?
His Majesty comes to Kunning Hall, what he needs me to do,
I will surely do my utmost to get it done well for him.
If he doesn't come here, it's naturally because he has urgent matters to settle.
I am the Empress of the central palace. How can I do such a willy-nilly fawning act,
trying to charm my way for some pampering?
Such nonsense, don't even mention it again.
Or don't blame me for banishing you from the palace without consideration of our years growing up together.
Yes.
[ First Spring Festival ]
Brother Xiwen!
How are you here?
Lü Yijian and his cohorts called me a criminal over my speaking above my status.
Han Du is trying hard to announce my inner circle to the court.
I especially picked today to leave the capital, because I didn't want to add trouble to you all.
[ Li Hong, courtesy name Zhonggang ]
His Majesty is overseeing the plowing, and I am not part of the plow advisory committee.
Furthermore, to be considered an inner-circle member of Brother Xiwen,
this would be a true honor!
Today, no matter what, I must enjoy this wine with you.
Brother Wang still came despite being ill.
Brother Wang.
Brother Xiwen. Brother Li.
Brother Wang.
I brought all the wine [ Wang Zhi, courtesy name Zilizi ]
from my house here.
Wine as my parting gift.
May the time when you've finished drinking this wine
be the time when you return to the capital again.
Eight years ago, when Empress Dowager was still Regent,
because I submitted a petition saying the Emperor and the ministers
kneeling to Empress Dowager to give her the state greeting is against ceremony,
I was banished out of the capital.
At the time, my colleagues consoled me.
I said what I needed to say. Fan Zhongyan is honest to the Emperor!
I leave most honorably!
Three years ago, His Majesty became the reigning monarch.
As leader of protest against deposing of the Empress,
I was banished out of the capital.
My colleagues felt the injustice for me, saying I was right.
I will not stay quiet before the Emperor.
I depart with all the more glory this time!
I have unmasked fully what authority of a minister can be.
How when one uses the royal court as a tool to market favor, they gain for personal interests.
Lü Yijian was utterly discomfited.
He threatened the two councils and three bureaus to pressure His Majesty to banish me from the capital,
showing his true colors to His Majesty and all the ministers.
So I actually feel
this departure is especially glorious!
I admire you.
Brother Wang.
Great wine.
In the ancient times, when Ji An served in a royal court, he said Ping Jin was a swindle. (T/N aka Ji Zhi, "the Upright", courtesy name Changru, Han Dynasty minister)
And Zhang Zhao discussed generals, naming Lu Su as coarse. (T/N courtesy name Zibu, advisor to Sun Quan who advocated surrender to Cao Cao, vs Lu Su who suggested the strategy of the battle of Red Cliffs and Cao Cao's defeat)
The Han Emperor and Duke of Wu easily listened to such slander and destroying words, but employed both without suspicion. [ Yu Jing, courtesy name Andao ]
Now, Zhongyan has provoked a high minister,
and he is met with reprimand of relegation, as though his words clashed with the Emperor's wish.
Whether Your Majesty heeds his advice or not,
he is still guilty of a crime.
Saying Yu Jing is guilty as Fan's faction member? [ Yin Mo, courtesy name Shilu ]
The two had no interests together and they are considered a faction?
I have acquainted Fan Zhongyan for years, so what am I?
I should be Fan's faction member!
Your Majesty.
Yesterday, the phoenix-patterned tea cakes from Fujian came in.
I was about to send Liaozi to send them to you.
I clearly came here to invite Your Majesty to come taste the newly-brewed Green Plum Wine.
Your Majesty is making it sound like I'm here to exchange it for tea cakes!
Come.
Your Majesty is going over petitions though.
No issue. You needn't withdraw.
Old petitions are actually great writings.
I'm afraid, soon I may receive some historical ones.
A few months ago, Yu Jing, Jixian Imperial Collator,
listed Emperor Wu of Han and Duke of Eastern Wu
in that listening to both parties was a wise merit,
as his way to criticize me as prejudiced and muddle-headed.
"In the ancient times, when Ji An served in a royal court, he said Ping Jin was a swindle.
And Zhang Zhao discussed generals, naming Lu Su as coarse.
The Han Emperor and Duke of Wu easily listened to such slander and destroying words, but employed both without suspicion.
Now, Zhongyan has provoked a high minister,
and he is met with reprimand of relegation, as though his words clashed with the Emperor's wish.
Whether Your Majesty heeds his advice or not,
he is still guilty of a crime."
