Beyond the Realm of Conscience

Consort LAU SAM-HO and Consort YIU KAM-LING, the two beloved concubines of Emperor SUEN CHUNG (personally named LEE YI) of the Tang Dynasty, keep picking on each other. Seeing that LING, her once close friend, has changed significantly for the worse, HO expresses deep regret for failing to fulfill her mother KONG CHOI-KING’s dying wish. The story dates back to 20 years ago… After her husband is banished to the border areas, KING, accompanied by LING, enters the Palace as an imperial servant. Head of the Imperial Household Bureau CHOI CHUNG-PING is impressed by KING’s extraordinary craft skills and sends her to the Department of Jewels, where KING is to work with Deputy Head YUEN TSUI-WAN on the final polishing of Empress KWOK’s jeweled phoenix hairpin. Head of Attire CHUNG SUET-HA has been a bitter foe of WAN for decades. With the help of Eunuch PO KAT-CHEUNG, HO can finally be reunited with KING.… ...

After KING’s death, CHOI decides to destroy the phoenix hairpin as instructed by KWOK. Unwilling to see KING’s efforts go to waste, WAN means to injure herself. KWOK gives the phoenix hairpin to CHENG, and WAN begins to worry about the lady and her son. HA purposely fights with WAN for the custody of HO as her apprentice. As KWOK is about to start her plot against YI, the news that YI has fallen from a tree arrives. YI suffers from head injury and seems to have developed some kind of mental problem. KWOK allows YI to recuperate at the Taoist Temple, but not in the company of CHENG. HA points out that CHENG and YI are separated by the phoenix hairpin and that it is WAN who has dragged them into trouble. She ridicules WAN for being too selfish and making others suffer while WAN does not say a word to defend herself. HO goes to see YI off, which touches him considerably.… ...

KWOK needs HO to explain the design of the clothing, making HA and WAN believe that the Empress is going to punish the girl. To everyone’s surprise and delight, KWOK appreciates HO’s design and holds it in high regard. Chief General MA YUEN-CHI is no longer trusted by the Emperor after making a mistake. CHEUNG who is deemed to be in the same league with him is also embroiled in the matter. Except for HO, all the imperial servants have been avoiding CHEUNG. CHENG’s health is deteriorating and YI is finally allowed to return to the Palace to see his mother. LING and FEI-YIN pick a row over trivial matters, causing HO to accidentally damage Lady WONG’s new dress. HO has no choice but to alter the dress design. KWOK flies into a rage after knowing this. To defend HO, HA shifts the blame onto WAN emphasizing that it is all a trap set by her. LING and HO meet up at night but get caught by YIN midway through their gathering.… ...