Dreaming Back to the Qing Dynasty Episode 12 Recap
> Dreaming Back to the Qing Dynasty Recap
Ming Hui, subtly concealing her malicious intentions, navigated the attentions of Yin'e and Yintang, who vied for her favor. Their persistent pursuit ceased when she encountered Yinxiang wandering in the garden. Ming Hui seized the opportunity, asking Yinxiang to accompany her to visit Wei, thereby escaping the other princes. She thanked Yinxiang for his assistance, to which he replied it was no trouble and offered his help should she need it in the future.
Ming Hui mentioned that Wei had often spoken of Yinxiang's straightforward and righteous character and hoped he would guide her in palace life, as she was new to court. Yinxiang, in turn, praised Ming Hui's intelligence and quick favor with Noble Consort Nalan, predicting a bright future for her. Meanwhile, Kangxi was troubled by the ongoing Dzungaria Rebellion and a new revolt in Zhili Province, deliberating whether to suppress the foreign aggression or the domestic rebels first.
Yinzhen proposed stabilizing the state by quelling internal unrest before resisting external threats, citing a historical general who argued that without clearing civil strife, one cannot fully combat foreign enemies. Yinxiang, however, offered a differing view, stating that the Qing Dynasty's situation was unique and required resisting foreign aggression first to unite the people, then addressing internal disputes, reminding Yinzhen to consider the current situation.
Yinzhen then countered, questioning how one could resist external threats without first securing internal stability, citing historical alliances like those of Han Gaozu and Tang Taizong. Yinxiang, in turn, countered Yinzhen's examples with the historical figure Cao Cao. When asked for his opinion, the Crown Prince wavered, admitting both brothers made sense and he found it difficult to decide. Kangxi, disappointed by the Crown Prince's indecisiveness, criticized him for his lack of leadership and barred him from the matter.
He ultimately decided to adopt Yinzhen's strategy, with Yinxiang assisting him in its implementation. Yinti observed the public disagreement between Yinzhen and Yinxiang. Later, Yinsi, Yintang, and Yinti discussed the confrontation. Yinti remarked that while Yinzhen and Yinxiang's brotherhood appeared strong, cracks could form, and interdependence could lead to suspicion. He understood that this conflict stemmed from their differing views and remained aloof, viewing the dispute as a spectacle. Feeling his position threatened, the Crown Prince urgently sought Yinzhen's counsel.
He expressed his despair, believing Kangxi was utterly disappointed in him, especially after the winter hunt incident, making his status as Crown Prince a mere formality. He feared losing his position and desperately asked Yinzhen for solutions. Yinzhen advised him to remain calm, reminding him that he was still Kangxi's appointed Crown Prince and no one else could depose him.
However, the Crown Prince, having served for thirty years and feeling like an "unworthy son" in Kangxi's eyes despite his efforts, burst out, suggesting a drastic, "unfilial" course of action. Yinzhen was appalled, warning him against such "paradoxical words" and stating he would pretend he never heard them before leaving in disgust. The Crown Prince was left alone, feeling abandoned by everyone. Kangxi then announced a southern inspection tour to observe the people and river works, concerned about recent floods.
He commanded Yinxiang to accompany him. The Crown Prince volunteered to join, but Kangxi denied his request, instead appointing him to supervise state affairs in the palace, with Yinzhen assisting him. Songgotu, a minister, expressed concern, suggesting that Yinzhen's assistance would undermine the Crown Prince's authority and invite questions from other princes and ministers.
Kangxi dismissed this, emphasizing the importance of the Crown Prince's duty over prestige and stating he trusted Yinzhen's steady character to assist the less stable Crown Prince. Yinzhen and Yinxiang discussed the implications of Kangxi's arrangements. Yinzhen predicted that the Crown Prince, having lost authority, would act impatiently.
He believed Kangxi's decision to have Yinxiang accompany him on the tour and Yinzhen assist the Crown Prince was a calculated move to "contain" the Crown Prince's power, placing them both in a precarious position. Yinxiang, though acknowledging the volatile palace situation, reminded Yinzhen to protect Wei while he was away, jokingly cautioning him not to "take advantage" of the situation. Yinzhen readily agreed, assuring Yinxiang he would protect her.
