The Princess Wei Young Episode 42 Recap
> The Princess Wei Young Recap
General Chiyun, who had been missing for a long time, was revealed to have been saved and treated by Prince of Nan'an's people. Upon hearing that General Chiyun had finally awakened, Prince of Nan'an eagerly went to see him, asserting that General Chiyun could now surely witness his sincerity. Though General Chiyun clenched his fists, he was forced to acknowledge his position.
Meanwhile, Tuoba Di felt deep shame and responsibility regarding Baizhi's death, lamenting that she should have been more cautious and sent more people to protect Weiyoung and her maid. She recalled how sincerely Li Minde had entrusted Weiyoung to her care before leaving, and now she worried how to face him, feeling she had disappointed his trust.
Her maid playfully suggested that the princess was missing Imperial Guard Li, pointing out her loyalty in caring for his sick mother and now Weiyoung, but Tuoba Di warned her not to spout nonsense. Six months had passed, and Tuoba Di still wondered where Li Minde was. The Rouran envoys arrived in Wei, drawing contempt and rude remarks from the populace, who mocked their unusual attire.
Princess Anle was incensed by a child's disrespectful words and ordered her guards to seize the child and punish her. Li Minde intervened, shielding the child and explaining that children are ignorant, urging General Jiao not to be offended. Princess Anle, however, insisted on teaching a lesson about disrespecting Rouran. Li Minde calmly dismissed it as a petty matter, and his reasonable words earned applause from the onlookers.
Li Minde, now known as Prince Yuanlie, appeared before the Wei Emperor, no longer as a mere guard but as the long-lost son of the Rouran Khan, representing Rouran royalty alongside Princess Anle. He proposed a marriage alliance and a mutual trade agreement. The Emperor scoffed at the idea of exchanging a princess for mutual trade, finding it too good a deal for Rouran. He then turned his attention to Prime Minister Li Xiaoran, questioning if he knew Prince Yuanlie.
The Emperor revealed he had received a letter from Rouran's ruler stating that the Li family's adopted son from the Third Household was indeed the long-lost son of the Rouran Khan. He then interrogated Prime Minister Li, questioning the Li family's intentions after first adopting the Rouran Prince and then taking in the Princess of Northern Liang. Prime Minister Li pleaded ignorance, claiming he was unaware of Prince Yuanlie's true identity.
Prince Yuanlie stepped forward to defend Prime Minister Li, expressing deep gratitude for the Li family's upbringing and vowing never to harm them or Great Wei. Seeing Prince Yuanlie's sense of gratitude, the Emperor decided on a lighter punishment for Prime Minister Li, deducting his salary for one year.
Before the court could settle, General Jiao proposed that since Rouran offered Princess Anle for a marriage alliance, Great Wei should reciprocate by marrying one of its princesses to the Rouran Khan to ensure permanent peace. Li Minde was furious at this suggestion, confronting General Jiao later for daring to propose such a significant matter without his consent and for disrespecting his authority as a prince, especially since the proposed marriage was for Tuoba Di.
General Jiao defended his actions by stating he was acting for Rouran's benefit and knew Li Minde had apprehensions due to his bond with Great Wei. Li Minde questioned why General Jiao insisted on a Wei princess rather than other valuables, to which General Jiao retorted that if Rouran could marry off their princess, Wei should do the same, even implying Li Minde was unwilling to let the Wei princess go.
During further court discussions, Prince of Nan'an weighed the pros and cons of the marriage alliance, acknowledging the difficulty of marrying off the Emperor's own flesh and blood but emphasizing its importance for long-term peace. However, others, including Li Minde, strongly opposed sacrificing Tuoba Di's happiness, suggesting mutual trade could naturally build trust without such a sacrifice.
Despite the objections, Prince of Nan'an expressed concern that refusing the alliance could lead to war on the northern border, trapping Wei between Rouran and the Southern Song dynasty. The Emperor ended the debate, stating he would decide. Later, the Emperor approached Tuoba Di, gifting her a rabbit presented by the Rouran Prince. Tuoba Di, delighted, asked which prince, and was thrilled to learn it was Prince Yuanlie, whom she knew as Li Minde.
The Emperor then gently broached the topic of the marriage alliance, hoping Tuoba Di would agree for the sake of peace between Rouran and Wei. Tuoba Di, mistakenly believing she was to marry Li Minde, joyfully agreed. However, her joy turned to shock when the Emperor clarified that she was to marry Khan Tuhezhen, Li Minde's father. Tuoba Di immediately recoiled, declaring she would not marry the old and ugly Khan.
