Love Like The Galaxy Episode 52 Recap, Plot

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Five years had passed since the palace gates closed on Cheng Shaoshang, marking the beginning of her secluded life in Changqiu Palace. During this time, life continued for her family members: Cheng Cheng and Qingcong, deeply in love, married; Wan Qiqi wed Cheng Song and gave birth to their first son; Young Marquis Ban happily married Cheng Yang; and even Shaogong found someone he fancied.

Meanwhile, Huo Buyi spent these years relentlessly fighting battles, his old wounds never fully healing before new ones appeared. Huo Buyi's relentless campaigns were a closely guarded secret from Cheng Shaoshang. Five years prior, when Cheng Shi was ambushed by remnants of Emperor Li, Yuan Shen's father was initially tasked with the rescue but never appeared. Huo Buyi, alone, risked his life against a force of suicidal soldiers, barely escaping with his life due to overwhelming odds.

Later, when Cheng Song fell into an ambush while suppressing bandits in Shu, Huo Buyi secretly provided assistance. These actions were unknown to Cheng Shaoshang, who remained in the dark about the dangers Huo Buyi faced on her family’s behalf. Conversely, Luo Jitong, learning of Huo Buyi’s presence in the Northwest, harbored malicious intentions.

She went so far as to murder her husband, Jia Qilang, in order to gain her freedom and get closer to Huo Buyi, convinced that one day he would accept her. However, Huo Buyi had no regard for Luo Jitong during his time in the Northwest. He even ordered his men to expel her from the barracks and saw her only a handful of times over five years.

When Empress Xuan's health deteriorated, leading to Huo Buyi's recall to the capital, Luo Jitong brazenly followed the army, deliberately spreading rumors of their deep affection. Empress Xuan, aware that her time was limited, wished for Cheng Shaoshang to find a good husband. She also expressed a desire to move out of Changqiu Palace, the principal residence of the empress, implying that Consort Yue should occupy it.

Cheng Shaoshang, deeply devoted to Empress Xuan, suggested she could stay in Changqiu Palace forever to care for her, asking, "Isn't that good?" Empress Xuan, however, gently insisted that she wished for Cheng Shaoshang to "meet someone nice" and "have a more complete life," saying it would bring her "relief" to see her marry and have children while she was still alive. Physician Sun's prognosis indicated Empress Xuan might only live for a few more months, possibly until spring.

Cheng Shaoshang conveyed Empress Xuan's wishes to Consort Yue. Consort Yue, known for her disregard for empty titles and formalities, stated that she found moving residences troublesome and was content in Yongle Palace, where she had grown accustomed to living. She firmly asserted that Empress Xuan would always retain her title, and that any further discussion of changing it or moving would be "trying to offend me." Cheng Shaoshang respectfully bowed and thanked Consort Yue on behalf of Empress Xuan.

As Cheng Shaoshang left, she encountered Yuan Shen waiting by the railing, as he had for the past five years. She understood his feelings for her. Yuan Shen, also aware of Empress Xuan's wishes, offered to marry Cheng Shaoshang. He noted that they could "make an act" of marriage to relieve Empress Xuan, citing their compatible backgrounds.

He argued that their similar "slightly mean" natures would make them reliable "ward mates" and "allies" who would never betray each other, and that he valued himself more than "a certain person" (implying Huo Buyi) who often put himself at risk. He boldly declared, "I'm more suitable for you than him."

When Cheng Shaoshang asked if he would still marry her even if she still harbored feelings for Huo Buyi, Yuan Shen readily agreed, promising to wait patiently for her to forget him. Empress Xuan had previously advised Cheng Shaoshang that the past was gone, and that she should cherish the present and future, breaking free from emotional entanglements to ensure a smooth life.

After much deliberation, Cheng Shaoshang decided to leave the palace to consent to an engagement with Yuan Shen. Third Prince personally rode out to welcome Huo Buyi back to the capital. Emperor Wen, who had been anxiously awaiting his return, was visibly relieved upon seeing him. Liangqiu Qi reported the details of Huo Buyi's injuries and secret assistance to Cheng Shi and Cheng Song, causing Emperor Wen distress.

Emperor Wen noted that Huo Buyi had kept his heroic deeds secret, allowing others to claim credit. Third Prince then mentioned the widespread rumors of an affair between Luo Jitong and Huo Buyi, but Huo Buyi vehemently denied any connection, stating, "There's nothing between Lady Luo and me. There's no way we are getting married." He immediately instructed his servant, Fei, to send two carts of dowries to Lady Luo's family and "help her find a husband."

Emperor Wen, concerned for Huo Buyi's future, asked about his marriage plans. Huo Buyi declared that after he rebuilt the Huo family's graveyard and ancestral hall, he would inform his ancestors that he would never marry or have children, saying, "I ask for nothing else in my life." Emperor Wen then ordered Huo Buyi to assist Third Prince in implementing the Land Distribution Order, emphasizing its critical importance for the empire's future.

He also informed Huo Buyi that Cheng Shaoshang was meeting Yuan Shen's parents that day and that an engagement was imminent, signaling that "both of you will be going your separate ways." Later, as Huo Buyi left the palace, he saw Cheng Shaoshang and Yuan Shen returning together. The sight brought no joy to Cheng Shaoshang, only a resurgence of past sorrows. As she mounted her horse, Huo Buyi instinctively reached out to adjust her stirrup.

Cheng Shaoshang noticed he still wore the "Shaoshang string" on his wrist. She then said, "I am no longer the Cheng Shaoshang from the past. I can ride a horse now even without a stirrup," before riding off. Yuan Shen then approached Huo Buyi, telling him, "Thank you for taking care of my fiancée, General Huo. However, it should end here."

Yuan Shen knew Huo Buyi wouldn't let go, but believed that despite any lingering feelings, Cheng Shaoshang, knowing her own temperament, "still might not choose you." Meanwhile, Luo Jitong visited Empress Xuan in Changqiu Palace, deliberately trying to impress Cheng Shaoshang. She spoke of her constant presence in Huo Buyi’s military tent, serving him food and wine, claiming a deep bond had formed, and implying an impending marriage.

Cheng Shaoshang, displeased by Luo Jitong's disrespect towards Empress Xuan, reminded her of the Luo family's past debt of gratitude to the Empress. At that moment, a messenger arrived with news that Huo Buyi had sent two carts of dowries and a large bronze mirror to the Luo family, with instructions for her elders to "find a good husband for Lady Luo." Cheng Shaoshang immediately understood that Huo Buyi’s actions were a clear rejection of Luo Jitong, not a proposal.

The Luo family, realizing they could not leverage Huo Buyi, promptly expelled Luo Jitong from their home. Cornered and desperate, Luo Jitong confronted Huo Buyi. She pleaded for him to retract his order and take her as his concubine, emphasizing her reputation in the capital. Huo Buyi calmly told her, "I thought you were smart. A smart person should know when to stop."

He dismissed her claims of "accompaniment," recounting how he had expelled her from the camp, and that they had never even spoken during his return to the capital. He stressed that his only true companionship was with "another woman." When Luo Jitong insisted she believed her efforts would eventually move him, Huo Buyi accused her of "lying to yourself." He then directly asked her, "What did Jia Qilang do wrong then? You killed him, right?"

He revealed that he knew Jia Qilang’s illness, though chronic, was not fatal at age twenty, implying her culpability. Cornered, Luo Jitong desperately asked if his rejection was "because you can't forget about her." Huo Buyi retorted, "That's none of your business." He confirmed that he had no feelings for her whatsoever, adding that this would be true even if Cheng Shaoshang were out of the picture.

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