The Princess's Gambit Episode 5 Recap
> The Princess's Gambit Recap
Qin Jieyu and other women were having tea in the courtyard when they saw Jiang Taohua and Shen Zaiye enter a room together intimately, sparking their jealousy. Although they appeared loving and harmonious to others, once the door was closed, Jiang Taohua had nowhere to sit as Shen Zaiye had taken the bed.
The next day, due to Jiang Taohua's perceived favor, everyone, including Meng Zhenzhen, gathered for a meal and had to wait for Jiang Taohua to arrive before starting. Jiang Taohua deliberately acted spoiled, stating that her initial arrival was too hasty and the wedding ceremony was too simple, demanding a proper one.
Shen Zaiye initially tried to appease her, saying he already favored her greatly and a full ceremony would embarrass the Meng family, as Meng Zhenzhen was the official wife. However, Meng Zhenzhen immediately declared that she did not mind. Seeing this, Shen Zaiye promptly agreed to hold a formal wedding ceremony for Jiang Taohua.
Jiang Taohua then asked for prawns and requested that her husband peel them for her, explaining that as a child, she had been moved watching her father peel prawns for her mother and had vowed only her husband would peel them for her in the future. Qin Jieyu doubted this would happen, given Shen Zaiye's busy schedule. However, just as she spoke, Shen Zaiye peeled a large prawn and fed it to Jiang Taohua. Jiang Taohua said she wanted another.
Qin Jieyu, attempting to take one herself, accidentally knocked over the plate of prawns. Shen Zaiye ordered another plate to be prepared, but Jiang Taohua then requested that Shen Zaiye cook the prawns himself. Though visibly annoyed, Shen Zaiye smiled and agreed. Shen Zaiye went to the kitchen, initially intending not to actually cook, but Jiang Taohua noticed someone watching from outside. Therefore, Shen Zaiye had no choice but to cook the prawns.
He intentionally added many seasonings that Jiang Taohua disliked, such as cumin, noting that Northern people enjoy it. Jiang Taohua had to swallow the dish with a smile despite her dislike, later seen drinking a large amount of water. Shen Zaiye privately acknowledged that Jiang Taohua's performance was impressive but remained wary of such a skilled actress. Jiang Taohua, for her part, resolved that if given the opportunity, she would earn Shen Zaiye's trust.
Meng Zhenzhen also felt that the display of intimacy between Jiang Taohua and Shen Zaiye, especially the planned second wedding, was unusual. She suspected Shen Zaiye might be creating a trap but still intended to send out the "Sunlight over a Thousand Peaks" painting, having made her own preparations. She saw the wedding as an opportunity, with many guests providing cover to pass the painting to the Heir's Residence.
She acknowledged Shen Zaiye's kindness towards Jiang Taohua seemed suspicious and could be a deliberate opening for her to make a mistake, but decided they had to take the risk. Meanwhile, Shen Zaiye's sister, Xiang Qingying, who enjoyed traveling in the martial world, encountered a human trafficking incident. She intervened to rescue the women but the local people were too afraid to help. Just then, Prince Mu Wuxia happened to pass by.
Xiang Qingying deliberately threw stones at him from a wall to attract his attention. Mu Wuxia, realizing something was wrong, approached the two men involved. As patrol soldiers appeared, Xiang Qingying loudly called for help, startling the traffickers and causing them to flee. Before returning home, Xiang Qingying heard rumors about Jiang Taohua charming Shen Zaiye. Upon seeing Jiang Taohua, she felt she understood why her brother might like her – she was very good at acting.
Qingtai, Jiang Taohua's maid, defended her princess and retorted that Shen Zaiye was even better at acting than Jiang Taohua. The two quickly began to fight. Shen Zaiye arrived and stopped them. Jiang Taohua feigned pain from her previous injury and appeared weak, returning to her room with help. This further convinced Xiang Qingying that Jiang Taohua was merely pretending.
