Royal Nirvana Episode 22 Recap
> Royal Nirvana Recap
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The Ministry of Revenue's Minister Huang presented the budget for Xiao Dingquan's wedding to the Emperor, stating that the extensive seven-year renovation of Yanzuo palace had already depleted the national treasury, making further generous spending impossible. Minister Huang then suggested that the Crown Prince should use this occasion to move back into the palace. Xiao Dingquan countered that Yanzuo palace had just been completed, and furnishing it anew would be a massive and luxurious expense.
When Minister Huang proposed moving existing furniture, Xiao Dingquan scoffed, calling it "robbing Peter to pay Paul" and questioning if it served any purpose beyond making the imperial household seem impoverished. Li Baizhou then interjected, arguing that the Crown Prince residing outside the palace and frequently meeting with external officials would invite reproach.
He produced records of officials visiting Xiao Dingquan, including the Imperial Astronomer's Assistant Minister just the day before, which had resulted in an accusation memorial being sent to the chancery. Xiao Dingquan attempted to explain that these visits were related to wedding preparations, such as the preparatory ritual or conveying congratulations, and claimed he hadn't even let some officials enter.
He tried to explain his meeting with the Imperial Astronomer's Assistant Minister regarding wedding day weather, but Li Baizhou cut him off. The Emperor, despite his irritation with Li Baizhou's persistence, seemed to acquiesce to the argument for the Crown Prince's return to the palace. Lady Jiang, having overheard the discussion, observed the strong winds outside and the Emperor's apparent decision.
As she held deep grievances against Li Baizhou, she subtly instructed Wenxi to go to Yanzuo palace to ensure nothing went awry. Wenxi, understanding the implicit command, arrived at the palace, still under renovation. Posing as an official from the Shanggong Bureau, she ordered the workmen to stop due to the strong winds and check for fire hazards, effectively clearing the site. She then secretly entered, using incense to ignite fabrics and start a fire.
The blaze quickly spread through Yanzuo palace. News of the fire reached the Emperor, Xiao Dingquan, and Li Baizhou. Minister Huang urged immediate firefighting, but the Emperor, clearly wishing to prevent Xiao Dingquan from moving back, cited the strong winds and ordered everyone to withdraw, claiming it was too dangerous. Once the area was clear, Wenxi escaped.
Outside, a sudden rain shower made her fear her efforts were in vain, but a timely lightning strike intensified the fire, consuming the palace. Lady Jiang then observed to Wenxi that "heaven's will" seemed to be on her side. Xiao Dingquan watched, wondering about the unknown assistance he had received. With Yanzuo palace in ruins, reconstruction would take at least three months, making it impossible for Xiao Dingquan to move back before his wedding.
Li Baizhou insisted on a thorough investigation, suggesting someone might have deliberately obstructed the wedding. However, the Emperor dismissed it as a natural disaster, a "thunder fire," mentioning that Xiao Dingquan himself had inquired about thunderstorms and placed "lightning-attracting" objects near the eaves (specifically under the "chiwen"), an action he compared to a past fire in Fenghua palace.
Xiao Dingquan offered to submit an apology letter for the palace's destruction, but the Emperor forbade it, not wanting to issue a confession decree himself. The Emperor decreed that the welcoming ceremony would proceed at Baoben palace, ensuring Xiao Dingquan would remain outside the main palace. He then ordered Li Baizhou to suppress any further memorials regarding the Crown Prince's external associations.
Meanwhile, Zhao Yong complained to Li Baizhou that Lu Ying, who had narrowly escaped death, could expose their past misdeeds. He urged Li Baizhou to ensure Lu Ying died in prison. Li Baizhou, however, advised caution and decided to wait until after the Crown Prince's wedding before taking further action. Lady Jiang then allowed Wenxi to enter Dong palace under the name Gu Abao. Lady Jiang tested Wenxi on palace geography, official ranks, and etiquette.
Wenxi flawlessly recited palace names, the duties of the six divisions, and the proper courtesies, even noting that a Consort would bow to the Crown Princess. Lady Jiang remarked that Prince Qi's biological mother would have had to bow to Wenxi if Wenxi had become Crown Princess. Wenxi, with a hint of sadness, only responded with "strangers since then." When asked about the wedding ceremony's kneeling protocols, Wenxi correctly stated that the Crown Princess would bow to the Crown Prince.
Lady Jiang, impressed, reaffirmed her decision to bring Wenxi into the palace. Wenxi later encountered Xiao Dingkai, who was admiring osmanthus trees, reminiscent of his late mother. Wenxi shared a story about her own harmonious sibling relationship, which left Xiao Dingkai melancholic. He expressed a longing for family unity, contrasting it with his own lack of close fraternal bonds and lamenting that his own brothers would not give him sweets like Wenxi's did.
Xiao Dingkai, who had developed feelings for Wenxi, then accidentally discovered Xiao Dingquan's private seal on her. Wenxi explained she had promised Lu Shiyu to return it to its owner, but also acknowledged it had indirectly caused much suffering. Gently, Xiao Dingkai advised her that it wasn't too late to reconsider her path in the palace, telling her that the "Xiao Lang" (referring to Xiao Dingquan) before her "shouldn't be strangers."
Wenxi, however, replied that she couldn't and didn't want to turn back. Later, outside, Xiao Dingkai's attendant handed him a message from the Emperor, instructing him to tell his father that everything was fine and not to be impulsive. Xiao Dingkai mused that his brother's actions were "what goes around comes around." Zhang Nianzhi prepared for her wedding, with her younger siblings Zhang Shaoyun and Zhang Songzhi chattering around her.
Her father advised her to be a dutiful wife in the palace but also to care for herself. Her brother and sister excitedly talked about her "brother-in-law," the Crown Prince, and playfully debated the etiquette of "Qingqi" versus "Gaoqi" for the wedding date. They also discussed the Crown Prince's strained relationship with his father and the recent fire in Dong palace, making Zhang Nianzhi feel anxious about her future, given the complicated political situation.
Finally, Xiao Dingquan instructed an attendant to put away a painting that had been prepared for him. He wanted it not too close, so he wouldn't see it, but also not too far, so he wouldn't forget it.
