Perfect Crown Episode 8 begins with chaos when Hui-ju collapses out of nowhere during the newlyweds’ first official appearance at the palace. The shocking incident immediately sent everyone into a panic, but Prince Yi-an took charge of the situation without delay.
Yi-an is ready to protect his wife and warns everybody that he will not allow anyone to harm Hui-ju. He orders Choi-hyun to call Hui-ju’s father and insists on bringing her to Castle Hospital instead of Royal Hospital. Jeong-woo clears the roads quickly so they can get to the destination without delay.
At home, Sung-won sees the whole thing and looks genuinely surprised, leading us to believe that poisoning Yi-rang was not his plan after all.
The Real Story Of Hui-ju’s Poisoning
Hui-ju’s family waits anxiously outside the hospital while the doctors work urgently. Medical tests soon show that Hui-ju is suffering from digoxin toxicity. Doctors say she lived only because she was not a regular user of the drug. The effects could have been fatal if the dose had been missed by someone who was used to it.
Hui-ju is expected to make a full recovery after detox treatment, but the discovery confirms one terrifying truth – someone tried to murder her.
At Prince Yi-an’s house, Hye-jung orders the palace staff to stop and tells them to lock up all the wedding ceremony props for investigation. It’s A-reum’s jittery behavior with the staff that immediately sets off alarm bells, making her look more and more suspect.
Prince Yi-an Orders an Imperial Probe
Hyeon-guk, Hui-ju’s father, storming into the hospital, even hitting Prince Yi-an, demanding answers. Yi-an tells him, very calmly, that he doesn’t mean to take it lightly.
Jeong-woo is furious too, but shock grows when Prince Yi-an officially orders a thorough investigation of everyone in the palace.
Jeong-woo explains the investigation to Yi-rang, who attempts to object. But he reminds her that Yi-an is currently acting as regent, so his orders must be followed.
Jeong-woo takes it to another level when he holds a press conference to publicly announce that the entire royal family is under investigation, which has never happened before.
Hui-ju Wakes Up –
Finally, after intensive treatment, Hui-ju regains consciousness. Tae-joo, Choi-hyun, and Da-young are by her side and happy to see her awake.
Meanwhile, Prince Yi-an is alone in the palace, remembering painful memories of his late father and his alleged ambition.
The moment Court Lady Jin-sook tells him that Hui-ju is awake, he rushes to her hospital room. Overcome with emotion he hugs her close and tearfully confesses he was afraid of losing her.
Hui-ju comforts him in quiet ways, a sign of how much their relationship has grown.
The Actual Objective Was Prince Yi-an
The shocking theory revealed during questioning at the police station is that Prince Yi-an was the real target.
He’d have almost certainly died drinking the poisoned beverage, since he sometimes takes digoxin.
At the same time Hui-ju arrives at the same conclusion, remembering a crucial detail from the wedding ceremony. Court Lady Jin-sook had made a mistake when she arranged the ritual table and swapped the cups, and Hui-ju had drunk what was meant for Yi-an.
That realization changes everything.
Yi-an Bolsters Palace Security
Prince Yi-an, determined to protect Hui-ju, returns to the palace and immediately tightens security. He is requesting new attendants and makes it clear that only trusted people will be allowed near his wife.
Meanwhile, Jeong-woo quietly informs investigators to investigate Yi-rang and her father when he finds out they had access to Yi-an’s medical history.
Yi-rang also looks worried and tells Court Lady Lim to take out the possible threats before the investigation exposes the truth.
Hui-ju Comes Back into the Palace
The following morning, the doctors release Hui-ju, but they recommend she continue to have her heart rhythm monitored by ECG.
With help from Da-young and the palace PR team, Hui-ju cultivates a public image of sympathetic victimhood that wins her broad public support.
Yi-rang pretends to welcome her warmly when she arrives at the palace, and offers to take over her duties for a while.
Prince Yi-an immediately rejects the request, and states that Hui-ju’s position is safe.
Hui-ju and Yi-an’s Growing Affection
As Hui-ju recovers, her relationship with Yi-an deepens.
In a private moment, Hui-ju confesses her fear that she might have been the real target. She is irritated when Yi-an nonchalantly mentions that he wouldn’t mind if he was the one in danger, as long as she was safe.
The ensuing pillow fight quickly evolves into a warm and intimate moment, illustrating the level of comfort they now share with each other.
Later that night, Yi-an walks out of the shower and flusters Hui-ju. He jokes about ‘consummating their marriage’ and then snuggles up next to her.
Hui-ju tells him to turn off the ECG monitor, but Yi-an refuses. He says it is comforting to know that she is still alive.
Her quick kiss and his soft kiss on the forehead are one of the sweetest moments of the episode.
A New Crisis of Public
Hui-ju and Prince Yi-an are preparing for their first public appearance as man and wife at their old high school the next day.
Everything is going well. Prince Yi-an beams with pride as Hui-ju delivers a confident and heartfelt speech.
But then the atmosphere suddenly changes when people start checking their phones.
Reporters swarm the place minutes later, asking about Hui-ju’s contract marriage to the prince.
Hui-ju freezes. Shocked. Exposed.
Without thinking, Prince Yi-an steps in front of her, covers her with his body, holds her hand and safely leads her out of the room.
Review of Episode 8
Episode 8 is one of the most emotional chapters in Perfect Crown so far. The poisoning incident raises the stakes dramatically, and drives Hui-ju and Prince Yi-an closer than ever.
Their increasing emotional reliance on one another seems organic and the reunion in the hospital features some of the series’ most emotional scenes.
Meanwhile, the political mystery continues to thicken. Even Yi-rang, Sung-won, A-reum and Jeong-woo are all still suspects, leaving viewers wondering who to believe.
The final contract marriage scandal is the latest major twist and sets up what could be one of the most explosive episodes yet.