01x02 - Episode 2

[bunniefuu]

= Dominion and Devotion =

= Episode 2 =

Master.

Why are we still not mobilizing the troops?

Don't be so impulsive.

We need

to plan carefully.

Master.

Master, why didn't you take action?

What you intend is what the people desire.

The Huting Army is scattered.

It's our rare chance to sever ties
with Zhuo Shangxian.

Everyone in the Shenxing Camp
is ready to die for the great cause.

Honestly,

I'm very disappointed with your choice.

Ze.

Do you know how many people died
in this suppression?



It was 4,368 people.

No one cares about these numbers.

The so-called troops and rebels

are just numbers in the history books
written by the winners.

The late emperor

of Great Ning has k*lled countless people ever
since he established the empire.

Ze.

I have k*lled many people.

I've k*lled those who resented me

and tried to stop me,
along with innocent people.

I'm long tired of k*lling.

Pass on my word.

The Yilin Army is temporarily
stationed at the north of the city.

Yes.

The palace is such a treacherous place.

Let's see if you can survive this

as an insignificant weed.

I wonder

whether you will bloom into a flower

or bear bitter fruit.

[Pei Shenzhi, Junior Eunuch]

[Liu Fangtong, Junior Eunuch]

Master Pei.

It's time for the enthronement.

I see.

Your Majesty.

It's time for the court meeting.

I'm aware of that.

Your Majesty.

Let me assist you with dressing.

No need.

Yes.

Auntie is still ill.

Am I binding it well?

Forget it. Let's get through
the court meeting first.

The new emperor ascends the throne.

Let's wait and see.

As the Emperor of the Great Ning,

I announce to Heaven and Earth
that I shall ascend the throne today.

Entrusted to rule the empire by the late emperor,

I will strive to bring about good governance

by adopting reforms.

I shall do my best
to ensure peace, tranquility,

and the people's well-being

to grant the Great Ning

everlasting prosperity.

The other princes

[Imperial Edict]
shall immediately set out to the fief

and not return without permission.

In need of benevolent and wise advisors,

[Zhuo Shangxian, G rand Secretariat]
I appoint Zhuo Shangxian

[of the Inner Court, Imperial Advisor]
to Imperial Advisor

[Pei Shenzhi, Directorate-Supervising Eunuch]
and Pei Shenzhi to Seal-Holding Eunuch

[Grand Secretariat of the Inner Court]
to assist me in handling daily affairs.

Respect this.

- Long live Your Majesty.
- Long live Your Majesty.

Rise.

The Imperial Advisor's loyalty
is commendable.

I hereby make an exception
and set up a seat for him beside the throne

to demonstrate his significance.

This is inappropriate.

This is way too unconventional.

Be quiet.

He's in charge of the Huting Army

and can k*ll anyone at will.

Your Majesty.

The officials have not yet
congratulated Master Zhuo.

My ministers, congratulate
the Imperial Advisor accordingly.

- Congratulations, Master Zhuo.
- Congratulations, Master Zhuo.

[Zheng Wuyou, Minister of Justice]
Congratulations, Master Zhuo.

[Gu Xingzhi, Yilin Army Adjutant]
Congratulations, Master Zhuo.

[He Yanbai, Head of Imperial Censors]
Congratulations, Master Zhuo.

As the Head of Imperial Censors,

I, He Yanbai, refuse to kneel.

Why won't you kneel?

Why should I kneel to someone about to die?

None of the eunuchs who intervened

in court affairs met good ends
throughout history.

You ministers

chose to kneel to such a eunuch.

What a huge disgrace.

Everyone in the world will look down on you.

I, He Yanbai,

will not kneel.

Master He, your courage is truly admirable.

My position as Imperial Advisor
was conferred by His Majesty.

By refusing to kneel,

you're showing contempt and disrespect

for His Majesty.

Are you not afraid of death?

Everyone will die eventually.

Some deaths are significant,

while some deaths bear no value.

If I were k*lled for not kneeling to a eunuch,

then I would die for a just cause.

I'm more than happy to die.

