Royal Nirvana Episode 46 Recap, Plot

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Lu Wenxi felt a profound sense of loss after Xiao Dingquan stopped appearing in Baoben Palace. Prying into the matter with Attendant Wang, she learned that Xiao Dingquan had moved back to Yanzuo Palace due to the upcoming hostage sacrifice ceremony. Attendant Wang, initially dismissive, eventually revealed the Crown Prince's whereabouts and schedule, mentioning he would be busy all day with ceremonies and a feast, making it unlikely for him to return to Baoben Palace.

Alone, Wenxi spent her days and nights embroidering cranes, pouring her longing into each stitch, hoping to create something better than a "hideous purse" she had once made. Finally, after a long wait, Xiao Dingquan surprisingly appeared in her room, holding the embroidery she had made. He told her he "skipped the wine" and found the day's ceremony "great." Wenxi, startled, asked why he was there, and he confirmed the embroidery was her handiwork.

Xiao Dingquan examined her embroidery, remarking on its "bad craftsmanship," then pulled her hand closer. He noticed the vivid red dye on her fingernails, which the Princess Consort had applied, and which Wenxi claimed would last until winter. Xiao Dingquan retorted that her nails lasting so long was her "misjudgement," and questioned how a eunuch could have red nails. He then accused her directly, revealing his knowledge of her forging his handwriting for a decree.

He recited lines from the "transcription from Xingshi," pointing out she was "such a good improvising learner" by using those characters. He also demanded an explanation for the letter from Prince Qi to Maid Chen and how she obtained his imperial seal. Despite his accusations, Xiao Dingquan admitted he had no solid evidence, as she would have destroyed the forged documents and he couldn't find the seal.

He stated he wouldn't torture or kill her, even though it would be easy, knowing that if she didn't want to speak, torture would be useless. Xiao Dingquan then produced her palace background record, indicating her name as "Gu Se" and her birth year. He informed her that this name had been removed from the palace registry and instructed her to leave the palace by morning. Wenxi knelt, desperately pleading, "I am wrong, guilty. You can punish me.

But please don't drive me away. I have no wherelse to go." Xiao Dingquan, unmoved, merely remarked that the "bite" she previously described wasn't as painful as she made it out to be, referencing a past incident. As he left, he advised her to pack her belongings, warning that waiting would only make the situation "more mortifying." Wenxi, stripped of her outer robe, continued to kneel outside his door.

An attendant then noticed Xiao Dingquan's hand and asked what was wrong with it, just as Xu Changping arrived. Suddenly, Xu Changping arrived at Baoben Palace. Noticing Xiao Dingquan's mood, he wryly commented, "When I complain, I meet disdain. Your Royal Highness. Why are you always in a bad mood when I see you?" Xu Changping explained that he was now unemployed since secretary Ding You had returned.

He immediately came to report, despite the risk of malfeasance if he didn't do so within ten days. When Xiao Dingquan sarcastically asked if he wanted to join Wenxi in kneeling, Xu Changping retorted that he wouldn't dare to trifle with his future superior. During this conversation, Xiao Dingquan, referencing a past animal bite, said to Xu Changping, "You said it wouldn't bite."

Xu Changping then formally introduced himself as the new Head of Zhanshi Department, appointed by Imperial Decree to accompany Xiao Dingquan. Xiao Dingquan was surprised by this news, asking "Why it's you?" Xu Changping explained that with the Fang department withdrawn, Xiao Dingquan needed someone for paperwork, and perhaps the Emperor simply believed he was competent. Xu Changping then revealed the deeper implications of the Emperor's recent decisions, such as dismissing the chancellor and the general.

He stated that the Emperor's actions were meant to gauge Xiao Dingquan's and Gu Silin's stances after the queen's canonization and to understand Xiao Dingquan's true desires, including what he valued most. Xu Changping bluntly admitted that he was sent to "monitor" Xiao Dingquan, causing Xiao Dingquan to exclaim, "How dare you!" Xu Changping retorted by using a metaphor of an "old disease" ulcerating, asking if Xiao Dingquan was still preoccupied with minor grievances like "an animal's bite."

He clarified that Xiao Dingquan could refuse his appointment, but the Emperor would simply send another, less trustworthy person. Xu Changping openly declared his ambition to get promoted, stating, "I just want to get promoted. So I don't want to offend you. And I don't want to offend the future master." Xiao Dingquan stared at Xu Changping, pointing out that Xu Changping had already offended him by siding with Li Baizhou during the spring imperial examination.

