Love Like The Galaxy Episode 22 Recap, Plot

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Cheng Shaogong was trying to divine Cheng Shaoshang's marriage on the back hill, initially finding an omen of good fortune in love, suggesting Shaoshang would find a better match after her broken engagement with Lou Yao. However, his divination was interrupted when Young Marquis Ban, who was lost, stumbled upon him, immediately changing the auspicious omen into an "ill love lot."

Annoyed, Shaogong felt it was an ill-fated encounter, but he reluctantly agreed to lead the Young Marquis back to the hunting grounds. On their way, Young Marquis Ban saw Cheng Yang alone and was instantly smitten. Meanwhile, Wang Ling and Lou Li intentionally sought out Cheng Shaoshang to cause trouble. Wan Qiqi, unable to bear their taunts, defended Shaoshang, leading to a heated argument and a challenge for a mounted archery competition between Qiqi and Wang Ling.

After Wan Qiqi departed, Yuan Shen approached Cheng Shaoshang, remarking on her unusually subdued demeanor and implying that his previous lesson on the "Changmen Fu," advocating a life without love for true freedom, had been ineffective. Shaoshang retorted by calling the renowned scholar a "bigmouth" and warned him to be quiet.

She then fled, skillfully luring a group of admiring ladies towards Yuan Shen, leaving him swarmed and unable to follow her, effectively creating her own "ill love lot" for him. Cheng Shaoshang, riding her horse to the mountain peak, discovered an ancient pagoda. Intrigued by its intricate architecture, she climbed it.

From the top, looking out at the misty mountains, she had a moment of clarity, realizing that losing a fiancé was not the end of the world, and there were still many beautiful things in life. As she ascended further, she overheard a clandestine meeting where men discussed a plot to depose the Crown Prince, citing the Emperor's growing leniency towards the Lou family and the Crown Prince's incompetence. Frightened, Shaoshang tried to retreat but dropped her jade pendant.

Fortunately, Ling Buyi appeared just in time, catching her as she fell from the tower. He held her tightly, suspending them outside the tower's edge until the conspirators departed. Shaoshang was still reeling from the narrow escape and noticed that Ling Buyi had aggravated an old injury. He, however, sternly warned her to feign ignorance about everything she had overheard, emphasizing that she "heard nothing" and "never passed by this area before" to avoid dire consequences.

He insisted on escorting her back, stating it was unsafe for her to return alone. Near her hunting cart, Ling Buyi returned her jade pendant, which had her nickname "Niaoniao" engraved on it. Noting that half of the "Niaoniao" inscription was on a missing piece of the pendant, he kept the remaining half, subtly implying that holding onto it would protect her from being identified by the conspirators.

He also pressed the urgency of their return to camp before a headcount could expose her absence. Meanwhile, at the archery competition, Wan Qiqi's superior skills quickly overshadowed Wang Ling's. Furious at her impending defeat, Wang Ling resorted to foul play, deliberately startling Wan Qiqi's horse. The frightened animal bolted towards the mountains. Cheng Song immediately gave chase. After several unsuccessful attempts to rescue her, he decided to tackle her off the horse, injuring his leg in the process.

Wan Qiqi was deeply concerned and embarrassed, especially when she saw the injury was to his thigh. She was reminded of her casual earlier remark about "supporting him for life," which now felt incredibly awkward. The royal hunt quickly devolved into chaos, with young nobles behaving wildly, girls openly pursuing Yuan Shen, and even some secret trysts discovered. Emperor Wen was incensed, lamenting that his sacred prayer ceremony for the people had been desecrated by such "ridiculous" and "disgraceful" behavior.

Empress Xuan attempted to take responsibility, while Consort Yue playfully reminded him of his own youthful indiscretions, which only angered him further. He vowed severe punishment for all. However, an attendant then reported that Ling Buyi had returned, having risked his life to save Cheng Shaoshang from falling off a cliff, causing his old war injury to flare up. Hearing that Shaoshang was distraught and offered to "repay him with her life," Emperor Wen's mood shifted dramatically.