Emperor of Han and Duke of Wu could employ the two clashing ministers who were like fire and water by their attributes.
It is the way of a sage emperor. That is a true point.
But he blames Your Majesty for not being fair to both sides.
That is a mistake on top of a mistake.
Where is the mistake?
At first, I didn't quite comprehend it.
But now, after a few months have gone past,
I seem to have some understanding now.
What?
Your Majesty wishes to employ both without suspecting them.
You desire Fan Zhongyan's iron-bone honesty,
but you also desire Lü Yijian's perfect schemes.
Money and power. But the two cannot stand each other.
While Fan Zhongyan . . .
Fan Zhongyan is different from Ji An.
Fan Zhongyan's power is not enough to go against Lü Yijian.
So when faced with Fan Zhongyan's admonishment,
Lü Yijian would not spare any words to attack him head-on,
using his power to knock him down.
While Fan Zhongyan deems himself fair and honest.
So no matter how power can bring about frustration,
he will not compromise and try to pacify the situation.
Yu Jing presents the example of the Han Emperor and the Wu Duke employing both without suspicion,
to say Your Majesty is biased toward Fan Zhongyan.
Saying you're using your Imperial authority to amend the power lacked in Fan Zhongyan's
attack on Lü Yijian.
On the surface he is protesting Your Majesty's bias towards Fan Zhongyan,
but in reality, he is lamenting that Your Majesty did not take his side.
I have spoken nonsense regarding the royal court. May you punish me.
Danshu. On each account,
you were very right in your analysis.
However, there is one point...where you're wrong.
Fan Zhongyan.
Yu Andao (Yu Jing) states that Xiwen (Fan Zhongyan) is blunt and unyielding.
He loses power and who can support him to reclaim it?
This Andao is an outstanding youth.
His vigor is akin to rainbow that pierces into the sky!
Lord Fan admonished bluntly, and Lü Yijian knocked him down.
Banished him out of the capital.
Afterward, many ministers came forward to admonish that,
and each getting relegated too.
I had thought it was very frustrating.
But seeing Cai Junmo like this today,
I actually think that though it is tragic, it's such show of elated brotherhood.
Danshu always says she loves Fan Zhongyan's spirited literature.
But actually, you do not understand him.
So Your Majesty was bent on luring me
to speak foolishly,
so you can laugh at me later?
Danshu.
Before you came into the palace, what were you like at home?
Were you a troublemaker
who acted willfully, then acted spoiled?
If I hadn't been reckless,
how would I use the guise of my older brother's name to attend lectures at Yingtianfu Academy dressed as a man?
That's true. You were never an ordinary woman.
Willful conduct is especially unusual.
But under the skies,
the ones who really can't act willful are you and I.
Earlier I said you were slightly wrong.
You said Fan Zhongyan and Lü Yijian
cannot really contend with each other. But that's not necessarily true.
Yu Jing protested the injustice to Fan Zhongyan,
and Lü Yijian marked him with a crime of being a faction member.
The entire royal court was sent into an uproar.
Yin Zhu submits a petition right away,
saying he is actually the closest inner circle member of Fan Zhongyan.
So if Yu Jing who has no connection to Fan Zhongyan
gets marked as clique member because he protested an injustice,
then he asks to be granted the crime of being a clique member of Fan's.
Chancellor Lü is tyrannical indeed.
Yu Jing, Yin Zhu, and the rest facing crimes is already a stretch.
Now he's actually working on putting an official ban
on speaking above one's job status.
Unless one is officially on the admonishment board, he is banned from submitting a petition to admonish.
Remonstrator Gao Ruone is on the admonishment board.
He should point out wrongdoings by the chancellors.
But he adheres to Lü Yijian. Not only does he not admonish,
he instead states Fan Zhongyan deserves to be banished.
Naturally that has infuriated the royal court members who are honest and just.
Look at this petition of admonishment on Chief Gao, written by Ouyang Xiu.
"I have an aging mother at home.
I cherish my official position dearly."
"But speaking with a step back,
if he loves his officialdom and dares not to admonish,
it would be understanding. The honest and just court members
will not nitpick with him, since he is born a fool.
They will not force him to be a virtuous man."
"But in trying to conceal his own weakness,
he speaks arrogantly, pointing his fingers at Fan Zhongyan's deserving to be banished.
What a brazen, shameless act."
How is it?
Vivid and thorough. Makes one want to slap the table and shout, wonderful!
This writing will surely be widely circulated among the literati.
A man who speaks to his emperor like a market minion,
born into gentry but without any dignity.
