Episode 30 recap: Pei Yan and Dong Juan Call Off Engagement to Marry Jiang Ci
In Episode 30, Emperor Xie Che claims a deep brotherly bond with Prince Qi, Xie Chun, who tragically passed away at a young age. Xie Che wishes to keep Jiang Ci in the palace to make up for the years he neglected her. Although Jiang Ci initially intends to refuse, Xie Che’s sincerity convinces her to stay. He also plans to summon Jiang Ci’s master, Yan Qiao Shuang, to the palace. Knowing that Yan Qiao Shuang cherishes her freedom, Jiang Ci asks Xie Che to allow her master to live outside the palace. Xie Che agrees and sends Wei Zhao to ensure Yan Qiao Shuang is well cared for.
Wei Zhao learns from Yan Qiao Shuang that Xie Che once imprisoned Prince Qi, Xie Chun, in the palace. Concerned that Xie Che might keep Jiang Ci as a hostage, Wei Zhao urges him to investigate her background, suspecting she may not be Xie Chun's daughter.
Pei Yan, hearing of Jiang Ci’s entry into the palace, eagerly rushes to see her. Wei Zhao desperately tries to stop him, wanting to take Jiang Ci back to the Guangming Division for thorough investigation. Xie Che notices the striking resemblance between Jiang Ci and Xie Chun, confirming her identity as his daughter and deciding to grant her the title of princess. Naturally, Pei Yan welcomes this, and Wei Zhao discreetly arranges for Jiang Ci's protection.
Xie Che assigns Jiang Ci to live in Yuchun Pavilion, where the chief steward, Tao Zizhu, selects several clever and obedient maidservants and eunuchs for her. Liu Cui becomes Jiang Ci’s personal maid. Meanwhile, Rong Yu Die invites the Left Chancellor, Dong Fang, to discuss the marriage between Pei Yan and Dong Juan, even exchanging their birth dates. Upon returning home, Pei Yan finds Dong Fang leaving and firmly declares he will not marry Dong Juan, insisting instead on a royal decree from Xie Che to wed Jiang Ci, stating he will marry no one but her. Rong Yu Die is shocked to learn that Jiang Ci is Xie Chun’s daughter.
Cui Liang opens the Jixian Study, selling his paintings during his free time. Dong Juan buys Cui Liang's work at a high price and engages him in conversation, leading to a growing rapport. When Yan Qiao Shuang discovers Jiang Ci is staying at the palace and is set to be made a princess, she warns Wei Zhao not to get too close to Jiang Ci, given their family's vendetta—their father, Xiao Haitian, killed Xie Chun.
Wei Zhao clarifies that his father, Xiao Haitian, did not kill Prince Qi. He explains that Xiao Haitian died in battle against Yue Luo and Lu Yu, while his mother was killed by the Zhenyuan army. Wei Zhao and his sister, Xiao Yujia, have been on the run from their clan for years. He suspects Xie Che has ulterior motives for keeping Jiang Ci in the palace and is determined to uncover the truth about Prince Qi's murder to help Jiang Ci leave.
Wei Zhao struggles to understand why his sister, Xiao Yujia, a favored consort of Emperor Xie Che, would go to pay respects to Xie Chun. He asks Yan Qiao Shuang to reveal the truth. Yan Qiao Shuang recalls how Xiao Yujia secretly visited Xie Chun, which led to Xie Che apprehending her as a suspect. In a standoff, Yan Qiao Shuang took Xiao Yujia hostage, threatening her unborn child, which forced Xie Che to release her. Shortly after, Xiao Yujia tragically dies during childbirth, and Xie Che places the blame on Yan Qiao Shuang, pursuing her for over twenty years. Wei Zhao likewise suspects Yan Qiao Shuang was responsible for his sister's death, but she vehemently denies it.
Convinced that his sister's mysterious death is linked to Xie Chun’s demise, Wei Zhao resolves to investigate the matter in secret.
Xie Che discusses rewards and responsibilities with Pei Yan, Chun Yu Li, and Wei Zhao, assigning Pei Yan an important task. After the court session, Pei Yan seeks a marriage decree from Xie Che to wed Jiang Ci. Xie Che notices that both Wei Zhao and Pei Yan have feelings for Jiang Ci and decides to postpone the discussion until after the coronation ceremony, appointing Wei Zhao to oversee the event.
Cui Liang learns that Pei Yan has asked Xie Che for permission to marry Jiang Ci and advises him to consider Jiang Ci's feelings. Pei Yan believes she won’t oppose the idea and personally approaches Dong Fang to call off the engagement. Dong Fang is furious, and Pei Yan repeatedly apologizes, promising to support him in the future. Once Dong Fang learns that Jiang Ci is Xie Chun's daughter, he reluctantly agrees to the change.
After bidding farewell to Dong Fang, Pei Yan encounters Dong Juan, who has been aware of the situation and wishes him well. Liu Cui reveals that Xie Che is planning a coronation ceremony for Jiang Ci, but she doesn’t want to be trapped in the palace and seeks an opportunity to escape.
Pei Yan visits Jiang Ci, eager to take her home as his bride. However, she firmly declines and makes it clear that she will not marry Wei Zhao either. Pei Yan assures her that after their marriage, he will take both her and Yan Qiao Shuang far away, speaking so convincingly that Jiang Ci finds it hard to refuse.
Rong Yu Die is infuriated to hear about Pei Yan's decision to break off the engagement with the Dong family to marry Jiang Ci, but Pei Yan is resolute. Wei Zhao arrives to deliver congratulatory gifts to Jiang Ci, while Xie Che sends a matron to teach her court etiquette. Wei Zhao discreetly sends the matron away, and Jiang Ci inquires about her master, Yan Qiao Shuang. Upon learning that Yan Qiao Shuang is safe, she feels relieved, as she does not want to be trapped in the palace. Wei Zhao promises to help her sneak out that night.
That evening, Wei Zhao secretly hides Jiang Ci in a carriage. The guards at the palace gate do not dare to inspect it and allow them to leave without question.
Comments(Episode 30)