Love Like The Galaxy Episode 30 Recap, Plot

> Love Like The Galaxy
> Love Like The Galaxy Recap

Ling Buyi carefully applied medicine to Cheng Shaoshang’s injured hand, which she had gotten while defending the Empress. He gently chided her for her reckless bravery, but Shaoshang insisted she had to protect the Empress. Ling Buyi clarified that the Empress, despite her noble status, was never truly in danger from Madam Wen Xiu in Changqiu Palace, as Madam Wen Xiu would have restrained herself. Shaoshang, unfamiliar with the intricate political games played by the nobility, felt mocked.

Ling Buyi advised her not to meddle in affairs that did not concern her. Shaoshang retorted, questioning why the Empress should be ignored just because she was powerful, especially when Ling Buyi and Wen Di were absent. Ling Buyi then turned the question back on her, asking why she, despite her own strength, believed she did not need his protection. Their conversation was cut short as their carriage arrived at the Cheng residence.

Before Shaoshang could leave, Ling Buyi stopped her. He recalled seeing the pure and breathtaking clouds on Mount Kunlun when he was fifteen, comparing their untainted beauty to the direct way Shaoshang had looked at him in Hua County. He confessed that he loved her unrestrained spirit when she spoke to him, finding joy in her fearless defiance of power and hardship. Ling Buyi emphasized that she was the one who had first captivated him.

He rarely gave his heart, but once he did, he never turned back. However, he warned that if she could not reciprocate his sincerity, he would rather withdraw his heart. Meanwhile, elsewhere, the Third Princess, elated, praised Marquis Yue for his "brilliant plan" to exploit Madam Wen Xiu. She gloated that Madam Wen Xiu, a fool concerned only with her brother's gain, had easily fallen for their bait to mint counterfeit coins.

Marquis Yue revealed he had bribed Madam Wen Xiu's agent to acquire the fake currency at a low price, which the Third Princess planned to use in her manor to alleviate her financial struggles. When the Third Princess expressed concern about being charged with treason, Marquis Yue dismissed it. He explained that the blame would fall on Shouchun, Junior Lord Qian'an, and Madam Wen Xiu, leaving them with only a minor charge of "misusing counterfeit money."

He did, however, warn her to be discreet, knowing her tendency to "show off" and her mother's aversion to bending rules, emphasizing the severe consequences for the Yue clan if their scheme were exposed. The Third Princess, however, blamed the Empress’s frugality for her need to resort to such measures.

As the shopkeeper, Mr. Tian, approached to recommend a new wine named "Blooming Flowers," the Third Princess, still bitter that Ling Buyi had chosen Cheng Shaoshang over her, vowed to make Shaoshang understand the harsh realities of palace life if she ever caught her alone. The next morning, Cheng Shaoshang expressed a hint of disappointment to her servant when Ling Buyi did not arrive to escort her.

She then jokingly remarked that she was finally "free" from her mother's constant nagging as she departed for Changqiu Palace alone. On her way, she encountered the Third Princess, who immediately seized the opportunity. The Third Princess harshly scolded Shaoshang for failing to properly greet her in the palace, despite Shaoshang being trained by the Empress. She forced Shaoshang to kneel and then attempted to have her caned for "contempt" and "violation of rites," declaring she deserved death.

Shaoshang protested that they had no quarrel, but the Third Princess, fueled by jealousy over Ling Buyi's choice, dismissed her, calling her a "wretch" who "did not know her place." She then ordered her guards to "slap her until Ling Buyi feels sorry for her." Shaoshang bravely reminded the princess of her family status and her mandate from the Empress to study in Changqiu Palace, accusing the princess of disrespecting the Emperor and Empress.

The Third Princess, however, smugly retorted that no one from Changqiu Palace was there to protect her today and continued to order her to be slapped. The Crown Princess intervened just in time, challenging the Third Princess by suggesting her actions would imply the Empress was negligent in her teaching. The Third Princess quickly backed down, claiming she was "joking" and released Shaoshang.

The Crown Princess then took Shaoshang to the Eastern Palace, comforting her and assuring her that the Empress and Ling Buyi would seek justice. Shaoshang, however, wished to handle matters herself and not rely solely on Ling Buyi or trouble the Empress. The Crown Princess revealed that the Third Princess's arrogance stemmed from her favored birth and upbringing by Marquis Yue, adding that her infatuation with Ling Buyi was driven by his looks and power, not genuine affection.

Shaoshang reflected on her own troubles since entering the palace for Ling Buyi. The Crown Princess then shared a poignant detail about Ling Buyi's difficult childhood in the palace: he was often bullied and once almost drowned but was saved by the Crown Prince. She recounted how Ling Buyi, never having shared a family meal, would gather servants and maids to eat with him and would often stand alone at Lantern Festivals, observing the family reunions from afar.

The Crown Prince approached Ling Buyi, stating he had heard about Madam Wen Xiu's actions and that General Wang Chun had asked him to apologize. He urged Ling Buyi not to let women's disputes create animosity between them, as both Ling Buyi and General Wang Chun were his trusted aides. Ling Buyi clarified that his criticisms of General Wang Chun were purely based on his incompetence and unsuitability for his position, not personal grudges.

