Mother... Father...
I need blood.
I need more blood.
I shall play the best role of all
The saddest role where one kills the most
Even at the ends of this square ocean, people change and are replaced
You forget that you're playing a role in this world
Everyone is just a bird in a cage
We all look forward to the day we can escape
And once it's within our grasp
The great big sky overwhelms us
MYSTERIOUS
Call out the name and bring calm
No one can stop your MYSTERIOUS
My MYSTERIOUS
Now, I shall play the best role of all
Raven of the Inner Palace
Deep in the inner palace,
there lives a consort known as the Raven Consort.
She holds a special position. Despite her title of consort,
she does not perform nighttime duties.
Though she lives in the inner palace,
she never kneels before the emperor.
Such is the Raven Consort.
Episode 11 Groundwork
A beast?
Yes. The birds in the woods had been making a ruckus all morning,
so when I went to check what was happening...
And there was a crowd of eunuchs there.
Apparently, they'd found the body of a court lady whose throat had been torn out.
Perhaps it was a stray dog or a wolf.
What if it was a tiger?!
I don't know about in the mountains, but there are no tigers around here.
I've never seen stray dogs within the inner palace, either.
I've heard they get in sometimes.
A eunuch's been bitten by one before.
They say the wound festered, and he died.
Your Highness!
It's Dan Hai.
What?
Oh, come on, Mr. Dan Hai!
It was just a joke.
You're awful!
Have they figured out which palace the court lady killed by the beast served?
She was from the Quechao Palace.
Quechao Palace...
Was she perhaps on her way to the Ye Ming Palace?
That's still unclear. What makes you think that?
I remember a court lady who previously visited me.
She left behind a silk shawl that smelled of xiangfu incense.
Was the court lady who died in the habit of using xiangfu incense?
I'm not sure.
The smell of blood was so strong last night, I didn't—
So, you're the one who found the body.
Yes, while I was on patrol.
You should've told me about it.
It's not something you needed to hear about.
After all, the body was a horrifying sight.
Your concern for me is unnecessary.
Is it true that her throat was torn out?
Someone told you about that?
Jiu-jiu asked about it.
She can be too curious for her own good sometimes.
Though she's not a bad girl.
You're right. She's not a bad girl.
Judging by the shape of the wound, it was undoubtedly torn by teeth.
However, the tooth marks weren't made by a stray dog or wolf's teeth.
You mean it was a beast without fangs?
Would a creature like that attack humans?
Even monkeys have fangs. Perhaps it was...
I see.
A human, huh?
Xiangniao Temple
Ministry of Works Xue Yuyong
What's this?
The Raven Consort should be arriving soon.
She seems to enjoy hearing about the previous Raven Consort from you.
Does she?
When was Li Niang chosen to become the next Raven Consort?
When she turned 14.
That's later than I would have expected.
I heard Shouxue was chosen when she was six.
The intentions of Niao Lian are a mystery to me.
Her intentions? Perhaps it was a whim, instead.
What happened?
When Li Niang was 22, her predecessor passed away and she became the Raven Consort.
Wasn't Shouxue 14 when she inherited the position?
In both cases, it happened eight years after being chosen.
Does the current Raven Consort die eight years after the next one is chosen?
Eight is a holy number.
Li Niang knew when she would die.
That's why she taught Shouxue everything she could.
All of it is the fate of the Raven Consort.
Her fate...
Is there truly no way to free the Raven Consort from those chains?
You have a guest.
What are you doing here?
My council meeting ended early.
I resign.
Raven Consort, would you like to play a game?
I'd be no match for him.
Oh? You don't like go?
Li Niang taught me to play, but I never won.
She didn't know how to go easy on an opponent.
I often played against Li Niang as well, and she never held back.
Who was better?
I believe my record was 123 wins, 105 losses, and 15 ties.
You said you wanted to retire.
What are you planning on doing once you do?
I am unmarried and have no home outside the castle,
but my younger brother runs a shop in town.
I plan to stay with him.
I see. So you're retiring.
