Court Lady Episode 24 Recap
> Court Lady Recap
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Fu Rou finally confided in Lady of Treasure Li about the secret of the peacock screen. She explained that the multi-layered stitching made the design three-dimensional, but the true trick lay in the embroidery threads dyed with Cat Tongue Flower, which would fade under sunlight to reveal the next layer of pattern, making the peacock appear to move. To further confuse, transparent shark threads were also woven in to reflect light.
While Lady of Treasure Li praised Fu Rou's cleverness, Fu Rou worried that these details could be easily exposed by a true embroidery expert. Lady of Treasure Li, however, revealed that she had anticipated Fu Rou's need. Having come from the Division of Sewing and Embroidery herself, she had already arranged to secretly swap Fu Rou's original embroidery with a simpler one she had made, which was then "discovered" by Lu Qi.
She emphasized that Fu Rou's trust in sharing such a dangerous secret had solidified their bond, transforming their sisterhood into a "Life Exchange Card" in the treacherous palace. Meanwhile, Lu Qi was enraged by his public humiliation. Fu Yin attempted to comfort him, but he was furious at having been outsmarted by a woman and vowed to seek revenge.
The next day, as Fu Rou and Sheng Chumu enjoyed an outing from the palace, Lu Qi deliberately led Prince Liang to them, highlighting Fu Rou as the woman Sheng Chumu admired, thus setting his malevolent gaze upon her. During their peaceful time together in a grassy area, Fu Rou asked Sheng Chumu about Ma Hainiu.
He vehemently denied any romantic ties, reassuring Fu Rou, who then expressed her profound love and relief that he was alive, asking him to hold her hand forever. Sheng Chumu promised never to let go. Their moment was interrupted by Ma Hainiu and Ma Haihu, who confronted Fu Rou. Ma Hainiu presented a marriage contract supposedly signed by Sheng Chumu's younger brothers, which Sheng Chumu angrily tore up.
As Ma Haihu started a fight with Sheng Chumu and Ma Hainiu took Fu Rou hostage, Fu Rou cleverly tricked Ma Hainiu. She advised Ma Hainiu that to marry Sheng Chumu, she needed the approval of his family, particularly Princess Consort Han, whom Sheng Chumu respected most. Believing Fu Rou, Ma Hainiu left with her brother to seek Princess Consort Han's approval. After they left, Fu Rou playfully cleaned Sheng Chumu's ears.
Ma Hainiu found Princess Consort Han and enthusiastically declared her love for Sheng Chumu. Princess Consort Han, feigning support, warned her that becoming a Duchess was demanding. Ma Hainiu, undeterred, agreed to learn anything required. Princess Consort Han then proceeded to impose rigorous lessons in etiquette, reading, and embroidery, with Ma Hainiu stubbornly enduring the hardships.
Elsewhere, Ma Haihu successfully persuaded Yan Zifang to let Lian Yan'er, a former courtesan who had been harassed by noblemen, stay with them, citing her orphan status and the need for a woman's touch in their all-male household. Back in the palace, Fu Rou was told to go to Jade Elixir Pavilion to meet Grand Consort Su. Unbeknownst to her, Prince Liang had impersonated Grand Consort Su's summons.
Prince Zhou's servant also inquired about Fu Rou's whereabouts and learned she was heading to Jade Elixir Pavilion. Upon arriving, Fu Rou discovered Prince Liang alone, who openly admitted to summoning her and expressed his admiration. Threatened, Fu Rou took a tea needle, menacing to take her own life. She calmly argued that her death, while seemingly insignificant, would be the final transgression that would exhaust the Emperor's patience with Prince Liang.
She cited his repeated defiance of imperial decrees by not returning to his feudal land in Liangzhou, his rampant misbehavior in Chang'an, his bullying of commoners, and his recent humiliation of Princess Xin Nan's maidservant. She explained that while the Emperor tolerated him out of respect for the Grand Imperial Sire, forcing a female official, especially one serving the Empress, to her death would challenge the Emperor's authority and the Great Tang laws, making her death the "last straw."
Prince Liang initially pretended to be convinced and allowed her to leave, but then violently seized her again, declaring he would test the Emperor's resolve. Fu Rou screamed for help, and Sheng Chuling, hearing her cries, burst in and bravely fought Prince Liang, rescuing Fu Rou. Prince Liang, furious, falsely accused Sheng Chuling of being an assassin. Just then, Prince Zhou arrived and intervened.
He ordered Prince Liang to stand down, reminding his uncle of the limited patience the Emperor had for his behavior. He dismissed the imperial guards who were about to arrest Sheng Chuling and sent Prince Liang away in a fit of rage. To protect Fu Rou's reputation, Prince Zhou strictly ordered all the guards present to remain silent about the incident. Before Sheng Chuling departed, Fu Rou whispered something important to him.
Prince Zhou, still uneasy, personally escorted Fu Rou back to her residence. Later, Fu Rou reflected on the palace as a place where the powerful prey on the weak, filled with schemes and resentment. She admitted that for a moment, she had considered killing Prince Liang, even if it meant her own execution. However, she concluded that such an act would not be worth it, as long as she had loved ones to cherish.
Sheng Chuling rushed home to inform Sheng Chumu of the grave danger Fu Rou had faced, igniting Sheng Chumu's furious resolve. That same night, Prince Zhou told Consort Yan that he had changed his mind about not forcing Fu Rou, fearing Prince Liang would never let her go. He preferred that she resent him for his actions rather than fall into Prince Liang's hands. Consort Yan mused on how fate often guides people towards their predetermined paths.
The next morning, Prince Zhou was the first to approach the Emperor, formally requesting to marry Fu Rou. He was swiftly followed by Sheng Chumu, who also sought the Emperor's permission for Fu Rou's hand. To the Emperor's further dismay, Yan Zifang then joined them, presenting a longevity locket as proof of his childhood engagement to Fu Rou. Before the Emperor could make a decision, a messenger arrived from the Grand Imperial Sire.
The Grand Imperial Sire, influenced by Prince Liang, formally requested Fu Rou for Prince Liang. Overwhelmed by the competing demands from a Prince, two Generals, and the Grand Imperial Sire, the Emperor deferred the decision to the Empress, noting that Fu Rou served by her side. The Empress, recognizing the "hot potato" situation, feigned illness through her servant, sending everyone away with the promise of a decision once she recovered.
Prince Zhou, Sheng Chumu, and Yan Zifang, however, remained outside, unwilling to leave. Meanwhile, Sheng Chumu and Sheng Chujun investigated Prince Liang's entourage and discovered that it was Lu Qi who had instigated Prince Liang to harass Fu Rou, further intensifying Sheng Chumu's animosity towards Lu Qi.
While Prince Liang complained to the Grand Imperial Sire about the Empress's feigned illness, the Grand Imperial Sire promised to secure Fu Rou for him, but urged Prince Liang to cease his reckless behavior and to cultivate a better relationship with the kind Crown Prince, for his own future protection. With the issue of Fu Rou's future uncertain, Sheng Chumu decided to seek advice from Princess Consort Han. News of his arrival at Princess Consort Han's residence brought a surge of joy to Ma Hainiu, who was still diligently undergoing her arduous lessons.
