Episode Summary
In a dramatic turn of events, Mu Wuyin's attempt to force his marriage to Lu Yuanhua leads to a court massacre, his own betrayal and death at her hands, and the destruction of Chongde Hall by a fire he started. Shen Zaiye reveals his true identity as Xie Jing'an to his old enemy, Meng Zhongyan, and uses Meng Zhenzhen's actions to leverage a confession from him, leading to Meng's suicide.Amidst the political turmoil, Mu Wuxia and Xiang Qingying are reunited and finally confess their love for each other.
Spoiler Alert
The Princess's Gambit Episode 33: A Palace in Flames
The royal court descends into chaos as officials demand an explanation from Mu Wuyin. Instead of placating them, he gazes lovingly at Lu Yuanhua and declares that, regardless of her past or identity, she will be the Queen of the Daqi Kingdom. Jiang Taohua furiously objects, proclaiming that Lu Yuanhua, who has harmed the people, is unworthy of the title. Enraged, Mu Wuyin moves to kill Jiang Taohua, but the court officials stand in her defense, united in their belief that Lu Yuanhua is unfit to rule. Jiang Taohua then drops a bombshell, revealing that Mu Wuyin, under Lu Yuanhua's manipulative influence, murdered his own brother. With the court firmly against their union, a furious Mu Wuyin draws his sword and slaughters the officials who oppose him, turning the grand hall into a river of blood.
Meanwhile, Meng Zhenzhen, armed with a token given to her by Meng Zhongyan for emergencies, confronts the gatekeeper Meng Zhi. She forcefully commands him to open the city gates, silencing an objector by having him executed on the spot.
Back in the palace, just as Mu Wuyin tries to proceed with the wedding after his bloody display of power, Shen Zaiye arrives with the King of Qi. In a desperate move, Mu Wuyin seizes Jiang Taohua as a hostage but is quickly disarmed by Shen Zaiye. Using the ensuing chaos as a diversion, Mu Wuyin escapes with Lu Yuanhua to Chongde Hall.
For Mu Wuyin, Chongde Hall is a place of cherished memories, where Lu Yuanhua once cared for him and won his heart. He wishes for it to be their final resting place, but Lu Yuanhua has no intention of dying with him. As he reminisces about their past, she coldly informs him that every day she spent there was a living hell and that he is the person she despises most. She accuses him of making her a public enemy and sabotaging her ambitions.
When Lu Yuanhua turns to leave, Mu Wuyin threatens her with his sword. Unafraid, she walks toward him, pretending to lean in for a kiss. As he drops his sword in surprise, she catches it and plunges it into his chest. As she walks away without a second glance, a dying Mu Wuyin knocks over a candelabra, setting the hall ablaze. In his final moments, he wishes that in the afterlife, she will forever owe him a sincere heart.
Shen Zaiye and Jiang Taohua arrive to find Chongde Hall engulfed in flames. Jiang Taohua feels a hollow bitterness; the man she has hated for over a decade is dead, but by another's hand, leaving her with a hatred that has no release. Shen Zaiye tells her he will soon understand her pain.
Elsewhere, Xiang Qingying rushes to the palace, hearing that a prince has died in the fire and fearing it is Mu Wuxia. He appears before her, safe but with an injured hand. Overcome with emotion, they confess their feelings for one another. Mu Wuxia admits that while rescuing the King of Qi, he regretted that he might die without seeing her one last time and vows never to hide his feelings or leave her side again.
Later, Mu Wuxia is summoned by the King of Qi but is met by Consort Lan instead. She hints that she can provide him with a more prestigious lineage, implying she could claim him as her son, but he respectfully declines and departs.
The fight for justice intensifies as Shen Zaiye and Mu Wuxia form an alliance. Shen Zaiye, after visiting his father's memorial with Jiang Taohua, plans to find an antidote for her before reopening the old "Wugu" witchcraft case to clear his family's name.They agree to act immediately.
The Meng family faces its downfall. After Shen Zaiye's men search their home, the family is sentenced to exile. Shen Zaiye visits Meng Zhongyan in prison and reveals his true identity: he is Xie Jing'an, the son of Xie Guanyu, the man Meng Zhongyan framed years ago.Meng Zhongyan confesses to his crimes but expresses regret for not eliminating Shen Zaiye when he had the chance. Shen Zaiye then delivers a final, crushing blow: because Meng Zhenzhen opened the city gates—an act of merit—she has the power to save the Meng family from exile. Enraged, Meng Zhongyan demands to see his daughter. Meng Zhenzhen enters and tearfully begs him to write a confession to save their clan, revealing that the woman Mu Wuyin intended to marry was Empress Lü (Lu Yuanhua). Wracked with guilt and seeing no other way, Meng Zhongyan writes the confession and takes his own life in his cell.
