Love Like The Galaxy Episode 21 Recap, Plot

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Cheng Shaoshang confronted He Zhaojun, trying to persuade her not to force the marriage. Shaoshang admitted that while her relationship with Lou Yao used to be about love, it no longer mattered. She added that she couldn't allow He Zhaojun to have Yao, fearing He Zhaojun would bully him again. He Zhaojun, still deeply grieving for her father and brothers, recounted her father's dying words.

He had slapped her twice and told her that from then on, no one from the He family would protect her, and the fate of the He family and her younger brother would rest on her shoulders. She declared that she "must" survive until her younger brother came of age.

He Zhaojun insisted she was no longer her old self, would not act recklessly, and could not afford to offend anyone, as her life was dedicated to caring for her younger brother. Cheng Shaoshang expressed deep sympathy for He Zhaojun's loss but maintained that Lou Yao had no romantic feelings for her and should not sacrifice his happiness. He Zhaojun retorted emotionally, asking if Shaoshang thought she liked Yao or would be happy.

She cried that if she could trade her own happiness for her family's lives, she wouldn't care for a thousand Lou Yaos. Just then, Ling Buyi arrived, remarking that Lady Ancheng (He Zhaojun) needn't intimidate Lady Cheng, as the Lou and Cheng families had already decided to break off the betrothal. He Zhaojun, taken aback, questioned why Shaoshang still desired Lou Yao when she had General Ling.

Ling Buyi then instructed Cheng Shaoshang, noting her cold sweats and advising her not to stay out in the wind, to get into his carriage, and he would take her home. Turning back to He Zhaojun, Ling Buyi acknowledged the loyalty and courage of her father and brothers, and the public's pity for her and her younger brother.

However, he warned her that her future was long, and whether she chose to make enemies or cultivate goodwill was entirely up to her. In the carriage, Cheng Shaoshang asked Ling Buyi if Feng Yi County was truly as tragic as He Zhaojun described, and if the He family had truly fought to the last person.

Ling Buyi confirmed that Feng Yi County's situation was indeed different from Hua County's because General He had put his five sons and all his trusted followers' lives on the line. General He and his loyal subordinates had tenaciously defended Feng Yi County, then gathered troops to block the rebel forces, refusing to surrender and fighting until he was the last one alive.

This sacrifice had protected Feng Yi County, preventing the horrors seen in Hua County, such as scattered rebels, displaced children, violated women, and countless graves. He added that because of this, Cheng Shaoshang would no longer have to secretly mourn the dead. Ling Buyi clarified that he wasn't trying to persuade her to accept the betrothal annulment, believing that whatever decision she made at this moment would be valid.

Cheng Shaoshang, however, still lamented why she always seemed to be the unlucky one. Later, Ling Buyi dropped Cheng Shaoshang off at her residence, advising her to rest well. Lou Yao was waiting outside and questioned Shaoshang why she was with General Ling when she had left with He Zhaojun. Shaoshang explained that He Zhaojun had taken her to witness Prince Xiao's execution at the Ministry of Justice.

Enraged, Lou Yao wanted to confront He Zhaojun immediately, but Shaoshang stopped him, stating they would discuss it later and she needed to be alone. Although Lou Yao offered to return the next day, Shaoshang requested he not come for a few days. That night, despite a maid urging her to rest, Cheng Shaoshang remained awake, reflecting on everyone's demands for "morality" and "understanding" from her, while no one seemed to consider her feelings.

She remembered He Zhaojun's words about sacrificing her happiness, Ling Buyi's account of General He's sacrifice, and the promise she and Lou Yao had made to never abandon each other. Xiao Yuanyi, seeing Lou Yao steadfastly waiting outside, noted that he was devoted but ultimately not destined to be with her daughter. The next morning, Old Madam Cheng was loudly guarding her betrothal gifts, refusing to let anyone touch them.

Xiao Yuanyi explained that due to the potential annulment of the Lou-Cheng betrothal, the gifts needed to be inventoried for return. Old Madam Cheng complained bitterly about losing face after boasting to her friends about Niaoniao marrying into a prestigious family. Cheng Shi tried to explain that the matter was a court decision, but Old Madam Cheng dismissed it, arguing that high officials wouldn't care about a young lady whose engagement was broken.

