Catch Up My Prince Episode 17 Recap
> Catch Up My Prince Recap
Lu Ranran, distressed by the outcome of the previous timeline where Zhao Chen Yi died, sought to reload a saved game. She asked the system if she had a chance to restart and return to an earlier point. Despite the system's warning that all conditions for leaving the game would need to be met again, Lu Ranran insisted, wanting to return to before Zhao Chen Yi's illness relapsed or he died.
However, the system could only restore a save from when she was first imprisoned. Accepting this, Lu Ranran found herself back in the Imperial Prison. She immediately requested to see Zhao Chenyao, stating she had an important report. Meanwhile, the Queen revealed her elaborate scheme to Zhao Chenyao, chastising him for nearly allowing "that girl" (Lu Ranran) to escape, which would have ruined their leverage against Crown Prince Zhao Chen Yi.
She asserted that Zhao Chen Yi, being a lowly servant's child, was not worthy of the same status as her son. The Queen admitted to involving Xin'er in her plans, describing her as a "good pawn" for securing the throne for Zhao Chenyao. She added that even if Xin'er were caught, the blame would only fall on the Eleventh Prince Zhao Chenxuan, not Zhao Chenyao. The Queen then noted Zhao Chenyao's affection for Lu Ranran.
Considering Lu Ranran a significant "variable" in their plans, the Queen suggested taking the opportunity to eliminate her. She advised Zhao Chenyao to focus on larger ambitions and consider Li Lingwei, whose strong family background and feelings for him made her a more suitable match. Despite his mother's words, Zhao Chenyao confessed his liking for Lu Ranran and pleaded with the Queen to spare her life.
Later, Zhao Chenxuan drugged the prison guards to obtain the keys, hoping to free Lu Ranran. However, Lu Ranran vehemently refused his help. She explained that she did not want to involve him further and that his actions were only complicating matters. She insisted on proving her innocence and leaving with her head held high, not as a fugitive. She told Zhao Chenxuan that he couldn't help her and urged him to leave.
Hurt by her words, Zhao Chenxuan questioned if his presence was truly making things worse, but ultimately complied, leaving with a heavy heart. Soon after, Zhao Chenyao arrived at the prison. Lu Ranran assured him she was physically fine and asked him to conduct a thorough investigation into Zhao Chen Yi's poisoning, believing Xin'er must have left clues. Zhao Chenyao promised to investigate.
Lu Ranran then requested that Zhao Chenyao convey a message to Zhao Chen Yi: to not exhaust himself helping her, as she would address his illness once released. She also asked him to ensure Zhao Chen Yi carried the blessing talisman she had previously arranged for him, to guarantee his safety. Zhao Chenyao agreed to deliver the message.
Lu Ranran reflected that with Crown Prince Zhao Chen Yi unwell and Zhao Chenxuan unable to assist, Zhao Chenyao was her only hope. Xin'er, also known as Wu Zi Xin and Lady Yu, was interrogated. To secure her brother Zi Kang's safety, she confessed to all her wrongdoings.
She admitted that she had sought revenge for the Yu family, entered the palace to harm high-ranking officials and Crown Prince Zhao Chen Yi, and was responsible for finding the poison and administering it. The Queen's envoy instructed Xin'er not to implicate Lu Ranran, much to Xin'er's indignation at Lu Ranran being released. Meanwhile, Zhao Chen Yi, concerned for Lu Ranran, headed to the Imperial Prison to rescue her.
He encountered Zhao Chenyao, who reassured him that Lu Ranran's innocence had been proven and that she would soon be released. Zhao Chenyao then escorted Zhao Chen Yi back to his palace to rest. As predicted, Lu Ranran was released from prison. Xin'er had taken full responsibility for all the crimes, including the schisandra fruit case. Zhao Chenyao was waiting outside the prison amidst the heavy rain and immediately offered Lu Ranran his umbrella.
