The Princess Wei Young Episode 48 Recap
> The Princess Wei Young Recap
After imperial physicians confirm that Rong'er and Xiao Linzi were affected by seduction incense, Li Weiyang reveals she found the same drug on Rong'er that was in the room's incense burner. The Emperor realizes Rong'er's true intention was to plant the drug, not steal. Li Changru immediately claims innocence, accusing Li Weiyang of framing Rong'er to cover up her secret rendezvous with Tuoba Yu, the Prince of Nan'an.
When the Prince of Nan'an arrives, he denies meeting Li Weiyang, claiming he was pursuing a suspicious person. Li Weiyang explains she sent Xiao Linzi to retrieve her clothes as she was delayed. The Emperor, seeing through Li Changru's lies, deduces she orchestrated Rong'er planting the incense, then lured both the Prince of Nan'an and himself to the scene. Despite Li Changru's vehement denials, Rong'er confesses that she planted the seduction incense in Li Weiyang's room.
The Emperor condemns Li Changru for deceiving him and orders her execution immediately after she gives birth. Li Changru desperately pleads with Tuoba Yu for help, but he tells her he misjudged her and walks away. Confronting Li Weiyang, Li Changru accuses her of bribing Rong'er and questions how she escaped the potent incense and the Prince of Nan'an's long-standing ill intentions.
Li Weiyang, however, reveals that she used a death threat to stop Tuoba Yu, and once they both recovered their senses, they caught Rong'er, who was affected by the seduction incense and had been eavesdropping outside the room, inadvertently exposing Li Changru's scheme. Li Weiyang tells Li Changru that she underestimated her love for Tuoba Jun.
Li Changru, in despair, admits that her plot was originally intended for Li Weiyang and Tuoba Jun, Prince of Gaoyang, and curses fate for her failure. Li Weiyang asserts that Li Changru never owned what she believed was hers. News quickly spreads throughout the palace that Li Changru has taken her own life out of guilt. The Emperor expresses regret only for the loss of his imperial grandchild, deeming Li Changru's death insignificant.
Li Changru's mother is consumed by grief, hysterically vowing revenge on those who harmed her daughter. Meanwhile, Li Weiyang believes that Baizhi's death has finally been avenged. However, Li Changru is not truly dead. Tuoba Yu, the Prince of Nan'an, had rescued her, replacing her with another corpse to fake her suicide. He brings her to a hidden manor, instructing her to stay there peacefully and give birth.
He promises to grant her freedom after the child is born, provided she behaves. Li Changru misinterprets his actions as a sign of his continued affection, clinging to him and begging him not to leave her. Tuoba Yu, however, reminds her that she instigated her own predicament and implies she used deceit to become pregnant, stating he will not tolerate her manipulations again.
Li Changru warns him that Li Weiyang and Tuoba Jun will eventually unite to defeat him, but he dismisses her concerns, declaring that no one can stand in his way. Li Minde, recovering from severe injuries and poisoning that have left his martial arts abilities largely crippled, attempts to distance himself from Princess Shanggu. He instructs his aide to turn her away, feeling that his weakened state makes him unworthy of her.
Despite his efforts to avoid her, Princess Shanggu persistently seeks him out, eventually confronting him directly. She confesses her deep affection, stating that her feelings are her own and she accepts his condition, even having lied to her father and brothers for him. Li Minde apologizes, explaining that as a "crippled person," he feels he cannot match her. Later, Princess Shanggu finds him practicing archery, enduring pain from his still-unhealed wounds.
Though upset by his neglect of his recovery, she cannot help but care for him deeply. Seeing her unwavering devotion, Li Minde asks Princess Shanggu if she would be willing to give him another chance, expressing his willingness to try and accept her heart. Overjoyed, Princess Shanggu eagerly agrees. Li Weiyang, aware of Princess Shanggu's profound commitment, encourages her, assuring her that Li Minde will not disappoint her.
Tuoba Jun receives a secret letter inviting him to a meeting in the forest west of the city that night. The letter suggests the sender has information about Crown Prince Jingmu, hinting at knowledge of the mastermind behind his wrongful downfall. Tuoba Jun reflects on the past, identifying the Prince of Dongping, Tuoba Han, as the primary beneficiary of his royal father's demise.
However, he also notes that Tuoba Yu, the Prince of Nan'an, gained the Prince of Dongping's trust around that same time and has since usurped his influence in court. Tuoba Jun expresses suspicion toward Tuoba Yu and vows to make the culprit pay with their life. He and his attendant, Cheng'an, wait at the appointed location past the designated time, but no one appears.
That very night, a horrific incident unfolds: the entire household of Minister Zhongzhen, the Minister of Imperial Clan Affairs, is massacred, with over a hundred lives lost and no survivors. The Emperor is enraged by the massacre of Minister Zhongzhen's family and orders the immediate execution of the capital governor. Ministers plead for mercy on the governor's behalf. Tuoba Jun and Tuoba Yu both step forward, offering to assist in the investigation to atone for the capital governor's failure.
The Emperor grants them ten days, warning that if the murderer is not found within that period, all three will face severe punishment. Tuoba Jun later confides in Li Weiyang, expressing his strong suspicion that the failed meeting about Crown Prince Jingmu and the massacre are linked. At the crime scene, traces of Northern Liang's unique Cloud Sword are discovered.
An imperial attendant informs the Emperor that the distinct marks indicate the weapon's origin and suggests that former Liang slaves, who harbored grudges and previously resided in the minister's manor, may be responsible. Furious, the Emperor denounces the Liang people as ungrateful and orders a widespread arrest of all Liang slaves, threatening to slaughter anyone who resists.
Li Weiyang, identifying herself as an Imperial Attendant, passionately pleads with the Emperor, arguing that the discovery of the Cloud Sword might be a setup and requests to join the investigation. She emphasizes the need to prove the innocence of the Liang people. The Emperor agrees to give her ten days to find the true culprits, adding that if she fails, she will face dire consequences alongside the Liang slaves.
Meanwhile, Tuoba Jun is confronted by the Emperor, who questions his recent distractions and repeatedly bringing up Li Weiyang. The Emperor suspects Tuoba Jun might know the truth behind the Crown Princess's assassination and believes Li Weiyang is influencing him with ulterior motives. He warns Tuoba Jun that a future emperor must be resolute and unemotional, not swayed by beauty. Separately, Li Weiyang is summoned by the Emperor.
He accuses her of deceiving Tuoba Jun and still harboring resentment for the extermination of Great Liang. Li Weiyang earnestly denies any ulterior motives or hatred, explaining that she has come to prioritize the peace and stability of the people over personal grudges. She confesses her profound love for Tuoba Jun, stating that despite her initial attempts to push him away, he consistently protected her unconditionally, even risking his life.
Li Weiyang admits she cannot resist him and desires to stay by his side, expressing her sincere loyalty to the Emperor and the Wei dynasty on behalf of herself and her people. The Emperor, unconvinced, dismisses her words as clever rhetoric. He declares that regardless of Li Weiyang's sincerity, he will not tolerate her entanglement with his grandson. He delivers a final ultimatum: concerning the Cloud Sword case, whether she uncovers the true murderer or not, Li Weiyang will be permanently separated from Tuoba Jun.
