Ashes of Love Episode 22 Recap, Plot

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Xu Feng deduced that Duke Nanping was likely responsible for poisoning his food and colluding with Liangguo to set an ambush. Seeing imperial guards searching nearby, he decided to return quickly to address the matter. Meanwhile, Jin Mi, on her journey, wondered why her heart had been beating so fast and felt sore and swollen, a sensation entirely new to her.

Yan You arrived at Yunmeng Lake to visit his Master, who chastised him for not returning since Rat Immortal’s death, implying he would not have come if not summoned. Yan You, pledging his sincerity, listened as his Master acknowledged the blow of Rat Immortal’s demise but urged him to move past it and look forward.

She then revealed that the Spirit-Vanishing Arrow had reappeared and ordered Yan You to retrieve it and kill Xu Feng, emphasizing that Xu Feng was now a weaker mortal. Yan You expressed his reservations, citing their previous failed attempt that led to Rat Immortal's death and asking if Rat Immortal was merely a pawn. His Master countered that Rat Immortal was loyal and had gathered invaluable intelligence, making it impossible to abandon their cause.

Yan You then relayed Rat Immortal’s final advice to "haste makes waste" and questioned his Master’s relentless hatred, reminding her that Water Immortal had saved her. Angered, his Master dismissed his words, asking if he understood what it was like to live on the charity and pity of others. Yan You reiterated his unwavering loyalty but raised the unsettling question of who would remain to serve her if he, too, were to fall.

His Master softened, confessing that she could only depend on him and urged him to take extreme caution while confronting Xu Feng. As Yan You prepared to leave, he noticed a young carp elf who, despite having food and new clothes, longed to roll in a mud puddle. Yan You promised to take him there. Liu Ying discovered her mansion sealed and herself pursued by captors.

While fighting a group of trackers in a forest, she was rescued by Qi Yuan. He brought her to a dilapidated courtyard and healed her injuries by transferring his magic power, allowing her to recover significantly. Xu Feng prepared a meal, offering it as payment for Jin Mi’s medical care. Jin Mi refused, stating that she now considered him a friend and did not need material rewards.

She expressed her happiness at meeting him, having grown up in isolation within the Saint Doctor Family. Xu Feng then promised to fulfill one of her wishes once he was fully recovered. Jin Mi, amused, scoffed at the idea of a "bandit" fulfilling her dreams, but she added that she might, in turn, help him if he ever had a wish, and they made a pact.

Jin Mi then lamented that their paths would likely diverge, reflecting on their equally precarious lives. She candidly revealed her identity as the Saint Girl, trained in medicine for fifteen years, yet Xu Feng was her very first patient. Her purpose, she explained, was to concoct the Elixir of Life for King Yi; failure meant she would become a burial object in the imperial mausoleum upon his death.

Believing King Yi's past massacres would lead to a short life, she concluded her own time was also limited. With tea, she toasted Xu Feng, thanking him for showing her the profound meaning of life and the joy of helping others in her humble existence. She then realized he couldn't hear her. Later, as Jin Mi slept, Xu Feng watched her, pondering the enigma of her character. Xu Feng departed while Jin Mi was still asleep, leaving a farewell letter.

He reasoned that returning directly to King Yi's Palace would be dangerous given Duke Nanping's long-standing plots, so he headed to Beiyuan Villa, a secure stronghold where his trusted troops were stationed, to plan his next move. Jin Mi awoke to find Xu Feng gone. She searched for "Crow," wondering if he had vanished like night dew.

Upon finding his letter, she read his gratitude for her care, his apology for leaving without a direct goodbye due to urgent family matters, and his reaffirmation of his promise despite their different paths, wishing her well. Jin Mi felt a deep sense of disappointment and even anger that he had left so abruptly after recovering, without a face-to-face farewell, especially since she hadn't even charged him for his treatment.

In the Floral Realm, Moon Immortal mischievously tied a red thread between Mr. Hu and Chief Peony. Mr. Hu, affected by the charm, playfully offered Chief Peony carrots, calling her "Peony" or "Dandan." Chief Peony, highly displeased, accused him of wanting to die for flirting. Mr. Hu dramatically declared it romantic to die for a beauty, but Chief Peony, dismissing Moon Immortal as "flower fertilizer," ordered Mr. Hu to be locked in the rabbit hutch.

Mr. Hu cried out for help and apologized profusely from inside the hutch. Moon Immortal arrived, calming Mr. Hu, but then chided him for causing trouble in the Floral Realm instead of teasing the celestial children in Heaven. Mr. Hu complained he was bored without Jin Mi and Xu Feng around, recounting how the rabbits had nearly peeled his "old radish skin."

Moon Immortal playfully suggested tying him to Lian Qiao, which Mr. Hu vehemently rejected, citing their generational familial ties and calling Moon Immortal’s matchmaking "unusual." Moon Immortal then sighed, wishing for Jin Mi and Xu Feng’s return, as he was utterly bored. Chief Peony expressed her worries about Jin Mi's well-being in the mortal world, now that she was a vulnerable mortal.

