Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace Episode 66 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
Ruyi confessed to Ling Yunche that she remained unsettled by Midwife Tian's death, believing someone had instigated her actions. She requested his help in investigating the matter further during his time outside the palace. Ling Yunche acknowledged the difficulty and potential risks to his standing, but assured Ruyi he would spare no effort, even risking his life, to carry out a thorough investigation.
Ruyi thanked him, expressing her gratitude and noting that after living half her life in the palace, there were very few people she could truly rely on or ask favors from, apart from him and Hailan. She hoped his investigation would bring closure for her and the late Thirteenth Prince, Yongjing. A servant from the Empress Dowager’s palace then summoned Ruyi and the Twelfth Prince, Yongji, to Cining Palace.
The Empress Dowager revealed that the Emperor frequently inquired about Ruyi's well-being during his visits but had not come to see her in person. Ruyi attributed this distance to the Emperor's heartbreak over Yongjing's premature death. The Empress Dowager acknowledged their mutual grief but lamented that instead of comforting each other, they were now estranged and tormented by their sorrow, which only deepened their pain.
She observed that Ruyi had reduced visits from other consorts, leaving Yikun Palace desolate while liveliness flourished elsewhere. The Empress Dowager gently urged Ruyi to move on, reminding her that as long as the Emperor was alive, more children could be born. She added that the Emperor still cared for Ruyi, but his pride prevented him from making the first move, suggesting Ruyi take that step instead.
Meanwhile, Ling Yunche was heard murmuring "Don't be sad" in his sleep, a phrase that later made his wife, Maoqian, suspicious. In Yongshou Palace, Consort Ling, Yanwan, was taking an anti-abortifacient, expressing confidence that she would bear a prince. Her servant, Lan Cui, informed her that Ling Yunche had been frequently leaving the palace, seemingly on an assignment from the Empress.
Yanwan also instructed her staff to prepare for her mother, Madam Wei's, upcoming visit, knowing her mother enjoyed luxury and grandeur. Ling Yunche located Tian Jun, Midwife Tian’s son, who was still frightened after his mother's murder. Tian Jun produced a large sum of silver notes, five hundred taels in total, which he said his mother had left him.
He recounted that the last time his mother came home, she told him the money was from Consort Yu, for whom she was helping with a task, and that she didn't have much time left. Tian Jun insisted he remembered correctly, and Ling Yunche took one of the notes to verify it at a bank. Yanwan, upon learning Ling Yunche had found Tian Jun, felt relieved that she had already instructed Midwife Tian to implicate Consort Yu.
She noted that Consort Yu's nephew, Keliyete Zhaqi, had even deposited the silver notes she provided. Yanwan believed this set the stage for her scheme to unfold perfectly. Ling Yunche reported his findings to Ruyi, informing her that the silver notes in Tian Jun's possession were given by Keliyete Zhaqi, Consort Yu's nephew. Ruyi was incredulous, stating that Hailan would never do such a thing.
Ling Yunche further revealed that Tian Jun testified Midwife Tian had claimed Consort Yu instructed her to harm the Thirteenth Prince. When Ruyi questioned Hailan's motive, Ling Yunche added that he had heard Zhaqi openly remark that as long as the Empress's legitimate son was alive, it would be difficult for the Fifth Prince, Yongqi, to be appointed as Crown Prince. This, he suggested, could be a legitimate reason for Consort Yu to harm Ruyi.
As Hailan transcribed Buddhist scriptures in Yanxi Palace for the Thirteenth Prince's departed spirit, Imperial bodyguards, led by Jinzhong, suddenly surrounded her palace. Jinzhong confronted Hailan, accusing her of murdering the Thirteenth Prince and her nephew Zhaqi of killing Midwife Tian's son, Tian Jun, to silence him. A palace maid quickly informed Ruyi that Hailan had been arrested on the Emperor’s orders and taken to the Office of Careful Punishment for interrogation regarding the Thirteenth Prince's death.
Ruyi was shocked, questioning how the Emperor had come to know of these matters, given Ling Yunche's careful investigation and his assurance that he hadn't informed the Emperor. Finding the situation too strange, Ruyi immediately dispatched her eunuch, Sanbao, to investigate. At the Office of Careful Punishment, Hailan was brought before a heavily tortured Zhaqi.
He pleaded with her to save him, claiming he had already confessed under duress that she was the mastermind behind the Thirteenth Prince's murder and had instructed him to kill Tian Jun. He urged her to confess as well. Hailan defiantly disowned him, calling him shameless and telling him he would "suffer the consequences" for his own crimes.
As she was led away, Zhaqi screamed for her to save him, but Hailan turned her back, and he continued to be beaten. Jinzhong then escorted Hailan into a prison cell, explaining that with the witnesses and evidence, her confession was not strictly necessary for conviction, and she might as well get accustomed to her new living conditions.
