The Substitute Princess's Love Episode 16 Recap
> The Substitute Princess's Love Recap
Shen Lingling was completely disappointed in her father. Instigated by Wen Ye, she revealed the location where Chancellor Shen's ledger of corruption evidence was stored. Nan Bo quickly found it and handed it to Wen Ye. Wen Ye dismissed his guards and returned home for Mid-Autumn reunion. Chancellor Shen learned that Wen Ye had obtained his evidence of guilt and was restless.
He immediately went to Prince Jin's mansion to explain the serious implications, stating that historically, military generals whose merits overshadowed their lord had all ended tragically. If he were truly removed, Wen Ye would lack constraints in court and might face the Emperor's suspicion. Wen Ye carefully considered this and only demanded that Chancellor Shen reveal the person who framed Shen Keyi. Chancellor Shen confessed it was Madam Shen.
Following this, he entered the palace to meet the Emperor and report the decision regarding Madam Shen's punishment. Madam Shen was granted death by a length of white silk. Chancellor Shen was only fined half a year's salary. Wen Ye personally went to Dali Temple to bring Shen Keyi back. Zuo Shuangzhi saw that Chancellor Shen was no longer reliable, so she prepared to change her plan of action.
Shen Keyi quickly recovered and began recounting her heroic unyielding spirit and Wen Ye's timely help repeatedly at the mansion. Wen Ye told Shen Keyi to stop exaggerating. As the New Year approached, Shen Keyi expressed her hope to personally manage the preparations for her first New Year in the mansion. Wen Ye strongly supported her and handed over the treasury key.
The Empress Dowager issued a decree ordering Wen Ye and the princess consort to enter the palace together for New Year's Eve. Having been reprimanded by the Empress Dowager once, Shen Keyi was anxious and kept asking Wen Ye what preparations she should make. Wen Ye repeatedly comforted her, but Shen Keyi remained very nervous.
Seeing Shen Keyi's discomfort, Wen Ye simply took her out through the sedan's back door and snuck back to the mansion to celebrate the New Year. In front of the mansion gate, a lively market had been set up. This was specially arranged by Wen Ye for Shen Keyi. Servants dressed as vendors exchanged New Year greetings with the couple. Nan Bo performed breaking stones on his chest, and spectacular firework displays greatly impressed Shen Keyi.
Only then did Shen Keyi understand that Wen Ye had deliberately taken her to pretend to enter the palace, actually leaving time for the servants to set up the scene. Shen Keyi grew up among the common people and must deeply miss the New Year celebrations there. At the New Year's Eve banquet, Shen Keyi invited all the servants to join the feast.
Yi Fu reminded her that it was against the rules, but Wen Ye agreed upon seeing Shen Keyi happy. Someone had placed money inside the dumplings, and finding money in a dumpling symbolizes great fortune in the new year. Madam Yun Ying got the dumpling with money in it and said that Guard Wan had let her have it, wishing Guard Wan more smoothness in the coming year. She also proposed visiting her in-laws once.
Although there were many past grievances, they were not enemies, and the proper courtesies should not be omitted. Shen Keyi worried that it would be unsafe for Madam Yun Ying to go back alone. Wen Ye said that Madam Yun Ying always had a sense of propriety and there was no need to worry too much.
Shen Keyi wished for them to be together every year from now on, but Wen Ye did not dare to echo her words, seemingly having something else on his mind. Carrying Shen Keyi back to the room, Wen Ye was about to embrace her tenderly but then saw the imperial decree bestowed by the Emperor, completely losing his mood.
This was precisely Zuo Shuangzhi's new plan: using the pretext of the Princess of Liang Kingdom marrying into the Da Cang Dynasty for a political alliance, to gradually bring down Wen Ye. The person for the alliance marriage was Wen Ye himself. Back then, to save Shen Keyi, Wen Ye had already agreed to the Emperor's request. Zuo Shuangzhi finally met the Empress Dowager in her identity as a princess.
The Empress Dowager showed concern in every way and expressed that she would arrange for their wedding soon. Zuo Shuangzhi was quite satisfied, as everything was within her plan.
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