Story of Yanxi Palace Episode 21 Recap
> Story of Yanxi Palace Recap
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Zhenzhu, tasked with taking inventory of the Empress’s treasures, briefly left her post to watch the fireworks, believing Qianqing Palace to be secure. However, her absence created an opportunity for the Sarira, a birthday gift dearly desired by the Empress Dowager, to be stolen. Fearing severe punishment for everyone, including the Empress, Ming Yu confronted Zhenzhu. Zhenzhu recalled seeing a fleeting shadow she believed belonged to Nalan Chun Xue.
Ming Yu immediately wanted to confront Nalan Chun Xue, but Wei Yingluo insisted that without evidence, a confrontation would be futile. She proposed their only option was to recover the Sarira before the banquet concluded. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Ming Yu agreed to cooperate with Wei Yingluo. Wei Yingluo then had a message sent to Fuca Fuheng, who ordered the lockdown of Qianqing Palace.
After stealing the Sarira, Nalan Chun Xue subtly signaled to Noble Consort Gao that she had succeeded. At Wei Yingluo's behest, the Empress secured the final performance slot of the banquet. Wei Yingluo began with a simple magic trick that was met with indifference. She then announced her main act: "telekinesis." She dramatically produced a glass pagoda, but the Sarira was missing from it.
As the audience grew concerned, Wei Yingluo explained that she had transported the Sarira separately for safety, placing it on Nalan Chun Xue. Despite Nalan Chun Xue’s frantic denials, Wei Yingluo theatrically retrieved the Sarira from her person, framing it as part of the magic act. The audience was amazed, completely unaware that they had just witnessed the foiling of a theft. With the Sarira recovered, Wei Yingluo boldly demanded a reward from Nalan Chun Xue for the performance.
Having failed Noble Consort Gao’s task while being publicly embarrassed and forced to pay a reward, Nalan Chun Xue developed a deep animosity towards Wei Yingluo. After the banquet, she angrily confronted Wei Yingluo and Ming Yu, calling them the Empress’s "fierce dogs." Ming Yu, incensed, was held back by Wei Yingluo, who advised that the best revenge is to take away what someone wants most. The shared incident helped ease the tension between the two, improving their relationship.
Later, when Ming Yu lamented that the Empress had not presented her beautiful Goddess Luo painting, the Empress explained it would be too frivolous for her status. Wei Yingluo then revealed she had already prepared a Goddess Luo costume using lake silk thread, anticipating an opportunity for the Empress to capture the Emperor's attention. Adorned in the Goddess Luo attire, the Empress danced gracefully under the moonlight, looking like a celestial being.
Ming Yu had arranged for palace maids to lure the Emperor to Changchun Palace by claiming a star had fallen there during the fireworks. Upon arriving, the Emperor was captivated by the Empress's ethereal beauty and elegant dance. He praised her stunning appearance, a stark contrast to her usual decorum, and decided to stay the night.
As a result, Nalan Chun Xue, who had expected to be summoned by the Emperor as a reward for finding the Sarira, lost her opportunity. Furious, Nalan Chun Xue went to Noble Consort Gao, who was engrossed in singing opera and used the lyrics to mock Nalan Chun Xue's failure.
Understanding the Noble Consort's displeasure, Nalan Chun Xue apologized and proposed a new plan: to use the Empress Dowager to eliminate Wei Yingluo and permanently disgrace the Empress in front of Noble Consort Gao. Later, as the Empress accompanied the Empress Dowager on a garden stroll, Noble Consort Gao loudly praised the Empress to curry favor. The Empress Dowager, already pleased with the Empress’s character, expressed her satisfaction.
Hearing that Nalan Chun Xue had helped find the Sarira, the Empress Dowager summoned her and was impressed. Seizing the opportunity, Nalan Chun Xue invited the group to admire peonies at Yanhui Pavilion. Suddenly, a scream was heard as a palace maid fell from the pavilion. Noble Consort Gao sent her attendant, Zhi Lan, to investigate, but Ming Yu intercepted her, allowing Wei Yingluo to reach the scene first.
The Empress Dowager questioned the other maids, playing directly into Nalan Chun Xue's trap. Prompted by Nalan Chun Xue, the maids claimed the accident occurred during a popular palace "dress-up" game, which they alleged originated from Changchun Palace, thus implicating the Empress. Wei Yingluo interjected, asserting the maid was impersonating the famously beautiful Consort Yang and suggested this was inspired by Noble Consort Gao’s well-known opera performances of "The Drunken Beauty."
Noble Consort Gao vehemently denied the accusation, but Wei Yingluo and Ming Yu relentlessly pressed the point. Realizing her plot had backfired onto Noble Consort Gao, Nalan Chun Xue tried to defend her. Wei Yingluo countered that the Empress doesn’t perform opera and has never dressed as Consort Yang. She pointed out that Chuxiu Palace constantly staged operas like "The Palace of Eternal Life" and "Farewell My Concubine," making it a far more likely source of inspiration.
To prove her point, Wei Yingluo removed the handkerchief covering the deceased maid's face, revealing makeup consistent with depictions of Consort Yang. The disfigured face horrified the onlookers, and the disgusted Empress Dowager left immediately. Her plan thwarted again, Noble Consort Gao’s hatred for Wei Yingluo intensified. Wei Yingluo then requested that the surviving maids be detained for a thorough interrogation.
