Court Lady Episode 46 Recap, Plot

> Court Lady
> Court Lady Recap

Fu Shui directly accused Sun Lingshu of poisoning Sun Lingwei. Sun Lingshu vehemently denied this, but Fu Shui pointed out that she was the last one to touch the sour date cake. A flashback revealed Sun Lingshu had initially ordered her maid to discard all items from Prince Han's manor, including the sour date cake, but then she decided to handle it herself. Fu Shui then found her holding the cake.

Sun Lingshu realized Fu Shui was implying he had poisoned the cake, but Fu Shui quickly reminded her that only the two of them were present, making it impossible for her to clear her name if he framed her. He advised her to accept her fate, and when she resisted, he threatened her with mutual ruin, stating that if she revealed his connection to Eunuch Yu to the Crown Prince, he would pin the poisoning on her.

Stunned, Sun Lingshu could only watch Fu Shui depart. Unbeknownst to them, Shuangxi was hiding behind a screen and overheard the entire conversation. After Fu Shui left, Shuangxi accidentally made a noise, alerting Sun Lingshu, who looked at her defensively. Fearing for her life, Shuangxi ignored Sun Lingshu's calls and fled. As she ran, Shuangxi encountered Sheng Chujun, who had retrieved Sun Lingwei's peacock hairpin.

Shuangxi urgently told Sheng Chujun to go to the Sun family and inform them that Princess Consort Han was innocent, and that Fu Shui was the true poisoner. Before Sheng Chujun could act, Sun Lingshu arrived with guards. Shuangxi was dragged away by the guards, screaming that Fu Shui was responsible. Sun Lingshu then falsely accused Shuangxi of stealing and spreading lies, urging Sheng Chujun not to believe her.

However, Sheng Chujun, who had recently reformed for Sun Lingwei, refused to feign ignorance. He drew his sword, demanding Fu Shui come out, declaring he didn't care if he left the East Palace alive now that he knew the truth. Fu Shui appeared and, accusing Sheng Chujun of attempting to assassinate Sun Lingshu, ordered the guards to kill him. Sheng Chujun fought bravely but was ultimately overwhelmed and killed in front of Sun Lingshu and Fu Shui.

Sun Lingshu, with a sense of melancholy, placed Sun Lingwei's peacock hairpin in Sheng Chujun's hand. Fu Shui's men then concealed Sheng Chujun's body in a chest. Sun Lingshu and Fu Shui concocted a story for the Crown Prince, claiming Shuangxi was caught stealing and then sought help from Sheng Chujun, fabricating a story about Fu Shui poisoning Sun Lingwei. They alleged that Sheng Chujun believed her and tried to kill them, forcing the guards to kill him in self-defense.

The Crown Prince accepted their story but was unsettled. He proposed postponing their plans for the next day, feeling a sense of unease. Fu Shui, however, stressed that any delay could lead to complete failure. Later, the Crown Prince played chess with Fu Shui, asking him privately if Sun Lingshu's account was true. Fu Shui affirmed it, and the Crown Prince did not press further, seemingly satisfied with the explanation. Meanwhile, Prince Liang's attitude towards Lu Yingying had significantly softened.

He promised her a life of splendor once he gained importance and power. Lu Yingying, however, stated that she did not care for such things, prioritizing the safety and well-being of Prince Liang, her father, her brother, and all those she knew. Prince Liang expressed a hint of jealousy, wishing she would only care about him. Unbeknownst to Prince Liang, Yan Zifang, who was ostensibly working for him, was secretly plotting against him.

Yan Zifang entrusted a letter to Ma Haihu, instructing him to deliver it precisely at noon the next day, neither early nor late, to ensure its maximum impact. Ma Haihu warned Yan Zifang about Fu Shui's ruthless and calculating nature. When a palace maid died, the Six Bureaus had to be informed. Fu Rou learned of Shuangxi's death and, hearing rumors of a commotion in the East Palace the previous night, went to investigate.

