The Virtuous Queen of Han (衛子夫)

Sister.

Brother.

Do you still remember playing the game

of counting falling flowers when we were little?

Of course, I do.

You were so fast and accurate.

Brother and I couldn't defeat you.

I recall those days

when the flowers began to fall.

They were our happiest days.

Yes, we had nothing then.

We didn't have any toys.

Flowers and grass used to be our best companions.

I remember that besides counting flowers, we also loved to

play tug-of-war with leaf stalks.

The stalks of those leaves that you chose never seem to break.

When we were little, you always acted up like this when you lose a game.

Even now, you haven't learned to choose the right leaf.

You still go for the ones that look strong but are in fact weak.

I remember that although you were still young then

your words always made a lot of sense.

You said that this sort of leaf seems fragile, but is in fact strong.

You are exactly right.

I saw how you have pulled through all these years.

This is the kind of strength that you have been using.

You used it to overcome all obstacles and challenges.

What I said then was silly, but it did make some sense.

Everything that you say makes sense.

That is why I know that you would be able to pull through.

Wei Qing, look!

My girls are counting falling flowers just like we did when we were little.

Weizhang is such a good girl.

She always yields to her young sisters.

Shi Yi is very smart.

She counts very fast.

- Twenty-seven! - You're so good at it, Sister.

I've only counted to 25. Sister, you've won!

Weizhang and Shi Yi care a lot for your youngest sister.

You have done very well!

I'm going to give you a reward!

Brother, how should I reward them?

I see, just another illusion.

I couldn't make out

what is real...

and what is false.

I've passed this spot before, on my way from the palace.

The last time, I knew that you were hiding behind the trees.

I believe that you were afraid to be accused of meeting me in private

and adding fuel to the widespread rumors.

You avoided seeing me then

but now you stand here waiting for me.

Aren't you afraid of the rumors?

I am.

I'm very afraid of them.

But...

To make you disregard your fear of rumors and the damage of your reputation

this matter must be related to your sister.

I'm on my way to visit her in the palace.

I knew that Your Highness was going to the palace.

That is why I've been waiting here for you.

I have a favor to ask of you.

What is it?

My sister has been having delusions very frequently these days.

Her condition is worrying.

I'm afraid...

I ask that Your Highness allows my sister to meet her three daughters.

I know that this is a very difficult task.

But my sister... hasn't seen her daughters for a very long time.

She misses them at all times confined to her bed.

I really have no one else to turn to.

I beg Your Highness to grant me this favor.

Empress Dowager guards them very closely.

His Majesty had already made this request, and she turned him down.

If they can not meet up this time

I'm afraid that the princesses will live in regret for the rest of their lives.

And my sister...

All right.

I promise to help.

No matter what, I will get the princesses out of Changxin Palace

to reunite with their mother.

Thank you, Your Highness!

Zi Fu, I've already come over earlier than usual to help you get dressed.

Who knew that you'd wake up earlier than I did?

I'm very happy.

Shen Jia, help me get dressed in the outfit that Zhu Yi said was pretty.

- All right? - I heard you.

I've already had it prepared for you.

And put on the dangling hairpin that Shi Yi loves to play with.

Zi Fu, if you're feeling unwell

we'll meet up with the princesses some other day.

How could I do that?

I'm finally getting the chance to see them.

Princess Pingyang must have made a huge effort to let us meet up.

I have to go to see them.

Go get me my hairpins and dangling ornaments.

Help me with my grooming.

I'll look more energetic with some make-up.

Go on.

What is the matter?

Nothing.

Zi Fu!

I look like neither a human or a ghost.

I'll definitely frighten them.

Will I never be able to see them again?

Look, she's there.

- Look. Let's go over there. - Mother! Mother!

- Mother! - Let's go.

- Mother! - Good girls.

Mother.

I miss you all dearly.

We miss Mother dearly as well.

I miss you even more!

Mother, you have so many flowers on your face.

Is it pretty?

- Pretty! - Pretty!

You're fulfilling filial duties on behalf of your father

to keep your grandmother company.

so I've come up with a new trick in my free time.

It is a surprise.

I want to draw it as well!

I want to draw it as well!

All right, we'll do it one by one.

I knew that you'd all like it.

Here.

It's so pretty.

Then I'll add the petals on.

It's done.

Am I beautiful?

You're so beautiful.

Mother, I want one as well.

I'll go first! I want a butterfly!

Sure, one by one.

You have to remember that beauty comes from within.

The beauty in your appearance fades away easily.

Only the beauty of kindness in your heart lasts forever.

Will you remember that for me?

We will definitely remember what Mother says.

- Done. - Is my flower pretty?

It's so pretty!

You're so pretty as well.

What is this?

It's a wooden pigeon buggy!

I saw that your old wooden buggy was broken

so I've made you a new one.

- Here you go. - Thank you, Mother.

But you must remember...

We must love each other and play together without fighting.

We must be courteous to one another!

It's good that you remember.

This wooden buggy is even better than the old one.

It can even move its tail.

Yes, this wooden buggy can only be pulled forward

to prevent the pigeon's tail from dropping.

It is the same in life.

Whether life is going well or not, we have to keep moving forward.

Don't look back.

Can you remember that?

- Can you remember that? - Yes, Mother.

It is a good thing to remember.

I'll take them with me to play with the wooden buggy.

You must remember to keep moving forward.

Don't look back!

Yes!

Keep moving forward.

Don't look back.

Zi Fu!

Zi Fu! Zi Fu!

Anyone there?

Here.

Your Majesty.

What are you doing here?

How could I not be here?

They said that I've scratched Your Majesty.

Don't listen to them.

Don't think too much.

Understand?

Your Majesty...

I never thought that I'd be in your arms again.

This is so lovely.

If you like it

I'll hold you like this from now on.

I came from a lowly rank.

Yet I got to know Your Majesty

and fall in love with you.

And I have three clever and thoughtful daughters.

I have no regrets.

If I should leave this world

I ask Your Majesty not to be sad.

You have no regrets and nothing that you couldn't bear to leave behind?

I have so much that I can't bear to leave behind.

I have so many people that I can't bear to part with.

But life and death are determined by the gods.

I don't care about that!

You said that I am like the gods to you.

Then you have to obey my orders.

I order you never to leave me.

Do you hear me?

I order you to teach and raise our daughters into talented women.

I want them to be as gentle and virtuous as you are.

I order you to place their bridal ribbons on them