The Princess Wei Young Episode 2 Recap
> The Princess Wei Young Recap
Upon receiving a carrier pigeon message, Chiyun Rou, the First Madam of the Prime Minister Manor, smiled, declaring that with the Northern Liang royal family eradicated, external affairs were settled, and it was time to deal with household issues. Meanwhile, in Baishui Village, a kind young woman named Li Weiyang discovered an unconscious Xin'er on the road while chopping firewood and brought her home. Weiyang herself lived a difficult life, fostered by the notoriously cruel Auntie Liu.
Upon seeing Xin'er, Auntie Liu harshly demanded money if Weiyang wished to keep the stranger. Weiyang, with a heavy heart, offered the only memento from her birth mother – a jade pendant. Instead of appeasing her, Auntie Liu beat Weiyang, chastising her for not revealing such a valuable item sooner. Unable to bear the sight, Xin'er intervened, prompting Auntie Liu to lock both girls in a room.
Inside, Weiyang confessed her identity to Xin'er, revealing she was the daughter of Prime Minister Li Xiaoran, but her mother was merely a low-ranking foot-washing maid to the First Madam. Weiyang explained that because she was born in the second month, a fortune teller sought by the Madam had declared her a "curse." Thus, Weiyang had been sent to live with Auntie Liu in the countryside since childhood, never having met her own mother.
Touched by Weiyang's sincerity, Xin'er confided her own secret: she was the fugitive princess of the fallen Great Liang, whose family was annihilated after being falsely accused of rebellion. Soon, the Li family's Old Madam wished to bring Li Weiyang back for her upcoming birthday. However, Chiyun Rou, the legitimate daughter of the powerful Chiyun family and Li Weiyang's stepmother, had already dispatched assassins.
She discussed the matter with her daughter, Li Changle, assuring her that she would not allow the "daughter of that foot-washing maid" to hinder Changle's future. An assassin cornered Weiyang, revealing he was sent by Madam Chiyun and intended to claim a "memento" from her body as proof of the kill. Just then, Xin'er arrived with food. She swiftly subdued the assassin with a chopstick, saving Weiyang's life.
Weiyang then informed Xin'er that her would-be killer was her stepmother, Chiyun Rou, and that Xin'er's arch-enemy, Li Minfeng, was Weiyang's own half-brother. As they spoke, the assassin, having recovered, lunged forward with a dagger and stabbed Weiyang. In the ensuing struggle, Xin'er shoved the assassin, causing him to fall back onto a tree stump and perish. Mortally wounded, Weiyang's final plea to Xin'er was to "live well and seek revenge." Devastated, Xin'er vowed to avenge her.
Returning to Auntie Liu's residence, Xin'er found servants from the Li Manor, Baizhi and Ziyan, sent to escort Li Weiyang back. Recognizing an opportunity, Xin'er decided to impersonate Weiyang, reclaiming the jade pendant from Auntie Liu to serve as proof of her new identity. Back at the Prime Minister Manor, a fortune teller divined that both Li Changle and Li Weiyang now possessed the destiny of a phoenix.
He warned that the world could not accommodate two masters, and their conflict would surely harm one, predicting misfortune for Changle. Chiyun Rou, confident in her assassination plot, dismissed the prophecy. Her confidence shattered when a servant reported that the Old Madam's people had successfully retrieved Li Weiyang and were on their way back. Enraged that "the daughter of that foot washer" could still pose a threat, Chiyun Rou's murderous intent reignited.
Xin'er, disguised as Li Weiyang, journeyed with Baizhi and Ziyan. They stopped at an inn for the night, where coincidentally, the Prince of Gaoyang, Tuoba Jun, was also lodging. As Xin'er reflected on seeking revenge right under Chiyun Rou's nose, the First Madam's maid, Chunming, was seen finalizing a deadly plot. Later that night, a fire erupted in Xin'er's room, trapping her and her maids behind a locked door. Having escaped, Baizhi and Ziyan pleaded for help.
Rejecting the notion of fate, Tuoba Jun declared that "human will can conquer heaven" and bravely rushed into the blaze to rescue Xin'er. Xin'er recognized Tuoba Jun from a previous encounter but feigned ignorance to maintain her cover. After their escape, Xin'er deduced that Chiyun Rou was behind the arson. Deeply moved by Xin'er's courage in saving them from the fire, Baizhi and Ziyan pledged their unwavering loyalty.
Meanwhile, enraged by the failure of her plot, Chiyun Rou was ordered by the Old Madam to personally send someone to escort Li Weiyang. She reluctantly dispatched Chunming to fulfill the command. Upon their arrival at the Prime Minister Manor, Xin'er was directed through a side entrance, as rules dictated only children of the main wife could use the main gate. A maid from Chiyun Rou's faction disdainfully reminded Xin'er of her mother's lowly status.
Asserting her new identity, Xin'er slapped the maid for her disrespect and proudly entered through the side door. Inside, Li Changle was being praised for her talents while her maids disparaged her sister, Changru. They reassured Changle that no one could outshine her. Xin'er, as Li Weiyang, was brought to meet the Old Madam, Chiyun Rou, Second Aunt Wen, and Third Aunt Zhou.
Unfamiliar with Wei etiquette, she simply knelt and kowtowed three times to the Old Madam, who reacted with compassion for the hardships Weiyang had endured. Xin'er immediately inquired about her birth mother. Chiyun Rou asserted her authority, stating that as the First Madam, she was Weiyang's official mother and that her birth mother, the Seventh Concubine, was not present. When Xin'er's persistence drew disapproval, the Old Madam intervened, assuring her there would be opportunities later.
Chiyun Rou then took control, announcing she would personally teach Weiyang etiquette and assigning a new maid, Huamei, to watch her. As Xin'er was escorted away, her real birth mother, the Seventh Concubine, frantically tried to reach her but was harshly restrained by servants and dragged back to her courtyard. Seeing her mother's despair, Xin'er silently reaffirmed her resolve to survive and make Li Minfeng pay.
