Court Lady Episode 16 Recap, Plot

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The Crown Prince was furious with Crown Princess Consort Sun Lingshu, accusing her of causing trouble for his family by carelessly revealing information to Princess Xin Nan, which led to the Empress becoming involved and offending Prince Han's family. He expressed his disappointment, reminding her that he had previously praised her discretion and had tolerated her other issues, such as her resistance to him taking concubines and her disputes with the Division of Sewing and Embroidery.

Sun Lingshu tearfully defended herself, claiming it was an accidental slip of the tongue and she had no idea Princess Xin Nan would report it. The Crown Prince, dismissing her explanation, chastised her and left. Feeling wronged, Sun Lingshu confided in her maid, wondering how Prince Han had discovered the matter. Her maid suggested that a servant from Prince Han's Manor, previously placed in the East Palace by Princess Consort Han, was likely reporting back.

To eliminate this perceived threat, Sun Lingshu framed Dong'er, a maid from Prince Han's Manor, for stealing a bracelet, had her beaten, and then expelled her from the East Palace. Dong'er, bruised and injured, returned to Prince Han's Manor to recount her ordeal. Prince Han, realizing that the theft accusation was merely a pretext and Dong'er was punished solely due to her connection to his family, was enraged and intended to confront the Crown Prince again.

However, Princess Consort Han, seeking to avoid further conflict, urged him to drop the matter, arguing that further confrontation would only escalate tensions. She expressed her willingness to endure the grievance from the Crown Princess Consort for the sake of overall harmony. Meanwhile, Sun Lingshu felt a sense of relief after Dong'er's departure, believing the East Palace would now be more peaceful, and rationalized her actions as being for the greater good of the Crown Prince's standing.

Separately, Fu Rou and Sheng Chumu finally reunited, embracing each other warmly. Sheng Chumu took Fu Rou on an outing, where he recounted being saved by Yan Zifang. Fu Rou reflected on the irony, noting how they were once almost killed by Yan Zifang, yet now they had saved him, highlighting the unpredictable nature of fate. Sheng Chumu also shared that he had encountered Fu Tao, who was now serving as a personal guard to Lu Yunji.

Duke of Chang, aiming to secure Lu Yunji's loyalty for the Crown Prince, decided to arrange a marriage between his son and Lu Yingying. This decision meant breaking his son's existing engagement to Sun Lingwei, Sun Lingshu's sister. Lingwei complained bitterly to Sun Lingshu, feeling insulted that Lu Yingying was considered more virtuous and favored by the Empress.

Duke of Chang explained his strategic decision to the Crown Prince, stating that by becoming in-laws with Lu Yunji, he intended to bring Lu Yunji under the Crown Prince's influence, ensuring his support in critical moments. The Crown Prince approved of Duke of Chang's shrewd planning. However, Lu Yingying was unwilling to marry Duke of Chang's son, as her heart belonged to Yan Zifang, a secret she kept hidden.

Her brother, Lu Qi, noticed her sadness and urged her to reveal her true feelings, promising to support her, but she refused to confide in him. Later that evening, Sun Lingshu attempted to sow discord between the Crown Prince and Duke of Chang by criticizing the Duke's decision to abandon the Sun family for the Lu family. Instead, the Crown Prince grew displeased, remarking that his soup tasted "bad," and abruptly left to play Go with Chen Ji.

Sun Lingshu, failing to understand his displeasure, concluded that the Crown Prince no longer loved her. During her nightly patrol, Court Lady Situ discovered the Crown Prince playing Go with Chen Ji, an entertainer, late into the night. Shocked by this inappropriate association, she confronted the Crown Prince the next day, urging him to end the friendship. She warned him that Chen Ji's low status could harm his reputation, especially if the Empress found out.

The Crown Prince, however, dismissed her concerns and instructed her to keep silent. Meanwhile, Sun Lingshu also became aware of the Crown Prince's continued interactions with Chen Ji, growing increasingly indignant and blaming Court Lady Situ for tolerating such behavior. Fu Rou later encountered Chen Ji in the East Palace. Chen Ji explained that the Crown Prince had invited him to stay for a few days so imperial physicians could treat his leg and they could continue their Go games.

He even invited Fu Rou to his new home in Luoye Alley. Concerned for both their well-being, Fu Rou advised Chen Ji to leave the East Palace, explaining that his friendship with the Crown Prince was politically unwise and could cause problems for both of them. Although reluctant, Chen Ji understood the implications and agreed to bid farewell to the Crown Prince and cease his visits.

