Story of Yanxi Palace Episode 45 Recap
> Story of Yanxi Palace Recap
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Noble Consort Chun was playing her qin in her palace when the Emperor, realizing he hadn't seen her in a long time, decided to visit. The Emperor admitted his neglect, noting he had only summoned Concubine Ling for the past month. Noble Consort Chun responded with gentle understanding, stating she welcomes him with smiles when he visits and patiently waits when he doesn't, emphasizing her sole desire is to make him happy.
The Emperor expressed his appreciation for her gentle, caring, and considerate nature, remarking that among all the beauties in the Forbidden City, she was the most relaxing because she never made demands. Noble Consort Chun then subtly brought up the recent victory against Jinchuan, suggesting the good news should be shared with Concubine Ling, who must be relieved since Fu Heng, who used to take good care of her in Changchun Palace, had safely returned from war.
The Emperor was visibly disturbed by this insinuation. He left abruptly, initially instructing his sedan to go to Yanxi Palace, but then changed his mind and returned to Yangxin Hall instead. Palace maids quickly noticed the Emperor's unexpected detour, confirming he had bypassed Yanxi Palace without stopping. The news of Concubine Ling's diminishing favor quickly spread throughout the Imperial harem, delighting many consorts who had long envied her.
Concubine Jia, who had previously been disciplined for her mistreatment of Concubine Ling, decided to seize this opportunity. Informed that Concubine Ling was now the subject of palace gossip, Concubine Jia went to Yangxin Hall and knelt for an hour, begging for the Emperor's forgiveness. After Supervisor Li interceded on her behalf, she was admitted.
Concubine Jia tearfully explained that her past actions stemmed from intense jealousy, as the Emperor had stopped favoring anyone else after Concubine Ling entered the palace. She confessed to punishing Concubine Ling by making her kneel and promised never to trouble her again. The Emperor, pondering her words, asked if all women experience jealousy.
Concubine Jia affirmed that a woman who truly cared for the Emperor would indeed be jealous, implying that a lack of such emotion meant a lack of genuine affection for him. Seemingly appeased, the Emperor allowed her to rise. Later, while discussing a new house he planned to bestow upon Fu Heng inside Dongan Gate, the Emperor mused about naming the courtyard.
Concubine Jia cunningly suggested "Yujing Garden," quoting a poem that praised gardenias and noting that Fu Heng was known to passionately collect rare gardenia varieties. This heavily implied a connection between Fu Heng and Concubine Ling, who was known to love gardenias. The Emperor, immediately grasping her veiled accusation, angrily ordered her out, accusing her of defaming Concubine Ling.
Undeterred, Concubine Jia defiantly retorted that the Emperor failed to cherish those who truly loved him, instead favoring the "unfaithful one" and insisted Concubine Ling had done him wrong. To her maids, Concubine Jia later expressed satisfaction, explaining that the Emperor's outburst was merely a public release of his private humiliation that his favorite consort was coveted by a subordinate. She remained resolute in her plan to eliminate Concubine Ling and regain the Emperor's favor.
Rumors about Concubine Ling and Fu Heng, alleging a pre-existing affair, Fu Heng offering her to the Emperor for promotion, and their continued entanglement, became rampant throughout the palace. The Emperor consulted the Empress, who acknowledged hearing the rumors and attributed them to the other consorts' jealousy over Concubine Ling's recent favor.
The Empress promised to investigate thoroughly to clear Concubine Ling's name, arguing that their acquaintance stemmed from Concubine Ling's time as the late Empress's trusted maid, making their occasional conversations understandable. She emphasized that any past feelings were irrelevant now that Concubine Ling was a diligent consort. The Emperor, clearly disturbed, decreed that anyone found spreading these rumors from that moment forward would be flogged to death.
The Empress privately mused to her maid about the Emperor's unprecedented concern for Concubine Ling, wondering if it was a fleeting infatuation, and recognized Noble Consort Chun had met a formidable rival. Meanwhile, Ming Yu informed Concubine Ling of the specific rumors swirling around. Concubine Ling, however, dismissed them, asserting that "rumors stop with the wise" and that she would not give credence to them by showing a guilty conscience.
Concubine Ling and Ming Yu were conversing when Fu Heng unexpectedly appeared. He asked why she had not waited for him to return from war. To shut him down, Concubine Ling coldly and sarcastically asked if she was supposed to become his concubine, immediately dismissing the idea by stating she preferred being the Emperor's consort for the higher rank. She then directly confronted him about the rampant rumors of their affair, urging him to stay away.
She explained that while the Emperor, due to Fu Heng's military merits, would not trouble him, she would bear the full brunt of his anger. Fu Heng, undeterred, confessed he could not stop thinking about her or caring for her, declaring that to him, she would always be the stubborn and righteous "Wei Yingluo," not Concubine Ling, the Emperor's consort. Concubine Ling firmly reiterated that they were fundamentally different people—he noble, she petty—and pleaded for him to keep his distance.
