The Princess's Gambit Episode 13 Recap
> The Princess's Gambit Recap
The heir proposed a hunting contest with Shen Zaiye, and Prince Qi immediately agreed, declaring that the winner would be awarded a sweat-blood steed. In truth, the heir planned to kill Shen Zaiye during the hunt. But Shen Zaiye had already prepared for this—he went to investigate the hidden miners, sending Zhan Lu to impersonate him at the hunt. Jiang Taohua stayed by the fake Shen Zaiye’s side as cover.
While riding and shooting during the hunt, Xiang Qingying’s horse was startled and nearly threw her off. Mu Wuxia was reading nearby and, upon seeing it was Xiang Qingying, rushed forward without hesitation to stop the horse. Fortunately, the horse came to a halt just in time. Consort Lan couldn’t help but praise Mu Wuxia’s courage, while Prince Qi remained silent.
Xiang Qingying scolded Mu Wuxia for recklessly risking his life, but Mu Wuxia didn’t care—he had only been afraid that something would happen to her. A guard came to take the horse away for disposal, but Mu Wuxia stopped him, gently stroking the horse’s head and saying it hadn’t done much wrong, just been frightened. Xiang Qingying was suddenly touched by Mu Wuxia’s tenderness.
Shen Zaiye’s hunting score far exceeded that of the heir, but Meng Zhenzhen noticed that the "Shen Zaiye" at the hunt was a fake. She quietly informed Meng Huaijin, who, realizing something was wrong, quickly informed the heir and rode off. Jiang Taohua noticed Meng Huaijin leaving and guessed he had discovered Shen Zaiye’s absence. She instructed Zhan Lu to continue the hunt while she went to seek Mu Wuxia’s help.
Meng Zhenzhen intercepted Jiang Taohua on the way and insisted she stay to watch the hunt. If Jiang Taohua disobeyed, Meng Zhenzhen would report her to Prince Qi for failing to follow the orders of the primary wife. Though both would be punished, it would also lead to Shen Zaiye being found out. Jiang Taohua dared not act rashly and grew anxious—until Mu Wuyin unexpectedly appeared and invited her to play chess.
Meng Zhenzhen couldn’t stop him and had to let Jiang Taohua go. Jiang Taohua used changing clothes as an excuse to leave. Mu Wuyin didn’t stop her, seemingly aware she had other plans. Shen Zaiye, after locating the miners, was surrounded by black-clad assassins. In order to protect the miners, he fought desperately against them. Although highly skilled, he gradually began to tire. At the end of the hunt, the heir lost to Shen Zaiye.
Prince Qi prepared to reward Shen Zaiye, but the heir, thinking Shen Zaiye was absent, sneered that he didn’t even care about the prince’s reward. Just then, Shen Zaiye appeared, to Prince Qi’s delight. Shen Zaiye had already succeeded in rescuing the miners, but Xiaolian’s brother, longing for his family, had fled—only to be discovered and beaten to death. He had left behind a wooden comb meant for Xiaolian.
Mu Wuxia gave it to Jiang Taohua, who was heartbroken and feared she might never see Jiang Changjue again. Qingtai revealed that she had overheard a conversation between the heir and Meng Huaijin—the heir intended to have Shen Zaiye shot. While Shen Zaiye and Jiang Taohua were walking in the forest, a sharp arrow suddenly flew toward them. Without thinking, Jiang Taohua shielded Shen Zaiye with her body.
Shen Zaiye, panicked, carried her back for emergency treatment and demanded Prince Qi launch a full investigation. Meng Huaijin blamed the heir for acting recklessly again, but the heir nervously denied involvement. Meng Huaijin calmed him, saying that if it truly wasn’t him, then given his status, there was no need to worry too much. He also sent a letter to his father, urging him to come quickly.
Jiang Taohua remained unconscious after being shot, worrying both Shen Zaiye and Qingtai. Ever since his family's tragedy, Shen Zaiye had lost faith in the gods. But when Qingtai mentioned she would go pray at the temple, he went too. This time, Shen Zaiye had entered the fray personally and didn’t want to implicate those around him—yet Jiang Taohua still ended up in a coma.
He silently pleaded for the gods’ help and placed a protective talisman in Jiang Taohua’s hand. Miraculously, she woke up. Shen Zaiye, holding back his emotions, called Qingtai in. Jiang Taohua noticed the talisman in her palm and smiled faintly. Zhan Lu reported that the heir had been hiding in his quarters since the incident. Shen Zaiye left to proceed with his plan, instructing Zhan Lu to guard Jiang Taohua and allow no one to disturb her rest.
Qingtai stared at the awakened Jiang Taohua in disbelief. She had seen Jiang Taohua risk her life to protect Shen Zaiye and began to suspect Jiang Taohua had fallen in love with him. Jiang Taohua didn’t admit it. She had already learned about the assassination plot from Qingtai and had prepared for it—padding her chest ahead of time so she wouldn’t actually die.
Still, Qingtai was unhappy that Shen Zaiye hadn’t stayed to care for Jiang Taohua—he had left as soon as she woke up. That night, Jiang Taohua invited Xiang Qingying over for a chat, but Xiang Qingying dragged Mu Wuxia along to Jiang Taohua’s tent for a barbecue. Jiang Taohua choked on the smoke and coughed. Mu Wuxia urged Xiang Qingying to leave quickly.
Xiang Qingying mumbled that Shen Zaiye must really care about Jiang Taohua—after all, someone who didn’t believe in the gods had actually gone to pray for her. After Xiang Qingying left, Jiang Taohua smiled. She knew her plan had succeeded.
