Story of Yanxi Palace - Episode 35 [Recap]

Eunuch Chun Wang tells Ying Luo that his master betrayed him (this was when Consort Xian was caught trying to sell her jewellery).  Ying Luo falls asleep leaning on him.  He tells her that they are one person and that he'll protect her.

Fu Heng goes to visit Lady Chun.  She asks him why he chose to marry Er Qing - why would he do it just so he could free Ying Luo?  Fu Heng tells her that it wasn't her business.  It was revealed through a flashback that Lady Chun liked Fu Heng ever since she first saw him when she was with the young Empress.  She gave him a pendant, which he currently wears on his belt.  Fu Heng doesn't remember her and thought that the Empress made the pendant for him.  He returns it back to Lady Chun. When Fu Heng left, Lady Chun asked her maid what she did with the love letter she wrote to him.  She got rid of it for her own good - Lady Chun's father had the intention for her to become a consort.

She quickly changes her composure when Noble Consort Xian arrives.  She brings the Hard Labour Department's Head Maid, who confesses that Lady Chun was the one who ordered her to put the blame on Ying Luo.  Noble Consort Xian then tells the servant to cut the maid's tongue off.  Lady Chun is scared, saying that Noble Consort Xian had changed and that she probably knows that she was the one behind it all.

The other maids make fun of Ying Luo, thinking that she might be heartbroken by Fu Heng's marriage.  She appears fine and they say that her heart is made out of steel.  Eunuch Chun Wang then teases her, saying that she was crying all night.  Ying Luo said that there was no use in being sad - she won't be able to get anything out of it.  Jin Xiu overhears their conversation and later tells Eunuch Chun Wang that she knows who killed Noble Consort Gao.

The Empress wakes up from her coma and asks for Fu Heng.

Back at the Hard Labour Department, Eunuch Chun Wang states that a maid went missing.  Ying Luo confronts him about it but he tells her not to worry about it.

The Emperor is with the Empress after knowing that she woke up. The Empress states that she was able to hear everything around her but felt like she was living in a nightmare.  He consoles her, saying that she would eventually be able to use her legs.  Fu Heng comes and the Emperor leaves.  The Empress yells at him for accepting the marriage with Er Qing.  She tells him that knowing Ying Luo's personality, she would rather die with him than for him to be with someone else.  She said that it was unfair for everyone involved.  She is upset about his decision since she thought that at least he and Ying Luo would have a happy ending. The Empress is worried about him, saying that he might regret his decision forever.  He is adamant about his decision.

Lady Chun and Noble Consort Xian went to visit the Empress, only to be told to visit later because the Empress just woke up and doesn't have the energy to see them.  Ming Yu tries to feed the Empress, but she refuses to eat.  The Emperor comes to feed her and asks her what she's thinking.  She begs him to cancel the marriage between Er Qing and Fu Heng.  He refuses.  She asks him why he wants to separate Fu Heng and Ying Luo.  He tells her that he wants to protect him, saying that they do not match.  The Empress laughs, saying that maybe it's because the Emperor has feelings for Ying Luo and wants her for himself.  The Emperor angrily leaves while the Empress falls down to beg the Emperor so that Fu Heng could be with Ying Luo as the Emperor has all the other ladies in the country to choose.

Ming Yu vents her frustration to Hai Lancha and kicks him - this time without hurting herself.  She is mad at Fu Heng for not treasuring Ying Luo and is disappointed in herself for falling in love with him.  Hai Lancha then takes her to a rooftop to cheer her up.  He tells her that he isn't looking for love, he just wants to advance in his career.

Noble Consort Xian tells Lady Chun that she should try to give birth to a child.  She tells her that the Empress is weak now that she had a miscarriage.  They play around with the Fourth Prince and tells her that she's getting old and without a child, she'll be lonely.

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Yay! The Empress is awake! And she's the only one who has the guts to tell the Emperor that he probably has feelings for Ying Luo but won't admit it himself.  It sucks that she just woke up from her coma to find out that it's impossible for Fu Heng and Ying Luo to be together again and that she can't do anything about it.  I really hope she calls Ying Luo to come back since Noble Consort Xian and Lady Chun seems to be planning something very soon...

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Story of Yanxi Palace - Episode 33 [Recap]

Eunuch Chun Wang and Ying Luo become sworn brother/sister.  Ying Luo is appreciative of the fact that he didn't tell anyone about her scheme against Noble Consort Gao.

Fu Heng asks to speak with Ming Yu.  He whispers something in her ear and Er Qing oversees this and asks Ming Yu what they were talking about.  She tells her that it's a secret.

Back at the Hard Labour Department, one of the servants says that the Noble Consort Gao died and now the Empress might not have any days left.  Ying Luo gets angry and confronts her, then learns that the Empress is having a high fever.

That night, Ying Luo sneaks into the Empress' palace.  She goes through the window, only to see Fu Heng on the other side helping her get down.  She then realizes that this was all his plan and that the Empress is not actually sick and her condition is stable.  She is angry at him for tricking her, but ends up visiting the Empress.  After she sneaks out, Fu Heng calls for her, telling her to remember what he said - that he'll always be there to wait for her.

Consort Xian is with the Empress, helping to organize Noble Consort Gao's funeral. As she leaves, she faints.  The Emperor gets the Imperial Doctor to look after her. It turns out her wound opened up, and because she is doing so much to organize Noble Consort Gao's funeral, she did was not able to recover.  The Emperor states that she should rest and wait for her wound to get better first.  She rejects the offer and kneels down, begging him to let her finish the preparations for the funeral before she takes care of herself.

The Emperor meets with the Empress Dowager and she praises Consort Xian, saying that even though Noble Consort Gao and her did not have a good relationship, she is negating her own self to properly prepare for the funeral.  She reminds the Emperor that it might be time to raise her rank so that she becomes a Noble Consort.  The Emperor does so, and Consort Xian is appointed the title Noble Consort Xian.

