Thanks to the heaven, thanks to the earth Thanks to the fate which let us meet Ever since I have you Life is full of miracles All the great suffering and joy Have interwoven into a piece of splendid memory Thanks to the wind, thanks to the rain Thanks to the sunlight that lights up earth Ever since I have you The world has become very beautiful Drifting together, wandering together Years are full of intoxicating sweet happiness The sea may dry up, stones may wear out Heaven may collapse, earth may crack We are shoulder to shoulder, hand holding hand The sea may dry up, stones may wear out Heaven may collapse, earth may crack We are shoulder to shoulder, hand holding hand Travelled to every corner of the world Visited every sunset Sang to every cloud and moon Thanks to the wind, thanks to the rain Thanks to the sunlight that lights up earth Ever since I have you The world has become very beautiful Drifting together, wandering together Years are full of intoxicating sweet happiness The sea may dry up, stones may wear out Heaven may collapse, earth may crack We are shoulder to shoulder, hand holding hand The sea may dry up, stones may wear out Heaven may collapse, earth may crack We are shoulder to shoulder, hand holding hand Hands holding hands holding hands The sea may dry up, stones may wear out Heaven may collapse, earth may crack We are shoulder to shoulder, hand holding hand The sea may dry up, stones may wear out Heaven may collapse, earth may crack We are shoulder to shoulder, hand holding hand Hands holding hands (repeat 4 times) Don't push. Don't push. Look over there! The Emperor is beheading the commoner GeGe(s). Aren't they HuanZhu and MingZhu GeGe(s)? Yes indeed! Such fine looking GeGe(s). Why execute them? Common folk GeGe(s) have no status so once the Emperor is furious, they will be executed. But last year HuanZhu GeGe had accompanied the Emperor on a tour to make offerings at the Temple of Heaven. That's right! We just saw them. Why behead them after only one year? Exactly! Then, it was so prestigous. In a blink of an eye, GeGe is now a convict. It is really strange. That's why a commoner GeGe is out of luck A trivial mistake is quickly met with execution I have not ever heard of the execution of a genuine GeGe. You are right! In other words, "An Emperor's mood changes quickly like a tiger." You are exactly right. I didn't expect many people will watch our execution. Our death would be really lively. Moreover, I feel it will be very stylish and simply like a large scale celebratory event. I no longer care if the execution is excruciating - It's only death. - Let us be more brave. Don't shed any tears. Understand? Many are watching us thus let's put up a wonderful performance ZiWei, let us sing a song Okay. Let's sing "Today is fine and sunny" Great! Today's weather is fine and sunny A beautiful scenery everywhere A beautiful scenery The butterflies are busy... so are the bees The birds are busy... so are the clouds Horsehoofs treading with the fragrance of flowers Look... the GeGe(s) are singing! They are not afraid at all... very brave - Camel bells ringing and jingling - Great...let's cheer them on Singing here and singing there The wind is singing and the water too These two GeGe(s) are great heroines who have fought against injustice and have done many good deeds in the Palace. To execute such outstanding GeGe(s) is beyond reason and justice. Exactly! You are right! Vast green spaces and flourishing sky Don't push! HuanZhu GeGe... We are the victims of the hanjian chess club Thank you for getting rid of that evil club Long live HuanZhu GeGe for thousands of years Long live MingZhu GeGe for thousands of years Long live HuanZhu GeGe for thousands of years Long live MingZhu GeGe for thousands of years ZiWei, look... everyone knows who we are. All of them do not want us to die Yes... I am extremely touched. I suppose stories about us have spread Long live HuanZhu GeGe for thousands of years Long live MingZhu GeGe for thousands of years Long live HuanZhu GeGe for thousands of years Long live MingZhu GeGe for thousands of years The common folk GeGe(s) belong to all of us. They must not be executed! XiaoYanZi, Granny of the tenement is over there Everyone from the tenement are here - Granny Qi . - Granduncle Wei Granny Sun. -They are all here Granny Sun Sister XiaoYanZi Look there... it's BaoYaTou, DaBao and ErMao. Children of the tenement are all here BaoYaTou... XiaoDouZi DaBao... ErMao... BaoYaTou Bring everyone home... BaoYaTou, bring everyone home Don't