Love & Crown Episode 30 Recap
> Love & Crown Recap
Xiao Qianqing confides in Zhong Lin, expressing that she is now the only person he has left. Zhong Lin, however, calls him foolish, reminding him that he still has His Majesty, Xiao Huan, who treats him like a brother. Xiao Qianqing vehemently denies this, asserting that his mother, the Empress Dowager, and his sister, Xiao Ying, were both murdered by Xiao Huan. Zhong Lin is stunned, struggling to believe such an accusation and insisting there must be a misunderstanding.
Xiao Qianqing dismisses her disbelief, stating he witnessed the truth himself. He bitterly expresses his resentment, having considered Xiao Huan a brother, only to realize Xiao Huan was never truly sincere. Zhong Lin persists in defending Xiao Huan and reminds Xiao Qianqing of Ling Cangcang, who she believes would never permit such an act. Offended, Xiao Qianqing accuses Zhong Lin of siding with them and breaking her promise to always stand by him.
Aware that they are being spied upon, he painfully pushes her away, ordering her to leave. Zhong Lin, sensing Xiao Qianqing is hiding something, questions if something has happened to His Majesty and Ling Cangcang, urging him not to make a decision he will regret. Despite her pleas, Xiao Qianqing harshly tells her to leave. Zhong Lin, disheartened, reluctantly departs. Unbeknownst to them, Imperial Preceptor Du Tingxin has been listening in.
She confronts Xiao Qianqing, remarking on his volatile temper for chasing Zhong Lin away. Xiao Qianqing challenges her interference in his personal affairs. Du Tingxin, however, proposes monitoring Zhong Lin, suggesting it might reveal the Empress's whereabouts. Xiao Qianqing sternly warns Du Tingxin not to overstep her bounds. He declares his ambition to seize the throne and everything from Xiao Huan, emphasizing that until then, Du Tingxin must not interfere.
When Du Tingxin questions his trust, Xiao Qianqing states they are merely using each other and warns her not to provoke him. Du Tingxin, noting his reckless nature, insists that Zhong Lin is a crucial piece of their plan. Xiao Qianqing delivers a final warning, asserting that Zhong Lin is his and he doesn't need Du Tingxin's help. Du Tingxin retorts that if Zhong Lin acts imprudently, even he won't be able to protect her.
Zhong Lin, reflecting on Xiao Qianqing's uncharacteristic behavior, suspects he is concealing vital information. She finds herself being followed and confronts the men, learning they were sent by Xiao Qianqing. Frustrated by his secretive actions, Zhong Lin feigns weariness to dismiss her guards. She then makes her way to Ling Cangcang, discovering her severely wounded by an arrow.
Ling Cangcang, recalling an earlier warning from His Majesty about a "warning arrow" indicating trouble in the palace, realizes the gravity of the situation. Zhong Lin carefully removes the arrow and, after ensuring the attendant Xiaolan is a trustworthy member of the Fenglai Pavilion, urgently asks what has transpired in the palace. The next morning, the court is in a state of unease.
Xiao Qianqing addresses the gathered officials, announcing that His Majesty has suddenly fallen ill, is now bedridden, and has been moved to a retreat for recovery. He declares that he will handle all state affairs during this period. One official challenges him, questioning the absence of an imperial edict and requesting an audience with the Empress. Xiao Qianqing explains that the Empress also fell ill from worry and has joined the Emperor at the retreat.
Several ministers, seemingly swayed or coerced, then kneel and ask Xiao Qianqing to govern on His Majesty's behalf. Soon after, an imperial decree is proclaimed, reiterating that His Majesty and the Empress are recuperating, and sealing Linghe Hall, forbidding anyone from leaving without permission. Meanwhile, Du Tingxin receives an update that Xiao Huan, despite being her prisoner, remains defiant, refusing to reveal the Empress's whereabouts or the location of the Imperial Seal.
