Following the death of Emperor NING CHUNG of the Southern Sung Dynasty, his son KWAI-SHING succeeded him as Emperor LEI CHUNG with assistance from two King Makers – YU CHING and TUNG CHIU, after a chain of political strife. Flashback: During the period of Ka Ding, being framed by wicked persons, Grand Tutor - YU POK-MAN is banished to the borderland. His son YU CHING feels helpless, but determines to move up the political ladder so as to seek justice for his oppressed father, regardless of his father's exhortation of not joining officialdom. He later is recruited by Chancellor YEUNG CHI-SHAN as his private strategic advisor. Owing to the antagonism between CHI-SHAN and TUNG CHIU, YU CHING breaks off his engagement with TUNG CHIU's daughter - TUNG YUK-KIU.… ...

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KWAI-SHING and TUNG CHIU try to inform NING CHUNG about the Foundry explosion, but they are staved off by Consort WAI. Attempting to usurp the throne of the crown prince, CHI-SHAN threatens YU CHING with his family members' lives to falsely claim KWAI-SHING and TUNG CHIU are liable for arson. Criticizing CHI-SHAN and KWAI-WO's iniquity due to their craving for greatness and success, TUNG CHIU is condemned by NING CHUNG instead. On the heel of exposing CHI-SHAN's plot, he not only appeals to NING CHUNG for clemency for YU-CHING, but also recommends him as KWAI-SHING's Reader-in-Waiting. Further he explains to YU-CHING the cause of his father's conviction upon arrival to YU-CHING's previous residence. After YUK-KIU brings back YU-TSING and YU-JING, YU-CHING requests her to return a jade pendant keepsake of their engagement fearing that CHI-SHAN will seek revenge against him.… ...

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Even though scolding YU CHING for boasting recklessly at Jin's state banquet, TUNG CHIU begs forgiveness from Prince NGAN-LUNG and offers an explanation to KWAI-SHING for him. KWAI-SHING signs the treaty with Jin, during which NGAN-LUNG regales him on Kam-lan wine. Sensing there is something wrong with the alcohol, YU CHING tries to protect KWAI-SHING, ends up having his hands injured by the spillage. Unexpectedly, NGAN-LUNG dies right at the scene. Confronted with the allegation of conspiracy to murder the Prince of Jin with the Mongols, KWAI-SHING is kept under custody of NGAN-FU. Instead of rescuing KWAI-SHING, CHI-SHAN detains TUNG and YU back persuading NING CHUNG to convict them. For the sake of retaining TUNG CHIU's position in the court, YU CHING, like his father, takes all the blame.… ...

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Before YU CHING sets out for Yazhou, TUNG CHIU sees him off. Later, his daughter YUK-KIU marries to CHI-SHAN as his concubine. However, CHI-SHAN suspects that she still cannot let go of YU CHING, who is beaten up severely owing to his refusal to commit bribery upon his arrival in Yazhou. Under custody in Wuguocheng Prison, suffering endless humiliation and torture, KWAI-SHING survives by sheer dogged persistence recalling TUNG CHIU's teachings. Unfortunately, his situation worries the Empress and Consort TAK so much that the latter even suffers a miscarriage. CHI-SHAN proposes creating KWAI-WO as crown prince, which is refuted by the court officials. Believing that TUNG CHIU is their key to success, Consort WAI requests TUNG CHIU to forge KWAI-SHING's handwriting to write a letter to NING CHUNG suggesting KWAI-WO be the crown prince.… ...

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Apart from the forgiveness of the alleged crime of the forgery, NING CHUNG also grants TUNG CHIU as Hin Mo Court Scholar. Being despised by KWAI-WO regardless of Consort WAI's vehement recommendation, TUNG CHIU then pays a visit to the Empress secretly revealing Consort WAI's conspiracy. Following others to pan for gold near the river, YU CHING learns from YEUNG CHUN that the commandant colludes with the outsiders, depriving the prisoners' labour in gold digging. He later bumps into his old servant HAU, who lost contact with YU TSING and YU JING in Pak Sing Village. Worrying about his siblings, YU CHING plans to run away with YEUNG CHUN. Having discovered that gold sand is missing, the commandant and FAN CHIU-LUN, the second-in-command of Waterway Gang, comes to check up, during which YU CHING successfully proves YEUNG CHUN's innocence regarding the alleged accusation.… ...

