Different Princess Episode 11 Recap
> Different Princess Recap
While Gongye Qi was having tea, Ji Wan'er approached him. She suddenly realized that the unique aroma she had detected the other day was the same scent that emanated from him, a rare herb called Butterfly Jiegeng. She had already suspected that she had met him yesterday, a fact Gongye Qi confirmed, noting her sharp observation.
He was surprised that she did not question why he had erased her memory, but Ji Wan'er expressed that merely seeing him was enough for her, and she had no need to pry. Moreover, since he was a close friend of her third brother, Ji Chu, she would respect their secrets. She then asked his name and where she could find him. Gongye Qi introduced himself as Gongye Qi from the Mystic Medicine House.
Ji Wan'er, recognizing the name as a reclusive yet astonishingly skilled physician, exclaimed in surprise, prompting Gongye Qi to remark that she had made the same surprised comment yesterday. She proposed that they become friends, assuring him she would not interfere in his affairs. Unbeknownst to them, Hua Qingge was secretly observing their interaction. She saw Gongye Qi as a wicked man, much like Ji Chu, and harbored reservations about him being with Ji Wan'er.
Yet, she found the scene between them beautiful, even if she knew their future love story would become a tragic one. Meanwhile, Imperial Consort Wei visited His Majesty, complaining that Liu Xiang was responsible for Ji Feng's current state of shock and illness, recalling how a young Ji Feng had witnessed Imperial Consort Xian's tragic end. She vehemently denied any implication that Ji Feng was involved in Liu Xiang's demise, insisting that her son was the most wronged.
His Majesty instructed Ji Chu to thoroughly investigate Liu Xiang's "demonization" case, as he considered the situation a disgrace to the imperial family. Ji Chu reported that the initial findings pointed to Ji Feng, which only enraged Imperial Consort Wei further, leading to a heated exchange where Ji Chu implicated the Wei family behind Ji Feng. His Majesty sternly put an end to their public bickering.
Later, the Empress voiced her concerns to Ji Yun about his public conduct, reminding him that his recent dance with Hua Qingge was inappropriate, as Hua Qingge was now Prince Lv's consort. Troubled by his unmarried status, she informed him that she intended to arrange a marriage for him, an important matter for the nation's future.
Soon after, Eunuch Li summoned Ji Yun to Xuanze Hall, where His Majesty officially tasked both Ji Yun and Ji Chu with jointly investigating Liu Xiang's murder, rejecting the notion that she had merely "demonized." In Xuanze Hall, Ji Yun confronted Ji Chu, stating his belief that Ji Chu did not truly suspect Ji Feng of killing Liu Xiang, and questioning his report.
Ji Chu coldly retorted that it made no difference whether the culprit was Ji Feng or Imperial Consort Wei, implying his focus was on a larger target. Ji Yun attempted to appeal to their past family bonds, hoping they could return to their childhood harmony or at least avoid further estrangement. Ji Chu, however, remained unyielding, declaring that unless Ji Yun could bring the dead back to life, their paths would never cross again.
Ji Yun’s attendant expressed frustration at his tolerance, but Ji Yun quietly acknowledged their own past abandonment of Ji Chu. Ji Chu later discussed Qing with Gongye Qi, confirming his suspicion that Qing was Hua Qingge but admitting her behavior was still puzzling. Gongye Qi warned Ji Chu about keeping such a potentially dangerous person so close.
Ji Chu explained his two-fold strategy: to uncover her true identity and to leverage her against Ji Yun, who had shown an unusual interest in her, effectively using her as Ji Yun's weakness. Gongye Qi cautioned Ji Chu that any leniency on his path of revenge could lead to unimaginable consequences.
Ji Chu affirmed his resolve, and Gongye Qi, before leaving, urged Ji Chu not to harm Ji Wan'er, to which Ji Chu replied that he should keep his sister away from him. Meanwhile, Hua Qingge expressed her desire to Ji Wan'er to leave the Prince Lv Residence.
She feared that staying with Ji Chu would eventually lead to her death, especially since her identity as the true Hua Qingge was a secret that could put her life in peril if exposed, while Ji Chu, being a respected prince, would face fewer consequences. Ji Wan'er initially hesitated, pointing out that Hua Qingge's recent public appearances made a sudden disappearance suspicious.
However, seeing Hua Qingge's genuine fear and desperation, Ji Wan'er offered a compromise: Hua Qingge could reside in Jingzhi Library, provided she agreed to appear as Princess Consort Lv for all necessary official functions and palace banquets. Hua Qingge readily agreed, and in a moment of shared trust, asked to call Ji Wan'er by her given name. Ji Wan'er, touched, consented.
Hua Qingge embraced her, explaining her belief that Ji Wan'er's protection would be her ultimate safeguard, given Ji Wan'er's status as Ji Chu's only beloved sister in the novel she knew. Just then, Ji Chu, who had been listening nearby, emerged, clearly displeased. He confronted Hua Qingge about her intention to leave.
Hua Qingge, caught off guard but defiant, declared her allegiance to Ji Yun and Lin Xiyao, whom she intended to protect, and criticized Ji Chu as a "cold, perverted, no-boundaries murderer." She called Ji Yun "everyone's pure and innocent moon" and her own, adding that she could no longer stay in Prince Lv Residence. Fearing Ji Chu's reaction, she quickly ran off.
Ji Wan'er quickly intervened, clarifying to Ji Chu that Hua Qingge was heading to her Jingzhi Library, not to seek out Ji Yun, which diffused the tension and prevented Ji Chu from ordering his guards to pursue her further. Later, Ji Yun arrived at the Jingzhi Library to discuss Liu Xiang's case with Ji Wan'er and Hua Qingge.
They were soon joined by Lin Xiyao, who revealed that a re-examination of Liu Xiang's body showed signs of a "demonic poison" in her abdomen, which she had initially missed. This poison, capable of transforming a body to resemble a monster, was found to have been masked by another drug, explaining why it was initially undetectable. Ji Yun and Hua Qingge then proceeded to the jail to re-enact the murder. Upon arriving, they found different guards on duty.
Ji Yun requested the previous night's guards, Commander Chang, Wang Senior, and Wang Junior, but was informed that Wang Senior and Wang Junior had been taken by Prince Lv, and Commander Chang was on sick leave. Inside the cell, they pondered the inconsistencies in the guards' testimonies, particularly why the perpetually lit candles were extinguished and who could have accurately struck Liu Xiang in the dark.
Hua Qingge suggested Liu Xiang herself might have put out the candles, but Ji Yun found it improbable. Considering the limited time frame, Ji Yun proposed a new re-enactment: what if Commander Chang killed Liu Xiang first, and "then" extinguished the candles? They agreed to try this scenario.