If you're a wise ruler,

you should expel these eunuchs
who take over the court

and cause disturbances

and do them justice by k*lling them.

Your Majesty,

he harbors evil intentions
by implying that you're not a wise ruler.

He should be ex*cuted right away

as a warning to others.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Please think twice.

My mentor is deeply concerned

and dares not disrespect you.

Your Majesty, please show mercy.

You, a mere Hanlin Academy editor,
have no authority to speak here.

[Huo Zheng, Hanlin Academy editor]
Your Majesty.

Please show mercy.

Spare Master He.

Your Majesty, please show mercy.

Huo Zheng,

step back.

Your Majesty, please show mercy.

Your Majesty, please take into account
his contribution to the empire

and spare his life.

Your Majesty, please show mercy.

Your Majesty, please show mercy.

Why do I feel

that you've fallen into a trap?

Master He is a great scholar,

known throughout the nation.

If he were k*lled

for his righteous advice,

I fear that all the scholars

would blame it on you and attack you.

If you're taken down

as the Imperial Advisor,

then I can't remain as the emperor.

Isn't this exactly what he wanted?

Guards!

Take He Yanbai away.

Administer ten hard blows.

He shall be removed
from his position as Censor.

Master He.

From now on,

retire to your hometown.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

What do you think, Master Zhuo?

Is it an appropriate

approach?

Your Majesty has given the order.

Why bother asking my opinion?

I hereby

bid farewell to Your Majesty.

I'll buy a tawny ox
to learn to sow and reap.

Thatch a humble hut
where woods and springs abide.

Knowing life's last years are few,
I'll simply keep.

To these mountain days
before my time has died.

He Yanbai is such a hardheaded fool.

So stubborn.

We can't keep him around.

So annoying.

I totally agree.

Now,

it's time to meet our emperor.

The Imperial Advisor has arrived.

What brings you here,

Imperial Advisor?

You knew I wanted He Yanbai dead.

How dare you go against my will?

Master Zhuo.

I spoke sincerely in the court.

Moreover,

how does it do me good

to go against you?

You think I dare not k*ll you
just because you became the emperor?

There is no such thing.

Master Zhuo.

He is still useful to us.

Of course, I know that.

But I have to show him

who is truly in charge

in this palace.

Master Zhuo.

I've learned the lesson.

You picked him.

Train him well.

Yes.

To deceive others, one must

deceive himself first.

If you show your claws and fangs,

aren't you telling others

that you are not a docile house cat

but a ferocious beast?

Master Pei,

is it a reminder

or a warning?

You shouldn't have saved He Yanbai.

I know I shouldn't have.

However,

we can't do everything

by weighing the pros and cons.

Am I not right?

Fortunately, it's just some physical pain.

It's worth it.

All right.

If I hadn't saved you,

you would have been strangled

by Master Zhuo.

You and your father are both eunuchs.

You would certainly need a puppet emperor.

Now it's just me and the Third Prince.

If you k*ll me

on the day of ascension,

even if you hide the truth flawlessly,

I think

my third brother won't dare take over.

So

you can't k*ll me just yet.

You were not really pleading for me, Master Pei.

I'd say that

you were offering Master Zhuo
a way out of this situation.

Your Majesty.

Madam Li has woken up.

♪ Candle lights the halls
through springs and autumns ♪

♪ Love and hate are written in a few strokes ♪

♪ Imperishable ♪

♪ Bloodstained vows with a touch of tenderness ♪

♪ Fate is written by the universe ♪

♪ Unending ♪

♪ Heaven falls ♪

♪ No concern for cause and effect ♪

♪ On the throne ♪

♪ Is it a shackle ♪

♪ Locking you and me up ♪

♪ Break through the wind and clouds ♪

♪ A dream lasts a lifetime.
The world has changed ♪

♪ One step forward, gaze back at the youth ♪

♪ At a glance, all beings bow their heads ♪

♪ I'm in the midst of chaos ♪

♪ At the end of the night ♪

♪ Having the loneliest dream in this world ♪

♪ Move on ♪

♪ Don't look back ♪