Royal Nirvana Episode 50 Recap
> Royal Nirvana Recap
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Song Gui Ren visited a temple, praying for the Emperor's good health and that she would always be with him, as well as hoping to give birth to a princess. Her attendant questioned her unusual wish, suggesting a prince would secure her promotion, but Song Gui Ren insisted she only cared about being with the Emperor, deeming promotion his decision, not a matter for Buddha. She revealed that the Emperor preferred a princess.
During her return, her carriage was delayed by officials, highlighting her comparatively low status. It was during this outing that she heard a controversial nursery rhyme. Meanwhile, Xiao Dingtang complained to the Empress about Song Gui Ren having broken a mirror gifted to the Empress by the Emperor, yet acting as if she were the wronged party.
The Empress, however, dismissed the incident, stating that a broken mirror, much like a rift in a relationship between husband and wife or ruler and minister, could never be truly mended once shattered. She then instructed her attendants to send gifts for the Mid-Autumn Festival and inquired about sending clothes to the Emperor, who was in the back garden. As the Mid-Autumn Festival family feast commenced, the Emperor noticed the absence of Gu Silin.
Unbeknownst to him, Xiao Dingquan had instructed Wenxi to discreetly inform Gu Silin, referred to as Wu Dehou, not to attend the palace that night, assuring him that he would handle any repercussions himself and advised Gu Silin to leave the capital early the next morning. Xiao Dingquan then reported to the Emperor that Gu Silin's old knee injury had relapsed, preventing his attendance. Dazongzheng, overhearing, passionately defended Gu Silin, condemning those who slandered brave generals fighting on the battlefield.
He declared his intention to leave, but the Emperor appeased him by confirming Gu Silin's illness and that he had indeed sent medicine to him. Dazongzheng, seemingly satisfied, then took his seat. With the moon obscured and no fireflies, the Empress suggested they play a wine order game to entertain everyone. Song Gui Ren enthusiastically agreed, but Xiao Dingquan's expression darkened, anticipating trouble.
The Emperor established the rules for the game: a drum would beat while a flower was passed, and the person holding the flower when the drum stopped would perform. Xiao Dingtang, by signaling the drummer, ensured the flower landed in Xiao Dingquan's hands. Despite his reluctance, Xiao Dingquan sang a celebratory song for the Emperor's longevity: "Jade stone lantern, gold stone reed, Qin guard girl dances in rows, wishes my lord a long life."
The Emperor was pleased, though Xiao Dingtang sarcastically remarked that Xiao Dingquan must have practiced. The flower then passed to Song Gui Ren. The Emperor expressed doubt about her talent, but Song Gui Ren insisted on proving herself. She began to dance gracefully while reciting the contentious nursery rhyme: "Black iron melts, phoenix comes out, gold bell hangs, bronze mirror cast, will the beauty turn around or not?" Instantly, the Emperor's face contorted with rage, his eyes glowing ferociously.
The family feast abruptly ended. A terrified Song Gui Ren fell to her knees, crying that she had only heard the rhyme outside. The Emperor, however, ignored her pleas, even her desperate promise to bear him a prince, and furiously ordered her dragged away for punishment. She was taken away without understanding the true depth of her transgression. Meanwhile, Wenxi reflected on the day's events, concluding that "things are like the moon, wax and wane.
We even have rains in Mid-Autumn Festival. In this world, nothing goes as we want." The Emperor, still seething, questioned his family and officials if they had heard the rhyme. While some denied or feigned ignorance, Dazongzheng defiantly retorted that the rhyme merely stated facts, questioning why it was forbidden. The Emperor angrily silenced him. As the Emperor continued to press others like Prince Zhao, he conspicuously avoided questioning Xiao Dingquan.
Yet, Xiao Dingquan stepped forward, admitting, "It's me," and took full responsibility for the day's events. He passionately justified his actions, decrying the unfairness of generals fighting on the front lines while sycophants slandered them at court, and lamenting the Emperor's lack of discernment. Enraged, the Emperor called Xiao Dingquan a "brat" and ordered him to be flogged with the court rod. Despite a heavy downpour, the punishment proceeded.
Xiao Dingtang, observing from afar, gloated, noting that it was "lucky" for both Xiao Dingquan and them that the prince was being punished, mocking his brother's apparent weakness. Meanwhile, Zhang Luzheng was tasked with investigating the rhyme's origins. He was appalled to find his own son, Zhang Shaoyun, singing the very rhyme—"Black iron melts, phoenix comes out, gold bell rings"—with courtesans, who praised his talent and predicted his success in the upcoming imperial exams.
A furious Zhang Luzheng dragged his son home by the ear, threatening him with a severe beating if he dared to lie. As they arrived, Xiao Dingtang appeared, subtly taunting Zhang Luzheng about forgiving his son's misdeeds, while pointedly mentioning that "someone did make a big mistake" today and was "almost beaten to death." Xiao Dingquan was carried back to Baoben Palace, severely injured from the flogging.
Despite his grave condition, he tightly gripped Wenxi's hand, pulling her closer and protecting her when Attendant Wang tried to remove her and even suggested tying her up. The doctors confirmed he needed convalescence and could not move. As Wenxi worriedly asked if he was in pain, Xiao Dingquan softly murmured "Mother," his vulnerability starkly apparent.
Xiao Dingtang continued to press Zhang Luzheng, hinting that the "willingness to believe" of the Emperor was key, and questioning who might be behind his own visit to Zhang Luzheng that night, echoing Xiao Dingquan's earlier cynical observation about intentions and outcomes.
