Love Like The Galaxy Episode 16 Recap, Plot

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Drunk and filled with regret, Huangfu Yi lamented his past decisions concerning Sang Shunhua, questioning if he had been wrong and if she would have returned to him had he been more decisive. Yuan Shen, his disciple, gently advised him to let go of the past, explaining that intense love often leads to frustration and paranoia, and that moving forward was crucial.

He pointed out that Sang Shunhua was now happily married to Cheng Zhi, a devoted and talented man, whose happiness far surpassed what Huangfu Yi could have offered. Despite Yuan Shen's pleas for him to rest, Huangfu Yi spent the entire night in anguish, with Yuan Shen dutifully staying by his side until exhaustion overcame him at dawn. The next morning, Ling Buyi had thoughtfully arranged for a larger, sturdier horse to pull Cheng Shaoshang's carriage, ensuring a smoother journey.

Lou Yao noticed the change, remarking on Ling Buyi's consideration. Lou Yao also mentioned that Huangfu Yi's disciple, Yuan Shen, seemed exhausted, joking that he must have been frightened by what sounded like wolf howls during the night. Upon their return to Hua County, Cheng Shaoshang immediately sought out her Third Aunt, Sang Shunhua, to talk about Huangfu Yi.

Sang Shunhua, who had been informed by a letter from Huangfu Yi, warned Cheng Shaoshang that Huangfu Yi was a bad man who had betrayed her in the past and was now shamelessly pestering her. She advised her niece to learn from her own experience: marriage is just one path in life, and a woman should never lose herself for a man.

Cheng Shaoshang reassured her aunt that she and Lou Yao would be content together, promising to ensure Sang Shunhua's comfort and well-being, including follow-up medical checks and a new wheelchair. Third Uncle Cheng Zhi encouraged Cheng Shaoshang to be obedient to her parents back home.

As they prepared to depart for the capital, Cheng Shaoshang shared a heartfelt, tearful farewell with Sang Shunhua, a sight that stirred a hint of jealousy in Xiao Yuanyi, who recalled Cheng Shaoshang's less emotional departure to Hua County. Cheng Shi playfully questioned his wife about how she knew, implying she must have secretly watched. As their caravan set off, Lou Yao once again rode his horse to follow them.

Cheng Zhi and his wife reflected on the rapid transformation of Cheng Shaoshang and Lou Yao's relationship, from initial distance to undeniable closeness, a bond Xiao Yuanyi compared to the profound faith in her own marriage with Cheng Shi. At the Almond Blossom Courtyard, Ling Buyi visited his mother, Huo Junhua. Her mind, broken by her husband Ling Yi's betrayal years ago, remained trapped in the time before her marriage.

Cui You, a man who had loved her for years and remained unmarried, was also present, though Huo Junhua only saw him as a childhood friend. The tense peace was shattered by the arrival of Ling Yi himself. At the sight of him, Huo Junhua flew into a rage, screaming for his life before being escorted back to her room. Unfazed, Ling Yi informed his son that a key prisoner, Fan Chang, had escaped from the heavily guarded imperial prison.

Citing the case's complexity and the powerful figures involved, Ling Yi warned Ling Buyi to abandon the investigation to avoid disaster. During the journey, Cheng Shaoshang and Lou Yao openly displayed their affection. Observing Cheng Shaoshang feeding Lou Yao, Cheng Shi light-heartedly teased Xiao Yuanyi, suggesting their daughter was treating Lou Yao "like an animal" and humorously proposing that they, as an "old couple," should demonstrate true affection by hand-feeding each other.

Xiao Yuanyi, however, was more observant, noting the unusually tight security at the city gates, where entry was permitted but exit was not, suggesting something serious was happening. As their caravan approached the capital, they were halted at the city gates. Cheng Shi presented his imperial order for passage, but the gate officer, while respectful, explained that a strict lockdown was in place due to an escaped fugitive.

