Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace Episode 11 Recap
> Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace Recap
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Eunuch Li Yu conveyed the Emperor's verbal decree, summoning Consort Xian Ruyi to Changchun Palace immediately. First Class Attendant Hai Lan expressed worry, wondering if another problem had arisen, but Ruyi calmly assured her that it was probably nothing to be concerned about. Upon arriving at Changchun Palace, Ruyi greeted the Emperor, Empress, and Noble Consort. The Emperor began by explaining that he had called them to discuss a matter concerning the harem.
He mentioned asking Yonghuang, the First Prince, about his studies, noting that Yonghuang kept staring at Noble Consort Hui's cakes instead of writing. The Empress tried to intercede, suggesting Yonghuang's teacher could discipline him more, but the Emperor revealed he had discovered injuries on Yonghuang's hand. He criticized the attendants and momos for their carelessness, especially since they changed his clothes daily but failed to notice his wounds.
The Empress confessed her fault, stating the new momos were lazy and promised to punish them. However, the Emperor believed it was the servants bullying Yonghuang due to his lack of a mother, and therefore, he decided to find a foster mother for the First Prince. Noble Consort Hui promptly volunteered to raise Yonghuang, promising to take good care of him.
The Emperor then asked Ruyi for her thoughts, and she expressed her happiness at the prospect if His Majesty entrusted Yonghuang to her. The Empress also began to speak, mentioning her experience raising a child, but the Emperor interrupted her. He acknowledged their desire to care for children but insisted that the child should also connect with his foster mother. He ordered Yonghuang to be brought in to choose his own foster mother.
When Yonghuang arrived, the Emperor asked him to choose. Yonghuang initially stated he already had a mother, Consort Zhe, but the Emperor clarified he sought someone to care for him as his mother once did. Noble Consort Hui offered Yonghuang snacks, but he declined, stating he wasn't hungry. He then looked towards Ruyi, who smiled warmly. Yonghuang walked to Ruyi and said he wanted her to be his "mother."
The Emperor immediately agreed to let Ruyi adopt Yonghuang, declaring that being mother and child was a fate earned from past lives. He dismissed Noble Consort Hui's objections, citing her poor health and Yonghuang's mischievous nature, suggesting Ruyi, who had more time, would be a better fit. Noble Consort Hui was furious, lamenting that after repeatedly asking the Emperor, Ruyi had obtained the eldest son so easily and now sought to surpass her. She vowed to take Yonghuang back.
In her own palace, the Empress fumed, questioning why the Emperor, who had previously sidelined Ruyi, would now entrust Yonghuang to her. Her maid, Sulian, speculated that Ruyi and Yonghuang might have colluded, and that Ruyi, having adopted the First Prince, could now elevate her status, much like the Empress Dowager raising the Emperor. Sulian further suggested Ruyi might be eyeing the Empress's position or even the Crown Prince's post.
The Empress, realizing she had underestimated Ruyi, became anxious and decided to send one of Yonghuang's former momos to Yanxi Palace to gather information. Ruyi brought Yonghuang back to Yanxi Palace and arranged the eastern side chamber for him. The palace staff offered their congratulations. Ruyi assured Yonghuang that she would treat him like her own son, recognizing their shared loneliness—she, childless, and he, motherless—and proposing they rely on each other like two people seeking warmth in winter.
Yonghuang confided in Ruyi, revealing that his former momos neglected him and he would have been constantly hungry if not for Suoxin bringing him food. He also expressed his belief that Noble Consort Hui's interest in him stemmed only from his status as the eldest son, a status that had also caused him much mistreatment and suspicion. First Class Attendant Hai Lan also came to congratulate Ruyi, bringing two bolts of silk for Yonghuang's new clothes.
Eunuch Qin from the Internal Affairs Department arrived with gifts for Yanxi Palace, now showing Ruyi extreme deference. However, A'Ruo relentlessly mocked him, reminding him of his past disrespectful behavior and the poor-quality items sent to Yanxi Palace. Eunuch Qin repeatedly apologized, admitting his past mistakes. He then introduced Momo Li, Yonghuang's former wet nurse, who was to continue serving him. Yonghuang immediately hid behind Ruyi, indicating his fear.
