The Princess Wei Young Episode 18 Recap
> The Princess Wei Young Recap
For several days, Tuoba Jun secluded himself in his study, engrossed in reading and writing. His servants respectfully left his meals at the door, refraining from disturbing him. Tuoba Jun then summoned Chengde, tasking him with delivering a strategy on talent selection to His Excellency Zhang at the Ministry of Personnel for advice. He urged Chengde to return quickly, as he was still crafting a border defense strategy that would need to be sent to the Ministry of War.
Chengde, concerned about Tuoba Jun's excessive work, observed that his mood had been different ever since he last met the Princess of Anping County. Tuoba Jun swiftly cut him off, asserting that a man of character should focus on national affairs and not be swayed by personal affections. Meanwhile, Tuoba Yu and Tuoba Han unexpectedly met outside the Prime Minister Manor.
Tuoba Han suggested they put aside official business for the day and discreetly visit Li Changle, the Eldest Young Miss of the Li family. Inside the manor, Li Changxi was eagerly entertaining Li Changle in the garden when the two princes arrived. Overwhelmed with excitement, Changxi seized the opportunity to complain to Tuoba Han that Imperial Guard Li Minde frequently helped Li Weiyoung in bullying Changle.
To ingratiate himself with Changle, Tuoba Han scornfully threw a peach at Minde, ordering him to eat it as a "reward." Changxi picked it up and tried to force it into Minde's mouth. Li Weiyoung, passing by, intervened, bravely halting the scene. She challenged Changxi and Changle for their unseemly behavior and asserted the dignity of her title, which had been personally conferred by the Emperor, questioning their disrespect.
Though Tuoba Han repeatedly looked ready to retaliate, Tuoba Yu calmly restrained him, emphasizing that they were on a private visit and should avoid causing a public spectacle. To further subdue Changxi and Changle, Weiyoung claimed that the hairpin Changxi had just thrown was an imperial gift, warning her that destroying it would invite severe punishment from the Emperor and implicate their father.
Tuoba Yu subtly intervened again, and Changle, fearing repercussions, made Changxi personally retrieve the hairpin from the pond. After the princes departed, Weiyoung confessed to Minde that her claims about the imperial gifts were a bluff, done purely to teach them a lesson about bullying her "younger brother." Minde, though initially amused, questioned her use of "brother," to which Weiyoung playfully deflected. Later, Tuoba Yu sought out Weiyoung privately.
He expressed his profound admiration for her intelligence and frankness but criticized her actions as overly "radical," questioning if risking herself was truly necessary. He explained that while men have various paths to power, women primarily gain influence by aligning themselves with powerful men, suggesting that if she depended on such a man, all her current obstacles would vanish. Their conversation was cut short when Baizhi, Weiyoung's maid, interrupted, claiming Madam was looking for Weiyoung.
After Weiyoung left, Baizhi warned her to stay away from Tuoba Yu, calling him "not simple." She revealed his troubled background—his mother was a disgraced consort executed by the Wei Emperor, and he was raised by Lady Lu of Bright Deportment. Despite being perceived as the weakest prince, his low profile concealed his true capabilities, with many of Tuoba Han's achievements secretly stemming from Tuoba Yu's strategic mind.
Baizhi stressed the importance of caution, reminding Weiyoung that all the Wei royal relatives were enemies of their fallen Liang State, and any exposure of her true identity would be disastrous. Weiyoung acknowledged the danger and agreed to be wary. Li Changru meticulously orchestrated an "accidental" encounter with Tuoba Yu. During their conversation, she subtly let slip that Tuoba Jun had once saved Li Weiyoung, feigning regret for her loose tongue.
Tuoba Yu, intrigued, pressed her for details, learning that the Princess of Anping County appeared to have a significant connection with the Prince of Gaoyang. Changru then questioned why Tuoba Yu held a mere concubine's daughter in such high regard, given her entanglement with Tuoba Jun. Tuoba Yu explained that Weiyoung's intelligence and resourcefulness far surpassed the superficial beauty of aristocratic ladies, making her a valuable ally, especially since she had gained the Emperor's favor.
