Catch Up My Prince Episode 12 Recap
> Catch Up My Prince Recap
Lu Ranran was summoned to the Empress's palace. After exchanging greetings, the Empress commended Lu Ranran for her contributions to the Crown Prince and Princess's good health. When offered a reward of tea and pastry, Lu Ranran, despite suspecting a trap, ate them under pressure. Soon after, she coughed up blood and collapsed.
The Empress, feigning concern, declared that Lu Ranran's poor health rendered her unfit to serve royalty and ordered her to recover at a residence outside the palace, effectively expelling her. Lu Ranran understood this was a deliberate attempt to remove her, but the Empress's attendant warned her that no one could protect her from this decision. As Lu Ranran was being forced out, Zhao Chenxuan burst in, demanding the attendants stop. The Crown Prince and Zhao Chenyao also arrived.
Zhao Chenyao, dramatically complaining of severe abdominal pain that he claimed only Lu Ranran could cure, stalled her expulsion by using the false excuse that she had already been appointed as a female physician. The Crown Prince then publicly supported this by stating he had already petitioned the Emperor to promote Lu Ranran as a female physician in recognition of her service in curing him, effectively making her expulsion impossible.
He dismissed the attendants and, after ensuring Zhao Chenyao's feigned illness had subsided, and noticing Lu Ranran's apparent concern for Zhao Chen Yi, the Crown Prince instructed Zhao Chen Yi to stay and take good care of Lu Ranran before leaving. The Crown Prince privately asked Zhao Chenyao if the imperial decree for Lu Ranran's promotion was real, to which Zhao Chenyao admitted it was a lie, a necessary tactic to protect her from the Empress.
The Crown Prince, though worried about the false decree, decided to support Lu Ranran by also pleading with their Father the next day. Meanwhile, Zhao Chenyao confronted the Empress, questioning her decision to expel Lu Ranran. The Empress angrily confirmed her intention, stating that Lu Ranran was useless to her and that Zhao Chenyao should distance himself. She rebuked him for faking an imperial decree, seeing it as behavior that would jeopardize his claim to the throne.
The Empress, determined to secure his position, reminded him of his status as the legitimate son of New Ming and warned him against being swayed by "love and beauty." She revealed her plan to arrange a meeting between him and General Li's second daughter at the upcoming New Year's Eve dinner. Zhao Chenyao, however, firmly declared that he desired to earn his position through his own merit and integrity, rejecting his mother's ruthless schemes and arranged marriage.
Under Zhao Chen Yi's watchful eye and the care of Physician Li and her Master, Lu Ranran slowly recovered from her illness and the poison residue. Physician Li prescribed medicine for her cold and promised a plan for the internal poison. Lu Ranran was later officially appointed as a female physician and returned to the Medicine Department. Zhao Chenxuan visited, bringing snacks and tonics, expressing regret that he couldn't do more to protect her when she was bullied.
Lu Ranran reassured him, encouraging him to look forward to his future. However, a brief moment of discomfort from Lu Ranran prompted her to send him away, though his favorability score showed a slight increase. Later, Lu Ranran checked her favorable impression scores: Zhao Chenxuan had 63 points, Zhao Chenyao 61, the Crown Prince 57, and Zhao Chen Yi remained at zero.
Zhao Chenyao then visited, apologizing for the poison, explaining it was the only way to ensure the Crown Prince received treatment, and informed her that the Emperor had officially decreed her appointment as a female physician, ensuring her safety in the palace. Lu Ranran, still reeling from the events, politely but coolly dismissed him, feigning fatigue. Soon after, Zhao Chen Yi came.
Unbeknownst to Lu Ranran, Zhao Chen Yi had been secretly caring for her during her illness, maintaining his distance out of concern. However, Lu Ranran expressed her hurt and disappointment, accusing him of only visiting now after she'd been sick for so long, and comparing herself to a pet he only pays attention to when he wants.
Zhao Chen Yi tried to defend himself, but Lu Ranran, weary and emotional, asked him to leave, implying he was too "valued" for her humble abode. Zhao Chen Yi left, sensing her lingering anger. Xin'er, while secretly searching Lu Ranran's room for useful evidence, had discovered Lu Ranran was poisoned and deliberately dumped her crucial antidote. Later, Lu Ranran discovered her crucial antidote was missing from its bottle.
