Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace Episode 49 Recap
> Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace Recap
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- 18
- 19
- 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
- 24
- 25
- 26
- 27
- 28
- 29
- 30
- 31
- 32
- 33
- 34
- 35
- 36
- 37
- 38
- 39
- 40
- 41
- 42
- 43
- 44
- 45
- 46
- 47
- 48
- 49
- 50
- 51
- 52
- 53
- 54
- 55
- 56
- 57
- 58
- 59
- 60
- 61
- 62
- 63
- 64
- 65
- 66
- 67
- 68
- 69
- 70
- 71
- 72
- 73
- 74
- 75
- 76
- 77
- 78
- 79
- 80
- 81
- 82
- 83
- 84
- 85
- 86
- 87
The Emperor, in good spirits after quelling a rebellion, agreed to Imperial Concubine Ling's request to play the yueqin for him. Just then, Imperial Concubine Shu, who was performing a greeting, was noticed to be unwell. Her maid explained that Consort Shu had been experiencing dizzy spells and vomiting lately, including throwing up all night after eating half a tribute pear.
Imperial Concubine Ling immediately suggested Consort Shu might be pregnant, but the Emperor quickly dismissed the idea, causing a stir among those present. Realizing his blunder, the Emperor promptly ordered Imperial Physician Qi Ru to examine her. Qi Ru confirmed Imperial Concubine Shu was indeed two months pregnant.
Consort Shu was overjoyed, admitting she had longed for a child for many years and had even started skipping every other bowl of her "conception medicine" this past half-year, never expecting to actually conceive. The Emperor, however, showed no joy. He promoted her to Consort Shu and instructed Qi Ru to meticulously care for her and the royal fetus. After Consort Shu and others departed, the Emperor questioned Qi Ru.
The physician explained that the "pregnancy medicine" was actually a very gentle contraceptive, designed to prevent pregnancy after coitus, not to cause infertility. He surmised that Consort Shu, having lost hope of bearing children after years of taking it, must have secretly stopped the medicine, leading to this unexpected pregnancy. The Emperor, deeming the unborn child innocent, commanded Qi Ru to ensure the healthy development of the dragon fetus.
Ruyi expressed her sincere care for the newly pregnant Consort Shu, who, after years of yearning, finally felt an unbreakable connection with the Emperor through their child. Afterward, Imperial Concubine Ling confessed to Ruyi that she had also been secretly taking the same "fertility medicine" as Consort Shu, obtaining the prescription by finding remnants of Consort Shu's medicine, yet she had not conceived.
Ruyi kindly advised her to follow Consort Shu's example and stop taking the medicine, suggesting it might lead to a pregnancy. However, Imperial Concubine Ling returned to her palace and began drinking large quantities of the medicine. Her maid, Chun Chan, observed that Consort Shu had become pregnant only after stopping the medicine, and advised Imperial Concubine Ling to have the remaining medicine examined by an outside physician. Meanwhile, the Empress Dowager learned of Consort Shu's pregnancy.
Fujia commented on Consort Shu's pitiful state, unaware that the Emperor had been wary of her for years due to her devotion and refusal to be a spy for the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager, however, saw an advantage in Consort Shu's ignorance and decided that if she were to raise the child, Consort Shu would become more compliant to her will. She subsequently sent donkey-hide gelatin to Consort Shu to aid in her healthy pregnancy.
Later, Chun Chan's aunt had the medicine examined, revealing it to be a contraceptive. Imperial Concubine Ling was devastated, realizing her years of effort were futile. Chun Chan reminded her that Consort Shu conceived after stopping the medicine for six months, offering hope that Imperial Concubine Ling might also conceive if she stopped. However, Imperial Concubine Ling's thoughts turned to Ruyi, recalling her repeated advice to both her and Consort Shu to drink less or stop the "fertility medicine."
Suspecting Ruyi knew the truth, Imperial Concubine Ling grew resentful, feeling that despite her attempts to curry favor, Ruyi had withheld the truth from her. The Empress Dowager instructed Qi Ru to diligently care for Consort Shu and agreed to his request to retire after the child's birth. Yuhu later informed the Emperor that Qi Ru had been seen frequently visiting the Empress Dowager's palace, which she found strange given Qi Ru's primary role as the Emperor's physician.
She pointed out that Consort Shu, a person associated with the Empress Dowager, only became pregnant after discontinuing Qi Ru's medicine. This raised suspicion that Qi Ru might have deliberately leaked information to Consort Shu, or that there was more to the situation. The Emperor recalled how Huixian Imperial Noble Consort's condition had worsened under Qi Ru's treatment, suspecting that Qi Ru, under the Empress Dowager's instruction, had secretly harmed Huixian and now betrayed him regarding Consort Shu.
He ordered Yuhu to conduct a thorough investigation, intending to deal with Qi Ru during the upcoming southern tour. The Emperor announced his plan to tour the southern region of Jiangzhe with the Empress Dowager, to observe the lives of the common people. Ruyi, concerned about the pregnant Consort Shu, assured her that Consort Yu (Hailan) would manage the Inner Palace and provide support.
Consort Shu expressed her deep admiration for the Emperor, noting that only Ruyi shared her genuine affection for him, unlike others whose gazes were filled with desire. She promised to cherish her child as a symbol of her love for the Emperor. As Consort Shu prayed for the well-being of her child, Imperial Concubine Ling, witnessing her continued beauty despite pregnancy and Ruyi's attentive care, grew intensely jealous and decided to harm Consort Shu.
Chun Chan, however, advised Imperial Concubine Ling to prioritize securing the Emperor's affection during the southern tour. Yuhu later confirmed that while Huixian Imperial Noble Consort's prescription was harmless, the actual medicine, personally prepared by Qi Ru, was the issue. The Emperor, feeling betrayed by someone he had trusted, resolved to eliminate Qi Ru during the southern tour.
During the southern tour, the Emperor and Ruyi enjoyed a rare period of intimacy, often venturing out dressed as commoners to experience life among the populace. They sampled street food like tiaotou rolls, which the Emperor fondly recalled from his princely days, and listened to storytellers praising the peaceful era and their beloved Emperor.
By the West Lake, the Emperor promised Ruyi an enduring love, vowing to witness the blossoms of all four seasons with her, from cherry blossoms to plum blossoms. Ruyi, in turn, reassured him that he would never be alone on the summit, and she would always be by his side. She shared a riddle from her aunt, "Spring rain has not faltered, and the wife sleeps alone," explaining it meant "one" (alone), reflecting on the ultimate loneliness of all people.
She then reaffirmed her commitment to him, ensuring he would never be alone. The next morning, as the Emperor donned his dragon robe, he lamented the return to his royal duties and the endless worries that came with them. An attendant reported that the Empress Dowager was waiting, and the Governor of Minzhe was seeking an audience. The Emperor expressed his frustration with the constant demands.
Meanwhile, the Empress Dowager, having heard that local officials were arranging for young women to be presented to the Emperor at the temporary residence, decided to preemptively arrange a grand song and dance performance to manage the situation. Imperial Concubine Ling, overhearing this, resolved to seize the opportunity and act swiftly to gain the Emperor's favor, independently of the Empress.
