Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace Episode 5 Recap
> Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace Recap
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Lord Lang Shining was painting portraits of the Emperor and Empress. The Empress's mother, Elder of the Fuca Clan, visited the palace, observing that her daughter now held a high position and had a first-born son, and the Fuca tribe was favored by His Majesty.
Despite this, she cautioned her daughter against complacency, reminding her that His Majesty also showed favor to the Gao family and Ruyi, especially Ruyi, who would have been Empress if not for the late Emperor's preference. The Empress's mother urged her daughter to remain vigilant as she had been for years. The Empress assured her mother she would remember her advice.
The Empress's mother then noted Ruyi's current lack of children despite being doted on, emphasizing that a woman's standing ultimately relies on having a son. The Empress stated her intention to secure her position without direct conflict, believing Ruyi would not dare offend her. Her mother agreed that the Empress need not dirty her own hands, but instead should use her subordinates to manage other consorts. Before leaving, the Empress instructed her maid, Sulian, to escort her mother out.
Separately, the Empress's mother confided in Sulian, praising her loyalty and intelligence above Lianxin, a newer maid. She reiterated that the Empress, being in a high position, might overlook certain matters or be too kind to act decisively. Therefore, she tasked Sulian with being more proactive and bold in handling palace affairs, assuring her that she would take care of matters on the Empress's behalf without implicating her. Sulian affirmed her understanding and commitment to protecting the Empress's reputation.
Ruyi visited the Ruyi Pavilion to watch Lord Lang Shining paint. After exchanging pleasantries, Ruyi noted that only the Empress, as the principal wife, could be painted alongside His Majesty, and questioned if Western customs were similar. Lord Lang explained that in the West, a man has only one wife and no concubines.
Ruyi's maid, A'Rou, found this concept absurd, but Ruyi was intrigued, asking if it meant a man could only love one woman and wouldn't develop affections for others. Lord Lang clarified that if love was gone, either spouse could initiate a separation, a "consensual separation" as he called it, which was common among ordinary people and even allowed for princesses in Great Qing, but not for consorts.
A'Rou again dismissed his words as nonsense, stating that only wives could be dismissed, not husbands. Ruyi, however, pondered his words deeply as she prepared to leave. Back at Yanxi Palace, Ruyi remained preoccupied with Lord Lang's words, feeling as though he had voiced her innermost desires. A'Rou cautioned her against such thoughts, especially since she had only recently been promoted to consort.
Ruyi admitted that deep down, no woman truly wishes to be a concubine or share her husband, but acknowledged that such thoughts could only be expressed to A'Rou, not others. Later, Ruyi met with the Emperor and, hypothetically, asked him what it would be like if a husband had only one wife and no concubines. The Emperor dismissed it as "silly talk" and a "vain thought with no meaning," even threatening to restrict access to Lord Lang while he painted.
He reminded Ruyi of the Confucian principles and palace rules that governed a woman's life, especially within the royal palace. Ruyi argued that while customs differed, the hearts of men and women were the same, and questioned if His Majesty's heart was not also devoted to one. The Emperor cut her off, and Ruyi, feeling defiant, stated that she would remember his words and behave with prudence and respect, then took her leave.
The Empress's maids gossiped about Ruyi's recent tantrum, considering it unsightly for someone newly promoted to consort. The Empress, overhearing this, expressed her frustration with Ruyi's stubbornness, lamenting that she still behaved this way even after the late Empress Jingren's death. She decided to send other consorts to serve His Majesty. However, the Emperor remained cold and distant towards them. Back in Yanxi Palace, A'Rou questioned Ruyi's lack of anxiety despite the Emperor's visits to other consorts.
Ruyi, calm, merely stated that as a consort to the Emperor, she could do nothing but wait. Eventually, Ruyi went to see the Emperor. He chided her for her stubborn temper and for speaking her mind, but then presented her with a painting he had personally drawn, calling it a gift from his heart. Ruyi, in turn, produced a portrait she had painted of him.
They affectionately commented on each other's depictions, with the Emperor playfully remarking on their differing styles. He declared that their portraits suited each other and would have Lord Lang mount them together for safekeeping. As they talked, the Emperor took out a handkerchief Ruyi had embroidered for him during her confinement, using it to wipe his sweat.
Ruyi, touched that he still carried it, was reminded of her former name, Qingying, and his, Hongli, which were subtly depicted on the handkerchief. The Emperor promised they would not separate, just as the elements on the handkerchief were united. Ruyi apologized for her previous outspokenness.
The Emperor reassured her that he understood her need to express herself, especially after her aunt's passing, and allowed her to maintain her "Qingying" temperament with him, as long as she refrained from "silly thoughts." The two reconciled. The Emperor went to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager. She observed his rushed appearance and inquired where he had been. He admitted to being at Yanfang Palace, watching a play, and losing track of time.
When she realized he had been with Consort Xian, the Empress Dowager reminded him of the importance of "spreading his favor evenly" among all the consorts and concubines to prevent discord in the back palaces and unrest among their maiden clans. The Emperor assured her he would remember her words. Meanwhile, Ruyi was embroidering a poem granted to her by the Emperor onto a handkerchief, delighting in the thoughtfulness of his words, which evoked the "round song style."
When A'Rou presented it to the Emperor, he was pleased by Ruyi's ingenuity. However, upon hearing from Wang Qin that Noble Lady Jia was waiting for him for dinner, and despite A'Rou's suggestion to praise Ruyi in person, the Emperor, mindful of the Empress Dowager's earlier advice, decided to dine with Noble Lady Jia instead. A'Rou expressed her frustration at the Emperor's actions, but Ruyi remained composed, trusting in His Majesty's intentions.
As winter set in, the consorts gathered to pay respects to the Empress. The Empress, reviewing the palace ledgers, declared that extravagance was rampant and that she would set an example by reducing palace expenditures. She criticized the consorts' lavish clothing and the rising cost of Jiangnan fabrics and embroidery, citing ancient emperors' frugality.
While the consorts, including Imperial Noble Consort Hui, subtly expressed their discomfort, they all outwardly agreed to follow the Empress's example, reducing their daily allowances for cosmetics, coal, and even palace staff. Later, the Emperor visited Ruyi at Yanxi Palace. Ruyi, who hadn't seen him in a while, was visibly delighted. He explained his absence, saying he wished to protect her but found himself constrained, unlike their carefree days in the old manor, and asked for her understanding.
He then presented her with a personally written calligraphy plaque bearing the four characters "Cautious praise of reputable sound." When Ruyi inquired about its meaning, the Emperor explained that it referred to a woman who, through caution, achieves a reputable name and bears many sons, a reference to the Classic of Poetry.
Ruyi, initially finding it uninteresting, smiled as the Emperor added a personal touch, connecting it to their shared past and the play "Wall Head," which had marked the beginning of their bond. He told her his heart was in the word "sound." Ruyi then expressed her deep appreciation. The Emperor, pleased, instructed Wang Qin to have the plaque mounted and hung in the main hall of Yanxi Palace.
The Empress distributed white flower and dried sea vine fragrance pouches to the consorts, explaining that they would dispel humidity in the cold winter weather. While many expressed gratitude for the Empress's thoughtfulness, A'Rou later complained to Ruyi that the fragrance pouch sent to Yanxi Palace contained inferior quality white flowers and was poorly stitched. Hai Lan, who visited Ruyi, confirmed that the fragrance pouches sent to Xianfu Palace were of much better quality.
She offered to take Ruyi's pouch back to mend the stitches and make it presentable. Meanwhile, Ruyi's maid, Suoxin, encountered her childhood friend, Jiang Yubin, now an Imperial Physician, at the Inner Palace. Jiang Yubin lamented his lack of family background, prestigious teachers, and experience, believing it would hinder his advancement in the Bureau of Imperial Physicians. Suoxin encouraged him, asserting that in the palace, genuine skill was paramount.
Shuizhi, another maid, noticed Suoxin's frequent encounters with Jiang Yubin and commented on their childhood connection, to which Suoxin replied that despite both being servants, diligence and real ability would lead to success. In the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the Emperor summoned a pipa troupe from the South Office to play music. He noticed a wrong note, and a pipa musician, Bai Ruiji, stepped forward to admit her mistake.
The Emperor found her lacking in skill but she cleverly praised his acute hearing by comparing him to the legendary musician Zhou Yu. He questioned if she intentionally played wrong to gain his attention. Intrigued, the Emperor asked for her name, remarking on her slender and adorable appearance and pleasing name. He then instructed her to play again the next day. Meanwhile, Eunuch Qin Li was seen preparing to deliver high-quality items to Yanxi Palace.
Suoxin arrived to collect the monthly allowance for Yanxi Palace, surprised by Qin Li's sudden courtesy. Qin Li, feeling remorseful for neglecting Yanxi Palace, mentioned the framed plaque His Majesty had sent. Just then, A'Rou arrived, reprimanding Qin Li for the delay and for sending an inferior-quality fragrance pouch previously.
Qin Li, now clearly intimidated by Ruyi's renewed favor, quickly apologized and promised to deliver only the best items, including another high-quality fragrance pouch, emphasizing that Ruyi, though temporarily slighted, was still cherished by His Majesty.
