Queens of Diamonds and Hearts

KING SUEN of CHAI and his ministers are preparing for the upcoming soccer competition between Chai and Yin. He complains about the poor skills of his younger brother, LORD SHUN YEUNG, and AN YING, his adviser. TUEN-MUK CHING, who is a chronicler, can see that YING is not actually as bad as he seems but he prefers to keep his mouth shut.

Both TUEN-MUK and QUEEN DOWAGER are of the opinion that KING SUEN should keep his words. Despite KING SUEN’s deep resentment against YIM, QUEEN DOWAGER insists that he marries YIM one month after his birthday. LORD SHUN YEUNG tells LADY TSU about KING SUEN and YIM’s wedding.

The case has been resolved. KING SUEN tells TUEN-MUK to take the case down so as to carve a niche for himself in history. Worried that the ghost of MADAME MEI will return to revenge, CHUN offers sacrifices to her ghost in the garden. HOI shows up suddenly, accusing her of bringing him back luck.

QUEEN DOWAGER summons YIM and CHUN, her two future daughters-in-law, and tells them to help KING SUEN rule. YIM offers to give KING SUEN a hand as she sees how reluctant he is to read the memorials to the throne. He therefore assigns YING and TUEN-MUK to her assistance.

CHUN tells KING SUEN about the rumor that he loves YIM more than she when he visits her. He denies, and orders to enlarge the Western Palace. The water conservancy project has been shelved. YIM checks out with YING, who tells her it is because the money meant for the water conservancy project has been used on the extension of the Western Palace.

The water conservancy project has been shelved. Successful salt merchant YIM LAI sends LORD SHUN YEUNG a piece of jade as a gift. By doing so, he hopes he will have a finger in the pie in future projects. TUEN-MUK calls on YING’s family.

The people commend YIM for her diligence. Unwilling to be outdone and looked down upon by her, KING SUEN swears to be a good king. There are so many memorials to go through that KING SUEN tells YING to pick out those that are most important.

QUEEN DOWAGER arranges for YIM and CHUN to have cooking and embroidery lessons at Jixia Academy, the most prestigious cooking school in Chai. After graduation, there will also be a competition between them, the winner of which will win a jade heirloom.

YIM risks her life to rescue CHUN, who complains to KING SUEN that her feet have gone numb. YIM still feel embarrassed about undressing in front of KING SUEN. WAI can see that YIM has indeed fallen in love with the king. CHUN refuses to see KING SUEN unless he promises not to see YIM again by himself if not necessary.

HOI is circulating rumors that KING SUEN has been pretended by boy servant TIN-SHUN. Neither QUEEN DOWAGER nor PRINCESS WAN believes the rumors though, judging from how well KING SUEN has been treating them. KWAI plans to do away with SHUN’s mother.

YIM shows up from nowhere to stop PIK-KEUNG from being executed. His life spared, KING SUEN is thrilled to bits. He hugs CHUN in excitement as soon as he sees her. He is thanking YIM for her help when she suddenly passes out. KING SUEN visits YIM with a treasured sword given to him as a gift.

Both YIM and WAI have been upset by love. They share with each other how they feel about the man they love. The soldiers of Yin have injured the people of Chai. YIM is still mad at KING SUEN for letting Yin’s soldiers enter Chai. WAI is of the view that YIM should dress up to please the king. PRINCESS WAN covers YIM’s birthmark on the face with make-up.

YING and TUEN-MUK see an assassin as they are leaving YIM’s palace. YIM breaks QUEEN DOWAGER’s charm as she is running after the assassin. QUEEN DOWAGER faints at the news. Someone unknown to CHUN comes to assistance. She is grateful for his help. CHI does not turn up until CHUN has gone.

The KEUNG’s of Chai and the villagers want to burn KING SUEN to death. YIM comes to his rescue before too late. YIM takes the king to an abandon temple to rest. The assassin sent by LORD SHUN YEUNG follows them closely.

LORD SHUN YEUNG takes charge of the worship ceremony in his capacity as king. TUEN-MUK records that although KING SUEN’s life is still uncertain, LORD SHUN YEUNG insists on coming to the throne. KING SUEN returns to the palace safe and sound. Meanwhile, LORD SHUN YEUNG’s accession ceremony is taking place in the audience hall.

KING SUEN finds something in the cakes CHUN sent. He visits her at the Western Palace right away. LADY TSU has been staying at her sister’s for a few days now but LORD SHUN YEUNG never visits her. LAI, her brother-in-law, is of the view that she should support LORD SHUN YEUNG.

KING SUEN has been waiting for YIM for the unveiling of the “Statue of Virtue and Talent” but she is nowhere to be seen. When she finally appears, the king is astonished to see her in plain clothes. TSAU takes liberties with KIU. YAN beats him and his men up so as to help her out.

YAN is so captivated by CHUN’s beauty and charm that he drops his ocarina. KING SUEN does not blame him though, because CHUN is a true beauty. HOI reminds YAN that Chai is a defeated state, and that he is YAN’s superior. PRINCESS WAN expresses her love for TUEN-MUK with a revised poem.

YIM body has been swapped with that of KING SUEN's. She decides it is a golden opportunity to withdraw his idea to betroth PRINCESS WAN to the PRINCE of CHIU. KING SUEN feels uncomfortable being YIM. The humiliation of CHUN's family makes the experience even more painstaking.

KING SUEN wants to make YIM smile but has not got a clue about what she likes. When he is about to express his love for her the news that CHUN has twisted her legs comes. YIM, whose spirit is trapped in the king's body, inquires after CHUN's condition unwillingly. KING SUEN, on the other hand, wishes to kiss CHUN.

KING SUEN has been very downhearted since he sentenced YIM to death. So much so that he has assigned LORD SHUN YEUNG to take care of the administration of the state. The troops of Yin have crossed the border. KING SUEN frets that there are not enough imperial guards to tackle an attack.