Sassy Beauty Episode 23 Recap
> Sassy Beauty Recap
Si Yan, dressed in a wedding gown, reluctantly rehearsed the wedding ceremony, lamenting that it was a difficult task for a servant. She wished the wedding were her own, but knew it was merely a dream. Meanwhile, Qiguan Da confronted Qiguan Yi, demanding to know why he agreed to marry Tong Rui.
Qiguan Da accused Qiguan Yi of never changing since childhood, always taking what belonged to others, questioned why he would marry Tong Rui when he didn't love her, and also why he treated Si Yan this way. Qiguan Yi, however, refused to explain, stating he had nothing to say to them. Qiguan Da's companion urged him to let Qiguan Yi go.
Elsewhere, someone played a mournful flute, noting its sorrowful tune and speculating that the player might have just experienced a breakup. The player mused about whether marriages were determined by parents' orders, matchmakers' arrangements, or by two people genuinely loving each other. At another location, someone, seemingly a paternal uncle, sought a meeting, to which the other party replied that a message would have sufficed instead of a personal trip.
The uncle demanded "the thing," but was told it hadn't been found. He then angrily reminded the person how their father tragically died in East City, threatening to personally intervene if the "Gouwang plant" wasn't found, warning that if the Fifth Young Master were accidentally harmed, it would be on them. Back at the rehearsal, Qiguan Yi appeared as the groom.
Si Yan tried to leave, but Qiguan Yi stopped her, insisting she drink the ceremonial wine before she could go. With tears streaming down her face, Si Yan complied. Qiguan Yi tried to explain that the wedding had another purpose, but Si Yan, emotional, couldn't listen and dismissed him, saying she only felt gratitude and wished to leave.
Later that night, the Second Lady (Min Ling) found Qiguan Da, who was grieving the loss of his beloved and the crowned prince title. Min Ling taunted him, calling him miserable. Qiguan Da, noticing his father's half of the Tiger Tally with her, questioned how she obtained it. Min Ling dismissed its origin, emphasizing how he could use it to achieve his goals.
When Qiguan Da pointed out the crime of taking the tally, Min Ling countered that it wouldn't be a crime if the future King of East City possessed it. She then explicitly suggested he stage a revolt, claiming everything rightfully belonged to him. She argued that Qiguan Da, despite his loyalty to East City, had been undermined.
She revealed that her brother held the other half of the Tiger Tally, and uniting them would mobilize the entire East City army, with the Min family's full support if he agreed. Qiguan Da questioned her motives, to which Min Ling replied she was doing it for Tong Rui, not wanting her to "follow in her footsteps" and marry someone she didn't love for family status, just as she had. She presented the opportunity to Qiguan Da, challenging his courage.
At the inn, a man referred to as "Master" (Jack) had been waiting all night, refusing food or water. He revealed he was waiting for someone who might never come, unsure whether to continue waiting. He described this person as a friend, confidant, and lover, admitting he had expected this outcome.
He explained that he once had no future, but her presence brought many moments to his life: watching her busy in the kitchen, observing her messy attempts at makeup, and seeing her interact happily with others, even witnessing her in someone else's arms, crying with hurt and sadness. He paused, and a voice assured him that despite his doubts, she could see him, just as he saw her.
In Deyang Palace, Si Yan told Tong Rui that she could leave after this night. Tong Rui thanked her, then asked if Si Yan truly intended to stay, knowing she wouldn't complete the task of killing Qiguan Yi. She pressed Si Yan about abandoning her family waiting outside. Tong Rui reminded Si Yan that their world was a data-constructed reality, seemingly real but full of danger, and as players, they could only win or lose.
A servant then informed Tong Rui that General Min was delayed fetching her special wedding gift from the Treasure Pavilion, which might postpone the auspicious time. Tong Rui insisted the auspicious time was paramount and instructed the servant to tell her aunt that the wedding would proceed as planned, then sent the servant to wait for her father outside.
