The Sleepless Princess Episode 14 Recap
> The Sleepless Princess Recap
Following the drugged wine incident, Xingchen experiences a sudden surge of heat and mistakenly believes he is about to transform. Chu Yue, though disoriented, clarifies that it's not his transformation but an aphrodisiac affecting them both. Horrified by the inappropriate feelings he develops for his Imperial Sister, Xingchen brands himself a "beast" for such thoughts and flees in distress. Shortly after, Xue Yao arrives to find Chu Yue in a highly agitated state.
She mistakes him for her "medicine" and forcefully pulls him down, clinging to him. To sober her, Xue Yao dunks her into a nearby pond, but the drug's effects persist, causing her to embrace him and attempt to kiss him. Bai Liqi observes the chaotic scene from a distance. Just then, Old Madam Xue arrives and, witnessing the scandalous public display, is outraged by their indecorous behavior. She storms off, declaring their actions utterly disgraceful.
Left with no other recourse, Xue Yao is forced to tie Chu Yue to her bed to prevent her from harming herself. Upon regaining consciousness, Chu Yue finds herself bound. Tao Yao quickly unties her, explaining that Chu Yue had accidentally ingested an aphrodisiac and had tried to pounce on Xue Yao multiple times, though the bindings fortunately prevented anything further. Recalling that Xingchen also drank the drugged wine, Chu Yue anxiously inquires about his condition.
Tao Yao informs her that Xingchen had already returned to his mansion, appearing quite angry upon his departure, leaving Chu Yue to fear she did something regrettable to him. Meanwhile, a sober Xingchen is in Wangyue Court, grappling with immense guilt over his inappropriate thoughts. He reflects on their childhood, when they only had each other, and now feels ashamed to face her. Chu Yue, having climbed a wall and used the key he gave her, arrives to find him.
Visibly distraught, Xingchen coldly tells her to leave. When she presses him, he explains that certain thoughts, once harbored, become an unbearable obsession, comparing himself to a "sinner trapped in a pan." He asks Chu Yue to help him guide his heart back to the "right path" by immediately disappearing, then orders his attendants to escort her away. Refusing to leave, Chu Yue lingers heartbroken outside Wangyue Court as it begins to rain. Xue Yao appears with an umbrella.
Chu Yue tearfully questions why Xingchen has abandoned her. Xue Yao attempts to console her, assuring her that siblings always forgive each other. He then leads her back into Wangyue Court, determined to confront Xingchen. Inside, Xingchen pulls Xue Yao aside and meticulously describes Chu Yue's habits, such as her poor sleep, fondness for candied haws, and enjoyment of low-brow supernatural tales, describing her as inherently good but somewhat naive.
He formally entrusts Chu Yue to Xue Yao, reminding him of his promise never to abandon her. Xue Yao reaffirms his commitment but notes that these aren't the answers Chu Yue seeks. Xingchen then asserts that they have both matured and must now lead separate lives, stating their shared journey has come to an end. He coldly instructs Xue Yao to control his "wife" and prevent her from bothering him further.
Overhearing this devastating conversation, Chu Yue rushes in, reminding Xingchen that their mother gave them the Xingyue jade pendant for mutual care, not for bitterness. She even offers to buy him candied haws, a gesture that used to reconcile their past arguments. However, Xingchen cruelly reveals he never liked candied haws and only pretended to for her happiness, expressing his weariness of the pretense. Witnessing Chu Yue's profound distress, Xue Yao gently carries her back to the Xue Mansion.
Back at the Xue Mansion, Chu Yue remains deeply saddened and refuses to eat. Xue Yao comforts her, promising to take good care of her. He explains that their bond with Xingchen was destined to change as they grew up, emphasizing that with their parents gone, their individual lives now revolve around their respective partners. He points out that Consort Jing is gone, Chu Yue is married, and King Shun will eventually have his own Princess Shun.
Chu Yue vehemently rejects this, arguing that marriage shouldn't sever familial bonds and make siblings strangers. She declares her refusal to accept this fate and vows to prove them wrong. To lift Chu Yue's spirits, Xue Yao proudly presents her with a magnificent Sweaty-blood horse, confident she will adore it. However, Chu Yue remains uninterested. Undeterred, Xue Yao pulls her onto the horse for a ride, but she finds the experience extremely uncomfortable.
As they ride, Xue Yao tries to cheer her up by explaining that Xingchen has matured significantly, even managing the successful Fan House. Upon hearing this, Chu Yue suddenly devises a plan, believing that visiting Fan House will allow her to see Xingchen. Tao Yao, alarmed, warns her that since she altered the dream, her transformation is now imminent, making it dangerous to venture out.
Chu Yue, however, argues that if she were to transform, the safest place would be with Xingchen, convinced he wouldn't abandon her. Tao Yao provides her with a record of her past transformation times as a precaution, but Chu Yue's determination is firm; she promises to be careful and conceal her identity. Chu Yue arrives at Fan House and seeks out a performer named Jie Luoshan, proposing to sing on stage in her place.
Jie Luoshan, not interested in money, asks if Chu Yue brought the specific box she had requested before. Chu Yue confirms she has, revealing that the box contains a precious item from her only living relative, and she is entrusting it to Jie Luoshan for safekeeping, intending to redeem it later. Jie Luoshan agrees. Meanwhile, Xue Yao learns of Chu Yue's presence at Fan House and immediately follows.
When Old Madam Xue discovers that both Xue Yao and Chu Yue have gone to Fan House, she is enraged, believing that Chu Yue is ruining the family's reputation and corrupting Xue Yao. She promptly orders her carriage to go there as well. Despite his efforts to drown his sorrow in drink, Xingchen remains deeply concerned about Chu Yue's potential transformation.
He instructs his subordinate, Qin Yixiao, to monitor the time and send someone to the Xue Mansion to check on her when it occurs. Qin Yixiao questions this directive, pointing out that since Xingchen has decided to sever ties, if General Xue discovers her transformation and she is killed as a monster, it would simply be her fate. Angered by this cold perspective, Xingchen retorts that Qin Yixiao is practically forcing him to seek her out. Meanwhile, Chu Yue, in a performance costume, takes the stage at Fan House and immediately spots Xue Yao in the audience.
