The Virtuous Queen of Han (衛子夫)

Your Majesty, our child is kicking around in here.

Perhaps the music of the zither is making our child uneasy?

Here, have a seat.

What about now?

It's a lot quieter now.

Your Majesty, I heard that children love to imitate adults.

Your Majesty frowns so often, won't we have a frowning prince or princess?

Duan Hong has already found out that those bandits who abducted Wei Qing

were contacted by Han Yan's former subordinate.

Han Yan instigated the abduction.

Did he really mean to make me worried so that our child would be harmed?

If only I could get rid of that vermin, I would be able to stop frowning.

It's my fault that when I was still the Crown Prince

I made him a promise never to kill him because I had a good time hunting.

He is such a specter of evil that I should have killed him ages ago.

I understand the dilemma you are in.

If you go back on your words, you are untrustworthy.

Moreover, you've promised Grand Empress Dowager

you would not investigate further into Wei Qing's abduction.

If you bring it up again, you are unfilial.

Are we to allow this criminal to remain at large

because I'm scared of being called names?

Your Majesty, this reminds me of Duke Zhuang of Zheng

and his younger brother, Gongshu Duan, during the Spring and Autumn Period.

Gongshu Duan used his advantage as his mother's favorite child

to extort his territories taxes.

He violated the law and regulations. He even had his army and defied orders.

Everyone urged Duke Zhuang to punish his brother, but he looked the other way.

Then, Gongshu Duan decided to attack his brother.

Duke Zhuang only sent two hundred men and horses to take him on.

Gongshu Duan's immoral behavior turned his own people against him.

Gongsun Duan was forsaken by his friends and followers.

He fled from his utter defeat.

Duke Zhung said, 'Give a thief enough rope and he'll hang himself.'

'Just wait and see.'

Han Yan is guilty of many crimes.

He is sure to become aggravated and raise hackles.

That should get him killed.

Your Majesty's reputation is important.

You mustn't be labeled untrustworthy and unfilial because of mere Han Yan.

With Your Majesty's intelligence, I'm sure that you could handle it well.

Han Yan greets Your Majesty.

You're here.

Why has Your Majesty summoned me here?

Han Yan, you said that it took you years

to gather the mineral gems and craftsmen to craft this sword.

Would you call it second to none?

Of course.

If it wasn't, how would I dare to offer it to Your Majesty?

Although your sword is good

there are more valuable swords than that of yours.

Duan Hong has gotten me three ancient swords.

He said that once your sword comes in contact with them

it is bound to turn into dust.

I've recently attained a few good swords.

It is said too that Ou Ye Zi, the master swordsmith

made them for King of Chu during the Spring and Autumn Period.

Longyuan, Tiahe, and Gongbu.

I don't believe that Grand Master Han's sword could surpass any of those swords.

Don't sound so resolute. Let's try them out first.

- Yes. - Your Majesty!

My sword might be good

but I'm afraid that it won't be a match for the swords of legendary swordsmiths.

I insist on trying it out.

Please take care, Your Majesty!

Forgive me.

Thank you for saving my life, Your Majesty.

I deserve to die. I was tricked into believing that these were legendary swords.

Han Yan offered me a treasured sword but you used those to fight against it.

You still dared to brag of them.

It's fine that those useless pieces of metal broke

but it nearly injured my loyal subject.

He is still going to excavate more mineral gems for me

to craft more stunning swords.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

I am sure to craft a batch of good swords to offer to Your Majesty

so that they may assist Your Majesty in accomplishing great goals in battle.

Good!

It's so light and sweet.

And these chestnut cakes...

I remember all of your favorite foods.

But it's not as pleasing as having someone to take care of you every day.

Do the cakes taste like those we had when we were little?

They do.

I picked the mulberries and Uncle Yi made the cakes.

Shen Jia helped as well.

Isn't it about time you get a wife and start a family?

I haven't had any achievements nor have I realized my ambition.

I just want to focus on sharing the burden of His Majesty.

I won't consider marriage anytime soon.

I heard that you and a lady from outside Shanhaiguan...

You have a past romance that you can't forget.

