Story of Yanxi Palace Episode 49 Recap, Plot

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Qing Lian, with her humble origins and simple wisdom, confessed to Fu Heng that she never harbored grand ambitions, only wishing to remain by his side, to listen to his worries, and find contentment in his gentle smiles. She admitted her selflessness in staying despite knowing the Young Mistress would not tolerate her presence.

Fu Heng, deeply moved, acknowledged all her dedicated efforts, from the handcrafted bookmarks to her subtle acts of care like changing his lamp oil with wolfberry oil to protect his eyes, and meticulously washing his clothes to make them softer. He expressed profound gratitude, stating he saw all her devotion, far beyond the duties of a mere servant. Qing Lian, filled with sorrow, confessed her hatred for the Young Mistress and regretted him seeing her in such a "sorry state."

Fu Heng lamented his lateness. With her dying breath, Qing Lian mustered the courage to ask if, in another lifetime, he could accept her. Fu Heng's apology confirmed her realization that he was too honest to even offer a kind lie. She then urged him to release his obsession with "that woman" and let go of the impossible dreams of the past, wishing him a life filled with joy before her final breath. Fu Heng thanked her.

Upon his return, Fu Heng confronted Er Qing, accusing her of selling Qing Lian to an illegal brothel, which led to Qing Lian's suicide by swallowing gold. He presented her with a dissolution letter, declaring their marriage over due to her offenses against the "seven clauses to disowning," specifically "lewdness, jealousy, and wordiness." He ordered her to pack her belongings and leave the Fuca manor.

Er Qing, incredulous, reminded him their marriage was arranged by the Emperor and adamantly refused, vowing she would only leave upon her death. She scoffed at his concern for a servant's life, sarcastically noting that in the Forbidden City, masters casually end servants' lives, and they fear no nightmares. Er Qing even claimed Qing Lian deserved her fate for allegedly trying to harm their son, An, and boasted that she had interceded for Qing Lian with Fu Heng's mother.

Fu Heng vehemently denied Qing Lian's culpability in harming An and expressed his disgust at Er Qing's depravity. Despite Er Qing's warnings that a divorce would ruin his newly secured position in the Grand Council due to "bad family management," Fu Heng remained resolute, asserting that a man with a crooked family could not hold office.

When Er Qing continued to defy him, declaring she would remain his wife even in death, Fu Heng, unwilling to resort to violence against a woman, ordered his guards to forcibly remove her. Er Qing's desperate cries and resistance alerted Fu Heng's mother and his third brother, who intervened.

Er Qing immediately played the victim, tearfully pleading with his mother for help, claiming Fu Heng was divorcing her over a "mere servant" and accusing him of causing Qing Lian's death through feigned generosity. Fu Heng, in turn, exposed Er Qing's jealousy, slanderous acts, and unworthiness to be a Fuca daughter-in-law, labeling her a "malignant growth." Despite his mother's pleas and his brother's warnings about the impact on his career, Fu Heng remained unyielding, determined to expel her.

Fu Heng then attempted to remove his son, An, from Er Qing's presence, asserting that a mother of such vile character would severely impede the child's healthy development. Er Qing fiercely resisted, clinging to An and declaring him her son.

Fu Heng's third brother chastised him for his harshness towards his own wife, but Fu Heng retorted fiercely, asking if his brother had witnessed Er Qing's smug, ugly face when she took an innocent life or considered the profound grief of Qing Lian's parents. He accused his brother of learning nothing from his years of study but to turn a blind eye to evil.

Er Qing, enraged by the constant mention of Qing Lian, declared that even if she died, she would be carried out of the Fuca mansion as Fu Heng's wife, daring him to try and escape her. In a dramatic move, she then violently struck her head against a pillar, bleeding profusely, threatening to die.

Fu Heng's third brother and his mother quickly intervened, warning that Er Qing's death in the Fuca manor would invite retaliation from the Hitara Clan and irrevocably ruin the Fuca family's reputation. His mother expressed her deep disappointment in Fu Heng, reminding him that Er Qing was his rightful wife and, despite her many faults, deserved his forgiveness. Under this immense pressure and unable to reveal Er Qing's true transgressions, Fu Heng conceded.

He agreed not to divorce her but declared that, from that day forward, Er Qing would be confined to a Buddhist temple, where she would live as a nun, observing a vegetarian diet and reciting prayers for the rest of her life to atone for her sins. Xiao Quan Zi informed Consort Ling that the Emperor was growing impatient awaiting her.