Unworthy of his forefathers.
Slanders easily, and takes advantage of others.
That's a bad man!
That petty man, Gao Ruone, gets to keep his job,
but Ouyang Yongshu's (Ouyang Xiu) reprimanding letter on Gao,
add to that, Cai Junmo's poem,
"Unworthy of His Ancestors."
I think his reputation will never turn around.
Is it really true that Fan Zhongyan cannot go against Lü Yijian?
Fan Zhongyan, though on qualification, officaldom, acquaintances, and family background,
he cannot compare to Chancellor Lü on any account.
However, his conduct
is the Confucian ideal every scholar of all eras ever wanted to achieve.
So his foundation
is made up with Confucian scholars that the world cannot go without.
A man like Fan Zhongyan.
Whether he is in the capital or in the outskirts,
whether he is in the royal court or in the fields,
what does it matter?
He is not one who can be affected by power or gains.
The more you repress him, the more upright and unafraid.
The higher he sets the banner of a noble man,
the more it will stir up the royal court.
To own up to their vigor as scholars.
Employing both without suspecting them doesn't require me to have them both as ministers of the royal court.
As long as one is true to his intent to serve the nation and the people,
anywhere in this wide world is a place he can be.
Oh right! By the way, you said earlier you came over a family matter.
What, is there is a problem in the harem that even you can't resolve?
With your discernment and talent, if you hadn't been a woman,
you would be a general or chancellor.
I shall trouble Danshu to help me manage the harem.
Today you are bent on laughing at me.
I am honest in every word.
This family issue is not a problem,
it's good news.
It's just that I am not sure yet...
but yesterday Lady Miao told me,
she might be pregnant.
I first thought I'd ask the Imperial doctor first . . .
What did you say?
He'er is with child?
Lady Miao told me yesterday.
Go get Imperial Doctor Wang from Hanlin Medicine Academy to come into the palace right away,
going to Yifeng Pavilion to take Lady Miao's pulse! Hurry!
Hurry up!
Liaozi. - Here.
Liaozi, hurry. Come with me to go see He'er!
I have wished for her to have a child for five years already!
Reporting to Your Majesty, the lady's pulse is steady.
The Imperial fetus is already four months old.
Lady and the baby are both fine.
Great.
You are so skilled in medicine.
Go get a superior ink stone and a pair of scepters as reward to Imperial Doctor Wang!
Thank you, Your Majesty! I take my leave.
You are so calm.
You knew for so long, but never a hint to me.
Last month, I came here twice.
Both times you said you were sick and didn't want to get me sick,
so you wouldn't get close to me and you already knew.
Why did you keep it from me for so long?
Your Majesty has wished for an Imperial heir for so long.
In the past, we've had consorts pregnant,
but could not keep the baby stable.
He'er was afraid you'd be happy in vain again.
You cannot be the same as Yu and the rest!
You are my relative. My family.
He'er.
I am so happy.
Since six years ago,
when I received news of my mother's passing away,
I have never been happy like today.
What are you doing?
This is the first royal heir of the current reign.
Surely he should be given to us to support.
We will look after him.
I just want to accompany His Majesty forever.
I just want to birth children for him.
This is a girl. Not a prince.
You liar!
You wicked woman trying to cause corruption!
Give it over. It's clearly a boy.
Give it!
Give it. You liar!
She's a girl.
Your Ladyship, did you have a nightmare? [ Lusi ]
I had made the wish before,
that I want to bear a son for His Majesty.
To continue the Imperial blood line of Great Song.
However, I want to adjust my wish I already made.
I wonder if the deities will cast blame on me then?
You needn't rush, Teacher. You are not late.
It was I who came early.
Today, let us discuss the "Annals" a bit later.
Will that do?
Teacher.
I got lost in thought just now.
Suddenly I remembered years ago, there was a night of heavy snow.
Next morning,
I rushed to Eastern Palace to discuss "Zuo's Commentary", (T/N c. 400 BCE, by famous blind historian Zuo Qiuming)
but Your Majesty spoke to me,
asking if we could start the lesson a bit later and go to the plum flower garden first to pick a few branches of green plum flowers.
I remember that. Actually it was because when I was young, I heard your comment
on how to get the new snow on plum flower petals and press it to make ice,
and hide it with the plum blossoms from after the snow.
Then in the summer, bring it out as an icy treat,
along with the little desserts you can make with the stamens of the plum blossoms?
It was so fascinating to me.