Si Yan watched Tong Rui proceed, reminiscing about her own moments with Qiguan Yi and shedding tears, while Qiguan Yi, too, thought of Si Yan. Later, Qiguan Yi was officially proclaimed the crowned prince. As he and Tong Rui performed the second bow to the parents, Qiguan Da burst in, staging his coup. He declared it a family matter and warned others to leave if they wanted to live. The King ordered everyone to retreat.
Qiguan Da declared his intent to take the woman he loved and reclaim what was rightfully his, stating that since he couldn't take her legitimately, he would take what was his by force. He lashed out at the King, accusing him of never recognizing his achievements and asking why he was born if so hated. Qiguan Da vowed to prove himself by becoming the crowned prince, even if he had to declare himself one.
The King, however, revealed that the wedding and Qiguan Yi's temporary appointment as crowned prince were a setup to expose the real culprit. Qiguan Yi then collapsed, and Tong Rui fainted, signifying a game event. Immediately following the collapse of the false "crowned prince" ceremony, the Second Lady (Min Ling) made her move, appearing with Yue Ge's memorial tablet. She brazenly demanded that the City Lord appoint Qiguan Bao as the next City Lord.
Meanwhile, Si Yan, seeing this, had a bad feeling. Recalling Tong Rui's earlier words about her father not appearing on her wedding day, Si Yan wondered if General Min was the true mastermind, although she believed him to be loyal. She decided she had to find General Min, and located him bound in the Treasure House.
Elsewhere, Qiguan Bao, observing his mother's recent strange behavior, became suspicious, especially after she hastily sent him and the baby princess to the royal retreat. Lan Miao initially dismissed his concerns, but then admitted she too had noticed the Second Lady's sadness and secret tears, particularly after the assassin's death, and her habit of dismissing all guards and servants after dinner. Convinced something was wrong, Qiguan Bao decided they must return.
Back at the palace, Min Ling, now fully revealed as the orchestrator of events, including the Qixi assault, the Cloud Brothel case, and the missing food and fodder, confessed to sending Qiguan Teng to the Northland King, who then blackmailed her into providing supplies. She brazenly explained that the war allowed her to solidify her power. General Min arrived with his troops and ordered Qiguan Da to take Tong Rui away.
He confronted Min Ling, urging her to stop, as her rebel forces had been purged. Min Ling, enraged, cried that she was on the verge of success, of making East City hers, or rather, the Min family's. She accused her brother of forcing her into this, sacrificing her love for Qing Yan, whom she had to pretend not to know after his death. She lamented her life in what felt like a prison, where only Qing Yan offered solace.
Min Ling argued that all her arduous efforts and sacrifices were to make General Min the most powerful minister and the Min family influential. She bitterly questioned why he would stop her now when he had taught her that only power could bring freedom, feeling her entire life had been a cruel joke. Overwhelmed, she tried to take her own life with a sword, but Qiguan Bao intervened, grabbing the blade, injuring his hand.
Qiguan Bao pleaded with his father to forgive his mother, offering his own life in exchange. General Min also begged the King to spare his sister. The King, accepting their pleas, ordered that Min Ling be stripped of her nobility, made a commoner, and exiled to the north region, never to return to East City.
As Min Ling and Qiguan Bao were being taken away, Qiguan Bao comforted his mother, assuring her they would find their place in the world and that he sought no wealth or power, only to care for her. He added that serving at the northern border suited his inclinations. Lan Miao, rushing after them, begged to accompany them.
Despite Qiguan Bao's initial resistance, claiming no feelings for her and not needing her care, Lan Miao confessed her unwavering love for him, regardless of his status, and insisted on staying by his side. Qiguan Bao, moved, embraced her and agreed, with one condition: she must never cry again. Having completed the Second Lady's hidden storyline, Si Yan was overjoyed that she no longer had to kill Qiguan Yi.
She then found a message from Jack, realizing he had been waiting for her at the posting station. Upon opening her door, she saw Qiguan Yi, who embraced her tightly, declaring that no one could separate them now. Si Yan, however, indicated she still had one more task to complete.
