Royal Nirvana Episode 36 Recap
> Royal Nirvana Recap
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Xiao Dingquan, still consumed by grief and rage over the Crown Princess's death, demanded to know the identity of her murderer from Wenxi. He pressed her for her true name, but she merely offered the surname "Gu." He coldly accused her of murder and of attempting to protect someone by feigning suicide. Wenxi challenged him, asking if her personal plight was less significant than the Crown Princess's tragedy.
Xiao Dingquan vehemently retorted that her struggles and very life were nothing in comparison to his beloved wife's, and she was unworthy of his direct interrogation. He then summoned Zhang Luzheng, the Crown Princess's father, to take charge of the "criminal." Wenxi desperately pleaded with Xiao Dingquan not to abandon her again, arguing that Zhang Luzheng, as a direct relative, could not deliver a fair judgment.
However, Xiao Dingquan countered that Zhang Luzheng's personal connection would make him immune to deception, allowing him to conduct a thorough and unwavering investigation—an opportunity he specifically granted him. Zhang Luzheng wasted no time in his interrogation. Wenxi staunchly denied poisoning anyone, stating she had guarded and tasted the medicine diligently. She then pointed out that Prince VI was also poisoned but had not consumed the medicine, suggesting it was not the source.
Instead, she claimed both the Crown Princess and Prince VI had eaten sweet pastry. Zhang Luzheng dismissed this, citing Li Chongkui's earlier finding that the sweet pastry was harmless, with only the medicine being toxic. Wenxi argued that the chaotic circumstances of the banquet would have allowed someone to easily swap the sweet pastry or even poison the medicine after she had left or after the Crown Princess had already shown symptoms.
Zhang Luzheng, recalling Xiao Dingquan's earlier assessment of Wenxi as "cunning and eloquent," prepared to use harsher methods. While Xiao Dingquan lay feverish from his plunge into the pond, attended by Attendant Wang and Kouzhu, Wenxi faced relentless torture from Zhang Luzheng. Unyielding, she remained silent until he threatened to disfigure her. She then unveiled her theory: the individuals from Denghua palace stood to gain the most from the Crown Princess's demise.
Had the Crown Princess given birth to an imperial grandson, Zhang Luzheng's position as chancellor would have been cemented, and Xiao Dingtang's return to the capital permanently blocked. With the Crown Princess dead, however, the chancellorship remained open, creating an opportunity for Xiao Dingtang to advance his own loyalists. Wenxi emphasized that only by exposing the true culprit could Zhang Luzheng achieve his aspirations and safeguard Xiao Dingquan.
She specifically accused the palace maid who served the sweet pastry during the banquet, promising to identify her. Zhang Luzheng, though hesitant about the severe repercussions of searching Denghua palace without explicit imperial sanction, eventually decided the potential gains for himself outweighed the risks. Wenxi was then taken to prison, where she found a familiar grasshopper made of straw, a poignant memento of her deceased brother. Overwhelmed, she wept, reminded of her family's unjust fate.
Zhang Shaoyun, visiting her secretly, misinterpreted her profound sorrow as physical pain from torture. Wenxi cryptically told him that he, and indeed everyone, would eventually learn her true identity. Later, Xiao Dingquan met with the Emperor, who sharply criticized his recent conduct, noting his neglected studies and the temporary nature of his regency. The Emperor proposed He Daoran as his new lecturer, intending for him to fill Li Baizhou's former position and guide Xiao Dingquan in self-cultivation.
Xiao Dingquan, expressing remorse for his previous defiance, submitted a memorial offering to relinquish his seal and requested a few days for the Ministry of Justice to thoroughly investigate the Crown Princess's death, emphasizing the maid's suspicious actions. Before the Emperor could fully respond, Zhao Guifei burst in, distraught, accusing Xiao Dingquan of humiliating her by having her Denghua palace surrounded by his men.
The enraged Emperor rushed to Denghua palace, finding Zhang Luzheng and his forces, with all the palace maids assembled. The Emperor questioned Zhang Luzheng about invading forbidden grounds without an imperial decree. Zhang Luzheng confirmed he acted under Xiao Dingquan's direct order, asserting that a regent's decree held the same weight as an imperial decree, and that their mission was to investigate the Crown Princess's case.
Zhang Luzheng then reported to Xiao Dingquan that 'Maid Gu' claimed to have seen the murderer, though she admitted she hadn't seen the culprit's face clearly, and might not be able to find her. She pleaded for this one chance to continue the investigation, to which Xiao Dingquan decided to trust her. Xiao Dingquan then publicly declared that the order to search Denghua palace was indeed his.
The Emperor, infuriated, demanded that Xiao Dingquan withdraw his men, but Xiao Dingquan defiantly reiterated that a regent's decree was equal to an imperial decree. Exasperated, the Emperor accused Xiao Dingquan of being reluctant to give up the power of the regency, then grabbed his collar, pushing him onto the throne, and demanded to know his true intentions. The Emperor further questioned him whether he would act arbitrarily because of a "villain's slander."
With tears in his eyes, Xiao Dingquan spoke of the unbearable pain of losing his mother, sister, wife, and child, all his beloved ones, and his desperate need to uncover who had sabotaged his life. He responded that he would not forgive the culprit and that his actions were for himself, so that when he woke from future nightmares, he would only feel regret and pain, not the lingering resentment of an unresolved injustice.
He confessed his lifelong desire to be a good son, a good courtier, a good husband, and a good father, but stated that "overnight," someone had ruined it all, and he needed to know who. He declared his willingness to face any punishment from national or family laws. Meanwhile, Wenxi, with Supervisor Jiang's assistance, instructed all the palace maids to extend their hands.
She spotted Maid Sun, whose vibrant red nail polish she distinctly remembered seeing on the maid who had served the sweet pastry. Maid Sun, realizing she was exposed, panicked and attempted to flee, prompting Zhang Luzheng to order her immediate capture. Wenxi accused Maid Sun of poisoning the Crown Princess and scapegoating her.
