My Sassy Princess Episode 3 Recap
> My Sassy Princess Recap
Princess Liu Ling, noticing Shen Yan’s change in demeanor after Lu Mingshan arrived, immediately assumed he was jealous. Despite his lack of response, Liu Ling felt compelled to put in extra effort to please him, declaring that her beloved deserved to be treated with care. Meanwhile, Shen Yan directly questioned the captive Yun Yi about his connection to the Lu family, stating his belief that Lu Mingshan was present for ill intentions.
Yun Yi initially denied any ties to the Lu family, but Shen Yan sternly warned him that his life might not reach Yejing if he was truly involved. After Shen Yan’s departure, Yun Yi’s previously defiant expression gave way to a look of worry, indicating that the Lu family’s threats indeed concerned him.
Determined to cheer Shen Yan up, Liu Ling sought out the most renowned restaurant in town, Xichun House, and had their best chef brought to the courier station. She personally supervised the preparation of various dishes, including Tofu Skin Spinach Rolls, Mianyang Steam, and Fried Cabbage, rewarding the chef generously. Luo Fan and Ling Bi repeatedly attempted to invite Shen Yan to dinner, but he remained unresponsive.
Despite her elaborate efforts, Shen Yan refused to come out, claiming he wasn't hungry. Liu Ling, carrying a food box filled with more delicacies like Eight Treasure Duck Gizzards, Phoenix Tail Shark Fin, Dried Scallops Balls, and Buddhist Hand Pork Rolls, repeatedly knocked on his door to no avail. Luo Fan, one of the Jinlin Guards, then had to inform a dismayed Liu Ling that Shen Yan was actually a vegetarian, making all her culinary efforts for meat dishes futile.
Luo Fan also subtly reminded Liu Ling of her betrothal to Lu Mingshan and how he was watching her actions. Lu Mingshan, having observed Liu Ling's persistent antics, took her aside to a secluded spot. He sternly warned her to cease her childish behavior, emphasizing that their marriage was not a trivial matter but a significant alliance between the House of Prince Guangping and the Lu family.
He claimed that he had shown her respect out of personal regard and for Prince Guangping, but if she continued to be unrestrained, the Lu family would retaliate, and he would be unable to protect her. Liu Ling merely scoffed, stating that she found it amusing how he spoke of such a grand alliance without knowing the woman he was to marry. She declared that her favorite pastime was to embarrass hypocrites publicly.
Lu Mingshan retorted that women her age were usually already married and that if she missed this opportunity with the Lu family, she might never marry, even with her princess title. Liu Ling defiantly stated that most women's misfortunes stemmed from marriage, and she would rather remain single forever than enter a union without true love.
Unbeknownst to them, Shen Yan, who had sought solitude on a nearby rooftop, overheard their entire conversation, which seemed to stir a realization within him. Later, Luo Fan brought Shen Yan his dinner.
Shen Yan confirmed his suspicion that the "fish" they were trying to catch was indeed linked to the Lu family, saying that Lu Mingshan’s willingness to endure Liu Ling’s public humiliation, rather than leaving or canceling the engagement, proved his true purpose in staying at the Liaison Office was not the Princess. Luo Fan inferred that Shen Yan had deliberately stayed in his room to provoke Liu Ling.
Liu Ling, still determined to see Shen Yan, resorted to blocking the entrance to the Jinlin Guard's toilets. The guards, unable to hold it any longer, desperately pleaded with her and then with Shen Yan. Shen Yan initially dismissed them, telling them to ignore Liu Ling or simply go outside. However, upon hearing the guards’ increasing desperation, he eventually came out. He curtly told Liu Ling to move and stop bothering his men.
When she refused, insisting they hadn't finished their conversation, Shen Yan, without a word, lifted her onto his shoulder and carried her back to her room. Inside, Liu Ling immediately stated that she had no interest in marrying Lu Mingshan, but Shen Yan merely continued to read. Frustrated by his indifference and wanting to provoke a reaction, Liu Ling took off her outer clothing and began to dramatically feign being assaulted, calling for help.
