Different Princess Episode 12 Recap
> Different Princess Recap
Ji Chu brought Liu Xiang's maid, Xiu, to the jail for identification by the guards who had seen the pastry delivery. The guards, however, stated that this Xiu was not the one they saw that night. Xiu immediately knelt, explaining that she had indeed intended to deliver pastries to Liu Xiang but was ambushed and knocked unconscious by a black-clad assailant at the door.
She only woke up back at her residence and subsequently learned of Liu Xiang's tragic death, denying any involvement. Ji Chu then pressed the guards for a more detailed description of the other Xiu, threatening them with severe consequences if they failed to identify her from a drawing. Meanwhile, Ji Feng was astonished to hear of Liu Xiang's death.
He expressed relief at not having to marry "that monster," yet also felt anxious because the cause of death remained undetermined, musing about the separation between humans and demons. In the jail, Hua Qingge and Ji Yun were trying to piece together the events of the murder. Feeling stuck, Hua Qingge questioned the guards again. They admitted to feeling sleepy or having dozed off for a moment, causing a delay in their response.
Hua Qingge realized that someone must have drugged the guards, creating a perfect window for the killer to murder Liu Xiang after she was incapacitated. She concluded that the guards had unintentionally provided the murderer with an alibi. Ji Yun immediately ordered the arrest of Chang Xun, who was a prime suspect. Hua Qingge and Ji Yun then joined Ji Chu and Lin Xiyao.
Lin Xiyao revealed that her re-examination of Liu Xiang's body had uncovered a strange substance: Demon Poison. She speculated that a certain medicine in the pastries could have temporarily suppressed the poison, making it undetectable during the initial examination. Hua Qingge noted the surprising new development. Ji Chu mentioned that he had already sent men to arrest Chang Xun, but a guard reported that Chang Xun had vanished. Ji Chu promptly ordered a city-wide search.
Hua Qingge found the escalating complexities of the case increasingly perplexing. Hua Qingge encouraged Lin Xiyao, who was tasked with retrieving Chang Xun's background dossier, despite Lin Xiyao's modesty about her skills. Hua Qingge, disliking the formal title of "Princess Consort Lu," asked to be called "Qing." The dossier revealed that Chang Xun was a Guard Supervisor in the East Office, formerly serving under General Wei Zhao, and had been transferred to care for his sick mother.
Ji Yun noted Chang Xun's connection to General Wei Zhao. Hua Qingge speculated that the "fake Xiu" who delivered the poisoned pastries might be an attendant of Imperial Consort Wei. Ji Chu ordered portraits of all Imperial Consort Wei's maids to be presented for the jail guards to identify. The guards identified a maid named Si Yan as the "fake Xiu," confirming she was Imperial Consort Wei's personal maid.
Ji Chu dispatched guards to summon Si Yan for questioning, acknowledging the extensive implications of the case. Hua Qingge, observing Ji Yun and Lin Xiyao's serious discussion about the case, tried to create opportunities for them to focus on their personal feelings. A guard arrived at Ning'an Palace to summon Si Yan, but Imperial Consort Wei refused the summons.
She claimed Si Yan had been bedridden with a heat rash for two days and could not leave the palace, with imperial physicians ready to testify. It was later revealed that Imperial Consort Wei had given Si Yan a "snowflake cake" and medication to fake her illness. Hua Qingge, frustrated by Ji Yun and Lin Xiyao's continued focus on work, tried to leave them alone to encourage their romance.
Ji Chu was informed that Si Yan could not be summoned due to her alleged illness, a development he had "expected." Hua Qingge insisted on sending Lin Xiyao home first with Ji Yun, feigning concern for Lin Xiyao's poor sense of direction to give them time together. Later, while pretending to sleep in the carriage, Hua Qingge internally wished for Ji Yun and Lin Xiyao's relationship to progress.
The next day, Ji Yun received news that Liu Mingsheng, Liu Xiang's father, had been murdered. Hua Qingge was surprised, noting this event was not in her novel. Lin Xiyao examined Liu Mingsheng's body, reporting a fatal knife wound to the neck, indicating a swift death around midnight without struggle.
Hua Qingge theorized that if Ji Chu's earlier actions against Liu Xiang were intended to instigate conflict between the Wei family and Liu Mingsheng, then Liu Mingsheng's death could be a result of that escalating rivalry. They questioned Liu Mingsheng's servant, who, after some hesitation, revealed that his master had met with Ji Chu privately before leaving for his rendezvous the previous night.
Ji Yun confronted Ji Chu, who defended his private meeting with Liu Mingsheng and challenged Ji Yun's suspicions. Hua Qingge supported Ji Chu, arguing that Liu Mingsheng's death would not benefit him and that he would have protected him instead. Lin Xiyao's autopsy further revealed that the killer used a "left-handed knife" with fierce martial arts skill, leading Ji Yun to realize that Chang Xun, known to be left-handed, was likely the murderer.
Chang Xun was quickly apprehended after being spotted by guards. During his interrogation, Ji Chu confronted him about the murders of Liu Mingsheng and Liu Xiang. Chang Xun confessed to both crimes, claiming he acted alone out of gratitude to General Wei Zhao. He called Liu Xiang a "demoness" for wanting to marry Prince Qi, stating he had to eliminate her to protect the prince.
He also killed Liu Mingsheng, claiming he was a "scoundrel" for siring a "demoness" and to prevent future trouble for Prince Qi. Despite Ji Chu's persistent questions about a possible mastermind, particularly Imperial Consort Wei or General Wei Zhao, Chang Xun remained adamant that he acted alone and was prepared to pay with his life.
Imperial Consort Wei, upon learning that Chang Xun had maintained his story, felt relieved, believing her involvement was securely hidden and that she would now be "free of worries." Hua Qingge recognized Imperial Consort Wei's cunning in employing a loyal scapegoat, realizing this might permanently obscure the truth of Imperial Consort Xian's past case. With Chang Xun's confession, Ji Yun noted that the investigation had reached an impasse, but Ji Chu calmly advised him to "wait for the East Wind."
Hua Qingge observed Ji Chu's composure. At that moment, Liu Mingsheng's personal servant arrived at the East Office, demanding to see Ji Chu. The servant presented a wooden box, explaining that Liu Mingsheng had instructed him to deliver it to Ji Chu if he did not return within a day. Inside, Ji Chu found a confession letter written by Liu Mingsheng.
The letter detailed how, fifteen years prior, Liu Mingsheng, under the command of Imperial Consort Wei, had poisoned Imperial Consort Xian with Demon Poison, leading to her death. This act had secured Liu Mingsheng's position as Head Imperial Physician.
Acknowledging his past sins and viewing his daughter's death as karmic retribution, Liu Mingsheng wrote that Imperial Consort Wei had summoned him for a secret meeting, and anticipating danger, he had penned the confession to "expose all of this evil Imperial Consort's crimes." Hua Qingge, upon reading the letter, realized her earlier misjudgments of Ji Chu and hoped that his successful pursuit of justice for his mother would finally lead him away from his "villainous path."
