1 00:00:11,230 --> 00:00:12,280 Wh-What was that?! 2 00:00:16,130 --> 00:00:17,690 Hey! What happened?! 3 00:00:19,870 --> 00:00:21,020 {\an8}It's burning! 4 00:00:21,020 --> 00:00:21,580 {\an8}Thieves?! 5 00:00:21,580 --> 00:00:22,370 {\an8}Assemble the men! 6 00:00:22,380 --> 00:00:23,700 {\an8}Put the fires out! 7 00:00:23,700 --> 00:00:24,600 {\an8}Move it! 8 00:00:24,600 --> 00:00:26,250 All right. Let's go. 9 00:00:29,280 --> 00:00:30,470 What's going on?! 10 00:00:30,990 --> 00:00:32,420 Hey! Stop right there! 11 00:00:39,340 --> 00:00:40,470 That man... 12 00:00:45,390 --> 00:00:46,440 And who are you? 13 00:00:47,130 --> 00:00:48,940 Xia Gaojun. 14 00:00:49,650 --> 00:00:51,400 Ah, the ruined prince. 15 00:00:51,400 --> 00:00:57,070 A man of low birth such as yourself is not welcome here. 16 00:00:57,070 --> 00:00:59,700 Grovel before me and beg for your life. 17 00:01:00,070 --> 00:01:00,950 I refuse. 18 00:01:00,950 --> 00:01:02,450 Then you shall die. 19 00:01:29,140 --> 00:01:32,900 Glory unto the emperor! 20 00:01:32,900 --> 00:01:36,830 Blessings upon the emperor! 21 00:01:36,830 --> 00:01:40,970 Glory unto the emperor! 22 00:01:43,830 --> 00:01:47,620 {\an8}The moon sank into the sea and became two gods: 23 00:01:43,830 --> 00:01:47,620 {\an8}one the god of shadow, one the god of light. 24 00:01:43,830 --> 00:01:47,620 {\an8}Eight thousand nights they spent at the sea, 25 00:01:43,830 --> 00:01:47,620 {\an8}the first god hiding away in the Black Palace, 26 00:01:43,830 --> 00:01:47,620 {\an8}the second god cavorting in the Moon Palace. 27 00:01:43,830 --> 00:01:47,620 {\an8}And thus, one became the Palace of Seclusion, 28 00:01:43,830 --> 00:01:47,620 {\an8}and the other the Palace of Pleasure. 29 00:01:48,170 --> 00:01:51,840 {\an8}Another god became the port of the Palace of Seclusion. 30 00:01:48,170 --> 00:01:51,840 {\an8}This was the Great Turtle God. 31 00:01:48,170 --> 00:01:51,840 {\an8}This god had sinned, and was thus rent into eight parts. 32 00:01:48,170 --> 00:01:51,840 {\an8}The flowing water carried them away from the palace. 33 00:01:48,170 --> 00:01:51,840 {\an8}Its bones were made one once again, and the white turtle was formed. 34 00:01:48,170 --> 00:01:51,840 {\an8}This was the Turtle God. 35 00:01:48,170 --> 00:01:51,840 {\an8}This god could calm the violent seas to protect ships. 36 00:01:52,500 --> 00:01:56,130 {\an8}The descendants of these gods began the bloodline of the white king, the emperor... 37 00:03:29,120 --> 00:03:31,660 Deep in the inner palace, 38 00:03:31,660 --> 00:03:34,810 there lives a consort known as the Raven Consort. 39 00:03:35,560 --> 00:03:40,970 She holds a special position. Despite her title of consort, 40 00:03:40,970 --> 00:03:43,130 she does not perform nighttime duties. 41 00:03:44,130 --> 00:03:46,170 Though she lives in the inner palace, 42 00:03:46,170 --> 00:03:49,240 she has no contact with the emperor. 43 00:03:50,690 --> 00:03:53,950 It is said that she can use mysterious arts... 44 00:03:55,690 --> 00:04:00,260 {\an3}Episode 1 The Jade Earring, Part 1 45 00:04:02,680 --> 00:04:05,220 {\an8}Emperor Xia Gaojun 46 00:04:03,000 --> 00:04:05,220 Ye Ming Palace doesn't light the night as its name implies. 