The Princess's Gambit Episode 35 Recap
> The Princess's Gambit Recap
Jiang Taohua learned that the King had passed away. Qian Mochen appeared, offering to give her a crucial item: the late King's edict, which passed the throne to Changjue, currently at Qian Mochen’s residence. In a flashback, it was revealed that after Changjue's return to Hao City, Qian Mochen had visited the ailing King. Qian Mochen urged the King to write the edict, despite the King's concerns about his peaceful retirement.
Qian Mochen reassured him that the edict would only take effect upon the King's demise. Knowing Empress Lv's vicious intentions, the King, relying on his children, agreed and ordered Eunuch Yu to retrieve the heirloom seal. As the King hesitated, Qian Mochen pressed his hand to apply the seal. To prevent any other edicts, Qian Mochen deliberately damaged a corner of the seal, making this the sole valid testament. Jiang Taohua was unaware of this act.
Jiang Taohua's attendant expressed distrust of Qian Mochen, but he admitted his past failings toward Jiang Taohua and Empress Helan. Jiang Taohua questioned why he hadn't given the edict to Changjue earlier, to which Qian Mochen explained that Cui Wei's constant presence in the palace made it impossible until his hasty departure the previous night. He then obtained the edict but could not locate Changjue.
He also warned Jiang Taohua of the dire fate awaiting her and Changjue if Empress Lv ascended the throne. Convinced, Jiang Taohua agreed to accompany him, warning him against any tricks. Meanwhile, Shen Zaiye, alerted by Zhan Lu, learned of Jiang Taohua's visit to Qian Mochen and immediately dispatched his people to the State Preceptor's Residence. Upon arriving at Qian Mochen's residence, Jiang Taohua was led to a secret room.
Qian Mochen insisted she enter alone, reminding her of his past teachings about hidden catches behind sweet promises and the necessity of giving something to gain something. Inside, Jiang Taohua found the edict suspended above a bonfire by a string, which was tied to an old woman. Taking the edict would trigger a contraption that would kill the old woman, while saving the woman would cause the edict to fall into the flames, destroying Changjue's aspirations.
Qian Mochen urged her to choose the edict, arguing that the old woman was a gravely ill street peddler whose life was nearly over and whose sacrifice could provide value by securing Changjue's future. However, Jiang Taohua chose to save the old woman, firmly declaring that an edict was merely paper compared to a human life.
She demanded that Qian Mochen arrange for the old woman's treatment and asserted that even without the edict, she possessed the means to ensure Changjue's ascension to the throne. Qian Mochen then presented Jiang Taohua with the true edict, revealing that the perilous choice had been a test to determine if she still retained her inherent goodness and prioritized her people's welfare over power after enduring so much hardship. He expressed satisfaction that she had not disappointed him.
Jiang Taohua questioned Qian Mochen's sudden willingness to help her and Changjue. He explained that he had never been allied with Empress Lv and that his past difficult decisions were made solely to protect their lives. Jiang Taohua, though grateful, found it hard to express genuine thanks, still unable to truly appreciate her father, who had long favored Empress Lv and neglected her and Changjue.
Qian Mochen tried to reassure her that the King harbored guilt, but Jiang Taohua dismissed it as a kind lie, knowing her father's true character. Just as Qian Mochen was about to leave with Jiang Taohua, Empress Lv, having learned of Qian Mochen's visit to the King and seen the damaged heirloom seal, realized his betrayal and dispatched her guards to arrest him. Shen Zaiye, arriving at that moment, fended off the initial wave of Empress Lv's forces.
Qian Mochen instructed Jiang Taohua and Shen Zaiye to escape through a secret passage. He refused to abandon his household, who had already been captured by Empress Lv's men, assuring Jiang Taohua that he could handle Empress Lv and would contact them once safe. Jiang Taohua watched him leave the secret room with deep worry. An Chu, Qian Mochen's subordinate, led Jiang Taohua and Shen Zaiye, along with the rescued old woman, through the secret passage.
To Jiang Taohua's astonishment, the passage led directly to the Cold Palace, the very place she and Changjue had lived since childhood. She expressed anger that Qian Mochen had possessed such a hidden route yet had passively watched her and Changjue suffer and flee like stray dogs in the palace.
An Chu explained that Qian Mochen had used this secret passage to tutor them and that his past actions, including seemingly betraying them and forcing Jiang Taohua to take the Jiangtao pill, were merely delaying tactics to save their lives when Empress Lv was preparing to kill them. He added that Qian Mochen had been unaware that the Jiangtao pill had no permanent cure.
