Love Like The Galaxy Episode 36 Recap, Plot

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Cheng Shaoshang found herself meticulously organizing Empress Xuan’s birthday banquet, a task she diligently managed to Emperor Wen Di’s satisfaction. However, she worried that such an extravagant celebration contradicted Wen Di’s recent push for frugality. Cheng Shaoshang advised Empress Xuan to approach Wen Di as a loving wife, not a subject, suggesting she frame her concerns with a gentle voice and adoring gaze, emphasizing that a couple should be equals, and a wife shouldn't feast while her husband lives simply.

Empress Xuan, though initially flustered by the unconventional advice, was amused and teased Cheng Shaoshang about the numerous items Ling Buyi had moved from her home, making her courtyard in the palace resemble her former residence. Cheng Shaoshang admitted these items made her homesick and expressed a desire to return home after the banquet, which Empress Xuan dismissed, believing Cheng Shaoshang simply disliked the palace's restrictions.

The Fifth Princess arrived at Changqiu Palace, declaring her intention to perform a new dance at the banquet, which she had practiced extensively to show her filial piety. Empress Xuan's earlier amusement faded as she sternly questioned the Fifth Princess about rumors of her acquiring ten thousand mus of land in Hongnong County for a private estate.

The Fifth Princess defended her actions, claiming she planned to develop the desolate land for the benefit of homeless citizens, hoping to demonstrate her capability to her parents. Empress Xuan was unimpressed, stating that the development of land was a matter for ministers, not a princess. The Fifth Princess then expressed her resentment, accusing her mother of favoring Ling Buyi and Cheng Shaoshang.

She pointed out how Empress Xuan indulged Cheng Shaoshang’s various activities, like making desserts and growing vegetables, while rebuking her own efforts. Empress Xuan clarified that Cheng Shaoshang’s endeavors were for useful purposes, unlike the Fifth Princess’s selfish desires. Tired of the confrontation, Empress Xuan dismissed the Fifth Princess and her retinue, instructing Cheng Shaoshang to house them in Consort Yue's Yongle Palace, as their presence was an "eyesore."

The Fifth Princess, recalling that Cheng Shaoshang now occupied her former residence, initially scoffed but then accepted the arrangement, not wanting to appear petty to her mother. As Cheng Shaoshang led the Fifth Princess and her entourage through the palace gardens, Lady Zuo, at the Fifth Princess's silent instigation, deliberately pushed Cheng Shaoshang into a pond. The accompanying women not only failed to help but began mocking her and throwing stones.

Luo Jitong cautiously warned the Fifth Princess that her actions could result in a death, but the Fifth Princess callously dismissed the concern, stating that one life was insignificant. When Cheng Shaoshang tried to swim to shore, the women threw snakes into the water, causing her to be bitten, though thankfully not by a venomous snake. Exhausted, Cheng Shaoshang finally dragged herself out. The Fifth Prince, who had been hiding nearby, then revealed himself.

The Fifth Princess, realizing he was a witness, threatened him before leaving with her group. She then intimidated Luo Jitong, reminding her of her upcoming marriage and the potential consequences of defying a princess, securing Luo Jitong's silence. The Fifth Princess, after dismissing the Fifth Prince's pleas that he saw nothing, remarked he was merely "the bad apple from a palace maid" and was well-suited for Cheng Shaoshang. Later that evening, Ling Buyi found Cheng Shaoshang, bringing her fresh clothes.

He noticed her wet garments and inquired about her whereabouts. Unaware of the day’s traumatic events, he spoke of his longing for her, expressing how difficult it had been to see her since she moved into the palace. He praised her, recounting how ministers envied him and how even Wen Di lauded her intelligence and her impeccable management of Changqiu Palace.

He explained that Wen Di entrusted her with the banquet not merely because she was his fiancée, but because she alone could organize an event truly meaningful to Empress Xuan. As he spoke, he observed her silent, turned-away sobs. His smile vanished, and he embraced her tightly, offering comfort. Cheng Shaoshang, overwhelmed, wept in his arms before finally calming down and falsely claiming she was merely homesick.