She noticed an injury on Sun Lingshu's face and inquired about it. Sun Lingshu claimed her son, Que'er, had scratched her. Fu Rou then pressed for details about Shuangxi's death, which Sun Lingshu vaguely attributed to her falling into a well in the dark. Fu Rou, unconvinced, pointed out Shuangxi's familiarity with the palace layout.

Sun Lingshu grew annoyed by Fu Rou's persistent questioning, but Fu Rou calmly stated that if a palace maid's death was suspicious, the case should be handed over to Eunuch Cao of the Directorate of Eunuchs for investigation. Fu Shui later instructed Sun Lingshu to probe Fu Rou's intentions. If Fu Rou showed no suspicion, she was to be sent away. However, if she seemed suspicious, she was to be detained to prevent her from alerting Prince Han.

Observing the unusual atmosphere in the East Palace—Sun Lingshu's strange demeanor and guards constantly passing by with tightly gripped sword hilts—Fu Rou realized something significant was about to happen. She maintained her composure, pretending to be calm, and began discussing routine Bureau of Imperial Etiquette matters with Sun Lingshu. Sun Lingshu, growing impatient, tried to dismiss her. Just as Fu Rou was preparing to leave, a palace maid stumbled upon Sheng Chujun's body in a chest and screamed.

With the discovery, the East Palace guards immediately surrounded Fu Rou, preventing her departure. At noon, as the palace bells chimed, Sheng Chumu arrived to escort Prince Han, who habitually returned to his manor for lunch. On their way back, they encountered an ambush set by the Crown Prince. However, Sheng Chumu had anticipated this. The sedan chair carried a decoy, not Prince Han.

Sheng Chumu's forces easily defeated the ambushers and captured Jisun Chenxin alive, despite Chenxin's attempt to take his own life. Sheng Chumu mocked Chenxin for his past cowardice and love for self-preservation, ensuring he would confess. Simultaneously, Yan Zifang advised Lu Qi against proceeding to the city gate, declaring that the Crown Prince was doomed to fail and there was no need to die with him.

Lu Qi, confused, confronted Yan Zifang, who revealed he had written a secret letter to the Emperor detailing the Crown Prince's conspiracy, ensuring the army's return to the capital. When Lu Qi, furious, attacked him, Yan Zifang explained his motive: he wanted Lu Yingying. He urged Lu Qi to immediately leave Chang'an. Back at the Lu manor, Lu Qi began burning all his letters, intending to flee Chang'an. He remembered Fu Yin, who had been imprisoned by him.

Fu Tao, aware of Fu Yin's situation, watched as Lu Qi approached her. Fu Yin provoked Lu Qi, seemingly wanting him to end her suffering. Lu Qi, drawing his sword, prepared to strike, but Fu Tao intervened, drawing his own weapon. Fu Yin embraced Lu Qi, subtly signaling to Fu Tao not to act.

Unable to kill her, Lu Qi instructed Fu Tao to take Fu Yin away from Chang'an to any small fishing village or town, as she no longer had the right to see their child since she never wanted to give birth to him. Yan Zifang then went to Prince Liang's manor to see Lu Yingying. He confessed his regret for not seizing his own happiness and declared his desire to be with her.

He then falsely claimed that Lu Qi had been seriously injured in a battle between the Crown Prince's and Prince Han's forces against Sheng Chumu, and that he had saved Lu Qi. Yan Zifang told Lu Yingying that if she wished to see her brother, she would have to leave with him. Lu Yingying was skeptical, knowing Yan Zifang's hatred for her family, but upon seeing Lu Qi's token and a letter, she believed him.

She expressed concern that Prince Liang had taken all the manor's guards, leaving it vulnerable in the chaotic city. Yan Zifang reiterated that to see her brother, she must come with him.

Episode 45 Recap

Episode 47 Recap