Episode 19
Scene 1: Outskirts of Beijing, “Holy Water” convent
Wu Qijue visits his wife Chang Gui’e at the “Holy Water” Buddhist convent. He fears that she might still be angry with him, but during their conversation she shows that she is already living fully according to Buddhist teachings, and thus holds no grudge against him anymore. Apart from apologizing for his past behaviour, Wu Qijue’s visit also has another reason. The emperor lately asked for Chang Gui’e, yet Wu couldn’t muster up the courage to tell him that his wife had left him and become a nun. Chang Gui’e, however, is unwilling to pretend that everything is fine between her and Wu, just to help Wu not to lose face.
Scene 2: Beijing, Imperial Palace: Outside the emperor’s chamber
Chang Gui’e, in her nun’s attire, arrives at the palace and asks for an audience with the emperor.
Li Fuquan and Wu Qijue talk about Chang Gui’e. Li Fuquan tells Wu Qijue that he can’t just let Chang Gui’e walk into the palace without informing the emperor. Moreover, the other servants will surely notice that Chang Gui’e has become a Buddhist nun. Li Fuquan advises Wu Qijue to talk to the emperor and tell him the truth. Wu Qijue has to acknowledge that he can no longer hide his misfortune. But it’s already too late for him to inform the emperor about his situation since Chang Gui’e has already arrived at the palace and is being taken to the emperor’s private chambers.
Emperor Kangxi is startled to see Chang Gui’e as a Buddhist nun and wants to call for Wu Qijue. However, Chang Gui’e explains that it’s not Wu Qijue’s fault that she left home, but that it was her own decision to do so. She talks about what it means to follow the teachings of Buddhism and that it’s not the way of a nun to flee the places that cause her distress. Chang Gui’e illustrates the way of a Buddhist and even tells Kangxi that he too can follow this path in his own way. During the conversation Chang Gui’e is allowed to speak openly and freely. Therefore, she also remarks that the marriage between Wu Qijue and herself was exclusively His Majesty’s wish. She tells him how moved she was by the feelings between Wu Qijue and Aman and that this is the reason why she has left home. She even implores Kangxi to give his blessings to their marriage.
Wu Qijue feels uneasy and watches Chang Gui’e leaving the palace. When he asks Li Fuquan about the emperor’s mood, Li Fuquan answers that his majesty didn’t necessarily look very unhappy, but also wasn’t really glad about what he heard. Shortly thereafter, a servant arrives and conveys the order of the emperor that Wu Qijue has three days off. Wu wonders whether Kangxi wants him to quit his service.
A servant informs Shi Lang that a guest has arrived who wants to talk to Shi Lang and also brought a gift with him. Even though the guest didn’t want to tell his name Shi Lang still wants to see him. The stranger introduces himself as the secretary of Yao Qisheng and is asked by Shi Lang to be his guest. Talking about Yao Qisheng, Shi Lang underlines that the friendship between him and Yao Qisheng is based on several letters they exchanged and a proximity of thought. Shi Lang has never met Yao Qisheng in person and therefore asks his guest what kind of person Yao Qisheng really is. The guest says that he is an ordinary man who merely wants to do something for his country. This is when Shi Lang finally realizes that he is actually standing in front of Yao Qisheng. He welcomes him like an old friend and invites him for dinner.
Haikui is wondering why Shi Shizong’s door was locked and therefore assumes that Yao Yun must be hiding somewhere in his room. When she searches underneath the bed she finds a map, that Shi Shizong just happened to hide there. Haikui becomes aware that Shi Shizong is a spy. She confronts him and tells him that she never wants to see him again. Furthermore, she also says that she is about to tell the Zheng court about this. The whole conversation is secretly overheard by Jin Hanchen who is spying out Shi Shizong and Yao Yun on behalf of Feng Xifan.
Shi Lang and Yao Qisheng are having a drink together. Shi Lang asks Yao Qisheng about the reason for his visit. He assumes that it surely has something to do with a golden opportunity concerning the pacification of Taiwan. Yao Qisheng proves that Shi Lang is right by handing over a letter, which says that Zheng Kezang has died and that Taiwan is now vulnerable. Shi Lang recognizes the handwriting of the document and notices that Yao Qisheng is putting his own daughter Yao Yun in danger by using her as a spy. But Yao replies that Shi Lang is also endangering his son Shi Shizong in Taiwan. Shi Lang says that he thinks that his son will be the scapegoat in any case but Yao Qisheng assures him that he will guarantee for Shi Lang’s son even in front of the emperor. Shi Lang and Yao Qisheng realize that this is their chance to convince the emperor of their tactic of war as a means to enforce further negotiations.
Shi Shizong informs Yao Yun that Haikui has taken the coastal defence map he had drawn. Yao Yun, however, believes that he shouldn’t be too worried as Haikui loves him and wouldn’t dare to notify the royal court about this.
Jin Hanchen arrives. Feng Xifan praises him for his testimony that lead to Zheng Kezang being blamed for the attempted assassination on Tang Fei. When Jin Hanchen comments that actually Haikui had been the one who told him to push Tang Fei into the sea and that she should not go unpunished, Feng Xifan orders Jin Hanchen to stick to the official story. He tells him that Tang Fei is Haikui’s mother and that the royal court’s reputation mustn’t be destroyed by the true story of events. After that, Jin Hanchen tells Feng Xifan that he discovered that Shi Shizong is a spy. He tells him about the map, which is now with Haikui, and that Yao Yun is without a doubt an accomplice of Shi Shizong. Feng Xifan wants Jin Hanchen to stay close to Haikui. Feng promises that if Jin Hanchen succeeds in obtaining the map and producing evidence against Shi Shizong he will be royally rewarded.
Kangxi welcomes Li Guangdi and Yao Qisheng. Wu Qijue is also present. Kangxi meets Yao Qisheng for the first time and is impressed by his honesty and wisdom. Answering Kangxi’s question why he travelled to Beijing to report in person instead of sending a memorial, Yao Qisheng says that the usual way of official communication was a waste of time and the urgency and importance of the matter necessitated a personal discussion with the emperor. Yao Qisheng tells Kangxi that Zheng Kezang has died and that now would be a golden opportunity to attack Taiwan. Kangxi responds that Wan Zhengse advised him not to attack Taiwan, because it would be too difficult. Yao Qisheng responds that Wan Zhengse, Lahada and Laita are altogether a bunch of cowards. Kangxi agrees. In his response to Wan Zhengse’s memorial he expresses that it would be like selling one’s country if he would give up Taiwan.
The new Prince of Yanping, Zheng Keshuang, reads out the instructions made by Feng Xifan. Feng Xifan’s relatives are appointed to important posts and Zhu Lin is arrested for treason, because he negotiated with the Qing government upon order of Zheng Kezang.
After having read a secret report written by the Taiwan official Fu Weilin about the current critical situation in Taiwan, which also informs him that now would be the best opportunity to attack, Kangxi himself writes an edict to the highest civil and military officials of Fujian province to prepare for a military campaign against the Penghu Islands and Taiwan. Furthermore, he calls the important ministers to a meeting and orders Wu Qijue to transmit his edict directly to the provincial authorities and get a copy of Fu Weilin’s secret report to Shi Lang.
Wu Qijue delivers the secret report to Shi Lang. Shi Lang realizes that the power of the Zheng clan is declining and that Feng Xifan is taking over all the power. At this point, Taiwan could establish a state on its own. Shi Lang believes that this will force the emperor to make a prompt decision. Understanding that the emperor already trusts him, he wows to be ready to be investigated and interrogated by the doubting ministers.
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