The Virtuous Queen of Han (衛子夫)

Greetings to Your Majesty.

You may get up.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Maid-servant Wei Zi Fu is here to serve Your Majesty in getting changed.

Don't be frightened.

I am but a peasant girl.

It's impossible for me not to be frightened before

the Emperor's majestic presence.

Emperor's majestic presence?

Is it so frightening?

Your Majesty is appointed by the gods.

You reign over the lands and seas as well as life and death of all people.

Who wouldn't be taken aback?

Good, well-said. You have a silver tongue.

You've been educated?

Your Majesty, I haven't been educated much.

You know more than some officials in court about what an Emperor is.

I...

I... I only heard it from Marquess and Princess.

You heard it from them?

I'd like to know what the Emperor is like in your opinion.

I'd be so bold as to tell you the truth.

I think that as the Emperor, you should be concerned about the world

experience, and observe the lives of people.

Why have you stopped talking?

You think that I'm not a good Emperor, who pays attention to my people?

Or do you think that I was kept in the dark and know nothing of it?

I wouldn't be so bold as to say so.

Why don't you tell me what life is for the people out there

so as to see if I really have been kept in the dark about it?

The people are suffering and starving. But officials tease them, for fun.

They tempt people with gold pellets and make people run after them.

The people are suffering and yet they are teased by chasing gold pellets?

How would you know these words?

I have once been rescued by Chancellor Dou Ying.

I repaid his kindness with these words.

So you are the one.

You're the one that I've been thinking of these days.

The gods are truly too kind to me.

- Let's play the engagement game! - Yes! Yes!

Play it with me?

I won't play it with you.

I'll play it with you.

You have sores all over your face!

Yuck! I won't play with you!

Duan Hong! Duan Hong!

I'll play with you!

I'll be your bride.

Sure!

Here.

Let's go.

This is for you!

Sure.

Here you go!

Zi Fu, from now on, you are my wife.

From now on, we'll always be together.

You're still munching on these?

Listen up! It's all because of you that my daughter was not picked by the Emperor.

Mother.

Mother, don't say that.

I'm already very fortunate to be a middle-grade dancer with my looks.

You'll be teased for saying that.

Who would dare to tease you?

Have you come to me for something?

I'm here to see Uncle Yi.

I'd like him to make a few delicious treats for Zi Fu to congratulate her.

You still congratulate her?

You let her show off so much!

She should be here to thank us!

Your daughter is truly sensible.

You're fortunate Zi Fu was kind enough to give your daughter assistance.

If she had dampened His Majesty's mood

then both of you would have been punished for it.

Don't worry. I'll be sure to make her favorite dishes.

If you're smart enough, you should go and butter her up.

Once Zi Fu makes it into the palace, she will be one of the concubines!

Concubine?

Concubine?

Once Zi Fu gets into the palace she is a concubine?

It won't be that easy.

Do you think that every woman that was favored by the Emperor

gets to go into the palace?

She is just a performer. That won't be easy.

If she doesn't move up from rags to riches

no one will marry her because she once slept with the Emperor.

Wouldn't she then live a lonely life?

- That can't be true... - Yes, that won't be the case.

Zi Fu is kindhearted, she will be repaid with good fortune.

Sister, are you in there?

- Sister! - Come in.

Sister.

Sister...

I'm fine, please don't be worried.

By the way...

Do you remember who this is?

Isn't this the one who helped me at the wine store...

No, he is our childhood friend.

How could you not recognize him?

Zi Fu!

Zi Fu!

Zi Fu.

- Zi Fu. - Duan Hong, I got lost.

It became dark and there is heavy fog.

Don't be scared. I'll take you home.

Didn't you say that the Big Dipper can point the way?

But I can't see the stars now.

Zi Fu, don't be afraid.

Although we can't see any stars, I can be your Big Dipper.

Sure.

You are...

Duan Hong!

You still remember me?

I couldn't forget you!

Whenever I'm in the wilderness, or when I'm unhappy

I remember my Big Dipper, Duan Hong.

It turns out that the peasant girl you were talking about

who cares about the world, is Zi Fu.

Who knew that she'd had such an encounter with Chancellor Dou?

Do you think that this is destined?

She has talent, beauty and insight.

She is indeed wonderful.

How lovely...

Lovely indeed.

She is truly lovely.

Since she is so wonderful

have you thought of taking her back to the palace to keep her by your side?

Are you concerned that the Empress is easily jealous?

What do you think?

The Empress isn't your only concern.

If so, you'd do better to treat it as a fling and forget about her.

But I find it quite a pity.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Sister, have I rewarded all those in your manor that should be rewarded?

Your Majesty, Wei Zi Fu has not yet been rewarded.

Yes, she'll be rewarded a pair of white jade bangles.

One emerald and one agate necklace.

Thirty taels of gold.

Yes.

Summoning Wei Zi Fu!

I'll head back to the palace early tomorrow morning.

Your Majesty's and your subjects' luggage has all been loaded.

All right.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

If a peasant girl could empathize with the people's suffering...

The people are suffering and starving.

But officials teased them for fun.

They tempted people with gold pellets and made people run after them.

The people are suffering and yet they are teased by chasing gold pellets?

You're the one that I've been thinking of these days.

Greetings to Your Majesty.

Zi Fu, go and pack your belongings.

Leave with me tomorrow morning.

I'd like to have you by my side.

You'll witness how I change the situation of

'the people are suffering and yet they are teased by chasing gold pellets.'

Thank you, Your Majesty.

I'll have the princess pick out someone to go with you

to take care of you.

Princess said that you're very close to your brother, Wei Qing.

I'll appoint him to a position in Jianzhang Palace so that he may join you.

Your Majesty, you who love the tree, love the branch, I...

We won't be able to serve Your Highness anymore, after we depart.

We have nothing to repay your kindness. Please accept our subservience.

You may both get up.

Wei Qing, you must be dutiful and pioneering.

You must keep it in mind not to let His Majesty down.

Thank you, Your Highness, for your teachings.

I will definitely keep that in mind.

Zi Fu, it's indeed quite difficult to have you brought to the palace.

His Majesty had quite a few concerns in the first place.

In the end, despite the pressure, he's decided to take you with him.

You must serve the Emperor well.

Be sure to abide by the regulations.

I will know where I stand and know my place.

Just like this cherry blossom tree, all I did was to plant the seed.

It's up to you to have it all turn out well.

I understand.

Wei Qing.

You must remember when it blossoms

you shouldn't forget the one who planted the seed in the first place.

Your Highness has taken great care of us both over the years.

We will certainly keep that on our minds.

I hope that the future looks bright for the both of you.

- Thank you, Your Highness. - Thank you, Your Highness.

Duan Hong!

Zi Fu, are you ready?

I'm here to escort you into the palace.

Housekeeper Chang just told me that an officer would arrange my transport.

I didn't expect it to be you.

I didn't expect it either.

I didn't know that I'd be escorting my childhood best friend

into the palace as a concubine.

To have you escorting me feels as if I'm escorted by my older brother.

I feel at ease.

It's good that you're at ease.

Zi Fu, although you'll be respected as the Emperor's concubine

I'll always be an older brother to you, if you're okay with that.

I'll protect you forever.