Another Floral Immortal tried to reassure her, suggesting that an early death would simply hasten her return from tribulation. Chief Peony, however, was concerned about non-mortal threats, identifying Heavenly Empress as the most likely danger. The other Floral Immortals reminded her of Heavenly Emperor’s special decree, prohibiting all immortals from interfering with Jin Mi's tribulation, a measure clearly aimed at restraining Heavenly Empress.

They also pointed out that Night Immortal was watching over Jin Mi daily, assuring Chief Peony that Jin Mi would return safely soon. Chief Peony reflected that she had always been overly protective, but realized it was time to let Jin Mi experience and grow on her own. At the Saint Doctor Family, Jin Mi returned from collecting herbs, bracing herself for punishment for secretly taking the Snow Ginseng. Qiang Huo and Auntie welcomed her warmly.

Auntie even offered to cook her egg noodles. Jin Mi mentioned her month-long trip to Luoye Mountain and promised to share her discoveries with the younger girls. She inquired about the tribe’s well-being and was relieved to hear everything was in order. Later, Qiang Huo privately confessed that she had not reported Jin Mi's actions, agreeing that the Elixir was better used to help someone in need, and reassuring Jin Mi that she chose her over the precious ginseng.

Qiang Huo warned Jin Mi not to act so boldly again. When asked, Jin Mi confirmed that Xu Feng had recovered, but mused that it took her a full month instead of the three days predicted in her texts, concluding that practical experience often trumped written knowledge. Back in King Yi’s Palace, Duke Nanping argued for an immediate funeral for Xu Feng, citing his disappearance and the internal and external unrest plaguing Huaiwu.

Sui He, however, vehemently insisted that Xu Feng was alive and vowed to find him, declaring her lifelong dream was to marry him and refusing to allow a funeral. Just then, a servant burst in with the news: King Yi had returned safely. Sui He rushed to the palace but was stopped by guards. Qin Tong informed her that Xu Feng was resting and could not be disturbed, requesting she return the next day.

Behind closed doors, Xu Feng praised Qin Tong’s efficiency, but then questioned how Sui He was dismissed, implicitly reminding Qin Tong of his place. Xu Feng surmised that a mole had leaked his hunting plans to Liangguo. Qin Tong offered to investigate, but Xu Feng, feigning continued weakness, decided to postpone the discussion until the next day and dismissed Qin Tong.

Later, in a meeting, Duke Nanping, observing Xu Feng's feigned fragility, suggested summoning the Saint Girl from the Saint Doctor Family to treat him. Xu Feng immediately recognized this referred to Jin Mi and initially refused, not wanting to involve her, claiming he was feeling much better. However, Duke Nanping insisted that the King was the foundation of Huaiwu and that it was the Saint Doctor Family’s mission to ensure his health.

Other ministers quickly echoed Duke Nanping’s suggestion, leaving Xu Feng no choice but to reluctantly agree. He noted Duke Nanping’s quick action in obtaining the imperial edict and dispatching men to fetch the Saint Girl. Xu Feng secretly ordered Qin Tong to personally lead a team of elite subordinates to ensure the Saint Girl’s safety. Qin Tong expressed concern about leaving Xu Feng unprotected given the potential killer, but Xu Feng assured him he had his own plans.

The next day, Sui He visited Xu Feng, asking about his health and mentioning Qin Tong’s report of his weakness. She proudly presented a bowl of soup she had personally stewed with the finest ingredients, claiming it would alleviate his fatigue. Xu Feng thanked her but, citing exhaustion from court discussions, asked a servant to take the soup and requested to rest. Sui He left, saddened, wondering when Xu Feng would ever acknowledge her genuine affection.

Later, as Xu Feng drank the soup, his mind wandered to a memory of Jin Mi, when she tasted some grapes he had offered, only to call him a liar for saying they were sweet when they were, in fact, sour. A faint smile touched his lips. At the Saint Doctor Family, Jin Mi and the other girls were unexpectedly summoned to the Saint Girl Hall. Jin Mi, fearing discovery, was worried about the missing Snow Ginseng.

Auntie sternly demanded to know its whereabouts, explaining that an inquiry from the capital had led to the discovery of the missing herb, which had been under Jin Mi’s care. In a moment of panic, Jin Mi blurted out that she had already refined the Longevity Qiankun Elixir, but had consumed it herself for testing, fearing any misstep with King Yi’s medicine.

Auntie was aghast, scolding Jin Mi for daring to take such an important and rare ingredient without consulting the elders. Immediately, Qiang Huo stepped forward, claiming responsibility, saying she had taken the medicine due to illness, mistaking it for a common pill, unaware it was the Longevity Qiankun Elixir. Jin Mi quickly countered, denying Qiang Huo's claim and taking full blame. As the two friends passionately argued over who was responsible, a tribesman arrived, announcing an imperial edict from King Yi, summoning the Saint Girl to the palace.

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