Love & Crown Episode 2 Recap
> Love & Crown Recap
Prince Xiao Qianqing discovered an unexpected bird tattooed on his back. His subordinates were terrified, but Xiao Qianqing, rather than blaming them, shrewdly analyzed that the perpetrators had a clear motive beyond mere humiliation. He threatened his men with severe punishment, including broken legs and being fed to hounds, unless they could recreate the scene and uncover the true reason behind the act.
Meanwhile, Ling Cangcang meticulously examined a newly acquired jade, prompting Bai Chifan to reveal his surprising knowledge of its origins and significance—Wuxi green jade, often used for royal seals, and featuring a "four claws that subdue evil" motif. Ling Cangcang grew suspicious of his vast knowledge and found his name, Bai Chifan, an obvious alias. Bai Chifan claimed he came from an extremely wealthy family, the Bai clan of Xiling, forcing him to keep a low profile.
He described his family as a once-renowned martial arts clan that transitioned to commerce. Ling Cangcang challenged his understanding of the martial world, considering his supposedly spoiled background. Bai Chifan eloquently countered, defining the martial world by diverse aspirations but united by the shared will to wield a sword. Intrigued, Ling Cangcang dared him to guess her current objective.
Bai Chifan accurately deduced her plan to impersonate the Prince of Yuzhang using expensive robes, a thumb ring, and a forged royal seal, and warned her that the Prince of Yuzhang was more perceptive than he appeared and might have already discovered their deception. Despite her admiration, Ling Cangcang decided Bai Chifan knew too much. She ordered Zhong Lin to investigate the Bai clan of Xiling and then had Bai Chifan knocked unconscious.
Shortly after, Luo Xianxue received an urgent message instructing him to return to the capital, raising concerns that Ling Cangcang's pursuit of Frostflame Iron might involve unforeseen complications. Luo Xianxue informed Ling Cangcang of his immediate departure, explaining the urgency of the matter. Though initially reluctant, Ling Cangcang understood and let him go, realizing this left her without a partner to impersonate the Prince of Yuzhang and jeopardized her entire plan. Facing a dire situation, Ling Cangcang reconsidered Bai Chifan.
She had previously suspected him of being a spy sent by her father to control her, but his unyielding composure under threat convinced her otherwise. She ordered his release and invited him to join her in impersonating the Prince of Yuzhang to acquire the Frostflame Iron. Bai Chifan accepted but sought to understand the full scope of the mission.
Ling Cangcang explained the legendary properties of Frostflame Iron: a rare material said to forge indestructible divine weapons, recently discovered in Southern Chu. She believed that posing as the Prince of Yuzhang would ensure its easy acquisition. Bai Chifan, however, found her belief naive, questioning if mere weapons could truly dominate the martial world, to which Ling Cangcang maintained that the sharpest blade dictates power in the martial arts realm.
Meanwhile, Ling Xuefeng confronted Luo Xianxue, urging him to abandon any inappropriate affections for Ling Cangcang and to focus on his duties, reminding him that Ling Cangcang was destined to become the Empress. Luo Xianxue reported Ling Cangcang's interest in the Frostflame Iron, but presented her as self-reliant. Ling Xuefeng remained unconvinced, sensing deeper motives.
He pressed Luo Xianxue about Bai Chifan, whom Luo Xianxue dismissed as a persistent suitor Ling Cangcang didn't take seriously, even believing him to be Ling Xuefeng's own agent. Ling Xuefeng then ordered Luo Xianxue to return to Southern Chu immediately to protect Ling Cangcang and report her every action. In a late-night meeting, Shi Yan, leader of the Xiao Xingying, reported to Emperor Xiao Huan on the iron quarry in Southern Chu.
He detailed its illicit operations: ostensibly a mining and smelting facility, it was in fact a monopoly that forcibly abducted citizens, predominantly young boys (over a hundred missing), to work as enslaved miners and illegally forge weapons, leading to numerous fatalities. This explained the local rumors of "ghosts kidnapping children." Shi Yan confirmed the Lingbi Sect controlled the quarry, with Grand Tutor Ling Xuefeng as its mastermind. Xiao Huan realized Ling Cangcang was unknowingly targeting her own father's clandestine enterprise.
