Sassy Beauty Episode 19 Recap
> Sassy Beauty Recap
Qiguan Da, previously captured, found himself confronted by the King of Northland, who revealed that Tong Rui had "cooperated" and devised a plan to exchange Qiguan Da for Qiguan Yi. Despite Qiguan Da's pleas to spare his brother and let Qiguan Yi go, the King threatened Tong Rui’s life, forcing Qiguan Da to comply. The King taunted Qiguan Da, telling him that a true ruler must understand choice and sacrifice.
Soon after, Qiguan Yi arrived at Zijin Pass, urging the King to release Qiguan Da. The King acknowledged Qiguan Yi's compliance with their agreement and ordered Qiguan Da’s release. Qiguan Da questioned Qiguan Yi's decision to sacrifice himself, to which Qiguan Yi replied that the army could not be without a leader, and he believed Qiguan Da would have done the same for him.
As the chains transferred from Qiguan Da to Qiguan Yi, Qiguan Yi returned a cherished black lotus jade to Qiguan Da, explaining he had taken it from him when they were children, and that it was supposed to bring good luck. Qiguan Da, now free, was led away, leaving Qiguan Yi imprisoned.
A flashback showed a young Qiguan Yi offering the same jade to a locked-up Qiguan Da, after a fight over mung bean cakes, further emphasizing the depth of their fraternal bond. Later, Qiguan Yi deliberately provoked the King of Northland, calling him a despicable, undeserving ruler and mocking his inability to win battles fairly. The enraged King, who claimed responsibility for Qiguan Yi’s second brother’s death, ordered Qiguan Yi to be thrown into the Zijin water dungeon for severe torture.
Qiguan Yi, however, had intentionally angered the King to gain access to the dungeon, where his second brother had left markings for a secret passage. Meanwhile, in Dongli, the City Lord and his court deliberated over Northland’s demand for a peace marriage, coupled with a dowry of five cities, using Qiguan Yi’s life as leverage. Outraged, some officials urged immediate military action, but Qiguan Xiu, the City Lord’s son, advised caution.
He pointed out the suspicious sinking of grain ships and Qiguan Yi’s capture, suggesting a deeper plot was at play to turn them against each other. The City Lord agreed with Qiguan Xiu, emphasizing the need for patience and observation to uncover Northland’s true intentions. He also expressed his worry about the succession if Qiguan Yi, his capable son, did not return. The Second Lady, Qiguan Bao's mother, listened intently.
Following the Northland’s demand, Lady Qian, responsible for the marriage arrangements, ordered the selection of maids to be adopted as surrogate daughters for the peace marriage, as Princess Hua Yan, the City Lord's real daughter, was rarely seen. Many maids feared becoming a "scapegoat." Si Yan, determined to find Qiguan Yi, volunteered, stating she had no regrets. She sought help from Hu Ying, who had previously seen Princess Hua Yan.
Despite Hu Ying’s warnings about the dangers and her criticism of Si Yan's romantic notions, Si Yan remained resolute, stating that love knew no bounds, even across "dimensions." Hu Ying, while still skeptical, eventually agreed to help Si Yan get chosen. She created a portrait for Si Yan (under the pseudonym "Si Yi An") that was likely intended to make her less appealing, hoping to deter Lady Qian.
Surprisingly, Lady Qian chose "Si Yi An", deeming her suitable for the role. Separately, Qiguan Xiu continued his investigation into the sunken grain ships. His men retrieved only rocks and cotton from the river, confirming that the grain loss was a deliberate act of sabotage, not an accident. He deduced that the missing Manager Ruan could not have acted alone and ordered his men to find Ruan and investigate for further collaborators.
In another part of the City Lord’s residence, the Second Lady subtly cultivated her son, Qiguan Bao’s, ambition. She praised his efforts in studying memorials, offered guidance on statecraft, and, to ensure his focus, revealed she had removed his beloved "hamster paradise." She then discussed the precarious position of their family, the Min family, if Northland ceased to be a threat to Dongli, implying that maintaining this threat was crucial for their power.
Meanwhile, in the Northland, Tong Rui, through a series of observations and recalled conversations, realized that Qiguan Yi, not Qiguan Da, was her true target. She confronted the King of Northland, feigning concern for Qiguan Yi's torture and warning of losing the dowry cities if he died. The King, confident in his scheme, assured her he would not kill Qiguan Yi, as he intended to use him for further gains.
While the King and his men celebrated, Tong Rui attempted to rescue Qiguan Yi from the water dungeon. Qiguan Yi, however, revealed he had long known her true identity as General Min's daughter and her role in orchestrating his and Qiguan Da's hostage exchange. He explained that he realized her deception when she showed an allergy to balsam flowers, despite his second brother having told him they were her favorite.
Tong Rui confessed that she was forced to cooperate with the Northland King after offending him by killing his cherished snow wolf. She also admitted to initially observing all four Dongli princes in secret to determine who would be a suitable husband and leader.
Qiguan Yi, revealing his intentional capture, laid out his plan: to find the secret passage within Zijin Pass that his second brother had failed to uncover years ago, and then, on the night of the peace marriage, have Dongli troops use it to launch a surprise attack and capture the pass.
As the peace marriage procession began, Si Yan, who had volunteered to impersonate Princess Hua Yan, traveled with the real Princess Hua Yan, whom Si Yan had helped escape her confinement the previous night. The princess, known for her gossiping nature, teased Si Yan about her feelings for Qiguan Yi. During their journey, they stumbled upon a group of suspicious foreign merchants who, despite posing as tea merchants, were secretly transporting large amounts of grain.
Realizing this could be the missing Dongli military provisions, Si Yan and Princess Hua Yan decided to investigate. Sneaking into the merchants' quarters at an inn, they encountered a young chef guarding the grain. Si Yan immediately recognized him as Jack, her former AI butler, though he had no memory of her and seemed to be just another character in this world. Despite his amnesia, Si Yan felt a tangible connection when he accidentally leaned on her.
To her surprise and delight, she discovered she could now physically touch him, a stark contrast to his previous form as an un-touchable AI. Princess Hua Yan, initially trying to playfully interact with Jack, accidentally hit him too hard, knocking him unconscious. Si Yan reflected on Jack’s transformation from her "heartless, nagging AI butler" to a real person, albeit one with erased memories.
With the mysterious caravan’s true nature uncovered and Jack’s unexpected return, Si Yan planned to send a message to Qiguan Da to intercept the stolen grain. She gratefully accepted and praised the congee Jack had made for her.
