Butterflied Lover Episode 18 Recap
> Butterflied Lover Recap
Bao Zhu’s health continued to decline, and He Xi, her attendant, worried that Dr. Xun’s prescribed medicine was doing little to help her. Despite the prolonged treatment, there were no signs of improvement. One day, feeling particularly weak and pale, Bao Zhu asked He Xi to assist her outside for a stroll, finding the confinement at home unbearable. Ling Changjin observed their encounter, expecting Bao Zhu to approach him when she pulled her hand from He Xi’s grasp.
However, Bao Zhu walked past him without a glance, leaving him feeling deeply disheartened. Later that night, Ling Changjin found Bao Zhu shivering in her sleep, even with ample warmth in her room. He carefully tucked her in, his mind consumed with finding a cure for her mysterious illness. The following morning, Ling Changjin overheard Bao Zhu asking He Xi for sugar to lessen the bitterness of her medicine, realizing she had been taking it for a considerable time.
Growing suspicious of Dr. Xun’s inability to cure her, Ling Changjin urged Bao Zhu to seek other physicians, believing they could surely heal her. Bao Zhu insisted she only had a common chill and there was no need for concern. However, as Ling Changjin tried to lead her away, Bao Zhu cried out in pain.
He then discovered a blood-stained bandage on her arm, a stark indication that she had been secretly extracting Kirin blood, as Ling Changfeng had given her Kirin blood half a year ago, claiming it was meant to save the elder sister (Ah Jie). Just then, Kun Qing rushed in with urgent news of the elder sister’s worsening condition. Ling Changjin and Bao Zhu hurried into the secret chamber.
Bao Zhu, overwhelmed with guilt, confessed that her elder sister’s plight was because of her, despite Ling Changjin’s past warnings not to disturb her. She pleaded with Ling Changjin to let her try one more time with her Kirin blood, arguing that another attempt would make no difference given their numerous failures. Ling Changjin, however, finally realized his profound error, admitting he had erred from the very beginning by tormenting himself with false hope.
He declared that he could no longer allow Bao Zhu to harm herself in his quest to save his elder sister and firmly decided to bring an end to their efforts. He should have allowed his elder sister to rest peacefully long ago. Soon after, the elder sister passed away. Ling Changjin, filled with regret, apologized for his past actions, but Bao Zhu comforted him, urging him not to blame himself. Suddenly, Bao Zhu coughed up blood.
Ling Changjin immediately summoned Dr. Xun, who, after examining her, gravely informed him that Bao Zhu had contracted a severe blood ailment. Given her frail constitution, Dr. Xun sadly concluded that no medicine could provide a cure. Ling Changjin was heartbroken by the news. Bao Zhu, sensing his despair, shared a forgotten memory of their first encounter.
She recounted how, on a New Year's Eve long ago, she had secretly slipped out of the palace and wandered into a bustling street market. She watched as he helped a pregnant woman retrieve a fallen hairpin, and later, he found her hiding and gently escorted her back to the palace.
Bao Zhu confessed that she had fallen in love with him at first sight, wishing to grow up quickly so her father could arrange their marriage, vowing that no other noblewoman would compete for him. She also recalled her immense joy on the night he came to the palace requesting an imperial decree for their marriage, unable to sleep from happiness.
She explained that while others in the palace feared him, she knew his strictness towards Ziyan stemmed from a desire to hasten his maturation. She likened him to snow – cold on the outside, but soft to the touch, and even his hands offered warmth. Ling Changjin, hearing these revelations, realized he had been entirely unaware of her deep affection and felt a pang of guilt for his past ulterior motives towards her.
Meanwhile, Ling Changfeng received a letter from Ling Changjin, informing him that their elder sister had not survived the winter. Although saddened, he was relieved to hear that Bao Zhu and Ling Changjin were doing well. Tang Qianyue, heavily pregnant, expressed her longing for the old days when Bao Zhu frequently visited their residence, noting how they were now separated by distance.
She proposed that once their child was born, they should return and invite Bao Zhu and Ling Changjin to celebrate New Year's Eve together, to which Ling Changfeng readily agreed. Ling Changfeng was exceedingly worried about Tang Qianyue's health, sending letters to Ms. Yuan every two days to urge her arrival. Ms. Yuan’s early arrival, a result of Ling Changfeng’s persistent letters, delighted Tang Qianyue.
Ms. Yuan examined Tang Qianyue, confirming that the baby’s pulse was normal and expressing surprise at her enduring strength. Tang Qianyue, in good spirits, playfully chastised Ling Changfeng for his unnecessary worrying. That night, Tang Qianyue awoke to find Ling Changfeng absent. As she went to look for him, she overheard a hushed conversation between Ling Changfeng and Ms. Yuan.
Ling Changfeng anxiously asked Ms. Yuan about Tang Qianyue’s condition, to which Ms. Yuan replied that Tang Qianyue had exerted herself greatly for the child and might face difficulties during delivery. Ms. Yuan then revealed that the only solution was to perform a gu-guiding ritual immediately upon delivery. Ling Changfeng agreed to this, emphasizing that Tang Qianyue should remain unaware, as even the slightest knowledge would jeopardize the ritual’s success.
Tang Qianyue, having heard everything, confronted them, demanding to know what the gu-guiding meant. Ms. Yuan reluctantly explained that the ritual, called blood-relative gu-guiding, involved transferring the gu-worm from Tang Qianyue’s body to the child’s body, allowing Tang Qianyue to fully recover. Tang Qianyue vehemently rejected the plan, declaring she would never sacrifice her child for her own life.
She vowed to protect her child with all her might, forbidding Ling Changfeng from coming near her or her baby, proclaiming she would never trust him again. Ling Changfeng tried to reassure her that both she and the child would be safe, but Tang Qianyue remained resolute, begging him not to proceed. As the argument escalated, Ms. Yuan questioned Ling Changfeng if he was truly determined to go through with it.