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In order to show his gratitude to YU CHING for saving his life, YEUNG CHUN lends a helping hand to search for YU CHING's younger siblings upon their return to Linan City. Overhearing that TUNG CHIU has joined forces with CHI-SHAN and the Crown prince when dining at the Riverview Inn, all sorts of feelings well up in YU CHING's mind. He then bears resentment against HUNG-YING, a daughter of the Waterway Gang Chief – FAN CHIU-LUN, resulting in a note of discord creeping into their relationship. Observing a familiar figure resembling YUK-KIU, YU CHING tracks her to Pure Land Monastery. Ahead of his departure to bring back KWAI-SHING under NING CHUNG's decree, TUNG CHIU has stirred up controversy over the issue of present and former Crown princes with CHI-SHAN at the court. At the Jin Depot he finds out that KWAI-SHING has lost his mind. Later KWAI-SHING falls overboard after being chased by assassins on their way back.… ...

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CHUNG-PONG attempts to kill YEE-SHEK in order to get rid of the witness, but is stopped by SAM-LEUNG in the nick of time. Believing that the Waterway Gang owes YU CHING something, SAM-LEUNG promises to find out the whereabouts of his younger siblings. Confronting HUNG-YING's accusation of property damage in the store, YU CHING offers to work at the Riverview Inn as compensation. On their way back to the court after fetching a jade ruyi for Consort WAI, young eunuch SHEUNG HEI and MAN CHEONG run into a beggar, who breaks the jade ruyi while madly grabbing buns. Suspecting the beggar is in fact KWAI-SHING, Consort WAI goes to CHI-SHAN discussing a counter-plan, followed by which MING-HIN is sent out to look for KWAI-SHING. MING-HIN seeks each gang's assistance in search of KWAI-SHING, but to no avail owing to his concealment of KWAI-SHING's true identity.… ...

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HUNG-YING locks up KWAI-SHING in the wine cellar of the Riverview Inn thinking he is the Crown prince of Jin. While meeting up with TUNG CHIU, YU CHING brings him to the cemetery of YU POK-MAN accusing him of wrongdoing the whole time. Confronting YEUNG CHUN's theft of SAM-LEUNG's hair ornaments, YU CHING devotedly attests to the innocence of his friend, which is highly appreciated by SAM-LEUNG. During the night, YU CHING gets suspicious when he sees HUNG-YING and WAI-LAN sneaking out of the wine cellar. Having repeatedly carried out searches at the Riverview Inn but in vain, MING-HIN has subordinates guard the place day and night. Though having learnt about the real identity of KWAI-SHING from YU CHING, SAM-LEUNG promises him to keep the secret. TUNG CHIU reveals KWAI-SHING's whereabouts to the Empress pointing out that they should find him ahead of CHI-SHAN so as to ensure KWAI-SHING's safety.… ...

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As CHEUNG HUNG and SAM-LEUNG are going to fiercely fight with each other, CHIU-LUN shows up. Revealing CHIU-LUN's shrewdness to YEUNG CHUN, YU CHING plans to bring along KWAI-SHING leaving the Riverview Inn as soon as possible. He also figures out that CHIU-LUN is under TUNG CHIU's request to look for KWAI-SHING after having made inquires about his strategies in helping them out. Meeting up with MAN-HEI at night, CHIU-LUN tells him that things have happened exactly as he expected. Showing signs of complacency, MAN-HEI points out that KWAI-SHING and KWAI-WO will definitely fight with each other to the bitter end once the former gets back to the court. Escorting KWAI-SHING away in multiple routes, SAM-LEUNG and other Waterway Gang members are tagged by MING-HIN one by one.… ...

