Story of Yanxi Palace Episode 65 Recap
> Story of Yanxi Palace Recap
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- 18
- 19
- 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
- 24
- 25
- 26
- 27
- 28
- 29
- 30
- 31
- 32
- 33
- 34
- 35
- 36
- 37
- 38
- 39
- 40
- 41
- 42
- 43
- 44
- 45
- 46
- 47
- 48
- 49
- 50
- 51
- 52
- 53
- 54
- 55
- 56
- 57
- 58
- 59
- 60
- 61
- 62
- 63
- 64
- 65
- 66
- 67
- 68
- 69
- 70
Ten years have passed since the truce between the Empress and Wei Yingluo. The Empress, concerned about Twelfth Prince Yong Ji's future amidst the growing favor of Fifth Prince Yong Qi, sought Yuan Chun Wang’s advice. He warned that if Yong Qi ascended the throne, Yong Ji would be in a precarious position, akin to an aging parrot facing misfortune, and urged the Empress to act quickly.
The Empress hesitated, reminding him of her promise to Wei Yingluo not to harm any imperial princes. Zhen chastised Yuan Chun Wang for upsetting the Empress, but he argued that the Empress, complacent after ten years of peace, needed to act decisively for Yong Ji's future. He stated he was also considering their own future and urged Zhen to reflect on his words.
Yuan Chun Wang continued to scheme, approaching Hong Zhou, asserting that only he genuinely cared for the Empress and could help her and Twelfth Prince navigate their increasingly difficult path. He warned that if Yong Qi ascended the throne, the Fuca clan would gain immense power, leaving Hong Zhou, a royal uncle, sidelined. He implied that even the Emperor had never fully trusted Hong Zhou, further fanning his discontent.
Later, the Emperor assigned Hong Zhou the responsibility of reviewing the Imperial Examination papers. However, the Emperor himself continued to scrutinize the scholars' test papers, causing Hong Zhou to feel distrusted and complain aloud. The Emperor confronted Hong Zhou, inviting him to voice his grievances directly, warning him that since he refused to speak when given the chance, he should remain silent about his complaints forever. Fifth Prince Yong Qi’s frequent visits annoyed Wei Yingluo.
She instructed Xiao Quan Zi to claim she was unavailable, even hiding inside a storage chest to avoid him. Yong Qi insisted on waiting, expressing concern for her health and lamenting her postpartum illness from Zhao Hua’s birth. Soon after, the Emperor arrived. He engaged Yong Qi in a chess game, forcing Wei Yingluo to emerge from the chest. Yong Qi, realizing she was avoiding him, explained that he regarded her as his true mother since childhood.
Wei Yingluo, acknowledging Yong Qi’s good intentions, playfully remarked that she was too old to adopt another "son," prompting Yong Qi to leave. The Emperor, amused, understood Wei Yingluo’s deeper concerns and reminded her of the children they had together, including Yong Lu whom they lost. He knew Wei Yingluo feared her own health might leave her children without strong support.
He urged her to recover fully and promised to stay by her side, warning he would not forgive her if she left him mid-life. Wei Yingluo promised to live a long life. That night, the Empress felt unwell. Later, she was saddened to discover her parrot had died. Yuan Chun Wang visited Hong Zhou, ostensibly to ask for a new parrot, but subtly hinted at her worries and Noble Consort Ling’s continued favor with the Emperor.
Later, the Empress summoned Physician Zhang, who advised her to calm her mind and spoke frankly, suggesting that as Empress, she should be at peace and avoid competing with other consorts. Angered by his implication that she was jealous, the Empress dismissed him. The Emperor presented Wei Yingluo with two copies of Huang Gongwang’s "Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains," asking her to identify the genuine one.
Wei Yingluo immediately identified the Emperor's existing painting as the real one, dismissing Fu Heng's artistic judgment. The Emperor initially asserted Fu Heng's gift was genuine, but Wei Yingluo insisted on the superior brushwork of the 'old' painting. The Emperor ordered Supervisor Li to store the genuine one in Sanxi Hall, explaining that Wei Yingluo had deliberately called the genuine painting a fake because she knew he would enthusiastically stamp it, potentially ruining its authenticity.
Meanwhile, Wei Yingluo confided in Zhenzhu that her deception was to protect the Emperor's pride. During this time, the Empress arrived, intending to discuss the summer retreat to Yuanming Garden. Overhearing the laughter between the Emperor and Wei Yingluo, she silently left, visibly displeased. The Empress, gazing into her mirror, felt her beauty was fading. She feared physical decline and the Emperor’s eventual disdain.
Yuan Chun Wang argued that unlike the Empress Dowager, the Empress was too dependent on her husband. He reminded her of her past decisiveness and accused her of becoming indecisive. When the Empress reiterated her vow not to harm any prince, Yuan Chun Wang dismissed it, asserting her true fear was losing the Emperor's affection. Outraged, the Empress ordered Yuan Chun Wang to receive forty strokes of the cane. Zhen pleaded for Yuan Chun Wang.
The Empress declared that his words, if spread, would implicate her. As Zhen tended to his wounds, Yuan Chun Wang maintained that the Empress’s anger proved he had struck a nerve. He then stated his true goal was to make the Empress "recognize herself, recognize the Emperor, and recognize the path ahead," adding that if the Empress herself would not take drastic action, he would do it himself.
Receiving snacks and an invitation from the Empress, the Emperor paid her a visit. He observed her appearance and noticed she was consuming semifluid extract of deer foetus. The Empress used this opportunity to voice her complaints about Wei Yingluo, accusing her of neglecting the princes’ education and being especially critical of Fifteenth Prince's education. The Emperor acknowledged her point regarding Fifteenth Prince, promising to speak with Wei Yingluo about it. However, he dismissed her concerns about the princesses’ marriages and quickly departed, leaving her disappointed.
