Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace Episode 1 Recap
> Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace Recap
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Fourth Royal Son Hong Li, dreaming he saw Qingying chosen as a main wife, woke in a start. He immediately inquired about Third Brother Hong Shi's wife selection from Head Eunuch Wang Qin, learning that Lady Dong-e had been chosen as the main wife. Hong Li was surprised that Gege Qingying was not selected for any position, not even as a side-consort or concubine, and was now missing, causing chaos in the Empress's palace.
Concerned, Hong Li rushed off to find her. Hong Li found Qingying happily playing with a telescope. He chided her for making Imperial Mother's palace chaotic while he worried she was taking the rejection hard. Qingying explained she had secretly taken the telescope from her aunt's palace.
When Hong Li asked why Third Brother had not chosen her, especially since everyone expected it given her connection to the Empress, Qingying revealed she did not like Third Brother and only went to the selection because her father and aunt insisted. She confessed she had deliberately caused a public "fart" during the selection by eating many peas to ensure she would not be chosen. Observing Jingren Palace through the telescope, Qingying acknowledged her problem was solved.
Hong Li then shared that his own wife selection was next month and asked Qingying to scout potential candidates for him, as he trusted her the most. Qingying, however, refused to act as his "scout" without an official role. Hong Li suggested she become a "xiunv" for his selection. Qingying was hesitant, pointing out their close relationship. Hong Li jokingly insisted he would just not choose her.
Qingying firmly stated she would not go, and as she turned to leave, Hong Li called out, telling her he would wait for her at Jiangxue Pavilion and she "must come!" Meanwhile, Empress Ula-Nara presented Qingying with a new dress, urging her to wear it for Hong Li's selection.
Qingying politely complimented the dress but again refused, reiterating her "sibling-like" relationship with Hong Li and noting that he had only asked her to "help him choose," not to be his wife. She also reminded her aunt that she had already been rejected by Third Prince Hong Shi.
The Empress insisted, lamenting that Hong Shi was showing signs of losing favor and stressing that the Ula-Nara clan relied solely on women in the Imperial harem to maintain its glory, urging Qingying to uphold their family's honor. Qingying remarked that her aunt had said those words many times. An eunuch then reported that Third Prince Hong Shi was being severely reprimanded by Emperor Yongzheng in Yangxin Palace Hall, and the Emperor immediately summoned the Empress.
At Yangxin Palace Hall, Emperor Yongzheng angrily rebuked Hong Shi for his "disloyal, unfilial, and treacherous" behavior, specifically for "banding together some underlings and colluding with government officials." Hong Shi attempted to defend himself, attributing the support to his status as the eldest, direct-line son. The Emperor sarcastically noted that he would have believed Hong Shi's popularity if not for two complaints among the many memorials praising him.
The Empress arrived and knelt, offering to be confined for half a year, but the Emperor accused her of complicity in Hong Shi's actions and extending her influence into state affairs. Considering their shared child, he chose not to remove her from her position but punished her severely. Emperor Yongzheng decreed that Empress Ula-Nara had "caused a disturbance in the Imperial harem and colluded to instigate the Imperial court."
He confined her to Jingren Palace forever, stating they would "not to meet again in this lifetime or in death." Both Hong Shi and the Empress pleaded for mercy. At Jiangxue Pavilion, Hong Li began his wife selection under the watchful eye of Noble Consort Xi. She advised him to choose a main wife who could "help you" and possessed virtue, emphasizing the importance of the Fuca clan's influence over her own Niuhuru clan.
The "xiunv" were presented, including Fuca Langhua and Gao Xiyue. Hong Li, seeing that Qingying had not arrived, asked to wait longer, but Noble Consort Xi insisted, noting that Qingying was likely embarrassed after being rejected by Third Prince Hong Shi. As Hong Li reluctantly approached Fuca Langhua to present the "ruyi", a symbol of the main wife, Gege Qingying suddenly arrived. Hong Li, visibly pleased, redirected the "ruyi" to Qingying, declaring her his main wife.
Qingying initially questioned his choice, believing he was joking, but Hong Li insisted he was serious. Just as Noble Consort Xi was congratulating Qingying, Emperor Yongzheng arrived. Emperor Yongzheng immediately rejected Qingying as Hong Li's main wife, citing her connection to the now-confined Empress Ula-Nara. Qingying questioned her aunt's mistake, to which the Emperor revealed the Empress had "tried to usurp my throne," and not having her killed was already "benevolent."
Noble Consort Xi inquired about Third Prince Hong Shi, and an eunuch announced that Hong Shi was being "removed from the Imperial genealogy." Hong Li pleaded for Third Brother, but Emperor Yongzheng reminded him that in the Imperial family, "we are ruler and his subject first, before father and son." The Emperor then warned Hong Li to "carefully consider" his desire for Qingying, given her Ula-Nara clan lineage and the current circumstances.
