Court Lady Episode 39 Recap, Plot

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Sheng Chumu, still recovering from his injuries, began practicing sword fighting in the courtyard. Lian Yan'er diligently cared for him, even preparing a pork feet soup. Sheng Chumu's mother, charmed by Lian Yan'er's exceptional skill in dressing and hairstyling (having learned to style a "Bácóng Huíhú Jì" for her), and acknowledging her unfortunate past of being sold to Yanhui Pavilion, suggested that Sheng Chumu take her as a concubine.

However, Sheng Chumu skillfully deflected the offer, complimenting his mother's appearance and reminding her of his imperial order for solitary reflection, implying he could not accept the suggestion at this time. The Crown Prince, now able to walk, was devastated to discover he had a limp. He angrily kicked Imperial Physician Liu and began smashing objects in his room, unable to accept becoming a cripple, and ordered everyone out. Even the Emperor lamented his son's fate.

Fu Shui, entering with food, found the Crown Prince in despair. He gently encouraged the Crown Prince by reminding him of his favorite roasted fish and shared a cynical philosophy: if one does not claim what is theirs, others will take it by any means necessary. Motivated by this, the Crown Prince declared his resolve to protect what belonged to him, stating "No one can swallow my roasted fish."

He confided that Fu Shui reminded him of his late friend, Chen Ji. Fu Shui, however, expressed fear of meeting a similar tragic fate as Chen Ji, who died young. The Crown Prince earnestly promised that no one would harm Fu Shui and that Chen Ji's history would not repeat itself with him. Buoyed by a renewed sense of purpose, the Crown Prince began reviewing the memorials.

He voiced frustration over the Literature Hall scholars, who he felt disrespected him by exclusively acknowledging Prince Han. Fu Shui proposed a clever solution: publicly promote these scholars to higher ranks but simultaneously reassign them to insignificant, idle positions, thereby creating an illusion of advancement while effectively rendering them powerless. The Crown Prince readily agreed to implement this plan.

After a long period of recovery, the Crown Prince attended court, walking with a visible limp and ignoring the hushed murmurs of the officials. The Emperor praised his recent diligent work on the memorials. The Crown Prince then recommended Lu Yunj, Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, to preside over the upcoming triennial evaluation of officials, a suggestion the Emperor approved.

The Emperor announced his decision to recuperate at the Hot Springs Palace, appointing the Crown Prince as regent to oversee state affairs. The Crown Prince vowed not to disappoint him. Prince Han seized the opportunity to intercede on behalf of Sheng Chumu, arguing that he deserved a pardon for his service in suppressing the rebellion and that the Crown Prince's injury was not his fault.

The Emperor agreed to lift Sheng Chumu's house arrest but insisted he remain General Baiqi, further granting him permission to select 100 elite cavalrymen from the imperial army to staff his command. While tutoring King Qin, Fu Rou encountered a difficult philosophical passage, hesitant actions achieve nothing, doubtful endeavors yield no results from the Book of Lord Shang, and sought guidance from Prince Zhou.

After explaining the concept of decisiveness in action, Prince Zhou, sensing her underlying concern, probed whether she had come to him on behalf of Sheng Chumu. Fu Rou reluctantly admitted her intention. Prince Zhou then deliberately informed her that Sheng Chumu had taken another woman, Lian Yan'er, who was now living in the Duke of Lu's Manor, suggesting a bet to prove it. Disbelieving, Fu Rou discreetly visited the Sheng Manor.

There, she witnessed Sheng Chumu and Lian Yan'er in an intimate exchange, with Lian Yan'er doting on him. Heartbroken, Fu Rou confronted Sheng Chumu. Still angered by their past, Sheng Chumu retorted that it was none of her business whom he chose to be with and deliberately embraced Lian Yan'er. Deeply wounded, Fu Rou turned and left.

