My Sassy Princess Episode 7 Recap
> My Sassy Princess Recap
Liu Ling playfully declared herself "indecent," delighting in the fact that such an heroic man like Shen Yan had fallen into her grasp, finding it a great bargain. Luo Fan and his men, who had been tirelessly searching the mountain for days, finally located the two. Luo Fan expressed their immense worry over the past few days, relieved to find them both safe.
Shen Yan asked Liu Ling to get down, but she clung to him until he gently squatted, pulling her off his back. Back at the courier station, Shen Yan initiated the investigation into Yun Yi's death. Luo Fan reported that the killers were swift and left no traces, but he observed that they deliberately used complex and varied techniques to confuse. However, he still recognized a few moves similar to the Lu family's sword style from Yejing.
Liu Ling interrupted the serious discussion, playfully stating she wasn't there for the case but to see him. Shen Yan then discovered a jade piece concealed in Yun Yi's mouth, along with the words "Mount Lulian." He instructed Luo Fan to investigate the jade and Mount Lulian upon their return to the capital.
Luo Fan and his men noted Liu Ling's unusually quiet demeanor, a stark contrast to her usual boisterous self, speculating something had occurred between her and Shen Yan. Later, Liu Ling, eager to publicize their burgeoning romance, attempted to hold Shen Yan's hand, prompting him to quickly pull her away and bring her back to their room. This action deeply hurt Liu Ling, who accused him of only caring about returning to the capital, never truly intending a lasting relationship.
She questioned if his heroic acts—saving her from the cliff and his comforting words on the iron chains—were merely duties or empty words. Shen Yan, initially amused by her dramatic accusations, pulled her into a warm embrace and kissed her, silently reassuring her. He gently warned her not to carelessly speak about their relationship to others. Luo Fan later found Shen Yan gazing somberly at the Jiangzhou case files, sensing his lord was troubled.
Shen Yan confirmed his distress, revealing his suspicion that the death of Zhang Yun, the former Princess of Guangping and Liu Ling's mother, was connected to the Jiangzhou case. He explained that Zhang Yun and the Xu family of Yejing were sworn siblings. After the Xu couple died following the Jiangzhou incident, Zhang Yun had a significant argument with the Prince of Guangping before her own death by drowning.
What made it suspicious was the Lu family's sudden marriage connection to the Prince of Guangping's household immediately after these events. Shen Yan worried that uncovering the truth of the Jiangzhou case would re-traumatize Liu Ling, revisiting the painful memory of losing her mother at a young age. Luo Fan agreed that such "coincidences" rarely occur in reality.
Upon their return to Yejing, Liu Ling immediately sought an audience with the Crown Prince, taking full responsibility for Yun Yi's death and attempting to shield Shen Yan. The Crown Prince, however, was dismissive, telling her there was no need to explain or protect Shen Yan. He then inquired about her engagement to Lu Mingshan, which Liu Ling vehemently denied, going so far as to call Lu Mingshan a "beast."
The Crown Prince acknowledged Lu Mingshan was a concubine's son and that Liu Ling was a princess, but pointed out that Lu Mingshan was set to inherit the Duke's title, suggesting he was a more suitable match than Shen Yan. He then pragmatically stated that in this world, few, especially those born into nobility, could truly do as they pleased, casting doubt on Liu Ling's romantic aspirations.
He dismissed her, stating he had important matters to discuss with Shen Yan, leaving Liu Ling feeling disheartened by both the Crown Prince's words and Shen Yan's perceived coldness in the palace. The Crown Prince later summoned Shen Yan, who humbly admitted his failure to protect Yun Yi.
He presented the jade piece found in Yun Yi's mouth, explaining it was one of a pair, a "Qiankun jade," and that Yun Yi, a cunning and vengeful man, had deliberately hidden it to provoke a conflict between the Jinlin Guard (who were seeking the stolen Jiangzhou treasury) and the case's mastermind (likely associated with the Lu family). Yun Yi's aim was for them to fight to their mutual destruction, as both parties were his enemies.
Shen Yan then proposed that his recent suspension by the Crown Prince, while a punishment, could be strategically used to lower the mastermind's guard and allow Shen Yan more freedom to act and redeem himself. The Crown Prince accepted his proposal, keeping him on suspension rather than full dismissal.
As Shen Yan exited the palace, he encountered his elder brother, Shen Yu, who chastised him for his "philanderer" reputation and confirmed that news of his entanglement with Liu Ling had already reached their parents. Shen Yu sarcastically implied Shen Yan was rushing off to meet Liu Ling. Meanwhile, Xu Shijin expressed her joy at Liu Ling's safe return.
She immediately questioned Liu Ling about her plans regarding Lu Mingshan, referencing a letter she had sent detailing Lu Mingshan's affair with his maid, Yue Ling, even before their marriage. Liu Ling confirmed her desire for Lu Mingshan to back off, but Xu Shijin, aware of the Lu family's determined ambition to align with the Prince Guangping's family, cautioned that breaking off the engagement would be difficult.
Liu Ling, feeling frustrated since her return to Yejing, declared she would not be polite if Lu Mingshan insisted on the marriage. Their conversation shifted to a past memory. Liu Ling questioned if she had been wrong to help Xu Shijin enter the palace years ago. Xu Shijin responded that Liu Ling was like a "mirror" to her, helping her face painful truths.
She recalled how young Liu Ling had bravely intervened when Xu Shijin was being bullied, boldly introducing herself as Liu Ling, granddaughter of Duke Dingbei and daughter of Zhang Yun, and declared that as their parents were sworn siblings, they were sisters too. Liu Ling had comforted a distraught Xu Shijin, promising to help her fight back against anyone who dared to bully her.
Xu Shijin deeply cherished this memory and an old item from that time, acknowledging that only Liu Ling had believed her parents were innocent and framed, not traitors, and thanked Liu Ling and her grandfather for their protection. Later, at a palace banquet hosted by the Crown Prince, Liu Ling openly stared at Shen Yan. Shen Yu, observing her, remarked that Liu Ling seemed eager to publicize their relationship and questioned Shen Yan about its extent.
Lu Mingshan approached Liu Ling, attempting to apologize for not being with her during her perilous journey and proposed a joint toast to Shen Yan. Liu Ling, however, ignored him and defiantly moved to sit beside Shen Yan, claiming some "boring people" had been bothering her. She publicly toasted Shen Yan for his protection during her journey, which Shen Yan humbly dismissed as his duty.
Lu Mingshan then interjected, insisting on his betrothal to Liu Ling and inviting Shen Yan to their upcoming wedding. Liu Ling, seizing a wine cup from Shen Yan, bluntly told Lu Mingshan that she would not marry him. Though Shen Yan maintained a calm facade, Liu Ling, feeling upset and feigning illness, abruptly left the banquet. Shen Yu, noticing Shen Yan's lingering gaze, urged him to follow her before she caused more trouble.
Shen Yan found Liu Ling in a corridor by the lake, pulling her into a comforting embrace. Liu Ling complained about all the troubles that had arisen since their return to Yejing, and then directly asked him when he planned to marry her. Shen Yan reassured her that he "had a plan" and asked her to "behave," then silenced her with a kiss.
He advised her to return to her room to rest as the night air was cold, promising to handle Lu Mingshan. Liu Ling urged him to act quickly, telling him not to make her wait too long.