47 00:04:05,900 --> 00:04:08,600 Probably because the lanterns aren't lit. 48 00:04:06,260 --> 00:04:08,600 {\an8}Emperor's Attendant Wei Qing 49 00:04:09,000 --> 00:04:11,700 Everyone is too scared to approach. 50 00:04:11,700 --> 00:04:12,740 Why? 51 00:04:12,740 --> 00:04:14,310 They say a monster bird appears. 52 00:04:14,310 --> 00:04:15,370 A monster bird? 53 00:04:15,370 --> 00:04:17,910 A great bird with a golden glow. 54 00:04:17,910 --> 00:04:19,910 I hear it attacks any who approach the palace. 55 00:04:21,400 --> 00:04:25,220 Master, are you really going to visit the Raven Consort? 56 00:04:25,220 --> 00:04:26,930 That's why we're here. 57 00:04:29,720 --> 00:04:32,190 She isn't like the other consorts. 58 00:04:32,190 --> 00:04:34,200 Some say disaster befalls those who meet her. 59 00:04:34,910 --> 00:04:37,460 I didn't know you were the type to believe rumors. 60 00:04:37,460 --> 00:04:38,750 Master, I— 61 00:04:40,010 --> 00:04:41,710 Master! Get back! 62 00:04:43,600 --> 00:04:46,510 It came close to marring your flesh. 63 00:04:47,650 --> 00:04:48,990 Is it a chicken? 64 00:04:48,990 --> 00:04:50,160 Shall I strangle it? 65 00:04:50,160 --> 00:04:50,960 No, wait— 66 00:04:50,960 --> 00:04:53,260 Put Xing-xing down, you lowlife. 67 00:04:57,650 --> 00:04:59,650 This is a precious monster bird. 68 00:05:00,790 --> 00:05:04,240 If you kill it, you will never atone. 69 00:05:04,970 --> 00:05:06,420 You had best be careful. 70 00:05:05,200 --> 00:05:06,990 {\an8}The Raven Consort Liu Shouxue 71 00:05:07,340 --> 00:05:08,990 Are you the Raven Consort? 72 00:05:09,410 --> 00:05:10,740 What do you want, Emperor? 73 00:05:10,740 --> 00:05:11,880 Watch your tongue! 74 00:05:13,150 --> 00:05:15,910 I have a favor to ask of you as the Raven Consort. 75 00:05:18,840 --> 00:05:22,320 Death curses, exorcism, finding that which is lost... 76 00:05:22,320 --> 00:05:24,460 You accept any request asked of you. 77 00:05:24,460 --> 00:05:26,840 This, I have heard, is your duty. 78 00:05:27,250 --> 00:05:30,570 I do not accept requests for which the prices cannot be paid. 79 00:05:30,570 --> 00:05:31,850 What is your price? 80 00:05:31,850 --> 00:05:34,480 "If you curse someone, dig two graves." 81 00:05:35,890 --> 00:05:39,410 Your life for a death curse. Your assets for an exorcism. 82 00:05:39,410 --> 00:05:41,480 The price to find something lost is a consultation. 83 00:05:41,960 --> 00:05:44,670 And if I wanted to know the owner of this jade earring? 84 00:05:44,670 --> 00:05:45,500 I refuse. 85 00:05:45,880 --> 00:05:49,620 If you want to know who owns it, you need only ask everyone until you find out. 86 00:05:49,620 --> 00:05:52,820 If you do not, either there is some reason why you cannot, 87 00:05:52,820 --> 00:05:54,740 or it is simply a whim to kill time. 88 00:05:54,740 --> 00:05:56,660 Neither is satisfactory justification. 89 00:05:56,660 --> 00:05:58,090 Who do you think— 90 00:05:57,220 --> 00:05:58,090 It's fine. 91 00:05:59,970 --> 00:06:04,920 Some say the Raven Consort is a female hermit, or perhaps a ghost... 92 00:06:07,770 --> 00:06:10,390 But you are human, are you not? 93 00:06:12,900 --> 00:06:15,720 You haven't told me your name. What is it? 94 00:06:17,780 --> 00:06:18,980 Shouxue. 