The newly released ongoing Chinese drama The Princess Royal released its first set of episodes on June 26, 2024. The show became one of the few to secure the highest reservations even before airing. As seen in the official trailer, it follows the story of Li Rong (Zhao Jinmai) and Pei Wenxuan (Zhang Linghe), who marry each other to serve their own purposes but pass away tragically. However, miraculously, they are reborn and wake up on the night of their wedding. Episode one of this anticipated drama focuses on how the couple passes away.
In this episode, Pei Wenxuan is introduced as an influential prime minister. He is the Senior Grand Secretary of the Xia Dynasty. Following his instruction, even the Empress is barred from entering the Hanqiu Palace or seeing the Crown Prince. Wenxuan carefully appoints several units of the army to carry out different missions. While he orders Unit Zhun not to move from their positions, Unit Kun is instructed to make sure nobody steps in or out of the imperial palace.
Meanwhile, Wenxuan enters the palace with the Meng Unit. He completely ignores the Empress and enters the palace to meet with the Majesty.
The Princess Royal episode 1 spoilers
Li Rong, the Princess Royal, is severely sick and bedridden. She has the second young master, Su, by her side, who serves her. He gives her medicinal soup to ease her suffering.
Wenxuan meets Emperor Li Chuan, who is also sick and is on his deathbed. The Emperor instructs Wenxuan to depose the Crown Prince and let the eldest Prince take the throne instead. The Emperor reveals that the royal family is merely a puppet in the hands of the noble families, and Li Rong is the one who holds the most power. Pei Wenxuan assures him that even though he is Li Rong’s husband, he won’t let her make the common people suffer.
On the other hand, Su vows to make Wenxuan suffer if anything happens to the princess. In the meantime, Wenxuan visits the Princess Royal. He urges her to let Li Ping ascend the throne as the Emperor’s wish, but she refuses. She notices a mysterious sachet wrapped around his waist. They get into an argument when Li Rong calls Li Ping the son of a concubine. Wenxuan questions her relationship with Su and reveals that he won’t hesitate to kill her if she poses a danger to the state.
How do Zhang Linghe & Zhao Jinmai pass away?
After Wenxuan storms out, the princess’s health deteriorates. She sends out an order to kill Wenxuan. After his carriage is attacked, Wenxuan bravely puts up a fight. But in the end, he loses and soon passes away from his fatal wound. Meanwhile, the princess also takes her last breath.
Soon after, Li Rong wakes up feeling rejuvenated. Her trusted maid, who died protecting her, brings her morning tea. Li Rong doesn’t seem to grasp the absurdity of the situation. She is confused when she hears that her father, the Emperor, is not dead. Furthermore, nobody seems to know who Pei Wenxuan is.
She comes to know that this is the year she turned eighteen. For some ridiculous reason, she has gone back in time. But this is also the year she meets Wenxuan. Not only is she not sick anymore, but her beauty seems to have doubled. She regrets marrying Wenxuan instead of Su, and she vows to correct her past mistakes.
What happens in The Princess Royal episode 1’s ending?
Li Rong is soon taken to the Palace to choose a consort for her. She recalls how she fell for Wenxuan at first sight. They were in love, but he drastically changed when he obtained power.
Meanwhile, Wenxuan also wakes up to find that his fiancee has called off the wedding. He also receives a proposal from none other than the Princess Royal.
The Princess Royal is available to stream on Youku and Viki throughout the week.