During their final game, Chen Ji explained the concept of a "gambit" in Go, where minor pieces are sacrificed to protect major ones. He humorously related it to historical events and even offered to be a "gambit" for the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince, moved, reassured Chen Ji that he would never treat him as such, affirming their genuine friendship. Chen Ji then formally announced his departure, which the Crown Prince accepted with understanding.

The Grand Imperial Sire unexpectedly slipped and fell in the garden. Due to her own poor health, the Empress was unable to attend to him in Da'an Palace. Consequently, the Crown Prince announced he would reside in Da'an Palace for a period to care for the Grand Imperial Sire. He instructed Sun Lingshu to remain in the East Palace, encouraging her to read and watch plays.

Feeling slighted and resentful, Sun Lingshu, still angry at Chen Ji, specifically demanded that he perform the demanding opera "Zhao Zilong Entering and Leaving Changban Hill Seven Times" in the East Palace. Despite Chen Ji's unhealed leg injury, Sun Lingshu deliberately aimed to make things difficult for him.

Prince Han was initially reluctant to send Chen Ji, recognizing the malicious intent, but Princess Consort Han persuaded him, arguing that refusing would only deepen Sun Lingshu's grudge, potentially leading to greater harm for Chen Ji and creating further tension for the Crown Prince. Butler Wu relayed Chen Ji's inability to perform due to his injury, but Sun Lingshu remained unyielding. Fu Rou, overhearing the concerns about the high stage and Chen Ji's condition, took proactive measures.

She instructed palace maids to tie red silk banners around the stage, presenting it to Sun Lingshu as an auspicious palace tradition for pregnant women, and attributing the idea to the Empress. Sun Lingshu, not wanting to defy the Empress, permitted the placement of the red silk. Chen Ji, enduring his pain, completed the first performance. However, Sun Lingshu, unfazed, demanded he perform it again. During the second rendition, Chen Ji accidentally fell from the stage.

Thankfully, the red silk banners softened his fall, preventing serious injury, though he still twisted his ankle. Sun Lingshu scoffed that her "good fortune" was wasted on an entertainer. Chen Ji, deeply grateful to Fu Rou for saving his life, reiterated his decision to leave the perilous palace for good and return to his home in Luoye Alley.

As Court Lady Situ prepared to retire from her position and was bidding farewell to the Empress, Sun Lingshu arrived to pay her respects. The Empress, having learned of Sun Lingshu's recent actions, chastised her severely regarding proper prenatal education and her inappropriate choice of entertainment, specifically the violent "Zhao Zilong" play, which she had insisted Chen Ji perform twice despite his injury. Fearing for the unborn heir, the Empress was furious.

To evade responsibility, Sun Lingshu claimed her actions were an attempt to "chastise" Chen Ji, whom she accused of misleading the Crown Prince and causing him to neglect his duties. She then implicated Court Lady Situ, stating that she had known about Chen Ji's influence on the Crown Prince but failed to report it, thus indulging the Crown Prince. Enraged, the Empress ordered Chen Ji to be brought back for questioning.

Court Lady Situ, attempting to protect the Crown Prince, pleaded with the Empress, explaining that the Crown Prince had already dismissed Chen Ji, and pursuing the matter further would only tarnish the Crown Prince's reputation. However, the Empress, feeling betrayed and disappointed by Court Lady Situ's concealment, ignored her pleas and ordered her to be caned for dereliction of duty and lying to her superior. Meanwhile, Sheng Chumu was tasked with guarding the gates of Chang'an.

Late one evening, Lu Qi returned from hunting and demanded entry. Sheng Chumu, deliberately hostile, refused, citing security concerns and implying Lu Qi might be carrying dangerous items. He insisted on a thorough body search, which Lu Qi reluctantly accepted. During the search, Sheng Chumu provocatively found a hunting dagger and then began to verbally assault Lu Yingying's character, calling her a "disaster star" who brought misfortune to anyone associated with her, referencing her broken engagements.

Enraged by the insults, Lu Qi struck Sheng Chumu. Seizing this opportunity, Sheng Chumu immediately ordered Lu Qi and his companions to be bound for assaulting a guard official, declaring his intention to present the matter to the Emperor for judgment the following morning, despite Lu Qi's protests of abuse of power and false accusations.

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