Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace Episode 18 Recap
> Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace Recap
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Empress Fucha was deeply distressed upon learning of Noble Lady Yi's stillbirth, lamenting the loss of an anticipated heir. Her maid, Sulian, was instructed to guard Second Prince Yonglian, as the Empress felt she could trust no one else. Noble Consort Hui, though unsurprised by the news, acknowledged the moment as a prime opportunity to undermine Consort Xian.
Imperial Physician Zhao Yitai reported to Empress Fucha that the fetus was well-formed and appeared to be male, but the umbilical cord was purple-black, a clear sign of poisoning. Elsewhere, Noble Lady Jia, who had fainted earlier upon hearing the news of Noble Lady Yi's loss, was delighted to learn she was pregnant, viewing it as a timely blessing.
The Empress Dowager, disturbed by the repeated tragedies involving imperial children, summoned the Emperor and Empress Fucha, decrying the harem as a place of moral decay and demanding a thorough investigation. Empress Fucha pledged her commitment, informing the Emperor that everyone close to Noble Lady Yi was being scrutinized. She suggested starting the inquiry at Yanxi Palace, emphasizing Consort Xian's responsibility as its head, especially in a case of poisoning, and the Emperor agreed.
During the search, an eunuch attempted to remove a charcoal stove from Noble Lady Yi's chambers, but was stopped. The stove, used for warmth, still contained ashes. Noble Lady Yi, in a state of shock and grief, clutched a small, unworn garment she had made for her unborn child, heartbroken and confused about who could have targeted her.
Noble Lady Jia visited Noble Lady Mei in confinement, promising to arrange her release through Empress Fucha, claiming that the truth about the harm done to Noble Lady Mei and her child was finally coming to light. Meanwhile, back at Yanxi Palace, Noble Lady Hai expressed her concern to Consort Xian, fearing that Yanxi Palace would be implicated regardless of where the poisoning originated.
Consort Xian, equally bewildered, wondered how, despite their diligent care, Noble Lady Yi could have been poisoned. Empress Fucha then summoned Consort Xian, Noble Lady Hai, and Noble Lady Yi to Changchun Palace, where the Empress Dowager and other consorts had gathered. Empress Fucha announced that Noble Lady Yi's child had died from mercury poisoning. Investigations revealed traces of cinnabar, a mercury-containing substance, in the ashes from Noble Lady Yi’s charcoal stove.
An eunuch further testified that both Noble Lady Yi and Noble Lady Mei had a preference for fish and shrimp during their pregnancies. He recounted discovering that Noble Lady Yi's fish and shrimp supply had died and been discarded, but he managed to retrieve a small bag of fish food, which also tested positive for cinnabar. Empress Fucha, noting Consort Xian's carefulness, still implied her negligence. She informed them that all consorts' quarters had been searched, with findings expected soon.
Moments later, Sulian arrived, presenting a box of cinnabar found hidden beneath a drawer in Consort Xian’s dressing table. Empress Fucha then asked the Emperor to smell the cinnabar, and he recognized the distinct scent of sweet incense, a fragrance exclusively used by Consort Xian in the palace. Consort Xian, aghast, denied any knowledge of how the cinnabar came to be in her drawer. Sulian also reported that A'Ruo had attempted to obstruct her search, suggesting A'Ruo's complicity.
Empress Fucha then brought forth three eunuchs: Xiao Fuzi, Consort Xian’s servant; Xiao Lüzi, from the imperial kitchen, responsible for pregnant consorts' fish and shrimp; and Xiao Anzi from the Imperial Household Department. Xiao Lüzi, fearing for his life, confessed that Consort Xian had ordered him to feed cinnabar to the fish and shrimp, threatening his brother Xiao Fuzi's life if he refused.
Xiao Fuzi corroborated this, stating Consort Xian had threatened both their lives to force him to put cinnabar in Noble Lady Yi’s charcoal. Xiao Anzi testified that Consort Xian had frequently requested large quantities of cinnabar after Noble Lady Mei became pregnant. Noble Lady Hai vehemently defended Consort Xian, asserting her innocence, but Noble Consort Hui dismissed her, citing the "iron-clad proof" and questioning Hailan’s ability to know Consort Xian's true intentions.
