The Princess Wei Young Episode 22 Recap
> The Princess Wei Young Recap
Li Minde's attempt to assassinate Chiyun Rou is foiled by Hong Luo, who appears suddenly to protect Chiyun Rou. Despite Chiyun Rou's guards closing in, Li Minde, not wanting to implicate Jiao Tongling, orders his subordinate to leave immediately. Chiyun Rou, shaken but unharmed, recognizes Hong Luo and asks why she is there. Hong Luo reveals that General Chiyun Nan sent her to protect Chiyun Rou, having known about her current predicament.
Chiyun Rou is relieved, exclaiming that she has nothing to worry about as long as Chiyun Nan is coming back. Li Weiyang, having learned about Chiyun Rou's assassination attempt, immediately suspects Li Minde's involvement. She personally cooks bird's nest porridge, bringing it to him as if to commend him for his efforts in the assassination.
Li Minde, impressed by her perceptiveness, admits he was the assassin, explaining he could not stand by while Chiyun Rou lived carefree after causing his mother's death and repeatedly framing Li Weiyang. Li Weiyang then asks about the other skilled martial artists who assisted him, questioning their reliability. Li Minde assures her they are loyal friends from the martial arts community who would never betray him. Li Weiyang advises him against such reckless actions in the future.
However, Li Minde states his heartfelt desire to keep her out of this dangerous fight, revealing that his mother had wanted Li Weiyang to live a happy, simple life, free from hatred. He asserts that ever since Chiyun Rou caused his mother's death, he was destined to be involved and cannot be a coward. He believes that to live happily, he must protect those around him and fight on.
He also believes Li Weiyang is not ruthless enough for such a fight and doesn't want her hands stained with blood. Li Weiyang counters that Chiyun Rou's methods are dark and ruthless, and giving her any room to breathe would only invite swifter, fiercer retaliation. The only way to stop her is to ensure she cannot make another move. Li Minde reiterates his desire to protect Li Weiyang, emphasizing that as her only brother, it is his responsibility.
He almost confesses a deeper, unspoken truth but holds back. Jun Tao informs Li Weiyang about the Chiyun family structure: State Duke Chiyun has a daughter, Chiyun Rou, who is the Prime Minister's wife, and a son. His most promising grandchild is Chiyun Nan. There is also an unattractive granddaughter by a concubine, who is now the concubine of the Prince of Dongping.
This clarifies for Li Weiyang why Li Changle, being Chiyun Rou's daughter, receives so much attention from the Chiyun family. Jun Tao also mentions that Chiyun Nan has been guarding the Northern Liang territories, and someone from the Chiyun family is expected to return soon, though the exact person is unknown. Li Weiyang acknowledges that directly confronting the Chiyun family with their current strength would be futile.
She deduces that to bring down the Chiyun family, they must identify and exploit their weaknesses. She elaborates that while State Duke Chiyun is highly valued by the Emperor, even a full pail will overflow. The Chiyun family is at its peak, and such prosperity rarely lasts. She questions the true depth of the Wei Emperor's favor. Jun Tao observes that Li Weiyang has changed, becoming more strategic.
Li Weiyang then reflects on her Royal Grandmother's wisdom, realizing that hatred is a double-edged sword that hurts both parties. However, with their enemy directly in front of them, she cannot simply ignore them. Old Madam Chiyun arrives at the Prime Minister Manor, and Li Old Madam personally goes to receive her, instructing all female family members to wait in the Main Hall. Li Weiyang, though aware of the underlying tension, properly greets her maternal grandmother.
Old Madam Chiyun immediately asks to see her daughter, Chiyun Rou, explaining that she rushed over after seeing Chiyun Rou's carrier pigeon return the previous night, signaling trouble. A frail Chiyun Rou, visibly distressed, embraces her mother, weeping and begging for help. Old Madam Chiyun notices Li Changle's absence and asks for her, unaware that Li Changle is enduring harsh conditions at a farm.
At the farm, Li Changle, disgusted by the simple breakfast, smashes it and demands luxurious food like golden silk wraps and bird's nest congee, reminding the servants that her father is the Prime Minister. The servants scoff, telling her she is no longer in the Prime Minister's Manor and is to be treated as a servant. They order her to scrub dung barrels on an empty stomach as punishment for wasting food.
Li Changle protests, but the servants mock her, pointing out that no one has come to check on her, implying her father no longer cares. They insist she will never return home and warn her not to rely on her maid, Tanxiang, who is also assigned heavy chores. Old Madam Chiyun, seeing her daughter's condition, scolds the Li family for not informing her sooner and declares she will take Chiyun Rou home to recuperate.
