The Virtuous Queen of Han (衛子夫)

Grandmother used to love putting on nail polish.

Out of respect for our ancestors, your nails are now bare.

You only put on fragrances.

I want to be filial to our ancestor, the late Emperor Gao Zu.

Even Grandmother is filial but Madame Wei doesn't take this matter to heart.

She allowed Princess Weizhang to run around with ribbons.

I didn't want to trouble Grandmother in the first place

but this is a serious matter.

I have to report it to you.

She was so careless?

Mother, you're being too kind to say that she was just being careless.

She gave birth to three daughters in a row and she is still a favorite of His Majesty.

She's grown arrogant and cocky. She's no longer well-behaved.

Even Jiao Er has to bear with her temper.

How can she possibly still abide by the rules?

There is just one more day left to the mourning period

but Madame Wei refused to behave properly.

What should I do now?

If I cannot be fair and just, how can I face the harem in the future?

But if I were to be just, someone will say that I'm bullying her again.

She's using that to bully Jiao Er.

But Mother, she must be punished for this matter.

First, she defied filial piety.

Second, she failed in teaching her daughter.

Third, all court officials are in plain clothes in accordance to

His Majesty's imperial decree.

As a concubine, how can she gain the trust of others

if she can not follow the rules?

She's let the ancestors down, as well as given a bad influence to her children.

Others are criticizing her as well.

She must not only be punished, but severely punished.

Grand Empress Dowager, Madame Wei seeks audience with you.

- Let her in. - Yes.

Grandmother, you must speak up for me.

Greetings to Grand Empress Dowager, Empress, and Grand Princess Dou.

I hear that you've made a mistake?

Yes, I've not taught my daughter well

and Princess Weizhang was seen wearing ribbons.

This violates His Majesty's imperial decree

to mourn in plain clothes for five days.

This is a great disrespect. I ask Grand Empress Dowager for punishment.

It's good that you know what you have done wrong.

Do not take it lightly because your daughter is still young.

If you don't discipline her now

she will grow up to be willful and disregard your feelings.

She won't care about your life or death.

She will just care about fighting for favors and honors.

She won't let you have a moment of peace and quiet.

I will definitely obey the teachings of Grand Empress Dowager

to discipline my three daughters strictly.

I won't let them grow up to be willful and spoiled.

It's good that you are willing to take my advice.

If this had been in an ordinary family

it would have caused a family to fall apart.

In the harem, there would have been blood shed.

The Dragonboat Festival is around the corner.

Before the festival, go and weave bolts of white cloth in the weaving room.

Not only is it to have you reflect on your mistakes

but also to show your filial affection to me and the ancestors.

Also, you can weave for your own blessings.

The length of the cloth will be the length of your blessings.

Yes.

Madame Wei.

What brings you here, Sister?

If we are to weave for filial affection

I am here to contribute mine to Grand Empress Dowager as well.

I am also here to weave my blessings with you.

You say that you're doing so for yourself

but you're actually doing this for me.

I am deeply grateful.

The day my mother passed away

Empress and all the sisters were busy organizing the birthday celebration

for Empress Dowager.

Who would care about this sorrowful person

who stayed away from the celebration?

Only Madame Wei made me soup so that I may sleep peacefully.

You also took me to the riverside by Orchid Pavilion

and taught me to light bamboo lanterns

to mourn and pray for my deceased mother.

That is only my responsibility.

But you have made me feel that there is still warmth

and friendship here in the harem.

We are always at the disposal of the Empress.

There's nothing we can do, even though we know that you have been wronged.

I'm here to help you out.

Why don't you count me in as well?

I saw Sister on my way in. How long do you plan to stay outside?

I've made some side dishes and couldn't finish them all on my own

so I've brought them over.

I wonder if you can help me finish them?

Lady Teng is very thoughtful.

My three sisters are here to see me.

I am really touched.

We all know how you've treated everyone in the palace these past few years.

