Legend of Fu Yao Episode 20 Recap
> Legend of Fu Yao Recap
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Prince of Xiping, Gao Song, arrived at Duke Qi Zhen’s residence, fuming that his daughter, Gao Puruo, had been excluded from the selection process for imperial concubines. He suspected Qi Zhen was attempting to win over General Tang Bonian, whose daughter, Tang Zhirong, was chosen instead.
Gao Song reminded Qi Zhen that he had been instrumental in supporting the new king's ascension and warned that if Gao Puruo was truly barred from the palace, Xiping County would not stand for it. Qi Zhen attempted to placate Gao Song, assuring him that while Tang Bonian commanded a hundred thousand troops, the Prince of Xiping remained the most powerful and influential figure in Taiyuan.
He explained that the king's decision to select concubines by "spinning the Ruyi" was merely an impulsive whim, and he pledged to find a way to get Gao Puruo into the palace. Shortly after, an imperial edict arrived, officially conferring Gao Puruo with the title of Lady Xian.
Though slightly appeased, Gao Song remained suspicious, accusing Qi Zhen of staging the initial exclusion to humiliate Xiping County or to test his loyalty, fearing he would not be as subservient to the Duke as Tang Bonian. Qi Zhen denied any manipulation, claiming he had only just learned of the king's change of heart and reiterated his regard for Gao Song as a close friend.
Unconvinced, Gao Song departed with a final warning that he would not tolerate any tricks or attempts to bully Xiping County. After Gao Song left, Qi Zhen mused that he only tolerated the Prince of Xiping's arrogance because of his powerful military backing. Meanwhile, within the palace, Jiang Feng expressed his bewilderment to Changsun Wuji regarding the king's erratic decisions, especially the unconventional selection of imperial consorts.
Initially, Jiang Feng had perceived Changsun Wuji as a young, playful puppet controlled by Qi Zhen, but recent events suggested a deeper, more calculated strategy behind the king's seemingly absurd actions. Jiang Feng questioned the decision to confer Gao Puruo as Lady Xian, fearing it would be akin to "raising a tiger to suffer later," given her family's collusion with Qi Zhen.
Changsun Wuji explained his rationale: Gao Song was known for his volatile and suspicious nature, accustomed to arrogance due to his command over the crucial southwest frontier. Although he and Qi Zhen colluded, they also harbored mutual distrust. By initially orchestrating Gao Puruo’s rejection, Changsun Wuji intended to provoke Gao Song into creating a scene, thereby widening the existing rift between the two powerful figures.
He noted that Gao Puruo's temperament was much like her father's, and placing such a woman in the harem would inevitably stir up trouble, creating the opportunities they needed to act against Qi Zhen. Jiang Feng praised his master’s ingenious plan as "killing two birds with one stone." At the Duke’s Mansion, a retainer from General Tang Bonian arrived to pay respects to Qi Zhen.
The retainer explained that the general, who was stationed at the border, sent gifts as a token of gratitude for Qi Zhen's past kindness, akin to that of a parent, and to express his desire for allegiance. He conveyed General Tang’s hope that if his daughter, Tang Zhirong, were to gain favor with the king, she would never forget Qi Zhen’s support, especially since her selection was due to his recommendation.
Qi Zhen graciously accepted the gifts and promised to offer Tang Zhirong his full support. Following this, Qi Zhen assigned Yun Hen a task. As Yun Hen accepted, his mind drifted to Mr. Qiu's past revelations. Mr. Qiu had recounted how Prince Wenyi’s mansion was under tight surveillance, leaving no escape. To save Yun Hen and his brother, Prince Wenyi instructed Mr. Qiu to feign defection and sign a document accusing him of rebellion.
This calculated move earned Mr. Qiu Qi Zhen's trust, granting him the seemingly grim task of collecting corpses from the mansion, which allowed him to secretly rescue the two young masters, preserving a bloodline for the Taiyuan royal family. Mr. Qiu had lamented Prince Wenyi’s unjust framing and tragic end.
Recalling this, Yun Hen's heart swelled with intense hatred for Qi Zhen, wishing he could literally tear out Qi Zhen’s heart and liver, yet knowing even that would not satisfy his deep-seated hatred. Qi Zhen noticed Yun Hen’s momentary distraction, and Yun Hen quickly snapped back to attention, assuring his godfather that he would carry out the orders. Later, Zong Yue visited Yue Feng House, a popular restaurant that had recently gained renown for its exceptional new chef.
He was surprised to discover that the chef was none other than Qi Yun, Qi Zhen's daughter, whom he recognized from their childhood days, and was even more astonished that her previously incurable disease seemed to be completely cured. As Zong Yue enjoyed his meal, soldiers suddenly entered the restaurant. Yun Hen, leading the soldiers, informed Qi Yun that it was time for her to return home.
Qi Yun, unhappy about being found so quickly after hiding for only a few days, reluctantly accompanied Yun Hen, while onlookers commented on her powerful background and Yun Hen’s identity as a lord from the Duke’s Mansion. Yuwen Zi, alongside other imperial candidates, entered the palace. An inner attendant briefed them on palace decorum and presented a special beauty dew from the king.
The candidates were then led to Zhaoyan Palace, the general term for the harem, where their residences had been assigned. Whispers circulated among the candidates about the significance of various palaces: Yongjia Palace for queens, Jin Yue House and Chu Jin House for favored consorts, while those without strong backing would likely be relegated to a life of solitude.