So I wanted you to take me
to get the new snow and plum blossoms first,
then find a way to wear you out teaching me to make dessert!
At the time, I really thought
Your Majesty wanted to write poetry with plum blossoms as inspiration.
But I didn't imagine you were craving them to eat!
I finally convinced you to go with me after many tries.
However Empress Dowager came and scolded me.
I never made it to the snowy plum blossom garden,
but my punishment had me copying "Spring and Autumn Annals" for the entire day.
That was all my fault.
I was appointed with the task of teaching the Crown Prince.
But I never was able to abandon my leisurely passions.
So unprofessional.
Teacher has always been an elegant man with many inclinations.
So I thought...
I would invite you to collude again...
to escape from a lesson, once again.
The name of the princess, and gifts for the princess.
I need your opinion on it.
Princess?
I have lots of prince's names too, of course.
I have the Hanlin Academy scholars pursuing those.
I have done my best, and wish for a prince,
so I have an answer for my ancestors when I make tributes.
But privately, I really wish for a princess.
A princess does not need to shoulder the world.
She needn't answer to the struggles of the people. She just needs to be doted on by me.
So I can put all my regrets in my inability to disregard state affairs
onto her, where I find solace.
A few days ago, these gifts were sent in by Madam.
Will you really not take a look, Your Ladyship?
Madam Xu finds difficulty in facing these gifts and the givers too.
She is afraid if she doesn't accept them, she will offend someone on my behalf.
Your Ladyship, Miss Huan'er from Kunning Palace came earlier
to say Your Ladyship's paternal cousin came back from his post, and brought fresh fish and vegetables as gifts.
Her Highness had them sent to the Imperial kitchen right away to cook. [ Lanque ]
She said she will bring them here along with Lady Yu in a bit to have breakfast with you.
Hurry and go get the osmanthus cloud cake I made.
The pine nut candies, and the jujube walnut pastries.
Also, the honeyed plums. Bring them all.
Also, last year's snow water we bottled. Use it to make tea.
Yes.
I have over a hundred names. [ Names for Princesses ]
I still don't think they are good enough!
They are all beautiful and such great meanings to them.
They would suit any noble lady with beauty and talent.
Am I too picky then?
Your Majesty's daughter, she is not just a beautiful and gentle girl,
not just the treasure sitting in her parents' hearts.
She is the world's princess even more so.
So Your Majesty is inclined to think these names aren't suitable to the princess,
because these characters only contain ornate beauty,
wealth and luck.
But they have not enclosed the world that is suitable to the princess.
He'er. Why is your complexion looking so ill?
Last night, I didn't get to rest well.
Should we switch to an Imperial doctor who can rectify and harmonize your breathing?
Your Highness needn't go through the trouble.
He'er is not that delicate. There is no need for such care.
He'er. What's wrong?
You have a worry?
Magistrate of Sizhou, Chen Hui submitted a petition
stating that Imperial Caligrapher, Cai Xiang, [ Jia Song; courtesy name Ziqiao ]
made poetry sneering at the conduct of the royal court.
He paid merchants to make them into booklets and is selling them in marketplaces!
It's become, in the alleys,
a topic of discussion for tea times after meals, even reaching to other nations.
Such frivolous act.
Slandering high ministers of the royal court, causing great loss to the court's reputation!
If it's not investigated thoroughly with increased punishment,
this will come to be a great threshing floor! (T/N necessary to remove the wheat from the chaff physically)
If any minor civilian of the alley can criticize the royal court,
then where is the dignity of the royal court?
I have a doubt, I wonder if I could ask Chief Xia?
Please speak, Remonstrator Han.
The duty of Sizhou's Magistrate did not previously include remonstrance.
Has that been added to the duty recently?
That . . .
It was not.
Then, Majistrate Chen Hui,
has he taken on the task of Imperial admonishment board,
with the authority to criticize a member of the royal court?
Chen Hui is not part of the Imperial admonishment board.
Then may I ask Chancellor Lü,
of the two counsels previously set in place,
one being a ban for any official to speak above their duty.
Has that been nullified then?
Remonstrator Han is making a joke.
A ban on officials criticizing beyond their duty is an important system of our court.
It's been approved by His Majesty, so how can one just nullify it?
Then, this Chen Hui, the magistrate of Sizhou.
Does he hold the duty to criticize as Cai Xiang does?
If it's just as the magistrate of Sizhou, surely he does not.
Then this Chen Hui has violated a strict ban of the court.
He saw that the people praised in Cai Xiang's poem
were all banished, so he presumed to know what His Majesty is thinking.
