Legend of Zhen Huan recap episode 12 甄嬛传 甄環傳 第12集
Cao Guiren arrives at the empress. She is invited in to the party. The empress notices Cao wearing Huafei's hairpin and knows she is up to something. They talk about going to the Yuan Ming Yuan to escape the summer heat. YZ has not been to YMY for 2 years because of the death of his father, Kangxi.
The empress recommends Huafei to be left behind on the pretext that she can manage the palace when everyone else is gone. At this juncture, Cao quickly takes out Huafei's hairpin and plays with Wenyi. It catches YZ's attention and makes him think of Huafei. The empress, Zhen and Shen's faces are black. YZ allows Huafei to go to the YMY in the end.
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A large procession of guards, soldiers, maids and eunuchs sets off for YMY. Zhen is allocated a residence. YZ has ordered Huang Guiquan to set up her residence with plenty of fresh flowers and a incricate manual fan. He has also given instructions that Zhen be allowed the use of ice to cool down her room. Zhen hears that YZ has gone hunting with 17th Prince Guo and Cao Guiren.
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Zhen and Huanbi are strolling in the garden when a pigeon is shot down and falls in their path. Zhen notices that the pigeon is shot through the eye and praises the hunter for his excellent archery skills.
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YZ mentions that Guo's archery skills was taught by their father Kangxi. Guo is a little uncomfortable and quickly says YZ is taught by the no.1 archer in Manchu. YZ says Kangxi favors Guo. Guo quickly says that Kangxi's favor has made him indulge in pleasures and become a useless person. Guo is wary of incurring YZ's jealousy and is very tactful. YZ decides to be gracious and dismisses him. Guo heaves a sigh of relief.
Cao Guiren arrives at the empress. She is invited in to the party. The empress notices Cao wearing Huafei's hairpin and knows she is up to something. They talk about going to the Yuan Ming Yuan to escape the summer heat. YZ has not been to YMY for 2 years because of the death of his father, Kangxi.
The empress recommends Huafei to be left behind on the pretext that she can manage the palace when everyone else is gone. At this juncture, Cao quickly takes out Huafei's hairpin and plays with Wenyi. It catches YZ's attention and makes him think of Huafei. The empress, Zhen and Shen's faces are black. YZ allows Huafei to go to the YMY in the end.
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A large procession of guards, soldiers, maids and eunuchs sets off for YMY. Zhen is allocated a residence. YZ has ordered Huang Guiquan to set up her residence with plenty of fresh flowers and a incricate manual fan. He has also given instructions that Zhen be allowed the use of ice to cool down her room. Zhen hears that YZ has gone hunting with 17th Prince Guo and Cao Guiren.
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Zhen and Huanbi are strolling in the garden when a pigeon is shot down and falls in their path. Zhen notices that the pigeon is shot through the eye and praises the hunter for his excellent archery skills.
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YZ mentions that Guo's archery skills was taught by their father Kangxi. Guo is a little uncomfortable and quickly says YZ is taught by the no.1 archer in Manchu. YZ says Kangxi favors Guo. Guo quickly says that Kangxi's favor has made him indulge in pleasures and become a useless person. Guo is wary of incurring YZ's jealousy and is very tactful. YZ decides to be gracious and dismisses him. Guo heaves a sigh of relief.
Zhen accompanies YZ who is with Cao in the study. YZ mentions that Guo has managed to acquire half a jin of XueDingHanCui, a rare tea leaf which makes an excellent tea. It grows in the north, up on the mountains, and very hard to harvest. Because it grows on snow water, its taste is very light and fresh.
YZ bestows the tea to Zhen and ignores the peeled grape that Cao offers to him.
Cao brings up that she has heard that YZ pretended to be Prince Guo when he first met Zhen in the imperial garden. Prince Guo is famed for his talents, looks and suaveness, such that he is the dream man of many girls.
"Sister Zhen, when you were unmarried, I guess you must have heard of 17th Prince's fame?" YZ has a cool expression on him.