The Emperor arrives to the Empress' palace when Ying Luo is visiting as well.  Ming Yu greets him loudly to warn her.  When he arrives, Ying Luo is nowhere to be seen.  He talks to the unconscious Empress, saying that there is no one else in the palace that he can talk to.  He states that he grew up with Noble Consort Gao since they were kids.  She didn't grow up with her mother so she is like family to him.  He realizes why his father, the Later Emperor, warns him to not fall in love with any of the ladies in the court.  Just then, he sees the Empress' eyelashes flicker, but she is still unconscious.  He wonders whether she also thinks that he is cold-hearted.  He says that he didn't treat her or Noble Consort Gao properly.  Just then, he hears a noise and walks out.

Ming Yu then comes in with tea and calls for Ying Luo.  She comes out behind the curtains, asking whether the "annoying ghost" left.  The Emperor then walks out.  Ming Yu apologizes, saying that she was forced to oust her out.  The Emperor asks Ying Luo why she's there and yells at her.  Ying Luo distracts him by saying that the Empress' hand moved and quickly sneaks out as he turns around.

Noble Consort Xian pours out the medicine for her wound, saying that she hopes she gets a scar from it so that the Emperor would remember what she did whenever he sees it.

Lady Chun then bumps into Fu Heng as he left the Empress' palace.  She confronts him about the rumour that he likes Ying Luo.  He doesn't deny this and tells her to mind her own business.  Lady Chun is angry when she goes back to her place.  She states that she is stupid for trying to be close with the Empress so that she can help Fu Heng pick a good wife, and he ends up choosing Ying Luo.  Her maid doesn't understand why she is so emotional about it.

The Emperor is mad at Minister Gao Junior (Noble Consort Gao's brother) because of what his father did.  He states that it was because of Noble Consort Gao's sudden death.  The Emperor gets even madder, saying that what he did involves many civilian's lives and throws a book at him.

The Emperor then goes to the Empress' palace and asks Ming Yu whether Ying Luo is there.  She first says that she didn't let her in anymore, but he asks again and she tells him that Ying Luo is at the back.  He goes and sees Ying Luo with the Empress' medicine.  He then realizes that she genuinely cares for the Empress.  The Emperor tells her that there shouldn't be any love in his relationships and that he has more important issues to worry about.  Ying Luo tells him that the Empress is different and that she truly loves him.  He gets mad that he's talking to a mere servant and leaves, but Ying Luo starts reciting one of his scriptures.  Ying Luo tells him that even though there are a lot of issues he has to deal with, he should deal with them one at a time and take little steps to achieve the bigger goal.  Ying Luo also tells him that the Empress taught her all of his writings so that she could better understand him. The Emperor praises the Empress, saying that she didn't waste her energy in raising Ying Luo.

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I still don't really like the Eunuch Chun Wang that much - he is too clever and is the only one who is able to read Ying Luo's next step.  He's too mysterious - I just hope that he continues to be on Ying Luo's side to help her and not betray her afterward.

(Noble) Consort Xian is really a next level evilness from Noble Consort Gao.  She puts on a 'nice' appearance but schemes even deeper than Noble Consort Gao, twisting people's emotions.  Noble Consort Gao is outwardly evil and schemes only out of jealousy.

Ying Luo finally meets the Empress now that Noble Consort Gao is dealt with.  I was hoping that the Empress would magically wake up from her coma with the presence of Ying Luo (but I think it's going to be very soon since her lashes did flicker). 

And the Emperor FINALLY believes that Ying Luo actually cares for the Empress and is not doing it for benefits afterward.  Seems like he's gravitating towards her since Noble Consort Gao is gone and the Empress is in a coma... I can't wait for Ying Luo to come back (hoping it is soon).

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Story of Yanxi Palace - Episode 24 [Recap]

Ying Luo leaves as Fu Heng yells after her.  The Empress tells him to stop and asked him why he did this.  Fu Heng states that all he wants is for her to be at peace.  He doesn't care about anything else.

Ying Luo asks Ming Yu to take her shift at the garden because she's not feeling well and wants to go to the doctor.  Ming Yu wants her sweet talk her and beg her.  She playfully begs her and Ming Yu agrees.  Qing Er is looking for Ying Luo only to find Ming Yu.  She tells Ming Yu that Ying Luo is quick-witted and smart, and the two of them probably can't match up to her in terms of usefulness.  Ming Yu gets angry and walks away.

Ying Luo is at the pharmacy and asks for Doctor Shi Tian. A servant comes in saying that there's an emergency that a Consort can't breathe.  Ying Luo then meets with Doctor Shi Tian and he complains that the other doctors look down on him, not allowing him to see any patients.  He's only allowed to dry the medicine.  Ying Luo asks him for some medicine since she is suffering from insomnia.  He gives her some medicine, warning her not to take too much because it can also be used as an anesthetic. 

The Empress Dowager meets up with Prince He's mother, Consort Dowager Yu.  She states that she wishes the Emperor would reprimand his behaviour.  The Empress Dowager then states that she'll send someone to give him lashes.  Consort Dowager Yu then tries to stop her.  The Empress Dowager just snickers.

The Emperor and Prince He are playing checkers.  Prince He doesn't want to play anymore since it's the eighth time he lost.  The Emperor states that he wants him to help him with the government.  He refuses, saying that the previous Emperor doesn't think that he has the ability and that he is too carefree. 

Prince He walks out and bumps into Ying Luo and calls her 'sister-in-law'.  Ying Luo greets him and then walks away.  Prince He tells her that the Emperor wants him to go to the palace every day and then tells her to stop walking away.  Ying Luo states that if he's there every day, then there would be more opportunities to see each other and leaves.  Prince He then comments that Ying Luo is prettier than her sister.  Hai Lancha then tells him that Fu Heng has a good relationship with her.  Prince He states that he wants to know whether she likes him better or Fu Heng.  Hai Lancha then tells Fu Heng.

Fu Heng goes to visit Ying Luo.  She refuses to see him and makes Jing Ju be the messenger for them, relaying their messages to each other although they can hear each other.  Jing Ju gets frustrated being the third wheel and leaves.  Fu Heng warns Ying Luo again to not do anything rash.

The Empress asks Qing Er to send the late consort something.  Ying Luo offers to go instead.  When she went, she intentionally crosses paths with Prince He.  Prince He tells his servant to change clothes with him.  He follows Ying Luo and confronts her.  She tries to flirt with him and then takes out the incense to knock him out.  She tries to attack him with the candlestick, but he is still conscious and runs away.  Ying Luo runs after him and tells him that her sister was her everything. She was waiting for her to come out of the palace, but he killed her before that happened. She states that she hates him for not being punished properly because he was royalty.  He runs off, yelling for people to help him. 

