Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace Episode 8 Recap
> Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace Recap
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Pure Consort Chun visited Yanxi Palace, initially hoping to see First Class Attendant Hai, but found her still asleep. She instead conversed with Consort Xian, remarking that everyone had heard the commotion from the previous night but were unwilling to speak up. Consort Xian explained she could not bear to see First Class Attendant Hai treated unfairly. Pure Consort Chun also commented on Consort Xian’s preference for light agarwood incense, suggesting a stronger, brain-arousing Tibetan incense.
Consort Xian, however, found comfort in the agarwood, likening its settling scent to a steady heart in chaotic times. Pure Consort Chun soon departed. Meanwhile, Noble Lady Jia called upon Noble Consort Hui, who was still fuming over the previous night's events and complained she had inadvertently shot herself in the foot. Noble Consort Hui felt she had inadvertently given Consort Xian an advantage by allowing First Class Attendant Hai to move in with her.
Noble Lady Jia advised patience, reminding her that the future was long. Noble Consort Hui lamented that her anger, coupled with the Emperor's three-month ban from her company, was worsening her cold illness and causing chest pain. Noble Lady Jia pointed out that Noble Consort Hui had already vented her frustration on First Class Attendant Hai and Consort Xian.
Consort Xian then went to check on First Class Attendant Hai, who was deeply distressed, reliving the humiliation of the previous night. She cried, haunted by the memory of being publicly accused and stripped. Consort Xian gently reminded her that in the Imperial Harem, one must learn to endure hardships with a smile and strategize later. To take things too seriously only made one a joke to others, but indifference rendered one untouchable.
First Class Attendant Hai, however, struggled to accept this advice. Soon after, Consort Xian was summoned to Yangxin Palace. On her way, she saw Li Yu kneeling on broken bricks outside the hall. He admitted he was being punished by his teacher, Wang Qin, for a mistake. Consort Xian, concerned by the severity of the punishment, told him to come to Yanxi Palace for medicine after he was done.
Upon entering, Consort Xian asked Wang Qin about Li Yu's punishment, but Wang Qin dismissed it as Li Yu serving tea that was "a bit too hot," slightly burning the Emperor's tongue. Inside, the Emperor and Empress were discussing Second Class Attendant Mei, whose face was worsening after being slapped by Noble Consort Hui. The Empress noted Consort Xian had witnessed the incident and escorted Second Class Attendant Mei back to her palace.
Second Class Attendant Mei tearfully stated she had been careful with her diet and only used the ointment Noble Consort Hui had sent as an apology. The Emperor ordered Imperial Physician Qi to examine the medicine. Imperial Physician Qi confirmed the ointment, though from the Imperial Pharmacy, contained leadwort powder, a southern herb known to be poisonous, especially when applied to the skin. Sulian then testified that she had used the same medicine on a wrist injury without adverse effects.
Second Class Attendant Mei then claimed Consort Xian had opened the ointment, accusing her of adding the poison due to her access. The Empress suggested sending Consort Xian to the Office of Careful Punishment for interrogation. Consort Xian readily agreed to go to prove her innocence, but pleaded with the Emperor to remember she was innocent. Just then, First Class Attendant Hai, despite her own injuries and weakness, burst into Yangxin Palace, loudly proclaiming Consort Xian’s innocence.
She explained that she had re-sewn Consort Xian's fragrance pouch because of its coarse stitching and discovered the Inner Palace had supplied low-grade leadwort. To ensure its efficacy in the cold Yanxi Palace, she had replaced it with sargent gloryvine stem powder, which has similar effects but is non-toxic. Imperial Physician Qi confirmed the absence of leadwort in Consort Xian’s pouch and the non-poisonous nature of sargent gloryvine stem, which also would not harm one's face.
The Emperor was surprised by First Class Attendant Hai's courage, acknowledging her reciprocal defense of Consort Xian, just as Consort Xian had defended her. The Empress insisted on a thorough investigation to maintain order, but the Emperor, displeased by her hasty judgment, declared the Empress had been "almost blinded by the Noble Consort" and assigned Consort Xian to investigate the matter with final authority.
Imperial Physician Qi assured the Emperor that Second Class Attendant Mei's face could likely be cured as the amount of leadwort wasn't too high and she hadn't used it for more than six days. Later, the Emperor reprimanded the Empress for suspecting Consort Xian prematurely, reminding her that as Empress, she must be fair and composed, not rash. The Empress expressed regret for her carelessness, fearing the Emperor now saw her as unsteady.
Separately, Noble Lady Jia visited the Empress, opining that Noble Consort Hui's reckless actions had inadvertently brought First Class Attendant Hai and Consort Xian together. She also mused whether Second Class Attendant Mei might have harmed herself. The Empress, reflecting on her earlier mistake, decided to take advantage of Wang Qin's interest in her maid, Lianxin, seeing him as someone who could be useful if properly managed. Li Yu eventually arrived at Yanxi Palace with injured feet.
Consort Xian personally applied a high-quality white flower powder to his wounds. She thanked him for informing the Emperor last night during the charcoal incident, acknowledging his help. Consort Xian then advised Li Yu to be cautious around Wang Qin. She explained that while the Emperor appreciated Li Yu's cleverness, Wang Qin, being older and higher in rank, would not.
She urged Li Yu not to flaunt his intelligence or show resentment but to flatter Wang Qin, as he was still under his command. Li Yu humbly accepted her counsel. Consort Xian then shed tears, feeling the precariousness of life in the palace, where one never knew when danger would strike, and reinforced the need for constant vigilance with her maids. That evening, the Emperor visited Consort Xian at Yanxi Palace.
He apologized, admitting he had mistakenly believed that showing her less favor would shield her from jealousy. Instead, it had left her vulnerable to repeated dangers. He declared he would no longer restrain himself but would openly be with her, explaining that a flower left unattended in a corner would only be trampled upon.
Consort Xian expressed her deep appreciation for his reassurance, recalling that his "don't worry" promise made when they married had been the source of her peace of mind ever since. The next morning, as the Emperor departed, he instructed A'ruo to take good care of Consort Xian and to prepare more White Jade Cream Cakes, promising to spend more time with her. A'ruo excitedly relayed this to Consort Xian. Later, Sanbao reported back from the Office of Careful Punishment.
A small eunuch from the Imperial Pharmacy named Manzi had confessed to accidentally contaminating Second Class Attendant Mei's ointment with leadwort powder while dispensing it. He claimed Sulian had used the top, untainted portion, while Second Class Attendant Mei, using a larger quantity from the bottom, had suffered the severe reaction. First Class Attendant Hai found the explanation suspicious, believing it to be a clear frame-up.
However, Consort Xian, understanding the Emperor's desire for peace in the harem during his early reign, decided not to pursue the investigation further. She instructed Sanbao to report Manzi's confession to the Emperor and ordered that Manzi be given fifty strokes of the paddle, imprisoned, and the matter closed.