Hong Li passionately defended Qingying, stating she was innocent and should not be implicated, especially after the rejection by Third Brother Hong Shi. Ignoring Hong Li's pleas, Emperor Yongzheng ordered Su Peisheng to escort Qingying out of the palace immediately. Before leaving, Qingying returned the "ruyi" to Hong Li and tearfully implored the Emperor to treat her aunt with "some kindness" out of respect for their "ten years of deep affection."
As Qingying was led away, Hong Li attempted to follow but was stopped by Noble Consort Xi, who reminded him to maintain his composure. The Emperor, witnessing Hong Li's distress, decided to postpone the wife selection, stating "the auspicious time has passed." On her way out, Qingying made a detour to Jingren Palace to see her aunt, the Empress.
The Empress, recognizing Qingying was implicated in her downfall, urged her to leave the palace immediately and warned her not to beg the Emperor, as it would only infuriate him further and endanger the entire Ula-Nara clan. The Empress instructed Qingying to tell everyone in their clan not to plead for her. After leaving, Qingying found Hong Li waiting for her.
He apologized for her plight and promised to plead with his Royal Father again once the Emperor's anger subsided, assuring her his words would be more effective and she "must stay with me." Hong Li later approached Emperor Yongzheng, who anticipated his plea regarding "yesterday's" events. The Emperor engaged Hong Li in conversation about a red bamboo painting, reflecting on the distant relationship between fathers and sons in the palace and the often-unfulfilled wishes in life.
Hong Li seized the opportunity, stating that when "one's innocence" was involved, he had to speak his mind. He earnestly pleaded with his Royal Father, declaring that Qingying was his "only request," that he had "known Qingying since I was young," and "regardless of what her status is, I don't mind." Emperor Yongzheng stated that while Hong Li might have been able to disregard such matters in the past, he could not do so now.
The Emperor then led Hong Li to the Dragon Throne, telling him to sit. Hong Li hesitated, explaining it would be disrespectful to sit and defiant not to. The Emperor used this as a lesson, explaining that being in the Imperial family meant one "can't just do as you want," even he on the Dragon Throne could not act solely on personal desires, as his actions were for the "generations of the Great Qing dynasty."
He emphasized that Hong Li's marriage was not just a personal matter and that Hong Li, now an adult, should "share my burdens." He advised that "suitable" might not always be "desired," and every decision came with both gains and costs. Hong Li acknowledged his understanding, admitting that Lady Fuca was indeed the best choice for a main wife, but still hoped that "Qingying can stay with me."
Considering this "Ula-Nara" as Hong Li's sole request, Emperor Yongzheng finally agreed to permit Qingying to be his "second wife" (side-consort). He further decreed that Hong Li would marry Lady Gao as his concubine and conferred upon Hong Li the title of "Bao Qinwang" (Prince Bao of the First Rank). Hong Li gratefully accepted. Noble Consort Xi later visited the confined Empress in Jingren Palace, gloating about Hong Shi's expulsion and Qingying's initial rejection, believing the Empress's "play is done."
The Empress, however, revealed her knowledge that Noble Consort Xi had "instigated people to submit those memorials defending Hong Shi" and pointed out Noble Consort Xi's miscalculation of Hong Li's deep affection for Qingying. Though Noble Consort Xi dismissed Qingying's status as "just a second wife," the Empress retorted that Hong Li had "disregarded his future" and "exerted so much effort just to beg His Majesty for her," proclaiming that their "play isn't done yet."
Noble Consort Xi countered that the Empress "can't see it anymore" from her confinement. Hong Li then visited Noble Consort Xi, thanking her for his new title and marriage arrangements. He apologized for presumptuously begging his Royal Father for Qingying's position as second wife, alongside Lady Fuca as main wife and Lady Gao as concubine. Noble Consort Xi assured him she was not angry, explaining her main concern was Qingying "dragging him into trouble" due to the Empress's punishment.
Hong Li clarified that he had already given Qingying the "ruyi" and not preserving her position would make him appear "heartless and dishonest." He asked her not to take her anger out on Qingying. Noble Consort Xi, noting the Emperor's approval, accepted the outcome, though she expressed concern about Qingying's "stubborn personality" potentially causing disharmony. Hong Li admitted he had not considered the risks, only knowing that Qingying was "the person that my heart wants."
Noble Consort Xi, seeing his resolve, wished them a "harmonious marriage fate." Meanwhile, Qingying's father, Naerbu, worried about the Empress's confinement and Qingying's future after being rejected by two princes. An eunuch arrived at their manor with an Imperial Decree. The decree announced that "Qinwang Bao" (Prince Bao, Hong Li's new title) would marry Lady Fuca as his main wife and Lady Gao as a concubine, and that Ula-Nara Qingying, praised for her virtues, was to become his "second wife."
The eunuch delivered a ceremonial pouch to Qingying, noting Hong Li had "begged His Majesty for it." He further specified that Lady Fuca would enter the manor on the first day of the eighth month, and Qingying and Lady Gao on the second. Qingying's family rejoiced at the news.
