Good Bye, My Princess Episode 39 Recap
> Good Bye, My Princess Recap
Upon consuming some food, Xiaofeng experienced a sudden bout of nausea, leading the Grand Empress Dowager to joyfully assume she was with child. However, an imperial physician clarified that Xiaofeng was merely suffering from a stomach ailment, having ingested thick deer porridge while her stomach was exposed to cold. This news dashed the Grand Empress Dowager's hopes. Deeply anxious about the lack of an heir, especially since Li Chengyin was already twenty, she abruptly left for the Eastern Palace.
Upon arrival, the Grand Empress Dowager confirmed that Li Chengyin and Xiaofeng had completed their pre-ceremonial bathing rituals. She then issued a stern decree: Li Chengyin and Xiaofeng were to be locked within the main bedchamber, with no one permitted to release them without her explicit command. Soon after, the Empress arrived, inquiring why they were locked away.
The Grand Empress Dowager bluntly stated her desire for a great-great-grandchild, arguing that the importance of an heir superseded the upcoming Yuanchen Grand Ceremony. When the Empress hesitated, the Grand Empress Dowager challenged her authority, prompting the Empress to concede and assure her that she would manage the Emperor’s reaction. Inside the locked chamber, food was delivered. Li Chengyin quickly devoured the porridge, leaving none for Xiaofeng.
Shortly after, he began to sweat profusely, and Xiaofeng realized the food had been drugged. As the aphrodisiac took effect, Li Chengyin lost control and embraced Xiaofeng. Distraught, Xiaofeng desperately pleaded with him to remember Zhao Sese and remain faithful to her. When her pleas failed, she struck Li Chengyin and knocked him unconscious, ensuring they passed the night without incident.
The following morning, as Li Chengyin and Xiaofeng lay side by side, the Grand Empress Dowager burst into the chamber. Interpreting their state as a sign of a successful union, she declared that she had seen nothing and departed, much to Xiaofeng’s embarrassment. News of the confinement and the drugged porridge quickly reached Zhao Sese through her maid.
Deeply insecure, Zhao Sese lamented that despite Li Chengyin’s affection, she was merely a concubine and resolved that only by becoming the true mistress of the Eastern Palace could she secure her position. Later, the Empress attempted to visit but found the chamber still locked. Noticing Li Chengyin's clothes left outside, she ordered them taken to her palace, instructing that he retrieve them from her personally.
In doing so, she obtained a jade pendant she found with his garments, a significant keepsake from his birth mother. Back in their chamber, Xiaofeng proposed a plan for their escape: Li Chengyin should feign illness, leveraging his recent incomplete recovery. Xiaofeng then cried out for help, claiming the Crown Prince had fainted. An imperial physician reported to the Grand Empress Dowager that Li Chengyin was merely suffering from weakness and prescribed rest.
Satisfied, the Grand Empress Dowager ordered Li Chengyin to recover and granted Xiaofeng her freedom. Upon his release, Li Chengyin learned the Empress had his jade pendant and went to her palace to retrieve it. The Empress questioned its origin, and Li Chengyin fabricated a story, claiming it was a gift from his Aunt Mingyuan. Feigning belief, the Empress advised him to keep it safe. After Li Chengyin departed, she immediately summoned General Pei, her suspicions now fully aroused.
That night, Li Chengyin met with Chai Mu and Gu Jian to discuss his concerns about the Empress. As they spoke, they detected an eavesdropper outside and realized it was a spy sent by the Empress. Seizing the opportunity, Li Chengyin deliberately declared his intention to expose the Empress for murdering his birth mother, knowing his words would be reported back. The spy promptly relayed this to the Empress, who was devastated.
Believing Li Chengyin intended to betray her, she was consumed with regret and fear that the Emperor would discover her crime. The Empress’s situation worsened when she learned that Lady Gao Ruyi was pregnant, a development that threatened to strip her of all advantages. The Emperor, pleased by the news, even requested the Empress oversee Gao Ruyi’s care.
Alone with her maid, Rongshuang, the Empress broke down, fearing the powerful Gao family would now abandon her and Li Chengyin would expose her, leading to her deposition or death. Overwhelmed, Li Chengyin began drinking heavily and locked himself in his chamber. Alarmed, his attendant Shi'en sought out Xiaofeng for help. She found Li Chengyin drunk and agitated. He angrily demanded she leave, insisting he wanted to be alone. Xiaofeng expressed her concern, urging him to confide in her. He insisted she stay away for two days, promising an explanation later. Before she could press him further, assassins suddenly burst into the chamber.
