Sassy Beauty Episode 20 Recap
> Sassy Beauty Recap
With military provisions secured, Qiguan Da was informed of their arrival by his subordinate. He credited Princess Hua Yan for the intelligence and ordered the interrogation of foreign merchants suspected of smuggling provisions and treason.
Despite his subordinate's cautious advice to think twice before attempting a rescue, reminding Qiguan Da that Qiguan Yi's uncertain fate could secure him the Young City Lord's position, Qiguan Da was adamant about avenging the humiliation of Northland demanding five cities as compensation for Qiguan Yi's capture. He declared he wouldn't return to East Mansion without retrieving his brother.
However, upon being reminded to protect himself, Qiguan Da decided to follow the City Lord's order to retreat, waiting for the princess's arrival for the peace marriage. Meanwhile, the peace-marriage princess of East Mansion arrived in Northland. The King of Northland debated whether to release Qiguan Yi after the marriage, hinting that his release depended on the ransom offered by those who wanted him. He even pondered how to set up Qiguan Yi if someone desired his death.
The Northland King was initially taken aback by the princess's appearance, finding her "a nightmare." However, the princess, unfazed, flirted with the King, making him believe she was "plump and round like a pearl," capable of bringing him good fortune. He was eager to consummate the marriage, but his attendant deemed such haste "improper," offering other dancers to entertain the King.
Si Yan, acting as a maid in the princess's retinue, discussed Qiguan Yi's likely imprisonment in an "evil underground prison" with the princess. The princess advised Si Yan to focus on the rescue mission, stating she would handle the marriage. However, Si Yan insisted on covering for the princess that night and maintaining a "low profile." Si Yan, disguised as a soldier, then delivered "Daughter Red" wine to the prison guards.
She cleverly persuaded them that the wine possessed "filters" that would make anyone appear beautiful, inciting them to rush to see the new queen. This distraction allowed Si Yan to infiltrate the water dungeon. She found Qiguan Yi in agony, shackled and injured. After struggling to open his chains, her hat fell off, revealing her identity. Qiguan Yi, now awake, quickly freed himself, tore off Si Yan's fake beard, and embraced her.
An emotional Si Yan cried, believing she would never see him again. Tong Rui, also attempting a rescue, interrupted their reunion, urging them to escape. She sarcastically called Si Yan a "love-struck idiot" for getting trapped while she had been diligently upgrading. As they fled, Tong Rui and Si Yan bickered over which path to take at a fork. Qiguan Yi, like an NPC, was frozen. They were then presented with a "line connection mission," a puzzle requiring their cooperation.
Si Yan used her memory of the prison layout—the number of drunk soldiers, whether candles were lit or extinguished, and a trip she took—to help solve the puzzle, while Tong Rui also contributed with her observational skills. After solving the puzzle, they found an exit. As soldiers closed in, Jie Ke, now referred to as Xiao Li, dramatically appeared, dispatching the guards with martial arts.
He offered to lead Si Yan to safety, a proposal Qiguan Yi found suspicious, but Si Yan assured him Jie Ke could be trusted. Outside, General Min's men were waiting, ensuring their escape. A grand banquet was held at General Min's mansion to celebrate Qiguan Yi's rescue and Northland's surrender. General Min lauded Qiguan Yi for discovering the "secret passage" and securing Northland's capitulation "without spending a single soldier."
Qiguan Yi, however, expressed his bewilderment at Northland's inexplicable cycle of defeat and renewed aggression, speculating that the King of Northland must have found "profits" in the ongoing conflict. During the celebration, Tong Rui, performing a sword dance, revealed her true identity as General Min's daughter, Miss Min. She apologized to Qiguan Da for her earlier deception, requesting discretion, then approached Qiguan Yi, affectionately calling him "Brother Yi" and reminding him of their engagement.
Overwhelmed, Si Yan accidentally shattered her cup. Distraught, Si Yan left the banquet hall and encountered Jie Ke, now a guard, who promised they would be a "perfect match" as a guard and a maid. Si Yan playfully commented on his newfound "sweet talker" nature. Qiguan Yi, observing Si Yan and Jie Ke dancing, became visibly upset and intervened, taking Jie Ke's place. While dancing with Si Yan, Qiguan Yi learned that Jie Ke and Si Yan were merely friends.
This clarification allowed Qiguan Yi to resolve their recent misunderstandings. Later that night, a very drunk Si Yan was carried back to her room by Qiguan Yi, who offered her his own room. The next day, as they prepared for the journey back to East Mansion, Tong Rui approached Qiguan Yi, offering him homemade desserts and feigning illness to draw his attention, suggesting they switch carriages. Si Yan arrived with her own dessert, leading to an immediate rivalry.
They exchanged barbs, with Si Yan calling Tong Rui a "conniving little bitch" for her melodramatic act. Tong Rui responded by challenging Si Yan to a dance-off. Meanwhile, Qiguan Da confronted Tong Rui, demanding to know the truth behind her numerous identities (maid Peach-peach, Brother Tong) and whether her feelings for him were genuine, emphasizing his willingness to sacrifice his life for her. Tong Rui, however, coldly informed him that her engagement to Qiguan Yi was a matter that "has nothing to do with Your Highness."
