Story of Yanxi Palace Episode 8 Recap
> Story of Yanxi Palace Recap
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The Emperor issued a decree for Ling Long, condemning her to eighty strokes of the cane and lifelong exile to Ningguta, forbidding her ever to return to the capital. Ling Long cried out, recalling her past oath to the heavens and acknowledging this as her retribution, yet she pleaded desperately with Wei Yingluo to save her. Wei Yingluo remained resolute, declaring it was already too late.
Before departing for Changchun Palace, Wei Yingluo was questioned by Madam Zhang about her intentions. Wei Yingluo affirmed her purpose was to get close to Fu Heng to uncover the truth behind her sister’s death, vowing that whoever harmed her sister would pay the ultimate price. Upon arriving at Changchun Palace, Wei Yingluo found its vastness made accessing Fu Heng difficult.
Ming Yu, a senior palace maid, immediately expressed disdain for Wei Yingluo, questioning how a mere embroidery servant could be elevated to the Empress's residence. She warned Wei Yingluo to be cautious, learn from others, and not disgrace the Empress, assigning her to sweep the courtyard and specifically instructing her not to touch the Empress's cherished jasmine flowers. Later, Wei Yingluo deliberately dropped a jade pendant in Fu Heng's path.
Though he initially walked past, he soon returned to seek her out, demanding the pendant. To prove his ownership, he correctly detailed a small chip on it and the Fuca surname carved on the back. Wei Yingluo returned it, addressing him as "Young Master." Fu Heng, however, told her not to smile at men in such a manner, calling it improper. As he left, Wei Yingluo wondered if he was the one who had harmed her sister.
Ming Yu, who secretly harbored feelings for Fu Heng, witnessed their interaction and immediately accused Wei Yingluo of seducing him in broad daylight. Wei Yingluo calmly retorted that merely speaking a few words did not constitute seduction. Infuriated, Ming Yu ordered her to clean the entire main hall as punishment. Ming Yu continued to find fault with Wei Yingluo and complained to Er Qing, another senior maid, about her impudence.
Er Qing defended Wei Yingluo, pointing out that Fu Heng often visited the Empress, and if he chose to speak to a maid, she could hardly ignore him. Er Qing intervened, telling Wei Yingluo she had tidied up sufficiently and could rest. When Ming Yu questioned this, Er Qing explained she was protecting Ming Yu from escalating the conflict, as Wei Yingluo’s straightforward nature could lead to an argument that would disturb the Empress.
Despite this, Ming Yu remained distrustful and instructed the other maids to isolate Wei Yingluo. That night, unable to sleep, Wei Yingluo clutched her sister’s ashes, her grief mixing with the suspicion that Fu Heng was the culprit. On another occasion, Ming Yu threatened to sever Wei Yingluo's hand for touching the Empress's personal belongings, claiming it was not yet her turn for such duties.
Later, Ming Yu took the water Wei Yingluo had prepared for the Empress and then falsely accused Wei Yingluo of idleness. Er Qing tried to defend her, but Ming Yu dismissed Er Qing as "too nice" and continued to slander Wei Yingluo to the Empress. Observing a lunar halo and dark clouds, Wei Yingluo accurately predicted a coming downpour and advised Ming Yu to protect the courtyard flowers, but Ming Yu scoffed.
Ming Yu's negative reports prompted the Empress to consider sending Wei Yingluo back to the embroidery house. However, a heavy thunderstorm struck that night. The Empress, worried about her flowers, went outside to find Wei Yingluo had already braved the rain to cover them with oilcloths. Witnessing this, Ming Yu was shaken by her misjudgment. Er Qing advised Ming Yu to stop her gossip, reminding her that the Empress saw everything and valued unity.
After this incident, the other palace maids, seeing Wei Yingluo's dedication and insight, began to accept her, allowing Wei Yingluo to finally establish herself in Changchun Palace. Meanwhile, Noble Consort Gao learned that Wei Yingluo had feigned foolishness during their previous encounter and was enraged. She ordered Wei Yingluo to be bound, intending to have her tongue cut out.
The Empress arrived just in time, asserting her authority by declaring that Changchun Palace was not Chuxiu Palace and no one could harm her maids without her consent. The Empress demanded to know why Noble Consort Gao was so furious. Noble Consort Gao explained that Wei Yingluo had deliberately deceived her by acting foolish.
Wei Yingluo cleverly countered that she never explicitly claimed to be a fool; it was merely that her appearance might have given that impression, which was not her fault. Er Qing further clarified that any punishment for Changchun Palace maids was solely at the Empress's discretion, unless commanded by the Emperor or Empress Dowager. Thwarted, Noble Consort Gao warned the Empress about sheltering a "wolf" that might one day bite her before departing.
Once she was gone, the Empress asked Wei Yingluo what she had done to provoke such a reaction. Wei Yingluo confessed that she had informed Noble Lady Yu that the loquat ointment gifted by Noble Consort Gao contained poisonous young leaves. The Empress, admiring Wei Yingluo’s quick wit in feigning foolishness to escape punishment, warned her to be careful, as the humiliated Noble Consort Gao would not let the matter rest.
Back in her own palace, Noble Consort Gao fumed, but Concubine Jia advised her to prioritize targeting Noble Lady Yu. She dismissed Wei Yingluo as insignificant and emphasized the threat Noble Lady Yu would pose if she gave birth to a prince, reminding Noble Consort Gao of Concubine Yi’s death and the potential for retribution. Convinced, Noble Consort Gao agreed to target Noble Lady Yu first.
Meanwhile, Consort Xian tried to gain the Emperor's favor by personally crafting a pair of shoes for him. The Emperor remained indifferent, telling her through a eunuch that she needn't trouble herself with tasks meant for the imperial embroidery house. In the court, Minister Oshan was exposed for bribery, and Grand Secretary Zhang Tingyu was implicated due to their close association. The Emperor used this to warn Zhang Tingyu against forming factions.
He then revealed that Minister Ortai had instigated his student to impeach Oshan, deliberately drawing Zhang Tingyu into the scandal to eliminate a rival. The Emperor sharply admonished both men, reminding them of the late Emperor’s trust and urging them to protect their integrity. After they left, the Emperor commanded that everyone implicated in Oshan's case be severely punished without exception, intending to demonstrate the extent of imperial fury.
Elsewhere, Consort Xian's maid lamented that the Emperor did not appreciate her mistress's devotion, but Consort Xian insisted she was content with her actions. Their conversation was interrupted by Consort Xian’s distressed mother, who revealed that Xian’s brother had been imprisoned for bribing Oshan. She begged Consort Xian to intercede with the Emperor, but Xian refused, arguing that the Emperor was determined to purge corruption and asking for clemency would be inappropriate. Despite her mother's desperate pleas, Consort Xian remained unyielding.
