WAR and BEAUTY

Story:
"According to the Rites of Zhou, an emperor should have 121 concubines. This means, in addition to the empress, the emperor also has 3 consorts, 9 concubines, 27 hereditary consorts and 81 lesser wives. Not to forget, he has thousands upon thousands of untitled palace maidens. Of these concubines, however, only a tiny few had the honor of sleeping with the emperor. The imperial consorts, therefore, often plot against each other in the life-and-death struggle to win the emperor's good graces. Consequently, a spate of tragedies took place in this female world of wealth and dignity as many of the women lived out their disconsolate lives in the recess of the imperial palace."

-Tales of Empresses and Imperial Consorts in China" compiled by Shang Xizhi, translated and edited by Ling Lingxing, 1996.

15th year, Jiaqing reign. Intrigue, deception and romance are daily occurrences in the palace of the Qing Emperor, Jiaqing. While the country revels in peace, there were bloody and fierce struggle behind the imposing red walls of the Forbidden Palace.

Yu Yuet (Sheren) is the beloved concubine of emperor but she feared her reign will end soon. As triennial imperial concubine election approaches Yu Fei feels increasingly threatened by the three beautiful and manipulative women vying for the emperor's affections. Among the "Sau Nui" are Yuk Ying (Gigi); a beautiful girl from noble background, and Yee Shun (Charmaine), who has the secret support of the powerful Eunuch Chui Man Tin (Lo Hoi Pang).

There is also Onn Sin (Maggie); 25 years old palace maid who hopes to reunites with her grandmother. Onn Sin was well liked by maids and eunuchs for her kind and sympathetic personality.

Suen Bak Yeung (Bowie) and his father are royal physicians for three generations. Their relationship was strained because Suen blames his father for causing his mother's death. Suen is a sensitive person and understands the feelings of the women in the palace. He is aware of the dangers working in the forbidden palace.

Koung Mou (Moses); used to be a kind-hearted person, but the hardship of poverty molded him into a bitter person. Along with his cousin Chan Song (Wai Ka Hung), he fights his way to the top for power and wealth. After several misunderstandings, he forged a close bond with Bak Yeung.

Yu Fei tries to subdue the newcomers under her control as the emperor's affection for her began to wane. Among the "Sau Nui", Bak Yeung realizes that Yuk Ying is not as brainless as everyone perceived. Although Yuk Ying came from a noble family, she was not born of the formal wife hence her position in the household was very low. Yuk Ying hoped by gaining the emperor's love, nobody will ever look down on her and her mother again. She pretends to be meek so Yu Fei will loosen her guard on her. Still, she loses Yu Fei's trust after being foiled by Yee Shun.

During the selection period, Yee Shun sworned sisterhood with Yuk Ying but in reality, repeatedly schemed with her two adoptive sisters Suk Ling (June) and Yun Kei (Chan Man Hei) to get rid of her. Alas, before their plot succeeded, internal problems started to occur. Suk Ling, feeling jealous on the emperor's attention on Yun Kei, betrayed them, resulting in the Yun Kei's death. Yee Shun was dismayed with Suk Ling and retaliates to dispose her in return. At the same time, Yee Shun began to suffer severe asthma attack due to her depressed state. Bak Yeung treated her with care and attention; causing her to slowly fall in love with him...

The empress constantly finds faults with Yu Fei all these years. Yee Shun took this opportunity to cause Yu Fei to lose favor from the emperor. The emperor was entranced with Yee Shun and promoted her to the rank of kwai yan (worthy lady) soon after.

While Yuk Ying was forced to live in the sick palace by Yu Fei, she forged close relationships with Onn Sin who was always by her side. Seeing Yu Fei's power has weakened, Onn Sin regained hope to be reunited with her grandmother. Unfortunately, her grandmother suddenly died after visiting her. Onn Sin finds solace in Houng Mou as someone she can rely on for the rest of her life. Through Houng Mou and eunuch Siu Luk Chi's (Wong Tak Bun) help, Onn Sin assisted Yuk Ying to become a kwai yan. However, good times never last as Onn Sin discovers the truth behind her grandmother's death. Blinded with revenge against the empress, Onn Sin decided to abandon love and friendship. She successfully seduces the emperor and become a kwai yan herself.

