Episode 30 recap: The two empress dowagers, rivals and enemies, have become roommates.
The ministers urged Puyi to reconsider, as his decision would affect the lives of thousands of banners people. They warned that if he angered this armed group, they could do anything. Soon, the representatives from the Republican government came to have Puyi sign the abdication agreement. Puyi chased them out of the palace to calm down. The prince regent asked Empress Wan Rong if Puyi had dropped and broken the imperial seal, but she said he had only dropped an apple, which the prince regent said was good, proving the Qing dynasty's fortunes were not yet exhausted.
The government's armed troops stormed into the Chonghua Palace, and the empress dowager barely escaped by hiding under a table. The soldiers ransacked the palace, and Rong Hui Taifei decided to die for the country, telling Li Qi to bring Rong Er back. Li Qi ran into the eunuch Yu outside, who was sneaking around instead of serving the emperor. Yu said he was going to see the empress dowager, and the guards summoned Li Qi and Yu to the Yangxin Palace.
Rong Er comforted Rong Hui Taifei to look forward. Jing Yi Taifei, supported by Shuang Xi, had fainted from the shock in Chonghua Palace, and everyone rushed to save her.
The Republican government negotiated the abdication terms with Puyi - he could keep his private properties, but the state properties would belong to the government. Just as Puyi was about to sign, Yu De Fu interrupted, saying Jing Yi Taifei had hanged herself. Puyi could not request three days to properly comfort the two empresses. Yu De Fu and Li Qi went to the Chonghua Palace to deliver the order, but the two empresses refused to leave the Forbidden City, even if it meant death. Rong Er pleaded for them to understand Puyi's difficult position and leave the palace soon. Yu De Fu urged the empresses to stay and threaten suicide to give Puyi a chance to return in the future. The two empresses agreed to take the risk.
After negotiations, the Republican government agreed to let the two empresses temporarily remain in the palace, while everyone else had to evacuate immediately.
Puyi finally agreed to sign and was about to leave the imperial palace. Yu De Fu expressed his gratitude to the two Empresses for their kindness, and said he wished to remain in the palace to continue serving them. Puyi agreed to let him stay. As Puyi was leaving the palace, Li Qi and Rong Er came to see him off. Puyi reflected on how he had once desperately wanted to escape the Forbidden City, but now was being unceremoniously driven out. He recalled how he had once disguised himself as a guard to play a trick on Rong Er. He told Li Qi that his final order was to release him from his duties as an imperial guard. Li Qi did not understand, so Puyi explained that they were no longer in a sovereign-subject relationship, but could now be true friends. He wished Li Qi and Rong Er well, and then left the Forbidden City with a heavy heart.
The eunuch Yu told the two Empresses to move to the Jingrenggong Palace. After much bustle, the two Empresses grew hungry, but had no water to cook with. Amidst the distress, Rong Er secretly brought a bucket of water and made porridge for them, which they enjoyed immensely. Rong Er wondered if the eunuch Yu's behavior was strange - he seemed to be acting in the Empresses' interest, but may actually be fanning the flames. The others also found his actions odd, as he should have left with the Emperor but instead remained with the Empresses.
Jingyi Taifu's opinion of Rong Er improved. Shuangxi said she would always follow Jingyi Taifu. Shuangxi also thought Rong Er was very attentive and composed - even when the soldiers burst in, she calmly said they must eat no matter what. Shuangxi felt Rong Er reminded her of Shouxi. Jingyi Taifu reflected that Shouxi's death was not entirely unrelated to them, and that she had previously wanted Rong Er dead, but now owed her a debt.
That night, the palace maids had no bedding and were shivering with cold. Rong Er promptly brought them some clothing to keep warm.
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