Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace Episode 72 Recap
> Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace Recap
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Empress Ruyi addressed the assembled concubines kneeling outside her palace, pointing out that if their sincerity to advocate for Imperial Noble Consort Chun and her son was genuine, they would have knelt before the Emperor at Yangxin Hall. She asserted their fear of incurring the Emperor's wrath and implicating their clans was the real reason they stood there. One concubine expressed dismay over Imperial Noble Consort Chun's grievance and the Emperor's behavior since Lady Han entered the palace.
Ruyi explained she had already tried to persuade the Emperor, but sending Lady Han away was "entirely out of the question," and urged them to stop, warning they would only invite future resentment. At that moment, Noble Lady Qing was informed of the Emperor's decree restoring her to the rank of Imperial Concubine, and she promptly returned to her palace to reflect on her actions. Ruyi then dismissed the remaining concubines, stating her intention to visit Pure Consort Chun.
Upon arriving at Pure Consort Chun's palace, Ruyi informed her that the Emperor had dropped the matter concerning Yongzhang and was promoting her to Imperial Noble Consort, with the conferment ceremony scheduled for the eighteenth. Pure Consort Chun, however, understood this promotion was merely a gesture, similar to how the Emperor had bestowed the same title on Imperial Noble Consort Huixian just before her passing, knowing her own days were numbered.
She asked her maids, including Hailan and Wanyin, to step out so she could speak with Ruyi alone. Pure Consort Chun confessed her deep regret for her past sins, particularly her ambition for Yongzhang to become crown prince, which ultimately led to his downfall and the Emperor's disfavor. She spoke of her ceaseless prayers and abstention from meat in hopes of being pardoned, yet believed retribution had finally arrived.
She desperately wished for her death to atone for her misdeeds and secure the Emperor's forgiveness for Yongzhang, stating she would willingly offer her life for this. Ruyi, saddened by her words, urged her to focus on her recovery, promising they could discuss everything else later. Meanwhile, the Emperor, pondering Xiangjian's stubborn nature, believed her presence would continue to disrupt harmony in the palace. He was determined to give her the best, ordering a specific location to be rebuilt quickly.
Princess Hejing arrived to see the Emperor, expressing her concern over the recent events. The Emperor inquired if she, too, blamed him. Princess Hejing adamantly defended him, condemning the concubines for daring to pressure him to expel Lady Han, calling them arrogant and questioning if they had forgotten their virtue of meekness.
She further criticized Empress Ruyi for her inability to manage the harem as the late Empress had, contrasting her with Imperial Concubine Ling, whom she praised for staying out of the "farce." Tired of the conversation, the Emperor dismissed Princess Hejing, stating he wished to be left in peace. Inside her palace, Pure Consort Chun continued to refuse medicine.
With her last remaining strength, she asked her maids to help her to the window, gazing in the direction of Xiefang Hall, hoping for one last glimpse of Yongzhang. She tearfully lamented her inability to protect him. Overwhelmed by grief and illness, she suddenly collapsed and passed away. News of her death quickly reached Ruyi.
The ceremonial robes of an Imperial Noble Consort, which had just arrived, were then used for Pure Consort Chun, now addressed as Imperial Noble Consort Chun, in her passing. Three months later, the Third Prince Yongzhang also passed away and was posthumously titled Prince Xun of the Second Rank. The Emperor, deeply saddened by the successive deaths of Imperial Noble Consort Chun and Yongzhang, drank heavily.
He expressed his confusion over Xiangjian's unwavering devotion to Hanqi, especially after his investigation revealed Hanqi was an ordinary tribesman. Li Yu suggested that Hanqi simply had the advantage of meeting her first. The Emperor, having ordered palace attire to be tailored, instructed Li Yu to take it to Chengqian Palace for Xiangjian. When the Emperor arrived, he found Xiangjian gazing at a Western clock he had gifted her.
He presented her with the new palace attire, believing she would look beautiful in it. However, Xiangjian vehemently refused, stating she was in mourning and would not wear his clothes. The Emperor grew angry, reminding her of the trouble she had caused since entering the palace and that he had even sent Hanqi's corpse back to the Han tribe for proper burial.
Xiangjian defiantly declared herself Hanqi's widow, belonging to him in life and death, and refused to see or hear the Emperor. As he pressed her, she desperately resisted, eventually grabbing a hand from the Western clock and cutting her own face, threatening to die. The Emperor, sobered by her self-harm, could only watch in despair. Physician Jiang treated Xiangjian's wound, noting it was shallow and would heal, though he couldn't guarantee it wouldn't leave a scar.
The immediate problem, he reported, was Xiangjian's agitated state; she refused both ointment and oral medication, only allowing her maids to keep the ointment for later application. The Emperor, wanting to keep the incident quiet, ordered it to be attributed to Xiangjian's carelessness, and then left. Xiangjian continued to refuse all food and medicine, silently wishing to be reunited with Hanqi. Li Yu, fearing the escalating situation, informed Ruyi, who immediately went to Yangxin Hall.
The Emperor confessed to Ruyi that he was out of options. He explained he had only wanted Xiangjian to change into palace attire, not expecting her to be so stubborn as to harm herself, refuse food and medicine, and go on a hunger strike. He appealed to Ruyi for help. Ruyi expressed her disappointment, noting she had never seen the Emperor so disoriented.
