Dreaming Back to the Qing Dynasty Episode 26 Recap
> Dreaming Back to the Qing Dynasty Recap
Yintang and Yin'e expressed their delight in capturing Wei and accusing Yinzhen of treachery, anticipating that Yinxiang would be restless. Ming Hui, however, advised caution, stating that their success stemmed from targeting Yinzhen and Yinxiang's soft spots, not their weakness. She noted that Yinzhen and Yinxiang had daringly deceived His Majesty for Wei's sake. Yintang suggested exposing Yinzhen for his treachery, but Yinsi intervened, warning against aggravating Kangxi, who disliked inter-brother conflicts.
Yinti supported Yinsi, emphasizing the need for their faction to distance themselves from the situation to avoid Kangxi's suspicion, especially since the matter was already serious. He added that anyone who caused further trouble would incur Kangxi's wrath. Yinsi concluded that they should remain quiet and let Kangxi make his own judgment, confident that Wei and the others would be doomed.
During the next morning court session, a minister from the Ministry of Justice reported a follow-up to an old case concerning the Thirteenth Princess Consort's talismanic magic against the Crown Prince. He revealed that someone had rescued the death row prisoner, faked her death, and deceived His Majesty. The minister accused Yinzhen of defying the law and rescuing the prisoner, presenting a witness who had seen Wei alive.
Seeking to distance his faction from any suspicion, Yinsi spoke up on Yinzhen's behalf, vouching for his usual prudence and suggesting that the accusation might be false. Other ministers agreed, advising Kangxi to investigate further before concluding. Kangxi, showing no overt reaction but harboring suspicion about the instigator, instructed the Ministry of Justice to verify the evidence.
Yinsi, Yintang, and Yin'e, confused about who brought the accusation, soon realized that Yinzhen and Yinxiang might have orchestrated the accusation themselves—a strategy of "retreating in order to fight back." Ming Hui and Yinti agreed, recognizing the boldness of this move. Yinxiang sought out Yinti to discuss an important matter. After a brief physical confrontation, Yinxiang revealed his intention to save Wei. He explained that he reluctantly involved himself in the power struggles because Wei was imprisoned.
Yinxiang then gambled on Yinti's deep affection for Wei, hoping it would outweigh his loyalty to Yinsi, and left Yinti to ponder his choice. Meanwhile, Yinxiang used a prism to refract sunlight, creating a rainbow that shone into Wei's prison cell. Seeing the rainbow, Wei understood Yinxiang's message to hold onto hope and not give up, strengthening her resolve to wait for him to rescue her.
Yinxiang visited the Crown Prince, who was living a secluded life, enjoying a peaceful existence. Yinxiang acknowledged the Crown Prince's philosophical detachment from power and wealth, which he considered fleeting. The Crown Prince, who expressed gratitude to Wei for saving his son Xiaochun, was willing to help Yinxiang. Yinxiang explained that his plan would require the Crown Prince to abandon familial bonds and royal protocols, potentially leading to the loss of his position.
The Crown Prince, having already lost what he valued most, confirmed his willingness to sacrifice everything for a clear conscience, dismissing power and wealth as "clouds" that meant nothing to him. Yinxiang promised that the Crown Prince's sacrifice would not be in vain and would ultimately save Wei, eradicate evil, and stabilize the court. Later, the Imperial Ancestral Temple collapsed during a thunderstorm. Kangxi expressed deep guilt over this "unfilial" event, blaming the Ministry of Works and Ministry of Revenue.
The Crown Prince, accepting responsibility, offered to repair it. However, some ministers suggested his involvement would be inauspicious. Yinsi, seizing the opportunity, offered his expertise in construction and volunteered to oversee the repairs, promising completion within a month. Many ministers, praising Yinsi's virtue and competence, supported his bid. Kangxi appointed him to the task, though Yinsi's eagerness only served to deepen the emperor's suspicion of his ambition.
Yinsi's faction, particularly Yintang and Yin'e, gloated over the Crown Prince's humiliation and Yinsi's rising influence, seeing it as a clear path to the Crown Prince's position. Ming Hui offered Yinsi her congratulations, anticipating his swift ascent to the Eastern Palace. Yinti remained silent, having strongly opposed the sabotage of the Temple. Yinsi later dismissed Yinti's quiet apprehension, believing the situation to be advantageous for their faction and a necessary gamble for ultimate power.
Ming Hui, in a private conversation with Yinti, expressed concern about Yinsi's excessive confidence, believing it could lead to trouble. Yinti, however, chose not to interfere further, reiterating that gaining a high position inevitably required sacrifices. He then abruptly ended the conversation, excusing himself due to fatigue. Wei remained in prison, longing for Yinxiang. Yinti, torn between his loyalty to Yinsi and his feelings for Wei, gazed at her cell, lost in thought.
Meanwhile, Kangxi visited the Crown Prince in the Eastern Palace and found him asleep at his desk, surrounded by documents related to the Temple's collapse. Kangxi reassured him, explaining that the collapse was due to improper materials from the Ministry of Works, not his fault, and that such experiences would help him grow as a Crown Prince. The conversation turned sentimental as the Crown Prince recalled Kangxi's devoted mentorship in his youth.
However, the Crown Prince, feeling unworthy and humiliated by the court's disregard for his authority and repeated insults, pleaded with Kangxi to revoke his title. Kangxi was distraught, unwilling to betray the memory of the Crown Prince's deceased mother. But seeing his son's profound distress, Kangxi reluctantly agreed to dethrone him, promising to avenge his son's grievances. The political landscape of the Forbidden City shifted dramatically with the Crown Prince's sacrifice.
Yinzhen and Yinxiang, discussing the situation, recognized that this move had created a temporary stalemate and that the next phase of their struggle was crucial. Yinxiang reflected on the Crown Prince's noble sacrifice, his respect for the former Crown Prince's desire for a simple, unfettered life, and his own hope to rescue Wei and live a carefree life with her, away from the court's turmoil. He emphasized that the struggle was far from over.
Soon after, Kangxi made an official announcement that the Crown Prince, Yinreng, was dethroned due to "frail health" and removed from the Eastern Palace. Ministers immediately began recommending new candidates. Many fervently put forward Yinsi's name, citing his virtue and suitability. However, Kangxi, enraged by what he perceived as Yinsi's ambition, factionalism, and coercion of his older brother, publicly denounced him for "arrogantly exercising power and making trouble." Kangxi punished Yinsi by ordering him to reflect on his mistakes in seclusion and postponed the selection of a new Crown Prince.
