The Virtuous Queen of Han (衛子夫)

Marquess?

Marquess.

- Master Wei. - Marquess. Are you all right?

My sister and I are both very worried about you.

She couldn't come in person to visit you. I hope that Marquess won't mind.

Madame Wei is truly thoughtful.

Please let her know that I am fine.

Marquess, you had spoken out of loyalty to your friend.

You hoped to get Master Guan off the hook.

Unexpectedly, you got yourself imprisoned instead.

Actually, I am the one who got him into trouble.

If I hadn't insisted that he attended Tian Fen's wedding feast

and if I hadn't been ignored by Tian Fen at the feast

Guan Fu wouldn't have criticized Tian Fen in drunken stupor

and got himself into a fatal end.

Marquess, is there anything that I can do for you?

Now that it has come to this stage, only His Majesty can deal with it.

Fortunately, the late emperor left an imperial decree behind

to allow me to seek audience with His Majesty in times of crisis.

I've already ordered my nephew to bring the decree to the palace.

I believe that I can meet His Majesty very soon.

I will defend Guan Fu once again!

You wish to see His Majesty? You must be dreaming.

Why would you say so, Chancellor?

Dou Ying forged the late emperor's posthumous decree to lie to His Majesty.

You will still die in the end.

Tian Fen, don't make such slanderous charges.

Forged posthumous decree? You're really something.

There are copies of all written decrees in the Imperial Board of Secretaries.

It is in the Imperial Board of Secretaries

that we failed to find the copy of the decree that Dou Ying presented.

Isn't that a forgery?

That is impossible!

I, Dou Ying, have always been an upright and indomitable man!

I have never lied or deceived anyone!

How could I have done such a treacherous crime!

I wish to see His Majesty! I wish to see His Majesty!

His Majesty has now patched things up with my sister.

He wouldn't risk his relationship with his mother for your sake.

Dou Ying, we once served as court officials together

so I really wanted to let you off.

But you've dug your own grave.

You committed such a deadly sin.

Since you're so close to Guan Fu, after he is executed tomorrow...

What?

What did you say?

I've forgotten to tell you.

After Guan Fu has his last meal today, he will be beheaded tomorrow at noon.

Don't be anxious.

You will soon join him on his way to the netherworld.

Then you can both drink until you get drunk again!

Great!

You're already so skilled in swordsmanship at such a young age.

You have the same spirit as I did when I fought off the army of Wu!

I'm really glad that I've chosen you to be my warrior!

Guan Fu.

Not only did you recruit me

but also made friends with me despite your seniority.

You treated me as a brother.

Duan Hong has nothing to repay you for your kindness.

This is who I was talking to you about.

Although he isn't of age to join the army yet

he is loyal and courageous. He is a promising young talent!

This is Marquess of Weiqi, Chancellor Dou.

He is the one who pacified the rebellion of the seven states.

Duan Hong greets the Chancellor.

Very few people get such praise from him.

You must be outstanding.

I'd like to know how capable you are. But you have to drink with me first.

Thank you, Chancellor.

Sir! Sir!

Sir!

Feng Yuan, haven't you already headed back to the Capital?

Why have you returned?

I got some news on my way home.

Marquess of Weiqi Dou Ying was sentenced to beheading in public

for forging the posthumous decree of the late emperor.

I came back specially to inform you.

Duan Hong, what do you think of this sword?

Use this sword to protect His Majesty.

Pledge your loyalty. Stay faithful until your death!

The Emperor's secret imperial decree! Amnesty to Marquess of Weiqi!

Postpone the execution!

This is great! He will be saved.

His Majesty's secret imperial decree! He must not be beheaded!

Execute him!

The Emperor's secret imperial decree! Amnesty to Marquess of Weiqi! Postpone the execution!

This man is delivering a false imperial decree! Carry out the execution right away!

A false imperial decree?

Audacious Duan Hong!

How dare you barge into execution ground! Arrest him!

Duan Hong! I'm content that you're here to see me off!

Don't!

Kill him!

Duan Hong! You claimed to have His Majesty's secret decree.

Where is the imperial decree?

- Search him! - Yes!

There's nothing!

Duan Hong delivers a false decree! Execute him right on the spot!

