Story of Yanxi Palace Episode 17 Recap
> Story of Yanxi Palace Recap
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Noble Consort Gao, disappointed that her rumors failed to implicate the Empress, continued to harbor suspicions about Consort Chun's unwavering loyalty to the Empress, vowing to uncover her secret. Meanwhile, Wei Yingluo remained steadfast in her investigation into the death of her sister, Yingning. Fuheng revealed that on the day Yingning died, the Emperor had hosted a grand banquet attended by numerous high-ranking imperial relatives, making any investigation vast and dangerous.
He warned that the killer must be an influential person who would stop at nothing to conceal the truth. He pressed her to abandon the inquiry, even threatening to inform the Empress and have her expelled from the palace. However, Yingluo fiercely vowed to pursue the truth even at the cost of her life. Seeing her resolve, Fuheng relented, agreeing to help her investigate the eunuchs on duty that night, provided she promised not to act recklessly.
Later, Ming Yu’s sorrowful erhu playing in Changchun Palace distressed those around her. Seeing the Empress saddened by the tune, Wei Yingluo playfully intervened, leading to a lighthearted chase that was interrupted by the Emperor's arrival. Annoyed by the commotion, he chided the Empress for indulging Yingluo. The Emperor spent the night, and the next morning, though reluctant to depart, he was gently urged by the Empress to attend to his duties.
Touched by her wisdom and sense of duty, the Emperor expressed his pride in having such a virtuous empress and, before leaving, asked her to look after the pregnant Noble Lady Yu. Following the Emperor’s request and her own principles, the Empress decided to bring Noble Lady Yu to Changchun Palace for her confinement, a decision that infuriated Ming Yu, who feared the risks and potential blame.
Wei Yingluo also voiced concerns, suggesting that while one should not fear trouble, one should not actively seek it either. The Empress explained her profound sense of responsibility as the "umbrella of the six palaces," feeling it was her duty to protect the vulnerable. She emphasized that she was "an empress first, then a woman," and instructed Yingluo to always help others when she could. The Empress's compassionate words deeply moved Yingluo, reminding her of her late sister Yingning.
Before departing with Er Qing to accompany the Empress Dowager for prayers, the Empress entrusted Changchun Palace to Yingluo. Despite Ming Yu's immediate challenge to her authority, Yingluo avoided a confrontation, focusing instead on quietly ensuring all arrangements for the birth were made in advance. Unexpectedly, Noble Lady Yu went into labor early. While Ming Yu faltered in the ensuing chaos, Yingluo remained calm, directing the maids and preparing for the delivery.
Upon hearing the news, Noble Consort Gao, who had been plotting against the Empress, seized the opportunity and rushed to Changchun Palace. At the same time, Consort Xian, also learning of the premature labor, saw a chance to use Noble Consort Gao’s predictable cruelty to her own advantage and subtly arranged for the Emperor to be alerted to the "crisis." Forcing her way into the birthing chamber, Noble Consort Gao arrived just as Noble Lady Yu delivered a baby boy.
However, the child shocked everyone: he had golden pupils and his entire body was a jaundiced yellow. Citing this as an evil omen, Noble Consort Gao declared the child a "curse upon the Qing dynasty" and, according to palace rules, ordered him to be buried alive. She cruelly forced the distraught Noble Lady Yu to watch as her attendants prepared a pit.
When Wei Yingluo tried to intervene, Ming Yu, terrified of the repercussions for the Empress, held her back, arguing that interfering would defy ancestral law. Enraged by Ming Yu's cowardice, Yingluo slapped her, declaring her sole duty was to the Empress's command to protect Noble Lady Yu. As the attendants began to fill the pit, a desperate Noble Lady Yu leaped in, shielding her newborn. Noble Consort Gao coldly ordered them to bury both mother and son.
The palace staff hesitated, and Yingluo pleaded with them to stand together and defend the honor of Changchun Palace. Left with no other option, she produced the Empress's golden seal, declaring that no decision could be made without the Empress's direct decree. At this critical moment, the Emperor arrived, having been summoned due to Consort Xian's machinations.
Noble Consort Gao justified her actions as upholding palace rules, but Yingluo countered that a proper medical diagnosis was needed, arguing the child might simply have a rare illness. Swayed by Yingluo's plea, the Emperor summoned the imperial physicians. However, Physician Zhang reported that he had never seen such a condition and could not classify it as an illness.
As Noble Consort Gao pressed for the child's immediate disposal, Yingluo made a final appeal, pointing to the baby's strong cries and reminding the Emperor he was his son. She suggested consulting traveling physicians from outside the palace, who might have encountered such strange ailments. Noble Consort Gao vehemently objected, arguing that making the "golden pupils" public knowledge would cause widespread panic and disgrace the imperial family.
