Court Lady Episode 20 Recap, Plot

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After learning that the Lu family was responsible for her mother's death, Fu Yin left home, leaving a letter for Du Ning, telling him not to wait for her. Distraught, Du Ning questioned why she had broken her promise. Fu Yin, determined to uncover why the Lu family harmed her family, went to Duke of Cai's Manor and became a maid in Lu Qi's study.

Steward Wu, seeking a beautiful maid for Lu Qi's study, ultimately chose Fu Yin for her pretty features and pleasant voice. He introduced her to Linglong, Lu Qi's current maid, instructing Linglong to guide her. Linglong, however, immediately viewed Fu Yin as a rival for Lu Qi's attention and treated her with hostility, suspicious of her intentions. As the new Official of Communication, Fu Rou was informed by her assistant Supervisor Li that she would frequently serve the Empress.

Later, Prince Zhou summoned Fu Rou, showing her a mouth injury and accusing Sheng Chumu of causing it, thus holding Fu Rou responsible. He then presented her with a torn sleeve from his clothing, attributing Yan Zifang's involvement in the fight to her due to their childhood engagement, and insisted she mend it in his presence. Fu Rou, having no other choice, agreed to his unreasonable demand.

While she mended the garment, Prince Zhou, in a visibly good mood, shared that Counselor Qian was returning to Chang'an, hoping to convince the Emperor to keep him there. Fu Rou, noting Prince Zhou’s happiness, expressed that his mentor's return would surely lift his spirits. However, when she stated that his happiness should not come at her expense, he countered that her happiness with Sheng Chumu would cause him pain.

After the mending was complete, Fu Rou quickly tried to leave, but Prince Zhou grabbed her hand, once again asking her to give him a chance. Fu Rou rejected his advance and departed. Meanwhile, the Grand Imperial Sire warned the Crown Prince about the potential dangers of Prince Han's newly established Literature Hall, reminding him that the Emperor had amassed his own power by recruiting wise talents through a similar initiative, the Tianzhao Manor. This made the Crown Prince suspicious.

Prince Han soon visited, excitedly recounting the talented individuals he had already recruited, including a painter named Wang Shanqi and a man of extensive knowledge in geography named Diwu Rouyang. Prince Han's eagerness only deepened the Crown Prince's suspicion. Prince Han then changed the topic, advising the Crown Prince to reconcile with the Crown Princess, emphasizing that all couples have disagreements, and that the Crown Princess was, after all, the one who would bear him children.

The Crown Prince acknowledged this, surprised that Prince Han would speak up for the Crown Princess, given her previous quarrels with Princess Consort Han, but Prince Han calmly stated that he could not hold a grudge against his sister-in-law as they were family. Concerned by Prince Zhou’s interest in Fu Rou, Sheng Chumu asked his younger brother, Sheng Chuling, to keep an eye on Fu Rou in the palace.

Sheng Chuling explained that as a guard, he could not access the Empress’s Yicheng Hall, where Fu Rou now served. He pointed out that Sheng Chumu’s romantic entanglement with Ma Hainiu could cause Fu Rou to lose faith in him, and urged his elder brother to resolve the situation, revealing that Ma Hainiu had been openly claiming Sheng Chumu had kissed her and should marry her.

Sheng Chumu explained that his predicament stemmed from a favor he owed Yan Zifang, which led to trouble with Ma Hainiu. Ma Hainiu’s brothers, hearing her complaints about Sheng Chumu, had encouraged her to pursue him, even suggesting drastic actions like attacking Duke of Lu’s Manor. Still, they agreed they couldn't act like pirates anymore. Sheng Chuling and Sheng Chujun then went to see Ma Hainiu, mistakenly believing they were there to discuss wedding arrangements.

Ma Hainiu excitedly welcomed them, sending her own brothers away. However, Sheng Chuling and Sheng Chujun immediately insulted her, declaring her unworthy even to wash their elder brother’s feet, let alone marry him. Incensed, Ma Hainiu ordered her men to beat them severely. After a thorough beating, Ma Hainiu, with a triumphant smirk, asked if she was now qualified to be their elder sister-in-law.

Bruised and battered, Sheng Chuling and Sheng Chujun quickly conceded, proclaiming her a worthy match for their brother. Fu Yin, fueled by anger and a desire for justice, secretly drew a portrait of Lu Qi, vowing to uncover why his father, Lu Yunj, had caused her mother’s death and to make the Lu family pay. Meanwhile, Linglong deliberately made trouble for Fu Yin and sent her away.

