Fake Princess Episode 27 (Ending) Recap
> Fake Princess Recap
Upon learning of the Emperor's awakening, Li Heng immediately seeks out Zhu Yan, assuring her of his well-being and his plan to settle all affairs before they leave. He instructs Zhu Yan to depart the palace first with Xiao Xuanzi, while he remains to face the consequences, promising to meet her once his tasks are complete.
Meanwhile, Gongsun Mo and Nong Ying hold a private wedding ceremony, with Gongsun Mo declaring their vows by taking heaven as their father, earth as their mother, mountains and rivers as witnesses, and all creatures as their guests, pledging to be together until death. After the ceremony, Nong Ying, weakened, collapses and loses consciousness, leaving Gongsun Mo utterly heartbroken. Li Che, donning military attire, leads a large force to confront Li Heng. Li Heng, however, remains defiant.
Li Che accuses him of causing chaos and attempting to assassinate his Crown Princess, stating that their long-standing conflict must finally be resolved. He dismisses his soldiers, engaging Li Heng in a fierce sword fight within the great hall. Despite Li Heng's sharp swordsmanship, Li Che ultimately triumphs. Li Che urges Li Heng not to be obstinate, offering to plead with their father for leniency if he repents.
Li Heng, still mistakenly believing Li Che orchestrated the Pingle City incident, lashes out, accusing Li Che of hypocrisy. Li Che subdues him once more, clarifying that he was not involved in the Pingle City affair and promising to investigate the truth. Hearing that the Crown Princess has been unwell and not eating, Li Che personally brings food to Zhaohua Palace. He gently urges Chang Le, affectionately calling her Lele, to eat some of her favorite eight-treasure porridge.
Chang Le, consumed by grief, believes Nong Ying's death is her fault. Li Che tenderly reminds her that Nong Ying would not wish to see her suffer, and that her spirit lives on if remembered. He shares his own sorrow after his mother's death, finding solace only after meeting Chang Le. He assures her that all encounters are profound connections and that Nong Ying will never truly disappear as long as Chang Le cherishes her memory.
Comforted by his words, Chang Le finally releases her emotions and begins to eat, thanking him. The Emperor unexpectedly visits Li Che's residence, stating that his recent ordeal has brought him clarity. He declares the matters concerning Li Heng and Liu Sheng to be both national and family affairs, entrusting Li Che, as Minister of Justice, to oversee the investigation. As Li Che prepares to conduct the trial, the Empress arrives, pleading with the Emperor for Li Heng's forgiveness.
The Emperor rebukes her, reminding her of Li Heng's crimes. Despite her pleas, Li Heng defiantly confesses to drugging his parents and framing Li Che, stating he would rather die for his sins than be humiliated by a "mean fellow" like Li Che. Li Che calmly assures him that all truths will be revealed today and orders Xiao Baisheng to be brought in.
Hearing this, Liu Sheng panics, immediately claiming the Empress ordered him to seek out Xiao Baisheng and instigate discord between the brothers, admitting he was forced to help Li Heng and frame Li Che. Li Heng then realizes that everything was orchestrated by the Empress and Liu Sheng, angrily accusing his mother of loving only herself, not him. In the great hall, the Empress confesses to orchestrating the plot herself.
She admits her jealousy of the Emperor's affection for the late Empress Shen and his favor towards Li Che, which drove her to conspire against the Crown Prince. She takes full responsibility for teaching and inciting Li Heng to commit his crimes. Acknowledging her deep sinfulness and unworthiness, she pleads with the Emperor to spare Li Heng's life, considering their past as husband and wife, before attempting to harm herself.
Li Heng desperately cries out for help, and as the Empress is taken away for medical treatment, she tearfully apologizes to Li Heng for misleading him. Li Che then reveals to Liu Sheng that Xiao Baisheng was not actually apprehended; Liu Sheng's panic was merely a reaction to his own guilt being exposed. Enraged, the Emperor publicly announces the Empress's degradation to a deposed empress, citing her narrow-mindedness, misconduct, and unsuitability for her position.
