Different Princess Episode 28 Recap
> Different Princess Recap
Ji Chu was still gathering evidence against the Empress. He knew that the witnesses to the Empress's past crimes had been exterminated, making it impossible to bring her down with just evidence. His strategy was to lure her into taking action again, especially since she was colluding with Prime Minister Li to weaken his power in Nanjing and would likely prevent him from obtaining the Fish-shaped Token.
When Gong Yeqi arrived, he confronted Ji Chu directly, asking how long he intended to conceal the truth that the Empress had framed his father. Hua Qingge, listening from outside, realized that the Empress was the true villain, a revelation entirely absent from her original novel. She mused that her efforts to prevent Ji Chu's villainous transformation might have inadvertently prompted the Empress to reveal her true, manipulative nature.
Gong Yeqi pressed Ji Chu, pointing out that Ji Wan'er was the daughter of the person responsible for killing Ji Chu's family, and asked if he would set aside his hatred to be with her or pursue revenge despite her mother's involvement. Ji Chu admitted he knew everything and wished he could keep it a secret forever, especially for Ji Wan'er's sake.
At the Crown Prince Residence, Ji Yun drank heavily, still troubled by his mother's insistence that her actions were solely to secure his position as Crown Prince. He bitterly reflected on the palace being built not of bricks but of lies and ruthlessness. Lin Xiyao entered, offering comfort and assuring him there was still sincerity and warmth amidst the falsehoods.
She cautioned him that drinking would only deepen his sorrows, to which Ji Yun replied that without the numbing effect of wine, the long night would be unbearable. He questioned why she cared so deeply for him. Lin Xiyao recalled their first meeting in Jinglv Hall, where he, despite the risks, bravely defended a commoner against a prominent family, proclaiming that in the face of life and death, all are equal.
His kindness had forever etched itself in her heart, inspiring her commitment as a coroner. Ji Yun sadly remarked that he was no longer the man he once was. Lin Xiyao assured him that all difficulties would pass, and the pain would eventually fade. He then stated that even if the world condemned him, he would persist in his actions to protect those he cherished.
Hua Qingge continued to grapple with the reality of the Empress being the true mastermind, a significant departure from her original novel where Ji Chu simply turned villainous and rebelled after avenging his mother. She realized that her attempts to prevent Ji Chu's "blackening" had ironically exposed the Empress's manipulative nature. Ji Chu found her deep in thought and asked what was on her mind.
Hua Qingge expressed a desire to escape the conflict in Liang, also wondering if Wei Nanyi's recent visit had unsettled him. Ji Chu, embracing her, promised to protect her no matter what. Hua Qingge then asked him if he and Ji Yun would eventually resort to bloodshed. Ji Chu, in turn, questioned her, asking what choice she would make if he were to be completely at odds with her cousin Ji Yun and even her aunt, the Empress.
Hua Qingge responded simply, "I want you to stay alive." Later, the Empress summoned Hua Qingge to Fengyi Palace. The Empress, addressing her as "Qing'er," reminded her of the initial mission to make Prince Lv, Ji Chu, fall deeply in love with her and trust her, praising her success. Now, the Empress revealed a new task: a woman residing in Prince Lv's residence possessed the Fish-shaped Token, an item capable of jeopardizing the peace of Liang.
The Empress instructed Hua Qingge to seize an opportunity to retrieve the Fish-shaped Token before this woman could cause any trouble, ensuring Ji Chu remained unaware of the scheme. Hua Qingge, after a moment's hesitation, agreed. Meanwhile, Ji Wan'er, closely watched by her mother, found herself unable to leave the palace. She tasked her maid, Ru Jiao, with delivering a letter directly to Gong Yeqi, despite Ru Jiao's worries about the Empress's reaction.
