Good Bye, My Princess Episode 49 Recap
> Good Bye, My Princess Recap
In the Western State, wind and sand swirled as Zhao Jingyu interrogated a former subordinate of Yi Moyan. This man had been hiding in mountain caves since being saved by refugees after Yi Moyan's army was annihilated. Zhao Jingyu offered him a quick death if he revealed the details of the conspiracy between Danchi and Gao Xian.
He proclaimed that he, the new ruler of Danchi, had brought prosperity to the land in just two years, with vegetation recovering and livestock flourishing, making cooperation with him a wise choice, not a betrayal. Meanwhile, Noble Consort Gao Ruyi complained to her father, Gao Yuming, frustrated that the Emperor was so infatuated with Mingyue, a woman of lowly brothel origins. Gao Yuming calmly advised his daughter to be more tolerant, emphasizing that their situation was precarious.
He suggested she visit the Grand Empress Dowager frequently, as this would provide opportunities to meet the Emperor, and also cautioned her to send more intelligent servants to observe Mingyue. Zhao Jingyu met with the Shuobo King, accusing General Gao Xian of colluding with foreign tribes by feigning defeat to gain more military power and supplies—an ancient strategy for border generals to amass influence.
Zhao Jingyu warned the Shuobo King that Gao Yuming was now facing enemies from all sides, the Emperor's trust in him was waning, and investigations were underway. Claiming the Shuobo King was Gao Yuming's last resort, Zhao Jingyu offered conclusive evidence of Gao Xian's past collusion with Danchi, urging the king to consider Danchi's tragic fate and choose his allies wisely.
Later, Mingyue played the zither for the Grand Empress Dowager, who remarked that Mingyue reminded her of someone and understood why the Emperor cherished her, especially since Mingyue had saved his life. The Grand Empress Dowager, deeming Mingyue a clever woman, advised her to act with propriety. She then gifted Mingyue a copy of "Lessons for Women" and instructed her to copy it three times daily. News of this delighted Noble Consort Gao Ruyi, who wished the punishment were harsher.
However, when Gao Ruyi attempted to visit the Grand Empress Dowager herself, she was turned away, told that the Grand Empress Dowager was resting. Xiaofeng sat by the bed of the gravely injured and unconscious A'Du, lamenting that she was to blame for the deaths of her Danchi clan and Gu Jian because she had fallen in love with Gu Xiaowu. She wished she had never regained her memories, believing the gods were punishing her.
Refusing to eat or drink, she maintained a desperate vigil. Li Chengyin arrived and urged her to rest, warning she would not survive if she continued. When she refused the porridge he brought, he threatened to have A'Du removed from the palace. In a frenzy, Xiaofeng drank it all. Pained to see her state, Li Chengyin reiterated his threat to remove A'Du if Xiaofeng missed another meal.
In the imperial court, Xi Qingzhuo and Zong Hwan discussed their investigation in Bingzhou, which had proceeded so smoothly it seemed orchestrated to blame Prime Minister Gao. Zong Hwan hesitated to be a "chess piece" in a political storm, but Xi Qingzhuo reminded him that all officials were integral to the court's stability. Convinced, Zong Hwan vowed to see the case through.
Later, Gao Kun reported to his father, Gao Yuming, that the leader of the self-immolated scholars was an old xiucai from Bingzhou—Zong Hwan's first teacher. This confirmed Gao Yuming's fear that Zong Hwan had betrayed him. A servant then reported that the Emperor, though furious, had only summoned the Crown Prince. Noble Consort Gao Ruyi brought desserts to the Emperor and tried to intercede for her father. The Emperor dismissed her, telling her not to interfere in political affairs.
When she persisted, citing her father's loyalty and mentioning her unborn child, the Emperor grew angry. He harshly reminded her that he had deliberately prevented the Empress from having children and warned that if she wanted her child to live, she must know her place. Anxious, Gao Yuming instructed his son, Gao Kun, to deliver a letter to his elder brother and then flee Shangjing immediately.
Gao Yuming explained that the Crown Prince and Chen Zheng had been plotting against him for a long time. Just then, Chief Eunuch Cao Ji arrived, announcing that Noble Consort Gao Ruyi was gravely ill and the Emperor required the Prime Minister's presence. Knowing it was a trap, Gao Yuming complied, hoping it would buy his son time to escape. Cao Ji led Gao Yuming to the Grand Literature Library, where the Emperor was waiting.
The Emperor confronted him, revealing he had long known about Gao Yuming's feigned illness. He listed his crimes: colluding with the Empress and Noble Consort to amass power, allowing his son to conspire with enemies at the border, and orchestrating the civil examination cheating scandal. Gao Yuming admitted his guilt but denied sending assassins to kill Mingyue, claiming he and his daughter were framed. He asserted that incidents involving Mingyue were orchestrated to target him.
As his final revelation, he declared that Chen Zheng and Mingyue were secretly working for the Crown Prince. Shocked, the Emperor listened as Gao Yuming accepted his fate, making a final plea to spare Gao Ruyi's life for the sake of her unborn child before being taken away. Meanwhile, Gao Kun, having had a change of heart, turned back to retrieve his family.
He found his wife frantically searching for a hairpin, and before they could leave, the Yuilin Palace Guards surrounded them, ending any chance of escape. As large snowflakes began to fall, A'Du finally woke up. Xiaofeng was overjoyed. A'Du apologized for worrying her, and Xiaofeng replied that A'Du was all she had left. Xiaofeng explained that the first snow in the Western State is for honoring departed souls, helping them find rebirth.
At A'Du's suggestion, they performed the ritual for Gu Jian. As they chanted, Xiaofeng felt his spirit depart, finally at peace. A'Du then said it was time to return to the Western State, but Xiaofeng, with a resolute look, declared she had one last thing to do: kill Li Chengyin.