He surmised that Luo Xianxue's sudden return to the capital was likely due to his discovery of Xiao Huan's movements. Xiao Huan resolved to not only bring Ling Cangcang back but also to dismantle the Lingbi Sect, thereby cutting off Ling Xuefeng's power base and solidifying his marriage and imperial authority. He instructed Shi Yan to assist Ling Cangcang in her mission to hasten these developments.
Prince Xiao Qianqing received intelligence about the impersonation and the pursuit of Frostflame Iron, sending his forces to the quarry with a stern warning to his subordinate about the accuracy of the information. At the quarry, a foreman callously instructed his men to underfeed the enslaved young boys, telling them to drink water instead of eating, despite their deteriorating health and recent deaths. He cited the "Ghost King's" urgent demands for production.
Ling Cangcang and Bai Chifan, expertly disguised as the Prince of Yuzhang and his attendant, arrived. The quarry owner initially feigned subservience and offered the Frostflame Iron, but his gaze sharpened as he subtly questioned the "Prince's" authenticity. Bai Chifan presented the forged royal seal. The owner, after examining the jade and its accurate form, led them to the iron.
However, while inspecting the iron's ornate storage box, the owner noticed a critical flaw in the forged seal: it depicted five claws instead of the four traditionally associated with the Prince of Yuzhang, exposing their deception. A fierce battle erupted. Bai Chifan shielded Ling Cangcang as Shi Yan's forces, acting on Xiao Huan's orders, created a diversion by blowing up a tunnel and releasing the enslaved miners, revealing Ling Cangcang's true purpose was rescue, not theft.
The quarry boss, realizing he had been outwitted by a diversion, raged in fury. Ling Cangcang urged Bai Chifan to escape while she covered him, but Bai Chifan insisted on protecting her. The quarry boss then deployed a potent poisonous smoke, debilitating them. He demanded their true identities before offering a slim chance of survival. Despite the poison and their injuries, they fought valiantly.
Ling Cangcang was severely wounded, but Bai Chifan, after giving her a life-saving pill, fought with renewed ferocity, sensing the boss's intent to kill. Ling Cangcang, despite her pain, also retaliated, further injuring the boss. Suddenly, an unknown assailant swiftly killed the quarry boss. Prince Xiao Qianqing arrived shortly after, apprehending Ling Cangcang and her group.
Before being fully subdued, Bai Chifan quickly confirmed Ling Cangcang's intention: she was there purely to rescue the child slaves, finally dispelling his lingering doubts about her. In the aftermath, Ling Cangcang, now a captive, offered an apology to Xiao Qianqing. Xiao Qianqing, recognizing Bai Chifan as Emperor Xiao Huan, was struck by the Emperor's willingness to humble himself for Ling Cangcang's sake. He chose not to reveal Xiao Huan's true identity.
The two brothers, long estranged by mutual suspicion, were left in an awkward truce; their conflict stemmed from an incident where Xiao Qianqing had asked for their father's military map as a memento, which Xiao Huan misinterpreted as a sign that he still coveted the throne. Seeing Xiao Huan (as Bai Chifan) show such deference for Ling Cangcang, Xiao Qianqing decided to keep them both for dinner.
During the meal, Xiao Qianqing observed Bai Chifan's attentive care towards Ling Cangcang, cautioning her against cold food and offering her warm pear soup. When Xiao Qianqing asked for her name, Ling Cangcang, aware of his identity as Prince of Yuzhang and her own engagement, avoided revealing her true identity and was introduced under the alias of Zhong Lin, the Vice Sect Leader of Fenglai Pavilion. Xiao Qianqing, however, easily deduced that she was Ling Cangcang and suspected his brother Xiao Huan's presence was solely due to his interest in her.
