New Life Begins Episode 2 Recap, Plot

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Under the persistent urging of the nanny, Li Wei inexplicably becomes the concubine of the sixth Prince, Yin Zheng. After the wedding ceremony at the ancestral hall, she still cannot accept this reality and sits in her room daydreaming. Only when the maids Yu Ping and Yu Zhan greet her loudly does Li Wei come back to her senses. According to the two maids, an hour ago, Yin Zheng voluntarily requested the marriage from the Lord.

The Lord had no choice but to agree, and thus Li Wei became Yin Zheng’s concubine. Li Wei accidentally overhears that Yin Zheng only has half a month to live. After thinking it through, she finally understands why he would ask to marry her—it’s to ward off misfortune. Feeling a bit sentimental, she also realizes that not having to act like a proper wife to a stranger is actually not so bad.

She starts decorating her new home and plans to return to her family in glory after Yin Zheng’s death. She quickly writes a letter to her parents detailing her plans. That night, Li Wei goes to the bedchamber to greet Yin Zheng, but despite calling him for a long time, there’s no response from behind the curtain. She notices a large bowl of red medicinal soup nearby and assumes that Yin Zheng has passed away, panicking and shouting loudly.

Just then, Yin Zheng walks in from the backyard. Seeing her flustered state, he bursts out laughing. Li Wei finally meets her husband, only to realize he’s the same man she ran into in the kitchen. Terrified by Yin Zheng, Li Wei can only follow his instructions. Seeing her dazed look, Yin Zheng can’t help but laugh. But when he turns his head, he catches her strange expression.

At that moment, Li Wei recalls how her grandfather acted the same way before he died—pretending to be fine despite being seriously ill, just to avoid worrying others. She can’t help but feel sorry for Yin Zheng’s premature fate and promises to treat him well. Shangguan Jing, the Princess of Danchuan, has practiced martial arts since childhood and is known for her bold and forthright nature—a true heroine.

Ironically, she is matched with the simple and honest fifth Prince, Yin Qi. Yin Qi has feelings for Hao Jia and refuses to consummate the marriage, so the nanny and others tie him up and force him into the bridal chamber. As soon as they meet, Shangguan Jing brandishes her red-tasseled spear and swings it at Yin Qi, scaring him into screaming.

After his ropes are cut, he tries to compose himself and put on a tough front, but as soon as he sees her spear again, he backs down. Neither is willing to yield to the other, so they decide to duel on their wedding night. Yin Qi, full of confidence, believes he’ll win, but underestimates the strength of the Princess of Danchuan. After a few rounds, he is defeated and ends the night howling at the moon in sorrow.

Hao Jia fulfills her wish and marries into the residence of the Legitimate Eldest Prince, Yin Song. That night, she brings tea to greet the official wife, Zhao Fangru. Zhao Fangru’s face betrays no emotion, but Hao Jia knows she is not someone to be trifled with.

With a mere glance from Zhao Fangru, her maid walks over with the teapot and pours scalding hot water into the tea cup in Hao Jia’s hands, seemingly unaware that her hands are trembling. Though her hands burn with pain, Hao Jia knows she must neither scream nor resist. Soon after, Yin Song arrives. Hao Jia mentions that she would like to taste some tea from Daichuan, and Yin Song agrees.

But just as Hao Jia takes the tea cup, Zhao Fangru smacks it out of her hands and says she’s not worthy of drinking her tea. Yin Song helps Hao Jia up and subtly warns Zhao Fangru to watch herself. With Zhao Fangru glaring in fury, Yin Song walks off holding Hao Jia’s hand. All the new wives of the Princes must attend etiquette lessons in the inner court’s study hall.

But Li Wei can’t pay attention at all and ends up napping on the desk. Back at the residence, it’s mealtime, but she remembers the nanny’s rule: the husband must eat first. Li Wei suppresses her eager hands and stares longingly at Yin Zheng. Understanding the situation, Yin Zheng quickly sets down his book and picks up his chopsticks. Li Wei can sense that although she and Yin Zheng aren’t truly husband and wife, he treats her fairly well.

Not wanting to freeload, she decides to help fulfill his final wishes. But Yin Zheng refuses to say much, so she starts investigating on her own and tries to figure out what he likes. One day, she prepares many yellow chrysanthemums for Yin Zheng and even hangs his portrait before the flowers. Looking at the scene before him, Yin Zheng feels a headache coming on. However, Li Wei finally gets something right—Yin Zheng likes puppies.

Lately, Li Wei has been so attentive that Yin Zheng starts to wonder if she has feelings for him. After talking with Hao Jia, Li Wei learns of a strange rule in Xinchuan: concubines are not allowed to send letters home. This means all the letters she wrote ended up in the hands of Yin Zheng, who was supposedly dying. Only after reading them does Yin Zheng finally understand the reasons behind Li Wei’s recent actions.

Episode 1 Recap

Episode 3 Recap

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