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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.

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This scent…

58
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Where did Maomao go?

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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!

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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

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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…

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That’s why I believed…

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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.

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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.

124
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Taihou.

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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,

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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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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.

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It’s only intuition, though.

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There may be no real connection.

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Still…

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Please.

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I’ll do everything

145
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I can.

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I apologize for the sudden visit.

147
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She says it’s no trouble.

148
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Thank you very much.

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As always a peculiar sight.

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Flashy outfits,

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with matching heavily winged eye makeup.

152
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Just like foxes.

153
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Today, I have something
I would like to ask…

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Lord Jinshi…?

155
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What are you doing?

156
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There were seven attendants,
if I recall correctly.

157
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Where is the other one?

158
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I keep track of the attendant's names
and faces who serve at the palace.

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Although their clothes and makeup
change daily,

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I memorized their obvious parts.

161
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For example,

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the shape of your lips or eyes.

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Soulin? No, maybe Renpu?

164
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What's your name?

165
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It was a setup from the beginning.

166
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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

169
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it was all for just for this.

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-Lord Jinshi…
-Tell me!

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Where did the real one go?

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Where did she go?

173
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Where is Consort Loulan?!

174
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I’m truly sorry…

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Renpu doesn’t know anything.

176
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Please…

177
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forgive us…

178
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Damn it. Calm down.

179
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So, you didn't ask where she went?

180
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Yes. I was told
she wouldn’t be coming back.

181
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So the high-ranking consort left
the Rear Palace of her own will.

182
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No point pushing them any further.

183
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We’re searching as much as possible,

184
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but there is no one similar
to Consort Loulan.

185
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No need to address her as consort.

186
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If she fled the Rear Palace,
it’s a serious crime.

187
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Even more so for a high-ranking consort.

188
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She must have planned it, fully aware.

189
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Yes.

190
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Placing a Senior official’s daughter
in the rear palace.

191
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That, for the emperor,
was a move of great benefit.

192
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As a hostage,

193
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he could trap her in the birdcage
that is the rear palace.

194
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It looked like Shishou
cared about his daughter.

195
00:15:07,906 --> 00:15:10,992
But in truth, how was it really?

196
00:15:14,245 --> 00:15:16,790
What about Maomao…?

197
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She joked about being like
a runaway courtesan…

198
00:15:23,296 --> 00:15:25,382
Did she willingly go along with her?

199
00:15:25,965 --> 00:15:28,927
If so, she wouldn't have left a note.

200
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Where did she go and for what reason?

201
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What?

202
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Maomao’s whereabouts are unknown?

203
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Wait, Maomao!

204
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Daddy's coming to save you!

205
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Lord Lakan!

206
00:16:05,171 --> 00:16:06,548
How did it get out?

207
00:16:07,048 --> 00:16:09,384
It seems the news somehow
leaked to the outside.

208
00:16:09,968 --> 00:16:11,302
Geez…

209
00:16:11,803 --> 00:16:15,265
Also, we haven't
been able to locate Shishou.

210
00:16:16,266 --> 00:16:18,476
Was he working with Loulan?

211
00:16:18,560 --> 00:16:20,145
I don't know.

212
00:16:20,228 --> 00:16:23,440
But he’s the father
of the runaway consort.

213
00:16:23,940 --> 00:16:27,569
As someone who bears a grudge
against the emperor, he'll be guilty.

214
00:16:28,570 --> 00:16:30,113
Yes, I believe so.

215
00:16:31,573 --> 00:16:34,200
Also, the lady from yesterday, Shenlü,

216
00:16:34,909 --> 00:16:36,786
has cheated death for now.

217
00:16:38,204 --> 00:16:39,247
Is she conscious?

218
00:16:39,873 --> 00:16:41,374
Not yet.

219
00:16:42,667 --> 00:16:47,130
However, it seems
she was acquainted with Taihou.

220
00:16:47,630 --> 00:16:50,550
She likely joined the rebellion
because of that connection.

221
00:16:51,426 --> 00:16:52,969
Everybody in the clinic?

222
00:16:53,928 --> 00:16:54,762
No.

223
00:16:56,139 --> 00:16:59,976
The others didn’t know anything
about the rebellion.

224
00:17:03,479 --> 00:17:05,690
Still, they cooperated

225
00:17:05,773 --> 00:17:08,735
because they shared
the same grudge as Shenlü.

226
00:17:10,111 --> 00:17:11,988
Since the former emperor’s death,

227
00:17:12,071 --> 00:17:16,201
the women’s resentment
has been directed at the Rear Palace.

228
00:17:20,246 --> 00:17:22,415
We must find Loulan immediately.

229
00:17:22,916 --> 00:17:24,876
But there’s too little information.

230
00:17:25,376 --> 00:17:27,587
Should we chase Shishou first…?

231
00:17:28,588 --> 00:17:31,466
No, someone else is already after him.

232
00:17:37,597 --> 00:17:38,890
Who could it be?

233
00:17:39,599 --> 00:17:40,600
Come in.

234
00:17:42,101 --> 00:17:43,561
Excuse me.

