ADAPTED FROM QING LINGYUE'S NOVEL OF THE SAME NAME
Your Lordship, you have been terribly busy with court affairs lately.
It pains me
to see you tire yourself so.
I made some nourishing soup
to replenish and boost your health.
You're thoughtful, Baili.
Please have a seat and try it.
How does it taste?
Just like it did back then.
Back then,
I was still a prince.
My late father wedded you to me.
This was the soup you made
on the first day you joined the residence.
You still remember, Your Lordship.
Of course.
I also remember that one year,
you insisted on coming along with me
to the hunting grounds during the autumn hunt.
You were almost run over by my third brother's horse.
When you returned,
you cried all night in my arms.
Why does Your Lordship
only remember all the times I was a mess?
There was another time
when I caught a cold.
You didn't sleep or eat
for three days and three nights.
Do you still remember
the first thing you said to me when I woke up?
I said,
"I'm starving and only now you're waking up."
That's right.
It was from that day onward
I started developing feelings for you.
I told myself
that I would treat you well.
I wish to be with you forever as well, Your Lordship.
You're here with me now, aren't you?
Silly.
Feng Ju has suppressed the bandits.
Your Lordship's birthday banquet will also be held soon.
-Perhaps… -I think it is not yet the right time
to name my heir.
I…
understand.
Mother.
-Feng Ju. -Mother.
Weren't you supposed to return in another five days?
You…
I heard you had fallen ill.
I came back in a hurry because I was concerned.
But it would be against military protocol,
hence I disguised myself.
Are you feeling better now, Mother?
My illness lies in my heart.
In your heart?
Did something happen?
You're all grown up now.
I won't keep it from you any longer.
They found out about what I did to Yige.
NUX VOMICA
Your Highness!
What is the matter, Your Highness?
Someone! Quick!
Your Highness, the deed is done.
She is no more.
Feng Lanxi is collecting evidence.
He intends to testify against me in court before everyone.
I would rather take my own life
than let that happen.
I will absolutely not drag you down.
What do you need me to do then, Mother?
Stage a coup.
Have you ever considered
the consequences
if we failed, Mother?
Everything hinges on this one matter.
If I had not made the first move back then,
you would be without a mother right now.
Do you think
the title of heir is firmly in your grasp now?
I tried to sound out your father,
but he refused to budge.
Besides,
you've been secretly building your army
for fear of any sudden changes as well, haven't you?
In the eyes of my father,
Feng Lanxi built the Fountain Abode.
He is outstanding.
I could never hold a candle to him.
Father is still in his prime.
If he changes his mind,
what can I use to fight against Feng Lanxi?
I've only been building my own forces
to protect myself.
You did the right thing.
We cannot wait for alms.
We must seize the initiative to gain power.
Mother.
I share the same sentiment.
Father's army has been sent to the south.
I think now is our best chance.
However,
I will need your help when the time comes.
You and I are of one heart.
Mother, I promise you
that I will not let you be aggrieved in any way.
Feng Lanxi wants to avenge his mother.
My life is yours to protect.
Your Highness, this is the list of officials
who plotted against Lady Yige.
MEDICAL BUREAU RECORD, LADY YIGE SUDDENLY FELL ILL…
Duke of Liang.
Today is Your Lordship's 50th birthday.
I wish that all of Your Lordship's vision will be realized soon.
May you rule the world and your reign become a lasting legacy.
I hope it is as you said.
Isn't it about time for Feng Ju to return to the capital?
A letter came from him yesterday.
He said he would return to the palace before noon.
The Emperor of Dadong just passed away recently.
The banquet must be a muted affair.
I've already made the arrangements.
Some time ago,
I sent people to purchase some Lingzhi from the Imperial City.
They said they saw Marquis Yongping there.
He went to the Imperial City?
He is the late emperor's nephew.
He probably only went to pay respects to his late uncle.
He didn't even say if he would return for my birthday banquet.
He has been out there for so long.
Yet he thinks of his uncle who is thousands of miles away.
It would seem he is closer to the Imperial Family after all.
Your Highness.
Are the people outside the city ready?
Yes, Your Highness.
Once the banquet begins,
they will raid the capital
-and head straight to the palace. -Good.
What about the evidence?
I've prepared them as well.
All the evidence
will point to Feng Lanxi.
It all comes down to this.
There is no room for mistakes.
Understood.
This time,
I want everyone to know
that I will be the one
to have the last laugh.
Your Highness will get what you desire.
How dare you, Feng Lanxi!
Are you trying to revolt?
How dare you take me captive! I am the duke!
On the 9th day of the 8th lunar month 21 years ago,
heavy rain poured in Yongzhou.