The Emperor hears him and walks towards his direction.  Just before help arrived, Ying Luo unbuttons her shirt and also yells for help, kneeling before the Emperor.  She claims that Prince He was drunk and tried to kill her because she caught him with a maid.  He denies this, but Ying Luo points out that if he wasn't, why would he be incognito, wearing a servant's clothes.  The Emperor gets mad and slaps Prince He and tells him to stop talking.

The Emperor meets with Ying Luo alone to question her.  The Empress then comes in, saying that she'll put her life on the line to vouch for her and that she believes she's telling the truth.  She states that she won't interfere with matters concerning Prince He, but Ying Luo is one of her maids and she'll punish her if she's lying.  The Emperor reluctantly agrees but is still furious.  He tells them to leave. 

Just when they go outside, Prince He is yelling at Ying Luo, calling her a liar.  His mother arrives and yells at him for what he did.  She brings out a whip and starts whipping him, saying that even if he didn't do it, he has the reputation that it's possible.  The Emperor watches this unfolds and finally tells her to stop and go back to her palace.  As she leaves, Prince He faints.

Ying Luo kneels in front of the Empress, starting to explain the situation.  The Empress stops her and tells her that she already knows that she was in the wrong but was still willing to vouch for her.  She states that the Emperor has a really close relationship with Prince He and if she had come any later, Ying Luo would have died.  Ying Luo apologizes and thanks her.  The Empress made her promise not to interfere with Prince he anymore.

Fu Heng visits the sick Prince He and strangles him with his hand.  He warns him not to touch Ying Luo.  Prince He tells him that he wasn't in the wrong.  Fu Heng lets go of his neck and leaves.

The Empress Dowager and Prince He's mother are discussing about him.  She states that if the Emperor could sentence Prince He to death for his actions.

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Story of Yanxi Palace - Episode 23 [Recap]

Ying Luo drinks the Empress' tea to prove that she didn't put any poison in it.  She tells them that she did go to Noble Consort Gao and that she told her to poison them.  Ying Luo says that she told her that her sister was taken advantage of by Fu Heng.  The Empress states that Fu Heng isn't that type of person.  Ying Luo says that she knows and she would have never poisoned her.  The Empress asks her why she didn't ask for her help.  Ying Luo says that it's her business and that she will find a way to find the truth.  Ying Luo then excuses herself and Fu Heng leaves after.  Lady Chun then tells the Empress that it's best not to leave Ying Luo by her side.  The Empress says that she taught her how to read and write and she is slowly changing.  She trusts Ying Luo.

Fu Heng finds Ying Luo.  Ying Luo throws his belt at him and confronts him about her sister's death.  She asks him how he was involved.  She thinks that someone wore his outfit to act like him.  She asks him why she wants to protect the perpetrator.  He tells her that he's trying to protect her.  She asks him again who it was, and he doesn't tell her.  Ying Luo tells him that his tea was actually dishwashing water and that she should have poisoned him instead.  She angry leaves, saying that she'll eventually find out who killed her sister.

Lady Chun wonders why the Empress treasures Ying Luo so much.  The other maids have been with her longer and she asks whether Ying Luo can replace them.  The Empress smiles.

The Emperor visits Consort Xian and the Fourth Prince.  Consort Xian says that the Fourth Prince misses him and asks him to visit often.  The Emperor asks him if Lady Jia's sister could take care of him instead.  She agrees but asks to visit the Fourth Prince often.  The Emperor agrees.  After the Emperor left, the maid asks Consort Xian why she didn't stop the Emperor. Consort Xian tells her that the Emperor might seem to not care, but he is planning very carefully of who should take care of the Fourth Prince.  She doesn't know what he's thinking.

The Emperor wakes up, only to see that Consort Xian isn't beside him.  He finds her with the Fourth Prince.  She hurt her feet because she didn't want to wear shoes to wake up the Fourth Prince.  In reality, she was wearing shoes and just hurt herself on purpose.

The next day, the Emperor arranged a meeting with the Princes.  The Princes are talking amongst themselves and Prince He arrives.  He is the biological brother of the Emperor and has a very close relationship with him.  Due to this, he is very playful and carefree as no one dares to go against him.  The Emperor gives them all tea to drink, but he claims that the ingredients are poisonous and pretends to faint.  All the other Princes fall for his prank and tries to throw up whatever they drank.  The Emperor is unfazed.

There is a thunderstorm while the Prince leaves.  They see a shadow and they all freak out, thinking that it was a ghost.  Prince He was shaken up the most, thinking that it was Ying Luo sister's ghost coming back to haunt him.  He has a flashback of that day where he took advantage of her sister at the very same spot.  Fu Heng then comes to see what the ruckus was about and tries to calm Prince He down. 

The Head Eunuch washes the Emperor's feet. They talk about Prince He.  The Emperor was picked to be the Crown Prince out of his brothers because one was too young and Prince He was always ill.  However, the Emperor thinks that Prince He faked his illness because he knew that the previous emperor wanted him to be his successor.

The next day, Fu Heng confronts Ying Luo about the incident, knowing that she was the one behind the scheme.  He offers to settle the matters peacefully since Prince He is the beloved brother of the Emperor.  He tells her that no matter what, he wouldn't have the heart to punish him.

Fu Heng finds Prince He at the place where the ghost appeared.  Fu Heng confronts him about that day, saying that he knows he took his clothes and pretended to be him.  He tells him that he knows who was behind the ghost incident.

Lady Shu meets with Noble Consort Gao and they discuss about Ying Luo.  They wondered why Ying Luo hasn't done anything yet.  They said that even though she hasn't done anything, they probably weakened the trust between Ying Luo and the Empress, especially since she has only been her maid for half a year.

Fu Heng created a meeting with Prince He, the Empress, and Ying Luo.  Prince He offers a plate of gold to settle the matters.  Ying Luo gets angry, but Fu Heng tries to calm her down.  Prince He apologizes, admits that he took advantage of her but said that he didn't kill her.  Fu Heng vouches for him.  Prince He then states that he would marry her sister to clear her innocence.  Ying Luo snickers and walks out, only to see her father come in.  He agrees to Prince He's terms.  Ying Luo is furious at his father's decision and asks the Empress for her opinion.  She tells her that it's her choice and she can't make it for her.  Ying Luo bites her tongue and says that she forgives Prince He.  Prince He is happy, and tells Fu Heng that he would never have any enemies - any grudges can be sorted out.