watch us get executed Everyone go home Listen to sister ZiWei Execution is a gruesome sight Quickly leave Gentlemen and heroes, please be lenient - Don't harm the kids. - Quickly leave now BaoYaTou, quickly leave now. Leave now We plea for the GeGe(s)' lives The GeGe(s) are from among the people. They represent the commoners We implore the Emperor to be sensitive to public opinion and spare the GeGe(s) from death. Spare the GeGe(s) from death Spare the GeGe(s) from death Quickly report this to the Emperor and ask if it is possible to spare their lives Yes sir! Thank you... thank you everyone Let us hold first. There could be a turnaround The execution officer has sent a runner back - The execution contingent has also halted. - There is hope... there is hope. Spare the GeGe(s) from death Long live GeGe(s) for thousands of years Spare the GeGe(s) from death Long live GeGe(s) for thousands of years Spare the GeGe(s) from death Thank you Long live GeGe(s) for thousands of years The Imperial edict has arrived! Emperor's orders: immediately execute the two convicts. Death without pardon! Long live GeGe(s) for thousands of years GeGe 6 months ago Princess.. drink some water HanXiang, you are going to Beijing for the sake of us (Uighurs). The women of Uighur are very courageous. Don't make it difficult for yourself anymore. Your father is proud of you. HanXiang... follow me! Protect the Princess! Don't let them get near the Princess! Ahmusha Khan, capture him alive! Father, release him... let him leave! Father, please don't harm him! Why are you still not leaving? Leave already! Treat me as dead. Leave! Leave now! Capture him alive! Don't pursue any further. Let him go free. Continue the journey. Depart. As the entourage continue their journey towards Beijing XiaoYanZi, ZiWei YongQi and ErKang are elatedly busy at the Beijing Guesthouse It never occurred to them that at the outskirts of Beijing a strange Uighur woman is slowly approaching them. A woman who will bring forth to them many ups and downs. ZiWei, come. How is it? Look. This painting is not too bad, right? We are already sure of it. What is it? Really good What's the matter? Be careful. What is it? Where do I put this? The stool is at the floor above Quick... Quickly Don't step. Quick. Put it there. Be careful Not there. Put it up there Over there. Be careful Brother, pour again. Guys, look I have completed painting the entire ceiling. How is the paint job? - The top left hand corner is missing a spot - Where? - There. XiaoYanZi, be careful of falling down My martial levitation ability has already reached the stage of "Shen Xian Hua Hua". It is not possible for me to fall. What "Shen Xian Hua Hua" are you babbling? It should be 'Chu Shen Ru Hua' ('superb skill') I thought you were mentoring her on idioms? It would be better if she was not taught. The more I mentor her, the worse she becomes. Even I have to accept her unbeliveable ability of messing up idioms. Who cares which "Hua" it is? ("paint") I will paint ('Hua') the murals Today is a fine and sunny day Our guesthouse is very fortunate to have such nobles helping out with the decoration and adornments. It is simply incredible! Sadly, ErTai and SaiYa went to Tibet and won't be present for this grand opening event. I am surprised you even mention this as it could have been you going to Tibet. Could have? It could have been 'him' going to Tibet. You must be referring to 'YongQi', right? Maybe he was also thinking of going to Tibet. I heard SaiYa has a younger sister It's easy now for you to say this without thinking. Be careful someone may "Hua Li Qi Wei Mi Feng". When you head is covered with bruises, don't request our aid. ErTai has gone to Tibet after his marriage Why does the Emperor not allow the four of you to complete your marriages? Exactly. Imperial Father is inconsiderate. He wants to keep them for two more years. His lack of urgency on this matter is making both Princesses anxious. - What do you mean? - YongQi, be careful of me fixing you. What do you mean 'anxious' Princess? We are both not anxious. Alright, you are both not anxious. It's us being impatient. Okay now? Don't step on our feet again I wanted to confer a Title of Prince to LiuQing but LiuQing refused to accept the rank and wants only to run a restaurant. So, my power to bestow titles is still somewhat lacking. I am very grateful just to open a restaurant. This Guesthouse from now will be your home when you are not in the Palace. Several guest rooms will be reserved for you. Perhaps someday the rooms