Royal Nirvana Episode 23 Recap, Plot

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The long-awaited wedding day of Xiao Dingquan arrives. Lady Jiang, as the Senior Maid, guides Lu Wenxi to serve the Crown Princess. Outside, Zhang Shaoyun, the Crown Princess's brother, catches sight of the palace maids and exclaims, "All beautiful girls!" When asked who he finds most attractive, he points to Lu Wenxi, standing before his elder sister, remarking, "I think that one looks the best. Is she my sister's maid? Can I see her often?"

An attendant quickly pulls him away, reminding him that these women belong to the Crown Prince and are not for him to admire. Inside, Zhang Nianzhi, the bride, appears distraught, tearfully telling her father, Zhang Luzheng, "Dad, no. I don't want to go to the palace. I am scared." Zhang Luzheng urges her to compose herself, emphasizing that their family's fate rests entirely on her. Her brother, Shaoyun, attempting to comfort her, promises, "Don't be scared.

If brother-in-law bullies you, I will protect you." Xiao Dingquan arrives in his carriage to greet his bride. Zhang Luzheng and Zhang Shaoyun kneel to welcome him. Shaoyun, still ignorant of the Crown Prince's true identity, initially dismisses him as an ordinary person before recognizing him as the man he had repeatedly provoked. He panics and, despite his father's attempts to silence him, desperately pleads with Xiao Dingquan, "I have offended you more than once. I should be beheaded.

This matter doesn't concern my sister. Please don't be angry with her. . . She never left home since childhood. She is scared now. I beg you, please treat her well." Xiao Dingquan orders him to stand back and not disrupt the ceremony, and Zhang Luzheng apologizes profusely for his son's misbehavior, promising severe punishment.

As the wedding procession moves into the palace, Zhang Nianzhi nervously asks Lu Wenxi, now known as Maid Gu, "Maid Gu, have you seen the Crown Prince?" Lu Wenxi confirms she has. The Crown Princess then inquires, "Maid Gu, do you know what kind of person the Crown Prince is?" Lu Wenxi, stunned, deflects by stating the formal truth, "Sorry. I can do nothing. And I don't want to.

His Highness is going to marry the eldest daughter of the Minister of Justice." During the intricate wedding ceremony, a maid clarifies that the Crown Princess is the Prince's main wife, an equal in status, and therefore, both the Crown Prince and Crown Princess should show equal respect, with the Prince kneeling and bowing back to the Crown Princess. Later, as Lu Wenxi assists with the hair-joining ritual, her hand trembles, and the scissors fall.

Lady Jiang immediately scolds her, "Maid Gu! How dare you! Retire!" and orders her to leave. In the bridal chamber, Xiao Dingquan asks Zhang Nianzhi her name and assures her, "Don't be afraid. I will be nice to you. You are my wedded wife. It has nothing to do with who your father is or who your brother is."

Zhang Nianzhi gently takes his hand, telling him that the maid who had just left had said he was a very gentle person. She relays the maid's description: "He is handsome. Also has a pleasant voice. . . He writes good calligraphy. Very talented. He is attentive. And considerate. She told me Your Highness is my husband. Also my sovereign. Your Highness will definitely protect me. I'm not afraid. With Your Highness here, I am not afraid of anything."

Her innocent beauty and these familiar words leave Xiao Dingquan momentarily speechless. Meanwhile, Lady Jiang punishes Lu Wenxi for her mistake by making her stand guard outside the bridal chamber all night. Lady Jiang comments on Lu Wenxi's trembling hands, asking if she still harbors resentment or lingering concerns.

Through the red paper window, Lu Wenxi watches the silhouettes inside, her heart filled with an unutterable sadness, knowing that the man within was once meant to be hers, but now she has to give him away. The next morning, as palace servants prepare the royal couple for their audience with the Emperor, Lu Wenxi helps Xiao Dingquan fasten his belt. He confronts her, asking if she was the maid who described him to the Crown Princess. She admits it.

He questions how she knew what kind of person he was. Lu Wenxi replies that she doesn't truly know him, but as a woman, she simply articulated "what kind of husband a woman wants" to comfort the Crown Princess. Xiao Dingquan gazes at her, remarking, "Where have we met before? Your voice and. . ." Lu Wenxi, keeping her emotions hidden, explains that she once offended him at the detached palace, which might be why he finds her familiar.

When he asks her name, she replies, "My surname is Gu," concealing her true identity. On the distant Changzhou battlefield, Gu Fengen's older brother, Gu Chengen, and his men are engaged in a brutal fight. Overwhelmed by the enemy, Gu Chengen orders his subordinate, Yang (Yang Du Yu), to ride his horse and seek immediate reinforcements from Prefectural Governor Li in Changzhou. Back at the palace, after court, Xiao Dingquan visits Zhang Nianzhi.

He recites a love poem, "The room is full of beauties, but my eyes are only for you," and tenderly paints her eyebrows. Zhang Nianzhi, unfamiliar with poetry, asks Lu Wenxi if she understood the Crown Prince's words. Lu Wenxi, feigning slight uncertainty, explains the poem's meaning, mentioning it might be from "Shaosiming," which in ancient times oversaw offspring.

Zhang Nianzhi confesses that her father only allowed her to read "female principles" and that she doesn't understand much of what the Crown Prince says, asking Lu Wenxi not to laugh at her. Soon, an urgent military intelligence report from Changzhou arrives, and Xiao Dingquan departs abruptly. Confused by his sudden departure and having only heard "military horse," Zhang Nianzhi asks Lu Wenxi what was said. Lu Wenxi reassures her that the Crown Prince will handle court matters. Determined to understand her husband better, Zhang Nianzhi then asks Lu Wenxi to teach her the poem.

Episode 22 Recap

Episode 24 Recap