Her senior brother, upon smelling the empty bottle, assured her he could re-create the medicine by identifying the ingredients and considering her pulse, greatly relieving her anxiety. He also delivered her new formal uniform, a unique honor as Master's only female student, and an invitation to the New Year's Eve banquet, cautioning her to stay close to the Crown Princess. Later, she consulted Qin Shou about Zhao Chen Yi's unchanging zero favorability score.
Qin Shou suggested she "cut her losses" and pursue another target, even recommending Zhao Chenxuan due to his high score. Lu Ranran adamantly refused, seeing Zhao Chenxuan as a younger brother. Despite the advice, Lu Ranran remained deeply saddened by Zhao Chen Yi's perceived indifference. That night, Lu Ranran attempted to visit Yun Zhu but was stopped by a guard, Ah Wu, who claimed Lord Xu had ordered him to watch over Yun Zhu.
Lu Ranran shrewdly gleaned from Ah Wu's evasive answers that Xu You Zheng might have feelings for Yun Zhu. Using the pretense that Lord Xu himself wanted her to visit Yun Zhu more often, she bypassed the guard. Inside, Yun Zhu revealed her eyes had been bothering her, making it difficult to see at night, possibly due to extensive embroidery or "night blindness." Lu Ranran, after examining Yun Zhu, suspected it might be a pre-programmed ailment in her game world.
Determined to help, Lu Ranran sought out her Master, asking him to teach her the advanced "Walnut Shell Glasses Moxibustion" for eye problems, despite not knowing basic moxibustion. Her Master, seeing her resolve, provided her with a prescription to follow and again reminded her about the upcoming New Year's Eve banquet. On New Year's Eve, Lu Ranran attended the banquet, accompanying the Crown Princess, who was delighted by her presence and cared for her well-being.
During the festivities, the Empress Dowager expressed her wish for Zhao Chenyao to have a grandchild, and the Empress spoke of her plans to match Zhao Chenyao with Ling Wei, General Li's second daughter, praising her qualities and noting the previous tragic death of General Li's eldest daughter. Lu Ranran observed the princes, particularly Zhao Chen Yi, while hoping his favorability score would finally change.
The Crown Prince, noticing Lu Ranran's attention, subtly informed her of Zhao Chen Yi's deep care for her, recounting how he had desperately carried her back to the palace, even physically intervening to protect her, and had secretly looked after her during her illness. After the Emperor, Empress, and Empress Dowager retired, the four princes shared drinks, fostering a scene of genuine camaraderie.
Lu Ranran, witnessing their brotherly bond, found herself feeling a sense of belonging in this world, contemplating letting go of her obsession with game mechanics and simply living her life here. Zhao Chen Yi excused himself, following Lu Ranran. However, he encountered Xin'er, who immediately deduced he was pursuing Lu Ranran. Xin'er fiercely criticized Lu Ranran, accusing her of being a manipulative and deceitful woman who played various princes for her own gain, even calling her a "serpent."
Zhao Chen Yi defended Lu Ranran, calling her innocent and kind, and accused Xin'er of being blinded by hatred. He reminded Xin'er of his promise to clear the Yu Family's injustice but chastised her for secretly poisoning the Crown Prince, revealing the Crown Prince was his actual brother.
Xin'er, however, pointed out the Crown Prince's association with Xu You Zheng and the Crown Princess's familial ties to Xu You Zheng, expressing her determination to make Xu You Zheng pay for his crimes, even if it meant doing it alone. Accusing Zhao Chen Yi of abandoning her and the Yu Family for his brother and Lu Ranran, a heartbroken Xin'er ran off. Just then, Lu Ranran arrived.
Zhao Chen Yi, no longer able to suppress his feelings, confessed his past to her. He revealed that after his beloved teacher's family was executed by Xu You Zheng, he had adopted the persona of a playboy, patiently waiting for an opportunity for revenge.
Her arrival had transformed his solitary life, but his fear of implicating her in his dangerous feud with Xu You Zheng had driven him to push her away, refuse her confession, and even force her towards the Crown Prince's side. He expressed deep regret for his actions and promised to protect her, care for her, and ensure no one would ever harm her again. He envisioned a peaceful life together in a fiefdom once he had cleared his teacher's name. Hearing his sincere explanation, Lu Ranran declared her willingness to believe in his true feelings once more.
