Nirvana in Fire Episode 11 Recap
> Nirvana in Fire Recap
Qin Banruo also found out that Prince Ji witnessed He Wenxin killing the man. She advised Prince Yu not to fall out with his uncle because of a subordinate's son, implicating the Ministry of Justice. Xie Yu reminded the Crown Prince that the top priority was to reinstate Consort Yue. The two devised a plan. Xie Yu rescued the son of Chen Yuanzhi, the Minister of Rites.
He used this favor to demand a return, asking him to submit a memorial requesting an imperial decree. The reason given was the year-end sacrifice, where the Crown Prince needed to touch his parents' garments to the ground. However, the Crown Prince's birth mother, Consort Yue, had been demoted, making her position difficult to arrange. In fact, during the sacrifice, the Crown Prince's principal mother, the Empress, should have presided, but Chen Yuanzhi concealed this.
The Crown Prince and Chen Yuanzhi cleverly presented their case. Xie Yu secretly stirred up the Emperor of Liang's apprehension towards Princess Nihuang. This finally led the Emperor of Liang to agree to reinstate Consort Yue as a Consort. This matter greatly displeased Princess Nihuang, Meng Zhi, Prince Yu, and others. Mei Changsu decided to target Chen Yuanzhi. In the imperial court, Tian Dezhi, the Left Censor-in-Chief, impeached Chen Yuanzhi, the Minister of Rites.
He stated that Chen Yuanzhi, knowing the ritual procedures in court were incorrect, failed to correct them, leading to a Consort usurping the central palace's position and the Crown Prince neglecting filial piety. He argued Chen Yuanzhi should be charged with dereliction of duty, which caused disputes among the officials. Seeing the stalemate, Prince Yu proposed inviting veteran scholars to debate the rituals in the imperial court. In Zhengyang Palace, Prince Yu told the Empress: Mei Changsu is right.
Although this move displeased the Emperor, it emphasized the Crown Prince's status as a son born of a concubine, removing obstacles for deposing the Crown Prince. Princess Nihuang invited Mei Changsu to the Mu Manor to admire plum blossoms. Mei Changsu suggested asking Mu Qing for help to deliver another blow to Consort Yue. Princess Nihuang compared Mei Changsu's handwriting and found it different from what Lin Shu had written years ago, feeling disappointed.
To win against Prince Yu, the Crown Prince spared no expense to invite renowned scholars. Prince Yu felt uneasy and asked Mei Changsu for a good strategy. Mei Changsu sent Mu Qing with his token to Lingyin Temple to invite Zhou Xuanqing, a great scholar who had been living in seclusion for many years. Zhou Xuanqing entered the debate, and Prince Yu's side won completely.
Prince Jing told his mother, Consort Jing, that he had entered the succession struggle and had her support. Zhou Xuanqing met Mei Changsu. Mei Changsu told him he was a student of Old Mr. Li Chong. The token used to invite Zhou Xuanqing - a jade cicada - was a gift from his mentor.
