Different Princess Episode 35 Recap
> Different Princess Recap
Hua Qingge, worried about Ji Chu, wondered if he had been detained by the empress. She then received a mysterious letter and left. Shortly after, Ji Chu returned to find her gone. Upon learning that his maid, Mo Yu, was accompanying her to Jingzhi Library, Ji Chu felt a measure of relief.
Ji Chu was informed by a subordinate about the tight security: the palace gates and Shengjing streets were heavily guarded by approximately 1,000 Dingguo Army soldiers, all under the empress's control. His subordinate expressed concern about rescuing His Majesty, given Ji Yun's cooperation with the empress. Ji Chu inquired about their available forces, learning they had 300 soldiers and 52 Fenglin Guards. He explained that His Majesty was confined in Xuanze Hall, in the palace's center.
The fastest route was through Anli Gate and Tianhua Street. Although his subordinate warned that the empress had heavily guarded this path, Ji Chu decided to take it, using the strategy of creating a diversion by personally leading his men down Tianhua Street to draw the enemy's attention. Lin Xiyao arrived at the hall and found Ji Yun sitting alone, clearly troubled. She informed him that she had completed the task he had given her.
Despite her efforts, Ji Yun remained unhappy. He confided in Lin Xiyao, questioning his own character. He explained that he used to believe he was an ideal person—a "white moonlight"—liked by everyone, especially after Hua Qingge's praise. However, after recent events, he felt he had disappointed Hua Qingge and realized he was not as good as he once thought.
Lin Xiyao reassured him, saying that an ideal person isn't someone everyone loves, as everyone faces different struggles and it's impossible to understand another's pain without being in their shoes. She affirmed that no matter his role—be it the head of the East Office, the current crown prince, the future emperor, or even an ordinary zither player—he would always be her ideal man. She urged him not to blame himself and to rectify any mistakes.
Ji Yun then shared his true wish: not for a stable country or peaceful world, but for the simple freedom his sister, Ji Wan'er, had found. He expressed joy that Ji Wan'er had achieved her dream of living outside the palace, a freedom he had previously discouraged by reminding her of her royal identity. Ji Yun believed Ji Chu was more suited for the throne than he was, regretting that his mother and father couldn't see this.
Lin Xiyao promised to stay by his side wherever he went, and Ji Yun thanked her. The next morning, Ji Yun's accession ceremony took place. However, Gong Yeqi and Ji Wan'er observed the strangely empty streets, which were instead filled with an unusual number of Dingguo Army soldiers. Gong Yeqi surmised that something had gone awry in the palace.
When they were stopped by soldiers enforcing martial law, Ji Wan'er cunningly used knockout powder from Gong Yeqi's medicine kit to incapacitate them. She speculated that the empress was likely behind the palace's unrest and, believing Ji Yun would not take such initiative, feared for Ji Chu's safety. Knowing Gong Yeqi's loyalty to Ji Chu, Ji Wan'er urged him to take a guard's uniform for easier movement and to go help him.
She insisted on waiting for Gong Yeqi at Jingzhi Library, assuring him she could protect herself and their child. Hua Qingge awoke to find herself and Mo Yu, her maid, being taken out of the city. She discovered a letter of divorce and a box of jewelry, realizing Ji Chu had arranged for her to be sent to the border for her safety, assuming she would prefer freedom or to wait for him there.
Outraged that Ji Chu had made such a decision without consulting her, Hua Qingge demanded the carriage turn back to Shengjing. When the coachman ignored her, she tried to force Mo Yu to intervene by threatening to harm herself with a hairpin. Mo Yu, having been told by Ji Chu that Hua Qingge was too "spoiled" to actually hurt herself, remained steadfast. However, when Hua Qingge actually pricked herself with the hairpin, Mo Yu was shocked.
That evening, Ji Chu, with his men, prepared to storm the palace. To his surprise, Gong Yeqi appeared, stating he was there to "watch the fun," having already sent Ji Wan'er to Jingzhi Library. Ji Chu questioned his presence, fearing for his safety, and explained his strategy to take Tianhua Street to draw the empress's attention. Gong Yeqi insisted on playing a role, so Ji Chu gave him a letter containing secret instructions.
After reading it, Gong Yeqi, while declaring his intent to personally kill the empress to avenge his family, was convinced by Ji Chu's plan. He agreed to take the third route to Xuanze Hall to rescue His Majesty and use his medical skills to detoxify him. Ji Chu then ordered his subordinate, Xiao Yan, to lead a team disguised as Dingguo Army through Anfu Gate and Yongning Street, coordinating with Gong Yeqi's third route to rescue their father.
Meanwhile, the Empress Dowager continued her pretense of caring for His Majesty, assuring him that once the night's events concluded, she would accompany him to Xing'an Palace, leaving the main palace to Ji Yun. The Duke of Dingguo then arrived, reporting that Ji Chu had indeed entered Tianhua Street, as predicted. He confirmed that the path was now sealed, trapping Ji Chu and his men "like a turtle in a jar," awaiting their demise.
The Empress Dowager acknowledged Ji Chu's boldness but, anticipating his diversionary strategy, ordered the Duke to maintain strict vigilance and search for any other infiltrators. She instructed him to hold onto the commander's token until Ji Chu was dead that night, only then to give it to Ji Yun. Later, Ji Yun secretly entrusted an imperial decree to Lin Xiyao for safekeeping.
He then invited the Empress Dowager to the Grand Hall for a meal, a clear sign of his own preparations. Undeterred, Hua Qingge and Mo Yu disguised themselves as palace maids to infiltrate the palace. They were soon challenged by guards, whom Mo Yu expertly fought off. Just as they were about to be overwhelmed, Gong Yeqi intervened, rescuing them. He expressed surprise at seeing Hua Qingge there, as Ji Chu had arranged to send her out of the city.
Hua Qingge then explained her presence, revealing that Mo Yu had initially refused to help her return. However, during their journey, Mo Yu witnessed Hua Qingge's body begin to turn transparent—a sign of her fading from this world. Moved by Hua Qingge's plea to spend her remaining time with Ji Chu, Mo Yu agreed to help her sneak back into the palace.
Gong Yeqi shared that he was there to rescue His Majesty on Ji Chu's orders, while Hua Qingge's primary objective was to find Ji Chu. Gong Yeqi provided Hua Qingge with a map, and they then parted ways to pursue their respective missions.
