The Empress of China Episode 32

episode 32 spoilers ahead

1. Consort Wei is beside herself with anger. Once it is learned that she ate poison, the doctors believe it came from a sachet that Wu delivered (on behalf of Xu hui...). Consort Wei tells them to arrest Wei. They torture her, but she does not confess, and she believes she is buying time. Sadly, we also learn that the poison Xiao Q took has actually damaged her mind and she may never recover.

2. The emperor learns of Xiao Q's situation, immediately heads over, and intervenes in the nick of time. He listens to Consort Wei, who believes Meniang did it out of jealousy but the emperor states that half his harem would be guilty then. He points out that her people were the only witnesses. Xiao Q emerges, and in her mad ravings she expresses fear at her Aunt, begs her to not make her drink the awful medicine, and thus Consort Wei becomes the prime suspect. They investigate and find dregs in her daily soup and in the kitchen. Consort Wei is arrested for this and also for sending people to kill Meniang.


3.LIke a house of cards Consort Wei's web collapses (and so quickly!) all of her 'people' begin to confess to save themselves, and she is named in countless incidents. Someone warns Prince Wei that Consort Wei is in trouble and he acts fast..

4. Fuji advises the emperor to move now if he wants to stamp out the Wei clan. The emperor agrees to this. They also discuss how stopping her clan is important because Prince Wei hoped to rely on her and the power of the harem to obtain the throne.

5. In her jail cell, Consort Wei remains proud as Consort Yang visits her. Consort Wei admits that Yang is just as malicious as she is and has always wanted to pull off the innocent mask she has been wearing. Yang revels in the plight of her enemy and tells her that its been fun. Consort Wei also tells her she is not afraid of anything, not death not hell, that she regrets nothing. As Yang leaves Consort Wei screams at her that she cannot defeat Consort Wu and she will be in the same spot she is in someday because of her.

6.Meanwhile, Meiang visits Consort Yang and Yang takes the time to essentially list all of the things she has done for her--like rescue Li Mu, and go to Yeting when she was in danger. Meniang feels like she owes her and wants to assist her but honestly admits that she cannot support Prince Wu because of his lineage. Conosrt Yang agrees and admits she only ever wanted him to have a quiet life (I cannot understand why Meniang would believe this because no woman in the harem doesn't want their child to be emperor, except maybe Yin, who is now dead. However, in Meinang's defiance, Consort Yang has given her no reason to not trust her. I imagine her and Xu Hui's betrayal will be the biggest life lessons)

7.Meniang will help Yang to expose Prince Wei. She requests records of the crown prince rebellions and explains she always thought it was strange how they knew so much information about them. She suspects that someone close to them has betrayed them and is a spy (watch out Xu Hui...) she also asks that Li Mu be sent away however Yang delays this by suggesting it would look suspicious so they will wait until Yeting clears up.

8.Prince Wei visits Consort Wei in disguise. (This actually made me tear up because we see a vulnerable Consort Wei). She believes he is there to kill her. He admits that Da Qing submitted a report to have her tortured. She doesn't want to betray him, but admits she does not have the courage to kill herself (she is crying). She asks him to kill her. (I ALWAYS wondered if they loved one another or if it was an act, and this scene convinces me that they genuinely loved one another). He is upset, and she asks him to hold her. he tells her to look away that way it hurts less. He grabs a piece of pottery and kneels in front of her and slits her wrists. She makes him promise to kill Meniang and he admits some regrets (it implies, I think , that maybe he regrets choosing power over love) before she quietly dies.

9.The next day, Prince Wei is extremely upset (he cannot even eat, and he eats to cope with his problems). He vows to kill Meniang. Meanwhile, the emperor visits Consort Wei's cells and essentially tells her body that he spoiled her, and ultimately she chose this end. We also learn that Chenji killed himself. The emperor does not bother to launch an investigation because he knows Prince Wei is responsible.

10.Rui'an visits Meniang and seems out of sorts. They get to discussing his dead lover and Meniang tries to convince him to move on, until he learns that she was murdered, because when he looked in her room, he noticed a candlestick he engraved her name on was missing, and he believes that to be the murder weapon.

Comments: I thought that Consort Wei's end was a superb illustration of how quickly the tides can turn against people. She was on top for years but in a matter of moments was brought down, not because of the words of her niece, but more like it created an opportunity for the emperor to push charges at her (in the past he might have ignored Yeting but he has enough now to move against her). In addition to this. She worked hard to be on top and just as quickly was brought down, when she should have been welcoming a child. I really liked her as a villain and will miss her.

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