Catch Up My Prince Episode 8 Recap
> Catch Up My Prince Recap
Yun Zhu, who had become a concubine, still held Lu Ren Jia in her thoughts and sent her a jade bracelet. Accepting the gift, Lu Ren Jia reflected that the carefree times she shared with Yun Zhu were now a thing of the past, acknowledging that their current destinies were beyond their control.
Meanwhile, Zhao Chen Yi, concerned for Lu Ren Jia's well-being as she was assigned to the Crown Prince's Always Inviting Palace, had already dispatched his Imperial Guard, Bao, to discreetly bribe Matron Rong and other officials to ensure her safety.
Despite his efforts, Zhao Chen Yi's request to keep Lu Ren Jia out of the Crown Prince's Palace had been declined by his father, forcing him to accept that she would have to "suffer a while" there, though he believed her intelligence and their secret help would see her through. As Lu Ren Jia prepared to begin her new duties, she was unexpectedly taken away by another eunuch, Xiao Shun Zi.
Zhao Chen Yi, learning that the Ministry of Rites had produced beautiful new artificial silk flowers, instructed his subordinate to deliver some to Lu Ren Jia. However, the subordinate encountered Xin'er, who insisted on taking the gift herself to Lu Ren Jia, despite being told Zhao Chen Yi wanted it delivered personally. Xin'er questioned the lack of trust, and the subordinate eventually relented. Lu Ren Jia was led to Zhao Chenyao's residence.
She tried to apologize for past mishaps, but Zhao Chenyao dismissed her, forcing her to swallow a pill. He then chillingly explained that it was the "Death-in-7-days Pill," which would cause her intestines to dissolve if she didn't receive the antidote within a week. He demanded that she memorize the Crown Prince's daily needs and report them to Xiao Shun Zi in seven days to get the antidote, essentially coercing her into spying.
Lu Ren Jia expressed fear of being discovered, but Zhao Chenyao threatened to kill her if she revealed their conversation. Feeling trapped, Lu Ren Jia realized she had traded one perilous situation for another. News of Lu Ren Jia's abduction reached Zhao Chen Yi. His subordinate reported that after failing to find Lu Ren Jia at Always Inviting Palace, he saw her being taken by guards to Zhao Chenyao's residence.
Enraged, Zhao Chen Yi immediately confronted his Second Brother, demanding to know where Lu Ren Jia was and what he intended to do with her. Zhao Chenyao claimed it was a personal matter, but Zhao Chen Yi accused him of meddling and reminded him that punishing a court maid privately violated palace rules. Zhao Chenyao mocked Zhao Chen Yi's sudden concern for rules and stated that Lu Ren Jia now belonged to Always Inviting Palace.
Though their argument ended inconclusively, Zhao Chen Yi was somewhat relieved to hear she was no longer in Zhao Chenyao's possession. Upon arriving at Always Inviting Palace, Lu Ren Jia was greeted by Matron Rong, who informed her that she, along with other high-ranking maidservants from various departments, would serve the Crown Prince. Matron Rong offered her support if Lu Ren Jia faced any difficulties.
That night, Lu Ren Jia heard the unsettling cries of a baby and learned from other palace maids about Gui Zhi, a former maid who had died by drowning after accidentally spilling the Crown Prince's medicine. The maids whispered rumors that Gui Zhi's ghost was now haunting the palace, making Lu Ren Jia realize that her new assignment would be fraught with challenges. Meanwhile, Yun Zhu, now confined to the Cold Palace, was frightened when Xu Lang appeared.
He embraced her, but she struggled to break free. Xu Lang began to malign Lu Ren Jia, accusing her of manipulating situations to get close to the princes and blaming her for Yun Zhu's current plight. He vehemently declared that only he could protect and assist Yun Zhu within the treacherous palace walls. Days turned into a routine as Lu Ren Jia diligently administered the Crown Prince's daily medication.
The Crown Prince remembered her and even noticed a subtle difference in the taste of his medicine one morning. Lu Ren Jia confidently identified it as Ginseng and Spikenard soup, used for Chi and Yin deficiency, reassuring him of its safety. The Crown Prince recalled her from a previous incident where he had saved her when she was out of breath from running, and praised her medical knowledge, leading her to promise her utmost dedication in preparing his medicine.
Soon after, Zhao Chenxuan visited, ostensibly to see the Crown Prince, but the Crown Prince playfully suggested his true purpose was to see Lu Ren Jia, implying Zhao Chenxuan would now frequent Always Inviting Palace. Later that evening, Xiao Shun Zi delivered another pill from Zhao Chenyao to Lu Ren Jia, who sarcastically expressed her annoyance at the large pill and lack of water.