I know that you are very sentimental.

But since the relationship has ended

why won't you open yourself up to embrace someone new?

I've tried to forget my past love.

The more I try to forget her, the harder it is.

The love in my heart from her seems far but near.

It seems to be gone but still lingers on.

It is reluctant to leave.

I cannot get it out of my mind.

Even looking at things around me makes me think of her.

It reminds me of her moves, and her smile.

It is all deeply engraved into my heart.

I cannot forget about her.

You are so deeply in love that I do not know how to talk you out of it.

I just hope that after some time, you can clear up your feelings

and go in search of another romance.

Let's leave this to destiny.

I wouldn't dare think about it now.

Someday, when you don't feel so strongly about your past love

you can pay some attention to those around you.

There might be someone who can relieve you of your pain and open up your heart.

Here's a toast to you.

Here you go.

Greetings to Your Highness.

Fei Luan is really fortunate to have Your Highness visiting him so often.

How do you know that I visit him very often?

Because I saw how familiar you are with feeding him milk.

Fei Luan.

You're very observant, and study the art of war very thoroughly.

It seems that the position of Supervisor of Jianzhang Palace

soon might not be good enough for you.

Deploying forces and troops might be a better way

to put your intelligence to use.

Your Highness flatters me.

Recently, the corners of Fei Luan's eyes were red.

He couldn't go out for a walk.

That's why I come over every now and then to visit him.

Did you know that he was ill?

I didn't, but I try to visit him every time I come past here.

It seems that the both of us are really his friends.

I can tell that Your Highness is feeling much happier.

I can now be at ease.

I am indeed happier.

I've been spending a lot of time in the manor these days.

I've been assisting my husband and bringing up my child.

Xiang Er is especially dependent on me.

Sometimes when he cries

only my playing of the zither can calm him down.

I've always known Your Highness to be wise and liberal

but I didn't know that you're equally content with

looking after your husband and child.

No matter how smart I am, I am, after all, a woman.

I now place all my hopes on Xiang Er.

I hope that he can grow up to have talent in governance.

You're skilled in archery and horse riding.

When Xiang Er starts training in martial arts, could you be his mentor?

Who am I to be the mentor of Young Master?

You're both virtuous and talented.

You have every right to be his mentor.

I'm just afraid that you'll either be a general or minister by then

and too busy to teach my child.

If I really do get the chance to realize my ambition

it is all due to Your Highness' benevolence.

Whatever Your Highness asks of me, I will definitely do my best.

Sir, the maidservant of Orchid Palace is waiting for you in the hall.

Shen Jia?

Has something happened to my sister?

What?

Don't worry. Zi Fu asked me to bring you winter clothes and cured meat.

Give that to me. You don't have to tidy things up for me.

It might seem messy in here, but I know where to find what I need.

Even the guards don't touch these scrolls.

- Have you had your meal yet? - I haven't...

Have you? Why don't I get you something to eat?

It's fine. I have whatever the soldiers have.

If you're hungry, I could get them to bring one more serving over.

But you might not be used to it.

This is the first time that I've visited your place.

You have such a large chamber.

Shen Jia... Is something the matter?

I've made a pair of shoes.

You're really skilled in needle work.

Do you want me to pass these on to someone for you?

I can't help you unless you tell me who it is.

I...

These are for you!

Wei Qing.

Duan Hong.

What's the matter with Miss Shen Jia?

Nothing's wrong.

She was here to bring me some clothes from my sister and lost track of time.

She was in a hurry to get back.

What's the matter? Are you here to see me about something?

It's nothing really.

I just wanted to tell you that feelings couldn't be controlled.

It doesn't come and go as I like.

That's true.

So you can stop trying to play matchmaker for me.

I just want to focus on assisting His Majesty.

I can't think about romance for now.

All right. Anyway, it doesn't just appear whenever you want

or disappear even if you don't want it.

Don't worry, Duan Hong. I won't try to hook you up anymore.

Your Majesty, the arrangements to welcome Prince of Jiangdu.

arrival in three days are all prepared.

Good.

Here is our chance.

Prince of Jiangdu is my older half brother.