Different Princess Episode 23 Recap
> Different Princess Recap
Hua Qingge found herself constantly smiling as she recalled Ji Chu's words to her, only to be startled when he suddenly appeared behind her. He then took her on a boat ride, remarking that he couldn't imagine being "in the same boat" with anyone else. Hua Qingge found his romantic overture a bit cringey, but he continued, admitting he knew she harbored secrets and promised to wait for her to trust him.
He asked if he held even a small place in her heart, leaving Hua Qingge flustered and speechless. Ji Chu then fulfilled his promise of a fireworks display, a debt he felt he owed her, which Hua Qingge found breathtakingly beautiful. Unbeknownst to them, Ji Yun observed their intimate moment, feeling a pang of discontent. As Ji Chu and Hua Qingge walked back, hand in hand, a young boy suddenly ran up to Ji Chu, calling him "Father."
Hua Qingge initially dismissed it as a mistake, warning the boy about kidnappers. However, when Ji Chu affectionately called the child "Pumpkin," she realized the boy was indeed his son. Internally, Hua Qingge was furious, feeling Ji Chu had confessed his feelings only to reveal he had a child, making her feel like a "stepmother." Ji Chu, surprised by Pumpkin's unexpected arrival in the capital, gently hushed the boy and took him to rest.
Meanwhile, the Empress's aide reported that the Duke of Dingguo had decided to ally with Prince Lv (Ji Chu), but Ji Chu had rejected his overtures. The Empress then saw an opportunity, having already extended an "olive branch." The Duke of Dingguo and his daughter, Lin Xiyao, met with the Empress. The Empress praised Lin Xiyao's beauty and poise. The Duke then brought up Lin Xiyao's marriage prospects, acknowledging that Prince Lv's rejection made finding a suitable match difficult.
The Empress suggested a member of the royal family, hinting at Ji Yun. Lin Xiyao, however, asserted that she desired a marriage based on mutual affection and would not force the Crown Prince's hand if he did not wish to marry her. At that moment, Ji Yun appeared, dramatically declaring that he "did" wish to marry Lin Xiyao and make her his consort.
Though the Duke had initially hoped for a union with Ji Chu, he accepted Ji Yun's proposal, recognizing Lin Xiyao's long-standing affection for the Crown Prince. The next morning, Hua Qingge was rudely awakened by water being sprayed on her. Pumpkin, the culprit, called her an "old witch" and declared that his father belonged only to his mother. Hua Qingge, seething with anger, lamented having to deal with the "rascal" after his "devil" of a father.
Later, she confided in Ji Wan'er, expressing her suspicion that Pumpkin might be Ji Chu's illegitimate child from Nanyi, and joked about Ji Chu being a "womanizer." Ji Wan'er, however, reassured her of Ji Chu's character and then, inspired by Hua Qingge's previous questions, firmly stated her own commitment to Gong Yeqi, regardless of any objections. Back in her room, Hua Qingge fell victim to another of Pumpkin's pranks.
Ji Chu arrived just as Hua Qingge was scolding the boy, who immediately feigned innocence, claiming Hua Qingge was punishing him for calling Ji Chu "Father." Hua Qingge, exasperated, called him a "drop the act" (referencing a scheming character). Ji Chu gently sent Pumpkin away with his attendant, then playfully teased Hua Qingge about being outsmarted by a child and even suggested they have children together.
Hua Qingge, embarrassed, tried to ascertain the identity of Pumpkin's mother and Ji Chu's first love. Ji Chu claimed she was his first love, but Hua Qingge, quickly seeing through his words, pointed out the logical inconsistency with Pumpkin's existence. Ji Chu found her jealousy amusing, and though he still didn't reveal Pumpkin's true identity, he advised her against clashing with his son, warning that Pumpkin shared his own stubborn nature.
Hua Qingge retorted that Ji Chu's entire family seemed to be bullies. Shortly after, an imperial decree was announced, ordering the immediate marriage of Crown Prince Ji Yun and Lin Xiyao. Ji Yun, though accepting the decree, confronted his mother, the Empress, pleading with her to withdraw from all court affairs.
He stated that to rectify her past misdeeds, he had been forced to act against his own will, hinting at his forced marriage to Lin Xiyao and his unrequited feelings for Hua Qingge. The Empress, however, believed she was acting for his sake and sternly reminded him that Hua Qingge was Prince Lv's consort, and he could never harbor feelings for her. Ji Yun, appearing to accept her words, assured her he had moved on.
Later, Hua Qingge noticed the mansion was unusually quiet and suspected Pumpkin was planning another prank. She prepared herself, but Ji Yun arrived just in time to save her from a falling bucket. Pumpkin, caught red-handed, quickly switched to a pitiful demeanor, apologizing to Hua Qingge and flattering Ji Yun before being led away by his attendant. Hua Qingge, still fuming, explained Pumpkin's antics to Ji Yun. She reiterated her belief that Pumpkin was Ji Chu's son from Nanyi.
Ji Yun then revealed a surprising detail: Ji Chu had faced life-threatening dangers in Nanyi and it was a miracle he survived. This revelation greatly surprised Hua Qingge, who, as a writer, realized she had "glossed over" that part of Ji Chu's story. Ji Yun then sorrowfully informed Hua Qingge of his impending marriage to Lin Xiyao, lamenting the loss of a lead in their investigation since Du Wenshu (also referred to as Du Hui) had seemingly died.
Hua Qingge, however, expressed genuine happiness for Ji Yun and Lin Xiyao, calling them a "match made in heaven" and wishing them lasting happiness. A subordinate soon informed Ji Chu that Du Wenshu, who was thought to be dead, had briefly regained consciousness but was not expected to live long. Ji Chu rushed to the prison to see him.
Confronting Du Wenshu, Ji Chu revealed his deep knowledge of Du Wenshu's past, including his unrequited love for the Empress (the Third Princess of Fuyu) and how he had aided her in marrying the Emperor despite her original betrothal to the First Princess of Fuyu. Ji Chu, now understanding the depth of such devotion, pressed Du Wenshu for information about the 15-year incident and the Empress's involvement.
With his last breaths, Du Wenshu gasped three crucial words: "Empress," "Su family," and "Demon Poison," before succumbing. Following these events, Hua Qingge, still troubled by Ji Chu's past in Nanyi, sought out Ji Wan'er for more details, and Ji Wan'er agreed to share what she knew.
