S1, A2: Yongzheng passes away and Hongli succeeds the throne, with his reign named Qianlong. There are no instructions from the late emperor regarding Empress Ulanara who is grounded at the Palace of Great Benevolence, leading to a dispute between the dowagers and putting the emperor in a difficult position. Qingying is forced by her aunt for an answer on when the emperor will release her and make her the empress dowager. Qingying senses that her aunt has not given up on competing. She suggests to the emperor to send her aunt to the travel palace to live out her years in retirement, without the official status but to be given the treatment for a dowager. It will pacify the dispute in the imperial council and also prevent unrest between the dowagers. The emperor thinks this is a good compromise. When the empress dowager finds out about the plan, she is displeased with Qingying. She gives Qingying two options, either Qingying or her aunt has to die. On the condition that her aunt will be buried with the late emperor in the future, Qingying agrees to take poison to commit suicide after the late emperor's funeral. After the funeral, the emperor summons Qingying. Qingying remembers the day they met for the first time and bids farewell to the emperor in her heart, but does not reveal the truth verbally. That night, Qingying goes to the Palace of Great Benevolence to visit her aunt for the last time.