Li Old Madam attempts to object, stating that as Li family's daughter-in-law, Chiyun Rou should be cared for by them to avoid rumors of mistreatment. However, Prime Minister Li, to his mother's surprise, readily agrees to Old Madam Chiyun's demand, earning a resentful glance from Chiyun Rou. After their departure, Prime Minister Li reveals to his mother that the physician has stated Chiyun Rou does not have long to live.
Back at the Chiyun Manor, a physician reports that Chiyun Rou's condition is not improving. Old Madam Chiyun, doting on her ailing daughter, promises to avenge any grievances. Chiyun Rou then makes two desperate requests: first, that her mother find a way to prolong her life until Li Changle is married; and second, that Li Weiyang must die, no matter the method or cost.
Li Changle, still confined to the farm, is forced to scrub dung barrels, crying out for her mother's help. Meanwhile, Li Weiyang, Baizhi, and Jun Tao, disguised as men, venture out. They encounter Tuoba Jun and Tuoba Yu in the city, just as Wei soldiers are rounding up escaped Northern Liang slaves to be executed by being buried alive in a mine in three days.
Jun Tao recognizes Uncle Ming among the captured slaves and is overcome with emotion, realizing her father is alive. She impulsively declares her intent to rescue him, but Li Weiyang urges her to remain calm, reminding her of the overwhelming strength of the Wei soldiers. Jun Tao insists she must save her father even if it costs her life.
Li Weiyang recounts her own past recklessness when trying to kill Li Minfeng, which nearly cost her life, stressing that recklessness only leads to failure. She proposes that they go to the mine where Uncle Ming is being held and act according to the circumstances. Tuoba Jun and Tuoba Yu discuss the situation, with Tuoba Jun expressing concern over the inhumane treatment of the Liang people who have already surrendered.
Tuoba Yu notes that the Prince of Dongping, Tuoba Han, is personally managing the mine, making intervention difficult due to imperial law. As the Liang slaves are about to be pushed into the pit for execution, Tuoba Jun arrives, questioning the hasty actions of his Royal Uncle, Tuoba Han, the Prince of Dongping.
Tuoba Jun argues that human lives should not be so wantonly taken and asks Tuoba Han to delay the execution so he can plead with his Royal Grandfather, the Emperor. Tuoba Han, however, dismisses Tuoba Jun's plea, asserting he is acting within the law. Seizing the chaotic moment, Li Weiyang and Jun Tao cut the ropes supporting a massive boulder, causing it to fall and create further disarray.
In the ensuing confusion, Uncle Ming manages to seize Tuoba Han as a hostage. Tuoba Jun bravely offers to exchange himself for Tuoba Han, promising the slaves a safe release. Though many of the enraged slaves want to kill Tuoba Jun, Uncle Ming holds them back. Tuoba Han, under duress, agrees to report to the Emperor and secure the slaves' release.
Both sides agree on a timeframe, and Tuoba Han orders the slaves to enter the mine with Tuoba Jun as their hostage within six hours. Li Weiyang and Jun Tao then discover a crucial secret: the "stone mine" is actually a silver mine that Tuoba Han intends to exploit privately. Tuoba Han, meanwhile, conspires to use the Liang slaves to kill Tuoba Jun, thereby eliminating a potential witness to his illicit mining operation.
Tuoba Yu, the Prince of Nan'an, observes the situation with interest, seeing an opportunity in Tuoba Han's predicament. He notes that if Tuoba Han successfully exploits the silver mine, his power would grow, making him a formidable opponent. Tuoba Yu decides to let the two princes fight it out, believing he can ultimately benefit from the chaos.
Li Weiyang, having learned of Tuoba Han's true intentions, uses an arrow to deliver a message into the mine, threatening to expose his private silver mine to the Emperor if he does not release the Liang slaves. Realizing his secret is compromised, Tuoba Han is forced to agree to the release but decides to prolong Tuoba Jun's suffering by delaying.
Li Weiyang, concerned about Tuoba Jun's safety and the approaching deadline, decides to enter the dangerous mine herself, instructing Jun Tao and Baizhi to wait for her and act if she doesn't return within an hour, stating her intention is to repay Tuoba Jun's kindness for saving her life multiple times. Inside, Uncle Ming sees Li Weiyang and immediately recognizes her as Princess Xin'er, confirming that the Princess of Northern Liang is alive.
Tuoba Jun addresses the agitated slaves, promising that once the crisis is resolved, he will persuade his Royal Grandfather to abolish slavery and ensure all citizens are treated equally, which begins to calm the slaves. Just as the deadline approaches, a servant from the Prime Minister Manor arrives, requesting to search for Li Changle, who has been missing. Tuoba Han, annoyed by the interruptions, agrees to send his men to help.
Meanwhile, Tuoba Jun and Li Weiyang have a brief, tense exchange. Tuoba Jun asks if Li Weiyang came for him, confessing he would face any danger for her. Li Weiyang deflects, stating she is only there to repay his kindness for saving her life multiple times.
