Royal Nirvana Episode 39 Recap
> Royal Nirvana Recap
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- 18
- 19
- 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
- 24
- 25
- 26
- 27
- 28
- 29
- 30
- 31
- 32
- 33
- 34
- 35
- 36
- 37
- 38
- 39
- 40
- 41
- 42
- 43
- 44
- 45
- 46
- 47
- 48
- 49
- 50
- 51
- 52
- 53
- 54
- 55
- 56
- 57
- 58
- 59
- 60
Emperor Xiao ordered a sharp sword to be delivered to Xiao Dingquan, who then slowly, with steps heavy as if burdened by a thousand catties, approached Lu Wenxi. As everyone watched in anticipation, Lu Wenxi closed her eyes in despair, awaiting her final moment. Instead of striking her, Xiao Dingquan raised the sword and merely severed a lock of her hair, then knelt before his father, pleading for Lu Wenxi's life.
Displeased by his son's indecisiveness, the Emperor subjected Xiao Dingquan to family law. Xiao Dingquan was severely whipped, his back bleeding, before he fell to the ground, weak and injured. Later, Xiao Dingtang attempted to curry favor with his father, but the Emperor instructed him to return to his battalion immediately, unseen by the court officials.
Unbeknownst to them, a crowd of officials had already gathered outside Zongzheng Temple and were surprised to see Xiao Dingtang, who had been sent back to his fief, among them. They questioned why Prince Qi had returned when he had left the capital in disgrace, wondering if it was an imperial decree. They also asked why the Crown Prince had not emerged.
Li Chongkui dismissed their concerns, stating the case was settled and not their business, but the officials demanded a clearer explanation. Meanwhile, Xiao Dingquan lay on a divan, gravely wounded, while Lu Wenxi meticulously cared for him. He woke up, still in pain, and acknowledged his clumsiness and mistake in judgment, admitting that the punishment was deserved and even light.
At the same time, Gu Fengen, to alleviate Li Ming'an's urgent predicament, took his troops to burn the enemy's grain supply. His men had scouted the location, finding it lightly guarded, and decided to proceed despite concerns about Yang Yong's reaction. Gu Fengen and his men successfully set fire to the granary, a defiant message to Li Ming'an, but were subsequently surrounded by enemy forces during their retreat.
Upon hearing of Gu Fengen's unauthorized action, Yang Yong was furious but firmly refused to send aid, stating he would not rescue Gu Fengen without a direct order, even when a subordinate warned of potential repercussions like those involving General Cheng'en. Amidst their confinement, Lu Wenxi found a moment of solace, observing a rainbow in the sky and smiling amidst her hardships.
Back at court, the Emperor spoke with Xu Changping about paternal discipline, comparing it to a kind mother punishing a child for their own good. He then tasked Xu Changping with drafting an imperial decree to elevate Imperial Consort Zhao to the rank of Empress. The Emperor expressed hope that this, too, would be a blessing for his son. Later, Xiao Dingtang encountered Xu Changping and attempted to recruit him, offering him a position in his own residence.
Xu Changping politely declined, subtly indicating his loyalty by stating, "The former star is still in the sky. Your Highness, how can you talk about the future?" When Lu Wenxi stepped out to pour water, she was almost abducted. Xiao Dingquan, despite his injuries, rushed out to protect her, only to be confronted by Li Chongkui, who had arrived with an imperial decree. Xiao Dingquan gripped Lu Wenxi's hand tightly, refusing to let anyone harm her.
He pleaded with Li Chongkui, acknowledging his own mistakes but begging for mercy for Lu Wenxi. However, Li Chongkui firmly stated that he must avoid suspicion and could not intervene, before taking Lu Wenxi away. As she was led off, Xiao Dingquan defiantly commanded her, "Without my permission, you are not allowed to die!" Outside, Xiao Dingtang was overseeing arrangements for the coronation ceremony, discussing the appropriate music and formalities with officials.
He gloated to Li Chongkui about Lu Wenxi being a regicide and having slandered the new Empress, proclaiming that her virtue must remain unimpeachable. When Xiao Dingquan emerged and heard Xiao Dingtang mention "the Queen," he was shocked, asking, "Queen?" Realizing what had happened, he furiously struck Xiao Dingtang to the ground. Despite his rage and efforts, Xiao Dingquan was powerless to prevent Lu Wenxi from being taken away as Li Chongkui cited the imperial decree.
Zhao Guifei stood at the palace gates, reflecting on her own rise. She understood that her elevation to Empress was the Emperor's calculated move to strengthen Xiao Dingtang's position as a counterweight to Xiao Dingquan, especially after the demise of powerful figures like Li Baizhou and Zhao Yong.
Dressed in her phoenix coronet and robes, Zhao Guifei was officially crowned the new Empress during a solemn ceremony where the decree acknowledged her long service and virtuous conduct since the Emperor's private residence. Xiao Dingquan, however, was overcome with grief, crying out in anguish to his father, "Unfair! She killed my mother, my sister, my wife! Why not punish her? Why do you let her live in my mother's palace? Is this your royal way?
What have I done wrong that you must humiliate and trample me so?" His desperate pleas echoed, feeling his father's actions were unjust. During her escort by Li Chongkui and Xiao Dingtang, Lu Wenxi used her eloquence to appeal to Li Chongkui's sense of justice and compassion. She reminded him of his own humanity and the injustice of her situation, imploring him to save Xiao Dingquan by asking if he didn't know the truth and questioning his conscience and compassion.
Moved by her words, Li Chongkui ordered his men to stop, despite Xiao Dingtang's angry protests about how he would explain this to the Emperor. Li Chongkui released Lu Wenxi, who then immediately rushed back to find Xiao Dingquan.
