My Sassy Princess Episode 21 Recap
> My Sassy Princess Recap
Shen Yu, disguised as the Ghost, boldly infiltrated the imperial prison to rescue Xu Shijin. Upon seeing him, Xu Shijin vehemently refused to leave, urging him to depart quickly. Shen Yu then removed his mask, declaring that if she did not accompany him, he would remain there with her, ensuring neither could escape once reinforcements arrived.
He reminded her of a love debt she owed him, insisting that if she did not repay it, he would have no choice but to face death alongside her. Xu Shijin called him a rascal, but Shen Yu remained resolute, asserting that he had been a rascal since they first met and that she was indebted to him for the rest of her life, unable to renege even for a moment.
When they heard someone approaching, Xu Shijin, moved by his unwavering determination, finally conceded. As she reached out, Shen Yu embraced and kissed her before they departed. Word of the audacious escape reached Liu Wang, who was informed by Eunuch Li that Shen Yu had stormed the imperial prison, incapacitating the guards and abducting Lady Xu.
Eunuch Li observed that the city gates were already closed, suggesting the pair must be hiding in the Xu and Shen mansions, and proposed immediately sealing the residences and arresting them. However, Liu Wang angrily dismissed the idea, stating that sealing the mansions of such prominent families was not a decision to be made lightly.
He further explained that Shen Yan was now Prince Guangping's son-in-law, and he needed Shen Yan's support to overthrow Prince Guangping, making Xu Shijin's capture an insignificant matter in comparison. Anticipating that Liu Wang would not directly move against their families, Shen Yu brought Xu Shijin to his own mansion. The next morning, Shen Yu and Xu Shijin, disguised as Liu Ling’s attendants, prepared to leave Yejing. Shen Yu had arranged for Shen Yan to facilitate their escape.
At the North Gate, Shen Yan, escorting Liu Ling in her carriage, intentionally summoned Lord Li, the commander of the city gates, creating a diversion. As Lord Li arrived with his men, demanding to inspect Liu Ling’s carriage due to recent criminal activity, Liu Ling feigned discomfort and refused to alight, instead boldly inviting Lord Li to search the carriage himself.
Just then, a soldier reported that two individuals, their identities obscured by hats and simple attire, had managed to break through the South Gate. With no contraband found in Liu Ling's carriage, Lord Li, suspicious that the distraction had allowed the true targets to escape, had no choice but to let them pass. The diversion proved successful, and Xu Shijin and Shen Yu escaped Yejing.
Lord Li quickly pursued the two individuals who had fled through the South Gate, only to discover that they were none other than Duke Xu and Duke Shen, the fathers of Xu Shijin and Shen Yu, respectively, confirming the diversionary tactic. Back in the Eastern Palace, Liu Wang confronted the two dukes, sternly admonishing them and warning them not to follow in the footsteps of the fallen Lu family, citing their fate.
Duke Xu vehemently protested his innocence, proclaiming his loyalty to Wei. Duke Shen, however, shamelessly shifted the blame onto Duke Xu, claiming it was Duke Xu's idea to hold a banquet that led to their rushing out of the city. The two dukes then engaged in a public quarrel, with Duke Shen blaming Xu Shijin for seducing Shen Yu into breaking into prison, and Duke Xu accusing Shen Yu of the prison break.
Liu Wang, exasperated by their undignified display, eventually brought the argument to an end, asserting that their family shame should not be made public and that he would consider the matter closed, reminding them that this was a grace he bestowed. He then subtly reminded them to serve the imperial court diligently in return for his leniency. After leaving the Eastern Palace, the two dukes dropped their act, acknowledging Liu Wang's cunning tactics.
They understood that this 'favor' meant Shen Yan would now bear the difficult task of investigating Prince Guangping, effectively 'repaying' the leniency shown after Shen Yu's actions. Soon after, Liu Wang summoned Shen Yan, tasking him with going to Jiangzhou to gather evidence of Prince Guangping's rebellion. Liu Ling and Shen Yan journeyed to Jiangzhou, ostensibly for their post-wedding family visit.
Before their departure, Shen Yan confessed to Liu Ling that Liu Wang had tasked him with gathering evidence of Prince Guangping's rebellion. Despite the immense danger, Liu Ling insisted on accompanying him, stating that her mother's death anniversary was approaching and she wished to attempt to persuade her father one last time, even if it meant confronting his wrongdoing. Upon approaching Prince Guangping’s (Liu Lishan) mansion in Jiangzhou, Shen Yan immediately sensed danger, realizing an ambush lay within.
