Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace Episode 51 Recap
> Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace Recap
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Noble Consort Jia was preparing for the Emperor's attendance when her "dudou" mysteriously vanished. Shortly after, a palace maid discovered its absence. Later, Chief Eunuch Li Yu, investigating the matter, located the missing "dudou" among Ling Yunche's personal belongings in the Imperial bodyguards' quarters. The Emperor was enraged, and Ling Yunche was subjected to severe torture, though he steadfastly denied any wrongdoing. Ruyi quickly arrived to find Ling Yunche bruised and bound.
Inside, Noble Consort Jia was tearfully recounting her humiliation to the Emperor. Ruyi presented the "dudou", pointing out the illogical placement of such an intimate item in a public and bustling guard's quarters, suggesting it was deliberately meant to be discovered.
She argued that Ling Yunche had always served the Emperor loyally and that if he were unjustly killed, it would not only deprive the Emperor of a devoted servant but also tarnish the Emperor's reputation, especially during his first Southern Tour. As Ruyi spoke, Consort Ling arrived. She supported Ruyi's reasoning, suggesting that to preserve the Imperial family's honor, Ling Yunche should be banished far away, out of sight.
The Emperor, swayed by their arguments and concerned for the Imperial family's image, ordered Ling Yunche to be sent to the Mulan Hunting Grounds as a sweeper, forbidding his return to the capital. After leaving the Emperor, Ruyi instructed Li Yu to ensure Ling Yunche received proper care before his departure. Ruyi pondered who could have framed Ling Yunche, as Noble Consort Jia had no personal vendetta against him and would not risk her own reputation.
Unbeknownst to Ruyi, Jinzhong had orchestrated the plot to eliminate Ling Yunche. However, Consort Ling had felt a pang of conscience and softened her stance, preventing his death. Consort Ling later confronted Jinzhong, asserting that while she desired Ling Yunche's removal, she did not wish him dead, considering it a way to repay her past wrongdoing towards him. She warned Jinzhong to conduct himself discreetly, as exposure would lead to Ruyi and Noble Consort Jia not sparing him.
Jinzhong accused Consort Ling of becoming arrogant and threatened to reveal her past relationship with Ling Yunche. Consort Ling retorted, threatening to expose his past assistance to her. Their maid, Chun Chan, intervened, mediating the dispute, and they agreed to continue their alliance. Ruyi dispatched Rong Pei to visit Ling Yunche, providing him with Indian soapberry fruits as a symbolic gesture for him to be free from worry.
Rong Pei conveyed Ruyi's message: Ling Yunche might leave without dignity, but if he wished to return, it must be in an upright and honorable manner. Ling Yunche expressed his profound gratitude to Ruyi and also acknowledged Consort Ling's plea for mercy. Upon returning to the capital from the Southern Tour, Ruyi immediately went to see Consort Shu, who was disheartened by the yellow spots on her face and reluctant to meet visitors.
Ruyi comforted her, assuring her that the child's well-being was paramount, and her own ailments could be gradually healed. Imperial Physician Jiang examined Consort Shu, confirming her weak kidneys and pregnancy spots but finding no other serious issues. Consort Shu found solace in the health of her child. The Empress Dowager later raised the idea of raising Consort Shu's child herself, citing Consort Shu's weak health and an Imperial Astronomer's recent report of the child being "ill-fated" with the Emperor.
The Emperor, suspicious of how this private information reached the Empress Dowager, ordered Li Yu to investigate the source. Consort Ling claimed she had seen Imperial Concubine Mei waiting to see the Emperor outside the temporary palace on the day the Imperial Astronomer made his report. The Emperor, recalling Imperial Concubine Mei had not actually met him that day, grew suspicious, and Li Yu suggested she might have overheard something.
Based on this, the Emperor summoned Imperial Concubine Mei to Yangxin Hall that night. Noble Consort Jia's maid, Lixin, overheard Li Yu summoning Imperial Concubine Mei and swiftly reported it to her mistress. Noble Consort Jia was deeply concerned that Imperial Concubine Mei might reveal damaging information from their past.
Resolved to eliminate any potential threat, Noble Consort Jia retrieved a special substance from her clan and instructed Lixin to discreetly add poison to Imperial Concubine Mei's food during the customary poison testing. Ruyi and Hailand observed Lixin testing Imperial Concubine Mei's food and found Noble Consort Jia's sudden show of concern suspicious. They visited Imperial Concubine Mei to warn her.
Imperial Concubine Mei initially dismissed their apprehensions, even testing the food with her own silver needle, which showed no discoloration. To prove her point, she fed a portion to her parrot, which immediately collapsed and died. Terrified, Imperial Concubine Mei finally understood the grave danger she was in. Ruyi quickly arranged for Imperial Physician Jiang to examine the poisoned food.
As they left, Ruyi confided in Hailand about Imperial Concubine Mei's tragic life—once favored, then losing her son and favor—and the inexplicable enmity from Noble Consort Jia. Later, Imperial Concubine Mei faced the Emperor at Yangxin Hall. He questioned her about a life spent serving others and her underlying resentment, revealing his knowledge that she was the Empress Dowager's secret agent planted in his harem.
Upon learning that Imperial Concubine Mei had survived the poisoning attempt, Noble Consort Jia vowed to deal with her swiftly. Imperial Concubine Mei visited the Imperial Medical Institute, complaining that her medicinal herbs were damp and demanding high-quality replacements. Meanwhile, Imperial Physician Jiang reported his findings to Ruyi. He confirmed that Imperial Concubine Mei's rice contained a subtle white powder, undetectable by silver needle, which caused rapid death through spasms and heart palpitations, consistent with the parrot's demise.
Ruyi concluded that Qixiang Palace was responsible. Imperial Physician Jiang also revealed that Consort Shu's pregnancy medication contained two inappropriate herbs—akebia quinata and euphorbia kansui—which, while generally harmless, would be detrimental to someone with weakened kidneys, like Consort Shu, potentially harming her unborn child. He had refrained from telling Consort Shu to avoid distressing her. Imperial Physician Jiang also expressed suspicion about his sudden illness in Shandong, as it had prevented him from treating Consort Shu at a critical time.
That night, Imperial Concubine Qing drank a restorative tonic, hoping to conceive. The medicine had been tampered with. The next day, Imperial Concubine Qing suffered excruciating abdominal pain. Imperial Physician Bao discovered "achyranthes bidentata" and "aconiti kusnezoffii radix" in her tonic. Imperial Concubine Mei then arrived and confessed to intentionally poisoning Imperial Concubine Qing, stating she did not want her to be favored. Imperial Concubine Qing's health was severely compromised, rendering future pregnancies impossible.
Enraged, the Emperor ordered Imperial Concubine Mei's execution. Li Yu delivered the Emperor's decree to Ruyi, commanding her to personally oversee Imperial Concubine Mei's death in utmost secrecy. Soon after, Maid Suoxin arrived, confirming that the funerary arrangements for Imperial Concubine Mei and her son were complete, with an auspicious site and offerings, in hopes of their reunion in the afterlife.
