Story of Yanxi Palace Episode 7 Recap
> Story of Yanxi Palace Recap
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At the Empress's birthday banquet, Wei Yingluo hesitated to present her gift, drawing the attention of Noble Consort Gao, who recognized her as the palace maid who had previously visited her chambers. Just then, Li Yu arrived, bearing the Emperor's special birthday gift for the Empress: a meticulously crafted make-up box that also announced the time. While others admired the thoughtful present, Noble Consort Gao, claiming a sudden cold, and Consort Jia, citing her son Yongcheng's illness, quickly excused themselves.
Taking advantage of the Empress's joyous mood from the Emperor's gift, Wei Yingluo finally unveiled the phoenix robe prepared by the Embroidery House. Instead of the usual luxurious gold, silver, or peacock feather threads, this robe was embroidered with fine thread spun from deer tail fur.
When accused of presenting a crudely made item, Wei Yingluo eloquently explained that the choice of material honored Manchu customs and reflected the Empress's virtue of frugality, also serving as a reminder of their ancestors' hardships in establishing the empire. Her explanation impressed the Empress, making the robe stand out among all the other gifts.
After the banquet, Wei Yingluo knelt outside the hall and confessed the truth to the Empress: the peacock feather thread had been lost, and she had to improvise. The Empress questioned why Wei Yingluo had waited until the last moment to present the robe. Wei Yingluo admitted she was strategically waiting for the Emperor's gift, knowing it would uplift the Empress's spirits and make her more lenient, thus helping her avoid severe punishment.
Amused by Wei Yingluo's cunning, the Empress decided she liked the maid and instructed Er Qing to arrange for Wei Yingluo's transfer to Changchun Palace after she finished embroidering a casual dress for the Empress. Later, Ji Xiang expressed her confusion about Wei Yingluo's risky honesty, but Wei Yingluo revealed her true intention: it was a calculated plan to draw the Empress's attention and secure a transfer to Changchun Palace, where she hoped to frequently encounter Imperial Guard Fucha.
News of Wei Yingluo's transfer to Changchun Palace fueled Ling Long's jealousy. Before leaving the Embroidery House, Wei Yingluo was determined to identify the person who stole the peacock feather thread. Ling Long was caught sneaking into Wei Yingluo's room late at night but feigned innocence, claiming she only wanted to touch the beautiful gifts Wei Yingluo had received. Without concrete evidence, Wei Yingluo had to let her go.
Ling Long grew increasingly agitated after learning that the Empress had ordered Chief Wu to thoroughly investigate the theft. Desperate to escape culpability, on Ji Xiang's birthday, Ling Long feigned goodwill and offered Ji Xiang a mysterious gift buried outside. Unaware of the trap, Ji Xiang was caught by Chief Wu digging up the stolen peacock feather thread.
Ji Xiang cried out that Ling Long had framed her, and Madam Zhang pleaded for her, but Chief Wu, eager to conclude the investigation, dismissed their pleas, stating the evidence was irrefutable. Ji Xiang was subsequently sentenced to be caned to death. Wei Yingluo found only Ji Xiang's lifeless body, clutching a handkerchief she had gifted her. She silently vowed to avenge her friend.
Ling Long, meanwhile, shed crocodile tears, earning sympathy from the other maids who, in turn, ridiculed the seemingly stoic Wei Yingluo as heartless. As Wei Yingluo made repeated mistakes in her work, Ling Long's feigned concern only intensified Wei Yingluo's contempt. Wei Yingluo confronted Ling Long, asserting Ji Xiang's innocence, which made Ling Long visibly nervous, though she continued to deny everything.
Madam Zhang announced that the embroidery maid in charge of the Emperor's casual dress had fallen ill, and a replacement was needed. Ling Long, seeing an opportunity, eagerly volunteered. However, Wei Yingluo proposed a competition: the winner would have the sole right to embroider the Emperor's casual dress. Ling Long poured all her effort into her work, but the dragon's eyes proved challenging. Fearing she couldn't surpass Wei Yingluo, Ling Long secretly swapped her embroidery with Wei Yingluo's.
Simultaneously, the Emperor, feeling constrained by powerful ministers, sought to reclaim his authority. Imperial Guard Fucha, with his astute analysis of the political landscape, earned the Emperor's satisfaction. Later, enraged by state affairs, the Emperor accidentally knocked over his teacup. As he wiped his casual dress, he discovered a needle left in the collar, which pricked him. Furious, he demanded a severe punishment for all involved. Chief Wu was called to investigate.
When accused, Ling Long vehemently denied responsibility, blaming Wei Yingluo and claiming the robe was her work. Madam Zhang, however, confirmed that Ling Long herself had submitted the finished dress. Despite Ling Long's protests, Chief Wu had her taken away. Wei Yingluo visited Ling Long in prison, subtly implying that her own mind had been clouded by Ji Xiang's death, causing her to accidentally leave the needle.
She suggested that Ling Long, too impatient, had failed to check the robe properly and even hinted that Ji Xiang might be punishing her from beyond the grave. Cornered, Ling Long confessed to framing Ji Xiang, callously stating that Ji Xiang was "too dumb. . . so she deserved it." Unbeknownst to Ling Long, the Emperor had already decreed her punishment: she would be caned eighty times and banished to the remote border region of Ningguta, never to return.
