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WRITTEN BY HYUGA NATSU

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THIS STORY IS A FICTION AND ALL NAMES OF
FIGURES AND ORGANIZATIONS ARE FICTITIOUS.

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MOREOVER, THE STORY HAS NO RELATION
TO REAL-LIFE INCIDENTS AND EVENTS.

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Pardon me.

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Lord Jinshi.

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Has Lady Gyokuyou gone into labor?

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Yes, from this morning.

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It’s a little earlier than scheduled,

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but preparations have been made.

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Please, go ahead.

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How is she?

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She’s calm now.

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The contractions have subsided,
and she shows no signs of fatigue.

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I see.

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We still don't know exactly
when she’ll give birth.

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And the child?

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It was a breech birth, but do not worry.

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Maomao’s treatment has been working.

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Maomao…

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It’s been ten days,
and we still haven’t found her.

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Is she all right?

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Mr. Luomen, if there’s anything I can do…

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Master! You're in the way!

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Don’t block the entrance!

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Watch the cat if you have to!

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Ye… Yes!

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Seeing someone more flustered than me
somehow makes me calm down…

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Then I’ll return for now.

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Let me know if anything comes up.

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Lord Jinshi!

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What is it?

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It’s about the missing eunuch…

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So, what did you find out?

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His name is Tian.

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He is said to be a former slave
from a foreign tribe.

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But it seems he had no ties to the group
he supposedly arrived with.

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Most likely, he slipped in
from somewhere else.

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To infiltrate the Rear Palace?

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Yes. He avoided getting too close
to others to avoid slipping up.

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Because of that, there’s so little
information left about him.

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Anything else?

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There’s a witness who saw him
praying at the temple.

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If he's devout, that wouldn’t be unusual.

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Yes, but…

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-The northern cemetery…
-Yes.

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It’s the gravesite for those who served

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the former emperor
and passed away in the Rear Palace.

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Someone saw Tian
praying at one of the graves.

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TAIHOU

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In the era of the former emperor,

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even after death,
the young girls who perished early

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weren’t allowed to leave the Rear Palace.

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Without their names ever being recorded,

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they vanished quietly in this garden.

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A palace woman from the clinic?

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Excuse me.

57
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This scent…

58
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Where did Maomao go?

59
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Calm down.
Right now, I am now the eunuch Jinshi.

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Act normal.

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I want to ask about

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the freckled palace woman
from the Jade Palace.

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Do you know anything?

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You know something, right?

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I remember now…

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An old memory…

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He called my name in a gentle voice.

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He gave me foreign candy.

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What are you talking about?

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You don't know what he was like
in his youth?

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I heard he became a shadow
of his former self over the years.

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After I grew up, he stopped visiting.

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I only heard stories.

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Who are you talking about?

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You look just like him.

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What are you saying?

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He also…

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had a voice as sweet as honey

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and a face like a heavenly maiden…

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Why would someone like you

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play the role of a eunuch?

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Get her!

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Let go of me!

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Don’t struggle!

85
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Lord Jinshi, what should we do?

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Lord Jinshi!

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What?! Poison?!

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-Bring water!
-Yes, Sir!

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Lord Jinshi, your orders!

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Lord Jinshi!

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Take her to the medical office.
Make sure she doesn’t try anything else!

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Yes, Sir!

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Please, stay strong!

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Don’t be shaken by
a mere palace woman's joke.

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Joke…

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Would someone risk their life for a joke?

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She looked pale after she saw me smile.

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He also had…

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Gaoshun…

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do I resemble him?

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Enough to frighten her.
Enough to make her drink poison.

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That man in my memories

103
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already seemed like an old man.

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He didn't resemble my mother
or my brother.

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That’s why…

106
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That’s why I believed…

107
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Who could he have resembled?

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Given the Emperor's tastes,

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it can’t be the Empress. She’s too old.

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That’s why they say it, right?
He’s an illegitimate child.

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I believed the rumor
that I wasn’t related by blood

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and tried to escape
from my position as Crown Prince.

