Royal Nirvana Episode 57 Recap
> Royal Nirvana Recap
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Wenxi found herself imprisoned in the Ministry of Penalty's jail. From her cell, she coldly observed Zhang Luzheng in the adjacent one. Zhang Luzheng, who had panicked earlier upon learning His Majesty himself would preside over the interrogation, still remained oblivious to Wenxi's simmering hatred. Wenxi calmly informed him that the imperial order used to frame Xiao Dingquan was actually her own handiwork, a fact already confirmed by His Majesty.
Furthermore, Xiao Dingquan's personal seal had been discovered on Zhang Shaoyun. Wenxi revealed that she had intentionally placed the seal in a purse and gifted it to the smitten Zhang Shaoyun, manipulating his affection. Zhang Luzheng, who once served in the Ministry of Penalty and prided himself on his legal expertise, initially scoffed at Wenxi's claims, believing his profound knowledge of the law would protect him.
Wenxi, however, pressed on, highlighting that with both "witness and evidence" now present, Zhang Luzheng was facing the same "taste of grievance" he had inflicted upon others. Still defiant, Zhang Luzheng vowed to defend himself before His Majesty. Wenxi advised against it, reminding him of his betrayal, even of the Crown Princess.
She urged him to confess for the sake of his good children, the Crown Princess and Zhang Shaoyun, suggesting it would allow him a final shred of dignity as their father. Enraged, Zhang Luzheng demanded to know her identity. Wenxi did not directly answer but stated that while she had not killed his daughter, she would sincerely apologize to the Crown Princess when they met again.
In return, she demanded that Zhang Luzheng sincerely apologize to her "dearest and loved ones" for the "bone-crushing pain" and "skinning pain" he had caused, asserting that every day he lived was "torture and purgatory" for her. Soon after, guards arrived to escort Zhang Luzheng for interrogation. Brought before His Majesty, Zhang Luzheng was confronted with Wenxi's earlier confession about authoring the fake letter.
Zhang Luzheng tried to argue that with the "witness and evidence" in place, His Majesty's options were limited regarding the Crown Prince's alleged crime. However, His Majesty reiterated Wenxi's earlier words, implying Zhang Luzheng should confess for his children. Overwhelmed, Zhang Luzheng finally confessed. He admitted to secretly altering Li Baizhou's wife's family tree behind the Crown Prince's back, which had led to Lu Ying's death, and fabricating the decree to frame the Crown Prince.
His Majesty sternly condemned Zhang Luzheng, declaring he would be recorded as the foremost traitor in history. An official then meticulously recorded Zhang Luzheng's confession, detailing his wrongful killing of Lu Ying and his son, and his subsequent plot to order "Maid Gu" from Baoben Palace to steal the Crown Prince's seal to forge documents and frame him.
As Zhang Luzheng prepared to sign his confession, the echoes of Wenxi's words resonated in his mind, reminding him of the stark difference between being a chief criminal and an accessory, and the devastating consequence of "extermination" for his entire clan. Desperate to save his family, Zhang Luzheng changed his testimony, claiming he had been "instigated." When pressed, he implicated Xiao Dingtang, Prince Qi. His Majesty questioned Zhang Luzheng about meeting any minister secretly after the Mid-Autumn festival.
Zhang Luzheng admitted that on Mid-Autumn night, Prince Qi had visited his residence and assured him that spreading the disloyal speech was His Majesty's true intention. Zhang Luzheng confessed his foolishness in believing this and, while accepting his own death, pleaded for mercy for his family.
He specifically requested that his youngest daughter be spared, revealing that her horoscope had already been sent to Prince Qi and that a proposal letter should have been prepared, thus exempting her from punishment, just as the former Chancellor's daughter had become Princess Qi. Meanwhile, at Prince Qi's residence, Xiao Dingtang frantically searched for a book containing the horoscope of Zhang Luzheng's second daughter.
When his servant explained it had been put away, Xiao Dingtang, in a fit of panic, ordered all the books to be burned immediately. His Princess entered, alarmed by the smoke and destruction, questioning his actions. She then revealed that she possessed the very horoscope he sought. She confronted him about preparing a proposal letter for another woman without her knowledge.
Xiao Dingtang tried to explain, claiming he only meant to "stabilize Zhang Luzheng" to accuse the Crown Prince, but "it's different now." He pleaded with her, asking if she wanted to see him die. The Princess accused him of lying, stating that even if she burned the horoscope, he could simply write another. She refused to burn it and threatened to take the evidence to His Majesty for justice.
Furious, Xiao Dingtang warned her that she would ruin his life and ordered his guards to seize her. A struggle ensued as the Princess fiercely resisted, determined to bring the evidence to the Emperor. Just as Xiao Dingtang and his Princess grappled over the horoscope, His Majesty unexpectedly arrived at the residence.
He severely chastised Xiao Dingtang for spreading disloyal speech, falsely attributing it to the emperor, and fabricating documents—all while His Majesty was punishing Xiao Dingquan, on Xiao Dingquan's birthday, no less. With tears in his eyes, His Majesty realized he had always wronged Xiao Dingquan. Overwhelmed, Xiao Dingtang finally knelt, admitting his guilt. He tearfully pleaded with His Majesty, his "dad," not to abandon him, asking for one last chance and insisting he simply did not want to leave him.
His Majesty, deeply disappointed, called Xiao Dingtang both "stupid" and a "coward," stating that his pardon was secondary; it depended on whether the Crown Prince and Gu Silin would forgive him. He then voiced a chilling thought: could Xiao Dingquan's earlier warnings about Changzhou being in grave danger also be true? Indeed, at Changzhou, amidst a heavy fog, Li Ming'an and Corporal Yang noted the eerie silence.
Initially dismissing strange sounds as river noise, they soon realized the ominous truth. " No, the sound is strange," one observed, followed by the cry, "Torch!" They quickly cast torches into the river, revealing enemy forces. The alarm was raised: "They are attacking!" Back in the capital, His Majesty received urgent news of the enemy's attack on Changzhou.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation and unable to care for his beloved eldest son at this moment, he remarked that if Gu Fengen could reach Changzhou in time and secure the city, Xiao Dingtang might still have a slim chance of survival; otherwise, he could not help him.
He immediately issued several urgent decrees: to open the Chunming Gate, dispatch Li Chongkui to Changzhou with utmost haste, instruct the Gu family father and son (Gu Silin and Gu Fengen) to return to the military camp immediately to take charge, and ordered Prince Qi's residence to be sealed. Meanwhile, Gu Fengen was seen with Madam Gu, who urged him to hurry as he prepared to depart. He mentioned wanting to celebrate Xiao Dingquan's birthday.
Madam Gu remarked that returning was good, implying a return to former times, but Gu Fengen stated, "It's different now. One year older," perhaps reflecting the heavy responsibilities and changes that had occurred. As he left, Gu Fengen rushed towards Changzhou, unaware that the enemy's warhorses had already entered the city, signaling an unavoidable catastrophe.
