Ashes of Love Episode 15 Recap, Plot

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As Jin Mi and Luo Lin approached the Empyrean Cloud Palace, Run Yu intercepted them. He bowed low to Luo Lin, apologizing for having fallen in love with Jin Mi, which would mean breaking his engagement to the Water Immortal's eldest daughter. He declared his heart would only belong to Jin Mi, and he was willing to abandon his immortal title or be demoted to the Human Realm for her.

Jin Mi, hearing this, was confused, wondering why he claimed to love her but couldn't marry her, given that she was indeed Luo Lin's eldest daughter. Luo Lin, understanding Run Yu's intent to create a false impression, simply told him to rise and acknowledged his devotion, instructing him not to forget his words, before leading Jin Mi away. Inside the palace, Xu Feng captivated the assembly with his performance on the magnificent Phoenix Harp.

The Heavenly Empress proudly extolled Xu Feng’s dual talents and his mastery of the instrument. Just then, Luo Lin and Jin Mi entered. Luo Lin immediately approached the Heavenly Emperor, requesting he retrieve the five-thousand-year fire-element magical power from his daughter. He then revealed the shocking truth: Jin Mi was his daughter with the late Floral Immortal, Zi Fen. This revelation stunned everyone, except Xu Feng, who appeared visibly overjoyed.

The Heavenly Empress, however, scoffed, insisting Jin Mi was merely a grape spirit and accusing Luo Lin of being fooled. Yet, the Moon Elder noted Jin Mi's striking resemblance to Zi Fen, a comment the Heavenly Empress swiftly dismissed. Luo Lin pressed the Heavenly Emperor, hinting at sinister reasons behind Zi Fen’s need to suppress Jin Mi’s powers at birth, and questioned the true cause of Zi Fen’s death, subtly refuting the official narrative of "destiny."

He implied the involvement of "Poison Fire," a powerful and exclusive skill of Fire Immortals, hinting at its use in Zi Fen's demise. Amidst this tense exchange, Run Yu arrived, apologizing for his delay. The Heavenly Emperor then asked Luo Lin to reveal Jin Mi's true form so he could remove her fiery spirit. Luo Lin divulged that Jin Mi was a six-petal Frost Blossom, born on a frosty night with a naturally cold constitution.

After confirming Jin Mi's cold essence, the Heavenly Emperor affirmed she was not his daughter and proceeded to remove her five-thousand-year magical power. To the dismay of many, particularly Xu Feng, the Heavenly Emperor then formally betrothed Jin Mi, as the Water Immortal's eldest daughter, to Run Yu. Jin Mi, still naive to the complexities of the situation, expressed that Run Yu was a kind and righteous person, and readily accepted the marriage, thanking the Heavenly Emperor and her father.

Run Yu then presented Jin Mi with a grapevine hairpin. Seeing the Phoenix Hairpin on Jin Mi, Run Yu mentioned Xu Feng had lost it in the Human Realm and suggested it was time for its return. Jin Mi, however, protested that Xu Feng had already gifted it to her.

The Heavenly Empress, trying to alleviate the awkwardness, declared the day a "triple blessing" – Water Immortal gaining a daughter, Night Immortal gaining a wife, and Fire Immortal retrieving his lost item – before the Heavenly Emperor abruptly ended the feast. Later, as Run Yu attempted to return the Phoenix Hairpin to Xu Feng, Xu Feng refused, stating that a gift, once given, should not be taken back.

He added that he had lost more than just that hairpin to Jin Mi, and if she wished to return anything, she should return "everything", or nothing at all. Jin Mi, misinterpreting his words, feared he meant the one thousand years of magical power he had transferred to her. She adamantly refused to return anything, clutching the hairpin. Xu Feng, seeing her reaction, simply arranged to meet her at Liuzi Pond the following evening.

Meanwhile, Jin Mi confided in her father and Run Yu that she felt no one was truly happy about her newfound identity. Run Yu gently asked if she was happy, and when she affirmed she was, he reassured her that both he and her father were happy too. Sui He, observing Xu Feng's dejection, approached him and attempted to gauge his feelings for Jin Mi.

She expressed feigned surprise at Jin Mi being the Water Immortal's daughter and Run Yu's fiancée, labeling them a "perfect match." She then provocatively accused Jin Mi of being a "frivolous girl" who, despite her engagement to Run Yu, continued to "mess around" with Xu Feng's heart. Xu Feng dismissed her concerns, stating he knew Jin Mi's character well. Sui He then sternly reminded him of his identity and the boundaries he must not cross.

Luo Lin and the Wind God discussed Zi Fen's past. The Wind God expressed deep regret over Zi Fen's sufferings and vowed to seek justice. Luo Lin, also blaming himself for trusting the Heavenly Emperor, revealed that Zi Fen had concealed her hardships to protect them from acting rashly. They both acknowledged that self-reproach was futile now.