After falling out of favor, Yu Fei experienced the mistreatment of the people around her, except Houng Mou, who treated her with care and respect. They went through hardships together and Houng Mou realizes that Yu Fei is not an evil person after all; she was just forced to protect herself for survival.

Yuk Ying felt discontented by Onn Sin's betrayal and tried to wrestle the emperor's love from her using all means possible, including manipulating Bak Yeung, who was secretly in love with her. On the other hand, Yee Shun has become disillusioned after Eunuch Chui suddenly passed away. Her only consolation was the companionship of Fook Nga (Jade Leung); an ailing concubine who treated her as a sister. Under the advice of Fook Nga, Yee Shun decided to escape the forbidden palace with Bak Yeung. Bak Yeung was torn between Yuk Ying and Yee Shun...

Ending:
The Tin Lei Gau rebels attacked the palace while the emperor was away. The empress wanted to take this opportunity to kill Yu Fei, Onn Sin, Yee Shun, and Yuk Ying during the chaos. Bak Yeung and the funeral procession were nearing the palace exit when Houng Mou arrived to execute him on the emperor's order. In the chaos, the servant dropped the coffin and Yee Shun fell out. Seeing the rebels nearing on them, Houng Mou helped them escape. Bak Yeung went back to save Yuk Ying and placed Yee Shun in Houng Mou's care. However, Houng Mou was ambushed by Chan Song who threatened to kill him if he does not lead him to Yu Fei.

With Houng Mou taken hostage by Chan Song, Yee Shun was worried about Bak Yeung's safety and went back to look for him. She tried to convince Yuk Ying to escape with her but she refused to believe her until Bak Yeung explained that the emperor already discovered their affair. Chan Song realizes his mistake and died trying to save Houng Mou, Yu Fei, and Onn Sin from attacks. Houng Mou was heart broken. Yee Shun asked Bak Yeung and Yuk Ying to flee without her as she will be a burden to them. Bak Yeung convinced Yee Shun to run away with them using Fook Nga's last words. Hearing their conversation, Yuk Ying decided to go back to her palace. Bak Yeung resigned himself to fate and decided to go back with her and told Yee Shun that he was grateful for her love. He promised that they'll meet again...

On the other hand, Houng Mou, Yu Fei and Onn Sin were busy escaping from the empress and rebels' pursuit. Houng Mou doesn't want to abandon Yu Fei and asked her to run away with them. Yu Fei wished to but she was fated to spend the rest of her life here in the forbidden palace. Yu Fei asked Houng Mou to choose the woman he loved most; to which he responded by holding on both of Yu Fei and Onn Sin's hands firmly. Yu Fei was touched but rejected Houng Mou, telling them to escape while they still can.

Yuk Ying explained to Bak Yeung if she escaped with him, the emperor will be infuriated and harm her mother instead. Only by committing suicide the emperor's anger will be appeased. As Bak Yeung drags Yuk Ying to leave, they were trapped inside the room by Eunuch Wong. Eunuch Wong set fire on the room under the empress' order...­ Seeing that Yee Shun was wandering aimlessly amidst the raining arrows, Onn Sin stepped forward to rescue her. Houng Mou, Onn Sin, and Yee Shun managed to escape from the palace. Trapped in the blazing room, Bak Yeung asked if she really loved him. Yuk Ying replied with a tearful kiss and they both lock in embrace in their fiery death...

Yu Fei confronted the Empress of her evildoings and vowed to fight against her till the end of days. Yee Shun realizes Onn Sin was hit with an arrow but Onn Sin stopped her from telling Houng Mou. She tells Yee Shun to start a new life on behalf of her and Yu Fei. Onn Sin was content she can finally be with Houng Mou and died on his shoulder...