Dreaming Back to the Qing Dynasty Episode 32 Recap
> Dreaming Back to the Qing Dynasty Recap
As Wei pushed Yinxiang during their daily stroll, they fondly reminisced about their first horse ride together on the grassland. Wei humorously recounted how terrified she was, to which Yinxiang replied that he would have lost out if she had been scared to death, as he would not have married her. Soon after, Eunuch Li arrived from the court, conveying Emperor Kangxi's concern for Yinxiang's injury and bringing valuable medicines.
Eunuch Li also extended Kangxi's invitation for Yinxiang to visit him in the palace. Yinxiang readily accepted, stating his filial duty and resolve not to let those hoping to see him suffer succeed. He noted that their peaceful days were likely over, but they could not let their enemies be pleased.
Upon arriving at the palace, the Yinsi party (Yinsi, Yintang, and Yin'e) were astonished to see Yinxiang walking with a cane, his leg having recovered much faster than they expected. Yinxiang greeted them, then congratulated Yinti on his promotion to General. Ming Hui inquired about lingering effects from his injury, to which Wei responded that Yinxiang was now relaxed and enjoying a leisurely time away from courtly disputes.
Later, Emperor Kangxi expressed his relief at Yinxiang's recovery and encouraged him to exercise more. Kangxi lamented that he was nearing his twilight years, wishing only for his descendants to ensure the longevity and peace of the empire. Yinxiang reassured his father, praising him as a wise Emperor whose reign would last forever, and Kangxi expressed his hope to see Yinxiang lead another expedition.
Consort De urged Yinti, who was preparing for an expedition, to lead his troops diligently, defeat the invading barbarians, and secure a great victory. She emphasized that this expedition was Emperor Kangxi's way of paving the path for Yinti to ascend the throne, and that he should ignore the squabbles among the other princes in the capital. Yinti vowed to seize this opportunity and promised his mother he would return victorious to claim the throne.
Before his departure, Yinti visited Yinxiang, expressing his hope for Yinxiang's swift recovery so they could fight alongside each other again. Yinxiang, emphasizing the importance of national defense, urged Yinti to win the battle without hesitation, entrusting him with the heavy responsibility of national security. Yinti swore he would not return without triumph, promising to eradicate their enemies.
In the court, officials reported that national coffers were strained due to ongoing battles, with tax revenues slow and insufficient, and excessive officials consuming a large portion of the budget. Emperor Kangxi recognized this as a deep-seated issue of abuse of power and freeloading, declaring it was time to eradicate this "stubborn disease." He asked who would volunteer to rectify the governance. Yinsi, Yintang, and Yin'e all declined, citing other urgent duties or lack of experience.
Seeing no one else stepping forward, Yinzhen offered to undertake the task, and Kangxi entrusted it to him. During the process of rectifying officials, Yinzhen encountered a dilemma when a young woman pleaded for her father, an upright official who faced being unjustly dismissed due to bureaucratic purges. She explained that her father, despite his meager salary, had never taken a single bribe and supported his family, yet he was now suffering while corrupt officials shielded each other.
Yinzhen, touched by her plea, promised that justice would prevail if her father was innocent. Later, Yinxiang observed Yinzhen's troubled state, noting that his normally resolute brother was now concerned with "mundane matters." Yinzhen admitted his concern that his efforts to eliminate corrupt officials might inadvertently harm honest ones, acknowledging the ancient difficulty of distinguishing the upright from the corrupt.
Yinxiang then proposed a solution: instead of Yinzhen attempting to differentiate officials individually, the common people should be empowered to nominate and evaluate officials. In areas rife with corruption, public hearings could be held where citizens would elect worthy officials. Upright officials would be rewarded, while corrupt ones would be immediately dismissed and severely punished, serving as a warning. Yinzhen agreed, realizing that listening to the common people would effectively purge corrupt "blood-suckers" and rectify governance.
Emperor Kangxi was delighted by the widespread success of the administrative reforms, which brought order to official conduct and replenished the national treasury. He revealed to Noble Consort Nalan his great satisfaction with Yinzhen, crediting him for solving a significant problem and praising his strict, impartial, and resolute actions. Kangxi added that Yinzhen was fortunate to have a capable adviser, whom he himself had sent, implying Yinxiang. He remarked that with such a strong duo, no obstacle was insurmountable.
