Love & Crown Episode 9 Recap
> Love & Crown Recap
Luo Xianxue questions Ling Xuefeng about the potential fallout if Xiao Huan were to reveal that Mr. Li Lu willingly sacrificed himself under Ling Xuefeng's orders. Ling Xuefeng confidently asserts that Xiao Huan would never tell and that his actions were for the good of the Ling clan.
When Luo Xianxue expresses concern that Ling Cangcang might be unable to bear the truth, Ling Xuefeng is resolute, stating that as a daughter of the Ling clan, there are certain burdens she must endure. He emphasizes that despite her title as Empress, the Ling clan remains her true foundation, and her security hinges on its prosperity.
He notes that Xiao Huan is relentlessly pressuring him in court, making it imperative for him to gain the support of powerful ministers, or the Ling clan will face ruin. Therefore, Ling Xuefeng stresses that Ling Cangcang must bear a prince soon. He then asks for updates on the Saintess of the Lingbi Sect, stating that finding her is crucial to recovering the Moon-Eclipse. Luo Xianxue pledges his unwavering loyalty and promises to dedicate his life to this task.
Ling Cangcang observes that her Begonia Pendant emits light when near a poisonous entity. She recalls her master's teachings, realizing it must contain Wanwei Herb, a rare medicinal herb known to glow and ward off toxins, making her immune to any poison. She also remembers that the Moon-Eclipse is the Ghost King's token, a creature that feeds on and originates from Wanwei Herb. Implanted in a human heart, it can unleash the host's potential at the cost of their lifespan.
Should the host perish, the Moon-Eclipse faces imminent demise, able to regenerate only by returning to the Wanwei Herb. Ling Cangcang realizes that to unravel the mysteries surrounding her master's death within the palace, especially since Li Hongqing oversaw his burial, she must first reclaim the Phoenix Seal. Ling Cangcang's attendant informs her that the Empress Dowager is actively arranging for Xiao Huan to choose new consorts. Ling Cangcang, surprisingly, views this as a "good thing," baffling her attendant.
Ling Cangcang proceeds to meet the Empress Dowager and, feigning ignorance about the concubine selection, explains she just returned to the palace. The Empress Dowager expresses her frustration, noting Xiao Huan's insistence on consulting Ling Cangcang and subtly blaming her for the lack of heirs. Ling Cangcang assures her she will now dutifully assist in persuading Xiao Huan to expand his harem. Later, Ling Cangcang presents Xiao Huan with the carefully selected portraits of noble young women.
Xiao Huan, suspicious of her motives, questions why she is helping. Ling Cangcang reiterates her duty as Empress to secure the royal line. When he presses her about her detached attitude, she dismissively states that true affection is absent in the palace, rendering the presence of spies irrelevant. Frustrated, Xiao Huan declares he will personally scrutinize the choices.
A eunuch suggests to Xiao Huan that Ling Cangcang might have acted under duress, but Xiao Huan instead orders Li Hongqing to conduct a thorough investigation into the backgrounds of all candidates. An attendant reports to Ling Cangcang that Xiao Huan has chosen Xing Yiyi, Minister Xing's daughter, and is showering her with gifts. Ling Cangcang outwardly maintains her composure, stating that Xiao Huan's happiness is all that matters.
Xiao Huan, however, aware of her jealousy, later presses her on what title he should bestow upon Xing Yiyi, highlighting her "gentleness" and "grace." Ling Cangcang, with veiled sarcasm, tells him to decide for himself and even offers to cede her Empress title if he loves Xing Yiyi so deeply. Xiao Huan deflects, claiming the Empress's duties are too arduous for Xing Yiyi. Ling Cangcang then departs, citing pressing harem matters.
Observing her leave, Xiao Huan privately acknowledges that she still cares for him. Meanwhile, the Empress Dowager concludes that Xiao Huan likely prefers Xing Yiyi's gentle demeanor over Ling Cangcang's assertive one and realizes Ling Cangcang plans to use this situation to regain the Phoenix Seal. Ling Cangcang instructs her attendant to inform the Empress Dowager that she has a cold and cannot host the upcoming Lotus Banquet.
At the banquet, Xiao Huan conspicuously asks Ling Cangcang for her opinion on Xing Yiyi's dance. Ling Cangcang offers a terse "Very good" and suggests Xiao Huan keep Xing Yiyi's performances for his private enjoyment, citing her own martial inclinations. During the Lotus Banquet, just as the Empress Dowager intends to have Xing Yiyi remain in the palace, a man dramatically appears, claiming a secret betrothal to her.
Xing Yiyi denies knowing him, but the man insists he taught her all her skills. Grand Tutor Ling seizes this opportunity to publicly criticize the Empress Dowager for her poor judgment. Ling Cangcang steps in, feigning sympathy for the Empress Dowager's laborious management of the inner palace and tactfully suggests she relinquish her duties to the Empress and enjoy a peaceful retirement.
Subsequently, a servant informs the furious Empress Dowager that Ling Xuefeng, Minister Xing, and other ministers have formally impeached her for negligence. The servant further discloses that Xiao Huan has decreed the Phoenix Seal be transferred to Ling Cangcang. Xiao Huan later confronts Ling Cangcang, admitting he anticipated her plan and selected Xing Yiyi precisely because he knew her intentions, revealing that all other candidates were flawed. Ling Cangcang declares her primary objective was always the Phoenix Seal.