You, Minister Wang, Lady Baili,
the current Minister of Revenue, and Vice Minister of War,
conspired to use the Nux Vomica
to kill Lady Yige.
-Lies and slander! -Is that so?
Do you recognize this, Duke of Liang?
This
was the secret letter Lady Baili sent to you back then.
You ordered them to get rid of it.
But your subordinate
secretly kept it
to protect themselves.
Duke of Liang.
Do you know why I brought you here now?
Then you can present your case in court.
Why did you bring me here?
Are you planning to execute me yourself?
Yongzhou was weak at that time.
It needed the support of the Imperial Family.
My mother tried her best to mediate between both of them.
It was a boon for Yongzhou
and she did not pose a threat to any of you.
Why did you plot against her?
Lady Yige was a member of the Imperial Family of Dadong.
We used her to cement our ties with the Imperial Family.
After that, Yongzhou prospered and reached its peak.
So long as she is alive,
Yongzhou will forever be tied down
by the declining Imperial Family.
We would never be able to conquer the world.
If she didn't die,
there would be no doubt as to who would be the heir.
Was my father
aware of all of this?
As subjects,
we only need to carry out our duties.
We do not have to report everything to His Lordship.
Did you hear everything, Official Zhang?
Yes, Your Highness.
Duke of Liang is suspected of plotting against the late Lady Yige.
It is a crime equivalent to rebellion.
Every word he said has been recorded.
Your Highness!
Have mercy, Your Highness!
If you admit your crimes in court,
I can spare the lives of your family.
Thank you, Your Highness.
Your Highness!
Terrible news, Your Highness! Prince Ju intends to revolt.
-What? -According to Fountain Abode's findings,
the unrest in the south wasn't caused by bandits.
It was all Prince Ju's ploy.
The suppression
is only a sham.
These bandits are the troops
he has been raising in secret.
Zhong Li.
Go and get Du Xian.
Bring Duke of Liang with you.
Be on standby.
Yes, Your Highness.
Come on.
All those men and horses.
Such an extensive migration.
Did the cities along the way not notice anything at all?
These people
came all the way from Zhang City and Xiao City.
If they were promised rewards,
the governors would just keep one eye shut.
What's more, the person giving the orders
is the destined heir, Feng Ju.
Your Highness,
this is a matter of utmost urgency.
We must head to the palace and alert His Lordship at once.
Let's go.
Your Highness!
Your Highness, on my way to the palace, I ran into Zhao Hai of the Royal Army.
For some reason,
the Royal Army was replaced by the garrison.
Are the men of the garrison Minister Wang's?
Exactly.
Feng Ju is plotting a rebellion.
Prince Ju?
He already had this in mind when he was gathering his troops.
But the majority of the capital's troops
have been moved out.
It's impossible to recall them in such a short amount of time.
Prince Ju's men
have already entered the capital.
What should we do now?
The closest city
that can help us solve this
is Yan City.
The Feng family's army fought with my ancestors in the north.
After that, they were stationed at Yan City
as a secret army.
All for the sake of rescuing the capital in time
for an event such as this.
Father is in the palace right now.
We can retrieve the commander's tally.
I'll have to trouble you
to head to Yan City personally.
I'll go with Qiwu.
I'll protect her.
All right. Be careful.
Yes, Your Highness.
Official Zhang.
-Come with me to the palace. -Yes, Your Highness.
I wish you a blessed birthday.
Long live Father.
-Long live the Lord. -Long live the Lord.
Everyone, Yongzhou owes its prosperity
to all of you.
I raise a toast to all of you and Yongzhou.
-Thank you, Your Lordship. -Thank you, Your Lordship.
Feng Chang?
Report!
Your Lordship, the city is under siege.
What? Under siege?
YONGNING PALACE
At least 30,000 soldiers are heading to the capital right now.
-Whose flag do they carry? -The flag of Marquis Yongping.
Marquis Yongping, Feng Lanxi?
-Go and find out more! -Yes, Your Lordship.
Your Lordship, does Marquis Yongping intend to force you to abdicate?
This is a revolt!
Men!
Where are my men?
Wang Zuo! What is the meaning of this?
Your Lordship.
This is to protect Your Lordship
and everyone else here.
Your Lordship, there is something unusual about this.
Why would Marquis Yongping send his troops to the palace?
It doesn't make sense at all.
He invaded with troops. He must be after the throne.
Would someone like that
blatantly show off their flags?
How can we be sure that it is him?
Your Lordship, this matter requires further consideration.
Your Lordship.
This is not the time to discuss this.
Marquis Yongping came prepared.
The capital is short of military forces.
I fear our chances of success are slim.
I am willing to assist you, Father.
The city is surrounded by the army.
