Royal Feast Episode 26 Recap
> Royal Feast Recap
The emperor, having recovered from his illness, expressed curiosity about Yao Zijin's earlier silence regarding his condition. Yao Zijin explained that she remained quiet to prevent any misinterpretation of the Imperial Hospital's well-intentioned care. The emperor was impressed by her prudence. While he considered rewarding her, the Empress intervened, proposing that Yao Zijin be made a Prince's Concubine to assist and remain by Zhu Zhanji's side.
Zhu Zhanji protested, asserting his desire for her to stay in the Food Bureau to focus on preparing dishes for the emperor and claiming he did not favor her. However, the Empress revealed that Yao Zijin was, in fact, the Tai Sun Pin chosen by the late Emperor for Zhu Zhanji, whose stubbornness had merely delayed her rightful position. The Emperor, swayed by this revelation and deeming it a "godsend," promptly approved the canonization.
Despite Zhu Zhanji's further objections regarding his father's health, the Emperor dismissed him due to discomfort. The Empress later confronted Zhu Zhanji, questioning his true feelings and reminding him of his father's declining health and the inevitability of Yao Zijin's status within the royal family. Zhu Zhanji, visibly frustrated, departed, leaving his staff to remark on his uncharacteristic reaction. Meanwhile, You Yifan dispatched a secret message to Le'an Prefecture, Han Wang's domain, detailing the day's palace events.
When Yuehua confronted him, accusing him of deliberately causing the emperor's relapse by providing a secret food list, You Yifan calmly acknowledged it. He provocatively suggested the severe consequences—punishment of the nine clans—should news of the emperor's illness and the Prince's apparent disloyalty reach Han Wang.
You Yifan clarified that it was Han Wang who sought rebellion, not him directly, and dismissed his own stake in the outcome, stating that since the only person who cared for him in the Forbidden City was gone, the fate of the empire held no personal interest.
Yuehua questioned his true ambition, given his high position and the emperor's trust, but You Yifan rejected the idea of being merely an imperial tool, hinting at a larger scheme that Zhu Zhanji might not be able to contend with. Late that night, Ziping brought two bowls of noodles for herself and Yao Zijin, playfully noting the custom of "dumplings upon departure, noodles upon arrival," which didn't quite fit their situation for sending off a bride.
Yao Zijin sensed Ziping's reluctance about their new circumstances. Yao Zijin then shared her mother's wisdom that all worldly skills are transient, but quoted the Huayan Sutra, emphasizing that "all Buddhas in the past, present, and future protect and care for the initial aspiration," meaning one's fundamental resolve must never be abandoned.
She recounted how she was once foretold to be the Tai Sun Pin but later lost the title, admitting she didn't covet the position itself yet was unresigned to the turn of fate. Despite fate's repeated mockery, she resolved to fight for her own path. She explained that her right hand, now unable to cook, would lead her to find a new purpose.
When Ziping asked if she still worried about Zhuang Fei's fate, Yao Zijin dismissed the idea of unchangeable ancestral systems, declaring that if others insisted on preventing her from hiding or avoiding, she would face them directly. She concluded with conviction that if even the families of exiled rebels could be granted amnesty, then anything in this world was possible.
Zhu Zhanji, concerned about the Emperor's sudden relapse, asked Sheng Tai Yi to examine the Emperor at Qianqing Palace the following day. Sheng Tai Yi hesitated, revealing that the Emperor harbored a deep dislike for him and would refuse his treatment. After Zhu Zhanji dismissed his attendants, Sheng Tai Yi confessed that he had once made a drunken jest to colleagues that, unknown to him, reached the Emperor when he was still the Crown Prince.
He then admitted that, based on his visual diagnosis of the Emperor's appearance—a key principle in traditional medicine—the Emperor "is not of the phase of longevity." Zhu Zhanji reacted with an angry rebuke, calling him presumptuous. Meng Shang Shi discreetly visited Guo Bianfei, warning her that rather than fretting over imperial favor, she should realize a true calamity was approaching. Guo Bianfei initially dismissed the warning, believing the emperor was young and would soon recover.
However, Meng Shang Shi pressed her, subtly alluding to the emperor's worsening condition and stating that "safety and danger are interchangeable, blessing and misfortune are born together." She advised Guo Bianfei to make preparations early, should the emperor's health not improve. Separately, Yao Zijin received another portrait in her chambers, which she carefully added to a box that was now full.