Liu Ling, unaware of the peril, suddenly suggested they visit Nanyuan first, a place from her childhood. This spontaneous decision inadvertently saved Shen Yan from the waiting trap. At Nanyuan, they reminisced about their first encounter. Shen Yan expressed his concern about Prince Guangping's rebellious intentions, still hoping to persuade Liu Ling's father, Liu Lishan, to abandon his destructive path.
Liu Ling questioned why someone as kind and warm-hearted as Shen Yan would choose to become a Jinlin Guard, a role often associated with ruthless actions. Shen Yan explained his profound desire to assist the ruler in achieving lasting peace and prosperity, ensuring that future generations could live free from the turmoil of war. Liu Ling, in her usual bold manner, declared her desire to bear children for him, a statement that no longer surprised Shen Yan.
Meanwhile, Prince Guangping (Liu Lishan) met with Crown Prince Tuoba Lie and Lu Mingshan. He revealed his knowledge of the Emperor and Liu Wang's secret journey to Mount Ling in search of a cure. Prince Guangping planned to seize this opportune moment to eliminate them and then, with the help of the Yi Gu army, establish Jiangzhou as his stronghold to achieve his ambitions.
Crown Prince Tuoba Lie agreed to the alliance but demanded two conditions: eight fertile border cities in Wei and the death of Shen Yan. Prince Guangping readily conceded the cities but hesitated at the prospect of killing his son-in-law. Lu Mingshan aggressively pressed him, arguing that Shen Yan's intelligence and meticulous nature made him a significant threat, especially since he and Liu Ling were now in Jiangzhou, likely to investigate Prince Guangping's private army.
Lu Mingshan further asserted that Prince Guangping's reluctance betrayed a lack of sincerity and resolve, which could jeopardize their entire plan, emphasizing that a "woman's kindness" would not achieve great things. Unbeknownst to them, Shen Yan had overheard their entire conversation. After Tuoba Lie and Lu Mingshan departed, Shen Yan confronted Prince Guangping (Liu Lishan). Shen Yan warned him against allying with Yi Gu, describing it as an act of playing with fire.
Prince Guangping dismissed the warning, asserting his ability to control Yi Gu and claiming he was merely using a "tiger to chase away a wolf." Shen Yan implored him to reconsider, highlighting that wealth and glory were fleeting and that his current path would lead to isolation and ruin. He invoked the tragic death of Liu Ling’s mother, Zhang Yun, implying it was a consequence of Prince Guangping's ambition.
Shen Yan urged Prince Guangping to think of Liu Ling, reminding him that he was not truly alone and still had his daughter and brother. Overwhelmed, Prince Guangping told Shen Yan to stop speaking and promised to provide an answer on Zhang Yun’s upcoming death anniversary.
Later, Liu Ling brought Shen Yan to her childhood home within the mansion, where she retrieved a jar of "Daughter Red" wine that her mother, Zhang Yun, had buried for her dowry, intending to share it with her mother's spirit. Before heading to Zhang Yun's tomb, Shen Yan confessed to Liu Ling that he had already obtained the evidence of Prince Guangping’s rebellion, but held onto it in hopes that her father would reconsider.
He suggested they visit her mother's grave first, and then he would accompany her to persuade Prince Guangping once more. At Zhang Yun’s tomb, Liu Ling tearfully introduced Shen Yan to her late mother, proclaiming that she had found the man her mother had promised would protect her for life. As a gesture of respect, Shen Yan offered to drink the first toast from the Daughter Red dowry wine.
However, upon tasting it, he immediately realized it was poisoned and began to cough up blood. Prince Guangping’s private soldiers emerged from the surrounding hills. Cornered and fatally poisoned, Shen Yan, in a final act, whispered to Liu Ling to wait for him, before leaping off a nearby cliff. Devastated and distraught, Liu Ling cried out for him, but was forcefully taken back to the mansion by Prince Guangping’s men and placed under confinement.
Prince Guangping (Liu Lishan) then remarked to Tuoba Lie on his ingenious plan to use the poisoned dowry wine, expressing satisfaction with his daughter's profound attachment to her mother's keepsakes. Tuoba Lie commended Prince Guangping’s decisive action, confident that their plans would now succeed. They then finalized their strategy to launch the rebellion in three days.