Noble Consort Hui then accused Consort Xian of a calculated scheme, starting from the snake incident where Consort Xian "saved" Noble Lady Yi. She alleged Consort Xian deliberately manipulated the situation to gain Noble Lady Yi's trust, move her into Yanxi Palace, and then poison her through her charcoal and food. She further accused Consort Xian of raising First Prince Yonghuang to seize favor and harboring sinister ambitions.
Consort Xian retaliated by questioning Noble Consort Hui's own past desire to raise the First Prince, implying similar underlying motives. The Emperor expressed reservations about the three eunuchs' testimonies, suggesting more evidence was needed. Empress Fucha then summoned A'Ruo. A'Ruo knelt, tearfully accusing Consort Xian of growing resentful after her confinement, fostering First Prince Yonghuang's ambition for the throne, and forcing A'Ruo into unwilling acts.
A'Ruo claimed Consort Xian orchestrated Noble Lady Yi's demise to prevent her child, the first born after the Emperor’s enthronement, from eclipsing First Prince. She alleged that Consort Xian had mixed snake juice into the paint at Jingyang Palace to harm Noble Lady Yi, and then feigned rescue to earn the Emperor's gratitude and gain Noble Lady Yi's trust, making it easier to carry out a later attack.
A'Ruo further claimed Consort Xian harbored ambitions for the imperial succession and cursed Second Prince day and night due to his asthma, hoping to secure First Prince's position. Overwhelmed by these accusations, Noble Lady Yi fainted, condemning Consort Xian as truly evil. In a shocking turn, Xiao Lüzi, declaring he could not bear to harm two imperial heirs without cause, abruptly committed suicide by slamming his head against a pillar. His distraught brother, Xiao Fuzi, cried out.
Noble Lady Mei, enraged, rushed forward and slapped Consort Xian, blaming her for Xiao Lüzi's death and denouncing her as a poisonous woman. Several consorts, including Noble Consort Hui and Noble Lady Yi’s attendants, demanded severe punishment for Consort Xian. Noble Lady Hai and Pure Consort, however, defended her, vouching for her character. Consort Xian, unable to articulate a defense, simply reiterated her innocence and pleaded for a thorough investigation.
Despite the Emperor's underlying belief in Consort Xian, the Empress Dowager, firm in her conviction, declared Consort Xian negligent in her duty to protect Noble Lady Yi, resulting in the loss of an imperial heir. She ordered Consort Xian demoted to Noble Lady and confined to Yanxi Palace. The Emperor, left with no alternative, reluctantly agreed. Noble Lady Yi was subsequently moved back to Jingyang Palace.
Confined to Yanxi Palace, Consort Xian was overcome with despair, feeling that Xiao Lüzi’s death, coupled with the damning testimonies of Xiao Fuzi and Xiao Anzi, and A’Ruo’s meticulously crafted accusations, amounted to a death sentence. Noble Lady Hai, having pleaded with the Emperor to remain, stayed by Consort Xian's side, offering comfort.
They discussed the possible perpetrators, with Hailan suspecting Noble Consort Hui of orchestrating the entire plot to frame Consort Xian, even though Noble Consort Hui had no direct enmity with Noble Lady Yi. Meanwhile, the Emperor, deeply disturbed by the ongoing tragedies, secretly summoned Gugu Yuhu, a trusted elder from his household, to discreetly investigate the complex conspiracy, relying on her impartial perspective. In the Office of Careful Punishment, A'Ruo endured torture but steadfastly maintained her accusations against Consort Xian.
Gugu Yuhu discovered that an unknown party was attempting to have A'Ruo killed within the prison. She intervened to prevent it but warned the Emperor that she could only protect A'Ruo for so long. Recognizing the intricate nature of the plot and the Empress's inquiries about A'Ruo's fate, the Emperor decided to protect A'Ruo for the time being.
In Changchun Palace, Noble Consort Hui requested Empress Fucha’s help in raising First Prince Yonghuang, promising to guide him to defer to the Second Prince. Empress Fucha agreed to assist, though she noted the ultimate decision rested with the Emperor. Empress Fucha acknowledged Noble Consort Hui’s contributions to Consort Xian's downfall, but highlighted A’Ruo's testimony as the decisive blow.
A flashback revealed that during A’Ruo’s punishment in the rain by Noble Consort Hui, Noble Lady Jia had brought her to Empress Fucha, earning A’Ruo’s gratitude and turning her against Consort Xian. Sulian further added that Noble Lady Jia believed A’Ruo was ambitious and sought the Emperor’s favor, suggesting her actions were self-serving.
