Episode 10
Scene 1: Beijing, Imperial Palace: Hall of Mental Cultivation
The emperor is leaving the Hall as Chang Gui’e and a group of court ladies are approaching. The emperor asks Wu Qijue, who is also present, if he still knows Chang Gui’e. After telling them that he thinks they are destined for each other, the emperor decides that they should marry. Both are shocked and have to be urged by the attendants to thank the emperor.
Scene 2: Beijing, eat gate of the Imperial Palace
It is night and Aman is waiting for Wu Qijue in front of the east gate. When the gate opens, Li Fuquan appears instead of Wu Qijue. He informs her that Wu Qijue got married and that waiting for him would be useless. At first Aman can’t believe what he says but after a short conversation about Wu Qijue and his new wife, Aman has to believe it. She decides to go to his house and Li Fuquan returns to the palace.
Wu Qijue and Chang Gui´e are at their new home. Even though it’s their wedding night, Wu Qijue is sitting on a chair averting his gaze from his bride, who is sitting on the bed. At the same time, Aman arrives at their house and is sad to see the characters “double happiness”, a sign for newly married couples, pasted on the sides of the doors. Wu Qijue leaves their wedding chamber shortly after and Chang Gui’e remains alone. He meets Aman at the front door and they talk about the wedding and Aman not having a present. Wu Qijue is satisfied that he owns a place in her heart. Chang Gui’e hears them talking in the garden and comes out. As Wu Qijue is searching for words, Aman takes the opportunity to congratulate Chang Gui’e and leaves thereafter. Chang Gui’e and Wu Qijue have a short discussion which ends by Chang Gui’e asking Wu Qijue to follow Aman in order to bring her home. He tries to find her, but has no success. Aman is standing on a bridge and starts to cry. After having arrived back home Chang Gui’e wants her husband to come to bed. But Wu Qijue, who is not inclined to do so, gets angry and reveals his feelings towards Aman in the following quarrel with his wife. Saddened, Chang Gui’e decides to go back to the palace and leaves Wu at their home.
In the courtyard, Shi Lang’s children are practising martial arts. Aman comes back and, escorted by her brothers, immediately goes to see her worried parents. She tries to downplay the gravity of her not having come home at night and thereby upsets Shi Lang. During their dispute, Aman, in order to conceal her meeting with Wu Qijue, tells her father that she had stayed in the palace throughout the night. Shi Lang starts to get worried about the emperor possibly having fallen in love with her but Aman can put him at ease. Wanting to rest, Aman leaves Shi Lang and his wife on their own. Shi Lang’s wife is worried about Aman not having a husband. Both regard Wu Qijue as a good man and decide that Shi Lang should ask someone to help making the match.
Chang Gui´e begs the emperor to let her return to the palace. The emperor wants to know why, and instead of blaming Wu Qijue, Chang simply points out that they are not a good match. But the emperor is persistent and finally finds out that Wu Qijue doesn’t respect her. He gets upset and informs her that he will solve the problem. Wu Qijue watches Chang Gui’e leaving the emperor. A servant calls Wu Qijue to come see the emperor. The emperor wants to know what the problem with him is but Wu Qijue doesn’t answer his questions. Finally the emperor dismisses him.
The officials arrive at the east gate in the morning. Li Guangdi and Shi Lang greet each other. Shi Lang expresses his fear of the emperor caring deeply for Aman and wants Li Guangdi as a matchmaker for Wu Qijue and Aman. Unfortunately Li Guangdi has to tell Shi Lang of Wu Qijue’s marriage to Chang Gui’e. Shi Lang feels pity for Aman. In the end the officials are being called into the palace.
Wu Qijue arrives at home and encounters a waiting Shi Shilun. After having entered the house Shi Shilun starts taunting his marriage and makes fun of him. In the end, the conversation between the two men simply concerns Aman. Shi Shilun is very angry because Wu Qijue is the one causing his sister’s unhappiness. He sees only two possible solutions for her: either forgetting Wu Qijue or fleeing with him and leaving the country. Wu Qijue is left startled and distraught.
The emperor arrives together with Chang Gui’e at Wu Qijue’s residence at night. They enter the house and the startled Wu Qijue, who is not wearing a shirt, rises and kneels in front of the emperor apologizing for his state. The emperor asks Chang Gui’e how this “ritual” fault should be punished, but she defends her husband by explaining that he didn’t know about the emperor’s arrival. She gets some clothes and helps Wu Qijue get dressed. The emperor orders Wu Qijue to thank her. Wu Qijue follows his order saying: “Thank you, Chang Gui’e.” The emperor, displeased with Wu Qijue, points out that Chang Gui’e is his wife. Finally Wu Qijue thanks his wife saying: “Thank you, my wife.” The emperor clearifies that he doesn’t want to come again to discipline him. After having ordered all the other attending people to leave Wu Qijue and him alone, the emperor asks Wu Qijue whether he is disappointed by his marriage. As Wu Qijue doesn’t dare to answer the question the emperor tells him that he has to accept it because “what’s done can’t be undone”. After that he leaves Wu Qijue and Chang Gui’e alone.
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