Episode Summary
Shen Zaiye successfully forces the King of Qi to overturn the verdict on the old witchcraft case, finally achieving justice for his family before resigning to find Jiang Taohua. In Beiyuan, Lu Yuanhua returns, reveals her vengeful motives, and stages a successful coup, declaring herself the new ruler after announcing the deaths of the King and Jiang Changjue. Jiang Taohua returns to Beiyuan and learns of the coup, but in a final twist, her former master Qian Mochen reveals he holds the late King's secret edict naming her brother as the true successor.
Spoiler Alert
"The Princess's Gambit" Episode 34 Spoilers
In the kingdom of Daqi, the truth behind a long-standing injustice is finally brought to light. Meng Zhenzhen delivers a pivotal petition from her father, Meng Zhongyan, to Shen Zaiye. She also reveals a critical piece of evidence: a petition written years ago by Xie Guanyu, hidden behind the Meng family's ancestral plaque. This triggers a painful memory for Shen Zaiye, who recalls the day his family was ruined by Meng Zhongyan. He remembers Xie Guanyu insisting that this very petition could clear their names if presented to the King of Qi, only to be executed on Meng Zhongyan's order.
Before heading to court, Shen Zaiye apologizes to Jiang Taohua for being unable to join her search for an antidote, assuring her that he has already dispatched his trusted aide, Zhan Lu, to find it. Jiang Taohua supports his decision, urging him to focus on resolving the witchcraft case that has haunted him for so long.
In the royal court, Shen Zaiye formally requests the reopening of the witchcraft case. The King of Qi, feigning illness, attempts to dismiss the court, but is thwarted by Mu Wuxia, who has preemptively summoned the imperial physician. The court officials, united in purpose, kneel and demand a retrial. The King, enraged by Mu Wuxia's clear influence over the court, realizes his own power has waned. Despite his fury, he orders the court cleared, intending to speak with only Shen Zaiye and Mu Wuxia. However, the officials remain motionless until Mu Wuxia gives a subtle signal, a clear sign that the King's authority is gone.
Still, pride prevents the King from admitting his fault. Shen Zaiye confronts him directly, accusing him of being the true architect of the conspiracy. He warns the King that history, currently being recorded by the scholar Li Dian, will remember him as a foolish and unjust ruler if he fails to correct this mistake. With solemn gravity, Shen Zaiye kneels and implores the King to grant a retrial to restore the honor of the late Princess Shu and the entire Xie family. Defeated, the King finally relents, issuing an edict that posthumously exonerates Xie Guanyu and restores his titles. At last, Shen Zaiye has brought justice to his parents. His mission complete, he decides to resign from his official post to find Jiang Taohua.
Meanwhile, in the kingdom of Beiyuan, a new power struggle begins. Lu Yuanhua returns to the palace, her face hidden by a mask. She claims to have survived by using a secret passage—the same one she used to escape years ago. Commander Cui informs her that Jiang Changjue has also returned and is secretly meeting with ministers. Though Lu Yuanhua orders his immediate assassination, Jiang Changjue evades the trap. He manages to kill a spy sent after him and overhears that Lu Yuanhua is back.
Lu Yuanhua confronts the ailing King of Beiyuan, revealing her long-held thirst for revenge. She recounts her tragic past: after escaping from Daqi, she became a dancer in Beiyuan but suffered a career-ending injury. The man responsible, a "distinguished guest" who forced her to stand on ice, was none other than the King himself. The injury left her barren and unable to dance, destroying her life. Having spent years plotting her revenge by gaining his affection, she now reveals her true intentions, knocking over his medicine and vowing to take the throne as Empress Regnant and eliminate the Jiang family of Beiyuan.
As Jiang Taohua returns to Beiyuan, determined to reclaim her family's legacy, Lu Yuanhua makes her move. She convenes the court, falsely announcing the deaths of both Jiang Changjue and the King of Beiyuan. When Chancellor Yue attempts to protest, he is immediately arrested. Lu Yuanhua then privately coerces the scholar Qian Mochen with poison, forcing him to select an auspicious date for her enthronement.
Jiang Taohua learns of the coup from her companions, Zhan Lu and Qingtai. Heartbroken but resolute, her priority becomes finding her brother. She seeks out Qian Mochen, her former teacher. She recalls how he came into her and her brother's lives years ago, claiming to be repaying a debt, and how he later sided with Lu Yuanhua. When she asks about her brother, Qian Mochen claims ignorance of his location. However, he reveals a final, shocking secret: he possesses the late King's true final edict, which names Jiang Changjue as the rightful heir, and he intends to give it to her.
