Good Bye, My Princess Episode 31 Recap
> Good Bye, My Princess Recap
Upon returning to the palace with A'Du, Xiaofeng was met by an enraged Li Chengyin, who had been waiting for four hours. Feeling guilty, Xiaofeng offered a quiet apology as Li Chengyin dismissed Yongniang and others, insisting on a private conversation. Li Chengyin chastised Xiaofeng for causing chaos every time she left the palace, noting that even General Pei Zhao, who held significant responsibilities, was constantly preoccupied with her escapades.
Xiaofeng retorted that it was Li Chengyin who had assigned Pei Zhao to follow her, thereby hindering his official duties. Li Chengyin countered that if she did not sneak out, he would not need to have someone follow her. He then addressed her previous inquiry about the wolf tooth, explaining he found it outside his tent while returning from the Western Border.
Unsure of its owner, he brought it back and later gifted it to Zhao Sese because she liked it. He assured Xiaofeng he would find a suitable opportunity to retrieve it and return it to her. During the imperial court session, Gao Kun, the Minister of Revenue, reported that the remnants of the Danchi army had fled southwest to Shuobo State, taking refuge in the western valley of Yanzhi Mountain. He detailed their frequent raids, which terrorized the region.
Far Subduing Generalissimo Gao Xian had requested a western expedition to eliminate these rebels and prevent future threats, seeking twenty-five million kilograms of food supplies and one million taels of silver for military payroll. Zhao Shixuan, whose father, the North Subduing Marquis, was in charge of Danchi, immediately argued that the funds should be allocated to the Zhao family, as it was their responsibility to capture the Danchi remnants.
Gao Kun countered that the Western Border Protectorate General Office had always maintained border stability, making General Gao Xian the appropriate leader for the expedition. Zhao Shixuan accused the Gao brothers of colluding to embezzle treasury funds under the guise of military expenses. Gao Kun vehemently denied any private gain, asserting that every transaction was meticulously recorded. The Crown Prince intervened, appealing to the Emperor for a decision.
Prime Minister Gao then offered his perspective, advocating for a balance between General Gao Xian's firm approach and General Zhao's conciliatory strategy to ensure the Danchi people's loyalty and maintain peace. After consideration, the Emperor instructed Gao Kun to prepare a detailed and accurate memorial, ensuring both the Western Border Protectorate's needs were met and the State Treasury remained robust.
After the court session, Zhao Shixuan discretely informed Li Chengyin that the Danchi remnants were mostly old, weak, women, and children, and a hundred-thousand-men army was unnecessary. He suspected Far Subduing Generalissimo Gao Xian of either embezzling funds or secretly amassing an army, warning of his nefarious intentions. Li Chengyin acknowledged the concern but stressed the need for concrete evidence. Zhao Shixuan pledged his full commitment to the investigation if given the word.
Shortly after, Gu Jian introduced Chen Yan, also known as Mingyue, to Li Chengyin. Chen Yan expressed her desire to help Li Chengyin topple the Gao family and redress the grievances of both the Gu and Chen families. She revealed that she had already met the Emperor twice and had begun to gain his trust, believing that with his support, their case could be redressed swiftly.
Gu Jian expressed concern for Mingyue's safety, knowing she was a lady without martial arts training, but Mingyue insisted, driven by a desire to settle the score for her mother and clan whom Prime Minister Gao had killed. Li Chengyin, although initially hesitant, recognized her unwavering determination. He later admitted to Gu Jian that he agreed to Mingyue's proposal partly out of self-interest, hoping to quickly topple Prime Minister Gao.
He argued that allowing Mingyue to act independently would pose greater risks, whereas operating with his oversight would offer her more safety. Gu Jian retorted that they had no other choice, as Prime Minister Gao was already suspicious of them, and the truth about Sir Chai would inevitably be uncovered, endangering them all. Meanwhile, Zhao Sese, who had been put on house arrest and punished to kneel and read scriptures, was comforted by her maid.
