Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace Episode 48 Recap
> Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace Recap
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The grand enthronement ceremony for Ruyi concluded, marked by the lifting of her veil, blessings, the sharing of nuptial wine, and even dumplings symbolizing abundant descendants. After the guests departed, both the Emperor and Ruyi expressed their exhaustion. The Emperor confessed that his heart was finally at peace, not just because Ruyi was Empress, but because she was truly by his side.
He acknowledged the immense suffering she had endured, pledging that they would forever be emotionally connected, without deception or disappointment, even entombed together. Ruyi reciprocated, hoping for a lifetime together without deceit or disappointment. The Emperor reaffirmed his solemn vow, not merely as the ruler of the kingdom but as her husband. As they prepared for bed, Ling Yunche, who had been on duty, stood outside, watching the light from Ruyi's chamber with a wistful, envious gaze.
Across the palace, Imperial Concubine Ling (Yanwan) observed the splendid conferment ceremony, reflecting on the grandness that drove everyone to climb the ranks. She mused that becoming Empress was likely beyond her reach, but she would be content to achieve the rank of Imperial Noble Consort, ensuring her mother would no longer look down on her. Meanwhile, Ling Yunche drank with Zhao Jiuxiao, who spoke of being infatuated with Lancui, a palace maid from Imperial Concubine Ling's residence.
Ling Yunche warned him against such an attachment. Zhao Jiuxiao then suggested that Ling Yunche must be worried about Imperial Concubine Ling being neglected now that an Empress was enthroned. Ling Yunche dismissed this, saying that the Empress's position did not guarantee happiness and might even bring greater pain and heartache.
He then spoke of a woman who had left an indelible mark on his heart, someone he could only watch from afar, happy for her well-being but constantly worried about the future suffering and tribulations she might face. Zhao Jiuxiao, misinterpreting his words, still believed Ling Yunche was referring to Imperial Concubine Ling.
That night, Ruyi dreamt of her late aunt, who affectionately called her "Qingying" and praised her for finally becoming the Empress, a true woman of the Ula-Nara Clan. The following morning, the imperial concubines gathered to pay their respects to the new Empress. Noble Consort Chun noticed Noble Consort Jia (Jin Yuyan) was dressed exceptionally brightly. Jin Yuyan explained that the Emperor preferred her in red.
Ruyi calmly stated that she and the Emperor were of "one body and heart," so any thoughts of the Emperor were also thoughts of her. Jin Yuyan then subtly questioned why Ruyi, as the head of the Central Palace, still resided in Yikun Palace, a chamber traditionally meant for an assistant to the Empress. Hailan promptly defended Ruyi, emphasizing that the Empress's status remained supreme regardless of her residence.
Jin Yuyan persisted, bringing up common folk sayings about "successor wives" being different from first wives. Ruyi, unfazed, acknowledged her status as a successor Empress but firmly stated that what truly mattered was who now occupied the Empress's throne, a position Jin Yuyan had never held. Ruyi then instructed Noble Consort Chun, the most experienced concubine, to assist her in ensuring strict adherence to palace rules.
Ruyi then unexpectedly declared that in her happiness after the coronation, she would reinstate Jin Yuyan to the rank of Noble Consort. When Jin Yuyan questioned if this was the Emperor's directive, Ruyi asserted her sole authority over matters of the Imperial harem. Jin Yuyan reluctantly rose to thank her. Ruyi then ordered her head maid, Rongpei, to present earrings prepared for Noble Consort Chun and Noble Consort Jia.
Noble Consort Chun received agate-bead earrings, which she gratefully accepted and immediately wore. Jin Yuyan, however, was given red carnelian earrings. She hesitated, claiming the carnelian was too luxurious for her to wear, referencing the late Empress Xiaoxian's aversion to extravagance. Ruyi subtly mocked Jin Yuyan, explaining that red carnelian was in fact less precious than agate.
She implied that only Jin Yuyan would consider carnelian a precious gem that could be used "to reach the sky in a single bound," a pointed reference to Jin Yuyan's past scheming to frame Ruyi. Ruyi made it clear that the earrings were a constant reminder for Jin Yuyan to know her place and avoid trouble.
Rongpei then proceeded to forcibly put the earrings on Jin Yuyan, who cried out in pain, complaining about the large hook and Rongpei's rough handling. Rongpei retorted that enduring a little suffering helped one remember their lesson, and further taunted Jin Yuyan by recalling how she had sent Ruyi's maid, Suoxin, to be brutally punished.
Rongpei stated that while Jin Yuyan's "nails" (attendants) might obey her, Rongpei's own fingernails were refusing to cooperate and insisted on boring into Jin Yuyan's ears. Jin Yuyan appealed to Ruyi, accusing Rongpei of bullying her, but the other concubines collectively spoke up, defending Ruyi, condemning Jin Yuyan's disrespectful speech and bright attire, and reminding her of her inferior status as a concubine. They even cautioned her that her mistakes had already negatively impacted her two princes.
