Resumen del episodio 12 de Love & Crown
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Emperor Xiao Huan informed Ling Cangcang that since Grand Tutor Ling Xuefeng had forced him to make an impossible choice, he would now make Ling Xuefeng, through his daughter, experience the same profound difficulty. Ling Cangcang watched in shock as Ling Xuefeng cried out, declaring his innocence and claiming he had never forced the Emperor. Xiao Huan questioned Ling Xuefeng about the dilemma of saving the people of both Jiangzhou and Xuzhou, implying a difficult choice forced upon him.
As Luo Xianxue, adopted son of Ling Xuefeng, was about to face a harsh punishment, Ling Cangcang desperately pleaded with Xiao Huan to spare him, taking all blame upon herself. Luo Xianxue, unwilling to see Ling Cangcang and her family humiliate themselves further for his sake, deliberately set himself on fire, proclaiming that his death was insignificant as long as they would no longer be threatened. Xiao Huan was taken aback by Ling Xuefeng's extreme strategy.
He realized their conflict had reached a point of no return, a calculation by Ling Xuefeng to sacrifice a pawn to protect the king, but Xiao Huan knew he couldn't expose it because Ling Cangcang would never believe him. Meanwhile, Zhong Lin remembered her mentor Li Lu's last command to protect Ling Cangcang even at the cost of her life.
She proposed returning to Southern Chu to rebuild Fenglai Pavilion, but Ling Cangcang, feeling she could never be her old self, was reluctant. Later, Xiao Huan, learning that Ling Cangcang was standing on a high wall, rushed to her side, fearing she might jump.
He urged her to come down, but Ling Cangcang, feeling exhausted and defeated, confessed that she had once believed staying in the palace would allow her to protect those she cherished, but she now recognized her inability to do so. She blamed herself for her poor judgment, admitting she deserved the profound pain she was experiencing, and wondered if jumping would finally bring her freedom. Xiao Huan assured her he never intended to use her or cause Luo Xianxue's death.
He then expressed his desire for them to start anew, promising to wait patiently by her side until she willingly came to him. Elsewhere, Xiao Qianqing discovered Zhong Lin secretly carving an Imperial Seal and reviewing a palace defense map in his manor. Xiao Qianqing angrily confronted Zhong Lin, pointing out that such actions constituted a capital crime.
Zhong Lin, unfazed, stated she had no family to implicate and was determined to rescue Ling Cangcang from the palace, especially after receiving a message from her expressing her desire to leave. Zhong Lin then offered to help Xiao Qianqing claim Xiao Huan's throne in exchange for his assistance, declaring her strong dislike for anyone who brought sadness to Ling Cangcang. Xiao Qianqing, however, playfully responded that it "depended on his mood."
Ling Cangcang received an unusual token and quickly concealed it upon hearing of Xiao Huan's imminent arrival. When Xiao Huan came, he informed her that reinforcements would depart for Jiangzhou in three days. Ling Cangcang respectfully declined to attend the upcoming River-offering ceremony, citing her dislike for noisy gatherings.
Although surprised, Xiao Huan accepted her decision, instructing the Imperial Preceptor to proceed with the ceremony as planned and even suggesting a golden phoenix fireworks display, hoping it might make the Empress change her mind. The Imperial Preceptor questioned the point of the display, but Xiao Huan remained hopeful.
Xiao Qianqing approached Ling Cangcang, confirming that the token was an exit pass for the upcoming ceremony, explaining that he was helping her on Zhong Lin's behalf and also to weaken Xiao Huan's support from the Ling clan, thus furthering his own ambitions. Ling Cangcang, however, rejected his offer, not wanting Zhong Lin to owe him. She instead asked Xiao Qianqing to look after Zhong Lin and prevent her from searching for her, keeping her own destination a secret.
During the River-offering ceremony, Ling Cangcang, disguised as a dancer, performed a sword dance. Xiao Huan recognized her amongst the dancers and unexpectedly chose her to join him in the Emperor's banner rite, despite the Imperial Preceptor's objections about protocol. Xiao Huan insisted, stating he simply wished to stand with her as he offered sacrifices for the soldiers' safe return. After the ceremony, Ling Cangcang directly asked Xiao Huan to let her go.
Deeply saddened by her admission that life by his side was "worse than death," Xiao Huan, with a heavy heart, agreed to her request and let her leave. Du Tingxin, observing Xiao Huan's visible grief, questioned why he would let Ling Cangcang go despite his profound affection, remarking that she had never seen him show such deep emotion before.
Xiao Huan explained that Ling Cangcang sought freedom, a luxury he had never known, and he did not wish for her to become imprisoned like himself. As Ling Cangcang departed, he let her know that he was aware of her desire to go to Jiangzhou and granted her permission.
Heartbroken, Xiao Huan penned a sorrowful poem and, to explain Ling Cangcang's absence, declared that the Empress was suffering from head pains and recovering in an outer palace, forbidding anyone from seeing her while he grieved in solitude. Du Tingxin, witnessing his anguish, secretly vowed that if Ling Cangcang ever caused him pain again, she would not allow her to live in peace.
Xiao Huan later instructed an attendant to deliver the Phoenix Seal to Ling Cangcang, emphasizing that she would forever remain the Empress of Great Qi, regardless of her acceptance. When the attendant tried to deliver the seal, Ling Cangcang questioned the notion of an empress who had left the palace. Despite letting her go, Xiao Huan continued to secretly inquire about Ling Cangcang's well-being.
Du Tingxin overheard him learning that the Empress had joined the westbound relief army, which caused her immense pain and a sleepless night. Meanwhile, in Jiangzhou, Kumor, the King of Xijiang, urged his soldiers to launch a decisive attack to capture the city. General Ling Jueding heroically defended the city gate, prepared to sacrifice himself. At the critical moment, Ling Cangcang arrived and deflected an arrow just as reinforcements finally appeared, forcing Kumor to realize their inevitable defeat.
