Catch Up My Prince Episode 23 Recap
> Catch Up My Prince Recap
Zhao Chenxuan, having been defeated, disclosed that Zhao Chen Yi was the one who initially alerted him to the complexities of the Wazi marriage plan, even providing evidence of a suspicious map in Princess Jia Ren's possession. Zhao Chen Yi's ultimate goal in revealing everything was to escape with Lu Ranran. Before Lu Ranran left, Zhao Chenxuan handed her a drawing collection, the last thing Zhao Chen Yi had asked of him.
He explained that this collection, which had been deemed evidence for Zhao Chen Yi's execution, was all his brother desired despite Zhao Chenxuan gaining immense power through his help. Looking through the collection, Lu Ranran recognized the name "Xiao Jia." Zhao Chenxuan then shared a story Zhao Chen Yi had told him about a spirited clothing maid named Xiao Jia, who possessed a mysterious ability to make everyone forget her, including him, and she had simply vanished.
Lu Ranran, still holding the drawing collection, wondered why Xiao Jia would want to be forgotten. Zhao Chenxuan informed Lu Ranran that due to the ongoing war between Wazi and New Ming and her alleged plot to assassinate the Emperor as the Eleventh Consort, she could not officially leave. Instead, he would spread news that the Eleventh Consort died in prison, thereby facilitating her escape. He told her this was his chance to help her.
When Lu Ranran addressed him as "Eleventh Prince," he affectionately reminded her to call him "Eleven" when they were alone, which she then did as she thanked him before departing. He confirmed that the Fourth Prince was waiting for her. Lu Ranran was safely escorted out of the city, where Zhao Chen Yi had been patiently waiting.
Upon seeing each other, their long-suppressed emotions spilled forth, and they embraced and shared a passionate kiss under the moonlight, both expressing relief at finally being reunited after enduring so much. Zhao Chen Yi recited a romantic poem, and Lu Ranran told him she had finally found him and would always be by his side, acknowledging his suffering.
Zhao Chen Yi then outlined his desire for a peaceful future with Lu Ranran, far from political strife, where they could live a quiet life of reading and tea. He also mentioned his desire to quickly resolve his issues with Xu You Zheng, so they could finally enjoy a peaceful life together. Their subordinate, Qin Shou, affirmed his loyalty, stating he enjoyed being with them.
Zhao Chen Yi then led Lu Ranran to a serene, secluded spot, revealing it was where his two old friends rested. He placed a purse at a memorial dedicated to Yu Zi Xin and Yu Zi Kang, expressing satisfaction that the siblings were finally reunited and vowing to seek justice for the Yu family.
He apologized for his past naivety, admitting his plan to send her to his brother for protection was flawed and had caused harm to Xin'er and Kang'er. Lu Ranran, recalling her own resentment in prison, forgave him, recognizing how dreamlike their reconciliation felt.
They found lodging at an inn, where Zhao Chen Yi charmingly insisted on securing only one room for himself and Lu Ranran, introducing her as his wife, much to the chagrin of Qin Shou, who was left to sleep in the carriage. Inside the room, Lu Ranran expressed self-consciousness about her appearance after their journey. She prepared to bathe, playfully warning Zhao Chen Yi not to peek. Zhao Chen Yi, however, suggested they bathe together, which she declined.
While Lu Ranran was enjoying her bath, Qin Shou burst into the room, causing her to scream. Zhao Chen Yi rushed in, concerned, and Lu Ranran invented a story about a large bug to cover her embarrassment. After Zhao Chen Yi left to bathe, Qin Shou delivered a message to Lu Ranran from "a good friend." The message, seemingly from Xu Lang, was a stark reminder: "Lu Ran Ran, do you know what you've been doing lately?
Let me remind you. Now just solve the true love to complete the task. Only four hours are left in real time. If this continues, Wang Chen Yi and Xiao Yun will be in real danger. Sober up!" Lu Ranran worried about the dwindling time and the next "keyword" for true love.
Later, while out shopping, Lu Ranran joked about Zhao Chen Yi being stingy for not getting Qin Shou a room, but he reassured her he had enough to provide for her lavishly. Zhao Chen Yi bought a beautiful hair clasp for her. As Lu Ranran released a river lantern, Zhao Chen Yi embraced her, recalling her past disappearance in a shallow lake and expressing his fear of losing her again. She promised never to leave him alone again.
That night, back at the inn, Qin Shou managed to get his own room. Lu Ranran and Zhao Chen Yi were in their shared room. Zhao Chen Yi playfully suggested they act like a married couple, but assured her he would not "cross the boundary" until they were officially wed. Lu Ranran internally questioned if their lack of marital intimacy was hindering her "True Love" quest, and playfully suggested they "could" cross the boundary a little.
