Resumen del episodio 5 de Love & Crown
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When Empress Ling Cangcang and Emperor Xiao Huan returned to the Ling residence for their traditional visit, Ling Xuefeng immediately bowed deeply in greeting to the Emperor and Empress. Ling Cangcang, uncomfortable with her father's deference, tried to stop him, remarking that she wasn't used to such formality. However, Xiao Huan countered that as Empress, she would encounter such rituals frequently and would eventually grow accustomed to them.
Xiao Huan then inquired about Luo Xianxue, subtly hinting that Ling Cangcang was concerned about his injuries. Ling Cangcang openly admitted her concern, challenging Xiao Huan by asking if he would dare forbid her from visiting Luo Xianxue. Xiao Huan granted her permission. Ling Xuefeng, observing their exchange, awkwardly apologized to the Emperor for his daughter's habitual willfulness. Xiao Huan then expressed his desire to taste Ling Xuefeng's renowned tea.
Ling Cangcang hurried to see Luo Xianxue, who was recuperating from his injuries. Luo Xianxue greeted her formally as Empress, but Ling Cangcang, seeing him as family, asked him to drop the formality. She expressed remorse, blaming herself for his injury, but Luo Xianxue reassured her, stating that her betrothal to the Emperor was long set and the fault lay with Xiao Huan for killing her master.
Ling Cangcang then tearfully asked what Xiao Huan had done to him, referring to his injured hand. Luo Xianxue urged her to accept her role as Empress for the sake of their father, Ling Xuefeng, who was aging and in conflict with Empress Dowager Liu. He stressed that only by being a good Empress and gaining the Emperor's favor to secure the Phoenix Seal could she ease their father's burdens and survive the inner palace.
Ling Cangcang, still consumed by hatred for Xiao Huan for her master's death and Luo Xianxue's injury, confessed her desire to kill him. Despite her anger, she eventually promised to take care of herself in the palace. She then asked Luo Xianxue to help her set up a spirit tablet for her deceased master. Luo Xianxue, having anticipated her request, informed her that he was already looking for a suitable mausoleum.
While sharing tea, Ling Xuefeng expressed his gratification at Xiao Huan accompanying Ling Cangcang home. Xiao Huan then turned serious, revealing the existence of the Lingbi Sect, a heretical group backed by court officials, responsible for assassinating powerful figures. He presented proof that Li Lu, Ling Cangcang's deceased master, was the sect's secret leader, thus casting suspicion on Ling Xuefeng's own involvement.
Ling Xuefeng denied any knowledge of Li Lu's true identity, claiming he only knew him as a martial arts master who saved and trained Ling Cangcang. Xiao Huan then questioned if Ling Xuefeng believed his act of cutting off Luo Xianxue's finger was merely out of jealousy, hinting at deeper motives. Ling Xuefeng, understanding the implication, acknowledged Xiao Huan's "painstaking care" for Ling Cangcang.
Xiao Huan also mentioned his intention to implement a new talent recommendation system, which Ling Xuefeng readily supported, promising full cooperation if it benefited Great Qi. After Xiao Huan left, Ling Xuefeng confided in Luo Xianxue, lamenting that Ling Cangcang, though pure-hearted and fiercely principled, needed to mature now that she was Empress. Luo Xianxue confirmed he had conveyed Ling Xuefeng's instructions to Ling Cangcang but voiced his apprehension, knowing her lingering resentment towards the Emperor over Li Lu's death.
Ling Xuefeng reiterated that his actions were for Ling Cangcang's benefit. He revealed that Xiao Huan suffered from a chronic cold sickness and urged Luo Xianxue to encourage Ling Cangcang to bear a royal heir quickly, as this would solidify her position and provide security in the palace. He called this her destined path, and their role was merely to make it smoother and longer.
Ling Xuefeng instructed Luo Xianxue to honor Ling Cangcang's request to set up a spirit tablet for Li Lu but strictly forbade him from revealing that Li Lu was, in fact, the Ghost King. When Luo Xianxue expressed doubt about Ling Cangcang's willingness to let go, Ling Xuefeng insisted that her soft heart would ultimately prioritize the Ling family, and she needed to move forward.
That night, Ling Cangcang received a message via carrier pigeon and secretly left the palace to pay respects to her master. Xiao Huan was aware of her movements but instructed his subordinates not to disturb her, confident she would return. At the mausoleum, Ling Cangcang poured wine and lamented her inability to visit her master's actual grave, instead setting up a spirit tablet.
