Good Bye, My Princess Episode 50 Recap
> Good Bye, My Princess Recap
The Imperial Court, acting on the Emperor's decree, brought severe punishment upon the Gao family. The official decree enumerated the crimes of Gao Yuming, including factionalism, falsely accusing the innocent, and corruption in imperial examinations. His son, Gao Xian, was accused of fostering bandits for personal gain, embezzling military funds, and deceiving the Emperor, actions that had destabilized the court and led to countless unjust deaths.
The decree declared the Gao clan's crimes warranted annihilation, ordering immediate executions for its members and exile for their associates. However, citing Gao Ruyi's inherently good nature and his past affection for her as his wife, the Emperor commuted her death sentence. She was stripped of her title, demoted to a commoner, and banished to the Cold Palace. Furthermore, the decree posthumously exonerated Gu Ruhui, whose case was revealed to be the result of Gao Yuming's deception.
The Emperor expressed deep regret for the loss of his loyal minister, granted Gu Ruhui the title of Duke Zhong of the State, and ordered his burial in the Cemetery for Patriotism and Filial Piety. Immediately following the decree, Gao Ruyi was presented with a bowl of "fetus-stabilizing medicine," which she recognized as a cruel means to end her pregnancy. Despite her desperate refusal, she was forced to drink it, lamenting the Emperor's cruelty.
Far away, Gao Xian was still unaware of his family's downfall. He received a secret report dispatched by his father long ago, warning him of impending calamity and urging him to flee. Shocked, Gao Xian ordered his troops to prepare to leave the border and escape to Xizhou, despite his general's concerns that the Protectorate General Office was no longer a safe haven.
At the memorial tomb of the Gu family, Li Chengyin solemnly declared that he had fulfilled his vow to avenge his mother and the Gu family. He noted that his uncle, Gu Ruhui, was not only exonerated but also posthumously named Duke Zhong of the State and granted a state burial—a clear sign that the Emperor had never forgotten his sentiment for the Gu family.
Chai Mu reflected that his own dedication was motivated by his unwavering belief in the Emperor's trust in him and Gu Ruhui. Li Chengyin urged Chai Mu to reveal his true identity to the Emperor, but Chai Mu insisted on retiring into obscurity, his wish fulfilled with Gao Yuming's elimination. He recalled helplessly watching the Emperor be manipulated by treacherous officials, unable to protect even his most trusted subjects.
Accepting Chai Mu's decision, Li Chengyin agreed to relay a message to Mingyue, advising her to be cautious. Upon returning to the Eastern Palace, Li Chengyin joyfully embraced Xiaofeng, declaring that everything was finally over and he no longer had to pretend. He passionately expressed his love, promising to forget the past if she would do the same so they could start anew. In response, Xiaofeng plunged a dagger into his chest.
Wounded and heartbroken, Li Chengyin questioned her hatred, asking if forgetting Gu Xiaowu was truly so difficult. Sobbing, Xiaofeng confessed that she hated herself for being unable to forget him. In his despair, Li Chengyin thrust the dagger back into her hand, daring her to kill him, but she could not strike again. As A'Du rushed in, Li Chengyin stumbled away, crying out for Xiaofeng not to leave him.
That night, Zhao Sese, who was watching over a feverish Li Chengyin, was devastated to hear him repeatedly call out Xiaofeng's name in his sleep. The next day, Xiaofeng confided in A'Du, feeling tormented by her inability to harm Li Chengyin despite knowing his true identity and wondering if they could ever escape. Just then, Zhao Sese entered, offering to help them flee.
She confessed her profound love for Li Chengyin, a love that began when he was just the lonely Fifth Prince. She lamented that since Xiaofeng's arrival, he had changed and no longer loved her. Despite Xiaofeng stabbing him, he still treated her better than he ever treated Zhao Sese and called her name in his dreams. When Xiaofeng admitted she had never loved Li Chengyin, Zhao Sese's resolve hardened.
Stating that every scar on Li Chengyin's body was a wound on her own heart, she declared that Xiaofeng must leave. Zhao Sese promised to have a carriage waiting at the East Corner Gate the following morning. In his prison cell, a disheveled Gao Yuming was startled by the tolling of funeral bells. Li Chengyin arrived, informing him that the bells tolled for Noble Consort Gao, who had died from excessive bleeding after a miscarriage.
Offering a tray of walnut cakes, Li Chengyin asked Gao Yuming why he, having no apparent grievance with the Gu family, had relentlessly pursued their destruction. Gao Yuming mocked Li Chengyin as a mere puppet, hinting that the Gao family lacked the power to overthrow the Gu clan alone, implying a greater, unseen hand at play. Meanwhile, during his journey, Chai Mu was intercepted by the Emperor, who addressed him by his true name, Chen Zheng.
The Emperor acknowledged that Gao Yuming's downfall was a positive outcome and invited Chai Mu for a drink, reminiscing about their past camaraderie. When the Emperor suggested he reclaim his identity, Chai Mu ominously stated that Chen Zheng had died twenty years ago and the current Chai Mu would also soon disappear forever. They shared a final drink. The Emperor then met with Mingyue.
When he asserted he had no regrets for his actions, even if it meant losing everyone he loved, Mingyue questioned him. He explained a twisted philosophy: it is better to lose loved ones than to have them used as threats. He promised to spare her father, but Mingyue, wise to men's deceptions, tearfully rejected his attempts to reconcile, cried out that she hated him, and took her own life with a dagger.
The Emperor, startled awake from a nightmare of his beloved Pure Consort Shu stabbing him, discovered Mingyue's bleeding body. Overcome with shock and grief, he suffered a stroke that left him paralyzed and unable to speak. Li Chengyin later visited his incapacitated father, reflecting on how the Emperor's pursuit of power had made him a cold and distant parent.
He observed the irony that his all-powerful father was ultimately defeated not by a mighty foe, but by a woman's love and sorrow. With everyone he loved or who loved him gone, Li Chengyin recognized he was becoming just as ruthless and promised his father that he would be a good emperor. True to her word, Zhao Sese led Xiaofeng and A'Du in a carriage away from the Eastern Palace.
She urged Xiaofeng to forget everyone, stating her help was not for Xiaofeng's sake, but to remove the barrier between herself and Li Chengyin. After they parted, Xiaofeng admitted to A'Du a fleeting envy for Zhao Sese's ability to love someone so wholeheartedly, even as she herself, having seen Li Chengyin's true nature, was resolved to return to Xizhou. Meanwhile, General Pei Zhao encountered his relative, Luoxi, in a carriage.
Luoxi gave a flimsy excuse that she was visiting him after praying for the Emperor at Jade Spring Temple. Pei Zhao recalled that Zhao Sese had also claimed to be going to the temple. His suspicions were aroused when Luoxi mentioned the temple gates were already closed, realizing Zhao Sese had lied to him to create a diversion for Xiaofeng's escape. He immediately ordered his horse and set off in pursuit.
