Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace Episode 80 Recap
> Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace Recap
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Yanwan learned that Ling Yunche had been executed by the Empress's orders. This shocking news was quickly followed by a more devastating report: her two sons, the Fourteenth and Sixteenth Princes, had suddenly suffered from severe fever and convulsions the previous night, perishing before any imperial physician could be summoned. Yanwan was overcome with profound grief, mourning the loss of both her children.
Meanwhile, Hailan waited outside Ruyi's palace in the chilly spring rain, but Ruyi refused to see her, with Rongpei stating that her mistress was tired and resting. Ruyi confided in Rongpei, revealing that she often dreamt of Ling Yunche, seeing him in his guard attire, silently protecting her from afar. She felt an immense burden of guilt, believing he had been dragged into her troubles because of her, and wondered if he had found peace in the afterlife.
Rongpei comforted Ruyi, reminding her that the Fifth Prince had found an auspicious burial site for Ling Yunche, and Imperial Physician Jiang and Suoxin had offered tributes, ensuring his peaceful rest. Ruyi expressed her deep regret, lamenting that she could never repay what she owed him in this lifetime. Two years passed, during which the Emperor had long ceased visiting the imperial harem and even rarely went to Baoyue Tower.
Eunuch Li remarked to a fellow eunuch that the central palace itself had been neglected, let alone other consorts. With the Emperor's upcoming southern tour, the Twelfth Prince, Yongji, expressed his belief that he was the reason for the estrangement between his imperial father and mother. He earnestly pleaded with Ruyi to accompany the Emperor on the tour, hoping they could reconcile. Hailan also urged Ruyi to go, promising to oversee all palace matters in her absence.
Moved by Yongji's sincerity, Ruyi finally agreed to join the imperial expedition. The Emperor discussed the southern tour with the Empress Dowager, who pointed out his excessive distance from the Empress and suggested this trip as a prime opportunity to mend their relationship. She also noted that his recent coldness had extended to other consorts, including Yanwan and Xiangjian (Concubine Rong), due to his lingering resentment. In the second month of Qianlong's thirtieth year, the imperial expedition arrived in Hangzhou.
The Emperor and Ruyi reminisced about their first visit to the city, with the Emperor fondly recalling Mount Gu near the temporary Imperial Palace, which was covered in plum blossoms, her favorite. Xiangjian (Concubine Rong) commented that Mount Gu (Solitary Mountain) was an unappealing name. Rongpei explained a local saying, "Solitary Mountain is not solitary, and Broken Bridge is not broken." However, Ruyi added a melancholic twist, saying, "Broken Bridge is not broken, but my intestines are ruptured.
Solitary Mountain isn't solitary, but my gentleman's heart is solitary." She sadly reflected on her first trip to Hangzhou with the Emperor, where they had strolled like a common married couple, noting how long ago that felt and how feelings inevitably change, with some people's affections deepening while others fade. Later, Xiangjian (Concubine Rong) was summoned to see the Emperor, who questioned her about Ruyi's mood.
Xiangjian (Concubine Rong) bluntly told him that if he truly cared, he should ask Ruyi himself, rather than indirectly inquiring through her. Angered, the Emperor demanded she speak like a proper concubine. Xiangjian (Concubine Rong) retorted that if he desired such flattery, he should summon Yanwan. She brought up his past trips to Jiangnan with Ruyi, where they had traveled disguised as commoners, highlighting how their once-deep relationship had changed.
She further suggested that the Emperor still harbored resentment over the Ling Yunche incident, asserting that Ruyi had been gravely wronged. Infuriated, the Emperor accused Xiangjian (Concubine Rong) of being audacious due to his favor. Xiangjian (Concubine Rong) coolly replied that if he sought subservience and flattery, numerous officials across the land were eager to offer him singers and dancers. With a bow, she then departed.
