Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace (Legend of Ruyi / Hou Gong Ruyi Zhuan / 如懿传)

The empress is on the verge of death.

I'm afraid she's already in a coma.

May the empress be blessed by the gods.

What nonsense is that?

My mother is at her prime.

How can she be on the verge of death?

You only said such nonsense because you aren't skilled enough!

Jing Se!

Your mother is critically ill.

Only someone like Qi Ru who has treated her for years dares to speak frankly.

Your Majesty.

Whatever condition the empress is in

you must inform the Imperial Household Department quickly.

They have to get the auspicious wood ready in the capital.

Even it's just to ward off the bad luck.

I'll leave this to Mother.

Qi Ru, attend upon the empress well.

Should anything happen, report back to me.

Yes.

Noble Consort Xian.

The empress is severely ill after falling into the water.

You and Noble Consort Chun are to help look after her carefully.

- Yes. - Yes.

The others should head back.

Yes.

Jing Se, come with me.

Are you all right, My Lady?

- I'm fine. - Be careful.

Congratulations.

You've finally been promoted after all these years.

Thank you, Noble Lady Ling.

My Lady, why is a beaded flower missing from your headpiece?

When I found out that the empress fell into the water

I was in such a panic that I didn't notice when I lost it.

I really deserve to die.

His Majesty bestowed that beaded flower to me

last Double Seventh Day.

Should I go and look for it?

Forget it.

It's a mess out there now.

His Majesty will be displeased if we're out looking for a beaded flower.

I won't wear it anymore.

His Majesty won't notice.

- Hai Lan. - Noble Consort Chun.

Go and make a pot of fine tea.

Yes.

- Just stay outside. - Yes.

I was waiting for you.

The empress is in a critical condition.

That is really worrying.

Come here.

I intend to discuss this with you.

Have you heard what Imperial Physician Qi said?

He said...

He said that after the empress was rescued from the water

she kept saying an eye for an eye.

I'm wondering if it's such a coincidence that she overheard what we said.

Or...

Perhaps the empress overheard us and got so angry that she fell into the water?

We heard noises but neither of us went out to take a look.

Do you think we'll be blamed for ignoring her cries for help?

You're overthinking.

We really didn't hear anyone crying out for help.

How could we know that someone has fallen into the water?

Nor could we have known that it was the empress.

You're right.

What if the empress gets back at us when she regains consciousness?

It was all because of Imperial Concubine Mei.

Why doesn't she watch what she says?

It's really gotten me into trouble.

Imperial Concubine Mei isn't usually so reckless.

I wonder what the matter is with her today?

Who knows what made her act up?

Tell me...

If the empress really gets back at me, what am I to do?

The empress is already in that state.

She won't get back at you.

Why don't I head out there now and get on my knees to beg for forgiveness?

All in all, it was Imperial Concubine Mei who spoke recklessly.

This has nothing to do with you.

How can I possibly ease my mind?

The empress won't dare to come to you.

She must have overheard Imperial Concubine Mei say

an eye for an eye.

Then she fell into the river.

She still couldn't forget it after she was rescued.

Although His Majesty is concerned about the empress

he might also have his suspicions after hearing about that.

What did the empress do that can't be found out?

Am I right?

Therefore, even if the empress regains consciousness

she won't dare to come to you.

That's good.

This has nothing to do with me.

My children won't be implicated.

Don't worry.

Your Majesty, the empress is awake.

I'll take a look.

You're dismissed.

Yes.

Empress.

You're awake.

Your Majesty.

After having pulled through this accident

I know that I don't have much time left.

But when I open my eyes and see that you're right by my side

I'm really happy.

Don't sound so disheartened.

You only had a fright from falling into the water.

You'll be fine after some recuperation.

I'm not blessed.

I couldn't keep your legal sons alive.

Now...

Jing Se has already found a good spouse.

I beg you not to have Jing Se mourn three years for me because of my death.

She's not a child anymore.

In the past, I couldn't bear to have her married off.

But now, she can't afford to wait much longer.

Jing Se is the only legal daughter that we have.

I will certainly have her best interests at heart.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

I have a favor to ask of you.

Empress, lie back down.

Lie back down.

Your Majesty...

I know that I won't survive for long.

I...

As the empress, the owner of the phoenix seal

I'd like to recommend you a suitable candidate of the step empress.

Noble Consort Chun gave birth to princes.

She's diligent in her service, gentle, generous, and worthy of praise.

She has virtues that renders her suitable as an empress.

Empress...

You shouldn't be the one to consider this matter.

Empress isn't just a title or an identity.

She's even more so, my wife.

Therefore, I should be the one to consider this matter.

Please allow me to speak out of turn.

Noble Consort Chun, Imperial Concubine Shu

or even if you wish to marry someone else as the empress

I'm not worried about it.

But there's one person who must not be chosen.

Noble Consort Xian is from the Ula-Nara clan.

You should know just how vicious the former empress was.

A descendant of that sort of woman must not be made an empress.

Empress, get some rest.

You need not speak of such matters.

Your Majesty...

You haven't called me by my name for a very long time.

Do you still remember my name?

How could I not remember it?

It means the place where gods kept their books

and the most brilliant of women.

Lang Hua.

A name that sounds like an empress.

Rui Ji, what are you doing out here late at night?

There's not much time left for us to attend upon the empress.

It's always good to show some respect

by standing out here on the Green-back Tit Boat.

I'm a bit puzzled.

You'd actually help me this much just because you're scared?

I definitely am scared.

Imperial Noble Consort Zhemin died in difficult labor along with her daughter.

It's said that the empress did it.

Imperial Concubine Yi's child and yours

as well as the death of Imperial Noble Consort Huixian...

I really am frightened.

I'm too timid to take any action.

If it weren't that you remained adamant

I would have been too frightened and stopped halfway.

Your Majesty.

In this lifetime, there were times when I felt really aggrieved

and truly frightened.

Frightened?

You were my princess consort.

Now, you're the empress.

What's there to be scared of?

As for grievances

perhaps you weren't satisfied with certain matters?

Since I was a young girl

I was brought up to act and behave like a legal wife.

Assist my husband and raise children.

Manage a home.

But I know that I'm not the princess consort you wanted.

It was Lady Ula-Nara that you chose.

I...

I was only chosen because Mother and the former emperor made you.

Are you blaming me?

I wouldn't dare.

I'm just terrified and insecure.

I've never truly had my husband all to myself.

Nor have I ever had his love.

Yet I can't complain. I can't hate.

I can't put my identity to shame.

I've been making great efforts to be a good wife.

But I...

I am just a woman.

I wish to be loved by my husband.

Do I not treat you well?

You're my legal wife.