Zhao Chen Yi also arrived at that moment, intending to greet Lu Ranran, but Zhao Chenyao had already reached her first. Zhao Chenyao then proposed to Lu Ranran, informing her that while he would marry Li Lingwei as his official consort next month, he had requested his father to appoint Lu Ranran as his concubine because she was the one he truly wanted. He promised her his heart and everything she desired, save for the consort title.
Lu Ranran accepted, believing this was the most pragmatic and least harmful path. The system then confirmed that she had successfully unlocked "Zhao Chen Yao's single ending path." The next day, Li Lingwei confronted Lu Ranran in the Pharmacy Department, demanding to know why she agreed to become Zhao Chenyao's concubine.
Lu Ranran assured Li Lingwei that she would not pose a threat to her relationship with Zhao Chenyao, stating she did not love Zhao Chenyao and would not remain by his side indefinitely. She promised that Zhao Chenyao would ultimately belong only to Li Lingwei. Li Lingwei, however, threatened to make Lu Ranran regret her choices if she didn't lead a peaceful life.
A few days later, the Crown Princess successfully gave birth to a healthy child, bringing immense joy to Zhao Chen Yi. He expressed relief that the blessing talisman had worked and that he would witness his child's growth. Lu Ranran, observing the loving family, decided that she could not pursue Zhao Chen Yi as he and his consort were deeply in love, and she wished for their continued happiness and safety.
Xu Lang later conveyed the news of Lu Ranran's impending marriage to Zhao Chenyao to Yun Zhu. Yun Zhu, who once harbored feelings for Zhao Chenyao, expressed her happiness for Lu Ranran. She had even made a wedding outfit for Lu Ranran, hoping she would try it on, reflecting that true affection meant respecting the other person's decisions rather than forcing them.
Yun Zhu also voiced her desire to leave the palace and live a carefree life, to which Xu Lang promised his assistance. Upon learning of Lu Ranran's marriage, Zhao Chenxuan was devastated. He spent his days drinking, recalling Lu Ranran's harsh words that he couldn't help her and her supposed desire for power. In a fit of rage, he burned his most cherished possessions, vowing to gain the power she sought.
Meanwhile, Li Lingwei confidently awaited Zhao Chenyao's visit that night, certain that as his concubine, Lu Ranran would be insignificant to him. Separately, Zhao Chen Yi also drowned his sorrows in alcohol, heartbroken by Lu Ranran's decision to marry Zhao Chenyao. His attendant noted he had been drinking for a month straight. Zhao Chen Yi lamented that Lu Ranran, whom he loved, accepted the role of Second Prince's concubine. He suspected she had been a spy, feigning affection for him.
Despite his profound sadness, he raised his drink, wishing Lu Ranran to achieve whatever she desired. Having fulfilled her mission, the system prompted Lu Ranran to exit the game. She felt a bittersweet sense of accomplishment, having reached this moment but experiencing reluctance to leave. As Lu Ranran began to remove her wedding attire, Li Lingwei suddenly appeared.
Li Lingwei accused Lu Ranran of seducing Zhao Chen Yi first and then marrying Zhao Chenyao purely for power, calling her a backstabber. She revealed the shocking truth: it was Zhao Chen Yi who had bravely rushed into the fire to save Lu Ranran, almost dying in the process. He had even confessed his love for Lu Ranran to Li Lingwei, asking her not to harm her.
Overwhelmed by this revelation, Lu Ranran's past memories with Zhao Chen Yi flooded her mind. She rushed to find him. She found Zhao Chen Yi still drinking and called out to him. Initially, he dismissed her presence, believing she was now married to Zhao Chenyao.
But Lu Ranran declared her unwavering love for him, stating that he was the first person she had ever liked in this world and that she had tried everything to secure a happy ending with him, even though he had never explicitly reciprocated her feelings. She expressed joy in finally knowing that he truly cared for her. As she prepared to leave the game world, Lu Ranran bravely told Zhao Chen Yi, "I love you." Moved by her heartfelt confession, Zhao Chen Yi, with tears in his eyes, finally confessed his love for her in return.