will be of use. We could also bring over XiaoDouZi and BaoYaTou to stay here. Miss, we should have no problems now We would not be executed even if caught gathering for a celebration at this guesthouse. While our heads are probably safe, it is still not good to be out of the Palace so often. Exactly. She is right. Besides, the Queen Dowager is returning. Everyone should be more alert and careful. QingEr will be back as well. Have you set the record straight with her? QingEr's return has nothing to do with me If you say so, then so be it but do take heed of my warning. I'm a gentlemen open to scrutiny. Thus, I have no worries. What are you whispering to each other? It's nothing... really nothing. We were researching this rhyming couplet. It's done. The ceiling is finally completed. I am going to paint the railing now. How about brushing red paint onto it? Today's weather is fine and sunny A beautiful scenery everywhere A beautiful scenery The butterflies are busy... so are the bees The birds are busy Be careful... okay Everyone, come and appraise the rhythmic couplet I wrote. 'A banner flutters in the spring wind' 'A star constantly brilliant in the sky' 'A wine cup that invites the luminous moon' 'Shall eliminate countless mundane worries' Good, it's well written. The couplet has both grandeur and poetry. Eh... what rhythmic couplet is this? "The sky has stars and luminous moon" Who says so? What if the sky becomes cloudy? Moreover, we have a roof here. It's not possible to see the luminous moon. It's simply not realistic! What is the meaning of this 'Wan Dou'? 'Wan Dou'? Why don't you come down? You are making critiques and painting simultaneously on such a high railing, and jumping erratically everywhere. It appears very unsafe. Come down. I will explain to you. Alright, I will come down. Here comes XiaoYanZi... Oh no... GeGe highness Here comes XiaoYanZi... Oh no... GeGe highness - What happened to you? - XiaoYanZi, why on earth did you do that? Now... we have become multi-colored cats It has really become 'You Fu Tong Xiang' 'You Nang Tong Dang' ('for better or worse') "You Qi" (to paint) and "Tong Zang" (dirty) XiaoYanZi You are NOT painting the hall. You... you are clearly painting us! You make things worse when you help GeGe(s), bad news. The Queen Dowager is returning to Palace ahead of schedule. They are almost at the Palace gate now. Attendant Gao requests you two with 5th Prince and Master ErKang proceed to the Hall of Harmony to receive her. Goodness! Everyone quickly return, change and tidy up. We are in an extremely urgent situation XiaoZhuoZi XiaoDengZi XiaoShunZi -Fetch the carriage here now. -Zha Let's go. Hurry. It's no good, there is too much paint. Later we will enter through the rear gate. You two directly proceed to ShuFangZhai. JinSuo, help the GeGe(s) change and tidy up as quickly as possible. There should already be many people kneeling at the front main gate. Later, both of you have to sneak pass after you have finished tidying up. Kneel between the GeGe(s) and Consorts. Blend in and not get noticed. Understand? Anyway, they will be many chances in the future to meet the Dowager. It is too rush now. It does not benefit us if she catches you. Understand? We will kneel ourselves among the Princes. Don't look around for us under any circumstances. Minding just yourselves will be fine. In addition, the Queen Dowager has very high expectations of GeGe(s). She strongly dislikes GeGe(s) who behave frivolously. It is critical both of you take note. If you can't be on time, then don't be present. Send XiaoZhuoZi XiaoDengZi to notify us will do. Is the Queen Dowager that strict? I think it's better if we are absent. That's not an option. Attendant Gao has specified our names None of us can hope to absent. 5th Prince, don't think of funny ideas which would be self defeating. How did we end up in this state? Wasn't the Dowager scheduled to return later? We are now caught flat-footed and in an absolute mess. What should we do now? We would have stayed in Palace had we known. XiaoDengZi XiaoZhuoZi... faster My Queen, now that the Dowager has returned, the situation will go back to square one. You must seize the opportunity and not permit those two GeGe(s) to control and take you for a ride again. I am completely disheartened and have now accepted those two GeGe(s) for who they are. Ever since ZiWei had pleaded for me in front of the Emperor at ShuFangZhai I had resigned to my fate 'To accept fate' is most taboo in the Palace. The Emperor then had wanted to