Dreaming Back to the Qing Dynasty Episode 7 Recap
> Dreaming Back to the Qing Dynasty Recap
Wei found herself caught between the Crown Prince Party and the Eighth Prince Party, both vying for the throne. Unsure who to trust, she sought advice from Zheng Chunhua, who prepared her a bowl of sugar water. Wei asked Zheng Chunhua if Thirteenth Prince or Fourteenth Prince seemed like a good or bad person. Zheng Chunhua admitted she hadn't observed them closely but had heard that Thirteenth Prince was a young hero and Fourteenth Prince was talented and wise.
She believed both were exceptional men. Wei clarified that she wasn't asking for praise but was trying to decide whom to trust, mentioning she learned about the factions from a "history book," which revealed their intense rivalry for the throne. Zheng Chunhua cautioned her against discussing such matters freely, warning that it could lead to severe consequences. One morning, Wei approached Yinxiang, informing him that Xiaoyu had entrusted her with evidence of embezzlement before her death.
Wei insisted on presenting the evidence to His Majesty to bring the culprits to justice for Xiaoyu's life and clear her family's name. Yinxiang gazed at her intently, finding it amusing that a mere lady-in-waiting dared speak of filing an imperial complaint and enforcing justice. He explained that the Emperor would never publicly expose his son's scandal or execute a prince for the life of a commoner, as it would tarnish the royal family's dignity. He called her notions naive.
Wei argued that while the lives of the royal family might be precious in their eyes, she believed everyone's life mattered, and those who committed wrongs, especially princes, should take responsibility. Yinxiang acknowledged her point but stated that the world was inherently unfair, and her efforts to fight it would be futile. He then promised that Xiaoyu's death would be rehabilitated and her entire family would be spared, proposing a private resolution to avoid public scandal.
Wei understood but was disappointed by his refusal to publicly punish the princes. She thanked him for his honesty and left. On her way back to the Palace of Accumulated Elegance, Wei felt a chilling breeze. Suddenly, Yinti appeared, cautioning her to prioritize her own safety before seeking justice. He warned her not to trust anyone in the palace, including himself, as everyone had their own agenda.
He revealed he was aligned with the Eighth Prince Party but disapproved of Yintang's despicable actions in harming an entire family and killing Xiaoyu, wishing Yintang to be punished. Yinti offered to help Wei meet the Emperor, subtly suggesting it was because Yinxiang had taken an interest in her, and partly out of boredom. He told her the chrysanthemum appreciation event in the imperial garden the next day would be her last chance, and he would guide her.
Yinxiang observed this interaction from a distance. Yinzhen questioned Yinxiang's calm reaction to Yinti's involvement, fearing Wei would be deceived and the evidence stolen. Yinxiang explained that Yinti's intervention paradoxically ensured Wei's safety, as the Eighth Prince Party would avoid further bloodshed, especially since Wei had Yinxiang's backing. He expressed admiration for Wei's loyalty and sincerity, noting that she knew the dangers and futility of exposing the princes yet still sought justice.
Yinzhen, however, believed that a young lady-in-waiting like Wei needed to experience some setbacks in the palace to learn how to truly protect herself, rather than being constantly sheltered. Wei continued her palace etiquette lessons. Yinxiang later sought her out again, asking for her decision. Influenced by Yinti's earlier warning not to trust anyone, Wei reiterated her resolve to personally hand the evidence to the Emperor to clear Xiaoyu and her family's name.
When Yinxiang pressed her, she retorted that Yinti, at least, spoke like a human, unlike Yinxiang, who only cared about royal dignity. Yinxiang warned her that Yinti merely intended to trick her for the evidence. Wei maintained her stance, believing Yinti would only facilitate her meeting with the Emperor. She challenged Yinxiang, betting she would succeed if he didn't interfere. During their argument, Wei seemed to recall something briefly, a fleeting memory.
Meanwhile, Crown Prince, Yinzhen, and Yinxiang discussed the situation. Crown Prince expressed genuine remorse, admitting that his previous actions had brought trouble upon himself. Yinxiang proposed a strategy to "meet trick with trick," suggesting that Wei's seemingly reckless move might ultimately benefit the Crown Prince, especially since the Crown Prince had already shown a willingness to repent.
Later, Wei, disguised as a eunuch, was informed that Xiaoyu's family had been sentenced to death and would be executed the following day, news she heard originating from the Imperial Household Department. Desperate, Wei rushed to find Yinti. However, palace security had suddenly become much tighter, making it impossible for her to reach the Emperor. Yinti explained that the increased guards, ostensibly searching for an assassin, were actually a ploy by the Eighth Prince to prevent her from reaching Kangxi.
Facing the imminent execution of Xiaoyu's family, Wei, believing Yinti was her only hope, handed the evidence to him. Yinti promised her that Xiaoyu's death would not be in vain. Yinxiang, determined to expose Yinti's deception, pulled Wei along to the very area that had been heavily guarded just moments before. Now, it was empty. He revealed that the guards had been withdrawn because Yinti had already secured the evidence Wei entrusted to him.
Peering into a nearby building, Wei witnessed Yinsi, Yinti, Yintang, and others presenting the manipulated evidence to Kangxi. They had removed all traces of Yintang's involvement, framing Crown Prince for embezzling disaster relief funds. Kangxi, however, was already aware of the full truth. He rebuked Yintang for embezzling funds, killing Xiaoyu to retrieve the evidence, concealing his crimes, slandering Crown Prince, and sowing discord among brothers. Kangxi's fury indicated that Xiaoyu's family would be cleared.
Wei, realizing she had been foolishly tricked, angrily confronted Yinxiang, but he calmly asserted that while he might not be a "good person" in her eyes, he had never deceived her and had always treated her with increasing sincerity. Wei, though still somewhat upset, was touched by his words and left with a lighter heart. Crown Prince, accompanied by Yinzhen, went to Kangxi to confess his misdeeds.
Kangxi, already aware of the full story due to the Crown Prince's earlier confession (a part of Yinxiang's "meet trick with trick" strategy), merely ordered him to return the embezzled funds and forfeited a year's salary for disaster relief. Kangxi sternly warned him to mend his ways but ultimately retained his position as Crown Prince, instructing Yinzhen to continue assisting him. Later, while walking through the palace, Wei encountered Yinti.
She accused him of lacking conscience and compassion, questioning how he could help the murderer. Yinti reiterated that in the palace, only means mattered for achieving one's goals, and no one was to be trusted. He then brought Yintang to Wei, offering her a dagger to personally avenge Xiaoyu. Wei refused, stating that she didn't seek violence but a flicker of conscience and remorse from the royal princes.
Wei left distressed, hoping to find conscience beyond imperial power in the palace. Still despondent, Wei was later approached by Yinxiang, who brought joyful news. He explained that Yinzhen had ordered a re-investigation of Xiaoyu's case even before Wei handed the evidence to Yinti. Now, Kangxi had personally issued a decree, clearing Xiaoyu's father and brother, who had been released and reinstated to their former positions. Wei's mood instantly lifted.
Yinxiang continued to playfully flirt, saying he would always protect her and prevent her from being cheated. Despite her playful denials, Wei was visibly happy, and they chased each other light-heartedly, reminiscent of their early, innocent encounters.