Zhen replies easily, "I was enclosted in my home when I was an unmarried girl. When I came to the palace, I was sick for a long time and so I have not heard of 17th prince's name. "
YZ is no longer interested in banter and the atmosphere has changed subtly. Cao quickly excuses herself and leaves.
YZ brings Zhen's attention to a zither. Cao Guiren does not have any talent in this regard, just as her name aptly, Cao Qinmo. (Qin Mo is a hymophone loosely meaning "Zither death".) Zhen wants to get Shen to play the zither for YZ as she is the best in this area. YZ says Shen is the best in technical knowledge while Zhen is better at conveying feelings through music.
This zither was given by Kangxi to one of his concubines, Shufei, as a love token. It is a pair with a flute. The flute is now in the posession of Guo, Shufei's son.
Zhen accidently snaps the zither's string. YZ uses this to bring up that she is distracted. He uses this to ask when did she fall in love with him. Cue ominous music. This is a very dangerous situation for Zhen. If she replies that she likes him when she first sees YZ, it will mean she likes him as Prince Guo, and she will be a goner.
"When Your Majesty used Prince Guo's name to talk about the flute and admire the flowers, I admired your talent but as I thought you were Prince Guo, I was careful not to overstep boundaries. After Your Majesty revealed your identity, you showed great favor to me above normal concubines. I do not treat you only as my king, but as a husband too. "
"If we were to pursue exactly when I fell in love with you, it has to be when you punished Yu in the garden. I was feeling helpless when she was making trouble for me. Even thou it is just a simple thing for you, but to me, you are a gentleman who saved me. "
YZ's doubt is dispelled and he tries to play it down. "I was only asking for fun."
Zhen continues, "I deserve death. I view you as a husband above the you as an emperor."
YZ finally acknowledges, "I was suspicious unduely. I know your heart. Huanhuan, do not bear any grudge towards me."
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Zhen is in her own chambers consulting with Jinxi. They know that someone very close to them have revealed this tidbit of information to Cao Guiren. Even Jinxi does not know the details of how Zhen met YZ in the garden. The only suspect is Liuzhu. But Liuzhu has been with Zhen for many years since young and she trusts Liuzhu. She will not colloborate with Cao Qinmo and betray Zhen. It could be that Liuzhu is such a direct and frank person that she divulges all the details innocently while chatting with others. And thus everything has become gossip and Cao can use the details to come in between YZ and Zhen.
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Jianqiu reports to the empress that she has conveyed her instructions that everyone's allocated food supplies will be lowered from now on. The empress's own supplies will be reduced to be the same as Huafei and Qifei.
Since Shen Guiren was the one who came up with this idea in front of YZ to save on expenses, so she will give credit to Shen. The empress obviously knows this cost saving measure will incur the wrath of many, and thus does not take any credit or blame for it. Let Shen take any credit or blame, but obviously the empress knows there will be more blame than credit.
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Huafei is extremely annoyed that she is unable to eat the foods and snacks that she wants due to the reduced supplies.
"The empress is always stingy. The palace only has a few people, how much can the expenses be? Breakfast and dinner are all vegetarian foods, we can't even see a piece of meat! Appetites are bad in summer, without good foods we can't have the appetite for anything. "
Songzhi "Nubi heard the empress's residence is having the same provisions as ours. It's all Shen Guiren's fault. Why must she give such an idea to the emperor to reduce our food?"
Huafei - "She has not formally managed the harem, but she has learnt how to use a chicken feather as an arrow. Songzhi, take some banknotes and give them to the maids and eunuchs. Everyone is having a hard time, let them have some offerings."
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Zhen visits Shen. Shen is having sour plum juice. She has had 4 or 5 bowls already, made by a new maid Fulin. Zhen dislikes sour food.
It will be Princess Wenyi's 1 year birthday next month, and there will be a celebration banquet. YZ likes Wenyi very much and thus will see her mother, Cao Guiren, many times. The previous shennagins with Yu and Huafei did not implicate her, so she is having a happy time nowadays.