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Story of Yanxi Palace - Episode 22 [Recap]

Ying Luo explains the situation to the Empress.  She says that she uses berries to add colour to her face.  Ying Luo thinks that Noble Consort Gao and Lady Shu planned the death to put the blame on her.  She says that the two witnesses didn't seem to be worried about the one that died and they should know the palace well enough to not accidentally fall.  The Empress gets angry and leaves Ying Luo and Ming Yu.  Ying Luo wonders if she did something wrong.

At Noble Consort Gao's palace, the servants are taking down her stage and burning all her dance costumes.  She is super sad to see this happening and begs the Empress Dowager's maid to not burn her favourite costume.  She says that she would just keep it for memory sake and won't ever dance again.  She refuses and throws it in the fire. 

Ying Luo and Ming Yu are outside the Empress' palace.  Qing Er comes out and tells them that she's not eating.  They all don't know why she's mad. 

Lady Shu goes to Noble Consort Gao's palace and begs Noble Consort Gao for forgiveness. She kneels down in front of her place.

Ying Luo tries to cheer up the Empress by pretending to pray to her as if she's a god.  She laughs and asks Ming Yu and Qing Er to join them. She tells them that she's angry at herself.  She says that she was in the wrong.  She shouldn't have danced that day since it's frown upon.  She's the Empress and she has many responsibilities.  She has to set an example for all the ladies in the court and there are things that she shouldn't have done.  She tells them that the Empress Dowager probably knows the truth but didn't reveal it to give her face... But it also serves as a warning to her.

That night, she sleeps and remembers the past when she just became the Empress.  She loves the Emperor and wanted to hold his hand, only to be reprimanded by the maid.  She lets go and just walks behind the Emperor.  She tears up to the memory.

The next day, Lady Shu is still kneeling down in front of Noble Consort Gao.  She tells her that she doesn't need her since she failed twice and doesn't want to see her after what she's done.  Lady Shu convinces her that she has another plan.

They capture Auntie Zhang and threatens to harm her brother's child if she doesn't tell them everything about Ying Luo.  They already knew about Ying Luo's sister and where her nephew lives. 

The next day, Ying Luo goes to the Embroidery and looks for Auntie Zhang. She wasn't there, but when she was about to leave, Ying Luo bumps into Auntie Zhang.  She said that she was recovering.  She seemed pretty distant and Ying Luo picks up on it, asking if there was something wrong.  Auntie Zhang denies it.

When she was walking back, Noble Consort Gao's maid meets her and asks if she wants to know the truth about her sister's death.  She tells her to meet at Noble Consort Gao's palace alone.  She goes and greets Noble Consort Gao and Lady Shu that night.  They bring in a Eunuch that witness a man taking advantage of her sister the night she died.  He said that it was Fu Heng.  Ying Luo laughs and says that she knows that they are lying.  The Eunuch then takes out Fu Heng's belt, saying that it was found in the scene.  Ying Luo asks them what they want her to do.  They give her poison and tells her to poison Fu Heng and the Empress.  She takes it.

The next day, Fu Heng comes to visit the Empress and Ying Luo goes and tells Jing Ju to prepare tea for them.  When Jing Ju left, Ying Luo takes a cup.  Lady Chun comes to visit the Empress as well, but after knowing that Fu Heng was there, she decides to come back later.  Ying Luo serves the tea to Fu Heng and the Empress.  The Empress tells Ying Luo to bring her her fan.  Fu Heng gives a pendant to the Empress. Ying Luo comes back with the fan just when Fu Heng was about to sip his tea.  Lady Chun then comes in, and knock the cup off his hands.  She says that Ying Luo smells like Noble Consort Gao's perfume, meaning that she went to her palace and stayed for a long time.  She demands to know why Ying Luo went there.  Fu Heng asks her if she wanted to kill him.

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Story of Yanxi Palace - Episode 21 [Recap]

Ying Luo, Ming Yu, and Jing Ju are worried about the missing pearl.  Jing Ju remembers seeing Lady Shu and suspects that she stole the pearl.  They wanted to report it, but Ying Luo stops them, saying that no one would trust a mere servant's words to punish Lady Shu and that they have no evidence.  She then thinks of an idea and asks Ming Yu to help her.  She agrees.

Back at the banquet, Ming Yu whispers something in the Empress' ear.  The Empress looks shocked, then tells the Emperor that she wanted to change up the performances this year as her servants wanted to show him something.  The Emperor agrees to the change.  Ying Luo then comes in and performs magic.  She made the pearl tower appear from thin air under the blanket.  Consort Xian then notices that the pearl is not there.  Ying Luo says that the pearl is somewhere else - it is with Lady Shu.  Ying Luo then pulls it out of her sleeve.  The Emperor is impressed. 

The Emperor is planning to stay at Lady Shu's place for the night because he was happy with the gift that she gave him.  Ying Luo asks Ming Yu whether she wants to collaborate again.  She agrees. 

Ming Yu and Qing Er both ask her why she didn't give her painting to the Emperor.  Ying Luo then comes in with a new outfit and they all convince her to try it on and dance.  Ming Yu tells the maids to spread the word about it and they run and bump into the Emperor, saying that there is a goddess at the Empress' palace.

Back there, the Empress is dressed up.  The maids convince her to dance for them.  The Empress first refused but then gives in to their begging and starts dancing.  In midst of this, the Emperor comes and sees this.  He decides to stay the night.

Qing Er then tells Ming Yu that she thinks that Ying Luo planned the outfit a long time ago.  She says that it must take months for the outfit to be tailored so perfectly for the Empress. 

Lady Shu is waiting in her bedroom for the Emperor to arrive but he doesn't.  A Eunuch comes and tells her that the Emperor won't be coming and she gets angry, throwing her pillow at him.

Ying Luo then oversees some maids dancing, trying to imitate the Empress.  She yells at them to continue to do their work.  After they leave, she tries imitating the moves herself.