He wanted a fast return to get the Imperial favor.
Cai Xiang's words and conduct were frivolous!
He was the first to slander Chief Gao, and bring shame to the court's reputation!
Cai Xiang is just a grouchy scholar.
At most he was careless in speech, a vice in his character.
But this Chen Hui uses his status as an official of the dynasty,
violating outright a strict ban of the royal court.
In all truth, he has violated the court's authority by law.
Your Highness, the wicked persons Fan Zhongyan mentioned,
are they Chancellor Lü and Chief Gao?
I do indeed admire Fan Zhongyan's character and talent greatly.
But I don't understand the royal court either.
I don't dare to criticize or comment on it.
These last couple of weeks,
so many are inviting my mother and sister to attend social tea and poetry meetings.
They even gave my mother
gifts to my unborn child.
Many expensive gifts.
They also talked about the royal court a lot,
saying Fan Zhongyan is angling for fame,
and Ouyang Xiu has no restraint.
And they even try to figure out if His Majesty mentioned anything to me,
about His Majesty's actual likes and dislikes.
Though my mother is His Majesty's nanny,
she never held attendance in the noble circle.
Now,
it's because of this child.
Your Highness.
I am really quite scared.
All of you ministers are right!
The two each have their own offense,
both out of worry for the nation.
No one is perfect. A first offense needn't be so strictly dealt with.
This matter should end here.
After today, a minister of the court must always
exercise caution in words and conduct that are suited to their status.
Heeding the royal court's dignity, and not acting frivolously.
Your Majesty is quite right.
We ministers comprehend.
I receive Your Majesty's teaching with honor.
It's getting late.
Do you all have anything else to discuss that is urgent?
I do have another matter.
In another ten days or so,
Your Majesty's first royal heir is about to be born.
But this Miao clanswoman who is about to give birth to it,
her status is not high, only as Lady of Renshou Commandery. (T/N junjun - Lady of Commandery. Commandery is a region that usually encompasses several counties)
This seems . . .
Lady Miao is from a good family. Her mother was my nursemaid.
She has contributed to the palace, and is granted the title of Noble Lady Qi.
With the personal teaching by Her Grand Highness in her youth,
she is smart and gentle and cordial.
She's been in the palace and devoted to Her Grand Highness,
and has served two Empresses without half a miss!
How is she ill-fit as the mother of first royal heir?
Your Majesty is quite right.
Lady Miao should have been promoted long ago.
We must not let her humble disposition
bring compromise to Your Majesty's first royal heir.
I believe Lady Miao should be promoted immediately to the rank of zhaoyi. (T/N high concubine rank below Empress)
Lady Miao should be promoted.
However, the promotion of consorts and concubines
should be left to the inner court first, [ Wang Zeng, courtesy namd Xiaoxian ]
to consider their merits and demerits and looking at previous examples,
then report to His Majesty.
After His Majesty decides, then make the draft.
Chancellor Lü mentions a direct promotion of a harem member.
Perhaps you're obscure on the authority?
A woman who is with child, compared to one who is not,
truly would have more to worry about.
The more you have, the more you have at stake.
And that much more is your danger and trouble.
However, being the first to bear a child to His Majesty?
He'er. Do you not feel so happy and blessed?
Of course I am.
Just that, lately, I am starting to worry more and more.
He'er.
You are gentle and docile, but you're also sensible.
That's why you're so blessed, to be the first to have His Majesty's child.
As for the fuss that's outside?
You needn't care and needn't think about it.
Just as long as you have His Majesty in your heart,
and you conduct yourself following the teaching of the ancestors,
then do you not have the confidence that His Majesty will trust you,
and protect you?
He'er trusts Your Highness too.
Brother Han is so astute and your argument leaves no hole. [ Su Shunqin, courtesy name Zimei ]
That ban they used to block all of us,
banning our criticism?
Today you showed them how it bites them back!
You foiled Xia Song who tried to use a subordinate's words,
to ruin Junmo with that scheme.
You were so extraordinary!
I regret that my official post is low-ranked and I stand in the back.
I couldn't see Lü Yijian's complexion.
Lü Yijian is old and hard.
He will not show any color just over a bit of awkwardness. (T/N won't flush or blush)
Though I did not see it,
I guess he showed nothing at the time.
Yanguo is right.
Zimei still thinks too lightly of Lü Yijian.
Even today, he threw out the act of promoting Lady Miao,
a totally sudden, off-guard tactic. Quite shrewd and ruthless.