Duan Nian'er, sister of Duan Jin, steps forward to request a retrial for the Duan family, stating she will never forget Liu Sheng. Li Che then presents Shi Hongbo, whom the Emperor recognizes, expressing surprise as he was believed to have been taken to Li Kingdom by General Duan. A desperate Liu Sheng laments his fate.
Shi Hongbo reveals that Liu Sheng's soldiers abducted him en route, imprisoning and interrogating him for years in the Prime Minister's residence, seeking his treasure to fund a rebellion. Chang Le, identifying herself as Duan Jin's orphan, also pleads for her father's innocence. After Li Che promises to explain Chang Le's identity as Duan Jin's daughter later, the Emperor acknowledges that General Duan was indeed loyal and had not betrayed the kingdom.
He bitterly admits to being deceived by Liu Sheng for years and to not trusting Shen Ao, which led to tragic consequences. He condemns Liu Sheng for framing the loyal and harboring rebellious ambitions, declaring he should be sentenced to death. However, Li Che requests to personally determine Liu Sheng's punishment.
He argues that death would be a relief for such an evil man who shows no remorse, and instead sentences Liu Sheng to lifelong imprisonment in the supreme court, compelling him to spend his remaining years repenting for those he wronged. Liu Sheng, in an attempt to atone, offers a treasure map and his corrupt money, accepting the punishment.
Li Heng attempts to offer his life as atonement, but Li Che states that his death isn't necessary, and would make the Minister of Justice seem incompetent. Zhu Yan then appears, having come to find Li Heng after he didn't appear as promised, affirming her trust in him.
Li Che then announces the verdict for Li Heng and Zhu Yan: for disturbing court order and willfully flouting laws, they are both expelled from the imperial palace and stripped of their noble status, becoming commoners. Both Li Heng and Zhu Yan, unexpectedly joyful, express their gratitude to Li Che and the Emperor. The Emperor watches them leave as a couple, clearly pleased with the outcome.
The Emperor praises Li Che's handling of the affairs, expressing relief and confidence in his son's judgment, stating that Li Che has much to learn as a king. He then announces his abdication, entrusting the kingdom to Li Che before departing gracefully. Li Che is crowned Emperor.
In his inaugural address, he declares three main objectives: first, to posthumously restore the reputation of Duan Jin, the former General Protector, who was framed by sinful Liu Sheng and whose family was massacred. The Duan residence is to be returned to the family, and Duan Jin is to be honored with the title General Hu Wei. Second, he bestows the title of Empress upon Chang Le, Duan Jin's daughter.
Chang Le, finding the Empress's robes heavy, is assured by Li Che that she may wear whatever she likes. Third, he appoints Gongsun Mo as the Prime Minister of Pei Kingdom, with Gongsun Mo's father accepting the honor on his behalf, as Gongsun Mo is unwell. In his private moments, Gongsun Mo, deeply missing Nong Ying, frequently recites their favorite poem and personally plants a loquat tree, which Nong Ying had cherished.
Meanwhile, Lordship Zhu advises Li Heng to care for Zhu Yan well, promising to "bother" them in Pingle City once he retires. As Li Heng and Zhu Yan are about to board a boat, Li Lv arrives, claiming he is "passing by" on an inspection tour and reminds them of their promise to travel together once Zhu Yan recovered, joining them on their journey.
At the Duan mansion, Brother Qin arrives with a bride price, announcing his intention to marry Nian'er, reminding her of a promise made twenty years ago. Later, after an imperial council, Li Che is overjoyed to learn from an imperial doctor that Empress Chang Le is pregnant. He playfully remarks that the "little monkey" has disrupted his plans for their private travels but eagerly anticipates becoming a father, promising to educate the child, especially if it's a girl.
He lovingly listens to her belly, preparing to shower her with delicious food. The episode concludes with all the lovers, Li Che and Chang Le, Li Heng and Zhu Yan, Li Lv, and Brother Qin and Nian'er, finding happiness and beginning their new lives together.
