Ashes of Love Episode 23 Recap, Plot

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When King Yi sends an edict to invite the Saint Girl for healing, Qiang Huo expresses her fear that Jin Mi might be forced to be an immolation. Jin Mi offers to go herself, suggesting that if she remains unharmed, it will prove the Longevity Qiankun Elixir was successfully refined, and she will then find another Snow Ginseng to remake it. She promises to uphold the Saint Doctors’ Family regulations.

Chief Peony, recognizing that arguing is futile, instructs Jin Mi to assess King Yi's condition. As Jin Mi prepares to leave, she reassures Chief Peony not to worry about the clan's affairs and to choose the next Saint Girl if she does not return. Chief Peony cautions her to be extremely careful at Beiyuan Villa, to stay within her bounds, and to never forget her duty. Jin Mi vows to remember these teachings.

Chief Peony then tasks Qiang Huo with taking care of Jin Mi and reporting King Yi’s health. Before departing, Jin Mi secretly confesses to Chief Peony that she was the one who ate the elixir, asking her not to blame Qiang Huo if anything happens to her. Qiang Huo later teases Jin Mi for her daring lie, admitting her own naiveté.

Upon arriving in the capital, Jin Mi and Qiang Huo are immediately drawn to the local delicacies, buying steamed buns and pastries. A fortune-teller, who is actually Yan You in disguise, approaches them. He correctly deduces they are close friends on an important mission and warns them of impending doom. He then reveals a portrait strikingly similar to Jin Mi, claiming she is a fairy descended to the mortal world to find a beloved man.

Qiang Huo quickly denies this, stating that Saint Girls never marry. The fortune-teller then pronounces the man's name as "Yan You," confusing both Jin Mi and Qiang Huo. Before he can further elaborate on his "Pictures about the Beauties in the Six Realms" and cryptic notes, Duke Nanping’s guards intervene. An officer rudely dismisses the fortune-teller and invites Jin Mi to the House of Fragrance for tea. The fortune-teller warns the guards of impending misfortune.

Before leaving, an officer invites the fortune-teller to Beiyuan Villa the next day for a reward, which Yan You readily accepts. At the House of Fragrance, Duke Nanping meets Jin Mi, introduced by his officer. He expresses deep concern for King Yi's health, linking it to the stability of the Huaiwu country, and seeks Jin Mi's expertise to ensure King Yi's longevity for the welfare of his people.

Jin Mi affirms her commitment to her duty, promising to do her best to cure King Yi. Duke Nanping then requests to speak with Jin Mi alone. He threatens her, demanding constant updates on King Yi’s health and the severity of his illness. He reminds her of the Saint Doctors’ Family regulation that the Saint Girl must be buried with King Yi if he dies.

He assures her that if she cooperates, she will save not only her own life but also the safety of her entire clan. Afterwards, Qiang Huo anxiously asks what was discussed. Jin Mi downplays the threat, falsely claiming that Duke Nanping merely asked her to closely monitor King Yi's health. Lord Liaoyuan reports Jin Mi’s journey to Xu Feng, mentioning the mysterious fortune-teller and her subsequent visit to the House of Fragrance before being taken to the posthouse.

Xu Feng, suspicious of the fortune-teller, orders Lord Liaoyuan to investigate him first, confident he can deduce what transpired at the House of Fragrance. Observing Jin Mi’s arrival with a large entourage, Xu Feng laments that he wanted to keep her out of harm's way before the court situation stabilized. However, since she is already involved, he resolves to protect her amidst the chaos.

Later, Qiang Huo observes that King Yi seems in no hurry for treatment and that there are no consorts in Beiyuan Villa, despite his renowned handsomeness. Jin Mi deduces this can only mean King Yi suffers from a "male hidden ailment." She goes on to explain the medicinal properties of the herb Qiang Huo, particularly its ability to "reinforce Yang" and treat "kidney deficiency." When King Yi summons her, Jin Mi takes his pulse, finding it normal and healthy.

Yet, King Yi feigns symptoms of discomfort in his heart and liver, along with dizziness, poor appetite, and insomnia. Jin Mi, believing these are fabricated symptoms to mislead her, becomes more convinced of his "hidden ailment." She assures him that as a doctor, her gender is irrelevant, and she is an expert in such matters. She boldly recommends the herb Qiang Huo to treat his "kidney deficiency." Offended, Xu Feng chastises her for such impropriety as a young woman.

