Royal Nirvana Episode 51 Recap
> Royal Nirvana Recap
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As cold rain fell, Xiao Dingtang visited Chancellor Zhang Luzheng. He acknowledged Zhang Luzheng's recent promotion, expressing concern that all he had built could be ruined. He then stated his true purpose: to rescue Zhang Luzheng from a precarious situation and to request a favor. He wanted to marry Zhang Luzheng's second daughter as his concubine, a request he had made before.
Zhang Luzheng appeared to consider the proposal, asserting his loyalty to the Emperor and promising to follow the imperial will, which Xiao Dingtang took as agreement, urging him to prepare his daughter's horoscope for the marriage. Meanwhile, Zhang Shaoyun, Zhang Luzheng's son, suspected his father might do something to harm his brother-in-law, Xiao Dingquan.
His father reassured him he would not, but then, without warning, Zhang Luzheng knocked his son unconscious and had him confined to prevent him from interfering with his plans. The Emperor, deeply disturbed by the nursery rhyme incident, lay ill. The Empress watched over him, but in his delirium, he repeatedly called out "Qingqing," a term of endearment for the late queen, Xiao Dingquan's mother.
When the Emperor finally awoke, the Empress confirmed he was conscious and expressed her fear for his health, urging him to take care. The Emperor, however, was cold and dismissive. He inquired about Commander Chongkui and his eldest son, learning they were both out of the palace. When he asked about the Crown Prince, he was informed that Xiao Dingquan was fine and had returned. Finding the conversation uninteresting, the Empress departed, again advising him to rest.
At Baoben Palace, Xiao Dingquan slowly regained consciousness, severely injured and having been unconscious for a long time. Wenxi, who had been diligently keeping vigil by his side, was overcome with tears, taking responsibility for his suffering. Xiao Dingquan, mustering a weak smile, teased her for being clumsy and only knowing how to embroider quails. He then soberly reflected on the past, saying he had caused her much hardship, and perhaps now they were "even."
Wenxi tearfully disagreed, insisting that so many things could not simply be made even. She lay beside him, weeping, and he tenderly comforted her, gently pressing his forehead against hers. Despite his severe injuries, Xiao Dingquan insisted on changing into clean clothes and having Attendant Wang prepare his carriage for morning greetings. Attendant Wang, deeply worried, tried to dissuade him, but Xiao Dingquan was resolute, revealing to Wenxi that his unwavering determination was for the sake of Gu Silin.
He also sent a message to Gu Silin, urging his uncle not to let personal feelings interfere with state affairs. The Emperor, emerging from his chambers in the morning, saw Xiao Dingquan kneeling, pale and injured, offering greetings. Though the Emperor pretended not to notice, his heart understood that Xiao Dingquan was making this sacrifice to ensure Gu Silin's safe departure from the capital.
Considering the circumstances, the Emperor initially decided against further punishment for Xiao Dingquan, intending to let the matter drop and implying Gu Silin should leave the city. However, just as Xiao Dingquan was being helped away from his father's presence, Chancellor Zhang Luzheng and Minister He Zhongcheng appeared before the Emperor.
He Zhongcheng, a straightforward man, loudly questioned the Emperor's authority to illegally punish the Crown Prince the previous night and demanded an investigation by the ministry of justice to clear Xiao Dingquan's name. Unbeknownst to He Zhongcheng, Zhang Luzheng had been deliberately instigating him at the instruction of Xiao Dingtang, aiming to make the Emperor suspect Xiao Dingquan of forming factions. The Emperor's anger, which had just begun to subside, flared up again.
He accused Xiao Dingquan of staging a "battered-body trick" and gathering "adherents." He then ordered Gu Silin to return to the capital and confined Xiao Dingquan in Baoben Palace, replacing all the guards. He Zhongcheng vehemently defended himself, asserting his loyalty to the state and not to any individual. Zhang Luzheng, playing his part, gravely stated that a thorough investigation was necessary. The Emperor, with a chilling smile, decided that the investigation would begin with the case of Lu Ying.
As Xiao Dingquan was escorted away, Xiao Dingtang watched with satisfaction. He then went to see Zhang Luzheng, expecting his full cooperation. To his surprise, Zhang Luzheng politely declined the marriage proposal, explaining that due to the Emperor's decision to investigate Lu Ying's case, he felt it was in his daughter's best interest to reconsider.
Xiao Dingtang, though taken aback by the refusal, acknowledged Zhang Luzheng's "care about his daughter" and was still pleased with the overall situation, seeing it as a victory over the Crown Prince. With the new imperial decree, Kong Hewei guards surrounded Baoben Palace, prohibiting entry or exit for any registered palace personnel. Attendant Wang was in a frenzy, while Wenxi calmly continued embroidering cranes beside the injured Xiao Dingquan.
She offered to renounce her status as a palace person to bypass the restrictions or to speak with the Commander. Xiao Dingquan, needing to protect himself for Gu Silin's sake and wary of Zhang Luzheng's true intentions, decided he needed Wenxi's help. Despite Attendant Wang's concerns about Wenxi's unclear background and connection to Prince Qi, Xiao Dingquan insisted that she was the only one he could rely on.
He dictated a letter to Wenxi, who diligently practiced the calligraphy to imitate his hand. The letter stated that he would no longer pursue Zhang Luzheng for his past mistakes, and assured him, "I will take care of myself; don't worry about me." He instructed Wenxi to add a message for Zhang Luzheng: that he would "prove the case" himself to prevent any future trouble. Wenxi, confused, asked what case he would prove.
Xiao Dingquan explained that he would claim he was "muddle-headed" and "mislabelled" Lu Ying and his family as traitors linked to Li Baizhou. By doing so, he would ensure that the case, now in his hands, would "never be mentioned again." Upon hearing this, Wenxi was filled with despair, understanding that Xiao Dingquan was sacrificing any chance of avenging her father and brother. He then made her promise not to give her embroidered quails to anyone else.
