Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace Episode 42 Recap
> Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace Recap
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The Empress Dowager remarked that Ruyi's speech was flawless, showing significant improvement compared to her aunt. Ruyi humbly stated that her aunt had passed away long ago, and any progress she made was due to the Empress Dowager's guidance. Ruyi then confessed that she had never understood why the continuation of a family's glory had to be tied to the central palace.
The Empress Dowager agreed, noting that Ruyi's aunt had been consumed by her ambition for the Empress's position, while she herself had never been Empress yet had lived a full life and would eventually be buried with the late Emperor. The Empress Dowager cautioned Ruyi against becoming trapped in her own ambition, like her aunt, and Ruyi assured her that she would heed the teachings.
Later, Hai Lan, having heard of Ruyi's urgent summons to Cining Palace, expressed concern that it was related to the First and Third Princes. She offered to clarify to the Empress Dowager that she was responsible for the situation. However, Ruyi firmly stated that the matter was closed and should not be discussed further.
She then sternly warned Hai Lan that such a thing must never happen again, as it might evade the Empress Dowager's wrath but would not escape their own conscience. Ruyi acknowledged that Hai Lan's actions were for her sake, but reiterated that such a thing must never be repeated.
The Empress Dowager then discussed Pure Consort's prolonged illness with the Emperor, who stated it was a "sickness of the heart" that could only be cured if he retracted his earlier words about the princes' ineligibility for the throne. He reiterated that the princes had harbored inappropriate ambitions, which he found intolerable.
The Empress Dowager suggested that it might not be entirely Pure Consort's fault, reminding the Emperor, who was known for cherishing old relations, that the inner palace could not remain without a clear leader. She proposed appointing an Imperial Noble Consort, who would rank as a Vice-Empress and manage the harem, suggesting Pure Consort as an excellent candidate due to her children.
The Emperor, however, insisted that Ruyi was better suited for the position, having managed palace affairs competently for years. The Empress Dowager pointed out the Ula-Nara clan's decline and its lack of support for the Emperor in court, subtly hinting at his fear of powerful maternal relatives. The Emperor countered that Ruyi's lack of children meant she could treat all royal heirs impartially.
The Empress Dowager, somewhat exasperated, remarked that the Emperor's plans were so thorough that her worries were unnecessary. The Emperor then broached the topic of dispatching Naquin to pacify the ongoing conflict in Jinchuan. The Empress Dowager expressed reservations, stating that while Naquin was familiar with military strategy, he lacked skill in war tactics and was not a suitable commander.
She urged the Emperor to reconsider, and once again reminded him that an Empress without a strong clan or direct descendants would face significant hardship. The Emperor, unyielding, replied that if Ruyi found the position difficult, it would be a sign of her own incompetence, just as it would be Naquin's incompetence if he failed to seize the opportunity for glory the Emperor was offering.
After the Emperor departed, the Empress Dowager reflected that he was no longer the same Emperor who had ascended the throne, and worried that if she couldn't influence the new Empress, her own position in the palace would become unstable. Following the discussions, Ruyi was officially elevated to Imperial Noble Consort and tasked with overseeing the six palaces, while Jia Consort was promoted to Noble Consort Jia, assisting in their management.
After the ceremony, Ruyi hosted the other concubines, announcing that Grand Master Anji from the south would be arriving in a few days to lead prayers for the ongoing Jinchuan war, and invited all concubines to join in the blessings. During the gathering, Noble Consort Jia complained about her pregnancy discomfort, feeling she couldn't fulfill her duties, but Ruyi assured her that her health and safe delivery were the priority.
Noble Lady Qing made an inappropriate comment about Grand Master Anji's appearance. That night, news arrived that the old Yu clan prince had passed away, and the clan heir had smoothly ascended to become the new king. Upon inheriting the title, the new king was expected to visit the capital to meet the Emperor. Noble Consort Jia expressed great delight at the prospect of seeing her beloved clan leader again after so many years.
She mused about using the new king's visit as an opportunity to see herself elevated to the central palace, believing that Ruyi, having no children and newly appointed, could be easily overthrown. Meanwhile, the Emperor was informed that the newly enthroned Yu clan king had forced his Princess Consort, his legal wife, to commit suicide due to a disagreement.