Upon her arrival, the Emperor questioned her presence, to which Wei Yingluo responded by suggesting she could accompany him during his solitary meal. The Emperor dismissed her, reminding her of the court rules that even the Empress observed, requiring her to stand while serving. Wei Yingluo, however, audaciously rejected such an "honor," insisting that if she were to accompany him, she must sit.

Amused by her defiance, the Emperor relented, knowing she would find another way to "torment" him if he refused. During the meal, Wei Yingluo violated another ancestral rule by urging the Emperor to taste a dish, then proceeded to enjoy it herself. When the Emperor asked about its taste, she enthusiastically declared the imperial cuisines superior to those from her own palace kitchen. The Emperor, anticipating her request for his chef, playfully told her to be quiet.

Wei Yingluo feigned innocence, but the Emperor listed her past "acquisitions," including his writing-brush washer, a pocket watch, and a jade bowl, playfully labeling her the "most greedy" in the Forbidden City. Wei Yingluo countered by stating that as his "servant," she needed no ambition, as the entire realm belonged to him. The Emperor expressed his discomfort with her constant claims of being his servant while never truly submitting.

Wei Yingluo confidently stated he would eventually "get used to it," a notion the Emperor scoffed at, remarking that no one else dared to demand he adapt to them. He teasingly called her "too bold." Wei Yingluo then inquired about his somber mood. The Emperor initially dismissed her, citing the rule against concubines intervening in state affairs, and ordered the dish removed.

Wei Yingluo then lamented her predicament, saying she was always wrong whether she spoke or remained silent, concluding that "life is too hard." The Emperor then revealed his true concerns: a rebellion by the Huolan Tribe, where their leader Afan was killed, the Lu Camp annihilated, and General Zhao Hui trapped at Heishui Camp. He expressed dismay that only Fu Heng had volunteered to lead the relief efforts.

Wei Yingluo, unapologetically direct, asserted that her frankness came from a clear conscience. She praised Fu Heng's heroism but acknowledged his tendency towards recklessness in battle, recalling his disregard for previous imperial decrees to remain on the battlefield. The Emperor voiced his concern for Fu Heng's safety, but Wei Yingluo countered that for Fu Heng, dying in battle for his country would be "seeking benevolence."

When the Emperor questioned if she feared the late Empress would blame her for sending Fu Heng to his death, Wei Yingluo confidently stated that the late Empress understood Fu Heng best, and the Emperor's overprotective measures were perceived by Fu Heng as "scorn and a shackle." She concluded that Fu Heng's true aspiration was to be a "falcon soaring across the sky," not a mere "house dog."

Fu Heng reflected on the dire consequences faced by others in previous battles, noting how General Yarhashan was dismissed, while Commander Shun De Na and Commander Ma De Sheng were executed, and even General Zhao Hui was left stranded at Heishui Camp. Hailancha expressed his astonishment that the Emperor had suddenly approved Fu Heng's request after repeatedly rejecting it, questioning Fu Heng's romantic choices and wondering if he was lucky or unlucky.

Fu Heng, however, felt fortunate, stating that having his beloved also be his soulmate was a great blessing in life. Hailancha speculated whether Consort Ling had intervened on his behalf with the Emperor, deeming such an act exceptionally bold. Fu Heng simply smiled, expressing his happiness that Wei Yingluo had come to "send him off." Hailancha, skeptical, dismissed it as a mere coincidence, pointing out that she hadn't uttered a single word to him.

Fu Heng, with a knowing glance, replied that some understandings transcend spoken words. Now Consort Ling, Wei Yingluo remembered Yuan Chun Wang, who was still at the Old Summer Palace. She dispatched Xiao Quan Zi to bring him back to the palace. Xiao Quan Zi informed Yuan Chun Wang that Consort Ling believed he was wasting his talents at the Old Summer Palace and offered him the liberty to choose any position within the Imperial Household Department.

Yuan Chun Wang, sensing Xiao Quan Zi's subtle attempts to withhold information and suspecting his fear of losing influence, pressed him for more details. Xiao Quan Zi, after much prodding, reluctantly confessed that Consort Ling had also personally embroidered a pair of shoes for Yuan Chun Wang, intending to give them to him back at the Old Summer Palace.

