Fake Princess Episode 24 Recap
> Fake Princess Recap
Li Heng was furious upon learning that Zhu Yan, now Consort Hui, had been confined to the Dark Palace (Xiyan Pavilion) as punishment for his misdeeds. Carrying a meager meal, he approached the food delivery slot, tears streaming down his face. A guard explained the harsh nature of the Dark Palace: a lifelong confinement in darkness, leading to blindness and voicelessness, with the only light appearing at the food delivery slot.
Through the narrow opening, Li Heng reached out and tightly held Zhu Yan's hand, but she bit him, forcing him to let go, not wanting him to linger for her. Li Heng vehemently protested to the guards, asserting that he was the one who should be punished.
He attempted to enter the Dark Palace but was stopped by guards who warned him that the Empress had decreed tongue-cutting for anyone who spoke to Consort Hui, and she herself would suffer the same fate. Li Heng defiantly challenged them to cut his tongue, but the guards refused, urging him to consider Consort Hui’s even greater suffering if she were to lose her tongue. This made Li Heng pause.
Later that night, a distraught Li Heng, seemingly intoxicated, attempted to approach the Dark Palace again, but was once more blocked by the guards. Unable to speak directly to Consort Hui due to the imperial decree, he engaged a guard in conversation, asking about his personal life—his wife, children, and promises made. While talking, he recited a complex acrostic poem, subtly conveying a hidden message to Zhu Yan. He concluded by telling the guard to remember: "Live on.
Wait for me to save you." Li Heng then went directly to the Empress, who greeted him with sympathy and offered him food, but he refused it, stating he was there for Zhu Yan. The Empress referred to Zhu Yan as "Consort Hui, a guilty person," but Li Heng retorted, reminding her that Zhu Yan acted for his sake.
The Empress, acknowledging his feelings for Zhu Yan, revealed that the Emperor initially intended to execute Zhu Yan, and it was only through her persistent pleas that both their lives were spared. She warned Li Heng against confronting the Emperor, explaining that such a foolish act would only further enrage his father and ultimately lead to Zhu Yan's death. She also conveyed Zhu Yan's message to Li Heng: "Do not demonstrate reckless courage, or this will hurt both of you."
Hearing this, Li Heng was filled with a sense of helplessness, lamenting that Zhu Yan always thought of him, yet he could do nothing for her. Seeing his despair, the Empress subtly stoked his resentment, advising him that if he truly wished to protect Zhu Yan, he must reflect on who was truly responsible for her plight. This manipulation caused Li Heng to clench his fists, his anger focusing intensely on Li Che.
Meanwhile, Chang Le arrived at Li Che's room with bedding, and they shared intimate moments, with Li Che remarking on her "fragrant" scent. Their moment was interrupted by Nong Ying, who came to bid them farewell. She announced her intention to personally search for the Huoyu lilac, as Gongsun Mo's long-standing cold illness was showing signs of relapse.
Li Che expressed his gratitude and instructed Chang Le to look after Gongsun Mo during Nong Ying's absence, also warning Nong Ying to be cautious due to outstanding arrest warrants. As a protective gesture, Chang Le handed Nong Ying a Nine-leaf copper lotus machine. Shortly after, Gongsun Mo intercepted Nong Ying’s carriage, revealing he had sent her a letter. He questioned why she was going when the "know-it-all" (referring to the person tasked with finding the medicine) was already searching.
Nong Ying explained that two efforts would increase their chances. Gongsun Mo then asked when she planned to return. Nong Ying cryptically replied that it was uncertain, as finding the medicine would mean they were "even," and her return depended entirely on him. She stated she would come back if he asked her to stay, otherwise, she would only send the Huoyu lilac without returning herself. Gongsun Mo immediately declared, "I want you back. . .
for the rest of your life." Nong Ying, touched by his heartfelt confession, joyfully promised to return with the Huoyu lilac, to be used as her dowry. At the Prime Minister's residence, Liu Sansi, Liu Sheng's son, informed Liu Sheng that Li Heng had been released and Zhu Yan took the blame, much to Liu Sheng's satisfaction.
Liu Sheng remarked on Li Heng's luck and Zhu Yan's devotion, disclaiming responsibility for Zhu Yan's fate and implying only the Emperor truly wields such power, but hinted that Li Heng himself might. Li Heng arrived, demanding answers regarding Liu Yuyao's actions at Yuntuo Villa and the identity of "Shitou."
Liu Sheng dismissed Liu Yuyao's actions as natural, given her marriage to the Crown Prince, and attempted to deflect Li Heng's questions about "Shitou," claiming it was an "adults' plan" not meant for him. Li Heng, however, firmly stated he "must know about them" and warned Liu Sheng that he had ways to uncover the truth. Enraged by Li Heng's defiant attitude, Liu Sheng threatened to "teach him a lesson" and ordered his guards to lock him up.