I am willing to break out of the city and seek reinforcements.
I believe that is our best option.
However, I will require your commander's tally
to seek reinforcements, Father.
Your Lordship, this is a matter of grave urgency.
You mustn't hesitate.
-Your Lordship! -You mustn't hesitate!
Yuan Lu.
Bring me the commander's tally.
Your Lordship…
Go.
Yes, Your Lordship.
Ju'er.
You know the weight of this tally.
Know well what you should
and shouldn't do.
I will not let you down, Father.
Your Lordship, Feng Ju is but a prince.
The commander's tally alone might not…
Father.
If you do not name me as your heir,
I'm afraid
this tally won't be put to much use.
-Yuan Lu. -Yes, Your Lordship.
Draft the decree.
The traitorous Feng Lanxi attempted to stage a coup.
Prince Feng Ju defended the nation loyally.
He shall be crowned my heir.
Thank you, Father.
Who is revolting?
Please investigate the matter clearly, Father!
Seize him!
Wait!
You've got some guts to show your face here
after leading your army to revolt, Feng Lanxi.
Who exactly is the one
plotting a rebellion?
And who owns the 30,000 troops outside?
Surely you know the answer, Feng Ju.
Are you still trying
to turn Father and me against each other?
Official Zhang!
Your Lordship.
I have already obtained evidence
that proves the rebels
were acting under the command of Prince Ju
with the intention to frame Marquis Yongping.
Zhang Zhongge!
To think
even you have been bought off by Feng Lanxi.
Minister Wang, I serve His Lordship.
I will not be bought by anyone.
I can't say the same for you.
You replaced the Royal Army with the city defense garrison today.
What exactly were your intentions?
I did this for His Lordship's safety.
Your Lordship,
I have the proof in my hands.
Please examine it.
-Bring it-- -Evidence?
You guys must have made it up.
Your Lordship will know if this evidence is true
once you examine it.
No need to waste time.
Seize Feng Lanxi and the city will be freed.
Get them!
You have recovered your skills?
Are you afraid now?
Please read this, Father.
Father, you mustn't fall for his lies!
-This is all part of his scheme! -Silence!
How dare you, Feng Ju!
Father, I…
Your Highness.
Since your plot has been exposed,
there is no turning back.
Your army is seizing the city outside
and you have us to support you here.
What are you afraid of?
Don't tell me you want to return the military power
in your possession.
You mustn't let everything be in vain.
Father.
I had only wanted
to procure the title of heir
and gain control over the military.
But I can't be blamed
for what happens now.
Lanxi.
Seize this insolent bastard for me!
Yes, Father.
Do it!
You said one should capture the leader to defeat the enemy.
Seize him and the city will be freed.
Isn't that right?
Defend the main hall!
Charge!
Report!
Your Lordship,
all gates have been broken apart from the north gate.
The rebels are in the palace.
Feng Lanxi.
My army is outside.
Even if you manage to capture me,
do you think you can get out of this?
Your Lordship only need to issue an order
for the execution of the criminal, Feng Lanxi,
and Prince Ju and I
will solve this crisis.
The fate of Yongzhou
still lies in Your Lordship's hands.
Wang Zuo.
I have always treated you well.
Why are you doing this?
Because he is the most well-hidden spy
sent from Jizhou.
Am I right, Minister Wang?
As expected of Marquis Yongping.
You even found me out.
Minister Wang, you are a spy from Jizhou?
Your Highness, I did do this to help you.
If Your Highness could inherit the throne,
Jizhou could form a non-aggression pact
with Yongzhou.
You heard him, Feng Ju.
You have been deluded!
Father,
I have never allowed myself to be deluded.
Now that it has come to this,
I might as well make all of you realize this.
The reason why I did all of this
is because of Feng Lanxi.
Feng Lanxi,
you are just too good.
Even though you've been expelled from Yongzhou,
should you decide to come back someday,
I cannot compete against you.
If I don't do this,
I will be trampled under your feet for the rest of my life.
Father, you shouldn't think
Feng Lanxi came back just to save you.
The reason he came back without notice
is that he was investigating something.
And he must keep that thing
a secret from you.
Because he suspects you as well!
What is it, Lanxi?
I wish to prosecute Lady Baili for conspiring with Minister Wang,
Duke of Liang, and the others
to poison the late Lady Yige.
I have evidence and witnesses.
I ask for your wise judgment!
What? Is that true?
Lately, I have been investigating and collecting evidence.
Because this concerns not only the harem,
but also the court.
I wanted to secure sufficient evidence
before reporting it to you.
You make it sound so sensible.
But in truth, you suspected Father of being involved in the murder as well.
I harbored no such thoughts!
