Love & Crown Episode 16 Recap
> Love & Crown Recap
Kuminjia found Ling Cangcang at the stables and invited her to brush horses together. Kuminjia observed that Ling Cangcang's bitterness towards Xiao Huan betrayed a deeper affection, suggesting her anger stemmed from love. Just then, Xiao Huan, still disguised as Mr. Bai, arrived, and Kuminjia included him in the horse brushing. Kuminjia playfully urged Ling Cangcang to stop hiding, saying her avoidance only proved she still cared for Xiao Huan.
While brushing horses, Xiao Huan covertly gathered intelligence from a soldier about General Kumor's nightly camp inspections. Later, Ling Cangcang confronted Xiao Huan, questioning why he hadn't left with Preceptor Du and implying he had ulterior motives for remaining. Xiao Huan, hurt, asked if she truly saw him as such a schemer. Ling Cangcang retorted that he always approached her with an agenda, leaving her to wonder what he was after this time.
Xiao Huan offered to find a way to get her out of the camp, but Ling Cangcang insisted she had her own reasons for staying and advised him to return to the capital, as court affairs were pressing. Under the cover of night, Xiao Huan stealthily entered Kumor's main tent and discovered it was rigged with defensive mechanisms. To his surprise, he found Ling Cangcang there, also on a mission.
Realizing they shared the same objective, Xiao Huan quickly warned her about the dangers and insisted on disarming the traps himself. As Kumor's return was imminent, Xiao Huan urged Ling Cangcang to escape with the now-memorized military deployment map, while he would create a diversion. However, before they could act, a signal arrow—part of a pre-arranged plan—flew across the sky, drawing Kumor's attention and diverting his patrol. This allowed them to evade detection.
Back in her tent, Ling Cangcang recreated the map from memory. She later reminded Xiao Huan that she was the one who had promised to deliver the map to Ling Jueding. Xiao Huan then revealed his broader strategy: he planned to leave the map in a designated spot for Ling Jueding, but not for an attack. Instead, he wanted Ling Jueding to cooperate with the Xiaoxing Guards to end the conflict with minimal bloodshed.
He explained that Kumor was not a tyrannical leader but a lord fighting for his people, driven by a harsh snow disaster and an unfair registry system. Ling Cangcang realized the recent signal arrow was part of this elaborate, covert operation. She accused Xiao Huan of keeping too many secrets from her, but he claimed he never had a chance to tell her, a point she contested.
Despite their bickering, Xiao Huan remarked on their aligned goals, calling it a "wavelength," which Ling Cangcang quickly dismissed. He then somberly asked if her hatred would persist if he were no longer alive. Ling Cangcang, masking her concern, called him a "scoundrel who lives long" and vowed not to visit his grave, challenging him to stay alive. She then declared that she would ensure the map was delivered, but after this, they should cease all involvement with each other.
When she told him to stay if he wished and tried to leave the tent herself, Xiao Huan noted the cold outside and insisted that as it was her tent, he should be the one to go. As Xiao Huan and Ling Cangcang's tense conversation continued, Princess Kuminjia unexpectedly entered the tent, expressing concern about a rumored sneak attack. Kuminjia was momentarily startled when she spotted Xiao Huan hiding, but quickly apologized for interrupting.
After Kuminjia left, Ling Cangcang angrily told Xiao Huan to leave, but he argued that an immediate departure would expose their fake relationship. He insisted on staying a while longer to maintain the illusion. Ling Cangcang reiterated that their current cooperation was merely circumstantial and he shouldn't misinterpret her actions. She made it clear that after she helped him with the map, she wanted him to stay away. Later, Kuminjia found Xiao Huan looking dejected.
She asked about Ling Cangcang, wondering if they had reconciled. Xiao Huan explained that Ling Cangcang was upset because he had promised to take her to see Xijiang's beautiful grasslands and snow mountains but never fulfilled it. Kuminjia suggested they go now, but Xiao Huan mentioned Kumor's order against leaving the camp. Kuminjia, dismissing it during a truce, offered to accompany them.
Xiao Huan was doubtful, believing Ling Cangcang's resentment would prevent her from agreeing, to which Kuminjia playfully remarked that Xiao Huan clearly didn't understand women. Kuminjia then invited Ling Cangcang to join her and Mr. Bai (Xiao Huan) on a hunting trip. Ling Cangcang immediately recognized this as a perfect opportunity to deliver the map. Kuminjia proposed a hunting contest: the winner would have "Mr. Bai" wait on them that night.
Ling Cangcang accepted, seemingly indifferent, and told Kuminjia that if she won, she could have him wait on her. Kuminjia playfully pressed Ling Cangcang, asking if she truly didn't care or was just jealous, hinting at their shared night in the tent. Ling Cangcang vehemently denied any jealousy. Xiao Huan quickly interjected, saying he was "hers" and so she wouldn't be jealous, further irritating Ling Cangcang. He then whispered that she wouldn't want Kuminjia to see through their charade.
Kuminjia, finding their exchange amusing, declared she was only teasing and didn't actually want him to wait on her, before leading them out. During the hunting trip, Xiao Huan had to find a way to shake off the trailing soldiers to deliver the map. Kuminjia, still playing matchmaker, encouraged Xiao Huan to prove himself to Ling Cangcang. Ling Cangcang, feigning disinterest, joked that Xiao Huan might not be a match for them.