It's because you've always been kindhearted and benevolent

and rendered friendship with kindness.

That's why many of us in the palace wanted to help you out.

That's why many of us in the palace wanted to help you out.

We must all learn from Madame Wei.

If everyone was like Madame Wei, it would be a lot more harmonious in the palace.

- Exactly. - Stop complimenting me.

I am also still learning.

Let us weave together to pray for blessings and filial affection.

Let us pray for the health and longevity of Grand Empress Dowager.

Grandmother.

The wind is strong up here on the walls. We'd better go inside.

I'm fine.

I would like to feel that rush of majestic pride and hope from the high grounds.

Che Er, look around for me.

Are the mountains and rivers still as beautiful and majestic as before?

- They are as they were. - Good!

Good!

Mountains and rivers have not changed.

But my Che Er has changed.

He now has a regal and awe-inspiring presence!

Che Er is all grown up now.

You're prudent and mature.

You have your own opinions on state and family affairs.

I might not be able to see clearly

but my mind is very clear.

Standing here, I can feel that the people of Great Han

are living and working in peace.

All is well and peaceful.

Great!

Che Er, when you first took the throne

you thought that I hindered you in everything you did.

You were but a new Emperor, who wasn't even twenty years of age.

There were many villains who were flattering and buttering you up.

There were many others who held troops and defied imperial orders.

I was worried that you were too young and ambitious to differentiate

between the loyal and the conniving.

Back then, I didn't understand the efforts behind your actions.

But as I grew older

I understood that everything Grandmother did was for the sake of Great Han.

You saw further and higher than I did.

In the past, there was the chaos of Empress Lu

who left behind a bad reputation.

In order to avoid suspicion and infamy

I tried not to be involved in political affairs several times.

But I've dreamed of the sudden changes in Great Han many times

and woke up in the middle of the night, drenched in fear and cold sweat.

I am not afraid of infamy.

But I was afraid that people would speak ill of Che Er.

Grandmother...

I'm not afraid even of wronged souls come to seek me out.

Should anyone try to drive a wedge between us, I would strike them first.

Grandmother, don't worry.

I'll make great efforts to build a strong nation

as to repay Grandmother for all the great pains you took.

Good. Good.

Then I can now be at ease.

The setting sun is endearing but the light of day is disappearing...

It is just like me.

I don't have much time left...

Grandmother has brought great blessings to Great Han.

Your virtue and grace are boundless.

You are sure to live a long life.

I know my health... better than anyone else.

Moreover, a long life...

What use is it?

I just hope that you can carry on the heritage

and become the legendary emperor

who created the times of prosperity and peace.

I will not fail you.

Then I am... content.

What more could an old person want...

than to have her grandchild grow up to be a useful person?

To have her granddaughter-in-law be virtuous and filial?

This...

You wove these bolts of cloth and I asked to have them brought in here.

Some people may think that I was punishing you

by telling you to weave cloth.

Actually, I was just trying to prove something.

And now it has been proven.

These years that you've been in the harem

I've often heard about how you treated others.

This plain cloth here is the evidence.

Grand Empress Dowager...

Someone who is without authority and power

can truly be respected by servants and concubines here in the harem

where every woman is for herself.

What a person, Madame Wei!

I've always considered the harem to be the Emperor's home.

Even if we might have conflicts

all of us are still bound to both Empress Dowagers and His Majesty.

As long as we treat each other with sincerity we can live in harmony.

Live in harmony?

You'd have to share the favors of His Majesty with others.

Can you bear to do so?

I'd put myself in others' shoes.

I'm glad to see other sisters being favored by His Majesty.

The best of men is like water.

Water benefits everything in the world, but never contends its own contribution.

You are virtuous to have such a kind heart.

No wonder Che Er always said that you are unique.

You've flattered me, Your Highness.

His Majesty said it out of love.

What I hope for the most is that you can give the Emperor a son.

I understand.

But... This is all up to the gods.