Story of Yanxi Palace Episode 37 Recap
> Story of Yanxi Palace Recap
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Wei Yingluo, dressed as a consort, apologized to the Emperor, explaining that palace maids had mixed up her clothes and accessories. She began removing her ornate headwear as the amused Emperor watched. After removing most of her attire and left in her underclothes, she hesitated in the cold. The Emperor then insisted she come closer, confirming the Empress's suspicion that he had taken a liking to her.
Wei Yingluo humbly tried to decline, calling herself a "wildflower" unworthy of his attention. However, the Emperor, tired of docile beauties, declared he found her defiant, "thorn-like" character interesting. When she pleaded for him not to ruin his relationship with the Empress over a fleeting interest, her resistance only fueled his desire. He became possessive, declaring he was determined to have what he could not easily obtain. Seeing his persistence, Wei Yingluo changed tactics.
She confessed her earlier words were false, admitting she had long desired to get close to him but, being of humble origins, had deliberately acted unconventionally to attract his notice. Now that he had noticed her, she declared her willingness to serve him, but on the condition that she be made a noble lady, not just a concubine. The Emperor, seeing through her scheme, called her a filthy, unworthy woman and angrily ordered her to leave.
As she was leaving, he called her back, instructing her to return to Changchun Palace as a common servant, to care for the Empress earnestly, and to abandon any ulterior motives. Relieved, Wei Yingluo exited, only to be met by Ming Yu, who claimed to have prepared the elaborate dress she wore. Upon returning to Changchun Palace, Wei Yingluo found the Empress withdrawn and refusing to open her door.
Wei Yingluo knelt outside, pleading that she had kneeled all the way from Qianqing Palace just to return to the Empress's side. At the Empress's command, Ming Yu finally opened the door. The Empress, however, was in despair, calling herself a "crippled empress" whom the Great Qing would not accept. Believing Changchun Palace was now on thin ice, she coldly offered Wei Yingluo an imperial decree to release her from the palace.
Wei Yingluo refused, tearfully recounting how her father had thrown her into a river after her mother died in childbirth, believing her a jinx, and how her elder sister had saved her. She declared that the Empress had treated her like a sister, and she would remain to serve her for life. Moved, Wei Yingluo passionately reassured the Empress, promising to be her "cane forever" if she could not walk. Ming Yu also pledged her unwavering loyalty.
At the Fuca mansion, Er Qing noticed the admiring gaze of the Fourth Young Master, Fu Qian. Her maid, Du Juan, identified Fu Qian as the son of a concubine who, despite his humble status, had recently topped the Juren exam. Meanwhile, news spread that Consort Chun was pregnant, and the Emperor showered her with gifts.
Ming Yu, indignant, complained to the Empress that Consort Chun, who had always been close to her, had betrayed their friendship by hiding such significant news. When Consort Chun arrived, she apologized for the delay in informing the Empress, explaining she had fainted and only then discovered her pregnancy. The Empress graciously dismissed her apology, urging her to focus on the royal heir.
Ming Yu remained resentful, pointing out that Consort Chun had stopped visiting after the Empress fell ill and was now perhaps showing off. The Empress, genuinely happy for her friend, told Ming Yu to stop complaining. With the support of Wei Yingluo and Ming Yu, the Empress diligently practiced walking. Despite struggles and falls, she persevered, eventually managing to stand and walk unsupported to pick fresh jasmine flowers in the courtyard, a genuine smile gracing her face.
At Zhongcui Palace, the pregnant and highly favored Consort Chun asked the Emperor to play the zither, claiming her baby wished to hear it. From a distance, Noble Consort Xian recognized the Emperor's playing. Her maid suggested that with the Empress ill and Consort Chun pregnant, she should seize the opportunity to have a son to secure her position. Noble Consort Xian dismissed the idea, stating that she was too busy with palace affairs.
Later, Noble Consort Xian confronted Liu He, the supervisor of the Imperial Household Department. She accused his eunuchs of extorting two hundred taels from her father by flattering him for a reward when delivering fabrics, forcing him to pawn gifts she had given him. Terrified, Liu He begged for mercy. Noting that one of the culprits was his assistant, creating a vacancy, Noble Consort Xian summoned Yuan Chunwang.
Commending his work, she promoted him to assistant supervisor under Liu He, instructing him to learn how to manage palace affairs and securing his loyalty. Fu Heng later arrived at Changchun Palace to visit the Empress. Seeing him approach, Wei Yingluo quietly withdrew. Fu Heng informed the Empress that while their mother was ecstatic about her recovery, her vision was worsening from an incurable illness, making him feel unfilial.
The Empress revealed the Emperor's plan to promote Fu Heng to governor of Shanxi, warning him that rising so quickly is not necessarily a good thing. She also mentioned Er Qing's frequent complaints, advising Fu Heng not to neglect his wife and to let go of the past, as Wei Yingluo had already moved on. Fu Heng promised to care for Er Qing and be faithful to her.
Separately, Ming Yu asked Wei Yingluo if seeing Fu Heng made her sad. Wei Yingluo responded that she was only happy for the Empress's recovery, explaining that after witnessing refugees sell themselves into slavery for a bowl of soup, she realized survival was paramount, and someone of her humble origins had no luxury to be troubled by love.
At the Fuca mansion, Er Qing ordered a servant to send a letter to her grandfather concerning the political alliance between the Fuca and Hitara families, who were related by marriage. Later, she went to Fu Heng’s study, a place her servant warned was off-limits to everyone but cleaners. There, she found Qing Lian, a temporary cleaner, holding a hairpin.
Enraged, Er Qing accused Qing Lian of having an affair with Fu Heng, screaming that she had seen the maid making his bed. She brutally beat Qing Lian with a heated iron brush, inflicting severe injuries and pulling out all her fingernails. When Fu Heng returned, he was horrified to find Qing Lian's state. He called Er Qing a "lunatic" and tried to calm her, explaining his recent neglect was due to his demanding work, not an affair.
Disbelieving, Er Qing accused him of breaking his promise to live a good life together and threw the hairpin at him, stating it was meant as a gift but was no longer necessary. Fu Heng then ordered Qing Lian to receive proper medical treatment.