Yuan Chun Wang, recognizing Xiao Quan Zi's "little tricks" and his apprehension about Yuan Chun Wang potentially usurping his position, sternly ordered him to hand over the shoes and "get lost." Later, Xiao Quan Zi returned to Wei Yingluo, reporting that Yuan Chun Wang's return had been arranged. He also informed her that the Emperor had sent her a set of riding attire, intending to personally teach her horse riding the following day in preparation for the Mulan Hunt.

Upon learning the Emperor intended to personally teach her horse riding for the Mulan Hunt, Wei Yingluo feigned disinterest, but Xiao Quan Zi emphasized the unprecedented honor. Recognizing an opportunity, Wei Yingluo instructed Xiao Quan Zi to widely disseminate the news of the Emperor's personal horse-riding lessons. Meanwhile, Consort Chun visited Consort Yu, ostensibly to offer ginseng for the Fifth Prince's cough. Consort Yu politely declined, explaining that the prince's condition required fritillary bulbs, not such a strong tonic.

Consort Chun insisted the ginseng was specifically chosen to address his lung deficiency, assuring its suitability. After Consort Yu thanked her, Consort Chun pointedly inquired if Consort Yu had heard about the Emperor personally teaching Consort Ling to ride, an implicit signal. Consort Yu feigned weariness to avoid the trap. During the riding lesson, the Emperor patiently instructed Wei Yingluo, telling her to relax and hold the reins tightly.

Wei Yingluo initially struggled with the horse, prompting the Emperor to tease her clumsiness, highlighting the horse's value as his personal favorite Ferghana steed. Observing her difficulty, the Emperor instructed Li Yu to bring a more "tamed horse" that he had specifically prepared for her.

As Wei Yingluo mounted the gentler horse, Hailancha arrived with an urgent military report: Horton's attempt to flood their camp had been thwarted by trenches, and Fu Heng's arrival with reinforcements, coupled with General Zhao Hui's pincer attack, had resulted in the defeat of five thousand enemies. However, General Zhao Hui had sustained a slight leg injury after his horse got stuck in the mud. Fu Heng was still pursuing the fleeing Horton, with no further updates.

Mid-report, Wei Yingluo suddenly fell from her horse, but the Emperor swiftly rushed forward and caught her just in time. Though the Emperor caught her, Wei Yingluo had suffered a severe fracture to her right arm and lost consciousness. Imperial Physicians applied a warm poultice to ease her pain before attempting to set the bone, emphasizing the need for constant poultice changes and strict supervision to prevent her from moving the injured arm.

Meanwhile, the Emperor received a second military report confirming Fu Heng had annihilated the remaining enemy forces, though Horton had escaped, and that Fu Heng and General Zhao Hui were now regrouping. Hailancha reported his findings: the horse's feed had been deliberately tampered with, causing the normally docile animal to go wild and throw Wei Yingluo. He noted that without the Emperor's timely intervention, Wei Yingluo's head would have hit the ground, likely proving fatal.

The Emperor immediately ordered the detention and interrogation of all involved in the Imperial Horsemasters, from supervisors to attendants. Despite urgent matters of state, including a severe drought in East of Zhejiang and waiting military executives, the Emperor prioritized Wei Yingluo's care, ordering Physician Zhang and Physician Ye to take turns guarding Yanxi Palace and to inform him immediately upon her awakening.

He then attended to state affairs, deliberating on tax exemptions, disaster relief, and his planned prayer for rain at Black Dragon Pool. He also received alarming reports of spreading locust plagues in provinces like Dongguang, Wuqing, and Jinan, and a secret report alleging that a loyal official, Sun Jia Gan, was spreading rebellious poetry.

The Emperor ordered a secret investigation into the latter and mandated strict oversight for locust outbreaks across the provinces, threatening immediate dismissal for any official who concealed information or delayed response. Later, upon Wei Yingluo awakening, the Emperor blamed himself for the accident. Wei Yingluo, feigning deep sorrow, claimed someone had tried to kill her, stating she would have broken her neck had he not caught her. The Emperor comforted her and solemnly promised to bring the culprit to justice.

After she drifted back to sleep, it was revealed that the Emperor himself had sustained a significant injury while saving her. He brushed off his attendant's pleas to summon an imperial physician, explaining he wished to avoid attracting more attention due to Wei Yingluo's numerous enemies and had simply forgotten his own wound amidst the day's events. He merely requested simple bandaging and medicine to stop the bleeding.

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