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Begging my brother who is the Emperor,

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why am I in a women's quarters
taking the name of a eunuch?

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There’s no word for it but disgrace.

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TAIHOU

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I will simply do what I am…

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Able to.

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That’s right. I can laugh at myself later.

120
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Now, I must do what needs to be done.

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That palace woman
was praying at this grave?

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Yes.

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It’s out of season
for Chinese lantern plants.

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Taihou.

125
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The name of a palace woman
who died last year.

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Yeah.

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She often gathered people
to tell ghost stories.

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She was once an attendant
to a certain noble family.

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Her relatives…

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Only one blood relative remains.

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During the former emperor's reign,

132
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A daughter was born from an illicit affair
with the court physician.

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If that child is still alive…

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-Where to?
-The Garnet Pavilion.

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The consort whom Taihou was serving

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was given to Shishou
and gave birth to a daughter.

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That daughter is Consort Loulan.

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However, the daughter born to
Taihou and the court physician,

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disappeared with the court physician

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after being expelled from the rear palace.

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If it's Consort Loulan,

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she might know the whereabouts of
the court physician and the daughter.

143
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It’s only intuition, though.

144
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There may be no real connection.

145
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Still…

146
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Please.

147
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I’ll do everything

148
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I can.

149
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I apologize for the sudden visit.

150
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She says it’s no trouble.

151
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Thank you very much.

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As always a peculiar sight.

153
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Flashy outfits,

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with matching heavily winged eye makeup.

155
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Just like foxes.

156
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Today, I have something
I would like to ask…

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Lord Jinshi…?

158
00:12:44,472 --> 00:12:45,306
What are you doing?

159
00:12:48,809 --> 00:12:51,270
There were seven attendants,
if I recall correctly.

160
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Where is the other one?

161
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I keep track of the attendant's names
and faces who serve at the palace.

162
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Although their clothes and makeup
change daily,

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I memorized their obvious parts.

164
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For example,

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the shape of your lips or eyes.

166
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Also…

167
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the placement of your mole.

168
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Soulin? No, maybe Renpu?

169
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What's your name?

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It was a setup from the beginning.

171
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She chose only aides

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who resembled you,
bringing a large entourage.

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The odd makeup and flashy dress

174
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it was all for just for this.

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-Lord Jinshi…
-Tell me!

176
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Where did the real one go?

177
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Where did she go?

178
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Where is Consort Loulan?!

179
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I’m truly sorry…

180
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Renpu doesn’t know anything.

181
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Please…

182
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forgive us…

183
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Damn it. Calm down.

184
00:14:24,697 --> 00:14:27,491
So, you didn't ask where she went?

185
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Yes. I was told
she wouldn’t be coming back.

186
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So the high-ranking consort left
the Rear Palace of her own will.

187
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No point pushing them any further.

188
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We’re searching as much as possible,

189
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but there is no one similar
to Consort Loulan.

190
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No need to address her as consort.

191
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If she fled the Rear Palace,
it’s a serious crime.

192
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Even more so for a high-ranking consort.

193
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She must have planned it, fully aware.

194
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Yes.

195
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Placing a Senior official’s daughter
in the rear palace.

196
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That, for the emperor,
was a move of great benefit.

197
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As a hostage,

198
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he could trap her in the birdcage
that is the rear palace.

199
00:15:31,096 --> 00:15:34,725
It looked like Shishou
cared about his daughter.

200
00:15:35,225 --> 00:15:38,312
But in truth, how was it really?

201
00:15:41,565 --> 00:15:44,109
What about Maomao…?

202
00:15:45,361 --> 00:15:48,989
She joked about being like
a runaway courtesan…

203
00:15:50,616 --> 00:15:52,701
Did she willingly go along with her?

204
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If so, she wouldn't have left a note.

205
00:15:57,373 --> 00:16:00,542
Where did she go and for what reason?

206
00:16:06,382 --> 00:16:07,466
What?