With the earrings finally in place, Ruyi asked if it hurt, and Rongpei replied that pain serves as a good teacher. Ruyi then warned Jin Yuyan's maid, Lixin, to ensure Jin Yuyan behaved, lest she suffer the same fate as a previously dismissed maid, Zhenshu. Ruyi dismissed Jin Yuyan's tears as "dirty water" and warned her against complaining to the Emperor, stating that Rongpei would take any blame for causing pain, but the Empress herself would remain untainted.
The other concubines further affirmed Ruyi's innocence. Back in her own palace, Noble Consort Jia, still enraged and humiliated, refused to remove the earrings, intending to show them to the Emperor as proof of her mistreatment. She was particularly incensed that Ruyi had dared to mention her son. Her maid tried to dissuade her, pointing out that Rongpei had been the one to inflict the pain, not Ruyi.
Meanwhile, in Yikun Palace, Suoxin worried that Ruyi's public punishment of Noble Consort Jia, ostensibly to avenge Suoxin's past suffering, might create enemies for the Empress. Hailan reassured Suoxin, explaining that Ruyi's actions were a calculated display of authority, blending both appeasement and pressure to teach a clear lesson to the concubines. As the Empress, Ruyi's position was secure, and even if Jin Yuyan complained to the Emperor, he would not interfere.
Ruyi added that she knew precisely when to be lenient and when to be strict. Ruyi then visited the Emperor at Yangxindian. The Emperor was already aware of Jin Yuyan's visit and her tearful complaints about her earlobes. He affirmed his support for Ruyi's actions, acknowledging that Jin Yuyan had always been unyielding and needed to be suppressed now that Ruyi was Empress.
Ruyi explained that her intent was not only to remind Jin Yuyan of her transgressions but also to curb the common palace practice of concubines relying solely on their maiden clans for influence. She highlighted that Jin Yuyan had prioritized the Yu Clan over the Emperor himself, even leading to the premature death of the Ninth Prince during her difficult birth due to her grief over the Prince of Yu Clan.
The Emperor was angered by this, revealing he had already punished Jin Yuyan by ordering her to repent at Fengxian Hall before the ancestors. He then softened his tone and revealed a special gift for Ruyi for his upcoming birthday. He announced the abolition of the Cold Palace, with its former occupants—the late Emperor's abandoned concubines—relocated to Rehe Palace to live out their old age.
This, he explained, symbolized a new era where there would be no more abandonment due to lost affection in the palace; husband and wives would be one. Ruyi was deeply touched by this profound gesture. The Emperor further detailed his plans, including posthumously promoting Ruyi's late father Narbu to "Duke of the First Rank Cheng'en" and bestowing the title of "Duchess of Cheng'en" upon her mother, whom he also arranged to visit Ruyi in the palace.
He revealed that he had commissioned the Western painter Lang Shining to paint a portrait of them together and planned to take Ruyi to Mount Wutai and the ancestral mausoleum to report their union to the world. Later, the Emperor and Ruyi rode horses together through a vast grassland, reveling in their freedom and promising to accompany each other forever.
The Emperor dismissed Ruyi's concerns about their unconventional outing, asserting his right as Emperor to enjoy such moments with his rightful Empress. Meanwhile, Noble Consort Jia continued her daily punishment, kneeling in Fengxian Hall. As she gazed upon the portraits of the Qing emperors, she resolved that one day, her son would become the reigning Emperor of the Great Qing.
Shortly after, Ruyi's mother, the Duchess Cheng'en, arrived at Yikun Palace in a carriage provided by the Emperor due to her advanced age. Mother and daughter shared a warm and emotional reunion, first bowing to each other in their familial roles, then in their official capacities. Ruyi's mother expressed her relief that the Ula-Nara Clan had reclaimed its former glory through Ruyi's enthronement but also voiced her deep fear, recalling the tragic final years of Ruyi's aunt, the previous Empress.
Ruyi reassured her mother, promising caution and expressing faith in the Emperor's good treatment. Her mother then mentioned the numerous noble suitors seeking marriage with Ruyi's younger sister since her elevation to Empress. Ruyi advised her mother that a woman's happiness lay in marrying someone who truly cherished her, rather than a family of great power or wealth.
She also suggested that her younger brother should only receive a noble title and no court rank, to avoid appearing greedy to the Emperor. Her mother agreed, understanding Ruyi's wisdom. Later, the Emperor and Ruyi posed for Lang Shining, holding hands as the Emperor insisted, a pose that defied convention but perfectly captured his feelings.
