Nirvana in Fire Episode 27 Recap
> Nirvana in Fire Recap
Without being announced, the Emperor of Liang arrived outside the palace gate. Inside the hall, strings and flutes resonated together, drums and music resounded, and the sounds of drinking and merrymaking were incessant. Playing music during the mourning period was highly unfilial. The Emperor of Liang was angry at him for not striving harder and felt resentment in his heart. At this moment, he heard the Crown Prince criticizing him for being without virtue.
The Emperor of Liang was filled with extreme hatred, drew his sword wanting to kill him, but was dissuaded by Gao Zhan. He turned away in defeat. The Emperor of Liang strictly ordered the East Palace to be sealed off, and today's events were not to be spread outside. Meng Zhi believed that confining the Crown Prince was a matter of great importance and difficult to execute with only a verbal decree.
She requested the Emperor of Liang to issue an imperial edict. Just then, the Crown Prince heard the commotion and came out to meet the Emperor. The Emperor of Liang ignored him and left in extreme anger. After Meng Zhi, acting on the verbal decree, sealed off the East Palace, she came with Prince Jing to the secret passage to discuss the developments in the East Palace.
Mei Changsu was receiving Prince Yu and sent Fei Liu to inform the two of them to wait. From Fei Liu, Prince Jing learned that Mei Changsu secretly called Prince Yu a poisonous snake. He playfully asked what he called him. Fei Liu replied: Water Buffalo. Hearing this, Prince Jing suddenly remembered that the nickname the young Lin Shu had given him was 'Big Water Buffalo', and his heart instantly surged with emotion. Just then, Mei Changsu arrived.
When Prince Jing asked about it, he immediately reprimanded Fei Liu for not speaking like Princess Nihuang, thus covering it up. The court officials who came seeking an audience were in disarray outside, blocked by the Empress. The Emperor of Liang, meanwhile, lay in Zhi Luo Palace, looking dispirited. He asked Consort Jing: "I was hesitant in handling matters today, have I grown old?"
Consort Jing knew he didn't want to immediately depose the Crown Prince, and advised him: "Your Majesty's not unleashing thunderous anger today is a father's benevolence, and should have nothing to do with age." The Emperor of Liang felt particularly comforted upon hearing this. Consort Jing's gentle, kind, and deferential manner made him feel that Zhi Luo Palace was the only peaceful place in the imperial harem. Meng Zhi explained in detail the reason for the East Palace being sealed.
Mei Changsu analyzed that the Emperor of Liang temporarily did not want to depose the Crown Prince. At this time, the defenses of the patrol camp and the East Palace must be strengthened to avoid any trouble. Meng Zhi complained about Gao Zhan, who had stopped her several times from requesting an official imperial decree to seal off the East Palace.
Mei Changsu, however, said they should thank Gao Zhan, because what Meng Zhi requested was an imperial decree equivalent to deposing the Crown Prince. It was fortunate that Gao Zhan stopped her, otherwise the Emperor of Liang would suspect she had sided with Prince Yu. Mei Changsu told Prince Jing to wait and see how things developed, stating that anyone who caused trouble at this time would suffer misfortune.
Meng Zhi, following Mei Changsu's instruction, asked Prince Jing to borrow the "Xiangdi Ji". Prince Jing, greatly surprised, told her that the book was currently with Consort Jing. Meng Zhi left, and Prince Jing became pensive. Meanwhile, Prince Yu was also gathering his advisors to discuss countermeasures. Prince Yu believed they should seize this heaven-sent opportunity of the Crown Prince's self-inflicted downfall, but should not act rashly.
The top priority was to first ascertain the reason for the East Palace being sealed, gauge the direction of the court officials, and outwardly remain inactive for now. The Empress used the Mid-Autumn Family Banquet to probe the Emperor of Liang, and after confirming that his decision to confine the Crown Prince was firm, she could not contain her joy. Prince Jing entered Zhi Luo Palace to pay his respects and ask for the "Xiangdi Ji".
Consort Jing was very reluctant and asked if the annotations in the book were written by Sir Su. Prince Jing said they were, but felt even more strange in his heart.
