Story of Yanxi Palace Episode 43 Recap
> Story of Yanxi Palace Recap
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After the Emperor bestowed the title of Noble Lady upon Wei Yingluo, Hailancha expressed his concern to Li Yu, worrying how Fu Heng would handle the painful news upon his return. Meanwhile, in the Empress's residence, a lady-in-waiting voiced apprehension about Wei Yingluo's potential to stir up trouble. The Empress, however, found the situation intriguing, viewing it as an opportunity for Wei Yingluo to challenge the increasingly complacent Consort Chun.
She asserted that her own hands remained clean, meaning any of Wei Yingluo's future attempts at revenge would not trace back to her. She then assigned Wei Yingluo to the remote Yanxi Palace, dismissing a suggestion for Zhongcui Palace as too obvious a maneuver. Consort Chun was greatly displeased upon learning of Wei Yingluo's new title.
Her maid, Yuhu, was also critical, but Consort Chun clarified that the Empress Dowager’s decision was influenced by Wei Yingluo manufacturing the "heaven-sent auspicious sign" for the Empress Dowager's birthday and by her past service to the late Empress. Seeking to prove her loyalty to Consort Chun, Noble Lady Yu immediately disavowed her past friendship with Wei Yingluo, claiming she had always been an annoyance whom she only tolerated out of respect for the late Empress.
She then offered to help Consort Chun eliminate Wei Yingluo. Yuhu later cautioned Consort Chun to be wary of Noble Lady Yu, but Consort Chun dismissed the warning, reasoning that since Wei Yingluo had witnessed Noble Lady Yu's most vulnerable past, it was inevitable that Noble Lady Yu would want her silenced. Life at Yanxi Palace proved challenging.
When Mingyu instructed a maid, Hupo, to collect their monthly allowance, Hupo arrogantly refused, citing widespread rumors that the Emperor disregarded Wei Yingluo and only kept her in the palace out of deference to the Empress Dowager. She taunted that the Imperial Household Department staff, seeing their low status, would surely mistreat them. Mingyu was incensed by Hupo's insolence and the deplorable conditions at Yanxi Palace, which included cold meals and struggles to receive their dues.
As Mingyu prepared to confront the department, Wei Yingluo intervened, urging patience and revealing she had a plan. Under the pretext of thanking the Empress Dowager for her gifts, Wei Yingluo paid her a visit. In a creative flourish, she donned men's attire and regaled the Empress Dowager with captivating stories, eliciting hearty laughter. When the Emperor arrived, he witnessed Wei Yingluo's unconventional behavior and publicly reprimanded her for her unseemly attire and the "low-class" nature of her tales.
Despite his outward disapproval, he was inwardly intrigued. The Empress Dowager, thoroughly entertained, praised Wei Yingluo's wit and ability to bring joy. The Emperor, while cautioning her not to spoil Wei Yingluo, privately acknowledged her rare and delightful qualities. Wei Yingluo continued her daily visits to the Empress Dowager. Although the Emperor appeared indifferent each time, he gradually grew accustomed to her presence. After more than a month, Wei Yingluo decided to change tactics.
Feigning illness, she claimed a cold and a hoarse voice and took leave from her storytelling duties, correctly anticipating this would pique the Emperor's curiosity. As predicted, the Emperor, now used to her visits, inquired about her absence. Learning she was ill, he became restless and diverted his retinue to Yanxi Palace. Wei Yingluo had foreseen his visit and deliberately instructed Hupo to attend to her.
Hupo, still believing Wei Yingluo was out of favor, behaved with insolence, complaining loudly about how difficult she was to serve. The Emperor overheard these remarks and, enraged, ordered Hupo to be flogged eighty times and banished to the Labor House, declaring that no servant was permitted to belittle his noble lady.
Wei Yingluo made a token effort to intervene, reminding him of Hupo's past service to the late Empress, but the Emperor was adamant that she must uphold her dignity. Hupo's brutal punishment served as a stark warning, making everyone at Yanxi Palace realize Wei Yingluo was indeed favored by the Emperor—precisely the outcome she had orchestrated.
Later, Concubine Shu attempted to replicate Wei Yingluo's success by memorizing a book to entertain the Empress Dowager, but the Emperor was unimpressed and left quickly, much to her disappointment. The Empress Dowager remarked on her inability to charm the Emperor as effectively as Wei Yingluo. Still concerned about Wei Yingluo, the Emperor first ordered a physician to see her but then impulsively diverted his palanquin to Yanxi Palace.
Upon arriving, he found Wei Yingluo sleeping outdoors on a lounge amidst transplanted gardenias. Mingyu explained that she sought relief from the summer heat and enjoyed the fragrant breeze. The Emperor gently chastised her for her unconventional habits, which had caused her cold. Finding her still asleep, he woke her and pulled her into an embrace, dismissing the attendants by declaring that whatever he did was proper. That night, the Emperor and Wei Yingluo consummated their relationship.
Witnessing this new intimacy, Mingyu was overcome with guilt. Weeping in solitude, she confessed to herself that she had selfishly ruined Wei Yingluo's chance to leave the palace at twenty-five for a life of freedom. Mingyu admitted to intentionally dragging Wei Yingluo into her quest for justice against Consort Chun, who had continuously tormented her, driven by a desire for retribution on behalf of the late Empress. She castigated herself as despicable and vicious.
Hailancha discovered Mingyu in distress and offered comforting words, urging her not to blame herself and promising his help with any troubles she faced. Touched by his sincerity, Mingyu expressed her heartfelt gratitude, calling him a good person. Wei Yingluo successfully attended to the Emperor for three consecutive nights, igniting intense jealousy among the other consorts. When it was time to pay respects to the Empress, Wei Yingluo was conspicuously late.
The other consorts, envious of her newfound favor, urged the Empress to punish her for her arrogance. Concubine Shu, in particular, suggested that Wei Yingluo required instruction from a senior madam. The Empress, amused by their petty rivalry, calmly dismissed their complaints, stating she would not punish a consort for receiving the Emperor's favor. Just then, Wei Yingluo arrived, explaining her tardiness by presenting the Empress with fresh morning dew she had collected for her tea.
This thoughtful gesture defused the situation. The Empress, privately entertained, dismissed them all, acknowledging Wei Yingluo's cleverness but believing her favor would eventually wane. The scene introduces Xiao Jiabin, the younger sister of the former Concubine Jia. More beautiful and charming than her late sister, Xiao Jiabin enjoyed considerable favor and carried herself with arrogance. She resided in Chuxiu Palace and had missed the Empress Dowager's birthday celebration due to an illness.
Observing how Wei Yingluo had successfully captured the Emperor's attention, Xiao Jiabin resolved to feign sickness herself to lure him for a visit. However, as the Emperor's palanquin was en route to Chuxiu Palace, he noticed an ingenious shade structure made from repurposed reed mats, which Wei Yingluo had arranged along the palace path for the attendants to escape the heat. Impressed by her resourcefulness, the Emperor immediately diverted his journey to Yanxi Palace.
Upon arrival, he asked for Wei Yingluo, only for Mingyu to inform him that the Noble Lady, finding the weather too warm, had gone for a stroll. Visibly frustrated, the Emperor settled in to wait, while at Chuxiu Palace, an enraged Xiao Jiabin learned she had been forsaken for the woman she angrily called a "vixen."