Lady Shu then goes to Noble Consort Gao, who is dancing on her stage, and asks for another chance.  She tells her that she has another plan to embarrass the Empress in front of the Empress Dowager.  Noble Consort Gao then starts singing and gives her another chance.

Ying Luo is drawing a picture when Ming Yu tells her that the Empress ask them to go with her to take a walk with the Empress Dowager.  The Empress Dowager really likes the Empress, and keeps complimenting her.  She said that she is a good role model for the rest of the ladies in the palace and does a good job in taking care of the household matters. She says that no one in the world is more capable than her. She then asks for Lady Shu and compliments her for the gift.  Just then, they all hear a loud thump and Noble Consort Gao's maid, Ming Yu, and Ying Luo runs to see what happened.  Ming Yu stops Noble Consort Gao's maid while Ying Luo runs ahead to find a maid who die from falling from a balcony.  The Empress Dowager and the other ladies arrives to the scene and asks the two other maids what happened.  They try to put the blame to the Empress, saying that they were imitating her dance before the maid accidentally trip and fell.  Ying Luo interrupts, saying that they were trying to imitate Noble Consort Gao and her singing and dancing instead.  She uncovers the dead maid's face to see some smeared paint on her face.  The Empress Dowager gets angry and leaves.

Ying Luo suggests to the Empress that they should take the two witness to investigate the death and it doesn't seem to be a simple accident.  She agrees and the two maids are taken away.

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Story of Yanxi Palace - Episode 20 [Recap]

The Emperor gives Ying Luo some medicine but he made sure that it is extra bitter as a way to get back at her.  The Doctor Shi TIan doesn't understand why the Emperor doesn't just kill Ying Luo for making fun of him.  The Head Eunuch says that no one really knows what the Emperor is thinking and says that even though the Emperor hates Ying Luo, she did technically save his life.

Ying Luo is sick in bed and Fu Heng takes care of her, helping her put the ointment on.  He secretly kisses her while she is sleeping.  She wakes up the next morning and rubs her face, wondering who it was.  She hears someone coming so she lies back onto the bed.  She seems disappointed when she sees that it was only the Doctor Shi Tian that arrived.  It looks like Ying Luo pretended that she got sick from the Emperor by eating peanuts, which she is allergic to.  She did it so that the Emperor won't be able to punish her while she is sick, especially if she became sick caring for him.  The Doctor admires her cleverness and vows to help her.

The Emperor finds out that Ying Luo got better.  He notices that she tricked him since she got sick after him, but got better before him.  When he is on her way to confront her, he overhears maids praising him for being big-hearted because he didn't kill Ying Luo despite the things she said to anger him.  The Emperor once again gives up on punishing Ying Luo and she gets to live another day.

Ying Luo approaches Fu Heng from the back and covers his eyes. Fu Heng tells her to stop since they'll be in big trouble if they are caught being so close to each other.  

Ying Luo: Oh, then how come someone took care of me all night?
Fu Heng: What are you talking about?
Ying Luo: Whenever I get an allergic reaction, my whole body would become itchy... but every night there would be a prince that comes to take care of me. Was it not you?
Fu Heng: You were sick?
Ying Luo: Weren't you the one taking care of me? How would you not know?
Fu Heng: I have work to do, when would I have time to take care of you?

Just then, Hai Lancha comes in and tells Fu Heng to stop giving him his shifts. Ying Luo figures out that he was lying to her and walks out.  He chases after her and grabs her arm.  He begs her not to be angry at him.  Ying Luo asks why he didn't admit it at first, then threatens to tell the Empress about it.  She turns around to leave but Fu Heng grabs her arm to pulls her back. 

Fu Heng: I know it was kind of out of line, but you were sick and needed someone to take care of you... So I helped.
Ying Luo: So you think you're a good and innocent person?
Fu Heng: Yeah.
Ying Luo: [leans in] Then why did you kiss me?

 Fu Heng stutters and doesn't know how to respond. 

The Empress asks Ying Luo to help her choose a painting for the Emperor's birthday present.  Ming Yu interrupts and says her opinion.  The Empress is mad that she didn't obey her and tells her to leave.  Ying Luo picks a painting and gives her reasons.  The Empress and Lady Chun are both impressed. Outside, Lady Shu came to visit the Empress.  Ming Yu sees this and tells them to leave and that the Empress is not home. Lady Shu is mad as she leaves.

Lady Shu ends up going to visit Noble Consort Gao instead, trying to win her favour.  She accepts them to be part of her side.

Ying Luo gives the Empress the finished painting, only to see her being emotional while clasping her son's bracelet. 

Ying Luo then visits Auntie Zhang and they talk about having no leads on her sister's death.  She then asks to get something to help the Empress.  Auntie Zhang states that she doesn't understand why she is helping the Empress - didn't she want to get close to her only to find out more about her sister's death? She said that the Empress is very nice to her and she sees her sister in the Empress.

The Empress gives the painting to the Emperor and he likes the present.  Noble Consort Gao then presents him with a western orchestra. The Emperor seems like an excited little boy.  Lady Shu then gives him her present - a pearl.  This makes the Emperor really happy as well since it was something that the Empress Dowager was looking for for a long time. The Empress looks sad that her present was overshadowed by the others.

The Empress tells Ying Luo to document all the presents but to pick out a few for the Empress Dowager.  Ming Yu comes and grabs the book from Ying Luo, saying that she always did the task.  Ying Luo lets her do it and leaves.  

Ying Luo is walking and all of a sudden Fu Heng grabs her.  She didn't know it was him and steps on his foot as self-defence.  She then sees a trap door on a wall and asks Fu Heng what it was for.

All of a sudden fireworks goes off and scares Ying Luo as she grabs on to Fu Heng.  The Emperor and all the consorts are watching the fireworks at another area in the palace.  Noble Consort Gao grabs on to his arm and points tot he fireworks. However, he ignores her to ask the Empress to enjoy the fireworks with him.  The fireworks remind Consort Nian about her younger brother as they used to light up fireworks together as kids.

While the fireworks were happening, Lady Shu went missing.  Later, Ming Yu finds out that the pearl is missing and blames it on the other maids and Ying Luo (as it was originally her responsibility to organize the gifts).

