Ms. Cupid in Love Episode 19 Recap
> Ms. Cupid in Love Recap
Chu Ye, deeply enamored with Shangguan Ya, found himself constantly gazing at their portraits, yet a nagging concern persisted: if human marriages couldn't end well, their own union might eventually dissolve. The pressing matter at hand was to revive the Hongluan Tree, the source of marital harmony. Believing his divine powers could replicate his success in growing soul flowers, Chu Ye attempted to resuscitate the tree using his celestial magic.
However, his efforts backfired, causing the tree's branches to shatter and fall, aggravating an already dire situation. The devastation of the Hongluan Tree ignited public fury in Yueyang City, with citizens blaming the Top Matchmaker. A large, vocal crowd, led by Miss Li, the daughter of Duke Li, gathered at the Top Matchmaker's doors. Duke Li, protective of his daughter, demanded answers from the county magistrate, elevating the crisis to a serious public and private affair.
To quell the unrest and shield Shangguan Ya, Chu Ye volunteered to be taken into custody. He assured Shangguan Ya that his arrest was merely a gesture to placate the populace and Duke Li, whose influence with the young emperor commanded respect. To keep Shangguan Ya safe, Xu Yunchuan arranged for her family to stay at his residence.
Shangguan Ya, however, chose to lodge at the county magistrate's office with Ouyang Jing, her true intention being to scour the county annals for a way to restore the Hongluan Tree. The task proved daunting, as the annual records were inconsistent and incomplete. Xu Yunchuan, moved by Shangguan Ya's unwavering devotion to Chu Ye and reflecting on Chu Ye’s magnificent public declaration of love, gracefully accepted his unrequited feelings.
He offered to assist Shangguan Ya in her laborious research, stressing the urgency of resolving the marriage chaos. Li Fu visited Chu Ye in jail, informing him about the situation at the Top Matchmaker. Overhearing of Xu Yunchuan’s involvement, Chu Ye, in a fit of jealousy, used his divine essence to subtly pull Shangguan Ya away from Xu Yunchuan.
Shangguan Ya chided him for his possessiveness, clarifying that her relationship with Xu Yunchuan was purely platonic, and advised Chu Ye to apologize to him later. She then revealed her discovery: reviving the Hongluan Tree required "the best soil, the best fertilizer, and the best gardener." Shangguan Ya assigned Xu Yunchuan to find the ideal gardener, leveraging his official standing.
Through a rigged drawing of lots, she and Chu Ye were tasked with procuring "the best soil" from under the divine tree in the illusory land, while Li Fu and Ouyang Jing were dispatched to find "the best fertilizer," which they determined to be horse manure. Li Fu and Ouyang Jing's attempt to collect horse manure at a local farm resulted in chaos as they inadvertently released the horses.
The irate farm manager accused them of theft and demanded the return of all his horses within two days, threatening to report them to the authorities. Meanwhile, Chu Ye and Shangguan Ya ventured into the illusory realm. Chu Ye warned her of the perilous fog that created hallucinations based on one's fears and vulnerabilities, giving her a protective pill. Shangguan Ya, resolute, refused to let him face the danger alone, vowing not to leave without the sacred soil.
Inside the illusion, both were ensnared by its tricks. Shangguan Ya saw a bleeding Chu Ye, who claimed to be the real one. However, the true Chu Ye, discerningly revealed the other figure to be an illusion. Shangguan Ya, remembering the real Chu Ye's reluctance to voice his sacrifices, recognized the deception. Breaking free, she experienced a vision of Chu Ye suffering grievous wounds while gathering soul flowers for her, a poignant revelation of his deep, unspoken love and suffering.
Back in Yueyang City, Xu Yunchuan struggled to find a suitable gardener, even increasing the reward. After many unqualified applicants, a scholar named Zhuge Kuang presented himself. Zhuge Kuang, an eloquent flatterer, heaped praise upon Xu Yunchuan, calling him a man of "deep fortune" and "great ambition and courage," a true "blessing for the people." Despite being cautioned against flattery, Zhuge Kuang maintained his sincerity, insisting that Xu Yunchuan was too astute to be deceived.
Impressed, Xu Yunchuan hired Zhuge Kuang and treated him with high regard. With Shangguan Ya and Chu Ye returning with the special soil and Li Fu and Ouyang Jing delivering the horse manure, Zhuge Kuang examined the materials. He confidently declared his ability to heal the Hongluan Tree but requested two days to prepare and select an auspicious time. Chu Ye, however, harbored a sense of unease, finding Zhuge Kuang "strange."
The crowds at the Top Matchmaker's door still clamored for a resolution. Li Fu and Shangguan Ya realized that Chu Ye's public appearance would only worsen matters, especially with Duke Li scrutinizing the situation. Chu Ye suggested using his divine powers to disguise himself, but Li Fu argued against it, citing the risks of using celestial magic when dealing with mortals. Instead, Shangguan Ya, with Li Fu's help, applied makeup to Chu Ye, transforming him into a woman.
Reluctantly, Chu Ye closed his eyes and accepted his feminine disguise, recognizing it as a necessary step for the sake of the Top Matchmaker and to finally end the chaos of marriage.
