Butterflied Lover Episode 11 Recap
> Butterflied Lover Recap
The Grand Marshal summoned Ling Changjin, questioning why he hadn't reported the private killing of the Young Master of the Yilan Clan. Ling Changjin replied that he merely killed an Yilan person, but The Grand Marshal accused him of still resenting him over the death of his eldest sister and for defying his will. Ling Changjin dismissed this, stating he understood his father's decisions to protect the city.
The Grand Marshal pressed further, asking if Ling Changjin had burned all the butterfly slaves in the city, suspecting that Ling Changfeng, due to his soft heart, had secretly asked Ling Changjin to handle them. Ling Changjin denied this, claiming he was handling them himself, to which The Grand Marshal scoffed, pointing out that Ling Changjin hadn't left his residence in days. He acknowledged Ling Changjin's new marriage but warned him against being overly indulgent.
Ling Changjin, saying he had other matters, then departed. The Grand Marshal lamented that both his sons were unreliable: Ling Changfeng was too soft-hearted, and Ling Changjin was unpredictable. He emphasized the danger posed by the butterfly slaves in the city and insisted they must all be eliminated. Faced with the challenge that the Mokui flowers needed for this had not yet bloomed, The Grand Marshal resolved to find a way to make them blossom prematurely.
Ling Changjin, convinced that Tang Qianyue was a butterfly slave, arranged for her and Ling Changfeng to join him for tea. Ling Changfeng inquired about the sudden invitation. Ling Changjin replied that he invited them as a family gathering since they missed his wedding. Tang Qianyue expressed surprise at learning that Ling Changjin and Ling Changfeng were half-brothers. Ling Changjin then served them tea made with Mokui flowers and encouraged them to try it.
Ling Changfeng tasted it first, then, feigning concern, advised Tang Qianyue not to drink it, citing her recent recovery from a cold and her delicate health. He also warned Bao Zhu to drink less, prompting Bao Zhu to refuse it entirely. Ling Changfeng then made an excuse that he and Tang Qianyue needed to visit a shop, and they departed.
As they left, Tang Qianyue whispered to Ling Changfeng, saying she believed Ling Changjin had discovered her identity, and Ling Changfeng urged her to discuss it outside. Ling Changjin remained convinced that Tang Qianyue was a butterfly slave, despite his aide's doubts, who pointed out that Tang Qianyue had been in Hualing City for years and wouldn't have remained safe if she truly were one.
Ling Changjin explained that the Yilan Clan had a unique way of awakening the Gu poison, allowing their members to hide among ordinary people for years, only revealing themselves when the Gu poison was activated. His aide questioned why Tang Qianyue appeared normal, unlike the butterfly slaves seen on New Year's Eve. Ling Changjin recalled "The Collection of Hundred Gu Poisons" which stated that Yilan people could retain their consciousness after being afflicted with the butterfly Gu, unlike outsiders.
He concluded that if Tang Qianyue was from the Yilan Clan, this explained her difference. Believing Tang Qianyue was a crucial clue to uncovering the mastermind behind the butterfly slave unrest, Ling Changjin was determined to confirm her identity to avenge his sister. His aide reminded him that only Kirin blood could draw out butterfly slaves, but their existing supply had already been used to nourish his eldest sister's butterfly Gu.
Therefore, Ling Changjin decided he would have to obtain Kirin blood from Bao Zhu, an unusual move as he rarely dined with her. He Xi expressed concern over Bao Zhu's unhealed hand, but Bao Zhu dismissed it, saying she simply hadn't removed the gauze. Ling Changjin then arrived, and Bao Zhu greeted him excitedly. Ling Changjin sent He Xi away, stating he would dine with Bao Zhu himself, despite He Xi's protests about serving the princess.
