Love & Crown Episode 31 Recap
> Love & Crown Recap
Ling Cangcang, also known as Miss Ling, receives an update that members of Fenglai Pavilion have stealthily gathered in the Capital, poised for action. She instructs some of her forces to head to the Prince of Yuzhang's Manor to assist Zhong Lin, while the remainder are to await further orders. Ling Cangcang herself sets out for Phoenix Terrace. Meanwhile, in the imperial court, Xiao Huan finds solace in the return of Minister Lin.
Minister Lin expresses his understanding, realizing that Xiao Huan's previous decision to exile him, despite his unyielding and upright nature, was a protective measure. Xiao Huan then tasks Mr. Li with the responsibility of identifying capable individuals for Great Qi, emphasizing the critical need to abolish the status verification system for the nation's long-term stability. Mr. Li pledges his unwavering loyalty, promising to protect Xiao Huan even at the cost of his own life.
Standing before his officials, Xiao Huan reveals his lifelong struggle with a cold sickness, acknowledging that it was through their collective support that he has persevered. He thanks them for their steadfast loyalty in building Great Qi's flourishing era. As fireworks ignite the night sky, Xiao Huan gazes at them, his thoughts turning to Ling Cangcang. He silently hopes she will depart without glancing back, knowing the perils that lie ahead for him.
He makes a silent vow that if he survives, he will never allow her to leave him again. Moments later, Xiao Qianqing confronts Xiao Huan, brandishing a blade and demanding that he "die with dignity" before his ministers. Xiao Huan surveys the assembled officials, questioning if this tragic end is truly what they desire, before dramatically leaping from Phoenix Terrace into the swift moat below. Ministers cry out in shock and despair.
Du Tingxin is overcome with grief, struggling to accept Xiao Huan's desperate act. Xiao Qianqing, his mind replaying childhood memories of Xiao Huan and their sister, Ying, is plagued by the thought that Xiao Huan held crucial truths but chose not to reveal them. Ling Cangcang and Zhong Lin are together after the incident. Ling Cangcang immediately inquires about Xiao Huan. Zhong Lin reports that he jumped from Phoenix Terrace into the fast-flowing river.
Despite their searches and those by Xiao Qianqing's men, his body remains unfound. Distraught, Ling Cangcang attempts to go search for him, but Zhong Lin intervenes, warning that Du Tingxin has heavily guarded Phoenix Terrace, making any attempt a certain death. Elsewhere, a Saintess is informed of the Emperor's jump.
Upon learning his body hasn't been recovered, yet no one survives the Qining River, she acknowledges his "backbone" in choosing such a decisive death and expresses regret at not having met him. Xiao Qianqing, in a moment of solitary reflection, recalls a past, mocking exchange with Xiao Huan where he was asked if he liked the "gift" of the throne.
Xiao Qianqing had dismissed it as meaningless, like sincerity without a response, and had then declared his ambition to claim the throne for Great Qi's prosperity. His thoughts then drift to a poignant childhood memory of sharing mandarins with Xiao Huan and Ying, remembering how Ying preferred Xiao Huan's peeled fruit, finding Xiao Qianqing's "ugly." These fragmented memories intertwine with his internal conflict about the Luling Palace fire.
He mentally confronts Xiao Huan, demanding to know the truth of that day and why he abandoned Ying, who loved him so dearly. He questions if this tragic outcome was truly what they desired and what Du Tingxin might have done to Xiao Huan, lamenting that Xiao Huan jumped without revealing the full truth. Later, a guard brings Zhong Lin, the Princess of Ding'an, to Xiao Qianqing as ordered by the Imperial Preceptor.
Zhong Lin immediately demands to know Ling Cangcang's whereabouts. Xiao Qianqing, maintaining a controlled demeanor, assures her that Ling Cangcang is safe and residing in Linghe Hall, as is proper for the Empress of Great Qi. Du Tingxin, in Linghe Hall, confronts Ling Cangcang, acknowledging the long time since their last encounter. Ling Cangcang, recognizing Du Tingxin's malevolent intent, directly asks if she plans to kill her.
Du Tingxin confirms, openly stating her desire to "cut her into pieces" for being responsible for Xiao Huan's current predicament. She asserts that Ling Cangcang's fate curses Xiao Huan, ensuring he "never meets a good end" if she remains by his side. Ling Cangcang vehemently denies Xiao Huan is dead, but Du Tingxin retorts that she personally witnessed him jump and he "will not survive."
Du Tingxin further chastises Ling Cangcang for her perceived inaction when Xiao Huan sacrificed his life-saving medicine and risked his life for peace, questioning why Ling Cangcang is still alive and did not die with him. She then presents Ling Cangcang with a blood-soaked robe, claiming it was found in the Qining River. Du Tingxin cruelly declares that she will not allow Ling Cangcang an easy death, promising to prolong her torment before ultimately sending her to her "demise."
Ling Cangcang defiantly challenges Du Tingxin to kill her immediately, warning that if she fails, she "will make her pay." Du Tingxin scoffs, mocking Ling Cangcang's perceived powerlessness to exact such a price. In the imperial court, ministers discuss Xiao Huan's three-day disappearance and the fruitless search by the Capital Patrol Office along the perilous Qining River. They conclude that Xiao Huan "may not survive" due to the river's treacherous currents.