Luo Lin saw Jin Mi's return as a chance for atonement, vowing to be her sole support, a pledge the Wind God echoed, declaring Jin Mi her own daughter as well. The Moon Elder found a despondent Xu Feng and tried to lift his spirits, pointing out that Jin Mi and Run Yu were only engaged, not married, leaving Xu Feng with many opportunities.

Xu Feng confided that while he always shared everything with Run Yu, he could not bring himself to share Jin Mi. He worried if he was being selfish. The Moon Elder assured him this was "true love" and advised him to stop overthinking obstacles like the Heavenly Emperor's and Heavenly Empress's disapproval, or even Run Yu being his brother.

The most crucial step, the Moon Elder emphasized, was to ascertain Jin Mi's true feelings; if their love was mutual, no power in the Six Realms could separate them. Xu Feng's subordinate reported that the black-clad assailant, last seen entering Luoxiang Mansion, had not re-emerged, and noted the Rat Immortal's frequent visits to the Water Immortal for chess, suggesting them as prime suspects. Xu Feng, however, found this too simplistic.

He reasoned that given the Water Immortal and Run Yu's intelligence, they wouldn't leave such obvious traces if they were truly involved. Instead, he theorized the man in black was orchestrating a larger scheme to sow discord between him, Run Yu, and the Water Immortal. Believing the culprit would resurface, Xu Feng ordered his forces to create a deceptive impression that the investigation had ceased, while discreetly sending a few sharp operatives to continue monitoring.

Meanwhile, the Rat Immortal sought out Luo Lin, offering a humble apology for inadvertently revealing Jin Mi's true form. Luo Lin, however, thanked him, explaining that this accidental revelation allowed him to find his daughter. The Rat Immortal then invited Luo Lin to finish a game of "Shi E Shi" chess with Mr. Dongting, but Luo Lin declined, citing the game's "fierce killing moves" and recognizing it as Mr. Dongting's veiled invitation to political involvement.

Luo Lin expressed that for him, chess was now merely a means to achieve a peaceful mind, and he advised Mr. Dongting, through the Rat Immortal, to calm his spirit, rather than dwelling on past sorrows. He reiterated his disinterest in power and conflict, stating he now only desired a peaceful life with his daughter, and that Mr. Dongting could not sway him.

Luo Lin declared the game a tie, and the Rat Immortal, understanding his message, promised not to disturb him again. The Heavenly Empress and Sui He discussed Jin Mi and Run Yu's engagement, with the Empress asserting that Run Yu was merely consolidating power to challenge Xu Feng. She insisted that Sui He and Xu Feng's marriage be swiftly arranged to solidify Xu Feng's position and deter others.

Sui He expressed doubts about Xu Feng’s feelings, but the Heavenly Empress urged her to be more assertive. Sui He countered that Xu Feng was oblivious to her but keenly aware of Jin Mi. Xu Feng then entered, and Sui He hid. The Heavenly Empress pressed Xu Feng about his marriage to Sui He, arguing it was necessary to counter Run Yu's growing influence.

Xu Feng defiantly refused, stating he only wished to marry his beloved, unlike his mother, who would sacrifice love for power. Angered, the Heavenly Empress accused him of prioritizing happiness over imperial ambitions. Xu Feng, dismissing her words as irrelevant outside their private conversation, departed for his military duties, leaving the Heavenly Empress to lament that he must eventually understand her reasons and marry Sui He.

Sui He, having overheard the exchange, was heartbroken and deepened her resentment towards Jin Mi. Finally, the Heavenly Emperor confronted Luo Lin, who could no longer hide his resentment. The Heavenly Emperor confessed his enduring love for Zi Fen, admitting his jealousy had driven him to hurt her and arrange Luo Lin's marriage to the Wind God. He revealed his regret that Zi Fen had died filled with sorrow.

Luo Lin, however, questioned how he could truly bear the consequences when his daughter had been deprived of her mother for four millennia. The Heavenly Emperor, filled with self-reproach, pleaded with Luo Lin, as a friend, to forgive him and Zi Fen. Luo Lin refused to forgive him, stating he would be betraying Zi Fen's memory if he did. He declared his intention to honor Zi Fen's dying wish by refraining from seeking revenge.

The Heavenly Emperor, framing Zi Fen's sacrifice as a means to achieve broader peace, promised to host the grandest wedding for Run Yu and Jin Mi, hoping it would be a small recompense. Luo Lin bitterly responded that he would never have allowed his daughter to be entangled with the Heavenly Realm again had he not believed Jin Mi had already fallen for Run Yu. The Heavenly Emperor assured him he would treat Jin Mi sincerely and warned Luo Lin not to harbor resentment, given his significant influence.

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