Royal Feast Episode 29 Recap
> Royal Feast Recap
For several days after the late Emperor's passing, Zhu Zhanji refused to eat or drink. Yao Zijin brought him some glutinous rice dumplings she had made, but Zhu Zhanji, believing she intended to plead for Guo Bianfei, immediately dismissed her. Yao Zijin insisted he prioritize his health, then explained the circumstances of the incident in Yongning Palace, asking Meng Shang Shi, who was present, about the poisoned wine.
Yao Zijin questioned how Meng Shang Shi, being in charge of all food and drink supplied by the Food Bureau, could have been unaware of Guo Bianfei's intention to poison. Meng Shang Shi confessed that Guo Bianfei indeed intended to poison the Empress, but she had already reported this to the Empress. However, the Emperor arrived unexpectedly, and the Empress immediately knocked over his wine cup.
The Emperor, enraged upon realizing Guo Bianfei's treachery, suffered a sudden relapse of his old illness, and his condition rapidly deteriorated beyond the help of the imperial doctors. Zhu Zhanji demanded to know which imperial doctor arrived last. Sheng Tai Yi was summoned and explained that he was treating a patient elsewhere at the time and arrived at Qianqing Palace too late.
He also clarified that despite the Emperor's blue lips and bloated lower limbs, there were no signs of poisoning, concluding that the Emperor had died from overwhelming anger after discovering Guo Bianfei's attempt. Yao Zijin then mentioned that Li Shimian, an imperial censor, had angered the Emperor with a memorial on the day of the Empress's birthday banquet and was imprisoned. Zhu Zhanji, furious, initially ordered Li Shimian's immediate execution, assuming he was a heinous criminal.
However, Li Shimian was brought before him. You Yifan, acting on Yao Zijin's prior instruction, had Li Shimian speak only two points: Li Shimian stated that his only offense was bluntly advising the Emperor to keep concubines at a distance during his mourning period and to remain close to the Crown Prince. Recognizing Li Shimian's loyalty, Zhu Zhanji rescinded the death sentence.
Yao Zijin further appealed to Zhu Zhanji, highlighting the increasing cruelty of live burial for concubines and others, and asked if it was truly an unchangeable ancestral rule. Zhu Zhanji responded that only Imperial Concubine Guo, having borne three sons, could be spared from immediate burial according to tradition, but her crime of attempted poisoning would be re-evaluated after the funeral. Hearing this, Wei Wang, Guo Bianfei's son, was overjoyed that his mother would not be buried.
Meng Shang Shi, observing Wei Wang's happiness, remarked that Yao Zijin's methods were impressive but that she was still too young. The next day, Purple Ping prepared food for Guo Bianfei, and Yao Zijin delivered the good news that she had been spared from martyrdom. Guo Bianfei tasted the food, a chamomile cold scouring, and remarked that it tasted exactly like a dish her grandmother, Mrs. Ying Guo, used to make for her when she first entered the palace.
She recounted her difficult past: her family's decline after her grandfather's involvement in a rebellion, her father's illness, and how her grandmother sacrificed her long, white hair to sell for medicine, crying in despair when even that couldn't save her son.
Guo Bianfei revealed that she had entered the palace, working tirelessly for twenty years, not for her family's prosperity, but to ensure her grandmother could live out her remaining years in peace and be revered by those who had once looked down on her. Guo Bianfei then expressed gratitude to Yao Zijin, acknowledging her kindness and intelligence, and urged her to live well as the road ahead was long.
However, the following morning, Yao Zijin was shocked to learn that Guo Bianfei had tragically committed suicide by hanging, choosing to join the late Emperor. Wei Wang, heartbroken, cried out in despair, asking why his mother had died when she had been pardoned. Zhu Zhanji comforted his younger brother, promising to protect him. In June of the first year of Hongxi, Crown Prince Zhu Zhanji ascended to the throne as Emperor Xuande of Daming, declaring a general amnesty.
