Court Lady Episode 10 Recap
> Court Lady Recap
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Fu Rou found herself increasingly exhausted from managing the Crown Prince's wedding preparations. A court lady urged her to rest, but Fu Rou insisted on continuing her work, meticulously overseeing every detail of the flat stitches. Just then, Prince Zhou approached, demanding to know the whereabouts of "his" sachet. Fu Rou clarified that the one she had made was for Princess Xin Nan, but Prince Zhou was persistent.
He gave her three days to produce his sachet and ordered her to meet him at Ling Xiao Pavilion that afternoon. When Fu Rou tried to defer, asking him to state his commands then and there, Prince Zhou threatened her, implying knowledge of her secret nocturnal excursions and warning her to consider the consequences if she disobeyed. Meanwhile, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess Consort, Sun Lingshu, paid their respects to the Emperor and Empress.
The Emperor and Empress expressed their delight with the couple and eagerly pressed them to conceive an heir soon, noting Princess Consort Han's two-year childlessness with some displeasure. The conversation shifted to the Great Shi ambassador bringing a rare heavenly steed, which Prince Zhou subtly indicated his desire for. The Empress then suggested it was time to consider Prince Zhou's marriage, to which the Emperor remarked on his son's discerning tastes, much like his own in youth.
Later, Fu Rou inadvertently bumped into the Crown Princess Consort, quickly offering an apology. The Crown Princess Consort recognized Fu Rou from Prince Han's Manor, kindly pulled her up, and expressed her sincere gratitude for Fu Rou's past assistance there. At Ling Xiao Pavilion, Fu Rou followed Prince Zhou's instruction to pose with her hand on her forehead. He found her posture stiff and personally adjusted it for a more elegant look, then proceeded to sketch her.
Overcome by exhaustion, Fu Rou fainted. Prince Zhou immediately summoned an imperial physician. Upon waking, Fu Rou found Prince Zhou by her side, offering medicine. She attempted to leave, citing the impropriety of their interaction, but Prince Zhou stopped her. He warned that if she screamed, while he might only face a scolding from the Emperor, she would be forcibly taken as his concubine, describing it as "a good conclusion" for her.
He insisted she drink the medicine, questioning her constant opposition. He then astutely deduced she had a lover, and from her reaction, speculated the man was connected to Prince Han's Manor. Fu Rou, no longer able to deny it, admitted she had a sweetheart and would only ever have him in her lifetime. After her recovery, Fu Rou presented Prince Zhou with the sachet. Feeling somewhat guilty for her fainting spell, Prince Zhou offered to grant her one wish.
Fu Rou asked him to stop ordering her around, but he refused, instead promising to arrange for her to leave the palace temporarily to see her family. Concurrently, Princess Xin Nan, still recuperating from a previous punishment, noticed palace maids frequently finding kites with messages blown in from outside the palace walls. She had one brought to her and recognized Sheng Chuling's handwriting, which read, "You've poured tea for me; I've poured tea for you.
I will cherish it at the bottom of my heart forever." Delighted, she instructed the maids to bring her any future kites they found. On the battlefield, Sheng Chumu met Fu Tao. After the skirmish, Fu Tao initially accused Sheng Chumu of mistreating his second sister, Fu Rou. Sheng Chumu, however, produced a sachet embroidered by Fu Rou as proof of their reconciliation.
Fu Tao, convinced, then revealed he was now a deputy captain of the Eastern River Zhechong Unit, having changed his name to Xi Tao to avoid being found by his mother. He proudly displayed a gold ring he bought with his battle earnings, intending to send it home to his third mother. Sheng Chumu’s expression clouded, and he solemnly informed Fu Tao of his third mother's passing. Fu Tao was heartbroken, deeply regretting his abrupt departure without a farewell.
As promised, Prince Zhou facilitated Fu Rou's temporary departure from the palace. She first visited Princess Consort Han to inquire about Sheng Chumu's well-being. Princess Consort Han confirmed a brief letter from Sheng Chumu assuring his safety, but expressed deep concern. She revealed that Lu Yunj, using thinly veiled promotions as an excuse, had systematically transferred away all of Sheng Xiaojing's (Sheng Chumu's father) former military allies and even the bodyguards assigned to Sheng Chumu.
Princess Consort Han urged Fu Rou to take care of herself in the palace, confident that Sheng Chumu's resourcefulness would see him safely home. After this, Fu Rou encountered Sheng Chuling, who entrusted her with a handmade lucky knot for Princess Xin Nan, admitting it was his first attempt at crafting such an item, hoping it would aid her recovery.
He also confessed to being the sender of the kites and explained why he asked Fu Rou for help: Princess Consort Han always chastised him about Princess Xin Nan's brothel incident every time she returned from the palace. Back in the palace, Fu Rou delivered the lucky knot to Princess Xin Nan, who was overjoyed, recognizing Sheng Chuling's handiwork. Princess Xin Nan sadly confided that her mother's strict watch prevented her from seeing him.
