To Get Her Episode 12 Recap
> To Get Her Recap
The next morning, Lin Zhen'er diligently woke early to grind ink and supervise the Third Prince's studies. Though he was determined to become the Crown Prince, he found the lessons uninteresting and repeatedly tried to delay, wishing Lin Zhen'er wouldn't constantly watch him. He knew she was doing it for his own good.
Initially, he attempted to change the subject, suggesting history instead of the art of war, then found excuses like a dirty desk and floor that needed cleaning and books that needed tidying. Lin Zhen'er internally noted his classic procrastination tactics, but she patiently stayed by his side, urging him to focus. He acknowledged the importance of her company, stating, "People say that love is a vow of eternal loyalty, while I say that love is a kind of company."
With her persistent encouragement, the Third Prince eventually applied himself, making significant academic progress and strengthening their emotional bond. Later, the Third Prince finally had a chance to go out, a much-needed break from his intense studies, which he confessed to Shen Daifu felt like "torture." While strolling, they unexpectedly encountered the fortuneteller, Zhuge Taotao. The Third Prince confronted Zhuge Taotao, calling him a "charlatan," but was convinced to have a divination.
The fortuneteller used "Holy water of Wudang" to reveal their future. The holy water boiled, a bad omen, and Zhuge Taotao confirmed his earlier prediction: the Third Prince and Lin Zhen'er's destinies clashed, and remaining together would lead to misfortune. When asked for a solution, Zhuge Taotao admitted he was powerless against matters of destiny and advised them to separate. The Third Prince, however, remained resolute.
He declared that while he had always been indecisive in life, his resolve to be with Lin Zhen'er was unshakeable. He stated that nothing, not even conflicting destinies, could keep them apart, and he abruptly departed. Despite his defiant words, the Third Prince was inwardly concerned for Lin Zhen'er's safety due to his deep love for her.
On his way back, he bought a pair of heart-shaped magnetic irons, explaining they symbolized an unbreakable bond, despite being worn as separate pendants. Lin Zhen'er playfully questioned the symbolism, but he reassured her that their connection was what truly mattered, and they would never separate. Meanwhile, Li Changxiu was preparing to return to Huanyue State to assist his father with state affairs. Tu Siya and Cui Xun accompanied him to a tea house for a farewell meal.
While Tu Siya stepped away to order their favorite dishes, Li Changxiu asked Cui Xun if he liked Tu Siya. Cui Xun quickly dismissed the idea, stating he saw her as a "bro." Li Changxiu, however, praised Tu Siya, describing her as "both gentle and strong, heroic and charming," a "good girl" whom he genuinely liked. He then subtly advised Cui Xun not to make the foolish mistake of not cherishing the person right in front of him.
Tu Siya soon returned, and after tasting the food, Li Changxiu was inspired to recite a poem, to which Tu Siya applauded enthusiastically. Cui Xun, visibly annoyed by their interaction, abruptly announced he had other commitments and left, claiming he couldn't see Li Changxiu off. Tu Siya later found Cui Xun practicing martial arts and playfully accused him of imitating Li Changxiu.
Cui Xun vehemently denied it, asserting his unique status as the "Little Tyrant of Chuxing State" and criticizing Li Changxiu's pretentious demeanor. They then bickered good-naturedly about Tu Siya's eating habits, and when Cui Xun inadvertently called her "beautiful," she was pleasantly surprised, leading to more playful banter between the two.
Soon, the Emperor's birthday approached, and as was customary, various neighboring nations would send delegates, including the King and Princess of Huanyue State, whose visit was suspected to also be for intelligence gathering. The Emperor decided to select a Goodwill Ambassador from his sons to represent Chuxing State's image in receiving the foreign envoys. Both the Second Prince and the Third Prince volunteered.
Influenced by the Second Prince's generous patronage, many court officials spoke in his favor, arguing that the Third Prince was too gentle and lacked the commanding presence needed for such an important role, while the Second Prince possessed a "sharp and domineering" look with "raised eyebrows" and "round earlobes" suitable for the position. Recognizing the unfair bias, Lin Zhen'er stepped forward, questioning the ministers' narrow aesthetic standards.
To prove her point, she asked the ministers to describe their ideal appearance for an ambassador. They detailed a specific look: a full forehead, square jaw, large nose, dark skin, and thick earlobes. Lin Zhen'er then presented a drawing based on their descriptions, revealing a rather unappealing caricature that made her point about their "single and unique" aesthetic.
She then proposed that to truly gauge "personal charm," both princes' portraits should be displayed on the city walls for three days, allowing all the common people to vote for their preferred ambassador. The Emperor, impressed by her logic, approved this democratic approach, to which the Second Prince reluctantly assented. Following this decision, Lin Zhen'er swiftly launched a modern, celebrity-style marketing campaign for the Third Prince.
She explained to her team that the competition was essentially about "who is more favorable." She named the Third Prince's fan base "Little Wings" (a homophone for "Yi," meaning wings, which is part of "Siyi," the Third Prince's name). She outlined a two-step strategy. The first step was to "leave a deep impression" by plastering the Third Prince's handsome portraits across the city, generating buzz and public admiration.
People on the streets praised his good looks and expressed their support, declaring themselves "Little Wings." The second step was to "reinforce goodwill and get more votes" by having supporters spread positive word-of-mouth, emphasizing his handsomeness, diligence, charm, and proficiency in various arts. This created an atmosphere where people believed the Third Prince was the clear favorite and that supporting him was the popular choice. Meanwhile, the Second Prince and his aide, Old Bai, were also strategizing.
The Second Prince fumed that Lin Zhen'er's plan had nullified his efforts to secure the support of many officials, reminding Old Bai that he had bought over most who could be swayed and eliminated the rest over the years. Old Bai assured him their alternative plan was in motion. They had arranged with the owner of Tianxiang Lou (a tea house) to offer free meals to anyone supporting the Second Prince.
The Yingyan Brothel, where the Second Prince was a regular, also pledged its full backing. The Second Prince confidently declared that any problem solvable by money was "not a real problem" for him, and that this competition must be won. Old Bai then proposed a name for their supporters: "Big Oranges," which the Second Prince found satisfactory.