Ruyi sternly questioned Momo Li about Yonghuang's past neglect and illnesses, dismissing her excuses. Yonghuang confirmed that Momo Li treated him the worst. Ruyi ordered Momo Li to be dragged out, caned thirty times, and banished from the palace, declaring that this was the fate of anyone who dared to bully their master. A'Ruo further humiliated Eunuch Qin, forcing him to eat the spoiled food and inferior fabrics he had previously sent.
Upon hearing about Ruyi's decisive actions against Momo Li and Eunuch Qin, the Empress grew more wary, seeing it as Ruyi's true character emerging. Noble Lady Jia suggested that the Empress should focus on separating Yonghuang from Ruyi, believing any alternative would be better. Noble Lady Jia then mentioned that the chief eunuch, Wang Qin, was infatuated with one of the Empress's palace maids.
She suggested the Empress could use this to her advantage by granting Wang Qin a maid as his wife, thereby gaining a loyal informant about the Emperor's thoughts. The Empress initially considered Sulian, a trusted and capable maid, but Noble Lady Jia argued that Sulian was too old. She emphasized Lianxin's youth and beauty, pointing out that Wang Qin's affections were clearly directed towards Lianxin.
Sulian, having overheard the conversation, later thanked Noble Lady Jia for seemingly speaking up for her, though Noble Lady Jia's intentions were more self-serving. Ruyi lovingly cared for Yonghuang, and she was deeply moved when he called her "Mother." She gently put him to sleep. The Emperor quietly visited Yanxi Palace and found Ruyi meticulously selecting fabrics for Yonghuang's clothes, praising her as a loving mother.
He confessed that although Ruyi's previous suggestion to posthumously honor his birth mother had initially angered him, he had quietly acted on it. He expressed gratitude for her understanding and for helping him resolve a long-held regret, signifying their reconciliation. The Emperor shared his unspoken anguish about his birth mother, Imperial Concubine Dowager Li, and his regret at never having met her.
He acknowledged Ruyi's unfulfilled wish for a child and stated that allowing her to raise Yonghuang was a temporary measure, hoping she would have her own child one day. He then asked to see Yonghuang, and Ruyi led him to the sleeping prince. Some time later, Yonghuang diligently pursued his studies, and Ruyi remained attentive to his well-being. Eunuch Wang Qin, under the Emperor's orders, brought mint and ginger powder to the Second Prince and Third Prince to prevent heatstroke.
At the palace gate, he encountered the Empress and subtly conveyed his desire to serve her but feigned a lack of means. He expressed his affection for Lianxin, requesting the Empress's favor to make her his wife. The Empress was initially reluctant but, in her desire to win over Wang Qin and gain a spy, found herself unable to refuse. She later raised the matter with the Emperor, who advised her to first ascertain Lianxin's feelings before making a decision.
The next day, the Empress personally escorted the Second Prince, Yonglian, to the Imperial Study for his first day of lessons. She urged him to study diligently and not disappoint her expectations, setting a rigorous schedule for him. Meanwhile, the news of the Empress's intention to marry Lianxin to Wang Qin had spread among the palace maids, who gossiped about the unfortunate match.
Ruyi, overhearing this, deduced that the Empress sought to use Wang Qin as a means to understand the Emperor's will and secure an additional ally. Ruyi also told Hai Lan that the Emperor, noticing her dedication to Yonghuang, intended to promote her to Noble Lady. Later, Yonghuang returned from his studies visibly upset. He recounted how Imperial Tutor Chen had praised Yonglian on his first day, calling him "Crown Prince-like."
Yonghuang, as the eldest son, believed he too could be the Crown Prince. Ruyi gently cautioned him, explaining that status in the palace was tied to one's mother. As Yonglian was the Empress's son (son of the principal wife), and Yonghuang's birth mother and Ruyi were merely consorts, his status could not compare to Yonglian's. She advised him never to speak of such ambitions again to avoid bringing trouble upon himself.
