The Princess Wei Young Episode 29 Recap
> The Princess Wei Young Recap
A guard, flustered by Jun Tao's stern demeanor, accidentally revealed that Tuoba Jun, the Prince of Gaoyang, was not marrying Jun Tao's young lady, Li Weiyang, but Li Changle. Enraged, Jun Tao confronted Tuoba Jun, who explained that while his royal mother wished him to marry Li Changle, he only desired Li Weiyang.
He reassured Jun Tao that his royal father supported their union, and since his mother had never gone against his father, he was confident he could gain her approval. Shortly after, Tuoba Jun was informed that his royal mother, the Crown Princess, had suddenly fainted. Doctor Liu diagnosed her condition as a heart problem caused by long-term excessive anxiety, exacerbated by recent worries. Concerned for her health, Tuoba Jun promised to obey his mother's wishes.
The Crown Princess seized this opportunity to demand that he leave Li Weiyang and marry Li Changle instead. Restless at night, Li Weiyang questioned whether she was wrong to accept Tuoba Jun's love, fearing it caused him suffering by being caught between her and his mother. Jun Tao reassured her that there was no right or wrong in love, only that Heaven might be testing them.
Meanwhile, in Chiyun Manor, Li Changru learned of the Crown Princess's fainting spell and believed this would force Tuoba Jun to leave Li Weiyang. Her mother, however, assured her that Li Weiyang would not marry Tuoba Jun, hinting at a plan. An urgent report arrived from the frontier, indicating unusual movements by the main forces of Song from the Southern dynasties. Emperor Wei sought opinions from his subjects.
The Prince of Dongping advocated for war, while other ministers, citing a recent calamity and the people's suffering, suggested prioritizing recuperation and a marriage alliance to avoid further conflict. A minister, influenced by Chiyun Nan, then proposed a marriage alliance to resolve the immediate threat. Tuoba Jun opposed this, arguing that war with Song was inevitable and a princess sent for alliance would face great danger.
Chiyun Nan then seized the opportunity to propose sending a noblewoman from Ping City instead, claiming her life would be a worthy sacrifice to buy Great Wei time to recuperate. He then named Li Weiyang, the Princess of Anping County, as the most suitable candidate due to her status. The Prince of Nan'an also voiced his support for the marriage alliance, believing it would benefit Great Wei by gaining time for recuperation.
Tuoba Jun vehemently objected, openly declaring his intention to marry Li Weiyang. Despite the Emperor's fury at Tuoba Jun's personal demands in court, the Prime Minister Li Xiaoran stepped forward and agreed to Li Weiyang being the envoy. The Emperor then elevated Li Weiyang's title from Princess of Anping County to Princess Anping and decreed her to be the marital envoy to Song.
Li Weiyang's father explained that Tuoba Jun's impassioned plea, contradicting several officials and the Emperor, enraged the Emperor. To prevent further punishment and to uphold the imperial decree, he had no choice but to agree to Li Weiyang's dispatch for the marriage alliance, stating that defying the imperial decree would lead to the clan's demise. Li Weiyang’s First Uncle chastised her for the family’s predicament, but Li Minde intervened, reminding their uncle of his neglect towards Li Weiyang.
Li Weiyang reassured her weeping grandmother and mother, accepting the decree for the greater cause, though vowing to escape once in Song. Li Minde secretly told Li Weiyang to go to Song, promising to rescue her once they reached the border of Great Wei and take her to Rouran. He reassured her not to worry, emphasizing that he wouldn't let her suffer by marrying into Song.
Before departing, Li Weiyang bid a tearful farewell to her grandmother and mother, promising to take care of herself. As she prepared in the palace, she encountered Princess Jiuji, who informed her that Tuoba Jun was still pleading with the Emperor to reverse the decision.
Concerned that Tuoba Jun would infuriate the Emperor, Li Weiyang asked Princess Jiuji to relay a message: her heart belonged to him, and should any mishap occur on the journey, she would take her own life rather than suffer humiliation. She also asked him not to further provoke the Emperor on her behalf. Tuoba Jun persisted in pleading with his Imperial Grandfather to reconsider, revealing that Song was not sincere about the alliance and was assembling troops.
He directly accused Chiyun Nan of proposing the marriage alliance and designating Li Weiyang as the envoy with the intention of killing her, not out of concern for the country. The Emperor was enraged by Tuoba Jun's defiance for the sake of a woman. Despite an eunuch attempting to divert the Emperor by announcing the imperial guards' drill, Tuoba Jun followed him to the training ground, declaring he would kneel indefinitely until the decree was rescinded.
Tuoba Jun further argued that a marriage alliance with the ambitious Song ruler was a self-deception that put Great Wei's safety at risk. The Crown Princess arrived and begged the Emperor to spare Tuoba Jun, offering to take his punishment and reminding the Emperor of his deceased father. The Emperor warned Tuoba Jun that just as he bestowed the title of Prince of Gaoyang, he could also strip him of it, referencing what he did to Tuoba Jun's father.
Despite this, Tuoba Jun continued to kneel in the rain, stating he must do this for Great Wei as the marriage alliance was a conspiracy. His royal mother, angered by his perceived obsession with Li Weiyang, ordered him to be watched, threatening to kill herself if he pleaded for Li Weiyang again. Li Minde confirmed his plan to take Li Weiyang to Rouran, even if it meant offending both Great Wei and Song.
His subordinate, Jiao Tongling, concerned about the grave disaster this would bring to Rouran and the need for the Khan's permission, expressed hesitation. Li Minde insisted there was no time to seek permission and reaffirmed his resolve to not leave Li Weiyang behind, even at the cost of his own life. Li Changru delivered a handmade waist belt, containing a protection amulet, to the Prince of Nan'an. She expressed her hope that he would like it.
The Prince of Nan'an outwardly expressed understanding of her feelings and praised the waistband, promising to keep it close. However, as soon as Li Changru departed, he contemptuously discarded the belt. The Prince of Nan'an was designated by the Emperor as the marriage escort for Princess Anping. As he prepared to depart as the escort, Li Changru expressed her surprise at his role and wished him a swift return.
The Prince of Nan'an, maintaining his pretense, reiterated his appreciation for her affections and again promised to keep her waistband close. He then met with Zhang Chao, Great Song's envoy, at the border, and they proceeded with the marriage alliance procession.
