Resumo do episódio 13 de Eternal Love of the Fox
> Resumos de Eternal Love of the Fox
Early in the morning, Attendant Gao found himself in a difficult position when Gongsun Wugui insisted on waking the Crown Prince, who was still asleep after a late night. The previous night, Princess Consort had been drinking with Princess Ningshuang and Huo Xiangjiu at Ningshuang Palace. Upon her return, she had a heated quarrel with the Crown Prince, enduring a beating that led her to contemplate killing him with a dagger before ultimately relenting.
Later, the Crown Prince mockingly commented on the effectiveness of his beating. Gongsun Wugui, despite Attendant Gao's warnings about the Crown Prince's notorious temper, stressed the urgency of his report, claiming it concerned the Crown Prince's safety. Upon waking the Crown Prince, Gongsun Wugui revealed that Huo Xiangjiu was the daughter of Huo Zhongren, the registrar of Bronze County.
The Crown Prince mentioned that his son had caused significant trouble in Bronze County, seizing properties and abducting women, but Attendant Gao defended him, arguing that the accumulated wealth was used to curry favor with civil and military officials to oppose other princes, with no personal gain. Gongsun Wugui clarified that Huo Xiangjiu's true purpose was to search for her father, Huo Zhongren, who had vanished without a trace after entering the palace.
Attendant Gao suggested Gongsun Wugui might be responsible, but Gongsun Wugui vehemently denied harming a court official. The Crown Prince stated that while he might resort to violence to eliminate opponents if his father, the Emperor, were deceased, he had to be more restrained while the Emperor was still alive. Gongsun Wugui emphasized that Huo Xiangjiu posed a greater threat than her missing father, especially with Feng Mochen's backing and Princess Ningshuang as her close friend.
He concluded that Huo Xiangjiu "cannot be kept alive." Although the Crown Prince initially aimed to win Huo Xiangjiu over, he now believed she had to be eliminated. He asserted that "trust is the best weapon" and planned to use Princess Consort, who had recently gained the trust of Huo Xiangjiu and her allies, as his instrument. Meanwhile, Bai Yu awoke in Ningshuang Palace next to Princess Ningshuang, startled. He tried to quietly escape, but Princess Ningshuang caught him.
She accused him of taking liberties with her, which he denied, claiming to be a eunuch. Princess Ningshuang revealed she knew he was not a eunuch, making his presence in the palace a grave offense. She gave him two options: death or castration. Bai Yu, desperate to live, quickly chose a "third option" of becoming her loyal subordinate. Princess Ningshuang declared his life was now hers, demanding his absolute obedience.
Bai Yu attempted to negotiate, citing his role in reconciling the princess with the Old Madam, but she dismissed it. When he questioned why she chose him, she simply stated, "Because you're fair-skinned." As he left, Bai Yu cursed Princess Ningshuang, calling her a "vicious woman," but saw an opportunity in Huo Xiangjiu's friendship with the princess to potentially aid him. Huo Xiangjiu, experiencing severe stomach pain, found some relief when Feng Mochen held her hand.
He explained that hands connect to one's energy base and fingers correspond to the Five Elements, and when fingers interlace, a union of these elements occurs, bringing renewed vigor. Later, Huo Xiangjiu had a vivid dream where she was a nine-tailed fox, presenting her mother with many fox "daughters-in-law" who would bear "fox grandchildren." The unusual dream led her to wonder about her connection with Feng Mochen, whom she instinctively felt she knew.
Feng Mochen had earlier expressed concern to his subordinate, revealing that he had seen the Stomach Spirit, which was coming for Huo Xiangjiu and put her life in danger. This encounter echoed a previous night when a mass of black mist, later revealed to be the Stomach Spirit, had emerged from Huo Xiangjiu while she slept, attempting to consume her before Feng Mochen intervened.
On payday at the Laundry Bureau, Lady Zhao, known for habitually docking the maids' wages, deducted three taels from Le Ning's salary for being three days late. Le Ning tearfully sought help from Huo Xiangjiu. When Huo Xiangjiu arrived, Lady Zhao immediately became obsequious, showering her with flattery and referencing her elevated status as "Mentor" and her favor with Lord Feng, Princess Ningshuang, and even Princess Consort.
Lady Zhao promptly returned Le Ning's deducted salary and even offered Huo Xiangjiu five taels for only half a month's work, acknowledging her efficiency. She then offered to keep both Huo Xiangjiu and Le Ning on the payroll of the Imperial Servants Bureau without requiring them to work, a proposal that thrilled Le Ning. However, Huo Xiangjiu refused to accept this selective generosity.
She demanded that Lady Zhao return all previously withheld wages to "all" the maids and ensure fair pay and working conditions moving forward. Lady Zhao adamantly refused, dismissing the other maids as mere servants. The argument escalated, with Lady Zhao accusing Huo Xiangjiu of seducing Lord Feng to gain power. A physical altercation broke out between Huo Xiangjiu, Le Ning, and Lady Zhao.
Hearing the commotion and learning that Huo Xiangjiu was fighting for their rights, other maids rushed in to join the brawl, supporting Huo Xiangjiu. Le Ning initially found it hard to grasp Huo Xiangjiu's stance, seeing the offer of unearned money as a good deal. But Huo Xiangjiu passionately explained that gaining benefits by subverting fairness ultimately harms everyone, stressing that fairness protects all. Later, Feng Mochen gently tended to Huo Xiangjiu, who was suffering from intense stomach pain.
He laid out a strict regimen for her: regular medicine, a specific diet for three meals a day, bedtime before 9 p. m. , and avoidance of overeating, anger, or sadness. Huo Xiangjiu resisted, feeling these restrictions would rob her of her humanity. Feng Mochen gravely informed her that she had no choice, as she faced a life-threatening illness. He then manifested her Stomach Spirit, which shockingly resembled Huo Xiangjiu but appeared weak and unwell. Feng Mochen explained that this spirit "was" her stomach, and its current "failing" state meant that when it completely shut down, her own life would end.
