Fake Princess Episode 17 Recap
> Fake Princess Recap
Chang Le and Princess Arietty, both quite inebriated, were gently guided by Li Che into a forest, where they met an old woman. The old woman's test required them to climb trees and retrieve bird eggs. Despite their tipsy state, both women eagerly accepted the challenge, though the old woman proved difficult, constantly deeming the eggs either too large or too small, sending them repeatedly up and down the trees.
Li Che watched Chang Le with concern, clearly distressed by her efforts. Seeing their persistence, the old woman decided to stop bothering the young people. She then suddenly leaped from her wheelchair, landing gracefully on a tree trunk. After inspecting the bird nests, she declared Chang Le had passed the test and handed her an item, instructing her to meet "the old man."
The old woman explained to Princess Arietty that she had broken an egg, while Chang Le had not, attributing Chang Le's success to her kind nature. She also noted that anyone who drank three bowls of Liang Donggua's wine would become about "eight-tenths drunk" and lose some bodily control. An attendant then informed them that anyone seeking the Steal Saint must be truly benevolent and sincere, inviting them to meet the Steal Saint.
Chang Le, playfully feigning fatigue, kissed Li Che and asked him to carry her up the mountain. Princess Arietty, witnessing this, decided to return alone, no longer interested in meeting the Steal Saint. Before leaving, Li Che instructed the attendant, Xiao Qing, to tell her master to conserve his wine, as he was tired of brewing it daily. Chang Le and Li Che finally met the attendant's master, who immediately snatched the wine from Chang Le.
The master announced yet another test, much to Chang Le's surprise, as she believed they had already passed all the required trials. Xiao Qing clarified that they had indeed met the master, but not yet the Steal Saint himself, who had further challenges. The master then revealed the next task: they needed to find Shi Hongbo's treasure map hidden in Leng Yongnian's house.
Once the map was secured, he would lead them to the Steal Saint, bringing them closer to rescuing their friends. Returning home, Gongsun Mo shared the good news that he had met a skilled doctor and now had hope for recovery, which delighted Li Che. Chang Le then informed Gongsun Mo about the new task involving Shi Hongbo's treasure map, hoping it would ultimately lead to their friends' salvation.
However, upon hearing about the map, Gongsun Mo became visibly troubled and silent. Nong Ying pulled Gongsun Mo aside, demanding to know why he hadn't shared the information with Li Che. Gongsun Mo explained that his life's purpose was to assist Li Che, as Li Che was destined to be emperor. Nong Ying, however, vehemently rejected the idea of fate, asserting that in the face of life and death, there were no distinctions between ruler and subject.
Meanwhile, Li Che escorted Chang Le to her room. Chang Le, seeking reassurance, asked Li Che if she was superior to Princess Arietty. Li Che flattered her, affirming that as his beloved consort, no one could compare. Just as they leaned in for a kiss, Princess Arietty arrived. Seeing her rival, Chang Le immediately became defensive and urged Li Che to remove his clothes.
Donning Li Che's garments, Chang Le was mistaken for Li Che by the still-tipsy Princess Arietty, who affectionately embraced her. Chang Le, feigning sympathy, comforted Princess Arietty and led her to her room. She then cunningly encouraged Princess Arietty to recount her childhood memories with Li Che. Hearing the intimate stories of their past together, Chang Le's jealousy flared. Later, Gongsun Mo spotted Li Che eavesdropping outside Princess Arietty's room.
Li Che, sighing dramatically, claimed he might not survive the night and retreated to his own room. A short while later, Chang Le, now mimicking Princess Arietty's mannerisms and voice, approached Li Che. Faced with this performance, a weary Li Che tried his best to humor her. Gongsun Mo, however, refused to play along with Li Che's attempts to evade Chang Le's questions.
He truthfully recited from the annals that Li Che, as a child, had indeed visited ten countries with Empress Shen over two years and had met eighteen princesses of similar age, as opposed to Li Che's assertion of only "two or three" countries and a preference for playing with princes. This revelation only intensified Chang Le's anger. Just as the tension escalated, Brother Qin arrived, allowing Li Che to swiftly change the subject to the treasure map.
Li Che then, unaware that the treasure map's importance extended to Gongsun Mo's own health, enthusiastically discussed his grand plans to use the map to overthrow Liu Sheng, promising Gongsun Mo the position of Prime Minister to serve the country and its people. Gongsun Mo, with a wistful look, expressed his hope to live to see that day, implying his illness might prevent it.
Li Che went to look for Chang Le and was informed by Nong Ying that she was in Princess Arietty's room. Upon entering, he discovered Chang Le had deliberately given Princess Arietty more wine to ensure she would not interfere with their planned visit to Leng residence. Chang Le dismissed Brother Qin's recent mysterious behavior in Rong City, emphasizing that finding the treasure map was their immediate priority.
Meanwhile, Nong Ying carefully administered medicine to Gongsun Mo, offering him sweet loquat candy first to mask the bitter taste. Gongsun Mo, sensing Nong Ying's intent to acquire the Huoyu lilac, warned her against taking other people's prized possessions and declared he would watch her every move. However, immediately after drinking the medicine, Gongsun Mo collapsed, revealing Nong Ying had indeed tampered with it.
Nong Ying, having forcibly acquired the Huoyu lilac, was involved in a brief struggle at a pharmacy. Dr. Xue, the physician Gongsun Mo had met earlier, cautioned her that the Huoyu lilac's roots contain both yin and yang properties, and using the wrong ones could prove fatal for Gongsun Mo. Hesitantly, Nong Ying handed the stolen medicinal herb to Dr. Xue for proper preparation.
Back at Leng residence, Chang Le and Li Che were greeted by a man claiming to be Mr. Leng. After Li Che revealed his royal identity, the man invited them into an inner room. However, once inside, he suddenly shackled Chang Le's foot. Li Che quickly realized the man was an impostor. Chang Le easily freed herself from the shackles and proposed cooperation.
Impressed by her abilities, the impostor revealed his true identity as Leng Zhengxing, the son of Leng Yongnian. He confirmed that his father had a secret room, the entrance to which only the true Leng Yongnian knew, and that his father personally safeguarded the treasure box. As Chang Le and Li Che surveyed the Leng residence's living room, they noted numerous mechanisms. Leng Zhengxing dismissed them as mere decorations, claiming he had tried operating them countless times without success.
Chang Le, instructing him to observe in silence, then skillfully guided Li Che through the sequence, successfully activating a hidden mechanism. With torches in hand, the three entered the inner chamber, where they were confronted by an eight-direction gear lock. Chang Le expertly manipulated the intricate lock, and the secret room door finally opened, revealing the real Leng Yongnian. Upon seeing his son, the true Leng Yongnian immediately clamored for salt baked chicken wings.
Leng Zhengxing rushed out to fulfill his father's craving. Simultaneously, Nong Ying observed Dr. Xue preparing the Huoyu lilac. Seeing him add sulfur, she feared he was intentionally ruining the medicine and lunged to grab it, burning her hand in the process.
