Story of Yanxi Palace Episode 4 Recap
> Story of Yanxi Palace Recap
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Wei Yingluo intervened when her fellow embroiderer, Ling Long, feigned a sprained ankle to attract the attention of Imperial Guard Fu Heng. This thwarted Ling Long's plan to climb the social ladder, causing her to resent Yingluo.
When confronted, Ling Long argued that all women seek a better future, but Yingluo warned her that in the Forbidden City, where affairs between maids and guards are forbidden, such actions could lead to death for the maid while the guard escapes punishment due to his noble status. Fu Heng, having overheard Yingluo's disparaging remarks about "brainless and shameless men," approached her.
Yingluo cleverly evaded his questions, praising the Emperor as the Son of Heaven and Fu Heng as an outstanding individual, thereby distinguishing them from the kind of men who deceive young women. Amused by her sophistry, Fu Heng advised her never to look down on men, emphasizing that the imperial guards are formidable warriors. Due to the Emperor's affection for the Empress, Fu Heng was granted the exceptional privilege of frequent entry into Changchun Palace to visit his elder sister.
He found the Empress lost in melancholy, still consumed by grief over the death of her son, Yong Lian, three years prior. In a moment of frustration over her listlessness, Fu Heng snatched her longevity lock and threw it into the garden.
As the Empress frantically searched for it, Fu Heng reminded her that as a descendant of the Fuca family and the Empress of the Great Qing, she bore significant responsibilities and could not afford to wallow in personal sorrow. The Empress, overcome by a mother's grief, retorted that she had endured excruciating pain to give birth to Yong Lian.
She lashed out, revealing her resentment towards the Emperor, who, in her eyes, had quickly forgotten their son, while she remained devastated. This perceived indifference was the true cause of her estrangement from him. After finding the lock among the flowers, the Empress clutched it obsessively.
Pained by his sister's state, Fu Heng reminded her of their family's precarious position at court amid the strife between political factions, urging her to recover for their family's sake and to ease the Emperor's difficult position. Before leaving, he left a wooden box for her, insisting she open it once she calmed down. Fu Heng then encountered Consort Chun and, knowing her deep bond with the Empress, knelt and pleaded for her to help rouse the Empress's spirits.
Consort Chun visited the Empress and, when the Empress noticed a maid named Hong Luo had been crying, Chun seized the opportunity to explain. Hong Luo had reached the age of 25 and was eligible to leave the palace, but her departure was delayed because no one dared to disturb the grieving Empress with such a "minor" matter. As a result, Hong Luo's fiancé had decided to marry someone else.
This story made the Empress realize the extent of her negligence. She immediately ordered Hong Luo's release with a generous dowry and acknowledged her own dereliction of duty, understanding that Consort Chun, at Fu Heng's request, had subtly shown her the real-world consequences of her inaction. Prompted by Consort Chun, the Empress opened the wooden box. Inside was a secret edict, personally written by the Emperor in the first year of his reign, naming Yong Lian as Crown Prince.
The document revealed the Emperor's profound hopes for their son, shattering the Empress's belief that he was indifferent. Overwhelmed with regret for misunderstanding him and for failing to fulfill her duties, she lamented that she was a sinner to the Aisin Gioro family. She finally broke down, releasing all her pent-up grief and guilt. The next day, in a stark contrast to her reclusive behavior, the Empress appeared fully adorned to receive the consorts' daily greetings.
Noble Consort Gao, assuming the Empress would feign illness as usual, was preparing to leave when the Empress made her grand entrance. The Empress publicly reprimanded Noble Consort Gao for her disrespect and disregard for hierarchy, leaving her speechless with anger. The Empress then declared her intention to resume management of all harem affairs. She specifically addressed the pregnant and frail Noble Lady Yu, promising her protection and encouraging her to report any mistreatment directly.
Noble Consort Gao challenged the Empress regarding Concubine Yi's recent death, insisting it was suicide. However, Consort Chun, Consort Xian, and the other consorts all sided with the Empress's official statement that Concubine Yi had died of illness, leaving Gao isolated and furious. Elsewhere, a maid named Zhen'er accidentally bumped into Consort Xian. Learning that Zhen'er's mother was gravely ill and she was forbidden from visiting, Consort Xian compassionately promised to intervene on her behalf.
Consort Chun witnessed this and, admiring Consort Xian's virtuous conduct, invited her for tea. Sensing an ulterior motive, Consort Xian politely declined. Meanwhile, Ling Long flattered Zhi Lan, Noble Consort Gao's maid, and subtly mentioned that Wei Yingluo knew that young loquat leaves were toxic. Jealous of the praise Yingluo received from Madam Zhang for her innovative embroidery, Ling Long hoped to use Noble Consort Gao to eliminate her rival.
As planned, Zhi Lan arrived at the Embroidery House to apprehend Wei Yingluo. While most maids watched with glee, only Ji Xiang showed concern. Realizing Noble Consort Gao's intent, Yingluo feigned idiocy upon being brought before her. She spoke loudly and nonsensically, then stared at Noble Consort Gao's dessert and asked to try the sweet lotus root starch balls.
Though some thought her a simpleton, a suspicious Noble Consort Gao ordered a large quantity of the dessert to be brought, commanding Yingluo to eat it all before she would be allowed to leave.
