Good Bye, My Princess Episode 11 Recap
> Good Bye, My Princess Recap
Having survived the leap into the River of Oblivion, both Xiaofeng and Li Chengyin awoke with their painful memories erased. A'Du also survived but was left mute after being poisoned by bandits. Accompanied by A'Du, Xiaofeng eventually journeyed to the Central Plains, destined to become the crown princess consort of the Li Empire. However, with the Crown Prince yet to be determined, Xiaofeng remained unaware of her future husband's identity.
One day, the Seventh Princess Yongning and Eighth Princess Luoxi visited Xiaofeng, and the three joyfully played a card game. Xiaofeng, having forgotten all about Li Chengyin, genuinely believed herself to be the carefree Ninth Princess of Xi State. The Grand Empress Dowager, fond of her future granddaughter-in-law, treated Xiaofeng with great kindness. She personally selected Yongniang, a capable palace official, to be Xiaofeng's chief lady-in-waiting.
Although Xiaofeng had lost her memory, she still missed her family and penned a heartfelt letter to her parents, asking A'Du to deliver it to a relay station. A'Du, burdened by the devastating truth of Danchi's destruction and the Western Queen's demise, secretly kept the letter, unable to tell Xiaofeng what had truly happened. The Grand Empress Dowager also tasked Directress Fang of the Ceremonial Service Office with instructing Xiaofeng in palace etiquette.
Directress Fang, a stickler for rules, insisted the princess study dull classical texts. Having grown up uninhibited, Xiaofeng found the rigid lessons unbearable. When Directress Fang attempted to discipline A'Du for drawing a knife within the palace, Xiaofeng intervened, agreeing to comply with the lessons and memorize the "Lessons for Women" to spare her loyal maid from punishment. Meanwhile, Li Chengyin encountered Zhao Sese, the daughter of General of the Second Rank Zhao Jingyu, at the East Market.
Li Chengyin was clearly smitten with her, expressing his admiration and promising to give her a gift from the upcoming imperial hunt. Zhao Sese's maid revealed that her mistress had been waiting for him, and Sese openly expressed her fondness. Upon Li Chengyin's return to the palace, his mother, Zhang Meiniang, cautioned him against a close relationship with Zhao Sese.
She pointed out that while Zhao Jingyu held a title, he lacked true power, and the association would not benefit Li Chengyin's prospects. Li Chengyin, however, dismissed her concerns, stating he had known Sese since childhood. Directress Fang continued to instruct Xiaofeng, this time on proper dining etiquette. When the Grand Empress Dowager inquired about Xiaofeng's progress, Directress Fang implied her inability to teach the mischievous princess and attempted to resign from the task.
The Grand Empress Dowager, however, insisted she continue, emphasizing Xiaofeng's pitiable state due to her memory loss and being far from home. She then secretly instructed Yongniang to never disclose to Xiaofeng the true fate of Danchi or her mother's death. Separately, Chai Mu met with Li Chengyin, advising him to bide his time to contend with the Second Prince, Li Chengye.
Chai Mu explained that Li Chengye had strong backing from loyal ministers and the Emperor's trust, while the powerful influence of Prime Minister Gao, who supported Li Chengyin, made the Emperor wary of granting him the Crown Prince title. Concurrently, Zhao Jingyu advised his daughter, Zhao Sese, to pursue Li Chengye, whom he believed was the most likely candidate for Crown Prince. Zhao Sese, however, reaffirmed her preference for Li Chengyin, a sentiment echoed by her brother, Zhao Shixuan.
During a royal hunting event, Xiaofeng declined an offer to hunt with a general and instead rode off alone. While in the woods, she stumbled upon Li Chengyin. When he stated his father was the Emperor, Xiaofeng sarcastically countered that her father was a tea merchant. Their playful banter continued until he introduced himself with the name he once used, "Gu Xiaowu from the Central Plains."
Upon hearing the name, Xiaofeng repeated "Xiaowu," just before he stated his true identity as "Li Chengyin, the Fifth Prince of the Li Empire." The sudden rush of fragmented memories caused Xiaofeng to experience agonizing chest pain, and she fainted. Li Chengyin quickly brought her back to camp, where an imperial physician determined she had only been startled. Later, Directress Fang resumed teaching Xiaofeng the formal husband-and-wife bowing ritual.
Xiaofeng accidentally bumped heads with Directress Fang, causing her nose to bleed. Yongniang intervened, suggesting Directress Fang rest while she taught Xiaofeng calligraphy instead. Yongniang taught Xiaofeng how to write the character for "home." As Xiaofeng wrote, reminiscing about her parents, A'Du began to weep, overwhelmed by traumatic memories of Danchi's destruction. Xiaofeng, mistaking A'Du's tears for homesickness, tenderly held her hand and comforted her.
