The Sleepless Princess Episode Summary

The Sleepless Princess (离人心上) has a unique ring to it judging by the title alone. I hardly know what to expect from this one as I have stopped myself from reading the synopsis and reviews. All I know is it stars Zheng Ye Cheng of Love Of Thousand Years and Love 020. I really don’t mind watching him again and hence, I’m ready to start on this 35-episode drama. Hopefully, I will be able to give The Sleepless Princess review a high rating in due course to signify that it has been an enjoyable drama overall.

Episode 1

The drama begins with Mr. Guan Shan telling a story to a bunch of kids and to wake up his wife who is in a coma…

Xu Chu Yue is an unfavored princess adopted by the Emperor when her father died. She pretends to commit suicide to escape marrying Marquis of Bei Ze who subsequently annulled the engagement because of her condition. She cannot sleep at night as her nightmares will become reality and neither can she change them without affecting herself. The condition started when her father gave her a birthstone to predict her future by chance.

Chu Yue is stopping her nightmare of being assassinated turning into reality. She meets a masked Xue Yao who saves her from the assassins. She falls unconscious when a poisoned needle struck her. The Emperor orders for the guards to shoot their arrows. Xue Yao is struck in order to protect Chu Yue before he escapes from Guoxi Pavilion.

The Emperor is fearful of Xue Yao as he is a powerful general. In order to control him, he orders a marriage between Xue Yao and Chu Yue. Xue Yao agrees as Chu Yue might help him to solve the mystery of Guoxi Pavilion in the palace. His late brother had left the clue before he died.

Xu Xing Chen is Prince Shun and sees Chu Yue as his sister. He tries to wake her up on the way to Xue Mansion by reading her favorite Guan Shan stories. By the time they reach Xue Mansion, Chu Yue is still unconscious. Xing Chen wants to stop the wedding but Xue Yao refuses. When he brings her into the bridal chamber, Chu Yue is already awake but pretends otherwise. Then, her ears and front teeth change into that of a mouse.

Episode 2

Prince Shun is worried about Chu Yue and accuses Xue Yao of having ulterior motives in marrying her. Chu Yue starts chewing everything like a mouse. She ends up falling asleep in a chest in Xue Yao’s study as she chews down the books. Xue Yao and his counselor, Mr. Bai, are curious about Prince Shun’s reaction towards the marriage.

Chu Yue’s assassins will now have to wait for further instructions. Xue Yao misses his brother, Xue Mu, and wants to investigate his death. Luo Ji is Xue Mu’s friend and would want to find out the truth if the latter’s death was indeed suspicious. Xue Mu had predicted correctly about the assassins’ presence.

Xue Yao finds Chu Yue in his study comes morning in her normal self. He ties Chu Yue up and starts interrogating her. She claims a big mouse caused all the mess and insists that she hasn’t seen Xue Yao before. He has her locked up in the room.

Dong Shi is the royal advisor and Chu Yue’s late father’s student. He and Prince Shun drop by to visit her. Xue Yao forces her to act unconscious to prevent them from talking in exchange for not consummating the marriage. Prince Shun still plans to get Chu Yue out. He spread the rumor on Chu Yue to get Marquis Bei Ze to back off only for her to end up with Xue Yao.

Dong Shi quietly visits Chu Yue at night. She wants him to get her out but he tells her to stay put as assassins are everywhere. The birthstone which can predict the future has been embedded inside Chu Yue. She has already transformed herself 10 times and by the 12th, her life would be in danger.

A woman is practicing her sword fighting skills.

Episode 3

Su Nan Nan and Xue Yao share the same master. She loves him and rushes over to Xue Mansion when she hears about his marriage. Chu Yue dresses as a maid to try to escape. She climbs up the wall and falls over to the outside. Nan Nan saves her. Chu Yue pretends to be the princess’ maid. Nan Nan brings her back to Xue Mansion as she wants to confront the princess. Chu Yue pretends to look for her and then hides in her room.

Chu Yue peeps through her room door to witness Xue Yao rejecting Nan Nan. Furthermore, both their families are no longer on good terms. Nan Nan gets angry and destroys some of his plants before storming off. Xue Yao makes Chu Yue wear a bell anklet to keep track of her movements.

Luo Ji writes to inform Xue Yao that the Emperor has not caught the assassins. Xue Yao is worried they may be working with Chu Yue since she wasn’t hurt that night. He scares her when she mistakenly thought he buries his enemies in his backyard. Xue Yao brings her to his army camp. She tells him that the assassins are not her partners and she can predict the future in her dream. He thinks she is spouting nonsense and threatens her further.

Chu Yue begins to cry and Xue Yao’s heart softens. She admits that she has a savior but he is a wanted man and hence, the secrecy. Chu Yue also finds Xue Yao’s scent is similar to the one she smelled on assassination night. Prince Shun arrives to take Chu Yue back to his mansion. Xue Yao lets her go as he decides that she is not a threat.

Episode 4

Prince Shun is relieved that Chu Yue hasn’t consummated her marriage. He wants to put her up in Wang Yue Court which he has specially prepared for her. But Xue Yao insists on taking her back to his mansion. Chu Yue relents to avoid trouble.

Lord Su learns that Chu Yue is already awake. He is under the Emperor’s orders to look for the assassins and Chu Yue is an eyewitness. Chu Yue writes a letter to the Emperor to complain about Xue Yao’s supposed crimes so that she can be freed from the marriage. She gets Tao Yao to send the letter to Prince Shun.

Chu Yue distracts Mr. Bai from looking for Tao Yao by going to see Xue Yao directly. But Xue Yao is having a bath. He thinks she is trying to confirm his injury from the arrow shot on the night of the assassination. But she has her eyes closed and didn’t see anything.

Lord Su arrives at Xue Mansion with Nan Nan. He requests a private meeting with Chu Yue. Mr. Bai is secretly listening in. However, Chu Yue’s information is insufficient to prove that Xue Yao is the assassin. Chu Yue also informs Lord Su that Xue Yao is looking for the assassins too. Hence, Lord Su will have to beat him to it to get commendations from the Emperor.

Nan Nan is again trying to woo Xue Yao who isn’t interested. Her father had impeached his brother which caused him to resign as an army general and transferred to oversee the guards at the palace and died there. Nan Nan becomes angry and barges into her father’s meeting with Chu Yue. She learns that Chu Yue is the princess and not the maid.

Episode 5

Chu Yue is worried because Xue Yao has learned that she has badmouthed him to Lord Su. She needs to run but has to remove her bell anklet first. She sneaks out with Tao Yao to try to get a gardening tool to break the anklet. They think they see something scary but it turns out to be Xue Yao planting flowers in the garden. When Chu Yue slips, Xue Yao pulls her to him. He offers to hold her hand to send her back to her room.

Mr. Bai tells Xue Yao something bad has happened. They drag Chu Yue into the dungeon. Tao Yao lights up an emergency flare to warn Prince Shun. Chu Yue is questioned whether she had written a confidential letter to the Emperor. Xue Yao is thinking of torturing her until he pulls loose her dress and notices the scar from the poisoned needle. He had sucked out the poisoned blood for her that night as she fell unconscious.