Ru Jiao delivered the letter, explaining Ji Wan'er's predicament and asking Gong Yeqi to wait two more days for her. To Ru Jiao's dismay, Gong Yeqi simply tore the letter without even opening it. Ru Jiao reported this back to a bewildered Ji Wan'er, who was shocked by Gong Yeqi's sudden change in attitude.
Determined to understand, Ji Wan'er resolved to find a way to escape the palace and confront him in person, even as an old maid arrived to help her try on her wedding gown. In the courtyard, Ji Chu was led by Xiao Nangua, or Pumpkin, to meet Wei Nanyi. It had been a long time since they had a drink together.
Wei Nanyi reminisced about their past in Nanjing and confessed her long-held curiosity about the woman who would finally capture his heart. She acknowledged that after meeting Princess Consort Lv, Hua Qingge, she understood that only a straightforward and fearless woman could bring him the stability he needed. Ji Chu, in turn, described Hua Qingge as "indescribable and irreplaceable."
Then, Wei Nanyi, confessing her long-standing affection, proposed marriage, offering to give him the Fish-shaped Token to aid his revenge if he agreed. However, Ji Chu's heart remained solely with Hua Qingge, indicating his unspoken refusal.
Gong Yeqi, deeply unsettled by the revelation that the Empress was responsible for his father's death, began to disband his Mystic Medicine House, instructing his servant He Tong to find a new job, stating that there was nothing in this world that could not be given up. That rainy night, Ji Wan'er, having painstakingly escaped the palace, confronted him. She demanded to know why he was leaving without a word and why he had torn up her letter unread.
Gong Yeqi, grappling with the agonizing truth that Ji Wan'er was the daughter of his family's killer, could only bring himself to tell her to forget him. Ji Wan'er, desperate, wondered if her mother had intervened or if he doubted her ability to adapt to a life outside the palace. She reaffirmed her unwavering commitment, declaring her readiness to endure poverty and follow him anywhere.
She pleaded with him to speak, asking if his promises of a lifetime together were all lies and if he would abandon her over such a challenge. With immense internal struggle, Gong Yeqi, choosing to protect her from the horrific truth about her mother, falsely claimed, "It was all a lie. If you took it seriously, I'm sorry." When Ji Wan'er refused to believe him, insisting he wasn't heartless, he reiterated his fabricated cruelness, saying, "I'm a heartless man.
It's just that you imagined me too well." Ji Wan'er pressed him for a definitive, truthful answer, promising to let go if he affirmed his words. With a heavy heart, Gong Yeqi cruelly declared, "Yes. From now on, stop bothering me." His words shattered Ji Wan'er, who collapsed in despair as memories of their shared happy moments flooded her mind, knowing they could never return.
Ji Wan'er returned to the palace with a high fever, prompting the distraught Empress to guard her daughter's bedside. The Empress sternly questioned her maid, realizing Ji Wan'er must have met someone she shouldn't have. Meanwhile, Hua Qingge, recalling Wei Nanyi's proposition to Ji Chu, still sought clarity from him regarding his feelings. Mustering her courage, she entered Ji Chu's room, intending to ask him a question.
However, upon seeing him holding the Fish-shaped Token, she immediately understood and declared, "No, I've got the answer." Shortly after, Ji Chu received a report from a subordinate: a palace maid from Fengyi Palace had overheard the Empress revealing her true intentions behind arranging Hua Qingge's marriage—to make Ji Chu fall in love and gain his trust, thereby facilitating her own hidden agendas. The maid had not heard any new tasks assigned to Hua Qingge post-wedding.
Believing Hua Qingge's affections were merely part of a calculated mission, Ji Chu became profoundly heartbroken and drank heavily. Wei Nanyi observed him from a distance, her own heart aching. She reflected on his unchanging sorrow yet the significant changes he had undergone. She recalled her initial attraction to him, drawn by his deep, melancholic gaze, understanding the immense sadness he concealed. She acknowledged that her feelings for him were no secret, though he remained oblivious or chose to ignore them, realizing that his heart had never truly belonged to her.
