The Firmament of the Pleiades (苍穹之昴 / Cang Qiong Zhi Mao) (蒼穹の昴 (そうきゅうのすばる)/ Sokyu no Subaru)

Once, Manchuria dominated the North-East of China,

invaded Beijing, and soon gained ascendancy over all of China.

The Qing Dynasty was called "Conquest Dynasties"

that was controlled by many Manchurian Officials.

Although, the Qing Dynasty ruled China over 200 years,

European countries threatened Chinese territories with invasion after the Opium Wars against Great Britain.

By the end of the 19th century, the empire declined in prosperity.

At this time, the 11th Emperor Guangxu who reigned at young age, grew up to be a mature man.

However, the Empress Dowager Cixi still had control over the government,

and tried to stop the foreign countries' invasion.

The story begins in year 20 of the Meiji era for Japan (1887) .

The modernization of the Qing empire was significantly delayed.

There were various speculations and conspiracies in a dispute over the empire's future.

Love and sorrow were surging through the Forbidden City.

However, could they stop the fall of the Qing Empire?

The Pleiades Episode 1 - The Forbidden City

Mom... I will save you for sure!

Timing and Subtitles brought to you by The Pleiades Team@Viki

Hey, ChunEr. Wake up.

Foolish child...

How could you do such a foolish thing?

Mrs. Bai...

when will we get 50 silvers from the government?

Soon. The person who performed an exorcism for government officials,

is nobody, but me.

My mom must've been so worried since I didn't go home for many days.

If your mom find out what you did, she's sure to be even more worried.

Do you understand...

what it's like to be an eunuch at the court?

I don't know.

I just... wanted to save my mom.

Am I going to die?

No, you won't,

since you are a child born under the Pleiades.

The Pleiades is also known as a lucky star.

I'm sure you'll obtain this country's assets in your hands.

Therefore, the treasure of Empress Dowager Cixi

is going be yours.

Look! The Pleiades has appeared again.

The Empress Dowager has arrived.

Your Highness.

Your Highness.

Mother.

When the Imperial Household Agency cleaned up the wine cellar the other day,

they found 60-year-old Zhuangyuan wine.

So I'd like to hold a banquet, and I want you, as the emperor,

to serve the wine to this year's Zhuangyuan. (a person who scored highest in the imperial exam)

Good people deserve a good wine.

What a wonderful forethought.

Zhuangyuan is an important asset for this country's prosperity.

Zhuangyuan was born under a precious star.

I'd like to drink Zhuangyuan wine to receive some luck.

Wine for a Zhuangyuan.

Empress Dowager, Your Highness, I am Liang Wenxiu

Make yourself comfortable. - Thank you for your gracious word.

I'd like to dedicate the first drink to Your Highness, to wish you good health.

Teacher Yang, you are a supreme Zhuangyuan

since you are the teacher of the last and current emperors.

I'd like to dedicate a second drink to wish you a long life.

The third drink...

Wait. I offer the third drink to you.

But...

Liang Wenxiu.

You are the youngest Zhuangyuan ever in this country's history.

I want to celebrate the Qing Empire

that it would keeping shining like a morning sun.

You deserve the third drink.

It's my humble pleasure.

Let the play begin!

ChunEr, my little brother. (but not related)

Only a few years ago, you were collecting animals' feces to earn money.

But now, you are acting on stage in front of the Empress Dowager.

I, too, was able to stand on my own stage.

Unexpectedly, we both went our separate ways.

No matter what happens, you're my little brother.

Back then, I was a naive child.

I was one of the millions who came to capital

to take the imperial examinations.

I was mesmerized by the glorious city.

But at that time, I never imagined, that there would be so many hardships in my life.

Hey, brother! -What?

Whose house is this?

The Empress Dowager and His Highness live here.

Who has more authority?

You are fool.

The Emperor is the master of this country. The Empress Dowager is only his mother.

So the Emperor has the authority.