Anyone who keeps the guards off will be killed for the same crime!

Behead him!

Yes!

Carry out the execution!

Stop!

Wei Qing!

How should you be punished for barging into execution grounds?

Superior Grand Master, Wei Qing coveys His Majesty's verbal decree!

Archery Steward of Imperial Guards Duan Hong

returned from his mission to the western regions.

He has yet to report back to His Majesty.

His Majesty summons Duan Hong to Feichang Palace!

Duan Hong delivered a false decree. He must be beheaded without mercy!

Anyone who gets in the way is to be seen as his accomplice!

Arrest him!

- Yes! - I dare you!

I am the Superior Grand Master that His Majesty appointed.

I am here on His Majesty's orders!

This sword is the evidence!

Which one of you dares to defy the imperial decree?

Which one of you dares to defy the imperial decree?

Duan Hong!

Let's go!

I'm going to see His Majesty now!

I'll see how you plan to handle this matter!

Superior Grand Master Wei Qing and Archery Steward, Duan Hong

of the Imperial Guards are here to seek audience with you.

- Duan Hong? - Yes.

It is Duan Hong.

- Summon them in. - Yes.

- Greetings to Your Majesty. - Duan Hong greets Your Majesty.

Duan Hong, you've finally returned.

What is that about?

Your Majesty, Steward Duan and I are here to ask for your forgiveness.

- Greetings to the Chancellor. - How is it?

Chancellor, His Majesty is in the middle of a discussion.

All right. I understand.

Let's go.

Interrupting an execution.

Delivering a false imperial decree.

You are both indeed audacious!

It isn't enough that one of you got into trouble. You had to meddle in it as well?

Your Majesty, it was a critical moment.

I've just closed a very difficult case

and now you have both given me another difficult case.

Wei Qing, delivering a false decree is an automatic definite death penalty!

I've heard that Your Majesty has been worried about enemies near the frontier.

You frequently asked about Steward Duan's progress in the western regions.

Steward Duan suddenly returned

so I assumed that he must have pressing issues to report to you.

Your Majesty would have wanted to know the details.

I conveyed your intention in advance at the execution grounds.

I was not really delivering a false decree.

At most... I had only anticipated what Your Majesty would have done.

What about you?

Did you rush back to the capital because there are urgent matters at the frontier

or did you come back to save the man from execution, to repay his kindness?

I've returned to rescue the faithful and eliminate the evil.

Do you know I can have you beheaded with those words alone?

I did not say anything wrong.

The Chancellor has indeed framed the faithful subjects.

I am just carrying out the will of the gods.

How audacious!

You said that the Chancellor has framed the faithful subjects.

Do you have any evidence?

But Guan Fu's indulgence of his clan members

was proven by irrefutable evidence from Yin River.

According to the law, he had to be beheaded.

What about Marquess of Weiqi?

He pacified the rebellion of the seven states.

He also risked his life to stop Grand Empress Dowager from appointing

King of Liang State as the Crown Prince

so that the late emperor would pass the throne on to you.

His merits encompassed both reigns.

Why is such a faithful subject sentenced to death?

Isn't it because after Your Majesty has had control over your throne

you sided with your own uncle

and distanced yourself from the faithful Marquess of Weiqi?

You forgot all about the merits of your faithful subject?

Shut up!

In your opinion, I was ungrateful and wrongly killed a faithful subject?

Your Majesty, Steward Duan's loyalty to you is obvious to all!

His agony has caused him to make such direct remarks.

I beg Your Majesty to overlook his offense to you.

Offense to me?

I can overlook that.

But how am I going to deal with the fact that he tried to interrupt an execution?

Should the people think that I am unjust in my verdicts

they would all interrupt executions. Is there still law in this nation?

If I pardon him, how can I face my people?

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty, the Chancellor...

Didn't I already say that I won't see him?

The Chancellor has already entered the palace with Empress Dowager.

Greetings to Your Majesty.

Greetings to Mother.

- Greetings to Empress Dowager. - Greetings to Empress Dowager.

Forget about the greetings!

Chancellor, don't stand on ceremony.

I thought that Your Majesty was so occupied with work

that you wouldn't even see your mother.