Marco Polo (TV Series)

Measure Against the Linchpin (2016)

Joan Chen: Empress Chabi

Quotes 

• [last lines] 

  Empress Chabi : Just look at me!

  Kokachin : Mother, please.

  Empress Chabi : Shh!

  Kokachin : [protesting as naked man enters her chamber]  The child will not have full royal blood.

  Empress Chabi : Actually the child will have no royal blood.

• [first lines] 

  Kublai Khan : [wakes suddenly panting] 

  Empress Chabi : Genghis...

  Empress Chabi : [both rise and walk to different parts of the room]  From death Genghis travels to your dreams to voice his great displeasure.

  Kublai Khan : He does not.

  Empress Chabi : Then why visit you night after night? To laud your actions?

  [sighs] 

  Empress Chabi : And now, the people riot. They shut down your Chinese streets.

  Kublai Khan : It is the Song that riot from grief over their Emperor. I have torn from them their last remaining hope. Exactly as I wished to.

  Empress Chabi : We'll see how your brothers cast their votes.

  Kublai Khan : Kaidu could die as well. Die very easily.

  Empress Chabi : How many elections will you run off with? How many opponents murdered? And all for what? That you may kill children with impunity?

  Kublai Khan : Think, my Chabi, think. When was the last time?

  Empress Chabi : Last time what?

  Kublai Khan : Last time you did something hard? Something that made your delicate stomach turn? Something that you did not think could ever, ever be forgiven?

  Empress Chabi : Kublai...

  Kublai Khan : You did not. Because it is only I. I, I, I. I took the wall, I executed my brother, I do what must be done for our empire.

• Empress Chabi : [stopping her from uncovering her food]  I'm sure you know that certain foods, certain delicacies, assist greatly with the goal of pregnancy. Are they pleasant? No. Are they sumptuous? No, but we can eat or be eaten.

  [sighs] 

  Empress Chabi : The Kurultai fast approaches.

  Kokachin : Yes, I know.

  Empress Chabi : Do you also know that it is imperative for Jingim to have an heir before then? You will swell, Blue Princess, or the Great Khan will surely lose.

  Kokachin : I would do anything for my Khan.

  [uncovers the food, a bloody foul] 

  Kokachin : Beautiful. And terrible.

  [begins to eat it with her hands] 

• Empress Chabi : Innocence in all things is beautiful and terrible