Story of Kunning Palace Episode 8 Recap, Plot

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> Story of Kunning Palace Recap

After returning, several young ladies were still shaken and spoke of the case of the Loyal Souls from over twenty years ago. Prince Pingnan, the late emperor’s younger brother, had lost in the struggle for the throne but refused to give up and marched his troops northward.

The late emperor managed to escape the palace, but the then Crown Prince—now the current emperor—and the Empress Dowager remained inside, along with Madam Yan and the young heir Xue Dingfei, who happened to be present. Prince Pingnan broke into the palace but did not find the Empress Dowager or the emperor.

He then ordered the city gates heavily guarded and had all the children inside the city captured, forcing the palace attendants to identify the real ones, but none were. He then ordered that unless the real persons were handed over within three days, all the children would be executed. At this critical moment, the seven-year-old Xue Dingfei stepped forward to trade his name for the lives of the innocent civilians.

However, Prince Pingnan still slaughtered all the children, including Xue Dingfei. Later, when the imperial city was reclaimed, Prince Pingnan tried to cover up his heinous crime by setting a massive fire before fleeing. Madam Yan was so overwhelmed with grief that she couldn’t stop crying. People said the Empress Dowager mourned the 300 loyal souls, but Jiang Xuening noticed the Empress Dowager's expression just now didn’t seem to carry any guilt, which made her ponder.

Xue Dingfei’s heritage was unique—born of two great clans. After losing her son, Madam Yan divorced and returned to the Marquis Yongyi's residence, where she soon passed away from illness. The Yan and Xue families ceased contact after the incident. It was said that the title of Duke Xue wasn't originally meant for the current holder, but the situation changed when Duke Xue married Madam Yan.

Less than three months after Madam Yan’s death, Duke Xue married another woman, who gave birth to Xue Shu within seven months—something that raised many eyebrows. Xue Shu was furious when she heard the gossip. After everyone dispersed, Jiang Xuening had a nightmare that night. Still, she reminded herself that the tragedy of the 300 loyal souls belonged to the past—it had nothing to do with her, nor the Yan family.

Shen Jie had no interest in national affairs and quarreled with the Empress Dowager. Shen Zhiyi had to stay with the Empress Dowager and missed her classes. Jiang Xuening was sent outside to stand as punishment by the teacher but still smiled at Xue Shu. When class ended, Xie Wei happened to arrive, saw Jiang Xuening standing outside, and called her in. Xie Wei was teaching a guqin class, his instrument named Emei.

Jiang Xuening was reminded of her past life and wondered whether Xie Wei had become emperor or simply lived playing his guqin. He asked Jiang Xuening to play a piece, but she was not skilled. Her unruly behavior angered Xie Wei, who sent her outside again. The wind stung her eyes, and while she rubbed them, Xie Wei thought she was crying. He softened his tone, came out, and let her back in.

Jiang Xuening continued to act pitifully, hoping to escape the guqin lesson, but unexpectedly, Xie Wei insisted on giving her individual lessons. Shen Jie disliked power struggles, had no desire to be Crown Prince, let alone emperor, and only wanted to live as himself. Yan Lin was inspired by his words, and they decided to go hunting together.

Xie Wei, in his private lesson with Jiang Xuening, mentioned hearing about how she saved a young eunuch named Zheng Bao the previous day. He tested her again, and Jiang Xuening admitted her intentions weren't pure—she just wanted to survive in the palace. Xie Wei didn’t press further but sternly warned her not to get involved in things she shouldn't. Jiang Xuening truly couldn’t play the guqin; the dreadful sound made Xie Wei frown.

When he leaned over to guide her fingers, she was startled, and both she and the guqin tumbled away, though Xie Wei caught the instrument in time. A kitten entered the room, and Jiang Xuening was delighted, but Xie Wei recoiled in fear. When she brought the cat near him, he shoved her away and harshly scolded her. When Jiang Xuening returned feeling upset, Zheng Bao came to thank her.

She admitted her motives weren’t pure, as she feared isolation in the palace. However, Zheng Bao sincerely regarded her as his benefactor. You Fangyin asked Xu Wenyi to help sell off all her silk; she had recently made great progress in learning business and had chosen the right path. Yao Xi received a letter from home saying her father had arranged her marriage with the Zhang family and thanked Jiang Xuening for her help.

Xie Wei met with an informant in the palace, while Jiang Xuening, distracted, encountered the same kitten again. As she held the kitten, she overheard them talking about the jade ruyi. But just then, the cat meowed, and she was discovered by Xie Wei.

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