Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace Episode 21 Recap, Plot

> Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace
> Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace Recap

First Class Attendant Shen, who had recently risen in favor, encountered Noble Lady Hai in the palace. First Class Attendant Shen stopped Noble Lady Hai, demanding respect and asserting her own newfound status before slapping Noble Lady Hai across the face. She scoffed at Noble Lady Hai, remarking that despite having served the Emperor before his enthronement, he no longer remembered her and that she was merely a "low-life" who had fallen out of favor.

Noble Consort Hui, upon hearing of this insult, reported First Class Attendant Shen to the Emperor, describing her as arrogant and proud. The Emperor, however, rather than punishing First Class Attendant Shen, called her over and inspected her hand, remarking that striking others would hurt her own delicate hand. He advised her not to repeat such actions, much to Noble Consort Hui's displeasure, who then promptly excused herself.

Noble Consort Hui then sought out the Empress to further complain about First Class Attendant Shen. The Empress, in turn, summoned First Class Attendant Shen, gently admonishing her to remember the strict hierarchy of the palace, especially as she was someone the Empress herself had promoted. She reminded First Class Attendant Shen that Noble Lady Hai, despite losing favor, was an old retainer.

She also cautioned Noble Consort Hui against openly disputing with First Class Attendant Shen in the future, citing the Emperor's high regard for First Class Attendant Shen’s father, Guiduo. Meanwhile, in the desolate Cold Palace, Ruyi and Suoxin were enduring harsh conditions, with Ruyi having to fetch water and cook for themselves. Suoxin suffered a stomach ache from the unwholesome food provided to them. Late one night, Noble Lady Hai secretly visited Ruyi, bringing with her warm clothes.

Ruyi noticed the slap marks on Noble Lady Hai’s face, and Noble Lady Hai's maid, Yexin, revealed that First Class Attendant Shen had struck her. Ruyi realized that First Class Attendant Shen, harboring resentment towards Ruyi, was taking out her anger on Noble Lady Hai for their close friendship. Ruyi advised Noble Lady Hai to seek the Emperor or Empress's protection if needed and to stop visiting the Cold Palace to avoid further harm.

Their conversation was overheard by Ling Yunche, a bodyguard guarding the Cold Palace. Ruyi attempted to bribe him with a hairpin, but he declined, explaining it could be mistaken for theft and asked for silver instead. Noble Lady Hai then offered him some silver pieces, and Ling Yunche agreed to help them, promising to deliver items to Ruyi and advising Noble Lady Hai to send things through him rather than risking personal visits.

As she left, Noble Lady Hai promised Ruyi that every ten days, weather permitting, she would fly a kite in the Imperial Garden as a sign of her well-being. Ling Yunche also informed Ruyi that she could earn money by doing embroidery, as palace-style handicrafts were popular outside. He offered to help sell their works, taking half the earnings as compensation for the risk involved, a deal to which Ruyi agreed.

Ling Yunche, tired of the arduous and unpleasant tasks assigned to him in the Cold Palace, was approached by Wei Yanwan, a palace maid from the Sizhi Ku. He happily greeted her and presented her with a ruby ring, explaining the cloud and swallow carvings inside represented their names. Wei Yanwan confided that her mother and younger brother were a constant financial burden, consuming her entire monthly stipend, and her mother disapproved of Ling Yunche because he lacked prospects.

She expressed a desire to serve a favored imperial consort, hoping to earn more money and potentially secure a better position for Ling Yunche, thereby gaining her mother's approval. She planned to bribe Gugu Fen to be assigned to Imperial Concubine Jia or First Class Attendant Shen, but her current savings were insufficient. Ling Yunche immediately offered his own savings and promised to find more if needed.

Later, Noble Consort Hui, Imperial Concubine Jia, and other consorts were near the Cold Palace when they observed Eunuch Ma delivering food. Noble Consort Hui inspected Ruyi's meal. First Class Attendant Shen remarked that Ruyi seemed to be eating quite well, to which Imperial Concubine Jia added that she should be allowed to eat even better, hinting at sarcasm.

Meanwhile, Wei Yanwan, still short on funds, was informed by Gugu Fen that for forty taels, she could be assigned to Pure Consort's palace to serve the First Prince, as Pure Consort had recently taken custody of him and needed assistance. Gugu Fen also pointed out Pure Consort's potential for future favor given she had two princes. Wei Yanwan was delighted by this opportunity.

Ling Yunche, seeking to ensure Wei Yanwan's placement was favorable, later asked Ruyi about Pure Consort's temperament and the First Prince's nature, feigning concern for a "hometown friend." Ruyi reassured him that Pure Consort was amiable and kind to her servants, and the First Prince was well-behaved. Ling Yunche was relieved to hear this. Ruyi, in turn, asked Ling Yunche to bring her some flower seeds from outside the palace, desiring to plant some in the Cold Palace.

He found her request unique but agreed. Seeing the kite flying high in the sky, Ruyi was comforted, knowing Noble Lady Hai was well. Emperor also noticed Noble Lady Hai flying the kite and, after a brief conversation with her about Ruyi's living conditions, instructed her to send trumpet creeper flowers to the Cold Palace, hoping it would ease Ruyi's mind.

Ling Yunche gave Wei Yanwan his ten taels, bringing her total savings to forty taels, enough for her to secure the position in Pure Consort's palace. Wei Yanwan expressed her gratitude and hope that her new position would lead to a more dignified life, higher pay, and eventually her mother's consent to their relationship. After six months in the damp Cold Palace, Ruyi and Suoxin began to suffer from aching arms and joint pain.

Suoxin used some of the money earned from their embroidery to ask Ling Yunche to find Imperial Physician Jiang Yubin and request treatment. Ling Yunche located Imperial Physician Jiang and relayed their symptoms.

Imperial Physician Jiang found it unusual for such severe rheumatism to develop so quickly after only six months, but, due to the restrictions on entering the Cold Palace, he could only send some medicine with Ling Yunche for the time being, promising to find a way to examine them in person. Elsewhere, Second Prince Yonglian's asthma worsened again, a relapse attributed by Imperial Physician Qi to the onset of autumn, late-night studying, and anxiety.

Noble Consort Hui suggested moving Second Prince Yonglian back to Changchun Palace for the Empress's personal care, with First Class Attendant Shen agreeing. However, Imperial Physician Qi advised against moving him due to the severity of his condition. The Empress, regretting her past insistence on his rigorous studies, decided to go to Anhua Hall to pray for her son's recovery.

Later, Noble Lady Hai was flying her kite in the Imperial Garden when she was discovered by the Empress, Noble Consort Hui, and First Class Attendant Shen. Noble Consort Hui immediately condemned Noble Lady Hai for her apparent indifference while Second Prince Yonglian was gravely ill.

First Class Attendant Shen then cruelly pulled off Noble Lady Hai's plum blossom-scented sachet, a matching pair to Ruyi's, and threw it to the ground, accusing Noble Lady Hai of prioritizing Ruyi over the ailing prince. The Empress, angered, ordered Noble Lady Hai to kneel in the Imperial Garden for two hours, adding that the impending rain would "wash clean her filth."

As heavy rain began to fall, Noble Lady Hai, weeping, retrieved her sachet and dutifully knelt in the downpour. After two grueling hours, soaked to the bone, she dismissed her maids and stumbled away alone.

Episode 20 Recap

Episode 22 Recap