Fake Princess Episode 23 Recap
> Fake Princess Recap
The Emperor, seeking answers about the previous night, visited the Fifth Prince's palace. Servants confirmed the Fifth Prince was sleeping, with one admitting to seeing him leave and another seeing him return at five in the morning. When confronted, Li Heng remained silent about his whereabouts, only stating that it was his fault and he would bear all consequences.
The Emperor, accusing Li Heng of plotting against the Crown Prince, swiftly ordered him to face a wall for seven days and be exiled to the frontier. The Empress desperately pleaded for leniency, insisting that Li Heng had been framed. Shortly after Li Heng's sentencing, the Empress confronted the Third Princess, accusing her of plotting against Li Heng. The Third Princess, however, stated she was merely telling the truth to the Emperor.
Furious, the Empress swore she would not spare anyone who harmed her son. Overcome with grief, the Empress lamented that she had brought harm upon Li Heng. She then urgently informed Li Che to search for Gongsun Mo in the woods south of the city, warning him that time was critical as even Gongsun Mo's body might soon disappear. Upon hearing this, Chang Le immediately pulled Li Che away on horseback to search.
In the woods south of the city, Nong Ying had spent the night fending off assassins to protect Gongsun Mo. After successfully dispatching them all, she found Gongsun Mo, who had feigned injury by covering himself to deceive her. She explained her return, mentioning that she never leaves a debt unpaid and had seen him looking for her. Just as they were having a quiet moment, Li Che and Chang Le arrived.
Gongsun Mo quickly resumed his act of being dead amongst the slain assassins. Li Che, seeing the bodies, immediately knew Gongsun Mo was faking, yet he dramatically pretended to mourn, even revealing Gongsun Mo's embarrassing childhood secrets, such as falling into a cesspool at eight and being chased by geese. He then went so far as to suggest burying Gongsun Mo in the woods. This prompted Gongsun Mo to leap up, accusing Li Che of attempted murder.
The Third Princess then appeared and revealed the elaborate scheme. She explained that she had feigned an alliance with the Empress to create a diversion, intending to help Li Che. She, along with the Crown Princess, had devised a clever plan involving misdirection, while Li Heng had unwittingly served as an intermediary, relaying messages between the Empress and the Third Princess.
The Third Princess expressed her regrets to the Crown Princess for having to force her temporary departure, which was a necessary precaution due to the Empress's watchful eyes. The Crown Princess understood, acknowledging it was all for Li Che's benefit. Gongsun Mo, still confused about some details, particularly why he ended up sleeping with Li Che, was given vague answers.
Liu Xiangguo awoke after three days in a coma, learning from his son that the Emperor's medicine and Doctor Liu's skill contributed to his swift recovery. He was shocked to discover that Li Heng had been framed by Chang Le and the Third Princess, leading to his punishment of facing the wall and impending exile.
Adding to his dismay, his son revealed that their heavily guarded dungeon, the Zodiac, had been breached, resulting in the escape of Nong Ying's mother and Chang Le's villagers, along with the mysterious old man. Overwhelmed by these reversals, Liu Xiangguo jokingly asked his son to buy arsenic so he could die, lamenting how much had changed while he was unconscious. His son then mentioned that the group had visited Rong City before returning to dismantle the Zodiac.
Liu Xiangguo, regaining some composure, immediately ordered his men to investigate their activities in Rong City. The mysterious old man, previously rescued, suddenly awoke and began shouting, demanding someone named "Duan" release him and offering to reveal a treasure map to "Duan Jin." His attendants were perplexed, recognizing "Duan Jin" as a historical figure whose family had been executed years ago. They dismissed the outburst as a nightmare-induced delusion and decided not to report it.
The Third Princess then took her leave from the Emperor, stating she had enjoyed her "colorful life" with Li Che. The Emperor expressed his gratitude, hoping she wouldn't speak ill of him to her father, while the Third Princess playfully reminded him that he owed her a favor.
Li Che and Chang Le personally escorted her, with Li Che offering a sincere apology for his delay in addressing the matter of their proposed engagement, explaining that he had long known his true feelings. The Third Princess graciously accepted his apology. Chang Le also apologized for her initial insensitivity, admitting that witnessing Li Che's deep affection for her had changed her perspective. The Third Princess accepted Chang Le's apology, wishing the couple a child.
