Episode Summary
In "Serendipity" Episode 39, Prince Yu's coup attempt is in full swing. Su Tangli discovers the "Prince Yu" in custody is a decoy, while the real Prince Yu storms the palace as the Emperor discusses appointing a crown prince. The Emperor, shocked by the treason, falls ill and is effectively captured. Prince Yu fails to find the complete Tiger Tally, as half was already sent away and the other half is later brought to Prince Rui by Wei Zhuo. Prince Rui, Lu Chang, and Song Qingzhao arrive in the capital but are initially blocked. To gain leverage, Prince Yu abducts Jian Mingshu. Lu Chang devises a risky plan to infiltrate the palace disguised as the deceased Cao Hai, accompanied by Song Qingzhao and a disguised Su Tangli. Inside, Su Tangli searches for the hidden Tiger Tally, eventually suspecting its location in Prince Yu's mother's palace. The episode ends with Prince Yu using Jian Mingshu to pressure Lu Chang into betraying Prince Rui and surrendering his half of the Tiger Tally.
Spoiler Alert
"Serendipity" Episode 39 Recap & Spoilers
A quick note for viewers: Unlike many Western series, Chinese dramas often air new episodes on multiple days per week, rather than just one.
The tension escalates dramatically in episode 39 as Prince Yu's treacherous plans come to a head, throwing the palace into chaos.
The Decoy and the Dire Deduction
The episode opens with Prince Yu supposedly apprehended and jailed, awaiting transfer to the capital, Jingcheng, for interrogation. However, Su Tangli, burning for revenge, can't wait and secretly infiltrates his cell. To her astonishment, the man claiming to be Prince Yu is so terrified by her appearance that he wets himself. Su Tangli immediately realizes this is not the formidable Prince Yu she knows.
Later, Su Tangli approaches Prince Rui to confess and accept punishment for killing Cao Hai. Prince Rui, while not wishing to pursue charges against her, acknowledges the gravity of the matter and states it must be reported to the Emperor.
It's confirmed that the captured "Prince Yu" is indeed an imposter. He confesses he was acting under the real Prince Yu's orders to come to Ning'an, but he has no idea where the actual Prince Yu is. Lu Chang astutely deduces Prince Yu's grand scheme: by meticulously preserving his true whereabouts and faking a trip to Ning'an to "celebrate his wet nurse's birthday," Prince Yu created a diversion. With the Emperor gravely ill, his real objective is far more sinister – a palace coup to seize the throne.
The Coup Ignites
Just as the Emperor summons Minister Lu to discuss the critical matter of appointing a crown prince, Prince Yu and his soldiers storm the palace. The Emperor, confronted with this blatant act of treason, is so overwhelmed with shock and anger that he vomits blood. Prince Yu drags the Noble Consort before the ailing Emperor, brazenly fabricating charges against her to provide a flimsy pretext for his rebellion.
However, Prince Yu's plans hit an early snag. He discovers that the Tiger Tally – the symbol of military authority – is missing. Minister Lu and the Emperor had already moved it to safety. Enraged, Prince Yu accuses the Emperor of always favoring the Noble Consort and Prince Rui. The Emperor, however, maintains he has never shown favoritism between his sons. The stress proves too much, and the Emperor collapses, unconscious. Minister Lu desperately urges Prince Yu to summon the imperial physicians, warning him against pushing the situation to a point of no return. Meanwhile, news reaches Prince Yu that Prince Rui, accompanied by Lu Chang and Song Qingzhao, is en route to the capital, a development that visibly worries Minister Lu.
Allies Blocked, a Glimmer of Hope, and a Hostage
Upon reaching Jingcheng, Prince Rui, Lu Chang, and Song Qingzhao find their entry into the palace blocked. Fortunately, Song Qingzhao's father, Father Song, arrives with his troops, managing to escort Prince Rui safely to his residence. The capital is now a powder keg, and Prince Rui's faction is at a disadvantage without control of the imperial army.
The Emperor is effectively under house arrest, controlled by Prince Yu. A sliver of hope emerges when Wei Zhuo arrives in Jingcheng carrying half of the Tiger Tally. This crucial piece gives Prince Rui's side some much-needed leverage and breathing room. However, the situation takes another dark turn when Jian Mingshu is abducted by Prince Yu's men.
A Perilous Infiltration
Faced with dwindling options, Lu Chang reluctantly proposes a high-stakes gamble. Since Prince Yu is unaware that Cao Hai is dead, they can use Cao Hai's command token to infiltrate the palace. Prince Rui agrees, assigning his most skilled guards to accompany Lu Chang. Song Qingzhao insists on joining the dangerous mission. He argues his intimate knowledge of the palace grounds and his brotherly bond with Lu Chang make his presence essential. Despite his fears, Father Song tearfully consents.
Inside the palace, Minister Lu sees that Prince Yu has captured Jian Mingshu and instantly understands Prince Yu's cruel intention: to use her as leverage against Lu Chang. Prince Yu, having found one half of the Tiger Tally, demands Minister Lu reveal the location of the other half. He becomes incandescent with rage upon learning the Emperor had already sent it out of the palace.
Deep Inside Enemy Lines
Lu Chang, disguised as Cao Hai, successfully enters the palace with Song Qingzhao and a disguised Su Tangli among his retinue. Prince Yu summons "Cao Hai" for an audience outside the main hall. Seizing the opportunity, Su Tangli slips away from the group, disguised as a palace maid. She attempts to reach the Emperor's bedchamber under the pretext of delivering refreshments but is stopped by Prince Yu's guards. Minister Lu cleverly intervenes, claiming he sent for her, thus allowing her entry. Once inside, Su Tangli urgently asks Minister Lu for the location of the Tiger Tally, only to learn that Prince Yu has already hidden it.
In the main hall, Lu Chang's disguise doesn't hold for long. Prince Yu recognizes him but, surprisingly, attempts to recruit Lu Chang to his side.
Meanwhile, Su Tangli desperately tries to deduce where Prince Yu might have concealed the vital Tiger Tally. Her intuition leads her to a risky decision: to search the palace of Prince Yu's mother.
Later, Minister Lu spots a signal from Su Tangli and correctly infers she has succeeded in finding the Tiger Tally. He immediately feigns a severe stomach ache to create a diversion. Just then, Official Lin approaches, insisting Minister Lu help Prince Yu persuade Prince Rui to surrender his forces. Minister Lu quickly agrees, cannily suggesting he bring the Noble Consort with him.
The episode ends on a tense cliffhanger: Prince Yu, holding Jian Mingshu hostage, ruthlessly pressures Lu Chang to betray Prince Rui and hand over his half of the Tiger Tally. Jian Mingshu, however, courageously and desperately refuses to be a pawn in Prince Yu's scheme.