kill you so it was the best choice to expediently mend your relationship with ZiWei. But the situation now is different; while the Emperor may be confused, the Dowager isn't. Anyhow, you should also consider the needs of the 12th Prince. Consort Ling is pregnant again. If she gives birth to a son, she will become more lofty and imposing. The plot by the FuLun family is evidently clear. Consort Ling has outside help from FuLun family and inside help from ZiWei and XiaoYanZi. They are really the scourges of your life! You are exactly right! I can't be so easily beaten by them. I won't accept such a fate even if not for myself, I have to consider the needs of my 12th Prince. Let's go. Afterall I'm the Queen designated by the Dowager. Even if the Emperor does not care about me, there is still the Queen Dowager. My Queen is right. That's the spirit! What can we do? The stains of paint can't be removed. Here... Let's try with rosin oil ... Here It's bad smelling! Rosin oil is very strong smelling The other GeGe(s) are fragrant while our GeGe(s) reek of rosin oil smell. Wouldn't the Queen Dowager will find it odd when she smells the rosin oil? We don't have time to deal with that. It sure beats a face covered with stains of paint. She was living as a Buddhist at Mt Wutai. Wasn't she comfortable and doing fine? - Why does she want to return abruptly? - Don't talk. Keep still. Your face is full of different colours. Let me help you clean up. GeGe(s)... time has run out. The Queen Dowager's sedan chair has arrived at the Palace's main gate. The entire reception entourage is already kneeling in front of the Harmony Hall. Please...your highnesses, let's go now Some stains on the face shouldn't be a problem. That's better than being absent. Let's run. I will pull your hand and run as fast as possible. XiaoYanZi, what about your head-dress? Here, XiaoYanZi. Quickly put it on. Done. Let's go The Queen Dowager has arrived! The Queen Dowager has arrived! The Queen Dowager has arrived! The Queen Dowager has arrived! The Queen Dowager has arrived! We are going to be late... XiaoYanZi... wait up for me XiaoYanZi XiaoYanZi, wait up for me. XiaoYanZi! ZiWei... hurry Slow down a little Respecfully wish divine peace to Queen Dowager Long live Queen Dowager for thousands of years Long live Emperor for tens of thousands of years Why are the winds so strong? Replying to Dowager, this is a good omen: purple cloud has arrived from the east. Imperial Mother Your son was very unfilial for not receiving your return outside the city. Emperor, what do you mean? You are occupied with affairs of the State. I have many people attending to me so there is no need for you to receive me. Besides, there is QingEr by my side too. Imperial Mother has fasted at Mt Wutai for an extended period. It must be very exhausting for you. I was praying for the Emperor's blessings and for the Great Qing Empire's blessings. It didn't tire me at all. QingEr wishes peace and propitiousness to the Emperor. QingEr, your presence besides the Queen Dowager has allowed me to be greatly relieved. I ought to formally thank you for that. QingEr is generously flattered by the Emperor's kind words. To be able to serve the Queen Dowager is QingEr's blessing. Everyone, do rise We thank the Queen Dowager The Queen appears to have lost much weight. Are you in good health? I am grateful to the Queen Dowager's concern. I am fine... really fine. Why wasn't I informed by anyone about Consort Ling's good news? Replying to the Queen Dowager, your servant dare not disturb the Dowager. Good news can't be considered as alarming. XiaoYanZi Hurry... come... hurry Pants ...hurry Queen Dowager, these two girls are the recently conferred Princesses HuanZhu GeGe and MingZhu GeGe. Hurry up greet and pay respects to the Dowager ZiWei salutes the Queen Dowager and wishes propitiousness to the Queen Dowager. Propitiousness to the Queen Dowager. I see... they must be the commoner GeGe(s). Queen Dowager, you may be unaware that during your period of absence from the Palace the most sensational stories involved these two 'infamous common folk' GeGe(s). How did this happen? I had repeatedly warned you. Why were you both so nervous and panicky? You were to blend in and not get noticed but you two had to be so earth-shaking. Now the Queen Dowager is engraved with negative first impressions. What now? We must have screwed up. How can we reverse the Queen Dowager's bad impressions of us? I told you so earlier it was better to be a 'no-show'. It's like a ant nest here with