Prince Shun arrives and wants to take her away. Eunuch Gao also shows up. He shows Xue Yao the letter from Chu Yue to the Emperor. It contains nothing more than whines about her unhappiness and a request to annul the marriage. The Emperor wants them to live a happy married life. Chu Yue decides to stay with Xue Yao so as not to get Prince Shun into trouble with the Emperor. Xue Yao’s heart softens towards her.

Chu Yue learns that Xue Yao’s aunt, Madam Xue, is not happy about the marriage. She asks Xue Yao to allow her to accompany Madam Xue back from the temple to show her sincerity. But it is only a ruse to escape on her own.

Episode 6

The Marquis of Bei Ze is angry that he has been tricked about Chu Yue’s looks and ill condition to make him annul their engagement. He sees Chu Yue in a club and eavesdrops on her conversation with Prince Shun. Chu Yue is meeting the prince to appease his anger for remaining with Xue Yao while in the dungeon. She explains that they will anger the Emperor if she had followed him out of Xue Mansion. However, she now has a plan to escape and needs his help.

Chu Yue discovers an order for cosmetics and shows it to Xue Yao who asks Mr. Bai to investigate. The order was collected by Xue Mu close to the date of the assassination. Prince Shun uses some cosmetic powder to fill up the bell on Chu Yue’s anklet to prevent it from making any sound.

On the way to the temple, Chu Yue pretends that she needs to relieve herself. She goes into the woods expecting to meet Prince Shun who should be waiting for her. But she gets kidnapped by the Marquis’ men instead. Madam Xue is furious that Chu Yue has yet to turn up as scheduled and orders the road up the temple to be blocked. Xue Yao is informed. Mr. Bai has sent men to secretly follow Chu Yue’s convoy as instructed. They are afraid the people who took her away are the assassins who colluded with her.

Chu Yue keeps stalling the Marquis from taking advantage of her. She tries to trick him to escape but fails.

Episode 7

Chu Yue is tied up. Prince Shun frees her while the Marquis is away. He will get a boat for her to climb through the window to the waters below. When the Marquis returns, he tries to force himself on her. Xue Yao turns up to save her.

Chu Yue climbs out the window and is about the fall into the water. Xue Yao catches her hand but his old injury begins to bleed. Chu Yue decides to let go. Xue Yao jumps into the water to look for her and brings her to Prince Shun’s boat. The Marquis’ men begin to shoot arrows at them. Xue Yao pushes the boat away as he goes underwater again.

Chu Yue is worried and jumps in after him. He gives her whatever is left of the air in his lungs. Prince Shun throws a rope into the water to pull them up the boat. Xue Yao is unresponsive. Chu Yue wants to give him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Prince Shun objects and offers to do it when Xue Yao awakens. They notice an old wound on his shoulder.

Chu Yue takes care of Xue Yao as he recovers. Tao Yao tells Chu Yue that Xue Yao seems to love her especially when he is unhappy with her looking at topless soldiers. Prince Shun wonders if Xue Yao’s injury has to do with the assassination. He visits Xue Yao and brings him some medication to test him out.

The Marquis sends a lady’s undergarment to Xue Yao with a message that he had slept with Chu Yue. Xue Yao is furious. Prince Shun reads the message and is angry as well. Xue Yao confronts Chu Yue about it. She gets angry and tells him to ask the Emperor to grant them a divorce then.

Episode 8

Xue Yao goes with Mr. Bai to look for the Marquis who has already been taken away by Prince Shun. He could sense someone is spying on them. Prince Shun tortures the Marquis who confesses that he didn’t sleep with Chu Yue. The message to Xue Yao was just to provoke him. Prince Shun lets the Marquis go. He is satisfied because with the affair rumors, a divorce could follow and no man would want Chu Yue thereafter.

A caped man is looking at a book about the birthstone which can bring people back to life and predict the future. If someone tries to change the prediction, others will see the person as an animal. However, half of the book is missing. The caped man is seen with a dead woman’s body. His subordinate reports that an old man named Liao has the other half of the book. They will be able to get it by capturing Chu Yue. The caped man is using antidotes to control his men.

Is Xue Yao The Cure?

Xue Yao is thoughtful when he checks in on Chu Yue as he assumes she has been raped. She feels his warmth and gentleness. She falls asleep with him sitting beside her and at one point, her lips touches his nose. Xue Yao exercises restraint despite the temptation. The next morning, Chu Yue realizes she had slept during the night but didn’t dream. She keeps pestering Xue Yao to tell her what he has done that she could sleep peacefully and invites him to sleep with her again. Xue Yao is embarrassed and keeps distancing himself to avoid the temptation.

Chu Yue tells Prince Shun that she wants to explore her relationship with Xue Yao as he seems to be the cure for her condition. Prince Shun meets Nan Nan who believes the rumors about Chu Yue’s affair. He thinks it is a good thing if Nan Nan has a chance to marry Xue Yao. Nan Nan then tricks Xue Yao to visit her residence and ushered into a room where she is bathing. He asks her to pass her her undergarment which has a phoenix embroidery to denote nobility. But he recalls the undergarment sent by the Marquis has a mandarin duck embroidery which means it couldn’t belong to Chu Yue.

Episode 9

Xue Yao goes back to ask Chu Yue why she had lied to him and made him assume that she had lost her chastity. She accuses him of being a hypocrite while he is angry that she is willing to smear her own innocence just to leave him. Xue Yao then grants her the freedom that she wants. He leaves for his barracks in anger.

Prince Shun visits the Emperor who has not been sleeping well and is seen having a nightmare. His father is babbling about Chu Yue’s father who accuses him of not treating his daughter well after the birthstone is lost. Prince Shun wakes his father up. The Emperor informs Prince Shun that he is deciding between him and Prince Ning to take over Xue Yao’s army position.

Chu Yue goes to the barracks to give Xue Yao a flower after their quarrel. She learns from the guard that Xue Yao is being entertained. She passes the flower to the guard who drops the pot outside Xue Yao’s tent. Xue Yao is angry with his soldiers for getting a woman for him when they know he had quarreled with his wife. When he notices the flower, he rushes back. But Madam Xue has reached home and punishes Chu Yue on a flimsy excuse by making her kneel in front of the family altar.

Chu Yue escapes through the window but falls down and hurts herself. Xue Yao carries her back to her room and coaxes her to sleep. He leaves her sleeping on her own when Madam Xue requests to see him. Xue Yao volunteers to take the punishment on Chu Yue’s behalf. Chu Yue dreams of Xue Yao being unfaithful. When she awakes, it is middle of the night.

Episode 10

Xue Yao kneels in front of the altar the whole night. Chu Yue returns to the palace after dreaming of Xue Yao’s unfaithfulness. When Xue Yao comes to take her home, they lay out each other’s bad points as grounds for divorce. When Chu Yue is summoned by the Emperor, she is reminded to monitor Xue Yao. Then, she drops the divorce agreement while leaving. She gives the Emperor only her signed version. She asks for 1 month to prove Xue Yao’s unfaithfulness.

Xue Yao learns from the Emperor that Chu Yue has only provided a one-sided divorce testimony which is invalid. The Emperor also wants him to evaluate 2 military strategies. Xue Yao knows they must be written by Prince Shun and Prince Ning. The Emperor goes on to praise his late brother for being loyal.

