My Sassy Princess Episode 15 Recap
> My Sassy Princess Recap
Duke Dingbei and Princess Peace Liu Ling knelt outside the palace, attempting to sway the Emperor's decision regarding Liu Ling's impending marriage to Tuoba Lie of Yigu. When Crown Prince Liu Wang arrived, he urged Duke Dingbei to rise, acknowledging the Duke's deep love for his granddaughter but implicitly stating that the Emperor's decision was for the greater good. Duke Dingbei, however, steadfastly refused, declaring his intention to prevent the marriage.
He proclaimed Yigu's ambitious nature, asserting that if they threatened war over Liu Ling's refusal, she absolutely could not marry. He even offered to personally lead the army with the Marshal Seal to defend Wei. Crown Prince Liu Wang argued that while Wei was ready to fight if directly provoked, the current situation was different.
He questioned Duke Dingbei's wisdom, suggesting that if Liu Ling's rejection sparked a war, both Princess Peace and the Emperor would face public condemnation and be written into history with a terrible reputation. As Liu Wang delivered his grim warning, Duke Dingbei suddenly collapsed, prompting Liu Ling to cry out for help. Back at the House of Duke Dingbei, the young duke, Liu Ling’s maternal uncle, rushed to his father’s side, distraught by his unconscious state.
His wife, however, remained composed, attributing Duke Dingbei’s collapse to mere heatstroke, incurred from stubbornly waiting for the Emperor. She then subtly manipulated her husband, reminding him that their father-in-law’s previous robust health had made it difficult to act. But now, with Duke Dingbei ill due to Liu Ling’s predicament, she suggested it was the opportune moment to use "that thing" they had prepared.
She assured her husband that once Duke Dingbei was incapacitated, he would naturally become the true head of the House of Duke Dingbei. The young duke, suddenly recalling his prepared poison, understood her implications. Duke Dingbei, having regained consciousness at the House of Duke Dingbei, reassured a guilt-ridden Liu Ling that his ailment was merely heatstroke, not her fault.
He gently dismissed her concern, reflecting on his age and her growth from the small child he brought back from Jiangzhou ten years prior. Despite his weakness, he maintained a hopeful spirit, noting that neither the Crown Prince nor the Emperor had completely closed off their options. When his son, the young duke, arrived with medicine, Duke Dingbei tasked him with discreetly investigating Tuoba Lie's personality and preferences.
He reasoned that since the Emperor and Crown Prince remained firm on the marriage, their only recourse was to find a solution through Tuoba Lie himself. Although initially resistant and advising his father to give up, the young duke yielded to his father's unwavering determination to protect Liu Ling, his granddaughter, and administered the medicine. Later, after Lu Mingshan had taken Tuoba Lie to a performance and left, Prince Guangping Liu Lishan, Liu Ling's father, sought out Tuoba Lie.
Tuoba Lie, addressing Liu Lishan as Prince, stated that the Lu family, once his puppet, was now failing, necessitating his direct presence. Liu Lishan then inquired about Tuoba Lie's purpose. Tuoba Lie, asserting Yigu's inherent claim over Wei, asked what benefit his kingdom would gain from helping Liu Lishan. In response, Liu Lishan offered fertile border lands to Yigu if they helped him ascend the throne. Tuoba Lie acknowledged Liu Lishan's sincerity, promising to consult his father, the Yigu King.
However, Liu Lishan detained him, demanding a display of sincerity if Yigu truly wished to ally with him. He then specified his condition: Tuoba Lie must ensure Liu Ling, Liu Lishan's daughter, willingly accepts the marriage, as her current reluctance had caused numerous complications. News reached Liu Ling that Duke Dingbei had vomited blood, prompting her to rush to his side. However, her maternal uncle, the young duke, physically barred her way, accusing her of causing his father’s illness.
The young duke’s wife intervened, calling Liu Ling an "outsider" and an ill-fated jinx, before aggressively ordering her back to her room, warning her not to provoke further misfortune. Distraught, Liu Ling retreated to her room, crying out for Shen Yan. For days, she refused to eat or drink.
