A Love So Romantic Episode 23 Recap
> A Love So Romantic Recap
Upon returning, Mammy Liu had already prepared dinner for Cheng Qianyu and asked about her meeting with Old Madam. Qianyu, with a rare smile, declared it a good day and suggested they celebrate with wine. Meanwhile, Su Xiaowan, concerned about Qianyu, rushed to check on her. She coincidentally encountered Mammy Liu and a maid happily going to fetch wine, stating that Old Madam had agreed to the marriage between Gu Yanxi and Cheng Qianyu, and they were celebrating.
Realizing something was terribly wrong, Su Xiaowan hurried to Qianyu's side, finding her attempting to take her own life. Su Xiaowan's timely intervention saved Qianyu. Mammy Liu was distraught, asking Qianyu why she was so foolish. Qianyu wished she had been left to die in secret, believing she would have left a better impression.
She confided that she did not want to marry the young prince, nor did she want to beg for love like a dog wagging its tail, and absolutely did not want to cause any more trouble for Gu Yanxi. Mammy Liu, however, argued that Gu Yanxi should fulfill his promise to Old Madam and not ignore Qianyu's predicament, especially since Qianyu’s troubles began when she attended the Poetry Night for him.
She even suggested a temporary marriage followed by a divorce. Qianyu refused to let Mammy Liu blame Gu Yanxi, emphasizing her own free will and considering her fate to be due to bad luck. Su Xiaowan interjected, agreeing with Mammy Liu that Gu Yanxi should help Qianyu through this hardship, and offered to persuade him herself, much to Qianyu’s surprise.
Just as Gu Yanxi arrived outside Qianyu's pavilion, Su Xiaowan, unaware of his presence, assured Qianyu that she would convince Gu Yanxi and he would not stand by and let her marry the "wretched person." Gu Yanxi overheard this and departed. Su Xiaowan pursued him to his room. When he tried to send her away, she defiantly sat on his lap, urging him to pretend to marry Qianyu and then divorce her quickly.
Gu Yanxi insisted he could not do it, as a marriage, even a pretend one, would make them husband and wife. Su Xiaowan argued that love was a matter of two hearts, not bound by a piece of paper or a ceremony. She believed that if two hearts were not together, marriage was merely a formality. She further pressed him, pointing out that his grandmother was ill, and if he angered her, it would impact their own future together.
She fantasized about stealing him away to wander the world to escape such problems. Conceding, Gu Yanxi agreed to pretend to marry Qianyu and divorce her immediately after, promising to embark on adventures with Su Xiaowan once all matters were settled. Su Xiaowan then playfully set strict rules for their "pretend" marriage, including no holding hands, hugging, intimate contact, or even affectionate glances. Meanwhile, a servant brought nourishing tea from Physician Ru Ying to Qianyu.
Qianyu confessed to Mammy Liu that she had deliberately rejected Ru Ying earlier to make him give up, hoping to spare him the pain of unrequited love she felt for Gu Yanxi. She wished for a potion to forget Gu Yanxi and end her suffering. Later, Old Madam Gu presented Qianyu with a family heirloom hairpin as she was marrying into the family, and instructed Su Xiaowan to treat Qianyu well.
She also promised to find Su Xiaowan a good husband after Gu Yanxi and Qianyu’s marriage, hoping for double happiness. Gu Yanxi, arriving at that moment, immediately objected to finding Su Xiaowan a husband. Old Madam Gu mistook his reaction as reluctance to see his sister marry. When asked what kind of husband he envisioned for Su Xiaowan, Gu Yanxi described an ideal partner: wealthy, stable to temper her lively personality, intelligent enough to manage her sharp tongue, and handsome.
Qianyu, listening, wryly commented that Gu Yanxi was describing a twin brother for himself, not a husband for Su Xiaowan. Xin Ziqian returned to the mansion, surprised by the festive decorations, and mistakenly assumed Gu Yanxi was marrying Su Xiaowan. He anxiously sought out Su Xiaowan, who explained the situation about Gu Yanxi marrying Qianyu to save her from the young prince, with a plan for a subsequent divorce. Xin Ziqian was visibly relieved to hear this.
Xin Ziqian informed Su Xiaowan of his decision to move out and live independently. He explained that as an adopted son and given his mother's recent actions, it felt inappropriate to remain in the Gu Mansion, and he planned to join the Tianyu Team. Su Xiaowan, reluctant to see him go, busied herself packing various items for him: a hand warmer, medicinal wine, and a self-defense weapon, urging him to take them.
She also reminded him of a doll she had given him for sentimental value. Xin Ziqian, seeing her concern, playfully suggested she should come with him. Su Xiaowan teased that he would then be stuck with her forever, a thought he secretly welcomed. That evening, as Su Xiaowan prepared to see Xin Ziqian off, Gu Yanxi arrived and requested to speak with Xin Ziqian alone.
Su Xiaowan reluctantly stepped aside but secretly tried to eavesdrop, though she couldn't hear their conversation. Gu Yanxi told Xin Ziqian that the Gu Mansion would always be his home. Xin Ziqian then warned Gu Yanxi to protect Su Xiaowan well, stating that if she were ever hurt again, he would not hesitate to take her away. Gu Yanxi confidently declared he would not give Xin Ziqian that opportunity.
After Xin Ziqian departed, Gu Yanxi emerged, teasing Su Xiaowan about her clumsy attempt to listen in. When she pressed him about their conversation, he teasingly refused to tell her, leading to a playful chase as Su Xiaowan tried to make him confess. Xin Ziqian watched their joyful antics, feeling a mix of contentment and melancholy. Xin Ziqian meticulously prepared a new courtyard for himself, even setting up a swing.
He imagined Su Xiaowan there, envisioning her delight in the swing and the entire space, which he had decorated according to her preferences, hoping she would become the mistress of his home. On her wedding day, Mammy Liu noted Qianyu's lack of joy, which Qianyu attributed to the overwhelming events. Meanwhile, Physician Ru Ying, having tirelessly worked day and night to create the "potion that could make one forget" after overhearing Qianyu's wish, burst in excitedly, unaware of the wedding.
He was shocked to find Qianyu in her red bridal attire. Ru Ying revealed he had secretly visited her after her suicide attempt and heard her wish for the potion. Still harboring hope, he demanded she swear that she had no feelings for him, threatening that if she did, her marriage would end in an unfortunate divorce.
To convince him, Qianyu swore to the heavens that if she, Cheng Qianyu, harbored any affection for him, her marriage would end unhappily in a divorce. Satisfied, Ru Ying, heartbroken, wished her happiness, a blissful life, and many children before sadly departing. As he left, a fleeting look of regret crossed Qianyu's face, her expression still somber on her wedding day.