Shen "Yes, I have heard of her prowess. She managed to drive a wedge just a few words and pick on the most important and delicate aspect of your relationship with the emperor and made the emperor doubt you. We can't take her lightly."
"No matter how much the emperor favors us currently, without any children, our position is still not stable. Just look at Huafei. She can be the no. 1 in the harem, but without any children, she can lose her power to manage the harem overnight."
"For Qifei, no matter how he does not favor her, he still talks to her because of 3rd prince. Cao Guiren and Xin Changzai's daughters are equally loved. As long as he loves the children, he will think about their birth mothers. Otherwise, once the emperor has lost the novelity, he will cast us aside for newer girls."
Shen is busy learning management. She is not able to concerntrate on getting pregnant and gaining favors from the emperor. Also, the emperor does not visit the harem often so her chances to have sexual relations with the emperor is very little despite serving him for a year already.
Shen sighs, "Maybe I'm do not have such fortune in my destiny. "
"Pei pei pei. Huafei also does not have a child despite her favors. Also, we are still young, the road is still ahead of us. We are going to have hoards of children and grandchildren to accompany us when we are old!"
Shen reveals she is getting a doctor to get her body into condition for getting pregnant. She shows Zhen a prescription from Imperial gynacologist Jiang Cheng which she has obtained with some difficulty. It will presumably allow her to be pregnant with a boy. She asks Zhen to use it too. Zhen is skeptical.
Zhen - "Isn't Jiang Cheng's brother Jiang Sheng? Jiang Sheng is Cao Guiren's physician in charge. With the link there, is he reliable?"
Shen - "I have checked it out. Both of them are not born of the same mothers and have had a bad relationship for a long time. Otherwise I would not be able to trust them. I have also researched some medical books to use this."
Zhen is still cautious and wants to summon Wen to check it out. Wen is unfortunately out on call and will not be avaliable for a few days.
Shen - "It's ok. I have had 2 doses of this prescription. I think it's ok."
Zhen leaves.
Liu Ben, a new physican, is introduced. He turns out to be from the same province as Shen. She is glad to see someone from her hometown and is very nice to him.
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The empress is holding her daily meeting with the concubines. They are placing a lot of importance on Princess Wenyi's 1 year birthday celebration. Cao Guiren is very pleased and thanks the empress.
"You have given the emperor a child, you are a credit to the empire. There is no need for any thanks from you." (cut to quick reaction shots of the concubines without children, Huafei and JingPin, and their faces. The subject of the conversation pokes at their failure. They are holding it in.)
"The empire and emperor needs many descendants. The emperor does not have many children currently. Hope all sisters will help with this responsibility."
Huafei, "The emperor doesn't have many children, but look, isn't there one in Yuan Ming Yuan?"
Qifei is displeased. "Huafei, don't bring up the taboo subject."
Huafei says with a smirk, "Everybody thinks it is taboo. I don't think so."
Qifei, "A child of a servant, can he be considered a dragon child?"
Huafei, "Hah, 4th prince's mother may be a lowly servant. But he is still the emperor's son. He is still 3rd Prince's blood sibling."
Qifei, "Hmph, him? "
Empress is annoyed "Alright, why are you talking about such issues? If you are not interested in keeping to taboos, are you also not interested to respecting the emperor's wishes?"
Qifei quickly apologises and changes the topic, "Please forgive me. The 3rd prince is working very hard nowadays. He studies until night."
Huafei takes the oppourtunity to take swipes at Qifei, "What's the use of being hardworking? I'm afraid it's not as good as a lowborn. I was passing by the lake and 4th prince was reciting some phrases. He was so much better than 3rd prince. Hey Empress, this Li JinGui (4th prince's mother) died early. Why is 4th prince so much more intelligent than 3rd prince, one who got so much attention and teachings from young?"
Basically, Huafei is trying to say that 3rd prince is stupid without coming right out to say it. At this point Qifei is glaring at Huafei. Huafei has a satisfied smile.
