Story of Yanxi Palace Episode 19 Recap
> Story of Yanxi Palace Recap
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Following her elaborate performance as a drunken concubine, Noble Consort Gao successfully persuades the Emperor to stay the night at Chuxiu Palace. Meanwhile, at Changchun Palace, the Empress waits in vain for the Emperor. Her hopes are dashed when Eunuch Li arrives to inform her that the Emperor has diverted to Chuxiu Palace, leaving her disheartened.
Outside, Wei Yingluo vents her frustration over Gao's swift return to favor, believing the near-fatal ordeal of Noble Lady Yu and the Fifth Prince was for nothing. Fu Heng overhears and challenges her perception of the Emperor. He explains that the Emperor is not a thoughtless lecher but a ruler constrained by political realities. He reveals the Emperor knew Gao was framed in the incident with the Fifth Prince but used the opportunity to teach the arrogant consort a lesson.
However, with Gao's father, Governor Gao Bin, achieving great success in flood control, the Emperor must show leniency. Seeing his point, Yingluo shifts the topic and asks about the investigation into her sister's death. Fu Heng reports that the head eunuch confirmed no imperial relatives left the banquet that night. Unconvinced, Yingluo suggests the investigation should focus on the Emperor's close aides instead. Later, while reviewing memorials, the Emperor is afflicted by intense itching all over his body.
Physician Zhang diagnoses him with scabies, likely contracted from a visitor, and complicated by an allergic reaction causing hives. The physician warns that scratching could lead to a severe infection. Despite the high risk of contagion, the Empress insists on personally caring for the Emperor. Fearing infection, Ming Yu asks Wei Yingluo to take her place. Yingluo readily agrees, seeing it as the perfect opportunity to investigate the Emperor's inner circle.
However, Er Qing warns Ming Yu that shirking her duties will erode the Empress's trust. Other consorts arrive to visit the Emperor but are turned away by the Empress. Pure Consort, supported by Consort Xian, offers to take the Empress's place, but the Empress politely declines. To secure her position as his sole caretaker, the Empress lies, claiming she has had the illness before and is therefore immune. Convinced, the other consorts withdraw.
When Yingluo prepares to apply medicine, the Emperor is initially embarrassed and refuses. She calmly explains that most servants have been dismissed and the Empress, unable to apply the medicine herself, assigned Yingluo to ensure he receives proper care. The Emperor reluctantly consents. The Empress wonders why the Emperor dislikes Yingluo, a feeling he can't explain himself.
Later, Yingluo discreetly questions Supervisor Li, using a supposedly found jade pendant as a pretext to ask about the night of her sister's incident. Supervisor Li recalls the night clearly and insists no one left the banquet, leaving Yingluo disappointed. When the Emperor awakens to find Yingluo missing, he flies into a rage. She reappears with a self-made aloe vera paste to soothe his itching. Though touched, the Emperor remains outwardly stern, but unconsciously takes her hand.
Yingluo later tells the Emperor of the Empress's unwavering devotion, revealing that, according to Er Qing, the Empress had never contracted scabies and lied only to be by his side. She remarks on the rarity of such true affection in the harem. The Emperor, angered by Yingluo's bluntness, dismisses her. Noticing the Empress's hands trembling from fatigue, Yingluo urges her to serve the Emperor tea so he might see the physical toll of her sacrifice.
The Empress, amused, explains that as his wife, her actions stem from love, not a desire for gratitude. As the Emperor’s condition fails to improve, Physician Ye secretly informs Yingluo that the illness may not be a simple infection. The Emperor's suffering intensifies, and in a fit of irritation, he shoves the Empress. Witnessing this, Yingluo erupts, scolding the Emperor for lashing out at the one person truly caring for him.
She criticizes his favoritism towards Noble Consort Gao, linking the lavish gifts sent to Chuxiu Palace to his need to appease Governor Gao Bin. Pushing further, she provocatively compares his political maneuvering to a courtesan trying to please a patron. Her brazen words enrage the Emperor so much that he coughs up blood. Immediately after, his condition begins to improve.
Physician Ye reveals to the Empress that he had discovered the Emperor's illness was prolonged by stagnant blood phlegm and had conspired with Yingluo to provoke him into coughing it up, thereby clearing the obstruction and enabling his recovery. Though his health is improving, the Emperor is livid, convinced Yingluo's insults were her true feelings. To escape his wrath, Yingluo feigns a dizzy spell and is carried away.
The Emperor demands she be brought back for punishment, but the Empress intercedes. She reminds him of Yingluo's diligent care and reveals that Yingluo has now fallen ill herself from the infection. Hearing this, the Emperor relents. He orders that Yingluo be allowed to recover in the Hall of Mental Cultivation and even sends her a bitter herbal concoction to aid her healing.
