Episode 4

Sensing the uncertainty, HESHEN asks his second wife CHANG MEI to write a letter in English then tells FUCHANG’AN to hand it to the representative of East India Company as a contingency plan. Hundreds of court officials gather in HESHEN’s mansion for the Spring Festival gathering, which makes CHANG MEI feel relieved as she thinks that HESHEN’s political influence hasn’t waned. Just as JIAQING laments how people can be so indifferent, he is urgently summoned by QIANLONG. QIANLONG passes away. Hearing the death knell coming from the palace, HESHEN worships the heavens, pouring out wine to bid farewell to QIANLONG. HESHEN is getting ready to go to the palace. Though CHANG MEI reminds him it’s very dangerous, HESHEN insists on going there. Prior to his departure, HESHEN goes to a lodge to pay tribute to his late wife. Suddenly, FENGSHEN-YINDE appears, announcing that he is under the imperial decrees to escort HESHEN back to the palace.