The Sleepless Princess Episode 20 Recap
> The Sleepless Princess Recap
Xue Yao discovered Chu Yue in her room, tying a white silk sash around her neck, and immediately assumed she intended to take her own life. He frantically rushed to her, casting aside his blanket, and angrily told her that if she harbored any unhappiness, she should direct it at him.
He demanded to know if she wished for him to suffer, feel guilty, and miss her for the rest of his life, even offering her a knife and urging her to stab him. Xue Yao declared that even given another chance, he would act the same way, but implored her not to joke about her life.
Chu Yue, bewildered by his outburst, explained that she was merely adopting a traditional method to stay awake and prevent nightmares, a practice akin to "hanging one's head by a beam." Realizing his grave misunderstanding, Xue Yao felt foolish. He then swept her into his arms and carried her back to his room. Once in their room, Xue Yao questioned why Chu Yue returned to the Xue mansion, knowing full well he had used her.
Chu Yue calmly stated that being used did not bother her as she was not so fragile. However, she admitted to being bothered by his initial lack of explanation and his failure to apologize afterward, revealing that she would have remained in the dark if Nannan hadn't informed her of the truth. Chu Yue then asked if, as Nannan had told her, his actions were part of the investigation into his brother’s death.
Xue Yao evaded a direct answer, simply insisting the matter was unrelated to her and expressing his strong desire to keep her from getting involved, urging her to trust him and never ask about it again. Chu Yue agreed to trust him one last time, with a playful insistence that he sleep in the bed while she took the floor. Later, Xue Yao’s aunt summoned him, demanding to know the true circumstances of Xue Mu's death.
Xue Yao promised to provide an explanation once he fully investigated the matter. His aunt, however, stressed that for the Xue family to maintain its standing, they must confront the brutal reality of the situation, as the lives of everyone in the family were at stake. She then ordered Bai Liqi to speak.
Bai Liqi disclosed that General Xue Mu's death was connected to the royal family, as investigations in the palace uncovered a secret affair between Xue Mu and Concubine Yun. He added that Concubine Yun’s activities in the palace corresponded to Xue Mu’s patrol routes, and capturing the assassin would clarify the Emperor's involvement.
Xue Yao’s aunt warned of the dire consequences for the Xue family if a scandal involving Xue Mu and the Emperor were to be revealed without careful handling. Xue Yao reassured her that he would protect Chu Yue from any further entanglement. However, his aunt countered that if there was no perfect solution, divorce might be the only way to safeguard the Xue family, emphasizing that Chu Yue, despite being a good person, was a princess.
Xue Yao vehemently rejected the idea of divorce, declaring Chu Yue his legitimately married wife, whose importance to him was equal to that of his brother. Unbeknownst to them, Chu Yue was secretly listening from outside the door, deeply troubled by their conversation. Meanwhile, the Emperor awoke from a recurring nightmare about the Grand National Master. He ordered his attendant, Gao Gonggong, to prepare for a visit to the Star Tower to offer incense.
Gao Gonggong commented on the Emperor’s enduring devotion, noting that he had also fulfilled his obligation by raising Princess Chu Yue for many years. As the Emperor reflected, he discovered a mysterious letter, which Gao Gonggong had attempted to retrieve. The letter contained a startling revelation: the birthstone was inside Chu Yue. The Emperor was aghast, recalling that the birthstone had been stolen a decade ago, and wondered if Chu Yue had known this secret all along.
Believing Xue Yao had treated Chu Yue unfairly, Nannan resolved to help her. She stealthily placed a divorce paper among the official documents Gao Gonggong was about to present to the Emperor. The Emperor, still preoccupied with the mysterious letter, considered summoning Chu Yue back to the palace but hesitated due to her marriage to Xue Yao. Upon reviewing the documents, he discovered the divorce papers.
Delighted, he quickly approved the divorce, seeing it as an opportune moment to recall Princess Chu Yue to the palace. He immediately ordered Gao Gonggong to bring Chu Yue back from the Xue mansion without delay. Gao Gonggong arrived at the Xue mansion with the imperial edict. Before he could announce it, Xue Yao's aunt, who had recently recovered, apologized to Chu Yue for her past misunderstandings.
Xue Yao then expressed his happiness at seeing them get along and pledged to protect both Chu Yue and the Xue family. Gao Gonggong proceeded to read the edict: Princess Chu Yue and Consort Xue Yao, after half a year of marriage, had developed resentment and were therefore decreed to divorce. Princess Chu Yue was commanded to return to the palace at once. When Xue Yao questioned Chu Yue about the divorce papers, she explained Nannan had likely submitted them.
She then pressed Xue Yao, asking what he would do if his brother's death were indeed linked to her father, the Emperor. Xue Yao admitted he hadn't devised a plan but pleaded with her not to get involved. Chu Yue countered that neither of them could remain unaffected. She confessed to having overheard Xue Yao’s earlier conversation with his aunt.
Acknowledging her father’s kindness in raising her, Chu Yue tearfully suggested that perhaps divorce was indeed the best solution, echoing his aunt’s sentiment, to resolve the impossible dilemma they faced. Xue Yao and Chu Yue shared a sorrowful goodbye. While Chu Yue was preparing to leave, Prince Shun inquired of Gao Gonggong if Chu Yue could reside at his mansion. Gao Gonggong explained that the Emperor eagerly awaited Chu Yue's return and had already prepared the Jinque Palace for her.
In her carriage, Chu Yue wept, though she insisted to her maid, Tao Yao, that she was not crying, asserting that she had chosen to leave to avoid making things difficult for Xue Yao. She viewed their shared time as a beautiful dream that had now ended. Meanwhile, Xue Yao, unsettled by the unresolved assassin case, decided to covertly follow her carriage to ensure her safety.
He confided in Bai Liqi that they should have never allowed their emotions to deepen, as love made one vulnerable. As Xue Yao followed Chu Yue's departing carriage, his presence was noticed by observers, who remarked on his lingering affection and saw an opportunity to act now that Chu Yue was no longer under the strict protection of the Xue mansion. Separately, Dong Shi presented the Emperor with new medicinal pills, assuring him they would alleviate his nightmares.
The Emperor, however, desired a complete cure rather than mere relief. After Dong Shi left, Gao Gonggong advised the Emperor to remain wary of anyone connected to the Grand National Master. He added that it was fortunate Princess Chu Yue had returned, reiterating his surprise that the birthstone was found within her.
