The Princess's Gambit Episode 3 Recap
> The Princess's Gambit Recap
Qingtai felt heartbroken when she saw the needle marks on Jiang Taohua’s legs, thinking it was like escaping from the tiger’s den only to enter the wolf’s lair. However, Jiang Taohua felt that this situation was far better than being by Empress Lv’s side. Back then, for the sake of Jiang Changjue, she had to endure everything. Now, she no longer needed to endure and could even fight back.
Her only thought was to stabilize her position with Shen Zaiye, and once she was firmly established, it wouldn’t be hard to handle the rest. But Qingtai was worried because the time for the nuptial rites was fast approaching, and there was still no movement from the other side.
Jiang Taohua purposely told Qingtai to go find Shen Zaiye, saying that if he didn’t want to attend the nuptial rites, he didn’t have to, and that it was enough to tell Song Nvshi, who was sent by the King of Qi, to keep it simple. Shen Zaiye, knowing that Song Nvshi was coming, had no choice but to go.
Jiang Taohua also purposely suggested in front of Song Nvshi that everything should be kept simple, as Shen Zaiye was very busy. Shen Zaiye, however, insisted that the necessary rituals must not be omitted and expressed concern that Song Nvshi might spread rumors back at the palace. But the first challenge was eating the fatty meat, and Jiang Taohua deliberately snatched the lean meat that Shen Zaiye had picked for himself and gave him a large piece of fatty meat.
Shen Zaiye, who had never eaten fatty meat, was stunned but reluctantly swallowed it. After drinking the nuptial wine, Jiang Taohua realized something was wrong. She pretended to drink, but suddenly kissed Shen Zaiye, feeding the wine to him. While Shen Zaiye and Jiang Taohua were performing the nuptial rites, Xue Ran came to see Shen Zaiye and was led to another guest room.
Meng Zhenzhen ordered that Xue Ran be disposed of and took the Sunlight over a Thousand Peaks painting. However, Meng Zhenzhen felt that her father and brothers never valued her, so she didn’t rush to send it out. Instead, she had the body disposed of and kept the painting herself, hoping her father and brothers would recognize her importance. Shen Zaiye had added something to Jiang Taohua’s wine to force her to confess the true reason for her visit.
Jiang Taohua admitted that she came to survive, but she lied, claiming that her purpose was to be with Shen Zaiye, as she had fallen for him since their first meeting. Shen Zaiye didn’t believe her words at all and, in a warning, threw Jiang Taohua’s hairpin, piercing it into a pillar. He told her not to entertain any other thoughts. After Shen Zaiye left, Zhan Lu reported that Xue Ran’s body had been found.
Upon examination, they discovered that the shoes Xue Ran was wearing had dirt on them from Shen Zaiye’s garden. Zhan Lu immediately ordered the garden to be sealed off. When Meng Zhenzhen learned of this, she came up with a plan to fight fire with fire. Jiang Taohua suspected that the painting would be hidden in the study. As she was about to search, a servant came to report that she was needed in the study to meet Shen Zaiye.
Jiang Taohua knew it was likely an attempt by hidden enemies to frame her, but she also wanted to check the study for calligraphy and paintings, so she decided to go, fully prepared. In the study, Jiang Taohua noticed that the hanging paintings were all different, none of them from a single person. She didn’t know which one belonged to Xue Ran, so she planned to copy some to study later.
However, as she picked up a brush, she accidentally triggered a secret compartment. Just as she was about to inspect it, Shen Zaiye arrived, startling her, and she hurriedly closed the compartment. Shen Zaiye noticed that the secret compartment had been opened but didn’t point it out. Instead, he told Jiang Taohua that to prove her innocence, she should identify the person who had guided her to the study.
At first, Jiang Taohua refused, but Shen Zaiye threatened her, saying that even if she were to die, it would not affect his position as the Left Chancellor. Jiang Taohua, naturally, believed him and reluctantly agreed to point out the culprit. However, the servant standing there seemed to have changed in appearance, and Jiang Taohua couldn’t recognize him. She then suggested that everyone lift their right foot, noticing that one servant had worn down the sole of his right shoe.
This servant had likely been injured, and the path had left traces of his footsteps after the rain a few days ago. Jiang Taohua insisted on confronting the servant at the scene, but the servant, in fear, poisoned himself and died. Shen Zaiye reprimanded Jiang Taohua for not reporting the suspicion earlier. Jiang Taohua lied, claiming that she had merely tricked the servant and didn’t know for sure.
Shen Zaiye, however, was suspicious, as she had observed the servant closely and must have noticed something off but still followed him to the study. He believed she had another agenda, but Jiang Taohua explained that she had gone because she heard Shen Zaiye had summoned her and, unable to resist, didn’t think much about it. Shen Zaiye, with no choice, left.
The next morning, Shen Zaiye went to see Meng Zhenzhen and was curious as to how she had slept so peacefully the previous night. He mentioned the servant, named Meng Ping, and hinted that anyone with ulterior motives should be severely punished. Shen Zaiye, drinking Meng Zhenzhen’s tea, pointed out that despite being married for so many years, she still only drank the tea sent by the Left Chancellor.
After Shen Zaiye left, Meng Zhenzhen arranged for the painting to be sent out as quickly as possible. She also knew that Shen Zaiye had begun to suspect her. Shen Zaiye specially rewarded Jiang Taohua with some food, but Jiang Taohua watched as he ate before her. Shen Zaiye knew she was worried about poisoning, but Jiang Taohua denied it, saying that if he truly wanted her dead, he wouldn’t have waited until today.
Shen Zaiye suggested that Jiang Taohua attend the heir’s banquet with him the next day. Jiang Taohua wondered why Meng Zhenzhen wasn’t going, and Shen Zaiye explained that as a princess, Jiang Taohua was cautious, meticulous, and more suited to go. In reality, Shen Zaiye had already discovered that Jiang Taohua had touched the secret compartment. He knew it was important to him and had started to harbor intentions to kill her, planning to use the heir’s banquet to eliminate Jiang Taohua.
