Different Princess Episode 29 Recap
> Different Princess Recap
Wei Nanyi informed Gong Yeqi that Ji Chu had rejected her marriage proposal, even though she offered him the Fish-shaped Token to aid his revenge. Ji Chu explicitly stated that his heart belonged only to Hua Qingge, adding that having Hua Qingge by his side was his blessing. Wei Nanyi, though disappointed, still offered him the Fish-shaped Token, and Ji Chu promised to help her deal with Prime Minister Li.
Gong Yeqi observed that Ji Chu was deeply affected by Hua Qingge, thinking it might soften his heart, but Wei Nanyi believed it would only bring him more pain. Wei Nanyi then noted Gong Yeqi's own intense desire for revenge, asking if he could forget some of it. Gong Yeqi adamantly replied that the pain of losing his entire family was unforgettable and vowed to tear off the Empress's "pretentious mask" and make her "pay with blood for her sins."
As Ji Chu became intoxicated later, Wei Nanyi helped him back to his room. Along the way, a drunken Ji Chu mistook Wei Nanyi for Hua Qingge and embraced her, pleading that he never wanted her to leave him. Hua Qingge, who was experiencing her hand becoming transparent – a tell-tale sign that she might be returning to her own world – witnessed this intimate scene.
Heartbroken, she retreated to her room and cried, trying to rationalize that if she was destined to leave, it might be good for Ji Chu to have someone else by his side. Overwhelmed, Hua Qingge recalled the Empress's previous command to steal the Fish-shaped Token. She had agreed without fully understanding its significance to Ji Chu, but now believed Ji Chu was indeed going to marry Wei Nanyi. Feeling she needed to act, she resolved to steal the token herself.
Upon returning to his room, Ji Chu immediately sensed that someone had been there and discovered that the Fish-shaped Token was missing. A guard confirmed it must have been the Empress's people, marveling at how they bypassed security. Ji Chu then found Hua Qingge nearby and confronted her. Seeing the token hidden on her, he accused her of planning to give it to the Empress.
Hua Qingge tried to explain, but a furious Ji Chu refused to listen, ordering Xiao Yan to confine her to Anxiang Hall and forbid her from leaving without his permission. Confined to her room, Hua Qingge worried about how long she would be held and if the Empress would act against Ji Chu when she learned of her predicament. The Empress was indeed informed of Hua Qingge's confinement.
Initially disappointed that Hua Qingge's rash actions had exposed her and seemingly cost her Ji Chu's trust, the Empress ultimately saw it as proof of Hua Qingge's loyalty to her. While acknowledging the potential risk, the Empress decided against direct intervention to avoid implicating herself in the theft. Instead, she resolved to "give Yun a push" to stir up trouble for Ji Chu.
Gong Yeqi confronted Ji Chu about Hua Qingge, asserting that her attempt to steal the Fish-shaped Token confirmed she was an agent of the Empress. He urged Ji Chu to remove this "threat" rather than protect her. Ji Chu maintained he knew what he was doing and told Gong Yeqi not to interfere. Gong Yeqi also expressed concern about Ji Wan'er's potential marriage to Prime Minister Li.
Gong Yeqi advised Ji Chu to be decisive in his personal life, but Ji Chu countered that while revenge was important, some things were even more so. The Empress feigned illness and summoned Ji Yun. She dramatically recounted Hua Qingge's confinement, framing it as a consequence of her own matchmaking and expressing concern that Ji Chu was wary of Hua Qingge due to her familial ties to the Empress.
She further exacerbated Ji Yun's concerns by revealing the presence of Wei Nanyi, the First Princess of the Southern Kingdom, at Ji Chu's residence, suggesting that Wei Nanyi was Ji Chu's love interest from the southern border and that Ji Chu might be planning to divorce Hua Qingge to marry Wei Nanyi. Ji Yun was initially skeptical, having witnessed Ji Chu's affection for Hua Qingge, but the Empress insisted that true intentions are often hidden beneath the surface.
The Emperor summoned Ji Chu, stating that reports from officials about his "esteemed guests" were causing unrest in the court. Ji Yun then revealed that Wei Nanqing and Wei Nanyi, being foreign royalty and possessing the Fish-shaped Token, were perceived as a threat. Ji Chu, realizing Ji Yun was behind the complaints, tried to explain they were merely visiting.
However, the Emperor, deeming their prolonged stay a "potential threat," ordered Ji Chu to send them away quickly to calm the court. Ji Chu requested a few more days, citing Wei Nanyi as his savior from the southern border and not wanting to appear ungrateful. The Emperor reluctantly agreed, reminding his sons to get along, especially with Ji Wan'er's wedding approaching.
After the Emperor left, Ji Chu confronted Ji Yun, accusing him of being the "officials" stirring up trouble and vowing to no longer go easy on him. Ji Yun warned Ji Chu not to push him further. Confined to her room, Hua Qingge tried to call for Xiao Yan, hoping to explain herself to Ji Chu.
Xiaonangua arrived, initially scolding Hua Qingge for upsetting Ji Chu, but then revealed that Ji Wan'er had been betrothed to Prime Minister Li and was soon to leave for the southern border. Hua Qingge was shocked. Xiaonangua explained she shared the news because of Hua Qingge's kindness and her sisterly bond with Ji Wan'er, though she also advised Hua Qingge to focus on her own troubles.
After Xiaonangua left, Hua Qingge's hand began to turn transparent again, and she briefly glimpsed her modern world, realizing she was about to return but wasn't ready to leave. That night, Ji Chu was still preoccupied with thoughts of Hua Qingge. A subordinate reassured him that despite the accusations, he believed Hua Qingge was trustworthy. Ji Chu eventually went to see Hua Qingge and found her crying.
Heartbroken, he confronted her, asking why she was upset when he was the one who should feel wronged. Hua Qingge tearfully explained her sorrow stemmed from his perceived relationship with Wei Nanyi, Ji Wan'er's forced marriage, and her impending, permanent departure. She accused him of still doubting her despite their time together. Ji Chu responded that he didn't want to doubt her, but any misstep concerning the Empress could be disastrous. Overwhelmed, Hua Qingge told him to leave.
As Ji Chu turned to go, Hua Qingge's hand once again became transparent, and she began to fade away. Panicked, she desperately called out his name, trying to embrace him but passing through him. Ji Chu, seeing her distress and fading form, quickly pulled her into a tight embrace. Sobbing, Hua Qingge confessed that she had never betrayed him, only intending to duplicate a fake Fish-shaped Token to deceive the Empress. Ji Chu, holding her close, told her he believed her, no matter what she said.