She then attempted to seduce Lu Qi, but he was annoyed by her heavy use of fragrant powder. Displeased by Lu Qi's rejection and feeling neglected, Linglong sought comfort with Lu Hanxing, complaining that Lu Qi, despite having taken her virginity, had only made her a bedchamber maid with a double salary, then ignored her.

Lu Hanxing, who had secretly kept some of the valuables meant for bribing officials during Lu Yunj and Lu Qi’s imprisonment, gave Linglong a pearl garment that originally belonged to Lu Yingying. Linglong was delighted but worried it might be recognized, so Lu Hanxing advised her to dismantle it and keep the pearls. He then asked her to secretly examine Lu Qi’s writings on military strategy to help him gain Uncle Lu’s favor.

When Linglong expressed hesitation, fearing Lu Qi’s anger, Lu Hanxing boasted that he had set the fire at the Fu family residence to prevent Lu Qi from taking Fu Rou as a concubine, believing this would please Linglong. Linglong was shocked by his confession. Shortly after, they heard a noise and found Fu Yin outside, washing clothes. Fu Yin accidentally spilled dirty water on Linglong’s clothes, provoking Linglong to physically assault her. Lu Hanxing intervened to stop the fight.

Later, Lu Qi returned to his study and observed Linglong tormenting Fu Yin, but he did not intervene, merely dismissing Fu Yin. Linglong then tried to grind ink for Lu Qi, but clumsily spilled it on his desk. Annoyed by her incompetence and heavy use of fragrant powder, Lu Qi quickly dismissed her. The Crown Prince visited Prince Liang, where he was alarmed to see numerous armed "martial artists," fearing Prince Liang was secretly raising a rebellion.

Prince Liang, however, explained that these were merely his manor guards disguised as martial artists, indulging his fantasy of ruling the martial world. After watching a performance, Prince Liang offered the Crown Prince food. Without chopsticks, Prince Liang demonstrated slicing meat with a knife. The Crown Prince tasted it and was horrified to realize it was beef, which was strictly forbidden by imperial decree, and worse, Prince Liang admitted it was stolen.

Despite his shock and initial refusal, the Crown Prince was persuaded to eat more by Prince Liang’s coaxing. Drunk, the Crown Prince was taken back to the East Palace, where the Crown Princess lovingly tended to him. She was overjoyed that he was finally spending the night in her chambers. The next morning, waking up with the Crown Princess in his arms, the Crown Prince felt a softening in his heart.

Shortly after, Zhan Xuanzhi arrived at the East Palace, appointed by the Emperor as the Crown Prince’s Right Mentor. The Crown Prince, expecting frank advice, encouraged Zhan Xuanzhi to speak his mind without reservation. Zhan Xuanzhi wasted no time, sternly criticizing the Crown Prince's "arrogant and indulgent habits" and his association with the unruly Prince Liang, who was excessively pampered by the Grand Imperial Sire.

He urged the Crown Prince to instead seek the company of virtuous and talented princes like Prince Han. Enraged, the Crown Prince threw a book and stormed out of the study, deeply disappointing Zhan Xuanzhi, who then contemplated resigning his post to the Emperor. Meanwhile, the Crown Princess, reflecting on her past, regretted her role in Chen Ji’s death, wishing for the kind and gentle Crown Prince she once knew.

To Zhan Xuanzhi’s surprise, the Crown Prince soon returned, bowed to him, and sincerely apologized for his outburst. He promised to significantly reduce his contact with Prince Liang. Pleased by the Crown Prince’s sincerity and willingness to listen, Zhan Xuanzhi reinforced the importance of choosing associates carefully to avoid criticism. The Crown Prince, taking his advice, agreed to visit Prince Han's Literature Hall that afternoon. Taking a break, Fu Rou visited her former colleagues at the Administration Bureau.

Official Xue urgently requested her help: the Bureau needed a beauty portrait from Prince Zhou. She explained that their previous submissions to Prince Liang had been repeatedly rejected for not being "beautiful enough," and failure this time would result in collective punishment. Since Prince Zhou was known for his talent in painting beauties and had a personal connection with Fu Rou, she was their only hope. Fu Rou reluctantly went to Prince Zhou, who immediately seized the opportunity.

He offered to paint the portrait in exchange for her spending a full day with him outside the palace. Fu Rou firmly refused, attempting to leave. When Prince Zhou sarcastically brought up Sheng Chumu’s ongoing entanglement with Ma Hainiu, Fu Rou retorted that it was her personal affair. Seeing her resolve, Prince Zhou, unwilling to let her leave empty-handed, took her to Lingxiao Pavilion. There, he revealed an entire collection of paintings, all of which were exquisitely detailed portraits of Fu Rou herself.

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