Story of Kunning Palace Episode 1 Recap, Plot

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> Story of Kunning Palace Recap

When she was very young, Wan Niang told Jiang Xuening that the most noble woman in the world was the Empress, and the palace where the Empress lived was called Ning’an Palace. The young Jiang Xuening was very curious about what the splendid and dignified Ning’an Palace looked like.

Sitting under a leaky eave in the countryside, she thought, if only she could become a wild goose flying across the sky, flying to the bustling capital, entering the imperial palace to see Ning’an Palace for herself, how wonderful that would be. Later, Jiang Xuening did arrive in the capital, but everything that happened was completely different from what she had imagined—glory turned into strife, a lifetime of absurdity.

Her beloved family was massacred, her savior died tragically because of her, and the one she saved turned traitor and forced his way into the palace, staining the imperial city with blood. Everyone wanted Jiang Xuening dead. Xie Wei, the Crown Prince Grand Preceptor, was the main instigator of the coup that slaughtered the city. After that day, the Yan clan’s army controlled the imperial city.

Jiang Xuening understood that the great structure had collapsed, and it was time for her to pay the price. So she met with Xie Wei and expressed her willingness to take the blame for regicide, asking only that Xie Wei assist the court in selecting a new ruler, in exchange for fulfilling one request. Jiang Xuening spoke slowly.

In her life, she had used many people, but looking back, she had betrayed Yan Lin’s deep affection, and Yan Lin had taken revenge on her. She had promoted people like Xue Dingfei and Zhou Yinzhizhi, who in turn used her to rise in power. She had schemed against Shen Jie to gain the position of Empress, and now she would have to die with him.

Jiang Xuening believed she owed nothing to anyone—except one person, who had always been righteous. She had coerced and harmed him, leading him astray and destroying half his life’s reputation. Zhang Zhe was a good official. Jiang Xuening hoped Xie Wei would remember how she once fed him blood during their journey to the capital, and spare Zhang Zhe’s life. Exchanging Jiang Xuening’s life for a mere Zhang Zhe—though Xie Wei thought it absurd, he ultimately agreed.

When she finished speaking, Jiang Xuening took her own life beneath the sword. Her blood splattered onto Xie Wei’s face, and when Yan Lin rushed in, he believed Xie Wei had killed her. Jiang Ning hesitated to write such an ending—this was her heart and soul poured into Story of Kunning Palace—but it wasn’t the outcome she was satisfied with. Editors had always pressured her to add abusive and dramatic plotlines for the sake of market appeal.

She didn’t want to promote such values, so she insisted on writing it her way or ending the contract. She hoped to let Jiang Xuening live again with the memories of her past life, to understand what she had done wrong and what she ought to do, and not repeat her mistakes. And so, in Jiang Ning’s writing, Jiang Xuening was reborn, determined never to enter the palace again and to live a free life.

Jiang Xuening suddenly opened her eyes, beside her were Yan Lin and Shen Jie. At this moment, she was still the second daughter of the Jiang family, Shen Jie was still Prince Linzi, and Yan Lin was the heir of Marquis Yongyi. Shen Jie received a solid slap from Jiang Xuening, stunning both sides.

Jiang Xuening was confused—just a moment ago, she was in Ning’an Palace, so why had she returned to the time when she was dressed as a man? It seemed Shen Jie had not yet ascended the throne, and nothing had happened to the Yan family. Something was off. Confirming the date, Jiang Xuening hurriedly left. The bustling streets were the same as before, yet everything felt like a different world—could such absurdity truly exist?

Yan Lin and Shen Jie rushed off to attend Xie Wei’s class. Since they were late and hadn’t brought their instruments, they were mocked by Xue Ye of the Duke Dingguo’s residence. Enraged, Yan Lin fought with Xue Ye. Xie Wei was furious and punished both by making them stand in the corridor. Shen Jie volunteered to join them in reflection. Jiang Xuening returned to the Jiang residence, but thought of Wan Niang’s death.

Unfortunately, some things could no longer be changed. Four years ago, Jiang Xuening had been brought back to the Jiang residence. Lady Meng, the wife of the Jiang household, held her hand in tears, claiming to be her biological mother. Jiang Xuening also had a sister named Jiang Xuehui, but it was Wan Niang who had swapped them. Jiang Xuening had lived over ten years as an illegitimate daughter, while Jiang Xuehui had become the sole legitimate daughter.

Jiang Xuening demanded that Lady Meng declare publicly that she was the only legitimate daughter of the Jiang family, but Meng said family disgrace couldn’t be made public. She found an excuse, allowing Jiang Xuening to become the legitimate second daughter. Jiang Xuening had a fierce argument with Meng, straining the relationship between her and her birth mother in order to protect Wan Niang.

Four years later, Lady Meng brought Jiang Xuehui to Jiang Xuening’s room to assert dominance and beat her. But this time, Jiang Xuening had figured it out. Although she and Meng were biologically connected, Wan Niang always stood between them. Yan Lin admired Jiang Xuening and secretly told Shen Jie her identity, planning to propose to the Jiang family during her coming-of-age ceremony in two months. Though Jiang Xuening had a notorious reputation, Yan Lin didn’t care.

Jiang Xuehui brought some ointment to Jiang Xuening. Madam Wang, who had brought Jiang Xuening back years ago, accepted it without question but was slapped by Jiang Xuening. In the room, only the maids Lian’er and Tang’er were loyal, the rest no longer respected her. Jiang Xuening had once ignored it, but now it was time to take charge. Formerly arrogant and domineering, Jiang Xuening scared Lian’er and Tang’er into kneeling and begging for forgiveness.

She put on a show and ordered them to be quiet. Calling in the servants, she discovered many of her belongings had been stolen—justice had to be served. Father Jiang was playing chess with Xie Wei, but rushed over upon hearing the news. The servants thought Jiang Xuening had no evidence and denied everything. Jiang Xuening called for the account books and confronted them.

Holding a book in hand, she performed theatrically, and Father Jiang played along, ordering a search of the rooms. Seeing this, the servants burst into tears and confessed. Father Jiang was pleased with Jiang Xuening’s performance, and she also handled the servants well. Until the sudden appearance of Xie Wei reminded Jiang Xuening of the scene of her suicide in Ning’an Palace in her previous life. Four years ago, Xie Wei and Jiang Xuening had entered the palace together, but they didn’t know Jiang Xuening carried a terrifying memory they lacked.

Episode 2 Recap

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