Dreaming Back to the Qing Dynasty Episode 35 Recap
> Dreaming Back to the Qing Dynasty Recap
Eunuch Li arrived to convey Kangxi's secret edict, but Yinxiang and Wei were prevented from entering Changchun Garden by guards. Yinxiang was frustrated, wanting to see his father, but Wei suggested it was best not to disturb Kangxi who was unwell. Soon after, Yinzhen appeared and informed Yinxiang that Kangxi had passed away. Despite their grief, Yinzhen stressed the immediate need to address the imperial succession.
Kangxi's sudden demise shocked Ming Hui, who promptly instructed Yinsi to send word to Yinti, urging him to bring his troops back to the capital without delay. She warned of significant changes expected in the palace regarding the succession. As the highest-ranking consort, Noble Consort Nalan took charge of the late emperor's funeral rites, ordering all capital officials to mourn and maintaining order within the imperial harem.
Consumed by grief and feeling without support due to her young age, Concubine Rongyue fainted. Meanwhile, Yinxiang, still kneeling, was overcome with regret for not having spent more time by Kangxi's side. Consort De received Kangxi's secret will from Eunuch Li, which designated her as the one to announce the successor. Previously, Yinzhen had been summoned by Kangxi but was given no specific information about the throne.
When Consort De finally met with Yinzhen, she presented the will, confirming him as the chosen successor. However, she refused to hand over the will immediately. Instead, she demanded that Yinzhen first eliminate Wei, his Thirteenth Princess Consort, before she would publicly announce his ascension. As Yinzhen oversaw the late emperor's funeral, Yinsi and his faction relentlessly questioned him about Kangxi's death.
They accused Yinzhen of foul play, pointing out that he was the only one present at Kangxi's side when he passed and had earlier ordered a strict guard around the Palace of Heavenly Purity and Changchun Garden, preventing anyone else from seeing the emperor. Yinzhen refuted the accusations, stating that Kangxi was already gone when he arrived. Wei stepped forward to defend Yinzhen, emphasizing that such grave accusations required evidence.
She pointed out that Eunuch Li could verify Yinzhen's actions regarding the palace's security and warned against the dangers of reckless slander. Yinzhen then firmly declared his resolve to investigate the circumstances of his father's death, promising a clear explanation to both Kangxi's spirit and the people. Yinzhen, concerned for their safety, urged Yinxiang and Wei to stay away from the court's power struggles, but Yinxiang flatly refused, vowing that they would not abandon him during this critical time.
Yinxiang and Wei meticulously reviewed the timeline of Kangxi's final summons. Wei recalled returning from Kangxi's chambers around dusk (酉时, 5-7 pm), while Yinzhen was summoned later that night (亥时, 9-11 pm). This significant time gap led them to believe Kangxi must have met with another person. Yinxiang's reconnaissance uncovered that after Wei's departure from the Palace of Heavenly Purity, an eunuch was seen guiding a cloaked individual near the gates, possibly towards Changchun Garden.
They concluded that this eunuch was crucial in identifying the mysterious visitor, who might have been the last person to see Kangxi alive. Yinxiang pressed his subordinates to locate this eunuch without delay, recognizing him as their sole lead. Meanwhile, Ming Hui capitalized on the growing rumors surrounding Yinzhen. She approached Noble Consort Nalan, suggesting that even if the regicide rumors were initially false, their widespread acceptance could solidify them as truth, thus benefiting Yinti's claim to the throne.
Ming Hui pledged her unwavering loyalty and promised Noble Consort Nalan a higher status should Yinti ascend. Noble Consort Nalan, influenced by Ming Hui's counsel, began to consider the power of public opinion. The rumors intensified throughout the palace, accusing Yinzhen of tampering with the will to usurp Yinti's position. Angered, Consort De confronted Noble Consort Nalan, who again brought up the accusations against Yinzhen.
Consort De sternly declared her commitment, as Kangxi's consort, to uphold the dynasty's stability, irrespective of her familial ties, and would not tolerate anyone who sought to destabilize it. Noble Consort Nalan, asserting her supreme authority in the harem, stated she would not examine the will herself but would wait for Yinti's return, at which point Consort De could announce it in front of him.
Yinsi and his faction continued their plotting, with Ming Hui now advising them to rally support for Yinti in the capital to gain time for his arrival. Yinzhen's intelligence soon confirmed the Eighth Prince Party's activities and Yinti's unauthorized return to the capital with his troops. Yinzhen immediately ordered all city gates sealed, prohibiting entry or exit without his command, and alerted his military commanders, recognizing Yinti's actions as an impending rebellion.
Despite Yinzhen's attempts to bar entry, Yinti and his army forcefully entered the capital, joining forces with Yinsi and his allies. Overwhelmed with sorrow, Yinti rushed to mourn Kangxi. He voiced his uncertainty about the truth of the rumors regarding Yinzhen's alleged murder of Kangxi, but Yinzhen's attempt to block him from paying respects only deepened his suspicions. Yinti angrily confronted Yinzhen, accusing him of malicious intent and declaring his resolve to reclaim the empire from such a "traitor."
Yinzhen stated he would uphold the established protocols. Yinti and Yinzhen then ordered their respective retinues to withdraw, signaling a direct confrontation between the two brothers. Yinsi attempted to dissuade Yinti from facing Yinzhen alone, but Yinti remained resolute.
