Sassy Beauty Episode 22 Recap
> Sassy Beauty Recap
Jack woke up to find himself rescued by Tong Rui, who revealed she had poisoned Qiguan Yi, though Jack had consumed it instead. Tong Rui explained her intention was to sow discord between Si Yan and Qiguan Yi, hoping to drive them apart. She had suspected Jack was not a typical NPC, noting his unusual loyalty to Si Yan, whom he had followed from the Northland.
Tong Rui, recognizing their shared goal of separating Si Yan and Qiguan Yi, proposed they cooperate. Jack initially refused, wishing to avoid any further entanglement with her. However, Tong Rui challenged his reluctance, asserting that true love is selfish and demands active protection, not passive retreat.
Meanwhile, Si Yan was with Lian Miao, who was busy preparing soup for Prince Bao, noting his recent weight loss due to court affairs and the Second Lady's strictness, which even led to the demolition of his hamster park. Lian Miao confessed she secretly adopted Prince Bao's hamsters to cheer him up. Later, Lian Miao playfully suggested that the guard who returned with Si Yan, Jack, might have feelings for her, as he constantly followed and cared for her.
Si Yan quickly dismissed the idea, clarifying that Jack was merely a friend and her heart belonged solely to Qiguan Yi. Unbeknownst to Si Yan, Jack overheard this conversation from outside, leaving him visibly heartbroken. Si Yan then reiterated her unwavering commitment to stay by Qiguan Yi's side. Qiguan Yi and Qiguan Xiu pursued a black-clad assailant to the Treasure House, only to find Manager Xue already murdered.
Qiguan Yi observed that the killer was poisoned and, following trails of a reflective toxic powder, deduced the perpetrator was heading towards the East Mansion's gate. Simultaneously, in a courtyard, the Second Lady was performing a shadow puppet show when the black-clad man, Qing Yan, arrived. She revealed it was his birthday and presented him with a hair ornament, expressing her desire for a future where they could openly be together, free from societal judgment.
Qing Yan suddenly coughed up blood, confessing that Manager Xue had poisoned him in anticipation of his arrival. The Second Lady cried out his name, Qing Yan, confirming his identity as the man who had vanished from the Qi Mansion years ago. As Qiguan Yi and his guards surrounded the chamber, Qing Yan quickly changed into a black cloak, feigning to take the Second Lady hostage. He demanded to see the King, proclaiming his intention to die that night.
To provide a cover for the Second Lady, he loudly declared his supposed long-standing, unrequited love for her and his bitterness over her rejection. Qiguan Yi, suspecting a deeper plot involving General Min, offered himself as a hostage in exchange for the Second Lady. Qing Yan, however, insisted he acted alone out of love, attempting to stab Qiguan Yi. Tong Rui intervened, intercepting Qing Yan, allowing the guards to kill him.
Soon after, Si Yan rushed to aid Qiguan Yi, but Jack intercepted her, revealing his knowledge of her true mission as a killer. Jack confronted Si Yan, recounting how he had sacrificed his privileges and endured a lonely confinement in the dark system space, all to fulfill her plea to save Qiguan Yi. He declared his newfound desire to be selfish for her sake.
Si Yan, remorseful, promised to help him recover his lost privileges and assured him of her continued presence. Jack, echoing Tong Rui's earlier words about the selfish and possessive nature of love, hinted that he would eventually make Si Yan understand. Later, the Second Lady gave birth to a baby girl. Tong Rui awoke to Qiguan Yi's presence, admitting she deliberately collapsed to secure his attention and affection, claiming that gratitude, too, could foster love.
She then questioned the truthfulness of Qing Yan's dying words to Qiguan Yi and suggested his death was a staged event to clear someone's name, subtly implying General Min. Although Tong Rui asserted her father's innocence, she proposed a marriage to Qiguan Yi as a means to uncover the truth about General Min's potential treason, reasoning that her position as Qiguan Yi's wife would allow him to control the Min family army if her father proved guilty.
Qiguan Yi departed without committing to the proposal, leaving Tong Rui to ponder whether East Mansion or Si Yan held greater importance in his heart. In protest against the forced marriage to Tong Rui, Qiguan Yi knelt outside the King's palace for days. His efforts to reason with his father were met with a firm refusal, and the King forbade anyone from interceding on his behalf.
Jack, discussing Qiguan Yi's stubborn defiance with Tong Rui, acknowledged Qiguan Yi's struggle but reminded her that Si Yan, being a person of deep loyalty, would undoubtedly stand by him. Jack then suggested that Tong Rui exploit Si Yan's lingering guilt over the car accident, as Si Yan still believed herself responsible for Tong Rui's predicament, cautioning Tong Rui not to genuinely harm Si Yan.
Moved by Qiguan Yi's perseverance, Si Yan visited him nightly, bringing food and warm garments, encouraging him to remain steadfast. Tong Rui subsequently confronted Si Yan, urging her to abandon Qiguan Yi, asserting that it would benefit both of them. She revealed that her ultimate mission was to marry Qiguan Yi and achieve a "wedding kiss" to complete her task.
Tong Rui explained that the game was originally designed for a single player, and Si Yan's forceful entry by her boss had complicated things, creating a conflict where both of their mission keys were tied to Qiguan Yi. She implied that Si Yan's mission was to assassinate Qiguan Yi and proposed that Si Yan allow her to marry him first, then proceed with the assassination, so both could complete their missions and return to reality.
Si Yan vehemently refused to kill Qiguan Yi. Tong Rui then leveraged Si Yan's guilt, reminding her of the car accident that led to Tong Rui's current predicament and pleading that the wedding was her only chance to escape, before dramatically collapsing. As heavy rain fell, Qiguan Yi remained kneeling outside his father's palace. Si Yan approached him with an umbrella, tears streaming down her face.
She implored him to rise, stating that the King was resolute in marrying him to Tong Rui and she did not want to be a hindrance to their relationship. Overwhelmed by guilt for the car accident and believing she was responsible for Tong Rui's suffering, Si Yan felt she had no choice but to agree to Tong Rui's demands. With a heavy heart, she pushed away Qiguan Yi's embrace and ran off, leaving him distraught and questioning her decision.