so many people here. The Dowager can't possibly look for a specific person. What's the big deal? You shouldn't act as if the world is coming to an end soon. She is only a old granny. She can't possibly eat us alive. Emperor, explain the matter of the real and imposter GeGe(s). What is exactly happening? During my journey back, I had heard that many streets and corners were circulating vivid stories on this subject. The story's origin is from the Imperial family. We are now made fun by the common people. Isn't this a loss of our imperial dignity? I just saw the two GeGe(s). They were beyond even my wildest expectations. Mother, your lecture is most instructive. Truth of the matter, the current saga is due to a mistake committed by me in the past. Then, I had let down XiaYuHe at JiNan I was unaware that her daughter ZiWei would travel all the way to Beijing and look for me. Then due to a freak confluence of factors, XiaoYanZi was wrongly conferred as GeGe. Chaos quickly followed, but the matter has been resolved now. Is the matter really resolved? Such important matters must not be muddledly handled. Imperial Mother, it is truly and conclusively resolved. There is no mistake. These two girls each have their strengths and merits. I really like the both of them, hence I conferred the title of Princess to XiaoYanZi. But she is commonly addressed in the Palace as HuanZhu GeGe. ZiWei was conferred the title of MingZhu GeGe but others usually address her as ZiWei GeGe. Imperial Mother, consider this as me adding two more grand-daughters for you. I trust that you will like them in the same way that I do. They were discourteous a while ago but I guess It was because they had wanted to meet you and were simply too nervous. I heard you have engaged XiaoYanZi to the 5th Prince? - Yes. You were too hasty. You should have waited for my return before making such a decision. Marriage is an important life event. My worry is that the commoner girl will aggreive the 5th Prince. Mother, you may be unaware XiaoYanZi is from the common folk. Hence, she has the temperament of a simple, unsophisticated, bold and unrestrained person. Such temperaments can't be found in any member of the Imperial family. Moreover, YongQi prefers someone who is natural and is less bothered by trifling rules. They are ideal for one another. Your explanation sounds a little novel. We as Manchus stress the importance of lineage. Imperial lineage was passed from our ancestors and is something we are proud of. Queen Dowager, HuanZhu GeGe is indeed very likeable. Her past background is unknown and it is not clear who her parents are. They could possibly be Manchus. We don't even know who her parents are? Her past is simply too long a story filled with many complications. I will slowly tell the full story after Imperial Mother is rested. I have now become curious Queen, what is your opinion on this matter? Dowager, your servant's opinion matters little. The GeGe(s) have gained deep popular feelings. Your servant dares not have any opinion. The past few days, I have been lectured and slammed whenever I comment on this matter. I have learnt hard lessons many times. The Emperor's views and decisions... are surely justified by his own rationale. Is that so? Their story really interests me now. Enough already... Don't continue to chastise me. I wanted to give a good impression to the Queen Dowager as well but never expected it will turn out so badly You don't have to tell me that the Queen Dowager is very powerful, but I find your assertions that even Imperial Father fears her as unbelievable. Imperial Father is the most powerful man on earth; there is nothing worldly he is afraid of You had better believe my advice. It is certainly not a bluff. That's enough. No more child-like tantrums. Listen to me. Okay? Today's meeting has stirred up the curiosity of the Queen Dowager in both of you. After she's been briefed on your inside story, you two will be immediately summoned. If not today, then tomorrow. Exactly. Both of you must be mentally prepared. XiaoYanZi... especially you When you see the Queen Dowager, don't behave casually as if you are seeing the Emperor. Display all the customs and etiquette that RongMoMo taught you. Remember to salute when you should salute. Don't babble when you are not expected to speak. If not, you will be in hot soup again. Why don't you follow ZiWei's facial hints? You should mimic all of ZiWei's manners. Don't follow me. I am very nervous too. We only just made a fool out of ourselves. I am still