You killed Yige?
How could I become the lady if she was alive?
And how could my son become the heir?
Your Lordship, now that it has come to this,
you should just abdicate.
Archers!
You have been blinded by greed.
As a prince, you attempted to revolt!
How can you do this
to all the warriors who died protecting Yongzhou?
Die, Feng Lanxi!
For your selfish ambitions, you disrupted peace and caused unrest.
You are a disgrace.
It is time you come to your senses!
Ju'er!
Ju'er…
You can't kill me, Feng Lanxi.
Neither would you dare.
-Because-- -Because if you died,
someone outside would set off the explosives you planted.
Father, I've disposed of all the gunpowder
around the palace at Lanxi's request.
Great.
I will give you credit and reward you well, Feng Chang.
Even so,
I doubt you guys can handle
the troops outside the hall.
The leader of the rebels has fallen!
Surrender now!
Put down your weapons!
Come with me to the hall.
There are wounded soldiers here.
Leave this to me.
All right.
Your Lordship, sorry for being late to protect you.
The leader of the rebels has been executed.
The rebels have surrendered.
Great.
Immediately seize Feng Ju, Baili,
and the traitor, Wang Zuo!
Father.
I have brought Du Xian and Duke of Liang.
The evidence and witnesses are all here.
Please make your decision, Father.
Your Lordship! It was him!
Him!
We were deceived and taken advantage of by him!
He deserves to die!
Your Highness.
You jest.
I wouldn't have been able
to add fuel to the fire if you hadn't wanted the same.
It was you!
You!
You wanted me to poison Yige.
From the beginning, it was you who dragged me down.
Once Feng Lanxi got the evidence,
you exhorted me to stage a coup!
-It was all you! -Enough!
Do you not even feel
the slightest bit of guilt toward Lady Yige?
Your Lordship, everything is my fault.
Feng Ju is innocent.
He recruited troops, raised an army,
and invaded the capital of Yongzhou.
He was forcing me to abdicate the throne earlier.
How could he possibly be innocent?
Father.
I have nothing else to say.
I feel gratified today.
All these years,
I've been so meek and careful before you.
I don't even dare to let out a breath.
If I made even the slightest mistake,
I would have to endure your wrath.
I've had enough
of a life like that.
You are my son.
Everything I did was for your own good.
For my good?
I'm afraid I can't endure your care.
Look at your other son.
He did everything for you.
And what did you do for his good?
You rendered his skills useless and chased him out of Yongzhou!
All because he was too capable.
You were afraid he would take your throne!
Nonsense!
You can discuss and debate the rules and laws
of a relationship between a father and a son
and a lord and his subject.
But those can never justify murder and rebellion!
Feng Lanxi,
you are too sanctimonious.
I refuse to believe
that you've never wanted to put everyone beneath you!
To make all of those who mocked you,
wronged you, shamed you,
and persecuted you
submit to you!
And
this father of yours who never showed you any care.
All he cares about is his throne and power.
He even suspects his own sons!
If he cared about you in the slightest,
it wouldn't have taken you until now
to find out the real reason your mother died!
And you never hated him?
Are you finished?
Take him away!
Take all of them away!
Mother.
What took you so long, Eunuch Yuan?
Feng Ju has returned to get ready.
I'm ready as well.
Eunuch Yuan, this must be the royal decree.
"Today,
Lady Baili
and Prince Feng Ju
conspired with Wang Zuo and committed treason.
Lady Baili poisoned the late Lady Yige.
Her crimes are unforgivable.
She shall be given the white silk to end her life.
Prince Feng Ju will be relegated to a commoner.
That is all."
Is there a mistake, Eunuch Yuan?
This is supposed to be a decree that names Feng Ju as His Lordship's heir.
Please end your own life,
Your Highness.
Mother.
Father showed grace.
He allowed me to see you one last time before I left.
It appears
that he still cares about us.
I think it's not a bad thing
that I didn't become
his heir.
At least I'm free of worries.
What do you think?
Mother?
Mother…
Greetings, Father.
Rise.
Come forth.
Sit here.
Come on.
Last night,
I couldn't get a wink of sleep.
Did you sleep well?
I
dreamed of Mother.
I wronged your mother.
I didn't show you much care either.
It's to be expected if you hold grudges
against me.
I have never held a grudge against you.
I know
that you are not just my father.
You are also the ruler of Yongzhou.
You are needed by too many.
I understand.
Sometimes,
you are too understanding.
So much so
that I feel like there is a distance
between us.
Never mind.
Now,
you are the only one who could be my heir.
In the past,
I wanted to have everything in my grasp.
But in the end,
everything slipped through my palms.
I have decided
to entrust my throne to you.