Good Bye, My Princess Episode 32 Recap
> Good Bye, My Princess Recap
Upon receiving an invitation from the Empress, Zhang Meiniang, to dine at Clean and Peaceful Palace, Li Chengyin casually inquired of his attendant, Shi'en, about the best ways to please women. Shi'en, known for his good rapport with the palace's female servants, advised that women invariably cherish beautiful things such as pretty clothes, unique accessories, and rouge.
He initially speculated whether Li Chengyin aimed to please Lady Zhao Sese or the Crown Princess Consort, but Li Chengyin quickly dismissed his musings and urged him to get to the point. Shi'en then suggested Weipin Pavilion as the most renowned establishment for such items in the capital. Meanwhile, Xiaofeng, disguised as a man, had once again slipped out of the palace, only to find Li Chengyin following her.
He chided her for habitually causing trouble, referencing a past incident at Wannian County Court. Unfazed, Xiaofeng retorted that her outings were for "eliminating the corrupt and evil," citing instances where she and A'Du had apprehended swindlers and chased thieves. She explained that she maintained her disguise to protect Li Chengyin’s reputation, as it would be unbecoming for the Crown Princess Consort to be seen fighting in the streets.
Li Chengyin then led her to Weipin Pavilion, where he claimed to be ordering a dress for Zhao Sese and asked Xiaofeng for her measurements, asserting that their statures were similar. Though reluctant, Xiaofeng complied. As they left, Xiaofeng spotted Gu Jian and Mi Luo on the street but deliberately feigned ignorance, concerned about Li Chengyin’s reaction to her being acquainted with a notorious fugitive. Mi Luo, observing Xiaofeng’s unusual behavior, questioned Gu Jian about the man she was with.
At Mi Luo Drinking House, A'Du, waiting for Xiaofeng, found Gu Jian in the courtyard coughing up blood. Gu Jian admitted he had sustained severe internal injuries from falling off a cliff and had not fully recovered, brushing aside A'Du's fear that it was from the wound she had once inflicted. He confessed that his physical pain was nothing compared to the guilt he felt as an accomplice in the massacre of Xiaofeng's clan.
He expressed his terror of her regaining her memories and hating him, acknowledging that he and A'Du shared a burden of unforgettable pain. Shortly after, Xiaofeng arrived and recounted Li Chengyin's perplexing actions to Mi Luo and A'Du. She was confused why he always prioritized saving her in emergencies—once when both she and Zhao Sese fell into water, and again when they nearly slipped—despite his apparent preference for Zhao Sese.
Mi Luo suggested that a person's first reaction reveals their true affections, implying Li Chengyin cared more for Xiaofeng. That evening, Li Chengyin went to dine with Zhang Meiniang. After he complained about Xiaofeng's unruly nature, Zhang Meiniang offered him a new pear blossom wine, which was drugged. She then sent a pregnant lady-in-waiting, Xuniang, to his bed, intending to pass off the unborn child as Li Chengyin’s, thus giving Zhang Meiniang a new prince to control.
Li Chengyin, feigning deep intoxication, appeared to fall asleep. Xuniang, following instructions, undressed and lay beside him. As she reached to unfasten his clothes, Li Chengyin abruptly seized her wrist, demanding to know who she was and threatening her life if she spoke of the night’s events. Elsewhere, Zhao Sese grew increasingly insecure, consumed by the fear that Li Chengyin had developed feelings for Xiaofeng.
She reminisced about their first encounter when, as a child, he had found her after she was tricked and abandoned by other princesses, carrying her on his back to safety. Though she clung to the belief they were destined to be together, her fears persisted. Meanwhile, a restless Xiaofeng, troubled by Li Chengyin’s enigmatic behavior, found Pei Zhao on night duty.
She confided her confusion, and Pei Zhao cautiously suggested that while Li Chengyin cared for her, he did not yet know how to be a good husband and needed time. Unbeknownst to them, Zhao Sese's maid, Jin'er, observed their conversation and reported it to her mistress, suggesting they could use this private meeting to frame Xiaofeng and turn Li Chengyin against her. The next morning, Li Chengyin calmly breakfasted with Zhang Meiniang.
He admitted to having "favored" Xuniang but attributed it to drunkenness, emphatically stating that Zhao Sese was the only woman in his heart and he worried about her reaction. He insisted that Zhang Meiniang first comfort Zhao Sese before sending Xuniang to his palace. Angered by his defiance, Zhang Meiniang was placated by Pei Zhao, who suggested a slight delay was inconsequential, and she begrudgingly accepted.
Later, Li Chengyin met privately with Pei Zhao and revealed he had anticipated Zhang Meiniang’s scheme. He had only feigned intoxication and had never touched Xuniang, playing along to see the full extent of her plan. Suspecting a deeper motive, he instructed Pei Zhao to investigate why Zhang Meiniang had specifically chosen Xuniang.