Frustrated, Du Tingxin's subordinate suggests enlisting the Lingbi Sect, known for their cruel tortures, to force Xiao Huan to write an edict of abdication. Du Tingxin agrees. Later, Xiao Huan is ambushed by a masked assassin from the Lingbi Sect. After the attack, Xiao Huan tells his attendant that Du Tingxin has likely allied with the Lingbi Sect Saintess, whose methods are insidious. In a flashback, Xiao Huan had warned Xiao Qianqing about Du Tingxin's impending palace coup.
He instructed Xiao Qianqing to pretend to cooperate with her to uncover the true mastermind behind her, emphasizing that this "stalling tactic" is essential for the long-term stability of the Great Qi. Back in his chamber, Zhong Lin finds Xiao Qianqing tormented by visions of his deceased sister, Xiao Ying, and haunted by the fear of losing Zhong Lin too. Zhong Lin reassures him she will never leave him, then gently guides him to sleep.
While he rests, she secretly takes his royal seal and stamps a letter, a calculated move which Xiao Qianqing, feigning sleep, perceives. Zhong Lin's letter is delivered to Ling Cangcang, instructing her to investigate the East Hall of the Hot Spring Retreat at noon, where Du Tingxin is scheduled to meet Xiao Qianqing. Zhong Lin proceeds to the Prince of Yuzhang's Manor to meet Du Tingxin, pretending that Xiao Qianqing had sent her in his stead.
Du Tingxin, however, sees through the charade, noting that Zhong Lin must have stolen the seal to arrange the meeting. Zhong Lin admits her concern for Xiao Qianqing, given his secret dealings with Du Tingxin. Du Tingxin tests her loyalty by asking whom she would save if both Xiao Qianqing and Ling Cangcang were in peril. Zhong Lin deflects, asserting her love for Xiao Qianqing and her sisterly bond with Ling Cangcang mean no such choice is necessary.
Du Tingxin then hints that Ling Cangcang's attempt to see Xiao Huan will not succeed. Simultaneously, Ling Cangcang infiltrates the Hot Spring Retreat. Suddenly, Xiao Qianqing bursts in, publicly accusing Zhong Lin of betrayal for stealing his seal and plotting behind his back. Zhong Lin attempts to explain, but Xiao Qianqing, feigning deep hurt, silences her. To protect her from Du Tingxin, he orders his guards to confine Zhong Lin to her room.
Du Tingxin realizes the encounter was a distraction. Xiao Qianqing, fueled by his staged anger, agrees to go to the retreat with Du Tingxin, vowing to make his brother, Xiao Huan, pay dearly for everything. At the retreat where Xiao Huan is imprisoned, Xiao Qianqing confronts Du Tingxin, angered by the sight of Xiao Huan in heavy chains. He demands she remove them. Du Tingxin reminds him of his earlier promise, stating her desire to kill Xiao Huan.
Xiao Qianqing reiterates his resolve for Xiao Huan to suffer betrayal but draws a line at physical humiliation, emphasizing Xiao Huan's royal bloodline and the dignity of the imperial house. Du Tingxin dismisses him as emotional. Xiao Huan then speaks, offering Xiao Qianqing the throne.
He asks if Xiao Qianqing would believe him if he swore he didn't kill Xiao Ying, to which Xiao Qianqing replies, "No." Xiao Huan repeats his offer to cede the throne with one condition: to die with dignity on Phoenix Terrace during the Empress Dowager's funeral. Meanwhile, Ling Cangcang gathers members of the Fenglai Pavilion, including Zhong Lin, who managed to evade her followers.
Ling Cangcang informs them that His Majesty has been moved back to the palace and will attend the funeral. She rallies the Fenglai Pavilion to support His Majesty and reveals she has instructed a man named Shi Yan to lead a coordinated attack within five days, tasking the assembled members with helping him infiltrate the Capital. She looks at the Imperial Seal and ponders whether His Majesty had foreseen these events when he entrusted it to her. The solemn day of the Empress Dowager's funeral arrives, and the court ministers perform the ritualistic kneeling and bowing at the ceremony.