He exclaimed that Ling Buyi now resembled his younger self and declared that no one would be punished. Before the Emperor arrived, Ling Buyi quickly coached a shaken Cheng Shaoshang on what to say, instructing her to admit she almost fell and he saved her, exacerbating his old wound, and that she felt terrible. He also privately chided her for her hasty departure after he was injured for her.

Ling Buyi and Cheng Shi gestured for Cheng Shaoshang to greet Emperor Wen. Shaoshang's curt and informal greeting surprised the Emperor, prompting Cheng Shi to apologize for her lack of etiquette. Emperor Wen, focused on Ling Buyi's injury, questioned Shaoshang about the incident. However, Ling Buyi quickly interjected, explaining that he merely "happened to pass by" and rescued her from falling, causing his old shoulder wound to reopen.

When the Emperor tried to get more details from Shaoshang, Ling Buyi once again spoke for her, demonstrating his protectiveness. Emperor Wen then sternly reminded Cheng Shi that Ling Buyi, a pillar of the nation, had saved his daughter and family, and the Cheng family must always remember and repay this profound kindness. After dismissing Cheng Shi and Shaoshang, Emperor Wen privately pressed Ling Buyi for the true story, but Ling Buyi maintained his "coincidence" narrative.

The Emperor, however, suspected Ling Buyi's true intentions, especially when Ling Buyi declined an imperial physician and insisted on recovering at his own residence, which the Emperor inferred was to facilitate Shaoshang's visits. Later, Emperor Wen confided in Consort Yue, expressing his conflicted feelings: he was glad Ling Buyi was finally interested in someone, but he found Shaoshang "ordinary" and "lacking courtesy," deeming her unworthy of his exceptional foster son.

Consort Yue, exasperated, pointed out the Emperor's past inconsistencies regarding Ling Buyi's relationships, likening his bitter complaints to an unripe fruit. When he sought similar counsel from Empress Xuan, her agreeable responses left him feeling bored. Finally, he asked his attendant, Cao Cheng, if Shaoshang was suitable for Ling Buyi. Cao Cheng wisely replied that only "God" could decide, but even then, the Emperor worried, "what if God is blind?" After the hunt concluded, the Cheng family returned home.

Cheng Shaoshang was visibly distracted in her studies, making numerous errors in her writing. Her tutor, Yuan Shen, singled her out, commenting on her recent tumultuous events, including her broken engagement and Ling Buyi's injury. He then lectured her, warning her against using marriage as a means to escape familial constraints and accusing her of deliberately seeking Ling Buyi's attention. Shaoshang became infuriated, denying his accusations and questioning why he always perceived her in such a negative light.

Yuan Shen, however, reiterated his "friendly reminder" for her to stay away from Ling Buyi, claiming he merely wished to protect her from life's harsh realities due to her "ignorance." At home, Cheng Shi and Xiao Yuanyi discussed the day's events. Cheng Shi noted Ling Buyi's repeated rescues of Shaoshang, prompting Xiao Yuanyi to suggest Ling Buyi might harbor deeper feelings for their daughter, though Shaoshang would never admit it.

Both worried about the implications, especially after Emperor Wen's clear intent to foster a connection between Ling Buyi and Shaoshang. Cheng Shi proposed Xiao Yuanyi accompany Shaoshang to Ling Buyi's residence to express their gratitude, but Xiao Yuanyi insisted that as the head of the household, Cheng Shi should be the one to go. Cheng Yang then relayed their father's instruction to Shaoshang to visit Ling Buyi.

Shaoshang used this parental directive as justification to defy Yuan Shen, declaring that following her father's wishes was paramount. Yuan Shen, however, warned her, "You forgot the pain now that your wounds had healed. I just hope that you won't regret it in the future."

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