The Sleepless Princess Episode 2 Recap
> The Sleepless Princess Recap
Prince Shun, Xu Xingchen, lingers at the Xue mansion late into the night, playing his flute. He confesses to Xue Yao that he feels a sense of reluctance regarding his sister, the Emperor's daughter Chu Yue's, hurried marriage, though he also acknowledges it could be a good thing. He explains that Chu Yue has been frail since childhood, and the National Division, Dong Shi, predicted she would have a solitary fate, which led Marquis Beize to break off their engagement.
Xu Xingchen expresses concern for Xue Yao, as the last remaining male of the loyal Xue family, but Xue Yao simply smiles. He suggests that he and Chu Yue are a perfect match, as he too was told in his youth that he was fated to be a widower, making them kindred spirits. When Xu Xingchen presses Xue Yao about his true intentions for marrying Chu Yue, Xue Yao claims he had heard she was virtuous and thus chose her.
Xu Xingchen immediately dismisses this as a mere excuse, also rejecting the notion that the marriage was for "chongxi" (to bring good luck and recovery). He accuses Xue Yao of using Chu Yue’s status as a princess to mend his strained relationship with the Emperor, especially after the Xue family army’s reputation grew following the pacification of Xizhao. Unfazed, Xue Yao invites Xu Xingchen to continue playing his flute anywhere in the vast Xue mansion before excusing himself.
As Xue Yao leaves, Xu Xingchen silently vows to rescue Chu Yue. Meanwhile, Chu Yue, having transformed into a giant mouse, gnaws on a wooden spinning top in Xue Yao’s room before falling asleep. This object is later discovered by Xue Yao, who recognizes it as a relic of his deceased brother, Xue Mu.
Troubled by the discovery and recalling a past encounter where an assassin mistook him for Xue Mu, Xue Yao resolves to uncover the truth behind his brother’s death, despite the Emperor's official conclusion. Elsewhere, the assassin leader berates his subordinates, perplexed as to how Chu Yue had received prior warning despite their meticulous preparations.
He suspects a traitor in their ranks and, now that Chu Yue is safely within the Xue mansion, orders them not to act rashly and to await further instructions from their master. The next morning, Chu Yue awakens in a box within Xue Yao’s room, having reverted to her human form. Xue Yao discovers her and pulls her back to the room, demanding to know what she had overheard the previous night.
Their confrontation is interrupted when the bed suddenly collapses. Xue Yao instinctively shields Chu Yue, and in the fall, their lips accidentally meet. After restraining her to the bed, Xue Yao again interrogates her. Chu Yue, bewildered and feeling deeply wronged, feigns ignorance, claiming she was happy in the palace until she suddenly woke up married to a stranger and subjected to his questioning.
Xue Yao presses her, sarcastically recounting a tale of an enormous mouse that gnawed on all the snacks, the bed, and even attempted to bite him, causing him to fall asleep in a box in his study. He implies she was this mouse, which she vehemently denies. Their conversation ends in frustration, with Xue Yao restricting her movements to the room.
Later, Chu Yue confides in her maid, still fixated on the mysterious masked man who saved her, unaware that he was Xue Yao himself. Her maid warns her about a possible tooth mark on her body, but Chu Yue dismisses it, convinced Xue Yao will never see it. Later, Xue Yao visits his brother Xue Mu’s grave. Luo Ji, a high-ranking official, also arrives to pay his respects.
Luo Ji reminds Xue Yao to conceal a recent wound, cautioning him against the Emperor's widespread search for the man who "assaulted" the princess. Luo Ji confirms that the scheduled appearance of an assassin at Guoxi Pavilion indicates Xue Mu had indeed discovered something critical before his death and was silenced. Luo Ji, feeling he had previously misjudged Xue Yao, pledges his support in uncovering the truth behind Xue Mu's unnatural death, even offering his life to help.
Xue Yao vows that he will dedicate his life to ensuring his brother’s name is cleared. Meanwhile, National Division Dong Shi reports to the Emperor that the alchemy furnace has been destroyed, injuring him in the process. He presents the Emperor with a box of pre-prepared golden elixirs, but the Emperor laments that while the elixirs are beneficial, they cannot repel assassins. He wishes Dong Shi possessed the same prophetic abilities as Chu Yue’s late father.
Dong Shi apologizes for his limited talent, explaining that with the birthstone missing, he is a "clever cook without rice." Shortly after, Dong Shi seeks out Xu Xingchen, informing him that he has sensed activity from the birthstone and fears for Chu Yue’s safety. The two decide to visit the Xue mansion together.
Upon receiving notification of the impending visit, Xue Yao instructs Chu Yue that he will not permit her to see outsiders until he understands her true purpose for being in his mansion. He sternly warns her that any actions detrimental to the Xue family would also bring harm upon her. He specifically tells her to pretend to be asleep during their visitors' inspection to avoid revealing anything unusual.
Despite her reluctance, Chu Yue agrees to cooperate in exchange for a degree of freedom, enduring his assertive declaration that, alive or dead, she is now his. When Xu Xingchen and Dong Shi arrive, Chu Yue dutifully feigns sleep. Xue Yao, observing Xu Xingchen’s concern, makes deliberate comments about caring for Chu Yue, almost provoking Xu Xingchen to touch her. Xue Yao swiftly intervenes, preventing Xu Xingchen from making physical contact, which clearly annoys the prince.
Xue Yao even suggests one of his female acquaintances as a potential match for Xu Xingchen, but the prince curtly refuses. After a tense exchange, Dong Shi and Xu Xingchen depart. Frustrated by the visit, Xu Xingchen confides in his aide, Qin Yixiao. He reveals that his childhood dream was to liberate Chu Yue from the palace and secure a stable, prosperous life for them.
He admits to deliberately spreading rumors to ensure Marquis Beize would break off his engagement with Chu Yue. He laments that Xue Yao’s unexpected marriage proposal has shattered his meticulously planned, decade-long efforts. Qin Yixiao suggests Xue Yao is not a bad match, but Xu Xingchen expresses deep concern about the birthstone’s secret.
He fears that her unusual routine will eventually expose her secret to the Xue family, potentially leading them to believe she is a monster and burn her alive. He insists that he must prioritize her safety before considering his own future. That night, Chu Yue, still confined to her room, notices the unusual quietness outside. Her maid confirms the guards are gone, leading Chu Yue to believe Xue Yao is upholding his end of their deal.
As they begin to plan an escape, Dong Shi suddenly appears, explaining that he sensed her dropped jade pendant and came to investigate. He asks if her recent transformation had occurred between 11 PM and 1 AM and exhibited symptoms of a large rat, confirming it was her tenth transformation. He gravely warns her that if she undergoes two more transformations, she will become a "living dead" and be beyond saving.
Chu Yue questions why the birthstone flew from a box into her brain. Dong Shi clarifies that the birthstone is a divine artifact used by his teacher for prophecy, and its presence within her signifies a profound bloodline connection to his teacher. He then advises her against leaving the Xue mansion, stating that the pervasive presence of assassins outside makes it the safest place for her.
A desperate Chu Yue reveals that she had feigned sleep earlier because Xue Yao had threatened to consummate their marriage if she did not cooperate, but Dong Shi simply urges her to accept her current circumstances.