The maid lamented the Empress's bias, but Sese maintained that only the Crown Prince's trust mattered to her, despite the Empress forbidding his daily visits to her hall. Elsewhere, Xiaofeng yearned for her family, noting she had only received one letter from her father since her marriage a year ago, and none from her mother. She hoped to one day return to Xi State.
Her thoughts were interrupted by Princess Yongning and Princess Luoxi, who informed her of an upcoming royal family banquet aimed at fostering interaction among royal and prominent families, and subtly, to find husbands for eligible princesses. Xiaofeng groaned at the prospect of seeing Li Chengyin again, while Yongning and Luoxi teased her, remarking that Li Chengyin had become more lively and "human-like" since marrying her. Xiaofeng, however, attributed his change to Zhao Sese.
The princesses also commented on General Pei Zhao's unwavering focus, even in the presence of beauties, playfully teasing Xiaofeng about her sentiments towards him. At the palace banquet, Li Chengyin caught Xiaofeng trying to wander off and directed her back to her seat, urging her to eat. Xiaofeng pointed to a crab on the table, curious about the "big bug." Li Chengyin identified it as a crab.
Zhao Sese, joining them, recited a poem about crabs and wine, then asked if Xiaofeng disliked crabs. Li Chengyin remarked that a "barbaric girl" like Xiaofeng had probably never seen one. Xiaofeng retorted that Sese had likely never seen the red deer and antelopes of her Western Border, acknowledging the differences in regional produce. Li Chengyin then offered the crab to Sese.
However, he quickly retrieved it, reminding Sese that her delicate health, particularly after previously consuming longevity noodles, made cold crab meat unsuitable for her. He then gave the peeled crab to Xiaofeng, who delightedly ate it, much to Zhao Sese's visible displeasure. The banquet continued with a performance by Gao Ruyi, Prime Minister Gao's only daughter, who captivated the Emperor with her exquisite "Raiment of Rainbows and Feathers" dance.
The Emperor praised her beauty and graceful movements, delighting in her performance. Later, back in Chengen Hall, Xiaofeng secretly brought some of the leftover crab for A'Du and Yongniang, insisting they try the delicious royal delicacy despite their protests about their humble status. Yongniang, observing Li Chengyin's earlier actions, commented that he still cared for Xiaofeng, helping her with the crab and saving her from ridicule.
She advised Xiaofeng to be kinder to the Crown Prince, though Xiaofeng wondered if he truly helped her or if he still harbored resentment. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Gao's son visited Empress Zhang Meiniang, presenting her with a "Bodhisattva holding a baby statue," which he claimed was crafted by skilled artisans over half a year and blessed for eighty-one days, making it highly efficacious.
He subtly hinted at his father's desire for the Empress to arrange Gao Ruyi's formal service to the Emperor soon. Empress Zhang Meiniang acknowledged Ruyi's charm but feigned indifference, stating that with so many beauties in the palace, winning the Emperor's favor was no easy feat. Prime Minister Gao's son reiterated his father's plea for her assistance, promising the Gao family's gratitude if Ruyi secured the Emperor's favor. Empress Zhang Meiniang eventually assented, promising to make the arrangements.
Once he departed, she expressed her fury, perceiving the gift as a demand for a "debt collection." Her maid tried to reassure her, noting Gao Ruyi's seemingly frail physique and the unlikelihood of her conceiving. However, Empress Zhang Meiniang, familiar with the inner palace's schemes, worried that even without a true pregnancy, a child could be faked, and a daughter could be passed off as a son.
Her greatest concern was Li Chengyin's growing estrangement from her and the looming threat that Prime Minister Gao would support Gao Ruyi's potential son, endangering her own position as Empress. She concluded that she desperately needed an obedient imperial prince and hinted at a dangerous move involving Xu Niang's hidden pregnancy with Zhang Can's child.
