Royal Nirvana Episode 59 Recap, Plot

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Xiao Dingquan, still in tears, decided to send his uncle, Gu Silin, back to Changzhou to fight the enemy. Gu Silin looked at his nephew, disappointed that the once spirited Crown Prince had become so disheartened, now living a pathetic life. Xiao Dingquan insisted that his decision was not for himself, but for the common people, out of compassion. Gu Silin gave a bitter laugh, asking about the common people, for the realm was not currently under Xiao Dingquan's rule.

He argued that if Xiao Dingtang was not overthrown now, he would surely become the master of the world. Gu Silin recalled the Emperor's promise twenty years ago on Mount Nan, that Xiao Dingquan would be the favored son of heaven, loved by many, not the way he was now. Xiao Dingquan, however, maintained that his birth was an error, but the people were innocent and should not bear his faults.

Unable to persuade his uncle, Xiao Dingquan issued an order, demanding Gu Silin reach Changzhou within a day and a half. Gu Silin, incredulous, questioned if he was expected to kneel to receive the order, and mentioned his age, saying he was no longer young enough to travel such a distance overnight as he once did to see the Crown Prince.

Xiao Dingquan then threatened his own safety, stating that if the inner city were to fall, Gu Silin would never see him again. Distraught, Xiao Dingquan confessed he had no other ways to thank his uncle or to find other solutions. Gu Silin, however, assured him that the inner city would not fall, as he had left Feng'en inside who knew what to do. Gu Silin, with a bow, mounted his warhorse and galloped away.

Xiao Dingquan then informed the Emperor that Gu Silin had departed for Changzhou, bringing a sigh of relief from the Emperor. With a numb expression, Xiao Dingquan presented a blood petition for his own removal as Crown Prince. He declared that if Gu Silin failed to arrive in Changzhou on time, he would accept being a rebel and a traitor.

However, if Gu Silin arrived as ordered and the Emperor did not severely punish Xiao Dingtang, he would not let the matter rest, demanding fair judgment for Prince Qi's crimes. The Emperor was shocked, realizing that the Crown Prince would not be merciful this time. Soon, Gu Silin arrived in Changzhou to find the battlefield devastated, a terrible mess.

Li Ming'an, though severely wounded, had survived and glared at Gu Silin from his stretcher, while Gu Silin returned a look of disdain. An official informed Gu Silin that Li Ming'an had arrived only a few hours before him. Gu Silin then inquired about his own son, learning that he was resting at Prefectural Governor Li's residence.

This caused Gu Silin to threaten to discipline his son, though he then dismissed it, attributing it to the son's weakness and Yang Sheng's responsibility. An official praised Gu Silin's bravery, stating he could defeat the enemy and lift the siege in half a day, earning great merit. Gu Silin responded that he only sought no punishment.

Meanwhile, back at the palace, the Emperor stood before the portrait of the late queen, lamenting that everyone always said Xiao Dingquan resembled his uncle. Only now did he realize that, among his sons, Xiao Dingquan was the one most like him, yet he wondered why it had taken him so long to see it and how they, as father and son, had reached such a distant point.

During the morning court, the Emperor announced his decision on the case of Lu Ying. He stated that he had personally visited the Ministry of Penalty and ascertained the truth. The Minister of Penalty then announced that Chancellor Zhang Luzheng, holding a long-standing grudge against former Censor Lu Ying, had, while serving as Minister of Penalty, vented his private grievances in public during Li Baizhou's case.

Zhang Luzheng had forged the family registry of Li Baizhou's wife, a woman named Lu, and abused his power to wrongfully kill Lu Ying and his eldest son Wenpu. Criminal Zhang had confessed to these crimes and would be executed soon. He Zhongcheng, a royal minister, immediately questioned why the Crown Prince's earlier self-incrimination was not being addressed.

The Emperor stated that the Crown Prince had been misled by Prince Qi, and that there was already a confession to this effect. He Zhongcheng further protested that the Crown Prince's confession in court was witnessed by everyone present. The Emperor then declared that Prince Qi, having married and being a princely vassal, should have gone to his fief long ago according to national law.

He issued a decree: Xiao Dingtang's princely title was revoked, he was demoted to Prince of Guangchuan, and he was ordered to leave the capital for his fief the very next morning, forbidden to return for life. The Emperor further proclaimed that the Crown Prince was innocent and well-disciplined, wrongfully defamed, and that Prince Qi had misled and deceived the legitimate heir. The Emperor stated he could not shirk his own responsibility and felt deeply ashamed.

Xiao Dingquan then requested full authority to handle all subordinates involved in Zhang's case, excluding Prince Qi, which the Emperor granted. In the Ministry of Penalty prison, Zhang Luzheng informed Lu Wenxi, with a sneer, that even though she had dragged him down to hell, she would not escape unpunished, as the Emperor would never forgive her.

Lu Wenxi acknowledged her fate but still hoped that Xiao Dingquan would visit her, even if it were to bid her farewell in the very place they first met. Outside the prison, Zhang Luzheng’s second daughter, Zhang Song, was pleading to be let in to see her father and brother, whose life was at risk. Xiao Dingquan arrived and allowed Zhang Song to enter. Inside, Zhang Song confronted Xiao Dingquan, asking if he intended to kill her father and brother.

Zhang Luzheng acknowledged his failure to the Crown Prince, stating he had nothing to say.

Xiao Dingquan then conveyed a message through Zhang Song to her father: if Zhang Luzheng would withdraw his confession and claim that Zhang Shaoyun had stolen the private seal, that he himself had forged the order using a transcription, and that Lu Wenxi had merely sent a message from the palace, then Zhang Song would marry Xiao Dingtang unharmed, and Zhang Shaoyun would be exiled to military service.

Zhang Luzheng, realizing this could save his children, had no choice but to agree. Zhang Luzheng asked Lu Wenxi why she insisted on dying, implying this deal could save her from the death penalty. Lu Wenxi retorted that she did not want to die but was not afraid of death, believing that only with Zhang Luzheng gone would her brother not have to live a life of misery like her.

Zhang Luzheng accused her of still harboring hopes of being rescued. Lu Wenxi, confronting Zhang Luzheng, stated that "what goes around comes around," and urged him to sincerely apologize to her loved ones when the time came. Zhang Luzheng then questioned why the retribution had fallen upon "them" (Lu Wenxi and her family). Zhang Luzheng was subsequently executed soon. Zhang Shaoyun was exiled to military service. Lu Wenxi’s death sentence was commuted to exile in Changzhou.

A messenger informed Lu Wenxi that the Crown Prince had done his best for her. When asked where she was going, the messenger replied, "Changzhou. It's decided." As she was led away, she received a final message from Xiao Dingquan, conveyed by the messenger: "Years pass, the earth is vast and sky high. If fate allows, there will be a day to meet again. He asks you to wait for him."

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