The Confidant

In the Forbidden City, Eunuch YIU SHEUNG-HEI tries to run away from the Xi Hua Gate, but is captured by a eunuch from the Attending Office - PANG SAM-SHUN. While eunuchs from each Palace are waiting in the Attending Office for their allowance distribution, only the allowance for the Jing Ren Palace is unreasonably deducted. After enquiring the eunuch who distributes the allowance, Eunuch LI LIAN-YING comes to realize that it is SAM-SHUN who is behind the whole thing. He then goes with LING TIM-SHAU to the Penalty Room to have a word with SAM-SHUN. Relying on his uncle CHAN FOOK, who is the Manager of the Attending Office, as his backer, SAM-SHUN bullies LIAN-YING and TIM-SHAU then drives them away. Jing Ren Palace is left out in the cold due to Her Ladyship Lady YUEN, who has fallen into disgrace, so the palace maid - SIN YUNG attempts to repair the roof by herself in view of an unattended water leakage……

CHAN FOOK intervenes personally for SAM-SHUN, tossing everyone in Attending Office for detention. As Prince GONG is going to discuss with CIXI and CIAN regarding the issue of purchasing guns and cannons from the foreigners, Lady YUEN arrives with DE-HAI, stating that the Attending Office is bullying her. CIXI seizes this opportunity to make oblique accusations in front of Prince GONG, implying that Prince GONG should not expect to exceed the power vested on him. On their way back to Jing Ren Palace, LIAN-YING and TIM-SHAU learn that there have been Imperial Consorts leaving the Palace. It turns out that the two Empress Dowagers have granted those Imperial Consorts to return to their hometown after their period of mourning is over. Having learnt that she might have the chance of leaving the palace, Lady YUEN is thrilled with joyfulness……

Throwing herself on the floor in front of the Chang Chun Palace, Lady YUEN insists that she will not get up until she gets to see CIXI, who in turn is bent on refusing to let Lady YUEN leave and return to her hometown. CHAN FOOK overhears the two Empress Dowagers' conversation, maintaining that there must be something unraveled with regard to the premature death of Lady YUEN's little Prince. For the sake of paying off the gambling debt for his father, LIAN-YING asks SAM-SHUN for a pass to leave the palace. However SAM-SHUN keeps changing his words, which leaves LIAN-YING and the others no choice but to grab the pass by force, which ends up with SAM-SHUN being knocked out cold. Leading CHAN FOOK to meet Lady YUEN, SIN YUNG discovers that Lady YUEN is going to commit suicide by hanging herself from a beam. CHAN FOOK then tells Lady YUEN the secret that he has overheard, causing her to seek revenge……