At this point, the old woman they had rescued revealed herself as Mei Ling, the very physician who created the Jiangtao pill. She confirmed that there was indeed no root cure for the poison. Mei Ling, grateful for Jiang Taohua saving her twice, offered to dedicate herself to researching a complete antidote.
However, she revealed that the cure required a vital and extremely rare poisonous flower called Yinghuo, found in the desert, whose precise location was known only to Empress Lv. Mei Ling then proposed testing a new formula. Shen Zaiye immediately volunteered to be the test subject, despite Mei Ling's warning that the highly potent dose of Jiangtao pill would trigger the poison instantly and could be fatal without Yinghuo.
He explained that given the uncertainty of finding Yinghuo, each trial could aid Mei Ling's research, stating it was better than waiting passively. He took the dose, immediately suffering intense chest pain and vomiting blood. Witnessing his agony, Shen Zaiye truly understood the constant suffering Jiang Taohua endured. Later, Jiang Taohua met Imperial Guard Hu Yun, Deputy Chief Yue's loyal follower.
She thanked him profusely for his discreet assistance to Changjue and bowed to him in gratitude for Deputy Chief Yue's unwavering loyalty. Hu Yun informed them of a secret dwelling where Changjue might be hiding and offered his aid in locating him. Meanwhile, Empress Lv interrogated Qian Mochen, whipping him.
She offered him a cure for the Jiangtao pill if he surrendered the edict, but Qian Mochen calmly stated he was already dying and had no need to continue the charade. Enraged by his refusal, Empress Lv ordered Cui Wei to post public notices throughout the city declaring Qian Mochen's execution in three days for treason and insulting the Queen.
She also instructed Cui Wei to discreetly leak the false information that Qian Mochen was imprisoned in the imperial prison, using him as bait to lure Changjue. Changjue, spotted reading the execution notice, was almost apprehended but was rescued by Jiang Taohua. She led him to Hu Yun and his guards, then presented Changjue with the King's edict, proclaiming him the rightful King once they successfully reclaimed the imperial palace.
Jiang Taohua led everyone in kneeling to Changjue in a show of allegiance. Jiang Taohua then explained to Changjue how Qian Mochen had secretly worked with Deputy Chief Yue and paved the way for Changjue, eventually obtaining the edict from their father. Changjue now understood Empress Lv's desperate reason for wanting Qian Mochen dead.
Suddenly, Jiang Taohua clutched her chest in pain, and Changjue noticed the distinctive mark, realizing with guilt that she too had been poisoned by the Jiangtao pill. Overwhelmed, he immediately wanted to storm the palace to seize Empress Lv and demand the antidote. Jiang Taohua, however, stopped him, insisting he not risk his life and claiming she still had some monthly relief left. She stressed that their immediate priority was to rescue Qian Mochen.
An Chu then knelt and revealed a devastating truth: Qian Mochen was also dying from the Jiangtao pill, having taken it years ago to earn Empress Lv's trust and ensure the siblings' safety. He had explicitly forbidden Changjue and Jiang Taohua from risking their lives to rescue him should he be captured.
Deeply moved by Qian Mochen's sacrifice, Jiang Taohua vowed to save him, recognizing his immense contributions as both their mentor and a vital official of Beiyuan, whose death would sow fear and allow Empress Lv to seize absolute control. However, Shen Zaiye, suspecting a trap, advised caution and suggested a test. He dispatched Hu Yun to the imperial prison with food. Hu Yun reported seeing a prisoner resembling Qian Mochen.
Shen Zaiye pressed for details about how the prisoner ate, and Hu Yun noted he ate with his right hand. Jiang Taohua immediately realized it was an impostor, as Qian Mochen was left-handed. Shen Zaiye then devised a cunning counter-plan: since Empress Lv was unaware of their presence in Hao City, they would create the illusion that they knew Qian Mochen’s true location by deliberately delaying their rescue attempt at the imperial prison.
Empress Lv, being paranoid and power-hungry, would likely send someone or even personally check on Qian Mochen’s real whereabouts, leading them directly to him. Everyone agreed to the dangerous plan: to rescue Qian Mochen, capture Empress Lv, and force her to surrender the antidote. The next day, as preparations for the rescue commenced, Zhan Lu expressed concern about Shen Zaiye continuing to test the toxic antidote, fearing it would weaken him for the impending battle.
However, Shen Zaiye insisted, reasoning that if Empress Lv did not possess the rare Yinghuo flower, continued trials would provide Mei Ling with more opportunities to find an alternative. Jiang Taohua watched from outside, her heart aching as Shen Zaiye endured the agonizing effects and vomited blood. She hardened her resolve, vowing that Empress Lv would pay for the pain she had inflicted upon them both, even if it meant risking her own life.
