The Virtuous Queen of Han (衛子夫)

I hope that you have better luck than mine.

In the future, you will be able to...

Lady Rui!

Lady Rui, what's the matter?

Don't scare me!

I'm going to see my child.

I'm going to see His Majesty...

Don't scare me!

Is anyone out there?

Anyone there?

Anyone out there?

- Wei Qing! - What's wrong?

There is news from Weiyang Palace.

Your sister was arrested for killing the late Emperor's favorite concubine!

That gets the death penalty!

You might still be able to survive if you escape now.

Otherwise, you could be sentenced to a heavy penalty as well!

Yi Han is quite something.

The meat is quite good!

What meat is this?

It's different from what we used to have.

Your Highness, this is the worry-free meat.

Only one who has worries could taste its true flavors.

It's fragrant as grass and sweet as flowers.

It makes one feel as if one is sitting among flowers and grass.

It makes you worry-free and takes away your troubles.

Crazy chef. You and your crazy words.

Isn't this meat marinated with herbs and honey before it is grilled?

I'm glad that Your Highness has enjoyed it!

I did. What other matters are there?

I'd like to ask for a few days off to take a trip out of the city.

You made such an effort just for this request?

Everything is a lot easier if Your Highness is in a good mood.

I'll grant you permission for those honey-coated words.

Thank you, Your Highness!

Princess!

How dare you! What are you still doing here?

- Your Highness! - Housekeeper Chang!

Drag him out!

- Princess, my sister... - That's enough.

I've already heard about it.

I beg Your Highness to save her!

Wei Qing, I'd like to help you

but the Empress is in charge of all matters in the harem.

Not to mention the fact that I am already married.

Even if I was still in the palace, I would have no right to interfere.

Moreover, His Majesty isn't in the palace now.

Even if I did want to help, there isn't anything that I could do.

Your Highness! Only you can save her now!

I'm begging you, Your Highness!

Your Highness, please save her!

Your Highness!

You...

Are you all right?

Fortunately, the soup isn't too hot.

Princess, are you all right?

Wei Qing, are you all right?

It's fine as long as Your Highness is all right.

Yi Han, why were you so careless?

I deserve to die.

I'll spare you today for the delicious grilled meat that you made.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Empress Dowager also really loves grilled meat.

I haven't gone to the palace to greet her in quite some time.

I'll prepare all the ingredients for grilled meats for the palace right away!

Who said anything about going to the palace?

- Si He. - Your Highness.

Prepare for my trip to the palace tomorrow.

Yes.

In order to save a songstress

you'll be offending the four most influential women in Great Han.

Why would you do that to yourself?

Why would I do that to myself?

Firstly, Wei Qing went all out to protect his sister.

I'm the Emperor's sister, so it is only right that I protect my brother.

Secondly, Wei Zi Fu went to the palace from Pingyang Manor.

Her glory or downfall is already connected to ours.

Thirdly, Wei Zi Fu is the woman that His Majesty favors.

If I can protect her for His Majesty, and win his trust

that is the most important matter of all.

Don't you think that I'm right?

You're right!

Your Highness is right!

We're already involved in this anyway, so we might as well do him a favor.

Your Highness is still the one with great insight.

Wait for me. I'll get dressed and then I'll go with you.

Do you already have a plan?

All is well as long as one is happy.

I just hope that the grilled meat not only made me happy

but will also make Mother happy.

This smells really good. Well done.

Thank you for your compliments, Empress Dowager!

Allow me to grill some others with different flavors for you.

If they are even better than this rabbit meat

I'll reward you with two gold bullions.

I thank Your Highness in advance!

Mother, Grandmother loves grilled meat as well.

Shall I get Yi Han to prepare some for her

and have them sent to Changxin Palace tonight?

That won't be necessary.

Grand Empress Dowager has said that

she will have vegetarian meals for seven days

and she won't see anyone unless necessary.

Is this because of Lady Rui?

I wonder what is the relationship between Grandmother and Lady Rui?

She is even going vegetarian for seven days because of her death.

I heard that Lady Rui used to be...

There has always been rumors about this in and outside the palace.

It's hard to tell what is true.

I don't have the strength to stop the rumors or to look into them.

As for all these rumors, pay them no mind.

You will only bring yourself trouble.

Mother has a point.

But Wei Zi Fu originally came from my manor.

I sent her in there and thus I am already in trouble.

Therefore, I have to think of a way--

Dear daughter, since you know that you are already in trouble

all the more reason to keep out of this.

Understood, we understand.

Don't worry, Mother. We are sure to stay out of this matter.

It's just that His Majesty cares a lot about Wei Zi Fu.

That is why we...

His Majesty mustn't go against Grand Empress Dowager for a songstress.

That's true...

All right, I have had enough grilled meat for today.

You should all head home.

Cui Er.

Bring out two gold bullions as a reward for Yi Han.

- Yes. - Thank you, Your Highness.

Come over here!

Take a look at these.

Have you seen these tools?

What do you think? Are you going to confess?

I have nothing to confess.

Fine.

Who would dare to hurt the heir of the Emperor?

What did you say?

I said, who would dare to hurt His Majesty's child?

You... You're pregnant?

If you don't believe me

you can check with the bailiff at the Drying House.

When I entered the palace, the bailiff noted

down the date His Majesty laid with me

as well as the dates of my menstrual cycle.

Since the day I laid with His Majesty, I haven't menstrated.

So? That does not prove that you are pregnant.

Can you be sure that I am not?

His Majesty does not have any children yet.

Should I truly carry a child and it is hurt during torture

could you bear the consequences?

Aren't you afraid to be killed and your entire clan wiped out?

It is indeed less than a month.

This lowly songstress dares to use her womb as protection?

Fan Niang is so useless.

She was too scared to torture her.

I insist on kicking and whipping her stomach.

Shall we see if her stomach can protect her, or she can protect it?

After I've left the palace, you have to be extremely cautious.

Wait for me to come home.

It's dangerous and treacherous in the palace.

Today's glory will not guarantee you a lifetime of safety.

Once you have a prince, you might be able to stay alive.

Obstetrician, come in.

Time is up.

It could be your lucky day, or your death anniversary.

Obstetrician, read her pulse.

- Yes. - Check to see if she's pregnant.

That's not necessary.

Could it be that you are menstruating?

If so, then it means that you're not carrying the Imperial heir?

Greetings to the Empress.

Wei Zi Fu greets Your Highnesses, Empress and Grand Princess Dou.

Wei Zi Fu, your murder case has already been submitted to me.

Do you know why I have held off the trial until now?

It is because you were once favored by His Majesty.

I had hoped that you could produce offspring for the Imperial family.

A child or two might have saved you from your sins

and even have you rewarded.

Unfortunately, that didn't happen.

Since you do not have the protection of the Emperor's child

what is the punishment for murder, Fan Niang?

She is to be beheaded!

Take her out to be beheaded then.

Hold it!

Do you have any evidence to prove that I'm guilty?

The criminal has stepped over the line and talked back to me.

Slap her fifty times and flog her a hundred, before beheading her.

Take her away!

Hold it!

Greetings to the Princess!

I wish the Empress happiness and peace.

I wish Auntie warm blessings.

I am interrogating the criminal.

What is Sister doing here?

I know that Your Highness is about to condemn the criminal.

That is why I rushed here to stop you.

I respect that Your Highness is the biological sister of the Emperor

so I also address you as my sister.

But you should also respect that I am the Empress

the head of the harem.