Story of Kunning Palace Episode 17 Recap, Plot

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> Story of Kunning Palace Recap

Yan Lin and his father had to visit Duke Xue to prove their innocence. Before leaving, the father and son especially thanked everyone who had attended the coming-of-age ceremony. Yan Lin looked at Jiang Xuening, knowing he wouldn’t be able to fulfill many of the promises he made to her. Yan’s father asked Xie Wei to play a tune as a parting gift. Amid the melancholy sound of the qin, Yan Lin handed Jiang Xuening a pouch and left.

When she opened it, it contained a bag of shelled pine nuts. As the Yan family was investigated, Xie Wei hid in the shadows. In fact, Yan’s father had already secretly handed the Yan family’s seal to Xie Wei, entrusting their family to him. Jiang Xuening asked Xie Wei what would happen next.

He told her to stay out of it and advised her to restrain her sharpness upon returning to the palace, so as not to draw the Empress Dowager’s disapproval. The Xue family had set this trap, but they didn’t realize they were already deeply entangled in it. Jiang’s father was surprised to hear how Yan Lin’s ceremony ended, while Lady Meng was relieved, believing it was right not to let him attend.

She reasoned that court affairs were unpredictable, and Jiang Xuening and Jiang Xuehui attending with Shen Zhiyi didn’t represent the Jiang family’s stance. But Jiang’s father felt distressed and guilty for letting down Yan’s father’s friendship. Lady Meng said some unpleasant truths — their Jiang family, unlike powerful clans, lacked support. While Jiang’s father had secretly helped the family in the past, if someone with an agenda dug it up later, it could be used against them.

Although Jiang’s father claimed he wasn’t afraid, if that were true, Lady Meng wouldn’t have been able to stop him today. She knew he understood that all too well. The investigation of the Yan family yielded no results, which angered the Emperor. Holding the impeachment memorials against Duke Xue from court officials, he threatened the duke to find evidence quickly but forbade the use of torture.

As soon as Duke Xue left, Xie Wei arrived and deliberately steered the conversation to the Yan family’s seal, stirring the Emperor’s suspicions. The Emperor immediately sent Xie Wei to the prison to uncover whether the Xue family had ulterior motives. Shen Lang knelt before the Empress Dowager to plead for the Yan family, while Xue Shu stepped in to persuade him. However, Shen Lang grew increasingly disgusted with her due to her actions the previous day.

The Empress Dowager was shocked to hear that Consort Qin was pregnant. The Emperor had been in poor health for years and had no offspring, so if she bore a child, it would surely become the Crown Prince. But the Empress Dowager and Consort Qin had never gotten along, which stirred murderous intent in her. Xue Shu proposed a scheme. At the prison, Zhou Yinzhi had already replaced the inmates with their own men.

Xie Wei asked Yan’s father whether he was willing to sacrifice everything and be reborn from ruin — to hand the Yan family army over to the Emperor. The Xue family, in their urgency, would surely make mistakes. Xie Wei promised to protect the Tongzhou army. Yan’s father agreed and personally wrote a statement. Jiang Xuening was distracted, worried about Yan Lin and the Yan family.

Yao Xi, in order to mock Zhang Zhe, sneered at Jiang Xuening, who retaliated verbally. Shen Zhiyi also defended Jiang Xuening. The Empress Dowager summoned everyone. On the way, Jiang Xuening and Jiang Xuehui sensed something was off and warned each other to stay alert. At the banquet, Consort Qin mentioned selecting a bride for Shen Lang, but the Empress Dowager said nothing. Instead, she had Jiang Xuening accompany Consort Qin to pick flowers.

Jiang Xuening knew something was wrong and pulled Xue Shu along. Xue Shu couldn’t refuse and insisted that the companions go too, but the Empress Dowager stopped Shen Zhiyi. Jiang Xuening understood the plan must involve Consort Qin, so she faked a stomach ache. Yao Xi seized the chance to gossip before Consort Qin.

Thinking the danger was over with Jiang Xuening gone, they didn’t expect a group of rats to suddenly dart out and scare Consort Qin and Yao Xi. Xue Shu, waiting for an opportunity, seized the moment to steal the scented pouch given to Consort Qin and accused Yao Xi of pushing her. Consort Qin clutched her belly, saying she felt unwell.

Jiang Xuehui stopped her from moving, saying she had some medical knowledge and that a diagnosis from an imperial physician was needed before she moved. Thus, word of Consort Qin’s pregnancy reached the Emperor, enraging the Empress Dowager, who grew even more hateful toward Jiang Xuening and Jiang Xuehui. Jiang Xuehui had been silent, but now made a stunning impression. Jiang Xuening realized she must have done it for Shen Lang and reminded her to be careful.

Jiang Xuening believed that if Consort Qin’s pregnancy could be preserved and the child was a boy, everything from now on would be turned upside down compared to the previous life — and there would still be hope for the Yan family. Xie Wei planned to hand over the seal if it meant the Yan family’s safety. The Emperor summoned Xie Wei to the palace to discuss a general amnesty. Xie Wei took the chance to hand over the seal, but Zhang Zhe didn’t believe he had obtained it through persuasion.

Episode 16 Recap

Episode 18 Recap

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