95 00:06:19,300 --> 00:06:22,050 Shouxue... Shouxue, eh? 96 00:06:22,050 --> 00:06:22,990 A fine name. 97 00:06:29,870 --> 00:06:33,130 I will not accept your request! Begone at once! 98 00:06:38,920 --> 00:06:39,780 Master! 99 00:06:48,300 --> 00:06:49,550 You forgot this. 100 00:06:52,930 --> 00:06:53,930 {\an8}Ningguang Palace 101 00:07:00,470 --> 00:07:02,060 Your tea, Master. 102 00:07:02,930 --> 00:07:04,180 It smells great. 103 00:07:04,670 --> 00:07:06,920 Just who is the Raven Consort? 104 00:07:07,820 --> 00:07:12,020 The descendant of the priestess who served the goddess Wulian Niang-niang. 105 00:07:13,180 --> 00:07:16,550 Past emperors, who deeply admired the Raven Consort's mysterious arts, 106 00:07:16,550 --> 00:07:19,850 hid her within the inner palace in order to monopolize her powers, 107 00:07:19,850 --> 00:07:22,410 and gave her the rank of empress as a special exception. 108 00:07:22,730 --> 00:07:25,980 That is the Raven Consort... or so the history books say. 109 00:07:25,980 --> 00:07:32,060 Still, should you really have to ask a favor of a girl like her? 110 00:07:32,060 --> 00:07:34,270 No one can give the Raven Consort orders. 111 00:07:35,900 --> 00:07:41,390 However, it seems I have upset her. 112 00:07:45,240 --> 00:07:47,060 Enough, Xing-xing. 113 00:07:49,650 --> 00:07:52,070 You never do as I say. 114 00:07:55,870 --> 00:07:59,120 You may come here again and again, but I will not grant your request. 115 00:07:59,870 --> 00:08:02,000 I have brought a gift for you. 116 00:08:02,000 --> 00:08:05,250 Hmph. You think such a thing will sway me? 117 00:08:05,250 --> 00:08:07,620 I have no need of money nor ornaments. 118 00:08:07,620 --> 00:08:09,250 Take your gift and go. 119 00:08:14,260 --> 00:08:15,260 What is that? 120 00:08:18,640 --> 00:08:21,040 Baozi filled with red bean paste and lotus seeds. 121 00:08:21,040 --> 00:08:23,230 They are freshly made and still warm. 122 00:08:23,710 --> 00:08:25,900 I heard they were your favorite. 123 00:08:30,510 --> 00:08:32,320 Will you hear what I have to say? 124 00:08:36,890 --> 00:08:39,080 If all you wish to do is talk, I will listen. 125 00:08:46,460 --> 00:08:50,590 A watchman found this recently while on patrol at the palace. 126 00:08:50,590 --> 00:08:53,620 Can you tell who dropped it? 127 00:08:53,620 --> 00:08:54,700 No. 128 00:08:54,700 --> 00:08:57,150 Can't the Raven Consort find the answer to any question? 129 00:08:57,550 --> 00:09:01,010 Don't be ridiculous. I'm not a god. 130 00:09:01,010 --> 00:09:03,920 A mere object does not provide enough qi to find a person. 131 00:09:03,920 --> 00:09:05,150 I see. 132 00:09:05,150 --> 00:09:06,520 Leave, then. 133 00:09:06,520 --> 00:09:08,870 In that case, I will change my request. 134 00:09:08,870 --> 00:09:12,030 This earring seems to be possessed by a ghost. 135 00:09:12,030 --> 00:09:15,650 What does that mean? Did you see a ghost? 136 00:09:16,100 --> 00:09:18,970 Just once, though not clearly. 137 00:09:18,970 --> 00:09:21,790 A woman wearing a red ruqun. 