Sassy Beauty Episode 13 Recap
> Sassy Beauty Recap
A black-clad courtesan assassinated Manager Li late at night. Upon investigating the body, Prince Da noticed that while other assassins had poisoned themselves, this woman died from blunt force trauma. Her face was unrecognizable due to prolonged immersion in water, but a money bag with the totem of Northland's Wolf King was found on her.
Despite the suspicious circumstances, Prince Da, recalling Min Taotao's advice that a quick resolution for the King's approval was more important than the actual truth, decided to fabricate a narrative. He instructed his subordinate to report the courtesan as a Northland spy killed by her accomplices and even suggested adding burn marks to her face to match previous reports.
Min Taotao expressed satisfaction with Prince Da’s swift progress on the case to her maid, who remained worried about their swapped identities being exposed. Min Taotao, however, dismissed her concerns, confident that their secret was safe as only the two of them knew. During a court assembly, Prince Da presented his fabricated findings to the King, asserting that the assassin was a Northland spy who committed suicide.
Prince Xiu immediately questioned the hasty conclusion, highlighting the courtesan's martial prowess, which should have allowed her an easy escape. Prince Yi also expressed his reservations about the authenticity of the findings, further suggesting that identifying the murderer with just a wallet was overly zealous. However, Prince Da successfully convinced the King, who praised him for his diligence.
Capitalizing on this moment, Prince Yi requested that Si Yan be exonerated from any wrongdoing related to the Linchuan Cliff incident, a request the King took note of. Si Yan, back in the Makeup Service, discussed her game strategy with Jack. She emphasized her desire to avoid the "assassin storyline" and prioritize her main goal of becoming the Head Matron, believing she could outsmart the system.
Jack, however, cautioned her that the system might not be easily manipulated and recounted a list of her "unruly" and "selfish" character traits that likely influenced the system's assignments. Meanwhile, the King grew increasingly frustrated by widespread rumors regarding Prince Xiu's frivolous behavior and his constant association with a guard. To quell the gossip and encourage him to settle down, the King announced a public marriage contest for Prince Xiu.
Prince Yi sought out Si Yan to apologize for the hardships she endured at Linchuan Cliff, expressing regret that she had to suffer. However, their private conversation was interrupted by the First Lady, who attempted to escort Prince Yi away. When Prince Yi resisted, she subtly threatened to punish Si Yan if he did not comply, forcing him to leave with her.
Later, the First Lady confided in her maid about her inability to get rid of Si Yan, considering more drastic measures. Her maid proposed a cunning plan: instead of trying to eliminate Si Yan, they should manipulate Prince Xiu into marrying her, using him as a "trump card." Meanwhile, Prince Yi found himself deeply conflicted and distressed by the complicated situation involving Min Taotao and Si Yan. Absent-minded, he resolved to confront Si Yan and face any problems together.
Still preoccupied with the mystery surrounding the assassins, he secretly studied portraits of Luna and Qing Yan. He noted their striking resemblance, believing them to be the same person, a notion his servant found hard to believe given one was a courtesan and the other a servant. In court, Prince Yi advised the King to cancel the annual Fall Hunt, citing concerns about Northland spies and the King's safety.
Prince Da vehemently disagreed, arguing that canceling would appear as a sign of weakness to Northland. The King ultimately decided to proceed with the hunt as planned. Prince Da then volunteered to organize the event, but the King surprisingly appointed Prince Xiu, despite his reputation for idleness. Prince Xiu, who frequently indulged in mahjong games at the Cloud Brothel with female companions until late hours, a facade to avoid marriage, was late for court that morning.
He was startled when the King entrusted him with the responsibility of the Fall Hunt. News of Prince Xiu's marriage contest spread quickly among the common folk, who speculated that the unusual nature of the contest was due to his alleged aphallia, rendering him unable to be intimate with women. However, due to these widespread rumors of his aphallia, no women were willing to apply for the marriage contest.
Min Taotao met with Prince Da, consoling him about not being chosen to lead the Fall Hunt. She urged him to focus on winning the first prize in the hunting competition itself to impress the King. Prince Da then recounted a painful childhood memory: his mother, a servant, was once humiliated by the First Lady and Lady Qian.
Her subsequent resentment and anger were often directed at him, leaving him with a deep-seated inability to speak coherently when in the presence of women. Back in the Makeup Service, Lady Cui announced the commencement of Fall Hunt preparations. She stressed the importance of creating light and breathable makeup, suitable for sun protection, for the ladies. A lucrative position for procuring veil hats was opened, requiring excellent accounting skills.
Min Taotao, observing the growing intimacy between Prince Yi and Si Yan, resolved to hinder Si Yan's new procurement task. Si Yan, drawing on her modern experience with financial reports and big data, quickly calculated a complex bill, winning the procurement role. As Si Yan prepared for her procurement duties, Prince Yi unexpectedly pulled her aside. He showed her a portrait, asking if she recognized the woman.
Si Yan identified her as Luna and recalled the distinct flower pattern that concealed a burn scar on Luna's face. Noticing Si Yan's difficulty in sketching the pattern, Prince Yi gently guided her hand, teaching her how to draw, which made Si Yan feel self-conscious, prompting her to excuse herself and leave. Later, while Si Yan practiced calligraphy, Lan Miao approached her, expressing concern for Prince Bao, who had not eaten for days since Si Yan's continued distance.
Lan Miao implored Si Yan to talk to him. Si Yan refused, explaining that giving him false hope would only prolong his suffering. She advised Lan Miao to spend more time with Prince Bao and encourage him to focus on his pet hamsters as a distraction. Prince Bao was indeed distraught, confiding his loneliness and longing for Si Yan to his pet mice. He was surprised to discover one of his mice wearing a small outfit.
Min Taotao continued her search for the rosewood powder box, unaware that Si Yan possessed it. The box suddenly vibrated, prompting Si Yan to consult Jack. Jack quickly identified it as a device for communicating with the outside world, likely from Si Yan's father. He read a letter addressed to "Dear Rui" from "Tong Hui," expressing deep concern and urging her to complete her tasks and return home soon.
Si Yan, feigning indifference, dismissed the letter and went to bed, stating her need to rest for tomorrow's procurement. However, despite her outward indifference, seeing her father's letter caused Si Yan's firm resolve in the game world to waver. Jack later investigated and discovered that "Rui" was Min Taotao, and that she and Si Yan had known each other prior to entering the game.
