The Sleepless Princess Episode 28 Recap
> The Sleepless Princess Recap
Following their decision to elope, Xue Yao and Chu Yue spend an intimate night together, with Chu Yue remarking that for her, the long winter nights are filled with longing for her beloved. The next morning, they venture out for breakfast, their public affection drawing envious glances. There, Xue Yao declares his intention to marry Chu Yue immediately, embracing their plan to elope. He admits his fear of losing her is far greater than his fear of the Emperor's wrath.
When Chu Yue asks if he no longer minds his brother's death, Xue Yao, inspired by her courage, says he has become the "unfaithful, unfilial, unkind, and unjust person" she once described, and is ready to face any consequence with her. Xue Yao outlines their simple wedding plans: he and his Aunt will prepare the dowry, while Chu Yue will decorate their wedding room in Lingxi Garden. He then takes her to a bookshop to buy her a wedding gift.
Despite Chu Yue’s embarrassment and claims that she only reads "leisure books" like "The Eternal Love with You", "The Miserable Life of the Emperor's Son-in-law", and "Thirty-Six Stratagems for Taming a Husband" when she cannot sleep, Xue Yao buys them all. Chu Yue then leaves to find Xingchen, wanting a family member to witness their union.
Alone, Xue Yao asks the shopkeeper for the second volume of "Chronicle of Guanshan", a book Chu Yue likes, but is told the author, Mr. Guanshan, has retired and no sequel exists. Meanwhile, Nan Nan learns of the elopement from Luo Ji. Calling Chu Yue a fool for choosing a "vulgar husband," she nonetheless decides to buy a wedding gift of "Daughter's Red" wine.
She also buys a sword tassel for Luo Ji, and their playful bickering about who is a "drag" on the other hints at their growing affection. Chu Yue confesses to Xingchen her new self-consciousness, worried that her eating habits are unbecoming in front of Xue Yao. He reassures her that if Xue Yao accepted her when she transformed into a pig, he wouldn't mind her table manners.
Surprised by his support for the elopement, Chu Yue listens as Xingchen explains that while he disagrees, he cannot stop her. He declares that in his heart, she is a prisoner he wishes to lock away forever. He vows that if Xue Yao ever fails her again, he will take her away and never let her go, even if she comes to hate him. Their conversation is interrupted by news that Uncle Liao has awoken.
Now lucid, he reveals to Chu Yue that he was her father's, the Great State Preceptor's, best friend. Her father altered the future for the Emperor eleven times but, not wanting his daughter to become the Emperor's puppet, he tasked Uncle Liao with smuggling the infant Chu Yue to safety. They were caught, and Uncle Liao suffered a head injury that has afflicted him for years.
He also reveals that her father, foreseeing his own death, used his final prediction for Chu Yue, learning the "birthstone" could affect her and sacrificing himself to give her a chance at life. Xingchen notes that if even the Great State Preceptor couldn't stop her transformation, she must remain vigilant. Unbeknownst to them, the now-unmasked Dong Shi instructs a subordinate to plant the second volume of "Chronicle of Guanshan", a note, and a letter in the Xue Mansion.
He explains this will stop the wedding, leaving Chu Yue vulnerable once Na Xi takes Xue Yao to Xizhao. Dong Shi wants both Chu Yue and the book. He bitterly tells his "Feixue" that since he cannot be happy, no one else can be either. As Nan Nan and Luo Ji decorate the wedding room, she slips from a ladder and he catches her, leading to a tender moment amidst their bickering.
Later, Xue Yao’s Aunt mentions a large box of books in the woodshed that may have belonged to Xue Mu. Tao Yao, overhearing this, panics. She secretly finds the box and discovers the second volume of "Chronicle of Guanshan" and a letter to Chu Yue. Just then, Xue Yao appears and recognizes his brother's handwriting. The letter is a gift from Xue Mu, who reveals he is the author "Guanshan."
He confesses his silent, unrequited love for Chu Yue, apologizing for his cowardice and expressing his wish for her happiness as another man's bride. Tao Yao then confesses she knew of Xue Mu's love and that he wrote the book for Chu Yue. She reveals the horrific truth of his death: during a transformation, Chu Yue fled to Yinghua Hall and accidentally knocked over a candlestick, starting a fire.
Xue Mu died from smoke inhalation after rushing in to save the ancestral tablets. Tao Yao insists Chu Yue isn't to blame, as she never remembers what happens. The revelation that Chu Yue indirectly caused his brother's death leaves Xue Yao utterly devastated. Overwhelmed, Xue Yao goes to a tavern to drink, tormented by memories of his brother and the cruel irony of his love for Chu Yue. He sends Tao Yao to tell Chu Yue the wedding is off.
Later, Chu Yue, who was waiting anxiously at Lingxi Garden with Xingchen, is brought to the tavern. She finds Xue Yao drunk and asks why he abandoned their wedding. In a bitter, intoxicated rage, he berates her for spending his money on the bill. As she asserts her right as his wife, he grabs her hand, his face a mask of pain and fury.
