Love & Crown Episode 24 Recap
> Love & Crown Recap
Princess Xiao Ying, now lucid and carefree, found joy in flying a kite outside the palace, with Hongqing attentively watching over her. When she stumbled, Hongqing rushed to protect her, but the kite string accidentally cut his hand. Seeing him injured because of her, Xiao Ying angrily threw her beloved kite away. She then tried to soothe his wound with her saliva, a remedy an old nanny once taught her.
Feeling cold, Xiao Ying playfully huddled inside Hongqing's large cloak, causing him to become visibly flustered and start trembling. She noted his fast heartbeat and asked if he was ill, but he nervously denied it. Feeling hungry, Xiao Ying was offered a meal by Hongqing, but her attention was drawn to a child eating tanghulu. Displaying her princess-like entitlement, she snatched the sweet treat, causing the child to cry and run home. Hongqing was visibly displeased by her actions.
Xiao Ying, sensing his unhappiness, quickly promised to mend her ways. She then confessed her feelings, telling him she only wished for his happiness and asked if he liked her. Hongqing, while not directly reciprocating, gently explained that if she learned right from wrong, she was quite lovable. He also clarified that he was unable to save her during the Luling Palace fire because he was young and unwell at the time, advising her not to blame Xiao Huan.
He then stated he would need to seek Emperor Xiao Huan's permission if he were to marry her. Overjoyed, Xiao Ying instantly planned to buy a new tanghulu for the child. Later that night, Xiao Ying burst into Xiao Huan and Ling Cangcang's bedchamber, eagerly inquiring if her brother would permit Hongqing to marry her. Xiao Huan, though annoyed by the late intrusion, promised to consider it, telling her to return the next morning for a formal discussion.
Princess Xiao Ying, still excited, insisted he "must" agree before leaving. Xiao Qianqing, overhearing the exchange, was secretly thrilled for his sister. Back in her own palace, Xiao Ying, now eager to become a "proper" wife, apologized to the servants she had mistreated in the past. She later confided in Xiao Qianqing, revealing Hongqing's explanation for the Luling Palace fire had made her release her resentment towards Xiao Huan.
She shared that Hongqing "kind of" liked her and would like her even more if she were more proper, which motivated her to stay up all night memorizing classics like the Analects of Confucius. Xiao Qianqing, proud of her growth, promised to wake her if Hongqing came to visit. Meanwhile, Xiao Huan and Xiao Qianqing engaged in a friendly archery competition.
Xiao Qianqing playfully warned Xiao Huan not to be a sore loser, but it was Xiao Huan who emerged victorious, much to Xiao Qianqing's chagrin. During the outing, Zhong Lin noticed Ling Cangcang's unusual craving for sour foods, which Ling Cangcang found delicious. Later, at a barbecue where Xiao Huan impressed everyone with his grilling skills, Ling Cangcang suddenly felt nauseous and vomited, complaining that the fish tasted "fishy." Physician Li was immediately summoned.
After examining her, Physician Li joyfully announced that Ling Cangcang was pregnant with Xiao Huan's child, advising the couple to be cautious and avoid overexertion. Overwhelmed with happiness, Xiao Huan thanked Ling Cangcang and insisted Physician Li stay in the capital for the duration of the pregnancy. Witnessing Xiao Huan's profound joy at the news of his impending fatherhood, Du Tingxin felt a surge of bitterness.
She lamented the perceived unfairness of the Xiao family's happiness after their supposed role in her mother's demise. In a drunken state, mistaking Lu Qi for the Emperor, she bitterly asked if he liked children, or if he only cared for the child he was having with Ling Cangcang. Her anger simmered, solidifying her resolve for revenge. Xiao Huan, now overly protective, discovered fantasy storybooks in Ling Cangcang's room.
He angrily deemed them inappropriate for "prenatal education" and instead gave her a "Tales of Rivers and Mountains" travelogue to read. He also presented her with a lavish spread of food, including Five-spice crispy fish, Crystal mutton jelly, and Stuffed eight-treasure duck, but Ling Cangcang, suffering from morning sickness, found them all unappetizing. Annoyed by the waste, Xiao Qianqing arranged for the dishes to be packed and sent to his manor for him and Zhong Lin.
Ling Cangcang, feeling increasingly confined, yearned to see her father, Ling Xuefeng, who was tending to plants in a secluded courtyard, uttering cryptic words about great deeds when his seeds sprouted. Xiao Huan, in his meticulous concern for Ling Cangcang and the baby, imposed stringent controls on her life—changing her incense, forbidding sword practice, and having guards constantly watch her chamber.
Feeling like a "pampered hothouse flower" stripped of her freedom, Ling Cangcang confronted Xiao Huan, who gently explained these measures were for their child's safety. She reluctantly agreed to comply until Physician Li gave her clearance. Xiao Huan further instructed Eunuch Feng Wufu to meticulously inspect all of Ling Cangcang's food and belongings and tasked Xiao Qianqing with monitoring Ling Xuefeng, ensuring he received a cough remedy of coltsfoot blossoms.
Meanwhile, Du Tingxin obtained critical intelligence: Shi Yan was planning a surprise attack on the Lingbi Sect's Langye Mountain branch in two days. She decided to leak this information to the Lingbi Sect, calculating that Shi Yan's downfall would destabilize Hongqing's position, thereby creating an opportunity for Lu Qi to rise. The Lingbi Sect's Saintess received the intelligence and confirmed its accuracy.
Hongqing, upon hearing that Shi Yan had been ambushed, volunteered to leave the capital to rescue him and investigate the truth, a request Xiao Huan granted. Before his departure, Hongqing briefed Lu Qi on palace security, reminding him of strict lighting protocols in the cold palace. He also specifically asked Lu Qi to look after Xiao Ying, advising him to tell her that the flower she was tending would soon bloom, provided she refrained from getting angry or violent.
Xiao Ying, indeed, was seen lovingly nurturing a potted plant, eagerly anticipating its bloom. Upon learning of Hongqing's mission, she declared she would not eat until he returned, devising a plan to reduce her food intake daily, vowing to starve herself if he didn't come back within ten days. When a concerned Lu Qi tried to dissuade her, Xiao Ying angrily dismissed him, stating she did not like him.
