The Virtuous Queen of Han (衛子夫)

Sister, it is all right.

Feelings change with the circumstances.

It has always been so, since the ancient times.

Even if the Empress has something precious now

I'm afraid that she won't be in the mood to enjoy it.

You're referring to Great General

being slapped by General Li Guang's son?

The strangest thing is that

if His Majesty truly dotes on the Empress that much

why didn't he punish the person who insulted his beloved wife's family

and uphold justice for Great General Wei?

Do you mean that the Empress is no longer in favor?

Didn't I say that it is fairly normal for one's circumstances to change?

These changes in the imperial court

can be reflected in the rise and fall of concubines in the harem.

Empress is indeed kind and forgiving.

But she might be implicated by her close kin?

Exactly!

Great General made a veteran officer take his own life.

That Huo Qu Bing took advantage of his aunt and uncle's authority

to throw his weight around and use his power to do evil.

He's always showing off.

He that does evil shall find evil.

When he is no longer in power, we'll have him strung up

and give him a good beating to ease our grief.

The evil doer is here!

Who wants to beat me up?

I am an evil doer.

I am here right now. Why don't you hit me?

Do you both have nothing better to do in the harem?

You dare to stir up enmity and gossip

to incriminate important imperial officials?

Are you both tired of living?

Minister of War...

It is just a harmless conversation between two women.

Please forgive...

Sister, what's wrong with him?

I don't know!

Qu Bing!

Qu Bing, you're awake?

- Your Majesty... - Lie down!

Come forth, Minister of imperial medical affairs!

Minister of War is conscious!

Greetings to Your Majesty.

Don't stand on ceremony.

Why did you faint so suddenly?

I'm fine.

It's just a relapse of my old ailment.

Your Majesty, Minister of War has caught a cold

so his veins suddenly contracted

and caused him to faint from the air compression in his chest.

His pulse is smooth once again.

He will be fine after taking a few doses of medication.

Go and prepare it quickly.

He must be properly nursed back to health.

Yes.

You don't have to be worried.

I'm really all right.

Didn't I pass out all the time when I was little?

I am all right now!

So you were born with this illness that causes you to faint?

But aren't you already cured?

He was born very sickly.

That is why he was named Qu Bing.

Sadly, no one knows what causes this illness.

All the famous physicians said that practicing martial arts would help.

He's been practicing martial arts and horseback riding with me and Wei Qing

so he hasn't felt faint often.

Who knew that he would have a relapse now?

When he used to pass out like this

I was always worried that he would no longer regain consciousness.

There was one time where he lost consciousness for a very long time.

Whenever I think of that now, it makes me shudder.

Auntie, you were actually deceived back then.

There were many times that I would pass out to deceive you.

Because every time I regained consciousness

you would make me anything that I wanted to eat.

So I pretended to pass out

so that I could get you to make steamed bread for me.

Uncle knows about this as well.

We used to work together and deceived you so many times!

We're worried about your health.

Why have you dragged me into trouble?

Do I look like I am unwell?

I'm not that sickly child anymore.

Here, I'll demonstrate a few kicks and punches.

Just let me know whenever you want some steamed bread.

You don't have to pretend to pass out and frighten all of us.

I know!

I'm not afraid of any enemies or armies.

But I'm scared that Auntie will lecture me.

I was young and ignorant then. I won't do that anymore.

Who could have guessed that the commander of a great army

would pretend to be ill in order to get some steamed bread?

I pretended to pass out in order to get steamed bread.

Auntie was deceived and believed me.

That was but a moment's anxiety.

But I'm afraid that some people put on a false front

in order to get way more than what I asked for.

It seems that our Minister of War isn't here for steamed bread

but he has something else on his mind to say to me.

Before I passed out that day, I ran into Madame Wang

and her sister in the garden.

They were talking about the Wei family's decline

and how Empress is no longer a favorite.

I witnessed them both plotting against you.

They are not only competing for His Majesty's favor

but also authority.

Madame Wang isn't actually a mean person by nature.

When I picked her to be a concubine, she had nothing with her.

But she was willing to sacrifice herself for her family.

Now, I can tell that she truly loves His Majesty and her son.

The benevolent see benevolence.

Auntie is so virtuous that can you only see the kindness in everyone!

But I did worry that her childhood poverty would make her too competitive.

She could easily lose her bearings.

That would compromise her own interest and those of others.

She is especially prone to being manipulated by others.

It turns out that Auntie is already aware of this situation?

Some time ago, when Ju Er and Hong Er were alone in the chamber

Hong Er was injured for no reason.

I've always thought that it was quite suspicious.

Perhaps... someone was also behind all this.

I will look further into this matter.

I'll also talk to Madame Wang when I have the time

and give her some guidance.

I hope that she can manage to stay true to herself.

These hair accessories are really heavy.

They make my neck so sore.

When we were in Beautiful Lady Jia's halls

we made her and Lady Yao so mad that they flushed with rage.

It is worth it.

That is true.

I definitely have to show everyone what His Majesty rewarded me.

Since Huo Qu Bing fainted, I rarely see him come to the palace.

That Huo Qu Bing might seem strong, but he fainted just like that.

Who knows?

He might just die suddenly one day.

Empress has left the palace to make offerings to Empress Dowager.

I don't even have to greet her every day these days.

I've been leading a life of comfort and ease.

In my opinion, the Wei family is sure to decline.

Otherwise, why would anyone in Huo family fall sick so easily?

It seems that His Majesty will soon no longer dote on the Empress.

That is why the Empress went to make offerings and pray.

To hope that His Majesty will stay by her side.

His Majesty no longer dotes on the Empress.

Then you will be his only favorite.

That would be great!

Sister, if I could be His Majesty's one and only favorite

I could then feel relieved.

Madame, His Majesty just sent someone over to say that

he is holding a banquet at Jiaofang Palace tonight.

He's invited Madame and Miss Wang Sang over

to enjoy some delicacies that the feudal kings have endowed.

I understand. You are dismissed.

Yes.

Sister, why didn't His Majesty ask us over to Feichang Palace?

Or come over to Phoenix Halls?

Why would he ask us to taste the delicacies at Jiaofang Palace?

My dear sister, His Majesty would like to spend time with you.

The most luxurious and exquisite palace in the entire harem

is definitely Jiaofang Palace.

While the Empress is away, His Majesty uses this chance

to summon you over to Jiaofang Palace.

That means you hold a position in His Majesty's heart

that is as important as the Empress!

You should dress up!

Greetings to Madame Wang.

His Majesty is attending to an urgent matter.

Please have a rest here in Jiaofang Palace first

and enjoy the tribute of fruits.

His Majesty will be here in four hours.

Please tell His Majesty

that he can handle the national affairs with ease.

He doesn't have to worry about me.

I will be waiting here patiently.

Yes.

It's such a pleasure to be waiting in Jiaofang Palace.

This is really lovely.

It's light and sweet.

This is indeed top-quality wine.

If I can keep on enjoying these wonderful delicacies

and hold on to this favoritism forever

that would be great.

You have such an adorable little prince.

You are sure to be able to be loved forever.

Look. We are now in Jiaofang Palace

and don't you feel like the mistress of this palace?

Here is the Empress' throne.

Its glamour corresponds with the majestic air of the palace.

It seemed so far-fetched in the past.

But now I can finally touch this throne.

The throne is so exquisite and majestic.

I wonder what it is like to sit on it?

Sister, why don't you give it a try?

If His Majesty doesn't see you as important as the Empress...

Why would he ask you over to meet up at Jiaofang Palace?

Try the throne out quickly.

Perhaps the throne will be yours soon.