Shen Zaiye chastised Xiang Qingying for causing trouble immediately upon her return and confined her to her room for three days. Meng Zhenzhen saw this incident as a potential opportunity, believing that if Xiang Qingying caused more trouble, it could distract Shen Zaiye from her own plans. Soon, the day of Jiang Taohua's supplementary wedding ceremony arrived.
As she prepared, dressed in red robes typically worn by an official wife, she secretly vowed to obtain the "Sunlight over a Thousand Peaks" painting before Shen Zaiye, understanding that only possessing it would give her leverage in dealing with him. Shen Zaiye entered and complimented her beauty, but Jiang Taohua acknowledged that she was just one flower among many in his garden.
Shen Zaiye drew her eyebrows, quietly warning her to play her part well today, stating that it was her last chance and if she failed, he would show no mercy. Jiang Taohua accepted, aware her life depended on it. Guests began to arrive. Prince Mu Wugou came to offer congratulations but also warned Shen Zaiye not to disrespect him or the Qi royal family again.
Prince Mu Wuhen arrived shortly after, bringing a precious Penglaihong plant as a wedding gift, remarking on the need for a lavish gift for a wedding. Qin Jieyu expressed her displeasure at the fuss being made over a concubine. Prince Mu Wuxia also arrived and mentioned he had specifically asked his "third brother," Prince Mu Wuyin, to attend, explaining that Wuyin usually disliked such formal events but he wanted him there to support Jiang Taohua and ensure she wasn't bullied.
He added that he cared for the princess because she was refined. The wedding ceremony, conducted formally with Jiang Taohua in red, commenced. From the rooftop, Prince Mu Wuyin played music, sending it as his congratulatory gift. Prince Mu Wugou found the music annoying and told Wuyin to stop, but acknowledged that Wuyin was known for his unconventional behavior, having argued with the king about becoming a hermit.
After finishing the piece, Mu Wuyin asked Shen Zaiye if he was satisfied. Shen Zaiye, admitting he knew nothing of music, simply expressed thanks, though he recognized the music's Northern style. Mu Wuyin was disappointed that no one present truly understood his music. Meng Zhenzhen had released Xiang Qingying from confinement early. Xiang Qingying remained resentful towards Jiang Taohua. Meng Zhenzhen exacerbated this by mentioning that Shen Zaiye had even cooked for Jiang Taohua, further angering Xiang Qingying.
She subtly warned Xiang Qingying not to speak carelessly and upset Shen Zaiye. Prince Mu Wuyin spoke to Jiang Taohua, asking about her injury from their previous encounter. Meng Zhenzhen's maid pointedly remarked on Jiang Taohua's lack of propriety for speaking freely with a man during her wedding banquet.
Xiang Qingying angrily started to approach Jiang Taohua but stopped when she recognized Prince Mu Wuxia as the person who had saved her from the traffickers and realized he was also her original betrothed. At the same moment, Jiang Taohua noticed that Meng Zhenzhen was no longer present. Elsewhere, Prince Mu Wugou received a small note containing just two words: "Distraction."
Prince Mu Wugou suddenly caused a loud scene at the banquet, accusing Prince Mu Wuhen of trying to sow discord. Shen Zaiye intervened to calm him, recognizing that this was a planned diversion. He instructed his subordinate to take Mu Wugou to change clothes, opting to stay and observe the situation closely. Amidst the confusion, Xiang Qingying suddenly heard a woman's scream coming from a room. Assuming a rogue was attempting something illicit, she rushed in.
Instead of an attacker, she found Prince Mu Wugou inside. Mu Wugou immediately accused Xiang Qingying of attempting to assassinate him. Shen Zaiye quickly appeared to mediate, explaining that she was his sister. However, Mu Wugou was insistent that attempting to harm the heir was a grave crime. During this commotion, Meng Zhenzhen signaled Yuetao, her maid, to sneak out. Shen Zaiye saw Yuetao leaving but was held back by the scene with Mu Wugou and unable to pursue her. Jiang Taohua, witnessing these events unfold, saw her opportunity.
