The Princess Wei Young Episode 45 Recap
> The Princess Wei Young Recap
Li Weiyang arrived at Li Changru’s palace, where Li Changru immediately accused her of setting her up. Li Weiyang responded that Li Changru had brought all misfortune upon herself through her own evil intentions. Li Weiyang revealed she had suspected Li Changru since the murder of the Crown Princess, and Baizhi’s dying act of revealing a key confirmed Li Changru as her killer.
Li Weiyang then disclosed her plan: knowing Li Changru intended to harm Princess Anle, Li Weiyang purposefully chose the date of Li Changru's entry into the palace and arranged for Princess Anle to escape, creating an opportunity for Li Changru's people to act. She then asked Li Changru to be her witness, hoping that if Li Changru testified, it would mean Li Weiyang had misjudged her and could still have a good sister.
However, Li Changru's willingness to commit the crime of deceiving the emperor to ensure Li Weiyang’s death shattered that hope, solidifying Li Changru as the murderer of both Baizhi and the Crown Princess. Li Changru confessed that she had been using Li Weiyang from the very beginning to benefit from the conflicts between Li Weiyang and Li Changle.
However, she admitted to feeling genuinely touched and even softhearted whenever Li Weiyang got hurt trying to save her or helped her wholeheartedly. Despite this, Li Changru’s affection for Li Weiyang turned into hatred when she discovered that Prince of Nan'an, whom she had loved obsessively for over ten years and worked tirelessly to get close to, actually loved Li Weiyang.
Li Changru declared that she could not bear Li Weiyang manipulating Prince of Nan'an's heart and vowed to kill her, no matter the sacrifice. Li Weiyang condemned Li Changru’s selfishness, pointing out that her actions had caused the deaths of Baizhi and the Crown Princess. Li Changru retorted that everyone Li Weiyang cared about, including Baizhi, the Crown Princess, Zhou Xuemei, and even Third Aunt, could not die peacefully because of Li Weiyang.
Li Changru even admitted to telling Chiyun Rou that Zhou Xuemei saved Ziyan, which led to Third Aunt's death. Li Weiyang, horrified by Li Changru’s inhumanity, declared all ties between them severed. Li Changru, however, remained defiant, mentioning her pregnancy with Prince of Nan'an's child as a chance for comeback and warning Li Weiyang that they were not finished. Shortly after, Prince of Nan'an confronted Li Changru, expressing anger that she had concealed her pregnancy from him.
He lamented that she could have used this child to become his concubine but had ruined the opportunity. Li Changru blamed Li Weiyang, claiming Li Weiyang had set her up and now suspected Prince of Nan'an as well. Prince of Nan'an sternly warned Li Changru not to provoke Li Weiyang, knowing that Li Changru's actions stemmed from her love for him.
He reminded her of their previous understanding: he could not tolerate her having another woman in her heart, and she had promised to quietly stay by his side. Li Changru admitted she could not fulfill that promise, realizing her love for him was mere wishful thinking after he fell for Li Weiyang. She spitefully told him that he would never gain Li Weiyang's love, just as she could never gain his.
Prince of Nan'an, asserting that they were "people of the same path," told her he did not wish to harm her and instructed her only to give birth to the child and cease all schemes against Li Weiyang. After he left, Li Changru reflected that he still did not understand women, and his protection of Li Weiyang would only intensify her hatred. The Emperor discussed Princess Anle's predicament with a Rouran envoy.
Since everyone believed Princess Anle had died, yet she had returned alive, a proper explanation was needed. The Rouran envoy objected to revealing that she had simply run away, fearing severe repercussions back home. A Wei official suggested publicly declaring that Princess Anle had committed suicide. To support this, a pre-written letter, purportedly found among Princess Anle's belongings, was presented, stating her love for someone and her disagreement with the marriage alliance.
The Rouran envoy agreed, deeming this outcome preferable and acknowledging that their previous belief that Li Weiyang had killed Princess Anle was a misunderstanding. Seizing the opportunity, the Emperor proposed the possibility of mutual trade between Great Wei and Rouran, provided Rouran met certain conditions, which Prince of Gaoyang (Tuoba Jun) would detail. The Rouran envoy expressed gratitude on behalf of his Khan, confirming that he and Prince Yuanlie would remain to finalize the treaty.
The Emperor then met with Li Weiyang, acknowledging the wrongs she had endured and asking how he could compensate her. Li Weiyang humbly thanked him for clearing her name. Impressed by her resilience and intelligence, the Emperor praised her ability to escape prison, fight, argue, and solve cases, as well as her "weird things in her head." He decided to confer upon her the title of his personal attendant, which Li Weiyang graciously accepted.
