Listening Snow Tower Episode 22 Recap, Plot

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Qian Mei, frightened by Qing Ya's appearance, inquired about the whereabouts of Xiao Yiqing and Shu Jingrong. Qing Ya menacingly replied that they had gone somewhere they shouldn't have and would not return, asserting that the lives of everyone at the Long Residence were at his command. He warned Qian Mei that he knew her every move before ordering guards to watch over her, leaving her in fear.

Hao Tian's men were on the lookout for approaching boats, intending to kill Hong Er and Zhu Niang upon arrival. At a critical moment, Xiao Yiqing intervened to save them, and they subsequently landed on the island. Xiao Yiqing remarked on their smooth arrival, crediting Zhu Niang's map and his and Shu Jingrong's careful planning. A frail Zhu Niang expressed her wish to see "him" one last time, prompting Hong Er to question why, as he was their enemy.

Zhu Niang pleaded with her daughter, "Hong Er, you must not kill Qing Ya. Promise me that you'll never do that." Xiao Yiqing then produced a pursuit order he and Shu Jingrong found in the Long family's secret Ancestral Hall. He pointed out the strange detail that whenever twins were listed in the genealogy, one was marked as deceased, and the mark matched one on Hong Er's arm.

The order explicitly stated, "If twins are born, the female must be killed. The cursed is to be assassinated in secret." Realizing the truth could no longer be hidden, Zhu Niang tearfully confessed to Hong Er that Qing Ya was her twin brother. Separately, Shu Jingrong entered a secret chamber and successfully rescued Su Wu who was imprisoned there. In the bridal chamber, Qing Ya approached Qian Mei. She nervously proposed they drink nuptial wine.

As she poured, her hands trembled. Qing Ya gently removed a flower from her hair before drinking his cup. Qian Mei then drank her own, which she had secretly poisoned. She tearfully explained that her love for Hao Tian was her own fault, not his or Qing Ya's, and since she could not bring herself to kill Qing Ya, she chose to end her own life to resolve the impossible situation.

Qing Ya rushed to administer an antidote, but Madam Long suddenly appeared, stopping him and accusing Qian Mei of betraying the Long family. Just then, Shu Jingrong arrived, incapacitating Madam Long. Qing Ya pleaded for Qian Mei's life, asserting that she had not harmed anyone. Qian Mei then regained consciousness, recognizing Qing Ya's voice as that of Hao Tian. Qing Ya removed his hideous mask, revealing that he and Hao Tian were indeed the same person, leaving Qian Mei stunned.

Madam Long expressed regret for not having eliminated Qian Mei sooner. She also admitted her plan to use Shu Jingrong as a hostage against Xiao Yiqing, disappointed that their collaboration had ruined her intentions. Shu Jingrong challenged Madam Long, revealing that Su Wu was still alive, saved by Qing Ya. Qian Mei, overwhelmed, struggled to comprehend the revelations.

Qing Ya confronted his mother, arguing that falling in love with "Hao Tian" should not warrant death, especially since the entire test was based on his deception. Madam Long then disclosed the Long family rule requiring the master's wife to be buried alive upon his death. She had faked her death to avoid this fate when Qing Ya was young, secretly residing in a hidden passage to protect and strengthen the Long family's foundation.

She orchestrated Qing Ya's dual identity, making him wear an ugly mask as Qing Ya to intimidate and appear as the charming Hao Tian to test potential brides. If a bride fell for Hao Tian and betrayed Qing Ya, Madam Long would intervene to eliminate her. Qing Ya, while acknowledging his mother's sacrifices, admitted he could not fully defy her but sought to amend her unjust actions, believing that kindness and justice, not brutality, would bring true success.

Qian Mei then asked if the previous eleven brides truly died because of him. Qing Ya quickly clarified that he had not killed them; instead, he gave them antidotes and helped them secretly leave Yingge Island. Meanwhile, Gu Guang, having been previously rescued by Xiao Yiqing and seemingly defeated by him again, was questioned by Ming He about Shu Jingrong's escape. Xiao Yiqing stepped out from the shadows.

Ming He, surprised to see him, revealed she now possessed the Azure Azalea and intended to leave the island. Xiao Yiqing demanded the flower, but Ming He tried to leverage Xue Wen's safety in Hong Lian Prison against him. Xiao Yiqing struck Ming He, injuring her. Jia Ruo then arrived, retrieving the Azure Azalea and using it to lure Xiao Yiqing away, instructing Gu Guang to protect Ming He.

Hong Er and Zhu Niang then entered the room, much to Madam Long's shock. Zhu Niang became emotional upon seeing Qing Ya. Hong Er began to reveal that Madam Long was not Qing Ya's biological mother, but Zhu Niang stopped her, fearing further harm. Zhu Niang tearfully expressed her joy at seeing her son one last time before her impending death. Unyielding, Hong Er handed Qing Ya the pursuit order again. Qing Ya recognized his father's handwriting on it.

Hong Er then explained the full story: Zhu Niang had given birth to twins—Qing Ya and Hong Er. Due to an ancient Long family superstition that twins brought bad luck, the old island master issued the pursuit order: "Keep the boy and kill the girl." Zhu Niang, unable to watch her daughter die, fled the island with Hong Er, leaving Qing Ya behind. Hong Er then declared that Zhu Niang was Qing Ya's true biological mother.

Madam Long conceded, acknowledging the ancestral saying that twins brought misfortune and one must die, and also confirmed that she had claimed Zhu Niang betrayed the Long family and fled the island, and had sent agents to hunt down Zhu Niang and Hong Er. To confirm their shared heritage, Qing Ya and Hong Er compared the unique Long family marks etched on their wrists, proving they were indeed twins.

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