Catch Up My Prince Episode 5 Recap
> Catch Up My Prince Recap
Lu Ranran continued her quest to gather clues, focusing on the princes. While Yun Zhu tidied Crown Prince Zhao Chenxing's clothes, Lu Ranran had an inner thought about the location of the auspicious deer patterns for the princes: Little Eleven's was on a light, Zhao Chen Yi's on a paperweight, and the Crown Prince's might be in his clothing. Feigning helpfulness, Lu Ranran convinced Yun Zhu to rest, allowing her to search the Crown Prince's garments undisturbed.
She successfully located the pattern on a pair of socks. With Crown Prince Zhao Chenxing's clue secured, Lu Ranran then set her sights on the Second Prince, Zhao Chenyao, suspecting his clue would also be on his person. Later, Lu Ranran found herself in Zhao Chenyao's room, claiming to be from the Clothing Department delivering clothes. Zhao Chenyao promptly told her she was in the wrong room and ordered her to leave.
Determined to find the clue, Lu Ranran deliberately spilled tea on Zhao Chenyao's clothes, feigning a heat stroke and a headache to explain her clumsiness. As she moved to "wipe" his wet shoes, she noticed the auspicious deer design on them. Her task was complete, but Zhao Chenyao, angered by her actions, made her clean up the entire mess and rewash all his clothes. Lu Ranran internally lamented the extra work despite achieving her goal.
That evening, as Lu Ranran was leaving, she stumbled upon Xiao Shun Zi, a subordinate of Zhao Chenyao, sitting sadly under a tree with an injury. She recognized him as a servant from Exemplary Palace, Zhao Chenyao's residence, and realized he was likely suffering from a punishment. Lu Ranran offered him some Sanqi Powder she happened to have, explaining its medicinal properties for external wounds. Xiao Shun Zi was grateful, promising to help her if she ever needed anything.
Meanwhile, Zhao Chen Yi was preparing for the upcoming martial arts competition. He understood that the Emperor's decision to name him for the match was an opportunity to atone for past mistakes. He discussed the recent sulfur explosion incident, and Xin'er, who had investigated it, confirmed that the sulfur residue from the explosion differed from standard reserves, indicating deliberate tampering.
Zhao Chen Yi realized the explosion was no accident and that he had misjudged Lu Ranran, whom he initially thought was careless. He speculated that the culprit might have targeted Zhao Chenxuan, Lu Ranran, or himself, ultimately concluding that if he was the target, he had inadvertently implicated them both, a thought that weighed heavily on him. Lu Ranran, observing Zhao Chen Yi in what appeared to be a good mood, approached him, subtly praising his skills in archery.
She then directly asked him to take her to the martial arts competition. Zhao Chen Yi, concerned for her safety given her recent close call, refused, warning her about the dangers of the competition where "swords have no eyes." Just then, Xin'er arrived, asking Zhao Chen Yi about their shared participation in the martial arts match.
As Xin'er spoke, Lu Ranran noticed a scar on the back of her hand, immediately suspecting that Xin'er might be the person Xu Lang was looking for. Determined to attend the competition, Lu Ranran devised a plan to allow all palace maids to go under the guise of supporting the princes. She proposed her idea to Zhao Chenxuan, suggesting that palace maids could form cheering squads for their favored princes, with small prizes to encourage participation.
Zhao Chenxuan supported her idea, and soon, palace maids enthusiastically registered to cheer for various princes, particularly Zhao Chen Yi. Lu Ranran, along with Yun Zhu, signed up to support Zhao Chenyao, though Lu Ranran couldn't help but inwardly mock Zhao Chenyao's perceived lack of popularity compared to Zhao Chen Yi. Later that night, Ah Wen confronted Lu Ranran, pressing her about finding the girl with the hand scar.
