Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace Episode 19 Recap
> Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace Recap
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The Empress asked the Emperor about A'Rou's placement, acknowledging it was a concern. The Emperor observed A'Rou's injuries from the Office of Careful Punishment, and A'Rou confirmed she endured pain but maintained her testimony against Noble Lady Xian, stating she could not easily change her words. The Emperor then asked A'Rou if she wished to leave the palace, given she had offended Noble Lady Xian.
A'Rou responded that she was a servant of the Forbidden City, whether in life or death, and was willing to serve the Emperor forever. The Emperor declared that on account of her reporting a crime against royal heirs, he would keep her by his side. The Empress, though surprised, advised A'Rou to be extra careful in her service.
She also subtly reinforced A'Rou's testimony by saying Noble Lady Xian was the true mastermind and A'Rou's only fault was not speaking up sooner. While Hailan was taking the First Prince from his studies, Noble Lady Mei forced her way into Yanxi Palace, declaring that Ruyi was confined there, not her. She then lashed out at Ruyi with a whip, accusing her of killing her child. Suoxin quickly intervened, trying to stop Noble Lady Mei.
Ruyi, throughout the assault, remained calm and insisted she had not committed the deeds. Seeing Ruyi's defenseless state, Noble Lady Mei eventually left in a fit of anger. Upon returning to Yanxi Palace, Hailan and the First Prince discovered Ruyi's injuries. The First Prince, Yonghuang, wanted to report the incident to his Royal Father, but Ruyi stopped him, forbidding him from meddling.
Hailan offered to summon an Imperial Physician, but Ruyi rejected the offer, understanding that no Imperial Physician would dare to come to Yanxi Palace in her current disgraced state. Hailan then sent the First Prince away with Sanbao. Meanwhile, the Empress pondered why the Emperor had suddenly recalled Yuhu. Noble Lady Jia suggested it might be to investigate Ruyi's case further and prove her innocence. Noble Lady Jia also informed the Empress about Noble Lady Mei's assault on Ruyi.
Suolian advised the Empress to act as if she knew nothing, as no one had officially reported it to her. Noble Lady Jia visited Noble Lady Yi, who was still in a fragile state, questioning whether Noble Lady Xian truly killed her child. Noble Lady Jia subtly manipulated Noble Lady Yi, highlighting the testimonies against Ruyi and A'Rou's near-suicide to repay "kindness," making Noble Lady Yi believe Ruyi was undeniably her child's murderer.
Noble Lady Yi expressed her trust in Ruyi had been misplaced. Noble Lady Yi continued to drink her safflower and amaranth soup, but it was clear the residual toxins remained, and she was told she would likely never conceive again. Noble Lady Jia then revealed her own pregnancy, intensifying Noble Lady Yi's grief and resentment towards Ruyi. Noble Lady Jia further emphasized the harsh reality that a woman without children in the palace was easily discarded.
Noble Lady Jia later went to the Yangxin Hall to inform the Emperor of her pregnancy, which greatly pleased him, especially after the recent losses. She requested to reside in the Zhenxiang Hall behind the Yangxin Hall, believing the Emperor's "good spirit" would protect her unborn child. The Emperor readily agreed.
Noble Lady Jia also mentioned the Empress's rush to attend to the Second Prince, Yonglian, who was having another asthma episode, implying the Empress might be pushing Yonglian too hard in his studies. The Emperor, though pleased by Noble Lady Jia's news, was concerned about Yonglian's health. Noble Consort Hui was furious upon hearing of Noble Lady Jia's pregnancy, lamenting her own inability to conceive despite the Emperor's favor.
She contemplated harming Noble Lady Jia's child but was dissuaded by her maid, Moxin, who reminded her of the Emperor and Empress's increased vigilance after two recent losses. Moxin also pointed out that Noble Lady Jia was not an enemy and her child would not threaten Noble Consort Hui's position, and that Noble Lady Jia was not linked to Noble Lady Xian, making it impossible to pin the blame on her.