ChunEr, please forgive me. I was thoughtless.

Back then, I never thought that the fate of our lives

and the fate of the royal family were intimately connected.

Your Highness... over here.

Mother.

This is the second daughter of my younger brother.

Her name is Xizi. Do you remember her?

No...

We were both young back then. So I don't expect you remember me.

She is defending you, as I excepted. Since she's older than you.

Next year's moon-watching would be more enjoyable,

if His Highness takes a wife.

His Highness is rather shy,

so don't tease him so much.

Did you hear that?

Lianying...

Here I am.

Is the boat ready for sailing?

Yes, anytime. Your wish is my command.

Well then, let's go view the moon.

When you only speak of her appearance, she's rather plain looking.

What a pity.

Your Highness,

From my perspective, one's appearance is not important. Some people say,

choose a good personality for a wife, and a good appearance for a concubine.

That's exactly right. Being plain isn't a problem.

As his wife, she needs to be cool-headed, trustworthy and able to manage the Imperial matters.

Yes, indeed.

The Emperor who rules this country, cannot be persuaded by women's charms.

Hmm... that wouldn't be good.

I wouldn't feel at ease, if such a sneaky fox was next to His Highness.

We can't let a sneaky fox take over His Highness's authority.

Hm... Xizi is suitable to be his wife after all.

I hope His Highness feels the same way.

It'll be alright. He'll understand my intention.

I'm sure everything will turn out well.

First, we should let them spend some time together.

Your Highness, how do you do?

Xizi, what brought you here?

I brought you snacks.

Snacks? Why?

I went for a walk since I was bored.

Then I saw Langqin carrying tea.

So I brought them here instead.

Sorry for the trouble.

Langqin said, you've been practicing calligraphy.

You must be tired. May I assist you?

Um... no. You can't

Why not?

On the 1st of every month, I write prayers ten times and burn them before the Buddha.

And I wish for my mother's happiness.

So... I'd like to write them on my own.

I see.

Then, I'll rub down the ink-stick.

I have a younger brother, but...

he's mischievous. He's so different from you, Your Highness.

I really miss my home, so I'd like to go home.

But, I'm not allowed to.

Because the Empress Dowager isn't letting me go.

So I told her, I'll be born as your daughter in my next life.

Then, she said...it doesn't have to be the next life,

it could be this life.

Your Highness?

Yes?

You are really ardent.

You weren't responding to me for a while.

It's my habit to write with a clear mind. So...

I'm sorry.

Ah, right! I'd like to take you

to see a Western alarm clock.

Really? Thank you, Your Highness.

See you then.

Oh, then. I'm leaving.

Yes, be careful.

Timing and Subtitles brought to you by The Pleiades Team@Viki

Big brother! - Huh?

Are you afraid to take the exam?

Of course not.

I'm sure you'll pass.

Make sure you eat your lunch, okay?

Let's go.

Big brother, come back. - Come back soon.

Go home.

We'll be waiting for you.

Okay.

Big brother! - Have a safe trip.

Go. - We'll be waiting.

Go home.

Big brother!

We'll be waiting! - Good luck.

I passed!

The highest score! - Shut up. Be quiet.

I passed! - I told you to be quiet!

I am a Zhuangyuan! I passed! - You are causing a disturbance.

Every time, some people go crazy over the exam.

Some get sick or even die.

Then, this place must be filled with resentment.

It's funny you said that.

It's my habit since I was young.

I'm Liang Wenxiu from the Zhi Li Province. (currently Hebei Province)

I'm Shun-gui, a Manchurian.

Is this your first time taking the exam?

Yes.

Hmm... I took it last time, but I failed.

It's embarrassing, right?

Oh, right! Where is your seat?

It's at the dragon section.

Mine is the rabbit section. Let's go together since they're close.

Yeah. - Let's go.

It's 7am.

It's time for the exam to begin.

Distribute the answer sheets.

Question One: