Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace Episode 50 Recap
> Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace Recap
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The Empress Dowager and the Emperor hosted a banquet, where the Empress Dowager arranged for Imperial Concubine Mei to play the pipa and Noble Lady Qing to sing on two boats adorned with lotus flowers. The Empress Dowager observed the Emperor's filial piety in bringing her to see Jiangnan's scenery, but noted that since the South tour, the Emperor had exclusively favored the Empress.
She pointed out that the Empress had been infertile for a long time, and if the Emperor continued to dote on her alone, the harem would not be able to produce new male descendants. She urged the Emperor to spread his favor among the consorts, as an abundance of heirs would bless the imperial household.
She also publicly reprimanded the Empress for her negligence in managing the harem, to which the Emperor acknowledged his fault and promised to show more attention to the other consorts. After leaving the banquet, the Empress Dowager confided in Fujia, regretting that the Emperor hadn't even glanced at Imperial Concubine Mei, whom she found pitifully thin and wrinkled.
She noted that Noble Lady Qing alone wasn't enough to secure the Emperor's favor and instructed Fujia to keep an eye on promising daughters of officials. Meanwhile, Imperial Physician Qi, summoned by the Emperor for a pulse check, was observed by the Empress Dowager, who told him to report any issues. Later that night, Ling Yunche, on patrol, discovered Imperial Physician Qi fallen into the water. The banquet continued with Consort Ling performing a dance on a boat.
Noble Consort Jia scoffed, calling it a tedious effort to gain favor and noting how Consort Ling had degraded her status by acting like a lowly entertainer. Noble Consort Chun reminded Noble Consort Jia that she too had once performed various dances and instruments to gain favor. The Emperor, however, praised Consort Ling's improvement, finding her dance original and ingenious, like stepping into a painting.
He invited her to sit closer, where she presented red plums to the Empress, claiming they were a tribute since the Empress loved green plums. The Empress responded that she hadn't seen Consort Ling for days and was surprised she had been busy with such things. Later, a eunuch from the Office of Imperial Household Affairs came to ask the Emperor to select a consort for the night.
Despite Imperial Concubine Mei suggesting Noble Lady Qing, the Emperor decided to grant Consort Ling her favor and immediately promoted her to Consort. This announcement surprised everyone, especially Noble Consort Jia, who loudly protested, arguing that other consorts had only been promoted after bearing children, whereas Consort Ling, a former palace maid, had risen so quickly. The Empress calmly reminded Noble Consort Jia to be more cautious, especially after having been exempted from kneeling at Fengxian Temple.
Noble Consort Chun then mused about Imperial Concubine Mei, recalling her strange behavior and bitter words on the night Empress Xiaoxian died, particularly her refusal to investigate a sound of someone falling into the water. The Empress found this recollection strange. That night, Consort Yu sent her eunuch, Xiao Ruizi, to the Empress with an urgent message. The Fifth Prince had caught a cold since the imperial retinue left the capital and had been coughing persistently.
Consort Yu wished for Imperial Physician Jiang to return to the capital to care for him. Xiao Ruizi also reported that Consort Shu was not well; late in her pregnancy, her hands and feet were swollen, and yellow spots, like butterflies, had appeared on her face. Recognizing the seriousness, the Empress immediately ordered Imperial Physician Jiang to return to the capital to attend to both the Fifth Prince and Consort Shu.
Unable to sleep, Noble Consort Jia worried about Imperial Concubine Mei, fearing she knew too many secrets that could be detrimental to her. The Emperor, informed of Imperial Physician Qi's death, praised Yuhu for handling the matter well and ensuring Imperial Physician Qi's family was compensated. Yuhu suggested keeping Imperial Physician Jiang, who was promoted by the Empress, to serve the Emperor now that he was back in the palace.
However, the Emperor said he needed to observe Imperial Physician Jiang more closely. The Emperor felt the Empress Dowager's influence had grown too extensive, even reaching his imperial physicians, and reflected on how he handled those placed by her, except for Consort Shu, whom he considered sincere. Consort Ling received congratulations from palace staff on her promotion. Chunchan assured her that everything had been handled discreetly in the palace. Jinzhong arrived, bringing gold bracelets and jade hairpins from the Emperor.
He privately advised Consort Ling that her promotion was somewhat fortunate, being a result of the Emperor's displeasure with the Empress Dowager's meddling. He cautioned her never to cross the Empress, who was currently the Emperor's favorite and head of the harem. Consort Ling expressed her resentment towards the Empress for deliberately distancing herself despite her efforts to fawn on her. Jinzhong then mentioned Ling Yunche, causing Consort Ling to become agitated.
Jinzhong clarified that Ling Yunche had discovered Imperial Physician Qi's body. Consort Ling then asked Jinzhong what the Emperor cared about most, besides state affairs and heirs. Jinzhong replied, "auspicious omens." The Empress spoke to the Emperor about Imperial Physician Jiang's return to care for the Fifth Prince and Consort Shu, which the Emperor approved of. She expressed her shock at Imperial Physician Qi's sudden death, lamenting the lack of an accomplished physician by the Emperor's side.
The Emperor, while also saddened, commented on how physicians could easily treat others but had no control over their own life and death. The Empress then suggested promoting Noble Lady Qing to Imperial Concubine, given her many years of service. The Emperor agreed, stating that while it addressed Noble Lady Qing's long service and the Empress's consideration, it was also partly a defiant act against the Empress Dowager's public interference in his private affairs.
Consort Ling came to pay respects to the Emperor and Empress for her promotion. The Emperor, however, dismissed her formal bows, stating that there wasn't time for her conferment ceremony. Shortly after, the Imperial Astronomer requested an audience. He reported an ominous celestial phenomenon, a small star in conflict with the Emperor Star, indicating a "father-son conflict."
He suggested that as long as father and son did not meet, the Emperor would be safe, but feared that since the Emperor was away from the palace, this star might have already brought misfortune to a prince with a weak fate. Consort Ling speculated if he was referring to Consort Shu's unborn child, but the Empress interjected, advising the Emperor not to take celestial predictions too seriously.
The Emperor affirmed that Consort Shu's child was his and he would never abandon it. After leaving, Consort Ling praised the Imperial Astronomer's work, who noted the Emperor's deep belief in astrology and predicted he would brood over the matter. Meanwhile, Imperial Physician Jiang, on his journey back to the capital, continued to research the cause of the butterfly-like yellow spots. Unbeknownst to him, his food was being tampered with.
As the imperial retinue journeyed to Jiangning, Consort Ling encountered Ling Yunche on the road. He was notably cold towards her, leaving her displeased. Jinzhong, observing this interaction, reminded Consort Ling that Ling Yunche knew too many of her secrets and was a protégé of the Empress. He warned her that if Ling Yunche was not dealt with, he could become a major threat, and any softness on her part would ultimately harm her.
