Sassy Beauty Episode 17 Recap
> Sassy Beauty Recap
One month later, the King ordered the cancellation of Si Yan's engagement to Prince Xiu. Si Yan and Qiguan Yi's relationship deepened during this time. Qiguan Yi often found excuses to see Si Yan, visiting her in the makeup bureau. For instance, he brought rare mountain pomegranates for her cosmetics, much to her playful annoyance, and later recited poetry to her while she worked.
As Si Yan crushed rose petals to create cosmetics, she felt a void, missing the structure of tasks, rewards, and even Jack's nagging. Qiguan Yi noticed her melancholy and offered to have Wang, his steward, search for Jack. Si Yan, however, knew Jack was not a real person in this world and politely declined, explaining that Jack would always find her.
Despite this, Qiguan Yi still instructed Wang to look for someone named Jack in East City, although Wang expressed doubt about finding anyone with that surname. Meanwhile, Tong Rui, posing as Miss Min, had completely captivated Qiguan Da. She congratulated him on winning the autumn hunt and skillfully manipulated him, declaring her "love" and urging him to immediately ask the King to appoint him commander-in-chief for the Northland war.
She saw this as an opportunity for him to achieve military glory and eventually marry her when he becomes the Crowned Prince, thereby dictating their own destiny. That night, Qiguan Yi was still haunted by the assassin Luna's words, who claimed he was cursed to die early because of his connection to Si Yan. Soon after, Prince Xiu arrived, inquiring about the missing grain and fodder and the identity of Luna.
He also subtly teased Qiguan Yi about his relationship with Si Yan, advising him to be more proactive and reminding him of the many obstacles they faced, including the First Lady, Miss Min, and their differing social statuses. Qiguan Yi, in turn, reluctantly thanked Prince Xiu for the canceled engagement and urged him to continue investigating the flow of the grain and fodder quietly. The war with Northland escalated, causing great distress to the King.
Qiguan Yi visited the Second Lady to inquire about the Cloud Brothel fire three years prior. He specifically asked about a page boy named Qing Yan, suspecting he might be the same person as Luna due to their similar departure and appearance times.
The Second Lady vaguely remembered Qing Yan being reprimanded for accounting errors before he disappeared, but she claimed ignorance of his connection to Luna, remarking on the absurdity of a male servant and a female courtesan being the same person. Back in the Makeup Service, Si Yan was still frustrated by the lack of tasks and missed Jack.
She attempted to find Tong Rui (alias Miss Min) for information, but was blocked by a guard and told Tong Rui was not available. Si Yan, feeling trapped and unable to leave the "lousy space" of the East Mansion without tasks, confided in her friend Lan Miao about her dilemma regarding love and freedom. Lan Miao then mentioned that the Second Lady needed calming incense for the King, which Si Yan immediately recognized as a potential new task.
Later that night, Qiguan Yi found Si Yan asleep at her desk. He gently covered her with his cloak and confessed his desire to marry her, stating that she had taught him to face his true feelings.
Si Yan, still burdened by the uncertainties of her system-driven existence, expressed her fears: that they were from different worlds, that the system might force her to harm him again, that she might regret being unable to return to her original world, and that he might not adapt to her "real self." She preferred to simply enjoy their love in the present, free from external pressures.
However, Qiguan Yi insisted he only wanted to marry her and keep her by his side. The next morning, the First Lady orchestrated a plan to hasten Qiguan Yi's marriage to Miss Min, even suggesting Si Yan become a concubine. Qiguan Yi knelt before his mother, declaring his unwavering devotion to Si Yan alone.
Enraged, the First Lady struck him and reminded him of his second brother's death, blaming Si Yan for his recklessness and warning him of the consequences if General Min withdrew support. To diffuse the tension and demonstrate his loyalty, Qiguan Yi volunteered to lead troops into battle. At the formal departure ceremony, the King appointed Qiguan Da as the commander-in-chief and Qiguan Yi as deputy general.
The First Lady desperately pleaded with the King not to send Qiguan Yi, fearing another loss after his second brother. Qiguan Yi, however, reiterated his deep familiarity with Northland's terrain from a past campaign and his determination to avenge his brother. Recognizing his resolve, the King reluctantly agreed. Meanwhile, Tong Rui, still bound, was confronted by her captor, who revealed Qiguan Yi's true feelings.
Her captor scoffed at Tong Rui's self-pity and ambition, informing her that Qiguan Yi had rejected the First Lady's arranged marriage to Miss Min, choosing only Si Yan, and even went to war because of her. Tong Rui was left furious and heartbroken by this revelation. Later, Wang delivered Qiguan Yi's message to Si Yan, explaining that Qiguan Yi had fought fiercely with the First Lady over her, even bearing a visible mark from his mother's strike.
The First Lady had forbidden Qiguan Yi from seeing Si Yan before his departure, fearing it would bring bad luck. Qiguan Yi, knowing Si Yan would worry, asked her to put on her best makeup and await his victorious return. Distraught, Si Yan raced to the city gates, but was repeatedly blocked by guards as the system prevented her from leaving the city.
Despite these obstacles, Si Yan persisted and finally managed to reach Qiguan Yi's departing expedition at the city gate. She pleaded with him, offering to go with him no matter the distance, reminding him of her origins in the "West Region" and her desire to return home with him, not to be left alone. Qiguan Yi, firmly refusing to let her come, reassured her he would return safely.
They shared a poignant embrace and a deep kiss before he departed, as the guards pulled Si Yan back, fulfilling the First Lady's ban and Si Yan's plea not to be left alone.