Kuminjia proposed a hunting contest, reminding Xiao Huan that if he lost, he would have to stop pursuing Ling Cangcang. Xiao Huan agreed to the terms: catch the most game within half an hour and return on time. General Kumor joined them, casually inquiring about "Mr. Bai." As the time neared its end, Ling Cangcang grew worried about Xiao Huan's prolonged absence, fearing Kumor might uncover their true identities.
However, Xiao Huan eventually returned with an impressive haul of game, dispelling any potential suspicion. Kumor openly admired his exceptional riding and archery skills. Kumor engaged Xiao Huan in conversation, suggesting that "forced love never turns out sweet," to which Xiao Huan countered with "sincerity can move even stone." Kumor called Xiao Huan stubborn, and Xiao Huan cleverly mirrored the accusation, asking if Kumor's refusal to withdraw his troops wasn't also a form of stubbornness.
Kumor grew suspicious, warning Xiao Huan against discussing military affairs. Xiao Huan, undeterred, defended his comments by praising Kumor as a leader who valued life, both of his soldiers and his people, suggesting that such a benevolent ruler should consider a peaceful resolution instead of a war with Great Qi. Kumor revealed the hardships faced by his people due to an unfair registry system and a devastating snow disaster, lamenting that they were forced to rebel to survive.
He challenged Xiao Huan's notion of a peaceful resolution, believing the "rotten emperor" would never agree. Xiao Huan insisted, "You won't know unless you try." Growing visibly angry and suspicious, Kumor accused "Bai Chifan" of undermining morale. Xiao Huan humbly reiterated that if Kumor truly put his people first, a more considered approach was needed.
Later, a physician warned Xiao Huan not to use his inner force, as the cold poison in his body was now dangerously close to his heart. Xiao Huan realized that his efforts to win the hunting contest and maintain his disguise had led him to overexert himself, triggering his condition. He noted the severe cold in the Outer regions, hinting at an approaching blizzard, and understood that Ling Cangcang must leave as soon as possible for her safety.
Back at camp, Kumor discovered Deputy General Zhang had seized mutton from villagers to feed the soldiers. Kumor, furious, punished Zhang with twenty lashes, reiterating his strict order against harassing civilians. He demanded that all consumed meat be compensated and the remaining meat returned. He promised daily hunting parties to ensure the soldiers were fed, affirming his role as a benevolent leader despite being a rebel.
Separately, Xiao Ying was approached by Xiao Qianqing, who was seeking a special powder to infect locusts without harming plants. She confirmed she could attempt to create such a compound, but only after making him promise that this time, he wasn't seeking the Emperor's life. Later, Xiao Ying, with Hongqing present, demonstrated an experiment using insects dusted with glowing powder, creating artificial "fireflies." Hongqing was curious about their presence during this season.
Xiao Ying admired the glowing insects briefly, then her mood shifted dramatically. She chillingly wondered how long it would take for all of them to "die out," and Hongqing watched, stunned, as the glowing insects began to fall lifelessly. The three-day deadline had passed, and Grand Tutor Ling, along with other ministers, pressed Xiao Qianqing to immediately authorize the release of grain for Jiangzhou.
Grand Tutor Ling, in a display of feigned concern, spoke of his own tireless efforts for the country. Xiao Qianqing subtly questioned his sincerity, then produced a contrasting report from Xuzhou. While the official memorial claimed the locust plague was contained, Xiao Qianqing revealed his own intelligence indicated gross negligence by officials and a disaster spiraling out of control.
Grand Tutor Ling, undeterred, challenged Xiao Qianqing to investigate if he had doubts, but insisted on a decision for Jiangzhou's grain, warning him against shirking his responsibilities to the border troops. Xiao Qianqing realized Grand Tutor Ling was pushing for a definitive resolution that day and called for writing materials, seemingly cornered. Just as he appeared on the verge of signing, an urgent dispatch from Xuzhou arrived.
Zhong Lin, disguised as "Mr. Song," entered with critical information: a severe locust plague in Xuzhou, exacerbated by the local government's incompetence, had led to a surge of displaced people and was rapidly spreading, threatening to engulf the capital in a refugee crisis. Xiao Qianqing exclaimed that this confirmed his suspicions, condemning the Governor of Xuzhou for daring to lie to the throne.
Zhong Lin further exposed a conspiracy to seal off Xuzhou, turning it into a "dead city," and presented the Governor's signed confession. With irrefutable evidence in hand, Xiao Qianqing turned to Grand Tutor Ling, demanding his proposed solution. Grand Tutor Ling realized Xiao Qianqing had cleverly outmaneuvered him in court, using the Xuzhou crisis to force him to secure grain.
While sacrificing the Governor of Xuzhou as a pawn wouldn't significantly weaken his faction, the urgent need for Jiangzhou's army grain remained. Learning that Mr. Wan of Wan's Rice Shop had complained the most about financial losses, Grand Tutor Ling decided to "send some comfort" to Mr. Wan. Under his orders, his subordinates secretly set fire to a granary that very night.
Later, an aide reported to Xiao Qianqing that Grand Tutor Ling had, as anticipated, managed to procure the necessary grain. Combined with the national reserves, there was now sufficient supply for both Jiangzhou and Xuzhou. Xiao Qianqing reflected that his intricate maneuvering to compel Grand Tutor Ling to reveal his true resources had, after much effort, finally yielded the desired outcome.
