Royal Nirvana Episode 19 Recap, Plot

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After Crown Prince Xiao Dingquan's explicit refusal to intervene, Lu Wenxi stood distraught on a bridge, clutching a painting. The melancholic scene mirrored her internal turmoil, as she despaired that despite risking her life for him, he would not save her family. Overwhelmed by anger and hopelessness, she desperately threw the painting into the river, collapsing to the ground and sobbing uncontrollably. Prince Xiao Dingkai then appeared beside her, gently draping a cloak over her.

Unseen by them, Xiao Dingquan stood in the darkness nearby. He hesitated, wanting to comfort her, but upon hearing her tearful pleas for her father and brother, he retreated, unable to face her. Ultimately, he did not reveal himself, but instead retrieved the painting from the river, carefully placing it in a cabinet for safekeeping. Back in his room, Xiao Dingquan found his trusted maid, Kouzhu, attending to a deeply intoxicated Gu Fengen.

Kouzhu assured him that Gu Fengen merely needed sleep, adding that Gu Fengen had muttered in his drunken state, "Crown prince, it's not your fault. We don't blame you." Xiao Dingquan sighed, then led Kouzhu outside, confiding that he had an important task for her. Meanwhile, Xiao Dingtang's princess was despondent over his imminent departure from the capital, wondering when, or if, he would ever return.

She gently held his hand, vowing to serve Consort Zhao well and to follow him to his fief, no matter the distance, if he were truly banished, proclaiming, "In short, no matter where, I will go with you." Xiao Dingtang was touched, telling her, "Ah Chuo, marrying you. . . I've long been aware of this. You can leave with peace of mind."

However, her tender facade quickly dissolved as she fiercely warned him against philandering while away, threatening, "If you leave here and hang around with the women, I'll. . ." Xiao Dingtang retorted, "It's the army. No women there, okay? Let alone the men." She continued her tirade, demanding to know what he was thinking and pinching him painfully. A servant interrupted, announcing a palace maid with a pair of earrings.

Xiao Dingtang instantly recognized the earrings as Maid Chen's and, alarmed, ordered the maid to be brought in. The servant described her as "young and pretty," further igniting his wife's suspicions, who again demanded to know which hand he had used to handle the earrings, causing Xiao Dingtang to squirm under her wrath before he scurried off. Kouzhu, identifying herself as "Maid Chen from Baoben palace," appeared before Xiao Dingtang.

She explained she carried a message from her master, Crown Prince Xiao Dingquan, demanding that Xiao Dingtang and Li Baizhou secure the release of Lu Wenjin. She warned that if they failed or if the Crown Prince's involvement became known, Xiao Dingquan would ensure the Ministry of Justice reopened the capping ceremony case, regardless of Xiao Dingtang's location. As a "deposit," she presented Xiao Dingtang with one of his own lost earrings.

She also promised that if the task was completed, Xiao Dingquan would gift Xiao Dingtang "the person he had in mind." Xiao Dingtang, recognizing the gravity of the threat, assured Kouzhu that he understood. His princess, overhearing parts of the conversation, furiously berated him from another room, declaring that he also wanted "another person" and that all men were "not one of them good."

Xiao Dingtang immediately consulted Li Baizhou, who surmised that Xiao Dingquan sought their help because only he and the Emperor held enough influence to change the outcome. Li Baizhou further noted the Emperor's unwavering stance, citing Gu Fengen's recent dismissal from office as proof. Li Baizhou agreed to coordinate Lu Wenjin's release and urged Xiao Dingtang to instruct Zhang Luzheng to expedite the conclusion of the case.

Satisfied that Lu Ying's fate was sealed—death, despite his son's release—Xiao Dingtang felt a sense of relief, confident he could now leave the capital. Li Baizhou then noticed a mark on Xiao Dingtang's neck, which the prince attributed to his wife's anger. The following morning, Gu Fengen awoke from his stupor, despairing over the loss of his official rank and the shame it brought. Kouzhu or a servant prepared his robes and tea.

