Court Lady Episode 38 Recap, Plot

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The Emperor joined the Empress in her fervent prayers for the recovery of the Crown Prince, offering his own lifespan if necessary. Their prayers were answered, and the Crown Prince soon awoke. Investigations led by Prime Minister Fang revealed that the Crown Prince's new saddle, a gift from Prince Han, had been tampered with; poisonous sand had been inserted, causing the horse to become enraged and throw the Crown Prince.

Xia Han, an embroidery maid from Prince Han's manor who was responsible for the saddle's outer cover, was identified as the prime suspect and subjected to severe interrogation. Fu Rou, who knew Xia Han from her time at Prince Han's manor, requested to speak with the captive, hoping to uncover more information. In the prison, a bruised and battered Xia Han confessed her actions were for Xiong Rui's revenge.

Fu Rou argued that the Crown Prince never intended for Xiong Rui or Chen Ji to die. Xia Han, however, blamed the Emperor and Empress for Xiong Rui's death and insisted someone must pay the price. Fu Rou countered that Xia Han was the one paying the ultimate price, sacrificing her own life for a revenge that wouldn't bring Xiong Rui back.

Recalling instructions from Fu Shui, Xia Han then fabricated a confession, claiming Prince Han was the mastermind behind the assassination attempt, hoping to sow discord between him and the Crown Prince. Fu Rou disbelieved her, pointing out that such a complex plot could not have been devised by a mere embroidery maid and suspecting Xia Han was being used to frame Prince Han.

Xia Han, however, vehemently maintained her false accusation, shouting Prince Han's name until she tragically took her own life by slamming her head against the prison wall. Fu Rou reported Xia Han's words to the Empress, but also conveyed her belief that Xia Han was being manipulated.

Recognizing Fu Rou's efforts and the risks she took, the Empress gifted her a gold-threaded celestial armor from the Western Region for protection, emphasizing her desire to prevent any misunderstandings between the Crown Prince and Prince Han. Fu Rou promised to keep Xia Han's claims confidential. Despite the Empress's efforts to suppress the news, Lu Yunj learned of Xia Han's final accusation. He reported to the Crown Prince that Xia Han had named Prince Han as the mastermind.

The Crown Princess Consort, Sun Lingshu, added to the suspicion by highlighting Prince Han's accumulating honors and suggesting his ambitions were boundless. Lu Yunj further implied Prince Han's culpability by connecting his involvement in the hunting trip and the saddle gift, along with Princess Consort Han's instruction to Xia Han to mend the saddle. Though the Crown Prince initially dismissed the accusations, trusting his brother, Lu Yunj continued to fan the flames of doubt.

Later, when the Empress visited the ailing Crown Prince, Sun Lingshu brazenly mentioned Xia Han's mysterious death and her dying words implicating Prince Han. The Empress, enraged by Sun Lingshu's blatant attempt to sow discord, ordered her to be slapped. When Lu Yunj tried to intercede, he was swiftly dismissed. The Crown Prince, pained by Sun Lingshu's swollen face, pleaded with his mother to cease the punishment.

The Empress, appeased by her son's distress, forgave Sun Lingshu but issued a stern warning against further gossip that could damage the relationship between the Crown Prince and Prince Han. Afterwards, she reminded the Crown Prince that all his brothers were her flesh and blood, urging him not to succumb to rumors. Meanwhile, an imperial decree declared Sheng Chumu guilty of inadequate protection of the Crown Prince.

He was sentenced to a hundred canings, demoted to Baiqi General, and confined to his home for self-reflection. Fu Rou, upon hearing the news, rushed to inquire about his condition, heartbroken by his injuries. Yang Bai reassured her that Sheng Chumu, a martial artist, had strong bones, and although the punishment appeared severe with torn skin and bleeding, he had arranged for the blows to be light, ensuring no serious internal damage.

He explained the visible severity was to elicit the Emperor's mercy. Fu Rou, deeply concerned, instructed Yang Bai not to inform Sheng Chumu of her own recent injury. Princess Xin Nan visited the Crown Prince, presenting him with a "Victory Safety Knot" she had commissioned for his speedy recovery. The Crown Prince, teasing her, suspected she had a sweetheart who crafted the knot, causing her to blush and deny it.

Later, Xin Nan met Sheng Chuling by a rockery, where he expressed anger over the Crown Prince's injury indirectly leading to Sheng Chumu's severe caning. Xin Nan then inadvertently revealed that the Crown Princess Consort had specifically ordered the Ministry of Punishment to "severely beat" Sheng Chumu. This revelation solidified Sheng Chuling's belief that the East Palace had filed a false accusation against his brother, retaliating for Sheng Chumu offending the Crown Prince during the search for Jisun Chenxin.

At home, Sheng's mother also expressed her indignation and forbade Sheng Chujun from pursuing Sun Lingwei, the Crown Princess Consort's sister, viewing the Sun family as untrustworthy due to their perceived role in Sheng Chumu's punishment. Fu Rou, still mourning Xia Han's demise, released river lanterns for her. Prince Zhou joined her, observing her compassion for those who had died, regardless of their guilt.

Fu Rou then questioned if he, as a noble, viewed commoners like embroidery maids and entertainers as mere "ants." Prince Zhou affirmed, stating that in the grand scheme, everyone is an "ant" in the eyes of those above them, and losing meant becoming an ant at the mercy of others. During Sheng Chumu's recovery, Lian Yan'er seized the opportunity to care for him, even attempting to feed him porridge, which he politely declined.

While he slept, she discovered a letter addressed "To my brother Lord Zhao" hidden beneath his bed, but Sheng Chumu awoke and quickly retrieved it before she could fully read it. Sheng's mother initially harbored reservations about Lian Yan'er, but her opinion changed entirely when she learned Lian Yan'er was skilled in numerous elaborate hairstyles, including the Xishi Single Bun, Duo-blade Bun, Concentric Bun, and Four-ring Bun.

Separately, Prince Han's wife expressed her concern that Sheng Chumu's demotion was a warning from the Crown Prince aimed at Prince Han, though Prince Han remained steadfast in his belief that the Crown Prince would never harm him. Meanwhile, the Crown Prince ordered Fu Shui to be brought from prison. After being cleaned and dressed, Fu Shui was presented to the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince recognized Fu Shui as the man who had approached him after his fall, a moment he had initially mistook for a visitation from Chen Ji's spirit due to Fu Shui's striking resemblance to his deceased friend. Expressing his surprise, the Crown Prince learned Fu Shui's name and its poignant meaning, reflecting on how many life events are irreversible. He then invited Fu Shui to play a game of Go.

The Crown Princess Consort, observing their interaction, instructed her attendant Shuang Xi not to speak ill of Fu Shui, declaring that she would now care for anyone the Crown Prince cared about, determined to prevent a recurrence of the past conflict involving Chen Ji. As they played, the Crown Prince found himself repeatedly reminded of Chen Ji by Fu Shui's Go playing style.

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