On the day of the wedding ceremony, Yao Zijin, adorned in formal attire, diligently followed the intricate rituals, including multiple bows, as she entered the Qianqing Palace. You Yifan watched her from the side, gripping his sword tightly. Yao Zijin then offered tea to the Emperor and Empress, who appeared quite pleased with her. Afterwards, Yao Zijin, wearing the Prince's Concubine's crimson attire, appeared before Zhu Zhanji, who was overjoyed to finally marry his beloved.
He extended his hand to her with the full etiquette of marrying a Crown Princess. Though the surrounding palace maids gasped in shock, Yao Zijin smiled serenely and walked towards him. The Crown Princess then informed Yao Zijin that the Empress had assigned palace staff to attend to her daily needs and presented her with brocades and hairpins as a gesture of goodwill, urging her not to refuse.
Yao Zijin expressed her gratitude, and the Crown Princess responded by saying that as they were now family, such formalities were unnecessary. She then advised Yao Zijin to rest, instructing the palace staff to diligently look after her. Later that night, Zhu Zhanji, restless in his study, ignored his eunuch's reminder that the Prince's Concubine awaited him. Instead, complaining that his arm had grown weak from prolonged rest, he headed to the archery range.
There, he found You Yifan drinking alone and joined him, praising the wine. You Yifan introduced himself by his courtesy name, Yunzhou. Recalling You Yifan's impressive martial arts at a previous banquet, Zhu Zhanji challenged him to a sparring match. You Yifan, deeply resentful after having his beloved forcibly taken, accepted the challenge. During the intense bout, Zhu Zhanji's old wound reopened.
His eunuch began to scold You Yifan for fighting with an injured Prince, threatening to report him to the Empress, but Zhu Zhanji quickly dismissed the eunuch. Zhu Zhanji then revealed that he had read You Yifan's memorials submitted to both the late Emperor and the current Emperor.
He highly commended their brilliance, noting their insightful coverage of diverse subjects such as salt administration, water transport, tax law, coastal defense, and military affairs, expressing regret that these valuable proposals were cast aside. With both now injured, Zhu Zhanji proposed they spar again once they had fully recovered. Despite his injury, Zhu Zhanji couldn't sit still in his study.
Upon learning that Yao Zijin, exhausted from the elaborate crowning ceremony, had finally retired for the night after waiting for him for hours, Zhu Zhanji resolved to visit her. He approached her sleeping form in her chamber, a soft smile gracing his lips as he observed her. The next morning, Ah Kin, an elderly servant who previously attended Zhuang Fei, served Yao Zijin.
Yao Zijin inquired if Ah Kin felt wronged by her new assignment, but Ah Kin expressed profound gratitude for Yao Zijin's past assistance to Zhuang Fei, which allowed her to find peace. Ah Kin revealed she personally sought this duty from the Empress, affirming her loyalty. Later, Ziping arrived with Yao Zijin's meal, noting with indignation that none of the other concubines had come to pay their respects.
Yao Zijin, having anticipated this slight, invited Ziping to share the meal with her. Meanwhile, the Crown Princess was informed by Miaoxian and other concubines about their reluctance to visit Yao Zijin. Miaoxian openly expressed disdain, claiming Yao Zijin carried the "smell of cooking," implying a lack of refinement from her time in the Food Bureau. Another concubine suggested that Zhu Zhanji himself must be displeased, given that he did not stay in Yao Zijin's chambers on their wedding night.
The Crown Princess intervened, ordering the disrespectful concubine to be silenced and clarifying that Zhu Zhanji's absence was due to his old injury flaring up, not a lack of favor for Yao Zijin. She strictly warned them against showing disrespect or disturbing Zhu Zhanji's recovery. Despite this, some concubines speculated about Yao Zijin's true standing, comparing her to valuable peonies stored in a cold cellar, forgotten by the Prince.
However, one concubine discreetly suggested that Yao Zijin might not be entirely out of favor, mentioning she has new incense that aids sleep, subtly hinting at potential visits from Zhu Zhanji. Later, Zhu Zhanji, concerned by Yao Zijin's lack of response to his gifts, rushed to her chamber. His eunuch explained the gifts were delivered but he left without waiting for a reply, anxious to report back, and suggested Yao Zijin would come to express her gratitude.
Yao Zijin, however, noted that it would take too long to prepare herself for a formal thank-you visit and that keeping the palace staff waiting would be impolite. As she was bathing, Zhu Zhanji entered her chamber, dismissing Ah Kin and forbidding her from touching him. After a brief exchange, Zhu Zhanji declared his intention to stay the night. Yao Zijin expressed concern to Ah Kin, fearing the Empress's reprimand given Zhu Zhanji's unhealed injury, but Zhu Zhanji reassured her that the Empress would not fault her.