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At the court, TUNG CHIU pays attributes to CHI-SHAN and his son for finding KWAI-SHING, which is despised by YU CHING, who later turns down the Empress' invitation of staying in the officialdom. Being found out by WAI-LAN that she misses YU CHING, HUNG-YING reveals that she has this strange feeling of closeness with YU CHING. In order to sow dissension between CHI-SHAN and YUK-KIU, CHI-SHAN's concubines - Madam MEI and Madam KWAN continue to spread rumors that YUK-KIU has assisted YU CHING in rescuing KWAI-SHING. Flamed still with anger, CHI-SHAN physically and verbally abuses YUK-KIU in front of their family members. Confronting CHUNG-PONG in the Waterway Gang Warehouse, SAM-LEUNG shows him some herbs demanding an explanation of the swap of high-end herbs for cheap ones. Refuting the accusation, CHUNG-PONG points out that it is SAM-LEUNG herself who is in control of inspection after having received the goods.… ...

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When YU CHING finds out that YUK-KIU's hands are covered with cuts and bruises, she spells out her intention of following him from then on. In order to encourage YU CHING, SAM-LEUNG invites him over for Pu-erh tea, revealing her own past love story with the son of the Waterway Gang Chief. Having found YUK-KIU hiding in YU CHING's room, HUNG-YING accuses her of lacking virtue by her seduction of YU CHING. Boiled with anger, YU CHING slaps her right away. He later follows HUNG-YING when she goes to the riverside to chill out. Out of the blue, CHUNG-PONG, who is covered with blood, tumbles over and hits her. Accusing HUNG-YING and YU CHING in the murder of CHUNG-PONG, CHEUNG HUNG incites the members of the Waterway Gang to seek justice from CHIU-LUN, who agrees to investigate it thoroughly.… ...

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YUK-KIU returns to TUNG's Residence apologizing to her father, who blames YU CHING for giving her the cold-shoulder. Throwing herself on the ground begging YU CHING to help KWAI-SHING overcome his mental disorder, the Empress also reveals to him that TUNG CHIU has been assisting her in secret for the past ten years. Having realized that TUNG CHIU was telling the truth the whole time, YU CHING agrees to serve KWAI-SHING again as his Reader-in-Waiting. Moreover, he proposes to NING CHUNG to resume the Crown prince throne of KWAI-SHING. Under Consort WAI's decree, CHING KO sends a young eunuch - SHEUNG HEI as someone reliable to keep KWAI-SHING under round-the-clock surveillance. Thinking that the Shadow Puppetry might distract KWAI-SHING from getting into a panic, YU CHING has SHEUNG HEI make the presentation.… ...

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Despite his gradual improvement from his illness, KWAI-SHING is out of control again when Consort YEE brings along KWAI-YIN to pay a visit. This is overheard by MAN CHEONG, who then reports it to Consort WAI seeking rewards. In order to disclose KWAI-SHING's insaneness to everyone, Consort WAI suggests the three princes manifest their talents in front of the court officials during the ancestor memorial ceremony, which is accepted by NING CHUNG. TUNG CHIU teaches Consort WAI how to frame the Empress by falsely testifying that she put on a curse, leading to a gradual recovery of KWAI-SHING's mental disorder instead. CHI-SHAN scolds and beats up YUNG-YUNG in front of TUNG CHIU, who later upon leaving brings her home after seeing her curled up at the corner of the street. It turns out that she is arranged by CHI-SHAN to spy on him.… ...

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CHING KO takes bribes from Consort WAI leaking NING CHUNG's obsession with the elixir of life to her. At the ancestor memorial ceremony, NING CHUNG tests the three princes' academic achievements by raising the question about the "Philosophy of Immortality". Being the first one to answer the question, KWAI-YIN manages to amuse NING CHUNG. In response to the question, KWAI-WO connects the immortal life to the state administration. Feeling so impressed, NING CHUNG thinks that KWAI-WO cares for the fate of his nation. When it is KWAI-SHING's turn, he gives "No Comment" as his reply. After YU CHING's further interpretation, NING CHUNG is aware that KWAI-SHING has become more visionary after ten years of suffering. Seizing this opportunity, TUNG CHIU has successfully persuaded NING CHUNG to confer the title of Lord of YEE on KWAI-SHING so that he can be away from the battle for the throne of the Crown prince.… ...