Bao Zhu reassured He Xi, telling him to leave them alone. Once the door was closed, Ling Changjin asked Bao Zhu if she knew his intentions. Bao Zhu confirmed she did, recounting how he had taken her blood on their wedding night, made her consume tonics, and forced her to exercise, all while emphasizing her life's importance. She revealed she had since realized she possessed Kirin blood and understood his actions.
She offered her uninjured left hand for him to take blood, but Ling Changjin hesitated, suggesting her right hand again to avoid suspicion if both hands were bandaged. He questioned if she was truly willing. Bao Zhu simply stated he must have his purpose. To further allay He Xi's suspicions, Bao Zhu deliberately smashed a bowl, intending to claim she cut herself on the fragments.
Ling Changjin then, with a brief warning that he wouldn't be soft, cut her hand and collected the Kirin blood. Ling Changjin, accompanied by numerous guards and carrying the Kirin blood, arrived at Ling Changfeng's residence, the clang of the door's copper bell alerting Ling Changfeng. Ling Changfeng quickly told Tang Qianyue to hide and went to confront them. Ling Changjin explained they were there to apprehend butterfly slaves, as he heard one had entered the residence.
Ling Changfeng denied any butterfly slave presence, asserting his house was quiet and suggesting any potential members were scared off by Ling Changjin's large entourage. When Ling Changjin questioned his certainty, Ling Changfeng affirmed it. Ling Changjin then revealed the Kirin blood, intending to use it to detect any hidden butterfly slaves. Ling Changfeng, in a fury, drew his sword, accusing Ling Changjin of seeking death.
Ling Changjin, with his guards ready, reminded Ling Changfeng of his promise not to harm civilians from Dongxun Village but insisted on eliminating Yilan Clan members to avenge their sister and protect his family from further disturbance. Ling Changjin's aide noted that if butterfly slaves were present, they should have appeared by now.
Ling Changfeng criticized Ling Changjin's relentless hatred for the Yilan Clan, arguing that killing them would only perpetuate their desire for revenge, leading to more tragedies like New Year's Eve, where many innocent people suffered. Ling Changjin dismissed Ling Changfeng's compassion as naive, stating it wouldn't save the person he loved most, and then departed with his guards, baffled as to why the Kirin blood hadn't drawn out Tang Qianyue.
Once they were gone, Ling Changfeng rushed inside to find Tang Qianyue. Tang Qianyue revealed she had managed to control herself and not rush out, showing him the chains she had used to bind herself. Ling Changfeng realized she had prepared for this. He then asked if she had similarly shackled herself during the seven days she took the Mokui soup, surmising from the Yilan Clan's "Collection of Hundred Gu Poisons" and her past disappearance.
Tang Qianyue was surprised he knew about the Mokui soup. Ling Changfeng apologized for not protecting her on New Year's Eve and urged her to confide in him about future events. Tang Qianyue then revealed to Ling Changfeng that she was pregnant. Later, Ling Changfeng confronted Ling Changjin, accusing him of hurting Bao Zhu by taking her Kirin blood again, questioning if her previous hand injury was also his doing.
He reminded Ling Changjin that Bao Zhu believed she was marrying the man she loved and asked if he could truly feel at ease treating her this way. Upon Ling Changjin's return to his residence, Bao Zhu greeted him excitedly, asking why he was late. Noticing a neck injury on him, she immediately expressed concern and gently led him to treat it, despite his protests.
Ling Changjin, unable to comprehend her actions, questioned why she would care for him when he had harmed her. Bao Zhu explained that her late father taught her that "human life is of utmost importance, worth a thousand pieces of gold." She believed Ling Changjin wouldn't take her blood without a significant reason and wanted to know its purpose. When Ling Changjin finally admitted it was to save a very important person, Bao Zhu was visibly moved, embracing him.
She declared he could take as much blood as she had in the future. Ling Changjin, dismissing her offer as naive, told her to rest. He then put her to bed, watching her sleep, feeling conflicted by her unwavering trust and compassion. He wondered how she could sleep so soundly and without any worries.