Noble Consort Hui then expressed regret over her own increasingly cruel thoughts. The Empress Dowager sternly reprimanded Noble Lady Mei for her reckless attack on Ruyi without Imperial sanction, calling her foolish and easily manipulated. Noble Lady Mei attributed her actions to her overwhelming grief. As Noble Lady Mei departed, she nearly fainted. Fujia revealed that Noble Lady Mei had suffered from continued bleeding after her miscarriage, which would make serving the Emperor difficult in the future.
Observing Noble Lady Mei's poor health and lack of foresight, the Empress Dowager instructed Fujia to select suitable young women from the families of her trusted old officials to potentially serve the Emperor. With the guards removed from Yanxi Palace, Ruyi's residence became vulnerable. That night, Noble Lady Yi, in a fit of grief and rage, entered Ruyi's room. Hiding a hairpin, she lunged at Ruyi, intending to kill her. Hailan quickly intervened, sustaining an injury in the process.
Suoxin and the eunuchs arrived just in time to restrain Noble Lady Yi. The following morning, Hailan knelt outside the Yangxin Hall to report Noble Lady Yi's nighttime attack and Noble Lady Mei's earlier assault to the Emperor. She explained that the eunuchs guarding Yanxi Palace had been inexplicably transferred, allowing Noble Lady Yi to enter.
The Emperor, attributing their actions to the immense grief of losing their children, ordered Li Yu to station more guards at Yanxi Palace but chose not to punish Noble Lady Yi or Noble Lady Mei. The Emperor showed great favor to A'Rou, remarking that he enjoyed listening to her speak and admired her perfected skills. A'Rou, seeking reassurance, asked the Emperor if he considered her a betrayer.
The Emperor assured her that as long as she remained true to herself, no one would think she had abandoned her trust. At that moment, Li Yu reported that Noble Lady Yi had passed away due to complications after childbirth. The Emperor expressed his sorrow and ordered her posthumous elevation to Imperial Concubine Yi, with her funeral arrangements to be conducted accordingly. A'Rou comforted the Emperor, highlighting Noble Lady Jia's pregnancy as a source of hope for future descendants.
The Emperor, noting A'Rou's constant concern for others, embraced her and announced her promotion to First Class Attendant Shen. He also decreed Noble Lady Jia's promotion to Imperial Concubine Jia and instructed First Class Attendant Shen to reside in Imperial Concubine Jia's Qixiang Palace. The Empress ordered that Imperial Concubine Yi's family be well-cared for. Noble Consort Hui expressed her dissatisfaction with A'Rou's promotion.
The Empress calmly explained that A'Rou's father worked under Noble Consort Hui's father, which meant Noble Consort Hui could easily exert influence over A'Rou. She further suggested that Noble Consort Hui could choose the servants who would attend to A'Rou.
When First Class Attendant Shen arrived at Imperial Concubine Jia's Qixiang Palace, Imperial Concubine Jia subtly warned her of the potential danger should Noble Lady Xian, Ruyi, ever regain the Emperor's favor, suggesting it would be a "killing blow" and cause her to lose her newfound glory.
Shortly after this conversation, First Class Attendant Shen ordered her maid to find an unfamiliar eunuch to deliver a plate of poisoned pastries to Ruyi, under the guise of them being from the Imperial kitchen. However, the Empress Dowager's trusted servant, Fujia, intercepted the poisoned pastries. The Empress Dowager was dismayed by this brazen act. She then advised the Emperor to demote Ruyi to a commoner and confine her to the Cold Palace.
The Emperor found this too hasty, still wanting to investigate. The Empress Dowager argued that further investigation would yield only two conclusions: either Ruyi was the sole culprit and deserved execution, or she was framed by others. If Ruyi was framed, it would implicate many within the palace, and every concubine around the Emperor would be suspected.
Therefore, confining Ruyi to the Cold Palace, the Empress Dowager asserted, would serve as a form of protection for Ruyi from those who wished her harm, especially in light of the recently intercepted poisoned pastries from First Class Attendant Shen. The Empress Dowager emphasized that sometimes expediency was necessary to manage future outcomes.
