Different Princess Episode 32 Recap
> Different Princess Recap
When questioned by a subordinate about his reluctance despite His Majesty's generous terms, Ji Chu expressed his lingering concerns. He believed that if the Empress remained alive, Ji Yun, upon ascending to the throne, would inevitably rescue her, allowing her to resume her nefarious activities. He despaired that his efforts might not alter this predestined outcome. Meanwhile, the Empress, now aware of Ji Chu's machinations that had exposed her, found herself unfazed.
She declared to her attendant that with Yun by her side, she felt no fear, despite her predicament. Lin Xiyao diligently nursed Ji Yun back to health. Upon regaining consciousness, Ji Yun immediately inquired about his mother, learning she was under house arrest by His Majesty. He insisted on seeing her, but Lin Xiyao gently urged him to rest, assuring him that his mother would be fine.
Ji Yun then reflected on his actions, asking if he was experiencing poetic justice. He confessed that his mother's misdeeds stemmed from his own existence, wishing Ji Chu had ended his life. He lamented his failure to sway his mother and protect Ji Wan'er. Lin Xiyao then revealed her suspicions about Ji Wan'er's supposed corpse.
She noted that the body did not appear to have been dead for three days and bore a fresh, heart-shaped scar on its foot, contradicting the long-standing childhood scar Ji Wan'er was known to have. Ji Yun confirmed the scar's history, leading them to conclude that the body might not be Ji Wan'er's at all, with Lin Xiyao speculating that Prince Lv had orchestrated her "death" to grant her freedom from the marriage to Prime Minister Li.
Ji Yun instructed Lin Xiyao to keep this discovery secret. Elsewhere, Ji Chu pondered his own victory, feeling no satisfaction despite achieving his long-sought revenge after more than a decade of meticulous planning. That night, Gongye Qi was startled by a white-clad figure outside his Yinyue Residence. The figure revealed herself to be Ji Wan'er, alive and well. Overwhelmed, Gongye Qi questioned how she managed to escape death. Ji Wan'er recounted how, during her wedding procession, "bandits" intercepted them.
Ji Chu's men, disguised as these bandits, replaced her with a corpse of similar build and age. They inflicted a fresh heart-shaped scar on the corpse's foot to mimic her old injury, ensuring the deception. Ji Chu had foreseen her determination to marry and sent a message offering her a chance at a new, free life, away from the constraints of being a "caged bird."
He had also ensured her maid, Ru Jiao, was safely returned to report the false news of her death. Ji Wan'er, realizing she had misunderstood Chu's intentions, accepted this new beginning and returned to Liang with his men. Gongye Qi, having learned of her residence from Ji Chu, confessed his longings and apologized for pushing her away before, vowing never to do so again. Ji Wan'er, seeking closure, asked why he had been so resolute in leaving her.
Gongye Qi admitted he felt he couldn't give her happiness, but losing her made him realize she was the most important thing in the world. He then proposed, promising to devote his life to her happiness, though he chose to withhold the full truth about his past hatred and earlier departure, desiring to shield her from its scars. Ji Wan'er accepted, and they embraced, their love finally finding its way.
Wei Nanyi questioned Ji Chu about his unwavering decision regarding their plan. Ji Chu confirmed his resolve, stating he needed no retreat and had no regrets. He promised that he and Little Pumpkin could return home in a few days, thereby preventing His Majesty from harboring suspicions and stirring up trouble. Nanyi promised her support, urging him to quickly eliminate any remnants and manage official affairs in their home country, while assuring him not to worry too much about her.
An attendant reported that all preparations were made. Ji Chu instructed the attendant, Xiao Yan, to send the Fish-shaped Token to Nanyi discreetly to deploy troops at the border. Nanyi intervened, explaining that the Fish-shaped Token only commanded half the forces, suggesting Ji Chu use the title of First Princess's Prince Consort to gather full forces. Ji Chu firmly refused, stating half the troops would suffice and dismissing the suggestion as unnecessary, even for a mere false title.
Nanyi argued this was a dangerous gamble against the Dingguo Army, asking what he was up to. Suddenly, Hua Qingge, who had been listening outside, confronted Ji Chu, accusing him of escalating their conflict by publicly shaming Ji Yun and imprisoning the Empress. She questioned why he continued down a path of rebellion despite her efforts to prevent it.