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The Empress reports an inundation of floodwater across Luzhou when NING CHUNG is drinking with Consort WAI, who proposes KWAI-SHING to be in charge of transporting grain to flood victims. However, having heard of that, KWAI-SHING asks YU CHING to make an excuse declining the task. Having been caught in a downpour, YU CHING seeks assistance from the Waterway Gang in the grain transportation, so SAM-LEUNG let him reserve the grain in the Waterway Gang Warehouse. He later finds out that some grain bags are in fact filled with silt and clay. Not wanting to repair the Mausoleum of the late Emperor, KWAI-WO drives away Consort MAN who tries to console him. He even incites MING-HIN to interfere in the grain transportation, framing KWAI-SHING so that he will greatly disappoint NING CHUNG as well as the public.… ...

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SAM-LEUNG is injured by MING-HIN in the warehouse , but is rescued by YU CHING in the nick of time. Blaming TUNG CHIU, YU CHING opposes his unscrupulous act of disregarding human life. Having listed eight core reasons to YU CHING, TUNG CHIU predicts that KWAI-WO will lodge a complaint with NING CHUNG against KWAI-SHING for the theft of the grain, which turns out to be accurate. However YU CHING manages to convince MING-HIN to reveal the truth. Being condemned by Consort WAI, TUNG CHIU admits his failure to discipline his son, deciding to renounce him instead. On the other hand, YU CHING confides his actual feelings to SAM-LEUNG while she is in coma. Meeting up with YU CHING, TUNG CHIU suggests advancing on a crest of victory, but is turned down by YU CHING, who intends to take a break because he has recently recovered from a serious illness.… ...

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In order to ascertain TUNG CHIU's real intention, Consort WAI asks him to kill YU CHING. By the time the assassin is about to make the move, YU CHING picks a quarrel with CHI-SHAN's concubines, successfully avoiding the disaster. He then pays a visit to SAM-LEUNG bringing along the umbrella she gave him. Until then she is aware that YU CHING knew the consequence ahead of the incident. Feeling disappointed, she leaves in tears. It is reported that water has returned again to the once dried-up well in the Tsz Yan Monastery, and a divine stone with a pattern has also been dug out. According to the Grand Priest, the divine stone signifies KWAI-SHING as the next reigning monarch, so NING CHUNG decides to take a look at it in person. Facing YU CHING's question over the stone, TUNG CHIU denies plotting the whole scenario.… ...

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YU CHING, while alleging the deception by CHEUNG FAT and his brothers, exposes that the person behind the scene is in fact HO BIU, who according to SAM-LEUNG will only follow CHIU-LUN's instruction. Later on SAM-LEUNG inquires about CHIU-LUN through CHEUNG HUNG, who suspects that he has something to do with the deaths of the former Waterway Gang Chief and his son. While meeting up with TUNG CHIU, CHIU-LUN conspires with him against NING CHUNG on his inspection tour to the Hexagon Tower. He then gathers the descendants of the court officials who were killed years ago, in front of PANG's cemetery, but is interrupted by YU CHING and SAM-LEUNG, who are then taken into custody. Upon the explosion of the Hexagon Tower, NING CHUNG, the Empress and KWAI-SHING are getting so flustered that they run away. By the time they reach the woods, they have been ambushed from all sides by a group of men in black.… ...

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NING CHUNG, the Empress and KWAI-SHING return to the Monastery shortly after KWAI-WO sits on his throne. When he wakes up, YEUNG KUK questions CHI-SHAN about the death plot. Flying into a rage from shame, CHI-SHAN scolds his son for making it up. In response to NING CHUNG's investigation on what happened in the Tsz Yan Monastery, YU CHING suspects that someone resorted to deceit on the issue of the divine stone. Refuting CHI-SHAN's allegation against CHIU-LUN and his proposal to eliminate the Waterway Gang, he also points out that those who attempted to assassinate NING CHUNG are actually the remnants of the overthrown PANG's clan, which has nothing to do with the Waterway Gang. During the debate between YU CHING and CHI-SHAN, TUNG CHIU also criticizes the latter. As soon as she sees this, Consort WAI accuses CHI-SHAN for being traitorous so as to get rid of her liability.… ...

