The Sleepless Princess Episode 7 Recap
> The Sleepless Princess Recap
Held captive by Bei Zehou, Chu Yue desperately struggles to escape, only to be caught and tormented. Nearby, Xue Yao and Bai Liqi prepare to intervene. Bai Liqi suggests waiting for the assassin's accomplice to appear so they can capture everyone at once, but Xue Yao, asserting he has his own plan, sends Bai Liqi to gather more men. Suddenly, Xu Xingchen arrives, to Chu Yue's surprise. Having endured her ordeal, she scolds him for his delay.
He reassures her and explains that confronting Bei Zehou directly would escalate the situation and risk exposing her marriage evasion to her father and Xue Yao. Instead, he instructs her to climb down from the window using a rope, promising to have a boat waiting below. Though initially daunted by the height, Chu Yue recalls her childhood ability to climb trees and prepares for the descent.
Xu Xingchen creates a diversion at Fanlou, posing as a lavish patron eager to see a famed beauty. However, Bei Zehou unexpectedly returns and orders Chu Yue to personally attend to him, demanding she serve him tea and assist with his bathing. His demeanor turns predatory as he tries to force himself upon her. Just as he lunges, Xue Yao bursts in, fighting off Bei Zehou's men.
Enraged, Bei Zehou orders his men to cut the rope Chu Yue is using to escape. Xue Yao shouts for her to hold on, asserting that as his wife, he must save her for his family's honor. He also demands to know the whereabouts of a treasured possession he entrusted to her. Unwilling to be indebted to him, Chu Yue deliberately releases her grip and falls into the water. Xue Yao immediately dives in after her.
Xu Xingchen arrives in his boat and pulls them from the water. Seeing Xue Yao unconscious, a frantic Chu Yue attempts to give him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. However, Xu Xingchen stops her, claiming that Xue Yao, a former river guard, is an excellent swimmer and is likely faking his condition to gain her sympathy. He urges her to seize the opportunity to escape, but Chu Yue refuses to leave him. As she voices her concern, she notices he is bleeding.
Xu Xingchen examines the wound on his chest and dismisses it as an old injury, not a new one. Just then, a spy's message confirms Xue Yao's forces are approaching, prompting Bei Zehou to retreat. As Xu Xingchen takes Chu Yue to safety, she remains profoundly worried about Xue Yao. Back at the Xue mansion, Chu Yue insists on personally caring for the recovering Xue Yao, dismissing Bai Liqi, who observes a notable change in her demeanor.
When Xue Yao awakens, he questions why she returned for him in the water. Chu Yue feigns a casual response, claiming she was simply worried he might drown. Later, she confides in Tao Yao, lamenting that her actions have angered Xu Xingchen while also revealing a side of Xue Yao she finds complicated. Tao Yao suggests Xue Yao has displayed genuine loyalty and affection, and that Chu Yue reciprocates these feelings despite her denial.
Chu Yue admits she is concerned that if Xue Yao were to truly fall for her, her desire for freedom and her need to transform without discovery would be greatly restricted. Meanwhile, Xu Xingchen is informed by a subordinate that spies have successfully infiltrated Bei Zehou's residence, with a plan to capture him set for three days later.
Xu Xingchen expresses regret for attempting the rescue alone, believing Xue Yao gained an advantage and earned Chu Yue's gratitude, making it less likely she will leave with him. He finds it suspicious that an injured Xue Yao came alone, suspecting it was premeditated. He notes the arrow wound on Xue Yao's shoulder is strikingly similar to the sole clue linked to an assassin who had previously alarmed the emperor.
Enraged by the princess's escape, Bei Zehou vows revenge, and his subordinate offers him a new scheme. Bai Liqi tells Xue Yao that he now believes they genuinely misunderstood Chu Yue, as the incident with Bei Zehou had no connection to the assassins, leaving Xue Mu's death an unresolved mystery. Noticing Xue Yao's distracted state, Bai Liqi playfully asks if Chu Yue should now be formally addressed as "young madam," implying a deeper connection, which Xue Yao deflects.
To test Xue Yao's feelings, Chu Yue and Tao Yao sneak to the training grounds to watch him. Xue Yao spots them and, telling his men to put their shirts on, admonishes Chu Yue for being in a men's training area. She retorts that he, her husband, once encouraged her to learn about military matters and even told his men to undress for her benefit.
Annoyed, Xue Yao is pacified only when Tao Yao explains Chu Yue was merely testing him. Tao Yao later confirms to Chu Yue that Xue Yao is clearly fond of her. Distressed, Chu Yue fears that if he truly likes her, she will lose her freedom and resolves to make him give up on her. The next day, King Shun visits, feigning concern for Xue Yao's recovery.
Xue Yao sarcastically suggests the medicine offered would be better suited for Chu Yue, given her tendency to climb walls, and subtly questions King Shun's intense interest in his wife. Soon after, a messenger arrives with a letter from Bei Zehou, outrageously claiming he has "used" Chu Yue and is "returning the used item," accompanied by a bellyband. Enraged, Xue Yao storms into Chu Yue's room and demands to know what Bei Zehou did to her.
Dismissing Bei Zehou's slander, he insists on hearing the truth from her and repeatedly asks if she was "humiliated." Chu Yue defiantly refuses a direct answer, stating that if he cares about such matters, then he can assume "it has already happened." Livid, Xue Yao reminds her that the whole world knows she is his wife, but she retorts that he should go to her father and ask for a divorce.
