Royal Nirvana Episode 12 Recap, Plot

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The annual archery competition was about to begin, with His Majesty, accompanied by Xiao Dingquan, Xiao Dingtang, and other princes and ministers, arriving at the detached palace. His Majesty, pleased, announced that the winner would receive any reward they desired. Xiao Dingtang eagerly anticipated the contest, while Xiao Dingquan’s thoughts were also stirring with purpose. Earlier, His Majesty had been discussing the new arrowheads, noting their improved resilience and sharpness, making them more effective against enemy armor.

He stressed the importance of both warhorses and arrows in the ongoing conflict. While he chose not to participate himself, he declared, "Today I brought my sons, let them represent me." Xiao Dingquan, reflecting his scholarly training, initially declined to aim at His Majesty's "exclusive targets" (Jun Hu), citing a passage from the Book of Archery (She Yi) and expressing reluctance to overstep.

His Majesty, however, remarked that Xiao Dingquan’s caution, though refined by his tutor Lu Shiyu, might cause him to miss crucial advantages. Xiao Dingquan maintained he dared not take such an advantage. Later, Gu Fengen observed that Xiao Dingquan remained steadfast in his feelings for Wenxi, urging him to be realistic. Xiao Dingquan insisted, "Why should I? I love her not because of this."

Gu Fengen pressed further, reminding him that the Changzhou prefectural governor was intended to counterbalance his uncle, Gu Silin, and questioned if His Majesty would allow Xiao Dingquan to marry the prefectural governor's nominal daughter. Xiao Dingquan rebuked Gu Fengen for his audacious remarks, then affirmed his determination to win the archery competition, declaring, "I must win." Xiao Dingquan went to pay his respects to His Majesty but was told by a commander that His Majesty was playing chess.

Curious about his opponent, Xiao Dingquan was asked to return later, indicating the private nature of the meeting. Inside, His Majesty was in deep conversation with Li Ming'an, the prefectural governor of Changzhou, who had returned from northern Xinjiang. His Majesty revealed his "difficulties that he couldn't utter to anyone" except Li Ming'an. He detailed Changzhou's strategic importance as a northern fortress, key for both offense and defense.

He explained that Li Ming'an, as the prefectural governor, would control all provisions, funds, and chariots, and even Changzhou's armymen would fall under his jurisdiction if they marched south. His Majesty made it clear that Li Ming'an's dispatch was intentional. Li Ming'an affirmed his understanding. His Majesty acknowledged the difficulty of controlling Changzhou from the capital but stressed that only Gu Silin could lead the army effectively given the ongoing conflict.

Therefore, he needed Li Ming'an and Gu Silin to "cooperate effectively." His Majesty warned Li Ming'an, "If you fail me, I won't forgive you. If you fail the country, god will punish you." Li Ming'an pledged to do his utmost, especially during wartime. Li Ming'an then inquired if His Majesty had brought him back for reasons beyond General Gu Silin. His Majesty quoted a poem, then directly named Li Baizhou, the chancellor, stating, "I need him to be more obedient."

To achieve this, Li Baizhou could not retain control of his army. The plan was for Li Ming'an to take the Tianchang Guard to Changzhou for separate training, which would weaken Li Baizhou and make Gu Silin cautious. This, he explained, was his primary reason for summoning Li Ming'an.

His Majesty characterized Li Baizhou as "not a fuel-efficient lamp," noting that as former head of the Ministry of War, Li Baizhou commanded several key units among the capital's twelve bodyguard squads, with Lü Han's Tianchang squad being particularly formidable, "like a fishbone getting stuck in the throat." Meanwhile, Li Baizhou was being entertained by Lü Han and his men, who expressed gratitude for their ample provisions.

Lü Han informed Li Baizhou of recent political shifts, including Gu Silin's return to Changzhou, the Crown Prince's capping ceremony, and Li Ming'an's arrival in the capital. Li Baizhou expressed his difficulty in discerning His Majesty's intentions, especially the unusual choice to hold the archery competition at the detached palace after years of absence. Li Baizhou cautiously probed Lü Han, asking if he would accept a transfer to Changzhou or a civilian role in the Ministry of War.

Lü Han vehemently refused both, asserting his desire to remain serving Li Baizhou and guarding the city gate. Li Baizhou reassured him, promising not to let him go anywhere, and instructed him to "just refuse" if the Emperor were to propose such a transfer, believing that Lü Han's refusal would make him "sceptical." Li Ming'an, however, voiced his concern to His Majesty: as chancellor, Li Baizhou possessed the authority to reject imperial decrees.

If Li Baizhou opposed the Tianchang Guard's departure, Li Ming'an feared he "can't take Tianchang squad with me." His Majesty’s eyes gleamed coldly. While he acknowledged the potential for mutiny if a general were summarily executed, he advised against impulsiveness.

