Love & Crown Episode 21 Recap
> Love & Crown Recap
Zhu Sha, believing her plan had succeeded, gloated to Ling Cangcang, mocking Xiao Huan as a romantic deeply in love. However, Ling Cangcang, who had already recovered from the Illusion-Butterfly Powder, quickly held a knife to Zhu Sha's neck. To Zhu Sha's shock, Xiao Huan also rose to his feet. She expressed disbelief that her Illusion-Butterfly Powder could be countered so quickly and that both of them were unharmed.
Xiao Huan explained that he had taken Frost Reed, a potent antidote capable of curing any poison, implying Zhu Sha's lack of thoroughness in her schemes. Xiao Huan then reunited with Ling Cangcang and Zhong Lin. Zhong Lin assured them she was fine, crediting Xiao Qianqing for bringing Puppet Incense, which allowed them to control a servant. With Zhu Sha as their hostage, Xiao Huan commanded the Lingbi Sect members to clear the way, threatening Zhu Sha if they refused.
As they stepped out of the sect, a hallucinogenic smoke enveloped them, causing disorientation and pain. A masked man, Luo Xianxue, emerged from the smoke, demanding the Moon-Eclipse from Xiao Huan and threatening everyone with a slow, painful death if he refused. Zhu Sha attempted to appease Luo Xianxue, claiming she was merely attempting to acquire the Moon-Eclipse for him.
However, Luo Xianxue, aware of Zhu Sha's true ambition to become the Ghost King, killed her in a fit of rage. Luo Xianxue then lunged at Xiao Huan, but Xiao Huan, prepared, subdued him. Ling Cangcang, recognizing something familiar, dramatically pulled off Luo Xianxue's mask, revealing her presumed-dead brother. Luo Xianxue sighed, acknowledging he could no longer conceal his identity from her.
Ling Cangcang, tearfully relieved yet confused, questioned Luo Xianxue about his survival and why he hadn't returned to her. Luo Xianxue explained that he survived the fire by hiding in a cellar within the liquor storage. He chose not to return because he knew the Emperor viewed him as a threat, and his reappearance would only endanger Ling Cangcang.
He then confessed he tried to assassinate Xiao Huan because he couldn't bear to see Ling Cangcang hurt or suffer due to her entanglement with Xiao Huan, whom he called her "tribulation," offering to help her sever ties. Ling Cangcang asserted that no one could make decisions for her and Xiao Huan. Luo Xianxue apologized for overstepping, reiterating that his life belonged to her and his lifelong duty was to protect her from any harm.
He swore an oath to the heavens to belong to Ling Cangcang and to stay strong for her, claiming he had crawled out of the fire for her sake. Ling Cangcang, recalling her own vow to protect the Ling family, admitted her feelings for Xiao Huan complicated matters and suggested that many misunderstandings between them needed time to resolve. Luo Xianxue agreed to postpone the discussion.
Luo Xianxue later offered Ling Cangcang a bowl of pear blossom honey, which he knew she loved since childhood, urging her to drink it while warm. Ling Cangcang found the taste familiar and comforting, but the drink contained a sedative. She soon felt drowsy and fell asleep. Luo Xianxue watched her, conflicted, feeling he had no choice but to sedate her. Xiao Huan then appeared, confronting Luo Xianxue and stating he knew Luo Xianxue was there for the Moon-Eclipse.
He criticized Luo Xianxue for showing himself if he truly wished to remain "dead." Luo Xianxue, without preamble, demanded the Moon-Eclipse and challenged Xiao Huan to fight. Xiao Huan questioned Luo Xianxue's loyalty to Ling Xuefeng, pointing out that Ling Xuefeng was using him to revive the Lingbi Sect and that Luo Xianxue's actions to kill him, despite knowing Ling Cangcang's feelings, were hurting her.
As they prepared to fight, Ling Cangcang, who had used her inner force to counteract the sedative, woke up and intervened, confronting Luo Xianxue about his deception regarding his "death" and the sedative. She realized he hadn't acted alone and demanded to know the full truth. Luo Xianxue admitted he was obeying Ling Xuefeng's command to kill Xiao Huan.
When Ling Cangcang stepped in front of Xiao Huan to protect him, Xiao Huan revealed that his Xiaoxing Guards were already in place, making Luo Xianxue's mission impossible. Xiao Qianqing then publicly exposed Ling Xuefeng's treachery, revealing that the Grand Tutor had poisoned Ling Cangcang to manipulate Xiao Huan into providing the Frost Reed, the life-saving antidote. Both Ling Cangcang and Luo Xianxue were shocked. Ling Cangcang realized the pear blossom honey was the poison.
Despite the devastating revelation, Ling Cangcang pleaded with Xiao Huan to spare Luo Xianxue, even offering to become his empress to ensure Luo Xianxue and the Ling clan's safety. Xiao Huan agreed to let Luo Xianxue go, but Ling Cangcang, heartbroken by Luo Xianxue's betrayal and actions, told him she never wanted to see him again and urged him to leave. Ling Cangcang struggled to process the truth, realizing her father was behind everything.