Zhao Chen Yi, however, preferred to simply gaze at her after their long separation, admitting he both missed and hated her for the perceived abandonment. He confessed that everything reminded him of her. Lu Ranran vowed never to cause him sadness again, and he asked her to make it up to him, embracing her tightly. Lu Ranran woke up to find Zhao Chen Yi gone and feared he had left.
He soon returned, having gone to have a rabbit lantern, one she had admired but couldn't find, specially made for her from his memory. He told her he wanted to fulfill her every wish and reminded her of the meaning behind a poem related to a silk handkerchief, symbolizing a plain and deep longing. He then embraced her, pleading with her never to leave him again.
The next morning, Lu Ranran discovered that Qin Shou had acquired numerous luxury items, including a satin mattress, wooden floor carpet, incense, and desserts. Qin Shou explained that Zhao Chen Yi instructed him to buy everything Lu Ranran had mentioned, ensuring she wouldn't suffer any hardship on their journey. Lu Ranran playfully chastised Zhao Chen Yi for his "petty" extravagance, but he assured her he took her every word seriously.
As they departed, a group of black-clad men intercepted them, identifying themselves as sent by the Wazi King to retrieve "Princess Jia Ren." Lu Ranran, realizing they were sent by her brother, insisted that Zhao Chen Yi and his subordinate, whom she referred to as her "brothers from New Ming," must accompany her as they were instrumental in her escape from New Ming. The Wazi men agreed to treat them as honored guests.
Back in Wazi, the King and his advisor, Mister Shi, discussed the ongoing war with New Ming. They were perplexed by the New Ming Eleventh Prince's strategic brilliance, which had caused their forces to retreat. A report arrived, announcing the return of Princess Jia Ren, accompanied by New Ming's Fourth Prince. Lu Ranran joyfully reunited with her brother, the Wazi King, who expressed relief at her safe return, having heard rumors of her death in New Ming's prison.
Lu Ranran introduced Zhao Chen Yi and his subordinate as her "brothers from New Ming" and saviors, and requested they be allowed to stay, as they could no longer return to New Ming. The King agreed, welcoming them as Wazi's benefactors and honored guests. Afterward, Mister Shi expressed his apprehension to the King about harboring a New Ming royal during wartime, especially one so close to Princess Jia Ren.
He suspected the person was Fourth Prince Zhao Chen Yi, having been recognized by a former subordinate. Mister Shi reasoned that if this was indeed the Fourth Prince, his involvement in rescuing Princess Jia Ren alongside the Eleventh Prince indicated Lu Ranran's immense importance to them. He proposed a plan to exploit this by publicly marrying Princess Jia Ren to the Fourth Prince at an upcoming banquet, using him to undermine the morale of New Ming's troops.
At the banquet, the King toasted his generals and celebrated Lu Ranran's safe return. He recounted Lu Ranran's past sacrifice in agreeing to a political marriage for Wazi's cause and then announced his decision to marry her to Zhao Chen Yi, praising Zhao Chen Yi's intelligence and courage. Though Lu Ranran initially expressed surprise, her brother assured her he knew her heart, having seen her glances at Zhao Chen Yi all evening.
Lu Ranran, secretly hoping this marriage would unlock the "True Love" clue and save "Wang Chen Yi" and "Xiao Yun," readily agreed. Zhao Chen Yi, however, sensed a trap, suspecting the Wazi leaders already knew his true identity and planned to use his marriage to Princess Jia Ren as leverage to destabilize New Ming's loyalty. That night, Zhao Chen Yi, accompanied by his subordinate, set out to investigate Wazi's war room.
They overheard the King and Mister Shi discussing New Ming's troop movements and a "secret weapon." They revealed that Xu You Zheng, the Prison Master in New Ming, had sold 800 hand cannons to Wazi. Mister Shi suggested using the Fourth Prince as a bargaining chip with the Eleventh Prince: if the Eleventh Prince conceded, Wazi would gain Ju Yong Pass without battle; if not, they could test their new hand cannons.
Zhao Chen Yi's subordinate attempted to relay this critical information to Zhao Chenxuan, but the noise at the door alerted the Wazi guards. Zhao Chen Yi was apprehended by the King, who dismissed his excuse of admiring the night sky and asserted his knowledge of Zhao Chen Yi's true identity as the Fourth Prince of New Ming. Meanwhile, Lu Ranran, feeling an ominous unease, heard the commotion.
A guard initially dismissed it as a drill, but another subordinate revealed that the "sir from New Ming" was caught spying on the King. Despite attempts to detain her, Lu Ranran, with the unexpected assistance of Ah Wu—who recognized her as Princess Jia Ren and knew she had burned the Profound Literature Pavilion, information presumably from Zhao Chen Yi—rushed to find Zhao Chen Yi, having learned he was framed for discovering the King's treacherous transaction of hand cannons to Wazi. She demanded to be taken to him, asserting her right as a Princess to help.