Lu Ranran, recognizing that Ah Wen's lord intended harm, decided not to reveal Xin'er's identity. She feigned ignorance, claiming it was impossible to check every girl's wrist in Fourth Prince's palace, which Ah Wen promptly corrected, stating the scar was on the back of the hand, not the wrist. She inwardly resolved to be a "good person" and protect Xin'er, despite considering her a rival.
On the day of the martial arts competition, Lu Ranran and Yun Zhu first joined the cheering crowds, noting the overwhelming support for Zhao Chen Yi. Lu Ranran then led Yun Zhu to a side hall, which turned out to be Zhao Chenyao's private area where his weapons were displayed. Xiao Shun Zi soon discovered them, warning them that Zhao Chenyao would be angry if his servants were absent. Zhao Chenyao himself then appeared, catching them.
Yun Zhu and Xiao Shun Zi quickly fled, leaving Lu Ranran to face him alone. Zhao Chenyao recognized her and, despite her flattery and claims of wanting to cheer him on, questioned her true intentions for sneaking into his private space. He also commented on an injury he sustained, implying it was due to her previous tea-spilling incident.
As Zhao Chen Yi arrived to thunderous cheers from his supporters, Lu Ranran smirked, thinking that even if Zhao Chen Yi hadn't brought her, she had found her own way in. The competition officially began with Zhao Chenyao fighting first against Bo Lu Tai. Lu Ranran enthusiastically cheered for him, impressed by his combat prowess.
When another Wazi warrior challenged Zhao Chenyao, ignoring the one-on-one rule, Lu Ranran boldly spoke up in defense of Zhao Chenyao, calling out the unfairness of the situation. Zhao Chenyao fought the new opponent, who had requested he forgo weapons. Though he initially seemed to be struggling, Zhao Chen Yi unexpectedly appeared, intervening and quickly defeating the opponent. Earlier in the fight, Lu Ranran had internally admired Zhao Chenyao as "New Ming's best warrior" for his fighting prowess.
Next, Zhao Chen Yi faced Ji Huan in an archery contest. Ji Huan proposed a "living target" and, to Lu Ranran's horror, chose her. Despite her internal protests about the danger, Zhao Chen Yi agreed to the terms. Unbeknownst to Lu Ranran, Xu Lang's faction intended to use this opportunity to have Zhao Chen Yi eliminate her during the competition, viewing it as a chance to kill two birds with one stone.
Ji Huan placed a small copper coin on Lu Ranran's head as the target, and Zhao Chen Yi volunteered to shoot first. As he took aim, a hidden saboteur interfered with his shot, causing the arrow to veer off course and narrowly miss Lu Ranran. Zhao Chen Yi immediately rushed towards her. At that critical moment, Zhao Chenyao appeared and caught the arrow mid-air, saving Lu Ranran.
Zhao Chen Yi realized the shot was not an accident but a deliberate act of sabotage. After the dramatic archery event, Lu Ranran received a "Disaster Relief Talisman" as a reward for completing the martial arts match storyline. The talisman could be used once on one character to avert a disaster, but not to cure illness. Lu Ranran later saw Zhao Chen Yi enjoying drinks with others.
She couldn't help but think about how he had almost killed her during the competition yet showed no sign of guilt. That night, Lu Ranran drank heavily. Zhao Chenyao saw her staggering away, clearly intoxicated, and followed her. In her drunken state, Lu Ranran mistook Zhao Chenyao for Zhao Chen Yi, tearfully questioning why he had been so cold and heartless.
Zhao Chenyao, whose feelings for Lu Ranran had grown over time, consoled her, advising her not to drink if she couldn't handle it. He then embraced her. This tender moment was unfortunately witnessed by Zhao Chen Yi, who, angered by the sight, turned and left. Zhao Chenyao, still concerned for Lu Ranran, instructed his subordinate to ensure the Matron wouldn't give her a hard time and to deliver hangover soup to her the next morning. Later, Yun Zhu noticed the injury on Zhao Chenyao's hand, sustained from catching the arrow meant for Lu Ranran.
