Story of Yanxi Palace Episode 10 Recap, Plot

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> Story of Yanxi Palace Recap

When Madam Zhang applied medicine to Wei Yingluo's injuries, Wei Yingluo spoke of Fu Heng's actions, stating her suspicion that he was involved in her sister A'man's death. She recounted confronting him and asking if he knew A'man. Though he denied it, his shocked reaction convinced her of his guilt.

Madam Zhang dismissed these as mere suspicions, suggesting the jade pendant might have been found by chance, or that even if Fu Heng knew A'man, it didn't mean he caused her death. However, Wei Yingluo remained steadfast in her belief. She argued that if her sister had been favored by the Emperor, there would be nothing to hide, but if it was an imperial guard, secrecy would be paramount.

Given her sister's resilient nature and Fu Heng's elevated status as the Empress's brother, Wei Yingluo believed her sister's silence was not out of unwillingness to speak, but fear of implicating their family. She asserted that this fear, coupled with Fu Heng's powerful position, pointed to him murdering her sister to prevent a scandal.

Despite Madam Zhang's warning that rash action against someone of Fu Heng's standing would be akin to "a moth flying into a flame," Wei Yingluo declared her resolve to seek justice, stating that an eye for an eye was only natural. Wei Yingluo found herself increasingly favored by the Empress, who confided in her about her plans to sell off accumulated relics from the Imperial Household Department's warehouses.

The Empress intended to sell these items at Chongwen Gate and donate all proceeds to charity, specifically to support homeless orphans. Wei Yingluo was puzzled, questioning why the national treasury wasn't funding such noble endeavors. Ming Yu interjected, explaining that the Imperial Household Department had repeatedly obstructed the Empress's proposals, citing limited funds. As a result, the Empress had taken the initiative to sell existing inventory and reduce expenditures across all palaces to raise the necessary money.

This well-intentioned effort, however, drew widespread criticism from others in the Imperial harem, who accused the Empress of merely seeking fame. Wei Yingluo expressed her dismay that the Empress bore such false accusations, but the Empress calmly responded that true kindness does not seek recognition. She believed that those in positions of power should selflessly aid the impoverished, fulfilling their duty without needing public acknowledgement. Wei Yingluo, deeply moved by the Empress's words, grew even more respectful of her.

The Empress inquired with Ming Yu about Noble Lady Yu's worsening condition, learning that the Noble Lady was increasingly frail and plagued by nightmares. The Empress expressed her deep sorrow, lamenting Noble Lady Yu's misfortune in not finding a devoted partner in the palace, unlike Consort Donggo who had captivated Emperor Shunzhi. Wei Yingluo interjected, offering a different perspective on Emperor Shunzhi's devotion.

She boldly declared that while Consort Donggo might have been fortunate, Emperor Shunzhi's actions after her death—cancelling imperial meetings, burning treasures, and ordering the execution of thirty palace servants—were ultimately heartless. She argued that these actions, which disregarded his subjects and officials, made the common people prefer an Emperor who was "heartless" in his affections but diligent in his duties.

Just as Wei Yingluo was speaking, the Emperor arrived at Changchun Palace, overheard her audacious remarks, and erupted in fury, demanding her punishment for criticizing his ancestor. To pacify the enraged Emperor, Wei Yingluo immediately apologized. However, the Emperor, intrigued, demanded she elaborate. Wei Yingluo then deftly cited Emperor Shunzhi's historical "edict of self-reproach," stating that he himself had regretted indulging Consort Donggo excessively.

She further explained that Emperor Kangxi had long ago prohibited the practice of human sacrifice, meaning her words were merely a historical account. When pressed on her comment about citizens preferring a "heartless" emperor, Wei Yingluo skillfully pivoted to praising the current Emperor's diligence. She detailed his rigorous daily routine and tireless management of state affairs, acknowledging his dedication.

She concluded that to be a truly wise ruler, one must prioritize the nation, even if it meant being "heartless" toward his own consorts. The Emperor, surprisingly pleased, conceded that this was "great love without affection." His expression shifted as he recognized her voice, prompting him to demand she raise her head.

Fearing he would recall her from the spiritual cypress tree incident, Wei Yingluo tried to avoid his gaze, but the Empress quickly intervened, sending her away before the Emperor could fully identify her. The Emperor, though forgiving her for the moment, still found Wei Yingluo to be a cunning palace maid. He voiced his concern to the Empress, warning that her leniency was akin to "nurturing a tiger" and that Wei Yingluo harbored ill intentions.

