Royal Nirvana Episode 11 Recap
> Royal Nirvana Recap
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Lu Wenxi found herself under the watchful eyes of Xiao Dingtang's men after the imperial decree ordered her to become Prince Qi's concubine. Distraught, her brother Lu Wenpu attempted to reach her but was blocked by guards. Wenpu rushed to seek help for his sister. Since Crown Prince Xiao Dingquan was under house arrest, his cousin Gu Fengen stepped forward to take on the task.
Wenpu informed Gu Fengen that Prince Qi was to marry his sister, and if the decree was issued by the Ministry of Rites, it would be too late. Gu Fengen assured Wenpu he would speak with the Emperor, confidently stating he would be more effective than Xiao Dingquan. Gu Fengen entered the imperial presence and, addressing the Emperor as "Uncle," asked if he had indeed ordered Lu Ying's daughter to become Prince Qi's concubine.
He pleaded with the Emperor to revoke the decree, citing Lu Ying's distress and loyalty. The Emperor, however, dismissed his concerns, stating that marriage was a joyous occasion and questioning why Gu Fengen would perceive it as "cold-hearted." He further implied that even if Wenxi were not to marry Prince Qi, she would never be given to Xiao Dingquan. Moments later, Xiao Dingquan himself entered, kneeling before his father. He confirmed he was there specifically for Lu Wenxi.
The Emperor, clearly displeased, cast a memorial from Xiao Dingquan's tutor, Lu Shiyu, before him. The memorial recommended Lu Ying's daughter as Crown Princess, but the Emperor had marked it as "inappropriate" and rejected it the previous day. Xiao Dingquan, in anguish, questioned why everything he loved seemed destined for his older brother, Prince Qi. He desperately pleaded with his father not to let Wenxi marry Prince Qi, even if he could not marry her himself.
When pressed for a reason, Xiao Dingquan could only offer his love for her, giving a vague answer about having both met and not met her. The Emperor cut him off, declaring his disinterest and ordering him to maintain his composure. Observing the Emperor's unyielding stance, Xiao Dingquan realized there was no hope for a direct appeal. Xiao Dingquan then instructed Gu Fengen to discreetly inform Prince Qi's wife, the Princess, about the impending marriage.
Gu Fengen found the Princess lamenting her perceived betrayal, feeling like a fool, and fearing replacement by a newcomer. He emphasized that once the Ministry of Rites issued the decree, it would be irreversible. Enraged, the Princess immediately set off for the Ministry of Rites. Following Xiao Dingquan's strategy, Gu Fengen then secretly urged Prince Qi's guards to report the Princess's outburst to their master, hoping this would create an opportunity for Xiao Dingquan to meet the Lu family.
At the Ministry of Rites, Minister He Daoran was about to stamp the decree for Prince Qi's concubine when the Princess stormed in. She angrily accused He Daoran of underhanded dealings, questioning how he could act behind her father Li Baizhou's back. He Daoran defended himself, explaining he was merely following an imperial decree. The Princess tore the decree to shreds and then threatened to smash the national stamp, condemning its use for such "filthy things."
Both He Daoran and Assistant Minister Zhang were terrified and tried to calm her, reminding her of the national importance of the stamp. Just then, Xiao Dingtang arrived. The Princess, in tears, confronted him, accusing him of being ungrateful and reminding him of his passionate marriage pledges, which she dramatically presented in writing. She then threatened to seek a divorce and even to hang herself.
Xiao Dingtang intervened, eventually revealing that the marriage had been arranged by her own father, Li Baizhou. The Princess was utterly stunned and devastated, vowing to seek justice for herself. The officials at the Ministry of Rites, witnessing the chaos, decided to wait for a new imperial decree before proceeding. Li Baizhou was furious when he learned of his daughter's dramatic scene at the Ministry of Rites.
He realized that the plan for Xiao Dingtang to take a concubine was now ruined, and Zhao Yong's substantial sum of money, intended for the marriage, had been effectively thrown into the national treasury for nothing. Consequently, Zhao Guifei had to intervene. She tearfully appealed to the Emperor, expressing her deep sorrow and asking him to revoke the imperial decree for the marriage.
The Emperor, who admitted he had anticipated this outcome, agreed to revoke the decree but stated he would not return Zhao Yong's money, wryly suggesting Zhao Guifei add vinegar to her tea. With the marriage decree revoked, Xiao Dingquan immediately went to visit Lu Ying. He sincerely expressed that he was not seeking a Crown Princess but a beloved wife, a "soulmate," promising to protect her with all his might.
Lu Ying, however, for his daughter's well-being and to keep her out of political strife, revealed that he had already betrothed Wenxi to an old friend's son, guaranteeing her a stable and peaceful life away from the capital. He informed Xiao Dingquan that Wenxi had already left to complete the marriage. Xiao Dingquan, visibly heartbroken, asked for the groom's identity, but Lu Ying respectfully declined to reveal it, stating he would only do so if ordered by the Emperor.
An attendant arrived to urgently call Xiao Dingquan back to the palace, reminding him that as a royal, his duty to the state and himself superseded personal matters. Lu Ying reiterated that Wenxi, being of "frail constitution and unremarkable character," should not be a cause for concern for the Crown Prince.
As Xiao Dingquan departed, he expressed his profound admiration for Wenxi, whom he had never truly seen, comparing her to a beautiful landscape, and openly envied the man who would eventually behold her beauty. Hidden behind a screen, Wenxi listened to his words, tears streaming down her face, recalling his silent plea to "Please wait for me." The next day, Lu Wenxi went alone to pray, her heart heavy with conflicted emotions. She remembered her father's counsel.
While he admired Xiao Dingquan as a "clean and young man," a beacon of hope for the dynasty, he warned her that the court was far more corrupt than she knew, and maintaining purity came at an immense cost. He explained that if she married the Crown Prince, all his efforts, and those of her brother, would be twisted into partisan struggles, turning their contributions into political liabilities.
He told her that finding a soulmate was a "good thing," but sometimes, "forgetting him" was the only true happiness. Wenxi was torn between her feelings and her father's pragmatic, self-sacrificing wisdom. Later, an attendant informed Xiao Dingquan that Wenxi had gone to Changzhou, to the household of Prefectural governor Li. This Prefectural governor Li was not only an old friend of Lu Ying and his wife was Wenxi's godmother, but he was also a close confidant of the Emperor.
The attendant emphasized that due to this complicated relationship, the Emperor would never approve of a marriage between Xiao Dingquan and Wenxi, and advised the Crown Prince to let go of his regrets. Yet, Xiao Dingquan responded, "No regret. It has not come to an end yet." Meanwhile, the Emperor, preparing to depart for the detached palace for a military inspection, received reports about new weapons and decided to visit the Tiance Army camp first, despite his usual schedule.
General Lv prepared for the Emperor's arrival, and as the imperial procession, including the Crown Prince and Prince Qi, arrived, General Lv, in heavy armor, offered a military salute. The Emperor graciously accepted, eager to inspect the new arrowheads.
