The Sleepless Princess Episode 11 Recap
> The Sleepless Princess Recap
Chu Yue watched the sleeping Xue Yao, pondering why he, seemingly an ordinary man, could suppress her nightmares. She suspected the "baleful aura" East Shi had mentioned emanated from his hands. Revered by the people as a "Warlord," she reasoned his battle-scarred body might possess a unique power. As she quietly held his hand, she noticed his face and ears turning red. Suddenly, Xue Yao opened his eyes.
Feigning embarrassment, Chu Yue explained that her dreams were unusual and asked to hold his hand to feel his presence, which would alleviate her fear of sleep. He silently offered her his pinky finger, and they drifted off to sleep. The next morning, Chu Yue woke feeling refreshed, having experienced no nightmares for the first time. She discovered Xue Yao had already departed, leaving her to wonder why he had left without a word.
Later, Xue Yao and Bai Liqi visited Panxiang Court to continue their investigation into the special cream, Liuyunfeixue, that his brother had ordered. Using the cover story of a "friend" who had lost their gift note, they inquired about the order's records. The shopkeeper informed them that only the owner had access to the note's stub, but the owner had a strict policy of not meeting guests.
After some insistence, the shopkeeper directed them to Fan House, implying a connection between the two establishments. Their conversation was cut short when a soldier arrived to report trouble at the military camp. At the camp, soldiers confronted Xu Xingchen, their newly appointed commander. They questioned his authority, stating that they had served General Xue through countless battles and that camp rules were based on martial prowess, not title. A skirmish ensued.
Observing the chaos from a distance, Xue Yao remarked to Bai Liqi that if Prince Shun—Xu Xingchen's title—caused a riot so soon after his arrival, it could escalate into a mutiny, rendering the Emperor's "prince chess piece" useless. He decided against intervening, asserting that if Xu Xingchen wanted to take on such a difficult task, he had to prove he was capable.
Chu Yue soon arrived, having followed Xue Yao to the camp and insisting she must accompany him as per their "inseparable" arrangement. She was surprised to find Xu Xingchen at the center of the conflict. Military officer Song Yingzhang explained to Xue Yao that their intention was simply to give Xu Xingchen a show of force, hoping it would prompt the Emperor to reinstate Xue Yao. Unwilling to back down, Xu Xingchen accepted their challenge.
Before the fight, he cheekily asked Chu Yue if she would call him "brother Xingchen" should he win. Xue Yao, entering at that moment, overheard the request and curtly told them to take their flirtations back to the manor. He then explained to Chu Yue the harsh realities of growing up in the Imperial Harem, where perceived harmony could mask betrayal, making him hope Xu Xingchen could face this challenge with dignity.
During the ensuing combat, Chu Yue vocally encouraged Xu Xingchen, who surprised everyone by skillfully defeating Song Yingzhang. Xue Yao then stepped in, proposing to fight Xu Xingchen himself. He offered to let Xu Xingchen off if he called him "brother-in-law," but Xu Xingchen defiantly refused. Knowing he couldn't win, Xu Xingchen deliberately allowed Xue Yao to overpower him, believing that the more battered he appeared, the more Chu Yue would care for him.
Despite having clearly won the fight, Xue Yao declared to the assembled soldiers that Prince Shun, who "didn't give in despite so many failures," was a true warrior. He announced that Prince Shun had won and would henceforth be the commander of the three armies, demanding their obedience.
Later, Xue Yao confronted Chu Yue, forbidding her from weeping over any other man now that she was married into the Xue family and asserting that he would personally repay any debt of gratitude she owed Xu Xingchen. That evening, a subordinate informed Xue Yao that their investigation found no connection between the concubines who had purchased Liuyunfeixue and his late brother, Xue Mu.
Xue Yao felt strongly that his brother must have bought the cream for a lover, realizing the matter was far more complex than it seemed. He voiced his suspicions about the questionable relationship between Fan House and Panxiang Court, noting they were the most lucrative establishments in the capital and that no one had ever seen the true face of the influential Fan House owner.
Chu Yue, who had been listening from outside, entered and demanded to know whom he was speaking with, insisting on checking if he carried any "other smells." Annoyed, Xue Yao ordered her out. Later that night, Chu Yue returned to Xue Yao's room, again intending to sleep there to prevent nightmares. Resigned, Xue Yao allowed her to stay, with one sleeping on the bed and the other on the floor.
Chu Yue asked if he hated her, believing her status as princess had led the Emperor to strip him of his military power and give it to Xu Xingchen. She thanked him for helping Xu Xingchen stage the "sympathy-getting ploy" earlier, which prevented the camp disturbance from escalating. However, she questioned why he so easily relinquished the military authority he had earned through immense struggle and what he truly desired if not fame and power.
Xue Yao responded that he only sought justice, stating that if someone was murdered, the perpetrator must not escape punishment. As Xue Yao fell asleep, Chu Yue quietly expressed her lingering suspicions, pondering the "mystery man" he was meeting at Fan House and her unsettling dreams. The following morning, Xue Yao and Bai Liqi headed to Fan House to meet Lord Luo and search for clues.
Bai Liqi teased Xue Yao for being unusually early, suggesting he was afraid of the Princess. Upon arrival, they were greeted by a man at the entrance who was presented as the owner. However, Xue Yao quickly deduced he was merely a frontman for the true, hidden owner, indicating the depth of the establishment's mystery. Already present inside, Xu Xingchen noticed their arrival.
