Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace Episode 20 Recap
> Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace Recap
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The Emperor, though mindful of his past affection for Ruyi, had to prioritize the bigger picture. He instructed Yuhu to cease further investigation into the matter, explaining that this was due to difficulties and the Empress Dowager's disagreement, and that he felt he had dragged Yuhu into a messy situation.
He then tasked Yuhu with two assignments: first, to personally care for Imperial Concubine Jia, who was residing in Zhenxiang Hall, until she safely delivered her child, and to protect Ruyi's safety; and second, to ensure no one died in the Cold Palace, as its residents, though abandoned, were still palace people. Yuhu acknowledged her orders and departed.
The Empress, carrying out the Emperor's decree, informed her attendants that she had relocated Yonghuang to Zhongcui Palace and sent "the Ula-Nara person" to the Cold Palace, believing it would remove Ruyi from the Emperor's sight and temper his anger. Soon after, First Prince Yonghuang, who shared a deep bond with Ruyi, arrived outside the Inner Palace, reciting a poem Ruyi had personally taught him to plead for her.
Upon seeing First Attendant Shen, Yonghuang angrily accused her of betraying her mistress for personal gain and framing his mother, warning her of future retribution. The Emperor sternly rebuked Yonghuang for his impoliteness and declared that Yonghuang would now be raised by Imperial Concubine Chun, forbidding anyone from further pleading on behalf of "that Ula-Nara woman." Li Yu then escorted Yonghuang out.
The Empress reflected on the delicate balance of the harem, noting that while Ruyi was now gone, she didn't want Noble Consort Hui to become too powerful. She found reassurance that Imperial Concubine Chun, with no strong clan power and her own biological son, would cherish Yonghuang without posing a threat. Later, Yonghuang visited Ruyi at Yanxi Palace, tearfully recounting his reprimand from the Emperor.
Ruyi gently advised him to accept Imperial Concubine Chun's care and never mention her to anyone again. Eunuch Li Yu arrived at Yanxi Palace to deliver the Emperor's decree: "Lady Ula-Nara murdered royal heirs. Her crime is unforgivable. She is to be stripped of her title, deposed to commoner status, and spend her entire life in the Cold Palace." Ruyi, though shocked, calmly accepted the decree. Hailan questioned Li Yu if there was any way to overturn the decision.
Li Yu explained that with the Empress Dowager's backing, the Emperor's decree, and First Attendant Shen's current favor, no one could intercede. Ruyi's maid, Suoxin, and eunuch, Sanbao, insisted on accompanying her to the Cold Palace. Ruyi initially tried to dissuade them, not wanting them to suffer with her.
However, Li Yu intervened, stating that Ruyi would need someone to look after her in the Cold Palace, and given A'Rou's past torment of Suoxin, it was better for Suoxin to go. Ruyi agreed to take Suoxin with her and entrusted Sanbao to Hailan's care. Before leaving, Ruyi requested a final audience with the Emperor through Li Yu. Kneeling before him, she asked if he believed in fairness. He affirmed he did.
Ruyi then expressed that she could no longer see him clearly. The Emperor mentioned an old play he would see that afternoon, "Heads over the wall, sitting each upon a horse," recalling it as the story that had emotionally connected them and led him to choose her as his main wife. He admitted he was now the one sending her to the Cold Palace.
When Ruyi questioned if this was his true intention, the Emperor replied that his personal intentions no longer mattered in the face of the "big picture." Ruyi reminded him how he had protected her despite political pressures when he was a prince. The Emperor countered that his impediments as Emperor were far greater than those as a prince, and he found himself in a difficult situation, knowing Ruyi was wronged but could only act this way.
Ruyi, accepting his words, declared she was willing to live in the Cold Palace for a long time, hoping time would erase her resentment. The Emperor urged her to take care and preserve her life, expressing hope they might meet again "free and clear." Ruyi concluded by offering her prayer for His Majesty's health and a long, happy life.
Back in Yanxi Palace, Ruyi looked at a hairpin the Emperor had once given her, recalling his words of admiration for its thorny rose design. She instructed Suoxin to pack up all her gold jewelry to be returned, as she was no longer a consort. As Ruyi prepared to leave, changing into commoner's clothing, she shared tearful farewells with Hailan and Imperial Concubine Chun.
On their way to the Cold Palace, Li Yu informed Ruyi that it was the day of promotion ceremonies for Imperial Concubine Jia, Imperial Concubine Mei, and First Attendant Shen. During the grand ceremony, the three consorts, dressed in opulent attire, knelt before the Empress to receive their promotions. Meanwhile, Ruyi was led to an empty courtyard behind Cuiyun Hall, a place where generations of out-of-favor consorts were banished and shunned.
The Cold Palace proved to be grim, dark, and damp. Before leaving, Li Yu kowtowed to bid Ruyi farewell, advising her and Suoxin to frequently sun their bedding, to be wary of the other "peculiar" inhabitants, and to endure and eat to preserve themselves. Suoxin, in turn, returned a velvet flower Li Yu had secretly given her for Ruyi's birthday, explaining that she couldn't wear it while Ruyi was wrongly accused.
Li Yu took it, promising to keep it safe and return it to her himself one day. Later that night, Suoxin woke for water and saw figures moving outside the window, even someone peering in. Frightened, she cried out about a monster, but Ruyi calmly lit candles and opened the door. Finding no one, they then saw several unkempt, disheveled women. Ruyi instructed Suoxin to offer them some snacks, which the women ravenously snatched.
An elderly-looking woman approached, whom Ruyi offered another snack. This was Dowager Imperial Concubine Ji, who revealed she was only 35 but had been imprisoned in the Cold Palace for eight or nine years, framed by the Empress Dowager when she was 26. Upon learning Ruyi was of the Ula-Nara clan, Ji noted that Ruyi's aunt, the Late Emperor's Empress Ula-Nara, had been formidable but ultimately couldn't withstand the current Empress Dowager.
Ji warned Ruyi that few endured the Cold Palace and many went mad or committed suicide, expressing her intent to see how long Ruyi would last. Later that night, the Emperor summoned First Attendant Shen to his bedchamber. A'Rou expressed her happiness at finally being able to serve him in such an intimate way. The Emperor, however, asked, "But if I were to say I'm not so happy?" A'Rou confidently replied that she would make him happy.
The following day, Eunuch Ma delivered meals to the Cold Palace. The other women frantically fought over the food. Ruyi received a moldy steamed bun, but noticed Dowager Imperial Concubine Ji received fresh provisions. Ji informed Ruyi that paying Eunuch Ma a bribe would secure better food. Meanwhile, First Attendant Shen was showered with gifts from the Emperor. She instructed her maid to select some nice items for her younger brothers outside the palace.
Eunuch Ma announced that the Emperor had chosen First Attendant Shen again for the night. Imperial Concubine Jia, suffering from morning sickness, heard that First Attendant Shen had been favored by the Emperor again. Annoyed, Jia vowed to take proper care of A'Rou after she gave birth.
She pondered whether her unborn child would be favored by the Emperor, noting that it was not only her hope but also the hope of the Crown Prince, and she was determined to give birth to a prince to be their pride.
