Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace Episode 4 Recap
> Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace Recap
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While other consorts departed for the Forbidden City, Qingying remained in her chambers, embroidering. Hailan visited her, having secured permission from the Empress to delay her own move and thus maintain her freedom to come and go. Hailan informed Qingying that the Empress Dowager had not yet moved into Cining Palace, remaining instead in Shoukang Palace.
Qingying recognized this as an indecorous situation that could lead to suspicion and strife between the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, especially given that she was not his biological mother. Hailan, however, urged Qingying to prioritize her own well-being, suggesting she and Sister Lüyun would find a way to plead for Qingying's release later.
Later, the Empress presented the Emperor with the draft titles for the consorts, but he declared that not everyone was present yet for the official enfeoffment, clearly referring to Qingying. The Empress noted that while Qingying was observing filial devotion, delaying other installations was undesirable. She suggested that if the Cining Palace were ready and the Empress Dowager moved in, she might be pleased enough to release Qingying.
The Emperor dismissed this, calling the Empress's thinking too simple and expressing concern that the Empress Dowager might still refuse, leaving him to find another solution. Meanwhile, the Empress Dowager, observing the Emperor's patience and his silence on Qingying's confinement, decided not to initiate the move herself. She feared rejection if she made the request first.
Instead, she planned to wait for the Emperor to intercede for Qingying, then she could "conveniently give it a push" and mention moving to Cining Palace, achieving a "one for one" exchange. She emphasized the importance of setting rules while the Emperor's "wings haven't hardened yet."
Despite the Cining Palace being ready, the Emperor instructed Qin Li to continue the renovations, "to remodel it well, to remodel in detail," and "mustn't rush," explaining he wanted to ensure the Royal Mother was fully satisfied. He then sent Eunuch Wang to Qingying with a ruyi knot, symbolizing "as one wishes," and a score book, suggesting she look it over when bored. Eunuch Wang confirmed that His Majesty could not visit Qingying due to her confinement.
In return, Qingying sent the Emperor a newly embroidered handkerchief. Eunuch Wang later instructed his subordinate not to reveal this secret exchange to anyone. Qingying, realizing the Emperor's thoughtfulness, remembered the "Wall Head" story they had once seen together and decided she "must think of a way to make a trip out." She sent for Hailan. Hailan visited the Emperor, stating her sole purpose was to beg him not to forget Qingying.
On her way out, feigning discomfort due to the rain, she arranged for a sedan to take her to Chonghua Palace to fetch snacks for the Emperor. This was a ruse to switch places with Qingying. Qingying, having been confined for thirty-five days, met with the Emperor. She had prepared his favorite snacks, as well as lotus soup, a dish favored by the Empress Dowager.
Qingying gently reminded the Emperor of his filial duties, asking if he had forgotten the Empress Dowager at Shoukang Palace. The Emperor admitted he was allowing Cining Palace renovations to proceed slowly because the Royal Mother hadn't mentioned moving. Qingying countered that the Empress Dowager was giving him an opportunity to express his filial devotion.
The Emperor confessed his resentment, noting that the Empress Dowager had forced Qingying into confinement immediately after her aunt's death, monopolizing authority without regard for his feelings. Qingying implored him not to let her and her aunt disrupt the harmony between mother and son, urging him to set an example of filial piety for the world.
She insisted that deferring to the Empress Dowager was not being "pulled by her by my nose," as he feared, but rather an act of filial devotion. Qingying pointed out that the Empress Dowager had also been in a difficult position for over a month. Convinced by Qingying's words, the Emperor decided, "I will do as you say.
Be filial to Royal Mother and care after her into her retirement," and promised to plead Qingying's case when the Empress Dowager was in a good mood. The Emperor escorted the Empress Dowager to inspect the newly renovated Cining Palace. She expressed great satisfaction, praising the three Buddha statues in the temple and the elegantly curated gardens. The Emperor apologized for the delay, explaining he wanted the renovation to be perfect for her.
The Empress Dowager advised him to consult old ministers on court affairs, given his youth and the many who might plot against him. The Emperor agreed, announcing his plan to promote Naquin, her clansman, to first-rank duke, and to elevate her title of honor to "Chongqing." The Empress Dowager was pleased. Afterward, she summoned Qingying, mentioning the Emperor had told her Qingying "begged him over and over, for the sake of moving my residence."
Qingying clarified her actions, and the Empress Dowager graciously accepted, praising Qingying's eloquence in protecting both the Emperor and her own honor. She observed that Qingying had prioritized her despite being a niece of the late Jingren Empress, which helped balance the animosity. The Empress Dowager then lifted Qingying's confinement, instructing her to keep her devotion in her heart and prepare to move into the inner palace.
