Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace Episode 58 Recap, Plot

> Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace
> Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace Recap

Empress Dowager confronted Consort Ling, forcing her to consume a bitter medicine. Consort Ling, begging for forgiveness, confessed that she was muddleheaded and jealous of Consort Shu's pregnancy. She admitted to giving Consort Shu medicine that weakened her kidneys, though she claimed her intention was only to damage Consort Shu’s appearance and favor, not to poison the Tenth Prince.

The Empress Dowager then questioned Consort Ling about Imperial Physician Jiang Yubin's delay due to illness on his way to treat Consort Shu. Consort Ling admitted to bribing a Relay Station Deputy to give Imperial Physician Jiang a laxative. Acknowledging Consort Ling's cunning, the Empress Dowager was surprised she had never met anyone so impressive.

Consort Ling then tried to offer her services to the Empress Dowager, arguing that Consort Shu's devotion to His Majesty made her unsuitable for the Empress Dowager's secret plans. Consort Ling further suggested that Consort Shu was weak-willed and ultimately useless. When the Empress Dowager questioned Consort Ling's own loyalty, Consort Ling insisted that while she cared for His Majesty, she would not become blindly devoted like Consort Shu.

She pledged to engrave the Empress Dowager's instructions in her mind and sought her protection, offering "faithful service" in return for being preserved. As Rong Pei arrived to summon Consort Ling on behalf of the Empress, Consort Ling grew fearful and pleaded with the Empress Dowager for immediate help. The Empress Dowager, understanding Empress Ruyi's suspicions that Consort Ling had met Consort Shu before her death, decided Consort Ling would not die but must endure punishment.

She decreed that Rong Pei would slap Consort Ling ten times daily in her palace until Consort Shu's one hundredth day of mourning. This punishment, the Empress Dowager explained, was to pacify Empress Ruyi's anger and suspicion, allowing Consort Ling a chance for future reprieve. Consort Ling, recognizing this as a means of salvation, expressed her gratitude. Later, Consort Ling swore to Empress Ruyi that she had not harmed Consort Shu.

She claimed she saw Consort Shu at the Tenth Prince's mourning hall but only observed her appearing absent-minded and distracted, without exchanging words. Empress Ruyi’s attendant, Rong Pei, remarked that Consort Ling’s oath meant little without witnesses. Rong Pei informed Empress Ruyi of the Empress Dowager's decree for the daily slaps. Empress Ruyi accepted the Empress Dowager's intervention, stating she was no longer in a position to pursue the matter further.

Rong Pei then went to Consort Ling's palace, where she slapped her. Consort Ling maintained her innocence, but Rong Pei insisted that her failure to report Consort Shu's unusual state made her complicit in the tragedy. Consort Ling quietly accepted her punishment. Consort Yu expressed to Empress Ruyi her unease about Consort Shu's sudden death.

Empress Ruyi confirmed that Consort Shu had met Consort Ling before her demise and, despite her own suspicions, could do nothing further since Consort Ling denied everything and the Empress Dowager had already stepped in. Consort Yu voiced her distrust of Consort Ling. Consort Yu then mentioned that Lady Barin was soon to enter the palace, escorted personally by Gugu Yuhu, and would be immediately conferred the title of Imperial Concubine Ying.

Empress Ruyi explained that Lady Barin was the daughter of a Barin Clan Prince, a powerful adversary of the Dzungars, and her entry was His Majesty's strategic move to balance various factions. Empress Ruyi later expressed her concern for her daughter, Princess Jingsi, who suffered from a heart condition, although her maid reassured her that the Imperial Physician had advised caution, not despair.

Meanwhile, Consort Ling was frustrated by the news of Imperial Concubine Ying's arrival, seeing her as yet another rival. Imperial Concubine Ying, Barin Meiruo, arrived at Yuanming Gardens, appreciating its beauty. After being informed about adapting to palace customs, she was seen playfully chasing butterflies in the Imperial Garden when she accidentally bumped into His Majesty. Though initially unaware of his identity, she recognized him from a portrait, noting he looked more handsome and less cold in person.

Amused, His Majesty praised her as naive, intelligent, dainty, and charming, inviting her to walk with him. Observing this scene, Consort Ling resolved to win back His Majesty's favor. His Majesty began to favor Imperial Concubine Ying, often staying at her palace. Empress Ruyi commented on Imperial Concubine Ying's innocent nature and reflected on Consort Shu, lamenting how quickly new faces replaced those who had passed.

Rong Pei reminded Empress Ruyi about the upcoming Autumn Hunt at Mulan Hunting Preserve and the need to select companions for His Majesty. Empress Ruyi, having recently concluded her confinement, suggested Imperial Concubine Ying and Imperial Concubine Ke. Rong Pei expressed concern about Noble Consort Jia's ambition for the Fourth Prince's claim to the throne, as the Twelfth Prince, Yongji, was still young and the Fourth Prince was currently His Majesty's favorite.

