A Love So Romantic Episode 18 Recap
> A Love So Romantic Recap
Gu Yanxi, visiting the dilapidated separate courtyard, felt profound grief over his mother's unjust death. With Ma Xiaoliu, the key witness, now deceased, securing Lady Ru's conviction seemed impossible, leaving Gu Yanxi in despair. Su Xiaowan found him there and comforted him with an embrace. That night, rumors spread throughout the Gu Mansion of the former Madam's ghost. Hearing this, Lady Ru grew increasingly fearful, instructing her maid to prepare offerings and ghost-exorcising talismans.
Su Xiaowan, who had been secretly monitoring Lady Ru and examining old account books, noticed that Lady Ru consistently purchased numerous talismans around the former Madam's death anniversary, indicating a guilty conscience. Su Xiaowan then devised a plan to impersonate a ghost to frighten Lady Ru into confessing her past misdeeds. As planned, Su Xiaowan, disguised as a ghost, appeared in Lady Ru's room. Terrified, Lady Ru confessed to murdering the former Madam to usurp her position.
Unbeknownst to Lady Ru, Gu Yanxi and Old Madam were outside her room, with a scribe documenting her confession. Old Madam then used Xin Ziqian as leverage, compelling Lady Ru to provide a full, written account of the events. Lady Ru's confession revealed that Old Madam had brought her and Xin Ziqian into the Gu Mansion. Lady Ru, despite enjoying exclusive favor, was unable to become the official Madam.
Concerned for Xin Ziqian's future, she poisoned the former Madam's clothes, causing her to fall ill and become disoriented. Lady Ru then spread rumors that the Madam had gone mad, urging the Master to divorce her, but the Master merely confined his wife to the separate courtyard. Later, as the poison wore off and the Madam regained lucidity, she warned Gu Yanxi not to let anyone touch his clothes during one of his visits.
A guard overheard this warning and reported it to Lady Ru. Fearing exposure, Lady Ru ordered Ma Xiaoliu to set fire to the back courtyard. As Su Xiaowan (then Gu Xiaowan) had witnessed Ma Xiaoliu, Lady Ru had her abducted to eliminate her. Despite these efforts, the Madam soon passed away, followed shortly by the Master, who died of grief. Lady Ru was never officially recognized as the main Madam.
Upon reading the full confession, Gu Yanxi was filled with self-reproach, believing his mother's death was partly his fault. Su Xiaowan comforted him, assuring him that his mother had only sought to protect him, and Lady Ru was the true culprit. Old Madam, remorseful for bringing Lady Ru into the household, entrusted Lady Ru's fate to Gu Yanxi.
Out of consideration for Xin Ziqian, Gu Yanxi chose not to harm Lady Ru but confined her to the separate courtyard, making her experience the same isolation his mother had endured. Later, Lady Ru's maid, who had been ordered to steal the tiara earlier, bribed the guards to bring it into Lady Ru's confinement under the pretense of delivering food.
Lady Ru, initially resigned to her fate and only wishing for Xin Ziqian's safety, had lost all desire for further malice, as her earlier attempt to steal the tiara was merely to undermine Gu Yanxi. However, the maid persuaded her that Xin Ziqian would likely want to leave with his mother, which stirred Lady Ru's resolve. Xin Ziqian confronted Lady Ru, accusing her of being responsible for the death of the former Madam and for Su Xiaowan's disappearance years ago.
Lady Ru attempted to explain, claiming she was framed and had her own reasons, offering to take him away from the Gu Mansion and clarify everything once they were safe. Ziqian, however, was firm, stating he would not follow a murderer. Lady Ru became distraught, insisting that everything she had done was for him.
She threatened to take her own life if he refused to leave with her, but Ziqian dismissed her threat, noting that she always resorted to such theatrics when things didn't go her way. He declared that from that day forward, she was no longer his mother. Watching her son walk away, Lady Ru broke down in tears, lamenting that her beloved son was gone and that those who loved her had died for her.
Feeling that there was no point in living, she furiously smashed the tiara, proclaiming that she would rather perish with the Gu Mansion than live in misery. Shortly after, Gu Yanxi discovered the tiara was severely damaged, requiring a complete remake. Upon hearing the news, Old Madam fainted. A physician was immediately called, who diagnosed her fainting as a result of her frail health compounded by anger and anxiety, warning that she must not be agitated again.
Gu Yanxi blamed himself for being careless in protecting the tiara while focusing on defeating Song. Su Xiaowan comforted him, reminding him that the damage was discovered in time and there was still a chance to remake it. She urged him to focus on the workshop arrangements, assuring him that she would take care of Old Madam. To expedite the process, Gu Yanxi divided the tiara's reconstruction into six specialized parts, assigning each to artisans skilled in those specific crafts.