138 00:09:22,330 --> 00:09:25,040 She wore one of these in her left ear. 139 00:09:25,750 --> 00:09:29,740 If I asked who that woman was, could you tell me? 140 00:09:29,740 --> 00:09:32,290 And if I could, then what? 141 00:09:32,290 --> 00:09:34,670 Does the answer merit the emperor coming here? 142 00:09:35,150 --> 00:09:36,260 I simply wish to know. 143 00:09:38,820 --> 00:09:43,600 If you do not know who dropped this, then at least tell me who the ghost is. 144 00:09:44,020 --> 00:09:46,770 You'll work off the baozi you ate. 145 00:09:47,100 --> 00:09:48,240 How does that sound? 146 00:09:48,240 --> 00:09:49,270 Hmph. 147 00:09:49,690 --> 00:09:52,900 I doubt even you would feel very good about being a freeloader. 148 00:09:54,260 --> 00:09:57,040 You're an even worse man than I thought. 149 00:09:57,040 --> 00:09:59,220 Did you think I was a good man? 150 00:09:59,220 --> 00:10:01,030 It's the first time that's been said of me. 151 00:10:02,430 --> 00:10:04,790 You're cuter than I expected. 152 00:10:36,820 --> 00:10:37,820 This won't do. 153 00:10:37,820 --> 00:10:39,760 She can't speak like this. 154 00:10:45,640 --> 00:10:47,090 She was a court lady. 155 00:10:47,090 --> 00:10:48,080 It seems that way. 156 00:10:48,780 --> 00:10:50,330 That symbol on her wrist... 157 00:10:50,630 --> 00:10:53,590 Three stars. It's the symbol of the current dynasty. 158 00:10:54,270 --> 00:10:59,840 That must make her a consort of my grandfather or father's inner palace. 159 00:11:01,720 --> 00:11:05,440 Either she was strangled, or she hanged herself. 160 00:11:05,440 --> 00:11:09,600 Her unfortunate death must be the reason her spirit haunts this earring. 161 00:11:10,770 --> 00:11:12,480 Is there something that can be done? 162 00:11:12,480 --> 00:11:14,480 Something? Such as? 163 00:11:15,580 --> 00:11:19,490 It is said that people go to a paradise beyond the sea when they die. 164 00:11:20,160 --> 00:11:22,520 But because she has become a ghost, she cannot. 165 00:11:22,520 --> 00:11:24,710 Instead, she must suffer eternally. 166 00:11:26,170 --> 00:11:29,870 Will you save that ghost? 167 00:11:32,610 --> 00:11:36,390 Why do you care about a ghost? 168 00:11:36,800 --> 00:11:38,000 I pity it. 169 00:11:46,880 --> 00:11:49,110 I ended up accepting his request. 170 00:11:51,060 --> 00:11:52,770 {\an8}Feiyan Palace 171 00:11:53,200 --> 00:11:55,380 I couldn't possibly by tomorrow! 172 00:11:55,380 --> 00:11:57,010 It's just a bit of sewing. 173 00:11:57,010 --> 00:11:59,200 I can't adjust a garment's length on such short notice. 174 00:11:59,200 --> 00:12:02,240 If you won't do it, then I'll tell my father. 175 00:12:00,900 --> 00:12:03,280 {\an8}Imperial Writing Office Li Qiurong 176 00:12:02,240 --> 00:12:04,620 Perhaps I'll have him put your shop out of business. 177 00:12:04,620 --> 00:12:05,560 But... 178 00:12:05,560 --> 00:12:08,160 You can handle your own sewing. 179 00:12:05,660 --> 00:12:08,160 {\an8}Imperial Table Office Jiujiu 180 00:12:08,160 --> 00:12:09,920 You're not a child. 181 00:12:09,920 --> 00:12:11,180 Wha— Who are you? 182 00:12:11,180 --> 00:12:13,670 As you can see, I'm a simple court lady. 183 00:12:13,950 --> 00:12:15,840 You're bothering her. 184 00:12:15,840 --> 00:12:18,260 Are you incapable of taking care of yourself? 