In the courtyard, the Emperor complained that women, even those presented by local officials, became dull and uninteresting due to prolonged stays in their chambers and the constraints of palace rules. Overhearing this, Yanwan devised a plan. Jinzhong suggested to Yanwan that since the Emperor was no longer selecting consorts or showing interest in the women provided by officials, she should arrange "great fun" for him to win his appreciation.
Yanwan worried about the plan being exposed, but Jinzhong assured her the Emperor himself would keep such matters secret. She instructed Jinzhong to personally select women who had never served another, ensuring the Emperor understood it was her thoughtful gesture. That night, Jinzhong escorted the Emperor onto a boat on West Lake. The Emperor, finding the nightly scenery beautiful yet unexciting, was soon intrigued by a mysterious woman named Shui Linglong, who appeared dancing gracefully to zither music.
The next day, Jinzhong reported to Yanwan that Shui Linglong, described as a "vulgar village girl" from a courtesan house, had performed exceptionally well and deeply pleased the Emperor with her novelty. Satisfied, Yanwan ordered Jinzhong to arrange for more such women to serve the Emperor. During an opera performance attended by the Emperor, Empress Dowager, and various consorts, the Emperor appeared utterly fatigued and uninterested. Yanwan offered to escort him back to rest.
On their way, Rongpei overheard Yanwan assuring the Emperor that all her arrangements were solely for his pleasure. Meanwhile, Li Yu and Fu Heng discussed the widespread rumors. Li Yu revealed that the Emperor only permitted Jinzhong to attend him on the boat at night, returning only at sunrise, and he dared not inquire further.
Fu Heng, stationed on the shore, confirmed seeing a small boat daily picking up and dropping off a certain woman, expressing his anxiety that the widespread rumors were damaging the Emperor's reputation. Li Yu worried that Ruyi, who had been granted permission to visit the common people in disguise that day, might hear of the scandal. Indeed, Ruyi, incognito, visited a market.
She observed a new fashion trend of flower foil on hands and tried a noodle cake she once enjoyed with the Emperor, finding it lacked its former taste. She then overheard a storyteller recounting the Emperor's "romantic and elegant affair" on West Lake, which drew laughter and ridicule from the crowd. Furious, Ruyi ordered Sanbao to investigate thoroughly, who confirmed the scandalous affair between the Emperor and a woman named Shui Linglong.
Ruyi then questioned Li Yu, who explained that Jinzhong was exclusively serving the Emperor on the boat, and he could only approach after the Emperor disembarked, often intoxicated. Ruyi surmised that Yanwan was behind the arrangements. Ruyi, enraged, firmly believed Yanwan had orchestrated the entire affair, shamelessly using courtesans to seduce the Emperor and retain his favor. The next morning, the Emperor was late for breakfast with his consorts.
Xiangjian (Concubine Rong) directly asked if he had an appetite, pointing out his red eyes and tired appearance. Ruyi, fixing Yanwan with a piercing stare, called her a liar. When the Emperor finally arrived, Ruyi subtly alluded to his late-night revelries with "strings of bamboo instruments," suggesting they disturbed his sleep and she intended to investigate the source of the music.
Xiangjian (Concubine Rong), in a veiled jab, then commented that external dancing girls were often more appealing than palace dancers. The Emperor, clearly irritated, ordered Li Yu to send Ruyi some sticky pastries. Ruyi understood this gesture as a warning to "stick her teeth" and speak less. Ruyi then summoned Yanwan to her chambers and confronted her.
Ruyi accused Yanwan of arranging for "brothel women" to flatter the Emperor, thereby causing public criticism, damaging his reputation, and disrupting the strict rules of the Imperial Harem. Citing Yanwan's failure in her duties of assisting with the management of the Six Palaces, Ruyi ordered Sanbao to detain her, awaiting the Emperor's judgment. Yanwan vehemently protested, asserting her status as an Imperial Concubine favored by the Emperor. Ruyi, unwavering, retorted that she was the Empress, personally appointed by the Emperor.
