Different Princess Episode 25 Recap
> Different Princess Recap
After taking what he thought was a "Child Bearing Pill," Ji Chu became intoxicated by the aphrodisiac and made advances toward Hua Qingge. She managed to keep him at bay throughout the night by wrestling with him on the floor until they both fell asleep from exhaustion. The next day, Ji Chu chastised his subordinate for the mix-up.
His subordinate then reported that Prime Minister Li had sent assassins to pursue the young emperor of Nanjing, Wei Nanqing, into Liang, but their men had intercepted and eliminated the assassins at the border. Ji Chu immediately issued orders to relay a secret message to his agents along the route.
Meanwhile, the Empress, concerned about the young emperor, received a secret message from Prime Minister Li indicating that the assassination attempt on Wei Nanqing had failed and the boy was now missing. She recalled that the Great General, before his death, had only seen the young emperor and the First Princess, believing the crucial Fish-shaped Token was with one of them.
Ji Yun arrived to pay his respects, acknowledging that the Empress monitored his every move, including his visit to Hua Qingge the previous day. He explained that he went "to put everything to an end." Ji Yun then reported that an eight-year-old boy, rumored to be Ji Chu's son from Nanjing, had arrived at Prince Lv's residence. The Empress vehemently denied this, asserting that it was impossible for the boy to be Ji Chu's son.
Ji Yun later informed his father, the Emperor, about the boy at Ji Chu's residence. The Emperor revealed that the boy was Wei Nanqing, the young emperor of Nanjing. He expressed suspicion over Ji Chu bringing Wei Nanqing to Liang, fearing it was an attempt to gain military control, as Nanjing's armies only obeyed the Fish-shaped Token. Ji Yun defended his brother, assuring his father that Ji Chu would never plot treason.
However, the Emperor insisted on eliminating Wei Nanqing to prevent Ji Chu from being caught in a difficult position, even if Ji Chu himself had no ill intentions. Ji Yun confirmed that arrangements to do so were already in place. Hua Qingge decided to go shopping for a wedding gift for a friend. Wei Nanqing pleaded to join her, and she reluctantly agreed, emphasizing that he must hold her hand tightly. They discreetly exited through the back door.
On their outing, Hua Qingge asked Wei Nanqing why he disliked her. He revealed that Ji Chu already had a "lover" in Nanjing, a woman of "grace and elegance" who was "the only one worthy of being with my father." Hua Qingge, assuming it was an ex-girlfriend, felt a pang of annoyance but bought Wei Nanqing a toy. Wei Nanqing was then distracted by another toy and ran off.
When Hua Qingge followed, she found the vendor gone and sensed something was wrong. As she tried to lead Wei Nanqing away, an assassin appeared with a sword. Hua Qingge bravely shielded Wei Nanqing with her body. Ji Chu arrived just in time to drive off the attacker. Wei Nanqing confessed that he was the one who insisted on the outing.
As they left, Hua Qingge found a jade pendant on the ground and pocketed it, unaware that Ji Yun had secretly intervened to deflect the assassin's sword, saving her life. Back at Prince Lv's residence, Ji Chu’s subordinate reported that the captured assassin refused to confess under torture. Ji Chu ordered the interrogation to continue, determined to uncover the mastermind.
Hua Qingge, still shaken, questioned Ji Chu about the attack, suspecting Wei Nanqing's identity was far more significant than just his son. Ji Chu confirmed her suspicions, revealing that Wei Nanqing was the young emperor of Nanjing. Hua Qingge was astonished. Ji Chu explained he had kept the boy's identity secret for his safety, and now that it was compromised, they needed to be even more vigilant.
He added that Wei Nanqing, having lost his father at a young age, had always called him "father." Hua Qingge then teasingly asked about Ji Chu's "lover in Nanjing," wondering if Wei Nanqing called her "mother." Ji Chu playfully accused her of being jealous and recalled the previous night, asking if her confession of liking him was sincere. Hua Qingge feigned a loss of memory. Meanwhile, Lin Xiyao began rigorous training for her role as Crown Princess.
The instructress emphasized discarding old habits and studying the "Rules for Women." Lin Xiyao challenged the notion that women should be confined, advocating for their right to independent thought. The instructress retorted that her background as a coroner was ill-suited for the royal family, but Lin Xiyao calmly stated she found no fault in her profession. She agreed to read the "Rules for Women," clarifying her compliance was solely to prevent trouble for Ji Yun.
Overhearing this, Ji Yun later spoke with her, expressing regret for his hasty proposal and offering to call off the engagement. Lin Xiyao reassured him it was her own decision and she had no regrets. Acknowledging his heart belonged to another, she asked him to give her a chance, confident that his feelings might change over time, and he agreed.
Later, Hua Qingge confronted Wei Nanqing, calling him by his true name and accusing him of intentionally causing friction between her and Ji Chu. In return for her saving his life, Wei Nanqing promised to stop antagonizing her. He then revealed that Ji Chu's "lover" in Nanjing was his own older sister, Wei Nanyi, the First Princess of Nanjing, who had saved Ji Chu's life.
Wei Nanqing then took a sip of his fruit tea, which Hua Qingge had also just tasted. As they bantered, Hua Qingge suddenly collapsed, poisoned. A servant quickly informed Ji Chu. The maid responsible for poisoning the tea committed suicide before she could be questioned. The Healer Sage examined Hua Qingge and warned that the poison was potent; without an antidote, she might not survive the night, and concocting one would take time. Ji Chu was frantic.
Realizing the poison was intended for Wei Nanqing and that Hua Qingge had accidentally consumed it, Ji Yun prepared an antidote. His subordinate advised against delivering it directly to avoid revealing his involvement in the assassination attempt. Prioritizing Hua Qingge's life, Ji Yun decided to deliver it himself, using the pretense of bringing wedding invitations with Lin Xiyao to Prince Lv's residence. Upon arrival, they feigned ignorance of the situation until informed of Hua Qingge's critical condition. Ji Yun then "offered" a potent antidote from the Healer Sage, claiming it could cure all poisons. Desperate, Ji Chu gratefully accepted the remedy.
