Different Princess Episode 18 Recap
> Different Princess Recap
Ji Yun tirelessly searched, dismissing his subordinate's pleas for him to rest, insisting he was fine. He discovered a peculiar mark and believed it was left by Hua Qingge, immediately dispatching his men to find it while he continued his own search. Meanwhile, Hua Qingge, who had managed to cut through her restraints, feigned needing to relieve herself to create an opportunity. She then seized a large stone and struck her captor.
At this critical moment, Ji Chu arrived and rescued her. He instructed his men to keep the remaining captors alive. Hua Qingge, barely able to stand, told Ji Chu that these attackers did not resemble General Wei's men and had been pursuing them since they fell off the cliff. Ji Yun then appeared, questioning Hua Qingge if she was revealing Ji Chu's whereabouts.
Hua Qingge clarified that she was merely buying time, having drawn misleading maps to send them in circles. Hua Qingge suddenly began to suffer intense pain. Ji Yun asked what was wrong, and Gong Yeqi confirmed that the blade was poisoned and required immediate detoxification. Ji Yun then turned to Ji Chu, accusing him of both killing Ji Feng and attempting to harm Hua Qingge. Ji Chu asserted that Ji Yun was jumping to conclusions without listening to his explanation.
Without a second thought, Ji Chu began to suck the poison from Hua Qingge's neck wound, even as Gong Yeqi warned him of the danger. Gong Yeqi then informed them that the poison had gone too deep, but he would use an herbal concoction to protect her heart. He quickly brought the medicine, emphasizing that Hua Qingge needed to drink it without delay, as further spread of the poison would make her unsavable.
Ji Chu took the concoction and personally administered it to Hua Qingge. Overwhelmed by the toxins he had absorbed, Ji Chu then collapsed. Gong Yeqi told Ji Yun that Ji Chu needed to rest and that he would prepare a separate concoction for him. Upon regaining consciousness, Ji Chu's first concern was Hua Qingge's condition. Gong Yeqi chastised him for neglecting his own well-being, especially with his pre-existing wound worsening and now the additional poison.
Gong Yeqi explained that in their remote location, simply keeping Hua Qingge alive was fortunate enough. Ji Chu immediately ordered their return to Mystic Medicine House, disregarding Gong Yeqi's warning that his body couldn't endure the journey. Ji Chu reaffirmed his authority to his subordinate, Xiao Yan, who pledged to obey. At the palace, Ji Wan'er was devastated to learn of Ji Feng's assassination.
She anxiously inquired about Ji Yun and Hua Qingge, being informed that Ji Yun was unharmed but Hua Qingge was critically poisoned and remained unconscious. Imperial Consort Wei was inconsolable, blaming herself for denying Ji Feng entry, which she believed led to his death. Ji Yun presented her with the dagger found on Ji Feng's body, which bore the distinct "Chu" engraving. Enraged, Imperial Consort Wei vowed to make Ji Chu "pay with his blood."
However, she was then informed that the Wei family was accused of treason for illegally manufacturing weapons, and she was ordered to return to Ning'an Palace to await His Majesty's judgment. Despite her protests, she was escorted away by Fang Cheng and guards. Hua Qingge eventually awoke at Mystic Medicine House, bewildered to find herself still in the "ancient times" instead of having returned to her modern era.
Lin Xiyao, who was with her, assured her they were in Mystic Medicine House and asked about her comfort. Hua Qingge then inquired about Ji Yun and Ji Chu. Ji Yun, now with a new hairstyle, reported to His Majesty, accepting responsibility for not protecting Ji Feng. His Majesty, however, absolved him, acknowledging his efforts. The Emperor demanded to know who dared to assassinate a royal offspring.
Ji Yun disclosed that the fatal dagger found on Ji Feng bore Ji Chu's mark, suggesting Ji Chu's involvement. Ji Chu then entered, openly stating his involvement in the matter. When His Majesty pressed him for clarification, Ji Chu explained that he was a witness to Ji Feng's murder. He then questioned the logic of leaving his distinct dagger at the crime scene, suggesting it was an obvious setup.
He further stated that the entire incident, from Ji Feng's capture to his death, was suspicious, and he suspected someone was trying to frame him to gain advantage. Ji Yun, in turn, questioned if Ji Chu was suspecting him. His Majesty, weary of their bickering, ordered them to cease, declaring the matter required further investigation. Ji Yun pledged to find the true culprit and avenge Ji Feng, while Ji Chu vowed to prove his innocence.