He advised the Crown Prince, as the heir apparent, to prioritize state affairs over cronyism, also pointing out the Crown Princess's cousin, Sun Sheng, as another unsuitable person serving as the Eastern Palace's bodyguard leader due to his lack of skill and dissolute behavior. The Crown Prince dismissed these concerns, reasoning that they were merely "armchair jobs" for his wife's relatives.

He then tried to invite Ling Buyi to the upcoming banquet for General Huo's death anniversary, but Ling Buyi declined, stating he had other matters to attend to. The Crown Prince then asked if Ling Buyi would wait for Cheng Shaoshang, who was currently speaking with the Crown Princess. As the Crown Princess meticulously oversaw the preparation of gifts for ministers, even sacrificing a precious hairpin to bestow upon Madam Liang, Cheng Shaoshang observed her struggles.

Shaoshang expressed her growing understanding of the difficulties faced by royals' wives and declared that she could no longer remain a bystander. She stated that as Ling Buyi's future wife, she must understand him completely, including his past in the palace, and walk the same path he had. Ling Buyi and the Crown Prince then arrived. Ling Buyi, noticing Shaoshang's bruised wrist as he took her hand, quickly excused them both. Once alone, he pressed her about the injury.

Shaoshang, initially evasive and playfully upset about his earlier threat to withdraw his heart, soon softened after his reassuring words. Ling Buyi reiterated his warning for her to stay away from palace affairs and the Crown Princess, calling the Eastern Palace a dangerous place where true intentions were hidden behind power. Shaoshang challenged his protectiveness by reminding him that the Crown Prince had saved him from drowning, implying he should not be so wary of the Eastern Palace.

She argued that as his future wife, she must understand everything he had experienced in the palace to know him fully. Touched by her determination, Ling Buyi yielded, promising to protect her as she pursued her newfound resolve. Later, the Third Princess visited Consort Yue, presenting her with an ornate peony hairpin she claimed was crafted by the capital's best jeweler.

Consort Yue, however, saw through the lavish gift, expressing regret for entrusting her daughter's upbringing to her third aunt, which she believed had made the Third Princess vulgar and obsessed with worldly items, unlike the sensible Second Princess. She questioned the sudden influx of wealth, hinting at possible corruption involving her husband, Prince Consort Xuan, but the Third Princess claimed to be making modest money from a restaurant investment, unbeknownst to her husband.

Consort Yue warned her against disgracing the Yue clan with such "worldly possessions" and criticized her gaudy attire, likening her to a "wild chicken" or "country bumpkin." The Third Princess defended her lifestyle by complaining about the Changqiu Palace's stringent budget cuts, which she claimed forced her to mingle with merchants.

Consort Yue sternly reminded her that the Emperor and Empress's frugality was a deliberate example for the realm, and that the Third Princess, as an "uncultured person," had no right to mock them. Consort Yue then reminded the Third Princess that it was General Huo’s death anniversary and that there would be a banquet in Changqiu Palace, followed by the Emperor's personal attendance at a memorial in Fengxian Hall.

Consort Yue chastised the Third Princess for her inappropriate attire for such a solemn occasion, forcing her to change into a plain dress, sarcastically lamenting her lack of intelligence compared to her Second Sister. At the memorial banquet for General Huo, the Fifth Prince attempted to flirt with Cheng Shaoshang, who responded with sharp wit, embarrassing him. The Second Princess, known for her grace, extended a friendly invitation to Shaoshang to visit their residence.

Other royals offered their pleasantries, though the atmosphere remained subdued due to Wen Di's somber mood. The Emperor acknowledged General Huo's immense contributions to the nation's peace, which he and the late General had fought hard to achieve. Suddenly, Lady Ruyang arrived uninvited, immediately confronting Cheng Shaoshang and accusing her of forcing Princess Yuchang into monastic life. Ling Buyi firmly stepped in, stating their marriage was personally ordained by the Emperor and approved by both families.

Lady Ruyang then demanded why Shaoshang had not paid respects to Madam Chunyu. Ling Buyi retorted that his own mother was very much alive, and Madam Chunyu had no right to be considered Shaoshang's future mother-in-law, escalating the tension. At this critical moment, Consort Yue made a grand entrance, saluting the Emperor and Empress before moving directly to her seat at the head of the table, her presence instantly chilling the room.

Consort Yue asserted her rightful place, forcing a reluctant Lady Ruyang to move. She then used a feigned reprimand of her Third Princess to indirectly target Lady Ruyang, comparing her own strict parenting to Lady Ruyang's failure to discipline Princess Yuchang, who ended up seeking solace in a temple after her failed betrothal. Consort Yue then directly addressed Lady Ruyang, recalling how she only began to favor the Emperor after he gained wealth and power.

Consort Yue then recounted a past grievance: during a harsh winter, when the Emperor's elder sister was pregnant and weak, Lady Ruyang had refused to lend money for food and sustenance, forcing Wen Di to brave the snowy mountains to hunt. It was General Huo who ultimately came to their aid, providing resources and care. Consort Yue lamented that good people like General Huo died young, while others, like Lady Ruyang, were opportunistic.

Turning to Ling Buyi, Consort Yue firmly declared that both she and the Emperor wished for him to marry soon to continue the Huo lineage and offer sacrifices to his ancestors. She emphatically stated that no one had the right to interfere with his choice of bride, dismissing any criticism of Cheng Shaoshang as "foolish."

Episode 29 Recap

Episode 31 Recap