He declares himself perfectly healthy, dismissing her services as unnecessary. He then produces their shared conversation manuscripts. Jin Mi recognizes them, and, mistakenly believing "Crow" to be King Yi’s enemy, she tearfully confesses to stealing the Snow Ginseng to save a wounded friend (Crow), whom she didn't realize was an enemy of the king. She adds that he disappeared after being healed. Xu Feng, amused by her misunderstanding, asks if she regrets saving him.

Jin Mi adamantly states "Never," explaining that a doctor's compassion compels them to save lives, just as a chevalier must help the needy. She saved Crow instinctively, without regret. She then offers her life, requesting a swift death and mercy for her clan. Xu Feng asks if she is truly willing to die for Crow, to which she reiterates her plea for her clan's safety. He then gently urges her to rise and look at him.

Jin Mi hesitates, describing his majestic and overwhelming presence that she dares not face. " So stubborn!" Xu Feng remarks, before helping her up and revealing, "I'm Crow." Jin Mi is shocked and relieved, apologizing for her earlier irreverent remarks, now realizing her "Crow" is indeed King Yi. She wonders if this is a "blessing in disguise," hoping he intends to repay her kindness.

A battle report interrupts their moment, and Xu Feng instructs his attendant to accompany him to his study, as the Saint Girl has completed her diagnosis. Meanwhile, Run Yu, uneasy about Jin Mi's tribulation, decides to interfere despite heavenly rules. He visits the Flower Realm, informing the Water God and Chief Peony of his plan to descend and protect Jin Mi.

He affirms that he is willing to break the rules and risk an unrequited love for her sake, stating he would rather waste his life with her than without her. Alone again, Jin Mi reflects on the revelation that Crow is King Yi and she saved her own life. However, she remains anxious about not truly diagnosing his illness and facing Duke Nanping.

Puzzled about who might have poisoned King Yi, she notices his annotations on the manuscripts and realizes he had lied about being unable to speak or hear, writing down everything she said to embarrass her. Despite her annoyance, she quickly forgives him, happy that he is safe. She then prays to a "great immortal" for King Yi's health and longevity, hoping to postpone her own death alongside him. Suddenly, Run Yu appears.

Jin Mi is overjoyed, initially believing she is dreaming, but soon realizes his real presence. She tells him she has dreamed of him since childhood, and no one believed her. Run Yu confesses that he could only accompany her in dreams as a primordial spirit before, but now he fears losing her if he doesn't appear in person. Jin Mi mistakenly identifies him as the King of Medicine, Sun Zhenren, sent to encourage her studies.

Run Yu humbly clarifies that he is merely a "deer-herding immortal," without his deer. Feeling she has inadvertently embarrassed him, Jin Mi tries to comfort him by citing famous immortals like Sun Wukong, who rose from a "Supervisor for Heavenly Horses" to the "Great Sage Equaling Heaven," and Zhang Guolao, who herded donkeys before becoming one of the Eight Immortals, concluding that Run Yu’s future is boundless.

Touched, Run Yu notes that her words are "exactly the same" as those of a friend he once knew. Jin Mi, excited by this "immortal connection," asks if his friend is also an immortal, which Run Yu confirms. Feeling their "destiny is not only a little bit" intertwined, Run Yu asks Jin Mi to call him "Run Yu," to which she affectionately responds, "Immortal Run Yu."

Meanwhile, Liu Ying follows a distinctive scent to Beiyuan Villa, wondering if it's a coincidence. She confronts Qi Yuan, demanding to know his identity, why he used his psychic power to save her, and why he infiltrated the villa. Spotting the Spirit-Vanishing Arrow, she engages him in a fierce fight. During their battle, Liu Ying recognizes his fighting style, which is identical to that of Mu Ci, her former love.

She asks if he is an old friend she once knew. Qi Yuan retorts that as a Demon Princess, she should be focused on killing him upon seeing the Spirit-Vanishing Arrow, not asking questions. As he comments on the beauty of the Demon Realm sky, a memory resurfaces: Mu Ci giving Liu Ying a pure brass piece for her birthday, which he had spent three months searching for in the mortal world.

He explains that her Demon Bone Whip is difficult to adorn, so he intends to engrave her name on this brass piece for her weapon, knowing her envy of Xuan Shou’s sword tassels. Liu Ying wants to engrave it with magic, but Mu Ci insists they engrave it together in Qingtian Cave, ensuring their shared time and engraved names become an everlasting memory, a gift far more meaningful than any other. Liu Ying cherishes the gift, promising to carry it forever. The flashback ends, and Liu Ying cries out, "It's your voice, Mu Ci!"

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