Meanwhile, Sun Lingwei, the Crown Princess Consort's sister, visited and bluntly urged her to conceive a child quickly. She cited Princess Consort Han's barrenness and the Empress's mounting dissatisfaction, warning of the possibility of the Crown Prince taking a new consort. Later, while bringing ginseng soup to the busy Crown Prince, Sun Lingshu discovered a secret report detailing Prince Zhou's unauthorized outing with Fu Rou. The Crown Prince, incensed, intended to report Prince Zhou to the Emperor.
However, Sun Lingshu wisely dissuaded him. She argued that the offense was minor, the Emperor favored Prince Zhou, and reporting him would only make the Crown Prince appear petty. Furthermore, implicating Fu Rou would displease both the Empress, who had personally brought Fu Rou into the palace, and Prince Han, Fu Rou's former employer. Convinced by her reasoning, the Crown Prince abandoned his plan.
The Crown Princess Consort and Sun Lingwei were later reprimanded by Court Lady Situ for their boisterous laughter in the garden. Court Lady Situ sternly reminded the Crown Princess that as the royal heir's official spouse, her conduct should always be dignified. Sun Lingwei, seething, muttered about repaying the "old hag" once her sister became Empress. During palace etiquette training, Fu Rou flawlessly executed the kneeling bow, but Court Lady Situ, finding her movements "stiff," still ordered her punishment.
The Empress, vexed by the persistent lack of heirs from both Princess Consort Han and the Crown Princess, openly expressed regret that Lu Yingying had not been chosen as Crown Princess. Hearing this, and also learning that the Empress wished for the Crown Prince to take Lu Yingying as a consort, the Crown Princess sought Fu Rou's help to design a more captivating dance gown to attract the Crown Prince's attention.
Lu Yingying, who frequently visited the palace and charmed the Empress, even presenting a valuable peony gift from her father, became a target of the Crown Princess Consort's resentment. The Crown Princess ordered her servants to douse Lu Yingying with cold water. Fu Rou witnessed the incident and, without hesitation, helped a soaked Lu Yingying find dry clothes.
Lu Yingying thanked Fu Rou, recognizing her as part of the Sheng family, but Fu Rou simply replied that she merely happened to be passing by. In a military council, Sheng Chumu advocated for an eastern offensive to breach the rebel defenses. However, Lu Yunj, the commanding general, overruled him, insisting on a direct assault on the heavily fortified Jiuzhu City. Lu Qi, Lu Yunj's son, reminded Sheng Chumu of his father's authority.
Sheng Chumu retorted, questioning the need for discussion if Lu Yunj already had a predetermined plan. Lu Yunj then assigned Sheng Chumu the perilous task of attacking Jiuzhu City with a mere 2,200 soldiers (2,000 men and 200 from the bodyguard camp), fully aware that this force was grossly inadequate. Sheng Chumu, nonetheless, accepted the challenge. Upon hearing this, Fu Tao immediately understood Lu Yunj's sinister intention: to ensure Sheng Chumu's death.
Lu Qi later suggested to his father that they should simply assassinate Sheng Chumu, fearing his growing renown. Lu Yunj, however, forbade it, unwilling to incur the Emperor's wrath, and instead hoped Sheng Chumu would perish at the hands of the rebels beneath Jiuzhu City's walls. Back in the palace, Fu Rou presented several dance dress designs to the Crown Princess, who found them too plain.
She demanded a gown even more lavish than one Lu Yingying had previously worn, despite Fu Rou's professional opinion that excessive extravagance would not suit her temperament. Fu Rou, bound by the Crown Princess's command, resigned herself to comply. On her way, she met Prince Zhou, who, seeing her designs, playfully inquired if she was a dancer and when he might witness her skills.
Fu Rou clarified that the dresses were for the Crown Princess and explained her request for more lavish adornments. Prince Zhou, keenly observing her discomfort, pointed out that the Crown Princess was primarily focused on asserting her authority in the palace. He advised Fu Rou that if she insisted on simplicity, she risked being perceived as frugal while the Crown Princess gained a reputation for extravagance.
Worse still, if a mere female official openly challenged her wishes, the Crown Princess would lose face and undermine her ability to manage the harem. He emphasized that the choice of materials and aesthetic appeal were secondary to respecting the Crown Princess's desires, particularly as she sought to establish her position. Fu Rou grasped the political implications and resolved to fulfill the Crown Princess’s wishes precisely as instructed.
Prince Zhou later presented his "admonishment essay against extravagance" to Counselor Qian for review, with the intention of submitting it to the Emperor. The Emperor, after reading the essay, lavishly praised Prince Zhou's foresight and wisdom, remarking on his own past worries about imperial princes succumbing to indulgence. He specifically ordered the Crown Prince to copy the essay and read it regularly, holding it up as an example to emulate.
To further his appreciation, the Emperor bestowed upon Prince Zhou a precious horse from the Arab Empire and a valuable sword from the Yuezhi Kingdom, items Prince Zhou had previously expressed interest in. The Crown Prince, witnessing this public commendation of his brother and the implicit rebuke of himself, was visibly annoyed.
Later, Sun Lingshu attempted to cheer him up with a dance she had been practicing, but he was too consumed by his vexation to appreciate it, curtly dismissing her by claiming he was too busy with state affairs.
