The Princess Wei Young Episode 46 Recap
> The Princess Wei Young Recap
Tuoba Jun returns to his residence to find Li Changle waiting for him with nourishing food, claiming he has been working hard and needs to replenish his strength. Tuoba Jun, hiding his distaste, finds an excuse involving a servant with a report to quickly leave her presence. Afterwards, Li Changle's maid informs her that Li Weiyang has become His Majesty's personal female attendant, which will grant her more opportunities to interact with Prince of Gaoyang.
Li Changle expresses frustration, remarking on Li Weiyang's resilience despite Li Changru's schemes, noting that she continues to rise in power. Li Weiyang observes the Emperor suffering from frequent headaches and suggests he maintain a balance between work and rest. She leads him barefoot into the garden to walk on pebbles, explaining that this foot therapy, rooted in the Yellow Emperor's Classic of Medicines, can alleviate fatigue, ease pain, and treat various ailments.
Initially skeptical and finding the pebbles uncomfortable, the Emperor eventually admits he feels more relaxed, growing increasingly fond of Li Weiyang's ingenious ideas. Their conversation veers to the unification of the kingdom, with Li Weiyang stating that war brings endless massacres and hatred, and only unification can bring peace. The Emperor agrees, reflecting on his own conquests to unite the kingdom.
Impressed by her knowledge, the Emperor instructs Li Weiyang to copy the "Yellow Emperor's Classic of Medicines" ten times for him as a test. Prince of Nan'an's guard informs him that the key to the military office has been stolen and a Rouran-dressed man was seen entering the inner courtyard, leading Tuoba Yu to suspect Li Minde. Meanwhile, after being rendered unconscious by Li Minde, Ninth Princess awakens at Tuoba Yu's manor.
Tuoba Yu's guards question her about Prince Yuanlie, but she vehemently denies his involvement, claiming he was with her the whole time and couldn't be the thief. Elsewhere, Li Minde infiltrates the military office and locates the Six Garrisons Military Defense Map. He grapples with the moral dilemma of taking it, knowing it would make him a traitor to Great Wei, but also that Li Weiyang's life depends on it.
Before he can decide, Tuoba Yu arrives with his soldiers and surrounds the office. Li Minde is stabbed during his escape, but his escort helps him flee. Despite his severe wound, Li Minde's first concern is Li Weiyang's safety. His escort grimly informs him that the situation was too sudden to stop the plan to poison Li Weiyang.
Enraged, Li Minde vows to prevent any harm to Li Weiyang, rejecting his escort's pleas to focus on his own critical injuries and rushes off. The Emperor's personal attendant gifts Li Weiyang a cup of cherry blossom wine, unaware that a Rouran secret agent has already poisoned it. Li Minde, despite his severe sword wound and blood loss, races against time to the palace. He arrives just as Li Weiyang is about to drink the wine.
Pretending to be curious, he takes the cup from her, tastes it, and then quickly drinks the entire contents, ensuring Li Weiyang remains unharmed. Feigning drunkenness, he abruptly leaves, taking the poisoned wine with him to prevent her from discovering his sacrifice. He collapses upon reaching the inn where his escort is waiting. His escort immediately realizes Li Minde has consumed the poisoned wine and urgently offers an antidote.
However, Li Minde refuses to take it until his escort swears an oath to never again harm Li Weiyang. Only after his escort reluctantly promises does Li Minde consume the antidote. A physician is summoned and delivers a grim prognosis: due to the combination of the severe sword wound, significant blood loss, and the poison, Li Minde's body has suffered immense damage. While the poison has been neutralized, his recovery is uncertain, and he might be left handicapped for life.
Ninth Princess, heartbroken by the news, worries that he may never be able to ride a horse or practice archery again. At the inn, Li Minde's escort is alerted that Prince of Nan'an has surrounded the building with his troops. Meanwhile, Tuoba Jun, sensing something is amiss with Li Minde, goes to find Li Weiyang. He informs her that Tuoba Yu ended his banquet early and has now brought soldiers to the inn where Li Minde is staying.
Concerned for Li Minde's safety, Li Weiyang urges Tuoba Jun to investigate. Upon arriving at the inn, Tuoba Yu confronts Li Minde's escort, demanding to question Li Minde about a stolen item from his manor. Li Minde's escort refuses, stating Li Minde is ill and cannot receive visitors. As Tuoba Yu attempts to force his way in, Ninth Princess dramatically appears.
She boldly claims that Prince Yuanlie (Li Minde's Rouran alias) was with her all night, never leaving her side, thus providing him with an alibi. Despite Tuoba Yu's disbelief and warnings about her reputation, she insists they can appeal to their Royal Father if he doubts her.
Unable to directly challenge his sister, Tuoba Yu reluctantly retreats, instructing his men to keep a close watch on Li Minde, though acknowledging that no important documents were actually stolen from the Military Office. Once Prince of Nan'an departs, Ninth Princess returns to Li Minde's room and confronts him.
