Different Princess Episode 24 Recap
> Different Princess Recap
Hua Qingge sought out Gong Yeqi, eager to learn more about Ji Chu's past in Nanjing, knowing he had endured immense hardship there. Gong Yeqi revealed that while everyone believed Ji Chu enjoyed prosperity as a hostage prince, he actually suffered a life worse than death, treated as a prisoner for grave crimes, locked in a dilapidated wooden shed, and given spoiled food.
Gong Yeqi described their chance encounter outside the palace and their subsequent recapture, which led to Ji Chu's continuous torture. In a flashback, Ji Chu lamented to Gong Yeqi that Gong Yeqi's suffering was due to protecting Ji Chu and entering the palace with him. Gong Yeqi, distraught, said he could not take it anymore, but Ji Chu urged patience, stating it was not yet time for their revenge.
They later discovered Imperial Consort Wei was behind Ji Chu's abuse, having instructed the chief eunuch to disregard the hostage prince's fate. Gong Yeqi recounted a horrifying incident where Ji Chu's finger was cut off. Fortunately, Gong Yeqi's advanced medical skills allowed him to reattach it, though a permanent scar remained, which Ji Chu now concealed with a ring. Gong Yeqi admitted his own fault in Ji Chu's suffering.
He explained that Ji Chu later exacted a tragic revenge on Wang Chuanzhi and, by exploiting internal rivalries among Nanjing's princes, gradually eliminated his enemies, ultimately seizing control of Nanjing's internal affairs. Hua Qingge was shocked by the extent of Ji Chu's past trauma. Gong Yeqi then advised Hua Qingge to directly ask Ji Chu about Pumpkin, emphasizing that Ji Chu carried unimaginable pain, and that the man she often saw was not his true self.
Back at his residence, Ji Chu inquired about Hua Qingge. An attendant reported that Hua Qingge had met him and then left upset, conjecturing it was due to the news of his impending marriage to Lin Xiyao. The attendant also reported that Ji Chu had been "caught" by Pumpkin, according to Pumpkin's maid. When Hua Qingge returned, Ji Chu questioned her somber mood.
Hua Qingge then earnestly promised to be a good stepmother to Pumpkin and also to Ji Chu himself. Ji Chu, confused by her statement, clarified that she should be Pumpkin's stepmother, not his. He apologized for the inconvenience of having her spend time with Pumpkin. Hua Qingge confidently stated she could handle Pumpkin with her Hua family's parenting methods, a balanced approach of firmness and gentleness, despite Ji Chu’s teasing about her lack of children.
Ji Chu then promised to tell her about Pumpkin when the time was right. Hua Qingge affirmed that the details no longer mattered; her only concern was to be good to him, doing everything he asked, cherishing him deeply. Ji Chu, amused, pulled her close, reminding her of her promise of obedience.
Later, Ji Chu conversed with Gong Yeqi, who confessed to revealing Ji Chu's past to Hua Qingge, which Ji Chu realized was why she had been so kind upon her return. Gong Yeqi suggested that letting her know his past might not be entirely bad. Now that his revenge was complete, Gong Yeqi also expressed his desire to tell Ji Wan'er about his own past. Gong Yeqi then asked Ji Chu for permission to marry Ji Wan'er.
Ji Chu, however, advised careful consideration, his thoughts turning to the Empress, the Su family, and the Demon Poison, realizing that if the events 15 years ago were linked to the Empress, then Ji Wan'er's birth mother could be responsible for his father's demise. Despite Ji Chu’s hesitation, Gong Yeqi declared he would marry Ji Wan'er regardless of any objections.
Returning to his home, Gong Yeqi found Ji Wan'er had beautifully arranged the space, envisioning a future where he could fish peacefully while she read by his side, transforming their shared space into Xuanjing Abode, a haven for healing body and mind. Ji Wan'er then asked about his meeting with Ji Chu. Gong Yeqi, touched by her understanding nature, shared his painful past. He recounted how his family, esteemed physicians, met their downfall because his kind-hearted father developed extraordinary medicines.
One of these, an anti-aging remedy, accidentally gained the ability to temporarily transform people into demons. His father intended to destroy it, but his colleague, Liu Mingsheng, informed Imperial Consort Wei. She pressured his father to create the demon poison for her. Upon his father's firm refusal, Imperial Consort Wei, fearing exposure, fabricated a plot that led to the execution of his entire family. Gong Yeqi survived thanks to an old servant who escorted him to safety.
Ji Wan'er expressed deep sympathy and anger towards Imperial Consort Wei, affirming her deserving end. Gong Yeqi, confessing that his first half of life was consumed by revenge, declared that Ji Wan'er was all he had left. Ji Wan'er vowed to protect him from any future injustices. Gong Yeqi, deeply moved, promised to marry her honorably, no matter the obstacles. Meanwhile, Ji Chu's attendant prepared a petal bath for him.
The attendant questioned Ji Chu's unusual request for a petal bath, recalling Hua Qingge's earlier mention of "parenting methods." Ji Chu clarified that he interpreted Hua Qingge's interest in parenting as a desire to bear his children, which he saw as a way to protect her amidst the volatile political climate, even from the Empress. He then instructed his attendant to summon Hua Qingge to Lanting Pool.
Hua Qingge arrived, puzzled by Ji Chu's request for her to deliver a handkerchief when a servant could have done it. She placed the handkerchief down and tried to leave, but found the door locked from inside. Ji Chu beckoned her in, reminding her of her promise of obedience. Inside, he, clad only in shorts, asked if she would bathe with him.
Hua Qingge, deeming the idea dull, playfully offered to give him a massage with her "whitening and moisturizing" medicine. As she tried to reach him, she slipped, almost falling into the bath. Ji Chu quickly caught her, leading to an accidental kiss. Recovering from the moment, Hua Qingge tumbled into the water, inadvertently pulling off Ji Chu's shorts and exposing him completely. Both were flustered, anticipating a restless night filled with racing thoughts of each other.
Later, Ji Wan'er and Gong Yeqi were happily organizing books in Xuanjing Abode, with Gong Yeqi reading romance novels, an unusual habit for him. Ji Wan'er explained she wanted to understand romance to better converse with him, but Gong Yeqi assured her that their love already surpassed such superficialities. He expressed his wish for them to spend their lives together, reading and gathering herbs, growing old peacefully.
Elsewhere, Ji Chu's subordinate, Xiao Yan, noticing Ji Chu's prior "unsuccessful attempt" with Hua Qingge, suggested another "good idea." He presented a "Child Bearing Pill" he acquired from the ghost market, claiming it would enable Ji Chu's wife to conceive. Ji Chu dismissed it as unreliable but, after Xiao Yan left, secretly took the pill. The pill turned out to be an aphrodisiac, making Ji Chu disoriented.
He stumbled into Hua Qingge's room, mistakenly believing her previous talk of "parenting methods" indicated a desire for children. Hua Qingge, realizing he was not himself, noticed he wasn't drunk and tried to resist his advances, calling him a pervert. Ji Chu confessed he had not expected the "Child Bearing Pill" to be an aphrodisiac and thought she wanted children. Hua Qingge vehemently denied it, calling it a misunderstanding.
In his dazed state, Ji Chu pressed her, asking if she harbored feelings for him. As he moved closer, Hua Qingge frantically tried to find a distraction, desperate to shift his attention away from the current predicament.