207
00:16:08,050 --> 00:16:11,804
Maomao’s whereabouts are unknown?

208
00:16:17,309 --> 00:16:20,396
Wait, Maomao!

209
00:16:21,480 --> 00:16:25,776
Daddy's coming to save you!

210
00:16:28,237 --> 00:16:30,698
Lord Lakan!

211
00:16:32,491 --> 00:16:33,867
How did it get out?

212
00:16:34,368 --> 00:16:36,704
It seems the news somehow
leaked to the outside.

213
00:16:37,287 --> 00:16:38,622
Geez…

214
00:16:39,123 --> 00:16:42,584
Also, we haven't
been able to locate Shishou.

215
00:16:43,585 --> 00:16:45,796
Was he working with Loulan?

216
00:16:45,879 --> 00:16:47,464
I don't know.

217
00:16:47,548 --> 00:16:50,759
But he’s the father
of the runaway consort.

218
00:16:51,260 --> 00:16:54,888
As someone who bears a grudge
against the emperor, he'll be guilty.

219
00:16:55,889 --> 00:16:57,433
Yes, I believe so.

220
00:16:58,892 --> 00:17:01,520
Also, the lady from yesterday, Shenlü,

221
00:17:02,229 --> 00:17:04,106
has cheated death for now.

222
00:17:05,524 --> 00:17:06,567
Is she conscious?

223
00:17:07,192 --> 00:17:08,694
Not yet.

224
00:17:09,987 --> 00:17:14,450
However, it seems
she was acquainted with Taihou.

225
00:17:14,950 --> 00:17:17,870
She likely joined the rebellion
because of that connection.

226
00:17:18,746 --> 00:17:20,289
Everybody in the clinic?

227
00:17:21,248 --> 00:17:22,082
No.

228
00:17:23,459 --> 00:17:27,296
The others didn’t know anything
about the rebellion.

229
00:17:30,799 --> 00:17:33,010
Still, they cooperated

230
00:17:33,093 --> 00:17:36,055
because they shared
the same grudge as Shenlü.

231
00:17:37,431 --> 00:17:39,308
Since the former emperor’s death,

232
00:17:39,391 --> 00:17:43,520
the women’s resentment
has been directed at the Rear Palace.

233
00:17:47,566 --> 00:17:49,735
We must find Loulan immediately.

234
00:17:50,235 --> 00:17:52,196
But there’s too little information.

235
00:17:52,696 --> 00:17:54,907
Should we chase Shishou first…?

236
00:17:55,908 --> 00:17:58,786
No, someone else is already after him.

237
00:18:04,917 --> 00:18:06,210
Who could it be?

238
00:18:06,919 --> 00:18:07,920
Come in.

239
00:18:09,421 --> 00:18:10,881
Excuse me.

240
00:18:21,850 --> 00:18:22,893
An abacus?

241
00:18:23,519 --> 00:18:24,686
What’s your business?

242
00:18:27,231 --> 00:18:31,443
It’s an honor to meet you.
My name is Kan Lahan.

243
00:18:32,986 --> 00:18:35,614
In the outer court,
the only one bearing the name "La" is

244
00:18:35,697 --> 00:18:38,534
Lakan and Lahan.

245
00:18:39,034 --> 00:18:42,120
It was a surname bestowed
long ago by the imperial family.

246
00:18:43,497 --> 00:18:47,084
The "La" clan…
you're the General's adopted son.

247
00:18:47,167 --> 00:18:48,252
What is your business?

248
00:18:49,545 --> 00:18:51,922
I wanted to show this to you.

249
00:19:00,139 --> 00:19:01,306
What is it?

250
00:19:01,807 --> 00:19:03,183
What do you think?

251
00:19:04,810 --> 00:19:06,603
A ledger from the national treasury.

252
00:19:07,104 --> 00:19:08,230
Yes.

253
00:19:08,313 --> 00:19:11,233
I was ordered by my father
to investigate it.

