Episode 29 recap: Jiang Xue Ning was beaten by Xue Shu.
Jiang Xue Ning knelt down and begged Xie Wei for forgiveness. She explained that her intention in holding him hostage was solely to save the princess. Lv Xian didn't expect that Xie Wei would agree to rescue the princess. Previously, their plan was to kill the princess and instigate a war between the two countries, which would help Yan Mu regain his official position. Now that Xie Wei suddenly wanted to save the princess, their plan was completely disrupted.
The princess scolded Xue Shu, calling her despicable, and slapped her hard. She then cried and told Jiang Xue Ning that when the iron hooves of Da Qian trampled upon Da Yue, she would ensure that Xue Shu's remains were brought back. Jiang Xue Ning knelt down and implored Xie Wei to save the princess. She promised that if he could save the princess, all their past grievances would be forgotten. Xie Wei looked displeased and gave Jiang Xue Ning a questioning look. He helped her up and, upon hearing Xie Wei's agreement to her request, Jiang Xue Ning felt extremely relieved.
Shen Jie also didn't want the princess to go through with the political marriage, so he went to plead with the Empress Dowager. Seeing the Empress Dowager's gloomy expression, the princess realized that her mother cared only about power and didn't care about her well-being. She asked Shen Jie to stop interfering and hoped he wouldn't let down Miss Jiang. Lv Xian didn't anticipate that Xie Wei would agree to save the princess. Their plan was to kill the princess and instigate a war between the two countries. This would have allowed Yan Mu to regain his official position smoothly. Now that Xie Wei suddenly wanted to save the princess, their plan was completely disrupted. However, Xie Wei couldn't afford to consider these factors anymore. After careful consideration, they devised a plan to rescue the princess. Once the princess arrived in Da Yue, they would use a condemned prisoner as a decoy and exchange the princess. Then they would set fire to the princess's carriage.
Jiang Xue Hui was about to enter the palace, and Jiang's mother was unhappy because she couldn't stop it. Old Jiang comforted her, saying that everything had its own destiny and she should let things take their course. Jiang Xue Hui entered the palace and stood among many other candidates. Huang Gonggong told Shen Jie that if he wanted to choose someone as the primary consort, he should place a peony flower in that girl's hand. If he wanted to choose someone as a concubine, he should give a rose flower to that girl.
Shen Jie looked at the peony and rose flowers in his hand, and he couldn't help but think of the Empress Dowager's words from the previous night. Allowing Jiang Xue Hui to become a concubine was her greatest concession.
Upon seeing Shen Jie's reluctance, the Emperor also advised him that in order to balance the court and to help Shen Jie, he decided to take Xue Shu as a virtuous concubine. If Shen Jie truly cared about Jiang Xue Hui, he should not oppose the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager's gift of a rose to Jiang Xue Hui was considered good, but if she angered the Empress Dowager, she would surely be served a cup of poisoned wine.
With these thoughts in mind, Shen Jie gave the rose to Jiang Xue Hui and casually handed the peony flower to Bao Ying beside him. Jiang Xue Hui didn't expect that Shen Jie only made her a side concubine. After returning home, she was upset about it. Suddenly, Jiang Xue Ning walked in and told her about Wan Niang's situation. She also took out the bracelet left by Wan Niang and gave it to Jiang Xue Hui. Jiang Xue Ning reminded Jiang Xue Hui that being a side concubine for Shen Jie was still better than having her identity replaced like herself.
After leaving Jiang Xue Hui's room, Jiang Xue Ning couldn't help but think that Jiang Xue Hui's situation was much better than that of the princess. With Xie Wei's help in this lifetime, she should be able to change the princess's fate. Lv Xian informed Xie Wei of some news: the escort for the princess had become the Xingwu Guard, making it difficult for them to take action. Xie Wei decided to take a risk and swap the princess in the palace. For this, he first went to find Jiang Xue Ning and asked her to establish contact with the princess.
As the princess was packing her belongings, Xue Shu suddenly walked in. Xue Shu knew that Jiang Xue Ning had met the princess and warned her not to fantasize about Jiang Xue Ning coming to save her. The princess scolded Xue Shu, calling her despicable, and slapped her hard. Despite being slapped, Xue Shu remained calm and instructed the guards to watch over the princess.
The princess had made an agreement with Jiang Xue Ning to rescue her, but when the appointed time arrived, Jiang Xue Ning didn't show up. The princess was about to go see the Emperor when Jiang Xue Ning hurriedly approached and informed her about Xie Wei's plan.
During the discussion between Xie Wei and Jiang Xue Ning, he expressed concern that the princess might not be willing to escape the palace and live as a commoner. Jiang Xue Ning initially thought she could persuade the princess, but the princess told her that if she escaped, the common people might suffer the hardships of war. As a member of the royal family, she had an obligation to do something for the people. While saying this, the princess handed a small wooden box to Jiang Xue Ning. The box contained some soil, and she tearfully told Jiang Xue Ning that when the iron hooves of Da Qian trampled upon Da Yue, she hoped that Jiang Xue Ning would bring her back with the soil from their homeland.
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