Observing Changru's manipulative tactics, Tuoba Yu concluded that she was also "not that simple." At the palace, Tuoba Jun's royal mother expressed her displeasure over his year-long absence. His Imperial Grandfather, the Wei Emperor, suggested he consider Li Changle as a consort. However, Tuoba Jun politely but firmly refused, stating that while Li Changle possessed many good qualities, she was not the woman he admired; he wished to marry someone he truly loved.
The Emperor, understanding his grandson's sentiment, encouraged him, asking if he had already found someone. Tuoba Jun admitted he had, but lamented that he was not the one in her heart. The Emperor, unfazed, assured him that since her marriage was not yet arranged, he still had a chance. He urged Tuoba Jun to show "determination and courage to capture her heart" and never "give up so easily," drawing a parallel to his own efforts in conquering the Northern States.
Enlightened, Tuoba Jun thanked his grandfather and joyfully departed. Later, Tuoba Jun encountered Li Minde, who questioned him about being punished by the Emperor for a "decreed private visit" that Minde suspected was merely sneaking out of the palace to play. Minde expressed his frustration at feeling inferior to Tuoba Jun in skills. Tuoba Jun then pulled Minde's hand to show him his calloused palm, explaining that he practiced day and night to prove he was not weak.
Li Minde, emboldened, prepared to invite Li Weiyoung to see a renowned theatrical troupe. Before he could, Baizhi brought in a parrot that repeatedly called out "Weiyoung." The parrot had been sent by an unnamed person, but Baizhi suspected it was from the Prince of Gaoyang. Weiyoung, sighing, instructed Jun Tao to release the bird, as the sender had specified that if she didn't like it, she should simply set it free.
Unbeknownst to them, Tuoba Jun watched his parrot fly back, jokingly chastising it for being "useless" but reaffirming his resolve not to give up so easily. Back at the manor, Minde, looking at a marriage divination, seemed to be struggling with his feelings for Weiyoung. The next morning, Minde arrived at Junlan Courtyard with a new parrot he had bought for Weiyoung. Weiyoung graciously accepted it, remarking that it could keep "Xiao Ying" company. Minde looked puzzled.
Just then, Baizhi returned with the previously released parrot, explaining that it had persistently flown back and refused to leave, so Weiyoung had decided to keep it, calling it "Xiao Ying." Minde's face fell, and later, when Weiyoung was out of sight, he frustratedly jabbed "Xiao Ying" with a bamboo stick, muttering angrily as the parrot continued to call out Weiyoung's name.
Second Madam, now in charge of the household, found her status increasing daily but worried about relinquishing her authority once Chiyun Rou recovered. Li Changru comforted her mother, assuring her that their good days would last. Their discussion was interrupted by an imperial messenger, who delivered an oral decree from the Empress, inviting Li Changru to her banquet next month. Both mother and daughter were overjoyed.
The messenger revealed that the Prince of Gaoyang had personally recommended Changru to the Empress. Changru inwardly acknowledged that her earlier decision to inform Tuoba Jun, enabling him to save Weiyoung, had indeed been a wise strategic move, as he was now repaying her. Chiyun Rou's condition worsened, her illness exacerbated by pent-up anger and the lingering poison. Li Changru paid her a feigned visit of concern.
During the visit, Changru's maid, Rong'er, "accidentally" let slip that on the night before Li Weiyoung's title conferral ceremony, she had seen Third Madam Zhou Xuemei's servants carrying a person-sized gunnysack through a back door, acting suspiciously in the dark. This revelation ignited a furious realization in Chiyun Rou.
She concluded that Zhou Xuemei, whom she had always considered meek and subservient, had helped Li Weiyoung orchestrate the haunting at the banquet by bringing back the body of Ziyan, thereby assisting in her son's death. Overwhelmed by rage and grief, Chiyun Rou violently vomited blood again.
As Changle tried to calm her, Chiyun Rou further speculated that Li Minde must have instigated Zhou Xuemei to collude with Li Weiyoung in killing her eldest son, vowing that both Zhou Xuemei and Li Minde would pay with their lives.