Despite her vehement refusal and pleas, the Emperor remained firm, asserting that the marriage alliance would bring great benefits and that daughters of emperors must prioritize the state. Tuoba Di, feeling like a mere toy, vehemently refused to comply. Li Minde went to the Palace Laundry Service to see Weiyoung, who was surprised to learn his true identity. Li Minde explained his delayed revelation, citing his father's critical illness and Weiyoung's own difficult period.
Weiyoung was simply content to see him safe, though surprised by his newfound status. Li Minde then presented a celebratory gift: Jun Tao, who emerged from hiding. Weiyoung was overjoyed, embracing Jun Tao and expressing relief that she was alive, though she mourned Baizhi. Jun Tao recounted being saved by a Song dynasty trader after falling into the river, eventually encountering Li Minde who brought her back.
A guard then called Li Minde to the archery ground, revealing that General Jiao had already proposed the marriage alliance for Ninth Princess to marry the Khan. Weiyoung expressed her shock and concern, and Li Minde assured her he would find a solution to stop it. He also decided that for Jun Tao's safety, it would be best for her to stay with him in the Rouran delegation for now.
Later, Tuoba Di confronted Li Minde at the archery ground, furious that he had returned only for her to be married off to his father. She shot an arrow deliberately close to him, accusing him of betrayal. Li Minde vehemently denied wanting her to marry the Khan and vowed to find a solution, even swearing to die a horrible death if he failed to stop the alliance.
Li Minde then sought out a high-ranking lord, requesting his assistance in influencing the Emperor. He argued that his father preferred a gentle and considerate consort, and that Tuoba Di, being young and inexperienced, was unsuitable and could jeopardize the state's friendship. He suggested that helping save the princess from this marriage would be a great favor to the Emperor, eventually persuading the lord to speak on his behalf.
Meanwhile, Li Changru expressed her frustration to her maid, dismayed that Prince of Nan'an, whom she had expected to marry, was now betrothed to Princess Anle. Her maid warned her about the challenges of being a secondary consort to a prince married to a princess. Shortly after, Prince Yuanlie and Li Weiyoung visited the Prime Minister's manor to see the Old Madam, who, despite Li Minde's royal status, warmly welcomed them.
Li Minde expressed his profound gratitude for the family's kindness in raising him. He later sought to light incense for his mother and was joined by Weiyoung. He confided in her about the helplessness of life, lamenting that he couldn't trade his princely status for his mother's safety. He reiterated his determination to stop Tuoba Di's marriage alliance and sought Weiyoung's help regarding Li Changru.
An official from Rouran later reminded Li Minde that he needed to focus on completing his tasks for the Khan. At a grand banquet hosted by the Emperor for the Rouran envoys, Princess Anle was given new outfits and invited to enjoy the company of Ping City's noble ladies and Tuoba Di, with Weiyoung also present. Princess Anle directly asked Prince of Nan'an for his views on the marriage alliance.
He spoke of its benefits for friendly relations and peace, but Princess Anle sharply questioned the suffering of the woman sent to a distant land as a mere deal. Prince of Nan'an defended marriage alliances as a historical and effective policy for stabilizing borders, but Princess Anle challenged their effectiveness, citing past betrayals by Xiongnu against the Han. She then turned her attention to Tuoba Di, mockingly acknowledging her as the one marrying her father.
Princess Anle then challenged Tuoba Di with a Han studies question about the saying "Winding horses and cows do not get together." Tuoba Di correctly explained its meaning. Princess Anle posed another question about the differences between the characters for "peng" and "you" (friends). Tuoba Di faltered, but Weiyoung subtly whispered the answer, enabling Tuoba Di to explain it using the Rites of Zhou.
Weiyoung then, in turn, challenged Princess Anle with a question about why "to hold an opinion to the left" implies a different view. Princess Anle was stumped, and Tuoba Di provided the explanation. Princess Anle then accused Weiyoung, whom she referred to as a palace maid, of helping Tuoba Di cheat, but the Emperor diffused the tension.
Due to Princess Anle's unruly nature, the Emperor later permitted Princess Consort of Gaoyang (Weiyoung) and Li Changru to freely enter and leave the palace to accompany Princess Anle. After the banquet, Tuoba Di thanked Weiyoung profusely for her assistance. Prince of Nan'an expressed concern about Tuoba Di's marriage into the complicated Rouran royal family, noting that descendants of nobility paid a price for their glory. Weiyoung urged him to treat Princess Anle well, emphasizing a woman's lifelong happiness.
Prince of Nan'an countered by asking about his own happiness, asserting that he loved Weiyoung and would one day make her his consort. Weiyoung expressed gratitude for his help but stated she had never considered marrying him. Prince of Nan'an, undeterred, declared that she could only be his woman and must abandon any other ideas.
