The Princess Wei Young Episode 36 Recap
> The Princess Wei Young Recap
Li Changle informs her mother, Chiyun Rou, that Li Weiyang will be beheaded in three days. Chiyun Rou, despite her frail state, smiles with renewed vigor, declaring that even if Li Weiyang is the Princess of Northern Liang and has fought with her for so long, she ultimately lost. Changle expresses concern over her cousin's death and grandmother's deep grief, fearing the Chiyun family's decline and loss of glory.
Chiyun Rou, however, asserts that the Chiyun family will never be easily defeated and instructs Changle to seize this opportunity to win back Tuoba Jun and help him become the crown prince. She firmly believes that once Li Weiyang dies, the Prince of Gaoyang will definitely give up on her. Chiyun Rou then tells Changle that she finally got rid of Li Weiyang, and now Changle can rely on herself and live well.
She states that even if she leaves now, she will rest in peace. Changle desperately calls out to her mother, urging her to stay and witness her marriage to the Prince of Gaoyang. The Prince of Nan'an, Tuoba Yu, returns victoriously to Ping City after safeguarding the border and defeating the Song Dynasty in the south. In Taifu Hall, Tuoba Yu humbly greets Emperor Father, who praises his great merit in protecting Great Wei's territory and its people.
When the Emperor asks how he should be rewarded, Tuoba Yu declines personal credit, stating it is his duty to assist in ruling. He wishes for Emperor Father to reward the generals and soldiers to console them for their dedication and sacrifices. The Emperor commends his nobility and announces that soldiers and generals will be rewarded according to Great Wei's rule.
Although Tuoba Yu refuses personal rewards, the Emperor promises to remember his merit and fulfill any request he makes in the future. The Emperor then declares three days and nights of celebration in Ping City to share in the glory of the victory. Upon his return, Tuoba Yu learns that someone sneaked into his manor while he was away, which his attendant suspects were Chiyun Nan's men, though nothing was stolen.
The attendant also reports that Li Changru was present at the manor that night, claiming to be unwell. When Li Changru arrives to congratulate him on his victory, Tuoba Yu immediately confronts her, striking her to the ground. He declares that he has never hit a woman but is making an exception for her, stating he wants to kill her instead.
He reveals he knows she took the memorial and connects her to the death of the Crown Princess and the death of Chiyun Nan, whom he considered extremely important. Li Changru admits to her actions, claiming she acted on Tuoba Yu's behalf to ensure military power would fall into his hands, as Chiyun Nan was not fully loyal and had been helping Li Changle get close to Tuoba Jun.
She also reveals her decade-long love for Tuoba Yu, admitting selfish reasons for stealing the memorial because she couldn't bear to see Li Weiyang take away everything precious to her, including the protection amulet he wears, which she believes is from Li Weiyang.
Li Changru reminds him that he once showed warmth to a little girl who ran away from home ten years ago, advising her to be stronger and trample on those who look down on her; she confirms she was that little girl, claiming he showed her the path for her life and is all her hopes.
Li Changru then threatens Tuoba Yu, stating that if he tells the entire truth to save Li Weiyang, his own plans will be exposed, questioning why he didn't hand over the memorial when he obtained it. Tuoba Yu acknowledges her ruthlessness, noting her similarity to himself, and questions what he should do about Li Weiyang. Back at the Prime Minister Manor, a disheartened Li Changle supervises the packing of her belongings.
Second Aunt and Li Changru visit, making critical remarks about the Chiyun family's downfall after Chiyun Nan's death, noting how supporters abandon a declining family. Li Changle angrily accuses Li Changru of knowing Li Weiyang's true identity all along and framing her, thus harming her cousin and the entire Chiyun family.
Li Changru retorts, mocking Changle for personally killing the beloved mother of the man she loves to ensure her plan wouldn't fail, implying Changle is feeling vexed and venting her anger. Changle's subordinate, Hongluo, tries to speak up but is reprimanded by Changle, who asserts her new authority as mistress after her cousin's death, reminding Hongluo that she is the mistress now. Chiyun Rou, despite her illness, interjects to remind Hongluo of Changle's position and warns her against disrespect.
Li Changle, in turn, retorts that not only the Prince of Gaoyang but also the Prince of Nan'an could save Li Weiyang, as the Emperor had promised to fulfill a future request from him. Li Changle, furious, dismisses her, having her escorted out. Chiyun Rou reiterates to Changle that she must never lose her dignity as a member of the Chiyun Clan.
