Episode Summary

Yue Chi's presence in the palace is a calculated move with Yue Ling'er and Emperor Huo Jingheng. Facing a financial shortage for his weapon collection, Yue Chi cleverly turns a potentially hostile tea party with Consort Hui into a profitable venture by selling cosmetics to the other consorts. Emperor Huo Jingheng is surprised by this entrepreneurial spirit. Later, Yue Chi accidentally discovers a forbidden area while searching for a lost item gifted by the Emperor and has an encounter with the Empress Dowager, Du San Niang, losing a shoe in the process. The Empress Dowager attempts to identify the intruder by making consorts try on the shoe, with Consort Hui accusing Yue Chi. Emperor Huo Jingheng intervenes, feigning affection for Yue Chi, which unexpectedly pleases the Empress Dowager, who then bonds with Yue Chi over a perceived resemblance to Yue Chi's mother. The episode concludes with the return of the Empress Dowager's brother, Prime Minister Du Tianzhao.

Spoiler Alert

"A Prime Minister's Disguise" Episode 2 Recap & Spoilers: Strategic Moves and Palace Intrigues

Previously on "A Prime Minister's Disguise": The stage was set for complex maneuvers within the imperial court. Now, let's dive into the developments of Episode 2.

Yue Chi's entry into the palace was a well-thought-out plan orchestrated by Yue Ling'er and Emperor Huo Jingheng. Neither wanted to see Yue Chi's considerable talents go to waste. However, since Huo Jingheng ascended the throne, he had been listless and dispirited. This prompted Huo Jingheng and Ling'er to devise this particular strategy. Having studied together in a private school for two years, they shared a bond of old friendship, which made Huo Jingheng willing to help.

Currently, Yue Chi faces a significant hurdle: a lack of funds. Money is essential for him to collect the weapons he fancies. Consort Hui invites Yue Chi to a tea party, an invitation he recognizes as a potential trap (a "Hongmen Yan" – a feast with treacherous intentions). However, declining would put Ling'er in a difficult position in the future. Determined to win this round for Ling'er, Yue Chi attends. As expected, Consort Hui tries to make things difficult for him, but Yue Chi remains unfazed, displaying the dignified bearing of someone from a military family. This display somewhat intimidates Consort Hui and the other consorts present.

Not wishing to create enemies for Ling'er, Yue Chi has his attendant, Xiao Yue, bring in a set of rouge and powder that Ling'er had sent. He offers to share these cosmetics with the consorts. No woman could resist such an offer, and they are all captivated by Yue Chi's presentation, eagerly gathering around. Seizing the opportunity, Yue Chi sells these items to them, easily amassing a significant sum of money.

Upon learning that Consort Hui had invited Yue Chi, Emperor Huo Jingheng becomes extremely worried and rushes over. When he arrives, he finds only Yue Chi and Xiao Yue busy counting their earnings. He's astonished to see that Yue Chi has managed to conduct business even within the inner palace.

Later, the Empress Dowager issues a decree ordering the consorts to begin exercising by running. However, Yue Chi is conspicuously absent from this activity, providing Consort Hui with an opportunity to make an issue of it.

Xiao Yue accidentally loses a Ruyi (a ceremonial scepter, often symbolizing good fortune) that the Emperor had gifted to Yue Chi. Instead of blaming her, Yue Chi joins her in searching for it. During the search, Yue Chi stumbles upon a forbidden area filled with numerous traps and mechanisms. Inside, he encounters the Empress Dowager, Du San Niang. After a brief confrontation, Yue Chi hastily retreats, only to realize he has lost a shoe. The very next day, the Empress Dowager initiates a search, having all the consorts try on the shoe, determined to find the intruder. Consort Hui, seeing her chance, fuels the situation by directly accusing Yue Chi.

The Empress Dowager, accompanied by a retinue of consorts, confronts Yue Chi. Feigning innocence and grievance, Yue Chi denies that the shoe is his. Just as the Empress Dowager is about to punish him, Emperor Huo Jingheng arrives and shields Yue Chi. Huo Jingheng deliberately acts affectionately towards Yue Chi, which greatly pleases the Empress Dowager. She had previously worried that he had no interest in women, but now it seems the "iron tree has finally blossomed" (a Chinese idiom meaning something highly improbable has happened). The Empress Dowager invites Yue Chi to drink and chat with her. She even has Yue Chi remove his veil. To her surprise, Yue Chi’s resemblance to his mother strikes the Empress Dowager, and the two converse quite congenially.

That evening, when Yue Chi returns to his quarters, he finds Emperor Huo Jingheng waiting. Huo Jingheng playfully teases him about retiring for the night, but Yue Chi politely declines. Once again, Huo Jingheng discovers some new interesting items in Yue Chi's possession and, as usual, doesn't leave empty-handed, much to Yue Chi's exasperation.

A new development occurs as Du San Niang's younger brother, Du Tianzhao, returns. As the current Prime Minister, he has come back to the palace to report important matters to Emperor Huo Jingheng.

Spoilers & What to Expect Next:

  1. The Empress Dowager's newfound fondness for Yue Chi, based on a perceived resemblance and the Emperor's feigned affection, could either be a shield or a new source of complications.
  2. The return of Prime Minister Du Tianzhao, the Empress Dowager's brother, will undoubtedly shift the power dynamics within the court. His agenda and allegiance will be crucial.
  3. Yue Chi's entrepreneurial spirit within the palace walls might lead to further amusing or dangerous situations.
  4. The mystery of the forbidden area and what the Empress Dowager Du San Niang is protecting or hiding there will likely deepen.
  5. Consort Hui remains a persistent antagonist, and her efforts to undermine Yue Chi will surely continue.
  6. The true nature of Emperor Huo Jingheng's "listlessness" and his deeper plans with Yue Chi and Ling'er are yet to be fully unveiled.