Good Bye, My Princess Episode 45 Recap
> Good Bye, My Princess Recap
The Grand Empress Dowager continuously lit incense, praying for Xiaofeng's safe return. She knew that both Li Chengyin and Xiaofeng were good children, but their inability to express their true feelings had caused their prolonged estrangement, and she wished she could help them. Meanwhile, Chai Mu, disguised as an imperial physician, visited his daughter Mingyue. He revealed his goal was not personal gain but to rid the court of corrupt officials like Gao Yuming for the good of the dynasty.
He urged Mingyue to leave the dangerous palace, but she was resolute. Believing the Emperor had developed feelings for her, she saw this as her sole chance to help achieve their goal and avenge the Chen family. As Chai Mu prepared to depart, the Emperor arrived unexpectedly. Chai Mu quickly knelt, terrified of being recognized, but his low bow prevented his discovery.
Later, Mingyue assured her father she understood the risks and that love was insignificant compared to the Emperor's other priorities. She refused to be left out, insisting on facing the danger with him from her position in the palace. Li Chengyin sought out his retired Grand Preceptor, revealing a grave injustice: years ago, seven scholars, cheated by corrupt imperial examiners, committed suicide in despair.
They left a letter written in blood naming the officials responsible, all of whom were now Gao Yuming's allies. Li Chengyin declared his intent to reopen the case, not only for his mother and to fulfill his late brother's quest for justice, but also to expose Gao Yuming's corrupt network to the Emperor. The Grand Preceptor, moved by Li Chengyin's ambition, handed over the long-hidden blood letter.
To set his plan in motion, Li Chengyin anonymously sent the letter to Xi Qingzhuo, the upright Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. He also arranged for his brother to secretly escort the Grand Preceptor out of Shangjing to protect him from Gao Yuming's retaliation. Distraught by Li Chengyin's absence, Zhao Sese tried to coax information from A'Du, offering her clothes and snacks. A'Du remained unresponsive and startled Zhao Sese by drawing a target and wielding her dagger.
Xiaofeng expressed her desire to rescue A'Du from the Eastern Palace so they could return to Xi State together. Gu Jian hesitated, explaining that the Eastern Palace's defenses were now much tighter, making an attempt exceedingly risky. An angry Xiaofeng accused him of breaking his promises. Gu Jian maintained that returning was a trap, especially for Xiaofeng, who would be imprisoned as the Crown Princess Consort.
When Xiaofeng insisted she wouldn't leave A'Du behind, Gu Jian relented and secretly took her back to the palace's vicinity. They overheard Li Chengyin playing a sorrowful tune on his xiao, clearly yearning for Xiaofeng. Her eyes welled up as memories of him flooded her mind. After Li Chengyin departed, Xiaofeng and Gu Jian slipped into Cheng'en Hall and reunited with A'Du.
Xiaofeng joyfully told A'Du that she had found Gu Xiaowu, pointing to Gu Jian, which left A'Du staring at him in stunned disbelief. Once they reached safety, A'Du silently questioned Gu Jian. He confessed that he felt despicable for the deception, yet allowed himself to believe it was real. He then revealed to A'Du that he had severe internal injuries and only six months left to live, a condition unrelated to saving Xiaofeng.
He lamented that if he could just take Xiaofeng away and have her love him wholeheartedly, even for a moment, he would die without regret, content to lie to himself this one time. In the imperial court, Xi Qingzhuo bravely presented the blood letter and a petition, directly accusing Gao Yuming of corruption. Gao vehemently denied the allegations, dismissing the letter as a forgery and noting the case had been closed by the late Crown Prince.
Gao's allies knelt in his defense, but the displeased Emperor ordered a full investigation and assigned it to Li Chengyin. Feigning preoccupation with the crises of the assassin and Xiaofeng's disappearance, Li Chengyin declined. He instead recommended Minister Zong Hwan of the Ministry of Justice, whom he claimed was more experienced. The Emperor agreed. After the assembly, officials gossiped that with Zong Hwan—a known protégé of Gao Yuming—in charge, the case would be a mere formality.
To ensure this, Gao sent Zong Hwan a pointed gift: a piece of calligraphy. The inscription spoke of the rarity of true confidants and referenced Bingzhou, a clear reminder to Zong Hwan of Gao's patronage and the debt he owed. Zong Hwan understood the message perfectly. However, the mention of "Bingzhou" provoked a cold, knowing smile, hinting at a hidden history. Meanwhile, Xiaofeng and Gu Jian settled into a simple, happy life in the wilderness. While trying to catch fish in a stream, Xiaofeng happily remarked that they would have to wait for A'Du to return with sweet potatoes for their meal.