Concerned, Ling Bi attempted to obtain food from the kitchen, only to be met with the callous refusal of the butler, who, acting under the young duke’s wife’s instructions, mocked her and ordered her to kneel in the front yard, hoping her display might soften the lady’s heart. Prince Guangping Liu Lishan arrived at the House of Duke Dingbei, finding Ling Bi kneeling outside. Enraged, he chastised the young duke for punishing his staff and ordered food for Liu Ling.
He then confronted Liu Ling, who remained silent, warning her that her defiance had already led to punishments for the House of Duke Dingbei and would implicate more people, including his own Prince Guangping’s Mansion and their siblings. He specifically threatened that the Emperor and Crown Prince would not spare Shen Yan or the Shen family if she continued to resist.
Liu Ling, however, bitterly questioned if she should simply submit like her mother, Yun, before telling her father to leave her alone. Later, the weak Duke Dingbei confronted Liu Lishan, accusing him of causing Yun's death due to his relentless ambition, and fearing he would harm Liu Ling next.
He lamented Liu Ling’s fate, sacrificed first by Liu Lishan’s ambition (leading to her mother’s death), then raised in his household as a form of compensation, and now forced to sacrifice her marriage. Liu Lishan acknowledged his regret but admitted he was too deep on his path to turn back, suggesting that marrying into Yigu might paradoxically be Liu Ling's safest option.
He then revealed his own long-held grievances: how he, a valiant warrior who brought peace to Wei, was denied the throne and given only a humiliating title by his emperor brother. Resigned, Duke Dingbei dismissed Liu Lishan, stating Liu Ling’s fate was now her own. As Liu Ling sat lost in thought, Shen Yan, having rushed back to Yejing, leapt through her window to find her.
He embraced her tightly, expressing how much he missed her, but Liu Ling remained distant, not returning his hug. Noticing her unusual demeanor, Shen Yan pressed her, and Liu Ling turned away, telling him she could not marry him. Stunned, Shen Yan struggled to understand, but Liu Ling repeated her devastating news: she was getting married, but not to him.
When Shen Yan questioned if she was being forced, Liu Ling coldly denied it, claiming she had changed her mind, grown tired of him, and found someone else to be by her side when he wasn’t. Despite Shen Yan's persistent questions about her sincerity, Liu Ling maintained her facade, asserting that every word was true and that she now sought a tangible, ever-present love that Shen Yan couldn't provide.
To emphasize her resolve, she tossed the red string he had given her onto the ground, declaring it useless. Heartbroken, Shen Yan warned her that he would not give her a second chance. Back in Yejing, Lady-in-waiting Xu Shijin consulted with Shen Yu, revealing a significant discovery from a treasure box: a historical hand-written note and a map. The map indicated the location of the stolen Jiangzhou treasury silver, surprisingly hidden within Yigu territory.
Xu Shijin proposed a daring plan to use the silver as a catalyst to ignite a conflict between Wei and Yigu, thus nullifying Liu Ling's impending marriage. Shen Yu, however, warned her of the immense danger and the risk of self-destruction. Despite his concerns, and his questioning of her selflessness, Shen Yu ultimately pledged his unwavering support, vowing to accompany her through any peril. Meanwhile, news circulated among the Jinlin Guard about the upcoming wedding of Jinlin Guard Seven.
Though some guards expressed reservations about Shen Yan attending, given his recent breakup with Princess Peace Liu Ling, Shen Yan himself, upon overhearing their conversation, calmly declared his intention to attend. In the House of Duke Dingbei, a desolate Liu Ling refused to eat, telling Ling Bi to keep the windows closed, convinced Shen Yan would not return.
Desperate to help Liu Ling, who was heartbroken and unable to eat, Ling Bi sought out Luo Fan, begging him to facilitate a meeting between Liu Ling and Shen Yan.
Luo Fan, learning that Liu Ling was soon to depart for Jiangzhou to await her marriage and that Shen Yan planned to attend Jinlin Guard Seven's wedding that very night, suggested Ling Bi arrange for Liu Ling to discreetly attend the ceremony, believing it was their best chance to see each other. Overjoyed and hopeful, Ling Bi agreed, promising not to reveal his involvement, and left to inform the princess. Later that evening, the wedding ceremony commenced.