Make you sure you tell Shouxue everything you know about Li Niang before then.
If it would please you, Raven Consort.
Your stories about Li Niang are interesting.
Raven Consort, why don't you play with a handicap?
How does a five-stone handicap sound?
Wouldn't that make for a fair match between you and His Majesty?
No.
Did Li Niang teach you to hate losing, too?
You could take a five- or even nine-stone handicap.
You don't need to hold back.
No? In that case, no handicap.
I'll take a three-stone handicap.
As you wish.
Don't you know how to hold back?!
You're the one who said I didn't need to.
I'm never playing against you again.
I'm sad to hear that.
This will cheer you up.
You're not going to have any?
You're always giving me sweets.
Do you not like them?
I don't dislike them.
Then let us share them on occasion.
What's so funny?
You hardly look like an emperor when you're doing that.
And you look like an ordinary girl from around town.
I used to eat sweets like these with my mother when I was young.
So did I.
I haven't done this in a very long time.
Neither have I.
There's some on your face.
You're a handful.
That's right. There was something I wanted to ask you.
Have you heard about the court lady who died near the Ye Ming Palace?
I heard she was a court lady serving the Quechao Palace.
Did you know her?
No.
Tell me if you figure out her name.
I'll burn a silk feather for her,
and then she'll be able to cross the sea.
Her name was Xue Cheng.
Xue Cheng...
Did she use xiangfu incense?
I don't know.
Xiangfu incense...
That's incense you burn for a loved one.
It smells like lilies.
I'm surprised you know that.
The Magpie Consort's clothes smelled of it.
The Magpie Consort?
I heard she wasn't feeling well. Is she still ill?
You went to visit her before.
She's not doing any better.
Her brother fell from a horse and died,
so she's been depressed and bedridden ever since.
Perhaps it would be best to send her back to her parents, but...
You're not wearing it.
Wearing what?
You don't like it?
It's not that.
I wouldn't want to lose it.
Pity is not the same thing as love.
Don't become any friendlier with His Majesty.
Desire breeds suffering.
And when you are consumed by it, that is when the monster will be born within you.
When you're about to lose your way, please remember my words.
Are you all right?
I have a request.
I'd like you to investigate the Quechao Palace.
Especially the Magpie Consort's condition.
Are you really considering sending the Magpie Consort back to her parents?
You know I shouldn't do that.
If the Yun family holds too much power.
They may eventually become a threat to you.
Because the Magpie Consort's family has no connection to them,
her presence in the inner palace keeps them in check.
How can I say I'll free the Raven Consort
when I won't even send one of my consorts back home?
Your Highness, welcome back.
Ah, um, I definitely wasn't slacking off!
It's fine. Dan Hai, you can play go?
I'm good at using my head.
Shall I teach you, Your Highness?
We'll play later.
There is an opponent I'm determined to beat.
Your Highness, did you see any stray dogs?
Jiu-jiu, prepare some ink.
Your Highness, what is that?
A silk feather. They've been used since ancient times to mourn the dead.
"Xue Cheng."
It's the name of the deceased court lady.
Xing-xing, no!
It's gone.
If the dead court lady hasn't become a ghost,
then it should lead her spirit across the sea.
Jiu-jiu, the court lady left a silk shawl here before.
Bring it to me, please.
What? You mean the dead court lady is that woman?
No, probably not.
It still smells like xiangfu incense.
Jiu-jiu, what do you think?
Huh?
Well, it is a little fancy for a court lady to wear.
I'd like you to bring someone back to life.
I cannot bring back the dead.
But, then... who am I supposed to turn to for help?
From the moment she entered until the moment she left, she never bowed to me.
Perhaps she was too agitated?
Is it truly possible for a court lady to make such a desperate request of a consort
and fail to bow even once?
You mean...
She was probably...
Magpie Consort, you must eat something.
I can't believe that was the Magpie Consort.
Your Highness, I have completed my investigation of the Magpie Consort.
Good.
For the past several months, the Magpie Consort has been bedridden.
A few of her ladies-in-waiting are caring for her,
but her court ladies and eunuchs are not allowed near her.
