Love Between Fairy and Devil Episode 23 Recap
> Love Between Fairy and Devil Recap
Exhausted from tearing down Xiao Run's portraits of Xiao Lanhua plastered across Lucheng City, Jieli and Shangque returned to find Dongfang Qingcang and Xiao Lanhua arguing. Jieli lamented that her plan to unite Xiao Run and Xie Wanqing had backfired, resulting in Xiao Run's infatuation with Xiao Lanhua. Jieli tried to enlist Shangque's help in calming Dongfang Qingcang, but Shangque instead accused her of flirting with Qu Shui.
Their bickering escalated until Dongfang Qingcang and Xiao Lanhua simultaneously told them to stop. Jieli then steered the conversation back to the pressing matter of how to make Xiao Run and Xie Wanqing meet. Jieli proposed a new plan: Xiao Lanhua should meet Xiao Run while intentionally made to look hideous. After Jieli applied some makeup, Dongfang Qingcang declared it wasn't ugly enough and took over, disfiguring Xiao Lanhua’s face to the point of tears.
He justified his actions by stating the uglier she appeared, the better. He instructed Xiao Lanhua to act rudely and vulgarly, and to delay their meeting until after noon to further sour Xiao Run's impression. Xiao Lanhua reluctantly agreed, questioning Dongfang Qingcang's unusual overprotectiveness. When Xiao Lanhua finally met Xiao Run, he was inexplicably charmed by her grotesque appearance, praising it as "extraordinary makeup" and hailing her as "unworldly and elegant."
He misinterpreted her rude remarks and tardiness as tests of his sincerity, affirming his unwavering commitment to her. Xiao Lanhua complained loudly about his ugly portraits of her, claiming they failed to capture her beauty. Unfazed, Xiao Run apologized for his poor painting skills and promised to practice more. In a last-ditch effort, Xiao Lanhua feigned exhaustion and began noisily massaging her feet on the ground.
To her dismay, Xiao Run joined her, removing his own shoes and sitting beside her, complimenting her as a "true scholar." From a distance, Dongfang Qingcang, frustrated by Xiao Lanhua's failure, decided to intervene. Just as Xiao Run passionately declared their fated connection, Dongfang Qingcang arrived, kneeling to gently put on her shoes and calling Xiao Lanhua "honey." A stunned Xiao Run questioned Dongfang Qingcang's actions.
Dongfang Qingcang calmly asserted that Xiao Lanhua was his wife of three years and was currently pregnant. Despite Xiao Lanhua's furious protests at the outrageous lies, Dongfang Qingcang maintained the facade until they were out of sight. Later, Xiao Lanhua and Dongfang Qingcang released river lanterns. Dongfang Qingcang scoffed at the idea of praying to lanterns, declaring his ambition to personally destroy Shuiyuntian, avenge his father, and unify the three realms for the everlasting peace of Cangyan Sea.
He boasted that if Xiao Lanhua wanted a wish fulfilled, she should ask him directly. Xiao Lanhua then shared her simple wish: for peace on the Memory Loss River, where wars would cease. As their lanterns drifted into the night, Dongfang Qingcang secretly wished Xiao Lanhua would stay by his side forever, while Xiao Lanhua, knowing her presence could not be permanent, silently wished him eternal safety, happiness, friendship, and freedom from loneliness.
Xie Wanqing used her ten years of savings from the Life Ending Pavilion to redeem herself and gain freedom, determined to find her "lover in her dream." The next day, Xiao Run visited Dongfang Qingcang, apologizing for his previous "mistake" and confessing his heart remained captivated by the "fairy in the painting." He announced his decision to leave Lucheng and garrison the northern border for several years.
Dongfang Qingcang and Xiao Lanhua were alarmed, as this departure threatened Xie Wanqing’s prophecy of marrying Xiao Run. Desperate, Jieli quickly intervened, fabricating a story that Xiao Lanhua was Dongfang Qingcang's younger sister, and their "marriage" had been a mere test of Xiao Run's character. She praised Xiao Run's loyalty and his willingness to leave, framing it as proof of his impeccable character.
Though furious, Dongfang Qingcang reluctantly played along, confirming their sibling relationship and granting permission for Xiao Run to marry Xiao Lanhua. Overjoyed, Xiao Run rescinded his plan to leave Lucheng. Dongfang Qingcang challenged Xiao Run on his understanding of love, and Xiao Run reiterated the sincerity of his feelings. Dongfang Qingcang finally dismissed him, instructing him to prepare the betrothal gifts.
With Xiao Run now intent on marrying Xiao Lanhua, and Xie Wanqing still determined to marry her "lover in her dream," Dongfang Qingcang realized the prophecy for Xie Wanqing to die by Xiao Run's sword on Flora Day was in jeopardy. Jieli proposed a plan: arrange two simultaneous weddings on Flora Day. Xiao Lanhua would agree to marry Xiao Run, and Dongfang Qingcang would agree to marry Xie Wanqing.
On the wedding night, they would perform a switch, ensuring Xie Wanqing was in Xiao Run's room to fulfill the prophecy. Dongfang Qingcang vehemently refused, stating he would only marry the woman he loved. However, Xiao Lanhua supported the plan, arguing that as long as the final outcome aligned with the prophecy, the means justified the end. Jieli urged Dongfang Qingcang to propose to Xie Wanqing immediately, but he remained resolute in his refusal to engage in a fake marriage with anyone he did not love.
