Love Better Than Immortality Episode 23 Recap
> Love Better Than Immortality Recap
Within Thousand Moon Cave, Chunhua questioned Autumn Moon's intentions, asking if he still wished to use her. Autumn Moon assured her of her freedom and safety, asserting that chaining someone to his will was not true liberty. He explained that his initial desire for the mental cultivation method, which led him to mistake her for Hua Xiaolei, was now irrelevant since Xiao Bai had mastered the final movement of the Fengming Swordsmanship.
Autumn Moon stated his sole intention was to protect her for life. Chunhua, however, rejected his protection, begging him to release her. Autumn Moon questioned her unwavering trust in Xiao Bai, especially since Xiao Bai had tried to kill her even within Thousand Moon Cave, warning that returning would lead to her demise. Chunhua declared her faith in Xiao Bai, calling him the man she recognized at first sight and the one who could give her true love.
Autumn Moon, frustrated by her stubbornness, called her choice a "wrong path." Chunhua then returned the Icy Silkworm Beads to Autumn Moon, stating that they were no longer children and it was time for them to find their own paths. Witnessing her resolve, Autumn Moon accepted the beads, noting that they had seen her dependence on him, and bid her farewell. Autumn Moon then unbound the icy silkworm threads and released her.
Chunhua left the beads with him, fighting back tears as she departed. After leaving the cave, Chunhua found herself disoriented, unable to locate the entrance from which she had previously been led. She pondered whether Xiao Bai truly wished her dead, considering the attempts on her life through poisoning and assassins, and resolved to return to Fengming Manor to seek clarification. Upon Chunhua's return to Fengming Manor, Xiao Bai was overjoyed and rushed to greet her.
Chunhua, however, was distant and immediately angered by his suspicion when he questioned her relationship with Autumn Moon. She confronted him, acknowledging that Autumn Moon had indeed sent her to steal the mental cultivation method and had seen Hua Xiaolei's birthmark, and that Autumn Moon had released her willingly. Chunhua challenged Xiao Bai, asking if he now thought she had tarnished Fengming Manor's reputation, prompting him to send assassins after her when he couldn't find her.
Xiao Bai vehemently denied any such intention, assuring her he had only wished to rescue her and had believed her all along, waiting anxiously for her to return and tell the truth. He posited that perhaps Hua Xiaolei had shown Autumn Moon her scar, but it was not the current Chunhua who had lost her memories.
Xiao Bai then asked if Autumn Moon had threatened her into stealing the mental cultivation method and obeying his commands, and if she had given him the true method. Chunhua confirmed she had given Autumn Moon a fake mental cultivation method, which brought a visible wave of relief to Xiao Bai. He apologized for not realizing she was threatened sooner and letting her suffer alone.
Chunhua believed Xiao Bai had not ordered her death but remained puzzled as to who had. Meanwhile, Leng Ning and Feng Caicai speculated on Chunhua's return. Leng Ning suspected Chunhua had returned with a hidden agenda, believing her connection with Autumn Moon was complex, especially since the spy attempting to kill Chunhua had died. Feng Caicai, however, maintained that Chunhua's matters should be left for Xiao Bai to decide.
Leng Ning directly questioned Feng Caicai if she believed Chunhua and Autumn Moon had an affair, reminding her that Chunhua was the one who provided the antidote when Feng Caicai was poisoned, an antidote that later became widespread. After a moment of silence, Feng Caicai acknowledged Chunhua had saved her life and stated that Chunhua's affairs would henceforth only concern Xiao Bai. Later, Xiao Bai discussed the situation with Qin Liufeng.
Xiao Bai admitted he was unsure if Chunhua and Autumn Moon had an affair but personally believed they did not, and that Chunhua had not wronged Fengming Manor. Qin Liufeng noted the sudden proliferation of the dandelion antidote, leading Xiao Bai to suspect that if both the immortality fruit leaf and the antidote originated from Thousand Moon Cave, Autumn Moon was indeed interested in the immortality fruit.
Xiao Bai shared Chunhua's account that Lingyang had attempted to harm her in Thousand Moon Cave, emphasizing Chunhua would not lie. As Qin Liufeng was close to Chief Leng, Xiao Bai sought his insight into Lingyang's motives. Qin Liufeng suggested that Lingyang, though loyal to Chief Leng, might have acted on his own initiative. Chunhua sought out Xiao Bai, only to find him, Qin Liufeng, and two others deeply engrossed in a discussion.
Her appearance brought an immediate silence, making her feel awkward. She tried to leave, but Xiao Bai urged her to stay, and Feng Caicai explained they were discussing the immortality fruit. Still sensing the uncomfortable atmosphere, Chunhua left. Qin Liufeng followed her, attempting to reassure her. Chunhua expressed her sadness at feeling like an "embarrassing presence." Qin Liufeng attempted to comfort her by calling her Xiao Bai's future wife, but Chunhua reminded him they had never been formally married.
Qin Liufeng assured her that marriage was inevitable, but emphasized that as the Alliance Leader's wife, she would face greater responsibilities and sacrifices. Chunhua fell silent. Meanwhile, Lady You Si's health continued to decline, causing Fu Lou great distress in his desperate search for the immortality fruit. Autumn Moon, seizing the opportunity, instructed Star Deputy Chief Ye to spread the news of Lady You Si's critical condition.
Autumn Moon had been monitoring Chunhua through Star Deputy Chief Ye, and to ensnare Fu Lou, he devised the "Guilty Confession Letter" scheme. This plan stipulated that anyone wishing to obtain the immortality fruit must publicly confess their sins to the world. Autumn Moon had Mr. Shi disseminate this information, strategically placing Fengming Manor as the official host for the public confession, lending it an air of legitimacy.
Upon learning of the scheme, Xiao Bai considered it acceptable if it could inspire people to embrace good. Chunhua immediately recognized the "Guilty Confession Letter" as a trap designed to lure Fu Lou. She argued that regardless of whether the immortality fruit was real or fake, Fu Lou would undoubtedly fall for it to save his beloved wife. However, Xiao Bai did not agree to halt the plan.
Chunhua, wishing to seek Autumn Moon's help but having left her Icy Silkworm Beads in Thousand Moon Cave, found herself in a dilemma. Just as she fretted, Autumn Moon unexpectedly appeared, acupunctured her, and playfully chided her for always turning to him in emergencies. He then returned the Icy Silkworm Beads, warning her not to take them off again. Chunhua then pleaded with Autumn Moon to take her to Legend Valley to find Fu Lou.
Autumn Moon, stating he never did good deeds, agreed to her request solely because it came from her. Autumn Moon expressed curiosity about Chunhua's deep affection for Lady You Si. Chunhua explained the profound love between Fu Lou and Lady You Si, describing it as the kind of love she would sacrifice even immortality to attain. She then implored Autumn Moon not to harm Fu Lou and Lady You Si.
Autumn Moon stated there was no need for violence, explaining that knowing a person's weakness made them easy to deal with. Chunhua then remarked that Autumn Moon himself seemed to have no weaknesses. To this, Autumn Moon revealed that Chunhua was, in fact, his weakness, and warned her to be careful. Autumn Moon then took Chunhua to meet Fu Lou. Upon seeing them, Fu Lou immediately accused Autumn Moon of spreading the news about the immortality fruit.
Autumn Moon, after a brief exchange, offered Chunhua to Fu Lou, suggesting that Fu Lou could use Chunhua, Xiao Bai's fiancée, as leverage to exchange for the immortality fruit at the upcoming meeting at Fengming Manor.