Xiao Yuanyi attempted to soothe her, saying it was just a precaution, but Cheng Shaoshang then walked in and announced her decision to go to the Lou residence to break off the betrothal with Lou Yao, startling Old Madam Cheng. At the Lou residence, Cheng Shi formally declared Cheng Shaoshang's decision to annul the betrothal and offered to return the betrothal token.

He warned that if Grand Tutor Lou refused, he would publicly announce that the Cheng family had attempted to break off the engagement, but the Lou family disregarded General He's dying wish. Lou First Madam quickly agreed, denying any refusal on their part. As the tokens were about to be exchanged, Lou Yao vehemently protested, reminding Shaoshang of their promise not to back down as long as he didn't.

He asked if He Zhaojun had forced her, but Shaoshang insisted it was her own decision. Shaoshang explained that while their love was a personal matter, it became insignificant when compared to the needs of the country. Lou Yao, however, expressed his frustration, dismissing talk of "country" and "general principles" as attempts to fool him. He lamented that he was the only one suffering sacrifices and questioned why Shaoshang was also pressuring him.

Cheng Shaoshang then took Lou Yao outside for a private conversation. Despite his initial refusal to annul the betrothal, Shaoshang reminded him of his deep respect for General He, who had been like a father and teacher to him, and how this gratitude, along with his friendship with Fifth Young Master He, had led him to tolerate He Zhaojun over the years.

She then vividly described the brutal deaths of Fifth Young Master He and his brothers, riddled with arrows and without complete bodies. Shaoshang recalled Lou Yao’s oath in Hua County to be a great man who protects the people. She emphasized that General He and his five sons had charged to the front lines, saving the people of Feng Yi County from disaster. In light of such sacrifice, their personal romantic feelings were insignificant.

Cheng Shaoshang apologized for the pain she was causing him, acknowledging that it was easy to persuade but he was the one who had to marry He Zhaojun. She said if she could marry He Zhaojun in his place, she would. Lou Yao stopped her, asserting she had not wronged him. He realized the hypocrisy of proclaiming himself a great man protecting the people, yet being unwilling to endure even a small grievance.

Shaoshang reassured him, telling him this was a temporary hardship, not a lifelong one, and that he was capable of handling it. She advised him that after marrying He Zhaojun, he would be not only her husband but also her brother and support. He should love and guide her, but also correct her if she erred, and not allow her to bully him as she had in the past.

Lou Yao vowed to take He Zhaojun to General He's memorial tablet for self-reflection if she misbehaved again. Returning to the main hall, Lou Yao announced his agreement to annul his betrothal to Cheng Shaoshang. He explained that his decision to marry He Zhaojun was an act of righteousness to honor General He’s dying wish, an act even His Majesty would commend.

He leveraged this, declaring that the He family's private soldiers would be at the Second Chamber's disposal for over a decade, warning anyone against bullying them. Grand Tutor Lou eventually ordered the marriage contract to be annulled. Lou Yao then addressed Cheng Shi and Xiao Yuanyi, asking them to treat him as their own nephew in the future. Cheng Shaoshang offered advice to Lou Yao, urging him to treat He Zhaojun well, as she was pitiful beneath her fierce exterior.

Finally, Lou Yao asked Cheng Shaoshang to address him as "brother." She agreed, wishing him a smooth future and a soaring career as an official. He, in turn, wished Shaoshang would meet a good husband, live a life of unconditional love, and grow old with him. Elsewhere, Lady Ruyang found the Lou family's convoluted marriage affairs—breaking an engagement with the He family, then engaging with the Cheng family, then breaking that, and now re-marrying the He family—utterly laughable.

Princess Yuchang, however, expressed pity for Cheng Shaoshang, fearing her broken engagement would make it difficult to find a good match in the future. Lady Ruyang dismissed Cheng Shaoshang, hoping Princess Yuchang would marry Ling Buyi, who she believed was suitable for her. Madam Chunyu flattered Lady Ruyang, disparaging Cheng Shaoshang as uncultured and comparing her unfavorably to Princess Yuchang.