All entrants, regardless of rank, had to be thoroughly inspected, and he apologetically informed Cheng Shi they might have to wait until the next day. Just as Cheng Shi was at a loss, Ling Buyi appeared, leading light cavalry on patrol. He directly addressed the gate officer, dismissing the barriers as ineffective and merely inconveniencing the public, especially since the fugitive had escaped from the heavily guarded imperial prison.

Turning to Cheng Shaoshang, Ling Buyi greeted her and inquired about her injury. Cheng Shaoshang explained to her parents that Ling Buyi had saved her and Third Aunt from bandits. Ling Buyi then stated publicly that he and Cheng Shaoshang had faced life-or-death situations together, and she had even treated his wounds. Seeing her pale complexion and the long queue, he offered to personally escort her into the city. With a decisive command, his cavalry swiftly formed two respectful lines.

After a brief farewell to Cheng Shi and Xiao Yuanyi, Ling Buyi advised them to take the Yuyang side path rather than the main road, before quickly departing with his cavalry. Cheng Shi and Xiao Yuanyi exchanged stunned looks, pondering the full meaning of Ling Buyi's public actions and words. Once inside the city, Cheng Shaoshang, relieved, urged Lou Yao to quickly inform his mother of their engagement. Lou Yao bid farewell and rode off.

Meanwhile, Emperor Wen Di, upon hearing of Ling Buyi's actions, mused over his possible feelings for Cheng Shaoshang. His attendant reminded him of Cheng Shaoshang's engagement to the Lou family, which saddened the Emperor. He reflected on Ling Buyi's public image as "unfilial," asserting that he was, in fact, "the epitome of filial piety" and deserved happiness, despite constant slanders from jealous officials.

The Emperor defended Ling Buyi, noting that Fan Chang's escape was due to the Ministry of Justice's negligence, not Ling Buyi's fault. He expressed unwavering faith in Ling Buyi to recapture Fan Chang. Back at the Cheng residence, Cheng Old Lady burst into tears upon seeing Cheng Shi, simultaneously expressing anxiety for her younger son Cheng Zhi and directing her grievances towards Xiao Yuanyi.

Cheng Shaoshang cleverly defused the situation by offering a maid who had been with Cheng Zhi and Sang Shunhua for months to recount every detail of their time in Hua County, satisfying Cheng Old Lady's concerns. Xiao Yuanyi and Cheng Shi then summoned Cheng Shaoshang to a private room, still processing Ling Buyi's recent display.

Cheng Shaoshang downplayed her encounters with Ling Buyi, claiming they had met only "seven or eight times" and dismissing her parents' inquiries about Ling Buyi's feelings for her as laughable. She firmly stated that Lou Yao was the only one who had proposed to her, and since Ling Buyi was always engaged in military duties or recovering, he never had the opportunity to do so, thus affirming Lou Yao as her destined match.

Xiao Yuanyi, heartbroken, passionately expressed her deep concern for Cheng Shaoshang's marriage to Lou Yao. She worried that Cheng Shaoshang's rebellious nature, combined with Lou Yao's gentle disposition and the Lou family's internal politics, would leave her daughter vulnerable. She lamented that her attempts to guide Cheng Shaoshang were met with defiance, fearing her daughter would suffer in what she considered a "tiger's den."

Cheng Shaoshang, however, remained resolute, expressing her desire for a marriage like her parents' but acknowledging her own "bad luck." She stated her firm intention to marry Lou Yao and move away to live independently, describing it as the marriage she truly wanted. Cheng Shi, attempting to console Xiao Yuanyi, suggested that Lou Yao was a decent young man and the marriage might not be entirely bad.

He also expressed relief that Cheng Shaoshang was not deeply involved with Ling Buyi, whose family background and current dangerous investigation made his situation even more perilous than the Lou family's complexities. Xiao Yuanyi, still weeping, remained unconvinced, certain that the Lou family was a perilous place and she could not bear to see her daughter endure hardship.

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