The Princess Wei Young Episode 40 Recap
> The Princess Wei Young Recap
Prince of Dongping's plot to assassinate Li Weiyoung fails due to the sudden appearance of Prince of Gaoyang. Despite the setback, a close confidant reassures Prince of Dongping that Li Weiyoung will surely fail to find the culprit by tomorrow's deadline, thereby solidifying her guilt. He expresses his intention to eventually frame Prince of Nan'an to pave his own way to the throne.
Meanwhile, Hong Luo admits to Li Changle that she was the one who attempted to kill Li Weiyoung with Prince of Dongping's help, as they both sought Li Weiyoung's demise. Li Changle is displeased by Hong Luo's alliance with Prince of Dongping. Hong Luo, driven by a desire for revenge for the general, then reveals that it was Prince of Gaoyang who saved Li Weiyoung, casting doubt on Prince of Gaoyang's worthiness of Li Changle's devotion.
As the three-day deadline expires, Li Weiyoung grows anxious in the Palace Laundry Service, still without a lead, fearing she may not escape this time. An attendant of the Emperor, Zong Ai, arrives to take Li Weiyoung for intensive interrogation and execution. Prince of Nan'an and Prince of Gaoyang then arrive, attempting to plead on Li Weiyoung's behalf.
Just then, Zong Ai reports to the Emperor that Li Weiyoung claims to have found the real killer and requests His Majesty's presence at the Palace Laundry Service. The Emperor, accompanied by Prince of Nan'an and Prince of Gaoyang, proceeds there, despite Prince of Nan'an's initial suspicion of Li Weiyoung's claims. At the Palace Laundry Service, Li Weiyoung declares that the killer is among the palace maids present.
She instructs everyone, including Decent Maid Lin (the Senior Maid), to extend their hands. Upon examination, Li Weiyoung points to Decent Maid Lin as the culprit. Decent Maid Lin protests, inadvertently revealing her guilt by stating there are "no cracks on my nails," which Li Weiyoung had not mentioned. Li Weiyoung then exposes Decent Maid Lin's panicked pre-emptive nail trimming, indicating her guilty conscience. Li Weiyoung explains her deduction.
The previous day, she had Zong Ai deliberately deliver a specific garment to attract the killer's attention. Knowing someone would eavesdrop, she and Baizhi staged a conversation about scratches on the garment and how a coroner could identify the killer by the unique marks left on their nails. This was a fabricated story, a trap set to make the guilty party take precautions. Li Weiyoung reveals that Decent Maid Lin was the only one who had cut her nails recently.
Despite Decent Maid Lin's protests, Li Weiyoung presents further evidence found on the poison pouch itself. She explains that the pouch was made from common remnants of palace maid uniforms. While many were found in Qing's cupboard (the mender), some were also discovered in Decent Maid Lin's room. More conclusively, the specific "white yarn" thread used for the pouch, typically for patching exquisite garment hems, was exclusively in the possession of Decent Maid Lin in the entire Laundry Service.
As Decent Maid Lin desperately tries to argue her innocence, Ninth Princess arrives with compelling evidence. She reveals that her investigation uncovered Decent Maid Lin's recent acquisition of substantial property in her hometown, far exceeding her official salary, strongly suggesting she was bribed. The Emperor, convinced, orders Decent Maid Lin's immediate arrest and a thorough investigation to uncover the mastermind behind her actions.
Subsequently, Li Weiyoung is promoted to the newly conferred Decent Maid, taking charge of the Palace Laundry Service. Everyone congratulates Li Weiyoung, while Li Changru, witnessing her plan unravel, angrily departs. Back home, Seventh Aunt and Li Old Madam are overjoyed and offer heartfelt prayers, expressing their gratitude that Li Weiyoung has not only survived but also achieved a new position. Later, Baizhi, harboring suspicions about Li Changru, secretly follows her and Qiu Rong.
She overhears Li Changru expressing frustration over Li Weiyoung's survival and admitting to framing Li Weiyoung for the Crown Princess's murder by causing Baizhi to lose consciousness with drugs, taking her keys, placing an incriminating letter in Li Weiyoung's cupboard, and hanging red pieces of cloth in the Prime Minister Manor. Baizhi is discovered eavesdropping and is swiftly attacked by Qiu Rong.
Despite her struggle, Baizhi is fatally injured by Li Changru and Qiu Rong to silence her, dropping Qiu Rong's handkerchief in the process. Upon hearing of Baizhi's dire condition, Li Weiyoung rushes to her side. As Baizhi lies dying, she points her finger in the direction where Li Changru was hiding. However, Li Changle happens to be standing in that same general direction, leading Li Weiyoung and others to mistakenly believe Baizhi was pointing at Li Changle.
Overwhelmed by grief and rage, Li Weiyoung confronts Li Changle, accusing her of Baizhi's murder. Li Changle, insulted, orders her attendants to slap Li Weiyoung. Prince of Gaoyang intervenes, telling Li Changle not to stoop to Li Weiyoung's level, but then, to protect his wife's reputation, reluctantly orders Li Weiyoung to be slapped for slandering Li Changle.
Despite their marriage, Prince of Gaoyang has been sleeping in his study, avoiding intimacy with Li Changle, who remains frustrated by his emotional distance. Deeply hurt by this betrayal and the loss of Baizhi, Li Weiyoung is devastated and approaches a well, contemplating taking her own life. Prince of Gaoyang, watching from a distance, considers rushing to her aid, but his close attendant, Caiping, reaches Li Weiyoung first and pulls her back from the brink.
Ninth Princess then arrives and comforts Li Weiyoung. She urges Li Weiyoung not to give up, reminding her of Baizhi's unwavering faith in her. Li Weiyoung, however, laments that she has lost everything and everyone she loves, including Prince of Gaoyang, who now appears to despise her.
Believing herself to be an ominous individual who brings misfortune to those close to her (listing her Royal Father, Royal Grandmother, Third Aunt, Crown Princess, Jun Tao, and Baizhi), she urges Ninth Princess to leave her to her fate. Ninth Princess challenges Li Weiyoung, asking if she would allow Baizhi to die without justice. She implores Li Weiyoung to find Baizhi's killer, sparking a renewed purpose in Li Weiyoung to seek vengeance.