The Empress, however, stood firm, vouching for Wei Yingluo's character. Giving in to the Empress's plea, the Emperor issued a stern warning to Wei Yingluo, threatening to "take her head" if she ever again used her clever words to deceive him. He then surprisingly ordered Eunuch Liu to be beaten thirty times for failing to recognize her earlier. After the Emperor departed, Wei Yingluo was consumed by fear.

Ming Yu seized the opportunity to urge the Empress to send Wei Yingluo away, but the Empress, moved by Wei Yingluo's selflessness in saving Noble Lady Yu, steadfastly refused. Meanwhile, Consort Xian's family faced a dire crisis after her brother, Chang Shou, was imprisoned for bribery and contracted dysentery, requiring urgent funds for treatment. She learned that the Imperial Household Department had confiscated all the family's silver due to his crime.

Although Consort Xian typically sent most of her annual allowance home, the family was now destitute. Desperate, she personally visited the Imperial Household Department to request an advance on her next year's allowance. Eunuch Liu denied her request, explaining that the new Minister, Lord Gao – Noble Consort Gao's father – had ordered all warehouses sealed for an inventory check.

Zhen, Consort Xian's attendant, expressed her outrage, especially when a maid from Noble Consort Gao's palace easily obtained high-quality fur for the consort's dog, Snowball. This blatant favoritism led Zhen to remark bitterly that a dog received better treatment than her mistress. Elsewhere, Consort Chun expressed concern for Fu Heng standing guard in the cold and offered to ask the Emperor to arrange a marriage for him, a conversation overheard by Er Qing.

Later, Wei Yingluo approached Fu Heng, presenting him with a hand warmer she had crafted from a pig's bladder, claiming it was a gift from the Empress to keep him warm. Fu Heng, slightly flustered, accepted the unusual item. As Wei Yingluo departed, she secretly vowed that although she couldn't kill him, this "gift" was part of a trap to exact revenge for her sister.

Later, Hailancha noticed Fu Heng seemed unusually warm and playfully snatched the hog bladder from him. During their struggle, the makeshift warmer ruptured, spewing hot water and severely scalding Hailancha. This incident exposed Wei Yingluo's retaliatory intentions to a dismayed Fu Heng. He confronted her by the palace well, but she feigned innocence, claiming it was a prank and blaming a faulty seal.

She then moved close to check if he was hurt, causing the embarrassed Fu Heng to blush and quickly retreat. Wei Yingluo inwardly plotted to fill the bladder with ice in the summer for her next attempt. Fu Heng went to visit the recovering Hailancha, who, believing it was an accident, remarked on the effort needed to prepare the hog bladder, estimating it took at least two nights of work.

This observation only deepened Fu Heng's unwitting appreciation, making him more moved by what he perceived as sincere affection. Simultaneously, Consort Xian, driven by desperation, resolved to personally smuggle her jewelry out of the palace to sell for her brother's medical funds. Noble Consort Gao, having heard of Xian's financial distress, had her secretly monitored.

At Shenwu Gate, Consort Xian met a head eunuch to arrange the sale of her jewelry, instructing him to be fair and not mention her name. However, Noble Consort Gao intercepted them, accusing Xian of theft. Zhen bravely took the blame, but when Gao's attendants began beating her and the eunuch, Consort Xian confessed it was her order. Gao dismissed her explanation, asserting that any item entering the palace became imperial property and selling it was theft.

Desperate, Consort Xian explained her brother was critically ill and pleaded for mercy. Gao demanded she kneel and pledge allegiance. Consort Xian knelt but firmly refused to participate in harem infighting. Enraged by this defiance, Noble Consort Gao ordered all the jewelry destroyed, leaving Consort Xian to watch helplessly as her last hope for her brother was smashed.

In her own palace, Noble Consort Gao grew frustrated while trying to teach her two-year-old son, Yongcheng, how to properly greet the Emperor, lamenting that he was not as bright as the deceased Second Prince. She then learned that Noble Lady Yu's health had improved under the Empress's care and that a garden excursion was planned for her. Unsettled by the prospect of another intelligent prince, Noble Consort Gao contemplatively suggested arranging her own garden outing, implying an intention to interfere.

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