Li Heng stood his ground, challenging Liu Sheng. He reminded them that they wanted him to be Emperor but expected him to blindly follow their schemes. He declared that he now had his own plans for Zhu Yan and presented them with an ultimatum: either kill him and find another to replace him, or reveal everything they knew. Faced with Li Heng's unwavering resolve, Liu Sheng appeared to compromise. The next morning, Li Che found Chang Le already packing.
He playfully teased her about how much they would miss each other during her month-long trip to find her master, Duan Nian'er. He agreed to her journey, emphasizing that as the Crown Princess, she was free to do as she wished, but admitted he would miss her greatly. Chang Le promised to bring him to meet her master if she succeeded. Before she departed, Li Che prepared a special breakfast for her.
When a servant accidentally brought food intended for "the old man and servants," Chang Le recalled the "strange old man" rescued from Liu Sheng's compound. She informed Li Che that Qin had diagnosed him with poisoning, and Li Che reassured her that he would take the old man to a medical clinic for treatment soon. Meanwhile, Li Heng confronted Liu Sheng about concealing Chang Le's true identity as a fake Crown Princess.
Liu Sheng explained that the fewer people who knew, the better, even the Empress was unaware. He believed this revelation was advantageous, as Chang Le, being a fake, had now become Li Che's weakness, giving them the upper hand. However, Liu Sansi interjected, stating it was not that simple. He pointed out that Shi Hongbo was currently in Li Che's custody and was poisoned. If Li Che found a way to detoxify him, their leverage would be lost.
Li Heng then asked if they had no other means to counter Li Che. Just then, Liu Sansi, the scout dispatched to Rong City, returned with news. While he found no leverage against Li Che, he discovered details about Gongsun Mo's critical condition. He reported that a Dr. Xue in Rong City revealed Gongsun Mo "won't live long" without a rare medicine called Huoyu lilac.
Liu Sheng, recognizing the name as a "fairy grass" from ancient texts, learned that Dr. Xue, after much persuasion (and even threats), divulged that his junior apprentice, Dr. Song in Pingle City, possessed another Huoyu lilac, both having received one from their shared master. Liu Sheng saw an opportunity, planning to acquire the medicine and use Gongsun Mo as a pawn against Li Che, declaring it was time to "double repay" Li Che for past grievances.
Concurrently, Nong Ying consulted a "know-it-all," who lamented Qin Feiyu's departure and his lack of drinking companions. Nong Ying explained she was planning to revisit Rong City, suspicious of Dr. Xue's reaction when he purportedly destroyed a Huoyu lilac, believing he hadn't told her the full truth. The "know-it-all," however, told her there was no need to go to Rong City, revealing the information about Dr. Song in Pingle City having another Huoyu lilac.
Nong Ying, despite the "know-it-all's" offer to send someone, insisted on going herself, stating that Gongsun Mo's life was at stake, and she trusted no one else with the task. She promptly departed for Pingle City, forgoing any drinks. In a different location, Duan Nian'er visited General Xiao, whom she hadn't seen in over two decades. General Xiao, now living a peaceful life as a farmer with his children, recognized her and sent his children inside.
Duan Nian'er commented on his good memory, to which he replied that he was merely a farmer and asked her purpose. She pressed him, reminding him that she had been searching for him for over twenty years. General Xiao eventually admitted that he was the one who abducted Shi Hongbo from General Duan, her father, and lost an arm during the act. He claimed, however, not to know Shi Hongbo's current whereabouts or condition.
Duan Nian'er clarified that she didn't care about Shi Hongbo's location; she only wanted to know who ordered him to commit the act. She highlighted the disparity between his current tranquil family life and her own family, which was destroyed. Acknowledging that he was likely acting under duress, she offered him a chance: confess the name of the instigator, and she would allow him to maintain his peaceful existence.
Faced with this offer, General Xiao revealed that the person who gave the orders was Liu Sheng, the current Prime Minister. Nong Ying arrived in Pingle City and inquired about Master Pang's residence, only to find that Li Heng had already been there. Li Heng had forcefully taken the Huoyu lilac from Master Pang, offering a thousand liang as compensation, and then dismissed the protesting Master Pang. Nong Ying arrived just as Li Heng was departing with the medicine.
She confronted Li Heng and his entourage, realizing they were also after the Huoyu lilac for Gongsun Mo, but for different, sinister purposes, not to save him. Nong Ying asserted the medicine was more vital to her. She brandished the Nine-leaf copper lotus machine, threatening to kill them all if Li Heng didn't surrender the Huoyu lilac. Li Heng, unimpressed by her "small" weapon, countered by offering a "deal" to avoid a mutually destructive conflict.
When Nong Ying asked about the terms, Li Heng, with a cunning smile, stated he hadn't decided yet but instructed her to return to the Prime Minister's residence and await his message, assuring her the Huoyu lilac was safe in his possession. Liu Sansi, confused, questioned why Li Heng was deviating from their original plan to target Gongsun Mo. Li Heng, his face contorted in a "wicked smile," explained that Nong Ying "was far more useful than Gongsun Mo."