185 00:12:18,260 --> 00:12:21,960 F-Fine. I'll let you off the hook today. 186 00:12:23,580 --> 00:12:26,280 Thank you. 187 00:12:26,280 --> 00:12:29,910 She always causes trouble by making unreasonable demands. 188 00:12:29,910 --> 00:12:31,680 I can't refuse her, though. 189 00:12:31,680 --> 00:12:34,190 She's a court lady of the Imperial Writing Office. 190 00:12:34,530 --> 00:12:36,580 She demands the impossible after coming all the way 191 00:12:36,580 --> 00:12:38,380 from the Office of Book and Writing Materials? 192 00:12:38,380 --> 00:12:40,190 Visiting me is only an afterthought. 193 00:12:40,190 --> 00:12:43,560 She exchanges letters with one of the eunuchs here. 194 00:12:43,560 --> 00:12:44,200 I see. 195 00:12:44,200 --> 00:12:46,760 Oh, that's supposed to be a secret! 196 00:12:46,760 --> 00:12:49,230 Don't tell her I told you! 197 00:12:50,770 --> 00:12:51,800 What? 198 00:12:51,800 --> 00:12:55,100 Hey, which palace do you serve, anyway? 199 00:12:55,100 --> 00:12:56,630 We've never met, have we? 200 00:12:58,290 --> 00:12:59,380 The Ye Ming Palace. 201 00:12:59,380 --> 00:13:00,710 What?! The Raven Consort's palace? 202 00:13:00,710 --> 00:13:03,980 I heard there weren't any court ladies there, though... 203 00:13:03,980 --> 00:13:05,370 There has to be some, right? 204 00:13:05,370 --> 00:13:07,980 Yeah... Yeah, you're right. 205 00:13:07,980 --> 00:13:09,880 So, what's the Raven Consort like? 206 00:13:09,880 --> 00:13:12,460 Are the rumors about her being over a hundred years old true? 207 00:13:12,460 --> 00:13:13,480 She's 16. 208 00:13:13,480 --> 00:13:15,210 Huh?! Wow, that's young! 209 00:13:15,210 --> 00:13:17,100 Is it true that she has mysterious powers? 210 00:13:17,100 --> 00:13:18,650 Or that she can predict the weather? 211 00:13:18,140 --> 00:13:20,350 She's like a skylark... 212 00:13:18,650 --> 00:13:20,350 Or that she knows who'll die next? 213 00:13:20,350 --> 00:13:21,360 And, and... 214 00:13:21,360 --> 00:13:23,210 Wait, could it be? 215 00:13:23,560 --> 00:13:25,110 You're not allowed to say, I bet. 216 00:13:28,280 --> 00:13:29,200 Yes. 217 00:13:34,890 --> 00:13:37,270 Well, what's your name? 218 00:13:37,270 --> 00:13:38,500 I'm Jiu-jiu. 219 00:13:38,760 --> 00:13:39,740 Shouxue. 220 00:13:39,740 --> 00:13:42,320 Shouxue, the way you talk is pretty odd. 221 00:13:42,320 --> 00:13:45,760 Not even the consorts speak in such an old-fashioned way these days. 222 00:13:45,760 --> 00:13:47,230 Is that so? 223 00:13:47,230 --> 00:13:49,390 Jiu-jiu, why are you lazing around?! 224 00:13:49,390 --> 00:13:50,740 Coming! 225 00:13:50,740 --> 00:13:53,010 Sorry, I need to get back to work! 226 00:13:53,010 --> 00:13:54,520 Thanks for earlier. 227 00:13:56,380 --> 00:13:57,180 Huh? 228 00:13:57,480 --> 00:13:59,270 Allow me to assist you with your work. 229 00:14:01,020 --> 00:14:04,520 Did you begin working here when the current emperor came to power? 230 00:14:04,520 --> 00:14:07,240 Yes, I've been here for about a year. 231 00:14:07,240 --> 00:14:10,720 You know nothing about the previous emperors, then. 232 00:14:10,720 --> 00:14:13,330 I've heard about them from the senior court ladies. 