Imperial Consort Wei then burst into the hall, defying her confinement. She accused Ji Chu of hypocrisy, claiming he murdered Ji Feng to avenge Imperial Concubine Xian and dismantle the Wei family, urging His Majesty not to believe him. Ji Chu retorted that if His Majesty chose to believe a "rebel from the Wei family" over him, his explanations would be futile.
His Majesty, enraged, condemned the Wei family's "heinous acts of treason," asserting that their actions led to Ji Feng's demise. He stripped Imperial Consort Wei of her title and ordered her permanent confinement to the West Court. She continued to scream accusations against Ji Chu as she was led away.
His Majesty then addressed Ji Chu, expressing his desire to believe him despite his grief, and commanded both Ji Yun and Ji Chu to work together to uncover the true killer. As Ji Yun and Ji Chu were dismissed, the Duke arrived. Ji Yun expressed his hope that Ji Chu was innocent, while Ji Chu affirmed his resolve to find the truth and clear his name.
Ji Yun requested that Ji Chu hand over the captured assailant for questioning, but Ji Chu refused, stating they should each pursue their investigations independently. Gong Yeqi, observing Ji Chu's condition, urged him to rest instead of pushing himself. Ji Chu dismissed his concerns and ordered their return to Mystic Medicine House.
The Duke then presented His Majesty with a detailed list of evidence regarding Wei Zhao's illegal manufacturing of weapons, raising of private armies, imprisonment of citizens, and mass killings. Enraged, His Majesty decreed that Wei Zhao's entire clan of nine generations be executed, but out of consideration for Imperial Consort Wei's loss, she would be spared death and confined to the West Court for life. The Duke was rewarded for his loyalty by being put in charge of military matters.
Back at Mystic Medicine House, Ji Chu inquired about Hua Qingge's whereabouts. Gong Yeqi noted Ji Chu's deep concern for her despite his own injuries and even his changed appearance. He informed Ji Chu that Hua Qingge's poison had been successfully cleared, she was fine, and had already left after waking up. Ji Chu immediately asked where she had gone.
Gong Yeqi then insisted on treating Ji Chu's wound, which had festered and required the painful process of scraping off the rotting flesh. He chastised Ji Chu for his stubbornness. Meanwhile, Hua Qingge and Lin Xiyao were preparing to visit Ji Feng's funeral. Ji Yun joined them, stating he also wished to pay his last respects to his brother.
Hua Qingge clarified to Ji Yun that Ji Chu had already informed His Majesty that he was not responsible for Ji Feng's death, and the Emperor had seemingly accepted it. She offered to provide her testimony as an eyewitness. Ji Yun, however, stated that he and Ji Chu were jointly investigating the matter and would require her and Coroner Lin's assistance later. He vowed to bring the murderer to justice, a sentiment echoed by Lin Xiyao.
At Ji Feng's coffin, Ji Wan'er was overcome with grief, expressing her sorrow at reuniting with her brother only to find him deceased. Hua Qingge comforted her. Ji Wan'er tearfully spoke of Ji Feng's outwardly decadent but inwardly kind nature and desperately asked who had killed him. Hua Qingge promised that the true killer would be found. Ji Yun then asked Coroner Lin to conduct another thorough examination of the body.
Hua Qingge encouraged Ji Wan'er to rest, but the princess claimed she would not be able to sleep at home. Gong Yeqi approached Hua Qingge, playfully teasing her about being his "wandering patient." Hua Qingge thanked him for saving her life. Gong Yeqi, however, retorted that he only intervened for Ji Chu's sake. Hua Qingge asked Ji Wan'er to leave them, as she needed to speak with Gong Yeqi privately.
Gong Yeqi confronted Hua Qingge, questioning how she and Ji Chu could appear there without any guilt after their "actions." Hua Qingge challenged him, asking if he had personally witnessed Ji Chu kill Ji Feng, or if he was simply making assumptions based on the dagger and his pre-existing biases. Gong Yeqi then revealed that Ji Chu had gone to the weapons camp specifically to save Hua Qingge, where he was ambushed and injured.
He further disclosed that Ji Chu had personally sucked the poison from her wound, which was the only reason she was still alive. Shocked, Hua Qingge asked if his words were true. Gong Yeqi scoffed, telling her it was her choice to believe him, and announced his departure. As he left, he tossed her a "rejuvenating elixir," stating it was from Ji Chu, but lamented giving such a valuable medicine to a "heartless soul" like her. Hua Qingge pondered if she had gravely misunderstood Ji Chu and if Ji Feng's death was not his doing, a plot twist that was entirely absent from her novel.