The Emperor then confessed his "love at first sight" for Xiangjian, differentiating it from his profound, long-standing love for Ruyi. He described his feelings for Xiangjian as a passionate "love at a mature age" that he found impossible to control, lamenting that she was the only person he had ever desired but could not have, and he didn't want to live with that regret. Ruyi questioned his persistence, pointing out that his obsession was driving Lady Han to seek death.
The Emperor pleaded with Ruyi to indulge him just this once, claiming he had never been so stubborn in his life. He revealed he had prepared a special gift for Xiangjian and believed she would have a change of heart if Ruyi could persuade her to live and remain by his side. Ruyi stated she could not control Lady Han's feelings or actions.
The Emperor insisted it was her duty as Empress, as the mistress of the Central Palace, to find a solution. Deeply disappointed, Ruyi agreed to go, but emphasized she would only be fulfilling her duty as Empress. Ruyi then discussed the situation with Hailan, expressing her dismay at the Emperor's deep infatuation with Lady Han, an intensity she had never witnessed in their many years together.
Ruyi questioned what her past with the Emperor truly meant, now seeing his passionate pursuit of another. She admitted she neither wanted nor wished to persuade Lady Han, but felt compelled by her duty as Empress of Great Qing to ensure the Emperor's joy and delight. Meanwhile, the Emperor was seen praying to Buddha, fasting sincerely for the prosperity of Great Qing, and for the indulgence of his emotions concerning Xiangjian, wishing for her to remain by his side forever.
Later, Ruyi visited Xiangjian. Curious, she asked about Hanqi, wondering what kind of person he was to be so unforgettable. Xiangjian initially dismissed Ruyi, claiming she and the Emperor wouldn't understand the "youthful intimacy, companionship, and cherishment" she shared with Hanqi. Ruyi gently countered that she, too, once had a soulmate in her youth and understood. She expressed concern that if Xiangjian died, no one would be left to remember Hanqi's goodness.
Xiangjian began to open up, recounting her love story: she was sixteen and Hanqi eighteen when they realized their feelings. She described his bright eyes, their horseback rides, witnessing beautiful Russian olive flowers, and him playing the kouxian as she danced. These were their happiest times, filled with sincere love and an oath to live happily on the grasslands—an unbreakable vow for their people.
Xiangjian sadly admitted she could never return to those times, blaming herself for Hanqi's death in an avalanche. Ruyi reassured her, stating no one could have predicted such an event. She acknowledged Xiangjian's heartbreak and grief, but warned that her self-blame was a trap. Ruyi argued that if Hanqi knew, it would break his heart, and if she died, he would not rest in peace.
She stressed that Hanqi, who loved her, would want her to cherish life and live well. Ruyi also reminded Xiangjian of her father and tribesmen, who saw her as their hope for a better future. Xiangjian, despairing, questioned how she could be anyone's hope. Ruyi firmly stated that they cannot chase the deceased, and if her father and tribe meant anything to her, she must live on to protect them, even from afar.
Moved by Ruyi's words, Xiangjian admitted her fear of failing but slowly began to relinquish her desire to die. Ruyi then personally offered her a spoonful of ginseng broth, urging her to drink for Hanqi, her father, and her tribe. Xiangjian finally took the broth, breaking her hunger strike. As Ruyi left Chengqian Palace, she appeared lost in thought, a state Rongpei observed.
Ruyi confided that hearing Xiangjian's deep feelings for Hanqi made her realize there was someone else in the palace who shared the same profound emotions she once felt. She reflected that Xiangjian and Hanqi's youthful, deep love mirrored her own early years with the Emperor. Ruyi felt that she, too, had lost the lover of her youth, the one she had been reluctant to part from.
She looked back at the city wall tower, a place she often visited with the Emperor in their younger days, recognizing that everything had changed. Later, Ruyi reported to the Emperor that Lady Han had resumed eating, her complexion had improved, and the wound on her face was almost healed. The Emperor, pleased, praised Ruyi's efforts. He then instructed Li Yu to invite all the palace ladies to Baoyue Tower that afternoon to admire the capital's scenery.
Imperial Concubine Ying confirmed that the Empress Dowager, being devoted to Buddha, would not be attending. The concubines, upon arriving at Baoyue Tower, were astonished by its magnificence and noticed it was entirely decorated in the Han style. They speculated it must be a gift from the Emperor to Lady Han, questioning why she needed another palace.
Yuhu confirmed that Baoyue Tower was indeed commissioned by the Emperor for Mistress Han and that he had also built Qifu Temple, facing the tower, according to the Han tribe's architectural style. She then revealed that the Emperor had arranged for the elders and children of the Han tribe to reside in the capital near Qifu Temple, and had invited them into the palace that day to reunite with Xiangjian.
The Han tribesmen eagerly entered, warmly greeting Princess Xiangjian, telling her how well the Emperor had treated them, providing houses, and medical care. Xiangjian, overcome with emotion, questioned if the Emperor treated all his people this way or if it was all for her. Just then, the Emperor arrived, dressed in Han-style clothing, much to the surprise of all the concubines.