Luo Xianxue, who was also present, tried to console her, suggesting Xiao Huan might have had his reasons. Ling Cangcang vehemently rejected this, unable to comprehend why such a benevolent master, who was unmatched in skill and wished only for her happiness, would be killed, especially by someone he never spoke of.
Despite Luo Xianxue urging her to let go, Ling Cangcang reaffirmed her resolve to use her position as Empress to protect her family and, most importantly, to uncover the truth behind her master's death, vowing to avenge him once she knew. Shi Yan reported to Xiao Huan that Ling Cangcang had returned to Linghe Hall in good spirits after visiting her master's spirit tablet. Shi Yan questioned why Xiao Huan kept the truth from Ling Cangcang.
Xiao Huan explained he preferred her hatred over her suffering the painful truth, especially since the matter was unresolved, and he didn't want her involved. Meanwhile, Ling Cangcang discovered her own Linghe Hall was cold and under-resourced, as the Emperor rarely visited. Determined to reclaim the Phoenix Seal, she went to visit Empress Dowager Liu, despite her maid's reservations.
Aunt Chan, Empress Dowager Liu's attendant, tried to turn Ling Cangcang away, claiming the Empress Dowager was napping and on a fasting regimen. Ling Cangcang, attempting to show filial piety by offering special cheese, insisted on waiting and then tried to enter, citing her duty as a daughter-in-law. When Aunt Chan ordered Ling Cangcang's maid to be punished for her mistress's perceived "improper deportment," Ling Cangcang intervened, striking an attendant in retaliation for her insolence.
Xiao Huan, who was nearby, observed the confrontation but did not interfere. Empress Dowager Liu then granted Ling Cangcang an audience, admonishing her for striking her attendant. Ling Cangcang cleverly twisted the narrative, claiming Aunt Chan had insulted the Empress Dowager by saying she was "fat" and needed to "fast." Empress Dowager Liu, seeing through the ploy but cornered by Ling Cangcang's public accusation, ordered Aunt Chan to be slapped.
Ling Cangcang, appearing satisfied, then requested the Phoenix Seal, citing her duty to manage the inner palace. Empress Dowager Liu refused, stating that Ling Cangcang's "conduct fell short" as the Emperor had not stayed in Linghe Hall, and her primary duty was to bear an heir. She emphasized that without an heir, Ling Cangcang's position as Empress would be unstable, and thus, the Phoenix Seal would remain with her until Ling Cangcang fulfilled her duties.
As Ling Cangcang left in anger, Empress Dowager Liu further provoked her by pointing out Xiao Huan's inaction during the altercation, advising her to "win back his favor." Ling Cangcang, frustrated, confided in her maid about her inability to "get around" Xiao Huan. Xiao Huan recalled a memory of giving a young Ling Cangcang a pear blossom hairpin and promising to take her to his pear orchard when the blossoms bloomed.
Learning from Shi Yan that Ling Cangcang was still holding this hairpin, Xiao Huan, wanting to cheer her, ordered his eunuch Hongqing to use warm frames to force the pear blossoms in Qinyuan Garden to bloom early, creating a "sea of white blossoms like snow." The miraculously bloomed pear garden delighted Ling Cangcang. However, upon Xiao Huan's arrival, she initially considered avoiding him but decided against it, realizing her precarious position in the palace required maintaining civility.
She feigned affection, recalling how the pear blossoms made her think of him and inviting him to her cold Linghe Hall that night. Xiao Huan, perceiving her overtures as manipulative, angrily retreated, feeling used. Later, he reflected on her invitation but ultimately did not go to her. Back in Wuying Hall, Xiao Huan faced strong opposition from court officials regarding his proposed talent recommendation system. Meanwhile, he instructed his eunuch Wufu to subtly remove Ling Cangcang's spies.
He was also seen taking new medicine from Preceptor Du, who insisted on observing him for symptoms of his cold sickness, cautioning against the pear blossom scent's potential ill effects. Preceptor Du also advised Xiao Huan to consider marrying Minister Xing's daughter to balance power, but Xiao Huan rejected any interference in his personal life, asserting that Ling Cangcang, while not his enemy, could not be his weakness.
Ling Cangcang, having waited fruitlessly all night for Xiao Huan, had just fallen asleep when Xiao Huan visited her in Linghe Hall. As he watched her, he expressed silent remorse, torn between his desire to protect her from a painful truth and the burden of her hatred. Ling Cangcang woke up as he was about to leave, confronting him about his aversion and then asking him to put on the pear blossom hairpin he had given her in their youth. She then invited him to share a drink, hoping it would reconcile them. Xiao Huan, unable to refuse her direct plea, accepted.