Shrewd and ruthless? I was actually astonished.
He made no ceremony to hide the fact that he is suspected of acquainting with the harem.
How reckless. Reckless to the extreme!
Zimei, do not forget His Majesty's birth.
[ Kunning Hall ]
Your Highness even reads medical books? Then what about the Imperial doctors?
I am very nervous too.
This is His Majesty's first child, after all,
and the first child in the palace after I came in as Empress.
His Majesty is here.
Danshu.
Hurry and get some brews and snacks you've hidden.
Your Majesty hasn't had lunch after coming out of the court?
I came straight after the court session.
Those people. I don't know how full they all ate for breakfast!
Way past the lunch hour, and each and every one of them
arguing with full vigor! If I didn't dismiss the court session,
I don't know who will be fighting with whom anymore!
Careful, it's very hot.
Slow down!
He'er must have made this.
This flavor can't come from any other source.
Your Majesty can be so sage and thorough even when it comes to snack judgement.
Indeed Lady Miao gave it to me.
While my Funing Hall hasn't received any snacks from Yifeng Pavilion in a long time.
I can see then, the one in charge of the harem,
is indeed Danshu.
The royal court ministers know to court favors from the chancellors.
The harem ladies are all very realistic too.
Lü Yijian is so astute!
A mention of the royal heir's mother being low in status pulls out His Majesty's feelings so fiercely.
He was able to grasp His Majesty's attitude right away.
Then going along with His Majesty,
to first mention an immediate promotion of Lady Miao!
Lü Yijian has many eyes and ears in the harem.
By tomorrow, the news will reach them.
Since Emperor Taizong, royal heirs have been rare. (T/N Second Emperor, Zhao Jiong)
His Majesty has already reached past the age of thirty.
If Lady Miao truly gives birth to a prince, it's likely he is named the heir.
Miao clan is not a prominent clan.
Not adhering to Lü Yijian who's helped her gain a position would be surprising.
But there is no sure thing in the world.
Lü Yijian's act brought on opposition from Wang Zeng.
Chancellor Wang, back in the day,
he was so fierce in the matter of supporting Cao!
While lately, on the account of Lü Yijian's political plays,
he said nothing. Even Ouyang Yongshu said,
"once you're on the lofty post for long, you start to worry about preserving your seat more."
Today, he finally had enough.
Chancellor Wang may not necessarily hold discontent towards Lü Yijian's tyranny.
It's also possible he held back from saying anything after considering what's best for the big picture.
Today, Lü Yijian set himself up to be a close ally to the future prince.
But that must have triggered a violation of his bottom line.
At any rate, before Fan and Lü fought against each other,
though Brother Fan and the rest stood on justice,
their ranking is lower and they don't have the backup.
Though His Majesty secretly holds bias towards Brother Fan,
he had to worry about the bigger picture.
Now, if Chancellor Wang truly goes up against Lü Yijian,
then from now on, it's no longer a battle of justice versus power!
Translation and Timing carefully crafted by the Mei Daxia Team at viki.com
[ Seeking the Light by Zheng Yunlong ]
♫ Snapping off the kite's thread, ignoring social matters ♫ (T/N taking control back)
♫ Losing one's soul, having feelings for people only superficially ♫
♫ Gently, the first rays of light part the darkness, start to shine through ♫
♫ Allowing one to look up at the stars, and all living things to grow ♫
♫ Being sentimental is always met with heartless injury, not considering one's self is unforgivable ♫
♫ Hair growing prematurely grey, in laughter, only I remain silent in sorrow ♫
♫ Being sentimental is always met with heartless injury, I hope you have been well since we last met ♫
♫ Facing the light's path for direction, ♫
♫ As everyone around the world illuminates it ♫
♫ To cure such heartless injuries ♫
♫ Being sentimental is always met with heartless injury, loving you, I hope you are well since we last met ♫
♫ Now, how every evening, I'm sobbing by myself in a city full of people ♫
♫ Passions so deep, I don't know what to do ♫
♫In the human world, it's not rare for relations to die, or laughter to die out, dwelling in foolishness and madness ♫
♫ Each one looking at the other in silence, deep emotions accompanied by liquor, to ease anxiety ♫
♫ Being sentimental is always met with heartless injury, loving you, I hope you are well since we last met ♫
♫ Now, how every evening, I'm sobbing by myself in a city full of people ♫
♫ Passions so deep, I don't know what what to do ♫
♫ How can I resist the memories of the human world. ♫