Royal Feast Episode 39 Recap
> Royal Feast Recap
Meng Shang Palace's remarkable foresight was widely praised. Thanks to her efforts, a cellar was stocked with dried rice and soybeans, a secret meticulously guarded. This provision was critical, ensuring the capital could endure for at least another half month until grain trucks arrived, a testament to her belief in preparing for difficult times. People marvelled at her ability to "predict the future," though Yao Zijin, now bearing the title of Sun Guifei, clarified it was simply careful prevention.
Sun Guifei met with Fang Dianshan, who presented her with a half-finished book titled "Records of Herbal Medicines for Relieving Famine." Sun Guifei assured Fang Dianshan that she would appeal to the Queen Mother for Meng Shang Palace's pardon for her past errors. Later, Sun Guifei visited Yue Hua in prison, deeply saddened by Yue Hua's desolate state.
Yue Hua remained unrepentant, blaming Meng Shang Palace for her misfortunes and expressing her resentment towards Sun Guifei for her perceived favoritism towards Yin Ziping and for not speaking to her sooner. Yue Hua confessed to the killing of Hu Shang Shi, acknowledging she had gone too far and lost her way.
Sun Guifei then showed her the "Records of Herbal Medicines for Relieving Famine," explaining how Meng Shang Palace, inspired by royal rare books like the "Compendium of Famine Relief Herbs," had dedicated herself to transplanting and studying thousands of wild vegetables in the Imperial Garden. She had researched methods to remove their toxicity and treat accidental poisoning, hoping to save lives during famine.
Sun Guifei revealed that Meng Shang Palace had been pardoned by the Queen Mother but chose to remain in Anle Hall, atoning for her past sins before leaving. Overwhelmed by this revelation about her mother, Yue Hua descended into a frenzied state, desperately demanding to see the Queen Mother, as Sun Guifei left the prison. Meanwhile, Yuan Qi, who had served Zhu Zhanji for twenty-four years, nervously served him a cup of tranquilizing tea.
Zhu Zhanji reminisced about their shared history, from childhood escapades to the battlefield, where Yuan Qi bravely accompanied him during a perilous northern expedition. Despite others calling him timid, Zhu Zhanji recalled Yuan Qi's courage. After Zhu Zhanji drank the tea, Yuan Qi, trembling slightly, pulled back the curtain and departed. Yuan Qi immediately sent word to Han Wang, informing him that the Emperor was dead.
Upon receiving the news, Han Wang declared it was time for a decisive battle and ordered the city gates opened. Sun Guifei, concerned about the Queen Mother, visited her in her palace. Though it was the Queen’s instruction, Sun Guifei affirmed her duty to care for Zhu Zhanji’s mother. The Queen Mother, initially reserved, listened as Sun Guifei expressed her unwavering conviction that outdated ancestral rules should change, asserting that she would witness their demise, or future generations would.
The Queen Mother acknowledged Sun Guifei as a worthy opponent. As the night wore on, Zhao Wang and his men moved to seize control of the palace gates. He believed that by controlling the Queen Mother, no one would dare resist, and he vehemently expressed his frustration with the Queen Mother, who he felt constantly humiliated him despite him being the regent. Rebel forces loyal to Zhao Wang began to take control of the palace.
The concubines were taken hostage, and Sun Guifei, seeing their lives in peril, immediately intervened to stop the slaughter. She led them to the medical workshop and, to protect them, bravely stepped forward to the rebels demanding the Queen's whereabouts, offering herself instead. She informed the rebels that the area was an isolation ward for epidemics, prompting them to merely cordon it off.
Once secured, Sun Guifei sent a servant to Kunning Palace for the Queen's warm clothes and favorite pastries, knowing the medical workshop was short on supplies and the weather was turning cold. A rebel reported to You Yifan that they had suppressed the guards defending the Forbidden Palace and Imperial City, and now controlled both, with many nobles supporting them. He acknowledged that the Emperor thought he had eradicated Han Wang’s forces, but a greater scheme was at play.
He also reported that King Xiang, Zhu Zhanzhan, was missing, and a citywide manhunt was underway. The Queen then collapsed with a high fever. Sun Guifei immediately called for a Great Doctor, asserting the Queen's value as a hostage to You Yifan, who was observing the scene. When a doctor arrived and, upon examining the Queen, declared himself incompetent and tried to flee, Sun Guifei bravely stopped him.
She then offered a specific prescription for treating fever, passed down from her grandfather, emphasizing that it was different from the usual typhoid remedies and instructed the doctor to add Cardamom and Houpu magnolia bark. The Queen, feeling her life slipping away, urged Sun Guifei to leave to avoid infection, acknowledging that her own ascension as Grand Imperial Consort had marked the beginning of Sun Guifei's misfortunes. Sun Guifei refused, insisting she could not abandon someone so selfless.
The Queen, with tears in her eyes, entrusted Zhu Zhanji’s companionship and the success of his great endeavors to Sun Guifei. Meanwhile, You Yifan tried to persuade Sun Guifei to abandon the Queen, noting that she could have been empress herself and was too intelligent to die for Zhu Zhanji. In response, Sun Guifei broke her jade bracelet, affirming her unwavering devotion to Zhu Zhanji, stating that all her hardships were endured solely for him.
The Queen, overhearing this exchange, finally understood Sun Guifei's profound feelings for Zhu Zhanji, realizing Sun Guifei's sacrifice and finding solace in her presence. Zhao Wang then burst into the Queen Mother's palace, falsely proclaiming Zhu Zhanji’s death at the hands of Han Wang in Le'an.
He demanded the Queen Mother immediately issue an imperial decree appointing him to supervise national politics, threatening that the captured King Zheng, King Xiang, and the imperial concubines would be in peril if she refused. The Queen Mother, maintaining her composure, subtly questioned him, implying that she saw through his intentions to force Zhu Zhanji's abdication. She specifically questioned if King Xiang, Zhu Zhanzhan, was truly in his custody.
Zhao Wang’s men then reported that the Imperial City was surrounded by guards. The Queen Mother, revealing her long-standing influence and the trust Zhu Zhanji had placed in her, challenged Zhao Wang to see for himself. As a palace maid, skilled in martial arts, fought valiantly against You Yifan, who eventually held a sword to the Queen Mother's throat, Zhu Zhanji dramatically entered the scene. He revealed that he had indeed returned and had brought Han Wang, his second uncle, with him, effectively dismantling Zhao Wang’s rebellion.