233 00:14:13,330 --> 00:14:15,000 There was a lot that happened, right? 234 00:14:15,000 --> 00:14:17,630 You know, with the previous empress... 235 00:14:17,630 --> 00:14:18,790 The empress? 236 00:14:18,790 --> 00:14:22,260 The current empress dowager, the one who's locked up. 237 00:14:22,260 --> 00:14:23,060 Locked up? 238 00:14:23,060 --> 00:14:24,200 You don't know?! 239 00:14:24,200 --> 00:14:27,390 Do you know the current emperor was disinherited, then? 240 00:14:27,390 --> 00:14:28,680 No. 241 00:14:29,080 --> 00:14:31,920 It's just a rumor, 242 00:14:31,920 --> 00:14:35,460 but they say the empress dowager killed the emperor's birth mother. 243 00:14:32,430 --> 00:14:35,930 {\an8}Curse you. I'll kill you. Curse you. 244 00:14:36,400 --> 00:14:37,600 His mother? 245 00:14:37,600 --> 00:14:41,400 On top of that, she disinherited the crown prince. 246 00:14:41,400 --> 00:14:43,660 For years, he practically lived in confinement. 247 00:14:45,280 --> 00:14:46,880 But the emperor didn't give up. 248 00:14:46,880 --> 00:14:49,410 He built up his strength and stood up to her. 249 00:14:49,410 --> 00:14:51,200 He allied himself with officials and eunuchs 250 00:14:51,200 --> 00:14:53,280 who'd been sucking up to the empress dowager. 251 00:14:53,280 --> 00:14:54,620 I had no idea. 252 00:14:55,160 --> 00:14:59,290 They say the emperor's mother was a beautiful woman. 253 00:14:59,970 --> 00:15:04,000 I've heard that's why the emperor is so handsome as well. 254 00:15:04,000 --> 00:15:06,190 That man was no fun at all. 255 00:15:06,190 --> 00:15:06,820 What? 256 00:15:06,820 --> 00:15:07,830 Nothing. 257 00:15:07,830 --> 00:15:10,590 Were there any consorts aside from the emperor's mother 258 00:15:10,590 --> 00:15:11,760 who died unfortunate deaths? 259 00:15:11,760 --> 00:15:14,330 Well, one was executed for adultery 260 00:15:14,330 --> 00:15:17,110 when the empress dowager discovered her unfaithfulness, 261 00:15:17,110 --> 00:15:19,520 one was poisoned, 262 00:15:19,520 --> 00:15:22,650 and the consort who did the poisoning hanged herself. 263 00:15:22,650 --> 00:15:25,650 Wait. There was a consort who hanged herself? 264 00:15:26,640 --> 00:15:30,220 She was a consort named Ban Yingnu. 265 00:15:30,220 --> 00:15:35,820 She was a lower-ranking consort, but she was an ephemeral beauty. 266 00:15:38,850 --> 00:15:42,910 Ban Yingnu lived in the palace of the Third Consort. 267 00:15:42,910 --> 00:15:45,570 But the Third Consort was a young, beautiful woman. 268 00:15:43,630 --> 00:15:46,880 {\an8}Ban Yingnu 269 00:15:45,570 --> 00:15:47,670 She was the daughter of an important man. 270 00:15:47,670 --> 00:15:50,600 She was apparently quite the arrogant and insolent woman. 271 00:15:48,090 --> 00:15:50,670 {\an8}Third Consort 272 00:15:50,600 --> 00:15:55,540 One day, she died from ingesting poisoned fish broth. 273 00:15:56,190 --> 00:15:58,080 She was pregnant at the time. 274 00:15:58,080 --> 00:16:03,180 After a thorough search, they discovered stellera in a chest in Ban Yingnu's room. 275 00:16:05,350 --> 00:16:09,550 That night, Ban Yingnu hanged herself 276 00:16:09,550 --> 00:16:12,480 using her own shawl fastened to a beam in her room. 277 00:16:13,700 --> 00:16:16,950 Did this Ban Yingnu woman wear earrings? 