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

Consort Xian, you made it sound so simple.

Should the both of us be lucky enough to conceive a child one day

but fail to give birth safely because of Noble Lady Mei

will you take your life like she did?

That's enough.

Enough of the arguing.

Yes.

Noble Consort, I know that you have Qing Dynasty's good fortune at heart.

However, what you just said is somewhat inappropriate.

I admit to my mistake.

Your Majesty, at the moment, you intend to...

Noble Lady Yi will still be under the empress's care.

As for Noble Lady Mei, relocate her to the Hall of Calming Brilliance

so that she can be near the prayers to the Buddha

and clear her mind.

Your Majesty. But Noble Lady Mei--

She already lost her child.

I just want to find out who is so bold as to

spread such rumors to mislead the masses. I definitely won't forgive him.

Noble Consort, take your leave now.

I take my leave.

The only ones who saw the child that day are me, the empress

Consort Xian, Qi Ru, and Wang Qin.

Yes.

Whoever saw the child were already dismissed that night.

They shouldn't be able to say much in the palace.

Empress, could someone have seen the child when Wang Qin took it away?

Wang Qin has served Your Majesty for years.

He shouldn't make such a blunder.

He reported back to me after his task was accomplished.

He said that he had sent Noble Lady Mei's child away and handled it properly.

I heard you.

I'll see Your Majesty off.

What are you watching that made you so entranced?

Greetings, Noble Lady Jia.

Noble Lady Yi is with child.

It's now so lively in the Palace of Great Brilliance.

Indeed.

Noble Lady Yi used to be but a maid of the empress.

Noble Lady Mei was just a lutenist from the Southern Bureau.

Once favored, the both of them climbed up the ranks.

So many are envious of them.

In fact, you're both servants.

A'ruo, you're actually more beautiful than Noble Lady Yi.

Your father is also doing well.

Who knows? You might also get lucky some day.

Noble Lady Yi has a good mistress like the empress.

I'm not that fortunate.

You're right.

How can Consort Xian allow you to climb up the ranks?

She must be taking precautions against you.

Look at how young you are.

Who wouldn't fall for you if you dressed up?

His Majesty is very handsome and charming.

There are so many who wish to serve by His Majesty's side.

But not everyone gets to do so.

Where's A'ruo?

My lady, your coat with white fox fur lining is worn out.

A'ruo was going to pick some new ones in the leather storage.

She's been away for a long while.

It must be that she's still picking out the leather.

My lady, you seem a bit down.

I'm quite disturbed by the many rumors in the palace.

We're never short of rumors here in the palace.

Why should you be troubled by it?

Suo Xin.

If the rumor that His Majesty cares the most about

could only be from me, the empress, Qi Ru, or Wang Qin

what do you think His Majesty has in mind?

His Majesty wouldn't have doubted you.

Is that so?

His Majesty is already investigating into it.

I hope this matter will come to light soon.

Eunuch Wang!

Greetings, Noble Consort.

How are you doing on the task His Majesty ordered you to carry out?

Noble Consort Hui, I've been working diligently on it.

Don't let His Majesty down.

It's as good as not letting me down.

Yes.

- Go on. - Yes.

Qi Ru.

How long have you attended to me?

I've served Your Majesty for more than 10 years.

What I like the most about you is that you're tight-lipped.

However, there are now rumors spreading throughout the palace.

Your Majesty.

Should those rumors originate from my very own mouth

I'm willing to be charged with treason

and accept any punishment from Your Majesty.

That's good to know. All I seek is the truth.

Don't wander around in the palace these days.

Stay in your own manor.

I shall bear that in mind.

Noble Lady Mei isn't blessed enough to have a child.

Noble Lady Yi, you have His Majesty's blessings

and the empress to take care of you, so what have you got to fear?

What matters the most right now is the imperial offspring you're carrying.

You don't have to worry about those rumors in the palace.

Exactly.

You're in the Palace of Great Brilliance which means to be in awe of light.

Light, "Yang," is also masculine.

That's a good sign.

I think that you must be carrying a little prince.

His Majesty will surely be overjoyed if you give birth to a prince.

Noble Lady Yi, after all, once served under the empress.

You've made the empress proud in a way.

It's said that women can't stand the cold in their pregnancy.

Noble Lady Yi, you should have a few more braziers around.

Noble Lady Jia is so thoughtful. I really can't stand the cold.

Imperial Concubine Chun.

You always say that babies will be born healthy

if the mothers have more fish and prawns.

Why didn't you tell Noble Lady Yi about it?

You're so biased.

She's only in the early stage of pregnancy.

Look at how anxious you are. Even His Majesty isn't worried.

How can I not be worried?

I'd also like to have a few more braziers burning and to eat more fish.

Seriously.

Noble Lady Yi has been very careful in her pregnancy.

She hardly leaves her quarters and doesn't dare to be in the wind.

After seeing what happened to Noble Lady Mei

she's definitely frightened since she's quite timid.

- Move it! - Eunuch!

Eunuch! We didn't say a word!

What is going on?

Wang Qin is acting upon the decree

to investigate servants who spread the rumors.

Buddha!

I beg you to open your eyes!

Who exactly is it that harmed me and my son?

My long desired wealth and aspiration are gone with that poor child of mine.

Greetings, Empress Dowager.

I couldn't welcome you in sooner.

It really is impolite of me.

It's not too convenient to visit you in the Palace of Eternal Harmony.

The emperor is right to have relocated you here.

You're so sad and miserable.

It will actually do you some good to listen to the prayers here.

Empress Dowager...

Everyone in the palace is saying that I gave birth to a monster!

How could I possibly give birth to such a child?

Someone must have harmed me!

I didn't get to see that child.

I can't confirm if that child was as he was rumored to be.

However, Noble Lady Mei, your child is already gone.

The emperor also refuses to mention him.

Why would you insist on tormenting yourself so?

If you remain so obstinate

I'm afraid death will be right at your doorstep.

- Empress Dowager-- - I've already heard that

Noble Consort suggested to the emperor to let you take your life

and keep your child company.

The emperor didn't take her advice this time

nor consent to it.

However, in the future when she gets to suggest it again in bed

and the emperor accepts it

there's no telling that it won't be possible.

Then, you won't have to go to all the trouble to hang yourself.

The emperor will fulfill your wish.

Empress Dowager!

I never truly wanted to kill myself!

It's only because His Majesty hasn't been to visit me

that I resorted to such a plan!

I've also staged those maids to be there.

I don't wish to die, Empress Dowager!

Get up.

When I brought you here from the Southern Bureau that day

I noticed that you have a certain disposition.

If you die so easily

isn't it a waste of my efforts in nurturing you?

Empress Dowager...

I'm slow-witted.

Please offer me your advice.

There's a whole hall full of gods and Buddha to guide you.

Yet you're the only one who can figure out what advice to take.

I know that you're upset about losing your child.

But you have to bear this in mind.

As long as you stay alive

you'll have a chance to be in favor and conceive again.

However, as for how you can get out of the Hall of Calming Brilliance

and how to not let me down

it's entirely up to you.

I will bear Empress Dowager's advice in mind.

However, there's one matter that I also can't figure out.

Although you had a rough pregnancy

it shouldn't have made you give birth to such a child as said in the rumors.

Mother, servants have been taken away from the Long Street these days.

I saw them a couple of times.

Yong Huang, just focus on your studies.

This has nothing to do with you.

- Okay? - Yes.

Greetings, Consort Xian. Greetings, Eldest Prince.

His Majesty has asked Consort Xian over to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Do not bring anyone else.

Mother...

Wait here for me.

Wang Qin has talked to His Majesty.

I don't know what it's about.