Their conversation was witnessed by Noble Consort Chun, who subtly drew the Emperor's attention to the gazebo where Concubine Ling and Fu Heng were speaking. Feigning innocence, Noble Consort Chun "explained" that Concubine Ling, having been a maid in Changchun Palace, knew Fu Heng well. She then strategically defended Concubine Ling, portraying their public meeting as harmless and understandable, given Concubine Ling's youth and occasional missteps.
Soon after, eunuchs from the Emperor's entourage arrived at Yanxi Palace, informing Concubine Ling that the Emperor had ordered her prized gardenias to be taken to Yong Alley to fumigate the commodes, as their smell was too strong. Ming Yu vehemently protested, but Concubine Ling calmly allowed the eunuchs to remove the flowers. The head eunuch explained that the Emperor was angry and this act was a temporary measure until he calmed down.
Ming Yu was furious, interpreting the action as a direct humiliation. However, Concubine Ling immediately understood its true intent, asking if the Emperor had been to the Imperial Garden that day. Realizing he must have witnessed her meeting with Fu Heng, she concluded that this brazen act was a deliberate warning aimed at her.
Taking advantage of Concubine Ling's perceived loss of favor, a eunuch named Xiao Quan Zi was caught by Ming Yu attempting to steal valuables from Yanxi Palace. Xiao Quan Zi begged for mercy, but Concubine Ling calmly interrogated him about the common practice of eunuchs stealing palace items and their method of selling them quickly through contacts at Glass Street.
Concubine Ling decided to spare Xiao Quan Zi's life after he pledged his unwavering loyalty to her, keeping the recovered stolen goods. Ming Yu questioned Concubine Ling's decision to trust such a rogue, but Concubine Ling affirmed her belief. Later, Xiao Quan Zi met secretly with Lan'er, a maid from Concubine Jia's Chuxiu Palace.
He confirmed their plan was still in motion by discreetly handing her a hairpin, revealing that the theft was a premeditated scheme orchestrated by Concubine Jia to frame Concubine Ling. To please the Empress Dowager, who yearned for the scenery of Jiangnan, Noble Consort Chun organized a magnificent palace market, transforming a section of the Forbidden City into a bustling scene reminiscent of Suzhou Street. Both the Empress Dowager and the Emperor were delighted and praised Noble Consort Chun's ingenuity.
Impressed, the Emperor even proposed building a permanent "Suzhou Street" along the Imperial River. However, the Empress intervened, highlighting the financial strain on the imperial treasury from the recent war and the limited pensions for soldiers' families. She shrewdly suggested that instead of building the costly street, the current palace market should be used for a charity sale where all consorts donate their jewelry and treasures to raise funds for the war's casualties.
The Empress Dowager agreed with the Empress's more practical suggestion. Noble Consort Chun, visibly displeased at her efforts being overshadowed, was compelled to donate her own jewelry, admitting she had only considered pleasing the Empress Dowager and not the broader implications for the empire. Seizing an opportunity at the palace market, Concubine Ling disguised herself as a liquor saleswoman. She captured the attention of the Emperor and Empress Dowager by speaking fluent Suzhou dialect and offering various regional liquors.
Noble Consort Chun, also present, commented on Concubine Ling "showing her slight skill in front of an expert." Despite their ongoing coldness, the Emperor engaged with Concubine Ling, tasting her liquor but then playfully criticizing her for misrepresenting the origins of some wines, noting they were from Shanxi, not Suzhou. Concubine Ling audaciously demanded payment for the sampled wine. The Emperor, having no money on him, removed his personal jade pendant and handed it to her as payment.
Later that evening, after contemplating the day's events, the Emperor arrived at Yanxi Palace. Seeing him, Ming Yu deliberately goaded him by telling his entourage that her mistress expected he would pass by without entering, which successfully spurred the Emperor to enter. Inside, Concubine Ling greeted him and then dramatically re-enacted conversations from Concubine Jia and the Empress, complete with their accusations and subtle insinuations regarding her relationship with Fu Heng.
She asserted that she understood women far better than the Emperor did, and explained that any action she took, even avoiding Fu Heng, would have been twisted to imply guilt. Concubine Ling then sincerely clarified that her acquaintance with Fu Heng was a matter of the past, and now that she was the Emperor's consort, she would never betray him.
She emphasized that she needed his trust, not just his favor, warning that without it, she would be overwhelmed by the malicious rumors. The Emperor, amused and disarmed, referred to her as the most mischievous woman in the harem who was always teasing him. Concubine Ling then playfully asked if he liked her. The Emperor responded, acknowledging his fondness for "a bad woman like her," signaling their reconciliation.