Before leaving for the southern tour, Yinxiang found Wei and confronted her about Yinzhen, noting the change in his gaze towards her and asking what had happened. Wei dismissed it as a misunderstanding. Yinxiang, visibly jealous, reminded her that the entire palace knew she was "his woman" and expressed how "unpleasant" he felt seeing her close to Yinzhen. Wei blushed, asking him not to rush her as she had not yet clarified her feelings.
Yinxiang granted her time but urged her not to make him wait too long, promising to give her an answer upon his return from the southern tour. Wei asked what he would say, and he reiterated that he would give her an answer, asking her to wait for him.
Filled with inner turmoil, the Crown Prince sought out Chunhua at the Palace of Great Benevolence, only to be told she was unavailable as Kangxi had "turned her plate" for the night. Enraged, he returned later and forcibly entered her chambers, dismissing her maids. He poured out his heart, confessing his weariness of being the Crown Prince, feeling scorned by Kangxi and his brothers, and finding solace only in her.
He declared his unconditional love for her and demanded to know if she reciprocated his feelings, vowing to never step into her palace again if she denied him. Chunhua, deeply conflicted, implicitly acknowledged her feelings for him, and the Crown Prince, taking this as affirmation, declared it was "enough." The Crown Prince then met with Songgotu, who had been waiting for him.
Songgotu, aware of the Crown Prince's visit to Chunhua, cautioned him against allowing a woman to jeopardize his "great deed," especially with Kangxi's apparent distrust and Yinzhen's watchful presence. The Crown Prince, however, dismissed his concerns, stating that if Kangxi truly intended for him to remain Crown Prince, a woman wouldn't deter him, and if not, all his efforts were futile. He declared he was tired of enduring, expressing his determination to gain both the throne and Chunhua.
Songgotu confirmed Kangxi and Yinxiang had departed, leaving the palace under the Crown Prince's control. The Crown Prince announced his intention to dispatch his personal troops, but Songgotu advised him to wait for the right moment, hinting that the "key" was to "take down" Yinzhen. The Crown Prince returned to Chunhua's palace, calling to her through the closed doors. He spoke of his struggles and how she inspired him.
He asked for one last meeting, and she relented, opening the door. Chunhua questioned his ominous words. He explained he was taking a "gamble" for their future, to publicly acknowledge her. If he won, they would no longer have to hide their love; if he lost, this would be their final farewell, and she should forget him.
Sensing his true intent, Chunhua feared he was planning a palace coup and desperately pleaded with him not to embark on such a "dead end." However, the Crown Prince was resolute, refusing to be swayed, and departed, telling her to stay put and await his "good news." Concerned, Chunhua instructed her maid to help her visit Wei, intending to send a warning. Her maid was hesitant due to the increased guards around the Palace of Great Benevolence.
Chunhua offered her a valuable item, and the maid agreed to lead her through a secret path. On their way, Chunhua encountered Ming Hui, who claimed to have just visited Wei but found her out of the palace, running an errand for Consort De. As palace guards approached to escort Chunhua back, she quickly entrusted her secret message, disguised as a greeting for Wei, to Ming Hui.
Ming Hui, upon reading the note detailing the Crown Prince's impending coup, immediately took it to Yinsi. Yinsi was initially suspicious, questioning why Ming Hui would inform him rather than her own sister, Wei, who was close to Yinzhen and Yinxiang and could be implicated. Ming Hui, however, openly declared her ambition, stating she always helped the "able" and knew how to protect herself by recognizing the "true dealmaker." She expressed her desire to assist Yinsi in achieving his goals.
Yinsi then discussed the intelligence with Yin'e and Yinti. Yin'e suggested immediately informing Kangxi to gain favor. Yinsi cautioned against hasty action, saying it was too early to disclose the information, and expressed his primary concern about Yinzhen's movements, given that Yinzhen was assisting the Crown Prince. Yinti surmised that Yinzhen would not be behind such a reckless coup given his cautious nature. He proposed letting the Crown Prince proceed with his ill-prepared revolt.
Once Yinzhen became entangled in the affair, the Eighth Prince Party could then "take advantage," not only bringing down the Crown Prince but Yinzhen as well. Meanwhile, Wei, hearing the sudden ringing of bells and noticing the changed palace guards, realized a coup was underway. Recalling that such an event in history ended in failure, and worried about Yinzhen's potential involvement given his role assisting the Crown Prince, she determined to warn him.
However, Yinzhen was already taken before the Crown Prince, who, believing it was the perfect time with Kangxi's departure, demanded the military power of Yinzhen's two banners to help him ascend the throne.