One candidate, trying to flatter Tang Zhirong, declared that Yongjia Palace, given Tang Zhirong's father's esteemed status as a general and her recent conferral as Lady Gui, was destined to be hers. Tang Zhirong modestly deflected, instead highlighting Jian Xue's father’s promotion by Marquis Zhang and Jian Xue's own talent. She also pointed out that Yuwen Zi was the Duke’s adopted daughter, implying her influential backing.
Just then, Gao Puruo arrived in a sedan chair, openly flaunting her title as Lady Xian and the sedan as a special gift from the king. She condescendingly inquired if the other candidates had walked, noting they must be tired. Yuwen Zi, known for her sharp wit, retorted with a veiled insult about Gao Puruo’s "red mark" on her face. Enraged, Gao Puruo immediately ordered her attendants to seize Yuwen Zi.
Jian Xue, observing the commotion, calmly intervened, reminding them of the strict palace rules and the risk of angering the king and losing their newly acquired titles. Gao Puruo, though still furious, reluctantly backed down. Shortly after, an inner attendant arrived to announce Changsun Wuji’s decree concerning the candidates’ residences: Lady Gui Tang Zhirong was to reside in Yongjia Palace, Lady De Jian Xue in Zhi Luo House, and Lady Shu Yuwen Zi in Zui Yan House.
The remaining attendants would have their lodgings arranged by the Imperial Household Department. Conspicuously absent from the list was Gao Puruo’s name. Furious, Gao Puruo slapped the attendant, indignantly demanding Yongjia Palace for herself, asserting it was her right, not that of Tang Zhirong, whom she disparaged as merely the daughter of a concubine from the Dingyuan General’s Mansion.
As Gao Puruo fumed, Yuwen Zi deliberately provoked her further by loudly declaring, “The turtle is celebrating his birthday, guess who’s here? The soft-shelled turtle!” and then walked away, prompting the other attendants to giggle, leaving Gao Puruo in a furious state. Meanwhile, Qi Yun returned to the Duke’s Mansion, much to Qi Zhen’s delight.
He revealed that he had worried incessantly during her three-year absence, during which she had traveled the Five Kingdoms learning various crafts, unbeknownst to her, under his constant, secret protection. A free-spirited young woman, Qi Yun sought promises from her father that he would no longer force her to learn ladylike etiquette or associate with dandies. Qi Zhen, overwhelmed with happiness at her return, readily agreed to her conditions, promising her anything as long as she stayed.
Touched by his profound affection, Qi Yun tearfully apologized and promised not to run off again. Later, Yun Hen surprised her with a gift: a black cat named Huahua, a replica of a beloved pet she had lost, further confirming his close ties to the Qi family. Qi Yun was visibly delighted by the gift. Yuwen Zi found her new residence, Zui Yan House, to be elegantly tranquil, and she was pleased with it.
Soon, Jian Xue arrived, explaining that Gao Puruo's insistence on taking Yongjia Palace had led Tang Zhirong to cede it. In turn, Jian Xue had relinquished her own residence to Tang Zhirong and now sought to share a guest room with Yuwen Zi. Yuwen Zi, hospitable by nature, welcomed Jian Xue, assuring her that the residence was spacious enough for many and inviting her to choose any room she liked.
Later, Yuwen Zi discussed Gao Puruo’s rapid turn of fortune with her personal maid, Shi Lan. Shi Lan warned Yuwen Zi about the formidable influence of Gao Puruo’s family, emphasizing that many seemingly innocent girls in the palace possessed powerful backgrounds. Yuwen Zi, however, remained unfazed, stating that she cared little for the palace intrigues and was solely focused on achieving her own objectives.
Shortly after, Tang Zhirong paid a visit, bringing gifts and attempting to forge an alliance with Yuwen Zi. She highlighted their shared connection through Duke Qi Zhen’s recommendation, calling them "sisters from the Duke’s Mansion." Tang Zhirong even offered Yuwen Zi a place in Yongjia Palace, but Yuwen Zi politely declined, citing her preference for peace and wishing to avoid further conflict with Gao Puruo.
Before leaving, Tang Zhirong presented Yuwen Zi with an exquisite hairpin from Weipin Pavilion, urging her to be cautious in the treacherous palace and emphasizing the importance of mutual support. That night, Yuwen Zi lay awake, contemplating her secret agreement with Changsun Wuji: if she could obtain his Xuanling True Leaf, he would unlock her sealed powers. Drawing on her experiences in XuanYuan Mountain, where she had learned much about discreet maneuvers, she resolved to steal the leaf.
Elsewhere, Changsun Wuji had summoned Tang Zhirong to play the zither for him. Her performance was so captivating that he granted her a wish. Tang Zhirong, expressing no desire for material rewards, simply wished to serve him closely. Changsun Wuji agreed, instructing his inner attendants to prepare his bath. Seizing this opportunity, Yuwen Zi stealthily knocked out one of the attendants and quickly donned his robes.
In the steamy, intimate atmosphere of the royal bath, Tang Zhirong was massaging Changsun Wuji. He, however, suggested she return to her palace and await a formal summons, to avoid gossip on this first day of her presence in the palace. Tang Zhirong expressed her reluctance to leave, and Changsun Wuji, indulging her, allowed her to stay. As attendants approached with his fresh garments, Changsun Wuji's gaze fixed on Yuwen Zi, disguised as an attendant, and he unexpectedly instructed her to assist him with his changing.