The Emperor was enraged, deeming the new king "heartless" and "unfitting as human" for such an act, which had sparked widespread public criticism. He ordered the new king to be detained and escorted to the capital for his personal judgment, strictly instructing his eunuch, Li Yu, not to inform Noble Consort Jia to avoid affecting her pregnancy.
Separately, Noble Lady Ling, Yanwan, attempted to curry favor with Noble Consort Jia but was rudely turned away at the palace gates by Jia's maid. Eunuch Jin Zhong, noticing Yanwan's distress, advised her to focus on bearing a child and informed her that the Yu clan's new king was being escorted to the capital. Yanwan was shocked to learn about the Noble Consort's maiden clan leader.
Jin Zhong explained that the king had forced his wife's suicide, inciting the Emperor's fury, and that the news was being withheld from Noble Consort Jia to protect her pregnancy. He subtly implied the chaos that would ensue if she discovered the truth just before or during childbirth, signaling an opportunity for Yanwan. The Emperor, whose mind had been preoccupied with the Jinchuan war for half a month, finally considered visiting a consort.
His eunuch, Xu An, noted that Noble Lady Ling frequently paid her respects but rarely saw him. The Emperor commented that Yanwan seemed "coarse" after a previous incident involving bird's nest noodles, and decided to visit Imperial Concubine Shu instead.
He also announced that in three days, all consorts of Imperial Concubine rank and above would go to Zhai Palace for an overnight prayer session for the war, but Noble Consort Jia, being pregnant, was to remain in her palace to rest. Yanwan secretly instructed her maid, Lancui, to find Ling Yunche's former colleague, Guard Zhao Jiuxiao, and have him disguise himself as a eunuch to meet her.
Yanwan, using Zhao Jiuxiao, asked if Ling Yunche still held a grudge against her. Zhao Jiuxiao assured her that Ling Yunche, despite his sadness, still cared for her and had shown no resentment.
Satisfied that Ling Yunche still harbored feelings for her, Yanwan sent her ruby ring to him via her maid, Chunchan, along with a message that she was being constantly bullied by Noble Consort Jia, was living a life "worse than death," and was contemplating suicide, hoping Ling Yunche would come to persuade her. Moved by the news and fearing for Yanwan's safety, Ling Yunche rushed to her palace.
Upon his arrival, a palace maid led Ling Yunche inside but told him to enter the room alone. The room was filled with a mysterious, intoxicating incense. Yanwan soon appeared, holding his hand and professing that she now realized she could not live without him. Despite Ling Yunche's growing unease and a sense of manipulation, she embraced him, attempting to keep him in the room.
She then pushed him onto the bed, declaring her desire for a child and wanting him to be the father, as she needed a child to secure her position and live in peace. Ling Yunche, his mind muddled by the incense, suddenly grasped her true intention – that she was using him and would likely eliminate him afterward. He fought against her, forcefully pushing her away and attempting to escape.
The palace guards outside, alerted by the commotion, rushed in to intercept him. Yanwan, realizing Ling Yunche’s genuine feelings despite her deception, ordered them to let him go. Ling Yunche stumbled out of the room and immediately plunged his head into a large water vat in the courtyard, frantically splashing water on himself until his mind cleared. Meanwhile, Noble Consort Jia was experiencing discomfort in her pregnancy. A clumsy icehouse maid, Ai'er, arrived to deliver ice and startled her.
Enraged, Noble Consort Jia severely punished the maid, ordering her to kneel in the sun without food or water. On the day Grand Master Anji arrived at the palace for prayers, Noble Consort Jia, along with the other consorts, went to greet him. As Grand Master Anji walked through the palace, the maid Ai'er, still suffering from her punishment, stumbled and was kindly helped up by Anduo, one of Grand Master Anji's disciples. Ruyi formally welcomed Grand Master Anji, who explained he would pray for the fallen soldiers and for peace until the Mid-Autumn Festival, conducting his rituals at Anhua Temple.
