Episode 27 recap: Rong Er was falsely accused and passed away.
Puyi ordered Yu De Fu to investigate the imperial medicine cabinet, and when Qian De Hai saw Yufu Gong coming, he immediately presented him with banknotes as a gift. Yu De Fu warned Qian De Hai that if he continues to obediently listen, there will be consequences from the Emperor's side, and Qian De Hai promised profusely that he will follow Yu De Fu's instructions.
Rong Er concocted an ointment according to Rong Hui Tai Fei's prescription, and Rong Hui Tai Fei was very satisfied after trying it, so she sent some to Duan Kang Tai Fei, who also greatly enjoyed it and specifically kept some for her own meals.
Yu De Fu brought the ingredients brought by the Japanese envoy to Shuang Xi in the Taihedian, asking if she recognized them and how they could be prepared. Shuang Xi said she was not very knowledgeable and did not recognize them, so Jing Yi Tai Fei pretended to have a headache and asked Yu De Fu to send the items to Rong Er in the Chonghua Palace to handle.
The people in Chonghua Palace did not know what the ingredients were, so Rong Er had to go out to investigate. Liu Shou Gui took Rong Er around but no one knew, so Rong Er thought to ask Lu Qiu Tong, who had just returned from studying abroad.
Rong Er found out the ingredients were mullet roe, but did not know how to cook it. She studied it late at night, and Shuang Xi secretly saw her working on it late at night and even took out some wine, thinking Rong Er was helpless and could only drink to console herself.
The next day when the Japanese envoy visited Puyi, everyone was waiting for Rong Er's dish. Jing Yi Tai Fei asked Rong Hui Tai Fei if she knew what the ingredients were, but Rong Hui Tai Fei said even Jing Yi Tai Fei didn't know, so how would she know. Puyi asked about the meal preparation, and Rong Hui Tai Fei said to trust Rong Er with this.
When the mullet roe dish was delayed, the Japanese envoy asked Puyi when it would be served. Puyi had Li Qi hurry Rong Er, and Cai Bi confidently assured Li Qi. Rong Er had roasted the mullet roe with charcoal, pairing it with aged rice wine and apple slices to create a richer flavor. Everyone praised the dish, and the Japanese envoy complimented the Chinese cuisine. Puyi was very pleased and wanted to reward Rong Er, but she said she was just doing what she should and did not need a reward. Puyi said Rong Er's speech and behavior were starting to resemble Li Qi's.
The people in the Chonghua Palace were all very happy to go back, but Rong Er saw that Qing Er seemed a bit off. Qing Er said it was time for her to take her medicine, and the Empress Dowager hurriedly told Qing Er to go down. Every day, Rong Er would decoct the medicated ointment and send it to the Taihe Palace for Duan Kang Taifei. The Empress Dowager also expressed her gratitude to Rong Er. Yu De Fu discovered that Rong Er often went to the Taihe Palace, and upon inquiry, found out that Rong Er was making the Shiquanda Buchong ointment for the Empress Dowager every day, and had the servants get the prescription for him.
Suddenly, Duan Kang Taifei passed away. The Emperor ordered an investigation into Taifei's recent diet and medications. The maid said that Duan Kang Taifei had no appetite recently and only drank some congee and ate some fresh melons and fruits, and took the medicine prescribed by the imperial physician as well as the Shiquanda Buchong ointment made by Rong Er. The Emperor hurriedly ordered Yu De Fu to summon the imperial physician to inquire.
Rong Hui Taifei and Rong Er learned of this matter, and Rong Er said he would take full responsibility and not implicate anyone else. The imperial physician said that he had done his best in treating Taifei, and that she had shown signs of improvement under his care. The Emperor ordered Yu De Fu to investigate the matter thoroughly.
The imperial physician found Qian De Hai and asked him to organize the prescriptions Duan Kang Taifei had used recently. A eunuch went to the imperial pharmacy to get the medicines, but Qian De Hai cautioned that the large amount of Huangqin (Scutellaria) the eunuch had taken was a very cold herb that could be harmful if taken excessively. However, the eunuch said it was according to Rui Gong Gong's prescription and told Qian De Hai not to interfere.
Yu De Fu told Jing Yi Taifei that Duan Kang Taifei had used the ointment provided by Rong Hui Taifei before her sudden passing, and all the other medications had prescriptions, except for the ointment made by Rong Er. Jing Yi Taifei said that Rong Hui Taifei could not escape involvement in this matter.
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