Story of Yanxi Palace Episode 20 Recap
> Story of Yanxi Palace Recap
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Physician Ye found it perplexing that the Emperor ordered bitter medicine to be given to Wei Yingluo. The Emperor candidly admitted that while he could not punish someone who had performed a meritorious deed, he could not simply swallow his resentment either. He decided to make Wei Yingluo suffer through a variety of bitter medicines as a form of revenge.
Physician Ye then had an epiphany, musing that the Emperor's will was indeed unfathomable to harbor such a grudge against a mere palace maid. Fu Heng secretly went to Wei Yingluo's residence and tended to her all night. Observing the unconscious Wei Yingluo, Fu Heng, disregarding the risk of infection, instinctively kissed her forehead. The next morning, Wei Yingluo felt as if someone had looked after her, but when she awoke, Fu Heng was long gone.
Physician Ye arrived to deliver Wei Yingluo's medicine and expressed his confusion as to why she would knowingly consume peanuts, to which she was allergic. Wei Yingluo explained that she had no other choice; by feigning illness, she could avoid the Emperor's certain punishment for her outburst. Physician Ye, impressed, praised her cleverness. The Emperor remained fixated on Wei Yingluo's earlier tirade.
Upon hearing that Wei Yingluo, who had fallen ill after him, was recovering much faster, he grew even more displeased. Suspecting foul play, he went to Changchun Palace to confront her. The Emperor arrived, prepared to assert his authority, only to overhear palace maids praising Wei Yingluo's dedication and his own magnanimity in not punishing his saviour. Hearing this, the Emperor found himself in an awkward position, unable to voice his bitterness.
For the sake of his reputation as a benevolent ruler, punishing Wei Yingluo was now out of the question, so he dejectedly left. Wei Yingluo sought out Fu Heng, intending to thank him for taking care of her. However, Fu Heng feigned ignorance, claiming she was merely hallucinating from missing him. Just as Fu Heng managed to dispel Wei Yingluo's suspicions, Hailancha entered and inadvertently revealed that he had been covering Fu Heng's duties for many nights.
Enraged, Wei Yingluo called Fu Heng shameless and demanded an explanation. He clarified that his actions were improper, which was why he had denied them. She then confronted him about why he had kissed her, leaving him speechless. Despite her outward anger, Wei Yingluo was secretly delighted by his genuine care. The Empress invited Consort Chun to appreciate some calligraphy and paintings, seeking her opinion on which piece would be best to present to the Emperor as a gift.
Consort Chun, indecisive herself, asked for Wei Yingluo's thoughts. Ming Yu interjected, suggesting the "Landscape of the Four Seasons" painting. The Empress’s face fell, and she scolded Ming Yu for speaking out of turn. The Empress explained to Consort Chun that she was worried Ming Yu's outspoken nature would cause trouble in the future, which was why she was so strict with her.
Wei Yingluo then recommended the "Ode to the Goddess Luo" painting, describing how the goddess resembled the Empress. She suggested that whenever the Emperor saw this painting, he would be reminded of the Empress herself. Consort Chun agreed this was a marvelous idea and advised the Empress to present it. Shu Guiren, Nalan Chun Xue, brought gifts to Changchun Palace, hoping to curry favor with the Empress.
However, Ming Yu, still smarting from the Empress's reprimand, vented her frustration by falsely claiming the Empress was resting and sending Nalan Chun Xue away. Hearing voices from inside the palace, Nalan Chun Xue concluded that she was deliberately being snubbed. Angrily, she took her gifts and went to Noble Consort Gao. Noble Consort Gao, initially dismissive, greeted her with cold indifference.
As an indignant Nalan Chun Xue prepared to leave, Noble Consort Gao stopped her, offering her a chance to prove her loyalty by helping her deal with Wei Yingluo, whom she referred to as a "vicious dog". While delivering the painting, Wei Yingluo observed the Empress grieving over the late Second Prince and quietly took note of her sadness.
Later, Wei Yingluo discussed her sister's case with Madam Zhang, lamenting that although the clues had run dry, she was determined to continue her investigation. Madam Zhang, fearing for her safety, urged her to give up. Undeterred, Wei Yingluo asked Madam Zhang for Huzhou silk, stating that the Empress had shown her immense kindness, and she wished to create something to help her in return. On the Emperor's birthday, various consorts presented their gifts.
The Empress presented her painting, which pleased the Emperor. Noble Consort Gao then introduced a Western orchestra to perform, stealing the spotlight. This elaborate plan was Nalan Chun Xue's idea, knowing that the Emperor would be delighted to see instruments once played by his beloved grandfather, Emperor Kangxi. However, Nalan Chun Xue, keeping a trick up her sleeve, also presented the Emperor with a glazed Buddhist tower.
Inside was a rare relic, the most precious from a Tang Dynasty High Monk, believed to be formed from his heart and named the "Buddhist Lotus." This was an item the Empress Dowager and the Emperor had long sought. The Empress instructed Wei Yingluo to oversee the Buddhist tower and other gifts. Ming Yu, seeing an opportunity to claim credit, insisted on taking over.
Preoccupied with her sister's case, Wei Yingluo had no desire to argue and allowed her to manage the task. Later that night, Wei Yingluo secretly investigated the perpetrator's possible route on the night her sister Yingning died. Fu Heng found her and led her to a hidden passage to discuss the matter privately.
Wei Yingluo theorized that a palace guard might have concealed the true culprit's actions, recalling how Prince Yi had been instigated by Consort Jia to cause trouble for her. Just then, fireworks erupted across the palace. Startled, Wei Yingluo instinctively took refuge in Fu Heng's arms. The sky was ablaze with dazzling fireworks. Consort Xian watched, overcome with melancholy as she remembered setting off fireworks with her family in her youth.
Meanwhile, Wei Yingluo and Fu Heng, hidden in a secluded corner, admired the beautiful display together. Elsewhere, Ming Yu found that the palace maid, Pearl, who was responsible for inventorying the gifts, had also slipped away to watch the fireworks. Annoyed by her absence, Ming Yu did not anticipate the trouble that would follow. She later discovered that the precious Buddhist Lotus relic was missing. In a rage, Ming Yu confronted and struck Pearl.
When Wei Yingluo arrived, Ming Yu tried to blame her, but Wei Yingluo countered that Ming Yu had forcefully taken over the task and had also been absent from her post.
