Curse of the Golden Flower

On the eve of the Double Ninth Festival, the Emperor returns with his son, Prince Jai, to Nanjing after completing a military campaign. Their homecoming is intended to celebrate the festival with family and reflect the joy that the occasion brings.

While the Emperor and Prince Jai celebrate, a scandal brews within the palace as the Empress engages in an illicit affair with Crown Prince Wan. The familial dynamics are further complicated by the Crown Prince’s infatuation with Jiang Chan, the daughter of the Imperial Doctor.

Prince Jai learns that his mother, the Empress, is gravely ill due to slow poisoning by the Emperor. Upon realizing the severity of her condition, he becomes concerned and begins contemplating a precarious rebellion against his father.

To uncover the source of the poisoning, Prince Jai hires a mysterious woman with special skills. However, this woman is captured by Crown Prince Wan and brought before the Emperor, revealing a web of secrets that entangles their fates.

The mysterious woman, revealed to be Jiang Shi, the long-lost first wife of the Emperor, comes back to the palace. Her appearance causes shockwaves as it surfaces old grievances, while the Emperor shows her mercy.

Crown Prince Wan confronts the Empress and learns of her betrayal, subsequently attempting suicide due to the emotional turmoil. His survival becomes a pivotal moment in the palace drama, intensifying the emotional stakes for all involved.

While en route to Suzhou, the Imperial Doctor's family is attacked by the Emperor's assassins. This violent encounter leads to the Doctor’s death, showcasing the peril and treachery that permeates the palace.

Jiang Shi reveals that she is Crown Prince Wan’s mother, making Jiang Chan her half-sister. This startling discovery leads to an immediate flight for Jiang Chan, but freshly launched assassins ambush her, resulting in her tragic death.

In a bid for justice, Prince Yu murders Crown Prince Wan and challenges the Emperor about the corruption rampant within the palace. However, this act provokes dire consequences as the Emperor retaliates with deadly force.

Amidst the chaos, Prince Jai leads 10,000 soldiers bearing golden flower sigils in an assault on the palace. Their fierce confrontation against the Emperor’s forces marks a pivotal battle for honor and justice.

Despite their bravery, the Emperor's army overwhelms Prince Jai’s forces. Only Jai escapes the massacre, while palace servants clear the evidence of rebellion, meticulously restoring the palace's facade as if nothing occurred.

With the festival underway, the Emperor confronts Prince Jai about his actions and the rebellion for his mother’s honor. The Emperor offers a false pardon, but Jai defies him, taking his own life in a dramatic act of resistance.

In a horrifying conclusion, as Prince Jai spills his blood into the poisoned tea intended for the Empress, the wooden table begins to corrode. This moment signifies the tragic intertwining fates of the characters and the extensive consequences of palace intrigues.