New Life Begins Episode 16 Recap
> New Life Begins Recap
Yuan Ying, in her capacity as the Prince’s consort, sent an invitation to Hao Jia. Since Yin Song was not at the residence, Hao Jia planned to sneak out. Unexpectedly, she was caught by Zhao Fangru. Zhao Fangru didn’t stop her but couldn’t understand why Hao Jia, who should have known better, would take such a risk. Zhao Fangru let out a deep sigh. Ever since Yin Song laid hands on Hao Jia, her heart had grown cold.
Zhao Fangru used to love going out too; people in the palace praised her wit, and she was once as popular as the current Princess of Jinchuan. But later, Yin Song caught her in a mistake and confined her to this secluded chamber. The sisters hadn’t gathered in a long time, and now that they had, they had endless things to say. They drank several rounds and all got so drunk they couldn’t tell directions.
Li Wei overheard a storyteller speaking about men and women, and angered by his prejudice against women, she stormed up and took his place, voicing her own thoughts. The women in the audience cheered and applauded, while the men grew restless and started arguing with her. Li Wei spoke eloquently, finally defeating the storyteller and winning universal praise. Later, each Prince came to the tavern to take their lady home.
Zhao Fangru brought Hao Jia a bowl of noodles but spoke unpleasant words. Hao Jia, always clever, naturally sensed her goodwill. In truth, the two had no real grievances. It was just that a problematic man stood between them. It was better to make peace. But Zhao Fangru gave no answer, and Hao Jia could only shrug. Lady Chuan urged Haitang to have children, but Haitang unexpectedly proposed that she should make the decision to dismiss him.
The Third Prince stumbled in from outside, grabbed Haitang’s hand, and apologized to Lady Chuan. Then he took Haitang and the seasonal girls to seek medical help. But he never expected that the physician would not prescribe medicine for the women, but instead for himself. With progress in the market reform, the Lord greatly praised the effort in court. However, the issue of Mochuan still needed to be addressed.
Several noblewomen had to be sent for a political marriage, yet there were very few eligible women in the palace. Yin Song wickedly set his sights on pushing the sisters of other Princes. But those Princesses were still too young and unsuitable. After much thought, Lady Chuan came up with Song Wu. Summoned into the palace by Lord and Lady Chuan, Song Wu was pleased with herself. But once inside, she received a devastating piece of news.
Suddenly, a storm broke out, with thunder and lightning striking fear into everyone. Song Wu returned dazed and drenched. Upon seeing Su Shen, she could no longer hold herself together and collapsed. Yin Zheng, deeply worried, quickly helped her to a seat and called for a blanket. Song Wu sat on the bed, soaking wet, her face streaked with either rain or tears, which flowed down as her body trembled.
Yin Zheng, both distressed and confused, quickly asked what had happened. Trying hard to stay calm, Song Wu told everyone that she was to be conferred the title of Princess Kening… but before she finished, she began to cry again. Yin Zheng grew increasingly anxious, not understanding what had happened. Fortunately, Li Wei, listening on the side, heard clearly and explained that Song Wu was to be married to Mochuan as Princess Kening.
Unable to hold back, Song Wu wailed toward the heavens, cursing those who had lost all conscience. Yin Zheng quickly covered her mouth and gently patted her back to calm her. Due to the special relationship between Xinchuan and Mochuan, a political marriage was needed to bring peace. But Li Wei couldn’t understand why the happiness of women must always be sacrificed for the greater good.
In order to help Song Wu escape the marriage, Li Wei put on a “sick makeup” for her and told her to pretend to be ill. But the imperial physician was too skilled and immediately saw through the act. Left with no other option, they decided to use pressure and threatened the physician to spread the news that Song Wu was gravely ill. Given the situation, the Lord had no choice but to let the legitimate princess marry.
However, Princess Shuyu was Lady Chuan’s beloved daughter, and she couldn’t bear to send her precious girl to such a harsh land. Lady Chuan then proposed that the eldest daughter of the First Prince, Princess Ping’an, marry instead. Soon, the news reached the residence of the First Prince. The First Princess Consort Jiang Yue fell gravely ill from the shock. Ping’an was unwilling but still had to comfort her heartbroken mother. Unexpectedly, the First Prince Yin Kun strongly opposed his daughter marrying over.
