Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace Episode 12 Recap
> Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace Recap
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Ruyi and First Prince Yonghuang were strolling through the Imperial Garden when they heard the sound of someone crying. Upon investigation, it was Lianxin, a palace maid serving the Empress. Lianxin explained that she was simply homesick. A'Ruo, Ruyi's dowry maid, sarcastically commented on Lianxin's upcoming marriage to Eunuch Wang Qin, further upsetting Lianxin, who then ran off in tears. Ruyi reprimanded A'Ruo, reminding her that marrying a eunuch was already a regrettable fate, and she should not mock Lianxin.
A'Ruo asked Ruyi if she would also arrange a good marriage for her in the future, to which Ruyi affirmed she would. On their way to greet the Empress, Ruyi encountered Noble Consort Hui, who inquired about the Imperial Physicians' visits to Yonghe Palace the previous night, hinting at a secret. Ruyi diplomatically redirected the question, praising Noble Consort Hui's quick access to news.
Suddenly, a sedan chair violently collided with Noble Consort Hui, shattering a jade hair pin gifted by the Emperor. The sedan chair sped away, enraging Noble Consort Hui, whose maid identified it as belonging to First Class Attendant Mei. Later, during the concubines' morning greetings to the Empress, Noble Consort Hui recounted the incident, accusing First Class Attendant Mei of recklessness.
First Class Attendant Mei admitted her carriage was rash but claimed she was rushing to deliver an important report to the Empress. She offered to replace the broken hair pin, further provoking Noble Consort Hui. First Class Attendant Mei then dramatically announced she was pregnant, explaining her earlier abdominal pain and vomiting. This news astonished everyone. The Empress, after confirming the pregnancy was only in its early stages, admonished First Class Attendant Mei to be careful.
Noble Consort Hui, still irate, sarcastically warned her not to lose her "luck." Other concubines, including Noble Lady Jia, remarked on the auspicious timing of First Class Attendant Mei's pregnancy, as it could result in the Emperor's first son since his ascension. The Empress then declared her own joyous news: she would marry Lianxin to Deputy Eunuch Wang Qin after the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Lianxin cried and begged the Empress to reconsider, but the Empress insisted it was a good fate arranged by His Majesty, and instructed her maid, Suolian, to escort Lianxin away. After the other concubines departed, the Empress confided in Suolian that she felt Lianxin was making a sacrifice, but Suolian countered that Wang Qin was an honorable and influential eunuch, and Lianxin should be happy to serve the Empress's interests by securing his loyalty.
Meanwhile, the Empress Dowager, upon hearing of First Class Attendant Mei's pregnancy, dispatched a Guanyin image to Yonghe Palace, cautioning her attendant, Fujia, that discretion was paramount given the recent passing of the late Emperor. The Emperor visited Ruyi, lamenting the continuous flooding in Jiangnan that kept him preoccupied with court affairs and away from the inner palace. Ruyi brought up Lianxin's upcoming marriage, expressing pity for the girl.
The Emperor explained it was the Empress's kind intention for Lianxin and Wang Qin to look out for each other. He then advised Ruyi to stay out of the Empress's affairs, noting the Empress's clear favoritism towards Noble Consort Hui. Ruyi, in turn, playfully asked the Emperor not to speak of other women while in her presence.
She explained that the Emperor's heart was divided between the court and the harem, with most of the latter already claimed by the Empress Dowager and royal heirs, leaving little for the concubines. She acknowledged his imperial duties, his need to visit the Empress Dowager and Empress regularly for filial piety and legitimacy, and that she understood his constraints, even though she yearned for his constant presence.
The Emperor praised Ruyi's straightforwardness, a quality he cherished and found unique among his concubines, assuring her that his heart always remained with her at Yanxi Palace. He then shared news of the Huaiyin County Magistrate, Suochuolun Guiduo, who had successfully managed the perennial floods in Jiangnan, earning him a promotion to prefectural magistrate. A'Ruo, who was serving them, immediately knelt to express her gratitude, revealing that Guiduo was her father.