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The Empress and KWAI-SHING boost dialogue between TUNG CHIU and YU CHING, hoping to resolve any misunderstandings between them. On the other hand, SAM-LEUNG becomes the Waterway Gang Chief as per CHEUNG HUNG's recommendation. Upon HUNG-YING's return from Ningbo, CHIU-LUN reveals who she really is. He later meets up with YU CHING, begging him to save HUNG-YING on the grounds that her real identity is YU JING. Running away to the riverside, HUNG-YING suddenly stabs YU CHING with a knife, leaving him in a coma with serious injuries. After a vain attempt to get him out of coma, SAM-LEUNG requests HUNG-YING to call his brother so as to wake him up. Unexpectedly she hesitates. Apart from sending ginseng to YU CHING to nurse his injuries as ordered, SHEUNG HEI also reveals YU CHING's childhood to HUNG-YING in the hope of reviving her memories.… ...

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Coming out of the coma, YU CHING takes comfort that HUNG-YING has finally recalled her real identity. Discovering that YU CHING has brought HUNG-YING to YEE's residence, TUNG CHIU leads troops to have the place surrounded. He then arrests YU CHING for the alleged offence of assisting a criminal, fearing that he might lodge an accusation against him in front of NING CHUNG once he catches KWOK-CHU. While NING CHUNG interrogates YU CHING, YU JING, formerly called HUNG-YING, comes with KWAI-SHING, who then asks NING CHUNG to grant amnesty to them on the plea that YU JING is conceiving his offspring. YUK-KIU pays a visit to YU CHING, but gets really jealous seeing that SAM-LEUNG is taking care of his injuries. Taking a hint from Consort TAK, YU JING decides to serve the dumplings filled with pork during her first audience with the Empress.… ...

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Feeling responsible for getting YU JING to bear the penalty, KWAI-SHING actively helps her copy the sutra overnight. After visiting Consort WAI, Consort TAK decides to make a move so as to secure her position. She then stops SHEUNG HEI from bringing the nourishing soup to YU JING, asking him to replace it with Saffron soup, which is of cold nature. Upon disclosure of her plot, she is interrogated by KWAI-SHING in front of the Empress, but is saved by TUNG CHIU from such an embarrassing situation. Simultaneously, facing YU CHING's persistence on querying the replacement of the nourishing soup, SHEUNG HEI finally reveals his real identity, supplementing his reason for serving in the court. On the heels of disclosure of his reunion with his siblings, YU CHING begs SAM-LEUNG and YEUNG CHUN to keep his secret, preventing the Crown prince from knowing it.… ...

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In light of General SHUM’s report on an emergency at the borderline, NING CHUNG seeks advice from KWAI-SHING, who is rendered speechless. Fortunately, YU CHING goes to his aid, relieving him from the awkward situation. Being arranged by SAM-LEUNG, YU CHING meets up with NGAN-PAO, the third prince of Jin, who relays that MAN-HEI conspired with NGAN-FU to poison the Emperor of Jin. Though having agreed to offer assistance in search of MAN-HEI, YU CHING requests NGAN-PAO to take over the position of the Crown prince of Jin, ordering Jin's troops to retreat behind their lines. TUNG CHIU on the other hand takes advantage of his daughter again in order to catch MAN-HEI. Trying to lure MING-HIN away, YU CHING orders SAM-LEUNG to escort NGAN-PAO and MAN-HEI and leave. Unexpectedly, he is knocked down by SAM-LEUNG, who bears all the responsibility instead.… ...