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Things seem to get more heated between Ying Luo and Fu Heng.

Ming Yu seems to make mistake after mistake without even realizing it herself or learning from them.  Lady Shu is finally back into the picture and from the looks of it, she is going to be the upgraded version of Lady Jia.

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Story of Yanxi Palace - Episode 19 [Recap]

The Emperor decides to stay with Noble Consort Gao for the night.

The Empress is outside waiting for the Emperor to come.  It's getting cold and Qing Er and Ying Luo tell her to go inside because she has a weak body.  She refuses, saying that she wants to be the first to greet the Emperor when he comes.  Just then, the Head Eunuch comes and tells her that the Emperor won't be coming today.  The Empress asks him why - she could wait for him if he has other matters to deal with first.  The Head Eunuch tells her that the Emperor is at Noble Consort Gao's place.  Ying Luo gets mad and shuts the door on him.

Ying Luo is mad at the Emperor and picks the leaves off a plant and Fu Heng comes by.

Fu Heng: The leaves are innocent.  Who made you angry?
Ying Luo [points to Fu Heng with the leaves]: Get out of my face. Now, whenever I see a guy I get mad.
Fu Heng: I don't think I've ever did you wrong.
Ying Luo: You didn't... But the Emperor wronged the Empress.

Ying Luo then tells him what happened.  She's mad that the Emperor chose Noble Consort Gao over the Empress even after the incident with the Fifth Prince and Lady Yu.  Fu Heng tries to reason with her, saying that the Emperor probably also found the bloodletter suspicious but didn't say anything.  Ying Luo then asks him if he found anything else about her sister's death.  He said no.  Ying Luo leans it to a couple of inches from his face and stares at him... then says "Fine, I believe you."

The Emperor is doing some paperwork when he started scratching his arm.  The Head Eunuch then notices that there are some red dots all over the Emperor's arm.  The Imperial Doctor takes a look at him and he has shingles.  The Empress wants to move to the Emperor's palace to take care of him.  The doctor warns her that it is contagious and to not stay for long.

Ming Yu was supposed to go with the Empress but she makes Ying Luo goes instead.  Qing Er then scolds her, saying that she is going too far and is starting to lose the Empress' trust.  She tells her that she didn't protect the Fifth Prince, and now that the Empress needs her, she gives the responsibility to Ying Luo.

When the Empress arrives, all the other Consorts are there and says that they are worried about the Emperor and wants to help as well.  The Empress tells them that she can take care of the Emperor alone and that they should leave since his illness is contagious.  The Empress tells them that she already had chicken pox so she won't get shingles.  Noble Consort Gao is relieved, saying that if it is the case, then she'll leave.

Ying Luo then goes to apply the ointment on the Emperor but he stops her, saying that he doesn't want her to touch him.  She then gives the ointment to the Head Eunuch and the Emperor complains that he is too rough.  Ying Luo then states he can't be too picky since half the servants left, and the ones remaining are mostly all eunuch with rough hands.  She says that if she doesn't do it, the Empress may come herself to apply the ointment herself.  Just on cue, the Empress yells and asks whether there is anything wrong.  Ying Luo tells her that nothing is wrong and applies the cream on him.  Afterwards, Ying Luo changes all his sheet as instructed by the doctor.  The Emperor stares at her while she does it.

The Empress then comes in and attends to the Emperor. When only the two of them are there, he turns very child-like and complains of the itching.  The Empress laughs and says that the Empress Dowager says that he turns into a child when sick and it's her first time witnessing it.  The Empress also states that Ying Luo is very detailed and competent and wonders why the Emperor still can't see that.  She continues fanning the Emperor throughout the night.

Ying Luo then approaches the Head Eunuch and asks him about the day of her sister's death to see whether he has more details, with the excuse that she found a jade pendant and wants to know who it belongs to.

The Emperor wakes up and a servant delivers some tea to him.  He yells at them, saying that it is too hot and asks for Ying Luo.  Ying Luo comes in and asks what he needs.  He asks where the Empress is and she said she just went to take a rest since she stayed up all night.  Ying Luo then applies some oil on him to sooth his itchiness,  In midst of that, he grabs her hand and seem to hold it for a second too long.  The Emperor then remarks that this is probably how she won the Empress over.  Ying Luo then hesitates, but tells the Emperor that the Empress did a lot for him - she lied that she had chicken pox before so that she could come and attend him while all the other consorts didn't bother to come.  The Emperor gets mad and shoos her away.

Ying Luo then goes to the Empress and sees that her wrist is hurt.  Ying Luo tells her to bring the tea to the Emperor and let him know all the things that she had done for him.  Ying Luo said that if she did three favours for someone, she wants them to know that she did five favours.  The Empress says that even though there are other ladies around the Emperor, she is his official wife and it is her duty to take care of the Emperor.

Ying Luo then bumps into Doctor TianShi and tells him that the Fifth Prince is doing much better. He's on his way to see the Emperor and secretly tells Ying Luo something.

The Emperor yells for Ying Luo.  She comes and tells him that he needs to calm down.  The Emperor gets angry and shoves the Empress down.  Ying Luo then yells back, saying that Noble Consort Gao only speaks sweet words but isn't there when he needs her.  She then states that there are rumours that he is keeping Noble Consort Gao close because of her father and continues making fun of him, laughing wildly.  The Emperor is furious and takes a sword and start slashing down at her.  He then spits out blood.  Doctor TianShi then comes in and congratulates the Emperor, saying that he is cured now.  The Doctor explains that he purposely asks Ying Luo to make the Emperor mad so that he spits out blood.  Ying Luo then profusely apologize and excuses herself so that he could rest.  She then says that she feels dizzy and faints.

Once the Emperor wakes up, he looks for Ying Luo.  The Empress states that he is getting better because of Ying Luo and that she is now sick because of taking care of him. The Emperor then tells Doctor Tian Shi to give her medicine.

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I guess the romance part of the drama is starting to kick in.  I think the interaction between Ying Luo and Fu Heng is adorable.  He just looks like a puppy in love.  The Empress is as caring as ever.  The Emperor being a big baby because he is sick is a huge contrast from what we've seen of him so far.  He's starting to see the good in Ying Luo as well.  