To celebrate their success, Yinzhen hosted a gathering with Yinxiang and their respective consorts. Yinzhen toasted Yinxiang, thanking him for his invaluable advice, and Yinxiang, in turn, complimented the Fourth Princess Consort's cooking. Wei and Yinxiang playfully bickered about her experimental culinary attempts, creating a lively atmosphere. Meanwhile, Yinti bid a fond farewell to Ming Hui before his expedition, with Ming Hui reminding him to stay warm in the harsh border climate. Yinti promised to return home to her safely.
Noble Consort Nalan informed Ming Hui that Emperor Kangxi was highly pleased with Yinzhen and Yinxiang's administrative reforms, suggesting that Kangxi now viewed Yinzhen, with Yinxiang's assistance, as a stronger candidate for the throne than Yinti. Despite Ming Hui's initial dismissal of Yinzhen and Yinxiang's efforts as fleeting, Noble Consort Nalan countered that their combined strength was superior to Yinti's, making it likely Kangxi would change his mind. Realizing Yinti's succession was jeopardized, Ming Hui resolved to eliminate any obstacles.
Meanwhile, Side Consort Nian, Yinzhen's concubine, brought him tonic in his study. When she tried to look at his desk, Yinzhen grew angry and dismissed her, revealing a hidden portrait of Wei. Upset by Yinzhen's affection for Wei, Madam Nian later encountered Ming Hui. Ming Hui, exploiting Madam Nian's jealousy, subtly incited her to "remove" the person causing her distress, clearly referring to Wei. Yinxiang's leg injury had improved significantly.
However, a physician mentioned a rare herb called Sambucus thunbergiana that could potentially cure his leg completely. Eager for Yinxiang's full recovery, Wei immediately declared her intention to find the herb, no matter the difficulty. Wei and Shun'er ventured into the mountains to find Sambucus thunbergiana. Wei went ahead alone, and Shun'er lost her. Wei was then ambushed, her feet bound, and hung upside down from a tree, a trap orchestrated by Side Consort Nian at Ming Hui's instigation.
Shun'er rushed back to the manor to report Wei's disappearance. Yinxiang, still recovering from his leg injury, was frantic and wanted to go himself, but Yinzhen restrained him. Yinzhen led a search party into the mountains. As they searched, a woman dressed similarly to Wei deliberately jumped into a river, diverting Yinzhen, a tactic also arranged by Ming Hui. By nightfall, Wei, after being suspended all day, was released.
Trembling, she stumbled upon a dilapidated hut where she found Yinzhen, who had removed his outer clothes to dry them. Wei expressed her confusion about being tied up, and Yinzhen wondered if someone had deliberately led them there. Soon, Shun'er and the search party arrived, relieved to find Wei. Yinzhen instructed them to take Wei back to the manor to rest.
Back at the palace, Consort De worried about Wei, especially after a servant reported that Wei was found with Yinzhen in a mountain hut. Fearing the spread of rumors that could harm the royal family and Yinzhen's reputation, Consort De furiously ordered that anyone caught gossiping would be severely punished. Despite her decree, the rumors persisted in the palace. Yinxiang, however, dismissed the rumors, trusting in Wei and their relationship.
Wei, though unfazed by the gossip, suspected a deeper conspiracy behind the events. Meanwhile, Side Consort Nian, fueled by the circulating rumors, created a scene at Yinzhen's residence, accusing him of favoring Wei over his own consorts.
Yinzhen was angered by his consort's unreasonable outburst, yet inwardly, he struggled with his own lingering feelings for Wei, recalling Wei's past rejection of his love, where she firmly told him he was not the one she loved and she could not accept his affection. Later, Consort De summoned Ming Hui, Wei, and Yinzhen's consorts for a tea party in the Palace of Eternal Spring. Wei, aware of Ming Hui's manipulative nature, subtly challenged her.
Side Consort Nian openly accused Wei of seducing Yinzhen. Wei defended her innocence, vowing to uncover the true instigator. Consort De sternly addressed the attendees, expressing her desire for harmony in the palace and emphasizing the damage rumors caused. She declared that she had already punished those who spread gossip and urged everyone to act discreetly and set good examples for the harem.