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While attempting a jailbreak, YU JING claims that she will not let SAM-LEUNG die without having her cleared of the false charge. Upon the withdrawal of Jin's troops that provided proof of SAM-LEUNG's innocence, YU CHING immediately goes to request an audience with NING CHUNG. While deliberately imposing a delay of the audience, TUNG CHIU also orders to expedite SAM-LEUNG’s execution. YU JING then blames KWAI-SHING, although a Crown prince, fails to prevent TUNG CHIU from persecuting YU CHING and SAM-LEUNG. Hoping to cheer YU JING up, SHEUNG HEI brings her some of her favorite crabs, which is rejected by YU JING owing to SAM-LEUNG's reminder. Having smelt the aroma of the crabs on the delivery of the nourishing soup, CHING KO gets suspicious, so three Imperial Physicians are summoned to verify her situation.… ...

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Informing Consort TAK about YU JING's pregnancy, the Empress urges her to get along well with the latter. YU CHING approaches KWAI-SHING on the plea to let YU JING take her rightful place as Consort. While the Empress is studying the sutra in the library of the monastery, KWOK-CHU shows up coercing her by saying he will call KWAI-SHING in to kill him. In that split second, the Empress reveals that KWOK-CHU is actually KWAI-SHING's biological father. Informing the Imperial Guards to go rescue the Empress, YU CHING is under KWAI-SHING's request to keep the secret. According to KWAI-SHING, what the Empress said is for the purpose of saving his life. Suspecting that KWOK-CHU shows mercy on KWAI-SHING, TUNG CHIU not only spreads rumors that the Empress had an affair with KWOK-CHU, but also bribes SHEUNG HEI with a luminous pearl, telling him to spread the rumor in the imperial palace.… ...

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The Empress passes out when YU CHING and TUNG CHIU are arguing at the hall. Following KWAI-SHING's custody order, SHEUNG HEI gets thrown in prison. Being tortured by TUNG CHIU, he is forced to shift all the responsibility to YU CHING. Not wanting to implicate his elder brother, SHEUNG HEI feels compelled to kill TUNG CHIU prior to the arrival of YU CHING and KWAI-SHING. Eager to know his real identity, KWAI-SHING sneaks into his father's palace to conduct a paternity test by checking their blood types. Having thoroughly evaluated the situation, the Empress insists that KWAI-SHING must inherit the throne as soon as possible. Along with KWAI-SHING's announcement of conferring the title of Chancellor on YU CHING and Consort LAI on YU JING, TUNG CHIU counter argues for the promotion of YU CHING with the Empress. He then seeks payoff for his ten years of perseverance, making the Empress be beside herself with anger.… ...

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With regard to KWAI-YIN's safety, YU CHING has temporarily arranged him with his mother Consort YEE to move to Wuzhou Palace. After the Empress' sudden death, Imperial Physician CHU checks the body, concluding the cause of death as poisoning. However, YU CHING requests KWAI-SHING and the Imperial Physician to keep this secret. In view of KWAI-SHING's recent bereavement, TUNG CHIU proposes deferring the enthronement because of his three-year-long mourning period. On the contrary, YU CHING urges him to ascend to the throne as soon as the funeral is over on the grounds that the kingdom demands the rule of the Emperor. Drawing counterclaim against Consort TAK, who has testified against Consort LAI on the alleged crime, YU CHING argues that she is framing Consort LAI. TUNG CHIU has someone kill Consort YEE, who stays in Wuzhou Palace.… ...

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Not only claiming that KWAI-SHING is the illegitimate son of the Empress and KWOK-CHU, TUNG CHIU also files a coercion charge against YU CHING for forcing Consort YEE and KWAI-YIN out of the palace so as to murder the two. He then takes credit for having KWAI-YIN rescued, but claiming that it was unfortunately too late for Consort WAI. With KWAI-YIN's affirmation on the issue, Consort WAI accuses YU CHING of killing KWAI-WO and Consort MAN. TUNG CHIU then proposes a paternity testing with KWAI-SHING, which is agreed to by the court officials. Under MING-HIN's monitoring, Imperial Physician CHU and others collect NING CHUNG's blood, mixing his and KWAI-SHING's blood drops into the water. However, the result is beyond their expectations.

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