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 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."
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.
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.