Court Lady Episode 32 Recap, Plot

> Court Lady
> Court Lady Recap

Lu Yingying went to Prince Liang, presenting an apology for a previous misunderstanding. She "lied", explaining that after seeing him in Chang'an, she spoke of an admirable gentleman to her family, and her shyness prevented her from revealing his royal status, making her brother, Lu Qi, misinterpret her affections and turn down Prince Liang's marriage proposal on her behalf.

Prince Liang, not easily convinced, directly questioned if her admiration was genuine or if she was attempting to use her beauty to persuade him to rescue her imprisoned father, Lu Yunj, and brother. Lu Yingying admitted it was a bit of both, expressing her deep admiration for him while also acknowledging her unbreakable family bonds. Although Prince Liang had initially considered making her his consort, he now offered her the lesser status of concubine ("ruren") due to her dual motives.

Lu Yingying accepted, but stipulated that her father and brother should be released from prison and present at her departure to his manor. Prince Liang agreed, promising that the day they returned home would be the day she joined his household. However, he privately told his subordinate that he would merely "sit back and watch," believing that regardless of the Lu family's fate, acquiring Lu Yingying would be simple.

He explained that if they were found innocent, she would become his concubine as promised; if found guilty and executed, she would be sold as a slave, making it easy for him to buy her. He planned only to make them comfortable in prison and provide small updates, believing that if they survived, they would be grateful to him. Meanwhile, with Prince Qin's royal tutor on leave, the Empress appointed Fu Rou to assist him with his studies.

However, Prince Qin was more interested in stories than lessons. Fu Rou told him a story about the wise Marquis Wen of Wei. The Emperor, overhearing from outside, praised her storytelling and instructed her to share more tales of filial piety with Prince Qin, also reminding his son to visit the Grand Imperial Sire. Fu Rou then accompanied the Emperor to Ganlu Hall, where they found Prince Han with Sheng Chumu.

Prince Han explained Sheng Chumu's recent disappearance by claiming he had been suffering from a hidden illness and had sought out a reclusive master for treatment. The Emperor, pleased by Sheng Chumu's return, prepared to bestow honors. He first commended Yan Zifang for his capture of Hong Yide, promoting him and tasking him with maintaining peace and order in West Chang'an. Next, the Emperor asked Sheng Chumu what reward he desired for saving the Grand Imperial Sire and the Empress.

Many present anticipated Sheng Chumu would request to marry Fu Rou. Instead, Sheng Chumu humbly requested permission to leave Chang'an and guard the country's borders. He declared that he had come to realize that "romantic love was merely a mirage," which only brought "continuous disappointment and heartbreak." He wished to "sever all ties with the past" and let the "harsh and cold borderlands. . . temper my will and make me stronger."

Despite Prince Han's attempt to dissuade him, the Emperor, impressed by Sheng Chumu's newfound resolve, granted his request. Fu Rou, standing nearby, was heartbroken, though Sheng Chumu did not meet her gaze, still mistakenly believing she had deliberately harmed him. After the general audience, the Emperor asked the Crown Prince to remain behind. Following the court session, Prince Zhou approached Fu Rou, acknowledging Sheng Chumu's heroic act while subtly implying that Sheng Chumu's past persistence was less admirable.

Observing Fu Rou's somber mood, he decided to retreat. Shortly after, Yan Zifang sought out Fu Rou to apologize for his past actions, asking why she had not exposed his wrongdoing. Fu Rou revealed she had promised Lu Yingying to keep his secret. She then urged Yan Zifang to cherish Lu Yingying, who loved him deeply and would sacrifice everything for him, warning him of the profound pain he would feel should he lose her.

Prince Liang later visited Lu Yunj and Lu Qi in their prison cell. Upon witnessing a guard mistreating them, he publicly humiliated and removed the disrespectful official. He then provided the Lu father and son with a meal, assuring them of his support and promising to keep them informed of developments in their case, particularly regarding Hong Yide, who was being closely guarded by Prince Zhou.

Lu Qi was perplexed by Prince Liang's sudden change of heart, but Lu Yunj found solace in the hope of release that this support offered. Meanwhile, Prince Zhou interrogated Hong Yide, who stubbornly refused to confess to anyone but the Crown Prince, stating that as the heir apparent, only he had the authority to make decisions.

