Court Lady Episode 12 Recap, Plot

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Prince Zhou invited Fu Rou to dinner, where he expounded on the profound philosophy that food is the priority of the people and the foundation of a nation, citing texts like "Records of the Grand Historian" and "The Great Plan in the Book of Documents". He explained how these ancient writings placed the importance of food and grains at the forefront of governance, which truly impressed Fu Rou.

When she asked if he had read many books, Prince Zhou confirmed, saying he often reads through sleepless nights. Although she found some of his actions unbearable, Fu Rou genuinely admired his vast knowledge. Prince Zhou, sensing her admiration, asked if she liked capable men, to which she clarified her respect was not affection.

Their conversation was interrupted when Fu Rou spotted Chen Ji and the Crown Prince walking arm-in-arm on the street, appearing quite close, a sight that made Prince Zhou visibly uncomfortable. Earlier, when Fu Rou's horse accidentally damaged a farmer's crops, Prince Zhou gave the farmer his fan, instructing him to exchange it for fifty guan at his silk store as compensation. However, the farmer mistakenly went to Prince Han's silk store.

The clerk, recognizing Prince Zhou's fan, offered the farmer 100 guan for it and presented it to Prince Han. Prince Han's Princess Consort urged him not to always antagonize Prince Zhou, but Prince Han explained that as he and the Crown Prince shared the same mother, he felt compelled to act on the Crown Prince's behalf.

He noted Prince Zhou's recent actions had pleased the Emperor, but also his "naive and arrogant side," suggesting the fan incident could serve as a timely "reminder." During an imperial banquet, the Crown Prince presented the Emperor with the "Book of Han" annotated by Yang Chishu. The Emperor was highly pleased, praising the Crown Prince's foresight in promoting education and ordering the book to be placed in the Hall of Literature for future generations.

Seizing the opportunity, the Duke of Chang then presented Prince Zhou's fan to the Emperor. He claimed he had bought it for 100 guan from an old peasant whose crops were trampled by a young man hunting on horseback. Prince Zhou admitted the fan was his and that he had indeed trampled the crops, though he tried to explain he had compensated the farmer.

The Emperor, furious at Prince Zhou's "willful and arrogant" behavior, especially in Chang'an after previous warnings, declared he would not be lenient. When Qian Wenjing, Prince Zhou's counselor, attempted to speak on his behalf, the Emperor angrily stripped Qian Wenjing of his feudal land and reassigned him to Zhaozhou. Prince Zhou was then sentenced to twenty strokes of the cane. News of Prince Zhou's punishment reached Fu Rou, who immediately visited him.

She questioned why he hadn't revealed the truth that she was with him. Prince Zhou explained that admitting to violating palace rules by secretly taking a female official out of the palace would have resulted in an even "harsher punishment" than just the caning for trampling crops. Grateful for his sacrifice, Fu Rou thanked him.

Prince Zhou then offered her a chance to repay him by reading from the "biography of Liu Bi, Prince of Wu" in the "Records of the Grand Historian". He helped her with a difficult character and explained how Prince Liu Bi, despite his royal status, met a tragic end after rebelling when his son was killed by the Crown Prince.

Seeing Fu Rou's interest, Prince Zhou offered to explain more in detail the next day, playfully stating he "likes to force" her when she hesitated. Meanwhile, buoyed by Prince Zhou's misfortune, the Crown Prince invited Chen Ji to play chess. When Chen Ji proved to be a "bad chess playing" opponent, the Crown Prince asked him to sing in exchange for chess lessons. Chen Ji began to perform, captivating the Crown Prince.

When Sun Lingshu arrived with food, the Crown Prince was so engrossed that he completely ignored her, leaving her feeling disheartened. He continued teaching Chen Ji chess late into the night, opting not to visit Sun Lingshu. Sun Lingshu lamented her ignored efforts but resolved not to complain as long as the Crown Prince was happy. Far away, Sheng Chumu was cornered at the edge of a cliff by rebel forces.

Outnumbered, he was struck by an arrow and fell into the canyon below. One of Sheng Chumu's bodyguards, Fu Tao, managed to escape with the map of the Anxi Gorge rebel stronghold. Fu Tao then presented the map to Lu Yunji, who feigned sorrow over General Dingyuan's (Sheng Chumu's) supposed death. Impressed by Fu Tao's loyalty, Lu Yunji granted him a position in his bodyguard camp.