Prince Shun asks Dong Shi about Chu Yue’s father. He learns that the great master died when he used his 12 chances of the birthstone to help the Emperor. Prince Shun wants to find out who is trying to harm Chu Yue. Xue Yao wants to know from Chu Yue why she decides to return to Xue Mansion. She simply tells him that she will lose face if she returns to the palace.

Prince Shun complains to Chu Yue that the Emperor is pushing him to handle court affairs. Chu Yue assures him that she will support him all the way. Dong Shi thinks it is a good thing if Xue Yao can help her to suppress her dreams. Chu Yue finds out from Madam Xue that Xue Yao had kneeled on her behalf. Chu Yue feels grateful and makes her way to his room. She insists on staying to find out if she can sleep through the night.

Episode 11

Chu Yue thinks Xue Yao is asleep and keeps staring at him. But he is only pretending. He asks her to go to sleep but she tells him that she is afraid of her dreams and wants to hold his hand. Xue Yao lets her hold his finger. The next morning, Xue Yao finds he is on the floor with her and quietly sneaks away.

Xue Yao and Mr. Bai go to Pan Xiang Court, the cosmetic shop his brother had ordered powder from. They learn that Pan Xiang Court and Fan House share the same owner. Prince Shun is facing mutiny when he tries to take over Xue Yao’s army as ordered by the Emperor.

Giving Up Army Command

The army leader challenges Prince Shun to a duel. Prince Shun wants to win so that Chu Yue will stop treating him like a younger brother. He wants to appear like a man to her. While Prince Shun defeats the army leader, he lost to Xue Yao in the fight. He tells Xue Yao that the more he suffers, the more Chu Yue will care about him when Xue Yao orders him to leave Chu Yue alone.

At the end of the fight, Xue Yao simply orders his soldiers to serve under Prince Shun to prevent a mutiny. It is his way of repaying the prince for what Chu Yue owes him and saves him from trouble with the Emperor. Xue Yao tells Chu Yue that he doesn’t want her to weep for other men.

Xue Yao is discussing with Luo Ji about Fan House when Chu Yue hears him talking to someone from outside his tent. During the night, Chu Yue wants to sleep with Xue Yao again. She learns that he is not after wealth or fame but justice. He is not angry with her despite having to give up his army command to Prince Shun. Chu Yue ties her hand to Xue Yao’s to ensure he doesn’t leave her in the middle of the night. This time, she ends up on the floor with him when morning comes.

Xue Yao and Mr. Bai visit Fan House. Prince Shun is observing them.

Episode 12

Prince Shun orders that the top prostitutes be sent to seduce Xue Yao. Chu Yue arrives at Fan House and becomes a waiter. Nan Nan is in a private room and waiting for Xue Yao to show up. She ends up baring her chest to Luo Ji instead. He wants to take responsibility for her but Nan Nan simply disappears.

An old beggar is seen across Fan House. His disheveled look escapes scrutiny. Chu Yue follows the men to a room and notices one of the beauties had appeared in her dream whereby she had drugged Xue Yao and seduced him. Xue Yao catches her outside their door. She offers the beauties money to serve her instead to prevent the woman from drugging Xue Yao.

The 3 men leave the room to look for the owner of Fan House. Prince Shun has to avoid being seen. He runs into Chu Yue and they hide in a room. When Xue Yao appears, Chu Yue distracts him with a kiss. Prince Shun escapes but drops a pendant. Xue Yao demands Chu Yue to tell him the pendant’s owner. She refuses because she wants to hide that Prince Shun had been to a brothel. So, Xue Yao pretends to throw it away. Chu Yue sprains her ankle when she jumps down from the carriage to look for it.

Xue Yao couldn’t be angry with her anymore and gives her back the pendant. Back home, Chu Yue explains that his wine is drugged but couldn’t offer any evidence. Prince Shun questions his employees but finds no drugged wine. As such, Chu Yue has got her dream wrong. Xue Yao waters his plants when he couldn’t sleep. Chu Yao accompanies him. She recalls Prince Shun’s mother’s reminder for them to take care of each other.

Episode 13

Chu Yue denies that she wants to protect Prince Shun but Xue Yao notices her set of pendants. Tao Yao is angry that Chu Yue changes her dream just to prevent Xue Yao from being with another woman.

Luo Ji looks for Nan Nan to return the sachet that she drops at Fan House. She tries to scare him off with fake pockmarks. When he is undeterred, she tells him that she is already in love with Xue Yao. Madam Xue is pressuring Xue Yao and Chu Yue to have kids.

Xue Yao knows Prince Shun is the owner of Fan House and Pan Xiang Court. He wants to know the cosmetic’s recipient for his brother’s order. In exchange, Xue Yao agrees to let Prince Shun takes Chu Yue away for a few days to treat her poor health. However, the information was stolen by the time they reach the shop. The thieves got away but have been sprinkled with perfumes.

Tao Yao is curious when Prince Shun doesn’t seem worried about Chu Yue changing her dream. She finds out Chu Yue has made a mistake. When Tao Yao sees Nan Nan at Xue Mansion, she realizes Nan Nan is the person in Chu Yue’s dream. Prince Shun also feels the same.

Tao Yao acts alone and laces Nan Nan’s tea and Xue Yao’s wine with aphrodisiac. Prince Shun pushes Xue Yao to meet Nan Nan. Yue. Xue Yao thinks it makes sense to make things clear with Nan Nan as he only sees her as a sister. Nan Nan is angry and didn’t drink the laced tea. But Prince Shun ends up drinking the drugged wine with Chu Yue. They become hot and Prince Shun falls on top of an unconscious Chu Yue.

Episode 14

Prince Shun stops himself in time from kissing Chu Yue. He is disgusted with himself and gets out of there. Xue Yao finds her unconscious and wakes her up. She becomes aroused because of the drug and tries to kiss him. He throws her into the pond to stop her but she still kisses him. Chu Yue ends up being tied to her bed. Prince Shun is unsure how to face Chu Yue now that he realizes he has more than brotherly feelings for her.

When Chu Yue wakes up the next day, she cannot recall what has happened. Tao Yao tells her the whole story. Chu Yue tries to see Prince Shun but he refuses to meet her. When she manages to sneak in to see him, he wants her to be evicted. She thinks he is angry with her for something that she has done. It breaks Xue Yao’s heart to see her so sad. He breaks down the door for her to enter Prince Shun’s residence.

However, Prince Shun invites Xue Yao for a private chat instead. He wants Xue Yao to take care of Chu Yue as he is tired of his obsession for Chu Yue for now. Xue Yao comforts Chu Yue and assures her that she still has him. He tries to cheer her up. But Chu Yue still wants to be back on good terms with Prince Shun. She goes to Fan House to take the stage as a singer to force Prince Shun to meet her despite the risk that she may transform at anytime. Xue Yao turns up when he knows she has gone to Fan House.

Episode 15

Chu Yue sings their childhood song to get Prince Shun to see her. She is wearing a hat with a veil that covers her head. Madam Xue also shows up at Fan House to look for Chu Yue and Xue Yao. She likes Chu Yue’s song and requests to meet the singer.

Xue Yao knows the singer on stage is Chu Yue. She transforms into a pig while hiding with Xue Yao to avoid Madam Xue. She tries to run away from Xue Yao but he kisses her through the veil. Chu Yue pushes him away to escape. Prince Shun is also looking for her as he knows she has transformed. So are the assassins.

