The Virtuous Queen of Han (衛子夫)

I found your father.

He was critically ill when we found him.

Although I had imperial physicians do the best that they could for him

In the end, he couldn't be cured.

His Majesty was worried that this news would make you anxious in Huainan

and expose you to grave danger.

Therefore, he didn't inform you right away.

However, His Majesty has ordered to have Uncle Duan temporarily buried

- and... - I would just like to know...

if my father was at peace when he passed away.

Uncle Duan must have passed away in peace

under the care of imperial physicians.

He was alone in sickness and waiting desperately for his son.

How could he be at peace when he passed away in such sorrow?

If Uncle Duan is watching over you

he wouldn't wish to see you in such sorrow.

I have ordered Wei Qing to assist you in the grand funeral of your father.

It is a son's duty to hold the funeral for his father.

Please do not trouble anyone else.

I beg Your Highness for forgiveness.

You couldn't see your father before he passed away

because you were carrying out your task to pacify the rebellion.

I will severely punish the rebels so that your sacrifice is worth it.

You've accomplished a great achievement in Huainan.

I shall restore you to your title of Prefect of the Gentlemen-of-the-Palace

and after all the rebels are eliminated, I shall reward you with more.

I wouldn't dare take credit for pacifying the unrest.

Hence, I cannot accept the rewards.

There is also no need to restore me back to my original post.

His Majesty rewards meritorious subjects to make their efforts known.

Duan Hong, you don't have to refuse the rewards out of modesty.

Moreover, you were demoted so that you could go on the mission.

Now that the unrest is pacified

it is only right that you are restored to your original position.

As a son, since my father and I were separated from each other

I haven't been able to fulfill my filial duties.

Neither could I carry out my filial duties before his death.

I feel great guilt in my heart.

Your Majesty, I don't know whether I should say this or not.

Go ahead.

Duan Hong has indeed sinned, and cannot be rewarded.

Great Han built its foundation on the basis of filial piety.

'When we have established our character by the practice of filial piety'

'so as to make our name famous for future ages'

and thereby glorify our parents, this is the end of filial piety.'

Duan Hong was a highly-ranked official, but he didn't glorify Uncle Duan.

If Your Majesty restores him to such a high position

it will just make him have more regrets.

Duan Hong hasn't been able to serve his father.

He has indeed sinned by being unfilial.

He should not be rewarded.

But he is meritorious in pacifying the rebellion and being loyal.

I cannot reward him with nothing.

Why doesn't Your Majesty let Uncle take the credit?

Build him an ancestral shrine for his merits.

Your Majesty can then reward Duan Hong

and Duan Hong can also fulfill his filial duties.

Uncle Duan can then be glorified.

I couldn't carry out my filial duties while my father was alive.

I only ask that Father can be honored after his death.

I hope that Your Majesty can grant me this wish.

Duan Zhong has taught his son well.

Because of him, I have Duan Hong as my right hand man.

He deserves the merit.

Convey my decree. Build Duan Zhong an ancestral shrine for his merits.

Have his name honored and be known for generations to come!

Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty.

I knew that you'd make offerings to Uncle Duan when you got home.

Therefore, I've made some snacks from our hometown

to offer comfort to Uncle Duan.

Grilled flat-bread, spinach soup, and bean soup.

Your Highness still remembers that my father ate those often.

I owe a favor to Uncle Duan. I've kept his kindness on my mind.

I never got the chance to repay his kindness and cook for him.

It was not meant to be.

I was foolish when I was young.

My father taught me many times

but I couldn't learn how to play the ocarina.

When I finally could and wanted to play it for my father

we were already separated.

And now, we are separated by death.

Duan Hong...

The night is the same, and so is the tune.

The moonlight is also the same.

All stayed the same except the people.

The one who listens to the ocarina is no longer around.

I didn't manage to reunite you and your father.

I have failed you.

I would like to thank you.

You drew this linen painting so that my father could go to heaven.

I am deeply grateful.

Every time I see this painting

it is as if my father is playing a duet with me and smiling at me kindly.

It eases my pain.

Duan Hong, Uncle Duan would surely hear your playing of the ocarina

see your tears, and know of your affection!