Tuoba Jun seeks an audience with Tuoba Yu to plead for Li Weiyang's life, but Tuoba Yu repeatedly tells his attendants to delay and avoid him, claiming to be busy. Tuoba Jun remains steadfast, declaring he won't leave until he knows Weiyang is safe. Meanwhile, Li Minde is urged by his attendant to return to Rouran. The attendant reveals that the Khan, Minde's father, is gravely ill and might not have much time left.
He stresses that the Khan had no choice but to send Minde away in the past, has missed him dearly, and his final wish is to see him before he dies, questioning if Minde's father's last wish is less important than Li Weiyang. Minde is torn but agrees to return after one more day. Tuoba Yu finally grants Tuoba Jun an audience, acknowledging that he is the only one who can save Li Weiyang.
Tuoba Jun desperately seeks a solution, stating he cannot watch Weiyang die. Tuoba Yu admits he has an outstanding reward from the Emperor but warns that using it to save Li Weiyang would infuriate the Emperor. Tuoba Jun, understanding, asks for his price. Tuoba Yu responds that if Tuoba Jun can save Li Weiyang, he must promise to listen to his instructions.
The terms are then laid out: Tuoba Jun must marry Li Changle within a month and never reveal the truth of this deal to Li Weiyang. Tuoba Jun, realizing he has no other choice, agrees, though he mentions being in a period of filial mourning and unable to marry within the specified time. Tuoba Yu suggests he tell the Emperor that marrying Li Changle was his mother's last wish, which the Emperor would not oppose.
Tuoba Yu believes this move forces Tuoba Jun to give up the throne, as marrying Li Changle would alienate potential supporters given the Chiyun family's declining favor with the Emperor. Li Weiyang is led to the execution ground, where a crowd has gathered, murmuring about her identity as a Northern Liang royal descendant and her supposed crimes. Baizhi and Li Weiyang's mother are present, distraught. Baizhi cries out that she will join Weiyang soon.
Weiyang, seeing her beloved ones, calmly tells them that she will rest in peace now that she has seen them before she leaves. She makes Baizhi promise to take good care of her mother if she truly regards her as a sworn sister. Meanwhile, Tuoba Jun and Li Minde are both preparing to storm the execution ground to save Weiyang, ready for drastic measures.
Tuoba Jun, defying palace guards, desperately tries to reach the Emperor, who is playing chess in the imperial garden and initially refuses to see him. Tuoba Yu rushes to the Imperial Garden, finally gaining an audience with the Emperor. He reminds the Emperor of the outstanding reward and argues for Li Weiyang's innocence, pointing out that Li Weiyang was in prison when Jun Tao killed Chiyun Nan and thus could not have orchestrated it.
He further reminds the Emperor of Li Weiyang's great service in safeguarding the city against the Song army, warning that executing her despite her merits and denied crimes would lead to public criticism. Just as the executioner raises his sword, Tuoba Yu arrives with a decree.
The decree states that after investigation, there are still some doubts about Li Weiyang's crimes, and in consideration of her great merit in safeguarding the city against the Song army, she is spared death but demoted to a slave, to serve in the palace until the case is fully investigated. Li Weiyang is thus saved from execution and taken to the palace.
Li Minde, who was poised to charge the execution ground, is stopped by his attendant, who confirms Weiyang is alive. Li Weiyang is assigned to the laundry bureau as a low-ranking palace maid, enduring harsh treatment from Momo Lin, the stern supervisor, and other veteran maids. Momo Lin makes it clear that Weiyang's past status means nothing; she is now merely a lowly slave who must obey orders.
She piles a large amount of laundry on Weiyang, demanding it be finished by nightfall, threatening punishment. Li Minde secretly watches Weiyang from a distance, saddened by her plight. The Princess approaches him and assures him that she will secretly send someone to watch over Weiyang, ensuring she doesn't suffer too much. Li Minde, expressing gratitude for her help, reveals he is leaving soon. He asks the Princess to care for Weiyang, who will be alone in the palace.
The Princess agrees but makes him promise to return, at least to see if she kept her promise. Minde promises to return and hands her a letter for Weiyang. In the letter, Minde explains he has embarked on a journey, apologizing for leaving without saying goodbye, and promises to return after he has become someone respectable. The Princess shares the letter with Weiyang, who reads it, understanding Minde's need for freedom. Weiyang expresses sadness, feeling she has no family left. The Princess reassures her, promising to always be her friend and to take good care of her.