Chu Yue is ushered into Madam Xue’s room during the confusion. Xue Yao turns up to protect Chu Yue from being discovered. Madam Xue faints when she lifts up part of Chu Yue’s veil. Prince Shun arrives just in time to take Chu Yue away before anyone finds out. He settles Chu Yue in the cold palace and leaves as he is still troubled by his feelings for her.

Xue Yao’s men found the thieves’ hideout but it is already empty. A logo pattern becomes a clue. The caped man needs Chu Yue to be captured quickly as she has only one more transformation before the birthstone becomes useless. Xue Yao dreams of kissing Chu Yue who turns out to be a pig. He goes to the palace to fetch her back the next day. The assassins show up and he fights them off.

Chu Yue realizes Xue Yao is also her savior previously and tells him so. She promises not to tell anyone to prevent him from being a suspect. Xue Yao asks Chu Yue why are the assassins after her.

Episode 16

The dead assassins’ tattoo makes Xue Yao suspect that his brother’s death and the assassination attempts on Chu Yue are connected. Chu Yue asks Dong Shi about her father’s enemy as she doesn’t know who would want to kill her. She is also worried about Madam Xue who had seen her pig face. Dong Shi gives her a potion to make Madam Xue forget the incident but she is reluctant to use it. Dong Shi reminds her that if the Emperor finds out about her birthstone, they would be beheaded.

Xue Yao interrogates Tao Yao who claims she drugged the wine to get Chu Yue to sleep with him. Xue Yao has decided to be the General of the East Guards in the palace. He stops Chu Yue from getting bullied by the maids. Xue Yao asks her to try to trust him and also tells her about Tao Yao’s doing. Chu Yue confronts Tao Yao but has no heart to punish her. She also decides to trust Xue Yao.

Xue Yao learns that Concubine Yun or Fei Xue was the Emperor’s favorite before she was banished to the cold palace due to affair rumors. An imperial guard was said to have kept her company. Xue Yao suspects it could be his brother and the Emperor killed him as a result. He is distracted when Chu Yue reveals to him her transformation and birthstone secret. She wants his decision on whether he still wants her but he is non-committal as the Emperor, who is her adopted father, may have killed his brother.

However, the next day, Xue Yao seems to have accepted her. He gives her a dress and plans to celebrate her birthday. She is delighted but he is using her as a bait to lure the assassins out.

Episode 17

The dead woman that the caped man wants to revive is Fei Xue. He is agreeable for his subordinate, Tang Ben, to capture Chu Yue during her birthday celebration. Xue Yao has arranged for a grand celebration for her with a carriage to take her through the streets.

Luo Ji is recommended by Xue Yao to learn sword-fighting with his master. He turns up to find Nan Nan there. Her master orders her to train Luo Ji. He wants her to give him a chance since Xue Yao is not interested in her. But she is adamant that he stays out of her affairs. Nan Nan is unhappy that Xue Yao has arranged such a grand celebration for Chu Yue. She dresses up like her since she thinks Xue Yao likes it.

Xue Yao brings Chu Yue to Ling Xi Garden. She is happy but Xue Yao is feeling very guilty about lying to her. Mr. Bai keeps stopping him from blurting out the truth. At night, Chu Yue is at a pavilion thinking of how she should return the divorce testimonies to Xue Yao. Nan Nan joins her. The assassins get confused and try to capture both women. Nan Nan protects Chu Yue but they split up not long after.

Chu Yue changes out of her dress into the clothes of a dead assassin to avoid being hunted. But the enemies grab her along when they retreat and she ends up as their hostage. Xue Yao pursues them. Prince Shun is angry that Xue Yao has failed to protect Chu Yue as promised. He also searches for her. Xue Yao finds her being tied to a branch over a cliff. Tang Ben asks him if he wants to know how his brother died.

Episode 18

Xue Yao fights off Tang Ben to grab the rope. He can see his tattoo but Tang Ben lets Xue Yao speculate that he works for the Emperor. He then flings a knife to cut off the rope. As Chu Yue falls, Xue Yao dives after her and hugs her. They end up at the bottom of the cliff. Chu Yue scolds him for being stupid but Xue Yao simply tells her that he is sorry.

A snake is about to bite Chu Yue. Xue Yao pushes it away but gets bitten. Chu Yue sucks the poison off from his hand. But Xue Yao still falls unconscious. She hugs him through the night as he becomes feverish and cold. Chu Yue also digs out the powder from her bell anklet so that the sound from the bell could alert people nearby.

Prince Shun continues to look for Chu Yue. Xue Yao begins to hallucinate that he is losing Chu Yue to Prince Shun. He hugs and kisses her and keeps saying that she belongs to him. The next morning, Prince Shun finds Chu Yue. He is willing to let go of her to Xue Yao but he warns Xue Yao to treat her well. He also didn’t expect Xue Yao will sacrifice his life for Chu Yue.

On the way back, Chu Yue tells Xue Yao that she wants to stay with him. She opens up her heart to him but he is still holding back due to his brother’s case. He wants her to give him a month to settle his doubts. Back home, Chu Yue tries her best to worm her way into Xue Yao’s heart. Prince Shun is beginning to let go of Chu Yue. Then, he learns that Chu Yue’s birthday celebration is a trap.

Episode 19

Nan Nan asks Chu Yue about the divorce testimonies and starts questioning if Xue Yao really cares for her. She brings up the lack of guards at Ling Xi Garden for Chu Yue’s birthday celebration. Chu Yue wants to confront Xue Yao but finds him feeling melancholic in front of the family altar. He tells her about his brother and how he died in a fire at the palace. Xue Yao becomes withdrawn when Chu Yue mentions about her relatives which include the Emperor.

Madam Xue is still unconscious. Chu Yue talks to her about her secret and feelings for Xue Yao. She also sings her favorite song. Nan Nan feels bad for slapping Luo Ji earlier and they are drinking together. She learns from him that Xue Yao had used Chu Yue as a bait to lure the assassins out. Nan Nan confronts Xue Yao. Her impression of him as an upright man is shattered.

Xue Yao confesses to Chu Yue about setting her up as a bait. Nan Nan takes Chu Yue out for a drink with Prince Shun. Madam Xue awakens. She has heard everything Chu Yue said and wants Xue Yao to get Chu Yue back. Nan Nan ends up drunk. Luo Ji sends her home. Chu Yue is angry at Xue Yao but she has also developed feelings for him. Prince Shun tells her that she has a choice now but she still goes back to Xue Mansion s she doesn’t believe Xue Yao has no feelings for her.

Xue Yao is anxiously waiting for Chu Yue but pretends otherwise when he sees her coming back. Chu Yue orders Tao Yao to retrieve her pillow from Xue Yao’s room. Xue Yao sends it back personally and sees her trying to hang herself.

Episode 20

Xue Yao is angry that Chu Yue is playing with her life. But she is only trying to stop herself from dreaming. Xue Yao carries her back to his room. He asks why she has come back when he had used her as a bait. She understands that he is doing it for his late brother. She is only angry that he has not been honest with her. Chu Yue chooses to trust him one more time although he tells her not to ask him about the case. Xue Yao ties her hand to his and they go to sleep.

