Episode Summary
In this episode, Jiang Taohua uncovers the depth of her past abuse at the hands of the Beiyuan envoys while also learning of Shen Zaiye's secret compassion for her. Later, Shen Zaiye confronts Taohua, vowing to protect her, and they team up to find the missing Qingtai. Their search leads Taohua to a shocking discovery in Mu Wuyin's quarters: a secret bridal chamber containing a bracelet belonging to Lu Yuanhua, revealing a hidden, dangerous alliance.
Spoiler Alert
The Princess's Gambit: Episode 21 Spoilers
A Secret Room and a Buried Past
Fearing she'll be sent back to Beiyuan after overhearing Mu Wuyin's rage about his detained envoys, Jiang Taohua takes a massive risk. She hides in a vegetable cart and sneaks out, making her way to Shen Zaiye's residence to find out what's happening. There, she secretly listens as Shen Zaiye interrogates the Beiyuan envoys. To save themselves, the envoys eagerly distance themselves from Taohua, revealing the horrific abuse she and her brother, Jiang Changjue, suffered in the Cold Palace. They recount how Taohua was forced to kneel for medicine for her brother, only to be humiliated and sent away empty-handed. They also confess to starving the siblings, giving them pepper water to drink, and forcing Taohua to kneel on ice in the freezing snow.
Shen Zaiye's guard, Zhan Lu, spots Taohua and intentionally leaves a side door open for her. She slips inside just in time to hear the interrogation of the last three people. These former palace servants admit to having helped the pitiful young princess in the past out of kindness. Expecting punishment, they are shocked when Shen Zaiye not only absolves them but rewards them with gold for their compassion. Overcome with emotion, the servants weep with joy for Taohua, glad she has finally found someone who cares for her. Listening from the shadows, Taohua is left utterly confused about her true connection to Shen Zaiye. She flees in a panic, accidentally dropping her handkerchief, which Shen Zaiye later finds, mistakenly believing she still refuses to see him.
Disguised as a servant, Taohua sneaks back into Mu Wuyin's courtyard. When caught, she lies, claiming she got lost on her way to pay respects to him. Mu Wuyin dismisses her excuse, telling her such formalities are unnecessary. However, after she leaves, the mysterious Lu Yuanhua appears and warns Mu Wuyin not to trust the cunning princess. Taking the advice, Mu Wuyin has Qingtai moved to a hidden location, keeping her alive as future leverage against Taohua.
Meanwhile, Mu Wuxia tries to gain support for Li Jiaohan's brilliant policy paper among the court officials, but they all ignore her. Shen Zaiye steps in, takes a look, and subtly hints that she should seek out Gao Yuan, who was absent from court. Gao Yuan is highly impressed by Li Jiaohan's talent but is constrained by his lack of official rank. As they discuss a path for his promotion, Gao Yuan's student, Meng Huairui, eavesdrops. Meng Huairui then deceitfully approaches Li Jiaohan, pretending to be Gao Yuan's envoy, and tricks him into writing a simpler version of his work, which Meng Huairui plans to plagiarize for his own gain.
Later that night, Shen Zaiye finds Taohua, telling her he has come to solve her problems. He reveals he knows everything about her past suffering and swears to avenge her and protect her brother. Stunned by his knowledge, Taohua remains guarded, her memories clouded by her perceived commitment to Mu Wuyin and her first encounter with Shen Zaiye, who warned her to trust no one. She pushes him away. Shen Zaiye insists that finding Qingtai will reveal the truth. They begin searching Mu Wuyin's residence together but find no trace of her.
In Mu Wuyin's room, Taohua notices out-of-place copper coins, which sparks their suspicion. As patrol guards approach, Shen Zaiye pulls Taohua into a hiding spot. The sudden closeness and his familiar scent trigger a flash of memory for Taohua—the masked man at the gambling den, the man from Tianshui Village. As the guards get closer, Shen Zaiye creates a diversion to allow Taohua to continue her search. Watching his figure disappear into the night, she feels a sharp pain in her chest, confused as to why his presence always affects her so profoundly.
Left alone, Taohua uses the copper coins to unlock a secret door. Inside, she discovers a hidden chamber decorated exactly like a bridal suite. On the bed lies a bracelet, which she instantly recognizes as belonging to Lu Yuanhua.
The episode ends on a mountaintop, where Mu Wuyin stands with Lu Yuanhua, gazing down at the capital of the Daqi Kingdom. He makes a solemn promise: everything their eyes can see will one day be hers.