When he died, for the sake of your safety in Huainan

we could not give Uncle Duan a grand funeral.

But my sister is very thoughtful.

She has buried Uncle Duan on the top of Mount Li

and he faces the southeastern gate of the palace.

She wanted Uncle Duan to see your victorious return.

He could see hundreds of officials welcoming you back.

Zi Fu, thank you.

You are a patriot of Great Han.

Uncle Duan must be proud of you.

Duan Hong, Uncle Duan must be very happy for you now.

But he would be upset by your sorrow.

You must get back on your feet, for his sake.

Lift your spirits up.

I will.

Don't worry about me.

The Empress and Great General are here with him.

I don't have to be worried about him.

Your Highness, Great General is here.

Sister.

Have a seat.

You're preparing to light the lanterns?

The rebellion of Huainan has stirred up quite a lot of trouble.

I am praying that this will all die down soon.

All loyal and virtuous people will be safe.

You're using only plum blossoms?

It seems that you are thinking about Princess?

Before we both left Pingyang Manor for the palace

Princess was standing under a plum tree.

She said that she had only scattered the seeds.

It is just like this plum tree.

I've only planted the seeds.

Whether the outcome is fruitful is totally up to you.

But now that we both have grown and prospered

the one who gave us the opportunities ended up...

You are referring to Marquess of Ruyin being accused of conspiring with Liu An?

It is not at my convenience to ask about national affairs.

I also believe in His Majesty's and Princess' kinship.

His Majesty wouldn't suspect the Princess of treason

but...

But married couples are as one.

If Marquess of Ruyin is found guilty

it is sure to impact Princess' reputation.

It is best that Marquess of Ruyin is innocent.

Even if he is guilty, you have to do your best to protect Princess.

The greedy die in search of wealth, the righteous die for their reputation.

The superior man wishes to be had in remembrance.

Princess values her reputation and righteousness as a man would.

She must not be left with the stigma of someone else's crimes.

Don't worry, Sister.

I am sure to do my best to protect our seed planter.

Your Majesty, Zhang Tang has already arrested all of the officials

feudal kings, marquesses, lords, and everyone else involved in the rebellion.

Zhang Tang is known for being strict in law enforcement.

It is best that you won't have to take troops with you to pacify them.

I summoned you here because the crisis in Chang An is over.

We no longer have to keep the city on high alert.

We can assume the standard protection.

Soldiers are allowed to take days off on a rotated schedule.

I obey the orders.

Your Majesty, Princess Pingyang and Marquess of Ruyin seek audience.

They are finally here.

- Summon them in! - Yes!

- Greetings to Your Majesty. - Greetings to Your Majesty.

Sister, please rise.

I've had you on my mind at all times. How have you been?

I am very well. Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty has been troubled by national affairs.

You must take even better care of your health.

I might be busy with work, but I am rested and refreshed.

When I think of the rebels and villains who were eliminated

and the troublemakers punished by law, I feel extremely delighted!

I beg Your Majesty for forgiveness.

As an imperial relative

I failed to notice the conspiracy behind the Huainan rebels.

I am indeed ashamed to face Your Majesty.

Not only is my brother-in-law the guest of Huainan's rebels

but also stayed in correspondence with Liu An.

Is it that you failed to notice their conspiracy

or that you covered it up for them?

Maybe even collaborated with them?

No! No! Your Majesty...

I am innocent!

I was just socializing with the rebels.

The letters that I wrote to Liu An were about the climate and nutrition.

I know nothing of their conspiracy!

I truly am innocent!

Who knows if there are codes in those letters about climate and nutrition?

You are very close to the rebels.

How dare you say that I have wronged you!

I wouldn't dare to say so! I wouldn't dare to!

Princess knows that I am innocent.

All I did was drink and admire flowers with them.

I was just there to have fun and socialize.

We never talked about politics or national affairs!

Say something, My Lady!

Princess, you know about my utmost loyalty to His Majesty!

I do not know.

Your Majesty, I do not know what goes on in his mind.

Your Majesty, I only know that he often traveled between Huainan and Ruyin.

He went out in merriment with Liu An's important subjects.

Whether he had joined them in conspiracy, I do not know.

Anyway, I have my poetry and books.

He trolls around for women and amorous entertainment.