The Princess's Gambit Episode 34 Recap
> The Princess's Gambit Recap
Meng Zhenzhen handed Meng Zhongyan's confession letter to Shen Zaiye, also revealing that Xie Guanyu's petition from years ago was hidden behind the plaque in her father's study. Shen Zaiye recalled the time Meng Zhongyan had raided his family's home. He remembered his father, Xie Guanyu, believing that presenting his petition to the King would clear their name, only to be executed by Meng Zhongyan's orders. Shen Zaiye vowed to restore his family's honor.
Later, Shen Zaiye apologized to Jiang Taohua for not being able to accompany her to search for the antidote immediately, explaining that his priority was to clear his family's name with the Fourth Prince. Jiang Taohua accepted this, confirming she would not have fallen for him otherwise. He reassured her that he had already sent Zhan Lu and the shadow guards to Beiyuan ahead of them to search for the antidote.
Jiang Taohua expressed her understanding and announced her intention to depart with Zhan Lu the next day, mentioning that her brother, Jiang Changjue, had written to her, saying he was in Hao City, secretly gathering support from many officials. However, he had been turned away by Qian Mochen. Shen Zaiye urged her to be careful, but Jiang Taohua assured him she would be safe with Zhan Lu, Qingtai, and the shadow guards.
She also mentioned that once she reached Hao City, Jiang Changjue would assist in finding the antidote. Jiang Taohua expressed concern that Shen Zaiye might shield Changjue and not ask for his help, but Shen Zaiye reassured her he would. The next day in court, Shen Zaiye requested a retrial of the witchcraft case. The King feigned illness, attempting to adjourn, but Mu Wuxia objected, having already summoned a physician.
Shen Zaiye then detailed Meng Zhongyan's crimes, including framing Consort Shu and slaughtering the Xie family, and presented Meng's confession along with Xie Guanyu's petition. The ministers collectively knelt, demanding a retrial. The King, infuriated by Mu Wuxia's ability to win people's hearts, ordered everyone to withdraw, intending to speak only with Mu Wuxia and Shen Zaiye. However, the officials remained until Mu Wuxia gestured for them to leave, causing the King to realize he was losing his authority.
Despite the pressure, the King adamantly refused to overturn the witchcraft case. Shen Zaiye then shockingly revealed his true identity as Xie Guanyu's son, Xie Jing'an. He boldly accused the King of being the true wielder of the blade that murdered his entire family, not merely Meng Zhongyan.
He warned the King that if he refused to admit his mistakes, history would portray him as a tyrannical ruler, a point reinforced by Mu Wuxia who noted that Scholar Li Dian was currently compiling his history. Xie Jing'an formally knelt, requesting a retrial to restore the innocence of the Xie family and Consort Shu, the mother of Mu Wuxia, the future Crown Prince.
Faced with no alternative, the King reluctantly agreed and issued an imperial edict posthumously restoring Xie Guanyu's titles and honoring Consort Shu. Xie Jing'an then visited his parents' memorial, declaring that he had finally cleared their name, allowing their spirits to rest in peace. Having fulfilled his duties, Xie Jing'an prepared to resign his post and go to Beiyuan to be with Jiang Taohua.
Xiang Qingying expressed her sadness but hoped he would often return, or that she and Mu Wuxia could visit him. Xie Jing'an reminded her that Mu Wuxia would soon be the Crown Prince and could not travel freely. Xiang Qingying jokingly pointed out that Xie Jing'an would also be a royal son-in-law. Xie Jing'an reflected that he had achieved his two goals: clearing his family's name and helping Mu Wuxia grow.
Now, his sole wish was to protect Jiang Taohua and live a peaceful life with her. Mu Wuxia understood and wished him and Jiang Taohua well, telling him that the future of Da Qi rested on him. Meanwhile, in Beiyuan Palace, Lv Yuanhua returned, her face partially concealed by a mask. She informed Commander Cui that she had escaped through a secret passage in her bedchamber, a passage that had saved her life once before in Qi.
Commander Cui reported on the situation in Hao City, confirming that Jiang Changjue had arrived and was secretly contacting the State Preceptor and Deputy Chief Yue, planning to enthrone a new monarch. He also reported that Jiang Changjue's whereabouts, a residence arranged by Deputy Chief Yue, had been located. Lv Yuanhua immediately ordered Jiang Changjue's assassination. However, by the time Commander Cui's men arrived, Jiang Changjue had already left.
Later, Jiang Changjue killed a spy planted by Commander Cui, and overhearing Commander Cui's remarks, realized that Lv Yuanhua was still alive. Lv Yuanhua then visited the ailing Beiyuan King.
She cruelly reminded him of his past actions: how she, a humble dancer who had fled humiliation in Qi, twisted her ankle and was ordered by a "distinguished guest" to stand barefoot on ice to heal, resulting in permanent leg damage, inability to dance, loss of livelihood, and infertility due to the cold. She revealed that the "distinguished guest" was none other than the King himself.
As the King desperately reached for medicine, Lv Yuanhua poisoned it, declaring her long-held intention to ascend the throne and eliminate every member of the Jiang clan. She revealed how she had subtly gained power by ingratiating herself with the King and then gradually intervening in court, effectively ruling for nearly a decade, finding immense pleasure in her ability to decide life and death. The King, realizing her madness and his impending doom, futilely called for help.
In Hao City, Jiang Taohua arrived, determined to reclaim what was rightfully theirs. Simultaneously, Lv Yuanhua convened court to discuss the succession. Commander Cui advocated for Lv Yuanhua to take the throne, citing the King's long illness and her regency. She announced that the Beiyuan King had passed away the previous night and that Crown Prince Jiang Changjue had also died in unfortunate circumstances.
When Deputy Chief Yue attempted to object, stating he did not believe the King had abdicated and demanding to see him, he was immediately apprehended by Lv Yuanhua's guards and ordered to be executed. Deputy Chief Yue defiantly proclaimed that he sought death to uphold justice, calling Lv Yuanhua an "evil queen" who would not have a good end. Lv Yuanhua then dismissed the other officials, who reluctantly submitted, but kept Qian Mochen behind.
She used poison to threaten him, demanding that he select an auspicious date for her coronation. Qian Mochen reluctantly agreed. Jiang Taohua, overhearing Zhan Lu and Qingtai's conversation at the postal inn, learned about the King's death and Changjue's presumed demise. Despite her grief, her immediate priority was to find Jiang Changjue. That night, Jiang Taohua and Zhan Lu located Qian Mochen. As Qian Mochen greeted her with deference, Jiang Taohua expressed her resentment, implying his betrayal.
Jiang Taohua then recalled how she first met him years ago: he had found her and a young Jiang Changjue in the palace, claiming to be repaying Empress Helan's favor by looking after them after their mother's passing. It was then that Jiang Taohua took him as her teacher, and he also arranged for Qingtai to protect her.
Jiang Taohua pressed Qian Mochen about Jiang Changjue's whereabouts, but he claimed not to know, though he said he had sent people to search for him. Qian Mochen confirmed the King's death and then revealed he possessed the late King's edict, which passed the throne to Jiang Changjue, and that it was hidden in his residence.
