Story of Yanxi Palace Episode 31 Recap
> Story of Yanxi Palace Recap
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With the Empress Dowager’s backing, Consort Xian continued to consolidate her power. She proposed a refugee relief program at Di'anmen Gate, suggesting it be funded by donations from merchants rather than the palace treasury. This plan to generate revenue while performing a charitable act earned her further praise from the Empress Dowager, who noted that while the Empress focused on reducing expenditures, Consort Xian knew how to create new sources of income.
Noble Consort Gao was furious that Consort Xian was gaining favor so quickly, feeling that her own efforts to sideline the Empress had only paved the way for a new rival. Sensing her mistress's frustration, Nalan Chunxue vowed to sabotage Consort Xian's relief effort. Meanwhile, Consort Xian cleverly won the loyalty of the servants in the Department of Punishments by offering them silver and a day off for helping with the relief work.
Wei Yingluo, suffering from a severe cough, was exempted from the duty on Consort Xian's orders. Yuan Chunwang, impressed by Consort Xian's cunning methods of winning people over, carried the ailing Wei Yingluo back to their quarters, an act that intensified Jinxiu's jealousy. Elsewhere, the Emperor confronted his brother, Hong Zhou, about his persistent request to mourn their mother, Consort Dowager Yu, at her tomb for three years.
The Emperor angrily accused Hong Zhou of wasting his potential by feigning absurdity for years and urged him to accept his responsibilities as a prince of the Qing Dynasty. Filled with guilt, Hong Zhou realized his brother had always held high expectations for him. The Emperor left him to choose between guarding the tomb and finding a way to contribute to the nation. A distraught Hong Zhou stumbled out of the hall and encountered Consort Xian.
Perceptively sensing his inner conflict, she gently advised him that participating in the refugee relief would be a meaningful way to honor his mother and a first step toward redeeming his reputation. Deeply moved by her insight and kindness, Hong Zhou became infatuated with her. At the relief site, Nalan Chunxue's sabotage plan unfolded. Hired thugs posing as refugees incited a riot, accusing Consort Xian's servants of distributing food mixed with sand.
As the situation spiraled into chaos, Yuan Chunwang decisively struck down the ringleader with a sword, exposing him as a fraud by pointing out his clean cloth shoes, which were unsuitable for a long-journey refugee. Just then, Hong Zhou arrived with imperial guards to restore order, arresting the other instigators identified by Yuan Chunwang. Following Yuan Chunwang's advice, Consort Xian implemented a new strategy to filter out imposters.
She announced that only children, the elderly, and the infirm would receive aid for free; all other able-bodied refugees had to help build shelters to earn their food. As she predicted, this policy drove away those who weren't truly desperate, ensuring the provisions went to actual victims. Hong Zhou’s admiration for her wisdom grew, and for his keen observation and decisive action, Yuan Chunwang was promoted by Consort Xian to a managerial position.
While on duty at Changchun Palace, Erqing found an exhausted Fuca Fuheng asleep. When he awoke, she brought up the marriage his grandfather had requested from the Emperor. Fuheng gently but firmly rejected her, explaining that his heart already belonged to Wei Yingluo. He told Erqing she deserved someone who would truly cherish her, but he could not be that person. Later, a heartbroken Erqing lost her composure in front of Consort Chun.
When a maid gossiped about Fuheng’s rejection, Consort Chun, who had harbored a secret love for him for years, was so shocked that she dropped a medicated pillow she was making for the Empress, her hopes shattered. Meanwhile, Wei Yingluo witnessed a group of craftsmen being brutally beaten for failing to perfect a dangerous spectacle called "Wan Zi Qian Hong" (Fire Flowers) for Noble Consort Gao.
Seeing a young apprentice cry that he wanted to go home, she approached the lead craftsman and secretly offered him a plan to escape their predicament. Jin Xiu, having skipped her relief duties, saw this suspicious exchange. Knowing Wei Yingluo was plotting against Noble Consort Gao, Jin Xiu wrote an anonymous letter to Consort Xian, an act that Yuan Chunwang noticed with suspicion.
Consort Xian received the letter but remained calm, deciding to wait and see how she could benefit from the unfolding conflict. Later, when the Emperor praised her for the successful relief effort, she skillfully deflected the compliment and mentioned Noble Consort Gao's upcoming "Fire Flowers" performance for the Empress Dowager's birthday, piquing his interest. The Emperor immediately went to demand a private rehearsal, unknowingly walking into the very trap Consort Xian had anticipated.
