About this season
Two young men looking for a better life enter the royal palace in the midst of a tumultuous political era of the late Qing Dynasty. Chun Er, a poor peasant boy, and Liang Wen Xiu, who grew up in a wealthy household, find their fates are tied together in unexpected ways. The two young men and Chun Er’s younger sister, Ling Er, travel to the Forbidden City together to look for a better future. Based on the popular novel Sokyu no Subaru by Asada Jiro.
Episodes (28)
1. The Forbidden City
Aired 2 January 2010 • 40 min
Wen Xiu, Chun Er, and Ling Er go to the Forbidden City
2. Mother and Child
Aired 9 January 2010 • 40 min
"Political Tutelage"
3. Apprenticeship
Aired 16 January 2010 • 40 min
Chun Er studies the eunuch ways
4. Selection of the Empress
Aired 23 January 2010 • 40 min
Emperor Guang Xu chooses a wife
5. To the Imperial Court
Aired 30 January 2010 • 40 min
Chun Er performs at the Imperial Court
6. The Emperor's Favorite
Aired 13 February 2010 • 40 min
Wen Xiu becomes the Emperor's favorite court minister.
7. Hearsay
Aired 20 February 2010 • 40 min
The Beiyang Navy and a Japanese plot
8. Song of the Dragon's Jade
Aired 27 February 2010 • 40 min
Empress Ci Xi, Chun Er and the Dragon Jade
9. The Spirit of Love
Aired 6 March 2010 • 40 min
He defines love.
10. Wedding Gift
Aired 27 March 2010 • 40 min
He gets married.
11. The First Interview
Aired 3 April 2010 • 40 min
Chun Er meets with foreigners
12. Each Battle
Aired 10 April 2010 • 40 min
W.X. and Consort Zhen individual political agenda.
13. Outbreak of the Sino-Japanese War
Aired 17 April 2010 • 40 min
War is upon the Qing dynasty
14. The Waves of Revolution
Aired 24 April 2010 • 40 min
The Qing dynasty celebrates a New Year
15. Assassination Plan
Aired 1 May 2010 • 40 min
Court ministers conspire to assassinate one of their own
16. Yang Xi Zhen's Death
Aired 8 May 2010 • 40 min
Political reforms are rising tensions in the Qing dynasty
17. Revenge
Aired 15 May 2010 • 40 min
The Empress faces difficult decisions
18. Identity of the Mastermind
Aired 22 May 2010 • 40 min
Wen Xiu and Chun Er have different opinions about the Empress.
19. Rushed Reform
Aired 29 May 2010 • 40 min
A crisis grows in the political scene of the Qing Dynasty
20. Yuan Shi Kai
Aired 5 June 2010 • 40 min
The Emperor worries about his trip to Tan'jing
21. Betrayal
Aired 12 June 2010 • 40 min
Wen Xiu plots to overthrow the Empress
22. Mid-Autumn Festival Banquet
Aired 19 June 2010 • 40 min
Power hangs in the balance
23. Bloody Coup
Aired 26 January 2010 • 40 min
He goes into hiding.
24. Begging for Mercy
Aired 3 July 2010 • 40 min
The King begs for mercy
25. Eternal Pleiades
Aired 10 July 2010 • 40 min
Chun Er and W.X. find new beginnings
26. Episode 26
Aired 17 July 2010 • 40 min
27. Episode 27
Aired 24 July 2010 • 40 min
28. Episode 28
Aired 31 July 2010 • 40 min