Butterflied Lover Episode 9 Recap
> Butterflied Lover Recap
The Honorable, having learned that Ling Changjin forcibly married Princess Bao Zhu in the imperial court, summoned his son back home. He demanded to know Ling Changjin's true intentions, scolding him for his audacious behavior. Ling Changjin, however, simply stated that he fancied Princess Bao Zhu and had made up his mind to marry her. He flippantly invited The Honorable to his wedding day for a drink and left without another word.
As Ling Changjin walked away, The Honorable wistfully called out, asking if he wouldn't stay for supper, but his son did not respond, much to the embarrassment of The Honorable's attendant. Tang Qianyue expressed her distress, wondering if the Ink Kui soup had failed her, just a moment shy of the three-year mark for its effects.
Ms. Yuan confirmed that it indeed made no difference, advising her to drink some ginger soup for comfort but admitting it wouldn't help detoxify the butterfly poison. Tang Qianyue, disheartened, questioned if there were any other solutions and even offered to endure the excruciating pain of the Ink Kui soup ten more times if it meant becoming normal.
Ms. Yuan, who three years prior had given Tang Qianyue the Ink Kui soup from the Yilan Clan, recounted how Tang Qianyue suffered for seven days and nights, barely surviving. She felt helpless, acknowledging that the butterfly poison, originally a healing art, had become a scourge.
Meanwhile, Ling Changfeng, with a servant, diligently searched through a book titled 'Compendium of One Hundred Poisons' for information on the butterfly poison, instructing his servant not to speak until he found the character "butterfly."
Upon reading that the poison could be detoxified by Ink Kui soup but required seven days and nights of "gut-wrenching agony" and a near-death experience, Ling Changfeng realized with a heavy heart that Tang Qianyue's mysterious seven-day disappearance years ago was precisely for this purpose—to cure herself for his sake, enduring immense suffering alone. As Tang Qianyue waited, she grew weary, but the sound of the door's copper bell instantly revived her.
She excitedly greeted Ling Changfeng, who had just returned, asking why he was so late. Seeing her eager welcome reminded Ling Changfeng of her constant anticipation over the past three years. Overwhelmed with emotion, he embraced her, expressing his pain over her past suffering and shattered hopes. After a moment, he drew her close, kissed her, and vowed never to abandon her, asserting that she was his wife and the most important person in his life, regardless of any circumstances.
The next morning, Tang Qianyue noticed Ling Changfeng's troubled demeanor from the previous night and gently pressed him about it. He dismissed it as "too many things" happening recently, but she perceived his worry for her. She reassured him that she was fine and had always managed, suggesting that not being a "normal person" might be acceptable. Ling Changfeng tried to comfort her, saying that their situation was likely temporary and would improve.
Ling Changfeng shared a piece of "good news" with Tang Qianyue: Princess Bao Zhu was getting married to Ling Changjin, the Prince Wu'an. Tang Qianyue initially expressed delight, thinking Ling Changjin must be an excellent man, much like Ling Changfeng. However, Ling Changfeng's face clouded with suspicion.
He recounted how, years ago, when the Yilan Clan requested Bao Zhu for a political marriage, the late emperor, unwilling to send the young princess, instead conferred the title upon Ling Changfeng's own elder sister, sending her in Bao Zhu's place. Tragically, the Yilan Clan turned his sister into a butterfly slave and sent her back, causing Ling Changjin to develop a deep hatred for the Yilan Clan.
Ling Changfeng also recalled the painful moment The Honorable had personally shot his sister right before he arrived with the Kirin blood. He strongly suspected Ling Changjin's motives, believing his brother could not genuinely marry Bao Zhu given his deep-seated resentment and the fact that his sister's fate was tied to the Yilan Clan's original desire for Bao Zhu's Kirin blood.
Tang Qianyue, observing Bao Zhu's joyful demeanor, hoped that Ling Changjin might have put aside his past hatred and that the marriage would indeed be a happy one. Ling Changfeng still urged Tang Qianyue to guard her identity from his brother, fearing Ling Changjin would investigate her background. She promised to be careful.
Tang Qianyue gave Ling Changfeng a wedding gift for Bao Zhu, as her own identity made it impossible to attend the crowded event, especially with Bao Zhu's Kirin blood posing a danger. Ling Changfeng promised to deliver it, and Tang Qianyue decided she would sneak a glimpse. On Ling Changjin's wedding day, as Prince Wu'an's residence buzzed with guests and toasts, Tang Qianyue discreetly climbed a ladder to watch.
Tang Qianyue, observing the festive atmosphere and the many esteemed guests, remarked to Ling Changfeng that Ling Changjin's affection for Bao Zhu seemed genuine, hoping he would put aside his past hatred. Ling Changfeng replied, "I hope so." He offered to let Tang Qianyue watch, but she declined, saying he could watch for her. Meanwhile, The Honorable, despite not receiving an invitation, found himself lingering outside, feigning a casual stroll.
His attendant suggested they simply enter, but The Honorable found it too undignified to crash the wedding without an invitation. After failing to see anything from the gate, The Honorable and his attendant decided to climb onto the roof, hoping to peek through a tile. To his surprise, he found Tang Qianyue and Ling Changfeng already there, discreetly watching. Assuming they, too, were uninvited, The Honorable tried to commiserate.
However, Ling Changfeng then casually showed him his official wedding invitation, before departing with Tang Qianyue. This revelation left The Honorable feeling uniquely slighted and utterly miserable, realizing he was the only one excluded. Inside the bridal chamber, Princess Bao Zhu, restless and eager, asked her attendant He Xi when the banquet would end and when Prince Wu'an would return.
He Xi, however, warned her about Ling Changjin's cold-blooded nature, mentioning he had recently killed the servant He Ying and advised Bao Zhu to be cautious. Bao Zhu, believing Ling Changjin possessed a tender side, then curiously inquired about the traditional procedures of the bridal chamber. He Xi admitted to knowing only a little, explaining his own inability to marry.
Bao Zhu then mused that she should have asked Tang Qianyue for advice instead, just as she heard that Prince Wu'an was finally approaching. Ling Changjin entered the bridal chamber, thanking his attendants and dismissing He Xi. However, He Xi, worried that Princess and Marquis were getting married for the first time and might not know the proper procedures, secretly peeked through the door crack. Inside, Ling Changjin approached Bao Zhu.
Soon after, He Xi, distressed by what he witnessed, cried out in alarm, reporting that Bao Zhu was bleeding. Another attendant, rushing over, quickly instructed He Xi to fetch a physician while he went to check on the Princess. He Xi, trying to compose himself, muttered that such bleeding was a "normal procedure," despite his visible panic.