Ling Xuefeng, in turn, offered to resign, pleading with Xiao Huan to spare Ling Cangcang. Soon after, Xiao Huan and Ling Cangcang returned to the palace, where Ling Cangcang couldn't shake a profound sadness upon seeing her father, despite his usual affectionate demeanor. During Xiao Qianqing's regency, Ling Xuefeng frequently pressed for the Emperor's return, expressing impatience.
Xiao Qianqing, however, calmly stated that Xiao Huan still needed rest and that Ling Xuefeng would have to tolerate him as regent for a while longer. He then shifted the discussion to the situation in Xuzhou, noting the tragic death of Song Lanxi. Xiao Qianqing pointedly asked Ling Xuefeng for his recommendations for the vacant Governor position, reminding him that the previous Governor was his protégé.
Ling Xuefeng, visibly uncomfortable, feigned ignorance and disgust at his former protégé's "unforgivable acts," claiming the man had shamed him. Xiao Qianqing then delegated the task of recommending a new governor to Mr. Li, effectively sidelining Ling Xuefeng. Xiao Qianqing later visited Zhong Lin, who was concerned about her future now that Ling Cangcang might no longer need her protection. Xiao Qianqing reassured her, telling her she could now live a carefree life.
Later, after a moment of intimacy, Zhong Lin playfully asked Xiao Qianqing to taste the lingering wine on her lips. Their closeness was interrupted when the Empress Dowager, visiting Xiao Qianqing's manor, stumbled upon them sleeping together. The Empress Dowager angrily questioned Zhong Lin's presence and disheveled state. Xiao Qianqing brazenly responded that they were simply enjoying the night and "making merry."
Luo Xianxue confronted Ling Xuefeng's aide, demanding to know if Ling Xuefeng had indeed poisoned Ling Cangcang's pear blossom honey. The aide, initially defensive, admitted the truth, prompting Luo Xianxue's anger at how Ling Xuefeng had gambled with Ling Cangcang's life. Ling Xuefeng then appeared, admonishing Luo Xianxue for his "betrayal," claiming his actions were for Ling Cangcang's ultimate good and necessary for her predetermined path.
After Ling Xuefeng left, Luo Xianxue expressed deep regret and guilt, realizing he had been a pawn in Ling Xuefeng's schemes and had unknowingly caused Ling Cangcang harm. He solemnly swore to protect Ling Cangcang and never let her suffer again. Zhong Lin took a dispirited Ling Cangcang out of the palace, intending to confess her feelings for Xiao Qianqing, but found herself unable to speak.
Instead, Ling Cangcang revealed her own distress, explaining that she had finally realized her father, Ling Xuefeng, was the true orchestrator of recent events, having used her as a pawn in his schemes to secure an heir to the throne. She speculated that Xiao Huan had kept this truth from her to protect her.
Ling Cangcang expressed her profound sadness and confusion about her father's transformed nature, grappling with how much of his affection was genuine and how much was manipulative. She declared her unwavering loyalty to Xiao Huan, recognizing him as a wise ruler essential for the stability and well-being of Great Qi. As for Ling Xuefeng, she hoped he would see the error of his ways, though she admitted she was unsure how to face him.
Zhong Lin tried to comfort her, suggesting they fly kites to release their worries. In court, Xiao Huan proposed the abolition of the status verification system, starting with Jiangzhou, and a gradual nationwide reform, inviting objections. Ling Xuefeng voiced concerns that such a "temporary system" would lead to negative practices and taxation problems, arguing against changing a decades-old system on a whim.
Xiao Qianqing, however, emphatically supported Xiao Huan, agreeing that reform was necessary for Great Qi's continued development and that it was time to break old traditions. Xiao Huan further elaborated on his vision to simplify the complex tax collection system, moving towards a single tax based on acreage to curb corruption and alleviate the people's burden. He encouraged all ministers to submit their suggestions. After the court session, Xiao Huan and Xiao Qianqing engaged in their usual playful banter.
Xiao Huan teased Xiao Qianqing about his "cunning schemes," while Xiao Qianqing praised Xiao Huan's tax reform proposal, acknowledging its benefits for state revenue and the common people, though he noted it only addressed symptoms, not root causes. Xiao Huan then jested about their mother's eagerness to find him a consort, offering his help, which made Xiao Qianqing jokingly regret having saved Xiao Huan in the past. Their conversation ended with Xiao Huan declaring a playful "victory."
Ling Cangcang visited Ling Xuefeng, who greeted her warmly and prepared roasted Jinye pears with pear blossom honey, reminiscing about her childhood favorite. As he spoke of the sweet memory, Ling Cangcang leaned into him, silently cherishing the bittersweet moment, knowing that this display of fatherly affection might be their last genuine connection given the revelations.
