Love & Crown Episode 27 Recap
> Love & Crown Recap
Seeing that his rebellion was fully exposed, Ling Xuefeng declared his intention to send His Majesty off on his final journey, ordering his guards to attack. The palace was plunged into chaos as the Emperor’s forces clashed with Ling Xuefeng's rebels. Du Tingxin, standing close to Xiao Huan, watched the dangerous scene unfold with wide eyes, secretly hoping for Ling Xuefeng's victory.
When a rebel moved to attack Xiao Huan, Xiao Qianqing rushed forward, but Ling Jueding, who had just returned, was quicker and struck the traitor down. Ling Xuefeng stared at his own son, who now stood with the Emperor against him, and their gazes met without a trace of their former father-son affection. Ling Xuefeng was shocked that Xiao Huan had secretly brought Ling Jueding back to the Capital to deliver a fatal blow.
Ling Jueding urged his father to abandon his path, but Ling Xuefeng retorted that he didn't need his son's lecture. Ling Xuefeng then acknowledged Xiao Huan, admitting that he was truly the finest student he had ever taught and that he was defeated fair and square.
Xiao Qianqing confronted Ling Xuefeng, accusing him of ordering Lu Qi to manipulate Xiao Ying into assassinating Xiao Huan and, when that failed, attempting a desperate coup at the Grand Imperial Assembly to seize the throne. Ling Xuefeng responded with a cynical remark about victors being kings and losers being nothing, implying that all crimes, old and new, would be attributed to him. He then questioned Lu Qi about whether he should admit to these crimes.
Fearing that Ling Xuefeng would expose Du Tingxin, Lu Qi attempted to kill Ling Xuefeng publicly. However, Ling Xuefeng was heavily guarded, making him inaccessible. Lu Qi considered taking his own life but hesitated, remembering Du Tingxin. Seeing Lu Qi look her way, Du Tingxin, in a fit of panic, rushed forward, seized a blade, and slit Lu Qi's throat, killing him on the spot. Ling Xuefeng remained silent as Du Tingxin committed the act.
Xiao Huan did not notice anything unusual about Du Tingxin, nor did he suspect her. Ling Cangcang learned from Luo Xianxue that Ling Xuefeng had been imprisoned in Fayun Temple, realizing there was no turning back for her father. Du Tingxin, experiencing a hallucination, saw Lu Qi and asked if he regretted his actions. Lu Qi, in her vision, affirmed he had no regrets and would gladly die for her before disappearing.
Du Tingxin then resolved that Ling Xuefeng could not be allowed to live, and Xiao Huan must also die. Ling Cangcang visited Ling Xuefeng, questioning why he pursued what was never his, despite the Emperor having offered him a peaceful retirement. Ling Xuefeng explained that he had dedicated his life to Great Qi, striving for power to protect his family from the historical fate of fallen ministers.
He concluded by saying he had no regrets about his actions, only about being outmaneuvered. Ling Xuefeng informed Ling Cangcang that Ling Jueding had requested to lead the entire Ling clan to the cold northern frontiers to guard the borders of Great Qi, never to return to the Capital. Ling Cangcang tearfully bid her father farewell. Ling Xuefeng then confessed that his greatest regret was dragging her into his schemes.
He offered her the chance to leave the Capital with Ling Jueding, wishing her peace and happiness. As Ling Cangcang turned to leave, an assassin attacked Ling Xuefeng. Luo Xianxue sacrificed himself to protect both Ling Cangcang and Ling Xuefeng, dying in Ling Cangcang's arms. Ling Cangcang, heartbroken, pleaded with Luo Xianxue not to die, reminding him of his vow to live for her. Ling Xuefeng was deeply distressed by Luo Xianxue's death.
As Ling Cangcang helped a gravely injured Ling Xuefeng outside, he was struck by an unseen arrow. Witnessing this, Du Tingxin lamented that all those who truly cared for her were gone, and she vowed to make others experience the same grief of losing loved ones. The imperial physician informed Xiao Huan and Ling Cangcang that they should prepare for Ling Xuefeng's final rites, but Physician Li arrived to treat him.
Xiao Huan suspected there was a mastermind behind the events, as Ling Xuefeng had not fully admitted that Xiao Ying was responsible for the assassination attempt, suggesting he was protecting someone. Ling Cangcang mentioned that Ling Xuefeng had uttered a cryptic word before being struck, which she believed was connected to this hidden individual. To ensure Ling Xuefeng's safety, Xiao Huan decided to keep him secretly at Fayun Temple to recover, while publicly announcing his death.
Ling Cangcang expressed concern about the danger if the mastermind was close to them. Xiao Huan revealed he had a plan to uncover the individual, but made Ling Cangcang promise to prioritize her own safety, as he would be vulnerable. Meanwhile, Xiao Ying spent her days cradling a flower pot, waiting for it to bloom, her memory still confused.
Ling Cangcang patiently encouraged Xiao Ying to dress nicely, playfully suggesting the flowers wouldn't bloom otherwise, and helped her recall Li Hongqing's name by telling her stories about him. Du Tingxin, while treating Xiao Huan, quickly left upon Xiao Qianqing's arrival.
Xiao Qianqing confessed to Xiao Huan that his past opposition and attempts to "dethrone" him were not out of malice, but a misguided effort to free Xiao Huan from the burdens of emperorship, knowing his brother’s true desire was to roam freely in the martial world. Xiao Qianqing declared that with their greatest enemy defeated, it was time for him to withdraw from court.
He requested permission to leave the capital with Xiao Ying and Zhong Lin to search for Li Hongqing, offering to return his royal seal and military token. Xiao Huan questioned if he truly wanted to leave without seeking the truth about what happened to Xiao Ying.
Xiao Qianqing initially believed Ling Xuefeng was the culprit, but Xiao Huan revealed that the attempt on Ling Xuefeng's life suggested a deeper conspiracy, indicating that the true mastermind was still at large and likely connected to Xiao Ying's attack. Zhong Lin discovered the Soul-Severing Grass, which grows in volcanic craters and possesses an intensely fiery medicinal property that can expel venomous parasites. She believed the Soul-Severing Flame could force the Dual-Pupil parasite out of Xiao Ying, restoring her consciousness.
Xiao Huan immediately volunteered to administer the treatment, but Zhong Lin warned that the flame would instantly scorch flesh, making it uncontrollable for ordinary people. She explained that only Xiao Huan, due to his unusually cold constitution, could withstand its power, though it would deplete his inner force and cause burns. Xiao Huan, unwavering, accepted the risk. During the treatment, Xiao Ying cried out in pain, leading Xiao Qianqing to demand that Xiao Huan stop, heartbroken by his sister’s suffering.
Xiao Qianqing argued that Xiao Huan was willing to inflict pain on Xiao Ying to get to the truth, claiming that since she was not his full-blooded sister, he could be ruthless. He then declared his intention to take Xiao Ying away and care for her for the rest of her life. Ling Cangcang stepped in, challenging Xiao Qianqing.
She reminded him that Xiao Huan, having endured extraordinary pain since childhood for a chance at a brighter future, understood Xiao Ying's suffering better than anyone. She argued that letting Xiao Ying remain in her current state, forgetting everyone and everything, would condemn her to a lifetime of sorrow, making her recovery paramount for her true happiness.
