The Princess's Gambit Episode 9 Recap
> The Princess's Gambit Recap
Jiang Taohua awoke to find Shen Zaiye had already chopped a large pile of firewood. Lian was about to take a sweat towel to Shen Zaiye, but seeing Jiang Taohua emerge, she quickly handed it to her, urging her to wipe Shen Zaiye's sweat. Jiang Taohua approached Shen Zaiye but felt nervous and unsure where to start. Shen Zaiye took the towel and wiped himself, easing her awkwardness. During the meal, Shen Zaiye suggested staying for a few more days.
Lian complained that he wasn't keeping his word, as he had initially said he would only stay for one day. Lian's Granny, however, took a liking to Shen Zaiye and immediately agreed. Shen Zaiye promised to handle all the farm work from then on. Shen Zaiye began helping to clear land for Lian's family farm. Lian, wary that they might have other motives, insisted on keeping a close eye on them.
While resting, Jiang Taohua expressed her enjoyment of their current rural life. Shen Zaiye, however, felt that not everyone could have such good fortune. Jiang Taohua countered that even just preserving a pure space in one's heart was good. At this moment, Shen Zaiye felt Jiang Taohua's yearning seemed genuine and wished she were not the Princess of Beiyuan. Meanwhile, Zhan Lu refused to allow Xiang Qingying to leave, ordering her to be guarded.
Xiang Qingying climbed over the wall and happened to run into Wei Wuxia. Wei Wuxia heard that Shen Zaiye and Jiang Taohua had been gone for two days and recalled Jiang Taohua hitting Prince Wugou. Fearing they might be in danger, he decided to accompany Xiang Qingying to search for them, believing his mind was useful even without martial arts skills.
While searching for something, Shen Zaiye accidentally dropped the incomplete painting "Sunlight over a Thousand Peaks" that Jiang Taohua had painted. Angrily, he prepared to confront Jiang Taohua, but then he heard her preparing bamboo shoots, his favorite, for him. Although he paused, he reminded himself not to trust Jiang Taohua again and regretted risking his life to save her. Shen Zaiye angrily went back to digging.
Jiang Taohua, confused by his mood, decided to try to appease him after Lian's suggestion. She also felt a slight fear that other women might take Shen Zaiye away. But Shen Zaiye remained distant towards Jiang Taohua, who was frustrated by his rapidly changing moods. Xiang Qingying, while considering herself a Heroine, was also naive. While searching for Shen Zaiye with Wei Wuxia, she described him as handsome, elegant, approachable, and kind-hearted.
Wei Wuxia found this description completely inconsistent with Shen Zaiye and believed they would never find him asking like that. While eating, a woman sought help. Ignoring Wei Wuxia's attempts to stop her, Xiang Qingying rushed to help, resulting in all her belongings being stolen and being forced to wear beggar's clothes. Just as Wei Wuxia criticized Xiang Qingying for acting without thinking, Xiang Qingying became angry and wanted to leave immediately.
At that moment, they discovered a mark left by Shen Zaiye, and the two continued their search together. As the villagers sat chatting, Jiang Taohua subtly inquired why there were no young men in their village. She learned that this was all because of Shen Zaiye. Previously, they lived elsewhere and cultivated their own land. One day, officials arrived, confiscated their land, and suppressed them. Fortunately, someone helped them escape.
Later, they learned that powerful court officials had set their eyes on their land and falsely accused them of being rioters. Lian's Granny cried as she recounted how Lian's brother had also disappeared, causing them great worry. Jiang Taohua didn't fully believe these stories, only joking that Shen Zaiye seemed to have enemies everywhere. Shen Zaiye stubbornly admitted it was his doing, believing those people were weak and deserved to be dealt with.
Jiang Taohua and Shen Zaiye argued fiercely, and their conversation was overheard by Lian, who then realized the man before her was Shen Zaiye. The next day, Lian volunteered to take Jiang Taohua and Shen Zaiye to town. Shen Zaiye noticed Lian's strange behavior and quietly followed her. Upon reaching town, Jiang Taohua also found Lian unusually quiet and odd. At that moment, Shen Zaiye sensed many people were lying in ambush around them.
Lian, unable to bear harming Jiang Taohua, suddenly warned her to run, revealing the ambush. They managed to escape safely. On the way back, Shen Zaiye angrily demanded to know why Lian had led them to town. Lian revealed Shen Zaiye's identity, accusing him of being the treacherous chancellor who had harmed their village. Shen Zaiye glared at Lian, telling her to confess everything she knew, otherwise. . . Before he could finish, Lian began to cry from fear.
Jiang Taohua quickly pulled Lian into her embrace, and Shen Zaiye, feeling somewhat awkward, stopped pressing her. Jiang Taohua comforted Lian, urging her to tell them what happened to her brother. A few years ago, some people came to the village recruiting workers. Her brother went with them because the pay was high, despite Lian not wanting him to go. He promised to send Lian money and letters home.
After he left, they received money every month, but never a letter. Because her brother always kept his promises, Lian was certain something had happened to him. Lian admitted she initially planned to take revenge, but while Shen Zaiye was wicked, Jiang Taohua was kind, and she couldn't bring herself to harm her. Jiang Taohua comforted Lian, assuring her that the chancellor would definitely help her rescue her brother. However, Shen Zaiye showed no intention of helping.
Seeing Jiang Taohua protect Lian, Shen Zaiye warned her that Lian might someday turn against her. Xiang Qingying and Wei Wuxia arrived on the mountain and happened to meet Lian's Granny carrying a heavy load. They offered to help, which the Granny gratefully accepted. She spoke about Shen Zaiye and Jiang Taohua and offered to take them to meet the couple. When Jiang Taohua and Shen Zaiye returned, they were surprised to see two extra sets of bowls and chopsticks.
Shen Zaiye instinctively grabbed a stick, assuming they were enemies, but also subtly shielded Jiang Taohua. Xiang Qingying and Wei Wuxia suddenly appeared behind them, surprising Jiang Taohua and Shen Zaiye. Lian noticed that Wei Wuxia and Shen Zaiye bore some resemblance to each other. Wei Wuxia repeatedly expressed concern for Jiang Taohua but paid no attention to Shen Zaiye.
Xiang Qingying was unhappy with Wei Wuxia's favoritism, but Wei Wuxia believed Shen Zaiye was shrewd and calculating and didn't need his concern. Xiang Qingying spoke rudely to Wei Wuxia, earning a rebuke from Shen Zaiye, who stated that their statuses were different and she should not speak to Wei Wuxia in that manner.
Xiang Qingying then splashed water on Jiang Taohua, reasoning that since Jiang Taohua was someone Wei Wuxia cared about, splashing her wouldn't be disrespectful to Wei Wuxia and might provoke a reaction. Jiang Taohua was not easily intimidated and splashed the water she was holding onto Shen Zaiye. This led to a cycle where Xiang Qingying splashed Jiang Taohua, and Jiang Taohua splashed Shen Zaiye. Wei Wuxia quickly shielded Jiang Taohua with his body. Shen Zaiye got up and left.
Jiang Taohua, thinking Shen Zaiye was angry, went after him. Wei Wuxia and Xiang Qingying sensed something was wrong and asked Lian what was happening. Lian thought that Jiang Taohua and Shen Zaiye might be troubled by the events concerning the village lately.
