Court Lady Episode 51 Recap, Plot

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Fushui, acting as Imperial Physician Yan, visited the Crown Prince in prison. The Crown Prince, who had considered Fushui a confidant, expressed his regret for their current circumstances and urged Fushui to live a full life. Fushui then confessed that he had poisoned the Crown Prince with a slow-acting toxin designed to be untraceable, making it appear as if the Crown Prince died from a hunger strike.

He revealed his true identity as Yang Fushui, the grandson of Yang Yuan, a former rebel leader whose family was massacred by the Tang Army. His sole purpose in the Crown Prince's service had been to sow discord within the imperial family as an act of revenge. Despite his confession, Fushui felt a flicker of remorse and administered an antidote to the suffering Crown Prince.

Later, back in the palace, an imperial eunuch delivered a bolt of brocade to Fushui, a reward from the Emperor for "saving" the Crown Prince. After the eunuch left, Eunuch Yu confronted Fushui, furious at his failure to kill the Crown Prince. Eunuch Yu slapped Fushui, calling him soft-hearted and offering to finish the job himself. However, Fushui adamantly refused, stating that the Crown Prince was already defeated and should not be mercilessly killed.

Meanwhile, Sheng Chumu's men followed a hidden mark left by a missing tracker, which led them to a nameless mountain villa. Sheng Chumu led his forces in an assault on the villa, discovering it was a tightly organized stronghold with a significant cache of hidden weapons and armor, indicating it was far more than a simple bandit hideout. The occupants were loyal to the death, choosing to swallow poison and commit suicide rather than be captured.

During the subsequent search, a decayed female corpse was found in the back mountain. Though unrecognizable, an item on her confirmed it was Lian Yan'er. Sheng Chumu's subordinate tried to console him by reminding him that Lian Yan'er, as a spy, understood the risks. However, Sheng Chumu felt a deep sense of guilt, remembering Lian Yan'er's dances and her longing for a home, a promise he had never given her.

Fu Rou reported to the Emperor that all preparations were complete for Consort Zhen's transfer to Qingxiu Temple. The Emperor, noting that Prince Qin was also heading to Ci'en Temple, which was nearby, instructed Fu Rou to escort both Consort Zhen and Prince Qin. An eunuch then reported that Prince Han had caused a violent disturbance in his manor, almost burning it down, because a guard had failed to get him some face cream.

The Emperor was angered by Prince Han's unrepentant behavior, but Fu Rou suggested that Prince Han had received no guidance since his house arrest. Taking her words to heart, the Emperor ordered Prince Han and the Crown Prince to be confined together, hoping they would reconcile. Initially, Prince Han was hostile, fearing the Crown Prince. However, the Crown Prince was overwhelmed with grief, weeping and apologizing to his late Crown Princess Consort for failing to protect her.

This moved Prince Han, who then also wept, lamenting the death of his own Princess Consort Han and questioning why the Crown Princess Consort had been so unkind to his wife, who had been good to her. He also blamed himself for his "slow wit." Amidst their shared sorrow, the Crown Prince asked Prince Han if he was responsible for the poisoned saddle.

Prince Han denied it, and the Crown Prince, having received information from "someone" that Prince Han was innocent, now believed him. Despite this, the Crown Prince still harbored grievances over other obstacles Prince Han had caused him, leading to renewed arguments.

Yet, as they recounted their past grievances, such as Prince Han's frustration over the Crown Prince discarding a sundial he made, which the Crown Prince then clarified was to protect him from further injury, and Prince Han's misunderstanding about a "tiger claw" gift after he broke his leg, which the Crown Prince swore was ginseng, they began to suspect that external manipulation might have been at play.

The Crown Prince believed a hidden plot was behind their estrangement and foresaw his own impending death. The next morning, a prison guard delivered their meal, accidentally spilling one bowl. Prince Han, without hesitation, shared his own portion with the Crown Prince, citing the law of etiquette and their mother's teachings to honor his elder brother. The Crown Prince was deeply touched, pondering how their relationship had deteriorated to this point.

