Love & Crown Episode 26 Recap
> Love & Crown Recap
Ling Cangcang's first concern upon waking was her baby. When Xiao Huan told her they would have other children, she began to cry, lamenting her failure to protect him. Xiao Huan consoled her, taking the blame for not protecting them both. Ling Cangcang reassured him, saying she didn't blame him and that as long as they were together, they would get through it and have another child.
Xiao Huan informed Xiao Qianqing that Ling Cangcang had awakened and that it was her reminder of their bond that moved him. He recalled that Xiao Qianqing was his only brother, who had once risked his life to bring him life-saving medicine, and for that, he was willing to show leniency. A grateful Xiao Qianqing pleaded with Xiao Huan to spare Xiao Ying's life. Xiao Huan agreed, ordering Xiao Ying to be returned to the cold palace.
However, he warned Xiao Qianqing that indulgence was not true love and that Xiao Ying's sudden change suggested a mastermind was behind the assassination attempt. He tasked Xiao Qianqing with uncovering the truth, and Xiao Qianqing vowed to investigate thoroughly, promising no favoritism even if their mother, Empress Dowager Liu, was involved. Later, Xiao Qianqing confronted a catatonic Xiao Ying.
Expressing deep regret, he told his sister that his failure to teach her right from wrong had allowed others to manipulate her. Believing she must pay a price for her actions and to prevent her from being used again, he severed her meridians, crippling her ability to ever create poisons. As she cried out in pain, he vowed to take care of her forever.
Xiao Qianqing then confronted his mother, Empress Dowager Liu, questioning her involvement in Xiao Ying's assassination attempt. She vehemently denied it, arguing that while she wished Xiao Huan dead, she would not be foolish enough to use an unstable Xiao Ying, knowing it would implicate her and the entire Liu clan. She insisted she would not risk her own downfall in such a manner. Reporting to Xiao Huan, Xiao Qianqing explained his belief that his mother was not the culprit.
He revealed that Xiao Ying had used a toxic insect called Dual-Pupil, which grants a temporary surge of power before rapidly destroying the user's mind. Since Xiao Ying was lucid during the attack but severely impaired afterward, and his mother would not endorse such a self-destructive method, he concluded someone else was manipulating her. He noted that activating the Dual-Pupil required consuming the rare and illicit Gold Incense, which became the primary clue.
He vowed to find the true mastermind within five days. Zhong Lin arrived with red flying ants, explaining that these ants, which grow on thousand-year-old golden nanmu dead branches, are highly attracted to the colorless and tasteless Gold Incense, detecting it from a distance. Xiao Qianqing thanked her for the crucial clue.
Zhong Lin clarified her actions were for Xiao Qianqing, Xiao Ying, and Ling Cangcang, and she was determined to find the culprit who caused the loss of the child. When Xiao Qianqing asked whom she would choose if he were to abandon his status and leave the capital permanently, him or Ling Cangcang, Zhong Lin replied that Ling Cangcang's happiness was her only wish, but she would follow him wherever he went.
Upon learning of Ling Cangcang's miscarriage, Ling Xuefeng was consumed by rage and fainted. Xiao Huan, informed of Ling Xuefeng's collapse, secretly instructed his guards to find the best imperial physician for him and, unbeknownst to Ling Cangcang, ensure father and daughter could see each other one last time if his condition worsened. Later, Du Tingxin met with Ling Xuefeng. He angrily blamed her for his unborn grandchild's death.
Du Tingxin retorted that he was also responsible and provocatively suggested he had no way out. In response, Ling Xuefeng revealed his secret pawn, Zhang Heng, the commander of the Capital Patrol Office, declaring that he had shown his final hand and retreat was no longer an option.
As Du Tingxin left, Ling Xuefeng ominously warned Lu Qi about the previous Imperial Preceptor, whom he had personally executed by fire for having an illicit affair, a clear threat referencing Lu Qi's relationship with Du Tingxin. Xiao Qianqing presented Xiao Huan with a list of those who visited the cold palace and the red flying ants for detecting Gold Incense. Xiao Huan noticed Lu Qi's name was absent.
Although Xiao Qianqing vouched for Lu Qi's loyalty, Xiao Huan found Lu Qi's excuse of sudden illness on the day of Xiao Ying's attack suspicious and summoned him for testing. After Lu Qi's departure, Xiao Huan ordered his men to discreetly monitor him. Later, Ling Cangcang found Xiao Huan burdened by worries. He admitted to having leads but no definitive answers about the mastermind. Ling Cangcang made him promise they would face all challenges together.
Xiao Huan revealed he had secretly summoned Zhong Lin and Luo Xianxue to protect her, as he trusted few in the palace after Hongqing's disappearance. Ling Cangcang grew fearful, asking if her father, Ling Xuefeng, truly hadn't given up. Xiao Huan reassured her of his protection, stating Ling Xuefeng's crimes were unforgivable, but the innocent would not be harmed. Meanwhile, unknown to Lu Qi, Xiao Qianqing was tracking him.
He observed Lu Qi entering a wine house and meeting Zhang Heng. Xiao Huan and Xiao Qianqing deduced that Ling Xuefeng was orchestrating a plot for the upcoming Imperial Assembly. Xiao Huan realized Ling Xuefeng had been secretly manipulating events all along, with Zhang Heng being a deep-cover agent. At the Imperial Assembly, Du Tingxin presented Tusu wine as a pretext. Ling Xuefeng then boldly led his soldiers into the hall, initiating his rebellion.
From a distance, Ling Cangcang watched with deep concern for Xiao Huan. Discarding all pretense, Ling Xuefeng declared his intention to "send His Majesty on his way." However, Xiao Huan revealed his own preparedness, stating he had spent the night replacing the Imperial Guards with his loyal men. He had deliberately allowed Zhang Heng to remain in his position to expose all the officials in court who would side with Ling Xuefeng's treason.
