Different Princess Episode 2 Recap
> Different Princess Recap
Ji Chu is informed that Hua Qingge has not been found, meaning she must have escaped. He questions if they should proceed with their original plan to make her disappearance look like an accidental drowning. He also asks about the Crown Prince's activities, learning he is still close to Lady Wuxue. Ji Chu decides to seize the Crown Prince's East Office first. His subordinate points out that without Hua Qingge, he cannot attend the imperial audience.
Ji Chu counters that he cannot be blamed if his wife escapes after he diligently searched for her. He suspects someone helped Hua Qingge escape the maze in his residence and expresses interest in finding out who. Hua Qingge, still trapped in the novel's world, laments being unable to return to her reality and her struggle against the villain Ji Chu. When she awakens, she recognizes Ji Yun, her cousin and the story's "dream man," as her rescuer.
She thanks him, and he apologizes for taking her from Prince Lyu's Residence without permission, acknowledging her supposed feelings for Ji Chu. Ji Yun assures her safety and offers to mediate with his mother, advising her to rest and recover. Hua Qingge, impressed by his kindness, expresses regret for how she portrayed him in her original story and vows to rewrite the ending to ensure Ji Chu's demise.
Ji Yun, not understanding her references, warns her to remain discreet and avoid mentioning Ji Chu. He then leaves for the East Office, promising to take her out later. That evening, Ji Yun takes Hua Qingge out to enjoy the bustling night markets of Shengjing, which she finds even more vibrant than her descriptions in the novel. Ji Yun, having previously believed her to be introverted based on his mother's words, is surprised by her lively demeanor.
They join a large crowd gathering to watch Lady Wuxue's highly anticipated monthly performance. Hua Qingge is mesmerized by Lady Wuxue's beauty and graceful dancing, remarking that she is even more stunning than depicted in her story. However, she feels a pang of guilt, recalling that she had written Lady Wuxue's death to advance Ji Chu's plot. She fears revealing her knowledge of future events to Ji Yun.
Meanwhile, Ji Chu, who is also at the performance, observes Hua Qingge with Ji Yun, still unaware of her true identity as his wife. Lady Wuxue, suffering from an illness that mars her beauty without makeup, has been receiving special medicine from Ji Chu to maintain her appearance. This medicine, however, is a tool for Ji Chu to control her, as he is exploiting her desire for eternal youth and beauty.
He plans to use the Rainbow-Colored Dress as part of this scheme, knowing she would sacrifice her life for it. Ji Chu's subordinate confirms that Gongge has delivered the Rainbow-Colored Dress to Lady Wuxue, and she is willing to give her life in exchange. Ji Chu orders them to stick to the plan. Later that night, Hua Qingge returns to her room, startled to find Lady Wuxue sitting silently in the dark.
She learns that Lady Wuxue is now wearing the Rainbow-Colored Dress, immediately realizing its significance. In her original novel, the dress leads to Lady Wuxue's death the following day, with Ji Yun being framed as the murderer by Ji Chu, who seeks to take over the East Office. Hua Qingge briefly considers suicide to escape the novel and rewrite the ending from her own world, thus saving Lady Wuxue.
However, a message appears on her internal "system" instructing her to revise the ending by staying within the story, reviving Ji Yun, and bringing down Ji Chu to avoid a plot "backfire." Accepting her mission, Hua Qingge decides her first step is to prevent Lady Wuxue's death by stealing the Rainbow-Colored Dress. Disguised as a man, Hua Qingge goes to Rumeng House.
At the entrance, she clashes with Prince Qi, Ji Feng, recognizing him as Ji Yun's second brother and a notorious playboy. She proceeds inside, intending to find Lady Wuxue's room. Unbeknownst to her, Ji Chu is also present. His subordinate notices Hua Qingge, recalling her previous association with Ji Yun and her current presence at Rumeng House on the night Lady Wuxue is destined to die.
The subordinate suggests killing her to prevent interference, but Ji Chu, intrigued, orders him to instead deliver a letter to the Crown Prince. Hua Qingge sneaks into Lady Wuxue's room, intending to steal the Rainbow-Colored Dress. However, Prince Qi, Ji Feng, suddenly approaches, forcing Hua Qingge to quickly jump onto the ceiling beam to hide. To her shock, Ji Chu is also hiding on the same beam.
After Prince Qi and his men search the room and leave, Ji Chu confronts Hua Qingge, asking how she knew the Rainbow-Colored Dress was there. Hua Qingge deflects, not revealing her authorial knowledge, and asks Ji Chu the same question, playfully calling him "handsome" and suggesting they become "buddies." Meanwhile, Lady Wuxue's maid, Nuo, knowing the dress will lead to her mistress's death, steals it and attempts to flee but is intercepted by Ji Chu's subordinate.
Shortly after, Lady Wuxue enters, surprised to find Hua Qingge in her room, disguised as a man. Lady Wuxue reveals she is not performing because her dancing dress is missing. Hua Qingge notes this as a positive development, wondering if someone else is also trying to prevent Lady Wuxue's death. At the East Office mortuary, the coroner Lin Xiyao is diligently examining a body, noting the rotten internal organs, the ten-day old death, and the dark blood indicative of poisoning.
Ji Yun arrives, acknowledging her hard work. He then receives a letter revealing Hua Qingge's presence at Rumeng House, sparking his immediate concern. He quickly tells Lin Xiyao to rest and leaves to find Hua Qingge. Alone in the room, Hua Qingge reflects on her mission: if the Rainbow-Colored Dress vanishes tonight and Lady Wuxue is saved, her first step in altering the story will be a success.
Lady Wuxue had mentioned going to get snacks, but after some time, Hua Qingge realizes Lady Wuxue's maid, Nuo, might have taken the dress, and Lady Wuxue's real intention in going to find Nuo was not for snacks, but to retrieve the crucial Rainbow-Colored Dress.