On another note, Ming Yu seems to finally understand where she stands now.  I hope she changes for the better and learns to co-exist with Ying Luo rather than start beef with her out of the blue. 

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Story of Yanxi Palace - Episode 18 [Recap]

Noble Consort Gao states that they should get rid of the Prince before the next day or the news will spread to all the people.  Consort Xian suggests that they should invite a famous doctor Tian Shi to take a look at the Fifth Prince before killing him as there might be a cure. She said that if the Empress was here, then she would be very sad.

The doctor comes and examines the Fifth Prince and diagnosed him with jaundice.  The Imperial Doctors disagree with the diagnosis, saying that the baby didn't shows typical signs of jaundice since it affected the eyes as well.  Tian Shi said that he travels a lot and had seen many rare diseases.  He states that as long as the prince takes his medicine, he should be better in half a month.  The Emperor agrees with Tian Shi and tells the servants to take care of the Fifth Prince.

Noble Consort Gao then asks for forgiveness, saying that others may think that she purposely wants to kill the Fifth Prince. The King said that even the Imperial Doctors wasn't able to diagnose the prince properly and that she's forgiven.  Lady Chun then comes in, bringing in a corpse, asking if Noble Consort Gao knows who it is.  She denies knowing who it is.  Lady Chun said that it was the cook who prepared meals for Lady Yu.  Ying Luo tells the Emperor that Lady Yu had been craving a lot of greasy and sweet foods.  Doctor Tian Shi then states that Lady Yu's diet could be reason why the Fifth Prince had jaundice.  Ying Luo states that this was probably Noble Consort Gao's doing since she had tried to harm Lady Yu many times before.  Lady Chun then comes out with evidence (a blood letter) stating Noble Consort Gao's doing.  The Emperor sentence Noble Consort Gao to seclussion.

The Emperor, Consort Xian, and Lady Chun returned to the Empress' palace.  There, Ming Yu kneels in front of the Emperor, asking him to punish Ying Luo because she used the Empress' seal without permission. Ying Luo states that she didn't do so - she only used the box of the seal to threaten Noble Consort Gao to buy some time for the Emperor to arrive.  The Emperor gives Ming Yu 50 beatings.

Ying Luo confronts Lady Chun, asking if she was the one that framed Noble Consort Gao.  She states that Noble Consort Gao probably didn't do it because it would be hard to force Lady Yu to change her diet.  Also, the doctor said that diet could be a possible reason to cause jaundice but it is not 100% certain.  Ying Luo doesn't think that Noble Consort Gao would plan something with so many uncertainties.  Lady Chun admits it and tells Ying Luo that being in power is important for survival in the palace.

Noble Consort Gao's maid talks to her father - Minister Gao and asks him to help her.

The Empress is back and Lady Yu is visiting. Lady Yu thanks Ying Luo and the Empress is proud.  However, Ming Yu is angry at that and the Empress tells her to kneel down.  She yells at her and said that she can't control her anymore. Lady Yu tells the Empress that she is worried that she doesn't have enough power to stay with the Fifth Prince.  The Empress said not to worry as she talked with the Emperor and he'll raise her rank (now she will be in the same rank as Lady Jia).

Minister Gao meets with the Emperor and he promotes him for his achievements.  Minister Gao asks to see Noble Consort Gao and the Emperor agreed. 

Minister Gao goes to Noble Consort Gao but she refuses to see him.  He tells her that she has four daughters and can always send the youngest two to be consorts and that he doesn't need her.  She's angry, asking him if he had already forgotten that her mother died because of him.  He leaves and Noble Consort Gao is sulking, wanting to take revenge on her stepmother (who is the birth mother of her two younger sisters).

Noble Consort Gao puts on a play and the Emperor passes by and enters. He sees Noble Consort Gao dancing and drinking.  She's drunk and falls into the Emperor's hands.  They go inside and Noble Consort Gao dances in front of the Emperor and falls down, crying. She said that she doesn't want to be a Noble Consort anymore. She said that she used to dance and sing all the time for the Emperor, but now if she does it, then everyone would laugh at her.  She then cries about missing her mom and how her father married within a year of her death. She said that she didn't harm the Fifth Prince and ask the Emperor to believe her and then asked him to stay the night.

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It's not my favourite episode - half of it was just proving that the Fifth Prince will live and sabotaging Noble Consort Gao and the other half is her sob story.  Even though it may be true, I really hope that the Emperor doesn't fall for it or feel guilty about it.

The tension between Ming Yu and Ying Luo has intensified and I hope they somehow magically resolve their grudges against each other before it gets worse... but I highly doubt it.

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Story of Yanxi Palace - Episode 17 [Recap]

A maid comes in and apologizes to Noble Consort Gao since the Emperor wasn't able to find anything wrong with the Empress and Lady Chun.  Noble Consort Gao said that it was fine, as she didn't think it would have worked.  She just wanted to stir the pot and ruin the Empress' reputation.

Ying Luo asks to borrow a record to find out more about her sister's death from Hai Lancha.  Fu Heng intercepts, saying that he could tell her what happened on the day that her sister died.  He tries to convince her to not get revenge but Ying Luo said that her sister is like the Empress to him - what would he do in her shoes if the Empress was in trouble? Fu Heng manages to get Ying Luo to promise him not to do anything drastic by threatening to reveal her revenge scheme to the Empress.  She agrees and lets Fu Heng investigate more about that day.

The Empress is in her courtyard and wonders what the Emperor is doing.  She heard that Noble Consort Gao gave him a scripture and that she wants to read it too.  She asks Ming Yu to play a song for her.  She listens and looks like she wants to cry.  Qing Er goes to Ying Luo, who is pruning the plants and asks her to think of an idea to cheer the Empress up.  She puts a bowl in front of Ming Yu and throws a coin in, making her stop playing.  Ming Yu gets angry and starts chasing Ying Luo around the Empress.  The Empress manages to break into a giggle.