Hailan remained unyielding, stating she had come to the Office of Careful Punishment to prove her innocence, not to confess, and bravely entered the cell. Madam Wei, Yanwan’s mother, arrived in the palace to accompany her during childbirth. In Yikun Palace, Ruyi’s palace maids and Rongpei worried about Hailan. Rongpei suggested Ruyi intercede with the Emperor to ensure Hailan would not suffer further in the Office of Careful Punishment.
Ruyi believed that the Emperor would not allow Hailan to suffer before a conclusion was reached. Ruyi asked Rongpei for her thoughts on the confessions coming from the Office of Careful Punishment. Rongpei maintained that she did not believe Hailan was guilty, but admitted that the daily flow of consistent confessions was beginning to sow a shadow of doubt in her mind. She suspected a deliberate frame-up but couldn't identify the true culprit.
The Emperor then made an unexpected visit to Yikun Palace. A palace maid, overjoyed, loudly announced his arrival, prompting Rongpei to admonish her for making it seem as if the Empress was usually neglected. Ruyi welcomed the Emperor, who expressed concern over her noticeable weight loss. He observed her meticulously crafting Tibetan prayer flags, which Ruyi explained were for Yongjing, to be sent to Anhua Hall for his blessings.
This shared memory of their lost son brought a moment of silent grief between them. Rongpei then offered Ruyi "Golden Thread Chrysanthemum Tea" to soothe her cough from rushing to complete the flags. Later, the Emperor complimented Yikun Palace's Anxiang Soup, which Ruyi's staff had prepared for him, noting its benefits for moistening the lungs in dry spring weather.
The Emperor then broached the topic of Yongjing’s death, revealing he initially believed Midwife Tian was solely responsible but now suspected Consort Yu had used Tian to plot against them. He cited Zhaqi's confession, which claimed Zhaqi killed Tian Jun under Consort Yu's instructions because he was alarmed by Ling Yunche's investigation into Tian Jun.
Zhaqi had further confessed that Consort Yu bribed Midwife Tian with silver notes to deliberately induce a breech position and prolong Ruyi's delivery, ultimately causing Yongjing's death. Ruyi questioned Consort Yu's motive for killing Yongjing, even with Zhaqi's confession. She passionately defended Hailan, highlighting her years of companionship and unwavering loyalty.
She argued that Hailan, who never sought favor, honor, or position, would have had ample opportunity to harm the Twelfth Prince long ago if she truly feared legitimate heirs, making Yongjing's murder illogical. The Emperor, however, spoke of his own disillusionment with trust, recounting his Imperial Father's coldness, his mother's selfishness, his brothers' power struggles, his sister's departure, and even his own consorts and children harboring sinister motives and attempting assassination.
He concluded that "trust" was nothing but "flowers in a mirror and the moon's reflection in the water." Ruyi understood his concerns but maintained her suspicion regarding Midwife Tian's case, even with seemingly perfect evidence. She pointed out that with Tian and her son dead, Zhaqi, being easily swayed by torture, could have been coerced into making a false confession. She implored the Emperor to conduct a thorough investigation to ensure no innocent person was unjustly accused.
The Emperor acknowledged Ruyi's continued trust in Consort Yu and promised to seek justice for their child. As it was dinner time, the Emperor offered to stay and dine with Ruyi in Yikun Palace. However, Ruyi politely declined, suggesting he visit Consort Ying, who had been longing to conceive another child after the premature death of the Sixth Princess. Though disappointed, the Emperor praised Ruyi's virtuous concern for others.
Later, Rongpei questioned Ruyi's decision to push the Emperor away after he had finally taken a step towards reconciliation. Ruyi confessed that Yongjing's death had revealed a painful truth: despite the deep emotional bonds of blood and a devoted husband's love, the Emperor ultimately valued the "vague and empty words of the astrologist" the most. This realization had formed an unresolvable "knot" in her heart.
During an audience with other consorts, a message arrived from the Office of Careful Punishment, stating that Consort Yu wished to see Ruyi. Consort Ling subtly implied Consort Yu's guilt, remarking on the evilness of human hearts. Ruyi publicly dismissed Hailan's request, declaring that as Consort Yu was suspected of murdering the Thirteenth Prince, all matters were to be handled by the Office of Careful Punishment, and her visit would be in vain.
Ruyi then presented Consort Ling with several bolts of woven silk from Jiangning for her mother. Yanwan thanked her, mentioning the Empress had already gifted her mother donkey-hide gelatin. After the audience, Madam Wei continued her brazen behavior, complaining about the colors of the silk and claiming it for herself.
She also shamelessly appropriated precious jewels and Western perfume that the Emperor had gifted to Yanwan, much to Yanwan's chagrin and embarrassment, boasting about her newfound riches and reminding Yanwan of her own role in her daughter's rise.