Some propose that Xiao Qianqing, already serving as regent, should ascend the throne to prevent the nation from being without a ruler. Minister Lin, however, denounces these suggestions as "presumptuous" and "shameful," accusing them of "currying favor" while the Emperor's fate is unknown. He insists that "whether alive or dead, we must find His Majesty." Du Tingxin, in her capacity as Imperial Preceptor, acknowledges the need for a resolution, stating that they cannot "wait forever."
Minister Lin then cites the founding laws of Great Qi, stipulating that if an Emperor's life or death remains unknown, the throne can only pass to another after a full hundred days without any news. The ministers, respecting Minister Lin's scholarly authority, accept this interpretation and propose that Xiao Qianqing serve as Regent during this hundred-day period, ensuring that if Xiao Huan returns, "all will naturally return" to the "rightful order."
Du Tingxin stops Xiao Qianqing, noting his apparent indifference to Xiao Huan's unknown fate. Xiao Qianqing retorts that he has no reason to care for the "murderer who killed his mother and Ying." He disclaims any interest in the throne now, explaining that his only motivation for seeking it was Xiao Huan's profound attachment to it. If Xiao Huan is truly gone, the throne holds no appeal.
His sole desire is for Xiao Huan to survive the Qining River so he can personally "take his life with my own hands." Du Tingxin then advises Xiao Qianqing to prioritize finding Xiao Huan. She brings up Ling Cangcang, mentioning her deep grief and desire to "die with His Majesty," and asks Xiao Qianqing how to proceed with her.
Du Tingxin informs him that, should Xiao Huan's whereabouts remain unknown after the hundred-day period, the Empress "must be buried with him." Xiao Qianqing assents, and Du Tingxin further requests that he personally issue the decree for Ling Cangcang's "burial" when the Emperor's passing is officially "announced to the world." Xiao Qianqing agrees. Later, alone, Xiao Qianqing is consumed by the realization that "It was Xiao Huan."
He feels "fooled" and now believes Xiao Huan is the true culprit behind Ying's death, thinking Xiao Huan chose death over confessing. Vowing revenge, he resolves to "destroy everything he cares about." He then secretly instructs his subordinate to "quietly" investigate all contact between Nanrong Palace and Xuanguang Hall prior to the incident, ensuring no one in the palace discovers their investigation.
Xiao Qianqing confronts Ling Cangcang, initially blocked by a guard who cites the Imperial Preceptor's orders against disturbing the grieving Empress. Xiao Qianqing dismisses the order, declaring he is there to demand repayment for what Ling Cangcang owes him. Upon entering, he confronts a visibly distraught Ling Cangcang, telling her she now understands his profound "pain."
He demands she "give it back to me," wishing for her to experience the "heart ripped out" and "thousand arrows through the chest" anguish he endures. He then informs her that the announcement of Xiao Huan's "passing" is imminent, and as Empress, she "will be buried with him." However, he cruelly declares that before that, he wants her to "eat well and stay alive," desiring her to "live in torment for every single moment."
Xiao Qianqing bitterly observes Ling Cangcang's calm demeanor despite her impending "burial," cynically calling her and Xiao Huan a "lovely couple who would die for each other." He reflects on Xiao Huan's proclamation of "dying with dignity" before he jumped from Phoenix Terrace and merely "disappeared," a fact that infuriates Xiao Qianqing as he wishes to personally kill him.
Ling Cangcang, however, finds a flicker of hope in Xiao Huan's unknown whereabouts, believing that "if he only disappeared, it means there's still hope." Meanwhile, Zhong Lin brings Xiao Qianqing some sweet dessert, explaining that she once loved such sweets because they made life feel "not so bitter." However, she now finds them "too sweet" and unappetizing.
Xiao Qianqing, who is holding her captive, asks if she is eager to leave, to which Zhong Lin responds that she "must go" to "save Cangcang." Upon learning that Ling Cangcang has "started eating again" and "found her will to live," Du Tingxin is incensed, questioning the depth of Ling Cangcang's love for Xiao Huan if she can eat while his fate is uncertain.
Du Tingxin declares that she "won't let you live a day longer" and sends her subordinates to force Ling Cangcang to commit suicide, suggesting she "do it herself" for dignity. Ling Cangcang defiantly refuses. Just as they move to force her, Zhong Lin intervenes and rescues her. Du Tingxin is enraged when she hears of Ling Cangcang's "escape," realizing that Ling Cangcang possesses "influence inside the palace," and admits she "underestimated her."
Ling Cangcang finally finds her father, Ling Xuefeng, who is relieved to see her safe. However, Ling Cangcang immediately confronts him, demanding to know if he was involved in Du Tingxin's actions and if he had any knowledge of the deaths of the Empress Dowager Liu and Princess Ying. Ling Xuefeng attempts to deflect, offering her a hand warmer and expressing concern for her well-being, but Ling Cangcang presses him for answers.
She explains that with Xiao Huan's disappearance and Xiao Qianqing's alliance with Du Tingxin in the coup, she needs to uncover the truth. Ling Xuefeng desperately urges her to "stop digging," advising her to leave the Capital and head north to meet Jueding, where the Northern Garrison Army can guarantee her safety.
Ling Cangcang refuses, asking what will become of Xiao Huan and Great Qi, reiterating her belief that "if he only disappeared, it means there's still hope" for him to return alive, and thus the truth is vital. She pleads with her father to tell her what he knows. Ling Xuefeng, exasperated, calls her "stubborn" and laments that she has ignored his warnings, cautioning her about Du Tingxin, whom he describes as "a mad dog."