Li Weiyang orchestrated a chance for Princess Shanggu (Ninth Princess) and Li Minde to spend time together. While at a scenic spot, Li Minde confronted Prince Yuanlie, demanding he find evidence that Li Changle killed Li Minde's birth mother so that Li Weiyang could regain her innocence, warning him against harming Li Weiyang. Prince Yuanlie explained the complexity of the matter, citing too many involved parties.
Li Weiyang then suggested that Princess Shanggu and Li Minde go fishing, while she and Tuoba Jun explored for fruits. Tuoba Jun, realizing Li Weiyang’s intention, questioned if she was deliberately creating opportunities for Princess Shanggu and Li Minde. Li Weiyang confirmed, expressing confidence that with more chances, the cute and kind Princess Shanggu and the proud Li Minde would surely have a positive outcome.
Tuoba Jun then led Li Weiyang to a breathtaking flower sea, revealing it was a special gift he had prepared for her. He confessed that he had hand-planted every single flower himself. He explained that after Li Weiyang was sent to the palace, he had to pretend not to see her despite her suffering. Whenever he felt sad, he would come to this place to plant flowers, finding courage in the thought that one day she would see them.
He expressed his hope that no matter how many years passed, seeing these flowers would remind her of him, and that she would know she was not alone, as he would never disappoint her and always be by her side. Li Weiyang was deeply moved, acknowledging Tuoba Jun as the person who loved her most, and considering herself fortunate to have found her soulmate. Meanwhile, Li Minde and Princess Shanggu struggled with starting a fire and killing fish.
Princess Shanggu was scared, and Li Minde teased her. He then playfully put dust on her face after she teased him. She asked him if he was serious about taking her away if her father insisted on marrying her off. Li Minde reaffirmed his promise to take her away, even if the emperor sent soldiers after him. Later, the Li Household summoned Li Weiyang.
The Grandmother and Li Mother pleaded with her, as the Emperor's Imperial Attendant, to intercede for Li Changru, hoping to bring her home due to her pregnancy. Li Weiyang firmly refused, stating that if Li Changru were not pregnant, her crimes—which included causing Third Aunt's death and personally murdering Baizhi—could not be atoned for even by dying a hundred times.
A relative of the Li family angrily accused Li Weiyang of slander and blamed her for all the misfortunes that had befallen their family. Li Weiyang, however, maintained the truthfulness of her words, offering to suffer Heaven's wrath if she had lied. Despite the family's disbelief and emotional pleas, Li Weiyang reiterated that she could not grant their request, as forgiving Li Changru would mean the spirits of those who died because of her could never find peace.
The relative continued to curse Li Weiyang, calling her ungrateful and prophesying a horrible death and retribution. Changru later spoke with Prince of Nan'an's mother, explaining that she only wished to safely deliver Prince of Nan'an's child. She then subtly suggested that since Prince of Nan'an's marriage with the Rouran Princess had failed, his mother should arrange a marriage for him soon to divert his affections from Li Weiyang.
Changru claimed she had tried to advise Prince of Nan'an against Li Weiyang many times, but he misunderstood her. She urged Prince of Nan'an's mother to intervene, as he would only listen to her. When Prince of Nan'an arrived, Changru hid to avoid misinterpretations. Prince of Nan'an's mother discussed his marriage prospects, even suggesting Grand Tutor Ma's daughter. However, Prince of Nan'an dismissed the suggestion, stating the girl was too young and his frequent expeditions made him an unsuitable match.
He then abruptly left, citing an important matter. Prince of Nan'an's mother reflected that Changru was right and she needed to find a solution to prevent her son from making further mistakes concerning Li Weiyang. Meanwhile, Jiao Tongling informed Li Minde that the Rouran army had reached Great Wei's border, needing only the "Six Garrisons Military Defense Map."
Jiao Tongling urged Li Minde to act, promising that acquiring the map would not only grant easy control of Wei but also ensure the Rouran Khan's throne for Minde. He threatened Li Weiyang's life, coercing Li Minde into action and placing him in a difficult dilemma between his birth nation Rouran and Great Wei, where he was raised.
Jiao Tongling stated that the banquet at Prince of Nan'an's Manor that night was the perfect opportunity, as spies confirmed the map was in the Military Office, and the key was at Prince of Nan'an's Manor. He emphasized that Li Minde must act to protect Li Weiyang.
At Prince of Nan'an's Manor, during the banquet, spies planted by Jiao Tongling confirmed that the key to the Military Office was hidden in a secret drawer in Prince of Nan'an's study, and suggested that Princess Shanggu could be used to gain entry to the inner courtyard. Under duress, Li Minde reluctantly decided to involve Princess Shanggu, as Li Weiyang's life was at stake. Soon after, Princess Shanggu approached Prince Yuanlie and Li Minde.
Li Minde, seemingly prompted by the information, suddenly feigned dizziness and a headache. Concerned, Princess Shanggu offered to find a place for him to rest and led him into an inner room. As she tended to him, a servant reported to Prince of Nan'an that someone had trespassed into his study.