Xue Yao wakes up to see his aunt. Chu Yue eavesdrops on their conversation. She learns that the Emperor could be involved in Xue Mu’s death. Hence, Xue Yao is in a difficult position since she is his wife. Chu Yue cries over their situation.

Divorce

The caped man is furious that Tang Ben has failed to capture Chu Yue. He orders for a note to be seen by the Emperor. The Emperor is having a nightmare again. He dreams of Chu Yue’s father who refused to repair the crack in the birthstone after having used it 11 times to help him. When the Emperor pointed a sword to threaten him, he used it to commit suicide. The Emperor then told him before he died that he will raise Chu Yue and get her to inherit the birthstone to serve him.

The Emperor notices the note that says the birthstone is with Chu Yue. But Chu Yue is now married to Xue Yao. So happens that Nan Nan passes Chu Yue’s and Xue Yao’s divorce testimonies to the Emperor. A royal decree is issued to get Chu Yue to return to the palace. Chu Yue accepts it. She tells Xue Yao that she has overheard his conversation with Madam Xue and it is best that they separate.

Prince Shun is curious why the Emperor has changed his attitude towards Chu Yue. Xue Yao follows Chu Yue’s convoy which prevents Tang Ben from capturing her. Dong Shi offers the Emperor his usual pills. Eunuch Gao reminds the Emperor to test them out first as a precaution.

Episode 21

The Emperor is testing Chu Yue out by hinting about her inherited ability to predict the future. She claims ignorance. He offers her a bowl of soup. Chu Yue spends the night feeling sleepy. Her maids bring her something stinky to wake her up as a last resort but she breaks the whole pot. Xue Yao notices her falling asleep outside her room as it is being cleaned. He keeps her company as she sleeps throughout the night.

Xue Yao tells the maid to keep it a secret. The next morning, Chu Yue recalls feeling very drowsy. She suspects the Emperor had drugged her soup and is testing her out about the birthstone. Consort Su wants to marry off Chu Yue to an old general. Chu Yue agrees. She wants to see if the Emperor would approve the marriage. That would indicate if he knows about the birthstone.

Lord Su is selecting a suitable marriage partner for Nan Nan. But she pretends she is in love with Luo Ji and praises him. Lord Su seeks out Luo Ji and warns him he wouldn’t approve of their relationship even if Nan Nan is full of praise for him. Luo Ji is surprised that Nan Nan loves him but feels delighted.

Prince Shun is uneasy that Chu Yue has agreed to simply marry someone. He brings a group of eligible young men for her to choose. She is agreeable to anyone but he becomes choosy for her instead and asks her to consider him. Chu Yue treats it as a joke and whispers to him why she is agreeing to the marriage with the old general. Xue Yao turns up when he finds out about Chu Yue choosing a potential husband. He quarrels with Prince Shun and they start to fight.

Episode 22

Chu Yue orders Xue Yao and Prince Shun to stop fighting. She tells Xue Yao not to bother about her anymore as they are now divorced. Xue Yao thinks Chu Yue is now finally showing her true self and vows not to care for her anymore. The Emperor reprimands Consort Su for trying to marry off Chu Yue.

Prince Shun guesses that the Emperor already knows Chu Yue’s secret. The Emperor forces Chu Yue to drink the drugged soup again although she tells him that she doesn’t know how to use the birthstone. She realizes that he is only treating her as a tool. The Emperor wants to know if Xi Zhao will rebel as the state has discovered dark iron ore to make powerful weapons. Chu Yue falls asleep after drinking the soup.

Saving Chu Yue

Xue Yao fails to capture Tang Ben as Tao Yao’s appearance becomes a distraction. Tao Yao wants Xue Yao to quickly save Chu Yue. She explains everything about the birthstone to him. Xue Yao gets into Chu Yue’s room. He manages to draw her out of her dream by kissing her. A veiled man appears and Xue Yao discovers that he is Dong Shi after a fight. Dong Shi claims that he is there to save Chu Yue. He gives Xue Yao some pills to help Chu Yue recover from the drugs. Xue Yao is suspicious and asks Mr. Bai to check the pills out.

When Chu Yue awakes, she knows Xue Yao had been with her. Lord Su is overseeing the security as envoys from Xi Zhao arrive. Prince Shun has Chu Yue dressed as a maid to take her out of the palace. But Lord Su stops them. Just then, the envoys arrive at the gate. Chu Yue’s attempt to escape fails. The envoy, Infanta Na Xi, doesn’t mind the disturbance but Chu Yue is sent back to the palace.

Tang Ben is monitoring the envoys from Xi Zhao who have their own agenda. The Emperor has to be careful with Chu Yue as she only has one more chance to use the birthstone. He has to keep her alive for the time being. He also mentions about Xue Mu.

Episode 23

The Emperor’s version is that Xue Mu has served him loyally. Chu Yue wonders if he is the killer. Na Xi wants to stay in Chu Yue’s palace. She seems arrogant and doesn’t care about Chu Yue’s protestations.

Dong Shi’s pills that are meant for Chu Yue are safe for consumption. But Xue Yao still asks Mr. Bai to check Dong Shi’s background. He tries to pry but Dong Shi readily admits that he has long known about Chu Yue’s secret.

Na Xi complains about her bed and wants to sleep in Chu Yue’s room. Then, she wants to go out to the markets. She is curious about a lot of things as they can’t be found in her hometown. Chu Yue and Prince Shun bring her to Pan Xiang Court. Chu Yue learns from Prince Shun about the story of a general and concubine which inspires him to create a cosmetic based on the tale. She suspects the story is about Xue Mu and Concubine Yun.

Xue Yao wants Chu Yue to go back to Xue Mansion as he is worried about her in the palace. She assures him that her adopted would not harm her. She also insists that they are now divorced. Luo Ji mistakenly believes Nan Nan is choosing a husband from a group of fighters when they are merely fresh recruits. Her master reprimands her for bullying. She grudgingly keeps quiet to protect Luo Ji.

Back at the palace, Chu Yue finds Na Xi to be cold on the outside but kind at heart. She teaches her about cosmetics. Xue Yao is keeping a watch on Chu Yue but she tells him that she doesn’t need him anymore. She knows they have no future if Xue Mu’s relationship with Concubine Yun is true.

Episode 24

The Xi Zhao envoy is threatening the Emperor with the dark steel ore issue. Na Xi slaps Consort Su when she tries to bully Chu Yue. Consort Su wants Xue Yao to arrest them but he declines. She then complains to her son, Prince Ning, who vows to avenge the humiliation.

Nan Nan quarrels with Na Xi as she is jealous that Chu Yue now has a new friend. She helped Chu Yue to get a divorce but finds that it is not what her friend wants. Nan Nan advises Chu Yue to make things clear rather than being hesitant. She them bumps into Luo Ji. Luo Ji tells her that he knows she wants to marry him since Lord Su had warned him off before. Nan Nan says that it is a misunderstanding and flees.

2 Couples Hiding

Chu Yue wants to go to the memorial hall where Xue Mu died in a fire to investigate. But it is not a place that anyone can freely enter. Na Xi offers to go with her. Prince Ning finds them there but gets beaten up by Na Xi. Then Xue Yao shows up to protect Chu Yue. When the Emperor drops by with Eunuch Gao, they scatter and hide. Xue Yao and Chu Yue squeeze together behind a door. Na Xi and Prince Ning hide under the altar table. His face is on her chest when he wants to sneeze.