She then dutifully provided Xiao Shun Zi with a detailed report of the Crown Prince's meals over the past seven days. That same night, Xin'er was discovered rummaging through Lu Ren Jia's belongings. When Lu Ren Jia returned, Xin'er quickly composed herself and presented Lu Ren Jia with the silk flowers from Zhao Chen Yi, claiming one was a gift from herself and the other from Zhao Chen Yi.
In the dead of night, Lu Ren Jia was abruptly awakened by urgent news: the Crown Prince was critically ill. She rushed to his side and remained vigilant throughout the night until he finally regained consciousness in the morning. Determined to find the cause of his sudden illness, Lu Ren Jia resolved to investigate whether his medication and food were incompatible.
She inquired with Mister Jiu about the previous day's meals, only to learn that all leftovers had been disposed of. Later, she overheard Xiao Shun Zi secretly asking Lord Li not to reveal the Crown Prince's interest in Schisandra berry. Intrigued, Lu Ren Jia requested to review the Crown Prince's medical records from Lord Li, finding references to Schisandra berry and other herbs. She noted that the amount of Schisandra berry prescribed in normal medicine should be harmless.
The Empress Dowager was furious upon learning of the Crown Prince's severe illness, convinced that someone was trying to harm him. She ordered an exhaustive investigation into everyone serving the Crown Prince. That evening, Zhao Chenyao visited Lu Ren Jia, expressing unexpected concern about the Crown Prince's health and the cause of his illness, which Lu Ren Jia found peculiar. As soon as Lu Ren Jia left, she was summoned by the Empress Dowager's matron.
The Empress Dowager sternly accused Lu Ren Jia of plotting to murder the Crown Prince. Lu Ren Jia vehemently denied the accusation, but the Empress Dowager questioned her knowledge of Schisandra berry. Lu Ren Jia meticulously explained its medicinal properties, including its ability to strengthen the heart and protect the liver. However, the Empress Dowager countered that while beneficial in moderation, excessive amounts could be poisonous.
She asserted that the Crown Prince's critical condition resulted from an overdose, and since Lu Ren Jia was responsible for his medicine, she was to blame. Despite Lu Ren Jia's pleas of innocence, she was taken away to the Department of Internal Punishment. Zhao Chen Yi was deeply distressed to learn of Lu Ren Jia's imprisonment, lamenting that all his careful plans to protect her had ultimately failed.
The following day, the Empress Dowager informed the Crown Prince that Schisandra berry residue had been found on Lu Ren Jia's silk flower. The Crown Prince, however, staunchly defended Lu Ren Jia, praising her meticulous care and loyalty, reminding his grandmother that Lu Ren Jia had saved him before. He implored the Empress Dowager not to harm Lu Ren Jia until the truth was fully uncovered. Zhao Chenyao, upon hearing of Lu Ren Jia's incarceration, expressed worry.
The Empress Dowager, speaking with her attendant, confided that she knew Lu Ren Jia was merely a scapegoat. She believed the true mastermind was cunning and intended to keep Lu Ren Jia imprisoned to lull them into making a mistake, allowing her to expose the real culprit. While considering whether to eliminate Lu Ren Jia if she proved disloyal, like Gui Zhi, she ultimately decided to keep her confined until the investigation concluded.
Meanwhile, Zhao Chen Yi, reviewing medical records and focusing on Schisandra berry, recalled Lu Ren Jia's prior abduction by Zhao Chenyao. He confronted Zhao Chenyao, accusing him of orchestrating the Crown Prince's poisoning and forcing Lu Ren Jia to administer the tainted medicine. Zhao Chenyao denied the allegations, claiming the Schisandra berry was for his own sleeping treatment during the changing seasons. Zhao Chen Yi dismissed his explanation and was forcibly escorted out of the residence.
Undeterred, Zhao Chen Yi then went to the Empress Dowager, begging her to spare Lu Ren Jia, vouching for her character and reasoning that Lu Ren Jia would not harm the Crown Prince after having saved him previously. He urged a thorough investigation. The Empress Dowager noted that the Crown Prince and Crown Princess had also pleaded for Lu Ren Jia. She then agreed to release Lu Ren Jia and ordered a more careful re-examination of the case.
After Zhao Chen Yi left, the Empress Dowager confided in her matron that Zhao Chen Yi's overt pleading had convinced her he was not involved in the poisoning, as a true culprit would avoid such suspicion. She also revealed that Zhao Chen Yi had recently fought with Zhao Chenyao over Lu Ren Jia's situation, leading her to suspect Zhao Chenyao's involvement.
Soon after, Zhao Chenxuan also arrived, bringing pastries and earnestly begging the Empress Dowager not to harm Lu Ren Jia. The Empress Dowager informed him that she had already ordered her release. Zhao Chenxuan quickly departed, leaving the Empress Dowager to ponder how many people were interceding for Lu Ren Jia and concluding that if she was indeed framed, she would be a valuable asset to the Crown Prince.
