Royal Feast Episode 32 Recap
> Royal Feast Recap
Imperial Concubine Yao Zijin declared her intention to personally taste the medicine, despite the fearful protests from those in the Food Bureau who deemed it too dangerous. She asserted that disregarding the truth and remaining silent was unworthy of an Imperial Concubine. Zhu Zhanji summoned the involved personnel from the Food Bureau, including Yin Ziping, to the palace gate and began a severe interrogation in front of Empress Hu.
As the sounds of maidens screaming and staff beating resonated, Empress Hu visibly cringed, repeatedly attempting to leave. Zhu Zhanji, however, held her in place, forcing her to witness the brutal scene. He questioned her about the compassion of physicians, hinting at her grandfather's medical teachings, but Empress Hu remained impassive, stating that Heaven's virtue of being good at life should not shelter the guilty.
Upon hearing of Ziping’s suffering, Yao Zijin rushed to her side, finding Ziping's back severely wounded. Ziping tearfully urged Yao Zijin not to worry for her. Yao Zijin, heartbroken, pleaded with Zhu Zhanji to revoke the punishment. Zhu Zhanji, unyielding, ordered You Yifan to apply the same severe punishment to all other implicated members of the Food Bureau.
Witnessing this, Empress Hu intervened, claiming her own hysteria stemmed from prolonged grief and stress following her elder sister's death, not from the medicated diets. She accepted full responsibility, begging for clemency for everyone and promising to explain the situation to the Queen Mother. Zhu Zhanji relented, expressing hope that such errors would not recur from the Food Bureau.
With the Food Bureau's name cleared, Ziping, now able to move, expressed profound gratitude to Zhu Zhanji and Empress Hu for clearing her name. You Yifan then informed Yao Zijin that the staff beating in Zhen Fu Si Prison had been meticulously executed, designed to appear brutal but inflict no real harm, as easily as "hitting tofu."
Ziping, while still claiming to be in pain, implicitly confirmed You Yifan's revelation, leading Yao Zijin to realize she had been deceived by both Zhu Zhanji and Ziping. Deeply hurt, Yao Zijin turned to leave Qianqing Palace. Empress Hu, having been publicly humiliated by the ordeal, walked away unsteadily, her hatred for Yao Zijin intensifying. As Yao Zijin returned to Yongning Palace, an edict from Zhu Zhanji immediately confined her to her palace to reflect on her misdeeds.
Meanwhile, Empress Hu, back in her own palace, erupted in anger, sweeping all the ornaments from her table. Zhu Zhanji visited her, acknowledging her genuine hesitation and struggle during the recent events, which he found comforting as it proved her goodness remained. He reassured her that she was simply unwell and would be his good empress once she recovered, also urging her not to worry the Queen Mother.
Empress Hu's confidence returned as she believed herself to be the legitimate Empress of the Great Ming. That night, Yao Zijin suffered a nightmare, waking with a fright. She sat up and tried to call Ah Kin but found she could not utter a sound. She walked out to find no palace maids around, marking the onset of her mutism. Hearing of Yao Zijin's deteriorating condition, Ziping meticulously prepared an array of exquisite dishes for her.
Yao Zijin, appreciating Ziping's thoughtfulness through the ingredients, gradually found her mood easing. To further amuse Yao Zijin, Ziping fashioned a distinctive dog hat, reminiscent of those worn by the People in eastern Zhejiang, and wore it, trying to elicit a smile. Two months passed. Yuan Qi delivered Zhu Zhanji's oral message, inquiring if Yao Zijin had acknowledged her mistakes. Yao Zijin, holding one of Zhu Zhanji's cherished pets, remained silent.
Yuan Qi, infuriated, returned to Zhu Zhanji, who was practicing archery with You Yifan. Yuan Qi maliciously exaggerated Yao Zijin's defiance, causing Zhu Zhanji to become furious. You Yifan, observing Yuan Qi’s manipulative reporting, recognized his true nature. Empress Hu was secretly pleased by Yao Zijin's cold reception. Chen Wu, understanding Zhu Zhanji's underlying thoughts, subtly suggested he might wish to examine a three-legged furnace at Yongning Palace. Zhu Zhanji eventually went, lifting his hand.
He questioned Yao Zijin, asking why it was so difficult for her to admit her faults or speak to him. He expressed his frustration that she had suffered so much injustice yet remained silent, failing to confide in him. He stated he had waited a full three months for her to speak or write a confession, accusing her of avoiding her mistakes, taking reckless actions, and always treating him as an outsider.
He reminded her that she herself had said he was king outside the study and her husband within it, arguing her silence constituted both the guilt of deceiving the emperor and acting like a disobedient wife. When she still remained silent, he grew angry and walked away. Just then, an urgent report arrived from the Guangxi front line.