very upset with that. If we see the Queen Dowager again, I may become frightened and totally screw up. You can't commit too many mistakes. You must remain calm. Recall your first meeting with the Emperor during which you kept your cool. I think it's better if you just keep quiet. You should let ZiWei help you answer all the questions. How can that be possible? If I were to mimic ZiWei, then I am effectively the same person as ZiWei. Even Imperial Father said I don't need to learn the rules. But Queen Dowager now comes and I have to abide by the rules taught by RongMoMo. I might as well leave the Palace early for LiuQing's Beijing Guesthouse and help him carry dishes and plates. You are spouting nonsense again. You can't leave the Palace in your whole life. XiaoYanZi, you should listen to the advice of others and learn how to behave. If not, Miss will suffer together with you. Your head-dress is not worn properly. Let me help you. Exactly right. XiaoYanZi, were you even listening? Do you appreciate the importance? I understand now. JinSuo, bring my "easy kneel" here now. Bring two extra pairs. I and ZiWei will "pre-equip" ourselves. MingYue CaiXia, hurry bring them over. Bring more. No matter what, I think we surely wil not be able to avoid the old practices of kowtowing and kneeling. JinSuo, bring my "easy kneel" here now. Bring two extra pairs. I and ZiWei will "pre-equip" ourselves. MingYue CaiXia, hurry bring them over. Bring more. No matter what, I think we surely wil not be able to avoid the old practices of kowtowing and kneeling. Here... GeGe(s). Let us secure the pads for you. Bring them here. I don't need this. XiaoYanZi, don't waste time with your "easy kneel". You should listen to 5th Prince and ErKang. Their advice is more critical. I know. When I see the Queen Dowager I will not utter a single word like a mute. That's also not acceptable. You can't remain silent when the Queen Dowager expects a reply from you. Correct. You must adapt to the circumstances. The Queen Dowager likes ladies who are dignified, well behaved and abide by customs. It's no big deal if you speak a bit slowly. Don't speak without even thinking first. Before you speak, in your mind, think it through first. Speak only after you have mulled it over. At the start of each sentence, you should add the phrase "Replying to Queen Dowager". No one faults excessive courteousy. Understand? Strange. She is clearly only an old granny. Why is she addressed as "Lao Fo Ye"? What is her relation to "Fo"? ("Buddha") I thought "Ye" only refers to males ("Master"). Can you don't debate this further? Focus. You don't want to listen, but I do. Alright then, I will listen. This time the pads are safely secured and would not fall off. Get up... hurry get up I am fine. Okay, I am done Don't deliberately kneel over and over again. Understand? I am not kneeling unnecessarily as what I detest most is kneeling. A human's knees are for movement and travel. They are not created for kneeling. I don't understand why it's so popular in the Palace to kowtow and kneel. Okay, let's not talk about this. If the situation can't be handled, I will simply kneel. I wonder if there's a "kneeling stratagem" in the collection of "72 stratagems". It's THE '36 stratagems', 'Egress' is best I didn't realise it is '36 stratagems'! Hmm, I had added a few more stratagems but there is nothing wrong. If the "72 stratagems" fail, I will resort to the "36 stratagems". I forbid you to use ANY stratagems! Take a good look. It would be better to remove the "easy kneel" pads. Your movement is now restricted with these bulky "easy kneel" pads. You people are very naggy. What's the big deal about the Queen Dowager? Even the powerful Queen is powerless to restrain me. You don't have to worry about me. I am "this person" and "that sky" who always will have a "close brush with death". Now, I won't die too. This is a problem too. Use less "this is" and "that is" when you converse. Use idioms aptly whenever possible. If you don't know, then don't use. Learn to 'hide inadequacies'. Understand? 'Hide myself'? (Erkang's 'hide inadequacies') I am a big adult. How do I hide myself? Where can I hide myself? Previously, I hid myself under the table but was ultimately caught by the Queen. Oh 'heavens' ('Tian'), you are... Don't shout for the "sky". ("Tian") The sky hasn't fallen, but it will fall soon if you keep shouting. Queen Dowager's Imperial Edict has arrived Queen Dowager summons both GeGe(s) to proceed immediately to her chambers for questioning. What? Now?!