Ji Chu retorted that his enemies would not spare him, and he needed to seize the initiative to gain the upper hand. Wei Nanyi stepped in, urging both of them to calm down, cautioning against hurtful words spoken in anger. Hua Qingge, feeling that her efforts to change Ji Chu's path were futile and her own time was short, instructed the attendant to proceed with deploying the troops. She lamented her inability to alter the outcome.
Wei Nanyi attempted to comfort Hua Qingge, suggesting Ji Chu's actions were out of necessity. Hua Qingge, however, retorted angrily, accusing Nanyi of being a sanctimonious 'white lotus' and asking if Nanyi would believe someone who killed her child but claimed love. Wei Nanyi, offended, reminded Hua Qingge not to criticize others' actions without experiencing their hardships.
Hua Qingge, expressing sarcasm and resignation, stated that Nanyi, as a childhood friend who could offer both emotional and political support, was a better fit for Ji Chu. She then declared she no longer wanted Ji Chu and offered him to Nanyi. Offended by Hua Qingge's disrespect for Ji Chu's feelings, Wei Nanyi retorted that Hua Qingge was unworthy of him.
Hua Qingge, resigned, stated she would be the "bad person" and act quickly, as her time was running out, preferring a swift end to prolonged suffering. Later that night, assassins dispatched by the Empress ambushed Ji Chu. Wei Nanyi intervened, saving Ji Chu, who sustained only a wrist injury.
Ji Chu subsequently reported to His Majesty that the assassins belonged to the same mysterious organization, Tiger Totem from Fuyu, that killed Prince Qi and acted under the Empress's orders, confirming her intention to eliminate all princes except the Crown Prince. His Majesty, enraged by the Empress's continued defiance despite her house arrest, declared such a vicious woman unworthy of mercy and ordered a decree to be issued.
Meanwhile, an attendant informed the confined Empress that they couldn't reach Ji Yun, but the Empress, confident in her ongoing assassination plot against the First Princess of Nanyi, believed Ji Chu would soon lose Nanyi's support and be unable to contend with Yun. Just then, Eunuch Li De arrived with a decree.
The Empress, hoping for release, instead learned she was being stripped of her title, confined to her chambers for life, and pardoned from death only out of His Majesty's twenty-year companionship. Her despair deepened as the eunuch delivered His Majesty's oral decree posthumously honoring Imperial Consort Xian with the title of Imperial Concubine Tai Ming and granting her a shared burial in the Imperial Tomb.
The Empress, utterly distraught, protested vehemently, refusing to allow Imperial Consort Xian this honor, before collapsing in anguish, crying that His Majesty no longer wanted her. Her loyal maid Pin Yan vowed to stay by her side. In his private study, His Majesty gazed at a portrait of Imperial Consort Xian, reflecting on his enduring love for her and the peace he now felt, no longer needing to feign affection for the Empress.
He recalled Imperial Consort Xian’s past wish that their son, Ji Chu, would never ascend to the throne, but instead live a peaceful and happy life, free from the burdens of power. His Majesty affirmed he had fulfilled his promise to her. Sometime later, Gongye Qi visited Ji Chu, making light of their previous altercation and offering some tonic for his injury.
He expressed gratitude to Ji Chu for orchestrating Ji Wan'er's return, and Ji Chu urged him to treat her well, to which Gongye Qi vowed to do so. Shortly after, Hua Qingge learned that Ji Wan'er was alive and enthusiastically wished to see her, but Wei Nanyi advised patience, explaining that Ji Chu had kept it secret for Ji Wan'er's safety, not because he considered Hua Qingge a liability. Gongye Qi arrived, bearing wedding invitations for himself and Ji Wan'er.
He confirmed he had relinquished his quest for revenge, choosing instead to prioritize Ji Wan'er's happiness and peaceful life, asking that she not be told of his past hatred. Overjoyed, Hua Qingge volunteered to plan an unforgettable wedding for them. The wedding ceremony proceeded with Gongye Qi and Ji Wan'er exchanging heartfelt vows, celebrating their love and new beginning. Gongye Qi promised to cherish and never leave Ji Wan'er, while Ji Wan'er asked for honesty and no more departures. After the ceremony, Ji Chu attempted to hold Hua Qingge's hand, but she gently pulled away.