Xu Changping, however, calmly replied that Xiao Dingquan would not have recognized his capabilities otherwise. He assured Xiao Dingquan that he would serve diligently, as his appointment was from the Emperor, and asked Xiao Dingquan to "have mercy" on him in the future for a "happy cooperation." As Xiao Dingquan grappled with these revelations, Lu Wenxi, who had been kneeling outside all this time, became utterly exhausted.

She collapsed, whispering her longing for her "Dad" and "Brother," and wondering if she could endure until her red-dyed nails faded. Lu Wenxi remained kneeling outside all night. The next morning, as Xiao Dingquan prepared for his morning visit to the Emperor, she still refused to leave. Despite his indifference, she stumbled after him, confessing to forging his handwriting for the decree.

She admitted that "that night," she imitated his handwriting using the "transcription of Xingshi" and went to Prince Qi's residence to obtain the letter, which she then used to resolve Kouchu's matter. Wenxi insisted that Maid Chen was indeed Prince Qi's agent and had tried to kill her, urging Xiao Dingquan to investigate.

When Xiao Dingquan ordered his attendants to prepare his horse, unmoved, Wenxi continued, revealing that she had promised Prince Qi to replace Maid Chen because she couldn't reach Xiao Dingquan for help at the time. She then revealed that Lu Shiyu had given her the imperial seal, which Xiao Dingquan had forgotten at his residence during their time at the detached palace.

She claimed she tried to return it but he refused, so she kept it, and it was because of this seal that she had fought with the palace maids from the laundry department. When asked about the seal's whereabouts, she claimed to have thrown it into a ditch outside the palace, fearing discovery. Xiao Dingquan dismissed this as a lie, and told her to leave. Desperate, Wenxi then blurted out, "I am not Maid Gu."

Xiao Dingquan paused, asking, "You are. . ." Wenxi confessed that she was the "daughter of a sinful minister" who entered the palace after her "father and brother were sent to the prison." She admitted to "begging Madam Jiang to allow me to personate" the true Maid Gu, who had fallen ill before Xiao Dingquan's wedding, simply because she "wanted to work for" him. Xiao Dingquan reacted with disbelief, calling her actions "outrageous" and demanding to know her true intentions.

Wenxi, however, insisted she was telling the truth and would be obedient if only he would "Don't drive me away," lamenting that she had "no where to go" and "no home now." Xiao Dingquan, still seemingly unmoved, ordered his attendants to "send her back" and "pack up things and go." Just then, a maid (Xixiang) called out, "Sister A'bao! Sister A'bao!" Xiao Dingquan froze and turned back abruptly.

A flashback revealed a past conversation where Xiao Dingkai told Wenxi to remember the pet name "A'bao," explaining it was derived from a poem ("Gu from 'looking back', Bao from 'pearl jade'") and would "spare your life" in dire circumstances, but refused to elaborate why. This name, "A'bao," was also the pet name of Xiao Dingquan's late younger sister. The use of this name deeply affected Xiao Dingquan.

The following morning, amidst chatter among his brothers and other officials wondering why he was absent from his duties, suggesting he might be with a "new woman" or (as speculated by Xiao Dingtang) wondering about his newfound allegiance to Xu Changping, Xiao Dingquan finally arrived late for the morning greeting. His brother, Xiao Dingtang, pointedly asked about his tardiness, noting that even their "Parents are here, too."

Xiao Dingtang then informed him that everyone, including the Emperor, had already eaten, as they couldn't wait. Xiao Dingquan inquired about his father's whereabouts, and was told the Emperor had left due to an upset stomach, having "no appetite." Another official advised Xiao Dingquan to be punctual for his essential duty of "Checking the breakfast and greeting your parents," especially given the current circumstances.

Later, during breakfast with the Queen, the Emperor was still upset about Xiao Dingquan's absence, lamenting that Xiao Dingquan hadn't paid respects to the Queen since a meal with his uncle. The Queen tried to intercede on Xiao Dingquan's behalf, suggesting he was not a child anymore and would come around.

The Emperor, however, retorted that the Queen had become accustomed to her role, while the Queen countered by saying it was difficult to be his son, always facing his displeasure. The Queen clarified that Xiao Dingquan had been late because he drank too much the previous night and had sought her help, fearing the Emperor's anger. The Emperor then gave Xiao Dingquan some food, telling him not to be late again. Xiao Dingquan acknowledged, "I got it."

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