Episode 11

Scene 1: Beijing, Shi Lang’s residence

Aman and Shi Shilun are arguing. She is angry because he went to talk to Wu Qijue without asking for her permission. He calms her down by saying that it turned out good to have talked to him as he found out that Wu Qijue is still interested in Aman and doesn’t love Chang Gui’e. Even though it is an arranged marriage, Aman doesn’t want to do anything against it, fearing problems for Wu Qijue and her father. In the end she decides that only Wu Qijue himself can solve the problem. Shi Shilun wants her to ensure Wu Qijue about her love, but she refuses.

Scene 2: Beijing, Imperial Palace: Kangxi’s study

The emperor and Shi Lang are talking about Kangxi’s plans to hold a special civil service examination for “Outstanding Scholars of Vast Learning” [“boxue hongru”, 1679]. The emperor continues that Shi Lang has two extraordinary sons and that he wishes to test them. Shi Lang states that his son Shi Shilun would very much like to take part in the examination, but that his other son Shi Shizong cannot take part. As the emperor asks for the reason why Shi Shizong can’t take part, Shi Lang is forced to tell him that Shi Shizong is held captive by the Zheng clan. Shi Lang doesn’t know the details of his son’s capture, but is convinced that Shi Shizong has not surrendered himself. The emperor isn’t sure whether to believe this, but he is very proud of Shi Lang being such a loyal servant.

An officer of the Zheng regime accompanies Shi Shizong to Haikui and Yao Yun. After a short conversation Haikui first orders the officer to leave and then does so herself, giving Yao Yun and Shi Shizong the opportunity to speak in private. Yao Yun wants him to surrender. Shocked to hear this, Yao Yun explains him her plan. She wants him to pretend his surrender in order to spy on the plans of the separatists thus enabling a peaceful unification of mainland China and Taiwan. He tells her that he must first reflect on her proposition, as it entails a dangerous task and a heavy burden.

Hong Xu meets Laita. Laita doesn’t want to talk to him, because of the reproval he had to endure by the emperor last time he gave him information provided by Hong Xu. But this time Hong Xu brings much better news. He informs Laita that Feng Xifan is a great admirer of Laita and is convinced that Laita embodies the future of Taiwan. Hong Xu has been ordered by Feng Xifan to offer Laita an annual payment in exchange for his services for the independence of Taiwan. After a short discussion they agree on 200.000 tael silver per year. In the end, Hong Xu gives Laita a “present” which he could use as a weapon. It’s a forged letter of surrender by Shi Shizong.

In this short scene Haikui orders Shi Shizong’s guard officer to ease the conditions of his imprisonment.

Laita has a very important matter to discuss with the emperor and therefore orders Li Fuquan to report him when the emperor is in a good mood. Li Fuquan agrees to do so.

Haikui and Shi Shizong are walking along the beach. She tosses some stones and asks him to guess the range but he is absent-minded. She gets angry because she has eased his imprisonment and he isn’t even taking any notice of her now. Haikui pushes Shi Shizong into the sea in order to tease him, but instead of being angry and resist, Shi is just walking into the open sea. Frightened by the idea that he could think of suicide, she pulls him back. By the way she’s looking at him it can be observed that she has fallen in love with him.

Laita has his audience with the emperor. He hands over Shi Shizong’s letter and advises the emperor not to give Shi Lang an important post, pointing out that it can’t be predicted what will happen if father and son meet each other in a battle on opposing sides. The emperor seems to be considering over Laita’s words.

Shi Lang is in a loud discussion with Li Guangdi. He is disappointed that the emperor does not implement his plans to conquer Taiwan. Li Guangdi tells him that the problem lies within Shi Shizong’s situation. The emperor doesn’t trust Shi Lang at the moment because of his son’s letter of surrender. Shi Lang is very depressed and both does not know what to do next.

Shi Shizong is watching the sea as Yao Yun arrives. She wants to know whether he has already made a decision, but he is still unsure of what to do. On the one hand he fears to lose his reputation and on the other hand he fears that Taiwan will remain independent. Yao Yun thinks that he doesn’t need to fear the last because: “The rebels can’t always resist and keep Taiwan, somewhere along the way Taiwan will be a part of the Fujian province.” Shi Shizong wants her to ask her father, Yao Qisheng, to write two letters, testifying that his surrender is simply a pretense. After a short discussion on the necessity of these letters Yao Yun agrees to ask her father to do as he wishes, and Shi Shizong agrees to pretend his surrender. Yao Yun is to inform Haikui and the regent the next morning.

Shi Shilun arrives at Wu Qijue´s home to give him Aman’s letter. As only Chang Gui´e is present, he is about to leave again when he meets Wu Qijue at the front door. They return to the house. Chang Gui’e wants to welcome both into her house, but instead Wu Qijue leads Shi Shilun into his study. Chang Gui’e becomes suspicious. After having given Wu Qijue the letter, Shi Shilun leaves quickly. Chang Gui’e watches Wu Qijue reading the letter. As lunch is ready she walks over to his room to ask him to come. Seeing her, he closes the door to his room and hides the letter.
During lunch Chang Gui’e tries to find out why her husband is in such a good mood, but he keeps evading the subject. She gets angry and leaves the room. At night Chang Gui’e sneeks into Wu Qijue’s study and reads Aman’s letter. The next morning Wu Qijue discovers that his wife has left and finds a letter for him. In it Chang Gui’e explains that she will never come back and that he needn’t fear her reporting the matter again to the emperor. She knows now that he loves another woman and only hopes that he will remember her as his wife. In the end she wishes him all the best with his love.

Wu Qijue meets Aman and tells her that Chang Gui’e has left. He apologizes for having let things get this far and not having been brave enough to explain the situation to the emperor. Aman reads Chang Gui’e’s letter and has pity on her. Also having pity on her, Wu Qijue decides to look for Chang Gui’e and apologize to her. Aman thinks that’s not good enough and advises him to take her back home.

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