The Princess Wei Young Episode 30 Recap
> The Princess Wei Young Recap
Prince of Gaoyang, Tuoba Jun, knelt for many days in the training ground, enduring the harsh sun and heavy rain to implore his Imperial Grandfather to rescind the imperial decree. He finally collapsed from exhaustion. The Imperial Doctor reported that while medicine might treat his physical ailments, the deep-seated emotional turmoil in his heart remained intractable; for a full recovery, His Highness needed to resolve his emotional complications.
When Tuoba Jun awoke, he expressed to his Royal Mother, the Crown Princess, that he could not forget his love for Weiyoung merely to please her. He felt that if he could not keep his promise to stay by Weiyoung's side, he would be neither filial nor righteous. He insisted on seeing Weiyoung off on her journey for the marriage alliance, despite his mother's warnings that it would infuriate His Imperial Majesty. Tuoba Jun declared he had no regrets.
The Crown Princess, seeing his unwavering resolve, ordered her attendants to watch him closely and prevent any reckless actions. Undeterred, Tuoba Jun devised a plan. He feigned a sudden severe fever and talked in his sleep, prompting his attendant Chengde to urgently summon the Imperial Doctor. Once the doctor arrived, Tuoba Jun subdued the Imperial Doctor, donned his clothes, and managed to escape the Crown Prince's residence and, with Chengde, immediately set off to catch up with Weiyoung.
Upon learning that Tuoba Jun had dared to bolt from the residence, the Emperor was enraged, believing he had gone after Li Weiyoung. He declared that Tuoba Jun was to be demoted to a commoner and banned from returning to Ping City for life. Despite the Crown Princess's desperate pleas, the Emperor remained resolute. Distraught, the Crown Princess lamented that Li Weiyoung had taken her Jun'er away.
Meanwhile, in Chiyun Manor, news of Tuoba Jun's demotion spread, prompting discussions about his defiance and loss of value to the Chiyun family, but no one could challenge the Emperor's decree. Lord Zhang, the envoy for the marriage alliance, repeatedly used his poor health as an excuse to delay their journey. A trip that normally took one month stretched into two, raising suspicions. Prince of Nan'an, Tuoba Yu, observed the deliberate delays and advised his men to stay alert.
Baizhi wondered why Prince of Gaoyang had not appeared after so many days. Weiyoung, however, felt it was better if he did not come, fearing he would only be harmed. Tuoba Yu approached Weiyoung, subtly taunting her about the marriage alliance, but she calmly stated her honor in accepting it and held no regrets. Lord Zhang later hosted a banquet for the Wei soldiers, apologizing for the delays caused by his supposed ill health and offering wine.
However, the wine was drugged, and the Wei soldiers quickly passed out. Tuoba Yu, who had anticipated the drugging and had not truly consumed the wine, feigned unconsciousness to observe the situation. A Song official revealed the true plot: Song intended to falsely accuse the Wei envoy, Prince of Nan'an, of lusting after the princess and conducting a sneak attack on the Song army during the night.
This fabricated incident would then serve as a justifiable reason for Song to launch a full-scale invasion of Wei. Lord Zhang then ordered his men to kill Jun Tao and Baizhi, and seize Weiyoung, aiming to assault her and provide the "evidence" needed for Song to claim Wei had humiliated their princess, thereby validating their attack. Jun Tao attempted to protect Weiyoung but was quickly overpowered.
Just as Lord Zhang advanced on Weiyoung, Tuoba Jun arrived dramatically, swiftly dispatching Lord Zhang and his men. He immediately checked on a shaken Weiyoung and an injured Jun Tao, vowing that as long as he was there, no one would harm them. Meanwhile, Tuoba Yu, having feigned unconsciousness, 'woke up' and furiously condemned Liu Song's despicable actions, feigning indignation as a victim of the plot.
Tuoba Jun quickly grasped the depth of the conspiracy and the imminent danger to the border, immediately ordering an alert to prepare for war. He declared the area unsafe and ordered an immediate departure. Before leaving, Tuoba Jun requested a private conversation with Weiyoung. He confessed that he missed her dearly and managed to escape his confinement to see her.