As he dwelled on the possibility of a hidden plot, he was seized by a severe headache. A eunuch quickly provided a pill left by Imperial Physician Yan (Fushui), which Prince Han administered, advising the Crown Prince to let go of painful memories. On the journey to Qingxiu Temple, Fu Rou noticed Consort Zhen's discomfort and instructed General Dugu to halt for a rest.

During this stop, Consort Zhen questioned why Fu Rou had defended her in the palace, given their lack of prior connection and the serious nature of the accusations against her. Fu Rou explained that she acted out of principle for the stability of Great Tang, believing that the palace, as the empire's heart, must be free from lies and injustice.

Later that night, as they prepared to rest at a post station, General Dugu grew suspicious when the "Post Official Cui" who greeted them had a different surname than the actual official. Realizing they were in danger, he immediately ordered a retreat into the mountains, prioritizing Consort Zhen's carriage due to her pregnancy. Fu Rou's carriage, however, crashed after hitting a rock, leaving her surrounded by bandits.

Suddenly, Sheng Chumu appeared, fought off the attackers, and was wounded in the process. Despite their previous quarrel, Fu Rou rushed to his side, recognizing him and expressing her concern. She initially urged him to help Prince Qin, but Sheng Chumu insisted she prioritize her own safety. Meanwhile, Sheng Chumu's reinforcements arrived to aid General Dugu, successfully rescuing Prince Qin and Consort Zhen. Realizing Fu Rou was missing, General Dugu immediately dispatched men to find her.

Fu Rou examined Sheng Chumu's wound, identifying the black blood as a sign of poison. She promptly administered an Elixir Immortal's detox elixir. Sheng Chumu, in a fit of jealousy, questioned why she bothered to save him, suggesting her life would be easier with Prince Zhou if he died. Fu Rou, recognizing his envy, playfully teased him further by claiming Prince Liang also gave her an elixir, enraging Sheng Chumu. Despite the lingering tension, their relationship seemed to soften overnight.

The next morning, Fu Rou rejoined Prince Qin's group, while Sheng Chumu, feigning an imperial order to protect Prince Qin, joined General Dugu's escort, primarily to spend more time with Fu Rou. Along the way, one of Sheng Chumu's subordinates admired Fu Rou's beauty but lamented her likely fate in the palace. Sheng Chumu angrily dismissed the subordinate, declaring Fu Rou as his own.

Later, as Fu Rou admired the scenery, Sheng Chumu approached, commenting on the beauty of Great Tang's women. Fu Rou retorted that Great Tang's generals were "not so much," prompting Sheng Chumu to passionately defend their valor, even if they occasionally got jealous. That night, the Emperor observed Prince Zhou diligently attending to state affairs.

Feeling a sense of satisfaction, he visited Prince Zhou, correcting his understanding of certain administrative structures and reflecting on the burdens of kingship and his desire to prevent further bloodshed among his descendants. He assured Prince Zhou that he loved all his children equally, regardless of who would inherit the throne. Prince Zhou understood from this that the Emperor did not see him as the Crown Prince. The following day, the Emperor issued several decrees.

He then summoned Consort Yan and Eunuch Yu for a private conversation, questioning Consort Yan about rumors of her abusing palace maids and female officials. Consort Yan vehemently denied the accusations, attributing them to resentment over her efforts to enforce palace rules and to those attempting to sow discord concerning her and Prince Zhou.

Despite her assurances of loyalty, the Emperor announced his decision to send Prince Zhou back to his feudal land, forbidding his return to the capital without an imperial decree to prevent further conflict. Consort Yan was devastated and furiously accused the Emperor of feigning affection for Prince Zhou and never having truly high hopes for him. The Emperor, citing the need to consider the "big picture," reiterated his decision. As he spoke, he suddenly coughed up blood and collapsed. Consort Yan called for an imperial physician.

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