Believing Sheng Chumu to be dead, Lu Yunji subsequently inflated Sheng Chumu's achievements in his military reports. When Lu Qi questioned this, Lu Yunji explained that it was precisely because Sheng Chumu was dead that they should praise him to the higher-ups, as he could only enjoy the rewards "in the netherworld." Lu Yunji then executed two of Sheng Chumu's subordinates for cowardice, hanging their heads to warn against "cowardice."

The news of Sheng Chumu's death devastated the Sheng family in Chang'an. Sheng Chuling and Sheng Chujun suspected Lu Yunji's involvement and wanted to demand justice from the Emperor. However, Sheng Xiaojing, knowing the Emperor would not punish Lu Yunji, stopped them, urging them instead to be proud of Sheng Chumu's "loyalty to the country."

In another part of the palace, Sheng Chuling, with the help of a guard named Eldest Brother Fan, secured a position at Fengyang Pavilion, Princess Xin Nan's residence. He frequently tried to win her favor, retrieving her kite, picking up her handkerchief, and even drinking her bitter medicine. During a visit to the Empress to deliver embroidery, Fu Rou overheard palace gossip suggesting Crown Prince's involvement in Prince Zhou's punishment.

Later, the Crown Prince complained to the Empress that the Crown Princess Consort was dissatisfied with Fu Rou's recent embroidery work, claiming it was crude. The Empress, however, defended Fu Rou, praising her usual thoroughness and implying the Crown Princess Consort was being petty. She instructed the Crown Prince to tell Sun Lingshu not to "pick on Division Chief Fu anymore."

Sun Lingshu, upon hearing this, was enraged, believing Fu Rou had "dared to play tricks in front of the empress" and was "vicious." Despite her anger, she decided to "tolerate it for now" to avoid further angering the Crown Prince. Fu Rou continued her studies at Prince Zhou's Ling Xiao Pavilion. One day, as she drank gruel, Prince Zhou playfully wiped her mouth with a handkerchief, which Fu Rou recognized as hers.

Prince Zhou claimed he "found it" and then, with a hint of jealousy, asked why he was not as good as "that notorious Sheng Chumu," revealing his knowledge of her affection for Sheng Chumu. Fu Rou was taken aback. She expressed her worry for Sheng Chumu, wondering about his fate. Prince Zhou then ominously quoted from the "I Ching", saying, "The army may transport corpses. Bad omen," implying Sheng Chumu's death.

Deeply disturbed, Fu Rou declared she would no longer come to Ling Xiao Pavilion to study, despite Prince Zhou's attempts to dismiss it as a joke. That very evening, Fu Rou overheard palace eunuchs discussing Sheng Chumu's "terrible death" in battle. The shock was too great, and she fainted. Fu Rou fell gravely ill, unable to take even a sip of gruel, and imperial physicians were at a loss.

Palace staff, fearing a contagious illness, tried to forcibly take her to the Bureau of Healing, a desolate place where the critically ill were sent to die. Fu Rou's maid, Shu'er, desperately tried to stop them. Just then, Prince Zhou arrived, ordering the staff away. He carried the ailing Fu Rou to Consort Yan's palace, his mother's residence.

Consort Yan, seeing her son's profound concern for Fu Rou, reluctantly allowed her to stay and recuperate, hoping that with time, Fu Rou would "forget" Sheng Chumu. Meanwhile, Lu Yunji celebrated the defeat of the rebels with his generals, who toasted Sheng Chumu's crucial contribution through the Anxi Gorge map. Later, Fu Tao helped a heavily intoxicated Lu Yunji back to his room.

As Fu Tao stood over the sleeping general, his hand on his sword, contemplating revenge for his mother and brother-in-law, rebel remnants suddenly burst in, attempting to assassinate Lu Yunji. Fu Tao immediately sprang into action, fiercely defending Lu Yunji and slaying all the assassins. Lu Qi soon arrived, witnessing Fu Tao's valor. This incident solidified Lu Yunji and Lu Qi's trust in Fu Tao even further.

Back in Chang'an, Sheng Xiaojing was overwhelmed by grief and became bedridden, regretting ever sending Sheng Chumu to war. He lamented his past harshness towards his son, wishing Sheng Chumu were still the wayward, pleasure-seeking youth, just so he could still see and hear him. Unbeknownst to his family, Sheng Chumu had miraculously survived falling into the sea and awakened on a ship, having been rescued by Yan Zifang. Yan Zifang's brother questioned why they saved Sheng Chumu, who had previously wounded Yan Zifang, but Yan Zifang simply dismissed his concerns.

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