Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace Episode 71 Recap, Plot

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

The Fifth Prince, Yongqi, reported to the Emperor that since Princess Xiangjian's arrival, the border regions had found peace, with tribal leaders extending their friendship and people diligently working their fields, living in harmony. However, the Emperor seemed distracted, consumed by thoughts of Princess Xiangjian. Sensing his Imperial Father's predicament, Yongqi suggested that Hanti, Princess Xiangjian's father, send a letter to her, advising her to settle peacefully in the palace, as she would not dare to defy his command.

The Emperor, pleased with the idea, immediately ordered the letter to be sent. Empress Ruyi had initially believed the Emperor's infatuation with Lady Han would be fleeting, but after so much time, his obsession remained fervent. Consort Yu, Hailan, observed that the Emperor, who commanded the world and had countless women eager for his attention, had become captivated by Lady Han's untamed nature, stirring his desire to conquer her.

She concluded that the Emperor would not rest until he possessed her, likening his state to the poem about "not being able to obtain her, so now he's on his back and then tossing on his side." Ruyi worried that the Emperor's disregard for everything else for Lady Han might lead him to take extreme actions. Li Yu, the Chief Eunuch, noticed the Emperor's daily visits to Chengqian Palace, where Lady Han consistently treated him with indifference.

He gently suggested the Emperor needn't subject himself to such coldness, reminding him that many other mistresses in the palace awaited his favor. The Emperor, however, found joy in the challenge, stating he had always obtained his heart's desire and was content to merely guess at what she liked. Later, Wei Yanwan approached the Emperor, expressing concern for Lady Han's adjustment to palace life.

She suggested bringing Han tribal chefs to cook familiar dishes, allowing Lady Han's clanswomen, such as Ha Li and Gu Li, to serve her, or even arranging for Han tribal singers and dancers to entertain her. The Emperor enthusiastically approved these ideas, instructing Li Yu to implement them at once.

The Emperor’s preoccupation with Lady Han was so profound that he stopped flipping tags for other consorts, causing the eunuchs of the House of Respectful Affairs to grumble about their idleness, a frustration shared even more deeply by the other palace mistresses. Princess Xiangjian eventually received a letter from her father, Hanti, which described the peaceful and prosperous state of the Han tribe since her arrival.

Shortly after, her maids, Ha Li and Gu Li, arrived, explaining they were sent by the Emperor to serve her as she adjusted to palace life. Princess Xiangjian, though saddened by her confinement, was moved to see familiar faces. With Han tribal chefs now in the palace, preparing her hometown dishes, she finally began to eat.

The Emperor personally inspected the Han-style garments he had ordered for her, deeming them too plain and requesting more exquisite designs with gold thread, embroidery, and beaded adornments. He was pleased to hear that Lady Han had eaten and retained her servants, confirming Wei Yanwan's suggestions had been effective. Consort Yu cautioned Yongqi against speaking out regarding palace matters, particularly concerning Lady Han, to avoid inviting trouble.

Yongqi admitted he had only wished for peace in the harem so his Imperial Father could focus on court affairs, but acknowledged he had indeed "incited the anger of the majority" and promised not to repeat it. He confessed he couldn't understand what had happened to the Emperor, to which Consort Yu replied that the Emperor, upon seeing Lady Han, seemed to have "encountered a barrier of temptation" from which no one could dissuade him.

Consort Yu then mentioned that Yongqi's Fujin had spoken of him taking Lady Hu as his secondary consort. Knowing Yongqi had found someone he adored, Consort Yu expressed her relief and asked Yongqi to bring Yunjiao, Lady Hu, to meet her sometime. Yongqi, with Yunjiao by his side, affectionately explained to her the meaning of her name, "Yunjiao," and gently teased her about her father being a scribe but not teaching her to write.

Yunjiao, nervous about meeting Consort Yu, expressed gratitude for all Yongqi had given her. Yongqi, in turn, thanked her, stating that while he respected his principal wife, he had discovered romantic love through Yunjiao. He admitted that looking at her helped him better understand his Imperial Father's intense feelings for Lady Han, even amidst the palace's chaotic state due to her arrival.

