The Empress of China Episode 26

ep 26 review spoilers ahead

26/96!

1.Menieng is shocked that Crown Prince plans to revolt. She insists that this plot is a foolish idea and threatens to tell the Emperor. Crown Prince is confident that she won't tell the Emperor because 1)she has no evidence of a revolt 2)He only plans on abdicating and 3)He believes that she might endanger herself since she has supported him up until now (I sincerely pity Crown Princess because her husband is making a foolish mistake; he's already seen one failed rebellion did he learn nothing? On the other hand, if the Emperor does depose him, then it's only a matter of time before his brother has him killed. So at this point it is sort of all or nothing. So complicated! These plots and schemes essentially force people to do crazy things!)
Crown Princess begs Menieng not to tell the emperor. What will she do? Would the emperor even believe her?

2.Elsewhere, the Emperor speaks to (Xu De? The servant always with him) and learns that the Crown Prince has been drinking again. This seems to annoy him. This servant also reports that Menieng was sent going to the Eastern Palace but it is unclear who she was visiting. After the servant leaves, Xu Hui, who listened in to the entire conversation, appears with a towel. He tells her she must have been standing there for a long time because the towel she brought is no longer heart. Xu Hui falls to her knees and basically plays dumb (but he knows she is pretty smart) and she reveals she has been uneasy and concerned for Menieng because she has been assisting the crown prince as she feels obligated that he saved her life. She also makes a point to say she is worried that Menieng is going to 'go to far' in helping him.
(The emperor is not an idiot. He has also seen the machinations of many concubines and consorts, like Consort Wei. I am certain he sees through this)

3.Elsewhere, Xiao Q is still trying to figure out what to do. She wants to see the emperor, but she learns that it is a harem rule that pregnant women not see the emperor in case he is repulsed (basically) by their pregnant bodies. She becomes close with one of her servants and is able to manipulate her into eating her heavily medicated food. She considers escaping, and is able to bribe a servant to help her see the king. She considers using jewelry but decides that is too much, and decides to give her a few coins. The girl agrees.

4.Consort Yang (haven't seen her in a while) confides in her servant and essentially assesses that Menieng is sinking fast; she chose to root for the wrong time and will have to suffer the consequences. In my opinion, it is unclear how Consort Yang will use her. She has her servant dig into Menieng's background in order to see if there is anything in her family that stands out (perhaps she wants to blackmail her?)

5.Xiao Q is caught by her Aunt before she can see the emperor. Xiao Q has displayed no cleverness thus far, and it is actually to her advantage. She plays dumb and insists she missed the emperor and didn't tell her Aunt because she did not want to put her in an awkward position. Consort Wei makes a point of listing several horrific cases of concubines being killed, never naming the culprit, but incidents include dying from infection after blush essentially turns to acid and burns peoples faces off, people being poisoned, people having miscarriages, and you finally realize that she is listing all of the horrible things she has done to women in the harem. It terrifies Xiao Q, especially after she learns her Aunt had the girl who helped her killed.

6.Meanwhile, at morning curt, Prince Wei is there. It seems clear: someone plans to announce that the Crown Prince be deposed. In a surprise, Honorable Wei, who is basically at death's door, arrives and the deposition does not occur...

7.Elsewhere, Chancellor Zhangsun is visited by his son Chong'er. Chong'er wants to know why Wei attended court even though he was so ill. Zhangsun says it was a political move: he wanted to say that he is still here, hasn't died and is a pillar of the state. As a result, no one would dare to suggest impeaching the crown prince, but once he is gone the crown prince will be alone. He explains essentially that Hon. Wei wants to not have a repeat of the previous prince he tutored (emperor's brother, whom the emperor killed for the throne)

8.In a bold mood, Meniang meets with Zheng Wei for the first time. He expresses satisfaction at being able to meet her, and she humbles herself before him, insisting the honor is hers. She tells him she wants to repay him helping her, even though he explains he did not do it for but the king and crown prince. She tells him that the crown prince plans to revolt and force the king to abdicate. Wei appears tired as he thinks on this. He wonders if the Crown Prince is destined to walk the same bloody path as his father. He asks her to relay a message to the crown prince: that a forced abdication is possible, but he must not kill his brothers. Also, he must not act until he knows for certain the emperor will depose him. Wei believes this may make him hesitate and even change his mind. Menieng is surprised he doesn't want her to tell the emperor. He says that is not a good idea, because should she tell him, the emperor will be furious (like shoot the messenger) and hate her. Also, he believes that there is time to prevent this from happening. He explains that after his death he will ensure that 1)he finds out if the kind is going to depose him 2)have his coffin paraded through the city 3)black cover on coffin means deposed, white means not deposed He says this is all he can do for the prince. Uneasy, she agrees to help him....

9. Finally, Zheng Wei tells her that at the court, every person, even he, puts on an act and thus you should always do what you must do without regret, only then can you be happy. He has no regrets. He did his best (basically) and she shouldn't mind the future. They bid farewell, and it is understood that she will probably never see him again. She tells him she is lucky to have met him in her life.

10.In her room, she writes a simple note that says black=deposed white=not deposed. It is for the crown prince. Xu Hui suddenly entrs, and she hides it. (She is Extremely suspicious as she hides the note. It is a very contrived scene, but necessary to push the plot forward). Xu Hui finds the note and looks at her....

Comments: Things are heating up. Xu Hui's true colors are coming out and Menieng still needs to learn how to play this game. She hasn't really dirtied her hands yet because of her powerful friends, but that may change. Currently she has involved her self in some serious things and so the consequences will have a long lasting impact....

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