But...
What is it?
She prefers one of her eunuchs and keeps only him by her side.
I described him to her and had her draw his likeness.
His name is Feng Xiao Yue.
Do you recognize him?
No. I don't know that name.
The Magpie Consort began increasingly avoiding other people upon his arrival.
And occasionally, strange sounds started coming from her room.
Strange sounds?
A slurping sound. Groans, too.
Your Highness?
That's enough. You may leave.
There must be more to Xiao Yue and the Magpie Consort.
I shall look into it.
Wait!
Never mind. It's nothing.
However, don't pursue the matter too deeply.
Come back before nightfall.
Very well.
Your Highness, shall I make some tea?
Leave me alone for a while.
Li Niang, is he... Is the owl...
He's here to kill me, isn't he?
Why is Her Highness acting like that?
Did something happen?
Sometimes she lets me take care of her,
and other times she suddenly asks to be left alone.
She's like the pet cat I once had.
I like cats.
So do I!
Why are you so mad, then?
Because... it makes me sad.
How do you do?
Oh, my!
Amei, you never visit me, so I came to visit you.
I've been busy.
You refuse to call me Ajie.
I'm not your younger sister, nor are you my older sister.
Well, I shall wait patiently until the day you call me that.
You're not eating at all today.
And you seem pale. Are you not feeling well?
Shall I have some medicine brought to you?
Don't worry about me.
You can depend on me, you know.
I was recalling the words of the previous Raven Consort.
"You're the one who must live this life."
"Acquire knowledge. Use your wits."
"No one but you can walk your path."
There isn't a single person who accompanies you on that path?
Is it impossible for anyone at the palace, myself, or His Majesty
to walk that path with you?
I wish to become your friend.
My friend?
Your friend. I wish to understand your suffering.
Wait a minute, Mr. Dan Hai!
You're telling Yi Siha what moves to make, aren't you?
No wonder I can't win!
All I did was point.
And I'm saying that's cheating!
Jiu-jiu, wait! I'm sorry!
And how dare you accept his help, too!
What are you doing here?
Wen Ying still hasn't returned?
I wonder if something happened.
Shall I go look for him again?
You're all worried over nothing.
He's not a child running an errand.
I told him to return by nightfall.
He'll be back eventually.
He's probably too embarrassed to come back empty-handed—
Your Highness? Where are you going?
I'm going to get Wen Ying.
Your Highness!
Are you all right?
Shouxue?
Is something the matter?
Wen Ying hasn't returned from the Quechao Palace.
Quechao Palace? What is he doing there?
I asked him to investigate the Magpie Consort.
The Magpie Consort?
She previously visited me dressed as a court lady.
She asked me to bring back the dead.
There's a eunuch who has gotten close to her.
That man probably snuck into the inner palace to kill me.
I should have stopped him.
No, I should have gone myself.
I...
I was afraid, so I made Wen Ying do it.
Since I've started keeping people around me,
I've become afraid of dying.
I've...
become weak.
This shouldn't have happened.
I wasn't supposed to rely on others and drag them into my business.
Shouxue.
It's okay to be weak.
Don't forget that you're a 16-year-old girl.
It's not so bad to have you depend on us.
Isn't that right?
Yes, of course!
I'm sure Wen Ying feels the same.
You're going to the Quechao Palace, aren't you?
I'll go with you.
Quechao Palace
Please open the door, Magpie Consort!
Magpie Consort, His Majesty has arrived.
Your Majesty?
Stay where you are.
This smell..
Xiangfu incense. No...
There's another smell, too.
My fate had tainted
The heavily falling snow black
The sun shines in gradually
And freshly melts it away with its summer warmth
The dream you saw in your eternal sleep
I'll do whatever I can to make it come true
(I want to help you, it's true)
Because you made your wish to me
Just like the sun shining through the darkness
The bouquet of light
That you had given me
Still connects the seasons that will never meet
The proof of this pain
Will it be able to stay the snow that falls in the summer?
Episode 12
Siblings