Story of Yanxi Palace Episode 38 Recap
> Story of Yanxi Palace Recap
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Despite being brutally beaten, Qing Lian protects Wei Yingluo's perfume pouch, which she found in Fu Heng’s room, refusing to give it to Er Qing. After returning the cherished item, she begs Fu Heng not to sell her. Moved by her loyalty and realizing she endured such cruelty to protect something dear to him, Fu Heng feels immense guilt.
He orders that once she recovers, Qing Lian will resume her duties in his study, and bans Er Qing from ever entering it again. Hoping to reconcile, Er Qing presents Fu Heng with a repaired hairpin he had intended for her and apologizes. However, Fu Heng is unmoved, questioning if she truly understands her mistakes. When Er Qing blames jealousy and contemptuously offers to let him take the "lowly" Qing Lian as a concubine, Fu Heng's anger erupts.
He condemns her for her cruelty—tearing out Qing Lian’s fingernails over a simple misunderstanding—and for her political scheming, which the Emperor despises. He contrasts her current self with the virtuous woman she once was, admitting that while he still thinks of Wei Yingluo, Er Qing’s viciousness disgusts him. He declares that Wei Yingluo, who loves and hates openly, would never harm an innocent, unlike Er Qing.
As he storms out, pushing her to the ground when she tries to stop him, he tells her she can never compare to Yingluo. Her brother-in-law, Fu Qian, witnesses her collapse and helps her up. Unable to win back Fu Heng, Er Qing seeks refuge at Changchun Palace, tearfully pleading with the Empress to let her stay.
Ming Yu is displeased by her return, remarking on how arrogant Er Qing has become, but Wei Yingluo observes that Er Qing is not changed but is merely revealing her true, calculating nature. Hiding the real reason for her fight with Fu Heng, Er Qing complains of loneliness. Unaware of the extent of Er Qing's transgressions, the Empress agrees to let her stay temporarily.
Seeking to assert her authority over her rival, Er Qing orders Wei Yingluo to unpack her luggage. When Yingluo refuses, citing her duties to the Empress, Er Qing slaps her. Wei Yingluo, never one to back down, immediately slaps her back. She retorts that in the Forbidden City, they are all servants to the Emperor, and Er Qing has no authority to punish her there. When Er Qing furiously calls for servants, none respond.
Hu Po later privately advises Er Qing that Wei Yingluo now commands the loyalty of everyone in Changchun Palace, having devotedly cared for the Empress during her illness. Filled with resentment, Er Qing vows revenge on both Wei Yingluo and Fu Heng. Meanwhile, Noble Consort Chun has fully embraced her relationship with the Emperor and soon gives birth to a son, the Sixth Prince, Yong Rong. Her favor with the Emperor and Empress Dowager soars, and she is promoted.
Seeing this, a calculating Er Qing brings a potent "pregnancy prescription" to the Empress, urging her to conceive a direct heir to secure her position and fulfill the Fuca clan's hopes. She insists the medicine is safe but must be kept secret from the overly cautious Wei Yingluo. Er Qing later confides to Hu Po that the remedy is genuine and part of her plan to regain the Empress’s full trust and then systematically ruin Wei Yingluo.
Soon after, Physician Zhang joyfully announces that the Empress is pregnant. Wei Yingluo is horrified, knowing the Empress’s health is too fragile. She confronts Ming Yu, who tearfully admits they stopped using the contraceptive herb in the Empress's medicine without telling her. Distraught, Wei Yingluo confides in Yuan Chunwang, who explains that in the harem, a royal heir is the ultimate asset. With her position threatened by other powerful consorts, the Empress’s risky decision was a strategic necessity.
Over half a year passes. Er Qing remains in the palace, attempting to sow discord by falsely claiming Fu Heng is having an affair with Qing Lian, a lie the Empress dismisses. During this time, Wei Yingluo and Ming Yu finally reconcile while sewing a bellyband for the unborn child. One evening, the Emperor leaves Noble Consort Chun’s residence looking deeply troubled.
He reveals to Li Yu that it is the death anniversary of his firstborn son with the Empress, Crown Prince Yong Lian. He reminisces about the brilliant, beloved son he lost, confessing that while his heart aches, an Emperor is forbidden to weep for a child, lest he be punished by heaven. Later that night, heavily inebriated with grief and wine, the Emperor stumbles into Changchun Palace.
Seeing Wei Yingluo, he drunkenly complains about her "annoying" and "cunning" face haunting him. The Empress emerges, and the Emperor, in his stupor, touches her pregnant belly and murmurs that their son, Yong Lian, is returning to them. The mention of their lost child brings the Empress to tears.
Sobered by her sorrow, the Emperor comforts her, filled with regret for having been too busy to be a proper father to Yong Lian, and wonders if his son would ever forgive him.