Empress, "Huafei, remember your limits. Cao Guiren, Wenyi is going to be 1 soon. By right, you will advance a rank. But the emperor says as we are fighting a war now, we should be more thrifty. After the war is over, you will be promoted in a grand ceremony. There is no need to rush."
Cao, "I am so grateful for his majesty's favors. I am just a lowly concubine, I dare not accept such great favors. I will be content to accompany the empress and the emperor."
Empress graciously says, "The emperor knows you are considerate and accomodating. He bestows a pair of white jade ruyi for the princess to sleep with. I will send it to you later."
(Another shot of Huafei holding it in.)
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The 4th prince looks for Jianqiu. He requests to pay his respects to the empress and the emperor. He reveals his momo does not bother about him. She blocks him nicely and asks him to go back to his quarters.
Inside, the empress is plucking lotus seeds out of their pods. Jianqiu is sympathetic to 4th Prince and puts in his request. The empress wants to disassociate with him as YZ does not like him as he will be reminded of the past troubles.
Jianqiu hints that the empress may want to adopt 4th prince. Among the benefits, as he is not well taken care of here, and his mother is dead, thus he will view his adopted mother with love and gratitude.
The empress dismisses it as there is more negatives than positives to taking him. As YZ dislikes 4th prince, so he serves no use to anyone.
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Zhen and Shen are touring the lake. They are talking about the weather and having pimples. Shen says Liu Ben gave her a good anti-pimple formula.
Zhen says the criteria for picking their helpers is that they must come from a clear background and their characters must be upright. Medical skills take a backseat to that.
Shen says she has double checked Jiang Cheng's pregnancy prescription with Liu Ben and he has cleared it.
They run into Qifei, Cao Guiren and Xin Changzai.
Cao Guiren apologises to Zhen. "I mispoke in front of the emperor the last time. I heard that it lead to you and the emperor having some friction. But it was really unintentional on my part. I do apologise."
Zhen - "Cao jiejie don't take it so hard. Meimei only have a little banter with the emperor. It wasn't a big deal."
Xin Changzai - "The emperor favors Meimei so much. Having a little banter with the emperor is not a big deal. But if it is another person doing that, then it is a big deal."
Qifei says sourly, "How can we be compared to Wan Guiren? Even if we want to banter with the emperor, we have to see him first."
Cao Guiren invites Zhen and Shen to a little snack party to apologise formally. She has invited Qifei and Xin Changzai along for this purpose. Shen and Zhen are unable to decline since other people are involved.
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After the snacks, Cao serves sour plum drinks. Xin Changzai praises her for her attentiveness to detail, by complimenting the drinks as a digestive to the food.
Shen suddenly feels nauseated. She is quickly questioned about the older concubines how many days it has been feeling this way. They guess it could be she is pregnant.
Cao asks if Shen has gotten her monthly cycle. Shen is embaressed but she is urged to answer since everyone are ladies there. Shen replies she has not gotten her period for 2 weeks. They ask a lot of details and physician Liu Ben is summoned. Cao Guiren has a satisfied smile.
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Liu Ben is diagnosing Shen at Cao's place. Both emperor and empress are rushing there too. They get the confirmation from Liu Ben that Shen is pregnant. The emperor and empress checks the sexual records book and the date tallies.
YZ is very pleased. Empress instructs Caiyue to take good care of Shen and report to her everyday about Shen's welfare. Shen requests that Liu Ben be the physician in charge of taking care of her. Cao is very enthusiastic in offering her sour plum drink. YZ makes a remark that Zhen doesn't like sour foods, and to put some sugar in her drink. Empress takes in the info that YZ is very attentive to Zhen.
end of episode 12
http://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A6%82%E6%84%8F
What is a Ruyi? Ruyi originated as a back scratcher in ancient times. After buddism was introduced to China, a lot of believers carried it around as a symbol of their religion. (Presumably, they had a lot of travelling to do.) Slowly, it became fashionable and a lot