Gu Fengen, still grappling with his indignation, argued with a servant who commented on the costliness of his soiled silks, clinging to his past academic achievements and proclaiming them to be "more valuable." Though reluctant to face the Emperor, he was urged on by Xiao Dingquan. When he finally knelt before the Emperor, Gu Fengen humbly confessed his imprudence and lack of self-discipline, accepting his punishment with deep regret.

The Emperor, however, cut him short, adding sternly that if Gu Silin, Gu Fengen's father, were present, he would have "broken his legs." Gu Fengen responded meekly, acknowledging the Emperor's "love" for him, while Xiao Dingquan subtly tried to communicate with Gu Fengen, drawing the Emperor's immediate disapproval. The Emperor then presented a policy essay for Xiao Dingquan and Gu Fengen to review, a brilliant piece by the newly appointed third-rank scholar, Xu Changping.

Xiao Dingquan praised the essay for its profound understanding of classics and sound arguments, noting he "Can be a third party." Xu Changping was then called in. The Emperor, impressed by his youth, good looks, and hometown of Yueyang, remarked that selecting him as a scholar was "out of sheer luck."

He noted that Xu Changping was the only one who didn't cause trouble during the previous court test, despite a past personal grievance with the Crown Prince, leading him to question Xu's motives. Xu Changping humbly responded, attributing the successful resolution of their past conflict to the Crown Prince's wisdom and broad perspective, stating he held no grudge.

He added that he believed the Crown Prince was "so smart to know what I am thinking about" and that he had "nothing to fear." The Emperor, pleased, commended Xu Changping's eloquence and quick wit. He then appointed Xu Changping as Cheng Zhi, replacing the mourning Secretarial Director, and encouraged Xiao Dingquan to interact frequently with Xu Changping, believing he would be "more helpful for him than others."

Xu Changping pledged his utmost dedication, a sentiment echoed by Xiao Dingquan, who stated he was "looking forward to it." Xiao Dingquan then subtly attempted to speak on behalf of Lu Wenpu, but the Emperor quickly dismissed him, stating, "No need to rush his matter, he's next." The Emperor then ordered Xu Changping to draft a decree. The Imperial decree was swiftly issued, sentencing Lu Ying and Lu Wenpu to immediate execution.

News of the sentence reached Li Baizhou, who, conversing with Zhang Luzheng, remarked on the unfortunate fate of Lu Ying's son and praised Zhang Luzheng's handling of the case, which was deemed "proper." Zhang Luzheng, however, worried about accusations of personal vendetta. Their conversation also revealed political maneuvering around vacant positions, with Li Baizhou expressing a preference for "his own men" for key roles like the head of the six ministries (Minister of Personnel).

At this point, a subordinate reported to Li Baizhou that Lu Ying's eldest daughter was outside the Ministry of Justice, seeking to see her father. Li Baizhou, surprised she had truly gone there, immediately ordered his carriage. Unbeknownst to them, the Emperor, still speaking to Xiao Dingquan, mused on the hopes of parents for obedient children, stating, "What parents want most is for their children to be more obedient."

He then issued a chilling command to a subordinate: if Xiao Dingquan proved disobedient, Zhang Luzheng was to "execute that woman on the spot," referring to Lu Wenxi. Outside the Ministry of Justice, Lu Wenxi struggled as Prince V, Xiao Dingkai, attempted to restrain her. A subordinate quickly alerted Zhang Luzheng, who emerged to find Xiao Dingkai holding the struggling woman draped in his cloak. Xiao Dingkai attempted to disguise her as his "mentally unstable" maid, apologizing for the disturbance.

However, Lu Wenxi cried out, "I don't want to see the last farewell at the execution ground!" forcing Xiao Dingkai to silence her, telling her, "Shut up! Do you want to drag me to my death?" Zhang Luzheng, though suspicious, played along, remarking on the prince's presence for a mere maid, but then indicated he couldn't disregard the imperial decree without seeing her face. Just as Xiao Dingkai hesitated, Xiao Dingquan arrived.

Xiao Dingkai, relieved, said there was "no need" for her to reveal her face. But Xiao Dingquan, stepping forward, declared, "No need to see her face. This person I recognize. She is Lu Ying's eldest daughter."

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