The Princess Royal Episode 27 Recap, Plot

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Just as the Emperor ordered Su Rongqing to be imprisoned, suddenly a eunuch reported that Su Ronghua was rushing into the hall. Li Rong instantly guessed Su Rongqing's intention. If he took all the blame, the confession against Su Rongqing would become highly suspicious. In this way, even if it didn't completely turn the tide in Su Rongqing's favor, it would at least balance the situation.

Thinking of this, Li Rong was about to speak when Su Ronghua requested the Emperor to dismiss everyone. Li Rong and Su Rongqing walked out one after the other, standing in the nearby pavilion, watching the heavy rain form a curtain between the palace gate and the world. From the study, the sound of the Emperor's angry rebuke could be heard.

Li Rong sighed, remembering hearing that Su Rongqing and his brother had a good relationship, which seemed true today. She was curious whether Su Rongqing, becoming the sacrificial victim in this struggle, would feel any guilt. However, Su Rongqing expressed that he was a man on a desperate path, a misstep would lead to his destruction, something Li Rong might not fully understand.

Hearing Su Rongqing say this, Li Rong didn't push further. She recalled being harmed by him in a past life and spoke out instinctively. Su Rongqing showed guilt, admitting he had no choice, but he would never harm Li Rong. Before he finished speaking, Pei Wenxuan came with an umbrella to fetch Li Rong, glanced at Su Rongqing, and said, "Nice to meet you." Su Rongqing responded, "Long time no see." Their gazes met through the rain, conveying decades of entanglement, love, and hatred. This long-overdue confrontation finally began.

In the study, Su Ronghua took all the blame, stating he used his position as the former tutor of Prince Su to incite Concubine Rou to frame the Crown Prince and Princess Ping Le, to establish himself in the court and secure the position of the legitimate son of the Su family. The Emperor discerned the truth and falsehood in Su Ronghua's words and, considering his loyal service, did not imprison him but removed him from office, barring him from the court forever.

Su Ronghua rose and left, seeing Su Rongqing standing outside the study. Though he couldn't discern Su Rongqing's true thoughts, as a brother, he felt responsible to protect him, unwilling to let him face the future alone. Su Rongqing, feeling a mix of emotions, maintained a calm expression, declaring he had no way back. Today's event must not happen again. From now on, he would walk his path and bear his sins alone, troubling no one else.

Though Su Ronghua didn't fully grasp Su Rongqing's words, he sensed they had taken completely different paths, never to intersect again. Watching his brother's departing figure, Su Rongqing stood alone on the high platform, gazing over Huajing City, feeling like a pot of water on a flame, slowly boiling him until unrecognizable.

At this moment, Shangguan Ya personally sought out Su Ronghua, relieved to see he hadn't been punished. She brought wine and a carriage, inviting Su Ronghua to watch the sunrise on the mountain with her. Su Ronghua readily agreed, willing to be her protector. Meanwhile, Su Rongqing knelt before the Emperor, proposing that if the Emperor harbored suspicions he couldn't confirm, he might as well set a trap to test his theory.

Returning to the Princess's residence, Li Rong and Pei Wenxuan, lost in thought, marveled at how times had changed. Pei Wenxuan, once a nobleman like a clear breeze and bright moon, had turned into a hellish asura wielding a sharp blade. Pei Wenxuan believed most people were ordinary, and those who remained pure amidst corruption were few. He wished to be the light in Li Rong's eyes, not a shadow. Li Rong smiled warmly, saying she wasn't purely good, and could see both light and dark. However, she was already satisfied that Pei Wenxuan could fulfill her dream-like expectations.

The next morning, Su Rongqing sent word to Concubine Rou, instructing her to push all the blame onto Su Ronghua. In the court, the Emperor confirmed the list of official transfers. Su Rongqing suddenly resigned as Minister of Justice, which the Emperor accepted, deciding to leave the position vacant temporarily, with routine matters handled by the vice ministers, and unresolved issues reported directly.

Before the reconstruction of the reporting hall, to avoid delaying state affairs, the Emperor planned to establish a small cabinet to handle the hall's duties. The main candidates were Su Rongqing's father, Pei Liming, and Shangguan Xu. Although these three covered different factions in the court, the Emperor intended to add more officials later, crucial ones who could pave the way for Prince Su, rather than just a hall controlled by Pei Wenxuan.

That night, Concubine Rou confessed to the Emperor according to the plan, risking her life to claim there was affection between Pei Wenxuan and Li Rong. The Emperor found some truth in her words and decreed the divorce of Pei Wenxuan and Li Rong. They exchanged glances, hesitating for a long time, finally accepting the decree. Pei Wenxuan then packed up and left, and Li Rong, feigning sadness, chased after him, putting on a public display of a princess failing to keep her husband, who heartlessly left the residence.

After a night of darkness, the dawn arrived. Shangguan Ya and Su Ronghua stood on the mountain top, watching the sunrise, expressing their feelings. Meanwhile, after the morning court session, Su Ronghua submitted his resignation at the Inspectorate. Li Rong felt this was for the best, as staying in the court might not bode well for his future. Su Ronghua pondered this and asked Li Rong not to hold a grudge against Su Rongqing, to which Li Rong responded.

Soon after, Li Chuan visited the Princess's residence, revealing that the capital was abuzz with rumors of the princess's unrequited love for her indifferent husband. In truth, these were all part of Li Rong's strategy. Only by making Pei Wenxuan appear heartless and ungrateful could they truly gain the Emperor's trust. Now it was up to Pei Wenxuan to move forward.

On the other side, Concubine Rou once again brought calming soup to the Emperor to show her loyalty. The Emperor, without having Fu Lai inspect it, directly tasted the soup. As soon as Concubine Rou left, the Empress came to the Emperor, stating the Shangguan family wouldn't become Crown Princess, but she allowed Li Chuan to choose his desired partner, strictly prohibiting marriage to anyone from Concubine Rou's side. The Emperor agreed on the spot.

Due to Su Rongqing's influence, the Emperor cut the Inspectorate's funding and ordered half of the taxes from Qingzhou to be handed over to the court to support the northern army. Li Rong, worried about money, arranged to meet Cui Yulang at Qingyue Teahouse, only to be followed by Pei Wenxuan. Sensing this, Li Rong chose the meeting place in the reeds on the mountainside. Pei Wenxuan, having figured out Li Rong's plan, followed her up the mountain, and upon seeing Cui Yulang's flamboyant demeanor, he was furious.

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