War and Beauty is a new drama which starts today on TVB Jade at 9.35pm, running Monday through Friday. There are 25 episodes. Every Monday, we will publish the synopses of the week's episodes.
Episode 1 (August 23)
Imperial concubine Chan tries to escape but fails. Concubine Yu sentences Chan to death on behalf of the Empress.
Before she is executed, Chan curses Yu, who is pregnant with the Emperor's child.
On the way to deliver presents to the Emperor, soldier Hung Mo and his cousin Chan Song run into members of the Tin Lee sect. The sect kidnaps beautiful women who are on their way to the palace.
Yuk-ying, the daughter of a provincial governor, makes Hung send them back to the palace. Rumours of sightings of Chan's ghost are spreading and Yu is scared.
Episode 2 (August 24)
Eunuch Tsui Man-tin sends adopted daughters Shun, Wun-ki and Suk-ling to the palace to safeguard his position. Imperial counsellor Chow demands compensation from Hung and Chan, who have lost the royal presents.
Chow accidentally falls into a river and is saved by Hung. To show his gratitude, Chow invites Hung and Chan to work at the imperial court.
Episode 3 (August 25)
Wah criticises his father, imperial doctor Sun Pak-yeung, for treating Yu with unscientific methods.
The Empress is planning a banquet. People pay Yu's servant to tell them what Yu will wear to the event.
But Yu changes her mind and dresses in red like the Empress to protest against her opponents.
Episode 4 (August 26)
Tin's wife Liu Sik-chun returns home after visiting a temple for blessings and is shocked to see him breaking antiques in the palace. He is later arrested by court officials.
Palace beauty Ying is accused of breaking Yu's Goddess of Fertility statue. Hung defends Ying.
Episode 5 (August 27)
It is revealed that the statue was broken by a crow.
The Emperor sees Ying's portrait and is impressed by her beauty.
Palace beauties Ning and Ki make Ying ill just before she is to see the Emperor. The Emperor eventually picks Ki and Ning becomes jealous.
THE CAST
Hung Mo (Moses Chan Ho): soldier
Sun Pak-yeung (Bowie Lam Bo-yee): imperial doctor
Yuk-ying (Gigi Lai): a nobleman's daughter
Yee-shun (Charmaine Sheh See-man): daughter of the eunuch in charge of internal affairs
An-sin (Maggie Cheung Ho-yee): most favoured imperial maid
Yu (Sheren Tang): imperial concubine
Fok-ngan (Jade Leung) : the Emperor's maid trainee