As she departed, the Third Princess discreetly warned Li Che to remain vigilant regarding Liu Sheng. Her attendant, concerned about how to explain the failed engagement to her king, was told by the Third Princess to simply say that Li Che looked like a "pig head" and she found him unattractive.
The Empress, realizing the Emperor's harsh punishment for Li Heng was likely irreversible, was consumed by guilt, believing her "eagerness for quick success" had led them into a trap and ultimately harmed her son. Her maid attempted to console her, suggesting the Emperor might reconsider, but the Empress dismissed the idea, lamenting that if Liu Xiangguo had not been comatose, he might have uncovered Li Che's scheme.
Shortly after, the Ninth Prince Li Lv arrived, expressing disbelief at the news of Li Heng's exile. He passionately defended Li Heng's character and urged the Empress to find a way to resolve the Emperor's misunderstanding. The Empress, assuring him she had a plan, sent him away. She then instructed her maid, Ling, to invite the Emperor to dinner at Qing Ning Palace, revealing her intention to confess her own culpability in the hope of safeguarding Li Heng.
Li Che brought Chang Le back to her mountain village, explaining he wanted to see her former home properly, having only visited briefly before. Inside her room, he discovered her telescope and playfully remarked on its role in their meeting, to which Chang Le jokingly retorted that she had lost both the telescope and herself to him. He then teased her about her earlier threat to kidnap him as her "husband."
Li Che then expressed a profound desire to know her past, not just her present and future, declaring his wish to "own everything about you." Chang Le found his words "mushy" and shyly ran off. Li Che pursued her, proposing that they have many children and grandchildren together.
Chang Le, blushing, agreed, humorously warning him not to blame her if she couldn't bear a son, to which Li Che replied he would be "extremely happy" with a daughter as lovely as her. They then embraced and shared a sweet kiss. The Empress prepared the Emperor's favorite crispy meat, attempting to evoke their shared past and sentimental memories, hoping to subtly plead for Li Heng.
She recalled his birth and how the Emperor had named him "Heng" with hopes for a capable future. The Emperor, however, cut her off abruptly, stating firmly that he would not pardon Li Heng for attempting to harm his brother. Just then, Zhu Yan arrived at the Empress's palace and requested an audience. She announced to the Emperor that she could prove Li Heng's innocence, explaining that he had spent the entire previous night in her room.
The Empress quickly tried to explain it as Li Heng being drunk and losing his way, but the Emperor was highly skeptical, questioning the timing of Li Heng's "mistaken" entry into Zhu Yan's quarters immediately after his own departure. Zhu Yan admitted there were no other witnesses, as she had wanted to protect Li Heng's reputation. The Empress continued to defend the situation, suggesting Zhu Yan's confession proved their innocence.
However, the Emperor, enraged by the public shame, angrily declared Zhu Yan unchaste for harboring a man overnight. He then commanded the Empress, as the mistress of the imperial harem, to decide Zhu Yan's punishment. The Empress assented. After the Emperor's departure, the Empress, now alone with Zhu Yan, angrily accused her of seducing Li Heng, which led to Li Che's successful framing.
Zhu Yan, accepting her fate, humbly requested to see Li Heng one last time before her impending punishment, expressing regret that they might never meet again. She then expressed profound gratitude to the Empress for giving birth to Li Heng, allowing her to know such a talented man, and acknowledged their love was not fated for this life.
She even addressed the Empress as her "Mother Empress," considering herself Li Heng's wife, having had a wedding ceremony, and stated she had come with no expectation of survival. The Empress, however, declared that she would not kill Zhu Yan but would keep her alive for "future use," indicating a sinister intent. Meanwhile, Li Heng was informed by a eunuch that he had been cleared of all charges and released, as the Emperor had uncovered the truth.
Realizing Zhu Yan's involvement, Li Heng immediately inquired about her, only for Li Lv to rush in with the devastating news that Zhu Yan had been imprisoned in the Dark Palace by the Empress. Separately, Li Che and Chang Le were seen together. Li Che playfully reminded Chang Le of her promise to have children. Nong Ying, noticing them, light-heartedly teased them about being out all night.
Chang Le, flustered, explained that she was moving her belongings into Li Che's room. Nong Ying, offering her help, suggested Chang Le take the quilt to Li Che's room while she packed the rest of the clothes, watching Chang Le depart with a joyful expression.
