Fake Princess Episode 8 Recap
> Fake Princess Recap
Upon reading a letter, Chang Le realized that Li Che's affection for her was merely a pretense, a tool to be used. Distraught by this revelation, she resolved to create trouble for him. Donning a night-prowler's outfit, Chang Le stole valuables and conspicuously left them in front of the Crown Prince's residence as a defiant gesture towards Li Che. The Father Emperor was furious with Li Che over the theft.
As Crown Princess Yuyao, Chang Le boldly set a seven-day deadline for Li Che to solve the case in front of the Emperor, which exasperated Li Che immensely. Later, Crown Prince Li Che expressed his annoyance at the seven-day deadline but defended Yuyao, stating she meant well and didn't understand case handling.
Some of his allies suggested investigating the Crown Princess herself, given her ties to the Liu family, but Li Che quickly dismissed the idea, saying Yuyao was with him constantly and there was no need to investigate her. Seeing Li Che's protective stance and sensing the incident was targeted at the Crown Prince, Gongsun Mo pressed Li Che, asking if he had recently offended anyone, to which Li Che denied.
Chang Le, still acting as Yuyao, went for a stroll with Nong Ying, making sure to buy medicine for Nong Ying's injuries. While passing a teahouse, they overheard people discussing the theft. Chang Le seized the opportunity to inject her own narrative, declaring that the theft was a lesson for the Crown Prince, who had "deceived a girl's feelings."
She dramatically announced that the "Stolen Saint" would strike again that very night, targeting the residence of Zhu Yage, the Minister of Rites, and even encouraged onlookers to place bets on the outcome. Confused, Nong Ying questioned Chang Le about the "Stolen Saint" and the planned theft. Chang Le confessed that she was the "Stolen Saint" and that she was behind the theft at Lord Wang Mian's residence.
Nong Ying then revealed the truth about the real Liu Yuyao, explaining that she had been used and sacrificed by her family. Chang Le, connecting this to Zhu Yan's earlier confided desires for true love, inferred that Lord Zhu must be an obstacle in Zhu Yan's relationship with Li Heng. Therefore, Chang Le decided to steal from Lord Zhu's residence as a small act of defiance.
Before carrying out her plan, Chang Le bought the spiciest chili available and playfully offered it to Li Che, claiming it was a delicious seasoning. As Li Che struggled to eat the fiery chili, he revealed that his investigation into the first theft had uncovered Lord Wang Mian's embezzlement of disaster relief funds, leading to his dismissal.
He then mentioned that rumors of the "Stolen Saint" targeting Lord Zhu's residence that night had reached him, and he was sending extra guards to apprehend the thief. That night, Chang Le, disguised in a night-prowler's suit, infiltrated the heavily guarded Zhu residence. Simultaneously, Li Heng, also in disguise, entered the residence to bid farewell to Zhu Yan. He presented her with an intricate "machine lock" puzzle to lift her spirits.
Li Heng informed Zhu Yan that he was departing for Qiming City to find a doctor for his father, who suffered from rheumatism. His true intention was to gain his father's favor, hoping the Emperor would then bestow his blessing upon his marriage to Zhu Yan. Zhu Yan expressed concern for his arduous journey. Chang Le observed Zhu Yan and Li Heng, hidden from view.
She overheard Zhu Yan telling Li Heng that the Crown Prince's guards were now surrounding the residence due to the rumors of a thief, making Li Heng anxious about his departure. Witnessing their obvious affection, Chang Le realized that Lord Zhu was indeed hindering their relationship. Meanwhile, Li Che, confident in his deployment, instructed Lord Zhu to take a secret letter to the south wall of the residence, where General Shen's envoy would be waiting.
As Lord Zhu made his way, Nong Ying ambushed him, knocking him unconscious with a swift blow and taking the secret letter. Chang Le, her initial plan now complete, found herself worried about Zhu Yan and Li Heng and decided to double back to check on them. Upon her return, Chang Le was astonished to find Zhu Yan and Li Heng, despite the romantic setting and their forced proximity, were merely playing a game of couplets to pass the time.
Disappointed but determined to "help" them, Chang Le donned a Zhu residence guard's uniform and demanded entry to Zhu Yan's room under the pretense of searching for the thief. With nowhere else to hide, Li Heng was forced to conceal himself on Zhu Yan's bed. Chang Le, initially pleased with her success, peered through the window, only to find the pair still engaged in their couplets game.
Deciding they needed further assistance, she blew sleeping powder into the room and then carefully arranged them side-by-side on the bed. Later, Chang Le secretly followed Nong Ying to Liu Sheng's residence. Hiding, she overheard Nong Ying exchanging the intercepted letter for a brief visit with her mother. Chang Le also overheard Liu Sheng scheming to eliminate Nong Ying, using the information from the letter as an excuse.
As Nong Ying returned to the Crown Prince's residence, a group of assassins attacked her. Chang Le intervened, saving Nong Ying and bringing her safely back. Chang Le promised Nong Ying that she would find a way to rescue her mother and revealed Liu Sheng's plan to "remove" her, showing her the incriminating letter. In return, Nong Ying handed Chang Le the original secret letter from Crown Prince Li Che to General Shen.
Reading the letter, Chang Le understood Li Che's true feelings—that he genuinely cared for Yuyao (Chang Le's disguised identity) and wished to protect her from the political struggles. Realizing that Li Che's intentions were not to deceive her feelings, Chang Le felt the "Stolen Saint" prank had escalated beyond her control and was unsure how to resolve the situation. Nong Ying then asked Chang Le what she had stolen from Lord Zhu's residence this time.