Moments later, Sheng Chumu regretted his harsh words and rushed to follow her, only to see her accepting Prince Zhou's hand to mount his horse. The sight further wounded Sheng Chumu, who silently vowed never to be deceived again. Princess Consort Han visited the Crown Princess Consort Sun Lingxu, offering apologies for her delayed visit and presenting an ancient ginseng root.

However, Sun Lingxu, already suspicious of Prince Han's role in the Crown Prince's injury, responded with cutting remarks, questioning Prince Han's safety during the hunting accident and implying her complicity in the assassin Xia Han's actions. Feeling insulted, Princess Consort Han instructed her maid not to reveal the encounter to Prince Han to spare him her anger. Later, Fu Shui advised Sun Lingxu on how to further sow discord between the Crown Prince and Prince Han.

The next day, Sun Lingxu presented the Crown Prince with a broken tiger's paw, falsely claiming it was a mocking gift from Princess Consort Han. Enraged, the Crown Prince felt deeply insulted. Zhan Xuanzhi confronted the Crown Prince, accusing him of allowing personal desires to override public duty while serving as regent and letting private desires conquer his mind. The Crown Prince, however, dismissed his counsel.

Concurrently, Fu Rou urged the Empress to intervene, explaining that the Crown Prince, by using his regency to act on personal grievances, risked severe repercussions for his future and the state. Convinced, the Empress summoned the Crown Prince and severely admonished him. Upon learning of the Empress's scolding, Sun Lingxu, believing Fu Rou to be colluding with Princess Consort Han, concluded that Fu Rou was actively conspiring against the East Palace.

Fu Shui then urgently informed the Crown Prince that Zhan Xuanzhi was en route to the Hot Springs Palace to report directly to the Emperor. Panicked, the Crown Prince ordered Zhan Xuanzhi to be intercepted and brought back to the East Palace. However, Fu Shui, abusing his authority, falsely relayed the Crown Prince's command, instructing East Palace guards, disguised as robbers, to assassinate Zhan Xuanzhi for betrayal. Zhan Xuanzhi was ambushed and fatally wounded.

Just before his death, Du Ning, his student, arrived, and Zhan Xuanzhi, recognizing Fu Shui's treachery, warned Du Ning that a deceitful person within the East Palace sought to undermine the Great Tang's foundation and implored him to protect the Crown Prince.

Later, Fu Shui presented Zhan Xuanzhi's memorial to the Crown Prince, revealing that it contained accusations against Fu Shui, likening him to Chen Ji, and implying that Zhan Xuanzhi had sought Fu Shui's execution just as the Emperor had coerced the Crown Prince into personally killing Chen Ji. Concurrently, Lu Yunj, presiding over the official evaluations, openly accepted bribes.

When Wang Yuezhi from the Literature Hall refused to pay, Lu Yunj unfairly ranked him last, leading to his dismissal by edict from the Crown Prince. The Literature Hall officials, already discontent with the Crown Prince's actions, drafted a memorial detailing his misdeeds and presented it to Prince Han, urging him to intercede with the Emperor. Initially, Prince Han hesitated, reluctant to harm his brother.

However, upon learning that the Crown Prince, swayed by Lu Yunj's slander, had allowed Wang Yuezhi's unjust dismissal, Prince Han, realizing his brother was being manipulated by treacherous figures, decided he could no longer remain passive and resolved to act.

Separately, the Empress, troubled by the growing discord among her sons, accepted Fu Rou's suggestion to host a family banquet on the Crown Princess Consort Sun Lingxu's birthday (the ninth day of the month), hoping it would reconcile the strained relationships between the Crown Prince, Prince Han, and King Qin. Meanwhile, Sheng Chumu successfully recruited 100 elite cavalrymen for his Baiqi army by personally challenging and defeating imperial guards, stating that the Baiqi were "the elite of the elite." He then ordered them to begin an intensified training regimen at Dacang Mountain, deeming the comforts of Chang'an unsuitable for their development.

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