The Emperor was surprised by the coincidence and commended Guiduo, promising to arrange a good marriage for A'Ruo if she remained dutiful. Emboldened by her father's newfound favor, A'Ruo returned to her room and boasted to Suoxin about her elevated status as Ruyi's dowry maid and the daughter of a favored official. She began ordering Suoxin around, demanding water for bathing and asking her to ensure no mosquitoes bothered her.
The following morning, A'Ruo admired a new, brightly colored and embroidered dress. Suoxin remarked on its beauty, and A'Ruo decided to wear it, delaying her morning duties to Ruyi. Before departing for court, the Emperor personally escorted Yonghuang to the imperial study, checking on his progress. He also informed Ruyi of his intention to promote First Class Attendant Mei to Noble Lady due to her pregnancy, but confessed he wished more for Ruyi to be pregnant herself.
After the Emperor left, Ruyi scolded A'Ruo for her inappropriate attire, reminding her that such extravagance was forbidden for palace maids, especially when the Empress disliked ostentation. Ruyi warned that wearing embroidered clothes outside of special holidays could lead to flogging and ordered A'Ruo to change immediately. In her room, A'Ruo tearfully complained to Suoxin, believing Ruyi was jealous of her beauty and the Emperor's attention, seeing her as an "eyesore."
Suoxin tried to assure her that Ruyi was merely being cautious to protect her from trouble. Meanwhile, the Empress observed the Emperor's personal escort of Yonghuang to study, fueling her jealousy as her own son, Second Prince, had never received such a gesture. She suspected Ruyi of using Yonghuang for ulterior motives. Noble Lady Mei, despite her stable pregnancy, continued to suffer from severe morning sickness and frequently summoned the Emperor away from other concubines.
Noble Consort Hui, angered by Noble Lady Mei's conduct, openly wished for her to bear a daughter or a "dumb" son who would not gain the Emperor's favor. Noble Lady Jia reflected on the intense scrutiny and jealousy that being the first to become pregnant would invite. Noble Lady Mei's own maid, Suyun, cautioned her mistress to avoid drawing too much attention while pregnant with a royal heir, advocating for a docile demeanor and patience until after the child's birth.
On the day of Lianxin's wedding to Wang Qin, the Empress and Noble Consort Hui attended, with the Empress even allocating the largest room in the eunuchs' quarters for the couple. Lianxin, however, remained visibly distraught. Later that night, Ruyi and Suoxin heard anguished screams emanating from the eunuchs' quarters near Yanxi Palace, leading them to believe Lianxin was in distress.
The next day, during the concubines' morning greetings, Noble Lady Mei provocatively asked if anyone had heard screams from the eunuchs' quarters the previous night, directly addressing Ruyi due to Yanxi Palace's proximity. A'Ruo began to speak but Ruyi quickly interjected, stating she had slept soundly and heard nothing. Suoxin privately lamented how concubines would congratulate Lianxin to her face but mock her behind her back.
Shortly after, Lianxin arrived to return Ruyi's handkerchief, which had been left at Changchun Palace. A'Ruo intercepted Lianxin, mocking her fortune of having a devoted husband and being spared the pains of childbirth, while admiring her expensive bracelet. Lianxin, hurt and provoked, retaliated by wishing A'Ruo would also marry an eunuch and remain with him forever. Ruyi sternly warned A'Ruo of severe punishment if she continued such audacious behavior.
Noble Consort Hui, overhearing the exchange, stepped forward and angrily declared that A'Ruo deserved to be flogged to death for her disrespectful remarks. She questioned if A'Ruo's arrogance stemmed from Ruyi's favor or her father's success. Ruyi apologized for A'Ruo's misconduct. Noble Consort Hui then promised Lianxin she would seek justice for her, before confronting A'Ruo directly.
She accused A'Ruo of speaking impertinently, mocking palace personnel, belittling the central palace, and showing contempt for ancestors, especially near the "Cricket Gate," which symbolized the abundance of royal descendants. Noble Consort Hui concluded that she had no choice but to punish A'Ruo as her duty to the ancestors.