Armed with it, she visits the Inner Archive and interrogates the eunuch in charge, who reveals that Commander Li had, the previous day, removed the Lingbi Sect dossiers and a coffin. Ling Cangcang realizes Xiao Huan had preemptively moved the items and suspects her master's body, possibly containing the Moon-Eclipse, is inside the coffin, deepening her doubt about his identity. Xing Yiyi confronts and attempts to assassinate Ling Cangcang.
Ling Cangcang calmly offers Xing Yiyi a way out, promising to use the Phoenix Seal to help her escape the palace and live a free life with her beloved. Xing Yiyi initially shows hope but, observing unseen figures in the distance, realizes her fate is sealed and tragically takes her own life. The Empress Dowager is pleased to hear of Xing Yiyi's death, seeing it as an opportunity to implicate Ling Cangcang.
Meanwhile, Minister Xing kneels before Xiao Huan, demanding justice for his daughter, but Xiao Huan dismisses him. Soon after, a eunuch informs Ling Cangcang that Xiao Huan requires her to return the Phoenix Seal. Xiao Huan explains that due to numerous impeachment memorials against her, he must temporarily reclaim it. Ling Cangcang vehemently argues that the Empress Dowager orchestrated Xing Yiyi's death to frame her.
Xiao Huan admits he knows the truth but counters that the palace operates on power, not justice. She passionately questions if a human life is merely a pawn in their game for the Phoenix Seal. Xiao Huan promises to return the seal once the scandal subsides, but Ling Cangcang challenges him, asking if he fears her continued investigation.
She confronts him with her knowledge of him moving her master's body and how her Begonia Pendant reacted to it, suggesting the Moon-Eclipse is hidden within the corpse. She directly asks if he killed her master because he was the Ghost King and if his initial manipulation of her was all part of the scheme.
Xiao Huan maintains he had no choice but to kill Li Lu, implying the truth is more complex, and that he moved the body to prevent the Moon-Eclipse from causing further harm. Seeing her distress, he decides to show her the truth. Xiao Huan leads Ling Cangcang to Mr. Li Lu's body.
Upon seeing her master, Ling Cangcang is utterly heartbroken, repeatedly calling out his name and tearfully demanding to know why he lied to her and why he was the Ghost King. Xiao Huan explains that he killed Li Lu out of dire necessity. Overwhelmed with grief, Ling Cangcang accuses Xiao Huan of having used and deceived her from the beginning because of her master's identity.
She describes her profound, unending pain, questioning the meaning of "sincerity" when even her most trusted master proved deceptive, leaving her feeling completely isolated. Xiao Huan, visibly pained by her anguish, expresses his own sorrow, explaining that his position as Emperor often forces him into impossible choices. He firmly vows to protect her and ensure her lifelong safety. Meanwhile, Ling Xuefeng instructs Luo Xianxue to ascertain the extent of Ling Cangcang's knowledge regarding Mr. Li Lu's case and the Moon-Eclipse.
Luo Xianxue meets Ling Cangcang at the Changyue Tavern. Ling Cangcang confirms that her master was indeed the Ghost King and that she saw the Moon-Eclipse within his body. Luo Xianxue feigns surprise and suggests that Xiao Huan’s actions imply he covets the Moon-Eclipse. Ling Cangcang defends Xiao Huan, stating he merely wishes to prevent it from falling into malevolent hands, but Luo Xianxue dismisses his words as unreliable.
He urges Ling Cangcang to secure the Moon-Eclipse herself for the well-being of the realm, stressing that her Begonia Pendant, containing Wanwei Herb, is its perfect sanctuary. Deeply confused, Ling Cangcang admits she could reconcile with Xiao Huan killing her master out of necessity, but his deceit was deeply hurtful. She turns to Luo Xianxue, asking if she can truly trust him, as he has never lied to her.
Luo Xianxue, hiding his own guilt, reassures her of his unwavering loyalty. Comforted, Ling Cangcang feels she can at least rely on him and her father, as Luo Xianxue subtly continues to sow seeds of doubt against Xiao Huan. As Ling Cangcang meets Luo Xianxue, Aunt Chan suddenly arrives with palace guards to conduct a search. Just as Ling Cangcang senses trouble, Xiao Huan appears unexpectedly, asserting that he brought her out for tea.
He sternly reprimands Aunt Chan for disrupting them and orders her to leave. After she departs, Ling Cangcang questions Xiao Huan's sudden presence and his decision to cover for her, noting the two teacups on the table. Xiao Huan claims he came out of curiosity after hearing about Aunt Chan's arrival and reaffirms his pledge to protect her. He then suggests they take a stroll through the bustling market.
They stop at a stall selling honey puffs, which Xiao Huan reveals were his favorite childhood treat. He explains that his mother would always give him one after his bitter medicine for a cold sickness he suffered from. After his mother's death, he abstained from sweets to remember the bitterness and remain vigilant. However, he confesses that after tasting Ling Cangcang's pear blossom honey, he realized that sweetness ultimately triumphs over bitterness.