278 00:16:17,270 --> 00:16:18,660 Earrings? 279 00:16:18,660 --> 00:16:20,590 Jade earrings. 280 00:16:20,590 --> 00:16:21,960 I don't know. 281 00:16:22,280 --> 00:16:24,550 What of her ladies-in-waiting, or chambermaids? 282 00:16:24,550 --> 00:16:26,470 They must still be serving at the inner palace. 283 00:16:26,470 --> 00:16:29,340 Who knows? This is a big place, you know? 284 00:16:29,800 --> 00:16:32,380 Did she truly kill the Third Consort? 285 00:16:32,820 --> 00:16:36,090 It must have been possible for someone else to poison the broth. 286 00:16:36,590 --> 00:16:40,140 Well, of course. That's how everything works around here. 287 00:16:40,520 --> 00:16:43,550 Even when the emperor's birth mother was killed, 288 00:16:43,550 --> 00:16:48,040 officially, a lady-in-waiting was framed for the crime and executed. 289 00:16:48,040 --> 00:16:50,780 You don't have to say it like that. That's awful. 290 00:16:51,090 --> 00:16:54,780 But because of that, we never run out of things to gossip about. 291 00:16:55,300 --> 00:16:58,530 Even death is entertainment in the inner palace. 292 00:16:59,210 --> 00:17:00,860 What do you expect us to do? 293 00:17:00,860 --> 00:17:03,910 We're forbidden from leaving this place for our whole lives. 294 00:17:10,580 --> 00:17:12,800 Shouxue, what are you trying to figure out? 295 00:17:13,660 --> 00:17:16,050 I'm simply curious about a particular ghost. 296 00:17:16,050 --> 00:17:18,750 A ghost?! You've seen one? 297 00:17:18,750 --> 00:17:20,430 That would be so scary. 298 00:17:20,940 --> 00:17:22,620 Ghosts are not scary. 299 00:17:23,170 --> 00:17:24,930 They're sad. 300 00:17:27,330 --> 00:17:30,870 Come to think of it, I heard a rumor once 301 00:17:30,870 --> 00:17:33,940 about the current emperor's grandfather, the Yandi. 302 00:17:34,940 --> 00:17:37,930 When the Yandi visited the consorts' palaces, 303 00:17:37,930 --> 00:17:41,380 he'd keep the lanterns on all night long. 304 00:17:41,760 --> 00:17:44,950 He said it was because ghosts come out at night. 305 00:17:45,500 --> 00:17:48,200 Ghosts of the previous dynasty. 306 00:17:49,700 --> 00:17:54,540 The Yandi exterminated every last member of the previous Luan dynasty. 307 00:17:55,030 --> 00:18:01,100 The elderly, the women, and even tiny little babies, all indiscriminately. 308 00:18:08,440 --> 00:18:12,810 They say the ghosts shake loose their beautiful silver hair— 309 00:18:12,810 --> 00:18:15,690 a signature of the Luan family— and continuously spout curses. 310 00:18:16,220 --> 00:18:20,420 The Yandi was apparently haunted by them until the day he died. 311 00:18:20,960 --> 00:18:23,200 He probably killed too much. 312 00:18:24,230 --> 00:18:25,490 I must head back now. 313 00:18:25,490 --> 00:18:26,540 I appreciate the help. 314 00:18:26,540 --> 00:18:28,810 One moment, Shouxue. Wait here. 315 00:18:30,190 --> 00:18:32,290 Here's a little reward for helping me. 316 00:18:34,020 --> 00:18:35,080 See you later. 317 00:18:45,130 --> 00:18:46,690 "Live a solitary life." 318 00:18:48,690 --> 00:18:50,930 The Raven Consort must desire nothing. 319 00:19:06,160 --> 00:19:08,290 How were things at Teilei Palace? 