The Emperor praises Xue Mu for being loyal but is not so sure about Xue Yao. He also doesn’t know if Chu Yue is monitoring Xue Yao for him. Xue Yao tells Chu Yue that he trusts her as they listen to the conversation. He then throws a coin as distraction and escapes with Chu Yue. They jump into a pond to avoid capture. Prince Ning leads Na Xi to safety. Na Xi bullies him but he tells Lord Su not to cause her trouble. He will marry her instead in order to control her and strengthen his position.

Xue Yao and Chu Yue go back to her palace. She explains what she is doing in the memorial hall. Chu Yue wants to go back to him when he asks. Then, Na Xi appears and asks Xue Yao to leave. They end up dueling for a long time before calling it a draw. They seem to know each other from before. Xue Yao catches Tao Yao staring at his general suit. He asks her if she knows Xue Mu.

Episode 25

Tao Yao just tells Xue Yao that she knows his brother as an imperial guard. But privately, she misses him. Chu Yue asks Xue Yao about his relationship with Na Xi. He informs her that he knew Na Xi while in Xi Zhao but there is nothing between them. Xue Yao warns her to beware of Na Xi but she is seeing Na Xi as a friend. Xue Yao finds it hard to let Chu Yue go and wants to put aside his hatred. He suggests he should try to make her pregnant so that they could re-marry.

Na Xi catches Tang Ben spying on them. He drops a knife with a logo while escaping. The caped man knows Na Xi is coming for Xue Yao which is good because Chu Yue will be unprotected once he leaves. They have also found Liao but he is avoiding capture. Na Xi tells the Emperor she wants Xue Yao for the imperial marriage. Then, they can cooperate on the mining of the dark steel ore.

Liao lunges forward to give Chu Yue an old toy when she is distributing food for the poor. Na Xi tries to protect her and gets her hand scraped. Chu Yue is curious and meets Liao in prison. He is a little senile but passes her a book. The book causes her to dream of her biological father who advises her to use her last chance to save herself. The method is in the book and she has to do it on a full moon night.

Na Xi tells Xue Yao that she wants him. He wants her to leave Chu Yue alone. Chu Yue finds them hugging before a royal edict arrives to decree Xue Yao to marry Na Xi who claims ignorance.

Episode 26

Xue Yao explains to Chu Yue that Na Xi was his prisoner of war. He assures Chu Yue that he will ask the Emperor to take back the edict. However, he couldn’t see the Emperor who is already furious with Prince Ning for protesting against the marriage.

Xi Zhao’s General Duo Er Tu drops by to discuss the wedding with Xue Yao. He notices the logo pattern on his desk and mentions about the spies at their residence. Chu Yue asks Prince Shun to try to get Liao out as he looks like her biological father’s servant. She also tells Prince Shun that she trusts Xue Yao will cancel the marriage.

Na Xi admits to Chu Yue that she loves Xue Yao. He protected her from being raped as a prisoner and offered her his last ration when they were trapped while she saved him from wolves with scars to show for it. Na Xi seems sympathetic to Chu Yue and claims that she is her only friend. Chu Yue runs to ask Xue Yao about Na Xi’s story but he is rushing off to catch the assassins. She asks Luo Ji to bring her there and witnesses Xue Yao and Na Xi cooperating smoothly to fight the enemies.

The caped man kills the injured Tang Ben as guards are everywhere. Na Xi knows Xue Yao won’t give up on Chu Yue. She has to make Chu Yue leave him instead. Na Xi mentions that the bell anklet is her and Xue Yao’s token of love. But Chu Yue refuses to take it off as she wants Xue Yao to do it for her. Xue Yao is curious about the poison on Tang Ben. Prince Shun and Na Xi bring Chu Yue to Xue Mansion to ask about the wedding.

Episode 27

Madam Xue shows her disdain for Na Xi and prefers Xue Yao to reconcile with Chu Yue. Chu Yue asks Prince Shun what to do in her situation. He suggests eloping or presenting an Imperial Warrant which is like a protection pass when faced with difficulties. Prince Shun still has a dream of being with Chu Yue but dares not voice it out.

Xue Yao makes it clear with Na Xi that he won’t marry her but she still brings up their past and holds his hand. Chu Yue sees it and runs away disappointed. Na Xi finds her drinking and asks her to stop. Chu Yue apologizes for still thinking of Xue Yao when she should let go. Na Xi shows Chu Yue her scars and reminds Chu Yue that both of them owe her.

Chu Yue goes to see Dong Shi to get hangover pills and sleeping drugs. She wants to make Na Xi sleep longer to treat her scars. She also tells Dong Shi about the book she got from Liao. Xue Yao takes out his family’s Imperial Warrant to beg the Emperor to cancel his marriage to Na Xi. The Emperor refuses. Chu Yue returns the bell anklet to Xue Yao. She doesn’t want to pester him anymore since he didn’t keep his agreement to cancel the marriage. Mr. Bai tells Chu Yue that she has made a mistake because Xue Yao had taken the family’s Imperial Warrant out just to have the Emperor rescind the marriage.

Chu Yue decides she can’t afford to lose Xue Yao. She sneaks out of the palace to Xue Mansion. She tells Xue Yao they should elope but he says he will devise a way to get her back. He kisses her and they sleep together for the night.

Episode 28

The next morning, they are sweet and loving. Xue Yao wants to give her a proper wedding. He asks her to decorate Ling Xi Garden while he prepares her dowry. Chu Yue tells Prince Shun the good news. He warns her that if Xue Yao treats her badly again, he will take her away no matter the reason.

Liao is awake and relates to Chu Yue that he was her biological father’s good friend. Her father asked him to bring her to safety but guards snatched her away from him and beat him up. Hence, he has been looking for her ever since. Her father had also predicted that she will be affected by the birthstone. But Liao has to stop recalling the past as he suffers a severe headache.

The caped man orders for the Guan Shan Chronicles and a note to be smuggled into Xue Mansion. The caped man is Dong Shi. Luo Ji tells Nan Nan about Xue Yao’s wedding. Both of them exchange gifts for each other and help to decorate for the ceremony. Nan Nan finally acknowledges her feelings for Luo Ji and accepts him.

Xue Mu’s Secret Love

Tao Yao hears Madam Xue mentions about Xue Mu’s belongings. She quietly rummages through it and removes a letter. Xue Yao catches her and finds out that his brother had been in love with Chu Yue. He wrote Guan Shan Chronicles to entertain her although she has no idea about his one-sided love. Tao Yao relates to Xue Yao that on the night of the fire, Chu Yue had transformed and ran to the memorial hall. She might have knocked over the candlestick which started the fire. Xue Mu saved her but ran inside the hall again. Later, he was carried out dead.

Xue Yao couldn’t accept that his brother’s death is related to Chu Yue. He drinks until he is unconscious and didn’t turn up for his wedding. Tao Yao rushes back to get Chu Yue. Chu Yue pays the innkeeper with the coins on the table but they are Xue Mu’s tokens of remembrance. When Xue Yao awakens, he is furious with Chu Yue about the coins.