Prince Liang, having learned of Hong Yide's refusal, immediately informed the Crown Prince, urging him to intervene quickly to prevent Prince Zhou from claiming the credit for the case and to avoid potential complications that could arise from Lu Yunj's ties to the Crown Prince. Fu Rou, distraught, gazed at a braided hair tie, a symbol of her bond with Sheng Chumu, recalling his vow that they were "a married couple."

She questioned his recent declaration of "broken free from the past." Prince Liang then found Fu Rou and forcibly took a precious elixir pill given to her by Daoist Master Yuan, asserting that such valuable items belonged to superior nobles. Fu Rou, feeling betrayed, conceded to his demand. In an effort to be self-reliant, Lian Yan'er and Ma Hainiu crafted a collection of exquisite jewelry.

They managed to sell a set to Princess Consort Han, with Lian Yan'er also styling her hair and makeup. Princess Consort Han's elegant appearance at a garden party soon caught the attention of Princess Si Ling, prompting the Princess Consort to heartily recommend Ma Hainiu and her unique craftsmanship. Sheng Chumu prepared to depart for the border, bidding farewell to his family.

His mother desperately tried to dissuade him, painting a grim picture of the harsh conditions at the border, reminding him of his pampered upbringing. Sheng Chumu, however, remained resolute, affirming his commitment to "guard the country and serve the nation," stating his resolve would not waver despite the hardships. His father, Sheng Xiaojing, expressed his pride in his son's patriotic ambition. Sheng Chuling, concerned, inquired about Fu Rou, but Sheng Chumu abruptly dismissed the topic, stating their relationship was over.

Sheng Chumu then entrusted Sheng Chuling with the care of their parents and the task of urging their younger brother, Sheng Chujun, to practice his martial arts. Separately, Sheng Chujun visited Fu'an Temple, where he encountered Sun Lingwei. Her previous cold demeanor had vanished, and she thanked him for a safety charm she believed had brought good fortune to her sister and mended their family relations.

Sheng Chujun, knowing her identity (Sun Lingwei, daughter of Sun Tan, sister of the Crown Princess), cleverly persuaded her to meet him at the temple again in five days, appealing to their shared sense of filial piety. The Crown Prince proceeded to the prison to meet Hong Yide, unaware that this entire scenario was orchestrated by Fu Shui. Fu Shui had used Hong Yide's grandson as leverage, forcing Hong Yide to commit suicide as a sacrifice.

Remembering Fu Shui's threats against his grandson, Hong Yide, upon seeing the Crown Prince, declared his deep-seated hatred for the Emperor and his family. Unable to harm the Emperor, his father (the Grand Imperial Sire), or his wife (the Empress), Hong Yide stated that causing the Crown Prince's downfall would be a fitting act of revenge. He then took poison and died. Prince Zhou, rushing into the cell shortly after, immediately accused the Crown Prince of murder.

Prince Zhou reported Hong Yide's death to the Empress, subtly implicating the Crown Prince by noting that he had insisted on visiting Hong Yide despite Prince Zhou's efforts to prevent it, leaving the Crown Prince as the sole witness and prime suspect. When confronted by the Emperor, the Crown Prince insisted Hong Yide had committed suicide by poison and that he had done nothing.

Prince Zhou countered, pointing out that Hong Yide had been well before the Crown Prince's visit and died minutes later, also noting the inconsistency in the Crown Prince's statements. The Emperor, angered by the Crown Prince's conflicting statements and suspecting he had killed Hong Yide to protect Lu Yunj, ordered the Crown Prince to be imprisoned without visitation.

In the ensuing court session, both Sun Tan and Zhan Xuanzhi bravely pleaded for the Crown Prince's release, arguing that he was "the root of the nation" and should not be hastily jailed without solid evidence. Zhan Xuanzhi further proposed that if the Emperor refused, a different official should handle the Dacang Mountain case, as it was improper for Prince Zhou to investigate his own brother. Enraged by their defiance, the Emperor had both ministers dragged out of the court. Seizing the moment, Prince Zhou then suggested that Prime Minister Fang be appointed to oversee the Dacang Mountain case.

Episode 31 Recap

Episode 33 Recap