320 00:19:08,290 --> 00:19:11,150 There is nothing suspicious happening at the moment. 321 00:19:11,150 --> 00:19:12,470 And their cash flow? 322 00:19:12,470 --> 00:19:16,300 The funds we confiscated do not match the estimated amount. 323 00:19:16,820 --> 00:19:21,430 The eunuchs will be key to finding the empress dowager's hidden fortune. 324 00:19:21,800 --> 00:19:23,550 I will continue my investigation. 325 00:19:23,550 --> 00:19:26,180 Understood. Rest now for today. 326 00:19:28,750 --> 00:19:29,560 What is it? 327 00:19:30,210 --> 00:19:34,560 The empress dowager isn't the type of person to quietly accept her confinement. 328 00:19:35,050 --> 00:19:39,110 She's the woman who seduced the previous emperor and pushed you into disinheritance. 329 00:19:40,340 --> 00:19:41,450 What of it? 330 00:19:43,980 --> 00:19:45,090 Why... 331 00:19:45,970 --> 00:19:48,760 Why didn't you take off her head, back then? 332 00:19:48,760 --> 00:19:51,590 She killed your mother. 333 00:20:00,400 --> 00:20:03,470 Because we need concrete evidence for an execution. 334 00:20:03,470 --> 00:20:04,890 Evidence? 335 00:20:04,890 --> 00:20:08,040 Master, you could fabricate a plausible crime and execute her for— 336 00:20:08,040 --> 00:20:09,720 Then I'd be no different from her! 337 00:20:11,460 --> 00:20:13,220 I won't walk the same path she did. 338 00:20:28,030 --> 00:20:30,290 What's next? 339 00:20:30,290 --> 00:20:33,050 I hear Xie Fei is a master of dance. 340 00:20:33,890 --> 00:20:36,070 Wouldn't you all like to see? 341 00:20:36,070 --> 00:20:37,810 Indeed, yes. 342 00:20:37,420 --> 00:20:38,980 {\an8}As would I. 343 00:20:37,810 --> 00:20:41,420 Please, you wouldn't want to see a country girl like myself dance. 344 00:20:41,420 --> 00:20:45,050 What's this? It would seem Xie Fei will not dance for me. 345 00:20:45,050 --> 00:20:50,210 Daughters of low-ranked officials are always so obnoxiously prideful. 346 00:21:29,980 --> 00:21:33,810 Mother, why do you endure their mockery?! 347 00:21:34,180 --> 00:21:36,440 Why do you not try to fight back? 348 00:21:37,360 --> 00:21:39,900 Don't come here anymore. 349 00:21:41,520 --> 00:21:44,190 You have many things you should be doing in the eastern palace. 350 00:21:47,490 --> 00:21:50,200 Very well. I will not come here again. 351 00:22:01,170 --> 00:22:05,010 I heard poison was found in Xie Fei's chambermaid's room. 352 00:22:05,010 --> 00:22:06,860 How horrifying. 353 00:22:08,570 --> 00:22:15,460 Your mother did not resist because she feared you would be harmed. 354 00:22:31,570 --> 00:22:34,910 One by one, I'll steal the stones she stands on 355 00:22:35,560 --> 00:22:37,130 and leave her no means of escape. 356 00:22:38,050 --> 00:22:42,420 I shall find the perfect reason according to both law and logic. 357 00:22:42,720 --> 00:22:46,420 And on that basis, I will have the empress dowager's head. 358 00:22:47,850 --> 00:22:50,190 Do not worry. It will just be a little longer. 359 00:22:51,020 --> 00:22:55,970 I will never forgive the woman who cruelly murdered my mother. 360 00:23:35,390 --> 00:23:40,020 {\an8}Episode 2 361 00:23:35,390 --> 00:23:40,020 {\an8}The Jade Earring, Part 2