Butterflied Lover Episode 21 Recap
> Butterflied Lover Recap
Tang Qianyue, holding her daughter Sisi, prepared to depart. Bao Zhu was reluctant to see them go, lamenting to Ling Changjin about how Tang Qianyue and Ling Changfeng, despite their deep love, were forced to separate. Ling Changjin asked Qianyue to send word to him when Changfeng returned, adding that he would protect Bao Zhu with his life.
Bao Zhu, still weak from her illness, could barely stand after seeing them off and had to be supported by Ling Changjin back into her chambers. Ling Changjin was gravely concerned about Bao Zhu's deteriorating health. He recalled how Ling Changfeng had saved Tang Qianyue and Sisi using the blood relative gu-transferring technique. He yearned to save Bao Zhu the same way.
He discussed this with Kun Qing, who reported that Ms. Yuan, whom he had consulted, had not committed to helping the princess and believed the method might not be effective for Bao Zhu as they were not blood relatives. Ling Changjin mused to Kun Qing about the profound sadness of a loving couple not being blood relatives, a truth that made saving Bao Zhu immensely difficult. One day, Bao Zhu awoke to find a butterfly in her room.
Delighted, she weakly chased it, but her fragile body soon gave out, and she collapsed. Ling Changjin, witnessing this, rushed to catch her. Seeing her pale face and a stream of blood from her nose, her hand slipping lifelessly from his, he desperately ordered Kun Qing to retrieve the butterfly gu. In a desperate bid to save her life, Ling Changjin made Bao Zhu a gu slave.
He then took Bao Zhu to Ms. Yuan, pleading for help to transfer the butterfly gu from Bao Zhu to himself using the blood relative gu-transferring technique. Ms. Yuan reiterated that the method only worked between blood relatives and that he and Bao Zhu were not. However, Ling Changjin argued that Bao Zhu possessed unique Kirin blood, which had saved many lives before, and perhaps it could be compatible with his own.
Ms. Yuan warned him that failure would result in him also becoming a gu slave. Ling Changjin, heartbroken by Bao Zhu's pallor, vowed to save her, no matter the cost. His tears fell onto her face, running down her cheek and into her neck. He declared there was no other way, that she could not die, and that he would bear all suffering himself. He urgently added that time was short as the purple peony was about to blossom.
After a long sleep, Bao Zhu finally awoke. He Xi was overjoyed to find her conscious, proclaiming that his precious Princess Bao Zhu had finally awakened, and quickly helped her to sit up. Kun Qing entered upon hearing the commotion and also wept with relief. Bao Zhu, puzzled by the tears, then asked where Ling Changjin was and why he hadn't come to see her.
Kun Qing's expression grew even sadder as she revealed that the purple peony had blossomed a month ago, a clear sign of Ling Changjin's sacrifice. As another New Year's Eve arrived, a layer of white snow blanketed the world. Tang Qianyue walked the familiar streets, an umbrella in hand. She paused, momentarily lost in thought, remembering past New Year's Eves with Ling Changfeng, imagining him beside her, perhaps browsing for hairpins.
The cheerful calls of a sugarcoated haws vendor brought her back to the present. She purchased a stick and wove through the bustling market before returning to her residence. As was her custom when Ling Changfeng was home, she gently rang the wind chime at the entrance. Auntie Hong and Sisi had been eagerly awaiting her return. Sisi, spotting her mother, joyfully rushed into her embrace.
Tang Qianyue hugged her daughter and presented her with the sugarcoated haws she had bought. Sisi was overjoyed, thanking her mother before taking a bite. Just then, the wind chime at the door chimed again, causing Tang Qianyue to instinctively turn her head towards the sound.
