The Princess's Gambit Episode 14 Recap
> The Princess's Gambit Recap
The maid saw that Jiang Taohua had awakened and asked Meng Zhenzhen whether she should visit her. But Meng Zhenzhen knew that with Jiang Taohua's cleverness, she had likely already figured out her involvement, so it was better not to go. The maid simply felt that Shen Zaiye treated Jiang Taohua differently—he had stayed by her side until she woke up before leaving.
Meng Zhenzhen felt a pang of sadness, yet she also believed that it’s not the cold-hearted people one should fear, but those cold-hearted who fall in love. She was certain that Jiang Taohua’s injury would cause a major stir. The heir's men discovered traces of the miners. The heir immediately ordered them all executed and refused to inform Huaijin. In his view, Shen Zaiye was never a match for him.
Meng Zhongyan received Huaijin’s letter and immediately set out to return to the capital. Meanwhile, the heir's masked men arrived at the thatched hut to kill, only to find it empty. Shen Zaiye appeared from behind with his men and captured them all. He interrogated the leader, tried to persuade him to tell the truth, and released a signal flare. When Huaijin went to see the heir, the heir was still drinking smugly. Huaijin questioned him about the miner killings.
The heir admitted it, enraging Huaijin—he had warned the heir not to act recklessly, yet the heir had still gone his own way. Huaijin, furious, threw a cup of wine in the heir’s face and informed him that the signal flare had already been seen across the entire hunting ground. It was now out of their hands. The heir had no choice but to plead for Huaijin's help again, but it was too late.
Soldiers arrived with Prince Qi’s order to imprison the heir. The heir tried to persuade Huaijin to help them escape, saying Shen Zaiye would only pin more charges on them, but Huaijin replied that illegally opening the silver mine was already a grave crime—no need to add more. At that moment, Meng Zhenzhen came to visit, but Huaijin refused to see her. From behind the curtain, he waved for her to leave.
In the carriage on the way back, Jiang Taohua was still being urged by Qingtai to take her medicine. Shen Zaiye said nothing, but silently took out preserved fruit from his chest and handed it to Jiang Taohua. Her heart was filled with bittersweet emotion. After returning, Shen Zaiye watched her weak figure and gave the kitchen special instructions regarding her diet. He then left immediately for court. The heir was brought to the main hall.
When Prince Qi saw the list of his crimes, he was enraged. The heir dropped to his knees, begging for mercy. Prince Qi issued an edict stripping him of his title and made the announcement to the public. The heir, in a fury, wished he could tear Shen Zaiye apart on the spot, but Prince Qi ordered him taken away.
Shen Zaiye then called for punishment of the Meng family, arguing that the heir’s actions had been supported by them and they too should be held accountable. Prince Qi’s expression changed. Though he said on the surface that the Meng family should be severely punished, he did not issue an order immediately and instead ended court. Shen Zaiye felt deeply disappointed and angry. As Shen Zaiye exited, he happened to run into Meng Zhongyan returning.
The two met with sharp words. Meng Zhongyan warned him that one day, Shen Zaiye might also fall, and he looked forward to seeing what that end would be. Meng Zhongyan went to the prison to see Huaijin and was furious that the heir was beyond saving. He lamented that all the Meng family's years of planning were wasted and declared the heir unfit to bear great responsibility—even if this incident hadn’t happened, another would have.
All they could do now was lay low and wait for the right moment. Huaijin accepted his suffering but begged his father to help Meng Zhenzhen so she could live more freely. Meng Zhongyan agreed and promised not to let anyone bully the legitimate daughter of the Meng family. Huaijin bowed to his father, knowing he would never again enjoy the warmth of family. The Meng family owed an explanation to the world this time.
Meng Zhongyan was heartbroken, saying the Meng family was proud of Huaijin. As he left, it was clear his steps were heavy. Meng Zhenzhen received a letter written by Huaijin from prison—his final letter to her. She had already suspected that her last visit to him would be their final farewell, but never imagined her father would abandon his own son to protect the family.
Meng Zhenzhen took off her hairpin, realizing she too might one day be sacrificed by the family. Her maid urged her to live well, as that was Huaijin’s final wish. At that moment, Huaijin committed suicide in prison. Meng Zhongyan admitted his faults before the court and requested to retire from public life. Prince Qi refused, stating that Huaijin’s mistakes should not be blamed on Meng Zhongyan.
He personally helped Meng Zhongyan up and said that in a flourishing tree, dead branches were inevitable—they just needed to be trimmed. Shen Zaiye clenched the object in his hand in anger. He understood Prince Qi’s message: Shen Zaiye was merely a blade in his hand, to be wielded wherever he directed—never acting on his own will. For now, Shen Zaiye could only swallow his frustration. Shen Zaiye stood outside Jiang Taohua’s door for a long time.
Just as he was about to leave, Qingtai happened to open the door and saw him. Shen Zaiye handed the food he brought to Jiang Taohua and reminded her that there would be a flower-viewing banquet at the palace next month—they could attend together. Jiang Taohua opened the food and saw that it was snacks from Beiyuan, which made her heart feel even sweeter. Meanwhile, Shen Zaiye also instructed Zhan Lu to change how he addressed Jiang Taohua—from "Lady Jiang" to "Princess."