Empress Zhang was honored as Empress Dowager, and Crown Princess Hu was formally made Empress. Empress Dowager Zhang, still resentful of Yao Zijin's previous actions concerning Guo Bianfei, moved back to Qingning Palace. Empress Hu presented a list of concubines for promotion, with the Empress Dowager discussing Sun Shi's position, noting her gentle and virtuous nature, and her favor with the Emperor. Meanwhile, Emperor Xuande showed outward respect and favor towards Han Wang, rewarding him generously and implementing his proposals.
Some loyal ministers expressed concern that such leniency towards a vassal with ulterior motives was unwise. Yang Shiqi, a high-ranking minister, quietly advised his colleagues that the Emperor was astute and understood the situation well, suggesting they not worry excessively. You Yifan also met with an associate, revealing Han Wang's probing intentions and the Han King's invitation to his adoptive father to rebel.
You Yifan instructed his associate to tell his adoptive father not to rush, as the "east wind" (opportune moment) had not yet arrived, signaling a lurking political unrest beneath the surface calm. Meng Shang Shi was promoted to Meng Shang Gong by imperial decree from the Empress Dowager, gaining authority over all palace affairs, making her the most influential female official in the Forbidden City. Han Ying temporarily took over as head of the Food Bureau.
During her daily greetings to Empress Dowager Zhang, Yao Zijin was questioned about her apparent fear, implying that the Dowager believed Yao Zijin blamed her for Guo Bianfei's death. Yao Zijin respectfully explained that Guo Bianfei's beloved grandmother, Mrs. Ying Guo, was the source of the chamomile cold scouring recipe. Seeing that dish must have reminded Guo Bianfei of her cherished grandmother, prompting her to act as she did.
Yao Zijin lamented the tragic impact of Guo Bianfei's death, which led to the demise of her eldest son, Teng Wang, from fear, and left Wei Wang in constant tears, highlighting the emotional toll on the Emperor's siblings. Empress Dowager Zhang remained unmoved, stating that she had guarded her husband, son, and the harem for years and would now protect the empire and its people.
She asserted that women in the harem, regardless of their status, could do nothing but squabble or seek family gain, and as long as she lived, they had no right to speak. Empress Hu, aware of Yao Zijin's efforts to prevent Guo Bianfei's martyrdom, mocked her attempts, declaring that no one could contend with the Empress Dowager and that Yao Zijin should abandon such hopeless thoughts.
Despite this, Yao Zijin remained resolute, walking through the palace with inner conviction, believing that though she could not change the cruel system of live burial now, it would eventually be abolished. Yuehua continued her daily meal deliveries to Qianqing Palace, occasionally passing You Yifan, who remained impassive. Zhu Zhanji, playful, asked a painter for a portrait but found it unsatisfactory. He then asked Yao Zijin to paint it, specifically requesting a more majestic and powerful depiction.
Yao Zijin playfully added many exaggerated beards to his portrait, which made Zhu Zhanji laugh. They spent time together, enjoying simple, sweet moments. The Emperor expressed his desire to promote Sun Shi to Imperial Concubine to the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager recalled that Sun Shi's fate was deemed unsuitable for the main palace in the past, and since Empress Hu was already established, she questioned if Sun Shi had any complaints.
Zhu Zhanji clarified that Sun Shi had no complaints and that the idea was his own, adding that he chose the most virtuous women for such high positions. The Empress Dowager paused the discussion. Later, when Yao Zijin arrived to pay her respects, the Empress Dowager subtly hinted at Zhu Zhanji's alleged favoritism towards Sun Shi.
Zhu Zhanji acknowledged his leniency towards Sun Shi due to their past connection and her gentle nature but affirmed that he would not tolerate arrogance or troublemaking from any concubine. Yao Zijin, having overheard this, took offense. When Zhu Zhanji invited her to dine together, she deliberately refused, claiming her appearance was ugly and her temper not gentle enough to grace his presence.
She also refused to send the customary reunion cakes to Qianqing Palace, stating that her culinary skills could not compare to others and it would be a waste of effort. Meanwhile, Empress Hu, upon seeing the reunion cakes and dolls, was reminded of Hu Sishan and began to weep.
