In the intricate web of palace politics and personal vendettas, The Princess Royal weaves a tale of love, betrayal, and power. The death of Qin Zhenzhen and the downfall of the Su clan are central to this drama, revealing the dark machinations and tragic consequences of the characters’ actions.
The Rise and Fall of Su Ronghua
Pei Wenxuan’s investigation into Qin Zhenzhen’s death revealed connections to Su Ronghua, who was discovered by Li Chuan to be involved in an illicit relationship with Shangguan Ya. This scandal led Li Chuan to punish all the men of the Su clan with castration, a move meant to disgrace them publicly.
The tension between Li Chuan and the aristocratic families grew increasingly severe, dragging Shangguan Ya into the fray. Despite her efforts to appease Li Chuan with her appearance and gentle demeanor, he remained repelled by her, especially after Qin Zhenzhen’s arrival. Li Chuan’s disdain for Shangguan Ya led her to seek help from Li Rong, hoping to secure her status by bearing a son. With Li Rong’s intervention, Li Chuan was forced to sleep with Shangguan Ya, relying on aphrodisiacs for intimacy. Their mutual animosity turned their union into a mere formality aimed at producing an heir.
Soon after, Qin Zhenzhen discovered she was pregnant, and Li Chuan, overjoyed, declared that he would favor no one else in the harem. Desperate, Shangguan Ya turned to her father, pleading for a solution to conceive quickly, fearing that the Qin family’s child would cement their power and doom the aristocratic families forever. Shangguan Xu reached out to Su Ronghua, proposing an alliance through Shangguan Ya’s pregnancy. Su Ronghua’s secret nightly visits to the palace marked the beginning of their intertwined fates.
The Consequences of Forbidden Love
Two months later, Shangguan Ya was pregnant, completely unaware of Su Ronghua’s involvement. The Qin family, favored by Li Chuan, spread rumors and fabricated miracles, aiming to crown their child as the crown prince upon birth. To secure Shangguan Ya’s position as empress, Su Ronghua decided to poison Qin Zhenzhen. However, her death deeply affected Li Chuan, who, consumed by rage, abandoned concerns of war, justice, and his people. His blind favoritism towards the cold family led to the rise of corrupt officials, plunging the commoners into misery.
As Pei Wenxuan’s investigation progressed, Li Chuan’s fury resulted in the execution of his uncle, the imprisonment of his mother, and the massacre of half the Shangguan family. The Empress Dowager, in a bid to save Shangguan Ya and her child, committed suicide in the harem, sparing them from Li Chuan’s wrath.
In the eighth year of De Xu’s reign, Li Chuan planned a northern expedition, which the Su clan vehemently opposed, sensing his true aim to seize military power. Li Chuan then framed King Su for treason, using Su Ronghua’s alleged collusion with enemies as a pretext to annihilate the Su family. He ordered the castration of Su Rongqing and desecrated Su Ronghua’s corpse, using a jade hairpin to humiliate Shangguan Ya, driving her to madness. Witnessing these events, Pei Wenxuan felt a deep sense of sorrow and absurdity.
The Princess Royal brilliantly captures the tragic downfall of the Su clan, highlighting the devastating effects of personal vendettas and political intrigue. The story is a poignant reminder of the fragility of power and the high stakes in the ruthless game of thrones. The intricate character dynamics and emotional depth make this drama a compelling watch, leaving viewers reflecting on the cost of ambition and the true meaning of loyalty.