Love Like The Galaxy Episode 51 Recap
> Love Like The Galaxy Recap
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- 18
- 19
- 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
- 24
- 25
- 26
- 27
- 28
- 29
- 30
- 31
- 32
- 33
- 34
- 35
- 36
- 37
- 38
- 39
- 40
- 41
- 42
- 43
- 44
- 45
- 46
- 47
- 48
- 49
- 50
- 51
- 52
- 53
- 54
- 55
- 56
Emperor Wen tearfully approached Huo Wushang, asking him to confirm his true name. With great difficulty, Huo Wushang finally revealed his name to be Huo Wushang, stating he regretted his actions but wishing for his loved one to be spared from his sin and for himself to reunite with his parents in death. Emperor Wen expressed his remorse for being late to learn the truth.
However, Official Zuo, the Palace Aide to the Censor-in-chief, persisted in demanding Huo Wushang's execution to uphold the law, despite knowing the Huo family's loyalty and Huo Wushang's tragic past. This infuriated Emperor Wen, who violently struck Official Zuo. Consort Yue intervened, reminding the Emperor to maintain decorum in the Chongde Hall. When Official Zuo then criticized her for a woman interfering in state affairs, Consort Yue, recalling her own battles alongside the Emperor, retaliated by hitting him.
She argued that avenging one's father was a justifiable act, not an unforgivable crime, citing the "Book of Rites" and warning that punishing Huo Wushang would alienate all filial sons in the realm. Official Zuo continued to accuse Huo Wushang of framing Ling Yi. Yuan Shen then presented irrefutable evidence: letters found inside a Nuwa statue, sculpted by Ling Yi's wife, Madam Chunyu, and gifted to Lady Ruyang.
These letters detailed a long-standing conspiracy between Ling Yi and Peng Kun to collaborate with Emperor Li, intentionally delaying relief efforts and leading to the massacre of Gu City. With this damning evidence, calls for Official Zuo's punishment echoed throughout the court. At this moment, the Third Prince arrived, reporting that General Zuo had confessed under torture.
The Zuo family had been bribed with vast sums by remnants of Emperor Li to ensure Huo Wushang's demise, believing that eliminating the formidable general would pave the way for their rebellion and an attempt to reclaim the dynasty. The Third Prince revealed that the money came from Tian's Restaurant, whose owner, Tian Shuo, was identified as Emperor Li's loyal former chamberlain.
Tian Shuo had been secretly building a network of influence, including Lord Yong and Marquis Yue, under the guise of a merchant. Though Tian Shuo managed to escape before his capture, incriminating evidence of his decade-long plotting was discovered. Emperor Wen ordered Official Zuo to be subjected to severe interrogation, with no regard for his life. Later that night, Emperor Wen questioned Huo Wushang and the Third Prince about the unauthorized use of the Crown Prince's tiger seal.
The Third Prince openly admitted to his prior dealings with Huo Wushang, asserting that the Crown Prince was unfit to rule. He argued that a monarch's character, whether benevolent or harsh, was secondary to acting rationally, and that the Crown Prince's indecisiveness had directly led to corrupt situations like Lou Ben's conspiracy. Emperor Wen rebuked his son for his harsh judgment.
When asked for his opinion, Huo Wushang candidly explained that in just a few months under the Crown Prince, he had gained control over all Eastern Palace affairs, including military, tax, and intelligence. He held all command tokens and seals, making it effortless for him to seize absolute power if the Crown Prince were to ascend the throne.
While he personally never sought to usurp the throne, he advised Emperor Wen to depose the Crown Prince for the stability of the nation, even if it meant being branded as disloyal. As Huo Wushang spoke, Empress Xuan emerged, directly confronting him. She asked if his solitary journey to Marquis Chengyang's Residence earlier signified his decision to abandon Cheng Shaoshang.
After a long pause, Huo Wushang confirmed that he had indeed resolved to relinquish Cheng Shaoshang, stating he had no regrets. Overhearing this, Cheng Shaoshang stepped forward. She acknowledged Huo Wushang's complex motivations, understanding his desire to protect her family from his revenge mission and his inability to forgo avenging his family. Yet, she declared that he had never truly understood her.
She then requested Emperor Wen and Empress Xuan to annul their engagement, humbly stating her low birth, limited intellect, and rebellious nature made her an unsuitable match. She reminded Huo Wushang of her oath: if he ever abandoned her, she would never forgive him. Now, with his ruthlessness, she would keep her word and asked him to release her. Later that night, Empress Xuan approached Emperor Wen.
She expressed her weariness from decades under the weight of the Empress and Crown Prince titles, likening them to swords hanging over her head. She confessed that she had been pushed through life, regretting her marriage to the Emperor and her ascension to empress, despite knowing the path was fraught with peril.
She spoke of the Crown Prince's true nature, more akin to her own scholarly father, destined for a peaceful life of intellectual pursuits rather than the anxieties of the throne. To shield her son from ignominy, she proposed her own dethronement, suggesting that if Consort Yue were elevated to Empress, the Third Prince could ascend to the Crown Prince position legitimately.
She falsely claimed to harbor deep-seated jealousy and resentment towards Emperor Wen's affection for Consort Yue, stating that remaining Empress was a daily torment. She pleaded to be freed from her role, to live as Xuan Shen'an, and to be confined to Changqiu Palace. In the aftermath, Cheng Shaoshang returned home, visibly exhausted, and confined herself to her room for several days. During this time, Ling Yi's three brothers were executed, and his family suffered dire consequences.
Empress Xuan confined herself to Changqiu Palace, the Crown Prince was demoted to Prince of Eastern Sea, and Huo Wushang, seeking to atone and live on behalf of Ling Buyi, requested a demotion and a seven-year deployment to the Northwest, officially changing his name to Huo Buyi. On the day Huo Buyi was set to depart the capital for the Northwest, he sent Liangqiu Qi to convey a message to Cheng Shaoshang, hoping for a final meeting.
Cheng Shaoshang, however, declined, sending her father and brother to see him off instead, with a final, heartbreaking message: "Never ever see again." Huo Buyi waited at the city gate for three long hours. Eventually, Cheng Shaogong arrived, returning the private seal of the mansion Huo Buyi had once gifted to Cheng Shaoshang, a symbolic severance of all their ties and hopes.
Upon hearing of Empress Xuan's confinement, Cheng Shaoshang reflected on the ancient dilemma that loyalty and filial piety often conflict. She informed Xiao Yuanyi of her decision to go to Changqiu Palace, declaring her intention to stand by the Empress and fulfill the virtues of loyalty and righteousness. Xiao Yuanyi, seeing her daughter's resolute departure, had a sudden, painful realization that this might be a permanent separation.
She rushed after Cheng Shaoshang, calling out her name, but it was too late. The palace gates slowly closed, leaving Cheng Shaoshang on the other side, silent and distant, a poignant echo of Xiao Yuanyi's own departure for the front lines over a decade ago, now facing the sorrow of losing her daughter once more.