Qingying, seizing the opportunity, requested a new name, finding "Qingying" (green cherry blossom) inappropriate and wishing to "cut off the past in search of new bliss." She stated her most cherished wish was "to be true to my love, and to be with my love." The Empress Dowager pondered, then bestowed upon her the name Ruyi.
She explained that "Yi" signified "virtuous, beauty, and calm," clarifying that while it didn't mean "all things to one wishes," achieving virtue as one wished was a great thing, as "perfect goodness in the world is too difficult." Qingying gratefully accepted the name and the Empress Dowager's teachings. News of Ruyi's pardon and new name displeased Gao Xiyue and Jin Yuyan, who discussed the matter with the Empress.
Jin Yuyan remarked that even the Emperor had once chosen Qingying with a ruyi scepter, seemingly foreshadowing this. They suspected Hailan was instrumental in Ruyi's release, noting Hailan's general lack of favor and reliance on Ruyi.
Gao Xiyue, describing Hailan as "tacky" and "no fun," and suspecting she had "done a lot of leg work" for Ruyi's release, proposed taking Hailan into her own residence to prevent her and Ruyi from conspiring further, emphasizing the need to "put our guard up." The Emperor and Empress then discussed the official enfeoffment of the consorts.
The Emperor initially wanted to grant Ruyi a higher title, given her past status as a secondary wife, but the Empress gently dissuaded him. She argued that Ruyi, having just emerged from confinement, should start at a lower rank to cultivate patience. She also pointed out that the Ula-Nara clan had no one who could contribute to the court, unlike Gao Bin, Gao Xiyue's father, who had greatly aided in river works.
The Empress suggested starting Ruyi as a Consort or Imperial Concubine, with the possibility of later promotion. The Emperor agreed to grant Ruyi the title of Consort, and furthermore, he promoted Gao Xiyue to Noble Consort Hui, with her family's banner elevated to the Manchu banner in recognition of Gao Bin's contributions. The Empress praised this decision as a harmonious way to reward both internal consorts and external ministers.
The Emperor then suggested Ruyi reside in Yikun Palace, but the Empress, with careful consideration, reminded him that the late Emperor's Royal Noble Consort Dunsu, with whom the Empress Dowager had poor relations, once lived there. She feared it might displease the Empress Dowager. With other palaces under renovation, only Yanxi Palace, which was remote and unrenovated, remained.
The Empress suggested it would be best for Ruyi to "not draw too much attention for now" and promised to ensure it was well-decorated. The Emperor agreed, instructing her to "make sure it's decorated well. Don't let Ruyi live in discomfort." Ultimately, Ruyi was officially conferred as Consort Xian, and Gao Xiyue as Noble Consort Hui. The Empress ominously commented that with the titles set, "the real battles in the harem have only begun."
Ruyi moved into Yanxi Palace, which her maids found to be on the outskirts, noisy, and in disrepair, lamenting that her rank was still below Noble Consort Hui. Ruyi, however, expressed contentment at simply being out of the old manor, observing that the Emperor's affection, not proximity, determined his visits. Meanwhile, Hailan was assigned to live with Noble Consort Hui in Xianfu Palace.
Noble Consort Hui made Hailan wait for two hours, then flaunted her peacock, a gift from the Emperor, and harshly reprimanded Hailan, accusing her of having lured the Emperor with liquor and colluding with Ruyi. She warned Hailan against any further motives and assigned her a dark, west-facing room, no better than a storage space.
Hailan's maid expressed concern about Noble Consort Hui's audacity, but Hailan resignedly noted that she was a forgotten figure, so the Noble Consort had no fear. Later, Hailan visited Ruyi, who offered her a butter cake, a treat Hailan loved, noting Ruyi was the only one who remembered her preferences. Hailan tearfully recounted her mistreatment, and Ruyi felt guilty for not asking the Emperor to secure a place for Hailan sooner.
Hailan expressed her wish to live with Ruyi, and Ruyi promised to request this from the Empress the next day. However, Hailan, fearing Noble Consort Hui's wrath, hesitated. Ruyi advised her to protect herself first. The next day, Ruyi formally requested the Empress to allow Hailan to live with her in Yanxi Palace.
The Empress refused, explaining that she had placed Hailan with Noble Consort Hui precisely so Hailan "could see His Majesty often" and "have more opportunities," rather than "live in loneliness without favor." Ruyi had nothing more to say. The Empress then reminded Ruyi of the pair of bracelets she had given Ruyi and Noble Consort Hui in the old manor, meant to encourage mutual good thoughts. Ruyi confirmed she still wore hers, taking the Empress's words to heart.