He reminded Li Ming'an of their long history as "fellow chess players" and his style: if Li Baizhou proved unyielding, His Majesty would offer him and his army "the same grace," an irresistible inducement "to make them surrender without a fight." He mused, "What kind of grace would that be?" After bidding farewell to His Majesty, Li Ming'an encountered Xiao Dingquan, who was surprised to see him. Xiao Dingquan, keen to know about Wenxi, asked about Royal Minister Lu's daughter.

Li Ming'an directly informed him that he had met Wenxi on his journey and that "she went to Changzhou first." This news visibly distressed Xiao Dingquan, who frowned. Li Ming'an sighed inwardly, recalling His Majesty's recent instruction that the prince "can't win the archery" this time. As night fell, Zhao Wang Xiao Dingkai was at a temple when he chanced upon an unfinished painting. He found the calligraphy "great" and sensed that "the calligraphy girl is not an ordinary one."

His subordinate jested that he always associated good things with girls, even suggesting it might be a balding old man, prompting a bet between them. Zhao Wang recited the incomplete poem on the scroll: "The cloud caps the river. People with lost souls still await summoning. How many people. . ." Just then, a veiled Wenxi appeared, demanding, "I didn't finish the painting yet. Please give it back to me."

As she lifted her veil, revealing her beautiful face, Zhao Wang was captivated, realizing he had won his bet, remarking, "Greenstone moss. The fair lady comes in the rain. I win." He was instantly smitten by her beauty and artistic talent. The next morning, preparations for the archery competition were underway. In the stable, men were seen hurriedly placing sharp horseshoe nails into a saddle.

Lü Han, having fortified his resolve with his troops, declared his intention to refuse any imperial order to leave the capital, leading his soldiers onto the field. As participants gathered, His Majesty commenced the event, emphasizing that "the war is not over" and that "the civil and military practice is the national policy." He explained that the gathering of princes and ministers was both a feast and a competition.

Declining to participate himself, His Majesty announced, "let my sons go on stage." He then commanded General Lü Han to "check the targets on my behalf." Xiao Dingquan’s attendant expressed confidence that Xiao Dingquan would win, remarking that "This year you will win." Xiao Dingquan, realizing Gu Fengen wasn't with him, inquired about his whereabouts and was told he had already gone ahead.

An attendant's suggestion for Xiao Dingquan to wear soft armor was quickly shut down by an aide, who sternly warned that wearing armor before the Emperor without special decree constituted treason. His Majesty then directed, "Crown prince, you go first." As Xiao Dingquan galloped onto the field, Li Baizhou observed, musing on Li Ming'an's sudden return from Changzhou. Xiao Dingquan drew his bow and shot, hitting the bullseye. However, his horse was suddenly startled, bucking wildly and nearly unseating him.

Fortunately, Xiao Dingquan's skill allowed him to regain control, escaping injury. Despite the scare, Xiao Dingquan smiled confidently at a stunned Xiao Dingtang. Gu Fengen then discreetly showed Xiao Dingquan two sharp iron nails found in his saddle, which clearly explained why the horse had been startled. Gu Fengen, who had spent the previous night sleeping in the stable, revealed that Lü Han's men were responsible, and he suspected Xiao Dingtang was the mastermind.

Gu Fengen, who smelled of hay and horseshit, urged Xiao Dingquan to win, reminding him of his sacrifice. Next, Xiao Dingtang took his turn, also hitting the bullseye with every arrow, making it difficult to declare a clear winner between the two princes. His Majesty, thoroughly entertained, brought out the promised rewards. He remarked on their neck-and-neck performance, noting the rare excitement, and asked if the rewards suited their tastes.

Xiao Dingtang readily accepted, but Xiao Dingquan, after a moment, declined the material prizes. Instead, he publicly requested a different kind of "grace"—he wished to ask His Majesty for a person. Before Xiao Dingquan could specify, Li Ming'an unexpectedly interjected, stating that his daughter was betrothed to an old friend's son and had already gone to Changzhou for the wedding.

He also clarified that he had no son of his own, implicitly hinting that Wenxi, as a "nominal daughter," was out of reach. Undeterred, Xiao Dingquan firmly repeated, "I need to ask you for someone." His Majesty, perhaps feigning amusement, commented on Xiao Dingquan's sleepless nights and his yearning, playfully asking who he took after for being "such a spoony." He then instructed Xiao Dingquan to drink his wine and return to the competition, promising to discuss his request later.

Capitalizing on Xiao Dingquan's bold move, His Majesty turned to Li Baizhou, stating that just like the Crown Prince, he also "wanted someone." Pointing towards the distant Tianchang Guard, he declared, "I want them." Li Baizhou, immediately understanding the implication, directly questioned, "Your Majesty want to mobilize the troops?"

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