Rong Pei also mentioned His Majesty's fondness for the Fifth Prince, Yongqi, suggesting him as a better alternative to the Fourth Prince, but subtly pointed out that Yongqi was not Empress Ruyi's biological son. Empress Ruyi, however, revealed her repeated thoughts on the matter: while Yongji was the legitimate son, he was too young. If Yongqi proved virtuous and responsible, appointing him as heir apparent would be acceptable, and Yongji could still become an honored prince.

Rong Pei acknowledged Empress Ruyi's true intentions. Later, His Majesty joined Empress Ruyi for a meal. He noticed her pleasant scent, which she attributed to lotus flowers. He mentioned the Western perfume and chiming clock he had gifted her, and she explained that while she cherished them, she had put the clock away to avoid disturbing Princess Jingsi. They discussed Princess Jingsi's health and dowry.

Imperial Concubine Ying arrived to serve them, and His Majesty introduced her to Empress Ruyi, remarking on their similar personalities. Imperial Concubine Ying respectfully bowed and presented two Wuxi Da A'fu dolls, gifted by her own father, as presents for the Twelfth Prince and Princess Jingsi, symbolizing prosperity and good intentions.

Empress Ruyi thanked her, and they discussed the strong bond between fathers and daughters, with Empress Ruyi expressing a wish for Jingsi to be resilient and strong like a rose. Meanwhile, Eunuch Jinzhong visited Consort Ling, who was enduring the daily slaps. He comforted her, clarifying that the punishment was a warning, not a death sentence, as there was no concrete evidence against her.

He then subtly suggested that if her Kun Opera was not appreciated at Yuanming Gardens, she should perform it in a "vast and obscure area" like Mulan Hunting Preserve, where it would be considered rare and precious. Consort Ling, recognizing the implication, regained her determination. Later, Consort Ling, through Gugu Fujia, conveyed a request to the Empress Dowager.

Soon after, Rong Pei reported to Empress Ruyi that Consort Ling was ill with a "liver qi deficiency" and requested to return to the palace to recuperate, citing concerns about infecting others. Empress Ruyi granted the request, acknowledging the inconvenience of a sick person staying at Yuanming Gardens with the Empress Dowager and other consorts.

His Majesty told Empress Ruyi he had wanted to take her to the Mulan Autumn Hunt, but she had just completed her confinement and needed rest at Yuanming Gardens. He expressed his concern for Princess Jingsi's health, and Empress Ruyi suggested Imperial Concubine Ying and Imperial Concubine Ke for the trip.

His Majesty mentioned that Noble Consort Jia had also begged to accompany him, but he preferred not to have her "noise" around, while Consort Yu had volunteered to stay with the princes and assist Empress Ruyi. He expressed a desire for more consorts like Consort Yu, who prioritized peace over seeking favor. Empress Ruyi informed him that Consort Ling had already been sent back to the palace due to her illness.

His Majesty acknowledged this, while Empress Ruyi still worried about his safety at Mulan despite increased guards. Consort Ling, traveling back to the palace with her maid Chunchan, expressed gratitude for the Empress Dowager's grace, acknowledging that the rest of her plan depended on their own efforts. At Mulan, His Majesty, after a day of riding, went to the hot springs for a massage. Eunuch Jinzhong facilitated Consort Ling's disguised entry as a Mongolian servant woman to attend him.

As she massaged his shoulders, His Majesty complained about her weak strength. When he turned to reprimand her, he was astonished to see Consort Ling. She explained that she had risked her life to come because she missed him terribly, and being near his Imperial self had miraculously cured her illness, which she claimed was caused by anxiety from being barred from seeing him. Moved by her "sincerity," His Majesty told her to rise.

Consort Ling then offered to perform new songs she had practiced. After her performance, His Majesty was very pleased with her improved singing and invited her to serve him. Imperial Concubine Ying and Imperial Concubine Ke witnessed Consort Ling's return to favor, expressing their displeasure and calling her actions "bewitching His Majesty through cajolery." Eunuch Li confronted Jinzhong, accusing him of orchestrating Consort Ling's appearance.

Jinzhong vehemently denied any involvement, trying to shift blame to other guards or an unknown palace conspirator. Li Yu, however, pointed out that Jinzhong was responsible for hot springs arrangements and attendants. Later, Empress Ruyi, conversing with Noble Consort Chun, received a message from Eunuch Li, informing her that Consort Ling had indeed regained His Majesty's favor after serving him in the bath at the Mulan Hunting Preserve.

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