235
00:17:54,530 --> 00:17:55,573
An abacus?

236
00:17:56,199 --> 00:17:57,367
What’s your business?

237
00:17:59,911 --> 00:18:04,123
It’s an honor to meet you.
My name is Kan Lahan.

238
00:18:05,667 --> 00:18:08,294
In the outer court,
the only one bearing the name "La" is

239
00:18:08,378 --> 00:18:11,214
Lakan and Lahan.

240
00:18:11,714 --> 00:18:14,801
It was a surname bestowed
long ago by the imperial family.

241
00:18:16,177 --> 00:18:19,764
The "La" clan…
you're the General's adopted son.

242
00:18:19,847 --> 00:18:20,932
What is your business?

243
00:18:22,225 --> 00:18:24,602
I wanted to show this to you.

244
00:18:32,819 --> 00:18:33,986
What is it?

245
00:18:34,487 --> 00:18:35,863
What do you think?

246
00:18:37,490 --> 00:18:39,283
A ledger from the national treasury.

247
00:18:39,784 --> 00:18:40,910
Yes.

248
00:18:40,993 --> 00:18:43,913
I was ordered by my father
to investigate it.

249
00:18:43,996 --> 00:18:48,042
But the origin of Feifa
is unclear, which is troubling.

250
00:18:48,543 --> 00:18:50,086
Why to the national treasury?

251
00:18:50,670 --> 00:18:53,715
When I looked into those
around the punished officials…

252
00:18:54,424 --> 00:18:55,758
Naturally, it led me here.

253
00:18:56,384 --> 00:18:59,512
I wanted you to see the actual goods,

254
00:18:59,595 --> 00:19:01,931
but the volume was oddly large.

255
00:19:02,598 --> 00:19:05,560
I excerpted as much as I can see.

256
00:19:06,644 --> 00:19:10,815
Crop values have clearly risen
in the past few years…

257
00:19:10,898 --> 00:19:12,817
Interesting, isn’t it?

258
00:19:12,900 --> 00:19:15,695
There weren’t any locusts or droughts.

259
00:19:16,195 --> 00:19:17,822
And another thing.

260
00:19:17,905 --> 00:19:20,283
For some reason,
the value of iron has also risen.

261
00:19:21,117 --> 00:19:23,786
Also, metal prices across the country.

262
00:19:26,038 --> 00:19:30,084
I checked if there were any
massive construction projects underway.

263
00:19:30,585 --> 00:19:34,881
But no such plans could be found.

264
00:19:35,673 --> 00:19:38,718
His thoroughness is just like
his adoptive father.

265
00:19:39,927 --> 00:19:41,387
I understand what you mean.

266
00:19:42,054 --> 00:19:46,100
Grains themselves aren't worth much,
but the quantity is vast.

267
00:19:46,184 --> 00:19:49,729
If the prices go up,
the difference becomes considerable.

268
00:19:50,271 --> 00:19:53,149
Someone is pocketing that difference.

269
00:19:53,858 --> 00:19:55,651
And then, metal prices are rising.

270
00:19:56,152 --> 00:19:59,113
Someone’s been buying up
large quantities here too.

271
00:20:00,239 --> 00:20:01,657
Is that what you want to say?

272
00:20:02,283 --> 00:20:03,451
Yes.

273
00:20:03,534 --> 00:20:04,911
As I see it,

274
00:20:04,994 --> 00:20:07,872
these two leads are headed
in the same direction.

275
00:20:07,955 --> 00:20:08,789
Also,

276
00:20:08,873 --> 00:20:13,085
whoever can pull off
something of this scale is limited.

277
00:20:15,463 --> 00:20:19,383
I would be able to
look into it more thoroughly.

278
00:20:20,801 --> 00:20:24,096
Wouldn’t you like to know

279
00:20:24,180 --> 00:20:26,390
where the flow is converging?

280
00:20:33,856 --> 00:20:35,691
So… what do you want?

281
00:20:38,361 --> 00:20:41,447
You’re not offering this
out of goodwill, are you?

282
00:20:41,530 --> 00:20:42,365
Lord Jinshi!

283
00:20:44,325 --> 00:20:46,327
Would you be willing

284
00:20:46,410 --> 00:20:50,539
to knock a little off the price?

285
00:20:50,623 --> 00:20:51,457
What’s that for?

286
00:20:51,540 --> 00:20:56,003
It's for the repairs to
the rear palace gate that my father broke.

287
00:20:57,213 --> 00:20:59,256
Shouldn’t he be paying for that?

288
00:20:59,840 --> 00:21:02,051
-Fine.
-Are you sure?

289
00:21:04,887 --> 00:21:07,473
In exchange, investigate thoroughly.

290
00:21:07,556 --> 00:21:09,517
Find out what’s happening

291
00:21:10,101 --> 00:21:12,061
with the money and metal.

292
00:21:16,524 --> 00:21:18,275
As you wish…

293
00:21:20,361 --> 00:21:23,739
I’ll use whatever I can use…

294
00:23:18,771 --> 00:23:21,482
PREVIEW

295
00:23:29,240 --> 00:23:31,659
The next episode is "The Festival."