Despite her worries about infuriating the Emperor, Tuoba Jun assured her that his Imperial Grandfather doted on him too much to truly punish him. He then expressed his concern about the impending war and made her promise to take care of herself and live well. Weiyoung corrected him, stating they would both live well, together, no matter what.
After their heartfelt exchange, Tuoba Jun entrusted Weiyoung to Tuoba Yu, asking him to safely escort her back to Ping City and explain the situation to the Emperor. Tuoba Jun revealed his intention to head to the border, as he feared the Song army would soon attack, and his duty was to help guard it. During their journey back to the capital, Weiyoung realized Tuoba Jun was not with their group. Distraught, she insisted on dismounting to look for him.
Tuoba Yu rebuffed her, stating that their priority was to return safely to Ping City and report the military situation to His Imperial Majesty, and he could do nothing else. Suddenly, a large contingent of Song soldiers pursued them. Realizing escape with the entire entourage was impossible, Tuoba Yu, despite Weiyoung's protests, forcefully pulled her onto his horse and rode off alone, leaving Jun Tao behind.
Weiyoung angrily demanded he return for Jun Tao, but Tuoba Yu coldly stated that his subordinates existed to protect him, and their lives were expendable in comparison to hers. As they reached a secluded farmhouse, Tuoba Yu, who had sustained an arrow wound, pulled Weiyoung into a hidden, dark compartment. The confined, dark space triggered a traumatic childhood memory for Tuoba Yu, where he was locked in a dark room and separated from his mother.
Overwhelmed by fear and helplessness, he trembled. Weiyoung, sensing his distress, offered silent comfort, which eventually calmed him. Once the pursuers had left, the relieved Tuoba Yu fainted from his injuries and the emotional ordeal. Meanwhile, Tuoba Jun arrived at Huatai City, the border stronghold, only to find that the Song army had already launched a surprise attack the previous night. The garrison commander had bravely led the defense but had died in battle, holding off the initial assault.
General Zhou reported that the city now had less than 5,000 soldiers, severely lacking in weapons and rations, and, most critically, their morale was shattered, leaving them with little will to fight. Tuoba Jun, having brought only one attendant with him, was the only reinforcements. Elsewhere, Min De, having waited fruitlessly for the marriage entourage, grew worried and rode back to investigate.
He learned that the official reception party had not arrived, confirming his fears that something had gone wrong with his "Second Sister" (Weiyoung). Back in Huatai City, news arrived that the main Song army, numbering 200,000 soldiers, was preparing another attack. The city's generals debated retreating, arguing that their 5,000 soldiers stood no chance against such overwhelming odds. However, Tuoba Jun adamantly refused to retreat even a single step, asserting his authority as the Prince of Gaoyang and taking command.
When a general again spoke of retreat and low morale, Tuoba Jun ordered his immediate beheading, making it clear that any talk of abandonment would be met with military law. He passionately reminded his men that retreat would doom their people, as the city was a crucial strategic point. He rallied the disheartened soldiers by reminding them of Song's treachery and the fate of their families if the city fell.
He declared that though death was certain whether they fought or fled, fighting would ensure the peace and safety of their families and country. Inspired by his fervor, the soldiers roared their willingness to fight. Tuoba Jun then ordered the city gates to be opened for a desperate, do-or-die charge, vowing to behead any deserters and commanding the gates to be immediately closed behind them, ensuring there was no turning back. The Wei army, invigorated, charged out.
Against all odds, Tuoba Jun led them to a stunning victory against Song's advance forces, forcing them to retreat. The jubilant soldiers hailed him. Tuoba Jun, however, warned that this was merely the first victory; the main Song army would soon arrive, making the situation even more grim. He implored them to use the time to prepare, emphasizing that they must protect the city at all costs, for behind them lay the lives of thousands of their people.
Meanwhile, Jun Tao informed Weiyoung that while Tuoba Jun had successfully pushed back Song's initial attack on Huatai City, he was severely outnumbered and outmatched against 200,000 Song soldiers. Weiyoung realized he might not hold out until reinforcements, which would take at least two weeks, could arrive.
Despite Tuoba Yu's cynical warnings that she was treating her life as a child's game and seeking a pointless death, Weiyoung declared that Tuoba Jun was in danger, and she intended to go to Huatai City to be by his side.