She presses him for honest answers, asking if his true motive for coming to Great Wei was to steal the Six Garrisons Military Defense Map and if he used her as a cover. Li Minde truthfully admits his original intent, including rendering her unconscious to facilitate his entry. Heartbroken and angry, Ninth Princess demands to know how she can face her Emperor Father and the people of Great Wei after being used.
Li Minde expresses profound regret, apologizing profusely and explaining that he ultimately chose not to take the map because he never intended to harm her or provoke another war. Ninth Princess then reveals her understanding that he was coerced, compelled by threats against Li Weiyang's life, and that he drank poisoned wine to save Li Weiyang, calling him foolish for sacrificing himself. Soon after, Tuoba Jun arrives, sent by Li Weiyang.
Li Minde quickly reassures Tuoba Jun that everything is fine, claiming his earlier encounter with Tuoba Yu was a misunderstanding, and confirms Ninth Princess's presence as his alibi. Ninth Princess, also attempting to hide the truth for Li Minde's sake, dismisses Tuoba Jun's concern. Sensing a deeper secret, Tuoba Jun presses him, realizing his diplomatic mission to Great Wei is more complex.
Li Minde confirms Tuoba Jun's suspicions, acknowledging his mission involved stealing secret information, but reaffirms his inaction out of loyalty to their friendship and a desire not to harm Great Wei. He then implores Tuoba Jun to protect Li Weiyang.
Later, Tuoba Jun reports back to Li Weiyang, downplaying the seriousness of Li Minde's condition and vaguely attributing his injury to a "skirmish" with Tuoba Yu related to stealing secret information, deliberately concealing the full truth of Li Minde's sacrifice as per Li Minde's wishes. Li Weiyang dismisses the idea of Li Minde stealing secrets, but Tuoba Jun insists he didn't actually do anything, maintaining the cover story.
Li Weiyang is tasked with copying ten sets of the "Yellow Emperor's Classic of Medicines" by the Emperor, which she complains is his way of giving her a hard time. Tuoba Jun teases her about her boldness in speaking ill of the Emperor, noting she would never dare if he were present. He then questions her poor calligraphy, asking if she never practiced as a princess.
Li Weiyang asserts that a princess doesn't necessarily need beautiful calligraphy, claiming she possesses other unique skills. Seeing her struggle and determination to satisfy the Emperor's requirements, Tuoba Jun offers to help her. As they practice together, Li Weiyang becomes distracted by troubling thoughts. Li Changru, resentful of being sidelined in the competition for Prince of Nan'an's affection, sends her maid Rong'er to invite Li Changle to her chambers after learning she is in the palace.
Li Changle comments on Li Changru's favorable position due to her pregnancy. Li Changru feigns good intentions, warning Li Changle not to fully trust Prince of Gaoyang, claiming he "knows everything." She then reveals her speculation that Tuoba Jun's coldness towards Li Changle post-wedding is because he never truly cared for her. Li Changru asserts that Tuoba Jun only married Li Changle as part of a deal with Prince of Nan'an, with the sole purpose of saving Li Weiyang.
Despite Li Changle's fervent denial and insistence on Tuoba Jun's love, Li Changru cruelly adds that Tuoba Jun is aware Li Changle murdered the Crown Princess, and has been deceiving and using her, as Li Weiyang has always been and will always be the one he loves and wishes to protect. A shocked Li Changle struggles to believe this, but resolves to uncover the truth.
Later, Li Changru reflects on her own unrequited love for Prince of Nan'an, acknowledging her deep obsession and stating that while she may not be able to directly harm Li Weiyang, she will find someone who can, hinting at future schemes. During the morning court, Prince of Gaoyang proposes a reform to dismiss the "camp households"—war captives and their descendants treated as slaves—and merge them with the common citizens in prefectures and counties.
Prince of Nan'an vehemently objects, arguing they are prisoners of war who should remain enslaved to expand military strength for southern conquests. The debate continues into the Emperor's study, where Prince of Gaoyang advocates for treating them with respect and equality, aligning with the Imperial Grandfather's wish for unification and stressing that their enslavement stifles their potential and leads to unrest. The Emperor then calls in Li Weiyang for her opinion.
Li Weiyang narrates a parable about a servant from Northern Liang who only worked hard when granted a share of profits and freedom, illustrating that releasing the camp households would make them grateful, productive citizens, leading to a stronger and more prosperous Great Wei. She further points out that this reform would resolve the root cause of disturbances within these households. The Emperor agrees with Li Weiyang's reasoning and Prince of Gaoyang's proposal, decisively ruling in their favor. To everyone's astonishment, Prince of Nan'an immediately steps forward and asks the Emperor to grant Li Weiyang as his imperial consort, stating he has liked her for a long time.