As the situation escalated, Shen Yan confined her. He then gave her a stark warning: he was not someone to be trifled with. He explained that he took emotions very seriously, and if he were to fall for her, it would be a lifelong entanglement from which he would never let go, regardless of whether she grew tired of him. Liu Ling appeared surprised at his intensity but then laughed at his words.
Shen Yan, believing she was only toying with him, finally commanded her to put on her clothes and "get lost." Moments later, a distraught Liu Ling, her clothes disheveled, ran crying from Shen Yan’s room. The Jinlin Guards outside, including Luo Fan, were alarmed by her state and wondered what had transpired.
Shen Yu’s latest pigeon mail arrived for Shen Yan, warning him that the trap was set, to be cautious, and that the "prey is cunning and suspicious" so he must be careful not to fall into the water and suffer a double loss. Meanwhile, Ling Bi discovered Liu Ling’s room empty and rushed back to Shen Yan’s room, where she found a note left by Liu Ling simply stating, "I will get lost."
Recognizing the grave danger Liu Ling was in, Shen Yan prepared to leave immediately to search for her. Before departing, he quickly instructed Ling Bi on what to do, assuring her that he would personally ensure Liu Ling's safety, to which Ling Bi tearfully pleaded for him to bring her princess back. In Yejing, at the Eastern Palace's waterside pavilion, Prince Liu Wang hosted a banquet for his court officials.
Lord Xu spoke of the circulating rumors regarding Yun Yi's arrest, praising the Prince's decisive actions. Prince Liu Wang confirmed Yun Yi's capture, noting that the Jiangzhou case would be fully revealed upon his return. Lord Xu, despite the Emperor's clemency towards his family regarding the old Jiangzhou case, admitted to lingering unease and hoped that re-opening it would finally clear his family's name.
Lord Lu, however, cautioned that re-opening the case could be a double-edged sword, potentially causing more trouble if no new revelations emerged. Mr. Shen took a more fatalistic approach, suggesting they simply enjoy the wine rather than speculating. The officials also discussed the remarkable rise of Xu Shijin, Lord Xu's granddaughter, within the Palace, acknowledging that she had leveraged her position to gain the Crown Prince's favor. Later, Lord Lu excused himself from the banquet, citing ill health.
Shortly after, Xu Shijin also departed, claiming to be unwell with a headache. On her way, she encountered Shen Yu, who had been sitting alone, reflecting on his own unfortunate position caught between these powerful "old foxes." Shen Yu subtly warned Xu Shijin to be careful, to which she responded coolly, stating she was already accustomed to navigating the treacherous paths of the Palace at night. Following the banquet, Lord Xu visited Xu Shijin in her chambers.
He presented her with Ghost-face, a mute, disfigured, but loyal and highly skilled secret agent. Xu Shijin then tasked Ghost-face with closely monitoring the Lu family’s movements, anticipating their reaction to Yun Yi's arrest. Concurrently, at the Lu mansion, Lord Lu ordered his notorious subordinate Hu Xiao, a long-time fugitive, to accelerate his plans.
Hu Xiao confirmed that Lu Mingshan had successfully infiltrated the Liaison Office under the guise of Liu Ling's betrothed, and that the Tiger Wings Camp was ready. Lord Lu, eager to act swiftly, ordered Hu Xiao to mobilize the Tiger Wings Camp to meet Lu Mingshan and eliminate Yun Yi immediately, fearing further complications if they delayed. Ghost-face, having successfully gathered this critical intelligence, reported back to Xu Shijin.
Deeply concerned for Liu Ling's safety due to their childhood friendship, Xu Shijin immediately dispatched Ghost-face to rendezvous with Shen Yan and assist the Jinlin Guard in protecting their camp. She specifically instructed Ghost-face to prioritize Liu Ling's life above all else, expressing her distress that Liu Ling had become entangled in such dangerous affairs.