254
00:19:11,316 --> 00:19:15,362
But the origin of Feifa
is unclear, which is troubling.

255
00:19:15,863 --> 00:19:17,406
Why to the national treasury?

256
00:19:17,990 --> 00:19:21,034
When I looked into those
around the punished officials…

257
00:19:21,743 --> 00:19:23,078
Naturally, it led me here.

258
00:19:23,704 --> 00:19:26,832
I wanted you to see the actual goods,

259
00:19:26,915 --> 00:19:29,251
but the volume was oddly large.

260
00:19:29,918 --> 00:19:32,880
I excerpted as much as I can see.

261
00:19:33,964 --> 00:19:38,135
Crop values have clearly risen
in the past few years…

262
00:19:38,218 --> 00:19:40,137
Interesting, isn’t it?

263
00:19:40,220 --> 00:19:43,015
There weren’t any locusts or droughts.

264
00:19:43,515 --> 00:19:45,142
And another thing.

265
00:19:45,225 --> 00:19:47,603
For some reason,
the value of iron has also risen.

266
00:19:48,437 --> 00:19:51,106
Also, metal prices across the country.

267
00:19:53,358 --> 00:19:57,404
I checked if there were any
massive construction projects underway.

268
00:19:57,905 --> 00:20:02,201
But no such plans could be found.

269
00:20:02,993 --> 00:20:06,038
His thoroughness is just like
his adoptive father.

270
00:20:07,247 --> 00:20:08,707
I understand what you mean.

271
00:20:09,374 --> 00:20:13,420
Grains themselves aren't worth much,
but the quantity is vast.

272
00:20:13,503 --> 00:20:17,049
If the prices go up,
the difference becomes considerable.

273
00:20:17,591 --> 00:20:20,469
Someone is pocketing that difference.

274
00:20:21,178 --> 00:20:22,971
And then, metal prices are rising.

275
00:20:23,472 --> 00:20:26,433
Someone’s been buying up
large quantities here too.

276
00:20:27,559 --> 00:20:28,977
Is that what you want to say?

277
00:20:29,603 --> 00:20:30,771
Yes.

278
00:20:30,854 --> 00:20:32,231
As I see it,

279
00:20:32,314 --> 00:20:35,192
these two leads are headed
in the same direction.

280
00:20:35,275 --> 00:20:36,109
Also,

281
00:20:36,193 --> 00:20:40,405
whoever can pull off
something of this scale is limited.

282
00:20:42,783 --> 00:20:46,703
I would be able to
look into it more thoroughly.

283
00:20:48,121 --> 00:20:51,416
Wouldn’t you like to know

284
00:20:51,500 --> 00:20:53,710
where the flow is converging?

285
00:21:01,176 --> 00:21:03,011
So… what do you want?

286
00:21:05,681 --> 00:21:08,767
You’re not offering this
out of goodwill, are you?

287
00:21:08,850 --> 00:21:09,685
Lord Jinshi!

288
00:21:11,645 --> 00:21:13,647
Would you be willing

289
00:21:13,730 --> 00:21:17,859
to knock a little off the price?

290
00:21:17,943 --> 00:21:18,777
What’s that for?

291
00:21:18,860 --> 00:21:23,323
It's for the repairs to
the rear palace gate that my father broke.

292
00:21:24,533 --> 00:21:26,576
Shouldn’t he be paying for that?

293
00:21:27,160 --> 00:21:29,371
-Fine.
-Are you sure?

294
00:21:32,207 --> 00:21:34,793
In exchange, investigate thoroughly.

295
00:21:34,876 --> 00:21:36,837
Find out what’s happening

296
00:21:37,421 --> 00:21:39,381
with the money and metal.

297
00:21:43,844 --> 00:21:45,595
As you wish…

298
00:21:47,681 --> 00:21:51,059
I’ll use whatever I can use…

299
00:23:46,091 --> 00:23:48,802
PREVIEW

300
00:23:57,644 --> 00:24:00,105
The next episode is "The Festival."