Episode 29

Dong Shi and Concubine Yun were lovers but the Emperor found out. Dong Shi has been trying to get the birthstone to bring her back to life. He also instructs for others to be alerted about Na Xi’s poisoning.

Xue Yao is frantically looking for the coins. Chu Yue doesn’t understand their significance until Xue Yao angrily tells her that those coins were his brother’s pension and commemorative item. He lets Chu Yue reads his brother’s letter in which Xue Mu revealed that he had been secretly guarding her and her secret. He wrote Guan Shan Chronicles for her and had secretly loved her. But Chu Yue has no idea about Xue Mu. Xue Yao rejects marrying her now. Both of them are at a loss with much heartache.

Chu Yue is arrested for poisoning Na Xi. Prince Shun pleads with his father to investigate but to no avail. Dong Shi denies tricking Chu Yue about the poison. Xue Yao visits Chu Yue in prison and sees her shivering. He quietly leaves behind his cape. When he hears her telling the guard to pass a message to the Emperor about the birthstone, he firmly tells her not to risk her life. She thought he cares until he says that she owes her life to his brother and hence, she must live. They both feel like sinners. Chu Yue also tells Xue Yao about Dong Shi. But Dong Shi has accused her of poisoning Na Xi to the Emperor.

Chu Yue is brought to the Emperor. She purposely lies about her dream and finds out that the Emperor doesn’t care about her. She is sent back to prison. Na Xi is saved by Dong Shi. He asks her to keep it a secret because they share the same target.

Episode 30

Dong Shi wants Na Xi to get Chu Yue for him while he will ensure she has Xue Yao. Xue Yao pleads for Chu Yue’s life with his family’s Imperial Warrant. But the Emperor rejects it to avoid conflict with Xi Zhao. Prince Ning drops by to see Na Xi who pretends to be unconscious. She gets annoyed and sneakily flings a knife to get him out of there. Her general tells him that it is an assassin.

Xue Yao visits Chu Yue in prison and finds her sleeping. He anxiously wakes her up but still pretends he doesn’t care about her. Xue Yao suspects Dong Shi is involved in Xue Mu’s death. Prince Shun decides to get Chu Yue out of prison. However, Chu Yue doesn’t want to follow him as it would cause him big troubles. She also feels guilty over his sacrifice.

Xue Yao knows Na Xi is only pretending to be unconscious. So, Na Xi makes a deal with him. She will spare Chu Yue’s life if Xue Yao marries her. She gives him a wolf carving which she says is a reminder of her sacrifice for him. Prince Shun is under attack by Xi Zhao’s soldiers at the prison. Xue Yao agrees to the marriage under pressure. Na Xi makes him inform Chu Yue personally about the marriage.

Xi Zhao gives the Emperor refined dark ores as marriage gifts. Na Xi ‘s condition includes making Chu Yue her bridesmaid. Prince Shun beats Xue Yao up for hurting Chu Yue but Xue Yao didn’t retaliate. Mr. Bai raises Xue Yao’s suspicion about being saved by Na Xi based on the wolf carving. Na Xi refuses to surrender Chu Yue to Dong Shi. Chu Yue is freed but is told that she has to be the bridesmaid.

Episode 31

Prince Ning drops by to see Na Xi on her wedding day. But she kicks him out without giving him face. Nan Nan is also spoiling for a fight with Na Xi but Chu Yue stops her. Chu Yue plays her part of a bridesmaid as requested. She tells Nan Nan that she wants to see if Xue Yao would really marry Na Xi and if so, she will wish them well. During the ceremony, Xue Yao is shocked to see Chu Yue as the bridesmaid. Chu Yue personally leads the bride to the groom. Xue Yao is angry throughout the ceremony.

Once the ceremony is completed, Xue Yao asks the Emperor about Chu Yue. The Emperor promises to spare her life and she will move to Prince Shun’s palace. Prince Shun tries to comfort Chu Yue. Xue Yao doesn’t want to spend the wedding night with Na Xi. He leaves her to go for a ride and sees Chu Yue in Prince Shun’s carriage. Chu Yue is feeling feverish and fed medicine that makes her drowsy. To keep her awake, they saddle her with a toddler to take care of. The toddler bites her neck.

Prince Shun Drops A Bombshell

Xue Yao has obtained evidence that Na Xi and her brother are planning to overthrow the Xi Zhao King. He goes to see the Emperor who is being controlled by Dong Shi through medicine and witchcraft in the next room. The Emperor is non-committal which surprises Xue Yao. He then summons for Chu Yue and wants her to move back to the palace. Prince Shun drops a bombshell that he and Chu Yue have had sexual relations to pre-empt the move. The shock causes the Emperor to vomit blood and break out of the trance. Chu Yue runs to the next room and is deterred with poisonous powder. Dong Shi escapes.

Chu Yue’s eyes are poisoned and she needs to sleep at night to recover. She also must not cry. Prince Shun stops Xue Yao from accompanying Chu Yue. He insists that they already have a relationship and the neck bite is the proof.

Episode 32

Xue Yao doesn’t believe Prince Shun. He wants to hear it directly from Chu Yue. Prince Chun tells Eunuch Gao that his relationship with Chu Yue is true. Xue Yao is taking care of Chu Yue when Na Xi arrives. He wants her to sign the divorce agreement. She refuses. Xue Yao tells her to stop lying. She burnt his supplies during the war so that her brother can get the honor. Then she purposely led them to the wrong direction. But she herself fell sick and he saved her. The wolves were part of her plan to make it look like he owed her. Her aim is to overthrow her father as she hates him for treating her and her brother badly since their mother was a slave.

The marriage was an arrangement with the Emperor for Xi Zhao to let down their guard. They will then take the opportunity to blow up the mines and kill the smelters in Xi Zhao. Xue Yao uses her brother’s life to threaten her to agree to a divorce. Na Xi agrees to make a deal.

Playing Pretend

Chu Yue awakens and worries about Prince Shun’s reputation. He misleads her that he already has someone he loves who would understand him. He asks her to put up the pretenses well to avoid suspicion. They should also not talk too much in case there are eavesdroppers. Xue Yao drops by her room and she assumes it is Prince Shun since she is temporarily blind. She says things that imply they are a couple until Xue Yao starts talking. He is hurt and throws the divorce agreement onto the floor. Chu Yue dares not tell him the truth as Prince Shun has warned her about eavesdroppers.

Dong Shi is prepared to use poison smoke to achieve his aim. This would cause mass casualties. The Emperor is gravely ill. Prince Shun continues to pretend about his relationship with Chu Yue and her being pregnant. Madam Xue visits Chu Yue and suspects that her relationship with Prince Shun is false. She arranges for her mute servant to take care of Chu Yue to pave the way for Xue Yao to visit her easily. Xue Yao quietly takes care of a blind Chu Yue.

Episode 33

Na Xi and her brother are now wanted criminals. Prince Ning notices Na Xi and teases her but gets kidnapped as a hostage instead. She uses him to get out of the city. Xue Yao is taking care of Chu Yue when Prince Shun brings Eunuch Gao to see her. Xue Yao quickly hides and listens to their conversation. Eunuch Gao seems to be suspicious of Chu Yue’s pregnancy but Prince Shun tries to convince him that it is true.

