Good Bye, My Princess Episode 40 Recap
> Good Bye, My Princess Recap
As Xiaofeng arrives to see Li Chengyin, she overhears him dismissing someone, telling them to leave and not return for two days. When she questions him, their conversation is cut short as an assassin lunges forward. Li Chengyin instinctively shields Xiaofeng, taking a deep stab wound to his chest. Horrified, Xiaofeng cries for A'Du, who gives chase, while Shi'en is sent to summon an imperial physician.
Despite his injury, Li Chengyin orders the palace guard to secure his chambers and search for the attacker. He then teases a distraught Xiaofeng about her tears, asking if she is afraid of becoming a young widow. Xiaofeng, terrified, forbids him from dying and urges him to hold on. The Emperor arrives and is furious to learn the wound is life-threatening. He threatens the imperial physician, demanding he save Li Chengyin.
Meanwhile, Pei Zhao reports that A'Du was found unconscious and gravely injured, having been overpowered by the assassin. At Xiaofeng's plea, the Emperor orders doctors to treat A'Du. However, Imperial Physician Wang delivers a grim prognosis: A'Du's internal organs are shattered, and her injuries are likely fatal. Overcome with guilt, Xiaofeng weeps by A'Du's side, blaming herself for letting A'Du pursue the attacker. The Emperor orders a palace-wide lockdown.
Pei Zhao comforts a grief-stricken Xiaofeng, noting that despite their frequent arguments, she clearly cares for Li Chengyin, who, as she reveals, was injured while protecting her. Xiaofeng keeps a vigil by Li Chengyin's bedside for three days as he lies unconscious. When Shi'en urges her to rest, Li Chengyin stirs, weakly calling for his mother. Thinking he means the Empress, Xiaofeng has her summoned.
The Empress arrives, visibly distressed, and takes his hand as he continues to murmur "Imperial Mother," her conscience weighing on her. Just then, Yongniang rushes in with news that A'Du is fading and may not survive the night. Desperate, Xiaofeng seeks out Gu Jian, who has been waiting nearby out of concern. She begs him to save A'Du. Gu Jian hesitates, knowing the profound personal cost; using his vital energy would hasten his own death.
Despite the danger to himself, he relents and saves A'Du. Imperial Physician Wang is stunned to find A'Du's energy channels cleared and declares she will recover. Grateful, Xiaofeng then asks Gu Jian to also save Li Chengyin. Gu Jian refuses, stating his internal energy cannot heal an external wound. He gives her a potent medicine instead, saying Li Chengyin's survival now depends on his own fortune. After leaving, Gu Jian collapses and is rushed by Pei Zhao to Mingyue's residence.
His life force is nearly depleted. Mingyue questions his sacrifice, but Gu Jian expresses contentment, stating his purpose is to clear his family's name and ensure Xiaofeng's happiness. Once A'Du recovers enough to speak, she is questioned by the Head of the Court of Judicial Review, Wang Shu. She identifies the assassin as Rongshuang, the Empress's lady-in-waiting. The Emperor orders Rongshuang's immediate arrest.
The Empress vehemently protests, but Wang Shu challenges her, asserting that the Crown Prince would not orchestrate an attack on his own life. The Emperor confines the Empress to her palace. Hearing this, her father, Gao Yuming, decides to abandon her as a "worthless chess piece," shifting his support to his other daughter, the pregnant Consort Ruyi.
Back in Li Chengyin's chambers, the physicians report that his fever persists and his body is too weak for the potent medicine Gu Jian provided. Refusing to give up, Xiaofeng takes the medicine from them, declaring she will bear all consequences, and personally administers it to him. Vowing to die with him if he perishes, she realizes he might want to see Zhao Sese. Hearing Sese pleading outside, Xiaofeng allows her in. Sese tearfully begs Li Chengyin to wake up.
Later that night, alone with him, Xiaofeng holds his hand and confesses her true feelings. She admits she was happy when he became Crown Prince, but her feelings turned to hatred after he attacked Danchi. She had wanted to kill him on their wedding night but couldn't, hating herself for her hesitation and for the faint affection she felt for him.
Pleading for him to wake up, she shares a childhood secret about how she struggled to learn his name, reminding him of all the history between them as she fears becoming a widow.
