Royal Nirvana Episode 37 Recap
> Royal Nirvana Recap
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As Maid Sun frantically ran into a room, clutching a packet of poison to end her life, Li Chongkui swiftly apprehended her and sent her to the Ministry of Penalty. Under torture, Maid Sun quickly confessed that Princess Qi had ordered her to harm the Crown Princess. However, Maid Sun also revealed that Princess Qi had left the palace early on the day of the birthday banquet.
Li Chongkui reported this to the Emperor, who lamented that if Princess Qi had not left, he could have eliminated both the Crown Princess and Princess Qi in one stroke. Hearing the Emperor's lament, Zhao Guifei immediately tearfully pleaded her innocence and that of Prince Qi. The Emperor, however, coldly dismissed her, questioning why she was so quick to admit guilt. He then confronted Maid Sun directly, asking who truly instructed her. Maid Sun, under duress, confirmed Princess Qi's orders.
However, Zhao Guifei, desperate, intervened, claiming the Crown Prince was deliberately framing her and Prince Qi. The Emperor cut her off, refusing to acknowledge her plea and reaffirming that Maid Sun's fate would be decided by national law. After further deliberation, the Emperor sent word to Princess Qi through Li Chongkui, instructing her to "behave in the future," a subtle warning and a sign that she would not be punished.
The Emperor, still pondering how to stabilize the court, received a secret military report from Changzhou. He learned that Gu Fengen had arrived in the army some time ago but was kept by Gu Silin without any prior consultation. This greatly angered the Emperor, who saw Gu Silin's actions as a sign of disrespect and a challenge to his authority.
The report further detailed how local officials believed Gu Silin was not afraid of battle but rather "using the enemy to elevate himself" and "greedy for glory and clinging to power," implying he was prolonging the conflict for personal gain. The Emperor's suspicions then turned to Xiao Dingquan, recognizing a similar pattern of defiance in the "uncle and nephew."
Considering the political landscape, the Emperor decided against punishing Princess Qi, fearing it would weaken Prince Qi's faction and upset the delicate balance of power among his sons. He then summoned Zhang Luzheng, offering condolences for the death of his daughter, the Crown Princess, who had been married into the imperial family for only half a year.
The Emperor assured Zhang Luzheng that the funeral arrangements would be handled with utmost care and that the culprits would be severely punished according to the law. However, the Emperor then subtly coerced Zhang Luzheng by bringing up the deaths of Lu Ying and his son, forcing Zhang Luzheng to scapegoat Wenxi for the Crown Princess's murder to exonerate Princess Qi. Despite knowing Wenxi's innocence, Zhang Luzheng reluctantly agreed to protect himself.
That evening, Xiao Dingquan, still recovering from a recent illness, paid his respects to the Emperor, only to learn that an imperial decree had been issued to execute Wenxi. Xiao Dingquan was stunned and questioned the decision, but the Emperor fiercely rebuked his doubts, ordering him to relearn the principles of filial piety and the way of a subject.
He also stripped Xiao Dingquan of his right to attend court the next day, commanding him to study etiquette and the code of conduct under He Daoran after handing over his seal. Following the Emperor's command, Zhang Luzheng arrived at the prison to execute Wenxi. Wenxi was shocked, unable to comprehend how she could be condemned when Maid Sun, the actual perpetrator, had been apprehended.
She confronted Zhang Luzheng, questioning his decision to betray his own daughter and bully the weak by displaying her coerced confession. Zhang Luzheng coldly informed her that she would be dismembered publicly the next day, adding that the Ministry of Penalty had "reduced her pain." Wenxi defiantly cursed him as a cowardly wretch. As several burly men pressed a sack over Wenxi, threatening to suffocate her, Zhang Shaoyun unexpectedly arrived at the prison with medicine for her.
Upon seeing his father attempting to kill Wenxi, he became distraught, rushing in to restrain Zhang Luzheng and ordering the guards to release her. Zhang Luzheng, furious at his disobedient son, reminded him that Wenxi was accused of killing his own sister, the Crown Princess. Just as Wenxi was on the verge of death, Xiao Dingquan arrived, called upon by Zhang Shaoyun, who desperately appealed for his help, proclaiming Wenxi's innocence.
Ignoring Zhang Luzheng's protests, Xiao Dingquan intervened, forcefully asserting his authority and declaring that he was taking Wenxi. He then brazenly challenged Zhang Luzheng, stating that a man who could betray his own daughter would certainly betray a son-in-law or a son. Meanwhile, in Changzhou, Gu Fengen was undergoing a brutal transformation. The city had been unexpectedly attacked by enemy forces, who bypassed the northern camp and killed over a thousand guards.
Despite pleas for reinforcement and the lack of enemy backup, Colonel Yang refused to engage in battle, appearing to be afraid. Gu Fengen, no longer a carefree scholar, was actively leading search parties for fallen comrades in dangerous territory, confronting the enemy head-on, proving himself a brave and resolute warrior amidst the "baptism of fire." Later, Wenxi awoke to find her branded scars exposed, with Xiao Dingquan sitting nearby.
She shyly covered her wounds, insisting again that she was not the murderer of the Crown Princess and mentioning that she found the person who has her confession. Xiao Dingquan, seemingly unaffected, left the room. Outside, he encountered Du Heng. Xiao Dingquan explained that his own residence was inconvenient for a confidential discussion, and then directly asked Du Heng if he would still choose to stand with him, acknowledging that he was "not a strongman this time."
The next day was the Crown Princess's funeral. Officials repeatedly urged for the ceremony to begin, as Xiao Dingquan was late to appear, causing delays and uncertainty among the attendees. Finally, at the last moment, he arrived, his face etched with grief. He requested that an item be placed in the coffin with his deceased wife, remembering her gentle voice and smiling face.
As Xiao Dingquan grieved, elsewhere, Lu Wenxi, facing the direction of the Crown Princess's palace, solemnly kowtowed, remembering the kind Crown Princess who had treated her like a sister. In a profound internal monologue, Xiao Dingquan reflected on his Confucian upbringing, which dismissed religious beliefs as illusions. Yet, in his deep sorrow, he found himself seeking solace in Buddhist mercy, pondering concepts of love, desire, illusion, and reincarnation.
Despite understanding the endless compassion and suffering, he still longed for rebirth and reunion, hoping to fulfill the "empty promises" he had made to his beloved. As the Emperor's summons arrived, Xiao Dingquan resolved to "finish this life first," accepting his duties despite his immense personal grief.