Lord Su wants Luo Ji to save Prince Ning. He will approve his relationship with Nan Nan if Luo Ji successfully saves the prince. Na Xi can see through Prince Ning’s tricks to drop clues along their escape route. He keeps getting bullied by her. Xue Yao can guess that Dong Shi wants to revive Concubine Yun with the birthstone and his brother found out about it.

Reconciliation

Prince Shun notices the divorce agreement which states that Na Xi is the one divorcing Xue Yao. It is a humiliation for a man to be divorced by a woman but Xue Yao seems willing to be a laughing stock. Prince Shun doesn’t have the heart to hide the fact from Chu Yue as it proves that Xue Yao truly loves her.

Chu Yue requests to see Xue Yao. He arranges a fireworks for her but still assumes that she won’t be happy to see him. Chu Yue regains her sight at that moment and could see his tears. She explains that the pregnancy is Prince Shun’s idea of protecting her. They reconcile and share a long kiss. Prince Shun feels he is like Xue Mu where they could only hide their feelings in their heart.

Luo Ji finds Na Xi’s hideout. He shoots an arrow into the room but Prince Ning blocks it to save Na Xi and gets injured. Luo Ji is deemed a criminal for attempting to kill a prince.

Episode 34

Nan Nan tries to speak up for Luo Jin with Lord Su but gets slapped instead. Luo Ji doesn’t want to be a burden to Nan Nan but she kisses him instead. He kisses her back. Luo Ji promises to look for Dong Shi and gets the antidote for the Emperor so that he could be pardoned. Tao Yao overhears Dong Shi’s assistant talking about his master’s plan to poison everybody in the palace and kill Chu Yue. She rushes to Prince Shun’s palace but gets shot on the way. She dies after telling Chu Yue what happened and is happy to be able to meet Xue Mu again in the other world.

Chu Yue is miserable and asks Liao for ways to revive Tao Yao. Liao gives her her father’s incense and asks her to dream of her father for guidance. In her dream, her father tells her that dead people cannot be revived. But she wants to stop her loved ones from dying for her. She decides to see the prediction against her father’s advice. Chu Yue sees Xue Yao in danger while hunting for Dong Shi. She goes to his camp to look for him and says that she misses him.

Hunting The Enemy

Chu Yue lies to Xue Yao that she has got information from Prince Shun where Dong Shi might be hiding. Xue Yao is suspicious that she may have dreamt it. Prince Shun rushes to Xue Yao’s camp when he hears Chu Yue is there. They decide to split up to look for Dong Shi. Nan Nan also decides to join Luo Ji in the task.

Na Xi is thinking of Prince Ning who had saved her. Then she gets angry that Xue Yao had tricked her into a divorce when she learns that her brother is safe and sound. Prince Shun and Liao find a secret door in Dong Shi’s medical hall. Chu Yue insists on following Xue Yao to look for Dong Shi in his secret hideout where they find Concubine Yun’s body. A battle with Dong Shi’s men ensue.

Dong Shi throws a weapon which hits Xue Yao. Chu Yue threatens to kill herself if Dong Shi approaches. Dong Shi tells her that she must live because that was what Xue Mu wanted when he died. He killed Xue Mu after the latter had saved Chu Yue in the memorial hall and took away his letter to her and the Guan Shan Chronicles. The rest of the group surround Dong Shi. Xue Yao faints after learning how his brother died.

Episode 35

Prince Shun appears from the secret pathway and joins the group. Dong Shi throws a smoke bomb and fog the surroundings. When the smoke disappears, he is holding Chu Yue by the neck. Mr. Bai has dragged Xue Yao away and he is fine as the bell anklet had blocked Dong Shi’s weapon. Dong Shi asks Chu Yue for the birthstone book. She gives it to him but there is nothing on reviving the dead. Xue Yao appears on the other side and threatens to stab Concubine Yun’s body. Dong Shi pushes back Chu Yue to him to make him let go of Concubine Yun. But Mr. Bai springs up and pierces Concubine Yun’s heart.

Dong Shi is angry as he hugs Concubine Yun’s body. He throws a pellet to activate the furnace to release the poisonous gas. Everyone in the chamber starts dying and people are running away from the palace. Na Xi appears and questions what is happening. She is seen trying to look for Prince Ning.

Reversing Time

Chu Yue dreams of her father and asks for help to reverse the situation. But her father tells her that she would end up in a coma for the rest of her life if she changes the past. She decides to go ahead. The time reverses to the moment Dong Shi throws the pellet. Xue Yao catches it in time and nobody dies. But Chu Yue faints and then starts her final transformation.

Xue Yao looks after her as she transforms into a cute version of a feral animal. He could tame her and they end up spending the night together. The next morning, they share a kiss and heartfelt talk as they both know she will not wake up again once she falls asleep. Xue Yao brings a sleeping Chu Yue back to Xue Mansion and takes care of her. He will read her stories from the Guan Shan Chronicles. As he finishes telling his story to the kids, he pushes her around in a wheelchair. Xue Yao tells her stories as he imagined them and will reminisce about their past. Days come and go and he will always bring her up a cliff. For the last time, he carries her and stands at the edge.

Episode 36 – Extra / Special

Chu Yue wakes up while being carried at the cliff’s edge. She touches Xue Yao’s face. He is crying. He is surprised to see that she is awake and kisses her lips. Chu Yue and Xue Yao live a carefree life as a loving couple.

4 Years Later

Prince Shun is now the Emperor. He is taking care of Meng Er at the palace. Meng Er is Chu Yue and Xue Yao’s little son. He is a mischievous boy that Prince Shun has a hard time keeping up with him. Chu Yue and Xue Yao are traveling and continuing the Guan Shan Chronicles. Prince Shun sends them a letter that he will put Meng Er in the army camp to discipline him. He has been sending many letters to the couple to update them on Meng Er but Xue Yao has been hiding them because he wants to continue traveling with his beloved wife. Xue Yao also wants a baby girl next.

Nan Nan has been waiting for Luo Ji to propose to her but he is a clueless man when it comes to romance. She needs to take things into her own hands to finally get him to propose. Nan Nan’s maid is going to marry General Duo Er Tu. Na Xi is married to Prince Ning and is expecting a child. But Nan Nan still has an axe to grind with Na Xi. They argue and fight over her maid’s decision to marry a Xi Zhao general over a round of cards and drinking session. When they are all tired after all the bickering, Nan Nan relents and lets her maid to marry the general since she knows they are in love with each other.

Other C-Dramas With Arranged Marriage

The Sleepless Princess has a arranged marriage theme as Chu Yue and Xue Yao were decreed to wed by the Emperor. Other Chinese dramas with arranged marriage as the starting point for the main couple’s relationship development include The Romance Of Tiger And Rose and Legend Of Yun Xi. The Romance Of Tiger And Rose is a rom-com that stars the popular Zhao Lu Si. The drama created quite a buzz that rumors of a Season 2 are swirling at this time.

The pair in Legend Of Yun Xi starts off coldly as the male lead isn’t interested in marriage. He is a cold prince who gradually falls for his consort. The pairing certainly did arouse a lot of interest as the leads are slated to cooperate again in another drama called The Blooms At Ruyi Pavilion. Another arrange marriage drama that has many fans is The Love By Hypnotic. This one features a very sweet romantic couple once they acknowledged their love for each other. If you like romance dramas with plenty of kisses, then you can’t possibly miss this one!

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