The artisans acknowledged that this method would save time, but they voiced concerns that even working concurrently, it would take at least half a month, far exceeding the seven-day deadline. Gu Yanxi simply instructed them to focus on their assigned tasks, promising to handle the deadline himself, urging them all to do their best. Xin Ziqian decided he could no longer stay in the Gu family.
As he prepared to leave, his attendant Yuanshuang pleaded with him to stay, or at least to take her with him. Ziqian refused, stating he didn't even know his own destination, let alone how to care for her, and emphasized that his mother's actions made it impossible for him to remain. He then departed, but Xiao Ya, who had once mended his Cuju uniform and embroidered a small duck to remind him of her, secretly followed him.
When she finally revealed herself, she offered to accompany him, despite his protests about the dangers of a distant journey for a girl. Xiao Ya insisted on following, even if separately, believing she could help him if he encountered trouble. Noticing Xiao Ya still trailing him, Ziqian, concerned for her safety, invited her to an inn for noodles. He ordered a room for himself, noodles, and a jar of wine.
As Xiao Ya voraciously ate her second bowl of noodles, Ziqian was reminded of Su Xiaowan and smiled. When Xiao Ya questioned his amusement, he simply replied that he was thinking of a friend, refusing to elaborate. Undeterred, Xiao Ya pressed him to confide in her, arguing that despite their short acquaintance, they had faced dangers together, and sharing his troubles would ease his mind.
Meanwhile, Su Xiaowan arrived at the workshop with supper and snow fungus soup for Gu Yanxi, who was grateful as he was hungry. She offered to help with the tiara, and he asked her to embed pearls. Watching her focused work brought a smile to his face. However, fearing she would overexert herself, Gu Yanxi pretended to be tired and needed to rest, then insisted on taking her back to her room.
Later, Ziqian confided in Xiao Ya, explaining that his mother's actions had hurt his brother and the Gu family, making him feel he had no choice but to leave, especially since he was not a blood relation to the Gu family. Xiao Ya countered that his brother was reasonable and wouldn't blame him, calling him timid for wanting to abandon his brother during a difficult time.
She emphasized that a true sibling would stay and offer support, even if it was just doing "whatever you can." Her words resonated with Ziqian, improving his spirits. Deciding to stay close, Xiao Ya rented the room adjacent to his. Ziqian, concerned by the late hour and her having consumed alcohol, offered to escort her back, but she insisted on staying in her own room, suggesting they talk more tomorrow.
Gu Yanxi found a quiet place to speak with Su Xiaowan, suggesting she leave for a while until the commotion died down, promising to find her later. He tried to downplay the severity of the situation, claiming that with six skilled craftsmen and a potential extension from the Commandery Prince, the tiara could be remade in half a month. Su Xiaowan saw through his deception, confronting him by asking why he would send her away if it were so easy.
Gu Yanxi admitted his true reason: her presence would distract him. Su Xiaowan firmly refused to leave, declaring, "No matter what happens, I'll face it with you." She vowed to stay by his side through thick and thin, for richer or poorer. She recalled being told by Yuanhe that the worst outcome was banishment for delaying the Noble Consort's birthday gift.
Undeterred, Su Xiaowan promised that if he were banished, she would follow; if he were jailed for ten years, she would wait ten years, or even a lifetime. She even jokingly proposed a plan to commit a minor offense to get herself imprisoned in the cell opposite his, so they could bribe the warden for secret stargazing dates. Overwhelmed by her devotion, Gu Yanxi embraced her.
Their intimate moment was abruptly interrupted by Qiu Xiang, who rushed over, expressing her worry about Su Xiaowan's late return. Su Xiaowan quickly covered by saying she had simply lost track of time talking to him. Gu Yanxi then urged Su Xiaowan to go to bed. Though displeased about the unfinished kiss, Su Xiaowan started to leave. However, Gu Yanxi followed, playfully silencing her with his hand and pulling her behind a large tree.
He declared that "today's tasks must be completed today" and kissed her. Unbeknownst to them, Cheng Qianyu witnessed the embrace, her eyes widening in disbelief as she saw what she perceived to be siblings kissing. Horrified, she fled back to her room, murmuring, "They're siblings. It's impossible." Gu Yanxi walked Su Xiaowan back to her room, lingering at the door before she finally went inside.
Qiu Xiang immediately cornered Su Xiaowan, playfully feigning concern about her absence before directly questioning her about her romantic progress with Gu Yanxi. Qiu Xiang recounted seeing Gu Yanxi reluctantly leave after dropping Su Xiaowan off and pressed for details about their progress: if they had held hands, agreed to marry, or even kissed. Su Xiaowan, flustered and embarrassed, playfully covered herself with a cloak and pretended to be asleep, insisting they talk tomorrow. Qiu Xiang continued to prod but eventually gave up, leaving Su Xiaowan to secretly revel in the sweet memories of her stolen kiss.