Princess Xiangjian continued to wear plain white garments, mourning her deceased fiancé, Hanqi, and praying to be released from the palace. The Emperor visited her, urging her to wear the Han-style clothing he had prepared. He reassured her that the borderlands were peaceful and the Han tribe flourished, promising to treat her people even better.

To assuage her grief, he revealed he had recovered Hanqi's body and returned it to the Han tribe for proper burial, hoping this would bring her peace in the palace. However, Princess Xiangjian remained unmoved, stating that every day of her confinement was a day her happiness was stolen. To make her feel less restricted by palace rules, the Emperor promised to construct a new palace hall for her. Meanwhile, Wei Yanwan was found to be three months pregnant.

When this good news was reported to the Emperor, he showed little interest, dismissing it as "not Imperial Concubine Ling's first child" and merely instructing her to care for the baby. His priority remained alleviating Lady Han's melancholy, and he immediately inquired about the arrangements for the Han tribe's musicians and dancers.

Wei Yanwan, though disheartened by the Emperor's indifference to his own heir, was consoled by Jin Zhong, who assured her that as long as she could bear children, she would eventually regain favor, and that the Empress Dowager and other clan members would eventually handle Lady Han. Noble Consort Chun's cough worsened daily, and the Third Prince, Yongzhang, expressed his frustration that the Emperor was neglecting the entire harem for Lady Han.

Despite Noble Consort Chun's pleas for him not to interfere, Yongzhang insisted on speaking to the Emperor. Yongzhang sought an audience with the Emperor, first inquiring about his mother, Noble Consort Chun's worsening cough. The Emperor, claiming to be busy with state affairs, promised to send an Imperial Physician.

Yongzhang then dared to report the widespread rumors in the capital, where people were calling Lady Han a "demoness" who not only caused her husband's death but was now seducing the Emperor and threatening the stability of the Great Qing. He added that even nobles shared these concerns, saying the Emperor was ignoring the harem and court.

Enraged, the Emperor slapped and kicked Yongzhang, accusing him of coveting the position of Crown Prince in his youth and now acting as an errant child. Despite being ordered to leave, Yongzhang persisted in his admonishments, leading the Emperor to beat him further. Li Yu intervened, pulling Yongzhang away and advising him that the Emperor was currently only focused on the resident of Chengqian Palace. Overwhelmed by humiliation and anger, Yongzhang spat a large amount of blood and collapsed.

Li Yu immediately summoned an Imperial Physician and had Yongzhang settled in Xiefang Hall for recovery. Upon hearing the news, Noble Consort Chun rushed to Xiefang Hall, enraged and distraught, her internal organs thrown into disarray. The Empress Dowager also arrived shortly after. The Imperial Physician informed them that Yongzhang's simultaneous fury and terror had severely affected his heart, causing his qi and blood to be in a terrible state, and he should not be moved.

Noble Consort Chun pleaded to stay by her son's side, and as Yongzhang awoke, delirious and crying about being abandoned by his Imperial Father, she tried to comfort him. The Empress Dowager granted Noble Consort Chun's request to stay, while also gently reminding her to take care of her own health. Despite Yongzhang's condition, the Emperor's anger lingered, and Jin Zhong, serving him tea, subtly implied that Noble Consort Chun might have instigated Yongzhang's actions.

Undeterred by her own severe cough and the pouring rain, Noble Consort Chun knelt outside Yangxin Hall, begging the Emperor to forgive Yongzhang and offering to take his punishment. The Emperor, far from softening, harshly accused her of failing to raise her son properly, even drawing comparisons to the late Empress Xiaoxian and Consort Yu's maternal guidance.