Ling Buyi, sensing there was more to her distress, suggested teaching her pressure points and self-defense moves. During a playful demonstration, he pinned her to the bed and gently pressed her to reveal what had truly happened. Confused and deeply moved, Cheng Shaoshang eventually asked him to promise her something, to which he readily agreed, vowing to fulfill any request concerning her. Days later, Empress Xuan’s birthday banquet commenced.

Though various princes and princesses presented their gifts, Cheng Shaoshang and Ling Buyi’s contributions stood out. Cheng Shaoshang’s “High Mountain and Flowing Water” display, symbolizing longevity and prosperity, delighted both Wen Di and Empress Xuan. Adding to the surprise, Ling Buyi, who usually claimed to be rusty, took to the stage to play the zither, a performance Wen Di noted he only seemed willing to give for Cheng Shaoshang.

The Third Prince presented a map revealing newly discovered iron ore mines in his fief, a valuable gift that pleased Wen Di. The Crown Prince offered a pair of jade qilin from the Western Regions, wishing Empress Xuan a long life. However, the Crown Princess inadvertently created an awkward moment by emphasizing the costly price of the qilin.

Cheng Shaoshang cleverly intervened, diverting attention by praising the Crown Prince’s other thoughtful contributions: fruit wines brewed from Western Region seeds and dishes cooked with walnut oil, both presented as resourceful and frugal choices in line with Wen Di's ideals. This saved the Crown Prince from further embarrassment and earned him praise from Wen Di. As the Crown Prince returned to his seat, his gaze lingered on Qu Lingjun, his former beloved, who was now married.

This pained the Crown Princess. Meanwhile, Wen Di observed Cheng Shaoshang and Ling Buyi sweetly sharing a wine cup, a sight that brought a smile to his face and Empress Xuan’s. During the feast, the Fifth Princess’s much-anticipated dance ended in a small mishap. To lift the spirits, Cheng Shaoshang and Ling Buyi together presented an old keepsake: a poem personally inscribed by Grand Duke Xuan, Empress Xuan's late father.

Seeing her father’s rarely-seen calligraphy brought tears to Empress Xuan’s eyes, who expressed her deep gratitude, remarking that thoughtful gifts were far more valuable than expensive ones. Wen Di commended their sincerity. Cheng Shaoshang then noticed Ling Buyi’s fingers were injured, likely from practicing the zither. Feeling a surge of guilt and affection, she leaned over and kissed him on the cheek, right in front of the entire assembly.

The entire hall fell silent in shock, while Yuan Shen and Luo Jitong looked visibly displeased. Feeling shy, Cheng Shaoshang quickly left the main hall and sought fresh air by Jingxin Lake in the back garden. The Fifth Princess, ever scheming, seized the opportunity. She instructed her maid to lure the already inebriated Fifth Prince to the lake. Upon seeing Cheng Shaoshang, the Fifth Prince began drunkenly flirting with her, reciting a romantic poem and praising her beauty.

Annoyed, Cheng Shaoshang, after a brief exchange, pulled him into the lake. He panicked, screaming for help and accusing her of attempted murder, as he couldn’t swim. Cheng Shaoshang, however, pretended to struggle to rescue him with a bamboo stick, deliberately making it difficult and feigning exhaustion.

Once he was out of the water, he angrily called her a "witch" and compared her to the "evil" Ling Buyi, venting his long-held resentment towards Ling Buyi, whom he described as cunning, petty, villainous, and scheming. Cheng Shaoshang, in turn, defended Ling Buyi and confronted the Fifth Prince about his inappropriate behavior. Despite his faults, she acknowledged his unique perspective and passion for exotic tales, a love unappreciated by his father.

Recognizing a shared sense of being misunderstood, Cheng Shaoshang extended her hand in friendship, which the Fifth Prince gratefully accepted, forming an unlikely bond. Across the palace, Luo Jitong approached Ling Buyi, offering him a toast and lamenting her impending marriage to the Northwest and the uncertainty of when they would meet again.

Before she could elaborate, a servant rushed into the hall, loudly announcing that the Fifth Prince and Cheng Shaoshang were secretly meeting at Jingxin Lake, causing a huge uproar among the guests.

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