Lady Ruyang urged Madam Chunyu to encourage Marquis Chengyang to ensure Ling Buyi married and had children, criticizing the He family for their military achievements not preventing them from having to shamelessly remarry into the Lou family. Ling Buyi, overhearing this, intervened, stating that if everyone prioritized cowardice, the Xiao rebel would have already wiped out the capital, and these women wouldn't be alive to criticize others' marriages.

His father, Marquis Chengyang, tried to silence Ling Buyi, reminding him to be respectful to Lady Ruyang. The Marquis then accused Ling Buyi of humiliating his stepmother, Madam Chunyu. Ling Buyi ignored them, instead warning Lady Ruyang. He stated that His Majesty was fair and sternly punished those who erred. He clarified that His Majesty wished for the marriage alliance between the Lou and He families, a matter already decided.

Anyone who criticized it would be committing a crime against the realm and disrespecting His Majesty, implying Lady Ruyang would not want to sacrifice her lifelong glory for such a crime. Marquis Chengyang tried to get Ling Buyi to dine with them, but Ling Buyi refused, asking them to convey to the Marquis to stop pestering His Majesty with every issue and promising to visit them regularly. He then declared that he would personally be responsible for Cheng Shaoshang's marriage.

Back at the Cheng residence, Old Madam Cheng continued to lament the annulled betrothal, accusing Cheng Shi of foolishly prioritizing a "lousy reputation" over a prosperous match. Cheng Shi tried to explain the benefits to both families, but Old Madam Cheng was fixated on her granddaughter’s future marriage prospects being ruined and angrily accused the Emperor of picking on their family. A servant then announced an imperial decree.

Old Madam Cheng panicked, thinking she was being arrested for slandering the Emperor. The envoy announced that His Majesty had decreed Cheng Shi, Xiao Yuanyi, and their children were permitted to attend the sacrificial ceremony at Mount Tugao. Xiao Yuanyi was delighted, seeing it as a perfect opportunity for Niaoniao to clear her mind, but Old Madam Cheng was furious at being explicitly excluded from the invitation.

Several days later, at the Mount Tugao sacrificial ceremony, Cheng Shaoshang felt no enthusiasm, viewing it more as a large spring outing, and mostly stayed in her tent. Wan Qiqi, seeing her dejection, convinced her to attend a mounted archery competition hosted by Young Marquis Ban. Amidst the many noblewomen and princesses, Wan Qiqi introduced them, then shared the tragic story of Young Marquis Ban's family, who were wiped out in war, leaving him as the sole, pampered descendant.

Cheng Shaoshang noted the similarity to He Zhaojun's fate, stirring painful memories. As Lou Yao and He Zhaojun then appeared, Cheng Shaoshang struggled to maintain her composure, prompting Wan Qiqi to quickly redirect her attention to the competition. Wan Qiqi pointed out the extravagant Fifth Princess, the most favored youngest daughter of the Emperor and Empress, warning Shaoshang to avoid her due to her closeness with Wang Ling.

She then identified the greedy Third Princess, Consort Yue's daughter, raised by her uncle Marquis Yue, and commented on her "vulgar merchant" manners. During the competition, the Crown Princess chided the Fifth Princess for gambling on a sacred day, but the Fifth Princess dismissed it as mere entertainment, also commenting on the Crown Princess's modest means.

Fifth Princess then teased the Third Princess about recruiting gentlemen as aides, prompting the Third Princess to warn her not to offend her cousin and to focus on managing her existing aides. Wan Qiqi then remarked that the Second Princess was the most reliable among the princesses, recalling how she and the Empress had stopped two other princesses from fighting over their standing order at the ceremony.

Lastly, Wan Qiqi pointed out the Crown Princess, who wore little jewelry and reportedly came from a poor, rural background before marrying the Crown Prince. After a companion cautioned Wan Qiqi about her gossiping, Wan Qiqi quickly shifted the focus back to the competition, announcing Mr. Chen's turn, whose archery was considered excellent, a claim Wan Qiqi scoffed at, boasting she could do better with her eyes closed.

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