He further chastised Noble Consort Chun for being scheming and stirring up trouble, bringing up past incidents like the beaded flower found after Sulian's death and her alleged ambition to covet the position of Empress. Overwhelmed and heartbroken, Noble Consort Chun vomited blood and fainted. Li Yu, witnessing the scene, quickly informed Ruyi. Ruyi, accompanied by Consort Yu, rushed to Noble Consort Chun's side. Consort Yu advised Ruyi to be cautious, reminding her of the sensitivity surrounding Lady Han.

Ruyi tried to persuade Noble Consort Chun to return to her palace for treatment, but Noble Consort Chun refused, insisting on waiting until the Emperor's anger subsided. Ruyi then went to the Emperor to intercede, explaining Noble Consort Chun's actions were driven by maternal love. However, the Emperor remained furious, reiterating his accusations against Noble Consort Chun, calling her duplicitous and bringing up old grievances.

Ruyi tried to defend Noble Consort Chun and Yongzhang, emphasizing Yongzhang's filial piety, but the Emperor was unyielding, lamenting that he had harmed his relationship with his son and hurt Noble Consort Chun's feelings over Lady Han. Still seething, the Emperor complained about Ruyi's usual Longjing tea and demanded his Russian olive flower tea, Lady Han's favorite. He mused over a painting of "Nymph of the Luo River," reflecting on Cao Zhi's unrequited infatuation.

Ruyi noted his profound obsession, pointing out that his love for the tea stemmed solely from it being Lady Han's preference. She pressed him, questioning what it was about Lady Han that had changed him so deeply. The Emperor, admitting his bewilderment, confessed he could conquer fierce tribes but not a woman's heart. Meanwhile, Consort Ying, disturbed by Noble Consort Chun's plight, sought an audience with Ruyi, informing her that a group of concubines were kneeling outside Yikun Palace.

Their reasons were twofold: to protest the injustice suffered by Noble Consort Chun and Yongzhang, and to implore the Emperor to send Lady Han away. Consort Ying stressed that she did not wish to threaten the Emperor but felt a shared fate with Noble Consort Chun and hoped Ruyi could find a solution. As the Emperor emerged, Consort Ying, emboldened, directly addressed him.

While acknowledging the concubines' improper kneeling, she asserted that their actions were born from outrage over Noble Consort Chun's situation and, more significantly, from the Emperor's "blind infatuation for Lady Han." She boldly warned him that his "for love, to confuse the wise" behavior would hurt the feelings of the forty-nine Mongolian tribes and make them question whether their Son of Heaven was truly a wise ruler. The Emperor, enraged by her audacity, dismissed her.

Princess Xiangjian, hearing about the concubines' protest to remove her, was secretly pleased, hoping their actions would lead to her expulsion from the palace, which she desired. Ruyi, however, continued to appeal to the Emperor, urging him not to let his emotions cause discord among the Six Palaces, the Mongolian tribes, and influential aristocratic families. She emphasized that Consort Ying's impetuous words were nonetheless rooted in logic and heartfelt concern.

The Emperor, momentarily realizing his impulsiveness, decided to appease the situation. He decreed that Noble Consort Chun would be promoted to Imperial Noble Consort Chun, and Yongzhang's offense would be temporarily overlooked, allowing him to recuperate. He also restored Noble Lady Qing to her former position as Imperial Concubine Qing for her sensible behavior.

Ruyi expressed her gratitude on behalf of Noble Consort Chun and Yongzhang, but continued to press for consideration regarding Lady Han, urging the Emperor to avoid further impulsive actions that would disturb the harmony of the harem. Later, Ruyi returned to Yikun Palace to find the concubines still kneeling in the rain. They acknowledged Noble Consort Chun's promotion but insisted it was not enough.

They reiterated their demand for Lady Han to be sent away, believing her presence was the true "root of all evil" that prevented peace in the harem. Ruyi, however, questioned their sincerity, suggesting they were more concerned with their own peace of mind than truly advocating for Noble Consort Chun, otherwise, they would have bravely knelt outside Yangxin Hall to face the Emperor's wrath, rather than implicating their clans.

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