Just then, the Emperor comes and asks what all the ruckus was all about. The Empress said that they were being noisy because they wanted to cheer her up. The Empress asked the servants to bring some snacks for the Emperor.  The Emperor starts eating and asks the Empress to join him.  The Empress refused, saying that the rules state that she can't eat at the same table as the Emperor.  The Empress then asks the maids to close the windows so that the Emperor doesn't get sick.  The Emperor tells them to leave it open because he's feeling hot.  The Empress tells them to close them - he's only feeling hot because he's angry.  The Emperor stays overnight and the next day, the Empress helps him dress up.  He whines, saying that he doesn't want to do any work today and want to stay with the Empress longer.  She tells him that he's the Emperor and can't be lazy or else the people will blame her for not looking after him properly.  She then says that she's sorry for all her shortcomings for the past three years.  The Emperor tells her that she is doing a good job.  He tells her that Lady Yu's baby is almost due and to take care of her.

Ming Yu is mad and is cutting away at the plants.  She's angry that they have to take care of Lady Yu - saying that if anything happens, they'd be to blame.  Qing Er quickly covers her mouth and tells her to stop talking.

Ying Luo is assisting Lady Yu.  She gives her baby clothes that she made.  She also noticed that Lady Yu is eating a lot of fried and sweet foods and warns her not to eat too much as it is bad for the baby.  Lady Yu said that they are food from her hometown and she's been craving them.  She offers some of them to Ying Luo and she appears sad holding onto the pancake.

Ying Luo looks down and the Empress wonders what was wrong.  She tells her that she thinks that Ming Yu is right and that it was a bad idea to invite Lady Yu to her place.  She said that she's not eating right and it could bring trouble to the Empress if anything goes wrong.  The Empress then tells her that all the consorts left their family behind after marrying the Emperor and she wants to try her best to make them comfortable in the palace.  She said that she's first an Empress, then a woman.  This reminds Ying Luo of her sister; she was handing out food to the poor and tells Ying Luo to always be kind to others.  She starts tearing up in front of the Empress and the Empress asks what's wrong.  She tells her that she has a sister and what the Empress said reminded her of her sister.  The Empress said that she needed her help.  She is leaving the palace and to take care of place - she said that Ming Yu is quick-tempered and she think that Ying Luo is more fit for the job.

Right when the Empress leaves, Ming Yu quickly takes over and orders the servants around.  Most of the servants listened to her but a couple mentioned that the Empress put Ying Luo to be in charge while she was gone. Ying Luo doesn't mind as long as everything is under control.  She asks the servant whether everything is prepared for when Lady Yu goes into labour.  The servant asks why they need to prepare so early.  Ying Luo said that they need to be prepared just in case.  Ming Yu orders the others around and Ying Luo is in the background smiling.

Lady Yu is in labour.  Ming Yu orders everyone to get ready for the labour.  Ying Luo asks if everything is under control and if she needed any help.  Ming Yu said that she's more experience and knows what to do since she helped with the Second Prince's birth. 

Noble Consort Gao's listening to the opera while the maids tell her that Lady Yu is in labour. 

Ming Yu is still ordering the maids around and tells Ying Luo to get lost and stop getting in the way.  The baby is born and it's a prince!  Just then, news came that Noble Consort Gao is coming. Ming Yu tell the others to hurry as they don't want Noble Consort Gao to find out that it's a boy.

Ming Yu greets Noble Consort Gao at the door and said that she'll get her some tea.  Noble Consort Gao hears the baby crying and said that there is no need and walks towards the delivery room.  All Ming Yu could do is yell her name and say that she can't go inside, only to be stopped by her servants.  Noble Consort Gao takes the baby and sees that he has golden eyes / yellow complexure and takes him away.  Lady Yu cries, saying that it was impossible.

The news also travelled to Lady Chun and Consort Xian.  Lady Chun decides to wait because Noble Consort Gao is there, knowing she would take care of the situation her own way.

Ying Luo comes back and tries to go into the delivery to interfere, but Ming Yu stops her once again.  Ying Luo then slaps Ming Yu across the face, telling her that she let her take over the situation so that Lady Yu didn't have to deal with more problems but she is going too far this time.  She only knows that before the Empress left, she told her to look after Lady Yu and that is what she is going to do.  Ming Yu said that if she interferes, then she might drag the Empress down with her.  Ying Luo ignores her.

Noble Consort Gao is now in the courtyard, waiting for the servant to dig a hole in the ground to bury the newborn alive. Lady Yu couldn't stand to see it happen and faints. Noble Consort Gao tells the servants to splash water on her to wake her up as she wants her to witness the burial.  She wakes up and begs Noble Consort Gao to let go of her newborn and bags her head on the ground to the point that her head is bleeding.  The Empress' maids urges Ming Yu to interfere but she said she can't.  Lady Yu sets herself free from the servants holding her down and digs up the newborn.  Noble Consort Gao orders the servant to kill both of them, but Ying Luo comes in, telling them to stop.

She says that it is the Empress' palace and that it is up to her to judge whether the baby should die or not.  She yells at the other maids to back her up.  Noble Consort Gao says that she's only a maid - she has no power to decide these things.  Noble Consort Gao says that if the maids interfere, they could be sentenced to death.  Ming Yu doesn't budge and tells the maids to come back. Ying Luo runs and gets the Empress' seal, ordering the others to stop burying the baby.

The Emperor arrives and demands an explanation. Noble Consort Gao tells him that the baby is sick and she is just following the palace rules to kill him but Ying Luo is interfering. Ying Luo tells him that the Empress told her to take care of Lady Yu and she is just following the rules.  She suggests to get the doctors to get a proper diagnosis of the Fifth Prince.  She said that it's better to be on the side of conscience because he has the Emperor's blood.  The Emperor agrees and tells the Imperial Doctors to take a look at the Prince.

The Doctors say that they don't recognize the illness that the Prince has.  Noble Consort Gao states that they should kill him, but Ying Luo interupts and says that they should find other doctors to see if they've seen this disease before.  Maybe there's a cure for it.

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I love the interaction between the Empress and the Emperor - you can really tell that they are in love with each other. This episode, we also see how pure-hearted the Empress is.  She puts others above her and doesn't show any greed or jealousy.

Ming Yu is really getting on my nerves - why can't she be more like Qing Er? I know that she has the Empress best interest at heart, but she's too possessive and freezes at the wrong moments.

I feel sad for Lady Yu - she's gone through so much since she got pregnant. I have a feeling that she's going to become crazy after this ordeal. Noble Consort Gao just wants to kill the baby, but knowing how much air time they spent on the baby, it'll probably survive (at least I'm hoping so).

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